25:52 Motivational Monday

The more help a person has in his garden, the less it belongs to him.

-William H Davis

This house we live in is our home.

We share it with the ones we love.

  Ones who help bring their own personalities, imaginations, and creations. 

Ones who seem to help make a mess every where they go.

Ones that offer to help clean.

Ones who help fill our home with joy.

Head over Maaret's way next. 

24:52 Motivational Monday

Speak the truth even if your voice shakes.

-Maggie Kuhn

My faults and failings as a mother often seem to be so many. Many times I look these beautiful children that God has given to me, and wonder how He thought I was the perfect mother for them? I often struggle. I mess up. I have to say I'm sorry, a lot. Asking for their forgiveness always makes my voice start to shake. But how quick they are to forgive! After hearing that wonderful blessing the heart beats an extra beat, then once again I am left feeling light and refreshed.

Your hand will uplift me, Lord, when I have fallen; my failings and trespasses all are forgiven. All are forgiven. Hymn 467;3

Head Maaret's way next.

23:52 Motivational Monday

Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today, because if you enjoy it today you can do it again tomorrow. 

-James A. Michener

This summer we have been enjoying each moment we can be outside. We have definitely made a number of trips to the park and even to the lake, but my favorite place to be outside is our yard.

The flowers in window boxes and pots seem to draw me outside, close to every morning to water them before the heat of the day its upon us.

The coolness of the morning and the taste of the first cup of coffee, a great way to start the day!  I appreciate these few quiet moments I have to myself.  

The kids have been working to help me slowly add a flower bed in behind our house.  It's been a love of labor, something that keeps drawing me outside. 

Head Maaret's  way next.

21:52 Motivational Monday

Opportunities are often things you haven't noticed the first time around.

-Catherine Deneuve

Something that I never noticed the first time around was, how we so often take the time spent with loved ones for granted.

After I graduated from High School I was in a rush to get out the door and experience the real world all on my own. Did I seriously not think that my mother was a girl just like me at one time in her life? 

 Little did I know that after having our first child how much I would need my mom again. Granted it was over the phone. But even those phone calls seem to help me through this new stage of life.

With our first, I also didn't seem to notice how fast the baby stage actually goes.  I think it's because I was so excited to watch him get to the next milestone; rolling, sitting, crawling, then walking. Before I knew it our baby was grown out of that stage and we couldn't go back in time. 

Now fast forward a several years, baby #4 just turned ONE! Where does the time go?    

I'm sad to say our children are slowly gaining more independence and don't want my help as much. I hope that I can be here for them, just like my mother was when I needed her again. 

Happy Memorial Day!

Head over Gloria's way next.

20:52 Motivational Monday

I don't know what the big deal is about old age. Old people who shine from the inside look 10 to 20 years younger.

-Dolly Parton

This photo is an oldie. I've realized I'm a little shy in taking photos of strangers.

Last summer when my grandma was visiting, Nolan asked her how old she was and if she was 18. Boy were we chuckling!

  I cherish this time spent with grandma. She is a wealth of good advise and can speak from experience in so many areas. Wish these miles between us were not so many.

I'm really looking forward to being able to visit with her in a couple months!

Linking up to Gloria again this week. 

19:52 Motivational Monday

Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by two and threes,

by dozens and hundreds.

 Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins,

 but only one mother in the whole world.

-Kate Douglas Wiggin

 Yesterday was just what the doctor ordered. We meet Ryan's parents and siblings at the park. The afternoon was spent visiting, relaxing and enjoying the sunshine.  

Us mothers even got a little pampering!

Head Gloria's way next!

18:52 Motivational Monday

The glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time you fail.

-Chinese Proverb

Last week this child decided she was done with diapers and wanted to wear undies. 

Keep in mind that I've told the hubby and a few friends she is one child that I'd PAY someone else to potty train.

