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One Thing That They Will Remember

laragwilliams — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:01:56 +0000

Today’s post was written by our monthly contributor, Lara. You can visit her blog at www.ToOverflowing.com.

I don’t know who wrote it, but I’ve never forgotten, “They won’t remember all the things you did with them, but they will remember how you made them feel.”

I think about those wise words especially when I’m feeling a little frustrated or whiny about my mommy tasks. Like during our recent camping trip.

Flickr photo credit

Gaining Perspective

I admit that I don’t love to camp. Well…reword. I don’t love to tent camp with three young kids when it rains all night and the temperatures drop into the 30s. Not my favorite.

So knowing that our most recent camping trip would include all of these factors, I had to get alone with God before our adventure began. Because I didn’t want my bad attitude to ruin the trip. He graciously met me in my laundry room with true words.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Put To The Test

We arrived at the site around dinner time. So with the clouds looming and rain inevitable I started the grill. The grate wasn’t straight so two hot dogs rolled off into the charcoal. But we live by the 10-second-rule so I just wiped off the crunchy pieces of charred mess and threw the hot dogs back on the fire.

The kids didn’t notice. They ran around making memories with stick-swords.

We roasted smores and sang a couple of songs and got ready for bed. Then we crawled into our sleeping bags just as the rain started — God’s gracious timing. Though I did dream of gunshots all night with the sound of rain tapping on the tarps.

The oldest woke up around 4:30 needing to go potty. In the rain. And cold. So we ran down the trail in our pajamas to the bath house. When we got back into our sleeping bags I couldn’t sleep because all I could hear was the wild animal that found our stray box of Cheez-Its. It kept reaching in and out of the bag, crunching like a hungry child.

I’m pretty sure it was a raccoon but in my sleep deprivation I laid there slightly fearful that it was a baby bear, which meant its mama was somewhere close. And I’m not interested in meeting up with a bear in the woods.

The kids woke up with the sun — cheerful and excited for the day. While I scrounged for some coffee. Then we hiked a short trail. And after we loaded the car to head home, the first thing they asked was, “When can we do that again?!” My man and I just gave each other “the look.”

We were only gone a total of 24 hours but I had to keep battling my attitude. I didn’t feel like being there. I didn’t want to be cold and wet. But there were these three kids who couldn’t wait to get on that mountain.

The Call on a Mama

I don’t love to tent camp with three young kids when it rains all night and the temperatures drop into the 30s. But as moms we sometimes have to do things that we don’t love. And our attitudes will make an impression on the hearts of our kids.

I want them to remember that I laughed with them, that I smiled a lot, that I listened when they had something to say. I want them to remember that I made them feel loved. I want to honor my Lord.

I continually fail which is why I’m desperately thankful for His grace that mends the places I’ve torn. But this day I lay mommyhood before Him again, asking that He love their souls through my imperfect hands — even if I may not like what’s on the agenda.

How do you reign in your own heart when you need to do something that you don’t particularly enjoy?

Speaker and writer, Lara Williams lives in central North Carolina with her husband and three young children. Check out her blog or follow her on Twitter.

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Registration for the HelloMornings Challenge Summer Session Is Now Open!

Kat — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:58:16 +0000

We had a BLAST last night at the Live Chat. We had all kinds of technical difficulties, but the HelloMornings Team pulled it off and everyone who showed up filled up the chat screen.

One announcement we made is that the Summer Session registration is now open!

Click here to learn what’s different about this session of the HelloMornings Challenge and to register.

I’m also guest posting today over at MomHeart.org. I’m not a photographer, but I play one on blogs…and I’m kinda proud of the pic I took of my boy. My post is called “Leaving A Legacy One Grapefruit at A Time” click here to check it out and share your thoughts.

Spread the Word!

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Feel free to post this button on your blog!

Preparing for Summer: A Fun, Flexible, Daily Routine

Kat — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:12:38 +0000

Photo Credit

Ah…lazy, summer days. Popsicles and plastic swimming pools. Friends and family. Bbq’s and summer camps.

Who doesn’t look forward to and dream of the first day of summer vacation?

Mothers of small children…that’s who.

