February 7, 2012

Totally appropriate to have Sally sign a page the baby got to, that's motherhood for you:)

I have so much to say and no idea where to begin.
First off, it truly takes a village to raise a family!  Huge thanks to my mom, dad, brothers, neighbor, and sisters-in-law who offered to help with the kids this weekend so I could attend my second Mom Heart Conference.  With a husband just having four wisdom teeth pulled and a sick son, I felt guilty at first for being away, but the Lord worked out all the details and I was able to be filled with inspiration and hope.

I expected to be encouraged and inspired here.  I was not disappointed!!
What I wasn't expecting was the constant tugging at my heart that somehow I had come full circle and God has great things in store for me!

 Not that I ever doubt that. . .it's just that I was able to meet Angela from Good Morning Girls and strangely enough, that's where all of this started for me--this deeper desire to have my own relationship with the Lord--to parent in a way that is more intentional, more Christ-centered. It all started with three friends who answered my plea for women of faith to walk with me on a God inspired journey and to dig into His word through daily bible reading.

My parents laid a fabulous religious foundation by sending me to Catholic school; however, this Catholic didn't do much digging in my own bible unless I was away at a church retreat or something of that nature.  For years we had religion books we learned from...not in depth bible studies--and perhaps that is part of why I fell away from the Catholic church for awhile. I wanted something that the Catholic Church could not give me...or so I thought. With the start of my group though I've come to realize what I was looking for was right in front of me all along.  My bible. . .His words to my heart, and an intimate relationship with my creator. I found, I've always had the power. 

Not long after my GMG group started, I read Mission of Motherhood and attended my first Mom Heart conference with Sally. Then I began to devour more of her books and subscribed to her blog I Take Joy.  In the meantime, things at home were much more intentional. . .my time with the kids, what we read, what we listened to, what we watched.  I became much more aware of the media around us and the messages they are sending my kids--too much, too soon and we began to make changes.  Just weeks ago I talked to Human Resources and have asked to reduce my contract to one day a week, or for a leave of absence.  I'm not sure what will happen, but I know a change is coming and I am excited at what this means for my children.  Lastly, I just started a book club with the book that started this journey for me and I am hopeful at what it might do in the hearts of other moms!

With all of this, then it makes complete sense (to me, at least) that this weekend felt like a huge gift just waiting to be unwrapped.  I love the woman's hearts I heard.  I love Sally and Clay's vision.  I am spending more time on these thoughts here:

• The legacy we leave in the hearts of our children does not come about accidently.
• I need to advocate for my kids more and be less adversarial. (I struggle here sometimes.)
• You can't live by faith if listening to man. (I struggle with this one too.)
• If you want to influence your child's heart, you have to know it.
• There is great freedom for kids to be who they were meant to be. (Adults too!)
•  Grace leads to Jesus. . .My heart can not give out what it has not taken in.
• Don't believe what others say about your kids and who they think they are.  TRUST GOD!

I am especially bothered by: Whose voice am I listening to? Why? Fear of man brings a snare. . .live up to what God wants you to do. I'm sure there will be more to come. . .I'm still dissecting it all--piecing my notes together, pondering and praying, "God I will go.  God I will be your girl. . ."

May 9, 2011

Last week when I wrote my mission statement, there was a question about the reference I made to reading our family bible nightly--so I thought I'd write about what we're trying to do to instill God's teachings in our kids.  Let me begin by saying that growing up I went to catholic school and most of what I learned about Jesus, religion, and/or the bible came from school.  This isn't to slam the way my parents raised us, I feel blessed that they spent what they spent on a good, solid Catholic education-- it's just that our way of teaching the kids about God is a little more  intentional--maybe because our kids go to public school.

About a year ago when discussing the option of Catholic school for my own kids, my dad paid me the highest compliment ever.  He told me they sent us to Catholic school to teach us about our faith in a way that they (my parents) could not.  He went on to commend what he saw with my husband and I--that we do teach our kids.  He said something to the effect that our kids were going to be living their faith because of the good job we were doing at home; they didn't need Catholic school for that.  I was pleased as punch to hear that--I fall short a lot, but I try--I really do!!

I believe he is right.  I have always desired to encourage and build my childrens' relationship with the Lord. Thankfully, my husband readily agrees and together we've created a couple of ways to instill Godly character traits and encourage bible reading--something that was not strongly encouraged to either of us.  All that said, we eat dinner together nightly.  When we are done, we read from this. . .

It doesn't happen every night--and we don't have a set amount to read.  Before the baby we were obviously able to read and discuss more. Some nights, it's chaotic and we rush but we try.  Key word right there--and I love this book!  It is so easy to read and has a few illustrations to draw the kids in.  Our second grader often reads for us.  I can't wait for the kindergartener to chime in next year--it will be a joy to see both active participants!!

