Spectacularly Simple {Day 2}

It's easy to get caught up in all the holiday hype.  But this year, I'm not going to.  It's still going to be spectacular.  Spectacularly simple, that is.  Last night we read our first installment of The Jesse Tree.  Yesterday at nap time, the first installment of Jotham's Journey.  Today we'll move onto the next chapter of Jotham's adventure.  Tonight, we'll read the next part of The Jesse Tree, eat gingerbread boys, and drink hot cocoa.  These are the things memories are made of.  Years from now when the toys that seemed so important have been broken and forgotten, when the treasures they begged for are no more ... they will still have these memories.  What lasting, simple seeds are you planting this holiday season?

Please join us for: THE 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

25 Days of Christmas: Home for the Holidays

25 Days of Easy Christmas Crafts for Toddlers & Pre-Schoolers

25 Days of Christmas Traditions

25 days of Simple Christmas

Keeping the Vision {Day 1}

As we kick off the first of the 25 days until Christmas, I want to welcome you to pull up a chair, enjoy the fire, and make yourself at home.  I'm linking up with a few other bloggers also celebrating THE 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (take a peek at the bottom of the post and click over and visit them!).  Here at Graceful Abandon, we are celebrating 25 Days of Christmas: Home for the Holidays.  I'm a homemaker and homeschooler.  Quite simply, I love being home with my family.  And this holiday, I am all about making the holiday special at home.  We aren't going to get side tracked by mis-defining Christmas; we're keeping our focus!

With the holiday season already upon us, I've had my hands full trying to juggle life and the seasonal extras.  One thing I did today was sit down and think about the vision I have for our home.  And then I looked at my "to do" list and the activities we have set before us.  Any of them that don't line up with our family vision ... have to GO.  There's just no room for all those good things -- because they are hindering the best things.  And if we get overly committed, all that happens is stress abounds.  I find it liberates me to know what my vision and to not add things that aren't in line with our vision or to remove from our lives things that just don't fit with it (without guilt!).

As the mom, I have an important role.  I set the mood for the house each day, I choose the tempo by which we live, and I impact just about every part of every day for all the members in our family.  We all know that if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy ... right?  But flip that around.  If momma is blessed and joyful, won't everyone else be more inclined to walk in blessing and joy?  If momma is tranquil and sweet, won't that rub off, too?  

I don't want my husband or children to feel rushed or stressed or like they have to do something to enjoy this holiday season.  I simply want us to live joyfully as we celebrate Christ's birth.  Even if I have to rush around a little while they are sleeping or otherwise occupied, I'm not going be stressed.  We are going to focus on the important things: God, family, others.  It's not about decorations, shopping, gifts, or keeping up with everyone else.  It's about being together, loving one another, and celebrating Jesus.  That's my vision.

Please join us for: THE 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

25 Days of Christmas: Home for the Holidays

25 Days of Easy Christmas Crafts for Toddlers & Pre-Schoolers

25 Days of Christmas Traditions

25 days of Simple Christmas

Gingerbread: A New Twist

I've shared before about our family tradition of making Gingerbread Boys.  I don't know if I've ever shared how it started or how we've adapted it though.  It all started with my grandmother; she would bake them and leave a note for us ... asking us to dress her 28 naked men.  My cousins and I would rise to the occasion with enthusiasm every year on Thanksgiving.  I've since added other shapes to the tin of cookies and added my own twist with my kids.  We don't always get to it on the exact holiday, but it's usually close.  The cool part about this is that I get to continue a family legacy and meet one of my kids' most important needs.

This year I decided to make my own recipe, tweaking various ones I've tried over the years and adding my own touches to it.  It worked out well and I think we all agreed this is THE recipe.  I'm so excited!  The recipe is below, so make sure you snag it if you want to try a fun twist on a classic holiday treat.

We had a blast decorating our cookies and listening to my very favorite Christmas album ever (thank you, Point of Grace!).  I think the kids are sound asleep in a sugar coma, and I'm about to head that way.  But it was a wonderful evening of memories and will provide us with several yummy desserts, not to mention gifts for the neighbors.  I love this tradition!  

RECIPE:

• 2 sticks softened butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 2 TB orange zest
• 4 cups flour (plus extra for working the dough)
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 3 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp salt

1. Cream the butter and sugar together, then add in egg, molasses, and orange zest.  Mix well.
2. Add in dry ingredients, mixing thoroughly.
3. Place dough in air tight container and refrigerate 4-6 hours (overnight works, too).
4. Take dough out and knead till soft, then roll out to 1/8" thick (add in flour if too sticky).
5. Cut out shapes and place on greased cookie sheet.
6. Bake at 375 for 11 minutes.
7. Decorate to holiday music with those you love.
8. Be sure to share!

