Friday, July 29, 2016

Happy birthday, Gent!

Daddy's birthday was earlier this week. We spread his presents out through the day. He got a few gifts and cards at breakfast. The children were eager to assist.
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We took a picnic lunch and balloon to his office and the kids enjoyed that very much. And left plenty of crumbs in their wake.
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I cooked a family dinner on his birthday (bbq, pimiento cheese cornbread, and purple-eye peas from the garden) and then the Gent and I went out for a grown-up dinner the next night.
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Happy birthday, handsome! So thankful for you each day, and especially on your birthday.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Parenting with Truth in Love

I wanted to share some tools we are currently using to train our children (and ourselves!) to live and act in ways that bring glory to God (and promote peace in our home). Here are some Scriptures I have printed out on our refrigerator right now--we are referring to them often! In case you can't figure it out from what I've chosen below, we are currently struggling with bickering, tattling, whining and pride. :/ And oftentimes that's me as much as the kids!

Proverbs 6:19 God hates . . . one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 12:20b Those who plan peace have joy.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

Proverbs 17:5b He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 7:12 Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.

1 Corinthians 13:6a Love . . . does not rejoice at wrongdoing.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances.

Hebrews 10:24 Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

I also have a copy of Ginger Hubbard's Wise Words for Moms chart hanging on the fridge. You can get this off Amazon for about $4. Great to turn to when I'm trying to deal with a specific behavior or incident. I also just got and am beginning to read an excellent book called Parenting with Scripture, by Kara Durbin. This is a topical two-page guide to all kinds of character traits and problematic behaviors (ummm...sins). It offers a definition, applicable Scriptures, questions to think about, and suggested actions to take. Topics cover everything from complaining, to death, to kindness.

Well, there you go. My current helps for parenting not-so-perfect kids with sinful parents!

Friday, July 22, 2016

Vacation, Part 4

evening walk with Annie and Jacob
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walking around the lake with my crew
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and lots of time spent at the pool
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more game-playing
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Miss Priss
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paddle boats!
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s'mores
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sidewalk chalk
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exploring with magnets (Honey's idea and so much fun)
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water balloons (another Honey idea that was a hit, especially with Jacob)
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bluegrass night in Waynesville
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and one more round of putt-putt
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Nora had been watching all week and she wanted to play, too!
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Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Vacation, Part 3

collecting swan feathers
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Nora and Poppa spent lots of time together
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day trip to Cataloochee, such a beautiful valley
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Annie and Jacob's faces here!
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splashing in the creek. after they got out we saw a crawdad as big as a lobster!
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Poppa and all the kids
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Nora is now the one making me laugh
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lots of crafts and games and Daddy time during the week
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and lots of treats!
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and now Sophie's face
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Friday, July 15, 2016

Vacation, Part 2

Lake Junaluska for a whole week! (I don't remember the Gent ever taking a whole week off before, it was awesome.) We fished, swam, tried out the paddle-boats, went to Cataloochee, ate s'mores, played putt-putt, Honey and I went shopping, the Gent and I spent a day in Asheville, experimented with magnets, did water balloons and sidewalk chalk, played games, did art projects, read books, walked around the lake. It was great to have a week away!

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