This is a song I was listening to with my monkeys this afternoon while they bee-bopped around on a mattress in our living room. This one is straight from the Bible without any extra fluff and stuff, so I won't bother adding any fluff and stuff either.
Awesome song time.
Showing posts with label Mommy me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mommy me. Show all posts
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Prayer of an impulsive mommy learning to "seek wisdom".
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground."
Psalm 143: 8, 10
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground."
Psalm 143: 8, 10
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The prayer of an old broken down momma...
Lord,
I apologize for the areas of my life I have I left unattended and grossly neglected. I'm sorry for the many areas of my life that have been seemingly broken and left un-repaired, as I continued on in my hurried pace trying to keep up with what I thought to be important. I am sorry for neglected areas in my life that I have yet to even discover because I did not want to face how hard it might be, so I remained distracted by lesser things.
Have mercy on me, Lord for the ways I continued to grow weaker and weaker and did not come to you for strength over these past few years. Give me a heart that breaks for the things that your heart breaks for. I'm intentionally slowing down now Lord, trying to tune everything else out, leaning into you more, so you can build me back up. I'm breathing in your air more deeply now, giving you permission to break me down and build me back up. Rebuild me Lord. Make me stronger into who you created me to be. A vessel that confidently moves forward in obedience to You, Lord. Take this time, Lord, to rebuild me up into a strong woman of faith who is unwaveringly and undeniably your girl. Bless this time Lord. Rebuild my energy and strength. Restore any relationships that have gone by the wayside that need to be restored. Renew my spirit until it is better than I can even imagine it ever being, please with a cherry on top. ALL FOR YOUR GLORY LORD. ALWAYS FOR YOUR GLORY. Amen.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Good news: All the answers you ever wanted to know about Heaven will be revealed to you.
If I had known where my conversation with my five year old was going to go tonight I probably would have spent some time preparing for it. No, it wasn't the Birds and Bees discussion yet. Thank you LORD! :) It was the "Heaven" conversation. You know, the "What's this Heaven place all about?" question.
Ahhhh... :)
It was already well past Preston's bedtime but he was enjoying talking about what kindergarten was going to be like so much that I didn't want to rush to get him to sleep tonight. The bus, recess, friends, games, book, etc. etc. He was so excited about every little thing that was going to be a part of his future that he couldn't even lay still. I managed to stop our conversation and prayed our routine "good night" prayer. His mind was still buzzing with all the things he had to look forward to, and then he hit me with the question, "Mommy, What's Heaven like?"
QUESTION TIME WITH MY SON.
I stumbled to think about where to start. There's so much he doesn't understand. There's so much I don't understand. I braced myself...
The questions continued and I did the best I could to answer them, but realized I really had to just keep saying, "Well, I am not sure. I just know it will be perfect there".
Preston is my "questions" kid. He's the one with a million "why?" and "how?" questions for every little statement I ever make. His questions tonight ranged from "how long is forever?" to "How big is God?" and on and on it went. An hour later I managed to escape and make my way out to the living room, feeling a sense of relief that I wouldn't have to answer any more questions that I did not have a sufficient answer to.
Five minutes later he came out to the living room saying he can't sleep and then chimed in with more questions, "Does God have power IN him?" and "Is he scary?".... uhhh...
RESPONSE TIME WITH MY SON.
I wish I could tell you that I had all the right answers and quoted all the right scriptures and all that good stuff. If I told you that I would be lying. I stumbled through all my answers because I knew that none of them could possibly be making any sense in his precious five year old brain. Some of the stuff I knew the answers to, but I didn't know the "why" that followed. "Hmm...good question. I am not sure. I don't know, but I think..." The questions finally stopped. (whew)
JESUS' RESPONSE TO ONE "HEAVEN" QUESTION.
The truth is, Preston is not the first person to ask about the chairs in heaven...and every little single part of Heaven, for that matter. We all wonder, don't we? In our humanness we search for answers in terms of what we understand here on earth. In Matthew 20 we read about the mother of Zebedee’s sons who went to Jesus, asking that he "grant that one of these two sons of (hers) may sit at (his) right and the other at (his) left in the kingdom.”
His answer was not the "yes" or "no" she was looking for. He said to her, "These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” He just leaves her guessing, so I suppose I don't have to feel too bad, then, for not answering all of Preston's questions with a firm "yes" or "no", right?
WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO.
We cannot know most of the details of what Heaven is like. It is out of our realm of understanding, as long as we are here on earth. God gives us glimpses, but never a complete picture. This is a VERY good thing, when you think about it. Do you want to go to another place like earth when you leave here and live there for ETERNITY, or would you rather go to a place that is so completely out of this world that you cannot even find words here on earth to explain it? Well, you don't get to decide. God decided for you, because HE knows what is best for YOU. He made you, for crying out loud. Heaven is not like earth.
Who can understand an angel if he has never seen one? How can we, as humans, know what a "soul" looks like? Faith comes in to play here. There are just some things we cannot understand. IF it were something we needed to understand God would reveal it to us, so I am operating out of the assumption that if God wanted me to understand it all he would have made a way for that to happen. We trust in a God who has it all figured out, we seek Him for answers and we rest in him when the answer is not completely clear to us...yet. Someday we will get to Heaven and be like, "WOAH! Earth was like a really bad joke compared to this!!! SAWEET!! Thank you LORD!" :)
PRAYER.
God, you created me, you created the world, you created Heaven and the spiritual things unseen (to us). We believe that you see EVERYTHING...even the things that we cannot. We take you at your word that you have good things in store for us when we believe in you and put our trust in you.
You made our minds with the unique ability to seek knowledge and retain it. Our minds want more. We want more knowledge, more understanding, and more answers. We work hard here on earth to make some sense out of you, out of our lives, and out of this world. We seek you for our answers. We turn to your word to develop our understanding of who you are, and we look to see where you are at work around us, in an attempt to encounter you.
We thank you for the times when you offer us knowledge and give us understanding for some of the things that are from the heavenly realm. We love when you reveal new things to us and we catch a glimpse of who you are. And yet, what we comprehend is only a sliver of all that you have done, are doing, and will continue to do.
There are some things we just would not get even if you did explain them to us. Your ways are higher, deeper, more meaningful than we can fathom. Even still, you allow each of us, with all of our limitations, to step into your bigger plan here on Earth. We are honored to join you in your plan, and we are humbled that one day we will live with you and experience you in all your glory. On that day we'll be overwhelmed with a feeling never felt before, and for the first time ever we'll say, "THIS FINALLY makes sense! THIS is HOME!! My soul is FINALLY completely at peace for the FIRST TIME EVER forever and ever and ever. amen!"
This world is not our home, Lord. We are here for a short time to do the work you have called us to do here, but THIS is not our home. Some days I am more grateful for that simple, yet profound, fact than others. I know that when I see you face to face, and I sense the peace in my heart and soul that I have never completely known while here on earth that I will comprehend that close to you is where I belong. Amen.
GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS.
Ahhhh... :)
It was already well past Preston's bedtime but he was enjoying talking about what kindergarten was going to be like so much that I didn't want to rush to get him to sleep tonight. The bus, recess, friends, games, book, etc. etc. He was so excited about every little thing that was going to be a part of his future that he couldn't even lay still. I managed to stop our conversation and prayed our routine "good night" prayer. His mind was still buzzing with all the things he had to look forward to, and then he hit me with the question, "Mommy, What's Heaven like?"
QUESTION TIME WITH MY SON.
I stumbled to think about where to start. There's so much he doesn't understand. There's so much I don't understand. I braced myself...
Me: "It's a perfect place we get to go to when we die and we get to see God face and face and live there forever... and it will be PERFECT!" :)
Preston: "Will chairs knock over there?" (seriously...he asked me that) :)
Me: "Ummmmm...I don't think so"
Preston: "Will the chairs scoot around there?" (what in the world were they talking about at VBS today?) ;)
Me: "Hmm...good question. I guess we'll find out when we get there."
The questions continued and I did the best I could to answer them, but realized I really had to just keep saying, "Well, I am not sure. I just know it will be perfect there".
Preston is my "questions" kid. He's the one with a million "why?" and "how?" questions for every little statement I ever make. His questions tonight ranged from "how long is forever?" to "How big is God?" and on and on it went. An hour later I managed to escape and make my way out to the living room, feeling a sense of relief that I wouldn't have to answer any more questions that I did not have a sufficient answer to.
Five minutes later he came out to the living room saying he can't sleep and then chimed in with more questions, "Does God have power IN him?" and "Is he scary?".... uhhh...
RESPONSE TIME WITH MY SON.
