Today's Housewife

Working on Organization

noreply@blogger.com (Carol) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:30:00 +0000

One of the things that I wanted to accomplish this year was to re-organize (or organize for the first time) our house. I wanted to do it last January, but instead I started a blog. Which has been great, but does not make my pantry easier to navigate. So, here we go. I have an organization board on Pinterest that you can see by clicking here. There are so many great tips out there, but the bottom line is still that I just have to do the work. Or rope my super-organized husband into doing it ~~for~~ with me. He is the best.

One of the sites I pinned is doing a 52 Week Organization Challenge, and while I am not exactly participating, I am doing my own little version of it. She makes several great points - organization does not happen overnight, and it really does consist of forming better habits. So, after looking through all of the areas that she is tackling, I made my own list of areas in my house that need to be addressed and the order that I wanted to do them in.

The first area that is being tackled is our kitchen, which was broken into several sub-categories so I could check stuff off the list. We spent some time in the pantry this weekend, and I am loving the results. Now, it was not that bad at all, but it was bad enough that I found that I had at least 4 bags of chocolate chips - two of them opened. That would not have happened if they were all where they were supposed to be. I didn't take a before picture, but I did take a "during" shot.

He truly does love "arranging" things, which is lucky for me, because it is not my strong suit. I can keep up a system (when I put my mind to it), but I am not particularly visionary in this area of life. He helped me group things in ways that made more sense and moved things around to shelves that made more sense. When we had it all the way we wanted it, I used our trusty label-maker to label it all. As John says, it will provide a little accountability to me in our pantry when I see the labels. I am more likely to put things back where they are supposed to go. (The shelves all pull out, so it is a very accessible pantry that I love.)

John helped me make everything more functional, and now, I just have to keep it like this. Hopefully it will keep me from having three Basils, two Poppyseeds and way more canned tomatoes than any one family needs on hand.

Having a list and doing a little bit at a time seems to be the key for me. I get overwhelmed thinking of trying to get everything in perfect order at one time. But, I can clean out the pantry (with John's help) in a couple of hours one afternoon. It is not all-encompassing of our lives, but over time, and with each task - more of our home will be more functional.

Planning for things really does make a difference. I am also realizing that creating daily habits is really the only way to create real life change in any area of my life. Hopefully, you'll be inspired to do the same!

Carol is the wife of a small business-owner, mother to two little girls, crafter, very-amateur decorator, and occasional cooker. She blogs at the John and Carol Show - wanna watch?

Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Willis) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:22:00 +0000

Ok...so I pray quite a bit. Yet...I still don't quite pray enough. My prayer life is ever changing...always going through make overs so it can be more intimate. I like to be very...detailed...with my prayers. So detailed that sometimes it turns into something less personal...and more about me making sure I cover it all. I have found myself struggling to keep it less like a "habit" and more like a conversation lately.
So...time to change it up again! One of the ways that I recently decided to change it is by creating a prayer reminder. It looks like this:

The pictures remind me to pray for my kids...and I usually go for whatever happens to pop into my mind first. The little pictures are the missionary families from our church. I also have added a few tags with names on them recently...just names of people who need prayer for whatever reason. The thing is...this board is located directly across from my kitchen and on the way to my bedroom. I see it all the time. And it really does help me remember to stop and pray...or keep walking and pray.

Another thing that I am doing is going to sound a little odd. But, I'll just go ahead and say it anyway...I am attempting to have shorter prayers. That's right...shorter. I am shortening them because they have become kind of memorized. I am saying them in my head and not really thinking about them. So, instead of just "reciting" them...I am praying in the moment. About what I feel is on my heart at that time in the day. I have found that it helps make it more personal...and more frequent.

And the other thing I am getting very intentional with is praying over my kids. I read Ephesians 3:14-21 and put their names in while they are sleeping. They both like to play possum and crack a smile sometimes if I go in there too soon after I have put them down. But...when my son asked me to pray for him the other day...it made my heart smile. I also just pray whatever I feel lead to pray sometimes. The peace this brings me is the kind of peace that I can't describe.

What are you doing to make sure that you have a personal, unrehearsed prayer life?

Surviving My Newborn

noreply@blogger.com (A Diamond in the Rough) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I’m 6 weeks into mommyhood and I’m lovin’ (read as “hanging on by a thread”) every minute of it. Okay, most minutes I’m just barely surviving, but surviving nonetheless. Once I got past the first few weeks of my new life as a mama I decided I needed to start figuring out how life with my new little one was going to work. There are a few things that I have found absolutely invaluable to my survival over the past month and a half. I want to share just a few of them here in hopes that some of you other blurry eyed new mothers might find something useful from my own triumphs and tribulations as a novice mama.

The Caddy of Essentials
The first couple of days at home with baby girl proved to be a learning experience (surprise, surprise!) and the quickest thing I learned is that a stash of diapers, wipes, a burp cloth, changing pad, a snack (nursing mamas have to eat!), lanolin, and a blanket that can be transported throughout the house is a total life saver! I took an old plastic shower caddy that was in storage under our bathroom sink and converted it into what has become a convenient way to move baby from room to room without having to run back and forth from one end of my house to the other in search of one more thing!

Grab Your Apron and Throw it Over Your Head
Some of you may know the story of Susannah Wesley, father of John and Charles Wesley, who was said to have crouched in her kitchen with her apron up over her head as a signal to her children that she was praying. Susannah was a lady who knew the power of prayer and of taking time- yes, I know time is in short supply with a new born- to focus her gaze upwards. Did I mention she had 19 children? Yeah, no excuses unless you are Michelle Duggar. Who is with me? Grab your aprons ladies!

Housework: A little at the time
I’m not quite a neat freak, but I’m pretty close. Letting go of laundry, dishes, dirty toilets and overflowing garbage is not easy for me even with a crying newborn in my arms. Don’t get me wrong I’m not sweating it, but I am trying to maintain some semblance of decorum and get plenty of rest. The key seems to be doing a little at the time. I’ve always been a fan of cleaning a little every day rather than overwhelming myself with chores. I’ve found it really helpful to plan just one small point of cleaning each day. Also, when it comes to laundry don’t feel like you have to sit and fold it all at once. I like to put it all in my bedroom and fold a few pieces at a time whenever I pass through the room. By the end of the day it is all folded! Booyah! With that said your first 6 weeks with baby should be all about rest and bonding. Let go of having a perfect house and I think it will pay dividends for your emotional and physical health.

