Seasoned with salt

As Christians, is our conversation seasoned with salt?  I have been hit really hard with this question lately. Is my conversation seasoned with salt and full of grace?

Colossians 4:6 "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (NIV)

According to the Bible it should be!  As a cook, this verse hits home.  Salt can add something to the food in a significant way.  I was once told by a dear friend, if you think your food tastes like it is missing something-add some salt. I have found this to be true.  Is our conversation missing grace? Grace is the salt to our conversations, we need to make sure it is in all of our conversations.
I have seen so many young children committing suicide because people are bullying them.  Are we teaching our children how to be full of grace, and their speech to be seasoned with salt?  Are we teaching them to help those in need? Are we teaching them to "be kind to one another?"  I hope that we are, I really do.  I hate to see all these young lives gone because no one stood by them, and they felt they were all alone in this world.  We need to make sure we are reaching the lost.

Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

I am reminded in my daily life, with my children, that I need to let my conversation be full of grace.  Because Jesus offered me grace and mercy, I should also do the same for them.  After all, children learn best when they see something in action.  They do not do just as we say(in fact we could turn blue telling them something), but will most often follow our lead.  We need to step up and lead them in the correct direction. Are we teaching them how to speak? Are we teaching them how to answer another without offense?  Are we teaching them what it means to be kind, and compassionate? Do they know what true forgiveness is?

Speech is something that can cut straight to some one's heart.  We need to think about what we are going to say before it is said, so that is may be seasoned with salt.  We need to show the love of Christ not just in our actions, but also in our speech. When we stop and think we are letting our speech be seasoned, we are thinking about how to answer according to God's Word.  When we think, we are doing just as God commanded. Is it full of love and compassion?

I don't just see bullying when it involves young children.  Goodness, I see it so much in the mommy circle it isn't even funny.  AND we are GROWN adult women caring for children.  We should be raising them up according to HIS Word!  They should not see us bickering with other moms because they don't breastfeed, or don't use cloth diapers.  OR just maybe they have to work and don't have the blessing and the gift of being able to stay home with their children(because it is truly a gift and a blessing from God to be able to stay home with your children, no matter their age).   Let us please remember we are each called to something different as a mom.  Each of our circumstances is different. 

When we speak to each other we need to make sure it is FULL of grace, because let's face it what mother doesn't need a huge helping of grace each and every day?  Which person doesn't need a FULL helping of grace when we are speaking with them?  We don't know their circumstances, we don't know what they have or don't have.  They could be falling apart on the inside.
Please I beg of you, let your conversations be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone!  Let God's Word shine forth in your life.  Be the light for the lost, and stand up for those in need, and even those who may not "appear" to be in need. We all need the Lord and we all need grace. DAILY!

Dear Father,
I pray that you will let my speech be full of grace, and seasoned with salt.  Help me to please think before speaking so that I may know how to answer everyone.  Help me to encourage those around me, and to help those in need.  To be kind and compassionate. I thank you Lord for giving me the strength to do all things through your power.  I also thank you for showing me grace and mercy on a daily basis.  I would not be where I am today without your grace.  Please help me to show others the same grace you have shown me, so they may in turn be pointed in your direction.  Make me a light to the world.
Amen

Life Saver

We have battling snotty noses and barking coughs all week.  Which make for some pretty long days and nights.  The kiddos seem more tired then normal. Take this morning for example Elijah slept until 11am! What where did that come from?  Athaiah has been still fighting her naps some and pretty much refuses to sleep unless I hold her(can we say princess?).

Any way on to my life saver...Vicks!  Elijah has been coughing a lot at night and it wakes him up, but he thankfully will usually drift back off to sleep without any help.  Athaiah on the other hand will not sleep.  I think the night before last she maybe slept for an hour total.  It was a rough night and surprisingly enough our day went pretty good even though we both didn't get much sleep.  Last night we pulled out the vicks.  Greg rubbed it on the bottom of their feet and guess what?  Athaiah slept the longest she has...ever!  She slept from midnight until 5:30 this morning, she ate, and then went back to bed until 8am.  Which gave mommy some much needed rest.  She also didn't sound nearly so bad this morning when she woke up.  My official new life saver and go to remedy when the kiddos are sick...vicks on the bottom of their feet. (We had footy pj's on them both, otherwise you may want to cover them with socks!)

6 months

Happy 6 months to my baby girl!

I can't believe it has been 6 months already.  Where has the time gone?  I feel like we were just welcoming you into this big world.

 You can roll over!

 You love to eat your toes!

