Finally Fall

It's the first day of fall and time for football.  That's a sore subject around our house.  Last year our son, Cody, had a bad accident and suffered a severe concussion.  If you've ever seen the commercial where the parent says, "It will be a miracle if they make it to 20",  it's sooo true, especially if you have boys.  Boys are such daredevils.  I have found that if they are kept busy then they have less time to come up with the crazy ideas of things to do.  Anyway, Cody cannot play football.  He suffers from headaches daily if he doesn't take his headache medicine.  It's so hard for him to have to be around all the hype at school and don't even think about going to a game.  He went to homecoming and said he couldn't even watch because he wanted to be out there sooo bad. There's a new song called, Boys of Fall, of all the years for that song to come out, now is a terrible time.  It's hard to even go to Sunday School because parents are bragging about their kids who of course are the best players.  I hate to say we have stopped going, Billy and I are going to another church's Sunday School where the subject is actually about God.  I'm sure they don't mean anything by it but it's a sensitive subject and hard to hear about other kids fun.  I'm not saying it is the right thing to do, but it is what works for us for now.   Marvin and Cody worked since fourth grade, practicing and playing football every year.  Then to come to 11th grade and ready to play varsity and not be able to.  I just found out that Cody was the one who got the team fired up and ready to go.  It's hard for Marvin to listen to the dads at work talking about their boys and the games.  I'm happy to say Cody has found a job he really enjoys, driving tractors, moving hay, feeding cattle, etc.  He keeps very busy and loves his work.  He has a truck he is working on and very excited to get it running.  He wouldn't be able to work and earn money to fix it up if he was playing football, so that's a positive. He gets to attend the Vo Tech School and loves his class.  He is learning to weld and is very good at it and really enjoys it.  He actually likes to go to school, yeah! 
Lord, help us to see what you have planned for us.  We may not understand why, but who are we to question your ways.  Lead and guide us in the path you have laid out and to stay strong and trust you that you know what is best.  Help us to see the good that comes from the situations that happen and lift up your name in all things.  Thank you for our families and working together and supporting each other in whatever happens.  Keep us safe, strong and healthy.  I plead the Blood of Jesus over my family and the dwellings they are in.   Help us as parents to know how to train our children.  Thank you for our children, our boys, they are true blessings.  In Jesus' name I pray these things, Amen. 

May God Bless and Keep You,
Shari

The Start Of A New School Year

I can't believe it's already time for school to start.  I know there are so many unhappy children knowing that summer break is over, and so many happy mothers knowing that summer break is over.  No more having to figure out how to entertain the kids on those long hot summer days when it's too hot to go outside and they are bored to death inside.  It's a happy yet sad time for parents when we have to leave the kids at school for someone else to take responsibility of caring for their needs.  It makes me a little sad not being able to see my child all the time, yet I know he needs to learn how to be around others his age and learn to interact.  It will be nice to have a little time for myself again.  I will have the time to post more blogs and study my bible and get back in touch with who I am.  I think it's good to have some time to concentrate on myself so I can be a better wife and mother.  I don't know about you but I need to get back in touch with God and regain that close relationship with him.  I let all the distractions of life get in the way of my relationship with God.  I know I am to put him first but I just haven't been doing that lately.  I have alot to talk to him about, Oh, I've talked to him, but I haven't listened to him.  He has been waking me up at around 5 am every morning for a couple of months now.  I read my bible but I don't concentrate so I don't remember what I've read.  I just go through the motions but don't really open my heart to receive what God wants to give me.  I know I need to fall on my face and let the Holy Spirit work a number on me.  I'm glad God wakes me up to spend time with him,  I just need to utilize my time more wisely and give my time, wholeheartedly, to him.  God deserves all my attention and asks for it.  I seem to put him off so much, push him to the next slot, it's no wonder I can't hear him when I pray.  I'm so selfish to think I can pray when it's convenient and expect him to listen and answer.  I used to pray with my boys but don't do that anymore.  What a terrible example I'm setting for them.  I will show my children how important God is and how he should be put first.  Use this time when the kids go back to school to get close to God.  Use the time to pray and spend time with him and get a close relationship with him, your family will thank you.  
Lord, be with our children as they go back to school and to all their friends and to all the schedules and rules to follow.  Be with the teachers and all faculty involved in our children's lives.  Protect their minds, souls, spirits and bodies.  I plead the blood of Jesus over them and all the school grounds and all the transportation they use to get to school and home.  Be with the parents and help them to get closer to you.  In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Me? Camping?

