I don't want my children to be happy

Parenthood. Let's just get one thing straight. I don't like to play the bad guy. Honestly I thought I'd be better at it. It's just so much fun to see the one thing you love most in the world smile. It is already evident that Isaac needs structure and discipline. I've compared dogs, adolescents, athletes, etc. to children in their need to push their boundaries. Now i have a child and it is so obvious. Children need and crave those boundaries. Ultimately the things they don't get or the delayed gratification is done with LOVE. If all we did was play and he never learned to be a gentleman (there are so few these days), would i really be a good mama?! So Isaac, my goal is not your happiness, nor was it my parents' goal and i appreciate that more and more :-)

I recently saw this blog linked from another and this mother write about my sentiments exactly.... here. Worth the read.

Many of us adults can take the advice of how to be content rather than happy. Everyday brings more challenges. Overcoming them in a way that is pleasing to God is the most important lesson we can pass on to our children.

Isaac livin it up in KCMO!

sometimes i forget not everyone has fb. some new pics of the love of my life!

raining baby showers

SHOWER #1

SHOWER #2

SHOWER #3

be grounded

Church this morning really spoke to me and i wanted to share with ya. Pastor Purkey preached on Mark, chapter 4, The Parable of the Sower.

He spoke on the power of words and speaking God's word. At some point, no matter who you are, we will all be overwhelmed by our responsibilities and the world. You need to ask yourself... Am i on good ground? It is entirely possible to come to church and still be of the world.

If you are in the word, they will not understand your faith and your commitment. They wonder why you go to church on Sundays or whenever. But those of you who are there know that LIFE is being spoken. Mark also spoke about the possibility of being excited about the word, but lacking "roots". Do not mistake emotional reaction for spiritual depth.

It is essential that you have enough roots to withstand. Ground yourself to be able to take the next step. Some of you are just a step or two away from a blessing. There are so many cares of the world to get caught up in... whether it's emotional, financial, spiritual, success, lust, money, work, home, etc. The enemy is trying to wear you out! But if you seek the kingdom of God, everything else will fall into place. God doesn't mind you having things... He minds things having you!

God will provide. You can't just say 'I want my blessing' and leave the blesser... or 'I want to be healed' and leave the the healer.

It is up to us to be spiritually mature enough to discern what is choking you? What are you worried about? Pastor Purkey spoke on how we should be grateful for what we have... That none of us rode to church on a bike (and the church laughed)... That none of us live in a tent (and i cried). Yes, i tie everything back to Haiti in my mind.

There are so many people who only dream of having what we have on what we think is our very worst days. We should strive to praise and thank the Lord and to stand grounded in His word no matter our circumstances. Because if you treasure something other than Him, you can be sure He knows how to take that away.

Ima leave you with a video that Isaac and i listen to just about everyday by Wyclef and Mavado... both talented artists that sing meaning into many of their songs.

This only takes 5 seconds

This month, world leaders will map out Haiti's future. But no one has given Haiti's poor a seat at the table. Send a msg to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

If we don't act now, the inequality & poverty that plagued this country for so long could be built into the very fabric of Haiti's reconstruction process.

Click HERE to sign a petition with Oxfam to give the Haitian people a voice in their own future.