Linked up with: Trick or Treat Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Above Rubies, 5 Minutes for Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Growing Home, Time Warp Wife, Tuesday Confessional,

Advent: The Jesse Tree

Winter is upon us and the holiday season has descended!  My kids are just about vibrating with excitement (and I'm not that far behind them!).   What do YOU do to celebrate the birth of Christ?  Do you have any Advent traditions?  We will be reading The Jesse Tree each evening, starting this week.

Each night, we will snuggle up and read the daily story with Daddy.  Each morning, the kids and I will start the day drawing a picture and writing out a verse to emphasize what we learned the night before.  I'm excited to have this record of their Advent journey.  Last year we simply read the book and got our feet wet; this year, they've been asking to do it for months on end and are more excited about that than anything else.

I encourage you to take a moment each day to do something special.  These memories will stay in your heart and the hearts of your children forever.  Traditions add security, nostalgia, peace, anticipation, and create a legacy.  What are yours?  I want to hear about them!

I hope you'll join me for my 25 Days of Christmas here at Graceful Abandon ... I'll be opening up links each week so we can all share our journeys, as well as linking myself up (and I hope you'll visit those I link with, too, for some great inspiration).  Our theme around here is going to be 25 Days of Christmas at Home ... our family focus is enjoying each day as a family in our home, the things that are important as a family.  I hope you'll join us on our fantastically fun, frugal, family oriented Advent journey!  Be sure to link up and check out the others who do, too.  It's our own little holiday party!

Linked up with Make Your Home Sing Monday -- this has been one of my favorite blogs for a long time ... check it out!

This post contains an affiliate link to The Jesse Tree.  I was not asked to review it or suggest it.  However, we love it and hope you'll check it out!  And if you do, please click this link to bless my family.  Thanks!

Growing Them Up: A Home of Their Own One Day

The greatest work a mother can do is prepare her little people to be big people who love God, who put forth their best effort at whatever task - small or great - is before them, and to walk with integrity in all things (even if no one is watching).  They are little shoots, sprouting up in a world that is largely dead.  

And we are tasked with teaching them the way of Life.

 

Today we got up early and finished raking our front yard.  The Princess Chef (a precocious 7 7 3/4 yr old - says she, thank you very much!) and Lil Man (an energetic 5 1/2) helped.  At one point they said they did not want to because it was not fun.  But we told them that work before play was the rule (but we made working fun, too!).  Many hands made light work and fun family time!

And then it happened.  That moment we look for and pray for as parents.  The moment when their hearts unfold and lay open before us so that we can speak words of wisdom to be remembered.  Those moments are rare, special, priceless.  And oh so fleeting!  But Awesome Hubby saw the moment and took it with Lil Man today.  He shared how Lil Man was learning how to care for a home and eventually a family.  How this effort he was putting forth was teaching him hard work and skills he would need in the future.  And Lil Man glowed from the words of life and encouragement spoken over him by a father.  He is exciting about having a home and family of his own one day; it is so precious to hear him talk and pray about that day!

Those words of life are important in the life of every child, but especially our boys.  I hope that your young men have a father to speak over them ... and if they do not, that you are earnestly seeking God for a man to do so (if not a father, than a spiritual father).  We as mothers can do so, but there is something special that happens when our men do it.

And if you have a man in your life that has this open door, but for some reason does not know how to walk through it, there is another task set before you.  Pray for that man to have someone in his life speak as a spiritual father.  Speak words of encouragement and life over him yourself.  And step back and watch God work!

I challenge you today to pray for your children ... prepare them, love them, watch over them.  And surround them with voices of life to coax them into adulthood as God-fearing young people.

Thanksgiving Deals & Steals

Have you noticed that "Black Friday" deals are not just limited to Friday these days?  The deals begin earlier and earlier, with each store trying to best its competitors.  What does that translate to for you?  Deals and steals galore!

                       

However, it is these same deals that STEAL my husband away from me.  

He is a Walmart employee and has to be at work at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving night to help get everything ready for the big sales that are being launched at 10 that night.  And he'll be working through till the next morning, so he'll need to get a few hours (or more!) of sleep during the day so that he can be alert to give his diligent attention to the chaos that is a holiday deal.

Consumers hold the power.  If we did not shop on those days, the stores would not open.  I would love to see people think about what it means when they shop ... and choose not to.  It's ridiculous that holidays are shifting from days to enjoy families and be thankful to days that are all about going to a store.  It makes me sad, to be honest.  Even when my husband did not work on those days, we did not shop on them because it meant that somewhere a child or a mother or a wife or a husband or a sibling was doing without someone they loved so they could be at work.  Doesn't that break your heart?

