something I get to do

One of my favorite things in this season of life is being able to spend a little time in my son's classroom. He is only in first grade and I love the few hours I get each month to work with the kids in his class on reading or math or really anything the teacher has left for me. Part of what I love so much is just simply getting to know my son's peers. The kids he spends his days with, plays outside with, eats his lunches with, and learns so many new things with. As I sit with each child I always take the first few minutes to just talk to them. I ask about their day or comment on their cool hockey shirt or check to see that they are excited for the upcoming vacation or getting a good breakfast in the morning. Most the kids are always doing well and happy and love getting to come out in the hall for some one on one time. But, sometimes there are kids who seem a bit sad or worried or tired or unengaged. I had a lot of that today and I left the classroom today feeling so much sadness for these little lives that are tryng to be who God made them to be without a ton of help from home at times or too much distraction at home to fill these little love tanks up. Three little one's today told me about their parents not being together, 1 dad gone in the Army, and 1 very worried child that he was going to get yelled at when he got home because he lost his coat on the bus, becasue his dad likes to yell at him...he was sure of it and very worried.

One boy especially today brought tears to my eyes as he told me how much he missed his dad when he was with his mom and he really wanted to be with both his mom and dad at the very same time. He has the best smile and the sweetest dameanor and I just wanted to scoop him up and take him to that place where both his parents would be getting along and together and happy. If even for just a day.

I drove home today thinking about this little boy, William, and the other children who had hearts a bit on the heavy side today. Children of God already walking through some of this world's pain. That pain comes in different sizes and shapes for each one, but pain still the same. These are my son's peers, his friends. As they get older they will start to walk through these pains together, like friends naturally do. I felt so honored today to get to be in their world a little bit. To be able to offer a smile, a squeeze of the hand, an extra smiley face, or a very honest "hope to see you again soon, I love getting to listen to you read to me" on their way out the door.

My children will grow and make friends and start doing life with their own community of people. I am so thankful to have the time these days to start out in this world a little bit, hoping for even a window in the teen years :) These kids are important to me because they are important to my son and to God. I know the days will come when I've let my children down and I hope there is another person willing to ask them how their day is and offer them that extra pat on the back when I fail to. Today though, I felt God using me as my son's mom to just be that person for a few of his own people. My prayer is that our family can always be that for the people in our own little lives, whether we are 35 or 6 or 3 or 42. Lord knows we have had some amazing people be that for us.

Sweet little ones.... I pray you may feel both mom and dad's love even when you are apart from one, may you know how much dad misses you and thinks about you even when so far away, and may you find your warm little coat and feel a bit of grace even if you don't.

it's okay

I've been staying home for almost 7 years now as a stay home mom and wife. When I made this transition I had about a year of serious transitioning. I loved being home, but had a hard time letting go of all my outside commitments. These commitments were good things and I really enjoyed them and I had a passion for their purpose. I thought to not do them would disobey God's purpose for my life, why He created me. I thought I would feel dead inside. From those first days of becoming a stay home mom I have slowly stepped away from the lie that I need to fulfill all passions I have through a purpose outside my home. Doing those things did not make me who I was, being who God made me is what makes me who I am. And I am finding that can happen solely in my home these days. I sometimes lose sight of this. I sometimes think I need to keep one toe in something just to keep my foot in the door of some really awesome things happening around me. I sometimes feel left out and just simply get caught in another lie that I need to do the really great things around me to really be a part of the Christian community around me. So, I let things go and clear my schedule and focus on home....for awhile. And then I find myself with a teeny tiny bit of time and think I should add something. Then I just find myself in the same spot... worn out, tired, and unfocused.

You see, I have felt the very real truth that this time with these young children of mine is so short. And so temporary. And I want to finish this well like I've never finished anything else in my life. The more into this parenting role I get the more I learn how much time, dedication, and focus it takes. Some days I can't even follow through with my new discipline for my oldest because I've had so much brain activity happen for little things outside the home in just 24 hours I can't remember that I started that new discipline! And the thing is I don't DO a lot out of my home. But, it doesn't take much to distract me and Satan will throw anything my way to keep me too busy to be completely focused on raising this family right now. I get mad at myself when I let this happen, frustrated with my family for not doing more around here, and frustrated that I am not strong enough to carry all that is on my plate. This last one is another lie I am facing in my life. It's not that I am not strong enough, but God, I believe, does not want me spreading my hands across a variety of little things PLUS my home and family. Being in the home is busy enough for my heart, mind, and body!!!

Bringing up my family is my sole purpose right now, hands down. As a family we surround ourselves with some community and some things worth teaching our kids about, but at the end of the day I need to be in my home...whole heartily, body, and mind. God is here, my family is here, and I need to stay here. For now. For this season. It's really very short and also very temporary. And truthfully, I love it.

It's okay to say no mama. It's okay to feel alone in this some days. It's okay to have nothing on my "volunteer list" for a bit. I am not a bad person because I can only manage my family and home these days. It's okay, it's okay, it's okay.

changes

I always have a hard time writing on this blog. I thought I wouldn't. However, every time I sit down to type out some great thoughts in my head I start to doubt that what I have to say is worth sharing. Originally, I thought this blog would be a place for me to share the tid bits of wisdom I have found since becoming a wife and mom, as well as share my mistakes to learn from, and keep track of my good ideas to use for future use. Really though, I need a place I can go at the end of the day to just share what's on my heart and mind. A place to just be myself and get some of these thoughts in my head out so I can process life a bit better. I do enjoy writing and used to journal almost everyday. I no longer take the time to do that in my journal and find I like typing more. Not only that but I just like connecting with other women too. So i have decided to make this blog more like my own personal journal and you may enjoy reading about my sometimes unbalanced life or you may yawn and skip to the next blog. Either way, that's fine with me. I think this will be good for me and give me a sounding board when I need one at the end of the day. Someday my kids can have this and I hope they will know me better from reading about my life while I raised them.

So look for a little different postings in the days to come. I hope we still can connect and share like in the past and most of all I hope to find God at the end of the day as I process through whatever he throws my way.

VOTE!

I am not going to use this post to hand out all my political views and what I think you should do on voting day. Rather, I want to simply encourage you to go and vote. As mom's I think it is our responsibility to practice this privilege we have. Our communities and our states and our nation are greatly influenced by those in office. As mom's we should carefully consider our options and what and who we want representing our voices, representing our kids. I am posting this today to give you a heads up that Election Day is TUESDAY! If you haven't yet, research some of your candidates and take your kids with you to the voting polls. What a great opportunity to show them you care about their community and to let your voice be heard through your ballot.

finger lick'in good!

If I lived in a fall type atmosphere 365 days a year I would most definitely weigh 500 pounds. I love fall food! Especially fall treats! Pumpkin anything and warm apple anything makes me drool a bit just thinking about it. Yum! This is by far the best pumpkin bar recipe I have mastered in my decade of baking. I get so happy when I pull out that first pan of pumpkin bars from the oven each fall. Mmmmm, the smell, the taste, the cream cheese frosting. Too good! For a guaranteed mouth party experience try these this fall...

Mama's Favorite Pumpkin Bars

Bars:

4 eggs beaten slightly

2 C sugar

1 can of pumpkin

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 C oil

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 C flour

Mix together eggs, sugar, pumpkin, cinnamon, and oil. Add remaining ingredients. Blend well and bake in jelly roll pan at 350 for 25 minutes. Cool before frosting.

Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese

1/2 c margarine (not butter)

3 1/2 c powdered sugar

2 1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream together until smooth (no lumps) and smooth over bars.

Be sure you share this pan or you will find yourself cutting little pieces off all day until you've finished it yourself! Enjoy!

what I do and don't do

There has been some buzz around my group of friends lately about what we do and don't do. The lists are filled with anything from 'I do recycle" to "I do read my Bible everyday" to "I don't garden" and "I don't watch TV". I have been thinking a lot about this myself recently and it seems to be a good practice to just write down and help clarify what I do and don't do. Some of the things in my do lists are things I want to do better and don't necessarily do much of right now. Same as with my don't do lists. There are things I do right now that I hope to not do soon. (for example I wish I wasn't addicted to good TV shows!!!) So in at attempt to bring some clarification to my purpose right now here is part of my lists. I'm only sharing some of it because to be honest I am embarrassed to share it all!

I do...read to my kids everyday. exercise fairly regularly. connect with friends, deeply and often. garden. spend time in my child's classroom. prepare good meals and has my family sit at the table for at least one of them a day. read the Bible with my family. read books almost everyday. grocery shop with organized meals in mind. send cards to people in my life. pray for others often. check in with family members. hug my kids everyday. kiss my husband everyday. spend time with families and their kids. give money to those with less then me. spend time outdoors.

