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I heard a drop of water...

2012-01-14T07:00:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, after I picked up my boys from school I headed over to Costco for some groceries. On my way, I stopped because a lady was getting out of her car and it was on fire. I grabbed a fire extinguisher from the gas station next to her and ran over and put it out. She ended up being very unappreciative so I left. That woman has been on my mind all night. So, at 6 a.m. I decide I can't lay in bed and toss and turn over this situation anymore. I decided a hot bath was what I needed to clear my head and a talk with our Father. My thoughts about my week were churning and I had to pray for a clear mind. After I prayed for this lady my mind became focused on the devotion I needed to prepare for today. See, I was asked to do a devotion for the kids at our church that play Upwards Basketball. My kids don't play so I have struggled with this all week. It was only after I prayed for the situations I was struggling with that God cleared my head and gave me the devotion...

I heard a drop of water.

When I saw the ripple in the water I immediately though of 1 act of kindness, spreading through the lives of people we touch. The ripple is strong and condensed at first but as it moves out and spreads it becomes smaller and weaker until it is unrecognizable. However, 1 drop of water changes the entire dynamic of an ocean. So, I thought about many drops of water and their affect. At some point, not only will the acts of kinds noticeably change the water but, the water will begin to overflow.

We all have gifts that we can use to pour out onto others. We can not worry about running out or feeling dry because God replenishes our hearts. We can not out give our God.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23

God wants us to get better at using our abilities and then use the to serve God and share His love with others.

The Oak Project

2012-01-07T15:20:00.001-05:00

The Oak Project from Jeff Neal on Vimeo.

I'm posting this for my sweet friend Kelly who is spreading her joy and laughter to those who need it most in our community. Visit the Oak Project to give them your support.

Beauty From Ashes: The Story of Rubble-Wear by Marian Hientz

2012-01-02T10:39:00.001-05:00

Click Here to Donate

The necklaces will be given for a minimum $25 dollar donation. It’s a great gift and every bit of the money you give goes toward bringing beauty from the ashes! People will also ask about your necklace because it is so unique and that gives us all the chance to keep Haiti active in conversations among your communities.

Shortly after returning from a trip to Haiti in mid-2010, Kelly brought me a piece of rubble. It was from the destroyed neighborhood where Lovencia (who Kelly is adopting) used to live. I took this piece of rubble and turned it into a sun-catcher and gave it to Kelly as a gift.

Kelly-being-Kelly, wore the sun-catcher around her neck. Next thing you know people were constantly asking her, “What is that?”. As she explained to people where the necklace came from, conversations about Haiti grew within her circle of friends and among strangers. Bobbie, who also had also picked up rubble from Lovencia's neighborhood, soon requested that her piece be turned into a necklace as well. Of course I was glad to do it! She started sharing stories from Haiti with her co-workers, friends and strangers who became intrigued with her necklace. People were not only asking about the significance of these necklaces, but were also interested in how they could have one of their own. Long story short, that first sun-catcher-turned-necklace evolved into the idea of making jewelry out of rubble.

Hence, the birth of “Rubble-Wear”.

The next thing you know, we were asking our friends at Maison orphanage to send us a suitcase full of rubble from their streets so we could make jewelry. We heard later that they laughed and said that Kelly must be crazy! Pierre, the director of Maison, visited the states in December 2010, and delivered the rubble filled suitcase to us. I began to train our local community of inner city single mothers, volunteers, friends and family to make the jewelry. Two months later, I was on a plane to Port au Prince to train the caretakers of Maison Orphanage on how to do the same.

When I first got to Haiti it immediately became clear that I would not be able to teach everyone all of the skills they needed to know in the short time that I had there. Most of these ladies had never even held pliers before, much less considered making jewelry. I had to quickly determine who had natural skill and who I could train to later train the other nannies. By the end of the second day I knew who that would be - Glorieuse.

Kelly

While I was teaching I had an excellent translator, but communication was still a challenge. This is another reason why I picked Glorieuse. She and I seemed to click on a deeper level and we responded exceptionally to each other non-verbally. I could touch her hand or re-position a tool and she would totally understand. She was a very quick, willing and skilled student. I left Haiti hoping she would be able to teach the others and keep working. Glorieuse proved to be a very diligent and faithful worker. She trusted us even though not all of the financial details were worked out. Even when others thought she was foolish for continuing she kept working.

It has been an amazing process to help empower another person and see hope return to their heart. Leadership is a new role for Glorieuse, but I strongly believe in her and her ability, vision and perseverance. I greatly treasure her trust in us as we continue to work out the many details for the growth and success of Rubble-Wear.

Rubble-Wear has so much potential. Our dream is that it would initially help sustain the nannies' jobs at Maison Orphanage, which are endangered due to the financial hit and long term devastation of the earthquake. The next step would be to provide special grants to help the caretakers with their number one desire - schooling for their kids. Our ultimate long term goal is to build an apartment complex for the nannies and their families on the orphanage's new property.

