mama hall

6 quick tips for taking the kids to Disney World

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:12:00 +0000

our family has been to Disney World in Florida twice, and it definitely ranks as one of our favorite vacations. both times, we completely surprised the kids and didn't tell them we were going until the DAY OF! i wrote about our first trip here and our second trip here. but i get asked a lot about tips for taking kids to Disney World. if you are planning a trip to Disney World, first and foremost, make the most of it and have FUN!

here are my 6 quick tips for taking the kids to Disney World:

1. best time to go: i have heard from "insiders" that the best time of year to go to Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida is after Easter, after Spring Break, and at the first of the New Year when everyone goes back to school in January. we went the week after Easter in 2009 and it was perfect weather, and smaller crowds. we went the week before Easter in 2013 and it was unusually cold and crowded. that said, the weather and crowds did not spoil our fun. Disney World is special, magical, and memorable regardless. other than the time of year, also consider your children's ages for the best time to go to Disney World. the first time we went, Bubba was 9 months old and Big Girl was just 4. we were contending with naptimes, strollers, diapers, diaper bags, newly potty trained, breast-feeding, and sippy cups. lots of work, still fun. this time, our kids are 4 and 8 and it was a breeeeeeze in comparison. no strollers, independent potty-ers, no naps, no diaper bags, self-feeders! at 8, i was a little worried that Big Girl had outgrown the Disney Princesses, but when we got there and she saw that big beautiful castle, she fell in love with them all over again! and at 4, Bubba was the perfect age to get the "magic" of Disney.

Hollywood Studios

2. where to go: Disney World is made up of several parks - Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Downtown Disney. for our kids' ages, 8 and 4, and younger, our favorites in this order are Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. i recommend doing some research before you go. look at what each park has to offer as far as rides, shows, and characters, and decide which park(s) your child(ren) would enjoy best! at the time we went, my kids were big fans of Toy Story, Disney Princesses, Star Wars, and Cars, so we made sure to go to the parks where those characters were featured. we have never been to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. if you have kids that are older and have longer stamina (no naps needed, can withstand activity/stimulation for 8+ hours) i recommend the Park-Hopper option which allows you admission into more than 1 park on 1 day. we were only "tough enough" to do this once, we went to Magic Kingdom for a few hours in the morning, went back to the hotel for naps, and went to Epcot for dinner. i say "tough enough" because going to 2 Disney parks in 1 day with 2 young children is only for the strong!

watching the parade at Magic Kingdom

3. where to stay: on Disney property or off? that is the big question. we have stayed both on and off Disney property, and there are pros and cons of each. again, do some research to see what best suits your family. the best part about staying on Disney property, for us, was the free* transportation to and from the parks. (* staying on Disney property is a little bit more expensive so i'm not 100% convinced of the $avings) there is a fee to park at Disney parks - it was about $15 when we were there - so we saved big money by using the Disney bus system. however, using the Disney transportation means being confined to the Disney transportation schedule. on some days, the bus route took so long for pick-ups and drop-offs that we were on the bus for 45 minutes one-way when we were only 5 minutes from our hotel. there are other perks to staying on Disney property but that was the biggest one for us. when we stayed off property, we liked it because it felt like a totally different vacation from Disney. it was nice to "escape" after a full day of Disney overload, and retreat to our un-Disney Marriott resort. we had a rental car and paid for parking, but the hotel was less expensive than any of the on-property accommodations. we liked having the rental car so we could go out to eat and tool around Lake Buena Vista.

autograph book

4. what to eat: Disney World has a "meal plan" option to add on to park tickets, which get you meals and snacks at the parks. we have never bought the meal plan and here is why- amusement park food is fast food (think: burgers, grilled cheese, corn dogs, processed, cotton candy) and we prefer healthier options (think: organic, natural, whole foods, home-made), plus, Bubba eats gluten-free. other than that one time we bought ice cream as a special treat, we have never spent a dime on food at any of the Disney parks! on our first day at Disney, we go to the local grocery store and stock up on fresh fruits, sandwich fixins, and other natural snacks. Disney parks allow you to bring in your own food! by packing a backpack full of our own food, and bringing refillable bottles for water, we saved a TON of money and ate healthy as usual. some of our favorite on-the-go healthy snacks: Angie's all-natural popcorn, Happy Squeeze, GoGo Squeez, PB&J on Udi's GF bread, natural trail mix of nuts and dried fruit, Simply Go-Gurt, and Betty Lou's GF fruit bars.

Hollywood Studios in coordinating colored shirts

5. what to wear: matching t-shirts are the thing to do at Disney World. practically everyone does it! and i concur. one year, i made custom matching Disney t-shirts for my kids. our most recent trip, i dressed all four of us in coordinating colors. it's really a no-brainer. first of all, it makes packing and "what to wear" really easy. second, in a sea full of people, you want to easily identify your family members, especially your little ones, and matching shirts makes it easy to spot your people. another good reason for going matchy-matchy is for your photographs. you will take LOTS of pictures! and not only will the kids look incredibly adorable in matching shirts, but it will also help you remember which day you were at which park. for instance, looking back at our photos, i can remember that we all wore green shirts on the day we went to Animal Kingdom. also, wear comfortable shoes for lots of walking and standing. i do not recommend flip-flops. i recommend bringing rain ponchos (~$1 in the camping aisle at Target), and a light sweater/jacket for everyone. and sunscreen!

meeting Donald Duck at Animal Kingdom

6. a few more things:

