Breakfast in Bed

At the risk of sounding like a real whiner I must admit that I don't feel  much like posting today. I've spent the past two days in bed, pretty much, and I think I could stand another week of sleep. (Okay, okay. So that's a slight exaggeration. But it could't hurt, could it?) So, this post will be short and to the point. If I can think of a point. No, really...I do have one.

This morning, I was treated to something rare; breakfast in bed. It looked something like this:

Highly nutritious and well-balanced? No. (Well, I considered it pretty balanced. After all, it was comprised of everything chocolate.) But it was packed with love and that's even better. My sweet little girl knows what Mommy likes and wanted to do something special for me, so she lovingly prepared this tray and served it up with plenty of hugs, kisses, and "I love you Mommy"s. The Oreos are even in the shape of a smiley face. See? :)  And, knowing how thoughtful and attentive she is, I'm sure she selected both mug and straw carefully. She knows I love that mug, and she knows I love red, hence the red-striped straw. Of course she didn't forget the straw! Am I making a big deal out of nothing? Not at all! Thinking of the love my sweet daughter put into that little breakfast warms my heart.

Sometimes we wonder if our little ones are really getting it. Does everything we say go in one ear and out the other? Do they comprehend what we try to teach them about loving one another, servant-hood,  and showing kindness? Are they growing up to be self-centered and self-serving in spite of our best efforts? 

And then, there are these moments, and we're reassured. Thank God for reassurance...and for sweet little girls like mine. 

                                           

The Mentoring Mother

In circles where the Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 message is popular, there is a call for older women to teach younger women. This is Biblical, and this is right. It is how God intended it to be. Our modern word for this type of relationship is "mentor". I come across it a lot when I read books on Godly womanhood.

I think that many of us get so caught up in looking for the perfect older woman to teach us and the perfect younger woman or teen that we can mentor that we forget something very important. I was reminded of this while reading Elizabeth George's A Woman After God's Own Heart again recently.

First of all, although not everyone is blessed in such a way, God has given many of us mothers. Some of us are abundantly blessed with Godly mothers. Many more are blessed with mothers who, even if they were not Christians, taught us much of the basics of housework, child care and a loving marriage. We can learn from a variety of older women, but let us not forget that perhaps God gave us all we needed in our own mothers.

The second thing that saddens me and convicts me at the same time is our preoccupation with finding the right "younger woman" to mentor. No matter what your age, as Elizabeth George points out in her book, there is someone younger be it a child, a teen or a younger wife or mother with children younger than yours.

So we should all rush out to find someone to whom to  impart what we have learned, right? Maybe not. Mrs. George's words hit me with great and urgent clarity. She said that the first younger woman (or women) we should seek to mentor are our own daughters. You know the little newborn in your home or that toddler or even the preteen? Yeah, those ones. Glamorous? Inspiring? Spiritual? Ministry? Actually, yes.

Every time our little girls work along side of us , we are training them and mentoring them for the work they will do some day. As we mate socks, scramble eggs, change diapers, scrub floors, roll our eyes at our husbands, sigh impatiently while a little one tries to put on his shoes.....um, yeah. That is our mentoring process. So how are we doing?

Recently, I shared this with my daughter. We went out for coffee, just the two of us. We sat and talked. She told me her struggles. I shared some of mine---past and present. We talked about relationships and what kind of a wife and mama she will be someday. She's only 10. Well, not quite. We talked about birthday party plans, too. Sometimes we have to meet them where they are. Just like God does for us.

Weekend Reflections (and Important Information for Subscribers!)

Looking Back...

Here's what we talked about this week:

• How to Get Food in the Freezer When You Don't Have Extra Time
• Great Ideas for Organization
• No, Devotions Doesn't Have to Be "One Size Fits All"
• A Table Pretty Enough to Eat On
• The Lazy Way to Do Laundry

  From the Archives...

• Hearts at Home...Plate

Looking Ahead...

We'll be finishing out January by focusing on our kids. Find out what it means to be a mentoring mother and enjoy a little homeschooling humor. Jessica will be sharing from her heart, and Joanna will look into the Word of God with us. Been coughing this winter? Stay tuned for a great giveaway to help you and your kids get through the winter cold symptoms.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! O.K. I didn't mean to shout, but I do hope you can do me a BIG favor. My technically challenged self happened to get my feeds all mixed up while switching to the new domain. Judy, one of our great monthly contributors, helped me get the correct feed on the subscribe buttons on the blog page. Here's what I need you to do if you subscribe through RSS or e-mail:

1. Unsubscribe from Joy Ever After. (But please don't forget to go on to step 2!)
2. Subscribe using one of the buttons on the blog itself. They are located in the top right corner of the sidebar.

Hopefully, I can get everyone's subscription working correctly with the new feed. Thanks!

A Freebie for You
After all that work, you need something for free, don't you? I thought so. My friends over at SALT Magazine have asked me to tell you about a free issue offer on their site. This is what they said:

If you're interested in homeschooling, courtship, quiverfull issues, child-raising, politics, and spiritual inspiration, try a free, no obligation issue of SALT Magazine.

This may not apply to all of you readers, but I decided to pass the news on. To get your free issue, go here.

The Lazy Way to Do Laundry

Laundry....some people hate it, some people actually like it. I'm somewhere in between. I get upset when I can't get a stubborn stain out, and I sometimes have trouble keeping up with the clothing of six people. However, for the most part I like to see neatly folded clothing in drawers and don't mind the process of getting it there.

No, this is not my laundry room! I only wish mine were that neat!

I have greatly simplified our laundry routine over the years. Some of you might call me lazy. Maybe I am, but I take the Bible literally when it says my life is "more than raiment". I don't want to spend hours caring for clothing. I have children to love on, train and educate and a husband with which I hope to grow old.

