too BUSY for what

Remember that busy signal that we use to all hear when we would call a friend's house... well those days are pretty much gone. With all the new technology that continuously comes out on the market; I doubt we will ever hear that dreaded sound again. Yet, in my house and in all the houses of people I know, we are busier than ever!
Or maybe we aren't... think of all the things that we don't do now that people used to:

• sewing our clothing
• cooking everything from scratch
• gardening
• raising our own meats
• canning our vegetables
• making our jellies/jams

etc, etc... the list could go on and on! Now some of you may very well do each and every one of these things listed above (kuddos to you- you lead a much desired simple life), but for those that do not your list may look like this:

• music practice at 5:30 (Tues. & Thurs.)
• dance at 7 (Mon., Wed., and Fri.)
• ball games Saturday morning
• church on sunday and wednesday
• pick up dry-cleaning after work on Thursday
• homework for 2 hours after getting home
• bath routines/bedtime stories
• clean, cook, etc.

I agree... most of us are very busy!!! 

In our household we really are not all that busy...

I cook and clean, make foods from scratch when wanted/necessary, sew/craft on occasion, have kids that play sports, spend time with friends, exercise, read, shop, homeschool, go to church, etc, etc. 

However, it is all done in moderation and with limits. We do have an occasional crazy stressful day or week or maybe even month, but it always passes as we know it will. 

We try to remember that God created us in his image... with that in mind- Jesus was busy during his time on earth, but he also stopped and took the time to SLOW down and notice others. We want to do that and to teach our children to do that. We don't always get it right and I'm sure on more occasion than one have missed a great opportunity to show God's great LOVE to someone. 

So here are my questions for you:

1. take a look at your life... how busy are you?
2. are the things that keep you busy honoring God?
3. is there something you need to prune back or completely weed out?
4. are you busy because you have trouble saying NO to others?
5. if you like being busy, why? is it to avoid something or someone?
6. what do you miss out on by being so busy?

Now that spring is around the corner and you can feel the freshness in the air... please take a time out... go on a walk and smell the blooms, go camping and listen to nature, plan a picnic to the park, something/anything... and really think about it.

If God took the time out for us- he deserves for us to take the time out for him!

You're too busy for what? 

I may use my time for something that someone else can't understand, but I pray I'm never too busy to share God's great LOVE! And I pray the same for you!

Finding the ME in MOMMY

When you are expecting and thinking about the day you will become a MOM your mind is usually far from wondering about all the little things that make you who you are. Some of you are working women, others are crafters, some may be sports enthusiasts, or possibly travelers. And even though you know that this wonderful bundle is about to change your world; noone can quite explain how much.
In the beginning you seem to go through the motions and before you know it your baby is crawling; then walking. All this while you have either stopped working because, "how could you begin to send that sweet baby off to childcare" or you are worrying while you work because, "you are missing everything".
Suddenly all of those things that were priorities have shifted and now this sweet baby is at the forefront. That morning run will wait until tomorrow because you need that extra hour of sleep, your new book can wait because who can read when you can't sit down for more than a minute, and date night, what's that?

Congratulations you are a MOM!

For some that little bit of information will be like birth control and  for others it will ease their mind because someone else understands.

I won't lie... being a MOM is tough sometimes... but is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!

Here are a few things I have learned about being a MOM:

1) Finding time to yourself when your kids are little is not easy- TRUST your husband and leave the kid(s) with him long enough to take a sanity break. Some nights this may be nothing more than a hot bath all alone,a walk on a quiet road, or a coffee date with a friend. Remember that just because he doesn't do things the same way doesn't mean it's wrong.
2) Sometimes no matter what your baby will not be happy- babies CRY and need to do so at times to relieve stress. Trying to always carry them and coddle them does not make them happier- it makes you feel like you are doing something, but also exhaust you more.
3) Preparing dinner will be a chore-  hot stoves, opening refrigerators, and sharp utensils don't exactly scream "child friendly". Realizing that it's okay if you don't have a fabulous meal each night will make it easier... follow the K.I.S.S. rule (keep it simple stupid). cereal for breakfast thrills a little kid.
4) Along with dinner... you are not a short order cook- do not fall prey to the poor pitiful starving kid at your table who will not eat his peas, trust me with a little perseverance on your part and a couple nights of going to bed still a little hungry... he will begin to be less picky about what goes in his mouth. You will also become more aware of the healthy foods that he eats well and learn to camoflauge others.
5) Even though you are a mom your husband still needs to be your number one- MEN are needy and that need has to be met or you will face new and other challenging problems in your life. Remember GOD created us from man because he needed a companion!
6) kids don't need everything- a want is not need and the earlier your kids learn that the better they will be... we are not good at saying no as a society. Your POCKETBOOK will thank you for saying no and so will your spouse.
7) Let's talk house- it doesn't have to be perfect! Trying to keep it perfect will stress you out and make you miss out on many joys. Now I am not promoting a dirty house here... your house still needs to be clean- just realize that the little imperfections (scuff on floor, pencil marks, dirty dishes, toys in Living Room) come with the territory of having childen. One day they will no longer be little and you can return to your perfectly clean house; especially if you teach them from the beginning how to help you accomplish certain area of it. Remember every kid will one day have their own home that they have to know how to care for- teach them.
8) You have to make time for GOD- I can't put it more plainly than to say that everything above is harder when GOD is not in your life. Start today making him a priority...start with 10-15 minutes each day and see what a difference it makes.

I PROMISE... in a few short years you will begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel and will realize that you are the ME at the end of MOM! When that time comes your kids may still be a top priority but you will know better how to include the others as well.
                                                                     

2012 Goals

Wow, it's hard to believe that a new year is already here. I think the saying is true that the days pass faster when you are older (if middle age counts). With that in mind I plan to make the most of 2012 that I possibly can. Like most people I am tired of looking back at past years, months, and days and feeling like I didn't use my time in the best possible way.
So to make it short and sweet... here are a few of my Goals for 2012:
SPIRITUAL-

• do a chronological study of my Bible. I will be using blueletterbible.org to help me accomplish this. 
• devote each morning to the Lord- I will be waking up early to make sure I get in some much needed time with him each day.
• pray for the Lord to place a mentor in my life- I feel this is something we all need- someone to keep us accountable to what the Lord is calling us to do.
• Read books to help me keep my focus on the Lord, my husband, and my kids
• Pray for the Lord to lead me to an area of ministry where I can actively serve others. 

FAMILY-

• plan one family activity each month outside of the normal routine (visit a museum, go to movie,take a field trip, etc.)
• set down as a family for short devotionals 5 times each week. 
• schedule a date night once a month for the Hubby and I
• plan individual kid dates each month (out for ice cream,bike ride, etc)
• take a vacation
• invite another family over once a month to just hangout and fellowship
• eat homemade, unprocessed foods no less than 75% of the time. hopefully more! 

FINANCIAL-

• use cash for purchases
• pay off debt (just a little to go)
• begin saving 3-6 months of expenses 
• fund 401k at max
• put $ aside for christmas 2012
• pay the kids allowances for chores and teach them how to use it wisely

PERSONAL-

• read 2 or more books each month
• complete the JOY Dare
• walk 3 miles- at least 3 times each week
• limit TV time
• limit internet time
• get involved in Church or Small group activities
• send cards to people more (birthdays, encouragement, etc.)
• cut down caffeine intake
• get Healthy (yes I have some weight I would like to drop, but more importantly I want to be fit and active- we already eat a healthier diet)

There are other things that will be goals for the year, but this is the gist of it. I hope 2012 finds you searching to do more with the time God has blessed you with!