ID bracelets - definitely get these and put them on your child(ren) each day for your peace of mind. these also make great "if found, return to" tags for backpacks, bags, and strollers.
Parades - try to catch at least one during your visit to Disney World. they are entertaining, a few minutes to sit and relax, and an opportunity to see multiple characters at once.
Photo Pass - Disney park photographers will offer to take your picture with characters and at scenic areas of the parks. take advantage of this! it's no obligation, you get to see the digital copies when you get home and decide to purchase if you choose. if not, no big deal.
Autographs & Character Greetings - definitely get/make an autograph book and make this part of your Disney experience. (i made our autograph books) the lines are sometimes insane, but the look on your child's face when she gets up close and personal with her favorite Disney character is well worth it! i have waited in line for more than an hour so our family could "meet" Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and i will never forget the looks on my children's faces!
Fast Pass - this is a line-jumper option for some of the rides and shows at the Disney parks. think call-ahead seating. before you go to the park, map out which rides or shows you want to do, and see if they offer a Fast Pass for it. if there is a Fast Pass for your favorite ride/show, get it first thing. this is a huge time-saver! it can mean the difference between waiting in line 75 minutes or 15 minutes. on our last visit, we got a Fast Pass to meet four Disney Princesses, and we got in to see them in 5 minutes whereas others were waiting in line for more than an hour!
Play areas & Baby centers - each park has play areas and Baby Centers. the play areas make great spots to wait for a Fast Pass to start, have a snack, or let restless children run off some energy. Baby Centers are clean and air conditioned buildings for changing diapers, nursing, bathrooms, and first aide. look for them on the park maps and take advantage!
Souvenirs - gift shops and kiosks are every where you look at Disney World parks. plan ahead to prevent your kids from catching a case of the "i wants." what worked for us was letting our kids know ahead of time that they had a certain dollar amount to spend on 1 souvenir but they couldn't buy it until the last day of our visit. that way, they had all week to "shop." we gave them other guidelines, too: their souvenir had to be Disney unique - it couldn't be something that we could buy at Target, it had to be a long-lasting gift (no balloons, candy, coloring books) and it had to be something that every time they saw it or played with it, it would remind them of this vacation. on our last day at Disney World, both kids were so excited to choose their very special gift.

what am i forgetting? what tips can you share from your experience at Walt Disney World or Disney Land?

our new homeschool classroom

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:11:00 +0000

when we were house-hunting last year, i remember saying "we don't need a school room, we can do school anywhere!" i wasn't just being amicable. it is absolutely true! it is nice to have a dedicated area for to keep our books, projects, and supplies organized, but it wasn't a deal-breaker when we were looking for our next home.

our new house has a perfect space at the top of the stairs for our homeschool classroom. the kids share a desk that adjusts in height so it will grow with them (GALANT from Ikea). they sit staggered, facing each other, in chairs that also adjust in height. the bookshelf (EXPEDIT) along the big wall houses our modified workboxes, textbooks, books, paper, and supplies. the chalkboard and dry erase board easel is on the other side of the desk. there is a big blank wall opposite the bookshelf where i want to eventually put a giant world map.

i love how this space is lit up with sunlight from the upstairs balcony windows, but also has plenty of light fixtures and ceiling fans. past the schoolroom is the upstairs living room, bedrooms and bathrooms. i love this space and even though we've only been here for the spring semester, it is working out really well as our new homeschool classroom!

BigGirl also has a desk in her bedroom for quiet, self-directed studies. we often bring our books to do schoolwork at the kitchen table, on the back patio, in the car, and wherever else we land. :) the world is our classroom...we are thankful!

saturday {show 'n tell} + minted giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Sat, 11 May 2013 15:31:00 +0000

hello saturday! i am excited about a weekend with no plans, no agenda, no to-do list. just free time to do what we want to do! maybe i'll go to zumba class, maybe we'll take a dip in the pool, or maybe we'll stay in our jammies longer than we should. saturdays are for saying yes to those kinds of things.

here some treasures from my + a giveaway from Minted.com:

1. Sevenly.org invites Declare to make a difference. click on over to the Declare blog to see how you can partner with Sevenly.org to help change lives right now.

2. my daughter met Niall. ok, not really. but, remember how cool the cardboard cut-out of your favorite rock/movie star was when you were 8?! almost as cool as the real thing. definitely worth stopping to take a picture in the cracker aisle of the grocery store.

3. when writing was comfort to a hurt mamma's soul. a blogger's prayer to write for One reader. "Let me write again Jesus when I wrote just for You. When I let you speak into my heart and share Your Word freely."

4. a GIVEAWAY from Minted.com! just look at those beautiful business cards, Thank You cards, and greeting cards. stunning paperie! and Minted.com has a $50 credit for one lucky winner. giveaway ends 5/18.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mom, not really a hero

noreply@blogger.com (mama hall) — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:17:00 +0000

me & my sweet babies, march 2013

my daughter's journal prompt the other day was "write about a hero in your life and how they have been influential to you."

later when i was checking her homework, i read her answer and turned to mush:

"Mom. Not really a hero, but teaches me. Homework, tieing my shoes & a LOT more."

so sweet, funny and unexpected. i was laughing and crying. i thought for sure she would have written about her hero being Taylor Swift, or cousin Carsyn, or maybe Jesus. but me?? and what have i done to be influential? teach homework and shoe-tying? sometimes it really is the little things, yall. [need to teach more spelling and penmanship, apparently.]

a few nights ago i went in to bed and this note was on my bedside table:

"I Lov U Frum Josh & Haile"

again, mush. my heart melted right there in my chest. my sweet 4-year-old's phonetically written words, completely unprompted, and thoughtfully, secretly, placed right by Mommy's bed... utterly precious.

this is what it's all about. this is why we celebrate with our families this weekend. because you have these utterly precious moments, too. and so did your Mom, and her Mom, and her Mom.

so maybe i'm not really a hero. but i am a Mom. and i think that's pretty awesome.

