Somebody Needs to Bring Me a Lemon!

Well, I have not been the most patient person today... and my children have definitely been trying it (1 in particular - I won't name names, but his name rhymes with chillin').  Anyway, we have all of the fruits of the spirit represented on a different piece of fruit:

• Love - a strawberry (fruit of love - think chocolate covered strawberries)
• Joy - a pineapple (they have a happy smell)
• Self-control - an apple (think Garden of Eden)
• Peace - a "piece" of watermelon (play on words)
• Goodness - a banana (because they are just so yummy!)
• Kindness - grapes (because you can share them)
• Faith - cherries (not really sure why cherries on this one) :)
• Gentleness - a peach (they bruise easily)
• Patience - a lemon (you have to eat it slowly)

So, we have all of the fruit on the fridge with magnets and when one of us needs to be better about demonstrating a certain fruit, someone in the family may bring them the appropriate piece of fruit as a reminder.

Today, I need somebody to bring me a lemon! I recognize that its something I have not been demonstrating very well today and I'm praying that God will provide the patience I need. Some days with 3 littles are very difficult, but I am so very thankful for every moment with them.  Even the hard days are blessings because they are learning experiences and it is on those days that I cling to my Father and draw closer to Him.

Being Content

When our children want something, it makes us feel good to give it to them. But, I have noticed as soon as they get what it is they want, they are on to wanting the next thing... its never enough. Today, it hit me like a ton of bricks that we are all like that... that I am like that. Wanting more is inherent in us.

Giving thanks is something that I remember everyday in my prayers.  I do give thanks, but I also always ask for more... more guidance, more opportunities, more financial security, etc.  Philippians 4:6 tells us "... with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God," so there isn't anything wrong with those prayers, but today I felt compelled to bow at the alter and just give thanks.  No buts, no requests, just thanks.

In the same chapter that Paul writes to let your requests be made known to God, he also writes about being content... "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation..." Phil 4:12.  Being content is a choice.  We can either choose to complain or we can choose to be joyful and trust in our Father, our Creator, our Provider... whatever our circumstances.  God knows what is best for us and everything we enjoy or endure is for a purpose.

Thank you, Father, for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and for the sacrifice He made.  Thank you for this season of my life I am in right now. Thank you for a faithful, loving husband.  Thank you for 3 beautiful, healthy children.  Thank you for the rest of our family who provide so much support and encouragement. Thank you for our precious church family who remembers us in prayers. Thank you for the roof over our heads, for clothes in our closets, for the food in our pantry, for the heat pouring out of our vents, and for the water that flows out of our faucets. We know that these are amazing blessings given by You and we are so grateful! In Jesus' precious name, Amen

Defining Thankfulness

This past Sunday, our church showed this video defining thankfulness... it's beautiful and I wanted to share it. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving... continue giving thanks... everyday... always.

Click below to view video via youtube:
Defining Thankfulness Video

THANKFULNESS...

BONDS FAMILIES

STRENGTHENS FRIENDSHIPS

UNITES COMMUNITIES

THANKFULNESS IS THE...

DEFENSE AGAINST MATERIALISM

ENEMY OF ENTITLEMENT

CURE FOR SELF PITY

THANKFULNESS...

IS GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT

WAS MODELED BY THE SON

HONORS THE FATHER

THANKFULNESS...

IS BORN OUT OF HUMILITY

SUSTAINS FAITHFULNESS

IS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR JOY

LEADS TO GENEROSITY

THANKFULNESS IS...

A COMMAND FROM GOD

AN ATTITUDE TOWARD LIFE

A CONDITION OF THE HEART

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD

FOR HE IS GOOD

HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.

PSALM 107:1

Connor's Dental Drama (Part 1)

A couple of weeks ago Connor had his first dentist appointment.  I could see that he had a few cavities and I was prepared for them to tell me he needed a few fillings. I was NOT prepared for ALL of the dental work they said he needed! We are very diligent to brush Connor and Dylan's teeth twice a day (no, we don't floss like we should - but we will now!), plus we have heard that juice can lead to tooth decay so we limit their juice to once a day and that is watered down... I thought we were taking all of the necessary precautions. Well, Connor needed 3 baby root canals with 3 crowns and 4 fillings! Yikes! I SO wish we had taken him to the dentist a year ago. That would have been the key to avoiding all of this.

So, they said we would split it up into 2 sessions doing 1 side at a time and he would need sedation each time. At this office, they do concious sedation and I was more than a little nervous.  For those of you who know Connor, he can be a little... well... dramatic. I mean, for the first 3 years of his life he cried hysterically every time he got a haircut. I went to another dentist for a second opinion, and he confirmed what the 1st dentist said.

This past Thursday (11-17) Connor had the 1st side done (1 baby root canal with crown and 2 fillings). It went VERY well! He cried some when we first went back to the room and he didn't want to take the medicine. We finally were able to get it in him and he started to calm down.  They said it would take about an hour to kick in and they would be back. I was not prepared for what came next.  It wasn't bad... just unexpected. I had never seen anyone under conscious sedation, especially not a child. I felt bad for him, but at the same time it was surprisingly funny!  He said the funniest things... and you know I had to get some of it on video on my phone. Here is one of the clips:

OK - so here are some of his quotes under sedation (and everything he said was in a very serious tone):

• I think I'm going to name this dog Tip....... because........ because....... what did I just say?  (after I reminded him)... Oh yeah, I'm going to name this dog Tip Jerry Wally, after Deeda. (Deeda is what he calls my dad, Jerry Waldrop) :)
• I feel like I'm moving (heard at the end of the attached clip). I really like this chair. Can we swipe it? I wonder how we could fold it up and get it in the van.
• This room is very silly.

After the procedure was over he never complained once.  He didn't need any pain medicine.  He just played and was happy the rest of the day and the next morning! His next session will be on December 6th.  I will post Connor's Dental Drama Part 2 afterwards. :)

Our family worship play!

Chris and I started doing a nightly family worship time with the boys not too long ago.  We started in Genesis (and we are still in Genesis).  We knew we would have to keep it short and sweet since they are still so young, but we didn't realize how big of a challenge keeping their focus even for a very short period of time would be.  They fidget, look around, touch each other, snicker, etc., etc., etc.  It usually takes both of us correcting them the whole time. 

Chris wasn't home last night and I tried to do it on my own, and after about 4 minutes of Dylan running around and not listening to me telling him to sit down over and over again, the baby screaming, and Connor's attention completely focused on all of this commotion, guess what I did... gave up!  I knew that if I wanted to try this again and be successful, I needed a plan!  And, not just for tonight, but going forward... something to keep their attention and get them involved.

Tonight's lesson was on Pharaoh putting Joseph in charge of all of Egypt (Genesis 41:41-57).  So, I had them act it out and we did it earlier so they weren't as tired and we could do it outside.  There were a few hiccups, but overall I think it went much better than it normally does.  This picture is of Connor (Pharaoh) putting a necklace, as well as a robe and ring, on Dylan (Joseph).  Love it!