3 Ways to love your children

Being a Homemaker is more than just household chores its also  about loving those around you.Those you have been called to serve.
How many times as a homemaker do you get caught up in cooking, cleaning , and laundry that you forget to love in the process? Well, your not alone its easy as a homemaker to get caught up in serving that we forget to stop and love those little ones we serve.

Here are 3 ways to stop and love your children

1)STOP WHAT YOUR DOING TO LISTEN

We are great multitasks as homemakers, we can hole conversations and cook/clean all at the same time. Well, next time your little one comes to ask you something or show you something or tell you something, how about stopping next time to listen and engage with your child or children. Trust me they will never forget it, and besides nothing is worth missing what our kids have to say.

2)Make eye contact

Eye contact are the souls window. When we give eye contact we are looking into the souls of those little children of ours. Let them know you care by giving them eye contact and be sure to get their eyes when you speak to them its so much more affective.

3) Whisper its much more effective

We as moms want to yell sometimes but yelling only creates fear in our children and they don't respect us, instead whisper the correction or whisper what you want to get across, they will be much more likely to listen. There is something about a whisper that is more effective than yelling and using harsh words. Gentle words turn away wrath but harsh words stirs anger.


I hope these 3 ways will help you to love your children this week. Let me know what are some ways you love your children.

The hearts of your children are like soil in a garden....Part 1

                

 

                                                 The Parable of the Sower

Matthew 13:3-23

"1  The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2  And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3  And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow:
4  And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5  Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6  And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8  But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, and some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, somethirtyfold."

 

 

                          Over the next month of so  I will be blogging about The Parable of the Sower and how the heart of your children are like soil in a garden.  I will dive into this verse and apply it to our children.

 

Every year we plant a garden, its not the biggest or greatest but its enough for our family of 7. Every year we spend a vast amount of time cultivating the soil.

 

We attest our soil to see the quality of it, and test the PH levels to determine what it needs, then we add organic compost material to it,  this is to ensure it is receiving the best nutrition possible, for we have learned the hard way that if you don't prepare the soil then you can not expect a bountiful harvest.

 

The seeds you plant will only grow if the soil in which it was planted in has been cultivated, tilled, and worked.

 

Yes, this process is tedious and the hardest. But, it is very, very, crucial in order to yield a good harvest.

 

 

Our children's souls/hearts/minds are like that of soil in a garden.

 

We are like that of a gardener a farmer a sower planting seeds in their hearts/minds/souls.

One day harvest time will come.

Every farmer/gardener and sower will tell you that the key to a good harvest is the soil. The right soil will produce the right harvest.

It is the job of the farmer/gardener/sower to care for soil that he or she is planting in.

 

As a parent we must cultivate, till, prepare the soil of their hearts/mind/souls.

 

If we want a bountiful harvest in them we must take the time to nurture the soil of their hearts/minds/souls.

 

Taking time to pour good into them, take time to add nutrition and value to their minds their hearts 

 

We must daily  and constantly be  adding to the soil because one day a garden will grow.

 

We must test the soil of their minds/hearts/souls to see where it lacks substance so that we can

make the necessary changes to ensure that they are getting what they need to thrive.

 

How can we cultivate the soil of their minds/hearts/souls?

 

5 Ways to Cultivate the soil of the minds/hearts/souls of your children

 

 

1)Guard what they hear

The hears are what send messages to the mind. The things they hear will become thoughts they think. What do our children hear from us? How do they hear us talk about them? How do they hear us speak towards them/tone? What do they hear when we aren't around? Do we guard what messages they listen to via. internet/T.V/Sunday School/School/Family/Friends/Etc.?

 

2)Guard what they see

The eyes are windows to the soul. The things the see, penetrate into the mind what they see they act. What do our children see us doing with our time? Our finances? Our relationships? Our spirituality? Our talents? Our gifts? The way we treat people and treat our spouses?

Do we guard their eyes or do we let them watch every show on T.V and see every latest movie? Do

 

3)Guard what is spoken by them

The tongue is a small member of the body but it can not be tamed

How do our children speak? Do they speak words that edify or tear down? Do our children joke wrongly? Do they mock/scoff and laugh at righteousness and our authority? Are they thankful?

