Kids Say, vol. 15

Amariah:  "My foot fell asleep."
Me:  "That's because you're sitting on it."
Amariah:  "No, it's because it got really comfy."

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Earlier this week, the kids all had their first ever routine eye exam.  Isabel was particularly intrigued by a model of an eyeball that was sitting on the desk in the exam room, so I was explaining to her that that is what the eye looks like if you could take it out.  Truly wanting to know, she asked with a hint of excitement, "How do you take your eye out?!"

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Amariah, praying during family devotions:  "Dear God, thank You that Mommy and Daddy love each other.  Amen."

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Kids Say, vol. 14

Amariah:  "Abel, I hope Ande is a boy because you don't have a brother."

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Elliana (pointing at the alphabet poster):  "There's the O."
Mommy:  "That's right!  What does an 'O' say?"
Elliana, confidently:  "/k/!"

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Amariah (praying for my parents' dog who has an ulcerated eye):  "Dear God, please help Barney's eye to not fall out and not hurt so bad.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen."

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Abel tripped up the unfinished basement steps a few days ago and scraped his shins on the front edge of the step.  I, of course, offered my motherly comfort and sympathies; but after his crying had gone on a little too long, I politely asked, "Abel, how are you ever going to play football if you can't fall down without crying?"  His smart reply came, "Mommy, that's why they play sports on grass and sand... so they don't get hurt."

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Abel and Amariah were looking out the front door this evening, admiring the stars in the sky.  The next thing I knew, I heard them around a corner praying together.  Abel passionately prayed, "Dear God, thank You for the beautiful sky that You created, and thank You for Your Son Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.  Amen."


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Kids Say, vol. 13

Me (after reading a children's poem about Jesus' death and resurrection):  "Where is Jesus now?"

Amariah:  "In heaven!"
Abel:  "In your heart."

Me:  "Yes, Jesus is alive, and the Bible says He is in heaven at the right hand of God the Father!  And, He wants to live in your heart!  So, how does he get inside your heart?"

Abel:  "You have to believe."

Amariah:  "No, you have to open your mouth like this... and hold real still, and then close it when He gets in."

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Kids Say, vol. 12

Me:  (singing)
Abel (in an irritated voice):  "Mommy, don't sing!  You're making me dance!"

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Amariah:  "Mommy, did you know that mouths are like 'chewing trashcans' because the food goes into your tummy and turns to poop?"

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Abel:  "This motel only has a toilet and toilet paper.  Can you imagine that they don't have poop spray or fart fans?"

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Abel:  "If you obey the Lord, He will do great things for you.  John 25:4."
Me:  "Where did you learn that?"
Abel:  "I just made it up in my head."


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Right Where I Belong

During school today, I gave Abel several word cards--dad, cat, can, lad, rat, pot, sis, pan, mom--and asked him to divide them into like categories.  Providing a little hint, I began by asking, "Which words are animals?"  Abel easily located 'cat' and 'rat' and separated them into a pile.  Moving on to the second category, I asked, "Which words belong in the kitchen?"  Abel quickly glanced over the cards and then held one up, saying, "'Mom' belongs in the kitchen...."

It wasn't quite the answer I was expecting (and probably not an answer that our feminist society would appreciate...); but, it was a good answer nonetheless.  After all, I do spend a large majority of each day in the kitchen--right where I belong, apparently.... ;-)

It's true, though, isn't it (in most cases, anyway), that the kitchen is Mom's territory?  When Travis and I were house hunting in early 2007, we laid out some must-haves for our new house; and, right at the top of my list was a kitchen with lots of cupboards, plenty of counter space, and good lighting.  The kitchen would be my primary work space as well as what we deemed the "hub of the household"; so, having the right kitchen was imperative.

And, I must say, the kitchen is what sold me on the house we bought.  I loved the kitchen.  I still do love my kitchen.  On occasion, while working in my kitchen, joy and thankfulness will suddenly overflow from my heart and I will randomly say to my husband, "Honey, I love my kitchen."  I do.  And, I enjoy caring for it.  Scrubbing the floors, polishing the stove top... it truly gives me great joy to maintain the kitchen which belongs to me to which I belong.

