Saturday, April 30, 2011

Mama's Christmas Angels

Hey all.  I've not lost my mind.  I wrote a story to enter in a magazine.  It's is a Christmas story.  Please read it and tell me what you think:



Thanks!!!!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Fried pickles Fit

OK, Just need to talk this out, please.  Tonight, I took the kids and granddaddy (who sat in the truck)   to Captain D's.  Dalton had wanted fried pickles.  Well, in the process of ordering, there was a miscommunication between the lady who took our order, him and I: She told him it would cost extra and  showed him what he could get as sides,  He said OK, assuming he would get the pickles.  Well somehow the pickles didn't get ordered.  Well, instead of nicely if he could order them, he got ugly and started throwing a fit, and said he wasn't;t does it and wanted to go out to the truck.  It was quite a scene.  Then Bobbye Sue got involved .  She went and told them that we wanted an order of pickle.  I politely told the lady "No thank you."  and explained to Bobbye Sue that she couldn't override me like that.  She turned on her big puppy dog eyes and said;  "Mama, I was just trying to be a good sister.: :cry:  I told her I knew that, but she need to let me be the mama.  Anyway, all the way home Dalton continued to fuss.  This of course upset DFIL.  I feel he think I'm a bad mother.  But I have to do what I think is best for them and giving in to them doesn't work.  They have to respect me.  I know Dalton  is growing up  and trying to figure  out who he is.  We had a(nother) long talk when we got home.  He said I don't love him.  I told him I did and that I pray, and cry and fret over him more than anything.  I told him my job is to raise him, not to bend to his every whim.  I told him that he may not really see how much I really love him until he's an adult and has kids.  I really think our talk planted a seed and In fact he called me from Granddaddy's before bed to say was really sorry and he loved me.    He's such a good kid and I know growing up is hard...All I can do is pray to the greatesr father of all.   I felt peaceful today, I usually feel like such I bad mama, but I just have this great sense of peace today that holding my ground  was the right thing to do

Friday, April 22, 2011

What's Good about Good Friday?

Have you ever contemplated on why the Friday before Easter is referred to as "Good Friday"?  For people who aren't Christians, Good  Friday is nothing more than a "holiday" off work; they may even get irritated because local and our federal bossinesses may be  closed.  Christians may or may not have much of a different view.  They know that it's the day that represent the day of Christ's crucifixion.  To think of the day that some dying as  a "good" seam absurd and unnatural to us.  Even if their death is a blessing, such as the end of a long bout of suffering, it it always a sad day when someone we love and care about dies and departs from our presence.   How sad it is to think that our savior; our Lord had to suffer and die such a tragic death.  It seams like this day should be called "Bad Friday".  However, it's the unseen deed that took place on Calvary's Mountain that made that day "good".  It was the shedding of Jesus' innocent blood that would be used to cover all of my sins and grant me my ticket to live for eternity in heaven.  It's not that I'm glad that He suffered and died; in fact, it sickens me.  However, I am so thankful that He did.  This is why I  think this day is called "Good" Friday.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

A to Z Blog Challenge: G is for Gratitude

Alphabet Bears is for GRATITUDE.    According to dictionary.com the definition of gratitude is "the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful:" This may be on of the qualities that I want my kids to have most.  I think we live in a  society where  we no longer stop to appreciate what we have.   1 Thessalonian 5:18 tells us to  "Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will (W) for you in Christ Jesus."  I know it's extremely  hard at times to look and see the good in  a certain situation.  Thus, it's very hard when you're in those awkward preteen ages,   to see that we are to be thankful ~ even the trails and stresses.  Many of the things that seem to be "devastating" and "life-ending", turn out to be blessings in disguise.  The older we get, the easier is to understand the concept of being thankful for everything in all situation.  However, for up and coming individuals they don't have many experiences  to look back and see those "unanswered prayers". Romans 8:28 (Holman Christian Standard Bible) tells us  "We know that all things work together [a] for the good [b] of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose."  


