When You Don't Know Where You are Going...

Sometimes not knowing where you are going brings fear, anxiety, and doubt. Some people allow those feelings and emotions to cripple them. They never cross the threshold of new beginnings. They never swing wide the open door and walk through it. They never truly live because they are stuck.

Hebrews 11:8 says, "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (ESV)

I don't know what "big" things you have stirring up. I don't know if you are viewing those "big" things as a positive or a negative. I don't know what God has made clear to you. I believe a little bit of fear is healthy but it was by faith that Abraham obeyed. He had no clue where he was going, but God promised him GREAT things. 

"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." - Genesis 12:2-3 (ESV)

I'm sure the promise God gave him was absolutely appealing but he still had to leave his country, his people, and his father's household. I'm guessing that not knowing where the final destination would be would make him he was just a little bit scared, but once again in faith he obeyed God. Your next step may not be as alluring as Abraham's promise but a next step is still required.

The end of this month will mark our one year anniversary move to San Antonio. A year ago I felt a little like Abraham. We had no jobs lined up, no place to live, and we were leaving behind lifelong friends. But deep within our hearts we knew this was our next step in our journey. I don't know what God has in store for us and I don't know what God has in store for you, but God will lead you like he's leading me just stay attuned to His voice.

Lessons from a Two Year Old

The past few days my two year old has been walking around the house with a set of Ninja Turtle trading cards I found at a thrift store and a Buzz Light Year figurine. If we head out the door he’ll proudly pack them up in his back pack so they travel with him wherever he goes. He even sleeps with all his favorite things tucked under his blanket. If little brother grabs a hold of those things a blood curdling scream is soon to follow. It’s as though he can’t live without them. The objects seem completely random to me, but to him they are priceless pieces that are dear to his little heart. Something about those objects bring him comfort. 

What brings you comfort? We may not walk around with toys in our hands but we do have things that we feel we can’t live without because without it we don’t know what to do. Maybe it’s our phone or an iPad. Dare I say a game on one of those devices? Could it be your television, a person, money or a hobby? Personally, I enjoy all of those things. After a long day I like to sit in front of the television. On a bad day I’ll seek my husband’s comfort. None of those objects or people are bad until…..until you are placing them before our loving God. When it is all we think about or can’t seem to live with out it has become a problem.

So is there something you hold on to so tight you’ll try to fight God for it? It may sound silly but as adults we do the very thing my two year old does. I have to ask myself this very question a lot. I can get swept up in too much of something and my heart and time become divided. 

So what can you learn from a two year old today?

Hello, my name is Lora and I’m a Control Freak…

Hello, my name is Lora and I’m a Control Freak…

There. I said it. The reason why I share this is because I have a feeling I’m not alone in this. I’m not alone in the sin I’ve been meddling with. I’m not alone when it comes to not trusting God. 

I have never parted oceans, I did not create the starry night, I have never formed a planet yet I trust myself way more than I trust the very God who created all those things.

I’ve been brewing over the passage of scripture in Exodus, chapter 16, where the children of Israel had just come out of Egypt. They witnessed some of the most miraculous things and you’d think they’d be in awe of God’s wonders but instead they grumbled and complained about their current situation. Now that’s an entire different post you can read some of my thoughts about that here. 

But what I want to focus on is the part where you and I have failed many times before. When the Israelites woke up each morning, the manna would be like dew on the ground, and they collected it and prepared it for the day. If they gathered more than they needed, it would rot. God was teaching them to trust him for their daily bread.

I’m a goal oriented gal. I like schedules and plans. I like to look ahead into the future and try to set myself up for success. I don’t think that those things are bad but I do think that it became a problem when I noticed a hiccup in my plans drove me crazy because that meant I was no longer in control. I slowly went from happily sitting in the back seat of the car watching God take me from point A to point B to invading His space, to kicking him out of the driver’s seat while He watched me take the wheel because after all I knew better. Sigh. The good news is I’m in recovery. I know it’s wrong, but how many times have we subtly done that?

Gloria Furman says it best in her book Glimpses of Grace, "We have a problem with letting God provide for us. We have a problem with that in the broad scope of our lives — we’d rather save ourselves from our sin. And we have a problem with letting God provide for our daily bread in the minute details of life. We fail at letting God provide for us because we think we know what we need better than he does. So we go and take it for ourselves. I do this every time I don’t consciously trust him; I trust myself."