Of course, that’s not a blanket statement. There are plenty of you wonderful, saintly moms who have infinite patience and revel in the thought of unscheduled, unplanned, unending days alone with their children.

I am not one of those. I thrive on schedules. I love to be creative and spontaneous when I have a foundation of a routine. Summer always throws me for a loop. Suddenly, my routine is gone. The kids’ routine is gone. And we all have different expectations for our days.

Make a Plan

I love routine. Within the confines of a routine I find the freedom to create.

And just as we create spaces in our house for different activities (dining room for family meals, kitchen table for art projects, living room for reading and games, backyard for running and playing) we need to create spaces in time for those very same things. It is important that during the summer we have a flexible routine for our days (particularly for those with small children).

As you plan your schedule, consider your own personal energy levels at different times of the day. For example, I tend to be a morning person and have the most energy early in the day. So, instead of watching morning cartoons as soon as breakfast is over, I’ll take my kids out to do fun stuff in the morning.

Here’s my flexible summer schedule:
7:30 am – Outing
After breakfast, go for a walk and then go out to the park, zoo, pool etc.

12:30 pm- Lunch
Pack a lunch or come home and eat. (Have lots of to-go food ready for spontaneous picnic trips to avoid fast food.)

1:30 pm – Quiet Time
This is the time when my youngest child can nap and my older two can read, rest or work on their goals. This is my time to rest and write.

3:00 pm – Afternoon free play.
When Quiet time is over the kids can play outside or do whatever they like. I might also have some possible craft ideas ready for them or they can help me make dinner. This is also the time when they can choose to watch a show or they can wait and ask for a movie night.

I usually hit a slump at about 2pm, which, handily falls right in the middle of Quiet Time.

The afternoon is pretty downhill. The kids can play together outside, watch shows or help me prepare dinner.

Sometimes The Simplest Actions Can Make The Biggest Difference

Wow, Kat. That’s pretty simplistic. You’re actually writing a post about this?

Yes, my schedule might seem pretty natural and normal to many of you, but it was actually a bit profound for me. Normally, we are slow to get going in the morning. We slowly eat breakfast, then we stay in our pj’s and watch cartoons. We get a late start for our outing, eat a late lunch, take a late nap (or miss it all together) and then by the time 3pm rolls around, I’m tired, the kids are bored and we’ve used up all our TV time.

By simply being a little more proactive in the morning, we can have a much more fun and relaxing time.

This Isn’t The 10 Commandments

Of course, none of this is written in stone, it’s simply a guideline to help our days flow smoothly. Occasionally, we’ll throw the whole schedule out the window and spend the entire day at the pool or the park. Maybe we’ll stay in our pj’s and watch movies and read books all day. Maybe we’ll have a playdate, go to the zoo, museum, pool, park or take a day trip to Austin or Dallas.

That’s the beauty of summer. It’s spontaneous and free. But having a routine to fall back on can keep us healthy, happy and sane.

Share Your Fun Ideas

Are you feeling ready for summer? What are some of your favorite summertime activities to do with your kids?

(Some content from this post was originally shared on 5/10.)

Meet the New HelloMornings Team AND Join Us for a Live Chat with GIVEAWAYS!

Katie — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

We’re gearing up for an awesome time for our HelloMornings party!

Who: Everyone is invited!

Whether you have been a part of the challenge before, plan to join us this summer, or are wondering what HelloMornings is all about, we would love for you to join in the fun.

What: HelloMornings Live Chat

We will be introducing our awesome HelloMornings Team, chatting a bit about the summer and fall HelloMorning challenges, and will be giving away LOADS of prizes!

Where: Right here at InspiredToAction.com

The party will be held here on the blog. So, hop on over to the Live Chat page, bookmark the site, and RSVP while you’re there! (There may be a giveaway selected from those who RSVP by FRIDAY!)

When: May 1, 9PM EST

We will be hanging out for about an hour, and we’ll have giveaways throughout the night. You will not want to miss it.

Hope to see you there!

The Year of Motherhood: Themed Family Nights

Jamie — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:50:47 +0000

April Family Night – Recap!

My April challenge was to plan a family night each week that was more than dinner and a movie.