 

 You try and stand by yourself, even though you have yet to conquer sitting.

You talk, giggle, and blow raspberries(one of your favorite noises).

You and your brother, get along so well.  You both love to snuggle and wrestle.

Happy 6 months to our little pumpkin! We love you!

Counting my blessings...

1. Both of my children slept until 9:30 today! (that has never happened)

2. I am capable to exercise

3. I was able to take advantage of my capability to exercise!

4. I have a wonderful happy baby girl who's smiles light up my world.



5. I have a wonderful boy who is growing into a little man who makes me smile and laugh and keeps me on my toes all day!

6. I have a wonderful husband who takes care of us all whom I love dearly!

7.  Probably the most important blessing-I have a Lord and Savior who died for me and saved me by grace because there is nothing I could ever do to deserve something so beautiful and sweet!

8. I have a job!

9. God enabled me to be a mother-something I always dreamed about

10. God has blessed us with a good church home and great friends

11. I have a garden that is giving me a bountiful harvest

12. I have a great family support system that I can always count on

13. I am able to prepare healthy and yummy good for my family (alright it isn't always healthy, but it is always yummy!)

14. I have the weekend off so we can spend some good quality time as a family

15. Because of our work schedules one of us is always home with the children so we don't have to pay a sitter or have someone else raising our children

16. Because one of us is always home we have been blessed to be a part of all the firsts for both children!

17. It's the little things in life that make me happy

18. Elijah makes me stop and smell the roses as he reminds me daily how fast time goes by.

19.  We get to explore new things every day through the eyes of children

20. It is so hot that we get to sit in the kiddie pool with the sprinkler on to keep us cool!

21. My children are both happy, good children-I'm one blessed momma!

22. My son still takes 2 2hr naps a day(at least) and loves to snuggle!

23.  We get to see family again in a little over a month!

24. I am blessed to have love marks-proof that I have children and I wouldn't trade them for the world

25. We are able to pay our bills every month!

I know there are countless others, these are just barely scratching the surface.  I was just feeling so blessed and thankful for the life I have been give today, so I thought I would share.  I really could go on forever, as in my life it is all the little things that matter to me, but I won't bore you with a list a thousand pages long!  I hope you all stop and count the blessings in your life.

Changing

Well I think things are beginning to change around here.  My little man seems to be fighting his morning naps.  I am a bit sad and I keep putting him down for them still.  He doesn't ever sleep though he sits in his crib and talks and plays with his stuffed animals.  So I may have to reevaluate putting him dow.  I'm glad he is getting to be a big boy, but I'm a bit sad that one of his naps my be disappearing.  He ususally needs them or at least some quiet time or he gets cranky as all get out.  We shall see where this next week leads.  If he continues to just play I will probably just stop laying him down unless he asks. (and yes my child will ask to go to bed if he is tired, we are extremely blessed!)

 Yes he is sitting on the table, he learned how to climb and is becoming a pro!

He has also been getting a really bad diaper rash, so far desitin and butt paste are not working too well.  We have also done some baking soda baths and it seems to calm it for a bit but not anything long term.  I have read that browned flour works well for diaper rash but have yet to try it.  Has anyone ever tried this before??? If you have did it work? Just curious-not really feeling like messing with it if it isn't going to work.  I have also thought about getting a big boy potty and seeing if he is ready for that-as it appears his bottom has had enough diapers!  We will see if I am brave enough to try as he is still so little and not walking on his own.  He is a smart learning though so maybe he will be ready.  Anybody have any potty training tips? We will need to start looking into it soon enough!

My big boy is also starting to want to walk-not on his own mind you.  BUT he does want to hold my hand everywhere, so I am taking that as good news as he isn't so nervous about using his feet.  Maybe my 18months he will finally take a step on his own.  I never thought it would take this long, but he really isn't in any hurry so I'm not going to rush him.

My baby will be 12wks old tomorrow.  Where has the time gone? She is chewing on her hands and drooling a lot, makes me a bit nervous that she may be working on teeth already but only time will tell.  She is still a good nurser and usually has one 4 hour chunk a night that she lets me sleep for, which I greatly appreciae.  She loves to be held and snuggled(um more like smothered or suffocated.)  She burrows into you and sometime I feel like she can't breathe, but it is so sweet. She loves to sit in the bumbo seat and watch her brother and dog run(crawl) all around her.  I love watching her just take everything in, she watches so close and is so attentive!

daddy caught her with her tongue out!

