Homemaking With Intention

February was a month of learning and growing for me. I learned a little about some of my friends and a lot about myself! I also learned that even though I am a great mom, I am still trying to learn the lessons I am teaching my children. Let me explain. My wonderful hard working husband had an opportunity to take a little vacation this month. He got to get on an 'airs planes' (as my son would say) and leave this cold Virgina weather and land in sunny, warm Florida. But, by being out of town, that left me with the kids on my own for 4 nights. For the week leading up to him leaving I kept having mixed feelings. How could he just up and leave me for 4 nights all by myself with four small kids? But wait, I kinda do the kid thing on my own anyway. Don't get me wrong, my husband is a great father, but he works long hours to make it possible for me to stay home full time. This means that there are some days that I take care of the kids all day and get them to bed before he even...

My husband and I attend church pretty faithfully. My favorite part of church is the worship. I love going and just being able to sing to the Lord. There is something so powerful in praising Him! This past weekend our sweet 2.5 year old girl stayed in 'big church' with us. It was fun singing with her. She asked about the worship leader and what her name was. She even said she looked like a princess on stage. But other then that little bit of church I can not remember what was said during the service. I could not tell you what our pastor preached about. I was so consumed with the conversation I was having with the Lord. And boy, was it humbling! As I sat between my amazing husband and one of the sweetest girls I know, I thought, "Wow Lord. I am doing pretty good! Of course, I sin like everyone else, but I am in a really great place. No 'super' sin in my heart." "Oh really? None at all?" "Nope. We come to church and tithe regularly. I tr...

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 1 Peter 3:3-4 Many years ago, when I first read this passage, the "gentle and quiet spirit" stuck out at me. I felt that I was anything but 'gentel and quiet.' I talked too much and too loud. I said things and did things I later thought that I should not have. I wanted to be a women (and later a wife) that was both pleasing to my husband and my Lord.  There were many times though out our dating years and early marriage that I would think I was being too loud and that my husband would want a 'gentel and quiet wife.' So I would sit with him and not say a word. My husband (or boyfriend at the time) would ask over and over "what's wrong?" I would just shake my head and g...