Lindsey Bell

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 19

2012-02-12T08:00:00.007-06:00

One of his Number Books

Click here to print my Week 19 Preschool Lesson Plans. In it, you'll find activities for the following:

1. The Letter O
2. Time
3. The Bible story of the Kings of Israel and Judah
4. The Season of Summer
5. Review of colors, numbers, and shapes

Tracing the Letter O

Fun Friday Links, Plus a Video of A Rising Superstar

2012-02-10T08:00:00.032-06:00

Finally caught him smiling!

Once again, I hope you enjoy this week's favorite links. There are some really great ideas this week that I can't wait to try!
Devotional Diapers by Joy at The Better Mom.com. I love this idea for baby showers!

Inexpensive Lid Storage Rack. A great idea from The Happy Housewife.com.

Giant Rice Krispy Kisses by Erin at Making Memories with Your Kids.

The Digital Version of Plucking Your Eye Out and How to Remember Your Family is More Important Than Social Media both by Jon Acuff. Two great posts about social media.

You were Adopted by Laurel Feierbach. Some great ideas about how to talk about adoption with your kids.

And finally, for your viewing entertainment, a video of our three-year-old, a Superstar in the making:

Sometimes It's Good to Confess

2012-02-07T07:59:00.000-06:00

Bekki Lindner, over at chasingsupermom.com, holds a weekly confessional for moms. It's a place where moms can be honest with one another. None of us is perfect. It's due time we stop pretending to be! I wrote a confessional for her this past week. And let me tell you, it was so great to be honest. You can read it here. I hope you'll skip over and tell me I'm not alone!

Valentine's Day on a Budget

2012-02-06T08:00:00.002-06:00

Courtesy of Salvatore Vuono

Valentine's Day is next week, so if you haven't already started thinking about what you want to do for your spouse, now is the perfect time to begin. My husband and I are a single income family of four, so we live on a pretty tight budget. But that certainly doesn't mean we can't do special things for each other on Valentine's Day. Here are 15 inexpensive Valentine's Day gifts:

1. Make a list of all the reasons you love your spouse.
2. Cook his or her favorite meal or dessert.
3. Put together a movie night basket (sparkling grape juice or wine, a favorite DVD-this could even be a movie you already own, two glasses and a bag of popcorn).
4. Give him or her a back or foot rub.
5. Allow him or her to take the night off with no chores and no kids.
6. Have a TV night where your spouse gets to choose the show with no complaints.
7. Make a photo collage with your favorite pictures.
8. Plan an indoor picnic.
9. Bring him/her breakfast in bed.
10. Leave love notes all over the house.
11. Write a note in the steamed bathroom mirror for him/her to read later.
12. Buy a couple of your spouse's favorite candy bar and hide them throughout the house.
13. Surprise your spouse with a date night.
14. Re-live your first date.
15. Guys, create a pampering basket for your wives: lotion, bath soap, bubble bath, nail polish, etc. Girls, create a carwash basket for your husbands: rags, tire shine, armor all. Buy off brand products to keep the baskets within budget.

Any other ideas come to mind? I'd love to hear them!

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 18

2012-02-05T08:00:00.016-06:00

Handprint Flower

Click here to view and print my week 18 Preschool Lesson Plan. In it, you'll find activities for the following:

1. The Letter N
2. Review of Basic Colors, Shapes, and Numbers
3. The Bible Story of David and Goliath
4. The Season of Spring
5. Time-Months, Days, etc.

A couple of our coloring books

Working on our Months of the Year Project


Adding the Letter N to his Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree

Fun Friday Favorite Links

2012-02-03T08:00:00.007-06:00

My boys in matching pjs:)

I hope you enjoy this week's round-up of great posts!

Mitten and Glove Organization, a great idea over at TheHappyHousewife.com.

What a Man Looks Like by Billy Coffey.

When You Feel Overwhelmed By Your Workload by Michael Hyatt. Great tips!

The One Thing about Siri That Scares Me by Jon Acuff.

Sacrifice, yes, Mundane-Shoot Me Now by Sally Clarkson.

Happy Hour Handprints by Adrianne at The Intentional Momma. Some great handprint ideas to do with your kiddos!

Next week, I'm going to start posting about marriage. I hope you come back next Monday for my first post!

What I Learned About Keeping God as My #1 Priority

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000-06:00


Courtesy of Grant Cochrane

Wow, January is already almost over. And that means that as much as I hate it, I need to evaluate my goals and see how I did. My goal for this month was to be more intentional about the time I spent with the Lord. I wanted to read my Bible and pray every day, as well as incorporate other spiritual disciplines into my week.

As much as I wish I could tell you I was successful, I really can't. This life as a disciple of Jesus is hard. It's hard to keep God at his number one spot in my life. It's hard to find time for prayer, Bible reading and Scripture memorization. And it's hard to not be selfish. Because let's be honest. At the end of the day, if I didn't make time for God, I can't really blame it on anything other than that. I didn't make time for him because I chose not to. I chose to do something else.

Needless to say, month one of my Year of Balance wasn't as successful as I would have liked. But...it also wasn't a complete failure. I learned a lot about myself and about what keeping God as my number one priority looks like. Here's what it looks like for me:

1. I read my Bible first thing in the morning. I'm by no means suggesting you have to read your Bible in the morning to keep God as your priority. There's no magic formula or legalistic requirements when it comes to God. All I'm saying is that for me, if I don't read it first thing (or at least in the first few hours), it's a lot more difficult to think godly thoughts throughout the day. It's also a lot more likely I'll forget.

2. I force negative thoughts out of my mind, and consciously replace them with Bible verses. The key here is paying attention to what I'm thinking. If I don't pay attention to my thoughts, it's so easy to slip back into negative patterns. One book that has really helped me in this area of my life is Guarding Your Child's Heart by Dr. Gary Smalley. It's all about making Scripture a part of your life and the lives of your children.

3. While reading my Bible, I look for the lesson God might be trying to teach me. (I also write the lesson down in my journal.) This helps keep me from dazing off while I'm reading.

4. I MUST use a Bible reading plan. For years, I've tried to stop using them. I've always been a list person, and I didn't want my Bible reading to become just another thing I had to do. My motives for getting rid of the plan were all well and good. The only problem was that I stopped reading. If I don't have a plan, I don't read. Plain and simple. If you can do it without a plan, don't by any means feel like you have to follow one. You don't! I, on the other hand, know myself well enough to know that I need a plan.

5. I have to be intentional about whatever I want to get done. Otherwise, it won't happen. If I want to take a day to rest and think upon the Lord, I have to prepare for it. If I want to read my Bible every day, I have to plan for it. If I want prayer to be a regular part of my life, I have to consciously make it a part of my day. A relationship with the Lord doesn't happen on its own. At least not for me. I have to be intentional.

I'm curious. What does keeping God as your number one priority look like?

Next month, my goal is to be more intentional about strengthening my relationship with my husband. (Perfect timing, right, with Valentine's Day and all!) I hope you'll join me as I try to make him my number 2 priority!

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 17

2012-01-29T08:00:00.001-06:00

Capital/Lowercase Sorting

Click here to view and print my Week 17 Lesson Plan. We're done reviewing and back to new stuff! In this lesson plan, you'll find activities for the following:

The Letter M
The Bible Story of Hannah and Samuel
Time (Days of the Week, Months, Telling Time, etc.)
The Season of Winter
Colors, Numbers, Shapes review

Letter M Hunt

M&M Sorting-He LOVED this!

Today, Tomorrow, or Yesterday?

Fun Friday Favorite Links

2012-01-27T08:00:00.007-06:00

Look at that silly face! I told him to smile:)

There were some really great posts this week. I hope you enjoy the round-up I've provided for you!

1. Shining up our scars by Jon Acuff.

2. The Power of Asking the Right Question by Michael Hyatt.

3. 34 Words on Improving Empathy In Your Family by Amy Sullivan.

4. Simple Ways to Teach Your Children Scripture by Ruth Schwenk.

5. On the Altar by Cheryl at thebettermom.com. If you are a parent who tends to worry, you need to read this post!

6. Fried Apples recipe over at Lynn's Kitchen Adventures. Yum!

7. Friendly Fire by Glennon Melton. I LOVE this post. It's due time we moms stop beating ourselves and each other up!

8. Giving up Worry by Ashley Moore. This post has some great tips on how to get rid of worry.

5 Ways to Guarantee You Never Read Your Bible

2012-01-23T08:00:00.002-06:00

One benefit of not growing up in the church is that you don't know anything about the Bible. I know that sounds awful, but hang with me for a minute.

When we first started going to church, we felt stupid. It wasn't the church's fault. Once you've been around Christians for very long, you don't even realize how much "Christianese" you use. Words like baptism, confession, and communion were normal to them, foreign to us. Because of how dumb we felt, we took action. We began meeting with the senior minister at church and digging into our Bibles at home. Before long, I read through the entire Bible.

Sometimes I miss those days. Fifteen (plus a few) years later, and my longing to learn isn't near as strong. This month, I've been focusing on my relationship with God, trying to be more intentional about putting Him first in my life. In the process, I've learned several things NOT to do. Here are a few ways to guarantee you never read your Bible:

1. Assume you know enough already. After all, Christianity isn't about how much you know anyway, so why bother?

2. Leave your Bible at church, in your car or under a pile of mail.

3. Finish your "to-do" list first.

4. Wait until the timing is perfect-when you're not tired, not stressed, and have nothing else to do.

5. Only read it if you have an intense desire for the Word. That's somewhere in the Bible isn't it, right next to the verse about only giving if have a surplus in your checking account?

I know there are more ways, but these are my top ones. What about you? What keeps you from reading your Bible?

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 16

2012-01-22T08:00:00.002-06:00

Number Flash Cards

Click here to view and print my week 16 preschool lesson plans. We're still reviewing this week, so you'll find activities for the following:

1. Review the letters A-L.
2. Review the numbers 1-20.
3. Review previous Bible stories and verses.
4. Review basic shapes.
5. Review basic colors.

ABC Puzzle

Fun Friday Favorite Links

2012-01-20T08:00:00.004-06:00

Happy 3rd birthday to my little boy!

Some of these links were actually from last week, but hey, it doesn't really matter, right? Enjoy!

1. Lazy Chicken Alfredo by Becky, guest on I'm a Lazy Mom.

2. How Differences with Your Spouse Can Make Your Marriage Stronger by Michael Hyatt.

3. The Boldness of Youth by Billy Coffey. (As a side note, I just finished Billy's book Paper Angels, and I highly recommend it. It's a very touching story about one man's journey to healing after some major disappointments in life.)

4. Canadian Bacon Cheese Soup by Lynn at Lynn's Kitchen Adventures.

5. Snowmen Learning Activities by Bekki at Chasing Supermom.

6. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Mousse also by Bekki at Chasing Supermom. Doesn't the name even sound delicious?!

7. My "So What?" Attitude Toward Hospitality by Ginger Kolbaba at the Kyria blog. This is a great read for perfectionists like me:)

8. 10 Ways Your Family Can Serve Others by Amy Sullivan.

When God Feels Distant

2012-01-19T14:05:00.000-06:00

God said no. Not once. Not twice. But three times.

It all started in August of 2010 when my husband and I found out we were pregnant with baby number two. We couldn’t wait to welcome him or her into our home. Couldn’t wait to watch our son, Rylan, interact with his new sibling. All of our plans came crashing down, though, when I was twelve weeks pregnant. . . .

I'm guest posting on Kristen Hamilton's blog today. You can read the rest of the story here.

A Quick Guide to Spiritual Disciplines

2012-01-16T08:00:00.111-06:00

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Miller Freestockphotos.biz

Anyone else dislike the word "discipline," especially when it's connected to the word "spiritual"? It's too negative. Sounds a lot like punishment. And the last thing I want you thinking is that the activities I describe below are punishment. They might be difficult. Might take some work. But they certainly aren't punishment. These activities will draw your heart closer to your Father's in ways that few other activities can.

Spiritual Disciplines-The What and the How:

1. Scripture Reading
Some people find that it helps to choose a regular time and place to read their Bibles. Also, following a Scripture Reading Plan can help you stay on track. One great way to incorporate Bible reading into your day is by downloading a Bible App (like YouVersion) on your smart phone. When you read and how much you read don't matter as long as you read regularly.

2. Scripture Meditation
This is more than just reading the Bible. It’s personalizing it. Use a small chunk of Scripture and let it soak in. Paraphrase it; apply it to your life.

3. Scripture Memorization
Here are a few ideas of how to do this: say it over and over again, write it down, carry it with you on a note card, put it somewhere you’ll see it often (like a bathroom mirror or car steering wheel), study it, use it in conversation, and review it.

4. Prayer
I think we tend to make prayer more difficult than it needs to be. I've heard hundreds of "prayer methods" that explain how to pray. If these methods help you, by all means use them. But don't get so bogged down on how to pray that you neglect to do it. Prayer is simple. It's a conversation. It's you talking to God like you talk to anyone else.

Here are a few ideas of how to pray daily: in the car, in letters to people, while walking/exercising, while doing a common task (like washing dishes or mowing the lawn), in the shower, in a neighborhood prayer walk, over meals, with your server at a restaurant, etc.

5. Fasting
This doesn’t have to be food. You can fast from TV, the computer, Facebook or Twitter, video games, pop, sweets, etc.

6. Reading
Don't let your spiritual nourishment come only from the Bible. Read other Christian books as well.

7. Journaling
Even though I love to write, I've always had a hard time with this one. For the month of January, though, I've picked it up again. Every day (okay, not every day but several times a week), I write one thing God is teaching me. My journal entries are short, but it's a good way to help me pay attention as I read the Bible (rather than just skim over important lessons).

Here are a few ideas of what to journal: daily events, reflections as you read, feelings, prayers, memories, questions, world events, conversations, quotations, dreams, etc.

