Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

1. An opportunity to attend an AWANA training conference with a few ladies from church. Not only did I come away with many ideas and lots of good instruction, the fellowship with these ladies was so refreshing.

2. My kids were at HOT HEARTS in Beaumont over the weekend. It's a christian conference for kids and they loved it. They haven't stopped talking about how good it was and how good the music and other attractions were.

3. A hardworking husband. He has focus and determination and I love watching how God uses his strengths for HIs glory.

4. Hard times that cause me to lean in to the Savior more.

5. Kind words that minister to your soul.

What are you thankful for today?

Wordless Wednesday - Sort of

Teaching Tuesday

When things aren't working like you'd hoped they would...

When your kids are behind in school and you don't know how to help...

When extra pressures are frustrating you and them...

What do you do?

We are facing some of these issues right now in our home. We have had a rough year getting everything in for school partly because of our recent move, partly because of scheduling conflicts and partly because when we are stressed we can become dysfunctional and a little stress-paralyzed. I pray I am not the only one.

But because we do homeschool, I feel an enormous amount of pressure to get back on track fast when these things happen. So last night as I was talking with Savannah, I realized she was feeling an enormous amount of pressure...school, friends, future, small business, ACT testing....it was just getting to her. So we paused. Cried. Evaluated. Regrouped. Prayed and made a plan. We are going to go to a more collegiate schedule for her school, where she can focus three days on the subjects that really eat her lunch and two days on the ones that she eases through. I could see relief on her face as soon as we made the decision. Hopefully this will work.

But isn't that the beauty of homeschooling?....getting to adjust the schedule when you need to....making it work for the student and the teacher....looking at the makeup of the child and getting to do what is best for her? I love it. It's not the first time we've rerouted and I am sure it won't be the last. 

I am sure glad God's grace is bigger than our bad days....because even in homeschooling we need that new grace and mercy everyday.

Monday Morning Menu Planning

The wind is blowing hard outside and a cold front is moving in....sounds like a good week for some comfort food!

Monday: Chili, Rice and Cornbread

Tuesday: Chicken Fajitas, Chips and Salsa

Wednesday: Dinner at church

Thursday: Turkey Sausage, Mixed Steamed Veggies, Crescent Rolls and Salad

Friday: Out

Saturday: BLT's, Chips, Brownies

Sunday: Out


What's on your menu this week?

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

1. Salvation

2. A lazy Monday at home after a crazy and emotional week last week.

3. Dinner made for my family by friends.

4. Goals met (I drank soooo much water last week)

5. Savannah singing in church Sunday...blessed my heart.

What are you thankful for today?

Wordless Wednesday

Teachable Tuesdays

As a mom of two teenagers I have some anxiety about how quickly the years are passing by. I hear people say things like....

Time, slow down

I wish I could turn back time...

I wish I could put a brick on their head so they'd stop growing

Time flies

It seems just like yesterday they were....

But the truth is we only have a good 18-20 years (more or less) with our kids living under our roof. And what we do with that is important. 

And while I hear parents wishing time would slow down....what I see parents...me, you, them... doing is a bit contrary to that...

I see makeup on girls when they can barely tie their shoes on their own.

I see high heels and a runway walk before daughters have learned to comb their own tangles out of their hair.

I see boys worried about hair gel and skinny jeans before they are old enough to need deodorant.

I see boy/girl relationships forming at earlier and earlier ages.

I see parents endorsing and enabling behaviors and habits that put sons and daughters as kings and queens of household and we wonder why there's no respect for parents. 

And I realize...maybe just now... that I kind of sound like a fuddy duddy.

But the truth is we as parents are talking out of both sides of our mouths. We say we want to savor their days but really do we? Those younger days are hard...they are the formative years of potty training and manner learning and respect giving and sharing toys and demonstrating kindness and providing a firm and consistent Biblical foundation. Whew...I am tired just thinking about all the work that requires of us as parents and let's face it....in our world today, we don't get accolades or facebook likes or retweets when we are doing this hard and important work. But post that picture of "Betsy" with her gel nails at her 6 year old birthday party and everyone thinks it's "so cute" or "watch out boys here she comes". 

I struggle just like the next mom to provide that balance of age appropriate fun and Biblical standards with my kids. The struggle doesn't stop once they are teenagers. Now it's clothing and activities and hobbies and yes, still teaching respect and manners and kindness and all those important virtues that make for responsible and upstanding adults.

