Importance of Peace

A child at peace will rest in the arms of the Prince of Peace.

A child in the arms of the Prince of Peace will delightfully trust in the LORD of Lords.

A child trusting in the LORD of Lords will overcome all trials and tribulations.

"You will keep in perfect peace

All who trust in you,

All whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Trust in the LORD always,

For the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock."

Isaiah 26:3-4

Life Together Not Apart

     Life together, not apart, is how we roll in the Lavelanet household. As hard as that is for me to learn, at times, there is no better way.

     I have to keep reminding myself - literally on a daily basis - that I am no longer alone in the daily tasks I do. I have children watching me and learning from me. Their observation skills sky-rocket, and I need to be willing to let them see. Them seeing me brushing my teeth, washing my hands, doing the dishes, weeding the garden, reading books, reading the Bible, on my knees praying, talking on the phone, doing work on the computer, playing piano, worshiping the LORD through dance, lifting up my hands in praise, etc. - them seeing all of those things and much, much more help them understand how life works. As they observe, they put pieces together in their mind of how to do life.

     So as much as I want to get my things done, apart from the boys being their to witness each detail - also to have the opportunity to concentrate and feel normal - I need to remind myself that I am not alone. Not doing life solo is a blessing, and I need God to continue to show me how to do it all with the boys - teaching them along the way.

     "God, give me grace and strength for the day's work and the day's play. Lead me in guiding the boys; lead me in training the boys. Help me speak righteously, act righteously, and live righteously. Help them understand and learn what they need to. Show them Your ways, LORD; show us Your ways."

PLAYGO Toys Enterprises

     Isaiah was gifted this PLAYGO drum-kit for Christmas - LOVES IT!!! He has only just begun to discover rhythms. We are thankful for companies are out there to help let kids develop their music skills at an early age. Hallelujah! Let the music roll on; let the praises play on!

Keys to the Kingdom

We have all been given the keys - in this case "tools" - to the Kingdom.

How we use them is up to us.

It takes feeling them, trying them out, following instructions, observing them, 

and having grace to make mistakes in the midst of growth.

If I were to look at the boys and expect them to take a measuring tape, use it correctly the first time (and all other times thereafter), it would be utter foolishness. Why? We are designed to grow into something. We were made to practice at something and get better. We have been allotted room to make mistakes and learn from them - sometimes it takes us longer in the making mistakes department. Robots are programmed to do things perfectly, all the time. We are humans; we are not robots. Hallelujah. 

P.S. Dear readers, I welcome your feedback and comments! Also, if you like what you are reading and want others to know about my blog, you can look to the side bar and click on any of the "Top Mommy Blogs" labels. Thanks! Blessings on your days.

Instruments

It is such a beautiful sight to see Jeremiah taking interest in the guitar!

He sees it and makes a dash for it!

Just to touch it and feel it and hear its strings resound...

it makes him happy and come alive! 

That makes me happy...

How much more does it make God happy...!

Hallelujah.

Hallelujah for the little things in life that become big things.

Potty Training

The adventures of potty training continue...! And to think, it has only just begun. I have many more years ahead of me - with Jeremiah (maybe more depending on how God decides to move in that department)! LORD, give me strength and patience!

What things are working and what things are not?

1. Poopy, finger painting is DEFINITELY out of the daily routine!!!! One time was enough! The story: We had been out playing on the playground. Isaiah was wearing his underwear. We came inside so that he could use the potty chair. I told him to go into the bathroom and go pee. I followed him a minute later. What I discovered as I walked in was MUCH to my surprise...No need to go any further with a description. I will leave your imaginations to do the rest!

2. Underwear is a big deal. It helps him feel like a big boy, and it is fun for him to get rewarded with buying more as he needs more.

3. Rewards are our friend! When we started back up a couple months ago, I went the route of suckers. Isaiah chose them himself. I took him to the candy isle, at the grocery store, and asked him what he wanted as a treat for a potty training reward. He picked a bag of Dum Dums. Personally, I think they worked wonderfully - small enough to encourage him just enough.

4. Reminders throughout the day help him stay on track. The more I am disciplined in reminding him to go sit on the potty chair, the better job he does. He doesn't seem to think about his bladder, so I have to think for him until he does.

5. Encourage yourself with positive thoughts - as the one assisting the potty training expedition, you are providing the support for your child's success. Keep up the good work!

Moving With Children

Moving with children...what are the best ways?

For the last two months, I have been packing and unpacking - maybe longer. We officially started living in our new home the first of the month. I, however, had been packing a month and a half prior to the move. What was my moving mentality: a little at a time. That is exactly what it looks like to move with children: a little at a time. What ever you calculate as to how long it normally would take you to pack all of your belongings - take that and multiply it by five. It will literally take you three times as long. Not only does that mean hours, but it also means weeks; if you normally could have packed in one week, take that week and multiply it by five. Either way, if you take the hours or the weeks, you need to give yourself lots of extra time. You will not be getting it all done in a day or a few days, back-to- back. (Yes, would it be possible if you had your kids staying with friends or family for a week - sure.) Another way to consider how to figure out your time management: Count every person in your family (Do you have a family of 2, 3,4, or more), think of all the things that each person has, how many boxes it will take, and go from there. How long does it take you to pack a box? How much furniture can you break down ahead of the time? What space or spaces can you begin to use to stack boxes? For space maximization, stack similar boxes together so that when it comes to moving day, you can easily access them with a dolly. Think of how you need to have things stacked (heavy verses light) when it comes time to putting them into the moving van/truck. In other words, do not put all of your stuff in a big pile and think that you are well organized; IT WILL TAKE EXTRA WORK JUST TO REORGANIZE YOUR PILE ONCE IT IS TIME TO TRANSPORT IT TO THE TRUCK.

Another thought: BE GRACIOUS TO YOURSELF AND THE CHILDREN. More than boxes being packed and furniture being broken down and address being changed and friends being notified - more than all of that are the EMOTIONS OF MOVING. Be ready to cry more and hug more and talk more about what is going on. The children are feeling it all too. Stay connected as a family. Support each other and listen when needed. Remember: LOVE is above all and in all and helps us through it all. LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDS. Love endures; God endures.

An idea: As you pack up and prepare for the move, take a walk through memory lane. Visit favorite places that you spent lots of time. For us that meant the nearby park and pool. We also took a walk to the grocery store that we often walked to and got a treat.

One more thought: Hold fast to God. He is your Shepherd. He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. Cling to Him and He will see you through it all.

Discover

 
    Jeremiah is busy discovering whatever he can, whenever he has the energy and time. I appreciate being encouraged by his diligence and intrigue. The simplest of things - a ring of colorful toys, a wheel on a tricycle - is new and thrilling. He turns it upside-down and all around, he bites it (much to my dismay at times), he throws it, he shakes it, he sets it down and comes back again and again. His discovering process can last a minute or last hours or days.

    With the things of the LORD, we are exhorted to do the same. We are to take things of the Kingdom and turn them upside-down and all around, bite them, chew on them, discuss them, put them down and come back again and again. Things of God should be exciting and desirous. When and if they are not, we are to ask ourselves why.

     As children, God tells us to come to him - the faith of a child. Child-like faith looks at life with thrill and awe and says, "I want to know all about this, and I will not give up until I do."

     May God give you all courage, vision, and hope. A new day is set before you. Embrace God's mercy and start again. I plead the blood of Jesus over every reader and ask for the Holy Spirit to come and move mightily.

“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. 

I know where to discover knowledge and discernment." Proverbs 8:12

"It is God's privilege to conceal things 

and the king's privilege to discover them." Proverbs 25:2