Life As I Know It

Happy New Year!

2015-01-09T11:25:00.000-06:00

                Happy New Year to my readers! I didn't mean to completely drop off the blogging world but my life has been crazy busy with changes and children and everyday life!
                 I went back to school and finished my Associate in Applied Science degree for Early Childhood Education. I am currently working toward my Associate of Arts degree with Teacher Education requirements which I hope to have completed in the Spring of 2016. My goal is then to move on to pursuing a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with Special Needs endorsement and licensure to teach!
                My daughters are currently 17, 15, 12, 9, and 8 years old. My son, the baby of the family, is 6 years old. My 17 year old is working on becoming her own independent person as she prepares to be 18 this summer.
                My 15 year old (turning 16 in April) is currently a freshman in high school. She is taking Driver's Ed this semester which makes me nervous (her too, I think). She is also in Cadet Band. She plays the flute and is super talented at what she does. She enjoys being able to use that talent at church to bring glory to God.
                The 12 year old will be 13 in April. She is still pursuing her love of tumbling and cheerleading. Her cheerleading squad recently competed at the ISSA Cheerleading competition and placed 6th out of 24 squads in their division! She also plays the trumpet and continues to develop that talent.
                 Our 9 year old will be 10 this summer and is in fourth grade. She is in her second season of pee wee cheer and basketball. She also is learning to play the violin this year! If the younger two children develop an interest in playing an instrument we may have our own family band/orchestra at home!
                 Our 8 year old is in second grade and continuing to develop her own interests and ideas. She is our little princess. She is smart, loving, kind, and caring. I cannot wait to see how God works in her young life in the coming years!
                 And last, but not least, our son is 6 years old and in Kindergarten this year! He is also very smart! His favorite thing to do is play Minecraft and as a future educator I see the value of that type of game so I do not discourage him! It never ceases to amaze me how quickly my children are growing up!
                  I hope to be able to post at least twice a month this year, more if time allows. I recently applied for a job and have had the interview and should know next week whether I will start working or not. I covet your prayers as I want God's will to be done in that area of my life!
                  Is there anything in particular you, the readers, would like me to blog about in the coming year? I would love to hear your ideas!

                                                                 Susan

How Can I Motivate/Reward My Children to....

2014-04-16T11:35:00.000-05:00

I have been looking for a way to motivate my children, especially the younger three, to do their chores daily, spend time reading daily, and to be kind to others at home, not just at school and other public places. I found these really cute FREE printable chore, reading, and kindness punch cards HERE. I really love that they print in three columns, with one of each card in each column, and all on sheet! My kiddos really enjoy these as well. Instead of ~~searching for~~ using a hole punch, I just use the old fashioned foil star stickers--which my kiddos love to use!

Now, I have only recently started using this system with my younger three kiddos (who are currently 8, 7, and 5) so I had to go on the eSearch for inexpensive rewards and came across Free Printable Behavior Charts. They offer some really neat free printables! I decided to use the customizable coupons. Rewards do not have to be monetary! Having several children, I know that just one-on-one time with Mom or Dad is enough, or a trip to the Dollar Tree to pick an item-or two, or going to the park for an hour, or....the options are only as limited to as your creativity takes you!

I came up with this cute way to store reward choices for my kiddos...

Also, iMom has some great printable chore charts and other printable resources as tools to help us all in our journey as parents!

Blessings,
Susan

Children's Non-Drowsy Claritin and a Giveaway!

2014-04-15T14:06:00.001-05:00

I recently joined up with BzzAgent and have received my very first BzzKit! I am so excited!
With allergy season really taking off, my kiddos have scratchy throats, sneezing, sniffling, itchy eyes...well, you get the picture! I am so happy to try out Children's Non-Drowsy Claritin with them and see if helps them through the season!

In honor of my very first BzzKit, I am hosting a giveaway for $3 off any 4oz or larger OR 10 count Non-Drowsy Children's Claritin! Follow the steps below to enter! There will be FOUR winners! To enter, you must follow my blog and leave a comment. For extra entries, you may complete the optional steps!

