A Godly Home

“I believe that a Godly home is a foretaste of heaven.

Our homes, imperfect as they are,

must be a haven from the chaos outside.

They should be a reflection of our eternal home,

where troubled souls find peace,

weary hearts find rest,

hungry bodies find refreshment,

lonely pilgrims find communion,

and wounded spirits find compassion.”

                                                       - Jani Ortlund

Those of you who follow my blog might know that I haven't done an Monday Inspiration for some time. I didn't want to force the issue and have to try to "find" something inspirational to share. I decided instead to just share when I came across something. I saw this posted on my friend's facebook page last week and it really stuck with me so I went back to her page and had to post this.

Whether it be painted or stitched or something else, I will make something with this quote to be a reminder for me every day!

I want to remember this when my children get older, when life for them gets rough, when friends disappoint and school is hard. I want to remember this every day when my husband is on his way home from a long day's work. And I want to remember this when I have visitors who may need a break from their own home.

Thank you Jackie for posting this on facebook, it made my day and I'm sure that it was meaningful for many of your friends!

 

Have a great and peaceful day!

Amy

"Let Me Do My Best Today"

I have been a little lazy these past two weeks with my Monday Inspirations. I have been SWAMPED lately (as many moms are) mostly due to my own goals and projects. Most of them will be posted here soon. I have been at my parents' for just shy of a week and have looked repeatedly at this plaque that my mom has displayed since I was young. I'm guessing that I have read it somewhere between a hundred and a thousand times. I thought that this would be a good saying to share today.

"Let Me Do My Best Today"

LET ME DO MY BEST TODAY,

NOT FOR WHAT MY FRIENDS MAY SAY,

NOT FOR GLORY, NOT FOR FAME,

NOT FOR ALL TO KNOW MY NAME,

NOT FOR SHOW AND NOT FOR THANKS,

NOT TO RISE ABOVE THE RANKS,

NOT TO HEAR THE CROWDS APPLAUD,

JUST LET ME DO MY BEST... FOR GOD.

                                                  -Author Unknown

Like I said before, I have read this many times as I was growing up in my parents' home. When I read this now, I realize how much more true it is for parents. Let me do my best today, I can be guaranteed that I will not gain any glory, fame, any sort of acknowledgement and definately not any thanks. What I do today matters though, alot, because what I do today will affect my children, myself and my entire family as a whole. So, let me do my best today!

Have a great week!

Amy

"A Few Words to the Public"

At my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meetings, they always start the day with a devotion. Last year the leader mostly used two books, both of which I really liked and asked for the titles to purchase for myself. "Hold You, Mommy" is my personal favorite and that is where this post comes from. I'm not going to post the entire devotion but simply the "guts" of it. It speaks to the power of words that are spoken to our children (although, really for anyone in our lives) in public.

"A Few Words to the Public"

    I sat waiting as my tires were being rotated, when a grandfather walked in with his adorable little grandson who looked to be about four years old. With his buzz haircut and big eyes, the little boy looked practically irresistible. The owner of the tire shop noticed the little guy too and said, "That's a good-looking boy you've got there." I listened for the grandpa's response. My wide-eyed smile fell when he sarcastically commented, "Oh, he's trouble!"

    How do you respond to that? The owner ran his hand over the little fella's stubby hair in comfort. My heart hurt for the boy. I thought about the great opportunity that this grandfather had been given to publicly build this little boy up, and he missed it.

   Have you done that? I have. It's easy to do. Sometimes we're so frustrated with our kids that when someone says they are well behaved, we want them to know the truth: "You should see them at home!" Or if someone says, "They look like so much fun," it's tempting to reply, "You wanna take 'em home with you?"

   A mom shared with us that when answering the phone, her husband always greets the caller with, "Trevor and Parker's proud father." Isn't that great? That dad is taking every opportunity to build his little guys up "in public" where his kids can hear. I'm sure they'll always remember that! Fred Hartley, Jr., author of "parenting at it's best", said, "The only thing better than personally receiving a sincere compliment is publicly  receiving a sincere compliment."

   One grandma told us, "What you say about your child in front of someone else is what they'll remember." Laurie and I, along with our brother, know that she's right. We remember our dad introducing each of us to strangers as his "right'-hand man."

   We didn't mind him calling us that. I was so excited that he was glad to be with me that I cherished the title of "right-hand man." After his words of public praise, I wholeheartedly helped him in any way I could.

