Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Anger


I recently picked up a book called The Heart of Anger, by Lou Priolo. I am enjoying it so much--not because it's a 'fun' read, but because it is filled with so much biblical wisdom and truth. I wanted to read this book because we have a child who struggles with anger, and at times I'm at a loss as to how to handle the outbursts. I have already gained a lot of insight from this book; not only concerning this particular child, but concerning my own heart!

While each person (children included) is responsible for his own actions and has a sinful heart by nature, I have been realizing that I've been doing things to worsen the anger of this child. Right off the bat, Lou Priolo gives a list of 25 ways that parents provoke their children to anger. It's a bit hard to read these and face them, but we (I) need to '
get the plank out of my own eye' first.

1. Lack of Marital Harmony

2. Establishing and Maintaining a Child-Centered Home

3. Modeling Sinful Anger

4. Habitually Disciplining While Angry

5. Scolding

The book contained this quote, which I love.
To 'scold' is to assail or revile with boisterous speech. The word itself seems to have a primary meaning akin to that of barking or howling.
Scolding is always an expression of a bad spirit and a loss of temper...the essence of the scolding is in the multiplication of hot words in expression of strong feelings that, while eminently natural, ought to be held in better control.
If a child has done wrong, a child needs talking to; but no parent ought to talk to a child while that parent is unable to talk in a natural tone of voice, and with carefully measured words. If the parent is tempted to speak rapidly, or to multiply words without stopping to weigh them, or to show an excited state of feeling, the parent's first duty is to gain entire self-control. Until that control is secured, there is no use of the parent's trying to attempt any measure of child training. The loss of self-control is for the time being an utter loss of power for the control of others.
H. Clay Trumbull, Hints on Child Training

6. Being Inconsistent with Discipline

7. Having Double Standards

8. Being Legalistic

9. Not Admitting You're Wrong and Asking Forgiveness

10. Constantly Finding Fault

11. Parents Reversing God-Given Roles

12. Not Listening to Your Child's Opinion or Taking His or Her "Side of the Story" Seriously

13. Comparing Them to Others

14. Not Making Time "Just to Talk"

--I'll have to finish this later; just discovered that I have a feverish little one....

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Lunch Break


I think the gorgeous weather has everyone in a happy mood today. Here are some pictures from our morning and lunch.

Joseph came downstairs early this morning, paused for a minute, then said, "It smells like Colorado in here." Ummkay.

Who knew babies were so entertaining?

Lunch sillies

The kids are downstairs waiting for me to come read a few more chapters of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. It's been about six years since I last read it aloud, and we are all enjoying it immensely.

Hope your week is going great!




Monday, August 23, 2010

Economic Warning

I (Kevin) am interrupting your regular 'programming' to bring you an urgent message...

You don't have to be a financial genius or an economist to know that things are pretty bleak out there. I've had a growing sense of urgency lately to get our financial house in order as I've been reading about the impending financial storm. To continue the metaphor: we've already weathered one side of the storm and it's my opinion that the reason things have slowed down is because we are currently in the 'eye' of the storm. Hence, all the talk about a possible 'double dip' recession.

I've started to blog several times about the dire situation our country is in financially and what we should do to prepare ourselves. (Candice and I are currently reading 'Whatever Happened to the American Dream' by Larry Burkett. We are amazed at his prescience. Even though the book was written over a decade ago, it's as if he wrote it only yesterday!) So much of the information that I've read is technical that I didn't know how to best communicate it. I came across a vblog of an unlikely source that I thought did an excellent job of covering the essentials without being overly complicated. Much better than I ever could...

Regardless of what you think about the source*, the information that is presented is valid and we would be wise to give attention to his advice.

"The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it." -Pr. 22:3





*Our success is not determined by a positive mental attitude espoused by people such as Tony Robbins. Success is measured by our relationship to Christ. If we have the Son, we have life. If we do not have the Son, we do not have life (cf. I Jn. 5:12).


