disciplining too much?

I had a conversation tonight with a family member and had sort of an epiphany... this may not be a novel idea to y'all BUT to me it was like a light bulb went on!
If I'm spending a lot of time disciplining, maybe just maybe, it's because I'm not training my children properly.
WOW!  Isn't that true though?

I have to remind myself that my children are blank slates, that they can be trained (and should be) but that I can't just discipline for the bad behavior. I have to intentionally train them in how to act, they won't just automatically know what the opposite of being mean to their brother is.

Oh, if only I could remember that during those moments I want to scream. 

I'm not only need to be teaching my children the correct social behavior (who says I know that anyway LOL!) but way more importantly the correct spiritual behavior. As a follower of Jesus I am commanded in Scripture to

...impress these things upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deut. 6:7

Training can be accomplished a lot of different ways. I think that is why the Bible instructs us to talk to our children all the time. The biggest way I see training happening in our home is through relationships. If our children think they're a burden to us why would they care what we have to say? We do a lot of talking around my house about all kinds of things! My kids KNOW that they are valued and loved and so they seek us out for wisdom.


Being a parent is such a huge responsibility. I'm so thankful the Lord is gracious to me and doesn't throw the whole impact of the load at me all at once. He doesn't expect me to do what I cannot.
Personally, I'm learning that being a parent is a whole lot about trust. Trusting that the Lord knows what He's doing, with the personalities of our children, with the gender, and maybe even with giving them to us in the first place! I also have to trust that as much as I love my children He loves them more.

I'm committing to putting my children first before all the other 'good' things in my life. Filling their little lives up and then worrying about the unimportant things. My children will only be little for awhile... I will only have their hearts by default for awhile, then it will have to be because they trust me. 
I can't just expect them to turn out right because I take them to sunday school and don't let them watch certain shows. Mothering is a massive commitment and one that, if allowed, can grow us into godly women who radiate Jesus' love to everyone around us.

If I will just stop worrying so much about my rights I could actually do a better job with my children. I'd be able to take the time to train instead of just disciplining if I would discipline myself instead not to turn on the computer, or pick up the phone call, or just do busy work.
 

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22

 

The heart of your home

This blog has so blessed me and encouraged me with posts coming at just the right time! I had to share this today. Please go visit her site to read the rest of the article, here is an excerpt:

I think of the great mother heroines of the past and admire their strength. Back then you had to work hard or you didn't eat and mothers made sure they worked hard to make sure their families had food. They learned to stretch the food and didn't take what they had for granted. Resources were scarce and they lived by the motto: use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

So mothers, wherever you are today, I hope these little glimpses into others lives are an encouragement to you. I pray you are doing all that you can in your family---to hold it together, to love them, to care for them, to give them your best even when you think that there is not much to give them. Remember, that this is a lie from pit of hell to think that you cannot give anything to your children. A mother is the anchor of the family and when the father is gone all day she is the one who creates the home, cultivates it and nurtures and loves people there. She helps the fabric of the home to be strong with her unwavering fearless spirit, courageous faith and brings refreshing life to it, for if not for her a home would just be lifeless walls that echoes emptiness. 

She is the heart of the home. If it were not for these mothers who lovingly and purposefully sacrificed her life to this purpose her home would be broken and dysfunctional, the poor children left to themselves with the wicked world raising them. And know, that just like her-- you are the heart of YOUR home.

So take heart, mothers, and set your eyes on Him. Pick up your armor and put it on. Get about your work at home and be busy making it the most loving place on earth.

Are you making the most of your time?

This video is pretty neat. Really puts priorities into perspective for me! I want my children to KNOW they were loved and cherished, not just rushed through being little because it's inconvenient for me to hassle with them sometimes.
Remember, our children are ALL a gift from the Lord and should be viewed as such ALWAYS! :)

Tea time

UPS just stopped at my door and delivered a package of loose leaf teas I ordered from here.


They smell so good. I brewed myself and the boys some of the creamy pumpkin tea and added some honey and cream. It's actually pretty good. I'm not a huge tea person but I'm trying to find alternatives to cokes. I'm praying this will work!

The Beginning

I titled this post 'The Beginning' but it's really far from that. I'm not sure how much I'll share about my past but probably quite a bit because like it or not it I have been shaped by it.

The most important things to know about me? First, that my entire life revolves around my creator. My worldview is shaped by my beliefs and I hold onto them tightly during any kind of storm and every day in between.
I am living the life I used to only dream about. I'm married to an amazing man who I do not deserve, he loves me in spite of my many shortcomings. I am a mother to 3 beautiful children who just amaze me with their trust in me and also challenge me everyday by their imitation of me.

My hope is for this blog to be a journal of sorts, keeping me accountable (at least to myself!) of my goals. I also want it to be a place of treasuring moments that seem to fade and melt together as the days pass.
I have so much on my heart to remind myself of and to share with whoever might want to be a part of it. There will be a variety of different things posted about I'm sure as my interests are all over the place!
Some things I'm thinking of are: cooking (from scratch with real food), herbal medicine, homeschooling, character training, marriage building, decorating and crafts, and even product recommendations.

I'm excited to start getting all these thoughts swirling around my head down into print! I hope that what I say is edifying, encouraging and will help in the refining process of your life.
-Mandi