Why we have kids . . .

God gave us children so that we would see him in our parenting. 
The weather here is beautiful.  We ran errands this morning (no diapers - AHHHHH!!) and came home.  I told the kids that they could play outside.  We have a sand box and a water table.  My oldest asked for water for the table.  I gave her a gallon of water and told her that was it.  No water and she was not to get any from the outside faucet - we have had this problem before.  
Ok, Mommy! 
They were playing so nicely - no fighting but then I heard a sound.  I followed the sound around the corner, where out of direct sight, the faucet was.  It was on.  There was a small pool of water that they were both happily playing in. 
Off goes the water.  Out come the questions:
"Did you turn the water on?"
"No.  Little Brother did it." 
"I told you no water."  As little brother starts to cry and turn on the faucet.
"But Little Brother wanted water."
"Little Brother can't turn on the faucet.  Turn around."
"No Mommy!  I don't want a pop!"
"Well, you lied and you turned on the water.  You are getting a pop."
"But I am sorry!"
"You are still getting a pop. * * Now, go sit on the porch."
Later . . .
"Why did you get a pop?"
"I don't know."
Later still . . .
"Why did you get a pop?"
"Because I turned on the water and said I didn't. But I am really sorry."
Ahhh, See here is the God reminder.  How many times do we do the same thing?  We do what we aren't supposed to and then cry sorry?  I know that we aren't perfect and my daughter is only 4  and so right now she is playing in the pool of water; after all, she was punished and it is too great a temptation to play in it (wouldn't you?) and I don't want to punish her again for disobeying if I tell her she can't.  Sometimes, we just don't listen and need a reminder.  I will probably have to remind her again not to turn on the water and not to lie just as I will have to be reminded again not to do whatever. 
"I am glad that you are sorry.  But I would rather you obeyed me from the beginning than have to apologize for it later." 

Yes, that is what I said to her.  She hugged and kissed me (really, there is nothing better that those hugs and kisses from my kids) and laughed when I told her to go stomp in the water.
I am glad that my Father loves me and kisses me and reminds me to obey.  I am glad that he gave me children to remind me of it.

Valentine's Day

This was never a favorite holiday of mine.  It just seemed bizarre to me.  One because I never seemed to have a valentine and two because shouldn't we show love every day?  Ok, the later one makes me sound more noble but I think it was the former that I was more concerned about when I was younger.  Now, I am more mature, hmmmm.

The first year we were together, I told my husband I wanted flowers sent to school.  I insisted upon it, in fact.  He was not happy but I made it an issue.  It was a status thing.  I even told him that he didn't ever have to do it again - just once.   I was exorcising a demon.   I got the flowers but he was not happy about being "forced" to do it.  Oh well!  Demon exorcised.  He still brings me flowers but they are more for surprise or apology than for occasions.  I actually would rather have a whole plant than cut flowers but I will gratefully take either.

After I met my husband and the bliss of actually having a "valentine" on Valentine's Day, it seemed a little redundant.  Here was the love of my life.   He showed me every day that he loved me and I did the same for him.  Why a special day to demonstrate it?

Now, though, we have 2 wonderful children.  Sometimes, we don't always take the time to get flowers or make a special treat or surprise each other.  It is not that the love has changed - he still knows me better than anyone and he is still my best friend - we are just too busy or tired to think about it.  So the idea of a day where we are "forced" to demonstrate love for each other suddenly
makes sense (just so long as you keep expectations realistic!).
I also like the idea of doing all the kitchy things for
my kids.

So, I don't think that Valentine's Day was invented by the greeting card companies, I think it was invented by a set of parents of young children who needed a reminder to show each other that they still loved each other as much as when they first met!
And red at the tail end of winter is a pretty good pick me up.
Happy Valentine's Day