MMM- Clearing the Clutter in Your Life

Last week I wrote about some of my frustrations....don't get me wrong.  I wouldn't trade my job as a stay at home mommy for all the money in the world.  I LOVE being home with my boys....but like any job, there are going to be times when frustrations rise up, and I have to reevaluate the things we are doing to see if I can key it down just a bit.  With Jacob being sick this week, we've been home more (I love days when I can just be home and not go anywhere), and I've had a bit of time to think and reevaluate and reset some things.  

It's so easy to run the rat race every single day, just scraping through the maze of events, not really "getting it" because of all the clutter taking up our lives.

This week has afforded me some real bonding time with my boys, without the added stressors of having to be somewhere, having to get this, this, and this done for school, and honestly, I don't want it to change.  Jacob and I have played many a rousing game of Battleship and Uno, and he's getting to be quite the champion.  Jaden has had many a game of monster chase the baby games, giggling and laughing the whole way.  So, you ask, how am I going to keep the peace and the tranquility that this week, albeit a hard week for Jacob, has afforded us?  I've really taken a hard look at our schedule, and I took the advice of a friend.  I asked God how He wanted me to work out our homeschool schedule.  How does He want it to be?  Then I moved and shifted some things around...for example, by Friday, we are just dead to school, so I decided to make it a fun day with just an hour of core school and the rest fun stuff like art and music and board games for thinking skills.  Jacob loves board games, so he was thrilled with this idea.

Not only with my kids' schedules, but with my own, I'm keeping my work hours to early, early mornings and naptime....possibly a little bit in the evenings, after they're in bed; it depends on what Dan is doing.  I'm also decluttering my blog.  It doesn't look like it now, I know, but I'm rebuilding my blog on Wordpress right now, making it, hopefully, a place of serenity.  It'll still have all the same subject matter, but I do want to have more homemaking articles and things, and it's going to have a very shabby chic appearance.  

This decluttering in my life has been a necessary thing....it's like when you clean out a closet, and you have a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment afterwards.  Once that closet is cleaned out, you can keep it clutter free because there's a place for everything.  That's like life....once you clear the clutter, you have a place for the important things in your life, for the things that God deems important.  What is stopping you today?  What kind of clutter is hindering you from having the joyous walk that is available to you as a wife and mommy?  Is it spiritual clutter?  Is it physical clutter?  Is it clutter that you've been unwilling to clean out up until now? What are you missing out on because of the clutter that is blocking your path?  Get rid of it!  Rework things, and clean out!  A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away- Ecclesiastes 3:6. 

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace. 

Motivate Me Monday- Ok, Miss Negativity, Be Gone

In Anne of Green Gables, Miss Stacie always had this quote she would say to Anne: Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it. (I have to add one word...."Yet.") It's fresh with no mistakes in it....yet. At least, that's my motto.

Lately, I've had my days where I feel like the most horrible mama in the world. With both homeschooling and working from home, I feel like some days are a blur, they go so fast. I mean, my kids haven't gotten outside for a few days (granted, one's been sick, and it's been cold, cold, cold); my toddler has been watching way more tv than the "experts" think he should watch; and frankly, I've had my moments where the last thing I want to do is sit down and play a round of the infamous Candy Land or the even more infamous Mouse Trap. (Have you ever tried to put Mouse Trap together? Mouse Trap is so not my friend; in fact, when the name is even said, I cringe inside. LOL) I've even had moments, seconds, where I've done the unthinkable....(gasp)....I've yelled, raised my voice, at them....(Hey, I'm just keepin' it real here; I am soooo not perfect).

Does the fact that I have let my toddler watch Sesame Street and Max and Ruby during quite a bit of our homeschool hours lately make me a bad mom? Does the fact that my kids haven't gotten any sunshine for the past week make me a failure? Does the fact that my kids might not have 3-4 organic fruits and veggies on their plate at every meal make me despicable? Does the fact that I occasionally shut myself in the bathroom just to have a second of peace or sneak a bite of chocolate make me a terrible mother? (I just have to say here that the bathroom is not my sanctuary anymore....it's becoming "the place to be," the proverbial gathering place, the feeding trough for my little natives....need I say more?) Does the fact that I totally lost it trying to teach myself and Jacob origami last week make me horrible?

I've been mulling this over the last few days; I really have. You can ask my dear, sweet husband, as he is my ever faithful, listening ear. I may not feel like a good mom some days, but at the end of the day, when I kiss those 2 precious boys and tuck them into bed and hear the words, "Mommy, I love you," I know I've gotta be doing something right. When my oldest asks me if he can help carry the groceries in, maybe my efforts with him on manners/courtesy lately are finally paying off. When my toddler actually listens to me in the store and looks me in the eye and stops his erratic behavior (granted, it took 3 times, but he finally listened), maybe the efforts to stay consistent are working. Maybe I'm being too unrealistic and harsh with myself.

Maybe this has happened with you. Do you go through each day, feeling as if you can't get anything right? No matter how hard you try, you just feel like you are failing? Maybe it's time to stop judging yourself so harshly, especially when it comes to comparing yourself with other mamas. So what if you need to turn Sesame Street on for a little bit? (I have that puppy set to record on my DVR.) So what if your child doesn't get his organic peas and carrots at every meal? If your kids are loved by you, and they know it....if your kids are learning and growing more and more each day....if you are doing your best, then you are doing a good job, Mama. Don't overthink this motherhood task. Relax, and enjoy the ride (and we all know it's going to be a long, rollercoaster ride). See yourself through your Heavenly Father's eyes, Who loves you more than you'll ever know. Even when we fall, He is right there to pick us up and dust us off, and kick our rears in motion again. I promise you that when you start seeing yourself in His light....being a faithful, Godly, and consistent mama is only going to get better and better because the judgment is gone. You can finally focus on what's important, your children, not yourself.