Parents..

We need prayer....we need to pray for God's wisdom. 

We need friends.....we don't struggle alone. There are others who are really trying to do this parenting gig well. We need to partner with each other, praying together, supporting each other with Biblical instruction.

We need to get in the Word. There is no substitute for the parenting manual. And yes, God did give us one. His Word has all the answers. All the principles. All the guidance you need. And while I've read some wonderful books on parenting throughout the years, I always come back to the perfect source. The Bible. 

We need to be the parents. We need to dad-up and mom-up. We need to quit letting the world tells us how to raise our kids. We need to quit letting our kids tell us how to raise our kids. We need to do the work. We need to be tired at the end of the day...from parenting....from doing our job. From building strong foundations and teaching our kids the way they should go. 

I had a hard time writing some of this because I'm at a stage where I need to be more diligent in some of these areas. I don't have it all figured out. But I want to do it right. Each stage. 

How 'bout you? Do you feel the struggle? How can I pray for you? 

Monday Morning Menu Planning Week 3

Here's our menu for this week...

Monday- Left overs from some yummy food that a family in the church made us....ribs, dirty rice and baked beans. Such a nice gift and makes my meal prep...well...super easy!

Tuesday- Eckrich Sausage, veggies and potatoes

Wednesday- Dinner at church

Thursday- Chili and rice

Friday- Out (Kids will be gone to Hot Hearts Youth Conference...so...DATE Night!

Saturday- Pizza

Sunday- Out

What's cooking at your house this week?

Sunday Worship -Nothing Else- Cody Carnes

New Habits...

With the new year I decided it was time my kids start using their own alarm clocks to get up in the morning and that the mom clock was retiring. So now every night before bedtime I ask if alarms are set for the morning. I'm sure I am super late coming to this but....MOM WIN.  I don't worry about it (now, honestly speaking, I'm not sure that I really worried about it...but it's no longer my concern.) 

I also made a list of 5 things they need to accomplish before school begins each day. This has helped our homeschool mornings start much more smoothly. I sent these lists to them via text message so that they would have no excuse for forgetting what was on the list....another MOM WIN.

I had grown a little bit lazy in my parenting before the end of the year. I had let some good behaviors and habits slide because...holidays get crazy in the parsonage. But in the end the one that was left overwhelmed and stressed was me and it just wasn't worth it. I was grumpy, yelling and in a disorganized state of mind. 

As the caretaker of the house, I get to make routines and choices and decisions that can either help or hinder me from running a smooth household. There are certain things that are important to me, and others that while I like to have them done, are less important. So, since I am the caretaker I am forming new habits that help our home run smoothly, help instill responsibility and good habits in my kids (hopefully....we are a work in progress). No, the house isn't perfect, and sometimes we have to adjust to different things that come our way, but we are doing better and these new routines are becoming new habits that will help us run our house more efficiently. 

What new habits are you forming this new year?

Thankful Thursday- Week 3

This week's list of thanks....

1. Watching God orchestrate events and partner people together to grow. 

2. Laughing with my family.

3. Kids who help around the house.

4. Good worship music.

5. Hospitality of friends.

What are you thankful for this week?

Wordless Wednesdays- Women's Conference

Teachable Tuesdays....New Pajamas!

For Christmas I got new pajamas...the kind that are soft and comfy and that you start thinking about around 3pm when your eyes start to droop from a carb overload lunch or late night binge watching the night before. These were what I call replacement pajamas. You see I have a pair of well worn blue polka dotted PJs that I've had for years. They are "broken in". Most ladies know what this means but just in case let me explain. The shirt has long ago been discarded and traded for a soft t-shirt that doesn't necessarily match. The feel of the t-shirt is much more important than the style. The pajama pants are clearly worn...the waist drawstring is frayed and knotted and perhaps has even partly come out in the laundry. There could be a few small holes and even some paint stains from the time I had a pajama craft day. These jammies have seen better days.
But last night as I was getting ready for bed, I reached for the old faithful pair of PJ's. The comfort of the well worn fabric, the familiar feeling of softness....all so welcoming ....even tho...the new pajamas from Christmas were staring me right in the face. But I chose familiar, old and stained.
This morning, as I looked down at my old ratty looking pajamas God reminded me that He has new clothes for those willing to leave the comfort of the familiar. When we become part of his family our filthy rags, our ratty grave clothes can be left behind because much like the father of the prodigal son, God the Father has sent His son to give us a robe of righteousness. I don't have to wear these old clothes. I have new clothes because He has made me new. I don't have to stay in the filth of my sin stained garments.
And isn't that comforting? Isn't that just about the best news ever? I'm so grateful I don't have to walk around looking like a forsaken child. I have the choice to walk in newness. Thank you God for the giving us fresh clothes to walk in today.

