Can you believe we are not even through Halloween and stores are all decked out for Christmas.  Yes, I typed Christmas.  I believe in Christmas and that is what  I am standing firm on.  December 25 is a day to celebrate Christ’s birth.  I think of the holiday season as the whole month of December but the 25th is His birthday, Christmas.   No political correctness here! 

I thought it would be fun to share how we celebrate the Christmas season.  How do you keep it stress free (can we do that)?  What cookies do you make? What is your favorite Christmas song?  Do you have a favorite memory of a toy or game?   These are some things I am going to be blogging about in the coming weeks.  First,  I want to share some tips I have collected over the years.  I attend the  Hearts at Home conferences and have heard fantastic speakers.  Karen Ehman is so much fun, practical and humorous.  She has several books out.  She has a class about  having a Blessed not Stressed holiday.  Here is what she suggests:

S:  Don’t seek to have the perfect Christmas season.  Have a memorable one.  Don’t worry if your home is perfect, the food is perfect or you are holding to tradition.  This will cause stress!

T:  Try not to do it all.  You don’t have to do all the Christmas traditions in one year.  If you have many spread them out.  Pick the ones that will work for you and your family in this season of life.

R:  Don’t REPEAT mistakes of the past.  Figure out what stresses you out and avoid it.  If it is baking cookies from scratch, don’t.  Make some that are semi-homemade.  If it is getting all your shopping done in one weekend, spread out your time.  Enjoy life!  We only get one!

E:  Evaluate your Christmas season by not comparing yourself to others.  Look  God in your own celebration.  All families are different.  Take the ideas from your friends and family and pick ones that work for you.  Don’t feel guilty about this.  Your family is it’s own unique identity!

S:  Set no agenda according to your kids.  The Christmas season doesn’t revolve around them.  The holidays are to expose them to those who are less fortunate.  Take this opportunity to plant some seeds of compassion, kindness, and giving. 

S:  Start off the season with a plan.  Without a plan you will fail.  Your holidays will go by in a blurr and you will be stressed out!  Plan out your holiday budget!!  This is so important.  Don’t allow your family to become stressed out due to overspending.  It is so easy to do!   Sit down with your calender and plan out shopping days, a few nights to write out Christmas cards while watching a fun Christmas movie, plan your menu and start picking things up here and there at the store (this will help your budget), plan a weekend to put up your Christmas tree and lights.   Plan fun time, go see Christmas lights, go to a local church for a Christmas play, have fun in the snow, bake cookies, read the Christmas story (Luke 2). 

These tips and ideas have helped me through the years to have a less stressed Christmas.  I tended to think that I had to be doing everything that my friends families where doing.  It left me so overwhelmed.  I went to this class with Karen Ehman and a light bulb went off.  I was free from all the “have to’s”  My Christmas’ are so much more enjoyable now.  

Next we will talk about how to bless…I hope you join me!!  I truly believe we can learn from one another.

The air is crisp, leaves are changing colors and falling and fall is in the air.  There is just something about this time of year.  It starts getting darker earlier and I have to say that I love it.  By this time in the year I am ready to slow down and spend some time in the evening relaxing. 

I wanted to share some ideas I have come across for making your home comfy and warm this autumn season.

1.  Decorate your home.  Pumpkins, acorns, pine cones, and leaves strategically placed through your home gives it that cozy feeling.  It also creates an atmosphere that says welcome.   Candle light is always a favorite.  Place a candle in the center of your table and light them at dinner.  It is calming.  You can use coffee beans or ground unmade coffee to help hold candles.  If you have a mantel (we will in our next home and I am so stinking excited)  decorate it with mini lights and all kinds of fall decor.  There are tons of photo’s on the Internet that can give you ideas. 

2.  Get together your favorite recipes, sit down at the table and plan your menu’s.  Pick out old and new tasty creations to try.  Invite some friends over for coffee, hot tea, or cider and swap recipes.  What a great time to catch up and fill your recipe bin.  Stews, casseroles, roasted veggies, pumpkin crunch, homemade apple butter, main courses and hearty breakfasts.  Fill up those recipe books. 

3.  It is time to clean out the freezer and fridge so you will have room to make and store meals, holiday cookies, and homemade gifts.  Also remember to clean out that pantry.  Look at expiration dates and half used bags of rice, cornmeal, flour and such. 

