One of the problems with reading most conventional parenting books is the promise. The promise that if you do "a" with your child, "b" will happen. If you handle a problem by using the given method, the outcome is predictable: Success. It only follows, then, that if you mess up the method, you've messed up your child. Just tweak the method, discipline more, yell less, spank, don't spank, blah, blah , blah...
The problem with all the focus on method and technique in parenting, in my opinion, is how I come to view my children in the process. Instead of seeing each child as a unique individual made in the image and likeness of God, I come to view my child as a product. When the "product" isn't turning out as promised, I have "failed."
I have come to realize after many years of parenting that there is only one foolproof method: Love. Love. Love.
Didn't our Lord say that "Love never fails?" (see 1Corinthians:13)
I am not saying that no good exists in parenting books. There are many wonderful parents writing helpful and informative books. What I am saying is that method cannot be the guide. Love has to be the guiding principle. Do the loving thing.

Making Old Things New

Before you go out and buy expensive artwork, see what you can come up with at home. I bought a framed picture at Big Lots a while back for about fifteen dollars. I wasn't crazy about the picture, but I liked the frame. I actually hung it up with the original picture in it, thinking that because I would have to rip the whole back off the frame, I didn't want to bother with changing the picture. However, I was inspired by a thought I had the other day: I want the artwork on my walls to reflect something about what we as a family love. Is standard waiting room artwork what I want on my walls? No! So I went ahead and ripped the whole picture out. I found a new Madonna and child picture in a book I picked up at the thrift store, and voila...new framed art that I love! (No, it's not the perfect framing job-the picture was too small for the frame, but it's beautiful to look at!

Rain Gutter Book Shelves

Rain Gutter Book Shelves

My New Years Resolution for 2010

I like the sound of the new year: "Twenty-ten"- kinda' catchy.
Just had to throw that in. Now, the real reason for this post.....New Year's resolutions.
Ever since I was a young girl, I always wrote a list of resolutions on New Year's eve. I never was a big party gal, and my idea of a fun New Year's Eve was dreaming about the great person I was to become in the promising year ahead. It didn't matter that I never carried out the previous year's hard-thought out resolutions. The year ahead was going to be different. It was a new chance, a fresh start.This year I have one resolution. I am so pleased with it, I can't wait to live it out. I was walking along the driveway the other day, and a word popped into my mind (disclaimer: I am not claiming any major revelation here, and after googling the term that I thought I had come up with -Ha!- I realize some of my readers might find my "resolution" a bit trendy. Nevertheless, it was an epiphany to me) so what is my new resolution? It is "simply" to live an intentional life. It helps to look at what being intentional is not. Intentionality is not impulsive: impulsive spending, impulsive speaking, impulsive reactions and outbursts. Intentionality is not compulsive: compulsive eating, compulsive hoarding (even books-ha,ha!), compulsive cleaning. What is intentional living? To me it is a deliberate and prudent way of living. Intentional living seems to be a prayerful and thoughtful way to live. If I am an intentional person, I am careful in every detail of my life, and I make time for what is important. I am excited about embarking on the journey towards intentional living, and I look forward to sharing this journey with you. I realize that living intentionally will be a life-long journey, not a year long resolution. An ancient Chinese proverb states: " A thousand mile journey begins with a single step." Here's to that first step!!!

An Afternoon Tea

As most of our readers know, we love tea! I have always made tea a very casual affair, but the other day(just for fun) we decided to get a little more fancy. It made me realize that it takes about five more minutes to make it a little nicer. Spread a tablecloth, light a candle, put on a little music. And the children should definitely help! One of my friends actually has "tea serving" written into her chore schedule. What a wonderful way to teach hospitality to our future hearth warmers!

Things to try

On my list of things to try : soapmaking and herbal crafting....Neat webite to check out: http://www.aselfsufficientlife.com/

Thoughts For Today

Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do . . . but how much love we put in that action.       
            ~Mother Teresa


The mother is everything - she is our consolation in sorrow, our hope in misery, and our strength in weakness. She is the source of love, mercy, sympathy, and forgiveness. He who loses his mother loses a pure soul who blesses and guards him constantly.
            ~Kahlil Gibran