Children and Chores

I have always been a mom that asks my children to help clean and cook alongside me...to make their beds and pick up after themselves. Recently I decided to give the kids two types of chores: After Meal Chore & Daily Keep Up Chore.

I wrote down their chores on a sheet of paper, highlighted their name and magnected it on the fridge, to remind me and them! Once they complete their chore, I place a sticker. Helps me to see how often they accomplished their job and I feel it will give them the confidence and satisfaction of a good job. :)

After Meal Chore is basically helping me clean up after breakfast, lunch and dinner.. Chores given are: clear the table, wash the table, wash the chairs, sweep. I help them and start on the dishes. I started this chore because after lunch I like to get everything quickly cleaned up so we can finish our 'lesson time." After starting this chore, I have to say, I love that they dont rush off after their bellies are full..but that we stay together, lovingly serving!

Daily Keep Up Chore are areas where this mamma needs help ;) ..thats basically how I decide chores. Chores in my home that are given are: vacuum the living room, bathroom and kitchen trash taken out and put a new bag in, organize the shoe area (we have alot of shoes that easily pile up), putting the drying dishes away. Everyone is also responsible for making their bed..my oldest son asked if he could make my bed everyday for 10cents..lets just say I got the better deal on that but I love that he takes his chores a bit further..what a blessing!

I have also taught the children that we serve the Lord in each job we do. No stickers are awarded for those who grumble and complain....

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..." Ecclesiastes 9:10

Have you ever read "One hundred and One More Devotions for Homeschool Moms, by Jackie Wellwood?"

If you homeschool or have thought about homeschooling, I encourage this book greatly! Anyways, Jackie writes a chapter on "Right hand and Left hand jobs." There are jobs we like and love to do, that come more easily to us, then there are jobs that are harder to do that we dislike. We need to teach and train our children that we have to do both kind of jobs in this world. Our sons will be providers for their families and most likely have to do quite a few right and left hand jobs. As mothers I accomplish a handful of left and right hand jobs esp when my hubby is away for work. With this lesson taught to my children, we switch the chores up..my oldest dislikes vacuming and my youngest loves it..they switch where my oldest has to vacuum. Keeps the chores fresh and exciting in a way.. "whats my chore going to be mommy!?" ;) The child that has completed the chore for a few weeks then gets to pass any tips they learned to their sibling..they love that part!!

Lastly when your child does not do their chore to your perfection.. lovingly encourage them with P R A I S E. That really is the key to joyful servers! Moms, your children love your praise! Keep praising them and lovingly instruct them.. do not complain about their work, or fix their work. DO show them, complete the work together..

While you and your children serve together, play hymns, pray for your children (and yourself) to be selfless servers.

Here, my sweet 5yr old decided to help me with dinner, his job was placing the tater tots over the burger. I showed him how to place the taters on one side... He did the other side. Perfectionate old me, wanted to fix his lil taters but NO! His little fingers placed them and he did a wonderful job.. I want to encourage his help so the casserole went in the oven just the way he made it!

There are so many free printable chore charts out there, do whatever one will work for you. Again, mine was simple... wrote their name down, highlighed their name and chore.. left room so stickers can be placed all over..easy!

How are chores working in your home? What works, what doesnt?

Remember the word P R A I S E moms! I know I need the reminder daily!

Linked with:
Our Simple Country Life

Why I love toys everywhere!

When I first glance at my floors there is always one sure thing to be found: toys! At my house, you better watch your step because my children love legos, lincoln logs, those tiny cars.. and OUCH if you do step on one!

At first I would be super irritated seeing the toys spread out all over (Especially when I just cleaned the next room) and noticing my children onto another room, emptying another basket or tote full of toys. I would even scream..."get this picked UP!" ((yikes))

I cringe at how quickly I got mad.. how quickly my voice raised..

Why do I cringe? I cringe because I wasnt being a loving or an understanding mamma.

Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.


I looked at the situation completely wrong. I began to pray as most weary and tired mothers do.. Lord, how can I keep my home clean??

He was quick to give me His view!

My dear child, look at those toys..they are everywhere! They are using the imagination that I gave them! Those toys are evidence of pretending, sharing, building, being creative.. those toys are proof that your children arent spending time on the computer, tv, video games. Their minds are working and learning each time they PLAY!

Oh wow, Lord.. I never looked at it that way! Thank you for opening my eyes once again!