Maybe that's why I spend so much time there.  Or, is it because I have four hungry little mouths to feed?... Whatever the reason, I am thankful.  No matter how many times a day I have to sweep the floor, no matter how many fingerprints I have to scrub off the refrigerator door, I will enjoy being in my kitchen.  After all, it's the hub of our household, and it's right where I belong.

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We're Debt Free!

WE'RE DEBT FREEEEEE!!!  On Saturday, 40 months after beginning our Total Money Makeover, Travis and I officially completed our "debt snowball," bringing our grand debt-payoff total to $47,873.92.  Included in that total were three student loans, two vehicles, two store credit cards, and three babies. :-)

As exciting as it is to be moving beyond the bondage of debt and into the blessings of preparing for the future (financially speaking), we recognize that our security must always be found in God alone and not in our finances.  We must keep an eternal perspective, knowing that even as we begin saving money for the future, we more importantly ought to be storing up for ourselves treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21)... like Abel did on Saturday....

In order to allow our kids to share with us in the excitement of being debt free, we gave Abel and Amariah each $20 to spend as they would choose.  As I began asking Abel what he might consider spending his money on, he decidedly announced, almost through tears, that he would be using his money to buy something for a couple kids who he apparently thought needed a new toy more than he did.  Travis and I were so blessed to see his selfless and sensitive heart as he confidently and joyfully carried through with his decision.  We watched as he, with humility of mind, regarded others as more important than himself, looking out not merely for his own personal interests, but for the interests of others (see Philippians 2:3-4).

As we enter into our newfound debt-freedom, we seek to--like Abel--be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us.  We are so thankful for God's provision in our lives, and we give Him the glory as we scream, "WE'RE DEBT FREEEEEE!!!"

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Kids Say, vol. 11: Baring the Heart

"But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart...." (Matthew 15:18)

Raising children is a lot of work for a lot of reasons.  Parenthood requires sacrifice, selflessness, sometimes sleeplessness.  It involves teaching and training, preaching and praying.  From diapers to discipline, nothing about parenting is easy.  Yes, bringing up kids is hard work; but it certainly isn't without reward.  Reward may look like a lot of things--the child's unquestioning obedience, sincere thankfulness, true repentance, happy countenance--and these, among other things, are the results we hard working parents want to see in our children.  We want to see these rewarding behaviors because through them we see the state of that which is really at stake--the heart of the child.  When I catch glimpses of my children's hearts through words like these that follow, I know without a doubt that Travis' and my parenting efforts are paying off....



Abel (pumping his fist and trying to psych himself up):  "Mommy, I really wanna eat all my soup to make you proud.... I'm attempting to do it.... I'm gonna do it...."

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Abel (while hugging me):  "I'm so glad God gave you babies.  I love my sisters."

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Abel (just after getting reprimanded by me for a bad attitude):  "Mommy, I just want to go pray.... God, please change my mind.  I really want to be nice.  Please just help me, God.  I really want to change.  Please change my mind...."

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How Could I Not?

I worked in our church's nursery this past Sunday with a few other moms, and when the conversation between a couple of them turned to school curriculum, I couldn't help but tune in.  Even though we are homeschooling our children, I am always interested to hear what's going on in our public school district.  With the progression of the discussion of a new math curriculum which neither students nor parents seem to be "getting,"  I found my reassurance of our choice to homeschool growing even stronger.

You see, there are several reasons why we have chosen to homeschool our children; but the primary one for me is this:  When it comes to my kids, I am a control freak.  During these tender years especially, I want to be in control of what they are learning and how they are learning it; so, for me, homeschooling is the obvious answer.  I wouldn't want to be in the position of these frustrated and somewhat helpless parents whose children aren't understanding math simply because of the way it is being presented.  Nope.  I'd rather be in control of the situation.  People say to me, "I don't know how you do it (i.e. homeschool)."  I answer to myself, "I don't know how I couldn't."