I don't... recycle (I wish I did but I'm just not at that place where I can make it work yet). waste time on the Internet (and getting better at limiting email and blogging time :). make homemade things. don't sew.volunteer outside of my home much right now (more on this topic in another post). have a clutter free home. attend every mommy group I'm invited to. lead much of anything other then my household (this came off my do lists a few years ago when I used to lead a lot of things). work outside the home. make a lot of money.

This is just a handful of things on my original list. As I wrote my "I don't" lists I often had to have a reason or an excuse as to why I don't do it. So many of us mom's think we need to do it all. It's just not so. We are not made to do all things and part of what makes us uniquely made is that we each have our own set of skills and gifts that we get to use. I have found this list making freeing in some ways and also humbling. It helps me really focus on what I believe to be my purpose right now, this very moment in life. Sure, I wish I did some of the things in my "I don't" lists but it would take away from my "I do" lists if I tried to do all these things. My "I do" list helps me know what I am doing right now and what I need to be doing well today. There are things I hope to add to my "I do" list and know there are some things about myself that I can do better to make such new things happen. By looking at my 'I do" lists I also remind myself of what I need to do to be me.... even the little things like spend time outdoors. I connect to God so much through nature and not taking time to do this, in my opinion, takes away from the way God created me to be with Him.

What's on your lists? I started off just jotting a couple things down and the last month or so have gone back and added more and rewritten some things. I feel a pull for what other's want me to do and this list helps me say no when I need to and to really stay focused on what's needing to have my time, energy, and commitment. Give it a try.... write some I do's and I don'ts down and see how your heart reacts.

those ahead of me

You know, as I have lived life it seems I have always had someone just a little ahead of me in life whom I have been able to kind of walk behind. These people have touched my life in so many ways and I have learned so much through them. Some have actually been named a mentor in my life and others have been just going about their own lives without even knowing that I was watching, listening, learning from them. I think as mother's it is really important that we have some older mom's who we can watch, listen as they speak, and learn from. It is even biblical... Titus 2:4 says "These older women should train the younger ones to love their husbands and their children."

I recently watched one of my "unknown older mom's" in church with her family. I have been watching her for years, but this day I saw her showing love to her grumpy and moody father-in-law. She sat on one side of him and as her husband sat on the other side of this man I thought "Wow, I want to be able to love the unlovable in my family the way she does." We all have them don't we? People in our life that are hard to love or difficult to be around. I think God puts these people in our lives on purpose, to really teach us what it means to love at times. Loving shouldn't be easy. Love's depth isn't fully filled until we choose to love the hard ones.

I know I have not loved certain people in my life the way God would want me to. I even justify myself at times saying these people are too grumpy, too mean, too opinionated, too this, or too that. They don't DESERVE my love, right? Well, guess what? I don't deserve God's love. None of us do. And He loves them all. God loves the grumpy, the mean, the judgmental (oh, wait, that's me!). When I see someone like this little bit older mom loving her very moody father-in-law I think to myself "I want to love like that, I want to TRY to love like that." Because here is the thing... not only does God love me and yes I should pay that forward the best i can, but there may be another younger mom watching me. Or even better yet... my kids are watching me. I want them to love people. I want to love people, even the hard ones. So today my friends, my goal for the weeks to come is to show love to those in my life who make it hard. I have my elder mom to thank for inspiring me to love like God more and like me less. As the Bible says... teach the younger generation.

Good Neighbor Day

September 28th is national Good Neighbor Day! What a great reason to celebrate in your own community. What a great opportunity to teach your kids that it is important to take the first step in being kind to your neighbors. At our house we like to bake goodies (pumpkin bread this year) and take them to our neighbors. I think this year since my oldest can write I will have him write a little note to attach to them. We live in a really great neighborhood and I am so thankful for the friendly atmosphere our chunk of homes offer. For the most, we are surrounded by elderly and retired. I love it and my kids do too. My kids have been invited over to help wash a car for 10 cents, to help feed pets, to go swimming in a neighbor's pool, and just over for ice cream or cookies. I love the relationships my kids have with our neighbors and mine too. I can always go next door to borrow a wheel barrow or an egg or even a truck to load stuff away! We are blessed with our neighbors and I am happy to thank them on Good Neighbor Day! Take a few minutes to walk across the street tomorrow or next door, if even to say hello and drop off a candy bar or a flower from your yard. Good neighbors make great communities!

Here are some suggestions for celebrating the day:

• Help your neighbors in some way
• Offer a smile and friendly hello to your neighbor
• Have your neighbor over for a meal
• Hold a block party
• Get to know your neighbor a little better

I could really use...

Sometimes we just need a little something to get us over a hump... it may be something radical or something very small. Today, my somethings are small...I could really use a date night with my husband, a laundry fairy (did I mention I have done 6 loads today and still have about 5 left? ahhh!), a good hair-cut, and a movie night on my couch with a good chic flick. (Maybe I can make the husband thing and the movie thing happen at the same time tonight? :) These things are small and not super life shattering, but all the same, it would be nice!

When I start feeling or thinking this way I sometimes start to think about other people and what might they really need at that moment. I usually am surrounded by my healthy family, in a warm cozy home, and in comfy clothes when I have these thoughts. It makes me feel pretty darn blessed and the "somethings" I think I need are just icing on the cake for this life I get to live.

The days I get to have that hair-cut at that nice salon or a night out with my hubby or the remote all to myself for a night (and lets just be honest, there is no laundry fairy) become really great moments in an already great life. Are we not spoiled at times? Even better, I love spoiling my mommy friends when I can because I know under their already really blessed lives and totally awesome families, that they are very hard working moms who often put themselves last. And you know what? They deserve a little something every so often. So, what is it for you? What could you really use today? How about your pal? Maybe you could treat each other a bit?

I think us mom's should all tell our mommy friends to take a little time this week and do a little something for yourselves. I think we're better mom's for it!

Do you have space?

Lately, I have been thinking hard about how I live my everyday life. I am feeling like I want to live a life that has space for life to just happen... instead of trying to make my life happen all the time. I want to have my heart ready for what life brings us, my head able to be in the present moments, and my home available for life to just unravel here. Space. I am feeling a lot lately that in order to live daily filled with joy and peace that I need to allow for space. Leaving room for my heart to be filled and my head to be challenged and my home to have lots of possibilities requires me not being too bogged down to miss or over plan for these chances. Chances of a life time. These are short but important thoughts for me tonight. I want to start waking up in the morning feeling available for what God has planned for me and my family that day. Hmmm.... space for God to work and for me to follow. I think I need more space...

tip #2

Still plugging away with my book, The House That Cleans Itself. So far, so good. There is some serious thinking and habit to put into this, but I am liking the end results, so it is worth it so far! My next tip I have found helpful...

Do a 5 minute walk through of your house every day. Yes, every day and ONLY 5 minutes. Set your timer if you have to. This is when you will pick up those socks, hang up and straighten those towels, and put last night's newspaper into recycling. During this time do only light straightening and no heavy cleaning. Don't let your mind wander, don't get distracted by the wet clothes in the washer or the Internet pulled up with all your emails. 5 minutes of quick straightening. It becomes a habit after a couple weeks and a pretty good one if I don't say so myself. I have even added this to my kids list of chores they help with. Often it is the kid's toys or blankets thrown around on the floor. It's good for them to offer a hand for 5 minutes and return things to their home.

Wa-la! Tip #2 worth trying! Straighten away!

Today

Today I began my morning convincing my toddler that he needed to go back to sleep when I found him standing beside my bed at 4:30am. It was a day to get up and head to the gym with my girlfriend and I strongly thought about texting her and bailing. By 5:45, little one was finally back to sleep, but I was now wide awake even though I felt exhausted. I half walked, half slugged to my bathroom to slip into my gym clothes, pull my hair back, and try to stick my contacts into two half open eyes. Needless to say my work-out was about a C average and my body just kept trying to convince me to run straight to the nearest coffee shop and then find a place to nap. And soon. Days like today, I am so thankful for an accountability work-out partner!

After the gym I headed home to find two boys hungry and a husband off to work. 4 pieces of toast, 3 glasses of OJ, and 2 bowls of cereal later we were all three planted on the couch reading books and petting the family dog. Mmmmm, life felt good. Shortly after this and getting dressed and picking up toys from last night and cleaning dishes from this morning and of course finally drinking a cup of coffee, we were out the door. You see, my oldest is headed back to school soon and today I had all the time in the world with him and I wanted to do something fun.

