So, yeah, this week.

“When is Kid’s Day?” they ask with the tiniest hint of bitterness.

I smile and always answer with the tiniest hint of triumph, “everyday is Kid’s Day. Yay!”

And then I jump up and down. Once.

Well, everyday is Kid’s Day. But I can’t blame them for trying.

My kids are easy to please. Their entire day can turn into THE BEST DAY EVER with a visit to the gumball machine or a visit to the Sassy Box (a box we keep with goodies for extra great behavior). Although as they get older, they want the gumball machine that’s giving away the iPods. I’m just saying. But in return, my kids MAKE MY DAY when I catch them humming an inspiring song or watch them in the rearview mirror dancing to the beat.

We’ve been skipping around to Hillsong Kids JR Crazy Noise CD lately and I’m excited to give away a bunch of them! Let’s make today one that our kids won’t forget!

The Hillsong KIDS are back with an energetic collection of kid-friendly praise
songs, guaranteed to get your young ones on their feet and singing along! But
that s not all, for the fi rst time ever Hillsong Kids presents an album especially
for preschoolers and early school age children. Crazy Noise is an album full
of catchy new songs for fans of The Wiggles and Yo Gabba Gabba. A couple of
Hillsong KIDS favorite songs and an appearance from JD, lead singer of Hillsong
United, are also added into the mix to complete this wonderful collection.
More than products, Hillsong KIDS albums are resources, thoughtfully created
for Hillsong Church s Children s Ministry. For a long time we have wanted to
create an album for this age group and we are so excited about producing this
album for the preschooler, Hillsong Children s Pastor Dave Wakerley says.
Crazy Noise is full of brand new songs that your little ones will enjoy singing,
dancing, and praising God to.

Everyday is Kid’s Day {Giveaway} is a post from: We are THAT Family

I’m starting to think about travel again this summer for straight 24 hours (one way) with a five, ten and twelve year old. I brushed off this list and started planning. You can never be too prepared!

• Audio books (my library checks them out) or you can download some for free here
• Ice chest w/drinks
• DVD player, preferably with movies that haven’t been seen
• We’ve been driving our smaller less gas-consuming car that doesn’t have a built-in TV.  So, we strap our laptop on an ice chest with a bungee, so the kids can watch a movie. (Yeah, we are THAT family).
• Bag or backpack with coloring books and small toys for each child.
• Pack a plastic box for kids personal things and then use the lid as a tray to eat on.
• Lap Desk for writing and drawing
• Headphones for MP3 players and/or DVD player
• Kid’s camera
• Sketch pad/pencil
• Extra change of clothes, separate from luggage.  Because if it can happen, it probably will.
• If you’re traveling with a toddler, leave when they are tired.  If you leave first thing in the morning, this is their active time and they don’t make the best travelers
• A package of pipe cleaners (to bend, twist and create)
• No Spill Bubbles
• Pack paper towels, wipes, and a couple of blankets.  Remember, we’re talking kids.
• Buy $5 Tape Recorder and ‘Read’ stories to your kids in your own voice
• Put a trash box in the back seat
• Travel Journal
• Sing silly road trip songs
• Travel games from the store  (Target has some great ones in the stationary section that are cheap and magnetic!)
• Travel freebies-links to free stuff for traveling
• Play the I spy game with license plates
• Wipe-off white board/marker
• Magnetic sets (paper dolls, fire trucks, found in book sections)
• Snack bag filled with pre-portioned zip-lock bags of non-messy foods
• Kid’s music
• Desk To Go
• Tin foil for creations
• Play Go Fish
• Make string figures
• RandMcNally Kids’ Road Atlas
• Kids pillow and blanket
• Treasure Jar
• Rest Stop Box-stock with jump rope, frisbee, inflatable beach ball and Nerf ball, according to July’s issue of Parents Magazine.
• No Spill Snack Catchers
• They also encourage travelers to ‘crank up the radio, open the doors and have an outdoor dance-a-thon).
• Printable Car Trip Check List
• Child-safety scissors and paper (it worked on a long flight w/my preschooler)
• Invisible markers/Magic paper
• Chalk Cloth Oil Mat
• Moon sand on a tray
• Post It Notes-draw on them, then decorate the car (Women’s Day, July Issue)
• License Plates Across the States:Travel Puzzles and Games!
• Printable Car Bingo
• Stickers
• Band-aids (again a toddler-pleaser)
• Leapster, DS Lite or hand-held game
• Magna Doodle
• Cookie sheet with magnetic alphabet letters
• The following incredible ideas came from MomsMinivan:  travel tickets, surprise packages, and more (Actually EVERY idea on this site is amazing!)
• Printable Boredom Busters
• I spy bags/jars
• Ear plugs for when the “how much longer questions begin”
• Potty chair (for those long stretches without a rest stop)
• Best Travel Activity Book Ever
• Travel Memory Game

Edited repost

What works for you when you travel with kids?