8. Worship
Worship isn't reserved for Sundays. Or at least, it shouldn't be. You can worship by singing, yes, but you can also worship in your day-to-day life. Through service to your family. Through diligence at work. Through love for your neighbor. Incorporate worship into every day of your week, not just Sundays.

9. Sabbath
By Sabbath, I don't mean just doing nothing on Sunday afternoon. I mean intentionally slowing your life down. Practice waiting by choosing the slow line at the grocery store or driving in the slow lane. Find your own place of solitude. Take a day’s retreat. Take a nap. Learn how to slow down and rest.

I have a three-year-old. And a newborn. I'm busy, just like everyone else. I'm by no means claiming to be an expert at spiritual disciplines. But this month, I've committed to incorporating at least some of these disciplines into my life. So far, I've added Scripture reading, Scripture meditation, journaling, and prayer. I plan to slowly add more as the month continues. And hopefully, in July, I'll still be doing some of them:)

One other thing. This list isn't meant to be all-inclusive. There are other spiritual disciplines that are equally beneficial to your life. I highly recommend this book by Donald S. Whitney: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.

What spiritual discipline do you most enjoy?

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 15

2012-01-15T08:00:00.018-06:00

Shape Puzzle Fun

Click here to view and print my week 15 Preschool Lesson Plan. In it, you'll find activities to review the following:

1. The Letters A-L
2. The Numbers 1-20
3. All Shapes
4. All Basic Colors
5. Various Bible Stories
6. Various Bible Verses

One thing you might notice is that I've starting doing fewer "sit down and learn" kind of activities. It took me a few months to figure out that my son doesn't respond well to this type of learning. It got to the point that he wasn't enjoying our "Table Time" (as I called it). So...I'm adapting. We're still doing some seated activities but I've incorporated more active learning. He's three, after all. I should have known better. Oh well, you learn:)

Racetrack with his ABC Blocks

Computer Games

A few of our books this week

Fun in the kitchen. Rye was helping me make a blueberry smoothie.

Fun Friday Favorite Links, Plus a Video

2012-01-13T08:00:00.033-06:00

Enjoy these great posts! Sorry there are not as many this week. My hubby has been out of town, so I've been a bit busy. (And as a side note, I have so much respect for you single mommas. This is hard!)

1. Don't Carpe Diem by Glennon Melton at Momastery. This is a must read for EVERY mom out there. Please read it! I know you'll be glad you did.

2. Lunch Sack Popcorn (A Lazy Mom Recipe) by Stacey at I'm a Lazy Mom.

3. Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels by Erin at Making Memories.

4. A World Worth Saving by Billy Coffey.

And for your viewing entertainment, enjoy this video of our little golfer:

(Last time I posted a video, some people were unable to view it on their phones. I don't know how to solve this yet-need to check with my techy husband-so I apologize in advance if you can't view it. As far as I know, there haven't been any problems viewing the videos on computers...)

A Busy Mom's Guide to Finding Time for God

2012-01-09T08:00:00.004-06:00

Photo Courtesy of PhotoRack at Freestockphotos.biz

Last week, I wrote about my one word goal for 2012: Balance. Each month I plan to focus on one area of my life that tends to get unbalanced. For January, I'm focusing on my relationship with God. As a stay at home mom, it's difficult to find time for spiritual disciplines like Bible study and prayer. Who am I kidding? It's difficult to find time to take a shower! If my kids aren't sleeping or eating, they're clinging to my ankles (something I both love and hate all at the same time).

But just because it's difficult to find time for the Lord doesn't mean it's impossible. Here are a few simple tips that have helped me make time for God in the midst of a hectic schedule.

1. Take advantage of naptime. I know it's tempting to get everything else done while the kiddos are sleeping. You only have so much time before they wake up, right? But if finding time for God is important to you, do it first. Before you clean up the kitchen. Before you check Facebook. If you save it for last, you'll likely run out of time.

2. Use a Bible reading app on your phone. I have found this to be especially helpful with a newborn. I read my Bible while I feed him. (And since he eats 8 times a day, I have plenty of time to read!) The app I recommend is YouVersion, and I'm going through a Bible reading plan called Project 51. So far, I'm really enjoying it.

3. Don't expect your time with God to be perfect or without distraction. If you wait for the timing to be just right, you'll never do it.

4. Ask for your spouse's help at the end of the day. Consider a swap. He gets a thirty minute break at some point in the evening. Then it's your turn.

5. If you don't have a smart phone or don't like the idea of reading the Bible on your phone, consider listening to it. You could even do this while cooking dinner or taking care of your kids.

6. Develop the habit of praying while you do other things like folding laundry, driving, or cooking dinner.

7. Involve your kids in your Bible study, especially if they are older and able to read an adult Bible version with you. Consider designating a certain time of day to Bible study for everyone in the house.

8. Start to slowly incorporate spiritual disciplines into your life. (Stay tuned next week for a post that's all about spiritual disciples-what they are, why we do them, etc.) The key word is slow, though. Don't try to do all of them at once.

9. Get up early or stay up late. Believe me, I can hear the groans already (probably because I'm making them!) I despise getting up earlier than necessary. And with a newborn, once both kids are asleep, I want to go to bed too. But if this is the only time available during the day, use it. Time in the Word is worth the thirty minutes of rest you lose.

10. Search your schedule for time-wasters like hours spent in front of the television or Internet. Cut out some of this, and you'll be amazed at the amount of time you find.

11. And finally, cut yourself some slack. If you miss a day, it's OKAY. No need to feel guilty or worry about God being angry with you. Whatever you do-even if it's only a few minutes a couple of times a week-is better than nothing.

Any other tips? I'd love to hear them.

Fun Friday Favorite Links

2012-01-06T08:00:00.010-06:00

Our newest addition-isn't he adorable?!

Since I took a week off from blogging, these posts were from the last two weeks. Enjoy!

1. Homemade Photo Coasters by Carrie at My Favorite Finds.

2. Savor the Moments of Family Life by Jessica Fisher. A great post with ideas of how to savor your time with family in 2012.

3. Delicious Hot Chocolate by Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman.

4. Chalkboard Travel Trays and Cute Magnets by Carrie at My Favorite Finds. Such a great idea for travel fun with kiddos!

5. Soap Explosion by Erin at Making Memories. Now THIS is a cool idea! I can't wait to do this with Rylan:)

6. Freedom to Enjoy Life, and Monkey Around A Little Bit by Sally Clarkson-the encouragement every mom needs.

7. New Year, New Marriage (Ashley's Healing Story) at Mary DeMuth's blog. This is a great post about restoration after a pornography addiction.

8. iPad Educational Apps for Preschoolers by Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler.

5 Ways to Save Money in 2012

2012-01-05T16:30:00.000-06:00

I'm guest posting over at Kasey Johnson's Smarter Mom's blog about 5 Ways to Save Money in 2012. Come on over and say hello!

The Only Thing You Really Need in 2012

2012-01-02T01:00:00.005-06:00

Courtesy of Vlado/freedigitalphotos.net

January. It's the month in which many of us make New Year's resolutions. It's also the only month of the entire year that many of us actually keep them. By the time February 1st rolls around, most of us have already forgotten about those promises we made January 1st (or if not forgotten, at least allowed them to slip from our priority lists, gather a little dust, and make us feel guilty). That's why this year, I'm not making a New Year's Resolution.

Instead, I've decided to focus on only one thing for the entire year. One thing that, when it comes down to it, is the only thing that really matters.

A few weeks ago, I read this post by Kasey Johnson about summing up your year in a word or two. When I first read her post, I summed up 2011 with these words: grief and hope. As I thought about it, though, I realized another word that I should probably add to the list: unbalanced. In the midst of trying to maintain a pregnancy, dealing with grief from three miscarriages, adopting a newborn, and running on little to no sleep, I allowed certain aspects of my life to slip. Understandable? Sure. But not something I want to repeat in 2012.

As 2012 begins, I want to make sure my life stays more balanced than it did last year. Those things that really matter to me, I want to give the most time and attention. And those things that don't, I want to push down (or maybe even off) of my to-do list.

As you probably already know, I'm a list and calendar person. If something is on my list or calendar, it gets done. If it's not, who knows when I'll get to it? So...as ridiculous as it may sound, I'm putting "balance" on my calendar. Every month, I'll focus on one area of my life that tends to become unbalanced. I don't have the entire year planned yet, but here's what I have so far (and bear with me if the list changes a little...)

January-Relationship with God (Spiritual Disciplines)
February-Relationship with Husband
March-Relationships with Children
April-Relationships with Friends
May-Relationships with Family
June-Exercise
July-Healthy Eating
August-Social Media
September-Service
October-?
November-?
December-Rest

At some point during each month, I'll blog about the journey (and hopefully encourage you to keep your life balanced as well). Then, as each month passes, I hope to maintain balance in the area from the previous month.

The only thing I really need in 2012? A balanced life. A life in which my priorities receive my time and the urgent does not push aside the important. Want to join me this year as I try to maintain a balanced life?

I'd love to hear your ideas. I've got a few more months to fill. What other things tend to become unbalanced in your life?

Blogging Break

2011-12-26T08:01:00.001-06:00

I'll be taking this week off from blogging. See you in 2012!

Merry Christmas, Plus Favorite Links of the Week

2011-12-23T08:00:00.032-06:00

Merry Christmas from our household to yours! Rylan wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas too:)

I hope you have a wonderful week with your family. I'll be taking next week off from blogging but plan to be back at the beginning of January. Until then, enjoy my favorite posts of the week:

1. My Daughter Stole Baby Jesus by Amy Sullivan.

2. Cute and Sweet Christmas Treats by Bekki Lindner at Chasing Supermom.

3. Lemon Hand Scrub and How to Make Homemade Body Scrub by Carrie Hurst at My Favorite Finds.

4. How to Make Homemade Snow Globes by Rachel at Surviving the Stores.

31 Days to Build a Better Spouse

2011-12-21T15:48:00.000-06:00

Want to be more intentional in 2012 about praying for your spouse? I haven't read this e-book yet, but I think it sounds like a great way to make prayer a priority in the new year. Click the link below for more information:

Check out the book here.

*Full Disclosure: I have signed up to be an affiliate and help Ashley spread the word about her book.

The View From Down Here

2011-12-19T08:00:00.004-06:00

Image from freestockphotos.biz

One piece of parenting advice I heard numerous times when I was pregnant was this: “Get down on your child’s level when you talk to him.”

A few days ago, my three-year-old son rammed a dump truck into the back of my leg. As much as I wanted to scream at him from where I stood, I chose to instead get down on my knees and talk to him face-to-face.

When he saw how much he hurt me, his eyes brimmed with tears and he wrapped his little arms around my neck, “I’m sorry, Mommy.”

I didn’t even have to force him to apologize. No time out needed. No privileges revoked. All it took was getting down on his level and looking him in the eyes.

As Christmas nears, it’s easy to get wrapped up in holiday festivities. After all, we’ve got cookies to bake, Christmas cards to mail, gifts to buy and wrap, meals to prepare, and the list goes on and on. I hope in the midst of our packed schedules, we take time to think about what it meant for God to come down and be one of us.

John 6:38 reads, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” Jesus came down to earth for one reason—to do the will of his Father.

It would have been easier for Jesus to stay in heaven. I’m sure he preferred the beautiful streets of gold to the dusty roads of Jerusalem. It would have been easier to thunder down instructions to his people. Much easier than trying to teach a bunch of hardheaded disciples what it means to love their neighbors as themselves. It would have been easier to avoid the dusty manger, the hateful people, and the hypocritical religious leaders. It certainly would have been easier to avoid death. But our Father didn’t choose the easy route.

Instead, he chose the manger over his mansion and the cross over his crown. He chose to come down to our level. To get down on his knees and become like one of us. All in the hopes that we would react to him as my son did to me. The view from down here wasn’t what I would have chosen. But thank goodness, our Father did.

Fun Friday: Favorite Links of the Week

2011-12-16T08:00:00.031-06:00

I can't wait to try out some of the recipes and crafts from this week's links! Want to join me?

Reeces Fudge Recipe by Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler. Doesn't this look delicious?

Handprints and Fingerprints for Giftgiving by Trisha Novotny at 24/7 Moms. Great craft ideas!

Year in Review by Kasey Johnson. I love this idea of summing up your year in a few words.

Cinnamon Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars by Erin at Making Memories with Your Kids.

I love these Allstate commercials. I'm sure you've seen them. If not, enjoy!

Amazon Giftcard Winner

2011-12-12T08:00:00.015-06:00

Thanks to everyone who entered to win the Amazon giftcard. And the winner (who was randomly chosen through the website http://www.random.org/) is . . . .

SHAYLA MCKINZIE! Congratulations, Shayla. Could you send me the email address you would like your giftcard to be sent to?

Fun Friday: Favorite Links of the Week

2011-12-09T08:00:00.003-06:00

I'm finally getting in the groove of this two kids thing, so I was able to gather up a few fun posts for you this week. I hope you enjoy them! Also, don't forget to listen in to my radio interview today from noon to 2 PM (Central) at http://www.fireescape.net/.

1. Handmade Handprint Ornaments by Erica at Confessions with a Homeschooler. Such a neat craft idea!

2. The Busy Hands Playdough Box by Carisa at 1Plus1Plus1.

3. At What Cost? Social Media Behave, Day 3 by guest blogger Laura Booz at Like A Warm Cup of Coffee.

4. Share Your Story and Jackie Brown This post has a great homemade gift idea, just in time for Christmas.

5. Edible Christmas Trees by Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler.

6. The Wandering Wise Man by Billy Coffey.

7. Faith Like a Child by Jon Acuff.

8. Cheap Christmas Decor by Stacey over at I'm A Lazy Mom.

Radio Interview

2011-12-08T08:00:00.002-06:00

My very first radio interview will air tomorrow, Friday, from noon to 2 PM (Central). You can listen live at http://www.fireescape.net/. I hope you'll listen in. (And bear with me if I say "um" way too many times. I was a little bit nervous!)