Nursing

I am a huge breastfeeding supporter.  I believe it is what God has called me to do in my children's life.  I am blessed that I am able to breastfeed and do not have any medical reason as to why I cannot or why I am not able.  God has also blessed me with two children who are amazing at nursing.  Before you go thinking I am crazy my oldest is weaned-he actually weaned himself at 10 months.  We are pretty sure it was because I was pregnant with my other child and we have been told sometimes a mother's milk changes in her second trimester and the older child will either not notice a difference and keep on nursing.  Or notice a difference and stop completely.  He apparently did the later!

I think every mother should at least attempt to breastfeed.  There are so many benefits they are almost too many to count in my book.  It helps you loose that weight a lot faster than not.  My baby is 8 wks old and I am almost back to my pre pregnancy weight.  Do I still have some flab- sure but that will go away in time. 

I love knowing that I am giving my children what is best for them.  I love being able to supply their every need while they need it.  Soon enough they will not need me for everything and to tell you the truth that makes me a bit sad.  I look forward to seeing them grow, but at the same time I pray they will slow down.  They just grow waaayyy too fast.  I miss my snugly newborn already.  But I love that she is all smiles and has started vocalizing.  I miss my baby boy and all his chubbies.  Now he is still a big boy but not nearly how he was.  He is now trying to walk and is quite independent.  I am blessed however that he still loves his mommy snuggles.  Every morning he has his milk, we get him dressed, and then we go snuggle on the couch and read our Bible for the day. I cherish this time like none other.  I know that time is fleeting and before I know if he will be a grown man leaving for college or getting married. So for now I love my little man and cherish EVERY moment I have with him.

It is free! That is a huge reason I resolved to do it with Elijah.  We simply did not have the money for formula.  I honestly didn't think I would like it or that I would be able to.  Well guess what I could, I loved it and still do, and I don't have to spend any money for food for the first 6 months.  Elijah wouldn't eat anything else until he was 6 month old.  He only wanted me to feed him.  He even fought the bottle and Greg had to bring him up to work a couple of times so I could nurse him!

It's more than just food.  Both of my children loved to be nursed to sleep.  If they were sleepy they would nurse for a couple of minutes and out they would be.  All snuggled up with mommy and in my arms.  I love a sleeping baby, especially one I can hold and snuggle.  They always slept better when they were nursed to sleep and I loved the feeling of them falling asleep in my arms.

It's convenient.  I always giggle to myself when people say a bottle is more convenient than breastfeeding. I ask how??? It is always ready, always just the right temperature, and there is no mixing or messy formula needed.  It is just ready to go.  You also don't have to wash all the bottles unless you are pumping!  In the middle of the night I don't have to stumble around to find the bottle and make sure I mixed everything just right.  I can just nurse and be done!  Often times we fall asleep together and I love that snuggle time. 

I love my middle of the night feedings.  Yes you heard me right.  I LOVE them.  It is just me and the baby.  We snuggle and doze off together at times.  Sometimes I pray over them, or hum songs to them.  But it is alone time for us.  There is nothing more precious.  I also know the time will come when they no longer want to nurse all night and I will be able to sleep so for this short amount of time, it is fine with me. I will cherish and love the moments I am given with my children.

So there you have it.  I love to nurse.  I am proud to nurse.  I also LOVE to be awake and loose sleep because I am nursing them. It means the world to me that I am able to do this amazing thing.

Resolutions

 I have resolved in the past week that I will not spend any time on the computer, and to only do light house work while they are awake.  You may think this seems crazy, but I want them to know that I love them and that they are more important to me than any technology or than having a clean house.  He still takes two naps a day and that should leave me plenty of time to get done what I need.  My bathroom may not be scrubbed so that it is sparkling but you will find happy well loved children.  I am some what of a neat freak so this is something I am slowly learning to let go off.  As far as the house does not have to be perfectly clean at all times, it can be tidy and that will suit us jus fine.  Afterall you can't keep it too clean with kids running around.  We only have one opportunity to raise our children up in the Lord before they are grown and gone, so I am going to make the most of every moment I have with them.

I will do my best to be patient, show self control, be compassionate to others. I need to make sure I am growing the fruits of the Spirit daily in my own life, so that they may see this fruit in my life and want to imitate it. This is rough at times, but each experience is a chance to grow in our walk with the Lord and I will take it as such.