So, remember, Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it....yet. Give yourself that margin of error; it's ok.:)

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

Motivate Me Monday- When It's Hard to Love

A friend and I had talked about this over the phone a few weeks ago, about loving people and how hard it can be sometimes, so in honor of that friend and some recent experiences I've had, I hope this makes you giggle.:)

This is for all the people in Walmart or Price Cutter who jump out into the middle of the aisle as I'm walking down through, trying desperately to get my shopping done with a toddler who's shouting, "Home!  Home!" and a 7 year old who can't leave the toddler alone.  This is for all the people in Walmart who find it fun to stand right in front of me or right in the middle of the aisle, never moving, never saying, "Excuse me," as they walk slowly in front of me, while I'm trying to decide which type of crackers are healthier.  This is for all the people in Walmart who decided to meet up with friends and have a party while some of us were trying to get our shopping done, all the while having to maneuver around you all while you visited together, smack dab in the middle of what seemed like several aisles; were you following me?  This is for all the people who think because they are on a motorized cart, they have the complete right of way no matter what (no, this is not a slam, just an annoyance to me for the simple fact that they seem to sometimes be very pushy).

  

I'm trying very hard to love you all....I am; I know that loving my neighbors is the greatest commandment, so I am desperately trying to love you, even though sometimes you make it so hard.

This is for all those pushy, road-raging drivers out there on the road these days.  This is for the semi-truck last night, who even though I was going over the speed limit, thought it would be fun to come up behind me (in the sleety weather, I might add) and flash his brights at me, indicating that I needed to go faster or move over.  (Sorry about shining my brights at you over and over as you went around me; I was having a hard time loving you at the moment; I wasn't feeling very Christian-like at that moment in time.)  This is for all the people who talk on their cell phones instead of actually paying attention to what is going on in the road.  This is for the person, who literally, the other day held down his horn for probably 5 minutes as he followed another car (had to be road rage).  This is for all of the people who think that coming onto the highway via an entry ramp means they should enter at 20mph, slowly wedging in to 70mph traffic.  This is for you, Mister (you know who you are), who looked right at me as you slid right into the parking spot I was taking at the grocery store, just slid in right in front of me....

I'm trying very hard to love you too....I am; Jesus wanted me to love my neighbors, and you are my neighbors.  

Loving others can be so hard, can't it?  I think that sometimes we think love has to be a feeling, but actually, love is a choice.  We can choose to curse our fellow shoppers and drivers (which is what we feel like doing), or we can choose to love them (which is the farthest thing from our minds probably).  The choice is ours....and I know it's tough.  I think I've failed at this more often than not, but I think one thing that can help us to make the right choice is to have a mind set towards eternity.  Is it really going to matter that he jumped in front of me in 10 years?  Is it really going to matter that someone at the store was rude to us?  Yeah, it bothers us, but where is that person headed for eternity?  And what matters most, in light of eternity?  Should I be getting angry over this small stuff, or should I let it go and focus on the big picture?  Oh, and even more, what effect do my reactions have on my children?  Ouch!  Just some thoughts to ponder....:)

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

Motivate Me Monday- Taboo....No More

Last week I wrote a post called Don't Hide Your Light.  After the week we've had and things that have gone on, there's just more to say on the subject of getting outside our Christian circles; the subject I'm going to write about is pretty much a taboo subject in Christian circles today, but we have got to break free of this taboo mindset and get busy in the work that God has for us.  We have got to break down the taboo if we want to "raze hell."  In the past, I've attended churches where we pretty much stayed in our Christian circles, and when we strayed out of that circle, even for ministry purposes, it was as if we were doing something sinful or wrong.  I don't know how else to put it but just to be majorly blunt throughout this post.  The things I'm going to say have needed to be said for a long time, so if it offends, I'm truly sorry; I don't mean to offend anyone, but I know this is what God has laid on my heart for this post.  Much of this post is from rough experiences that both Dan and I have had together, experiences that threw us for a loop, possibly hardening us somewhat at first, but ultimately bringing us out of bondage into the light.  I praise God for that light....truly.

Just to emphasize here that I am speaking out because of my faith; I am a Christian....a growing Christian who is just seeking to follow God's Word and do whatever it is that He has called me to do.  That being said, here is the situation: This week we learned of a "Christian" ban that is taking place in our old hometown.  I won't go into details, but a certain institution (won't name any names) is being banned because of an openly gay employee.  Now, please let me clear something up before I continue.  I do not believe that being gay is Biblical, and I, in no way, condone or agree with the actions of the gay movement....BUT I do not treat them any differently than I do my mom or my dad or my friends.  I treat them with as much respect as I would anyone, and I look at them as a person with a soul and a heart and someone who God loves very, very much.  After all, God created that person just as He created me; He formed them in the womb and knew them before they were ever born.  He also gave free will.  Jesus died for everyone, not just you and not just me; EVERYONE!  Hatred and bigotry such as this ban do nothing but leave all Christians looking like utter snobs and hypocrites; in fact, I believe that bigotry such as this fuels movements, such as the gay rights movement.  Hatred and bigotry are not the solution....

