Child Training Bible

In my last post I made a reference to our new Child Training Bible, and several friends have asked about it.  Here's a little explanation.

I can't take the credit!  A friend in our church's Moms Together group stumbled upon this product and posted it on our facebook page.  Another mom was going to order and discovered that a group discount applied if you got enough kits.  I think the cost was around $7.00!  So I jumped on the bandwagon.

In addition to the kit, you need a Bible - obviously.  Scott and I made a date of picking one out at Barnes & Noble.  We struggled with choosing what translation we wanted and other options Bibles have now.  We've been really happy so far with the English Standard Version, large print (and it just happened to be the perfect size!).  It was a little pricey, but we saw this as an investment as it has become our special family Bible.  You also need the highlighters and post its that they recommend.  

Then you sit down with all of your supplies and for several evenings (in my experience) look up verse after verse and highlight and tab them.  It takes AWHILE.  But once you're done - WOW!  Such a fabulous resource. 

The idea is that popular heart issues are categorized with corresponding verses that address each.  Let's say a child is struggling with complaining.  You have several references tabbed and highlighted that are specific to the tongue, thankfulness, etc.  All of these topics (some others include tattling, anger, not listening, defiance, pride...) that you are likely to deal with, are broken down so you can look things up with ease.  Is this tool absolutely necessary?  No.  I have a book about training your kids through Scripture.  It basically does the same thing, listing out topics and verses that address each.  But that book is an outside source.  I would constantly have to refer to that book.  And it lists out the Scripture which is nice, but then my kids don't see us literally looking in the Bible for wisdom and answers.  With this kit, they do.  And that's what I love about it.

If you're like me and want the Bible to be your go-to tool for parenting but you don't have the memory skills to think of many applicable verses on the spot, this makes it easy.  I highly recommend it!  If you are interested, you can read more about it and order your own from the website in the picture. :D

(Cornerstone ladies, if any of you read this and have also done the CTB, you should comment about your thoughts/experience with it!)

He misses his dad... Sorry babe

One of our sons has really been acting up the last couple of weeks - offering a very "fresh" unwelcome attitude and argumentative tone. He's made some pretty yuck choices.  Sneaking candy isn't a huge offense if you think of it as a kid being a kid, but I like to consider things on a bigger scale.  I want to identify the heart issue, not just drive myself mad by dealing with behaviors.  Why would you just brush off the dandruff when you could cure the problem at the scalp root? ;)

Anyway, his time with Daddy has been very limited for the past two weeks due to a schedule change, overtime, and a church men's retreat. At one point I texted Scott something totally under control and completely valid. ;)

That was his only response. "He misses his dad... Sorry babe."  I knew it was true, so why did it surprise me that he was acting out?  Maybe because his twin wasn't?  But we are all different and act out differently and at different times.  For this particular kid, this totally was the driving force.

So going at it alone since Scott was away for the weekend, I needed to stop brushing off the dandruff.  His behaviors pointed me to Bible verses about disobedience, lying, selfishness and stealing since the candy belonged to his brother, and complaining.  I pulled him away and read through these with him and had a wonderful, productive discipline time. ((USING OUR NEW, AWESOME CHILD TRAINING BIBLE!))  He needed extra counsel.  Extra attention.  And as I sat and talked with him, I found myself sobbing.  I had asked him who had been hurt by his choices.  The list was longer than he expected.   I was mourning his sin more than he was, but I'm thinking that's a pretty good model for him.  They don't seem to grasp the severity of sin at that level - I know I didn't.  So why not show him how it affects his parents?  God is our Daddy, Who hurts even more than Scott and I when our kids disobey.  But they won't be able to see God cry over our sinful hearts and actions. But we know He mourns too.

To wrap up I wanted to point out the wonderful connection that fathers, in particular, have with their children.  No wonder the brokenness in society stems from broken, fatherless homes.  One of ours was acting up in no time - on a minor scale compared to the boys in juvenile hall, but still!  Boys need their Daddy!!!  They need that healthy fear, respect, and shepherding from a man who deeply loves them.  Scott can talk to the boys in a certain way that makes them think differently and behave differently because their heart is changing.  What a great partnership a mom/dad team is!  And it brings me back, once again, to how we relate to God, our Daddy.  If we are absent from Him, we act out in no time!  But by staying close and learning how to navigate through life under His loving protection, counsel, and care, we stay upright and walk with Him in His safety.  We will mess up still (and so will our kids), but He is right there to pick us up and brush us off.

What a good Daddy He is; and my wonderful husband is too!!  Since Scott is back and intentionally spending extra time with the kids, I have faith that some heart issues will be ironed out once again.  Fathers: spend TIME with your kids.  They need you more than you think.