Do we guard what words they say and how they say it? Do we guard how other people speak to them?

 

4)Guard their deed

A action becomes a habit a habit becomes a lifestyle a lifestyle makes a person

Are the actions and behaviors of our children important to us? Do we guard behaviors/actions that we see them displaying? Do we encourage good behavior or do we feel like we are being to "religious" to encourage morality in them? Do we guard morality in their behaviors? Do we guard what influences of behavior we allow our children to encounter? Do we guard what company they keep?

 

5)Guarding a thankful spirit

Do we encourage and instill thankfulness in everything ? Are our children thankful? Do we help them be thankful by pointing out there is much to be thankful for? Do we guard a thankful spirit? Are we constantly pointing out the blessings?

 

 

 

 

Think of these 5 things as soil building materials essential for a garden.
 

Take each one of these materials and apply them daily

Let me know how it goes

 I'd love to hear from you

 

Raising Boys "Little Men" Chivalry the Lost Art

As a mom of 3 boys I am often overwhelmed at the noise level, dirt, wrestling, messes and more messes they seem to make. I know some moms who have way more boys then I do and boy are they so much more patient then I am.

Truly, God is growing and stretching me in my parenting. It truly is a blessing to be a mom of boys. Hard work but a blessing nevertheless.

I am learning that raising boys is really more like raising little men. For one day they will be  men and right now is when the training begins.

I have been training my boys in Chivalry. It is something that has certainly  been lost in our current generation and a art that needs to be cultivated and trained in if they are to be good at it when they are adult men they must practice it everyday.

chiv·al·ry

[shiv-uhl-ree]

NOUN [PLURAL CHIV·AL·RIES]

1.

the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor, and dexterity in arms.

2.

the rules and customs of medieval knighthood.

3.

the medieval system or institution of knighthood.

4.

a group of knights.

5.

gallant warriors or gentlemen: fair ladies and noble chivalry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What exactly does this look like in practicality? 

 

 

1)Courtesy

Courteous Thoughts

 

Courtesy begins in your mind,  he sets his mind on being courteous thinking about others above himself, he lives his life to bless others and bless His God.

 

Courteous in Speech

 

A knight doesn't speak derogatory or perverse in his speech, rather his speech is courteous, gentle, encouraging to the hearer, speaks words of kindness, and affirms his leadership in conversation yet willing to listen, speaks respectful with manners

 

Courteous in Actions

 

Women/ladies deserve to be treated like Princesses even when they don't display royalty character.

 Hold doors open, carries heavy packages/items for them, asks them if they need help, always willing to serve them in gentleness.

 

Willing to serve those around them without being asked, they look around and see a need and fill it without being asked or told.

 

 

 

2) Generosity

 

Generous with His Material Possessions  

He is willing to give and share all he has things like candy and toys or snacks or food or anything he owns, because he is courteous of others and he is a gentleman and a gentleman always shares

 

Generous with His Time

 

He gives of his time generously he is willing to volunteer his time serving others or helping others or just spending time with others

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Valor

strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness : personal bravery

 

Valor in his Mind

 

Takes his thoughts captive the mind can be a dangerous battlefield, he controls his thoughts and guards his mind with truth, spending time in prayer and in Gods word

 

Valor in Attitude/Actions

 

Willingness to be brave in times of danger, this can be when someone is speaking wrongly and he must be willing to speak up for righteousness and or defend the weak or those that are in danger, He must be willing in his actions to stand up for what is right even when others aren't. This means take a stand and be brave against unrighteous speech, or when someone is treated wrongly.

 

This also means being willing to stick up for his siblings who are being bullied or someone else being bullied. He can tell a grown up or yell stop etc.

 

 

This is just the beginning of Chivalry we are working on I'm so excited to see how they will grow in this character

 

 

Real Time with your Children

This is a post I wrote back in Oct. I wanted to share it again as I have been understanding more and more the importance of spending one on one time with my children.

