Life Inspired Mommy

As people are panicking, clearing off the shelves in stores, fearful of the unknown, I am at home doing my bible study and enjoying my morning cup of coffee. While reading my bible, I came across this verse and I felt compelled to share.

It comes from Deuteronomy Chapter 24, verses 19-21:

“When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for a stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.

When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.”

Think about this before you go clearing off shelves and hoarding. Others need supplies as well. Others can’t afford to go over buy and hoard. Others are trying to survive week by week. Please be thoughtful. There will be plenty to go around and companies will be able to keep up if you don’t buy it all as soon as it hits the shelves. Leave some for others. Think about others.

Deuteronomy Chapter 24, verse 22:

“And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing.”

Dear Teachers, We never got to say goodbye.

As our schools have closed for the remainder or the school year, our precious children are homeschooling or distant learning. Now, as much as I absolutely love them being home, I am saddened by the thought of they won’t go back. It’s not that I’m ready for them to go back, heck I’ve contemplated homeschooling for a long time, but it’s the fact that they won’t get to say bye to their teachers.

 No end of the year celebrations, no awards ceremonies, and no saying goodbye to friends and good luck in the next grade. No closure. No field day, no kick ball tournament against the teachers. For some students, this was the last year in their school before they move on to the next school. For some, this was their first year of school so they won’t get their Pre-k or Kindergarten graduation their parents have been waiting so long to cry at. And worst of all, Seniors in high school are feared they won’t get to see the day they worked so hard for and dreamed about since they were little.

I know this seems silly, but it’s just the memories. I know with all that’s going on in the world right now, this should be the least of my concern. I am very thankful for the concern for the safety of our children and I completely understand the reasoning, but it does sadden me. My kids have AMAZING teachers that they won’t get to hug goodbye as they continue on to the next grade.

I pray everyone stays safe and heed the warnings of not going out and about unless absolutely necessary. I pray for the ones who are affected and who are sick. I pray the Lord stays with us through all of this and help wipe it away quickly.

But dear teachers, thank you for taking care of my babies and loving them. Please know that we appreciate you and my babies will miss you. 

I remember this day very well. I was having a totally off day and this was during a time when I wasn’t in the best place. This was during a time where I felt worthless and that I wasn’t good enough. This was during a time where nothing I did or say ever seemed right. So having the day I was having then, did not help.

At the time I took this picture my heart was hurting. We were at the library for an Easter party and Easter egg hunt. She had been looking forward to this event, plus it was our last one because she was starting school the following fall. We had been to every one since she was a baby.

Well, we showed up at the VERY end. She cried the whole way there thinking we were going to miss it, and to be honest so did I. I remember the whole way there I kept telling her “Mommy’s trying her best baby, I’m trying to get us there”, and I was.

Us being so late wasn’t because of negligence of time, it was circumstantial.

You see, I had to come back home after taking my son to school to get the horses fed. Upon arrival, one of my horses (whom I won’t call by name) was out of the pasture. After fighting with her to get her back in, the sole of my boot literally just fell off. It was one thing after another. Then before I knew it, it was 10:30, the party started at 10:30. I live 30 minutes away from the library. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach. I WAS DEVASTATED!

So, we rushed to the library and made it to the end of the party. We missed the egg hunt, but luckily the librarians knew we wouldn’t miss this event, gathered some eggs and put them aside for her. We sat there in the library floor while she ate her snacks and went thru her eggs. She turned to look at everyone else when I snapped this picture. I snapped this picture with the feeling of complete failure and defeat in my heart. Even though we still made it, even though it was not my fault as to why we were late, my heart wouldn’t let me feel otherwise.

After the library I took her to McDonalds to make up for all the hurt and emotional distress we had, then we went to the duck pond and walked and played. And you know what? We both got over it. Her much quicker than me. Heck, I teared up writing this because I remember how my heart felt.

As a parent we try so hard for our kids. But sometimes we fall short. And that’s ok. Does it hurt, heck yes, but we will move on. We either learn a lesson, have a story to tell, or both.

But the one thing I know I’ve learned is, the fact that I tried! I could have just threw in the towel and said “sorry kid, we are just not going to make it.” Let her cry it out a minute, bribe her with some candy or whatever. But no, I took my chances on making it before it ended and we did.

You have to give it all you’ve got! The fact that you care! That’s what makes you an awesome parent. So don’t let guilt over something beyond your control make you feel like you’re not good enough. You keep being an awesome parent. Your kids will always remember the fact that my mom cared enough to try.

“You are so fun to play with mom” is what my 9 year old said to me as I was playing a game  on the trampoline with him and my daughter. If you know my son, he is not really the affectionate type, so I take statements like that as an “I really love you mom”. It brought a tear to my eye, warmed my heart, and made me smile pretty big I must say. Hearing my child sputter those words made me feel I was doing something right as a mom.

