Samuel, my ten-year-old, came into the kitchen and held out his hand. “Look Mom, I’m double-jointed!” He went on to make motions and wave his fingers around my face in comical ways. I tried hard to keep a straight face, while visions of Spock and Captain Kirk danced in my head. “So, what exactly does that mean, son?” Looking up at me, he stared straight in my eyes and said in all seriousness. “It means that no one can ever break my fingers.” After he left the kitchen, I busted a gut. Now, there’s a difference between laughing at your …
How To Find A Mentor
Over the years I have received letters, and have heard young women express, that they have a hard time finding older women who will take the time to spend time/mentor them. I understand where these women are coming from. For years I was in that very situation. I longed for someone to take on that role and found that many older women were too busy or didn’t understand their role biblically. As I look back, I can see how God provided mentors for me in different ways. It wasn’t always in the way I would have liked, but I …
5 Reasons Why Kids Act Differently When Momma Is Around
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23 There she was over in the corner talking to some friends when I brought her children into the room. I had been watching them all day so she could help her hubby with some work around the house. But it was time to take them home. I loved spending time with her kids. They were funny, cute and occasionally a bit mischievous in the sweetest kind of way. At least most of the time. But the minute they were within a stones throw from …
No More Perfect Moms
Morning mamas. This Sunday is our last session of chatting about No More Perfect Moms by Jill Savage. Check out her video before we move on to the chatter: http://youtu.be/RVnS3Um_o3w By now we’ve discovered unrealistic expectations set us up for stress, feelings of frustration, failure and not being able to enjoy our children. What freedom we have in knowing that God is perfect and we are his masterpieces. Did you know each frustration and joyous moment you encounter, God is molding you into the image of Jesus? What would happen if we let our REAL selves be what other …
You are the Masterpiece
Morning mamas. This Sunday is our last session of chatting about No More Perfect Moms by Jill Savage. Check out her video before we move on to the chatter: http://youtu.be/RVnS3Um_o3w By now we’ve discovered unrealistic expectations sets us up for stress, feelings of frustration, failure and not being able to enjoy our children. What freedom we have in knowing that God is perfect and we are his masterpieces. Did you know each frustration and joyous moment you encounter, God is molding you into the image of Jesus? What would happen if we let our REAL selves be what other moms saw? …
The Joy of Baking/Cooking with Kids
I held her hand as her fingers clutched the stainless steel measuring cup filled with flour. The mixer whirred loudly as the cake batter the four of us were making began to take shape. “Just be careful…” my voice trailed off as the beater bumped the measuring cup sending flour flying. Kids love to create and bake in the kitchen and as a mom I want them to learn how to cook and bake. However as a woman who has to clean the kitchen I don’t always want their “help.” So what are some easy ways to enjoy baking and …
Small Beginnings
When my daughter was thirteen she wrote a letter, sealed it and tucked it away. I thought that was pretty cool. “What are your plans for this letter, Meg?” “I’m not going to open it until my twenty-first birthday.” She smiled. It got me thinking, as a mom, if I could go back in time, what words of wisdom would I want myself to know? What lasting encouragement would I share? It didn’t take long to figure out the message I’d want to leave: Don’t despise the days of small beginnings. Really, Lord? I was blessed with four children. At …
Your Words Are Powerful
By Guest: Carey Scott As moms, the words we speak to our children have great power. With just a few words, we can build them up by speaking affirmation and encouragement into their hearts, or we can knock them to their knees with hurtful, condescending, guilt-producing language. The message comes across loud and clear. Honestly, I’ve been both cheerleader and momma-zilla to my kids. You, too? Without a doubt, our voice is the most important in the lives of our kids. Even more than their friends, their teachers, the media, and the world… we have tremendous influence over their lives. …
Why Moms Should Keep Their Promises
“The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them,” (Proverbs 20:7, NLT). I spent fifteen dollars on a snow cone. Crazy, right? Of course this wasn’t just any snow cone. This was a super-sized, rainbow flavored, tantalizing treat scooped into a commemorative Tinkerbell mug. Yes, my husband and I took our girls to the Disney on Ice show, and one glance around the arena told us we weren’t the only parents forking over ridiculous cash for souvenirs. Why? What kind of mother buys a fifteen-dollar snow cone? A good one, I think. Not because good mothers pay …
Interview with Ginny Yttrup, author of Invisible + Monday M.O.M. Link-Up!
Five months after being discharged from the Eating Disorder Unit of the Brea Neuropsychological Hospital, where I’d spent six weeks of intensive treatment for anorexia and bulemia, I met my future husband. We dated for two years, got married, and within three years were parents to Annemarie and Jonathon. I loved my husband. And oh, how I loved my babies! But I did not love myself. And I had no idea how much this would cost my children. Shame and vulnerability researcher, Brene Brown, says in her best-selling book Daring Greatly, “If we want our children to love and accept …