from ModernPrintedMatter

// Happy Mother's Day //

how to be brave at a blog conference

noreply@blogger.com (mama hall) — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:19:00 +0000

i saw my daughter, 8, do something really great on the playground last week. my typically introverted and quiet little girl, content to build sandcastles solo, stood up straight, pushed her shoulders back, lifted her head confidently, smiled, and walked right up to the group of kids - kids she didn't know - that were playing sand volleyball.

she has always wanted someone her age and size to play sand volleyball with, and here was her chance. i sat on the other side of the playground and i didn't take my eyes off of her. you couldn't tell it by the looks of her that that wasn't easy. i know it took every ounce of courage in her petite little body to do what she did. she was brave.

she jumped right in the game, made new friends, and had a blast playing the game she's longed to play. she was beaming. beautiful.

watching her got me thinking about situations where i have to be brave, and step out of my comfort zone a little bit, so i can get to that place of making new friends and having a blast being myself. the first situation i thought of? blog conferences.

we can all probably agree that most bloggers are introverts, and a blog conference seems like an event for extroverts. the parties, the hallways, the meals, the meet-ups...all the people! all the talking! it can be overwhelming and exhausting for both everyone, introverts and extroverts alike.

but blog conferences can be so much fun! i think in order to make the most of our time at blog conferences, we have to be brave.

{continue reading how to be brave at a blog conference on the Declare Conference blog}

i pray we're both brave and that we get to meet at Declare 2013!

word of God speak

noreply@blogger.com (mama hall) — Mon, 06 May 2013 09:14:00 +0000

i'm finding myself at a loss for words. and the funny thing is it's okay. the last thing i need is to be heard, but to hear what You would say.

Word of God speak. would You pour down like rain washing my eyes to see Your majesty? to be still and know that You're in this place. please let me stay and rest in Your holiness.

i'm finding myself in the midst of You, beyond the music, beyond the noise. all that i need is to be with You, and in the quiet hear Your voice.

Word of God speak. would You pour down like rain? wash my eyes to see Your majesty! to be still and know that You're in this place. please let me stay and rest in Your holiness.

-MercyMe, Word of God Speak

don't you just love that song? i was washing dishes the other day and it came on the radio and i couldn't help but stop, close my eyes, and surrender to worship. word of God speak, i pray. i'm here, i'm alert, and i'm listening. speak to me for the Declare Conference, for The Seed Company, for my friends, for my family, and for my life. sometimes we just need to stop for a minute so we can hear the Word of God speak.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. -Hebrews 4:12

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. -Isaiah 40:8

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" -Matthew 4:4

ultimate homemaking works for me

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Wed, 01 May 2013 09:42:00 +0000

by now you have probably heard about the Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle, yes? i am here to remind you of this amazing goodness.

the Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle includes 97 ebooks on the topics of meal-planning, cleaning, organizing, scheduling, homeschooling, budgeting, frugality, fitness, healthy dieting, pregnancy, and more, PLUS printables and recipes and more, PLUS bonus offers from Plan to Eat, Union28 and others! wow! that's ultimate, yall.

the ebooks were written by some of my favorite bloggers, and they are so generously offering their books in one big bundle for less than $30. what an amazing way to load up your ebook library with these invaluable homemaking resources!

click here to see the list of all 97 ebooks and their prices listed if purchased individually. what a fantastic bargain you're getting for this comprehensive collection! here are a few of my personal favorites (that i've already read) included in the Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle:

31 Days to Cleanby Sarah Mae @ SarahMae.com($4.99)

NOT a DIY Diva by Melissa @ The Inspired Room($3.99)

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler by Tsh @ Simple Mom ($5.00)

28 Days to Hope for your Home by Dana @ A Slob Comes Clean ($5.00)

Organizing Life as Mom by Jessica @ Life as Mom ($9.00)

Think Outside the Classroom by Kelly @ Generation Cedar($6.97)

Raising Rock Stars — Kindergarten Bundle by Carissa @ 1plus1plus1equals1($10.00)

The Dig for Kids: Luke (Volumes 1 and 2) by Patrick, husband of Ruth @ The Better Mom ($5.98)

Tell Your Time by Amy @ Blogging with Amy($2.99)

The Homemakers Guide to Creating the Perfect Schedule by Amy @ Raising Arrows ($4.99)

Money Saving Mom's Guide to Freezer Cooking by Crystal @ Money Saving Mom ($3.99)

Real Food Kids: In the Kitchen plus 1 month access to select Real Food Kids eCourse videos by Wardeh @ GNOWFGLINSand Jami @ Eat Nourishing($20.00)

Unbound Birth by Jenny @ The Southern Institute ($4.99)

Truth in the Tinsel by Amanda @ Oh, Amanda!($7.99)

Plan a Fabulous Party by Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect ($4.99)

iPhone Photography: The Visual Guide by Alli @ Alli Worthington($9.97)

Pursuit of the Proverbs 31 by Amy @ Amy Bayliss ($3.99)

Kept: a 13-Week Inductive Study on 1 Peter by Lara and Katie @ Quench Bible($4.99)

Love Like Him: an 8 week Inductive Bible study on 1 Corinthians 13by Lara and Katie @ Quench Bible($2.99)

Good Wife’s Guide by Darlene @ Time-Warp Wife($2.99)

That Works for Me! by Kristen @ We are THAT Family($8.00)

100-pound Loser by Jessica @ Muthering Heights($4.99)

Honoring the Rhythm of Rest by Danielle @ Domestic Serenity ($2.99)

42 Days to Fit by Brandy, Emma and Stacy @ The Marathon Mom($4.99)

The No Brainer Wardrobe by Hayley @ The No Brainer Wardrobe ($7.99)

it's truly an ULTIMATE bundle on all things homemaking at a ridiculously low price. the Ultimate Homaking Ebook Bundle is only available thru Saturday, May 4. click here to buy it now.

