Let Me Encourage You, Stay At Home Mom...

I'm finding that time has become a very precious commodity in my life. I mean, it always has been, but I took it for granted everyday of my life.

I've found that, as a SAHM, what I considered to be me running out of time, was in all actuality, me being lazy.

So many days, so many things didn't get done just because I chose not to do them.

Now that I'm back in the work-world, so many things doesn't get done because I literally run out of time.

The greatest lesson I'm learning though is that things aren't falling apart because they're not getting done. No dust police have come into my home with their white gloves on and arrested me because their white gloved finger is now black.

We haven't went without a meal because of dirty dishes and we haven't pulled out the 'fine china' (aka, paper plates) to compensate.

It's made me look back and wonder just how much time as a SAHM did I waste? Not in laziness, because I've already established the fact that I was indeed lazy at times, but how much time did I waste enjoying my children and being a better wife for my husband because of the dust police?

Yes, I do find myself in quite the battle at times because when folks show up at my house they are probably going to walk across sand-gritty floors. Most likely there is going to be dishes in the sink and on the counter with bread or cookie crumbs scattered about. Guess what I'm learning? It's OK.

With my daughter getting married in four months, I'm learning that dust bunnies pale in comparison to laying across the bed and catching up with my teenager.

With my son struggling in his walk with God, I'm learning that reading the Word with him and allowing him to see me in the Word more and in prayer more, is far more important than shiny sinks and immaculate floors.

I don't label myself as a failure as a mom and wife....although satan would have me believe that, but I do see where my priorities aren't always what they should have been.

So my sweet SAHM friend, listen to a lady who has been there and is still in the process of learning mighty lessons......a clean house and a well taken care of family is much desired and worthy of praise, but nothing is more important the relationships you build with your family and with your Father.

Talk to Me Tuesday

The other week when I asked you for your opinion about returning to work (which by the way, I turned in my resume but as of yet haven't heard anything) I was very intrigued by your answers and thoughts on a wife and mom at my stage of life returning to work. It sparked a thought in me for my blog about doing a weekly run on subjects that can be debated (in good taste). I've always been of the opinion that everyone's opinion is valid and worth listening to. It doesn't mean that we agree with each other but that we respect each other enough to listen and take into consideration someone else's thoughts.

So on Tuesdays for the next few weeks we are going to try Talk to Me Tuesday to see how turn out is. If it seems to be going in a good direction, we'll run with it. If not we'll back up and try something else.

This Tuesday I'm curious about something that was brought up in church last night....

In our world of ever changing technology, some people are using their cell phones in place of their Bibles. With all the new apps and the availability of the web wherever you go, you can just pull out your cell and read the Word off of there. You can take notes on your cell as well.

For me, this is a big no-no. Yes, I know what you're reading off of your phone, is the same thing I'm reading out of the Book in my hand. But, for me, where do we draw the line and say, "Enough is enough!". I know people of all ages who have no idea how to look up a verse in the Bible. Be it from the fact they've not studied the Word and so they just don't know to this techno thing where they can just type it in and boop! it pops up. For me, the respect factor for the Word of God is lost when we stand up in church for the reading of the Word and some are holding Bibles, some are looking at the screen up front and some are holding their phones.

I'm going to stay with the physical, hold it in my hand, hard copy of the Word of God.

How about you?

Talk to me!!!

(Hey!! Don't forget about leaving that comment!!..it gives you another chance to enter my give-a-way!!!)

Well....I'm Just Not Quite Sure....

We've all been there....wanting to post, needing to post...and drawing a blank.

Nothing earth shattering has happened, nothing grand has happened. Life's just kind of moving along and all is well with the world..for now at least.

So, I'm just going to ramble share about what has been going on.

Let's see.....

The Easter program was wonderful Sunday at church!! DH remembered most of his lines and the ones he forgot he did an awesome job ad-libbing!!

DD got the lighting job dropped in her lap on Wednesday and so had only practiced the lighting on Sunday morning before the actual performance. She did great and only lost our pastor once!!

Of course DS did a jam up job on the sound board. It's his gift and his ministry...'nuff said!

Then we went to my Mom and Dad's and we actually had all the family there for dinner and hiding eggs for the little guys. DD and DS did quite a bit of complaining when they thought that Mommaw was going to make them look for eggs too....(but she was only teasing!!) It was a really good day!!