Time with your kids is never wasted

 
When we began having more children and as they got older, Mr. Beloved (my husband) was wise enough to see that our children needed individual one on one time with both of us. Even though I am a stay at home mom and I am with the children all day long, it seems between cooking, cleaning, laundry, nurturing the kids, etc
. the one on one time seems to be something that was hard to accomplish. 

So, he came up with the idea that every night he would take one child and I would take one child and we would alternate the kids until all kids had a turn with each of us. 

We would keep that child up an extra 15-30 min doing whatever they wanted.  Sometimes it would be a board game, a favorite book, hot chocolate, a do-nut, talking, drawing coloring, or whatever. They even would get to sit next to us in the "Special Time seat" as they call it at dinner time.

It really is such a special time with them. I really enjoy that time and they especially look forward to it as well. The bonding has been so unique with each one of them and I know that it means a lot to them, as when they have had to miss it for varies reasons they were very disappointed.  

This is just one way we try and spend individual one on one time with all 5 of our children. Sometimes its a challenge as we may want to just go to bed or do other things during that time like have time for ourselves, but in the end we know that investing in them and building a good relationship with them is far more important, after all we dont get any do overs with our kids.

What are some ways you squeeze in one on one time with your children?

Homemade Finger Paint

Homemade Finger Paint

                                NON TOXIC AND SAFE

Ingredients:
  3 tbs sugar
1/2 tsp salt
  2 cups of warm water
  Food coloring or (beet root powder or herbal powders)
1/2 cup Corn Starch or Corn Flour or Arrowroot(You could even use Yogurt )

Directions:
Mix ingredients into a sauce pan warm until mixture thickens
Then you can separate it into jars or containers and add coloring at this stage or in sauce pan.

If you want to use yogurt as your base just add beet root powder / herbal powder to it and arrowroot or cornstarch to thicken it

Homemade Floam Kids Craft for Wacky WEDNESDAY

 FLOAM RECIPE


2 Tsp Borax
1/2 cup warm water and 1/4 cup warm water divided
2 oz. glue Elmers
1 and 1/3 cup of polystyrene beads
optional: food coloring




DIRECTIONS 
 Mix 1/2 cup warm water and Borax until dissolved, in separate bowl combine 1/4 warm water and glue add food coloring if desired, pour glue mixture into zip lock bag, add beads, then add boraxmixture seal the bag mix together until floam is formed. 

**You can add more or less borax/water mixture to get consistency to your liking. 

Tips 
 You can get beads at craft store like Hobby Lobby or Michaels

a bowl combine 2 teaspoons of borax with 1/2 cup of very warm water.  Mix until the borax is dissolved.  In a separate bowl combine 1/4 cup of white school glue with 1/4 cup of water.  Add food coloring if color is desired.  Once the ingredients of both bowls are mixed pour the glue mixture into a zip seal bag.  Add the polystyrene beads and then add the borax and water mixture and seal the bag.  Once sealed mix the ingredients of the bag well until the floam is formed.  

- See more at: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/12/homemade-floam-recipe-for-play.html#sthash.OqoXJdE6.dpuf

2 tsp of borax 

1/2 cup of warm water & 1/4 cup of warm water- divided 

2 oz of white school glue

1 & 1/3 cups of polystyrene beads

Optional: 3-5 drops of food coloring if color is desired

- See more at: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/12/homemade-floam-recipe-for-play.html#sthash.OqoXJdE6.dpuf

2 tsp of borax 

1/2 cup of warm water & 1/4 cup of warm water- divided 

2 oz of white school glue

1 & 1/3 cups of polystyrene beads

Optional: 3-5 drops of food coloring if color is desired

- See more at: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/12/homemade-floam-recipe-for-play.html#sthash.OqoXJdE6.dpuf

2 tsp of borax 

1/2 cup of warm water & 1/4 cup of warm water- divided 

2 oz of white school glue

1 & 1/3 cups of polystyrene beads

Optional: 3-5 drops of food coloring if color is desired

- See more at: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/12/homemade-floam-recipe-for-play.html#sthash.OqoXJdE6.dpuf

