I have been a stay at home mom for almost 8 years now. I never planned on being a stay at home mom, I kinda fell into it. I always thought I would have an important career and do amazing things. Secretly, I wanted to go into politics. Crazy right? Who actually WANTS to do that?! Maybe I've watched a little too much West Wing...no really, I do watch too much West Wing. But ya, politics. I wanted to do things, make a difference, and impact lives. So I never pictured myself being a stay at home mom.
I had this amazing mommy mentor when I had my first 2 babies. She was the epitome of a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom). She cooked, she baked, she cleaned and organized her house. She opened her house up to guests all the time. Hostessing was her spiritual gift. She took care of her girls tirelessly. She even took lunch to them everyday at school (ok, that was over the top but you get the idea). Her job was her home, her family and her kids. She was incredible at it and I never once heard her complain about it. This was her gifting, her life and her legacy to leave for her girls. My mommy mentor went home to be with the Lord about 4 years ago, but boy, the impact she left is still felt to this day. So when I think about being a SAHM, I measure myself up to her and pretty much every day I miss the mark.
I struggle every day to get kids with shoes on the right feet, clothes that match and prayerfully, sometimes, my kids are bathed! I struggle putting wrinkled clothes away, because they've been sitting in the dryer for 2 days. Well, first they got washed in the washer twice because I forgot, then they sat in the dryer for two days. I struggle keeping up with my dishes. I have to do 2 loads a day to keep up with them...ya that ain't happening. I struggle paying bills on time because paperwork piles up on my table before I realize I didn't pay the bill, then the dreaded pink notice from the water company shows up in the mail. Forget cleaning my house. I'm lucky if it's picked up. (I've actually resorted to a house cleaner twice a month because it would be a science project around here if I didn't). I grocery shop, plan my meals and then forget to pull out the meat to thaw and we end up eating at the Taqueria. This is me as a SAHM. If I had to give myself a grade, F being your kids are dying, D being most needs are being met, I am about a C-. I'm just terrible at it. I stumble and fumble my way through it. I try and try and when I finally figure out something, I fail at all the other things. It's a vicious cycle.
So lately, I've been asking God to show me His purpose in all this. To show me the purpose in what I am doing every day. Being a SAHM is not glamorous. It's thankless, it's tiring, IT'S HUMBLING and it's very easy to get caught up in the "I'm useless and without purpose" mode. Especially when you're me and you're not very good at your job. So the other day, He started showing me the reason behind all that I do.
6:45am- I woke up to a FB message that my friend's son was in the hospital for an emergency appendectomy.
7am- I'm eating my breakfast before everyone else does so I can be more available to their needs. (My purpose- to meet someone else's need)
7:30-8:15am- I am feeding children, I am tying shoes, brushing hair, reminding #1 to pack his homework, making sure teeth are brushed, dog is fed and lunches are packed. (Purpose- to help my kids be successful for their day and meet someone else's need)
8:15am- Driving kids to school. (Purpose- how else would my kids get there if I wasn't available?)
8:30am- I am at the drive thru at Starbucks grabbing coffee for my friend in the hospital. (Purpose- If I wasn't a SAHM, I couldn't serve her in this way).
9-10am- I am visiting with my friend in the hospital. (Purpose- If I worked elsewhere, I couldn't do this).
10am-12pm- I grocery shop at 2 different stores for my family. (Purpose- to meet my family's nutritional needs).
12:30-2:30pm- I am home with my napping kids. (Purpose- so my babes are healthily growing and aren't grumpy). I am folding clothes, doing the dishes and forget to pull out the meat for dinner. (My purpose- so my kids have clothes that can be found for school the next day and clean bowls for breakfast).
2:45pm- I am driving to pick up my oldest from school. (Purpose- who else would be able to get him?)
3-4:30pm- I am helping with homework, feeding kids snacks and refereeing fights. (Purpose- helping my kids grow, be successful in school and life).
4:30-5:30pm- I AM AT THE GYM!! (Purpose- FOR MY SANITY)
5:30pm-7:30pm- I am cooking hot dogs because I forgot to thaw my meat for my healthy dinner, refereeing, reminding kids to put backpacks in their bedrooms, pick up socks/shoes, talking to my husband about his day, correcting bad behaviors, remind kids not to yell in the house, supervise son on the Internet for school, feeding kids, picking up after dinner, helping son look for a lost library book, consoling a child who stubbed their toe, putting soccer ball back in soccer bag otherwise it will get lost, moving shoes back to their closet or they will get lost, and finally reminding kids to get ready for bed and dealing with the whines that come with it. (Purpose- too much to go over...mostly because I have to help meet someone else's needs. I have to teach, correct and guide because I am raising kids).
7:30-8:30pm- Chase down the 3 year old with pj's, tell other two to put on pj's, remind kids to brush teeth, help 3 year old with toothpaste, referee fights over the toothpaste, refereeing who gets to sleep in mommy's bed, pray with all 3 kids, allow all 3 kids to pray, remind oldest that farting noises are not appropriate during prayer time, remind 3 year old that farting noises are not appropriate, get water for 3 kids 3 different times, pick up more socks, find blankets and comfort animals, help 3 year old with jammies so he can go potty 3 different times, remind kids to stop talking, kiss and hug all 3 kids 3 different times and finally plop down on the couch! (Purpose- raising my 3 kids and so much more).
