The important things in life

I have a confession to make. I have been neglecting the most important part of my life - being in the Word on a daily basis. I have a million and one excuses, but not one of them seem relevant when you get down to it. Yes, I have an almost 22-month-old. Yes, I have an almost two-month-old.  Yes, I have household chores. Yes, I am wife, mother, sister, and friend. No, I don't have that much extra time on my hands. But none of that really matters if I'm not maintaining the one relationship that makes all the rest work. Isn't it amazing that while most of the time we (okay, well maybe just me - I won't lump everyone else in there with me) make God the last priority in our daily routine, while He makes us His first priority? I can't imagine many earthly relationships that contain that amount of dedication and love without reciprocation.

    1 Peter 2:2-3 - Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

I've been attending a women's Bible study and this past week we discussed how we make time for our devotionals and how important it is, not only for our personal relationships with God, but also the example we're setting for our children. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I don't think Ian's ever seen me pick up a real paper Bible. Having YouVersion on my phone is fabulous and everything, but to Ian, I'm probably just getting ready to take his picture (might be why he says "cheese"...).

I have been trying to carve out time in the afternoon once the kids take naps (it's so nice when they actually nap at the same time!), but now it's equally important that I make time for a devotional while they are awake, too - even if it's only for a couple of minutes. Kid's learn from their parents - I still have very vivid memories of my dad being in his office every morning reading his Bible and having his quiet time. I figure it's about time I start setting the same example for my kids.

     2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I think it might be time to dust off that old Bible that's been setting on my bookshelf...

    Romans 12:2 -  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

My little Monet...

So, I do NOT like messes. I avoid them. Like the plague. Especially when it involves a toddler. But this summer heat has made me absolutely desperate for something fun and creative for Ian to do indoors. I've seen multiple ideas on Pinterest but I bypass them, cringing, as I go on to the next idea. Well, I'm happy (I guess) to say that I finally gave in. Sort of.

I eased myself into the world of messy by making shaving cream paint for Ian to play with in the bathtub.

As long as you're okay with water going from it's normal clear color, to a murky green, you should be okay.

The paint itself was super simple to make. Just buy cheap foam shaving cream (I got the sensitive skin type for less than $2 at Target), squirt some in a disposable bowl, add a couple drops of food coloring, mix, and voila - you have instant "paint". As a side note, a lot of people used silicone cupcake pans, but I found using disposable bowls made for a super easy clean up AND they floated in the bath water.

Ian really loved it. He's run into my bathroom every day and asked to paint. And while it was messy, it was only briefly messy. Since it's shaving cream I just rinsed the "artwork" off the walls once he was finished and threw Ian in the shower to rinse off.

Okay, so maybe he's more like my little Picasso...