Raising our kids to do what is right, to love mercy, and walk humbly before God.
Category Archives: ENCOURAGEMENT

Creating Habits

by Andie

My two older kids were given little notebooks in their stockings this year for Christmas. I didn’t think anything of it when I bought them from the dollar bin at Target. Little did I know I would be using them to develop a habit in my kids.

I’ve coined these small spiral notebooks their “Journals”.  As the kids are getting ready for bed I put their journals on their pillows.  My son likes to write with a pen, my daughter loves her purple crayon and she places it inside the spiral much like that guy on Blue’s Clues!

Each night the kids now “write” in their journals.  My daughter usually draws pictures, but she’s trying to write more as she’s learning letters in Preschool.  My son will actually write simple sentences, but usually ends up drawing pictures too.

I like to prompt their writings by reviewing some of the fun things we did that day.  Sometimes they write and draw about the day other times they draw something different.

Regardless of what they write, I know I’m establishing the habit of journaling in my kids’ lives, I believe that it helps focus their imagination and creativity.  It’s a way of expressing their thoughts and their art; and I truly believe it will build their self-esteem because they’re creating something that is entirely their own.

As you can see in the photos below J#1 is showing J#2 how to spell “MOM”.  So sweet!


Have you taken the Joy Dare?

by Andie

Ann Voskamp wrote an amazing book a few years ago called 1000 Gifts:  A dare to live fully right where you are. It’s one of those books that you want to keep because you’ll read it over and over throughout your life – seriously – it’s that good.

Ann has a way of communicating that makes you see life differently. The Lord is using her life, the pain, the mess and the chaos to bring hope to people who choose JOY and count their blessings the way she does.

I read her book last year and I’m going to read it again this year! Even if you haven’t read her book you can take part in her Joy Dare! What’s a joy dare you ask? A purposefully look at the good in life, even when it’s not easy to do.

I love these quotes from Ann:
“I only live the full life when I live fully in the moment.”

“Every breath’s a battle between grudgery & gratitude. Give thanks — & you win joy.”

Reading her book is like putting glasses on when things around you are so fuzzy. She helps you see the beauty that really is all around us!

She’s made it so easy for you to count your blessings by taking her Joy Dare: find 3 things everyday to thank the Lord for.  You can download February’s Joy Dare HERE.

“The way to give thanks in all things: give thanks in this 1 small thing.
The moments add up.”


Just remember:

by Andie

Photo Via obs

Happy Friday!


Perspective

by Andie

Dirty dishes prove I feed my family.

Full trash cans means I clean up after their messes.

Messy floors mean I let my children have fun.

Piles of unfolded laundry means I keep my family in clean clothes.

Wet bathroom floors mean I bathe my kids.
-Poem found on Facebook

Please excuse the mess, the children are making memories - distressed wood sign
zoom

What I’m Reading

by Andie

I have a few extra moments during my day now that I’m nursing around the clock, so I’ve been reading the Duggars new book, A love That Multiplies, what a great book!

It’s the Duggars second book – another look into their lives, explaining how they make such a large family flow.  I love learning from others, hearing (or reading) what works for them helps give me ideas when it comes to dealing with my own family.

The Duggars 20 and Counting and A Love That Multiplies are books I use as resources and encouragement, as they remind me that if they can do it with so many kids, I can do it with my four!

To read what the other High Five Moms are reading, be sure to visit their blogs below.

The other High Five Moms are
Brandy from TheMarathonMom.com
Jasmine from PonderThePath.com
KeriMae from KeriMae.com

Studying God’s Word

by Andie



The Bible is life.  It is breath.  


God’s Word is living.


When it comes to teaching my children scripture, I simply must repeat it.  Aloud…all the time!


God, I thank you that Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”  Psalms 119:105


As we park the car to go shopping or to send the kids off to school, I pray, ” Lord, may the words of our mouths and the meditations of our heart be pleasing to you.Psalms 19:14


Life is busy, and things get hectic.  I must remember that, “Those who love your law have great peace and nothing can make them stumble.Psalms 119:165


I want to encourage you to find two verses (start small) and begin saying them over and over.  Look for ways to say them to your children throughout the day.  Have them repeat the verses with you.  
Because the Bible is life.  It is breath.  It is living.

