Marriage Monday -- Girl Talk...

We're joining Chrysalis for a little Girl Talk for Marriage Monday....join the fun here !!!

I'm trying to be a good example in everything I do...because I know my children are watching our marriage...how we love each other. It's extremely overwhelming to think of all they see...the good, the bad....the ugly. I need to be careful in my words and actions to show my daughter how to love, respect, honor, submit, listen, the list goes on and on. I don't feel able...but God is able!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Prov. 3:5-6

My mother's best marriage advice is sort of the unwritten extension to "leave and cleave." No matter what, I'm not allowed to talk to her about my husband. No matter what else I may "vent" to her about, I'm not allowed to say anything bad about my husband...because we are the new team and must work it out together. She also has been a huge advocate of 1 Cor. 7:5...

"Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

She'll probably be shocked I blogged about this... Sorry, Mom! It is something that maybe some Moms and daughters don't speak of openly but she's been open in telling me that sex is a big part of marriage. It's not a suggestion, it's a command. The right attitude really goes a long way! I'm so glad that she can encourage me in this area. Exhausted Mom's need to be reminded. I only hope that I am blessed with an open relationship with my daughter when she's a married lady.

My mother-in-law has passed on some valuable truths lately...of which she's probably unaware. God has handed them some trials lately and it's been interesting to see the effect on their marriage. They have decidedly drawn together to form a team. They have been doing downright cute things for each other. You know, ewww....I mean, awww things! They have always been a caring and gentle couple but lately they seem to do specific little caring things for each other. It is a good example to me as a busy MomE...because I get going so fast it's hard to remember to slow down and be gentle and caring with the little things.

I remember reading in one of favorite MomE books, "Hold You, Mommy" by the dynamic Hilliard/ Autry sisters... about the importance of surrounding yourself with solid Godly girlfriends. If you have sisters that'd be great...but in my case I don't...sooo...Sometimes kids are more comfortable talking with another lady. It's important that they have good relationships with their youth leaders and grandmothers too. I definitely don't want a whole lot of "peer collaboration" on these points. I want my daughter to know where to look in the Bible for these answers...because it is the source for all TRUTH!

John 17:13-17 “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth."

Sick Day Creativity...

Creativity abounds when we are sick. The cushions come off the couch...tea parties spontaneously spout up...
They even dressed themselves in matching shirts...and as long as the Tylenol holds out they play pretty well...
Starting out sleep deprived MomE should have known she was in for it...and sure enough last night she fell like a mighty oak...t i m b e r...ugh! Hey, at least it's not the stomach flu. Amen!!

Anybody else sleep deprived and in need of a good chuckle...?

"My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint."
-Erma Bombeck-
"I'm not going to vacuum 'til Sears makes one you can ride on."
-Roseanne Barr-
"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."
-Jennifer Unlimited-
"I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb . . and I'm also not blonde." -Dolly Parton-

"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning."
-Catherine Aird-

I would like to say that I had a fun time surfing about finding pictures and quotes that made me laugh. Why, you ask...well, cuz my kids are sick, my hubs is sick, and I'm sleep deprived and have a slight cold and I need to laugh. Why else would someone put off housework? Duh...Oh and FYI...the orange quote is my favorite!!

Not quite Wordless Wednesday...Zootime!

We went to the zoo with DadE on Saturday. MomE didn't take a lot of pictures...it was rainy. The Sweet Boy loved the rhinos! They have things in common...you know the destructive tendancies of rhinos and two year olds!?
I made zoo fabric pillows...because we're always sweepy on the way home. Here's Curious Georgette with her pillow...getting ready to zonk out!

Tube Tuesday...Lullaby

I have lullabies on the brain. Not much sleep around here...with allergy babes feeling crummy!

Monday's MomE Musings...

The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom.
- H. W. Beecher

My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw.
All I am I owe to my mother.
I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.
- George Washington (1732-1799)
By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class.
- Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1907- )

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.
- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
- Author Unknown

Original Poems for Infant Minds "My Mother"
Who ran to help me when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My Mother.

A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.
- Cardinal Mermillod

Frugal Friday--Homemade Detergent...

This was really easy but like anything else...make sure you get the right ingredients. I accidentally bought Arm & Hammer baking soda...instead of washing soda. My gracious friend lent me some of her washing soda...which is different and contains Sodium Benz....which helps it set up like detergent. So, mine is a bit clotted looking...with clots of floating baking soda booster! Also, I used a huge red funnel to put some back in my Tide container for easy pouring...and now it's sort of a pearly blue! Neato! HA HA HA! Oh, the joys of frugality!
Ingredients....three gallons hot tap water, 1 five gallon bucket (Walmart has cute ones), Borax for cleaning boost, Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, 1 bar of your favorite soap...I recommend Ivory like soaps...nothing with lotions.
Put three cups of water on your stove top...and as it comes to a simmer...shred your soap into the water and stir. Eventually, you will shave it all up! Really, you will!
Pour three gallons of hot tap water into bucket, add hot soapy mixture (fully dissolved soap ya'll), and stir for a bit. Add 1 cup borax and 1 cup washing soda and stir til dissolved.
Put on lid and let it set over night...it should be a nice syrupy mixture...if you got washing soda that is! Hehehe!

Oh, a little side note...this is really soapy so you might want to use vinegar in your rinse cycle...which I do anyway. I promise, you can't smell the vinegar after it's all washed. I don't smell like a pickle...Loverbrains wouldn't like that! Hehehe!

