Encouraging Stay-At-Home Moms - Homeschool Blogger

An At Home Adventure

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 19:21:00 -0500

Introduction

I am a happy homemaker, and my life is filled with taking care of my husband, our children, our house, our dog, our garden, and countless other things. Taking good care of my body seemed like something I just never had the time to do. Looking back, I realize that some years have been worse than others.

One of the unhealthiest years of my life was probably the year 2000. I was drinking 4 cans of soda a day and chugging down Slim Fast shakes for lunch. I was eating chips, popcorn, and chocolate into the wee hours of the night, and my idea of exercise was to jog to the fridge for more food or soda. I ached all over and had a constant headache, and I loved to wear dresses with no waists so I could hide my ever-increasing shape. Worst of all, I rarely found time to pray, read my Bible, or do devotions.

Does that sound like behavior befitting the daughter of a King? Not really, does it? The Bible tells us that we are daughters of the King, and our bodies are His temple. In the year 2000, I was not treating my body like a temple � like a garbage can maybe, but a temple � no! Maybe you are thinking that I am perfectly healthy now, and that my body looks like a tiny temple similar to supermodel Cindy Crawford�s. I can assure you that this is not true (I HAVE given birth to children, you know). However, I will say I am much healthier now, and I am on the road to treating my body more like the temple God intended it to be.

How are you doing with treating your body like a temple? Do you see yourself as the daughter of a King, and is your body a place worthy of His dwelling? Well, if not, it is high time that you step into that role, and this is a great way to begin. This �At-Home Adventure� is for women who want to be a little healthier, and if that�s you, let�s get started!

At-Home Adventure Itinerary

Day 1: A Mini Adventure

Here�s to You!

Day 2: A Relaxing Adventure

Sleep on It

Day 3: A Satisfying Adventure

Fine Dining at Home

Day 4: An Entertaining Adventure

Just for Fun

Day 5: An Active Adventure

Get Movin�

Day 6: A Happy Adventure

Goodbye Stress

Day 7: A Godly Adventure

Spiritual Health

A Surprise Ending!

All �At-Home Adventures� come with a reward at the end. The rewards are fun, easy, and a celebration of completing your �At Home Adventure�, so let�s get started�your adventure is waiting!

A No Show for a Haircut in a Bathroom

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 18:54:00 -0500

I used to get my hair cut here in town, along with my sister and my mom. Then my hair stylist began forgetting about my appointments. I knew it wasn't just my appointments either, because the same thing happened to my sister and mom. This beautician's salon is in the basement of her house, and I would just be waiting there for her. I did enjoy reading People magazine as I waited, but after a very long time had passed, I realized she was not going to be showing up. This happened several times over the course of six months, and although I always enjoyed the People magazine, I began thinking about finding someone else. The last straw was when she suggested waxing my eyebrows, and the wax was so hot that she burned my skin enough to leave three blisters. If there were such a saying as "raccoon eyebrows", it would have applied to my look after that visit. That was the last time I got my hair cut (or my burnt eyebrows waxed) at her salon.

O.k. I know what you are thinking. Why did I keep going there for so long? I guess I was afraid to switch beauticians. Did I mention she was inexpensive and lived just two blocks away from my house? Well, anyway that was about 4 years ago.

The funny thing is my mom (who lives an hour away from me) still drives all the way up here and gets her hair cut there. That's right. She drives an hour to get her hair cut by the lady who practically scarred my eyebrows for life. The beautician is in the process of moving, so instead of my mom getting her hair cut at her salon today, the lady was going to come to my house to cut my mom's hair in my bathroom. I know, a little bit of a strange situation, but I convinced myself to be laid back about this. The beautician was supposed to come at 2:45 PM. Well, by 5:45 PM my mom had left her 3 "WHERE ARE YOU?" messages and finally left my house with no haircut. This was my mom's last straw, and I don't think she will be up for getting her hair cut there (or in my bathroom) ever again.

