Glow In The Dark Bath

$1.00 for a package of Glow Stick bracelets from The Dollar Tree will have the kids saying,

"You're the BEST MOM EVER!!!"

I scored some serious cool points with the kids Sunday evening.

The best dollar of fun money can buy.

Fill the bath with water, break the glow sticks to activate the glow and let the kids have fun in the dark.

For the most surprise, build up the surprise all day.  You want them anticipating something really fun tonight.  Don't let them come in until the big reveal.  Have the water ready and let them have a grand entrance.  They'll love it.

Motherhood As A Ministry?

Do you know the startling statistic that 2 out of 3 young people are leaving the church?

I'm talking about church raised 20 somethings who leave home and leave the church with it.

If you have 3 children, statistics say that 2 of them will leave the church when they are in their 20's.

It is time for us to wake up.  As Christian Mothers we have a huge opportunity to try to make a difference.  There are no guarantees but that is no excuse not to try.  As I think about my role as a Mother do you know what keeps coming to mind?

Speak truth directly from the pages of Scripture to my children.  My words may return to me empty, but God's never return to Him empty.  They accomplish the purpose He desires.  Even if they are 2 years old and don't understand.  Even if they are 17 and you think it's too late to start.  You know what my wise friend told me?

Satan's word is TOMORROW

God's word is TODAY

The enemy knows if he can plant the seed that it is too late in your mind he's got you.  He knows if he can make you feel like you've already failed, you will say what's the use in trying.  You stand defeated when you listen to the lies.

Start small.  Put a Bible on your kitchen table.  Tonight after dinner read a Psalm.  Read it during dinner.  Read it at breakfast as they eat cereal.  Read any part of Scripture.  Don't get caught up in reading the "right" passage.  Well, Leviticus may freak em' out a bit, but whatever.

Try reading from Psalms.

Proverbs has 31 Chapters.  Today is May 10th.  Read Proverbs 10.

So, Motherhood as a ministry?  I think so.  We have opportunity to make a difference.  Start today by reading Scripture out loud to your kiddos.

Emergency Budget Meeting

We had to have an Emergency Budget Meeting when I found out shakes at Sonic are half-price ALL SUMMER LONG after 8pm.   May, June, July, and August just got a new line on the ol' budget.  It's under the Mama's upping the calcium intake this summer for early osteoporosis intervention line.

Apparently Summer started early this year because the dealio is in full swing.

I've already got my pineapple shake on one time. You have got to try it. Trust me. Take 8 quarters and try one. If you like fruity, not too sweet and tropical you'll love it.  It is like the beach in a Styrofoam cup, only not.

Oh, and by the way, if you're coming to the study tonight (which I am SO EXCITED ABOUT), it's alright if you show up at 8:06 because you had to swing by for your After Moon Delight.  Also, if you're coming tonight, you may want to bring your Bible, pen and paper.

Please tell me if you try a pineapple shake and love it as much as I do.

Want to come over?

I'm opening up my home tomorrow night at 8:00pm

If you are a Mama and in need of encouragement you should come

For the next 6 weeks we are going to go through the book

The Ministry Of Motherhood

From the time I saw double lines on the pregnancy test I've been reading parenting books

They often leave me feeling stressed, condemned and feeling like a failure

Not this one

It points you straight to Jesus

What did His Ministry on earth look like

How did He disciple His Twelve

There are no extremes on the pendulum with this kind of approach to parenting

Look to Jesus

Take a breath of relief as grace starts to take over the reigns

As Kindness and Gentleness start to fill your sails

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If you can't come on Wednesday nights I'd still love for you to join the discussion

Thursdays will be a day where you can come here and post comments on what spoke to you

I'll post highlights from the Wednesday night discussion

If you live out of town and are feeling alone and uncertain about your role as a Mom

Please order the book, read along and join the discussion

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There are several places to order.  www.wholeheart.org, www.half.com, www.amazon.com

Go ahead and order so we can start reading and discussing.

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Click Here to read reviews of this wonderful book

p.s. if you are interested in joining this group either in person or online do you mind sending me a quick text, call or email just so i can know how many to expect

She is...

She perseveres.

She bears up under trial.

She endures.

She has an endurance toward people and circumstances.

She is associated with hope.

She has a quality of character that does not allow her to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial.

She is constant.

She has a constancy toward God.

She has a quality of mind and it is tranquil.

She is tolerant.

She is gentle.

She is patient.

“The times we find ourselves having to wait on others may be the perfect opportunities to train ourselves to wait on the Lord.”

~ Joni Eareckson Tada

Psalm 40:1, Psalm 86:15, Isaiah 40:31

The Recipe

Remember last weeks Menu?

The one where none of the options looked that great?

Well, I tried the Love and Serve and it was good.  Today I'd like to share the recipe.  I'm still tweaking it, but this is a strong start for you.

1 hot shower
1 outfit (can be comfy, just need to be dressed)
1 pair of shoes
1 smile
1 go to bed earlier
8 glasses of water (you can start smaller and add more if you need to)

Add all of these in.  Mix well.  Gradually add in some out loud Scripture reading.

If you've been tired and worn out, chances are you are tempted to be grumpy about it.  Chances are you're tempted to feel sorry for yourself.  Chances are you are tempted to let discontentment set in.  That is one course you can choose to take.  The results are usually not pretty for anyone involved.

The second option is to take inventory of what you can do, what you can change.  When I am tired and worn out, a hot shower is the first thing that makes a difference.  Shampoo your hair and get yourself dressed.  Putting shoes on makes a huge difference.  It signals to your mind that even though I'm home, this is my realm and there are tasks I need to put my hands to.

Drink more water.  Not part of the list we like but if you are dehydrated it takes a toll on how you feel.

Get yourself to bed earlier tonight.  If you can rest during the day, find a time to make the house quiet and rest.

Smile.  Smile at those around you.  Smile when you speak to them.

When your ambition is to love those around you things start to change.

When you seek how you can bless them things change.  If you keep focusing on what you don't have and what you think you need, you'll stay miserable.

When you decide you're going to make your bed, get dressed and be nice, the atmosphere changes.

Last, but certainly not least, read the Bible.  Read Proverbs 3 (since today is May 3rd).  Read I Peter Chapter 1.  Read I John.  Anything.  But open your Bible and read it.  Read it out loud.

You Hear That?

Do you hear that?   That, my friend, is the sound of a completed school year!  Tonight I finished my grading for the year and we are done.  Four sweet letters, done.

What a relief to have completion. Shane threw out the gauntlet last week. Woman, if you finish grading by next Thursday, I'll give you a girls night out with Mexican food. Oh I was all over that like a fat girl in a half price candy store. Finished up a day early.

Here is my 1st grader.  Such a hard worker this year.

Here is my 2nd grader.  I'm so proud of the hard work these boys put in this year.  They've memorized scripture, learned math, spelling and reading.

And this little guy, we'll he marches to the beat of his own drum.  He'll be very happy to have his brothers freed up so he doesn't have to entertain himself with Mama's jewelry box.

I am so thankful that God helped us finish strong this year.  We'll chat more about school next time.  I'm a whirlwind of thought on all things school right now.

But for tonight, we are celebrating baby!  It's 8:22pm and the boys are still dirt covered and in the back yard.  That's what I'm talkin' about!