"Day in the Life" Panel

Highlights:

Jill
-She has one day a week that's her cleaning day, helps her get it done with focus.
-She tries to have a special activity planned for her kids during dinner prep time to lessen her stress.
-One of her struggles is giving too many "just a minutes", she wants to make time for more focused time with the kids.
-They try to do devotions over meal times, she wants to be more intentional and consistent with this.
-Jill encouraged us to do what we need to do without guilt to get the rest/sleep that we need.  Rested mom equals  better mom.
VERSE: Colossians 3:12.

Karla
-She tries to get up before the kids for quiet times
-She has her kids have quiet times in their rooms each day, everyone benefits from quiet/alone time.
-They try to get out of the house as a family after dinner some nights for fresh air and some fresh perspective:).
-Some of Karla's struggles include letting go of her schedule to be more present with the kids and planning enough time for meals so everyone doesn't feel so rushed.
-Karla encouraged us to memorize verses together as a family, make a prayer jar where we can give prayers to the Lord and let go.
-She shared how her husband takes her kids for a bit in the evening so she can have some breath time.
-From Sally Clarkson in Mission of Motherhood-"Choosing to be a servant mother means willingly giving up myself, my expectations, and my time to the task of mothering and choosing to believe that doing so is the best use of my time at that moment."
-She shared how she shoots Aaron a text during the day asking him to pray for her in certain situations.
-Encouraged us that it's not about perfection, but about how we respond to struggle.
-Encouraged us to share the Gospel often with our kids, to pray for their salvation always.
-Toddler occupiers: run to the door and back, have them thread cherios on yarn.
-Time flies! Write memories down.
VERSES: Psalm 51:10, Proverbs 3, Isaiah 40:31

Katrina
-She tries to make the most of the time in the car with the kids to and from school, praise music, praying, talking.
-She encouraged us to be playful with our husbands in front of the kids.
-She confessed to struggling with laziness at times.  She shared how her husband encourages her to make smaller to do lists so she feels like she really accomplishes them.
-Encouraged us that the kids won't remember if the house was clean, so spend quality time with them.
-She reminded us that we often compare our behind the scenes with others highlight reels (social media sets us up).
-Shared how they listen to VBS cds to get everyone's heart in the right place.
-Little prayers throughout the day go a long way.
-Keeps devotionals in the bathroom (get it when you can!).
VERSES: Isaiah 55:8-9, Colossians 3:23, Philippians 4:19

Creative Abiding:
-While washing dishes, rocking babies, driving.
-Praise music to start your day.
-Getting up before the kids, hard but worth it!

Little Moments for Smiling- Jeanette McBee

Little Moments for Smiling

A heart full of thankfulness for those moments that are small, sometimes fleeting, refreshes our soul, relaxes our muscles. Who allows these glimpses of joy? Who loves you so much and knows what makes you laugh? He created your smile and chuckles. There are times when I believe the lie that I'm not any fun and I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud. Who wants to be around me? Have you every felt that way?

The Lord God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, says you are precious and He loves you (Isaiah 43:4). 

Let's make smiling a little easier. What are some things that make you smile or laugh? This may sound funny (pun intended), but I have a "Smile File". Jokes, quips, articles I've read along the way that make me laugh out loud are here. It's a great pick-me-up. For practice, write 3 things that you enjoy doing (This is not the time to muffle a cry of "when will I ever have time just for me!!" Trust God for time to experience joy He made for you.) Here are some ideas to get you started: Listen to music that soothes or energizes; A cup of your favorite warm drink in a pretty mug; Sitting with a book for 15 minutes uninterrupted and quiet; Playing a game with your kids that you like, too; A bouquet of flowers in a prominent place; A candle, which shape, color or scent is attractive to you; A breakfast that you take care in preparing for yourself and/or your family (use the "nice" dishes and flatware, eat the food you like most, etc.).

Now maybe it goes without saying, so if you already understand this please be patient with me as I'm going to say it anyway: Making an idol of these little joys, meaning having an expectation that your "moment" has to be perfect to be enjoyed, will backfire.

Be alert, notice, recognize when God, seemingly spontaneously, creates little joys just for you.

Fun Fall Giveaway!

*GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED! DRAWING TOMORROW!

Who doesn't love a giveaway?!  In celebration of this beautiful fall season that's upon us and the start of our new year at Real Moms, I have something special to give away!  Is this ceramic owl candle holder not adorable?  And how bout some Harvest spice tea lights to go inside him?  And what's fall without your favorite hot drink on a crisp morning?  This mug is large, just the way I like it:).

How to enter:

1.  Leave a comment on this post telling us what you love about fall and where you plan to put this owl should you win.  This will get you one entry.

