Day 17 - Perspective

Here I am, going on day 17 of my husbands deployment. The house is still present with moments of laughter, sadness, peace, and longing. We spend the majority of our days reading books, playing outside visiting friends, and coming up with some way to use our imagination.

Charlotte has taken on the role of "Mommy" in a big, and not so pleasant way. I know she is in the mimicking faze, and she is only doing what she sees me doing. I am trying to be patient, and not over react with her over what is just part of a 'growing' process. I have to say, it is a hard thing to do.

I admit, after reading the book "The Noticer" by Andy Andrews, I was a little more knowledgeable in the area of perspective. Everyone has perspective, but does everyone focus on the right sort of perspective that could enhance their life, and others around them? Take for instance, Charlotte. She is playing Mommy these days, disciplining her brother vocally, loving on her brothers through affection, and using her manners. I can not take the blame for the good, with out taking the blame for the bad as well. Instead of correcting her, telling her what she is doing is wrong, I need to change the way I am, and pray she picks up on the good. I need to start giving her more verbal praise when she is sweet natured towards him, and talk to her in a more gentle and softer tone when she is a bit more brash and unwelcoming towards him.

I have learned the motto "Do as I say, and not as I do" is a complete cop-out and lack of self discipline in living by this. It is easy to do, yes, but incredibly lazy, and very irresponsible.

If you curse around your children, of course they will curse.

If you use manners with your children, they will use manners as well.

If you yell at your children, they in turn will yell at their siblings or friends.

The list is limitless.

I am trying to take a new approach, and kick the habit of yelling, or voice raising in any way.

I am also trying to make sure, with every discipline, I also turn around and show twice the love. It is easy, very easy for me to punish my child for doing wrong, and then go about my day. I have to make a conscious effort to remember to turn around five or ten minutes after each incident and show them double the amount of love.

There are days, like today that I just want to pull out my hair from what seems everyone is suffering from "woke up on the wrong side of the bed" syndrome. These are the days that I have to lock myself in the bathroom, sit on the closed toilet, and pray to god to give me the patience, and the strength not to loose my patience, then regroup, and re-enter the world of moodiness.

It is a process that I am going through, and a change (a big change) that I am welcoming and wanting, and praying on.

My perspective -

I am blessed to have such a great roof over my head.

I am blessed to have three healthy and amazing children.

I am blessed that I have a wonderful man that loves me to no end

I am blessed that I have a feast to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I am blessed that I have the power and chance to make my life and myself into what I dream.

I am blessed to have friends, true friends that care enough about me

I am blessed to have a wonderful mothers and fathers from both mine and my husbands side.

I am blessed that I am breathing.

Simply - "I AM BLESSED"

everything else in between seems so frivolous, and unimportant.

"Isaiah"

I was reading the book of Isaiah last night, and I came across some wonderful verses relating to children, and raising a child in the ways of the Lord. They were very powerful, heartfelt, and very inspirational for me. We, as parents (Chase and I) do not raise our children to believe in magic such as Santa or the Easter Bunny, but we do want to raise them on faith, and teach them that it is OK to believe in miracles, and the unexplained. Each and every day, I battle with my ability to raise them in the correct way and the teachings of our father, Jesus Christ. It is difficult for me, for I am still in the process of learning how to live that path myself. I can honestly say, that I have found it a path well worth living, and worth believing in. The hardest part is actually getting on that path with your full commitment.

As my son was getting ready for school this morning, I found him laying on the floor, chatting away with Punkin and Jackie. Jackie, still being a puppy has the tendency to chomp down on a finger or other body part with her sharp puppy teeth. I heard Jordan explain "Oh Frick!" I immediately swung around with out any hesitation to scold my son, and remind him that any child of mine does not talk like that, and if he so chooses to anyway, he will find a bar of soap permanently attached to his mouth. He then, buried his head between these two pillows, and started to pout while saying "OK mom, I won't say it again". Ten minutes after the scolding he was still laying there tracing imaginary circles on the floor with his finger, still pouting. I knew that I had to immediately show him some love, and get him out of the sad state that he was in. I yelled "Picture time with my handsome boy!", set up the timer on my camera, ran over, jumped on top of him, kissed him on the cheek super fast, and told him to smile right before the flash went off. Right after this picture, he sat up and hugged me, kissed me on the cheek, and said "I love you Mommy". My heart melted right then and there, and reminded me of a bible verse I had read earlier on. I could not remember the exact wording so I had to google it to get the quoting right:

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

(Proverbs 29:17)

It just seemed to fit so perfectly .

Being on the topic of Isaiah, I wanted to share with you a few of the verses that spoke to me, and maybe see if they speak to you.

Of course I had to add in some photos of my little girl, ever so carefully, lining up her people one by one on the window sill.

