Tag Archives: advice to a young wife

Three Unseen Benefits of a Wise Mother at Home (a Repost)

04 Monday Mar 2013

Posted by in becoming a stay at home mom, Changing the next generation, Homemaking, Inspirational Mama, Sticking through tough times, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,


We’ve all read those intricate financial compilations by economic experts trying to prove that a homemaker really does have financial value. Because they can put a dollar amount on what a woman does in the home, they clap themselves on the back and point out that a homemaker is not really a parasite…she is worth something! She contributes!

Well, I’ve put down my box of chocolates, clambered off of my couch, turned off my soap operas and done a little thinking… *DING!* (thinking!) and I have come up with quite a few instances of how a woman in the home benefits her family and the world at large.

These are all hidden benefits of a wise woman at home and they are worth far more than money. There are so many benefits to having a wise, loving woman watching and caring for her family that I am only listing three here. Please leave a comment and share the ways that you benefit your family!

1. She pays attention. She walks by bedroom doors and listens to her preschoolers arguing and decides it’s a good time to talk to them about kindness, forgiveness and doing the right thing. She notices her discouraged teen and prayerfully waits for the right moment to find out what is going on in his life.

She watches, protects and builds.

2. She discerns…areas of weakness in her children that need to be strengthened such as poor work habits or sinful attitudes.
She takes the time to address those areas as well as bring them to her husband’s attention and to pray over them.

She is also quick to discern areas of growth when her child does what is right. She encourages and applauds. Her family feels loved and blessed because, in this huge world of ours, there is someone who loves them enough to pay attention!

3. She prepares. She knows that life is full of good times and bad so she leaves enough time and energy in her day to address the hard issues in life. She understands that she is building her marriage by guarding her schedule so she is not all “used up” when her husband spends time with her. She leaves a little extra space in her life… because life happens and somebody has to deal with it!

Read the interesting responses to this post here.

What do you think about this list? What would you add?

Decluttering Starts in Your Brain (a repost)

28 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by in Cleaning, Decluttering, Guest Post, Homemaking, Humor, Inspirational Mama, Practical Help

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,


(and other wise and mysterious truths you didn’t know you needed to hear).
women_talking over ironing board
Are you ready to begin taking dominion over your “stuff?” I’ve written a guest post over at The Grocery Shrink blog and I invite you to visit and read it here.

Angela says some very nice things about me on her blog and I appreciate her kind words but I do want to make a correction. I have not spent most of my life working for Wycliffe Bible Translators in Bible translation. My husband and I were members of Wycliffe Bible Translators and worked in the technical support side which is called JAARS.

Join me as I help you wade through the overwhelming mess that all of us face at one time or another in our homes. It’s time to create a peaceful and restful space in our homes!

Marvelous Marriage Monday

25 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Holy Bible, Marvelous Marriage Monday, Praying for our husbands, Thoughts and Prayers

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Lord,

images prayer
Give our husbands peace and joy so that it permeates their spirits and testifies to the world of You.
May they be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that they
may walk in a manner worthy of You, to please You in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work
and increasing in the knowledge of You; strengthened with all power according to Your glorious
might for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience: joyously giving thanks to You, who have
qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Col. 1:9-12)

We thank You and praise You and have confidence that since You have begun a good work in our
husbands, You will complete it. (Phil. 1:6)

Give us the faith to continue to stand on Your Word, trust in Your powerful name and continue in prayer.

We ask these things according to Your will!

Amen

Ten Traits of Highly Successful People

22 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by in becoming a stay at home mom, Changing the next generation, Goal Setting, Homemaking, Inspirational Mama, Practical Help, Strong families

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , ,


imagesI am a wife and mother and I also speak and teach and write. I like studying what successful people have in common because I want to learn from them.
Dr. Humbert observed ten traits that highly successful people have in common. Do you agree with these? Do you have anything to add? Are these applicable to wives and mothers?

They work hard! Yes, they play hard, too! They get up early, they rarely complain, they expect performance from others, but they expect extraordinary performance from themselves. Repeated, high-level success starts with a recognition that hard work pays off.