Since my “aha” moment I’ve been praying this daily prayer, “Lord I trust you for today. Whatever you have in store for today. Whomever you have in store for me today. I will not worry about tomorrow. Help me to live for today. Amen.”

This simple prayer has moved me to quite a perspective shift especially when it comes to my family's finances. My husband for the last 13 years received a weekly paycheck. We knew when to expect it and how much to expect. We are now in a season in our lives where it is about completely trusting God for our daily bread. Last year he started his own business which means we no longer have the comfort of knowing how much we’ll receive each month. But God has been ever so present and faithful. 

So what is it in your life that has you so wound up, so distracted, so filled with anxiety that you can’t see the miraculous of what God is doing in your life? Do you trust him for your daily bread?  

When We Forget What He Has Done

When I think of the children of Israel I think dumb dumb people. Not only did God send Moses to release you from captivity but you saw the sea parted and you walked right through it (Exodus 14:21). You ate manna that came straight down from heaven (Exodus 16:4) and come on your sandals lasted 40 years as you wandered in the desert. They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe his promise. They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the Lord. (Psalm 106:24-25) After all that plus more they forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt (Psalm 106:21).

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. What a picture of my life. Time after time God has intervened. He has provided my every need and yet when fear strikes I forget about what God has done for me.

Psalm 106 continues on with a long list of wrongs they committed against God and many times God delivered them even when they were bent on rebellion and wasted away in their sin (vs. 43). But God is patient with us. He desires our fellowship. He took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. He caused them to pitied by all who held them captive. (vs. 44-46).

So what is it your facing today? Don’t doubt His mighty power. Don’t doubt his love for you. Sometimes days will be darker before you begin to see the light piercing through, but don’t lose hope and don’t grow weary. Don’t forget what He has done for you!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever (Psalm 107:1).

What if...

What if I took you on my journey of the last two months what would you see?

What if sleep came in batches of three hours through the night instead of a deep slumber?

What if dirty filled clothing and precious giggles were caused by mud puddles, snails, roll pollies and worms?

What if tears of frustration were brought on by tiny people called my children?

What if the housework is daunting with a means to no end?

What if the menu consisted of sandwiches for the umpteenth time?

What if relief came in forms of good coffee, a helpful husband, and an intriguing book?

What if a change in focus changed everything?

What if God used my weaknesses to make something beautiful?

What if I started each day releasing my fears, my worries, my drama, my weariness to God?

What if beautifully living was just that?

What if... 

Crock Pot to the Rescue!

The last week has been exhausting to say the least. My husband had a wedding video shoot back in my home town (4 hours south) over Mother's Day weekend so we decided to make a mini trip out of it and spend Mother's Day with his mom and family. Unfortunately my husband got sick with some sort of crud so the trip was a bit wearing on him and then I got hit with something. Sigh. As soon as we got back home baby Chase went on a teething rampage plus fever. It never ends, but I know you all know that!

So what does one do to make life a bit easier? Well, I've taken my advice from this post and went double time with my crock pot. This morning I whipped up these pinto beans in one crock pot. I made a few adjustments of my own. I added fresh cilantro and two Knorr Chicken Bouillon cubes and I didn't add the jalapeño or cumin as suggested. In the second crock pot I put together a Chicken Enchilada Casserole. We had both of these for dinner tonight and they turned out great. My daughter who eats slower than molasses cleaned out her plate in a matter of minutes and even said, "Mommy you cooked good today!" Score!

Once I cleaned up dinner I went back to throwing a few things together so I could have a bit of breathing room tomorrow. In one crock pot I added a pork butt roast with some BBQ sauce. I'm making a double batch of pulled pork sandwiches. This will be for dinner tomorrow for the family and I'm also taking some to a friend who just had a baby. For breakfast in the morning I'm going to sit back and relax and let the slow cooker do the work with this oatmeal recipe here. 

Just writing this post made me tired! Off to bed I go! Hope you all have a good week and I hope you enjoyed the Efficient Mom Series. If you've missed it catch up by starting off here.

Sophia on Mother's Day.

