Queenies Little Kingdom

Parenting is a tough job and if anybody tries to tell you it's a piece of cake….they aren't being truthful.  Maybe you've heard others say something along the lines of THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTION MANUALS when it comes to raising kids. 

As a Christian, I think scripture can be a great source of instructions for all aspects of life especially parenting.

I had no idea just how much work it would be to raise my own kids.  I was one of those people who dreamt of being a mom.  All through my teens, I knew the main thing I wanted to do….was be a mom.  But, I wanted to be a GOOD ONE!

I'm sure I'm not the only one to think……I am totally blowing this MOM thing!  I've talked to way too many other mom's who've said the same thing and really believed it.  It is hard to do EVERYTHING right.

So, what do you believe is the most important thing to teach our kids?

Behind loving Christ,  CHARACTER is at the top of the list for me.    I think a person's character and integrity follow them for the rest of their life.  If you are lacking in either of those attributes….you are not living your best life and are not able to give your best to the world.

But…is that a parents job?

I believe so.

I've thought about this topic a long time.  I mean, I'm a mom who wants her kids to be their very best.  However, when I'm not around…..they are free to do whatever they want and I can't stop it.  My prayer?  Is that they are choosing the light and fleeing from the darkness of this world.  That is a sign of good character.

How do we teach character?

1.  Be a person of integrity.  Not only in front of other's but in front of your kids.  Trust me, you can fool a lot of people…..but your kids, never.

2.  Teach character everyday.  Openly discuss what it takes to be a person of integrity.  Use what is going on around them at school and in the world.

3.  Be who you say you are.  Character is who you REALLY are and your reputation is who others think you are.  Your kids notice the difference.

4.  Recognize that what you say and do counts in the life of your kids.  They will choose based on what they see you choose.

Tell me, what DO YOU believe is the most important thing to teach your kids?

I think about my girls all the time.  I remember being their ages.  It seems just like yesterday (I was 20) when that photo of me was taken.  I thought I knew it all back then.  I had no idea that I'd come across photos of my own girls that reminded me of that girl so long ago.

I see them for who they are like any mother would, I suppose.  I see the girls they are on the inside.  The ones who overthink an outfit and dream of what their future will be like.  I know that they want good things and hope for solid relationships.  They think of being a mother someday and they both imagine doing it as good as and or HOPEFULLY, even better than me.

I like that.

I'm proud of both of my girls.  They not only look similar to me but they are very much like me on the inside.  Each of us carry a lot of the same dreams.  I don't believe that's by coincidence either.  I feel certain that God planned it that way.  I mean it when I tell others that the relationship you build with your children is one of the most important jobs you'll ever work towards.  It is through that relationship that we have the authority to NOT ONLY love our children but to give them the foundation in Christ that the world is working double-time to destroy!

I'm glad I didn't know all that the future held 27 years ago when I sat in that photographer's chair.  I feel honored though that God loved me enough to make two more just like me.

Who do you look like?  Not only on the outside but on the inside?  If someone invested in you…..perhaps, you owe them a THANK YOU!

I believe the summer of 2014 is officially over.  I've been anticipating fall (as usual) all year.  Not to mistake that antsy'ness as wanting to skip summer because….I'm not a savage!  I love summertime!  It's one of life's greatest blessings!

I wasn't expecting the crispy cool weather when I walked outside this morning especially since I was so hot yesterday (at school) that I borrowed a fan from the Librarian (gosh those ladies are nice) to survive the muggy classroom I was in.  I thought for sure…..my whole body was on fire!

And yes, I'm blaming the hormones!

But enough of that ugly talk.  Fall is here and it deserves attention.  The air is cool, the trees are swaying and the leaves are getting ready to show off their color magic.  I can't wait for more!

Have I mentioned how much I love my new red front door?  I am so glad we went with the red!  My fat mum is from Costco and my new fall wreath is from GOODWILL!  Like, the Goodwill superstore!  No one wanted it!  It's huge and in perfect condition!  I paid $2 for it!

Do you know what the Goodwill superstore is?

It's a Goodwill gone mad!  It's a huge store that every hour on the hour, they pull out fresh bins full of merchandise.  People go crazy!  They wear gloves and rip through the bins tossing stuff around like they are on a treasure hunt.  Which I suppose they are because once they are finished collecting items….they pull up their carts on a scale and pay by the pounds.  Talk about cheap?!  Wow!

Here's a close up

I also found a great BIG basket while I was there.

I have plans for it…. maybe firewood? 