After a quick stop at a little shop we made our way across the bridge to check out the "cool water" as my toddler calls it. Next was a morning of surprises. And even better, with my ever so faithful work-out buddy and her sweet toddler full of great comments to keep us laughing and blue eyes to warm anyone's heart. We spent the next hour playing at a fun little park across town that we never take the time to trek over to. After swings and slides and a sweaty game of "You're it!" we surprised the kids with lunch. Not that getting lunch is a surprise for our kids, but what was on the menu sure was. Today, like no other days we indulged in ice-cream for lunch. It tasted so good and I am now sitting here a bit jittery after ice-cream for lunch and my second cup of coffee for today, but oh well...we only get today's like today every so often.

Now here I am with my sticky faced toddler napping soundly in his bed, while I listen to the rain drop softly outside, and my big boy is having a last minute play-date with a friend from school. My cup of Vanilla Raspberry tastes especially yummy today (you know, since I am going off little hours of sleep) and I can't help but think about how my day could be going so much different.

There are days I choose to not get out of bed and go work-out, I don't take time to read books and snuggle after breakfast so I can clean the kitchen, I turn the TV on so I can "quick" do some laundry, I don't add any ridiculous idea to my agenda ( AKA ice-cream for lunch), I don't take time to just have my kids hang out with our friends or myself even, and so on. You get the picture... well, I like today. And I am thinking more often then not, if I would just choose the more relationship building, physical healing, time pausing, ridiculous idea implementing, and the good cup of coffee (always the goof coffee, always) that my today's could be an awful lot like this one.

Today, I feel connected to my kids so much, my heart is warm from doing random things with my dear friend, my body is feeling good from even a C average work-out, and my brain is even a bit clear....even off little sleep. We never know how many today's we get in this life. Today has been good. I could have chosen differently at 5 this morning, but it has been good. I hope I choose to have more today's like this. Life is filled up with today's, some just become old and some are yet to come. When I look back at my life I hope I feel like I spent my today's right where I was at and not thinking back at old ones or worrying too much about new ones. Live your life for today while those little ones are around and those friends are free to make it the best days of your life.

roots & wings

Being a mom is a BIG job! We all know that, don't we? It requires a lot of work, time, and energy. Doing this mom job though is much more then changing diapers, feeding their bellies, washing their faces, and car pooling to soccer. As mom's we have the opportunity to give the world little people who grow up to be positive, influential, serving, loving, and faith centered adults. These little one's we are molding will shape generations, near and far. They will set the bar for your great grandchildren and beyond.I truly believe this and strongly believe as mom's we have such a task ahead of us of doing our job to help get our kids there. I am sure you have heard the words "roots and wings" used together before, but as a mother it holds so much understanding as we are child rearing.

Once our little bundles of joy arrive we begin our journey of giving them solid roots. Roots that will help them stand tall and firm when life gets hard for them, confusing, or difficult to get through. Roots will give them a place to be landed on the ground and not blowing aimlessly through the winds of life. Roots will give them a secure place to make mistakes. Roots will guide them as they go on and try to fly on their own. And that time will come. We want it to come for them, hard as it is at times, but God intends for these little ones to fly away someday. By giving them deep roots, we also give them wings. Wings to try new things. Wings to see the world from a higher place. Wings to speak up when they need to, be humble when it's right, to reach bigger goals, to love better, to have the confidence to try and succeed, to be a positive, influential, serving, loving, and faith centered adult.

As mother's we can be a great disservice to our children by not taking the time now to help them plant their roots deep into a healthy, loving, faith filled, grace filled, encouraging, patient, kind, and hope filled ground. Roots planted deep in this kind of rich soil is the building ground for helping our little ones fly when the time comes.

I've been thinking a lot lately about what I am doing now at home to help my kids dig deep into their roots. I want them to be able to fly someday, on their own. That means I have to work hard now to set the foundation for having a rich soil for their little roots to dig deep into. I only get this chance once with them. Not only do I need to help my kids get grounded with long, strong, deep roots...but I also have to be able to keep my roots planted deep in rich soil. Lately I am finding I need to be planted deeper in God's word and with God. Time away from both of these only make my roots wilt a bit. I want to see my kids fly away someday, but I won't get them there without keeping my own wings afloat. I am challenging myself to do what it takes to keep my roots planted deep in God's rich soil. Along the way, I have a feeling I will be pruning my kid's roots too.

absent in one way or another...

You may have noticed I have been a bit absent lately from this blog...or maybe you haven't. I have no great excuses other then this simple one that I let roll around in my brain weekly...

"Do not give away what you have not given at home first."

I read this when I first became a mother and it has sunk deep into my soul. I think of this often when I'm trying to choose between saying yes or no to something. I think of this when I think about sitting down to blog too. I enjoy blogging and writing and connecting, however lately my days have been filled with summer fun, my boys, cooking, getting ready for school, listening to my husband, chatting with friends, cleaning, and just being here...in my home...head, heart, and body. It's been good and even though I've let up a bit on some "outside" things, it's been right for all of us here in this household.

This does not mean I will always be absent! I've just had a period where I needed to really be at home...all of me. So this blog has seen a little break :) Time is priceless and lately I've been using mine up on who and what is in my home. More posts to come.... soon, I promise :)

tip #1

If you've been reading you know I am working my way through the book "The House That Cleans Itself". Loving it, but man is it some serious leg work to get to where I want to be! At any given time right now you may walk into my house and see hoards of "things" in one room or the other. Tackeling every square inch of my house, while ridding of some, and reorganizing of others makes for a bit messy looking home. It's temporary I keep telling myself. I know all this hassle right now is going to be worth it once I get things in a functionable order for our living arrangements here and now.

So, here it is... tip #1 I want to pass on! Set up "cleaning stations" in every main living area of your home. A cleaning station consists of Windex easy wipes and Clorox or off brand wipes. So far I have 5 stations. Upstairs bathroom, downstairs bathroom/laundry room, living room, family room, and kitchen/dining room. When I have 5 mintes to clean a room my basic supplies for a quick clean are right at my fingertips tucked away in cute baskets unseen to the human eye. And lets not kid ourselves...5 minutes is pushing it for time I have to clean rooms most days! For example, I sneak away into the bathroom to do my morning deeds and without my kids even noticing I'm really gone yet, I quick clean the mirror, wipe down the counter, toilet seat area, and bathtub. It's not "deep cleaning", but it is maintaining until I take advantage of my main cleaning time scheduled on it's own bathroom day. 5 minutes tops and I'm back playing Candyland and painting choo choo trains. Easy enough!

What I like about it? I don't spend those first few minutes walking over to get my cleaning tub with all my supplies, cleaning, and the putting everything away back in the downstairs closet. It's quick, simple, and done! So far the only negative I've noticed is buying the wipes can add to cleaning expenses, but it seems to be worth my sanity for this season of life. My family room has never stayed so clean since I added it's own cleaning station!!

Try it out! Set up a few stations and let me know how it goes! More time for playing with our kids! Whoo-hoo!

really...only 5 minutes?

I read today that getting outdoors can really brighten a person's mood. Do you know how long it takes to be outside to do this? FIVE minutes! Wow. Who doesn't have 5 minutes each day to step outside and breath in God's creation? As moms, we have many days that feel long and hard and never ending. We typically love these long days with our little one's pitter pattering through our homes, our minds, and our hearts... but for the days when you get a bit crabby, yell at your kids too much, spill your coffee, get no laundry done, and forget to take the video's back... step outside. Five minutes to take in your surrounding, see some green or some white depending on the season (around here anyways), and just listen to nature. Ahhhh, I feel more peaceful just visualizing it.

Today it is 94 degrees here and humid. Stepping outside sounds.... yuck a little bit. Unless of course I can step out into this....


...but I can't. So, I settled for the community pool instead and came home just as refreshed! It's amazing what being outdoors does for one's spirit. Next time you need a little something to help your day go better... take 5... and you know where! Get outdoors!

sweet corn time!!!

There are many things I love about the Midwest. There are also many things I love about living surrounded by farmers and agriculture. I have many memories as a little girl, following my dad up and down corn rows in my bare feet as he rips off ear upon ear of sweet corn. We would then sit on turned over 5 gallon buckets and husk sweet corn all night and throw the fresh ears of corn into a tin bowl that my mom would come and get every 10 minutes or so. As my mom worked to boil and freeze corn, we would eat multiple ears of corn dripping in butter for dinner. Mmmmmmm, so good!

I love sweet corn and I'm not sure if it has to do with the fond memories of the project it was for me with my parents or because it taste so darn good! Either way, summer and sweet corn go hand in hand at our house. I made a call today to a local farmer and was thrilled when he said I could bring my boys to come pick our own corn and take home with us. What a great trip it will be to have my own children follow me up and down the corn field as we work together to gather our own yumminess. Some childhood traditions are sure worth passing on!

laugh a little

Children laugh 146 times a day... adults laugh only 4 times a day... no wonder so many adults are unhappy! Find a little humor in your life today!

