America IS a Christian nation

"The Bible is the rock on which our Republic rests." Andrew Jackson

"Millions will be on their knees at once before their Great Creator, imploring his forgiveness and blessings; His smiles on American councils and arms." John Adams (speaking of the national day of fasting and prayer called at the beginning of each session of Congress)

Did you know the first law beginning and governing our public school system, the "Old Deluder Satan Act", was enacted in order that our enemy Satan would not steal or dilute Scripture, but that all children would hide God's Word in their heart as a guide for living? Did you get that? Our public school system was established as a means of advancing Christianity. Ironic isn't it?

Or that Congress printed the first English Bible in America for use in the newly created public school system?

Did you know that of our Founding Fathers, 29 of the 56 had theology degrees? Wait a minute. Haven't we been taught in our public school history classes that the majority of these men were atheists? Of the 56 signers only two, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, considered themselves "not particularly religious." Despite what our own Supreme Court and the president himself are saying, our country was founded as a result of the spiritual truths these men held dear.

Hamburgers, watermelon and fireworks are a great way to celebrate our nation's birthday today, but let's not forget WHY we're celebrating. Take a few minutes to watch this short sermon by David Barton, founder and president of Wallbuilders. You will learn more about our decidedly Christian heritage in 20 minutes than I learned in 12 years of history class.

Happy Fourth of July and may God continue to bless our great Nation.

Complete and utter randomness

1. It is too hot to actually live in Texas. You might want to visit, but I would suggest not staying long.

2. I snagged two, yes two pieces of Pampered Chef stoneware at a yard sale today for $1 each. Yeah for me!

3. New bed for dear son #1 - $50. Surprising the boys with their own space to hang out- $200. Watching hubby's face when I shared my brilliant plan and asked him to move three rooms of furniture - priceless.

4. The state of Texas should not be inhabited during the summer months...period.

5. Only two months until we visit Idaho...where it's cool.

6. Only two months until the start of college football. Life is good.

7. Homemade iced coffee makes me happy. Not having to plop down $4 at Starbucks makes me almost giddy.

8. Growing my hair out drives me nuts.

9. A day without depression is better than watching college football, sipping iced coffee with my best friend on a 75 degree day....yeah, it's that good.

10. Did I mention it's hot?

How does your garden grow?

A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. Ecclesiastes 3:2

I had one of those "aha" moments this morning. You know the kind. You've read a verse many times and suddenly it jumps off the page and hits you upside the head. God works that way with me sometimes...He knows I'm a bit hardheaded.

In my "aha" moment, it struck me (pun intended) how planting and harvesting applies to parenting and homeschooling. Every moment of every day is an opportunity. Every time I interact with my kids I am either planting a new seed, watering a struggling sprout, pulling some unsightly weed that's crept in, or chasing off crows as they attempt to pluck up the fresh shoot.

But what are we planting? Are we sowing seeds of wisdom? An open, honest relationship with the Lord? Seeds of the fruit of that relationship (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control)?

Or are we inadvertently sowing weed seeds - the beginnings of things we do not want growing in our children's lives? We speak impatiently. We've just sown a seed. We react in an unkind manner towards a child. We've just watered the seed of unkindness. We raise our voice to our kids. We've just fostered a lack of self-control in their little hearts.

Now this is not to say they are not responsible for their own actions, but when they are young, we are the ones doing most of the planting, watering, weeding and chasing off crows. Yes, you really do reap what you sow. Makes me stop and think. What am I sowing? When they speak harshly to one another, I have to ask myself "Where did they learn that? Are they mirroring my attitude in some way?"

Ouch! I don't necessarily like having a mirror held up to my attitudes, words and actions, but that's the way of parenting. Come to think of it, that's the way of living a godly life. We are to be a reflection of Christ. I have four little mirrors looking back at me that will either reflect a Christ-like attitude or one that resembles the world around them. Either one starts with what's being planted at home.

Now take a deep breath, put on those gardening gloves and go plant something good.

Parenting pre-teens

Parenting. Just when you think you have some things "sort of" figured out...boom...it all changes.

