Mommy Kudos

How Do You Keep it All Together?

2013-05-03T14:30:18Z

I get asked this question a lot: “How do you keep it all together?” Perhaps people ask me because I have 6 kids and if I chose to have 6 then I must have felt like I could handle them and stay on top of everything else too. Right?

The truth is that I almost always went into a new pregnancy wondering how on earth I would manage with one more or even two more (after having twins second I always wondered if I was having twins again). It was always a stretching process to add another child to our family. I knew it would be but I also knew that God had promised to be my strength when I relied on Him and so I did.

I didn’t set out to have a large family. I was a planner, an organizer and very much liked to be in control and a family of 8 never crossed my mind. But I found that when you have a child on your heart, and your husband is in the same place, another child is always a gift. Always.

Back to keeping it all together.

I don’t think that it’s possible. To keep it all together. It seems to me that any togetherness is a perceived condition. Children don’t allow for it.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am NOT saying that you cannot keep your house neat or that you cannot be organized or that you cannot have a great plan. What I am saying is that keeping it all together implies that you are completely in control and everything goes your way. It doesn’t. Hardly ever.

Kids are ever changing and raising them is incredibly demanding. A mother needs mounds of grace for her children and even more for herself. The dreams and plans you have of having it all together are sure to get interrupted by dealing with heart issues, sick kids, sleepless nights that lead to tired days, a daily battle inside of how much time you spend cleaning up and how much time you spend playing with kids, and I haven’t even gotten to distractions or tangents (like wanting to redo your daughters room. Right. Now!). Did I mention doctors appointments and planning meals and running errands?

The only way I know of how to keep it all together is by not allowing it to wreck you when it all falls apart. I’ve spent many moments crying over spilled milk and clothes all over the floor that I just put away. I’ve had heart palpitations over people coming over at a moments notice and when my kids melt down in a store. But I think my time is better spent on learning to be okay with the things that happen outside of my plans rather than trying so hard to keep anything outside of them from happening. Know what I mean?

I hope this is freeing for you in some way. I have spent years trying to keep it all together. If we can learn to hold it all loosely and focus on what’s important than I believe we will live lives that are capable of more joy, more grace and even more fun. And that’s what I want for my family and for you too.

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Linking up today with Kristen from We Are That Family for What Works for me Wednesday

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The Most Important Status Updates You Can Pay Attention to

2013-05-03T14:36:30Z

Mommy Kudos - All about what moms love

The other night I was sitting at my dinner table with my family and the kids, all 6 of them, were being chatter boxes. I felt like asking them all to take a deep breath and be quiet. But then I realized something that I needed to remember. They were sharing the details of their life with me and it would be easy to ignore these status updates but they are the most important ones I can pay attention to. I do love Facebook and Twitter but staying up to date on everyone else and missing what my kids are saying would be really sad. So I’m taking more moments to listen, to be in the moment and stay up to date on my kids statuses.

Do you struggle with missing your kids status updates? What ways do you make time to really hear them?

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A Reason for the Quiet

2013-02-21T05:08:25Z

Mommy Kudos - All about what moms love

It’s been a little quiet around here lately.

I’ve been busy getting my priorities in order and creating margin in my life. It’s not an easy task to cut back. It almost seems like more work to let go of things and hand them off but I’m getting there.

I did want to share with you something I have been a part of working on and I am incredibly excited about. It’s this:

The Declare Conference is a conference for Christian women bloggers. Our desire is to bless and encourage you while helping you to grow and learn about blogging and social media. The conference will take place in Dallas, Texas August 9th-10th, 2013. It’s going to be so much fun! We have some amazing speakers lined up to learn from.

If you are a blogger or want to start blogging I’d love to invite you to join us. We will have fun connecting, learn a lot, eat well, enjoy some awesome swag, have great vendors to meet with, party and, of course, indulge in chocolate! You won’t want to miss it!

I’ll be back to regular blogging soon and sharing all about what moms love. Thank you for your patience with me as I am learning and growing as a wife, mom & blogger.

Are you a blogger? Have you ever been to a blogging conference? Which one is your favorite?

