Choosing Not to be Alone

This morning I came to a realization that I have had before, one that many mothers probably have, but it really hit home. I cannot do it all alone!! I get help from my husband who is a great support and of course rely on Christ as my life line....so then why is it that I often feel so alone? Today I realized that it is the companionship, advice, encouragement and support of other mothers and other women that I crave. I admit that I tend to put on a happy face (ok, not always if you ask my husband) and just be determined to get through my struggles.... I had convinced myself that I had God and so I did not need anyone else. I am tearing up now as I write this and finally give voice to the small aching that has been in my heart. Though I truly am happy to be a wife and mother, I have not made connecting with other moms and women a priority....as there are always so many other things to do. Sure I have friends, and do connect with women, but have allowed it to be too much on the surface, not the kind of connection that really speaks into my life or theirs.
This morning I went to my second MOPS meeting (Mothers of Preschoolers) and was blown away. I admit to debating whether to go or not, as my baby was up several times last night (which is an unusual occurrence) and I was out of sorts this morning. Also, I knew that the baby would miss his nap and we would all be later for lunch and afternoon naps if we went. I am so glad that I did not let that keep me home. We started by listening to a new Steven Curtis Chapman song that spoke directly to my heart. I did not break down and sob....though I thought about leaving the room so I could....but I did let a few tears trickle down my face.
Next some of the more experienced moms ('mom mentors') began sharing. I witnessed such love, wisdom, honesty, godliness and heart from these women that I actually felt a bit foolish over all the times I have tried to 'go it alone.' I don't know if it is pride or embarrassment that has held me back, maybe both. The Lord has so perfectly placed such a wealth of mothering knowledge and love right in front of me... I have finally decided to take advantage of it! Of course I did not run up and tell any of the mentors this at the meeting. I maintained my typically calm and happy exterior. But next time I am struggling and know I need help, I will be calling one of them for advice or maybe just to pray!!

Thank God for such a wonderful ministry.

Sewing Project: Leggings for the Little One

I have a new found obsession with looking at craft-related blogs online. I didn't realize, until recently, that there are so many cool, young moms (and non-moms too) who are into crafting and sewing and making really cute things with their skills! I have tried and sometimes succeeded with a few of the many great projects I've seen. Recently, I came across this really cute project on the "Homemade by Jill" blog (there's a link to it on our list of blogs we like) and tried it out. It was really easy and pretty quick. Jill put a link on her website to some instructions on how to make these, but I'll put some in here as well. They are baby leggings made from a pair of tube socks! All you need is a pair of tube socks (preferably cute ones), a sewing machine, scissors, and a ruler.

First, you cut the heel and toe off of each sock (as pictured below left). Just eyeball it. Then, take the bottom/foot portion of each sock (as opposed to the top/ankle portion) and cut it lengthwise so that it is only 2 1/2" wide (watching the direction of the hearts may help if there's any confusion as to what I'm doing). Next, take one of those bottom pieces and fold it lengthwise with the right sides facing each other. Sew along the longer side using a 1/4" seam (below right). Repeat with the other bottom piece.

Then, trim off as much of the excess fabric you can, being very careful not to snip through your stitching (below left). Next, you are going to make a cuff by making each piece into a tube and folding the fabric up. This can't really be put into words, so just look at the center picture below. On the left is one in the process of being folded up and on the right is how the cuff should look. Now, find four equi-distant points in the end of the cuff with the rough edge and mark those spots with pins (below right photo, right side). Then, take the top/ankle piece of the sock and turn it inside out. Mark 4 equi-distant points on the rough side with pins (below right photo, left side). (I know, I should not have used the smallest pins in the world for this).

Next, you are going to tuck the little cuff inside of the larger tube that is the top/ankle part of the sock, with rough edges lined up and right sides facing each other. Line the four pins on the cuff with the four pins on the ankle piece and pin both pieces together at those points (below left). Now you need to slide this whole mess under your sewing machine and stitch both pieces together around the rough edge using 1/4" seam again (below middle). Repeat on the other side using the other cuff and ankle piece. Then, turn the top piece of the sock right-side out and you have made little leggings for your baby! (below right). These are ideal for probably around 3-12 months, when babies are moving from tummy time to crawling and all areas in between...and they're great because you can stretch them or scrunch them any way you want. I also bought some cute socks for this that are a lot shorter than I realized, but they would be ideal for newborns! It's so much easier for diaper changes than pants or tights. Let us know if you try this fun project and tell us how it comes out!

Chores!