I have a small laundry basket in my bathroom. Everyone puts their dirty clothes in it (or around it) when they get their baths. Every morning, my son takes the basket downstairs to the laundry room, and my daughter starts the first load. My daughter or I switch it at some point. When it is finished, I fold it and put it in a basket, then carry it upstairs to distribute to the dressers and closets.

I don't sort unless it is something that I'm afraid will run. I do try to treat stains myself since my daughter doesn't think to check those usually. If I have a load that needs bleached, I obviously only put whites in! :-)

Since we rest from laundry on Sundays, we usually have a few loads on Monday. We wash sheets and towels on Friday so there are a few extra loads then, too. That's pretty much it. See how lazy I am?


Jessica shares how laundry operates in her house at It's the Little Things. And rumor has it that Joanna has been so busy in the laundry room herself that she didn't get a chance to emerge long enough to post about it.

How do you do laundry at your house?

Dressing Your Table

One of the things I enjoy most when getting ready to have company for dinner, is decorating the table. It's not to make them feel uncomfortable, it's just something I enjoy doing! However, I realize that's not everyone's forte... I am certainly NOT an expert in this area, but I thought maybe I would share a few of my table settings that I have done (and actually found pictures of!) to jump start your own ideas!

This table setting is one of my favorites since it matches the decor of my kitchen. I just used white plates and bowls to brighten and offset the red napkins. I used a simple folded fan to fold the napkins and tucked the bottom of the fan into red and silver napkin rings. My centerpiece was simple, useful and practical for this setting...matching cherry salt and pepper shakers and butter dish!
This setting was a little more along the lines of simple elegance. I used a lace tablecloth for the "background". The napkins were folded fan style but tied in the center with a blue ribbon (they make WONDERFUL napkin rings) and placed in the center of the plate. I also added heart shaped votive candle holders at each place setting for a special touch. The centerpiece was put together by starting with a small stand crystal dish, adding a glass candle holder and candle in the center, and surrounding with flowers to match. Very simple, and from things around the house--no need to spend a lot of money on an expensive centerpiece!

This is a close up of one of the place settings from above...

I LOVE fall...so this table was extra fun for me. I started with my rust colored fall tablecloth. The plates (which you can't see in the picture) are fall colors with a different word on each (Blessing, Abundance, Family, Grateful) to add a special touch. The napkins are again folded fan style with a fall leaf napkin ring in the center. The centerpiece is a fall leaf garland interspersed with small (fake) gourds and pumpkins, and a festive fall scented candle in the center.
I'm sure you have even better ideas than these to share about making your table beautiful, so feel free to add suggestions in the comment box below!

Finding the Right Devotional Plan

I've written a lot about the importance of a regular devotional time for moms, even the baby and toddler edition. I believe it is absolutely essential for anyone, but as women seeking to serve the Lord, it is critical that we spend time with Him each day. But you know that.

You probably also know all the times you've tried to be consistent in this area and failed. I think many times we fail because we are trying out someone else's formula for devotions. That is kind of like cooking your neighbor's husband's favorite meals for your husband. It may work sometimes, but certainly not all the time!

I know that this was a big area of struggle for me in my early days of marriage and motherhood. I've heard a lot of reasons for inconsistent devotions, and I've offered some myself. However, I trust that you will make the effort to pinpoint what is holding you back from a real daily heart-to-heart with Jesus.

"I Don't Know How To Do It!"
Relationships may be complicated, but they really aren't rocket science. Basically, all a devotional life means is to spend time with each other. Take turns talking like you do when you are on a date with your husband or out for lunch with a friend. I remember a story about Amy Carmichael as a girl. She would go to bed at night and imagine that Jesus was sitting on the edge of her bed. She would talk to Him as if He were; and my guess, based on her lifelong relationship with Him, is that His Presence became a reality! Don't forget to let Him talk to you by reading His letter to you---His Word!

"But I Hate To Read!"
As much as I cannot relate, I know that there are people who are allergic to words on a page. I especially appreciate the fact that you are here today! Many audio Bible CDs, computer programs and apps are available. You can go about your normal day, and listen to the Bible being read to you! Which brings me to...

"I'm Too Busy!"
I could tell you honestly that we make time for what is important to us. That's the short answer. Practically speaking, you can carve out time to spend talking with Jesus and letting Him talk to you through His Word. As I mentioned, you can listen to the Bible being read and pray on your way to work or as you cook breakfast. You can spend a few moments in prayer here and there throughout the day. While this isn't a substitute for unrushed, quiet time alone with God; it can help keep the relationship intact until a longer time period is available.


"I Never Have Time Alone!"
As a mother of small children, I understand! Many times I have settled into my chair with Bible in hand to find some visitors peeking around the corner. This is an excellent training opportunity. Remember how Jesus took His disciples into the Garden to pray with Him? Allow them to join you. Share what you are reading. My early-rising son still reminds me of how we laughed over Solomon having pet monkeys in his fancy palace. (Yeah, see how interesting reading your Bible can be?) I am also pretty strict about my children not getting up before the sun. If the sun is still asleep, they have to stay in their beds until it wakes up!


"I Can't Get Up That Early!"
Yes, if your kids are waking up with the sun, that means you might have to wake up before the sun if you want true "quiet time" with the Lord. Those early times are very precious, even for a night owl like me. However, I understand that some people simply do not function early in the morning. It is fine for you to meet with the Lord in the evening or even during nap time if that works for you. If it is an appointment you can regularly keep, then by all means switch the time!