I wish I could tell you that I had all the right answers and quoted all the right scriptures and all that good stuff. If I told you that I would be lying. I stumbled through all my answers because I knew that none of them could possibly be making any sense in his precious five year old brain. Some of the stuff I knew the answers to, but I didn't know the "why" that followed. "Hmm...good question. I am not sure. I don't know, but I think..." The questions finally stopped. (whew)
JESUS' RESPONSE TO ONE "HEAVEN" QUESTION.
The truth is, Preston is not the first person to ask about the chairs in heaven...and every little single part of Heaven, for that matter. We all wonder, don't we? In our humanness we search for answers in terms of what we understand here on earth. In Matthew 20 we read about the mother of Zebedee’s sons who went to Jesus, asking that he "grant that one of these two sons of (hers) may sit at (his) right and the other at (his) left in the kingdom.”
His answer was not the "yes" or "no" she was looking for. He said to her, "These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” He just leaves her guessing, so I suppose I don't have to feel too bad, then, for not answering all of Preston's questions with a firm "yes" or "no", right?
WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO.
We cannot know most of the details of what Heaven is like. It is out of our realm of understanding, as long as we are here on earth. God gives us glimpses, but never a complete picture. This is a VERY good thing, when you think about it. Do you want to go to another place like earth when you leave here and live there for ETERNITY, or would you rather go to a place that is so completely out of this world that you cannot even find words here on earth to explain it? Well, you don't get to decide. God decided for you, because HE knows what is best for YOU. He made you, for crying out loud. Heaven is not like earth.
Who can understand an angel if he has never seen one? How can we, as humans, know what a "soul" looks like? Faith comes in to play here. There are just some things we cannot understand. IF it were something we needed to understand God would reveal it to us, so I am operating out of the assumption that if God wanted me to understand it all he would have made a way for that to happen. We trust in a God who has it all figured out, we seek Him for answers and we rest in him when the answer is not completely clear to us...yet. Someday we will get to Heaven and be like, "WOAH! Earth was like a really bad joke compared to this!!! SAWEET!! Thank you LORD!" :)
PRAYER.
God, you created me, you created the world, you created Heaven and the spiritual things unseen (to us). We believe that you see EVERYTHING...even the things that we cannot. We take you at your word that you have good things in store for us when we believe in you and put our trust in you.
You made our minds with the unique ability to seek knowledge and retain it. Our minds want more. We want more knowledge, more understanding, and more answers. We work hard here on earth to make some sense out of you, out of our lives, and out of this world. We seek you for our answers. We turn to your word to develop our understanding of who you are, and we look to see where you are at work around us, in an attempt to encounter you.
We thank you for the times when you offer us knowledge and give us understanding for some of the things that are from the heavenly realm. We love when you reveal new things to us and we catch a glimpse of who you are. And yet, what we comprehend is only a sliver of all that you have done, are doing, and will continue to do.
"I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" ~John 3:12
There are some things we just would not get even if you did explain them to us. Your ways are higher, deeper, more meaningful than we can fathom. Even still, you allow each of us, with all of our limitations, to step into your bigger plan here on Earth. We are honored to join you in your plan, and we are humbled that one day we will live with you and experience you in all your glory. On that day we'll be overwhelmed with a feeling never felt before, and for the first time ever we'll say, "THIS FINALLY makes sense! THIS is HOME!! My soul is FINALLY completely at peace for the FIRST TIME EVER forever and ever and ever. amen!"
"For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come." Hebrews 13:14
This world is not our home, Lord. We are here for a short time to do the work you have called us to do here, but THIS is not our home. Some days I am more grateful for that simple, yet profound, fact than others. I know that when I see you face to face, and I sense the peace in my heart and soul that I have never completely known while here on earth that I will comprehend that close to you is where I belong. Amen.
GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS.
The good news: All the answers you ever wanted about Heaven will be revealed to you.
The bad news: It won't happen while you are here on Earth. :)
The good news: If you needed to know everything, God would reveal it to you.
The bad news: As long as you are here on Earth there will be a slightly irritating longing for more, because THIS (earth) is not all that you were made for.
The best news: God has prepared a place for you!!
If you are a believer, who has asked God into your heart, and asked that He forgive you of your sins, there is a place especially designated for you in Heaven!!
You can take a lot of comfort in that.
The bad news: It won't happen while you are here on Earth. :)
The good news: If you needed to know everything, God would reveal it to you.
The bad news: As long as you are here on Earth there will be a slightly irritating longing for more, because THIS (earth) is not all that you were made for.
The best news: God has prepared a place for you!!
If you are a believer, who has asked God into your heart, and asked that He forgive you of your sins, there is a place especially designated for you in Heaven!!
You can take a lot of comfort in that.
"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." ~John 14:2-4
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Prayer.
Honor our obedience and reward us for our discipline. May our reward be great, and our families be blessed. We pray this in your name. Amen.
"Over a thousand people wait on the other side of your obedience." -Susie Larson
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Lesson from my 3 year old: What do you do if your needs are not being met?
Continuation from the previous post.
TRUST.
Over and over and over again. (all day, every day)
My answer: "What do you do if your needs are not being met?" TRUST. and then trust some more.
I am not a super star mom with the power to know all things, and I cannot do all things well. I make mistakes every single day in parenting. I tell my children to trust me because I know more than them on most things, but sometimes I have to recognize the fact that I am not all-knowing and that there are times I have be vulnerable enough to let them teach me something. (I hate those times) :)
God, on the other hand, is ALL-KNOWING! There is NOTHING hidden from Him. You CAN trust Him! He sees you. He has not forgotten about you. You are precious to him. He knows all of the intricate details of your life...the good, the bad, the ugly.
He does ALL THINGS well. Lean on HIM!
You don't have to wonder if he is up to something good. You don't have to wonder if he just doesn't know what he is doing. He sees the whole picture. Where I, as a parent, might just not understand the situation accurately, or might be driven by my own selfish motives from time to time, God is not. He has HIS best interests in mind, but they always coincide with YOUR best interests. He sees your situation much better than you ever can. He sees through the eyes of eternity. You can always trust Him to have the big picture in mind. Even if you die in an effort to obey what He was calling you to do, you can rest assured that God will use all you did to His glory in the future generations. Others will be blessed by the choices you make, and nothing you do for the Lord will ever be done in vain. Also, a little concept that we trust to be true even when we can't wrap our brains around it is that "your reward will be in Heaven". You can trust Him with your life.
TRUST.
Over and over and over again. (all day, every day)
My answer: "What do you do if your needs are not being met?" TRUST. and then trust some more.
I am not a super star mom with the power to know all things, and I cannot do all things well. I make mistakes every single day in parenting. I tell my children to trust me because I know more than them on most things, but sometimes I have to recognize the fact that I am not all-knowing and that there are times I have be vulnerable enough to let them teach me something. (I hate those times) :)
God, on the other hand, is ALL-KNOWING! There is NOTHING hidden from Him. You CAN trust Him! He sees you. He has not forgotten about you. You are precious to him. He knows all of the intricate details of your life...the good, the bad, the ugly.
He does ALL THINGS well. Lean on HIM!
You don't have to wonder if he is up to something good. You don't have to wonder if he just doesn't know what he is doing. He sees the whole picture. Where I, as a parent, might just not understand the situation accurately, or might be driven by my own selfish motives from time to time, God is not. He has HIS best interests in mind, but they always coincide with YOUR best interests. He sees your situation much better than you ever can. He sees through the eyes of eternity. You can always trust Him to have the big picture in mind. Even if you die in an effort to obey what He was calling you to do, you can rest assured that God will use all you did to His glory in the future generations. Others will be blessed by the choices you make, and nothing you do for the Lord will ever be done in vain. Also, a little concept that we trust to be true even when we can't wrap our brains around it is that "your reward will be in Heaven". You can trust Him with your life.
Lesson I learned from my 3 year old today
My daughter is three years old. She believes in the "name it and claim it" principle; also known as the "I said it was mine, so it IS mine" principle. This morning she was exercising her independence by opening the freezer and boldly announcing that she was going to eat the whipped topping. Then she proceeded to pull it out of the freezer.
Let me back up here.
(I made Keely oatmeal this morning and she chose not to eat it. The oatmeal was cold and had formed into a solid mass of by this time. I knew she was still hungry because she hadn't touched it.)
Okay, now back to my story. I explained that she would not be eating the whipped topping for breakfast and I gave her the option of cottage cheese or yogurt instead. She picked yogurt. I put it in a Barbie bowl and set it on the table. She began crying and barked out, "NO... STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE!" and pointed to the cupboard. (she didn't want the BARBIE bowl...duh! What was I thinking!?!)
(As a mom I am aware that my job goes beyond simply feeding mouths, but that I must also manage to lovingly teach my children lessons in life that will need to learn before adulthood if they are going to keep a job someday!) :)
I figured I had been more than fair with Keely up until this point, considering that I really just wanted to tell her to pick up the clump of oatmeal and eat it like an oatmeal cookie after I saw her grabbing out the whipped topping without asking. :) I figured it would be in her favor, in the long run, that I teach her to be grateful for what she has rather than to cater to her every little desire...