I don't agree with this ban at all, and I'm going to tell you why.  It all comes back to getting outside of our Christian circles and doing what God has commanded us to do in His Word.  Situations like this make me ashamed to associate myself with the same "Christian" name as these who have banned this institution.  It hurts my heart to think that this person, who may not know Jesus, is being treated in such a way as to potentially turn him away from Christianity at all.  Do these "Christians" not realize that people are dying without a Saviour every single day?  Do they not see that associating only within their comfort zones of approval is going against every fiber of what Jesus taught and lived?  In order to reach this world, we are going to have to get up and go.  We are going to have to get out of our comfort zones and see people, all people, through the eyes of a Saviour Who gave up everything to come to earth for us.  It may mean we lose friends, but to die to self is gain....

Is one sin greater than another? For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all- James 2:10 (NKJV). Did Jesus ban the adulterous woman?  No, this is what He had to say to those judging her: He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first- John 8:7.  Later to the woman, He said, Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more- John 8:11. These verses have gripped my conscience and my heart many times: Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye- Matthew 7:1-5.

I will never agree with bans like these.  They are shameful to the Christian faith, and I can't name one point in Jesus' life where He banned any person from coming to Him.  Even when He was about to be taken away to die, He had no hatred or anger towards the one who had betrayed Him.  He is willing that none should perish, but that all should come to Him.  He is faithful and just to forgive those who turn from their sin and follow His ways, cleansing them from all unrighteousness.  These words are more than words; they are actions that we need to instill into our very core; we need to go out into the world, and we need to show Christ's love to ALL people, not just the person who never offended us.  Do I hold a grudge against those who have formed this ban?  No, I don't....but I do feel sorry for them, only because I know the state that their minds are in....I know what it's like to be trapped in that feeling of continual bondage.  I still struggle with it myself at times.  Since I left home, and especially since I married Dan and we went through some situations together, I have had to almost rewrap my mind and heart around Who God is.  I have a hard time seeing Him as my loving Heavenly Father vs. what consumed my mind before, images of an angry God, a Judge waiting to punish me.  I still struggle with that mindset.  

I must say, though, that I am ashamed to be lumped in with the same name as these banning "Christians."  It's not about me, though; it's about this person who needs to know that God loves him.  It's about reaching out when it might be uncomfortable for us to do so.  It's about going where God tells us to go, no matter what discomfort or pressure we may feel from those who won't go with us....it's about dying to self, and living to God.   

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

Just Can't Get Enough

I know my blog has been full of reviews this week....I've been desperately working to get completely caught up and ahead with the Crew, so that I can be ahead of the game and have more time for MamaBuzz and personal posts, as well....bear with me.:)  This week has seemed like it's in slow motion; I'm not feeling the greatest, haven't really been for the last couple weeks.  I don't know what's going on.   

Last night in choir, though, Pastor Jeff introduced us to a new song, and I just can't get enough of it.  I thought I'd share with you all.  It's called Mighty Wind, and it's written by Andrae Crouch.  Oh my, it is beautiful, and I can not wait to sing it in church in the future.  We're just starting to work on it.  Listen to it, and tell me if you can't feel a mighty wind just come rushing into the very room where you sit....it's amazing how the Holy Spirit can lift us up through music, isn't it?  Enjoy!:)

Motivate Me Monday- A Helpless, Waiting Mama

Do you ever feel helpless, truly helpless; as if there's something that you surely ought to be able to do in a situation, but you just can't find a darn thing to do?  That's how I've been feeling with this whole situation in Haiti.  My heart bleeds for these people, and if I had a way, I'd be on the next plane there....but really, is that feasible for me, and is it what God would have me do right now?  Just jump on a plane, leaving my family behind to fend for themselves for who knows how long?  Don't get me wrong, I would give my eye teeth right now to go, and I just can't help feeling that there's something He wants me to do....

It might be what God wants, and if He were to call me to it and provide a way, I would be there....but sometimes our heart's desires can get ahead of God's desires for us.  I'm saying all of this to myself right now, as my heart has been breaking, trying to figure out ways I can help.  I don't have a passport, so it's not like I can just get on a plane anyway.  But I just feel like God wants more from me in life.  This whole earthquake disaster has really brought Haiti a lot closer to my heart, and I just want to share my heart with you.  

I don't know if you remember or not, but a couple weeks ago, I shared on here about the dreams I have every so often, more like nightmares really.  I told about a specific dream I'd had that seemed like it was some sort of genocide or something in a third world country; I wasn't sure if it was Africa or Central America....and you may think I'm crazy, but the sights I saw and the horrors I witnessed in that dream were similar to the earthquake coverage I've been seeing on tv, late at night when I'm watching CNN or other news because I can't get it out of my mind enough to go to sleep.....I'm seriously not crazy, but I do believe that God was trying to get me to start praying, and I have to say that for that first few days after my dream, I prayed, but I failed to continue praying.  I share all of this because God's really been speaking to my heart....I don't know what He wants right now; I don't even know what I can do to help.  I truly feel totally helpless, but I'm asking God to use me however He can.....whether it's through prayer and intercession, whether it's through fundraising, or whether He's dealing with me and Dan, possibly calling us to service, I don't know.  

