Complete and utter randomness

1. It is too hot to actually live in Texas. You might want to visit, but I would suggest not staying long.

2. I snagged two, yes two pieces of Pampered Chef stoneware at a yard sale today for $1 each. Yeah for me!

3. New bed for dear son #1 - $50. Surprising the boys with their own space to hang out- $200. Watching hubby's face when I shared my brilliant plan and asked him to move three rooms of furniture - priceless.

4. The state of Texas should not be inhabited during the summer months...period.

5. Only two months until we visit Idaho...where it's cool.

6. Only two months until the start of college football. Life is good.

7. Homemade iced coffee makes me happy. Not having to plop down $4 at Starbucks makes me almost giddy.

8. Growing my hair out drives me nuts.

9. A day without depression is better than watching college football, sipping iced coffee with my best friend on a 75 degree day....yeah, it's that good.

10. Did I mention it's hot?

How does your garden grow?

A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. Ecclesiastes 3:2

I had one of those "aha" moments this morning. You know the kind. You've read a verse many times and suddenly it jumps off the page and hits you upside the head. God works that way with me sometimes...He knows I'm a bit hardheaded.

In my "aha" moment, it struck me (pun intended) how planting and harvesting applies to parenting and homeschooling. Every moment of every day is an opportunity. Every time I interact with my kids I am either planting a new seed, watering a struggling sprout, pulling some unsightly weed that's crept in, or chasing off crows as they attempt to pluck up the fresh shoot.

But what are we planting? Are we sowing seeds of wisdom? An open, honest relationship with the Lord? Seeds of the fruit of that relationship (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control)?

Or are we inadvertently sowing weed seeds - the beginnings of things we do not want growing in our children's lives? We speak impatiently. We've just sown a seed. We react in an unkind manner towards a child. We've just watered the seed of unkindness. We raise our voice to our kids. We've just fostered a lack of self-control in their little hearts.

Now this is not to say they are not responsible for their own actions, but when they are young, we are the ones doing most of the planting, watering, weeding and chasing off crows. Yes, you really do reap what you sow. Makes me stop and think. What am I sowing? When they speak harshly to one another, I have to ask myself "Where did they learn that? Are they mirroring my attitude in some way?"

Ouch! I don't necessarily like having a mirror held up to my attitudes, words and actions, but that's the way of parenting. Come to think of it, that's the way of living a godly life. We are to be a reflection of Christ. I have four little mirrors looking back at me that will either reflect a Christ-like attitude or one that resembles the world around them. Either one starts with what's being planted at home.

Now take a deep breath, put on those gardening gloves and go plant something good.

Parenting pre-teens

Parenting. Just when you think you have some things "sort of" figured out...boom...it all changes.

With two of the four falling into the "pre-teen" category in our house, things are definitely changing. I thought the baby and toddler years were tough - sleep deprivation, potty training and constant redirecting of behavior. Now we're dealing with excessive testosterone, a desire for independence, deep spiritual questions, new forms of reasoning and challenging ideas. All a very normal part of growing up, but it is requiring an entirely different form of parenting.

The Five Love Languages of Teenagers has been a tremendous help. I checked in out from the library, but quickly figured out it's one of those "got to own it" sort of books.

I am beginning to see the difference between how we parent our little ones versus how our older kids need to be instructed and led. OK, maybe I'm a bit slow. After living with four little ones for so long, I wasn't making the transition, but instead was continuing to use what worked when they were younger. Not working so well now.

I feel as if we're learning to parent all over again. Let's just say my learning curve is off the charts right now. Thank goodness God's mercies are new every morning. Otherwise I'd be in a world of hurt.

Hey, maybe by the time the last one is grown we'll have this whole thing somewhat figured out...maybe...but I doubt it.

World's best chocolate chip cookies

You think I'm joking. These are seriously the best cookies you will ever make. Unfortunately, I can't take credit for the recipe...stole it from a friend. Try them out. Your family will rise up and call you blessed.

1 stick of butter
3/4 cup of butter flavored Crisco
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 t vanilla
2 eggs
3 1/2 cups flour
1 t salt, baking soda and baking powder
1 bag chocolate chips (this recipe is also great with peanut butter or butterscotch chips)

Mix ingredients (I just throw the wet ingredients in my KitchenAid, then add the dry and blend. If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour...you should be able to pick it up without it sticking to everything)

Bake at 325 for 10-15 minutes (in my oven I do 13...you'll have to play with the time).

Cool one minute and remove to rack (unless your family is eating them right off the cookie sheet!)