As I was sitting on my back step, planner and pencil in hand, I listened to the group of neighborhood children playing baseball in an adjacent yard. The breeze blew past and shooed the flies off of my sun tanned feet. I looked down at my chipped bright pink nail polish {hmm, I should touch these ...
FYI: This Is The Summer We Begged For All Winter
FYI: Our {semi-local} Target was setting up their "Back to School" area when I was there yesterday. August is coming quick! Don't let your summer slip away. Be intentional about having fun! We've been to the beach (with friends) twice this week, even though I'm pms-ing, even though ...
Moments From the Minivan: Tumbling Camp
Back story: My 6 yr old is in a stage where he is afraid of so many things. I've never met a kid so cautious. Once we took him to T-ball, at his request. He panicked, threw himself down on the ball field {in front of God and everyone}, screamed and cried that he wanted a *new* family and he hated ...
Slowing Down, Seeing More
It started early last week. I told God I felt like I was drowning in my tasks and I couldn't take anymore. Life wasn't enjoyable in that moment. My calendar was full and my to-do list was far too long. I told him things needed to slow down. I was in pain, too busy, and needed a break. Then I ...
In The Kitchen: Living Salad Bowl
Having a living salad bowl on my deck is just about my favorite thing right now. It makes lunch time so easy! It's also a great way to add simple veggies to dinner. My biggest high comes from seeing my picky eater snacking on it while he plays outside. In each pot I planted: Green leaf ...
A Letter to my Children… & You
Written for my children, for when they are older and will understand it more. But maybe you {my dear readers} could use this right now, too? I know I would benefit from these words being spoken to me daily. My Dear Children, I pray you are clinging tightly to Jesus. Be ready. Be ready for ...
On Mother’s Day
Hey, can we talk? I know it's Mother's Day. How are you feeling about that? Be honest. I hope no matter what your answer comes out like, I pray you are content. I know that may not be the case though. Being a mom looks different to each of us. Some of us came by it young, others later in life. ...
Intentional Parenting
Let’s talk about being intentional in our parenting. Although many great things do happen spontaneously, I believe that even greater things can happen when we are joyfully being intentional. What are you doing to intentionally spend time with your kiddos? I’ll go first. Well for starters, we are ...
Her First Communion
As a parent my biggest struggle and greatest joy is guiding my children in their relationship with Christ. I want their faith to be their own, not something I force on them and they later reject because I was too overbearing. I also don't want to do too little now that someday when they are 23 ...
Just a Few Quick Notes
I don’t have time to write out a full blog post but I want to share a few quick notes I’ve taken at MOPS this year. If you are a parent, you are a leader. You will always be a leader. Put verses where you can soak them in. This is as simple as writing out a verse on a note card and sticking ...
Show me the mother and I’ll show you the child quote
At the suggestion of a friend, I just started watching Army Wives. I really didn't need another show to watch. I'm good with just Parenthood. I love the story lines, even when they make me cringe. um, hello Julia? What are you doing?! I'm only a dozen-ish episodes in on Army Wives (watching on ...
Confessions From a Pocket Dial
A few years ago I was in the kitchen, listening to the baby crying and throwing things, feeling frazzled, & trying my best to cook supper for my little family. The baby at the time was my little boy, he had just become a toddler and was into e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. My daughter was supposed to be ...
Daily Perspective Through Handwriting
Just a quick daily dose of perspective from this homeschooling momma. This is what my kindergartner did with his handwriting today. My first thought: Why can't he follow the rules! Surely a public school teacher would have had him redo his work & he would have forever been tagged as the weird ...
A Season For Giving
Here in Iowa we are now in the season of fall. The colors of the leaves on the trees are absolutely beautiful here. The temps are cooler, and judging by the 2 blankets on my bed last night, It's clear the seasons have definitely changed But this is fall, not winter. . And surely not Christmas, ...
What I Heard Wednesday: 8-21-13
So I'm telling the boy as we're creating a mini book that he needs to cut very carefully on the lines. His response to me in his laid back, 'I'm so cool' voice: "Yeah, so I can sell this thing to uncle Jeremy". Yes son, those were my thoughts exactly! Uncle Jeremy would love to have a mini book ...