Not much to report…we are all still here…truckin’ through these winter months…trying desperately to make it to SPRING and some warmer weather! (I know, snicker all you want- Northern peeps! God bless you and your 20 feet of snowfall each day.)
The kids (Drew, Ben, Sav, & Ethan) are little angels one minute and crazy little holy terrors the next. They are definitely keeping us on our toes at all times. Does anyone else freak out when you hear that a child’s personality/ sense of right & wrong/ morals/ values, etc. are set in stone by age 3? Anyone?...No?...Just me?…
Some days I feel like I am failing miserably as a Mom, and on other days- I am naïve enough to think that there just might be a 1% chance that I’m not screwing them up in some form or another. But that’s when I realize that I’m giving myself waaaay too much credit (I mean really, how many times did I type the word “I” or “I’m” in that last paragraph?)~
so I repeat over and over in my head:
“SUZ! Do NOT underestimate God, by over-estimating yourself.”
Put the parenting books down and start praying more.
If God is not involved in what the Steeces are doing, all of the self-help/parenting books in the world will not work and will be a complete waste of time.
We absolutely LOVE our church family and our preacher~ Doug. He has started an amazing new Sunday morning worship series on “FAMILIES 2011” (parenting, relationships within the family, marriage, etc. ) If you guys could use some re-focusing and direction for yourself and your families in 2011~ you are more than welcome to come to North Davis or check out the series online. Powerful stuff.
Anywhoo---those are just some things that have been on my heart and mind lately.
In other news…we’re going to need lots of advice/expertise from my awesome blog buddies for an upcoming cruise with my BFF~Joseeef. The mister and I are not “cruise” people and are a little apprehensive about the whole idea of being on a massive ship out in the middle of nowhere, and yet~ we are still SUPER excited!!!…will post more on that ASAP…
Hugs,
27 comments:
Thanks Suz! I needed to hear that. Love you! xoxo
I constantly worry about screwing up my kiddos too! Your right though we can only do our best and pray, pray, pray that for God's guidance in raising them!
WOW!!! I have been a blog stalker since your beauties were born but I HAD to comment today.
Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou for that wonderful "quote". I feel, like you, that I have ruined my children somedays and that quote literally took my breath away.
Check out "Shepherding A Child's heart" by Tedd Tripp. Super and biblically grounded. Don't forget we are free will agents and that we still have choices to make, no matter our what our parents did/didn't do. You are doing what's right, seeking God's guidance. Kudos to you (times 4)!
Is your husban'ds background Czech? Thats an unusual name spelling lol ... Have fun on the cruise !
I love this post, LOVE IT! Almost as much as I love you.
Lerd I miss you.
xoxo
Gen
I know this post will resonate with so many of us, so thank you for the encouragement.
My friend reminded me this summer that if I was the perfect mother, my children would never need the Lord.
So, may his power be made perfect in our weaknesses as we seek his wisdom for our families!
Well, I haven't been lucky enough to have children yet so I can't worry about ruining them just yet, lol. However, GREAT post, I'm going to make my BFF read this, we just had a long talk last night about this and her dealing with her 3 little ones.
On another note, I hope you LOVE the cruise, I'm counting down for mine (7.5 weeks), I can't wait.
We went on our first cruise 2 years ago, my older sister had asked us for years and I had no desire to go but finally went so she would stop bugging me, I was so worried about being out in the middle of the ocean and not being able to see land, but honestly that ended up being the most beautiful part of the entire trip for me, now we are on cruise #3 in 3 years!
Here are some pics from our cruise last year, scroll to the bottom, there are a few different posts with pictures.
http://tamara-camera.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html
Suz,
Okay, so like Jackie, I've never commented, but this one I had to comment on! Seriously, as a mommy of only 1 precious 2.5 year old, sometimes I feel like a MAJOR failure to him as a mommy!!! I always tell myself that my mom (and most other good moms) have probably felt this same way, but it's such a heavy heavy load to carry ensuring that you're raising your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord! How right you are that we need to forget about "I" and focus on "Him!"
Oh, and we went on our first cruise this past summer and had a fantastic time. I was TERRIFIED (read: horrified, scared to death) of water and made my son wear a leash (ugh, I know) for the first few hours. Then, once I got comfortable it was smooth sailing from there on out!! Seriously...best vacation we've ever taken!