With two of the four falling into the "pre-teen" category in our house, things are definitely changing. I thought the baby and toddler years were tough - sleep deprivation, potty training and constant redirecting of behavior. Now we're dealing with excessive testosterone, a desire for independence, deep spiritual questions, new forms of reasoning and challenging ideas. All a very normal part of growing up, but it is requiring an entirely different form of parenting.

The Five Love Languages of Teenagers has been a tremendous help. I checked in out from the library, but quickly figured out it's one of those "got to own it" sort of books.

I am beginning to see the difference between how we parent our little ones versus how our older kids need to be instructed and led. OK, maybe I'm a bit slow. After living with four little ones for so long, I wasn't making the transition, but instead was continuing to use what worked when they were younger. Not working so well now.

I feel as if we're learning to parent all over again. Let's just say my learning curve is off the charts right now. Thank goodness God's mercies are new every morning. Otherwise I'd be in a world of hurt.

Hey, maybe by the time the last one is grown we'll have this whole thing somewhat figured out...maybe...but I doubt it.

World's best chocolate chip cookies

You think I'm joking. These are seriously the best cookies you will ever make. Unfortunately, I can't take credit for the recipe...stole it from a friend. Try them out. Your family will rise up and call you blessed.

1 stick of butter
3/4 cup of butter flavored Crisco
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 t vanilla
2 eggs
3 1/2 cups flour
1 t salt, baking soda and baking powder
1 bag chocolate chips (this recipe is also great with peanut butter or butterscotch chips)

Mix ingredients (I just throw the wet ingredients in my KitchenAid, then add the dry and blend. If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour...you should be able to pick it up without it sticking to everything)

Bake at 325 for 10-15 minutes (in my oven I do 13...you'll have to play with the time).

Cool one minute and remove to rack (unless your family is eating them right off the cookie sheet!)

Free bowling for the summer!

If you're like me, your first reaction to reading that headline was, "What's the catch?" Nothing is free right? This deal is as close to free as they come and will offer your family loads of fun this summer.

Kidsbowlfree.com is offering two free games per kid, per day through the end of October. Click on your state to find participating lanes and see if there is one near you. You only pay for shoe rental. For $23.95, you can add up to four adults who can also then bowl free. We signed up and received our first coupons today. They will e-mail you your coupons for the week each Sunday.

Kids can't wait to hit the lanes. Should be a great way to beat the Texas heat this summer.

Clueless parenting

* Names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent.

Spending time at the pool affords many opportunities to witness parenting in action...or inaction, whatever the case may be.

Little Suzie and Bubba were already terrorizing swimming when we arrived this evening. Before we could even unload our gear, Suzie attempted to snag on of our floaties. After politely reminding her she needed to ask before taking something that didn't belong to her (a novel idea), I let her borrow the giant lobster.

Mistake number one. For the next five minutes we listened to little Suzie and Bubba (who had immediately pushed Suzie off to take it for himself. Who says chivalry is dead?) fighting over the toy. Just as I was about to reclaim our large crustacean and hopefully some peace and quiet, Mom rouses her head from her phone to see what Suzie and Bubba are screaming about.

Where was mom all this time? Why, texting on her phone of course.

After several minutes of listening to Suzie scream (you know, the ear piercing, nails on a chalkboard sort of scream) at Bubba for torturing her, we moved to the other side of the pool. At least there the noise was merely a dull shrieking. But oh no...they followed us and proceeded to take every toy we brought directly out of our kids' hands! No amount of asking nicely on our kids part would do any good. Only when I got out of my chair and instructed her to return the toy NOW, did she reluctantly do so.

Where was the mom all this time? Why texting on her phone of course.

Every once in awhile Mom would tell Suzie to be nice. Suzie's reply? "NO!"

Um...excuse me? Is this the point you yank her out of the pool and give her a good spanking? Nope. Mom does nothing.

It's finally time for Bubba and Suzie to leave (insert cheering) and it takes 20 minutes to get them out of the water. Two ladies who were with them had to physically drag, yes DRAG, Bubba out of the pool. For pities sake, the kid had to be at least ten!

I love to people watch, but this one takes the cake.