Why do we end up hanging on to something clearly not working for so long? I'm not sure why, but for some reason, there is hope that things might get better. Sometimes they do, and sometimes, well...sometimes it takes raccoon eyebrows or a "no show for a haircut in a bathroom" to make us realize things are not getting better. In fact, they've gotten worse than we'd ever imagined. Well, just a weird story to make you love and appreciate your beautician a little more today.

Feelin' Tired, Old, Sick, and Pregnant

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 18:02:00 -0500

I am 7 weeks pregnant, and I am feeling every one of my 34 years of age. I feel sick and incredibly tired already, and it looks like an awfully long road ahead right now. I know I should not complain. I've been praying to have another baby for a while now, and I AM thankful. It's not that, I just don't feel good at all. I know I can do this - that's what I keep telling myself. I mean, I've done this twice before and survived. I guess I should rename this blog to "DIScouraging Stay-at-Home Moms". Well, sorry I was away for a week, and I am endeavoring to have a good blog week as well as a good homeschool week. Just tell me I'll get through this, o.k.? Being pregnant at 34 sure feels different than being pregnant in my 20's. I can't even imagine being 40 and pregnant, although my oldest sister seemed to handle it quite well. (She has never been sick with any of her 7 babies though. How is that possible?!?). Well, see ya tomorrow!

Signed,
Feelin' Tired, Old, Sick, and Pregnant

Friday's Fables: Two Fighting Roosters and the Eagle

Fri, 18 Aug 2006 18:12:00 -0500

Two Fighting Roosters and the Eagle

Ronnie Rooster began boasting loudly about all of his many accomplishments. When Rod Rooster overheard Ronnie, he thought I am NOT about to let HIM get the best of me, so he began bragging about the many prestigious accolades he�d received.

Soon the two roosters were battling each other maliciously in the farmyard. They kicked, pecked, and scratched in a flurry of feathers and dust, until Rod cowered back in an empty corner to bandage his wounds.

Ronnie immediately jumped to the highest perch available, and began gleefully boasting, even more loudly than before. Plus, he now had the added accolade of telling all of the farmyard animals about Rod�s demise.

�I am King of the Farmyard now! What a pity how Rod Rooster hides himself in a corner. Behold my greatness!� crowed Ronnie. He strutted back and forth, bobbing his head, and waving his plumes. �I am the greatest rooster ever to set foot in this measly chicken yard. I am the strongest, best-looking, and smartest rooster around. Anybody out there want a piece of me? C�mon! Don�t be cowards!�

Just then an eagle sailed down to snatch Ronnie up. �I�ll take a piece of you!� The eagle smugly said. �I�ve always loved a scrumptious piece of chicken!�

The new king, Rod Rooster, gingerly tiptoed out of the corner, and quietly watched the eagle soar away, with Ronnie in his talons.

MORAL: PRIDE GOES BEFORE A FALL

Stay-at-Home Mom Connection

Have you ever met a Ronnie or Rod Rooster (or should I say, a Haley or Hannah Hen)? You know, the kind of mom that is always seemingly �casually commenting� about her children�s great achievements thus far in life?

In a hushed whisper with several spy-like looks from side-to side, �So sorry to hear your son didn�t do as well as you�d hoped on his standardized math test�. Then, in a louder voice, openly searching for any viable listeners within earshot, �I just hate it when my Joey gets a 99% on his test scores. You know he�s just so used to getting a 100%. It�s just HARD for me to see him so down about it.�

�I�m so sorry your Kate isn�t reading yet. My little Becky just taught herself to read when she was 3, and now that she�s 6, she�s already reading at the high school level. She�s just so gifted that way.�

The next time you hear that, just think, �There�s a �Ronnie Rooster� (or a Hannah Hen) all the way.� Let her hop on her perch and boast, just be careful not to jump in with your own set of bragging rights. The eagle (a.k.a. the Devil) is just waiting to feast on a piece of you, and he always loves tasty chicken, any meal of the day. Don�t be his next meal!