I also see how I love to be creative in the kitchen..how my husband loves to build..how my love of books are scattered here and there.. I learned to be neat, pick up my mess..I am an adult! My children arent allowed to leave their big messes all over for days on end, we pick up at the end of the day or maybe a break from lessons..I help them like they help me around the house~ But now I encourage my children, I stop to see what they are creating, playing..I stop to smile and tell them how much I love what they have made or how lovely they are playing together.. I stop to play along! I even notice that yes you must empty out the basket of toys because that one important lego might be in there!!! :}

It completely changed our home atmosphere once I changed my attitude.. My children are happier and always proud to show me what they are playing... their imaginations keep me an awe!

Love the toys mommas! There is a time when your home will be neat and clean.. but now is the time to love those messes~

Linked with:

A letter to Mammas

Here is a letter I recieved via email from Nancy Campbell from Above Rubies. Its a letter to all moms and very encouraging..she sends emails out and a free magazine that has been such a blessing to me! This letter needs to be shared..

Dear Sarah Beth, Shining with God’s love,



May the blessings of the Lord fill your heart and your home. May God fill you with His strength, patience and anointing as you nurture your three children, Draven, Alyssa and Jayce, the children whom God has so graciously given to you. Each one is a special gift from God, aren’t they?




Sarah Beth, you are doing a mighty work. There is nothing greater that you could be doing in the whole of the world. Your work is for eternity. Your children are eternal souls who will live forever. Not only are you training them for the purposes God has for them in this world, but you are also preparing them for the eternal world! Wow! What a mission!


How blessed you are to have your children around you. I know that you often feel overwhelmed, but I want to remind you that in the midst of all the frustrations and tiredness, that this is a very precious time of your life. It was the most precious time of my life. I look back and remember the times I felt “so tired” and yet I can’t think of anything in my life that has been more meaningful and more joyful than those wonderful days.




Don't endure each day, but seek to make it special. You will never have these days with your children again. They are for such a short time. Enjoy them. Revel in them. You may feel that you are not accomplishing a lot each day, but there are years ahead to do all the projects you want to do. But at the moment, your lovely children are your priority. I remember thinking as I watched my children, “I will never forget them at this moment,” but the years have gone and I can't recall many of those moments. They are now all married and raising their own children and currently we have 34 grandchildren.




Back in those days I remember reading the thoughts of another mother and they were a comfort to me. She said, "These are the never years. Never enough money, never enough time, never enough sleep - but always enough love. The sweetest kiss of a baby the tooth-paste-flavored kiss of a child on his way to school (sadly, homeschooling wasn't in process in those days 40 years ago); the sleepy kiss of a husband who is just as tired as you.


These are the busy years, the wonderful, hectic, impossible years. Soon the children will be grown and I'll have plenty of time to organize my house, to sew and to cultivate outside interests. I wonder if it will be as wonderful as I sometimes dream it will? Or am I in the middle of the wonderful years... right now?"


Yes, you are in the wonderful years now. I look back on the years when all my little brood were under my wings (or I should say, under my legs and in my arms and one or other of them needing me at every moment) and they were definitely the most blessed years of my life. At one stage I had three in 17 months! That's because I had twins although they are now 45 years old! Then I had four children in less than four years. So I can certainly relate to how you feel at the moment.


We eventually had six, although we have since adopted some teenagers from Liberia. But six children never seemed very many. Nearly every day my husband and I say to each other, "Where are the rest of our children? I wish we'd had twelve!" It just seems like one blink of an eye and they have all grown up and married.




I love some of the beautiful names God calls our children. Isn't this a lovely one? The "beloved fruit of the womb." (Hosea 9:16) Not just the "fruit of the womb", but also the "beloved fruit of the womb." The context of this passage is God’s judgment, because of their wicked works, was to destroy the beloved fruit of their womb, but it reveals how God views children and also how the early Hebrews felt about their children.




Here's what some of the other translations way...
NIV, Cherished offspring
RV, Beloved children
NAS, Precious ones
NEB, Dearest offspring
JER, Darlings
NAS, Treasures of the womb.
Now there are some good names to call your children!

Hebrews 11:7 is a great Scripture, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

For 100 years, Noah did the same old thing - hammered, nailed and keep on building his ark. He didn't have time to do all the things that everyone else was doing. He just kept on slogging and being faithful, doing the same thing every day for all those years - but in doing so he condemned the world. Yes, he changed the world because he stuck with the job he was given to do! He changed the world by doing the same thing day after day after day. And at the same time he saved his family!

You may feel that you are just doing the same old thing every day, but as you are faithful to raise godly children, and build an ark for the saving of your house, you will condemn the world around you. You are accomplishing far more than those who go out to seek a worldly career to the detriment to their highest calling. Your influence goes on into the generations and even into eternity.