2 tsp of borax 

1/2 cup of warm water & 1/4 cup of warm water- divided 

2 oz of white school glue

1 & 1/3 cups of polystyrene beads

Optional: 3-5 drops of food coloring if color is desired

- See more at: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/12/homemade-floam-recipe-for-play.html#sthash.OqoXJdE6.dpuf

2 tsp of borax 

1/2 cup of warm water & 1/4 cup of warm water- divided 

2 oz of white school glue

1 & 1/3 cups of polystyrene beads

Optional: 3-5 drops of food coloring if color is desired

- See more at: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/12/homemade-floam-recipe-for-play.html#sthash.OqoXJdE6.dpuf

2 tsp of borax 

1/2 cup of warm water & 1/4 cup of warm water- divided 

2 oz of white school glue

1 & 1/3 cups of polystyrene beads

Optional: 3-5 drops of food coloring if color is desired

- See more at: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/12/homemade-floam-recipe-for-play.html#sthash.OqoXJdE6.dpuf

2 tsp of borax 

1/2 cup of warm water & 1/4 cup of warm water- divided 

2 oz of white school glue

1 & 1/3 cups of polystyrene beads

Optional: 3-5 drops of food coloring if color is desired

- See more at: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/12/homemade-floam-recipe-for-play.html#sthash.OqoXJdE6.dpuf

2 tsp of borax 

1/2 cup of warm water & 1/4 cup of warm water- divided 

2 oz of white school glue

1 & 1/3 cups of polystyrene beads

Optional: 3-5 drops of food coloring if color is desired

- See more at: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/12/homemade-floam-recipe-for-play.html#sthash.OqoXJdE6.dpuf

Thankful Thursday "Poem"

Wacky Wednesday" Homemade SIlly Putty "

• Glue regular Elmers glue glitter glue is fun
• Borax 
• water

Mix together a 1 to 1 mixture of glue and water. ( about 2 oz of glue and 2 oz of water is usually enough per child) 

Directions: 

Stir the glue and watery together until completely mixed.

Dissolve 1 tsp of borax into 1/2 cup of warm water. Pour borax water into the glue mixture and stir.

Keep stirring, after a few seconds the glue will begin to "gel" up.

Pick up the glue glob and squish it around for a few moments.

 It will turn into a pliable, yet firm, silly putty like substance.

If you find the "silly putty" is becoming less pliable, put it in the microwave and heat it up for 5 to 15 seconds.  Store in a baggie or container.

Wacky Wednesday HOMEMADE BOUNCY BALLS

          3 simple ingredients and you have a bouncy ball

Ingredients:

• Borax (this is found in the laundry soap section of many stores)
• Cornstarch
• Warm water
• Food coloring (optional)
• Elmer’s Glue (clear or white)

 Borax is something to be careful with- you don’t want this stuff in a  mouth so watch for any little fingers when you are making these balls.

In one cup mix 2 tablespoons of warm water and 1/2 teaspoon borax. Stir to dissolve.  Add food coloring if you like (if you don’t the balls will turn out to be white from the Elmer’s Glue.)

In the second cup, put 1 tablespoon of glue and add 1/2 teaspoon of the Borax solution you just made plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch.

DO NOT STIR.

Give the ingredients about 15 seconds to work their magic and then stir.

You  want to stir until it gets too hard.  This mixture feels like wet cement in your hands so stir in the cup as long as you can.

Once it gets too hard, use a spoon to put it all in your palm and start gently rolling into a ball.  Keep rolling until it is no longer gooey and starts to get a solid shape. 

Set it aside for just a few minutes until it is no longer sticky to the touch.  And bounce!!  We added  glitter to the ball during the rolling process and it turned into a sparkly glitter ball.

Thankful Thursday: Remembering the life of an Extradoinary homemaker (my husbands Grandmother)

There is always something to be thankful for. Today I am thankful for the life and legacy of my  husbands grandmother. She was the ultimate homemaker. Yesterday she went home to be with Jesus. I know she is more alive than she has ever been, in the presence of her savior and reunited with the love of her life, her husband of her youth.