So I went along with it and figured one day of accidents to clean up and we'd be back to diapers at bedtime. Well, this determined and strong willed girl had a different idea. It has been a week now that she's been in underwear. We've survived running errands and outings. We've one accident per day for the first four and now she has the hang of it. A few of the days I feel like the accidents were my fault, but I'm going to blame it on the weather. Ha.

She got to pick out her very first Barbie as a prize. Even Barbie goes potty too.

I guess if there is a will there is a way. It doesn't matter if your 2 1/2 or 82. She wasn't going to let her mom and a little accident put her back in diapers.  

We are switching up who we are linking to again. Head over Gloria's way next. 



17:52 Motivational Monday

When you have nothing to laugh about,

laugh anyway.

Soon you'll feel the healing power of joy and laughter bringing new energy and life to your weary, frustrating day.

-Thelma Wells 

Head over and see what Rachael might be laughing about.

16:52 Motivational Monday

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

-Thomas A. Edison

Evelynn just couldn't seem to figure out how to blow the bubbles. She would give up and say "I caw-knot!" I even showed her how to hold it closer to her mouth. She ended up tasting the bubbles and gave up completely.   

 

Naomi on the other hand, picked it right up.

Some times the wind would pop it before she could blow. 

 

It was a lot of fun to watch all her expressions as she tried again and again to blow more bubbles.

Head Rachael's way next.

15:52 Motivational Monday

When someone cares

It is easier to speak

It is easier to listen

It is easier to play

It is easier to work

When someone cares it is easier to laugh.

-Susan Polis Schutz

I'm linking up to Rachael again this week.



14:52 Motivational Monday

Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.

-Og Mandino

Just this past weekend we were visiting with some friends and we were talking about our kids. (This is an area that I really feel like I fall short.) One of the topics that we visited about was investing time into our kids for the long term. Today's quote really sums it up well. 

Instead of becoming impatient or frustrated with our stubborn child, I sometime have to take a deep breath and count to ten. I've realized my actions is how I'm teaching our child it's okay to act. I've also observed that our 'difficult' child is responding the way she is, because she doesn't know another way to communicate how to. It has taken more thought and effort to teach her than our other kids. But she, like the others, is worth all the effort.  

Now, when I get to share moments that she communicated with me, they seem extra special. 

We are switching up our linking order so head over Rachael's way next.

12:52 Motivational Monday

Spring is nature's way of saying "Let's party!"

-Robin Williams

Now that we have sprung ahead in time, we can see the changes in our day light that promise spring is on it's way.The battle of getting kids to bed before it's fully dark is once again here.  

Spring does seem to take a wee bit longer to arrive to these parts. I wouldn't be surprised if we get a couple more dumpings of snow.   

We have been making the best of the sunshine and visited the park twice this last week. In full winter gear. We did burn some energy off while getting fresh air. A double pump fist in my books! 

I'm linking up to Maaret again.

11:52 Motivational Monday

Just because it hasn't been done before doesn't mean you shouldn't try.

-Howard Schultz

This game is fun and challenging.

The kids have yet to get all the balls balanced on the clown. Shoot, I still haven't been able to get them all balanced on him either!  

It's fun to pick it up and try again.  

Linking up to Maaret again this week.

10:52 Motivational Monday

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

-C.S. Lewis

Those of you who know me, know I am a dreamer! Not always so good at the goal setting. But hey, dreams are free right?

I have one dream that always seems to keep coming back.  Right after Christmas I start dreaming about making all homemade gifts to give the following Christmas. I dream about the endless possibilities of the gifts you could make. I spend more time on pinterest then I need too. Pretty soon spring is here and the itch to be outdoors is strong. Then summer is upon us and Christmas has long been forgotten about. By the time Christmas is remembered about again, there isn't enough time to make all the gifts I dreamed about.

This year I am determined to make this dream a reality! In fact I've already started on this dream/ goal. My first Christmas present is half way done. The second one is cut and ready to be sewn. Each week I will make time to work on Christmas presents.

Head over and see what goals or dreams Maaret has for you.