Monday Morning Menu Planning

Well, if you followed the menu from last week, you know I tried a new Mongolian Beef recipe and I promised to report back to you with a review...

We....meaning every person in my family...LOVED it! It will definitely go on the rotation. The flavor or sweet steakish beef and the saltiness from the sauce were a nice combination. I did double the sauce because I was using a little more meat than it called for. Also, the longer you can leave it in the slow cooker the better it is...just starts getting more tender with every passing minute.

Unfortunately, that's about all that went as planned last week so I am using the same groceries I had from last week to make meals for this week. Please tell me I am not the only one this happens to?!

Monday: Taco Salad

Tuesday: Chicken Spaghetti

Wednesday: Dinner at church

Thursday: Ribs

Friday: BLT's

Saturday: Steaks and smashed potatoes

Sunday: Out

Sunday Worship - Stand In Your Love (Radio Version) (Official Audio) - Bethel Music & Jos...

A Little Effort

I've been trying to clean out and organize ..... every year.... I always do this after Christmas ...things look worse before they look better.

But yesterday Bruce was off work and had time to hang the curtains that my mom bought me for Christmas....and what a difference it has made in our living area! And then we took down the Christmas tree and decorations and as much as we all loved them...things instantly looked cleaner.

It really was such a little effort for a big payoff. But life isn't always like that. In real life right now we are trying to eat better and that's a whole lot more effort for a smaller instant payoff. Even though the payoff might be happening inside...it will take a while before we see any big payoffs....we didn't get here overnight and we won't be at our best overnight....but the effort will be worth it!

I realized yesterday that the small effort made in my home really made happy. Sprucing up, whether it's your home or you diet or just getting dressed up for a night out, can make a difference in how you feel, your outlook. It feels good for things to be in their place, to be more organized and to enjoy a clean room. It's a slow process sometimes but definitely worth that feeling of satisfaction at the end of the day.

Thankful Thursday- Week 2

This week I am thankful for...

1. Celebration of life with Bruce's birthday this week.

2. A week to get the house in order from Christmas.

3. Opportunity to see old friends this weekend.

4. Forgiveness

5. The feeling you have after a hard days work...accomplishment.

Wordless Wednesday- Magnolia Farms

Teachable Tuesday- Cleaning Out

My mom and I were talking the other day and both admitted that after Christmas seems to be the most logical time to spring clean. When you're moving the tree out, taking the garland from the mantle and moving the manger scene back into it's box, it just seems right to thoroughly clean and dust and wipe down.

So this week, I am teaching my kids to really clean out. We are starting with three boxes.... Donate, pass on to someone we know, throw away. All three boxes must be full before the chore is over. This is great because after Christmas there is usually an abundance of "stuff" and instead of me deciding what they should keep or get rid of, this puts the ball in their court. Less stress and less decision making for me....and more responsibility for them.

What are you teaching your kids this week?

Monday Morning Menu Planning

It's a new week and hopefully I am leaving a violent stomach bug back in last week. Makes it a little difficult to plan for delicious food!

Nonetheless....

Monday- We're clearing out the leftovers from the last few days for lunch today. Then we will do a Dad's Choice meal for dinner tonight. It's Bruce's birthday so we are letting him pick something he enjoys eating for our meal.

Tuesday- Dinner will be Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef and rice. This is a new recipe for me so I make no promises! I'll let you know how my family likes it.

Wednesday- We have church dinners so I am at the mercy and blessing of whatever the sweet kitchen ladies make us!

Thursday- Taco Salad

Friday- Chicken Spaghetti

Saturday- Instant Pot Ribs Again...a new recipe for us....and I have to say that unless something takes him away, Bruce will probably be making these. He seems to love to make good meaty new recipes and since he's been brave enough to actually use the instant pot and had extreme success...he gets my vote! Side dishes...potato salad and green beens.

Sunday- Out to Eat

That's our menu and we're sticking to it!

