Motherhood is a Huge Time Zapper!

I remember when my son lost his very first tooth. A funny thing happened, he swallowed the tooth - which made for a little pickle when I tried to figure out how we were going to do the whole "tooth fairy" thing!

Daddy wrote a note to the tooth fairy explaining the situation and - good news - the tooth fairy did indeed show up!  But not without my husband and I first having a discussion about the going rate for a tooth these days. My husband suggested a pretty high price - I on the other hand tend to be cheap, so I threw out a low bid and we ended up in the middle.

Considering the cost...do you realize how much these kids have cost us? I'm not even talking about money here - I'm talking about time and energy!

Before I had my first child, I thought the hard part was going to be the pregnancy and delivery. Boy, was I wrong!  First it was my nursing struggles ,which I shared on Monday, and NOW the hardest part for me is taking the time and energy to train my children to do what is right.

The wise mother takes the time to correct her children over and over and over again so they can experience the peace and freedom of living a life in accordance to God's word and in peace with God and others. But this takes something very BIG - OUR TIME!

How are we doing with spending time with our kids? I have felt myself tempted to get the kids outside so I can get my work done inside. I have felt the pull of trying to get the kids in bed early so I can find some "me" time. These things are not wrong in and of themselves - but it is wrong if we spend the entire day - just corralling them like cattle from one activity to another and never spending real quality time with them during their day. 

Our children need their mommy's time. They need us to take the time to look into their little eyes and tell them they are loved. They need us to just sit and listen to their goofy story. They need us to look up the answer to that weird question they have, that we don't know the answer to - but they are really interested in. And they NEED us to take the time to read them God's word and train them to do what is right.

Deuteronomy 6:7 says it is the parents job to teach our children God's commands.  "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."  The only way to live out Deuteronomy 6:7 is by giving your children time talking together.

Motherhood is a huge time zapper! I see some moms bitter at their kids for the time they require - they snap at them and growl at them for being such a burden. God does not want us to resent our children for taking our time and they should never feel guilty for the sacrifices we make as moms. Let your complaints of motherhood remain between you and God and not you and your children and cling to Jesus and his example in John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."

Now go let's go look our sweet peas in the eyes and be there for them.  If this is a struggle  - we need a perspective change.  Let's View our children as gifts - say it out loud to them - "you are a gift".  Watch them light up - they hunger for words of love and affirmation.  When we see them as gifts - we open ourselves to the joy that they bring us - like when your first child loses their first tooth! So exciting!

Walk with the King!

This post is linked to Raising Homemakers, Titus 2sdays, and We Are That Family.


Today is Women Living Well Wednesday! It's a Link-Up Day!!!

Join the fun, do a little blog hopping and don't forget if you join below -please add the Women Living Well Wednesdays button to your post so your readers can find us here! (posts can include the topics of marriage, parenting, homemaking, finances, recipes, organization and more!)

<a href="http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/search/label/Women%20Living%20Well%20Wednesdays"><img border="0" src="http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq297/courtneylivingwell/LivingWell.png" /></a>

I Am About to Walk the Red Carpet!

The Academy Awards are this weekend.

It's the famous ones who walk the red carpet.

It's the honored ones who walk the red carpet.

It's the beautiful ones who walk the red carpet.

It's the talented ones who walk the red carpet.

It's the wealthy ones who walk the red carpet.

It's the gifted ones who walk the red carpet.

And I...I am about to walk the red carpet!

Every morning, I walk the red carpet right up to my sink where I rinse the morning dishes.

I am honored to have a husband and children to take care of.

I am beautiful in the eyes of the Lord, living out his will for my life as a wife and mother.

I am wealthy on the red carpet, for many in the world do not have a sink with running water in their kitchen.

I am gifted on the red carpet - gifted with the riches of God's grace that come through my faith in Christ Jesus his son.

There is no greater honor than the red carpet walk I do every morning in my kitchen.

Join me, as you step up to your kitchen sink - in welcoming a joy that the world cannot understand.

My red carpet is...

A GIFT.

