My Man Rocks

My man rocks for willing and joyfully parenting 2 nights - in a row - last week. Thanks for letting me get out of the house.

Jo Lee

Evening Thoughts on Parenting

Do you ever just get overwhelmed with love for your kids; to the point that you want to cry because that is just about the only way you can express your love for them. That seems to happen to me at the most unusual places and times. Like tonight. Anna is at sports camp and Matt is working out so it was just Benen and I. I am giving Benen a bath - the normal nightly routine around here; and this wave of love hits me. I know it has happened before and will happen again. I think it is a small glimpse of how much God loves us all the time every moment of everyday - during our routines. I can not even begin to understand His love for me. Oh about how a long to feel it more and more everyday; in my routine life. Lord keep drawling me closer to You; so that I can gain more and more understanding of Your love.

Sinful Nature

Believe me I know that my children are not perfect and that they are born with a sinful nature; but I am beginning to discover Anna's. 

This morning it took her 2 hours to get dressed and even start cleaning her room; I went to check on her after the 2 hours and she had done nothing. Right before lunch I told her she needed to get dressed and then start cleaning her room or there would be pain if she did not do that by the time I got lunch on the table. I went upstairs and 15 minutes later she is upstairs saying she is done. I was amazed - she actually did something as quickly as I had thought she should. Ohhh little did I know that surprise awaiting me. 

I got the kids feed and was putting them done for naps and checking Anna's room - which looked very clean - then I opened the closet; and you guessed it she had just stuffed everything in the closet. I was so made - she had not only disobeyed but had lied to me. So after punishment and reassuring her that I love her no matter what she does - I put her to bed with the knowledge that her room is getting cleaned.

I know I remember doing this as a kid - but this is new for Anna and it is very different being on the parenting end of things. I understand more and more how my mom felt.