I have also resolved not to yell- I feel that yelling just is a downer in the house. I will still correct my children but it will be with a soft and stern whisper. I have know people who come from this type of environment and they still knew their parents meant business even without the yelling.  This has honestly been the hardest thing I have resolved to do thus far.  Yelling is what I knew, and I can have a quick temper at times.  I will say since I have come to Kansas(that has been almost 4 years now) I have not had one anger outburst.  I would say the calm atmosphere out here helps and the laid back attitude of everyone is also a blessing in disguise. Please pray that I will continue in this way.  This is something I am constantly fearful of coming out now that I have children and one in particular who is starting to learn how to get into trouble without much work!

I have resolved to spend more time in the Word than ever before.  I have finally(I say finally because it seems it has really been hit home in the past week how much more I really need this and how much more I need to pay attention and memorize it) realized how essential the Bible is to teaching and training up your children.  If I do not know exactly what the scriptures say about an issue, how can I train my children?  I must know this book inside and out so that it may affect my life and the lives of those around me.  I pray they will see a difference in me and my family and wonder what it is that makes us so different and unique. That way we can be a light unto the world just as we are called to be.

I have resolved to be constantly learning...learning everything in life.  About nature and the little things I don't know so that I can help my children in any way I am able.  I want to be able to ask them questions and for them to ask me questions and for me to know that answers.  Now I know I will not know the answer to every question, but I resolve to search out the correct answer so that I may be able to train them well.

I will resolve to be content in where I am in life.  I will not try to rush things, I will take my time and love where we are and learn from each stage I am in.  If I learn now hopefully I will not have to go through it again as I have learned my lesson the first time!

I have resolved to be a better steward with the money we are given.  At times honestly it is hard to make ends meet.  But the Lord has always provided.  I need to make sure the money that we have is being spent in an efficient way.  In a way that I can provide for the family but also in a way that I am making it go as far as possible.  I will try to save when possible and I resolve to get out of debt one way or another.  This is something we struggle with all the time, we hate being in debt and because of many of life's circumstances we are in debt.  We are trying to get out and it is an up hill battle it seems but there is a light at the end of this long tunnel.  I have to believe that to give me something to look forward to!  I know God commands us to live debt free and we repent for the money we spent even though it seemed good at the time, we should always be better stewards with our money.

I will resolve to leave the number of children that I have with God.  He knows what is best for my life and I will trust and lean on this fact.  I do not want to miss out on any blessings and I believe children are some of the best blessings you can receive in this life. (yes they can be a challenge at times, but they will teach you things as you go through them)

I'm sure I will have more to add to this list, but in the past weeks these things have really been hitting home with me and I want to make sure I am the best mommy for my children.  God has blessed me with them, He knew I could handle it and He knew that I would train them in the way they should go. Since He knows I can do it, I must rise up to the challenge and train my children up in His way and His way alone so they may grow up to know Him as well.

A Gift!

Children are a GIFT! I know this may go against the cultural norm, but that doesn't bother me one bit.  People may look at me strange when I tell them what we believe and that is fine with me.  I know that every child is a gift and I will take as many as the Lord deems we should have.  People ask if that means I am going to be like that huge family on tv...my reply: If God sees it fit to bless us with that many children.  The Bible tells us they are a gift.  It tells us they are the arrows in our quivers. I love the two children that I have and if God says that is it then so be it.  I will admit I would be a bit sad but maybe we would look into adoption at that point as the Bible also commands us to care for the orphans and the fatherless.

My current children are 16months and 8wks old.  I know they are close and no we did not plan it that way.  We said Lord give us another in your great and perfect timing and he did.  When Elijah was 6 months old we found out we were pregnant again.  Hence her name Athaiah-it means in the Lord's timing because that is exactly when she came!  I can tell you I got a lot of slack for getting pregnant so quickly and for "not knowing what causes that."  I can assure you I am no dummy I am well aware of what causes that.  I also know that the Lord knows all the plans for my life and I am going to trust HIM and HIM alone with what those plans may be.  When we try to plan our lives they fall apart, they bear no fruit, and it stresses us out(at least that has been my experience). So when people ask when I will have the next one or tease me if I'm pregnant again, I just smile and say who knows! Because I don't know, Greg doesn't know, the Dr. doesn't know, only the Creator of the Universe knows and I will trust Him.  We are learning to lean on Him in every aspect of our lives and it can definitely be a struggle at times but we are learning.

I am by no means an expert at parenting and I do not pretend to be.  I am young and am constantly learning.  Each child is unique and different.  On here I will post my experience as we go through the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I believe it is good for people to see us just as we are, not as fakes or as people who don't struggle because we all struggle and go through rough spots.  We all wrestle with ideas and problems.  I just look forward to enjoying the ride God has blessed us with-even the bad and the ugly!