Caleb’s Conclusion

Last month, when Manny and the older boys were out hunting, Caleb asked to wash dishes, and I let him.  He was so proud of himself, for the good job he did, that he requested to be added to the dish-washing rotation.  No one objected, and he did a wonderful job…until the novelty wore off.

This last week he has had to re-due the job several times, as dirty dishes keep ending up in the drainer.  After running new water, for the third time, yesterday, I gave him an ultimatum.

“Caleb, you are going to wash the dishes every day, until they are all clean in a timely manner.  Every time you have more than three dirty dishes in the to re-wash, you will have the job again the next day.”

He sighed, and said, “Okay.”  Blankly, he turned and began to walk away.

I called him back, and asked, “Caleb, what did I say to you?”

“That I have to wash dishes…” looking around sadly.

“Until when?” I prompted.

“Until I move out of the house,” he calmly answered.

“Until when?”  I prompted, again.

“Until I am old enough to move out of the house, then I won’t have to wash dishes anymore.”  He answered, a bit annoyed.

“Is that what I said?” I asked.

“No, you said I had to get them clean.”  He replied, staring off into space.

We will see how long that takes…

An Interview with Daniel

This morning, I thought I would find out what kind of Birthday Cake Daniel would like to have, since his birthday is coming up next week.  This is how the conversation went:

Me:  Daniel, you have a birthday coming.

Daniel:  That is because I am getting bigger.  Look my hands are big.

Me:  They sure are big.

Daniel:  And I am strong too.

Me:  Yes you are.  Hey, I was wondering what kind of cake you would like to have for your birthday.

Daniel:  Yes.

Me:  What do you mean.

Daniel:  I want cake.

Me:  Okay, but what kind?

Daniel:  The kind we eat.

Me:  What flavor.

Daniel:  Like we had before.  Chocolate, Carmel, yummy.

Me:  Like Daddy’s? [Daddy had an Ice-cream Pie]

Daniel:  Yah, and the other kind!

Me:  What other kind?

Daniel:  Like you made before.  The big one.

Me:  Do you mean Banana Cake, or Chocolate Cake, in layers?

Daniel:  Yah!

Me:  Pick one.

Daniel:  One!

I guess I’ll be making the decision, and evidently, he will enjoy it. 

A Typical Evening

Before I thought Adam was old enough to do more than look at pictures, Manny began reading to him from the Bible each evening.  Now this reading time encompasses all the boys.  Over noise and playing, he reads; stopping at appropriate times, to ask questions or invite discussion.

It amazes me, that a man who always wants to ‘get to bed early’ will spend and forty-five minutes reading to his children, especially, when the text could be read in ten minutes, or less. 

This time is one of the high-lights of our days.  Everyone gathered, and no chores to be done; relaxing yet lively. 

Peek-a-Boo

Gideon had just stacked the little cups, helping to put dishes away, and being very proud of himself, was busy announcing to the world, “I did that (clap, clap), I did that.”  He pointed his work out to everyone who walked by.

When I opened the other side of the cupboard to stack the plates, he saw me, and looked intently for a moment, not sure of what he was seeing.  Then he looked outside the cupboard.  I followed him, and a game of peek-a-boo ensued.  Back and forth we went, smiles broadening with each new “peek.”

Now, he tries to be there, when ever I am putting dishes away, sure that chores are a ton of fun.

Words…what do they mean?

“Mom, I don’t think these are fresh water shrimp.  They were in really icky water when we found them,” Benjamin informed me, while watching his critters* swim.

Manny and the older boys had been canoeing on the river when they found a small pool full of these critters.  I told the boys they might be fresh water shrimp… Proving that words do indeed have many meanings.

*Septeber 3, 2008 Update:  We found out what these are…Mosquito larvae.  Oops, not what I consider suitable “pets.”

What is Home?

“A roof to keep out the rain? Four walls to keep out the wind? Floors to keep out the cold? Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father, warmth of loving hearts, lights from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Home is first school and first church for young ones, where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind, where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick; where joy is shared and sorrow eased; where fathers and mothers are respected and loved, where children are wanted; where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned; where money is not as important as loving-kindness; where even the tea kettle sings from happiness. That is home. God bless it!”

-Anon.

Please Mama…

“Mama’s don’t let your cowboys grow up to be babies,

let them pick guitars,

and drive ‘em old trucks,

teach them to be handy, and keep them fixed up.

…Then they can be doctors and lawyers and such.”

 

• The first line I saw an a wall plaque, the rest came to me while reading the article “Hands-On Boys,” from No Greater Joy.

Have Vision

 Do your children give you rest?  Is there a vision for the home? 

^17″Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

¹⁸Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

 ~Proverbs 29:17&18

I find it interesting, that God put a verse about parenting next to one about visions and happiness.  Happiness, that comes from keeping the law. 

When we, as parents, have a vision for our home, there is direction and security.  There are also rules of conduct that go with it.  If I had no idea what I wanted my sons to turn out like, I would have a very hard time knowing how to correct them.  As it is, I know that I want them to be gentlemen, who respect others and who work hard.  My vision is that they grow to be real men:  Men who love God and His ways.  Men who pray.  Men, who take care of their families, and love their wives, as Christ loves the Church.

I have found that when there is a lack of joy in my home there is also a lack of discipline, which means a lack of “keeping the law”.  Children feel safe, secure and peaceful, when they know what to expect, and what is expected of them.