Around PeeWeeVille

new Blog

2011-06-02T12:07:00.003-05:00

In case you are wondering why I haven't posted in a while...............I have a new blog.

Lisa Carden Blog

I hope you will follow me over there..............still at blogspot.com.

Goodness

2010-04-22T16:14:00.002-05:00

Good Guys *** Bad Guys

Batman *** The Joker

Harry Potter *** Voldemort

Chuck *** The Ring

The Whos *** The Grinch

Bugs Bunny *** Elmer Fudd

The Roadrunner *** The Coyote

The Cullen Family *** Volturi Family

Dora *** Swiper

Aladin *** Jafar

God *** Me

God is the only one who can turn a bad guy into a good guy...... And He does it for us because He loves us so much!

For the last couple of weeks in PeeWeeVille we have talked about the Fruit of Goodness. Your PeeWee is learning about the transforming love and grace of Christ. Reinforce this at home as you read books or watch movies - those good guy/bad guy teams are all fiction. The fact is -

Jesus is always the Good Guy - He never sinned. We are always the Bad Guy because we do.

Only God can turn a Bad Guy into a Good Guy!

Your Confidence is Showing

2010-04-06T15:49:00.003-05:00

Easter was amazing! I enjoyed seeing so many of my PeeWee friends this weekend. Thank you for sharing the meaning of Easter with your PeeWees and bringing them to church. Many new friends came as well. Great job inviting your friends and family to church. What a great example you were to your children.

Always remember that you are teaching your children whether you mean to or not. When you come to church and engage in the worship - you are teaching your children the value of worship. When you invite friends to come - you are teaching the value of sharing the Good News with others. When you bring your children to PeeWeeVille and confidently leave them in the class to learn about God - oh......you are teaching so much........

The value of learning about God
The value of worship
Trust - you are helping your PeeWee develop trust for others within safe boundaries
Trust in you - you are teaching your PeeWee that you will do what you say you will do........you will return just like you said you would.
The ability to go into new places with confidence and make new friends

Remember that the opposite is true also. When you don't leave your PeeWee with confidence........(remember they can sense your fear and hesitancy)

They feel afraid.
They begin to see no value for learning about God.
They never have an opportunity to learn to trust.

So check out PeeWeeVille........put us to the test.........make sure we are at the top of our game.........then trust God to care for your PeeWee in this place and leave them with confidence with us.

Easter Weekend

2010-03-29T08:38:00.005-05:00

Please join us Easter Weekend!

Your PeeWee will have a chance to hear

The beautiful story of God's love for us.

Egret Bay Campus:

Saturday - 6pm

Sunday - 8:30, 10:00, 11:30

Easter Egg Hunt - 8am Sunday

West Campus: (located at Fun Max on FM 528)

Sunday - 9:30 and 11:00

Also, don't forget the special Wednesday Service - March 31 - at the Egret Bay Campus only - 7pm.

We have special calendars for you in PeeWeeVille with great activities for your family to celebrate Easter all month! Get one and get started.

Easter Kindness

2010-03-16T08:53:00.003-05:00

This week your PeeWee was introduced to kiwis and kindness in PeeWeeVille. The kiwis seemed to be a hit - so if you haven't bought them for your PeeWee - here is a new fruit for them.

When I think of kindness..............the most kind act of all was Jesus dying for our sins. He took on all our dirty sins and died a horrible death to save us. As Easter approaches think about Jesus' kindness. Read from the Gospels about Jesus' suffering and death and then resurrection. Why would He do such a kind thing for the likes of us??

Heaven - worth waiting patiently for

2010-03-09T13:24:00.000-06:00

God promises Heaven to His followers. What do you think Heaven will be like? Ask your PeeWee about Heaven. Comment to this post his/her thoughts on Heaven.

God keeps His promises, so we can wait patiently for Heaven.

Have you planted your sunflower seeds?

2010-03-04T13:20:00.002-06:00

All PeeWees received them at church on Sunday. Plant them and then watch them grow. Use the growth chart attached to the seeds to document and measure the growth. Take pictures of the flowers when they bloom and send them to Mrs Lisa at:
lcarden@clearcreek.org

You have to be very patient while you wait for flowers to grow.

Patience.........smatience

2010-03-01T14:00:00.005-06:00

Patience.............it is really an ugly word! It either reminds me of how impatient I am.......or it is too much a part of my vocabulary with PeeWees.

I remember one Easter...........

Haleigh (2 1/2) and Drew(4) both woke up sick. I left them in the den while I helped Marisa with her pretty Easter outfit, so she and Mark could go off to church. When I returned, Haleigh and Drew were hiding behind the couch - Easter baskets in their laps - surrounded by candy wrappers, with chipmunk cheeks full of candy. Patience and self control flew right out the window when they looked at all that candy!

Every afternoon, I leave the church parking lot and zip down the road, only to wait at the light at 270 and 518 for an eternity! I tailgate the car ahead of me hoping we can both scoot through on the green.........usually it does no good.........I must wait another eternity for another green. Then there is the school zone........after that the bus unloading right at my street - I can see my house but I can't get there. Patience and Self control fly right out the window when I see the finish line of my house at the end of the day!

We aren't born patient - have you ever been around a hungry baby? It is a learned behavior......of course that makes it a forgotten behavior too.

This week, focus on your patience as well as your child's. Be a good model behind the wheel, in the grocery store, or while helping your PeeWee "do something myself". Remember - it is a learned behavior, but we only master it when we seek God's help, because He is the only master of patience and self-control.

God living in me can help me wait in line patiently..............God in me can drive with patience.................God in me can wait patiently for chocolates..............

Food Drive at Clear Creek Community Church

2010-02-25T15:01:00.003-06:00

Don't forget to fill your bag of food.
Drop it off at the big truck at West Campus Sunday!

PeeWee School Registration for 2010-2011

2010-02-20T10:00:00.003-06:00

Open Registration for the

2010-2011 School Year of

PeeWee School

February 23

1pm in PeeWeeVille

Pick up your application today.

Job - a Story of Peace

2010-02-15T15:04:00.001-06:00

Our third study in Fruit of the Spirit is Peace. Sunday your PeeWee heard the story of Job. If you haven't read it - I recommend it - although it is a hard read. It is hard because your heart aches for all that Job lost..........money, stuff, his children, his health. And those are all things that all of us enjoy, and truly don't want to lose.

God took them all away from Job. Job lost them all and remained peacefully sure of God's love for him. Now, there were a few chapters where he acted cranky and testy..........but for the most part he rested in God's control of everything. Job had peace with God so he was able to find peace in awful circumstances.