4.  Stock up.   When you go to the grocery pick up a few  items that you know you will be using this holiday season.  This helps keep your budget in check because you are not spending your entire grocery allowance on baking and cooking items.  Pumpkin, spices, apples, hot chocolate, cranberry sauce, flour, cooking spray, chocolate chips.  Start picking up plastic containers and ziploc bags too. 

5.  Go through closets and donate unwanted items.  There is always someone that can use something.  Coats, mittens, scarves, snow boots…look at what you have, what you don’t need and think of someone to bless with it. 

6.  Look for pumpkin patches and apple orchards in your home town.  These are great day trips.  I know that the pumpkin patches in our town offer hay rides, greenhouses, homemade goodies, some have petting zoo and than everyone gets to pick their own pumpkin.  I have heard that we have a great apple orchard that makes fresh, hot apple fritters on Saturdays.  Yum Yum

7.  Count your blessings daily!!  Remember to look at each day as a gift.  In some way or another we are all blessed.  Pray that God shows you how you can bless others.  Cultivate a thankful heart.  Each day write down 2-3 things your are thankful for.  It could be as simple as the crisp morning air.  The beautiful sunset.  Stop and be aware of your blessing and praise Jesus for what he has done. 

Hopefully you have some ideas to get your home in order so you can enjoy and relax this holiday season.  My next post is going to start a series of posts about the ways we can create a fun, creative, peacefull and memoriable  holiday season.  I really want to learn from one another and so please feel free to post ideas, recipes, thoughts.

Things  have been busy and I am praying that October is calmer.  AH, October is finally here.  I love the fall.  It is my absolute  favorite.  When fall comes it gives me permission to relax a bit.  Colder weather, casseroles, apple anything, leaves falling, pumpkins, crisp mornings and evenings…bring it on!! 

Phoebe had her friend birthday party and had a blast.  Here are some photos,

Natalie, life of the party

decorating empty pizza boxes to keep treasures in

making a wish

Phoebe had so much fun with her friends and she is enjoying playing the games and crafts she received.

This past weekend Elliott and I celebrated 11 years of marriage.  We went to the Creation Museum.  This is a breathtaking place and I encourage you to go. It is operated by Answers in Genesis, a bible based foundation.   I know that the prices are a deterrent,  but trust me, you will be blessed!  It is such an incredible experience.  They have 3 movies you can see based on the great flood, creation and why we need Christ, a planetarium, that is remarkable,  gardens that are beautiful with waterfalls, a swaying bridge and babbling brooks.  There is a petting zoo with several different animals (the gardens and petting zoo are free).  You can pack a picnic lunch, there are picnic shelters throughout the gardens.  Side note, I believe you need at least 5 hours to go through.   Plus during the holiday season they offer a “walk through Bethlehem”  We cannot wait to take our family! 

After that we went to dinner and a movie.  It was nice to spend time together.  Marriage can be tough, but with Christ all things are possible.  We get bogged down in life and discouraged.  We look to our spouse to fill voids only Christ can fill.    We need to let him fill those voids, which in turn will change our outlook. 

I am loving stampin.  I have found my new “passion”.  It has allowed me to use my creativity.  Plus some of my dearest friends do it too and we all know that doing hobbies is better when done with friends.  It has also show me a way that I can bless others.  I love to encourage.  So to send a homemade card to someone,   to bless their day, that is what I enjoy doing.  I also enjoy getting them too.  Now, I am not brave enough to post any of my creations but in due time I will.  My stampin mentor is going to show me some techniques and tips, I am so excited.  This gal ROCKS at making cards.  One of those people that can look at an idea than turn around and make it.  She is good!  Inspiring and creative. 

So what are your hobbies or outlet?  How do you encourage others?  What brings you joy?

I went through the pictures on my camera and realized that I had not shared some of the great times we had at the end of summer.  So here they are.

Natalie and Sam

 This is Samantha, Natalie’s friend.  This girl has such a big heart and I feel honored to know her.  She looks past Natalie’s “differences” and enjoys being her friend.  She is a blessing and I pray she is blessed for her compassion.   Samantha reads to Natalie and Natalie loves it. 

Phoebe at Christmas in July. This was at First Church

This is how the kids and some adults got wet!

Too much fun!!

This was an event held at our home church supporting a ministry that takes toys to children that are in the hospital over the holidays.  It was Christmas in July, they had a Polar Plunge, Kona Ice, all kinds of games and sweet treats.  The admission was a new toy to donate.  The kids had a blast.  As you can see the local fire department came and opened up a hydrant to “cool” off everyone.  I couldn’t tell if the fireman were having more fun than the kids.