And this was just my Monday.
I may not be the best at my job, but thankfully God is allowing me to partner with Him in raising these 3 kids and taking care of my home. I am so not good at it, but God isn't asking me to be good at it. He's asking me to be obedient to the job He's called me into for the season that I am in it. When I asked Him to start showing me purpose, it was as if He was speaking it to me every time I did something. So, if you're like me and you are starting to feel useless and without purpose, ask God to show you His purpose. It may not be "...Because I am preparing you to go into politics..." (You know, in like this awesome booming voice with a flag waving in the background). It might just might be "...Because I need you to be AVAILABLE to help someone else that desperately needs it.." That may not always be a friend in the hospital, it might be 3 little kids who need love, discipline and their physical needs met every day, all the time! Being a Stay at Hom Mom is thankless, not glamorous, humbling and tiring, but FULL of purpose.
Lord,
Thank you for allowing me to partner with you in your purpose for my life and for the lives around me. Help me to stay humble and willing to serve in whatever capacity that might be. Whether it is sock pick up or refereeing fights. God, would you allow me to see Your purpose in all that I do. Thank you for trusting me to do this job. Even though I may not be good at it, God I know your grace is sufficient for me and your power is made perfect in my weakness- 2 Cor. 12:9. Help me to rest in your grace and allow your power to reign over my shortcomings. I love you Lord and I know that you love me.
Love, Reese <3
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Change, Goals and Faith
Well, a lot has happened since the last time I sat down to write on this blog. We decided to move back from Texas after living there for 3 months and it not being all that we thought it would be. Chris' business was doing well when we decided to leave California. So when we decided to move to Texas, he turned down all of his leads for new projects with thought that Texas was going to be our new journey. When we decided that Texas was not the place we should be, my husband and I figured we should move back to Modesto where we would at least have the support needed to bounce back as quickly as possible. However, we moved back with no home and no jobs! Chris felt confident that our business, Cedar Creek, would be able to rebuild again. We knew God was calling us back to Modesto, but that first month of being back was probably one of the toughest months of my life. We were fortunate enough to house sit for some friends of ours while we house hunted. I have never understood what it would be like to be homeless, but I got a hefty glimpse of it for about a month. My kids were such troopers. They played at friends' houses. They rolled with the punches of looking at houses over and over again. They stayed in hotels when we needed to. My kids were so merciful to me when my emotional state was extremely dark. I remember getting only about 4-5 hours of sleep every night because I just couldn't sleep. My mind just kept going and worrying about every possible scenario. My kids started school not knowing where their home would be. All the excitement of a new school year and new friends was clouded with so much uncertainty for all of us. To say that it was a dark time is probably right on. However, even when you're not sure how God will provide, you know He always does. And He did. He gave us a home and a thriving business. Even better then when we left it. He has provided new friendships and stronger friendships. He is working on the places in my marriage and in my family that have needed work, like really needed work! God has slowly been opening our eyes to all the things that He desires to fix in our home.
The last time I posted about my oldest son was about the sadness of finishing out the first grade. His poor heart was just broken by not being accepted in his new class. He felt stupid and he said he hated himself. Oh, my mommy's heart still breaks typing those words. Well, he started the 2nd grade at his old public school here in Modesto. The year started out fine, but he had more behavior problems then he's had before. Acting out, not following directions, confronting his teacher etc. He just wasn't the same little boy I have known him to be. He was shutting down. I think it started in Texas and just carried on into this year. It's as if he couldn't put words to his feelings so he was trying to do his best without knowing how to express himself. There was a lot of anger, yelling, frustration and he just couldn't tell me why. So I started praying about moving schools. This time to a Christian school. I just felt like I needed more support outside of my home. Cade had been through a lot over the past year and I just felt like he needed to feel safe not only at home, but at school as well. I prayed, Chris prayed and slowly we felt like God was saying yes, take the leap. Now granted, I am just coming off of a horrendous experience moving him schools in Texas. The kids were mean, the school did not care a whole lot, and I have an anxious son, so my heart was so scared to move him. Ok, let me back up. As we first started praying about moving Cade in the current school year, we decided for sure to move him next year for 3rd grade. So, I took Cade to an open house that the Christian school was having for prospective students. Cade absolutely loved it and the first thing he picked up on, was being able to worship and pray in the classroom. I was dumbfounded that the spiritual aspect of the school was what spoke to him the most. I thought for sure it'd be PE or the kids or the classrooms, but to know that my child was being sensitive to the Holy Spirit is what clued me in to what his struggles really were about. Cade was in the middle of a spiritual battle in the public schools. He noticed that he was different. He noticed that other kids don't think the way he does. He felt different. He felt like he couldn't talk about Jesus or what he learns at Awana or church or even at home. Cade couldn't express this to me because he didn't even understand it. Not many 7 year olds would understand it either. After visiting the Christian school, Cade cried on his way back to his old school. He didn't want to go back. Again, insert mom broken heart here. So we prayed and God made it abundantly clear through a dream my husband had, that the time to move Cade was this year. It has been so fantastic! I feel like my boy is back. I feel like his heart was missing something and now it is whole again. Cade comes home from school excited about his friends, excited about what he's learning in Bible and in chapel. He still doesn't like homework, but who does?! He immediately made friends and was welcomed into his new class with such a Christ-like love. Most days, he talks my ear off on our ride home. It just blesses my heart. God knew what Cade needed and I am so glad we could respond to what He was telling us to do.