WFMW: Traveling with Kids | Mega Tip List is a post from: We are THAT Family

We now have 8 babies–all 8 of our girls have delivered healthy, beautiful babies. A true miracle!

It’s fun to imagine the house with all sixteen, plus our two live-in staff, our family of five and an intern. One big happy family. It will be crazy and we will fit in perfectly.

You can read the touching and beautiful birth story of our two newest babies born within one hour of each other (on my son’s birthday last week!)

It’s hard to believe Mercy House has been open for only one year this month. I can only say over and over, Look what God has done!

Most of my days are spent exhausted and overwhelmed, trying to discern the next step. But this makes it all worth it:

Meet Rehema and Maureen, 4 days old

We appreciate your prayers as we prepare!

One Month From Today is a post from: We are THAT Family

We have loud meals, rambunctious bedtimes and chaotic car rides. It’s just how we roll.

It may also be why I have chronic headaches. Oh, I kid.

But I’d much rather have planned crazy noise than just crazy noise, especially in the car. The other day, I popped in this CD that Hillsong Kids JR sent me for my preschooler:

Everyone got quiet and I couldn’t help but capture this while my hubby drove:

Only don’t let her adorable innocence fool you.

That girl is the boss of our family.

But then the song Crazy Noise came on and my kids went wild. In a totally holy way, of course.

The lyrics are about how everyone who makes a noise can praise the Lord and then there are some funny exaggerated noises. My 5 year old loved this song and giggled.

Apparently so did my son.

Because since then, he (the in-house comedian) keeps clearing his throat and making this awful racket until I make him stop.  When I get onto him for being annoying, he says in an angelic voice, “but I’m praising God.”

All I can do is laugh. That kid.

So, I give this CD two thumbs up because you can never have too much crazy! Plus, we love Hillsong around here and every song is based on Scripture! Perfect for your toddler and preschooler. And perhaps your big kid will give you something to laugh about too.

You can get a copy for your little one here and stay tuned for a very fun, very big giveaway later this week…

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, but the opinions are mine. So is the crazy.

Make Some Crazy Noise is a post from: We are THAT Family

Disclaimer: I love reading on my Kindle app on my phone, but in an effort to be unplugged more when I’m with my kids, I only read fiction on my phone (usually while I’m waiting somewhere). I purchase almost all our books from Amazon (prime member), so these affiliate links are from there.

*Books we have read (or are reading):

Board Books:

1. *Because I Love You
2. *Just in Case You Ever Wonder
3. If You’re Happy and You Know It 
4. *I Love You Just the Way You Are 
5. *Counting Kisses
6. *Jesus Loves Me!
7. *Really Woolly Bedtime Prayers
8. I Love You So Much
9. If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart
10. Recordable Storybook-My Rainy Day Imagining Book

Picture Books:

1. *Love You Forever
2. *You Are Mine (Max Lucado’s Wemmicks)
3. *Punchinello: One of a Kind (Max Lucado’s Wemmicks)
4. *The Boy Who Changed the World
5. You Can Do It!
6. *Parable Series: An Audio-Book for All Seasons [Audiobook on Cassette] (Parable Series, All 4 Seasons (Together))
7. The Tallest of Smalls
8. *Just in Case You Ever Wonder
9. *The Giving Tree
10. The Oak Inside the Acorn

Read Together Books:

1. *The Chronicles of Narnia Scholastic Box Set (Book One Through Book Six) (all ages)
2. *The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name (all ages)
3. *The Complete Little House Nine-Book Set(all ages)
4. The Story: Teen Edition (Chronological Bible)
5. *Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions For Kids (all ages)
6. Take Your Best Shot: Do Something Bigger Than Yourself (8 and up)
7. My Life, His Mission: A Six Week Challenge to Change the World (inspiring stories)
8. Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board (8 and up)
9. *Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor (family devotions w/missions focus, edited while reading)
10. *Window On The World (missions focus)

Tween/Teen Books:

1. *Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
2. Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are
3. *You Were Made to Make a Difference
4. *It’s Not About Me Teen Edition
5. *Make Every Day Count – Teen Edition
6. *Jesus Freaks: Martyrs: Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus
7. The Hiding Place
8. I Kissed Dating Goodbye
9. Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is): Sexual Purity in a Lust-Saturated World
10. *Truth and Dare: One Year of Dynamic Devotions for Girls (ages 9-12)
11. *Triple Dog Dare: One Year of Dynamic Devotions for Boys (ages 9-12)

