Books....

If you live in our home it's almost a prerequisite that you like to read and enjoy books. I've always been a reader, all our kids LOVE reading (even our youngest who seems to have wheels on his feet enjoys sitting to read books)...Dan is probably the least likely to read books, but more so out of lack of time than lack of interest.

Today Josiah came home asking me about a newer book series and if we could go to the library to check out the book. Since hearing about it when they came out I was a bit leery of the books, so I told him I'd do some research and then we'd talk about it. After looking online and reading some excerpts from the books as well as reviews from other Christian parents and websites I told him I wasn't comfortable with him reading them. I showed him the reviews and he read about some of the reasons why they weren't great books, some of the words they use in the books, (not swear words, just not words he's allowed to say to anyone, so why would I let him read them), and just some of the overall content. He was a bit shocked about what was all in the books...and after that he was pretty sad. I asked if he was mad that I didn't think he should read the books....he replied "no" because he agreed that he shouldn't read the books...he was just sad that he would be missing out on knowing about what some of the other kids were reading. I felt sad for him because of that too, but also very proud that he understood why I didn't encourage the books and that he agreed with me.

I love you Josiah!

Santa....

Alayna came home from school today and said, "Mom, one of the teachers said that maybe we should write a letter to Santa and mail it to the North Pole." I asked her what she thought of that idea and she said, "Not good, because Santa doesn't even live there because he's not real." And then she shared that all the kids in her class believe in Santa, but she knows he's not real and that's ok. When my kids have asked if Santa was real I always told them the truth....it might be a bummer for the kids who still believe in Santa to have my kids in their class!!! :)

Update on the Holder Bootcamp

Yesterday was a GREAT day for my darling 3 year old and his mom. I'm not sure if the Lord was just giving me a break, or if after 2 days of being very diligent, full of praise and consistent with discipline (I didn't get much else done that day...oh well!) we have gotten back to an obedient child. Another positive about yesterday...he was very obedient and a ton of fun AND he was dry ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT!!! :) Again, maybe it's just the Lord giving me a break...but I'll take it!! :)

Holder Boot Camp

When it comes to parenting I often times feel like discipline and correction ebbs and flows. There are times when after correction and discipline occur for a heart/behavior issue multiple times you can let the 'string' go out a little bit. Then when another heart/behavior issue creeps in that isn't positive or God honoring that 'string' comes in real close again until you see a change in their heart and a desire to be obedient.

Right now if you are 3 and live in this house...your 'string' is real close to your mom and dad. :) For a few weeks we were able to see his ability to be obedient and a heart change. Was he perfect...no...are you? Did he DESIRE to obey...yes...did he choose to obey more often than not...yes. I now can see that his heart is defiant and testing. Ugh! It's in these days that I have to remember the end goal. Is my goal to have him 'behave' a certain way? Not exactly...the end goal is for his actions and behaviors to be the overflow of his heart.

"...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Luke 6:45

We recently wrote specific prayers for each of our kids individually...2 parts of our prayer for him are: "thank you for his excitement for life, may he learn to use his excitement and energy for Your glory" -- "please use his passions for engaging people for Your glory" (if you've ever met him, you know he is a people person)

You may have an amazingly sweet face, but I desire even more for you to have an amazing heart. I love you!!!

Flunked/Failed....

So, potty training is a S__L__O__W__ going process right now. It seems no matter what I do, he does great when he has nothing on his bottom, but the moment he has on underwear or a pull-up he forgets. The reality is, I can't take a naked boy out and about...I think people would question that!!

I have tried treat rewards, we have a special cheer, larger incentives, reading while he goes, etc...he doesn't seem to forget in order to defy me...he just doesn't seem to get it yet. He goes when I ask him to go, but he doesn't always hold it in between those times, so even if I have him go every 1/2 hour, sometimes he will go a little bit in between. Plus, I prefer for HIM to be potty trained, not ME to have to tell him to go all the time.

If anyone has any great tips or suggestions...I'd love to hear them. I have successfully potty trained 2 kids, but this 3rd one has made me consider allowing him to graduate from high school still wearing pull-ups...I figure at least by then he will be changing them on his own!!!

Trust and Obey

This morning at church during the sermon Seth decided to start singing his new favorite song. "Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." It wasn't loud enough that everyone could hear, but it was definitely loud enough for a couple rows around us to hear his little voice. To be honest, I let him sing...we were in church and he was worshiping. I will admit though that I did ask him to sing a little quieter and after the 3rd or 4th time through I tried to distract him with other things.

How is it that my child that pushes me to the limit is also able to melt my heart. :)

Time to Celebrate!!

We had a great day celebrating Seth's birthday last Saturday. His grandpa & grandma Kiedrowski were here to celebrate and so we went to Yunker Farm and played, came home for lunch, cake and presents....then it was nap time for the birthday boy! We had a great time! He didn't realize he'd get presents, so that was a double bonus...in his mind he kept telling me that what would make his birthday special was to have CAKE! So the day before I made his cake and he was very excited and kept looking at his cake and asking when it would be his birthday and when he could eat it. Happy Birthday Setharoo!

The next day his grandpa & grandma Holder came to celebrate and this weekend some family from my side will be here and we will celebrate again....the birthday that keeps on going...the best kind to have when you're a kid!!