Journeys With Kelly … Making Memories

Journeys With KellyRemember the smells of your mom’s kitchen after you had just made a batch of cookies with her? Or mom taking out your favorite Christmas ornament to put on the tree? We all have different memories of our mothers. It should make us think about what kind of memories we are making with our own children.

Some moms today are too busy making sure that “Susie” gets to dance and “Tom” to soccer that they forget to make those memories. I encourage all moms to stop, breathe, and plan a small memory moment. You can make a memory with your child, no matter what their age.

If you have toddlers and preschool age children, get a kid friendly nativity set. Sit down with them and “act out” the Christmas Story. The comments from your kids will definitely make you laugh. For elementary age kids, grab a stack of white paper and some scissors. Cut out snowflakes while playing Christmas music. (You make some too) Then use them as a decoration. Ok…moms with preteens to high schoolers…yes you can make memories too….pick them up from school, take them shopping for a special friend or go to a favorite hangout. (Remember to wear your coolest clothes). The point is to make the memory.

Traditions can also help us make memories with our kids. Every year my husband and son make a Gingerbread House. I supply the stuff then sit back and watch the handy work. Our oldest asks every year….When we will make the Gingerbread House? It is a tradition that we have in our home. Chances are it is one he will pass down to his own family. Now that makes me smile.
Create new memories by giving back to your community. Start a family tree mural with photos. Make a weekly meal a memory, Saturday breakfast or Friday night pizza, for example.

The Christmas season is in full swing…… Remember to take time to make a memory for your children. Sometimes these memory making moments can be a window into their soul. Sometimes they are just fun. Memories are meant to be savored and stored away to share. Some day your child will share that memory with their children and the tradition of making memories will be carried on for another generation.

I challenge you to make a memory with your family.
The Journey Continues ... Kelly

Write Down Your Goals…Journal!

This year has been amazing for us!
I started this blog in August, which is a huge outlet and voice for me. Ben has gone full time with his web design business, Epoc Designs, and Emily and Anna of course are the most precious things in our life. They are always growing, and the source of laughter in our life.

In January I had written down some goals for 2006, and have not seen them until just a few days ago. (Ben found them while cleaning out his office.) The goals included a certain dollar amount for Epoc designs to make this year. (In January ’06 Epoc Designs was a “side” business, Ben worked for Kennesaw State University, and it was an insane number to ask for out of a “side” business.) Now we have surpassed that number. I wanted to start a website for moms and all women. (I had no idea what that would look like, or what the heck a blog was.:) ) And then there were several personal goals I wanted to fulfill, all of which has at the very least taken huge leaps toward the end result.

I tell you all this to say: As you approach the end of the year think about the goals you would like to set in 2007. Dream big! Add the things you can’t imagine seeing in a year’s time. Talk with your husband about what the two of you would want for the year. Set financial, personal, and family goals. Write them down, pray over them together, and if you would like, simply stick them in a drawer. There is power in writing things down. I had totally forgotten about what I had written down, and didn’t even really think we had accomplished much this year. But when I found the list, I was encouraged to see that all I had asked for had happened! It was a huge faith builder of what God could do in my life, and it causes me to dream even bigger. “You have not because you ask not.” (James 4:2)

Make it a habit, even if only once a week, to journal! Write down your thoughts, questions, and feelings. Anything and everything. When you look back on your journaling you will find questions that have been answered and feelings that have been resolved. You will find that you can read the things God has done in your life, to lift you up in the difficult times. Isn’t that all David did with the Psalms? He would write about how discouraged he was because his enemies surrounded him, then the next verse (or next time he journaled) he wrote of how his enemies had been destroyed and God had rescued him from the hands of the enemy. Not only was his journal a way of encouragement for him, but thousands of years later it continues to encourage others of God’s promises. I can not explain it. I guess it is simply a law of the universe, but there is power in writing things down!

Simple Abundance Journal of GratitudeMight I suggest, The Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude“. It asks that you write down five things a day that you are grateful for. In two months you have a totally different perspective on your life. It has beautiful text on gratitude, and is a great way to kick start this new healthy habit!

Soothe Your Baby To Sleep!

Sweet Dreams - Soothe Your Baby To Sleep!

Playing music is a great way to soothe your baby to sleep! Since Emily was an infant, and even now at five years old, I have played this CD of songs as she falls to sleep. It has helped to calm her down when she is fussy or extremely tired, and is a great way to lull any child to sleep! All of these songs were written and recorded by my husband, Ben. You can order a copy of this CD (with a blue or pink cover) for only $6, or two for $10, plus shipping.
Click the “play” button below to hear a sample:

[audio:farfromhere.mp3]

You can listen to all of the songs on the CD by clicking here.

