Decorating For Less

I love interior decorating.
It's something that I'd love to learn and develop ( although, it seems impossible to do so with 4 little ones right now). My kids love decorating too. But their decorating ideas are somewhat different from what I have in mind. They like to decorate the floors, the furniture including my bed with the little toys that they have. I'm at a crossroad: whether to drive myself crazy with impossible expectations to keep my house neat or simply let go of the idea (as many wise experienced mothers advise) and give myself a break.

Well, honestly, I'm still struggling with the act of "letting go" although I really want to be freed from the stress (caused by looking at my "unfit" home). But I am managing to satiate my longing for a well-kept home through visiting some decorating blogs. There are some amazing women out there and thanks to the blogging industry and technology, I get to learn so many things from them all at the end of my finger tips. These women can produce, upholster, renew anything! And they look just like from Pottery Barn. Wouldn't it be great to make your home look like it's from a Pottery Barn catalog for a fraction of the price?

Here are some of my favorite decorating blogs:

Just A Girl
Miss Mustard Seed
The Stories of A to Z
It's The Little Things That Make A House A Home
Design-Aholic

I have been thinking though. Although I complain about the toys on the floor everyday,  there will be a day when the kids are all grown up and I will miss picking up the toys off the floor. I guess this is a good reminder that I ought to enjoy every moment I have with them now because they will grow and time does fly.

February Devotion by Jill D.

Did you ever wonder why God created mankind even though He knew Adam would fall in the garden of Eden, and we would all become sinners, even hostile to Him?

Does it blow you away to know that “Long ago, even BEFORE He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes?” (Eph 1:4)

I can’t answer why God did this, but when I thought about this, I felt led to the sinful woman who wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair; kissed His feet and anointed them with very costly perfume in Luke 7:36-50.  In vs. 47 Jesus says, “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

 Just think about this: HE LOVED YOU even before you were saved.  If you recognize how sinful you are, you will love Him for who He is and what He already did for you even more.

Sometimes when you have been a Christian for a long time, we forget how amazing our salvation is. Would you ask God to return you to the joy of your salvation?

Whenever God reveals something to me, I try remember to ask Him what He wants me to do with it. Today, He reminded me that I must have the attitude of Christ, that He is our example.  Is there someone in your life, perhaps someone who is like sandpaper to you that you need to love and forgive even though they are not loving you or treating you kindly?  Or are you someone’s sandpaper and you need to ask someone to forgive you.

I pray that whatever God shows you,  you will fall madly in love with Jesus, the Lover of your soul.

September Thoughts in February

My three children have been in several different educational settings since their nursery school days. We have used private, parochial, and public schools. I have had lengthy discussions with professionals, educators, other parents, as well as kids as to the best way to do this thing called education, but it comes down to this: every child has the capacity to adapt to the environment he/she is placed into by his/her parents.


I did not always share this point of view. I used to think it was all about the child's bent. This current year, we have one of our children in a private boarding school academy, one child in public middle school, and one child at a parochial elementary school. The different schools continue to adequately meet the different needs my three children have, however I really believe that one is not more superior to another because of its' name, location, or even its' curriculum. I have met fine people - administrators, faculty, and parents at all the institutions my children have attended. My children have learned a great deal about life by having rich diverse educational experiences, but as they get older as do we as their parents :-), we have come to fully appreciate the key to success in parenting is Proverbs 22:6 (Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it), not the school they have attended. The important word for us parents is that these precious children have been entrusted to us and it is our job to raise them in such a a way that they will ultimately seek God's will in all they do and the Lord will show them which path to take.

I have been asked by many young moms which school is the best and I used to favor one type of school or another, or I would address the child's needs but life is not that simple. Economics plays a role in these decisions. I want to encourage you to have faith and courage to do what you are able to - live within your means. Don't spend everything you earn on their education - so that you have nothing left for yourselves. Bloom where you are planted. Trust God that if it is His will to homeschool, you will be equipped to do so. If His will is that you use your public school, He will surround you with a support system that will benefit your children, or if it is His will that you go the route of private or parochial, He will provide the funding, but also the path that is clear for you as parents to lead your children down.