Remember, peace isn't the absence of chaos..........it is order within chaos. We live in a fallen world - this isn't Heaven. Stuff is gonna happen to us. We can find order within that chaos if we have made peace with God. He will give that order and peace.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Have you made peace with God?

Joyful or Happy???

2010-02-08T12:54:00.003-06:00

Joy and Happy are two words that we use interchangeably. But they really are different. Happy is a feeling and so is Sad. And we go back in forth from one to the other weekly, daily, sometimes hourly.

Joy is different. True joy comes from being a Child of God. It comes from realizing that Christ gave Himself for us. True joy never goes away - it is forever! We can be joyful whether we are happy or sad. That is a weird concept. But true. Even in the worst times when we feel very sad, we can remember that Christ died for us and we can have joy in that no matter what is going on around us.

This week as you reinforce our lesson in PeeWeeVille on Joy, think about the difference in your own life. Try to share this with your PeeWee as you dance together, or have a bike parade, or go to a party, or laugh together. Happiness is a choice and can change as we choose not to be happy. But joy will last forever if it is found in our relationship with Christ.

PeeWeeVille Valentine Making Party!

2010-02-04T12:07:00.002-06:00

Don't forget the ................

Valentine Making Party

Saturday - February 6

9am - 11am

PeeWeeVille at the Egret Bay Campus

Come and go

Make some Valentines for those you love

2010-01-27T15:05:00.002-06:00

We can never show as much love to others as Christ showed to us. Never. But we should try. We should live a life that reflects the love Christ has lavashed on us. We should love others the way we want to be loved and forgive them the way God has forgiven us.

Discuss at dinner how your family can show love to your neighbors - even the grouchy ones! Share your ideas with others by leaving a comment below.

Don't forget to come to the Valentine Making Party on February 6 at 9am - at PeeWeeVille/Egret Bay. Make some valentines and share the love with family and friends.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Lemony Love

2010-01-18T13:27:00.007-06:00

Yesterday in PeeWeeVille, we talked about love. We talked about God's perfect example of love........He loves us all the time no matter what.

I'm curious........as you discuss love with your PeeWee this week, what does your PeeWee say about love? Ask him/her what it means to love someone. How do we show our love for people? What does love mean?

Leave his/her definition or thoughts as a comment this week so we can all enjoy!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Valentine Making Party - Feb 6!

2010-01-11T14:27:00.002-06:00

Make plans now to attend the PeeWee Family Valentine Making Party

February 6

9am - 11am (come and go as you please)

PeeWeeVille - Egret Bay Campus

We will have all the supplies: glitter, markers, stickers, etc for your PeeWee to make some valentines for friends and family!

Invite a friend to join you - siblings are welcome too!

2010 - The Year of the Copy Cat

2009-12-29T09:51:00.005-06:00

1Corinthians 11:1
Be imitators of me,
as I am of Christ.

This verse haunts me...........I am to so imitate Christ that I can invite others to imitate me. Wow! Too many times I hope no one sees or hears me, because I'm so not imitating Christ. And as a parent, you can't hide from your kids. They know what happens behind and in front of closed doors. How many times do you see and hear them imitating you? Sometimes we swell with pride - but many others we shrink in embarrassment!

January 3 we will begin a study of The Fruit of the Spirit in PeeWeeVille. This is a study in what it is like to imitate Christ. Christ has mastered - and is the master - of the fruit. I want to encourage you as parents to study the fruit with your PeeWee.

Let's all make a resolution to be better imitators this year. The only way to imitate is to know and study the person. So get to know Christ. Study Him this year. Imitating Christ will make you the very best parent you can be for your child. Live in a way that invites your child - and everyone around you - to imitate you ........... and when you stumble, apologize - that is another thing you want your child to learn and copy.

I've resolved to be a Copy Cat this year. So hold me accountable - and join me if you dare.

Taking Care of My Mom

2009-12-03T16:15:00.001-06:00

My Father-in-Law had a mild stroke yesterday. He is doing great. But what a scare!

It reminded me how important Grandparents are to families. My kids adore their grandfather - he makes them laugh a lot.

I also thought about how children learn how to care for their parents by watching their parents care for their grandparents. My kids are gonna care for me like I care for my Mom.

How do you care for your parents? Is that what you want as you age? Just a thought.........

It's Roland or You

2009-10-26T15:52:00.003-05:00

It was 1969. I was in the 5th Grade - yes, I'm old! I sat behind Roland Rodriquez. I was a sweet little 5th grader, raised in church - very naive. Roland opened my mind - maybe not in a good way. He taught me all kinds of 4 letter words - complete with definition, spelling. He definitely expanded my vocabulary! Which is funny because I don't think he did very well in school himself. My parents would never have talked to me about the things Roland talked to me about. They definitely never used those words. I really didn't think they did those things...........(of course I'm the baby of 4 girls..........maybe they did just 4 times by accident.??...) All day long I sat at my desk spellbound learning new things from my friend. I learned it all at the age of 9 at school - and that was way back in 1969!

I've had a couple of conversations with PeeWee parents in the last week about SEX - not really about sex, but about things of the world that they didn't want their child exposed to -yet. These conversations reminded me of my friend Roland.

As a parent you want to protect your child from worldly adult things - and you should. As a parent, you don't want to use the word sex and your child's name in the same sentence. It creeps you out. You want to avoid. You want to wait. Especially PeeWee families think they have plenty of time to talk about that subject.

Whether you are ready or not, your PeeWee sees people at the store and in the neighborhood. Whether you are ready or not, they talk to other children that may not be raised in a home like yours. Whether you are ready or not, there is someone in your life that:

Is divorced
Is living with someone they aren't married to
Is pregnant
Is getting married
Is married

All of these subjects bring questions to a child's mind. Most of these involve sex. Now, believe me, I'm not a proponent of exposing small children to adult subjects. But I do believe that as a parent you need to be entering conversations about marriage and family with your PeeWee. You need to help them see what God says about these subjects. You need to make sure that they know that you are available to talk about these subjects with them. One day they will have really deep questions and concerns - who do you want them to ask then?

Roland or you?????????

There is a reason I remember his name 40 years later, because I only had 1 class with him that year. He played a role in my life.......he wasn't chosen by my parents.........but he played that role. In 1969, you didn't talk about that stuff.