I feel like my husband, Aaron, and I spend a good amount of quality family time with our kids, but for some reason I felt as though we needed a little boost to our nights. I wanted to put a little pep in our step and bring them up a notch.

Our first family night was a LUAU FAMILY NIGHT theme and it was so much fun with the kids. I learned that on one hand it was super easy because it’s food we would have normally eaten, and I didn’t have to buy much to make the night special. We played limbo with a broomstick I found in the backyard, and silly straws and virgin pina colada’s don’t cost too much these days! The kids loved it. At one point I looked at Aaron and thought, I could do this. I could plan something like this every week and be a really “good” mom!

The next family night snuck up on me and I was not as prepared. Around 5:30pm I was still at the grocery store and texting everyone I knew in our neighborhood asking if they had a tent that we could borrow for our camping theme night. We finally got a tent, and finally got dinner made and in the end had one of the kids favorite desserts, but it was stressful for me, and I felt like I was more concerned with feeling like we were “camping” than I was with hanging out with my kids. Sure they ate in the tent, but I’m not sure I talked to them at all during the dinner. I could check another family night off the calendar.

That family night left me feeling defeated.

Another night was completely unplanned and we ended up making nachos late at night with our boys while watching a movie. Aaron looked at me and we kind of had the look that we both knew what we were both thinking. We both knew that this was a memory night. Completely unplanned and no theme at all, unless you call it a “How-much-gross-food-can-you-eat-in-one-night” theme! My kids thought it was hilarious that we put a TV in their room and let them eat nachos on the floor while we watched a movie. It was out of the box and so fun for them. I didn’t plan this theme.

It was just life happening and it was perfect.

Themed family nights have been fun and they’ve also been draining.

I’ve learned this month that each mom is different and I need to know my limits. Planning themed nights is not my thing, and I can say this with all confidence…. I’m.okay.with.this. For me, I’ll still do a theme night every once in a while, because my kids loved it. I’ll also not stress about them, because my kids also just love it when we’re together eating nachos on the floor in their room just because. No theme necessary. Just because.

The Next Motherhood Challenge

My challenge for May is to encourage each of my kids daily.

To say this out loud seems very elementary, but the point of this month is to stop and really talk to my kids each day. If you are like me, you wake up; get them to school and when you pick them up from school the whirl wind starts. The hours between 4 and 8 pm should be the sweetest, but sometimes they are the craziest. Baseball practice, homework, piano lessons, church stuff, dates nights, etc. etc. etc.

I want to slow down each day and spend time exhorting my children.

I want to look at them and find their strengths and encourage them in them daily. Unfortunately this will be a challenge for me. Instead of seeing so many areas that need improvement I’m asking God to help me see the areas they are succeeding in and encourage them there. In Hebrews the writer tells us to “exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you maybe be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”. That’s what I want for my kids. I want to be their biggest fan and encourager.

Will you join me this month in becoming your kid’s biggest fans?

Together, let’s find ways to encourage our kids every single day. When they are driving you nuts, find something good in them that is worthy of encouragement. Let’s cheer our kids on with encouragement this month and all the months to come!

Share with us in the comments how you take special time out each day to encourage your kids.Click here to join the discussion!

About the Author:
Jamie Ivey lives in Austin with her husband, Aaron, who is the worship pastor at The Austin Stone Community Church, and their four kids. She’s passionate about loving her husband, following Jesus, talking about adoption, and trying to be the best mom she can be to the four cutest kids in the world. She loves family nights, reading a good book, and could eat Mexican food three times a day. You can find her blogging at DreamingBigDreams.net, or on twitter @jamie_ivey.

Your 15 Minute Transformation

Kat — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:57:43 +0000

What if you spent 15 minutes with Ann Voskamp every day for one whole month? Just a quick coffee and chat about your favorite things?

What if you followed that with a 15 minute chat with Jillian Michaels? Every day for one month.

How do you think those simple conversations would affect you?

I guarantee you’d have a keener eye for the gifts in your life and you’d put up a stronger fight against that last piece of cheesecake.

Why? Because passion and focus are contagious. Ann is passionate about gratitude. Jillian is passionate about fitness. And when you spend one on one time with someone, when you listen to them and share with them you can’t help but be transformed.

