Restroom Moments: Considering Others

It's never a dull moment whenever I take the kids to the restroom. I haven't written about any of them lately, but I had to write about this one.

As we were in Wendy's yesterday as a family, MaKayla reminded me that we didn't go to the restroom like we usually do. So, I proceeded to take all of the girls to the restroom. As we were going inside of the restroom (there was only one for women), I just happened to hear a voice behind me.

When I turned around, there was this dear woman looking like she had to use the potty very badly. But, the kind and funny thing about it was that she didn't even complain but the look of desperation was clearly on her face. I could tell that she thought she was doomed when she saw how many of us were going inside to use it! Ha! Ha! Ha!

So, I politely let her go instead of us. She was VERY appreciative of me doing that and shared that she RAN to use it because she had to go VERY BADLY! I'm so thankful that we did that for her. I could only imagine the terror on her face when she saw how many of us who were going in there to use it and how badly she had to go! Ha! Ha! Ha! Praise the Lord that I turned around and saw her facial expression!

Thank You Lord for that opportunity to be a blessing to that dear lady. I pray that You were glorified through that one little act of kindness. In Your name, Amen.

Enjoying Motherhood

I'm so thankful to be back in this stage of mothering. Don't get me wrong, I love and adore being a Mom, but I think I can allow the pressures of the day to cloud my vision and joy sometimes. But, I'm so thankful for the Lord giving me those moments throughout the day to remember to laugh and truly enjoy EACH child.

Enjoying Zenail - It's great seeing how well she's developing. I enjoy seeing her love of reading developing. She's reading just about anything (even my emails)! She is also becoming a self-starter! She's starting to do certain chores without me telling her. She's even being a better helper to me as well. It feels weird sometimes having an "older child", but it's something I pray to get use to.

Enjoying MaKayla - She's our songbird, storyteller, and stage performer! She's such an entertainer. She enjoys life! Seeing her attitude brings a smile to my face. I just love listening to her retell an event. I just listen with amazement of how she can recall various events in her little mind.

Enjoying Zianna - Well...what can I say about this little girl! Ha! Ha! Ha! She's something!! Her personality is developing quite well. She's our opinionated child! She doesn't mind telling me what she thinks. I think she can win the title of being MOMMA #2! She tends to make it a point to keep Momma on track. She constantly reminds me to change MJ, I forgot this or that! Ha! Ha! Ha! I tell you, my Zianna is something special!

Enjoying MJ - Now, he's too adorable! Especially since he's reaching the fun age of 2! He's becoming more aggressive. So he's jumping, landing, play fighting with Daddy, and other boyish things. But, one of the greatest joy is hearing him say, "Mommy". Ooooh, it's just too adorable and lights me up!

Enjoying Zech-Man - A baby is always enjoyable. He's starting to look around more. I love to watch babies learn how to hold their heads up and also stand on your lap. He's starting to do those things.

Each child is truly a blessing to our family. I'm thankful for God giving me a joyful heart. Thank You Father for giving me a joyful heart in mothering. In Jesus name, Amen.

No Crib!!

I guess Zech has made it clear to us that he doesn't like his crib (at least for now). He's been sleeping in his boppy seat for the past couple of weeks and it's been working for us. We've also changed his formula. With those two changes, it's been helpful with gaining an understanding of some of his needs.

It's been a joy to be able to lay him down and he seems to be more peaceful in that than he was when he was in the crib. I guess putting a newborn in a bassinet does have some value.

Thank You Lord for giving us the funds to purchase that boppy seat. It seems to be very helpful for Zech. In Jesus name, Amen.

Time Savers

I've been noticing how there are some things that I need to change around here in order to help me get a better use of my time. Especially since it seems like the bulk of it is with the baby throughout the night (and some days) trying to keep him settled.

One time saver is with the laundry. It seems like I can never tackle the laundry well enough. Meaning, I can't seem to finish the first set of clothes before the next set comes in. It's like it's an never ending load. I remember I started a laundry schedule a while ago, but I wasn't consistent. I think I'll try to do it again. Hopefully following that schedule could help me finish my laundry much faster than how I'm doing it now.

Another time saver (which has often been a problem) is my time on the computer. I've been here before and my time on the computer has seem to become a problem again. Nothing bad, but just needs to be adjusted. You see, I keep my computer on from morning to night. Having the computer on in the morning has become a distraction for me. I'd have it up just for conversation. I don't get out much, so chatting on Facebook or sending an email and then to receive one is like my "outing" for the day. Funny, but this is my life for right now until the kids are older (and me driving of course!).