Jack enjoying some swim time with our good friend Stephanie.

Had an early birthday celebration for Chase with Grandma & Grandpa!

Mother's Day Tribute

At this time last year I was spending Mother’s Day with my beautiful mother. You see just a few weeks before that I went into pre-term labor with my third child. I was still living in the Rio Grande Valley and mom was living in San Antonio. We could sense it. Baby Chase’s arrival was near. Mom couldn’t bear the fact that I was in pain and she lived four hours away. 

My mom, she’s the best. Honestly this post is probably the hardest one I’ve written thus far. It’s hard because there aren’t any words that will ever truly suffice my deep gratitude for this woman. Stringing out sentences don’t come easily when you’re seeking perfection because that’s what she deserves.

 My mother is a warrior. My dad worked long hours so most days she raised five children on her own. She is selfless. Our needs were always before hers I can’t think of one moment where it was the other way around. 

My mother is graceful. Her words bring comfort and her hands extend love. She is one of a kind. She listens well. Her heart is big. 

Mom, you are truly my best friend. Everyday I wish to honor you but this weekend I want the world to meet you, the person behind the woman I am today. I am so grateful God chose you to be my mother. I love you mom, Happy Mother's Day!

The Efficient Mom Series: Out the Door in a Snap!

I hate being late. If I have a scheduled appointment or playdate that requires me to be out the door bright and early I have a game plan the night before that pretty much sets me up for success the following day. Here are a few tips to be more efficient in the mornings if you need to get out the door in a snap.

1. Set aside clothes the night before

Make sure to pick out a set of clothes for each child along with undergarments, socks, and shoes that way you aren’t hustling in the morning. If your child is old enough to dress themselves this makes it easier for them too. Mom, don’t forget to think through your outfit too!

2. Pack up all your essentials the night before

This really depends on the ages of your children, but if you have little ones like me pack the diaper bag before going to bed. Because you can never be too prepared I like to pack a thermal tote with snacks, fruit, and a water bottle for each child. Pack it all up and leave it in the fridge. If you think you might forget write out a note by your purse so you won’t leave it in the fridge. 

3. Think through breakfast

If you don’t want grumpy children then don’t make breakfast an after thought. You can either do something quick and easy like cereal or throw together oatmeal in the crock pot the night before so it’s ready to go in the morning. Not a fan of oatmeal? You can whip up some pancake batter or muffin batter the night before so all you have to do is cook it. 

4. Gas up

One of my pet peeves is having to stop for gas when I’m in a hurry. If you know you’re running low on gas get it taken care of the night before so it’s one last thing you have to worry about.

5. Wake up early

I’m so much more pleasant in the morning when I’ve showered, put my makeup on, and have dressed myself all before the children are awake. It may require you getting up an hour earlier than usual but at least you can just focus on the kids and drinking your cup of coffee.  

It’s not that complicated. The whole process just requires a bit of thinking and planning so you are out the door without any headaches.  Good luck mommies and may the force be with you!

One of the many reasons I have to be prepared before
heading out, my little crazy munchkins! By the way
I'm in love with this three seater cart I found at Walmart!

The Efficient Mom Series: The Crockpot Investment

In my mind one of the greatest tools for a busy mom is the crock pot. Unless you just love to cook and the process that goes with it having a crock pot can save you so much time! I’m the primary cook in my home so I’m always trying to find ways to save my sanity in the kitchen. Today I want to share with you five ways utilizing the crock pot can be your best friend.

1. Search Pinterest for ideas

The Internet is just saturated with crock pot recipes especially Pinterest. Don’t spend money on cookbooks just search online and you’ll be surprised by all the goodness you'll find. If you don’t already have one make sure to create a Pinterest Board just for your crock pot cooking!

2. Make a Meal Plan and Grocery List

Before you just head to the grocery store in hopes ideas will come to you take time to plan out at least a weeks worth of meals. Use variety for crowd pleasing results. Don’t just make every meal a chicken meal there are soups, beef recipes, pasta, and the list goes on. You can use good old fashion paper and pen to write it all out or you can use apps like these ones here. 

