Breaking The Tradition

nee nee & mommy at her honor roll ceremony earlier this month!

Yesterday, my eight year old daughter Nee -Nee Pooh said the coolest thing to me. We were sitting at dinner and she was talking about what she wants to be when she grows up. She said, and I quote

Nee Nee: " Mommy, I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Can I go to any college I want"

Me: " Sure "

Nee Nee: "I still don't know what I want to be, someone wants me to be a doctor, and I sometimes want to be a teacher, I just don't really know!"

Me: " Well, maybe you should start praying for God to show you what he wants you to be when you grow up, that may help."

Nee Nee: I think God just wants me to be a wife.

Me: *sniff, sniff* Yep, I believe that what he wants you to be too.... That's the best job!

I wont bore you with the entire conversation, but my little girl is showing interest in being a wife and homemaker and she has already called her grandparents to inquire how she should word her future wedding invitations.

A couple of years ago, I did and would still be trying to map her life out; honors classes, career planning by 10th grade, high school education with honors, then on to the top colleges for undergrad/graduate school. I would have probably start shoving the "anything a man can do, you can do better mentality down her throat", and I will admit, that I used to preach blatant independence in my house. None of my daughters would ever be totally dependent on a man,but God saw differently and Praise the Lord that he did!

It's a blessing to see that all the hot button posts last week were not in vain! I didn't know she read them, or listened to me talk to my FDH about our hot topic discussions, but I thank God for giving me a more clear direction to pray about and work on with my daughter. She will be turning 9 this summer , so I only have a little time left to teach her the things I didn't know but am learning through biblical knowledge and practical experiences through myself and others. I especially thank him for speaking through her, its always easier to teach someone who has a willing heart. Stay Blessed and Encouraged-smfg

Its Friday!!!

Well good friends, we have made it to another Friday/weekend. Whooo Hooo! Thank you so much for your advice yesterday and today as I type I am sipping on a bottle of water. I have made it a commitment to try and drink more water and to encourage my kids to do the same. My mother so graciously and bluntly pointed out in her comment yesterday that I need to change my not so healthy habits as my children are watching and listening. With that being said, I posted a video that was sent to me today that further served as a confirmation that I just need to get up and accept the changes I need to make. Children watch us, and they listen to us and eventually they become us. I want healthy daughters and I want to be around for them as long as I can. My body is not mine but the Lord's and I must take care of it even if it means drinking water when I would rather have a strong root beer :)
Have a glorious spring weekend. My boss has decided to be gracious and allow me to leave three hours early so that I can get some much needed wedding stuff done ( I am going to purchase my veil, hair piece and slip today!) and I am going to try and enjoy the beautiful April shower free weather that is predicted for us! Oh yeah, did anyone know that Mc Donald's has the cutest .24 micro mini kids cones? They don't advertise them, but if you ask for them they will make them for you. They look almost like sample cones, and my kids don't mind the size they have a blast laughing about how tiny they are. Just thought I would let you know in case you were looking for a way to spend a sunny weekend afternoon for less than a quarter per child.

Can We Raise Spritually Vulnerable Children?

This morning while catching a glimpse of Good Morning America (watch it here) , I was able to see an interview conducted with the mothers in the midst of the Polygamy investigation. I must say that I was heartbroken. I promise I won't try to sound harsh and or judgmental, and will try my best to keep this short and sweet because what I feel for these women are a deep sense of sympathy. No loving mother deserves to have her child taken away from her, but I had to really ask myself if the mothers honestly realized if the environment was really a healthy environment for their children or a true Godly enviornment for that matter.

I must admit, it is really hard for me to grasp or think about raising my 8yr old daughter to be given to marriage at the age of 14, to a man thrice her age or more. I just simply can't imagine that and it makes me cry to even think about it. In watching the women in the interview it made me pray earnestly for Godly wisdom on how to raise my daughters not to be vulnerable to deception. I know that mainstream media classifies this church as a cult, and from the interview I saw I can see how and why they would think this; and personally I agree. I can't see a true minister of God wanting to procreate with young children and offspring especially when the bible speaks against it. I can't see a biblical mother giving her young daughter to be espoused to her father or any other man just because she is told to do so by any one other than God( and he wouldn't give instructions contrary to his word!). I may be wrong to some for saying it , but I just can't grasp it.

