Being the Best Mom

Archive for September, 2009

My mother-in-law and I recently had lunch together at Pottery World.

You might not think a place that sells indoor and outdoor decorations would have a cafe inside, but it does.

And it has the…

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It’s time for another edition of What’s on Your Mind ’09?. Many thanks to Shane for planning this weekly activity!
According to Shane, the last Tuesday of the month is going to be set aside for our own photographs and creative writing.
This one had me stumped for a while. I am not much of a photographer. In fact, for some time I was on a bit of a picture-taking strike. I was soooo far behind on my scrapbooking that I simply stopped taking photographs.

Yes, I can go a little overboard when I get overwhelmed. Surprising. I know!

But, alas, I found a picture from days gone by to share with you today!
This picture was taken seven and a half years ago. We thought it would be cute to get a picture of the kids praying, had it all posed and ready to go, and at the last minute Matthew peeked.
Personally, I think his gesture makes the picture more precious. *grin*
Ahhh, how I long for my children to grow up with a passion for prayer. It is my prayer that my children will know deep in their hearts that God hears us when we pray, that He is powerful to act, and that He wants us to come to Him with our praise, our thanksgiving, our confession, our needs. Our everything.
Yes, Lord, please give my children spirits which long to commune with You always!

And as I am writing about prayer today – as I am sharing what’s on my mind – I also want to bring one of my prayer needs to you. I have a small group of women who have been supporting me in prayer for several years. Each month I send an email to them with my speaking engagements for that month and specific prayer requests for my speaking and writing. And as God leads them, these women pray for me and the women to whom I speak.
Would you be willing to be on this prayer team, too? I cannot do anything apart from the power of God and it is my earnest desire to be covered in prayer every time I go out in His Name. If you want to join me in this venture, please email me (Karen@IrritableMother.com) and I will add you to my team.
Thank you, thank you!

May the joy of the Lord fill your soul today.

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Welcome to Mom-Monday! I’m glad you’re here.

As moms, we want to do whatever we can to give our kids an opportunity to have a healthy, productive life. We save for their college educations. We take…

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Between the cooking and the comforting, the nurturing and the nursing, the loving and the leading, I also dabble in writing!

Click here to join me at Internet Cafe Devotions where today I am the Guest Barista.



(Does anyone else find this moniker ironic considering I don’t even like coffee?)

Kristin

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We thank Him for marking our days…and this day in particular…with memories.

We thank Him for cool breezes (and sister) propelling the swing.

We thank Him for the precious walk with fellow believers– whether it be a crisp walk through the corn maze (below) or the more general walk of life…

…and for being a constant guide on this path.

We thank Him for sweaters and soccer and pizza and giggles… and all the joys that accompanied our day.

We thank Him for loving us when we were unlovable and sending His spirit to dwell in us!

Won’t you join us in offering thanks for this and all our days?

Kristin

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Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

Proverbs 22:15

I am loving my time in Proverbs, and so appreciate the wisdom in this verse. Children are childish and folly is bound up in them. But as we discipline them and teach them what is right, folly will be driven away.
Father in heaven, please help us to remember that our children are children. Give us the grace we need to put up with their folly.
And fill us with wisdom and understanding as we seek to raise these little ones to become men and women who reflect You and have not a trace of folly left in their hearts.

Have a wonderful weekend. See you back here Monday!

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It is not uncommon around here at bedtime for me to have to remind Matthew many times to stay on task.

Who am I kidding? That happens all the time – not just bedtime!

I have become accustomed to the sounds of him not staying on task. It usually sounds like gun-fire with a bit of spittle for special effects. And I call from whatever room I’m in, “Matthew, put the gun away and get your pajamas on.”

Well, the other night I was walking past the bathroom – where Matthew was supposed to be brushing his teeth – and everything was strangely quiet. The door was cracked open ever so slightly, and provided me with just enough space to see that my little man was spending his time combing his hair in various directions.
I cleared my throat and said, “Matthew, stop messing around and brush your teeth.”
There was no change in his actions.
So I said, “Matthew, put the comb down and start brushing your teeth.”
And he responded, “Wow, Mom! How did you get so good?”
I don’t think he realized the door was cracked open.
And I’ll never tell. I’ll just let him think I’m that good!

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The first time I heard this song, I cried. I had just been in the midst of major frustration with my son. I wondered if he was going to “turn out” OK. I was tired of the struggle, and quite ready to quit.
Then I heard these lyrics and it was as if a boost of hope shot through my veins. God reminded me that He is at work, and I need to wait and see.
Since my first exposure to this song, it has played again at the most wonderful times. Always to encourage me with my boys. And now when I hear it I thank God for everything He knows regarding my children which I do not. I remember, I cannot expect them to be perfect. Lord, You aren’t finished yet!

And the winners from my birthday giveaway are Ronel, Shane, and Shawna. Thanks – everyone – for the kind words and Happy Birthday wishes. I truly had a great day!

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Things will be a little sparse around here for the next few days. I’m writing an article for a parenting magazine that’s due next week, and I’ve also got a lot of meetings scheduled for the…

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