Stolen Moments

I was recently talking to a friend of  mine who is homeschooling her kindergartener.  She said it feels like this is a stolen year that so many people don't get.  I loved the thought and can totally relate to the idea of stolen moments with our kids.  Being a stay at home mom I have had and continue to have stolen moments with my girls.  Despite a few evenings out with friends, a Bible study or two and a handful of retreats I have been here for every moment of my kids lives.  I will always cherish that. 

The question that I have though is, how do we continue to have those stolen moments when we send our kids off to school? What happens if you are a working mother? How can we ensure we still have moments that are special, unique, or should I say "stolen" in the midst of busy lives?  I am far from an expert but I would like to suggest 3 ways that help me experience those special stolen moments.

1. Plan for them. There is nothing more special to my husband or my children than when I plan a special date, project or time with them.  I love finding inspirational ideas for creative things to do with my kids from other parents, blogs I read and most importantly just watching my girls in action.  I love seeing where their imaginations and passions are and then planing something to specifically match their interests.  This is probably my favorite way to create memories and have special moments with my family whether as a whole or as individuals.

2. Make them part of your routine. I know it may seem ridiculous to say you can plan or make special moments happen, but in my experience, you can.  One activity our family regularly participates in is what we call word box. Often times when we eat dinner together (yes, we eat together every night) the girls will request we play word box.  I found these great conversation questions and we all go around and answer the question.  I realize this may not sound much like a special moment but let me remind you , kids say some pretty funny things.  I wish I could say I was really good about writing down, blogging or scrap booking their funny answers but I am not.  I do like to think that the lasting effect of those moments is greater than my inability to document them! The key here is to evaluate the things you already do in life and see if you can't come up with a creative way to build in memories.  If you are in the car together, eating dinner, bath time, homework, bed time, these are all great times to build in moments that draw you closer to each other and to God. We don't always have to look for ways to add to an already full schedule we can just capture the moments that are just part of the life you are already living.

3. Recognize and revel in them when they happen. One day last week Lydia was up and ready particularly early and we had an unexpected moment together as a family.  Rather than our usual running around and trying to get out of the house on time we had a fun dancing time in the living room.  I am sometimes uniquely aware of how quickly my girls are growing up and on this particular morning I was totally present and engaged.  Justin was walking through the room with his ipad and was listening to something (as he often is) and I just started to dance with Lydia.  Justin turned it up and began dancing too.  Then Emma joined in and we had such a fun and refreshing time together.  It only lasted about 5 minutes but they were a special and for me "stolen" few minutes. I can think of nothing greater than living with the ability to recognize, cease and revel in these unplanned times.  I defintely lean heavier towards the first 2 ways but God often surprises me with the unexpected moments just to keep me humble and expectant. 

Our families are worth fighting for. Our husbands and our children need to know how much we love them by showing them how we love them.  I hope you find some ideas you can use in your own life to steal away some moments with your family in the upcoming week.  Please feel free to share what works for you in your family and what some of your favorite moments are.  Thanks for reading.

Day 18 Prayer - Quiet

Lord, the world around us is busy and hectic. We live in a fast pace society and one that is very loud.  Everyone and everything is clamoring for our attention.  I pray that Lydia and Emma would learn how to discern Your voice above everything else in their lives.  I pray that as they see me regularly spend time in quiet with You that they too would desire to have quiet in their lives.  As they get older and the world tries to plug them in more I pray that they would learn how to quiet themselves and unplug; that they would learn how to hear from You and know Your still small voice.  I pray that You would teach us as a family how to listen to Your voice and follow You in the secret and quiet places.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Scarecrow Pete

I love all things fall! For some reason my creativity abounds more in fall than any other time and my crafting comes out for my kids to enjoy.  This month we have been focusing on all things fall and we read the book Scarecrow Pete by Mark Kimball Moulton. It is an incredibly cute book about how a boy makes a friend in the garden and how his friend Scarecrow Pete helps him learn to love reading.

Supplies you will need:

• small mason type canning jar with lid and ring
• small square of off white cloth
• small amount of batting
• fabric paint or markers
• hat, nose and necktie for scarecrow

I really don't think I need to explain how to make the craft as it is pretty self explanatory and if you have any crafting ability, believe me when I say you can do this one.

I printed out a bunch of bible verses to put inside and each day we will take time to read one.  During the month of November we will write on a slip of paper something we are thankful for and put it inside Pete.  Overall it was a fun craft, a cute book and it is my prayer that the greatest book of all makes a permanent mark in my kids lives. Thanks for reading.

I am linking up to stArt at A Mommy's Adventures and Kids Get Crafty at Red Ted Art.

Day 17 Prayer- Faithfulness

Lord, You are so faithful.  Even when we are not, You are.  I pray that Lydia and Emma would learn of Your faithfulness and Your steadfast love for them.  I pray that You would overwhelm them with experiences in life that allow them to see and personally understand Your faithfulness.  There will never be a situation that You will turn Your face from and there will never be a time where they will fall further than Your grace has the ability to catch them.  I pray that I am willing to be a testimony to how You are faithful to me and that they can learn from my love for You.  You are good, You are great and You are worthy of all my praise.  Thank you ever so much for Your faithfulness. Amen.

Message in the mirror

Writing messages for daddy. Lydia wrote: "You are the best dad in the hol intir wrld."

So incredibly excited!

Sometimes we all need to feel special, loved, appreciated.  Take a dry erase marker and leave a message on a mirror.  Make someone else know how much you care and make their day. (or night as the pj's and wet hair imply.)

Day 10 Prayer - Endurance

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop  endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. Romans 5:3-5

Lord, I pray that Lydia and Emma would learn the importance and rewards of endurance.  Not all the rewards are immediately visible but they are life changing.  I pray that You would help them navigate the trials and difficulties in their lives and draw them closer to You during the times when they believe You to be distant from them.  I pray that  their character would grow through these trials and that You would ultimately and finally be their HOPE.  You are a great God and You can do in my girls lives more than I know.  I pray that You take these prayers and perfect them. Lord, help me teach my girls how to depend on You and listen to the Holy Spirit who can fill all our hearts with Your love. A love that is unashamed and never ending.  Amen.

Took the weekend off blogging but not praying.  Many blessings to you!

Day 7 Prayer - Thoughts

Dear Lord, I pray that Lydia and Emma would place their faith in You and find their hope in You always.  I also pray that they would learn the practice of taking every thought captive. The enemy wants nothing more than our minds because where our mind goes our body follows.  I pray that You would supernaturally guide them to place their steadfast mind on You and think of all that You have done and all that You are.  Allow their lives to shine brighter than stars in this dark and depraved world. Amen.