Posted in To Be a Mother
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3 years old today! How the time flies! We had cake and presents Monday. Tonight is her favorite dinner - meatloaf! I will post cake pictures soon.
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Posted in To Be a Mother
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The baby is one month old today! The time has gone so fast! She is so alert and loves to look at new things. She is a wonderful blessing! |
Posted in To Be a Mother
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This is a post from the archives of my other blog. I think it is important enough to repost. What image do you give when you write on your blog? Is it truly the image you want to show? I'm not only talking about pictures, but about your words. I am a mother who loves spending time with my children. All the time - not just when they are quiet and obedient. I even enjoy the times when they are talking my ear off! Maybe it has something to do with losing a child - you do gain a different perspective. I know that God has given me a heart dedicated to my family and I am so glad!! Why this now? I was reading the blog of a friend (her husband knew dh from school and we attended their wedding). This friend has 4 children, her husband works in ministry, they are very active at church and they homeschool. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? I know she loves her family - especially her children. The blog, however, does not always reflect this. She writes that she is so glad to drop the children off at homeschool group where she doesn't have to stay. Before she could take the youngest she struggled because he talked non-stop the entire time the other children were gone. She sounded so relieved that he could finally go join his older siblings. Now, she is a comedian, and maybe she is just writing to be funny and these are not her true feelings. I really hope so. It saddens me when mothers look forward to time away from their children. It breaks my heart that the children hear these things coming from the mouth of their mother! I asked my children how they would feel if I said things like this, and they agreed they wouldn't feel very cared about. I am not saying that I don't ever feel I need a moment - I think we all do. If my dh is home, I will take a moment away down the hall or in the basement (doing laundry or cleaning, but, hey - it gives me a moment). If he is not, I say a quick prayer for strength and lovingkindness and give out extra hugs. I could never drop my children off somewhere and feel good about doing whatever "I" wanted to do. There will be time for that when they are all out of the nest. I don't look forward to that day - I think it will be so quiet! Pay attention to your words when you blog. Do you want people to know you cherish your dh and children? That message does not come across when you state that you can't get anything done because the children are all home and dh is home. It doesn't come across when the children are once again in Sunday School or Children's Church because you couldn't possibly have them sit with you and interrupt your worship time. It doesn't come across when you state that the littles kept you up all night so you just had to sleep late and then the whole day fell apart because you were cranky and tired. You can choose to make the best of those days - ask me how I know!! Please be sure you show the love you have for your family when you blog. I know that I represent mothers with many children (though I still think we have a small family) as well as homeschoolers. I don't want people to think that life is always a wonderful and quiet time, but I also don't want them to think that I would choose anything else. I love my family, I love the occasional chaos and I would not change it for the whole world. I want my children with me - all the time. They are a joy and God's wonderful blessing. I am charged with caring for them for as long as He sees fit, and I plan to do this with all the love, attention and affection I can. |
Posted in To Be a Mother
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I had a good appointment today. I was at 3 cm and 30% effaced - definitely progress, though slow. The doctor did an ultrasound because of my swelling, but all is well. He will wait out natural labor since they won't induce. If this baby girl doesn't show up by 42 weeks, he will do a c-section. He estimated she weighs about 8 lbs 4 oz, so I guess she's going to be a larger baby. My biggest was about 8 lbs 10 oz, so she has a little more to gain to beat her sister. Not that I want that competition!! To everyone waiting to hear - don't hold your breath! Have a blessed day! |
Posted in To Be a Mother
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Do you have a child that loves to talk? I don't mean just a little bit, but a constant chatter about nothing in particular? How do you react to this child? How do you talk about him/her to your friends (either real-life or on-line)? Do you respond in love or in frustration? Lately it seems I have heard more and more frustration with these type of children. Everything from "I don't want to leave the other children at homeschool group knowing I will be stuck with my talkative child" to "He just won't shut up!". Moms!!!! Do we really think this way about our children?!! We do not use the phrase "shut up" in our house, and it pains me when I hear a mother say it to their child. It just sounds so mean and uncaring! It bothers me when mothers use it in a forum post. I know that many people use different language, but I don't think "shut up" is polite in any form. The child that is talking a lot is learning to use his/her vocabulary. He/She is testing out new words, phrases or sentences. The child is learning to communicate. There are ways to guide the talkative child to a shared conversation - but you have to be willing to open your heart to it. Yes, I have children that LOVE to talk - a lot. Sometimes about nothing, sometimes about something they hold dear that I don't necessarily care about at that given moment. My reaction to them can change them. Do I pay attention to what they are telling me? Most of the time I do - I repeat back to them what they have told me. I show an interest in what they are saying. Sadly, I am sometimes side-tracked and may respond with a quick really? that means I'm hearing but not listening. I feel terrible when this happens because I am showing my child that he/she is not as important to me as I say. This makes for a humble mommy that asks forgiveness and makes a mental note to change. Your child doesn't always share your interests, but they go with you or listen to you when you talk about the interests you have. I have a duty to my children to help them develop their gifts - and most of my children have gifts that are definitely not like mine. I need to listen when they are talking non-stop because they truly have something to say. You can learn a lot about your child by just listening. There are some children who will use talking as an attention-getter. Examine your interactions with the child and be sure you are giving your child the attention he/she deserves from you. Children are not an inconvenience - they are a blessing from God and He trusts you to treat them the way He does. Do not let the telephone or the internet or anything else rob you of your precious time with your children. The time passes by quickly! If you take the time to listen to your talkative child and respond with a conversation and not a quick reply to get them to stop talking, the problem may correct itself. You may find yourself having very good conversations with your child for years to come because you took the time when they were just learning. Moms, love your children. Not just when they do what you want or act how you want, but all the time - without exception. Just as you wouldn't want a friend talking about you behind your back, don't talk about your children behind their backs. Instead of complaining about the child that talks all the time, praise the Lord that you have a child that CAN talk and communicate with you. Count your blessings and the blessings that your children are!! |