If I could be half the homemaker she was, I know my family will be truly blessed, and rise up and bless my name as her own grown children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have.

She poured her life and soul into homemaking. Having been a homemaker for more than half her life, raising 5 grown children, being a grandma to countless grandchildren and great grandchildren, she still always greeted you with a smile, and was always glad to see you. You were always welcomed in her home, and always felt at home.

  There was nothing Grandma wouldn't do for you. It was her nature to take care of those she loved. I watched her love those around her and I know if I could love like that, then I too would leave a great legacy. I watched her presence and quiet spirit  be a source of comfort to those around her.

Her cooking is something that we all will dearly miss. When she would prepare a meal, she did so with such great intention. Always with you in mind. Always willing to cook for you when you visited. Her hands were never to tired to serve the ones she loved.

You could taste the love in every bite. Her potato and green chili rellanos at Christmas time, her macaroni salad with chunks of cheese, and her famous mouth watering deep fried taco's with salsa, always left your taste buds lingering for more, and no matter how hard I tried I could never get mine to taste like hers. Then she would serve you a slice of her yellow cake with her homemade chocolate icing, it was a sweet melt in your mouth delicacy, and the recipe was top secret.I often would try to recreate it, but like every meal grandma served, it was the love she put into it that made it taste so good. That is something that could never be duplicated or recreated.

Her heart was a heart of love and the greatest receiver of her love was her husband who passed away 5 years prior. He was her heart.

It was evident every time she spoke of him or at the mention of his name. She always spoke so sweet of the love her youth, the countless stories she would share of him were like rare jewels hidden deep within the treasures of her heart. When she would share them, you knew you were receiving something very special and valuable. her love for him never left her, and now she is complete having been reunited with the love of her life.

If I could love my husband even half the way she loved hers, I know my heart will be the beneficiary of such honor and my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren will inherit a lifetime of precious memories, as we all have with her.

I am thankful to have been able to witness, and  be apart of such a remarkable woman's life. Sometimes you don't realize what you had until death occurs.

 There is so much I wish we would have done, visited more, called more, etc. But, I will never regret the memories that were given to us, the memories that I have to share with my children and grandchildren that they come from a legacy of homemakers, and their great grandmother was the pillar for such extraordinary work.

It was her home where countless laughs took place, tears flowed, children giggled, babies whined, the place where sisters/brothers, aunts/uncles, cousins and friends gathered, the place where we all felt at home. It was Grandmas house and you always knew you were welcomed, loved, and cherished. You knew that she was always happy to see you.

She embraced her homemaking role with dignity, humility, strength, satisfaction and joy. She willingly worked with her hands to show her love, appreciation for those that entered her home.
It was never an obligation, duty, or burden for her, but rather it was a pleasure to give of herself to those around her, to those she loved.


She gave and gave of herself even up until the last moments of her final breath. I watched her frail, weak, and tired body, give of itself as it always had her whole life, one last time she would give  her smile to her loved ones as she always had,  reaching for the hands of those around her, as if to say here is the last of what I can give you.


 We all received and benefited from all she gave and now we  are left with  memories that fill our hearts, sneak out of our eyes and roll down our cheeks.

Those memories will be passed on for generations to come.

She truly set the example for me, my daughters and grand daughters, and my sons.  As I raise the next generation of homemakers, passing the baton of homemaking to my children we will look back at  Grandmas life as a homemaker and with confidence and pride know that we come from a line of strong homemakers and we too can love and build strong homes as she did. She really did make a difference and  impact the lives of all those that knew her.

She left a legacy of love! A homemaking legacy that we will cherish for a lifetime. Until we meet again on the other side of heaven, enjoy your time of rest Grandma.

The Homemaker and her words

Homemaking is more than just chores!

 As a homemaker we often think of a woman who cleans, cooks, does laundry and raises kids. This is true, however we are doing more than just chores. We are building a legacy, a future generation. WOW! What a calling we have, that must not be taken lightly.



The verse in Proverbs 14:1 comes to mind when I think of the word "homemaker". It says,  "A wise woman builds her home but with her own hands the foolish woman tears hers down."

