Growing In Prayer

Happy Monday!

As I sit here this morning reflecting on my weekend,  I'm reminded on a special moment I had with my niece, Megan.  She just celebrated her First Communion and she was so excited!  I gave her a child's devotional, and after she opened it, she took me to her room and showed me where she wanted to place it...right next to her Bible on her prayer table!!  It was such a beautiful little spot and one that she was so proud to share :)

Not every child makes their own prayer table in their room but every child needs to know the importance of prayer and thanksgiving. As children grow, give them opportunities that will help them grow in their prayer life too, even if it's not a traditional approach. Try a prayer board in your house, Christian music playing in the car, a daily devotional via email, or a nightly Bible reading for the family. Offering them different opportunities to connect with God, allows them to express and grow in their own prayer life, no matter how old they are.  For example, lately I've been texting our son a daily picture of my morning devotional.  He doesn't admit it, but I think he might just appreciate it :)

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:6

Help Them Serve

Good morning,

One of the best things my oldest daughter said to me recently was that she was thankful I made them do things for themselves when they were younger.

I was always a working mom and at times a student, so our house relied on the team approach. As a young, busy teacher and mom with a very hard working husband, we had to teach our children to be independent learners and help one another. What does that mean? Teach them to do things for themselves and be proud of what they accomplished. Then teach them to use those learned skills to serve others. Even if it means making peanut butter sandwiches for their siblings' lunches, folding socks to help with laundry, or pulling weeds in the garden.

Just teach them some of the small tasks you do for the family. Children love to emulate their parents, and if they feel like they are contributing to the well being of the family and serving one another, that's even better :)

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children.  Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others."
Pope John Paul II

Date Night

Hi everybody :)

I've been thinking and praying about what to write today and after checking my email, I was inspired by a question from a mom regarding balance.  God knows this is not an easy thing for any of us but sometimes we just try to do too much :)

When I think about balancing life, I think about the one thing that helped the most and put everything else in perspective and that was date night!! Let me explain my version of date night.  It wasn't a family function or friendly commitment that we needed to attend.  Those were considered things we had on our calendar but date night just involved the two of us spending quality time together.  It could be dinner, a movie, drinks or long talks somewhere we enjoyed. This date night resulted in so many benefits for our whole family.  It made us better communicators with each other, it gave us time to understand, reconnect and respect one another better, it set a precedent that the kids expected, and it made us better parents because we had that time to renew ourselves for them.  Even in the busiest times, we always made sure to get a babysitter. This one night a week, not only gave us time together but it gave us time away from work, it gave us a break from being parents and it gave us time as a couple to pray and dream about our future.

There will always be house chores, volunteer work, parenting and other commitments to balance but making your marriage a priority gives you and your kids the best gift ever!

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things".
1 Corinthians 13:7

Job Jar

Good morning!

I hope everyone had a beautiful Easter with their families!

As I sit here this morning planning my day and making my list, I look around and see the aftermath of a
wonderful Easter celebrated together.  The kids are still sleeping, the house is a mess and I have a few chores I would like to do before everyone goes back to school tomorrow.

As I do this, I'm reminded of an activity I did with my kids when they were younger.  I called it "Job Jar" and it was an attempt to get some chores done and have fun with the kids all at the same time.  I still have my "Job Jar" and I'm thinking about breaking it out this morning...they will love it ;)  Now that they are older, they know my plan to get some work out of them but when they were younger, they really did love it!!  Here's how it works... I write all the job that need to be done on small pieces of paper with a dollar amount by it, they are placed in the jar and each child picks one out.  They race to get the job finished, pick another job and continue until all the jobs are finished.  In the end, they add up the small dollar amounts on the jobs, compare their profits, and plan their purchases.  We then head to the Dollar Store for the ultimate shopping experience :)  It makes for a fun day and a good way to get a few extra jobs done that aren't their regular expected chores.  Have fun together today!

P.S. Trades are allowed!

Peace and blessings,

Lesa

Thoughts

Hi again...

I wanted to take this time to thank everyone who has been reading my blog and encouraging me to keep writing :) I appreciate it more than you know! As I said in the beginning, this blog was a book and a dream, and now I'm praying daily that I can encourage moms and dads in their parenting through my blogging. I know that God is inspiring me to inspire you, just like I've been inspired on my parenting journey :) That being said, I would love to hear from each of you! Let me know what I can write about to better serve you and your family. Since I've started writing, I've added a "Contact Me" area on the right side of the blog to do this, as well as a "Follow By Email" option to sign up for email alerts whenever I post.

