Groups beginning

Circle of FRIENDS and Social Skills are FUN will both have a new session beginning in August. Please email or call to register.

Ingredients Matter next session will be held the first week of August---call or email to register.

For desriptions, please see services section of website.

Commitment

As I approach the celebration of my 15 year wedding anniversary this week, an array of thoughts come to mind. Many memories, some good and some not so good, many goals attained while others still in progress and a plethora of emotions to name a few. I asked my husband to tell me his list of "highlights" not including the usuals (wedding day, special trips, birth of children). It is a thought-provoking question and one that was quite fun to discuss. It brings to light that, while the big events are amazing and what we do tend to remember most, it is the little unexpected surprises of each day that draw us nearer and more deeply connected to one another. The "ups" are great but the "downs" are where we learn the most, grow the most and bond the most. It would seem that these same reflections apply to parenting as well. The achievements of our children are a phenomenal experience. But when one of them is in pain, either physical or emotional, that is truly when we "circle the wagons" and learn the most about what makes us tick---how are we comforted, how do we interpret life events, how do we make sense of things that happen. It saddens me when I hear of a couple calling it quits during one of these down times. Relationships would only be strengthened if they could see past the circumstances, dig deep and cling tightly. Sometimes it seems that we do this as parents as well. When things are at the very worst and we feel as if we have tried everything, we shut down and give up on our children. I wonder what might develop if we were to cling ever-so-tightly to them during their most difficult of times? May we all enjoy the ups and perservere the downs!!

Roadrunner days

Do you ever take a breath and look at your day and picture the roadrunner from the old coyote cartoons? Sometimes I envision myself with that blur of legs going in a circle 90 miles an hour and still feel like I am not making much progress. Take today, for example. I think I have worn almost a hundred hats...short order chef at breakfast, chief "ironer" so clothes weren't wrinkled (which, for those who know me, know how much of a stretch that one is), lunch maker, carpool driver, end of school celebration attender, dog picker-upper from boarding, car drier-outer b/c one of the dogs played in the pool until pick up time and shook all over the car, business administrator, parent consultant, upset neighbor helper-outer, shoulder for office mate having a bad day, therapist, carpool driver again, childcare coordinator, dinner planner, homework adviser, bill payer, kitchen cleaner-upper, rule enforcer....can anyone relate? As I felt my shoulders beginning to tense, I prayed for God's grace, patience and ability to look at the humor while letting the frustration roll away. What a gift it is to be able to respond in so many ways and meet the needs of so many others. What would our world be like if we all reached out on any given day and wore the hats placed before us? I hope that this new insight will allow me to embrace roadrunner days and wear my hats with joy!

Easter lessons..

What a wondrous time of year this is in Texas. Bluebonnets are popping up, trees are in bloom, the grass is green again...children have spring fever:) I must admit, I still experience it as well. The sunny, cool days make my appetite for the outdoors almost insatiable and my desire to work inside is slim to none. And, in the midst of this renewal, we have the opportunity to celebrate Easter. It is my favorite holiday for so many reasons. An annual chance to re-think, re-new, re-charge, re-commit...be re-born. I am awed by the simple fact that what our God wants the most is an authentic relationship with each and every one of us. He wants us to come to him with our deepest fears, biggest dreams, hopes for our future and He is always waiting with loving, open arms. Hmmm...what an incredible example of parenting we have been given if we would simply model what has been modeled for us. I want my girls to desire to come to me with all of those things. Will I be waiting for them with loving, non-judgmental, open arms? If it is the 123rd time I have heard about a peer who said "I don't want to play with you today" or another broken heart in the string of teenage boyfriends, will I still be patiently waiting to listen with love and validate their pain? During the Easter season, we are reminded that God gave us nothing less than His best. My prayer is that I can do the same for those that I love......

Revisiting an old issue

Self esteem has lost its status over the last few years and isn't discussed nearly as often as it used to be. However, in the lives of children it is still something we need to consider. Children value themselves to the degree that they have been valued. Ouch! Does your child feel valued by you? What about when you have had "one of those days"---wake up late, nobody likes their breakfast or the clothes you laid out the night before, it is raining outside, the dog tracks muddy paw prints everywhere, library books are left sitting on the kitchen table, difficult day at the office, etc, etc. We've all had these, how do they impact our attitude and actions towards our children? I'm certainly not suggesting the love with no limits philosophy. However, it is important for parents to put themselves in their children's shoes and consider what messages are being sent in their direction. If we want respect from our kids, are we giving it to them? If we don't want them to talk back to us, are we speaking calmly and kindly to them? It is up to us to make our children feel loved, important, respected, capable....all of the things we desire to feel as well. Remember to model the behaviors you would like to have reciprocated!! "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1

One for the adults...

A shocking event took place in my life this past weekend...I completed a book in ONE day!! I love to read and used to accomplish this feat quite frequently if I felt so inclined. Then I had children:) Yes, they are a joy and a blessing but they certainly put a halt to my times of relaxing and reading just for the fun of it. Well, a new friend loaned me Same Kind of Different as Me by Denver Moore and Ron Hall and my ability to hear my children or my husband ceased for the rest of the day. It is truly an amazing book and true story and one which I highly recommend. The main character, Deborah Hall, is a woman who lived her life glowing with God's grace every day. She impacted lives in a way I can only imagine and left a legacy behind that is still leaving a mark today in Dallas, TX. Take the time to read this one! We all seek glimpses of God in this crazy world and this is a beautiful one. Happy reading!!

Life goals...

I recently was blessed with the opportunity to watch someone I have known for 20 years attain a life-goal. Wow! We all have goals and dreams we set for ourselves during our early years but rarely do we get to be present when the summit of one of those precious mountains is reached. Was it an easy climb? Absolutely not. Were there many setbacks and stumbles along the way. You bet! Did he push through, endure, meet obstacles and have to refocus? Definitely! I felt the most unselfish sense of pride that I have ever experienced. It was not an accomplishment of mine, not my blood, sweat and tears; yet, my heart was bursting with happiness to get to be a part of every moment. As I reflected in the following days, it dawned on me that we have the opportunity to give God that same Oh My Gosh experience when we agree to follow Him and achieve the goals He sets before us. He knows that multiple obstacles will be placed in our paths and we will be tempted to stray. Imagine how His heart must swell when we remain steadfast and faithful. May we each look at our challenges differently today and find a willingness to endure through and for our Savior!!

Happy New Year...

Where does the time go? I know we ask ourselves that repeatedly, but never more than at year's end. Children grow, lives change, we age in many ways. What was intended to be a joyous, celebratory time each year often becomes one of unmet expectations and an underlying sense of sadness. As we take a breath and prepare to hit the ground running, I wanted to share a devotion I recently read by Pamela McQuade that will hopefully offer a new perspective as we embark upon 2009. God is writing a story of faith in your life. What will it describe? Will it be a chronicle of challenges overcome, like the Old Testament story of Joseph? Or a near tragedy turned into joy, like that of the prodigal son? Whatever your account says, if you love Jesus, the end is never in question. Those who love Him finish in heaven, despite their trials on earth. The long, weary path ends in His arms. Today, write a chapter in your faithful narrative of God's love. May you embark on this year knowing that you are a precious child of God who has loving arms awaiting you. Take that knowledge and let it strengthen you to share His love with all those you encounter. You might just be the first person willing to plant seeds in that life!!