First day of 4th grade

First day of kindergarten

The first day of school was great!  Everyone, including mom did well.  It was tough seeing Phoebe go off to school.  She’s my baby.  It is odd not having her around all the time.  She loves her teacher and is having tons of fun.  Natalie’s notebook is coming home saying she is having a terrific time in school.  She is all smiles and enjoys her class. We are getting used to the new routines of baths, stories, bed.  It is hard because it is still light out at 8:15-8:30. 

Okay, so I went to the Beth Moore Simulcast.  All I can say is “WHOA”  It was awesome.  I tried to take some pictures but they came out way to dark..bummer.  Her teaching was incredible.  She taught on Psalm 37.  I love how she gets you to a point where you want to dig and dig into God’s word. She puts it on an easy to understand, break it down way.   I had so many “moments” this weekend and I was nudged in my heart about some things.  Oh, and the worship, just let me tell you about the worship.  Rocking!! Clapping, moving, hands raised praising.  It was amazing.  It was just what I needed.  Travis Cottrell is a gifted worship leader.  If you can ever get to a simulcast or get to the real deal…GO!!  You won’t regret it.  I am forever blessed. 

Well, Phoebe turned 5 today so I will be posting pictures about that soon.  We took mini cupcakes to school and I helped in the room.  When Natalie got home we took Phoebe out to dinner and let her open one gift.  She is having a party on Saturday with family and than one with her friends the following week.  I am really tired so have a blessed rest of the week. 

Oh, Natalie is having some minor surgery on Friday, so could you say a prayer for her.  Things that are simple can get complicated quickly with kids like her.  I am confident that God will blanket her with his protection and peace.  Thanks so much and I will update you on how things go. 

I am so excited!  I am going to Beth Moore’s live simulcast tonight and tomorrow.  I have never been to one.  She is in Wisconsin, teaching on Psalm 37.  This is going to be such a thrill.  I love her studies and truly believe she is anointed to teach God’s word.  If you haven’t visited her blog you should.  I will be sure to post pictures.  I am going with some girlfriends of mine who love Jesus and are a bunch of fun.  If you are in the Northern Ky area and want to come visit this site.  

Things here have been busy, getting back into the swing of things with school schedules.  Phoebe loves kindergarten.  I felt so sad watching her get out of the car at morning drop off and seeing her walk into that big school.  She is growing up.  It goes so fast.  Natalie is enjoying being back with her friends.  The notes coming home say that she is having fun and meeting new kids in her class.  That school has been such a blessing to our family.  Everyone is so supportive and encouraging to Natalie. 

I have been dealing with my identity crisis.  You know when you are  used to having little ones at home and then it is just you.  What to do with your time? I have prayed and prayed, coming to the conclusion, that I need to pray.  So I joined a Moms In Touch group.  This is a new journey for me.  I really feel that we as moms have a high calling to pray over our children especially as they are out in the world.  We all know that times have changed since we have been in school.  We need to unite together and make a difference.  Look into Moms In Touch to see if there is a group in your area covering the schools your kids attend.  If you are involved in one I would love to hear how it has impacted your life…give me a reply post. 

Okay back to the Beth Moore simulcast.  I am so excited, can you tell.  If you have attended one I have a few questions for ya.

1.  When did you go?

2.  What did she teach on?

3.  What did you learn and walk away with?

4.  How was Travis Cottrell and the worship?

I look forward to hearing about your adventures!  Have a blessed day!  Be on the lookout for some photos.

Well today is a bittersweet day for me.  It was my last MOPS meeting.  If you are not familiar with Mops, it stands for mothers of preschoolers.  It’s a wonderful ministry that nurtures and grows women in their motherhood adventure.

I have to say that when I walked into my first MOPS meeting in 1999, I had no idea I would still be going to meetings in 2009.  MOPS has meant so much to me.  I have met wonderful, amazing women.  I have developed friendships, served on the steering teams, and grown as a women, wife, mom and friend.  When life was extremely difficult, my MOPS buddies were always there to carry me.  When Natalie went through her tragedy, MOPS really stepped up. The women loved on me, they brought meals..to the hospital and then when we were sent home they came there too.  They sent cards and became strong prayer warriors. 

