The Home – All things hearth and home, from marriage to homeschooling!
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my review. Opinions are my own. No compensation was received for this review. About the book: The Golden Braid (Thomas Nelson, November 2015) The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower… Rapunzel can throw a…
I had the privilege of attending the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker this weekend. My mom was my guest and the tickets were provided by US Family Guide in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and experiences are my own. I hadn’t been to a ballet performance since I was a child, so I…
That whole thing about the apple and the tree? Yeah, it’s kinda true. This isn’t breaking news, mind you. It’s just that four times in the last week, I’ve had conversations with different people about Luke’s various idiosyncrasies. These discussions inevitably resulted in some form of, “Where does he get that?” At which…
The day my nine-month-old fell off the bed, a friend was over. We were chatting in the hallway, sorting clothes to donate. I’d set him down on his back, sure he was in a good spot. I briefly hesitated, but knew it would only be a minute or two, and satisfied myself with…
My oldest son will be twelve years old in a couple months. That’s old enough that we should have had more sensitive subject talks sooner than now. Unfortunately, we have put it off. I guess I’ve been the head-in-the-sand kind of mom without realizing it. We have used the real words for private parts since…
My Mom Confession…I Don’t Like Toys. When I was a child, my family lived in a small town. Making the hour long trek to the “big city” for a shopping trip was always a treat. It was an even bigger treat when the city finally got the greatest store ever…Toys R Us. My child-sized heart…
What do you do when it seems like you never feel well? I get a little tired of hearing the mantra myself. Like a broken record-player. Playing the same old song over and over again. Those sad, disappointed little voices. “Mommy doesn’t feel good… Mommy’s tired… Mommy needs to lay down… Mommy doesn’t feel good…”…
Ouch! That one small word can hold so many feelings and emotions. For some it evokes sympathy or compassion, even pity. For others it evokes shame and weakness. For me it’s always held feelings of all of the above, so I just didn’t let it out. I never saw this as a real problem. Occasionally…
Common wisdom says that the best thing a mom and dad can do for their children is to love one another. But more important than that is for a child to see that his parents love Jesus Christ. Not, and I’m being very specific here, not merely hear it said that they love Him, but see everyday,…
Dear Momma, Today I want to share some of my imperfections with you. I yell. A lot. Sometimes it seems that the only way that the boys will listen is if there is yelling involved. I lose my patience easily. I discipline out of anger. I have a hard time apologizing. Is it…
I am sitting on an airplane on my way to a conference and I am so frustrated! I couldn’t find the top I need to wear tonight. Just couldn’t find it. I tore the house up looking for it. How do things like that happen? How can you lose an outfit you wear…
We cherish of the sweet moments of motherhood, of tucking our little ones in at night with soft moon-glow as they drift off in peaceful sleep. Reality strikes in any of the following scenarios that develop after the supposed final goodnight. “Mommy, I need a drink!” says the bright-eyed preschooler in the doorway….
Some days it is not easy to be a mother. I have known this for a long time, but never had it been so apparent as when when my 3rd little one showed up. He is so cute, smells so great – I love newborn smell – and he is up all. night. long….
Disclosure: Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. When I heard that Korie Robertson, wife to Willie of Duck Dynasty, had a new book coming out, I jumped at the chance to review it. I have…
I know what you’re probably thinking. “That’s an odd number!” Am I right? But this year is our Grandiversary. {BTW, I made that up, so you’re not uninformed. You’ve heard of a Grand Birthday, or a Golden Birthday, haven’t you? Well, if not, it’s the birthday that you have that falls on the day you…
A couple weeks ago my son came home from school so excited to show me he had gotten 6 blue ROYAL tickets. These tickets represent the code of behavior in his school: R = Respect O = On-task Y = Your best A = Attitude L = LeadershipI looked at him and expressed how…
Two years ago, I began reading blogs with the view toward starting my own. In posts by Christian mothers, I kept running across comments like this: “I homeschool my children, but I’m not perfect.” “I use cloth diapers, but I’m not perfect.” Really? Why did you think that I thought you were? In topics…
Almost daily it’s likely you pack lunches. You wash your children’s clothes. You do their dishes. You probably even clean up after them, putting away toys and books, making their beds, and picking up their towels off the bathroom floor. These are all wonderful and motherly ways we show our family we love them. We…
Twenty years ago, I sat on my bathroom floor in my college apartment with a bottle of aspirin in my hand and was ready to take my life. I had battled depression and self-esteem issues for a long time, and the pain had become unbearable. I wrestled with my jumbled, emotional thoughts. Although the pain…
I used to be the perfect mother, and had the blog to prove it. I sewed cute matching pants and skirts for my kids. I threw ridiculously detailed themed parties just for fun. I prepped and froze 40 meals at a time and baked our bread from scratch. I homeschooled my older children while…
My five-year old has become quite the fashionista in her short life. On a daily basis, I find myself smiling at the outfit she has put together, combining patterns, colors and clothing types in ways I never would have imagined. (Who knew a pink ballet tutu could pair so perfectly with tribal print leggings?)…
I have two precious children the Lord has entrusted to me. Being a parent is the most important call I have on my life. It is fun, rewarding, frightening, exciting, special, and did I mention frightening? What I am not called to be is the most perfect parent. Thank God, because I would assuredly…
Hey guys, My wife and I are going to be starting a new blog series after the first of the year (March and April), entitled “Men After God’s Own Heart.” We are looking for men willing to share how God has used you despite your weaknesses and imperfections. God referred to David as a man…
Have you seen this phrase going around on social media? “I have been perfectly blessed and assigned by God to be the mom my kids need.” I’m not sure where it originated, but I cringe almost every time I read it. I know it’s meant to encourage and strengthen. I know that the sentiment is…