Remember You’re Still Married
That fella sitting on the couch next to you nearly comatose with dark circles under his eyes is still your husband- treat him as such. I read this post not long ago and it inspired my heart to commit to focusing on my marriage in a few small ways each day. Though romance may not be high on the list of priorities these days it doesn’t mean that the health of my marriage should take a backseat. One other thing that has been a great help has been spending 15 minutes each evening debriefing with one another. We talk and I try not to make it all about the little one. I’ve found that having a baby can be a great opportunity to work on communication with my husband. It requires work and you may not want to add one more thing to your list, but I can already see how it is making our marriage stronger and making us better parents.

Getting Dressed Vs. Pajama Days
I believe strongly that getting dressed- makeup included if you fancy it- is one of the biggest boosters to the female psyche. Even though you might not manage it before noon make it a point to get dressed each day…in real clothes. No sweats or yoga pants. REAL.CLOTHES. That being said I have allowed myself one “pajama day” a week. I allow myself and baby girl to stay in our lounge wear once a week. That is usually a day that I refuse to do any housework and try to just enjoy gazing at her sweet, little face as much as possible.

Have Someone You Can Call
These first few weeks can be rough even if your baby is a perfect angel on the spectrum of newborns. Even if you aren’t dealing with a postpartum mood disorder it is important to have a friend you can call on for help or just to talk with when the walls seem to be closing in on you. Before baby is here it is helpful to designate that person. For me it has been my sister-in-law. She checks in on me a couple times a week via phone (unfortunately she lives a few hours away) and offers her prayers and support daily via email and facebook. It is such a blessing knowing that someone has my back that has been through all of this before.

One Outing a Week
Like most new moms (especially moms of winter babies) I am a bit hesitant to take my little lady out in public a whole bunch. Germs, germs and more germs! However, it is important, for your own sanity, to get out a little bit. I’ve made a point of enjoying one small outing a week. A few outings we have had have been lunch with Daddy, library time (not during children's time to avoid germs), grocery shopping for a few items, a cup of coffee at my favorite local shop, and a visit to the fabric store. Check out a few of the ideas that the ladies over at Rookie Moms have come up with in their 52 week challenge! Let their list inspire you!

If you aren't in this season of life check out this amazing list of 100 ways to encourage a new mama! I especially love #s 15,16, 23, 35, 62 and 65!

What tips do you have for surviving the newborn months? What are some things that you wished you had done when your babies were newborns?

Jessica is a grace lover, wife, new mama, motherless daughter, reluctant missionary and birth doula. She scribbles down stories of grace on her blog a diamond in the rough. She is currently working on her first e-book about finding God’s grace and discovering the heart of the Gospel when loss and grief are a part of your everyday life. Follow her on twitter @adiamondnrough.

Teach them to sew!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Growing up, my mother sewed many of my dresses. In fact every Christmas and Easter I had a new dress sewn especially for the occasion. There were also tons of clothes for school and play as well. Between what she made, and the handmade hand-me-downs from from cousins, I rarely wore store bought clothes. As I got older, the pull of "real" clothes became great, and Mom made less and less for me. But there was still something about getting an Easter dress. So year after year, Mom made one for me. I would often read the pattern directions to her, and then ask her what they actually meant. There was even a time, I was old enough to help do some of the cutting out. But it always was up to Mom to make the clothes. Honestly? I had no desire to learn.

Then my children came along. I convinced Mom to get her machine out, and sew a few things for my first and second born. By this point, Mom wasn't all that keen on sewing, so she had me do most of the cutting and reading again, and I might have even sewn a hem or two. But she still made them a few outfits. Then, when my daughter was turning two, I wanted her to have a Raggedy Ann dress to go with her birthday party theme. I bought the pattern and material and convinced my Aunt Linda to make it for her. And it was that year I decided to learn to sew.

Fast forward quite a few years, and I am looking at the face of my then 9 year old daughter dying to use my machine, and me terrified she will "mess up" something. So, what is a Mom to do? I got out a piece of paper and my sewing machine. Yep. She learned her basics with paper. No thread, or anything. We started with straight lines. She learned to lock her "stitches", how to lower the needle, and off she went. The needle punched holes into the paper, and she was able to see how straight, or NOT straight her stitches were. After she mostly mastered straight lines, we moved to curved lines, then zig-zags or other 90 degree sharp turns. We used up tons of scrap paper around the house, and she really was learning well. Even one or two of my sons got in on the fun. This is great for any beginner sewer to get used to a machine and working out sewing along lines. I've even used this technique for when I am trying out a new stitch or sewing look.

After she got all the lines down, we moved on to cutting out hand sized shapes like stars, hearts, and such from fabric to sew together and stuff. They became gifts for friends, pin cushions, and Christmas tree ornaments. Be creative, and enjoy some time with your children as you teach and/or learn a new skill.

By the way, she is now making her own quilt tops. Guess I better learn how to teach her quilting!

Beth is a pastor's wife, mom to five boys and three girls. She loves to sew, crochet, read, and bake in her spare time. You can see what her family is doing at Sew Anyhow and follow her on Twitter at @BethSewAnyhow.

Our Eiffel Tower Inspired Nursery

noreply@blogger.com (Kama) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

When I was considering what I wanted to do if we had a daughter, I thought of a recent trip we took to Israel and the stop we made in Paris on the way back. We got to take a late night city tour in a taxi and stopped at the Eiffel Tower. I thought this would be so cute for a nursery along with animal prints, purple, pink and green. Now that I had an idea, it was time to start looking for items and working on projects. Here are some of the things we did for her room.

A few cute embellishments that Nana bought and some glass Eiffel Tower vases from Hobby Lobby.

A framed mirror from the thrift store, a lamp I recovered years ago and a pink Eiffel Tower from Hobby Lobby.

I covered this gliding rocker by laying the pillows down on the wrong side of the fabric. Then I pinned all around them and removed the pillows. I then sewed all around where the pins were and slipped the pillows back in. Mine are still currently open in the back, but I think I can close them with Velcro.

A few Eiffel Tower decorations and a cool chandelier from Ikea (purchased off of craigslist).

This cute fabric was found at Hobby Lobby. I got the idea for the curtains from a pin for making a ruffled crib skirt.

This is the quilt I made years ago that I never gave away and it matches perfectly!

The name blocks that Aunt Lydia made us for Christmas.

Kama is married to Ben, mom to 2 crazy boys ages 3 and 2 and a sweet baby girl who was born at home. She loves to craft, quilt and play on the computer in her free time (aka nap time). She also likes to save money and use coupons (when she finds time to cut them).

Not Your Grandmother's Comfort Food

noreply@blogger.com (kd) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:22:00 +0000

My grandmother's best recipe was her chicken and rice. Man, we flocked across the pasture everytime we knew she was cooking that. It was so flavorful and juicy, rice cooked perfectly. Well, my grandmother has no need to cook in heaven, but I do hope one day I can cook that chicken and rice like she did, but until then, I wanted to share some of my favorite comfort food recipes for any time of the day...