                            Blessings,
                                            Susan



a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Blessed Woman: Learning About Grace From the Women of the Bible by Debbie Morris

2014-04-11T13:15:00.002-05:00

Blessed. Grace. What does mean to be blessed? Am I blessed? What is grace? How do we show grace? How do we receive grace? In Debbie Morris' book The Blessed Woman: Learning About Grace From the Women of the Bible, we learn about both as she shares her heart and expository glances at women from the Bible in relation to being blessed and having/showing grace.

As a wife, a mother, God's child, a volunteer, a teacher, a student and all the other many roles I have in life, it is hard to remember and see the blessings of God and His abounding grace in my life amongst the business of schedules day in and day out. I am so glad to be able to share about this wonderful book with my readers! I hope you will consider reading it for yourself!

"It’s not easy being a woman. The demands and expectations of us, and those we place on ourselves, can be overwhelming. While trying to navigate this thing called “life,” have you ever longed for a close friend, confidant, or mentor to walk alongside you and encourage you in Biblical womanhood? Debbie Morris did. And yet even as a young minister’s wife, she found herself without someone to fill this all-important role. So she turned to the Bible. Biblical women such as Eve, Sarah, and Miriam had always fascinated her. But now they also became her friends, sisters, and teachers. Through their stories, the Holy Spirit revealed how their lives—both joys and struggles—weren’t that much different from ours today and how they can teach women today to be a grace-filled, life-giving woman of God.

In The Blessed Woman, Debbie invites you to learn from these women as well. As she shares her own stories and the stories of discerning women in the Bible, she addresses topics such as overcoming insecurity, finding purpose, establishing priorities, letting go, and waiting. The Blessed Woman reminds us how God longs for every woman to experience His tenderness—and to know the true meaning of being blessed." (Quote from Amazon)

No More Perfect Kids-My Thoughts on the Book

2014-04-11T11:43:00.000-05:00

I loved No More Perfect Moms...and I am loving No More Perfect Kids just as much! Reading through it still, actually. Jill and Kathy's candidness and writing style and openness have shown me areas in which I need to improve my parenting skills. As in NMPM, NMPK stresses that the Perfection Infection has taken over way too much in our lives. We must eradicate ourselves of the Perfection Infection and NMPK is a great resource, an easy read and chock full of helpful information!

I highly recommend that every parent read NMPK-it's for Dads, too!

Blessings,

Susan

Mind of Her Own by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

2014-04-11T10:26:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live someone else's life? Have you ever contemplated what life would be like if an element of your life were different? Let's face it, if you are a parent of one child or a parent to many children, these thoughts have crossed your mind at least once ( not that I have ever had them myself...ahem).

In Brandmeyer's novel, Louisa develops amnesia and boy, oh boy, does life get weird! She no longer remembers the life she was living but instead with the amnesia came a new life. No longer does she remember she is a wife and a busy mother of three lively children. She now believes she is a popular romance writer named Jazz Sweet. But where on earth did this personality develop? Could she have daydreamed this life before the amnesia? Well, you will just have to read this novel and see for yourself!

"Who knew making dinner could change your life? Louisa Copeland certainly didn’t. But when the George Foreman grill fell out of the pantry onto her head, resulting in a bump and a mighty case of amnesia, Louisa’s life takes a turn for the unexpected. Who was this Collin fellow, claiming she was his wife? And whose kids are those? Her name couldn’t be Louisa. Why, she was the renowned romance writer Jazz Sweet, not a Midwestern mom of three. Struggling to put the pieces together of the life she’s told she had, Louisa/Jazz may realize that some memories are better left alone." ( Quoted description from Amazon )

FREEBIE: Discipleship eBook & Bundle of Learning-$22.94 value (ends 4/10/14)

2014-04-07T09:29:00.001-05:00

Trish, over at Intoxicated on Life, has a 4 Day FREEBIE for those who are subscribers. The freebies, Discipleship: A Character Curriculum Using Scripture and A Bundle of Learning: Things That Are New (this one is perfect for spring!), are a $22.94 value!! So hop on over and grab yours today!