Teaching Generosity to Your Children

2011-12-07T08:00:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago, I asked my almost three-year-old son what he wanted for Christmas. His response: “A candy cane, Mommy. I want a candy cane.” I should have left it at that.

But naïve mother that I am, I pressured him for more. “No, Rylan, what toys do you want? Like, do you want a bicycle? Or some new cars? Or a Thomas the Train? What toys do you want for Christmas?” My suggestions must have sparked his imagination, because from that day forward, his Christmas list grew...

To read more, go to my guest post at Chasing Supermom.

Lazy Mom Confessional

2011-12-06T15:00:00.000-06:00

I have a confession to make...If you want to read it, hop on over to I'm a Lazy Mom.

Holiday Safety

2011-12-05T08:00:00.006-06:00

Photo courtesy of freestockphotos.biz

*I have a newborn and a three-year-old, so I didn't get a chance to write a completely new post this week. So...enjoy this repost from last Christmas (slightly updated)!

A couple of mornings ago, as I dragged my tired self out of bed and walked into the living room, I caught my three-year-old son (who thinks he's much older) plugging in the Christmas tree. "I want it on, Mommy," he told me.

For an older child, it's no big deal to plug in the Christmas tree lights, but for a three-year-old, that's an accident waiting to happen. His underdeveloped motor skills could easily lead his tiny fingers to the outlet holes. This got me thinking about other holiday dangers and what we need to do to protect our curious, little ones. Check out the list below to see if you're taking necessary precautions this holiday season.

Holiday Dangers:

1. Outlets. Many people move furniture around to make room for a Christmas tree. In doing so, they expose uncovered outlets that little hands would love to explore. Like I said, all it takes is one second for them to grab that cord.

2. Choking Hazards. These come in the form of ornaments, decorations, or holiday treats. Beware of what your little one is eating.

3. Poisonous Plants. I don't keep plants in my house. Not because I don't like them or because I'm extra-cautious, just because I tend to kill them. If you do keep them in your home, make sure they're out of reach.

4. Candles and Fires. One of my favorite things about winter is the opportunity to use our fireplace. Anytime we have the fire going, or a candle burning for that matter, we have to watch my son's every movement. It only takes a second to do a lot of damage.

5. Sharp/Breakable objects. For some reason, Rylan loves the bulbs on our Christmas tree. Looking isn't enough. He wants to hold them. Rylan is all boy, and I know him well enough to know he'll throw anything that resembles a ball (and sometimes it doesn't even have to look like a ball to get airtime). We've moved all our bulbs to the top of our Christmas tree, out of his reach. It removes his temptation and my fear.

6. Kitchen Dangers. Since cooking is such a large part of the holiday season, it's important to take the necessary precautions. Keep knives out of reach. Turn off burners when not in use. Keep panhandles turned in so little hands can't reach them. You might even consider putting up a gate to keep kids out of the kitchen all together. If nothing else, make sure they're away from the oven.

7. Other Homes. With Christmas comes travel. Some of the homes you travel to might not be child-safe. Be especially cautious about stairs and breakables.

Any other holiday dangers you can think of?

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 14

2011-12-04T08:00:00.001-06:00

ABC Flashcards

Click here to print my Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 14. In it, you'll find review activities for the following:

The Letters A-L
The Bible Stories through Moses and the 10 Plagues
All Basic Colors
All Basic Shapes
The Numbers 1-20

ABC Assessment

Scissor Practice


Number Play

We are taking a break from preschool activities until after New Years, so this will be my last lesson plan post for a few weeks. I plan to start up again sometime in January. See you then!

Welcome Baby Caden

2011-12-02T08:00:00.006-06:00

Caden Matthew was born on Saturday, November 19th at 6:23 AM. He weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces and was 19 and 1/4 inches long. We are thrilled to welcome him into our home. Thank you, everyone, for sharing in our excitement.


Proud big brother :)

Amazon Giftcard Giveaway

2011-11-28T08:00:00.002-06:00

Last Friday, I posted about a Christmas giveaway. So far, only a few people have entered to win! I've made it super easy to enter. Just do any of the options (or all of them) listed below for a chance to win a $10.00 Amazon giftcard:

1. Leave a comment on this post, telling me one thing you love about Christmas.
2. Tweet about this giveaway (and leave a comment telling me you did).
3. Write about this giveaway on your own blog (and share a link to your post in the comments).
4. Talk about this giveaway on Facebook (and leave a comment telling me you did so).
5. Subscribe to my blog via RSS feed or email (see the right sidebar) and tell me you did.
6. Like my page on Facebook or follow me on Twitter (see the right sidebar for links) and tell me you did.

The more things you do, the more times your name gets entered into the hat! I'll draw for the giveaway on December 12th.

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 13

2011-11-27T08:00:00.003-06:00

Click here to access my Week 13 Preschool Lesson Plans. In them you'll find review activities for the following:

The Letters A-L
The Numbers 1-20
All Basic Colors
All Previously Studied Verses and Bible Stories
All Basic Shapes

Reviewing our Bible Stories

ABC Puzzle

ABC/123 Blocks

Christmas Giveaway

2011-11-25T08:00:00.001-06:00

Photo courtesy of freestockphotos.biz

Thanksgiving is over, and Christmas is right around the corner. I can think of no better way to celebrate than with a giveaway!

You can enter to win a $10.00 Amazon giftcard by doing any (or all) of the options listed below:

1. Leave a comment on this post, telling me one thing you love about Christmas.
2. Tweet about this giveaway (and leave a comment telling me you did).
3. Write about this giveaway on your own blog (and share a link to your post in the comments).
4. Talk about this giveaway on Facebook (and leave a comment telling me you did so).
5. Subscribe to my blog via RSS feed or email (see the right sidebar) and tell me you did.
6. Like my page on Facebook or follow me on Twitter (see the right sidebar for links) and tell me you did.

The more things you do, the more times your name gets entered into the hat! I'll draw for the giveaway on December 12th.

Happy Thanksgiving From My Family to Yours

2011-11-21T08:00:00.025-06:00

I tried to get Rylan to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the show:)

Take 1:

Take 2:

Take 3:

And we finally got it:

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Check back with me soon for a Christmas giveaway:)

P.S. Our adoptive baby was born last Saturday. Stay tuned next week for pictures!

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 12

2011-11-20T08:00:00.001-06:00

You can download my week 12 preschool lesson plans by clicking here. In them, you'll find activities for the following:

The Letter L
The Numbers 16-20
The Color Gold
The Shape Line
The Bible Story of Ruth

Playdough Lines, Longest to Shortest

Playdough Numbers

Scissor Practice

Fun Friday Post: Favorite Links of the Week

2011-11-18T08:00:00.005-06:00

I think I must have been hungry this week, because a lot of my posts had to do with food:) Enjoy!

1. Pepperoni Pizza Crescent Rolls by the Erin with Making Memories with Your Kids. Super simple and delicious snack!

2. Candy Cane Cookies by Stacey at imalazymom.com. Along with this recipe, there are several other fun Christmas recipes on this blog.

3. The Healing Power of Thankfulness by Bekki at ChasingSupermom.com.

4. 8 Words from my 5 Year Old that Changed Social Media Forever by Jon Acuff.

5. Your Child and Sexual Abuse by Sarah Mae. As much as we want to avoid this topic, it happens all too often. Sarah has some great information in this post.

6. Pumpkin Soup by the Pioneer Woman. Just in time for Thanksgiving:)

Stay tuned next week for a Christmas giveaway!!

Born into Poverty, Celebrated with Extravagance

2011-11-14T08:00:00.002-06:00

It’s that time of year again. Black Friday is coming up, and the season for shopping has begun. A few days ago, I asked my son what he wanted for Christmas this year. His answer caught me off guard: “A candy cane. I want a candy cane, Mom.”

And that was it. He didn’t ask for a new Lightning McQueen racecar, a Barney book, or a Thomas the Train DVD. He didn’t even ask for a toy. All he wanted was a tiny piece of candy.

I think a lot of us Christians could learn a lesson from my son. We claim Christmas is all about Jesus, that it’s an opportunity to celebrate the birth of the Son of God. Nonetheless, we spend hundreds of dollars on Christmas presents and max out our credit cards each year. All in the name of Jesus Christ.

I’m certainly not exempt from this kind of thinking. After all, I have a five hundred dollar Dyson Vacuum cleaner on my wish list this year. I’m not anti-Christmas or anti-gift giving. I love this holiday and enjoy giving presents (and getting them, for that matter). I love teaching my son about the men who brought gifts to Jesus and explaining why we give gifts as well.

Sometimes I just wonder about our excessive spending. I don’t think we honor our Lord when we go into debt. We don’t honor him when we fill our homes with stuff we don’t need. And we don’t honor him when we make Christmas all about the gifts.

It’s ironic, isn’t it, that Jesus came into the world in poverty, and we celebrate it in extravagance? This year, I’m going to celebrate Christmas, and I hope you do too. But let’s stop celebrating Jesus’ quiet birth with so much noise. Let’s cut back on the extravagance and focus instead on the beauty of simplicity.

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 11

2011-11-13T08:00:00.001-06:00

Click here to view my week 11 Preschool Lesson Plans. In it you'll find activities for the following:

The Letter K
The Color White
The Shape Heart
The Numbers 16-20
The Bible Story of the Fall of Jericho

Tracing the Letter K

Enjoying his K Poking Page

Playdough Hearts

Making his White Igloo

K is for Kite Coloring Page

Favorite Posts of the Week, Plus an Adorable Video

2011-11-11T08:00:00.026-06:00

If you aren't able to read all of the posts I've lined up for you this week, I hope you at least read the first one. It's really powerful.

1. The Biggest Lie About Travel We All Believe by Jon Acuff. Such a great post about being present with your family. Distance isn't the only thing that hinders intimacy.

2. Close Every Day With a Blessing by Sally Clarkson. A great post about the importance of bedtime with your kiddos.

3. Passionate About Your Work? by Susan DiMickele. A reminder of how important attitude is.

4. Be Sure to Remind Them also by Sally Clarkson. She had some great ideas in this post.

5. Alphabet Mazes by Carisa at 1plus1plus1. Great idea!

6. Oreo Turtle Bars by the folks over at makingmemorieswithyourkids. Don't these look delicious?

I found this adorable video of a little boy catching his first fish. I hope you enjoy!

So Long Insecurity Discussion Questions

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-06:00

Last fall, I led a Bible study through Beth Moore's book, So Long Insecurity. I highly recommend this book. It has given me so much freedom from feelings that God never wanted me to feel. Click here to download my discussion questions. The questions are designed to do with a small group of friends, but you could easily work through them alone too.

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 10

2011-11-06T08:00:00.004-06:00

Click here to view my Week 10 Preschool Lesson Plan. In it, you'll find activities for the following:

1. The Letter J
2. The Shape Octagon
3. The Numbers 11-15
4. The Color Gray
5. The Wilderness Wanderings Bible Story

Working on his J is for Jesus coloring page

Learning the Color Gray

Letter J Hunt

Favorite Posts of the Week, Plus A Video to Teach Your Child How to Spell

2011-11-04T08:00:00.003-05:00

I hope you enjoy the posts I've gathered up for you this week:

1. How to Use Halloween Candy for (Sneaky) Fun Learning by Teach Mama. Great ideas for how to use all that extra Halloween candy.

2. Using Stolen Moments to Write by Lisa Jordan. This is especially helpful if you're taking part in NaNoWriMo this year. (For all my non-writer friends, this is a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November.)

3. Live Messy by Katie Ganshert, a great post about finding God in the chaos.

4. Thanksgiving Traditions by various authors at Thriving Family Magazine. (I know, it's not a blog, but I love these ideas!)

5. The Five Kinds of Church Nursery Volunteers by Shelle Lenssen at Jon Acuff's blog.

Along with these posts, I wanted to include a YouTube video that my son loves: The R-E-D Color Song. This song is great for teaching your child about colors and spelling. Rylan can already spell red, green, and (sometimes) brown-all thanks to these videos!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T07:57:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween from all of us!

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 9

2011-10-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

Click here to print my week 9 lesson plans. In them, you'll find activities for the following:

The Letter I
The Shape Pentagon
The Color Brown
The Numbers 11-15
The Bible Story of Moses and the 10 Commandments

Making an Igloo

Number Hopscotch

A couple of his coloring pages

Letter I Hunt

Coloring with Ice

Favorite Posts of the Week, Plus Pumpkin Fun Pictures

2011-10-28T08:00:00.003-05:00

I hope you enjoy the posts I've gathered up for you this week.

1. Postcards of Encouragement by Amy Sullivan. I LOVE this idea. Nothing is too small to make a difference.

2. Leafy, Outdoor, Alphabet Letter Hunt by Amy with Teach Mama. Rylan loves going on Letter Hunts, so I can't wait to try out this variation.

3. Say No to Cell Phones and Yes to Prayer by Susan DiMickele.

4. Great Sex, Flat Abs, and Jesus by Jon Acuff.

And I thought it was due time for some more pictures of my boy:)

Playing in a "Corn Crib" at a Pumpkin Patch

His first pony ride

He loves Batman, so, of course, we had to carve a bat into our pumpkin.

Guest Post at EatYourBible.com

2011-10-24T08:00:00.005-05:00

I'm guest posting over at EatYourBible.com today. Read my devotion on Matthew 11:20-24 here.

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 8

2011-10-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

Click here to print my Preschool Lesson Plans, Week 8. In this week's lesson plans, you'll find activities for the following:

The Letter H
The Numbers 11-15
The Color Black
The Shape Hexagon
The Bible Story of Moses and the 10 Plagues

H is for House

Hole-punching fun

Trying to trace his numbers

Letter Poking Page

Favorite Posts of the Week

2011-10-21T08:00:00.005-05:00

I've got some great posts lined up for you this week: about marriage, writing, suffering, even some Halloween recipes. Enjoy!