Dan and I talked the other night, and we have so many dreams of becoming completely debt-free, which is so very feasible in the near future....dreams of taking off when disaster strikes in different parts of the world, putting our gifts and talents to work to help in any situation that we can....dreams of adopting or even starting an orphanage or teen exchange program for poor nations.....we've talked over so many different ideas.  I think God's working on our hearts, and I think He has great things in store, but in the meantime, what do we do?

I think we have to do whatever we can.  So, as my heart breaks, and I want to just GO, I have to let my heart rest in His plan for me....after all, His plan may involve prayer, it may involve fundraising, it may involve loving and enjoying my children (never taking a moment with them for granted, as I tearfully watch babies suffering in Haiti), it may involve just being ready to go when it's His time....hoping this can encourage some of you waiting Mamas out there today.:)  One more note: Dream big, Mamas!  Don't ever let doubt keep you from doing what you know God wants you to do.  Even if the task at hand seems daunting, dream big....God has planted that dream/desire for a reason, and what He has called you to do, He will provide the way for.  After all, how have other organizations started?  I have a hunch they started with a dream in someone's heart....think about it, but don't discount it.

that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises- Hebrews 6:12 (NKJV).

God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer- Mother Teresa.

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

 

Motivate Me Monday: Three Simple Words

Three simple words: "How are you?"  Yet three profound words that can make a difference in someone else's day.  I've been asked this by someone recently who truly meant the words....and it showed care and concern.  Have you ever been asked that by someone, though, who didn't really care to hear the answer and just kept on walking before you could even blurt out, "Good"?  It doesn't always mean the same thing, does it?  These three words can either make a positive impact in someone's day or a negative impact.  What am I getting at?

I challenge you to look around you this week, whether it be in your own home with your husband, asking him how his day was....or whether you ask your friend from church....or whether you ask the grocery clerk in Walmart.  Just say those 3 words, and really mean them; not only that, but stick around to hear the answer.:)  "How are you?"  You never know; you may start a life-changing conversation.:)

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

Motivate Me Monday- The Faces I See

This is a really personal post, and it's not easy for me to write this....I don't want anyone to think I'm weird or "out there."  I'm truly not, I promise....but if this can help another woman who is having the same issues, then I hope it can be a blessing.  For about 8 years now, ever since I was pregnant with our first child, I've had dreams....not just your average dreams, though.  I believe I had these as a child too because I can remember waking up sobbing, but the ones in the last 8 years have been the most vivid and have really stuck with me.  These dreams will only come every so often, usually when something big is about to happen, and I don't know it yet, or when something big has already happened.  At first, I counted them as nightmares, and I still think of them as that, because usually, they involve deep emotions, horrific/awful sights, possibly friends/family at times, and the haunting faces of those I don't even know.  Often I'll wake up crying or sobbing from the dreams, and I can't get them out of my head for days, even weeks. 

Last week, I had another one.  It's been a while since I've actually experienced one of them, but this one topped them all.  It involved two children, one whose face I can still see.  I thought, in my dream, that I was in Africa, but I'm not so sure now....the children looked like they could have been from El Salvador or even the Philippines, somewhere like that.  There was a genocide going on, though, and I won't even begin to describe the utterly horrid things I saw in the dream; they just make me sick to think about.  The children were what grabbed at my heart, though.  They had noone; they were so alone in their little world, just trying to survive in such an awful situation.  Their parents, I guess, had been killed.  I was determined to bring them home with me and take care of them; their faces haunted me, the utter look of hopelessness.  The two caseworkers I was with, though, sat me down and told me absolutely not; one was even laughing that I would consider such a preposterous thing; they had survived this long, let them survive here.  As I was arguing with them most vehemently, getting more and more angry, I woke up.  It was one of those times that I didn't wake up crying, but I tried to go back to sleep, just so I could finish out the dream and get my way in bringing those children back with me.  For all of that day and the next, I could not get those faces out of my head. 

I ended up talking to a very good friend about it, and she had learned something long ago, that honestly, I had never thought about before.....she actually told me this a few months ago, but she refreshed it in my heart and mind again.  She told me that she really believes God is calling me to intercessory prayer for those children.  Those children may represent someone out there in the world right now who is going through a similar situation.  I need to use that emotion that I feel, and I just need to pray it out to God.....surrender the whole dream and whatever it means over to Him and seriously get on my knees for the people/situations that I dream about. 

At first, my dreams really scared me, and they still do.  I know other members of my family do the same thing that I do....I honestly didn't know what to think when I'd dream about someone or something, and then something big with that person or situation would happen; I've actually had to pick my mouth up off the floor.....but I do believe my friend is right.  God knows all; He knows what happened yesterday, what will happen today, and what will happen tomorrow.  If He is calling me to prayer, then I don't want to fail Him, and I don't want to fail the ones He has called me to pray for.  Maybe you have the same kinds of dreams, or maybe you have faces that still haunt you....say a prayer today.  In fact, say many prayers. We must move from asking God to take care of the things that are breaking our hearts, to praying about the things that are breaking His heart. ~Margaret Gibb 

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

Canned Snow, Amazing Stuff

Ok, so I was telling a friend this story the other day, and she got such a kick out of it that I thought it made for good blogging material, so maybe you'll get a kick out of it too.:)

Ever since we moved here last summer, I've been trying to figure out how to cover up a window in our bathroom.  It faces the street, and it just happens to be directly across from our shower, so when I get out of the shower, I can see the neighbor's house right across the street.  Plus, the window's round, so it's just going to look weird if I try to cover it up with a curtain.  I've actually went across the street and stood at our neighbor's driveway, though, to see if anyone could see in that window (I know, crazy right?  Dan thinks I am:)), even though it's set just slightly higher than most windows.  Yep, sure enough, I could see right in.  Thank goodness for cloth shower curtains that aren't see-through!  But when I get out of the shower (TMI, I know....just bear with me, 'cause it is hilarious), for the last 3 months I've purposely kept the bathroom fan off, so the window would fog up, and I crouch down and halfway over when I get in and out so noone will see me.  LOL  Try drying off while crouching over, trying not to be seen. 

