Challenged...

So, I read an article yesterday, I'm sure many of you have also read , you can read it here.  But beware if you are an iPhone, iPad, or any smart phone owner for that matter.  It's a brutal honest child's point of view of parents and their neglect of their kids.  


I started reading it thinking it would give me insite as it's titled "How to miss a Childhood."  I mean that's exactly what we don't want to do right?!  I think everyone should read this article and be challenged.  I like to think that I'm pretty good about not always picking up my phone when my kids around.  (iPhones make this kinda hard to do, as they are the coolest things ever!)  So yesterday after I read the article, I tried to notice how many times I wanted to pick up my phone.  The results were not desirable.  I noticed that almost anytime there was some down time, I wanted to pick up my phone!  I mean, really....  Can I not just appreciate some quiet or just some down time???  


The two times most likely for me to pick up my phone:

1. Nursing my 10 month old.  I've done this for probably about the whole 10 months.  I mean, it's quiet, down time right.  He's nursing and I have nothing to do. Why not pick up my phone and catch up on twitter, instagram, FB, emails, etc?  
2. When my 4 year old wants to watch a movie.  Let's face it, I don't really want to watch the movie too, so why not surf the web and appear to be watching it with her...

Why should I NOT do this:

1. Nursing is a PRECIOUS time between a mom & her baby.  The time will be gone WAY too fast.  I should treasure this time for the sweet moments that they are.  I could use this time to speak truth into his life, pray for him, and just stare at his gorgeous face.  I am committing to you and myself that I will NO longer get on my iPhone will nursing.  For real.
2. She knows.  She knows I'm not REALLY watching the movie with her.  She knows I'm not snuggled up next her, focused on her and the movie.  This time I should choose to let it be her time, whether it be watching a movie together, doing a craft, or just free play.  No matter what it is, I should let it be HER time only.  So, I'm also committing this time to no longer getting on my phone!

And if you know me well, I'm not good at giving quick responses to email.  And do you know why???  Because I've been checking my mail on my phone while I'm nursing or "watching a movie."  How can write an adequate response while doing those things?  Yeah, the same way I'm neglecting my kids in these moments, I'm also neglecting my emailers.  And to you I am sorry!

I know some of this can be a bit extreme.  I mean, I know sometimes while my kids are around I might need to check something on my phone.  No big deal.  I was just challenged by this article and hope you are or will be too.  How to miss a childhood

How in the world could I ever want to miss these children's childhood?!

Always learning.  Always growing.  Thank you Lord!

xoxo,

hannah

I'm really trying to catch up...  Below is a good glimpse of our February.  The biggest change was we had Margaret come live with us for almost 3 whole months!  She felt that Lord was calling her to come serve and we are SOOOO glad she listened to His calling!  I CANNOT believe she's already come and gone.  Margaret was such a blessing to us.  Braidynn will forever have a big sister in her.  Margaret helped us so much.  She had "class" with Braidynn when she was out of school for a month, on top of playing with her all the time and helping out at bath time, etc.  She also made it possible for Ben and I to actually go out on dates once a week!!!  We were spoiled rotten!  Yep, we miss her like crazy.  

This girl came and became a part of our family forever.

And since she was here we got to go out on lots of dates!!!  YAY!!!

Yummi food!!! If you couldn't tell, look at Braidynn.  haha.  :)

Braidynn having class with Margaret.

Fun at the playground

Day at the park!  (Margaret took this pic.)

Gorgeous sunset

Another awesome pic taken by Margaret.

Learning how to drive the scooter.  Yup, I'm the brave one sitting in the back.  :)

Braidynn's favorite spot

Sisters 4ever

Fun on the swing!!!

my lil Pink Floyd fan

"Look at those funny looking foreigners!!!" 

Our parks are amusement parks!

Fun in the hammock with Margaret.

Aben with his other big sis

Braidynn's SOOOOO happy someone could take her to play chalk almost every day!

How fast does this little one grow?!?

He's SOOO much fun!

Dance party!!!  Thanks Mimi & Pop for sending us the new JUST DANCE for the Wii!!!

We LOVE dancing around here!!!

Braidynn dancing with lil friends

Fun in the caterpillar!!!

Daddy giving a little football lesson.  :)

Helping mommy make a king cake!

Happy Mardi Gras!!!

Look who found the Monkey!  (We didn't have any babies laying around here...)