Just One Thing

Someone in my moms group recently asked, "if you could only teach your children one thing, what would it be?"

There were some great responses that I could identify with but none of them were all encompassing enough. Sure I would love for my kids to be happy, and confident, and self-sufficient, and to know Jesus but I want more than that for them.

What first popped into my head and what still is repeating in my head is the Golden Rule. Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. I want them to be kind to others just as they would want others to be kinds to them.  I want them to be respectful of others just as they would want others to respect them.  I want them to give others the benefit of the doubt, to show gentleness and patience.  I want them to be helpful and considerate.  I hope they are humble, grateful, and willing to serve those less fortunate.  I want them to be loving and joyful and considerate.

As I list out all of the qualities I wish for them which I think fall into the Golden Rule it reminds me of the "Fruits of the Spirit".  Galatians 5:22-23 tells us "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."  These are the qualities I wish for my children.  I pray nightly for my children to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  I know that I can't force the qualities on my children I can only pray that the Holy Spirit fills them with these qualities, and I know that if they are filled with these qualities then by default they will treat others the way they would want to be treated.

Some key scriptures that I pray they will learn, understand and exhibit:

Matthew 25:40 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ ~ Serve the less fortunate.  Honor all people.  Don't judge a book by its cover.  Remember that all people were made in the image of God and are valued.  It is what you do when no one is watching that is the true measure of your intentions.


Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. ~ Do your best in everything you do.  Do everything as if God, your friends, you mother, your Grandmother were watching.  If you wouldn't act that way to your teacher, principal, Pastor Lance, don't act they way to me, your father, or your siblings.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. ~ If you don't know what is right or what to do, pray about it.  Think back on your Bible teachings.  What would Jesus do? 

1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. ~ Be in the world but not of the world.  Walk the narrow path to Jesus, salvation, everlasting life, don't be caught up in the world and it (lack of) values.  Don't follow the broad road that leads to sin and damnation.


Sometimes it is overwhelming to wonder how I am going to raise these four precious children that God has entrusted to my care.  When I think it is too much I remember:  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13

Catch Up

I've fallen behind on the BlogWagon again. Last weekend (or was it the weekend before?), I took pictures of the kids dressed in their Holiday best as we got ready to head out to the Silver Oak Christmas party. The next day I downloaded the pictures to the computer. That was when I discovered that I still had pictures from carving pumpkins on the camera! I guess life as been a little crazy!


Always a ham
Look at those curls!
She did not want to touch the "guts"
But did want to pose for a picture
He did not want to be outdone
Daddy helped Henry

Sitting on the pumpkins from Grampa

In November Cooper sang at church with the preschool.


Thanksgiving at Grammie's
There were 18 of us this year!

Having fun at the park on a sunny day in the beginning of December.
It was a little chilly
He loves the swings
Always reading

Family Camp 2011

Two years ago, when we joined FBC Windsor, we heard about members of the congregation going to Family Camp. I didn't grow up with a family camp tradition but I was curious. I did grow up camping with my family every Memorial Day Weekend and I love all of the memories. I wanted to give my kids an annual tradition that they could look back on with fond memories.
Jason and I talked that first summer and agreed that we would go to Family Camp the next year. Then last year I was 8 months pregnant with Henry. We weren't able to attend. This year we decided there was nothing that could stop us.
Last Friday we packed up two vehicles and headed up 101 to Redwoods River Resort.

After a short 2.5 hour drive we were setting up our campsite.


I had been very worried about how much work it would be to camp with a baby. It turns out it was just as much work as I feared. But thankfully I have a wonderful husband who does more than his share, and great kids who help out as much as they can.

In no time Jason had everything set up and we had our new home sweet home.
Then I took the kids to the pool.
Later that night we had a group dinner, devotional and campfire.


After getting a little sleep, Saturday morning we kicked back in front of a campfire.

One of my biggest questions about camping as an adult was "how are we going to make our morning coffee?" We decided to get a French Press and I'm happy to say that the coffee wasn't too bad, in fact it was pretty good.

Cooper loved camping! He played with his scooter, hung out in either jammies or a swimsuit all weekend, and generally just enjoyed hanging out with daddy and getting dirty.


I was amazed with God glorious creation all around us. We slept under "Big Jack". The redwood trees are amazing and it is cool to think that they are one of the oldest living things on earth and they are only found on the Pacific Coast.



The church had activities for the kids every day. Gracie was in heaven since she loves to do crafts.


The only way to keep Henry from eating rocks, sticks and dirt was to hold him or strap him into his highchair.



Saturday afternoon we went to the pool and then took a short hike to the river.


There were fish in the river.


Henry tried to eat river rocks by the handful.

Rock and Worship Road Show

Saturday night I got to take Emma Jo and a few members of her youth group to the Rock and Worship Road Show in Sacramento. I was very excited to get to go to the concert and even more excited to spend the night with Emma. Since Henry was born he had monopolized my time and energy. I feel as if I've given the other kids the short straw, especially Emma Jo. She is so independent and un-demanding that I haven't given her the attention she deserves.
She was gone all of last week at Outdoor Science Camp at Mt. Hermon and I missed her. The concert was probably not the best decision in terms of Emma being tired from camp and then the time change (not to mention a nursing baby who sleeps with mommy), but it was a great decision in terms of a night worshiping Jesus together and a night spending time with Emma.

(I wasn't sure if I could bring my camera into the show, so this is one I got from the RWRS blog.)

It was a long afternoon/night. We left Windsor at 4pm and didn't get home until 2:50 am (3:50am if you count the time change). Thankfully there were only 7 of us from FBC so we were all able to ride together in the Yukon. We stopped for dinner on the road and I got my first taste of Sonic! We finally arrived at the concert at 6:45 and the only seats left once we walked in were behind the stage. It would have been great to see the front the stage, but it was an amazing experience regardless. I definitely hope to go back next year.

I was exhausted yesterday, but it was so worth it!

I had been worried about Jason and Henry, but they survived. Big thanks to Mom and Dad (Grammie and Grampa) who came over and helped with Cooper and Grace. It is nice to know that everyone will survive (and even enjoy themselves) without me. It makes me not feel too bad about planning on attending the FBC women's retreat in a couple of weeks.

Henry's Dedication Day

Last Sunday was Henry's dedication. Our congregation has been praying for Henry since before he was born so it seemed fitting to have him dedicated almost a year to the day after we shared the news with them.

Kim and the kids made the drive to come to the ceremony with us. After church we all headed over to the town green to get some fresh air, sunshine and pizza! The day was beautiful and the kids enjoyed "walking on water".

Grampa attempted to get a group shot. This was as good as it got.

Cooper, Ruth, Grace, Emma w/Henry, Micah