    O Father God, thank you God for my  children.  Please give them a heart of gratitude towards EVERYTHING! - even those things the we may see as trails or  just plan wrong 

.  Help them to take everything that you give them in  stride; and help them look for the lessons in everything they go through.  in Your Holy name, I pray.  Amen.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Dining Room Prayer

God, the center of the dining room is the table.   Help us to always remember to give thanks for the food on the table.  May it always bring health to our bodies.  Please bless the conversation that surrounds our table.  May we all gather around the table for years to come.  


 Lord, this room also holds the little people's computer.  I pray that it won't become an idol in their lives.  May it only bring good and godly things into our home.  Please teach us wisdom in using the computer and may everything we do on it glorify You.  Please help my kids understand that the computer can offer a lot of dangerous things, and that by limiting their computer time and checking on their computer use;  I'm doing so in order to protect them..  As they mature, help me trust them more.


In Your Holy Name I prayer...Amen.

Our Bedroom Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for the sanctuary of our bedroom.  Please help me to keep it clean and nice so it may be a place of peace and rest.  May it always bring Barrett and I closer as couple and,  when we  open it up to the little people, as a family.  May it be a safe harbor in times of sorrow and stress:  May it know more joyful smiles than harsh tears.  


In Your Holy Name I pray...Amen

Prayer for the Bathrooms

Lord, it may seam silly to some to prayer over the lowly bathrooms.  But the bible tells us to pray for all things:  Luke 21:36 (Holman Christian Standard Bible) "36 But be alert at all times, (A) praying that you may have strength [a] to escape (B) all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man."  But they are two of the most major used rooms in the house that need yo represent cleanliness, refuge, peace and solitude.  Please help me to keep it clean so that it can be healthy.


In Your Holy, Heavenly Name I pray...Amen.
  

Kitchen Prayer

     O Lord, my kitchen is the heart of our home.  Help me to keep it cleaned and ever ready to prepare good and healthy meals from my family.  May I always be thankful for all I have.  May the food and all the things the go on in my kitchen always be a blessing and encouragement to my family.


In Your Holy Name, I pray,  Amen. 

A to Z Blog Challenge - F is for Friends

Alphabet Bears  is for friends!  This is something I pray constantly; especially  as my little people grow up and start  to figure out who they are.  They are going to need people to lean on in their life...People to encourage them and balance them; people who can challenge them and help them to be  a better person.  I also pray that God sends them friends that may not know God that may kids may witness to  them.  The friends - especially those that they will make during the next years will be some of the most influential people in the life.  As they grow up, my little people need to discover who they are for themselves not who they are in Mama's and Daddy's shadows.  I may not like  all the 
choices that they, or their friends make.  My job is to prayer for them, offer them the best advice I can and to try to live my life in a godly manner as example to them 
        O Lord,  Please watch over my little people and help to a;ways do Your will and seek Your guidance.   Pleas give them good friends who will be there to help guide them and encourager them to be the people that you want to be.  Please help them to also be encouraging to theirs friends.  If their friends do not no you,  Please allow them them be a light to help lead them to you.  In  Your Holy Name, I pray, Amen