Breakfast

Cream Cheese Danish

Baked Creamy Grits

Lunch

Seaside Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Hot Corn Dip

White Chicken Chili

Dinner

My Fave Baked Mac and Cheese

Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

Sausage and Cheese Penne Bake

Dessert

Last Minute Valentine Crafts

noreply@blogger.com (Kama) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Happy Valentine's Day!! I forgot to go out and buy a valentine for my husband, so I whipped up these handprint valentines for him (and the grandparents). I used tempera paint and did each hand with a little overlap so it looks like a heart. I also did the baby's feet. Then I wrote a little message all the way around, signed their name and the year. For the baby's feet, I wrote, "I love you from the bottom of my heart to the tips of my toes." Then I cut all the way around them. So cute and such a great keepsake!

I had my 3 year old keep himself busy by sharpening the crayons over some wax paper. Then I folded it in half and ironed it for half a second! I then cut little heart shapes out and taped them on the window for a little Valentine decoration.

There are also tons of ideas on pinterest. Check out my Valentines board!

Speaking of last minute...time to figure out what I'm going to give my husband!! Ideas??

Kama is married to Ben, mom to 2 crazy boys (ages 3 and 2) and a sweet baby girl who was born at home. She tries to keep the kids out of trouble by keeping them busy with crafts and projects. She loves to craft, quilt and play on the computer in her free time (aka nap time). She also likes to save money and use coupons (when she finds time to cut them).

Vinegar is your Friend

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I'm not a super "green" person. But I have started trying to use more natural products and more simple solutions around our home lately. This is both in an effort to be more frugal and to be more aware of the things to which I'm exposing my family. Lately, I've been experimenting with homemade cleaners and have been incredibly pleased with the results.

Here is your general cast of characters:

Vinegar

Rubbing Alcohol

Baking Soda

Dawn Dish Detergent

Corn Starch

All of these products are very affordable and make up pretty much every homemade cleaner I've found. Even if you aren't concerned with the exposure your family gets to chemicals and all the "unknowns" in products you use, the cost efficiency should make you consider using some of these recipes.

My first homemade cleaner was for my relatively new spray mop. I'd been using a similar mop for years, but was always having to buy the disposable pads and refills. I came across this Rubbermaid model and was immediately intrigued. The pad is washable and made of microfiber and the solution container can be filled with water or whatever solution you desire. And I love it! But I felt like I needed more than just warm water to get my kitchen floor really clean. After sifting through lots of results on many blogs, I used the following combination.

Homemade Floor Cleaner

1 Gallon Hot Water

1/4 c. vinegar

1/4 c. baking soda

You can add 1 tsp. - 1 T. of dish soap if your floors are especially sticky or it's a high traffic area. But mine don't usually need this. I mix it all together in an empty milk jug and give it a good shake. Then I fill my mop and get to work.

The microfiber and the baking soda are great at loosening any stuck-on dirt or food and the vinegar is a natural disinfectant. If the smell bothers you you can add a drop or two of essential oil to your cleaner. Personally, I think vinegar smells "clean" and find that any odor fades rather quickly.

Homemade Glass Cleaner

2 c. warm water

1/4 c. rubbing alcohol

1/4 c. vinegar

1 T. cornstarch

Add everything to a spray bottle and shake until well mixed. (Note: My cornstarch never completely dissolves. I just give my bottle a good shake before each use and haven't had any problems.)

This cleaner is AMAZING! It's so much better than plain old blue glass cleaner. I can't even begin to tell you how shiny my bathrooms are after using this. When you spray it on and wipe it looks like it's not going to dry evenly, but give it a minute and you will be amazed. Most recipes I found did not have the cornstarch, but it really seems to give the cleaner the extra power to cut through grime. I've used it on the mirror in my boys' bathroom which often is caked with toothpaste. (I don't even want to know how that happens.) I have also used it to clean the outside of our sliding glass doors.

Homemade Tub and Shower Scrub

1 t. dish detergent
1 c. baking soda
warm water

Mix soap and baking soda with enough warm water to form a paste. Use a scrub brush to apply to grout, tile or any other area in the bathroom that has mildew or soap scum residue. Rinse completely.

This solution worked wonders on our shower. Our home is older and the previous owners weren't especially vigilant about cleaning the grout. It appeared to be stained from mildew over the years when I first tried to clean it. I used ordinary bathroom spray and a rag and had no success. But after finding this recipe my shower grout is now completely clean. It took a little elbow grease with a scrub brush, but if you have stubborn stains, you should give this cleaner a try.

I have a feeling this is only the beginning of my experiments with homemade cleaners. I love the idea of using inexpensive ingredients to make cleaners that are more healthy and more effective! I'm not quite ready to give up the simple ease of my Lysol wipes yet, but if anyone has an alternative I'd love to see what you use.

What homemade cleaners have you had success using? Any flops?

Alicia is the Home Editor for Today's Housewife. She's a military spouse and mother to Mark, Luke and Caroline. You can follow her on Twitter @crazysublady.

Looking Beyond Myself for Answers

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

As moms and wives, our families often come to us for answers.

Why is the sky blue?

What does “obey” mean?

Where are my socks?

How do I …

Photo credit

Some of these answers we can research. Some of these answers we “just know” as mommas.

But some of these questions need more.

And then there’s my own questions:

What will happen tomorrow?

What will these next test results reveal?

Why do I fail at …?

Perhaps it’s just me, but I end up relying on my own head to come up with many of those answers.

What about when I don’t really know the answer? What do I do then?

The most valuable answers: Pray and look to God’s Word.

Why prayer? Prayer is our personal connection to God. He allows us to converse with Him any time of any day because of His gift of the Spirit.

Why His Word? Well, let’s see what His Word says about the power of His Word…

When we honestly seek God, He provides answers:

“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4 (NIV)

Psalm 25 shares God’s gift of wisdom to His followers:

“Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.…He guides the humble [“those who acknowledge that they are without resources” – NIV study note] in what is right and teaches them his way.
…Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.” – Psalm 25:4-5, 9, 12 (NIV)

His answers surpass my own:

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” – 1 Corinthians 1:25 (NIV)

We can find practical, applicable advice in His Word (see James, for instance). But even more, we find Him. We understand more of His heart, which renews and directs our own hearts. We see His love and His heart, and we find the answers we need to follow Him more and more in each step, word, and action.

Would you join me in praying Colossians 1:9-10 for each other today?

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way…”

How do you look to Him for answers and guidance?

Author bio: Caroline is a wife, mother of a beautiful and charming toddler son, avid reader, and writer. She is honored to write with Today’s Housewife. You can also find Caroline at her personal blog (Under God’s Mighty Hand) and on Twitter.