Click the PayPal button below to order:

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Joy for Mourning!

Faith Lifts theme this month is “Joy”. Contributing writer, Paula, says that even in our trials we must consider it pure joy. She says, ‘As a child, I used to believe my life in Christ guaranteed me a world free from problems. As I’ve grown in my faith walk, I’ve come to realize that according to James 1:2, it’s not a matter of if I’m going to have troubles, it’s a question of  when.’

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance.~ James 1:2 (NIV)

I wrote a couple of months ago about Problem’s being Opportunities Catapult. And it is true that we have to choose how to view our circumstances in life. Several years ago I had a friend whose 12 month old daughter drowned in a swimming pool. The strength they showed in that trial, the fact that they never blamed God, never became angry with each other, but instead drew closer to God, even that made me ask “God look at your faithful servants, where were you at to protect them?”

Nineteen months ago I lost a very close family member, a godly woman, to a tragic car accident. I couldn’t make sense of it. “God where were your angels?” I asked. “One centimeter and she would have been spared. Were you asleep?” I struggled for months. I couldn’t understand how He would allow someone with such Love for Him to be taken that way. All the questions everyone has, and even some fear of my own because I questioned, “where are the angels we pray over us and our children everyday, are they going to be on a coffee break when we really need them?”

While I will never understand the timing or reason of her death, I know God used it. It caused me to push past all my understanding of who I thought God was, and draw closer to find out who God is to me! So many times in our struggles we push God away, we blame him because we do not understand. When instead we need to seek Him, and His truth. As I became angrier and more frustrated with God over the situation He asked me something. “Emma lived her life with Joy, it is what everyone will remember her for. The smile on her face even in times when she should have been curled in a ball hiding, she was singing God’s praises. Would she really want you drowning yourself in sorrow because of her? Are you going to let all she put in you die with her?” It was then that I decided to close the book on my grief, and try to live the legacy she left us.

Isaiah 61 best expresses God’s heart to those who are in pain, and even turmoil right now. Be blessed with hope and joy this Christmas. He is Immanuel – God With us!

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61

 

Thankful Thursday!

I am thankful for the holidays! I love them. I love even the things that people complain about. I am thankful for being busy, the busier I am the more people I love and that love me. I am thankful for all the money I have to spend on the holidays, this means that I have it to spend and I am blessed to be a blessing. I am thankful for crazy family who, when is all said and done, are the only people you want to spend Christmas with.

I am thankful for the holidays because, for about one month out of the year, everyone is a little bit sweeter, a little bit more understanding, and a little bit more loving to others. I am thankful for the health and life that have blessed our family once again this year.

Today take a moment to remember all your blessings, and then say a prayer for those who grieve because of family and loved ones that will not be with them this Christmas.

Good Morning Beautiful!

“Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her (Mary): ‘Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.’ She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, ‘Mary you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.” −Luke 1:28-31, Message Translation

Greetings woman of God: You are beautiful with God’s beauty! You are beautiful inside and out. God be with you this day! How does it feel to be spoken to like that? Some of you may quickly receive this encouraging word, but others of you are like Mary and question the intent behind such a glorious greeting. I cannot imagine how Mary felt to have an angel address her with such a message of love…
Read more of “Good Morning Beautiful” by TracyHurst.

Baby Gas

For awhile when Anna was a baby I thought I needed to just buy stock in Target brand Mylicon. She always had gas. When I was breast feeding I assumed it was my diet, when I went to formula I tried all kinds to see if one affected her worse than others. But to no avail, for awhile she was just gassy, and had to grow out of it. However there are a few things you can do to make this phase easier on both of you.

~ When a baby has gas his/her favorite place is lying on you. For awhile I wondered if my child was spoiled because as long as I was holding her she was quiet, but as soon as I layed her down she screamed. The reason for this is because your body serves as a heating pad. When their tummy is cramping, the heat from your body actually soothes them. Then they are peaceful. Just enjoy the peace, and the cuddle time.
~ Laying the child on their back, pull their knees into their tummy and move them in a circular motion. This helps move the air through their tummy. You will hear a toot, and an AHHHH! 🙂

~Give Mylicon! Never leave home without it! (Buy the off brand it is half the price, and Target brand is clear and non-staining)

Be Clutter Free!