Isn't it amazing that our daily faithfulness in the home will have its impact on earth -- and also for eternity? It can change the world! We have to remember that bearing and raising children is a long-term investment - in fact, an eternal one! In a culture where everyone wants everything to happen instantaneously, we must learn to think long term - for the future. So rejoice and be glad in your high and noble calling. YOU ARE CHANGING THE WORLD! Remember, you have the most important career in the nation!


Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, Above Rubies



By the way, are you on my email devotion list? It will encourage and strengthen you as a wife and mother. If not, and you would like to, all you have to do is send a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.org



Blessings,
Sarah beth

Linked with:
Homemaker by Choice

Children & TV

For the past year I have cut down on my childrens time infront of the tv. If we go a whole day without tv then I jump for joy! I know it doesnt sound like a huge goal but we use to spend alot of evenings watching tv. Especially when my children were younger and I felt incredibly tired after dinner and clean up. My husband also worked nights and it was easier for me to just flip the tv on.

God opened my eyes to the truth concerning the shows on today. Its funny for me to think back and ask myself why I didnt see things before..when Jesus shows you the truth, it really does set you free. What I do not like about tv: many of the shows are about dating and crushes. Why I do not like "crushes" is because I am teaching my children God's word which is to wait til marriage. Its not easy to wait so we will not be dating but waiting on the Lord for Him to show my children who is the one He created for them! Many reasons why my husband have chosen this, maybe another post! You also see alot of girls wearing indecent clothing such as short skirts, short shorts, low shirts, skimpy tank tops. The kids in the show often are always disrespecting their parents and siblings. Seem to focus on having things and the girls are always concerned with how they look. Some shows I find to be scary with the themes of magic. Even in my mind I thought it was harmless and my children knew better, but I should have. What we watch, we model. We start to believe this lie: its harmless. But the truth is that playing around with sin is not harmless at all. Jesus died for our sins!

I also want my children exploring, playing, learning.. when we sit infront of the tv we are not doing anything productive.

There is alot of other things children can be doing instead of tv. Playing outside, puzzles, board games, reading, coloring, help with cooking and baking, taking a walk, gardening, working in the garage alongside daddy, playing games like simon says, I spy {our popular games! lol} playdough, sidewalk chalk, riding bikes, shoveling snow, painting, the list goes on!!

One of my favorite things to say is watch nature, not tv! I love God's creation especially animals. I love to watch them..and hope to pass on the same passion to my children. We have been blessed with many chances to watch nature. One time we had a bunny have babies underneath our deck. We have had plenty of deer in our yard. It was alot easier when we lived in the country. But even now we are taking joy in seeing the animals in our new home state. Wild horses, lizards, bugs, birds, rabbits, groundhogs even snakes.

I bought my children a small bug keeper with a vent built all around, they love to catch different bugs and study them for a few hours..even caught a lizard once. We throw alot of old bread outside and wait to see all the different birds come to snack..sometimes bunnies will join too. Its so fun to watch thru the glass!

Ask the Lord today if there is any movies or shows that He doesnt want your child to watch. Pray that the tv is on less. we should always be giving our goals to Him. He wants to help us! Before clicking the tv on, ask yourself..is there something else the kids can do right now??

Much love,
Sarah beth

Linked with:

Unsocialized Homeschool Mom??!

I have heard of homeschooling children being called "unsocialized" but a homeschooling parent? ~ thats a new one for me! But yes, I was called unsocialized.. and you wouldnt believe by who, a fellow homeschooling mother!


I guess those silly, untrue statements can be made by anyone.


I was accused of being unsocialized at one of our latest field trips. My hubby was with me and to be honest I enjoy being around him and I especially enjoy his company at our field trips! I see these moms atleast once a week so we do enjoy our time to chat. Another reason I didnt want to stand around and chat is because my eyes were glued to my children, rooting for them and admiring their bravery at rock climbing!

"A child is the greatest joy, the ultimate Blessing." Emily Laughton

Unsocialized is choice sometimes! My children are first over friends even when I am around them all week, all day long. These times with my children will soon be memories that I can look back on. Memories that I can bank on to treasure when they are adults!


There is a time to chat with friends..but make wise choices mammas~ your children will look back one day too.. will they remember you cheering them on when rock climbing or pumping their legs on a plain ol swing? Or will they remember you not paying attention? No matter how old your children are, they crave your love and attention. I was not rude to my friends, I was hoping they would stand beside me and root on their children as well! That didnt happen, sadly! I pray that my friends and fellow mothers are more attentive to their children.


