Mommy Time - New Ideas, New Plans, and a Confession

"Much more remains to be done before we can announce our total failure to get anything done."

Don't you love that? LOL  Well, that is my confession!!!  I had grand plans for April with Easter at the end of the month.  We had 4 full weeks to get tons of Easter ideas done including Resurrection eggs (which sat in my truck for over a week before I remember to bring them in - good thing they aren't real!) books with an art project to go with each one including decorating some cute pots and plants but . . .well . . .actually . . .nothing has happened.  We've sang our same songs, read whatever book the kids pull and Josh has drawn on paper like he always does.  I see so many fantastic ideas and I want to do them all . . .that doesn't work!  My excuse is that my printer is not working well and I cannot buy a new one so I can't print all those great lessons.  That's my story and I'm sticking too it HA!

Well, recently, I was given some "off the hook" advice through a blog post.  See, if you read blogs about "Tot Time" or "Mommy School" or whatever you want to call working with your kids . .. they all read like super mom.  Those moms sound like they spend hours every day playing and working with their kids.  I've always wondered how they do it and than I learned, they are faking !! :-)  Ok, maybe not - but I think that life is not as it appears.  One of the blogs that I love to get ideas from is 1+1+1=1. She creates such awesome projects and tools for kids.  When I have made things from her site (like Lap Books) they have been a huge hit with Josh. 

She recently did a post on her daily schedule with her three kids.  When I read it, I actually breathed a sigh of relief and realized that I am trying to hard! (I know, so hard to believe for those of you that know me!)  She gave a detailed look Behind the Scenes of their day.  One of the things I loved is that she was real about the time during the day that she did what she has to do from cleaning to reading blogs.  Don't worry, I'm not falling into my old trap of "I can do that bigger and better" but, rather, I'm thinking about the top things I want to accomplish each day with my kids and I'm slowly building our schedule around that instead.  Summer is coming - I want all of us to spend a lot of time outside so I'm thinking of some simple things we can do outside from sidewalk chalk to bubbles.  I've finished up a project in my dining room that has to do with housing supplies and I'm excited about that because now, the things are right there.  Each of the boys will have their own crayon box (so when Nate eats his crayons, Josh won't be offended LOL)  and we'll have all the supplies we need to do some crafts. 

Are you having trouble planning your day - check out that post from 1+1+1=1 and feel encouraged.  I'm actually looking forward to the summer knowing that I can get some things done and not just flounder from day to day !

I look forward to next Thursday (when I do my Mommy School posts) when I plan to have the basics of our schedule written up and our plans for some time in May!

Weekly Devotional - The Power of a Postive Mom

Principal # 2  is the power of Prayer.

First, a positive mom is a praying mom - how to effectively pray for your kids. So, why should we pray?  For some simple reasons.  1) We pray because God tells us to bring all of our requests to him. 2) We pray because we need wisdom from above to be good mothers.  3) We pray because it turns our eyes toward God and off our problems. Besides being three great reasons we should be praying moms - they are just great reasons to pray. Period.  We are commanded to pray without ceasing in I Thessalonians 5:17 which can be looked at two ways - always be in the attitude of prayer and don't allow your pray life to fall by the wayside.  Set a regular time to prayer each day - make time for it or it won't happen.  I'm not going to list them here but this chapter gives some great passages that talk about praying with confidence as well as some great passages on how to pray specifically for your children as well. And most importantly, never give up praying for your children. 

Second, a positive mom is casting her cares - finding strength, hope, and wisdom for each day.  The main point in this chapter is to not worry.  Plain and simple.  At the end of the chapter, the challenge is to make a "God Box" - basically a shoebox decorated with a slit in the top.  Let the whole family in on this - anytime they have a worry, write it down and drop it in the box - this will be a reminder of Casting all of their cards on god.

Third, a positive mom is a woman of prayer - Changing lives through the power of prayer .  This chapter is about becoming a woman of prayer. The author encourages us to find a prayer partner - someone whom you can pray with at a regular time - and stick with it for 6 weeks.  Use the concept of "ACTS" when you pray - adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.  Don't let your busy schedule as a mom interfere with taking time to pray - not only for your families, but for your entire prayer list.  Challenge yourself - the next time you say "I'm praying for you" to someone, write it down and pray for the over the next week.  See what a difference it makes!

To catch up on my past posts about this post just click Here

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving . . . that the boys and I got to go on our first field trip of the spring . . .even with snowflakes and hail falling

I'm loving . . . our new normal.  The days are long but the weekends are great.

I'm loving . . . my new 2 quart Rubbermaid drink pitcher.  It is compact and fits easily in the fridge.  Perfect for making lemonade.

I'm loving . . . that Easter is this Sunday.  It is such a wonderful day!