You want me to WHAT?  My youngest son wants me to camp out with him tonight.  I am sooo not a camp out girl.  I don't like bugs, sweat or snakes!  I told him only if we sleep on the trampoline will I even consider it.  I think this should be a dad-son thing, really.  I'm really more of a girly girl myself, you know staying clean and sweat and bug free.  Oh, the things we do for Love!  All of the sudden he wants to do all this stuff like climb a tree, go hiking and camping. It's kinda scary for my baby to be climbing trees, (I still can't breathe when I think of the time I fell out of a tree).   I thought I was dying, you know how it feels when the wind gets knocked out of you, well I was so scared and it scared my poor babysitter, Lynn, nearly to death.  Then there was the time I was running and flipping over the fence my dad made out of telephone poles, not nailed down, yes, it fell on me, and another near death experience(to a kid), I think I may have cracked a rib on that one.  Kids are so daring and not afraid of anything, sometimes it's a good thing to have that courage, and then again it's scary because they have no fear of anything.  We instill in them some fear, like of snakes, spiders and  mean bulls, things like that.  I sure wish I could be fearless like my kids, I could do so much.  My Business would be so much better if I weren't afraid to talk to people and if it weren't for my fear of rejection.  My youngest son can talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere.  I soooo wish I could be that way. 
Lord, give us courage to step out in faith to do the things you want us to do.  Help us to not be afraid to tell others about you and to stand up for what we know is right and true.  In Jesus name I  pray, Amen.

Love Ya'll, 
Shari

MOM!

Don't you feel awful when your kids are sick?  I wish I could take their pain and misery for them.  My youngest has had a stomach virus for the past 2 days and is still feeling bad.  Moms you know the sound of the Cry, it differs from all other cries.  The Cry when you know to grab the trash can.  Why is it at night the fever goes up and all the other yucky stuff ( I won't describe) all gets worse?  I guess God gives us moms extra stamina to withstand the sleepless nights and days as well.  My son needs me to just be with him.  I put my wants aside and just sit or lay beside him and hug him if he needs me to.  Sometimes I joke that my kids are very needy, and they are, they need me, their Mom.  That's why we are Moms.  If not for them then we wouldn't be Mom.  The stumbling to the bathroom with them (I don't even think  my eyes are open at times) , then the sound, you know the sound, of throw up hitting the floor ( I still panic when I here the water running in the bathroom at night).  Cody thinks I'm crazy!  Maybe so, I wasn't before I was a Mom.  Last year, both of the boys had a terrible stomach virus at the same time.  I didn't think I would ever catch up on sleep after that.  It was like a nightmare!!  Billy was so sick he hardly woke up to throw up, then right back to sleep while I was left, not really awake myself, cleaning up only to it starting all over again as soon as my head hit the pillow.  I stay at home so I take care of all of the kid stuff so Dad can get rested for work the next day.  I'm thankful I don't have to worry about calling in sick and feeling guilty.  I am sooo thankful to my husband for working sooo hard to make it all happen this way.  I have never been one to be able to handle the responsibility of both home and kids and husband and working outside of the home.  I have nearly had a nervous break down when I have tried.  For some reason I just don't handle all of it at all.  My hat goes off to those of you who do all of it!!  You totally Rock!!
I Believe in You! You are an Awesome MOM! Let's keep up all the hard work, it will all be worth it soon.


