Category Archives: life as a mom

I do. And I don’t.

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First ever Field Notes notebook. Better than Moleskine Cahiers?
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This idea has been rolling around the blogsphere. A list of DO’s and DON’Ts of our family. It’s so easy to compare ourselves to other friends, mama’s, wives, families. It’s also easy to focus on things I DON’T do. But like my friend Julie said there are a lot of things I do DO. What works for your family may not work for mine and vice versa. One thing that is true, we all are trying to figure out what is best for our own family. And also for me where God is leading me as a woman of God, wife and mom. So here we are.

I do…

  • have music playing almost all day long and it’s not always Christian music. Yes, my kids know who Justin Bieber is and we often have dance parties dancing away to JB.
  • give my kids band aids whenever they think they “need” it. We go through countless band aids.
  • menu planning but don’t like to do it. It’s only because it’s a necessity.
  • let my kids mix as many cereals as they want at breakfast. The more the merrier.
  • go to bed often with a pile of clean clothes on the floor that need to be folded.
  • clean our house on Fridays.
  • work out most days.
  • make muffins, pancakes, waffles and cookies from scratch quite often. I like to bake.
  • read to my kids often.
  • enjoy doing crafts with the kids.
  • make a BIG deal out of birthdays.
  • let our kids watch TV during breakfast.
  • make our kids do morning chores with no allowance or reward. It’s part of being in our family.
  • pray with our kids every night.

I don’t…

  • make dinner on Fridays. It’s always dinner out.
  • change our sheets nearly as often as I should.
  • wash my girls hair nearly as often as it needs to be.
  • go to bed with a dirty kitchen.
  • shower soon after work outs and quite often run errands or whatever smelling pretty funky.
  • iron. Only if needed.
  • scrapbook or get many pictures developed. It’s all on the computer and my phone.
  • get intimidated by household projects.
  • feed my kids veggies every day.
  • buy very much organic food.
  • give my kids vitamins.
  • go shopping. If I do, it’s to Hobby Lobby or Jo Ann Fabrics.
  • homeschool.

 

Fillin’ up.

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My fuel for the morning.
I’m feeling it.
Physically tired, a little scattered, a little overwhelmed.

So I’m filling up on two things that really never fail me.

The Word and coffee.

A to the Men.

Happy Thursday.

Love your neighbor. One year looking back.

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Love your neighbor.
It was a year ago tomorrow that we moved to Indiana and into our home. Today we celebrated Valentines Day with 4 families in our neighborhood and we had a wonderful time. There were 20 kids ages 1-15, some big families in attendance! We played silly games, made crafts and filled up on lots of sugar. Yep, good times had by all.

I am so thankful for where God has brought us in one year. He has poured out his love for us in countless ways looking back. Today was the perfect way to celebrate our one year housing anniversary. He has helped us make a new home, make friends and share his love with others. Last night we celebrated Brian’s birthday. We sat around a table with two other couples who we didn’t know last year at this time but now have become great friends. They are a part of our lives and we do life with them. Once again, his love is lavished upon us. He has answered prayers through and through. He has met us every step of the way. We are loved.

Happy Valentines Day to you. May you feel His love for you today and always and share it with others!

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

filled up to overflowing.

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overflowing
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Have you ever had that feeling of overwhelming thankfulness for something that you get to have and be a part of everyday? Like your family? Sure, I’m always thankful for these people that God has given me to do life with. But it’s not everyday that I am filled up and over flowing with thankfulness for them. There are days that go by that thankfulness is not the first thing off the top of my head when I am experiencing them.

But today I woke up with an overwhelming sense of thankfulness for my family. We are not perfect by any means. But we are a well oil machined in our own way. We have figured out what works for us. We laugh a lot, we cry some, we hug and wrestle, we listen and encourage one another. We mess up and hurt each others feelings. We forgive each other.  We are free to be ourselves around each other.

I love these 4 people that God has chosen to be my family. Today I am filled up and over flowing with thankfulness. It’s a real good feeling.

 

that’s what they said.

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Christmas Kids
Almost everyday one of the kids will say something that cracks me up. I’m sure they do not intend on being so funny but it sure does make their mama laugh. And each time I tell myself “Don’t forget that. Write that one down.” And you know. I don’t. And I forget it, within .2 seconds.

But…

Last week I was intentional about writing down their funny, little comments. For me to remember and to keep laughing and to now share with you.

Mason- After talking about bears hibernating “So where do they keep their food? In their bottoms, their belly, their legs?”

Theia- After reading a Star Wars book that says R2D2 knows every language she asks if he knows Amish.

Kaia- Out of nowhere she asks me “Do you like sitting in chairs?” I answer with a simple “yes” and off she goes.

Theia- “Even though Daddy sometimes spanks me I still love him infinity.”

Kaia- “I’m hungry. I’m hungry. This is the time I get hungry: 97 38 4 miles.” Do you know that time? Yeah, me either but apparently that’s when Kaia gets hungry.

Kaia- After we told her she cannot blow bubbles in car she said ” But we can’t do it outside. It’s so cold out. Winter will burst our bubbles!”