Dear heavenly father, please work in me and help me to be the mother that you want me to be. To give more kisses and hugs and create more memories together. Help me to be patient, loving, attentive and to place my family first and myself last. In Jesus name I pray, Amen

[Psalms 127:3]
"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD"

Children are a gift! Lets start treasuring our children, treating them like the gift they are!!!



Blessings, Sarah beth

A Date!

I try to spend a day with each of my children alone. It happens in all different ways, some are planned others are not. With my daughter, she loves to go with me to the salon. She sits next to me and loves to watch mommy get her hair trimmed and highlighted. ;) We also have girly moments such as me doing her hair for the day, painting each others nails, ect. With my oldest we spend alot of time together doing school work since he has a bit more then his younger siblings right now. He is also a night owl like me.. when daddy is out of town he will stroll out of his bed at about 10pm and spend an hour with me chatting..sometimes we read the bible together too. Theres always a snack lol With my youngest our moments together are the little things, he loves to mix and measure when I am cooking, crack the eggs.. have me read him a story or coloring together. All these moments are so precious to me. Each day I do try to have alittle one on one which really strengthens our bond!! I love how God provides these moments each day, how I pray for them to happen even on our busy days.

It is nice once in awhile when I get to plan a date with my child! Jayce has been pleading for a couple of weeks to have a mommy and jayce day..it was sweet to hear such a request! ;}

Last Sunday after church we dropped off everyone at home so that we could get alittle time just us two! I was looking forward to spoiling my baby with love and my full attention!

I decided to take him to Toys r us, such a fun place to browse around.

He picked out a cute sports hat, a piggy bank and a baby bear cub that makes noises~ ;)

It was fun watching him excited and checking everything out..

He was in shock that everything He picked out was his, lol

Afterwards we shared a lunch and talked..

It was a very sweet day!

Blessings, Sarah beth

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus!

Ever have a moment where you heart wants to burst in happiness and praise to Jesus??

This evening I had that moment while driving {of all places lol} home from dropping off "snow buddies" at blockbuster lol. "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" came on the radio.. as I sang along I thought, yes, Yes, YES it is really sweet to trust in HIM!!

Yesterday I didnt have the best day, I felt  overwhelmed in missing my husband, who is out of town working and I felt super tired. My children were cranky due to lack of sleep as well. Nothing really went as I had planned..

Anyways, yesterday we made it through the day as best as we could.. with many prayers!

I woke up today to my two youngest children singing together while playing, they make songs up constantly, especially my daughter. This song was basically one verse, "Jesus you are my king" It was a beautiful way to wake! I already knew that this new day would be much better then the day before. Actually yesterday I woke to my two younger children fighting.. big difference to today!

I love today, I am praising Jesus and overwhelmed with how he always answers prayers. I really needed today to be plain ol GOOD!

We didnt do anything special or amazing today, but it was the just what I hoped and prayed for... a sweet day, at home with my children.

We tackled alot of our lessons with ease..

The children happily completed their chores and helped one another as I cleaned along side with them.

We had fun creating a "get well soon" card for grandpa and "we miss you daddy" cards..

My home is "pretty" ~ means not spotless but mostly neat ;}

My kids played really well together..

I got to spend an hour talking and looking at my hubby, webcam!

It was a smooth day.. His loving presence all around us!

If you are having a struggling day mamma's, pray, pray, pray! I hope my sweet day today can be an encouragment and a reminder the importance of giving our struggles to Jesus, no matter how big or how small!!! Dont forget he wants you to lean on Him!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus!

This post is linked up with:

Heart Warming Monday Link Up! Watch this talent!

Monday is here again! Every Monday I ask you to link up and share a heart~warming read. "A cheerful heart does good like medicine...."{Proverbs 17:22}

Share a story, video, picture, song, anything sweet and heartwarming!!

Rules are super simple:
1. Link your post back to here
2. Stop by other blogs who have joined!
Easy as pie ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today I would like to share with you a video! My son was up late with me one evening and we were trying to find his favorite song, "Nothing but the blood of Jesus." We came across a young boy playing this hymn on guitar. My son was super excited because its his goal to play one day for Jesus. Its a dream of mine as well to hear my children play.. I am in awe when I hear someone with music talent, with their voice or instrument. I have zero music talent so I trully love hearing those who do and especially use that talent, their God given talent to glorify Christ! My sons eyes were wide and bright, he loved how this boy could play so well and made it look so naturally, easy! I hope you enjoy!!

