Youth group summer camp begins tomorrow morning. Grace and Samuel’s bags are packed and sitting by the front door. They are so excited they can barely stand it. We have a family tradition whenever we say our goodbyes. Whether they’re going on a play date or staying overnight at their Papa and Nana’s house- after reminding them to behave, we whisper to them, “Remember who you are and Whose you are.” When you give your heart and life to God, you are on of His children. With that comes not only a new life but an abundance of promises He has made to …
Survival guide for taking kids to restaurants
Kids are not born knowing how to behave in public. In fact, “public” manners vary greatly depending on the culture you’re in and the setting within the culture. When I posted a recent observation on Facebook about a mom wrangling two boys at a coffee shop, it stirred up a flurry of comments. Strong feelings came out from non-kid-toting adults who feel impacted by children in public places like restaurants, church, and stores. Equally strong feelings came out from moms with fresh memories of the challenges of getting out with children. I sensed both groups asking, “Don’t they get it?” …
Let’s Teach Our Children Some Lessons!
If you want your children to learn how to: Trust in God’s Sovereignty…You must respond to life’s challenges like you believe that God is Sovereign. (Philippians 4:10-13) Be content and serve God where He has placed them…You must strive to look at life in light of Scripture, remembering you are where you are at, and surrounded by the people we are surrounded by, because God has placed you there. (Ephesians 6:5-8) Communicate with others with an attitude of grace and humility…You must communicate with others with grace and humility, and with the ultimate goal of restoration and helping a brother or sister …
Mother’s Day and Leukemia
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia hit the Mayer family full force on September 26th, 2012. Daniel, the youngest of four boys and only four years old, is in the battle for his life. Submerged under the unrelenting vice of suffering, how does a mom walk this road with her family? Here are some answers from his sweet momma Kelly: How did Leukemia impact your Mother’s Day? Leukemia really affected Mother’s Day this year but in a fairly roundabout way. I guess “strain” is the best way to say it. Leukemia puts a big “strain” on everything and everyone. Relationships within our family …
How NOT to Be a Meddlesome Mom + Monday M.O.M. Link-Up!
Hi. My name is Cheri, and I’m a Meddlesome Mom. I hate admitting this. I spent my first eighteen years of motherhood looking down my nose at smother mothers and telling myself Thank goodness I’m not one of them! Proverbs 2:11 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Let’s just say that once my children headed off for college, that wisdom starting coming, all right! I discovered, much to my chagrin, that they were both lacking dozens of basic life skills. I’d prided myself in being a supportive mom, one who took an active interest …
5 Ways Twins Can Change Your Life
Some people call me a superhero, doubly blessed. Others say I have my hands full, double trouble. Hi, my name is Christen, and I’m a mother of twins. Before I had children, I had heard rumors that motherhood was the most challenging and rewarding job on the face of the planet. I was the newlywed that thought I could handle the challenge of being a mom; that it couldn’t be that hard. I had illusions that the reward part of motherhood would be more often than the challenge and my children would be well behaved, athletic, musically-talented, smart, and successful …
See the BOID!
“My sister was carrying my daughter, Kim, down the hall of a hospital. Little Kim was looking back and saying, “See the boid!” (bird – she couldn’t yet say her Rs). Gail turned to see what bird could possibly be in the hospital, and there stood three nuns. Kim thought they were penguins.”* My friend, Sandra Chapman, shared this story in the “Laugh Out Loud” section of The Plan A MOM in a Plan B World. IT’S GOOD TO LAUGH, DON’T YOU THINK? I remember the day when my children, Taylor and Lauren, were little and the milk spilled …
Lead Your Family Like Jesus + Monday M.O.M. Link-Up
by Tricia Goyer Three Ways You Are A Leader in Everyday Life … and how to be a better one Many people are confused about the term “family leader.” As I’ve blogged about moms being leaders I’ve had both men and women pipe up, “But wait, the man’s supposed to be the leader in the home, right?” Yes, but women are leaders, too, in many ways you may not realize. 1. You are a Leader in Your Role As Spouse. Yes, friends, I believe in the “S” word … submission. I believe God has called men to be the spiritual …
EXPECTANT: Growing a life while growing a family
A track-mom friend stood by the fence as we cheered our senior girls across the finish line in their last high school race last night. And then my friend did something I didn’t expect. She reached over and hugged me, smiling with teary eyes. Then I did something I didn’t expect. I had a flashback to bottles and blankets. Swallowing a surprise gulp of my own, I reminded myself that this growing up and moving on thing is good. We don’t have children to keep them forever, but when my husband placed our baby girl in my arms over eighteen …
Small Beginnings
When my daughter was thirteen she wrote a letter, sealed it and tucked it away. I thought that was pretty cool. “What are your plans for this letter, Meg?” “I’m not going to open it until my twenty-first birthday.” She smiled. It got me thinking, as a mom, if I could go back in time, what words of wisdom would I want myself to know? What lasting encouragement would I share? It didn’t take long to figure out the message I’d want to leave: Don’t despise the days of small beginnings. Really, Lord? I was blessed with four children. At …