Thank you sweet Jesus for delighting me with this gift!

Today is Women Living Well Wednesday! It's a Link-Up Day!!!

Join the fun, do a little blog hopping and don't forget if you join below -please add the Women Living Well Wednesdays button to your post so your readers can find us here! (posts can include the topics of marriage, parenting, homemaking, finances, recipes, organization and more!)

<a href="http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/search/label/Women%20Living%20Well%20Wednesdays"><img border="0" src="http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq297/courtneylivingwell/LivingWell.png" /></a>

Walk with the King!

I am linked up at Titus2days (Time Warp Wife), Raising Homemakers, and Works for Me Wednesday.

Considering Your Trials a Joy

Last night my Good Morning Girls enjoyed a Girls Night Out. (We are missing 3 ladies in our picture)
There are 11 women in my group emailing each other each morning after we have our quiet times - I LOVE it!

We are now at over 1,000 Good Morning Girls Groups and at over 150 Groups from around the world! It has been SO exciting to see women from nearly every state in the USA including Hawaii and Alaska plus from around the world in Croatia, Australia, Korea, Austria, Germany, Scotland, France, and Canada.


Some of the ladies have joined me for a walk through the Book of James. And today we have completed week 1 in our study. Every Friday I will be writing or making a video to go with our study and it will be posted on my sister site at GoodMorningGirls.org


Going forward I will not duplicate my Friday post here but since it's only week 1, I thought I'd share the video with you all here too. (Sorry it's a bit too dark)





If you are not reading in God's word on a daily basis, I invite you to join me in my walk through the book of James!


Walk with the King!


This is linked to Amy at Finer Things Friday.

Failure

Who likes failure? Not me!!! Back in June I shared with you the planting of our very first garden. It truly was a joy to plant and the hope of juicy fresh veggies was on everyone's minds. Well...let me be honest...I failed.


We had very heavy rainfalls for 10 days straight after our planting - and moss began to grow in our garden! Uh oh - I knew that couldn't be a good sign. Then weeds began to grow and I couldn't tell a weed from a seedling - uh oh! That can't be good either. So I let the weeds grow a little, while we looked at books and tried to decipher. Eventually it was clear the seeds had been washed away and most of what was growing in our sweet garden were weeds.


There were a few hopes though. Our strawberries were beginning to get plump and turning light shades of red. Our corn stalks shot up to the sky and our tomato and green pepper plants did have signs of veggies. BUT then the birds came and ate the berries. And something (I don't know what?) tore down and ate all of our corn stalks in the middle of night just last week! Devastating!


At this point all we have in our garden are tomatoes and green peppers. Both have unripe veggies forming BUT I just noticed yesterday one of the tomatoes has a huge bite taken out of it. This is not a good sign!


SO, I failed miserably at our very first garden...


I shared this with a bloggy friend who has ten children and lives on 16 acres where she grows her own food, raises beef cattle, has her own dairy cow, sheep for meat, chickens for meat and eggs, ducks, geese, cats and dogs for pets and horses as well.


Today she wrote a blog post for me at A Moment With M.O.M. Maybe you will find something in there for you too.


The children are very disappointed but I have already told them - we will not give up and we will try again next year. After talking with a few friends, I have realized some of my flaws and why we have had our failure.

It's a part of life...falling down...getting back up again...the feelings of defeat....rising with defiant joy .


Life is filled with hard moments. We do have a choice - will we choose defiant joy or defeat? On our own - we will be defeated. But when we walk with the King - Romans 8:37 tells us: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Don't let your failures define you.

Get back up again and Walk with the King!

Teaching Our Children Self-Denial

It's link up Wednesday over on Raising Homemakers! So on July 3rd, I began to prepare Alexis (age 5) to be my junior hostess for our 4th of July family picnic. Her role was to greet everyone at the door with a hug, kiss and offer to carry their things into the kitchen. Rather than running off to play with the first child who came through the door - she was to stand post and be ready to warmly greet ALL of our guests and serve them.


