Sons

Proverbs 29:17 (New International Version)

¹⁷ Discipline your son, and he will give you peace;
he will bring delight to your soul.

My almost 2 year old son is really making me reflect on this verse. He has been more difficult than the other two. My oldest I did not have to discipline at that age but we are going through the teenage years and it is trying in another way.

It is hard to understand exactly what he wants because he only speaks a few words or phrases - but he has "NO" down pat. I am not here to discuss discipline in the general sense - "time-outs, spankings, and taking away privileges" I am talking about what his outbursts do to me.

He gets angry a lot when he does not get his way. Typical I know but it wears me out! I do not like to yell at my kids - I am not perfect and it does happen more than I like to admit. Most of his outbursts come when his sister tries to "mother" him or if he gets into her room and she wants him out. He is very pushy with her as well. Trying to teach him boundaries is not an easy task as well. He thinks that everything is "mine" and that if you have something he wants he will get it one way or another - that may be in the form of a total meltdown fit, hitting, biting, pushing or pinching.

All of this tugs at my heart as to what I should do. I have tried several techniques with no good results. I have tried to work with Abby to try and let him be and that she is not the Mommy.

What disturbs me the most is that I am seeing her react to him in ways that I have before and it makes me ashamed. I guess seeing it happen through her makes me realize I need a new approach.

I do not want them to grow up and realize that I yelled at them constantly or spoke harshly to them. I want them to see me as a loving mother who had rules that were to be followed.

I am at a loss right now as to which direction to go. I will continue to pray over it and hope that my actions will change for the better.

I love them more than I can even describe.

Making a Happy Home Monday

EXCEDRIN! That is what makes this a happy home this Monday! I have a HUGE headache! I have MOUNDS of Laundry and two kids that want to play outside but it is too hot. So there you go today - it's EXCEDRIN.

Normal

So I have been thinking on this one for a little while and I am sorting out my thoughts on:
What is NORMAL?
I read several blogs and I find that all of the authors and I have at least something in common - but we are very different on several levels. I like to see what others are doing raising children, being married, working - or staying at home, growing in the Lord, cooking, cleaning, and homemaking.
When I read these blogs I start to think a lot about my life. Am I NORMAL?
I have decided that NO I am not - we shouldn't have those thoughts. I am unique. I have unique children, husband, and household. I am ME. I am loving, caring, nurturing, funny, and most of all I am God's child. I have flaws. I am not perfect. BUT - I love God and strive to be my best for Him and my family.
Normal for me is not normal for others. That is OK. I am OK. You are OK. We are all made in God's image. We are all His children and just like my children are all different we are all different to Him as well.
So there you have it I am NOT normal - and I am OK with that!
Love;
Amy Q

Pray for Stellan

UPDATE 3:30 CST:

According to MckMama Stellan is holding on for now. They MAY get to go home if his condition stays good and the SVT does not return. Please continue to pray for this little guy and his mama. I cannot imagine her feelings right now. She TWEETS fairly often to let everyone know how things are going and the last few seem to be positive considering what they have been facing.

Continuing to pray for them is all we can do for now.

If you drop by and do not know about Baby Stellan please hit the button at the top right of my blog.

I have been touched deeply by this story. It has changed my heart in many ways. Stellan's weak physical heart has made my spiritual heart stronger. I have prayed more - not just for him but for many. I have started a written journal that I read and pray over in the morning - this leads me into my own prayer time and reflections with God. Prayer changes things. I am a believer in prayer, but have not always been faithful. For about 3 months now I cannot remember a time that I have not prayed in the morning. This little book goes with me everywhere I go and I add too it as I need to . This could be more prayer requests that I come upon throughout my day - it has also become my PRAISE journal. It is not a big thing - just a little Memo book that can fit in my purse,pocket, or tote bag. I have been blessed by this book and this activity in many ways.

Stellan is not doing well and I asking that if you haven't already - please stop for a moment and whisper,shout, or cry out a prayer for him and his family.

Philippians 1:9-10 (New International Version)

⁹And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

Summer

Well if you did not know Summer will be officially here on Sunday. It already feels like summer to me - and has for several weeks. maybe it is because of the 90 degree weather we have had. OR all of the activities we have done - Water parks, lake trips, swimming, Popsicles, sprinklers and using the AC more! I love summer. I love to be out on the lake soaking up the sun - with my SPF 50 sunblock of course! I love to spend more time outside! I love to watch the kids play late into the evening. It is just a fun time of year for us.

