1 Corinthians 13 for moms

1st Corinthians 13 for Moms

If my child speaks in the tongues of men or of angels, masters sign language at six months and Spanish and Mandrin Chinese by six years, but does not learn to love, she is only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If he has the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge-ABCs at a year, reading by two, writing chapter books in Kindergarten-but does not have love, he is nothing. If I volunteer for every mommy ministry-MOPS, AWANA, Sunday School, and if I give all I possess to the poor (or at least bring loads of groceries to the foodbank), but do not have love, I gain nothing. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy other mother's lifestyle choices or possessions, it does not boast in the areas of my children’s natural strengths (while covering for their faults), it is not proud of the way my child potty trained before your child. It does not dishonor others by insisting that my method of parenting is the best, it is not self-seeking-hoping that you’ll notice how smart, talented or well rounded I am raising my child to be. It is not easily angered by perceived slights or misjudgments, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth that all of parenting is fueled and driven by God’s grace. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails-even where I have fallen painfully short of God’s best for my children. But where there are competitions to see whose body bounces back best after childbirth, they will cease; where there are verbal fights over the correct methods of discipline, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge about the best way to feed and clothe and nurture a child, it will pass away. For we know in part and we parent incompletely, but when they are fully grown, what we thought we knew about raising our children will disappear. When I was a new parent, I thought, spoke and reasoned with immaturity and without grace. As my children grew, I asked God to give me the wisdom to put these childish ways behind me. For now we see our children’s future as only a reflection as in a mirror; one day we will behold their adults selves face to face. Now I know in part; then we shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

-Katie Loveland

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This encouraged my heart in so many ways today.   I want to LOVE our children. 

Upward Basketball

Graham started playing Upward Basketball at the beginning of January.  He's learning a LOT about the game (mostly from Daddy's at-home coaching) and even gave his oral presentation at Classical Conversations last week on three important rules of the game.  

Part of Graham's cheering section:  Gma + Gpa, Nana, and Uncle Greg and Aunt Shirlee were in town and came by too!

A few things we like about Upward is that the focus is on Christian character, good sportsmanship, and learning the game.  Even the referee's take the time (for the first few games) to stop and explain calls to the players so that they can learn well.

Momma + Big Sister's Day Out

Reecie and I enjoyed a special time together on a Friday morning, just the TWO of us!  What a treat to "play" together.  :)  My friend Rebecca had gifted me a pedicure for my birthday, so it was the perfect opportunity for Hannah Reece's first pedicure.  I love the finished product but am so ticklish that it's hard for me to relax.  Reece on the other hand looked like she might fall asleep during the foot rub...she LOVED it and asked me if we could get a pedicure every week!  :)  I picked a bluish-gray color and Reece picked turquoise glitter polish.

Next, we headed to Starbucks for cold vanilla milk and a pink cake pop for Reecie, and chai tea latte and lemon loaf for me!

 I had planned to take Hannah Reece to a ceramic shop where the Smith's had given her a gift certificate for her birthday.  The night before, Aunt Choley texted to see if we had plans, so I invited she and Raeghan to come along.  The girls had fun painting together and afterward, we had lunch at Subway.

I am so grateful for my big girl Hannah Reece!  She is sweet company to keep.  :)

a family-style amazing race

Fishy faces at Bass Pro Shop

At Christmas, each individual family (on the Oedy side) gifted each other a special event in 2013.  Up first, an "Amazing Race" style photo-scavenger hunt complete with photos and clues.  Dan and I had fun planning the stops.  Dan's got quite a bit of experience in this department and we had a good time coming up with creative stops together.  Everyone had a great time!  They came back to the house afterward exhausted, happy and ready to chow down on the pizza they picked up at their last stop.  Uncle Greg and Aunt Shirlee were in town and joined in on the fun, too. 

Millie Grace with Grandma and Grandpa in her favorite ballerina costume

We included a Random Act of Kindness,...each team delivered a plate of rice krispie treats to a different fire station.  This was one of their favorite stops.

Rolling down the only hill in these parts at  a local park.

And the last stop...pick up your dinner!

Before the games begin...Dan filling in the gang on the rules.

Camille stayed home with Dan and I, not too happy to be left out.

Uncle Greg is such a good sport.

Go Eagles!

Tired and happy to be together.  :)

In the Groove

Last week was a bit rough after two weeks of no school/no structure.  It felt like usual after Christmas break was over...except that this year....our kids stay here with me!  No farming out of bad behavior or overstimulated brains from too much TV.  Oh I remember these times when I taught in public school.  The first week back was almost always a wash!  Which allows me to extend a little more grace to myself and the kids when transitional weeks come.  It's normal!  :)  So, we started out slowly.  Just the basics.  And a few  extra crafts and outside breaks.  This is the time of year we LOVE to be outside.  Florida winters almost make up for the sweltering tropics the other 9 months of the year. 