1. How to Improve Your Marriage Instantly by Jon Acuff.

2. The Post in Which I Rant About Blogging, Platforms, and the Pressure On Writers by Roni Loren.

3. Suffering by Katie Ganshert.

4. All Things Halloween by Erin with Making Memories.

5. Halloween Food: Spooky Treats and Tasty Eats! by Bekki Lindner.

6. Who are You? also by Bekki Lindner, a post about finding our identities not just in our roles as wives and mothers but also in the women God made us to be.

A Good Reminder

2011-10-17T08:00:00.004-05:00

My mom gave me this poem shortly after my son was born. It hangs on my wall as a reminder to treasure every moment I have with my son.

Babies
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow,
for babies grow up we've learned
to our sorry...
so quiet down cobwebs,
dust, go to sleep...
I'm rocking my baby
and babies don't keep.

I wish I knew who originally wrote this so I could thank them. Such a great reminder that I need nearly every day. Thanks, Mom, for sharing this with me.

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 7

2011-10-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Click here for my Week 7 Lesson Plans. In it, you'll find activities to teach the following:

The Letter G
The Color Pink
The Shape Diamond
The Numbers 11-15
The Bible Story of Baby Moses

Searching for the letter G

Enjoying his Number Hunt

Tracing the Diamond

Favorite Posts of the Week, Plus a Video Reminding Us Just How Cool We Are

2011-10-14T08:00:00.004-05:00

Click the links below for some great posts! The video is especially hilarious.

1. You Don't Know What People Carry by Wendy Hagen.

2. The Odds by Rachelle Gardner.

3. Throwing the LL Card by Jon Acuff.

4. iPad Educational Apps by Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler. Great list!

And for your viewing entertainment, this video is hilarious and so very true!

Eat Your Bible

2011-10-11T14:00:00.000-05:00

I'm guest-posting over at EatYourBible.com today. Check it out!

Why I Should Have Worn House Shoes Into Church

2011-10-10T09:00:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday, I drove all the way to church before I realized I still had my house shoes on. As I rushed home to change my shoes, I couldn't help but wonder what it says about me that I didn't notice.

A couple of ideas came to mind. Maybe it shows how truly NOT vain I am. After all, I clearly didn't look in the mirror before I left the house. Otherwise, I would have realized that my bright red shoes didn't match my teal and brown sweater.

Or... maybe it shows that I'm way too busy on Sunday mornings and need to start waking up earlier. If I hadn't been so rushed, I surely would have noticed my shoes didn't match my outfit.

Or...maybe it's just another piece of evidence that I'm a mom. We moms sacrifice so much for our children. First it's sleep. Now appearance.

On the other hand, maybe there's a better question to ask. Maybe instead of "what does it say about me that I didn't notice?" the question I should be asking is this: "What does it say about me that I felt the need to turn around and change when I finally did notice?"

Because honestly, church is the last place appearances should matter. Jesus accepted everyone, regardless of their attire. In fact, the only time he really attacked people for their appearances was when they dressed to impress-when they put on special outfits in an attempt to look "holy."

I wish now that I wouldn't have changed. One, I would have been much more comfortable. Two, I wouldn't have been late to church. And three, this blog post would have been much better. Instead of telling you we shouldn't worry about our appearances at church, I could prove the point by my actions. I could say with confidence, "I wore house shoes to church, and no one said a thing. My church accepted me, sloppy shoes and all."

Now I'll never know.

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 6

2011-10-09T08:00:00.005-05:00

Week 6 Lesson Plans available here! In them, you'll find activities for...

The Letter F
The Color Purple
The Shape Star
The Numbers 1-10
The Story of Joseph

Fingerprint Counting

Making the Letter F in Playdough

Favorite Posts of the Week

2011-10-07T08:00:00.003-05:00

There were so many great posts this week, it was hard to narrow it down. Here are my favorites:

1. Window Writing: Spelling Word and Letter Practice by Amy, the Teach Mama. I love this idea!

2. Perfect Detours by Amy Sullivan. This story is amazing. I literally had goosebumps as I read it.

3. Storms by Sy Huffer at Eatyourbible.com. This is a great post about the blessing of an interruption.

4. Showing Us What We Can't See by Billy Coffey.

5. Go "In" by Sarah Mae, a video message encouraging women in the ministry of motherhood.

6. You Never Know by James H. Pence. His last line sums it up well: "You never know what God might do with your words."

7. Make Sure You Disappoint the Right People by Jon Acuff. A great reminder to keep your priorities in line.

My Phone is Clingy

2011-10-03T08:00:00.002-05:00

My husband bought me an Iphone about six months ago. Less than a year, and it's already drastically changed the way I live. Most of the changes are positive. It’s fast, user-friendly, and enables me to get work done away from home. There is one aspect, though, I'm not so thrilled about. My phone is clingy.  

It never leaves my side. Errands, work, play, even restroom breaks. It's always there, begging to be tended to. Calling out for me to check my email, post a new picture on Facebook, or reply to someone's tweet. I thought it was difficult to get a break from a toddler. My phone is even worse.  

Lately, though, I’m beginning to wonder if the fault lies with my phone. Maybe I'm the one who's clingy. In Matthew 6:21, Jesus reminded his followers, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." As much as I want to convince myself that my phone isn't my treasure, my actions reveal my duplicity.

Allow me to explain. Some days, I spend more time on my phone than with my husband. Other days, I catch myself saying to my son, “I’ll be there in just a second,” so I can check my email. My time in the Word is rushed, not because I’m busy serving others but because I’m wasting hours a day on Facebook. God is supposed to get my firstfruits, not my leftovers. As for my phone, it’s supposed to be a tool, not a treasure.

As of last week, I made a promise to myself. My phone will no longer be my treasure. Not anymore. That space is reserved for God and for my family. No longer will I spend so much time following the lives of people I barely know while neglecting the lives of those I love dearly. No longer will I waste hours each day playing on a phone when I could be playing with my son. Will you join me by putting your phone in its rightful place? As a tool, not a treasure.

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 5

2011-10-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

Click here for my Week 5 Lesson Plans, which include activities for the following:

The Letter E
The Color Orange
The Shape Oval
Numbers 1-10
The Bible Story of Jacob and Esau

Doing his Letter Poking Page with a Toothpick

Doing a Science Experiment with an Egg

We had to add a lot of salt, but it eventually began to float.

Practicing the Letter E

Scissor Practice

Pre-writing Activities

Favorite Posts of the Week, Plus an Explanation of Why the World Needs Writers

2011-09-30T08:00:00.002-05:00

I hope you enjoy this week's post round-up.
1. Chasing Supermom's Kool-Aid Playdough by Bekki Lindner.

2. The 4 Components of a Compelling Elevator Pitch by Michael Hyatt. I included this post especially for my writer friends. Michael has some great tips in this post.

3. God's Voice by Katie Ganshert.

4. Plan B by Tim Payne, a review and recommendation for Pete Wilson's book, Plan B: What Do You Do When God Doesn't Show Up the Way You Thought He Would?

5. The Real Reason Your Inbox is Out of Control by Jon Acuff. Very well-written and challenging, as always.

And a video that explains why I write (brought to my attention by the lovely Mary DeMuth):

Have a great weekend!

What Potty Training Taught Me

2011-09-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

I had one major parenting goal this summer: to potty train my son. Well, it's September now, and he's still not potty trained. Granted, he's close-much closer than he was three months ago. I'm definitely not an expert, but here are a few things I learned over the summer.

What Potty Training Taught Me:

1. Don't force it. Every so often, I got it in my head that he would go on the potty. I didn't care if he said he didn't need to go. I didn't care if he said he didn't want to try. Those days were not pleasant ones-not for me and not for my son. If your child is not ready to try yet, don't. He'll get it eventually. Plus, even though diapers are expensive, they're quite a bit easier than taking your child to the restroom every hour.

2. Prepare for accidents. LOTS of them. My son had no problem going potty in pull-ups. Pull-ups were identical to diapers in his mind-just another place to go potty. The only way to help him learn "the sensation" was to put him in underwear. Unfortunately, there is very little "soakability" in underwear. That pee went everywhere. Have carpet cleaner on hand, as well as plenty of extra underwear.

3. On that same note, don't freak out when he has an accident. Calmly carry him to the bathroom, allow him to finish if he needs to, and then clean up the mess.

4. Bribery works. I know some parents don't want to use bribery to potty train. If that's you, wonderful. But if you don't feel guilty using it, it works. My son got M&Ms every time he went #1 and a piece of Chocolate Bunny (leftover from Easter) every time he went #2. He also got stickers for his "Potty Chart" every time he tried. At first, I worried he would refuse to go if I didn't have any treats on hand. But so far, that hasn't been a problem. I rarely give him treats anymore, and he still uses the potty.

5. Potty train in the summer if possible. After all, there are less clothes to get off in the summer than in the winter.

6. Know when to use Pull-ups and when to use underwear. If your child gets upset easily when he has an accident, it might not be a good idea to send him to church in underwear. Pull-ups are great for times when your child is away from you, or for times when you know a restroom won't be easily accessible.

7. Last but certainly not least, laugh. Potty training can be stressful if you let it. Learn to laugh. My son is very proud of his potty-usage (and will tell anyone within hearing distance all about his "potty products"). Is it embarrassing when he tells a complete stranger about his poo? Sure, but it's also pretty funny.

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 4

2011-09-25T08:00:00.001-05:00

Click here to access week 4 lesson plans!

Favorite Posts of the Week, Plus New Family Pictures

2011-09-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

If you're looking for a challenge, look no further than the posts I've gathered up this week. Talk about feeling convicted. Of course, I've also included some lighter posts, a fun recipe, and our new family pictures. Enjoy!

1. How to wreck your ego is the best possible way by Jon Acuff. Ah, the lessons we learn from our kids.

2. I know you're going to say no, but . . . by Billy Coffey. As always, his writing both encourages and challenges me.

3. Better Service or Better Self-Control? by Bekki Lindner. This post is such a great reminder. The next time you're tempted to speak hatefully to a waitress who can't seem to get your order right, I hope your remember this post.

4. Marble Cake with White Chocolate Glaze. Doesn't this look delicious?!

5. D.E.A.R. Daily Reading Time by Carisa with 1plus1plus1equals1. I love this idea!

A couple of weeks ago, we had new family pictures taken (by my incredibly talented mom). I LOVE our pictures this year.

Look at that boy's smile. Can you see why I love him so much?

How To Listen to the Voice That Matters Most

2011-09-19T08:00:00.001-05:00

“The voice you listen to determines the path you follow.” Sy Huffer, student at Ozark Christian College and staff member at Carterville Christian Church, reminded us this week just how important it is to listen to the right voice. Unfortunately, listening to the right voice doesn’t always come easily—at least not for me.

On most days, I’m so distracted by all I have going on that it takes God a long time to get my attention. His voice is drowned out by worries, busyness, or sin. Sometimes, even good things like serving or volunteering hinder my ability to hear him. When I fill my day with never-ending to-do lists, there’s little time left to spend with my Heavenly Father.

It’s not that I don’t have time to hear him. It’s that I don’t use the time I’ve been given. As much as I hate to admit it, my constant connection to the world around me keeps my mind buzzing from sunup to sundown. It’s no wonder I can’t hear God’s voice over status updates, tweets, and the buzz of an incoming email. My world is rarely silent, and even on those rare occasions when it does get quiet, my mind doesn’t know how to listen.

My two-year-old son, though, has taught me a method to help focus on the one voice that matters most.

While driving home from a family vacation a few months ago, he started yelling from the backseat. Not an angry yell or an upset yell, just an “I want to hear myself” yell. I glanced back at him. He had covered his ears with his hands to see how different his voice sounded inside his head. For nearly ten minutes, he covered and uncovered his ears, doing nothing but listening to his own voice.

His method of tuning in, though ear-piercing at times, was smart. He blocked out all unnecessary sounds and focused on the one voice he wanted to hear. Maybe if I did that more often, I’d be more able to hear God’s voice. Maybe if I blocked out all other distractions (and turned off the phone), it wouldn’t be so hard to hear the only voice that really matters.

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 3

2011-09-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

Click here to view and print lesson 3!

Favorite Posts of the Week, Plus a Reminder of Why We Worship

2011-09-16T08:00:00.021-05:00

I've got plenty of great posts lined up for you again this week. Enjoy!

1. How to be a better parent in four seconds by Jon Acuff.

2. When God hates you by Billy Coffey.

3. When your child throws a fit...Chasing Supermom's Survival Guide.

4. Making the first day of school special by Bekki Lindner.

The video below is funny but also sad. Sad because of how often it's true...
Wrong Worship:

My New Niece!

2011-09-12T08:00:00.009-05:00

Congratulations to my brother and sister-in-law on their beautiful new baby! We were thrilled to be able to be there for her birth. Jason and Kayla, you are already such wonderful parents. That girl is blessed to have you. Welcome to our world, baby Zoe!

Rylan with his new cousin

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 2

2011-09-10T08:00:00.002-05:00

Click here for my Week 2 Lesson Plans! In it, you'll find Adam and Eve activities, along with activities for the color blue, the shape triangle, numbers 1-10, and the letter B. Enjoy!

Favorite Posts of the Week, Plus Rylan Playing the Drums

2011-09-09T08:00:00.030-05:00

I've gathered some great posts for you this week. If you're looking for posts on leadership, marriage, suffering, or giveaways, you're sure to enjoy this week's posts.

1. iMentor-10 Lessons From Steve Jobs by Michael Hyatt. This is a slideshow of some of the great life lessons from Steve Jobs.

2. A Precipitous Balancing Act by Billy Coffey. One line from this post really hit me: "Maybe the sadness we feel can teach us just as much as the happiness we want."