Also, when I attended Sally Clarkson's Whole Heart Conference in February I purchased this. . .it is written by her husband, Clay.  I have it sitting on the mantle, ready to look at to decide how we can incorporate it into our devotion time to start in the fall. 

Some time ago, I came across these Godly Character Traits created by Sarah at Sarah's Sweeties.  In the beginning I had great visions of teaching a character trait and corresponding bible verse weekly.  That did not work out for me.  I was stressed, I was pushy, I wasn't being a very good model of patience, let me tell you! So now we spend two to three weeks on them--and you know what?  The kids really do seem to be retaining and practicing what they learn.  It has been a much happier household since I gave up the ideal one a week theory...it just didn't work for us.  So we do what we do when we can.

This board stares us in the face during dinner.I change it when we are ready for a new trait.

I also have this large frame hanging in the kitchen with Ann Voskamp's Joyful Parenting Tips posted to remind me of the need for grace, gratitude, and so much more so that I may truly experience my daily life.  These reminders serve to inspire me to be in the moment and truly present--for every moment He gives me is a gift...an extraordinary one lest I forget.

And then there is my prayer candle that I try to keep lit and remember to pray as I pass through the kitchen many, many times throughout the day.  

Walmart--five dollars and smells delicious!!

Sometimes I think that this intentional training with my kids is even more so for me--to constanly remind me that they see what I do, they listen to how I speak, what I say, and they model how I act. I need to be a good example--not just good enough.

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April 22, 2011

Last night the kids and I went to mass where they had never seen washing of the feet before.  They were both a little disappointed their feet weren't washed but I was wowed by the way their eyes followed as person after person had their feet washed and then went on to wash the feet of someone else. After the priest had finished talking, I asked my 6-year-old, "Do you know why Jesus is washing their feet?"  I wanted to see if he was paying attention. . .His response?  "They were dirty."  Yeah, well the priest had said something about them walking on the dirt roads--he has inference down already; I guess that's a good thing. The 7-year-old pointed out, "If you do for others, they will do for others, and then they will do for others, and then they will do for others. . .That's a whole lot of people doing nice things for others."

Yes, it is.  Why is it that we can't see this truth evident in our every day lives and act on it?  We've all heard of pay it forward, but really there is so much more to it.  The thing about it is that sometimes the people we live with or work with or interact with most are the ones who we are missing out on the opportunities to do for them over and over again. Why is that?

For me, I know it's a choice I make minute by minute really.  The me I can have the tendency to be around my family is impatient, irritated, and dare I say, unkind for no reason at all sometimes? Seriously.  I have to make a minute by minute choice not to be her and sometimes it works and sometimes...not so much. I feel relieved that I figured this out sooner rather than later but it still irks me that I'm not naturally calm, and patient and nice all the time.  I teach other people's kids for part of the day and I would never think of speaking to them the way I have spoken to one of my own children in a frustrated, chaotic moment.  But I recognize that now and I'm striving to change. . .

But, let's face it.  Change is hard.  Not as hard as Jesus dying on a cross for our sins which we remember and recognize today. . .so really maybe it's not so hard as I make it out to be.  How about:  Change is a choice. . . a daily choice: to love, to serve, to forgive, and to remember that He died so that I might LIVE!!!

Choose right now to make this the best day possible by your acts of service in remembrance of Him. . . 

Yes son, your feet were that dirty! Jesus would have washed them--I always knew there was a purpose for this picture!

April 21, 2011

Just because. . .it looks so pretty.

Just in case you missed yesterday's late post. . . I want to tell you about a group that has changed my life! The Good Morning Girls have groups all over the globe.  My group consists of four friends who have inspired and encouraged each other with scripture on a daily basis for a little over a year now.  Click on the link to read more about how these groups came about and what they do.

Anyways, it's really through my heart being changed through my daily bible reading and reading the encouraging blogs of people like Courtney and Sally that everything about my life seemed to come together and flourish. My wings are spread and I am flying.I even ventured to my first Sally's conference where I knew no one.  Since that day I have had it on my heart to do a book club with the first book I read that I grew so much from Mission of Motherhood--I even bought the DVD's to accompany it because I have no idea where or how to get this thing started.  Book club anyone?

Wouldn't you know, God is right there leading the way because guess what the Good Morning Girls are going to be reading starting in May?  Ministry of Motherhood!!!  I just happened to have purchased it at the Whole Heart conference and am so excited to be a part of it and glean inspiration for what I might be able to do with my own book club in the future.  It's always His plan for us, isn't it?  Love that!

