a poem about mothers, daughters, and Alzheimer’s Disease (to view as a video, click here.) She was happy once upon a time long long ago. Then, all changed. She birthed a baby girl. She moved 3,000 miles to an unknown land: California, where women wore white after Labor Day. And she tried. Oh, how hard she tried to make everything just right so I could be happy. I didn’t care about leveling off the measuring cup with the back of the knife whether the salad fork went on the left or the right if dinner was served precisely at 6:00 …
Recipes from M.O.M.
Pizza Made Healthy Pizza is an all-time favorite for kids and adults, but it doesn’t have to be an artery-clogger to be good. Just change your ingredients a bit and you’ll enjoy the flavor without all the fat. INGREDIENTS: (Add your favorite veggies – here’s what we like) 2 Whole wheat pre-made crust 1 Jar Pizza Sauce (16 oz.) 2 Tablespoons Pesto Sauce 1 Medium Size Tomato – Sliced 1 Medium Onion 1 Can Large Olives 1/2 Cup Sliced Mushrooms (The taste better if you cut them yourself instead of buying them already sliced) 1 Cup Spinach (Rinsed & Dried) …
Mama Needs A Time-Out
Hi sweet moms! Steph here! I wanted to share about an exciting opportunity to pre-order Heather Riggleman’s new book, Mama Needs A Time Out and let you know it’s coming out in just a few of weeks.! As most of you know, Heather is one of the M.O.M.s here at The M.O.M. Initiative and we’re so happy for Heather and so excited about how her book will help moms draw closer to God in midst of motherhood. Mama Needs A Time Out is taking pre-orders for digital copies at eChristain and is releasing May 8th, if not sooner. Here is the …
Transform Discipline with Debriefing
I sighed and prayed as I walked to her bedroom. She wailed, fearful of her punishment. Earlier she spoke out of anger and frustration. Her disrespectful words hit their mark. Anger flashed in my eyes, my tone betrayed my wrath, but by God’s grace I did not yell – a sign of His fruit in my life. I opened the door and encouraged her to calm down. She took heaving breaths as tears soaked her bed. When she quieted we talked. It was a humbling time for both of us. We admitted our faults and failures. Then talked about how …
Mount WashMore
The day is going about as usual. One child is on the floor doing the famous “drop and flop” after not getting her way. The laundry pile, “Mount WashMore”, is glaring at me from the other room screaming how behind I am. The older two should be doing schoolwork, but the phone rang so they are off and running. A million other things are buzzing in my brain needing my attention at the same time. Overwhelmed does not come close to describing how I am feeling. As a mom who loves the Lord and wants to leave a Godly …
Practical Mom Tips for the Evening Hours
I’ve been hearing great feedback over my posts. Moms love the encouragement, wisdom, and devotions But some of you have caught my eye. Yes, I’m talking to you, the stressed out, frazzled, sleep deprived, slightly crabby mom. Trust me, I’ve been there and here’s a hug and some practical supper time tips to help de-stress your life a little bit. Create a Menu. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Mine goes Sunday through Saturday: Chicken bake, Spaghetti, Tatortot casserole. Creating a menu gives you more time to focus on your kids. Plus they can even help cook if needed. And it will …
Abide in Me
When I am asked, “How many children do you have?” I don’t know how to respond. “Three,” I answer, while I finish the sentence in my head, “…here with me and one in Heaven.” I will never forget my daughter, Rachel Faith, even if the only life she experienced was in the womb. She is always with me. As beautiful as she was at birth and at death, those images are not what flutter through my mind. I imagine her dancing with her sister. I twirl her dark curls. I embrace her, though she’s not physically here. Rachel died at …
Recipes from M.O.M.
A domestic diva, I’m not… so quick and easy is my favorite way to cook. Healthy is important too, but even healthy tastes better when it’s quick and easy. I’m all about Rachel Ray’s 30 Minute Meals but when cooking isn’t you’re thing and recipes don’t come easy, the term “concoction” seems to be what best describes the food situated on your plate. Today, I’m going to share with you a concoction that may be thrown together to make a one-dish meal but is definitely quick – definitely easy – and almost definitely healthy. You will notice by the flexibility …
Recalls Moms Should Know About
The M.O.M. Initiative loves y’all like crazy and we want to offer information to help you in your journey. Today we want to share with you some current recalls that you may or may not be aware of. Recalls may seem silly to some but they arm moms with information they may need to protect their children. So, here are some current recalls: Lakeshore Feels Real Baby Dolls On 2012-03-27, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall on Lakeshore Feels Real Baby Dolls due to a potential choking hazard. This product sold new beginning in May 2011 for approximately $20. About …
How Do You Find God in the Mess?
We’ve been vacationing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with the grand girl, and it’s time to go home. But Grace saw a movie at school on the Soo Locks. She wants to see them up close and personal. And go through them. The scenery assaults me. We’ve come from peaceful and pristine to chaos and clutter. Sault Ste. Marie on the Michigan side is a place of barges and docks and seaplanes and cement. A sailboat tips horizontal to the water I try to imagine what what this gateway from Lake Superior to Lake Huron looked like when the rapids swirled and …