Moms- your family will thank you!!!

where to start?

Sitting in my living room with a new mommy the other day brought me so much joy. I love hearing how women transition into being mother's. It is such a precious moment that women who are blessed with children get to experience. What isn't joy filled about that?!?! As all new mom's know... there are many happy joy feelings, but also can be overwhelming, tired, and hormonal feelings. For some mom's who decide to change lifestyles and become a stay home mom it can be a big transition! As we chatted about this and she asked for some advice from a mom who hasn't figured it all out yet, but has been in the home for a handful of years, I came up with just a few things. Mostly things I learned along the way or read from some great author in a book!

I know this blog has mom's reading it! Please share your greatest tips for becoming a stay home mom or even a new mom!

A few from this ole mom...

Have a schedule or at least a routine. Kids and schedules are hard to keep, but routines can be followed. I think children function better with routine, as do mommy's!

Get up before your kids if possible. You will be much more ready to tackle your day with a little time for yourself and you won't start behind! Trying to catch up all day is one heck of a long and tiring day.

Schedule in some Bible time when you are making your new schedule! While you are at it, try including some rec/play time for you & your kids (you'll be amazed how easy it is to get the kids playing and then do your own thing- make time to just play with your kids. You will go to sleep at night much easier knowing you did :)

Pray. Pray for your children, your husband, yourself, your home. Big believer in prayer! Amen!

Teach your children. As you look for new purpose in your new position as stay home mom, add teacher to your list of responsibilities. Teach them about everything. The Word of God, bugs, plants, numbers, making friends, cooking, playing, sharing, just everything.

It is a great time in your life when that bundle of joy arrives and you have a new path to walk down. A bit scary too. Where do you start? Where did you start? Like most mom's say... follow your heart and you can't go wrong.

a first

Yesterday we had a non-traditional July 4th kind of day. It was raining cats and dogs here, so we opted to not go ahead with our picnic and firework party plans. Instead, we had a movie date :) For the first time our entire family headed to the movie theatre! We are kind of picky about what we let our kids watch, but Toy Story 3 was rated G and had good reviews and our boys love Toy Story 1. So off to Toy Story we went! To begin this beautiful date we all napped on the huge couch in our family area. I LOVE napping with all of us piled into one area. We woke up in time for the matinee, packed a few essentials in a bag, and took off! Holy cow, apparently everyone else in our town had the same idea! We stood in line outside of the movie theatre doors and by the time we got up there they told us we could not sit together because they were so full. Rats! We decided to drive to a nearby town showing the movie an hour later.

Turns out, this was the best thing yet! Pulling up to an old theatre with the magical movie lights and sign gleaming was so fun! The kids loved it! (okay, so did I!) It had a small town feel inside... first names between most of the people inside, best customer service at the concession counter, and the small cozy theatre. Sure, we missed the stadium seating and the surround sound and the super duper big screen with a picture perfect clear view... but, we got a quiet, cozy, laid back, friendly, old time feel for the movie scene. I was so happy we came here with our kids for their first movie together as a family! It proved to be a great back up plan!

The movie was cute and our 2 year old even sat through it (happy!!). There were only 2 times I cringed when they used the word "idiot" and the rest was a wonderful story about growing up, friendship, serving one another, and fun adventures. We highly recommend it! But, you must watch the first 2 before you see this one!! At first I was a bit bummed we didn't do our July 4th festivities. But by evening I was totally thrilled with what our day had become. What a great surprise!

Sometimes, the back up plan is better then our original plans. Often times I think I have the ultimate plan for my life and become frustrated when it doesn't pan out. If only I'd let go from the beginning and let God show me His plans... maybe I'd find another cozy classic old movie theatre to snuggle into!

where have I been?

Anywhere, but at my computer apparently :) Wow, it's been 3 weeks since I posted something! Time flies when you're having fun! Oh yeah, and when you are chasing kids, cleaning house, making meals, vacationing, sleeping, and enjoying summer too!

Being it's been so long you are going to get my random ramblings today...

First, ever since my last post I have gotten a couple great suggestions for "cleaning lady" experts. I googled a few and found one I LOVE. My newest project is this: The House That Cleans Itself. I am studying this like a college student (okay, maybe more like when I was in high-school since I worked harder then :) If you haven't come across this gal yet, check. her. out!!! Serious organizing and making sense of my house cleaning routine. I do have to say my house is getting more messier right now then cleaner, but it is temporary while I complete the process that Mindy suggests. Stay tuned!
http://www.mindystarnsclark.com/house.php

Second, I have decided that all mom's no matter where they are at at 2pm should get a 20 minute power nap everyday. I think it should be a law or something. Seriously.

Third, my husband and I are celebrating our anniversary this month and I need a creative idea for him. These are my guidelines: free or cheap, can happen within 2-4 hours, guy friendly, something different. Suggestions may be dropped off in the comment box :) Thank you.

Fourth, I love sleeping in a tent with my kids. That first breathe of fresh air in the morning is amazing and their cute little faces all conked out are pretty cute too.

Fifth, I can't stop eating Nutter Butter's lately. Dang it.

Sixth, summer goes waaaaaayyyy faster then winter. What's up with that!?!?

Seventh, I really want to make more time to chase fireflies and sip on lemonade this month with my family.

Eighth, my laundry is almost totally caught up!!! Hallelujah!

Ninth, I really, really love my friends. A lot.

Tenth and last, I hope you do something fun with your family for the fourth. Even if you just eat a picnic in your backyard, go for a bike ride, take naps together, blow bubbles, or watch fireworks on TV. Happy Fourth of July Folks!!!

More ramblings next time :)

a cleaning what?

This is the response I got from my mom once when I told her I had a cleaning schedule.

"A cleaning WHAT?" she said.

"Yeah, you know... a cleaning schedule." I responded.

It sounded normal in my head, but when I said it out loud I got an opposite response. Oh well. I don't mind being a bit non-normal from time to time. For my sanity about 5 years ago I made myself a cleaning schedule. And I love it! I was going crazy trying to keep up with my house cleaning. I decided having little ones in the house was going to cause me to stay in this crazy stage at least for the next 10 years until we were done with the little kid stages. 10 years is a long time to feel crazy. Part of what was so stressful was feeling like I was never going to find time to get to a certain chore. They just piled up on me and I would go to bed feeling very defeated in the "proverbs 31 woman" area of my life. Not that she only keeps a tidy and efficient running house, but it is a big part of her duties I assume.

Finally, I decided to try a schedule. Sounds a bit much, but it worked! I sat at my computer and typed a little trial schedule of when things needed to be done. As I tried it, I tweaked it a bit and now I have what I like to call my "mama's master house schedule"! Beautiful!

What do I love so much about it? Well... let me tell you! I love that I wake up each day and know what needs to be done. I love that when it is a Thursday and I see my weekend is full and I know my bathrooms need cleaned really bad, I can relax, because bathroom cleaning day is just a few days away and I have already carved time out to do this task. I love that I don't have to feel overwhelmed cleaning a bunch of rooms all at once. I love that my oldest knows when it is bedroom cleaning day and he just does it now. Awesome. I love that random cleaning things get done... like baseboard cleaning, window washing, and getting cobwebs down...without having to stress about when the last time was they were cleaned or if ever? I love that when my husband is bored on a Saturday I can look at my last week's cleaning list and see what may have been missed due to a sick kid, a field trip, or doctor appointments. And then I love giving them to him when he can't possibly think of anything to do :) I love knowing my house is running in a somewhat organized chaos mode. It's still considered organized even if no-one can tell but me, right?

Yes, my Type A cleaning schedule has made me a bit more sane for a few more years. Thank goodness, because we all know there is more important things to stress about then whether or not our homes are clean!!!

Mama's Master House Schedule

Sunday :: Day of rest
Monday :: Bathrooms
Tuesday :: Floors (sweep & vacuum/mop every other week)
Wednesday :: Dust
Thursday :: Bedrooms
Friday :: Basement
Saturday :: Catch up day from anything not finished during week

:: Do laundry daily as needed
:: Clean & change sheets on bed every other Thursday

Wash Windows :: Inside every month, outside in May & October
Baseboards :: Clean in January & July
Cobwebs :: Feb, May, August, November
Outside :: Care for as needed

"...a good dad!"

As my husband left to run the dog my oldest was getting ready to get into bed. Dad ran up the stairs and my 6 year old yelled up at him... "good night Dad! You've been a good dad today!" Needless to say we cracked up laughing, even though our son was being serious.