I love knowing exactly what my kids are learning--and learning it right along with them.  And, I love knowing that I am not missing the opportunity to build God's precepts into their learning.  The time that I have sitting with my children, giving them my full attention as I teach them with their full attention, is (from a discipleship standpoint) absolutely invaluable.  What a great opportunity homeschooling has been for me to pour God's Word into their lives.

Homeschooling itself has indeed been a blessing in this way, and so has our choice of curriculum.  One of the many things I love about our Sonlight curriculum is that it includes a Scripture memory verse in each week's lesson plan.  The Bible says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16), so why shouldn't Scripture be a purposeful part of our children's education?  It is certainly the subject that effects the most change!

Yesterday, a little while after I had introduced and discussed this week's memory verse, "Only fools insist on quarreling" (Proverbs 20:3b, NLT), I discovered that Abel had left Legos out on his bedroom floor and told him it was time to pick them up.  With neither a word nor a moment's hesitation, Abel ran upstairs to do as he had been told.  When I later praised him for the way he had promptly and happily obeyed, he said, "I did that because I remembered our new verse."

Like I said, I don't know how I could not homeschool.

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Kids Say, vol. 10

Amariah (saying her bedtime prayers):  "Dear God, thank You for my bed and my pillow... and my dollhouse... and my new purse... and my Woody and my Jessie... and my walking dog.... But, God?  It doesn't work anymore.  Please change the batteries?  Amen."

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Elliana (singing):  "If you're happy and you know--Amen!  If you're happy and you know--Amen!  If you're happy and you know--Amen!..."

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Post-Christmas Toy Purging

January seems to be a natural time for a purging of toys, doesn't it?  Christmas means new toys come in, so after Christmas means old toys must go out.  After all, there is only so much space in a house that can be devoted to toys--and only so much attention from a child that can be given to each one.  Too much of anything isn't good.  Isn't that what they say?

It's funny.... I can remember when the sum of the toys in our household was little more than what would fill a small plastic bin.

8-month old Abel with his entire toy collection (Picture taken 11/8/06)

Four years and three more children later, our toy collection fills four 21-gallon storage tubs--and that's just what's in storage... after this January's toy purging....

I have filled one 21-gallon tub, one medium-sized box. and one trash bag with toys to be donated/given away; but the truth is that another 50% of what's in storage could probably be eliminated without interfering with my childrens' quality of play.  Like most of us Americans, they certainly have more than they need.  But, unlike many Americans, they certainly are thankful for what they have.

At bedtime last night, we and the kids, as usual, took our turns praying; and it was Amariah's prayer that stood out to me the most.  As she, without prompting, thanked God for specific toy after specific toy, I couldn't help but smile.  My heart was made glad at the sound of such a simple, innocent, yet important prayer.

Amariah's grateful, loving, and content attitude toward her toys makes me think of Paul's statement in Philippians 4:11b-12a.

"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity."

I believe that my sweet little Amariah would be just as content to have the number of toys that Abel had in the picture above as she is to have all that she can play with and more.  What a sweet example of thankfulness and contentment she sets unawares.

As for the excess of toys still sitting in my storage area?  Well, I think another purging session may be in order sometime before next January. :-)

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Kids Say, vol. 9

Me (to Isabel and Elliana):  "Who pooped?"
Elliana (stepping forward):  "I."

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Elliana is almost always the first of the four kids to wake up.  I know she's awake when I hear, "Iiiizaba.  Iiiizaba.  Iiiizaba."

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Travis and I made the decision before our kids were ever born that we weren't going to celebrate Santa Claus.  Instead of teaching the kids to "believe in" Santa, we've always told them that Santa is just make-believe and that people like to pretend he is real just for fun.  So, in other words, we haven't attempted to "shelter" our children from Santa Claus--that would be impossible.  Instead, we have simply told them the truth about Santa from the beginning.  The other day at breakfast, I decided I ought to sing the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" to the kids since they had never heard it before.  It's a cute song and a fun story, right?  After singing the song several times (repeating it at the request of Amariah), it dawned on me that although we've told the kids about Santa himself, we've never really told them about Santa's reindeer.  I began to explain about Rudolph's nose being like a red light bulb that helps Santa see up in the sky.  Then, just when I thought the kids would be somewhat awed at the mystical story of Rudolph, Abel interjected, "And who would think reindeer could fly, anyway...."