God has been so faithful, even when my faith has been small.
So now I am back to where I was around this time last year. I am thinking of summer and my summer schedule! I fully intend to follow through with it this year! Time to start pinning projects and Fun Friday adventures with my crew! A few of my kid goals this summer are: Caelyn (my 5 year old) to strengthen her reading, letter sounds, blending and get her up to 30 sight words, maybe more! She's at about 10 right now, so I think we can do it! Cade- to increase his responsibility around the home. We've got lawn mowing almost down, but I think we can do better with dog poop pickup and helping around the house. I want him to learn to cook one meal all on his own too (he's going to LOVE that one). Also, I want Cade to read 5-10 books and write at least 5 book reports. Caige (my 3 year old), I want to focus on 1st time obedience and starting our letter sounds. I also want him to recognize his first and last name and numbers 1-10. I'm so excited for these goals! Of course all the kids will be working on first time obedience and household chores. We are a team and I think we can smash all of these goals as a team!!
Some summer goals for myself: I have been eating clean for most of the year already and I would like to continue this. It's really hard to be super strict, but I'd like to focus on my meal planning along with my weekly summer schedule with the kids. I'd like to be in the gym 4 times per week. I'd say 5 but it's the summer, so I want to be realistic. Lastly, and probably the hardest goal for me, is to make and stick to a budget all summer long. AHHH! Did I really just type that?! Can I take it back?? No but really, this is one of those areas that I am SO bad at!! I am pretty much unorganized in all aspects of my life but this one is my arch nemesis!!! Ok, I think that's enough goals for me. Just typing the word goals makes me want to run and hide. I'd rather fly by the seat of my pants and be spontaneous, but I'm raising kids to be better then I am so I am working on myself right along side these kiddos. I mean how can I teach and preach to them if I am not willing to admit that I need work too?
I named this blog Team Mom 101 because I constantly feel like I am in a freshman in this mom business. I'm in a class, learning alongside some other bright and beautiful women. We are getting pop quizzes and exams and trying to cram in material so we can face the next test of parenting!! AHH! However, I have the best instructor in the universe and His name is Jesus. He lovingly reminds me of his grace and mercy as I stumble and fumble through. He directs me to His word that provides the answer when I need it and the comfort when I can't find the answer. He never fails His students. He keeps giving us make up tests and do overs. And when I feel like I'm failing, His perfect grace washes over all of me as He wraps His hands around my face and says that I am still His favorite. It's pretty much the best class I have ever taken, but the hardest one too. I'm just thankful to sit in the presence of a Savior who won't give up on me. He has never let me go and He never will.
The last time I posted about my oldest son was about the sadness of finishing out the first grade. His poor heart was just broken by not being accepted in his new class. He felt stupid and he said he hated himself. Oh, my mommy's heart still breaks typing those words. Well, he started the 2nd grade at his old public school here in Modesto. The year started out fine, but he had more behavior problems then he's had before. Acting out, not following directions, confronting his teacher etc. He just wasn't the same little boy I have known him to be. He was shutting down. I think it started in Texas and just carried on into this year. It's as if he couldn't put words to his feelings so he was trying to do his best without knowing how to express himself. There was a lot of anger, yelling, frustration and he just couldn't tell me why. So I started praying about moving schools. This time to a Christian school. I just felt like I needed more support outside of my home. Cade had been through a lot over the past year and I just felt like he needed to feel safe not only at home, but at school as well. I prayed, Chris prayed and slowly we felt like God was saying yes, take the leap. Now granted, I am just coming off of a horrendous experience moving him schools in Texas. The kids were mean, the school did not care a whole lot, and I have an anxious son, so my heart was so scared to move him. Ok, let me back up. As we first started praying about moving Cade in the current school year, we decided for sure to move him next year for 3rd grade. So, I took Cade to an open house that the Christian school was having for prospective students. Cade absolutely loved it and the first thing he picked up on, was being able to worship and pray in the classroom. I was dumbfounded that the spiritual aspect of the school was what spoke to him the most. I thought for sure it'd be PE or the kids or the classrooms, but to know that my child was being sensitive to the Holy Spirit is what clued me in to what his struggles really were about. Cade was in the middle of a spiritual battle in the public schools. He noticed that he was different. He noticed that other kids don't think the way he does. He felt different. He felt like he couldn't talk about Jesus or what he learns at Awana or church or even at home. Cade couldn't express this to me because he didn't even understand it. Not many 7 year olds would understand it either. After visiting the Christian school, Cade cried on his way back to his old school. He didn't want to go back. Again, insert mom broken heart here. So we prayed and God made it abundantly clear through a dream my husband had, that the time to move Cade was this year. It has been so fantastic! I feel like my boy is back. I feel like his heart was missing something and now it is whole again. Cade comes home from school excited about his friends, excited about what he's learning in Bible and in chapel. He still doesn't like homework, but who does?! He immediately made friends and was welcomed into his new class with such a Christ-like love. Most days, he talks my ear off on our ride home. It just blesses my heart. God knew what Cade needed and I am so glad we could respond to what He was telling us to do.
God has been so faithful, even when my faith has been small.
