I always say knowledge is power. When I am aware of it- I can change it, grow it, study for it, pray about it, seek Godly advise, wisdom from others...
I am blessed with friendships God has arranged that provide support, wisdom, encouragement and fun! I am always looking for new stuff to help me wife and mother the best I can. I want to know why I/we do things, how I/ we can do them better and keep growing and maturing into what God has called me to be.
I've always been interested in birth order, personalities, temperments, love languages. I feel I am tuned into my girls personalities, strengths/ weaknesses and am aware of the typical traits of birth order, but recently heard someone speak and took a couple new insights...
1st born:
strengths: highly motivated, leader, well organized
weakness: tends to be perfectionist, analytical, and can be critical in nature (critical spirit).
love language: words of affirmation, acts of service
Personal revelation: I didn't know that critical nature was a typical weakness for 1st born. I thought I was the only mother in the world.... we have always worked on this area. Lauren is sweet, tender hearted and a great kid- and I know her little brain organizes and analyses things to figure out how to make them better (much like her Daddy), but it comes across as critical- and is taxing-
one of the H's in our family motto addresses that: H~ have a good attitude
A joyful heart is good like medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22
Do all things w/0 grumbling, complaining and questioning. Philippians 2:14
Middle:
strength: mediator, avoid conflict, most independant , loyal, caring, free spirit, people oriented
weakness: can often get lost in the family and feel left out
love language: physical touch, QT: quality time alone with loved one
Personal revelation: I know the concerns of a middle child being lost- especially when they are easy and just fit into the mix. I have come to realize that Brooke prefers physical touch and needs more "dates". She is a sweet sister, a peacemaker- and I need to provide more opportunities to be the "designated leader."
Baby:
strength: outgoing, charming, carefree, uncomplicated,
weakness: manipulative, space cadet, messy, may feel left out/ forgotten
love language: acts of service, gifts
Personal revelation: I am blessed that Kate is an easy, fun kid- but need to follow through better on disipline- she is getting away with stuff- because it's really "not that bad"- but if not addressed- could be real bad. I also need to teach her about consequences for poor choices.
********
5 Love Languages:
Words of Affirmation
QT: quality time
Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical touch
Author Gary Chapman has some great books on the 5 Love Languages.
Dr. Kevin Leman - one of my favorites authors- Birth Order and some other great studies-
Monday, November 17, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Family Road Trip
We took a family road trip to Sedona & Flagstaff last weekend. We love to drive up north. Nick and I usually like to use it as a romantic getaway- but this time we took the girls for just a day trip.
We wanted to see the leaves changing, admire the red rocks, have a picnic,
enjoy the sights and sounds of Oak Creek,
visit the trout farm,
visit downtown Flagstaff for some walking, shopping and some white, hot chocolate- oh yum!
have some family time, make memories
mission accomplished....
PRICELESS!
Veteran's Day
i'm late- but didn't forget.
Veteran's Day - our day to recognize and honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country. I know FREEdom is not FREE. I can't even imagine all of what it has cost service men and women, the price they and their families have paid for us to be free in America.
I want to be diligent and faithful in prayer.
Dear God,
Thank you for the men and women who serve our country. Thank you for their commitment and sacrifice. I ask you according to Psalms 91, for the safety of our military personnel. I pray for the people of the war-torn land. May those who call upon your name be saved. Father, please provide for and protect the families of our armed forces. Preserve marriages, cause the hearts of the parents to turn toward their children, the hearts of children to turn towards the fathers and mothers. Provide a support system to hold, uplift and edify those who have been left to raise children by themselves. Comfort the lonely and strengthen the weary.
Thank you for your goodness, your faithfulness- your mercy.
Amen.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for a friend. John 14:13
Thank you Dad for serving our country- you chose to go and serve- Thank you! It's just another reason in the list of "why I love and respect you." xo
Veteran's Day - our day to recognize and honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country. I know FREEdom is not FREE. I can't even imagine all of what it has cost service men and women, the price they and their families have paid for us to be free in America.
I want to be diligent and faithful in prayer.
Dear God,
Thank you for the men and women who serve our country. Thank you for their commitment and sacrifice. I ask you according to Psalms 91, for the safety of our military personnel. I pray for the people of the war-torn land. May those who call upon your name be saved. Father, please provide for and protect the families of our armed forces. Preserve marriages, cause the hearts of the parents to turn toward their children, the hearts of children to turn towards the fathers and mothers. Provide a support system to hold, uplift and edify those who have been left to raise children by themselves. Comfort the lonely and strengthen the weary.
Thank you for your goodness, your faithfulness- your mercy.
