2014

I need your help 2014.

I need you to slow down. 

I need you to be kind.

I would like you to be sweet to my children

so they will look back on this year
with happy hearts.

I welcome you to bring us new opportunities.

I want to learn new things this year,
I want to push myself and reach goals,
even the ones that my brain tells me are unattainable.

I want to be brave.
I want to serve more.
I want my children to drink you up and
really taste every minute, to revel in the moments.
 To  let their hearts be full
and
learn from mistakes that might not be made
if they play it safe.
To help us take chances
And
to let their HOPE soar.

As we near summer break
I pray over them with a reverent heart,
For grace, for mercy.
I think about my 16 year old driver,
my football player
And
my girl who wants to do it all...

Let them be little,
Let them have fun,
Let them help others,
Let them be brave,
Let them be safe.
Let them remember to enjoy each second.

A bully story...

You're the kid with his head down except when you utter
those unkind words to yet
bring down another.
You're the kid who is so sad, but
anger is the only emotion
you show your victims.
You're the kid who picks on others
to diminish the pain you feel inside.
Or
Is it for fun? Is it a game, or sport?
Are you just plain mean? What is the reason you inflict
pain on others?
I am here to tell you...
There is NEVER a reason to
do the things you do.
Threatening, name calling, hitting.
Is someone doing it to you?
Then please tell someone
so the cycle can stop...
and my precious one
won't walk with his head down
any longer,
and
 won't feel bad anymore.

My son has learned a lot in Jr.High this year.
He has learned algebra, and Spanish...
but
he has also learned how truly
unkind, some people can be.
He has learned self control and he has learned
to stand up for himself...
not using his fists
but using his words.

I know my son could fight , he could hit,
punch, kick...
that is not his way...
I know my son could defend himself.
But to fight words with violence is not
the answer.
It is not what we have taught him.
Jr. High is such a rough time in a young persons
life.
So much change,
so much growth.
So much figuring out who they are and what they
want to stand for.
I pray over him,
We pray with him.
I am grateful that my son goes to a school
where the administration
tries to lift his spirit
and tells him he is doing the right thing...
That it is important to report
these things
when they happen.
They have taken action...
But
until we teach our children
kindness
they will not show it to others.
There is a reason why
kids walk around
saying disgusting, horrible things
to other children.
That is far worse and does more damage than a
punch to the chin ever could.,
Parents...we need to take action.
It needs to stop.
There is a movie out entitled "Bully",
it is a documentary...
and while difficult to watch, it is a must see.
It is a must see.
There are things that our children don't tell us...
out of fear, out of embarrassment
out of sheer frustration.
We need to be aware of the signs,
we need to ask
those (sometimes) difficult questions.


It is no secret...I have been pretty vocal
on the topic of bullies this year.
We have had our share of trips to the principals office,
and phone calls to the school counselor.
We have written letters and
voiced our concerns
to anyone who will listen.
We are fortunate that our children attend a school
that does not tolerate bullying...
except,
IT STILL HAPPENS!!!
I am not an expert,
all I know is that I have a precious wish...
for my precious wishes,
that this would not be an issue
any longer.

Hoping your Thursday is a peaceful one!!!
Would love to hear how you have dealt with any bully situations..
Please leave me a comment and your e-mail and I will write back.




Because sometimes you won't understand...

You won't always understand the decisions we make.

You won't always want to take our advice.

You might not understand why we do some of the things we do.

That is ok, because one day you will.

You'll see why we said no those times we did...

and

you will understand why we worried when you did not.

You will understand one day why...

why

we pushed,

why

we pulled,

why

we didn't give up,

or

back down.

There is no book
no instruction manual,
no way to know
how it will all turn out.

As Parents you follow your heart,
pray a whole lot
 and trust
that all the love you feel
will overflow into each and every decision you make.
That all the good that you feel
 about this young person,
 will help them to grow and
enable them become
who they are to be in this big world.

 Being a parent is a gift.
It is love times infinity and then some.
It is hard work, a ton of fun, sleepless nights and
memories to warm your toes on a cold winters day.
I know that I have made mistakes and will make so many more...
But the one truth is this~
I will fight for you, I will always have your back
I will love you no matter what,
and that you can be sure.
No matter if we agree or not,
I only want the best for you and will always
guard your heart.

[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]

By E. E. Cummings 1894–1962

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

 

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

 

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

This is, and always has been my favorite poem.  I know it is a love poem...
but isn't parenting the greatest kind of love
there is?!

Have a lovely Thursday friends!
 

 

The roller coaster

 

I have been thinking a lot lately about when Nathan and I

started on our parenting journey.

I don't think anyone can prepare you for what lies ahead.

The twists and turns, the ups and downs.

The amazing feelings, the warmth, immense joy,

tears, gratefulness, fear and all the other emotions

that are tied up in your role as a parent.

I guess it has been on my mind because my little ones

aren't so little anymore and

everyday I am reminded that Ethan is a young man now,

Cameron isn't far behind and my Madi girl,

well lets just say, I don't think she would have a problem being

my baby girl forever.

I think Cameron is at that tender age where he vacillates between being a man

and still wanting to be a boy.

He has faced his first year of Jr, High with such quiet strength.

