Tag: Mothering

Build Yourself Strong

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I don’t know that I had a word from the Lord last year, but my husband did. Diligence. It looked like a 5” scar on the side of his hand as a result of putting a new roof on our house. Diligence called us home from Kenya, to a new church body, to a long remodel project, and two of the biggest family decisions we’ve ever made. I’m ready for a new year and a new word!

As I moved books and games into their new space, I also wanted to spruce up the rest of the house. Naturally, I turned to the internet for inspiration on how to do that. I came across the Nester’s site and a video series she wrote called the Cozy Minimalist. Those words rang in my ear…

Now, I don’t want to a minimalist that lives in a tiny house and can fit all my belongings in a FedEx box. But I longed for less maintenance with a warm touch. So I wrote down the words, Cozy, Beautiful, Minimal and decided these would be my words for 2016.

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Change Out the Needle

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Our family went to visit my parents in Arkansas for the Labor Day weekend. I expected it to be a time of rest as it often is thanks to my mom cooking and cleaning the dishes for me. And while I did rest from those duties, my mind didn’t.

So my first day back home I needed to do absolutely nothing. My body was tired. My mind was tired. I needed to hit the “reset” button, but couldn’t find it.

Before I left, Mom and I went to Hancock fabrics to look for a pattern that I could make something out of the fabric I purchased while in Kenya. I always make skirts thinking I’ll wear them and then never do. So I needed a pattern of something I will wear! I told my mom when we were checking out that I’m sure there will be a blog post about this afterwards. And I was right!

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This was going to be my project for the week off school. In my day to do nothing, I started a movie, started another one for the kids, and closed the door to my sewing room.

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My Space, My Place

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I love finding hidden commonalities with new friends over the internet. I found one with my fellow blogger, Ashley Hales. We both signed up for the Clumsy Blogger course in hopes to not trip over inconspicuous power cords and such anymore in this world of blogging. I know it helped me and it put me in touch with Ashley and her site, Circling the Story. I say we have a commonality because we both like to share stories of others.  As Ashley said, “All our stories matter. Story begets story.”

Yes.

Today, she’s allowed me the privilege of sharing my story. My story of finding joy in the mundane tasks of cleaning house and feeding my family. It took me flying 9,000 miles away from home this summer to realize it, but I’m thankful for the lesson none-the-less.

Thanks Ashley for allowing me to share my story!

Here’s a glimpse, and be sure to view the whole story HERE.

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My Home Make-Over: Heart Addition

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Sometimes motherhood wakes me up with smiles and kisses surrounding my face. Other days, I awaken and face tasks much too hard for this only child to tackle. This would be one of those days…

The day started with me desperately trying to talk myself out of driving  60 miles to get groceries at the nearest Costco. “Are the savings really worth my morning?” I pondered.

Doing some quick math confirmed, yes, they were.

To the utmost delight of my children, we slipped on our shoes and slid open the doors to pile in our minivan ready to conquer the aisles and bring home the bacon.

Actually, I’m pretty sure I had to remind each of my children that they weren’t alone in their “I don’t want to go” statements. I didn’t want to go either. But I do like to eat. And, I am always thankful on the back-end for a pantry stocked with supplies for dinner.

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Tired Arms, Strong Shepherd

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As a mom, homeschooler, wife and stocker-of-the-pantry, the daily responsibility to lead well weighs heavy on my shoulders. When my kids are hungry, what do they do?

“Mom, I’m hungry.”

When breakfast is out of the way and tummies are full, the questions turn to the day’s schedule.

“What are we doing today, Mom?”

Of all the places and times I am looked upon to lead, direct, point out, initiate, start the ball rolling…to read the words “The Lord is my Shepherd” wash great comfort and relief over my tired arms. I didn’t realize how heavy the load was that I was carrying. And I didn’t realize I was trying to carry it all by myself.

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I’m Sorry, What Did You Say?

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What did we do before MP3 players and headphones? Road trips and quiet times at home would not be the same without them. Each of my children gets to listen to their choice of songs or stories independently. No more “But I want to listen to Veggie Tales again for the 47th time!”

However, there is a down side. I don’t like to give instructions only to be met with this…

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Embracing Motherhood Even When I Don’t Wanna Be a Mom Today

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I haven’t felt like being a mom today – or this week for that matter.

Maybe it’s this new blog and all the stories that fill my mind. Maybe it’s the family adventure we’re about to embark on. Maybe it’s that time of the month.

It’s just that I’m tired of no-win situations. I make one kid happy just to make the other mad – it wears on a person, ya know!

I don’t know, but when I think about fixing dinner, honestly, I’d really rather not. Meal planning – ugh, I think I’ll fast. Laundry – can’t you do your own? Dishes – please wash yourself. Truly, I have no motivation left.

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What No One Told Me About Being a Mom

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“But Mom, Loren has her fingernails done!”

“I know honey! I’m glad. I bet she loves them!”

Have you ever had that conversation with your child? I have. It was in that moment, I also realized I’d had a similar conversation, except I was the little girl, and I was talking to my Heavenly Father.

Why does the Lord have to convict me when I’m talking to my children? I mean, I have a very good point I’m trying to make with them, and He always has to bring it back around to my relationship with Him.

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Modify if You Need To!

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Future laundry loads litter the floor. The smell of breakfast dishes lingers in the air. Dinner needs to be started. The floor needs to be swept; the counters wiped down. As I add one more errand to the white board list I feel it all pressing in around me. Some days I feel like I could drown in the needs of my own house.

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Who are you?

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   Mom, you are important!!! Don’t tell me your kids aren’t watching you. Don’t think for a second that how you live life in front of them doesn’t matter to them. It does matter. Greatly.

   I’m observing my household this morning. Caleb woke up early and is typing away on the computer on his new idea – a book about traps and animals. Mackenzie is playing a new song she wrote for her guitar about her testimony. Zach wants to write a book review about the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe which he listened to in its entirety yesterday. I don’t say this to draw attention to me or us. I share this to show you something GREAT and important, something I just realized…

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