See the Christmas Lights!

The other night my hubby was not at home and the kids and I were getting frustrated with each other. They were bored and I needed some down time. My kids love to ride. You have heard of driving a crying baby around in the car; well, my five year old and 21 month old still love to just ride.

I asked them if they wanted to go see Christmas lights. Of course they cheered! So we went to Starbucks and I bought a cup of coffee for me, and some steamed vanilla milk for them, and drove around listening to Christmas carols on the radio and looking for Christmas lights. It’s like a fun scavenger hunt. “OOOH! OOH! there’s some!” Emily would say, and Anna would giggle at the excitement. They loved to sing along with the Christmas carols, and we laughed and had a great time. The only thing missing was some snow and a horse drawn carriage. (We don’t get much snow around here!)

Of course, if you are looking for something a little more extravagant, there is going and actually finding a place and paying by the car load or person to see the lights. Around the Atlanta, GA area there are lots of small places ranging from about 10$ per car load, to Callaway Gardens and Stone Mountain Village which is about $15 dollars per person. These are well worth it and grand ideas to plan on. However, if you just want to get out of the house for about an hour or so, and occupy their time, they will be just as happy and excited to look at other people’s houses.

To Spank or Not To Spank?

Last night I was watching Supernanny. I am sure that all over the country those who watched it were stirred one way or the other. The topic, to spank or not to spank. Ouch! (no pun intended :)) Touchy subject, right? Yeah well, here I go …

I, like this young woman last night, was raised in a home where spanking was used. To say that it was used for discipline is questionable. However, I can say in my parent’s honor, it is a miracle I am alive to tell the story today. (I was not the model child.) The problem was that my mother was raised in an abusive home. Both of my parents were young when they began having kids and really only knew to do what they had seen modeled to them. Because my mom had been abused herself she did not want to spank us, or abuse us. Because of this she would wait until we had pushed every button in her, and then go off! Like this mother last night, it was more of a venting of her anger than a discipline tactic. A frustration of not knowing what else to do.

If there is not a game plan, a strategic form of discipline, before you are faced with a tantrum throwing, screaming, curtain climbing moment, even the best of moms are going to lose it. You know, I do believe in a wide range of discipline, my favorites being time-outs, logical consequences, and reward and demerits. As a child who faced mild abuse I do want to address my views on spanking.

Any form of discipline done out of order, in anger, or as this mom stated “because it makes me feel better”, is not true parenting, or true discipline. According to Wikipedia, the definiton of discipline is “any training intended to produce a specific character or pattern of behaviour, especially training that produces moral, physical, or mental development in a particular direction”. Discipline is not an outlet for your anger, it is about teaching your child.

So is spanking ok? While many, many others will disagree with me, I do believe there is a time and place for corporal punishment. I also feel that there are some clear cut guidelines as to how to administrate it. The Bible says in Proverbs 13:24 “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” I love how Solomon says he is CAREFUL to discipline. Spanking should be a carefully considered form of discipline. Continue reading “To Spank or Not To Spank?”

Welcome to 1SmartMom!

Welcome to 1SmartMom!

Welcome to 1smartmom! A place where you can find inspiration, creative ideas for parenting, and encouragement to live your dreams, and be the woman you were created to be.

If you have a comment about a post, follow the link “comments” at the end of each post. Please feel free to leave feedback; we all help and support each other. If you have a question or topic you would like to discuss, please email me. My goal is to discuss anything that concerns moms, and women.

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Dream-builders, not Dream-crashers!

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Surround yourself with the right people and you can fulfill the dreams God gives you. Put yourself in relationships with people who are not only like-minded, but are also seeking to honor God in their own lives. Here is a thought to consider today: if your friends don’t point you toward God’s goal for you, then they’re not very good friends. You want to be around dream-builders, not dream-crashers! When you prune the relationships around you, you’re not cutting things out of your life; you’re making room for growth so that you can reach your God-given potential! When you make room for God’s best, you can walk away from the lesser things that the world has to offer. ~Joel Osteen -Today’s Word With Joel and Victoria

We all have them, relationships that seem to point out all of our shortcomings, that remind us of all the times we have screwed up. This seems to always deflate any confidence I have built in myself in one swoop. Most would even say they are only trying to help you to not get hurt, yet they have no idea the pain they are causing by not believing in you. While there are many relationships you can not absolutely cut out of your life, such as family, you can begin to hold back the most sacred things. I have found myself pouring out my dreams and God given desires, only to have them crushed by someone, even a “friend”. But I am beginning to learn that some things are sacred and need to be protected in the safety of those I can trust to help nurture them. Some dreams are so big, they can not be understood by just anyone. So protect that dream as if it were your baby.

We also have to be careful not to be that person in someone else’s life. To not crush the spirit of something that seems impossible. We have to be careful, especially as parents and spouses, not to want to protect a loved one by crushing their dreams. Remember that Jesus said Mark 10:27 “..with men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible..”

Tag, I’m It!

Ok, so I have never been tagged before. This is apparently a game other bloggers play. I have been tagged for the “come as you are” game. This means I had to stop what I was doing and take a picture of myself…just as I am! Most days I am up and hair fixed before I come down stairs. However, as this was a rare Sunday we did not go to church, I was having a pajama day and innocently checked my email. Aurelia had tagged me.

This takes much self confidence to post this picture of myself in all my natural state. But hey, I am a good sport, and I figure if Oprah can do it on national television I can do so on my little site, so here I am!
. I have been

Next up is Shay, Nola, Janice, and Katrina. Remember ladies, it is come as you are. Now it is up to you to pass it on!