It is my heartfelt belief that we have to raise our children to be aware of scripture and to know and understand it for themselves. I see so often where children are raised in a Christian environment and they have a biblical doctrine fed to them from infancy but they don't fully know, digest, or understand the spiritual food that they are being fed. This type of misunderstanding is exactly what the enemy will use to sow seeds of biblical doubt and make it easier for our children to be deceived by strange doctrine ( Heb 13:9).

I also believe that sometimes we should be open minded and know what other religions and doctrines stand for however; our children may not be ready or mature enough to handle such knowledge. We must teach our children as God leads us, and not only teach them the doctrines and instructions given to us by and from God, we must teach them and show them how to develop and nurture their personal relationship with God so that they can know when the enemy is leading them astray. I have seen and known of people who were led into all kinds of false doctrines and its sad. It starts with a curiosity of other religions and then it becomes interesting, and then possibly leads to something darker than what they can handle and they become overthrown and lost sometimes. I'm not saying that its wrong to know about other religions and teachings, we just have to know undoubtedly where God wants us according to his will. It's sad to see someone practice the occult, or to be so wrapped up in man made religions that they fear and obey man before they fear and obey God and nothing in the practice is according to scripture.

I won't even pretend to know or desire to know anything about the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or say anything openly negative about its secular practices, I can only say that I offer my prayers to these women and children whose lives are completely torn upside down. If you think I am wrong, please let me know. I am just protective of the souls that I will be held accountable for. To know that I as a mother could be deceived into raising my children according to mans law and not God's is a scary, scary thought for me and I pray that I remain hidden under the mercy , grace and knowledge of his love. I want my children to be so close to God that if they see me living anything contrary to God's word that they can point it out and stand against it and help win me back to the straight and narrow.
Be Blessed and Encouraged!

Spring Break and Putting It All In Perspective

The end of spring break is almost near, so I am taking a couple of days off to spend with these precious angels of mine.

Chocolate Drop and her famous toothless smile *smile*Nee Nee Pooh in all of her sweetness- I only have 10yrs left *sigh*


My perspective- Thank You Lord!

They are at grannie and pa-pa's and the plan was initially, that while they were gone,I would redecorate ( really a nice way of saying clean their room) their room. I thought initially about just getting rid of all their junk and making it easier for them to manage, and then yesterday I read this post (please read) by Crystal over at Biblical womanhood. This poor sister lost her dear husband of only 10 weeks in a unexpected boating accident. Wow, I thought, I am getting married to the man I love in less than three months, I am fretting over wedding plans and the attitudes of others whom I will never be able to change, and this poor woman just lost her husband of only 10 weeks. The Lord was faithful in sending me a reality check! Life is too short to be overly concerned with the cares, the messes, the never ending to-do lists. Their room can wait, we will redecorate it together. So I encourage you all to spend the remainder of the week in honor of Kristy and her husband, by spending dear time with those you love. Forget all the aimless chores and tasks that you won't remember once they are not around. Be blessed and stay encouraged! Have a wonderful weekend. And please if you have a moment, stop by and visit Kristy's blog to leave words of encouragement during this difficult time for her.

The Power Of The Daddy's Girl

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18.
daddy's girl graphic from art.com

Just how powerful is the daddy's girl bond?? We read so many stories and studies about how important it is for the health of a woman's self esteem for her to have an unshakable position as a daddy's girl. If there were ever any evidence as to the truth of this, then it is now unfolding in front of our eyes. Recently I wrote a few posts about the idolization of pop culture, and how it is detrimental to our young children. I wrote this post at a time when a certain pop star and family was having a virtual breakdown in front of the entire world. Every time you turned on the TV, or logged on the Internet, or even passed by the newsstands in the local supermarket, there was some type of news about this poor girl and/or her family. My heart went out for her, I prayed for her as if I knew her personally. I prayed for her children who so needed their mom to sit down and put them first. I followed the news about her not because I am a fan, but because I can see the strong hold that the enemy has on her life and how children look up to her and other stars in her position and it burdened me.

