I went to the Hearts at Home conference last weekend with a few friends, and I’ve been hard at work trying to implement some of the things I heard while I was there.  I heart a LOT, I’m choosing a COUPLE things that are realistic for me to work on right now.

1. I need to choose relationship above all else. This might be a paraphrase of a few lessons combined, but basically I need to pay attention to my words and tone, and make sure that I’m not sacrificing the relationship for the lesson.  I’m not saying I need … Read the rest

I love encouraging moms with little kids.  It’s part of my mission statement.  I especially have a soft spot for moms with kids that are close together like mine.  I didn’t know anyone personally in that situation, so I like to be available to encourage those moms whenever possible.  I always tell them that each stage gets a little easier.  Just keep going.

I feel like I’ve been stopped dead in my tracks recently.  All three of my kids have an unfortunate amount of energy that I just can’t keep up with, and can’t seem to direct or refocus.  At … Read the rest

Here’s the scene.  Chad and I are having a lovely morning/afternoon date, and we stopped in Target (as parents most often do on such occasions).  We had a big anniversary party to go to that evening (Chad’s grandparents’ 60th to be exact) and Ada had cried the day before that she didn’t have a dress fancy enough to wear.  I was feeling soft and generous, so we decided to look through the little girls’ section for a dress.  I found some I liked and looked for her size.

Wait.  These go up to 5T.  She’s a 6 now.

So we … Read the rest

Chad and I find ourselves in a parenting stage of trying to decide when to listen and explain the situation to our kids, and when to say “when”.  At some point, they’ve gone off the deep end and no amount of calm explaining will stop their near fit; you just have to say “when” and send them off to calm down in their safe place.  When where is that point?  Today I sadly find myself in the place of offering you my thoughts, but no solution.  Maybe someone out there has already figured this out.

We mostly struggle with this … Read the rest

This stage we’re in is great.  The kids are learning to be more self-sufficient, and Chad and I are learning what we can trust them with.  They let me sleep in on Saturday mornings.  They can get themselves cereal and toaster waffles for breakfast.  I am comfortable letting them play outside without me (with boundaries and rules).  They are learning responsibilities little by little.  They are old enough to actually help me in the kitchen instead of just make a mess and think they’re helping.  If I want to take a day trip to Indy or Chicago, they are easy … Read the rest

I need to confess a short-coming.  Well, let me go back a bit.

The other night I woke up at 2am and could NOT get back to sleep.  So after a bit I prayed, “Lord, who do I need to pray for?”  Then I waited.  Rather than getting any names, I started to think about my kids and how I’ve been frustrated with them and running in the yellow a bit (really the majority of the time) on my patience meter.  Then I got John 1:17.  Grace and truth came through Jesus.  Grace and truth need to come through me … Read the rest