Today..........there are a wonderful set of books that help you start those conversations. The wonderful thing is that they are written from a Biblical perspective. They are not crude, and they present God's perfect plan. They can help you talk to your children about the fallen world we live in and God's plan in all of it. They help you celebrate with your PeeWee the beautiful way God created each one of them. God's Design for Sex is a set of 4 books. Each is written for a specific age child. I recommend all parents get them and use them at the appropriate times.

Remember..........it's Roland or you?

Your choice............

Discipline Part 3: Discipline on Your Feet/Not Your Seat

2009-09-25T16:31:00.000-05:00

When I was teaching, my district had a motto.............

Teach on your feet, Plan on your seat

The meaning was that teaching was an active sport. Don't be tied to your desk. Move around. Be where the kids are.

Parenting is an active sport............especially discipline. You can't discipline from across the room. You must be near the child. It is active - so being tired is normal. The good news is that if you will be active and consistent now...............as your PeeWee grows up, the sport gets easier because you are both "in shape".

So start each day ready

Plan ahead with your spouse by setting rules, boundaries, rewards, and punishment.
Pray for wisdom and grace and love for your children, and don't forget energy and strength.
Then get in the game! Enjoy your children. Take responsiblity for their learning and training. Get off the bench, bed, couch, etc. and get active with your kids both playing with them and loving them, and disciplining them.
Be consistent all day long.

Discipline Part 2: Are You a Slot Machine?

2009-09-20T12:59:00.002-05:00

Ever been to Vegas? Go ahead and admit it.......I will. The slot machines fascinate me - and so do the people sitting at them! You become mesmerized by the spinning fruit. You continue to put money in even with no reward..........because there is always the hope of a reward. If you get 1 prize, you will be motivated to continue trying because there is a chance it will happen again. Sporadic rewards can be very motivating for behavior to be repeated.

Did you know that you can be like a slot machine to your PeeWee? Your random punishment is like the random rewards from a slot machine. It is kind of reverse reward. Your PeeWee is willing to take a chance that you aren't going to discipline her this time - so she continues to do the same behavior.

So actually random punishment, is really a reward. It feeds the excitement of the behavior slot machine, and keeps the PeeWee pulling the arm over and over. If you aren't going to consistently punish bad behavior - don't bother to punish randomly - you are getting the same result either way.

Unplug the slot machine............and become consistent. Do what you say you are going to do every time.

James 5:12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Discipline Part 1: Your Child the Scientist

2009-09-15T10:20:00.004-05:00

Remember the Scientific Method? That thing you documented when you did science experiments. Did you know that it is a natural learning technique? All those years in science and you thought the whole idea was so foreign - you really knew about it from birth; and even practiced it from birth. I'm not kidding! Let me show you what I mean.........

Hypothesis - experiment - note results - draw a conclusion

Everything your child does is an experiment - the results are written in his memory - he draws conclusions about the world around him based on these experiences. Let me show you what I mean..........

Experiment#1 - Grab something that is a no-no

2 Different Results Could Happen:

Mom says no and takes away ~ Conclude that this didn't work
Mom trades the no-no for a toy ~ WooHoo :) That worked beautifully!

Experiment#2 - Take a toy away from a friend

2 Different Results Could Happen:

Mom says no and takes away ~ Conclude that this didn't work
Mom lets you keep the toy and gives the friend another ~ WooHoo :) That worked beautifully!

What did your PeeWee learn today? Or maybe I should say.......what did you teach your PeeWee today? Without planning to, if you use the 2nd result, he now knows the fastest, most efficient way to get a toy. Whereas, with the 1st choice of results, he will eventually experiment with asking nicely - and then learn this is the best way to get a toy.

Sometimes one experiment that ends negatively is all that a child needs to reach a conclusion. Some PeeWees want to complete the same experiment over and over hoping for a different result. It is very important that the same lesson is learned each time, so be consistent.

Remember Consistency is your friend!

Parenting Lesson: look at the end result of an encounter..........what did my child learn from this. You may be teaching lessons that you don't even realize. Some of them may be counteracting your intentional lessons. Just something to think about.........

Gig 'Em Kids!

2009-08-20T14:53:00.005-05:00

School is about to start ...... again. You would think I would get used to it after all these years. You see I taught 1st grade for 5 years, preschool for another 4......... I've directed a preschool for 8 years now........ I've sent 3 children off to school for the last 18 years! So, (counting my school years) - for the last 44 years, I've enjoyed the excitement of the first day of school. I love new beginnings, fresh starts, new notebooks and backpacks and lunch boxes and cool new pens.

In the next couple of weeks I will enjoy the newness of:

Another year of PeeWee School
My daughter's 2nd year of teaching
My college kids' new semester

Which are all very exciting and good................but the next few days will be a little sad too.

Haleigh drove off this morning. :( With the wind in her hair she set off to conquer another semester of college. She is so smart and witty......... and she is gonna do great. She is headed off to where she is supposed to be......... it is a good thing. She spoiled me all summer with her time. We laughed - mostly at me. We watched movies. We ate together. We talked. But now she is gone.

Drew is home right now. I've missed him all summer - he was busy with a job in Austin. I'm enjoying this week together. But he will leave Sunday. :( He needs to go and finish his degree and be challenged at school and do great things - but I'm gonna miss him.

Sunday Mark and I will stand on the driveway and wave goodbye............like I did today. Then we will proceed to take the house back! It is a good thing. We can get back into our routines and healthy eating. It will be quiet............

Everyone is where they should be........... Marisa and Steven in their house, Haleigh and Drew up in College Station, Mark and I at home. But I will still miss them.

So kids, here are some verses for this new beginning.........from your mother's heart:

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Psalm 46:1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.

Gig 'em kids in all you do! Love God more today than yesterday.

Love, Mom

Helping the Body Grow

2009-08-11T14:36:00.004-05:00

Lately, my body seems to grow without any help at all! Or as my dad used to say: "I'm watching my waist......I'm just getting it out there where I can see it." But truly, I digress, that's not what this is about.

We are bombarded everywhere we look with healthy habits and ways to stop the unwanted growth. We as Americans are getting bigger every day. But our church body is starving.

Ephesians 4 and Romans 12 are all about how the Body of Christ - the church - has many parts that all need to function together. It resembles our own bodies in that. So how do we get the church body to grow - to become strong - to get bigger and bigger?????

Ephesians 4: 16 - ".............when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

How does the body grow - when everyone is doing their part. When everyone is working together. When everyone is on board.

Believe me our church doesn't need a diet - we don't need to downsize - we need everyone to serve in their gifts and do their part.

So join a team and help us grow.