You are so right about staying on your knees for your children. It does not matter how may books you may read what matters is if you have been on your knees for your children. Also CRUISES are WONDERFUL we have been on 7 and 3 have been with our children. Great fun and lots of thing to do you can't get board.
Oh man you sound like me...and I only have 1 child. there are days when you think that. But thats not what is happeneing. Your wee ones are growing up. I have to remind myself of that all the time.
Hang in there. Your good days will out number the bad ones.
Also, Cruises are great. Make sure to partake in room service at least once or twice.
You are doing a wonderful job raising those little rascals!! Sounds like a wonderful series at your church!! I think we could all use that reminder!!
How exciting that yall are going on a cruise!! I love them!!
That's a great reminder for all moms to remember we need to pray and trusts God in our parenting decisions!
Cruises are sooooo much fun! You will have a blast!
Being a parent is so hard, and so rewarding. I constantly have to remind myself that I wouldn't be given anymore than I could handle. But sometimes, I question if I can really handle it all, lol!
They say there's no need to worry, because "the Lord looks out for babies and fools." You are certainly no fool, but it should give you relief that He is watching over your babies when you can't. I love your blog and really think you're an amazing mom. Trust that you're patience, guidance and hard work WILL pay off. God bless your sweet cuties. :)
Loyal blog follower,
Jessica
Chicago, IL
Love this, Suz. Totally relate. Totally. Thanks for this perspective and reminder.
<3 u
This something I (we all) struggle with daily! It is so helpful to have reminders like this..to pick up the bible and let God do the talking! Btw--I am a new reader, and am amazed by your story. Oh, and not to mention how incredibly stunning you are--and that family of yours as well! Kudos to you Mama.
I am a 3/4 year old teacher, and yes they do learn much of respect and integrity (including the words themselves) at that age. SO yes I believe they find their main values around this age. :-)
Lindsey
So I have been checking out your blog more and more lately!! I think you have such a wonderful family! I am a mom of a 3 year old, twin boys that are 18 months old and a 10 week old lil' boy...and I was just thinking today that I am the worst mom...I just can't seem to get everything together...so thank you for the quote and the reminder to put down the books and pick up the prayer :)
Hi Suz...I'm Robyn Klatt/Areheart's cousin :) so I'm not a crazy lady...
Your post was beautiful! Amen!
Hubby & I homeschool and have been on 10 cruises in the past 4 years, so I would be HAPPY to help you with any questions you may have! We have always traveled with our son (7 yrs old now), and are very familiar with Carnival & Disney cruise lines.
Please feel free to email me if you'd like. I'm happy to answer any questions you have...I was SO nervous before we went on our first cruise. Hubby & I thought we would not like it...but we LOVE to cruise (obviously!).
Anyway...crazyzeus1 at aol dot com is my address. I'd love to help if I can...I'm also in DFW area :)
I have been reading your blog for some time now. I love your attitude and I always tell my mom, who got me started on your blog, I just know she is like that in "real life". You seem so real without being fake and perfect. Your blog is honest and makes us moms of just three not the same age babies feel like we are doing ok too. God Bless you and your family and know that you make us fellow moms smile and laugh just when we need it!!
Oh Suz, I really need to hear these words today.
"Put the parenting books down and start praying more." Wow, sooooo needed to hear that...
I never comment but have been reading your blog for a long time. I promise it does get easier. Granted, I just have one but he was absolutely terrible when he was 3. My husband and I were always afraid we must be doing something wrong because it was so bad. I really doubted myself as a parent then. It started getting a lot better right about the time he turned 4. He's seven now and we laugh now at how worried we were. He's a great kid, smart, sweet and very caring for others. They call it the terrible two's but trust me, three is so much worse. Hang in there because it is totally an age thing. It will get lots better!
You will LOVE a cruise!! We've been on four and would definitely do it again. Can't wait to hear where you are going!
I've actually heard that a child's moral compass is set by age 9, so you've got plenty of time! And many more years to consistently tweak their right from wrong issues. (sounds exhausting...)
Did my last comment post? I don't see it. Anyway, I ALSO heard that a child's spiritual values are almost always set by age 13. So moral values at 9, spiritual by 13. Not to say that everyone's a lost cause after that, it's just much, much harder to encourage positive changes after that point.
Encouraged yet?
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