As I begin to remember where we were as a family this time one year ago it brings tears to my eyes. God has brought us so far. He is indeed faithful. By faithful I mean what I read in the Bible is true. Yes, TRUE! It says in Luke 6:31 that if we tithe and are giving that He will bless us with more than we can contain so that it may overflow into others lives. My life is a testimony of this.
Last Christmas we did not have the money to spend on wrapping paper let alone gifts. Our church family was so kind as to "adopt" us and gave presents not only to the kids but also to myself and hubby. This Christmas I began to think of all the blessings that have come simply in the month of December. I am so thankful to have a brand new washer and dryer. I use it about 3 times a day! More things I am thankful for are our van. Yes a van! I have prayed for one for the entire pregnancy of our youngest child. And sure enough when she was 4 months old we were able to buy one.
This year has been transforming. It did not start out the easiest but slowly it has a been a growing experience. However painful it was at times I am thankful for the life lessons I have learned along the way including how to treat others and share the little that we have as that is what I'd want others to do for me.
Lastly, I am thankful for my new ability to stretch a buck until is squeels. It is amazing on how little we were able to live on and how God used so many people to bless us with food, toilet paper, and keeping our electric on. I will never again see those standing in line at a food bank the same again. The truth is no one wants to be there but for some it is a place we must along our journey to where we are going.
This Christmas our time shared together around the tree and in our van was treasured. It is a memory that will stick with me forever. No matter what you are struggling with know that it is NOT forever. When the smoke clears who you really are inside will be shining when dusted off.
Feliz Navidad!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Mi Vida Loca!
Ever felt like your are in prison inside your own skin? I have. But today I am happy to share that I've been set free. After a bit of praying and reflecting revelation has come once again.
1-A messy house can be a sign of a happy home. I have learned after driving myself insane that I don't have to be perfect for anyone including myself. From now on I will do the necessary work to keep up with things but no more stressing about house being in perfect every morning and evening. :)
2-I can not control my children as they have a free will of their own. However, I can try to control myself when they act in ways I do not like. I will discipline and talk to others with respect instead of using my words as mini arrows to pierce people. (trust me I can sound harsh!)
3- Enjoy free time. After all it is FREE right! That's right. While Marcus takes boys to gym I am going to be watching Joyce Meyer and Learning Spanish instead of running around for two hours cleaning like a wild beast. After all...it always ends in me being overtired which leads to a cranky mama.
Whew!!! What a day to have learned all this in. I am so thankful that my family always shows me mercy and grace. I am excited to share that we are one FUN family.
Blessings to you and yours. Please share things you have learned along the way!
Mi Vida Loca! My Crazy Life!
Soy amiga de Veronica y Rachel. I am a friend a Veronica and Rachel.
Soy una hermana de Teresa. I am the sister of Teresa.
Soy una esposa de Marcus. I am the wife of Marcus.
Soy madre de tries ninos. I am the mother of three children.
1-A messy house can be a sign of a happy home. I have learned after driving myself insane that I don't have to be perfect for anyone including myself. From now on I will do the necessary work to keep up with things but no more stressing about house being in perfect every morning and evening. :)
2-I can not control my children as they have a free will of their own. However, I can try to control myself when they act in ways I do not like. I will discipline and talk to others with respect instead of using my words as mini arrows to pierce people. (trust me I can sound harsh!)
3- Enjoy free time. After all it is FREE right! That's right. While Marcus takes boys to gym I am going to be watching Joyce Meyer and Learning Spanish instead of running around for two hours cleaning like a wild beast. After all...it always ends in me being overtired which leads to a cranky mama.
Whew!!! What a day to have learned all this in. I am so thankful that my family always shows me mercy and grace. I am excited to share that we are one FUN family.
Blessings to you and yours. Please share things you have learned along the way!
Mi Vida Loca! My Crazy Life!
Soy amiga de Veronica y Rachel. I am a friend a Veronica and Rachel.
Soy una hermana de Teresa. I am the sister of Teresa.
Soy una esposa de Marcus. I am the wife of Marcus.