Before that, while my daughter was taking a nap, we had a pretty long in depth conversation about everything under the son. When I made the statement “I really enjoyed our conversation.” He responded with ” I did too mom.” My heart was beaming with joy.

During this time of being stuck at home, it’s not a punishment for me, it’s a blessing. I love being around my kids. I miss them every day when they are at school. Of course, with them being home, it puts a small hold on my writing being I’m homeschooling them and tending to them during the day, but that’s fine with me. I will squeeze in the time when I can.

Once our kiddos reach the school age, we are releasing them out into the world. They are no longer ours to keep. They are only home on the weekends and summer breaks, and soon we won’t even have that time. Take advantage of the extra time God gave you.

Make memories, play in the mud, go for walks, read stories. Regular life will start back up again eventually, they will be back to their regular routines and school schedules. I will be able to get back to my routine.  But for now I am enjoying this much needed time with my little’s and a slow down for me.  

With schools closed and businesses closed it is hard to stick with a schedule. It’s hard to get into a routine to get school work done, or even your own work done. I especially have a struggle at times because if I don’t have to get up a 5 in the morning and rush around to get the kids to school on time, you can bet I’m going to sleep in and enjoy my morning.

But, if I’m not careful, the day can slowly slip away from me. Being I am also a routine type person, I have come up with a schedule that has been working great for my family. It allows us to still enjoy our days home and take a break from the everyday hustle, but also be able to stay on top of the work that needs to be done.

If you’re having trouble with a routine or being able to stay on top of school work, check out our routine.

Schedule goes as follows:

7am-8:30am: Wake up, bible study, breakfast

8:30am-10am: Get dressed, brush teeth, take vitamins, feed animals, play outside for a few

10am-10:30am: Start chores

10:30/11am-2pm: School work. I rotate the kiddos between computer work and worksheets. We break for lunch in between. During the programs that the kids don’t need much of my assistance with, I am able to squeeze in some writing time, organizing, or prepping supper.

After 2:00: WE ARE FREE! Play time out side until whenever. I don’t really even keep a straight bed time schedule right now, as long as they are asleep by 10pm we are doing great.

As I said before, while trying to stay in a routine or on a small schedule, we are also taking a break from the everyday hustle. Do we stick to this step by step, not every day. It’s more of a guideline to keep us on track. Especially Monday through Friday, on the weekends we wing it like normal.

 This is a crazy time right now so don’t forget to enjoy it and have some fun. We all need it. Now is also a great time to catch up on bible studies. We strive to read at least 3 bible stories in the mornings. No time is better than the present to praise our Lord and teach the young.

Now that our schoolwork and everything else is finished, Floor is Lava it is!

“You are so fun to play with mom” is what my 9 year old said to me as I was playing a game  on the trampoline with him and his sister. If you know my son, he is not really the affectionate type, so I take statements like that as an “I really love you mom”.

Before that, while his sister was taking a nap, we had a pretty long in depth conversation about everything under the son. Again, when I made the statement “I really enjoyed our conversation.” He responded with ” I did too mom.”

During this time of being stuck at home, it’s not a punishment for me, it’s a blessing. I love being around my kids. I miss them every day when they are at school. Of course, with them being home, it puts a small hold on my writing being I’m homeschooling and tending to them during the day, but that’s fine with me. I will squeeze in the time when I can.

Once our kiddos reach the school age, we are releasing them out into the world. They are no longer ours to keep. They are only home on the weekends and summer breaks, and soon we won’t even have that time. Take advantage of the extra time God gave you.

Make memories, play in the mud, go for walks, read stories. Regular life will start back up again eventually, they will be back to their regular routines and school schedules. You will be able to get back to my routine.  But for now I am enjoying this much needed time with my little’s.

                My house is not a showcase house. There are toys on the floor, and on some furniture. There may be stains on the doors, and let’s face it, the carpet too. There will be dirty dishes in the kitchen sink and toothpaste in the bathroom sinks. Muddy clothes will most likely be scattered around my back porch rails and bikes and outside toys scattered around the yard.

                My house is not just my house, it is shared between myself, my husband and our two kids. Do we clean and do chores, yes we do, everyday. But we also like to have fun, make memories, and enjoy life. Our home is our home and our home is lived in.

                So if you come over unexpected, please do not be surprised or expect a glamour home or something you would find in a Better Homes and Garden magazine. Please do not expect the matching pillows and curtains, and do expect the Christmas blanket to still be out because it is quite comfy and the whole family fights over it.

                I don’t want a showcase house, I want a home, and that’s what I created. So, “Come on in and make yourself at home”.