Laundry Duty

Today I sit here wondering if I am balancing well. Teaching the kids to go out there....try things on their own, and yet being responsible in their work, efforts and endeavors. It started out with the little things, like holding bottles for themselves, and cleaning their rooms. We moved onto making cookies and writing birthday cards. It is always the same lesson; teaching, guiding, and then hands-off while they make their best effort. Today it is laundry and I think I've failed. Just this year, my 13 year old decided to take matters into her own hands, and while I do 4-5 loads of laundry each week, she has her 'own' laundry that she likes to do. So my inner self is freaking out, cause of all the water, electricity and soap she is costing in taking on this responsibility but, the more important lesson for both of us is that she is taking initiative and doing the work. The new thing to teach today, is how to counter-balance that work, with cost effectiveness. It's a whole new world, and I will learn.

Out of the mouths of babes...and the not so young

As I was browsing through my friend's blog, I found these great questions she had asked her kids, and thought that would be a very interesting post for today. All four of my kids have taken part in answering these life altering queries:

The meaning of life is to "give God company and praise Him. (Z & JD)

What is the most important thing in life?
"Mommy" (C)
"Having a good relationship with God" (JS)

What does God mean to you?
"Everything" (C)
"Love" (JD)

What does it mean to be in love?
"To feel very affectionate or compassionate towards someone" (JS)
"Being nice to each other" (Z)

What can you not live without?
"God, cause He made us and if we weren't alive, we wouldn't be anything" (C)
"The Bible and a good relationship with God" (JS)

What is your most important body part?
"My eyes to see" (Z)
"The heart because without it there would be no life" (JD)

Where is the best place in the world to live?
"Canada" (C & JD)
"Hickory Street" (Z)
"Haiti, because then I could help the people in need" (JS)

How do you be a good friend?
"Be nice to others" (Z)
"Ask them to play with you" (JD)
"Be loyal and have a soft heart" (JS & C)

What is your favorite thing to do?
"Play lego all day" (Z)
"Waddle around and make new friends" (JD, JS, & C)

If somebody was sad, what would you say to them?
" 'Sorry', if I hurt them" (Z)
"Invite them to play with me" (JS)

If you found $100 on the ground, what would you do?
"Spend half of it an give the rest to charity" (JD)
"Take it to the police" (C)

What's the best feeling to have?
"Love" (JS)
"Generosity" (C)

How could adults have more fun?
"Spending time with their kids" (JD)
"Watching a movie with their kids" (Z)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
"Policeman" (Z)
"Firefighter and Club Peguin worker" (JD)
"A Pen Artist, sort of like a tattoo artist, but with a pen AND a Club Penguin worker" (C)
"Scientist and Missionary" (JS)

Where do you want to travel to?
"Travel allllll the way to RUSSIA" (Z)
"Disney World" (JD)
"Oceanenia" (C)
"Spain" (JS)

Thanks T!

Followers-Leaders

Yeah, I have a follower! lol, Thanks T for being my first.

It got me thinking about the relationships and positions of 'followers' and 'leaders'. I have all my life, known I'm a follower, but yet I definitely lead my family (children) with strength, confidence and wisdom (trying to rely on Heavenly wisdom, that God talks about in James, as that is far greater than the weak Earthly wisdom, we so often rely upon).

I have so many friends in so many ways, and from so many places. Each relationship varies, in who plays the leadership role and who is more of the follower. In some cases, we really balance each other out well. This I feel is a vital balance to life; variety in friendships.

I have no qualms about my position of leadership within the home, however, and I have also had positions of leadership in other areas of my life. I feel that I can lead so well as a mom, becauase I have two strong leaders, who know who they are and guide me and encourage me each day. Without them, I would not be nearly as confident. The first and always the first is my Father and His Holy Spirit. He promised me that His Spirit would be sent to lead me, and He does, moment by moment, always constant. The second being of course, my husband. From day one, he has shown a strength in blazing a path that was so unfamilar to me. He is not afraid to say it like it is, and what is in his heart - he wears on his sleeve. Not only has he shown me how important it is to know myself and share it with the world, he also cheers me on from the sidelines, when I do have moments of victory! I am able to be a good mom, cause these two Champions have my back. I love you both!