In Case They Ever Wonder

I love Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. Several years ago he had a reality show called Shalom in the Home , (Matt and I were so disappointed when it went off the air), and I've been a fan ever since. Raising Outstanding Children is one of the best short articles on parenting I've seen in a long time. My best friend, Ashley , sent this to me and suggested printing it out to keep these values in the forefront of our minds. Some of my very favorite quotes... "Stop asking your child what he wants to do with his life - start asking who he wants to be...If your child becomes a president, but is a corrupt politician, then you've failed, he says. But if he's an honest garbage collector with a good heart, you've succeeded." Preach it, Shmuley. "Stop speaking to your child about a career - talk instead about a calling...God has given you a unique gift that no one else has - find out what makes you special, and then give it to the world." Oh, how I want to help my c...

Yes, it is only a homeschool coop. Yes, it's only one day a week. But, it was her first day in the first grade and we celebrated (complete with obnoxious Veggie Tale song) like she was going to college. Because in our family - we like to party . And so we did. Cupcakes the night before, presents and sign the morning of, and PF Changs for dinner. All for the first day in the first grade. We bought a new backpack and lunchbox (for one day a week thank-you-very-much). Matt took the morning off, we all drove her to school, and she hugged Lillie like they might never see each other again. We did the "kissing hand" and I whispered prayers for our first graders first day. At the end of the first day in the first grade, we learned she has a nice teacher, a great friend in her class, and at recess, she was "the queen." It was a great first day. She is confident and full of joy. I know we have "the tween years" and middle school, tears and doubting, and dram...

She must be a third child because I never ever would have allowed Sophie to try a popsicle at 7 months old! I was a little more laid back with Will since he was 25 pounds and eating meat by the time he was seven months old, but I still wouldn't have ever given him a popsicle! I tried to tell myself that it was OK since it was a paleta from Whole Foods, and hey, a popsicle feels great on teething gums! But the truth is, I just wanted to shop with a happy baby rather than a fussy one, and I'm a tad more laid back with this third child! Poor kid only averaged a bath or two a week for her first few months and while I wouldn't let Sophie see a television screen at Lillie's age, I'd be thrilled if Lille developed an interest in early-morning PBS! Thank goodness Lillie doesn't seem to be any worse for wear, and in fact, I'm starting to wonder if there's a connection between my newfound laid-back style and my happy, smiley baby! And really, who isn't happi...

This was one of the last things I saw before collapsing in the bed last night. I went to check on Soph and Will, and when I saw them holding hands asleep, I almost heard God laughing-ly whisper, "this blessing was brought to you courtesy of the condo!" So, I went downstairs, grabbed the camera, and whispered back my thanks for children that are getting to, not having to experience sharing a room. Several hours later (though I would have sworn it was only a few minutes), I'm sleeping peacefully, with Lillie and Matt tucked in beside me, only to see two grinning roosters, loudly crowing, "Happy Bane Bane Day! Happy Bane Bane Day! Come downstairs and have your breakfast! We've played the Bane Bane Game!" Jolted awake, I yelled at Matt to check the time. He was meant to be at the office by 9 today, and I was so upset that we'd somehow slept through our alarm. I just knew it must be somewhere in the 10s because Sophie Roden never ever gets up on her own be...

The past seven days have been a whirlwind! Last Sunday night, I was preparing a back-to-school breakfast table and packing lunch for Sophie's 1st Day in the 1st Grade! Since then we've... taken Sophie to her first day of school on Monday and met her new teacher, Mrs. Greer (more about that later) had a back-to-school dinner at P.F. Chang's to celebrate on Monday night backed into a telephone pole on Tuesday had Aunt Ashley save Sophie from being hit by a car, within an hour after hitting the telephone pole (one of the scariest experiences ever, poor Aunt Ashley still has a nervous twitch from it) sent Sophie with Patti-Grams and Tato on her first trip to NYC ( much more about that later, but just know she saw Lion King and Mary Poppins in the same day! It was that kind of trip!) worked like a dog to bring a little order to the condo on Wednesday stayed up super-late with Ash tagging for an upcoming consignment sale Wednesday night sent Will to Aunt Ashley's house on...

Being both the wife and daughter of pastors, (not to mention having a sister and brother-in-law) also in ministry, I have heard many a gut-wrenching story. The pain that is a part of life here on earth can be overwhelming, and I often hear more-than-my-fair-share of stories of sickness, loss, and tragedy. But this past week, this family's story has rocked me to the core. A family - too much like mine - that loves the Lord and each other. A family that had experienced plenty of normal stresses and strains, but had never had their faith rocked to the core. Until last week. I have no understanding of the depth of pain of these two parents . But I know that the depth of their faith is sustaining them - giving them the ability to breathe in and out, when no doubt it would be easier not to. This family is showing me that faith like theirs makes a difference when the bottom falls out. And that friendship like they have with Jesus matters when nightmares become reality. That it is possib...

Lillie at six months is pure joy! She is a beautiful, animated, gentle little girl, and I am amazed daily at how good-natured she is. She smiles most of the day, sleeps well during her naps, and coos like crazy at everyone in our family! She is a dream baby - the kind that had she been born first, I would have sworn I wanted a dozen! She is as attached, (if not more so) to me as Sophie and Will. I would never have dreamed that a third baby could be spoiled, but somehow I have managed. She can be playing and cooing contentedly in the mornings, but if she spies me slip off to the shower, she squalls! As long as she is in my arms, she is as happy as a lark! She loves when she and I are alone together; I think she pretends she's an only child! Lillie weighed in at her 6-month checkup at 15 pounds even, and she was 26.25 inches. She is growing and changing, but she still seems little to me. Not a tooth to be found in her sweet little mouth, and the baby has never slept a wink in a crib...

Every night before bed, I pray that Will will grow into a man who is strong and true. I tell him stories of courage, strength, honesty, and loyalty. I encourage him to protect his sisters and show kindness to others. But sweet Will walks a fine line between angel and thug. He's a great kid, but every now and then, he gets a little glimmer in his eyes that tell me I'm about to deal with Wild Will. Currently, I've seen a little more of that glimmer than I'd like as Will is in what you might call a wee bit of a "negative stage." Along with the sounds of a 40 pound two year old hitting, pushing, hair-pulling, and tackling (and sisters big and little crying accordingly), here are a few little "gems" heard around our house this week. "Sleep makes me throw up," "Water makes me throw up," "This song makes me throw up," or " insert-any-other-activity- food-or-person-that-he-cur rently-finds-distasteful makes me throw up!...

Aunt Tori and Uncle Derek pulled off another amazing birthday party for Soph! This year's theme was American Girl Spa (and Golf Club - for Jack, Will, and Cole!) Aunt Tori and Uncle Derek's house was covered in red and pink stars and (Sophie's favorite), beautiful flowers, ribbons, makeup, and nail polish! The girls began their visit "checking in" at the spa with Patti-Grams, and changing into their flip flops and spa robes. They then had a hair appointment with Aunt Tori (they could choose, "the Kit," "the Rebecca," "the Felicity" or "the Hope", then a makeup appointment with Patti-Grams, followed by a chance to make their own spa product with me, and ending with their nail appointment and massage from Aunt Hope! Jack and Will played a round of golf outside, followed by Wii Sports Resort inside! Of course, the boys had to have a little spa action, so they got a "shave" before they were ready for cake! Sophie can...