Green Monsters

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

So, have you heard about Green Monster smoothies? You know, those smoothies packed with spinach or kale that are incredibly healthy but do not taste healthy at all? Once upon a time they were a weird thing I saw on healthy living blogs that I was afraid to try. Drinking a salad? No, thanks. But then I tried it. And I was hooked.

Turns out... they look weird, but don't taste weird at all. In fact, I hardly notice the veggie part at all--I'm more into the fruit or chocolate that's added to the mix. :) Green Monsters are my favorite breakfast (or lunch... or dinner too, I admit!) in the summer. But when it's cold out... sometimes I'm just not in the mood. So instead, I turn to Green Monster Muffins!

These muffins are so full of juicy blueberries, zesty lemon, and warm spices that you'll forget they're healthy. Even if you're too afraid of a full-fledged Green Monster smoothie, don't be turned off by these muffins. Even my non-Green Monster-smoothie-drinking husband liked them. They're hearty enough for breakfast but not too heavy for a light snack. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

And if you do want to try a Green Monster... there are lots of recipes that you can find online for them here, here, and here. My favorite version is 1 cup vanilla yogurt, 3 cups loosely packed spinach, 1/2-3/4 cup skim milk, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 frozen banana (cut in chunks first!), and 1 tablespoon chia seeds (my one concession to the "weird" health food movement).

Green Monster Muffins (from The Chic Life)

Ingredients:

3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (pastry or regular)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup PACKED, triple washed baby spinach
1 egg
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup natural/unsweetened applesauce
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tsp lemon zest (depending on how lemon-y you want it)
1/2 cup blueberries (if using frozen, don't thaw)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners. Process oats in a food processor or blender until fine. Pour in a large bowl and add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda. Stir together. Add spinach, egg, and sugar to the food processor, then process until spinach is chopped in very small pieces. Add applesauce, oil, vanilla, and lemon zest and pulse several times until combined. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients, and mix until just combined. Then gently stir in blueberries and fill muffin cups about 3/4 of the way full. Bake 14-17 minutes or until center is set and tops are golden brown.

Time: 30 minutes (15 minutes active).

Yield: 12 muffins.

So tell me... have you tried a Green Monster yet?

Sarah began blogging at The Pajama Chef in order to chronicle her adventures in and love of cooking and baking. Sarah is currently a graduate student at Indiana University working towards a Master of Library Science and a Master of Arts in African Studies. Sarah's efforts in the kitchen would not be possible without the assistance of her husband, Ben, and his stellar dish-washing and sous-chef skills. Sarah and Ben were married in May 2009 and enjoy running, reading, involvement in a local church, and spoiling their kitty, Sheba. You can also find Sarah on Pinterest.

10 E-Books for Moms

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:30:00 +0000

Here's a list of ten of my favorite e-books for moms! Most are $5 or less!

From Mom's Failure to God's Grace from the MOB Society writers- Ever make a mistake as a mom and think "I've just messed up too badly for this to work out?" Many of us have! This book is full of stories from women who thought they blew it, but realized God's grace covered their "mistakes."
Hope for the Weary Mom from Brooke McGlothlin and Stacey Thacker- Encouragement from Brooke and Stacey for those days you don't feel like you can change another diaper. Or help with another math problem. Or do another load of laundry.
Parenting from the Overflow by Teri Lynne Underwood- Teri Lynne focuses on the fruit of the Spirit as the starting point for parenting that will also encourage our children to produce fruit.
Mindset for Moms by Jamie Martin- I haven't read this one yet, but I liked Jamie's book Steady Days. Jamie is always honest and encouraging at the same time, so I look forward to reading this from her.
One Bite at a Time by Tsh Oxenreider- Tsh gives 52 tips for organizing and streamlining your home. You can take one a week and work through the book, or just focus on the her suggestions to help in the areas where you really need it.
The No Brainer Wardrobe by Haley Morgan- I'm working through this book now, not only for myself by my husband and boys too. Why are our closets packed with clothes we don't wear? Haley helps you build a wardrobe that works for you.
Plan It Don't Panic by Stephanie Langford- I liked Stephanie's other two e-books and I know this one on meal planning will be helpful too!
Tell Your Time by Amy Lynn Andrews- This book has been a huge help for me as I now homeschool, do my son's therapy, blog, and work from home as an editor. No matter what all you are juggling, this book will help you keep from dropping anything important.
Savoring Living Water by Katie Orr and Lara Williams- Need help sustaining a quiet time in Bible study and prayer? Katie and Lara encourage these important spiritual disciplines.
Speechless: Finding God's Grace in My Son's Autism by Sandra Peoples- This is my book about our first year after James's autism diagnosis. It's not just for special needs moms; it's for anyone who needs to be reminded of God's grace and His power over our lives (and our children's lives).

Do you have a favorite e-book for moms that didn't make my list?

Guest Post: Name Blocks

noreply@blogger.com (Kama) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

It all started when my super creative and talented friend, Courtney made hand painted blocks for Halloween and posted them on facebook. They were oh so cute but she is oh so talented. As I previously stated I am a non- creative, crafter in training. This was October. November rolls around and I have a brand new niece! I also have 20 plus people to buy Christmas presents for. Wouldn’t it be great if I could buy the new addition something for her nursery which is a very cute, hot pink and black Parisian theme? What if I could buy her hand painted name blocks! I checked Etsy.com; $6 a block! Being that the little Miss has 9 letters in her name this would be a much too pricy gift. After much debate and discussion with Courtney I decided to attempt them myself. I thought since I would be attempting them for my new niece why not my newest nephew, born in August, also.

Lucky for me they are building houses in our neighborhood and there is plenty of scrap piles lying around. After a sneaky drive by, I had enough wood. I borrowed my MIL’s cricut, bought scrapping paper from Hobby Lobby and cut the letters. (I now have my own cricut which I am very excited about thanks to the hubs for Christmas!) I alternated the sizes of the letters but used the same 3 measurements throughout. The next part I have to give credit to the hubs. He cut and sanded all the wood for each block, making sure to add in a 1/2 inch frame on the top and bottom of the letter. ¼ inch for the background and ¼ inch for the wood. I then painted the blocks using acrylic paint from Hobby Lobby. A few of the colors needed several coats. I then ModPodged (gloss finish) the blocks on five sides leaving the side the letter would be on dry. After this dried, I lightly modpodged the background and letters onto the block. (I attempted to modpodge over the letters. This looked nice but bubbled some of the thinner paper so I have since stopped doing that. I also attempted the spray modpodge which soaked the paper.)

Now the fun part: the bling bling! I used my somewhat expert bow making skills to spruce each block up a little bit. I created bows with ribbon, from you guessed it Hobby Lobby, for most of the blocks and hot glued them on. Over all these were not hard to create, just time consuming! They were such a big hit at my in-laws early Christmas that I made some for my cousin’s twins also.

