Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Challenge #3!

Happy Sunday everyone! Today is the kick-off of our third challenge at Stampin Sisters in Christ. The scripture chosen by my BBFF and stampin' sister Kristine is Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." The challenge is Back to School; i.e., encourage our children or a teacher?! If you don't have children/grandkids/nieces or nephews in school right now, and don't know a teacher personally, how about using your old school colors on a card? Or use notebook paper on your cards (write on it, stamp on it, punch some flowers out of it)? Whatever "Back to School" inspires you to create!!

Before I move on to my card, I must say "Amen" to this week's scripture. This must have been written for those of us who have teenagers! I used to think potty training was the hardest part of child rearing until my first child hit the teen years (*LOL*). And then my second. And now my third. And soon my fourth. If you haven't been through it yet, buckle your seatbelt... you're in for a ride!

Mind you, I'm very fortunate. The worst Paul and I have had to deal with is sassy mouths, bad grades, messy rooms and a lot of arguing. How have we managed to accomplish that? I think mainly because we've stayed connected with our boys and actively involved in their lives. I'm not going to write a sermon or preach on child rearing, because I have no right to... I've made plenty of mistakes as a mother, and my kids are far from perfect. But I do remember someone who I admired very much as a parent once say to me that if you raise your kids right, and love them all the time, you'll surely think it was all for nothing and that you've lost them during the teen years, but they will come back around. And indeed they do. Two out of four so far for me. I even hear the two older ones getting on the two younger ones for things we once got on them for. Let me tell you, that makes a mother's heart feel so good!

I also figured out that God gives us the teenage years so that we can eventually let our children go. If they were always like they are when they are little, sweet and innocent and compliant, completely gullible and lovable all the time, we'd never be able to let them fly the coop. And they must. So the teenage years are there for us to come to terms with the fact that we can, in fact, let our free-thinking, stubborn, know-it-all children move on to live their own lives and learn their own lessons... and hopefully have their own children to love and raise, and their own mistakes to make. And if we've set them on a firm foundation, they will be just fine. God gave us this instruction, pure and simple. And, of course, He's right!

My card is made with a super cute digi image is from the Back to School collection by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. There is a girl version, too! If you haven't visited the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps webstore lately, you should! Not only are all stamps and digi images 25% off, but new digis are being added every week, and they are too cute to resist! There are lots of fall and winter digis available right now, which I'm loving since I'm a fall/winter girl!

I'm planning to save this card to give to Avery when he gets his report card. I figure the power of positive thinking can't hurt. Plus, I'm pretty sure he'll get at least one A. He's a pretty good little student, my Avery. I sure love that kid! My baby...who will soon be a teenager. (*sniff*)

I hope you'll join us in this week's challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. There's an awesome prize up for grabs, and three will be selected to receive the Shining Star award!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!