Thursday's At-Home Adventures for Stay-at-Home Moms

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 09:21:00 -0500

A Healthy

At-Home Adventure

For Christian

Stay-at-Home

Moms

By: Julie Grosz

*Be sure to also read the first post of this At-Home Adventure by clicking on it in the Thursday's At-Home Adventure folder.

The Biblical Reason for This Healthy Adventure

The King�s Palace

   His palace was breathtaking, and almost too beautiful for the eye to behold. The King had grown accustomed to its grandeur, but today His eyes seemed to be penetrating as He fixed His gaze upon each intricate part of His palace.

   The layout of the palace was perfect, the King mused to Himself. There were three levels of splendor, and from the impressive sixty-foot long front hall, to the most sacred room in the rear of the palace, it was magnificent. Even all of the interior walls were lined from floor to ceiling with the finest of cedar, and they were covered with stunning carvings of ornate gourds and open flowers.

   The King slowly walked on to the inner sanctuary of the building. It too, was perfect the King thought to Himself, as His eyes scanned the room. It was thirty feet long, thirty feet wide, and thirty feet high, and every inch of it was covered with pure gold. Its olive wood doors were carved with cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and all of the carvings were overlaid with beaten gold. Gold chains hung across the front of the room, where a majestic altar overlaid with gold and an ark symbolizing a covenant shone brightly.

   Two cherubim of identical size and shape were fashioned out of olive wood and overlaid with gold. They were fifteen feet tall, and their powerful wings stretched out to span the whole length of the room. Even the walls all around the palace were carved with cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and the floors of both the inner and outer rooms were completely covered with gold.

   The King�s royal robe made a brilliant reflection on the gold floor, as He reminisced about the day He had first moved in. His kingdom had gathered that day, in honor of His arrival. The King had been forthright with them, telling them He would reside here, keeping His eyes and His heart here forever � on one condition � they had to serve Him faithfully. He remembered the way they had welcomed Him and promised a lifetime of loyal allegiance to Him�

but they had not kept their promise.

   The King stood at the door of His palace, knowing this was the last time He would be here. His bags were packed and setting by the door. He was true to His word, and He would not be living here anymore. Although in His wisdom He�d known this would happen, it still saddened Him. If He hadn�t had the foresight to send His Son to help these fallen people, what would have happened to His kingdom?

   The King�s glory would live on, just in a new residence - thanks to the courageous work His Son had done. His Son�s sacrifice made it possible for the King to move closer to His people, to live among them, where He could be central in their lives again � and it was time for the King to move on. With that final satisfying thought, the King quickly shut the door with a resounding thud and was gone.

   The King never resided in just one palace again. Instead, He was said to be seen living among different Christian people everywhere. Many people in the kingdom soon began asking, �Do you know where the King is? Has He found His residence with you? If He lives with you, be sure to make His new palace beautiful; be sure to make it a place worthy of our King.� (Based on 1 Kings 6 � 9)



Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

(1 Corinthians  6:19-20)

You'll read the next part of your Healthy At-Home Adventure next Thursday. Be sure to come back so you don't miss it! You'll get the At-Home Adventure's introduction and itinerary... and you don't want to miss it!

Wednesday's Quick Fix Recipes for Stay-at-Home Moms

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 11:09:00 -0500

It's 4:00 PM, and you begin thinking, what am I going to cook for dinner that will be done in about an hour or so? Here's a great recipe to try!Wednesdays on this blog are devoted to "Wonderful Quick-Fix Recipes".

Roasted Pork Tenderloin and Vegetables

2 pork tenderloins (3/4 each)

2 pounds red potatoes, quartered

1 pound carrots, halved and cut into 2-inch pieces

1 medium onion, cut into wedges

3 T. olive oil

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Place the pork in a shallow roasting pan coated with nonstick spray. Arrange the potatoes, carrots, and onion around pork. Drizzle with oil. Combine salt and pepper and sprinkle over meat and vegetables. Bake, uncovered, at 450 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees, stirring vegetables occasionally. Yield: 6 servings

TIP: Sam's Club, and many other food stores, sell pork tenderloin that is already seasoned, like "Honey Mustard Pork Tenderloin" or "BBQ Pork Tenderloin". This recipe works well with unseasoned pork tenderloin, but we also like to make it with differently seasoned pork tenderloin too.