Friday, April 15, 2011

HOME KEEPER'S JOURNAL: Disapointment

Today’s Homekeeper’s Journal is all about disappointment.
Disappointment. The thing we don’t want and we don’t want our children to experience. But then again, we do want our children to experience it so that they can learn and grow. Disappointment is something that we just wish wasn’t part of life, but it always will be.
My biggest kitchen disappointment ……… For the past few weeks I really haven't felt well for the past couple of weeks; I'm in a lot a pain (Going to the doctor Tuesday).  But because I'm not feeling well I wasn't able to clean the kitchen the house like I wanted or needed to.  
I’ve learned this from disappointment ….. I was blessed with 2 great parents who taught me how to deal with disappointments.  Growing  up with a disability, I had many challenges.  Some I was able to overcome and others I weren't.  My parents  always  tried to encourage and not let me wallow in self - pity.  They pushed me to be the best that I could.  I think disappointment are a part of life and you have to face them and move on.  Some of the most crucial lessons I have learned in my life, have came out of my times of disappointment.  I have to constantly  remind myself to ask; "OK God, what do you want me to learn from this?"What I hope my children can learn from disappointment ….. Just that: that they can learn from disappointment.    I'd like them see their disappointment as stepping stones to get closer to God.
Disappointment with people …..I'm a "people pleaser" by nature and I really want people to be happy so I hate to disappointed them.  On the other hand I try to give people the benefit of the doubt when they disappoint.  However, this is harder to do with the people I love most: Bryan, Dalton & Bobbye Sue.  I tend to be harsher with them.    I really need to pray and seek God's guidance in this area.
The Bible speaks about disappointment a lot. Here are some verses that give us comfort and strength in the face of disappointment.   Tell how these verses can help you overcome disappointment……
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partialityColossians 3:23-25  We are to work to please God and not others.  I have to pray that God will give me the right frame mind, heart and spirit in order to do my work to please & glorify God.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:13-14  This verse tells me that I am  to be confident in all I do because I believe in Jesus and have eternal life.  If I trust in God and that if I do what I believe that God wants me to do, everything will work out. 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
 Romans 8:28  I know that if I love God and follow His will for my life that everything will work out.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Philippians 4:6-7  I am not suppose   to get anxious or upset about anything.  I'm to pray about everything and give all my worries to God.

He Gets It & Is Passing It On

I love to listening to preaching/teaching on the radio or CD.  (If you didn't know better you'd thing I'd marry someone in talk radio or something...LOL!!!) My favorite thing to listen to are teaching on being a Christian  wife and mother.  Last week Dalton and I was talking about it -which of course he thinks it's wried that I do this- I told him, I do it to keep my mind focused.  As I go about my daily routine, I'm listening and learning more about God and how to follow Him and do His will.  One of the things I've been listening to lately is The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian.  In the book she tells about how her son was having nightmares.  So she went in his rooms (and yes, I do believe in going into my kids rooms; call me nosey if you may) and she found a video game  that was violent and even had stuff to do with an occult I think.  They took the game out of his room and prayed over his room.  Well, lo and behold, the kid stopped having night.  I'm not sure why I told Dalton this story, but I did.  Well, on Sunday the sermon at church was talking about surrounding yourself with good teachings, music, ect.  Later that afternoon I asked Dalton if he understood more of why I listen to the CDs.  He said no and then proceeded to tell me of a friend of his who was having  nightmares and having trouble sleeping.  The went on talking and his friend told him about a song he'd been listening to.  His friend sang it to Dalton and Dalton said: "Mama, it was a horrible, horrible song!"  He suggested to his friend that he may want to stop listening to that song, he actually retold the story of Stormie Omartian's son.  His friend said he would.  So proud of Dalton!!!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

A to Z Blog Challenge - E is for Education

Alphabet Bears is for EDUCATION.  I'm not one of these people who thinks that everyone HAS  GOT TO go to college, but I do think education is very important.  Barrett and I were the first in our families to go to college.   That's where we met.  Yes, I want my kids to go to college, but above that I want them to follow God's will for there life.  We are fortunate to live in a community with good public schools,  I've been thinking a lot education lately, as Dalton will start middle school in August.  I even pondered the idea of homeschooling.  Through much prayer, I've come to the decision that is not the road for our family right now.  God may allow this one day.    As I'm not their teacher, I'm to oversees their studies, to be their advocator  and their encourager.  The scary thing about your kids growing up is that you don't know everything.  And you've got to do that big thing and TRUST them!  I keep think back to their lives: Did I teach them the right things?  Did I cross all my T's and dot all my I's?  Did I pray for them enough?  Do I love them enough?
     Dear God,  Thank you so much for the blessings  of my children .  Lord, I pray that their for are clear and focused.  I pray that they have good,, godly teachers.  Give them patience and peace in the class room.  I pray the  school staff and administration.  Please help them to make good decisions.  Please just have Your spirit over the schools of Rutherford County and  over all of this nation.  I pray for peace and safety  above the schools.  Help  my children to follow Your will for them  in their life.   I pray that whether my kids go to a   formal school or barely pass through the school of hard knocks, that they always appreciate the education that You give them.  May they take always take advantage of any opportunities that You may give them.   In Your holy name, I ask...AMEN