A list of my fav's: this week!

Linking up with Stringer Mamma for favorite Fridays!

A part of me wants to pout and say this is the worst week ever, due to my husband being out of town..{missing him is an understatement} but that is not how I want to live my life. Each day is a gift! Here are some of my favorite things about this week, there were many! "O satisfy us with Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning [now, before we are older], that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:14

Valentines Day! The day went by quickly but it was a sweet day, I loved making my husbands favorite dinner and enjoying my family around the table. I was suprised with sweet pink roses..I cant help but breath in the sweet scent everytime I pass by them. :}

I am 26! I was blessed with another year to live, grow wiser, enjoy my husband and children and praise my savior here on earth! I love all the sweet birthday cards in the mail from my family that couldnt be here. I still get excited about cards hehe!

S N O W Since I wrote on Wednesday we have been blessed with more snow. As I write, its snowing! The kids and I enjoyed playing in the blizzard yesterday...walking around in mounds of fresh snow and being heavily sprinkled in snowflakes!

Mr giggles!

Giggles! Its something I have been hearing alot of this week from my children.. we have been a silly bunch this week.. they were giggling when they seen my hubby with a bouquet of roses..giggling while running around in the snow... even as we run out of the store in a blizzard, giggling! Such a sweet sound!

Chats with my MOM.. My mom and I have been talking alot on the phone this week.. its always sweet to hear her voice and just catch up! I cherish each and every chat with her :}

Chicken Noodle Soup Its my all time favorite soup.. Making it the way my Gramma taught me! What a perfect soup for our first winter storm and that means the kids and I can enjoy it all weekend, no cooking! ;}

What are your favorite things about this week?? Praise God for all the GOOD in your life each day! "This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118: 24


Blessings,
Sarah beth

Valentines Day Fun!

Linking up for Monday Humor, Valentines Day style!

First, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

I am keeping this light hearted read/Monday Humor link up with a Valentine Theme! This isnt really a funny read but a sweet one!

When you think of Vday, often times we think of roses, love, romance, chocolates, teddy bears, ect. But we should take that image and put it aside! If Valentines day is about love... then we should think about what really is love.. What is Love?

{Author Unknown}

Isnt that Beautiful??! I seen it once and I remember it every Valentines Day.. Sadly I am not sure who created this! But feel free to pass it on, print it out and show your children!

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him"{John 4:16}

Today remember that the idea of love portrayed in this holiday is not real love. The definition of Love is~ God is Love. Memorize this verse.. Teach this to your children today! Fill your heart and mind with His Loving Presence! & not of this world!

Now, a story!

At our Valentines day party over the weekend, the pastor asked the children, what is Love?

Many were too shy to say..

Some said hearts!

Some said giving!

They were so cute and my sweet boy held his hand up and wanted to say Jesus is Love.. BUT his confidence quickly faded..he smiled and said, I dont remember what I was going to say. LOL Too cute!

Lastly, I had to share another comic...it was too funny not to post!

Oh darn, atleast he tried! ;}

Read here for my Valentine plan that is not self seeking: Easy ideas to Romance your Hubby!

Do you have a light hearted, funny, heartwarming read??? Link up here

Blessings,

Sarah beth

Monday Humor Link Up, Mommy Cartoons!

Linking up for Monday Humor ;}

I decided to share some funny cartoons today! I cant think of anything better then some mommy cartoon Humor! Enjoy!

Which one was your favorite? Grace underpressure was mine!

Our lives are pretty funny put this way. Monday is here again and often I dread this day so much. It really is all worth it and I think today I will look back to these cartoons and laugh! I hope to not get frustrated or stressed but to take a step back and laugh at all the silly things my children do! Its just part of the high calling we mothers have! ;}

If you have a heartwarming read or a funny story, video or cartoon that you would like to share, {old or new post} please link up and encourage one another!! Post as many as you would like and make sure to link your post back here!

"A cheerful heart does good like medicine...."{Proverbs 17:22}


Have a wonderful week serving Christ and love every moment of our blessed, crazy days as mommy and wives!

Blessings, Sarah beth

Humor for Monday: Patience

This is my first link up for Monday Humor!

I would like to share with you a video, that has had a lasting impression on me!

watch here

The video is only a couple minutes long ;)

After watching that video myself I was in awe of Michelle Duggar's patience. Her interview was going to be viewed by thousands of people on their TLC show, 19 kids and counting but her children were not an annoyance to her in anyway.

