Finding Time With God

Lately I've noticed that I am increasingly more and more busy than I feel like I ever have been. As the children have gotten older, their activities have also increased. I run one teen to work, another to dance, another to a friend's for a play date, and still two others to run errands with me. My day starts with a jolt as I rush that first kdi to work and doesn't seem to slow down until evening. Often as I end my day and start to fall asleep, I realize I missed my daily devotionals! How did I become so busy?!

Today, I want to share a few tips for finding and making time to spend with the Lord. Even as busy as I am, I can find a few moments to pray, praise and be thankful. Here are some ideas for getting started:

1. Turn on praise and worship music while you clean
2. Listen to music while running errands
3. Every time you are running an errand and you come to a stop light, pray
4. As you grocery shop, seek out just one person you can share the Lord with
5. Before you get out of bed in the morning, think of 3 things you are thankful for and can give God praise for doing for you
6. As you prepare for bed at night, ask the Lord to show you a Scripture to read

These are just a few examples and there are far many things you can do. What do you do to make sure you spend time with God every day?

Blessings!

Homeschool Hump Day Encouragement

Every once in a while, I find the kids and I have difficult homeschooling days. Either they just aren't in the frame of mind to do school or I'm not. You may have experienced this in your homeschooling days. And maybe you haven't yet. But there may come a time when you simply have to decide to stop trying to "do" school and do something else!

Here are some ideas that will still engage your kids educationally when traditional school needs to be set on the back burner for the day:

• Go on a walk in your local open space
• Ride bikes around a local bike path you haven't taken before
• Take turns reading books aloud
• Make up stories and each of you write one sentence at a time
• Tour the local fire department or police department
• Make plans to create the best park in the neighborhood (what equipment is there? Draw it!)
• Buy a dozen carnations and stand at the local grocery store handing out flowers to those who seem to need a little encouragement
• If you have middle school or high school children, visit a local daycare and see if you can read to the children
• Create "stations" in your home and allow the kids to choose what they will do for each 20 minute time period (Ideas: Yahtzee table with 2 kids, Wii Fit, painting/fingerpainting, reading area, and a writing area)
• Have a family Olympics complete with a 3-legged race, water balloon toss and kickball!

The bottom line here is that instead of trying to force school, sometimes you just need to step back--everyone--and do something educational and outside-of-the-box!

What are your ideas for tough homeschooling days?

Blessings!

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!