 

3. Purchase two crock pots

This is not necessary but in the long run it can be a wonderful investment especially if you have a large family. There are so many sizes, styles, and features of crock pots on the market. I own two crock pots. One is plain and simple with just a Low and High setting that I purchased at HEB for $25 and the other one has the bells and whistles with it’s own timer that cost me about $40. What I love about owning two crock pots is one can be used for the main dish and the other for a side dish. 

4. Make Crock pot Cooking a Challenge

Sometimes I need a little push. One way I challenge myself is by seeing how I can make all my dinners with just a crock pot. 

5. Be Creative

If saving you time by using a crock pot isn’t enough to motivate you be creative with it by gathering a mom or two and doing a crock pot meal swap. This will not only encourage creativity but give you some variety. You can also make double the portion and freeze it for a future meal.

Don’t let that crock pot just sit in your kitchen cabinet. It’s a wonderful tool for the efficient mom and can most definitely save you some money. If you have no idea where to begin I've ended this post with a week's worth of crock pot recipes that are some of my family's favorite to help give you a head start. Make sure to visit my Pinterest Board for more ideas.  Catch a shorter version of this post here. Enjoy!

Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli over Rice

Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

Peach Chipotle Chicken

Tater Tot Casserole

Pesto Ravioli 

Apple Butter Pork Chops

Pulled Pork BBQ

Five Fun Facts on Friday

In light of my new blog series: The Efficient Mom, here are Five Fun Facts and tips for the busy mom! I love how they each have 5 Tips!

1. Five Cleaning Tips for Busy Moms

2. Five Bible Study Tips for Busy Moms

3. Five Ways To Avoid a Last Minute Holiday Shopping Frenzy

4. Five Tips for Busy Moms on the Go

5. Five Tips for Busy Moms: Keeping Adult Friendships Intact

Happy Friday Friends! Oh, and stay tuned next week for more on The Efficient Mom Series!

The Efficient Mom Series: Snack Time

One of the most precious gifts we are given is time. There are certain areas of my life that I’ve done a pretty bad job of managing my time, but in most cases I’m always looking for ways to do better. As a mom, wife, cook, maid, taxi driver, volunteer, daughter, sister, pet owner and blogger (I’m sure I’m missing something) not managing my time well could lead to a hiccup in my daily routine. Hiccups will happen that’s life but I like to be prepared, if possible, for when those days come. 

Without fail, my kids want a snack when they wake up from their nap…and at least once in the morning after breakfast and once more before bed. It may not sound like a big deal but it can actually be quite annoying when you don’t have an idea in mind or anything on hand. Pre-packaged snacks may save you a bit of a headache but it won’t save you money!

I came across this inspiring blog post that gave me the motivation I needed to get some fresh ideas with a bit of organization. 

Within 30 minutes I had a refrigerator full of snacks and a pantry basket topped with a variety of snacks to choose from. Magic! 

Here’s a list of the snacks I made. You can find more snack ideas like the ones below by visiting here. I didn't follow the exact list of ingredients that are mentioned on that link because I wanted to utilize items I had in my pantry. You'll see an * by the ingredient where I made a substitute. 

Smores in a cup

*1/4 cup Graham Crackers

1/4 cup Small Marshmallows

1/4 cup Chocolate Graham Cracker Goldfish ($1.67)

Crunchy Bites

1/4 cup Whole Grain Goldfish ($1.67)

1/4 cup Pretzel Sticks ($1.48)

1/4 cup Nuts 

Strawberry Shortcake Bites

1/4 cup Strawberry Fruit Snacks ($2.25)

1/4 cup Mini Nilla wafers ($3.18)

Berry Trio

*1/4 cup grapes

1/4 cup blueberries ($4.48)

1/4 cup raspberries ($2.98)

Protein Pack

1/4 cup cheese squares ($2.50)

*beef snack bites ($3.98)

*whole grain Gold Fish 

Spring Garden Blend

3 to 4 Cherry Tomatoes ($2.94)

3 to 4 Sugar Snap Peas ($2.74)

3 to 4 Baby Carrots ($1.78)

1/4 cup of Ranch Dressing

I already had a few of the Gladware Mini Rounds so I only bought one package of 6 ($2.57). I also purchased a box of the Ziploc Snack Bags 100 count ($2.86). I already had the Ziploc divided lunch containers. I just love these because they are great for picnics or days at the park. I used the Ziploc snack bags for just about everything except the Protein Pack. For that recipe I used the Glad round containers. 