Every so often I find myself re-evaluating the chores system in our home. I grew up with chores, and its one of those things my mom gently reminded me about when my kids were toddlers...and then again as they approached school age. For a good reason. There is no more practical a way to grow normal, helpful, responsible kids than to give them chores! I find though, in spite of how much I have piled on my plate,that it's really hard to dish them out. Weird? I don't know if it comes from laziness--I can get it done faster--or from the need to be liked. I don't know about your child, but mine don't WANT to help sometimes, especially if the newness of the chore has worn off and they just don't FEEL like doing it today. We are also very busy, and between my work schedule, volunteering, their sports & miles of homework, church activities and very late "fun nights"...it can be tough figuring out when to expect them to get them done.
So, it's time again. My system is breaking down. Three kids have moved out now and it's time to re-assign chores. My 9 year old has been emptying the waste baskets since she was 3, maybe I need to update her "main chore" on Saturday morning! I found a website that was all about the assigning and charting of chores...maybe that will help. I'd love input here! Where do you find age appropriate guidelines? I'm usually underestimating what my kids can do. I think I also get too flexible about when things gets done, or I'm not specific enough about when it should be done. Often everything gets left for 3:00 PM on a Saturday. I think that's too late for starting chores, by then I want to start winding down or we want to get out a little bit as a family, but we have to stay around for someone who's still got chores to get done.
So, here I go...

Be Still....and Know - by Jill

Psalm 46:10 BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

Recently I was asked to write about the experience I had with breast cancer 3 years ago. Those of you who know me know that although I was fearful, my experience was a time of hope, undaunted faith and complete surrender to God. To me it was the best spiritual time of my life. As I prepared to write about this time of my life, I searched my journals
for entries during that time period. As I did, I was filled with a terrible sadness, a feeling of deep loss. However, I wasn't sad because of the trial I went through, quite the opposite; I was sad because my current relationship with God just doesn't measure up. You see during that time period my eyes were completely focused on Him. The "cares of the world" were not my cares. Instead I relied totally on God for everything - from finding the doctors He wanted me to use, guiding all the surgeon's hands, praying for my hospital roommates, and deciding what my treatment plan was... I even asked Him to help me further His kingdom as I shared my faith and trust in God to the people I met inside and outside the church. In fact, I can't remember a thing I didn't talk to Him about or ask for His guidance. Because my heart was so fixed on Him and teachable, He revealed things to me I never dreamed of. Some of those things I will discuss at a later date. As I reflected on this I realized the constant communication I had with God stopped somewhere along the WRONG path. I allowed the busyness of my life to replace the continuous discussions I had with my Father in heaven. I have substituted hurried prayers for sitting at the feet of Jesus. This was just the thing God warns to us in Hebrews 12:1-2, "Let us also lay aside every hindrance and the sin that easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus." Yet, I am grateful for this eye-opener. God is calling me back.
So what about you? Are you allowing the cares and worries of life to snuff out precious time with our Lord? Are you giving Him your time? Your life? Are you waiting for Him to answer you? to open doors? to show you the way? If so, be still and know that He is God, that He is the Lord of your life. Just run to His feet and into His arms.

Just Ask!- By Sue

"... not my will, but thine be done..." (Matthew 6:9-13)

Have I truly surrendered my will to Jesus? Or, do I have my own way, follow my plans, give into my desires, and feel justified when I get mad? How often do I say to myself: "is this thing I am about to do, Your will Lord?? Must I ask about everything I do throughout the day?

If I cry out to Jesus before I do anything and pray the Lord's prayer including "thy will be done", then I am covered, right? Everything I say and do will be His will! Well, if that is true, why at the end of the day, am I grieved over yelling at the kids or my husband for the things they did or did not do? Why do I feel guilty about the extra money spent on myself? Was that cash needed to pay for a necessity? What if I pray "Thy will be done", do I still end up doing my own will? Because I am forgetful and yes, selfish- it is my human nature. But I do nothing as a mom but give, give, give, don't I deserve some respect and gifts once in a while? Is "Thy will be done" truly my attitude in glorifying Him?

The solution is to pray before we are faced with temptation (and we might know when that is based on the previous day's experience!). Lord, grant me the grace to do Your will when I walk in the door and be accepting of what I find there. This worked for me last night. After being gone for several hours, I knew when I walked in there would be a mess in the kitchen. So, I prayed. There was a mess, but I didn't get angry! I just cleaned it up (which was a huge success for me). I didn't mention it either. I just thanked God for those victories. If you can ever relate to a situation such as mine, please remember that God is faithful to provide the way out of sin every time- we just need to remember to ask!