"I'm Just Not the Theological Type!"
Maybe you get bogged down trying to "dig in" to the Scriptures. That's o.k. Remember it's about your talking to Jesus and His talking to you. Just talk to Him and ask Him what He wants to show you. Then pick a place in the Bible and start reading. I promise you won't be asked to pass any tests!

Here a few of my favorite resources for devotions besides my trusty notebook and pencil:

King James Study Bible for Women
E-Sword
Bible360 App

A Word of Caution!
There are a myriad of devotional books out there, many of them good; however, don't make the mistake of neglecting the Bible for books about the Bible. The plain and simple Word of God is powerful and can speak like no other book can!

I have been greatly helped by books about prayer; however, don't forget to just talk with Jesus throughout the day. He's there to listen and to speak, and it is easy to make the mistake of studying prayer so much we forget to actually pray!

I would love to hear about your progress as you spend more time with the Lord!
 

Organization? Yes, Please!

Some people enjoy reading beautifully-worded poetry. Some pay big money to see a famous painting. Me? I swoon over photos like this:

From bhg.com

Ahhh! What beauty! How dreamy! What inspiration! Okay, so I get a little too excited about this sort of thing. Can't help it! I love organization! 

After all the Christmas pretties are stashed away it's rather inevitable that the house just looks like it's in need of a little TLC. Cleaning alone doesn't do the trick. There has to be yet another purging. And then some serious organization of whatever is left. That's especially true when it comes to "kid stuff" like stuffed animals (you know, the ones they fall in love with as soon as they're placed in the "donate" box? Not the kids. The stuffed animals.) games and puzzles, and the ever-multiplying little things that somehow wind up scattered all over the shag rug to puncture your unsuspecting,  tender toesies. Oh, and what about the works of art that your budding Picasso created for you? (All three hundred forty-two works of art. And those are only from last week.)

Here are some ideas I've found that I hope to utilize very soon:

We have lots of games and puzzles, and those chunky boxes take up lots of space. Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick came up with this brilliant idea: Ziploc Bags! They take up a fraction of the space! Just put the pieces in the bags, cutting out part of the box to place inside the bag for reference if needed, and toss the bags in a bin. Easy peasy! 

From thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com

And now for those adorably cute but ever annoying little homeless stuffed animals. Is this not ingenious!? Flower baskets mounted to the wall! They're great for books and small toys, too!

From Better Homes & Gardens

Okey doke. Declare war on those mean ol' many-barbed little toys. The answer? Folger's coffee cans! We drink gallons of coffee around here and I always hate like everything to throw away those nifty containers. Thanks to Robin's Blog , I now know what to do with them! And she even provides free, printable labels for them. How great is that? =)

From heartofwisdom.com

Need more printable labels to help with organizing? You'll find some super cute freebies here.

From bhg.com

If you're a parent, you no doubt have been the recipient of enough paper goodies to account for nearly 150 acres of trees. And, if you're sentimental like me you have boxes of those keepsakes stashed under your bed, in storage, in the closet, and who knows where else. Here are a few ideas that some wonderful people came up with. Follow the links for further instructions.

Photo Book:  Kaye Winiecki Designs

Image from kayewinieckidesigns.com and Pinterest

Kid Memory Binders: Reluctant Entertainer

Image from reluctantentertainer.com

Framed Art: A Thousand Words

Image from jengrantmorris.blogspot.com

Ever-changing Art Display: Your Decorating Hotline

Image from yourdecoratinghotline.com

I don't know about you, but I think displaying in these ways the art that my children lovingly made for me seems a lot better (and takes up so much less space) than storing it all in boxes. 

And now...drumroll, please...I will throw in a totally random bonus. Do you tire of seeing techy "junk"? Much as I love technology, I do hate to see all those unsightly gadgets and cords. Turns out, I'm not alone. Kelly at Sweet Sanity shared a tip on how to hide wireless routers. What a wonderful idea!

Image from sweetsanity.typepad.com

I feel more organized already. How about you? Do you have any easy organizing tips? Please share them with us! It'd be almost as good as getting chocolate! A nice, organized, neatly labeled box of chocolate! 8-)

                                              

Batch Cooking for Busy Moms

I already told you here that once-a-month cooking isn't for me, but I like to do batch cooking sometimes. This simply means to make a few things for the freezer to make later mealtimes easier. I'm sure many of you do this already. However, here are a few ideas if you're not sure what to put in your freezer:


Ground Beef
Browning ground beef is a big time saver. When you have the beef already browned, it is easy to add it to any meal and decrease the cook time. How you prepare your beef depends on what your family favorites are. Here's what I do. I brown the meat, then add seasonings depending on the dish in which I will be using it. I brown some with onions, salt and pepper for adding sauces later such as spaghetti sauce.
Sausage - Add 2 T. sea salt and 1 t. each sage, pepper and garlic powder per pound. This recipe adapted from Anne Elliott's cookbook available for free download here.
Italian Sausage - I use this recipe.
Taco Meat - I also adapt Anne Elliott's recipe: 1 t. each chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper per pound.

Chicken
We use a lot of diced chicken and chicken broth in our meals. I love to roast a whole chicken, then boil the bones for broth. However, if I need something quick and easy; I just buy a few pounds of chicken thighs, bring to a boil and simmer 15 minutes with some onion and garlic. I then have a pot full of chicken broth to freeze in 2 c. portions (fill a recloseable sandwich bag) plus enough meat on the bones to make a couple meals. I use this for chicken pot pie, chicken stirfry, chicken enchiladas, three bean chili chowder, fajitas, chicken casseroles and many other dishes. If you prefer white meat, you can boil some chicken breasts and dice and freeze the meat. I wouldn't recommend keeping the broth, though, because without bones a broth is just chicken-flavored water in my opinion. Diced chicken breast is great to add to lunch time salads and wraps as well.