Oh...what smiles we would bring to others if we so freely yelled out the obvious good things happening around us. The honesty of a child can be a bit scary at times (hee-hee) or so ever complimenting. So go ahead... start your week yelling out the great things happening around you and be sure those doing it know it!! Happy Memorial Day and enjoy your week!

Song for My Sons

You might be able tell based on my posting of song lyrics, but I love words put to music. This is on my ipod and has been playing frequently lately. Read the words, so much truth from a mother's heart to her sons. Ditto, Sarah. Thank you for creating this song...

Song for My Sons by Sarah Groves

This is a song for my sons for when they understand it
You know how life is full you know we couldn't plan it
your dad and I prayed for strength and understanding
for things we couldn't see or comprehend

This is a song for you, to carry in your pocket
take all our love with you in all the paths you walk in
I can't say your life will always go like it should
but I can say that God is always good

and when the cold wind blows like I know it will
and when you feel alone like I know you will
and when the cold wind blows like we know it will

Don't let your love grow
Don't let your love grow
Don't let your love grow cold

This is a song for my sons for when they understand it
You know how life is full you know we couldn't plan it
your dad and I prayed for strength and understanding
for things we couldn't see or comprehend

This is a song from my heart a small refrain to hold you
for times when we're apart and I cannot console you
Be honest with yourself and don't forget to pray
and read your bible everyday

and when the cold wind blows like I know it will
and when you feel alone like I know you will
and when the cold wind blows like I know it will

Don't let your love grow
Don't let your love grow
Don't let your love grow cold

do-overs anyone?

Last night I went to bed feeling like I could've done better. Much better. I'm not sure when it hit me yesterday, but I suddenly got this overwhelming feeling that my house was total chaos and out of control. Water had leaked into our basement and I found myself cleaning like a mad woman on my hands and knees. Then I started to notice "everything else". Toys are scattered everywhere, mostly from my 2 year old who simply likes to dump any box or basket he can find in his path. Windows need washed again even though I just did it 2 weeks ago. Laundry needs done, as always. The floors need a good scrubbing, bathtubs need washed, and drawers need sorted through for summer clothes to have room. My garage needs a good hour or two spent in it to just sort yard toys and rid of old ones that serve little purpose anymore. Not to mention my storage area that is getting smaller and smaller due to the pile up of "stuff". Dinner dishes still needed done and my kids were bugging me to read another book. I haven't even mentioned my dang dog. For some reason she feels the need to pee every time a person walks through our front door...or any door for that matter! I have cleaned dog pee up from my new couch, 2 carpet areas, my favorite snuggle blanket, and under the dining room table in the last 24 hours!!! While I am at it I might as well tell you I also have cleaned the sheets on both boy's beds from the night before from them peeing through them!! Crimeny! Can I get a break!?!? There... I ranted every little thing piling up on my brain up to this point from the last 24 hours.

You know what? I went to bed last night feeling like I could have done so much better. I spent a lot of my day panicked about getting caught up in my house and cursing a little bit under my breath at my stupid dog. I live in a home with 2 young kids and I should hope that things are piling up the way I feel they are. It means books are being read, games are being played, bikes are being ridden, cookies are being baked, and family meals are being cooked. Not to mention we have enough stuff to wear something different everyday of the week...heck, maybe even everyday of the next 3 weeks! We have toys to challenge our imagination and cozy beds to take long naps in. We are comfortable, healthy, and happy (at least when we are not freaking out about house cleaning! :-). I woke up this morning thankful for a do-over day. Most days I handle the clutter in my home gracefully, but every so often the perfectionist organizer clean freak seeps out of me and I become a little cloudy about my priorities and blessings. I also become a bit crazy (so ask my husband)!!

I hate that I let such things pile up on my heart and I react so poorly to the things that really matter. If I could do-over yesterday I would have sat and read for an hour with my kids. I would have maybe used paper plates for dinner and just gone for a bike ride with the fam after we ate, instead of hiding down in my basement sorting and folding laundry while let the floors dry from a scrubbing before dinner. I would have sat by the bath tub while the kids bathed like I usually do and squirt them with water or sing or play cars, instead of using the time to quick pick up the toys on their bedroom floors. I would have sat down with my husband and watched our favorite TV show, instead of cleaning up the toy room after the kids went to bed. I would have even let the dog out of the kennel and let her fall asleep by me.

I am thankful for today. I am thankful God gives us do-overs each day. I hated the way I felt going to bed last night, but I am hopeful I can get my heart and head in the right place today. Do-overs are good. Thank goodness I woke up today to try again. Time to go... my poor dog wants out of his kennel and I want to bake some goodies for snack today!

rainy days

It has been raining for like 5 days here. Seriously, already! Can we see the sun? While my kids are itching to get back outside, I must say I have been productive being stuck indoors. I have finally made some time to do some spring cleaning, catch up on laundry (yup, still haven't mastered that chore even with my new handy shelving unit, dang-it!), and pay a little more attention to my daily to-do list's. I get so distracted when I am outside. I love the outdoors and just get lost in being out there having fun with my kids. Best thing about rainy days... cozying up with books, good flavored coffee, music playing softly all day, napping, and ...checking things off the to-do list! OKay, even without the sun it has been a good few days indoors :)

Happy rainy day to you... at least from where I am sitting. What do you like to do on a rainy day?

It's Mother's Day! (or it was)

Okay, when I started this post it WAS actually Mother's Day. Then I had to relabel it "It's Mother's Day (In Mexico)" and now it is 2 days past and here I am finally finishing this post. Two days late. Oh well. Life has been....well, life of course. ... where do the days go? I just don't know. So, a couple days late... but here is my post that I had very good intentions of having out on the actual Mother's Day celebrated in America :) Just my ramblings as I process what motherhood is about to me today...

Mother's Day... a precious day for many and for some a struggle to get through without a tear or two shed. Today I want to celebrate all the mother's in our world. I see a strong resemblance between the leaders of today and the mother's that helped get them there. I also see a strong resemblance between the well intentional mothers and the children that are making a difference in our world, big and small. Not only are children being effected, but families are being shaped by the "hand that rocks the cradle" too. I truly believe that families shape our culture and that you can see what our culture is about if you look inside our families. Therefor, mother's have a serious job ahead of them as they help lead our families towards ways of God and not of this world. To complete such a task can not be done alone usually and often times requires a village of people. The old saying "it takes a village to raise a child" is no less about the children then it is about the parents too.

Today is a day to be proud to be given the role as mother and humble to be given such a gift. It is a day to thank and love our own mother's or women who have been like mother's to us. It is a day to encourage and love the mom's in our lives. So many great mom's I know play their mother position surrounded by a team of involved players in the parenting game. Like Jesus surrounded himself with 12 disciples to walk through earthly life with, mother's too need a sound team by their side as they play along in the game of motherhood. If there is ever a time to check your pride at the door, it is now.

My team of players has been huge in shaping me as a mother. Between my husband, a handful of close friends, a couple life mentors, my grandmother, my own mother, and my sister in laws I have a bench full of people willing to walk me through each play. I think too often I try to do this life alone and over and over again I am reminded how little I can do without the love, support, grace, and encouragement of those key people surrounding me. I am challenged in so many ways to grow spiritually, physically, and emotionally which in the end always results in me being a better mother. My team of players helps me stay focused on the big picture... not the daily grind stuff that can become mundane and start to seem unimportant, but the importance of each moment and the way I live it to help me get to the goal at the end of motherhood. Don't we all wish for our children to grow up and be healthy, happy, selfless, loving, grace filled, and Jesus serving adults that are making an impact on our community and world? To get them there is a BIG job...one filled with guidance from our Savior, intentional parents, and a village of people who want the same for our children.

I guess today on Mother's Day I want to thank the amazing people in my life who make me a better mom. I want to encourage you to seek out your team of players if you don't have one. Pay attention to who and what you surround yourself with. Like Jesus choose his disciples wisely, choose your team wisely too. After all they are helping bring up your children! Look around and see who you could cheer on as they walk through motherhood. Learn from one another and celebrate the blessing of motherhood. Having so many beautiful people in my life make Mother's Day all that more special. I hope your day has been filled with good things, good people, and good laughs! As you fulfill your purpose in motherhood just know this is a time in your life to share... share your life with those around you and don't be afraid to let a few in yours too. Happy Mother's Day to all of you!!!

some favorite words

I love reading little quotes. Here are a few of my favorite about mother's... something to think about on this eve to the weekend! Happy Mother's Day weekend to you all!!