Blessings, Susan

Why Do Kids Make Mistakes? A Peak at "No More Perfect Kids" by Jill Savage and Dr. Kathy Koch

2014-03-11T11:49:00.001-05:00

Why Do Kids Make Mistakes? An excerpt from No More Perfect Kids by Jill Savage and Dr. Kathy Koch Does it ever feel like your child does more wrong than they do right? As a parent, we know our kids aren’t failures. They can fail a quiz here and there, not win a tournament, and not earn a raise during their first job review, but none of that makes them failures. They will make mistakes, though, because they’re human! To best help our kids overcome their mistakes and not feel like failures, we need to understand why they make mistakes. When a parent understands, it increases their compassion and decreases their frustration. As you listen closely and observe intently for the “why” behind their mistakes, you can know how to best support them. Let’s explore eight reasons kids make mistakes. 1. They need more experience. When kids complain that school is hard, remind them that if it were easy, they wouldn’t need to go. School—and much of life—is about trying new things. We must let our kids know they’re not stupid when they get things wrong. Mistakes are a part of life, and they often show up when we need more experience. 2. They need to be taught in order to be successful. Mistakes can occur when content and tasks are new and teaching hasn’t yet occurred. Kids might enjoy trying things on their own, but then can get very frustrated when their independent approach doesn’t go well. Protect their self-esteem when you notice that the reason they did something wrong was simply because they need help or more instruction. 3. They need more time to learn something. Errors occur because kids didn’t learn something well enough, although teaching has begun. These mistakes are a part of learning. They happen, and it’s no one’s fault. How did you learn to drive? By driving imperfectly for a while. How did you decide which barbeque sauce you prefer? By cooking with one and then another. Did you make a mistake? No. It was a “learn by doing” experience, not a “mistake by doing” experience. The language we use to discuss mistakes matters; this includes what we say to our kids and what we say inside our heads when thinking about them. 4. They need healthy motivation to do things well. Sometimes kids make mistakes because they don’t want the additional pressure that comes with excellence. Maybe your son’s teacher keeps calling on him because he’s always attentive and right, but your son wants to take a break from that. Maybe your oldest is feeling like all your happiness is on her shoulders. That’s unhealthy motivation and creates a lot of pressure for any child. 5. They need our understanding and attention. Kids will occasionally fail at something or make mistakes just to push our buttons. Let’s face it: They are smart little people even at a young age, and they learn the power of manipulation early. In these cases, responding with understanding is important. When the time is right, and depending on their age, let them know you understand they’re angry or frustrated but you’d rather have them talk with you about their feelings than to act their feelings out. 6. They need more modeling and instruction related to character and obedience. Sometimes mistakes are an issue of character. Kids might hurry through a task or assignment so they can get back to their video games. They can choose to not double-check their work because pride is in their way and they’re just convinced they haven’t made any mistakes. As parents, we need to discern whether our children are making occasional errors in judgment or if they’ve developed consistent character flaws that need to be addressed. 7. They need self-respect, self-control, and respect for others modeled for them and taught to them. Sometimes kids’ strengths get them into trouble. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing! For example, word-smart kids might talk too much. Logic-smart kids with a heightened curiosity may ask questions to keep you distracted and to extend bedtime. We don’t want to paralyze their strengths by overreacting and being too critical, but we do need to teach the concepts of self-control and respecting others. 8. They need sleep, food, and/or emotional stability. Do you sometimes underperform or make unhealthy decisions when you’re tired, hungry, or emotionally vulnerable? So do kids. You might discover your daughter should start her homework after having a snack. Your son may not be handling the long day of school well and may need to go to bed thirty minutes earlier than you originally thought. To track patterns, you can keep a written record of their misbehavior using a calendar or a list. After recording a few days of when mistakes and misbehavior occur, who was present, if it was near mealtime, or if they were fatigued, you can often identify possible strategies to decrease the misbehavior. It’s okay, in the midst of mistakes, to verbalize that your child is not failing or a failure. Look for impressionable moments when kids need the reassurance that making mistakes is how people learn. You may not be happy with their choices, and discipline may be necessary, but also let them know they’re not stupid. In fact, letting our kids know they’re not mistakes even when they make mistakes is very important for us to communicate, especially in the hard days of parenting! This excerpt is from No More Perfect Kids, a new Hearts at Home book by Jill Savage and Dr. Kathy Koch! Pick up your copy of the book between March 13-23 and you'll get over $100 in bonus resources! Find out more at NoMorePerfect.com!