Rice and Beans
Did you know you can freeze these? Yep! Just prepare them as directed on the package or according to your own recipe and freeze in individual or meal-sized portions.

Breakfast
Just about any breakfast food can be made ahead and frozen. Make a double batch of waffles or pancakes and freeze the extra. Just heat up waffles in the toaster and pancakes in the microwave later. Baked Oatmeal freezes well before baking. If you put it in the fridge the night before, you can bake it for the same amount of time your recipe calls for when it's made fresh. If you like breakfast burritos or biscuits and gravy, all you need to do is pull out some of your prepared sausage and add to scrambled eggs and cheese on a tortilla or thaw in a pan and add your milk and thickener.Muffins freeze well, too.

Leftovers
Sometimes batch cooking can be as easy as doubling a dinner recipe and freezing half. I try to do this sometimes, but other times we have leftovers from a meal that don't necessarily equal a full meal. I freeze them anyway, because I hate to throw food away. Throwing food away is like tossing dollars and hard work in the trash can! I use these portions for lunches later on or for "restaurant night". Everyone gets to "order" from my freezer stash of leftovers and they each get their individual meal just like at a restaurant.

I hope these ideas are helpful to you. They are just the beginning of the possibilities and can be adapted to your family's tastes and meal planning style.

What prepared foods are in your freezer?

Weekend Reflections

Looking Back...


Here's what we talked about this week:

• How to Get Out of Your "Box"
• Homeschool Progress Check
• The Reason Trust is Hard
• A Super Easy Recipe for Hospitality
• A Free Newsletter and E-book For You

  From the Archives...

• Just For Fun: How Frugal Are You?

Looking Ahead...

Although we are in the process of adding some great new contributors, next week we will be back to the core team. You can read some tips on batch cooking for busy moms and how to find the right devotional plan for you. Jessica and Joanna will be sharing some excellent thoughts and tips as always, and we'll all talk laundry on our individual blogs.

We have a few spots left to fill in on our guest posts schedule, and we are also considering one or two more monthly contributors. If you are interested in contributing to Cherish the Call, send me an e-mail at homekeeper31 (at) gmail (dot) com with Contributor in the subject line. Please include a link to your blog and about what topic you are interested in writing (see list on our sidebar).

Link up with us!
Copy a link to your favorite post from your blog (not your home page URL, please!) this week into the comment box below. We'd love to check it out!

Gabby Mom Review: Eternal Encouragement Newsletter

So I'm a gabby mom. But you already knew that. What I really mean is:

That just means I get to review wonderful products from Eternal Encouragement and tell you about them. Some of them will cost some money if you decide you want to try them. However, this month I am reviewing a product that all of you can enjoy for FREE!

Every Thursday, Lorrie Flem, the lovely lady behind Eternal Encouragement sends out a newsletter full of....well, encouragement. No lectures or guilt-inducing lists of things you should be doing. Lorrie just gives you information that will motivate you to be the best wife and mother you can be.

Sometimes Lorrie just shows us her sense of humor. Like when she shared her new diet plan in a recent newsletter:

Instead of changing my eating habits, I'm just switching my shower body wash for Dawn dish soap. Its label reads, "Dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove."

Other times, a gentle reminder of what we already know can keep us where we need to be:

Don't let unforgiven wrongs turn into bitterness. Instead, choose to forgive the people who have betrayed you. By forgiving, you refuse to allow this tragedy to destroy you or your family.

 Each newsletter is, in Lorrie's words:

Dedicated to women who hunger and search for righteousness where

              the fruit is peace, quietness, confident trust, and a sparkle in her eye.

Doesn't that sound like what we all need? When you sign up to receive the free newsletter here, you'll even receive an extra freebie: Lorrie's e-book, Organizing Happiness.

Be encouraged!

Let It Soak

I'm guest posting over at Contented At Home today:

The meal is over, and plates are cleared. I enter the kitchen to see mounds of dishes, waiting for me to work my magic. With a sigh of reluctance, I dig in to the job that must be done. I scrub away at the pot with remnants of tonight’s dinner stuck firmly to its bottom. A minute quickly becomes five as I vigorously work. In a flash of inspiration that should have come earlier, I decide to fill the pot with water and leave it alone while I attack the rest of the dishes.

To read the rest of the post, go here.

Minister's Delight

If you are like me, there are times when you are having company over and you need a tasty dessert recipe, but don't want to buy a bunch of ingredients to make one. Well, here is an easy solution to your problem! This recipe was named, "Minister's Delight" because a Missouri pastor's wife would fix it each Sunday (probably because she never knew how many she might have for dinner, AND it only has 4 ingredients!).

Ingredients:

1 (21 oz) can of fruit pie filling of your choice
1 yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup chopped walnuts (I don't like them, so I leave them out)

Place pie filling in a 1-1/2 qt. slow cooker. Combine dry cake mix and butter (mixture will be crumbly); sprinkle over filling. Sprinkle with walnuts if desired. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Serve in bowls.

It tastes just like a cobbler; and it is wonderful with a little ice cream or cool whip on top!

Enjoy!

Why Trust is So Hard

Trust and obey
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus 
But to trust and obey.

So we sing so sanctimoniously on a Sunday morning. And so we forget so easily by Monday morning. When the bill comes due, the kids won't obey and the thermometer reads 103 degrees---those are the times that a pasted-on smile tends to sag at the corners. Why is it that trust becomes difficult at the first sign of trouble? Do we really have that little confidence in our God? 