Friday, August 20, 2010

Still Here Trying to Make Our House Look Un-Lived In


Gee-whiz! I have really fallen down on the job of taking pictures lately! I just opened iphoto to try to find one to use here, and the most recent ones are of our house for the internet listing! Don't think you'd be too interested in those...so this old-ish picture of my Dad and I working in the basement on recovering our dining room chairs will have to suffice. Yes, I know it is slightly tacky to have plastic on any type of furniture. However, which is better: fabric covers embedded with spilled spaghetti sauce, chocolate milk, and potato grease, *or* nice, clean fabric covered with tacky plastic? See what I mean?

We've had a nice week here. Several showings, no offers yet. We do have a suspicion we may be getting an offer soon, though. So, it's really hitting us that soon, someone else may be living within these walls. Kevin and I have no doubt at all that we are doing the right thing by selling, but it still gives me a little pang in my heart to think of saying goodbye to this home. So many memories here!

God is teaching me to trust Him more and more. The house we originally wanted is off the market now, so we have no idea where we'll go when this house sells. This presents a little bit of a problem for me, a type-A planner who likes to have all her ducks in a row and marching in a synchronized manner. Did I mention that God is teaching me to trust Him? It's really true. I have gone from having trouble sleeping because of racing thoughts, to being pretty much calm. Pretty much. Most of the day. :) He is faithful and I definitely see that I need some uncertainty in my life to force me to lean on Him more!

The kids are doing great; we had SO much fun in Louisiana a couple of weeks ago visiting family. Still waiting on someone to send me some pictures so I can share them here. hinthint.

Hope your weekend is blessed and focused on the Giver of all good things!

Monday, August 16, 2010

The Case For Siblings


I LOVE this! It made me laugh, and it couldn't be more true! Take a minute to check it out....

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Pajamas for the Sixth Child

This is what happens when you fall down on the laundry upkeep. Is it clean?
Check.
I suppose the theme can be 'stripes'.....?




Peace in Affliction


I just finished reading a light biography of James "Stonewall" Jackson. Whatever you or I think of the Confederate Army and their cause, this man had a striking faith in God. Days before his death in battle, Jackson was wounded in the arm, and subsequently his arm was amputated. When a friend commented on the 'calamity' of his plight, Jackson answered:

I believe it has been done according to God's holy will, and I acquiesce entirely to it. You may think it strange; but you never saw me more perfectly contented than I am today; for I am sure that my Heavenly Father designs this affliction for my good. I can wait until God, in His own time, shall make known to me the object He has in thus afflicting me. If it were in my power to replace my arm, I would not dare do it, unless I could know it was the will of the Heavenly Father. pg 172 Stonewall Jackson, by Charles Ludwig

What a challenge this was to me to trust the Lord in all the small things that I worry over! I hope it encourages you today in the same way.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Mark Driscoll on the Twilight Books

You're probably thinking: "The reason you can't get out of your p.j.'s, lady, is because you are on the internet!" But honestly, I was on my way to getting ready when I realized Sam was up and hungry and while I was nursing him I ran across this....I promise! :)

I think Mark Driscoll is right on with his thoughts here about the kind of books that girls are reading these days. Ideas-- even ideas contained in books and music-- have consequences.

Help!


Help! I'm a homeschool Mom and I can't get out of my pajamas!

Ladies, I have been up since 5:15, and I still can't seem to get it together!

Arggghhh.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

I Miss Air Conditioning.


We finally had our first showing today, and as we were all rushing about trying to make everything look like a museum, Kevin and I commented to each other how warm the house seemed. It is supposed to be the hottest day of the year so far, but something didn't seem right. Kevin checked the vents.

No air coming on.
And a suspicious burning-type smell in the basement where the furnace resides.

Uh-oh.


You have to admit: the timing is pretty funny. Ah, well...now we're praying for a quick and relatively inexpensive a/c repair. Meanwhile, the little ones are napping in their skivvies and the olders are in the basement. It's not too bad, if you hang out in front of a fan.... :)