It Takes a Village

I've read a few other blogs and articles recently that have spoken to raising children.  These articles reinforced my belief that I am personally responsible for raising my children.  But I have also seen in my life lately that I can't do it all on my own.
I'm sure some of you have heard me say, "Feel free to discipline my children when they need it" (or something similar).  As a teacher I often felt uncomfortable witnessing my students' behavior toward their parents.  I would often talk to these students privately later on, since I was dealing with teenagers.  However, as a mom of preschool-and-younger-aged children, I realize that it's nice to have someone else on my side.
It's not just the discipline side of parenting, although, I really do feel that if you see my child misbehaving and I don't you should feel comfortable stopping that behavior.  Lately it's been all the extra help I've needed to make all the doctor appointments for the baby.  (And, they're just going to get more frequent!)  And also the parents who volunteer to stay by my van as I run my daughter into preschool so I don't have to unbuckle two extra little ones and juggle them up and down steps.  It's even the parents who've babysat for my husband and me so we can have a date night.  Trust me, I know that adding three kids to anyone's house is CRAZY!
Here's where I really appreciate my village.  I have so many wonderful Christian friends surrounding me.  What a blessing!  Many of the women who've helped out are in a similar circumstance--children of their own, appointments needing time, and family that lives far away.  And they unselfishly have offered to help me out.  Thank you!
What I truly appreciate is that these people have the same faith as me.  They are my back up to help me teach my kids to follow Jesus in all they do.  And I am so thankful that they let their lights shine as they help in whatever way they can.  It is comforting to know there are other parents in my church praying for me and my family, helping me raise children who know and love God.
This past Sunday, our pastor reminded us that when we come together as a church, God promises to bless what we do.  He spoke on Matthew 18:19, 20 and he told us that God promises that when we agree on what we ask (pray) for, God will bless us.  So tonight, I ask that we come together and ask God to help us work as a village to support each other as we raise Godly children.  And I pray that when the time comes I can be a part of your village, too!

Snow Day!

Our first week back to school after Christmas was quite interesting.  It was in the 40’s on Monday, but school was cancelled on Tuesday because of the cold (6⁰ in the morning with wind chills in the -15⁰ range).  Wednesday was a late start for the county, which meant my daughter didn’t have preschool; but the principal at my son’s school realized that none of our students wait for busses, and so school started on time at Grace.  Thursday was “normal.”  But Friday we had a late start because of freezing rain in the morning.  Such is the life of families with school-age children in northern Virginia.

Of course, way back in December, we had an actual snow day. I thought my two oldest were going to put their snow pants on over their pajamas they were in such a hurry to get out and play in the snow.  They had lots of fun playing in the snow until their mittens got too soggy and they came in with cold, wet hands.

Then we set about decorating cookies for Christmas.  Since I couldn’t   But they actually made it through the whole pile of cookies before losing interest.

find my food coloring, I let them pile the candy decorations on the cookies—pretty crunchy for Christmas cutouts!

We got out dress up clothes next and the Christmas train.  Here’s where the youngest got in on the game.  He wanted his costume on, too.  All three had fun chasing each other around our living room.

As for me, I sat back and enjoyed watching my children enjoy each other’s company.  Now that my oldest is at school every day, his younger siblings really love the days he’s home to direct their play.  What a blessing a snow day is!