Lauren and I recently learned that we were spying on the same blogger. And for good reason. Melissa Hill keeps a fabulous blog on her life a long way from the Theta house. Melissa’s husband runs an inner city ministry and Melissa supports him in his work and stays on top of four kids, all while living in the same inner city they minister to.

She is a great writer with a very interesting story to tell. I don’t doubt that Lauren is going to try and say she met Melissa first. I’ll let her have that. Just remember who showed you this fabulous and funny post:

A heart to heart.

We had Spring Fling at my children’s school today. It is one of my very favorite events we do all year. One day in the spring, totally kept secret from the children, the moms decorate their cars, run into their classrooms banging pots and pans, whistling and cheering and take all the kids to the park for a fun day of games, food, prizes, and sugar. Seeing the surprise on their faces is priceless.

It was such a joy to be with them all day and I couldn’t wait to come home hang out with just our family. Then it came time to leave. They were obviously not satisfied with their most fun day.

“Mom, can Luke/Abby/Nicole/Grayson/Jack/Luke/Cooper/Claire come over to play?” “Not today, guys.”
“Can we get a slurpee?”
“Can we get ice cream?”
“Can we get donuts?”
“Can we get a snake?”
“Can we get a fish?”
“Can we get a kitten?”
“Can we get some candy?”
“Can we get some new pool toys?”

Was I going crazy? We just had a great, full day and they were wanting more and more and I was feeling like a mean ol’ mom because none of the things they wanted to do or have was either going to work out or something they needed. Especially the snake.

With my most deflated spirit I prayed and called my friend Carey knowing she would offer me some sound advice and reassure me I had not totally failed in my parenting. Not totally.

She was most encouraging and thought I should sit down with my kiddos this afternoon and talk with them about what I had observed and how we as a family could do a better job being content with what we have and not always wanting more.

I took that sound advice and called them all together for a good old fashioned heart to heart. We had to wait a minute because someone had to go poop.

“Can I play the Wii while we’re talking?” No.

After I bared my soul and explained how I was feeling. I told them thought we could all work a little harder on being content with what we have and remember the One from whom real contentment comes.

Then I made the mistake of asking them what they thought.

“Do we have to work on it now or can I play Wii.”
“Can I eat this lollipop I found under my bed?”
“My eye’s itchy. Really itchy. Do you think I might be allergic to something?”
“I might need to go poop again.”
“These shorts are a little big, can I go change?”
“What time is my game in the morning?”
“Can I try on your sunglasses?”
“What does an exclamation point look like?”
“When’s Daddy going to be home?”

So, I think it went pretty well.

Categories: Highlights
Tags: children, parenting