So now I am back to where I was around this time last year. I am thinking of summer and my summer schedule! I fully intend to follow through with it this year! Time to start pinning projects and Fun Friday adventures with my crew! A few of my kid goals this summer are: Caelyn (my 5 year old) to strengthen her reading, letter sounds, blending and get her up to 30 sight words, maybe more! She's at about 10 right now, so I think we can do it! Cade- to increase his responsibility around the home. We've got lawn mowing almost down, but I think we can do better with dog poop pickup and helping around the house. I want him to learn to cook one meal all on his own too (he's going to LOVE that one). Also, I want Cade to read 5-10 books and write at least 5 book reports. Caige (my 3 year old), I want to focus on 1st time obedience and starting our letter sounds. I also want him to recognize his first and last name and numbers 1-10. I'm so excited for these goals! Of course all the kids will be working on first time obedience and household chores. We are a team and I think we can smash all of these goals as a team!!
Some summer goals for myself: I have been eating clean for most of the year already and I would like to continue this. It's really hard to be super strict, but I'd like to focus on my meal planning along with my weekly summer schedule with the kids. I'd like to be in the gym 4 times per week. I'd say 5 but it's the summer, so I want to be realistic. Lastly, and probably the hardest goal for me, is to make and stick to a budget all summer long. AHHH! Did I really just type that?! Can I take it back?? No but really, this is one of those areas that I am SO bad at!! I am pretty much unorganized in all aspects of my life but this one is my arch nemesis!!! Ok, I think that's enough goals for me. Just typing the word goals makes me want to run and hide. I'd rather fly by the seat of my pants and be spontaneous, but I'm raising kids to be better then I am so I am working on myself right along side these kiddos. I mean how can I teach and preach to them if I am not willing to admit that I need work too?
I named this blog Team Mom 101 because I constantly feel like I am in a freshman in this mom business. I'm in a class, learning alongside some other bright and beautiful women. We are getting pop quizzes and exams and trying to cram in material so we can face the next test of parenting!! AHH! However, I have the best instructor in the universe and His name is Jesus. He lovingly reminds me of his grace and mercy as I stumble and fumble through. He directs me to His word that provides the answer when I need it and the comfort when I can't find the answer. He never fails His students. He keeps giving us make up tests and do overs. And when I feel like I'm failing, His perfect grace washes over all of me as He wraps His hands around my face and says that I am still His favorite. It's pretty much the best class I have ever taken, but the hardest one too. I'm just thankful to sit in the presence of a Savior who won't give up on me. He has never let me go and He never will.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
VBS Week!
I've been too busy lately feeling lonely and missing my hometown that I have missed all that God has been wanting to teach me. I've been getting too wrapped up in my world, that I've forgotten to focus on Him and see where He wants me. I have a friend here in Houston who is from our hometown. She moved here to do some missions work. We've chatted via Facebook but we haven't gotten together yet. I wasn't sure what ministry she was involved in, but after seeing some of her pictures and hearing some of the women talk at church, I figured out she is apart of a ministry called Elijah Rising. I don't know much about it, other then what is on their website, but for a minute, God allowed me to get out of myself and focus on someone else. Elijah Rising is a ministry committed to ending the sex trafficking industry here in Houston and throughout the world. And my friend is apart of the ministry. As I read about some of the stories, my heart broke for the people caught up in this sad, dark industry, but then my heart broke for my friend. My friend, who day in a day out, serves the homeless, orphans, prostitutes, and anyone else that comes across her path. She willingly serves and trusts God to provide for her to do so. What the heck can I be complaining about!? Man, self-centeredness is a trap easily disguised as a self-pity! Lord, forgive me.
I'm really glad God allowed me to see where my sin was hiding, because I was able to reach out to my friend and find out how I can better serve her and be praying for her. Hopefully, we will be able to connect soon so I can love on her, maybe with some Starbucks, laughs and stories from home. I think it will encourage both of us.
Well, to wrap up last week, What's Cooking Wednesday was a huge success and a flop all at the same time! Actually, Thursday and Friday were flops/think on my feet/improvise days too. So for Wednesday, I had pinned this great idea to make these 4th of July layered drinks. Of course, I forgot to buy the things I needed to make them but thankfully, I had a box of brownies waiting to be made in my pantry! Hurray! We even put sprinkles on them so we'd have more to do! I think Make Something Monday and What's Cooking Wednesday are my kid's favorites. I had no idea how much they liked cracking eggs!
Time to Learn Thursday was a flop too. I thought I had read all of the local library calendars correctly. I purposefully planned to go to library time on Thursday because we are supposed to be learning on Thursdays right? Wrong. By the way, this is like me to a T! I do this all the time. I think I have something planned correctly, on the right day, on all 3 of my calendars, and then never mind, I HAD IT WRONG! Ya, that's so me. Well, at least we found the library, or my iPhone found it. So we walk into the library and into the storytime room which is filled with infants. It was Mommy and Me storytime to which my loud, 7 year old proudly exclaimed, "Mom, there's only babies in here!" Awkward. We didn't stay in storytime. Suffice to say, I learned to be more careful reading the library calendars. But our mission was accomplished. We got new library cards and checked out some great books.
Fun Friday also had to be changed up, but I think the kids didn't mind. The weather forecast called for thunderstorms and we had a pool picnic planned for the day. Well, I was worried about the weather so we ended up at a place called Pump It Up. The kids had a blast! It was a play place filled with inflatables. The kids had fun with other kids, got out tons of energy and it didn't break the bank. After lunch and naps, the weather cooperated just fine and we ended up at the pool after all! Our first Fun Friday, I think, lived up to the hype!
