January 2, 2017

I’m sitting here writing this before 7pm and I am exhausted. This past week has seemed like an eternity. The kids have been super hyper, family tensions have exploded, and life has just been down right crazy. There have been many times this past week that, even in the midst of all the chaos, I have felt so lonely.

That’s how life goes though. We have to have the bad to know what the good is. We need the craziness to keep us on our toes. It all works together to mold us and shape us into who we need to be.

There have been some really good moments and some funny ones too. Today DS3 asked me for a piece of ‘turned over cake’ aka Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. He was so happy to get a piece after dinner. It’s amazing how the simplest things can bring a smile to a child’s face.

Then there was this little couple at the grocery store today. They were older, reminded me a bit of my mom-mom and pop-pop, but they were so cute. I wanted to snap a picture but I didn’t want them to think I was completely off my rocker so I didn’t. I was happy to see them but also a little sad.

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever have that. That’s what I signed up for, not once or twice, but three times now. Three times it hasn’t worked out. It seems that every time I see a little glimpse of that it slips away from me and feels like it was just a figment of my imagination.

That’s when the Devil slips in and tries to tell me that I’m not good enough or that I’ll never be enough for anyone. He reminds me of my past failures and he points out my kids. He tells me that noone would ever be crazy enough to sign up for all of this.

Well, he is WRONG! I know he is. How do I know? Because God has said that I am His daughter and He is the KING! If it is God’s best for me then I will have it. So, I will try my best to be content where I am right now. Even though where I am right now is not where I thought I was a week or so ago. It is so hard to keep the faith sometimes but I will trust in His promises.

Even when times are hard God is there. We may not see Him or feel Him but He is there. When it seems like the dead of winter is upon us, He is with us. He is working on us, pruning us, shaping us, molding us for the plans He has for us. We may not see the fruits of our labors right now but we will see them in the future. He is so good!

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls;

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 

The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

— Habakkuk 3: 17-19

New Year’s Resolutions

I know most of us set goals and make resolutions at the beginning of the year. I know we have the best of intentions when make them but often times we start out strong and then just kinda let our goals fade out of sight. Sometimes we just keep procrastinating on getting started and before we know it the year is gone.

This year I am setting my intentions on becoming a better mother, a better friend, a better steward of my blessings, and a better keeper of the home. I also have other goals like losing weight, being more faithful in my prayers and devotions, and getting our homeschool stuff more organized. Some of these goals are being carried over from last year. I did make progress on them but I know that I still have a long way to go. Many of them are written down in my prayer journal and I try to pray about them on a daily basis.

Here is a quick list intentional goals that I have made, as I know that I must set my mind to wanting to do something and praying that God will lead me and give me the desire and willpower to accomplish things according to His plans for my life.

  1. Create more peaceful routines.
  2. Create routines and activities that help each of my family members to develop and grow in their own unique ways.
  3. Create a place home that is calm, peaceful, and nurturing. A place where everyone who enters can feel safe, loved, and cherished. A place where my friends and family can find rest, comfort, and peace when then need it.
  4. Create a budget and routine that allows me to be a better steward of my blessings.
  5. Create a more dedicated time to prayer and devotions.
  6. Create a better schedule for planning, organizing, and rotating our homeschool activities.
  7. Create a better schedule for my daily workouts. I would like to lose 10-15 pounds.

I know that I must work at each and everyone of these in order for them to be achieved successfully. Some of them will require research and work on my part while others just require me to get motivated.

I have already started on many of them. I have read that it takes 21 days to form a new habit so I wanted to get a little head start on it. I am also reading some books to give m inspiration and ideas to motivate me towards my end goals. I will list these at the end of the post.

When you set your goals try to be as specific as possible and find ways to hold yourself accountable. It is also helpful to break the goals down into short term goals so you can evaluate your progress and make changes as needed to reach your end goal. Be sure to ask your friends and family to help you stay motivated.

Remember that it’s OK if your goals and resolutions change through the year. Sometimes we set unrealistic goals for ourselves and then just quit or throw them out the window because we feel like a failure. Don’t give up, just sit down and revise or rewrite your goals. Life happens, circumstances change, and so many things are beyond our control. Just focus on what you can control and make the best of it.

Books I am currently reading.

Starting Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Morning of the Year

First Light – Women’s Daily Devotional & Journal First Light – Women’s Daily Devotional & Journal

The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming

The Lifegiving Home Experience: A 12-Month Guided Journey

The Organized Homeschool Life: A Week-By-Week Guide to Homeschool Sanity

Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God: A Guide to Developing Your Biblical Potential

Backwards Day

I know my older kids loved this day at Public School. They didn’t have to worry about if their shirts were on right or even their shoes for that matter. Sometimes I think my kids are celebrating Backwards Day every day here!

Below are some links for some fun activities. Maybe you could have dinner for breakfast or breakfast for dinner? Just have fun!

Things To Do

Backwards Day

Crazy Mixed Up Backwards Day on Pinterest

Backwards Day Lesson Plan

Backwards Day at A to Z Kids Stuff

Backwards & Upside Down Day

Books to Read (Backwards)

Backwards Day

Brunhilda’s Backwards Day

Sofia’s Backwards Day

Winnie The Pooh Day

**This post contains affiliate links with which I may earn a tiny kickback if a purchase is made.

This is the day set to celebrate the birthday of  A.A. Milne who was the creator of the beloved Winnie the Pooh. This could be such a fun day full of cute activities for the kids. Below are some links to some resources that I have found:

Things To Do

Winnie the Pooh Baby Shower with Menu Ideas and Recipe Links

Winnie the Pooh Activities on Pinterest

Eight Lesson Ideas for Winnie-the-Pooh Day

Winnie the Pooh on YouTube

Winnie the Pooh Printable Craft

WINNIE-THE-POOH DAY

Homeschool: January on Pinterest

25-winnie-pooh-ideas (some really cute party ideas and crafts)

Winnie the Pooh (coloring pages and other activities)

Winnie-the-Pooh: A Unit Study

Images for winnie the pooh crafts to make

REAL BEAR BEHIND WINNIE THE POOH REVEALED TO BE A GIRL

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear

Books to Read:

Pooh’s Library: Winnie-The-Pooh, The House At Pooh Corner, When We Were Very Young, Now We Are Six (Pooh Original Edition)

Winnie-the-Pooh Board Book Collection

Party Supplies and Gifts:

Winnie the Pooh on Amazon

Winnie the Pooh on Zazzle

Winnie the Pooh at Precious Moments

Winnie the Pooh on Oriental Trading

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

We all know his famous speech but we can use this day to help our kids understand and learn more about who Martin Luther King, Jr. was and what he did that made him so famous.

Below are links to some resources that I have found:

Martin Luther King Day

Kids’ Martin Luther King Day Activities on Pinterest 

Preschool Activities and Crafts

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Activities

8 Frugal & Fun Martin Luther King Day Activities for Kids

MLK Day

The BIG List of FREE Martin Luther King, Jr. Homeschool Resources

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Homeschool: January on Pinterest

Books To Read:

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. 

My First Biography: Martin Luther King, Jr.