Harms Family News

I will never have a thousand followers on this blog. I will probably never monetize it. I will also likely never make much of a difference with it. However, there is something I want to do with it, and that is remember moments like this: Natalie (while driving in the car completely out of the blue): "Mommy, I love God!" Mommy: "That's wonderful Natalie, why do you love God?" Natalie: "Because he died to save us from our sins." Mommy: "That is true. I love God because he gave us this beautiful world to live in." Natalie: "I love God because he loves me too!" Mommy: "Yes, he sure does." Natalie: "I love God and he loves me. God loves us Megan!" Yes, those are moments I never wish to forget. All through our walk in the mall my child was singing "I love mommy and God, I love mommy and God." I love it!

Natalie this morning was playing with a new horse and cart Little People toy she got for Christmas. She was packing the cart full of other Little People animals, and then she was encouraging the horse to try hard. Here is what she said, "Come on horse, you can do it. I know it is a big load, but you can do it. Trust in God to help you. Praise to God to help you and give you strengf. You can do it horse! Keep going!" So adorable! I guess all of the hours of listening to Patch the Pirate and reading Bible story books are starting to stick!

When I was three years old (or so), I went to bed one Christmas Eve overly excited about the upcoming holiday. My excitement made it hard to sleep (Santa was coming!) and when I woke to see lights on and hear my parents’ voices, I knew it was time. I scampered out in the living room to see what the big red guy had brought, only to find my dad in the throws of putting together my dollhouse. The dollhouse that was from “Santa.” It was then and there that I discovered the truth. Perhaps because I learned the truth so early, the decision about whether or not we would “do” Santa was never really that important. Honestly, I thought I could ignore "Santa" for many years and it would just blow over. Not so much with my literal, observant child. Also, when we joined a playgroup with other moms, the idea that we didn’t “do Santa” was surprising. It caused me to think about it and evaluate whether or not we would use this tradition in our home (Natalie, unitl this year, was young enough...

The other day (was it yesterday?) my eldest had a knock-down-drag-out fit complete with screaming, kicking the wall, and throwing things. It was over something really little, but she was quite upset. It has got me to thinking about tantrums. Tantrums show the sin nature at its worst. The child is having a fit because he or she wants something he or she cannot have. The child is expressing displeasure because she did not get her way. The child is not submitting to authority. Yet, at the same time, the child is still only a child. Self control certainly has not been mastered, and some of these things will come with time. I have been reading Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp for Bible study at church. While I realize that this is not scripture, a lot of people that I respect really like his advice. He speaks against "isolation" (ie sending a child to their room) as a disciplinary tactic. However, in the midst of a fit, this is the only thing that works! I send her to...

I rarely do these things but i am gonna try this one. MckMama is giving away a computer! Find out more about how to enter here . Good Luck!

Tonight we were driving and Natalie was in a talking-a-mile-a-minute mode. She asked me, "Are we Christians?" I usually answer, "Mommy and Daddy are Christians because we asked Jesus to forgive our sins and be our saviour." Tonight I answered differently. I said, "Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and come into your heart?" A few minutes later she said, "Mom, I want to pray to God." I said, "You can pray to God any time you want." Here is what she prayed, "Dear Jesus, thank you so much for our doggies, and families, and the snow, and mommies, and daddies, and sisters. I love you so much Jesus. Forgive me of my sins. Thank you for the good day. Amen." Of course, we were smiling ear to ear, but we try not to get too excited outwardly because we do not want her praying for show. We want her praying because her heart wants to. A few minutes later she said, "Mommy, I think I want to pray again. I have so much to say th...

Today we were driving home from running erands. Natalie was listening to her Patch the Pirate CD, and the song that was on was "My God Is a Rock." She pipes up, "But mom, God can't be a rock. He's a people!" I guess we have a little more theological training to do ;)

Once again, it is time for some Natalie Funnies. The other night we were reading a book that was talking about heaven. The artist's rendering of Heaven was of a golden city in the clouds. Natalie asks, "Mommy, why is heaven squishy?" Natalie is obsessed with her sister's dirty diapers. She loves to sneak into Megan's room when I am changing her and peek at the diaper. If she doesn't see it, she will ask to and then say, "Yep, that's stinky all right." We are getting ready to participate in our church's reinactment of the Christmas story, called Journey to Bethlehem. I have been explaining it to Natalie so she will understand. When I told her about it, she asked, "Who will pretend to be baby Jesus?" I told her since the stable portion was outside, and it's cold, Baby Jesus would be a baby doll. She instantly started digging through her baby doll box. I didn't make the connection and asked what she was doing. "I need to g...