B.O.W. Discussion Day!!

It doesn't matter where you are or what chapter you are in, share with us what you are learning from your reading in Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson. Today, we are focusing on Chapter 3, but feel free to talk about wherever you are.

Chapter 3: Formulas Don't Always Work, spoke deep into my heart. How often do we wish that if we did X,Y, and Z with every child, it would all work out? The Bible offers us much advice in the way of parenting, and much hope. That is the only "formula" I would recommend, however.

Today, I was reading a devotion from my What Happens When Women Say Yes to God devotional, and it hit the head of the nail on what we are reading here. She suggested ways to "breathe" new life into a daily "quiet time"-the title was "Why I'm Breaking up with My Quiet Time". Isn't this a man made phrase anyway?!? Joshua meditated on the Law "day and night"--he didn't really have a "quiet time". David and Daniel were known to kneel and pray three times a day. David spent time in the morning and evening with the Lord, he "meditated" on Him while He was in bed too. What's up with the "quiet time" thing? We SHOULD spend time alone with God, but don't make it so "rote" or "routine" that it becomes more of a habit and less of a relationship. Anyhoo, one of her suggestions REALLY spoke to me:

• "Study wisdom by reading a chapter in Proverbs everyday. p. 46. (*my note here-have you noticed there are 31 chapters in Proverbs? One for each day of most months. This is something I have done often myself).
• "Read something from someone I admire. I need to study leadership this season of my life. So I pick up a book written on this topic by someone I admire and glean from their wisdom. I listen." pp. 46-47

Wow! Isn't that what we are doing here? I am in a season of my life with two beautiful strong-willed children, as Sarah Mae begins the chapter off talking about in her own life. What do I need to do? I need wisdom. Desperately. So, I seek the Proverbs most days. I NEED to focus on/study motherhood and encouragement for this blessed calling. So, I choose someone I admire--Sally Clarkson. Her books and her blog (I Take Joy). I am hoping to read through The Mission of Motherhood soon.

Back to Chapter 3! I seriously highlighted half the chapter.

• I was told that if I would just do X, Y, and Z, she would obey. If she wasn't obeying, it was my fault: I was doing it wrong. Of course, I felt like a terrible mother. p. 28. (*true story, this just happened today).
• There's the formula. Give Him the bad, and He'll give you the beautiful. p.29 Love them. Hug them, kiss them, cuddle with them, spend more time rubbing their heads and holding their hands. Give yourself to them without rush. p.30 (*true story-just yesterday I was so upset over another full day of trying to get my girls to behave. One of my sons said "Just love them like Jesus." I got defensive and said, "Are you saying I don't love you guys?" The oldest one responded, "That's not what he meant mom. He just meant love them. Regardless. Just love them." Wow! My kids are not reading this book with me, I promise, but the Lord can use them to speak truth into my heart too).
• Lay your child at the foot of the cross. p.31. Ok, I realize this isn't a quote, rather a whole section, but it bears mentioning .This is "the" answer. I cry out and I pray for guidance as a mother.
• Plan what kind of family you want to be. p. 36. Oh the depth of wisdom in this section from Sally! I starred this section, and again, wrote ACTION. This means I HAVE to do something. The action? In the margin, I wrote "set goals/philosophy". Sally writes, "Determine for yourself what you hope to be the outcome of your family. What legacies do you want to leave for your children?" Well, I definitely know I don't want to leave them the legacy of a hurried, frazzled mom who is just "winging" this motherhood thing.

The Something to Do section is really amazing!! I cannot wait to get started on it, and on our goals/philosophy. What did you take away from YOUR reading? Share with us!!!

B.O.W. Discussion Day!!

I hope you are enjoying Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson. It has been like a breath of fresh air to see someone share their testimony and encouragement in this beautiful calling of motherhood! Some days it is hard girls, real hard. But remember, with the Lord by your side, you can do this. We have so many modern conveniences these days, that I imagine many of our great-grandparents would giggle at a title of a book like this. Maybe even our grandparents. The problem with our 'modern conveniences'? They have turned us into an 'on demand' society. Impatient. Must be entertained. Must be something better out there. NO! God calls children a blessing, and He even says that they are a reward from Him. The beauty of this book is in developing a community with other moms, as well as seeking out older women mentors (Titus 2 style).

Today is the day to share! Share your favorite quotes, your favorite parts of the video, answers to the questions, or whatever the Lord lays on your heart.

