Ice Cream Social

At the beginning of the summer I had it in my mind that I would throw an ice cream social. My intentions, I discovered later, were to be known as the best mom ever and have everyone in the neighborhood like me. Summer wore on and the children all played together in the neighborhood. By playing together I mean they got sweaty, rode bikes, ate a ton of our snacks, captured(and killed) lots of frogs, and fought! The fighting part was not on my list of summer fun, but it is definitely a part of summer.  I found myself having to keep a window cracked, so that I could hear when the emotions had escalated. I would then go out and referee the argument. Kids do not naturally know how to resolve conflict! Add to the conflict the different family dynamics in our neighborhood and I was finding myself in a job I was not expecting. It wasn't a daily job, but the emotional toll it took/takes on my heart is daily. This unexpected position started to reveal to me my heart towards the kids in the neighborhood. I found, after watching and interacting with them in such raw intense emotion, that it was very easy to give a cold shoulder, take my kids away, or judge the parents. I was in need of just as much training on conflict resolution as they were, but mine came from a different source. I would have to take a lot of deep breaths, ask the Holy Spirit to help me not lose my temper, and seek God about how to love these kids he had put in our neighborhood. And let me just say, I was praying that I would love my kids as well!

It was in this place of my own heart work where I discovered why I wanted to give a fun party to the kids. I selfishly wanted to give them an ice cream social, so that I could take pictures, post to Instagram, and be known as the fun mom in the neighborhood and amongst my friends. Yuck! My heart was not for the kids, it wasn't for my neighborhood, and it certainly wasn't to love them the way Christ would. I wanted to use them. Upon this discovery, I asked for forgiveness! I started praying for all of the kids, mine included. I started hanging outside with the kids a few times a week, and I started letting them come in my house more. I had to choose to not be skeptical all of the time, and to look at each one with kind eyes. All of these actions resulted in a renewed desire to give the kids something fun and this time it happened to be right around the start of school. I texted a few moms a day or two before to see if they could send some cake cones and toppings. They were happy to be a part of the fun and we gave the kids an ice cream social. One little girl wore a dress, because she said she never gets to go anywhere special enough to wear it! Another girl brought her Mp3 player and Katherine hooked it up to her boombox. They had music, dancing, and ice cream. I had a change of heart with some sprinkles on top.

First day of school, Round One & Two

We decided to take the start of school in two rounds this year. We have one in public school and two homeschooling. Our first round started August 5. It was quite a learning curve and we are still adjusting to our afternoon schedule.

She has continued to get up early and have her cute little self to the bus stop each weekday. She auditioned for chorus and will be performing in December for the holiday production. Homework has been exhausting, more on that in a later post, Her teachers are great and academically she is an A student-must be all that homework ;)

Round two started September 2.

These boys will still wake up when they are ready. They may or may not be dressed in day clothes. Our school work will be done in a variety of places- park, back porch, school desk, and on the couch. We have the opportunity to meet every other week with a new homeschool co-op and we are starting our third year with our science group. I took more time then I have in previous years to prepare detailed lesson plans and it is made a significant difference for our first week of school.

A Family Mission Statement

We just got back from a great 3 day weekend at Family Camp. Family Camp is hosted by our church every year to help re-focus, re-engage, and have fun with your family. We took a short drive to north GA and stayed at Sharp Top Cove, a YoungLife camp.

Throughout the weekend we had "free time" and boy was it awesome-zip line, giant swing, pool, game room, and the blob. Every meal was family style and followed by dessert. We also had set times called "club" we used these times to gather for skits, worship, and teaching. Our focus this weekend was based in Colossians 3:12-15. One particular teaching, we were asked to talk with our family about what our mission statement would be. The speaker encouraged us as parents to see the benefit of establishing some core values within our home as a family. In his experience he found that the kids needed an opportunity to speak to their parents when they felt like their parents were acting in unkind ways and the kids needed a set of values that they could be reminded of when they were acting out of line. Over the years and especially with Pinterest I see cute family boards all of the time. I have wanted to do it, but it was more trendy than for establishing principle within our home. After sitting around and hearing our kids come up with some good ideas of what they want our family to be, I am excited to start implementing them into our day to day life. Choosing to think about them before making commitments, and using them as a filter when we interact with others.

This is what we have so far;

                              Value one another-allow them to be who they are

                              Adventurous, fun and loving

                              Work together 

                               In the way that we live, may our lives cause those who see us, want to know more                                             about God

At breakfast this morning, Evan wanted to eat with his friend. His little brother sat right next to him and wanted to share in the fun. Evan was not kind and in a very mean voice said go away, I don't want you here next to me. Before I gave him a consequence or got upset, I asked him what some of our mission statement was. There was a brief pause and then a solemn look came over him and he said "to value one another." I still made him come sit with me for a few minutes, but when he returned he apologized and they enjoyed their breakfast. I am pretty pumped at how this has already effected out interactions.

What would you want others to see in how you and your family interact?