Fun Friday also had to be changed up, but I think the kids didn't mind. The weather forecast called for thunderstorms and we had a pool picnic planned for the day. Well, I was worried about the weather so we ended up at a place called Pump It Up. The kids had a blast! It was a play place filled with inflatables. The kids had fun with other kids, got out tons of energy and it didn't break the bank. After lunch and naps, the weather cooperated just fine and we ended up at the pool after all! Our first Fun Friday, I think, lived up to the hype!
God specifically designed each of us to do the jobs that we are doing. Just like my friend, who God has called into the mission fields, God has made me, to do this job of parenting and sometimes to think on my feet. I think I bring Him enjoyment every time I think I have something planned perfectly and then have to change because I didn't plan so perfectly after all. Really, I think I make Him laugh. God has made each one of us to be a perfect fit for the job right in front of us. Even when we don't think we are very good at it, God knows we are because He created us.
Psalm 139:1-3, 13-14 "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made..."
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Father's Day is around the corner
Some days, I forget to express how wonderful my husband is. As I am writing this, I'm trying really hard to listen to my husband tell our oldest son about the time he found out he was going to be a dad. He's retelling the story of how he was so excited to tell all of his teammates that he was going to have a son. My husband Chris played in the minor leagues for a few seasons and learning that we would be adding to our family was a really stressful time, especially to a minor league family. At least, that's how I remember it, but Chris' version of the story is much better, especially telling it to Cade. I never knew how excited Chris was to tell his teammates and his coaches that he was going to be a dad. Apparently, he was nearly fined for talking about it too much on the bus after a tough loss. I guess the coach was yelling at them for losing, but Chris wasn't too concerned about the loss and was more thrilled about having a son. I'm sure Cade is just glowing knowing how excited his big, awesome, baseball playing daddy was to have him as his boy.
I am so thankful to do life with this man. He's hardworking, fun-loving, hilarious, not afraid to speak truth (especially to me) and he loves the Lord. I know that I'm blessed, but I also know without a shadow of a doubt that God thought of me, when he made my hubby. Happy Father's Day to the best daddy I know, my wonderful husband Chris.
I just needed to get that out there...ok back to the summer schedule!
Monday was make something Monday and we painted fish plates. We even had our neighbors over to join in the fun! Over the weekend, I made a flip up, picture, chore chart. It works so well! My kids can see what they still need to do and they don't really have to ask to get started. It's really great for my Type A oldest, who thrives with a schedule! He's almost like a broken record. Seriously, he's repeating himself and the schedule over and over and over and over....you get the idea. Anyways, picture chore chart, great idea!
My kids loved the craft. They kept asking to make another craft all day. It made me feel really good that I was deterring them from watching tv and video games because I kept them busy, all day. The cool thing was, and granted, I am typically NOT, wait no, NEVER this scheduled or routine, but when my kids were done doing a chore or their craft, they didn't want to watch tv! They wanted to play. Thank you Lord! It felt really good and productive! Not to mention, for the first time, I was not embarrassed to have someone new in my house. My house was actually picked up, toys put in their places, trash taken out, table wiped. It felt so fantastic! I really hope I can keep this up because I like it!
FYI- other moms, Please hear me out. I AM NOT a meticulous, scheduled, orderly, clean, or amazing homeschooling mom. I am a loud, unorganized, late, goofy, forgetful, messy, did I mention late? Mom. My kids' clothes are always wrinkled, their hair isn't combed and we eat out A LOT. So if I can do this, you can do it! (Ok, it's only day 2 but still, we can do this!)
Today was Team Tuesday. Really, this is what my summer schedule is for. I want to get my kids to buy in to the idea that they are apart of a family and not just here to be serviced. We are apart of a team, so we all need to do our part. Plus, how the heck am I supposed to send my kids to college knowing that they have no idea how to do the dishes or start their own laundry!? Am I right??
My kids worked so hard today, I could not be prouder of them! My son worked his tooshy off, he didn't even want to play with the neighbor kids because he was too tired. They vacuumed, mopped, cleaned toilets, changed laundry, pulled weeds, mowed the lawn, dusted, cleaned appliances and of course did their daily chores too. What a blessing it was to me!!! As I write this, I am filled with gratitude for the effort my kiddos put forth today. This tired mommy got such a great pick me up from my 3 kids, of all people!!
Thank you Lord for these 3 blessings that you've entrusted to me. Not only do you trust me to give to them, but you trust me to accept the love they give back to me. What a great position to be it. I think as moms, we get so worn out by constantly giving that we forget to receive the love that our babes give back to us. May we always remember gratitude when we think of our kids. May we receive the love that they give in the obvious ways and in the not so obvious ones. Lord, help me to remember that my "Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord." (Ps. 127:3)
Tomorrow is What's cooking Wednesday!! I'm excited to see how we do!
Love,
Reese
I am so thankful to do life with this man. He's hardworking, fun-loving, hilarious, not afraid to speak truth (especially to me) and he loves the Lord. I know that I'm blessed, but I also know without a shadow of a doubt that God thought of me, when he made my hubby. Happy Father's Day to the best daddy I know, my wonderful husband Chris.
I just needed to get that out there...ok back to the summer schedule!
