What to Do with TV???

I have struggled with what to let my children watch on TV.  What is age appropriate?  What correlates with our morals (not much by the way)?  Time and time again, I come out on the very conservative side.  I have a 9, 8, and 6 year old who still watch toddler shows and Little House on the Prairie. 

As a child, my family did not have a TV.  (So, don't ask me about the Smurfs or any other popular cartoon when I was a child).  We got our first TV when I was in high school.  There were times when I felt so left out because I had no idea what the other children were discussing...or singing...or watching.  However, as an adult, I see the wisdom in my parents decision not to have a television.

We, as a family, have decided to have a television; however, my children are allowed to watch very little.  No matter how I try to protect them...I still have to switch the channel during football game commercials and turn off a show in the middle because I don't like the way they are talking or the things they are promoting.  And, then there was the time I thought the girls would like to watch Dancing with the Stars.  (Big mistake on my part)

Today, I heard about Miley Cyrus' VMA performance.  So, I decided to watch and see what all the fuss was about...What in the world?  That cute little tween that we, as a nation, allowed our children to idolize is dancing half nude, making obscene gestures, and barely singing.  Why didn't her mother go up and cover her up and yank her butt off that stage?  She is 20 years old....not even old enough to legally drink alcohol.  What has happened to this nation that we see no issue in exploiting our children?  What is she teaching all those pre-teen girls that idolize her?  Do we really wonder why our teenagers are sexually active at younger and younger ages?

Today, I am feeling blessed that my children are happy to watch Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I am praying that as they get older I can continue to take a stand on what I allow my children to take in...because it makes a difference!!  We, as Christians, need to take a stand...we need to look different!

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things"  Philippians 4:8

Faith and Love...Like a Child

We were sitting at a park-n-ride waiting to "exchange" children.  I had 4 kids with me...which included the little boys, Noah, and a friend.  Parked in the back of the park-n-ride towards the woods was a 70's style van with a tarp on top, a shaggy dog, and a "homeless" looking man.  Now, I know from previous discussions that this man lives in his van. 

The kids start asking me about the van and its occupant.  I explain a little and then reply without much thought...."How sad for him.  We should pray for him."  Then, I dismissed the matter.  Noah and his friend continue to ask if they can go talk to the man.  Finally, they get out some cheese sticks and some apples that I had packed for a snack...They decide they would like to take it to the man. 

At this point, I am getting very uncomfortable...I mean, the man looks shady.  I am weak...I can't protect the kids.  I'm not sure this is safe. I start offering excuses to the kids but they are persistent.  My friend arrives (safety in numbers right...I mean together we are 2 tough mommas :)  and we discuss and agree they can take the food to the man....as we watch from a safe distance.

So, Noah and his friend take the food over and talk with the man for a few minutes.  As I watched them walk over, I felt so convicted....THIS IS GOD'S LOVE IN ACTION!!!  Shame on me for trying to squelch His spirit in those two little boys!  Shame on me for not taking the food myself!

When He's There...and You Want to Be Too

This week has been hard for me.  My husband is in Guatemala loving on the children at Dorie's Promise and working in the surrounding community of Guatemala City.  It hasn't been hard because he is gone (although that is no walk in the park).  It is hard because I want to be there. 

Eight years ago, I stepped foot in Guatemala to meet my daughter...and since then my life has never been the same. 

 

I have grown to love the people and culture of Guatemala.  In addition, God has placed a burden on my heart for orphans who will never know the love of a forever family.

 

So, when I  skype with him and hear his excitement for the people he is meeting or the lives that are being changed with water filters, chicken coops, and cement floors....I feel jealous!  I know God has called me here, at home, for this week...but knowing God's plan and truly accepting God's plan are often two different things.  As I am here canning green beans, doing laundry, making meals, going to speech therapy appointments, I often feel like God had to have more than this in mind for me.  I mean He gave me this huge heart for orphans...and I haven't been on a missions trip in two years.  What is going on...has He forgotten that He placed these desires in my heart....does He not see that others are living out my "heart"?

As I was having a pity party for myself, I received this email from my dear friend who is also in Guatemala this week.
"To think this all goes back to Brian and you adopting Anna! You guys never knew how this would have grown and how many people would be coming to the special place in your heart-Guatemala"
It was like God was giving me a hug and telling me to hold on...He hasn't forgotten me...He has a plan much bigger than I could ever imagine.  So, I am choosing to thank God for the little girl who changed my heart...

and the people who gave up their week of vacation to love on "the least of these" in  Guatemala.

 

Psalm 27:14  "Wait for the Lord.  Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord."

Traveling with 5 Kids Is A Lot like a Circus

Our family has been "on the road" the past couple of weeks.  We went camping with the Siegrist clan...

and visited Myrtle Beach with my parents....

On top of the crazy moments that go with feeding, bathing, and sleeping children in a new situations, I have some really funny travel moments (actually I am not sure funny is the right word but sometimes all you can do is laugh ;)

*Noah "accidentally" rides his bike into the lake.  Now, Noah is a very intelligent young man...tell me, how do you ride your bike into a lake, not a puddle, A LAKE!!!

*We stopped at a disgusting gas station for a bathroom break.  We had to stop here because the traffic was at a  stand still and we needed a bathroom.  Malachi is potty training so I took him to the bathroom.  Why must little kids put their hands on the toilet seat???    Despite this, I took him to the bathroom, turned my head to flush the toilet with a paper towel....Malachi picks up a plunger and touches the end that goes in the toilet.   YUCK!!!!