(not sure why my text is continuing to be underlined when I don't want it too)

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, andshall gently lead those that are with young.
(Isaiah 40:11)

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
(Isaiah 11:6)

Below are some photos of William building his tower with Jackie this morning. It was so cute, watching them two of them play so peaceful together.

Have a great Day!

Sweet and Sour

.............................................................................................

Yesterday Morning we woke up to William in a lethargic state, holding a fever of 103.7. We immediately took him into the doctor, only to go home with a diagnosis of "some sort of" infection. We are blessed that it was nothing serious, just a little confused on how it could spike a fever so high. He is doing much better now, still feverish, but nothing as severe as yesterday morning.

We had a wonderful service at Church today. We participated in confession, and heard a wonderful message about Pride. I continue to think to myself on this subject, and how it is so hard not to be proud. I admire people with true humility. What is a simple example of Pride and Humility? My husband made a statement about pride, and people who have it, feel the need to flash their resume to others in a conversation for validation purposes. Humility is not identifying with your achievements, accomplishments or feeling the need to bring them to social light when ever possible. It has to be something that you are, and not just something you do. I agree, and feel that pride is a flashy, and gaudy attribute to have. I am a victim of pride in a very bad way. For many years, I actually prided myself on being proud. I have recently discovered the true and beautiful state in being humble, and having true humility. I would love to change my ways, to change my entire person into a person that carries humility at the core of her being. Who would like to go on the journey to humility with me?

We are very excited about this up-coming weekend. Not only will we be celebrating Easter with my family, but we will also be spending some of the weekend with some friends of ours visiting some more friends on their farm. I can't wait to get photos of Charlotte, William and Jordan with some goats and chickens.

Worship

We were so excited to have had Rev. Richard Kim come and speak at our Church today. He took us back on the journey that started as the First Promise Movement and continued with the consecration of John Rodgers and Chuck Murphy in Singapore and the formation of the Anglican Mission in America (AM).  Father Kim was the unofficial historian as he was there at every turn. We were all so excited to hear him speak. We also celebrated Father Chip Wheelers 20th year of Ordination today! There was so much to be thankful for today in Church. With each passing week, we fall a little more in love with our Church, and find it more and more exciting to wake up at 6:30 am every morning to get ready for church to go and hear the word of God.  

(Rev. Richard Kim)

David Chung speaking on behalf of the congregation , congratulating our Father Chip Wheeler on his 20Th year of ordination.

(My sweet Boys)

Dancing Babies

Sunday.... day of little to no rest.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and SUNDAY! Sunday is supposed to be the day of rest. Rest, was non existent in this household today. We have had a very busy day, and the day is not over! 

6:00 - Wake for Church

7:00 - Drive to the other side of the Island for Church.

8:00 - Church starts

We heard a wonderful message today from our Father Chip on the sacrament of Marriage. It was a wonderful message. Jordan and Charlotte loved their Sunday school!

9:15 - Church ends and go home

11:00 - Meet with Chases Guitar instructor, Mike 

1:00 - Leave for the ship so Chase can get ready to go underway tomorrow

2:00 - Leave for Target to pick up Williams Chlorine free diapers, only to find out that they don't carry them anymore!! WHAT?!? It is going to have to be time to start seriously potty training this little boy. While I was a Target, I did find these adorable socks for Charlotte (picture at top). Who doesn't love Target!?!

4:00 - Come home (finally) and start to do laundry from the week. Time to wash uniforms for Jordan, and clothes for Chase's underway!

It is 4:30 right now, and we still have three more loads of laundry, a run to the grocery store, dinner, and baths.  I have to admit, I am looking forward to this day ending, and being able to lay in bed and relax. 

I have also started to work on Invitations for the kids birthday parties. It takes me a little while to get them done, so I have to start now. Planning two birthday parties for three kids back to back takes a lot of prepping, especially when I am doing all the cooking, making and creating all the parting gifts, and invitations my self. Not to mention making all their birthday gifts.  Here are some examples of some invites that I finished yesterday:

(Three little Invites on top of my favorite homemade blanket)

Time to try and sit back, collect my thoughts, and prepare for this long week ahead. I miss my one and only day of the week for rest. 

"God is Sleeping"

This morning, while playing outside, Charlotte found peace in a tree. She sat there in her silent contemplation watching her brothers play. She looked so small sitting in the nook of this huge tree with her feet dangling. It was a perfect time for me to ask her about Christ. 

Mommy - "Do you know who God is?"

Charlotte - "Shhh Mommy, God is sleeping"

I tried to bring it up again...

Mommy - "Charlotte, do you know who God is?"

Charlotte - "No, Mommy, (in a whisper) God is sleeping. Mommy, all done!"

I chuckled to myself and withdrew the topic. My attempt to have a religious conversation was cut very short due to the supposed nap God was taking. I will try to bring it up again later in the day. I pray he is awake.