They are incredibly curious and eager to learn. They study, ask questions and read—constantly! An interesting point, however: While most of them did well in school, the difference is that they apply or take advantage of what they learn. Repeated success is not about memorizing facts, it’s about being able to take information and create, build, or apply it in new and important ways. Successful people want to learn everything about everything!

They network. They know lots of people, and they know lots of different kinds of people. They listen to friends, neighbors, co- workers and bartenders. They don’t have to be “the life of the party,” in fact many are quiet, even shy, but they value people and they value relationships. Successful people have a Rolodex full of people who value their friendship and return their calls.

They work on themselves and never quit! While the “over-night wonders” become arrogant and quickly disappear, really successful people work on their personality, their leadership skills, management skills, and every other detail of life. When a relationship or business deal goes sour, they assume they can learn from it and they expect to do better next time. Successful people don’t tolerate flaws; they fix them!33jrck1

They are extraordinarily creative. They go around asking, “Why not?” They see new combinations, new possibilities, new opportunities and challenges where others see problems or limitations. They wake up in the middle of the night yelling, “I’ve got it!” They ask for advice, try things out, consult experts and amateurs, always looking for a better, faster, cheaper solution. Successful people create stuff!

They are self-reliant and take responsibility. Incredibly successful people don’t worry about blame, and they don’t waste time complaining. They make decisions and move on.…Extremely successful people take the initiative and accept the responsibilities of success.

They are usually relaxed and keep their perspective. Even in times of stress or turmoil, highly successful people keep their balance, they know the value of timing, humor, and patience. They rarely panic or make decisions on impulse. Unusually successful people breath easily, ask the right questions, and make sound decisions, even in a crisis.

Extremely successful people live in the present moment. They know that “Now” is the only time they can control. They have a “gift” for looking people in the eye, listening to what is being said, enjoying a meal or fine wine, music or playing with a child. They never seem rushed, and they get a lot done! They take full advantage of each day. Successful people don’t waste time, they use it!

They “look over the horizon” to see the future. They observe trends, notice changes, see shifts, and hear the nuances that others miss. A basketball player wearing Nikes is trivial, the neighbor kid wearing them is interesting, your own teenager demanding them is an investment opportunity! Extremely successful people live in the present, with one eye on the future!

Repeatedly successful people respond instantly! When an investment isn’t working out, they sell. When they see an opportunity, they make the call. If an important relationship is cooling down, they take time to renew it. When technology or a new competitor or a change in the economic situation requires an adjustment, they are the first and quickest to respond.retrowife2

These traits work together in combination, giving repeatedly successful people a huge advantage. Because they are insatiable learners, they can respond wisely to change. Because their personal relationships are strong, they have good advisors, and a reserve of goodwill when things go bad. And finally, none of these traits are genetic! They can be learned! They are free and they are skills you can use. Start now!

Dr. Philip E. Humbert

Of Nanny Goats and Carpet Shampooers

13 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by in creative ways to show love, Inspirational Mama, Valentines Day

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,


images.jpg goat
The Day is almost upon us and a woman can hardly enter a grocery store or florist shop without bumping into a man with his arms full of flowers.

Have you ever noticed that a man holds a bouquet of flowers up and out from his body, kind of like an Olympic torch? Take a good look at the next man you see who has just purchased some Valentine’s flowers and see if you don’t catch a look of triumph and pride on his face.

That look of victory is there for good reason. After surviving the stress of Christmas, here come the Valentine’s Day ads. These ads are targeted at women but the pressure is on men. The message to men is clear, “Men, if you really love her you will buy her something…and that something will be very expensive.”

In the back of every good-hearted man’s mind there lurks that niggling question,
“Will flowers be enough? What if she is thinking jewelry?” Oh help me Lord!

Men have good reason to worry because, let’s be honest ladies, Valentine’s Day is a big deal for women. It’s a big deal for us because, way back in our minds we have this niggling little worry,
“Does he really love me? Is this love that we have ‘it’?”

We want that sweeping, swooning, love like we see in the movies (that’s why most marriage books are read by women and the chick-flick industry is going strong).

We also like foo foo and candy and sweet little nothings written on cards and carved into chalky tasting candy hearts and (if we’re honest with ourselves) we love the envious looks our friends and relations give us when the man in our life makes some crazy, creative, romantic gesture.