But then, an awesome thing happened!! Her daddy decided that it was enough to see his little girl drug through the mud, so he stepped up and did what should have been done a long time ago, against her will he took control of her life. He realized that she was not acting as a mature adult, but as a confused child. She was not choosing the right friends, nor was she making the right decisions, so he against her will, and in the midst of public scrutiny became the head of her life right now.

The outcome; well she has seen her children twice, she's sleeping, she isn't in the media crying for attention by doing outlandish things, and she seems to be regaining a small sense of peace and normalcy. If only she would embrace the power of being a daddy's girl to her heavenly father, I wonder then what her life could become.

I said all that to say this, little girls need that relationship with their daddies. And this natural need parallels our spiritual need to be a Daddy's Girl. Women who don't have a husband as the head will continue to need that unshakable relationship with their fathers. Also, we as women all need that relationship with our Heavenly Daddy to fill that void that the enemy is so longing to fill with detriments. If there is no biological father in your life, then I can only recommend that you deepen your relationship with your what I like to call the "True Biological Father"- (God). He only lent us earthly fathers, and since he created us I like to think of him as our biological father.
Just as I depended on my dad growing up, (and I still do) I depend on God even more. And I am grateful that my dad would always point me to my heavenly father, even if were something simple that he could fix. Every little girl should have this, but if this is not the case, then we as mothers need to be in a position that we can teach our daughters to fill that void by cleaving to the Almighty Father.

I could go on and on about a subject that has already been proven, but for this moment I want to share this snippet of encouragement that I received as I watched the progress of a troubled star unfold. Maybe, just maybe this will send a message to all other parents who feel the need to support rather than nurture and guide their children's dreams.

All in all there is nothing wrong with being a Daddy's Girl especially when your father is the All Powerful God.

Stay Blessed and Encouraged-smfg

100 Hugs Valentine Challenge

Okay, work with me on this one! I know I am on a roll and am trying to catch up for lost blog time, but I am proposing a challenge. Tomorrow as we all know is the worlds most expensive display of love day Valentine's Day. I was trying to find something creative to do with my girls and voila! I have an idea. Starting now, right now until tomorrow when they go to bed I am going to give both of my girls 100 hugs.... each!

Now I am not just going to hug them robotically, but I am going to make a game of it. I am going to tell them and make them tally up each time they get a hug... Trust me they will keep me on my toes and they won't let me forget my spot.

Having them count down and keep me abreast will probably be the most enjoyable part of the whole challenge. So if you are up to it, find a creative way to keep score and hug each one of your kids and or spouse 100 times before their bed-time tomorrow! Link back in and tell me how its going if you like and pictures will always make the show brighter. So move those arms and get to huggin!

ps: It's free!

Frugal Friday- Homemade Placemats and Writing Boards From Your Child's Artwork

Welcome to my first Frugal Friday Tip!

If you are anything like me, you always are looking for things to with all those drawings that your little ones make for you. I hate to throw them away and I can only keep so many because I have very little space in my modest apartment. Well I found an idea courtesy of my daughters kindergarten teacher. For Christmas we are going to make homemade place mats and writing boards from her art work. Its very cheap. All you do is laminate the drawings! It could be free if you know anyone who may have access to a laminating machine or some places will charge you a few cents per yard. To make the writing board simply let them make games, tic tack toe, hang man, manuscript paper, bible verse/chapter matching, or whatever they like, take a piece of cardboard box, cut it a little bit larger than the paper drawing or game, glue the paper to the cardboard and have it laminated. Buy some erasable markers and your kids can use this in the car, waiting rooms, or take it from room to room or however they choose. Hopefully this will eliminate scraps of paper and paper being scattered from to and fro. I haven't tried it but I am this weekend and I will post pictures of the finished product. This can cost anywhere from free to a couple of dollars depending on if you have dry erase markers and how much you have to pay for laminating. You can also use those extra pictures to make a place mat collage for family members to use everyday or for birthday parties and so forth. If anyone else tries it, please drop in and let me know and show your work :) Be blessed and encouraged on this Frugal Friday.

