Lenten Chain

Please hop over to my other blog, My Cottage Life, to follow us in our Lenten journey this year.

Click here.

Rom 10:8-13
Brothers and sisters: What does Scripture say?
The word is near you,in your mouth and in your heart —that is, the word of faith that we preach—,
for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.

For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
For the Scripture says,
No one who believes in him will be put to shame.
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him.
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

You're not a good mom!

“You’re a bad mom!” he said as he turned to storm out of the room.

“You don’t think I am a good mom?” I asked him. I couldn’t believe that he was telling me that I was a bad mom. Not my sweet, loving child - the one who hovers over me when I am sick, the one who is glued to me during church, the one who is ready to fight anyone when he thinks they are being mean to me, the one who showers me with kisses and hugs all day long.

“No, you are a bad mom. A good mom would care about my feelings and make him give me his candy!” With that, he walked out of the room and out of the house.

I can’t say that I was upset with him. It’s Friday, and he is always cranky on Friday. But, it was food for thought for me. He is right; I am not a “good” mom. I make him go to bed at a ridiculous 8:00 PM on school nights. I make him eat balanced meals. I make him take a bath each day and brush his teeth. I make him put on clean clothes every day. I make him say his prayers every night. I make him be nice to his brother. I make him do his homework. I make him abide by rules. I make him work through challenges and come up with his own solutions. I make him aware of people in need and how he can help. I make him do things for himself. I make him work through disappointments and hurts. I make him go to church. I make him say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ I make him treat us with respect. No, I am not a “good” mom, I am a “loving” mom.

He came back later and apologized. We talked a long time about words and the power they hold. He said he was just angry. He kissed and hugged me. All is well with him now.

Nikolai's Birthday

Nikolai's birthday pictures. He spent the whole day in his pajamas since we attended church the evening before. I love having the option of Saturday services. It's hard to believe that he is nine. Sometimes he acts like he is three, and sometimes like he is forty! He opted for a chocolate cake with chocolate icing. Just last year, he wouldn't TOUCH anything chocolate. How quickly they fall for chocolate. He took a giant chocolate chip cookie to school to celebrate on Friday, along with yellow cake and chocolate icing.

Look at that smile. You wouldn't believe that just moments before I had to threaten him with mortal pain to get that smile for his Grandma Joyce. He is so stubborn (where does he get that from - Dennis?!!)

And, of course, Deniska had to get in on the action too! He also wore his pajamas all day. Hmm, doesn't look like either combed their hair... probably didn't brush their teeth either!

They are both such sweet boys!