   God modeled this public approval for His son as well. After Jesus was baptized, "A voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased' " (Matthew 3:17). Jesus had the blessing of His father, complete with a public declaration of approval.

   Our kids need that approval from us too. The next time you have the chance to publicly compliment your kids, don't miss it! What you say about your kids in front of someone is what they'll remember.



  

"Hold You, Mommy" by Laurie Lovejoy Hilliard &Sharon Lovejoy Autry

   After reading this devotion I realized that I am too honest about my family. It is an easy trap to fall into because when children are born they have no idea for quite some time what you are saying. When one of my babies would be a month old and people ask how things are going, I can picture that I would admit "good but exhausting." This can continue on until they are four and one day I realize that I just admitted to someone that they are a handful right in front of them.

   My son is and always has been an awesome sharer. I have really noticed lately that when I tell this to someone in front of him he has the biggest smile on his face. He then proceeds to go above and beyond and start offering his treats and toys with others just to show how well he really does share. At the same time, if I tell someone that he can be a challenge, why would I expect him to not proceed to prove me right. This reminds me of something I read many years ago. A woman was saying how much her husband always spoke highly of her when talking to others, she went on to list the qualities that he would praise and she thought to herself "I had better figure out how to become all those things before he realized that they were not all true!" It made me think of how much better our relationships would be if we would choose (yes, it has to be a conscious choice) to look for the good in each other instead of focusing on the negatives. I know that I'm not perfect (no laughing) and I don't want my husband to dwell on that so why would I do it to him.

This takes me back to one of my previous posts. The words to "Encouragement" by Don Wharton are very fitting with the rest of this post. Just imagine what we can accomplish with a little encouragement. Even more, imagine the possibilities of what our children can accomplish in their lives if given ample encouragement. Pretty powerful!

Have a great week!

Amy

Contentment- It's Your Choice

These days are here, these days are now.

Help us treasure everyday somehow.

Don't look back or up ahead, but

live and love today.

These days are here and then they're gone,

Help us be content; they won't last long,

For we only have these days.

                                    - words by Laurie  Hilliard

                                            -music by Pat and Sharon Autry

   Wow- I was shocked when I came across this. A few weeks ago I started jotting down words very similar to this when I had found a lump on my thyroid which turned out not to be cancer but got me thinking A LOT about my family. Even though the chance was slim that it would be cancer, those days of uncertainty really put many things into perspective and solidified my list of priorities.

    The fact is, I was suddenly looking at my life differently because of a health concern but it could be anything that could put my life or quality of life in jeopardy.  I have said in the past that when I would come across something that I found inspiring, it seamed to fade after time and I would forget about my new found outlook. I didn't want this experience to fade and I realized, truly realized, that tomorrow could be my last day because of a car accident or any other catastrophe. That's when I started writing words that sounded very much like this because I didn't want to forget how I was feeling in that moment. That life is about today. What does that mean for me? That I want to give my best to everything every day. I may have commitments to take my kids to playdates and gymnastics but when I get home, I don't want it to be an excuse for why I didn't read books, do projects or love my children as much as I can. If you have been reading along with my blog, you know that this has also lead to guilt issues that I didn't accomplish everything everyday but I'm working on that!

   Then, not only with my children but also my husband, friends and family I have a different outlook. I let stuff go a lot more now and try to concentrate on the positive. My husband may not be perfect (who is?!) but in the end of the day, I know that he truly loves me (and shows it in his ways) and I find THAT to be much more important than if he helped put the dishes back correctly. I am not perfect myself but I also feel a lot less accepting of negative thinking, my own outlook now is that life is too short!

   In the end, yesterday already happened and all we can do with that is learn from it. Tomorrow hasn't happened yet so why spend precious time today worrying about it when tomorrow can worry about itself!

Have a great week and be content because it is what you have now!

Amy

A Guilt-Free Tale

A Guilt-Free Tale by Michelle Leichty

  Once upon a time as a mother, I wasted plenty of time feeling guilty. Guilty I wasn't making cute crafts with my preschoolers. Guilty I wasn't making fancy lunches to tempt my toddler's appetite.

One day, as I sat feeling overwhelmed by my responsibilities and a messy house, I stopped. I looked at the precious baby I was nurturing, and and I heard the happy voices of my toddlers and preschoolers.

  I realized: I'm not that bad!