I would love to go to the store and just buy a big box of patience!!!!

She was very loving while trying to discpline her children.. she did not raise her voice and yell. I know I cant go to the store and buy patience but thankfully i can go to prayer.. I pray to be a patient mother and wife, to always show love even when dealing with misbehaving children. Its an important prayer as a mother and wife! I need to remind myself to pray about patience each day!

I hope that you can remember this sweet short video this week when days get long and busy..

"Love is patient and kind....."[1 Corinthians 13:4]

Link up here!

 ~I hope that enjoyed this video! Have a blessed Monday~

[Ephesians 4:2] "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love..."

Always keep on Praying!

Prayer doesn't need proof, it needs PRACTICE!


"...be alert and always keep on praying." Ephesians 6:18


What a great subject to give attention to today~ praying! As I grow closer to God, He has taught me that prayer should be a top priorty in our daily lives. My eyes have opened: pray first, worry less. Pray first, do not try to fix a problem alone. Pray for everything GOOD in your life instead of only what is wrong in your life. Pray for the Lord to change you to be who He wants you to be rather then trying to get the Lord to grant a wish that will somehow in your mind make life better.


It would be perfect everyday if we could wake before your family, find a nice spot and have that time alone with God. If your like me, struggling each day to be that morning person, then it makes that time you need difficult. Although this goal of mine is something I will keep praying about it hasnt completely happened yet! Maybe theres a reason? Do not be discouraged, look for other ways to get that precious time in!


First, I have a prayer list.. its a guideline for things I want to pray about each day, prayers I want to say for others, my husband, my children, worries, goals, myself to grow in faith, homeschooling..our health, ect. Also blessings I want to praise God for! When my day gets busy, I often forget! what did i really want to pray about today? Prayer journals are a great guide. I love to look back and see all of the different ways God has answered!

Next, it may not be the quiet prayer time you desire..its serving and prayer time all at once! I pray when I am vacuuming.. as I clean my home, watch all the things on the carpet dissapear so does the worries I may have while I am praying.. I pray when I am loading the dishwasher..shampooing my hair, taking a walk, setting the plates for dinner or lunch, sweeping, mopping..always praying! Instead of viewing cleaning as such an annoying chore or never ending chore...it can become a very important part of your day. The time flies by too! My home is clean and so is my soul, amen!

I want my children to learn the importance of prayer! Having my kiddos create their own prayer list is a great guide for them as well. I helped my children create their prayer list and also had them cut out pictures from magazines. Works as a great lesson with learning to cut with scissors and being creative! They found pictures of plants to thank God for his creation..pictures of family, pets and even a picture of traveling, since one important prayer of theirs was to see family more. It was a really fun activity!

We set a timer for an alarm to ring on every hour so that we could stop what we are doing and pray! This creates the passion and excitement for prayer! I also explained to my children the different things I pray about, what daddy prays about and how I pray even while cleaning~ which they thought was super funny! Try to have stop, drop and pray day atleast once a week.


There is so many different prayers that can happen in one day that goes beyond just meal time prayer! Here is one for morning that I love~~ 

(author is unknown)
A Child's Prayer for Morning
Now, before I run to play,
Let me not forget to pray
To God who kept me through the night
And waked me with the morning light.
Help me, Lord, to love thee more
Than I ever loved before,
In my work and in my play
Be thou with me through the day. Amen.


Other ideas with your children is when daddy goes to work- pray he arrives safely to all his destinations. We like to pray when we are all buckled in the truck for a safe drive. If we hear someone is sick, I tell the children and ask them to pray. Its amazing how these things can give your children a passion for praying. Since we starting making prayer a big part of our lives my children have come up with their own prayers! Even when they see I am not my best, feeling down or impatient..they come up to me and say, I prayed for you momma. How that melted my heart, words cannot say!!!


As you start to add praying more to your childrens lives and your own, pray that He helps you with this new wonderful goal!


Bless Our Family
All praise to You, Lord Jesus,
Lover of children:
Bless our family,
And help us to lead our children to You.
Give us light and strength,
And courage when our task is difficult.
Let Your Spirit fill us with love and peace,
So that we may help our children to love You.


All glory and praise are Yours, Lord Jesus,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

Blessings, Sarah Beth

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Terrible 3's or a fearless boy?