My heart is to keep hope alive in these precious women of Maison and to bring some sustainability to their lives. I believe that Rubble-Wear can do that, but we have a long way to go to make this happen. This is where YOU can enter the Rubble-Wear story. By purchasing these unique pieces of handmade jewelry, you have the opportunity to be an advocate for our Haitian friends.

Organize Your First Aid Kits

2012-01-01T19:43:00.004-05:00

It's that time of year when things are starting over and the same goes for restocking stuff around the house. The first on my list this year was my first aid kit. I mentioned on my facebook page that I had done this and someone asked me what I include in my kids. Here is a list that you can print and keep in your kit to make sure it stays fully stocked.

Click image to print full size card

This is a basic list and you can add anything else you feel is necessary. With 3 boys, I have to know where this kit is at all times. In the past it has been in a high cabinet. Now it is in a place that my children can get to if they need it.

Bottles such as this hydrogen peroxide, spray on solar cane for burns or calamine lotion all go in my medicine cabinet in the downstairs restroom.

Two kits are hung in our pantry doors and a copy of instruction that came with our kids on how to treat injuries and basic first aid instructions. Proudly, I renewed my Red Cross CPR and First Aid Certification last January. I encourage all moms and dads to find a class and take it. It's only a few hours out of your life but having the knowledge could save a life.

Organize Those Toys Already!

2012-01-01T17:03:00.002-05:00

What have you been waiting for? I mean really! There is no excuse for a kids room to ever have toys out. My boys room is always spot clean and totally walk throughable every single day. You believe me don't you? Don't you?

Actually, I have spent almost two days purging toys from my kids room. I even repainted to just make the walls look clean again. Yes, I painted the same color. There is just no excuse for having so many toys. I finally started piling everything in the middle of the room and began sorting and here is the result.

Jealous?

Don't be, you can do this too. First, let go of any emotional attachment that YOU have to the toys. I don't care if Aunt Margo gave it to your child 3 birthdays ago and you just love Aunt Margo. Then buy some cheap containers that are shoe box size. I bought 10 and one of them busted during transport so I used that odd ball wipes box on the bottom shelf. It works. Here's a close up.

Simple labels with matching colors makes me feel so much better now. I started to get all cute with the letters and then two things struck me as being important.

1. The letters need to be clear and readable for my emerging readers. Notice how the letter style is mostly lines and circles. Just like the letters my boys are learning to write.

2. Simple = Not Busy: I have mentioned before that my ADD causes me to become unorganized and unfocused very easy. So, if I keep it simple, I find it easier to read (even for me) and not as distracting when I'm trying to clean up in a hurry.

Doesn't that look much better than the first picture of their toys on the floor. Say it with me...yes it does!

What about those bigger toys you say?

Here's one box of their most played with bigger toys and here is the rest of them that we kept.

2 drawers of train sets and the rest are random toys and stuffed animals. That's it!

This is hidden in an alcove in the closet and can't be seen.

And then I look out in the hall at the rest of the mess I've got to purge, put away, wash and organize.

oh and just to show you want a Mom with ADD deals with when cleaning...

This is the pile of things that were left on the bed after I put toys away and they simply need a home in another space. This is overwhelming to me and frustrating. This is the part that makes me me want to go lay down and ignore it all.

I put them away.

Yay me!

Then I made the bed.

7 Habits of Highly Organized People

2011-12-29T15:23:00.001-05:00

People tell me I am organized but the truth is that I have to try to be in order to deal with my adult ADD (lol, no seriously). My world quickly becomes messy and chaotic and unfocused. I struggle every day to achieve a sense of organization and I have 3 little boys that like to undo that sense of achievement daily.

I am curious to know what someone else would consider 7 habits to be, but I had to consider why it is important to me to stay organized...

1. I hate looking for things I know I have.

2. I don't like stepping over, in or around messes.

3. I don't like the feeling that I forgot something.

Then I thought to myself, I realize that everyone has their own methods so I thought I'd share with you 7 things. What are your 7 things? Grab the first image above and write your own post.

Spread the sanity!

1. Find a planner you like and keep it on you at all times.

When I don't have my planner with me, I don't write things down and then that is when the doctors office calls to tell me I missed an appointment. I made my own planner cover awhile back that I'm proud to carry and it also has space to stick notes and reciepts so that I can file them or follow up on them later. So, I write down everything in my planner and I keep post-it tabs to mark important places as well as clips to hold my place in my calendar. Can't forget that I keep a pen or pencil ready as well.