This past week I really wanted you to get to know my family and me and some foundational things that I find so important in purposeful parenting. That's why I started this writing journey with the importance of reading (Read With Me) and modeling (Let Them See You). And then the importance of focusing on time (Seize The Moment), individual gifts (No Two Flowers Are The Same) and family fun (The "Why" Game). These are some important pieces to parenting, but obviously not the only things.  It was just a good starting point, but we haven't even touched on discipline, chores, expectations, or communication...just to name a few :) As I said, I'm letting God guide me on my daily writings so that the topics will be an eclectic collection to reach all parents, regardless of the age of their children or their family structure.

Parenting is about hard work and consistency. Personally, I'm at a point in my life where I can be reflective in my parenting, but I don't want to give the impression that my parenting path could have been wrapped up into pretty little blog posts along the way. I read, I watched, and I asked to learn more. So whether you're in the midst of diapers and preschoolers or traveling weekly for sports and choosing a high school, just know that you are loved, thought of often, and prayed for daily. The calling of a parent is not an easy one, but God is forever grateful to you for leading them to Him.

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"God loves me. I'm not here just to fill a place, just to be a number. He has chosen me for a purpose.  I know it."
Mother Teresa

Shhhh...

Hi,

As I sit here this morning of Good Friday, I'm reminded of the importance of quiet time. It's during the quiet moments that we have time with God, reflect on life, and dream. In today's busy world, we sometimes forget to let ourselves have that time or teach our children the importance of it. When children are young, their quiet time is usually nap time. However, it really is a good idea to teach them early on that quiet time is necessary for them too :) Not that they like that idea, but they will eventually embrace it, because it will become part of the daily structure they come to expect. Show them different examples of quiet time, like reading, praying, drawing, or listening to soft music. Depending on your child's personality, you'll know what fits them.

Each person in your house should have a special place where they have quiet time. For me, it's usually  early in the morning, listening to Audrey Assad and sitting in my favorite chair, but Jerry prefers a certain spot in the hearth room. My oldest daughter really likes being outside with the warmth of the sun on her, my other daughter prefers the solitude of her room, while my son can sit quietly contemplating and reading things at the table.

In this fast, busy, noisy world, we can teach our children that this special quiet time helps recharge their minds, gives them more energy, and teaches them appreciation for the people and things around them.
Every family has different dynamics in their household, but find what works for yours and enjoy it.

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

             "Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done." 
              C.S. Lewis

The "Why" Game

Good morning!

One of the best things that Jerry, my husband and best buddy, did when the kids were growing up and  we were driving in the car was pose the most interesting and intriguing questions.  I have to admit that there were times I would have rather listen to the radio, but it taught them so many random facts! He might ask them, "Why do some bridges have steel cables?", Why are water towers so tall?", or "Are all cows the same?"  This "why" game would go on for quite a while because he was really trying to teach them problem solving skills.  The kids would take turns guessing answers and Jerry would give them hints and ideas to the correct answer. Then, they would ask him to give them another one:)

Don't forget to play the "why" game with your children.... It not only helps with problem solving but it encourages higher level thinking, parent child interaction and communication.  It doesn't have to be anything profound! Kids find the most unique facts interesting! My Molly just told me the other day that she knew the difference between a gas engine and a diesel engine!
I'm so proud:)

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
Nelson Mandela

No Two Flowers Are The Same

Good morning everyone,

In a beautiful bouquet of flowers, each one has a different characteristic or detail, even if they are the same kind of flower. Each one of your children has unique personalities, talents, and gifts. As parents, we know that and recognize the differences. However, sometimes we forget to teach our children that God has given them individual gifts and to help them discover those little presents. Talk to all of your children about their individual gifts and how they can use each one of them for good. For example, each of my children have a unique learning style and approach to acquiring knowledge. So, I have taught them to embrace their style. For instance, my oldest daughter has the gift of an amazing memory. She can read something once and remember all of the little details; she is a note taker and list maker. My middle daughter was given the gift of art. She will listen to a lecture in college and draw the most fascinating notes in color. She doesn't use pens and notebook paper, she uses colored pencils, markers, and a sketch pad. My son was given the gift of patience and flexibility. Depending on the subject matter, he can modify his approach to learning the material because he has adopted some of each one of his sister's approaches. He analyzes the material and patiently decides his best approach for learning it. Each child's gifts are so special and intricate! God has a reason for giving them each quality, and our job is to nurture those gifts along their journey. They need to know that each gift is special and how to use it. Enjoy your day:)

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  James 1:17

Seize The Moment

Good morning!

On an average day, you are probably waking your kids up for school, helping them find their clothes, feeding them, making their lunches, and taking them to school. All at the same time, you're getting yourself ready for work and presentable to the public:) Parents are amazing!!

Some parents think teaching only happens in the classroom or during special moments at the kitchen table during a fabulous family dinner. However, some of the best teaching happens in the midst of everyday situations. Those little conversations we have in the car, the moments at the store, or those times spent together doing house chores are all perfect opportunities to teach your child. Everything we model, everything they see and hear, are all mini learning lessons for them. So, seize the moment to stop and explain something, point out a detail or let your child learn through picking something up and analyzing it. It only takes a few extra minutes to create a memory, and memories create learning experiences!