Well, my sister-in-law, Jennifer, came a few weeks ago, and she suggested buying the snow that Walmart puts out at Christmas and using that to maybe cover it up.  Thank you, Jennifer!  As soon as Christmas stuff hit the shelves, I went and bought my $1.25 can of snow.  Then I came home and got to spraying, trying to make it look decorative, yet covered enough that I could comfortably get my shower without giving anyone that drove by a show.  LOL  That stuff is wonderful; it worked, and we have complete privacy now!  All because of that canned stuff they call snow....amazing stuff!:) 

The ABC's of Thanksgiving!

Kim over at Homesteaders Heart actually had this posted the other day, so I thought I'd give it a try.  I have to think of something for each letter of the alphabet that I am thankful for.  Give it a try, if you want.:)

A- Apple pie.

B- Bees, because without them, our world would be pretty blah....:)

C- Church: a small group that truly cares about each other and a choir that is so special and such a blessing to be a part of.

D- Dan, my man.:)

E- Everything we have.

F- Family.

G-Grandmas and Grandpas (even though mine are all gone on, I think about them every single day....so many memories).

H- Our home.

I- Ice cubes, especially when we've run out of cold water in the fridge.:)

J- Jacob and Jaden; my two ornery boys who I love so much.

K- Kettle corn.

L- Laughter that brings me to tears. Sorry, have to do one more here too; our library here, which is just amazing with homeschooling.

M- Mint Chocolate; to be specific, Hershey's Kisses Mint Truffles.:)  I need to stock up and put some in the freezer; they are soooo good.

N-New pants for the Christmas program that only cost me $17.99 at JCPenney.  They're even tall size!  It just had to be God, because I walked out of NY & Co discouraged, since pants were $40-$50 there, but usually, I have to get pants there, since they sell tall size; I walked into JCPenney, and the first thing I saw was a rack that said $17.99, and the first pair on that rack was exactly my size in tall.  God provides....

O-Oxygen. (The air, not the tv channel) :)

P- the pitter-patter of little feet in the morning.

Q- Quick trips to Walmart, since I despise going there, really....:)

R- Running feet that get me to where I need to be, usually to catch Jaden doing something he shouldn't, just in the nick of time.

S- Snow!

T-Tree, as in the Christmas tree.

U- Untold and countless Christmas movies to watch at this time of year.

V-Verses and Scripture that help me to grow.

W- Writing....it's such a release and outlet.

X- X-rays; just kidding.  eXercise....although I need to do more of it.

Y-You, my readers.:)

Z- Zambia, where our little girl with World Vision lives.

Now you try! What are you thankful for?

Motivate Me Monday- Organized Chaos

Today I decided to step out and be brave....I'm serious here. Today I'm going to show you a picture of my desk....shield yourself, or something might jump up out of the mess and grab you....believe me, you should be afraid....be very afraid!:)  You know it's bad when you can't even type on your keyboard because you can't rest your elbows down, for the piles of stuff, or you can't even find your keyboard.:)

No, seriously, my desk is a huge mess right now. My husband says that I have "organized chaos." He says that if I need something, I know right where to go for it. I beg to differ after searching for a particular library book for what seemed like forever the other day. Come to find out, it was actually in Jacob's room, fallen down behind his bed. Now, I know what you're thinking....if my desk is this messy, then the rest of my house must be a disaster. Nope! It's not, I promise. Oh, it can get disastrous, living with three guys, but we do a pretty good job of clean-up. It's just that I get to working on so many projects at one time (at my desk); between homeschooling, writing, blogging, reviews, etc., my desk is a huge, heaping mess!

So, my motivation for you today is to take a look at your desk. Are all those piles really necessary? Do you really need all that stuff right there at your fingertips, or can you find a way to organize it and clean it up? Believe me, if I can clean up this mess (albeit, not perfectly, but better), then you can too, busy Mama!

Which brings me to my second point....sometimes our lives can get to be just as jumbled up inside as our desks. Our hearts can begin to be overcrowded with "stuff." Is "stuff" taking over your heart, threatening your relationship with your Father, threatening your relationship with your husband, or threatening your relationship with your children? What "stuff" is taking over, leading you down a road of exhaustion? Maybe it's time to give that "stuff" over to God, and let Him lead you.  Maybe it's time to say the word, "No." (Gasp!) Easier said than done, I know....but maybe it's just time for you to surrender it all in prayer.  Instead of eating cake when I'm stressed (I had an epiphane today; don't fault me!), I need to get on my knees, and maybe you do too.  After all, our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us. Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows- Luke 12:6-7 (NKJV).  With everything I am trying to do right now (being here for my husband/children, homeschooling, blogging/working with MamaBuzz/blogging with the Crew, church activities, writing the first chapter of my first book so my instructor can sift through it, truly trying not to extend the deadline on it this time,  etc.), I tend to get overwhelmed as soon as I get up in the mornings and look at my schedule/to do list for that day.  The thing I have to remember, though, is that the work is always going to be here....I just need to give my day over to God, let Him clear all that "stuff" away.  I think I'm writing this post more to myself than to anyone else....He knows my failures, and He knows all the "stuff" that is in my life.  