Monday was make something Monday and we painted fish plates. We even had our neighbors over to join in the fun! Over the weekend, I made a flip up, picture, chore chart. It works so well! My kids can see what they still need to do and they don't really have to ask to get started. It's really great for my Type A oldest, who thrives with a schedule! He's almost like a broken record. Seriously, he's repeating himself and the schedule over and over and over and over....you get the idea. Anyways, picture chore chart, great idea!
My kids loved the craft. They kept asking to make another craft all day. It made me feel really good that I was deterring them from watching tv and video games because I kept them busy, all day. The cool thing was, and granted, I am typically NOT, wait no, NEVER this scheduled or routine, but when my kids were done doing a chore or their craft, they didn't want to watch tv! They wanted to play. Thank you Lord! It felt really good and productive! Not to mention, for the first time, I was not embarrassed to have someone new in my house. My house was actually picked up, toys put in their places, trash taken out, table wiped. It felt so fantastic! I really hope I can keep this up because I like it!
FYI- other moms, Please hear me out. I AM NOT a meticulous, scheduled, orderly, clean, or amazing homeschooling mom. I am a loud, unorganized, late, goofy, forgetful, messy, did I mention late? Mom. My kids' clothes are always wrinkled, their hair isn't combed and we eat out A LOT. So if I can do this, you can do it! (Ok, it's only day 2 but still, we can do this!)
Today was Team Tuesday. Really, this is what my summer schedule is for. I want to get my kids to buy in to the idea that they are apart of a family and not just here to be serviced. We are apart of a team, so we all need to do our part. Plus, how the heck am I supposed to send my kids to college knowing that they have no idea how to do the dishes or start their own laundry!? Am I right??
My kids worked so hard today, I could not be prouder of them! My son worked his tooshy off, he didn't even want to play with the neighbor kids because he was too tired. They vacuumed, mopped, cleaned toilets, changed laundry, pulled weeds, mowed the lawn, dusted, cleaned appliances and of course did their daily chores too. What a blessing it was to me!!! As I write this, I am filled with gratitude for the effort my kiddos put forth today. This tired mommy got such a great pick me up from my 3 kids, of all people!!
Thank you Lord for these 3 blessings that you've entrusted to me. Not only do you trust me to give to them, but you trust me to accept the love they give back to me. What a great position to be it. I think as moms, we get so worn out by constantly giving that we forget to receive the love that our babes give back to us. May we always remember gratitude when we think of our kids. May we receive the love that they give in the obvious ways and in the not so obvious ones. Lord, help me to remember that my "Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord." (Ps. 127:3)
Tomorrow is What's cooking Wednesday!! I'm excited to see how we do!
Love,
Reese
Thursday, June 5, 2014
The Last Day of First Grade!!
Thank God for the last day of first grade!! My oldest is such a wonderful kid. He's smart, loud, fun loving, goofy and not afraid to speak up (like way up, no volume control- UP). He's a great kid and I know he's going to be an amazing adult. I'm excited to see how God continues to shape and mold him in this life. So today is actually his second, last day in first grade. When we left California, we weren't sure if we were going to re-enroll him in school here in Texas. We had a good bye party for him in his class, gave his teacher flowers, lots of hugs and thought it'd be a last day of first grade. Cade was very well connected in his class. Most of his teachers like to refer to him as the president. He knows everybody. He likes everybody and everybody likes him. I figured if we jumped into another school, it would be close to the same for Cade. Well, like in many things, I was wrong.
Once we moved into our new home and out of desperation to get Cade back into school, I re-enrolled him. I prayed about it. I felt like this was the best way to get him back into some sort of routine and hopefully, he'd make a few friends for the summer. I should've known something was bothering him when he started asking to stay home. Cade loves school. When he's sick, I have to force him to stay home and usually, I end up taking him in after lunch because he doesn't want to miss his buddies.
Cade started having fits of emotions when I'd pick him up from school. He was frustrated about running errands or pretty much anything. He'd cry when I'd make him do the one line of homework that his teacher assigned. He was just really frustrated with his new school. I asked him about friends at school and if he had any. He made one. My poor son was so crushed inside and I just don't know how to alleviate his pain.
Over the past few weeks, I'd check in with him on how he was feeling about our move and his new school. I was really trying to get him to say his feelings instead of just breaking down over every little thing in life. He'd tell me he didn't like Texas, it was hot, there are bugs, he didn't like his school, etc. Cade is the ultimate perfectionist. He loves to win, loves to know how everything works (like everything, "mom, how does the TV make a picture on the screen?" you get the idea) and he loves being good at stuff. I think with all the adjustments and unknowns, he really started to get down on himself. He told me he would call himself stupid in class and get in trouble from his teacher. Then he told me what no mom ever wants to hear like EVER. He said that he has been telling himself that he hates himself. My heart hit the floor.
All I could do was cry.
My heart just broke. I was filled with all the emotions that I've ever felt for this boy. The moment I found out I was pregnant, I cried tears of joy. The moment I saw him, I cried and laughed.
"I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he granted my request." (1 Samuel 1:27 NLT)
I'm sure that's how Hannah felt when she said that. I cried when he was 2 and nearly knocked his two front teeth out on our front porch steps. After dropping him off at Kindergarten, I cried as I was walking away. I cried as I was rushing to the ER because I received a phone call that he had a seizure. And I cried when he told me he hated himself. I'm sure there are many other times that I have wept over my boy and I know there will be plenty more in the future. But hearing him say this just hurt me to the core.