Valentine’s Day is fun. It’s romantic. And it puts a lot of pressure on our men.

As a younger woman, I put a lot of pressure on my husband.

I thought I knew what love looked like and the flowers he picked out of the New Mexico State University Agriculture garden for free did not look like love!

While I was busy getting my feelings hurt, I failed to notice all the ways that he showed real love to me.

He’s always defended me. He’s really good at that.

Over the years he’s worked at jobs he hasn’t particularly liked just to provide for us.

He gets angry and blows it…and apologizes.

He’s put his jeans back on in the middle of the night to go hunt up something at the store to make my pregnant stomach feel better and he’s done this more times than I can count.

He’s rented a carpet shampooer to clean baby vomit off the couches and ended up spending his one free weekend doing the entire house because I insisted.

He once brought home a pregnant nanny goat in the back of our mini-van because I got it into my head that our little acreage was The Little House on the Prairie except I forgot we didn’t have a truck or a trailer to transport the brainless mother-to-be. I’ve never forgotten the look on that poor man’s face as he drove up our driveway with the van full of excited children and a bleating goat. He had that what-has-she-gotten-us-into-now look…

He says those magic words to me, “What would you like me to make you to eat?” and then he makes it…better than a restaurant.

He thanks me, often, for giving him eight children. That really makes my heart go pitter pat.

My husband has also gotten really good at giving special gifts and beautiful cards. Those are fun and wonderful and sweet but they don’t really prove his love like all the other things he does.

We have that swooping, swooning, epic kind of love but it looks and feels different than the movies. It is better. Real love means commitment and forgiveness and sacrifice and being there.

So what if he buys you a new set of dish towels for a gift and doesn’t bring you a soppy card or a box of chocolates? I’ll just bet that the man in your life is doing an awful lot of things right.


“When over the years someone has seen you at your worst, and knows you with all your strengths and flaws, yet commits him or herself to you wholly, it is a consummate experience. To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything.”
― Timothy Keller, The Meaning of Marriageimages.jpg old man kissing old woman hand

Give him a big kiss and tell him that out of all the men in the world, he is your hero.
Choose to have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

25 Valentine’s Day Ideas for Couples from Family LIfe Today

13 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by in creative ways to show love, Fun and Easy ways to Celebrate, Gifts to Make, Practical Help, Valentines Day

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


25 Valentine’s Day Ideas for Couplesby Mary May Larmoyeux from Family Life Today
helpmeet_verseIs it more important to love … or to be loved?

Most of us would agree with George Eliot’s words, “I like not only to be loved, but also to be told I am loved.”

Valentine’s Day is the occasion when you can experience both. We asked FamilyLife Facebook friends and Marriage Memo readers to share some of their favorite Valentine’s Day ideas.

With a little help from our friends, here are 25 creative ways to tell your spouse, “I love you.”

1. On small pieces of paper, write down every kind of kiss that you can think of (examples: passionate, on the cheek, etc.). Then fill an inexpensive red felt bag with your “kisses” and give it to your spouse. Ask your spouse to pull several pieces of paper from the felt bag, and then give your sweetheart whatever kind of kiss is described.

2. Make a book about why you love your spouse and why you are thankful for him/her. The woman who sent this idea wrote, “He loved it! Said it was the best gift he has ever gotten. And it helped me to focus on the things I love about my husband and not his shortcomings.”

3. Take your sweetie on a scavenger hunt. Ask him/her to answer riddles to find the clues to items that you placed somewhere around town. The last item should give instructions that lead to your Valentine’s Day activities.

4. After enjoying a candlelight dinner for two at home, give your spouse a massage and watch a romantic movie. The woman who suggested this wrote, “Last Valentine’s Day when I got home from work, my husband … had our bedroom set up with a candlelit table for two. He is NOT a cook but he made an awesome meal … grilled steak, sautéed shrimp in lemon, garlic, and butter, a vegetable, and [he] bought a chocolate fountain that was flowing—surrounded by fresh fruit for dipping. After dinner he led me over to his homemade massage table. … We ended our special night with a romantic movie.

