My Little Ray of Sunshine...

One of the best things I have ever done......becoming a Mama

When You Thought I wasn't looking...

Lately,  I have been thinking a lot about example and what kind of example I set...not just for my children, but for any person I encounter along the way.   I am striving to teach by example when it comes to my children.  Naturally, they are my first and foremost priority when it comes to teaching about serving God.

At the close of many days, I think about the example that I showed others during the day.  Unfortunately, there are days that I know I failed in setting the right example for my own children and others that I have encountered.  

I am so thankful that, even on those days that I mess up and many of my imperfections come to the surface, I serve a God that has provided a way for me to come before Him and ask for forgiveness and help to do better in the days to come.

  Around our house for the last few months, I have heard these words coming from the mouths of my precious children.

 "Serving God by serving others!"

  Nothing makes me happier than to hear those words coming from the lips of my children...because it reminds me that EVERYONE can serve God by serving others!

  WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING...

  

   (A message every adult should read, because children

   are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say!)

   When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my

   first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted

   to paint another one.

   When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a

   stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind

   to animals.

   When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my

   favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things could be

   the special things in life.

   When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a

   prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always

   talk to and I learned to trust in God.

   When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a

   meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I

   learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

   When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of

   your time and money to help people who had nothing

   and I learned that those who have something should

   give to those who don't.

   When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take

   care of our house and everyone in it and I learned

   we have to take care of what we are given.

   When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you

   handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't

   feel good and I learned that I would have to be

   responsible when I grow up.

   When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come

   from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things

   hurt, but it's all right to cry.

   When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you

   cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

   When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of

   life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and

   productive person when I grow up.

   When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you

   and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw

   when you thought I wasn't looking."

  Little eyes see a lot.

   Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle,

   teacher or friend) influences the life of a child.

   How will you touch the life of someone today?

 

Before I was a Mom...

       Three beautiful blessings, Three bundles of pure joy, Three precious hearts...that I am 

       privileged to call mine...

        Before I was a Mom...

        I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed.

        I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

       Before I was a Mom...

        I cleaned my house each day.

        I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby

        I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

        I never thought about immunizations.

        Before I was a Mom...

        I cleaned my house each day.

        I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby

        I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

        I never thought about immunizations.

        Before I was a Mom...

        I had never been puked on.

        Pooped on. Spit on.

        Chewed on.

        Peed on.

        I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

        I slept all night.

       

        Before I was a Mom...

        I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests.

        Or give shots.

        I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

        I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

        I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

        

        Before I was a Mom

        I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.

        I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

        I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

        I never knew that I could love someone so much.

        I never knew I would love being a Mom.

        Before I was a Mom

        I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

        I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

        I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

        I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

     

        Before I was a Mom

        I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

        I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of  .         being a Mom.

        I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

                                        

         

Questions and answers...through the eyes of my child.

This edition is questions and answers from my kids in regards to me...stay tuned for the answers about Daddy.  So funny to read how they answered these questions and to get a glimpse of their viewpoints...I have typed the answers just as they wrote them because that makes it more fun.
  
What is the funniest thing I do?

Mallory:  laugh
Kennedy:  laugh
Parker:  say funny words like Goofy


What is my favorite TV show?

Mallory:  Reba

Kennedy:  Mr. Brown

How tall am I?

Mallory:  5'7
Kennedy:  5'3


What is my favorite thing to do?

Mallory:  play with us!
Kennedy:  love us!

What makes me sad?

Mallory:  when someone passes away
Kennedy:  when we get hurt

What makes me laugh?

Mallory:  when I cross my eyes and leave them like that
Kennedy:   when I do something funny

How much time do I spend on the phone each day?

Mallory:  20-45 minutes per day
Kennedy:  1 hour

Am I a better driver than Daddy?

Mallory:  Yes!!!!!  a million times yes!!!!
Kennedy:  yes

What do I do when you are at school each day?

Mallory:  clean the house
Kennedy:   watch Parker

What should I be famous for?


Mallory:  singing
Kennedy:  loving us!

Can it be?

It seems like reality really hit me this weekend when I looked at what my baby boy had written on the driveway with sidewalk chalk!!!  Is it really possible that this precious boy will start kindergarten in only five short months?  Surely not...or at least that is what my heart is saying!  

Parker wrote his name on the bottom.  I am not sure how or why...but this boy picked up a pencil after being shown one time how to write his name and wrote Parker.  I was in shock and still am in shock that he can write his name after only being shown once...and that was a while ago!  Saturday he was showing us again!  Daddy wrote the top name and Parker followed right along on the bottom copying what his Daddy had written!  Good job Parker-Man!!!

Conversations with my kids...

I have been using this awesome book called..."Scrapbook Shortcuts with Quizzes and Questions" over the last few weeks to spark interesting conversations with the kids.  It has been so funny to hear some of their answers!  I thought I would share a few of them here on my blog...they are pretty cute!

Who is the smartest person in your family?

• Mallory - Daddy
• Kennedy - Gram
• Parker -  Mallory

What is your Daddy really good at doing?

• Mallory - Science
• Kennedy - playing games on his computer
  
• Parker - working like a worker  :)

What can you do better than Daddy?

• Mallory - Grow hair on my head!
• Kennedy - Put my hair in a ponytail!
  
• Parker - Play 

What is your favorite song?

• Mallory - Just Keep Casting your Bread upon the Water
• Kennedy - Old Camp Meeting Days
  
• Parker - Jesus loves Me

What nicknames do you have?

• Mallory - Molly and Mal Mal
• Kennedy - Banjo Butt and Sis
  
• Parker - P.J...that's what Pap calls me!

The 10 Commandments of Life

1. Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble;

it is a steering wheel that directs us in the right path throughout life.


2. Do you know why a car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the rear view mirror is so small?

Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move on.


3. Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.


4. All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever.

If going wrong don't worry, they can't last long either.


5. Old friends are like Gold! New friends are Diamonds! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a base of Gold!


6. Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says,

Relax, it's just a bend, not the end!


7. When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities;

when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.


8. A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?"

He replied: "Yes, losing your vision."


9. When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them; and sometimes,

when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.


10. WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today's PEACE.



Brighten someone's day...

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and

...leave the rest to God.