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Contentment at Christmastime

Last night, Travis and I (with kids in tow) went to Toys 'R' Us to take out another chunk of our Christmas shopping.  As we were driving through the parking lot looking for a place to park, Abel, knowing our expectations of him, said, "Mommy, I'm just going to pray before we go in the store."  "Okay," I said. "I think that's a great idea."  (Abel) "Dear God, please help me to not beg for stuff in the store because we already have a lot of stuff, and Mommy and Daddy already bought me some stuff.  In Jesus, amen."

Needless to say, I was extremely blessed and encouraged by my son's example.  He (1) acknowledged his many blessings, (2) knew the importance of being content, (3) recognized his need for help in being content, and (4) sought help from God.

The fact is, my four year-old took a couple steps that some of us adults have probably failed to take.  On Black Friday one of my Facebook friends posted this as his status:  "Fourth Thursday in November - Everyone remembers what he has and gives thanks.  Fourth Friday in November - Everyone remembers what he doesn't have and awakes early to go get it."  Isn't that just so true of the average American?  We are thankful for what we have, but we still want more.  We never get as far as Abel did.  We acknowledge our many blessings, but we don't acknowledge our potential (or maybe even actual) lack of contentment.

Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:13a that we should pray, "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil."  In other words, we should recognize our weaknesses and pray for spiritual protection from temptations before those temptations ever arise!  Who can think of a greater temptation to be discontent than the one facing a little boy going into a huge toy store at Christmastime?

Like Abel, we all face temptations that threaten our contentment, at least as much at Christmastime as any other time of the year.  As we go about the business of making wish lists and fulfilling wish lists this Christmas, let us not only remember to be thankful for what we already have; but let us also recognize our need for God's help in the midst of it all.

As you and I seek a place of contentment during this season which can so easily become more about stuff than it is about a Savior, let us reflect on God's words and seek His help.

"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content." (1 Timothy 6:6-8)

"Then He said to them, 'Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.'" (Luke 12:15)

"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5)

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Thanks to Abel,...

Apparently, Abel is taking notice--and advantage--of my renewed focus in "looking well to the ways of my household" (Proverbs 31:27).

Abel politely informed me yesterday morning that we needed to clean out

1. the coat closet and
2. the van.

And... he was right.

After completing the closet project, I asked Abel, "So, why did you say I needed to clean the coat closet?"  "Because I couldn't find anything in there," he replied.

Abel approves.  And so do I!

Abel's second suggestion also made the To-Do list.  We were blessed with another beautiful Fall day here in central Iowa, so the weather was just perfect for the task of cleaning out the van.  I had Abel and Amariah skip their naps in order to let them work alongside me.  The kids and I have memorized Proverbs 10:4 ("Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth."); so we talked about working diligently as we cleaned.

At the end of the long, busy day, as I sat on the living room floor playing with my four sweet children, Abel walked up to me with a twinkle in his eyes and patted me on the back as he said, "Thanks for being such a good Mommy."  It was through that sweet comment that God showed me that if I am obedient to Proverbs 31:27, then Proverbs 31:28 really can happen to me.

27 "She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and bless her...."

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Kids Say, vol. 8

Elliana (in a rather deep voice):  "Dubba dubba dubba dubba."
Abel:  "Mommy, did you hear Elliana talking grumpy?"

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In efforts to develop in our children hearts that desire to pray for all people, we have placed a world map on Abel and Amariah's bedroom wall from which they each get to choose a country or countries to pray for during our bedtime routine.  Tonight, Amariah pointed to the map.  "I wanna pray for... that one!"  "Okay!" I said.  "The Congo!  Let's pray for the Congo and for our friends Owen and Stephanie, because they are going to the Congo to tell people about Jesus!"  After we prayed for this, Abel went to the map to make his choice.  Amariah said, "But it's my turn to pray!"  Travis reminded her, "Mommy just helped you pray for the Congo.  Remember?"  "The Congo?!" she excitedly replied.  "Who he?!"