Monday's Media Pick For Stay-at-Home Moms

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 11:02:00 -0500

Movie Pick: The Notebook

(Click on the above title to go to The Notebook's official website. The photo gallery is a good place to start.)

My 2 cents: This film is a must-see if you are a romantic at heart Get ready to feel every emotion possible, grab a box of Kleenexes, and be inspired to love in a new and deeper way. This is one of my favorite movies of all time...in fact, my husband and I watched it last night. It always makes me feel so in love with my husband all over again. I'm reminded of the ups and downs of our past together, and how much we've grown closer over the 11 years we've been married. Noah, the male character of the movie, made it his life's goal to love Allie with all of his heart for her entire life... and he did. What an inspiration to all of us to overcome differences and keep that spark in marriage alive!

"Official" Movie Description

Based on the celebrated novel by Nicholas Sparks, THE NOTEBOOK tells the story of a young couple who overcome insurmountable odds to experience the true power of love. In a modern-day nursing home, a kindhearted man (James Garner) reads a tender story to another patient (Gena Rowlands). The story begins during one glorious summer in small-town South Carolina in the early 1940s. Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) is a blue-collar log mill worker who courts the wealthy and sheltered Allie Nelson (Rachel McAdams). Before long, sparks are flying and the pair is in love. But eventually Allie's snobby parents force their separation, and when World War II arrives, Noah heads overseas to serve his country. In the meantime, Allie becomes a nurse and falls for another man (James Marsden), to Noah's dismay. Nonetheless, he buys and fixes up the mansion he promised Allie he would one day restore, and when he and Allie reunite just before her wedding, their love blossoms once again. Decades later, in the nursing home, the story reaches its heartfelt conclusion. Directed with extreme sensitivity by Nick Cassavetes (son of costar Gena Rowlands), THE NOTEBOOK is aided immensely by the naturalistic performances of Gosling and McAdams, whose chemistry is palpable.

Tuesday's Devotions to Encourage Stay-at-Home Moms

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 11:05:00 -0500

Chapter 1: Day 1

Generous with God�s Purpose

What you are is God�s gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God.

- Vern McLellan

It wasn�t until I reached my upper 20�s that I really understood that God has a unique purpose for each person, and that He generously gives special gifts and talents to make fulfilling that purpose possible. I spent many years thinking about what my purpose might be, first fleetingly, and then more and more often. I started by making a mental inventory of my gifts and talents, and they really didn�t seem anything all that great or purposeful to me. The things that did seem purposeful, didn�t seem possible.

That�s when I did what I should have done first, and I began praying about it. I soon realized that my purpose was something so simple that I had looked right past it in search of something flashier. As it turns out, I believe my God-given purpose is simply to be an encourager.

That�s it � it�s not flashy, is it? But, it is something I can do every single day, and it is something I love to do. I can encourage my family and friends by listening empathetically and happily giving them my time. I can encourage homeschool moms through conversations at book fairs, in my devotional, on my website, and on my blog. I can even encourage the tired overworked cashier at the grocery store with just a kind word or two. When I really begin to think about it, the possibilities are limitless. It may not be flashy, but it�s something I�m good at, and I plan to be as generous with my encouragement as God has been generous with me.

Bible Connection:

Dorcas Is Generous with God�s Purpose

Dorcas was always doing good and helping the poor. She soon became sick and died, and Peter came at once. Peter went upstairs to see her. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made for them. Peter sent them all out of the room, prayed on his knees, and said, �Dorcas, get up.� She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called in all of the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. (Acts 9:36-41)

Personal Connection

Role #1: Christian Woman

Dorcas� God-given purpose was to help the poor. That�s it � it�s not flashy, is it? When she died, no one famous mourned for her, but the poor widows wept. Why was Dorcas given a second chance at life, while so many other noteworthy people in the Bible weren�t? Maybe it was because Dorcas was fulfilling her God-given purpose in a generous way. Whatever the reason, when we fulfill God�s purpose, we please Him, and since He is our Creator, Lord, and Savior, pleasing Him is a pretty important thing to do.