Friday, April 8, 2011

A to Z Blog Challenge - D is for Daddy

Alphabet Bears  is for their relationship with the good, good DADDY!!!   Barrett is such a great husband and father.  Being married to someone who is physically is not always easy.  He sometimes feel like he has 3 kids instead of 2.  (& it's not because I act like a kid ~ well, sometimes I do...LOL).   Barrett is the youngest of  6 boys;  there's a 10 year age difference between him and the next youngest.  .  His mom died when he was 8, and he lived with his dad until he and I got married.   So needless to say; having a kid was a BIG adjustment for Him.  Dalton was a very STRONG-WILLED child from the get go.  It's always been the batter of the wills.  He has to shoulder most of the discipline with the kids.  Being a parent is tough.   Sometimes we  feel like all the "hard" jobs of parenting and feel like we miss out on many of many of it "joys"  However, it's in our teaching and discipline that will help them to become  good  adults.
        Dear God.  Thank you for the blessing of my husband and my children.   Please just bless their relationships and created a bond in them that can not be broken.  Allow to just learn to trust and understand each other.  Teach how to love each other.  Holy Father, Please help Barrett and help him  to follow your example in how a father should love his kids.  In your Holy Name I pray,  Amen.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

A to Z Blog Challenge - C is for Confession

Alphabet Bearsis for CONFESSION. Confession is 1) An open profession of faith (Luke 12:8). (2.) An acknowledment of sins to God (Lev. 16:21; Ezra 9:5-15; Dan. 9:3-12), and to a neighbour whom we have wronged (James 5:16; Matt. 18:15).  Confession is a very important aspect of our relationship with God.  It's the first step we take after God calls us to follow Him.  And its an act they we  will have  to  take this step many times throughout our lives.  Confession   does not alway easy or natural, in fact  it usually doesn't.  Confession isn't for God's benefit, but ours.  God is omniscient. He knows all of our sin before we even think about committing them.  Some people may even use this as a reason not to confess; saying if God already knows what I've  done  then why should I confess?  We confess to show our repentance and seek forgiveness.  We know that as followers of Christ, ALL of sins were forgiven when Jesus shed His blood for our salvation.  However there is something in our soul that yearns to get out when we have sinned; and the only way for it to get out it through confession to God. 
      O Father God.  Thank you so much that you sent Your only Son to die for our sins.  We know that once we place our faith in You, that we are forgiven before we even think about sinning.  Lord, help my kids to understand the importance and even to true gift of confession.  I just pray lord that there hearts may not feel at rest until they confess to You.   In Your Holy Name I pray...AMEN

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

A to Z Blog Challenge - B is for Bravery

Alphabet Bears  is for Bravery!  According to dictionary.com, the definition or bravery is; "1. brave  spirit or conduct; courage; valor. 2. showiness; splendor; magnificence."  I almost think that bravery now days is a lost art.  I grew up with 5 brothers so being brave came natural to me.  (HAHAHA!)   Bravery isn't going up and picking a fight just to prove something; bravery is standing up for something that right, even when you may not want to.  Bravery may even mean being still and quiet at times.  You don't have to go out to look for chances to be brave; plenty of these chances will find you.  Bravery comes in many forms.  Some people think if you "break down" that  you're not brave.  I must say that I've seen many people reveal their true strengths through "moments of weaknesses".  I think we are bravest when we can totally rely on God and trust Him  to supply our bravery.
     Father God, please teach my kids what it truly means to brave.  Help them to be able to discern when they need to "put on a brave front" and when it's OK to "let their guard down".  Help Barrett and I not only be examples of bravery to them, but help us to also be hear to  listen, talk and most of all pray about their bravery.  In Your holy name I pray, Amen

Monday, April 4, 2011

Pro. 31 Challenge ~ Week 5






Week 5:  Proverbs 31:22-24

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes



  Are you or a family member always hunting for a clean pair of socks?  Does the laundry seem to be getting the best of you?  Maybe you are always behind on doing the dishes.  Write a post sharing  how you deal with the never ending loads of laundry and dishes.



