Much needed family time

Yesterday was such a blessing from God. We were finally able to spend the entire day as a family. Tim didn't have to rush off to do a job for someone, and I didn't have to leave after supper to go into the hospital. I had been hoping all week that Sunday was going to turn out that way. Usually when I plan it doesn't go the way I want it, but this time it did!

Tim arrived home from the fire station just in time for us to make it to the early service at church. Thank God He did. We both needed to hear the sermon. I was having a hard time worshipping during the songs and concentrating on God. No lie, the very first words the pastor said was, "If you are having a hard time worshipping then you need to stop focusing on yourself." WOW! Ok God, hearing you loud and clear! For the rest of the service I knew God was telling me something so I paid extra special attention:)

When we got back home we spent time in the living room watching the kids play and run their laps around the staircase. After lunch everyone napped, including Tim and I. What??? Yes! This was a good day indeed!

Throughout the evening there was more fun of laughing, playing chase, and dancing. We ended with Tim reading them stories in our room. I am so thankful for God's provision and giving us a day like that. Not all of them turn out to be sweet memories, but He is ALWAYS in the midst. My prayer is that when the next tough day comes along that I will remember God is always there walking along side of me, not just when things are going my way.

This post was linked to A Mama's story , The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, Growing home, Heavenly Homemakers, teaching what is good, and Time Warp Wife

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Teaching respect

                                          image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/freedigitalphotos.net


Just when I have a good day or two of obedient children it never fails that they will get a wild hair and start acting crazy. This can be so frustrating. When one issue is settling another is bubbling getting ready to spew when you least expect it. Yesterday, the disrespect has been one of my greater challenges to deal with.

It's not only the disobedience. It's them talking back and trying to explain themselves is what keeps them in trouble. I am choosing to have faith that I can persevere and discipline God's way to overcome these darn obstacles.

I have been praying for some wisdom on the best way to approach their discipline. Over the past couple of days it has become so obvious to me that we are all born rebellious and mean. God has to work it out of us, and He uses me to work it out of our children. Its a constant. The thing is, we will never be done just as God is never done with us. It's much like a revolving door or dance with our children that God is in the center of. He is continuously teaching and molding us.

For example, when the kids are being exceptional I hop on my high horse and think to myself it must be this awesome discipline, man I'm good! Then before you know it one of them has shoved the other then screamed at me and ran off. This is where He is teaching HUMILITY.  Their good behavior is not a reflection of me but of His goodness and grace on my family.

In an effort to discipline appropriately (and not loose my mind) I call on the name of the Lord. -This just HAS to be apart of His plan! Our children watch us asking for help. What an amazing example we can set for them. As all this is going on He is also teaching me to RELY on Him, and to PERSEVERE when things are tough. As I pray I am asking for patience and wisdom which He says He gives freely to those who ask.

Once God has corrected my heart I am then able to correct my children's heart. I am able to discipline with love just as Jesus does for us. I am able to exemplify forgiveness to them because I am forgiven. I am able once again to lead them because I am following the one true leader. God is revealing to me day after day that my children are one of my greatest blessings because they are what brings me closer to Him. Thank you Lord for the change in perspective.

Times Flying

This week is flying by. June is almost over! Before I know it Christmas will be rolling around the corner. It's hard not to  look ahead and see all the task that lay before you and not feel a little anxious about getting so much done in such little time.

I know I write post on this all the time, but I have to keep reminding myself to FOCUS on the HERE and NOW. Looking back over my week I see that it has been busy in a good kind of way. I also can see all of the times I was looking ahead to what was going on later. At times I can feel in a panic because things are happening so fast and I dont want to miss any of this precious time.

For a recap of our busy, precious week: On Monday I slept half the day from working a night shift the night before. When I woke up the kids and I went with Mom to help her pick out some new glasses. I basically just tried to be nice to the kids all day since I was going on a couple hours of sleep.

On Tuesday the girls helped me make some new healthy snacks. They seriously have a radar letting them know what is healthy. Its crazy! They wouldn't eat a thing, but kept asking for pop tarts:) I don't guess I can blame them, I would have been too. We also started Willows reading curriculum. So far so good. My greatest challenge is keeping it fun. She is very excited about learning something new.


Wednesday the kids and I met mom and Emma at the mall. I was a nervous wreck counting all of their heads in every store we went in. They are so fast. We all rode the carousel that was inside the mall. That was definitly a memory that will stick with me. Everyone was smiling ear to ear.


My prayer is that TODAY I can focus on these sweet faces and enjoy all of the relationships God has given me. God will give me what I need every morning to accomplish the task He has set before me.

Cornbread!

All right y'all, this cornbread recipe is awesome. The kids beg me for this at least once a week. This is an Aunt Debbie favorite as well.

I usually fix this cornbread with some pintos that have been cooking in the crockpot all day and some homemade coleslaw. This is by far one of our favorite meals. Can you say cheap??

