A few hours ago, my youngest,Brock walked out to catch the bus. I watched this 15 year-old Boy/man from the window and wondered....where has the time gone....I stood there for a long while reminiscing...and I thought of this story that I wanted to share.
Being a mom has at times been exhausting, and often I wondered if I was the one for this job......This reality was very evident several years ago. After surviving a stressful morning with 3 boys under 5, I was feeling discouraged, frustrated and disappointed in my roll as the mommy. The door bell rang and I answered it clad in an old Aspen tee shirt, shorts and hair in a pony tail, as I opened the door, the older gentleman on the other side, looked at me and asked, “Is your mommy home?” I stared back at him and said as nicely as I could muster, “I AM the mommy.” I know he meant well…and it could be taken as a complement….However, in the state of mind I was, I told myself “See, even he doesn't think you should be the mommy.”
I slouched down against the closed door and cried, “I really do not want to be the Mom today…someone else needs to be the mommy.” As the minutes creep by and I continued to lean against the door, I felt this tiny hand on my shoulder and sweet toddler breathe on my skin. “I Wov you mommy,” he declared, and laid his head on my shoulder. Yup, I could do it another day…this motherhood thing. Sometime encouragement comes in the smallest and unexpected packages.
As Grammy used to say "This too shall pass"....and it does...very quickly.
If you are in the trenches of motherhood,know there are many that can relate to the "tough" days. Hang in there....it is worth it!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Home..the place I want to be.
Home....I like it here. It is where I want to be.....
I arrived home last evening from Missouri. And I am excited! I just praised God all the way for HIS goodness and provision.
Blessed to be staying in a beautiful cabin, surrounded by gorgeous acres of trees, wild flowers and ponds, the setting was perfect to concentrate on finishing my book proposal.
And finish it I did! I also got the added blessing of getting away from my normal routine for a few days...that is always a plus.
Thank you for praying for me...I could feel them.
I arrived home last evening from Missouri. And I am excited! I just praised God all the way for HIS goodness and provision.
Blessed to be staying in a beautiful cabin, surrounded by gorgeous acres of trees, wild flowers and ponds, the setting was perfect to concentrate on finishing my book proposal.
And finish it I did! I also got the added blessing of getting away from my normal routine for a few days...that is always a plus.
Thank you for praying for me...I could feel them.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Screaming moms!
Could I ask you to pray for me....please.....
I am heading to a remote cabin in Missouri to finish a book proposal I have been working on...well, kinda working on it..sigh!
In July I shelved it. Just until the end of August, I told myself. Then, when the rush of summer slows down I will find a place of solitude (yeah!) and really concentrate.
So here I am, boxes of my research and resource material at my feet (no Internet) ready to go...
The working title is "Mommy, please don't scream; Help for frustrated mothers"...can you relate to that title?
After the frustrating weekend I just had.....I think I added a whole new chapter!
Thanks, dear friends...
www.sueheimer.com
I am heading to a remote cabin in Missouri to finish a book proposal I have been working on...well, kinda working on it..sigh!
In July I shelved it. Just until the end of August, I told myself. Then, when the rush of summer slows down I will find a place of solitude (yeah!) and really concentrate.
So here I am, boxes of my research and resource material at my feet (no Internet) ready to go...
The working title is "Mommy, please don't scream; Help for frustrated mothers"...can you relate to that title?
After the frustrating weekend I just had.....I think I added a whole new chapter!
Thanks, dear friends...
www.sueheimer.com
Friday, August 21, 2009
Perseverance and everyday life!
Hallelujah! I made it...I finished my fast yesterday...I wasn't sure if I could do it...seriously..I REALLY like my food!
It took a TON of "stick to it -ness" and perseverance.
Perseverence...hmmm...that work sounds familiar.
Perseverance means: persistence in anything undertaken.
Persevere: To continue resolutely in any enterprise undertaken,despite difficulties encountered:to pursue steadily any design or course begun.
How I need this word active in my life. I want to OWN this word persevere...because it is really what it take to be successful in all our endeavors...
IN:
Marriage...to press on even when your relationship walks through cold or tough spots.
Parenting...Loving,guiding,teaching even when you are burnt out,exhausted and do not see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Friendships..Understanding,gracious and kind even when they are hard and disappointing
Our Relationship with God and His son Jesus...to KEEP SEEKING HIM even when it feels like our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling.
