The first time I remember making it a heart-goal to teach our children appreciation began this way… At our son’s 6th birthday party, during the gift opening portion: Son: (wildly tearing at the paper) What is it? Oh it’s a battleship. My Grammy already got me this. Then, he opened the next gift. Son: (pulling off the bow and paper, tossing the card aside, unread): A Nerf gun! My Grammy got me one of these just last week. In front of all the parents and children watching, I wanted to die then and there on the spot. My son needed …
Hula-Hooping Into 2013
Confession: I’m a multi-tasker who is tired of multi-tasking. (photo source: dailyhistory.net) Entering 2013, my eyes have barely focused on the future from the blur of 2012. It was the year of the multi-tasking mamma, aka me (was it for you too?). From planning a two year old tu-tu birthday party, putting our house up for sale, moving to our hometown, and leaving my stay-at-home job for church ministry, my days were filled juggling. To mark the end of our crazy year, my husband and I ventured to the salty air and crashing waves in Florida to clear our heads …
365 Ways to PRAY for Your Children
“Dear God, please bless my kids and help us have a good day. Keep everyone healthy. Give me strength and peace to get through the day. Amen.” Do you ever feel like you say the same prayer DAY after DAY? Or, almost the same prayer? WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU PRAYED A SPECIFIC & DIFFERENT PRAYER FOR YOUR CHILDREN EVERY DAY CENTERED AROUND GOD’s ATTRIBUTES? Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 says that the way we are transformed is by looking at who …
Getting It Together + & The TMI Monday Link Up!
Kayse Pratt is a wife, mommy, and writer whose brand new eBook Getting It Together: Your Guide to Setting Up a Home Management System That Works releases on Monday, December 31. I’m delighted to talk with Kayse about how we can set realistic home management goals for the new year–without getting overwhelmed! How can we start the new year with reasonable get-myself-organized goals? Kayse: For me, having a system is key: a central place for all of my home management stuff! My goals themselves have to be organized: project lists, cleaning schedules, etc. I think it’s important to start small, creating manageable …
Life’s Instruction Manual; Some Assembly Required
Written by Heather Riggleman (I posted this on my column on Her View From Home yesterday but since then God enlightened me. He has given my the instruction manual and the times when I thought I stumbled, God was there to pick me up. I added a few more thoughts just for you, little mama). Midnight. The time my husband and I fell into bed, our snores and tossing filled with mutterings of “Hand me that piece. I think it goes here.” “No, it’s backwards.” Like every naive parent on Christmas eve, we decided to assemble some gifts for our kids; one in particular for our son. Chris …
Cold Coffee
I poured the steaming dark brown liquid into my mug. Then I stirred in cool cream until it turned caramel in color. I smiled as I sniffed the aroma of sweet cream and coffee. I lifted my favorite mug to my lips. “MOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYY!” I quickly dropped my mug and ran toward the sound. “Mommy!” “Yes?!” I bellowed as my heart beat wildly half from fear half from running up the stairs. “Can you help me brush my hair?” A sigh escaped my lips and my mind drifted back to my coffee. “OK, but next time find me and ask me …
Remembering What Went Right
It’s the day after. All the built-up anticipation is spent. We’ve got a whole 364 days ’til we do it all again. And if you’re anything like me, you’re already making lists of what you’ll do better next year: I won’t forget the _____. I won’t burn the _____. I won’t leave the _____ in the freezer. I won’t say _____ to _____. I’ll remember to buy a _____ for _____. I’ll make sure _____ acts more (or less!) ______. Stop. Yes, reflection is a powerful part of change and growth. But today, instead of reflecting (perhaps even obsessing) on …
Merry Christmas from the M.O.M. Team
MERRY CHRISTMAS! The M.O.M. team hopes you all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! A Christmas that isn’t about the gifts, but one that is about the GREATEST GIFT we can receive…JESUS…the SON of GOD! He came to save us from our sins and give us hope, healing and life. Eternal and abundant life. Praying you and your family enjoy the beauty of this time of year and that your CHRISTmas is WONDER-full! Here’s a sweet video to remind you of the simplicity of Christmas… If you can’t view the video, please click here.
How About a Trade-In?
By Guest: Linda Tang When you are a child, fear comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, beyond separation anxiety, nightmares or team try-outs. There are loads of things that our kids fear and plenty that we fear as moms…I am sure you can think of at least a few that might take your thoughts captive or keep you awake some nights! In the book of Joshua, we are reminded of God’s presence in our lives and the power He gives as He encourages a nervous new leader in preparing for a challenging road, river and wall up ahead. …
Gift of Grace
Nine years ago marks one of the most difficult, yet most important Christmases in my life. It would become a Christmas that would change my life and how I celebrate the birth of Jesus. In October, we had found out we were having another baby. This baby would be our ninth child and we were just as excited as if it were our first. However, our excitement changed to sorrow when we found out two months later we would never see this baby come full term. We later found out I had a virus that attacked my sweet baby and …