Posts
1 year ago
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Great blogs
I've just figured out how to add links to my blog, so I've added two of my favorites: The Cottage Chick and WAHM Confessions. These two ladies are amazing Christian women who are working from home and raising a family too. Please, stop by their blogs and be encouraged. Thank you!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Grocery shopping
How many of you moms take your children with you to the grocery store? Honestly, I usually don't take our girls because we are trying to keep them out of "germs" way, especially during the winter months. However, that means that I am going out at night after my husband returns home from work and typically by the time I return home, it's close to bedtime for the girls. It gets tiring going out at night, so today the three of us ventured out to do a big shop for the month. It was interesting!
We had a great time and I learned that they can be excellent helpers when they put their minds and hearts to doing so. My oldest daughter held the coupons and pulled each one for me once the item was in the cart. My youngest loves loading up the cart, so she pulled stuff from the shelf. Both of them bagged all the groceries for me while I was checking out. We did three stores in 3 1/2 hours, which I thought was pretty good.
They learned today why it takes Mom so long to do the shopping. For that reason and that reason alone it was a good experience (not the only thing of course, but a good reason!). They understand now why I plan meals, clip coupons, and check the sale prices at three or four different stores (ours are all within 5 or so minutes from each other). They understand that just because you have a coupon for an item, it has to be the right brand, size, and type of item in order for the coupon to be valid. I am thankful that they saw a bit more into "my world" and hopefully understand a bit better now why I'm gone for a few evening hours now and then to do grocery shopping.
I learned something new today too. You know the "catalina" coupons that print out as you check out at stores like Meijer and Kroger? Those are technically manufacturer's coupons and should be accepted at any store, not just the store that issues them. However, I learned today that Kroger will not accept these coupons that were printed at Meijer. However, Meijer will accept them from any other store. Guess where I'll be using those? One advantage to Kroger (other than sale items) is that they do give you credit for each reusable bag you bring into the store. I think it's 3 cents or something. Hey, money is money.
Not sure of my exact point for writing this tonight other than to express my thankfulness for my daughters and the productive day we had together learning more about each other. Lots of hugs too!
We had a great time and I learned that they can be excellent helpers when they put their minds and hearts to doing so. My oldest daughter held the coupons and pulled each one for me once the item was in the cart. My youngest loves loading up the cart, so she pulled stuff from the shelf. Both of them bagged all the groceries for me while I was checking out. We did three stores in 3 1/2 hours, which I thought was pretty good.
They learned today why it takes Mom so long to do the shopping. For that reason and that reason alone it was a good experience (not the only thing of course, but a good reason!). They understand now why I plan meals, clip coupons, and check the sale prices at three or four different stores (ours are all within 5 or so minutes from each other). They understand that just because you have a coupon for an item, it has to be the right brand, size, and type of item in order for the coupon to be valid. I am thankful that they saw a bit more into "my world" and hopefully understand a bit better now why I'm gone for a few evening hours now and then to do grocery shopping.
I learned something new today too. You know the "catalina" coupons that print out as you check out at stores like Meijer and Kroger? Those are technically manufacturer's coupons and should be accepted at any store, not just the store that issues them. However, I learned today that Kroger will not accept these coupons that were printed at Meijer. However, Meijer will accept them from any other store. Guess where I'll be using those? One advantage to Kroger (other than sale items) is that they do give you credit for each reusable bag you bring into the store. I think it's 3 cents or something. Hey, money is money.
Not sure of my exact point for writing this tonight other than to express my thankfulness for my daughters and the productive day we had together learning more about each other. Lots of hugs too!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Cobwebs?
I know it's time to do a deep clean of the house when I look up and see cobwebs surrounding my dining room chandelier. Oh, c'mon, you've had them too at some point, so don't gasp so...(wink)
Here in the Midwest, winter days are commonly dreary and overcast, so much of the dust around here isn't seen until the sun actually shines through the window. (If you live in an area of the country where the winter days are similar, you are nodding your head right now in agreement, right?) A few days ago, the sun did actually shine through the dining room window and I was mortified to see that an industrious spider had wound a web around the entire chandelier! Ok, so I've been a little busy around here...and I just can't bring myself to hire someone to come and clean for me. Seriously, I'd clean before they got here anyway! (Go ahead, it's ok to agree with me.)
The sunshine streaming into the house also reminded me that the windows need washed and the dusting detail has gone by the wayside. But, I also began thinking about why the dust seems to get ahead of me and why a spider was permitted to languish long enough to spin a web in my house. What have I been doing that has prevented me from cleaning industriously?
Let's see...home educating our two daughters, writing for clients, baking, trying to get my website off of the ground, trying to be a good wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend and everything that goes with that. So, I guess I have been spending my time wisely...? Well, I have to stop and think about that sometimes because I tend to be one of those people who goes and goes and then burns out because I haven't taken the time to rest.
Are you like that? I want so much to do the right things and be everything I think others want me to be that I can sometimes miss the mark entirely. The Lord has been showing me some things in that area of my life. I feel like He is "shining the sun" on those areas of my life that need more attention or less attention. He is lovingly showing me that the people in my life are more important than work...more important than serving myself...more important than dust and a few crumbs on the carpet. I'm trying to listen to His gentle voice...and when I do take the time to hear Him, I am blessed!
Yesterday, the girls completed their school work for the day and then in the afternoon, we baked together. We baked and baked and baked. It was so much fun! We thoroughly enjoyed each others' company and laughed together. I realized how adept my girls are becoming in the kitchen despite the number of things I feel I still need to teach them. They'll be grown up before I know it and a part of me is sad about that. However, another part of me was so proud of them!
Wow, I started with cobwebs and ended up with baking...interesting.