3. How to Sustain Your Marriage by Sy Huffer with Carterville Christian Church. Great tips!

4. Personalized Heirloom Puzzle Stool Giveaway. As much as I don't want more competition (I really want to win this giveaway!), I couldn't hold back such a great prize.

5. Hard Time Now by a new friend of mine who just recently miscarried her second baby. If you've ever wondered why I blog so openly about our miscarriages, THIS is why. Miscarriages shouldn't be a silent trauma-not anymore. We need each other.

And for your viewing pleasure, check out this budding musician (no bias, of course).

Preschool Lesson Plan, Week 1

2011-09-05T08:00:00.009-05:00

Last week, I started developing Preschool Lesson Plans for Rylan. I know many parents would claim it's completely unnecessary to do this with a two-and-a-half-year-old. And though I'm sure they are probably right, I felt the need to be more intentional with him. I've found that if I don't plan to teach him, life will keep me from doing it (or at least keep me from doing it as well as I would like.)

That being said, my lesson plans are super-simple and rarely take longer than an hour a day. I incorporate a Bible lesson, letter, number, shape, and color into each day. I lean heavily on two homeschool blogs: http://1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com/ and http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/. These blogs are great because they allow you to download most of the material necessary. I've included my first week of lesson plans here, and I hope to continue doing so every week.

Click here to view my Week 1 Lesson Plans!

(BTW, this is my first attempt at attaching a Word file to a post, so if you can't get it to download or if the hyperlinks don't work, please bear with me. Hopefully, I'll have all the kinks worked out soon.)

Favorite Posts of the Week, Plus a Hilarious Cat Video

2011-09-02T08:00:00.005-05:00

I've got some great posts gathered up for this week's Fun Friday. Enjoy!
1. Farther Along by Billy Coffey. This posts answers a great question, one that's been on my mind a lot lately, the question of why would God allow such pain into the lives of those He calls his own.

2. The Secret of French Women's Beauty by Sally Clarkson.

3. For all my writer friends out there: An Interview with Rachelle Gardner by Michael Hyatt.

4. Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. Doesn't this recipe look delicious?

5.Share Your Story and Comfort Zone by Amy Sullivan. This is a great post about getting out of your comfort zones.

6. Faking the Pain by Susan DiMickele. If you've ever wondered if "real" Christians are supposed to feel pain, you need to read this post. It's very well-written and honest.

Don't forget to cuddle with those you love this weekend.

And of course, for your viewing entertainment, check out this cat with his crazy hopping skills!

Happiness Comes in Small Packages

2011-08-29T08:00:00.004-05:00

The stereo in my van ate a CD yesterday. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't be a big deal. But unfortunately, the CD it refused to eject was Rylan's favorite one. And one he wanted to listen to immediately.

Before having a child of my own, I might have assumed this was no big deal. Just explain to the kid what happened and move on with the day. Now I know better. It's not an easy task to explain to a two-year-old why the CD I said I was going to get can't be listened to.

My poor child threw himself onto the floor and began to wail. You'd think he had broken a leg or something. I scooped him up and carried him to the couch. Then I tried to explain to him that we can't always get what we want. Our conversation went something like this:

Me: "I'm sorry, Son. The CD is stuck in the van, so we won't be able to listen to it right now."
Son: "But I WANT to."
Me: "I know, but we don't always get what we want. Even Mommies and Daddies don't always get what we want. Ya know, Mommy and Daddy really want another baby. But so far, we aren't getting one either. I know it's hard. But sometimes in life, we can't always get what we want."
Son: "You want a baby?"
Me: "Yes, I would love another baby."
Son: "I'll go get one for you."

And off he ran to his room to pick out the perfect baby for me-one of his favorite stuffed animals. "Here's your baby, Mommy," he smiled at me. "That make you happy?"

And for a few moments, as I cuddled that "baby" that my son so thoughtfully chose for me, I forgot about how much I wanted another child. "Yes, Rylan, that does make me happy."

Favorite Posts of the Week, Plus some Brian Regan

2011-08-26T08:00:00.008-05:00

I've got some great links for you this week. Enjoy!
1. Skateboards, Seventh Graders, and the Return to Joy by Jon Acuff. This is a great post about our pointless search for joy. Read it. I promise you won't be disappointed.

2. Nighttime Prayers by Billy Coffey. This post is a great reminder to look for the light in this life, not the shadows.

3. Why I'm Not On Pinterest by Wendy Hagan. This post literally made me laugh out loud. It's a reminder that great moms don't have to be crafty. Give yourself a break today.

4. What I Learned About Leadership From a Fight with my Wife by Michael Hyatt. In this post, Michael gave some really great tips of what to do in a conflict. GREAT post!

And for your amusement, here's another Brian Regan clip:

The Storm That May Never Hit

2011-08-22T08:00:00.001-05:00

My son is afraid of storms. I really can't blame him. Since May, the tornado that ravaged Joplin has been a regular topic of conversation in my household. Nonetheless, his fear can be frustrating at times.

Case in point: a few weeks ago, my husband was out of town when our weather radio went off. There were no tornadoes, mind you, just a thunderstorm threat. And it wasn't even heading in our direction. I could tell from the weather radar it wasn't going to hit us.

Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to convince my two-year-old we were safe. "We need to go in the bathtub, Mommy. We need to go in the bathtub," he insisted. I tried to explain it to him. I tried to redirect his attention. I tried to calm him with cuddles and prayer. Nothing worked. His irrational fears continued until the sun was shining again.

That night, as I went to bed, my frustration faded as the Lord reminded me just how similar I am to my son. My husband and I have miscarried three babies this year. The most recent miscarriage has affected me differently than the previous ones. I'm petrified something is going to happen to my son. I guess a part of me thinks, "What's next?" I'm so afraid of the future that I'm failing to enjoy the present.

That's exactly what Rylan did. He was so scared of the storm that he failed to enjoy the day. I wonder if God gets frustrated with me too? I wonder if, as I did with Rylan, he thinks, "This storm is not going to hit you. Why are you so afraid?" Maybe it's time I start trusting my Father when he says I'll be okay. Maybe it's time I stop worrying about the storm that may never hit.

Favorite Posts of the Week, Plus a Little Bit of Comedy

2011-08-19T08:00:00.004-05:00

Today, I'm starting a new blogging tradition called Fun Fridays. Every Friday, I'll post links to some of my favorite blog posts during the week. Here are a couple that I found especially powerful this week: (Please note: I originally started this post before our third miscarriage, so the posts are now a couple weeks old. But they're still worth the read, I promise!)

1. What Keeps a Marriage Together? on Michael Hyatt's blog. If you're married, you NEED to read this post. It's a different perspective than I've heard before.

2. On Distractions by Nathan Bransford. This is a great post for writers but can apply to pretty much anything. Distractions aren't always bad. Sometimes, they're the necessary components for inspiration.

Along with fun posts from the week, I'll also share favorite pictures and videos. Here's one of Rylan from a few weeks ago (playing in Daddy's shoes). Just another reminder that kids follow in our footsteps (in more ways than one).

And this week, as a special treat, enjoy some Brian Regan. He helped me survive the last few weeks, so I hope you enjoy this clip!

A Working Momma's Survival Plan

2011-08-15T08:00:00.003-05:00

If you've read my blog for very long, you know I'm not a working mom (at least, not a working-outside-the-home-mom). That's why I'm so thankful to have my friend, Heidi Avery, on my blog this week sharing some survival tips for working moms. A huge thank you to Heidi for being willing to share!

Rediscovering Myself as a Working Mom

As a new school year quickly approaches, I find myself realizing how much I have enjoyed the time I was able to spend at home with my son this summer. My son, Devon, is a 15-month-old giggle box with more personality than you can imagine, and he’s more and more fun to be around every day.

I always knew that I would eventually be a wife, teacher, and mom all at the same time, but I never considered the work that it would take to juggle all three. My husband and I got married the summer before my last year of college. On the day of our first anniversary, I accepted my first teaching position. Being a wife and teacher had its challenges, but we faced them together and moved forward during my first four years of teaching. My fourth year of teaching ended early to accommodate the birth of our son, Devon. That summer flew by, and I found myself facing new lifestyle changes as I began getting ready for my fifth year of teaching.

Gone were the long hours working and flexible schedule before and after school. I found myself having to juggle more housework, new routines, quality time with my family, lesson plans and grading papers. Looking back, I am amazed that I survived the year without completely breaking down; nonetheless, here I am getting ready for my sixth year of teaching—my second as a mom. I’m far from mastering the art of being a working mom, but here are a few tips that have helped me keep things in perspective along the way.

1. Establish a routine. I’m not talking about your entire day—I’m talking about something you do every day with your child. For me, it’s bedtime. When it’s time for Devon to go to bed, I get him ready for bed, read him a book or two, and rock him for a few minutes as I sing or listen to a CD. I’ve discovered that I miss the bedtime kisses and cuddling on the few occasions that my husband has filled in for me.

2. Run errands together. I know that kids, especially babies, make shopping less convenient, but I love taking Devon with me to run errands. I get to interact with him while I get groceries, make faces in the car mirror, and listen to him carry on conversations with random people in line. When your time together is limited and your schedule is packed, you have to make the most of what you have.

3. Cut back. This is the hardest for me to remember, because it’s not in my nature to delegate or turn down an opportunity to help. Maybe it’s time for you to reevaluate extracurricular activities or chores at home. My husband has had to remind me often that it’s okay to stay home from the extra stuff every now and then.

4. Clean up a little each day. There may be clean clothes in a pile on my couch and dishes in the sink, but I feel less stressed when I put away the toys on the floor or clean off the countertop. Don’t feel like you have to keep things perfect, because perfection isn’t worth the stress it brings.

5. Take time for yourself. There are two things I treasure each day—my time alone in the shower and my time alone with my husband at night. It may not sound like much, but it is during these times that I am able to refresh and reflect on my day. By taking time for yourself, you make your time with your family even more enjoyable.

Great tips, Heidi. Thank you so much for sharing!

A Third Miscarriage

2011-08-05T05:39:00.000-05:00

Keith and I found out yesterday that our third child is in heaven now. Because of this third miscarriage, I will not be posting on this blog today or next week. Depending on how I feel after surgery today, I might post on my miscarriage blog sometime, though. Thanks in advance for your prayers.

In 20 Years

2011-08-01T08:00:00.004-05:00

Being a mom is exhausting. And sometimes, I find myself longing for easier days-days when I'm not picking up toys all day long, days when I'm not chasing a toddler, days when I'm not doing pile after pile of laundry. But then I have to remind myself, in 20 years, I'm going to miss these days. In 20 years, I'm going to miss . . .

1. All the toys scattered throughout the house (and those darn cars I always step on). Because someday, there won't be anyone here to make a mess except for Keith or me.
2. The endless supply of animal crackers, cheerios, and Popsicles. Because someday, there won't be a toddler constantly asking for more.
3. The early morning wake-up calls. Because someday, I'll have to wake up to an alarm instead.
4. The slobber, boogers, and who knows what else on my shirts. Because someday, my shirts will be sadly clean all day long.
5. The noise. Because someday, the house will be too quiet.

Sure, the toddler years can be difficult. But someday, I'm going to miss them.

Upcoming Changes

2011-07-29T08:00:00.004-05:00

In an effort to improve my blog, I'm going to make a few changes. I welcome your feedback, so please let me know what you like best about my blog and what you don't like, so I can make adjustments as necessary. That being said, here's my plan for now.

Marriage and Mommyhood Mondays (posts about marriage, motherhood, and all things family)

Fun Fridays (favorite pictures, fun posts from other blogs, videos, etc.)

I'm also playing around with the idea of adding another day of posting: Writer Wednesdays (posts written specifically for other writers).

And of course, I'll still post once a week (typically on Wednesdays) at my miscarriage blog: www.livingwholeagain.blogspot.com.

I will no longer be doing weekly guest posts. However, I still welcome your posts if you have an idea you think would work well for my blog. Just shoot me an email, and I'd be happy to talk with you further.

Thoughts?

10 Things You Should Never Feel Guilty About, Pt. 2

2011-07-25T08:00:00.003-05:00

I began this post last week. If you haven't read the first five, check them out here. Now, to continue. . .

Top 10 Things You Should Never Feel Guilty About:

6. Taking a nap while your child naps
So what if your laundry is higher than your three-foot tall child? So what if the house is a mess? Believe me, it'll still be there when you wake up, so why not enjoy thirty minutes of peace and quiet? I have NEVER regretted taking a nap. But I have regretting overworking myself to exhaustion.

7. Allowing your child to watch TV
I think this is a huge one for first-time parents. We think we'll damage our children if we let them watch television. Of course, a TV should never be used as a babysitter, and it shouldn't be watched non-stop. But every so often, there's nothing wrong with a little bit of Sesame Street or Sid the Science Kid.

8. Not eating organic and/or making your own baby food
If you have the money and time to eat organic or make your own baby food, that's wonderful. Go for it! But if you don't, it's okay. Don't beat yourself up about feeding your child canned baby food. Thousands of children who never ate organic turned out just fine.

9. Not using cloth diapers
Again, if you have the money up-front to buy cloth diapers and the time to do the extra laundry, this is a great option (and will likely end up saving you money in the long run). But if it's not something you want to do, there's nothing wrong with disposable diapers. As long as you're changing your baby when he needs changed, there's nothing to feel bad about.

10. Saying "no" to your child
Your job isn't to be your child's friend. As much as I want to make my son happy, that's not my primary job. My job is to raise him into a man of God. And sometimes, that means I have to tell him no. Giving him everything he wants won't teach him anything. At least not anything I want him to learn.
What are some other things you should never feel guilty about?

How to Make the Most of a Move-Guest Post by Julie O'Connor

2011-07-22T08:00:00.002-05:00

I asked a friend of mine, Julie O'Connor, to share with me some tips on moving with children. She has recently moved across the country, and I know you'll learn a lot from her post. Enjoy!

