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 ...
Memories For The Boy
It's nearly midnight, I'm exhausted & I want to crash. But tomorrow my boy turns 6!! This quick set up took less than 10 minutes and I had everything already on hand. I know it's not pretty. I also know my son will love it regardless. Making memories for my children is my favorite thing to ...
Thoughtful Thursdays
Through our summer homeschooling journey we have started a new tradition called Thoughtful Thursdays. Last Thursday we went to Chuck E Cheese. We played and had a wonderful time. In the end we had almost 300 tickets between the four of us. We gave the tickets to someone else, rather than spending ...
Did She Say Gluten Free?
Feb. 6th 2013 At communion the Princess listens to the pastor carefully. She then leans over and whispers in daddy's ear: "They have gluten free wafers". However, Mr. Awesome heard her say: "They're giving away free wafers". He leans over and tells me, we giggle. I write down this funny moment. ...
What I heard: Birthday Party Plans
The little 5 year old boy, who is also the house comedian, just came to tell me all about his plans for his birthday party. And although he's a funny boy, and it is April fools day, he's not kidding! He often refuses to eat candy, and even throws fits if it's offered to him twice. So, I'm ...
DIY: Diaper Sprayer Shield How-To
This post contains affiliate links. You can visit my disclosure tab to learn more. We are a cloth diapering family. I catch a lot of crap for that. Get it? Crap. Yep... Momma's got jokes for dayyyys! There is a product on the market similar to this and it is only about $20. However, I ...
My Fears Through Pregnancy, Labor, Delivery and Recovery.
Fear. It's been a year since I found out I was expecting our 3rd baby. We tried, cried, and prayed for this baby for y.e.a.r.s. Each time a friend would get pregnant while we were trying to conceive I would feel joy for them, but not as much as the sadness I felt for myself. Believe me when I say ...
Product Review: Medela Pump In Style
When you're a mom you get to try out all sorts of gadgets and products. When you're a nursing mom you get to try out even more! I really love trying new products, who doesn't love new things, right? I had this idea that I was going to nurse my baby and we wouldn't need a pump, bottles, formula, ...
The Boy Turns Five and a Half
This past Saturday our family celebrated something special. Even though we didn't celebrate in the way we normally do, because we were busy cleaning and taking care of household things we were still celebrating. The celebration was marking 5 and a half years of what we call "The Carben1 Comedy ...
School Days: Magnets On an Oil Drip Pan
This sweet boy is independently practicing his 3 letter words. We use a large oil drip pan from Wal-Mart or an auto supply store (about $10) to attach our kid magnets to. I like this way better than getting scratches on the fridge. The magnets nicely fit in a tote when not in use, and the oil ...
Product review: Graco Nasal Clear Nasal Aspirator.
If there is one product that I'd recommend to new parents above all the others, it'd be the Graco Nasal Clear Nasal Aspirator. I can't remember where I first saw it, maybe the big box store. The Pros: *Quickly and effectively gets the snot out *No holding the baby down fighting with the bulb ...
Happy 3 Months Baby!
Happy 3 months BABY! And I mean it, it has been a happy, joyful, journey! There have been tough times, but many more happy moments than sad. & knowing that babyhood passes all too quickly, I choose to celebrate the happy. At one of the first MOPS meetings I attended 5 yrs ago I first heard the ...
Perspective: From the eyes of a 9 year old
MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND: I had the best, easiest, relaxing weekend in as long as I can remember. My husband drove us 2 hours away to satisfy a pregnancy craving for Fazzoli's, bless his heart. The day before that I had brought home a broken, old wooden rocker that I picked up off of city wide garbage ...
Monday Madness: Visit Your Local Library
Monday Madness As if Mondays aren’t busy enough, let me add one more thing for you to consider adding to your “to-do” list. Take time this week to visit your local library. If you don’t have a library card, sign up for one. If you enjoy your visit make a plan to go back the next week ...