Living the Lyrics: Living Out What We Sing on Sunday

2013-11-21T08:45:00.001-06:00

      This morning I have song lyrics running through my mind. The lyrics are from a fairly new Christian band-to me anyway. The name of the band is Eternity Focus. The name of the song is Live the Lyrics. Music is such integral part of most of our lives even if we don't realize it. My music journey began before I could read and still continues today. Music in school growing up, chorus in grade school and high school, and just listening to music and singing along. This morning the lyrics to Live the Lyrics, part of them, anyway, keep replaying in my mind. The song says,"What if we lived the lyrics, to 'I Surrender All,' what if we believed, 'Jesus Loves Me,' the world would be changed if we would, Live the Lyrics."
Have you ever considered that idea? Have ever thought as you sing praise to the Lord God that the words you are singing should be words that you truly try to live out in your life? If we only sing the song and never consider the meaning of the lyrics and how we can apply them in our lives, then it is just another song. What would a world where Christians didn't just sing 'I Surrender All' on Sunday morning but lived the lyrics Monday through Saturday as well look like? What would a world where children singing 'Jesus Loves Me' really understood how wide and deep the Savior's love for them really is? What a change would take place in this world! Christians, let us not just go through the motions of praise and worship on Sunday, let us live out those lyrics on Monday through Saturday! That is my challenge to me and my challenge to you!
      Humbly,

His Servant,

   Susan

Next Generation Leader Book Review

2013-03-27T13:32:00.000-05:00

I signed up to read and review this book before I knew what else I was signing up for this year. God knew I needed this book! Since signing up and beginning this book, I have been promoted to PTO President, volunteered for the position of VBS Director, on top of continuing to be a wife, stay at home mom of six, church nursery director.... Andy Stanley's Next Generation Leader: Five Essentials For Those Who Will Shape the Future has helped me to work on my leadership skills, to fine tune the way I lead, and to delegate the tasks that are not essential to each leadership role. It has helped me to also fine tune my parenting skills as I raise up potential Next Gen leaders in my home. Next Generation Leader has also helped me understand more the roles of each member of the Church.

No More Perfect Moms-2013 National Hearts at Home Conference

2013-02-07T10:22:00.001-06:00

Hearts at Home encourages moms to embrace imperfection!

You always knew you would be the perfect mom. Then you had children.

Now that you know more, it’s probably safe to say that most days haven’t turn out like you imagined.

We’ve all been there.

When life doesn’t measure up to our expectations, it’s easy to feel like we’ve failed as mothers and we begin asking, “What’s wrong with me?”

The truth is nothing is wrong with you. You are normal. Your frustrations, your disappointments and your struggles are the same frustrations, disappointments and struggles that every mom is going through.
Hearts at Home is offering two opportunities for moms to embrace and celebrate their imperfections right along with others who are doing this “mom thing,” too!

No More Perfect Moms, the newly-released book by Hearts at Home Founder and CEO, Jill Savage, will help moms rid themselves of the “Perfection Infection.” With refreshing honesty, author Jill Savage exposes some of her own parental shortcomings with the goal of helping mothers everywhere shelve their desires for perfection along with their insecurities of not measuring up to other moms.

And, if you purchase the book any time between February 3-9 (online or at a store…and yes, electronic versions such as Kindle and Nook count too!) and send a copy of your receipt to NoMorePerfectMoms@moody.edu, you'll be given access to well over $100 worth of resources that will help you on your mothering journey - absolutely free!
What will you receive? Click here (link to: http://www.hearts-at-home.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1832&Itemid=381) for a full list of audio workshops, printables and books and all the details about how to buy the book!

Then plan to join thousands of moms, just like you, as they celebrate their imperfections on March 15-16, 2013, at the Hearts at Home 2013 National Conference, on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, IL.

Registration is open!

Choose the two-day Friday PLUS! option for a main session and three or four workshops on Friday, plus choose three or four additional workshops on Saturday or choose to
attend either Friday or Saturday. Add Moms Night Out on Friday for a great day – or two – away!