Here were a few quotes that really stood out to me:

"Many of my ideals were good, but the standard I set for myself to meet them was completely unrealistic." 
"The reason it hurt so much when I couldn't live up to my ideal was because I had imposed an impossible standard on myself." (p. 5)

Let that sink in ladies. We are in a more competitive world than ever. TV, blogs, books, friends, and social media. Comparison trap. While many of these outlets mean well, especially blogs and books, it can cause us to question ourselves and the unique qualities God gave us as a mom. We try to copy someone else hoping for a better outcome or a better life. Not going to happen. We should take suggestions, that is what mentoring is all about, but we should never compare ourselves to anyone. The nasty sin of coveting rears it's ugly head before we even know it. 

Something that we, as mothers, should do daily is found on page 9. Pray, "Lord, teach me how to be a mother." because "each of us has a story, but God, who originated the design of motherhood, is the expert advisor to whom we should turn." And, in doing that, "He will provide all we need for the task He has given us to fulfill. But to hear from God we must become women of the Word and women who pray, so that His voice may lead us as we grow into this role with grace." 
Wow! We MUST be women of the Word, and women of prayer. My grandmother is the most godly woman I know. She has lived her life in the Word and on her knees. Is she perfect? No-she is human. But, she knows where to turn for everything. Her prayers have covered many of us for years and I always swore that when she walked in the room, it was like God came with her (this was before I became a Christian). Her prayers, and her love for the Word, wore off on me. I learned more from watching her than I ever did by anything she ever spoke to me. Same with my mom. I remember coming home many nights to see her sitting at the kitchen table, elbow deep in her Bible and study tools. I remember being prayed for over an earache. A toothache. A staying out late problem. These women persevered in prayer for me and modeled a life of loving the Word. 

Question time!!! I want to hear from you. Did you write down your fears and write a prayer, giving those fears to the Lord? 

My prayer was rather lengthy, and we are currently doing a study with Online Bible Studies on praying Scripture, so imagine my delight as I put pen to paper and several verses poured out.

Share your favorite quotes, answers to the questions, prayer or whatever stood out the most to you. What the Lord spoke to you about during this time..................

B.O.W. Fun day!!

Hopefully you have had time to absorb some of the wonderful teaching and mentoring from Sally Clarkson, via reading Chapter One, and the videos from yesterday. If you are behind, no worries! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other! We will be discussing the questions in the back, along with favorite quotes, tomorrow.

Today? FUN DAY! Let's find some fun things to do with our kiddos!

The first one here is a Bible handprint calendar:

From the website: 

"Children love to see their hand prints on 

paper, and these handprint calendars have 
a bible verse with a colorful themed 
handprint for every month."

You can find the link to this craft here.

Speaking of handprints, here is another one to try:

This Handprint Angel can be found here.

How about a fun and easy recipe that the kiddos can make themselves? Try a Jif Fluff sandwich!! Not very healthy, and not good for those with peanut allergies, but it looks like it is pretty easy for kiddos! You can substitute it with whatever brand that you have!

The recipe can be found here.

Your turn to share! Share some fun recipes, craft ideas, etc. with us! Be sure to share the link or book if you get it from another source besides yourself. Thanks!

B.O.W. Video Day!

Hello friends! By this point, I hope you have been able to read through much of Chapter 1 in Desperate. What an amazing book! Such wise advice for those seeking community, friendship, encouragement and a mentor!

Today is the day to watch the video from Chapter One. Listed on the very last page is a QR code, or for those of you with an ebook, it also lists a website. Both of these link you to a YouTube video, 2-3 minutes each, with Sarah Mae and Sally sharing.

We assigned the Introduction video on Sunday, and wow! There was some great advice in that video. What stood out the most to me, besides the part about needing an older woman to  come alongside of us was this:

Don't read this book alone. The heart of it is community and mentorship. (paraphrased).

You will find even more information in the Chapter 1 video. One thing there that I want to point out, is also mentioned in the book.

God is the true beginning point. (paraphrased)

When we feel our days are long, when we can't seem to go another minute, when we don't even know where to start each day.........God is the true beginning point. You are the mom that your kids need. God designed you and made you....He will help you!

You don't need an "Instruction Manual" for raising your kids. Good books are just that-good books. Something that helped someone maybe made different than you. They are good to use--we use and read them--but remember, God and His Word are the ultimate authority on parenting. His Word is FULL of advice on parenting. We can read books for encouragement, and maybe the Holy Spirit will place in your heart to "try" something. But remember--that book is for what worked for THAT parent, THAT child, and not all of us are alike. However, God's Word is unchanging, it is living and active, and He is the creator of parents as well as children.

Seriously. Get a concordance out and search: Parent, mother, father, children, etc. You will be amazed what you find. I also have a Thompson Chain Bible that has a topical index in the back that shows me where to search for parenting advice. It is listed under: Home.

Looking forward to our discussion of Chapter One on Friday! There are some amazing verses in the back; let them sink deep into your heart.