And together we can build up the church and provide a place for people of all ages to experience God's love and grace. And you will be shocked at the personal growth you will experience at the same time.

Worshipping with the RITZ

2009-07-20T14:09:00.002-05:00

Have you ever wondered why we have Goldfish and Ritz and such in PeeWeeVille?

Yes, it's true we all like to eat.........but did you know that we actually put thought into it? That there is a legitimate reason that we feed all our PeeWees every time they come to see us?

Feeding a child in PeeWeeVille is the beginning of spiritual development. Let me show you what I mean:

Familiar - A PeeWee is familiar with their bottle or cup, or with the crackers that we serve. We want the study of God's grace to feel familiar and comfortable for every child. We want them to think of God and what they learned as they use the cup or eat those crackers in another environment.
Satisfying - Eating or drinking is a need for everyone. As we meet that need in PeeWeeVille, PeeWees can begin to relate to the fact that God meets all our needs. They don't have to sit hungry or thirsting when they are in God's house. God can meet all our needs - it would be very ironic to try to teach a preschooler that lesson if they were hungry or thirsty!
Comforting/Caring - As we care for each PeeWee in PeeWeeVille, we want to be God's hands to them. We want to care for them as we teach them that God loves them so very much. We want to help them feel their Father's love.

PeeWees are concrete thinkers as opposed to abstract. They need to touch and feel and see and taste something to make it real. As they get older and develop a ton of memories, they will become more abstract and be able to think about things that they aren't touching at the moment. Since we can't use our senses to really explore God.........although He did give us a beautiful creation to explore ............ we want PeeWees to feel full and comfortable as we tell them about how wonderful their Father God is.

Snack time isn't a time filler for us...........it has an intentional place in the worship hour for a PeeWee..............................just so you know!

Volunteering

2009-07-01T15:32:00.003-05:00

I lead a very volunteer intensive organization. I started as a volunteer at the beginning of PeeWee Ministry and now I lead almost 200 volunteers. It has been a while since I was a volunteer. Today, I stepped out and volunteered in the community in a position I am very passionate about and have wanted to do for a long time. Unfortunately, the horrible experience I had today as a volunteer almost totally overshadowed the joy of serving in my passion. Let me explain:

I left feeling disrespected........ My contact was 30 min. late for our meeting, and I was asked to wait 3-4 times during the morning.
I left feeling unnecessary.......... No one called me for over 6 weeks. No one apologized or made excuses, but they admitted that they hadn't called me back.
I left feeling unwanted....... Instead of trying to help me today and give me customer service, I kept hearing how someone else had dropped a ball and so they weren't ready for me.
I left feeling unimportant........ A couple of times I was placed in the middle of other volunteers that were having personal conversations. No one acknowledged my presence.
I left feeling awkward, embarrassed, dumb....... No one trained me. I showed up today and was thrown into a situation of performing a task I had never done before without any instruction. My contact was there to watch me and tell me what I did wrong - how awkward!

The organization is a good one. The role is great. And I'm not quitting!! This is what I need to do and I enjoyed it - in spite of the feelings above! But I learned some important lessons and I want to make sure that PeeWee Ministry volunteers never feel any of the things above.

Returning phone calls promptly is not only an absolute but just good manners.
When we make an appointment with a volunteer we need to be there early and prepared to help them be the best volunteer they can be.
Good Customer Service is a must.
We need to remember to introduce new people to our friends and not be cliquish.
We need to refine and polish our volunteer training so that they are successful from day one.

We are not a perfect ministry. We make mistakes. But these are values we hold high and after experiencing the lack of them........I'm even more sold on their importance! We should never let our lack of preparation and manners squelch a passionate volunteer. You see volunteering doesn't just help PeeWee Ministry, but our volunteers are also growing in their faith while they serve God in PeeWeeVille. What an awesome, beautiful responsibility ............. how amazing that God chose me with all my faults to help others grow...........

Thank you for today God........... let me remember this experience forever........... make me better because of it. And forgive me for the times I have not led like you would lead.

Love your spouse today.......

2009-06-10T08:30:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I talked to 2 different couples that are going through divorce. All that kept going through my mind was:

Why?
What are you thinking?
Stop!!!!!!!!

Physically, I felt ill, and full of a rage almost. I wanted to slap some sense into them. Well............I refrained, but decided to blog some sense into anyone that would listen.

Love your spouse today! You and your spouse have to become a team. You have to lock arms and go through life together because, life is hard..........kids will behave badly.........things will hurt.........bad things will happen to you.........you will be tempted.

So anyone reading this...............love your spouse today:

Pray for your spouse
Ask for God's help to love your spouse
Tell your spouse all the things you first fell in love with about him/her
Love your spouse emotionally today
Love your spouse physically today
Love your spouse sexually today

LOVE YOUR SPOUSE TODAY and cling together for the ride that is your life.

Freakazoid

2009-06-01T15:03:00.005-05:00

Well the results of our survey are in.................
Here is what you said you fear the most when it comes to your kids:

3 answers tied for first place: Physical harm, Poor choices, Death
Health as the fourth top parental fear you gave.

Those are big things to fear. I know I feared them for my kids...........and I am still concerned and prayerful about all of them even today. I think that probably shows our love for them - at least being concerned about those things. That is what helps us make better choices as their parent. For instance:

Because I am concerned for my child's poor choices - I am going to teach him right from wrong continually.
Because I am concerned for my child's physical harm - I'm going to make sure she doesn't play in the street.
Because I am concerned for my child's health - I'm going to make sure we eat healthy meals.

I think you get it. Concern leads to prayer and wise actions...........fear can lead to paranoia.

We become paralyzed. We don't want our children to participate in anything or go any where because something might happen.
We become control freaks. We want to control every aspect of our children's lives.

The good news is............. God is in control, so you don't have to be afraid! God is God and you are not. God loves your kids even more than you do. God is the only one who can truly protect them. We don't have to fear.

Think about Moses' mother. Read Exodus 2:1-10. She wanted to protect her son. She took care to hide him. She took care to make a basket for him and leave his sister to watch over him. But ultimately - she put him in God's hands. God protected him. God provided the Princess to find him. God protected Moses because He cared for him and He had great things in store for him.

God will protect your child too. God loves her and has great things in store for her. So ask Him to help you parent your child. Ask Him to protect your child. Ask Him to show you what to do to be the best parent you can be. And then rest in Him.

Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Psa 94:19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

Psa 139:11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,"
Psa 139:12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
Psa 139:13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
Psa 139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psa 139:15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Psa 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.