Main sessions feature keynote speakers Candace Cameron Bure (link to: www.candacecameronbure.net) – mom, producer, New York Times’ best-selling author and actress, and best known for her role as "D.J." on Full House – and Jill Savage (link to: www.jillsavage.org) – author and CEO and Founder of Hearts at Home.

Moms Night Out welcomes Anita Renfroe (link to: http://www.anitarenfroe.com), well known for her pop culture parody of the William Tell Overture-Mom Style and special musical guest Meredith Andrews (link to: http://www.meredithandrews.com).

More than 30 workshops with titles including Seven Habits of Highly Effective Moms, Real Ways to Connect With Your Kids, Boys R Us--Raising Boys from 2 to 22, and Wise Women Raising Wiser Daughters, give you the opportunity to design the day around your own needs.

With a sell-out crowd at last year’s conference, early registration is encouraged. The Best Value Registration Deadline is February 20, 2013.

Click here (Link to: www.hearts-at-home.org/index.php/events/national-2013) for full descriptions of all speakers and workshops and to start the registration process. Group discounts are available!

More Info on the No More Perfect Moms Release!

2013-01-31T09:47:00.000-06:00

Everyone loves a good investment…especially one that comes with a big bonus! This is one of those investments that you don’t want to miss! Purchase Jill Savage’s new book No More Perfect Moms anytime between February 3-9 (online or at a store…and yes, electronic versions such as Kindle and Nook count too!) Send a copy of your receipt to NoMorePerfectMoms@moody.edu. Scan it, take a picture of it - just be sure to send it to the email! You'll be given access to well over $100 worth of resources that will help you on your mothering journey - absolutely free! What will you receive? 6 Sixty Minute Audio Workshops (MP3 format) from Hearts at Home

Desperate for Wisdom - Dr. Juli Slattery
How to Fight for Your Marriage - Dr. Juli Slattery
It is Well with Your Soul - Jennifer Rothschild
Multiple Intelligences - Dr. Kathy Koch
Ten Stress Strategies Every Mom Needs - Jill Savage
The God Who Sees You- Tammy Maltby

4 Printables from Hearts at Home

10 Stress Strategies Every Mom Needs
“Love Is”--I Corinthians 13 for Parents
Mom Rules
How to Fight Fair In Marriage

3 Free E-book’s (including PDF, Kindle, iPad, and Nook editions!) from Moody Publishers

Live Free by Kendra Smiley
Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larsen
Real Moms Real Jesus by Jill Savage

1 Contest Entry You will be entered in a drawing to win hotel accommodations and two Hearts at Home Mom Conference registrations for you and a friend at a conference of your choice! (If unable to attend a conference, a Hearts at Home Conference To-Go will be substituted for the winner and a friend.) This offer is available for this week only (Feb 3-9)! Grab a copy of No More Perfect Moms, scan your receipt, email it, and start enjoying your new book PLUS all of the extra bonuses you’ll receive! It’s “mom university” delivered right to your computer!

Get Ready! Get Set! Now...Wait!

2013-01-31T09:41:00.001-06:00

If you have been following my blog, you know that I have been reading-and sharing about- Jill Savage's new book, No More Perfect Moms. I hope that you will buy her book! It is a great book which helped me to embrace all the imperfect things in my life by not lowering my expectations but adjusting them to match up with the reality of me, my family, our home, and so very much more! Her book is available for purchase now BUT I want to encourage you to WAIT to purchase it...Yes, that's right! WAIT to purchase it until February 3-9th! If you do, you will receive over $100 in FREE resources! If you like a good deal as much as I do, you will want to wait! I have had a sneak peek at the list of freebies and, girls, let me tell you, they are some GREAT freebies!
Now, I know you are wondering if you will really get anything useful if you wait to buy No More Perfect Moms. Well, here is the list of what you will get when you order the book between February 3-9:

6 Sixty Minute Audio Workshops (MP3 format) from Hearts at Home

• Desperate for Wisdom - Dr. Juli Slattery
• How to Fight for Your Marriage - Dr. Juli Slattery
• It is Well with Your Soul - Jennifer Rothschild
• Multiple Intelligences - Dr. Kathy Koch
• Ten Stress Strategies Every Mom Needs - Jill Savage
• The God Who Sees You - Tammy Maltby