Have you ever searched the Word for parenting advice?

Built on Wisdom Assignments!

It's finally here! Time to start encouraging one another in this blessed calling of motherhood. Time to learn to seek out mentors, both online and in real life. Following is the schedule for the first week.

Saturday~ Begin reading today. Start with the Introduction, pg. xv, ""I Can't Be a Mother Today". Find out where Sarah was and how she came to "meet" and be mentored by Sally. This is a short read. In the very back, there is a QR code if you have a smart phone/tablet, and a website if you don't, to watch a short introductory video by Sarah and Sally. 

Continue reading through all of Chapter One this whole week and answer the questions/focus on the Scriptures given in the back of the book.

Monday~ Encouraging/Mentoring Monday. On this day, I will refer you to a source of great encouragement in your God given blessing of motherhood. Soak it in. See what these Titus 2 ladies can speak into your heart. I will also share advice, tips, and memories from my own mentors from time to time...and will ask you to do the same!!

Wednesday~On the very last page of Chapter One, is another QR Code/website that takes you to a short video discussing Chapter One. Today would be an ideal day to watch it.

Thursday~ SHARE away! Today is the day for you to share FUN, EASY stuff. Craft ideas to do with the kiddos, recipes, and anything else you can think of. This gives you time to get needed supplies for the weekend. Again, optional. Share a picture with us if you would like! All that I ask, is if you use an outside source-meaning you did not 'create' the recipe/craft, etc., that you give proper credit to the book/blog/site/author and if possible, share the link.

Friday~ Today and Saturday, we will be talking about what we are learning. We will be discussing quotes, the answers to the questions in the back of each chapter, and the Scriptures given. Can't wait to hear from you!

Feel free to share, all week long, what you are learning and/or what stood out to you. Don't get overwhelmed and don't try to "do it all." Follow God's leading in this journey. Don't fret if you get behind, catch up later and stay current with us. I pray this is a peaceful journey, not one full of stress. Blessings to you!

Built on Wisdom (B.O.W.) Introduction to Desperate

Welcome to our little corner of the world!! I am so excited to start reading this book with you. I pray that you grow closer to Jesus, to your children, develop friendships, and feel encouraged. Since I started homeschooling, and staying home with my children almost three years ago, I have been an avid reader of the wonderful inspiration of Sally Clarkson. You don't have to be a homeschooler to enjoy the beautiful writing of this lady. Her encouragement is amazing. She also travels and speaks if you catch her at a venue nearby!

Written together with Sarah Mae, (love her blog too), this book was written with us weary moms in mind. From the back cover:

Motherhood turns you inside out. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed by how tired you feel; the days go on and on, and you want to be a "good" mom, but you feel like a failure so much of the time. What happened to all your ideals? When did you end up feeling so....lost?

This is a beautiful story of an older woman following the example set forth in Titus 2:3-5. As Sarah describes in the introduction, Sally actually pursued her. What follows is this beautiful book, where Sarah and Sally take turns sharing glimpses of their letters back and forth, intermixed with their story told by each one's point of view. In the back of each chapter, and the introduction, you will find a QR code and a web address if you don't have a smart phone/tablet. This links to a beautiful short video with these two amazing ladies. The end of each chapter also has Bible verses, encouragement and "assignments."

The blog post with the schedule is found here. For ease of use, I will re-post it here as well. The study starts Friday, July 19th!! 

• Saturday- Assignments day. We will be going through 1 chapter/week so you don't miss out on "real life" opportunities to put what you are reading into practice.
• Monday- Occasionally Sally has a fabulous series on her blog called "Mentoring Mondays." Although I haven't seen many posts lately, I will either link that here or send you to another "mentoring" blog for encouragement. 
• Wednesday- I mentioned the link/QR code in the back of each chapter. This is the day that I will recommend you watch that video, or you can wait until you finish the chapter if you fall behind.
• Thursdays- FUN DAY! Your turn to share too! Easy craft ideas, recipes, tips, etc. This gives you plenty of time to get what you need for the weekend. This is optional, but makes for fun times with your kids!
• Friday- Today we will dive into discussing the book and Bible verses. Write your answers down in your book, notebook, etc. Write the verses out as well-imprint them on your heart. You can also use a Dictionary, Commentary, or tools at Study Light to help you dig deeper into the word. Some days, it may lead to a topical study, etc. You can also personalize them by inserting your name into them.

Can't wait to begin!!

The wise woman builds her house,

But the foolish one pulls it down with her hands.

~Proverbs 14:1

B.O.W. Countdown Begins!!