The Lowest Point In My Life

My very first real job crushed me. It required me to work one on one with my boss and I knew from the first week that I did not measure up to expectations. I was constantly corrected. Every meeting involved a little notebook where every wrong thing I did or said was written down. I didn’t have any other peers at that job, so the only input I had was that of my boss.

By the end of that job, my self esteem was lower than it had ever been in my entire life. I was convinced I couldn’t do anything right. The daily negative input from one person crushed me.

How My Dream Job Changed Me

Not long after that, I started working at KSBJ Radio in Houston, Texas. (The best job I could have ever even dreamed of…I love that place!) I was given more and more responsibility until my boss, Tim McDermott, decided that I should start a new offspring company for the station. I had no experience starting a new business, but he gave me the keys and let me drive.

After spending a few years at KSBJ, surrounded by people who believed in me, my perception of my working abilities was absolutely transformed.

What’s Your Soundtrack?

Friends, who do you listen to? Who do you spend time with? What is the soundtrack that plays in your life? There may be seasons in your life when you’re surrounded by wonderful people who lift you up or there may be seasons when you are surrounded by hurting people who bring you down.

I’m A Matchmaker

I spend hours and hours of time on this blog. I don’t to it to make money. I don’t do it to build a “brand.”

I do it because I’m a matchmaker. I know Someone who is perfect for you. He adores you. He knows all about you and is the fulfillment of every need of your heart.

And He wants to spend some time with you.

Can I encourage you…no…can I BEG you to know and be known by the One who wants you to succeed more than anyone else? The One who has plans for you and a hope and a future for you? The One who wants to tell you the EXACT things you need to hear?

If a 15 minute daily conversation with Ann would leave you more grateful, if 15 minutes a day with Jillian would leave you more fit, how truly and deeply will you be transformed by 15 minutes with the God who pieced you together perfectly with a specific plan and purpose for this very day in your life?

Put it on the calendar. A 15 minute coffee date with God.

Listen to what He has to say and let the transformation begin.

Share your story

When have you been encouraged by the words of others? Click here to share your story!

When Idealism Gets in the Way

Katie — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:30:27 +0000

Note from Kat: This post is from monthly contributor (and our new HelloMornings Director!) Katie Orr.

I’ve had this love-hate relationship with nutrition over the years. Most of my early twenties were spent finding the ideal diet. My meals consisted of salads, vegetables, whole grains, and fresh fruit. I ate very little meat, most of which was fish or chicken. I kept the carbs at bay, avoided high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, yadda, yadda, yadda.

This was fun and easy way to eat, as a single woman in a big city. I was able to keep this going for several years into marriage and mommy-hood. My husband found the steal-of-the-year, a Champion Juicer for $15 at a garage sale (Oh yes he did!) and I would make vegetable juice for us all to drink. My son and daughter’s baby food was home-made, and I breast-fed until both of them were well into their first year of life. When my oldest was seven months old we went to Asia for 6 weeks and I even made his baby food there!

Fast Forward to French Fries

It is now about four years from the end of that “golden age”. My kids eat a piece of candy every day. My third child was on formula and ate peas from a jar. McDonalds and Hungry Howies are in our diet just about weekly. Need I go on?

There are many factors to the changes. As our family grew and job situation changed, it quickly become too expensive to eat as well. We were up-rooted five times in 6 years and lost all semblance of “normal”. There was also a year of living with (wonderful) family who didn’t quite understand the whys behind our lifestyle. The area in which we lived changed from the artsy suburbs where healthy choices abound, to more rural areas where “greens” are boiled in pig fat and served brown. Did I mention that somewhere along the lines I began my struggle with depression?

I just became too weary to fight for what was healthiest.

It’s Gotta Be All or Nothing

The juicer stayed packed away, I ignored nutrition labels, and what was healthiest was replaced with what was easiest. I gave up the pursuit of the “ideal” stay-at-home mom, but the guilt ate at me every day. It was a struggle to know the way I was “supposed” to be living, but not doing it. Ignorance is bliss took on a new meaning to me; self-condemnation abounded as I was constantly aware of what I “should” be feeding my kids.

