What do you do with stinky teenagers?

brennan

Last month I had to have someone come and check my roof where it was leaking. To do that he had to go upstairs in my house. About 30 minutes before he got here I decided I better check and see what the upstairs looks like. We have one of those homes where the main bedrooms are on the bottom floor and there is a bonus room and an office for us that we turned into a bedroom as our family grew. So, up the stairs to check the bedroom. 

Oh dear. Really? Seriously? I really have got to start going upstairs and checking his bedroom more often. It was pitiful. We don’t allow food and drink out of the kitchen. But he’s a teenager and he’s sneaky. I found 2 cups with lids and lots of snack wrappers.  I found tons of clothes that needed to be washed and lots of dirt on our carpets.  Upstairs now needs a rug cleaning.

I ended up doing a mad dash to make sure that the upstairs looked better then it did when I got there. I got it cleaned and he got fussed at. He’s going to do a better job cleaning and I’m going to do a better job checking.  It’s a big job raising kids. An even bigger one when you are raising teenagers. We have one chance to get it right. We have to do our best at raising our sweet babies! 

 

Over 70 Inexpensive or home made Mother’s Day Pinterest Ideas

Pinterest is so full of good ideas these days. I take no credit for any of these beautiful mothers day gift ideas. But you should stop by the blogs who put all their love into their posts and let them know how great they’re creations are. I just got them together all in one spot for you! May all mothers know they are loved!

 

mothersdaycollage

 

 

Here’s the list of pins it came from on pinterest. Enjoy!

8 Inexpensive Mothers Day Gifts Ideas

Spring Mason Jar Candy Holder

10 Mothers Day Gift Ideas

15 Mothers Day Craft Ideas

Modge Podge Mothers Day Craft Picture Frame

15 Mothers Day gift ideas from kids

Meaningful Handmade Mothers Day gift ideas

25 mothers day gift ideas

 

 

 

Serving others changes you!

Serving the homeless

I am beyond blessed and filled with thankfulness that this people group allowed us to serve them! This weekend we went down to the Ministry Under the Bridge and helped serve the homeless. It was an awesome opportunity for my community group from church to go and love on others. You think about doing something like this and think about how great it will be. But you really have no idea how blessed and humble you feel until you actually do take part in it.

serving boys

I went telling myself it’s good for the kids. They need to see that they have it so good. They don’t have to wonder where they are going to sleep tonight. They know and have a bed. I left there thinking no, it was totally for me. I’m the one that was beyond humbled and inspired by the lovely people who came out and let us love on them. One sweet man made it a point to come back over to me and my friend Jenn and tell us, “Thank you for coming out.” No, sir thank you! My children mostly ran around and played under the bridge not really understanding what was going on. They did help us clean up by picking up any trash that was left but for the most part was there as observers. I hope that as we do this more they will understand the impact of what is going on. Today I’m just thankful that we were able to go and be a part of this amazing ministry Pastor Bob has. He’s making his mark on the world and making such a huge difference.

We saw a lot of different kinds of people. One young man looked barely 20. He broke my friend’s heart. One family with young children my kids age came through. The rest were 30-60′s. One man appeared to be in good health but when I tried to offer him dessert he passed saying he’s pre-diabetic. Good for you for watching your health and being on top of it! Of course there was one man we had to talk to our children about. He seemed to be in another world and talked of things my kids couldn’t understand. That was our time to explain how mental illness affects people in many different ways and without help they can turn to drugs or other things to try to treat themselves. He hurt my heart but I have no idea how to help him. For now we will continue to go help at this amazing ministry. Taking me out of my comfort zone is what life is all about if you are truly living! I truly lived today. Did you?

community group serving

 This group is forever changed for the better for serving!

5 Gifts for Kids!

birthday gifts for kids

Confused about what gifts for kids to purchase?

I don’t know about you but as a mom I am constantly getting invitations for other children’s birthday parties. I struggle with what to get different kids. Well I polled other moms and came up with 5 gifts for kids you can not go wrong with. I love the picture above. It’s one of my girl’s best friends and we had given her some cash for her birthday. She’s so cute and sassy in this picture holding her cash. 

Here’s 5 gifts for kids that you know they will want and enjoy!

1. Number one gift for the age 8 and up set is always cash. They love to get it. It’s easy to give and they get to go pick out exactly what they want.  Gift cards to their favorite store are another great way to go. My girl would be so happy at the age of 7 to get a gift card to Justice or Target. She loves to shop and would enjoy picking out her own clothes and accessories.

2. Personalized gifts are a hit. Most adults I know love to give personalized gifts for kids.  I had my son a towel personalized with his name. You can get books that talk about your child, personalized shirts,  journals, jackets, bedding, pictures etc. These are always a big hit with moms and kids!

3. Movie tickets, books or cd’s make my kids day. They feel so grown up when they get to pay for their own ticket. Plus they get a much needed treat at a movie theater something we don’t get to do very often. They love to be able to listen to their own music when we are in the car or they’re in their room. I have a lot of readers at my house. We are surrounded by books and all three of them love to read.

4. Craft activity kits are another item you can not go wrong with. My children when they were younger lived at the kitchen table  making things. We’ve done the loom and weaved pot holders, made sand or moon dough, play dough, painting, paint by numbers, etc. They love getting dirty and making a mess. In their language it is nothing but F.U.N.

5. Toys are always a hit. You can ask the parent what they are into and just run to the local department store and pick it up.  With boys you can get legos, transformers, knex, biking stuff, balls (4 square, basketball, baseball) and so much more. Girls love so many different things. My girl would love a diary, make up, fingernail polish, princess items, baby dolls, biking equipment and so much more. 

Make birthdays less stressful and get gifts for kids that you know they want.

Birthday parties are fun to go to and shouldn’t cause you any worry.  When you get gifts for kids get what they will love. With this list any gift on here would be a great idea and well received by the party girl. Just remember it’s making memories for the birthday child and they will just be happy that your child came! 

 

Underwear? Where for art thou underwear? Rewind

I hate shopping. (I know someone should revoke my girl card. Next time I go shopping I’ll just turn it in at the register, I swear.) I hate shopping for underwear even more. Heading out to find new underwear that I love was my mission. Horribly, I failed.

I now have 8 pair of underwear that I hate. I HATE SHOPPING FOR UNDERWEAR! You go in fairly confident that you will be able to get it and get it back home quickly. I go looking, not for Victoria’s Secret…no, I just run to Target. I know my favorite brand and I found them quickly. Found my size…yay. Hurry and put them in my buggy. Get them home and I hate the style. Curse you! Did I find out before I opened both packages and washed them. Nope. I was so cocky. Thinking I had finally beat the underwear shopping into submission I shook my fist in the air and let out a primal scream. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. But, yes. I admit I failed. Now I have 8 pairs of underwear that I will make myself wear for the next year. Grumble, Grumble, Grumble.

Do you have a favorite underwear shopping experience? Share it with me. Please don’t share if all you have to say is “I bought the right size, style, and love them.” Nobody likes a know it all!

 

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