Last week, I found these two old wooden chairs there.  I love them!

The cane stitching has been pulled apart on this one….but it is repairable and I thought of my mom when I bought it.  She would fix it right up…..

I don't hang out here all day to find these goodies….I just stop by here and there and every time, find a treasure.

This little beauty?  Found it there a few weeks back.  One of these days, my hubby is turning it into a fancy bench!  Cause, he's got mad skillz!

And, I know I've told you about this one.  .38 cents y'all!!!  For a brand new Vera Bradley!!!

I love scoring such cool deals almost as much as I love the new FALL WEATHER!

October is just around the corner!

Have you ever known someone who seemed perfect?  Perhaps she was a dream in every way…… with outward beauty, magnanimous personality, smokin’ bod and powerfully successful.   No matter what circle she’s in, she commands all attention.  People love her, they admire her and want to be close to her.

And they never notice you’re there…..

I like to call her the IT girl.  She’s got IT all or so it seems,  right?  The honest truth is she doesn’t.   She feels and experiences all the same stuff you do.  She picks out flaws about herself that she wishes she could change.  She feels awkward and out of place just like you (and me).  She struggles with life just like everyone else.

So why does it feel like she’s so much more than you or me?

Because you and I fall for Satan’s tricky trap of comparison!  I’ve said it a million times, comparing yourself steals your JOY and crushes your confidence!  The best decision you & I can do for our personal outlook is to see ourselves as God does.  He sees so much more than our clear blue eyes or our shiny long hair.   He sees beyond our fun-loving personality.   He sees us as an extension of His flesh.  He is proud of His creation…..

When we run ourselves down and size ourselves up against someone who seems perfect……we are smearing God’s handiwork as less than acceptable.   Ever thought about it like that?  It’s time to celebrate your own IT girl status.

You, my friends…….are IT girls too!

To God,  you’re IT because He says so.
To your hubby, you’re an IT girl because he picked YOU to be.
To your family,  you’re an IT girl because there is no one else like you in their lives.
To the world, you’re an IT girl because you offer your uniqueness with every smile,  laugh and helping hand.

Girl,  LISTEN!!!
You are IT!!!  Now get busy being it!!!

I can't get on a real schedule.  For some reason I bounce from up too late watching tv to polishing my floors at 10:30pm just because….ya know, bored.  For the last week, I've had a killer headache every afternoon!  The kind that pounds so hard you feel your eyes popping out.  Misery.  I'm convinced, sleep is the culprit.

This morning my hubby woke me up very early the way my kids used to wake me up when they were little (RIGHT IN MY FACE).  He was on his way….again, to Texas!  Since he was going to be gone I couldn't just lay there snoring, I had to get up and follow him around asking all those "did you remember this & that" questions before he peeled out.

I had all intentions of falling right back to dreamland once he was gone……except, my brain.  It wouldn't be quiet!  So, I tossed around forever and zonked back out at the worst time ever (the time I should have gotten up!).  When I woke back up an hour later, I felt terrible!  Like someone ran over me terrible!  But I pushed on and went down for coffee.

My plan?  A nap, later!

Then life happened.

I thought I'd run down the road to check out our new Goodwill store and then do a few errands.  After all my running, I decided to get my filthy car washed at Mikes because I can't remember the last time it was shiny clean.  As I pulled out of the wash…..a weird noise started buzzing somewhere inside the dash.  Like, electrical noises.  I turned up the Rush Limbaugh….still heard buzzing.  I turned him down….still buzzing.  I clicked on the CD's and switched them out a few times…..bzzzzzz!  So, I called my hubby for advice or direction.  After about 2 minutes, he tells me….your battery cable is not secured onto the battery.

Why not?  Who knows.  Gavin was with him…so, he volunteered one of his buddy's to come by and tighten it down so I can have a car that runs and doesn't leave me stranded.  As soon as I pull into the driveway, it D I E D!  Like the whole car shut off, I couldn't even get the key out or the doors to unlock.  The battery was disconnected completely!  After phone calls, removing key parts and wiggling cables… it engaged again so I could crank it.

Gavin's friend came by and couldn't find the tool he needed to tighten it down but knew he had one at his house.  So, I followed him there and didn't even bother looking at what time it was — RUSH HOUR!!!  He tightened it like it's supposed to be and I started my 40 year journey back home….MISSING MY NAP TIME!!!!

I won't admit what time it is right now…..because it's way past my bedtime!

Truth….y'all.  I am old and I am sleepy!  Goodnight!