Encouragement From Moms

Encouragement: a balm of words to the soul

In a society inundated with children being pushed to be the best at everything they do, we sometimes lose focus on who they are.  I fear we are creating a generation that will not know the value of being over doing; character over accomplishments.

What a lonely soul my child will grow up to be if she feels valued only because of her accomplishments.  I need to intentionally give words of affirmation to the person my child is and her importance as a member of our family.

Here are a few ways we've tried to instill encouragement into our daily conversations.
1. Say "I love you" multiple times a day.  Those three words, when repeated (genuinely) hold such power.

2. "I'm so glad I get to be your mom" is a phrase I try to say every single day.  It speaks words of love and teaches them that motherhood is a gift.

3. When I used to pick my kids up in the carpool line, one phrase I used each afternoon in the car on the way home was, "I missed you today."  I wanted my kids to know that they still remained in my heart even when we were apart.

4. One of the phrases I've been working on is, "you sure make my life fun."  Yes, we have tough days, but for the most part, I wouldn't trade this time of my life for anything.  They need to know that they bring me joy.

5. This last one is tricky because it requires balance.  "You make me proud."  We all need to hear that, even as adults.  I just have to make sure they know I'm proud... without the expectation of perfection.

My own mom did such a great job being my cheerleader while I was growing up.  The Lord knew I needed her encouragement; after all, my #1 love language is words of affirmation.  :)

Keep up the good work, fellow moms!  Your words will last a lifetime!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Ganache Bars

You know how it is.  You've been doing great on your healthy eating plan, and then you blow it by eating a processed, packaged treat you found in your kids' lunchbox stash.  Well, I'm telling you, this recipe is worth blowing the diet over.  Go big or go home.  :)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Ganache Bars

1 (18.25) package plain yellow cake mix

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2 eggs

1 (12 oz) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

2 Tablespoons butter


Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine cake mix, melted butter, peanut butter, and eggs in a large bowl using a mixer or spoon. 

Press this into a 9X13 pan reserving 1 1/2 cups of the mixture to crumble on top.

In a small pot, combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter; stirring until melted. Remove from heat and spread chocolate mixture over the mixture pressed in the pan. Crumble the 1 1/2 cups of reserved cake mixture on top evenly. 

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars. 

Every Day Is A Gift

I stand at a crossroads each morning.

We all do.

I choose to make the most of the day

or let the day get the most of me.

Many days I just let the current of life take me.

The problem in doing so often leaves me floundering, drowning.

I was recently challenged by three questions.

So simple, yet profound.

1. What do I need to SEE today?

I often walk blindly through my day.

Do you?

2. Is there a hurt I need to identify?

Who needs the love of Christ today?

3. If I could change one thing to make my sphere of influence (today) a better place, what would it be?

My answer to that question changes each day.  Sometimes I need to offer forgiveness.  Sometimes I need to offer physical help.  

Sometimes I need to be still.

~~~~~~~~

These three questions were offered as a way 

to seek God's direction for my day.  

What if I asked them from a spiritual standpoint?

What if I asked  as a wife?

What if I asked as a mother?

What if I asked as a friend?

I don't think the tide would carry me if I would intentionally begin my day seeking His direction.

Monday Musings

1. This was our family Christmas photo.  We cut our Christmas card list in half in 2010.  This year we cut it in half again.  With the cost of postage rising, something had to give.  Forgive me if you didn't get a card this year.  Consider this your card (with much love)  I meant to post it earlier with a "Merry Christmas" message but it never got done.  Since we're way past New Years, how about this:  

Happy Winter from the NEM family!!!

2. Friday night I had the house to myself for the entire night.  I don't think that has happened in over 12 years.  My boys went on a duck hunt at the coast; my oldest (why don't I like the word eldest?  It bothers me...)  went on a ski trip and my other sweet girl had a sleepover with a friend.
Oh the glorious silence!  I met friends for dinner and then came home to watch a movie.  Alone.  With the volume turned up.

My movie of choice was The Help.  Have you seen it?  Read the book first.  Loved it.  Sometimes I am disappointed with movies if I've read the book.  Not this one.  Such a good chic flick!

3. I really enjoyed having a whole day with just one daughter.  We gave each other the spa treatment, played with the puppies and had my favorite kind of dinner:

 whateveryoucanfind

When I said "whatever you can find" I meant a bowl of cereal or something of that nature.  I heard my 10 year old banging around in the kitchen and later asked, "so what did you have?"
Her reply, "cantaloupe, pickles, and chips."
Don't be jealous.  You know I just won mother-of-the-year award.

4. Upon returning from a weekend with 50 middle schoolers, my daughter asked, "when do boys stop being weird and acting gross?"
My immediate answer was, "when you're 30."  My friend with 3 grown boys said I should have answered, "never."

5. I firmly believe in Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder.  My afternoon has proven it golden.  I love listening to my children play together.  The office has been transformed into a dentist office; the dining room is a doctor's office and my daughter's room is library.
Please call to make an appointment.
I'm enjoying a cup of joy joe by the fire.

Happy Monday!

Red Letter Words

Back in the late fall, Red Letter Words had an amazing giveaway.  Much to my delighted surprise, I was a winner!!!
It was such a great giveaway, because she let me choose the 12x12 mounted print.  Let me tell you, it was a hard decision because there are so many beautiful choices.
Here's what I chose:

I decided that this was just what our family needed.  

We all need those fruits, don't we?

It's the perfect accessory for my winter mantle (click here to see it on my fall mantle).

If you haven't visited her website (they are a precious family!) go check it out.  You won't be disappointed.  She has added even more to her line of products since the giveaway.

Not only did I get to choose a print, but I also got to choose a candle as part of the giveaway.  Talk about generous!

Rosemary Mint

Her prints are very high quality and mounted beautifully.  All of her work is so refreshing and encouraging.  Don't you love finding a business like that?  

Click here to see Red Letter Words.

*Red Letter Words did not ask me to write this post.  It is of my own free will (no one held me by my toenails or beat me with a noodle).  I just appreciate good workmanship and a generous giveaway!

Little Tiny Soap Box

It's been two and a half years since we embarked on this journey called homeschooling.  While I have found that most people have been supportive, we still have some family members that just don't get this whole "homeschooling  business."
We've been told to send our kids to "real" school.  We will, most likely, one day.  But for now, we strongly believe this is what is right for our family.

We've heard lots of reasons to not homeschool, but the one that slays me is, "you're wasting your tax dollars by not utilizing what you've helped pay for: public school."
Just because we don't use the Sheriff's department or the fire department every week doesn't mean we are wasting our tax dollars, does it?  It leaves me wondering if they utilize the public library, public museums, or public parks on a regular basis. Hmm...

I'm not angry.  I just get a wee bit frustrated when others judge our decision. (Click here to see a post about why we chose to homeschool; and click here to read about moms judging each other.)


This morning a dear friend posted this video on Facebook and it made me laugh.
Whether you're a homeschool family or not, I think you'll find it amusing.



And yes, I am still in my pajamas!  :)

4 Ingredient Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

It was one of those days that I had nothing to make for dinner and winced as I opened the pantry.  Grabbing a bag of frozen chicken breasts and the crock pot, I thought it was worth a try.  It turned out to be a family favorite!

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
1 bottle Heinz Chili Sauce
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbs brown sugar
4-6 chicken breasts (thawed)

Mix 1st three ingredients.  Fill empty Heinz jar with water and add to mix.
Add chicken and cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours... or until chicken is done.
Shred chicken with two forks and serve on kaiser rolls.