Seize the moment !

Last night the kids and I went to kingston to meet Tim at his break for a work conference.  We had to wait in the parking lot for about ten minutes and the boys asked if they could jump and climb the snow piles.  They ask this....often....! Usually it's not really a good idea beacause of where the parking lot is, the amount of cars and traffic...or we aren't staying long enough and aren't just going to leave them out there while we get what we came for! However, last night, there was time!

 So they went, 

they climbed, 

they jumped,

 they laughed!

I was watching them, smiling, and really just appreciating the moment that we had, the freedom that we have, the good health, the close relationships we have.  Just counting my blessings.  Then I thought, this would probably be even MORE enjoyable if I went out there too! So I did! I didn't..jump....per se.. But I climbed, I laughed, and seized the moment with my boys.  

As Ecclesiastes 3 says, there is a time for everything. This time I have now, I need to make best use of, to enjoy my kids, to grow, to learn, to laugh, to cry, but to really BE with them.

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

Disappointment

Man, this word can hold so much power. I guess all words can.  We can speak life or speak death there is power in our words for good or for evil.  We will have to give an account before God for each word that we speak.

When someone says, it is so disappointing that you...that cuts. I'm not quite sure if three isspexific significance for me with the word, but I find it hard to think of any one word that hurts as much as that one.

Today, my son brought home a paper with his marks from a recent assignment on it. This assignment he that he had done very well on. He had told me about it most days as he worked, giving me progress reports when he came home, yet,  when he received the paper with the grade, there was a hand written note from his teacher on the bottom....it started out, it is so disappointing ....

My mothering instincts are beyond upset. I am so much in protective mode, defensive mode. I hurt for my son. 

Tonight, my prayer is and needs to continue to be that God will speak through me as I confront this issue, that is a bit of a straw on a camels back.... I don't need to sin in my anger. I don't need to add hurtful words, or any words that will speak death. Pray for those who curse you. May I be an example to my kids of how to stand up for ourselves, but at the same time stand for Christ. To speak truth in love.

Dates

We loved dates in our home :) They are a priority for sure!

Tim and I try for weekly dates, whether we are doing something together, skiing, skating, going for a walk, or going to town to get groceries and maybe a meal. We love dates.  

Our kids love when we go on dates too....probably for more than one reason! They have a blast being home without us and just being completely silly. It's often entertaining hearing some of the things that go on when we're out. We like to surprise them on a return time to keep them on their toes!  

They also like that we go in dates because they love when we show love to each other, it helps them feel secure.

We have, in the past, had dates with the kids, one on one, but we were really loosing track and not being very consistent. We also noticed, as a separate issue, chores were being done less and less without constant, repetitive asking!  So, combining these things together, we created a chore for dates system.  The kids have certain chores, which are mandidory anyway, and when they do a set amount, they get dates with us. They have to do they chores without constant nagging....and they have to do them on the day scheduled for their 'points'. They have one set chore a day, Sundays are off, and a bonus chore to walk the dog each day.  

Anyway, it's been a lot of fun having this one on one, or two on one date time with the kids. It's not an expensive time together, in fact,we set a $5 limit for their part of it.  We've played games, had Tim Hortons dates, poutine, breakfasts, gone skating, and running. It's just been a lot of fun spending this time together, and having it as a reward for responsibility!

Waking up with God

Every morning, at least for the last little while, I've been waking up with a song in my heart. It's actually been pretty fun, especially the days Tim wakes up with one too. Rarely, but not never, we have the same song we're singing as we slowly get out of bed.  

The thing in our house is, if you start singing a song out loud, it's almost guaranteed that there will be more voices once you get to the third word or so! 

There is no rhyme or reason, in my logic, what the song of the day is, it's not like we listened to it the night before, nor do we have music playing when we wake up, I guess it's just God's gift for the morning, a beautiful gift!

This mornings song, given to my heart is All the Way

 http://youtu.be/dDbmXrNqXxk

Enjoy! Be blessed!

Returning from Belize

We returned from Belize just over a week ago now.  It is a strange thing, the heart, the mind, the thoughts, the feelings that come with new experiences, with changes, with growth. 

We were given a missions journal which really helped put our thoughts and feelings into words during our entire journey.  The pages started 7 days before we left, continued for the 10 days of our trip, and had a 7 day post trip journaling as well.

                                                                                                      

This journal really helped me see some areas in my life that I have been improving at - Grace, and areas that I need improvement in - Selflessness.  Taking a look, at the end of each day, of how Christ lived through you is a really challenging thing.  Each day we were recording facts, smells, sights, sounds, tastes, as well as the things we were being challenged on that day, serving, belonging, changing, feelings, helping, persisting, ect.

 

I hope that this is a practice that I will continue, to reflect on my days, to really see what God is doing and has done, to be able to grow, to praise God, to thank HIM for Who He is, for what He has done and is doing.

 

Today, I'm thankful for this journal, for a guide to bring me through some thoughts and feelings and help process !

I love this place!

How did this happen?

How did this happen?

My kids were playing in their room, creating and racing cars on tracks...while I was slicing some cheese, preparing dinner, just pondering the day and various things in my mind when Matthew called out, "Mommy, come see this track!".

And all I could think was 'whoa, hold on! When did this happen?! Mommy? me? But I'm just a kid myself!

Ha! Oh boy...I'm not sure if that ever happens to you, but it's happened before to me...in my mind...sure is strange!

It's a good day to be a mom :)