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Cookie’s Kids Fashion Bargains

2013-02-15T19:46:02Z

Mommy Kudos - All about what moms love

I love a good bargain and having 6 kids pretty much makes bargain shopping mandatory. Recently I was browsing Cookie’s Kids Online Department Store for some winter clothing for my 4 year old for next year. Now, she is a girly girl with the taste of a princess and loves anything frilly and feminine. Shopping for her is usually fun but the kind of outfits she likes are often pricey.

I was really surprised at what I found for the money at Cookie’s Kids. I was aiming to spend about $30 and I started out searching for girls dresses. I was pleasantly surprised as I found cute dresses like the one below for as little as $9.99.

Cookie’s Kids Dress

As I searched for the perfect outfits for my daughter I was excited to find that Cookie’s Kids has Hello Kitty and Disney Princess clothing too. Both of which are favorites for her. It took me a little while to decide what to get with so many choices. There where quite a few different styles and looks that were great deals but I needed to stick to the budget. So, I was able to find 3 adorable outfits for just under $30.

Finding the right size was incredibly easy on Cookie’s Kids. I just clicked on the Alva Kids icon next to the size selection and entered my daughters information. Once I had added the information my daughter’s size was already selected for each new item I viewed. Super simple shopping if you ask me!

We anxiously awaited the package to arrive in the mail and when it came my daughter was thrilled to open it and see what I had found for her. She was so excited with each outfit. I got them in the next size up but she just had to try them all on and see what they looked like.

My daughter danced and twirled and giggled with her new outfits on. Honestly it was difficult to get her to be still after she tried each one on. She could hardly wait until daddy go home to show him all of her favorite new clothes.

She promptly picked the Princess outfit to wear for the day and had to hang the others up so she could wear them the following days. I’ve had a hard time convincing her that the clothes were a little big and meant for next year. I may just have to hide them away one day when she isn’t paying attention.

After shopping at Cookie’s Kids for cute girls clothes I also noticed that they have a nice selection of school uniforms. I’m keeping my eye on them and hoping to find some good deals for next year. I also think some of their boys suits are adorable and would be perfect for Easter coming up. They also have a great new Spring Line if you are getting ready for the warmer weather.

To find out more about my Cookie’s Kids shopping experience check out my Google+ Story. Also, search #Cookieskids on twitter for more info and stories about Cookie’s Kids. If you are in NYC there are 7 Cookie’s Kids stores in Bronx, Brooklyn and Jamaica as well as their online store at CookiesKids.com.

Do you shop for bargains online for the next season? Have you ever shopped at Cookie’s Kids?

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and CookiesKids.com #CBias #SocialFabric

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5 Days to a Clutter-Free House {A Review}

2013-02-06T19:41:43Z

Mommy Kudos - All about what moms love

It’s out of control and you don’t know where to begin. Ever felt that way about your house? I know I have. I have tried various methods of getting a cluttered house back together. Thankfully my house is not out of control at the moment {mainly because I took 31 days to Become an organized mom and am still working on these ideas} but after reading “5 Days to a Clutter-Free House” by Sandra Felton & Marsha Sims, I feel like I am better equipped to tackle my house when it needs it.

I, first off, have to do a little raving about one of the authors of this book: Sandra Felton. I first heard of her when I listened to a radio program she was on years ago. She was talking about how to get organized and the mental thought process behind staying organized. I was sold and proceeded to follow her site and buy her books. I read her book “Organizing for Life: Declutter Your Mind to Declutter Your World” and was forever changed. Her methods just make good sense. She isn’t all about just telling you what to do but rather how to think like an organized person. If you truly follow her methods it will transform your organizational skills!

Okay now back to the book “5 Days to a Clutter-Free House,” This book will take your house from cluttered to clear in 5 days. Felton and Sims offer a very thorough and step-by-step plan to get your home sorted and in order. If you are overwhelmed this would be the perfect place to start!

You will find out in the book that you really need help to get clutter under control. Don’t let that stop you if you aren’t normally quick to ask for help though. You can seek help from family, friends, hire someone, or even your kids {assuming they are old enough to do some work}. In 5 days you can accomplish a lot with help that would take you much, much longer on your own.