*After our breakfast stop at Cracker Barrel, I take 3 kids to the bathroom.  The girls each go into their stalls to use the restroom.  I take Malachi in a stall with me.  While he is going potty, I realize breakfast is not agreeing with my stomach.  So, I am trying to deal with my situation and keep Malachi from opening the stall door and touching the floor or walls.  In addition, I need to  make the girls stand still outside the stall.  FUN TIMES!!! Why doesn't Brian ever get into these situations?

*My mom got the boys these little pull behind wagons for the beach.  We rattled all the way down to the beach.  A lady met us on the way back and said, "I love your wagons.  I heard them going down to the beach early this morning."  Not sure she really loved them...

*Noah, along with his buddy, caught a lizard.  He was so happy!  We went to the beach, came back to the condo....the lizard was fine.  We went to the pool for a short time, came in to eat lunch...the lizard was dead.  Oh, the crying....you would have thought a person died.  Lucky for Noah (not me), his buddy gave him one of the smaller lizard he had caught.  So, now, we have a pet lizard.

 

 

 

All in all, we had some great vacations...and made some great memories! 

Racism is For Real

With all the recent events like the Trayvon Martin/Zimmerman trial and Paula Deen's racial slurs/attitude, I have been thinking about this world in which my children are growing up.  I have always known that racism exists...unfortunately, I have known far too many racist people.  However, it wasn't until bringing the boys home, that I realized IT IS EVERYWHERE!!!  It is not always presented with an in your face comment, but it is the way people act when a group of African American boys walk by, or a joke that is degrading to Hispanic people, or someone describing another human "as black, I mean really black".   (By the way---I absolutely hate this...what does it matter if they are light brown, dark brown, or black...are they more or less of a person by the degree of color in their skin...do I describe  you as "white, I mean really white"?)

As an adoptive mother, it is impossible for me to go anywhere with my children without people staring.  Now, some are staring because they are curious about adoption.  Some are staring because I have so many children.  However, some are staring because they disagree with our family makeup...and it is evident in their facial expressions. 

When you have children that are a different race than you, you become much more aware of the prevalence of racism and attitudes towards people of different races and ethnicities (both within yourself and those you come in contact with).  Over the past few months, I have noticed several cases/attitudes and it has really made me think about how my boys and oldest girl are going to be treated differently because of the color of their skin.  It will not matter to some that they were raised by the same parents as my biological children...whether they have good moral character or not...all that will matter is that they are not white!  That to me is heartbreaking and infuriating!

So, from this point forward, I am going to call people out on their off-handed remarks.  (This will be very challenging for me as I hate confrontation.)  However, I can not let my children grow up thinking that I think less of them because their skin doesn't match mine. I figure I might offend some people, but I'm willing to do that for my children.  I love them too much to not try and make the world a place "where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King Jr.) 

So Thankful for My Husband

I am not really a gushy person.  (My husband would be embarrassed if he knew I was gushing about him...but he doesn't read my blog:) 

But, after the past two weeks, I am ready to shout my husband's praises from the rooftop. 


Brian has been away on business for the past two weeks....so, I have been all alone....Doing. Everything. Myself. (breakfast, dressing, swim practice, lunch, potty training, discipline, cleaning, dinner, swim meets, baths, bedtime)  Even though my husband is typically not home until dinner or later, I always know he will be home to bath the kids, play with them way too late, do prayers and bedtime, and clean up from dinner.  But, when you face the day knowing you will not get a break until they go to bed and then there is still cleaning...it is so draining!

(By the way, I have all the more respect for single mothers after these past two weeks!)


Now, before you go thinking "WOW what a woman!"....let me just tell you, while I was swinging solo, there were some real winner moments...

*Noah went to a birthday party with no card.  His gift, a gift card, was stuck into a plain envelope that was only partially decorated.
*There were tons of unhealthy dinners...chicken nuggets, bagged French fries, canned ravioli, and frozen pizzas
*One night for dinner, I let Malachi eat M&M's and potato chips....because I was just too tired to deal with the fight.  At least, he ate something...RIGHT?
*We skipped baths a few nights...the chlorine from the pool cleans them, I think
*Malachi played the ipad while sitting on the potty....great potty training method, huh?
*I let my 8 year old son mow the lawn....because I just didn't have 2 hours to spare


So, at the end of these two weeks, I am thankful that God has blessed me with a wonderful friend....

and a terrific father....

and I am thankful that he is coming home!!!!

What If You Could Know the Future?

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future..."

What if you could know the future?  Would you want to know how things are going to turn out?  I used to think I would love to know the future....who should I marry?  should I take the job?  should I be-friend a particular person?  will my children grow up to love and serve Jesus?  However,

about four months...

knowing a part of the future became a possibility....

Four months ago, my mom was presented with information regarding the BRAC test.  This test allows patients to undergo blood work to determine if they have genetic indicators for female cancers.  If my mom would carry the gene, then my sister and I would undergo the test to see if we carry the gene.  If we have the gene, we would then decide how we want to handle the information...be more proactive with yearly exams, change lifestyles,  have a hysterectomy and/or a double mastectomy.

My first reaction was ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!  I do not want to know that I am going suffer through surgeries and have to undergo radiation and chemotherapy.  I watched my mom fight the battle....and I don't want to know that that is my future.  Then, I thought what if I refuse to participate and my sister ends up with cancer in a few years....and having the test could have prevented it or delayed it...how could I live with myself?  So, I agreed. 

The test have been drawn...and now we wait!  A part of me is nervous....a part of me just wants to know and take any necessary steps....and another part of me just doesn't think about it :)

Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.