4 Printables from Hearts at Home

• 10 Stress Strategies Every Mom Needs
• “Love Is”—I Corinthians 13 for Parents
• Mom Rules
• How to Fight Fair In Marriage

3 Free E-book’s (including PDF, Kindle, iPad, and Nook editions!) from Moody Publishers

• Live Free by Kendra Smiley
• Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larsen
• Real Moms Real Jesus by Jill Savage

1 Contest Entry

You will be entered in a drawing to win hotel accommodations and two Hearts at Home Mom Conference registrations for you and a friend at a conference of your choice! (If unable to attend a conference, a Hearts at Home Conference To-Go will be substituted for the winner and a friend.)

Now that's a deal well worth the wait!

Have a blessed day!

Love ya,

Susan

Garbage In, Garbage Out; Good Stuff In, Good Stuff Out

2013-01-30T12:05:00.000-06:00

When January rolls around every year, people start evaluating themselves and their lives to make "New Year's Resolutions." They ask themselves what they want to change in areas of their daily lives such as health, physical fitness, metal and spiritual fitness, and on and on the list can go. I myself started a journey last January to eat right and exercise with the goal of losing 50 pounds. Well, I made it half way to that goal. Then summer break for the kids came, real life happened, etc. etc. and I quit going to the gym for work outs and quit tracking my eating habits and calorie intake...which led to me gaining those pounds back. My focus changed from my "get fit" goal to my "get us through the summer with my sanity intact" goal.
This year, I have one main goal-not a resolution. That main goal is to put my focus, as child of God, on God. I desire a closer walk the my Father God. In order to achieve that goal, I have a plan. It is consists of:

A Bible reading plan to read the Bible in a year, which I am pleased to say I am sticking to!
Joining Bible study groups online and off line; currently I am doing the Living Like Jesus Luke Bible study with a Facebook group via Good Morning Girls
Reading books that will encourage me as a Christian wife and Momma; currently, I am in the last chapters of No More Perfect Moms: Learn to Love Your Real Life
Seeking godly council on issues I might deal with and Seeking God through prayer when things are good and when things are bad

Basically, I want to 'feed' my mind with "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy." (Philipians 4:8) I need to train myself to replace any negative self-talk and thoughts with the Truth found in God's word, the Bible. It really comes down to this- "Garbage In, Garbage Out; Good Stuff In, Good Stuff Out." What I 'feed' my mind will be evident in the way I talk, spend my time, spend my money, and how I act towards others. As a child of God, I should be reflecting the character of God.
What do you think?
Love ya,
Susan

Unglued Devotional: 60 Days of Imperfect Progress

2013-01-24T20:00:00.000-06:00

I just received my copy of Unglued Devotional: 60 Days of Imperfect Progress by Lysa TerKeurst. Be looking for future blog posts related to the book as I read it.
I enjoy reading of almost any genre but any book that draws me closer to my Savior is a must read!
Disclosure: Zondervan has provided this book to me free of charge through Booksneeze. All comments, opinions, etc. are my own. I am not being paid for my opinion and review of this book.

The 'Job' of Being A Mom

2013-01-22T11:42:00.000-06:00

             But as for me and my household,
                              we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