5. Surprise your spouse with a special getaway together. The man who suggested this made reservations at a bed and breakfast, arranged for childcare, asked for time off from work for himself and his wife, and packed his and her bags. When he asked his wife to go to lunch on Valentine’s Day she was in for a wonderful surprise. “The little bit of effort I put into that weekend paid off huge for weeks to come.”

6. Give your wife a dozen roses. On each stem attach a note for a future date—to do something that she would enjoy (example: Go to the symphony).

7. If possible, go on a date with your spouse to a restaurant that you enjoyed when you first met. After you order your meal, take some time to write down favorite memories from the past year. Then share your lists.

8. Have 11 roses delivered to your wife, and then give her a 12th yourself while reading her a love poem.

9. Fill a large box with helium balloons and special gifts for Valentine’s Day. The woman who suggested this said that her gifts included “new sleep shorts for him and a new nightgown for me, a box of chocolate-covered strawberries and red napkins … some new candles, and a romantic CD. He got the hint. And loved the weekend.”

10. Create an intimate Valentine’s Day evening at home, without the children. The woman who suggested this idea said that she and her husband “enjoyed planning the menu, shopping for the meal, and ultimately preparing the meal together. Cooking to soft, romantic music can really be a turn on! While dining, the same soft, romantic music is a wonderful mood-setter. Dinner was followed by just the two of us having the whole dance floor, our den, to ourselves. I won’t say what all this led to, but it was a truly romantic night that would not have happened at the local restaurant!”

11. Order food from a take-out restaurant and have a picnic for all the Valentines in your family on your living room floor. The person who suggested this said, “The kids look forward to this every year. When we tried to change it, they wouldn’t allow it … it has become a tradition. The kids see the value of family and a loving marriage.”

12. Privacy and weather permitting, watch a romantic movie on your deck or patio.

13. If you are separated across the miles, send a care package filled with things that are red.

14. Make a meal with symbols of love. Examples: Write I love you with string beans, make a tart in the shape of a heart …

15. Hide little heart candies in your spouse’s shoes, coat, car, etc. The woman who suggested this said that she’s been doing this for decades. “Now a couple of the grandkids help me with delight.”

16. Wives, show up at your husband’s office before lunch. Call him from the parking lot and tell him you are going to take him for a lunch rendezvous and that you will be waiting for him whenever he can take a break. Wear a nice outfit and tell him you have something sexy on underneath for when he gets home. Take him to a nice place for lunch and back to the office. Give him some great kisses telling him how glad you are to be married to him, and tell him you will be waiting for him when he gets home.

17. Fill a jar with Valentine candy and notes for your spouse. Examples of notes are: Good for a backrub, 10 kisses, etc. Notes could also express your love and respect: “I am so glad that God blessed my life with such a great husband like you.” Individually roll each note and tie it with a ribbon.

18. Surprise your spouse by taking a vacation day from work and enjoy Valentine’s Day at home. Have a relaxing morning together on the porch, deck, or patio. Then go to a favorite restaurant for lunch. The man who suggested this idea had also reserved a spa treatment and tanning session for his wife. “While she was doing that,” he says, “I went home and made her a special dinner.”

19. Write a poem for your spouse and frame it.

20. On individual note cards, write why you love your spouse. Insert these cards in a small photo album. The woman who suggested this idea began her album with a honeymoon picture and introductory note card, and ended it with a love note.

21. Surprise your husband when he comes home from work on February 14. Place a welcome sign on the kitchen table and leave a trail of red foil-wrapped Hershey kisses to your bedroom.

22. With roses in hand and permission from your wife’s boss, go to her workplace and read a love poem to her. The woman who shared this idea said, “I am a teacher in an inner city school. Last year my husband dressed in my favorite suit and tie, came to my school with roses in hand. He got permission and assistance from the office staff to open the speaker system into my classroom and proceeded to read a long and beautiful love poem to me. He then came to my classroom and presented me with the bouquet of roses which I received while wiping my tears of joy and love for this wonderful man whom I have been married to for just under 30 years.”

23. Make a special “14 Reasons I Love You” Valentine’s Day breakfast for your sweetheart. On his/her plate, leave a letter or card listing 14 reasons that you love your spouse.