I reminded Cade of all the love I have for him. I told him all the special things about him that I hold dear and think are so amazing about him. And more importantly, I told him that God loves him even deeper then that. 1 John 3:1 (NIV) "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" I love the exclamation points. It's like shouting the awesomeness of who God is and how he sees us! I believe every time I have cried or wept over my children, God is sitting next to me weeping too because I am His child. He hurts when I hurt and he rejoices when I rejoice. He is my Abba Father.
Today is the last day of first grade for Cade and thank God for it. I believe He is rejoicing over Cade enduring the change and that he has been trying hard to make friends. And I also believe that God is hurting where Cade hurts, too. Cade is His child. May my son's ears be more receptive to the voice of God. May God's voice be louder then the crowd of negativity in his life. May his heart be so rooted in God's love that not even negative self talk can penetrate it. May Cade feel God's love in a whole new way this summer.
Happy last day of school y'all!!
Love, Reese
Once we moved into our new home and out of desperation to get Cade back into school, I re-enrolled him. I prayed about it. I felt like this was the best way to get him back into some sort of routine and hopefully, he'd make a few friends for the summer. I should've known something was bothering him when he started asking to stay home. Cade loves school. When he's sick, I have to force him to stay home and usually, I end up taking him in after lunch because he doesn't want to miss his buddies.
Cade started having fits of emotions when I'd pick him up from school. He was frustrated about running errands or pretty much anything. He'd cry when I'd make him do the one line of homework that his teacher assigned. He was just really frustrated with his new school. I asked him about friends at school and if he had any. He made one. My poor son was so crushed inside and I just don't know how to alleviate his pain.
Over the past few weeks, I'd check in with him on how he was feeling about our move and his new school. I was really trying to get him to say his feelings instead of just breaking down over every little thing in life. He'd tell me he didn't like Texas, it was hot, there are bugs, he didn't like his school, etc. Cade is the ultimate perfectionist. He loves to win, loves to know how everything works (like everything, "mom, how does the TV make a picture on the screen?" you get the idea) and he loves being good at stuff. I think with all the adjustments and unknowns, he really started to get down on himself. He told me he would call himself stupid in class and get in trouble from his teacher. Then he told me what no mom ever wants to hear like EVER. He said that he has been telling himself that he hates himself. My heart hit the floor.
All I could do was cry.
My heart just broke. I was filled with all the emotions that I've ever felt for this boy. The moment I found out I was pregnant, I cried tears of joy. The moment I saw him, I cried and laughed.
"I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he granted my request." (1 Samuel 1:27 NLT)
I'm sure that's how Hannah felt when she said that. I cried when he was 2 and nearly knocked his two front teeth out on our front porch steps. After dropping him off at Kindergarten, I cried as I was walking away. I cried as I was rushing to the ER because I received a phone call that he had a seizure. And I cried when he told me he hated himself. I'm sure there are many other times that I have wept over my boy and I know there will be plenty more in the future. But hearing him say this just hurt me to the core.
I reminded Cade of all the love I have for him. I told him all the special things about him that I hold dear and think are so amazing about him. And more importantly, I told him that God loves him even deeper then that. 1 John 3:1 (NIV) "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" I love the exclamation points. It's like shouting the awesomeness of who God is and how he sees us! I believe every time I have cried or wept over my children, God is sitting next to me weeping too because I am His child. He hurts when I hurt and he rejoices when I rejoice. He is my Abba Father.
Today is the last day of first grade for Cade and thank God for it. I believe He is rejoicing over Cade enduring the change and that he has been trying hard to make friends. And I also believe that God is hurting where Cade hurts, too. Cade is His child. May my son's ears be more receptive to the voice of God. May God's voice be louder then the crowd of negativity in his life. May his heart be so rooted in God's love that not even negative self talk can penetrate it. May Cade feel God's love in a whole new way this summer.
Happy last day of school y'all!!
Love, Reese
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Summer Break...2 of the scariest words put together!
6 days, 134 hours , 8050 minutes, and 482987 seconds....until summer break starts!!! Ahhhhh! Insert Mom freak out here!! Last summer was my first summer of having a school aged child at home. I had no plan but swimming, park dates and lots of lounging around on my calendar. In my mind, it was going to be heavenly. Well, as you can imagine, the first few days were good. But after the 1st of 3 Vacation Bible Schools (you know, I was trying to give them some "structure"), it became clear that I was counting down the days to school starting again. I believe I even bought all of my son's school supplies around the 4th of July. Ya, it was that bad. So this summer, is going to be different.
My family recently moved to Texas. Between our spring break back in California, moving halfway across country and temporary housing, my oldest had been out of school for nearly a month. I was DESPERATE to get him back in school! The lack of structure, schedule and all of the unknowns were making his behavior was unbearable. I called my dear mommy mentor back in my hometown and she gave a great thought. She said that "Our children are not blocking our goal, they ARE our goal." She has said this to me so many times before and for some reason, this time was different. I started asking myself what my goals were. Well, for now, my goal is raising my children. Raising them to love the Lord, to have a relationship with Him, to be responsible adults, and to hopefully be wonderful husbands and wives to their future spouses. So why am I trying to push my oldest away from me?? My mentor challenged me to take the opportunity of the summer to really hone in on training the team. She told me to get on a schedule with established cleaning routines and to build in some fun for the kids to look forward to every week.