AND To give the appropriate credit, where it's due...this idea came from my frugal friend Sarah!

Super Mom Myths & My Big God!!

After a good cry to my mother (hahaha...no seriously, I did) I am realizing it's okay not to be Super Mom...and really nobody is...

She reminded me of a book we both read recently called, "When People are Big and God is Small." The author, Dr. Welch, explains how putting people ahead of God (making them "bigger") leads to anxiety and neediness. Instead of caring what others think of us, thus giving them power to control us, we must trust Him; we must submit to God's authority and obey Him.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

You'll remember my past struggles with Super Mom...where I profiled her character...It was for a laugh but the truth is...she is who I fear. I fear these supposed Super Mom's that really don't exist anyway. It's dumb. I want to be completely dependant on Christ...and the only Opinion that really and truly matters.
"If you have ever walked about giant redwoods, you will never be overwhelmed by the size of a dogwood tree. Or if you have been through a hurricane, a spring rain is nothing to fear. If you have been in the presence of the almighty God, everything that once controlled you suddenly has less power." (119)
The answer? Know God, and grow in the fear of Him. As we see God for who He really is, we will see ourselves (and other people) for who we all are: "someone completely dependent on Him." "Self-serving needs are not meant to be satisfied; they are meant to be put to death...We love not because people have psychological deficits; we love because God first loved us. The image of God in us is not about psychological need..." (163)
Welch compassionately reveals the depths and subtleties of our sin, but he doesn't leave us hanging. He provides us with a beautiful picture of the only Answer we need: Know your God. Always be growing in your knowledge of Him. He is a redwood not among dogwoods, but among blades of grass, and when once you understand that in Christ, His gaze is not one of wrath or condemnation, but of love and grace, you will realize that "this is the gaze that transforms. It will expel the fear of man and be a blessing for all God's people.' (239)

Tube Tuesday....Inspire...

I hope to inspire my children with music and clips like this...little man...just stared at this clip. I tell them they can plan any instrument they want!

MomE Moments..."Me wantsta play too!"

My children are close in age. This is a blessing...usually. My Curious Georgette got a Light Bright for her birthday...from "those-who-should-remain-unnamed" (cough, Grandma and Grandpa) and it has been a lot of fun. No, really...they love it! The Sweet Boobah...he also loves it. He "wantsta play too!" He's surprisingly good at poking the little light pegs in the holes.
Thankfully, she's been sharing pretty well. She won't let him touch her new Learn and Tie book though...which I have to say is probably wise. She also bought a tea set with her birfday monies and they have been serving tea...all the time. It's very cute. She dresses up...and they sit and clink the cups together and share cookies.
He did get Legos from before said Grandparents...and well, I just haven't gotten them out yet...maybe tomorrow. Or not.

If the Savior stood beside me...

If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverently
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would my thoughts be clean and pure?
Would His presence give me strength and hope, and courage to endure?
Would His counsel guide my actions? Would I choose more worthily
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

He is always near me, though I do not see Him there
And because He loves me dearly, I am in His watchful care
So I'll be the kind of person that I know I'd like to be
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me.

If the Savior Stood Beside Me - Sally DeFord Music

I'm at it again...changing things...

Yes, I changed the border to another fabulous design by Shabby Blogs...cuz, well the yellow was blinding me and it's FREE...which totally rocks my little bloggy world! Hehehe!

I'm hoping to keep getting family pics...or at least kid pics for my header. This one still makes top pick for our summer thus far!

All that to say...SMILES...

Over In The Meadow...

My Mom just bought this little golden book for my kids! I'm going to learn the song so I can sing it to them before bed! So pretty! I wish I could play the guitar too!

TT-Amazing Waterslide!

Someday I worry that one of my babies will do something like this in our back yard! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Emma!

We celebrated Emma's birthday this past weekend! Yes, technically it's not until Saturday...but around here she's already four!!!!
She got lots of presents!!
Check out the awesome cake that Grandma Denny made! Oooooo....isn't she talented!
It even has a draw bridge! Hehehe!

5 Things Friday....Summertime!!!

This week over for MOMS heaven help us... 5 Things--Summer time activities (with children) I enjoy!

1. I enjoy reading a book in my dappled, shady backyard...next to my kiddies squealing in the wadding pool!

2. I enjoy making foam snakes....Crazy squealing fun...if you don't hyperventilate that is....

3. I enjoy date nights by the river with my date guru...

4. I enjoy camp fires and smores...yummmmm...

5. I enjoy drinking iced tea in the AIR CONDITIONING! Hahahahaha! Sorry...had to put that in there....the Indiana humidity goes to my head some days!

Yogurt Popsicles...YUMMO!!

I was recently inspired by The Simple Wife to make yogurt popsicles. As you may recall, I just made my own yogurt...A WHOLE GALLON PLUS...and this was a great opportunity to make a summer treat!
Here's the recipe for Banana Blueberry Swirl Popsicles...I added whole blueberries for chunks!
This provided hours of fun after the popsicles were in the freezer too. FYI...these take a LOONNNGGG time to freeze up! Plan way ahead!!!

Wearing MomE's bathing suit??

This little bathing suit my dear daughter is wearing was mine when I was little. She was excited to wear, "MomE's suit!"

Tube Tuesday--Red Balloon!