1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
1Pe 5:7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Luk 12:22 And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.
Luk 12:23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
Luk 12:24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
Luk 12:25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Mat 6:34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Why do they do what they do????

2009-05-07T15:55:00.004-05:00

A few months ago, we talked about how kids are Martians sometimes........ Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever ponder the "why" behind kids' actions?

I think it is important to discuss bad behavior. I think it is good to find the "trigger" for your child and work with him/her on better responses to that trigger. What happens if you can't find it? What do you do if there is no "why"?

James 4:17 - "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

Sometimes our precious children are just sinning. So even though the Bible says that everyone sins........why is it so hard to admit that we have given birth to a sinner?

I think sometimes we as parents are embarrassed. So if we know that our kids are going to make bad choices.........if we know our kids are going to sin...........why is it embarassing to us? A reason for bad behavior somehow makes it easier for us to "save face". Is it hard to admit that your kids embarass you? If it is.........hang on, you will have many opportunities in their lifetime to experience it. It never gets easy though.

Whether we like it or not, to some degree, our kids behavior becomes a reflection of our parenting. So what do you do................

Call it what it is - disobedience; sin
Remember it was your child's choice not yours
Look for triggers - but don't get paralyzed trying to figure them out.......sometimes kids just do stuff.
Look at your parenting - make changes where you need to to be consistent and your child's leader; but remember it was your child's choice not yours.
Allow your child to receive the consequences for his/her bad choice. Don't try to be the savior - you aren't.
Be sure to support the other authorities in your child's life that may be dealing with the bad behavior also.
Help your child learn to make better choices next time.

Kids can be weird..........sometimes there is no explaining why they do what they do. The more consistent we as parents are in dealing with the bad behavior - the shorter the lifespan of the bad behavior.

Celebration Weekend!

2009-04-15T16:26:00.005-05:00

What a glorious weekend we had! Easter is such a great celebration of God's love for us and Jesus' victory over death and sin. I hope that you and your family enjoyed the time and celebrated like crazy! Here in PeeWeeVille we have calendars of activities that you can do all month to continue the learning and fun. I hope you are taking advantage of those activities and enjoying a month of thinking about Easter and the hope it brings.

Every Easter I look for new ways to present the story to preschoolers. This year I found a lot of very good books and we used them in PeeWeeVille. Each year as I hear stories from PeeWees I'm reminded that the Easter story isn't too hard for them, and we don't need to skip over it. Granted, you shouldn't go into graphic detail about the torture of the cross, but PeeWees understand sin, heaven, God's love, and the joy of Easter.

I heard a lot of stories the past 2 weeks that reminded me of how much kids can understand:

I heard about Kindergarteners that came in on Thursday talking about Jesus dying on the cross that day...........so they were off a day...........they got it any way.
I heard about 3 and 4 year olds that talked in the car about the cross and Jesus dying on it.
One family had a sign in the yard with a cross on one side and Easter celebration on the other. Their 4 year old couldn't wait to wake up on Easter and turn the sign around to show the joy to the neighbors.

Sometimes hard subjects are easy to ignore. But if we share them anyway, God can work in ways we don't understand to give wisdom and understanding. So basically,

Don't ignore.
Pray about how your teach your kids and what answers you give to their questions.
Answer what they ask only - no need to give details that they weren't asking for.

Now...........let me hear your stories from Easter. What did your child say, or ask, or some how show they appreciated Christ' sacrifice?

Again with the Yardstick List

2009-03-24T15:40:00.004-05:00

.........So how are you doing on your Yardstick List?

If you don't normally follow my blog, this is the list of characteristics and traits that you want to see in your child as they grow up. Like as they grow up the yardstick in height are they changing in character, or you teaching or modelling traits that are representative of a Christ Follower?

So, have you made your list?

Have you developed some sort of strategy to teach these traits?

Are you and your spouse both working on the same Yardstick List together?

I found a new book that I think will help parents develop their list and the strategy to move forward on it.

Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna

Great for couples to go through together. It also has a workbook, and a leader's guide to lead a small group through together. Great stuff!

Smelling like Jesus

2009-03-16T11:15:00.001-05:00

It's Spring...........things are budding. It is beautiful to the eyes. It feels good to the skin for the temperature to be warmer. I hear people talking about opening their windows and enjoying fresh air. But for me - it is like walking through a haunted house. There is something waiting to be sucked up my nose and send me into a sneezing fit! The outside looks scary. You see, I have allergies. What is beautiful and fun for most - holds the potential for a migraine or coughing attack.
Because of my history of allergies, I tend to stay inside. I don't want to let my senses experience the spring time. Because of my history, I don't trust the air outside! Maybe I should just become the bubble lady!

2Co 2:14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 2Co 2:15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 2Co 2:16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

I thought of my allergies as I read 2 Corinthians a while back. You see, we are supposed to be the fragrance of God to our neighbors and friends. It should be the sweet fragrance of spring. But sometimes:

We aren't sweet.
We don't help people see the beauty of God.
We don't look or smell like God at all.

The result is that we make people hurt - like my allergies do to me. Then our friends, neighbors, and our children become afraid to experience God again.

I don't want to be an allergen fighting against the aroma of God. I want to truly look, feel, and smell like Jesus. I want people - especially my family - to be drawn to God because of the way I treat them.

So how do I fully take on the aroma of God.........................

2Co 2:14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

God help me:

let you lead me
let you fill me
to spend time with you and get to know you better
to take on your aroma
to smell like Jesus all the time

As Different As They Can Be

2009-03-02T17:03:00.006-06:00

We have 3 kids. They are as different as they can be.

One is quiet, compliant, loving, and cares for others.
One is direct, rational, to the point, and yet very giving.
One is funny, friends with everyone, loyal, and truly loves people.

We have 3 kids. They are as different as they can be. They are all Aggies - whoop! They have all approached their school work and careers totally differently. They all have a relationship with Christ - WooHoo!! They all followed a different path to start that relationship.

One felt the love of God and how He had made her so special..........and that led her to faith.
One saw his sin and need for salvation .............and that led him to faith.
One craved a relationship with Christ.........and that started her faith walk.

We have 3 kids. They are as different as they can be. Thinking about the 3 paths they took to start their walk with Christ, made me realize how important it is to offer children the truth of God in many forms. You don't know which is going to strike a cord in their heart. You don't know which is going to be the "lightbulb" for each one of them. They are not cookie cutters of you, so don't assume they will accept faith as you did. God created each one of them individually, so don't assume their relationship with Christ will look just like yours does.