I'm loving . . . that my brother Kel and his family come "home" from Brazil in just a few short weeks.  I know they miss their friends and ministry while they are gone, but I sure love seeing them!

I'm loving . . .that I put away all of the Lego's for the time being (is that mean?)  It is so wonderful to not have two big boxes of Legos dumped out every day, and than not played with the rest of the day. (They will return some day, I promise!!)

I'm loving . . . that I have my bookshelf organized in the dining room.  It solves so many issues for me!

I'm loving . . . the spring weather.  Sure, snow and than rain is crazy but, last summer, we had 80 degree days in April and it never cooled off.  I love Michigan seasons!

I'm loving . . . my very hard working husband.  I'm so proud of all he has accomplished the last few weeks with so many changes!!

What are you loving today?

Too Cute Not to Toot!!

I feel like I've been posting Easter ideas since . . .2010 LOL  So . . yes, I'm getting a little tired of them but there are still some cute ideas out there - both related to Easter and not! 

First up is actually a new blog I just found.  I love to try new recipes - especially easy, but good recipes.  When I started reading through the posts on Val So Cal I started drooling and kept on going.  I already through all of her posts and copied the recipes I want to try so I can  put them in the "recipes to try" section of my recipe binder.  Make sure and check out her site - you might find something you like too!


 

This next one is a really cute rugged fishing game for boys (not that girls can't play) by Frugal Decor Mom.  This is something I really want to make for my boys  . . .I hope I can remember :-)

I do like this Easter idea because it is easy and cheap - plus it would be cute as a centerpiece.  It is an Egg Bouquet by Ms Not So Perfect (I like that name!).  It looks really easy but makes a big impact.

Scissors and spatulas shares a really adorable idea for a baby shower favor.  She found the boxes at Hobby lobby and than shares a really good popcorn recipe to fill the boxes with for the favor.  I think the next time I'm  in Hobby Lobby I'll have to look for these - I have a  few friends expecting in the next few months and they would make a cute "thinking of you" idea even a few weeks before they are due!

Now this is a really easy, adorable idea for spring/summer and it used up all of those plastic water bottles we aren't supposed to use because they fill up the garbage dumps. :-)  Crissys Craft gives a very easy to follow, step-by-step tutorial to make these flowers.  I think they would be a cute Mother's Day project for older kids to do.

When I saw this I had to share - it is a recipe for something called Peanut Butter Confetti Cake and it looks so good!!  Check out the recipe A pretty life in the suburbs.  I had to share it because it really is just too cute (and delicious looking!)

If this doesn't get you ready for summer, I don't know what will!  What a cute way to turn a cheap pair of flip flops into something really fun and whimsical.  Check out this idea over at Craftomaniac

This is an idea I've seen a lot around Halloween but have never seen these cute Bunnies that Oopsey-daisy shares in this cute post.  They are very easy to make and you probably have most of the supplies at home.  Instead of fabric, I've picked up clearance cloth napkins to make these as well (at least the ones for fall!)

I was looking at a blog for another idea and happened across this one which really looks like cute artwork.  I love it because it uses Hands :-)  Kid hand projects are just too great.  Check out the idea t Come Together Kids

Krafty Kat shares some really neat crafts to make with those plastic eggs which are so inexpensive!  (I found them cheaper at Hobby Lobby than the Dollar store too!!)

So many cute ideas out there and I'm noticing a tread, are you?  There are starting to be some really cute ideas for summer too.  I just keep saving them and am trying to not get distracted by all the great ideas while I'm trying to simplify my life (that lovely theme word of mine).  I have plans for so many of these cute crafts for next year . .. another theme word away :-)

From A-Z, everything you want to know about me!

I've seen this on so many other blogs and liked reading other people's lists so I decided to play along today!

A. Age: Almost 39!!

B. Bed size: Queen - I bought the set when I was still single and have loved it . . but if we had more room, we would upgrade to a king!

C. Chore you dislike: Cleaning the Bathroom.

D. Dogs: One - China.

E. Essential start to your day: A shower, without a doubt!

F. Favorite color: Green. 

G. Gold or silver: usually gold but I love my silver Pandora bracelet!

H. Height: 5'6"

I. Instruments you play(ed): Piano, Clarinet, and Voice :-)

J. Job title(s): Wife, Mommy, Creative Memories Consultant

K. Kids: Joshua and Nathan (and technically Darryl, he's just an older kid LOL)

L. Live for: Being the best I can be in all areas - my walk with God, with my kids, my husband and family.

M. Most embarrassing moment: I try to avoid them at all costs and therefore, I will avoid naming any!

N. Nicknames: My oldest brother calls me Jack-Baby and many people call me Jack.  But for the most part I'm just Jackie.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Yes - Tonsils when I was a kid; Gall bladder surgery when I was in my 20's, and that multiple hospital stays with both pregnancies both before the kids were born due to complications and than of course, when they were born.