Re- Post on Materialism and This Season

I was out today mailing a package to my eBay buyer and the post office was swamped with others who are also busy trying to get things shipped by Christmas. The Holy Spirit brought back this post that I wrote about The Bondage of Materialism to my remembrance as I started to focus on how I have not been Christmas shopping for my girls. I felt led to re post it. I will only insert a piece and you can link and read the rest of the post here or click on the title.

The Bondage of Materialism and The Safety of Our Children

In light of all the recent news about the massive toy recalls and the dangerous chemicals and unsafe products being used to make them I had to ponder on the thought of are we as parents helping enable our children to a spirit of materialism? Are we as mothers, who have an animalistic instinct to protect our children, letting our guard of protection down by spoiling them with toys and "things" that are harming them not only physically, but mentally and most important spiritually??As I sit and shudder of the thought of what type of bondage this time of year brings upon parents, and any other adult seeking to soothe the materialistic desire of a child by going into debt, not showing Christian stewardship to the less fortunate, greed, envy, covetousness and many other ungodly abominations, I wonder if God allows things like this to happen to shake our attention back to the reason for this season? Is he trying to let this country, (which was founded on spiritual principals and a need to worship God without reprove) know that he is not at all pleased with how we are creating generation after generation of materialistic children who covet everything they see?

Let us remember to shop in love, peace, and frugality for we will be judged on how we are stewards of our blessings!!! SMFG

Remember Your Child's First Steps??

Do you remember when your baby/ies, started walking and how you were their biggest cheerleader? I was reading this book - The Encouraging Parent and I got to this sub chapter entitled "Remember Your Child's First Step", as I read it I started laughing out loud because of the analogy the author used to point out how encouraging we were during this time. I am going to include it and then make a comment.

" Close your eyes and remember the first time you got on your knees and extended
your arms and encouraged your child to walk, You talked baby talk and made all kinds of strange but heart warming sounds, when your child took two little steps
and fell what did you do? Did you lecture her? Get up off the floor! How
many times to I have to tell you we don't walk like that in this family!, You
make me sick! You can't walk anyway! Crawl off to your room and get out of my
face! Of course not. What you did was pick up your baby and hug her, and kiss
her and tell her its going to be okay, you'll do better next time" - The Encouraging Parent Rod Wallace Kennedy, PhD

The author was so right in his assessment of how quickly we as parents can change our encouragement as our children grow older if we are not careful and as single parents we more vulnerable to this type of behavior just because our lives can seem and be so overwhelming. I felt very convicted after reading this. I am not as bad as his example but I can do so much better. As single parents we have to make an effort to work harder to encourage our children, just as we did when we were teaching them to walk, and to say Ma-Ma. Its easy to forget those days, especially when we see how quickly they learn and pick up on things that drive us crazy and borderline off the wall, we still have to remember they don't always pick other things up as easily as we would like, especially if we think it's something they should know, or if at that moment our minds can't possibly empathize with the level of importance that it is to them. When they don't know, we have to encourage. When they make us want to pull our hair out, and then turn around and write their numbers or letters backwards, or mess up on what we think is simple multiplication tables, or draw the most confusing picture -we still have to encourage them. We have to encourage them when the comforter on the bed is upside down and hanging to one side more than the other, and when their idea of clean is no where near ours or when they think they have done a big kid thing and its all wrong and backwards- We still have to encourage. The more I think about it, how would I feel if I called my mom and she said, I raised you, you should know that, now get off the phone, I would probably think that she didn't empathize with my situation, or was lacking compassion and my poor feelings would be hurt and I am 32 not 6 or 8! I will admit, I am not perfected in this area, but as I read I thought, what if God stopped encouraging me. What if he simply said, you know what the bible says, you know what you heard in church, now go away and stop asking me for help! I personally would be lost. So just as he encourages us with things I am pretty sure he knows we should know, we have to do the same for our children!

Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged while Encouraging!!!

Musical Victory

I really just wanted to share this 53 second clip of my six year old at her piano recital. At first I was hesitant to even add pictures or share any thing other than thoughts about my children since this is cyber world, but I have to put my faith in God and trust my gut on this one. This was such an enormous victory for her ( and for momma!) expecially with bosting her self confidence and her fear of performing in front of others.... She is very proud of herself and wanted me to share with the world!! This was the sweetest 53 seconds I have had in a long, long time!!! Enjoy!!!

The Bondage of Materialism and The Safety of Our Children!

Forgive me in advance if I seem a little politically radical today. I didn't post yesterday because I was researching a topic that I have been burdened about the past 48 hours.

In light of all the recent news about the massive toy recalls and the dangerous chemicals and unsafe products being used to make them I had to ponder on the thought of are we as parents helping enable our children to a spirit of materialism? Are we as mothers, who have an animalistic instinct to protect our children, letting our guard of protection down by spoiling them with toys and "things" that are harming them not only physically, but mentally and most important spiritually??

As I sit and shudder of the thought of what type of bondage this time of year brings upon parents, and any other adult seeking to soothe the materialistic desire of a child by going into debt, not showing Christian stewardship to the less fortunate, greed, envy, covetousness and many other ungodly abominations, I wonder if God allows things like this to happen to shake our attention back to the reason for this season? Is he trying to let this country, (which was founded on spiritual principals and a need to worship God without reprove) know that he is not at all pleased with how we are creating generation after generation of materialistic children who covet everything they see?

Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that we should not buy our children toys and presents and shower them with love, I am simply saying that everything that we do for our children should empower them spiritually, educationally and naturally and not the instant gratification of playing with the next hot thing or to be bound by what I call the "Gotta Have, or Must Have spirit. " We have a God given responsibility to evoke and teach our children a sense of appreciation for gifts, a gratefulness of receiving something new, we should teach them to be good stewards of the blessings they receive and most importantly that any gift they receive is a blessing from God not an expectation!

I think it is so sad when I see children put a guilt trip on their parents for not having the newest toy. It hurts me to see the young and innocent equate love with gifts before they are even old enough to hold a conversation. It saddens me even more when parents are bound by their children's covetousness , greed and desire for materialism... If I am burdened about it, how is God feeling about it?? He must be so sad, so frustrated, so furious.....

I have to cry out to God in this area too.... Only recently did I have to sit down and accept the brutally honest truth that I have allowed my children to become entangled in the expectation of materialism, and I have allowed a seed of ungratefulness and greed to be planted in their hearts because they covet every new toy that is introduced. At one while every conversation would include "Mommy I want, or Mommy can you buy me?" One of my children even knew my paydays and would say when you get paid on this day can we go to the store? I knew then that my weakness as a single mother was trying to make up for the absence of the father figure by buying gifts and always buying things they wanted. I had to ask God and my children for forgiveness because this is not what mothering is all about, and was very unpleasing to God.

I (we) have a responsibility to dig out this seed before its roots anchor and plant seeds of gratefulness, and appreciation, and self worth even when you don't have what everyone else has. I have to teach my girls that not all toys are good for you, and I am glad that I have allowed them to follow the news with me about the recent toy recalls. It makes them grateful that mommy didn't buy that toy, and that we don't need it because it is not safe.

If you are guilty of this, don't let the devil beat you over the head with condemnation, simply ask God to forgive you for this, and to give you wisdom on how to buy those things that are desired by your children. Make sure that every toy or game you buy can be nurturing, and serve as practical applications and learning. For instance, one of my daughters wants her very own set of pots and pans, and a couple of new video games. I love the idea of the pots and pans, because it can be used as a practical and biblical application to her daily life for a lifetime. I may replace the video game with an online scripture or biblical game that she can play that will benefit her educationally and spiritually.