Simple and Quick Recipe, Tortilla Soup:

Ingredients:

  • 4 cans cream of chicken
  • 4 cans chicken broth
  • 2 cans MILD Rotel tomatoes
  • 3-4 B/S Chicken Breast or Tenderloins (1lb.)
  • Spring onion
  • 1/2 to 1 tsp. Cumin (Depending on how much you like Spice)

Directions:

  1. Cube and brown the chicken.
  2. Chop up the spring onion
  3. Add all ingredients to the pot and bring to a boil.
  4. Serve with Tortilla Chips, Cheese, and Sour Cream

Simple, quick, and delicious! This is one of my favorite cold weather recipes.
If you have a favorite Quick and easy recipe please submit it to me.

Thankful Thursdays~ Friendship

Today, I am thankful for my friends who are far away. Neither distance nor time can separate the bond between true friends…
I am thankful for friends from my youth, Shalom, and Melanie. You have always believed in my future inspite of knowing my past, you have rejoiced in my triumphs and held my hand in my failures. This is a true friend. For you:

  • My friend, if I could give you one thing, I would give you the ability to see yourself as others see you… then you would realize what a truly special person you are. ~Barbara Billings

I am thankful for my Vacation buddies, Kevin and Jessica. You have been so much more than even buddies, you have been true friends. Jessica, I would have never guessed in first knowing you that you would be one of my dearest friends. One who loved me through one of the worst times in my life, and rejoice in my life now! I know God sits laughing at us as He did 10 years ago when He first brought you in my life! For you I found this quote:

Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them? 😉
~Abraham Lincoln

If you have friends that have been faithful to you remember to tell them how much they mean to you. Everyone loves to hear how much they are appreciated!

Potato Stamping

Try this great craft idea with your kids.

Potato Stamp examples

What you will need:

  • Potato
  • Sharp knife (For Adults only!)
  • PaintPaper
  • A shallow dish

Directions: Wash the potato and cut it in half. On the cut face of the potato, use the knife to carve a simple shape (e.g a star). Cut away the potato surrounding the shape, so that the shape protrudes about 1/2 and inch. Children can now use this shape as a stamp. Put the paint in a shallow dish, so they can soak the “stamp” with paint.

Holiday Clutter Stress!

Ok moms, it is that time of the year. You know, when your children are going to get an influx of toys and you are going to think, “where on earth am I going to fit all of this stuff!” Here are a couple of tips to help keep down on the extra holiday clutter.

1) Buy big items for your children. Try to avoid things with alot of little pieces. It is all the little stuff that drives you insane.

2) Begin creating the space for what you know is already coming. Begin organizing their rooms and moving things around now, leaving empty wall space.

3) Either by yourself, or with your kids, go through their toys with three boxes; Keep, give away, and throw away. Have them determine which of the three boxes each thing goes in. Take the throw away box to the garbage immediately! (This includes anything that is worn out or missing pieces) Put the give away box in the trunk of your car, immediately. Find a local orphanage, or charity to take your gently used toys to. (Please only take items that are in good condition, and aren’t missing pieces) Let your kids go with you so they understand where their things are going. You may find them compelled to give more away.

4) Use shelves or bins to store toys in, it is easier access and clean up for children. It is also great for things that do have alot of little pieces, i.e. barbie stuff, cars, train set, etc. When I get ready for my girls to clean up, I can pull out one bucket at the time, tell them to pick up all the barbie stuff. This breaks down their task for them and it is all neatly organized!

Using these tips, especially #2 and #3 will help take alot of the “clutter stress” out of the holidays!

What Is My Eternal Purpose?

A friend asked me recently, “How do you find your purpose?” This is such a loaded question, one with many answers. I recently heard John Bevere’s message, “Driven By Eternity”. Although I have already been on a journey in the last year to find my purpose, this message has caused me to dig deeper into what my eternal purpose is.

If God has one purpose for my life, what is it? If you are like me, you have many interests, many things that you desire to do. But you ask, besides being a mother, what is my ultimate purpose? In the last year I have discovered 3 things that have catapulted my search for my purpose …

1) Ask God to show you the connecting thread between all you love to do. While there are different seasons in our life, there is a common thread in everything we have been led to do. When you find that thread you will see that you are not aimlessly “doing” in life; there is a purpose to the insanity!
2) Journal. I have been challenged to journal anything I feel God is showing me, or even the things I don’t see. What is amazing is that as I journal it starts something like this … “I don’t know what my purpose is …” and then as I write it begins flowing and pouring out of me. Most all great men and women keep a journal and there is a key to writing things down. Whether it be your short term and long term goals, or your thoughts, insights, or even your fears to conquer, write them all down.
3) Being a mom is the first mission field. Even if they are grown, they are still your mission. Loving to teach them is a legacy they will always have, and a purpose not to be belittled! Lisa Bevere said in her book, Fight Like A Girl, that our children are arrows that we launch into the future, and they will not miss their target.
Psalm 127:4 “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth”

(I have simultaneously been reading John Bevere’s book Driven By Eternity, and Lisa Bevere’s book Fight Like a Girl. Both are about God’s ultimate purpose for our lives. Fight Like A Girl is more about our purpose as women. Excellent, Excellent must reads! They will change your life! If you like fiction, I read John’s fiction novel, Rescued, in 3 days. The links above are their audio messages of the same title. Free to listen, free to download, or check out their books here.)