Parenting

Somethings I have read on parenting from crosswalk.com and want to remember

*****Provide your children with the sense of security that comes when your actions are consistent with your words. (based on Matthew 5:37 from parenting by design)

*****try walking beside your kids as you lovingly allow them to experience the consequences of their choices. This is a far better way to create an environment in which a child can understand and embrace God's design for his life.
Pick your battles and avoid exasperating your kids. Eph 6:4: Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord (NIV). (parenting by design nov.4 2010)

*****When your children require a consequence for something they have done, consider the difference between punishment and discipline. Punishment creates a temporary break in relationship. Discipline walks alongside them through the bad choice, the way God walks alongside us as a result of Christ's sacrifice.
Show God's love by walking with your children through their bad decisions rather than causing a separation from them through punishment. 1 John 4:18: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love" (NASB). (Parent by design Oct 8)


****** Approach discipline with the understanding that you need to train your kids to develop good attitudes and actions. Remember that the root word of discipline is "disciple" and realize that disciplining your kids is a vital part of their spiritual growth. Don't make excuses for them when they behave badly. Instead, challenge them to learn how to do better, and help and encourage them along the way.
(Dr. John Rosemond crosswalk.com)

Lord is Trustworthy!

Today I was compelled during my quiet time to listen to Shane and Shane Psalm 145. I decided to look up the verse in the message version and here is what it said:

Psalm 145: 13-21

The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.[c]
14 The LORD upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

Shared with me awhile

There was a song that my sister shared with me awhile ago as she was going through a trial in her life.

The lines to this song are ringing in my head today in regards to all that is going on:

There is nothing above you, there is nothing beyond you
There is nothing you can't do
Whatever will come, we will rise above
You fail us not, you fail us not

No matter the war, our hope is secure
You fail us not, you fail us not


You are bigger than the battle
Whatever will come, we'll rise above
You fail us not!!!


Peace again admits all that is going on around me these last few months. It's amazing how as I go about m day and think about everything taking place in my life right now, I get so stressed, overwhelmed, fearful, anxious, exc

Then I come to sit at my computer to look up Scripture and play worship music, and at that time I am given hope to all that is happening around me!

Thank you Lord for another day of reassuring me you are for me, my family, my friends, and my future!

15 weeks and 1 day

Today I went to got another ultrasound of the twins.

I was given six pictures of the babies by the ultrasound tech!!! I love getting pics of my precious little ones.

Baby B is curled up in like an upside down U shape. It has been and continues to be a very chill relaxed baby. It tilted it's head back and for a bit, but continued to be laid back as it was in the previous ultrasound.

Baby A was rocking and rolling in my belly. It was waving, kicking, moving it's head back and forth. It was having a good old time in there. Same as last time we saw it on the ultrasound...a very active little one!!!

I had a cervical length test in which they check for signs of pre term labor. Everything seemed to be okay and I go back in three weeks for the same type of appointment.

I have gained PLENTY of weight thus far. Kind of concerned with gaining too much too fast. Trying once again to choose healthy foods for the little ones. I have felt a little movement here and there. Maybe five times through out the week total. Should be getting more frequent as I get closer to twenty weeks.

Another Reminder I am not forgotten

Psalms 121:

I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? (v.1)
My help comes from the Lord the Maker of heaven and earth. (v.2)

He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not SLUMBER......(v.3)
The Lord watches over you the Lord is your shade at your hand......(v.5)

The Lord will watch over your coming and going from now and forevermore!(v.8)


My God does not sleep, my God fights for me when I don't even know it. My God keeps me from falling, My God is for me! My God doesn't sleep, he is constantly keeping me in his safe, loving, compassionate faithful hands!!!!

Once again, a reminder that through all my trails with Jason's job, planning for twins, Jason's dad, a friend's sick baby, a friend's broken marriage, a friend's barren womb, Lord....you do not SLUMBER you are constantly helping us and working behind the scenes protecting us from the enemy!

You Never Let Go

How perfect are the lyrics of David Crowder's song: You Never Let Go

Right now in my life, there is a ton going on in terms of trials. I was working out today and heard this song, and immediately felt like it spoke directly to the situations I am facing.

I have felt for some time now kind of forgotten. I have felt like I have been praying for so long for several things that have not come to pass. In hearing these lyrics today, I am reminded of several things:

1) Obviously through all that we face, through the on going trials that seem to be at our feet day after day, consuming our minds, HE WILL NEVER LET GO!

2) Ever faithful, ever true,......that is what remains through our constant trials. How could I feel forgotten by Him or pushed aside when I know in my heart He is ever faithful!

3) When disaster came, oh my soul oh my soul....fills with hope. The hope that I know He is working behind the scenes, the hope that I know that He has my future in his hands, the hope that I know He has the next minute that I breath under his control.

4) Joy and pain, in sudden rain..your the same...you never let go. In all my fear, tears, pain, heartaches, questions, I know that Jesus is the same. He is the same God that healed my marriage, he is the same God that provided a way for me to go to college, the same job that provided me a teaching job, the same job that gave us the birth of our first son Blake, the same God that has restored relationships in my life. He is the same God that parted the red sea, he is the same God that delivered from the promise land after years and years....

He is the same God that wants to help me triumph through all the trials I have going on in my life....how could I feel forgotten when I know that He is for me, when I know He hears my cries, when I know that I don't see any evidence of him working on my behalf....he is orchestrated a beautiful future for me and my family!

Thank you Lord for speaking to my heart today and giving me hope...thank you Lord for never letting me go!

Don't want to forget: Blake has been playing pretend play now more and more. He is about 37-38 months.

He is also very much into "helping mommy" clean, fold laundry, cook, wash my feet (crazy yes).

Lately too, if I tell him I am tired or dont feel good, he comes to me and says: I hug you and all better!

He still loves his bear and is doing better going potty! However, with this time change we put him to bed at 8:30 and he gets up at 6:30..killer on us. I think to myself though in five or so short months we will be getting up way earlier than that with the twins.

Still blows my mind we are having twins. I just can't seem to get over it!!!