Where has all the creativity gone?

I think at some point most of my creativity was snuffed out of me. I don't know if this is part of growing up or if the school system does it to us. I can remember painting and coloring almost everyday in 3rd grade, but then it turned to sports and academics. For this reason, art and creativity had become obsolete in my life. The great thing about being a Mom though is that in so many ways I get to be a kid again. There is so much creativity which is innately in our children. This is something we should encourage and nurture through the years. There are also so many opportunities in the home to be creative too. At times I just can't help myself. Whether it be cooking, or meeting basic needs that arise. My friend Kristin and I were talking about how both our babies drool so we decided to make bibs for them. So, here are mine and this is Elizah's latest art piece. I cut a part of it out and made it into a colorful card for a fellow toddlers' birthday.

Parenting can be so difficult, but how can I be down when this face greets me in the morning? Really! Don't children bring such great joy to our lives? I try to remember that when I am in the middle of disciplining. Just because Elizah is telling me NO or being defiant I still need to act in love towards her. This becomes a very difficult task for me. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1. The relevancy of God's word for all situations is undeniable. I know that when I get angry, she gets angry and no training is accomplished. Just a momentary modification to her behavior. The truth of this verse allows me to be able to learn to control myself in the midst of teaching Elizah to control herself. Now I just need to recall this verse the next time I have to correct her behavior (which will probably be in about 10 minutes). I love what author Ginger Plowman says on this issue. "The simple truth is that all kids are sinners and will manifest sinful behavior. The question is not: Will they sin? The question is: When they sin, what will you do about it? Will you ignore them, scream at them, make excuses for them, or will you train them up in the way they would go?". What a great reminder.

This morning as we ate our breakfast we watched the girls one by one perch up on top of the box. I think it's their way of saying that they need more space. They are so funny. They just sit up there and watch us with curiosity. We have moved them outside during the days but keep them in at night because I think it's still to cold for them. Then I went for a run by the river and made a picnic lunch for Josh. I met him at his work and we went to a park. Picnics are so refreshing. Instead of going somewhere to eat lunch under florescent lights. We lounged on the grass watching all the cars zoom by going to make more money or spend money or whatever. Sometimes we just need to slow down and take a break from rushing or from our "TO DO" lists. I know I struggle with this and become so task oriented. This was a good reminder.