Building a home truly does require wisdom. I admit, I am not always wise, and fail and thus I need Jesus in every aspect of my homemaking. For the scriptures declare that Jesus is wisdom, and if any of us lack wisdom, God will give it to us liberally. He will not withhold it from us.  What a gracious and generous God we serve.



          One way we as homemakers build our home is in our words. Our words have the power to heal or hurt. They can be gracious or out right mean. They can build up or tear down.

We must take care to speak words that will build, building up our home in love, grace, peace, patience,mercy, 

kindness, gentleness, self-control, faithfulness, thankfulness and joy.




The words we speak can never be taken back, erased, removed or forgotten. They are deep morsels penetrating the soul! Lets be careful on how we build careful to chose each word before it leaves our tongue, careful about our tone.

                                         Our husband and children are people who deserve

  They deserve to live in a home where the words spoken are words that build them up in Jesus                                                                 and in their holy faith.

                     Here are 5 ways to use your words to build up your          husband and children :

1)Praise -  Praise your husband and children for a job well done, for trying, for godly character, for working hard, and for their efforts.(Wow, good job helping your little brother. ) (Honey, you are so good with the children they are blessed to have you as their father.)

2)Thankfulness - Speak words of thanks to your husband and children, tell them often how thankful you are for them and thank them for the things they do. Vocalize thanksgiving throughout the day, (God is so good I am thankful he blessed us today with a sunny day) (Thank you sweetheart for all you do for our family and for providing for us.)

3)Sing - Sing hymns or worship songs or bible verses to your children, its a great wya to memorize scripture and a great way to lift the mood in the home.

4)Speak the word -When you talk to your husband and children quote scripture and speak of heavenly things, talk often of Jesus his life, death and resurrection, and of the goodness of God.

5)WATCH YOUR TONE - Speak in a soft gentle tones even when you are angry, upset, frustrated. Its amazing how a patient and a whisper voice gets your husband and children's attention more than a loud, defiant, demanding voice/tone. Practice a tender sweet soft tone when you talk and correct your children. it really does make a difference.


I realize that these 5 tips are challenging and hard but I also know that the Holy Spirit gives to us the fruit of the Spirit it is him working in and through us. His Spirit builds godly character in us as we live out our faith. He can and will work these things in you. Trust Him for the results, and by his grace walk obediently and faithfully to His call. 

a LITTLE cHANGE GOES a long way

Do you ever feel like Homemaking/Homeschooling is a bit monotony?  I know it can sometimes feel that way for me. I'm sure the children feel the tedious of the days as well.


 Sometimes changing things up a bit around your home can help relieve some of the boredom. Even though we have a schedule/routine it still sometimes feels boring.

 The kids decided to have a little fun and designate each day of the week to something. Maybe your children will enjoy it as much as mine are.

 Monday  are our "double mom buck day"  if you haven't heard of Mom bucks check it out on my friends blog here:http://www.keeperofthehomestead.com/1/post/2014/02/the-mom-bucks-miracle.html EVERYONE loves earning extra $ on this day. 

Tuesday we made it craft/art/drawing day. 

  
Wednesday is wacky day, everyone dresses wacky and has wacky hair


 



Thursday is our music/worship  we learn about different composers, missionaries and pray for them.

 

Friday is funday our outing/outside day either play outdoors, work on the garden or go on a field trip.

                    A little Change goes a long way sometimes

Even a Child is known by his doing

Grocery shopping with kids, as many of you know is always an adventure. You never know exactly what will happen or go wrong.
I often pray before I go into the store that my kids put into action all the training they have been taught. Sometimes they do and well sometimes they don't. When they do well I walk out feeling victorious. Today was one of those days.

You can imagine how proud I was when my oldest son (Humbled by God, as I call him)  began to bag all the groceries of the customer in front of us, he often does this and sometimes people offer to pay him for his hard-work. The cashier who knows us by name (because we visit the same grocery store so often), began telling the customer in front of us how the little boy sacking groceries was always doing this when we come. She spoke so highly of him that it really blessed me.