2. File everything that is important and throw away the rest.

A few months ago I reorganized our filing cabinet and used these fabulous labels from BHG. I keep the extra labels in their own file so that if I need to make new files...I have the labels ready to use. I have learned that if I keep important papers in important places that they are always ready when I need them. I purge before I file. Do I file constantly...NO! I keep a small letter tray on top of my cabinet and after a week or so I then file. Be realistic, we don't have time to sort our mail and file daily. Once a week is good and once every two weeks is good enough. Just make sure you do it at least every two weeks.

3. Everything has a place...everything needs to be in its place.

I almost roll laughing because while I believe this is true...this is where I struggle. We all have junk drawers, baskets full of "stuff" and corners with piles in them that need to be organized. Seriously though, this morning I organized my first aid kits (yes, both of them) and this time I hung them inside the pantry door. That makes me feel much better about having a place for first aid that everyone will be aware of ...daily. I have made a list of areas in my home that need to be organized or a place needs to be made for items. For example...my own tools. I can never find the right drill bit, screw driver, hammer or screws. It's time for a place. So, it is true that everything needs it's own place and probably if you can't find a place...ditch it!

4. Take the time to clear off all counter tops and tables...ALL of them!

Clutter is a persons worse enemy with ADD. It doesn't mean shove it all in drawers and cabinets. Just looking at these surfaces makes me happy and it feels clean and I know that the "stuff" that would normally be on there is organized. As I type, I feel this urge to go make sure my counters are clear. I do have a few things that I keep out for "decoration" or are necessary to keep "handy" but everything else is to put away... no jewelry, no papers from school, no half burned candles, no empty wrappers...you get the picture.

5. De-Clutter every weekend.

This is something I don't do often enough. Every weekend is my goal and if I can do one closet or one cabinet, that helps me stay organized. This simple, bag or box things you don't need or haven't used in 6 months. If it's seasonal for more than 6 months then box it and store it somewhere else...attic, garage, moms house. ; ) Stay in control of this as well. When my husband starts to put away items and it looks cluttered...it's time to purge again. Donate or sell the items. I tend do donate because if I think I'll sell it, I'll keep it and sell it at a once a year garage sale and who needs to hold on to stuff that long...no one. Either sell it within a month or donate it to a good cause.

5. If you walk by it...pick it up and put it away.

The general rule is that if you walk by it, it should be picked up and put in it's proper place. I love this rule! Now if I can teach it to the 4 men that live in this house. Even the littlest man could do this.

6. Clean your sinks.

When the sink sparkles, it tends to make the rest of the room sparkle too. Bathroom, kitchen or laundry room... it's like the clean spills over onto the counter tops, the toilets, the tubs and showers. The clean is contagious when it comes from your sink. You may even find that you have organized under your bathroom cabinet or drawers after a simple swipe of the sink...don't forget the mirrors while you're at it. Yes, window cleaner is the trick for shine on counters, sinks and mirrors.

7. Label, label, label

This is the most important part of organizing. Label as much as you can so there is no mistaking of an items place. Use attractive, clean labels. Confusion is the nemesis of organization. Labels are the key to organization and if all areas of organization are labeled.

These are my 7! Which are basically the top 7 things on most peoples list as well. There is commonality among us. What are your 7? Grab the top image and share with everyone your 7 habits.

Nail Fetish

2011-12-21T16:57:00.000-05:00

Have you tried "sponging" your nails? I am in love! I love the look of glitter, like it was drizzled down the nail. The technique is so simple and the looks are endless with combinations of colors and glitters. I simply put a drop of glitter on a piece of paper and dipped a sponge in and sponged the glitter on. My favorite sponge so far is the disposable eye make-up sponges. They have the little handle and I can throw them away. Give it a try! I think you'll love it too.

Oh and I LOVE the little polish bottles that have the tiny brushes for detailed painting. I am only able to do zebra stripes but I think I'm going to attempt swirls next. Can you guess which undercoat is my current fav?

Chronicles of a Returning Teacher

2011-12-17T19:56:00.004-05:00

The journal of my return to the teaching world after 9 years as a stay at home mom... The Reading Tailor

A New Obsession

2011-12-16T21:41:00.002-05:00

It is not by accident that I have a new obsession. It is quite on purpose. When I was still homeschooling Cooper, we skipped much of 3rd grade and moved onto 4th grade material because it was on his level. We picked up any missing pieces from 3rd as a we went along. During that time we studied Native American history and he read "The Double Life of Pocahontas" by Jean Fritz. Today, I printed off the objectives for my new teaching position and I was not surprised (but excited) to see that we would be studying American Indians.

Yes, I am teaching now. No, this is not sudden. I have been an interim teacher for since November. I graduated with my masters degree on December 10th and I have made my way into a permanent teaching position which is to start the second week of January...fresh and new. I have been told to go into the position as if it is the first day of school, from scratch, day one! Yay me! Yay kids!

