Eat

It has been something that I have been pretty adamant about since being a "mom", eating whatever is given to you. Story goes; Lunch needed to be made and shopping wasn't done. Going into the kitchen to throw something together is always fun. Rummaging through the food available I grabbed; whole wheat pasta, veggie burgers, almonds, a can of tomatoes, and a can of black olives. Throwing all of these items together with chicken stock and olive oil for a full pasta, I knew full well that my children might grimace. Granted they would do what they could to keep it on the low, low, but to my surprise they all loved it! The big idea behind having my munchkins eat without complaint is to teach them appreciation. There are so many reasons this means something to me. What days lay ahead that their meals will be with joy no matter the situation because they were taught that food is not to be taken for granted but instead to be valued.

Inspiration on many corners

In our house you can find quick reads by our front door. I pick these books up here and there or am just given them. A new one I just finished, Church Signs is wonderful. Full of photos of many signs from around our nation with creative posts on Welcome boards. One I really appreciated was "The best vitamin for a Christian is B1", and another was "Psalms read here". It has always been a joy for me to be driving down the road and get a little dose of reality with humor behind it. My favorite resides with forgiveness. I am always reminded of how much I need this reviving truth. So, "The best way to get even is to forgive and forget", is the best. It hurts to apologize no matter the circumstance or situation. How true this is when we feel like its not our fault, rarely the case we always have some part, but still. What if you are the wrong one and might get turned away, ouch! But still, God will honor you for it. Humility will bring peace. Peace is something everyone is looking for.

Comfort

It is not wrong in my book to allow my son to stay here in Colorado instead of going with Joshua out of state, (I think...). Luke made a request and I honored it. We live in a fallen world and I understand that I goofed up in marrying someone I would end up separated from before Luke was even a year, however it is what it is. There is no time travel and that would be even messier anyway. Luke does not have the same understanding of who Joshua is that Souriya and Lance do. The distance and idea of him going somewhere he has no developed connection to is what I believe bothers him most. Souriya has tried to no ends to help him get over his fear of traveling somewhere he is not comfortable, this includes multiple calls throughout the day to Mom, all the fun things they will do, family he will see, and the presents too. Souriya has even tried to move him along with setting up Skype "the same way we talk with Uncle Jason, Luke". The truth is, I do question my decision, maybe I should make him go and get to know his other side.

Failure is not an option

When knowing what I want my children to grow up and be, I am not thinking doctors and lawyers and such. I am only thinking value. I believe every individual has value and when we show and tell our children these beliefs we have in them, these truths settle in deep. Some-days are very tough and that is based on my decisions alone. How do you encourage a child to be someone you are acting opposite of? You don't, I suppose that is what helps me be on my best behavior at times. It is what I expect from them. "Well, Angelina you know sometimes you will have to except that these things happen", I have been told on numerous occasions, or, "One of your children may go astray", referring to poor and even worse decisions we make growing up or even as adults. No, I am reminded even last night, failure is not an option. I do not have a plan B, (just in case one does go south and I have to rationalize it in my head so I can sleep at night or explain to my friends and family...) I pray for my children, and believe my prayers are honored. That last sentence in itself could be so much more lengthy. I believe in my children who they will become, the value they have for themselves and how that reflects on how they value all of those around them.

Others

If my children are grown and they value and respect themselves and others I will feel accomplished. Respect of themselves and others means that they value people and are considerate of what the end result will look like for all. That does not mean that, they will be perfect. On the contrary, the more imperfect they are the better. How much more can someone who has flaws and is willing to share them for the good of others relate to them who need relating to, than someone who is as flawed, as we all are, and instead judges to try and make perfect. The point is; I want to raise my children with love, not judgement and condemnation, I believe that if a child and an adult for that matter always feels like they are enough they will strive to be better.