Raising People Is Hard Work

I used to think that babies were hard. My first two kids came along 16 months apart from each other, and I lived in a mild state of panic and reaction for a good two years that completely exhausted me. I loved every precious minute of it, but I was flat out tired. My husband and I talked about wanting six children. Then we had two. Enough said. Eight years after my second child was born, we had a…. surprise. I found out I was pregnant, and (I’m going to be honest here, no judgment) was depressed about it for …

Share

Free MOM Printables (Print your own cards for the moms you love)

Sometimes it’s hard to find a card that says what you want it to say. That’s why we’ve provided some printable to make it easy peasy to print them out and give to your moms, your sisters, your aunts, your sister-moms, and all the moms in your life. A little special something to let them know that they help you be a better mom, that you’re glad you’re doing the mom life with them, that you are better together. And a little something special for your mom to remind her that she’s amazing, that you are thankful for the way …

Share

Better Together Conference HIGHLIGHTS

What happens at a Better Together Conference? Since a picture is worth a million words…. Stephanie Shott, Melinda Means, Debbie Taylor Williams, Christen Price “Better Together” is the name of The Mom Initiative Conference that we are hosting in churches across America.  When I think of 2 moms who model being “Better Together,” I think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth. They were better together! After the angel announced to Mary that she had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah, she went to see Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John. Together they celebrated. “Blessed are you …

Share

How My Daughter Shattered My “Comfortable” Faith

I grew up going to church and learning about God. Maybe partly because of that, I spent years taking my faith for granted. The kind of Christianity I pursued was soft and comfortable. Pleasant enough, but not particularly bold or especially memorable. I went to my Christian conferences. Did my ladies’ Bible Studies. Led a “good” life. I talked about faith — with people of faith. I passionately shared my convictions — with those who agreed with me. I loved God. I felt strongly about my beliefs. But my people-pleasing nature resisted the idea of making too many waves. Of risking that …

Share

Intentionally Building for Christ

It’s time to up the ante. Pour it all out, everything you are counting on and holding fast to, because complacency is rotting our families from the inside-out. We need to step into each situation, each interaction, each opportunity…pur-pose-ful-ly. Say it slowly in your mind. Make it your mantra. Just like a dear friend I have serving in a dangerous land. She must be alert for the safety of all those around her is at stake. She must live, pour it out fully and trust that God will show her how and when and where and why.  She is tied securely …

Share

DIY Chocolate Mint Lip Balm

This is a fun, super easy project to do along side your kiddos! Perfectly glossy as well as soothing, your lips will absolutely love these! The mint warms your lips while the chocolate adds a yummy taste and slight tint.  Most of these ingredients you will already find in your kitchen. The rest can be purchased through Amazon.com. I use transparent clear lip balm containers found here. Your mouth will love the all-natural, skin loving ingredients. Remember these have no preservatives, so enjoy them within six months! (This won’t be a problem-trust me!)     Do you have any DIY …

Share
Video source missing

Health(ier) Meals for Families On-the-Go

Once upon a time, when my girls were babies, I made majority of their baby food.  I have always enjoyed being creative in the kitchen but since I’ve been working part-time, it has been so much harder to put a home cooked meal on the table each night.  We juggle two work schedules, mother’s morning out, church, gymnastics, working out, and family/friend time each week.  Needless to say, some nights our dinner consists of pizza or chinese food!  In an effort to keep up with our on-the-go family, I’m trying to get back to food basics with health(ier) options for …

Share

You Already Have Good Land

We had lived in our house in California for eight years at the time. It was a beautiful two-story at the corner of a quiet court, and we loved it. We loved our neighbors too. But after being there for eight years, I started to get an itch for change. It wasn’t that I wanted to leave where we lived. In fact, thinking about that was the hard part. Our kids had many friends in the neighborhood, and so did Mike and I. It was the desire for something different that drove me: I had grown up in a single …

Share

A Mother’s Speech

Oh! Be careful little mouth, lips, tongue what you say. For the father up above is looking down in love. I remember singing this song as a child. There was a season in my life when I wasn’t closely connected to God. I had wandered from worship, fellowship and intimate time spent daily in God’s Word. I became self-centered instead of God centered. How do I know? My vocabulary changed.  Things I thought I would NEVER say started escaping from my lips. My attitude was NOT gratitude. I was stopped short when what I said was repeated by my young …

Share

Are You a Grandmother Estranged from Your Grandchildren?

Recently, I received an email from a grandmother who was asking me to pray with her because she was estranged from her granddaughter. Her heart is broken, finding it very difficult to deal with the situation, like many grandparents do today. When we reach the mid-life years of our lives we look forward to becoming grandparents and very excited when our first grandchild is born and the grandchildren that follow. However, today there are many grandparents with broken hearts because they are estranged from their grandchildren. Being estranged from your grandchildren often results in many negative emotions. Sorting out exactly …

Share