I had so much fun teaching Cooper last year on this same material. The first thing I want to do is find copies (enough for a class room set) of the Jean Fritz book. This book basically covers 90% of the objectives under the "Culture" section. There is so much that can be taught using this story. Mainly I want to use it to help teach the kids that the people in these stories are real. They existed just like you and I. They had lives, thoughts, feelings and motives that are basic to all of us. Their impression on our world and history has been made and in doing so is much like a finger print in history.

My blog may be taking a more educational theme. I can not totally commit to education here because this blog is about my life. I do have another blog that is currently private. I am considering using it for my teaching materials.

So, my current obsession is to track down and find the best teaching methods for my children for my first year in 4th grade. There are several blogs I am currently stalking for classroom management and general classroom ideas...

Wells Tale of the 4th Grade Nothing
Shepherds Shining Stars
My Life as Fifth Grade Teacher
Fourth Grade Fanatic
Fourth Grade Frolics

Our photo shoot!

2011-12-04T17:33:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again...time to get those Christmas cards in the mail. I am determined to get mine out before New Years. ha! We had fun today during our photo shoot. I really need to figure out how to get my oldest to relax though. I had envisioned this door in a field that could lead to anywhere, kind of like out of a movie when there is a lone door and you don't know where you'll end up if you step through it. Of course on the other side of this door is my husband. ; 0 )

My Alternative Christmas Tree Project

2011-12-03T19:18:00.001-05:00

Every year I hang ornaments with filament string, I usually hang them from my kitchen chandelier. This year I improvised so that I could design one in the shape of a Christmas tree. I have seen similar trees on Pinterest and found one that was similar to the one I have been dreaming of. I used a slightly different approach than the one I found but I love the way it turned out. My husband and I are devising a plan to make one next year that is as big as our regular tree, suspended above the ground and hopefully also with lighting. Here is the link to the original idea. Hers is much taller than mine because her ornaments are much more spread out and I love that too.

DIY Mounted Prints

2011-11-12T13:35:00.001-05:00

This is one of my favorite pictures of my oldest son. He is caught a frog at an Easter Egg hunt and was so proud. For a long time I have wanted to put it in a frame but when I found some photo blocks at a thrift store I decided this is what I was going to do.

I bought all 4 picture blocks which were meant to make up a flower when they were hung together in the right order. Instead I spread mod podge over the old flower print and printed the photos I wanted on them directly off my printer. I wanted black and white to go with my black, white and pale blue them in my hallways. I enlarged the images so that they'd print at least 8.5 wide and then i trimmed off any extra so that they fit perfectly onto the blocks. I then spread mod podge over the top (you can see the lines of it before it dries in the picture).

The blocks are hollow so they have pre-drilled holes for hanging. The mod podge dries clear, I used a matte finish but it also comes in glossy. For now they are sitting on on my palette shelves in the living room. This is a super easy way to get your favorite photos on the wall. I am also thinking that you could use high quality plywood, have it cut to the size you want at your hardware store, have your images printed at your local drug store with printing services in poster size and do your own larger images.

Have fun with this. Remember too that if you print them yourself, it's easy to undo or redo after a mistake.

Materials Used:
Mod Podge
Regular at home printer
White Card Stock
Paper Trimmer
Mounts
Oh, and an old palette for the display.

Educated Dum Dums

2011-11-12T10:59:00.001-05:00

My kids have been in the Halloween candy this morning, specifically Dum Dum's.

Jake started laying them out on the table as he'd finish one and start making letters. He was pretending to be the teacher and I had to tell him what letter he made. Too CUTE!

I know that's alot of Dum Dums but he had help...don't judge.

And he developed a good lesson on symmetry...he's just 4. ; )

Day 40: Grow Old Along With Him

2011-11-09T18:02:00.000-05:00

I'm breathing a sigh as I post this last post of the 40 Day Challenge. What an amazing journey this has been for me personally. I started the challenge to strengthen my marriage and to force myself to study on what it means to be a wife to my husband. It was time for a revival in my marriage. There has been nothing quite so personal as spilling out my marital woes for all to read and nothing so impersonal as doing so on a computer screen.

What I have learned in 40 days with God is that my marriage is much stronger than I gave it credit, that my marriage woes are in God's hands, that God will give me the wisdom to fix imperfections in my marriage, that the Word of God is the only book I truly need and because I have chosen to walk closer to God He in turn has blessed me with His guidance. Let me share with you my blessings.

When I started this challenge, I was bitter and angry with my husband. I felt unloved, unappreciated and our marriage was dull and dry. In the course of 40 days, God has molded me and polished me and changed my entire outlook on my situation. I realized that when I felt most helpless in my marriage, that I had the tools to make my marriage exactly what I wanted it to be all along. God revealed himself in so many little things along this journey.

Today was the 40th day of the challenges! Today, while sitting in class I received a text message from my husband. He simply said..."I Love You!" It was something so small but meant the absolute world to me. It made me want to jump up and down in my seat. My husband never takes the time to say "I Love You" out of the blue., he's a busy man. He says it everyday but never spontaneously. He will not hang up the phone with me without saying "I Love You" but it's is different when it is out of the ordinary for a husband to do something loving. For me, this was a golden moment and it came at the best time...my 40th day.