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"Yesterday is gone.  Tomorrow has yet to come.  We have only today.  Let us begin."
Mother Teresa

Let Them See You

Hi friends,

One of the best things you can do for your child is to let them see you learning new things and challenging yourself. It is so important to be a life long learner, and it's equally important that you model that for your children, since they are constantly learning new things in school. They respect you for taking the risk and making yourself vulnerable to them! And if it's a challenge you can take on with your spouse, that's even better! Allowing your children to witness the two of you working together on a project is invaluable to them. So today, think about trying a new recipe even though carryout sounds easier, training for a 5K when you hate running, or planting a vegetable garden when you know that the deer are going to eat half of them! And when your husband constructs a faux greenhouse to protect them, be grateful that you have different strengths ;)

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere."
Chinese Proverb

Read With Me

Hi everyone,

I know you've heard this so many times but it's worth a reminder :)

We need to teach our children the love of reading.  It doesn't mean that you put them in the local summer reading program or mandate special reading time in the home. What it does mean is that based on your family lifestyle or dynamics, you create a way to model reading and make it something they desire. I have a great memory when I was little of going to this old historic library and picking out so many books. My mom was an avid reader and always enjoyed sharing the library with me.

Your approach to teaching your children the love of reading can be done in so many different and unique ways. Creativity is the key! Think of situations that involve reading and then think about how to incorporate something they love to do with reading. Here's a quick example: My son and I recently spent the day together shopping and doing errands. I needed to pick up a book at Barnes and Noble, so he went in with me and I told him it would be just a few minutes. He loves coffee, so I told him to grab one at the Starbucks in the store. He soon found me in the cookbook section and decided he would go to the sports section. He is an avid golfer, and before he knew it, he was immersed in the golf books and had three in his hand.  We agreed on one golf book and left the store filled with the excitement of reading it, along with the desire to buy the other ones in the future. I never told him we had to go to the book store and find some books to read. He works very hard in school and always has a lot of homework so that probably wouldn't have sounded appealing to him.  It was a very natural approach that resulted in a good experience. Make sure to purposely plan things like this to give your child good experiences with books and reading. I know that not all children love to read, or feel confident in their abilities, but if we can make it something fun, purposeful, and meaningful to their life, they will appreciate it.

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him."
Maya Angelou

What's with the blog title?

Hello again,

You may be wondering why I decided to call this blog A Garden For God. I've always been an avid gardener with a passion for watching my flowers grow through nurturing and caring...and eventually, cutting them when they are ready and presenting them in a beautiful vase for the table.  This same concept holds true with the children God has entrusted to us. We are given these beautiful children on earth to love, nurture, care and cultivate, only to eventually present them back to God at his table. Parenting isn't always easy, it takes a lot of hard work and consistency. As we journey together through this blog, I believe I can give you practical advice, encouragement, and meaningful ideas that will enhance your parenting.

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"A garden requires patience labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them."
Liberty Hyde Bailey

Let's get to know each other :)

Good morning readers!

My name is Lesa Keeven and I am a wife, parent, teacher, and former administrator.  Ten years ago, I began writing a parenting book after an early morning coffee conversation with my sister. She was expecting her first child in four months, so we began discussing parenting, discipline, education, and the amazing gift from God that was about to arrive. After I got off the phone and poured myself another cup of coffee, I began reflecting on the conversation.  The phrase, "Parent Me, Please" popped in my head and I thought, "This is the beginning of a great book." Years before, I had considered writing a book for new teachers, but as my career path continued, I began teaching and mentoring so much that my ideas never made it to paper. So, it was then, after the coffee chat with my sister,  I knew that I needed to begin writing. After all, parents are their child's first teachers!

As I sit here today and reread the words I wrote years ago, I realize that my nephew just celebrated his 10th birthday, my sister now has two other beautiful children, and life has been very busy. My oldest daughter, Abby, is 22 years old and getting married in August. My Molly is 20 and in her second year of college, and my baby Drew is 16.  This past weekend, my daughters and I attended an amazing women's retreat.  It was something I had wanted to do with my girls before the wedding. As the weekend progressed, so did my conversations, prayers, and dreams.  One of the conversations I had was with an amazing speaker and writer. I told her about my book, and she recommended a blog. I pondered the thought on my way home, prayed about it, and began discussing the possibility with my girls.

Ten years ago, God placed the idea on my heart! Now ten years later, the book has become a blog, the dream has become bigger, and I have more years of parenting knowledge and experience to share with you. I'm excited for this journey, and I pray that you may find meaning in my words.

Peace and blessings,
Lesa

"He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11