Leading Our Children

The school year is drawing to a close for Wil. It has been fun teaching Wil, and seeing him read on his own, letting Maggie join in, and joining the CHE home school group. From my own personal assessment, I would have to say we have have had a successful year. Looking back over this momentous year of Kindergarten 2 things easily stick out in my mind as the definite best moments. They were when both Wil and Maggie on separate occasions expressed a desire to know Jesus as their Savior. It would take way too long to go into detail what happened and what was said. But Momma was praising God at the end of both those days. It happened with Maggie first during our morning devotions at the kitchen table during the second week of school back in Aug 08'. She seemed adamant about it and remains adamant about it. Only time will tell. And then a couple of weeks ago during the same devotion time sitting at the same kitchen table once again, Maggie was asking me questions about Hell and what it is like and who goes there and will the people there see their mommy and daddy, and on and on. Wil was intently listening but as usual had very little to say. Now Mags knows that Wil has not accepted Christ. Not because I say anything. She is just keenly aware of it. So drawing her own conclusion of Wil being hell-bound (i hope that doesn't sound harsh. i intend it not that way of course), she said "Can I ask Jesus into Wil's heart". How precious and wonderful that she wanted to save her big brother. I said (with Wilson right there), "No, Wil has to do that on his own." I never ever want to pressure Wil. He is only 5 in a half. But I looked up and read Wil's lips as he whispered (wanting NOT to draw attention to himself) "Jesus, will you come live in my heart?" I pretended not to notice all the while praying for God to direct Wil's little mind and heart. I did not want him to be confused or to be misconstrued by my words to Maggie. I just went about the devotion. Wil began to ask questions, one after the other until I could not ignore the heart of the matter any longer. I asked if he wanted to pray with me to accept Jesus as His savior. So after asking him some questions, we did. His voice trembled as he spoke. It was bittersweet for me. On one hand he is 5 and Maggie at the time of her acceptance was 3. This is so very young. Tommy and I know they must understand to a degree what they were doing, but we could never discourage there desire lest their hearts began to harden. God has been very confirming over these weeks and months. The truth is because we home school, they hear about Jesus and God all through the day. Our curriculum is Christ centered and his lessons are taught from math to science from a Biblical perspective. I just want their faith to be caught from Tom and me, but independent from ours as they grow! It has got to be their own.

The LORD has set in my heart to step up praying this year from my pastors to my children. And last night I ran across a book on my shelf that I got as a little gift for Christmas. I had not looked at it until last night. It is called Leading Your Kids To Christ (30 devotions to prepare parents). One of the most if not the most important role as Wil, Maggie, and Trey's parents is leading them to Christ. This book is an excellent resource.

The biggest part of my testimony began one night as I rocked Wil to sleep as a baby. I was praying, "LORD let Your Word be real to Him so that You can be real to him". I heard God so clearly and so gently say, "Misty, how can I be real to Him if I'm not real to you." I "loved" the LORD and was walking with him at the time so it really threw, but as I searched my heart, of course, He was right. Isn't He always? From that night I prayed like I never have before and God threw open the flood gates of heaven in answering my prayers. The big idea in today's devotion from this book I'm reading was this: Your child's faith will be a direct reflection of your faith. If you want your child's faith to be strong, your faith should be strong too. I had to Amen that. God spoke that to me 6 years ago and today he confirmed it yet again. Here are some other great insights that I found today in my new book.

"Never underestimate that power that comes when a parent pleads with God on behalf of a child." Max Lucado

If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all Isaiah 7:9

Just as our faith strengthens our prayer life, so do our prayers deepen our faith. Let us pray often, starting today, for a deeper, more powerful faith. Shirley Dobson

Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves the One who is leading. Oswald Chambers (I LOVE THIS ONE)

This book is a God send to me. You know how it goes with this blogging thing.
It can serve as an outlet to your thinking thus was the case on this particular post. May it encourage us to live it (our faith) out before our children inviting them to join us.

Precious Moments

We had one of those moments last night. You parents know the ones. The moments that will bring a tear to a glass eye. Tom and I were getting in bed. He pulled his side of the covers back and there on his pillow was a note from his eldest son, "I love daddy". Evidently during his rest time (rest time not nap time because 5 1/2 yr olds do not take a nap says Wilson) that day, apparently had gotten up and written Tom this note and put it on his daddy's pillow.

Wil and Tommy have always had a very strong bond! I blame it on the fact that Tommy was the one who changed his first poopey (sp?) diaper after his birth. All I know is that Tommy is always on Wil's mind. This is probably because daddy is always willing to play anything with Wilson from basketball to Crazy 8's to monster/dungeon. Thank you Uncle Mike for introducing the dungeon game to our family. I am forever indebted to you-NOT!! This game always ends in broken objects or broken children.

After seeing this note, I got teary. Tommy was pretty touched, but not enough to cry. Here is a Fun Fact: I have never seen Tom cry. There were no tears, but he did go straight to Wil's room where he was sleeping and give him a squeeze and kiss. It was beautiful.

Daddies never ever underestimate your importance. Your role is invaluable.

Backyard Fun

It's been a while my blogging family. Not that you have missed me and my tales of a stay at home mom, but I haven't had many spare moments to sit down at the computer for longer than 5 minutes. Even as we speak, my hubby is patiently waiting on the couch for me to join him in some NBA playoff watching. It's their year no doubt about it!! GO LAKERS!