Mason- After praying at bedtime I told him I’m thankful for him he replied “Me too. I am thankful for me too.”

Oh I love my kidders!

Happy Monday!

 

Run2Him.

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This week I’ve started a new bible study along with my “get up and get some time with God before the little people wake up” group. For the next 13 weeks I will be diving into the Psalms. A new one each week. I’m liking this. It will balance me out as I make my way through the early part of the OT. Still keeping on track for my goal in reading through the bible in a year. Sure it’s only the third week in January but this is where I usually start to sputter out. I’m not gonna lie, I don’t get everything I am reading in Exodus and sure the details of family lines and plagues of flies and gnats don’t apply to my everyday life. But I know that God will use my time in His word for His glory. It’s not going to waste. His Word fills me up, it pushes me through.

I am reminded of this truth this week in Run2Him. We are looking at Psalm 1. It talks about delighting in the word, meditating on it day and night. If so, we are strong, fruitful and do not wither. We prosper and He blesses us!

Good stuff friends. Good stuff!

 

the spin cycle.

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Public Washing machine
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You know those times when doubt, fear, comparison fill your mind? It can come out of no where. Suddenly, so quickly your mind is filled with questions, comparisons and lies. And you are left spinning. Spinning downward.

How am I going to do this? Why are my kids acting like that NOW? What is she thinking of me? I don’t know what I am doing and I’m pretty sure everyone else does. Why can’t we have that? Why don’t I look like that after 3 kids? Why don’t I act that graciously when that happens to me? She probably doesn’t struggle with that. Yes, that family has it all together. I should do this, act that way and be a part of that. I’m sure she always does that and never does that.

and. the. list. goes. on. and. on.

It’s ugly isn’t it? And it can take us out like that! It happens to all of us. It’s true. Yes, even the seemingly “perfect person” that you constantly compare yourself too. They do the same thing.

And I do it too. I so easily can fall into this ugly spin cycle that gets me know where but feeling worse than where I started.

So what do you do to stop the spin cycle? One word. Truth. You set your mind on truth. You go to his Word. You talk to Him. You tell him it all. He listens. And slowly as you let it all out. Let it all go. The lies are replaced with truth. The anxiety is replaced with peace. There is grace and compassion for he knows. And yes, once more he stops the cycle and brings your focus back on him, where you can rest in him.

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. Psalm 116:5-7

we are called.

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Choose love.

Act justly.

Love mercy.

Walk humbly.

Micah 6:8

A goal I have for my family this year is to memorize a verse together each month. I want to choose verses that display characteristics I desire to have in myself and in my kids. This is the verse I have chosen for January. Something short and simple but so powerful. If they memorize the verse that is a bonus. More than the memorization I would love to see a heart change, a change in their character because of the verse we are learning. I know it starts with me. Acting justly when I don’t really want to or think it’s necessary. Showing mercy when I’m all “mercied out” for the day. Walking humbling when my pride fills the room. Yes, it starts with me. Thankful He has gone before me and prepared the way.

 

 

sweet and salty perfection

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I found this amazing recipe at Sugar Cooking blog for the best sweet and salty combo which is one of my faves. I made one batch yesterday and most definitely will be making another because they are already half gone. Don’t know how that happened!

It’s a must try for your holiday baking! Enjoy!

Recipe: Chocolate & Peanut Butter Chip Pretzel Cookies
Makes 24 cookies
Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. of salt
1/4 tsp. of baking soda
1/2 cup of butter at room temperature
1/2 cup of tightly packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup of granulated sugar
1 egg (beaten)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup broken up pretzel pieces
Preztel Salt or Sea Salt

Directions:

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a larger bowl, beat the butter and sugars together on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). On low speed, slowly add the beaten egg and vanilla extract. Beat to combine, scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add the flour mixture and beat just until there are no more streaks of flour. Stir in the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and preztels. Cover and refrigerate for an hour.
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop out well rounded tablespoonfuls of the dough and sprinkle with pretzel salt. Leave about 2 inches between each ball. Bake for 10 minutes. If you prefer crispier cookies increase the baking time by 1-2 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before removing.

crafty nook.

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Does your house look like mine? New crafts being made daily and hung everywhere? Yes, it can get a bit overwhelming at times but for the most part I love that our kids love to create. I have a little “crafty nook” that is easily accessible to little hands so that anytime they can get the supplies themselves and go to it. A recent addition to our craft area is their own personalized crates. I used the crates from the cutie oranges that are in season now (so stock up). We eat them by the dozen around here. They are the perfect size to put a handful of markers, crayons, glue stick, tape and scissors in. Each crate has their name on it so there is high ownership of the crate itself and the contents inside. It’s also a good place to store unfinished projects or any other special trinkets that need a home. I have a stack of paper right above so when they are ready they can grab their crate, some paper and have at it. Clean up is just almost as easy. This is nice for me because they can do it all themselves and it eliminates the many questions of where is this?

How do you do craft time at your house? How do you keep it all organized?