So, let's clear out that "stuff" that is squishing our joy levels down.  Let's start this day fresh, anew.  Let's give all that "stuff and clutter" over to God, and watch Him work.  Ok, maybe now it's time to clean off my desk, so I can think straight; plus, I need to find my camera.:)LOL  Have a wonderful Monday!

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah over at The Fifth Street Palace.

Motivate Me Monday- The Focus of Our Frustrations

With wife and motherhood come great joy.....joy like I've never had before, joy like no other.  Wife and motherhood also bring frustration at times, though.....frustration like no other.:)  When you wake up and the kids are already off the wall at 4:30 in the morning.....or when you oversleep and don't get that extra time in the morning and it throws you behind all day.....or when you step on those oh so sharp little cars and legos (Ouch!)....etc., etc.  Where is the frustration truly from, though?

I heard another mom recently saying how sometimes when she's already frustrated with circumstances, that frustration can easily lead to frustration with her husband or children....and then that frustration is taken out on her husband and children.  I could so relate.  So many times, I will have something else on my mind, something that is completely unrelated to what they are doing, but that frustration will lead to me snapping at them for something that really isn't that big of a deal.  If I would just take the frustration I am dealing with and realize where the root of it lies, then I could deal with the actual problem and not create more problems by hindering my relationships with my family.  I hope this makes sense. 

I think realizing where the focus of your frustration should really lie truly takes diligence and thoughfulness on your part, as well as soaking your day in prayer.  Since I've realized this lately, I've really tried to think before I snap...."what am I really frustrated about?"  I have to ask myself that.  Yes, sometimes I still snap at them, but if I really think about it, I realize that they are sometimes not the focus of my frustration.  (Now, we all know that we can be frustrated with them, so I say sometimes.:))  When I think about what I'm really arguing about with my husband, sometimes I realize that I'm arguing for no clear reason; it's just because I'm frustrated about something else.  The other problem that has led you to be frustrated might be stress due to work, money, health problems, etc.  We all have these problems, but we all deal with them in different ways. 

I think one other aspect of this that the Lord has been dealing with me on lately, that I'd like to blog more about later on, is disciplining my kids.  When I discipline them, am I disciplining them for the right reasons?  Am I doing it out of love, or am I doing it out of anger & frustration?  If discipline is not out of love, then it will do nothing but tear down relationships and trust; discipline, not done out of love, could crush their spirit....not only that, but your children can read through you.....children just have a way of seeing through us, don't they?  They know what is truly going on; I really believe that.  Sometimes discipline just takes consistency; it's not necessarily the quantity of discipline (for example, how many things you take away or ground them from), but it's the consistency and the motives that lie behind it.....

I think all of these things are related.  One verse that has stuck out in my mind lately, and I know I truly need to listen to it, especially on those days when I'm struggling with frustration, is this verse: And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord- Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV).  I hope that this encourages all of you mothers out there today.

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace. 

Motivate Me Monday- Time Spent

With everything going on in our lives lately, I've been struggling so badly to just find a balance....just to find some sort of balance, so that I don't feel like I'm being stretched in 20 different directions at one time.  It's really been wearing me down; I am so tired that I think I could honestly sleep for 3 days straight.  Not gonna happen, though; after all, I'm a homeschooling Mama, and Moms, in general, don't get to sleep for 3 days straight.:)  I think amidst the whole struggle, though, I've really forgotten to include the one thing that will help everything else to just balance itself out.  If I were to include this one thing, maybe all the rest would not feel quite so stressful.  Not that this one thing could take all my troubles and stress away, but it could help to ease the burden....Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light- Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV).  

Just to be honest, I struggle with doing my personal devotions every single day.  I have been slacking off....I have posted about this before.  Procrastination is my main problem.  Getting up at five, I put them off until my eyes can focus a word on the page, yet I still am able to get work done.....but I have also thought that I would do them later after my kids are up (be a sort of example).  I've tried that......it doesn't happen.  So, what do I do?  So many thoughts have been going through my head this weekend; I know down deep in my heart that if I can't make time for God, then how can I expect Him to truly bless myself and my family?  How must He feel when I come to Him with requests, but I haven't spent a moment with Him that day in His Word?  Doubts begin to assail me, and really what I need is to dig in His Word each and every morning.  Even if it's for 15 minutes, I have to do this.  I fail over and over in my own personal struggles, and I wonder why I can't overcome them.....it's really because I'm not even taking the time to spend in His Word and soak it up and really pray, not just request to Him or ask of Him.  

Our pastor gave a list of what the Word does for us, and I just have to share this because it hit me square on this morning:

The Word of God:

1) Gives us assurance of salvation.

2) Gives us hope.

3) Enables us to grow.

4) Guides us.

5) Enables us to discern between right and wrong (Hebrews 5:12-14)

6) Transforms our mind (Oh, how I need this).

7) Enables us to avoid sin.