I really like the system they use in 5 Days to a Clutter-Free House. The whole plan is laid out for you very clearly. Each day the team tackles a new level, beginning with everything “below the knee” on Monday. This means you sort items on the floor and sort them into boxes according to where in the house they need to go. You continue with new levels each day and by Thursday, the house should start to become much less cluttered. Then it’s time to clear out areas that are closed (cabinets, drawers, etc…). By Friday, your surfaces should be clear, and you will have accomplished an incredible amount. The next steps are also clearly defined for you so that you can maintain the clutter free house and sort through all of your boxes of stuff.

If you are in need of getting the clutter under control in your home check out 5 Days to a Clutter-Free House and let me know how it works for you!

Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for a review. My opinions are my own and I only recommend what I believe in and use myself. Affiliate links are included in this post.

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What Moms Love {Weekly}

2013-02-01T16:14:34Z

Mommy Kudos - All about what moms love

Are you ready for this weeks What Moms Love {Weekly}?

This week I am loving: play dates with sweet friends, holding a little baby for the mom to have a break and getting my baby-fix at the same time, chocolate covered strawberries, listening to my four year old sing when she doesn’t know I’m listening, listening to my 13 year old sing when she doesn’t know I’m listening {smile}, a husband who gets me and has lots of grace.

How about you? What are you loving this week?

Here are some favorite finds this week that I wanted to share:

1. Bamboobies Heart Shaped Nursing Pads- I am past my nursing days but I would have loved to have had Bamboobies when I was nursing. They’ve been around for a little while but if you haven’t seen them or tried them I would recommend you look into them. Here are the details about them (and all the reasons I know I would have loved them): Bamboobies ultra-soft nursing pads are unique because they don’t show through or leak through like other washable pads. Ultra-thin, heart-shaped regular pads are made for light leaking and less visibility and Overnights are made for heavy leaking and newborn nursing. Both types of pads are made with a unique milk-proof backing to stop embarrassing leaks. Washable Bamboobies save $$$ over disposables. Made of ultra-soft and soothing organic cotton and bamboo rayon velour with an inner layer of hemp and organic cotton, these pads are ultra-absorbent and ultra-eco.

2.“Dude your wife keeps checking me out!” Onsie by Darling Little Bow Shop on Etsy- I laughed out loud when I came across this adorable onsie on Etsy. It’s perfect for your handsome little guy! You can find it in various sizes and also older boys t-shirts. Be sure to check out the other adorable items while you are browsing Darling Little Bow Shop. She’s got some adorable little girls things too!

3. What I Wore Today Doodle Book- Sometimes I come across things I wish I had when I was a kid and this is one of them. I used to love to draw outfits and fashion I envisioned. This book is super cute and perfect for the girl who likes to draw and is in to fashion. A girl can keep track of all of her fashionable efforts and keep track of ideas for new trends. There are also tips on dressing for the seasons and even inspiration from others included.

4. Love You More Box Sign From Primitives By Kathy- My husband, kids and I often use the phrase “Love you more” when one of us tells the other that we love them. So I fell in love with this box sign when I saw it and wanted it for my wall in the middle of our family pictures. Luckily I had birthday money to spend on it and it should be arriving today! It would also be lovely in a baby nursery or kids room.

Have a LOVELY weekend!

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Don’t Let a Rough Morning Define Your Day {or Who You Are}

2013-01-29T18:09:52Z

Mommy Kudos - All about what moms love

You know what it’s like. You wake up and wish you could sleep for another hour. Your kids wake up grumpy and don’t remember your “keep your hands to yourself” rule. You end up rushing around because someone doesn’t have a clean shirt or can’t find their homework. Once again you let your kids have it for not laying everything out the night before like you’ve told them to do a hundred million times before. Secretly inside you are kicking yourself for ever trusting them to do it on their own and not checking to make sure everything was done…but you were just so tired {still are}.

A rough morning like this longs to define the rest of your day. It wants to stretch its tentacles into noon time when lunch is pressing and you’ve barely started the laundry. It hopes to still be around when the afternoon is over and that nap you so desperately needed {to survive the rest of the day} just didn’t happen.

You give a rough morning power when you let it define your day. You can let a rough morning define who you are and your life. It’s a cycle that can be tough to break and can rule a mom’s heart.

It starts with the inward mental beating that you give yourself for not doing a better job, being more prepared, or having it all together. The mental beating will continue until you put a stop to it.