Here are some examples of what I have made:

Lydia is a stay-at-home mom to little E who is 8 months old. She enjoys playing with her, making her adorable hair bows and doing quick crafts.

Vintage Valentine Decorating

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:47:00 +0000

It's that time of year when my house feels a little bare. The Christmas decorations are put away. We are not quite ready for spring flowers and Easter baskets. But, the house needs a little festivity. What's next to celebrate? Valentine's Day!

I have to admit, Valentine's Day is not really a huge deal around here and bright red and pink aren't exactly my decor colors of choice. However, I've found a way to work with Valentine's Day, make it festive without being annoying.

Isn't this adorable??

How about this one?? I just love these vintage valentine printables! I found them HERE. There are a lot more and a FREE ebook full of them! They are precious when printed out and framed. I have a group of them on my mantle, one on the piano and one in the guest room. The colors aren't as bright as traditional valentine art, so they go great with my existing color scheme.

What about you? Do you decorate for Valentine's Day?

********************

Marci Goodwin is wife to an amazing husband and mother to two phenomenal kids. She is on a quest to get the "busy" out of her life so she can spend time on what's really important. Marci can be found blogging at OvercomingBusy.com or on twitter @OvercomingBusy.

Love

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:18:00 +0000

"I have loved you with an everlasting love"

Jeremiah 31:3

Have you ever thought about what it means to be loved with an everlasting love? A total love that can never be broken? I sometimes wonder at that. I love my husband. I love my kids. I know I love them completely and I'll never stop loving them, but even the love I feel for them is nothing compared to the love that God feels for me. How is that possible?

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13. Even before I was born, God knew me. He created me. He loved me so much that He made me. I cannot create something, no matter how hard I try. I can only use things that He has already created to make new things. But God the creator can create out of love. He created you. He loves you.

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2. We may not be perfect. We may not be able to create. We may not have the perfect love that God has. But we can be imitators of God. We can walk in love. We can show love to others, just as God has shown us love.

How can you show love to others today?

Elizabeth is a stay-at-home mom to three and wife to Seth. She loves to read, bake, and spend time with family and friends. You can find her getting lost on Pinterest and at her blog Elizabeth's Treasure Chest.

Five Must-Haves for Making Your Own Baby Food

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

#2's first bite of food, sweet potato thinned with formula

Have you read some of the ingredients on the back of baby food jars recently? Yikes! I can't pronounce some of those words! That's why I decided to make my own baby food. Is it as easy as opening a jar? No. But let's be honest, nothing about motherhood is easy! And when you realize how easy it is, not to mention that it's better for your baby and it costs less, making your own baby food might be the right decision for your family.

Here's what you need to make your own baby food:

1. small food processor
2. books like Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron and/or The Healthy Baby Meal Planner by Annabel Karmel
3. ice cube trays
4. baggies
5. fruits & veggies

This post is really just to tell you how easy it is to get started. Check out Wholesome Baby Food for details about the proper way to make, store, and thaw your homemade baby food.

Sandra is the family editor for Today's Housewife. She's a pastor's wife, mom to two boys and is in the process of adopting from Ethiopia. You can see what her family is up to at Celebrate Every Day and follow her on Twitter at @SandraPeoples.

Is Exercising Your Hobby?

noreply@blogger.com (Kama) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Source

Have you seen my new favorite commercial during Biggest Loser? "I lift things up and put them down." It makes me laugh every time!

I am trying to get rid of the baby weight that came along with #3. I have been pinning exercises on pinterest and recently started doing some of them! I haven't been able to go back to the gym yet since the baby isn't 6 months old yet. I have been exercising when and where I can!

I started out taking the kids to the little park near my house. While they played, I ran a lap around it and then walked a lap. I did 10 laps and then a set of lunges at the end. They loved playing and I was able to get in a little work out. I could tell it worked since I was sore for a few days!

We have a work out bench in our back yard, so one day, my husband and I worked out while the boys (and dog) played. I did a little bit of weight and worked out different body parts.

I also did a cardio and leg pyramid that I found on pinterest. It made me sore for a few days--feel the burn! It required no extra weights or anything, so anyone can do it!

I am definitely not a buff gym-obsessed "I lift things up and put them down" person, but I am trying to spend some time each week getting in better shape as well as show my kids the importance of exercise.

Do you spend any time exercising? What's your favorite exercise?

Kama is married to Ben and is a mom to 3 kids 3 and under. She loves anything Spanish, quilting, sewing, being frugal and freebies! Kama also has a Squidoo page listing fun freebies!

Wishing you lots of...brokenness for 2012!?!?!

noreply@blogger.com (Courtney Willis) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

We are already wrapping up January! The New Year really snuck up on me and the thought that we are already almost a whole month in...is just crazy!

Did that title get your attention? Let me explain...

2011 (and 2010 if we are keeping track) hasn't been an easy year for us. It has been trying...and overwhelming...and down right hard more often than I would have liked. And to be honest...I really hope that your 2012 can look a lot like that.
Have I lost it??? Am I wishing bad things on you and yours? Of course not!!! I hope that you can get out of 2012 what we got out of 2011 as painlessly as possible. But, I do hope that you can gain an understanding of what we learned and obtained through these times.
Because when I say that this past year has been rough...I have to follow that up with saying that it has BY FAR been the most amazing, beautiful, blessed year of my life. My husband agrees...and (depending on the day you ask), I'm pretty sure my kids would too. I think that this new way of understanding living started when we traveled to Uganda to adopt our son (October 2010).
It continued as we started the transition to becoming a family of 4. It has continued as we have walked through my almost 5 year old's juvenile rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and treatment. Then when my husband fell through a church's ceiling while working (as a firefighter) on a structure fire. Through his surgery and 8 months of rehab - and working a desk position. Through the financial burden that put on us. When we realized that our transition to "normal" life with our son would last far longer than we anticipated due to the things he went through before we got to him. Lots of things have happened...and we have just sort of sailed through. Put our heads down and trudged forward. Didn't always do it right, but for the most part...we have been thankful for it all. With every hard time...there is triumph to celebrate. And we have (again, for the most part...nobody is perfect) chosen to focus on the triumph.
And there have been these incredible moments...that I really can't explain...the kind of moments that make me tear up with joy to think about them. The moments where my son looks up at me (despite his history) and says that he loves me. When my daughter sits in my lap, takes a deep breath, takes her shot like a champ, and shows this pure, brave, proud smile...cause she knows that she. is. amazing. The moment I found out that my husband caught himself with his shoulder and was dangling above church pews...then pulled himself up with ligaments and tendons that were shredded. The moment our friends came together to bless us and help us make ends meet.
I am sharing this with you for a reason. I want you to understand that this life we live isn't easy (who can argue with that???). There are people I know who are going through things right now that I can't imagine going through. They make my year look like a walk in the park...yet they have peace. Sure, they hurt and cry, BUT they know that as long as you KNOW JESUS, everything is going to be OK. In fact, it will be so much better than OK. It will be perfection.
So, what I am really saying is that I hope your hear is filled with HIS peace, HIS joy, and HIS understanding. Not your own. Because HIS love isn't circumstantial. And HE will carry us through every moment of every day of 2012. We need only to be still.