God Bless You,


Shari (MOB)
 

Guidance for the Young

Today I am reading from Proverbs 3: 1-6,  My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.  Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  
Direct (Hebrew  yashar, lit. " to make smooth, straight, right"). includes the idea of removing obstacles that are in the way.  God will straighten the stressful paths.  He does not say when or how; He just promises that He will. The passages list commands in the odd -numbered verses and the blessings in the even-numbered verses.  Wisdom and obedience bring longevity and exemplary reputation.  Three actions are required on our part: "trust" God, "lean not" to our own understanding, and "acknowledge" His leadership.  God responds with His action, which is to "direct".
The whole chapter is very valuable, but I won't list the whole thing, even though it's worth the time to read.  The New Strong-Willed Child, The New Strong-Willed Child Workbook, I always said my children would make James Dobson cry.  What do you do when your children are stronger willed than you?  Believe me mine are!  But I love them!  I am thankful they are not weak, but strong.  I will be honest, I have been know to remind my children that if they want to live a long life, then God says to obey his commands.  I must listen to these words myself!  I seem to always want to remind others of what God says like it doesn't pertain to me, Oh, but I need to hear His words more than anyone!  
Proverbs is my favorite book in the Bible, it's so full of such valuable information and instructions.  Probably what I pray for more than anything, except safety, is wisdom.  
I am faithfully waiting for it, believe me I'm not that wise at all.  It seems like I make the most unwise choices of anyone around.  
Lord, Help us today to make wise choices.  I pray for parents and children to have wisdom beyond their years.  Bless us and keep us and make your face to shine upon us.  We Praise You and Love You.  In Jesus' name, Amen.


May You Make Wise Choices Today,


Shari  (MOB)

The Friendliest Boy

OK, since I started my blogs the weather has been awful and our internet hasn't worked but just here and there.   So whenever it is working I will have to try my best to write because I never know when it will go out.  So my apologies.

When my 7 yr old got in the car after school he reached in his bag and pulled out an award he received that day.  It said, " The Friendliest Boy".  I was so happy to read that!  His teacher had recently told me how he had encouraged another classmate who was having a hard time.  She said she saw him put his arm around the other student and tell them, " It will be alright, you can do it".  He is really an encourager.  He knows just the right thing to say and the right time to say it.  He has encouraged me so many times.  He is very in tune to  others are feeling and has a HUGE heart.  He is my child who I can reason with and explain something to and he gets it and is easy to handle. He likes outside, but if he has to stay in because of the weather or whatever he is okay with that too.  He is a pleaser.  He will argue until the death if necessary, though.  My older one, bless his heart (and mine for being his mom) doesn't argue or say much but will do whatever he has his mind on and not make a fuss about it.  All of the sudden he will be gone on one of his ideas and I won't hear from him without texting him until my fingers are about to fall off. He is a charmer though. Handsome as can be and a true boy(almost man). He has always been a magnet to mud, to this very day.  He is the daredevil.  I blame myself for letting him watch to much Tool Time, with Tim the tool man, remember that show.  Isn't it crazy how much children differ?  I find myself constantly comparing them, instead of focusing on what uniqueness' they have to offer.  I must encourage them each in their different ways.   They both have wonderful things to offer to the world, but in different ways.  I must learn to  encourage their gifts and help them grow and develop into the men God called them to be. 

Lord, help me and all the other moms of boys to see our boys potentials and gifts and unique personalities.  Help us to encourage them and mold them in the ways you want them to go.  Give us strength and wisdom to be great moms.  Bless all the moms and their boys and help them to develop close relationships with you and with each other.  In Jesus name, Amen.  


Bless You, 
Shari
 

God Bless all the Mothers of Boys

God Bless all you mothers of boys.  We have a special job and I can't imagine doing it without God's help.  Can you imagine how much harder it would be?  God picked us because he knows we have what it takes to survive all the adventures.  That's exactly what it is, an adventure.  
Have a Great Day!!