We read together pg. 299 of Polished Cornerstones and then read from Luke 14: 12-14 and Hebrews 13:1,2 on hospitality. Then our first guest arrived and she played shy. She would not give a hug or kiss and she would not take my Uncle's drinks into the kitchen. So I released her from her Jr. Hostess duties and decided we'd work on it another day.

The next day we discussed what happened. Alexis was disappointed that she had lost her opportunity to be my Jr. Hostess. But another opportunity was coming, I had a play date planned.

This time - she stood at the window waiting to greet the mother's and their children. This time she eagerly took the bowls from the mothers and brought them into the kitchen for me. This time she warmly greeted her friends. This time she lived out the character trait of hospitality.

Will she do it next time? I don't know - training our children is a process. There will be good and bad days. Some personalities will be easier to train in certain areas than others. Sometimes they will respond to our training and other days they will not. We must seek to know our children - know their strengths and weaknesses. We must seek to drive the sin of selfishness and self-centeredness out of their little hearts and give them opportunities to serve others.

In Luke 9:23 Jesus says, "If any man will come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me."

In the end, Alexis experienced the joy of denying herself. We must continually give our children opportunities to deny themselves. Satan has deceived the next generation of children into believing that joy comes from cartoons, toys, video games and the next great gadget. But true joy comes from walking in the footsteps of our Savior Jesus.

It's seems to be a dichotomy to say that denying yourself will bring joy. But the best moments in my life were when I was serving Jesus. I have fond memories of missions trips, Bible study groups, gatherings in our home or service projects where the joy of the Lord was so full in my heart it overflowed. It's the same in motherhood. All my daily sacrifices added up have equaled joy in our home.

This parenting thing is a journey for me. I am learning as my children learn and then sharing it with you. There are a lot of things I am unsure of, but one thing I am sure of, learning self-denial starts in the home. Let's teach our children to serve others and give them something money can't buy, true joy.

Walk with the King!

I'm linked at Raising Homemakers, Word Filled Wednesday's and Wordful Wednesday.

I Don't Want to Go Into Heaven Gasping

Yesterday I did a book review on Sally Clarkson's newly released book Dancing With My Father. And then I came across this video that goes with it! So I thought I'd pass it on! I love the part where she says "I don't want to go into heaven gasping and straining, I want to experience the fullness of God's joy here on this earth."

I also failed to mention that at the end of each chapter is a group of Bible study questions that can be used for personal study or for a group discussion.

If you would like to enter to win a copy of this book - I am giving one away here. Just click over and leave a comment in the comments section. You have until next Friday, February 26th.


Walk with the King!

Book Review and Giveaway: Dancing With My Father by Sally Clarkson

I read my first book by Sally Clarkson 4 years ago and immediately fell in love with her. I have recommended her book The Mission of Motherhood here on the blog, the message board and to many friends over the years. So you can imagine my excitement when I discovered that she has a blog over at I Take Joy. After connecting with her there, she gave me this awesome opportunity to not only review her newly released book but also give one away to one of my lucky readers!

I have so enjoyed her new book Dancing With My Father. In it Sally shows how God leads us into a life of grace and joy when we surrender to him and allow him to take the lead in the dance of life. "When dancers attempt to turn in different directions, there is no beauty, no synchronizing of movement. But when they learn to read each other's movements and move as one body, there is beauty, a grace and a skill of step that grants the joy of unity and elegance to the dance."pg.81

Do you ever feel out of step with God? Like your expectations of marriage or parenting have disappointed you and the joy you once had as a new Christian is faltering? As a homeschooling mom of 4 (3 are now grown) and a missionary who faced many hardships - Sally openly shares her heartaches and struggles that all women face.