AND....the countdown begins! One week away from our study of Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson. This book is available for purchase as an ebook, on Amazon, and in most Barnes and Noble or Lifeway bookstores. Look under Sally Clarkson to find it. Even if you don't have a Kindle or smart phone, you can download the Kindle app on your computer for free here.

The schedule can be found here. We will kick-off the study Friday, July 19th, with an introduction to the book and to each other. Then, on Saturday, the reading schedule/assignments, (one chapter a week), will be posted.

I am so excited about this! Just last night, I was on my way home from the store listening to a program on the radio. They were talking about older women mentors and how we should search for them. 

This was a VITAL part of the early church/early Biblical days. Community. Women helping women and growing together as godly wives, mothers, and closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. Our culture today demands far too many women to work, and far too many people retreating to the world of social media because these "real life" women are hard to find. What a wonderful revival it would be in our churches, if we women went back to these days! To not have to do this thing alone.

Many of us look up to our mom's to fill this role. That is wonderful! When I lived in my hometown, I did just that with my mom and my grandma. But now? I'm over 500 miles away from them both and feel sorely isolated. I attended a wonderful program our church put on last year called "Apples of Gold" which is all about mentoring/Titus 2 women. However, I got a bad case of bronchitis and 3 weeks of bedrest (which I modified ha ha). I am also shy about walking up to random strangers and saying, "Will you mentor me?"

So, what do we do? How have you found a mentor in your life? What do you do when you move away from yours, and although you have many by phone/text/internet, you crave that "real life" component? Share with us!

B.O.W. Club and Guest Post Recipe!

Ever have one of those days when nothing seems to go right? Yeah, I think I am getting close to having one of those years! We started this club strong with so many good intentions. And then? LIFE happened. That's the beauty of it. It's real and it's everyday life. 

We have gotten off track a little here. Some disturbing news, a move on the horizon very soon, homeschool planning, gearing up for another study at Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies with Melissa Taylor where I am honored to volunteer, a new baby cousin arriving with a LONG wait period, and a new niece that could come any day. Phew. That wears me out lol.

So excuse the infrequent posts as of late. Yesterday, we decided to call it a day and throw some chicken tenders into the oven. I asked my son, age 12, to make his "famous" Honey Mustard. He got the original recipe off the back of a box, but doesn't remember exact measurements anymore....so, he experiments. I had him watch himself and measure each thing out so that he could type this up for you. It is really good!!

Honey Mustard dipping sauce:

Hey, I'm back! And I'm ready to share my recipe with you. Here is what you need: 

2 Tablespoons of mustard

2 tablespoons of mayonnaise

2 teaspoons of honey

This recipe is very simple. Just mix all three together till smooth!
~Logan 

What kinds of things do your kids like to make? Do you ever find them "taking a spin" on a regular recipe and making it their own?

B.O.W. Discussion and Giveaway!

Oh, mercy! It has been a busy month! Sorry it has been so long since I posted. Things kind of, well, got a little "Desperate" for a bit there. Ever have that feeling?

We are just 10 days away from the official start to our community and reading schedule! Hope y'all are as excited as I am!

I wanted to share a post from another blog, http://networkedblogs.com/MVZxx. Emily is giving away 3 copies of Desperate!! Head on over and look!! If you don't have your copy, or if you would like one for your friend, this is a lovely post along with a giveaway!

Can't wait to get started!

Share with us, have you had any "Desperate" moments lately?

B.O.W. Book Club & Schedule

The wise woman builds her house,

But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

~Proverbs 14:1

Hello ladies! Sorry it has been a little quiet around here lately, I have been spending a lot of time in thought and in prayer. Seeking the direction not only for this venture, but my life in general. Many things have been tossed my way and lain heavy on my heart lately. They have required lots of prayer and reflection. I'm still not sure of the answers, but in His time, He will lead me in the way to go. We have also been super busy with a weekend full of fun activities with the kiddos!

As you know, the majority chose Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson as the reading for this time. This is something else that has lay heavy on my heart. Many of us long for a real life mentor, one in the flesh. Busy demands and a change of lifestyle have made this complicated at best. I am a mama in the throws of parenting--my oldest is 15, my youngest is 4. I am right there with you. So many 'virtual' friendships these days. It tugs at my heart. Being a rather shy person in real life, (around new people anyway--I trip over my tongue lol), and not wanting to 'bother' anyone...finding a mentor is a difficult subject. This book touches on that and gives some great advice on how to seek one out.

I am thankful for a lady that I met through a Bible Study at church. While we don't talk quite as much as we used to, or I would like to, I know that I can count on her to give me godly advice and lots of love. We are both in difficult seasons in our lives. She means the world to me. With all of that said, here is the 'tenative' schedule of Built on Wisdom, fondly labeled B.O.W.