I often repeat and quote Proverbs 20:11 to my children that they now know it by memory, " Even a child is known by his doing whether his work be pure, and whether it be right  to my kids. " One thing I remind them of is that who they are today is who they will tomorrow, that everything they do today is building their character for the kind of person they will become tomorrow and the next day and the next, and so they must chose wisely. I like to keep it real with them.

My son was so proud when I praised him and pointed out that his work was noticed by the cashier, his smile was big and he knew he was building his character in our community.

Yes, even a child is known by his doing. What a child does he is known by it to others.  The cashier knows my son by his actions, by his serving of others, and hard work.

Thankfulness

Mr. Beloved (my husband) has often said that being thankful works as a shield for your heart, mind, and soul.

Whenever my dear children, Graceful (age 10), Humbled by God (age 8), Adventurous (age 6), and twins Merciful (age 5) and Bold as a Lion (age 5) begin to grumble and complain Mr. Beloved will ask them to name some things things they are thankful for, it always amazes me how quickly that murky attitude turns from sour to sweet in just a matter of seconds. It works for me too.

If there is one thing I want to instill in my children it is to be Thankful. One way I try and do this is to be thankful myself, even for the smallest things. When we arise in the morning and I draw the curtains open to allow the sunshine in, I will say things like, "Wow, I am so Thankful God created the beautiful Sun and telling it to rise every morning, and that it is lighting up our home and warming it. God is so kind to remind us daily that Jesus rose from the grave and provide for our needs."  or when its time to do chores around the house I will smile and say "Im so Thankful we have these dishes to do, God is good to provide running water for us to clean the dishes and make them clean for daddy."

There are no doubt, many things to be thankful for, but the greatest is Jesus and what he has done for us on the cross. I want my children to learn to be thankful for all things in there life, from the smallest blessing to the biggest, knowing the hand that gives it to them is their Father up above. This is just one more way, we are learning in Grace.

What are some ways you teach Thankfulness to your children?

Writing Letters

It will be 16 years Thanksgiving Day that my mama has been gone, She was tragically killed by a drunk driver Thanksgiving day when I was 17years old. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't remember her or think of her.

Now that I have children of my own, I think of her and how she would be with them, we talk of her often and I make sure my kids know her through my memories and photographs of her.

I am thankful for the memories God gives us, and the grace he provides through His Son Jesus Christ who has conquered death and gives us the blessed assurance of eternal life, for all that are His!

My mom before she died was working on a Album for me it had a picture of an Angel that she drew free hand and a sweet Prayer. It is the only thing that I have of hers. I have saved it for the past 16years, it is a treasure I have kept close to my heart. When I started having children of my own it really encouraged me to write letters to my children in case something every happened to me, they would know me and my love for them through all the letters I wrote them.

Given, there are times I skipped and forgot but I managed to write a letter a month for each one of them, as time went by the letters got fewer and I began to write again to them. I keep a journal with their picture in it and a daily prayer for them I also write little things about them, lest they never forget my love for them.

It sure did come in handy, not for the purpose I thought it would be for, I figured if I died or something tragic happened to me then they'd have my letters, but when   Humbled by God (my 8yr old son) ran to his room angry and said to me  one day "You dont care, You dont love me" I knew it was time to give him all the letters I had written to him.

I walked into his room and said, I know you are angry right now, and I am sorry if I caused you to feel unloved in anyway and if I caused you to feel like I don't care, please forgive me and when you are ready you can come to me and tell me what I did or said to make you feel this way. I then handed him a huge box of letters, I said, " I had been writing these since the day you were born, I planned on giving them to you when you got married or if I died before then, then you would have them". I asked him to read them before he came out to talk to me.

After about 2 hours he came out in tears, very Humbled  and was thankful for my love and for the time I took in writing to him. I have done this for all 5 of my dear children and husband. This is just one way I can reaffirm my love for them.

It isn't anything long or fancy sometimes I write only 2 sentences, but it is always so fun to go back and read what I wrote from years ago, I know they will all come to appreciate it some day, even as I have with my one page prayer and drawing my mom made me. It is treasure indeed.

How about you, do you journal or write to your kids? Id love to hear what you do?