We as parents must not assume our children will follow our faith path. We must not assume that what sparked our journey will spark theirs.

We as parents must share the truth of Christ with our children in many different ways: relationally, as a product of God's love, as an answer for our sinful nature, as God's perfect plan from the beginning, .............. You don't want to miss the one that resonates with each of your children.
We must be creative as we show our children our Heavenly Father by using many different mediums - books, poetry, nature, art, music.

We have 3 kids. They are as different as they can be. In every aspect of life, they will see the world differently. They will choose a different path. They will relate to us differently. And that is just as it should be! God is a creative God. He made each of us special and different. I don't think He expects us to all follow the same path. I think He enjoys meeting each of us in different ways and different places.

The lesson.............recognize and then enjoy your kids differences.

Psa 139:13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
Psa 139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psa 139:15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Psa 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Mrs. Lisa and the Terrible, Horrible.................

2009-02-17T08:16:00.003-06:00

Have you ever read the book: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst? It is a great children's book - one of my favorites. It helped me laugh at bad days. I could relate to the book, because I have bad days, my kids had bad days, my guess is that you do too. In fact, today could be a bad day..............

I awoke this morning to the sharp pains of what felt like a dagger being turned in my eye - the left one. Movement hurts, breathing hurts, and besides that I'm ticked off that I have to go through the day - a very busy one - with the dagger slowly moving into my brain and then down to my ear. This stinks! How am I supposed to do all the important things I have to do today with this going on???

And then I remembered................I'll do it like I do every day, with God's help. He could take the pain away today - and then again, He may not..........He is God after all. But what I'll learn is, that if I depend on Him and give Him my day from the very beginning.........whatever needs to be done will be done and done well. This is a lesson I need daily. This is a lesson my kids need to learn.

My first action this morning.......as soon as I opened my eyes was to close them again. "God you know all these things that must happen today........I need your help. I can't do this alone."

You know I kind of needed the headache today to remember where my strength comes from. Wouldn't it be great if I could do that every morning without a headache ......................................................Wow, that's crazy talk! Must be the dagger talking!
But maybe............

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
(Psa 37:5 ESV)

Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
(Pro 16:3 ESV)

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
(Psa 28:7 ESV)

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
(Psa 59:16 ESV)

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
(Psa 118:14 ESV)

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
(Isa 12:2 ESV)

Love Your Spouse

2009-02-12T16:26:00.004-06:00

Love the dog out of your spouse!

Whether it is Valentine's Day or not............love the dog out of your spouse!
To give your child security in the home..........love the dog out of your spouse!
To show your child how to love others...................love the dog out of your spouse!
To follow God's command.......................love the dog out of your spouse!
To be the best spouse you can be.....................love the dog out of your spouse!
To be the best parent you can be.....................love the dog out of your spouse!
To spice up your sex life.............................love the dog out of your spouse!
The answer to most marital questions........................love the dog out of your spouse!

Use Valentine's Day as a reminder, but not a boundary for your love and actions of love. Love your spouse better than you love yourself, serve your spouse constantly, and praise your spouse as you talk to others - that is how you love the dog out of your spouse! So love your spouse without bounds - all year long........forever and ever!

Give your child the gift of love - not just to him/her; but the gift of loving your spouse too.

Make Room for Daddy

2009-02-02T14:00:00.003-06:00

To all moms out there.....................

Are you creating an environment where your PeeWee

can respect his father? Do you respect him? Do you present him to your child in a way that shows respect and paints the best picture of him that you can?
can spend time with her father? Do you make it possible for Dad to be a part of your young child's life? Do you plan special "Daddy times" or re-arrange your day to make sure he is a part of it?
can love his father, by loving him yourself?

I think God created the family - a mom and a dad. Both parents bring a unique set of skills into raising a child - and both are needed for a child to grow. I think we as women are guilty sometimes of taking over both roles. In the beginning babies are more dependent on their moms, but we women forget to create an environment where both parents are needed and respected and a vital part. We overstep our bounds.

This last week we had Donuts with Dad at PeeWee School. There were tons of Dads and Grandfathers in the building. It was great! Most of them are never seen around here because mom does the carpooling. But it was a special time for these PeeWees to show off to their dads. Good for you PeeWee School moms that made sure Dad got the invitation and marked his calendar. Good for you for taking an extra responsibility that morning so Dad would be free to come. Good for you for giving your PeeWee that special time.

Moms are important, don't get me wrong. But every child needs a female and a male role model, love, and companionship. Don't sell your spouse short...........don't sell your child's father short.........don't try to be both.

**Disclaimer.............I realize, some Dads do not live up to their responsibilities. I realize that some Dads are absent. I realize that some Moms are forced to take on both roles, and I realize that is very hard to do - so way to go for staying the course.

For most of you....................Give Dad a chance...........Make room for Daddy!

Saturday is the Valentine Making Party........wouldn't it be great for your PeeWee to have Mom and Dad both there???????

Laugh a Little

2009-01-26T15:57:00.003-06:00

Kids truly say the darnedest things! I feel so blessed in my job, because I'm around small children all the time. I'm able to talk to them and mainly listen to them a lot. They make me laugh.....a lot! I'm also blessed in that you parents send me funny stories from your kids a lot. Thanks! I love it! I love to laugh........and kids make me laugh.

I was just reading a great story by e-mail from a friend and her 6 year old. It reminded me of stories from my kid's childhood. I won't share them............too many for this space..........and besides, they would hate me for it. But I did write them down. I kept baby books and calendars when my kids were preschoolers. We have buckets of stories and pictures and awards from their school years. This summer we cleaned out the attic and spent days reading the stories and laughing so much.

So I want to challenge you preschool parents:

Laugh, laugh, laugh.............enjoy your kids. They are funny. They need to see the joy they bring to you. So laugh at some stuff.
Document, document, document............journal..........write, save the stories. You will be surprised how quickly the mind fails and you begin to forget. Save the stories.
Share, share, share...........with close friends and with your child's consent. Don't embarrass your child by telling everyone everything, but share with close friends and family.
Tell me................I love to hear stories of my PeeWees and I love to laugh.

Life goes by quickly........cherish the moments........and laugh a little. Parenting doesn't have to be all serious business. God gave us a sense of humor and the ability to laugh, so enjoy His creation!

Lifelong Friendships

2009-01-19T09:44:00.003-06:00

As you made your Yardstick List for your child/children.........did you list something about friends? I know I always did. I wanted my children to be good friends, to have good friends, to know the joy of having someone to lean on and laugh with, to be able to go through life with someone and not be alone..........