The truth is that most of us believe He created the world in six literal days, that He parted the Red Sea and that He was born to a virgin. We believe He died on the Cross and rose again. We even believe that He paid the penalty for our sins and that we will meet Him in Heaven someday. Those are some big claims. Weighty thoughts. How is it that we can't trust the One who raised Lazarus from the dead to care for our sick child?

I believe that for many of us our problem isn't believing that He can, it is believing that He will. The simple fact is that while He healed lepers during His time on Earth, people die of cancer every day. Even people we know. Even those closest to us. Sometimes it even happens to us. 

While He provided Peter's tax money from the mouth of a fish, people lose their jobs and have their homes foreclosed upon. Even people we know. Even those closest to us. Sometimes it even happens to us.

And while He raised several from the dead in His three years of ministry, He was crucified on a cross and He died. It happened to Him. 

Imagine how the disciples felt. They had given everything they had in them to follow after Jesus. They had watched Him do so many miracles that they almost became commonplace. They waited for a lightning bolt to come from Heaven and consume the cruel Roman soldiers, the cowardly Pilate and the jeering crowd. It never came. Even God turned His back as Jesus drew His last breath. 

This is why it is hard to trust. We can trust Him to do anything, all things, great things. However, He doesn't always do our thing. We want the miraculous, the fanfare, the breath-taking. Instead, we receive pain, financial loss and shattered relationships. And sometimes we feel the darkness of a God that seems to have turned His back to all our suffering.

But what if trust isn't about getting what we want? What if it doesn't always result in a miracle? And what if trust just plain hurts? 

As a child of seven,  I remember lying face down on the table in my doctor's office. I had an abnormality on the bottom of my foot that was impairing its function. It had to be removed, the doctor told my parents. I don't remember when I found out that he decided not to numb it or that he decided a scalpel alone would be the best tool to remove it. I just remember my mom standing by my head and giving me her hand. "If it hurts, just squeeze my hand, honey," she whispered as Doc went to work on the most tender spot of my foot. I don't think I let up my grip on her hand until he was done, which seemed like an eternity later. 

I couldn't trust my mom to take away the pain. Even in my second grade, limited wisdom I knew it had to be done for my own good. However, I fully trusted my mom not to leave my side. And she didn't. 

He won't take away every pain. He allows many things for reasons beyond my understanding. Yet, when circumstances seem like more than we can bear, He leans in and whispers, "Here's my Hand. Through the pain and suffering, hold tight. I'm not going anywhere."

And He doesn't. That I can trust.

January Panic Mode

image from Pinterest

Second half of the school year. Yep, I said "second half". And we're behind. Ack! Choking sensation...(gasp)...heart racing...cold sweat...nightmares of incomplete workbooks and unopened test packets...(strangled cry)...visions of my children, white-haired and hunched in a wheelchair, still trying to learn to read.... HELP!

But wait. It's not really that bad. With God's help, we can do this! Just pick up where we left off, buckle down, and get 'er done. Right? Right! (Right?)

I know, I know. Most of you homeschool mothers are organized to a fault. You're not behind even a teensy-weensy bit. Your 5-year-old is teaching your 1-year-old calculus while your 8-year-old is zipping through online college courses. Your home is spotless and you serve gourmet meals. Three times a day.

That's great and we who are struggling salute you...honest! We'd love to be like you! So, could you do us a favor? Pray for us! That's the most important thing. Then, give us some helpful hints and share your secrets with us. Encourage us. Support us. And keep being an example to us!

At times like these it's important to stop and remind myself why I'm doing what I'm doing. I'm not homeschooling my children so they can be little Einsteins and show off at competitions around the country. (Although that might be nice.) I don't do this so that I can bask in the accolades of those who admire what I do. (Even though it's nice to be admired.) I'm doing this because it's what God has called me to do. Because I feel that it's best for my children. Because I'm blessed to be able to have them here, at home, where I can love on 'em and  use the daily  happenings and even the setbacks of our lives as teaching opportunities.

Life happens. (Oh, does it ever!) Things go wrong. Time flies by so fast that we feel like we're in a wind tunnel. We get behind sometimes. That's not an excuse to throw up our hands and quit, it's an opportunity to start over and do better; to rest in God's grace and in His promise to give us strength.

So, if you're in "January Panic Mode", don't despair! You're not alone! Encourage yourself in the Lord, seek encouragement and advice from fellow homeschool moms, go kiss those kiddos, stop panicking, and  relax.  It's almost never as bad as you think it is. Trust me on this.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

Now if you'll excuse me, it's time to pass out the Ensure and help my children with their dentures before we work on that alphabet.

Boxes

The following post is written by our newest monthly contributor, Tonya Hamilton. You will be introduced more formally to each of our new contributors once we get a few more bugs worked out.

Let me out of here! Let me out, I say! Being crammed into a box is no fun, yet some of us put ourselves and others in one, as well. We each have a set idea of how the world should function. If it doesn’t fit into our boxes, then life just isn’t functioning according to how we perceive. Personally, I know this from experience. The Lord has been challenging me to get out of my box!

Inside the box we peer out through the peephole just for a second. There are many things we see yet we must get busy: Jobs to be done… House to clean… Laundry to wash… Meals to cook…Schedules to meet…Groceries to buy…Children to care for…The list could go on and on.  We are too focused on our little box to take more than a few moments to take a peep.  But if we would open the lid, climb out of the box and focus on the world around us then we might change our task list. It could include:  People to help! Hearts waiting to be loved! Faces needing a smile! Spirits needing a lift! A hungry belly to fill! A child needing a hug! A discouraged soul waiting for words of affirmation! A sick person that needs a meal! An older person that needs a visit! Oh, the possibilities they are too numerous to list.  