With God's help, we can do this. We don't have to raise a generation of children who's favorite words are I want or can I have? We can raise children who are selfless, who want to be good stewards and who realizes that every thing given to us above that which we need is an extra blessing from God. We can watch the news about dangerous toys and feel good in our soul that we don't have to fear for our children in this area. I encourage you to sit down with your children and inform them of what is going on around. Show them the signs of men pleasers, and of men being lovers of themselves and how this is not pleasing to God. Tell them to write a list of 5 items they can think of that will help them learn, and that are safe. Getting our children involved in this early will help them see the bondage and sin of being materialistic.

Let us all continue to pray earnestly about this and for the children who have been affected by these dangerous toys. Let us pray that God ( our Husband remember???) will choose the gifts he wants our children to have and that we will seek his guidance about the spirits behind and associated with the toys and games that are on the market. Ask him to help us protect our children from and not enable them to this bondage of materialism.

God Bless and Be encouraged!

Intersting Dialog on a Sorrowful Topic- Please Read

Crystal from Biblicalwomanhood http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/2007/11/there-are-no-words.html has a very intersting post on a very sensitive topic; selective abortions. The story is too sad for me to even discuss right now, but I posted comments centered on forgiveness and compassion for the woman involved, but want to give a reminded of how we have to stand firm against this sin and all sin. Abortion is not a woman's right to choose. There is no situation that God can not deliver you from. Not only do single unwed mothers make this type of decision, there are married prominent women who make this type of decision also. We must teach our children early the sanctity of life, and obedience to God's law against sin. Check it out........

A Stand Firm Child

It is a fundamental fact that if you want something repeated unexpectedly, then say it in front of a small child. Children will say the most profound things at the most unconventional moment however; there are some moments when what comes out of their mouths makes you a very proud mama. My six year old is a very vocal, outspoken child, she hears everything you say and sometimes what you think. I have often been before God on guidance on how to channel her outspokenness and not stifle it. I do believe that it ( her boldness) is a gift and I find myself sometimes asking God for some of what she has. My job as her mother is to teach her what and what not to say, how to say it and when.

I have no fear of her being a follower or buckling under pressure because she takes her stand.... albeit trouble or no trouble she takes her stand! At school the other day I was questioned by her kindergarten teacher " Do you celebrate Halloween? " My response " No, we don't celebrate Halloween" She then proceeded to tell me that my daughter was very "adamant about not coloring jack-0- lanterns and other Halloween pictures" She said Erin stood up and said firmly " No, I can't color that!" "We don't celebrate Halloween in my mommy's house." " God would not be pleased with me if I color that, it is part of Halloween" I couldn't hide my smile (and my laughter) when I told her of my biblical convictions against this secular holiday. I said very simply " I will talk to her about how she said what she said, and how she could have said it better" I wanted her to know that I supported my child in her stand against what she believed to be unpleasing to God, however I will teach her how next time to do it more gracefully. Through the course of the conversation, I found that they kept trying to tell her that it was fall pictures instead of Halloween. Thank God I didn't raise a child void of understanding. The more they kept trying to twist her beliefs the bolder she became. Some may think I should have reprimanded her.But I want her to have the boldness and firmness of Paul durning Acts, when it comes to the things of God. She knew what a jack-o-lantern represented and that it was simply not fall, but Halloween. I asked if she were disrespectful, she was not, but she was firm!!

The fact is that our children listen to us... we may think that they have selective hearing, but they listen. If they see you living what you speak, and you help them to see, understand, and accept your stand for God, they will take a firm stand with you. I thank God for guiding me in teaching my outspoken child how to remain firm and bold about the teachings and convictions that I have in my household.

Statistically single mothers seem have the highest number of vulnerable children, but as Godly mother and wives of God, we don't have to fit in this mold. Our children don't have to be another statistic. Why? Because we have an instruction book ( The Bible) and we have and instructor ( God) who will help us steer our children around pit falls. I have to hold fast to the thought that its not just me raising my children, its God, then me, the same can go for you and your household. Continue to raise your children under the leadership and fear of God and they will continue to stand firm and bold against those things that they know are unpleasing to God.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