What I feed my kids is just one of many layers of the “shoulds of motherhood” I struggle with. You see, I tend to focus on all that I am NOT doing. Instead of noticing the things I do as a mother that are meaningful, important, and astonishing, I look at my failures, short-comings, and dysfunction—and I let them define me. I’ve gotta be all, or nothing.

God has graciously intervened, and I am learning to see that my worth is not determined by what I do or don’t do. I cannot be it all—the perfect wife, mom, and homemaker—and I am in the process of removing all the ideals—the “shoulds”—from my to-do list. Because that list will never be accomplished by any one woman. Nor should it be.

Finding the Right Amidst the Wrongs

So, today I am going to focus on the things I still hold on to in our diet. I am going to celebrate the things I am doing “right”, and ignore all the “wrongs”.

We eat fruit; cold cereal and fruit is our breakfast staple. My kids regularly ask for an apple or orange for a snack. They love fruit and are (mostly) content to eat it.
Vegetables are a big part of our diet. My oldest son will eat spinach and other baby greens with nothing on them—and likes it! My daughter asked me for a whole cucumber yesterday as a snack. My two-year-old is finally starting to eat the spinach and not throw it on the floor! (Now THAT is a cause to celebrate!)

We often get FRESH vegetables, fruit, fish and eggs. Living in a rural area, EVERYONE here has their own garden. We’ve had salads from greens that were picked just hours before. Watermelons given to us fresh from the vine. We even have our own (itty-bitty) organic blueberries bushes in the backyard. My husband has tried his hand at fishing with the local boys and brought home dinner for the evening. Tonight I am buying a dozen free-range chicken eggs from a boy in our church.
We don’t eat much meat. We have swung a bit back and forth with this over the years, but of late we are getting back to eating mostly chicken, turkey and fish; we serve many meals sans meat.

Finding a New Ideal

While our diet may not be perfect, I am doing something nutritionally right. Instead of wallowing in everything I am not or cannot be, I am trying to take a more balanced approach to what I focus on. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

So, we will eat hot dogs at the ball field and drive through McDonalds because it is cheap and convenient. I will let my kids enjoy sugary treats and the occasional Sprite (especially if I can get them to do something for it!) and their snacks will not have to pass my hydrogenated-oil inspection. Nutritionally, it’s not ideal, but it is ideal for getting through these crazy, early years of motherhood.

Although, I did recently find the box with my Champion juicer in it, so look out carrots!

What ideals of motherhood do you struggle with? How have you settled into your own ideal? What “right” are you doing amidst your “wrongs”? Share it with us in the comments.

________________________________________________

Jesus-lover. Pastor’s wife. Mommy of three. Grace-clinger. Truth-speaker. Auburn fan. Longing to equip others to walk with the Lord for a lifetime. Co-author of Savoring Living Water: How to have an effective quiet time and author of Focused15 Bible studies. Creator of Do Not Depart where you can receive encouragement and tools to abide in God’s Word.

A Super Sweet Song and A Good Book for Your Weekend

Kat — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:39:56 +0000

I just love this sweet video from JJ Heller (you may have heard her song Your Hands on the radio). She has an incredibly gorgeous voice and I love the way she writes lyrics. Creative yet relatable. This video was produced by her husband Dave. We had them over to our house a couple years ago (here’s the long story why) and they are simply the cutest couple ever.

(Email and RSS readers, click here to watch the video.)

Good Book

I also want to share a great little ebook with you today. It’s written by my friend Jamie, author of the blog SteadyMom. The ebook is called Mindset for Moms – From Mundane to Marvelous Thinking in Just 30 Days and it’s a gem.

Each of the 30 chapters can be read on it’s own so it’s perfect for a little nap time perspective change. Jamie shares some excellent nuggets of wisdom that will inspire you as a mom.

Here is glimpse at the topics she covers:

Want what you have.
Learn to think like your child.
Survive (and thrive) as an introverted mom.
Surround yourself with great thoughts from great minds.
Conquer the myth of never enough time.
Live above the details.
Realize that it’s okay to be down.
Find the emotional rest you need when weary.