Once again, use what you have and do what's best for your wallet! On top of all of that I did purchase a bag of the little oranges ($3.98). If you don't see a price beside an item it's because I already had it at home.  I purchased all of these ingredients and packaging items for a total of $41.06 on April 21st and put it together that day and I still have snacks on hand! This by far as been the best solution to having snacks ready and on hand. The price may seem outrages but I'm pretty sure I have at least 2 more weeks worth of snacks. So when you figure $40 for a month of snacks for 3 snacks a day...yeah I think it's worth it. 

Any efficient moms out there? What are your snack solutions and ideas???

Pantry Nightmare finds a Perfect Solution

The Pantry can be a sight for sore eyes if not organized well. Thankfully I have a decent size pantry with a door so when weeks of disorganization pass me by I can always shut the door and hide the mess. The problem? I got tired of searching for that can of beans I knew I had laying around somewhere. 

One of the problems with organizing the pantry was I knew the way I’d like to organize it would cost me some serious bucks at The Container Store until one day I found a solution.  I visited a friend’s home who had some cute baskets she snagged at PierOne. I couldn’t believe it when she told me she paid $1 for a small basket and $2 for a large basket. Bingo! This could be the solution I’ve been searching for in my pantry! 

Although I never envisioned round baskets as the major solution, I envisioned more rectangular baskets, it was a cheaper solution for sure.

Sure enough I scoped out my PierOne and they were stocked with these guys!

Here’s a before picture of my pantry (don't be scared!)

Seriously...are most pantries this full??? I'm a bit embarrassed. Oh and a tip I found on Pinterest if you are needing more storage in your pantry, just buy an over the door shoe organizer and it works great for things like aprons, aluminum foil, straws, etc.So after about an hour of organizing and about $25 later (Yay!) here's what it looks like now.

One thing I want to improve on is making some sort of labels for each basket but for now this will do the trick. FYI, I did buy these about two weeks ago so I'm not sure if PierOne still has this great deal. Wish I would have posted earlier but a case of pink eye and a ear infection in my two year old left me worn out and unmotivated for a week.

Organized Shoe Hanger

So what's the moral of the story? You may not be able to get the dreamy organized pantry you want unless you are willing to fork out the money, but you can find easy and affordable solutions if you just keep your eyes open!

Happy Monday!

My Glam Filled Weekend

I'm attracted to details. I love it when people put thoughtful consideration into the "little" things. My eyes can't help but wander off to those things that are marked with beauty.

The other day I attended an event at my church held for all the women. It was an event meant to encourage and bless, to meet new people, and have fun doing it all with one another. Being new to the church I had no idea what to expect.

From the moment I hit the parking lot I felt like I was hitting the red carpet. A section of the parking lot was blocked off with tents and shimmering lights. It was just enough to let my mind wonder what would I find in those tents when the service was all said and done. When I entered the door I was greeted with lovely faces and then....my head was spinning. Glamour and sparkle everywhere. My eye didn't know what to focus on next! I love that about an event. Careful attention to detail to wet your appetite for more! In the middle of the foyer were theses glittery lights that made me want to stand in the middle of it and have a photo shoot all to myself, lol!

Photo Courtesy of Daniel Villarreal

When I entered the sanctuary there were great big black and gold balloons and each seat had a mini bundt cake. Couldn't wait for the opportunity to devour it! 

Then worship began. The team did an amazing job ushering us into God's presence. One of my favorite songs right now has been Hillsong's  I Surrender, as they played this song it was just a powerful time for me personally to focus not only on the lyrics but on my journey since my move to the great city of San Antonio. 

After a few giveaways (sadly I did not win one) I learned about a ministry called Jesus Said Love. It is a ministry that exists to share Jesus with the women in the commercial sex industry. I'm so proud that our church reaches out beyond the four walls of the church! 

Photo Courtesy of Daniel Villarreal

Our pastor's wife Jannelle brought a powerful message about being ready. Here are a few points that I jotted down that I absolutely loved.

- Unearth what's in your heart.

- What are the things that you have inside of you? You are going to have to dig to unearth it!

