I have created a monster. . .

Actually, I have created two lounge lizards.  Both the boys got robes for Christmas and they love them.  When we had all of our snow they wanted to stay in their pjs' and their robes ALL day long.  I finally told Jack, "your name is not Hugh Hefner, you are not a millionaire, and you do not live in a mansion; so put on some clothes."   
Jack got an electronic monopoly game for Christmas too.  Later that week he wanted to have a family game night and wanted to play monopoly.  Anyone that has ever played a game with Jack knows he is very good at games especially ones that involve money.  We are all sitting at the table waiting on Jack and he comes down the steps in his robe.  He said, "Just call me Hugh Hefner."    (a side note to all parents Jack only knows the things I listed above about Hugh Hefner.  He does not know anything else.)  
Mark had played monopoly with Jack once before and he told me that he is either going to be a millionaire or he will be in the poor house.   He plays to win at monopoly and most everything else too.  I guess we all do.  It is just  funny to see it in our kids at this age.  My boys, they do keep things interesting.

Praying Moms. . .

There is nothing we cannot accomplish with God behind us lifting us up.    As Moms we battle daily with our children; whether it is bedtime, brushing of teeth, snack time, or watching TV and playing video games.  We spend our time fighting the devil at every turn.   Some say our time is spent in the trenches but after reading my first chapter of my new book it came to me, we should be battling the devil on our knees.   Prayer is our only option when it comes to him.   As Moms we owe it to our kids to pray for them but, what I did not realize is that we also owe it to ourselves.  It is amazing how much prayer can relieve our stress and anxiety.  It does mine anyway.   I have started writing my prayers down too, it helps me keep track of things plus once they are on paper I don't have them floating around in my head anymore.  I sleep better with this method. 
The book also says no parent is perfect and we do not have perfect children.  I was shocked, I thought mine were perfect.  Just kidding, sorry.   We are not perfect parents we are praying parents. 
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

Praying Parent. . . .

I joined a Moms' prayer group a couple of months ago.  We meet once a month and pray for our Elementary school, it's staff, kids, ect. . .  We met last about two weeks ago and one of the Moms brought up a book she was reading called, "The Power of the Praying Parent."  We decided that not only would we meet to pray for the school but we would add a Bible study in too.  How cool is that?  There is nothing a group of Moms cannot do when we put our minds to it.  I have always been a big believer in prayer and it's power.  The month of March 1996 proved to me the power of prayer.  March of 1996 my world was turned upside down when my Dad (my hero) fell through the roof of our barn (between 17-23 feet) and was in the hospital for almost 2 months.  He was in ICU for 41/2 weeks and on a respirator for 4 of those weeks.  We honestly did not know if he would make it.  During this time God and I came to know each other on a first name basis.  I prayed every day sometimes for hours at a time.   My Dad is a walking miracle, and those are not my words those are the doctors words.  He has problems with his balance at times and his right arm gives him a bit of a fit too but he is 79 years old.  He turned 64 in ICU.  Dad had a crushed right arm which took  a 51/2 hour surgery to repair and a fractured hip and lacerated kidney. 
During this time I learned the power of prayer.  I prayed for so many things during Dad's time in the hospital.  I mostly prayed that God would let my Daddy come home to his family.
Months after Dad had come home he pulled me aside and told me that there was a time while he was in the hospital that he was at peace with his life and with God and he could have let go.  Then he said he thought about Mom and he could not let go just yet.  He said that God had saved him for a reason and there was more he had to do on this earth.  I am so glad that the good Lord saw fit to save him. I have learned so much from him and I am so thankful for every day.   My Dad and Mom have taught me a lot about God and prayer.  I am very thankful that I had praying parents and I want to give that same thing to my kids.
The book I mentioned in the beginning talks about being a praying parent.  It talks about how you have to pray for every aspect of your child's life.  I am so excited about this book, I have read part of the first chapter and I highly recommend it to any parent.  I cannot wait to get together with our other Moms and discuss it.