We still have much to be thankful for, and we are choosing to do that.  We will celebrate our family Thanksgiving on Sunday so that we can all be together, because together is much more important than a date on a calendar.  But I would love to see everyone home with their families on days like this, wouldn't you?

I do want to also add a word of gratitude to those who have to work -- our military, doctors, policemen, firemen, safety workers -- I'm so sorry we need you, but so thankful for your dedication!  You are truly appreciated!  And we thank your spouses and children, too, for their sacrifices that bless the rest of us.

Altars of Gingerbread: A Thanksgiving Tradition

Today I am excited to be guest posting over at Homemaker's Challenge and sharing my very favorite tradition of all.  Yes, that's right -- my very favorite tradition of all ... any day of the year, any tradition we have - this one is the best!  Come and read about our Altars of Gingerbread and share with me your favorite tradition (I can't wait to get glimpses into your family, too!).

Some Days, I Just Don't Like Myself

Maybe you've never felt that way before.  Maybe this post has nothing to do with anyone but me.  But maybe, just maybe, it will help someone else who feels this same way.

The truth is, there are some days that I just don't like myself.

I look at how I act, what I think, what I do ... and I wonder, "Who is this person?  This is not who I want to be at all!"

It's just like Paul said: the things I want to do, I don't.  And the things I totally want to avoid doing ... (you guessed it!) those are the things I end up doing.  And now ... check out what he said in Philippians 2 to that church:

If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

I am a very down to earth, realistic person.  I'm not an optimist, and I've managed to dig my way out of being a pessimist.  I'm more sarcastic than anything else.  And that's not who I want to be.  At all.

I want to be an encourager.
I want to be a blessing.
I want to spread joy and life.
I want to build others up, not tear them down.
I want to establish a godly generation, not one that walks in rejection.
I want to dispel fear and hurt with Love.

And I do this, some of the time.  But not where it counts most.  In the past weeks, I have become very selfish and placed expectations on those who are closest to me.  I have no right to do that.  And in my arrogance and self-centeredness I have hurt them.  I have spoken to them in ways I would not speak to others who are not as special to me.  How backwards!

Those closest to me should feel even more of my love and benefit from my encouragement.  I need to take to heart the mandate that tells me to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.(Phil 2:3-4)

I want to reflect God's love to the world and be a shining example of Him.  I don't want to hurt people.  I want to love people.  I am working on it.  I really am.  It helped to have someone point it out to me and encourage me, even while it hurt a bit.  Growing pains, you know?  But I'm working on it.

Linked with Life Unmasked

The Mantle of Family Legacy

My grandparents were more than just grandparents; they were Mama and Poppop ... in many ways mother and father at different points in my life.  One of my very first memories was my grandfather encouraging me to walk.  I remember sitting next to his Throne (that's what I called the chair he sat in all the time) on the foot rest and listening to Rosemary Clooney or the Rat Pack and talking about what life was like for him when he was my age.  I remember my grandmother trying to teach me about gardening (I have never found much success with that, though) and proper etiquette for entertaining.

I also remember my grandfather instilling in me the importance of integrity and the necessity of a good name.  My grandmother taught me how important family is and how to get everyone together.  From them I learned the value of hard work, the difference a good education can make, and how to laugh at the oddest things (that really is a tool that gets you through many situations!).  I learned to love strongly, be fiercely loyal, and use family history to lay a solid foundation for future generations.

During the night, my grandmother passed away.  It hit me this morning that a mantle has been passed down and even though the man and woman who taught me so many things are no longer alive, their legacy is. 

But it's only one generation away from extinction.  It is up to me to teach my children and theirs what my grandparents taught me.  Family history is like a mantle; it must be passed down and cherished and valued ... from one to another and so on.  But more than the history, it is the values we must take care not to lose over the generations.  Life is vastly different for my children than it was for their great grandparents, but the values that made them so wonderful will do the same for my children.  

I am going to honor my grandmother today by stepping away from the computer and the television and living as she did: with a heart for family, a love for home, and a laugh in my heart and on my face.

Homemaking 101

So what are your goals as a homemaker?  What do you do?  What don't you do?  What do you wish you knew how to do?  So many things to think about.  Today, Renewing Housewives has released their Homemaking 101 DVD ... I encourage you to check it out and be blessed!

For You, Mommy

Lately, my Lil Man has been showering me with love.  He has been telling me with words how wonderful I am, showing me with hugs and kisses how much he adores me.

