As moms we often get caught up on all kinds of dumb stuff, don't we? As I was thinkin' about it, it is so much like our hangups we sometimes have with our relationship with God. Or is it just me?
We often pay more attention to what others think of us. We compare our child to everyone else's. And it's a no win: we either come out of the comparison prideful or insecure. It never really has a positive outcome. What should we do? Just seek the approval of God, and teach and model seeking that approval from God for our kids.
Kind of along the same lines, we often put appearance above relationship. I'll never forget my mother making me lick a Kleenex and wiping my face with it while sitting in church. It just possibly might of scarred me for life. No wonder I never buy Kleenexes. Sometimes to honor God, or to raise our children, we have to sacrifice appearance for the sake of relationship. And if that means you gotta spank the kid in the middle of aisle 5, so be it! If that means your 8 year old wears the same black plaid shirt to church for a solid month...hey, he is loving God, and he comes downstairs wearing it, and we say, "Man, buddy, you look so awesome."
And other times, you just have to let the house go and focus on a 3 day mind-numbing game of Horseopoly. Because, you know, my Gracie Pearl probably won't remember the dishes in the sink, but this marathon game of Horseopoly will probably live on in her memory forever. She's killin' me, by the way, she's got about $2000 horded away over there and I only have about $300.
Sometimes in our pursuit of perfection we try to find reward in the wrong things. We find reward in our children's performance, having our kids dressed "just so," in academic excellence, or sports, in the praise of men. God just wants us to find our reward in a peaceful heart. And sports skills don't always get passed down to the next generation, but for some reason peaceful hearts are highly contagious. Parents who model peace in Christ have kids who know the peace of God - and there is nothing more important than that.
Sometimes in our pursuit of perfection we perpetuate a lie and by doing so we spread disillusionment. I'm as guilty of this as anyone. Especially on this blog. I tend to tell you about all the neat, creative things we do and not how I slept in, yelled at the kids to make their own frozen waffles, and didn't have my quiet time until after lunch. And the girls and I got to thinking this weekend and we realized Daniel hadn't showered in almost 2 weeks. (He HAS been in the pool allot, does this count? Chlorine and all?) As moms AND as Christians we all need someone with whom we can be vulnerable with and honest. We need to not pretend we have it all together when we are falling apart.
Sorry to go missing so long on the blog! We had youth camp and other youth events going on! Summers are like that. Currently, Gracie and I are the only ones not gone on a mission trip. And man, am I filling that middle-child love-tank with some quality time like you wouldn't believe. We are having a blast. Tomorrow we are off shopping and we are going to have a special date at 3 Spoons! I told her we could eat lunch at any restaurant she wanted, I was hoping for some kinda fancy tea-room experience...but I think she wants to go to Wendy's. Oh well, it's about relationship, and as a middle child you so rarely get to make a choice without being pulled about by someone, so I will not try to sway her. Have a great day!
Gracie and I had a fabulous time at preteen camp this week. We are a wee bit worn out, me especially because I am old. I felt like a really old lady when I got a crick in my neck and I had to go to the nurse for Bengay...Lame-o. Some of the kids made comments around me like, what's that minty smell? I just pretended not too hear them. To my credit, it was a 2 inch thick mattress, and that was before I laid on it and flattened it to nothing.
I didn't let a little crick stop me from going down the wet willy, or paintballin', or zip-linin'.
Gracie LOVED the zipline! She did it almost every day. Our 3rd-6th graders really drew in close to the Lord and had a wonderful experience! I can't wait to go back next year, but next year I think I'll work on the old-lady camp kit: an air mattress, non-scented sports cream, and my husband's tried and true never go on a youth trip without-it - a secret stash of energy drinks.
Midnight finally found a place to hang around at our new house. Gracie loves that old, tired horse. She found a great shady spot under a horseapple tree.
Gracie and I are at preteen camp this week! By the time this post goes up, you should probably say a quick prayer for me - for strength and patience! ...And of course I had to include some pictures of the other two as well. 
Daniel is getting so brown. He had a great time with his dad on the mission trip to Colorado. He is starting pee wee football next week and golf camp is 2 weeks away, so he still has a lot going on. 
Ally is going to her 2nd youth camp the day Gracie and I get back! She's had a pretty busy summer, but it has been lots of fun! She has taken care of the house all week with me gone - cooking and cleaning -of course I'm not home yet, so I am speaking in faith. She once got a tiny burn making cookies in the oven as a 2nd grader and has a terrible oven-phobia as a result. I am hoping she will conquer her kitchen fears this week.
But - to really understand the phrase, you should try raising my parents. My word. I have never heard a more appropriate phrase to describe my parents than this. Jello they are: sweet, mysterious, and wonderful - but REALLY hard to pin down. In my house the kids know better than to include Max and Nana with "when" in the same question. Most conversations about my parents end in us all joining in a chorus of our famous family phrase, "You never know with Max and Nana!" 
Really cool -decorating/art idea using LEGOs -(our boy's favorite thing in the world) for a little boy's room. 