The honor of christian parenting comes from seeing your children trusting their lives to the Lord. And, the honor and privilege of releasing your children to the Lord is a daily task - - one which will need to bathed in prayer wherever your children are educated.

Traditions of Love

This past Sunday night was the backdrop for one of the traditions our family has held on to now for almost 20 years. Every Valentine's Day in our family, the Brady dinning room becomes a restaurant. Kids dress up in fancy clothes and rummage through their things (and the laundry room & mom's messy kitchen drawer) scavenging for pennies. I set an excessively fancy table with all those dollar store seasonal decorations, (or fine china as they get older...) and then make a menu. The menu is simple. It's made up of all those foods your kids love best, that are easy to cook and can be produced quickly! Everything from bagel pizzas, to fancy beverage options, to creative Valentine desserts. We like to play up the descriptions of these menu items too. Everything is offered a-la-carte, and everything costs a penny. Kids can order anything they want, in ANY combination!
A day or two before, I stock the pantry & freezer with all those quick cook foods. So now, what's going on in the kitchen typically is 2 -3 pots of boiling water, one frying pan, a hot oven and another hot toaster oven---all ready for orders! Over the years the older girls have helped create the menus, and even brought their friends in for the event...the boys just show up for the excessive amounts of food! The menu items have grown up with the kids as well, this year we had Shrimp Scampi on our menu, and Spicy Beef & Sausage Ravioli (fresh, pre-made from Stop n Shop) in a light (from a jar) Alfredo Sauce! Dan & I serve the kids together and have our own little fun time in the kitchen...

It's hard to say how traditions get started. Sometimes it's something you've treasured from you or your husbands' childhood that simply must be carried on. Sometimes though, its just a fun idea, or even a solution to a temporary problem that sticks and gets clamored for --for a few years in a row, and somewhere in there gets set in stone. Our Valentines tradition started for us because our early family, with MANY small children and not much of a budget, lived across the country from any extended family. It was hard to get out much at all those years, and it was a happy solution to celebrating love. It was easier, and fun, to just make a party at home. As the kids grew, and began to anticipate last years events, what we found was a legit tradition!

This year, Grace is 11, Rachel (14) had the flu, and Nate (17), had to work. I wondered if I was still in business...maybe the interest was gone? But from across the miles, away at college, Tim (23), Laura (21) and Anne(19) absolutely expected that Valentines' Restaurant was up & running! What I'm realizing is that traditions often become a comforting thought to kids who are away, they make them feel that "life" as they remember it is still happening at home. It feeds that sense of security, that home is still "there" for them if and when they come back for it. So, Rachel stayed in bed upstairs, and Grace invited a neighbor friend. I thought I'd share some pictures of this years' event.

The Gift Of An Ordinary Day

I had share this video went from Wendy. I'm still tearing up from this video, but this is exactly what I needed to see after a day like today. I hope it's as profound as it was for me.

Julie & Julia

Have you seen this movie? I've been meaning to see this movie for the longest time and I finally got to watch it not so long ago. And I love it! In fact, all my favorite movies are all by the same director, Nora Ephron. Although I may not agree with some of her propaganda, she's so creative and her artistic intuistions are beyond measure. She just has a way of understanding Manhattan and a way to a woman's heart.

It's funny though, because there is a project I've been thinking about doing for the longest time. But after watching this movie, I was motivated to execute it. I didn't think about doing this project through the blog, but what a great idea Julie Powell came up with! So, I have a new blog. And this project is bringing every day cooking and dinner time up to a new level. Our whole family is getting involved and we're having a blast. I never thought a project like this could bring our family together for fun and it doesn't take any extra effort. Check out my new blog: Everyday With Rachel Ray Project and let me know what y'all think :)

Mom To Mom Play Date

Yesterday was our Mom To Mom group play date. I think I had much more fun than my kids :) It's always so good to get together with other moms and chat while the kiddies have a blast ( and let all that energy out so they can have a good afternoon nap :P ) I'm appreciating more and more for Mom To Mom. We have such a great group where all the moms get together and talk, ask questions and learn about motherhood from our Mom Mentors. And during these winter months, I definitely appreciate a fun place to go and let the kids play indoors- especially with the great bounce house. Here are some pictures.

 

Looking forward to every Tuesday.