Discipleship through singing.... even with babies!

Tonight as we sat together singing songs about the birth of our Savior, Josiah even joined in. So of course, Mark videotaped it and uploaded the video for the world to see. Discipleship of our children starts very early, and we thank the Lord for each child He has blessed us with as it is a privilege to train children to know God and walk in His truth.

Minka's story of adoption

This article was shared with us by a friend, and I wanted to share it with you. 
Read the whole article here

"I do not remember all the details that revealed my pregnancy. My mother went to our German Lutheran pastor and together they determined the course I was to take. I was checked into a Lutheran Home and Adoption Agency for girls. I had never been away from home or my mother but I was at the mercy of their decision."

Minka was 16 years old when she found out she was pregnant. After much encouragement, she gave her daughter up for adoption. 77 years later, she met the daughter that she loved enough to give life to. Minka reflects on the lives that  would have been lost had she aborted her baby. A mother's love for her child remains a powerful force, even after years of separation physically. 

Raising children or adults?

What is my responsibility as a mom?  Do I want to have children leave my house at 18 years of age or is my goal to send out capable, well prepared 18 year old adults?  I am sure we have all met 18 years old children.  The boy who spends his entire paycheck the day he earns it (if he has job).  The girl who does not know how to make a meal (other than mac n' cheese from the blue box) or does not know what to do with a newborn baby.

Now, don't get me wrong, There is a time and place for kids to just be kids.  I do not let my babies cry it out.  I want them to know that I love them and know there needs.  I know many loving parents who do let their babies cry, but in our family, the babies are baby-ed.  Samuel is almost 2 and he is definitely still a baby.

At some point, however, we start to expect more of them. Even now, Samuel helps with chores.  He is not washing dishes or mowing the lawn.  He is throwing away his wet diapers, putting his clothes in the laundry basket, and helping put away his toys.  Sometimes, he runs to do his chores and other times he needs some extra encouragement.  I want him to understand that he has a part in this family and he can contribute like everyone else.

Naomi, at 4 years old, can wash dishes (not all of them but she can do some), sort laundry, put away toys, sweep,  make a bed, wipe the bathroom,  help cook meals, and more.

Virginia, age 8, does all of the above, plus do laundry, makes simple meals, helps with baby care (getting Samuel dressed, or wiping his face) and more.

At 15, Nathaniel can do even more.  He can make simple meals by himself, and more complicated ones with instructions from the other room.  If needed, Nathaniel can keep the house running.  There may not be much variety to the meals when he is in charge, and cleaning may not be up to my standards, but we would all still have clean clothes and food in our bellies thanks to his efforts. The house would at least be clean enough to not cause sickness, though there may be dust bunnies living in the corners.  In all honesty, sometimes when I am completely capable, there are still dust bunnies in the corner.  Not often enough that we name them, but still there sometimes.

Getting back to my original thought in this post,  I have to ask a few questions: When our kids leave our care, will they be viewed by society as adults or children?  Will they be able to hold their own in the work force?  Will they be able to maintain their first apartment or will they not feel comfortable inviting friends over?

Some of these skills I needed to teach myself as an adult.  I want my children to know these basics.  I want adults to leave my house to step out into the world. My next post will entail more things we expect our kids to know before they leave the house.  Chores are just one aspect of this.

What do chores look like at your house?

all day sickness and sick children

I was all excited to start my blog again but sickness has hit our family.  Colds are going around meaning Samuel coughs all night long and does not sleep much.  This is not helping the all day sickness that I have been experiencing.  Let's just say that I am getting good at delegating.

My daily routine now is to make my way to the couch and munch saltines and juice.  My wonderful husband and oldest son have been taking over breakfast duties.  Then chores are done and school is accomplished while mommy is sitting on the couch.  We are doing less right now anyway because of the holidays and the future move.

Mark has started packing boxes and figuring out how we will fit everything in the moving truck.  We have about 40 days left. And a trip to Florida for 6 days or so.  It is going by so quickly.

That is all for now.  It is taking most of my energy just trying to eat and drink enough for this baby inside of me. I hope to be writing more soon, but know that my family needs the little of me that I can expend while trying to keep myself healthy.