Creating new traditions and celebrating old ones is just part of the reason why I love the holidays! As our kids have grown a bit older we have been able to capture and create our own family traditions and fun times! One of our most fun traditions and sweet memories happens a couple of days before Thanksgiving! The kids come racing off the bus, drop their bags at the door, and … [Read more...]
The kids are in school-now what?
The kids are in school all day-now what will you do with all of your time?? That's the question I have had to ask myself and give an answer to over 100 times in the last month. Our school district has always had half-day kindergarten and they chose this year to make it full day. I had planned to have another year of putting off this question instead I put all three kids on … [Read more...]
Benefits Of Being On A Sports Team
Growing up in a household of six children my parents were always driving one or more of us to a field to play different sports. At one time or another we all played a sport, some of us more athletic than others. Now as my hubby and I raise our children we too are starting to drive them around to different sports field and gyms. There are many things that have changed since we played … [Read more...]
Happy Girls
My little love comes bouncing across the floor singing and giggling at the same time at the top of her lungs while my blonde sweet girl comes twirling behind her. They are carrying purses, holding babies, and I detect a little eye shadow and lipstick sparkling up their faces. In the game they play they stop over to my coffee shop for some coffee and a bagel, meaning I have called them for … [Read more...]
Conversations Starters For Kids
When our kids come home from school, a friend's, activity, sport or church we ask questions about how their time was, what they did, who they talked to and more! Some of the time we are met with grunts, nods, one word answers and very little details. I remember striking a deal with my sweet boy in second grade. I told him that he had to come home and tell me 4 details about his school … [Read more...]
Proud Parent Moments
Since becoming a Mom almost nine years ago I have experienced many awesome Mom moments, and many struggles and heartbreaking times too. As a parent you pour your love, time, energy, and wisdom into making sure that your children grow up great, surround themselves with good friends, and make wise choices. Do you ever wonder if any of what you are pouring into your child is staying in? So many … [Read more...]
Teaching Our Kids To Love One Another
Love is in the air as Valentine's Day approaches! The stores are full of heart shaped candies, cards, stuffed animals, treat bags and much more! Love is just not for the month of February, it's the feeling, action, and words that stick around for a lifetime. One of our life's greatest joys and challenges has been teaching our kids to love one another in good times and bad! Our sweet … [Read more...]
Back To School
I am in a little shock that school is around the corner, where did the summer go? It flew by, and really fast. In a week's time we will be starting our school routine and this year I am determined to stick to a routine that is going to make each morning go perfectly smooth! :-) I am laughing at that last sentence because every year I start off strong and then a week into the school year things … [Read more...]
A Heart Like Mine
There is a book series that I came across a few years ago by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado. Its a kids series written about a caterpillar named Hermie. Hermie is a common caterpillar with one unique quality...he talks with God! He longs to be something greater than he is and he is always asking God why he is so common. God always replies with the same answer. When Hermie gets frustrated, … [Read more...]
Telling vs Tattling
This post contains an affiliate link and if a purchase is made three kids and a fish will earn a little moolah! Mom, she touched me again. Mom, he is teasing me. Mom, she took my toy. Mom, he is bothering me. Mom, he changed the channel. Mom, she took a snack. All day long. Young kids are still learning how to problem solve and they are still in the mode of thinking that they need … [Read more...]
Asked and Answered
The kids are out of school and we are spending more concentrated quality time together than we have ALL year! Oh, there have been little things to do throughout the days like 1/2 day camp, VBS, the pool, hanging out with friends, park dates and more! We are enjoying soaking up the sun, catching up with friends, and just hanging out. There are moments of "I'm bored", "What's … [Read more...]
Raising Kids For True Greatness
This post contains affliate links and if a purchase is made a percent will go to supporting three kids and a fish. Three years ago we had our little love dedicated and our pastor handed us a book which we then tucked neatly away on a book shelf. Last month I was walking by the book shelf and I noticed a nice layer of dust collecting. I began to peruse the dusty books and once again found … [Read more...]
Dishing Out Discipline
The d word..a word that doesn't really give anyone the warm fuzzies. I am not talking today about the kind of discipline you need to lose those last five pounds, or to buckle down and get your work done so your boss doesn't breathe down your neck or even the ability to dial in and focus on a task. Today I want to talk about disciplining children. How do you manage the melt downs, temper … [Read more...]
Our Home-An Embassy
By definition an embassy 'is the official resident of an ambassador'. It's also the place where an out of country traveler can find safety if need be. A safe haven for the people there. My hubby and I desire for our home to be an embassy. A place where you are safe and free to be you. A place to let your guard down, to put your cozy clothes on and rest in the comforts of home. A place where … [Read more...]
Surviving Dinner Time
Water spills, crumbs dropping all over, trying to talk over one another, whines of "I don't like this dinner", up and down and out of the chair a million times, crying, negotiating how many veggies to eat in order to get dessert, getting up to go to the bathroom, can I have seconds before you have even taken a bite, quick eating to be able to move onto homework and other activities, eating in … [Read more...]
Raising Little Ladies
A few weeks ago I wrote a post on how to raise a gentleman as we walk the journey to manhood with our sweet boy. This week I turn my focus to my blonde sweet girl and my little love. Equally important in teaching our son to become a gentleman, is raising our daughters to become ladies. Some of the focus is the same, some of it different. The things we are trying to teach them would seem … [Read more...]
The View From 4 Feet
My blonde sweet girl got a hold of my phone and started snapping away picture after picture. She runs excitedly back to me and shows me what she did. As I scroll through the pictures I am reminded that her view is different than mine. The lens through which she looks at things is different. I sometimes forget that. I forget that she doesn't always know how to make wise choices, do the right … [Read more...]
Raising A Gentleman
We are heading into the store and I see acts of kindness all around... a gentleman holding a car door open for a lady...another gentleman holding the store door open to let the someone else enter first..a gentleman picking up a package an elderly woman dropped. As my kids and I approach the building the door slams in my face.. my sweet boy let himself in and let the door close on his sisters … [Read more...]
Ways We Show Our Kids They Are Valued
Recently, my hubby and I were talking about value and the different times in our lives where we have felt valued or not so much...growing up, at our jobs, through friendships and relationships. We began to talk about how we show our kids that they are valued, appreciated and that we are proud of them. What exactly does value mean? hmm, good question. There are different … [Read more...]