P. Pet peeves: Being late. 

Q. Quote from a movie: Seriously?  I'm not sure!  I don't tend to remember lines from movies but I do love Anne of Green Gables and watch it a lot.

S. Siblings: 3 older brothers.  Did I mention they are all older than me? LOL

T. Time you wake up: The alarm goes off most mornings at 2:15  but I don't wake up until 10:00.  (think about it, you'll get it - I'm not a morning person  haha) Honestly - I do get up at 2:15 (or whatever time my husband has to get up on a given morning for his route) and make his coffee/pack his lunch.  Than I go back to bed.  I'd like to get up at 5:15 so I can take care of me first . . but a lot of mornings I push it and get up at 7:00 . .mornings are so hard :-)

U. University attended: Northland International University and Bob Jones University

V. Vegetables: Only if I have too :-(  I have recently learned to like asparagus...

W. What makes you run late: My Husband.

X. X-rays you’ve had: Dental x-rays, Chest x-rays, MRI for an ankle injury, Foot x-rays; x-rays when my gall bladder was asking to come out;

Y. Yummy food you make: Lets see - snickers pie would be one of the favorites along with Southern Peach Cobbler.  My husband says just about everything I make is yummy but sometimes, there are some big time flops! ha!

Z. Zoo animal favorites: Giraffes, Lions, Tigers . .ect.  Think African safari!

Hope you enjoyed that - I'm a pretty simple, complex person.  Yep, that's me!

Check out these Giveaways!

Giveaways!!

Aren't giveaways fun?  For one, there is a chance you might win something, and two, well .. .it's just fun to win!

There are three giveaways going on at blogs I follow and I wanted to share the good news!

First up is over at Ask Anna.

I've posted about her blog before during the recent spring cleaning challenge that she hosted.  She gives some really easy ideas for cleaning and I've enjoyed reading her ideas.  Her giveaway is for a gift certificate to As you Wish Design where you can design your own item like this:

You can enter too - just head over to "Ask Anna" and check it out!

The second one is over at itsybitsylearners .



This is for a Tot pocket to use for teaching my kids.  I've picked up a few of the packs she has created over the past few months and have been very impressed.  I would, of course, love to win this one as well!

So head over there as well and feel free to enter!

Finally, the third one is over at Sassy Sites.

This giveaway is sponsered by Tags-n-Stones and is for a $40.00 gift certificate to her shop to get something as cute as this!

There are also other giveaways going on at Sasy Sites all week so make sure and check out all of her posts :-)

Updated Reading Goal!

Back in January I did this post showing my book goal for January-April.  Well, I reached the middle of March and realized I needed to re-do this idea.  I think three months is better or I lose focus.  And I did.  Lose focus that is!  I have read quite a few books over the past few months but most of them were fun reads, not any of these listed!  I take that back, I did get a few read but  . .. lets start over for the next quarter.  So here are my books I'm hoping to get read over the next three months.

You may recognize a few many of these titles from last time but I picked up a few new ones too. 

1. Positive Mom - This is actually a book I'm going to be starting this week.  I'm doing this as part of an online Bible Study and am looking forward to it very much.
2.  The Duggars, 20 and counting - I really like the Duggar family and enjoy watching their TV show.  This book comes highly recommended from many people and I'm looking forward to reading it.
3. How to Talk so your Children will Listen - I can't remember where I found this book but it interested me.  I know all kids play deaf but I sure would like to maybe try to talk so they will listen :-)
4. Embrace Grace - I've wanted to read this book for years - and I finally got it!  I had ordered it last fall but canceled the order after never getting it; I finally remembered to order it again.
5. The Total Woman - I only want to read this because I saw it on a blog and thought - "Are you kidding me"? LOL  We'll see if I make it through this one.
6. Reshaping it all -  This is not a book I would normally have picked to read BUT I won it on a blog giveaway so how can I not read it?
7. Shepherding a Child's Heart - What is more important than this?
8. What he's REALLY thinking? - I read another book recently how understanding how your husband thinks only to discover that my husband didn't fit the norm :-)  I wonder how this book will rate.
9. Totally Desperate Mom - When my husband was employed at his previous job,  one of this stops was a publishing company - they would let him take the "extra" books so this is one of those he brought home.  I wanted to read it before I sell it.
10. Taking care of the Me in Mommy - This one came recommended to me as well - otherwise I don't know if would have picked it up.
11. The 6 stress points in a woman's life - I just like the author.
12. It Starts At home - again, what a great topic - teaching your children!

I'm actually finishing up "Falling Forward" by Sandi Patty right now (it was on the last list) and plan on starting the Duggar book as soon as finish that up (if not sooner!)