The study starts July 19th. On this day, there will be a short introduction.

Hopefully, most weeks will run in this manner:

Saturday~ This is the day that I will post the book reading assignments/extras. We are doing one chapter at a time, so that gives plenty of time during the week so you don't feel rushed/miss out on real life with your family. 

Monday~ Occasionally, Sally Clarkson has a fabulous series on her blog, I Take Joy, called "Mentoring Mondays." From time to time, I will link that series, or something else of inspiration for what we are discussing.

Wednesday~ In the back of the Desperate book, there is a link to a video with Sarah and Sally. This would be a wonderful day to watch that, or you can do it when you finish the chapters

Thursdays~ This will be the day to share FUN stuff! Easy craft ideas, recipes, tips, etc. for the weekend. This gives you plenty of time to get anything that is needed. This is only optional, but makes for some fun times with your kiddos!!

Fridays~ This will be the day for digging deeper. We have a Facebook group started, and if you are interested, you can like my page in the top right corner and let me know there. If not, we will still throw out some questions on the blog. Book/Bible discussions, etc. There are some fabulous questions in the back of the book.

All in all, I want this to be something that draws us close to the Lord and each other, gives fun ideas, and helps us to grow in our roles as mothers. This is part of my heart, you see. Growing in my God given role as a mother, leaning on Him to teach me how.

Cutting the Budget-2 Easy Ways

Proverbs 31:27~ She looketh well to the ways of her household.

Today I am sharing two super EASY ways to help slash your budget, B.O.W. girls. Many of you have talked about budget cutting and financial advice. Almost 3 years ago, we slid from a two income family to a one income family that homeschools. Even though you can find creative and inexpensive ways to homeschool, it still creates more meals, etc. having them at home, all the while still paying school taxes for your district. For a school system you do not use. I began to search for creative ways to "cut the budget" so to speak.

The Lord has been faithful, and provided for my lost income with a new opportunity for my husband. The catch? We had to travel to a new state and pretty much "fly by the seat of our pants." We usually only get 2 weeks notice if we are leaving, or staying. We have a 6 member household to pack up and that makes this mama melt down. We have already moved once while living in the new state, and had to pack up our home in the other state so that we could sell it. That makes 3 "move jobs" in about 2 1/2 years. Not fun.

The first placed I looked was around my own home. How can I cut down on the excess in my home? Groceries was out--I have growing kiddos and a hubby to feed and he didn't want the cut there. Besides, our grocery budget isn't that bad considering how many we feed. A Sam's Club membership also comes in handy, and occasional couponing. NO, I am NOT an extreme couponer, but don't feel bad if YOU are.


Super Easy Homemade Detangling Spray:

My girls are as different as you can imagine. The oldest has long, straight and mid thick hair. That gets tangled. A lot. The youngest has the cutest curls that almost spring. That gets tangeld. A lot. Tired of running out of detangling spray and paying the prices, not to mention some of the junk in them, I stumbled upon a way to make my own. On the cheap. 

Now I use Organix Coconut Oil conditioner (from Wal-Mart) or other all natural conditioner. I got mine on clearance! Sure, you pay a little more up front but the one bottle has lasted close to a year. Imagine how much you are saving. However, you can cut your budget further if you use another brand, many go for less than $1 a bottle.

I reused an old empty bottle from the last Detangling spray I bought, but you can just buy a simple $1 bottle from the store. Anything works.

1. Fill the bottle with water
2. Add about 1 to 1 & 1/2 tsp of conditioner. Experiment and find out how much you need for your bottle. Too much, and it will be greasy, which translates to greasy hair. Especially the Coconut Oil.
3. Shake
4. Spray

Really super easy, huh? You can use anything that you have on hand.

Super Easy Heavy Duty Laundry Detergent, gentle enough for babies & kids:

I remember well the days of using two separate laundry detergents. One for my babies/kids, and one for us. We have a lot of eczema/sensitive skin around here so I didn't want to use the harsh chemicals in regular detergent. Even though I used it on my own sensitive skin to cut down on laundry-go figure. I paid for it. Literally. That brand is expensive!

I stumbled upon some different homemade detergent recipes, but many were too complicated or were liquid. I wanted a powder, but sometimes powder is harsh. Then, I found one but put my own spin on it. If you are worried about super sensitive skin in babies, you can skip the Essential Oil step. Actually, you can skip that anyway if you really want to cut costs. I just love the smell, but even without it, this detergent still has a nice smell. 