"KEELY!" I said forcefully, "Go to your room now! When you are done whining and feeling sorry for yourself the yogurt will still be here and you can eat it. Do not come back until you are done whining!"
She came back 2 minutes later, still declaring that she wished to have "Strawberry Shortcake".
"NOPE!" (I stood my ground.) "I've already poured your yogurt into the Barbie bowl! Take it or leave it!" and I turned to finish making my coffee.
Now at this point it was truly up to her if she was going to spend the rest of the day being upset about the bowl I gave her, or if she would move on. If she wanted to sit and mope at the table all day, daydreaming about how nice it would be to have the strawberry shortcake bowl that is up to her! (I thought) I'm a good mom. (I thought to myself, at the time) Hmmm... So there! I'm moving on with my day. I will be more stubborn than she is, and that is that! I am mom! Hear me roar! (self talk) :)
By the way, this stuff happens in my house every day. You would think they would learn. Mom always wins! Someday they will understand. Until then, I am trying to consistently deliver these same two messages day after day:
Do you know what I realized later that night? We don't even have a strawberry shortcake bowl. It was the cup she wanted. She was okay with the Barbie bowl. She was crying because she wanted a drink to go with her yogurt; she just wasn't communicating it well because she doesn't always use complete sentences, and I kept cutting her off short when she tried! :)
Communication break-down. hahaha...oops. My bad. And the MOM OF THE YEAR award goes to....
welp, not me I guess. ;)
Let me back up here.
(I made Keely oatmeal this morning and she chose not to eat it. The oatmeal was cold and had formed into a solid mass of by this time. I knew she was still hungry because she hadn't touched it.)
Okay, now back to my story. I explained that she would not be eating the whipped topping for breakfast and I gave her the option of cottage cheese or yogurt instead. She picked yogurt. I put it in a Barbie bowl and set it on the table. She began crying and barked out, "NO... STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE!" and pointed to the cupboard. (she didn't want the BARBIE bowl...duh! What was I thinking!?!)
(As a mom I am aware that my job goes beyond simply feeding mouths, but that I must also manage to lovingly teach my children lessons in life that will need to learn before adulthood if they are going to keep a job someday!) :)
I figured I had been more than fair with Keely up until this point, considering that I really just wanted to tell her to pick up the clump of oatmeal and eat it like an oatmeal cookie after I saw her grabbing out the whipped topping without asking. :) I figured it would be in her favor, in the long run, that I teach her to be grateful for what she has rather than to cater to her every little desire...
"KEELY!" I said forcefully, "Go to your room now! When you are done whining and feeling sorry for yourself the yogurt will still be here and you can eat it. Do not come back until you are done whining!"
She came back 2 minutes later, still declaring that she wished to have "Strawberry Shortcake".
"NOPE!" (I stood my ground.) "I've already poured your yogurt into the Barbie bowl! Take it or leave it!" and I turned to finish making my coffee.
Now at this point it was truly up to her if she was going to spend the rest of the day being upset about the bowl I gave her, or if she would move on. If she wanted to sit and mope at the table all day, daydreaming about how nice it would be to have the strawberry shortcake bowl that is up to her! (I thought) I'm a good mom. (I thought to myself, at the time) Hmmm... So there! I'm moving on with my day. I will be more stubborn than she is, and that is that! I am mom! Hear me roar! (self talk) :)
By the way, this stuff happens in my house every day. You would think they would learn. Mom always wins! Someday they will understand. Until then, I am trying to consistently deliver these same two messages day after day:
1."STOP WHINING!"
and
2."I love you and care about you, which is why I will not allow you to stay stuck in your self-centered ways. My ways are higher than your own. :) Just trust me."
and
2."I love you and care about you, which is why I will not allow you to stay stuck in your self-centered ways. My ways are higher than your own. :) Just trust me."
Do you know what I realized later that night? We don't even have a strawberry shortcake bowl. It was the cup she wanted. She was okay with the Barbie bowl. She was crying because she wanted a drink to go with her yogurt; she just wasn't communicating it well because she doesn't always use complete sentences, and I kept cutting her off short when she tried! :)
Communication break-down. hahaha...oops. My bad. And the MOM OF THE YEAR award goes to....
welp, not me I guess. ;)
I learned two things from this:
1. Slow down Alisha! Seriously. Listen to Keely. Know what she is asking for before you start assuming what she wants and scolding her as if she is doing something wrong. Holy cow.
Poor thing. My poor children deal with so much every day in this house! :)
2. I'll tell you the other lesson in my next post.
(cliffhanger: Sorry Cindy. I know how you love cliffhangers.)
Poor thing. My poor children deal with so much every day in this house! :)
2. I'll tell you the other lesson in my next post.
(cliffhanger: Sorry Cindy. I know how you love cliffhangers.)
Friday, June 10, 2011
Some of the things you might hear in my home these days...
"...and don't forget to wipe your butt!"
"Keely! Get off him!"
"Mayeee...Mayeeee....Mommmma?" (Kipton needing my attention)
"Can we have a snack?" (5 minutes after lunch)
"Can we eat at a place?" (referring to eating out rather than enjoying the meal I just made that they do not want to eat)
"Dabba dabba doh Dowa!" (Kipton singing his version of the Dora song)
"Nummies?" (Kipton asking for a snack)
"Not right now; maybe in a little bit" (me...all day long)
"KEELY!!!"
"Pah yay!" (Kipton saying he wants to go potty)
"Pett-en!" (Kipton saying his brother's name, Preston)
"Choooom! Choom! Ffff..Chooooooooooom" (Preston running around the house pretending to be something he is not)
"This thing is turning off and on" (referring to the lights in our basement, or the reception on our TV depending on what day it is)
and "You're a good girl mommy" (when I do what the children have requested) Oh dear. :)
(more to come)
Hope your home is as fun as mine today! :)
Hope your home is as fun as mine today! :)
Sunday, March 27, 2011
"Dear God, momma get better. Amen"
These were the words of my precious little 3 year old Keely each time I answered her questions of why we weren't doing things today with, "because mommy is sick." Gotta love her!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
100 THINGS…
My name is Alisha.
I was the third child in my family.
I was the last child born into my immediate family.
I was the only girl in my family.
I love my brothers very much.
One brother lives in California and the other in Michigan.
I was born in Michigan.
I spent most of my childhood in Lansing, Michigan, and loved it.
I live in Valparaiso, Indiana now and love it.
I am trying to get my parents to move to Valpo.
I really enjoyed second grade and fifth grade the most.
I always liked school.
College set me up nicely to be a teacher, but I have yet to get a teaching job.
I am not looking for a teaching job right now.
I was a substitute teacher for about a year and I did not enjoy it.
I was a children's pastor and I found that to be VERY rewarding.
I have always loved children…even when I was one.
Fourth and fifth graders are usually my favorite.
I am a mommy now.
I have a hard time spending an entire day in my house, even when little sweeties are over.
I got married the year after I graduated from college.
As much as I love my children, my husband is the biggest blessing in my life.
I tell him that.
My husband makes me laugh harder than anyone else I know.
My husband made me chocolate covered strawberries for Valentines Day one year.
I love chocolate covered strawberries.
The well being of my family is more important than any career I will ever have.
I know how to hem jeans so that they look like they weren't hemmed.
I am not very good at sewing, but I do enjoy projects that allow me to be creative.
I am typing on a computer that is hooked up to two screens.
My husband knows a lot about computers.
My husband works at a church.
I am a Christian.
I have been a Christian since I was very young.
I LOVE spending my time pouring into the ministries at our church.
The two cars we have are paid off.
Our student loans will never be paid off.
Our house has a basement.
It's pretty much always a mess.
I am learning a lot about God's grace lately and I LOVE it!
Eating out with people I love is one of my favorite things to do.
I bought McDonalds with my first dollar.
My brother bought a funnel with his first dollar.
I think that says a lot about us.
If eating out was healthy, and we could afford it, I would do it every day.
I love El Salto.
I was sad when Chi Chi's went out of business in Lansing.
I am not a huge shopping fanatic.
I get a big kick out of getting awesome deals on things that other people paid lots for.
I don't drink anything alcoholic, and never will.
My reason for not drinking is the fear that I could turn into a drunk someday.
I think I would make a terrible drunk.
I also could not afford to the support the habit.
I also don't smoke.
I considered smoking once when I was 6 years old and it was offered to me.
Someone stuck up for me and I never had to make the choice.
I am grateful for God's hand of protection in my life.
I am 5'7".
I like the words to hymns.
I have bought CD's with hymns on them.
I eat more chocolate than I should.
I also love coffee when it is all sweetened up, and as white as I am.