Light to my Path

Right now there are big life things going on.  Surprise, surprise, right?  I thought that at the conclusion of our Cebu Mission Trip, we might be able to catch our breath.  Nope.  A big, FAT nope.  Not to say that what's happening isn't great or has great potential.  It's just a lot to think about all at once.  Sorry; being allusive again with more secrets for now.  haha ;)

I have always enjoyed knowing the plan.  And currently, there is no way for me to know even a day ahead of me.  That's tough.  Tonight, I was zipping around cleaning or purging (my latest obsession) and the perfect verse came into my head.   Ps. 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.  I thought about the real picture of these words.  Just like when you're camping and walking a pitch-black trail with only a flashlight to navigate the foreign terrain.  What's important is the next step - not the path way up ahead, not what your neighbor is walking on to your left or your right.  And you can't rush it either.  YOUR path is being lit a little at a time.  He enlightens us as far as He wants to, not necessarily too far ahead, but always to a place that we know we can take some steps without falling.

So instead of stressing because so much is unknown, I will try to faithfully, confidently, patiently take baby steps - a few at a time - until He continues to light our path.

Levi's New (Temporary) Look

Hey there folks, 

I wanted to take a moment and explain what's been going on with Levi.  There is always so much filling up our little guy's calendar - now you'll know why!

For the last several months, we have had LOTS of doctor and therapist appointments, testing all kinds of things.  Nothing too serious -  just seeing where he fits in developmentally and figuring out what services are needed to try to close the gaps.  It seems as if each person and group needs their own test performed.  Some days he has 3-4 appointments.  Poor thing.  If only they could just test him once and be done with it!  

Levi has been going to his special needs preschool for nearly a year, and we have been pleased to see him improve and reach all the goals his teachers set out for him.  With his cerebral palsy diagnosis, we were given access to whatever specialties he qualifies for under California Children's Services (CCS).  Speech is taken care of through the preschool, but on the side, we have weekly occupational and physical therapy appointments.  His 3rd birthday last Sunday ended his time at the one preschool and his case got turned over to our school district.  All geared up with his first IEP, he had his first day at the new preschool on Monday.    

While on the CCS waiting list for physical therapy, we were encouraged to start therapy through our insurance provider.  We started seeing a PT from Kaiser who noticed how incredibly tight and toned Levi's calf muscles are from constantly walking on his toes.  He got fitted for AFOs (ankle-foot orthotics) aka his special boots, which were supposed to train him to walk with the heel down and increase his ankles' range of motion.  Well, no cutesy name could change what Levi thought of them.  After we tried to get his heel all the way down in the boots, especially on his left side, it wasn't long before he had eeked out of it and was screaming in pain.  Back to the PT we went.  Was I putting them on wrong?  Oh, I hoped it was user error!  She reassured me that it was tough, but we had to be aggressive before it got any worse.  Her orders increased from 8 hours a day (we hadn't even made it to 1.5) to 23.  

There was NO way we could fulfill the PTs orders to put him in those things for 23 hours a day.  Every time we even approached him to put them on, he'd run the other direction and fuss.  After a couple attempts at overnight wear and the "you have to wear these no matter how much you complain," his agonizing pain made me want to give up and ask for surgery.  Just about this time, we were placed with our PT through CCS.  I liked her instantly because when I told her about Levi's reactions to the AFOs, she was taken aback and said, "It shouldn't be at all like this.  We need to go with a different plan."  YES!  Thank you!  She got to call the PT from Kaiser (they now are forced to work together ;) ) and encourage/demand that we attempt serial casting.  This process is a gradual muscle stretch.  Today, Levi got a fiberglass cast on his left foot at a gentle 40ish degree angle.  In a week, we go back and he gets a new one put on at a larger angle.  We repeat this cycle for 4 weeks until his muscle has been stretched out pretty good.  So it looks like he broke his leg, but he didn't! :D  

He continues to be a good sport about and during most of his appointments.  I am praying that this method a) works, b) causes minor or no pain for Levi,  and c) puts us on the right path for other improvements.  The new PT said that his muscle tone from toe walking is the source of much of his gross motor delays and his lack of balance.  If we can knock out a few more battles for him by handling this one, I will be so overjoyed!  

As a side report, I wanted to tell you what a thrilling and encouraging Levi week we have had since Noah, Hayden, Scott, and I got back from the Philippines.  (blogs about that will be coming soon)  On Levi's birthday, something seemed to click and the big 3 year old started stringing together words to make up his own little sentences.  They are still very fragmented, but still!  We had barely heard two words together and here he was using up to four!  So we have been very excited to communicate more freely with him.  The littlest improvements continue to be the biggest blessings!  Even today as he was having a sneeze attack on the way home from Kaiser, I told him, "Poor baby!"  Levi retorted me, "No baby me."  "Oh! I'm sorry!  Should I say 'Poor big boy'?" "Yeah!"  He really does seem like a much bigger boy this week!

So that sheds a little more light on what's up with Levi (and some of our family's chaos too!).  We would appreciate your prayers for Levi's casting process to be effective and pain-free!

My Reason

I love when you go somewhere and someone says, "There's a reason that each and every one of you is here today."  And then you anxiously wait to find out what God wants to tell you or how He wants to love you.  Today, my 'reason' was beyond wonderful, and it wasn't the one I expected, of course.