My heart has lept more than ever lately. my youngest, jayce is the most accident prone child I have ever met! It doesnt help that he is completely fearless as he jumps and runs. On thursday we were in the produce section and he was walking all around the fruit. I filled a bag of apples and then pushed my shopping cart to find him, I knew he was near by and as I was turning my head and saying Jayce, Jayce...I SMACKED my shopping cart right into the side of his lil face. UGH :( I was completely stunned! Was his eye okay!? Oh no! His cheek was red and on the corner of his eye I seen blood. There was a small cut just under a fresh scar from the monkey bars. You could tell that area of the eye was really soft, I thought for sure at first he would need stitches. I kept praying, let him be okay. As we headed to the bathroom I could see his cut stopped bleeding and it wasnt as bad as I had thought, whew. I kinda feel what is he going to do next? But you cant ignore the fact that his face could have been looking directly at me, I was calling his name. And if he was, his eye would have been punctured. I know God had saved his eye, I imagine his angel swoopped down and turned his lil face in a different direction. I may not have been looking but our heavenly Father was. He always is! It brings me comfort and mothers of 3 year old boys need comfort! With my daughter I didnt have to worry about her safety the way I do with Jayce and its been 4 years since my oldest was at that stage. I am not sure if Jayce is more fearless or if I have forgotten! But goodness, he sure does scare me. Just today he decided to climb up concrete stairs and when I told him to come down he jumped down on each step! Its a good thing I pray for his protection every day! Thank you Lord for awnsering and saving his eye!

I love, love being a housewife

I love, LOVE being a housewife is a sentance from my heart that I say silently.. usually in the evenings when schooling studies are completed, dinner was devored and my children are starting to settle down..my home is neat, not perfect but neat. Candles glow and the scent is filling the air. window blinds are open showing us the sun is slowly going down.. this is my moment..i love being a house wife. To too many the title is demeaning..no paycheck, no self worth. And at one point I can honestly say i gave in and felt the same way. But God has opened my eyes and my heart and showed me the right path, for me. I love the quest for being a woman of God.. supporting my husband, being joyful to him, praising him for his hard work. My heart swells and my soul is completely happy when I am teaching my three brown eyed babies. I love caring for my children.. today i had one on one time with jayce my youngest.. he was dirty from playing outside so i suggested a warm bath..he was thrilled. i ran him a warm bubbly bath and gently washed the dirt away..it was a sweet moment, he was playing with his orange dinosaur and smiling at my complete attention on him. I loved it! I know God is opening my eyes more and more, convicting me to be a stay at home mom, homeschooling and number one showing them to lean on HIM, to live in breath in HIM..give thanks, be joyful and pray. I have so much to learn but finally feel like for once I am on the right path. What a great feeling! Its important to me that I am teaching my children so they will not be searching for their purpose in adulthood..i pray my childrens talents will be revealed and if you do not have the Holy Spirit within you then you will always feel lost. I will be blogging soon about raising boys and raising girls. Its old fashion but HE is guiding me!

Glimpse of our blessed weekend

By the time Friday rolled around I was more then ready for my husband to get home, who has been away all week working. The kids sure do keep me busy with schooling and house work but I cannot help the constant ache of missing my husband! He was home by evening with orange roses and a kiss for me, energy, big hugs so tight that their feet lifted off the floor for the kids! Our wknd began! We waited for him to come to start dinner, grilled hotdogs, mm!

Saturday we planned on bowling, but there was a long wait, boo. Saving to go again next week.. We did try a new place for lunch and found out that guacmole does need to be on a burger! ;) and bannana shakes do beat a chocolate shake ;) It really doesnt matter what we are doing, if we are all together its the best moments of my life.

Afterwards we went to Kohls so i could try on tennis shoes..been wearing only flip flops anytime the weather is warm for years..but i love long walks and flip flops arent the best provider of support for your feet and knees! Finally after trying every brand, every style...wow there are alot now!! I finally found a cute, yay..didnt think it was possible, cute and support in a tennis shoe..but I did! And what better way to test the new shoe then a long walk. Sunday we went to the park, played basketball~HORSE & lost to jon, darn! ;) We found a new trail on our way back which lead us in a big-big circle and the wind picked up..Finally home..tired but refreshed! Ofcourse wanting Monday to take its time.. Thank you Lord for our sweet weekends...thank you, thank you :)