My friend introduced me to Starbuck's white chocolate mocha and I am glad she did.
I think young people who help older people are fabulous.
I think young people who are patient with older people deserve to be praised.
I love being 30.
I was not all that wild about my 20's. (understatement)
I lacked a lot of self-awareness as a child.
I liked it that way, but I think I frustrated many people.
I had a lot of friends in spite of the fact that I was frustrating.
I give God credit for that.
I prayed to be cool as I walked to school as a child.
I also prayed whenever the teacher would ask us to partner up with someone in the room.
Now I pray for my kids, but never that they will be cool.
I pray that God will help me raise my kids the way He wants me to.
I believe that God can, and will, answer that prayer.
I read a lot of parenting books.
I ask other moms for advice a lot.
I hate changing stinky diapers.
I admire girls who care enough to pick out several shoes and actually wear them all.
I will never be that girl.
I think TV is a waste of time.
I watch it anyway.
I think video games can decrease motivation in children when they are older.
I bought my husband an XBOX 360 anyway.
I believe we will be held accountable for what we do here on earth.
I look forward to heaven.
I don't believe heaven will have much comparison to our experience here on earth, and I am good with that.
I think that for unbelievers, this is as good as it gets.
I think that for believers, this is as bad as it gets.
I love God's grace.
3's of me.
Three names I go by:
1. Mom
2. Mama
3. Alisha
Three Jobs I have had in my life:
1. Chuck E. Cheese hostess
2. Substitute Teacher (would much rather be a REAL teacher any day)
3. Stay at home mom (by far, the most challenging)
Three Places I have lived:
1.Lansing, MI
2. Bourbonnais, IL
3. Vale of Paradise
Three Favorite drinks:
1. White chocolate mocha blended with a shot of caramel (NOT from Gloria Jean where they dunk a truck load of caramel into your little cup...bleh)
2. Coca Cola slurpee...oh man! I can't drink them anymore, but I still love them.
3. Water...that sounds good too, I think I am dehydrated.
Three TV Shows that I watch:
1. Undercover Boss
2. America's Funniest Home Videos
3. Whatever show happens to be on PBSKids
Three places I have been:
1. Mt. Baldy
2. The Portage Super Kmart when they do double coupon days
3. Lansing Lugnuts Stadium
People that text me regularly: (okay, well, maybe not regularly...more like, "on occasion")
1. Sarah Anderson
2. Jennifer Crane
3. I don't really text, so people don't usually text me unless they just had a baby. :)
Three of my favorite foods:
1. Cheese dip at El Salto
2. Steakburgers with cheddar cheese and A-1 sauce
3. Snickers Ice cream bars
Three Things I am looking forward to
1. getting a glass of water
2. when my kids all go to the bathroom by themselves, wipe, flush, and wash their hands without having to be told to do so
3. My Mom to Mom meetings where I sit and chat with other moms while my children are lovingly cared for down the hall.
1. Mom
2. Mama
3. Alisha
Three Jobs I have had in my life:
1. Chuck E. Cheese hostess
2. Substitute Teacher (would much rather be a REAL teacher any day)
3. Stay at home mom (by far, the most challenging)
Three Places I have lived:
1.Lansing, MI
2. Bourbonnais, IL
3. Vale of Paradise
Three Favorite drinks:
1. White chocolate mocha blended with a shot of caramel (NOT from Gloria Jean where they dunk a truck load of caramel into your little cup...bleh)
2. Coca Cola slurpee...oh man! I can't drink them anymore, but I still love them.
3. Water...that sounds good too, I think I am dehydrated.
Three TV Shows that I watch:
1. Undercover Boss
2. America's Funniest Home Videos
3. Whatever show happens to be on PBSKids
Three places I have been:
1. Mt. Baldy
2. The Portage Super Kmart when they do double coupon days
3. Lansing Lugnuts Stadium
People that text me regularly: (okay, well, maybe not regularly...more like, "on occasion")
1. Sarah Anderson
2. Jennifer Crane
3. I don't really text, so people don't usually text me unless they just had a baby. :)
Three of my favorite foods:
1. Cheese dip at El Salto
2. Steakburgers with cheddar cheese and A-1 sauce
3. Snickers Ice cream bars
Three Things I am looking forward to
1. getting a glass of water
2. when my kids all go to the bathroom by themselves, wipe, flush, and wash their hands without having to be told to do so
3. My Mom to Mom meetings where I sit and chat with other moms while my children are lovingly cared for down the hall.
My kiddos.
In a previous post I referred to "a line I put down in our driveway to keep the kids from going into the street". My kid's reactions demonstrated their response to authority over all. You can read about that experience here if you want to. I finally had a chance to upload the pictures from that day, and thought I would share them. Here they are.
Here's Preston, my first born. 5 years old. He always stopped himself before he got even remotely close to my line, and threatened anyone who attempted at disobeying my orders in regards to the line.
Here's Keely, middle child. 3 years old. She joyfully lifted her feet high in the air and let herself go as far as she could. She would have loved if the car would have "accidentally" taken her past that line.
Then, there's Kipton. The baby of the family. 1-1/2 years old. He played on the line for quite a while, while looking up at me occasionally to make sure he still had to stay on that side of the line.
Cute as a button.
If you are wondering where all the recipes have gone, we have good news. We'll be posting more soon. As for myself, I have a ton of great recipes to share along with the Weight Watchers Points Plus values tacked on to them. I even have the pictures taken already. I just need to get around to posting them is all. They'll be coming soon.
Here's Preston, my first born. 5 years old. He always stopped himself before he got even remotely close to my line, and threatened anyone who attempted at disobeying my orders in regards to the line.
Here's Keely, middle child. 3 years old. She joyfully lifted her feet high in the air and let herself go as far as she could. She would have loved if the car would have "accidentally" taken her past that line.
Then, there's Kipton. The baby of the family. 1-1/2 years old. He played on the line for quite a while, while looking up at me occasionally to make sure he still had to stay on that side of the line.
Cute as a button.If you are wondering where all the recipes have gone, we have good news. We'll be posting more soon. As for myself, I have a ton of great recipes to share along with the Weight Watchers Points Plus values tacked on to them. I even have the pictures taken already. I just need to get around to posting them is all. They'll be coming soon.
Friday, March 11, 2011
For praying out loud: Part Two.
How are you measuring up this week? Did you make a "Mom Plan" at the start of this week?
For those of you who did not read my other post, (because it was really long...I know, I understand) I am trying to conquer an issue in my home....anger. Fighting back anger with prayer, in front of my children. Not waiting until my anger builds up and festers, but rather, taking care of my heart issues, right then and there.
Here's how it's going for me.
My kids like it. It's opening up conversations that my four year old can understand. We talked about how the Bible says that a "soft answer turns away wrath", and how mommy has to pray so she can have a soft answer. He gets it, and he likes it...obviously. I think we can all understand why a mommy who isn't flipping out would be a good thing to a four year old. :0)
Another thought.
Everyone struggles with something. If you have little kids in your house, it might feel like the things you struggle with are in your face on a regular basis. Learning to deal with those things and letting your kids join you as you learn to deal with them can be a healthy thing. Consider inviting them in when it is appropriate. Say things like, "Mommy feels really upset right now. We should stop and pray, because God does not want mommy to act out of her anger." Intermingle, and quote verses to your children that back up the truth in what you are saying, like this, "The Bible says that we are not supposed to be anxious about anything, but that is hard for mommy right now. The Bible also says we are supposed to present our requests before God and that He hears our prayers and will answer them, so we should stop and pray." This particular lesson, when shared with your children, will teach them that when they feel anxious they can pray and God will hear them too.
p.s. It just dawned on me that I am talking to all of you like you have a four and a half year old in your house. Sorry if that is annoying to you. :0)
Sidenote:
LOVE YOU MOMMIES!!! Thank you so much to those of you who have taken a moment to let me know how you are relating to this issue, and any issues we bring up on here, for that matter. It brings us joy to know that our site is meeting a need. We are more than happy to join you in your parenting. We want to be encouraging to our readers, and it helps to know where you all are coming from. Keep posting, emailing, messaging. We LOVE to hear about your lives. LOVE it.
For those of you who did not read my other post, (because it was really long...I know, I understand) I am trying to conquer an issue in my home....anger. Fighting back anger with prayer, in front of my children. Not waiting until my anger builds up and festers, but rather, taking care of my heart issues, right then and there.
Here's how it's going for me.