My Inner Child

Today I decided to take the day off from being a grown up and spend the day relaxing and bonding with my children. So often we single mothers neglect to synchronize our inner child and we become so engulfed by adult lives that we can neglect the little joys of life. Do you remember when life was so simple, before the cares and worries of this life?? Even Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:3 "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. What better way to keep this humbleness of mind and spirit than to once in a while surround ourselves with our children and come down to their level. Children live for the moment, not the to-do- list, or the must complete now or the world will end tasks that we as mothers let consume our lives. As a matter of fact, their existence is the very reason why we become so consumed with the stressfulness of parental responsibilities. Sometimes if we try to see things through the eyes of a child, we may receive a spiritual epiphany, a glorious Ah-Ha moment that can bring us closer to God, or give us instant edification. So let us remember to be like the child that Christ so ordered us to be. Take a day off to be silly, be simple, live for the moment and tune up that inner child before our children grow up and leave us struggling with memories.... Have a blessed weekend.

Keeper of The Home???

Hello friends, I have been reading other blogs from women who are stay at home mothers and wives who have strong beliefs that women are to be keepers of the home and help meet to their husbands. Guess what! I whole heartily agree with them. With all the things going on in the world coupled with corruption and violence in the schools our children are better off under our guidance and leadership daily. Who better to train and teach your child then the one who carried him or her. Now I know you may say " what in the world does being a keeper of the home have to do with being a single mom and how in the world can I be a keeper of the home when its just me?" A lot, even though our situation may not be traditional, we still have a God given responsibility to be a keeper of our home, a help meet to our husband(God) and we still have the same biblical expectation of raising our children under the leadership of God. Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. This Scripture clearly states the role of the aged women in teaching the younger women on how to run the household. There is so much that I have learned from blogging with these "Keepers of the Home" Even though I have to work and provide for my family, I can still use the wisdom from other mothers to help lighten my load and still follow Scripure. Here are a few tips that I have learned and would like to share, if you have any tips and ideas to share, please feel free to post!

1. Schedule/Routine Binder- Get a 3-ring binder and create a schedule. Before you do this, take a moment to write down everything you do from the time you wake up, to the time you put your family to bed. After this, give yourself allotted time frames to do so. Type it up and put it in a clear report cover and insert in your binder. Keep it in a place like the kitchen table or counter and make a copy and post it over your mirror to remind you of your daily routine. Share this with your family and get them accustomed to time frames.

2. Chore Charts- These work wonders!! Make a list of chores for your family to do daily and nightly, segment them off to daily jobs ( smaller ones that can be done in less than 15 minutes) weekly jobs ( those taking from 15-30 minutes) and monthly jobs ( those taking more than one hour). We as single mothers overload ourselves trying to tackle so many chores at one time. If you get in the habit of spacing out your chores then you will be less likely to overburden yourself and you won't allow yourself to be easily condemned by the enemy on what you have or have not done!

3. Timers- I have recently become addicted to my timer! I bought a cheap $1.00 egg timer from the Dollar Tree and I have one in every room. In the mornings I set my timer to 15 minutes when getting dressed. Trying to race against the ticks of the timer is motivation and for me it keeps me focused on the present task. I can not believe that I have not been doing this all along. I also give myself 10 minutes each morning for sparse cleaning, this keeps me from getting sidetracked in the morning with trying to clean, clean clean ( this is another trick of the enemy to throw you off on your time in order to condemn you for always being late or behind schedule) . My children also use the timer for everything to bath time, to playtime.

4. Preparation- I can not stress this enough.. Prepare, Prepare Prepare. There are so many things that can be done the night before or on the weekend like fixing lunches or snacks... My daughter has to take snacks to school each day, so her chore is on Saturdays preparing her snacks for the week, all she has to do the night before is take it from the fridge and put it in her backpack. We have a special spot by the front door where all backpacks, coats, hats, umbrellas and luch bags have to be before we can go to bed. This prevents rushing about trying to find stuff.

I have attached two links that helps with creating chore charts and schedules, also printable educational materials for you to use at home with your children. These few tips are one small step to help us be keepers of the home and blessings to our family.

Helpful links
http://www.starfall.com/
www.dltk-cards.com/chart/

Blessings to you and have a wonderful Friday!