My Mom actually took down some pictures that have been on the wall of her home for as long as I can remember.  Since I am the only child with chickens, she offered me the pictures.

I bet they were more colorful when they were new.  My Mom said they belonged to HER Aunt Lucy, so there is no telling what year they were purchased.

I found this nook for them.

Aren’t the pictures sweet?  Even in these difficult days of her life, she found joy in sharing something with me.   Isn’t that the heart of a mother?  To bless her children?

Another “happening” this week:  Our daughter’s Rainbow swing set had an accident.  I was driving a front deck mower (which I don’t normally use) and the tire swing hooked onto the deck somehow.  As I backed up, the tire popped off of some type of bolt.  Hmmmm.   Honestly, our daughter had gotten too big for the tire that dangled under the platform of the swing set, so here was our solution:

Now she has a rope swing with a nice tire to sit on.

I love rope swings.  There was a big rope swing on an oak tree at my grandparent’s house.  I enjoyed that rope swing more hours than I can count.

If I had an adult sized rope swing, I’d probably be out on it right now.  There is just something peaceful about swinging freely through the air.   I thought through a lot of dreams while dangling from that rope swing.    The joys of childhood …

I look at my daughter growing by leaps and bounds and I wonder how I can make her life better.  What can I do to save her from some of the lessons I had to learn the hard way?

Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

This is one thing my husband and I are doing.   I wasn’t raised in church and though our daughter IS being raised in church — that is not the answer.  It is what WE teach her at home.  Not just by what we say, but by what we do.  Besides, just because a bunch of believers join together in unity, does not mean that everything taught under the roof is the whole truth.  We have to have ears to hear and teach our children.  My heart’s desire is for her to see the Bible ALIVE today.  She has already seen miracles and I want her to believe that when God says it — nothing else matters.

I am so thankful that we have the opportunity to live on a farm.  I think having chickens, goats, cows, and other pets is a healthy thing for our little girl.  She will also be helping me pick vegetables this summer.  I don’t think she remembers shucking corn with me in the past, but now she is reaching the age where these lessons will stick in her mind.   I want her to understand working with her hands and not fear hard work.

The day will come when our sweet girl will make her own decisions in life.  I pray God will continue to give us wisdom how to write on the tablet of this precious girl’s heart.   One day she will be a woman of God pondering these same type of things.   How can she improve the foundation of her children’s lives?

I desire to be the wife, mom, daughter, and friend that God would want me to be.  One thing that is lacking right now is my time with Him.   Soon my daughter’s school year will end and the mornings won’t be so rushed.  Ahhhh.  That means more quiet time for me with the Lord!  THAT time makes me a better me.   Marinating in His presence softens me.

What are your dreams for your children?  How are you preparing the foundation of their lives?

I am linking with the Time Warp Wife’s Titus 2sdays.