In their first-time baking together, my husband and our girl made a chocolate cake with green buttercream frosting for Mother's Day. Our girl decorated the two-layers.

May I say it was delicious? We won't mention who had the biggest slice.

It was a sweet ending to a Saturday that had unexpected conflict.

On Sunday, I awoke with the below menu waved in my face as our girl asked for breakfast orders. She created and typed the menu. I chuckled as I read it.

Dad was the chef.

(Psst...they are toaster waffles...we like the multigrain ones from Trader Joe's.)

Under "Sides," there was an offer for "twenty hugs and ten kisses on each cheek," which I requested with "I'll Have It All."

Hey, how many times does someone offer it all on a menu to you?

A first for me.

Giving Thanks with Ann:

• God answering "yes" and giving us a child
• My joy at our girl's delight as she baked the cake and decorated our kitchen table.
• For a husband who values me and my role as a mother.
• For God's ability to change a heart if one is willing to be changed.
  
• Resolving conflict with our girl as we each practiced owning our contribution and apologizing to each other.
• Being able to serve as a family with friends by cooking and serving food at our church's recovery ministry.
• Serving food to a man that I have been praying for on and off for over a year...So amazed at how God works even when I pray with little faith...hope to share more in a later post.
• Tickling our girl and snuggling together.
• Sitting with my husband on our more shabby than chic sofa as we talk.
• The gift of music and singing with others at church.
• A Sunday sermon that touched my heart as I felt God affirming His work in my life...Spirit-touched-tears.
• The repetitive strain injury in my forearms didn't flare up too badly this weekend.

What are you thankful for today?

Linking with sweet friend Laura for a play date

and giving thanks with wise Ann 

and talented L.L. Barkat

and the amazing Jen 

© Soul Stops/Dolly Lee 2012.   Limited License: Okay for noncommercial use if you attribute this post to me and link to my permalink and blog.

Image courtesy of: Beautiful Truth

It is 8:30 p.m. and our tween-girl is in bed. Before she closed her eyes, I hugged her tight. She told me she wanted me to hug her longer.

At about 7 p.m., she was crying mad and I was telling her that we will talk after she calms down.

What happened between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.?

I made a strategic decision to withdraw from escalating conflict to give us both time to calm down. I have learned the hard way that further discussion when adrenaline is queen is pointless.

It was not "we will never ever talk again" but "we will talk when everyone has calmed down" and we did.

I apologized for yelling (although it was provoked by what she did). She apologized for her part (which I won't say to protect her privacy and she reads my blog sometimes.)

I apologize because I want to teach her self-control (which I did not exhibit when I yelled) and the ability to say "you're sorry when one makes a mistake."

I can't ask her to do what I am not willing to do. Well, I could, but it would be hypocritical.

Most importantly, I want her to know that it is okay to be imperfect and that perfection is not a prerequisite to being loved.

Because God loves us despite our imperfections, and I want her to know that about God. Yes, God does discipline us, but always from a place of unconditional love.

Finally, I want her to know that two people can love each other, get mad, express their feelings (sometimes well, sometimes not so well), and still deeply love each other.

I'm thankful that it was not a big issue because I know as she gets older {sigh} it may take longer to resolve conflict. But for now, I am grateful.

• ⁴Fathers [and mothers], don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master. Ephesians 6:4 MSG

When you were a child, did your parent(s) (or primary caregiver) apologize to you if s/he or they made a mistake?

If you are a parent, do you apologize to your child if you blow it? And why (whether you answer "yes" or "no")?

Image courtesy of: Beautiful Truth

© Soul Stops/Dolly M. Lee 2011.   Creative Commons License: Okay for noncommercial use if you attribute this post to me and link to my permalink and blog.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

We just got back from our church's Thanksgiving Service.  I loved hearing different people share their stories of how God provided for them.  Several people told about being delivered from addiction and homelessness.  What stood out was that each person not only found Jesus personally, but they also made new friends. 

A young mom said she was hospitalized last year because of depression and suicidal thoughts.  She still has bad days, but God is healing her. 

One engaged couple talked about finding love after difficult life struggles.

Thank you for being part of my journey, and thanks for sharing yours with me through your blog or in person, and/or through your comments.  It is a gift.

Praying that whatever circumstance you may find yourself in today, may you know that the God, who cares for the tiniest bird, cares about you and loves you.  Really.

Joining Joan at "The Grace Cafe" Thursdays

Copyright Soul Stops 2011/ Dolly L.