Courtney is wife to Firefighter/Paramedic Josh. Mommy to beautiful, strong-willed,, full of life, biological Gracie and handsome, rough n tough, sweet, adopted from Uganda Owen. She has a passion for family, orphan care, photography, Africa, and writing. She reminds herself daily to live one day at a time and is determined to get used to her new status as “stay at home Mom”. She thinks life is best lived with a good sense of humor and daily time with God in prayer. You can follow along with her more at thewilliscrewadopts.blogspot.com.

Faith Life

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

It is not characteristic of our modern culture to know what it means to wait. I mean to truly wait. If there has been a demand for speed on any facet of our human existence, someone has created a "convenience" to gratify our exigencies. We are born and raised in a fast-paced environment in which we learn to thrive off of accessibility. Convenience, by definition, means "the quality of being suitable to one's comfort, purposes or needs." (Yahoo Dictionary) Who wouldn't want to live a life of comfort by having your needs met at the snap of your fingers?

I naively thought at one time that I was living a convenient and comfortable life. I was 27, just married, bought a beautiful home and had a great job. Things seemed to be flowing effortlessly for my husband and I. We were happy, in love and ready to begin a family. I always thought that I would quickly become a mother. You see up until this point of my entire 27 years, most of my life had been fairly easy. I had a few minor set backs every now and then but nothing that really seasoned me. I look back now and see how unintentionally shallow of a life I lived. I had not been put in a circumstance that truly tested my faith. I always knew that I had faith but I rarely lived by it on a daily basis. The funny thing about faith, is that it is typically grown out of having to wait. Faith can best mature when you find yourself inconvenienced and uncomfortable. Now, after almost three years of struggling to get pregnant, I have found myself inconvenienced and uncomfortable. I have found myself relentlessly waiting on something that my heart yearns for day in and day out. I am having to learn how to wait in a society that glorifies everything that is "on demand."

I could describe all the emotions that infertility has loitered me through. I could tell you how depressed I have felt over the last three years. I could go through all the highs and lows of pursuing fertility treatments. However, what is most important about this season of my life, is that I have been given a "faith lift." God is carrying me through an incredible and purposeful journey that has led me into a deeper relationship with him. As, I reflect over the last few years, I see this beautiful tapestry of testimonies that have been sewn together. My life has been changed in remarkable ways because of divine appointments that God so cleverly arranged. If I would have had a child on my terms and in my time, I would be lacking in so many qualities that God has been nourishing. While the waiting is still not easy, my spirit remains resilient. I have learned that when you believe, God will reveal his desires and plans for your life. When you believe, you see. I think in the past my faith was based on circumstantial evidence. My faith would widen when God gave me what I wanted but it lacked depth. Now, while I wait to be a mother, praying for God to fill my empty arms with a child, my faith is as deep as the ocean. I know God wants to give me the desires of my heart. However, those desires are in his time, not mine.

God has placed so many influential individuals on this journey. Many of them have struggled in far worse situations than mine and have shown me how to gracefully keep my head above water. They have transparently shared their testimonies and my own has been built upon their vulnerability. They have helped to change my perspective on waiting. I have decided that if I am to walk the road paved "reproductively challenged," then I am going to do it with dignity. I want to walk by faith knowing that on the other side of this storm we will find a rainbow. I want to cherish every lesson along the way so that I am prepared for the next season.

You may not be able to relate to the struggles of infertility, but I am sure you can find some commonality in waiting for something. Maybe you are waiting for a job or to meet the man of your dreams. You could be waiting to overcome an illness or waiting for your teenager to respect you. At some point, we must choose to quietly wait with God or get lost in the bustling chaos of the world. At some point, we must choose to live our life with conviction or with convenience. One builds faith, the other can destroy it. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1

by Cara Holdman
For the full story please visit: www.caraholdman.wordpress.com

Valentine's Day Treats

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

We've rounded up some Valentine's Day treat ideas!

Click on the links below each picture to find out more!

Brown Sugar Brownies from Baked Perfection

Chocolate Strawberry Heart-Shaped Ice Cream Sandwiches

from Martha Stewart

Chocolate Covered Pretzels from Love from the Oven

Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls from Poppies at Play

It's Love Cookies from Pikadilly Charm

Candy Cane Hearts from Nest of Posies

What a Birth Doula Really Does

noreply@blogger.com (A Diamond in the Rough) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Several years ago I started down the path to becoming a birth doula. I was working with women at a crisis pregnancy center and saw it as a way to connect more deeply with the women I was serving. I have since fallen in love with all things birth! Doulas are becoming more mainstream, but there is still a good bit of confusion and misinformation over the role of a doula. Doulas are a great resource and are worth knowing about if you or someone you love is preparing to welcome a new addition to the family.

The number one question that I always get when people hear I am a birth doula is, “How is a doula different than a midwife?” The biggest difference is that as a doula I am considered a non-medical birth professional. Doulas do not do exams on their clients and only offer non-medical advice. In the case of a medical issue the doula always defaults to the client’s midwife or doctor. A doula is strictly a labor support person who is there to offer continuous physical, emotional, spiritual and educational support to the birthing mother and her partner. Physical support means being present continually for the birth and offering suggestions on ways to cope with labor. Emotional support can be serving as a sounding board for the mother both prenatally and during the post-partum period. Spiritual support is an element that, as a Christian, I integrate into my practice through prayer and encouragement to my clients. Educational support consists of answering questions, assisting in the writing of a birth plan and offering books, DVDs, and even personal childbirth classes to clients to help them prepare for birth.

The second biggest question that I hear is, “Why does a woman need a birth doula if her husband is with her during labor?” I love answering this question because I have had great experiences working not just with mothers during labor but also with fathers. It is unfair to assume that because a couple took a childbirth class that they are prepared for all the ups and downs of labor. The average man has had no experience with birth before stepping foot into a labor and delivery room. Doulas have that experience and knowledge under their belt and can provide a calm presence that will help both mother and father be fully “there” for the amazing experience of welcoming their child. Doulas come armed with an arsenal of techniques and expertise to soothe mama and help her cope with labor. I love being able to provide support that allows dad to feel like he is really helping his wife bring their child into the world.

