Drea Wood

Category Archives: parenting

4 is a lot but can be done

Written on 01/11/2013 by Dreawood in caleb, motherhood, Owen, parenting, Reed, Taite

*The Photos in this post are totally random. I just thought they were cute. The other day while I was getting Reed’s bath water hot, Caleb was suppose to be “undressing him” for me… and when I come out of the bathroom to get him, I find them putting head phones on him totally butt naked. Was so funny!”

I wanted to jot down real quick today… some proud moments I had as a mother of these 4 crazy boys. :) If you follow me on facebook you may have read about my amazing afternoon being spoiled by my 8 year old, Caleb.

We had our home school group earlier in the day from 9-12:30… and then once we got home, we had lunch and then it was nap time. I put Owen down for his nap shortly after 1. Put Taite into his room for his “quiet time” and then I went upstairs to wake Reed up to eat. Reed ended up playing more than he ate :) – which ended up in a “lets all play in mommy’s bed” hour… but by 2pm Reed was back down for a nap.

I then decided to lay down for a nap, since Owen was still in bed and the other two were going to be “in quiet time” for at least one more hour. It was rainy out so it was perfect “nap weather”. ;-)

I then woke up to Caleb in my bed, staring at me (you know how you sense your child beside you, I totally did at that moment!). He then says to me:

“Umm…. its 4….”

I was like “whoa…. really?!”

and I then ask “well where is Reed.” – Reed was in my room napping, so I thought haha…

Caleb ended up getting him out of the crib, after hearing him “begin to wake up” around 3pm… and took him out of the room so I could sleep. He then proceeds to tell me as I wake up from my nap that, he fed Reed a bottle (he knows how to make them), he also changed his diaper… and that he was with Taite playing in his “bouncy seat” – and that Owen was downstairs watching a TV show and eating a snack. He then told me that he swept the kitchen for me as well… and was going to “wash the dishes” but didn’t have time.

Now I am not telling you all this to make other moms feel bad :) – but can I just say that I am incredibly proud of my boy right now! My children are never perfect. There are days Caleb annoys the tar out of me. Yet there are days like today when I am just so happy with how he is turning out. He is just an awesome lil’ dude.

TO think he is only 8…. I cant imagine what kind of helper he will be at 16!

Since I was feeling well rested and happy with how well all 4 of them were behaving. I decided to treat them to a night out at the mall. They love going there because they have a “lego” store. :)

So I packed up all the boys… and we made the 20 minute drive in nasty wet traffic…. and from 4:30-7pm we spent our time at the mall. Eating supper (was under 10 bucks!), babywearing ;-) – oh how Reed loves it… playing with lots of legos at the lego store. I think Owen made like 15 lego men haha… Taking potty breaks, getting free samples at the Annie’s pretzel stops (we went to two haha… free samples rock btw, my kids always beg for 2). The boys played with their lego men they made at a sitting area, while I fed Reed. All in all, it was a very uneventful trip and I had a great time with them. I was thankful for no tantrums and no poop or pee in someones pants :) – hah…

Thankful for days like today.

Thankful for boys learning they have to help their mom and each other.

There are so many days I feel as if I am a broken record… but I can really see where that “constant” correcting, is producing some fruit.

Thankful for safety.

Thankful for 4 little boys upstairs in bed, cozy and whipped from a great trip out.

Thankful for the means to be able to go to the mall and enjoy a few treats and spend a little money. While I would have loved to indulge lots more ;-) – I am beyond blessed to be able to do any of it.

and so so thankful for the way my children love on baby Reed. While he has been very hard for me… nights were KILLER the 1st 12 weeks… when I see my boys with him and how much they enjoy him, it honestly makes me want 3 more HAHA! but I know that wont be happening ;-) – so I got to soak it up while I can.

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Exploring Purity at 7

Written on 06/26/2012 by Dreawood in caleb, parenting, scripture

For some time now, I have had a burden on my heart…
… a burden for my boys & their purity.