It's funny to me that I am writing a blog about tips for moving when, growing up, I lived in the same house for the first 18 years of my life. Since then, though, I moved to college, got married and moved to our 1st apartment, moved into a different home in the same town, moved to another state with a two-year-old, and moved across the country with a five-year-old and a three-year-old. I am no expert in moving, but I have learned a few things that might help someone else with a move. With today's economy it might be more of a reality than some think. We have to go where the jobs are. It's just the way it is right now. So here goes . . .

1. Pray
First of all, we pray about everything when faced with a possible move. We pray for closed doors from God, we pray for wisdom, we pray for God's will to be done and we pray for us to "step out of HIS way." The more we say to God, "wherever you take us we will go," the more we have found that He knows so much better what we need than us.

2. Maintain routines.
When moving with kids, try to keep all routines the same -- bedtime, eating, daily schedules, etc. Our kids did amazing, and I think it was because we tried to keep as much the same as possible. Get kids in school so they can keep that consistency as well.

3. Explore.
Try all the new things you can as a family. Get out there and see what there is to do. Fortunately we got to hike mountains, go sledding, try new restaurants, explore all the parks, go fishing, visit different lakes, etc. Ask around to see what is fun to do. Fortunately my hubby is great at asking people at work what is fun to do. Get tips from the locals - even grocery store clerks will usually be happy to suggest things to do.

4. Get involved.
Get involved with the things that are important to you. For us it was finding the "right" church for us. I think we've tried out 11 or 12 churches! We had to explain to our kids why we went somewhere different every Sunday for church. They were champs and were very flexible trying a new class each week.

5. Create a family fun night.
We started a pizza and movie night. This helped us look forward to something and even though we were doing EVERYTHING as a family anyway, it gave us something to start that we could all look forward to. Try a new family tradition!

6. Communicate, communicate, communicate!
Another vital part of all of this is communication. Talk to your spouse about your fears, joys, excitements, worries, loneliness, etc. Be as open and honest as possible. There were several times where I said I just wanted to go home…even though I didn't know where "home" even was for us anymore. Be honest! They probably have the same feelings. And talk to your kids -- lots! They are resilient, but they too have lots going through their minds. Let them know how you feel as well so they know you are human too. Keep it at their level though. We said so many times to our kids that we are trusting God through this. We didn't know all the answers as to why we are here, but if God wants us here that's where we need to be. I think it's helped their faith as well. They are learning to trust God. Who knows what this lesson will do for them in the future?!

More communication tips: keep in touch with friends and family. Skype is your friend! Grandparents can see our kids whenever from thousands of miles away. Use it! Call your friends. Let people know how you are feeling. Let people know how to pray for you.

Moving is hard! I won't lie and say it is fun and all roses. It's not. We have questioned doing this so many times and questioned God. It's okay. He is big enough to handle the questions. But, our family bond has grown so much that I would not want to trade that for anything. Our boys are now best friends and hardly fight at all. When you only have 3 other people you know for thousands of miles around, you learn to get along better. I love my husband and kids more now than ever, and I think when they are all you have, you form this special bond that no one can take away.

Thanks so much for sharing, Julie. Great advice!

10 Things You Should Never Feel Guilty About, Pt. 1

2011-07-18T08:00:00.019-05:00

Moms are by nature guilty people. We are way too hard on ourselves. Don't you think it's due time we cut ourselves some slack? I'm sure this list could be much longer, so feel free to add your own in the comment section. Here is part 1 of my . . .

Top 10 Things You Should Never Feel Guilty About:
1. Working outside the home
I'm a stay-at-home mom, so this one is not a struggle for me (See #2). But I guarantee you, most working moms have struggled with this at some point in their lives. They feel guilty for not being home but at the same time feel like they need to work. Or maybe they don't need to work for the income but feel like they are better moms when they work. Working gives them some much-needed adult time, so that when they come home, they are energized and ready to be a great momma. If either of these describe you (you work because you need the income or you work because you enjoy your job), DON'T feel guilty. Just be the best mom you can be when you are at home.

2. Not working outside the home
Here's my struggle. I feel guilty because I don't provide any income to the family budget. I pay the bills and tell my husband when we don't have much money left in the account, but I rarely do anything else to help with the finances. It's tempting to feel like my input is minuscule. But, one thing I have to remind myself of is this: at least we're not spending any money on childcare.

3. Getting a babysitter
If you're married, you need to date your spouse-without a child tagging along. Don't feel bad for taking a night away. Even if you're not married, some alone time will leave you feeling much more refreshed and ready to take on another day.

4. Having a life outside of your family
Hobbies aren't bad. Neither are sports, television, or days at the spa. These things, when done in a balanced way, can help a tired parent unwind. Plus, your children will only live in your home for twenty years or so. I know that may sound like a long time now, but soon enough, they'll be gone. What will your life look like then if you refuse to have a life outside of your kids now?

5. Spending too much one-on-one time with your child
I know this sounds weird, but sometimes I feel guilty (as a stay-at-home mother of one child) for spending so much alone time with my son. What if I'm damaging him socially? What if I'm making him too dependent on me? What if I'm crippling him for life later on? If this is a struggle for you too, rest assured: you're not ruining your child. Years down the road, you'll be thankful you spent so much time with him.

Stay tuned next Monday to Part 2 of my "10 Things You Should Never Feel Guilty About."

The Faithfulness of God through an Addiction-Guest Post by Kim Kirschner

2011-07-15T08:00:00.007-05:00

I asked a friend of mine to share her story with my readers today. I know you'll be touched by her honesty, and I pray you'll be reminded-as she has been-that God is faithful. Thanks for sharing your story, Kim. I'm honored to have you on my blog.

I don’t know if you know this or not, but God is faithful.

Eight years ago, three months into our marriage, I found out that my husband was looking at pornography. I didn’t know how to respond. It took me three days to even approach him about it. All I knew to do was cry and pray. I didn’t even know what to pray, so my prayer was that he would stop looking at it.

Months later, I found evidence of his sin again. He promised that it would be the last time. My new prayer was that he would stick to this promise and stop looking at it.

As the years went by, he struggled with this issue off and on. He saw counselors, and we put blocks on the computer. But I eventually realized he wasn’t just looking at pornography; he was addicted to it. I began to read about the issue of lust, which seems to attack every man on the planet.

I realized I could not make this change for him. My prayer changed again. I prayed that his heart would be renewed, that our marriage would be improved and that the root cause of this addiction would be dealt with. I prayed for his sin not to be hidden anymore. This was a huge thing for me to pray because my husband was in ministry. If his sin was discovered, our livelihood would be taken away. But I prayed anyway.

I prayed for seven years.

Finally, our world began to crumble. My prayers were answered, and I was at peace. My husband lost his job. We had no money. People told me that the next year was going to be horrible. I don’t think they understood that I had silently been dealing with this for so long. I was relieved to be able to talk about it. They also couldn’t see that my husband was truly broken. They didn’t understand that I had been praying for this very outcome.

We were faced with a dilemma, though. We had no money and three girls to provide and protect. My first concern was about my daughter's preschool. She loved her preschool class, and we no longer had the means to keep her there. Within 24 hours of my husband’s firing, the preschool director called and told us not to worry about paying for her schooling. That was my first and biggest proof that God was truly in control. Over the next eight months, we never missed a water bill, electric bill, or mortgage. We never went without food. Our everyday needs were met.

Plus, the very things I prayed for my husband began to happen. God began to reveal to my husband how important love is. God has made him a more loving person. Our marriage has improved. He no longer seeks out pornography, and we read the Bible and pray together every day. My husband also learned that pornography was a symptom of a greater problem. It is an issue most people deal with- never feeling good enough.

I had begun to feel like pornography was going to be something I would have to deal with my entire life. But then God proved to be faithful again-which, by the way, is so like Him!

Pornography is such a huge problem, but also one that is hard to talk about. Thanks for being willing to talk about it, Kim, and for hopefully encouraging someone else who might be in a similar situation to get the help he/she needs.

What My Toddler Taught Me About Faith, Part 4

2011-07-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

No word is more misunderstood than love. We mistakenly assume that love is a feeling, some gush of emotion we experience when that special someone walks into the room or smiles at us. When we think of love, we picture flowers, romance, and adventures that leave us gasping for breath. Blame it on the American culture or the media if you wish, but I think there’s one culprit we tend to ignore: ourselves.

After all, we’re the ones who buy into the lie. We’re the ones who allow ourselves to develop unrealistic expectations. When Jesus told his followers to become like little children, I think one of the characteristics he wanted us to emulate was their love. Children don’t love like adults. Their love is pure, unaffected by the actions of those around them. Allow me to explain.

I’m a stay-at-home mom. Most days, I love my twenty-four-hour-a-day job. Occasionally, though, I have a bad day. (Okay, maybe it’s more often than occasionally. But who’s counting?) I lose my temper from time to time and struggle with patience. On one particular day a few months ago, I raised my voice at my two-year-old son. I’m ashamed to say, it was all because of a bowl of cereal that ended up on the floor. Sure, he spilled it because he chose not to listen. But really, it shouldn’t have been that big of a deal. Nothing a broom and mop couldn’t clean up.

If I were my son, I would have remembered the unnecessary outburst. I might have even given a cold shoulder to make sure the offense wasn’t forgotten. Not him. Five minutes later, he crawled on my lap and told me he loved me. I didn’t deserve his love in that moment.

But isn’t that what true love is—undeserved affection? True love isn’t based on actions or on feelings. It’s unconditional. My son loved me even when I didn’t deserve it. Over the last few weeks, I’ve written about three other reasons Jesus told us adults to become like children: transparency, trust, and forgiveness. But I think this one is the most important of all. After all, “whoever does not love does not know God” (1 John 4:8). Maybe that's why kids are so great at loving; they know God better than we do.

5 Ways to be Your Child's Hero-Guest Post by My Husband, Keith Bell

2011-07-08T08:00:00.003-05:00

I've asked my husband, Keith, to share on my blog today. I think you'll really enjoy reading what he has to say.

Most of the time, I'm a boring dad. "No, Son, not right now" seems to be a statement I say a lot. I could easily justify myself. I mean, most of his requests come no more than 15 minutes after I get home from work. But lately, I've been wanting to change that.

After so many times of being turned down, eventually they'll stop asking. I don't ever want to see that day. I always want to be my son's hero-the man who can, and will, do anything. Simple, right? Get up and do something.

I want to share with you 5 keys that a small book entitled, Father to Son: Life Lessons on Raising a Boy by Harry H. Harrison Jr., reminded me of the other day.

1. Be around.

Simple, yet so powerful. Mike Sessler, Technical Director at Coast Hills Community Church in Aliso Viejo, CA, recently wrote a blog post entitled "Time Flies." In the post he gently reminded his technical director followers that our jobs aren't everything and that "if you have kids… you need to know one thing; they will grow up. Don’t miss it." I walked away from that post wondering if I have been around enough to make a difference in my son's life. We must chose our families more often than not.

2. Be his father, not his friend.

I wish I could say that I'm a pro at this step; however, I can't quite yet. As my son gets older, I see him maturing so much. I see all of the good things I've (mostly his mother) taught him and of course some of the bad things. I hope that as the years go on, he sees me as his loving father and not his best friend-a man he can look up to, count on, and trust.

3. Be a good husband. Show his mom respect at all times.

Failing at this one seems to be a regular for me. Not at respecting her, but at appreciating her to the fullest and, of course, showing her how much I appreciate her. How much more would my son learn how to treat women if he saw me showing his mom how much I appreciate and respect her?

4. Be home for dinner.

Our family sits down for meals at the dinner table. We have laughed harder and enjoyed each other more at the table than I think any other location in the house. It is so important to get in the habit of doing this.

5. Be his hero.

According to my son, this means that I regularly need to dress up in a superhero outfit and go racing around the house with him. But honestly, I hope someday when the teacher at school asks him who his hero is, he'll have a better reason to say me than just because of playing superheroes with him.

A huge thank you to my husband for being my guest blogger for today. His advice is invaluable, and I hope it has encouraged you as much as it has me. (And Keith, you are way too hard on yourself. You are a great husband and father to Rylan.) If you would like to guest post on my blog, leave me a comment here or send me an email. I'd be happy to provide more information.

Why I'm Thankful for My Husband

2011-07-04T08:00:00.006-05:00

Sometimes I take my husband for granted. Not intentionally, of course, but it happens. This past weekend was my husband's birthday. In honor of his special day, I wanted to make a list of the top 10 reasons why I'm glad he's in my life (in no particular order).

Reason #1 - He puts up with my perfectionist habits. Who else would be willing to "organize the junk drawer" but he?

Reason #2 - He never criticizes what I do. As a stay-at-home mom, it's tempting to feel like I don't do anything but sit around all day long, especially on days when the house is messier at 5:00 in the evening than it was at 6:00 AM. But on days like that, he reminds me of all that I have done-like cooked three meals, washed four loads of laundry, chased a toddler all day, etc.

Reason #3 - He loves his mom . . . and the rest of his family.

Reason #4 - He's a blue. As a sensitive blue myself, I'm thankful to have another blue in our home, even if he's not quite as "blue" as I am.

Reason #5 - He works hard to provide for his family. We might not have the nicest things, but we have what we need. And it's all because of him.

Reason #6 - He makes me laugh.

Reason #7 - He gives the best foot rubs.

Reason #8 - He challenges me to follow my dreams and believes in me more than I believe in myself.

Reason #9 - He loves his little boy. There is nothing more special than watching your husband play with your child. I'll be proud for Rylan to grow up like him.

Reason #10 - He loves his God. This past year, when I thought our world was falling apart after our second miscarriage, he kept me on track and reminded me that our God is bigger than any storm we might face.

And Reason #11 (I had to throw this one in) - No one can mow or vacuum or lay gaff tape in as straight a line as he:)

Happy Birthday, Keith. You might not be exactly the same as you were when I married you seven years ago, but I love you all the same.