Shari

Brotherly Love

My boys are 9 1/2 yrs apart.  They very rarely get along.  Most nights when they are both home it's some kind of arguing and then crying and then I get angry and just feel like giving up.  Sometimes it seems like a hopeless task to try to help them get along and do things together.  I don't seem to have much imagination or creativity anymore so I have a hard time coming up with ideas of things for them to do.  I don't know if it's all boys or what, but mine are very active and get bored easily.  I on the other hand never get bored and don't like to have to do stuff.  We are total opposites.  I only wish I had just a little bit of their energy.  Conflict is something I can't stand,  and arguing just makes me crazy.  I am pretty quiet and my boys are pretty loud. We are constantly having to tell Billy to use his inside voice and Cody plays the television and music so loud I can't even think.  Why is this? I wonder why most kids are so loud?  When I used to substitute at school that was one of the worse parts, the loud chaos! In the high school it was the sneaky stuff that worried me.  Middle school, well, I don't really have the words for them, they are a combination of it all.  It was always the boys that were getting into everything, climbing, running, and whatever else you can think of  and they were doing it.  I prayed for a boy, and I got two.  I have a sister (she was quite a tomboy) but I really didn't know anything about boys. What a difference in boys and girls. From the way they eat to how they play and so on, and so on.  Mine are so far apart,  I have one in elementary and another in high school.  I have to say I'd take the terrible two's back any day.  I think I already said that before, but it's so true.  Having a teenage boy is like living in a nightmare.  It's not occasionally a catastrophe happens, it's weekly, sometimes daily.  Boys are such daredevils and adventurous believe me prayer is a constant thing.  God says never cease praying, and trust me I have gotten to the point that even when I wake up at night I find myself praying really without even thinking about it.  It just happens.  Psalms 91 is just a part of my daily routine.  I just insert my boys names. 
He (Cody and Billy) who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty.  I (Cody and Billy) will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.  Surely He shall deliver you(Cody and Billy) from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.  He shall cover you (Cody and Billy) with his feathers, and under his wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your (Cody and Billy's) shield and buckler.  You (Cody and Billy) shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.  
A thousand may fall at your(Cody and Billy's) side, and then thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.  Only with your eyes shall you look and see the reward of the wicked.  
Because you(Cody and Billy) have make the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you(Cody and Billy), to keep you in all your ways.  In their hands they shall bear you(Cody and Billy) up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.  You(Cody and Billy) shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 
Because he(Cody and Billy) has set his(their) love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him(them); I will set them on high, because they have known My name.  He(Cody and Billy) shall call upon me, and I will answer him(them);  I will be with him(Cody and Billy) in trouble; I will deliver him(Cody and Billy) and honor him(Cody and Billy).  With long life I will satisfy him(Cody and Billy) and show him(Cody and Billy) My salvation.  


AMEN.


p.s. Please keep Billy and I in your prayers Monday.  We will be traveling to OK City to the OU pediatrics hospital for some testing on Billy.  He has tummy aches all the time and the doctors want to test him for Chrons Disease.  Please join with me in prayer for this situation.  Please pray for our safe trip.  Thanks!!
My God Bless and Keep You and May He make His Face to Shine Upon You!!

 Shari

8 things no child should leave home without

Here are 8 things no child should leave home without as listed by Joe McGee.  This is what we started studying in Sunday School this past Sunday.  If you have ever heard Joe McGee you know how fast and funny his speech is.  My slow mind starts burning rubber when I try to keep up with him.  
Here is the list:
1. Self Worth-You are worth something, Jesus paid his Life for you!
2. Vision(know what you want to do)
3. Love of Math(man did I leave home without this one!)
4. Meek (be teachable)
5. Organizational Skills(working hard on Cody with this one!)
6. Communication Skills(again working on this one with all of us!)
7. Character(doing what is right)
8. Sense of Humor(definitely need this one, especially if you have boys!)