Soy madre de tries ninos. I am the mother of three children.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Organizing Life
How does one begin to put the pieces together of a daily schedule for a family of five. Let's see. There is always grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, bathing, diapers, potty training, and laundry. If that is not enough there is discipling, mommy and daddy time, work, volunteering, planning, calling, writing, typing, bill paying, vehicle cleaning, and of course sleeping. I do believe that families need more than a mom and a dad. We need servants! I'd like a driver, a babysitter, a personal organizer, a shopper, a massage therapist, and two sets of extra hands to carry things.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am not complaining here. Just thinking. Many of you do the child rearing alone and kudos to you. You are AMAZING. My hero. Then there are gals like me. I have a loving involved husband who could...let's be honest...raise the kids alone if he had to. Inspite of all of my blessings I am still falling short on creating a system that works for me. I can't seem to balance shopping, cleaning, and babies. I feel as if I am drowning. If that isn't enough I almost feel strange when someone refers to me as "Mindy" and not as "Mommy". It almost feels like "Mindy" doesn't exist anymore. Is this going to be perminent? I am sure THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
I especially encourage comments from those with any insight.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am not complaining here. Just thinking. Many of you do the child rearing alone and kudos to you. You are AMAZING. My hero. Then there are gals like me. I have a loving involved husband who could...let's be honest...raise the kids alone if he had to. Inspite of all of my blessings I am still falling short on creating a system that works for me. I can't seem to balance shopping, cleaning, and babies. I feel as if I am drowning. If that isn't enough I almost feel strange when someone refers to me as "Mindy" and not as "Mommy". It almost feels like "Mindy" doesn't exist anymore. Is this going to be perminent? I am sure THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
I especially encourage comments from those with any insight.
Chocoholic
We have all heard of alcoholics passing on the gene to their next of kin, but what about chocoholics? This morning I woke to my 3 yr old devouring Hershey Chocolate kisses. He unwrapped each one perfectly himself. The thing that amazes me is how he knew they were in the refrigerator, in a tied walmart bag, under a plate of ham! Yes amazing. He did not even see me put them in there.
After we talked about why it is not good for us to eat all our candy at once he then asked if he could have some more or maybe some of Daddy's chocolate Cherios. My answer remained firm, "No".
As the day continued he frequently asked for more chocolate. He said he was going to eat all the chocolate and then have some more. lol He was even cuter when he started helping me unwrap the remaining kisses to make pretzel christmas wreaths for Daddy. Everytime he unwrapped one I could see him trying to fight the urge to eat it. He did well. First he bit off the tip of one and placed it on the pretzel. Next, he bit off the side on one, and then he bit the bottom off. It looked as though a little squirrel had been helping me.
I am now hiding all the candy on top of the refrigerator and hope he does not find it. It bet he will dream of chocolate tonight!
After we talked about why it is not good for us to eat all our candy at once he then asked if he could have some more or maybe some of Daddy's chocolate Cherios. My answer remained firm, "No".
As the day continued he frequently asked for more chocolate. He said he was going to eat all the chocolate and then have some more. lol He was even cuter when he started helping me unwrap the remaining kisses to make pretzel christmas wreaths for Daddy. Everytime he unwrapped one I could see him trying to fight the urge to eat it. He did well. First he bit off the tip of one and placed it on the pretzel. Next, he bit off the side on one, and then he bit the bottom off. It looked as though a little squirrel had been helping me.
I am now hiding all the candy on top of the refrigerator and hope he does not find it. It bet he will dream of chocolate tonight!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Overwhelmed and Worn Out
If your name starts with an "M" and ends in "OM" you know just what I am talking about. Long days and loud kids have a way of bring out the worst in a gal when she is not feeling well or plain ole occupied with other things.
However, I came across the words today " you will REAP what you sow". YIKES! I did not sow good seed today. My excuse...I am recovering from puking my guts out two nights ago. Yes, it sounds worthy enough. However, I know that it does not give me any special treatment to be mean to others. So...all you effected by Mindy's moodiness, please accept my apologies.
Being a young mother of 3 wee ones has brought on a whole lot of responsibility, trials, and some real scary times. The hours of time put into burping, bathing, feeding, toilet training, reducing fevers, playing, teaching, discipline, instructing, rocking and my least favorite; breaking up fights are incredible.