2. For three extra entries, simply submit something for the blog. (Recipe, craft idea, a verse or verses that have spoken to you lately, what God is teaching you.) Email them to me at: sarah.longoria4@gmail.com

*The giveaway will close on 9/16/13  night at 8pm (The night before our next Real Moms meeting).  The giveaway drawing will happen at our next meeting on Sept. 17th.

Happy fall! May you find, in this season of coziness, a renewed desire to draw near to your Savior and His Word.

Mom Minute- Lessons From my Dad- Joani Parrish

Lessons from my Dad

  I'm not sure if many of you know, but my dad passed away last year. During this time
I have spent a lot of time reflecting on what skills and lessons in life he taught me. My
dad’s favorite quote, one I heard him say almost every single day of my life, was "You
accept me for the pain in the butt I am and I will accept you for the pain in the butt you
are." (I'm using nicer language, because my Dad was a Marine for 40 years and his
choice of words would not be socially acceptable for a REAL Moms blog post.) My Dad
said this to me for 26 years. Every time I was exasperated with him, when his friends
were giving him a hard time, even to the grocery store clerk checking out his bags (My
Dad could be a pain in the butt). I heard him say this ALL the time. I also watched him
live this way.

 Shortly after he died a friend asked me, "What is the main thing you will miss about
him?" I'm not sure if I could articulate very well at that point because I was so overcome
with absolutely everything I was going to miss about him, but now if you asked me I
would say it was: his unconditional love and support.
 Most recently I missed him when we started foster care. I could hear my Dad
building me up and encouraging me, saying things like "Wow, that's amazing!" or "You
guys are going to be great!" or "Gosh! I wish I had grown up in a home as sweet and
loving as yours." He said things like this ALL the time. He would not say, "Gosh! you
guys are going to need a bigger car" or "Isn't this going to be really hard on your
biological children?" I missed him. I missed him a lot.

 He was one of those people who knew how to just be happy for someone and not put
fears or doubts in their mind. If we bought a bigger house he would not say, "Oh are
you sure that it's not too much?" He would say "That's awesome! I can't wait to see it!"
He would truly mean it. It's not that he didn't have any concerns about me, but he never
focused on the areas in my life he was concerned about. I think he realized the world
has enough people to question you, it has enough people to make you feel concerned
about your actions, it has enough people to place fears and worries and doubts in your
mind. He made me feel like I could do anything or be anyone I wanted to be.

 This lesson he taught me has been such a gift in my life. It gave me confidence
when I was a loner in high school, it gave me courage to get married and not fear the
constant stream of divorces that plagues my family. Many of my choices and the
confidence I can put in them are because of his unconditional love and acceptance.
Most importantly, it has greatly affected my view of God. Rather than thinking of God as
someone constantly judging my actions, I hear God as an unconditional lover of my
weary broken soul. He was the kind of person I want to be, the kind of friend, wife, and
mother I want to be, and with the grace of God I hope to see him someday and thank
him.

~Joani

You Will Blink

I'm sure you've heard it said that you will blink and your babies will be heading off to college.  I know I've heard it a bunch and if I'm honest, there have been a few weary days when the saying makes me do rapid blinks in joke!  But friends, as my first baby turned nine a couple of weeks ago, the saying started to really sink in and it's not so funny anymore.  This precious little bundle, who kept me up countless nights and prevented many household chores from being accomplished, is now this beautiful nine year old who actually helps with chores and sleeps perfectly every night.  This once needy baby now has completely different needs and gives me completely unexpected joy through our maturing relationship.  I write all this to encourage you in days that seem to drag.  The days may seem to drag, but the years really do fly.  And even though you might not be able to imagine it now, you may really want to go back in time some day, even if just for a moment to inhale that newborn smell or squeeze that rascally toddler, so ask God to help you find the joy in "now", I know that's my prayer every day. ---Sarah

Boredom Buster- Put Them to Work!

We all loathe the sentiment our kids spout far too easily during the summer, "I'm bored!"  Maybe you've run out of paper for them to cut or new books to capture their attention for more than a minute.  Or maybe the cartoons have been on a little too long.  Whatever the case, I've discovered something that my two and a half year old loves to do, and I get to teach her something valuable in the process, a win, win!  When her older siblings are busy and I just can't be her entertainer, I put her to work... and she loves it.  She especially loves the activity pictured here.  A bucket of water with a drop or two of dish soap and a squeegee is all you need. I tell her I really need her to clean the house walls, that it would really help mommy and make the house look so nice.  She will stay at this activity for an hour if I let her!  Another indoor cleaning task she loves is wiping down the table and chairs with a little bucket with soapy water and a small sponge she can easily squeeze out.  She also loves to help me unload the dishwasher.  Work looks like fun until they think otherwise, so go with it!  Happy boredom busting!  --- Sarah L.

