Give Them Wings

By MAD21

As a parent there are many times that you will marvel at the relationship you have with your children. When they are first born you look at them and are amazed that something so fragile and real came from your body. And then reality sets in and you realize you have no idea how to be a good parent (especially on the bad days). As they get older and you watch them learn and grow into little self-sufficient people, what a miracle it was that another life was created through you... and how fast time flies.

Suddenly, all the priorities in our lives change. Something as insignificant as keeping your house clean all the time is not so important. And for some, something as significant as giving up a career is freely sacrificed. Have you ever wondered why this bond that a parent feels with their child is so strong. So.. different from any other relationship we've ever had? Personally, I think it's because to feel the love of your child is as close as we could possibly get to being in the presence of God while on this side of heaven. It was one of His gifts to us, to know this kind of love.

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Works For Me Wednesday: Using Games To Teach

By MAD21

I have worked with children for years and have found that one of the best ways to teach children is through games. If they are having fun it not only holds their interest, but it makes them want to learn more.

One of my favorite ways to teach them how to listen to you and be tuned into your voice, is by playing a version of: Red Light Green Light. The game can be played the traditional way, but in real life, where we are rushing around and there is no time and not enough friends to play with, you can play the game while just walking or running.

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Life Is Funny: What? Don't Your Pencils Talk To You?

By MAD21

My kids are a source of never-ending entertainment in our house. Way back in September I talked to you about our "bees" and how my girls are so creative in their pretend world. They both have wonderful imaginations.

My youngest, however, seems to do a whole lot more along the story-telling side of her creative play. Her dolls, her bees, or whatever she happens to be playing with have all kinds of adventures, and interact with each other in very dramatic ways... voices included.

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Death Up Close And Personal

By Michelle (Graceful, Faith in the Everyday)

Last year we experienced death up close and personal, in our own backyard.

Throughout the winter we had observed a large cocoon dangling like a leather satchel from the river birch tree. We weren’t confident it contained a hibernating creature – Rowan had prodded it too vigorously a couple of times, batting at it like it was a miniature tether ball, so we didn’t have high hopes for its metamorphosis. Nevertheless, one May evening Noah stormed into the house shouting, “The moth is here! The moth is here!” and we all dashed out to take a look.

Its body was furry and plump, like a tiny fruit bat, with a wingspan as wide as my hand. Two bushy antennae sprung from the moth’s head like centipedes, and on its intricately patterned wings shone bright yellow spots, unblinking owl eyes. It dangled a few inches from its cocoon, gingerly folding and unfolding its giant wings, hairy legs twitching a little as they clung to the branch. We all posed for photos with the moth like it was Julia Roberts suspended from the tree.

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Fingerprint Friday: Lessons Learned

By MAD21

My oldest gave in to temptation this week. There was a situation at school where she saw something she wanted and in her sweet six-year-old mind thought she could lie her way into obtaining it, innocently of course. What started out as a lie of omission, turned into a lie of deception, that turned into a full-on denial of the truth.

A pink-slip followed, along with discussions, notes of apology, 20 "I will not lie" written, reasons given as to why lying of any kind is wrong, and Friday afternoon movies cancelled.

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