MOPS has allowed me to grow closer to Jesus.  It has helped me deepen my relationship with Christ.  I desired to be a godly women, wife, mother, friend, daughter and sister.  The women in the groups I have attended  allowed me to be me.  The good, bad, and ugly.  It has given me leadership skills that I didn’t know I posses.  It has been my outlet and my security when needed.  I am so proud to call myself a MOPS alumni. 

This chapter of my life is closing.  I have graduated from MOPS.  God has some other things planned and I want to be obedient in his destiny for my life.  I am sad, but also excited.  I know that I have built a foundation that Mops has helped pour.  Thank you MOPS for loving, encouraging, supporting, teaching, growing, serving and accepting me.  I will never forget all you have done!! 

Here is a link for MOPS International.  If you are not in MOPS and you have children, newborn to kindergarten I encourage you to check them out.  You will be blessed!

I want to introduce you to a wonderful friend of mine.  Jennifer and I met through one of our local MOPS groups.  She is a mom to 4, home schools, and is involved in our church.  She has a passion for encouraging moms in their journey.  I asked her to tell us about her quiet time and here is what she had to say.  

First,  Jennifer thanks for taking time to talk with me about quiet time.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?  

I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of four children ages 12, 9, 6 and 4. I have been married to my airline pilot husband for 17 years. I love to read, write, and listen to Christian music. As for my faith walk, after having my first child God began taking my faith to new levels and has continued to do this ever since. I stand amazed and humbled at how much my Father loves and cares for me and the mysterious ways He uses me to encourage others.

1.  Why is quiet time so important to you?

It grounds me and causes me to find focus in my day. 

2.  Where do you do your quiet time?

There’s more than one way to answer this question. (1) For the quiet time that we tend to think of (solitude, peaceful, silent) I do my quiet time where ever I am able to sit still with little or no interruptions. This often tends to be either in my bed or at my desk. But I do not limit myself to these places. (2) The other kind of quiet time that I have discovered since having children is the on-the-move quiet time. I know this doesn’t sound very productive, but it is! I can be washing dishes, cleaning house, spending time with the family, cooking, writing an article, encouraging a friend, etc. God speaks to us not only in the still and quiet moments, but also in the moments that we are living life. We would be foolish to think that the only time that we can connect with God is when we are being still and quiet. I have learned to write scripture on post it’s and stick them on light switch covers in my kitchen, the edge of my computer screen, and on the fridge. I’ve even been known to put them in my car. Just recently God gave me the word “choices” to focus on. My van’s dashboard was extremely dusty. Rather than dusting it, I wrote “choices” in the dust. I am reminded every time I get into the van to make wise choices. Anywhere that I look often and will see God’s reminders and promises to me is where I put my post-its or write my reminders. Do not forget the wonder of the shower! Shower time is great quiet time to be spent with God. 

3.  What tools do you use…bible, highlighters, music,

The tools I use are my Bibles (sometimes one version is clearer than another), pen and pencil (love to mark in my Bible), music (a must for me), nature (sit and watch the birds, storms or ducks and you too may find that you can’t help but to praise God for His wonders), Bible studies, books. 

4.  What time of day is your quiet time?

I have to giggle at this one. I am not one to have a standard daily quiet time…I am not that organized nor am I a morning person. I do like to get my “big” quiet time in the morning before everyone wakes up. There are also days that I do my “big” quiet time after lunch. I do have days that I do not have a “big” quiet time, but many, many “mini” quiet times. Remember the post-its, music, and nature…yep, I’m living life too and have learned not to beat myself up when I am not able to do a “big” quiet time. While I’m cleaning up dinner I’ll find myself talking to God. When I’m driving, and the kids aren’t bombarding me with questions and comments, I’ll find myself singing praises to God. When I am walking through the grocery store I’ll find myself talking to God as well. Knowing all of this, I do think “big” quiet times are very important and necessary in my faith. Also keep in mind that you can do quiet time with your kids. Read the Bible, talk about a scripture, pray together. That is huge to share your quiet time with your kids at times…what an example and legacy you are setting!

 5.  If you could assist someone with coming up with their own quiet time, what would you tell them?

Do not try to make your quiet time look like anyone else’s. Find your own style, time, study tools, locations…And do not beat yourself up if you get caught up in life and don’t get a major quiet time in for a couple of days. I challenge you to write down every time you read that post-it scripture, praised God, talk to Him, or cry out to Him in a day’s time. You just might be surprised at how much of the day you do spend with God…or maybe you’ll be disappointed with how little time you spend with Him. If you do end up being disappointed, please do not be hard on yourself. Rather pick yourself up by the bootstraps and begin again the next day with a whole new focus…on God. 