My kids like it. It's opening up conversations that my four year old can understand. We talked about how the Bible says that a "soft answer turns away wrath", and how mommy has to pray so she can have a soft answer. He gets it, and he likes it...obviously. I think we can all understand why a mommy who isn't flipping out would be a good thing to a four year old. :0)
Another thought.Everyone struggles with something. If you have little kids in your house, it might feel like the things you struggle with are in your face on a regular basis. Learning to deal with those things and letting your kids join you as you learn to deal with them can be a healthy thing. Consider inviting them in when it is appropriate. Say things like, "Mommy feels really upset right now. We should stop and pray, because God does not want mommy to act out of her anger." Intermingle, and quote verses to your children that back up the truth in what you are saying, like this, "The Bible says that we are not supposed to be anxious about anything, but that is hard for mommy right now. The Bible also says we are supposed to present our requests before God and that He hears our prayers and will answer them, so we should stop and pray." This particular lesson, when shared with your children, will teach them that when they feel anxious they can pray and God will hear them too.
p.s. It just dawned on me that I am talking to all of you like you have a four and a half year old in your house. Sorry if that is annoying to you. :0)
Sidenote:
LOVE YOU MOMMIES!!! Thank you so much to those of you who have taken a moment to let me know how you are relating to this issue, and any issues we bring up on here, for that matter. It brings us joy to know that our site is meeting a need. We are more than happy to join you in your parenting. We want to be encouraging to our readers, and it helps to know where you all are coming from. Keep posting, emailing, messaging. We LOVE to hear about your lives. LOVE it.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
For praying out loud: Part One.
Why do we meal plan?
To make the week run smoother. To ensure that we are getting important nutrients into our family's bellies throughout each week. To ensure that at 4:00 when our kids start to remind us that they are going to be hungry soon, that we are not irritated (as much) with coming up with a dinner for them within a reasonable time frame.
What happens if we don't meal plan?
Perhaps more trips to the fast food joints in our area than we would like to admit. Frustration with our children every time they announce they are hungry. Pulling meals together only to find that you are missing one very important ingredient that brings the whole meal together. Getting to 4:30 in the afternoon and clenching your teeth when your kdis start nagging for food, and you realize the one meal you can make is actually going to take one hour to bake in the oven, and you will have to not only whip up that meal, but also manage to entertain, and distract, your kids while it cooks to keep them from nagging relentlessly. What? That's never happened in your house?
(BTW, it's also a marvelous idea to reflect on the positive cycles in your home, and give yourself a pat on the back for those) One of our readers pointed out that when moms are tired, they will become very irritable very quickly and reach their boiling point much quicker. One plan of attack, in that regard, would obviously be to get more sleep. But how? Create a plan. I will be in bed by such-and-such a time even if the dishes are not done, I will set boundaries for myself, I will lay down when my child takes a nap, etc. Find what will work for your unique family, and life situations.
Try just adding one new idea to your "Mom Plan" each week.
Trying just one idea at a time will allow for two things.
One: You will not feel overwhelmed with trying to change everything at once.
Two: You can evaluate if what you are doing it actually helping you or not.
The phone call to my mom that started this thought process.
I cried to my mom this Saturday morning over the phone. "They're driving me crazy. I just made them a PB&J english muffin sandwich, and then they started begging for oatmeal, and Kipton was crying, and bleh blah blah." She lovingly, and patiently listened as I carried on and on. It was 9:00 in the morning and I felt like I had already suffered through a full day. When I was exhausted and at a loss for words she interjected, "I think you should rest. Take a nap, Alisha." :) (she also suggested I might be having my period soon...which was ruled out last week...TMI, I know) Her answer wasn't enough for me.
We continued talking. She reminded me how she would stop everything (sweetly, I might add) when I was a kid, and pray, out of nowhere. She did too. I remember as a kid times when we'd all be worked up, and my mom would get down on her knees and make us pray with her. We always felt better after we prayed. Even if the problem was still in front of us, it didn't seem as big anymore. She prayed with me over the phone. I love my mom.
Anger has been my issue lately.
I always keep it real on here. I don't mean to beat this one into the ground, but anger towards my children for acting their age, is definitely one of my personal struggles in this season of my life. It was not always been my struggle. Three kids, under the age of five, all living under one roof, have managed to bring this side out of me that I never knew existed. It is the struggle that I have not quite come to the other side of yet.
My Mom Plan for this week.
Fight back anger with prayer and worship. Out loud prayers. Not mumbles under my breath, or yelling out, "GOD, HELP ME!" prayers. Just, earnest, stop everything, get down on my knees and pray out loud with my kids, kind of prayers. Each time anger rears its ugly head this week I plan to bring it before the Lord, before it gets out of hand. Rather than clenching my teeth and letting anger fester until I am yelling at my kids, I will stop. I will pray. I will listen to worship music that will remind me who is in charge. I am hoping to let you know how this goes for me throughout this week.
YOUR TURN
What's your struggle? What do you need to create a Mom Plan for? What is your Mom Plan? We'd LOVE to hear from you, and possibly even encourage you and pray with you as you seek to be the best mom you can be! Please take a second to share.
Oh yeah. I am going to post some meals this week too. :) All of them from my "Cooking Light: 5 Minute, 15 Ingredient" cookbook.
To make the week run smoother. To ensure that we are getting important nutrients into our family's bellies throughout each week. To ensure that at 4:00 when our kids start to remind us that they are going to be hungry soon, that we are not irritated (as much) with coming up with a dinner for them within a reasonable time frame.
What happens if we don't meal plan?
Perhaps more trips to the fast food joints in our area than we would like to admit. Frustration with our children every time they announce they are hungry. Pulling meals together only to find that you are missing one very important ingredient that brings the whole meal together. Getting to 4:30 in the afternoon and clenching your teeth when your kdis start nagging for food, and you realize the one meal you can make is actually going to take one hour to bake in the oven, and you will have to not only whip up that meal, but also manage to entertain, and distract, your kids while it cooks to keep them from nagging relentlessly. What? That's never happened in your house?
Anyway, this post is actually about a different kind of plan.
A Mom Plan. Because being a confident, controlled mom doesn't always just happen by accident. What is a Mom Plan? Anticipating, planning ahead, identifying what "habits" (for lack of a better term) will continue to repeat themselves in your house, and then creating a plan to avoid those things, and be prepared for those things. (I believe that this process comes more naturally for some moms than others. Some of you type-A moms out there are probably wondering why I would even take the time to post this. For the rest of you, read on...)Sidenote: I am blessed with many wonderful influences in my life right now. I seek advice, and encouragement from the women around me on a daily basis. Here are just a few tips I have been taught along the way that I plan to implement as I carry out this (new-to-me) idea of creating my "Mom Plan"....Ask yourself: What negative cycles do I see repeating themselves in my home?
(BTW, it's also a marvelous idea to reflect on the positive cycles in your home, and give yourself a pat on the back for those) One of our readers pointed out that when moms are tired, they will become very irritable very quickly and reach their boiling point much quicker. One plan of attack, in that regard, would obviously be to get more sleep. But how? Create a plan. I will be in bed by such-and-such a time even if the dishes are not done, I will set boundaries for myself, I will lay down when my child takes a nap, etc. Find what will work for your unique family, and life situations.
Try just adding one new idea to your "Mom Plan" each week.
Trying just one idea at a time will allow for two things.
One: You will not feel overwhelmed with trying to change everything at once.
Two: You can evaluate if what you are doing it actually helping you or not.
The phone call to my mom that started this thought process.
I cried to my mom this Saturday morning over the phone. "They're driving me crazy. I just made them a PB&J english muffin sandwich, and then they started begging for oatmeal, and Kipton was crying, and bleh blah blah." She lovingly, and patiently listened as I carried on and on. It was 9:00 in the morning and I felt like I had already suffered through a full day. When I was exhausted and at a loss for words she interjected, "I think you should rest. Take a nap, Alisha." :) (she also suggested I might be having my period soon...which was ruled out last week...TMI, I know) Her answer wasn't enough for me.
We continued talking. She reminded me how she would stop everything (sweetly, I might add) when I was a kid, and pray, out of nowhere. She did too. I remember as a kid times when we'd all be worked up, and my mom would get down on her knees and make us pray with her. We always felt better after we prayed. Even if the problem was still in front of us, it didn't seem as big anymore. She prayed with me over the phone. I love my mom.Anger has been my issue lately.
I always keep it real on here. I don't mean to beat this one into the ground, but anger towards my children for acting their age, is definitely one of my personal struggles in this season of my life. It was not always been my struggle. Three kids, under the age of five, all living under one roof, have managed to bring this side out of me that I never knew existed. It is the struggle that I have not quite come to the other side of yet.
My Mom Plan for this week.
Fight back anger with prayer and worship. Out loud prayers. Not mumbles under my breath, or yelling out, "GOD, HELP ME!" prayers. Just, earnest, stop everything, get down on my knees and pray out loud with my kids, kind of prayers. Each time anger rears its ugly head this week I plan to bring it before the Lord, before it gets out of hand. Rather than clenching my teeth and letting anger fester until I am yelling at my kids, I will stop. I will pray. I will listen to worship music that will remind me who is in charge. I am hoping to let you know how this goes for me throughout this week.