Kids Say, vol. 7

Abel:  "Amariah, guess what?  Our mommy works at home, and that's her office."

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At some point, Abel decided that he doesn't like tomatoes.  Instead of forcing them on him, I have instead asked him to eat just one bite of whatever we're having with tomatoes, and then I let him eat the rest without tomatoes.  Suddenly, as I was beginning to prepare our tuna sandwich supper, Abel announces, "Mommy, I want lettuce and tomato on my sandwich!  Tomatoes are so good, right?!"

5 minutes later, holding his partially eaten sandwich:  "Mommy, the tomato is sticking out.  I don't want to see the tomato."

another 5 minutes later, chewing the final bite of his sandwich:  "Mommy!  This tomato is making me sad!..."

2 seconds later:  *gag*

Okay, so maybe he doesn't think tomatoes look and taste all that great just yet; but he made up his mind to eat tomato on his sandwich, and eat tomato on his sandwich he did!  That's my boy! :-)

Kids Say, vol. 6

Me:  Abel, you have bed head.
Abel:  No, pillow head.
(pause)
Travis:  Yeah... why do they call it bed head?  It's really just pillow head.

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Me:  Did you know that Jesus went up to heaven to prepare a place for us so that we can go live with Him in His house?!
Abel:  But how are we going to get there?
Me:  He's going to come get us when it's time!
Abel:  Is He going to carry us?
Me:  Well, I'm not quite sure how that's going to work....
Abel:  Maybe He'll have a cloud helicopter or something!

Kids Say, vol. 5

I have collected a few more funnies.... :-)


Abel (while getting tucked in at bedtime):  Mommy, is it going to be Summer in the morning?

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Me (to Abel when he showed up downstairs a while after getting tucked in for bed):  What are you doing up?
Abel:  Well... I just rolled over, and suddenly I realized I couldn't sleep!

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A couple days after "it finally clicked," Amariah jumped up from her play in the living room and took off running towards the bathroom announcing, "I need go potty!  I need go potty!"  Then, while still on the run, she looked over her shoulder, pointed to her butt, and said, "Don't come out, potty!"

Kids Say, vol. 4

On the heels of my last post, I just overheard this conversation and thought it would be appropriate to share.  You've got to love the brutal honesty.... :-)

Abel:  Sometimes we fight.
Amariah:  Yeah.
Abel:  And sometimes we be naughty.
Amariah:  Yeah.
Abel:  Sometimes we cry.
Amariah:  Yeah.
Abel:  And sometimes we throw fits.

Kids Say, vol. 3

During supper, Abel asked me what ketchup looks like; so I turned the question back on him, encouraging him to describe it to me.

Abel:  Ummm... it has tomato juice in it.
Me:  What color is it?
Abel:  Red.
Me:  And what does it feel like?
Abel:  Hurt.
Me:  Hurt?  What does that mean?
Abel:  If you don't like it, it gets hurt.

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Abel has become quite the problem solver.  Often when I give him a reason why we can't do something that he asks to do, he comes up with a "solution."  Following is just one example of his problem solving skills.... (*Note:  Amariah has a pair of sandals that light up when she walks.)

Abel:  Mommy, can we go to the park?
Me:  Not tonight, honey.  It's already dark.
Abel:  Well, we could take Sissy's shoes--they have lights on them....

Kids Say, vol. 2

Yesterday I rearranged Abel and Amariah's toys, moving a lot of what was in their bedroom to the basement.  I've noticed that every time I move toys around, there is a new level of excitement in the kids--almost like they are discovering each toy for the first time.  This excitement combined with unfamiliarity of where each toy goes (Have I mentioned before that I'm particular? :-)) creates ample opportunity for mess-making.  Tonight, as I observed both bedroom and basement toys lying all over the main level of the house, the following conversation ensued.

Me:  You guys have gone through this place like two tornadoes making a mess.
Abel:  I'm not a tomato!  I'm a pickle!