Becoming Momma K

  I’m already “mom”.  Thanks to my daughter and son-in-love, I will be Momma K! The richness of the blessing of a grand son is beyond words in description. Often times words cannot convey what the heart feels. Conversation about how much we want to bless this little guy is regular between my husband and I. With sparkling eyes, the younger aunts and uncles make plans for play time with their nephew. I pray that God will bless me with a rich relationship with our grand son. Becoming Momma K is helping me become mom all over again. I’m seeing …

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Having A Happy Birthday Jesus Party: In Your House And In Your Community

I love December. There’s so much to celebrate as well as so much to do, but one of the most fun things we’ve done over the years is to have a Happy Birthday Jesus Party. What, you’ve never heard of that? That’s ok. It’s actually something we started doing in our Kids Ministry at church and over the years we have expanded it from what we do on Sunday mornings at church to the homes and neighborhoods of the families we serve. I would love to take a few minutes to tell you about having a Happy Birthday Jesus Party: …

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Surviving December With Small Kids

What do you get when you mix two young children, one tired mom, and a Christmas to-do list? Definitely not peace on Earth. “Don’t step there!” My hand jerked toward my toddler’s ankles, but too late. Her foot crunched a row of Christmas ornaments arranged meticulously on the rug, prepped for hanging. “I sorry, Momma!” Her sock hovered over a sparkly blue star, crushed into five pieces. “I told you to stay on the sofa! Sweetie, if you want to help Mommy decorate the tree, you need to be very careful around the ornaments. Now it’s broken.” Her bottom lip …

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When Mom Isn’t So Merry

It happened again this morning. I was irritated at my children; desperately trying to get them to school on time. The twins are only in preschool but some mornings I feel like I have two teenagers on my hands. And, I do what I hoped I wouldn’t: I snap. It doesn’t help that it’s December, one of the craziest months of the year. It doesn’t help that I’m pregnant and working and quite honestly tired. It doesn’t help that my husband is traveling and the dishes are piled up in the sink and those crazy fruit flies have appeared again …

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Homemade Baby Wipes

   But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness.  1 John 1:9 NLT        Fifteen years ago our family started using this effortless recipe to clean everything from sweet bottoms to the top of the bathroom sink.  Start using these homemade baby wipes today and save money for years to come!    What homemade helpers do you use on a daily basis? We would love to learn from you! In Christ alone,  Tara Dovenbarger    

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Thankful to be a Mom

  Lord, Today I am thankful for my life as a mom.  It isn’t the life I planned. Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” You brought me a godly husband I don’t deserve. Psalm 1:1, Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked; nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” You set aside my prayers for success & fame and gave me a houseful of children. Psalm 128:3, Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; …

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I Should Not Do That

I Should (Not) Do That

I suffer from a common condition. It’s called “shoulditis”—otherwise known as I should do that disease. Symptoms flare up under the most ordinary circumstances. When my friend calls to say she’s taking a Zumba class, I think of how long it’s been since my Nikes hit the gym, and my own voice whispers in my head, I should do that. When I scroll through Facebook and see a dozen photos of cutesy craft projects other moms created with their children, I’m deflated. I should do that. When my parenting magazine plugs a recipe for brownies using hidden carrot puree, I …

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Frozen MOMents

This verse caused me to pause this morning: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 I began to ponder the moments that have frozen in my mind at some point or another. Often when I do this, I remember slip-ups, mine to others & others to me. Betrayals. Abuses and hurts. I recall missed opportunities–with my husband, my children, my sister, my friends, that one in the grocery store, the …

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Why You Should Get Involved In Your Kids Ministry

  When we, as parents, partner with our local churches we can make an even bigger impact in the spiritual lives of our kids. No, I’m not just saying that because I work in Kids Ministry but because I have stood on the front lines every Sunday for the last ten years watching families come in and out of the church and miss the connecting piece between church and home. Can I speak the truth in love for a minute? Families want us, as the church, to teach their kids about God, His love, His grace, His mercy and His …

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Moms Grow Up, Too

This time of year, my husband treks to the Wisconsin northwoods—to hunt. I can measure motherhood in hunting seasons. Six years ago, on opening bow weekend, I stood at the living room window and waved to my hubby’s truck with tears welling in my eyes. While he climbed trees and relished pink sunrises, I scrubbed bottles and rocked a fussy baby. Hours crept. Conversations were one-sided. I was lonely, frazzled, and desperate for a nap. When little sister blessed our world, I juggled baby food jars and preschool crafts. My then three-year-old missed her dad almost as much as I …

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