TIP TUESDAY: On-the-Go With Kids

When my children were younger, we often ran errands in the morning. As homeschoolers, this was a great time to go to the grocery store, library or park while other school-age children were in school. When we lived in Florida, however, getting to these destinations meant travel time of nearly an hour! Kids, especially younger ones, don't necessarily enjoy riding in a car for that long. So, we began to pack on-the-go back packs for the kids.

In each bag the kids were allowed to pack one toy, but also had to include worksheets of some sort like math or spelling or reading comprehension. This way, they could play and we continued our learning time while I was driving into town. We also packed a basket with bread, peanut butter and honey and jelly in case the children needed a snack while we were out and about!
What tips do YOU have for being on-the-go with your children?

Blessings!

You Are Not By Chance

Declaring Who You Are 

I remember when my children were younger. Many people asked me what I did for a career, living, etc. I would reply, "Oh. I'm just a mom," or "I'm just a stay-at-home mom." JUST. As if being a mother or wife were some sort of small thing. I didn't know how vlauable my role in my family really was back then. And I was just a mom because that's all I allowed myself to become at that point in my life.

The Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat the fruit thereof. It also says that the tongue can't be tamed any more than a bridle in the mouth of a horse or a rudder steering a ship. But Proverbs 15:4 reminds us that a gentle tongue with its healing power is a tree of life. Ladies, you are more than just a wife. More than just a mom. More than just a home schooler. And more than just anything!
You, dear sister, are the righteousness of God in Christ! You are no longer a slave but an heir and if an heir then the child of God. You are set apart. You are a chosen people. You are far above rubies! Declare what the Word and what God says about you! Search the Word. What did you find?

Blessings!

Book review: Mom's Night Out and Other Things I Miss by Kerri Pomarolli

Mom's often struggle with parenting. Not because of the tasks required of us (cleaning house, endless loads of laundry, making meals and snacks every day, and remembering everyone's schedules!), but because being a mom takes a lot out of us and we need to get together for emotional support and encouragement. I have been reading a great devotional book that does just that!

In her newest book, Kerri Pomarolli brings comedy and real-life situations into one in a way that all mom's can relate. Infused with a vivid transparency into her own parenting and mommy challenges are those moments when, like each of us, she stops. She remembers that God knows what we're going through and while we don't understand our less-than-perfect lives, He's still God and still in control.
One of my favorite devotions was titled, "Top Ten Things Parents Will Never Do Again." Here's the list:

1. Take a shower over eleven minutes long...alone!
2. Eat at a Five-Star restaurant on a weeknight.
3. Go to Costco or Sam's Club and spend under $300.
4. Leave the house in under twenty-three minutes.
5. Sleep through the night.
6. Watch the news reports about the world and not worry.
7. Wear skinny jeans.
8. Take an unplanned road trip, just for the "fun of it" and not bring snacks.
9. Use the bathroom alone.
10. Wonder why your mother was always tired!

Can you relate to these things? I know I can. I also know that this is only a season and doesn't last forever. But back to the book!

Each devotion begins with a Scripture followed by a story of Kerri's real parenting. It concludes with a "Take a Moment to Think About..." section and of course Kerri leads us in a wonderfully humbling, encouraging and uplifting prayer to pray. You will read this book feeling empowered and most importantly, normal and not alone in your struggles as a mom!

You can find Kerri's book at Wal-Mart, Target and online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

Enjoy being refreshed and encouraged! And it's okay to laugh when reading this book!

Blessings!

TIP TUESDAY: Lists

I'm a list maker! I love to make lists and check off the things I've finished for the day. It's a great way to stay organized, too.
You can use clipboards, notebooks, post-it notes, and even a photo frame that you use with a dry erase marker!
Here's a free printable for your "To-Do" list and instructions on making your own framed reusable list.

Get a picture frame WITH THE GLASS and insert this To-Do list under the glass. Now buy some fun dry erase markers in red, blue or even neon and write directly on the frame! Each night you can simply use a paper towel and erase the day's check list!
Enjoy!

Blessings!

Breathe Life Into Your Dreams

Keep Moving Forward

Over the past year I've talked a lot about vision boards, visions/dreams, and why it is important to have them. Today, I want to talk about keeping your dream alive. Often we are moved by external things and don't see ourselves getting closer to realizing the vision we had. External things like lack of funds to go on a missions trip, cut a CD, write and publish a book, open a specific type of store, or whatever your vision is lacking can make us begin to allow doubt to creep in and discourage us. Not seeing a time frame when our dream will come to pass can stop us in our pursuit of that dream. Not being sure if the dream is something God is calling you to do right now can halt any further progress you might be making. Stop yourself right there! Take a step back and let's evaluate what's going on. Even if the dream isn't meant to be accomplished right now, you can keep the dream alive and moving forward. 