The way to stop the madness of letting these things define your day {or who you are} is to realize when you are having these negative thoughts and start to hold them captive. Lock them up and refuse to give into the feelings they bring and the self condemnation that they feed on.

You are a good mom! When you believe that you WILL start to become it. When you believe that you aren’t you won’t be. Our thoughts are SO powerful. They can rule our day or our entire life.

When the morning has been rough, and it seems as though you failed, and the thoughts come barging in to tell you you’re no good, take a deep breath, smile and remember that you are learning this mothering thing. You will have new moments to do it better, to learn what works and what doesn’t. Remind yourself you are a good mom who is diligently working on becoming a better mom all of the time. Then kiss your rough morning goodbye and enjoy the rest of the day!

Do you have days like this? You know I am writing this from my own experience right?! I’ve been there many times. How do you overcome a bad morning?

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What Moms Love Weekly: For Moms, Babies & Kids

2013-01-18T15:12:38Z

Mommy Kudos - All about what moms love

What Moms Love Weekly on Mommy Kudos is finally back after a break. Let’s get right to the goodness:

This week I am loving: soft warm blankets on a cold winter’s day. Teen daughters that want to pour their hearts out until late at night and then really listen to words of advice. Pulling out hand-me-downs in the next size up and reminiscing about when the older daughter was this little. The last peppermint mocha before I am “better about eating healthy.” How about you? What are you loving this week?

Here are some of my favorite finds this week for moms, babies and kids:

1. Just Between Us: A No-Stress, No-Rules Journal for Girls and Their Moms- I LOVE this journal! If you have a daughter who is a preteen or teen then I highly recommend you get this journal, read the introduction and get started sharing with your daughter. There are prompts and questions to answer for each other in the journal as well as free space to ask questions and pour your heart out. You and your daughter can pass the book back and forth over time and make some special memories and get to know one another on a whole new level. I wish this was out when I was growing up!

2. The NEW Boppy Pillow for nursing- I always loved having a Boppy for nursing. From the first nursing session to the last it was a friend I kept close by. When I saw the new and improved Boppy I was impressed with the thought they have put into it. There are now two sides to it: the traditional, soft pillow side you know and love with Boppy AND the new firm cushion featuring contoured foam. Best of all the whole thing is washable when you remove the foam insert! Another detail that is new is the adjustable belt that keeps the Boppy in place. The belt is removable and there are inserts to hide away the clips. I’m so happy that Boppy is making a great thing even better with this new Boppy Pillow! It seems that these new pillows are not available just yet online but Boppy’s site says you can find them at Target and Babies R Us.

3. Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe- This book is such encouragement to moms with little ones! I cannot recommend it enough. Sarah Mae writes honestly about the struggles of motherhood from the perspective of someone who is going through it currently and then Sally Clarkson (a mom with grown children) takes a turn sharing advice and wisdom on how to make it through these hard days of mothering. I found the book so refreshing and encouraging. Moms are raving about how this book is having a huge impact on their lives. It has amazing ratings on Amazon and I highly recommend you read it!

4. Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack Convertible Diaper Bag,Frolicking in Fez - I know this bag in these colors has been out for a few months but I keep seeing it and I just love the colors and pattern! Petunia Pickle Bottom bags are pricey for sure but the investment might be worth it for the long run, especially if you are just starting out and will need a diaper bag that will work with a boy or girl and perhaps through more than one baby. I would be happy to seen lugging this diaper bag around. I may need to borrow a baby so that it doesn’t look weird though {wink}

Those are my favorites finds this week. Have you found anything that you love?

Disclosure: Affiliate links are used in this post.

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You are a Good Mom!

2013-01-14T04:32:05Z

Mommy Kudos - All about what moms love

Did you know that you are a good mom? Let me tell you how I know…

I remember the days well. They were long and I was absolutely exhausted at the end of them. I couldn’t seem to work hard enough or fast enough to get much of my to do list done. There were many interruptions in my days to clean up spilled milk or break up a fight.

It all seemed overwhelming and I was drowning.

The lists of demands were never ending and unforgiving and to top it all off I was supposed to be happy and love taking time to play with my children. Who wrote these rules? They only seemed to set me up for failure.

I was a bad mom.