Love = Time ( quality time) with your family

My oldest son, Cody, took the test of the Love Languages.  Marvin and I still need to take it, but I think Cody's is Quality Time.  After learning this I can see it in him.  I have started to make it a point no matter what time it is ( he is a night owl) to listen and just sit with him if that is all needed.  It is making a difference, I can tell.  I feel so bad, because I guess I thought since he is getting older and a teenage boy,  that he wouldn't want to spend time with me, but I was wrong.  I have had to grow up and not take it personally when he is moody and doesn't want to talk or be around anyone.  I used to get my feelings hurt, then I thought, Okay, Shari, grow up, your the mom.  I have to try not to nag, because I don't want to drive him away, but be a listening ear and a supportive mom.  Believe me his dad and I and grandma have had our times of griping and it gets overwhelming.  I have been trying to just ease up ( without giving up control) and focus on the positive. 
Now, my youngest, Billy, I would have to guess would be words of affirmation or maybe quality time.  I'm just guessing.  All I have to do is give Billy the "Look" and he crumbles.  Now Cody on the other hand,  we could punish everyday and still have to punish everyday.  
Cody would make Dr. James Dobson, author of the Strong Willed Child, pull his hair out, I'm sure of it!  I think God gave me a break with the second.  Marvin and I have come to the conclusion that God makes teenagers so difficult so it won't be so hard when they leave!! Ha, Ha!  You know it's true!!   
GOD BLESS ALL YOU MOMS OF BOYS!!!  We are a special group!  Able to withstand pounds of mud left in the bathtub, sticky chairs and counters, toys dissected and reassembled(always with parts left over), toys and bikes covered with so much mud that it takes a can of wd-40 to get the chain to work again, sticky kisses and handfuls of those little purple flowers that come up before all the grass starts to grow in the spring(you know the ones I'm talking about).  Those days disappear fast so cherish them when you have them.  


I thank God for my boys, and pray he will give me strength and wisdom.  I Plead the Blood of Jesus over Cody and Billy from crowns of their heads to the soles of their feet, every fiber, cell and tissue cover by Jesus' Precious Blood.  Lord, go with all the moms and help us to handle whatever our boys come up with.  In Jesus Name, Amen.


May God Bless and Keep You and Make His Face to Shine Upon You!!


Until Next Time, 
Shari


                                     


 

I just want PEACE!!

Oh what day, full of rain and you guessed it MUD, and puppies which led to wet puppy smell, YUCK!  You have to understand I was the prissy girl, my sister was the tomboy who loved to be outside and muddy.  God has such a sense of humor, I have the boys and my sister has the girl.  I have decided that boys are magnets for mud and water puddles.  I am very anal, and it drives me crazy for everything to be in chaos, which when you have boys that is the normal.  There is always wrestling and fighting and roughhousing,  hardly a moment of peace and silence, then when that happens I catch myself wondering what are they up to, instead of enjoying it.  I sometimes feel guilty for wanting to have peace and quiet but I just NEED IT sometimes!  I find myself constantly praying for wisdom and strength only to feel totally inadequate and weak.  I know satan wants to destroy families and relationships and I constantly have to pray and try to make the right decisions.  You can never stop or let up, not even for a moment.  I Plead the Blood of Jesus over my family and our home, cars, work and school.  I have to constantly keep after myself, because I let bad thoughts and words out.  I have started asking God to cleanse my heart and my mind.  I cannot do it myself, but if I will turn it over to God he will take my problems and deal with them, but the key is to trust him and just Let Go and Let God!!  I  pray that my friends who find that they are weighed down with burdens will let go and let you take over and take care of their problems.  I pray for strength and wisdom beyond my years and help me be a better mom.  In Jesus Name, Amen.