40 days ago, I wanted my husband to do something small with feeling. 40 days ago my marriage was not the marriage I wanted. Today, I am a changed woman. Today, I am happy with my marriage. God did not make changes in my husband without first making changes in me. For that I am as blessed as can be. I cannot wait to see what the next 40 or more years will bring for us.

There is so much more to be learned and experienced that we couldn't possibly do it all in 40 days but if you have followed the challenges and posts, I hope that you have been blessed. If you feel that they fell short of something, I encourage you to seek your own 40 day challenge. These challenges are here for the using and I would love to know all about the blessings and works God has done in your marriage as a result of you studying and becoming closer to Him.

My prayer for you is that your marriage grows stronger and the two of you grow closer every single day in God's grace.

Today's Challenge: To share with your husband your experience with God during the last 40 days.

Day 39: For Husbands

2011-11-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

"And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him...And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam...and he took one of his ribs...And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man" Genesis 2:18, 21-22

Head: What does being a help meet mean to a husband? What does God teach concerning the role of a husband?

The first and most important thing to know is that when studying on marriage, it is not the wife's place to study on what a husband should do and it's not the husband's place to study on the wife's "place". It is the responsibility of each to study on one's own responsibilities only and stay focused on God's guidance.

"For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man" 1 Corinthians 11:8-9

The good wife's guide.

Because your wife, your help meet, was created perfectly for you; wouldn't you want to treat her as you would treat yourself? For everything that you want for yourself in your marriage, you should also want for your wife; love, kindness, respect, etc. It is God's plan that husband and wife are ONE in marriage and that being the case, it does not mean equal. It means that your weaknesses are to be made stronger by your wife's strengths and your wife's weaknesses are made stronger by your strengths. It's a little like putting together a puzzle with each others pieces to create one beautiful "picture" of life together.

Heart: Your wife's divine calling is to be your help meet, to help you be the man, husband, father, etc. that you need to be. In order to do that your wife needs you to honor her with respect and love. It's the little things that husbands do to show their love for their wives that keep the wives going. God's guidance and prayer will show her how she can please her husband but it's important that husbands recognize the burden that wives carry as help meets.

I am not going to rattle off all the responsibilities of a husband as are Biblically true, but I am going to encourage them to study on God's Word to learn more about how to love and cherish as God intends.

Hands: That the husband take up the responsibility as the spiritual leader in the home and start today on studying a husbands role in God's Word with prayer.

Day 38: Love and Money Don't Mix

2011-11-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

Head: It is NO secret that one of the most discussed issues that husbands and wives fight about is money. Lack of money causes so much stress in a marriage when we don't know how to respect the "lack of". Many times the issue of our finances involve secrecy. There are only a few things in a marriage that should remain secret between a husband and wife...surprise birthday parties, embarrassing nicknames in elementary school and Christmas gifts. The last thing that should be a secret is money. Some couples believe it works well for them to have a "yours, mine and ours" approach to finances but what does God have to say...

"This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." Genesis 2:24

We can not begin to fathom where God was going when He said husband and wives become one. You shouldn't feel like you have to protect yourself and your belongings. You should be working to protect your spouse both physically and emotionally. As wives we should give up ownership in our marriage and replace it with stewardship. We can no longer be obsessed with stuff because it will be gone tomorrow.

"The goal in marriage is not to think alike, but to think together." Robert C. Dodds.

One of the best pieces of advice that my dad gave my husband and I was to have a joint account, to put our money together. We've tried together and apart and ultimately, together has worked out best. It doesn't hurt for us to have a savings account for just in case, as a matter of fact, I highly recommend it. Several years ago I handed my husband the checkbook and bills and said, "handle it". I did so because I wasn't being respectful with our money. I was not using his hard earned money to pay bills or get us out of debt. If I saw any room to fudge or wiggle, I took it. While he was paying bills, we paid off. I made a little money on the side that we used for extras that we needed and guess what...extra's equaled gas and groceries. Husband paid the bills first and if there was no money for groceries, so be it. God proved all the while.

Heart: We made our financial mistakes early in our marriage and have been paying the consequences and continue to but we see the light. Recently, God finally put my heart in the right place to offer to my husband to relieve him of his bill paying, checkbook balancing duties and I pray that I do right by our money. My husband works to hard to provide for his family and I have to respect the money that he brings home. If I were going to recommend you read any financial advice it would be that of Dave Ramsey. I'm no expert but he has guided many marriages to making important financial decisions from a Biblical basis. Pray for God's guidance on this issue, ask Him for his advice on the issue.

