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Encouragement

Encouragement

3 Sanity Secrets for the Stressed Out Mom

Life is full of pressure points. On any given day I can handle them, but sometimes, for whatever reason, they all start throbbing at the same time. Multiple kids have multiple issues. Projects at work loom large. A friend calls with a crisis. My parents get sick. The throbbing becomes so intense it is painful and I feel like I am going to pop. I have fallen down the hole, taken a drink of panic, and I can’t fit back through the door to sanity. I am a stressed out mom. Like Alice in Wonderland, the trip once started doesn’t get better. The trick is to stop before you start. What are the sanity secrets to keep your feet on solid ground? After years of falling, here are my three… 1. Allow for Quiet Time Sometimes, the noise of the world around us is enough to drive us crazy! Our brains need time to process and ponder. But if we don’t schedule it we won’t have it. Just do it, force it, leave the dishes in the sink. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and get settled into your favorite chair for a couple hours. Or try taking your journal outside …

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Encouragement

Valentine’s Family Game Show

When we love someone, we want to learn what makes them happy, so that we can bring more joy into their life. So would you like a fun way to find out what makes your kids happy? Then play iMOM’s Valentine Family Game Show this weekend. My co-worker Andy gathered his family together and had a blast with this sweet (literally) activity. If you’ve ever heard of that old TV game show, The Newlywed Game, this family game show is a lot like that one! Not only will learn more about your kids, they’ll learn about each other, and hopefully be inspired to do what they can to bring each other joy. Instructions: You Will Need Printer Printer Paper Pencil or Pen Candy Conversation Hearts (50 individual hearts) (If you don’t have candy hearts, you can use other small Valentine candies, or chocolate chips) Preparation Time 15 Minutes #1: Getting Ready Print out your list of Valentine’s Family Game Show Questions. (But don’t let your kids see them!) Give each person plenty of blank paper and a pen or pencil for writing their answers. #2: Sweet Talk Gather everyone together as you pour your candy hearts (or other candies) into a bowl. While …

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Encouragement

What is Beauty? Beauty Is…

I love it when a company uses it’s influence for good and Dove has done that for many years. The company has had an ongoing Campaign for Real Beauty. And they use very poignant, relevant videos to make girls and women think differently about beauty. I have watched all of their videos with my girls because I want them to know, really know, that they are beautiful! Here are those links…

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Encouragement

Life Hack Lovin’

Have you heard of life hacks?? Well they are da bomb. They’re these quirky little tricks that make your life easier. You can use toothpaste to clean your headlights or put a wooden spoon over a boiling pot to keep the water from boiling over. It’s amazing what you can find! Speaking of life hacks, iMOM is all about making a mom’s life easier. Use iMOM’s 7 life hack printables to help your household and you will be life hack lovin’ just like me. What’s your best life hack find?

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Encouragement

Do Your Cups Overfloweth?

Do your cups overfloweth? Mine do. I walked into the kitchen this afternoon and there they were–overflowing on the counter—fast food cups, Solo cups, juice cups and coffee cups—over a dozen of them. My eyes tried to count as my hands went to work, and the voice in my head vented with questions like, “Why can’t anyone seem to find the dishwasher?” “How many more nano seconds does it take to drop a cup in the trash rather than on the counter?” and “Why, why, why can’t I seem to train my kids to put stuff away?” Within five minutes the venting voice relented as I surveyed the now cleared counter. I was still slightly annoyed but much, much calmer. And then I saw it—my coffee cup from this morning, empty and alone next to the stove. Somehow I had missed it. As I focused on that lonely cup a foreboding thought formed in my mind. One day that might be all I find on the counter—one or two empty coffee cups. One day my kids will be grown and gone. But, today I am not alone.The cups in my house overfloweth because my cup is over-flowing with life. …

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Encouragement

Prepare Him Room (Merry Christmas!)

No room. It’s a sad thought, really, but one that makes a lot of sense. In a busy time of census taking, inns were full and rooms were hard to come by. Still, no one knew that this woman they were ushering out was about to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God, the One who would change the world and bring about hope for a better tomorrow. Even today, it’s easy to get so busy over the holidays that we forget the One who is the reason for all of the festivities. We can choose to close our hearts to His love and keep our days so full that there is no time to spend with Him. Or, we can remember that He truly is Emmanuel, God with us. We can find Him through a loving gesture of a neighbor, a kind word of a friend, a peaceful moment by the Christmas tree, or an encouraging lyric in a Christmas carol. But He still lovingly waits to see if we will allow Him the room in our hearts. “Let every heart prepare Him room,” let’s sing together this Christmas day. For His presence in our lives will …

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Encouragement

O Little Town of Bethlehem (Christmas Countdown Day 2)

Bethlehem, a small town a few miles southwest of Jerusalem, had seen busier times before the birth of Jesus occurred. Because history describes it as an ancient caravanning route, quite a mix of cultures could probably be found there at any given time. In Old Testament times, it became the burial place for Jacob’s favored wife Rachel, and the living place for Naomi and Ruth, and later King David. Many years passed, and due to Caesar Augustus’ decree that everyone must return to their own country to be registered in a census, Joseph, a descendant of David, had to make the trip to Bethlehem. Along with his very pregnant wife, he looked for lodging, and found it in a stable. It was there when Old Testament prophesies came true, and the little village of Bethlehem became the backdrop of the greatest Story ever told on that very first Christmas night. (Micah 5:2-5) Bethlehem, which literally means “house of bread,” became the human birthplace for the One who offers us the Bread of Life and invites us to come to Him for fulfillment. And because all of the hopes and fears were met there, we don’t have to carry them …

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Encouragement

Joy to the World! (Christmas Countdown Day 3)

Joy… it comes naturally when hopes are fulfilled. The wise men, who had seen the star and set out to find the reason for it – the Christ child baby – had fulfilled their purpose and had reason to rejoice. Their long journey ended in great joy. But what about when it doesn’t? What about when hopes don’t seem to be fulfilled, and journeys don’t seem to end happily? After all, some Christmas seasons are just much harder than others. Finances are tight, loved ones are sick or grieved, and joy is harder to be found. Yet in the wise men’s situation, the secret to finding joy seemed to be in the science of the star. You see, the star was still there, even when they couldn’t see it. So the wise men had to keep looking, keep anticipating that what started them on their journey would enable them to complete their journey. They had to keep actively seeking the star, allowing joy to be the final result. Whatever might seem to loom in front of you this Christmas week, know there is still joy ahead to be found. Keep seeking it. And when you find it, celebrate… in an exceedingly great …

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