This is hard for me....The sanguine in me wants to throw up my hands,forget the hard stuff and go out and play. Or, on really bad days, by a one way ticket to Cancun!
I know your deeds your hard work and perseverance. REV 2:2 NIV
It took a TON of "stick to it -ness" and perseverance.
Perseverence...hmmm...that work sounds familiar.
Perseverance means: persistence in anything undertaken.
Persevere: To continue resolutely in any enterprise undertaken,despite difficulties encountered:to pursue steadily any design or course begun.
How I need this word active in my life. I want to OWN this word persevere...because it is really what it take to be successful in all our endeavors...
IN:
Marriage...to press on even when your relationship walks through cold or tough spots.
Parenting...Loving,guiding,teaching even when you are burnt out,exhausted and do not see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Friendships..Understanding,gracious and kind even when they are hard and disappointing
Our Relationship with God and His son Jesus...to KEEP SEEKING HIM even when it feels like our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling.
This is hard for me....The sanguine in me wants to throw up my hands,forget the hard stuff and go out and play. Or, on really bad days, by a one way ticket to Cancun!
I know your deeds your hard work and perseverance. REV 2:2 NIV
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Fasting for five days!
Well, I did not want to mention anything because, quite frankly, I did not think I could do it....Fast for five days!
I know, sounds crazy....I started it for health reasons. I have Crohn's disease and have kept it in remission for over 10 years. The telltale signs of it wanting to raise it roaring head and cause havoc in my life, inspired me to get serious and push it back where it belongs...in remission!
60 hours into the fast and still living to tell about it....I am drinking water with phosphorus and lemon juice, kumbucha, organic tea and small amounts of carrot juice. Oh, Joy!
Yesterday I just wanted to sleep...and of course EAT! Everything and I mean EVERYTHING looks good to eat. Even paper!
So pray for me, please. That I can remain strong and not eat the counter top...I really want to get through this...
Those who TRUST in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31
I know, sounds crazy....I started it for health reasons. I have Crohn's disease and have kept it in remission for over 10 years. The telltale signs of it wanting to raise it roaring head and cause havoc in my life, inspired me to get serious and push it back where it belongs...in remission!
60 hours into the fast and still living to tell about it....I am drinking water with phosphorus and lemon juice, kumbucha, organic tea and small amounts of carrot juice. Oh, Joy!
Yesterday I just wanted to sleep...and of course EAT! Everything and I mean EVERYTHING looks good to eat. Even paper!
So pray for me, please. That I can remain strong and not eat the counter top...I really want to get through this...
Those who TRUST in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31
For more GREAT information on healthy eating and Naturopathic Medicine go to http://megansmind-holisticwellness.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 17, 2009
Laundry tips and the laundry fairy
Whew...home from the fair. The weather was great...the attitudes good and the pigs placed well...
Now, for the mountain of laundry that has taken over my laundry room. I am sure the piles doubled while I was sleeping last night. And of course...there is nothing like the smell of the livestock barn clinging to the clothes. It makes me want to crawl back in bed and hope the laundry fairy shows up...she won't...and it will still be there when I get up "again".
So I sorted, pretreated and will dive into this and be oh so happy when it is all folded and put away....
Three laundry tips to share that I have learned over the years...
#1 Simple Green is great for getting out the most stubborn stains. It is awesome. We by it in the gallon jug at Sams and I dilute it in a spray bottle. I also use Simple Green on floors, washing cars, counter tops ect...the list is endless.
#2 Put peroxide in a spray bottle and spray on blood stains. The stain just bubbles up and then put garment in washer. I have also used it on upholstery and dab with a damp cloth..works Great!
#3 I had a plastic dish washing tub for each of my boys with there name on it. As I folded clothes I put the clothes right in there specific tub. Then they put there clothes away and returned the tub to the laundry.
Now, for the mountain of laundry that has taken over my laundry room. I am sure the piles doubled while I was sleeping last night. And of course...there is nothing like the smell of the livestock barn clinging to the clothes. It makes me want to crawl back in bed and hope the laundry fairy shows up...she won't...and it will still be there when I get up "again".
So I sorted, pretreated and will dive into this and be oh so happy when it is all folded and put away....
Three laundry tips to share that I have learned over the years...