Parenting Books:

1. *For Parents Only: Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid
2. *Preparing Your Daughter for Every Woman’s Battle
3. *Preparing Your Son for Every Man’s Battle
4. Raising a Modern-Day Knight: A Father’s Role in Guiding His Son to Authentic Manhood (boys)
5. Five Conversations You Must Have with Your Son
6. Five Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter
7. *Have a New Kid by Friday (Strong-Willed Kids)
8. Shepherding a Child’s Heart
9. *Grace-Based Parenting
10. *Your Girl: Raising a Godly Daughter in an Ungodly World
11. *Your Boy: Raising a Godly Son in an Ungodly World
12. *Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right
13. *You Can Raise Courageous and Confident Kids
14. *Raising Kids for True Greatness
15. Bonus for Moms: Don’t Make Me Come Up There!: Quiet Moments for Busy Moms

Books for Husband and Wives

1. *For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men
2. *Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs
3. *The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex: (And You Thought Bad Girls Have All the Fun)(her)
4. *NIV Couples’ Devotional Bible
5. *Men Are Like Waffles–Women Are Like Spaghetti: Understanding and Delighting in Your Differences
6. *You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be(her)
7. *For Men Only: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women
8. *Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul (him)
9. *Every Man’s Battle: Winning the War on Sexual Temptation One Victory at a Time (The Every Man Series) (him)
10. Don’t Waste Your Life

80+ Books to Inspire and Challenge Your Family is a post from: We are THAT Family

Everyone Needs a Beach Day is a post from: We are THAT Family

I don’t know if every mother who bears a son feels the way I do about mine: But when I look at him, I’m physically drawn to touch his face, ruffle his hair, pull him close. I also have a strong urge  to clean his glasses, wipe the chocolate smudge, check for deodorant, smother this lanky son.

Maybe it’s because he’s affectionate like his father or because some days he’s the only who asks how my day was and really wants to know.  Maybe it’s because he’s a lover, not a fighter. I just know my heart is connected to his in a special way. He grows taller with every sunset and I feel my grip loosening. He seeks independence. I give him bits and pieces. He comes back to reassure me. Oh, this boy.

He is smart and sensitive. He is compassionate and is shaped by mercy. He is quick-witted and a tad sarcastic. I have no idea where he gets that from.

The world is a boiling pot with mounting pressure.  I long to shield him from it. But he feels the heat anyway. This is the life we are called to. But I’m the first to admit that– living in the world, but not being a part of it– is tricky, hard business.

Son, ten years ago today, I was stuffing my face full of chicken chop chop -a dinner break- on the way to the hospital. You entered this world easily, quietly and I didn’t even mess up my makeup. Your gentle nature has been nothing but a blessing to this momma’s heart. Little did I know that ten years would pass in a blur and that every time you hear the word balls, you’d have a hilarious-albeit irreverent-comment. (We need to work on that).

On your 10th birthday, I want you to know:

You are enough: The world will demand more from you, constantly trying to convince you to change and give more, be more. But you are good enough just the way you are. You are created in His image and there is only One you must please in this life. It’s just beginning, this pressure to fit in to a certain mold. Resist it. You don’t have to be like everyone else, be like Him and everything else will lose it’s significance.

You can do it: You can be and do whatever you want in this life. Never give up or listen to the voice of doubt that says you can’t. Work hard and always try. We live in a world that offers more doubt than encouragement: don’t listen to those voices. Our greatest successes are built on the steps of our failures. If your dreams aren’t bigger than you, then they aren’t God-sized dreams.

You are not alone: As you get older, you want more freedom from your Dad and I. This is natural and the way God created us–one day you will lead your own family. We will journey along side you, but in our imperfection, we will disappoint you along the way. But God will never let you down and he will never leave you alone. If you’ve got Him, you have all you need in this life.

You are loved: I hope you feel the love seep deep in your bones, this crushing love we have for you. But it pales in comparison to the One who gave His life just for you. No matter what comes your way, the ups and downs, the joy and sorrows this life might bring, believe this one thing: you are deeply loved.

Happy birthday, Son.

What I Want My Son to Know is a post from: We are THAT Family

There’s a seven year age gap between my youngest and oldest. As my older kids get more involved in school,  music lessons, orthodontic appointments, etc, my youngest trails behind them and waits. It’s just part of being a little sister.