I had to post this video of daddy once again making life fun with a little water balloon action. Boys are so funny. He was so impressed with himself (obviously) that he got his daddy. Momma never fell prey to their numerous attempts to get me in throwing range. This is definitely a game that will get many request this summer! It was funny to watch Trey play along.
One thing that sold us on this house was the backyard. It is big but up until 2 weeks ago, it was bare. My kids never wanted to play in the back. Wil of course can't go 5 minutes without playing basketball and the goal is in front. Mags just wants to be where Wil is so I fought a losing battle every time trying to get them in the back. We home school so we need to make home fun because, well, that is where we spend 90 percent of our day. So when I found an awesome fort displayed at Sam's I begged Tom to think about getting it for us. I won without nagging thankfully. He bought the thing which came in 4 boxes (about 150-200 lbs a piece)....nothing but cedar wood. I guess that is what you call it. He had to build it completely from the ground up. A friend came by to help some with the foundation (thank you Chris cuz you really did help a lot) but for the most part Tom did the work. The instructions said that it would take 2 skilled workers about 40 hrs to build. Tom finished it easily in 40 hours doing 85% of the work himself. I love that he finishes what he starts. It has been so worth it. The kids love it. I myself am looking forward to some quiet times with the LORD up in the upper room as I like to call it!

He Has Risen

More than any verse in the Bible, I have hope from these three words: He has risen! May I also add these words of His Truth as well,



I Corinthians 15:55-58

"O, DEATH WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.





HAPPY EASTER! FROM THE ARCHER'S

Wil's Last Game

This is for all my family that didn't get to see Wil play ball this year. This was Wil's last game. He hated to see it end. Sorry Mags...I meant to say he was disappointed that it had to end. Uncle Mike, you're way cool for making this video for Wil. Tommy and I and Wil love it. Wilson certainly ended the season well!! As you can see he plays with passion and yes he really did make those shots. I wish I could say he got it from me. Upwards is a wonderful program and they did a superb job putting it on this year.

A Date With Daddy

My baby girl and my wonderful man went out on a date tonight. I love the way Tom treats Maggie like she is the only real princess even though we know all good daddies think the same thing about their little girls. I fixed her hair which was not fun. It was like mixing water and oil. It was not the hair that gave us trouble, it was the hairdresser (me) and the not-so-cooperative princess. I stink at fixing hair and Maggie stinks at patience. We're both working on it. But by the time we finished, both momma and Mags were happy with the results.

No formal date is complete without a corsage (pictured is daddy presenting it to Mags)

Tommy has a great desire to date his daughter. Why? It shows her how a real man...gentleman that is...is suppose to conduct himself when with a lady. Tonight was a really special date. He took her to a daddy/daughter princess banquet. She got to wear a new pretty dress and be made to feel very very special.

I can't wait to hear how it went. I know it was fun. When you get Tommy and Maggie together, it is always a hoot. I just pray that Maggie didn't say poot or booty at the table. Those are her 2 recurrent units of expression right now. I can't count on Tom's rebuke if this situation arises since he struggles to contain his amusement. They are so much alike. I for one cannot tell a joke to save my life. People laugh at me not with me.

Well from the end of the night picture it looks like Maggie and her prince charming had a fancy time!!

Lots of Trey

This picture inspired me to share what I'm enjoying in Trey. We thought Mags was going to be our strong willed child, but this morning's little episode caused me to withdrawal for consideration that Maggie just might have met her match. What you see here is a stand-off between mom and toddler. My children are creatures of habit and they have many. It will drive you crazy except that I'm just like em'. Anywho Trey was ready for his post-morning-nap juicy. I have taught each one of my kids to sign before they could talk. It cuts down on the tantrums since they can't verbally communicate. They can use sign language. Trey knows well the sign for "please". We don't give him anything he wants without having him sign "please" for it. Lately I have noticed he is getting resistant to it at times. It is almost like he wants to see just how far he can get without doing it. This morning he was particularly cross having a cold and all. I said, "say please" (which means sign for it). He stomped his feet and squealed. Again I said, "Trey say please" and again he stomped and squealed. He was not going to give in. This went on for about 5 minutes. That doesn't sound long but it seemed like forever. Finally I poured it into his cup to tempt him and he decided juicy was much sweeter than his strong will for he gave in and "said" please.Now he happily is doing the sign for please as he savors his precious morning juice.

My baby boy getting his first hair cut.

With doing school with Wil and trying to work with Mags on some things, clean the kitchen (Trey likes to climb on the dishwasher when it is open). Trey is very much into everything...just a curious little thing and I don't want to discourage it, but there are times I need him confined so that I can do what I like to call a 10 minute drill which might include: a lesson with Wil, chore time, and a quick bathroom break. I decided to get out the old pack-n-play so that I could have peace that Trey was safe while I did my drill. At first it was this picture, but now he knows the "drill". I am so thankful that I stuck it out those first couple days.

This is NOT a pacifier. It is worse. It is a ring pop (just a little of the candy was left on it, but STILL. What was daddy thinking?) Now most of you know how particular I am about their teeth, but if you saw what I saw in my 6 years working for a dentist...well you might sing a different tune. I was not happy about this one, and yet I got my camera out. He is my baby and he just looked so content.

Here is his initiation into boyhood. It is his first black eye. The tray fell off of his highchair as he reached desperately forward for his daddy. Unfortunately their was a chair between him and Tommy and Tommy could not stop his fall.

Well these are the days with Trey. He is fun fun fun. He is sharp as a tack and not afraid of a little conflict. I can't get enough of him. Thank You, LORD for our little surprise.
I almost forgot this one. This is him imitating us. He is praying while he eats lunch. He does this and babbles like he is saying something. He'll quickly raise his head as to say Amen. It doesn't get any cuter than this!!