What fun things are you planning for Summer?

Hearts

I am working on my heart. I want so many things spiritually and I try so hard to accomplish them and then Satan steps in and begins to tear me down. I get doubtful. I blame myself. I give up. I start again. i feel failures. I hurt.

It is a vicious cycle that I hope to overcome soon. I read a verse that I repeat a lot these days:

2 Corinthians 4:16 (New International Version)

¹⁶Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

I am renewed day by day! I must not lose heart. I must keep trying to seek Him out and continue to grow. I am working hard at finding truths in my life and working on being Christ-minded. The world has changed me and I must allow God to change my heart. I have done things I am not proud of, I have let people down, I have been selfish, I have sinned the many sins that plague my life multiple times.

But I cannot loose heart. I must continue to work day by day with a renewed spirit and heart.

God blesses us with that renewal. God wants to work on me and you. We have to get over ourselves and quit trying to "fix"it or do it our way. God will do the healing if we let him. He is our Father, our Creator, our healer of broken hearts.

I pray today that God speaks to our hearts and continues to encourage us to seek Him and love Him - Wholeheartedly! He can mend the fragments and make us whole again. I praise Him for that!

Blessings;

Amy Q

Gods Rain

Here in the heat of Texas we have had torrential rains. Like 8-10" folks. Power-outages at our home lasted 16 hours. Flooding streets, muddy shoes, and deafening thunders shook my house. I had a lot of time to think and to be still. I had time to have personal worship with my King. I feel refreshed. I feel renewed. Was it a stressful time? You bet it was at times. Explaining to a 5 year old why we have not lights, hot water, or why we cannot open the refrigerator is not an easy task. Waking my babies up to take PJ's off so they will not be too hot was not fun either. Filling their time in the dark with raging storms outside the window was tough too. BUT - I was OK. I was refreshed and renewed!

I thought about the water that washes us clean. I reflected back to June 21, 1989 when I walked with my dad to the front of the church and proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God who died for MY sins. I remember my baptism like it was yesterday - I remember how I felt as I came out of the water - refreshed and renewed.

God's rain the last two days has had me reflecting on His power to wash us all clean. I wanted to soak in it and feel the clean. I read a verse that I want to share:

1 Peter 3:13-22

13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear[b]; do not be frightened."[c] 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom[d] also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[e] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Just soak that one in. I have read it several times and really thought about how I want to apply it to my life.

I praise God for He is SO very good in my life. I am a sinner - but I am saved by His Grace.

I pray all of you are able to wash in God's love and grace tonight.

Blessings;

Amy Q

Works for Me Wednesday - Summer

Check out other WFMW ideas at: http://www.wearethatfamily.com

I work full time - it is not an easy thing but it is where I am at for now. Summer can be tough because it is my favorite time of year. Before school was out we as a family sat down and made a list of things the kids wanted to do - ANYTHING. We had several things from - blowing bubbles to Disneyland but we narrowed our list down and we made a timeline as to when we will do those things. I put them on a calender and we now have our guidebook as to what "extra" activities we would do during summer. This includes swimming at my mom's once a week, visiting local farms to pick various fruits and veggies, going to the lake, playing outside EVERYDAY when we get home - we have several activities planned for that.

This year we did something else - we had my oldest (14) research the place we will be taking them on vacation. He is to find things that we can do in that area and the cost of those things - this is his summer project. We are not going until August - so he and I and hubby will work together to get a plan in action. HE LOVES THIS!!

I have never done this before and so far it WORKS FOR ME!

God Bless

Amy Q

Making a Happy Home Monday

You can join this GREAT carnival at http://as-for-me-and-my-house.blogspot.com/

Here is what LL Says about the carnival.

"The point of this carnival is simple. I hope to encourage and inspire others (as well as be made accountable) to improve their homes. If there is a big project you have been putting off....or a small project that you are saving....please, just put in the time and do it. I'm not necessarily talking about the day to day swishing of the toilet or wiping down the counters. I'm talking about that closet that is easily hidden behind the door, but every time you open it, you regret it. You know how you feel when you do finally get it cleaned up. You are happy....and that filters throughout your home. So find a project, big or small, to clean, organize or beautify."