Doesn’t that sound good? Fortunately for us, Jamie’s not only wise, but she’s kind too. She has a special offer for you all!

From Jamie:
“Any Inspired to Action reader (that’s you!) who buys Mindset for Moms in any format (PDF, Kindle, Nook, or iTunes) can receive a FREE PDF version of my first book, Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood (a $9 value!). To take advantage of this offer, simply send me an email – jamie(at)steadymom(dot)com – after your purchase with the subject line “I bought Mindset for Moms” and I’ll respond within a few days with your free copy of Steady Days. Offer valid through April 30, 2012.”

Click here to get more info about Jamie’s book.

No goeth thou and haveth an awesometh weekend..eth!! (And remember, you’re kind of a big deal…)

Just for fun: If you could have any artist sing in your living room, who would it be? Click here to join the discussion.

5 Important Heart-Guidelines To Teach Our Children

laragwilliams — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 05:11:00 +0000

(Note from Kat: This is a post from monthly contributor Lara Williams. Enjoy!)

My blood pressure rises when I walk into my daughter’s room. Literally. In fact, I have a slight twinge of fear that she may end up on the show Hoarders.

She’s the sweetest, most thoughtful little thing. But she cannot keep her room picked-up to save her life. Which I assume is one of God’s creative ways of keeping this recovering perfectionistic control-freak (me!) in line.

Lord, help me.

It’s easy to see what their hands do (or don’t do). That’s the easy thing. I can see my daughter’s mess. I can see (and hear) my boys clobber one another. I can see them disregard the feelings of the other. I see those things with my physical eyes.

But as their mama, I want to see more. I want to see their heart behind their hands. And only He gives that kind of vision.

flickr photo credit

As I’ve prayed over the years that He would allow me to see my children — really see them — He’s graciously answered.

The most important guidelines I can teach my children

I don’t have a bunch of rules for them to follow. Partly because I can barely remember which day it is, much less a long list of “shalt nots.” Instead He’s led me to steer them with a handful of heart-guidelines that I pray they take with them as they get older.

Love: up and out. (1 John 4:8) — This is our core “rule.” And really everything else falls under this one thing. Just like He said. (Mark 12:29-31) I ask them (a lot!), “How can you show love to God (or love to your brother) right now in this very moment?” Everything ultimately comes down to love. And I pray they remember.
Be a blessing. (Proverbs 18:21; Romans 12:14) — If they do the love thing, then they will be a blessing. But I want them to remember that their behaviors and words can either bless or tear down those around them. Bless or tear down.
Take good care of what we’ve been given. (1 Peter 4:10; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2) — Everything is God’s. He calls us to be good stewards of both spiritual and physical things. (My daughter and I talk about this one often.)
Pray for your brothers and sisters. (Matthew 5:44; 1 John 5:16) — When one of them falls under mama’s discipline, I want the others to learn to pray for them. Because we’re called to lift those around us. We’re called to intercede for those who fall into sin — not sit in the corner and point and laugh at their downward spiral. Prayer shows love.
Obedience brings blessing. Disobedience brings consequences. (Deuteronomy 28:1, 15) — God works this way. As a faithful Father, He blesses obedience. But as a faithful Father He also disciplines our disobedience — for our good and His glory. I pray they remember.

God alone can change my children

I cannot transform their hearts. It’s not in my power or in my job description as their mama. That’s His work to accomplish.

But by His strength I can train and lead them in His ways. I can point their hearts in His direction. I can (imperfectly) exemplify a woman who loves my Maker and depends upon His grace when I fail.

What general heart-guidelines do you lay out for your own kids? Let us know in the comments!

Speaker and writer, Lara Williams lives in central North Carolina with her husband and three young children. Check out her blog or follow her on Twitter.

What Every Mom Should Write in the Occupation Box When Filling Out Forms

Kat — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:35:36 +0000

Today I’m so honored to share my first post over at Sally Clarkson’s new site, Mom Heart Online. And since the posts just before mine were from Sally and Ann Voskamp, I may have done a screen shot of the front page. ‘Cuz I’m all cheesy like that.

I love how God uses our messes to encourage others.

Anyway, I hope it makes you cry, smile and hold your head up high!

Read my post here.