Liar, liar, pants on fire...

Ok, so this is actually a serious post :)

To all the mom's out there...

Have any of you ever dealt with a child who lies about EVERY thing? And I mean literally everything! A child who will lie to get out of trouble, who will make up stories about anything and everything, who will lie to your face even when you watch them do "it"? What do you do? How did you deal with it? I am at a loss and nothing I say or "do" is seeming to get through to this child. I welcome any suggestions!

Blessings, ♥T

Working on...

Well, hello there! It feels like it's been forever! We've been snow bound for the last 2 weeks. Not too enjoyable. It's supposed to clear up this weekend and get really warm though so that will be nice!

My nephew is in need of prayer again. A double ear infection, RSV and sounds like pneumonia. :( They think he has asthma. Pray for him and his mommy!

An update on our grain soaking. Kathleen is apparently allergic to oats. It doesn't matter if they're soaked or not. She did seem ok the first day, but the second time I was giving her benadryl (which I don't like doing) because she was really reacting. I am starting to think she's allergic to strawberries too, along with a myriad of other things! The kids all like the oats this way though. And it makes it super easy in the morning! Just add a little water, bring to boil and Voilà you're done! We've been experimenting with toppings too. But anyways...I have noticed that the oats do not bother me like they normally do, when they're soaked. So that's a good thing.

We finished our cleanse and are now doing a de-worming. Our family hasn't been sick since the flu we had in Dec. We went to a KOF meeting and a person there had brought her kids with strep, bronchitis, and ear infections. Lovely huh?! We only had a few kiddos start feeling yucky and upped the Vit C. Thankfully, no one got really sick and we're all fine now. Unfortunately it has made it to where we have decided to not go to church for a while. (We had also found out that another person in the church had kids with bronchitis, and pneumonia) We have decided that we are going to be keeping the kids out of some of the kids programs. (or should I say all?!) When we go back that is! We have found that they aren't learning enough to make it "worth" their being there. The influences are the same influences we are keeping them out of public school and the world for, so why do we feel it's ok in SS or kids church? My kids are too young, immature, and impressionable to be the "salt & light" to the kids in there. My personal opinion is, it's not their place anyways, it's the teachers. So, sadly, we may be looking for a more "family friendly" church. I don't know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future! :)

We're not doing much around here that's "exciting". Just keeping up with school and housework. Never ending jobs, ya know?! I have been reading some more good books and been really convicted about my words and actions. The kids are such mirrors. Everything I do is coming right back at me through them. We are initiating some changes and there's always tumult with change. We're in the midst of figuring it all out so it'll be a while before things settle into "normal". But at least we're headed in the right direction.

Proverbs 29:17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

This is what I need. I spend too much time frustrated with my kids. All for lack of consistency. So this is what we'll be working on this week. I'm going to get my chart out and have the kids help me come up with appropriate consequences, and then we're going to really work on sticking to them! We're also working on doing our chores/routines right, the first time! I'm potty training Kathleen. I am going to reinstate "blanket time" and really work on it for the little ones. (my older ones like blanket time :) And I'm going to start "church training". I have quite a few preaching videos, and I'm going to have the kids watch them. We are going to pretend we're at church during them. I think we'll set up chairs to be pews and really work on them sitting still and being quiet, while paying attention. Plus I can pause it and not miss it myself, while taking care of any naughtiness that comes up.

Working Together

My nephew is not better, but he's not worse. He isn't eating though. So please continue to pray. Pray that he'll eat (he's breastfed exclusively), that his mama will get rest, that his sisters will get better (they're getting sick now too), and that he will be healed quickly with no lasting damage!

I have recently been switching around chores. Trying to get all the kids doing something and spreading things out so one person doesn't have "more" than anyone else. So I now have Madison rinsing dishes, Makenzie washing, Michelle and Emily drying and putting away. Kathleen "helps" :) It's such a joy to see them doing their jobs happily! They have all said how much they like doing their jobs. They do the dishes, and put them away after every meal, WITHOUT being told. They all seem to be working together and getting it done. Although I'm not sure who's really doing what, but I say that if the job is done with happiness, working together, and is done right, who cares who's doing it?! :D  I just am happy that it's done. They have also been singing while they work which is sweet. They do sound very good when they sing together! (Yes, I'm partial, and biased!) It just so funny to me, because here I've been trying to get them to learn to get along and be nice to each other. All the while bemoaning the fact that I have no dishwasher, and what do ya know?! That's what brings them together! Funny how the Lord uses things huh?!

Well I better get off here. I've been on way too much today. That's what happens when hubby's not here keeping me off! LOL :D

Child Training

We are having a real crack down around here. It's not easy and definitely not fun, but in addition to getting our house organized we're trying to get some attitudes and behaviors organized! I have recently read some very convicting books and even some blogs, dealing with keeping our children's hearts. I am really convicted about the way our family is headed. The behaviors and attitudes have gotten out of control around here and I am spending most of my days correcting them. We have greatly cut down on all movies, we are cutting down on all out of the house influences and are purging our house of anything that could possible cause disrespectful or mean attitudes. I really feel it's important to bring soldiers of the faith into the world, but in addition to that they need to be testimonies now. What kind of testimony is it if you go to the store, doctors office, church and you have a bunch of kids, but they're ill behaved or mean? And like the Bible says Pro. 20:11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. I really do try to get them to understand that. People are watching us. As Christians, but more as a large family. I guess we can't help being noticed! A crowd of children and the females are all wearing skirts! We're sure to draw attention, and so we need to be acting like Christians more than dressing/looking like them. Actions speak louder than words! And so A SONG!

Do you know, O Christian,
you’re a sermon in shoes?
Do you know, O Christian,
you’re a sermon in shoes?
Jesus calls upon you to
spread the Gospel News;
So walk it, and talk it,
Live it, and give it,
Teach it, and preach it
Know it, and show it,
A Sermon in Shoes.

So, Christian, do you realize you're a sermon in shoes? Do your kids realize they are? Very convicting thought!