~10 Ways to Make Your Home a Haven~

1. Let kindness reign. Determine to treat your children and spouse with the same sweetness you'd give a stranger you're trying to impress. Remember it's God's kindness that leads us to repentance. What makes us think anything different would evoke our children's repentance?

2. Welcome hard questions. It's okay to question. You did it, didn't you? Give your children the same leeway. Let them vent. Let them worry. Welcome their wrestling. Don't give pat answers; instead, let them work through their questions. Love them through a period of questioning.

3. Be there. Give your children the rare gift of your focused attention. Look into their eyes. Ask great questions. Relax alongside them. Dr. Ross Campbell says, "In short, focused attention makes a child feel he is the most important person in the world in his parents' eyes."

4. Limit media. Steer your children away from mindless interaction with the TV or video games. Set limits and stick to them. Dare to believe your children are creative, innovative kids who can create instead of idly recreate.

5. Play outside. We've lost the importance of outdoor play. Even if it means walking to the park with your kids, or swimming alongside them, or taking a nature hike, dare to move beyond the four walls of your home to venture out to see God's creation.

6. Weep and rejoice at the right times. We are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). When a child has a difficult day, scoop her into your arms and cry alongside. When she makes a great grade, jump up and down and celebrate with ice cream.

7. Cherish childhood. Our kids grow up so fast in this crazy culture. Keep them kids as long as you can. Let them play, run, stretch, linger. Limit activities when they're younger so they don't become little stressed-out adults at age ten.

8. Read together. The most haven-producing thing I do as a mommy is simply to read to my kids. I still read to my fourteen year old! Discover books on CD as a family, lessening the tedium of car rides without popping in a DVD. My kids have stayed in the car to listen to a story finish.

9. Laugh hard, but not at another's expense. Joking and laughter are blessings you can add to create a fun-loving haven, but be cautious not to laugh at your kids' expense or allow them to laugh at yours or others' expense. Watch funny, clean movies together. Tell jokes. Tell funny family stories over and over until they become ridiculous. A lighthearted family that doesn't take itself too seriously is a haven-home.

10. Practice God's presence in the mundane. Require chores of your kids. It teaches them important life skills. Even so, introduce joy as you work. Turn on the radio, dance, laugh. By learning to practice the presence of God during the chores of life, you create a productive, gratitude-based home.

~What a crazy life~

This year so far has been crazy! The year started off good but in early March we found out my father-in-law was letting the house go up for foreclosure he was taking are money and not making the house payments, he also told my husband that him and the kids could stay there but i would have to leave....well my darling husband didn't like that idea so we ended up moving. Its a smaller house but everyone is happy again. I believe it what a blessing that all this happened I mean my childrens' health has improved and no longer sick and the smiles on their face makes it all worth it.It does still hurt that this all happened but only because i don't understand how family can be that cruel to one another. My moms health is not doing any better either she goes in for knee replacement surgery on June 1st. the doctors do not want to do surgery because of all her health problems but there is nothing left for them to do. So I putting her in GOD'S hands and he will see her through. The spring semester has ended and thank goodness it was a long and rough semester this time. But I am so thankful I passed Psychology with a C and A & P with a B. I am taking the summer off so I can help my parents and then I will start back up Aug.23 full time. I am not looking forward to August though because August 16 will be my last day of my daycare and I will be closing the doors after 10 years.But all my children are in school and it is time for me to start the next chapter of my life and that is finishing my degree in Medical Assistant and Nursing LPN.

I have decided to take this summer and every day and count all my blessings no matter how big or small, the good times and the bad times. I need enjoy everything my kids are getting so big so fast and need to enjoy this time we have. So much is going to go on so many family adventures I cant wait. And I am so happy that my husband and I just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary this month. We have been through a lot but it has only made us stronger as a couple. Because " What the Lord has brought together let no man or anything come between". I am turning more to GOD and finally letting him guide my life and family's because with out him we would not be where we are today and he has blessed me so much that I am truly thankful for. Just need to get back to church still working on finding the strength to go back. I know I need to but I am afraid to because of everything that has happened with my husbands side of the family and us ( and that is their church too) I am afraid of drama that might start but i know i should not let no one come between me & GOD and where I feel i should worship.

Well that is all for now & my goal is to blog regularly not this far apart:)
xoox