It seems with each passing year, the statistics of men addicted to porn goes up… and up. Sexual addiction is such a problem & yet so many people feel the need to just burry it… pretend its not there, and hope no one notices or finds out.

I wasn’t able to find any 2012 statistics but even as far back as 2005 – 70% of men were looking at porn every single month.

I bet if the men here chimed in, who arent ashamed to admit to looking – can probably remember the very 1st time they saw porn – and I have a feeling most of them weren’t even teenagers.

Its heart breaking!

Is it possible for a man to grow up in this country and remain pure? Obviously we will never raise perfect men… our boys will fail, they will sin… they will not lead a life of perfection… but I sure am praying hard for their purity… and that they would learn early on the importance of guarding their eyes and their heart from sexual addictions.

Today while Caleb (7) was outside with a neighborhood friend… just hanging out in the yard, they were chit chatting back and forth and then before I knew it, both were sneaking inside the house. I was of course “watching” them the entire time, so when they came in, I asked them what they wanted. Caleb then said to me…

“He wants to show me something on the computer, can he?”

Im sure you can guess what my answer was.

I let them hang out side for a few more minutes, enjoying a piece of candy they brought home from VBS… and when Caleb came in and his friend left, I sat him down and asked him what it was his friend wanted to show him.

I am pretty good at picking up when my children are lying. It reads all over their face. Caleb as honest as I could tell, had no clue what this boy wanted to show him. He simply said he wanted to show him something on our computer, thats it.

This same boys brother months prior had told Caleb “I want to show you my brothers phone next time I come over… it has a naked lady on it.” – this coming from a boy who was only 9.

Heart breaking!!!

That boy never got a chance to bring his “brothers phone” over – and we are very strict as to where Caleb goes with friends. There are very few we’d actually trust with our children, in their homes.

I am reminded of this verse often… and it rings such truth in so many areas… but esp. in regards to our children…

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.“ – 1 Peter 5:8

Satan wants nothing more than to corrupt my boys or anyones kids for that matter.
He would be so pleased to see these young men, grow up to struggle with sexual addiction.

Protect your children…

I was telling Travis just last night how I want him to really talk openly with our boys about purity… about respecting women. The importance and the impact their actions will have prior to even getting married… and how vital it is to guard their hearts…

The statistics are against us in this area. The great peace I do have is knowing we serve such a faithful God… and a God who desires purity… and a future for our boys… we just need to lead them in the right direction, even at 7.

Also to those curious how we found out about the boy and the cell phone…

Caleb told us.

I am so thankful he feels safe enough to talk to us about things like this. He more often than not goes to his Dad – which is normal :) – Im thankful he has a father willing to speak truth… and be there for him. This I know will be one of the biggest impacts on his life… next to coming to know the Lord.

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Encouraging Help

Written on 03/13/2012 by Dreawood in caleb, Owen, parenting, Taite

One thing I have really been trying to teach the boys – is to help. May it be cleaning up for each other… or even just putting their dishes away.

Lately the big thing for me is helping with Owen.

Owen is in a very needy phase right now – making it hard for me to get much done. So while I school Caleb, or even just clean the kitchen – I encourage Taite to play with him. Making OWEN happy :) – even if he wants something Owen has.

This sometimes goes well, sometimes doesn’t. Taite after all “wants” a lot too.

Its all about teaching them to deny themselves… which is so far from natural :) – but so biblical.

Caleb has been a great help with Owen.

From getting Owen out of the crib after naps, feeding him a snack and sometimes turning on Thomas the Train for him. Tonight I encouraged him to go fill up the tub for Owen. While I finished folding a MOUND of towels and clothes.

I of course had to stop what I was doing to go photograph it ;-) – so the towels still await me hah…

I can totally see why when your family gets larger, you have to teach your children to serve in these ways. I really think its good for them too. :-D

Here are some photos after Owens bath that were so sweet. Caleb btw didn’t bathe Owen :) – I did do that. He did however entertain him while he sat in a towel drying off.