Renewed.  Re-inspired.  Supported.  Confirmed.  

Encouraged.  Emotional.  Prayed over and loved.

To those who know the person who was 'my reason' today, this will give away her identity:

"Don't 'should' on yourself."

THE best words for what's on my mind and heart the past week.  Seriously, He knows what He's doing with these divine appointment things.

Thoughts on Thirty

Birthday dinner at Rutherford Grill

The last week of my twenties was filled with laundry, homeschool, getting some weird flu bug, phone calls, Kaiser visits, and crossing off an insane number of to do's only to add that number or more back on the list.  (I'm going to get off topic for a bit, but I'll come back to my twenties later.)

In the midst of my craziness, I often think, "How/Why am I juggling so many balls right now!?"  The question is usually aimed towards the heavens.  I feel like I am doing a lot of things mediocre instead of doing any of them really well.  However, I am my harshest critic and my dear Scott would always disagree with a long list of my successes prepared to affirm me.  During these flashes of self-doubt, I am reminded that it is supposed to be hard - no, impossible - for me to do everything I have on my plate even satisfactory.

I think a main point of maturity is recognizing that an increase in responsibility shouldn't be a boost in self-confidence or self-reliance.  It should be a boost of reliance in God's grace, His support and equipping for any additional task He has given.  We were never intended to live on our own strength.  The only way I can count myself as successful as I manage all of my wife/mom/friend/sister/roommate/daughter/teacher/church member/etc. duties is if I accept the invitation to lean on the Lord everyday for the strength to tackle whatever is coming.  He will direct my path.  He will guide my daily to do's so I know that what was supposed to be done, did get done that day.  So many days I think to myself, "Wow.  Five is a lot today."  This juggling act is insane,  but it's not just my hands that are involved - as long as I let Him close to me.

Okay, moving back to my last week in the glorious second decade of my life.  In the few calm (after the kids' bedtime) moments I had, I got to think over the past ten years.  I love reminiscing and remembering.  I love reliving my favorite experiences in my head.  The blessings overwhelm me and my eyes blur.  This isn't a brag report.  This is me, recognizing the amazing gifts I have enjoyed and praising God for living out John 10:10 - living life to the fullest!!

In my twenties - right off the bat, I put the finishing touches on a dream wedding and I married my best friend and the man who I cannot get enough of.  I love him so deeply that the vulnerability feels scary yet wonderful at the same time.  We had an incredible honeymoon in St. Maarten, played house and finished up college with the honors I strived for.  We spent 3 1/2 weeks in Europe.  I had my dream job for two years, teaching with "family" who became my mentors and friends.  We were blessed with five children, who not only encourage growth in us, but give us so much joy and add an unreal amount of humor to our lives.  We had wonderful trips to British Columbia, New York, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, the Bahamas, Acapulco, Palm Springs, Ireland, Seattle, Disneyland, sprinkled with local weekend getaways.  Our marriage has remained pure, strong, and lovely.  We have "grown up" in a lot of ways with each other.  Not perfect by any means - but such a gift.

Now remember that these are the things I love to think about.  There were plenty of events that I left out because, quite frankly, they just weren't as fun.  I have gotten to do so much, I've been telling Scott that I can't imagine my thirties being nearly as wonderful.  But then, I had no clue the last 10 years would be so amazing.  Who am I to predict my future?  And even if we don't do as much, I am in charge of choosing joy for what does await me.  And I'm not one to sit by and let anyone steal my joy.

I have never thought 30 was old, but here is the breakdown of the decades that has my head kind of spinning.  Twenties was us getting married and having all of our kids.  Thirties is the meat of us raising our kids.  And forties is when we start and finish the empty-nesting process (hypothetically of course).  That perspective freaks me out!

So, here I am.  Now 30.  I kicked it off with doing another bucket lister - a hot air balloon ride.  We are living out our family mission statement and headed to the Philippines in two weeks.  I am loving this decade so far.  (haha)

For my third decade, I pray that I will have health, good rest, energy, patience, and the endurance to raise up our little chicks and all that that entails.  I pray that I will learn how to honor and serve Scott better and grow in maturity in our marriage.  I pray that I will continue on this path of caring less what people think and more of only what God thinks, of accepting grace from Him and myself.  I pray that my eyes stay fixed on what matters, and not get caught up with surrounding drama.  I pray that I will be a better steward of my time and resources.  I pray that all I am and all I do points to You.

Thank you, SO MUCH, for this life, my Lord.  I am undeserving but so grateful.

Freeze Time Please

Preschool picture day. I don't want her to grow up! She is my squishy-faced, giggly, sweet, spunky little girl. Today on the drive home from school, I just listened to her gab on and on to a friend coming over for a playdate. I texted her Daddy, "We need to bottle up your daughter's voice. It is the sound of heaven." No joke. It is the most precious sound you've ever heard tangled up in adorable little grammar mistakes. I love all my boys like you can't imagine, but there is something different between a daddy and his sons and a mommy and her daughter. She is my beautiful buddy and more of a gift than I ever thought possible.