"Joy is not found in performing for people or in doing all the right things for God. Nor is joy in the absence of difficulties or problems. Joy is found in the presence of God in the midst of all circumstances, in delighting in the life he has given."pg.39

Do you ever just feel like you will be happy when...when you are married, when you have a baby, when your babies are out of diapers, when your husband makes more money, when, when, when... Sally openly shares "Not realizing it, I had built values in my heart and a foundation for a kingdom that was pretty much dependent on this world and on people rather than on God...I was reaching for all the things I thought would bring me joy instead of reaching for the true source of joy - God himself. Psalm 16:11 says, "In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever."Pg.55

Sally gently beckons you as the reader to drop your burdens, place your hands in your heavenly father's hands and allow Him to take the lead. It is so hard for women to put our burdens down and let God carry them for us. We want to do and fix everything to make this world just right. But God never intended for us to do a solo dance. He stands waiting each day in the morning for us to come to him in his word and prayer so that he can take the lead. Will you join the dance? One day we will see our heavenly father face to face - and trust me you WILL dance for joy!


If you are struggling in your walk with God and in finding joy on this fallen earth, I believe Sally's book will be a huge inspiration and encouragement to you.

To enter to win a copy of this book wonderful book just leave a comment below and I will randomly choose a winner on Friday, February 26th!

Walk with the King!

3 Ways to Put "Merry" in "Merry Christmas"

The word “merry” means cheerful, joyous, and lighthearted. We all want to create a “Merry” Christmas for our families – but is our family experiencing a wife and mommy who is “merry”? Are you smiling at home? Who you are at home, is who you really are. You can smile at church, smile at your neighbors, smile at strangers in the grocery store – but if you aren’t smiling at home – then that’s who you really are.

For the past 12 years of marriage, Christmas has been the season where being "merry" in the midst of the stress from my huge to do list has been a struggle. There’s cookies to bake, parties to attend, presents to wrap and messes from the kids to stay on top of! How can we honor God and not let our stress steal the word “merry” from our Christmas?

1. Tend to your Spiritual needs - Do NOT neglect your time in the word and prayer. If all you can do is read one verse – write it out on a post-it note and carry it with you all day long. Squeeze all the nourishment you can from that one verse through out the day!

I recommend meditating on Galatians 5:22 & 23 which says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” We must be walking in the spirit to have a merry heart!

2. Tend to your Emotional needs - Light a candle and put on classical music (or Christmas music) – it will have a calming effect on the entire family! If you are not able to smile in the midst of your busyness…your inner soul is not at peace.

The Proverbs 31 woman – smiled. Peace comes through prayer. The way to worry about nothing is to pray about everything.

3. Tend to your Physical needs – Get your rest. Studies show that we need at least 7 hours of sleep at night. It is difficult to be pleasant to our husbands and children when we are exhausted. Take a 15 minute bubble bath as soon as all the kids are in bed. The relaxation benefits will far exceed watching television! Extend the bath to 30 minutes and read a good book! Get a little exercise. Studies show even 10 minutes a day up your energy and mood.

Only you can take care of your deep spiritual, emotional and physical needs. No one else can do the list above for you. Use these as tools to help you accomplish all that is piled on your plate this Christmas. May this Christmas be your merriest Christmas ever.

Walk with the King!

Dealing With Loss During the Holidays

For some, you will experience your first Christmas without a loved one. Whether through death, divorce or distance you are dealing with loss. I want you to know that you are not alone.

I am reminded of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who on Christmas day, 1864, received word that his son, a soldier in the Civil War, had been wounded. Just two years before, Henry had lost his wife in a fire. As this devout Christian man sat alone with his grief, on the most joyful of Holy Days, he penned words of hope to challenge his own despair. He called his composition Christmas Bells. Little did he know that those words would someday be set to music and become a blessing to millions of people around the world.

If you are struggling to find peace in the midst of the holidays this song below and my dear friend Kelly's story may comfort you.

Kelly lost her father at the tender age of 10. Following his loss she went through a long journey of pain, sadness and depression. None of us are immune from life's tragedies and Kelly's story of hope and strength in God - is a source of inspiration to me. Read it here!

Walk with the King!

Will You Choose Joy or Defeat?

Little eyes stare up at me, her head is hot and feverish and she's thirsty. With her lamby lovie in one arm and her purple blanket in the other she heads to the couch to get some rest and drink from her sippie. I lay a cold wash cloth on her head and the dimple gleams for a moment "thank you mommy." She chooses joy.