First it came as just a thought but I quickly owned it and agreed with it. “I must be doing it all wrong because I cannot get this mom thing right. I am constantly failing. I’m a bad mom.”

Of course these were all thoughts and I am not sure I would utter them out of my lips other than discussing my frustrations with my husband. I still wanted to get it right. I still longed to figure it out.

But I just kept failing. More than I was getting anything right I was getting it wrong {at least by my standards}.

One day everything changed.

My heart was forever changed as the veil was removed from my eyes and the truth flooded my world.

I heard myself.

I had heard the lie that I was a bad mom and I bought it, began to agree with it and even speak it over myself. “I’m a bad mom.”

I was becoming what I was agreeing with and what I was speaking over myself.

When God created the world and sat back and surveyed it all He said it was good. You and I and motherhood are part of His creation and He declared it all good.

I’m a good mom. That’s the truth. Not a perfect mom. Not a mom who has it all together but a good mom. That is what I combat the bad mom thoughts with… truth.

I start to become what I believe and agree with. I was agreeing with the lie that I was a bad mom and I was in a rut that I couldn’t get out of that confirmed over and over again to me that I was bad and doing it all wrong. Now that I know the truth, and believe it, I am becoming a better and better mom.

I am a good mom and you are too! Do you believe it?

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New Ways to Approach a New Year {especially when last year didn’t quite go as planned}

2013-01-02T21:49:19Z

Mommy Kudos - All about what moms love

If you are one of those who have come face to face with a new year that you weren’t quite ready for then raise your hand. That would be me this year. Usually I’m ready, more than ready, for a fresh start to a new year and I want a fresh start but I just don’t feel ready. There are still so many things that were left undone last year.

Somewhere about mid Fall I realized that I was running on just about empty. I was giving so much in so many areas and not really finding ways to be refreshed and filled up myself. Part of it was because there was already so much to do and I couldn’t keep up. I tried but I just couldn’t.

So when I got to January 1st of 2013 I just felt like going back and playing catch-up. Making up for the past year doesn’t seem like a good way to go into a new year. So I decided I really needed to dissect what happened and why I felt so overwhelmed.

Part of it was just life. Things happened that were well outside of my control. Lots of things. This past year was one of surprises and not necessarily the good kind. There was a lesson it all that I am still learning but most of all that I need to understand that these things can and will happen.

Another part of it was a lack of margin. I had so much to do this past year that, if I was honest, would have taken a pro organizer more than a year to do. I was setting myself up for failure. This year I am intentionally saying no to a lot more and purposefully scheduling more margin into my life.

I also tried to do a lot of it on my own. I need family and friend in my life. Even if they aren’t close by, I need their voice in my life to encourage me and stay connected. I was so busy this past year that even taking time to connect was a challenge. This year I want to remember that I need the connection and it makes the rest of everything better when I have it.

I need to keep reevaluating what isn’t working. You know how you can get so frustrated that things are going the way they are but not even feel like you have the time to stop and fix it? Well, that was me and it is so worth taking the time to step back and reevaluate it all. Reevaluate what is not working and make changes. If it isn’t working it isn’t acceptable. if you don’t know how to change something that isn’t working than you may need some outside advice which is where my next point comes in…

I can learn from older, wiser women. This is something that has really been on my heart lately. I met a woman this year who, unknowingly, challenged me to see older women differently. She shared with me how she felt invisible to younger women and it about broke my heart. She has great wisdom and experience with raising kids and being a wife and yet that knowledge and wisdom is going to waste because no one is benefiting from it. She, and many other older women, have been through so much of what I am struggling with right now. She could be a wealth of information, support and encouragement. I am very intentionally seeking out a local mentor this year. Someone who has had a similar circumstances in life that is willing to come along side of me and teach me how to do this mothering thing, and being a wife, well.

My list of goals for this year are simple and specific. They are intentional but not overwhelming. I plan to keep coming back to the list above and make sure that I am doing all of these things. I hope to look back on 2013 having accomplished my goals with lots of grace for myself and having used wisdom and intention along the way.

How about you? Are you looking back at 2012 and happy with the way it went? Have any tips for us?

I hope your 2013 is off to a great start! There are some changes in the works for Mommy Kudos. I’m excited about the journey ahead for us!

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