Wednesday

8:30pm came quick today! We had a late dinner, finished at 8pm due to the warm sunny weather that kept us outside! & the 4 of us really enjoyed our dinner and sitting down and talking with one another. We made a lasagna, salad and ofcourse garlic bread. The kids ate soo good! That doesnt always happen, caught myself smiling in relief at their request for seconds. We had a good conversation today about plans for the next day and weekend. Today was a good day, we blessed our home with a good scrub, washed all the laundry which is waiting for me to fold tmrw ;) schooling, and read the bible story, Ruth. I think that was my first time reading about her, it was a short bible story but I would like to learn more about her. I love reading and learning along with my children:) ohh and I got to scrub my face and wear some foundation and bronzer today, YAY lol I had the plan of getting up before the children so i could soak in the tub, have some coffee, prayer and peace before the bunch got up.("And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35)..I had set my alarm last night but I woke up 2 hours later from the time I was planning on waking. Awoke to my children giggling in the next room, I slept right thru the alarm, there goes my plan! I want to work on being more of a morning person..why cant the day just start at 9am? lol anyways still a good day. By 8:30 i was ready to kick up my feet and relax.. but to do what? I know what I should have done, opened my Bible! But my eyes were heavy and I just wanted to watch something good.. BUT is that possible? is there anything just plain good on tv? Well if there is i could not find it! It just seem like everything was depressing.. boo! Lesson learned..evenings are meant for me to unwind with checking my email, writing, and reading my beloved Bible!
I have a few new goals, one being up before children so I can get dressed and look somewhat presentable which so far has yet to take off lol Second, do not yell,“A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels”(Proverbs 15:1) Learning to use my gentle/soft voice, I want my children and husband to have the very best of me!(Proverbs 21-19 Better to live in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining woman.) Third, tomarrow we will be praying continually..setting an alarm to go off on every hour so we can gather together and PRAY! "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, KJV). I think this is pretty clear, we are to be praying continuously and joyfully. We should not be selfish, but to pray for others and giving thanks. I think this will be a great project for my children, I pray continously all day, but silently. This way they can hear the things I pray for and the importance! I will be excited to report back the effects of our project :)

Sunshine

Its been a long day, a long day of not accomplishing much! My children were hyper today, fighting and getting into things..i tried to do our math and spelling but they just needed to go out and run around. So we grabed our shoes on and headed down a trail about a mile long that twist and curves..ofcourse the kids cant stay on the nicely paved trail, oh no! So they found a new one, a dirt trail that went right over an almost dried out creek. Birds fluttered in every direction and glimpse of white tails hopped away.. the sun was warm..it felt good. Afer reaching the park the kids each wanted to do their own thing, alyssa on the swings, jayce on the slide and draven tossing his football..each wanted my love and attention..alyssa wanted me to give her big pushes, jayce wanted me to watch him slide down then hold my hand, draven wanted me to toss the ball back and forth and ofcourse my big dog wanted to hunt down every new scent! It was hard keeping up..but I did my best..for a moment i was sad, I dont want to do both mom and dad jobs, i want my husband here with us! As a football was being tossed to me I realized my children are patient and good to me. I should be enjoying these moments joyfully rather then having them pouting and whinning for their fun dad. GOD is always with me giving me strength and renewing me. I hope more warm days are headed our way! It was def worth forgetting housework and the last of our lessons and going out in the sunshine. Besides the outdoors is an awesome daily lesson of Gods creation..!! :) They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles. Isaiah 40:31

Lopsided Washcloths

I opened my bathroom cupboard to grab a washcloth to wash away the cleanser on my face..when I peeked inside I seen a stack of washcloths lopsided and the top one was unfolded....at first I reached in to grab the whole stack to refold and make neat. Then I stopped myself and thought about the chubby lil hands that put those washcloths away. He had taken the pile the day before when I was folding laundry. I remember he asked me, your bathroom or mine? I told him mine. He jetted to my bathroom opened the cupboard, placed the washcloths and slammed the door shut. What a sweet lil man he is. Only three years old and helping momma with the laundry...why would I take the time to refold and make a neat stack? they were in my cupboard and he had done his job, put them away. I keep thinking how Jayce is my youngest and I am not going to have anymore children. He is a lil man who has a mind of his own, like most 3 year olds! I am often cleaning one room and he his either dragging toys to every room he enters or scooting a chair to sneak a snack. Sometimes I just want to let a big grrrrrr out at him. I pray for patience everyday...but God is shhhhing me...whispering, this is your last 3year old..you wont be a mother to a toddler after Jayce....enjoy all those grr moments and kiss him..laugh with him.. Seeing these stack of washcloths was a good reminder that my home is a perfect example of attempting to be neat and clean....and if it ever is perfectly clean and organized then that probably is a clear sign there are no children in the house and that is a sad thought for me. So my goal is, not letting the housework frustrate me..do my best when I can. My children are only young once..and lopsided washcloths from chubby little hands wont be found much longer.

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