Friday, February 13, 2009

Keeping It Real: The Update

Thanks so much for all of your comments on my post the other day. There were many good suggestions and one that was pretty consistent was not to have both ladies helping at the same time.

Several of you made me laugh out loud and I was encouraged in the fact that we, as mothers, understand one another and are walking a very similar road to one another. It is a blessing to have others who "get" us and who can support us along the way.


The next day went much better. We had planned to go to Bible Study at church for the first time in months and Emily woke with a cough and Samuel was coughing terribly. So, our plans changed. Emily requested pancakes and that is how our morning began.


Emily wanted to sit up on the kitchen counter and watch me cook - which turned into her helping some and Rachel sitting on the counter too. It was fine - we had fun and I did not lose my patience. I did set more limits and only allowed one helper at a time. I tried to think of little things they could do to help.

We made piggy pancakes and we tinted the batter pink, a huge hit with the pink-loving-ladies! Fixing this breakfast and enjoying it together took us until nearly 9:30! But, that was ok - we were together and enjoying being together. It was good.


The ladies played with play dough at the table while I cleaned up the kitchen and then we headed outside to work on the garden (not planting yet, but putting a walk way in) and they played so wonderfully together for an entire hour. I was thanking God as I worked in the garden for the way they were playing and for the blessing of a day going smoother than the one before.


Jamie sent me this prayer from The Power of a Praying Parent which fits perfectly with the struggles I shared ~
Lord,

I submit myself to You. I realize that parenting a child in the way You would have me to is beyond my human abilities. I know I need You to help me. I want to partner with You and partake of Your gifts of wisdom, discernment, revelation, and guidance. I also need Your strength and patience, along with a generous portion of Your love flowing through me. Teach me how to love the way You love. Where I need to be healed, delivered, changed, matured, or made whole - I invite You to do that in me. Help me to walk in righteousness and integrity before You. Teach me Your ways, enable me to obey Your commandments and do only what is pleasing in Your sight. May the beauty of Your Spirit be so evident in me that I will be a godly role model. Give me the communication, teaching, and nurturing skills that I must have. Make me the parent You want me to be and teach me how to pray and truly intercede for the life of this child. Lord, You said in Your Word, 'Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.' (Matthew 21:22) In Jesus' name I ask that You will increase my faith to believe for all the things You've put on my heart to pray for concerning this child."

Anyway, I am thankful for the blessings of hard days which draw me closer to God and the blessing of easier days which are such an encouragement to me.

Incidentally, the carrot cake was delicious (though I am the only one who likes it) and we redeemed the opportunity by frosting them and decorating with a huge number of sprinkles! Emily even said at the end, "this is fun!" Thank You, Lord...

23 comments:

Katy said...

YAY!!! I am so happy to hear that things went so well yesterday! The girls seemed to do a great job with the pancakes! :) I love how God hears our pleas and cries and gives us just what we need! I hope the days are as peaceful and nice as yesterday was and wish you the best Monica! xoxo

Anonymous said...

Wonderful!! And i love those pink piggies :-)!!!!!tammyp

Anonymous said...

I am so happy that things went well and it was an encouragement to you.!! I was thinking of you as I made cookies with Bri. yesterday. (It went very well also)

Anonymous said...

Monica,

I do understand about those difficult days. I think you have shown your children that while not everyday will go smoothly that we just pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and thank God for the chance to try again. I believe these bumps in the road show our children that we are not perfect, we are in need of God's grace, and that a bump in road is not a roadblock. Have a fun weekend with your family!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing that prayer, Monica. I think I need to get a copy of that book.

So glad you had a better day yesterday! : )

Anonymous said...

Oops--I realized I called you Carrie after I posted by comment. So sorry, Monica! : )

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful day, but what a love is the prayer.

Have you ever read the book "If You Give A Pig a Pancake" really cute book. Author is Laura Numeroff she has other wonderful childrens books. The reason I mention it is the pancakes reminded me of the book. Here is the authors new web site. My children lover her books.
http://www.lauranumeroff.com/index.htm

Sarah said...

beautiful! See? if one day is bad, just wait til the next day. Most likely, it will be better. :) God gives His grace and His help and guidance. Every day is not a piece of Heaven, but with His help, the next day can be! The piggie pancakes are adorable. ;)

Christy Lee said...

I truly enjoy reading your blog, although this is my first time commenting. ANd I can't wait to try piggy pancakes with my son (but he's just a little too small right now).

Take care!

Christy Lee
*~Petals and Pine~*

RT said...

Patience is a virtue that has to be renewed, if not hour by hour, then day to day! My husband and I have been encouraging each other in patience recently. He also encourages me to slow down, play on the floor, and ignore the clock at times. I'm grateful for God's grace in this area!

I have a flip calendar with quotes from the Power of a Praying Parents--it's good stuff!

Kisha said...

Awe I'm glad you had a wonderful day.

Mom2fur said...

Oh, wow, piggy pancakes! I love those!
I hope the coughs go away. I'd say 75% of the kids coming in to the doctor's office where I work have coughs. I feel so sorry for them.
And who cares how long it took to make and eat the piggies? You can't buy memories like that, and even if your kids forget that morning, 'something' warm and nice will linger in them from it for the rest of their lives.

Anonymous said...

Okay, am I a do-do or what? I came back to read the comments after posting earlier today, and I see that I actually called you Monica to begin with. Forgive me.

Do any other mommies at there feel like their brains have completely fallen out their ears most of the time?!?!?

Jessica Morris said...

I am glad your day went better!
I LOVE the pancake piggies! What a great idea!! So clever! :)

Anonymous said...

Dear Monica:

So glad your day went better yesterday...the piggy pancakes are so cute!
That prayer is so beautiful, also.
I'm thnkful you were encouraged.
Your Valentine garlands are darling!
Love you, Grandma

Anonymous said...

I am so glad things went better the next day; these things are like the ocean; they ebb and flow.

Pamela said...

Oh, I glad you had a great day! I can't wait to try those pancakes with my little one. When I do, I will be sure to blog about it and link back to you! Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions you share and thank you for passing along the prayer!

momstheword said...

I loved the pancakes. So cute!

Elise said...

That's great to hear a good update!! Your girls look adorable!!
Elise
The piggies are adorable, too!!

Michelle said...

Love the piggy pancakes, so cute!!

Me said...

Oooooo! How adorable, Monica! I especially love the smiles. :) This is something that would be fun for my grandbabies. My children remembered the other day when I used to make them chocolate chip pancakes; every once and a while, I would make shapes. My mom did the same for me. Aren't moms great?!

Janis Rodgers said...

The piggy pancakes are too cute! What fun your girls must have had! Blessings to you!

Amy said...

Your piggies turned out great- love the idea of tinting the batter pink. I will have to do that sometime. Love how you keep it real, Monica!!