  I thought about my husband's grandmother, raised on a Midwest farm. Grandma Marce inspired me during those early years with kids. Whenever I felt guilty about hiding the craft supplies, I thought about her life raising three boys, largely without the benefit of electricity. I asked Grandma Marce if she ever had time to read to her children.

  "Oh, I remember Junior (her eldest) had an alphabet book. He would sit on the floor in the kitchen with that book, and I would read it over his shoulder while I washed the dishes. He loved that book."Junior is a well-adjusted adult, a retired teacher and leader in his church. Yet Grandma Marce couldn't stop working just to read to him.

  I started looking at the time my appliances saved me and decided to use that time to read to my children. I began to focus on what I liked. Crafts make me feel grumpy. Then I snap at the children. Why feel guilty avoiding crafts? I love reading. So I started reading to my children. After breakfast, we'd pile on the couch for a reading session. I felt better about being a mom. And I focused on loving my kids the way I knew best.

This article is from MomSense- the periodical from MOPS International (Mothers of Preschoolers)

  I have been struggling with guilt myself lately. Some of it justified but most of it not. Justified guilt over losing patience with my children and after I really thought about it, most of it was caused by myself. I would talk to my mother every morning on the phone and when my children got crazy  (as most children do when you are on the phone) it would upset me and we had a bad start to the day. Now I wait until they are doing something constructive like play-doh (or sometimes not until naps) and the day runs smoother. I also became irritated when the kids wouldn't move fast enough as we were leaving for somewhere. Now I see how it really is my fault that I didn't start the process earlier to give them enough time (I tend to run late, that's one more thing I'm working on.) I am happy to say that truly realizing all of this has helped immensely!

  Then, I know, there is unjustified guilt and I'm working on that as well. I have been trying to improve all the areas where I feel I am falling short.  After A Guilt Free Tale, I started to think about how silly some of my expectations have been. I too have guilt over not being perfect. Some days I don't read as many books as I'd like, make as healthy of meals, do enough craft projects, get all the dishes done, have the place spotless (which never actually happens but I always hope.) I'm not saying that these are not important, they just don't need to all be done everyday. Now, at the end of the day, if I know I worked hard, did my best (which is most days), spent quality time with the children and didn't get impatient- I too now realize: I'm not that bad!
  As moms, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. We need to look at them and use it to our advantage. No two moms are created equal and we each need to see our own strengths and stop comparing ourselves to the rest. Each of us are unique and we all need to appreciate that!

Have a great week!

Amy

Top Money Savers for Families

Those who know me know that I love saving money and getting great deals. The reason I included this in Monday Inspirations is because I personally know many (ours included) families who choose to have mom stay at home or worked reduced hours. This translates into less income and more bodies as before and I think that family budgeting can be just as difficult as many of the other tasks required by moms. I find it inspirational to read some of these money saving tips and use them to improve my portion of our money spending. #10 Buying Things You Don't Need- Since reading this, I have remembered it and put items back after asking myself "do I really need this?" Sometimes small reminders like this lagging in the back of your mind can really help. 

Top 10 Wastes of Money Families Can Avoid

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What is the biggest waste of money every family could easily avoid? We asked our Top 25 Money-Saving Tips Bloggers and they divulged over 60 smart ways to trim family expenses. Here, we reveal the 10 most popular tips. Time to stop these money-wasting habits, and start saving!

#10 Buying Things You Don’t Need
“Buying things you don't need or can't afford is the biggest waste of money. This is true for grocery, drugstore, household, big-ticket items, things for your kids — anything and everything. You really have to ask yourself, is this something I (we) REALLY need?” -Michelle Hovestadt, Wicked Cool Deals

#9 Eating Junk Food While Traveling
"It is amazing how much money you can waste just by stopping at fast food places and convenience stores. Make sure to pack a cooler with snacks, sandwiches and drinks for the driver and all passengers!...If you wait until you are on the road, not only will you pay full price, you will normally pay an inflated price for the convenience." -Mommy’s Money-Saving Obsession

#8 Paying Full Price for Toothpaste
"There are plenty of coupons in the Sunday inserts for a variety of toothpaste...every family can find one or many that suits their needs...Smaller sizes combined with coupons will have the biggest savings." -Rebecca Autry, Moms Saving Money