As this New Year has begun, this seems to be the emphasis that God has been resonating time and again in my heart. The world is hurting, yet life is so busy that we don’t take time to show we care. A simple meal fixed. A card of encouragement mailed. A short phone text sent. A praise written on a Facebook wall.  A small gift given. A batch of cookies shared. A loaf of bread baked. While these thoughts have been swirling in my head, opportunities to provide these things were in front of my nose.

 
For instance, just this week I was out running errands with 3 of my children. Weather in Central Ohio has been cold and snowy the past few days, finally! As we were driving towards our bank, on the corner was a woman standing on a corner holding a young girl’s hand waiting to cross. I recognized her as a cashier at my local grocery. I immediately thought to stop, but knew I was on a time-crunch, as usual, and must make it to the bank before closing time. However, when I pulled out of the bank I realized that it was one of those moments, so I turned and went down the street she was headed. They were a couple blocks down and I pulled up beside her to offer a ride. She immediately accepted. I took her to her destination and invited her and the little girl to our church. What an opportunity! I can’t tell you how good it made me feel. (I have never done something like that before!)

Getting out of my box! I did it! I did it! I really did! So my challenge this year…not just peeking out but to open the lid and climb out of my box often. Want to join me?

How We Schedule Our Days

In Around the World in 80 Days, a classic by Jules Verne, Phineas Fogg has a very predictable routine. To be honest, when I read how he took his breakfast at exactly 8:05 and went to bed at exactly 10:17, I am a bit envious. My personality craves order and predictability, and the thought of doing the same things at the same time every day brings me peace.

Enter four children and a spontaneity-loving husband. Living by the clock, if it were possible for me, goes by the wayside in the happy unpredictability of a household of six. So, we compromise.


Some things in our day are set (more or less) by the clock. We get up at the same time and go to bed at the same time every day. (At least the kids do!) Mealtimes are usually within a half hour of the same time and nap times are exactly on the hour (give or take 5 minutes). Changing these around results in very cranky children, which doesn't help Mom's disposition much either.

For the rest of the day, however, we go by a flexible routine.There is a certain flow to the day, and if a part of it is left out, things can crumble into chaos pretty quickly.

Morning chores are essential to a peaceful day. After dressing, each child has a few chores to do that keep us on the right track. One child unloads the dishwasher that I ran the night before. Another child puts away the silverware. Another child empties the trash and takes the dirty laundry basket down to the laundry room. By this time, the child that unloaded the dishwasher is free to start the first washer load of the day. In the meantime, I prepare breakfast and dress the little ones. By the time we sit down to eat, the essentials of the day's chores are complete.


The hours between breakfast and lunch are a little more flexible since I have a toddler and a preschooler. We try to clean up the kitchen and sweep the main area of the house before Bible Time, which we do all together. This is also the time for music practice. After Bible Time, the little ones do different things each day while the older kids do their independent school work. At some point, I switch the day's laundry from the washer to the dryer. By the time the youngest goes down for a nap at 11:00, I am ready to do the teaching part of school, alternating working with each child as they need my help.

This year, during the second hour of the baby's nap, we are trying to incorporate Play Time. This is the only way to fit exercise into my day at this point, and I know the kids need active play during the winter when we are stuck indoors most of the time. We all alternate between the treadmill, the trampoline and Kinect games. I fit in folding the laundry load during this time since the laundry room is right next to the game room. If there is time, we end up with a board game or card game.

By this time, the baby is usually awake so we eat lunch and finish up and schoolwork that is left. When I put away the kids' schoolwork from that day, I pull the worksheets and supplies they will need for the next day's work so we are ready to go the next day.

Afternoons are usually spent in free play time and chores when we are at home. A few days a week, we run errands, go to doctor appointments, visit the library or go to gym class during this time. Every once in a while, I will go against the grain and do something spontaneous like a field trip. I try to always be home by 4:00 for the baby's second nap. I want to hold on to that as long as I can! That is when I do some computer work and supper preparation.

After supper and cleanup, I try not to schedule the kids' evenings very much. If we don't have a place to be, they spend time with Dad or free play. We do the bedtime bath/story/prayer routine so lights are out by 9:00 most nights.

This schedule, however imperfect it may be, gives me several hours in the morning before the kids wake up and several hours at night after the kids go to bed to pursue all of my personal essentials like devotions, writing, blogging, reading, planning and preparation. I try very hard not to do any of this at the expense of time with the kids, so the schedule frees them up to get the rest they need and me to pursue my own hobbies and interests. It also gives me time to spend with my husband who is away for much of the day. In that way, scheduling is very freeing to me and absolutely essential!

See how a homeschool mom with no babies and a preacher's wife expecting a baby schedule their days:


Jessica @ It's the Little Things
Joanna @ The LaVans

Scaling Down

Recently I have been doing A LOT of downsizing, and getting rid of things. We have made many trips to Goodwill and some to the dump in the process (much to my husbands chagrin!). However, with a little one on the way, and a house that is... less than huge, it is just necessary! As I was thinking on what to write about this week, I figured this would be as good a topic as any! If you are one of those rare individuals that doesn't have any "extra" stuff lying around your house, you can just disregard this post! :0)

What's the best way to go about "downsizing" your STUFF? Well, I don't know if this is necessarily the BEST way, but it has seemed to work for me... First of all, you might want to just start in one room to keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed! As you sort through the drawers, closet, under the bed, behind shelves (don't smirk, you might be surprised at what you find behind there!) ask yourself this question, "Have I used this (or even been aware I OWN this item) in the past year?". If the answer is no, then maybe it's just time to part with that little dust collector. The other thing to keep in mind as you're doing this little chore, is to NOT BECOME SENTIMENTAL!! Once you start remembering all those warm and fuzzy memories (that really aren't that warm and fuzzy anymore), you will end up in the same boat you were to start with and still have a houseful of STUFF. I tend to hold on to things because "I'm going to sell them later..." or "give them to so-in-so"... or "let my little child play with my old teddy bear"... on and on it goes. Get in the mind set of getting your home "stuff free", and it will be MUCH easier to part with all those little things.