*Next week, I'll finish my series, "What My Toddler Taught Me About Faith." Stay tuned!

Guest Interview-Author Deborah Vogts

2011-07-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

Deborah (lower right) with her beautiful family

I'm thrilled to have Deborah Vogts on my blog today. I've always loved her books. If you haven't read them, I recommend you grab yourself a copy soon (more information below). Deborah has a lot of wisdom to share. She has become a mentor for me as a writer, and I hope you enjoy hearing our interview as well.

1. Tell me about what you do.
Thanks for having me on your blog, Lindsey. First off, I’m a stay-at-home mom. My husband and I have three daughters and live in the country where I have a big yard and garden. Summers are very busy. We’re also a 4-H family and involved in the County Fair. Family is very important to me.

2. How have you managed to maintain a writing career alongside being a wife and mother of three?
It hasn’t been easy. And I think it’s even more difficult now that I’m published and dealing with deadlines. Deadlines don’t care if you have corn to freeze or green beans to harvest and can. They don’t care if you have graduations or county fairs. All that to say, my editor has been very generous with me, but it’s still not easy. You spend years working to be published and setting your writing aside when other things get in the way, and when it becomes a job, it can be difficult to make that transition. I think that’s what I’ve struggled with most. But if I constantly remind myself that my writing is a job and that I need to sit in my chair at my desk and keep office hours, maybe one day I’ll start believing it.

3. I understand you married a high school classmate. Tell me a little about him.
My husband and I were in the same class in high school, but it wasn’t until after our 5^th year reunion that we began dating. We married in 1990 on February 14—in the middle of an ice storm, and we’ll celebrate our 22^nd year anniversary next year. He’ll always be my Valentine.

4. What has been the greatest challenge in your marriage?
That’s easy: being self-employed. My husband builds fences and clears trees for ranchers and farmers and has been doing that now for about five years. While it has been a wonderful blessing, it’s also one of our greatest challenges to allot money for every need. Insurance, taxes, all of those lovely add-ons that you don’t expect or anticipate. But we face each day with prayers on our lips, trusting that God will provide for our needs. And He always sees that each bill is paid. Having a book contract has helped, but you still have to save for that rainy day.

5. What has been the greatest blessing?
Our three daughters. Our oldest will be 25, our middle daughter is 20 and will be going off to college this year, and our youngest is 14 and starting high school. They are each beautiful darlings with gentle spirits and creative minds. Each loves to read books and has taken an interest in writing in one way or another. Our oldest is an editor for the president at the University of Phoenix, and our middle daughter wants to write books or film scripts. We’ll see what happens with daughter #3.

6.What is one thing you know now that you wish you would have known when you first married?
That’s a hard one. Maybe it would be the importance of saving money and not getting into debt with credit cards. That’s such a huge temptation for most people, and we’ve had our share of problems with living outside of our means. That, and to enjoy each moment you have with your loved ones. Life is precious and can be taken away in an instant. Spend time with your family and loved ones. Laugh and create memories.

7. What is your favorite thing about being a parent?
I’ve been fortunate to be at home where I could spend the most time with my kids. We didn’t homeschool, but when the girls came home from school we did things together, whether it was cooking or baking, sewing, gardening, riding horses, teaching them piano, or going for a walk. My husband and I taught them things we felt were important in life and hopefully it’ll stay with them when they have families of their own. I will say that we refrained from becoming involved in sports, choosing instead to spend our time together at home. I know some people look down on that, but there are only so many hours in a day. It’s the choice we made as a family and it has been good for us.

8. What has been the biggest challenge?
Other than money? LOL. Probably trying to raise our kids to be in the world but not of the world. They see and hear so much bad stuff on television and in school. As a parent, we’ve had to constantly sift through their brains to keep them on-track with what is right and pleasing to God. It’s a constant struggle and one that will probably never end.

9. Is there any wisdom you’d like to pass along to those of us who are just starting out with our children?
Don’t be afraid to discipline your child or stand against the grain. Live your life according to God’s word in the Bible and not according to the rest of the world. As I mentioned before, we’ve had to “do our own thing” rather than be involved in sports or other activities. In doing so, we’ve spent quality time with our daughters and have taught them life lessons they’ll remember and use as an adult. Secondly, do your children a favor and turn off the TV or unplug the X-box or whatever else you happen to be plugged into. Talk to your kids with wisdom and love and they will love and respect you and your decisions. It’s your job as a parent, and it involves work and effort.

I’ll get off my soapbox for now, but I hope these words will help and inspire you in raising your children. Thanks for having me on your blog, Lindsey. I wish you and your readers many blessings!

Thanks again for sharing with us, Deborah. I'm honored to have you on my blog today:)

Deborah Vogts and her husband have three daughters and make their home in Southeast Kansas where they raise and train American Quarter Horses. As a student at Emporia State University studying English and journalism, Deborah developed a love for the Flint Hills that has never faded. In writing this series, she hopes to share her passion for one of the last tallgrass prairie regions in the world, showing that God’s great beauty rests on the prairie and in the hearts of those who live there.

You can contact Deborah through:
Author Website: http://www.deborahvogts.com
Country at Heart Blog – http://www.deborahvogts.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeborahVogts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeborahVogts

Her contemporary inspirational romance series, the Seasons of the Tallgrass, is published by Zondervan. The books are connected by the fictional ranching community of Diamond Falls, set in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills. Each book stands alone, concentrating on a different season of ranching with a new family of characters, yet readers will see their favorite characters from previous books because they are part of the community. Snow Melts in Spring and Seeds of Summer are available in bookstores and online. She is still working on book three, Blades of Autumn, but hopes to finish by mid-summer.

What My Toddler Taught Me About Faith, Part 3

2011-06-24T15:03:00.001-05:00

Last week was a rough one in the Bell household. I decided it was time to start potty training. You seasoned mothers are probably shaking your heads at me, maybe even laughing as you remember your own fights with the potty chair. I know you’re supposed to wait until your child is ready before you push the potty. Maybe that’s part of my problem. I’ve never been good at waiting. But I digress . . . .

Our first few days went well. Several accidents, but also a couple of huge successes. My mommy-pride poured out on Twitter and Facebook when he went Number Two on his potty chair. Just a couple more days, I thought, and we’ll be done with diapers for good.

Rylan had other thoughts. He, like most two-year-old children, does not like being told what to do. He likes to wear the clothes he picks out, eat the food he chooses, and sit on the potty only when he feels like it—not when Mommy tells him it’s time. He cooperated for the first few days (thus leading me to believe we were almost done), but then decided he was done with the potty. On Wednesday of last week, a battle of wills began.

Who will hold out longer? Who will break under pressure? My son didn’t want to give in; neither did I. Unfortunately, we both lost. My frustration level rose to an all-time high, and I yelled at him. He’s always been sensitive to yelling, so I should have known better. I realized my error as soon as he started to cry and then sat him on my lap to apologize: “Mommy was wrong. I’m sorry, Rylan.”

And that was it. “It’s okay, Mommy. I fagive you" (That's how he says "forgive"). He wiped his tears, gave me a hug, and jumped off my lap. A two-sentence apology was all it took for him to forgive me. No begging necessary. No need to make it up to him.

The past two Mondays, I've talked about two reasons Jesus told us adults to become like children: transparency and trust. I’m convinced forgiveness is another reason. Kids know how to forgive. We, I’m afraid, often don’t.

Guest Interview-Annette Breedlove

2011-06-24T08:00:00.002-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to interview Annette Breedlove. I especially enjoyed learning about her experience with homeschooling. Her entire interview is below. Enjoy!

1) Tell me a little bit about yourself and your family.
My husband, Jacob, and I met at Ozark Christian College about 10 years ago. This August we will celebrate 8 years of marriage. We have two sons (6 and 2), one daughter (1), and a baby on the way. Yes, we are a busy house, but I wouldn’t have it any other way (except maybe a little more organized).

2) I understand you're homeschooling now. What is your favorite thing about homeschooling?
When I first thought about homeschooling, I was excited. Then, as I dove into research and curriculum choices, I quickly became overwhelmed. But, after one year under my belt, I am absolutely positive we made the right decision for our family. I understand that some people can’t homeschool (for various reasons), but it has been the best thing for us. Our oldest (although he’s not been formally tested) exhibits autistic/aspergers tendencies that I felt wouldn’t be addressed properly in public schools. Things we’ve found that help him tremendously are consistency (esp. in his daily routine) and calm environments. Although our house might not be the calmest, he is used to it and it’s pretty much the same everyday – that in and of itself helps.

Throughout this year, I have enjoyed being able to see the “light bulb” go off when he read his first sentence and added/subtracted for the first time. The joy that comes from those moments is indescribable. Another aspect I like is that I, as the mom, get to choose the curriculum for my children. Our Science, History, Handwriting, Reading, and Spelling curriculums are all Biblically-based. I am absolutely loving it! (And I think “T” is too!)

3) What's the greatest challenge of homeschooling?
Time! Any school teacher will tell you that so much time is involved in planning, organizing, sorting papers, grading and more. It’s no different with homeschooling. Granted it’s on a much smaller scale (as I only have 2 students right now), but I still have to plan, organize the week, grade papers, and make sure I am prepared for the week’s lessons. I have found that if I do my “chores” in the morning time, I can devote the afternoon to homeschooling.

4) What advice would you give someone who is considering homeschooling his or her children?
Pray! Pray! Pray! And I don’t necessarily mean pray just about whether to homeschool. I also think it’s important to pray for God's help as you do it. Some days are easy and great, while others will make you want to give up and enroll them for school immediately. It can be frustrating (trust me), but if you believe God has guided you to homeschool your children, then He alone can and will give you the strength to endure. Daily prayer is a MUST for every mother and maybe even more so for those who homeschool. It takes patience, and it takes perseverance.

5) What is the best piece of parenting advice you were ever given?
I think the best advice I’ve gotten came pretty recent. As I mentioned earlier, our oldest has some “issues” that we are working through and it’s been difficult at times. I am, by nature, a very organized and constantly moving person. He is not. When I am in a hurry, he moves slower. When it’s time to unwind, he’s wired. It’s just the way he reacts to certain situations. The advice I got was to get myself organized, so that when things don’t go as planned I am not bent out of shape. I don’t do all my laundry in one day or even two. It’s spread out over the week, so that if I only get one done I don’t have a huge pile to do to catch up. I have a monthly calendar on the fridge with all the monthly activities, so everyone can see what’s going on. I also have a monthly calendar that I put my meal plans on. This makes grocery shopping days much smoother. Yes, it takes some upfront time, but believe me – it’s totally worth it.

A huge thank you to Annette for sharing her heart with us this week! If you want to hear more from her, check out her blog here.

What My Toddler Taught Me About Faith, Part 2

2011-06-20T08:00:00.016-05:00

My two-year-old son, Rylan, is obsessed with tornadoes. I can’t say I blame him. They are now an everyday topic of discussion in our household (as they are in many households in the Joplin area). One of Rylan’s favorite books is his weather book. He loves learning about storms and watching the “wetter radar,” as he calls it.

Last week, as a thunderstorm rumbled outside our house, he made a storm shelter on the bedroom floor, complete with toys, pillows, and blankets. He buried himself under the clutter and called to me, “Come sit by me, Mommy. You keep me safe from the storm.” As I crawled under the mess, he put my arm around him. The thunder continued to boom outside, the rain continued to fall, but he smiled. His fear was gone. Everything was right in his world, all because his mommy held him.

What I wouldn’t give to have that kind of trust again—to believe that when my Father is holding me, I’ll be okay. Unfortunately, when the storms rage in my life, I tend to lack this childlike trust. Instead of clinging to God in the storm and trusting his strong arm to protect me, I rely on my own strength.

Though I would never say it aloud, my actions speak for me: “I don’t really trust You to keep me safe. I don’t really trust You to make everything okay in my world.” With Rylan, once I put my arm around him, he forgot his fears and started playing again. With me, even when God’s arms are wrapped around my shoulders, I still shake with fear.

Last Monday, I quoted Mark 10:14-15, the verse in which Jesus challenged his followers to become like children. I wrote about transparency, the first of several childlike qualities Jesus wants us to obtain. The second quality is equally important: trust. When Jesus told his followers to become like children, he wanted them to trust him just like children trust their parents. To trust that even when the storms rage, His arms still hold us.

Stay tuned to Part 3!

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!

Guest Interview-Author Cindy Sigler Dagnan

2011-06-17T08:00:00.036-05:00

I am thrilled to have Cindy Sigler Dagnan on my blog today. She has written numerous parenting and marriage books, and I've been a fan of hers for years. I know you'll enjoy learning from her!

1) Your books are all about marriage and parenting. Can you tell us a little bit about your family? I am married to a hunky police chief, and we are the parents of four daughters: 9, 12, 14, and 19. We also have a puppy named Joy.

2) How are you able to balance being a wife, mother, and author all at the same time? I’m chuckling as I type this, because I’m not sure anyone is ever able to do that. I try very hard to live out my priorities. The specific tasks that reflect those are different on different days. God is definitely first. I’m most balanced when I have a Snickers and a Diet Coke, since a positive and negative cancel each other out!

3) What has been the greatest challenge in your marriage? Most recently, it has been seeing my 41-years-young husband receive a kidney transplant, and thus a second chance at life. It’s been 9 ½ months so far, and he is doing great. It was so scary thinking that anniversary might have been our last.

4) What has been the greatest blessing? Greg is my biggest blessing. He complements me in every way. Although certainly not perfect, he is perfect for me. He is my biggest supporter and most dedicated fan.

5) What is one thing you know now that you wish you would have known when you first married? All marriages take work, especially the good ones. The daily stuff can be incredibly sweet when you’re not trying to live in an idealistic world.

6) What is your favorite thing about being a parent? Wow. Tucking-in time. The spontaneous hugs, notes, and tiny memories that make up the tapestry of our lives.