Free 4x6 Printable Scriptures!

A friend of mine shared this website with me, so I thought I'd pass it along. These are adorable 4x6 scripture prints for a girls room. If you use them, please send me a picture of how you display them in your daughter's room so I can share the idea on the blog. A few ideas I had are a collage frame, pinned on a cork board, or hanging on cute clips on a string.

http://www.frenchpressmornings.com/p/encouraging-wednesdays.html?m=1

Summer Passport 2013

Have a great summer sisters!  And we'll see you at our park dates!

Summer Passport: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwLw3q-PedD0R0tHMmdSY3V5SFU/edit?usp=sharing

Packet "Stuck Inside": https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BwLw3q-PedD0eWVlelRiMkUzMnc&usp=sharing

Packet "Jungle Days" https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BwLw3q-PedD0WHRrTUc3Nk96b3c&usp=sharing

Packet "Backyard Campout" https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BwLw3q-PedD0MGpKWUxub09Balk&usp=sharing

Love, The Servant Team

Snow With Sprinkles- By Colleen Reynolds

The kids spent most of the morning making crafts and coloring, but

come mid-morning they were ready for a snack: snow with sprinkles!
Simply scoop some clean snow into a bowl and top with sprinkles.  The
kids think it is a real treat!  We got this idea from Judy Haywood and
now every time is snows we have to get out the sprinkles.   Hope you
have a great day!

Bring the Snow Inside!- By Melinda Crenshaw

For little ones not quite ready to go out in the snow (or moms not up for it), bring the snow inside! Bring a bowl full of snow in the kitchen and let the kids play with bowls, spoons, measuring cups dipping snow.

Shovaling Snow and Grandma's Cookies- By Joani Parrish

Nobody likes shoveling, that is nobody except my small children. We have some smaller shovels that we usually keep in our cars for emergencies, my boys love using these and helping me shovel. Doing it together turns this mundane chore into something that is extremely fun and is good exercise. If you have any elderly neighbors we love to go around and bless them by shoveling their sidewalks and driveways. It's a fun time for kids and teaches them to help others, as well as kills a couple of hours we otherwise would have spent bored in the house.

                         Sour Cream Sugar Cookies (My Grandma's favorite cookie)

If you have never made sugar cookies using sour cream, you really should give these a try. It really cuts out the sweetness by adding that sour cream, plus it makes them soft and chewy, which is just how we like them! The boys will be helping me cut out and decorate these today and maybe we will bring some of our creations to share with our neighbors!                                         

Ingredients:

• FOR COOKIE DOUGH:
• 5-1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda(mix 1tsp baking soda with 2-3 tsp hot water makes the cookies crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
• 1 cup butter, softened (if you don't like to wait grate the butter with a cheese grater and it softens much faster)
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• FOR FROSTING (makes 1 cup of frosting):
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3-4 tablespoons canned evaporated milk
• food coloring (optional)

Directions:

In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, & salt; set aside. In second large bowl, with an electric mixer, cream the sour cream and butter at low speed; add sugar, eggs, and vanilla & mix until combined. (It's okay if it's a little lumpy as long as no butter chunks are visible.) Gradually add the flour mixture to the sour cream mixture, mixing until well combined. Dough will be sticky. (If cookie dough is too thick for your mixture to handle, you can stir it by hand with a wooden spoon.) Divide dough onto two pieces of plastic wrap; flatten dough, wrap tightly, and refrigerate until chilled, 1-2 hours. (Make ahead tip: Dough may be made to this point and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.)

ROLL, CUT, & BAKE COOKIES: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.  Generously flour your counter or work surface to prevent dough from sticking. Rub flour on the rolling pin. Put one of the chilled pieces of dough on top of the floured surface and sprinkle the top of the dough with more flour. Starting at the center, roll the dough out to one edge; return to the center and roll to the opposite edge. Continue rolling until dough is an even 1/4" thick all over, sprinkling with additional flour, if needed, to avoid sticking. Dip cookie cutter in flour and cut out dough shapes. Transfer dough shapes to baking sheets. Continue rolling dough, cutting shapes, and adding to baking sheets until they are filled.  Bake 2 sheets at a time for 8-10 minutes, rotating and switching pans half way through cooking time. Bake them just until they are baked all the way through but haven't started browning on the bottom. If a soft textured cookie is desired, it's very important not to over bake them.  Transfer hot cookies to a baking rack to cool completely. (Make-ahead tip: Cooled, unfrosted cookies may be stacked in a sealed container and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 2 weeks.)

MAKE FROSTING:

Combine powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla, and half of the evaporated milk in a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to combine ingredients on a low speed until its' a thick paste consistency and all of the lumps are gone. Gradually add remaining milk and continue mixing on medium speed until frosting is a smooth, silky, spreadable consistency. If it's still too thick, add more milk 1/2 teaspoon at a time until it's desired consistency. Mix in food coloring, if desired.

