Parenting

In the Bible there are verses that use the word "rod" in the context of discipline, and the Bible uses the "rod" as a picture to help show us how to discipline our children and to help us understand the importance of our job. So figuratively we are shepherds of our little ones, and we need to carry our shepherd's staff, our rod. It's a sign of authority, and God has given parents authority over their children. And just as it is crucial that a shepherd not lay aside his rod, it is crucial that parents not lay aside the rod of authority and discipline. This does not mean, though, that we are to hit our children -- on the contrary. A good shepherd does not hit his sheep with the rod, but rather reserves hitting for the predators who attack his sheep. In like manner, we as parents should not use the "rod" to hit our children, but rather we are to protect them, guide them, and defend them.

I have always been confused on if I should hit my children as a way to discipline them. I will admit for some time I thought spanking was the way I should discipline but only because that's what most of us are taught to do. In the many times I used spanking to discipline it always felt wrong. I didn't understand nor get how inflicting pain on my child would correct them, and as I began to observe my children I realized it didn't discipline them but instead it made them afraid of me and because they were afraid they would behave better for a time. I also learned that spanking wasn't teaching them anything but to hit when they got angry at what someone did to them, or if someone didn't listen to them. I found my self spanking my kids and saying hitting is wrong and it hurts. So I started questioning myself why it was OK for me to hit them when they did wrong but it wasn't OK for them to hit someone else when they thought that other kid was doing wrong. They were only doing what they were taught. I began to pray for direction and wisdom on how to go about discipline in a Godly way. After some prayer a good friend (I will leave her name out ) of mine began to talk to me in a gentle way on spanking. She referred me to a wonderful site called gentle christian mothers and I began to learn new things. I then read a book called Biblical Parenting and it changed my views on parenting and spanking. I haven't spanked my kids in over a year and instead I have been using the same discipline on them as God uses on me, grace and mercy. The change in discipline wasn't easy and I would slip up at times, but I learned to ask my children for forgiveness when I did spank and told them that hitting them was wrong and I am working on changing that. I realized very fast that in those moments I taught my children something important and that is that we all make mistakes and doing something new takes work and if we fail the right thing to do is admit we are wrong and ask for forgiveness. I've learned that I am not my children's boss, but that I am their teacher, their comforter and their protector. I am not here to rule them but instead guide them and teach them how to be good Christian's with a heart to love, forgive, give mercy and grace to others as our heavenly father gives to us.

Discipling without spanking has taken a lot of work on my part but it's been the best change I've made as a parent.

In Awe!!!

For so long Edgar and I have struggled with our finances and have lived pay check to pay check always worried what we would do if an emergency happened. About 3 years ago we started the Dave Ramsey program and have slowly dug ourself out of debt and have learned how to live within our means. It was a very hard adjustment and is still sometimes challenging when I want to buy the stuff I just want but don't need. I'm so grateful to God and Dave Ramsey and for the friends and family who have prayed for us and encouraged us, for we are now living comfortable. That doesn't mean we have lots of money it just means we have become good stewards over our finances and now live in peace about our future. We were able to buy our first home and now we are able to buy stuff to fix up our home. God has blessed us beyond measure for learning and following this program. I was sitting back today thanking God for where we are today. I can say for the first time we are very happy with where are life is right now and I look forward to all the great things that are to come. God is so so faithful and has provided for us every step of the way. Edgar and I would not be the couple we are today without trusting and leaning on our Lord and savior!

Trying to keep up

Well it's almost been a year since I've updated our blog and I'm sorry for those who keep up with us through it. I will do my best to do a weekly update not that anything exciting happens to us that much..LOL


We have been living in El Paso, Texas since August. Although it has been an adjustment for all of us we are settling in and loving this new chapter in our life. We bought our first, home a beautiful spanish style home. It's a work in process but it's ours and it feels great to own it. We love our neighborhood and the area we live in and really feel at home here. God has been blessing us beyond our dreams, what an AMAZING God we serve. We have found a great church home and have jumped right in and feel like we are part of the family.


Eddie is loving his new job and is doing well. We love being able to see him every day. We are now finally the family we wanted to be. He is loving being apart of our life every day and being there for his children. He is working hard researching and teaching himself how to do all the remodling of our home and is doing a great job at it. Ethan, Lauren and I are so blessed!


Ethan is growing every day and is trying to find his place as a young man and not as a child. He has worked so hard in school to catch up to where the kids are here, sadly he was behind their standards, but he is now where he needs to be and at the top of his class. His teacher and classmates all love him and say he is the life of the class. He is also finding his place with Christ. I love watching our son make choices for God and as God would have him. He has such a heart to serve and is very compassionate for people. We look forward to all God has in store for him and watching him serve and love God.








