Changes

Hubby was listening to a play list the other day and on it was the song Landslide. It got me thinking; I have had a number of good intentions, but good intentions don't get you far. Only purposefully doing something will get you anywhere. To make up your mind to be intentional about changing your situation or surroundings is the only way they will every change. So, there are some changes I have been leery of making that are past due in their time.  I have been leery honestly not because of fear, more due to just putting off till tomorrow what I should do today. Something I have felt conviction over lately is my personal time with Heavenly Father. I honestly don't take time. I think my day is full and there is too much on my plate, I rationalize telling myself that He see's all that I have going on, he understands.
But when I really sit back and think about it, I am cheating him of the one thing he asks of me. I am ashamed. So now I have a plan. Last summer I bought a book, my intention was to read it and pray daily for Hubby. Pray over every aspect of his person. I failed. I only reached chapter 12. I also had wanted to read my Bible daily as it is a wonderful way to grow, be renewed and refreshed. I didn't get far with that either. You see I fell into the trap that I think many good intentioned people fall into. I have a great idea, I even start it. But at some point, I stop. Claiming that life just got too busy or something else. Never really owning up to it. So this is me, owning up to my short comings. Those good intentions that only got so far. I don't want to be a woman of good intentions I want to be a woman of character, of worth.
So this is me making a public statement of commitment to read a chapter of Proverbs every day, there are 31 chapters so I should be able to read through the book every month. I also want to go through that book and pray for a different aspect of Hubby everyday over the course of a month, there are 30 prayers. I want to make a change, I want to be the change in my little family. I am not saying that we are at the brink of badness, but there is always room for improvement. And I want to show my children that intentions don't make the person, but follow through and dedication does. Lead by example. I haven't been the best leader, there is room for change and improvement. I pray that God would direct my path so that my family can draw closer to him. Until next time dear readers, be blessed.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Adventures In Teaching Moments

I had to run some errands today. Miniman was not feeling well yesterday and has stayed home from school today. Bubbles who is used to our first week of the month routine was ready to get things going.I packed them up in the truck and started out. Water for everyone of course as it doesn't take long to get hot here in the south.  Our first stop was Walmart. I needed to pick up a few things and then off to pay the rent. When we finished getting the few things I needed we went to self check out. While I was putting money in the machine some change fell to the floor. I couldn't tell if it was from my wallet or from the machine so I let the cashier know what was going on and asked her to keep the change so that she drawer wouldn't come up short.  We then left to pay the rent. Upon returning to the truck after paying the rent, Bubbles was acting funny. I noticed she was clutching something under her dress at her chest. So I retrieved the item and was upset as she had taken a push pop from the store without my knowledge. I immediately became upset with her. I informed the kids that we were returning to Walmart so that Bubbles could return what she had taken and apologize. On the way there I lectured Bubbles on stealing. I reminded her that if you steal you go to jail. Kind people don't go to jail only unkind who do bad things, and I am not raising thieves and unkind children. To some this may sound harsh, but in all honesty I need her to realize the severity of her actions, feel contrition and make the right choice. The choice to be kind and to take responsibility for ones actions. Yes, I know she just turned four; however if we are to teach our children right from wrong we need to take advantage of the lessons we have the opportunity to give. I understand that some would not return to the store and just write off the small amount said push pop cost. I also understand that some would say that she doesn't understand what she is doing.
 Well, I need her to understand. So we returned to Walmart, found the cashier that assisted me earlier and Bubbles had to give back the push pop and apologize for her actions. I am very proud of her for being contrite and apologizing. I am not happy with the Walmart employee. Upon Bubbles fulfilling her duties the employee looked at her and told Bubbles that "it's okay".
Here is where I take issue. If it were okay for Bubbles to steal I wouldn't have made her bring it back and apologize. If it were okay I wouldn't have make it a point to teach her a life lesson. It is not okay to take something that you didn't pay for and doesn't belong to you. If it were okay people could take whatever they wanted and not have any repercussions. This is not the case. If you steal you are breaking the law, it is not okay if you need to apologize for it. These are priceless lessons my children need to have in order for them to be good citizens, have integrity and be kind to others. Why aren't others teaching their children these things? Is it more humorous to teach your child sarcasm and allow them to do things that would make the previous generation of parents blush?? It's no wonder things have gotten out of control in the world today. Who teaches the children boundaries, responsibility, integrity, honor, and kindness? Not our public or private teachers.. no the one who teaches these things and other good qualities are the parents. No one else is responsible for that child unless they skirt their responsibility.
I want my children to be adults who are kind, have character, integrity and all the other good morals that make them good people to be around. If I want that I need to be their parent. Not just someone who helped create another person and then be irresponsible with their upbringing. When I leave this life for the next one I want to know I did everything I could to create a better world. Even if it is just by leaving my children behind knowing they are fully equipped to be all they can be and rise above others in questionable circumstances. In that instance alone, I will have done my duty as a parent.
 If it really takes a village, shouldn't those in the village also be reinforcing the values children learn at home? The truth is that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it just takes dedicated parents who are willing to teach and train their children.