My sweet 5 year old has discovered the Tooth Fairy. A good friend of hers recently lost a tooth, and someone at Vacation Bible School told her about her experience with the Tooth Fairy. There has been a lot of excitement about teeth that might be loose. It has also spurred some questions about this mysterious character. Today C5 wanted to know where the Tooth Fairy lives. I avoided the question because I just didn’t have a good answer for her. I don’t remember ever asking my folks about that. Was I really not that curious as a child? Why is it always my kid who needs to know all of the details about something when she gets interested in it?

I did some research for my inquisitive child. Now I am armed with answers! (Oh, I found out that the TF lives in Tooth Fairyland in the sky, of course!)Maybe you haven’t had the pleasure of preparing for the Tooth Fairy to visit your home yet, so hopefully you will benefit from what I found out.

~ A good friend told me that the Tooth Fairy always left a letter with the cash reward for her daughter. You can find all kinds of letters at this Squidoo page.

~ There are many books out there about the Tooth Fairy. Some even include folklore from other cultures about her.

~ Many parents online recommend that you think about how much money the TF will bring because your child will expect the same thing every time the Tooth Fairy comes. It seems that the going rate is $1, but many TF’s bring coins instead of paper bills.

~ I have a friend whose TF brings a little gift such as brightly colored floss along with the cash. What a great way to promote oral hygeine!

~ Many of your Tooth Fairy questions can be answered at Write the Toothfairy.

Just think of the Tooth Fairy as another opportunity to celebrate the magic of childhood and make memories with your children!

My dad is my hero. Week after week he visits us and brings muffins to share. Then he spends the day helping with laundry, cleaning, and taking care of the kids. Plus he has a contagious laugh and a winning sense of humor! It is such a  joy to have him around. We have a standing date at this local hot dog place that the kids love to go to when he visits. He and the kids joke back and forth about where we are going for lunch. It is all part of the fun of it!

I have to start taking pictures of him with the kids. They are hilarious together, and my dad is a great sport about dressing up and pretending. Today he wore a crown at the tea party the kids set up. He helped the girls with their dress up clothes, too. It was precious to see them all playing together!

I also appreciate how my father tells stories. He talks about times he spent with my mom, times when I was a kid, and times when the girls were younger. My grandmother, his mother, told stories like that, too. I remember asking her to retell those stories over and over even though I knew them by heart. I just loved the experience of spending time with her and hearing about our family history. I’m happy that my children will have that same experience to look back on.

I treasure these days, and I am grateful that my kids will have memories of my dad visiting each week.

Photo courtesy of rocketjim54

On Sunday Dr. George Tiller, a doctor who provided late-term abortions, was murdered at his church. Abortion is such a controversial topic that I would normally not write about it, but I feel compelled to say a few words given the news of Dr. Tiller’s death.

I must confess that I have been grappling with this very topic myself for quite some time. I am an educated woman, and I enjoy the rights that have been fought for and won by other women before me. I choose to stay home with my children, a right that women did not have in the past. I know what abortion is, and I now how both sides of the fence view it. But this issue is more complicated than just the facts about what abortion is. It is an emotionally charged topic, and politics play into it all. It is not clear cut.

It is a great idea to research and understand a topic before you formulate an opinion. I have found a brief description of what an abortion entails at Daybreak Pregnancy Resource Center. If you are interested in reading about it, please go to their website, http://www.daybreakinc.org. (I’d rather not link to any website related to this topic.) By the way, Daybreak is a non-profit counseling and pregnancy center.

In the end, your opinion of abortion does not really matter. God tells us that murder is a sin. Period. He does not detail who is murdered and why; there are no exceptions.

You shall not murder. Deuteronomy 5:17

We are all sinners. We are not called to judge each other, though.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:36-38

We are called to love God and each other.

Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39

I am saddened by this whole situation.

I will pray for others.

I will love others.

Will you?

Mothering is an art form. Think about what mothers do every day.

1. Mothers nurture their children. For each child that looks different, though. Some children need Mommy to snuggle them often throughout the day. Other children need the freedom to explore independently and know that mom is nearby to ensure that everything is safe. Moms have to learn what each child needs through trial and error.
2. Mothers discipline their children. All children need to be taught right from wrong, but there are multiple ways to teach children those lessons. Each child responds differently. Some children fall to pieces if you raise your voice while other children need the adult in charge to be assertive and firm.
3. Mothers provide for their children’s needs. How many meals does a mother prepare a day? Moms make sure the kids are well dressed. Moms patch up their children’s boo-boos. Mothers hug and kiss their little ones to tell them that everything will be all right.
4. Mothers advocate for their children. Moms tell everyone how wonderful their children are and what great things their children can do. They insist that the pediatrician look into a concern. Moms call the teacher, the principal, and the superintendent if necessary. Moms research to find answers and follow through on that research. Mothers pray for their children.
5. Mothers love their children. Everything that a mother does comes from love, uncontional love, and mothers are blessed.