- 1 cup whole wheat flour

- 1 cup yellow cornmeal

- 1/2 cup sugar

- 4 tsp baking powder

- 3/4 tsp salt

Mix together

Then add 

- 2 eggs

- 1/4 cup oil

- 1 cup milk

Don't over stir!

Pour into greased 9x9 baking dish at 425 degrees for 27 minutes. 

Don't forget to slather your butter on:)

I linked up this recipe to growing home, and heavenly homemakers, Raising Mighty Arrows.

Kids first camping trip

We had been talking for a while now about getting these city girls outdoors on a camping trip. On Thursday we finally took the plunge. It took us awhile to remember what all we needed to pack. We hadn't gone camping since before I got pregnant with Willow, which was over 4 years ago. 

We decided to make it a surprise until we got to our campsite. Once we revealed our secret they were both excited and nervous at the same time. Willow said she might  get scared sleeping in the forest! When we told them they would get to sleep with us their fear went right out the window.

Once we got the tent set up we went to the playground on the campsite and let them run out all of their excited energy. We were starting to feel confident that we were going to actually be able to do this, and enjoy our first camping trip with them.

That confidence got quickly shaken when the evening hunger struck everyone at the same time. Ty was getting cranky, the girls were driving us nuts for marshmallows, and Tim and I were trying to fix hotdogs for everyone. I remember us looking at each other and without even saying a word we were both thinking that this wasn't the best idea.

Once bellies got full we took turns wrestling with Ty from getting into the campfire. Luckily, Pappa came about 9:00 to pick him up so he could spend the night at their house to get some rest. Once he left it was s'mores time. I think we all ate about 5, maybe more! The girls loved walking around with their flashlights. We sat around mesmerized by the fire all growing sleepier by the minute.

We headed for the tent about 10:30. Probably 30 seconds after our heads hit the pillow we were all asleep. The kids slept great. Tim and I slept decent as well, but of course we were listening out for every sound outside. There are more precious people in the tent to worry about now:)

The next morning we ate pop tarts for breakfast. They had never had them before so this was an adventure all of its own. We went hiking, then packed up for a day of swimming in the lake.

We had a great time swimming. The girls even met some friends and didn't leave the water all day. Donna came and bought Ty and he loved every minute as well. We were popped when we got home but it was so worth it and we can't wait to go again!

Feeling discouraged?

This is to all those hardworking Mommas out there feeling the pressure.

There are days when you feel as though you are pulled in a million different directions. You long to be that Proverbs 31 woman, laugh with your children, love on your husband, and cook awesome meals from scratch. At times, you feel as though you'll never measure up and the joy to serve can feel like a burden.

Let me tell ya mommas, YOU are so precious in the eyes of God. You are feeding, teaching, and molding His army. The smile you give to your children is the comfort that they need when the world is cruel. The prayers you send up on their behalf are heard, God is working. He sees your tears and knows your heart. By the way, that 4th morning of cold creal your feeding them will not be recorded in any kind of books in heaven.

When God sees you He sees a warrior raising the next generation. Because of you we have hope that all of our children will have faith filled friends to link arms with when they are facing this world outside our homes. No, you don't have it altogether...but God does and is pouring wisdom and strength in you daily to keep nourishing His army. 

Don't ever forget your value. When your changing diapers, washing dishes, and chasing children God is in the midst. Stand tall and remember your doing Gods work day in and day out. 

This is what true feminism SHOULD be. Us women holding each other up and keeping each other accountable to the calling of caring for our families. Instead of being anti feminist we can be...pro feminist for God. Reminding each other that the freedom isn't in leaving our God given duties but in caring for the little ones He places at our feet. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

I linked up at http://www.thebettermom.com/ , http://www.whatjoyismine.net/ , http://www.amamasstory.com/search/label/Mama%20Moments%20Mondays,

CSAHM parenting linkup,
Deep Roots at home, Raising Homemakers, walking redeemed, and Women Living Well,babies and beyond

Other plans

For now we are sitting tight here at our countryish house in the suburbs. It seems as though our potential offer on our house and possible ticket to open land has fallen through. There is still hope since our contract isn't up yet on the house in the country.

I was reminding Tim yesterday that we had prayed multiple times for God's will to be done. We may have to start another prayer that He will help us to accept His will whatever that may be. 

I am confident that this vision He has given us in our hearts will come to pass, it just may not be in my time frame. I have decided that if our house doesn't sell then I am going to embrace where I am in life moment by moment. I feel like I'm in this middle zone waiting for the next step so God can use me. It seems I'm forgetting that right now IS a step. 

Nothing is by accident. I will choose to believe that my family and I are right where we are supposed to be. Let's just hope I can remember this when I read all of the little books with farm pictures to the girls.

YES, I'll admit I am jealous of the fictional, cartoon farmer that was in the book I read to them this morning. I'm telling ya I'm crazy!

Linked up today at A Wise Woman Builds Her Home