I found some great tips on avoiding clutter on simplify101 with Aby Garvey yesterday, I thought I would share them. Some of them I already use. Simple ideas that make a huge difference.

~ Sort your mail over the garbage can. Junk mail never makes it into the house!

~Avoid impulse purchases. Keep a wish list in your purse or wallet. When you see something you want (but don’t really need) add it to the list. After waiting a week or so, look over your list. Decide if you truly need, love, or have-to-have anything on your list. If so, go get it and enjoy! If not, throw out your list and pat yourself on the back! You just prevented clutter and saved some of your hard earned cash!

~When shopping, do you ever say “I can always return it”? Clutter alert!! How often do you actually end up returning these items? Instead, do these things ultimately become clutter in your closet? If you don’t love it in the store, there’s something wrong with it. Either it isn’t exactly what you’re looking for or you don’t need it. Let it go … find something better.

~Look around your house. What things are causing clutter? Give them a home! Clutter often results when things don’t have a home or the home is inconvenient. For me, a chronic source of clutter was my daughter’s pony tail holders. They were always scattered all over the bathroom counter. I added a simple ceramic dish to collect them. Now they look neat and tidy — not at all resembling clutter. Once several have collected, I return them to their home in her bedroom.

~I want to add to empty your catch all spots at least once a week. I had a “catch-all” basket to collect papers and things until I could go through them. Helping to keep them from collecting in piles all over the house. This is a great idea. However, The basket itself became an eye-sore. So in the momnets when you are sitting on the couch watching t.v. or something. Grab that basket and go through it. When you do you will find alot of things “trashable”, even after a week’s time. If you don’t it will begin to overflow and you will find the “Catch-all” basket an eye-sore.

Aby Garvey is a professional organizer, and owner of simplify 101, inc. Her mission is to create time and space for what matters most in your home, business, and life. She has written an e-book called “the happy scrapper-simple solutions to get organized, and get scrapping”. She publishes a mothly an organizing and time management email newsletter available by visting her website at simplify 101.

Baby Talk

We have all heard that a mother knows her babies cry. When they are first brought home we don’t have a clue what is going on with them, but in just a few short weeks most moms can pretty well figure out whether it is a hungry cry or sleepy cry,etc.
Reading Rookie Moms, led me to watch an amazing clip on Oprah’s site. Priscilla, who has studied over a thousand babies from different cultures and languauges, says that all babies make 5 sounds and they have specific meanings. Here they are:

  • Neh=”I’m hungry”
  • Owh=”I’m sleepy”
  • Heh=”I’m experiencing discomfort”
  • Eair=”I have lower gas”
  • Eh=”I need to burp”

Those “words” are actually sound reflexes, Priscilla says. “Babies all around the world have the same reflexes, and they therefore make the same sounds,” she says. If parents don’t respond to those reflexes, Priscilla says the baby will eventually stop using them. (From the Oprah.com)

I found this absolutely fascinating. As I watched the video clip, I could not believe it! Priscilla says these are not just cries, they are actual sounds that have meaning. Baby talk. Hmmm!? Now if I could just get someone to interpret my 21 month old! Check out the video clip and listen to these sounds here!

Inspiration from a Friend.

“Everyone warned Mike and me that everything was going to change with the birth of our daughter. We did not fully understand these words until she was born on May 22, 2006. Since becoming radically saved at the age of 16, I have experienced life in the supernatural. I have witnessed God transform lives (including mine) and observed people being healed through miracles, signs and wonders. I have been blessed and have tasted the goodness of the Lord since my salvation….
“…I am however on a new venture with God – worshipping Him through the natural. Yes, through changing diapers, cleaning spit-up and early morning feedings…” (Excerpt from TracyHurst.com)

TracyHurst.com , a blog site recently started by a friend of mine, Tracy. I can tell you I will be a faithful reader of her blog. She is very inspirational, and has such a sweet, loving personality, that I know everyone can’t help but love her. Until Tracy had her daughter, she was a family counselor mostly working with troubled teens, especially those in the Goth and Satanic lifestyles. Being radically saved as a teenager from suicide, among other things, Tracy has used the life God gave back to her to impact other teens as well as women. She is a great resource for parents, women, and teens. (She will soon have a blog-site just for teens!) Be sure to also check out Life with Alyssa, A journal of daily life with her daughter Alyssa.

And if you are in the Atlanta area check her out on “Atlanta Live” local channel 57 Dec. 8th 7-9pm.