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No Discipline is enjoyable…

Written on 09/30/2011 by Dreawood in caleb, Owen, parenting, Taite

Now that we have settled into routine again, after moving from NC to GA. I feel like we have let our disciplining go a little to much. With moving, things are just out of sorts. Not just with your home… but what you are eating… when your kids are going to bed… how your kids are reacting to all the change, how your husband and yourself respond to each other… and so on. Add to that everything else being so different, its a lot.

So you can imagine when it comes to being consistent with disciplining we’re not as firm.

We realize though this is something you have got to work really hard not to become slack at.

Despite the changes.

I read this verse the other day and it has stuck with me….

“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening — it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11

This is so true not only for our children but also as adults.

An area in particular we are working on right now… is whining…

I must say, I am SO OVER the whining.

From things like…

“Mama… can I have a cookie?”

and when told “no, not today”

you almost instantly get a “but why?!” in a whiny tone.

You all know exactly what I am talking about.

It frustrates me to no end!

My new friend down the road with the 7 kids (8th due soon!! eee!) – has a post about this. It was encouraging for me to read and very helpful. We are, like she says in her post “Nipping this in the bud!”

It has been one of those things that is sometimes difficult for me.

But I know it is what we need to do.

Our boys I do believe are well behaved (not perfect!)… but there are aspects in our parenting I know need improving. We have let the whining go to far… we have honestly spoiled our kids in many ways by saying “yes” to often… and while I think its good to say “yes” sometimes… it also is very wise to say “no” too, and if you read my friend post about it, you will see why.

So here is to disciplining better :)

Being consistent.

Even during the harder moments.

I want our household to be pleasant…

And not filled with WHINES.

*The above photo has very little to do with the post, I just thought it was cute :) – Its of our neighbors (Nichole) youngest Maleah with Owen – she is 21 mo, so very close to Owens age.*

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Tongue – Life and Death

Written on 06/20/2011 by Dreawood in caleb, motherhood, Owen, parenting, scripture, Taite

Today I read in a devotional this piece of scripture…

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:21

I had never really though about this verse in any other way besides “the death” part… and how dangerous our tongues can be. How quickly we can lash out at someone and hurt them by just a few words… how fast we can yell or loose our cool with the kids, moments later regretting what we say.

The tongue is dangerous!
The Word is so clear about this.

But have we ever thought about how powerful the tongue can be and how we can use it for good too?

I love what T. Suzanne Eller says here…

“I wanted to tell him that I remembered when he was a little boy and he offered drive-by kisses as he ran past. I desired to tell him that when I was an exhausted mother to three toddlers his lopsided smile and Kermit the Frog belly laugh made me happy to be a mom.

I longed to tell him that I remembered when he walked behind me, trying to gain my attention with “Mom, Mom, Mama!” I wanted to share that I was sorry when I wasn’t as patient as I should have been.

Most of all I wanted to let him know how proud I was of him as a man and how I saw many of the same beautiful traits of his father emerging in him.

Why do we leave such precious words unsaid? Words that heal. Words that share the way we feel. Words that become treasures one day when words are all that remain.”

This for me was so convicting today.
As I had a rough monday, what is up with mondays?!
I didn’t start my morning right… I didnt ask for the Lord to help me to be patient, and it showed.
I lost my cool with the boys a few times… and spoke to them harshly.

It got me thinking about how often times I sit and think about how proud I am of my kids, yet many times don’t tell them. For example: Caleb is such an incredible big brother to Owen! Seriously… the other day Travis and I were talking about it… and we honestly would trust Caleb totally with Owen. Not that we’d ever leave the house for him to tend to him alone… but lets say I had to step to the rest room for a moment… Caleb I have no doubt would tend to Owen with his life.

So many times Owen will do something that scares him… and he has a genuine fear and concern in his voice towards these situations. He cares for him so much. I should praise Caleb for this more often…

Im so proud of him and thankful that he has a heart to take care of others… Even though he has his moments of aggravation and testing :) – he really is such a sweet child. Why leave those words unsaid?

So as I am speaking to myself, maybe this is encouraging someone else too… to Praise our Children more…

- Devotion snippet from 31 Ministries.

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