- Are you going to be ready when the door opens?

- Your ministry is your God assignment!

- Be battle ready so you're not surprised!

- The devil is going to go after those who are kingdom minded.

- Determine your stance!

- Give yourself permission to make mistakes

I was so grateful to hear this message that focused on empowering us to be kingdom minded and ready for the battle. 

Remember the tents I mentioned earlier? Well the whole outdoor scene was transformed into one big girls after party! One tent had mini sliders and the other a french fry bar! In the background we were serenaded with an acoustic set. 

The Trio

A huge backdrop allowed for some selfies and group photo opportunities. 

Hayley Shannon & Yours Truly!

A lemonade bar with four flavors (mango, raspberry, pomegranate and pineapple) left me wanting more. If you ever do an event and need some mouth watering beverages look no more! 

The Lemonade Company

For $15 I nabbed a glammed up shirt with the words BOLD, our new name for our women's event. Score!!!

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth & Judy Dominguez

Overall I couldn't have been more pleased. I enjoyed some great girl time, heard a powerful message, made new friends, and I was pampered through the whole process. 

P.S. I finally did have that bundt cake and it was so moist and yummy I wish I could have eaten about 10 more! :)

So what did you do this weekend?

Five Fun Facts on Friday

I've skipped a few days of writing this week because my husband just launched his first blog, Alamo City Living. I'm so excited for him because this blog is a little bit of everything Mr. Idol related: real estate, life, photography and film. All of that to say I've been pretty involved with helping him by mapping out some posts and doing some research for him so hopefully I can give some more attention to my blog next week.

As I mentioned last week, without further a duo....Mother's Day Special Edition: unique gift ideas coming from children. 

1. Breakfast in Bed

Even my kids, ages 4, 2, and 10 months old, can help do something like this. Well, probably not the itty bitty one but the other two are definitely old enough to help crack some eggs and set the table with adult supervision. Give them some aprons, have them pick out some flowers, and a card and it's a special treat for mom. I thought this was a cute idea too!

2. Mother’s Day Time Capsule

This looks like a fun and creative idea! If you don't do this for Mother's Day it's a great idea for a birthday gift!

3. Mini Film

I absolutely love that my husband is a creative genius! I think something like the film below would be a great Mother's Day gift! I know he used the application iMovie to make this but if you  are like me and know nothing about how that works it may seem like a lofty task. This isn't really a gift coming straight from the hands of little ones but they could definitely play a huge part to make the film. Videography is one of my hubby's passions but if you can't afford to hire someone like him try researching these apps out and see if they help the non-techy person in you! 

4. Mother's Day Gift Jar

This is a thoughtful one. Cut strips of paper and ask the kids what they like about mommy. Jot each one down, fold it up, and put it all in a pretty little jar that they could even decorate. Simple and perfect!

5. Photo Bookmarks

These are also a cute idea! Click here for the easy steps and final product. 

Happy Friday!

Ask the How and the Why

Too often we ask the "how" without the "why."

I recently started reading a leadership book on church growth. I'm not a pastor or on staff at a church but the subject of leadership intrigues me. I'm a leader. I lead my home daily. The little people who follow me may not have a choice in the matter but I do lead them.

The introduction of the book grasped my attention because this principal of asking the "how" with the "why" can be applied to our daily lives.

I have a four year old and she asks an insane amount of questions. If I'm honest there are moments where I want to close the conversation as rapidly as possible so my answers are short and sweet sprinkled in with a few uh huhs. But this thought of giving her a reason, giving her a why is important because it continues to generate curiosity and understanding. I'm doing her an injustice when I cut the conversation short.

On the other spectrum it had me thinking too about how I ask other moms questions about parenting or blogging or whatever the subject may be. There is power in asking why we do the things we do not just how we do them. Knowing the why empowers us for growth. What's the principal behind the policy? Have we focused more on methods instead of motives? Actions rather than attitudes?

Don't fear the why. 

A Significant Reminder

"Everybody you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

A precious mother of seven children said that to a group of mothers the other day. I was in that group and it was a necessary reminder. 

