Mom vs. the Dot: Making it COUNT!

Six months ago, my parents-in-law packed up and moved out of their house, ready to begin retirement.  They were told they would be able to move into their newly built house by the end of summer.  The construction company was a bit off schedule, as September, October, and November passed by and the house still wasn't finished.  Finally, the weekend before Christmas, the house was ready! We loaded up the kids and headed over to help them move in.  My dear husband made multiple trips with a U-Haul truck for four days - loading, unloading, carrying.  We were so glad, so relieved that the time had finally come!  We wanted so badly for them to be in their house before Christmas. My husband recently shared a story during one of his sermons:  Growing up as a United Methodist pastor's kid, he moved from house to house fairly frequently, his father being assigned to a different church every several years.  When they'd pack up then set up house in t...

To my readers, The past couple weeks, I have felt uninspired.  I started this blog because I was just bursting with things I wanted to share with you.  A burning desire to share issues that were nagging at my conscience. In part, my lack of inspiration is due to what I'm currently reading.  I usually read anywhere from 2-5 books at a time, depending on interest and opportunity.  Books open my eyes, my mind, my soul.  They teach me how to think, how to feel, how to love, and how to live.  The Bible is my primary inspiration and guide for life.  I am also reading Joni Eareckson Tada's Diamonds in the Dust, 2-minute mysteries, and a homeschool inspiration book (I always read one during the year to keep my enthusiasm fresh!) Last time I visited my parents, I chose to borrow a book that has impacted me tremendously.  Do you remember the phenomenon of A Child Called "It" ?  Everyone I knew was reading this book when it was published in 199...

"Guys With Kids" on NBC - not since "Full House" has a show tried to bolster the image of dads in our culture.  Too bad it's been canceled.  Maybe American moms don't believe dads can do the job. Maybe it wasn't sleazy enough for prime time t.v. I am going to the store this evening, so that means hubby will be watching the children by himself for an hour or two. When our kids were little, I would run around preparing sippy cups and snacks, laying out extra outfits and diapering supplies.  I'd give instructions to my hubby about what he was to do with them during the time I would be gone. I was worried what might happen with our children while I was gone.  Not that they were in any danger.  That wasn't it.  I was worried that my dear husband wouldn't do things the way I   do them. Several years have passed and we've come to an understanding:  Daddies parent differently than mommies and that's okay. Mommy plans stru...

While washing my dishes this afternoon, thinking how little energy I had left to do anything and how much more I have to do before Christmas hits, I was gently reminded me of something Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 The world tells me to rush here and there, getting everything done , and Jesus tells me to slow down and rest.   I think I'll take Jesus' advice today.   I encourage you to do the same! For a busy mom, this may mean leaving the dishes and laundry until tomorrow.  It may mean crossing "Christmas cards" off the to-do list this year.  It may mean bowing out of a Christmas party or two.   Which will mean time to snuggle up with your little ones, talk with your spouse, and look fo...

We love advent calendars! Do you have one this year?  If not, I have a great recommendation for you!! Last year, a dear friend bought us an online subscription to Jacquie Lawson's advent calendar .  My children loved it so much, they played it the entire year! This year, we have purchased the 2014 version, The Winter Market. Here is the sample video for this year: I highly recommend this - ages 2 and up.  It's totally worth the $4.00. I'm especially floored that my 3-year-old boy loves this and will sit and do the activities for 10-30 minutes at a time.  My four and seven-year-old also enjoy this program.  That's amazing! They look forward to checking the calendar every day. This is also another way to help them answer that burning question: "How many more days 'til Christmas?"

Pop a big bowl of buttery popcorn and break out a good movie! It's Friday Family Movie Night.  Yay! For little ones, I recommend Boz's A Wowee Bozowee Christmas .  It's a sweet family film that talks about giving being better than receiving, and the end of the show is a living nativity scene.  Kids hear the real meaning of Christmas and watch young children prioritize giving over receiving.  There are lots of memorable songs sprinkled throughout the feature.  It takes a smidge over 20 minutes, so it's perfect for active preschoolers. For elementary-aged children, I recommend Veggietales Saint Nicholas .  Our beloved veggie friends tell the real story of Saint Nicholas.  Emphasizes the joy of giving, honoring one's parents, working hard, and doing what's right.  This may also give you a springboard into a discussion about Saint Nicholas - how he was a real person and did wonderful things for other people, but Jesus is the real reason f...

Help!!  Company's coming and the house is a wreck. What's a mom to do?  Well... I've got two options . One: Provide Hazmat suits for everyone who walks through the door on Saturday and install caution tape around the piles of boxes, then hope for the best. Two: Clean it up!   Because I am a perfectionist at heart, I will choose option two . But there's so much to doooo!!!  Where do I start? Yep - this is an actual picture of our entryway.  Yikes! THREE EASY STEPS TO A GUEST-READY HOUSE: (Really - you can do this!!) THE LAUNDRY BASKET BLITZ  1.  Round up all empty laundry baskets and place them in the living room.  This is the heart of our living space.  If your most-used room is elsewhere, place the baskets in that room. 2. All pillows and blankets are thrown onto the couch (that's why they call them throws, right?)  They can be folded and arranged later. 3. Toss all shirts, socks, and whatev...