Monday, June 30, 2014

Reminding myself of the Good

What makes me smile?

...my children waking up smiling.
...fresh, hot coffee.
...realizing my husband put the trash cans at the road on trash day.
...seeing my youngest feed herself.
...finding matching socks. :) yeah, I'm a weird one.
...singing along with kids to the music in the car.
...seeing a decrease on the scale (knowing you splurged over the weekend)!! Hallelujah!
...watching my oldest having a deep conversation with his friend.
...nap time.
...hearing my youngest sing her ABC's in whatever order she wants.
...listening to my middle child speed sing her ABC's
...random giggles
...talks over dinner.
...trips to Target all.by.myself. ♥
...hugs from my kiddos even after a positively stressful day...with them.
...bedtime.
...knowing my family is happy, healthy, and loved.

It was a stressful day today. 2 girls with clashing personalities. One trying to outdo the other..vying for my attention. I felt pulled in all different directions. Physically and emotionally drained. I didn't know whether I needed sleep, prayer, or more coffee. But I know that I needed something.
Each day is fresh and new. More often than not, I'm waking up as Mary Poppins and closing out the day as Cruelle DeVille. It's crazy how that happens. But know this...tomorrow, I'll wake up as Mommy/Mom/MOOOOOOOM! and end my day the same. I'll strive to instill at least one good thing in my children. Whether it's to find the good in the sibling that seems to constantly get under their skin or to actually pick up their stuff. 
I may feel stressed. But I am truly blessed. God gave me these 3 adorably crazy children. Wow! I'm honored. One day they'll realize that it's a day by day, breath by breath action. We are learning together. 



Now...I'm off to refresh and recharge. I've got 3 little minds to mold tomorrow. With God's help, it will be successful!

-enJoy

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Father-isms

Father-isms
That was the topic on the radio this morning. Those things your father would say that were sometimes silly, or would make you go Whaaaaaaaaa?! My dad had a few. But most of his were little quotes or phrases that I now look back on as nuggets of wisdom.

My dad is a very private man. But he rarely ever met a stranger. Yes, he was cautious around others, but he would always try to make them feel a part...especially at church or the drive thru, lol.
I remember a time when he shook a young man's hand and asked "don't I know you from somewhere?" The young man was puzzled and shook his head no. Dad piped up with "Yes!!! that's it! you were in the cell next to me...remember?!" Haha. Now, it wasn't true, but it was definitely an ice breaker. 

I remember when people would ask the famous question.... "How are you today? or How are you doing?" Dad would almost always reply with ..."terrible! but I love the variety." smiling all the while.



Another famous one was "pull up a chair and sit on the floor." 

This one was for us kids....
"I don't care if so-n-so jumps off a building, you ARE NOT jumping off with them. We are not the Smiths, Joneses, whatever....we are *insert our family name*."  Funny thing...I'm a Smith now. How ironic!

My dad is a man of few words, but some very powerful. This one still sticks with me. "Blessed are the peacemakers"  I strive to be a peacemaker. It's hard work.

Now, my siblings may read this and think seriously Dad said that?!?!? I've been told that myself and Lydia (an older sister) seem to remember a lot of our childhood. Sometimes stuff that didn't even happen. Well.....I remember this (lol) and if not, what a glorious imagination I have. 

-enJoy

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Dakota's baptism

 Tonight was a pretty incredible night for our oldest. He finally decided it was time to get baptized. He asked Jesus into his heart probably a year or so ago. And he knew he needed to be baptized, but fear won. I'm proud of his decision to finally step out and get baptized.
I remember a conversation from a few weeks back.

Dakota: "Mom, you know... *giving me time to probably guess what he was saying* ....people don't know that I am saved."
Me: "Well, you can tell them that you are saved. you can tell them about Jesus."
Dakota: "If I got baptized, then everyone would know." *smiling big*
Me: "Yes, you can do that, too."



 Dakota and our Pastor are the best of friends. I love that Dakota has a close bond with his Pastor at such an early age. This assures me that in his time of need, he has someone (besides his daddy) to look to for guidance. 
I can't say that we are the best of Christians, but we strive to make sure our children know about God.

We saw the sky on the way home this evening. It was neat to see a beautiful reminder from God. God is Good. Things happen in His time.

My baby boy is growing up and making decisions. Right decisions. I hope and pray that he will continue to lead him on the path that God has for him. Join me and pray for Dakota. 

 February 2006

 June 2009


 June 2014

God is Good!
-enJoy