FROST & STORE COOKIES:

Frost each cookie and decorate with sprinkles while frosting is still wet. Leave out to dry for several hours until dry to touch before storing in an airtight container. If stacking frosted cookies, put waxed or parchment paper between layers.

Recipe adapted from theyummylife.com

Snow Day Activities- By Courtney Kendall

Cold Water and food coloring. Kids can paint in the snow. Gotta love Pinterest!

Paint in a ziplock bag.  Tape it down and let kids push it around with fingers. NO MESS and super fun.  Another great Internet find :)

Abiding in Christ- Amy Hendrickson

What does "Abide" mean?
     -sit, dwell, establish, lodge, remain, stay with, last, be one with.

From the Word:

John 15:4- "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

John 15:7- "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

John 15:6- "If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."

John 15:10- "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love."

John 15:9- "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."

1 John 2:24- "As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father."

1 John 3:17- "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?"

2 John 1:9- "Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son."

Practical:

Abiding in Christ is how we stay with Him, remain with Him, live with Him, stay as one with Him.  It is intimacy with our Maker and Savior that produces the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.  These are a few practical ideas on how to abide in Him.

-music, chatachisms to music, open Bible on the counter with the habit of regularly chewing on scripture, sandwiching our day with prayer (first thing, maybe every time you do dishes or fold laundry, little reminder triggers, and before you go to bed.

*Bring your kids into it!  They will know what it is to abide when they see you do it and when they get to practice it.

Devotionals:

"When Motherhood Feels Too Hard"- Kelly Crawford
"Morning and Evening"- Charles Spurgeon
"My Utmost For His Highest"- Oswald Chambers

Hospitality- Traci Major and Kathy Lopez

Describe Hospitality:
 
     1.  Background: Philo-Zenia= to love strangers
     2.  What God says about Hospitality: Matthew 10:40- "Anyone who welcomes you welcomes Me."\
     3.  Excuses: Keep us from God's best.  Remember that you may never have that opportunity again.

Truth Treatments:

-John 8:32
-Philippians 4:13
-II Corinthians 12:9
-Mark 9:23
-Philippians 4:19
-Mark  6:8
-Hebrews 4:16

*Hospitality is an ACT of worship.  An action is purposeful and intentional.

Tips on Being Purposeful:

1. Be in the Word. (He fills us up, then we can overflow)
2. Be available. (Listen to and value people and their needs)
3. Think of it as an opportunity, a divine appointment, instead of an interruption.
4. Don't forget Who we're pointing people to. (This fights pride or a desire to impress)
5. Do what you can to help. (Do one thing, pray about what God would have you do)
6. Practice Hospitality with intentionality. (Hospitality is a heart attitude that acts accordingly)

*It's not about us!  Listen to God's promptings.
*The disciples were acting out of love, not obligation

Practically Practicing Hospitality:

1.  Never clean before company, clean on a schedule, maybe one bathroom and one main room a day, so it's never a mad dash. (Be real, let people see your messes, it probably blesses them.)
2.  Keep your emphasis on welcome, a welcoming heart matters more than a perfectly clean house. (don't apologize for messes, it's self focused even though it may sound others focused)
3.  Include little touches like candles or flowers.
4.  Do as much ahead of time as possible.  (make up cookie dough, freeze it in balls.  Fresh cookies are a nice touch, and then you're not stressing out right before company)
5.  Keep records
6.  Pray that God will open your eyes to opportunities. (Our giftedness and His grace)

*Five-Minute Drill:  Get's your kids involved!  Once or twice a day, assign each person an area and clean/organize for five minutes.  Make it fun by challenging your kids to race the timer, "let's see how much we can clean in five minutes!"
*Have your kids rotate as the designated greeter.  Teach them how to use good manners to welcome others, and how to have a serving attitude and heart towards guests.

Recipes and Planning Websites:

1. www.melskitchencafe.com (Tab for make-ahead meals)
2. www.thepioneerwoman.com (Thanksgiving deconstructed, SO helpful for planning a big holiday meal)
3. www.yourhomebasedmom.com
4. www.thriftydecorchick.com

*Time and stress savers: prep/chop for your evening meal in the morning, double recipes when you can and freeze.

More Practical Ideas:
*Pick one weekend a month to invite another family over for lunch or dinner.
*Cleaning tip: have a basket to serve as a quick clutter mover.
*Invite international students over for holidays.
*Base hospitality around food, Jesus did this, many Biblical examples, devotions at meals.
*Sunday dinners, invite someone over.  Once big meal a week.
*Let people bring things (side dishes) to help lessen the load.
*Popcorn is an easy snack that goes a long way.