Answered Prayers

God is so very good!

Snow...finally!! And a little reminiscing of my teaching days.

We had our second snowfall this winter, although we didn't see much snow at our house. I wanted to snap a few pics of the girls enjoying the snow, so we bundled up and headed out to Oak Glen. The girls lasted about 10 minutes-which was about 8 minutes longer than I thought they would! It was beautiful!!
The history lover in me sneaked a peak at Riley's Farm in the middle of giving Revolutionary War Reenactment Tours. I miss taking my 5th grade students up there. Riley's really does a great job making the experience authentic. And the snow just added to the experience-really giving kids a sense of what Valley Forge must've been like! I know what you're thinking, like the kids' cared about anything other than being in the snow. But one of the staff told me that those were the first words out of a student's mouth as he excited the bus that morning! I love it!! I'm a US History nerd, and I love it!

Blogging on the iPhone!

Ok. I may be just be behind, but I've been waiting for Blogger to become an iPhone App, and here it is!

So-this is my official test run blogging on my phone.

Yesterday was a last minute day off for Jon, and both of my girls have colds-but the weather was gorgeous, so we just had to get of the house. Jon always take the girls out for Daddy/daughter donut dates, so we did that and I tagged along! It was so fun!!

you're not the perfect parent 101...

The past 24 hours have been some of the toughest hours of my parenting thus far. My sweet daughter, Ellie, who has been and remains a remarkably bright and passionate little girl-has been going through a hard time.  Her beautiful heart is so troubled by the terrible two’s/teething/a battle of the wills – or something of that nature.  Bedtime and naptime have become times we dread rather than times of peace.  More often than not I find my little Ellie resisting and testing rather than obeying.  I know this is all normal, but I feel helpless.  It’s a terrible thing to feel lost.  Although, I have a feeling “help” and “now what” are common threads woven throughout one’s parenting story. As a perfectionist and doting mom, I desire nothing more than to figure out the problem, find a solution-and be done with it.  Let’s get right back to having well-behaved kids that do what I want them to do.  For the most part-we’ve been blessed to have that parenting experience up to this point.  I realize that my children have been very good babies, and while they continue to be great kids-I knew we were about due for some rougher waters.

Wait a minute, you mean she has her OWN ideas about things?  She’s her own little unique person with her own mind and desires and ideas? Wait a minute, was this disclosed in the paperwork I signed in my sleepless state at the hospital before we took her home? J  Where’s that instruction manual!

The hardest part is feeling so helpless and lost as to what to do.  The truth is that there is no perfect answer because every child and circumstance is different.  I have realized that I am not perfect, I cannot figure everything out, and I will make many mistakes.  But hopefully-I will work though them with a patient and loving heart, and a humble spirit.  I think one of most difficult realizations I’ve experienced as a mom is realizing how proud/ignorant/arrogant I can be.  It’s increasingly obvious that I am out of my realm of knowing what to do, and I desperately need the grace and guidance of my gracious heavenly father to lead me along these crooked paths.  I am so thirsty for parenting advice, wisdom and guidance.  I’ve been reading books, listening to radio segments, reading blogs, you name it.  Yet-God is the only one there at 2 in the morning when you don’t know what else to do.

I heard something during a Focus on the Family parenting pod cast the other day that really stuck with me.  The guest speaker mentioned that she often counsels parents who have done everything “right”, and yet their children continued to stray from their parent’s counsel.  She reminded the audience “Who is the perfect parent – God, of course.  And yet, how many times do we ignore, neglect or disobey his instruction and counsel.”  This brought me comfort in remembering that I cannot control who my children become.  I can only lead by example, seek the Lord in parenting them, and then trust that God will take care of guiding their hearts to Him and His ways.  This must be why praying for our kids is so important.  My children are not “mine”.  They are God’s.  I am merely blessed with the task of doing my best to lead them to Him.  I am always comforted in knowing that in everything, yes EVERYTHING, I can seek the Lord for comfort and encouragement.  He has walked this road, and lived this life.  He knows EXACTLY how I feel.  Thank you Jesus for always being a source of comfort and refuge for my soul. 

Happy New Year!

2012 is upon us and I have to say that I really enjoy that this holiday falls on the first day of the month, because once it's over, I can focus on putting away and organizing my entire house!  It's a month that symbolizes the time of year for reflection, renewal and reorganization! :)

More later...

Welcoming Charlotte Grace

My sweet little Charlotte Grace is now almost 4 months, and I am just now getting around to posting her baby announcement as well as the pics we chose from her 1 week old photo shoot.  Here is the link for the blog post about the shoot with Becky Hale Photography:
Becky Hales Photography Blog - Charlotte Grace Allen
I can't believe my sweet baby is already so big!  I am cherishing every smile, every hiccup, every moment!

Ellie Rose and her "Ellie-isms"

The apple of my eye.  My Ellie is Hi-lar-ious!!!!!  That kid has her daddy's dry wit, and at the tender age of 22 months-has me in stitches on a daily basis.  I have been noting some "Ellieisms" and haven't yet had the chance to blog about all of them, but wanted to mention the ones just from today.
First of all-I've realized the importance of establishing good habits.  When my mom was raising us, she and my dad always modeled the importance of being courteous, polite and considerate of others.  I remember doing these things out of obedience, not because I agreed all of the time and certainly not realizing the implications they would have later in life when I became a mommy.  So, today, there were several instances when we were out running errands when I had to say "oh, excuse me" and "no problem" and "your welcome".  Throughout the rest of the errand running, I heard the sweet voice of my little Ellie echoing these exact phrases, along with "oh sure mommy, ok" and "mommy, thank you so much".  THere is nothing better than hearing her polite little voice.  I beam with pride, and then I hear her say "oh my gosh".  So funny, she says it really oddly-with this thick southern accent.  I have been practicing with her because she used to say "oh my goodness", or in her words "Oh ma gooness".  (I think she's a closet southerner, like her momma).  :)  So, I told her "we don't say oh my gosh Ellie Rose because oh my goodness sounds so much nicer".  Now, in the back of the car and around the house I hear her saying "oh my gosh, no, oh my goooooooodness".  At least she corrects herself! Ha!  The other funny thing about lil' Ellie Bellie is that she is SO smart that she soaks everything up like a sponge.  Today she smelled of a dirty diaper, and I asked her "Ellie, did you poop"?  She looks at me and takes a long pause, and then responds with "No mommy, I have gaaaaaas."  HAHAHAHAH!  I started cracking up, and said. "well okay then". LOVE. THAT. GIRL.