Sunday Worship Lauren Daigle - Rescue (Lyric Video)

Recovery

Seems like some of the best things in life require a recovery period....babies being born, vacations, surgeries that help us feel better. Recovery is a good thing. It means you're still around.

I feel like my house is in recovery mode from Christmas. There are still amazon boxes lying around, the wrapping paper hasn't found its way back to the closet, the tree is still up and the lights are hanging from the house just like they were a month ago. Somebody needs to get busy around here.

But that's life. And life in the parsonage sometimes gets out of hand...the messes overwhelm me and the work to get everything back into shape isn't very appealing. I wish I could say I was motivated, but honestly, the thing that motivates me today is that the dog threw up in the kitchen and now I don't have a choice but to mop and throw away my shoes that he aimed for this morning.

So, while I am not super motivated, the house is getting cleaned today. Everyone has been warned....mom's not kidding. And while I am sure I will get eye rolls and responses that are less than energetic, I have to remember....recovery is a good thing. It brings order and less stress and hope and a clean slate...it's a rescue of sorts... and really, aren't these all things we love?

Is there an area of your life that needs a recovery? Sometimes it's physical or mental and we need to rest. Sometimes it's a chore or an activity we don't enjoy. Sometimes it's a spiritual issue that we need to give over to the Lord and ask for His healing touch. In the parsonage, I find myself needing recovery time often. This world is messy...and much like my mopping chore today, it can feel like we've been thrown up on if we don't take some time to recover. So wherever you find yourself...physically, mentally or spiritually...take time to recover.

Signing off, so I can go recover this house! Now...where's that mop?!?!?!

Thankful Thursday

Join me in giving thanks every week this year. Just comment below to give thanks for something that you are thankful for...big or small. Gratitude changes me and encourages others....it's not always the stuff we have...but rather our perspective on what we have and what really matters!

1. Fresh starts
2. Organized closet
3. New Curtains
4. Plans for the future
5. Cleaning music

Wordless Wednesday- Happy 4 Year Gotcha Day Maks!

Teachable Tuesday- What I Want My Kids To Learn in 2019

Savannah is 16, a junior. She's a college shopping, self-employed entrepreneur, piano playing, teenager...and if I had half the gumption she has when I was her age, I'd be famous...but that's not really what's important in life, is it?

Tucker is 13, a seventh grader. He's a fortnight playing, drum beating, basketballer. He is hilariously funny and mostly kind and doesn't mind being in the spotlight...his confidence whether warranted or not is strong.

As I sit here at the dawn of a new year, knowing that time is ticking away with Savannah and before you know it Tucker will be outta here, I'm so thankful that God has allowed me to be a mom. It is not wasted on me, that some women do not have this opportunity. I'm also keenly aware that I can't jump in during their teen years and decide I want to teach them how to be "good people". And so, years ago, I asked God for wisdom...and have been doing so ever since.

So last year I worked hard on integrity issues...things like honesty and truth. These were things that were heavy on my own heart and so since I was working on them, I tried to teach my children. There was talk about things that were hurtful and dishonest and there was talk about how we should handle them. There was talk about making God's Word the ultimate, supreme truth in all things and how that would be more and more and more important as they grow up because our world is so full of lies and twisted truths (lies) and mistruths (lies). Have we mastered these things??? Absolutely not...and we won't ever have them perfected. But we made progress and I worked hard to take everyday moments that could have been passed off and instead made them into teachable moments God could use to grow them and mature them in their own walk with Him.

So this year.... Biblical Kindness. That word...KIND....it gets a bad wrap sometimes. Sometimes it looks like helping someone across the road and sometimes it looks like sharing truth in love from God's Word...even when it doesn't feel good. So, how do we teach our kids to be kind without being walked all over or without them being taken advantage or....or even look gullible or stupid? We teach them Biblical Kindness. We teach them to walk like Jesus did. We teach them that Jesus was just as kind when he tipped the tables in the temple as when we met the unfaithful woman at the well. We teach them that true kindness will never contradict God's Word. We teach them when it's worth reaching out and when it's casting your pearls before swine.  We teach them that silence, a hug, a cup of water or a moment of your time is sometimes the kindest thing you can offer. And we teach them that bullying and hate are never acceptable.

So that's what I am aiming to teach this year. How about you? What are the things that you are hoping to instill in your kids this year?