Little eyes stare up at me as he begs to play monopoly. Exhausted I answer, "Not tonight dear". Son's countenance falls...my heart feels heavy too - "go get the game." We play, we laugh, we love. We choose joy.

Leader husband is weary...problems, troubles, burdens and cares bring hardship in his work. We cannot lift his burdens for him - he must carry them on his own. But he is not alone. Little hugs and kisses, cuddles and cards are made - he chooses joy.

How do we stand the hardships of life? How do we as weary moms and wives help those in our home as they face their own hardships? We have weary pilgrims in our house who need comfort, rest, love and a replenishing of spirits. We must role model defiant joy! We must choose joy and smile despite our feelings of defeat at times..

We have the power to bring joy to our entire family.

As I walked along outside in the cold last week - something beautiful caught my eye. My hydrangea was blooming - yes, it was nearly December in Ohio and one little bloom was fighting to survive. As a matter of fact it seemed defiant. In the midst of hardship, even snow - that bloom smiled and glistened in the November chill! Oh to be strong like this bloom. To be able to smile in the face of hardship.

We do have a choice - will you choose joy or defeat? On our own - we will be defeated. But when we walk with the King - Romans 8:37 tells us: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."


As I grabbed my camera to capture this bloom with definat joy - it winked at me and whispered, "see me, I can rise up and sparkle in the sunshine despite the fact that I am surrounded by trouble and death. You can too!"


Walk with the King,

Managing Your Home With A Cheerful Heart

Today we continue to learn from Jeanette Wood from A Moment With Mom - a homeschooling mother of 10. If you missed Mondays post - scroll down and learn about Jeanette and how she deals with weariness.

Next I asked Jeanette: "Not only do you have 10 children but you also run a farm. How do you do it all? What is your secret to managing your home with a cheerful heart?"

Training my children in the small details of life and the big issues has been the most important 'secret' to our home running smoothly and cheerfully. I don't expect the children to know how to act, I teach them how to act and train them in overcoming obstacles and traps of bad behavior. My greatest desire is to have a sweet relationship with my husband and children. I have spent much time guarding the peace of our home and making sure that I am creating the environment I want for my family- God's people!


Here are a few practical things I do:

1. I work on creating memories, considering what's really important, and doing those things. I often ask myself, "If the Lord were to return at this moment what would I want Him to find me doing?"


2. I make sure that we are not so busy "doing" that we can't simply enjoy one another.


3. I make sure to always go to bed with the home clean and laundry done. Waking up to yesterday's chores is no way to start the day. There are times that it simply happens however, we all work hard to make sure our daily duties are accomplished before bedtime.


4. I limit distractions such as Internet, TV. and phone calls that would keep me from being available to hear the children express their hearts. If I no longer have time to hold the baby, read a story to the little ones, or kiss the brow of my child... then I am too busy with the 'clutter' of life. For me, the simple moments with my family are the most important! I love to create their favorite meals, yummy treats and work along side them as they care for animals they enjoy!

5. Managing our time is critical. We don't have a schedule we keep but we do have a routine we follow. I've found the home is orderly and peaceful when everyone knows what to expect for the day. The key is keeping us open and flexible to hear the voice of the Lord and set aside our own plans to do His. It's a balancing act that I work on daily.

6. I've learned to smile on purpose! It's important to me that I am teaching my children by example. I want to teach them that I don't just act kind when I leave the house, smile when life is easy, or have a joyful tone in my voice when things go my way. I also want them to know that I don't hide my pain when I hurt, my struggle with temptations, or my repentance when I sin.

7. I also guard myself from excuses. I don't want to teach my children to make excuses for poor behavior so I need to make sure I am not doing so as well. I often tell my girls, "We were told to walk in the Spirit at all times. It doesn't say, except when it's that "time of the month."