Even when he was being bullied, he was so sad, so broken,

but he stayed true to who he is,

and wanted to handle the situation accordingly.

The memories of those moments still make my cry.

Then there is Ethan, with both feet in. Ready to step up and grow up.

He has been through it over the last few years...

emergency surgery, broken bones, a broken heart.

I can't protect them from certain things,

they are going to happen, I have no control, gulp.

But the view, this parenting roller coaster of a ride is so amazing.

As I watch E navigate his way through losing friends and first loves,

I see him take on each challenge with grace and

humility. It makes me weep.

Children are far more resilient then we give them credit for.

They have such capacity for forgiveness and love.

They crave guidance even when they are arguing with you

that they have the situation under control.

The gifts we give our children in our love, a foundation in God,

The lessons of His love, mercy and kindness,

are some of the most important things we can teach our children.

To forgive and turn the other cheek,

To let them know that no matter what,

their identity is secure in who they belong to

and who knows their hearts.

There isn't a day that goes by that I do not thank the Lord

for blessing me with these three wishes.

I can not imagine my life without them in it.

I am a better person because of them.

And I suppose that no matter their age, I will want to protect their hearts,

as God protects and moves their spirit.

As we move closer to Christmas day...That special day

when Jesus came to light our way,

I am so reminded of my children's births and how time has gone by

 so very quickly.

I want to breathe each precious day in, drink it up and

 remember every detail.

And know that no matter what happens,

we are on this roller coaster together, strapped in tight

and with God's love and guidance we

can face anything.

What are you thinking about this Christmas season?

 

Have a wonderful weekend friends.

xo

Janine

 



Purpose

Purpose is a result, end, aim or goal of an action intentionally undertaken,
 or of an object being brought into use or existence-
Wikipedia
 

What is my purpose?

I want my purpose to be reflective of what God's purpose

is for me and my life.

I have been job hunting since August and haven't had much luck.

I have been praying about this and have come to the conclusion
 that if God wanted me to have a job right now,
 I would have a job right now.
So, then what is my purpose right now?
While my husband is out of state working,
I know
my purpose is to keep our home running as smoothly as possible.
I have also crashed head on in to the topic of bullying,
and feel like my purpose is to bring more light
to this subject.

So do not be foolish but learn what the Lord wants you to do.
Ephesians 5:17

This is not always an easy task.
Sometimes we fight, we hide, we disagree with what our purpose is.

If we are to be true to ourselves, to others,
we have to find out what our purpose is and then go and do and be what
we are meant to be.
It is also our privledge to help our children
recognize their purpose.

I know that I want to bless others. I want to share my heart.
 I want to listen, to love, to help.
I think that is a good place to start.


little gifts

 

 Gifts come in all different sizes.  My favorite are the ones wrapped in the people I adore.  Their hearts, their smiles, their laughter.  Memories are also a precious gift.
      These are the gifts of life that all to often we take for granted.  The air we breathe, the hugs from those we love, TIME.
     I have been thinking a lot about the gifts I am given on a daily basis. Unconditional love from my children, tenderness from my husband, attentiveness from my 5th graders.
My sweet husband packs the herbs that I am taking each day and makes sure my water is alkalized and that I have everything I need for the day.  My oldest son helps my little girl out to the car with her cheer bag, or backpack. Cameron makes sure the animals get to their special room before we leave. These are things that Bless me in the biggest way. These little deeds, or gifts warm my heart and make me smile.
      The little things....They really are the GRANDEST things!!!

       What little things are you most grateful for? Love to hear about them. Be the Blessing today!!!!
   

The Truth

   It's true, I am an over protective Mom. It's true that I delight in watching my children grow and change each day.  It's true that I don't think I could love them any more than I do.  It is true that I fear loosing them to this wicked world.   It's true that I pray over them each night.  It's true that we all pray for each other everyday on the way to school.  It's true that I want my children to live at home when they attend college, that I expect them to save themselves for marriage.  It's true that I want to be more of a proverbs 31 wife. It is true that I miss my Husband more than any words can say. The truth is that I am grateful that his (my) family loves me like they do.  The truth is I am a very sensitive soul, I cry easily and often. It's true that I care about others happiness.  It's true that I wish I were more patient. I wish I didn't worry as much as I do. It's true that I adore Autumn and am always a little sad when the cold weather comes until I see the first winter snow. It's true that I miss my Sisters so very much and wish we all lived in the same state. I wish my kids were growing up with their cousins...All of them.  It's true that I miss my Mom and Dad and wish they were here to see their Grandchildren grow up.  It is true that I am grateful beyond words that I am alive today.   It's true that I am humbled to witness kindness, love and compassion daily where I work.  It's true that I am really digging this blogging thing.   It is true that I really want to start a photography business but am nervous to do so.  It's true that I believe life is so very precious.  Have a great weekend lovelies....

My Loves

 They are my home, my reason for getting out of bed on those mornings when I hit the snooze button 5 times.  They are my reason for wanting to be a better person. I am at peace when we are all together.  I adore their sweet spirits, their giving and forgiving hearts.  They are more then I ever deserved and more precious then I can describe. Thank you My Loves..

Being a kid

I love watching my children and their cousins play together.  They are innocent and sweet and they act like children! Blessings!!!!!