And me?  I've been eating it up!


I love daisies.  Lil Man knows they are my favorite.  So when we pulled off the side of the road yesterday in what looked to be a perfect spot for pictures (mind you, this is post photo shoot -- ha!), he immediately went to some wild flowers and picked these for me.  I asked him to stay just like that so that I could take a picture that would last longer than the flowers.  He was so excited that I wanted to remember such a SIMPLE moment.

BUT IT WAS TRULY PRECIOUS TO ME.

Why?  Because lately we've been having ups and downs.  We are normally a pretty even home; we all like our routine and our habits and each other.  We play, we cuddle, we read together, we do school, we cook, we keep our home.  We enjoy each other.  But lately we've all been stretched a little thin and the kids have responded to that with outbursts and tears and even some unkind words.

I've been praying about it and God has reminded me of a lesson He started teaching me a while ago: PLAY WITH THEM!  It's not the first time I've needed a reminder, either.  I guess sometimes it's hard not to revert to old behavior.  But I am renewing afresh my commitment to my family.  I am going to not only treasure these precious moments as they come to me, but I am intentionally going to create more.  I am going to lavish my children with love, so much that they beg me to leave them alone.  I want them to grow up secure not only in my love for them, but also of my delight in them!

Linking Up with Winsome Wednesday, Make Your Home Sing Monday

What's a Mom to Do?

So what do you do when one of your kids is sick - need Mommy, fussy baby, sick - and you still have other kids who need to be schooled, a house that needs to be a home, and a husband who works hard all day long that you don't want to come home to a frazzled mess?

Gosh, I wish I had an answer to that question.
It would make this post so much more interesting.

Credit: Photostock

Seriously, though, what do you do?  Because that's totally where I am.  Yesterday we woke up and it was apparent it was going to be a rough day.  The baby was running a low grade fever, his eyes and nose were runny, and he just wanted to be held.  The Princess was having a slow start and was getting a little irritated with her brother who just wakes up perky and ready to roll.  By 9 a.m. all three kids were fussing and I was ready to hide.

We couldn't have a PJ Chill Day (those are official days in our home, in case you were contemplating the capitalization) because I had places to go that day.  And I had to teach at church that night.  So, I wondered: What's a mom to do?

The answer I came up with?
Pray.  It's going to take lots and lots and lots of prayer.  {And chocolate.  Chocolate always helps.}

When I dumped it all in God's lap He began to sort it out for me.  What do you do with a sick baby who needs you?  Love him.  What do you do with a daughter who is having a rough day?  Love her.  What do you do with a son who is delighting in bugging his big sister?  Love him. 

What does that love look like?

Well, it looked like me rocking a baby, nursing when he was able, and singing to him.  It looked like us driving around in the car a little longer than we normally would because he actually napped in it and was having a hard time sleeping in his bed.  It looked like me speaking tenderly to my daughter and encouraging her, building her up, and being sensitive.  It looked like me thanking my son for his exuberance, but loving him enough to take on the challenge of teaching him to love his sister in a selfless way.  It looked like me grabbing a late shower and putting on a smile for when my husband got home (although, by the time he actually got into the house it was a little wobbly). 

And it looked like me stealing moments to sit at my Daddy's feet and let Him lavish His love over me.

Why Are We Even Here?

Sometimes finding inspiration for a blog topic is hard.  Seriously hard.  I mean, who really wants to read about my normal, slightly chaotic, ever-changing-but-never-really-different life?

Who cares if I made an amazing chicken dish in the crock pot the other night or if Lil Bit decided to try to take his first {unsuccessful} first step the other day?  Who cares if I have 6 photo sessions booked in one week and have to remember how to juggle things outside my home without getting overwhelmed by the priorities in my home?  Who cares that we're rearranging our home so that we can adopt a lovely child from Ukraine?  Who cares about our homeschooling fiascos?

And then it hit me.  I blog because I love to write.  I blog because I am passionate about God, being a wife, and motherhood.  I blog because I can and because sometimes I have to.  I blog because it's a creative outlet.  I blog because I like taking ordinary parts of my life and making them pretty for posterity.

But I also blog because I love people.  I have a passion for wives and mothers who are on the same journey I am on -- the journey of being the best me I can possibly be, empowered only by the grace of God.  I pray I can inspire one woman one day ... just one would make it all more than worthwhile.  I blog because there is so much we have to juggle in life just to survive, and I think it helps to know we're not alone in it all.

What about YOU? 

What brings YOU here, in the blogosphere?

And if we're not already friends, be sure to leave me a comment and tell meabout your little part of this great big community!