Courtney, I have loved sharing with you. Keep in mind that I am simply a sinner saved by grace. I work out my salvation each day by His strength alone. I look forward to tomorrow not because I have all the answers or the perfect life. I look forward to tomorrow because I know that He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in my life. I am excited to see what that looks like!

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Thank you Jeanette for sharing your wisdom with us! For more from Jeanette stop by A Moment With Mom. Now Consider today which one of the above things you need to work on - begin to put it into practice. For me, lighting a candle and putting on some worship music quickly sets a mood and tone in the home that is calm and cheerful! Go and smile at your husband and children today!

Walk with the King!

Mailbag Question: Smiling At Home

My mailbag is PACKED full!!! And this question was asked a lot so I thought I'd start here:



Here's an email from Jamie: "I am a stay at home mom of a 3 and 5 yr old. i would love to be like you for my husband but I just can't seem to keep my house clean, clothes washed and still find time for myself. How do you do it and still keep a cheery face on?"

The video above answers "how I stay happy in the home" - but in regards to how I do it all...I use a daily/weekly schedule. It will not work for every personality type. But for me a schedule works. Some of my old schedules are posted, so browse through them if you think they could be helpful. When I went back to reread my fall schedule, I see that I have already changed a few things that weren't working for me. But you will have an idea of my goals.

Please feel free to offer advice in the comment section if you have found something that works for you! My way is certainly not the only way and we can all learn from each other.

Walk with the King!

Finding Peace in the Midst of Chaos

On Thursday my video blog was about how God helps us in times of need. An Anonymous commenter said "But practically speaking... what does that mean? HOW does He help us when the baby is sick and the floors are filthy and we haven't slept in 48 hours and we don't have help to cook meals. It's one "theme" I haven't understood as a Christian."

I repsonded back to her in the comments section and shared with her how our outside circumstances may not change when we cry out to God in prayer - but our inner self - our soul and spirit - is comforted and calmed by the Prince of Peace.

I could go on more, to try to explain this concept but last week my sister sent me the link to her friend's blog. My eyes were opened immediately to the presence of God in the lives of this couple who just 10 days ago weathered a serious storm with grace. Here is a picture of how the Prince of Peace helps us when we feel weak.

Kim wrote this on their blog before the baby's arrival: At 21 weeks of our 1st pregnancy, our doctors alerted us to the presence of multiple developmental abnormalities with our growing son: Calvin. At 22 weeks it was confirmed that he has a chromosomal abnormality known as Trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 is typically fatal with only 10% of babies with this condition making it to 1 year old. Since our Calvin has some serious developmental abnormalities (severe heart defects, etc) he will most likely not live very long after birth. This has affected our lives unlike anything else, however we believe that God is in control of this situation and every situation.

Some people would say that our circumstances are not fair, and on a bad day we would agree, however, instead of looking at things in a negative light we are trying to view everything in light of God's sovereignty and yes, even in this difficult situation give Him praise. We can be thankful that we are able to conceive, we can be thankful for being able to feel Calvin move in the womb, for our special moments of bonding with him while he’s still here and most of all, we can be thankful that we have hope that through Jesus Christ we can be with Calvin again.

Calvin and his medical diagnosis is not a fluke or a mistake, he is our son and his life was planned down to the finest detail before the world was formed. God has formed him in the womb just like any other baby and his life has purpose. No matter how short his life, it will be full and God will use him in whatever way that He sees fit. Calvin will have the benefit of knowing that He was used of God in a mighty way through the lives of his mom and dad and for those around them. He has already taught us how to love and trust God and each other more deeply than we could have ever imagined. We know that this is happening for a purpose and although, we may never know what that purpose is (while on this earth at least) we know God works everything together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). We know that Calvin is a work of God and that his life is according to God’s purpose. And, we know that The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21).

To view the birth of this sweet baby click here. I can guarantee you that you will see with your own eyes - the presence of God in the lives of Kim and her husband Josh. When we walk with the King - he gives us a joy, hope and peace that this world does not understand. If you are feeling weak today in the midst of your circumstances - draw near to God and find encouragement in the strength of your fellow Christians who are enduring hardships with you.

