Christian Books for Kids!

Do you have a favorite Christian book(s) that you love reading to your little ones?  If so, I'd love for you to share.  Just comment below.  We are always looking for good books!

Here are a few favorites in our home library:

Have a wonderful day,
Jen

Special Friend

Please pray for our special friend, Mike who was recently hospitalized.  The girls miss him so much and are so worried about him.  Please pray that the Lord would calm their fears.

Blessings,

Jen

Thankful in all Circumstances

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

This is such a helpful verse to read when you are having a bad day or a bad week or month.  It isn't always easy to do, but what a good reminder to count our blessings.  Yesterday morning was a rough one.  I was up most of the evening with a sick baby and my eight year old,Sunshine, was having respiratory issues, so I was up checking on her as well.  The next morning, my six year old is cranky, spills her cereal all over the place and then cries for me to keep her home from school.  As I'm trying to get her ready, help Sunshine with her breathing treatment, the baby is crying for a bottle. And on top of all this, I had to get two of them to a sitter, the other to school on time, so that I could go and get a root canal.  On the way to the dentist, I realized that I had forgotten my x-ray.  I could just cry.  Luckily, they were great at the dentists and said that they didn't need it.  I told them about my morning and we just laughed.  They said at least your smiling.  I was smiling because no matter what- I signed up for this and I am oh so blessed by having my three children.   So insead of crying, I laughed and it helped. I decided to think about the things that are good about having three children and not the stressful parts. 

Today, a bit stressful again.  Pain from root canal kept me up last night, fussy baby, school calls - one child has a headache, the other needs a breathing treatment.  Back and forth to the school, finally, I just bring them home.  Now three sick kids at home and Dad's working overtime.  Breathe and read 1 Thessalonian 5:18.  So if it sounds like I'm whining, I'm not.  I'm sharing and hoping that in all circumstances you too can just laugh about it.  And hopefully, I'll stay calm and take my own advice.

Blessings,
Jen

Happy Mother's Day!

Feel so blessed to have the gift of children.

Sunshine Girl-all grown up holding Little Man

Little Man-what a sweet face!

Peanut- still my baby girl

Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous; is not proud; is not conceited; does not act foolishly; is not selfish; is not easily provoked to anger; keeps no record of wrongs; takes no pleasure in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. ~I Corinthians 13:4-7

This is the type of love that I strive to give- love that is patient and kind. It is not always easy with the challenges of everyday life, but possible with Christ by our sides.


Happy Mother's Day!
Jen

Wordless Wednesday: Dear Lord...

Dear Lord,
Thank you for my big sisters, my mommy, my daddy, my stuffed doggy, my binky, my bottle, my.............
Amen

For More Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom and be sure to check out my creative girls over at Creative and Curious Kids!.

Many blessings,
Jen

Easter Sunday!

What a beautiful day to celebrate Jesus' resurrection! Evidence of new life surrounded us from our new baby boy celebrating his first Easter to the Spring flowers blooming in our yard. I hope that you had a blessed Easter.

Our first photo together as a family of five


My First Easter!
We have photos of all of our babies next to these Spring flowers.


My precious girls!


Happy Easter!

Blessings from our family!

Jen

Good Friday through a Child's Eyes

"Today's not a very good day, Mommy."

"Why do you say that, hon?"

"Well, Jesus died today."


I explained to my 7 year old that even though it is sad that Jesus died today, there is hope in his sacrifice. That because of this, our sins are wiped away so that we can be with God. And that there is hope because he rose again.

How do you talk about Jesus' death and resurrection with your children?

Even though it was Good Friday and it is difficult to think of what Jesus endured, we had a wonderful day together as a family. Beautiful weather- new life all around us- baby bunnies, robins, and spring flowers. May you experience the hope of Easter with your children!

Happy Easter!
Jen

Wordless Wednesday: My Irish Baby Boy

My new little man is getting so big! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Irish Blessings,

Jen

Church- Almost!

With a newborn, getting to church on time or at all has been a little more difficult than usual. I can't wait to get back into a regular routine and attend church weekly. This past Sunday we missed church- I was up a lot throughout the evening before with the baby, so we decided to do church at home. I know that one of the main reasons why church is important is to fellowship and support other Christians in their walk and have discussed this with my children. If we weren't going to be there, I still wanted to be in God's word with them. They were so cute.

"We need to sing the worship songs first, Mom."

We didn't have our praise band to accompany us, but we still were able to praise God with our singing in our living room. After praying together, we enjoyed reading the bible. We are starting the Easter story. Then I had them do a devotional and an activity. Definately not the same as church, but glad to have this time together to focus on God and his word.

Blessings and enjoy your Monday!

Jen

Raising Children in a Christian Home

We have good intentions as parents, but sometimes we let the business of life or our emotions/problems get in the way of teaching our children our Christian faith. I am guilty of it myself. I'll buy devotionals for them and start on a routine and then lose them or read the bible every evening and then somehow get away from this important task of sharing God's word with my children. As I go through personal trials with my own faith, I tend to set my teaching aside.

Well, just how important is it to provide Christian teaching to our children? Research shows that children raised in Christian homes are more likely to turn back to it if they rebel. Having God's word written on their hearts stays with them into adulthood. Children need to ultimately decide for themselves, but giving them the right foundation and room to find their own faith will guide them in this most important life decision.

Recently, I came across two excellent articles relating to this topic. What are you doing to teach your child about Jesus? And if you aren't teaching your children, why not start today.

Survey: Childhood religious involvement often sparks adult

Why Christian Kids Rebel

Train a child in the way he should go,and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6



Blessings,
Jen

Rest In Peace, Sweet Baby

My little cousin, Aidan Joseph, born on December 23, 2009- passed away recently. I can't even imagine how a parent deals with such a loss. I've been asking why? With hundreds of prayers, why wasn't he healed? I know that God's will isn't always within our understanding, but it still doesn't make it any easier. I am questioning God and feeling angry that this sweet baby isn't with his family.

Please pray for Aidan's parents and siblings as they deal with this loss. I know that they are cherishing the time they had with him even though it was short. My heart just goes out to them.

Jen

Important- Prayer Request for Baby Cousin

Prayer Request for my baby cousin. His name is Aidan Joseph. Please pray for him today. His story is on the link below. Doctors are asking his parents to sign a DNR, but they are hoping for a miracle. They don't want to let their baby go. Please pray that God will heal him.

http://www.design-magic.com/index.php/our-new-baby

Blessings,

Jennifer

The Best Gift Ever

My Christmas and New Years gift all wrapped up one! I couldn't feel more blessed at this moment.

For more photos of my sweet new baby, visit Creative and Curious Kids!

Wishing you a wonderful New Year filled with blessings!

Jen