I'm happy to say that this week has been SO much better!  Dan and I pow-wowed about some things in the order of our days that needed tweaking and also, we have established a family Sabbath.  This will occur on Saturday, since as a minister, Sunday is a "work" day for our Dan.  Our homeschool week goes from Sunday-Thursday since Dan has Fridays and Saturdays off (mostly).  :)  

Without further ado, here's a little of what we've been up to lately!  

Millie LOVES her glitter glue/paint as much as her big sister!

We make it go a little further by squirting small blobs on the paper and painting in the blobs with paint brushes.  

Daddy and Millie snuggin'.  She is ALL about Daddy these days.  And Nana and Papa.  :)

Big girl hanging out in the front yard last weekend.  She is Daddy's yard helper and enjoys working side by side with him.

On Saturday, Graham's best "home brother", Johnathon came over for a birthday celebration. Dan took them to play putt-putt golf,  and at Graham's request, cheese fries and root beer afterward at Rib City.  These fellas are too funny.

This is what I get when I ask the two of them to pose for a picture--instant bunny ears.  Are they nine + ten or what?  ;)

Today, we had a little crafty fun!  I found some festive pipe-cleaners in the $1 section of Target, so we twisted and hooked lots of little hearts together....

....made glasses....

....and lollipops....

and this cute garland!  I love it.  It hangs on the entertainment cabinet in our living room.  I need to remember that pipe cleaners are such a great way to entertain.  Pretty sure that we spent close to an hour doodling with these things.

This was Hannah Reece's math project in her Saxon K program.  We created a "pictograph" together.

I love her illustrations.  I accidentally flipped her oven upside down...oops!

Our Favorite Winter Activities by Hannah Reece
"We play in the snow."  (She wanted to include that from when we lived in N.Carolina several years ago!)
"We play on the playground."
"We swim in the pool."
"We go to the farmers market."
"We drink hot chocolate."
"We like to read."
"We bake treats in the oven."
"We celebrate Jesus at church."

Graham is nine!

Our big boy is "halfway to grown-up"---I can hardly believe it!  How did nine years pass SO quickly. Here are a few highlights from Graham's birthday, nine-year-old style.

We woke Graham up with a lively rendition of the Happy Birthday Song, piled up in his bed and served up a "Graham Special":  hot chocolate with loads of whipped cream and mini-marshmellows.  :)

It's tradition that the birthday person gets to choose our meals for the whole day (or at least breakfast and dinner! )  Graham's choice for breakfast was an Egg McMuffin, hashbrown, and I made strawberry-banana-pineapple smoothies for everyone.   

And for dinner:  Papa John's pepperoni pizza.  It HAD to be Papa John's, because they go light on the sauce, just the way D.G. likes it.  I am still amazed that he chose pizza for dinner because until this year, he's NEVER liked pizza. Of course he had his favorite most favorite drink with his pizza, Fanta Orange.  

Special birthday signage, made "better" by Millie.  

This was the best shot I got of Graham blowing out his birthday candles.  Proof that I am moving slowly these days.  :)   Also proof that Graham was so surrounded by his adoring family that even the mama-razzi couldn't break through the crowd of cousins gathered closely 'round.   

Time to open gifts.  Lots of Lego sets, clothes, glow-in-the-dark nerf football and even a homemade marshmellow shooter (thanks Uncle Matt and Aunt Choley for that little gem!)  ;)

Colton makes the coolest Lego cards.  The Lego creation is hinged and opens up to reveal a paper card inside with a sweet message from the Bunt family.  Graham loved it. 

This boy who made me a mother nine years ago.  And we are so grateful for our sweet son! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRAHAM!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hannah Reece's creations

This one just makes my heart melt.  She sang a song she wrote for me called "O Mom, You are love".

Reecie, you are such a precious girl.  You have SO much creative energy, it overwhelms me because it's hard to keep up with all that you are able to multi-task and think about at once!   It's is amazing!   I tell folks that I have the worst memory, and God blessed me with yours.  You are able to remember the tiniest details.   I am so sorry that I can be impatient with you darlin'.  I loved our snuggle conversation at bedtime when you asked me why I am more patient with Graham than you.  It is definitely easier to relate and understand a child who is wired a little more "like" me.  I am so black and white and "by the book" sometimes.  I know it is hard for you when I get side-tracked and forget something that you need from me.  I used to think I had it together until I had you , girl.  YOU have it together.  :)  I love you so, so much. I apologized and we both agreed that we need to work on being more gentle and patient with each other.  We prayed about this together.  Your personality challenges and inspires me on every level.  I love your creativity.  I love your willingness to serve others...with beautiful smile on your face!  I love the way you surprise me with a kind word or back rub when you can see that I'm struggling.  I love the way you lead your sister and (try) to even lead your big  brother.  Daddy and I can see that God has gifted you with the spiritual gifts of service and administration.  What a beautiful combination.  I pray that we will help you to develop these gifts to the glory of God.  You are a wonderfully made, Hannah Reece!

All my love,
Momma

This one at the top says "I love Jesus" over the fireplace.  And the picture frame was my Christmas gift from Hannah Reece.  She made it at Community Bible study, found this picture to put in it and wrapped it up so pretty when we got home.  SO sweet.