I am glad to be here another time and want to share my idea of making my home happy today. We go to various functions over the summer. The lake Cabins my parents have, BBQ dinners, swimming, camping etc. You name it and we are there pretty much. I have 2 smaller kiddos (5 and almost 2) They tend to get into everything - bugs, dirt, water and more. it never fails I have to find band aids, antiseptic, benadryl, Tylenol and other first aid items. Now I used to have a big first aid box that I lugged everyehre. If you live in the HOT land of Texas having such a kit in the car is not the best idea I have learned as things melt, get sticky, or even explode! So I came up with an idea this past spring. I down sized to a plastic pencil box and A LOT of miniature first aid items like Neo-To-Go, Spray benadryl, and band aids. I keep it stocked with a few doses of meds I might need for a day trip or even over night. I throw it in my suitcase and we are off - prepared for any small emergency that might come my way like Abby stepping in an ant pile and having 14 ant bites - not that that happened this weekend - and I was prepared with the benadryl spray and the fast melt benadryl to help with her reaction. Made me happy along with daddy and my princess who now wants to have 14 hello kitty band aids on her little leg and foot!

Give me Patience

1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 (New International Version)

 ¹²Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

This struck me this morning like a ton of bricks.  It was towards the end of my reading and I caught myself being hurried.  "Live in PEACE with each other....be patient with everyone"  I don't know about you but I have not done so well with these two.  I am an encourager, kind, loving, a helper by nature - but I do not live in peace all of the time.  I think of my mornings - If I wake up late it is RUSH,RUSH,RUSH - a lot of "hurry up!" and "let's GO" and "NOW" Not very peaceful or patient.

I get angry at work sometimes.  I want things done right the first time - because I feel that I don't have time to "fix" things.  I get frustrated when other people's problems become mine. I get selfish thinking "why do I have to deal, with ....?"  This cause a very un-peaceful and inpatient attitude.

And after work I find I am most at peace after the "get home, love kiddos and get dinner done routine - and we are all outplaying in the yard.  I relish the memories that we are making with our kids - playing a game of tag, swinging on the swings, digging in the dirt and playing kickball.  Hearing their giggles and laughter brings me peace.

My question is "why can't I look at those things and relish my morning times and look at the good in the people around me during my day?"   I need patience.I need to live in peace.  I need to focus on the good in all things God places before me.  I need to be aware of my words and my tone.  I need to look at others in a different light.  

I pray that God blesses you all and that you too may find Peace and Patience during your day today.

Love;

Amy Q

Wonder

Job 5:9 (New International Version)

 ⁹ He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, 
       miracles that cannot be counted.

Following the theme from Sunday's lesson at church I wanted to continue my thought of God's awesome power.  I am guilty of forgetting the miracle's that God has bestowed on my family and I.  I am guilty of not being thankful for all of the blessings that God has laid at my feet.  I get wrapped up in my "problems" and my selfishness that I tend to not look at the miracles and blessings as faithfully as I should.  I am challenged to look and stand in AWE of him and his wonders that HE delivers to me.  For just a moment I will stop and feel God in my life.  Right now I can hear the thunder and the rain approaching this little spot in God's universe.  We looked at that Sunday.  Pastor Brent showed us a demonstration on just how small we are.  We are a pinpoint in God's universe - yet He hears every thought, every prayer, every cry to Him.  He flows through our bodies wanting desperately to be proclaimed to all of His people. He wants us to stand in AWE of His wonders and praise Him.  I don't know about you but it has been a long time since I have done that.

I pray that each of you will take a moment and look at His wonders and praise Him.

Love;

Amy Q

June

Yesterday I went to church and we discussed how in this day and time we have begun to loose out "awe and wonder of God"  This touched my heart to its core.  I miss feeling at awe with God.  To soak his beauty up and wring it out to the people around me.  To be still and look at His wonderful Creation.  Pastor Brent talked about how in this "connected" world we have gotten disconnected with God's beauty.  When was the last time you looked up a t a night sky and felt tiny? We get so wrapped up in where we have to be, what we have to do, who we need to call, e-mail, text, chat or see.  We don't stop and look at God's creation and PRAISE Him.  

I am in awe today.  Today is a special day.  It is June 1st.  It marks a new month, new beginning, new sunrise and new sunset.  It is a beautiful day here.  

This morning I sat beside Abby's bed and looked at her sleeping.  Her soft wavy hair around her little pink face.  I listened to her breathing in and out.  She was so peaceful.  I then sang quietly - 

"you are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray, you'll never know dear how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away"

How did my little sunshine go from this:

To this:

I am in AWE if God's amazing power to create such a beautiful soul who is 5 years old today! 

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made"

I ask all of you to stop and look at God's creation - and praise Him!!

Love;

Amy Quinn