Monday, February 28, 2011

Woman of Prayer (The Power of a Positive Mom)

Can you relate to this mother’s Prayer?
Dear Lord, so far today I am doing pretty well.  I haven’t screamed at the kids or thrown anything in a burst of anger.  I have not grumbled or gossiped or whined.  I haven’t been greedy or self-centered.  I have not yet charged anything to the credit card, and I haven’t pigged out on the chocolate cake in the refrigerator.  However, in a few minutes I will be getting out of bed, and I am going to need your help to make it through the rest of the day.  Amen!
What does it mean to pray?  I have been asked that by my kids on several occasions and usually I give the same response:  it’s talking to God about whatever you want to.  Jeanne Guyon puts it this way:  Prayer is nothing more than turning our hearts toward God and receiving in turn His love.
 I have often wondered how you become a woman of prayer.  Karol Ladd, the author of the book I am reading, says the best way to learn is to simply begin.  It’s like wanting to become a runner.  Start slow and steady, dedicating just a few minutes each day and then grow from there.  By being consistent in meeting with God each day, you will develop a habit of daily prayer in your life that will not easily be broken. 
I have been challenged by what I have read about spending time in prayer.  I know that I need all the prayers I can muster up to be able to raise 4 great kids that will pass on to their kids the wisdom they will hopefully learn from me.  There is no parenting book I can read or seminar to go to that will give the answers to every problem or situation that arises in life.  That why James 1:5 is so important for me to remember.  “If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”. So as I find the opportunities to turn my thoughts upward during the day I will remember,  A Positive Mom is a Praying Mom!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Fun Times

A good ole’ bump on the head
This week I had to go to Austin for a nurses’ conference so Mark and I decided to take the whole family and make it a fun trip!  We left early on Wednesday and got to Austin before the sun went down.  We had researched some places to go and eat and the first place was Maria’s Taco Xpress.  This place was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  We thought it has to be good.  We pulled up and the first impression was, “Oh-no, do we really want to eat here?”  There were only a few cars in the small parking lot but we decided to try it anyway.  Well it turns out that this place is good!!!  I think they have the best fish tacos I have ever tasted along with great fajita nachos and breakfast plates.  They kids really enjoyed it because we got to eat outside on a huge upstairs patio while watching the traffic go by.  So that was a great start to the trip.
Well the “hotel” we stayed at was basically an apartment complex turned hotel suites.  It was old but worked for our size family!  The girls slept on the couch bed while Madison and Lincoln slept on the floor with their own mattresses and Mark and I had a king size bed in the next room.  Well having this many people and one bathroom posses a couple of problems.  First, it was so dark in the rooms that if you needed to get up during the night you had to feel your way along the walls to try and not run into the wall.  Second, the kids have no idea how to get to the bathroom by themselves.  Well Kennedy somehow managed to get off the couch bed and make it past Lincoln and Madison to my side of the bed.  She needed to go potty so I told her to make sure she turned on the light, which was on the outside wall of the bathroom.  Unfortunately, a few seconds after she left my side, I hear a very loud “bang”.  My sweet girl had run smack into the wall.  Of course I fly out of bed and help her to the bathroom and get her to quiet down before everyone else woke up.  It didn’t end there!!  As I am trying to feel my way back to the living area I end up banging my head into the corner of the doorway and I just start laughing.  I told Kennedy this “hotel” is a death trap!  Even as I am typing this I am getting tickled.  So I finally get Kennedy to the couch and make my way back to the bed and “bamm” I hit the back of my head on the headboard.  Of course by now I can hardly contain myself from just letting loose laughing! 
All in all we had a great time!  Mark got to spend all day yesterday with the kids and we capped off the trip by eating at Freddies before heading home! 
I did have to think just for a minute why the left side of my forehead was sore this morning!  Aww, memories!!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Power of a Positive Mom!!
I was at the bookstore yesterday and wanted to get a book that would inspire me to be a better person.  So as I was browsing through the shelves, I quickly was drawn to this brightly colored, daisy covered book entitled, “The Power of a Positive Mom” by Karol Ladd.  Instantly, I was captivated by the introduction and thought this is going to be good!
Here’s a little snip-it of the introduction:
          As moms, we have the opportunity every day to boost our children onward and upward.  Ours is a highly influential job.  Through our affirmative support and loving care, we are in a unique position to help our children reach for their dreams and achieve their God-given potential.
          Unfortunately, in the day-to-day struggles of motherhood, our good intentions toward our kids can seem to fly out the window.  We may start off the day with a fresh outlook and high expectations, but midway through the second temper tantrum of the morning (theirs, not ours), we somehow lose our handle on the uplifting encouragement we intended to share.  How can we be positive when we often feel like the greatest portion of our day is spent correcting, scolding, and trying to avert minor disasters?  It doesn’t help that we’re distracted from our efforts to be affirming by the daily chores of running errands, doing laundry, and putting dinner on the table.
I am so excited to read this book to help me discover how to be a positive mom!!