YOUR TURN
What's your struggle? What do you need to create a Mom Plan for? What is your Mom Plan? We'd LOVE to hear from you, and possibly even encourage you and pray with you as you seek to be the best mom you can be! Please take a second to share.
Oh yeah. I am going to post some meals this week too. :) All of them from my "Cooking Light: 5 Minute, 15 Ingredient" cookbook.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Prayer of a worn out Stay at Home Mom
Lord,
Ephesians 3:19 says that I can be filled with all the fullness of you. Filled? I have been just barely running on empty for far too long now. I got burnt out long ago, and fell into auto pilot...each day feeling like the same day. I tried hard to be productive and I tried hard to work so that my life would bear fruit, but I was on empty. I tried to give much, but I had little to give and the result was desperate frustration. If I am going to bear much fruit today, I am going to need you to fill me up first. Strengthen me today, through the power of your Spirit. Renew me today, and give me the focus and determination to carry out the work you have before me today. Instead of just barely getting dinner on the table, today, help me to be mindful as I joyfully set the table with a smile and love in my heart toward my family. Fill me up with you today, so that the mom that my children see is not tired and frustrated, but hopeful and strong.
Amen.
Monday, August 16, 2010
A Day in my Life: Part Two
(Click here for part one)
Okay, so as I was saying, The day wasn't totally shot. We would still have a great time, even if it killed us, because I have already gone through a lot of work doggone it! :0) I set out my perfect-for-outside blanket and piled on all the good stuff.
I handed out lunches to the kids (cheerios on the baby walker for my littlest tot) 
and I got out my tuna sandwich. Ah...time to relax and enjoy the great outdoors...oh wait, there are bugs outside. Preston did NOT like that! Okay, there are lids to your lunch containers, so we'll just cover their lunches up between bites, to ensure that bugs don't get to our food before we do. 
Wait, not just ants, but mosquitoes too! Turns out we needed bug spray way more than all the sunscreen I used on the kids. Okay, so all the kids wanted to eat from their lunches was a few grapes and the two oreos I gave each of them.
"That's fine," I thought, "I didn't like my tuna sandwich anyway," so I ate Keely's bologna sandwich. Truly, we're still having a good time at this point. I did not yell at my kids for just eating the cookies. I didn't want to fight that battle today...my "perfect mom" day. :) I would not be yelling at the kids today, besides look at how cute they are...
I busted out the inflatable "kiddy pool" and filled it up. Preston and Keely were all about sticking their feet in the thing. They did not complain even once about the ridiculousness of the size of the "pool" I got them; which is one of the things I LOVE about this age. I let them get their feet wet, literally, while I tried to hook up the sprinkler to the hose.
***(Sidenote: Turns out this is a great way to rinse off the feet of your children before they come inside the house, since they will inevitablly have grass all over their feet, and Chadwick suggested that they are great for when you are serving drinks that you want to keep cold. Pop a little ice in there and you've got yourself a little cooler)
I turned on our hose, and the hose connector popped off spraying water all over our house. (I won't elaborate on this one, but just know that it was a lot of me getting wet while trying to figure out how to get it reattached and stay attached.) When I was done with my escapades, the sprinkler was working, but with little pressure. My four year old was quick to announce that he did not want this sprinkler-- he wanted the "big one", which really meant he wanted more pressure so it would shoot up higher. "Whatever, just enjoy the one we have," I told him. And they did. 
While the two older ones played in the sprinkler, I gave the itty bitty his turn in the "pool". He liked it.
I decided I didn't like the kids in the grass because of the mosquitoes. I don't think they got bit, but I did, and I didn't want to chance it. We went inside. I got Kipton down for a nap and cleared off the floor of the kitchen.
Did I mention that I have a point? I do. :)
I moved the table and the chairs to the living room, all the toys to the toy box, all the magnets back on the fridge, the trash in the trash can, etc. What's funny, is that the point of this whole story is what I am just about to share with you...a fun way to MOP your kitchen with the kids still in the house, and then an encouraging word! So, now we have come full circle. We're back in the kitchen. The kids were already in their swimsuits, and our floor was sticky in some areas, and needed to be mopped really, really bad. I decided to try a mopping secret I read in a parenting magazine before. I poured water on the floor and got out a towel for each kid and told them to "slip and slide", and showed them how to "mop" the floor with their towel.
I joined them in the fun, making sure to get right up against the cupboards, and such. When we were done, I tossed the drenched towels in the washing machine, and got out the wet swiffer. I gave each of them a turn at using the swiffer, and then I went over the whole kitchen one more time. 
WALAH!!! My kitchen floor has not been this clean since we moved in...and the kids helped, which they loved! I would say that this whole mopping with the towel on your feet idea would probably be the most fun for kids between the ages of 4-9...just my guess.
Okay, so now for your encouraging word. One of my older mom friends offered me this insight one day, when I was feeling like a failure, and I have felt to relay her message on multiple occassions, because it meant so much to me. Here it is:
As a mom, you feel all of the ups and downs of your day. You know what you had hoped for and are discouraged, frustrated, and sometimes even mad when things don't work out like you planned. Kids aren't like that though. They remember the tiny pool that was so perfect for their baby brother, the picnic where they got to eat the oreos and mom did not make them eat the sandwich, and a sprinkler that felt perfect on a warm day. They remember coming in and sliding all over the wide open, kitchen floor and having a great time. Fond memories. I share this message, because I am one of those moms who is always putting too much weight in the things of the day that I considered to be failures. If you are also one of those moms, take heart. Your children won't remember it like you did. It was a GREAT day for them, and they would do it over and over again if we let them. (but I would rather never do this day again, I need a nap) :0) Love you mommas! Be encouraged.
Okay, so as I was saying, The day wasn't totally shot. We would still have a great time, even if it killed us, because I have already gone through a lot of work doggone it! :0) I set out my perfect-for-outside blanket and piled on all the good stuff.
I handed out lunches to the kids (cheerios on the baby walker for my littlest tot) 
and I got out my tuna sandwich. Ah...time to relax and enjoy the great outdoors...oh wait, there are bugs outside. Preston did NOT like that! Okay, there are lids to your lunch containers, so we'll just cover their lunches up between bites, to ensure that bugs don't get to our food before we do. 
Wait, not just ants, but mosquitoes too! Turns out we needed bug spray way more than all the sunscreen I used on the kids. Okay, so all the kids wanted to eat from their lunches was a few grapes and the two oreos I gave each of them.
"That's fine," I thought, "I didn't like my tuna sandwich anyway," so I ate Keely's bologna sandwich. Truly, we're still having a good time at this point. I did not yell at my kids for just eating the cookies. I didn't want to fight that battle today...my "perfect mom" day. :) I would not be yelling at the kids today, besides look at how cute they are...
I busted out the inflatable "kiddy pool" and filled it up. Preston and Keely were all about sticking their feet in the thing. They did not complain even once about the ridiculousness of the size of the "pool" I got them; which is one of the things I LOVE about this age. I let them get their feet wet, literally, while I tried to hook up the sprinkler to the hose.***(Sidenote: Turns out this is a great way to rinse off the feet of your children before they come inside the house, since they will inevitablly have grass all over their feet, and Chadwick suggested that they are great for when you are serving drinks that you want to keep cold. Pop a little ice in there and you've got yourself a little cooler)
I turned on our hose, and the hose connector popped off spraying water all over our house. (I won't elaborate on this one, but just know that it was a lot of me getting wet while trying to figure out how to get it reattached and stay attached.) When I was done with my escapades, the sprinkler was working, but with little pressure. My four year old was quick to announce that he did not want this sprinkler-- he wanted the "big one", which really meant he wanted more pressure so it would shoot up higher. "Whatever, just enjoy the one we have," I told him. And they did. 
While the two older ones played in the sprinkler, I gave the itty bitty his turn in the "pool". He liked it.
I decided I didn't like the kids in the grass because of the mosquitoes. I don't think they got bit, but I did, and I didn't want to chance it. We went inside. I got Kipton down for a nap and cleared off the floor of the kitchen.Did I mention that I have a point? I do. :)
I moved the table and the chairs to the living room, all the toys to the toy box, all the magnets back on the fridge, the trash in the trash can, etc. What's funny, is that the point of this whole story is what I am just about to share with you...a fun way to MOP your kitchen with the kids still in the house, and then an encouraging word! So, now we have come full circle. We're back in the kitchen. The kids were already in their swimsuits, and our floor was sticky in some areas, and needed to be mopped really, really bad. I decided to try a mopping secret I read in a parenting magazine before. I poured water on the floor and got out a towel for each kid and told them to "slip and slide", and showed them how to "mop" the floor with their towel.