affiliate links

around here lately // april 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:16:00 +0000

around here lately, we are wrapping up our school year, enjoying being outside when the weather is nice, taking fun field trips, gardening/working in the yard, and bug-hunting. since we've only been in our new house for 5 months, there isn't too much spring cleaning to do, but i did clean out our closets of outgrown clothes. and it's official, i can no longer shop in the toddler section. no more sizes with T on the end. both kids are in big kid sizes - 5 and 8! it breaks my heart a little every time i walk past the baby/toddler clothes section at Target and into the big kid section, where everything looks so grown-up. *sigh* other than that, here is what's been up around here lately...

resurrection rolls on Resurrection Sunday / "it's empty!"

stopping at parks on pretty Spring days

homemade bird feeders

receipt-inspired prayers

mining for gold-painted rocks

making ginormous bubbles at a new (to us) museum

Bubba learned to read!!!! (proud mama + adorable video alert)

earth day project

this book for my neighborhood book + bible study

loving these free springtime printables from Paper Coterie

and that is what's been going on around here lately! happy Spring, yall!

the hope i cling to in this hurting world

noreply@blogger.com (mama hall) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:31:00 +0000

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

my heart aches for all the pain and suffering in the world today. when i've been praying this week, the only words i can come up with are "Jesus, come back," and "Lord, have mercy."

i can only imagine the hundreds and thousands of people that are searching desperately for answers this week. in their grieving, asking "why, God?!" or worse, "where is God?!" and that hurts my heart as much as the tragedies themselves.

God is there. God is here. He hears your cries and He longs to comfort you.

my plea for Jesus' return is a selfish quick-fix to all the world's mess. i don't want my children to grow up in this dark place where people set off bombs in trash cans, kill one another with guns, and die in horrific accidents. i'm looking forward with hope to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells.

my plea for Jesus' return catches in my throat because i know better. i know He's coming in perfect timing and i know what Jesus is waiting for before He makes His glorious return. He's waiting for me. He's waiting for you. He's waiting for the lost to be saved.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

maybe it's a friend, a co-worker, a spouse, a sister, a neighbor, or maybe it's you He's waiting for. the Lord is waiting patiently for many people to accept the gift of salvation. He doesn't want anyone to perish before His return. He wants everyone to be a part of the new Kingdom - yes, even that person that is so far gone and lost. Jesus told the disciples and this is what He asks of us:

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved..."

Mark 16:15

we can close the gap. we can tell them about Jesus and pray fervently for their repentance and salvation. we are called to play a very important role in His return! that is the hope i cling to in this hurting world.

yes, there is darkness, it's awful. but with God i can have hope for a day with no crying, sighing, or dying. so, i pray and i pray. and my heartache is echoed by this hope, and i'm motivated to do my part for God. my hope is in Him.

kind hearts are the gardens {free printable}

noreply@blogger.com (mama hall) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:31:00 +0000

isn't this a sweet little poem? we came across this poem in one of Bubba's textbooks last week at the end of our unit on plants, flowers and such. both of my kids really enjoyed the metaphor, and we spent some time elaborating.

"kind smiles are the seed!"

"kind high-fives are the leaves!"

and we read some Proverbs, too, to extend the lesson to teach them that God values kindness.

A kind man benefits himself.

But a mean person brings trouble on himself.

Proverbs 11:17 NIRV

Worry makes a man’s heart heavy.

But a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs 12:25 NIRV

Anyone who is kind to poor people lends to the Lord.

God will reward him for what he has done.

Proverbs 19:17 NIRV

i wanted the poem displayed so we could see it every day, memorize it, and live it, so i designed an 8x10 printable poster and put it in an IKEA clips frame. (do they not sell those any more? here is a similar frame on amazon) it will look so pretty in our HCPA school room!

free printable

would you like the "Kind Hearts are the Gardens" printable? download the free printable HERE, for personal use only, please. take care of your gardens! :)

using receipts as prayer prompts

noreply@blogger.com (mama hall) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:23:00 +0000

how many receipts do you have crumpled in your purse right now? at any given time, i have about a half a dozen. as the shopper and purchaser for my family, i typically hang on to my purchase receipts long enough to make sure i don't have to make any returns or exchanges.

those flimsy strips of paper in my purse bug me sometimes. the ones that really irk me are the gas pump receipts. i paid HOW MUCH for gas?? only last week!?!

a few months ago i started doing this quirky little thing with my receipts that has really turned into a fun new way to pursue God. it happened at the gas station after paying an arm and a leg to fill up my tank. $78.07 to be exact. i pulled the receipt out of the machine, got into my gas-guzzler, and stared at that little piece of paper. i couldn't ignore those numbers next to TOTAL: $78.07. they seemed to get bigger and bolder, and i was getting angry at how much i'd just had to spend. and then it happened...i saw something different in those numbers.

i saw 78:7.

i grabbed my phone, opened YouVersion, and searched 78:1. this is what popped up:

Psalm 78:7

it was like a wave came over me. my anger vanished and i was convicted to pray right then and there at the gas pump. Lord, my trust is in You. i will not forget Your deeds and i will keep Your commands. amen. and my day was changed. i drove away from the gas station with a renewed spirit and fresh faith. it. was. incredible.

so i did it again the next time i went grocery shopping. and i did it again when i picked up the dry cleaning. i did it with my Costco receipt and my Dollar Tree receipt. every number next to TOTAL was a chance to dig into God's Word and seek Him in that moment.

here is a handful of receipts from my purse:

and here is where God took me for each receipt:

$61.51 to Matthew 6:15

$74.44 to Luke 7:44

$4.56 to Psalm 45:6

i think God is trying to tell me something about forgiveness and mercy, yes?

