Sunday, May 29, 2011

Not Guilty...

Our kids can bring out the best in us.
And oh, boy, can they bring out the worst.

I feel like my lil' D can, with simple actions, take me from laughing to anger in 3 seconds flat.

Seriously.

In our Growing Kids God's Way parenting SS class, we are looking at a child's conscience. It's interesting the way God made us. It's also scary the job that we have in forming our child's conscience. It's a big job.

I do not want my little man to be good to just simply please me, which I believe is the phase he is going through now. He is so good. Really. He's a doll. But I do believe he might turn into a little monster when I'm not around, which is evidence for my aforementioned statement. The goal, ultimately, would be to foster a conscience that is Christ-like: others-minded and self-controlled.

I also don't want him to be good out of guilt. I do not think that guilt is a good emotion to have. It is as unhealthy as it gets. To do something for fear of what another might think/do is just...probably how I live my life sometimes. But I don't want to. And I certainly don't want that for my child. How do I...not pass this on to him?

This whole discipline thing can be done so wrongly {and so quickly, depending on your temperament}. I do not want my child to fear me...be scared of me. I simply long for him to mind, even if it doesn't make sense or he doesn't want to.

{I wonder if that's how God feels about me and my wayward, selfish spirit.}

Speaking of the greatest Father of all...what a blessing that we have His ultimate example to lead us. If we are not in the Word, we may not see it. We might just miss out on great parenting advices and examples. But tonight, I ran into this which made me think about our child's conscience:

"...do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" {Romans 2:4}


The section is on judgements. And what I really want to grow in my brown-eyed boy is a sense of right and wrong, along with the desire to do the right thing in his core. I can't make him do right. I kinda can right now with all the nudging, coaching, discussing of decisions. But what about when he's 12? 18? 21? 29?

And the truth is, as stated in the passage above - God's kindness is used to lead us to repentance. 

It isn't a fear of Him {though that is there}.
It isn't the judgements other people will give me. That's pretty pointless in life.
It isn't the fear of Hell {not that I wanna go there, though}.
It isn't out of an unhealthy guilt {that might be there even when you're doing right}.


It's His love. His kindness. His gentleness. The way He stops everything to look for the 1 lost sheep, throws it over his shoulders and throws a party when He finds it {see Luke 15:1-7}. It's the sacrifice that He gave for little ol' me and my bad choices.


Now...how do I relay that to my 5 year old? How do you discipline with such love, kindness, grace, and gentleness as displayed by the Father?


Deep thoughts for a Sunday night...I leave you with this:


{really...does it GET much better than this?!}

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Show 'N Tell: Caddy Make-over

This is the story of Belle's caddy.

Please note: none of the crafts I do are hard. But most of them are cute (and cheap).

Another note: none of my ideas are original...too bad, cuz I'm sure I could come up with some cool ideas with lots of time and an extended amount of cash flow.

Back to Belle's caddy...



I'm not gonna knock on whoever created this or bought it, but it is NOT pretty. I believe it is a hallmark brand. Really sturdy. Very smooth. But really? A painted on hankerchief? {Things that make you go "hmmmm"}

Read a bunch of blogs about "upcycling" and redecorating and giving new purpose to things. Who can't use another caddy? Hello, easy and simple organization {helps if it's cute, too!}.

Add a couple layers of this pretty gray paint - not too shabby...



Then add a few sheets of this adorable crackled paper with the ever popular Mod Podge, and wa-la! Beautimous!



 Total cost of this project: less than $1 (I think I had to buy the paper...I let her pick it out) {Sa-weet!}

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

My Constant...

Okay - so I didn't really go MIA. Really! I promise.

Life has been so hectic that - {gasp!} - I haven't even logged on to blogger in quite some time! For an addict, I'm tellin' ya...this is a big deal. I just had to let one of my plates drop...and I knew this would still be here when I got back.

I also learned something great: life goes on if I miss a few days (or weeks) in BlogLand. Really, it does!

On to the topic at hand - my constant. A few things you should know: 1) I am in LOVE with Francesca Battistelli's voice. 2) I also love that she writes most of her stuff. 3) I loved this song {Constant} the minute I heard it...and then my soul started needing it. I'll explain.

Here I am sailing along life's way, minding my own business (as much as possible), and BAM - God puts an issue on my heart. It gets heavier and heavier. He uses people, songs, scripture, sermons, and (even) blogs to get my attention, turning me ever towards His will and way, not mine.

And His will and way is starting to get uncomfortable.

