Raising Kids

I always thought being a mother would be easy. Boy was I mistaken! I think the hardest part is the struggle with the will and holding fast to the example I am to be to my children. I recently read a quote by John Barnett, "God has assigned us parents the role of standing in His place to show our children what He is like." That's a pretty big assignment! We are to imitate Christ to our children. I fail often.

I love the analogy of a tree. A tree is no stronger than its roots--neither are we. We must have a healthy root system to stand firm when we are tested. A defective root system leads to the death of a tree, and we too will fail and die if we are not grounded in God's Word. We must be reading God's Word and in constant fellowship with Him. When those temptations come into our day, we must choose to do what Christ would have us do, rather than responding by our present "feelings". Every day each of us repeatedly faces this choice; serve self, or God--follow Satan's way, or the Lord's. "There are only two choices on the shelf, pleasing God or pleasing self."

My goal this month is to be a "Christ-like" example to my children. I want my kids to see the true Savior, Jesus Christ, in me, not only in my words but in my actions and in all aspects of my life.

Skiing

The Collins' Kids love snow! We traveled to Sierra Summit and hit the slopes. Timmy and Amy tried snowboarding for their first time. It was a little trying at first, but by the end of the day they were both enjoying it. (They were a little sore the next day......but thought it was still worth it.) Andrew, Sarah, and Bob stayed on the slopes with their skies and enjoyed the downhill adventures. Snow....yes, there was snow! It snowed all morning and throughout the day on and off. Bob even survived the tense drive down the mountain on the snow covered roads. The Lord was with us keeping us safe once again.

Valentines

Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, It is not proud, it is not rude, It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. Loves keeps no record of wrongs. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

We shared our love with others by hosting a Valentines Party and sharing our cookies with some elderly neighbors. The girls made Valentines Baskets, played games, exchanged Valentines, and decorated cookies. During the games I was amazed at the love these little ones showed to one another and the kindness in exchanging gifts and prizes. They were so helpful and thoughtful thinking of others before themselves! What a blessing it was to have them in our home.





Build-A-Bears Enjoy Valentines Day too!

Spurgeon Spurs Thoughts

"He who grows in grace remember that he is but dust, and he therefore does not expect his fellow Christians to be anything more. He overlooks ten thousand of their faults, because he knows his God overlooks twenty thousand in his own case. He does not expect perfection in the creature, and therefore, he is not disappointed when he does not find it."

Why do I expect perfection from my family? I shouldn't. I must remember I am but dust, I am chief of sinners, filled with my own faults. God overlooks all my mistakes....I must overlook the mistakes of others.

"Man may talk of self-control, as if the reins were in his own hands. But he who has been "born of the Spirit," and taught "to know the plague of his own heart," is made to feel that effective self-control is divine grace, not his own native power...Have not repeated defeats taught us the need of calling in better strength than our own?"

Why do I continue to struggle with self-control? Because so often I try to control my thoughts and emotions on my own, without reaching out to the one who created me for help. I have no power on my own....but must rely on the strength of His Spirit to change.

Christmas at the Collins' Home

Christmas at the Collins is an exciting time, we’ll try to tell you all about it in this little rhyme.

Outside hundreds of lights go up and around,To the tree, on the roof, the lawn, and the ground

Then the tree is bought and delightfully trimmed

The lights around are slowly dimmed.

Gingerbread houses and cookies are the fun

little treats

That delight the children as they

desire the eats.

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care
With hopes that Saint Nicholas would soon be there.






When morning arrived goodies were tucked in
The children awoke to find their secrets within





As gifts were unwrapped they tore off the bows,
Boots were the new gifts and excitement arose!


Grandma gets a watch to now know the time
Soup mixes, and cookies, help to save every dime.













Amy loves games and she opens one gift
To find the new LIFE is really a lift






Timmy, our farm boy, loves tractors and toys
John Deere is a favorite of every young boy.














Andrew, a college student, looks for useful things too,

A jacket, some pants, and even plaid shoes!













The best gift yet, goes to Bob, the Dad
His favorite movie, Hoodwinked, and a Coke poster make him glad.













A Christmas dinner of turkey and ham were enjoyed by each one,
Potatoes and gravy, dressing and even a bun.


So a Merry Christmas was had, yes it was had by each one.
Games followed the dinner and we had lots of fun!

The Girls' Christmas Musical

Christmas Around the World

Amy and Sarah learned songs from around the world in their Christmas musical at Valley Oaks. Amy's favorite song was from Germany called Cling Gluken Cling and Sarah's favorite was from Africa Seyahumba. Many of the songs point to Christ as the Savior of the World and are praises to God for sending His son into the world. They had two performances which were beatiful and so praiseworthy to Christ our Redeemer. Amy was from Italy and dressed Italian Sarah was from Portugal singing in her little portugese tongue. Forty-eight countries were represented and taught about during the show. Each student represented a different country and told a little about how Christmas is celebrated in that country. Jennifer Piccolotti produced and directed the production. It was a delightful show!

Christmas Parade

It's that Christmas Season and Amy and Sarah represented Valley Oaks Charter School in the annual Bakersfield Christmas parade. Sarah and her friend Jordyn carried the Valley Oaks banner while Amy and her clogging friends clogged the night away. With their new teacher, Kacey, they performed Country Christmas, Jingle Bells, and an old Elvis song, Santa Bring My Baby Back. It was an exciting day as their picture was featured in the Bakersfield Californian and the parade televised. Even the following morning on local news stations, coverage of them dancing appeared on TV.

Along with the holiday season, Amy participated in the Valley Oaks Oral Language Competition and placed first for humorous solo. She will compete in a regional contest next! Her winning piece was called, "Help, Send Candy Bars" It fits Amy pretty well!