#1 Simple Green is great for getting out the most stubborn stains. It is awesome. We by it in the gallon jug at Sams and I dilute it in a spray bottle. I also use Simple Green on floors, washing cars, counter tops ect...the list is endless.
#2 Put peroxide in a spray bottle and spray on blood stains. The stain just bubbles up and then put garment in washer. I have also used it on upholstery and dab with a damp cloth..works Great!
#3 I had a plastic dish washing tub for each of my boys with there name on it. As I folded clothes I put the clothes right in there specific tub. Then they put there clothes away and returned the tub to the laundry.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Attitude
Today is the day...we leave for 5 days at the state fair. We will Load the trailer with tack,feed,fans,bedding,buckets and countless other items all in a effort to keep our "show pigs" calm,cool and comfortable while lounging in their pens.
Then I will load the suburban with clothes,boots,food,lawn chairs and coolers to keep the "family" calm,cool and comfortable while at the fair.
Allot of physical effort of loading and unloading takes place as we prepare...but what about my Attitude....am I preparing that? Loading my head with scripture and encouraging words?Unloading self absorption,pity parties and "Why are we doing this again?" thoughts so that I can stay cool,calm and comfortable at the fair?
The physical aspect of getting ready is exhausting...however, the mental side doesn't even compare. I have to "Load myself up" to be the best mom,wife and supporter I can even if the project leaves me questioning our sanity.
Why? Because it is important to somebody else......and it is worth it.
Then I will load the suburban with clothes,boots,food,lawn chairs and coolers to keep the "family" calm,cool and comfortable while at the fair.
Allot of physical effort of loading and unloading takes place as we prepare...but what about my Attitude....am I preparing that? Loading my head with scripture and encouraging words?Unloading self absorption,pity parties and "Why are we doing this again?" thoughts so that I can stay cool,calm and comfortable at the fair?
The physical aspect of getting ready is exhausting...however, the mental side doesn't even compare. I have to "Load myself up" to be the best mom,wife and supporter I can even if the project leaves me questioning our sanity.
Why? Because it is important to somebody else......and it is worth it.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Magic of the Kitchen timer
Whether your children attend private,public or homeschool,morning "rush" hour can set the tone for the entire day.
After many mornings of frustration, I finally turned to my kitchen timer to help create a productive and positive atmosphere in our home.
How this works: I would set the timer for 20 minutes and wake the kids. They were aware that they had this allotted time to get there morning routine accomplished. Make bed, shower,brush teeth,dressed ect. I also included a list of what was expected on the bathroom mirror in case they "forgot".
All children were expected to be in the kitchen for breakfast when the alarm went off. If the alarm rang and they were not ready then the following evening they would have an extra chore to do for every minute longer it took them to be ready.
This works great and no more nagging mommy! It is the big,bad timer! I suggest you purchase several (I used the cheap dial kind) because your kids will find them and try to hide the timer!
After many mornings of frustration, I finally turned to my kitchen timer to help create a productive and positive atmosphere in our home.
How this works: I would set the timer for 20 minutes and wake the kids. They were aware that they had this allotted time to get there morning routine accomplished. Make bed, shower,brush teeth,dressed ect. I also included a list of what was expected on the bathroom mirror in case they "forgot".
All children were expected to be in the kitchen for breakfast when the alarm went off. If the alarm rang and they were not ready then the following evening they would have an extra chore to do for every minute longer it took them to be ready.
This works great and no more nagging mommy! It is the big,bad timer! I suggest you purchase several (I used the cheap dial kind) because your kids will find them and try to hide the timer!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Simple gifts in life
My husband gave me a gift last night. It was so very simple....He set the table, and as he was doing so, he slipped the "You are Special" Plate at my place.
We had just come off a very exhausting,stress-filled week at the county fair. It was his way of saying "Thank You".
Thank you for:
Supporting him and his dreams
Respecting him
Loving him
Honoring him
Showing interest in his hobbies
It was a simple,beautiful gift...I am still enjoying and unwrapping it today....
For more on the "You are special Plate" visit www.sueheimer.com
We had just come off a very exhausting,stress-filled week at the county fair. It was his way of saying "Thank You".
Thank you for:
Supporting him and his dreams
Respecting him
Loving him
Honoring him
Showing interest in his hobbies
It was a simple,beautiful gift...I am still enjoying and unwrapping it today....
For more on the "You are special Plate" visit www.sueheimer.com
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