Happy Mother’s Day. Enjoy your blessings!

Photo courtesy of ~*~Sheyla~*~

Today Daddy had class all day, so I was on my own with the kids. It was a sweet day! I truly enjoyed being a mommy. We made some precious memories together.

We spent much of our day snuggled together reading our library books – a huge bag full. I think we read for at least an hour! C4 even read a couple of books to me and A2. I’m struck by the fact that the girls love reading much more than I ever remember reading when I was young. I suppose Mom’s doing something right!

We used up some scrapbooking paper that I have had forever. Someone gave me paper for a baby album, and I never got around to using it. There were great pictures in the kit that you punch out, and the girls were able to create collages.  I even made a simple book for C4 to read with the pictures. We chatted away while we created our works of art. (Those pictures are being sent to an auntie.) It was a great opportunity for me and the girls to simply connect and have fun together.

We went for a bike ride with Auntie P and her boyfriend J. They live in NY, so we get to see them from time to time. It was funny to watch all of them together. J and Auntie P took turns pushing the back of A2’s bike. Then they took turns chasing C4 on her bike. They even played a chase game together. It was priceless to watch them play!

Grammie brought a couple of baby birds over today, too. (She breeds birds of all kinds.) The girls love to pet her birds. I love how they have a unique opportunity to learn about birds. They see first hand what baby birds look and feel like. They are learning to be gentle and care for an animal. And it is a special hobby that they share with their grandmother.

A memory making day indeed!

Photo courtesy of djakartafotografi.com

A dear friend of mine brought her three children over for a play date today – 5 years, 2 1/2 years, & 11 weeks old. We live pretty far from each other now and rarely see each other. Preschool cuts into the time we would usually have together. I am so glad that they came to visit us! Our kids have known each other since birth, and it has been a pleasure to watch their friendships grow.

Photo by Breibeest

One of the best parts of today was holding that dear baby. She is a sweet little girl, and my kids fell in love with her right away. Boy did that stir the desire in me to have another baby! I know that we are not quite ready to bring home a new little one, but I am sure that I want to have one sooner than later. Now I just have to pray and wait for the time to be right. (Oh and I plan on getting myself fit in the meantime!)

Waiting is often hard for me as it is for many people. But for me it means that my plans often get derailed. You see, I LOVE to plan. I love thinking of the possibilities. I am a big picture kind of girl, you know. Trusting God and waiting for His plans to unfold means that I lose control and my plans are not carried through. It isn’t that God disappoints me because His plans are always better than mine. It’s just that I like to know what to expect. I like having control. I LOVE predictability.

Do you think that there is a lesson in this for me?

Photo by LifeHouseDesign

I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ Psalm 92:1

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:!1

He answered:  ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Luke 10:27

• Trust the LORD, my God.
• Love the LORD, my God.
• Take refuge in the LORD, my God.
• Wait on the LORD, my God.

The time will come for my family to grow, for me to have another baby.

Photo by futureshape

E and I have been working on our budget these days as I’m sure you have been doing as well with the economy the way it is. We have been pretty successful with trimming some of the fat off of our spending, too. It has been good to know that we are getting our finances under control, but we have Christmas on the horizon now. We have decided that we are going to buy household items for each other this year instead of indulging in the things we want to have. The kids, of course, are getting a couple of toys, but they are mostly getting things they need like underwear, socks, and toothbrushes. Luckily they are still young enough that ripping the paper open means about as much as getting the actual gift! Fortunately for us we had gift cards left over from last year and the year before so we’ve managed to keep the price tag low so far.

With that being said, I think that this Christmas might be the best one we have yet. I say that because this year we are being forced to think about what really matters to us. We’ve also been doing lots of Advent activities this month, so we are all drawing closer to Jesus this month. Couple that with reading the Christmas story in its entirety on Christmas morning, and I think that this Christmas will be full of meaning. I am looking forward to having time with our family delighting in the Lord while playing, laughing, and eating great food with my family.

So here’s to a Christmas filled with what we really need, love. This Christmas and every Christmas we receive love from our Lord and Savior wrapped in the love of our families.

Have a blessed Christmas this year knowing that Jesus loves you!

Photo by singsing_sky

This is a revised version of a post that originally appeared in my sister blog, Homeschooling Coach. Please visit that blog for homeschooling tips & curriculum ideas as well as stories about the joys & trials of home education.

This is such a busy time of year. You are doing a lot right now with the holidays upon us. Do you find that it is difficult to find time for your spouse? It is so hard to do it all, and often times something has to give. I encourage you to consider a few ways to stay connected with your spouse even when it seems like there is no time.

Photo by Sammis Co

1. Have dessert or tea together after the children are in bed. This is your time to reconnect and discuss the day. It is a great stress reliever, too. The only rule is that you cannot do anything else like watch TV. It also only needs to take 5-10 minutes of your evening.
2. Leave each other love notes. You can leave a note in your hubby’s brief case telling him how much you love him, or leave a note in his car to tell him that you are thinking about him. Send him an e-mail to say, “I love you.” It means a lot when you take a moment out of your day to remind your hubby that he is special to you.
3. Choose a date night. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or even go anywhere fancy. The only thing that matters is that you are together. You can even have your date at home if you have to.
4. Laugh together. Tickle each other. Tell jokes. Watch a funny TV show. Get silly. Laughter is a great way to deal with stress!
5. Reminisce. Rekindling those memories helps you to feel the same way you did way back when. Look through a photo album or remind each other of stories from when you were dating.
6. Do something unexpected for your spouse. Meet your hubby at the door with a long, passionate kiss. Make a special meal for your husband. Watch the football game with him. Meet him at work for a picnic lunch. It is fun to think of the possibilities!
7. Give your hubby a back rub. It doesn’t take long, but he will feel more relaxed and grateful for the gesture!
8. Dance together in the middle of your living room. Play the song that you danced to on your wedding day or a song that is meaningful to both of you. Turn down the lights and enjoy being close.
9. Listen to a book on cd together. You both can do other things while the book is playing (like laundry and dishes), but you will have a book that you can both talk about. Choose something that is fun and interesting for both of you.
10. Pray together. This can be intimidating if you don’t usually do it. Make it a short time of prayer to start and make the prayer about praises. As you both get more comfortable, you can pray longer and about more intimate requests. You will find it amazing!

What are some ways that you and your spouse connect when you are busy?

Grace.

The Mom to Mom talk this week was about grace. Have you thought about the grace that God has given you – freely? Have you considered your role in showing others grace? That’s what we were asked to ponder today.

Photo by Delphine devos

This amazing speaker talked about how grace and forgiveness go hand in hand. They work together. She said, “Grace is forgiveness made beautiful.” What a pretty picture that is! Think about how we can forgive someone, and then think of what it is like to show someone grace. When you give the gift of grace, you pardon someone and love that person.

Don’t mistake grace as a way of letting someone off the hook. There is still a consequence for the misstep. However, the love and forgiveness that comes with showing someone grace somehow softens the blow of those consequences. The speaker this week used the illustration of what happens between a mother and her child when that child makes a mistake. The child is comforted by Mommy after the mistake, but there is still the consequence that comes with making that mistake – repairing the damage, for example.

It is often easier to show others grace than it is to show yourself grace. Strange, but true, isn’t it? I know that this is true for me. I suppose it is my way of trying to earn forgiveness. The thing about grace is that it is not what we deserve. We have “earned” the consequence, not the forgiveness, and there are no actions that will help you to earn the forgiveness. (Romans 3:21-26) You simply have to have faith, accept God’s grace, and be grateful for it.

One of the most precious gifts you can offer others – and yourself – is the gift of grace. Show someone, even yourself, a little grace today.

Photo by ninjapoodles

One of the hardest things about being a mom is being the bad guy. I love my kids so much, and I want to give them their hearts’ desires. And I know I have to be “the enforcer” because I love them. I just don’t like it. It is especially difficult to be an enforcer since C4 is a strong-willed child.

Photo by brokinhrt2

Today being “the enforcer” meant that I had to listen to a tantrum for 45 minutes. I had to remain calm (which is so hard to do when you’ve been listening to a 4 year old scream and accuse you of being a horrible human being), and I had to restate the rule over and over. In the end it paid off, though. Eventually she gave up the tantrum and obeyed me. However, there were natural consequences. Because C4 had the tantrum that lasted for so long, she missed out on eating dinner with me and A2, so she had to eat and take her bath alone. She was sad about that, and I was sad for her.

Tonight I was successful in teaching the lesson that Mommy is in charge and you are expected to obey. It is such a hard lesson to learn.

What did I learn? I was successful for a few reasons.

• I did not make the moment about me, but about C4’s choices and behavior.
• I kept my emotions out of it because often times she plays off of my emotional response.
• I also followed through with the expectation instead of negotiating.

It is a hard lesson for me to learn as well. C4 will test the boundries. She will experience consequences for her choices, and sometimes I have to be the one to enforce those consequences. I am The Enforcer, and I have my work cut out for me. I am up to the challenge thanks to the small victories my God gives me!