Coffee CubBuster

Sometimes in the next week, we will meet a new member of our family! While I can hardly believe the pregnancy has come to the end, like everything, it's definitely been a process. There's a process to making life form, just like there is a process to developing character. While every parent knows that lessons must be taught more than once, I think we forget the process of character development really can take a lifetime. I didn't fall in love with Jesus over night. It was a process. My husband and I didn't have a healthy marriage over night, it has been a process. Similarly, I cannot concern myself when my children show growth and appreciation one minute, and detrimental integrity flaws the next. They are going to have a long process of maturation. How can we expect them to get it right every time? Wasn't it the really ugly stuff in me that took the longest to rectify? Even grown adults don't change completely when they come to know the Lord. They may have some

"Mommy, watch this!" "Mommy, mommy, see." "Mommy, watch what I can do!" "Mommy, dis!" Like most young children, my boys are constantly seeking affirmation, approval, and acknowledgement. I can't even compliment or encourage one child without the other desiring to show me they can do the exact same thing or something better in their eyes. There's a natural (and probably a partial parent-influenced) competition that exists between my boys despite their varying abilities. While I think some sibling rivalry is inevitable, I have to watch and encourage their individuality and remind (my eldest) that not everything is in fact a competition. More importantly in a day where every child seems to get a trophy and many parents fear low self-esteem or self-consciousness in their kids, I think it's important to teach children HOW TO LOSE. Learning to celebrate others' victories even when it highlights our loss builds a character that many y

Have you ever tried to start a new exercise regimen in order to get healthier? Or maybe get out of bed an hour or two early to be more productive or disciplined. The first two or three times is pretty rough. Yet a good friend wouldn't discourage healthy habits. Instead he/she would encourage you to stick with it, because you actually feel better after you get adjusted to the lifestyle change. Then when you eat better, sleep better, and spend your time better, you feel better as a whole, and most of the time you'll enjoy working out or reading in the wee hours when the sun rises. Unfortunately when it comes to kids, I don't feel like this translates. Too often I see or hear the comments after I sigh from physical, parental exhaustion. Well she did this to herself. She chose to have that many kids that quickly. She shouldn't have anymore if she's already tired. I think some people don't realize that the more kids you have, the less selfish, les