We had girls’ night last night. Always a good time:) Especially after yesterday. We had one of “those” days at our house. Fussy baby, time-out chair was used a couple of times, problems sharing, etc. You can picture it. And you probably also know how I feel. Satan always knows how to push our buttons. He always knows how to steal joy out of a precious situation. Continue Reading…
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Stolen Joy
Our Schooling Dilemma: To Homeschool or Not to Homeschool?!
That is the question!! Currently we are facing some decisions that will shape our children’s education. Mavis is about to enter Pre-Kindergarten. I have always been an advocate of public schools, having attended them myself. My educational experience was great. I felt prepared for college. I was given ample opportunity. I was exposed to different cultures and challenged to rise up in the face of things this world tempts us to do.
This past year, Mavis attended a private preschool program. It was amazing. Her teacher was wonderful and I felt like she had a well-rounded experience. She had a very diverse class (which I loved) and really broadened her perspective on other children and families.
This next year we are going to explore homeschooling. Partly a financial decision, I also feel like it will be great for me to learn how to better educate my children. I hope that together we can learn about making our home a place of constant learning.The dilemma is making sure she gets enough time to work with other children, share, follow a line leader, etc. All of these things are hard to re-create at home. Continue Reading…
The purpose of parenting
Last week, I blogged about a struggle I have. I wrestle with the need to be seen as a great parent. Because of this, I find myself parenting for the wrong reasons. Sometimes, especially when around other moms, I parent to have well-behaved children. However, great kids are the by-product of the real purpose of parenting- which is helping my kids look more like Jesus. Continue Reading…
A Struggle
Sometimes I struggle. I struggle to parent my girls when in the company of other good parents. Really, it’s not that I struggle to “parent” them in this setting…it’s more like I struggle with “too much parenting” in this situation. When I’m with another mom, especially an older one, I really struggle with wanting them to recognize what a great parent I am. This self-inflicted need is not warranted by comments that they’ve made necessarily. It’s more like an overwhelming self-consciousness. I WANT them to respect my parenting skills. I WANT them to see me as someone who is capable of a “job well done.” I find myself being more strict, pressing manners in an almost OCD way. Does this sound like you? Continue Reading…
A Personal Motto, Mantra, and Words to Live By
My sweet girlfriend came to me the other day wanting some advice about when to have kids. We debated and discussed. Pros and cons. Finances. Am I ready, am I not? This is what I said, be it from the Lord, or my own small mind, who knows…
Don’t make forever decisions based on today’s circumstances. Continue Reading…
Girls’ Night
Moms, do you take time for yourself away from your kids? I know we all talk about it. We occasionally sneak out after dinner and get a pedicure…maybe. We rarely get to the mall alone. We can only remember once, if we’re really lucky, a time that we got away for the weekend without a husband or a child. I know it’s hard. It’s near impossible. After living like that the first year of motherhood, some friends and I decided we’d had enough. We were losing each other. We couldn’t keep up with each other. We were not seeing each other regularly and because of that we were losing our connection, our community.
It had to stop.
And, by the grace of God, it did. Continue Reading…
Making your House a Home…the importance of aesthetics
So…I love to decorate. I’m not the world’s greatest designer, but I do have a knack for home design. Things I’m not good at…clean closets. But, design I can do. It’s something that I love and take pride in. It comes easily. It’s enjoyable. I’ve always got another project on my list waiting. Curtains to be sewn. New artwork ideas, or picture collages to be hung. I love knowing that my home is an extension of my style and personality.
On the flip side, I totally understand that home design is not every one’s passion. To some people, maybe you, it is tedious and frustrating. To some, they’ve never even thought about the fact that their home requires design at all. It’s not on their radar. Totally okay. But I’d like to offer my two cents. Continue Reading…
MINE!!
I’m sure you’ve all heard this word a time or two. Either from your two-year-old or your 12-year-old. They both have the natural and instant idea that everything around them is “MINE!” I’ve tried to do a little experiment with my oldest. She’s 3 ½ now, so the experiment is still very much in progress. But…here is my idea on dealing with this word. Continue Reading…