this quirky little habit of using my receipts as prayer prompts has given me a whole new perspective on those crinkled up papers in the bottom of my purse. it's a new way of trusting the Lord with my finances and being intentional about praying in every day mundane moments. it is good, yall.

change that little . to : and watch what happens to your spirit.

when motherhood is hard, talk to the Father

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:44:00 +0000

the other day, i sat across the kitchen table from my friend while our boys played a Cars-Spider Man mash-up in the other room. our conversation weaved from vacations, to Costco bargains, from potty training, to stain removal tricks, from picky eaters, to extra-curricular activities, from when to have another baby, to favorite potluck recipes.

and when our words landed on the real hardness of day-to-day motherhood, we'd finally reached the root of the matter. we could talk about couponing and nap times all day long, but deep down, this - the guilt we carry for not being picture-perfect Moms - is what we needed to address.

she feels defeated, she said. raising a four-year-old boy is not for wimps, i agreed. last night, she confesses, she was in tears over how she felt about her son's behavior, and she counted down the hours until she could get a break and put him in the gym's daycare.

"all the other moms always look like they have it all together," she said, chin quivering.

i hugged her and promised "none of us has it all together."

because really, we don't.

and then i added: "it's going to get better."

because really, it is.

the only way i know this is from experiencing the real hardness of day-to-day motherhood myself, and taking it to God. i know this from being a part of various mom groups over the past eight years. i know this from sitting in prayer circles and holding hands with Moms who are in the thick of it and barely keeping their heads above water. i know this from carrying my own "bad mom" guilt.

listen up, mamas. you are not a bad mom for feeling defeated. you are not a bad mom if you don't have it all together. you are not a bad mom if your child isn't potty trained yet. you are not a bad mom if your child hates the new baby. you are not a bad mom for looking forward to when your child is in the gym daycare. mac-n-cheese for dinner again does not make you a bad mom. sending your child to bed without a story does not make you a bad mom. you are not a bad mom if your child didn't eat vegetables today. or yesterday. or organic. you are not a bad mom if your child plays on your iPhone or watches back-to-back episodes of SpongeBob.

please give yourself some grace.

and give your Mom friends some grace, too. if you are having an i've-got-it-all-together day - you know the ones - please remember to smile warmly to the Mom who obviously isn't having that kind of day.

we are raising little ones and it is not always picture-perfect. some days are really hard and that is okay. in the midst of a hard day, fall to your knees, and go straight to God.

when motherhood is hard, talk to the Father. He designed you to be that child's Mama. He designed that sweet little child especially for you. God has so much grace and love for you! i can promise you none of us has is all together and it will get better if you can rely on God. God promises you unending joy, peace, shelter, good things, hope, rest, strength, comfort, security, and so much more. pray for yourself, for your children, for your Mom friends. pray for motherhood. thank Him for good days to come! bring God into focus and breathe in His calm. be intentional about mothering. pour your heart out to Him...put your hope in Him. hard motherhood days are so much easier knowing God is in your corner.

But I trust in you, Lord;

I say, "You are my God."

My times are in your hands...

Let your face shine on your servant;

save me in your unfailing love.

...How abundant are the good things

that you have stored up for those who fear you,

that you bestow in the sight of all,

on those who take refuge in you.

Love the Lord, all his faithful people!

Be strong and take heart,

all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:14-16, 19, 24

around here lately: surprise trip to Disney World...again!

noreply@blogger.com (mama hall) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:21:00 +0000

four years ago, hubby and i surprised the kids with a trip to Disney World. last month, we did it again :)

last time: Bubba was 9 months old and Big Girl was barely 4. that trip involved a stroller, the sling/Bjorn, a diaper bag, nursing, naps, and a pack-n-play. whew.
this time: Bubba is 4 and a half, and Big Girl is 8. this trip involved 2 big kids that waited patiently in long lines, walked for miles, toughed out sun-up to sun-down fun-filled days, and were super appreciative.

last time: keeping the trip a secret was easy breezy! Big Girl couldn't read, and she took naps, which gave me lots of time to plan a surprise visit to Mickey. i came up with a creative way (if i do say so myself) of packing our suitcases without Big Girl realizing what i was doing...read about it here.
this time: keeping the trip a surprise was no small feat! turns out my kids are pretty observant! not only can Big Girl read, she can also read between the lines, so hubs and i had to talk about the trip in cryptic code. but we pulled it off and it was totally worth the number of times i had to bite my tongue! we left for Disney World the day after Blissdom, so i did a quick unpack-laundry-repack without the kids even noticing.

last time: i organized our clothing with rubber bands.
this time: i put each person's clothes in a gallon-size ziplock bag for each day.

this is how i packed for 4 people for 6 days at Disney

last time: we gave Big Girl a ticket to Disney World in her Easter basket and flew out that morning. Big Girl was more confused than surprised, i think.
this time: after church we went to Torchy's Tacos, and when everyone was finished eating i gave the kids a little photo book with pictures from our move, saying how proud of them we are and how much we love them. and then i gave them a brownie with a Mickey Mouse topper that said "We are going to Disney World today!"

totally surprised!

last time: i made really cute custom matching shirts for the kids to wear each day of our trip.
this time: i ordered coordinating shirts for the kids to wear each day of our trip. also, instead of matching shirts, we all wore the same color each day. black and white, red, green, yellow, blue, and coral.

last time: was awesome.
this time: was awesomer.

thank You, Lord, for this amazing vacation with my family,

and for the memories we'll cherish for always.

a rapper, God, and Blissdom

noreply@blogger.com (mama hall) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:48:00 +0000

i heard a story once about a young man who was an aspiring rapper. he was "street," as they say, rapping about the things hardcore rappers rap about, living the "thug" life or whatever. you know what i mean.

he was a good rapper, really, but after years of trying to make it in the industry, as they say, but getting no where, something happened. he heard the Gospel and he decided to live for Christ. he said goodbye to his thug friends, turned away from his sins, gave up on his dream of being a famous rapper, and he gave his life completely to God.

a few years later, the young man, who is now on fire for Jesus and serving in his church and community, is asked to share his testimony during service on an upcoming Sunday. he is honored, and excited. and you know what he does? he raps his testimony. on the stage in front of the congregation on a Sunday morning, this guy raps about Jesus saving him from a life of self-destruction. "the old me is dead and gone," he rhymes into the mic. the congregation claps and nods their heads to the beat, then they cry and stand in ovation, moved by this young man's story. he gives God all the credit.