I joined them in the fun, making sure to get right up against the cupboards, and such. When we were done, I tossed the drenched towels in the washing machine, and got out the wet swiffer. I gave each of them a turn at using the swiffer, and then I went over the whole kitchen one more time. 
WALAH!!! My kitchen floor has not been this clean since we moved in...and the kids helped, which they loved! I would say that this whole mopping with the towel on your feet idea would probably be the most fun for kids between the ages of 4-9...just my guess.Okay, so now for your encouraging word. One of my older mom friends offered me this insight one day, when I was feeling like a failure, and I have felt to relay her message on multiple occassions, because it meant so much to me. Here it is:
As a mom, you feel all of the ups and downs of your day. You know what you had hoped for and are discouraged, frustrated, and sometimes even mad when things don't work out like you planned. Kids aren't like that though. They remember the tiny pool that was so perfect for their baby brother, the picnic where they got to eat the oreos and mom did not make them eat the sandwich, and a sprinkler that felt perfect on a warm day. They remember coming in and sliding all over the wide open, kitchen floor and having a great time. Fond memories. I share this message, because I am one of those moms who is always putting too much weight in the things of the day that I considered to be failures. If you are also one of those moms, take heart. Your children won't remember it like you did. It was a GREAT day for them, and they would do it over and over again if we let them. (but I would rather never do this day again, I need a nap) :0) Love you mommas! Be encouraged.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
A Day in my Life
Can I just share what kind of a morning I had today? I don't typically do that on our site, because this site is about meals. Today; however, was just one of those days and since this site is also about moms, I just had to share.
I woke up today, thinking, "okay, it's Friday and I have not made it to the YMCA all week. I WILL get there today." I was getting myself syked up and ready to go, and I was getting everyone else ready too, of course. I got to the part of making lunches for my kids (besides watching our children while we work out, my YMCA also feeds the kids if I am there between 11 am-1 pm and have packed food for them, and this was part of my plan) I was using my new lunch containers and I was feeling good about myself.
I had just finished preparing the lunches when I looked up at my two children and saw the one thing I really hoped not to see today...SNOT! Lots of it. They've had colds all week long, which is why I have not taken them to the YMCA, and apparently they were not over them yet. "Noooooooo". (That's me) I let out a sigh, and decided that exercising could wait just one more day. "We've already got their lunches all packed nice and neat, so we'll just do a picnic in our backyard," I told myself. The day did not have to be totally shot. I looked over at the inflatable kiddie pool I had bought a couple of weeks ago at a garage sale, still in its package. I decided to be "Mom of the Year", at least just this one day. I imagined the kids playing in their swimsuits, and us all having a lovely picnic, as the sun shone down on us in our perfectly mowed backyard. 
(What? It could happen) I got out the swimmers diapers, put swimsuits on the kiddos after chasing them around the house, slathered up some sunscreen, pulled together the essentials for a great time: blanket, baby walker, etc. etc. I was ready to go, and the kids were getting more and more excited with each second that passed. Now it was time to blow up the kiddie pool. I took it out of the package.... Wait a minute! What's this? It looked like a DEMO version of a kiddie pool...you know, a smaller version of the real thing. "This can't be right!" I laughed to myself. I read the packaging one more time. Hmmm..." 
"Ring Pool" was the big font, but up in the left hand corner, it read, "swim inflatable". Sure enough...this was not a pool at all, it was an inflatable for a pool! Okay. That's alright. My kids won't care. They'll still have fun. (I imagined the kids splashing in the pool, and having a good time) Here we go. I blew the silly little thing up...if nothing else, my ten month will get some joy out of this thing...besides, it was 25 cents.
(To be continued...the kiddos need me right now. I promise to finish this story, though, and I promise it gets better.)
I woke up today, thinking, "okay, it's Friday and I have not made it to the YMCA all week. I WILL get there today." I was getting myself syked up and ready to go, and I was getting everyone else ready too, of course. I got to the part of making lunches for my kids (besides watching our children while we work out, my YMCA also feeds the kids if I am there between 11 am-1 pm and have packed food for them, and this was part of my plan) I was using my new lunch containers and I was feeling good about myself.
I had just finished preparing the lunches when I looked up at my two children and saw the one thing I really hoped not to see today...SNOT! Lots of it. They've had colds all week long, which is why I have not taken them to the YMCA, and apparently they were not over them yet. "Noooooooo". (That's me) I let out a sigh, and decided that exercising could wait just one more day. "We've already got their lunches all packed nice and neat, so we'll just do a picnic in our backyard," I told myself. The day did not have to be totally shot. I looked over at the inflatable kiddie pool I had bought a couple of weeks ago at a garage sale, still in its package. I decided to be "Mom of the Year", at least just this one day. I imagined the kids playing in their swimsuits, and us all having a lovely picnic, as the sun shone down on us in our perfectly mowed backyard. (What? It could happen) I got out the swimmers diapers, put swimsuits on the kiddos after chasing them around the house, slathered up some sunscreen, pulled together the essentials for a great time: blanket, baby walker, etc. etc. I was ready to go, and the kids were getting more and more excited with each second that passed. Now it was time to blow up the kiddie pool. I took it out of the package.... Wait a minute! What's this? It looked like a DEMO version of a kiddie pool...you know, a smaller version of the real thing. "This can't be right!" I laughed to myself. I read the packaging one more time. Hmmm..." 
"Ring Pool" was the big font, but up in the left hand corner, it read, "swim inflatable". Sure enough...this was not a pool at all, it was an inflatable for a pool! Okay. That's alright. My kids won't care. They'll still have fun. (I imagined the kids splashing in the pool, and having a good time) Here we go. I blew the silly little thing up...if nothing else, my ten month will get some joy out of this thing...besides, it was 25 cents.
(To be continued...the kiddos need me right now. I promise to finish this story, though, and I promise it gets better.)
Saturday, June 12, 2010
My kitchen, My life.
Okay, okay...Time to get honest: (oh no, right?) Alright here it is:
My kitchen is USUALLY a mess these days. I did a before and after picture on a day when I actually cleaned my kitchen, and I thought the pictures might make some mom out there feel better about herself.
Here it is:
And here's what my kitchen usually looks like:
Scroll up to see the AFTER picture. Then, come back to this one and click on it to see it up close. I just have to mention a few things that are cracking me up as I look at this picture. Consider it like a where's waldo deal. See if you can spot all of these things in this picture:
1. No paper towel on the roll, and has not been replaced.
2. Pots and pans, and stones all accumulated over 3 days because there were too many dishes in the sink so I could not wash them.
3. Lotion? Hair smoother? I think my 2 year old found them in my room and brought them out and I snagged them from her and they ended up there. :)
4. Ice cube trays from making baby food.
5. Water bottles that are needing to make it to the recycling.
6. Bottles that need to make it to the dishwasher.
7. Clean nipples and tops to the bottles in a bottle basket thing, that are clean. (bottles are still in the dishwasher)
8. My daughter's blankie.
9. Bowl to the slow cooker in the clean dishes rack.
10. And the finale: Two baskets piled on top of each other containing our kids Easter candy, with a container holding dry spagetti in front of it, next to a knife block that has no knives in it because they are all dirty next to the sink.
Hope you are all feeling TEN times better about yourselves by now. As the saying goes, "better to bless than impress". :0)
Have a blessed day dear mommies.
My kitchen is USUALLY a mess these days. I did a before and after picture on a day when I actually cleaned my kitchen, and I thought the pictures might make some mom out there feel better about herself.
Here it is:
And here's what my kitchen usually looks like:
Scroll up to see the AFTER picture. Then, come back to this one and click on it to see it up close. I just have to mention a few things that are cracking me up as I look at this picture. Consider it like a where's waldo deal. See if you can spot all of these things in this picture:1. No paper towel on the roll, and has not been replaced.
2. Pots and pans, and stones all accumulated over 3 days because there were too many dishes in the sink so I could not wash them.
3. Lotion? Hair smoother? I think my 2 year old found them in my room and brought them out and I snagged them from her and they ended up there. :)
4. Ice cube trays from making baby food.
5. Water bottles that are needing to make it to the recycling.
6. Bottles that need to make it to the dishwasher.
7. Clean nipples and tops to the bottles in a bottle basket thing, that are clean. (bottles are still in the dishwasher)
8. My daughter's blankie.
9. Bowl to the slow cooker in the clean dishes rack.
10. And the finale: Two baskets piled on top of each other containing our kids Easter candy, with a container holding dry spagetti in front of it, next to a knife block that has no knives in it because they are all dirty next to the sink.
Hope you are all feeling TEN times better about yourselves by now. As the saying goes, "better to bless than impress". :0)
Have a blessed day dear mommies.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
But you don't understand me...I am justified in my complaining!