Princess Lauren has gotten so big. She is loving being 4 but not liking some of the new changes we are working on with her like going to sleep without one of us siiting with her till she falls asleep, but she is getting better at it every night. She talks so much, makes us laugh and changes every day. She is so ready to start school and loves to learn. She is so girly but will play like one of the boys no problem. She is such a daddies girl and is so spoiled by Eddie. She wants so much to do all the things her big brother does. She loves her brother and loves to bother him also. She is growing closer to God and understanding more and more just how much he loves her. It feels so good to hear her singing songs to our Lord and praying to him for everyone she loves. Her and and I have learned how to be with each other every day and our bond has grown so much. She loves doing everything with me. The first thing she asks every morning is what store we going to today..LOL This girl LOVES to shop especially if its for her. Daddy is in trouble.



I'm doing very well and loving being a stay at home mom although I am rarely home. I stay busy with MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) and with my friends I've met through there as well as church. In October I finished my first half marathon over the Franklin Mountains, it was such an amazing experiance for me. This marathon pushed me past my self limints and taught me to lean on God to get through it and in return God showed me I can do anything through him. I will never forget the feeling when I crossed that finish line and the best part was my husband and kids where there cheering me on, man what a rush. My new adventure with Christ is leading a connect group at church and I'm praying and believing for big things for the people in my group and for myself. I have fallen more in love with God and I'm so excited to serve his people and see all he has for me and my family.

That's our update and like I said I'll try to post once a week and share what is going on.

UPDATE!!!!!!!!

Wow it has been way to long since I've updated our blog. I am going to try and keep up with now that we will be moving to El Paso Texas.

The Herrera family will be moving to El Paso Texas on August 13, 201o. Eddie will begin his new adventure of flying for the government and we will be able to be the family we have wanted to be for the past 4 years. Eddie will be leaving for El Paso on May 7, 2010 and then will go to the academy on June 3, 2010. The kids and I will stay here in Louisiana until he gets out of the academy in August. We are so excited to move and can't wait for this new chapter of our lives to begin.

Ethan our little man has gotten so big over the last few years. He is so smart and has made the honor roll all three quarters this year and we are positive he will make again in the fourth quarter. He has gotten into playing soccer and is very natural at it. He is planning on continuing with soccer and wants to also learn the guitar once we get to Texas. He is a little nervous about moving and I don't blame him we have so many loving friends here who have become our second family. He has such an out going personality I know he will make friends fast in Texas. He is getting very tall as well, his head comes right to my shoulders now, soon he will be taller than me. Its been amazing watching him grow to love and know the Lord. He has accepted Christ into his heart and has also been baptised in the Holy Spirit. I love to hear him sing out loud to his favorite Christian singer Toby Mac. We are over joyed and so very proud of him.

Lauren our sweet spirited princess has changed so much. She is now 3 years old but will tell you she is five...LOL!!! She makes us laugh with all the new things she is doing and saying. She can be a bit sassy sometimes but at her age its still cute. She is learning so much every day. She is a big fan of watching iCarly and can even sing the intro song. She loves to play out side. I recently cut off four inches of hair and she loves it. The cut has made her go from looking like a baby to a little girl. She is growing up so fast. She's very into dancing and will dance any where and every where and asks us all the time when she gets to go to dance class. She too loves the Lord. She is the one to say the blessing at our meals, and she loves to pray every night. Her favorite song is he's got the hole world in his hands and man is it cute to listen to her sing it. It melts my heart to see her praise the Lord. She knows we are moving to Texas but I know she doesn't understand fully what that means, but none the less she asks every day when she gets to go to her new house. We are so very proud of the little lady or as she would say girl she is growing into.

As for Ed and I we are just preparing our family for our up coming move and can't wait to be the family we have worked so hard to be the last four years.

Yummy Gelato

We went out to try and new Gelto place that opened up in Baton Rouge. We had a great time and enjoyed our gelato. Lauren loved sitting at a table fit just for her. She made me laugh when she come to my table with an empty gelato cup and said "I no like it mommy" LOL. Lauren and her friend Barrette (Bear) had fun sharing with each other

Beach Fun!!!!

Last weekend we had a great idea of taking a day trip to Mississippi to have fun on the beach. We had a great time. Ethan and his friend Noah had so much fun they didn't get out of the water until it was time to go home. Lauren kept getting in and out of the water but had fun playing in the sand. Eddie had fun with his kids and I rosted in the sun but the sunburn was so worth it because I needed some color...LOL

Rockstar Lauren

These are the cool girl sunglasses that her mima sent her. She loves them so much and I happen to think she looks like a little rockstar wearing them.