   Being a Mom is a full time job by itself~even if you a working Mom. I have the privelage of being able to be a SAHM. In the beginning, I was feeling really confident of being able to the 'job' of being a SAHM. I was homeschooling the children (3 of them when we began that journey) and we were all four enjoying learning to love being home together all day. I was also patting myself on the back for our ablility to have an almost spotless house during those years.
   Well, fast forward some years. My mother passed away in October of 2009. I was a rock during the weeks leading up to her passing. I never shed a tear. I held in my emotions as I always did in our family as the middle child of the three daughters. I also had to make hard decisions during those weeks. Forward past the funeral and family members returning to there homes, I thought things were returning to normal for us. It wasn't really. I had internalized my emotions which led to my bout with depression. Evidently you can have depression and not know it. Deep depression triggered Fibromyalgia in my body.
Forward to the next school year. Over the summer my husband felt strongly that our children should begin attending public school. This was a hard thing for me to submit to. But I did. I gave the issue up to God. In the bigger picture, I had to give up my will for what was best for all of us. This is our third year with the children in public schools and while I still have my concerns I have learned to leave those concerns in God's more than capable hands. Through the public school system my older ones have developed talents that they can now and eventually will use to bring glory to God. My thirteen year old is a magnificent flutist. She picked up playing the flute instantly in her fourth grade year even though she had never read sheet music before. That can only be a God thing!
The 'job' of being a Mom is challenging and rewarding, stressful and fulfilling, and it is 'job' given to us to refine our character to be more like Jesus and less self-centered. I often think that God must think a lot of me by allowing me the privelage of having six children to raise. Raising children is very high calling. We are bringing up the future generations. Let us bring them up to be servants of the Lord.
I still have struggles daily as I grow as a Mom (Sunday I allowed my 15 year old to drive us to and from church in the morning-I got to attempt to not be overly corrective but to guide her without making her (and myself even more) nervous.) Being a Mom is a job that is always evolving and is never really done.
I have committed to remember that "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." I will trust Him will everything!
How about you? Any Mom 'job' things you would like to share? Leave a comment!
                              Love ya,
                                           Susan

{HUGE Giveaway} 720 Total Coupon Inserts! 12 Winners EACH Get 60 Inserts!

2013-01-16T10:49:00.004-06:00

Cuckoo for Coupon Deals has teamed up with other bloggers to for HUGE coupon giveaway! 720 total coupon inserts will be given away to 12 lucky winners! Go here to enter. And good luck!

Midweek Musings

2013-01-16T09:59:00.000-06:00

This week seems to be just flying by! Wednesdays always seem to appear out of nowhere! This morning, I am enjoying the solitude of my home while my husband is at work, my 5 girls are at school and my son is at preschool for the morning. I used to homeschool my children and we enjoyed it for most of the six years that we were all home together. It was what was right for that season of our lives. In this season of life, however, sending them to school is what is right for our family.
While the children are at school and my husband is as work, I try to utilize my time alone to have my quite time with Father God by spending time in the Bible, praying over my family, myself, my church, and so many other things. Right now I am working on a 'Read Your Bible in a Year' chronological plan. (Bible Gateway is a great resource and free for you to utilize for Bible reading and study.)
I am also doing a study on Living Like Jesus via Good Morning Girls. I am on day 3 of the eight week study and am learning so much as I utilize their materials (free also when you sign up and free to sign up). This study is done using the book of Luke.
Everyday is not what I expect but I know it is full of what God has planned for me as I continue to grow in my relationship with Him. It so invigorating to be filled with His truths each day and to allow Him to show me where I need to make improvements in myself and in my relationships with others.
When we allow God to use us and stop trying to "use" Him, we will then be able to know the true JOY of being called His child!
I pray for you, reader, that my blog would be help to you and encouragement to you. I pray that you will thirst after God and seek His righteousness above all else in this world.
Love ya,
Susan

No More Perfect Moms-Imperect Moms Unite!

2013-01-15T06:30:00.000-06:00

Lots of imperfect Mommas have been busy reading their advance copy of No More Perfect Moms by Jill Savage, CEO of Hearts at Home. Her newest book is set to release on February 1st BUT you will most definitely want to wait to order until February 4-9. If you do, you will buy the book for about $14 and get an additional $100 in free e-resources!!! Now that is quite a deal! You will also help Jill's book make the NY Times Best Seller list! It's a win-win!
Susan (not as uncommon a name as I once believed ;) over at A Powerful Moment has composed a link-list of Momma bloggers and their sites and posts related to No More Perfect Moms. I made the list, too!!
So hop on over to A Powerful Moment for more encouragement!
   Love ya,
   Susan

Free 2013 Family Planner Printable Binder Pages!!

2013-01-14T13:48:00.003-06:00

Download a free family planner for 2013 courtesy of The Life in Bloom.

