This morning, we were 15 minutes late for our MOPS meeting because Monkey and I had a stand off over potty training. I had been prepping her all morning for a success by filling her belly with water, talking about our plan to go potty then go play with our friends, picking out a sticker, etc.
Well, 45 minutes before it was time to leave, I got her dressed and explained the game plan: We are going to finish our water, eat something, brush our teeth, go potty and leave.
Ready? BREAK! (more…)
No matter what is going on in my life, I always have something I am trying desperately to hold on to. I need to be better about giving everything over to God. I trust him, I know he loves me, and I know he will protect my heart, guide my hands and guard my mouth. Yet, I try to stay in control.
With the short, yet busy month of February upon us I am going to make an effort to give five things up to God.
There are things I can give to the Lord during all seasons of my life. For now, these are my top five. What would you like to give up to the Lord? You can be specific or non-descriptive. I commit to praying for you and the release of your stresses, so be sure and leave your comments below so I can be sure and pray for you.
With Valentines Day approaching, I have been racking my brain for what I can do for Travis this year. Our six year anniversary is also in February, as is Monkey’s birthday.
We have been passing around a horrendous cold since before Christmas so we have either been sick or caring for the sick for too long. I have been working on refinancing our house, potty training the dog and Monkey, attending MOPS, cooking for MOPS, MOMS and The Rock, and we are starting Kindermusik this week.
Travis has two pretty big web projects right now, and his office is moving at his full time job so there is rush and stress relating to that. He has been working late a little more and has been talking to/meeting with side-business clients weekly.
Did I mention we are starting a new class tonight at church?!
We have been going non-stop, and I for one am tired! Don’t get me wrong, I am so thankful to have the opportunities we have and I am not complaining by any means, but I could certainly use a nap.
So, how do we refocus on each other during the up and coming season of love? Valentines Day is no big deal for us, but I do love our anniversary. I love to celebrate the love we found so many years ago and still have to this day. On our wedding day we gave music cd’s to our guests with our favorite and meaningful songs. Travis makes me another edition of the cd every year, and I have yet to come up with something that means that much to him. We have played the Romantic Nights game, and occasionally still do. We have date night about once a month, and spend hours playing WoW together, but I ready for something new. (more…)
Robert Palmer sang in 1989:
You can’t sleep. You can’t eat.
There’s no doubt. You’re in deep…
You might as well face it
You’re addicted to love
That song was performed almost 20 years ago, so do the same rules apply? Are we still addicted to love?
I think on some level we are. Millions of dollars a year are spent on Hallmark cards, online dating agencies, and romantic comedy movies. Almost everyone craves love and companionship.
What else are we addicted to?
According to Gregory Bloom, author of Overcoming Entertainment Addiction we are addicted to the entertainment zone, which in my house primarily includes the internet and television. Mr. Bloom spoke at our MOPS meeting on Tuesday and he really got me thinking. (more…)
I joined MOPS in September and I completely love the program. The table I am assigned to is made up of wonderful moms, all of which have children close to Monkeys age. My table leader is so sweet, and our mentor mom couldn’t be a nicer lady. We meet every other week at The Rock.
So far we have made a meal for our family, made tooth fairy boxes, learned how to decorate a cake from the owner of The Makery, and (my favorite) we had an interior designer from HGTV come in and give us design tips. All in all, the entire blessing has been such a great experience.
At the last meeting a young mommy (I say young, but she was about my age) stood up in tears and told the entire group she found out she has breast cancer and will be having a double masectemy right before Christmas. This really rocked my world because I have always had a little bit of the ‘invincible teen syndrome’ in me… meaning no real tragedy could ever happen to me. But this woman whom I had never met before could have been me. She has a little one that is younger than Monkey. She is a wife and a mommy and I am sure she is just trying to hold it all together, not unlike the rest of us. (more…)
Our MOPS group discussed the importance of eating family meals together recently so I did some searching online and most research (including the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University) indicates families that don’t share meals 5-7 times a week, are one and half more times likely to drink, smoke, or use illegal substances during the teenage years.
Could that be right? Could it be something as simple as cooking a meal (or picking one up) and sitting down together could completely change the outcome of our childs life? Then it dawned on me… it’s not so much the meal, but the details surrounding it. What I mean is in the time it takes to boil some water and heat up some sauce, your teenager might actually crack a smile or divulge a detail about her day. Once the meal finally hits the table, perhaps the whole family will be talking… Who knows what can happen by the time dessert and dishes roll around…
Because of this (and the fact that I love to cook and eat) we eat most meals at home around our table. I have to admit, even though Monkey is only 2, some of her funniest moments have been when she is pushed up against the table… and who can stay mad at hubbie when he prays over you and compliments your cooking?? For me and our little family, we are hooked!