8) Enables us to overcome Satan.

9) Purifies our lives.

10) Informs and empowers our prayers: We will not "raze hell" apart from prayer.  Basically, a life without prayer is completely powerless.

We all have personal struggles, sins that we need to overcome.  But we can't do it by ourselves....there's just no way.  We have to do it by prayer and time spent in the Word.  It's our only hope really.  It's our weapon as believers.  So, to you, my readers, will you help me to be accountable this week?  Honestly, I think I need you to keep me accountable for the first 30 days.  They say when you have done something for 30 days, it becomes a habit.  I want to get up and soak in His Word every single morning first thing, even if it's just for 15 minutes.  This is my goal for this week.....how about you?  

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

Babysteps

Tonight, I did something that a year ago, I would have sworn I would never do. I sang alone in front of someone....if you know me, you know how big that truly is. LOL I have to tell you, though, that joining the choir has been the best thing; I can't imagine not singing with the choir now. I'm getting to know the people around me and loving every single minute of it. We laugh, we talk, we sing, and it's almost like a second family....In fact, we get to do this on Sunday; it's been so much fun practicing it; it goes along with the song we're singing....

About a month ago, though, when I was called up to the front of the choir (which consists of somewhere around 200 members) to answer the questions for the get to know me interview with Jeff, our choir director, it was a train wreck. I was so incredibly nervous that I had to look at my paper to remember who my family even was....LOL. Believe me, I will never live that down....that was quite the laugh for everyone, since Jeff had to make sure to have some fun with that one. Anyway, after that whole ordeal, I knew that I had a fear that needed conquering. I could just feel God telling me I needed to stretch beyond my comfort zone and let Him use me. So, I decided, after much thought (a LOT of thought) to email Jeff and tell him. Well, I got a reply back that he needed me to come in early and sing for him. The sweat started pouring, as nerves kicked in.:)

So, tonight was the night.  Boy, was I nervous. Beforehand, I had to run all the way downstairs and back because I'd forgotten something in the car, so I was out of breath, to boot. The whole time I was singing, I could just feel something inside me saying to give it my all, sing out, belt it out.....so I did. And, contrary to my fears that I might be one of those American Idol singers who can't hear themselves singing, I was told that I have a good voice and good pitch. I get to start out maybe singing with a mixed group or on the praise team and work my way up! Woohoo! I'm so excited! Yeah, there was only one other person in the room, but that was a HUGE deal....whew! Now on to the next babystep.....I'm so ready!

Motivate Me Monday: Trusting God Through the Tough Times

It's so hard, not just as a mom, but as a human being, to trust God when all else around seems to be crumbling. At least it is for me. It's easy for me to trust Him when things are going great, and we are on top of the mountain....but girl, when that valley hits, let me tell ya, it's not so easy then. All my life I have leaned on the verses from Proverbs 3:5,6- Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Oh sure, I have used that as a life verse at times, but I can honestly say that I have also struggled with that same trust my whole life.

When we've been up on the mountain top, it's been easy to look around and just feel so blessed and trust Him because during that time, we are relieved of the many life pressures that assault us during the valley times. Not to say that life is necessarily easy during the mountain times, but it's just less stress/pressure. We've been through our share of valleys, though. Right now is a bit of a valley for us. Spiritually and emotionally, it's been one of the best times of my life....and I can say for Dan too. We have finally found a church home, we are making friends, our kids are growing and learning, and we are just happy where we are at. We're content.....At the same time, we're also going through a bit of a crunch, financially. With Dan trying to start up a new shop, it's been tight, and sometimes we have to get the bare bones at the grocery store. We are learning to budget more wisely, and we're doing ok; God is providing for us. But it feels like a bit of a valley right now, in the financial realm. Money does not make the person, I know, but it pays the bills....as we all know.:)

God totally slapped me on the hand this week, though. He honestly woke me up from what felt like a valley....and He turned my day into a mountain top.....I have to tell you this story because I'm just amazed at His provision and His love and His mercy to us, even when we are tempted to doubt....He's still there, even in the smallest of things. I went to make our grocery list and menu for the next week; it was my dreaded chore of the day. As I pulled up the grocery store ads online, I began planning out the menu, according to what was on sale, and at the same time I started to fill out the grocery list. As I realized things we were totally out of (our kitchen was depleted pretty badly), I started looking more closely at what was on sale, and just about everything on my list was in the ads....even diapers were on sale. I really couldn't believe it when I saw that milk was on sale. I just kept sifting through, and everything God knew we were out of, He was showing me His way of providing for our family......I think my mouth just dropped to the floor. When I was doubting, wondering how I could get what we needed, He gave me that slap on the hand and showed me Who He is....He is the Great Provider. He does care about even the little things in our lives.

It was just encouraging to realize that even when I doubt, no matter the circumstance, He is there....all I have to do is trust and lean into Him, instead of questioning and wondering. Trusting God through the tough times is what's going to build character in me, and it's what's going to build character in you. It's those refining fires during those valley times that will help us to grow.

For more Motivate Me Monday, link up with The Fifth Street Palace.

Love,

Yea For Dan

So, the last couple days have been almost verging on horrible days....between us being sick (with some kind of tummy somethin') and trying to figure out this whole domain thing....it's been rough! But it's done! Hooray! Yipee!!! Yea!!! And I have to give a shoutout to Dan, my rockin' husband, who walked me through the setup and mostly had patience with all my mistakes. (Hey, go leave him a comment on his new tech review site , Professional Tech Monkey; he's just starting out and could use the encouragement).