LOL! This is (sadly) too true in the Barrett household and yes, I must admit it my fault. This is a major source of tension in our family (marriage) – only 2nd to cleaning! I do love clean clothes. I have two problems – I forget to put them in the dryers. However, more often than that they just get left in baskets. - Even if the get folded, they get stacked in basket in rooms and never get put in drawers. Then the next time bedrooms are cleaned, the same folded clothes find their way back into my laundry room. I do to try to keep the house clean most of the time I feel like it's all I can do to keep my head above water. It would be so easy to blame all of of this on CP. But I won't; I can't. My problem is the depression and lack of motivation. I can also tend to be on the lazy side!

A to Z Blog Challenge - Praying the ABC's FOR MY LITTLE PEOPLE

My friend  Ella introduced me to the A to Z blog challenge at Tossing It Out.  I think I'll try it.  I may not post every day, but will try to post a couple of post a week.    But I'm going to add my only little "twist" to it.  I've been really impress to pray more fervently for my kids.   There is no major problem.  I've been  listening "The Power of a Praying Parent." by Stormie Ormartian.    It really had just reinforce the importance of praying   for my kids


Alphabet Bears...is for ATTITUDE...I think it's so ultimately important to pray for kids attitudes.  I especially feel this way as my kids are entering their teen and preteen years.  I know that as they grow they have to test the waters for themselves and choose for themselves how the want to react to a certain issue.  I can  give them my opinion, but they ultimate have to make the decision.  My kids are 11 and 8 -  so they are best friends and worst enemies  at the same time.      A couple of weeks age Dalton was so angry he said;   "I hate Bobbye.  I wish she was never born."  I quickly told him that he was not to say this again.  He said: "Mama, you can control what I say, but how I feel."...He is right I can't control or change how he feel.   He loves his sister VERY much; I know this.  I have 5 brothers and two  sisters - we didn't always get along.  Mama used to tell us we needed to be best friends; because friends will come and go but siblings will always have you back.  I must say, I love watching Mama and her brother interact...they've come a long way from when she used to leave him on top of buildings to go play with her friends.
         Father God, please help my kids to have good, positive attitude.  It isn't about them always being happy - but please help them to be able to take whatever life throws at them with stride.  Help them to trust you and all time and to pray before they go off and react in haste.  Please give them a heart of mercy towards others.  Help them, Lord to understand that their ways may not always be Your will; but help them to understand that Your will is always right.   In Your holy, heavenly name. I pray.  Amen
     

Friday, April 1, 2011

My First Blog Party

Ultimate Blog Party 2011



Not sure if I'm doing this right, but I ran across blog party at http://www.5minutesformom.com and it seams like a fun.  If I'm correct, and please forgive if I mess up, you simply tell people about yourself and/or blog  - I can do that!

  • My name's Heather.  I've been married 12 and a half years.  We have an 11 year old son and an 8 year old daughter.  I'm a SAHM.  They go to public school.
  • The title of this blog is NOT A MISTAKE.  I am THE CRIPPLED MAME.  I have Cerebral Palsy.  Please see my post on WHY I BLOG: http://crippledmama.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-i-blog.html   The title may be controversial , but I would like to be able to help other women who may have disabilities.  
  • I suffer from depression too and much of my blog deals with the issues
  • I truly strive to be a godly wife and mama.
  • I'm not the neatest homemaker, but I try to keep a "reasonably" kept home.  
  • I am a Daughter of the King.  I blog openly about my faith.
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