A Welcome Retreat

Prayer to Share: Lord, please help me to know the purpose You�ve created me for, and please help me to fulfill that purpose generously.

Question: What are your gifts and talents, and how can they be used to fulfill God�s purpose for you?

Saturday's: Your Turn - What does your mother-in-law do that you LIKE?

Sat, 12 Aug 2006 09:35:00 -0500

Saturday's Your Turn:

What does your mother-in-law do that you LIKE?

I would love to know your answer to this question. I have sons, and I think that this is an interesting question because this can generally be a tricky relationship. I'd like to get along well with my future daughter-in-laws, and as of yet, I don't have any daughters. Since I only have my own in-law experience to lean on, I'm wondering what insight you could give me.

I'll go first. One thing I like that my mother-in-law does, is she calls me once a month or so, just to chit-chat. She's pretty easy to talk to, and it keeps us in touch with one another in a low-key way.

O.k. It's your turn! What does your mother-in-law do that you LIKE?

Friday's Fables: Stay-at-Home Mom Style

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 16:54:00 -0500

The Tortoise and the Eagle

Trudy Tortoise lay in the dirt, complaining to the eagles flying above her. "You flyers have quite the life, don't you? I just don't think it's fair. You're up there floating in the clouds, living high on life, and I'm down here with dust up my nose and rocks under my feet. Oh, how I wish I could fly! If one of you would only teach me, I know life would be just perfect."

Ellie Eagle, hovering nearby crooned, "If I teach you to fly, what's in it for me?"

Trudy said, "I'm rich, and I'll trade half of my gold for your flying lessons."

"It's a deal," shouted Ellie. "Prepare for takeoff!" Ellie said as she hooked her talons onto Trudy's shell and pumped her wings up and down. The pair was high in the sky, far up in the clouds, when Ellie let go of Trudy.

Trudy closed her eyes, savoring the wind whistling in her ears. She excitedly exclaimed, "I'm finally flying!"

"We eagles call that falling," answered Ellie.

Trudy's eyes opened wide with shock as she saw the jagged rocks looming below her. "Landing lessons! I'll give you the rest of my gold for landing lessons!"

MORAL: Be careful what you wish for.

Stay-at-Home Connection

Sometimes I feel like Trudy Tortoise, like I'm at home here, wallowing among the dirt and the muck of cooking and cleaning, while some women I know that work out of the home seem to be flying high. As I'm throwing together lunch for the kiddos and me, I imagine working women having lunch out at my favorite restaurant, talking and laughing, and having adult conversations with fellow friends. I imagine them getting groceries and going to doctor's and dentist's appointments all by themselves, and I feel a little bit like I'm just the tortoise plodding through life in the trenches.

When I begin to have those thoughts, I make myself remember the other side of working women's lives. I say "remember" because I had about 9 months of working as a job-share teacher after my first son was born. Maybe some working women really are flying high with the eagles most days. But, I'd be willing to bet that a good portion of working women that are mothers feel like I did when I was working... and that's guilty. Guilty about not spending enough time with their kids, guilty about not spending enough time with their hubbie, and guilty about how they gave the best of themselves to their jobs instead of their families. Those are NOT soaring feelings.

We might very well be like the tortoise in this fable if we choose to become working women in the hopes of being more "free" like the eagle. Instead of a freeing feeling, I'd venture to say it'd be more like a "falling" feeling with no hope of landing safely in sight. And the gold we have, the riches we have, well they're our children, and they're not worth losing to flying lessons. So, this tortoise is going pick herself up, count her "gold", and leave flying lessons for some other eagle.