7) What has been the biggest challenge? That each of our girls is so very different. Though we have raised them in the same basic way, each one has her own interests, personalities, and styles.

8) What's the best piece of parenting advice you ever received? Treasure every moment of whatever stage you’re in. The seasons of parenthood are over once they’re over – no going back! And it does go so very fast.

9) I know you're a huge chocolate fan. So am I. Any favorite recipes you'd like to share with us?!
I’m a dreadful cook, but our hands-down favorite is . . .

Puppy Chow:
1 box Rice Chex cereal
1 bag milk chocolate chips
Heaping ½ cup creamy peanut butter
1 t. vanilla
1 stick real unsalted butter
Powdered Sugar [about 2 ½ cups]

Melt the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and chocolate chips in a medium saucepan on medium/low heat. Stir frequently. Meanwhile, divide cereal into 2 large bowls. When other ingredients are completely melted, pour over cereal evenly, stirring w/ spatula to coat. Immediately scoop powdered sugar on the mixture and stir to coat evenly. Serve with chocolate milk on family night!

I can't wait to try this recipe, Cindy. Thanks again for sharing with us today!

Cindy Sigler Dagnan is an international speaker and the author of seven books and numerous articles. She has been a guest on Focus on the Family and Phil Waldrep Ministries radio programs. She would love to have you sign up for her free newsletter with fun tips, recipes, family life and her writing and speaking news! Go to www.cindydagnan.com for that, for laughs, for handouts, and for The Wannabe Woman blog. Cindy blogs for moms of grade school girls and moms of teenage girls about spiritual legacy for Heritage Builders, as well as writing the “Responder Wife” blog for Responder Life, a ministry for police, fire and other first responders. She lives with her family in a newer farm house, after losing their restored old one in a tornado. It is there that she reads, writes, makes puppy chow, and avoids dusting. She is working on her first novel.

What My Toddler Taught Me About Faith, Part 1

2011-06-13T08:00:00.005-05:00

My two-year-old son tells things as he sees them. Case in point: a couple of weeks ago, my husband and I took him to Silver Dollar City in Branson. As we were leaving the park, he saw a pregnant woman and blurted out, “Big belly, Mom. She’s got a big belly.”

If you’re around two-year-olds very often, you know two things about them: 1) they don’t know how to whisper. And 2) they don’t understand what it means to keep something to themselves.

Though this makes life difficult for us moms and dads, I think it’s a quality Jesus adores. In Mark 10:14-15, Jesus said this about children: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (New International Version).

I’ve often wondered about this verse. What is it about children that us adults need to mimic? What exactly does he mean when he says we need to become like children? Now that I have a child of my own, I’m starting to understand why Jesus valued kids so much. They have a lot of wonderful qualities, the first of which is transparency.

Toddlers don’t worry about what other people think of them. They don’t put on a show to impress. They tell the truth, regardless of whom is listening. No masks. No pretension. Complete honesty. Admittedly, this honesty has its downfalls—like when it draws attention to the belly of a pregnant woman at a theme park.

Nonetheless, when it comes down to it, I’d much rather have toddlers for friends than liars. At least with toddlers, you don’t have to figure them out. What you see is what you get. I think Jesus felt the same way. He wasn’t looking for actors, but for authenticity. In his kingdom, transparency was more important than tact.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of "What My Toddler Taught Me About Faith."

Guest Interview-MaLinda Martinez

2011-06-10T08:00:00.003-05:00

Thanks so much to MaLinda Martinez for agreeing to share about how God has worked in her life and in the lives of her family members. I was blessed with the opportunity to interview her. You can read our interview below. I especially want to draw your attention to question 6. If you or someone you know is struggling with postpartum depression, please read this question!

1) First of all, MaLinda, can you tell me about yourself and your family?
I am 26 years old and have been married to my amazing husband, David, for 8 years. We started dating before my senior year of high school and got married after our freshmen year of college. Together we have 4 children: Uriah 2, Elijah 3, Kyla 6, and Jordan 16. Our oldest was adopted a year and a half ago. I am a stay-at-home mom, and my husband is a youth minster.

2) What has been the greatest challenge in your marriage?
The first challenge we faced was that God blessed us with children very early in our marriage . . . and then our family exploded. We don't have any regrets, but it hasn't been easy keeping up with friends our age. Most either aren't married or have one, maybe two, children. When we do get to go out with friends, it's an event to get a sitter and find entertainment for our oldest.

3) What is one thing you know now that you wish you would have known when you first married?
No amount of worry or stress is going to solve any problem. God will provide every step of the way, even when we feel trapped. And of course, I learned that family planning does NOT work :)

4)What is one way you encourage your husband, David?
Every time he goes to a conference or night away without us, I write cards telling him how much I love him and how proud I am of him for every day he's gone. It means a lot to him when I take note of the little things he does, whether in ministry or at home, and tell him how great he's doing.

5) What is your favorite thing about being a parent?
Watching my children grow! When we got our oldest, I realized just how fast time flies, and now I savor every moment. Being home with them, I get to watch all their "firsts," and it just amazes me how God has blessed us with such special little people! I like that when they are sick or hurt I get to be the one to hold them until they feel better. I love bringing them up to love the Lord and rejoicing with them when they understand. It is such an amazing feeling to love a child!

6) What has been the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge we ever faced as parents was after my 3rd child was born and I developed the baby blues. It was the worst feeling to want to be excited for my precious baby and our new foster son, yet constantly being held back. I wasn't myself at all, and I didn't know how to deal with it. When my baby was 11 months old, I finally went to the doctor and got the help I needed to straighten out the hormones. But the guilt of not being a good mom, feeling like I wasn't a good Christian, and feeling like the world judged those with postpartum depression really hurt. It was a huge struggle for our family to endure and one I never thought I would face. I love being pregnant and having kids..so it was hard for me to accept PPD when I knew that I WANTED TO ENJOY THIS TIME! Things aren't completely better but are well on their way, and I'm so grateful for all the support I was given. To any mom who faces this, I want you to know, you are not alone, and it's okay to hurt. Don't try to bottle it up because it won't go away. Just because your hormones are off doesn't mean you aren't a good mom!

7) What piece of advice would you give someone who is considering stepping into the role of stay-at-home parent?
Staying home is such an amazing gift because God has blessed us with these children, and we have the opportunity to raise them..not just send them to someone else for the day. It does take effort to make a realistic budget and stick to it, but the days we have with our children at home are numbered. Yes, there will be ups and downs. Some days you'll want to pull your hair out. Other days you'll cuddle that sweet child in your arms all afternoon and be completely content. The key is to remember that dishes and laundry will be waiting for you your whole life...but you'll only have your children in your arms for a short sweet while.

I LOVE that last line: dishes and laundry will always be there, but your children will only be in your arms for a short while. Such a great reminder. Thanks again, MaLinda.

MaLinda and her husband, David, live in Oklahoma, where David is a youth minister and MaLinda a stay-at-home mother. You can find MaLinda on Twitter @mindy4x.

The Problem that Poisons Every Relationship, Plus Date Night Discussion Starters

2011-06-06T08:00:00.005-05:00

I planned to publish this blog post a couple of weeks ago, during my marriage focus in May. But then the tornado hit Joplin, and I needed to change my focus. Sorry for the delay. I've included my final date night discussion starters as well...

Keith and I will celebrate our seven year anniversary this August. While I would never claim to be a marriage expert, I have learned a lot over the past seven years (mostly from our mistakes, of course). One of the most important things I've learned is that almost every problem can be boiled down to one issue: selfishness.

It doesn't matter what the fight is about-money, roles, expectations, parenting views, etc-the primary reason we fight is because one of us (or both of us) is being selfish. We want what we want when we want it. We stop looking out for the desires of the other person and focus on ourselves.

I've yet to find a cure for this problem, but I have found a few things to help:

1. Keep your eyes open to symptoms of selfishness-in YOU, not in your spouse.

2. Plan times for yourself. I know this sounds contradictory, but hear me out. When I spend all week meeting the needs of everyone else and ignore my own needs for sleep and nutrition, by the end of the week, I have nothing left to give. Then selfishness creeps in, and I start to feel entitled to certain things. On the other hand, if I allow time for myself every day, I have the energy to help other people and am less likely to feel entitled.

3. Be intentional about your service to others. Nothing attacks selfishness quicker than being selfless.

Any other suggestions? I'd love to hear them.

Date Night Discussion Starters, Final Week:
1. What do you want our life to look like five years from now?
2. Who is your closest friend and why?
3. What is your greatest fear?
4. If you could do anything and you knew you wouldn't fail, what would you do?
5. What can I pray for you about this week?

Seasons: Guest Post by Author Julie Anne Lindsey

2011-06-03T08:00:00.010-05:00

First I’d like to thank Lindsey for asking me to be a part of her blog. I’m honored and pretty excited about it too. Deciding what to write about was a whole other drama though. While Lindsey and I are both writers, I only blog about writing while she blogs about life. I must admit I troubled my nails at the idea of leaving my bloggy comfort zone, but I do enjoy a change, so here I am!

Seasons

My life is changing. I know life is designed to change, but knowing doesn’t always make it any easier. We’re continually moving through the seasons of our life, and some of those seasons try us. Some transitions happen smoothly. One day we wonder where the old days went. How did our kids become so independent, or how did we put on those extra ten pounds? Other seasons are tougher, and we call them trials. Regardless of how much we enjoy or don’t enjoy a season, it is always changing. Seasons won’t last and that makes life precious, fleeting and sometimes hard.

Four years and two kids ago, I decided to homeschool my oldest son. He was ready for preschool, and I wanted to teach him. I have a degree. I had time. I had the desire. And most importantly I had an incredible support system of fellow homeschool families to lean on. Homeschool was a great fit. We were barely home for the first two years. My community had endless opportunities for families like mine and we took advantage of them. The experience was a true joy.

Then, a few years later life changed. Now, I have a son finishing 2^nd grade, a son completing Kindergarten and a daughter who is turning 3 very soon. As a side note to that, I started writing two years ago, and my husband is pursuing his Masters Degree.

Today, as my homeschool year comes to a close, I’m feeling torn and anxious. We’ve decided to stop homeschooling. I know the self doubt is not from a good place. I’ve prayed over these children every day and sought the answer I needed. Homeschool for us is a season passing by. In a few short weeks I will hang up my teaching hat and prepare my sons for public school in the fall. They fear the change, but I’m keeping my chin up. Another chance to teach. Life is change and we must adapt, use every new opportunity to shine, honor God and grow into the children He planned us to be.

We all go through change. It’s inevitable. We transition and we grow. Whatever the change might be, we must choose to make it an opportunity. For me, I will turn from the guilt I feel for putting my kids in school. My mother’s heart screams it’s selfish, but this is when I need to trust there is a plan unseen and know this coming season will pass too. I cannot know what is to come, but I can trust it will be good. Until then I will recite the verse that strengthens me:

To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Julie Anne Lindsey is a mother of three, wife, blogger, author, and homeschooling mom for now. She is hopelessly caffeine addicted, an avid YA reader, and a follower of Christ. You can find her online all the time. She blogs at Musings from the Slush Pile http://blog.juliealindsey.com and tweets @JulieALindsey. She loves meeting other moms, readers, writers, and friends, so please be sure to say Hi!

Starbucks, Anyone? (Adorable Video of My Son)

2011-05-30T08:00:00.006-05:00

This past week has been emotional for all of us living in and near the Joplin community.
Even though the pain will last for a very long time, I hope this video is able to somewhat brighten your day. (And just so you know, he didn't get any coffee!) For those of you reading who don't live near Joplin, please continue to pray.

Starting this Friday, I'll be posting guest blogs and interviews from people all over the country. I'm super excited about this and can't wait to read about how God is working in the lives of his people. I hope you'll come back this Friday for our first guest blog from Julie Anne Lindsey, author, blogger, wife, mother, and coffee-lover.

If you'd like to be interviewed for my blog or provide a guest post, leave a comment here or send me an email.

Jesus Doesn't Always Stop the Storm

2011-05-27T08:00:00.007-05:00

On Sunday, May 22, a tornado ravaged the city of Joplin. It took over 120 lives and destroyed the heart of the town, including one of our hospitals. What’s left of the city is indescribable. Many of the landmarks are completely gone—or if not gone, nearly unrecognizable. The real life accounts that are now viewable on youtube are haunting—people screaming, crying, and pleading for God to save them.

My family and I were safe in the storm, hiding in a bathtub a few miles north of the tornado’s path. I didn’t lose my life, my home, or any family members. But so many others did, and I can’t help but ask God why. Why did he allow this much devastation into our community? How could a God of love ignore the cries of so many?

As more rain moved into Joplin the day after the tornado, my two-year-old son looked at me and said with confidence, “Jesus stop the storm.” A couple of weeks ago, I had read him the story of Jesus stopping the storm for his disciples. He assumed that because Jesus stopped the storm then, he would do it again for us. I loved my son’s faith in God, but to be honest, I wasn’t sure I agreed. My faith isn’t as strong as his. I’ve seen too many storms, watched too many lives fall apart, witnessed too much pain. Life has taught me a lesson I wish I could unlearn: that Jesus doesn’t always stop the storm.

Granted, sometimes he does. We pray for those incidences and long to witness a miracle. But what about those times when he doesn’t come through for us, those times when he chooses to allow the storm?

It is in those moments—when he seems to be ignoring our pleas for help—that our faith is really put to the test. It’s in those moments that we have a decision to make: will we trust God, not to remove the storm but to carry us through it?

Pray For Joplin, MO

2011-05-23T15:12:00.000-05:00

Devastating tornados hit close to home yesterday. My family and I are safe, but our community is hurting. At least 89 people are dead and 30 percent of the town is destroyed, including one hospital. Internet and cell usage is spotty at best. Please pray for Joplin, Missouri. Because of this tragedy, I might not have the ability to post as often as I would like. We need prayers.