A few months back, I was led to the passage I referred to the other day, and I felt the conviction laying thick. I set this challenge for myself, and I have to tell you that is was sooooo hard for me a few months back. I was very, very aware of my struggle within. For whatever reason, I had determined that because life was hard, I should complain about it every chance I got. All day long I would wait until my husband would get home so I could load off onto him....counting down the minutes until I could finally blow out all of the frustration I had built up throughout the day. He would come home to me saying to him, "You won't believe what happened this morning!...And then, just when I thought it couldn't get any worse...OH! and like I wasn't already mad enough..." Poor guy. If he had a bad day there wasn't any time to talk about it, because by the time I was done venting, we were both exhausted.
Life was hard. It is still hard most days. We're in a challenging phase of our lives with all of our kids being infants or toddlers: a 4 year old, 2 year old, and a 7 month old. I had no idea how demanding kids were until we had them. :) (Anybody out there relate?) So many things happen everyday that I never would have bargained for. 
I definitely still have my turn of struggles, and internal anguish, but I can honestly say this time of committing to a full day of no complaining was so much easier than the last time.
Here's my encouraging word
If you are someone who is always pulling out the "woah is me" card, make choices to stop, and look around you. Don't complain, even though you feel like it. See what happens. The more you consciously make the effort, the easier it will become. Seriously. Try it out for yourself. You will still need your one or two awesome friends that you can sort out life's wild mysteries with (like why my son still continues to insist on not flushing the toilet even though we have been telling him for months) but you won't feel like you have to unload your baggage at every chance you get. And when you do it will be brief, and it will be a relief when you are done.
The wrap up
When you feel like complaining ask yourself this question:
"Do I want to talk about this to find an answer, or do I just want everyone else to feel bad for me?" If it's the second one, pray instead, take a few deep breaths, and try to change your focus. Smile and give your kids a kiss instead. In some instances, you may need to ensure that the kids are safe, and then dart to another room for a moment until you collect yourself. Do it for them and for you.
LOVE YOU MOMMA FRIENDS!!! We'll get through this wild journey together. Okay, now go rock on with your bad self! :0)
***This post was part of a 3 post series on how to do everything without complaining. If you are interested in the 1st and 2nd posts that led up to this one click on one of the links below:
Do everything without complaining: Part One
Do everything without complaining: Part Two
A few months back, I was led to the passage I referred to the other day, and I felt the conviction laying thick. I set this challenge for myself, and I have to tell you that is was sooooo hard for me a few months back. I was very, very aware of my struggle within. For whatever reason, I had determined that because life was hard, I should complain about it every chance I got. All day long I would wait until my husband would get home so I could load off onto him....counting down the minutes until I could finally blow out all of the frustration I had built up throughout the day. He would come home to me saying to him, "You won't believe what happened this morning!...And then, just when I thought it couldn't get any worse...OH! and like I wasn't already mad enough..." Poor guy. If he had a bad day there wasn't any time to talk about it, because by the time I was done venting, we were both exhausted.
Life was hard. It is still hard most days. We're in a challenging phase of our lives with all of our kids being infants or toddlers: a 4 year old, 2 year old, and a 7 month old. I had no idea how demanding kids were until we had them. :) (Anybody out there relate?) So many things happen everyday that I never would have bargained for. 
I definitely still have my turn of struggles, and internal anguish, but I can honestly say this time of committing to a full day of no complaining was so much easier than the last time.Here's my encouraging word
If you are someone who is always pulling out the "woah is me" card, make choices to stop, and look around you. Don't complain, even though you feel like it. See what happens. The more you consciously make the effort, the easier it will become. Seriously. Try it out for yourself. You will still need your one or two awesome friends that you can sort out life's wild mysteries with (like why my son still continues to insist on not flushing the toilet even though we have been telling him for months) but you won't feel like you have to unload your baggage at every chance you get. And when you do it will be brief, and it will be a relief when you are done.
The wrap up When you feel like complaining ask yourself this question:
"Do I want to talk about this to find an answer, or do I just want everyone else to feel bad for me?" If it's the second one, pray instead, take a few deep breaths, and try to change your focus. Smile and give your kids a kiss instead. In some instances, you may need to ensure that the kids are safe, and then dart to another room for a moment until you collect yourself. Do it for them and for you.
LOVE YOU MOMMA FRIENDS!!! We'll get through this wild journey together. Okay, now go rock on with your bad self! :0)
***This post was part of a 3 post series on how to do everything without complaining. If you are interested in the 1st and 2nd posts that led up to this one click on one of the links below:
Do everything without complaining: Part One
Do everything without complaining: Part Two
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The reward you've all been waiting for....drum roll please...Your reward will be in Heaven. :)
Just kidding...well...kind of. I know, I know...lame, right? :) Listen, if you agreed to join me in the challenge not to complain for one whole day, then you have chosen to make your environment around you better. The energy that could have been wasted and drained by thinking and meditating on all the "what ifs'" and the "if I could just's" was redirected into positive energy...which is less draining on you, I promise. Whatever energy your are putting off, is felt by your family...whether it be positive or negative. 
Have you ever gotten really excited about something all of a sudden and your kids lit up and got really excited with you, even though they didn't even understand why you were so happy? 
You're contagious. Think on that. Your reward when you choose to "do everything without complaining or arguing" is that you "shine" and don't think for a second that those precious little people around you aren't influenced by that light, because you are one of the greatest influences in their lives, both now, and forever. 
I used to think that I was just being real when I vented the anger and disappointment I felt as soon as I felt it. As long as I was just keeping it real, it was okay. The problem, though, was that all my complaining was driving me further into the pit I was making for myself. The pit of self-pity. It can be hard to come out of at times, once the pit is dug. It's going to take one small choice at a time. So choose again, today, to make a promise to yourself, "I will complain less today, and smile more today, even if I don't feel like it yet."
You're worth it, and so are your kids, so, SHINE ON, MOMMA FRIEND! SHINE ON, and be blessed because of it. Much love to you today. You are doing a great job. Keep on keeping on!
One last entry will be posted on this topic tomorrow to wrap up this "Do everything without complaining" challenge. If this challenge was hard for you and you are looking a true word of encouragement, that will be the one to read.
((***side note: There are times when you just need to talk to someone about how you are feeling, and the relief afterward is wonderful. I am not trying to discredit the importance of talking with a friend when you are truly struggling, but I am encouraging that you choose to not make complaining your all-day long affair. And don't waste all the energy that you DO have that day complaining about the small stuff, like how the kids left a million crumbs under the table after dinner. :) Many instances of self-pity, and self-loathing will actually just make you more self-centered, and then it becomes harder to focus on serving the little people around you. The attitude becomes, "Why should I have to (fill in the blank)" instead of "How may I serve you today?". Something to consider is all.))
Just kidding...well...kind of. I know, I know...lame, right? :) Listen, if you agreed to join me in the challenge not to complain for one whole day, then you have chosen to make your environment around you better. The energy that could have been wasted and drained by thinking and meditating on all the "what ifs'" and the "if I could just's" was redirected into positive energy...which is less draining on you, I promise. Whatever energy your are putting off, is felt by your family...whether it be positive or negative. 
Have you ever gotten really excited about something all of a sudden and your kids lit up and got really excited with you, even though they didn't even understand why you were so happy? 
You're contagious. Think on that. Your reward when you choose to "do everything without complaining or arguing" is that you "shine" and don't think for a second that those precious little people around you aren't influenced by that light, because you are one of the greatest influences in their lives, both now, and forever. 
I used to think that I was just being real when I vented the anger and disappointment I felt as soon as I felt it. As long as I was just keeping it real, it was okay. The problem, though, was that all my complaining was driving me further into the pit I was making for myself. The pit of self-pity. It can be hard to come out of at times, once the pit is dug. It's going to take one small choice at a time. So choose again, today, to make a promise to yourself, "I will complain less today, and smile more today, even if I don't feel like it yet."
You're worth it, and so are your kids, so, SHINE ON, MOMMA FRIEND! SHINE ON, and be blessed because of it. Much love to you today. You are doing a great job. Keep on keeping on!One last entry will be posted on this topic tomorrow to wrap up this "Do everything without complaining" challenge. If this challenge was hard for you and you are looking a true word of encouragement, that will be the one to read.
((***side note: There are times when you just need to talk to someone about how you are feeling, and the relief afterward is wonderful. I am not trying to discredit the importance of talking with a friend when you are truly struggling, but I am encouraging that you choose to not make complaining your all-day long affair. And don't waste all the energy that you DO have that day complaining about the small stuff, like how the kids left a million crumbs under the table after dinner. :) Many instances of self-pity, and self-loathing will actually just make you more self-centered, and then it becomes harder to focus on serving the little people around you. The attitude becomes, "Why should I have to (fill in the blank)" instead of "How may I serve you today?". Something to consider is all.))
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)