If you visit Courtney or Sally you will see that they are offering a book giveaway and I'm so excited to be reading this together that I offered to donate a book to Courtney's site as well--I am that excited about this opportunity for all of us to learn and grow together!!!! Just stop by and leave a comment here and enter to win!!!

If you're interested in joining our Good Morning Girls group, which resumes in May, and is reading this awesome book, leave me a comment or email--we would LOVE the opportunity to grow together in His word!!!!

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April 20, 2011

Because some days you just want to lounge around and relax. . .

snacking on bon bons cereal.

Because don't you know?

I deserve it!!

Speaking of being deserving. . . I want to tell you about a group that has changed my life. The Good Morning Girls have groups all over the globe.  My group consists of four friends who have inspired and encouraged each other with scripture on a daily basis for a little over a year now.  Click on the link to read more about how these groups came about and what they do.

Anyways, it's really through my heart being changed through my daily bible reading and reading the encouraging blogs of people like Courtney and Sally that everything about my life seemed to come together and flourish. My wings are spread and I am flying.I even ventured to my first Sally's conference where I knew no one.  Since that day I have had it on my heart to do a book club with the first book I read that I grew so much from Mission of Motherhood--I even bought the DVD's to accompany it because I have no idea where or how to get this thing started.

And wouldn't you know, God is right there leading the way because guess what the Good Morning Girls are going to be reading starting in May?  Ministry of Motherhood!!!  I just happened to have purchased it at the Whole Heart conference and am so excited to be a part of it and glean inspiration for what I might be able to do with Mission of Motherhood in the future.  It's always His plan for us, isn't it?  Love that!

If you visit Courtney or Sally you will see that they are offering a book giveaway and I'm so excited to be reading this together that I offered to donate a book to Courtney's site as well--I am that excited about this opportunity for all of us to learn and grow together!!!! Just stop by and leave a comment here and enter to win!!!
If you're interested in joining our Good Morning Girls group, which resumes in May, and is reading this awesome book, leave me a comment or email--we would LOVE the opportunity to grow together in His word!!!!

March 11, 2011

It's late.  I'm tired.  But I just had to write and post a few pictures from our "field trip" tonight.  Because these days nothing goes according to plan, I was mentally prepared when I hadn't gotten a call by 4:30 that my husband wasn't on his way home from work.  I try not to complain too much when this happens (although it has been a bit much lately) because last year at this time he was unemployed.  Three months we had together to bond with our baby...a blessing, really, but nonetheless stressful because it wasn't part of "my plan."  I'll save that story and what I learned from it for another day.


The plan that there was...was not with a husband still at work-- so I carried on.  That's what any good mother does, right?  The kids were all geared up to go to their first concert and what a concert it would be: http://therockandworshiproadshow.com/  The lineup included awesome Christian groups such as Mercy Me, Jars of Clay, Matt Maher, and The Afters...those are just the ones I was familiar with; however, I was impressed by Lecrae--I think I'll have the tune F-A-N-A-T-IC till I D-I-E stuck in my head for weeks to come and that's not a bad thing really.  


The concert was fantastic!  The musicians were great, what they said in between songs was inspiring, meaningful and from the heart.  The energy that emanated from the crowd was awe-inspiring.  It was sold-out--wall to wall worshipers who came together to glorify His name.  If ever there was a concert event for my kids to witness and be a part of: THIS WAS IT!  What an incredible line up--musicians who seek to minister through their music-- for their first time concert experience.  It was fantastic, even if I had to take them alone...and even if I had to carry the almost six-year-old awkward body down two flights of stairs and all the way to the car parked somewhere way deep in a sea of automobiles.  My little biggest prayed aloud, "With Christ all things are possible..."  because I tell you, I didn't think my arms would make it to the car. (I wrote that line and a vision of Jesus carrying a cross burned across my brain. I'm such a wimp!)


We made it home. We sang all the way, while five-year-old slept soundly. I love the way my daughter thanked me for taking her to the concert, hugging me tight at the waist. I love the way she wants to talk to daddy about sponsoring another child through  http://www.compassion.com/    becaue there are four kids in our family, so we need to sponsor two more so they each "have their own."  I like how her mind works.  I do.  She has a heart for Jesus.  Some days it shines a little brighter than others, just like mine. Just like yours.  Our Lenten season is off to a wonderful start.  I'll let you know how that dinner conversation goes tomorrow night.  Maybe instead of movie night we'll be gathered around the computer searching for wo more kids to bring into our blessed little nest.

I know these pictures aren't great.  Unfortunately when we were grooving to the beats and waving arms in the air and screaming and clapping--Iwas too preoccupied to pull out my little phone camera.  Then I remembered I needed to document this in http://beckyhiggins.ziblio.com/  Project Life so I snapped a few shots.  Which one should make the book? Blessings & Thanks. . .