How to Not Go Crazy in the Chaos

“They found the kidney stone,” he told me on Monday. “And I’m going to have surgery today at three.” This was the conversation that my husband and I had after his doctor’s appointment last week. While I was relieved that he would be having surgery to relieve the pain he had felt in his back for over five months, I was completely caught off guard by the timing. “Today? At three?!” I’m a full-time working mom who hasn’t accumulated enough vacation time. We have three kids five and under who would need to be babysat. I had just meal-planned a …

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The ADHD Bill of Rights – A Must Read for Every Parent

Can I be honest for a minute?  I have been lonely, angry, and guilt ridden. I know it’s summer, I know we are all busy, but what made issues for me more intense was realizing I had no one who understood what I was going through. Maybe they didn’t want to. Who knows? But, when you’re a mom of a child with ADHD and processing disorders, it’s a new ball game.  When you’re a mom of a child with ADHD and processing disorders, it’s a new ball game. Click To Tweet The rules of cause and effect don’t apply. Discipline …

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When your net is empty, keep on fishing

When Your Net is Empty, Keep on Fishing

Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I don’t call that insanity. I call it faith. There’s a story in the gospel of Luke where Jesus is sitting in Simon Peter’s boat speaking to a crowd along a lakeshore. When he finishes preaching, he tells Simon to put the boat out into deep water and let the nets down for a catch. “Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets’” (Luke 5:5). …

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The Unique Struggles of a Special Sibling

“He gets mad at the smallest things and always causes a scene. I’m embarrassed to be seen with him.” ” I feel ignored and resent how much time he demands from my parents.” Click To Tweet “Why can’t I just have a NORMAL family like everyone else?!” “As much as I am embarrassed to be around my brother, I worry about if he is OK without me.” “It hurts when people are rude to him… but I feel guilty and ashamed because I am the rudest to him of all.” “Who will take care of her if something happens to …

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Because Every Mom Needs a Break & a Chance to Win 2 Tickets to BETTER TOGETHER

There were moms and kids everywhere and I loved being in the midst of it all! It was Kid’s Fest in Orange Park and there was a flurry of activity was all around. Playgrounds, water games, face painting, train rides and so much more! It was a kid’s dream come true! It was fun! Fun! Fun! At least for the kiddos it was fun! And it was fun for the mommas too, but it was also hot and everyone was sweaty, and after a while, the kids became a little bit whiny… and for those moms with more than a couple …

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Does Holiness Really Matter?

Today, I’m super excited to introduce you to my sweet friend, Kathy Howard! Kathy is an author of many books and her love for Jesus and for ministry is inspiring!  I wanted to take a few minutes to share with you about her newest book, Embraced by Holiness because, as moms and as ministry leaders, the need for holiness is huge! Little eyes are watching mommas…and if you’re a ministry leader, lots of eyes are watching you…they want to see how you act and react – so holiness needs to permeate every area of our lives. Two years ago, “Fifty Shades …

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EXCITING NEWS from The M.O.M. Initiative for YOU!

It was in a gas station parking lot when the vision for The M.O.M. Initiative and The Making of a Mom was conceived. As I sat and watched a very pregnant teen girl walk by and light up a cigarette, I reflected on my teen pregnancy and how motherhood was like a messy experiment for me and how my kids ended up being the guinea pigs. And how I thought I was ready but didn’t have a clue. I couldn’t help but wonder if she understood the significance of her newfound roll. Did she understand that everything she now did would affect …

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“R” isn’t for just for “Recovery”, it’s for “Redemption”

  My mind raced from the effects of the drugs in my system as I sat in my pastor’s office. Seemingly overnight, I found myself 25 pounds lighter and thinking I was healthier than ever, but in reality–I was in chains. Confounded and ashamed, I couldn’t believe I was in this mess again—only this time the battle ground seemed different. Instead of fighting outward struggles, like a financial collapse or wayward kids—I was fighting myself and quickly losing ground. In fear I was afraid of admitting my struggle, I was worried I would be removed from ministry or lose my …

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Facing the Mother “Hood” Alone

Hello little mamas! We have a special guest today. Catrina Gray signed up to have a mentor from The Mom Initiative and the funny part is we were just beginning to become friends while I was already on the M.O.M. Team. Catrina is a single mom with a heart for God and an eye for beautiful shots of life. Because she is in college and has dyslexia, she shared her story and I wrote her article; as a single mom, she has faced many trials including whether or not her daughter would be “normal.”    Motherhood is a challenge for …

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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 …

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