There are scores of parenting books available, and I’ve read more than a handful of them. Often looking for that “formula” that will enable me to raise daughters who won’t make the mistakes that I’ve made, and maybe even, won’t make mistakes.
But if I’ve found any formulas in the pages of those books, not much has really stuck in my mind. And while I do have some very amazing wonderful daughters…there is one big thing they inherited from their Momma. We are selfish, broken sinners.
Last spring I read Because He Loves Me with GraceLaced and Grace Full Momma and gleaned so much from the book. Some of what I read in that book has even changed the way I mark up my Bible. But most of all, a deeper understanding of who I am because Jesus loves me has changed the way I think and live. Elyse Fitzpatrick wrote in such a way that I am sure the book was written specifically for me. Looking for a book to read this fall, I decided to see what our library had of Elyse Fitzpatrick’s books. There were two, and the one that really caught my eye was thisGive Them Grace, dazzling your kids with the love of Jesus.
Oh the load that has slipped off my shoulders. It isn’t for me to find a formula to ensure that my daughters follow Jesus and live a life of sweet joy, peace and love. It is for me to show them the grace that has been showered upon me, upon each one of us, and to continually point to Jesus.
This week we had a little over 1 cup of canned pumpkin left in the fridge that I intended to use in muffins. One morning I wanted to have something that would stretch for snacks through the weekend. So I adapted the Giant Breakfast Cookie recipe that I got from here to make Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies instead of muffins. Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies
1C Butter, Melted
¾ C Honey
2 Eggs
1 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Ginger
½ tsp. Ground Cloves
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 C Pumpkin
2 C White Wheat, freshly milled
2 C Whole Rolled Oats
1 C Raisins or Chocolate Chips (optional)
Sift dry ingredients with a fork or whisk, make a well and add wet ingredients. Mix well just until all ingredients are wet. Fold in raisins or chocolate chips if desired. Let dough sit for about 5 minutes. Then Scoop heaping tablespoons onto a cookie sheet or baking stone. Bake at 350 degrees for about 16 minutes.
I baked about 2 dozen and put 9 dough balls into the freezer for a quick cookie snack on a busy day. These cookies satisfy a sweet tooth and are training diet approved.
As each of our girls go through a particular intense training they are to adhere to a Modified Training Diet. This diet is not to lose weight or anything like that. It is designed to maximize nutritional needs that increase during this training. Sugar and refined grains are avoided during this time, and I love that I can still bless my kids with “cookies” while complying with the MTD!
“The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” -Mother Teresa
I am reading…If by Amy Carmichael, Sense and Sensibility, 7 Tools for Cultivating Your Child’s Potential and Discipline, the Glad Surrender.
I am looking forward to…How great our house will look when the work on the exterior is completed this next week.
I am learning…to remember with joy and gratitude the years I had with my daughters fully at home. And to remember to give thanks for the opportunities they have for some classes away from home this year.
This blog has been mostly quiet since just before school began. I just don’t see how regular blogging fits in this new season. But I hope to pop in and spend a while from time to time.
So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore was well received in our household. I love the modern look to the cover and through, something that definitely caught the eyes of each of the ladies in our home.
There have been some good conversation from the book, I love whenever something prompts my daughters to dig deep and express the thoughts on their minds. In particular was the daughter who found that although the author is seeking to encourage girls, all of the girls pictured throughout the book looked “perfect.” Yes, we have more than a tad bit of insecurity during these middle school and early high school years.
I give a two thumbs up for this book, and hope that it helps many other moms and daughters find where insecurity flees and security is found.
This book was sent to me by Tyndale Publishing exchange for my thoughtful opinion.
FOR TODAY, I am excited to start keeping a daybook again. I’ve missed the time of quiet reflection and keeping of hours.Outside my window… the corn is growing tall! It was knee high on the 4th of July and still growing taller.
I am thinking… about school prep work, next week’s camping trip and next month’s vacation to Alberta
I am thankful… that little JoyNess napped for nearly 2 hours, in her own bed, in her own room this afternoon
In the kitchen… chicken is marinating for Grilled Chicken. I clipped the recipe from the newspaper a couple of weeks ago and am excited to try it.
I am wearing… black capri pans and my black tank, I put on some sparklies to brighten things up a bit
I am creating… hmm, order. After loosing quite a bit of space to the additional bedroom we added I am going deeper with purging and trying to create order again.
I am going… to the movie premier of The Fire Sword on Friday!
I am reading… 7 Tools for Cultivating Your Child’s Potential by Zan Tyler, A Simple Blessing by Michael W Smith and A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George.
I am looking forward to… our camping trip with extended family next week. Builder will arrive home on Saturday, so we’ll have a couple of days to spend with just him before the big fun cousin time.
Around the house… Mae is practicing piano (beautiful), JoyNess is playing in her exersaucer and squealing, there are stacks of books and paper to be recycled around my desk. We are just getting last year’s school work & books out to make room for this upcoming year’s materials.
I am pondering…this blog post and sifting, and letting the truth of this young woman’s beautiful words sink deep
A favorite quote for today… I like it better this way, with the pressure on me and not on fate, cosmos, or divinity. I will not fall out of love, cannot fall out of love, because I willingly dived in and I’m choosing daily to stay in. This is my joyous task, my daily decision. This is my marriage. ~ Hannah at The Art in Life
One of my favorite things… the evening walks and mini hikes we are finding time for after dinner. We are coming across many beautiful flower beds.
A few plans for the rest of the week… an early appointment for an estimate on my van, I damaged it on our recent camping trip, the girls all have music lessons, some have youth group during which I hope to take Chica bowling. Thursday a friend is taking a couple of the girls swimming, then they are spending the night. Friday is the World Premier of The Fire Sword! and our city’s Youth Volunteer Event. Full Fun Good.
Lists are always flowing from any pen or pencil I can get a hold of. Lately there’s been so many lists to make and mark off that counting stopped for a bit. But a quiet Friday afternoon was just the time to pick up the counting list and start back up.So far, in 2013, 246 gifts counted, written down, but know, there are many many more acknowledged each day.
Interesting conversation that keeps my mind engage Safely missing the accident I nearly drove into Echos of truth spoke in love
JoyNess’ sweet soft voice after breakfast and a clean diaper, sounding like she sings along with the hymns playing
Wide eye wonder
Listening to music, drumming on the keyboard, while typing up a story ~ another word girl in the house!
3 miles on the bike
New season lessons
Learning to shoot
my new pistol
Hugs from the youngest, all throughout the day
Hearing my dad’s excitement at my new endeavors
A warm welcome from the AWANA leaders
A new friend, signing up to be my teacher’s aide
3 way calls with my girl and my Builder
Friends who have “been there, done that” and tell me the story when they see the dent in my van. Leaving me with no shame, no condemnation
A dream, a goal, and a plan to get there
prayer around the camp, sinners from a long line of sinners, forgiven and praying for others
sweet cousins roasting Twizzlers
the perfect marshmallow contest continues
hiking to the top, all from the littlest to the biggers, mom, nanas, dads & uncles conquering the scrambling rocks together
All-Day Charlotte Mason Seminar on DVD, DVD +Seminar Book ~ $28 ppd (US only) In gently used clean condition.
Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education in 5 Simple Steps, DVD + Seminar Book ~ $20.00, ppd (US only) This one has the BLUE cover.
Laying Down the Rail Workshop DVD and spiral Habit Handbook $25.00, ppd (US only) This ONLY includes the original handbook. Evidently there is a newer version with a child’s companion book. I do NOT have that.
By Quiet Waters 
