Birthday Wishes

Today is my daughter's birthday. Her wishes, a pair of Ugs and dinner out at the Melting Pot. Our family loves to eat fondue. It started in 2002 when every Sunday we would have family night and fondue. The kids loved it because they could cook their own food and choose what foods to eat. It was like a buffet, but they could cook themselves which made them feel independent. Not to mention the cool dips they could use to dip their food into. Doug and I thought this was a great time of bonding, because it took about 2 hours to finish the meal and we could spend this time together around the coffee table with our young children. The fondue night has gone by the wayside with the many moves we have taken since 2002, but the memories will remain. Watching the young faces say daddy is it ready yet, pulling the chicken out and saying not yet, but you're almost there be patient.

How many times do you do something you love to do with the ones you love the most and try to hurry it along instead of taking the time to sit still and be patient and enjoy what God has placed in front of you. We live in such a culture where night now is our motto, instead of being patient and realizing it's worth the wait. Children are such a blessing and the moments we spend with them are invaluable. Before we know it they will not be children or young adults any longer. They will be grown with a family of their own. Cherish the moments God gives you with your children it goes my in the twinkling of an eye.

Just think of how our heavenly father sees us. Cherishing the moments, watching our every move, laughing at the joy of our life as we live it. It goes by so quickly. The word says we are like chaff in the wind. Can you imagine our life just blowing about for a good 30 seconds then it's over to God. I am thankful it seems so short to Him. Oh the celebration of the day we see him face to face and run to him like a daddy at play with his children.

Lord help me to cherish the moments of my children's lives and not take for granted the gift you have given me in them! They are a sure blessing and a joy. Thank you for my children you have blessed me with and help me to raise them in the admonition of the Lord!

Kids Sports

How many of you have children in sports? I love to watch my kiddos play sports. It doesn't mean they have to be great at that sport they are striving to do good at, it just means I hope they are having fun while attempting to do well. Right now we have 3 boys on 3 different football teams and a daughter playing Lacrosse. Going to the sporting events is a good family time to go and cheer the son/daughter/sibling on. I think the discipline of sports helps our boys to also stay on target with their studies. If they are having to juggle a schedule they are more likely to discipline themselves to study also. When our children are not playing sports it's easier for them to sit around and watch TV and get into bad habits. TV and video games. We have also started implementing an allowance for the first time. Our philosophy had been if you need anything mama and daddy will provide that for you. Well, I think we have made a change for the better. Giving them and allowance everyday depending on whether or not they have done their chores. This is their spending money for the weekend. This has been somewhat a little challenge because they have to do the chores before school. Any suggestions on this one would be great. Trying new things to help our children manage their money and be responsible is not always as easy as we would wish it to be. We all kind of get in a rut sometimes when it has to do with change. But being flexible and always changing and adapting seems to be the best philosophy we have raised our kids by. Being consistent, but willing to change and be there for the kids through it all has been great. Children are a blessing and I'm so thankful for our 4 beautiful kids. I pray Doug and I continue to be the parents God has called us to be. Be blessed this day and hug your kids today!