Hands: If financial troubles plague your marriage and you have secrets or even separate accounts, I encourage you to consider the advice above. If you do not have troubles currently, I still encourage you to consider the advice. Ultimately, resolve to respect the money earned and prepare yourselves.

Day 37: Where Children Are Involved

2011-11-06T11:40:00.001-05:00

"The most important thing a mother will do for her children is to create an atmosphere of peace and joy by deeply loving their Daddy and being satisfied with life." Debbi Pearl

Head: If you don't believe this quote, maybe you will by the end of this post. Mrs. Pearl goes on to talk about an study she and her husband did. Out of 75 children interviewed only 3 children said their home was "happy". Out of the children who did not think they had a happy home, their number one wish was simple...they wished Mom and Dad would learn to love each other. This is a post that involves marriages with children.

Those 75 children and their answers lead the Pearl's to the conclusion that in order to love your children we as wives should "Love their daddy. Honor their daddy. Obey their daddy. Forgive their daddy." Of course the same goes for husbands concerning us but this study isn't for our husbands, it's for us wives.

Mrs. Pearl also gives examples of letters from women who live in "tense" home situations and how they are looking to God to break a cycle. Tense does not equal danger, so don't mistake the two please. If you and your children are in danger, seek help immediately. If you call your medical insurance company and doctors office for advice one of the first things you will hear is..."If this is an emergency, hang up and dial 911". The same goes for your marriage.

Children do not make marriages better. They do not fix problems and the do not change husbands. Only Jesus can change husbands that need to be changed. Did you catch that...only Jesus, not even you. Children are a factor in marriages, they even bring stress. No woman ever wants her husband to feel negatively towards their children but it happens. Some women do keep having children in hopes that it will change their husband or fix their marriage but that's just not going to happen. I think I've seen it happen on TV a few times but not ever in real life.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6)

Heart: One day, all of us mom's are going to stand before God and give an account on how we have trained up our children. Being a mother is an honor and it is a job, it's not a grandmothers job, a teachers job, or a baby sitters job to train our children. It is a privilege to be a mother and to honor God in the way we raise them. Don't let the word "training" confuse you. It does not mean discipline as some texts say, its true Hebrew meaning is to "dedicate". In order to dedicate your children, you must dedicate yourself, your time and your child to what God desires. It is not a suggestion, it is a command of God that we train them and training them is a full time job. It also means that you are dedicating your time to your child to show them the good things in life that God has to offer and how to live a life to honor God.

Dad's and husbands can not take the place of a momma but they offer security. Your husband is depending on you to do the rest. A husband that works hard everyday to provide wants his wife to respect him, even husbands that don't work want respect. Although husbands may not always know how to show us their love like we would want them to, take notice and give praise for the husband that does work hard to provide security for his family and you can handle the rest.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth." III John 1:4

Now, all this being said I will say that these are things I practice but I often fall short of my own responsibilities. However, this is day 37 of my challenges and I have to say that respecting how hard my husband works has made a difference in our marriage and God has given me a calmness at times when I normally would lose all patience with my children. These are not words that I do not practice myself and I have to remind myself to seek God daily. God reveals his works daily and the closer we walk with Him, the more often we see his works, especially in our marriage.

Today's Challenge: When you talk about your husband or your children's father in front of you children do so with encouragement and respect.

Easy Meds or Vitamin Reminder

2011-11-06T11:28:00.001-05:00

This is a simple way to help your husband, child, yourself to remember to take daily meds or vitamins. When they are hid away in a medicine cabinet they are often forgotten. Put these on the fridge or on the door as you are leaving and they will never be forgotten again.

Jar Full of Stars

2011-11-05T22:20:00.001-04:00

You know how you see an idea and you just have to make it happen, not matter how long it takes? Or in my case, how bad it makes your fingers hurt?

I sate for hours today folding stars for a reward jar in my classroom. There are several tutorials/ideas that I pinned on pinterest. This is the tutorial that was my favorite. I'm in love even thought my fingers really are sore.

The idea with these is the same as when I used marbles. For every good deed I see the children get a star, when the jar is full...reward! I could have done bigger stars or a smaller jar I suppose but I really wanted a ton of them so that the kids could earn a reward based on MANY good deeds done.

Days of the Week Outfit Tags

2011-11-05T21:06:00.000-04:00

This weekend I am spending the better part of my days getting ready to go back to work full time. That means my home needs to be able to function without me being here. My darling husband is going to be taking the kids to school and so, those 4 boys will need help getting each other ready for school. I've always wanted to make tags for their clothes for the week so that they don't have to guess as to what to wear. This will prove especially helpful for the two little boys who "almost" wear the same size but don't. I made these tonight and have put them on a PDF download for you as well. Scroll down for the download links.

Download the Boy Tags Here. Oh, and I made Girl Tags too..

Print them on card stock, cut them out, punch the holes and tie them with a string.

