Discipline

Discipline as defined from dictionary.com:


Main Entry: 1 dis·ci·pline
Pronunciation: \ˈdi-sə-plən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin disciplina teaching, learning, from discipulus pupil
Date: 13th century
1 : punishment
2 obsolete : instruction
3 : a field of study
4 : training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
5 a : control gained by enforcing obedience or order b : orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior c : self-control
6 : a rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity


So as you can imagine, having a total of 6 kids all together (even though 2 are in a different state, doesn't mean that discipline does not come into play) one can see how important this simple looking word can be. Yet in the trenches of parenthood, this one word can lead to a situation that can sometimes seem like a grenade going off. Lets just say my 10 year old gave me good reason when he was probably 3 or 4 years old to purchase and read Dr. Dobson's revised edition of "The Strong Willed Child".

We all know every child is different. To say that seems silly, we are ALL different. Some more passive, some more agressive.. some more patient.. some more trusting.. some more passionate... I believe God places different things in each of us for HIS glory and HIS purpose. I also believe that as a parent it is my responsibility to instill discipline in their lives. As frustrating as it may be at times, as time consuming, and geez just to be honest... as much of a huge pain in the butt it may be... as the definition shows: it is from instruction; training that corrects, molds, perfects moral character...

And as the Bible puts it in Proverbs 3:11 "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke. (12) because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."

When I look at discipline this way, I have to admit there are issues the Lord has had to repeat himself to me with his instruction... guess I kinda get where my kids get it from ;0)

Praise God that his mercies are renewed every morning... FOR ALL OF US!!!

Babies...

So two friends of mine just had little girls... and the stories are so different, yet in the end, the result is the same: two precious little angel girls born, both formed by the very hands of God.

One friend is happily married, with a beautiful family. The other friend is a single mom, and the dad isn't in the picture at all.. hasn't been since the pregnancy happened.

One friend was excited, the other friend was terrified.

One friend had a beautiful little girl a week ago and I can't wait to go to her lovely warm loving home and love on her and watch the effect she has had on her "big" sister and brother ;0)

One friend didn't think she could do it on her own, didn't know if bringing a baby into her life at this time was good for her, or good for the baby. She seriously considered ending the pregnancy... I encouraged her that this baby was a gift from God that was here to help change her life for the better.. to give her hope and an innocent little person to love in her life, who would love her back just because.

Many nights I prayed, many nights I cried, we even got to a point where she said pretty much..look I don't need this, I don't need you making me feel guilty...
to which I apologized and believe me, I wasn't attacking her, I was just sticking up for this innocent little life that didn't deserve to be ended because she had so many questions.. the what ifs? the part where she couldn't see how anything would work...

I had to thank God tonight, as his Holy Spirit so gently reminded me that at one point my friend told me... Angie, you are the ONLY person in my life telling me that I should keep this baby, my family all says this is wrong for me, I can't do it, the baby doesn't deserve to be brought into this situation (since the dad left)... tonight I looked at the pictures posted, and I saw a little life that I fought for, that I prayed for, that I put into God's hands when I knew He was the only one who could touch her heart in a way that would make her understand. And I was reminded that I need to remember that passion I had for that baby and pray for other things in life with that passion.

For now I rejoyce in the little girl that was born today with the middle name "HOPE"

A new version of footprints in the sand...

FOOTPRINTS...A New Version

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.

But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns.

For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling, His consistently.

You and Jesus are walking as true friends!

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps.

Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one..

This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.

Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one.

This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints.

You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends.

Now you pray: 'Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You.'

'That is correct.'

'And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely..'

'Very good... You have understood everything so far..'

When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way.'

'Precisely.'

'So, Lord, was there a regression or something ? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first..'

There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice.

'You didn't know? It was then that we danced!'


To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

More Beautiful You

I sooooo love this song, and I found this clip on YouTube about the songwriter and the meaning... just thought I'd share =0)

New Year's Eve.. 2009 - 2010

So being the wild woman I am.. I spent this New Years just like I have for sooo many years... oh ya, I stay up late, eat junk food, tell stories, wait for the clock to strike 12.. I just do it with a younger crowd ;0)
For years I've let the boys stay up as late as they could... this had always seems AMAZING to them (we have a strict bedtime especially during school) so for one night of the year.. the sky is the limit!! We have popcorn (ALWAYS) and sometimes I even cave in and let them have pop (this year's choice.. Sierra Mist... caffience free...lol) Anyway, thanks for my dear sweet crew of late-nighters...

Darian, Gavin, Brandon, Logan and Tessa!!!! We had fun and ALMOST everybody made it up until midnight...if not they were within MINUTES of making it, but fell asleep ;0) My favorite way to bring in the New Year is with my kids... good quality time... that's good for them and for ME ~ I love you Kiddo's

So.. in bingo, we played 3 games before they were ready to "move on" to something new..lol and the winner's were: (1st game) LOGAN (2nd game) BRANDON (3rd game) LOGAN AGAIN =0)

Where is Sheldon one might ask??? WELL.. somehow he cleaverly came up with the "I'll put the babies to bed when they still have to get a good night's sleep" and with lil Miss Hollynd he has a sleep partner ;0) This was Brandon's first year being a big boy and staying up late!! AND BY GOLLY, he was the ONLY one who was not ready to go to bed...lol!!!!! Way to go Big Man.. mommy's proud of you!!! What a blessed way to bring in the New Year!!! Thank you Lord for the children you trust us with to show them the way to you...

Moments..

So I finally made it through a Christmas without crying because I missed my mom. I had my moments where I had to really try HARD not to think about it when the thoughts would start creeping in... but "take every thought captive"... then wouldn't you know it, today I'm trying to get either Shine on the radio at home, or WBGL, and as I'm looking I hear the start of Allan Jackson's "Where were you when the world stopped turning"... yep, I lost it. It took me back to watching the 2nd plane hit the world trade center with my mom, and watching ALL DAY in shock with her... and I can remember watching the country music awards when Allan Jackson debuted that song.. once again with my momma.

It's just crazy how you hold it together, hold it in, think you're making some serious progress... and then a song comes on.... and in an instant you are taken back to what seems like yesterday, a memory of not even something GREAT, but just a memory of her being with me. I have to say I've gotten better.. but then I still have to say, you NEVER get "better".

A baby's conversation with God

A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?' God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'

The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.' God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'

Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?' God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.'

'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' and God replied, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.'

'Who will protect me?'
God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.'

'But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.' God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'


At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.'

And God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'