God gave him the gift of rhyme, and then gave him a stage so that He would be glorified.

it's beautiful. i love the way God brought it full circle.

last month, i had a full-circle-for-God experience. The Seed Company asked me to go to Blissdom '13 in Dallas on their behalf.

first of all, The Seed Company? as in, translating the Bible into languages where it's never been? yes, please and thank You, Jesus. God knows i love His Word and here i am blessed with the opportunity to help get it to people who have never been able to read it because of a language barrier. this #endbiblepoverty stuff is real, and i want to do this work for Him for the rest of my life.

and Blissdom? the first blog conference i ever wanted to attend? right here in my hometown? where 50% of this year's attendees were "newbies"? yes! Lord, thank You for the chance to connect with other bloggers who might be deciding the purpose of their blog, who have a voice and influence online, and i get to share with them the mission of The Seed Company and invite them to blog for The Seed Company! in essence, i get the chance to encourage bloggers to use their online presence to exalt Jesus! praise God.

BlissDom photo

God is putting me in places where i can use my gifts to glorify Him. and it is blessing my heart so much.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

DeAndre raps his testimony with Tyrone Johnson and Hip Hop Nation dancers:

God comforts the homesick

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:07:00 +0000

it has been a week since my homesick meltdown.

that afternoon when i wrote it all out - i was a crying, weepy mess - it had been raining all day long. i took a deep breath, hit the PUBLISH button, and prayed for God's comfort. and you won't believe this, but within a few minutes, the rain stopped. the sky got brighter, and the clouds parted just in time for a beautiful sunset. my weeping started to turn into joy.

God comforts the homesick.

He shows Himself in perfect ways. throughout the week, i know God is working behind the scenes to send me comfort. it's like He's a Mighty Physician and to heal my homesick heart, He prescribes...

a text message from one of my best friends,

storytime playdate with our new neighbors,

an invitation to a fun new play-place with friends from our new church,

and beautiful sunshiney afternoons collecting flowers, leaves and bugs with my little ones.

God is good.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment [as seen from God's eternity], is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope.

This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life."

Psalm 119:49-50

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

good friends are like stars

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:12:00 +0000

source

sometimes the skies are dark and grey for days. the air is thick with humidity, the clouds heavy with empty threats of rain. we watch and wait, and wish either the sun to appear or the rain will fall.

finally, it rains. finally, the burden is too heavy and the weight too much to bear. the skies open up, the clouds give way, and everything pours out. the grey falls. there's no stopping the rain when it's been held in for so long.

that happened.

three months ago, we moved away from our home of seven years, our friends, our church. it was the best thing for our family, we had outgrown that space and needed to be closer to my husband's offices. i guess i've been too busy with moving in, Christmas, birthday parties, homeschooling, job changes, and getting familiar in our new town, to realize the dark and grey clouding up inside.

for three months, i held in the pain and covered my feelings with grey. as i made the long drive back home from a morning with my friends in our old town last week, the burden had gotten too heavy. everything poured out. i couldn't hold it any longer. it spilled and there was no stopping it: i am homesick.

i miss my friends. i miss being with them daily. i miss being right across the street, just a text away, able to meet for lunch on a whim. i miss lending a cup of sugar. i miss keeping her dogs while she's out of town. i miss our kids sprawled out across our driveways. i miss surprises on doorsteps, saving their seats in church, popsicles on hot afternoons, carpooling. i miss being there for them, and knowing they are there for me.

it's an ache i tried not to let infect me, but it's here and it's more painful than i anticipated. because, i tell myself, we aren't that far away. we will still keep in touch! we can see each other any time...it just takes more effort. they will always be my friends, and i will soon make new friends. that is all true. it is. but my heart still aches.

last night, i was trying to cheer myself up, so i baked chocolate chip cookie bars. when they were hot and fresh out of the oven, i wanted nothing more than to walk out my front door and deliver a plate to my dear sweet friends who - in our old neighborhood - lived next door and across the street. chocolate chip cookie bars don't cheer me up...being with my friends does.

life is good here in our new town. my husband is able to be home with us more often, and there are a lot of families with young children on our street. making new friends takes time, i know this.

i'm okay with the rain fall, because the sun always comes out. and when it does, i'll be looking for a rainbow...God's promise that everything is going to be okay.

around here lately: quality time

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:03:00 +0000

quality time makes me happy, happy, happy (my current phone wallpaper)

on the playground.

on a Mommy-Daughter date.

socializing, playing and learning.

with his favorite new "toy."

learning new math.

event planning with The Declare Conference hostesses

in our friend's backyard.