I'm a teacher...trained for itty bittys, and I love that. I love teaching, I love itty bittys (people, that is), and I certainly love teaching itty bittys. They love you if you have a smile on your face. Actually, they love you if you are a person in their space/world. They're forgiving and happy and creative and funny and...well, just think of your favorite itty bitty....you know what I'm saying.

Suddenly an opportunity opens up to be "interim" children's director/pastor (whatever you wanna call it), and it starts to make sense - this "issue" that has been placed on my heart. So I apply...I go for it...just to see what happens.

Tonight was my first night on the job. It was fun & exhausting; entertaining & eye-opening. I could go on.

Point is: I'm in untreaded waters, here. This is not something that was on my 5 year plan {or my EVER plan, to be honest}. And yet, tonight, though I'm ready to rest, I have peace. And lots of ideas. And many prayers for sweet faces I met for the first time tonight.

I leave you with the song that I started this whole post about and named it for. Constant by Francesca Battistelli. I included a link for you to give a listen to if you'd like. Great song. Great truths in the song. Lyrics below:

I’m just a little bit afraid of where I’m going / And it feels like a hurricane is blowing over / Though I can’t find the ground below / I’ve lived enough to know / I’ve lived enough to know

You’re my constant in every moment / Constant / You’ve never failed me / All my life / You have never left my side / You are my constant

Okay I really don’t like change, but I can’t stop it / I’m moving forward anyway with the promise / You are the anchor for my soul / That’s all I need to know / That’s all I need to know

Before I was a thought on earth / You knew me then and You gave me worth / When all of this is said and done / You will be the One I’m standing on

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Show 'N Tell: Recipe Binder {FINALLY!}

Sorry for being MIA, folks. I promise, I'm going to try to come back, be it ever so slowly. Life has just...gotten in the way...although that's a weird way to put it. Maybe I should just say I've barely had time to log onto the computer in the past few weeks, let alone blog, read blogs, catch up with all that's going on.

Here's my latest project, though I have a few confessions.

1) I've been working on this since February. {Yes, I just said February!}
2) I hate it that sometimes it takes me months to finish a project.
3) I loved this project and have enjoyed every single moment I worked on it.

I wish I could take credit for this. And maybe I will {a little} because I did have one of these, it just wasn't as extensive or cute. And it didn't have all my recipes, which didn't help much.

Don't get me wrong. I still have my cutsie recipe box that houses most of my mom, auntie's, and gramma's favorite recipes {in their own handwriting! How special is that!?}. This is just a collection of my collection. You know...all those recipes I get from others, write down, get off-line, tear out from mags, etc. They were in ziploc bags, people. Gallon-size ziploc bags. Just sitting. Never even been looked through.

Until one day, Jen over at IHeart Organizing {who is fabulous, by the way}, sent out her monthly challenge (again, back in February) to help organize recipes. And though I would have liked to have completed it then, I'm happy with it now, too! I think I will send her an email so she can be proud of me, too!

Here are my sections {subsections will be noted}:
  • Appetizers
  • Bread
  • Breakfast
    • Muffins
  • Crock Pot
  • Dessert
    • Bars & Brownies
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Holiday
    • Pies
  • Main Dishes
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pasta
    • Pork
  • MISC.
    • Cooking Info
    • Recipes
  • Salads
  • Sides
  • Soups
Don't make fun of me that it's Alphabetical. I can't help myself.


Now for the pics!
 Found these at the clearance rack @ Wally World for a quarter each. I kid you not. I bought all 8 packs they had left. Who doesn't need dividers?!
 Oh my word. It's so cute!
 Yes, I used my label maker. It's the best way to label things if you ask me.
 These are the sub-categories. They're on top.
Ahhhhh....Project Complete!
Also - cost of project = less than $1.00 {I used 3.5 packages of the 25 cent dividers...everything else I had on hand..} In case you're wondering...I just patted myself on the back. Literally.

You'll have to excuse me, I am going, with great gusto, to mark this off my to do list. {And also look up and see if that last sentence is a run-on...I just hate run-on sentences.} Until next time...

P.S. - I'm linking up with:
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Skip To My Lou's Made By You Monday
Don't Waste Your Homemaking
Get Your Craft On 
Thrilling Thursday Linky Party 
Hookin' Up with HoHepworths
Delightfully Inspiring Linky Party 
Night Owl Crafting 
What I Made Wednesday 
Sundae Scoop Link Up Party @ I (heart) naptime
Friday Favorites @ Inspiring Creations 
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest