Musings from a Busy Mom

Ever wonder, what is the difference between MOPS and a Moms ministry? Well, MOPS is a well known name. Someone Google's "moms group" she is going to see info about MOPS. A non-Christian or someone unchurched is going to see MOPS, put in a zipcode search on their website, and find our groups. They are going to come. We are going to demonstrate a Christian worldview, expose them to church (some for the first time, some in just a really long time). Their kids are going to go to MOPPETS and hear about Jesus. And something that just happened in our group is going to happen. The mom and/or dad is going to get saved. Join a church, start raising their family in church. Lives are changed for the Kingdom. And why? Because MOPS is a known quantity, a brand that gets people in the door a church that wouldn't normally go to church. It's not an internal ministry to just women at our church. It is unique among church ministries because it serves a dual purpose - internally ta...

This is a question I hear often (not necessarily are they always asking me , but asking the collective homeschool community).  I want to take the time to answer this question for any of you thinking about homeschooling, choosing curricula, and for those of you who currently homeschool and are asked this question. If you are in the position where you have the freedom to choose your own curricula, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. While it is a good idea to ask others about their experiences, be careful that you weed out the emotions associated with their choices and listen to what each option has to offer.  The curriculum that your best friend absolutely loves may not work for your family.  The curricula that your sister thinks is the worst out there you might find outstandingly effective.  It all depends on your family, you, and your child.  I do encourage every homeschooling family to pray about the curricula choices as well as the sche...

Today's post is a devotional written by my husband.  As a wife, mom, and leader I frequently have to remind myself to keep my priorities in order. Set priorities according to God, family, and work, in that order. Psalm 100:3 states: “Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.”  As we keep that in mind, we have to come face to face with the reality that none of us is a “self-made man” or woman.  Regardless of our title or role in our company, the amount of money we earn as an employee or entrepreneur, the prestige and honor afforded us by society, the political clout we may claim to have, the fame of our family name, or the size of our family, we didn’t get to where we are in life based on our intellectual superiority or even our hard work. God alone gives each of us our skills and abilities.  He is the one who created our “innate” abilities to grasp certain concepts; to achieve specific goals; to know certain facts...

Have you ever wondered if you are lovable?  If you are loved?  If you are loving?  Alexandra Kuykendall asked these questions and in her memoir you will be encouraged and uplifted.  This is a very easy book for moms to read - short chapters, easy to read, and leaves you wanting to pick the book back up every time you have a moment.  And it is now available on Amazon.com.  Check out the video of Alexandra talking about the inspiration behind this book.   Video of Alexandra Kuykendall   (I am sorry, I could not get the video to upload here.) I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for publicizing my reviews on the book.

Yes, I homeschool my children.  No, I do not think that makes me better than anyone else.  Actually, I know that I am nowhere near the perfect mom.  I will be the first to tell you that homeschooling is hard, and it is not for everyone.  I fought against the decision to homeschool.  But God showed me that this was the plan He has for us, and now I am glad I took the path less travelled. A lot of people have misconceptions about homeschooling.  People who do not homeschool sometimes think we either slack off and our children are missing out or they think we are more capable parents and our children excel.  People who do homeschool sometimes fall into the trap of comparing themselves to other homeschooling parents, thinking they need to be perfect, or think they don't have what it takes.  We all struggle no matter what path we take. I am going to expel some of those myths about the schooling that happens in my home.   We do occasi...

I have been trying to make more and more at home.  But as you know, there are things that you just love at the grocery store.  For my husband, one of those things is Manwich.   Well, guess what!  I found a recipe for that, and it is wonderful!      Of course I had to change the recipe a little... I knew Manwich has high fructose corn syrup (a big no-no in my house), so I added 1/2 Tablespoon of sugar, and I used venison instead of ground beef.  My husband said had I not told him it wasn't Manwich before he ate that he would have assumed it was.  This recipe tastes just a tad different, but it was very good.  Even my daughter who never liked Manwich liked this.  With five out of five votes, this recipe will stay in my home!  Next time, though, I will try finely diced or grated onion instead of onion powder. Find the recipe on my Pinterest board.

During my many days (months) of illness, I have discovered something important.  There are two kinds of friends: true friends and friends of convenience.  We each get to decide what kind of friend we are, and when you go through something where you need to depend on friends, you will see which kind of friends you have. Friends of convenience say to let them know if you need anything - and they may or may not mean it - but if it interrupts their life, they will not be there.  These are the friends who may check on you every once in a while through Facebook or text, but although they live near you, they never stop by.  If you need something, they will not be there because it would be an inconvenience to them or their family.  These friends will be friendly to you, but not true to you. A true friend is there for you through thick and thin.  She will set aside her homeschool schedule to welcome your children, knowing this is just one day.  She sa...