6.  What happens in your life if you miss a quiet time?

Like I said earlier, life goes on if I miss a “big” quiet time. However, I will say that I do notice that if I go too many days without some good quiet time with my Father (whether big or little quiet times) that my attitude goes down the drain. And when mom’s attitude goes down the drain the rest of the household follows. Ugh! When you realize this just remember that God gives us a new “do-over” every day with the rising of the sun. 

7.  How long is your quiet time?

My quiet times can last anywhere from an hour to one minute. Oddly enough, the hour long quiet times never seem to be long enough and I feel like I am cutting my time short when I realize the time…or I need to put my referee shirt on and deal with the kiddos. 

8.  What drove you to desiring a quiet time with God?

When you love someone you want to be with them, talk with them, experience life with them, play with them, have fun with them…I love God and I want to experience life with Him. Another reason not to limit your quiet time to only still and silent times and places. 

 

 Thank you Jennifer for answering some questions about quiet time.  It has given me some new ideas and perspective.  Just to let others know, Jennifer has her own blog that is full of encouragement and fun.  Here is a link to her blog.  

I hope that you have come away with some ideas and things to ponder about.  Pray about your quiet time and like Jennifer said, make it your own.  God desires time with us.   He wants us to desire time with him.  I know for me, the more I am in his word the more I crave time with him.  I pray that you do the same.   Stay tuned to hear from another dear  friend of mine that has turned her quiet time into a praise, worship, and an intimate relationship with Christ.   

Okay, so this has been on my mind for months.  How do we as busy moms and women get our quiet time?  I struggle with my quiet time.  Do I do it early in the morning?  Do I plan it during the day and have my little ones do their own quiet time?  Do I try to do it at night when my brain is exhausted from the day?  I want my quiet time to be sacred and genuine, where I meet God daily.  How about you?   What do we do in quiet time, where is the best place for quiet time, what do you need (as far as tools) for quiet time? 

What questions do you have in this topic of discussion?  I have some great friends that do really well with quiet time, so stay tuned because I am gonna pick their brains and see if I can interview them so we can have some good discussion, direction and guidance.    Stay tuned…I am sure you won’t want to miss this.

Well I head out for the Hearts at Home conference tomorrow morning.  I am so excited to go and be spiritually fed.  The laundry is done, groceries are bought, house is clean…

The theme for this conference is REAL MOMS.  I adore this theme.  I have found that being real is really difficult.  We want others to think we have it all together.  We don’t want others to see our weakness.  I struggled with this early on as a mom.  I eventually learned to remove the masks and be real.  This is it.  I am who I  am, period.   Christ has made me this way for a reason and I have to find my security in Him.  We sometimes throw ourselves into different things so that others don’t see the “real”.  Like, hobbies, careers, serving, church, sports, bible studies, how we look, what we drive, where we live, etc.   In the big scheme of things none of this matters.  It is our hearts that we should be concerned about.  What are we cultivating in our hearts? 

Do we have patience, joy, love, kindness, gentleness, peace, respect, laughter, faithfulness or contentment?  That is what God’s word calls us to have in our hearts to be more like Christ.  Pick one or two that you struggle with and do some research on them.  Pray about them, asking God to grow you in those areas. 

I will touch base when I get home and will load some pics of our adventure.  It is about a 5 hour car ride.  It is gonna be heavenly.  Being able to hold an adult conversation in the car with no interruptions.  I will miss my family and will call home to check in, but I am looking forward to whatever crazy, zany, things our gang is gonna get into!!

I am getting so excited.  I am going to get away and get my “juice box” refilled.  If you haven’t heard of Hearts at Home you need to check them out.  It is a wonderful ministry  for women of all ages in all stages of life.  They are having their national conference next weekend and I am going.

This is not my first one.  I have been two other times and let me tell you, WHOA!  You come back so revived, encouraged and on top of the world.  I love spending time with my friends, talking, crying, praising God and learning from some of the best speakers around.  When thousands of women are singing worship songs in an auditorium…wow it is an awesome sound.  I am definite that God is just smiling from ear to ear listening. 

I have signed up for some fun classes.  I try to cross the board with what I pick out.  I chose one on marriage, one on parenting, one on spiritual growth and one with Jill Savage the founder of Hearts at Home. 

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