These Tools for Calming Angry Kids can help your family! John and I have adopted seven children from foster care, which means we’ve had to deal with a lot of angry kids. And that anger displays itself in many ways. I’ve had children yelling, screaming, kicking, fighting, and throwing things. I’ve seen looks… [Continue Reading]
The Better Mom
16 Ways to Offer Yourself Grace As a Mom
There are certainly more than 16 Ways to Offer Yourself Grace As a Mom. But these are some that I find help me when I feel inadequate, lonely, or worn. I hope they help you find peace and purpose in your job as a mom. 16 Ways to Offer Yourself Grace As a… [Continue Reading]
Staying Calm When Dealing with Angry Kids
Why is my child so angry? My heart pounded as I asked the question. It thumped with fear. What if this doesn’t change? My mind raced with worry. What if I can’t control my child? Just as bad: What if—because of their anger—I can’t control myself? With each scream of my child’s lips and the… [Continue Reading]
10 Ways to Help Your Family Fill February With Love
I remember as a child sitting down with my mom the night before Valentine’s Day and filling out the small Valentines for my class. Later, after I was married, Valentine’s Day was a wonderful excuse for dinner out with my husband … that’s until we realized that the restaurants were too crowded, and we chose… [Continue Reading]
18 Ways to Jump Start Your Quiet Time in 2018
Recently I was talking with a friend about spiritual growth. Out of everything I’ve done in my journey in drawing closer to God, the one thing that has brought me closer to Christ than anything else was spending daily time in God’s Word. Yet as mom it’s not easy to do! The wonderful thing is… [Continue Reading]
Embracing the Every Mess of Life, Of Emotions
My kids are a mess. And they are messy. Let’s start with messy first. With six girls and one little boy still at home, there are dozens of projects around the house. There are crochet projects, needlework, half-finished paintings, Lego creations, and puzzles that were started and forgotten. There are two alternatives to having creative… [Continue Reading]
The Easiest Way to Find God’s Will For Your Family
When I first started following God I assumed that “His will” involved finding a career or ministry that was right for me, and then pursuing that with everything in me. The thing was, God brought many different areas of serving others into my life: writing books, speaking, volunteering in a pregnancy center, and mentoring teen… [Continue Reading]
How To Get Things Done Even When You Can’t Clone Yourself
I looked at my friend’s to-do list that she posted on Instagram. “No wonder I’m cracking!” she posted. “I need a clone.” I cringed as I looked at her list. It was long. I also cringed because I remember the feelings that huge of a to-do list brought on. The feeling that I was always… [Continue Reading]
When You Feel Like An Outsider As a Mom
Years ago, John and I found ourselves trying out churches after a leadership change at a small country church we’d been attending for years. With a preschooler, a toddler, and a baby on the way I often spent more time out of service than in it. One church we were visiting was large, and they… [Continue Reading]
7 Simple Ways to Connect with Your Neighbor This Summer
Do you want to connect with your neighbor but struggle for authentic ways to do so? These 7 simple ways to connect with your neighbor this summer can actually be used all year long. I pray these ideas will help you reach out to those God has placed in your space. Be brave, take a… [Continue Reading]
Creating the Day You Want to Wake Up To!
I don’t know about you, but there’s a few things I don’t want to wake up to. A dirty kitchen is one. Piles of laundry is another. Then there is the day packed to the rim with things I have to do. Not fun things. Days like that are never fun. It’s even harder when… [Continue Reading]