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother."
Lin Yutang

"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother."
Albert Einstein

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take."
Cardinal Mermillod

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."
Theodore Hesburgh

The bearing and the training of a child is a woman's wisdom.-Lord Tennyson

"The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world."
William Ross Wallace

"It is better to build strong children, than repair broken men."
Frederick Douglas

are you building walls or bridges?

My heart always opens a little bit to each mom I cross a path with. I don't know why for sure, but I am attracted to mom's. (and NO, not in a weird way!!) May be why I wanted to start this blog? Stay home mom's, working mom's, single mom's, poorest of poor mom's, step-mom's, old mom's, young mom's, want-to-be mom's. All of them. When I meet someone and they tell me they are a mom, my defense mechanism to not show too much of myself to them goes down and I instantly have my heart opened to them. I like to connect to people in this world and when I meet a mom I always find that common ground with them. I think it has a lot to do with the reality that they play such a huge role in our culture, our communities, our families, and our world. I know the pull and stretch that mom's go through daily to carry out their God given task as mothering. It is no easy trip, but well worth the extra driving it takes to do it!

As I write today I can not ignore the wall that stands between so many mom's. So often mom's are forced to decide... what kind of mom do I WANT to be? Do I HAVE to be? Do I NEED to be? This is not a bad choice and one that needs to be made. However, I think many mom's carry with them the baggage of not feeling like a real mom or a good enough mom if they don't do A,B, and C. I feel like as I talk with mom's that so often they would have made different choices if they didn't feel the pressure of the A, B, and C's in their life. A, B, and C is different to each mom too. For some it is "if I don't stay home, cook all organic meals & snacks, and breastfeed until my kids are 2 then I'm not 'mom enough" For others it is... "if I don't juggle a full time career, climb the corporate ladder, and have a hot dinner on the table by 6 every night then I am not a real mom." For some it is... "if I don't find a way to feed my kids other then with food stamps, buy my own home, and quit accepting government housing then I'm not good enough to be a mom."

All mom's have something that weighs over them while they live out the choices they made in the mothering department. If there was ever a place to build bridges with people it is with our fellow mother's. We will each do things differently. We will each choose differently. Nobody truly knows the situation, circumstances, or heart of the other mom's we are often times looking at. Instead of putting up walls and looking down on those doing life different then you in the mom department, let's build bridges. Building bridges empowers us to be better ourselves. Building bridges makes our children stronger too. Building bridges may even let you (and me) really look at what God wants us to do as mother's and not what we think we are supposed to do according to the pressures we feel from different areas in our life. When we are living the life that God desires for us I believe we find contentment, peace, and joy. When we can choose the way we want to mother our children through God's desires for us individually and not our world's standards, I believe we can start to be better bridge builders and better mom's.

As Mother's Day approaches I hope we can celebrate every type of mom... Stay home mom's, working mom's, single mom's, poorest of poor mom's, step-mom's, old mom's, young mom's, want-to-be mom's. Yup, all of them. We have a big job ladies. Let's tear down walls and cheer on one another. Start your bridge building this week as we get ready to honor all mom's in this world on Mother's Day!

Let me Rephrase...Best Mother's Day...

After reading what I wrote earlier I realized it read like I was looking for actual Mother's Day memories... the day itself. I am hoping to hear from some of you about the mom's and women in your life who have been like mom's to you or women whom you have learned so much from. What is it they have given you from a mother's role? What is it you love about being a mom yourself?

So, I apologize if that was misleading! Now let's try this again...

Mother's Day is around the corner! I am looking for some of the best Mother's Day stories... a fond memory with your own mother, one with your own children, or one with a woman in your life who has been a mother figure to you. What is it about them you adore? What is it about motherhood that you love so much? I hope to post more this week on mother's and their special role in this world.

my true gems

Friends are the gems, some of my greatest treasures, in my life. I am not sure one can put into words the meaning of friendship without losing some of the depth of what this really means. More often then not, I feel incredibly blessed with the circle of friends in my life. And never before have I needed the kind of friends I have like I do these days. Most of my life I have had a strong surrounding of friends... elementary days, high school, college, adult life. I have one time in my life that stands out when I was between friend groups...trying to steer clear of poor choices in friends that led me towards ways that were not honoring to God (not that it was their fault, but it did not help to surround myself with this type of environment). As I waited for God to help me find new friends I learned so much about friendships and people and sharing life. I must say that my cup overflows with relationships these days. I know this isn't the case for everyone and I truly count my blessings in this department. I am blessed.

The last 10-12 years have been spent really nurturing relationships with people whom I love to share life with. I am incredibly encouraged by my friends as I see the amazing people they are and am honored to walk through life with them. They have taught me so much about communicating, empathy, relating, sharing, loving, and forgiving. I have worked through yucky stuff with some and so thankful for what God showed us while we learned to love & forgive. I have changed through the years and the friends have graciously given me room to grow and become better each day. I know I am bias, but my friends are pretty darn fun and funny to be around too!

As a mom I can't tell you how much it means to have my friends I do. Especially my mom friends these days. Emotionally I have never needed peers to be with me through a season in life like I do these days. I know I can just be me and they will either cheer for me when I am doing great, cry with me when I am hurting, yell (nicely) at me when I am being dumb, or just be. I love that I can sit without talking with some of them and know there is a comfort in just being together. I strongly believe that life is made to be done in community, with others, and connected in so many different ways. Friendship is a constant connecting place in my life that I often feel the most encouragement, joy, growth, and just have fun with! My friends make me a better person. To me, they are like family that I picked out for myself.

I really hope you have people in your life like I do. They are the gems, my treasures, that help make me beautiful everyday. I also really hope they know this is how I feel. That I value them and love them. Today my challenge to myself is that the friends in my life know just how special they are. To be a friend to someone, a true friend, is one of the greatest gifts. Thank you to my friends today whom have blessed me so.

If you have friends like this, count your blessings today and be sure they know it. Love & Friendship to you all!!

How much...???

Just curious... how much would you be willing to pay for home-made baby food? All natural, home grown veggies & fruits from a local farmer... made ready to serve your baby/toddler. My random question for today as I process an idea through my already too full brain! Thanks!

Keep in mind that store bought baby food is around $1 for 2 jars. Shoot me some numbers... :)

Best Vacation Spots for Families???

I love vacations. Vacations that are far away, close by, or even a vacation from my phones & computer! Either way, vacations are GOOD for me! Our family tries to take at least 1 vacation a year and usually sneak in 2-3 "mini-vacations" too. We have found that vacations are good for our family... a great time to bond, de-stress, relax, connect, laugh a lot, uninterrupted, just all around good family time. It's like a tradition for us to go on vacation and I really believe in traditions helping define a family. Kids love traditions and it gives them something to look forward to coming back to even after they are grown and gone. Thus, we will continue to go on vacations for a long, long time, I hope :) This can cost money obviously, but it is well worth the money we save and choose to spend on such a thing. Who doesn't enjoy a vacation? :-)

On to my quest.... while we have our next vacation planned for June, we are always thinking ahead. On the way home from every vacation we start talking about where we want to go next! What are some of the best family vacations spots you have experienced or your kids love to go to? You yourself as a child or a place you've gone with your own kids. We are pretty money smarts when it comes to this so don't tell me Disneyland because we plan vacations through some sort of deal maker each time!!! :-) I like originality and creativity! However, we always end up some place really cool and nice! (I may need to mention my husband is a pro at planning and finding such deals!!!) So... what are your best vacations options???? Vacation 2011 here we come! :-)

a little humor today...

You Know You're a Mom When...

1. You count the sprinkles on each kid's cupcake to make sure they're equal.

2. You find yourself cutting your husbands' sandwiches into cute shapes.

3. You can't bear to give away baby clothes - it's so final.

4. You hear your mother's voice coming out of your mouth when you say, "NOT in your good clothes!"

5. You stop criticizing the way your mother raised you.

6. You hire a sitter because you haven't been out with your husband in ages, then spend half the night checking on the kids.