Being a parent no matter how many children you have is not only a blessing it can also be a challenging task. The moment that little bundle of joy is put into your arms no instruction manual accompanies him or her. I think in those moments we are so giddy and happy and beyond excited but once the honeymoon phase passes we wonder what are we to do next. 

Parenting is challenging because it comes with no particular formula. Parents are different. Children are different. Thankfully there are great resources like books, the Internet, our parents, friends, and counselors but ultimately it's up to each one of us to walk this out. 

So the next time you see another mom at the grocery store with a cart full of crying children say something kind. You've been in the trenches of motherhood extend grace, say a prayer, or put your hand on her shoulder and tell her to hang in there.

Five Fun Facts on Friday

With Mother’s Day being next month I thought I’d do my part by doing some research on what would be a thoughtful gift to give that special mom in your life.

 A month away seems like eternity to most people but with the hustle and bustle of life who wants a gift that was thrown together last minute? Don’t get me wrong I’m grateful for the flowers, jewelry, etc. but I’m one of those who actually likes a gift that had love and thought put into it so this is a short helpful guide for what I thought would be some neat ideas to get you working towards. Don’t worry mates I’m working on some Mother’s Day Gift Ideas that would come from the little ones! So stay tuned!

I doubt my audience of readership is men but hey you never know! If you are a man and you’re reading this I hope this is helpful to you. If you feel lost, uncreative or no idea where to start maybe you can recruit the help of a sister or aunt or your own mom to help you with the process. Ladies, no shame on forwarding a link of this post to the man in your life as a *hint hint.* I know my husband actually appreciates the “hints” he hates starting with a blank slate. 

I know there are so many creative ideas out there but I thought I’d start with five since it is Five Fun Facts on Friday!

1. For the Sentimental Mom/Wife in Your Life: Kid Portraits 

It may take work and you’ll have to be sneaky but a gift of portraits of your kids may just bring her to tears! I happen to know a great photographer ;) so if you are interested visit his website to schedule your portraits! You can always do a follow up with a family portrait but this would be neat for her to not stress over outfits and hair and just enjoy the byproduct!  

On that same trail….One of the best gifts my husband, the photographer, gave me was a  40 page book of our kids with photos he took throughout the year. I treasure that book! Now at days with everything digital it is so rare you come across a photo album or scrapbook. My hubby used this website and they do a really neat job at a reasonable price.

Front Cover

Inside of the book

I've never used this company but if you are an Instagram junkie this may work for you!

2. For the Foodie Mom/Wife in Your Life: Food Tour 

About four hours will be needed to make this an event she won’t forget! Combine food with the River Walk, History, and Architecture in San Antonio and you’ve got a real win! Visit here for more details. Make the reservation, book a sitter and the two of you can enjoy a great day! 

3. For the Everyday Mom/Wife in Your Life: In Home Spa  

I’ve always wanted to do an all-day Spa where I’m being pampered and relaxed but who wants to spend $500!? I know it won’t be the exact same but trust me she won’t complain if you follow every step below! 

- take the kids somewhere for 3-4 hours 

- set it all up for her so she doesn’t have to do anything but enjoy: buy her bath soaks, lotions, bubble bath, etc. 

- set up candles all throughout the bathroom 

- a touch of rose petals laid out 

- buy her a book she’s been wanting to read in fact you can even go the extra mile and get her one of these sweet little bags 

- you can buy her one of these and she can get a good foot soak in and use it for other days to come

- you can also buy her a nail polish or two with a manicure kit. 

- if she doesn’t have a robe you can even buy her a soft or silky one 

- top of that little adventure with a bottle of wine, a plate with cheese, crackers and fruit and I think you’d be Husband of the Year! 

4. For the Decorator Mom/Wife in Your Life: Canvas Art  

I’m a fan of Erin Condren’s products and her website offers Canvas Art! You can find options here or try Etsy for a one of a kind unique art! 

5. For the Romantic Mom/Wife in Your Life: What I love about you book 

My husband got me one of these one year. Not this exact one but same concept and it was so sweet and thoughtful reading through how he felt about me. Some parts even made me cry! This one is a good start or you can make your own. My husband got mine at a Hallmark store you may be able to find one through there too.

Hallmark's hard cover version

The first page of the book

Alright well hopefully this is a good start for you all! Start dropping the hints now! ;)

Happy Friday!