Friday, February 18, 2011

My Presidents' Day

Thanks to Presidents' Day, I get a 3 day weekend!!  Mark and I often joke about having 4 kids named after presidents (Reagen, Kennedy, Lincoln and Madison). I guess that gives us a little more to celebrate than most!  It usually takes people a few minutes to realize they are named after presidents.  I love the fact that our kids are named after some very important people in this world! We really didn't intend to do that but just kinda fell into place. 

I know for me growing up with a sister named Cinnamon, we have often been referred to as the "original spice girls"!!  When my brother Aaron came along, he was named after my dad's side of the family.  Not sage, pepper, thyme, nutmeg, or all-spice.  To this day he still gets asked why he wasn't named after a spice! 

I love my family and my little presidents and look forward to celebrating with them throughout the weekend!!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

KOA Rocks

Walking/working out is the hardest thing for me to do consistently.  According to most research, it only takes working out for 20-30 minutes each day to stay healthy.  Only 20-30 minutes!!  It seems like that short amount of time is ever available to most. 
Yesterday, since the weather was awesome and it was 80 degrees, I decided to hit the KOA for a walk.  Man do I feel it today!  It is amazing how walking up and down hills for 2 miles will make you sore.  I think the best thing about the KOA trail is that you have a quiet, scenic and challenging place to work out.  I get to refresh my mind and thoughts and not be in a hurry to finish the course. 
So I challenge you to find 30 minutes this week to get outside and enjoy this weather!! I know I will!!

Monday, February 14, 2011

What a Day!!

I had a great day!! I got flowers (red roses), a sweet tea, and a spicy chicken biscuit hand delivered by Mark this morning!  It made me feel like I did when we were dating! Glad that feeling has never gone away!! Instead of buying a card I decided to send Mark a list of the 14 things that I love most about him. I was blown away with his response back to me!  I love my husband and the life we have together. Here are just a few of the things Mark said to me!  Just had to share!

    I love your new found appreciation for coffee
    I love your easy laugh
    Love that you call me regularly just to check in
    Love that you are the most genuine person I know
    Love that you and I are different but compliment each other
    Love that you are patient with my impatience
    Love that you love God 
    Love that we both make our family our priority
    Love that we can dream together
    Love that you transform our house into a home
    Love that we can plan toward our 25th wedding annivesary with no thought to "if we make it"!
    Love that our kids have such an incredible mom who is ALWAYS there for them!

Do I have a great husband or what!  I am so thankful for this man and how God has watched over our lives and blessed us beyond measure! 
 


Sunday, February 13, 2011

Fireproof your Marriage!

Last night, Mark, I and the kids, watched Fireproof! We have been meaning to watch it for awhile but never got around to it! I loved how the writers incorporated such small, simple things (the love-dare book) to help couples see how to value their spouse. Mark and I are approaching 15 years of marriage this summer and after everything that has transpired over that time (jobs, having 4 kids, moving several times, loss of family members, etc...) I am more inspired than ever to celebrate the fact that God made Mark for me and we are in this journey together for life!!