Day 36: Love Teaches, Love Learns

2011-11-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

⁴That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, Titus 2:4

Head: A woman that has been married 40 years can minister to someone that has only been married 6 months and a woman that has been married 9 years can minister to someone that has been married 7 years. It's our duty as women to teach each other what we have learned from God and our experiences should be shared. These days, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find role models of marriage as God intends. A woman, who has been only with her husband and has spent many years, not giving up and finding happiness for them both along their journey through life is a woman that God describes as a jewel to her husband, women that are worth more than rubies (Proverbs 31). These are the godly women we should be looking too in times of need in our marriage.

Heart: A few years ago I was listening to a woman talk about her marriage, how see felt stuck, wanted out, didn't know where to turn or what to do. So, she called her mom up on the phone for advice. The only problem was her mom had recently blindsided her second husband with divorce and was living with her new boyfriend. My first thought was; there has to be someone better to give advice even if it is your mom. Later, I heard the statistic that 1:2 marriages are ending in divorce today. 40 years ago that statistic was 1:50. So, I had to consider, how does the experience of our "family" and our "friends" affect our marriage? Is it a bitter cycle? Do we not have free will and control over our own decisions? The Bible instructs us women to teach the younger generations how to love their husbands. Are the older generations really failing us?

Today I also heard an amazing lady on the radio named Barbara Wilson. Her message and ministry were amazing to hear. She has written several books about how ones sexual past affects our marriages and how God can release women from those bonds in order to move forward in their marriages. I encourage anyone who has a sexual past outside of their current marriage to listen to her message and read her books. She is a woman who is ministering to other women and a shining example of some one who is doing what God wants in Titus 2:4. Using the Bible, prayer and her own life; she shows us how we can be free from our past mistakes or experiences in order to help our marriages move forward.

God wants us to seek advice from others, we just need to be selective about who we take advice from. Mostly importantly, we should be taking advice from God and His Word. His Word is the final say

Hands: Make a list of ladies you know who you can seek counsel with on marriage in times of need. List the reasons you think those women are pillars to look up to. When the time comes you will have them to talk to.

Day 35: Personal Growth Grows Love

2011-11-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

Head: Yesterday, I talked about making "time" or "rearranging" time but today I want to talk about making "room to grow". Have you ever heard or thought about what one of the number one reason's a relationship is destroyed? Recently, I read that it was "control". That when one person controls another, it can destroy their relationship. Now, I'm not sure if that's the number 1. But I can certainly see why and have seen examples in relationships where control constantly hurt another.

In my own marriage there have been more times than I want to count and am ashamed of where I have tried to "control" my husband. Controlling my husband is not the "help meet" that God intended. I might have justified the control by saying I thought something was best for him. Others might control their spouse because they fear change or because they don't want them to get an upper hand in the relationship. However, what does the Bible say about love...

"Love is patient, love is kind and love is not jealous". 1 Corinthians 13:4

The other day, I posted a "saying" on my facebook page referencing that opposites attract and that those opposites can make our relationships stronger. I received one comment about how that was "so true" and another comment about how "yeah but, my husband doesn't even consider me." The message I was hoping that would brighten someones day is that, no matter our differences, God puts us together so that our differences, strengthen each other. My husbands short falls, are my strengths. My short falls, are his strengths. When we recognize that this is how it is suppose to work, we grow. We don't tear each other down for what we may think is a weakness, we build each other up with our strengths.

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 21:9

Heart: As we consider growing out of control and into accepting differences, we also need to consider how the works God has placed in nature can help us grow. This weekend end I was trimming back the thorny, over grown rose bushes in my back yard and found several empty birds nests. My mom always used to say, "Even birds build their homes, before they lay their eggs." This was my mom's way of saying "marriage, then sex". But what I found was interesting is that the birds lived among the thorns. They built their nests together in a place that would protect them and yeah, sure the thorns were a nuisance to other animals, they were a safe haven for them. They also got to enjoy the bushy green leaves dotted with many pink roses, even for a short time. I also then thought, you know Jesus wore the crown of thorns and with Jesus our marriage, home and children are safe.

Hands: Go back to the list you made earlier in your challenges of your spouses weaknesses or make one now. Now, consider how your strengths that make his weaknesses stronger. Make a note of them and again, thank your husband for one of his strong suits.

Day 34: Love Has a Language

2011-11-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Head: Don't we all wish there were more hours in a day sometimes, that we had more time or could make more time. I've heard of "making time for" things but we can't really, all of our time is already allotted out everyday in the same increments for everyone. We can not "make" anymore time than we already have.

Of course what we can do is rearrange our time so that we have more time for the things that need more time. Today, you are going to consider time for your husband. The thing about time is that once it has passed by, like water in a river, we can't make it go the other way and we can't take back what is already gone. The great thing about life is, we often get second chances, we often get redo's. God is gracious and gives us chance after chance to accept his Son. But just like everything, even time, one day the chances will be removed from time. So, we must consider that if our time is going to run out at any moment in our lives, we should make time to tell our spouses how much they are appreciated, cherished, loved and needed.