The good news. I know that children are a blessing from the Lord. I know women out there right now crying out because their dream is to conceive. So once again I humbly give thanks for my 3 beautiful children. I vow to view motherhood in a whole new way starting today. It is the most important job that anyone could ever receive. One that last all day every day for years to come. One with a low turn over rate. One that is no laying off their employees. And most of all it is one that does not pay in dollars and cents, but pays off in the long term investment plans of the the lives of the next generation. I pray I am still here to see the results!
To all Mothers who are and will read this. Thank you for taking time to teach your children the things they will come to remember forever.
Mini Spanish Lesson: Me madre es muy bonita! (My mother is very beautiful =)
However, I came across the words today " you will REAP what you sow". YIKES! I did not sow good seed today. My excuse...I am recovering from puking my guts out two nights ago. Yes, it sounds worthy enough. However, I know that it does not give me any special treatment to be mean to others. So...all you effected by Mindy's moodiness, please accept my apologies.
Being a young mother of 3 wee ones has brought on a whole lot of responsibility, trials, and some real scary times. The hours of time put into burping, bathing, feeding, toilet training, reducing fevers, playing, teaching, discipline, instructing, rocking and my least favorite; breaking up fights are incredible.
The good news. I know that children are a blessing from the Lord. I know women out there right now crying out because their dream is to conceive. So once again I humbly give thanks for my 3 beautiful children. I vow to view motherhood in a whole new way starting today. It is the most important job that anyone could ever receive. One that last all day every day for years to come. One with a low turn over rate. One that is no laying off their employees. And most of all it is one that does not pay in dollars and cents, but pays off in the long term investment plans of the the lives of the next generation. I pray I am still here to see the results!
To all Mothers who are and will read this. Thank you for taking time to teach your children the things they will come to remember forever.
Mini Spanish Lesson: Me madre es muy bonita! (My mother is very beautiful =)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
"The Real Deal" Debt is Dumb 11-17-10
Debt is Dumb?!?
Who would of known that here I would be sitting at my dining room table typing up a blog..me, Mindy, wife of Marcus, mother of 3 adorable little ones, writing about debt of all things. I'm not sure anyone would have guessed this. But, you see, here we are nonetheless.
Being at home, surrounded by the walls, sheltered from the outside world, gives me plenty of time to think, rethink and yet think again. This week I am digging, retrieving, and collecting information on debt...Getting into it, getting out of it, and staying away from it.
My first reference, oddly enough, is an ancient book. Yes, you guessed it; The B-I-B-L-E. And yes, it is the book for me! :) So far I have located 2 scriptures that really stuck out to me. They are not only hard to read and digest but I am tempted not to follow them! Hey, I am just being honest.
The American Culture is really not helping me try to be stressfree or debt free. Actually, they are teasing me, entising me, and trying to get me to get into debt deeper. Let's take a look at what I've found. America suggests "Why wait?" , "You deserve it!" "Have it your way". Oh yes, I had it my way and it isn't much way in it.
" KEEP OUT OF DEBT. OWE NO MAN ANYTHING, EXCEPT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. FOR HE WHO LOVES HIS NEIGHBOR HAS FUFILLED THE LAW". Interesting.
I don't know about you but this I how I took it. Okay. mindy. Keep out of debt. That means no credit cars, no car loans, and no mortgage. What no mortgage? Okay that is what it says. Owe NO man anything--hmm, I've broken that one. Ahhhhh, love one another. Okay now I can do that. (I did have _ _ _ live with me. :)
And that's not all. Get this. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender. Prov 22:7
Yes, I have felt the pull, the tug, and the suffication of being the slave. The constant phone calls, the overwhelming letters in the mail to collect past due amounts, and even the emails listing the consequences, and the sleepless nights.
Thankfully, I am ready to apply this bible thing to my life and see what happens. The next time I "feel" like taking a loan I will scream NOOOO!! In a good way of coarse. I encourage you to encourage me and help me say NOOO!
With all that said, I encourage you to think twice before you sign on the line one more time. :)
Estoy muy feliz de que son amigas.
Who would of known that here I would be sitting at my dining room table typing up a blog..me, Mindy, wife of Marcus, mother of 3 adorable little ones, writing about debt of all things. I'm not sure anyone would have guessed this. But, you see, here we are nonetheless.
