My Favorite Child

And I'm my mom's favorite child too

So, yes, I will admit it.....I do have a favorite child.
Well, actually I have 10 of them : ) And here is why.....

Will-he's my first, my "guinea pig child", poor thing.  He's quiet, was an easy child, well at least till the teenage years : ) He's got such potential and does everything he tries well.  I love him so much, he's my favorite.

Ben-he's so fun.  He loves to talk to me and we get along great.  He's big, strong and does everything with a passion.  He's a stabilizing factor in the family.  I love him so much, he's my favorite.

Anna- my first girl, my best friend, a joy to be around.  Everyone falls in love with her so of course I love her bunches and bunches and she's my favorite.

Christian-leadership skills galore but yet a team player, makes this son my favorite.  He loves the things I love, like cooking and tennis but yet is a strong hunter and outdoors guy.  He'll be a governor one day, so of course he's my favorite.

Luke-my giver of light, my healing baby and just the sweetest easiest boy.  He rarely complains and always help without a second thought.  What would I do without him?  Yes, he's got to be my favorite.

Caroline-my little mini-me.  So talented, so beautiful and has such a nice easy going spirit.  We're kindred spirits and I love her so.  She must be my favorite.

Ellie-my sweet, quiet-spirit, gorgeous girl.  She's so unique and was born with a special calling on her life.  She's always helping me and loves to be with me.  The cuddle bunny of the family.  Love her so and she's my favorite. 

MaryKate-my little girl that I almost lost.  My one child that is always so full of energy and spunk or she's asleep.  She's bold, probably my boldest, and makes everything fun.  She's my favorite for sure.

Matthew-my "special" child who was born with a little something extra.  My child that will always be my baby and will always need me.  His face lights up when he sees me and as he says "mama" in his so sweet way, I know that he really is my favorite.

Patrick-my baby, my joy, my lovey who I could never imagine life without.  He has gifts emerging already and is a charmer, leader and people person at a young age.  Yes, he is the favorite.

You know, this is how God feels about each of us. We are his favorites.  I never understood how this could be until I had a bunch of kids.  I know you moms of many understand, but lets all remember that this is how Father God feels about us.  We are his joy, his love and his favorites!

"Me Parent, You Child"

OK, who is in charge here?!

I have one lovely child, in particular, that has to be reminded at least three times a day, that I am the parent and they are the child.  I found a note I had written about the same said child over 10 years ago and I had the above title written in it to him.  I guess it was already a problem back then : ) Like my father always said, "I have too many chiefs and not enough Indians."  The funny thing is, that some of my children try to be in charge not only of their own selves, but of all the other children, younger and older than they are, when "I'M IN THE ROOM!" Does anyone else with children with strong leadership ability have this problem?  Sometimes you would not even think I was around.  One of the children is bossing a few others.  You know, telling them to clean up this or that, or take your shoes off in the house, or get off the computer cause you didn't ask to be on, or finish your school, brush your teeth, etc.  (you get the picture.)  Well, I'm trying to hone these leadership skills and remember that I am child training and want these precious children to grow-up into to loving, godly wives and husbands, mothers and fathers.  Most of the time our greatest strength can also be our biggest weakness.  We see this in ourselves as parents, but it's so very easy to see in our children.  For example,  my passionate/excitable child can be way too loud and annoying, but I know one day, with proper training, she will be a little zealot for Christ.  I'm speaking to myself here, but may we all be mailable, gracious and remember that our children and ourselves are all works in progress and yes, little people, I am the parent and you are the child!!!

Christmas Gifts of 2010

I think it's so interesting to see what each of my children ask for Christmas gifts.  I have them give me a list and basically I chisel it down to 3 gifts, plus some stocking stuffers.  The 3 gifts have to be within reason, monetarily that is, and if one gift cost a lot then the other 2 will be cheaper things.  The kids also draw names amongst themselves and give each other gifts that way.  Plus they get gifts from their grandmothers, so it is more then enough presents.  We try to keep bigger gifts for their birthdays, so that Christmas is more focused on Jesus and giving to others.  I also find it impossible to keep Christmas within our monthly budget, so we use a fixed amount of savings or many times Ron gets a bonus early in December which really helps out.  We never want to go into debt over Christmas, right?!

Anyway, here is a sampling of what my children are getting this year.......it gives a good insight into their age and personalities and is a good little scrapbook reminder for me in the years to come.

19 year old boy:  Paramedic boots and pants, xbox game, $ for Campus Crusade Winter Retreat.

18 year old boy:  Boxing gloves and shin guards, ipod, clothes

16 year old girl:  Ipod speakers, Uggs, clothes, Atlas

12 year old:  a pet beaver, a 22, a sugar glider (all these things were nixed by me) so he's actually getting a pretty fast remote control car, tennis clothes, boots, bike ramp

9 year old boy:  Lego's, more Lego's, air soft gun, boots

8, 6 and 4 year old girls: all are getting these really nice "American Girl" type dolls from Vision Forum, horse and clothes to go with each doll, board games, robe

2 year old boy:  security gates for the stairs (I'm serious : ), toy cars, misc. cute toys

baby:  we need a new car seat and double stroller, but Ron won't let me buy it now since I still have 10 weeks to go : )

Oh and btw keeps these things quite!  My kids don't read my blog, but if you know them don't tell.  They always forget what they asked for and never know what they are actually getting until Christmas Day!  Merry Christmas!