In the Land of Teens and Tweens

2013-01-14T13:29:00.001-06:00

Are you the parent of a teen or tween? Do you struggle with knowing how to get through to the heart of your teen or tween? Well, let me tell you, you are not alone in this! I currently have a 15 year old (and driver's permit carrying as of today) daughter, a 13 year old (high strung and strong willed) daughter and a 10 year old (emotional-as-puberty-is-setting-in) daughter. I have three more children who will follow them in 3, 4, 6 years respectively and girl, girl, boy respectively. I pray daily that my mind and hair will all be intact when the teenage years are behind us in 16 years!

Teenage girls are very, very emotional people. They are constantly testing boundaries as they try to gain more freedom in their lives in regards to friends, time away from home and other life decisions. Like all the other growth stages of life, we were not given a "How to Guide on the Teen and Tween Years" when we left the hospital with the sweet, innocent and wonderful new addition to our family. Oh, how sweet would it be if there were such a thing! But alas, we must find our way through this stage in the growth and development of our emerging young adult as with the other stages of their delicate lives-trial and error and LOTS of prayer. It also doesn't hurt to seek out godly advice from others who have walked this path before you.

I just read this article on What Doesn't Work to Change a Teenager's Behavior. It may be helpful to you as well, dear reader.

I hope I have been able to encourage you in some way!

Love ya,
Susan

My Goals For This Week

2013-01-14T08:30:00.000-06:00

This week I am going to continue working on setting goals. Basically, a list of what I hope to accomplish daily and for the week. My main goal is to be in God's Word daily and to really study and apply it in my life. I also want to try to get housework caught up.

My Goals for the week of January 14:

Continue reading through the Bible Chronological plan
Begin the Living Like Jesus Luke Study via Good Morning Girls
Work on laundry daily
Sweep & vacuum the floors daily
Clean kitchen and bathroom counters daily
Plan dinner menu for the week
Read No More Perfect Moms

Thanks for stopping by,
Love ya, Susan

Get Paid to take Surveys Online-Vindale Research

2013-01-10T12:47:00.000-06:00

If you are looking for a reliable paid survey site to sign up for, I highly reccomend Vindale Research! Go here to sign up.
Love ya,
Susan

Earn Cash Back on Groceries

2013-01-10T09:31:00.001-06:00

I recently started using Ibotta. It is so easy to use! All you do is purchase items that are on there "offers," upload a picture of your receipt, select offers to redeem and submit. Within 24 hours you will receive a cash deposit to your PayPal account. Easy-peasy! Why not sign up? They have $5 sign up bonus good through tomorrow when you make your first transaction! Oh, and the best part? No clipping coupons :-)
Love ya,
Susan

The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

2013-01-10T09:20:00.001-06:00

"Where then does wisdom come from, and where is understanding located? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed from the birds of the sky. Abaddon and Death say, 'We have heard news of it with our ears.' But God understands the way to wisdom, and He knows its location. For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When God fixed the weight of the wind and limited the water by measure, when He established a limit for the rain and a path for the lightening, He considered wisdom and evaluated it; He established and examined it. He said to mankind, 'The fear of the Lord is this: wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding.'" Job 28:20-28 (HCSB)

Our society puts a lot of emphasis on getting a "good education." We are constantly trying to improve upon our knowledge in areas of academics, technology and the like. We hinge a lot of our lives on our knowledge, on our own wisdom in these areas. But are we really putting those things in perspective? Why are seeking to gain so much knowledge and wisdom? What are we striving for?
Now I am not saying by any means that a good education is wrong in itself. I believe it is necessary in today's world to have a good educational background. I also believe, however, that sometimes we allow that pursuit of a good education to overshadow our pursuit of a strong relationship with our Creator God. In essence, our 'good education' has become our god by allowing it to be our main focus and priority.
Scripture tells us, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
In our pursuit of wisdom, we should not forget that God wants us to include in the whole process. He also wants us to use whatever wisdom we gain while on this earth to bring Him glory. Yes, we will do things that we get credit and recognition for. We need to make sure that we are giving God the glory for what He has allowed-and allows-us to accomplish.
I thank God that He gives me the wisdom to understand His Word.

Bible Gateway is a great online source for Bible reading, study, and additional resources.

Love ya,
Susan