#7 Eating Out
"Many families are on busy schedules and trying to fit in a sit down meal at the dinner table is hectic. One of the quick answers is to hit the drive through, or order a pizza. These ‘quick fixes’ add up to major money! … A little planning can go a long way and save a lot of money!" -Wendy Pesce, Saving With Wendy

#6 Skipping Meal-Planning
"By creating a meal plan you not only save money at the grocery store, but you save money by not eating out as much. If you already have a plan for dinner that night you are less likely to deviate from it." -Lauren Greutman, I am THAT lady

#5 Residential Phone Bill
"Many people have already deleted their home phone bill through the use of cell phones…but what if your plan isn't unlimited? Ooma is VOIP that has very little cost after you buy it. It costs around $200 and then you only pay about $3.50 per month thereafter. Ooma gives you unlimited local and long-distance calling, caller ID, call waiting, and voice-mail." -King Dealio

#4 “Now” Thinking
"Black Eyed Peas talk about being a “Now Generation.” We don't have to get things now unless we can afford them! How many people get things now and pay for them later? The only thing is...[then] people really pay for them! -Enza’s Bargains

#3 Not Using Coupons
“There are so many great high value coupons and ways to ‘stack’ and ‘double’ your coupon savings, that it is a waste of money to pay full price for just about anything! You can shop according to the weekly sales and match them up with available coupons to get the most savings power! There are many items that you can get for free or very close to it when you use this method!” -Adventures of a Couponista

#2 Being a Brand Snob
“Do not rely on certain brands. Do not only buy a brand you think your family loves...Different brands will have sales and coupons at different times. This means that even the most expensive brand may be free or close to it at a certain time….Once you start getting the brands that are on sale or have coupons, you will really save a LOT MORE MONEY!” -Sarah, Raining Hot Coupons

#1 Your Family’s Personal Money Waster
“I believe the biggest money waster a family can avoid resides right inside each of our heads. Changing your habits, planning ahead and vowing to work together as a family will make all the difference. Everyone is different and must find their shortcomings and resolutions...You have to find out what’s costing you, and take steps to change your habits.” -Wendy S., Gimmie Freebies

I hope you gained something out of these great money saving tips!

Have a great week!

Amy

Moms- What you do matters!

Folks, this has been a long week and I kept this on hand for a busy week. So today's inspiration is short and sweet but important! My mother gave me this card a while back and I kept it because it really meant a lot to me.

Moms nurture hope,

build dreams, plant seeds of faith

that yield unending blooms,

and leave footprints of love

on her children's heart

that never fade.

                           -Elisa Morgan

Then the inside of the card read:

What you do matters...

today and for eternity.

 

In the end, I know that as moms we all know that what we do matters. I  also know that there are many days that it may not seem like it and it is easy to forget. So I'll say it again-
What you do matters!

Remember this this week as you are driving to school or playdates, as you do the hundredth load of laundry, as you make a healthy dinner that you have to try to get your kids to eat (even though slapping together PB&J would have been easier), as you sit in church with them when staying home would have been much less stressful, or as you sit to read to your children when tv would buy you more time to get everything else done.

What you do matters...

today and for eternity.

Have a great week!

Amy

"Encouragement" by Don Wharton

"Encouragement" by Don Wharton

I'm often caught in this Grown-ups dilemma;

Torn between two ways to go.

Wishing I could give you all the answers

but knowing you should find them on your own.

Life is beautiful

And life is good,

But life will never, never be easy

Like we sometimes wish it could.

But I believe we were all meant to succeed.

I believe we were all born to win.

 You might stand alone at the top of the vict'ry stand,

But you get there with the love and support

of your friends.

It takes a pat on the back.

It takes a hand to hold.

It takes some words of hope

 That touch your heart and soul.

(chorus)

It takes encouragement.

Encouragement.

 That fragile bridge between your dreams and accomplishment.

Surround yourself in this human experiment

With those who proudly wear the badge of encouragement.

I wish I could have posted a video of Don Wharton singing this song so you could have heard the music to go with the words. This song by Don Wharton has meant so much to me ever since I was quite young. Every time I hear it now it reminds me of what my purpose is as a parent, to guide and encourage my children.

Don Wharton is a Christian singer and songwriter who I feel really understands the true meaning of life. His music is very inspiring and uplifting to me. This song came originally from the "Encouragement" CD and was later changed very slightly to be put on his children's CD called "Camp Encouragement." Unfortunately, the Camp Encouragement version is no longer available but his original Encouragement CD still is. If you are interested in finding out more about Don, visit this link: Don Wharton Music.