I think God created us to crave friendship, to not want to be alone, to need the help of a friend.
Ecc 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
Ecc 4:10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Parenting is hard work. You need the help of a friend. I have had many acquaintances, but I was blessed with 3 lifetime friends that helped me through hard times in my parenting and celebrated the happy times of my parenting. Even when I have moved away from them - the friendship remained. One of these friends was with me when my father died, 2 of these friends were with me as I gave birth to my children, and all 3 were at the wedding of my oldest daughter last month. Of the 3, one is more like a sister to me than the others, but all were there for me; and I know that all of them will be there for me when I need them.

The values of parenting with close friends are:

Sharing the struggles
Laughing together
Learning together
Giving your children other adult role models
Having someone to lean on

And the list goes on......................

If you are parenting alone right now, pray for God to send you a friend. Pray for someone who shares your likes and passions, someone you will enjoy spending time with, but also someone who will challenge you in your Faith Walk. Pray for someone who has the same values and ideals as you do. Pray for someone whose Yardstick List is similar to yours. Pray for a friend.

Then begin to be a friend to others. Begin to develop friendships. Take a risk and talk to someone. Take a risk and let someone know you.

If you are not currently in a Small Group setting studying the Bible with others, join a Small Group. At Clear Creek Community Church you can get involved in a Small Group through Grouplink.

Talk to other parents when you drop off and pick up your child at church or preschool. Attend family events at church or preschool. In PeeWeeVille next month we will host a Family Valentine Making Party - February 7 9am-11am. This is a great chance for you to interact with other families of Preschoolers at our church.

Make some good lifelong friends for your sake as a parent, but also for your PeeWee. Be the example to your child of how to be a friend and the value of friendships.

I received an e-mail from a woman last week who was disappointed that she hadn't made any friends at our church. I hate that too, but as I talked to her I realized that she hadn't made any effort to meet anyone or put herself in a position to get to know others. Friends will not fall in your lap! You must prepare yourself to be a friend and then practice being a friend. But oh, the beautiful flowers that will grow in that garden if you put the effort in the beginning.

Ready, set, go........

2008-12-31T13:47:00.005-06:00

2008 is almost gone. Tomorrow begins 2009! What is going to be different in 2009? What are you going to do different? How will your parenting change as your PeeWee will be growing older? Are you ready for 2009?

We really have to be ready for 2009 - it will begin tomorrow no matter. So, for the last time this year I'm gonna ask you - Have you made your Yardstick List yet???

My challenge to you is to begin 2009 not only with your list of what you would like to see in your child when he grows up, but also a plan. As you go through this next year of parenting, plan teaching moments to teach each of the values on your list. Also, be sensitive to teaching moments that just happen in daily living with your PeeWee and seize them.
Look at your Yardstick list often. Update it........add to it..........highlight the values you have purposefully taught this year. Watch your wonderful little PeeWee grow into a child who honors God, and is growing not only on the yardstick, but also in his faith and his "get-along-with others-ness". Help her become the very best she can.
Journal......the successes, the growing pains, the fun stuff, and the dirty stuff. Create for your child a book of memories.
Throughout the year, read your journal. Sometimes we can't see the successes because we are lost in the trees of the every day. So let your journal give you a look at the overall forest that is your PeeWees growth. Sometimes you need that just to keep going and know that you are making a difference. Sometimes it will give you courage, sometimes some laughter and a smile.

Get ready! 2009 is only hours away! Parenting is more important than parties, schedules, work, and all the other things you will plan for this week - so spend some time planning it today.

Parenting with the Book

2008-12-23T15:44:00.005-06:00

Sweetest story from yesterday in PeeWeeVille.........a dad came in to buy a Bible for his son. I think it was a Christmas present. What a great Christmas present! But the sweet part was that the dad had committed to read his Bible every day in 2009, and he wanted to read to his son at the same time. That is parenting!

When I was in college studying education, I learned all about how important it is to read to children. How important it is for children to see respected adults reading. How all of these factors shape a child's reading skills before they even begin to decipher words.

That is what made this story sweet........not only was this dad helping his son become a reader. But more importantly, he is going to help his son become a reader of the Bible.........a student of God.........a learner in the ways of Christ..........This dad was taking a very big first step in helping his son grow a strong faith for himself, by reading the Bible as an example, and by reading the Bible to his small son.

Whewwwwwwwww for an educator's heart - that was amazing. That is parenting.

By the way, here are some suggested books and kid's Bibles:

My First Study Bible
The Big Picture Story Bible - by David Helm
Parenting with Scripture - by Kara Durbin

From Mary Janes to a Wedding Dress

2008-12-17T15:32:00.002-06:00

I hope you have made your Yardstick List. If not, I beg you to make it quick. You would be so surprised how fast your PeeWee will go from wearing shiny mary jane shoes to fancy wedding shoes!

For the last two weekends I have watched the parade of PeeWees dressed in their Christmas outfits waltzing through PeeWeeVille ready to sing on stage. I love it! Sunday, I literally closed my eyes and was taken back to a day that didn't seem long ago when my three were all dressed in coordinating outfits. My son looked so handsome in his Christmas sweater and khakis. The girls with shiny shoes and twirly dresses. I love mary jane shoes - every little girl should have a pair! But then I was rushed out of my daydream abruptly as I saw two of my kids walk into PeeWeeVille and they are both taller than me! Neither had mary janes or fancy clothes on, and the worst part.............they were adults! How.......when........did that happen!

One day you too will be old like me. Your kids will be all grown up. Will you have a yardstick list complete? Will it even be on paper? Will your kids look like the result of your yardstick list? We can't know the future. We can't really change the future. And our kids have their own freewill, so we can't make them be anything really. But we can do our best as parents to steward them as the gift from God that they are. We can have a plan, and in our imperfect way attempt to teach and train them as God commanded us to. One day........hopefully when I'm much older..........I'll stand before God and be accountable for my parenting. I won't be accountable for my kids' actions, but I will be accountable for the way I trained, taught, parented them. Do you have your list yet? Do you have a plan?

My oldest daughter gave up her mary janes many years ago. In a couple of days she will put on fancy white shoes and the most beautiful white gown. She will walk down the aisle and become Steven's wife. I blinked and it happened. She isn't playing dress up.........this is for real. Did I do my best? Did I teach her all I could. Did I fail miserably as a parent? These are my questions and concerns. It went too fast..........I need more time...........If only I could............