Now, for those of you who don't know me, I am anything but scheduled. My mother-in-law refers to me as being on "Reese Time." My dear friend Teresa never tells me the time something actually starts. She always tells me 15 minutes before, so I end up thinking I'm late, but I actually show up on time. (I know, right? She loves me for me!) So, the thought of actually making a schedule for my summer break literally kept me up at night. I was terrified of figuring out how to structure my summer!! AHHH!! Thankfully, we in the modern era have PINTEREST!!
Seriously, I don't know how I planned my wedding without Pinterest. Like, what did we actually do? Just magazines? You young brides have no idea how lucky you are to have this resource!! Sorry, I'm off the subject. Ok, so I turned to Pinterest and searched summer schedules. I HAD NO IDEA these even existed!! Apparently, there are some AMAZING mommies out there that just have a natural bent towards scheduling, homemade everything, homeschool and organic awesomeness!! As much as I try, I am not one of these moms. But I really appreciate all that you ladies have given to the world wide web to help us crazy moms survive. (Here's a link to my board of their awesomeness).
So my countdown is now down to 6 days, 133 hours, 8002 mins and 480115 seconds until summer break starts. (Btw- that app is called the Legacy App, it's pretty cool). And I officially have my first week scheduled out and on paper. I used a template from Microsoft and made myself a spreadsheet for our week. I'll have to figure out how to post that on here so you all can see. I'm actually pretty proud of myself....(side note, I keep 3 calendars because I usually forget something or don't show up to appointments etc...I mean really, writing a schedule for myself is like winning a gold medal....a lot of hard work, training and dedication!) OK, I figured it out. Here is the link to my summer schedule!
This blog is intended to keep me accountable with my goals this summer. Summer break shouldn't be the two scariest words put together. It should be a cherished time where we can make every one of those seconds count. My kids aren't blocking my goal, they are my goal. My heart's prayer for myself is Proverbs 31:26-27 (ESV) "She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." May I not grow complacent in the job of raising my children. May I not let the fear of change and challenge rule in my life. May I take every one of those precious seconds that God has given me with my kids and use them to help mold my kids to be more like Jesus. That is my prayer this summer. What's yours??
My family recently moved to Texas. Between our spring break back in California, moving halfway across country and temporary housing, my oldest had been out of school for nearly a month. I was DESPERATE to get him back in school! The lack of structure, schedule and all of the unknowns were making his behavior was unbearable. I called my dear mommy mentor back in my hometown and she gave a great thought. She said that "Our children are not blocking our goal, they ARE our goal." She has said this to me so many times before and for some reason, this time was different. I started asking myself what my goals were. Well, for now, my goal is raising my children. Raising them to love the Lord, to have a relationship with Him, to be responsible adults, and to hopefully be wonderful husbands and wives to their future spouses. So why am I trying to push my oldest away from me?? My mentor challenged me to take the opportunity of the summer to really hone in on training the team. She told me to get on a schedule with established cleaning routines and to build in some fun for the kids to look forward to every week.
Now, for those of you who don't know me, I am anything but scheduled. My mother-in-law refers to me as being on "Reese Time." My dear friend Teresa never tells me the time something actually starts. She always tells me 15 minutes before, so I end up thinking I'm late, but I actually show up on time. (I know, right? She loves me for me!) So, the thought of actually making a schedule for my summer break literally kept me up at night. I was terrified of figuring out how to structure my summer!! AHHH!! Thankfully, we in the modern era have PINTEREST!!
Seriously, I don't know how I planned my wedding without Pinterest. Like, what did we actually do? Just magazines? You young brides have no idea how lucky you are to have this resource!! Sorry, I'm off the subject. Ok, so I turned to Pinterest and searched summer schedules. I HAD NO IDEA these even existed!! Apparently, there are some AMAZING mommies out there that just have a natural bent towards scheduling, homemade everything, homeschool and organic awesomeness!! As much as I try, I am not one of these moms. But I really appreciate all that you ladies have given to the world wide web to help us crazy moms survive. (Here's a link to my board of their awesomeness).
So my countdown is now down to 6 days, 133 hours, 8002 mins and 480115 seconds until summer break starts. (Btw- that app is called the Legacy App, it's pretty cool). And I officially have my first week scheduled out and on paper. I used a template from Microsoft and made myself a spreadsheet for our week. I'll have to figure out how to post that on here so you all can see. I'm actually pretty proud of myself....(side note, I keep 3 calendars because I usually forget something or don't show up to appointments etc...I mean really, writing a schedule for myself is like winning a gold medal....a lot of hard work, training and dedication!) OK, I figured it out. Here is the link to my summer schedule!
This blog is intended to keep me accountable with my goals this summer. Summer break shouldn't be the two scariest words put together. It should be a cherished time where we can make every one of those seconds count. My kids aren't blocking my goal, they are my goal. My heart's prayer for myself is Proverbs 31:26-27 (ESV) "She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." May I not grow complacent in the job of raising my children. May I not let the fear of change and challenge rule in my life. May I take every one of those precious seconds that God has given me with my kids and use them to help mold my kids to be more like Jesus. That is my prayer this summer. What's yours??
Love, Reese
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