"The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the war of teh wise seeketh knowledge." Provers 18:15

Heart: It's time to get to know your spouse through communication. We've all heard of the book/phrase, "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus." It is simply an example that we communicate differently and our expectations are different. There is a book out as well called "The Five Love Languages" by Dr. Gary Chapman. I haven't read it but I have read that in his book he says that people tend to show love in 5 predominate ways. Read them and decide for yourself if you think they are correct.

Acts of service.
Gift giving
Words of encouragement
Quality time.
Physical touch.

Us wives would pick "quality time" most of the time I'm sure. I can't tell you how many of my girlfriends crave, "date night" with their husbands and are like teenagers when they get it. I love it too. A wife that is speaking this language, may think..."My husband does not love me anymore. All he does is work and never has time for me." While a husband who might be speaking the "acts of service" language may think to himself..."I would much rather be home with my wife today than working this miserable, life sucking job but if I didn't work my wife would think I didn't love her enough to supply for our needs."

Now, tell me, who's at fault? Neither! And God help me if I ever picked sides in anyone's relationship. What I can suggest, just like with any "foreign language" is that you must learn the language. Such you could take a crash course but the best way to learn a foreign language is to submerge yourself in the "culture". You have to take the time to spend with your husband and ask that he do the same. You both do need "date night" and "alone time" and you also need to use that time wisely. If you need to work on communication, perhaps, movie night isn't the best date to go on. Spend time together so that you can communicate openly and free of interferences.

Hands: Check your calendar, check your husbands and find a regular time that you both can spend together, just the two of you.

God is the tool that you need in order to learn each others language. Be sure to spend time praying for your spouse and that God will help open lines of communication in your marriage.

Written Conversations With Your Child

2011-11-02T12:21:00.005-04:00

This morning, I was reminded of something I'd always wanted to do with my children. Now that my oldest son is in 4th grade, I think it's the perfect time to start writing to him, so that he will write me back. So many things start happening to children early on in life and I want him to know that I am here for him. When he's a teenager, this might be cheesy to him, I think he'll appreciate it now.

I started the conversation by telling him what the intention of this journal is, words of encouragement and love, and a brief scripture to encourage his spiritual growth. Below are two images for the front of a journal that you can start with your child. You can click on them to print or I encourage you to design your own.


Click to enlarge

Enjoy!

Day 33: Spiritual Growth

2011-11-02T08:14:00.000-04:00

Head: If you could make a list of all the things in your marriage that comes between you and your husband, would the list be long? Short? Every list will be different and yet still be similar in many ways. Most couples would agree that financial struggles, children, careers, etc; put a rift between them. Not many lists would include God. Why? Because when we talk about what comes between our husbands and ourselves we only think of all the negative and we do not think of the one thing that can come between you and your husband in a way that makes your relationship stronger.

O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2

What better place for God to be than all up in your marriage, right between you and your husband to simply bring the two of you closer. It is undeniable that the connection between you and God and God and your spouse is the one connection that can not be broken and is stronger than any force in our universe. Even our own children can cause stress in our marriage but not God. God is the one factor that we can surely depend on to make our marriage stronger. As a matter of fact, God should be of a higher importance in your relationship with your spouse, than your spouse himself.

God is the glue, sure but He's much more that that, He is a model of how we should be. We should be forgiving, patient, thoughtful, loving, and kind. What a role model we have in our Father. Not only is God a force in your marriage but you can not underestimate the power of prayer.

Heart: God always has your marriage on his heart and mind. God wants for you to have the marriage you dream of and He wants you to willingly include Him. Your hearts desire for your marriage is shared by our Father. It's important to include God in your marriage through prayer. He wants you to come to him with your needs and to let him handle them. If you are failing to communicate your needs to Him, he is going to wait on you. He loves you and He is there for you and your husband and will be there to protect you and help you prosper even if you aren't aware of His works. What God wants is for you to include Him in your marriage through a conscious choice. Coming to Him because you chose to is so much more precious than coming to Him because you were forced to.

Prayer is an open communication between you and God and your husband and God. The lines are always open. Prayer is effective because God is the One who wants your marriage to succeed far more than you want it to. Pray together as a couple and God will lift you up above the daily stressors in your lives so that you have a marriage that is good and is not being brought down by worries of life and our world.

A husband and wife who have a Bible that is falling apart probably has a marriage that isn't.

I love that quote and for the life of me can not find who said it but it's true. Now that I have talked about having God and prayer, I want to mention His Word. The foundation of your marriage is only made stronger when the Word of God is read for the purpose to discover spiritual principles that will strengthen both your relationship with God and each other.

Hands: Try to find a time during your day for daily prayer and Bible study with your husband.