My husband works in an automobile factory. He gets dirty...and sweaty. He may be crawling around/under/over and in cars on the assembly line, "playing in primer", building stuff, fixing stuff, or welding and his clothes are filthy. Recently, his boss has remarked several times that she needed to find out what it was I used to get his clothes so clean because he always leaves work filthy. So, here it is (you can double, triple, etc. to get however much you want):

• 3 bars plain Ivory soap~ make sure it is the plain kind as pictured above, in the blue package.
• 2 cups Borax
• 2 cups Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda~not the laundry detergent.
• 8-10 drops Lavender essential oil~ this is completely optional, but smells so good. If you use Young Living or some other more concentrated oil, you may need less. I purchase my oil at Kroger (in the organic section), GNC, Whole Foods, or a local organic/health store here close by.
• Mixing bowl
• Grater
• Storage container~ the storage canister I have, came from Dollar Tree for $1.

1.  Grate the Ivory Soap into the mixing bowl. You can use the large or small holes, it is up to you. I prefer the larger ones-saves tons of time and arm power!
2. Pour the Borax and Arm & Hammer into the bowl.
3. Mix it all together.
4. Add the optional essential oil.
5. Mix again.
6. Pour into your storage container

Finally, when you are ready to use this, use 2 tablespoons per load. YES! You only need 2 tablespoons for an extra large load. For a small load, you can use 1 tablespoon if you would like, but I have used 2 and it turned out fine.

Share some of you budget cutting tips with us today. Have you ever made homemade cleaning/beauty products? Share those with us!

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Clay Fun and a Life Lesson

Today was supposed to be a really great day. I had supper cooking in the crockpot, and had some fun fellowship in our Built on Wisdom, affectionately called B.O.W., community. I had a lot of ideas running around in my head for some really fun ideas with the kiddos and for future blog posts. Then, LIFE happened...and so did learning...on my part as well.

You see, mamas, life is not Pinterest perfect. It is not always blog worthy. Mercy, sometimes it's not even Kodak worthy. But it's real....and it's beautiful....and it's hard. Oh, it's hard. As we begin to tackle the book Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson next month, you will see that. 

I have always loved Sarah Mae's writings, and for even longer, I have looked up to Sally Clarkson. Previewing this book selection, and beginning to read it, my heart was comforted as I realized that these two ladies are REAL. They share that realness in the book. Take heart mom, I'm going to tell you a little secret I am sure of. NO ONE finishes everything they "pin" on Pinterest! Everyone has "off" days, "weary" days, "REAL" days. Take comfort in knowing that.

Some favorite verses of mine in the weary seasons:

•  Galatians 6:9~ And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:24~ Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (this reminds me that when I had these babies, He called me to motherhood. He didn't leave me to do it on my own. He will help me, even in my weakness.)
• 2 Corinthians 12:9~ And He said to me,"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (right there says it. His strength is made perfect in MY weakness. He will help me.)

Now, for the clay fun and life happens moment. It is my sincere desire to remain real with you all. Both the ugly AND the pretty, and I trust that you will do the same.

Easy Homemade Salt Clay:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1/2-3/4 cup water (3/4 cup works better, add more if it doesn't knead easy)
• Food coloring (optional-this just changes the color to whatever you want)

Mix together all of the salt, flour and oil in a bowl.

Add water and mix, begin to knead by hand, adding more water if the dough is too flaky and not easily molded.

Gradually put food color in and mix/knead as you go. Be careful with little hands! Food coloring stains. I got it good and mixed up before I had them knead it. Add more food coloring and splashes of water as needed. This takes quite a bit of food coloring. You can separate the batches if you want to make several colors. We just did a big blob of red this time. We took it out onto wax paper for easier kneading for little hands-the mixing bowl was deep.

Finally! The finished product, separated out for each girl. Kinda looks like hamburger!!

For more fun, roll the dough out and use cookie cutters to shape it. Then, bake in the oven at 350 for about 15 minutes, turning after 8 minutes, or until the dough is dark and tough. This idea came from the book, Creative Crafts for Clever Kids Exciting Projects from Everyday Stuff. This book is amazing! So many items that you already have ON HAND are used in many of these crafts.

Now for the REAL part. If I were to leave this blog as is, or post the idea to Pinterest, you would think, wow! That looks like so much fun and blah...blah...blah. Truth is? We did have a ball. My little girl even gave us a "lesson". As I was kneading the food coloring into the dough, we remarked how it looked like a "real" heart, not a "Valentine" heart. My 6 year old then piped up, "When you put the red food coloring on it, it looks like blood. Just like the blood Jesus shed." WOW.

Then, life sets in. We had to pick her oldest brother up from basketball camp in 30 minutes, so we set the clay aside in freezer bags to play with when we got home. While doing this, I hear my 4 year old hollering that she was locked in our bedroom. Apparently, the 6 year old thought it would be hilarious to lock the door, from the inside, and slam it before the 4 year old could get out.