The next question that usually pops up is, “Aren’t doulas only for women who want to have their babies naturally?” The answer to this question is a definitive “No!” The motto of DONA International, the world’s oldest and most respected doula certifying organization, is “A doula for every woman who wants one!” Whether you want to go au natural or you are anxious to get your epidural placed as soon as labor starts a doula can be lots of help both prenatally, during labor and through the post-partum period. It is true that doulas are primarily trained to help women cope with the pains and struggles of a non-medicated delivery. However, we also receive training on positions and comfort measures for women who are having medicated and/or epidural pain relief as a way to augment labor. The biggest gift a doula can give her client is walking her through the facts and reality of all of her different birth options and helping the mother to be make the right decision for herself and her family.

There is a ton of research to support the role of a doula. Studies show that the continuous presence of a trained support person can reduce the rates of intervention (pitocin augmentation, cesarean section, vacuum extraction, forceps delivery) during birth. Studies have also shown that women rate their birth experiences more positively when they have had the continuous support of a trained labor partner. As a birth doula I cherish every opportunity I get to support women and their families through this uncertain, unique, and awe-inspiring time in their lives.

I have only scratched the tip of the iceberg as far as the benefits that are offered by having a doula by your side during labor. If you have any additional questions about the role of a doula please feel free to leave them in the comments and I will be happy to respond (bear with me as I have a newborn of my own!).

Guest Post: Christmas Come Early

noreply@blogger.com (Kama) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Now that the harried days of Christmas gift-buying, hiding, wrapping, labeling, and bowing are over, I find myself just remembering the sweet moments of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. The cookies out for Santa, reading the story of Jesus from Luke 2 Christmas morning, the screeches coming from each child as they saw their Santa gifts out in all their glory.

But I will not allow myself to be deceived… the Christmas gifting season will be on me again in no time and along with it I will be rushing about looking for deals, attempting to locate some random gift that Uncle Bill will like, and checking my list and then checking it twice… because no one wants a repeat of the year that I forgot to get my boss a gift.

With that being said, I have found a nifty little way to help with 2012 Christmas shopping starting… now. It helps me to budget each month for how much I will spend on gifts. I finish my Christmas shopping very, very early. And I don’t have to endure watching our bank account drain away in November and December.

Here’s what ya do…

1) Type out the names of the months of the year.

2) Under each month, add the names of family members that have a birthday during that month.

3) In parenthesis, note their birthdate.

4) After that type out any ideas you might have for gifting.

Here’s an example:
February
* Cupid (14) – new bow and arrow, sunglasses

5) Now, clean out a decent sized area in one of the closets in your home. Trust me… I know closet space is like gold in most of our homes, but it is sooooooo worth it when you’ll be able to laugh at all the people that go out for Black Friday while you’ll be in your PJs sipping hot chocolate!

6) And the most important step: whenever you go buy a gift for someone’s birthday, get two gifts. One gift for their birthday and one gift for Christmas! There. Now you’re done shopping for that person months early!

7) Finally, make a note of what you purchased for that person so that you don’t accidentally buy them two gifts for Christmas!

Here is the list that I keep on my iPhone in OneNote so that I always have it with me.

Hopefully this will help you to enjoy the Christmas Season of 2012 a little more… of course, that is, unless the world ends before then! haha

January Rowe is the stay-at-home mom of two rambunctious boys mom who’s favorite hobbies are reading and acting in her church’s drama team. You can find her blogging her life’s every moment at Rowe The Boat or on her most recent endeavor The Covenant Diet.

Linked up to Works for Me Wednesday!

Playroom in Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Carol) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Back in July, I posted about painting Rainbow Dots in my playroom, which you can read about in this post. Well, I am continuing to work on the playroom and thought I would show the progress. Sometimes it takes forever to get a room to come together - especially with little ones under foot. I think slow and steady may help us find completion on this one.
We bought rugs from Land of Nod to define some areas, and they have a lot of the same colors from the wall. Also, we found this really fun, round oversized chair on clearance at Furniture Row and snapped it up, so now there is a place for adults to sit in the room as well as kiddos.

Here's the craft corner of the room, which is completed.

The craft table was our girls' main Christmas present last year, and the little tuffets are from Land of Nod. (Clearly, I love their stuff.) I did spray paint one of the tuffets to make it match. The art display is simply trim from Home Depot, spray painted cream. I added clothes pins that I painted the same yellow from the wall and super glued them in place. The hooks are for craft aprons that I have yet to purchase. I got the letters for "CREATE" at Michael's and painted them with another of the dot colors, and then added a few more dots above the letters for good measure.

I was in love with the dripping crayon canvases that I saw all over Pinterest and did my own take on it to make it a color wheel. I sat a bowl in the middle of the canvas and lined the crayons around it and hot glued them on. Then, based on a tutorial I saw on the blog, Whatever, I used a hair dryer to melt the crayons. Easy and fun. Very gratifying as well.

I have this shelf on the wall outside of my own Craft Room that I intend to paint one of the colors from the dot wall and use to house kid's craft supplies. Clearly, I have not gotten to this project yet.

I have done a little more work on the play kitchen, but I still have a few finishing touches. I have some antique handkerchiefs and embroidered tea towels that I want to use to make a bunting of sorts to give a little more pizzazz to that corner, and I have some yellow gingham fabric to make little curtains to go over the very faux window over the sink. I hung up an old crate that I got thrifting and spray painted creamish and added little canisters painted to match the wall. I labeled them as well, and sprayed clear acrylic paint over them so little fingers couldn't peel off the labels. The girls' main toys for Christmas this year were little kitchen utensils and bakeware, so now they are enjoying the play kitchen even more. Those cookie sheets are used for magnets that Lily has cleared off - another idea I saw on Pinterest that you can read about on this blog.

Here's the last corner of the room. We have a TV down there for Wii and movies. So far, we only use it when we have other people over and are trying to corral the kiddos downstairs while the adults are partying upstairs. I love their little chairs, and they do too (also from Land of Nod). The dollhouse/bookshelf was Lily's birthday present this year. Part of the present was that she got to help John assemble it, which she LOVED.

If you have ever looked at cute decorated doll houses online, you will hear me when I say that it is easy to go overboard decorating a doll house. I have told Lily that she can help me, and we can make it a project together, but I think I may have a hard time keeping it simple. We shall see. The prints under the word PLAY are by the artist Katie Daisy that I purchased from Etsy. I mounted them on canvases painted blue - I was trying to bring the blue and teal over to the side of the room that ended up more pink that I would have wanted.