We’ve been going to the same Pediatrician since my oldest kids were 1 and 3 years old. (They are now 10 and 12). I love our amazing doctor! Her office is always bustling, but the staff makes the wait more bearable with sticker scene sheets. I like to borrow good idea.

They have been keeping my kids occupied for years (my big kids still like them when they have to wait). When we travel or have get stuck in an office, these stickers come in handy!

They are perfect for the car, a restaurant, even church. I have a variety tucked away for our 24 hours of flying in a few weeks.

They usually come in a pack of a dozen and you can create a new scene every time.

Here are some of our favorites from *Amazon: Safari Sticker Scenes, Make-A-Race Car Sticker Scenes, He Lives! Make-A-Sticker Scenes, Make-A-Farm Stickers and you can get a Mega Pack Assortment from Oriental Trading.

Stickers work for us! *affiliate

WFMW: Stickers to the Rescue is a post from: We are THAT Family

My home has become a gallery of inspiration.

The walls are peppered with more than decor: Inspirational art makes a statement and issues a challenge.

I made a decision a long time ago that I would only hang what inspires me. From my kids handmade art in the laundry room to the canvas cross in the kitchen to the tree of life in the bathroom, I can’t tell you how many times in a day I’m encouraged by inspirational art.

I want you to be too.

I love Show Off Arts newest pieces:

Show Off Arts is one of my absolute favorites! Not only is their story (behind the art) beautiful, their products are fun and warm and truly inspirational!

Today, Show Off Arts is offering one reader a $50 gift certificate for anything in their store, plus free shipping. Plus, all my readers can receive an extra 20% off with code watf20

Take a look around and leave a comment with what art inspires you.

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

Art to Inspire {Giveaway} is a post from: We are THAT Family

We are not cat people.

But apparently we have bleeding hearts and so we responded to a desperate email from the shelter that was going to destroy hundreds of animals abandoned or found during the storm.

It’s been four years and our dog still hates our cat. I mean there is some serious animal hatred here, people. They randomly knock over furniture, spit and claw and cause havoc.  The last two years with our trips to Africa and running a non-profit from our dining room-turned-home office and the Mercy Shop in our garage, our life has gotten busy and hectic and fuller and well, crazy.

Crazy is our normal.

It’s still hard for this Type A mom to write those words. But it’s true, there is constant crisis and God uses our circumstances and His dream to stretch me every day. Plus, throw in three growing kids, jobs, etc, our pets are low on the totem pole.

So, back to the cat. This might be going somewhere, I haven’t decided yet.

Lately, we have been traveling a lot, speaking on behalf of Mercy House among other things and to put it lightly, our cat upped the ante.

He has defiled my favorite chair three times.

In desperation, I actually Googled why is my cat pooping on my chair?

It took me to an article called If Your Cat is Pooping On Your Chair, It’s a Serious Sign of Distress.

I couldn’t make that up even if I wanted to. It went on to say that loneliness and stress were factors.

Now, look away animal lovers: I cannot afford new furniture every time we travel because our cat has anger and loneliness issues. So, after a lot of talking and Googling, we made the tough decision that it was time for our cat to find a new home. One without a dog or a maternity home.

But when it actually came time to give him away, our kids begged and pleaded to give him another chance. Here’s this innocent animal in a pet carrier inside my hubby’s car and my kids are hysterical in the driveway. They promised to show him attention, to guard my chair with their life, to make our pets a priority (basically give them food and water). Suddenly, I even found myself advocating for this dumb animal.

We turned him loose in the house.

They spent the next two hours creating a cat habitat, making pom pom toys and brushing him. It was hilarious and heartbreaking. They went from “we have a cat?” to “our life is about that cat.”

It was sweet.

And really, really crazy.

Just a regular day around here…and probably just the beginning of our cat problems.

That night when all the chaos calmed, I hugged my husband tight and said, “I’m glad the kids talked us out of it. I’ve always been a fan of the underdog, um cat.”

Oh, and I ordered this infomercial chair alarm for $19.99 from Amazon. Because y’all, I love that chair (which has remained odor and poop free since we gave the cat a second chance).

So, really this post has nothing to do with a cat (who is now purring in my lap as I type this), but it’s really about second chances, refocusing, and not letting the crazy completely take over.

The end.

And if you made it to the bottom of this ridiculous post, you have been rewarded with this hilarious quote by a woman I know would look at my crazy and be all “Pshaw…that’s nothing!”

8×10 Printable Mom Quote

For When the Crazy Takes Over is a post from: We are THAT Family