7. You have time to shave only one leg at a time.

8. You hide in the bathroom to be alone.

9. Your kid throws up and you catch it.

10. Someone else's kid throws up at a party. You keep eating.

11. You use your own saliva to clean your child's face.

12. You've mastered the art of placing large quantities of pancakes and eggs on a plate without anything touching.

13. Your child insists that you read "Once Upon a Potty" out loud in the lobby of Grand Central Station and you do it.

14. You cling to the high moral ground on toy weapons; your child chews his toast into the shape of a gun.

15. You hope ketchup is a vegetable, since it's the only one your child eats.

16. You donate to charities in the hope that your child won't get that disease.

17. Your feet stick to the kitchen floor, and you don't care.

18. The closest you get to gourmet cooking is making Rice Krispie treats.

19. You no longer object to cold pizza for breakfast.

20. Your purse is crammed with emergency toys, candy and first aid supplies.

21. You can talk on the phone, pack a lunch & breast feed all once.

22. You wonder why it was you ever feared being alone.

23 You spend an entire week wearing sweats.

24. You can remove chewing gum from just about anything.

25. You say at least once a day, "I'm not cut out for this job", but you know you wouldn't trade it for anything.

(posted from an email I got today... sigh, so true some days :)

Have a good one!

best muffin recipes

Any bakers out there??? One of my favorite things to do is bake muffins for my kids! Especially for after school snacks!! I love the way warm muffins taste and the way it makes my home smell so yummy when you walk through the door. Mmmmmmm, I already feel cozy in my house thinking about such yummy creations being made here! I have been making the same 3-4 recipes for a few years now. I am looking to broaden my muffin recipe space in my recipe box... any ideas? Share your favorite muffin or bread recipe in the comment box! (I prefer homemade but like good box suggestions too!)

Here is one of mine.... hope you enjoy!

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

1 1/2 c oats
1 1/4 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1 c applesauce
1/2 c milk
1/2 c brown sugar
3 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 egg white

Topping:
1/4 c oats
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp soft butter
sprinkle of cinnamon


Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes. Best served warm!

Easter in my heart...

The Easter celebration is here. I don't know where you are at today, but it is pouring rain and thundering here. Seems appropriate for Good Friday. As I sit back and spend time walking through the book of Luke chapters 20-24 in the Bible, I am given great perspective of what Jesus went through. The thing that stands out so much is the way He did not fight the beating, the cursing, or the accusations given to Him. He went willingly to do what His Father had asked Him to do. Jesus showed us a selfless love.

As I read the part out loud today to my children from Luke 23-24 I had to stop for a minute. My voice cracked as I tried to tell my children how much pain Jesus went through to give us a gift of life forever. Selfless love. I am ashamed of my ability to love at times and if I take anything with me this weekend, I hope I can take steps to love more like Jesus. I want to put my heart on the line for others the way Jesus did for us. No, to be honest I do not want to die for too many people in my life. However, I want to love more freely... I want to give it out more often and with less strings attached. I want to love the people whom I find hard to love and I want to be sure the loved ones in my life know it.

Today when I look at the cross on my table I see LOVE. What do you see this Easter weekend?

Below are the words to a favorite Chris Tomlin song of mine... I'd encourage you to look it up on itunes or take a second to really read the lyrics. Amazing love is what I feel today. Happy Easter to you all!

Amazing Love

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.
(Repeat x2)

(Chorus)
Amazing love,
How can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love,
I know it’s true.
It’s my joy to honor You,
In all I do, I honor You.

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.

(Repeat chorus x2)

You are my King
Jesus You are my King
(Repeat x4)

(Repeat chorus x2)

You are my King
(Repeat x8)

Is it spring yet?

Oh my, in the mid-west we hear this question over and over and over again! I think we are finally getting closer to answering "YES!". I love the 4 seasons and like all the others I always look forward to this time of year. So many new things... new tree buds, new flowers, new grass growing, new spring hair-cuts, new wardrobe to pull out, new play areas to explore, new gardens. There is something about the newness in nature that stirs a child's soul. Have you taken the time to watch your little ones explore the great outdoors and all the newness it is to them? One of our favorite things to do is visit a local reserve area. We leave our phones at home and pack a lunch to spend a couple hours exploring the outdoors and all the new beauty there is. Between hiking around, sitting by the water, looking for flowers or tree buds, and listening to the birds and water rush it is one of the most peaceful moments with my children. There is a small door you can walk through between winter and spring (especially if you are in a 4 seasons area) and embrace this moment with your kids! In a busy and fast paced world I just want to encourage you today to take a break, if even only for an hour, and find an outdoor place you can let your kids explore and see. I think your heart will beat slower, your mind will slow down, and your memories will last forever with your new tradition of finding Spring together with your favorite little ones. Yes, I think spring is finally here!

be a giver today

Giving is a gift. I believe a gift for the giver and the receiver. As mothers, we become natural givers. We give the hugs, the smiles, the words, the kisses, the greetings. With our children and hopefully with our husbands this comes pretty naturally for us. Today I encourage you to look past the walls of your home and see who could use a little gift from you as the giver. Your neighbor, a friend, a sibling, a stranger, an old classmate, your kid's teacher, the guy at Walmart?Sometimes the giver needs to say nothing, just be in the presence of another person. One's presence can speak a thousand words. Sometimes giving comes in a package or an outing together or at a table over coffee or over an act of service. Giving can be described in so many ways... giving of your heart, your time, your possessions, your money, your friendship. I have been blessed by many givers in my life. Be a giver today or tomorrow or next week. Giving is good for the heart and soul... all of them involved!

The generous soul will be made rich! proverbs 11:25

dirty laundry

look familiar?

Dirty laundry... it just always piles up. Doesn't seem to matter what sort of system I implement I can rarely stay on top of this chore in my household. Sigh. I have a house cleaning rotation that usually keeps me in some sort of organized chaos each week, but the laundry is one I have yet to conquer! I mean seriously, I swear a dirty laundry elf lives in my basement and stuffs clothes into my hamper when everybody is sleeping at night! The last 6 months or so it's been driving me crazy. I always seem to have either a.) piles of dirty clothes b.) stacks of clothes to be put away or c.) both. Usually the last option, C, wins. Dang it! As I step back and look to see what and where I can make changes I found 1 thing so far... when I get a chance to do laundry the children are always sleeping. Whether it is naps or night time, I usually don't have access to put their clothes away or they sit folded nicely in laundry baskets for awhile before anyone stops to put them away (that anyone person being me). I have a very small laundry room in the corner of my basement and when folded laundry starts to get backed up, then I become slower to wash and fold more because I don't want to deal with finding a place for it until the kids are awake and distracted.
So this awful laundry cycle has gone on and on and I finally had enough. Yes, I may have found a small solution to my laundry issues. I found a cheap, yet sturdy, shelving unit to put in my basement. My laundry room is very small so getting a laundry folding table or adding any sort of cabinet space was out of the picture. This however stands tall and is narrow and just what I'm needing to store "ready to be put away" clothes. No more stacks of clothes on top of my dryer, toilet seat, spare bed, or stairs. No more stacks of clothes just sitting outside bedrooms or besides closets waiting to be put away. This was enough to drive a woman nuts! While it hasn't solved all my clothing issues related to laundry, it's a good start.
I need some more efficient laundry ideas! Seasoned mama's and wives out there or well organized women... what are your laundry cleaning secrets? Are there any? or is dirty laundry a nasty household chore that I will continue to battle with until I'm no longer able to lift my arms to do it myself? Hmmm... doesn't sound all that bad.... or not, just kidding. I appreciate my arms and cleaning clothes abilities. I would love to tweak my skills some though... so come on already... share your tips or suggestions for a fully functioning house equipped to handle the dirty laundry!! :-)

a quick fix!

movie tip

At our house we love a good movie. Whether it's for just the kids, just mom & dad, just mom (chick flick), just dad (adventure), or a family movie... we love a good movie night!!! The movie industry today though seems to get further and further away from "good" movie making. It's hard to pick a movie out and not find vulgar language and/or sexual content or lots of violence. For the kids, it can be tougher even. So many children films contain content that is just inappropraite or unneccessary. (In my opinion)! However, there ARE good movies being made and it's so fun when you find a good film that you can enjoy. Some of our favorite family night movies right now are... Curious George, Wizard of Oz, Cars, Up, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, Facing the Giants, Narnia: The lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, and the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Finding these good movies usually require us parents viewing it first or for sure sitting with our kids the first time they see it. I also use a very helpful website that I want to pass along today. Focus on the Family offers a really great website where you can get honest and helpful movie reviews... whether it's the latest in the theater or an old classic. If you'd like to screen what you are viewing before you spend money on something.... check this out!! You can also look up music and TV reviews!!

http://www.pluggedin.com/

And while you are here... leave a comment with your favorite family night movie or good chick flick!!! :-)

The "I shoulds..."

Oh my, the last couple weeks have flown by! I've not forgotten about this blog... just had some busy days around home :) I wasn't sure what to write about today so I think I will just write about what I've been thinking of lately.