So, I'm back to only turning on the computer in the evenings or sometimes during the kid's nap time. But, since I need my naps with Zech being the way he is at this time, evening is better for me. When I did this today, I could see that I got a lot more done. So, I pray to be consistent and much better with the time that the Lord has given me.

Thank You Lord for showing me how I can make better use of my time. Forgive me for the times that I haven't been a good steward of my time. Help me to be a faithful steward of my time in Jesus name, Amen.

Letting THAT Go Too: Cooking With The Kids

I remember wanting to learn how to cook with my Mom as a kid. I never understood why she wouldn't let me be in the kitchen with her. She'd always say, "It's my territory and my space. It's just me." I never fully understood it, but that's how she was. I vowed to not do that with my kids when I got older.

Well...now that I am older, I can see how I seem to be doing the same thing that my Mom did to me with my kids. But, Zenail has been showing me that she's ready and willing to be in the kitchen with me. But, I just need to learn to adjust my mindset and let her in the kitchen with me (along with the other kids too).

As I was in the kitchen on a mission to prepare lunch, she came in and asked if she could help me fix lunch. Every part of me wanted to say, "No, I'll do it." It was a struggle inside of me to let her do it. I was tempted to feel similar to my Mom. To hold on to this territory and not let her in there with me. But, you know what? I would have been hindering the very thing that I'm starting to see that happens - intimacy! With her in there, she talks to me and shares things. Nothing deep (yet I suppose) but it's just her and I in there talking to each other.

As lovely as that sounds, I can see that I have to work on talking to them. I sound so horrible! Ha! Ha! Ha! It's just that in the midst of the day, I'm not sure what kind of mood I'd be in TOO TALK! But, that's just another area of growing that I'm sure that the Lord will be using those moments to do in me. To once again - DIE TO SELF!

Thank You Lord for that cooking moment with Zenail. Help me to get better with cooking with letting the kids be in the kitchen with me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Letting It Go: Learning To Forgive

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Ephesians 4:26

Tonight almost ended on the frustrating side for me. It was only frustrating due to my lack of impatience. I tell you, I often wonder when will I EVER be better at being patient. Ha! Ha! Ha!

I asked one of my sweet children to find me something I needed for the baby. This particular child wasn't focus or paying attention when I first gave her the directions.

I'm learning that not every child responds to things the same. I know that shouldn't be something new, but I still seem to think that I can do one thing with all of my kids but it's not true. It's going to take a lot of work and thinking to communicate in certain ways with every child. I failed to communicate well with this one. Or, I didn't encourage this one to pay attention like she should have.

In the midst of the situation, the child didn't give me what was asked and I became angry. In the anger, I didn't respond well. Plus, I felt as if I couldn't forgive and forget the situation at that after it was over!!! I'm so thankful for the prompting of the Holy Spirit. As bedtime was drawing near, He reminded me of that verse up top. I remember reading that as one allows their anger to remain throughout the night and so forth, one will allow BITTERNESS to form.

Sometimes I feel like I have a tendency to form bitterness with my sweeties. Why, when they are simply being the sinners that they are?But, it's been because I wasn't willing to let go of the situation in my mind or sometimes before we all fall asleep! When I read that, I was so convicted and lead to strive not to do that. Plus, my hubby read something from the bible that reminded me of the forgiveness of God. After he read from the scriptures, I called that child in my room, we talked, and we both expressed forgiveness to each other.

Thank You Lord for showing me my sins. Help me to be a better example of forgiveness, just as You do for me. In Your name, Amen.

Watching The Cars Go By

I tell you, I'm really enjoying these days with my kids lately. It's like in the midst of the business, God is giving me those quiet moments to just observe and appreciate moments with each of them. It was hard to do that while I was pregnant. But, now that Zech is here and so forth, it's a greater joy with them.

Today, I was outside with MJ while the girls were in the kitchen sorting out the laundry. I had plans for us to make something (didn't work out) with some sticks and things from outside. So, I went outside to gather sticks. MJ saw that I was going out and wanted to go out with me. I'm so glad that we did because it allowed us to spend time together.

He's such a wonderful and peaceful child. We were just out there. Of course he lost interest with gathering sticks. So, we wound up just watching the cars go by or I just listened to him talk about cars. He REALLY do like cars. But, just being with him was such a joy.

Thank You Lord for giving me MJ. He's truly what His name means "God's gift" to me. May he grow up to be a man after Your own heart. Help me to be the mother I am to be to him and not get in the way of what You want to do in him. In Jesus name, Amen.