Here's another way to keep up with all the stuff that gets brought into your home. We just came through Christmas, and we all know that we end up bringing home double the stuff to put away into our already overflowing houses. Try this tip... for every new item brought in, get rid of one. Sounds simple right? Well... maybe not, but it will save you a TON of grief (and space) later on!

Doing this exercise frequently (every couple months or so) might keep you from getting discouraged with the idea and forfeiting it altogether. Remember, you will be so much happier when you and your family actually have the space to LIVE in your home, that you won't miss all those little cluttery things.

Go get started on scaling down your home today! :0)

My Child Saw Me More Clearly Than I Saw Myself

I doubt that I will ever forget something that happened several years ago. It hit me like a ton of bricks then, and still makes me take a another look inside myself when I think about it. 

I sat down, pulled my daughter close, and sternly informed her that she could not get by with what she had just done. I was firm. Decisive. I was nipping this in the bud. I don't remember how long the lecture lasted, but I do remember how it ended. 


With tears in her eyes and hurt in her voice she blurted, "But, Mommy, you do it!"


I didn't respond right away and, when I did, it was with shame and humility. "You're right," I said, "I do. But I'm going to ask Jesus to forgive me and to help me never to do it again." 


Ouch. Am I the only parent to whom that has happened? 


How is it that we can so readily see the faults and failures in our children that need to be worked on, but can't see the same in ourselves? 


God has many ways of showing us ourselves. He knows just how to bring us down a notch or two. He does it all for our good, of course, though the process is humbling...even humiliating...at times. Are we willing for Him to do just that? To cause us to really see ourselves as He does? We must be willing. Even if it hurts. 


"Lord, I do want you to reveal areas in my life on which I need to work. Refine me, even if the process is painful. Keep me humble even when it hurts! For only when I am truly humble before You can I be used to bring You glory. Amen."

"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after Thy will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still." 

Have Thine Own Way, Lord, by Adelaide A. Pollard, 1907

Earn at Home with Online Surveys

While I firmly believe that we all need to guard diligently against the love of money, there are times when it is a   real blessing to be able to bring in a little extra cash. One way that I have earned money as a SAHM is by taking online surveys.

Getting started with surveys may seem confusing at first glance, but it certainly doesn't have to be. Here are some of my favorite tips for getting started:

NEVER pay to join a survey panel.
Reputable survey companies do not ask for your bank or credit card information, or require a payment of any kind.

Consider creating a separate email account for surveys.
While I've never noticed any spam from survey companies, it never hurts to play it safe. And once you've joined numerous survey sites, you'll be getting a LOT of surveys in your inbox; a separate email account will keep you from having to sort through all of those survey opportunities to get to your other email.

Set up a Paypal account.
Some companies only make payments via Paypal, so you'll need to be sure you have a valid Paypal account.

Start out small.
Sign up with one or two companies to start, and give yourself a chance to get familiar with their policies. Otherwise you risk becoming overwhelmed.

Sign up with many online survey sites.
As you gain some experience with online surveys, try to sign up with a new site every week or so. This helps ensure that you will receive plenty of surveys, thereby increasing your earning potential.

Keep at it!
Don't become discouraged if you seem to be disqualified from many surveys. No one qualifies for every survey opportunity from every company. Keep trying, continue signing up with reputable survey sites, and you'll be earning rewards before you know it!

Thoughts on Comparing

There's a lot going around the blogosphere about being "enough" and not comparing oneself to others. I always read these posts with interest. I think that every woman has the tendency to compare herself to another woman at some point and on some level. If you've never had that problem, please let us know your secrets!

These thoughts are rather random, but they have been rolling around in my brain for awhile as I've considered this topic. I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments in addition to these!

Real Men Love Real Women
Even in Christian media, we get mixed messages when it comes to how we "should" look. Even the most "perfect" models worry that they don't measure up in this area, so I'm thinking that most of my readers have struggled at some point with not looking ___________ enough. Christian authors and writers tell us that our husbands love us the way we are, then they tell us that we need to keep ourselves looking our best so they won't stray. I'm not going to go into it anymore here, but two great messages from GUYS have come into my radar recently that were so encouraging in this area.

Here they are if you want to be encouraged:

I'd Rather Have a Proverbs 31 Woman Than a Victoria's Secret Model

"How Do I Look?" A 7-Part Series by Hallee's husband

Christ-Centered or Self-Centered
 O.K. that was the encouragement before the "ouch"! Just thought I'd warn you! At least it has the potential to be an "ouch" for me.  I first heard a preacher say this, but I've heard it several times since. It's simple, yet it was profound for me.

"A humble person (the opposite of self-centered) doesn't think highly of himself nor does he have a bad opinion of himself. He simply doesn't think of himself at all."

What does this have to do with comparing ourselves with other women? Much! When I am thinking of that other mom and how she never gets impatient with her kids like I do or that woman that has the perfect wardrobe in size 2 that I don't have, I am not thinking of  Christ. I am not thinking of that woman and her welfare. No, I am thinking only of myself. I am acting as if the world centers around me rather than my Savior, and I'm disappointed because I am not the best at ______________. Centering my life around Christ should make my extra pounds and sometimes-cluttered house seem pretty insignificant.


Two Comparisons We Should Make
Although we should not compare ourselves to other women either in a self-deprecatory way or a self-exalting way, there are two comparisons that are important. One is to compare yourself to the person you used to be. Have you grown in any area? Have you conquered some bad habits? Consider how far you've come, and thank the Lord for the strength He's given you to improve.