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble."


Walk with the King!

Fit Friday: The Art of the Bubble Bath

Proverbs 17:22 "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

If you are stressed out from all the back-to-school homework, sports, errands, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and economic troubles...then you NEED a bubble bath.

Here's why - a bubble bath is something COMPLETELY free that only you can give yourself. I remember when my children were babies and my husband was traveling a lot, I would be at my wits end by evening - with no break coming from my husband since he was gone. I found solace in my bubble baths. As soon as I knew both kids were asleep - the art of the bubble bath began.

I know there is a temptation at the end of a weary day to turn on the television and have a snack. This is a common stress reliever - but I don't believe that it really relieves stress like a good bubble bath does.

An awesome bubble bath takes planning so here's what you need:

1. Privacy - all children asleep and the husband aware that you don't want to be interrupted

2. Hot water and loads of Bubbles - preferably ones that smell yummy!

3. Some soft classical music

4. A hand towel rolled up as a pillow

5. A cold drink to set beside the tub

6. A good Christian book

Optional: a lit candle

Now sit back and RELAX - 25 minutes and VOILA - you emerge a new woman. Sometimes all a stressed out momma needs is a little TLC. A cheerful heart is good medicine as Proverbs 17:22 says - and sometimes all we need is a bubble bath to cheer us up!

And guess what - your family will thank you for doing this. Face it - when we are tense, stressed out and exhausted we are not able to be the best wife, mother or child of God we can be. We will more easily give into the enemy's temptations to be angry, inpatient, insensitive, bitter, and the list goes on and on.

The logo for this blog includes a bubble bath girl because a woman who is living well cannot live stretched to her max and stressed out! She must learn to drink from the living well - which is God's word and have joy as she lives it out. Our body affects our spiritual life - so take good care of it! Schedule in a bubble bath for yourself this weekend!

Walk with the King!

Teaching Your Child the Joy of Giving

On Monday I posted how to throw a Princess party. Today I want to share with you another birthday idea that could really be thrown for someone any age! But in this scenario my friend Hope threw it for her 6 year old daughter. I found the idea so compelling I asked her to tell her story - so here's what she wrote:
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We knew my daughter Addie was going to have her first 'friend party' and have it at Chik-fil-a. One day we were riding in the van and she was talking about her party and her friends coming and I thought to myself 'the last thing we NEED is more toys' so I just said, "Hey Addie, what do you think about your friends not bringing you presents at your birthday party?" At first she was like, "um, what?" Then I thought and said, "We could have them bring something for Heart to Heart International Care Kits (because we had done that over the summer http://www.hearttoheart.org/). She wasn't really too keen on that idea and then I thought of something closer to home.

I said, "Addie, how about you have your friends bring kids coats in for Urban Connections Ministry at church, you know, for the kids who walk to school and don't have coats?" Her eyes lit up at this and she got very excited and said "Yeah!!!!"

I made sure she understood ALL of this--'this means none of your friends will bring you gifts to your party, there will be no opening any gifts because there won't be any." She was totally on board but did ask one question, "Can grandma still get me a gift?" "Of course, honey!!! Family can still get you gifts at your family party."

We mailed invitations out that simply said, "In lieu of gifts please bring a gently used child's coat." Several parents pulled me aside to talk to me--"Can't we still bring a gift?" "Are you sure about this?" "How about a coat and a gift?" "Please tell me your daughter is getting something for her birthday?!" I assured all of them, absolutely no gifts, just the coats please, and yes, she's still getting gifts from us and from family.


The day of the party we made her cake, gathered up the party favors she had made for her friends and 2 laundry baskets to put the coats in. Once at the restaurant, we put the baskets on the floor and people put the coats in them and many of Addie's friends made her cards. It was great, the kids ate, played games and had cake and ice cream. After the party we took the coats home and had enough to fill 2 black trash bags! Some people even brought more than one coat.


Addie delivered the coats to the ministry director for Urban Connections at our church. He asked her, "Addie, where did you get all these coats?" She replied, "For my birthday I chose to have my friends bring in coats instead of bringing me gifts."

