Susannah Wesley's Rules for Raising Children

John and Charles Wesley founders of Methodism and great evangelical Christians gave much credit to their mother Susannah Wesley for her godly influence in their lives. In her later years she gained a measure of fame as the mother of those great men. Before she died she was asked of many people how she was able to raise not one but two great men for God. Thus, she gave her "Rules for Raising Children."

Susannah Wesley's Rules for Raising Children:

1. Subdue self-will in a child and thus work together with God to save his soul

2. Teach him to pray as soon as he can speak.

3. Give him nothing he cries for and only what is good for him if he asks for it politely.

4. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is freely confessed, but never allow a rebellious, sinful act to go unnoticed.

5. Command and reward good behavior.

6. Strictly observe all promises you have made to your child.

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I thought this was good and really liked #4 and 6. It is easy to tell your children you will do something (with the intentions of doing it) and forget. They don't forget though! Our pastor encourages us to ask our children periodically, especially if you are dealing with bad attitudes, if we have made a promise to them that we didn't keep. You will be surprised at the little things that they remember that you have totally forgotten!

We were having our family Bible time a few nights ago and Marc was teaching out of Proverbs. Mariah quietly said, "Great, I think I have probably done every one of those things." We thought it was funny, but to her she was burdened by it. Yesterday I found a bracelet that had the word "kindness" on it. I told her to wear it and whenever she wanted to be unkind to someone to read the bracelet as a reminder to be kind. Last night at Bible time she asked for forgiveness for: "Whatever I did today, I am sure I did something. The bracelet didn't help me a bit!" We never have to worry about what is going on in the heart of Mariah because she will tell us!

We try to have one on one time with our children as much as we can. It might be a shopping trip and out to eat with mama and daddy on Friday night or just a trip to Lowes with daddy. It is amazing when they are by themselves how much they talk! We don't do it as often as we should, but Marc thought this was a good week for Mariah to have an outing. He took her out last night for ice cream. Kids are great, it doesn't have to cost much for them to be happy! :o)

Calling to see when daddy will pick her up.


Waiting patiently...

Happy Anniversary!

Today was mine and Marc's 21st wedding anniversary. Marc celebrated by going to work and I celebrated by cleaning house, taking the girls to piano and grocery shopping! :o) Just kidding... We have plans for tomorrow!

I thought in honor of our anniversary I would write some things I am thankful for about Marc.

- He has been a faithful husband.

- He is a good daddy.

- He is a good provider.

-He is forgiving.

- He works hard. He has spent countless hours on the barn, chicken pens, and fencing for animals he cares nothing about, because his children love them.

- He is a MAN in a day when so many men don't want to grow up. He doesn't pursue selfish ambitions, but always puts his family first.

- He is very humble. You will never hear him "tooting his own horn".

- He acknowledges when he is wrong and bends over backwards to make it right.

- He does things like picking blueberries at 6:00 in the morning on his day off because he knows it's important to me.

- He honors even when it is difficult.

I could write more but I will end it with that. Happy 21st Anniversary Marc! I love you!


(It is pretty bad when you have thousands of pictures on your computer, but you have to go to your facebook profile to find one of the two of us!)

Summer Fun

We don't have television and it is hard to find decent movies to watch. I was so excited to get the first season of Hazel on DVD. We also ordered "Father Knows Best". It is fun to have something we all enjoy watching, and I don't have to cringe wondering if there is going to be something inappropriate! Check out Amazon for lots of old shows on DVD.

I bought a set of paints for Malachi and one for Mariah weeks ago. It has kept both of them busy! Mariah painted a picture of Hazel! :o)

Happy Father's Day!

Well, it is Sunday night and I am just now writing a Father's Day post. I am tired and bleary-eyed, but I am determined to get it done!

I am very blessed to still have my father and for him to be in such good health. He is 85 years old and in great shape. My dad is one of the most gentle, patient men I know. He was a great dad and now he is an awesome grandpa. My mom has been in poor health for several years now and my dad takes such good care of her. He truly is an example of loving sacrificially.



It has become a tradition for "Pa" to dive into his pool every summer. The kids always cheer him on as we take pictures for "proof" that he did it! He inspires me to take care of myself. I hope when I am 85 that I am in as good of shape as he is. :o)



The dive...

I love you dad! Thanks for loving unconditionally, being patient when I am sure raising teenage daughters was not fun and now for loving all of my children!

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There is the saying that you often marry someone like your father. That was not the case for me! :o) Marc has a totally different personality than my dad. There are qualities that I admire in both of them.

Marc is a strong leader and has never wavered on what he believes in. I may not always understand the decisions he makes for our family, but there has been such blessing when we follow him. It seems like we often go against the flow and sometimes that can be hard. I am grateful that he is willing to stand for what is right. When he is wrong he is the first to admit it. He is also the patient one when I have reached my limit with the children. He has been a faithful husband, a good provider and an awesome daddy! The proof can be seen each evening when I hear a little voice scream "daddy's home" as they race down the driveway to "ride home" with him. The joke around here is that mama worries about everything and daddy is the fun one. I am thankful that my three sons have a Godly example and I have told my girls they need to marry someone like their daddy. If they find a man that has a heart to follow the Lord like their daddy does they will be very blessed!

Happy Father's Day Marc! As your teenage daughter would say, "You're the bomb!" :o)

Boy Scout Camp 2011

Several weeks ago Matthew went for a week of scout camp with our church group. The last night they have a family night fish fry with the fish they caught all week.

The boys...

The ants go marching two by two...

The girls are always good sports about going. It was very hot and the ride home is a little less than pleasant with a weeks worth of SMELLY laundry! :o)

Malachi always has fun! :o)

Myles-

Summer is marching on way too fast. I wish it could stay June for several months! :o)

Hope you all are enjoying your summer too!

Not so lazy days of summer....

Summer has been SO busy so far! Lots of fun things, but hoping for some lazy days ahead.

Matthew always figures out how to make things fun for the younger ones. :)

The lifeguard-- big brothers are the BEST! Trying to figure this thing out.Need a push?

Fun summer memories...

Happy Birthday McKenzie!!!

Eighteen years ago today I became a mama. It was one of the most exciting days of my life! I honestly don't know where the time has gone. As the old saying goes, when it comes to parenting the days are long but the years are short. As a mama of both a grown child on down to a baby I really understand that saying! It goes by way too fast though!

With her first horse Abasha.

She was twelve here. This was the first time I let her powder her face and wear lip gloss! :)

Getting her purity ring on her thirteenth birthday. I thought she was SO big!

This was the day she got the horse that she won through a 4-H writing contest. That was an exciting day!

Her first love...

Getting her hope chest on her sixteenth birthday. Her little brothers have her wrapped around their fingers. :o)

Her senior year!

Happy Birthday McKenzie! We love you lots and are so glad the Lord blessed us with you eighteen years ago!

A blessing from Daddy:

Proverbs 31:25 "Strength and honor are her clothing: and she shall rejoice in time to come."

McKenzie you are a strong and honorable young lady. You are strong in your spirit and you hold to what is right. You honor us with your actions and your words. Because you are strong and honorable you will rejoice in your next phase of life. May God bless you! Love, Daddy