I've been busy over the last week or so weeding and deep cleaning my house. I hate doing the deep stuff, but every now and then (more then than now!!) it has to be done. So, yesterday I finished the living room. Today I will take the curtains down in the dining room, wash them, clean the windows, the huge rug under the table and the cushions on the chairs...and then put it all back together!

My poor kitchen counter is piled with quite a stack of dishes and DH lovingly commented before he left for work this morning that I "....didn't get around to the dishes last night, huh?" Well, truth is, when I deep clean like this, it can get much worse before it gets better....

DD goes back to work today after being off for a month following her surgery. I have mixed feelings about this....it will be nice to have a few hours to myself again (she and DS's hours usually overlap by a couple) but I now have to go through the mini version of empty nest all over again.....She's excited and that's a very good thing when you're talking about your job.

I still haven't heard anything on the job I was inquiring about so I'm just trusting that the timing isn't right and God isn't ready for me to go back to work even part time yet.

Well, that about does it....I think everyone is caught up and hey!! guess what?? I've got a post written out!!! :o)

I Really Would LOVE Your Opinion!!

I'd like to get your opinion about something....There is a debate of sorts going on in my home.

Four people have four different opinions and I'd really like to know what my readers think.

I've been a stay-at-home, homeschooling Mom for over 18 years. After salvation, my husband and I agreed that the place for me to be was at home raising our children.

Together we made the decision to homeschool and we have been thoroughly blessed over the years. We have no regrets.

Our youngest graduates in May and our oldest works full time. I may have the opportunity to go back to work. Since I've been out of the workforce for over 18 years I realize that I'm not skilled for many jobs and this opportunity would be something I would really enjoy.

Our finances are such that we don't have to have the extra money, but it would be used to become debt free quicker, to build savings/retirement up and yes, to enjoy.

DH is all for it since we no longer have "school-age" children that need my full attention. DD is adamantly opposed, believing whole-heartedly that women are to be at home---period. DS is okay whatever decision is made. Me? I'm torn. I'm not against going back to work, but I am struggling with the aspect of being a keeper of my home.

Ultimately, I will be in obedience to my husband, because I fully believe that I am in submission to him and I fully trust that he loves me as Christ loves the Church.

What do you think?? Should I go back to work? Should I stay home? What are my options??

Waiting to hear from all of you........

Just a Thinkin'

So....Sunday night after a wonderful evening of I Care ministry outreach at church, I found myself home alone. DD was still at work and DS and DH were still at church working on the new welcome desk that is being put in the foyer.

I was scanning through the channels and found a show that I thought I'd get a good snicker out of ..it's title was "Canine Castles".

It's easy to understand from the title that this is going to be a show about extravagantly built dog houses...and it was.

But, even to my own surprise, instead of the eye rolling chuckle at the outrageousness of these dog houses, I found myself bobbing somewhere between anger and pity and even a bit of frustration at my ownself.



(Click here to see this picture including the article that went with it)

The more I saw dog houses with central heat and air, color tv's with remote controls, beds, clothes, rugs, pictures...I found myself thinking this has got to be the saddest thing I've seen in some time!

I found myself looking at dog houses that any human would be proud to live in...thankful to live in.

I found myself thinking that people are starving and homeless, and folks are laughing, admitting that spending $8000 - $25,000 for a dog house is not normal..."but we really love our dogs. They're our kids!!"

Now, before anyone goes to sending me hate mail let me say this....we are the proud owners of a black lab named Toby, a beagle named Bailey and a very spoiled indoor kitty named Mandy.
Our animals our very loved and always dubbed our kids. We take care of their health and play with them including slobbery dog kisses on the cheek. Our dogs are outdoor dogs with a very nice size dog house including warm bedding for these cold winter nights. We LOVE our animals ....very much, but when we can afford to spend lavish amounts on animals when there are children and adults hungry and homeless....our priorities are waaaay messed up.

I'm just as guilty as the above people I mentioned. While there is no way I would spend that kind of money on a dog house, I do waste money and things that I could bless others with and make their lives easier..give them hope.

God forgive us when we take so little thought of our fellow man......