Being at home, surrounded by the walls, sheltered from the outside world, gives me plenty of time to think, rethink and yet think again. This week I am digging, retrieving, and collecting information on debt...Getting into it, getting out of it, and staying away from it.
My first reference, oddly enough, is an ancient book. Yes, you guessed it; The B-I-B-L-E. And yes, it is the book for me! :) So far I have located 2 scriptures that really stuck out to me. They are not only hard to read and digest but I am tempted not to follow them! Hey, I am just being honest.
The American Culture is really not helping me try to be stressfree or debt free. Actually, they are teasing me, entising me, and trying to get me to get into debt deeper. Let's take a look at what I've found. America suggests "Why wait?" , "You deserve it!" "Have it your way". Oh yes, I had it my way and it isn't much way in it.
" KEEP OUT OF DEBT. OWE NO MAN ANYTHING, EXCEPT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. FOR HE WHO LOVES HIS NEIGHBOR HAS FUFILLED THE LAW". Interesting.
I don't know about you but this I how I took it. Okay. mindy. Keep out of debt. That means no credit cars, no car loans, and no mortgage. What no mortgage? Okay that is what it says. Owe NO man anything--hmm, I've broken that one. Ahhhhh, love one another. Okay now I can do that. (I did have _ _ _ live with me. :)
And that's not all. Get this. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender. Prov 22:7
Yes, I have felt the pull, the tug, and the suffication of being the slave. The constant phone calls, the overwhelming letters in the mail to collect past due amounts, and even the emails listing the consequences, and the sleepless nights.
Thankfully, I am ready to apply this bible thing to my life and see what happens. The next time I "feel" like taking a loan I will scream NOOOO!! In a good way of coarse. I encourage you to encourage me and help me say NOOO!
With all that said, I encourage you to think twice before you sign on the line one more time. :)
Estoy muy feliz de que son amigas.
"The Real Deal" Nov 16th, 2010
Tuesday
Less is more with children.
Throughout the day I make choices on when to repeat things, when to state them once, and when to say nothing at all. It may surprise you when I say this...it is a challenge for me. It is in my nature to talk, give orders, and watch people listen to me. However, after being home for 3 yrs with my children I have learned that they have their own agenda and they did not make me a copy.
The power of words still amaze me. Not just the way I choose to state the obvious, but the amount of amps I choose to use...whisper, talk, shout, scream! Each one has its appropriate time. Remembering this is key.
Adios!
Less is more with children.
Throughout the day I make choices on when to repeat things, when to state them once, and when to say nothing at all. It may surprise you when I say this...it is a challenge for me. It is in my nature to talk, give orders, and watch people listen to me. However, after being home for 3 yrs with my children I have learned that they have their own agenda and they did not make me a copy.
The power of words still amaze me. Not just the way I choose to state the obvious, but the amount of amps I choose to use...whisper, talk, shout, scream! Each one has its appropriate time. Remembering this is key.
Adios!
Monday, November 15, 2010
"The Real Deal" Monday Nov. 15th, 2010
This is the beginning of me blogging. I thought I would give it a try so here it is! A little about my day and of course a little spanish lesson.
____________________________________________________________
Mondays are always interesting. The start of a brand new week. We are always hoping this week will be better than the last, that the days will go by faster, the evenings slower, and the nights quieter.
Being a stay at home mother, or rather "The Family Manager" as I like to call myself, can be at times pretty insane. There are so many different hats that must be worn in order for the show to go on. This week I am going to be getting my hands wet as I explore all the things us moms encounter.
Along the way to exploring new things I will be including some real life events from those in my house, new sayings I've picked up and new ideas I've learned.
Tune in for "The Real Deal" daily. Buenos Noches
____________________________________________________________
Mondays are always interesting. The start of a brand new week. We are always hoping this week will be better than the last, that the days will go by faster, the evenings slower, and the nights quieter.
Being a stay at home mother, or rather "The Family Manager" as I like to call myself, can be at times pretty insane. There are so many different hats that must be worn in order for the show to go on. This week I am going to be getting my hands wet as I explore all the things us moms encounter.
Along the way to exploring new things I will be including some real life events from those in my house, new sayings I've picked up and new ideas I've learned.
Tune in for "The Real Deal" daily. Buenos Noches
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