So, that is where things stand downstairs. I need to get some baskets to corral the toys in the bench seats under the window, and I think John and I may try our hands at building a cornice to go over the window to dress up that side of the room a bit. All in good time, or maybe not - it may take another 6 months. We shall see. We are loving the room and so are the girls.

Carol is the wife of a small business-owner, mother to two little girls, crafter, very-amateur decorator, and occasional cooker. She blogs at the John and Carol Show - wanna watch?

Family Fun with a Book Club

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:44:00 +0000

NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES ALLOWED!

(Mom and Dad, this means you, too!)

Here's the plan:

STEP ONE:

Choose a night when everyone can be home at a reasonable hour. (Reasonable is subjective here; whatever works for you.)

STEP TWO:

Whether you do this weekly (which is great) or monthly (still good), each person gets a turn to be in charge - the President - of the night. Set your order and decide who goes first.

STEP THREE:

Mister or Madam President chooses a book for the night AND gets to choose what's for dinner AND gets to be served and pampered by the others (within reason of course, we don't want to creat any monsters here!). This includes what to have for dessert! The president may also choose where to eat: at the table, under a tent made between beds, chairs and blankets, in the backyard...the possibilities are endless and, depending on the president, potentially scary. Parents use discretion here, but please allow for fun and little imaginations.

STEP FOUR:

Cooking, or whatever you do for dinner should be a family time. If you get take-out go as a family to pick it up for a little extra together time. While you put dinner together talk to your kids. Ask questions designed to draw them into a conversation. Ask them what they like best about their friend or their Sunday School class, or which superhero they like best and why. Anything that gets them talking and interacting with you is good.

STEP FIVE:

After dinner, choose a cozy place where everyone can snuggle together and read. Take turns reading and helping your kids with words. Talk about why this is such a great story. And, if you're kids are like most, you may read it again. And again! Enjoy.

STEP SIX:

Before you stop for the night, choose the President and the date for the next time and mark it on your calendar so everyone is reminded. Keep this time sacred. It is important to show your kids that family comes first, and that the world doesn't end when the cell phone is turned off.

**Don't think you can turn your phone to silent and hide it from your kids. They'll know, and you will lose the power and magic of the moment.

Don't forget to take pictures of the night or video tape your family night. Kids love to see themselves in pictures and videos and you will be making some great memories to share and remember.

Remember, for most families this takes planning and effort. It won't just happen. If you get tripped up, don't wallow around in guilt, just try again. You'll get it, and you and your children will benefit from the uninterrupted time you spend together. They're only little once. Make the most of your time with them. Your most important job is Mommy or Daddy and you are so precious to them and to God. Which brings me to the final but most important point: ask for God's help and blessing here. Relax and take a deep breath. You get to do this with God's power not your own! Whew!

Cashew Whole Grain Waffles

noreply@blogger.com (kd) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:01:00 +0000

One of the great things I inherited when I got married was a husband who loves whole grains. And what more does the American food experts want for all Americans than to have a diet rich in whole grains!

A few years ago I got King Author's Whole Grain Baking. It will be the cookbook I bake from in 2012 - trying new recipes, seeing what we like and what we don't like.

The first recipe, with slight alterations, was a definite SUCCESS! And I love pleasing my husband's taste buds at breakfast!

1 cup spelt flour (found at Whole Foods or other natural food stores)

1/3 cup oat flour (I ground rolled oats in my food processor)

1/2 cup cashews (crushed in the food processor, but just ground fine, not making cashew butter)

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp soda

1/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

4 T unsalted butter, melted, cooled

1 1/2 cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

Mix dry ingredient (spelt flour through soda) and set aside. Mix sugar and eggs, then add in the butter, buttermilk, and vanilla. Stir until combined. Add to the dry ingredients.

Let mixture sit for 15 minutes. Otherwise, your batter will be too liquidy.

While waiting, you can unload and load the dishwasher, fry some bacon, make the coffee, chop a fruit salad, set the table, warm the syrup, mark off many things from the kitchen to do list!

Then, when the batter has rested and the waffle iron is plenty hot - pour about a heaping 1/3 cup into you waffle iron and let the magic begin!

You want to follow your waffle maker's instructions as to when the waffles are done - my general rule is when you don't see anymore steam coming from the contraption.

Enjoy with butter and syrup, or fig preserves, or powdered sugar, or whatever you fancy. These will be our new "plain" waffles - that we can top with whatever!

Be healthy in 2012 - eat more (delicious) whole grains!

Guest Post: Making Hair Bows

noreply@blogger.com (Kama) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I was fully expecting to have a boy, but I found out at 14 weeks it was a girl! After a few days of mental adjustment (and a few shopping sprees I will admit) I had fully embraced the lifestyle of glitz and glam that came along with having a girl! E’s closet was very quickly filled by her Nana. She had been waiting for a baby girl to spoil and this being the fourth grandchild her anticipation had built! I was faced with a problem: either learn how to make hair bows or go broke buying one for every outfit. I must admit I was a self proclaimed uncreative, non- crafter. (My title has since changed to still uncreative, crafter in training.) I attempted a few bows on my own and they did not turn out so well. I texted a friend a picture of my creations; she politely replied with the typical, supportive friend response “Very pretty.” She was with her mom that day and must have shown her my sad attempts, because she quickly emailed me a link her mom had found on making bows. http://www.girlythingsbows.com/

This link and a free brochure from Hobby Lobby (found in the ribbon section) are the only reasons I have been able to make the bows I now make E on a regular basis. The directions are broken down in a clear easy way to understand and there are pictures!! Most important for visual learners such as I. As I practiced the basic bows and got better at making them, I began to combine bits and pieces of different bows to create new ones. For example, it is very easy to stack the basic bow and boutique bow. The brochure from Hobby Lobby has many of the same bows as the website, but also directions for a “Three Tiered Bow” and “Four Layer Loopy Bow” which are a little more complicated. But, with practice they become very easy. I have seen these sold for $15.00 in the store, and I now can make them in 15 minutes! The measurements for the ribbon on both the website and brochure can be very long. I adjusted the length based on how big I wanted the bow to be in ratio to my daughter’s head. As she has grown so have the bows!

Tips for bow making:

Cut all your ribbon before beginning and fray check the ends that will be exposed so they will dry while you are working

Thread your needle before folding the ribbon on each step (hard to do when your hands are full holding ribbon :)

For a sharper looking center ribbon use a French knot or 7/8 ribbon folded in half

To get perfect v tails fold ribbon in half and cut

Use a rotary cutter and mat to cut and measure ribbon

Where it calls for wire I find it easier to use a needle and thread

pinterest.com can also be a great reference for bow making instructions.

Lydia is a stay-at-home-mom to E who is 7 months old. She loves dressing up her precious baby girl in adorable clothes and bows.