Your child is growing out of his/her shiny shoes faster than you think. Make a plan. Make a yardstick list today.

The Yardstick List

2008-12-08T11:35:00.001-06:00

If you go in my garage, you will see lots of marks up one wall. They all have a label - someone's name and age and the date. You will also see a pen yardstick beside them. It was such a big deal for my kids to measure themselves and watch themselves grow up the wall. Mark and I are marked there also. It was a true milestone when they each passed me up! There are even a few friend's names on the wall - some of those close friends of our kids that became "adopted family members". One day when we move out of this house, those marks will be the hardest to leave behind.

Just as we mark our children's physical growth, we should also mark their spiritual and social growth. Just like they won't stay little physically, we don't want them to stay small spiritually or socially either. The goal for all parents is to raise fully functioning adults.

Physical growth is fairly easy to plan. Feed them, keep them healthy, and have regular check-ups. But spiritual and social growth............how do we plan for that?

Make a list. Just like you know you want your child to grow larger, you should have in your mind what they need to be like as an adult. Make a list of all the traits you would like to see in your child when they are an adult.

For the last month we have had a survey on this blog of what you want your PeeWee to be like as an adult. Only a few of you responded, but the results were: trustworthy, compassionate, and happy. This may be the beginning of your list. Now what are you going to add to it? What traits do you want to help your PeeWee develop? What traits will help them succeed as an adult? What is the most important thing you want your PeeWee to have or learn?

So my challenge to you as parents is, make your yardstick list. Make a list of qualities you would like to see grow in your PeeWee as your PeeWee grows up the yardstick. Do it together. Write it and save it and use it as a teaching map. Do it today, because every day your PeeWee moves further up the yardstick. Without a yardstick list, you are parenting blindly and without purpose. You are leaving your child's spiritual and social development to chance. Make your list.

The Recliner

2008-11-20T10:20:00.006-06:00

We have a recliner. It's a Lazyboy. It's old and tattered and stained and blue.......and warm and cozy and perfect and full of memories. We rocked all of our babies in it. I nursed all of them in it. We read to all of them in it. We watched TV in it.........the list goes on. As old as it is, I'm hoping it lasts for me to rock my grandbabies in it!

We have a recliner. It's a Lazyboy. It's old and tattered and stained and blue.......and warm and cozy and perfect and full of memories. We bought it when I was pregnant with our oldest child. We moved it to 3 different states. We spent many nights in it with sick kids. We rocked our children every night for about 10 or so years in it. We missed it when we lived without it for a year. We moved it to College Station when our children began their lives as Aggies, so they could take a little piece of home with them. We still have a recliner. It's a Lazyboy. It's old and tattered and stained and blue.......and warm and cozy and perfect and full of memories.

Our hope as parents is that our kids remember the good and forget the mistakes. Remember when we were "getting it" as parents and forget the times we were wrong. Remember warmth and are drawn to the family when they go away. Is there something - a tradition, a habit, a phrase, a piece of furniture, a book............that feels like "home" for your kids? I'm sure there is. All families have them. Take hold of your "recliner" and don't give it up. Make it a habit to do a warm and cozy memory making thing every week with your PeeWees for as long as they will let you.

I asked my kids what they thought of when they thought of the recliner. I wanted to make sure the memories weren't just mine. After 22 years with the recliner, they said:

comfort, peace, calmness
sleep, relaxation, massages
Whenever I was sad or anything, Dad would rock me in the rocker and play with my hair and scratch my back.
I remember rocking Maggie to sleep when she was a puppy.
Mom and I would rock and wait for my bus to come.
We would massage Dad's back and brush his hair.

They may not remember everything that I remember. But they do remember.............We have a recliner. It's a Lazyboy. It's old and tattered and stained and blue.......and warm and cozy and perfect and full of memories. Do you?

Is Your PeeWee From Mars???

2008-11-10T09:32:00.004-06:00

I saw some Martians in PeeWeeVille last week. They looked like this:

A 2 year old crawled on all 4's all the way out of the building

A 4 year old stood and made the loudest, most annoying sound possible for about 60 seconds straight, paused, then did it again, over and over.....

A 3 year old cried to get out of the classroom, then cried to get back in

Another 3 year old proudly announced to everyone in the hall: Mommy, I didn't bite anyone today!

A 2 year old gritted her teeth, then pushed her friend down the slide

A Walker with his right thumb in his mouth, and his left pointer in his nose

A Walker who cried for his Dad and then cried harder when Dad arrived to take him home.

Kids can be weird. Kids do act like aliens from another planet. Kids can make you say:

Why did you do that?

What made you think that was a good choice?

Where did you learn that?

Why did you do that?

Are you serious?

But when you stop and think about it.........they are pretty new to this planet. Preschoolers are months - maybe 4 years out of the womb, and we expect them to walk, talk, eat, potty, act like humans, and not be strange. I've been 48 years on this planet, and I still do things that make me go........seriously I can't believe I just said that.

Sometimes we need to give kids and each other the space to grow and mature and be who God created us to be. Sometimes we need to guide this growth. Sometimes we need to marvel at the wonder of God's creativity that we are all different and a little strange sometimes. Sometimes we need to correct Martian behavior because it is bad behavior. Sometimes these Martian outbursts provide the perfect opportunity to love on our kids and be thankful they landed in our family.

That is the hard job of parenting, deciding which to do, and then following through with it. How do you know which to do?

Is it hurtful to someone else? Then correct it
Is it cute or funny to others? Then laugh and go on, which sometimes means getting over your pride issue.
Will it prevent him from being the adult God created him to be? Then show him a better way to behave or communicate.
Is it inappropriate for her age? Then help her to put the behavior behind her and grow a little.

Is your PeeWee ever from Mars?

Simple Lessons

2008-11-03T09:10:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I witnessed some very brave parents. I was watching the counter where new parents register. These parents were amazing. They confidently listened as the security procedures were explained. They looked around the building and made a quick assessment of cleanliness and orderliness. Then came the amazing part............with confidence, they

said goodbye to their precious PeeWee
gave hugs and told them they would have fun
left.......and went into the adult service to listen and learn themselves

And perhaps the best lesson they taught their PeeWee that day........TRUST because they returned! Those PeeWees were so blessed to have parents like that. Those PeeWees learned about God in an environment they were comfortable in because their parents had blessed it. Then, they learned trust, because mom and dad returned just like they said they would.

Wow.........lots of lessons in a seemingly simple exchange. That is the life with PeeWees. Lessons in every simple exchange and every simple activity, every single day.