Source: api.ning.com via TheSeedCompany.org on Pinterest

and that's a peek at what's been going on around here lately! hope your weekend is filled with quality time with your loved ones.

quick bathtub safety tip

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:04:00 +0000

a quick bathtime PSA for you, my friends. i know it's random, on the heels of a love letter from God. but this idea was too good not to share.

one of our bathtubs has faucet handles that are not labeled HOT or COLD. they are modern and sleek and i suppose adding H or C or a little blue or red mark would distract from their beauty.

there is no way of knowing whether you're turning on HOT or COLD water except by turning on the water and waiting.

first world problems, i know. but come'on! i'm a Mom and things like bathtub safety are important to me.

here's my quick fix for unidentifiable hot and cold bathtub faucets:

take a red and a blue pony-tail holder and slip it on the handle - red for HOT and blue for COLD.

and there you have it! no more freezing cold or scalding hot bathwater!

you're welcome. {wink}

His good plan

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:07:00 +0000

Dear Daughter,

You should know: I already have a plan for you. It's good. My plan is for you to be happy and hopeful, for you to love life! My plan is that you always know that I am always here for you. I will keep you safe.

I want you to call on me. (I will answer.)

Come to me for all of your needs. You can talk to me anytime. Pray. (I will listen.)

Seek me in all your everyday stuff. Big things, little things, all things. Pursue me with all your heart. (I'm here and I can help.)

I promise my plan is good. Trust me.

I love you.

Sincerely,
God

Jeremiah 29:11-14

{my kids} unplugged

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:11:00 +0000

my kids are 8 and 4, and they live life unplugged.

my mom likes to clip articles from her local newspaper that she thinks i would like, and then she brings them in stacks when she comes to visit. i love it. sometimes, though, the article is so relevant or pertinent or makes such an impact on her that she can't wait to give me the clipping, so she calls me to tell me about it. the other day she read an article about how much time "kids these days" spend watching TV, on the computer, or otherwise doing something involving screen media. she was appalled at the statistics. and as she rattled them off to me, i was, too. children 6 and younger (including infants) are spending between 2 and 4 hours a day in front of a screen.

this isn't new news by any means, but i think it's getting worse.

over the course of the next few days, i watch my children and we live our life and it never really occurred to me how unplugged they really are.

no wonder my mom clipped that shocking article: her grandchildren are (for the most part) unplugged.

they don't have their own i-anythings. we don't have a wii, an x-box, or even a nintendo. they don't have leapsters, no laptops. we don't even have a dvd player. my daughter has a kindle, but it's the very basic kind that's just for reading books. unplugged.

this is on purpose. this is the life we've set up for them. it lets them be little, lets them see their world, explore their surroundings, experience tangible life and moments and memories. this is on purpose. this is a life that isn't keeping a high score, that isn't make-believe. it's real-time, face-to-face, engaging their senses, and engaging one another. they are present, and aware.

we limit how much television they watch and are {very} strict about what they can watch. we are a reading, quiet time, writing, independent play, and listening to our favorite music family. we are outside or on the go. we are in the kitchen or in the playroom. we are collecting bugs and researching plants. putting together puzzles and making a mess with play-doh.

it takes more effort on our part to keep them active and provide them chances to be kids. but it's worth it. there is too much life going on and i don't want them to miss it.

they are 8 and 4, and they live life unplugged.

"Be very careful, then, how you live -

not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity."

Ephesians 5:15-16

never once did we ever walk alone

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 10:01:00 +0000

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

1443. a moment to soak up the bright blue sky
1444. spontaneous trip to the flea market
1445. Sunday afternoons that stretch on and on
1446. overhearing giggles at bedtime
1447. brother-sister love notes
1448. new friends at our new church
1449. worship songs that make me tremble
1450. bright poppy flowers in bloom
1451. planning a surprise vacation
1452. communicating effectively
1453. our new pediatrician
1454. a healthy winter
1455. Command picture hangers
1456. free bacon coupon
1457. repurposing cardboard boxes for play
1458. armloads of books from the library
1459. meeting homeschoolers at the gym
1460. cooking & baking with my husband
1461. Spring in sight
1462. hubs working in the yard and around the house
1463. little helpers
1464. tall icewater and dessert delivered by my sweet boy
1465. Big Girl groggily crawling in bed with me Saturday morning
1466. knowing when to say yes and when to say no
1467. prayerfully planning Declare with an amazing team
1468. friends with a zipline
1469. the entire Dallas Zoo to ourselves
1470. opportunity to help get God's Word to the Bibleless
1471. being part of our local community of homeschooling families
1472. regular lunch dates with my favorite little people
1473. our faithful, faithful God

Matt Redman - Never Once (Live) from matt-redman on GodTube.

show your friends some love {free printable valentines}

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:16:00 +0000

after a morning with my friends at MOPS, i was feeling lovey-dovey and thankful for their friendships, and i was inspired to make these valentine note cards for my girlfriends.

i designed these note cards to be used any time of year. print a bunch to have on hand for any time you want to send some love to a friend's mailbox.

click here to download

click here to download free printable valentines for your friends

simply click, print, cut, and give to friends. friends are a blessing!

i recommend printing on cardstock and using A2 or 4x5.5 envelopes.

happy valentine's day!

so, where do you go to church?

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:12:00 +0000

seven years ago, i sat impatiently in a cold, hard chair in a nondescript room, with dozens of impatient strangers, each of us holding a small piece of paper with a high number on it. we watch the clock, and the slowly changing numbers on the screen. we wait for the number on the screen to match the one on our paper. we watch one another, we fill out forms. that was the last time i was at the DMV.

i don't know how long i waited for my number to be called, hours probably. but i know i don't wish for that time back. as i sat there in that stale, nondescript room with impatient strangers, a woman sat next to me and our conversation changed me.

she was at least 40 years older than i was; her hair was white and she was small. she was at the DMV by herself, too, and she wanted to talk.

my husband and i just moved back to Texas, she has lived here all her life. we have a 6 month old daughter, she has 4 grown children and 14 grandchildren living all over America. i'm getting my Texas driver's license, she's having hers renewed. it's going to be a hot summer, she stays indoors until Fall.

and then she asks me: where do you go to church?