Guess what? Yeah, the 4 year old couldn't figure out how to turn the lock from the inside. We talked her through it step by step. I finally called my 12 year old son to talk her through it through the door, (these two have an amazing bond), and while doing it, he was easing her fears. She was crying. I even tried to break down the door.......HA HA HA! Mom vs. Door and the door wins. THIS TIME.

My kids reminded me of how I had locked us out of the apartment a few weeks ago and tried to "pick" the lock with my debit card. Maybe it would work this time. Great idea....except...my debit card was locked in the room with the 4 year old. My 12 year old son remembered that B, my oldest son, had a gift card in his wallet. He got it out...we "picked" the lock, and my daughter was free! A little teary eyed, but free.

So, I fussed. I struggled to find the appropriate punishment. I grounded her from the iPad and the TV. It kept getting worse. As I would scold her, or "ground" her, she would smile as if it was no big deal. I became weary. Tired. So...in the lines of the book Desperate...I began praying for God to teach me how to parent. How to discipline and how to reach my child. I know that He will. I also know that I am blessed beyond measure that these precious gifts call me "mama" and love them very much.

Have you ever had a Desperate moment? Have you reached out to the One who can help you be the mom that you want to be? Share with us.

What's Cooking? B.O.W. club 6/25/13

Image courtesy of Photobucket

The hard question comes everyday, "Mom! What's for dinner?" We are all in a busy season of life around here so many of our meals are pretty 'quick' meals. I just dropped my oldest son off to volunteer at the church's basketball camp, and his brother will join him later in the week. So this week, it's all about simplicity. Here's what is cooking at our house today, and a 'guest post' by my son, who fixed a fantastic desert this week-perfect for summertime!

Chicken Italian with Angel Hair Pasta:

*Note: this recipe will feed my family of 6, including one dad and two growing teen boys, and yields leftovers. I use one of the large crockpots, if you have a smaller one, adjustments will need to be made and I will put those in parentheses

1. 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into cubes for smaller crock, I place whole ones in the big pot frozen, after thawing a little overnight in the fridge)
2. 3/4 of a 65 ounce bag of Normandy blend frozen veggies, or frozen veggies of choice (for a smaller crock, use a smaller bag and fill not quite to top)
3. 3/4 of a bottle of Italian dressing (again, for a smaller crock, just cover the veggies and chicken)
4. 1 box Angel Hair Pasta (I prefer to use Barilla Plus which is multigrain)

• Place the chicken in the crock first. For the bigger pot, just lay all three breasts in. You can split them if you want but mine are usually partially frozen. After cooking awhile, I usually cut them up. For a smaller crock, cut your chicken in cubes and place it in.
• Cover the chicken with the frozen veggies.
• Cover the chicken and the veggies with the Italian dressing, soaking all of it as good as you can. For a large crock, this usually takes anywhere from 3/4 to 1 whole bottle, but you can cover to taste as well.
• Cook on low all day. The smell is amazing! I usually start it around 9 a.m. and turn my crockpot on warm about 6-7 hours later. Toward the end, I cut or shred the chicken-it is very soft at this point-and mix everything up
• When it is getting close to dinner time, boil the Angel Hair Pasta. I use a few drops of Olive Oil instead of butter to prevent stickiness. Olive oil has many health benefits! Drain pasta well.
• To serve: place Angel Hair pasta on plate and put chicken/veggie mix from crock on top. I also like to spoon some of the 'juice' over the pasta as well.

SO EASY and SO good!! Now, L, my 12 year old son is going to tell you about the Lemonade Stand Pie he made from the cookbook, If I Gotta Cook Make It Quick! He was assisted in this recipe by his 4 and 6 year old sisters, so this is something you can get the whole family involved in!

Lemonade Stand Pie:

Hey, this is L, bringing deliciousness into your home! I'm going to tell you how to make this simple, delicious recipe in 5 easy steps. Here is the recipe for Lemonade Stand Pie:

Ingredients:

6 ounces of lemonade (any kind)

2 cups of ice cream (vanilla)

8 ounces of whipped cream

1 8-inch graham cracker crust

1. Start by pouring the lemonade into an electric mixer (or you can hand mix it, whichever is easier for you). Mix on low speed for 30 seconds.

2. Slowly pour in the ice cream.  The mix will look a little weird, but it will get better, trust me. 

3. Slowly pour in the whipped cream.  The mix should start thickening.

4. Pour the mix into the graham cracker crust. You can make your own, or buy a crust from the store. We bought a crust from the store.

5. Freeze, then let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Enjoy! 

Now, get out there and enjoy this day with your kiddos, knowing supper AND desert can be taken care of very quickly!