• If you haven't already, make a vision board! Add pictures, words, maps and anything else that represents your vison or dream. (Habakkuk 2:2-write the vision plain and clear so that you may see it in your comings and goings (paraphrased)).
• If your dream is associated with a profession, declare that over yourself! "I AM a writer!"
• Make an effort to do something (no matter how small or insignificant it seems!) to do something within the field, industry, profession, etc. of your dream.
• If you are on social media, make it a point to follow, friend, LIKE, etc. those who are successful in the same field as your dream or vision.

As long as you can still see your dream and can do some of these things, you will accomplish it because it is important to you, it is a part of you!

Blessings!

Are Your Dreams and Visions Real to You?

Moving From Saying to Doing

Dreaming of my future career and life was my favorite pasttime as a teenager. I used to love to think about my life as a writer or actress...or adventurer or college student living in Central California. Going to the beach, living in a bungalow on the coast and attending all the big awards events with the most popular television and movie stars at the time. But I never really did anything to pursue those dreams. I talked about them. I talked a lot. I was saying what I wanted to do, but I never did things that moved me to that direction. 
Honestly, even my own personal writing push came when I finally stepped out and took the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) Challenge in Novemeber 2010. It was then that I began to set my dream in motion. But none of it would have been possible if I hadn't stepped out and tried to do it. I didn't reach my 50,000 word goal at that time. I felt as though I had quit in the middle of a race. You may be feeling like that, too, with your dreams and visions. Can I encourage you with this, though? If your dream seems impossible, it's probably from God! Dreams that are attainable by our own hand are okay to have. But what a testimony to be able to say, "I couldn't do this on my own. The only way I did was through God's power and strength!"
Recently our pastor's wife spoke to our women's group and shared seven indicators that you have a dream from God. I want to share them with you because this will help you take hold and own your dream!

1. Does it capture your imagination? Does it excite you? Can you see it in your heart?
2. If it seems impossible, not possible.
3. If your dreams seems as though it's never going to come to pass, but deep down your won't let it go.
4. If those around you are not enthusiastic about your dream/vision as your are.
5. If you feel resistance and frustration, but the dream is still there.
6. If it consumes your thinking and gets bigger and bigger on the inside.
7. If it seems to define who you are and shape your life.

God-dreams are meant to enhance and impact the kingdom of God! I encourage you to take inventory of your dream, your vision, that thing that won't let you go and keeps calling you back to it. For me, it was writing. As long as I can remember, I've been a writer in one way or another. And you are never too old to start pursuing your dream! C.S. Lewis once said, "You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream." How true that is! Don't get discouraged. Your dream is just on the other side of your breakthrough!

What is it for you? It's probably a dream from God for a purpose to impact the Kingdom!

Blessings!

Homeschool Hump Day Encouragement

At one point or another, you made the decision that educating your children at home was the best thing for your children and your family. You may be starting out on your homeschooling journey and I can tell you that many folks will question you about your choice of schooling. I want you to be prepared to defend that choice in love, though. Because like it or not, people who just don't understand will question you in a manner that might make you feel inadequate, like you've made the wrong choice, and leave you questioning your reasons for homeschooling.

So today, my encouragement to you is to formulate your reasons behind the choice. In business, this looks like a mission and vision statement. Here are some examples and ideas to consider as you think about your "why we homeschool" answer:

Example: 

Homeschool Vision:

Quality education at home; A new generation of lifelong learners.

Homeschool Mission:

We will continually seek out the newest and best options in technology, curricula, and teaching methods to engage and ignite a passion for learning in our students.

To consider:

• What do we want to accomplish by homeschooling?
• Are there Scriptures to back up homeschooling? What are they?
• How do we view our home school? Is it permanent? Will we only school until middle school? High school? Through graduation?
• Am I confident in my ability to teach my own children academic subjects?
• Do I know where to find resources and support?
• How do I feel about socialization of school-aged children? Socialization with peers or with elders?

These are just a few ideas to get you thinking about how you feel about these things because they will probably be topics of discussion with family, friends and even strangers! The better prepared you are to answer, the stronger and more confident you will be on your homeschooling journey!

Blessings!