Have a great week everyone!

Amy

"Lessons from a Zen Mommy"

For my first week of Monday inspirations I chose an article from Parents magazine called "Lessons from a Zen Mommy." I know that zen comes from Buddhism and some of you might find it strange that I chose this article since I am a Christian but this article basically leaves religion aside and has many great thoughts on how to simplify life. I found the article inspiring because it really made me think about ways that I can change to ease some of the burdens of "Mommy life."

My Take on "Lessons from a Zen Mommy" by Bethany Saltman

Zen Wisdom: Do what you're doing while you're doing it.

Mom Translation: Stop Multitasking!

"An important teaching in Zen is that our entire life is happening right now. The past is over and the future hasn't happened yet. Therefore, all we have is the present." -Beth

I need to read this daily! Can we really do two things at once? Can you put your whole heart into the story that you're reading you children while keeping one eye on The Bachelor? For me, can I really give full concentration to delivering my children to their destination safely while talking on the phone? I want to really try to give my all to the current task at hand.

Zen Wisdom: Leave no trace.

Mom Translation: Take responsibility for yourself and your mess. And teach your children to do the same.

"In Zen we're taught that the state of our mind is reflected in the way we create our home." -Beth

Yikes! Folks, I am in T-R-O-U-B-L-E!! I have been trying to teach this to my children but I need it the most! For my kids it's simple- "you get it out, you put it away" or "If you put your toys away, you can keep them. If Mommy picks them up, I keep them." (That's from Love & Logic.) For me, I have anxiety just thinking about this- "take responsibility for yourself and you're mess." I'm good at excuses for why things haven't gotten done- no more! Time to put the "big girl panties on" and take more responsibility!

Zen Wisdom: Take just the right amount.

Mom Translation: Limit acquiring too much stuff.

"The question I've been taught to ask myself is: Do I really require as much (food, money, things) as I may think I do in the moment? -Beth

Finally! I'm starting to get something right (although my husband may disagree!) I have been really bad about this in the past and have been trying to fix it. Toys? We have many less now than we used to. The children not only still seem satisfied with the selection but I think they actually play with each toy better without having a hundred others thrown around to choose from. For me, I like to go to garage sales to scour for deals but it's really only a deal if I need it! This summer I have been much more selective with what's a need versus a want. Acquiring less has equalled less stress. Less stress over money spent and less stress over where to put it (remember my struggle with the "take responsibility for your mess".)

Zen Wisdom: Practice Patience.

Mom Translation: Don't beat yourself up over things.

I'm mostly going to let her take this one. "Being a Zen student is a good way to be reminded that the journey is the goal. And it's the same with being a parent. Of course we all want to be perfect. And we want our kids to be perfect too- responsible, generous, polite, nice. However, it's a life's work to become a decent human being. Because our kids are constantly changing, we're always total beginners. We all need time to learn, make mistakes, and start over. But we live in an impatient world, and many of us- women especially- tend to beat ourselves up when we feel like we've fallen short. So it's important to model patience." -Beth

Her next thought I really like and have been using. When one of the children (or myself or spouse) does or says something inappropriate or hurtful, instead of getting upset, they get a do-over. Whether it's re-saying something that came out harsh or re-picking up the toy that was thrown and gently delivering it- it works!

"Occasionally I'm really impatient and blow it. Then I get to model how to apologize. Being a good kid or a good parent doesn't happen overnight. We all need to be gentle with each other and ourselves, practicing patience. Again and again." -Beth

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. I have saved this article for a while in hopes of sharing it on my blog. I promise that the Monday inspirations will not regularly be this long. Please check back to read more articles, songs, or phrases which I have found inspiring. Have a great week!

Monday Inspirations

My plan for this part of my blog is to bring moms weekly inspirations, hopefully on Mondays. There have been so many times in my life as a mom where I have heard a phrase, quotation, or read an article which is very inspiring to me. I use this inspiration to attempt to improve my life whether it is as a mom, wife, friend, or just as a person.  The problem is that it only takes a few days, maybe a week before I start to lose the inspiration or simply cannot remember exactly what it was anymore. I am starting this blog to share these inspirations with other moms so they may also hopefully benefit from them and to collect them for myself. Watch my blog for Monday Inspirations to begin after Labor Day. I look forward to sharing with you!

Amy