Fun Indoor Activities for a Rainy Summer Day

All moms have heard, “I’m bored,” from their kiddos more times than we care to count. So, my eleven-year-old daughter, Ainsleigh, and I have come up with some ideas to keep your kids occupied on a rainy summer day. All of these activities are things you can do together! Ainsleigh licking the cake batter. Play cards: Crazy Eights, Go Fish, War and Old Maid are a few simple ones. Crafting: do basic cross stitch, make cards for relatives and friends, catch up on thank you cards, make Fun Loom bracelets, color in fancy coloring books, do water color painting, make bead necklaces, do dry …

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Tell Your Kids They’re Beautiful

My husband does this thing my girls love. When he tucks them into bed at night, or while we’re riding in the car, or at some random moment in the living room on any given day, he shouts out, “Who’s pretty and smart?” And our girls raise their hands. Sometimes they raise both hands. “Mom! You have to raise your hand, too!” They smile and squeal. “Oo, oo, I am, I am! I’m pretty and smart!” I shoot my hands in the air and giggle. My daughters know they’re beautiful, because their Daddy tells them so. But the truth is …

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Dream The Biggest Dreams

What dreams do you have for your children? Proud moms like us can see all the potential stored up in in our offspring. Even before others discover their talents and gifts, we have inklings of what each of these precious ones can become. From their youngest years, it is easy to begin dreaming about what their future holds. My daughter was singing beautifully at age two. My son threw a football across the nursery when he was nine months of age. Each of my little ones displayed qualities for which I knew they had talent. I wondered how they would …

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Smart Summer Strategies

Summer’s Here! Whoo hoo! Kids are out of school. No rushed mornings. Or, at least no homework or projects due.   BUT….are your children controlling you? Or, are you building into them the following admirable traits?  Personal Responsibility  Do you want to raise a slob or someone who knows how to pick up after themselves? It may not bother you to pick up a 2 year old’s sippy cup. But if your 7 year old knocks over his apple juice and leaves it on the table, you may be rightly annoyed. And it isn’t cool for a 12 year old to leave cans of half drunk sodas …

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To Save a Life

Hey Mamas  It’s been a long time since I’ve posted! I miss you, I miss The Mom Initiative and I miss my yoga pants.  Between adjusting to life as a working mom in the news world, taking care of three kids, and the rest of domesticated life, my world is needless to say a new juggling act. It’s full of twisty turns and on my knees moments. As a working mom, I am the Life Styles reporter for The Kearney Hub Newspaper in Nebraska and have a weekend column called “Chasing Perfect.” I write about the broken, the beautiful and …

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3 Ways to Teach Your Kiddos about God on a Summer Staycation!

#1: A View from a Boat!      Over the last few months, my teenage daughter and I have taken up kayaking regularly, as a way to spend time in the sun, on the water, and with each other. We’ve gone several times over the years, but this year, we got serious enough about it to purchase our own kayaks, and have made a point to visit as many local waterways as possible, to enjoy this sport in fresh new ways as often as we can. If you have a teenager, try renting kayaks together. Explore new places, and see your …

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When You Need God to Provide…

The past six months have been formative months for me. I can say it no other way. I have gone deeper with God, knowing that He alone can sustain the pressings of my heart. He is after all, the One who formed it.  He is forming it still. His Light has come and permeated the dark recesses of my heart. His power has amazed me. His ability, astounded. His love has come and become my foundation–firmly establishing me in Him. One afternoon in March, I had time for a shower. The sun was gently filling the room. My heart was heavy–burdened …

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Tips for Teaching Kids Manners by Penelope Carlevato

Today, I invited my good friend and fellow author and speaker and lover of all things tea related, Penelope Carlevato, to share with us some tips on teaching our children and grandchildren manners and etiquette–not something we hear much about today. I gave my grandchildren Penelope’s book First Class Etiquette and it was quite enlightening for them. Born in England, Penelope was raised in an English home on the plains of South Dakota. Her English mother loved to have friends and family in for tea. Penelope grew up with an apron tied around her waist and continued the tradition of …

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10 Ways Wives Can Make a Huge Difference in Their Marriage with Their Words

  Yeah… that’s my man! We’ve been married for just 6 months shy of 30 years.   Today, I want to brag on my guy a bit. Okay… a lot! I love him like crazy for oh-so many reasons, but other than his love for God and passion for ministering to people, he prays some crazy, audacious prayers for me to become who I was created to be and then he helps me fulfill God’s call on my life. AND… he loves me. AND… he gets me. AND… he makes me laugh. AND… he works hard at being a good husband. …

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Six Ways to Serve a New Mom

Have you ever seen that bewildered look on a new mom’s face? You know, the one where it looks as if she doesn’t know whether she is coming or going. As a postpartum doula, I have seen that look often. On the other hand, I have also seen the look of gratefulness as I come alongside a mama and provide practical help so that she may find her way through all of the new experiences motherhood brings. I love seeing that bewildered look turn into a look of confidence in her abilities to shepherd a new life. Here are some of …

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