The moral? Let the cobwebs go (at least for a time) and enjoy life. Enjoy your loved ones and enjoy doing those things that bring you and others around you joy. The cobwebs will always be there...but our children and loved ones will not.
My best to you!
Here in the Midwest, winter days are commonly dreary and overcast, so much of the dust around here isn't seen until the sun actually shines through the window. (If you live in an area of the country where the winter days are similar, you are nodding your head right now in agreement, right?) A few days ago, the sun did actually shine through the dining room window and I was mortified to see that an industrious spider had wound a web around the entire chandelier! Ok, so I've been a little busy around here...and I just can't bring myself to hire someone to come and clean for me. Seriously, I'd clean before they got here anyway! (Go ahead, it's ok to agree with me.)
The sunshine streaming into the house also reminded me that the windows need washed and the dusting detail has gone by the wayside. But, I also began thinking about why the dust seems to get ahead of me and why a spider was permitted to languish long enough to spin a web in my house. What have I been doing that has prevented me from cleaning industriously?
Let's see...home educating our two daughters, writing for clients, baking, trying to get my website off of the ground, trying to be a good wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend and everything that goes with that. So, I guess I have been spending my time wisely...? Well, I have to stop and think about that sometimes because I tend to be one of those people who goes and goes and then burns out because I haven't taken the time to rest.
Are you like that? I want so much to do the right things and be everything I think others want me to be that I can sometimes miss the mark entirely. The Lord has been showing me some things in that area of my life. I feel like He is "shining the sun" on those areas of my life that need more attention or less attention. He is lovingly showing me that the people in my life are more important than work...more important than serving myself...more important than dust and a few crumbs on the carpet. I'm trying to listen to His gentle voice...and when I do take the time to hear Him, I am blessed!
Yesterday, the girls completed their school work for the day and then in the afternoon, we baked together. We baked and baked and baked. It was so much fun! We thoroughly enjoyed each others' company and laughed together. I realized how adept my girls are becoming in the kitchen despite the number of things I feel I still need to teach them. They'll be grown up before I know it and a part of me is sad about that. However, another part of me was so proud of them!
Wow, I started with cobwebs and ended up with baking...interesting.
The moral? Let the cobwebs go (at least for a time) and enjoy life. Enjoy your loved ones and enjoy doing those things that bring you and others around you joy. The cobwebs will always be there...but our children and loved ones will not.
My best to you!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Voice of Truth
There is a song called "The Voice of Truth" sung by the musical group Casting Crowns that has been making me think quite a bit lately on the messages we hear every day. Everywhere we go, we are bombarded with messages that the world wants us to hear and believe. We don't really even have to leave our homes to hear the world's view (television, Internet).
The world tells us we must be something other than what we are most of the time. If we're not beautiful, well, we should be. If we're not successful by society's standards, then we should strive to get there. If we're overweight or not just perfect by society's standards, we need to change everything about ourselves to meet that standard and be "acceptable". There is media everywhere telling us how we should live, what we should look like, what we should believe, how we are to raise our children, and so much more. The 'world' tells us many, many lies, plain and simple. It can become very discouraging if we allow society to dictate to us how we are to live our lives. But...
This question keeps running through my mind, "who are you listening to?" I have a choice to read and "listen" to God's Word and the promises He gives me. His words are words of truth, love, grace, forgiveness, patience, kindness, and righteousness. He will never leave me, nor turn his back on me. He is always waiting for me to turn my face to Him and share my heart openly and without reservation. The Lord will never hurt me. His love for me is not contingent upon my appearance, my likes or dislikes, my family, my laugh, or anything else that is temporary. He wants my heart! He gave everything for me so that I could have eternal life. Why would I not want to listen to His voice instead of the world's voice? I have a choice and so do you.
It's a new year. January is the month each and every year when millions of people determine that they are going to make changes in their lives. I used to make those resolutions too - lose weight, be a better mom, wife, friend, daughter, niece, etc. I would set the bar so far up there that it never seemed achievable. I really believe it was because I was listening to the world's messages over what God's Word tells me is true.
My 2010 resolution is to listen to Him and to His Word; to better understand who He is and why He loves me. He cares about every little detail of my life (and yours!).
What voice are you going to listen to today? The voice of lies? Or, His voice of Truth?
The world tells us we must be something other than what we are most of the time. If we're not beautiful, well, we should be. If we're not successful by society's standards, then we should strive to get there. If we're overweight or not just perfect by society's standards, we need to change everything about ourselves to meet that standard and be "acceptable". There is media everywhere telling us how we should live, what we should look like, what we should believe, how we are to raise our children, and so much more. The 'world' tells us many, many lies, plain and simple. It can become very discouraging if we allow society to dictate to us how we are to live our lives. But...
This question keeps running through my mind, "who are you listening to?" I have a choice to read and "listen" to God's Word and the promises He gives me. His words are words of truth, love, grace, forgiveness, patience, kindness, and righteousness. He will never leave me, nor turn his back on me. He is always waiting for me to turn my face to Him and share my heart openly and without reservation. The Lord will never hurt me. His love for me is not contingent upon my appearance, my likes or dislikes, my family, my laugh, or anything else that is temporary. He wants my heart! He gave everything for me so that I could have eternal life. Why would I not want to listen to His voice instead of the world's voice? I have a choice and so do you.
It's a new year. January is the month each and every year when millions of people determine that they are going to make changes in their lives. I used to make those resolutions too - lose weight, be a better mom, wife, friend, daughter, niece, etc. I would set the bar so far up there that it never seemed achievable. I really believe it was because I was listening to the world's messages over what God's Word tells me is true.
My 2010 resolution is to listen to Him and to His Word; to better understand who He is and why He loves me. He cares about every little detail of my life (and yours!).
What voice are you going to listen to today? The voice of lies? Or, His voice of Truth?