Oh what fun! I think we were both ready to pull our hair out by the time last night rolled around. In fact, a fellow blogger sent me a picture of an emoticon beating down its computer, and I about fell out of my chair laughing. BUT it is done, and the old Heart Prints (my baby at http://missmalu30.blogspot.com), has grown up. It's now http://www.realheartprints.com! How exciting! So, just to let you know! I'm a big girl now!:)LOL

Have a great night!

Change Is In the Air

You may have noticed a name change above; hang in there, as I will soon be switching over to RealHeartPrints.com instead of blogspot. Nothing is changing, except for the name and address (which will forward), so I will still be right here where you can find me.:) I'll let you know when it actually changes. Thanks for reading! You all make my day!

Things I Love Thursday: My Favorite Dr.

Ok, I have a confession to make. No, I don't drink coffee; blech! I love the smell but hate the taste....but I love me some good ole Dr. Pepper.:) There is nothing like it, except for water, of course, but sometimes ya just need something with a kick. Now if I could, I'd be drinking Dr. Pepper all the time (as in, have it hooked up to my arm through an IV), but we hardly ever buy soda, seeing as how much money it wastes and how bad it is for us. Plus, I'm not supposed to have caffeine (doctor's orders a while back; a heart thing).

Anyway, look what my Dan brought home to me last night! Yep, he brought me a whole 12-pack of it too! And it's caffeine free!!! Who could ask for more? He was thinking of everything. (I love you, Honey!) Anyway, this is something that I love....I can live without it most of the time, but there are days when that craving is soooooo strong. Mmmmm.....:) I've often envisioned a commercial for Dr. Pepper, where a mom is finally done with grocery shopping, the kids are screaming in the back seat, and she opens up her Dr. Pepper and takes one sip and is whisked away to a paradise-like setting.....yep, that's what it does for me.:)

What do you love? Head over to Diaper Diaries, and share!

When It Rains, It Pours

This is especially for all those homeschooling mamas out there....or the mamas who have had days that seem like the old saying: "When it rains, it pours." You know who you are.:) My husband said I needed to post about this and call it, "Just My Luck," or talk about how anything that's going to happen, is going to happen to me (as he was laughing). BUT I've found that with most moms, we all have those days. AND we all have to stay in the fight and muddle our way through.

Yesterday, was one of those days for me. Literally, I could feel something just weighing on me all day. It started out the night before when I hit the grocery store while Jacob was in soccer. Every stinkin' sale item I was after, they were out of. Urggg...:) Then I go to pay, and well, we all know how that is nowadays: it's hard to swallow when you see those numbers keep climbing and climbing and climbing. I finally get out and load all the stuff in the car, and I'm getting ready to pull out, and this guy jumps right in front of me with his car.....so, muttering under my breath because there were 10 parking spaces closer to the store he could have gotten rather than in front of me, I backed out (yes, I know.....I'm lazy). Then yesterday hits. Jacob had probably one of the worst days in school that we have had so far with homeschooling. If you know me, you know that math is one of my least favorite subjects to do, let alone teach. And, of course, it's Jacob's most difficult. When we started school, I was emotional anyway, had a ton of stuff on my mind. As we were doing the math (and it took 2 hours yesterday, by the way), and we were shedding many tears over it, all I could think of was the negative thoughts and negative comments I've ever gotten about homeschooling.....such as, "How do you know what to teach? How do you know he's getting a good education? He needs to go to school, where he can be with other kids." And of course, my own voices inside, "You are failing; he is never going to get this unless you put him in school; you are a failure." Come on, admit it, if you're a mom, you have had these thoughts yourself, whether it be about math or discipline or whatever it may be. The emotions just kept building and building.....to the point where I finally sat Jacob down with the dictionary (with the D section, in fact, since he had made a D on his history test too:)LOL; don't worry; the one before he made a 100, so yesterday was just one of those rare, bad days; and he needed to work on spelling skills anyway).

Anyway, I reached out and emailed a fellow homeschooling friend for support....and she was wonderful enough to sit down and type out a really long email filled with encouragement and tips and experience. I can't tell you how much that lifted my spirits and just helped to take that weight off. You know what else I should have done immediately, but because I'm not perfect, I didn't do right away? I should have prayed.....Prayer is our weapon, Moms. You know what those negative voices are in your head? They are the devil's lies. Moms, be encouraged today by reading this. I hesitated to write it because I didn't want to sound all negative, but for the sake of keepin' it real and hopefully encouraging you, I am bearing my heart to you. Don't listen to those negative voices.....in fact, fight them with prayer, fight them by just taking a break to read some Scriptures, fight them by reaching out to a friend for support and encouragement. We need each other. You can do this, Moms; don't ever give up....on your kids or yourselves. If you feel that God has put you in the position of homeschooling, remember that calling, and don't give up! If you are a Mom who doesn't even homeschool, still, don't give up! We are changing the world, one tiny heart at a time. If you fail, if you lose it, if you get angry.....pick yourself back up, ask forgiveness, and move on. Believe me, I have had to ask both God and Jacob for forgiveness when I've "lost it" and yelled a few times.....I'm not perfect, and you aren't either. Nothing draws you closer to each other than to humble yourself in that way.

Don't give up, Moms! You CAN and WILL succeed!:)