The last Saturday before Christmas

I must say that this Christmas is turning out to be one of my favs. Nothing super special or particular, I just feel so wonderful So close to the Lord and the most grateful I have ever been for his sacrifice for me and for you. I feel so blessed to know that my kids know what Christmastime is all about.  The presents are fun and cool, but celebrating the birth of our savior is the focus.

As I was cooking dinner tonight I was pondering everything, my life, everything leading up to this moment.  I think most of it has to do with me being closer and having a relationship with the Lord and the the other part of it me being older and much more settled. Also my oldest is 13 and I love sharing so many conversations and memories with her.  And my youngest, well he will keep you in stitches. You literally never know what will come out of this mouth. 

God has been so good to me, to my family.  Jason recently had a biopsy done on his hand. We were concerned that it may be a form of skin cancer. Seeing how he works out in the sun all day everyday with no sun block whatsoever. When I googled the signs and symptoms, we were both panicked. After reading and looking at all that we were convinced.  Of course I made the appointment and prayed.  I have to say that the moment I prayed and laid it at his feet, I feel relieved.  I knew I had turned it over to the one who can see, control, and heal all. 

So off to the dermatologist we go... She said 10-14 days before the results. I was hoping sooner, but amazingly wasn't jumping every time the phone would ring.  And then there was a part of me that thought, well getting the call after Christmas might be better. The call came on (I think) Tuesday or Wednesday that it was harmless and no cancer. Praise the Lord.

I have been cleaning and cooking today. This morning I woke up and couldn't find Braden's medicine, as I looked and looked I kept hearing the Lord say, you threw it away, you threw it away. Jason had done took the trash out of the can and down to the dumpster, so off I go to dig in the trash. Thankfully it was right on the top and I didn't get to messy. I'll tell ya sometimes I don't know about me. Isn't it wonderful that the Lord will talk to us about the simplest things.

 The kids made a gingerbread train, which MacKenzie just informed me was an epic fail.  I said, did you have fun doing it? She said yes, and I told her that's all that matters. 

Jason has worked all day. He is still out. He just hates it when ppl can't flush. I told him to come on home.

It starts at home

Shooting sprees in our malls, schools, and other public places, murders everyday in every major city in every state.  What's the answer? Something has got to give.  That is what we are  all saying.

While I don't have all the answers and my opinion will vary slightly and largely from everyone, I do have my two cents I'd like to add.

Banning guns and abolishing our 2cd amendment rights is not the answer. It's not the people who have openly obtained a permit to carry a firearm, it's not even the people who like myself have yet to go get a permit.  You can't put a face with danger. We don't have a gun problem or a God problem, we have a people/parenting problem.

I am 100% for putting God back into every school in every crack and crevice of this world.  However, the schools removed him from school, not from your home or your heart. 

It starts at home. God and the Bible are things that should be spoken from the start. A lot of people that complain about religion being removed probably aren't attending church regularly. Oh what's that you say "I don't have to go to church to worship or know God" Ok, so then you have a relationship with Jesus? You pray to Him everyday? You read your bible and try as best you can to apply His word and the teachings to your life? To your kids?... "Well no, I know all about him though, I have read the bible. " I imagine these are the arguments many people have with themselves and to others. 

We have to restore the parenting and proper raising.  Unfortunately history does repeat its-self. Do you not see that no matter how much your kids tell you they'll never be like you, the fact is they will be very similar to you. They will take to what they are around. They will become like the people they are around.  

I see so many parents pity patting around discipline.

" No no, don't do that." " I am going to count to three.. ooonnneeee, twwwoooooooo, I mean it, Threeeee..." oh but what do the kids see, nothing, cause you didn't do anything.  Just a bunch of calm baby talk coming out of your mouth with nothing physical to back it up.  So from early on your words have no tone, no authority, no weight whatsoever.  You just have to get firm and show them who is boss. Establishing a pecking order of who is in charge early on and that what you say goes is vital. It shouldn't be optional, it's the way things are. They will go to school and guess what if they don't mind you, chances are, they aren't going to mind the teacher. Oh but those big eyes and pouty lips that you just can't seem to stand firm with grow up and become cold and mouthy. Yeap that's right they become teenagers whom you have convinced yourself that you are "the boss of," when in reality you have never had them under control.  Think about this, do you work with someone who is a slacker? You do a lot of their work for them, they get most if not all of the credit, they can't do their job properly, they are late, inconsiderate, lazy? Everyone complains about them. They job hop,can't hold one down. Oh and it's always the fault of someone else , never theirs. Do you really think they got that way when they came to your work place? Nope. They are that little bratty kid that would never mind. They belong to the parent that "didn't have the heart" to really get on them. So they have a kid and it's the same vicious cycle.

 I am telling you, discipline needs to be restored. Morals and values, right and wrong needs to be instilled in the kids. They need to learn that there are consequences to their actions. That nothing good comes easy. That you have to work hard, be honest, keep your word.They need to learn to have respect for themselves and understand that no one can give them what a relationship with Jesus can.  And no matter where God is removed from, it shouldn't matter to awfully much as long as you put Him there first and keep Him there first and always. Teach kids to be respectful, polite, well mannered, and responsible.  Nothing is owed to them. This generation and I suspect ones for years to come are a very entitled bunch. We all have the same opportunities. 

Before anyone goes to saying "she sounds all perfect and high and mighty, let me just say no, I am not. I am probably one of the most imperfect people, trying the best I can to raise my kids the best I can while serving the MOST perfect and high God.  No matter what society or others try and take away from myself or my kids, they can't take away our integrity, morals, values and ability to love, serve, and honor God.

 It starts at home and it starts with putting God first.