Do you have any 'quick' go to recipes you could share with us? If so, please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page. Thank you!

Linking up with:

Online Mom Community Update

Built on Wisdom

(group name)

Proverbs 14:1~ The wise woman builds her home, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. (NIV 84)

We had a really good response to the Online Community idea and I am so thankful for each of you that contacted me and shared your heart with me, whether it was months ago or recently, I listened to each one of those concerns. Over the last several months, it has laid heavy on my heart.

With our hectic schedules these days, it's hard to find Titus 2 mentors, let alone others who are in similar stages as us. Add to that those of us who homeschool, and well....our days are pretty full. It is my prayer that this time together will draw us closer to our Lord Jesus, and to one another, even though the miles separate us.

We mentioned a Book Club before. I still envision that but want to add a disclaimer: IT IS NOT REQUIRED. Yes, there will be a day when we "discuss" the current book selection, and occasionally other posts about it, but the "book" is only one part of it...and not the biggest part. Not everyone can afford books for all of the many studies they are doing, or even just the one, and I laid awake last night with that on my heart too. So, I took that to heart.

It looks like Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson, won out as the recommended book for our reading this time! There are 14 chapters in this book, as well as a Conclusion. We plan to read 1 Chapter a week, and discuss it. The awesome thing about this book, is that it has a website link, as well as a QR code for your smartphone, for a short video after each chapter. There are also neat applications in the back called "Your Turn" and "Something to Do." Most of these are fairly neutral so even if you are not reading the book with us, grab your Bible and join in! This book is the ULTIMATE book in creating community and searching for mentors. Sally mentored Sarah, and this is what the book was birthed from.

The main idea behind this community is SHARING. Easy recipes, tips, advice, and fun crafts to do with your kids will be shared-many of them based on training your children in the love and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ in a fun way. We will also journey through parts of the Bible together with short reading assignments.Come, pick an activity and then ENJOY the weekend with your family! As I stated in this post, we want this to be a place for you to gather, but not stay all day or all week. We want you out there loving your kiddos. 

The Facebook page will be opening SOON! It's a private group for private discussion. Watch for a post in the coming days for more about the style and schedule.

The full schedule will begin on Friday, July 19th!!!!! That gives you plenty of time if you would like to purchase the OPTIONAL book to go along with the study.

Contact me here, or on my Facebook page for more info!!!

Online Fellowship for Moms Starting Up!

Have you ever prayed for a Titus 2 friend? One who would encourage you right where you are, in the day to day reality of motherhood? How about fellowship in a community of other moms living right where you are? Encouraging one another in this beautiful calling of motherhood, as well as in your marriage?

Something has laid heavy on my heart for a while, as I have prayed for years for like minded friends and Titus 2 mentors. Much of our interaction today is "virtual" as we raise babies, some homeschool, and others work from home. The days are long, and the nights seem short.

I would like to introduce you to just such a community starting up. Built on Wisdom, from Proverbs 14:1~ The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. 

This community would bring together women from all walks of life. Spurring one another on in the admonition and love of the Lord Jesus Christ, their spouse, and their children.

How would this work? Well, a lot like a book club combined with fellowship. We will pick a book to read over a period of time-1 chapter a week as to not keep you too busy with community and neglect your household. A short weekly Bible reading would be included. For more sense of community, a Facebook page would be started. A day or two a week, we would discuss what we are reading, what we are learning, and any other concerns you may have. Many of these books are written by those I consider to fit the bill perfectly for Titus 2:4-5.

Many of us have a hard time finding time for interaction, or even those who are in the stage of life we are in. This would create a way to fellowship with women from all over, in every walk of life. To laugh together, to cry together, and to grow together. 

*UPDATE- one day a week, we will also include fun activities and recipes for you to do over the weekend with your kids! Many of these ideas will come from my own kids. From time to time, there will also be meal planning sheets/advice, planning, etc. I am also contacting "mentors" to guest post from time to time. Stay tuned!!

Not all book selections will always focus on homeschool, but occasionally we will see those that do. Feel free to skip the studies when we do those if they do not apply. None of these are affiliate links, please click the links to read more about each book. These are the ones up for consideration for the first study:

The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson

Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson

The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Daylight by Heidi St. John

The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance by Heidi St. John

The Ultimate Marriage Vow: 21 Days of a Lifelong Committment

also available free as a PDF here for fans of Time Warp Wife and Club31 Women

SO many choices.....and I have tons more, but that is for a later date. So...my question to you is, are you interested in joining? Dates to be announced later after I see how many are interested. For the Facebook community, go 'like' my page and let me know there, that you would like to be placed in the group. We will have to become 'friends' on my personal FB page as well, more info on that later.

Share below if this is something you would interest you.