Amen.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for a friend. John 14:13
Thank you Dad for serving our country- you chose to go and serve- Thank you! It's just another reason in the list of "why I love and respect you." xo
TOP 10 of the last TEN
- Enjoyed Lunch with my 20+ year friend- Karolina
- Took the girls and Kylia to see Madagascar
- PumpkinFest Carnival @ Lauren's school
- Family road trip to Sedona & Flagstaff (more details to follow)
- Brooke's Gymnastics
- Lauren's Tennis (& 23/23 on spelling test)
- Kate's got some new entertainment material ("Hello Mr. Ebbie")
- Got a call from a long, lost friend- can't wait to catch up & visit!
- Zoo Lights
- Home For Christmas
I'm BACK...
Where have I been... ? Out, about, taking care of kids, running errands, making memories, reading/ studying, hosting, helping Nick, nursing back pain and occasionally showering- ha ha. OK that one isn't true!
Sometimes when you are away- it's hard to get back...? Am I the only one who feels like that? I am out of touch with dear friends because as days pass, families grow, things change- it's sometime hard to figure out what went wrong or how to reconnect...
I have realized this year that we are a very intact, close family- but you can't do life alone- you gotta reach out- for help, fellowship, community. It's important to build, nurture and grow your friendships...
Family is great- friends are good too- especially cuz you can pick them.... : )
All that to say, I am back and will try to catch you up... and be better.
Sometimes when you are away- it's hard to get back...? Am I the only one who feels like that? I am out of touch with dear friends because as days pass, families grow, things change- it's sometime hard to figure out what went wrong or how to reconnect...
I have realized this year that we are a very intact, close family- but you can't do life alone- you gotta reach out- for help, fellowship, community. It's important to build, nurture and grow your friendships...
Family is great- friends are good too- especially cuz you can pick them.... : )
All that to say, I am back and will try to catch you up... and be better.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Lauren's Date with Daddy & Papa!
Lauren, Daddy & Papa headed out for the fair on Sunday as I put the little ones down for a nap. I always love to give Nick the opportunity to have a date with his girls; they love it, need it and it does our hearts good. Papa got to come along on this one too! A 3 generation outing- gotta love it!
Lauren is our animal lover so you can see how she picked to enjoy her first time @ the fair.
Lauren is our animal lover so you can see how she picked to enjoy her first time @ the fair.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The day after...
I voted! My vote went to McCain/ Palin. I am a conservative, republican. I believe we need change in this country, however my core values and beliefs align more with the republican party and in my opinion the change goes deeper than economics, the war, healthcare...
We talk about our founding fathers and the basis of what our country was founded on..... have we abandoned"one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all" and what about "in God we trust"? I believe we need change- but I am going to start with me. I am going to examine my heart, my efforts to serve the Lord and love his people, my priorities, my time, my commitments.
I don't fret over who will be the leader of the USA because GOD is ultimately in control. I believe in him, trust him, and will FOLLOW him. I have hope- I know peace, I can change- regardless of who is President.
my reference book: the Bible.
For I know the plans I have for you, says God, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. When you call on me- I will come. When you seek me- you will find me. I will bring you out of exile, gather you from all the nations and restore your fortunes. Jeremiah 29:11-14
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn away from wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9
Don't be anxious about anything, bu in everything by prayer with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4: 6-7
"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. Daniel 2:20-22
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let now your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27
I watch John McCain concede with grace and dignity- he asked us to come together as Americans- I will do that. I will be praying for our country, our direction, and our President- Barack Obama.
there.... said it- i'm done! Now on to celebrate a new day...
We talk about our founding fathers and the basis of what our country was founded on..... have we abandoned"one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all" and what about "in God we trust"? I believe we need change- but I am going to start with me. I am going to examine my heart, my efforts to serve the Lord and love his people, my priorities, my time, my commitments.
I don't fret over who will be the leader of the USA because GOD is ultimately in control. I believe in him, trust him, and will FOLLOW him. I have hope- I know peace, I can change- regardless of who is President.
my reference book: the Bible.
For I know the plans I have for you, says God, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. When you call on me- I will come. When you seek me- you will find me. I will bring you out of exile, gather you from all the nations and restore your fortunes. Jeremiah 29:11-14
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn away from wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9
Don't be anxious about anything, bu in everything by prayer with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4: 6-7
"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. Daniel 2:20-22
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let now your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27
I watch John McCain concede with grace and dignity- he asked us to come together as Americans- I will do that. I will be praying for our country, our direction, and our President- Barack Obama.
there.... said it- i'm done! Now on to celebrate a new day...
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