So if you haven't watched Fireproof, I would highly encourage it to give you a higher perspective on your life and your marriage!!

fireproofmymarriage.com

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Coffee Anyone??

Yes!! 
I thought I would never say yes to coffee! In the past I have tried to drink the latte, espresso, cappuccino with no such luck. But for some strange reason, the last month or so I have begun to make coffee at home and like it. Mark and I discovered our favorite flavor so far. It is Momento-Hazelnut. You can by it at HEB and it's only $3.99. It has a very "smooth" taste and it goes well with all the flavored creamers I use.  Such as Almond Joy, Cinnabon, and Cinnamon Vanilla Creme!  


So as I sit here smelling the aroma of Hazelnut, I wish you the best of good mornings and here's to COFFEE!!!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Weekend of Love!!

Here it is again, Valentine’s Day!! I use to really look forward to this day when I was dating Mark!  I won’t ever forget those special days of getting flowers and going on our date.  One particular year, we had gone over to Abilene to eat at Olive Garden (before San Angelo got one) and had a wonderful time just talking on the drive over and back. Well about 3am I woke up and saw my lasagna again!  Needless to say, it took me awhile before I ate that again!
So as Monday rolls around, I am not expecting any flowers or candy. I guess it would be a nice surprise but when you love someone, it doesn’t always have to come in the form of “things”.  I am thankful that I have a husband that loves me and has committed his entire life to me and our kids. I am blessed to have 4 beautiful kids and a house that we can call home.  I am forever grateful that God has watched over us and protected us from harm and continues to lead us on a path that will impact people for all eternity.    
I found these verses highlighted in my bible from a few years ago. Helps put things in perspective!
Philippians 4:4-7  “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Thursday, February 10, 2011

San Angelo Church (SAC)

The vision of San Angelo Church is to create a church that unchurched people love to attend. Regardless if you were born and raised in church or have only stepped in church for a wedding or funeral, everyone will benefit from the message series Simple!

Come and experience the best band in town in a comfortable environment to hear and learn about God and church being simple!

This Sunday night, Feb. 13 at 6pm at the San Angelo Convention Center!!

More info:  SanAngeloChurch.com

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Prayed with my kids last night!

Mark and I are always looking for ways to be better parents to our kids.  He came up with an idea to pray with the kids each night before they went to bed. They actually are digging it!

Well last night Mark was not home when the kids got into bed.  Lincoln wanted me to fix his blanket and he told me that daddy wasn't here to pray with him tonight.  I asked him if I could and in his sweet little voice said, "Sure".  Well it was a neat experience for me.  Don't get me wrong, I have prayed with my kids before but somehow last night was different.  While Lincoln lay on his pillow, I asked him what daddy usually does and he said, "daddy prays and I close my eyes and he asks me if anything hurt my heart today." So I started our conversation. Lincoln said a friend of his at school made him feel sad. He was trying to tell his friend to shhhh and he quickly told Lincoln he wasn't the boss.  I commended my sweet boy on trying to help his friend not get in trouble and told him that he was being a good leader and making a wise choice.  As I started to pray, Lincoln began rubbing my hand and continued until I was done! That is something I will cherish from now on.  That my sweet 5 year old was listening to my prayer for him and our family and that God was watching down on us at that moment. 

Then it was the girls turn.  They didn't have any thing to talk about except Kennedy wanted me to pray for her class not to get in trouble this week so they could have their Valentines party on Friday! So I started my prayer with them and asked God to watch over them at school, give them courage to do the right things and thanked God for giving me such sweet, precious kids! All the while Kennedy was hugging me tighter and tighter.
There are times with raising 4 kids that I just get tired and frustrated but last night was so worth all of that.  I feel like I was able to connect with them and they could see more of my love for them as I prayed for them individually.  As I dropped them off at school, this morning, I reminded them about what we prayed about last night and they said we remember!!
You want to connect with your kids, pray with them and don't hold back how grateful and blessed you are to watch them grow and do things that make you proud.