It was also a great lesson in being humble. We explained to Addie that she should not go around talking about what she did for her birthday or that would be boasting. I was even REALLY torn about letting Courtney write a blog about it but I really feel like it's a great idea and Addie has learned a great lesson from this.

Two weeks after her birthday party she lost her first 2 teeth. She got a dollar for each tooth and I asked her what she wanted to spend her money on, she replied, "I want to buy a coat for the kids who don't have coats" I was moved to tears and still am to this day, with that statement!


Thus, it started another giving tradition in our home. When our kids loose a tooth, they get $2 for it, if they choose to bless someone else with the money by giving it away, we will double their money. Addie lost a tooth last week and at first she was going to keep the money, then she decided to bless kids in Malawi, Africa with it!
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Doesn't that encourage your soul! When Hope told me this story, I knew immediately it was a story that people needed to hear about - I pray that little Addie's willing heart to sacrifice her toys for coats will inspire other children to do the same and Addie's giving will be multiplied! Read this blog post to your child today - maybe they too will have a heart that is willing to give rather than receive. Teach your children the joy of giving - Acts 20:35 "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/

How To Throw a Cinderella Princess Party

For my daughter's fourth birthday I threw a "Princess Party". She chose a Cinderella dress to wear and so that became our theme. On our invitations, we invited all her little friends to the "Royal Ball" in our home and requested them to wear their "Royal Attire".

As the little girls arrived they were handed a dust rag and told to head into our living room to begin cleaning as Cinderella did. They all cooperated with smiles and made my living room shine :-) When all the little girls had arrived a "Royal Announcement" was made by my sister - "Hear ye, Hear ye, all the ladies of the land are invited to the palace for dinner and a ball - please line up at the door for dinner."

I was the fairy Godmother and as the little girls entered the dining room, I waved a magic wand around them saying "bippity boppity boo" and told them how lovely their dress was for the royal dinner. Each little princess found a seat at the dining room table for some finger food and to apply some jewels to a foam crown as a craft. Then it was time to head to the ball!!!

The little princesses went back to the living room and lined up on the couch and as princess music began to play - in came our prince charming! My sister's 7 year old son... my son was going to play a prince also, but he became too bashful when time came, so I released him from his princely duties!

As the music played each little princess had a turn to dance with the prince. Then it happened! Our grandfather clock began to strike midnight - bong bong bong - I told all the little girls to drop one shoe and run back into the dining room for cake!! They giggled with glee and ran.

After eating the princess cake (which I will share the recipe for tomorrow for Tasty Tuesday) - my sister went around with each little princess's shoe and fitted it on the correct princess and that was our "Royal Ending" to our "Royal Birthday" and my daughter truly had a "Royal BALL"!!!!

What is it that makes a little girl want so badly to be a princess? Children want to be a part of a royal kingdom (my son also enjoys being a prince!). If you are a child of God - you are a daughter of the one true King – you are a princess - and you do belong to a royal kingdom. We know that this world cannot be all that there is. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says “God has set eternity in the hearts of men.” And Mark 10 tells us there is a kingdom – and we all long for that place deep in our hearts.

This world is like Cinderella’s ball – the greatest day or joy eventually comes to an end. The clock strikes midnight and we fall on hard times. All joys we have here are just a taste of what is coming in heaven. And one day when we enter the kingdom of heaven we will never have to step foot back on planet earth where the clock can strike midnight again. Forever we will be with the King of Kings and there we will live in joy for eternity! What a great hope we have!

Revelation 19 tells us that one day our Prince will come riding on a white horse to take us with him. “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True…His eyes are like blazing fire and on his head are many crowns…He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God…On his robe and on his thigh he has the name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

Princesses – Your prince will come for you! If this world has dealt you a royally bad hand – hang on – it won’t be long now till you stand face to face with the King of Kings! Take hope and courage from that – and have courage today to live life with defiant joy! He is worthy!

Walk with the King!

This is linked to Kelly's Korner.