i quickly name the church nearest our new house, adding caveats. we've only been here a month or so, and, we're still looking. i'm sure i squirmed in my seat and checked to see if my number was any closer to being called. she goes on to tell me about her church, the small church on the corner with the Pastor she's known since gradeschool. she invites me in a way that doesn't command a response.

i'm still finding my breath and avoiding eye-contact. what a bold question to ask of a complete stranger in such a gray, public place. who goes there? but... she is old-fashioned and traditional. and a Texan. our conversation quiets. this inner dialog consumes me.

we've been here a month already. why don't we go to church? of course she'd assume we go to church. everyone goes to church. really? does everyone go to church? families go to church. we don't go to church. it's nobody's business. church talk is taboo. no one has ever asked me that before.

no one had ever asked me that before.

i was 27 years old and no one had ever asked me, as an adult, where i went to church. no one had ever made going to church seem so natural, so comfortable, a given, like it's completely normal for everyone.

the next summer, our daughter is 18 months old and in the Butterfly Class every Sunday morning while we are in service. over the course of the year after my chat with the lady at the DMV, my husband and i have serious hard talks about religion, Jesus, heaven, God, the Bible, and church. talks we definitely should have had before we were married. i cry and pray and find my faith, and he does the same. we visited that big church nearest our new home, and others. our relationship with Christ, and with one another, develops and deepens exponentially. we get God's word in our hearts. we teach our children about Jesus. we go to church and church is our family. it is so natural, so comfortable, a given, a new normal for us. not because we want to have an answer when someone asks us, but because in our hearts we know that's where God wants all of His children.

i want to find that lady and thank her for asking me a hard question in such an easy way. she has no idea that i thank God for her, that i wonder if she was an angel on assignment, or Jesus in disguise.

in her honor, i am bold. i ask complete strangers where they go to church. in public places, i talk about our Pastor and last week's message. at the playground while our kids play, i go there. at the library during storytime, i make it natural, comfortable. i bring it up in conversation with the new neighbor. i ask complete strangers where they go to church.

just in case no one has ever asked them before.

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:2

...you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:19-22

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,

even though they are strangers to you.

3 John 1:5

photo credits: French Disko, Robert S. Donovan & jamelah via photopin cc

our conversations chart

noreply@blogger.com (mama hall) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:51:00 +0000

it's amazing the impact scribbled stars on paper has on my children. reward charts have always worked well for us. my kids are suckers for the age-old concept of doing X to earn a star, earn Y amount of stars and get Z, the reward. they like the systematic do this, earn that. the funniest part about it, though, is that we usually only get about a week into the reward chart system before they're doing X automatically, without worrying about earning the star! so when we're working on developing a particular habit, routine, or behavior, it's worth it to me to come up with a reward chart system to motivate them.

the most recent reward chart we had was the Conversations Chart.

the object of this chart was to encourage my children (ages 7 and 4) to engage in proper conversations with grown-ups. this means making eye contact, speaking clearly, and asking and answering questions with an adult, when accompanied by Mom and Dad. for every conversation they have, they earn a star on the chart. for every row of stars they get (4 in a row), they get to order a dessert the next time we eat at a restaurant. {<- to my kids, this is huge, believe me}

so, for instance, when the grocery store cashier asks them "and how are you today?" no more looking down at the ground, kicking the wall while mumbling "good." an acceptable reply - a reply that would earn them a star on the new chart - would be "i'm fine, thank you. how are you?" again, while making eye contact and speaking clearly to the cashier.

to be clear, i don't want my kids engaging in conversations with anyone anywhere. stranger danger! this was a challenge to break out of our little shells and talk comfortably and confidently to adults that we come in contact with in real life. i wanted to take the intimidation factor out of speaking to friendly adults out in public. and it's possible that maybe i wanted to get rid of any hint of a stigma attached to my homeschooled kids that they don't know how to "socialize" with grown-ups. and maybe i'm just tired of defending them with "oh, he's just being quiet today," and answering for them.

the Conversations Chart had amazing results right away! they now order their own meals from waiters at restaurants{star}, they ask the librarian for help to find books or use the computers {star}, they approach and introduce themselves to children at the park {star}, and when someone pays them a compliment, they respond with thank you and a comment to engage a conversation {star}. Big Girl, my shy one, struck up a conversation with and befriended a little girl on the playground the other day. that's a big deal for her! Bubba, who's biggest hurdle was speaking clearly, is making a valiant effort to have conversations with grown-ups and fill his chart with stars. he's more competitive and really likes dessert. both of them beam with pride when they've had a conversation with someone new. and i've noticed the grown-ups are quite impressed by their behavior, too.

after about 5 days of seeking opportunities for conversations and drawing stars on their charts, the conversations started becoming natural. they forgot about the chart but remembered the habit. their blossoming self-confidence is a greater reward than dessert.

those little stars scribbled in squares have great impact. but i pray the greatest impact is in my children's lives and in the lives of the grown-ups that get to have a conversation with them.

suddenly eight

noreply@blogger.com (Eryn Hall) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:04:00 +0000

born quickly on a cold and snowing night
we welcomed her in the Colorado winter of 2005
our firstborn, our first unfathomable, selfless love
our sweet girl, soft-spoken and thoughtful

she is energy and bounce, play and go
she is pinks and purples, greens and yellows
she is giggles and bubblegum, glitter and skirts
she is "all by myself" and "i want to help"

she is reading or writing, singing or dancing
she is memory-keeper and treasure collector
she is eager helper and hopeful optimist
she is loving big sister and loyal friend

she is motivated, work hard, play harder

she is bug-hunting and swing-setting

she is "love God, love others"

she is fun, adventure, and brave

and suddenly, she is eight.

happy 8th birthday to my sweet girl :)