The other comparison we should make is to compare ourselves with Jesus Christ. Are we ever going to measure up? Nope. However, if we see how perfectly He lived out His life, we can be inspired to be as much like Him as possible. If we endeavor to do that, we will grow!

An Audience of One
On my reading list last month was Angie Smith's What Women Fear. In it, she was talking about how we perform for others or worry about what others think of us. She gave the illustration of a stage with only herself performing. She talked about all the people that she would want there if she performed well. Then, she said that she endeavors to perform this act we call life for an audience of One.

I remember a similar feeling on my wedding day. My parents had spent more than they ever had in my life on my dress for that day and the flowers I carried. If I ever were to look my best, this was it. All of my closest family and friends were there. I was headed down the aisle as the focal point of the ceremony. "Here Comes the Bride!" However, when those doors opened, all the people might as well have not even showed up for all I noticed them. My eyes were on my favorite person in the room, my soon-to-be husband. I didn't care if everyone else in the building thought my dress was of horrible taste. I searched his eyes; and when I saw his approval, I was satisfied. His opinion was the only one that mattered.

If you want to look your best, care for your home the best you can, be the best mother you can be, or be the best ____________: go ahead! But block out all other faces, and look way up into His face. If you see His smile of approval, you can forget about everyone else. The way He loves, accepts and cherishes you----to that there is no comparison!

Want to Keep the Flu Away from YOU?

Want to keep the Flu away from you this season?
Here is the way to do it!

A GREAT company called HerbaLife has the products you need to keep you and your family healthy and happy during the flu season. Nobody enjoys getting sick, so if you can find the product to prevent it, wouldn't you want to try it?!

One of HerbaLife's consultants has graciously offered to give you an extra special deal on your order. You will be paying next to NOTHING for shipping and handling if you order these products through her instead of the corporate website. You can't beat that!!

These are the products that are available to keep you healthy during the flu season. There is something for everyone in the family!

Schizandra Plus 60 tablets for $16.80 (Plus $1.00 Postage and handling). Supports

Immunity and cellular health; and provides general antioxidant support

against free radicals. Supports your body's natural defense against oxidative stress.

RoseGuard 60 tablets $25.70 (Plus $1.00 Postage and handling).

Supports your body's natural defense against environmental toxins.
Contains astragalus ( traditionally used to support healthy liver function) and
Helps to recycle the antioxidant activity of Vitamin E.

Garden 7 90 Tablets $43.20 (Plus $1.00 Postage and Handling).

Gives your body the nutritional benefits of 7 servings of fruits and vegetables!
Provides key phytonutriensts to support your vital organs, and helps fill the gaps in your diet.

Hand Sanitizer $5.50 (Plus $1.00 Postage and Handling).
Alcohol-free spray.
Kills 99.99% of the most common germs!
Fits in your pocket, purse or travel bag.

Best Defense $10.75 (Plus $1.00 Postage and Handling).
Contains a robust source of Echinacea and 1000 mg of Vitamin C!
Also contains Zinc sulfate (which increases the body's cellular immune defense
and helps boost your immunity when your feeling under the weather).
Convenient quick dissolving tablets
AND comes in citrus mint and orange Boost (10 tablets per bottle)

Herbalife Multivitamin Complex 90 tablets $21.60 (Plus $1.00 Postage and Handling).
Our vitamins have over 20 essential nutrients and antioxidants.
Includes folic acid, calcium and iron
Supports your immune system and promotes healthy bones,
skin and hair!

Multivites for kids 60 tablets $18.95 (Plus $1.00 Postage and handling).
Fruit flavored chewable vitamin for the kids
Provides 100% of the daily value of essential vitamins
children ages 4 and up need daily!
Excellent source of B-Complex vitamins, Iron, Zinc, and
antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E!
PLUS... Fun sports shapes!

Where else can you get these products and only pay $1.00 shipping and handling?! NOWHERE! So get your order placed TODAY with Ruth Davis. You can call her to place your order or request a catalog at 330-620-8344 OR email her at jwdii1 (at) sbcglobal (dot) net.

Review by Joanna LaVan

What Are You Thinking?

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. (NKJV)

Here we are at the beginning of another year. It is hard to believe that it is already 2012. It seems the time goes faster each year. Many of us, as we start fresh in a new year, make a "resolution" to do better in one area or another. I suppose there is no harm in trying to do better in something; however, maybe our focus ought to be more like, "Lord, what would YOU have me to do this year? How would YOU like me to change? What area do YOU want me to improve in?" As Christians, our desire ought to be God's desire. We live in a world that is so focused on pleasing self. As we begin this year, how can we be sure our focus and our thoughts are what God would want from us?

Well, this verse from Philippians tells us the things that God wants us to focus on (or think and meditate upon). We can choose to stress and worry about the things we have no control over. We can be concerned over what this year may hold for us; OR we can choose to trust the Lord, and meditate on the things He wants us to. Things that are True, Noble, Just, Pure, Lovely, Good report, Virtuous, Praiseworthy...I don't see anything negative in that list, do you? God has GOOD things in store for His children if we will just trust Him, and walk in His ways. (Now, that doesn't mean that He will not allow things to happen in our lives.) That DOES mean though, that He will be with you through those things and will use them to strengthen you.

Allowing our thoughts to dwell on the negative things will only drag us down.
Let's focus on those things this year that are praiseworthy. The Lord has done so much for us, that we could never praise Him enough. When you find yourself beginning to focus on the negative, grab your Bible and read this verse! We have the JOY of the Lord as our strength! Let's act like it! :0)