I don't know if any of you out there are stay home mom's, but as a stay home mom or "homemaker" as I like to call it I find myself with inner struggles at times. I am 100% certain God wants me home right now and I absolutely love it. However, I sometimes let myself start to believe the lies our culture throws at women. I have had my moments where I thought "I should have a career" "I should make more money" "I should have more education" "I should lead a big ministry" "I should..." "I should..." 'I should...". I trust you all have your "I should's..." in your own lives. And, like many home-makers I know we are usually very capable people if I don't say so myself! Many of my home-making friends are very talented, gifted, smart, educated, and highly driven women. I believe Satan knows that and uses these "I should" moments to distract us, at least he does with me.

However, to indulge in these distractions would keep us from home-making at our best. I've been thinking about this a lot lately as I learn more about David. David was a shepard. The youngest of many brothers and his job was to watch the sheep. This left David with hours of quiet time and peaceful afternoons out in the open grasses and hills. I'm sure David could have done many of his father's other jobs, but he was sent to be alone with the sheep. Kind of like many women I know today. They could also do many jobs, but they've been placed at home with their own flock. Well, as I learn more about David I have come to see this... David was doing the job he'd been given at that time in his life. His father needed him for that. This season in his life gave him much time to connect with and learn from God. He was not distracted by a more hectic job and was able to let his heart be shaped as he spent one on one time with his Lord. David was being prepared for much bigger roles to come and he did not even know it.

Lately I've been trying to learn from David and use my time with my "flock" to engage more with God. This home making business is not always a quiet or peaceful place to be, but it is a place that requires me to focus my time and physically be present, which naturally makes my heart and mind follow. Did I mention that David was a good shepard? He tended to his sheep very well. He was not distracted by other things and he was a hard worker. And when the time was right God called him for other things. Yes, David was a wise boy. I want to throw my "I should's..." out the window, but I know they like to creep back into my thoughts every so often. Reading about David has shown me that these days at home right now are much like his peaceful days spent in the pastures and on the hills. I am a home-maker and my flock of children need me for this time in their lives. I pray God will mold my heart during this time and I pray I keep my focus here so I can meet Him daily in ways that David met with him during his flock watching days. Maybe God is preparing me for something after this season of life, but even if He's not, at least I can go through this time knowing I am not letting distractions keep me from tending to my children and home and most of all, keep me from some wonderful learning moments with my Lord.

What about you? Do you play the "I should" game? My prayer for you mom's today is that you would have a heart more like David's when he was just a humble shepard boy. Throw your "I should's" out the window and let this be a day to meet up with our Lord on your own quiet little hill! I hear that is best done when the sheep are sleeping :-)

A mom is...

... so many things. What comes to your mind when you think of the word mother and the mom's in your life? I will start...

love
patient
selfless
giving
safe
strong
crazy
organized


keep going...

Beware of Double-Booking

About 5 years ago I stumbled across a 3 word sentence. Beware of double-booking. Maybe that's 4 words? I'm not totally sure. Either way, I was intrigued and curious as to what that meant exactly. Of course, I knew what it meant typically. You know, the obvious when 1 person schedules two or more things at the same time. We've all been guilty of that a time or two I think. You see though, I read this in a book for women and it was in reference to our children. Let me tell you I was paying attention.

I have learned double-booking can also define us when we try to focus on our children AND other people at the same time. A few examples... you are on the phone and your kids are about to walk through the door from school. Instead of closing your phone conversation to greet the children home, you keep yourself focused on the phone call and the person on the other line. Not that this person at the end of the phone line is not important, but your precious cargo has just arrived from being gone 8 hours or more and your greeting back home (or lack of) speaks volumes to them. Another example... you take your kids to the play park and instead of engaging in play time with them you chime in on the mommy conversation going on on the side-line. Chatting with other mom's isn't bad, don't get me wrong. But, a young child begging for his/her mom to join them at the slides or swings and being ignored is telling them you'd rather hang with your mom friends then them. This might be true even (sometimes I REALLY just need to talk with another adult!), but you came to the park to play... let our actions show our intentions.

Double-booking can cause us to lose our focus. Matthew 6:24 " No man can serve two masters". This is true in so many ways. I surely think there is a balance of focusing on our children, yet being sure they know they are not THE center of our world. The same goes for our husbands, if you have one. Double-booking can make a person feel less valued, not as important, and at the bottom or mid way down our priority list. We have to be really intentional about not double-booking... some simple helpful examples I've found are...

-use nap times or quiet times to return phone calls, check emails, text, and personal work
- meet any person that comes to your house at the door with a smile and welcome (especially the people that live there!!)
- be aware of the activity of choice and who/how you are spending it
- if you have dinner plans with adults and your children, lower your expectations for how much chatting you'll get in with just the adults!
- don't talk on the phone when driving... perfect time to engage in conversation with your loved ones strapped down and no option but to talk back to you :)

I'm not tyring to make you feel bad here. Just trying to make you aware. As women we try to juggle A LOT at once. Sometimes we are efficient. Sometimes we don't recognize the silent messages being sent to the people we love the most. Sometimes double-booking is simply doing too much at once, causing us to stress out and not handle our first jobs of caring for those we are responsible for right now. Try to be intentional of staying focused with what is present with you right now. Try to be intentional of not double-booking. I daily have to work at this and remind myself of my focus in life right now!

Where else do you see it possible to easily "double-book" yourself? Share your thoughts... I'd love to hear how you keep your focus through-out the day. Happy Scheduling to you!

poem for today

A Mother's Place

Mothers were made for the home,
no doubt,
But mothers were made for more;
Mothers were made to go out in
the world,
To teach it to climb, to soar.
And if they are bound at home for
a time
By duties they may not slight,
At least they can stir in those
small, sweet souls
The spirit that starts them
aright.
And when they have guided as far
as they can
The ones that they call their
own--
Ah, then is the time they must give
to the world
The wisdom that's theirs alone.

E.G.H.

Snack time!!

Okay, I'll be honest. I love having kids simply for the excuse to sit down and have snack time twice a day :) Man, I'll miss this stage! As an early-child educator I learned early on that children function best on 3 healthy meals and 2 small snacks a day. Done properly this also trains them to be good eaters and shows them an ideal routine for consuming food. Once I became a parent, my training was confirmed when I started to teach my kids (and myself) the best way to eat. Now I'm sure this is done differently in many homes, but this is what I've come to learn, know, and trust.

The first question is: When and how often should my kids eat?
Typically children have breakfast within an hour of waking up. Usually their morning snack should fall somewhere between 1.5-2 hours after breakfast and the same before lunch. A mid day meal should be provided (usually between 11-1 depending on your type of schedule, early or later). An afternoon snack should be provided sometime after an afternoon nap or 2-3 hours after lunch and 1.5-2 hours before dinner. Now obviously, tweak this for your child... some kids eat little meals, so don't over do their snack. Be sure your child is at a healthy weight and not over eating. Outside of 3 meals and 2 good snacks a day, kids really don't need to eat anymore than this.

Second question: What type of snacks should I provide?
This is where the fun begins! Snack time can be creative and fun and easy! I encourage a snack time where you sit down with your child and take time to chat with them, relax, and let them develop healthy eating habits (chewing, swallowing, eating slow enough it doesn't get crammed in a mouth in 2 minutes, table manners).

Milk, 100% juice (be careful, many juices are NOT 100%- this is important! read your labels), or water are the perfect beverage choice. It is really unnecessary for kids under 2 to have juice just yet, but if you want to explore with that try half and half (half 100% juice, half water) to dilute it a bit. A special treat at my house: chocolate milk (Ovaltine :)

Here are some food suggestions... I recommend 2-3 items from the 4 food groups. This list is written as a variety of snack ideas for 1 snack time.

1/2 apple, cheese slices, milk
Goldfish crackers, milk, applesauce
milk, fruit kabobs (easy to make), cottage cheese
1/2 bagel with optional cream cheese, juice, ham cubes
cereal mix (non-sugared), milk, grapes
graham crackers, milk, fruit cup (easy to make & freeze)
muffin, milk, 1/2 apple
crackers, veggies with dip, cheese slices, juice
Nutri-Grain bar, milk, fresh fruit
pretzels, juice, cheese slices
crackers, raisins, cheese slices, deli meat, juice
cheese sandwich, fresh fruit, juice
mini pizzas ( biscuit dough, pizza sauce, cheese) hands on snack!, juice
celery, peanut butter, raisins, crackers, juice (make "ants on a log")
yogurt, granola, blueberries, milk (make a parfait in a cup, let your child create it!)
fruit smoothie ( frozen strawberries, yogurt, apple juice, bananas), muffin
yogurt sticks (not sure what to call these, we freeze them like a popsicle :), crackers, pineapple, milk

Be creative and try a variety of things. There are so many fresh fruits & veggies and kids love to help pick them out. Make snack time fun!

Third Question: Other ideas??? What do you serve for snack time???