Mom Renames ADHD



My blogger buddy, Amber, over at Faith, Love, Kids, and Me has renamed ADHD.   Hmmm...I wonder who gave her permission?  With that being said, I DO have permission from her to share her findings (smile).   

Cleaning My Plate

I’ve been recently employed by Secondborn to assist with his cookie business, I have a teenager who is a sophomore athlete needing Mama’s extra encouragement and attention as he transitions to adulthood, both boys are active in sports and weeknights are late with practices, I have a high maintenance husband wanting all my attention, I have three or four active blogs, I have the Momsweb meditation I’m supposed to send out every Monday, I have a book I’d like to market a little more and others I’d like to get published, I have speaking engagements coming up, and you want me to do what and go where? My plate is about to crack again, so I must begin scrapping the things not served by God. I find this happening to me at least twice a year, but this time I’ve noticed the crack before it split in half. 

A mother’s job is full time and I only have two children. God help the woman with more and God please give an extra ounce of grace to the single mother!  Please don’t misunderstand me. I can fit anything I want in my schedule. I can MAKE IT HAPPEN, but why? I create our own stress, and God knows I can create some stuff to do! I can plan an event in a hot minute, start another business, volunteer, assist, and try to be involved in other beneficial causes, but why? Allowing God to order my steps allows Him to make the decisions for me regarding what and what not to get involved in.  What a relief! Today alone is full, but staying in God’s will allows me to rest in Him and not complain about a busyness I’m capable of creating.  As for me and my house, I choose to live in peace and maintain my peace of mind! 

If your plate is about to crack, scrape a few things off....life will go on!

Throwing in the Towel


If you feel like throwing in the towel, make sure it's white!

Surrender your cares, your chores,
your children, your husband, and 
your SELF to your helper!

Dirty Emotions

A few things will always be needed from a wife and mother – a meal, sex, and clean laundry. Of course, there are others, but these reign supreme in my head.  As the children grow older, their dependency decreases, but it appears the husband’s need increases. We know we’re expected to provide these never-ending needs, so it’s best to establish a coping mechanism early in the game to maintain our peace of mind. I’ve been married for seventeen years and a mother for fifteen and my coping skills didn’t kick in until it was almost too late. I pray I remember the younger women as I transition through my seasons of motherhood. Young mothers or newly married women may have difficulty finding their joy on some days, and they need to know it’s OKAY! We are guaranteed days of dirty emotions just as we are guaranteed days of dirty dishes and laundry. I call them dirty emotions, because we tend to hide our dirt to keep from being judged or out of embarrassment. Trust me, the woman who judges you owns her share of dirt also; she just hides it well.  We all endure dirty emotions and thank God they don’t last forever; they’ll get cleaned right along with the dishes and laundry. Dirty emotions usually occur out of exhaustion from burning the candle at both ends and neglecting our SELF. Before we take care of anyone, it’s crucial we take care of the caretaker. If not, the dirty emotions will surface again and again (just like dirty laundry) leaving us feeling neglected and used.  Take a break, learn to have mental retreats if you can’t get away, take a nap to renew your mind, love and nurture yourself as you love and nurture others. Begin this week lovin’ you and watch the dirt fall from your emotions. It’s OKAY to love your SELF! 

If you haven't visited Lovin' Me, please do!

Watch

 I drove Firstborn and three of his teammates to the gym to play basketball Saturday. Instead of dropping them off, I decided to save gas and sit and watch - I watched for two and a half hours. They were hungry afterwards and wanted to eat, so Mom’s taxi found an economical place for them to spend their money. While they ordered and waited for their food, I sat in the car and watched them. My shift ended at their school’s track meet. It was too cold for me, so I watched from the car – I watched for two hours.  Where was hubby during all of this? Secondborn had a similar schedule, so hubby was also busy watching and waiting. Parents spend a lot of time watching their children and I’m sure those of you with adult children can share stories of your own. I was reminded of someone who watches more than us…God!  God watches us with loving eyes just as a mother does except He doesn’t count hours or watch the clock. He even watches while we sleep! To think of being watched from a child’s perspective gives a new sense of security. It makes me feel extra special to know my Heavenly Father watches me with undivided attention. I can’t watch my sons 24/7, nor do I desire to, but God can and does.  He watches and ensures my safety and wellbeing. Just as a mother’s eyes are the frontline to prevention of harm and danger to her children, so are the eyes of God on us. I truly dwell in a secret place. Minute by minute – day by day…I’m being watched! The next time I complain of having to watch and wait, I’ll think of who is watching me - without a mumbling word. Have a marvelous Monday and remember….God is watching!

I Broke The Law

 This morning was the first day I didn't press my imaginary breaks or grab something to hold onto as Firstborn drove to school. Besides the right front tire kissing the curb of the school upon our arrival and the taxi in front of us that I thought Firstborn was passionately trying to be a backseat passenger with, he did okay! Whew! 

He received his permit a few weeks ago, yet I must admit I broke the law several times prior to him receiving his permit. In order to save my firstborn from the fiery fumes of his father's teachings, I made sure he knew how to drive before driving with his father. I didn't want my dear son to come home in tears because Papa Bear had no patience with him. Yeah, I did it. I broke the law and took a chance just to save my baby some heartache.

The first time hubby drove with Firstborn, he was shocked (hee-hee). I had to admit I taught him how to drive without his permit and hubby couldn't believe his sweet, Christian wanna be wife broke the law. Hubby calls me Straight Lace because I do everything in my power to follow rules and regulations, but when it comes to my babies....there is no telling what I might do!





Love and Encourage Yourself!

 

Before you begin to pour into others, 
a woman must first learn to pour into herself

Learn to Love and Encourage Yourself