For more ideas on Teaching Our Children the Word, be sure to visit the other High-Five Mom Blogs below.

The other High Five Moms are
Brandy from TheMarathonMom.com
Jasmine from PonderThePath.com
KeriMae from KeriMae.com

A simple guide to NOT getting overwhelmed

by Andie

Summer’s over.   Fall is now here.  School is in session and everyone’s getting back into a routine (more or less).


Before we know it the holidays will be here and many of us will be knee deep in homemade jam and pumpkin pie, shopping, mailing out Christmas cards and family traditions.


So how can we keep from getting overwhelmed this coming season?  I have three simple suggestions.


Prioritize. 
Make a list of all the Must Do’s you and your family will celebrate this coming season.  Try not to fill your calendar too full as the weeks progress; and remember to leave room for simple and fun family nights at home just being together!



Focus on the now.
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ” Matthew 6:34

“The Living Moment is Everything.” D.H. Lawerence



Relax.  
End each day with a cup of tea. Put your feet up and simply relax. Try to savor the wonderful things you’ve done that day by journaling.  (yes this means you’ll sometimes leave dishes in the sink and toys on the floor, our sanity is more important!)



I think a warm Pumpkin Spiced Latte might just do the trick when it comes to relaxing and not getting overwhelmed this season!

This post is a part of High Five Moms.  For more encouragement on Not Getting Overwhelmed, be sure to stop by the other blogs below!

The other High Five Moms are
Brandy from TheMarathonMom.com
Jasmine from PonderThePath.com
KeriMae from KeriMae.com

High Five

by Andie

Sharp as a tack – or not.
Do you ever feel like the routines of life are making you dull?  Your life is not dull, but you’re not being challenged like you were in the past; you’re not as sharp as you used to be before becoming a mother.

You know every word to the Baby Einstein’s DVD, but you aren’t exactly sure what’s been happening in the Middle East?

Do you need to be sharpened?
The more a knife is used, the more dull it can become.  One way to sharpen a knife is by using another knife – blade to blade.   Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron so a friend sharpens a friend.

Have you ever thought of a friend being a way to sharpen you?  Truth be known, we need friends in our lives.  Friends that challenge us to be better, live fuller and believe more.

Who sharpens you?
We can all be sharpened in many ways and through different means.

A spouse
A sibling, parent or extended family member
Our children
A friend
A Pastor at church
A counselor
A team member
A co-worker
I have even been sharpened by blogs I read, podcasts I listen to or books I read.

I need to be encouraged.  I need to be challenged.  I need to learn to live, do and see life differently.  I do not want to become dull and stop being an effective wife, mother and friend.

High Five
We all need encouragement from someone who understands us – we all need a high five to keep going.  I’ve teamed up with a few other amazing bloggers to help sharpen us and give us that High Five we all need in this journey of motherhood.

The other High Five Moms are
Brandy from TheMarathonMom.com
Jasmine from PonderThePath.com
KeriMae from KeriMae.com
High Five Moms will be blogging together every week on different topics from Organization, to friendship to mothering, so be sure to stop by and be encouraged!  

Look for the Beauty

by Andie

Life is a routine
Do you ever feel like you’re doing the same thing over and over and over again?  Making dinner, changing diapers, cleaning up messes, grocery shopping or bathing kids - it can all become mundane.

Overtime we can tend to lose site of the beauty that is all around us because we’re so wrapped up in the routine things we are doing in life.

I must 
Stop.
Breathe.
Slow down.
Look around.
Take in the beauty.

I need to look at my life as Wife and Mommy, not as a chore or something I want to be finished with; instead I need to begin to love every aspect of it.  EVERYTHING.  The good and the bad.

Beauty is all around us.
Toys scattered on the floor is a sign of life.  Dirty dishes in my sink reflect full tummies and food on my table.  Dirty kids needing to be bathed is a sign of a fun day and memories made!

See life through a fresh lens.
Love it.  Embrace it.  Experience it.  Feel it.
Beauty is every where in our lives, we only need to look for it.


Don’t be discouraged

by Andie

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” 1st Chronicles 28:20

When it comes to parenting, we all need to be reminded that God is with us even if we don’t feel Him.

YOU can do this. 

No matter what your parenting challenge is at the moment, remember that God is with you, praying for you, cheering you on, and giving you the strength you need to do the work.


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