24. If possible, send a card postmarked in a town that has a romantic name such as Loveland, Colorado; Valentine, Texas; or Romance, Arkansas.

25. After your spouse goes to bed, tape notes to his car’s steering wheel with reasons that you love him, or decorate the bathroom mirror with lipstick kisses or Valentine’s window clings.

Have fun on February 14, and remember: Love is not meant to be given and received on just Valentine’s Day. Instead, it’s to be practiced every single day of the entire year.

©2013 by FamilyLife. All rights reserved.

Marvelous Marriage Monday

04 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in Inspirational Mama, Marvelous Marriage Monday, Praying for our husbands, Sticking through tough times, Thoughts and Prayers

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,


images silly

Lord,
We pray for our husbands. Show us ways that we can deepen our love for our husbands every single day of our lives together.

We pray for our husbands hearts and minds. May they renew their minds in Your word so that the burdens of this world do not overwhelm them. We pray that they would focus their hearts on You so that they would be peaceful men even when life is hard. Give them a deep sense of Your presence all the days of their lives.images beach

Lord, You have given us the covenant of marriage. Enrich our marriages, flood them with Your love and romance! Thank you for the Song of Solomon that teaches us Your view of marriage. Help us to romantically love our husbands all the days of our lives together.

We pray in the name of Your son, Jesus,

Amen

Marvelous Marriage Monday~The Last One of 2012!

31 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Marvelous Marriage Monday, Praying for our husbands, Sticking through tough times, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,


images holding hands

Lord, we pray for our husbands and the year to come. Give them strength and joy as they plan for the future. Give them a hope and optimism in You and Your plan for their lives. Give us words to encourage and support them as they face the stresses and trials of the coming year. Give us a joyful spirit and not a spirit of fear as their wives!

Thank You for answering these prayers because they are according to Your will.

In Jesus name,

Amen


Thank you for reading Generational Womanhood in 2012, dear sisters! May God give you rich legacies of faith in your families, your friends and your churches. May you be women who influence the generations to come! Psalm 1.

hands

Please watch these powerful testimonies of God’s intervention in difficult marriage relationships and be reminded that God is a great God and He has a good plan for you and your marriage!

A Marriage Miracle

Lorna’s Story

Spending Too Much on Groceries? Make Soup!

03 Saturday Nov 2012

Posted by in becoming a stay at home mom, Health, healthy and quick recipes, Homemaking, Recipes

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,


Every once in a while I am cornered by a younger mom who wants to pick my brain about how I afford all these children and how in the world do I feed them all? Besides the true but trite-sounding reply to trust in God, I tell her that there are ways to feed our children nutritiously and deliciously using leftovers! Make soup!

One of the secrets to a tasty and delicious homemade soup or stew is learning to use bones to make a good bone broth. It isn’t hard to do this but you do have to think ahead to simmer those bones many hours. The resulting healing broth is worth it! Even if you don’t want to bother with bone broth, it isn’t hard to learn to make soup. So, here I go with another repost!

The weather is getting cooler and the days are shorter. It’s time to make soup!

As a teen, I remember watching with wonder as my mother took some slightly wilted vegetables, a big bone with little pieces of meat clinging to its sides and some spices. After this unappetizing combination simmered on the stove all day it miraculously turned into a delicious, nutritious soup.

You, too, can make miracles happen and feed your family a highly nutritious soup for pennies! It isn’t hard and the varieties of flavors are endless. It’s fun and it will make your house smell like love :-) !

1. Make soup 1 to 2 days in advance to let flavors blend.
2. Reserve the vegetable cooking water from other meals and use in place of plain water to improve soup flavor.
3. If soup tastes thin or weak, add healthy store-bought broth as a strengthener.
4. If soup is too salty, add half a peeled raw potato and simmer about 15 minutes to absorb excess salt and then remove potato.
5. Add herbs at the end to preserve the most flavor.

6. As a general rule, 1 quart soup equals 6 first-course servings or 3 to 4 main course servings.
7. Use a soup tureen when serving soup as a main course to lend elegance to the table and keep soup hot for seconds.

Chicken Soup

Cook Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (remember, this doesn’t mean you are slaving away in the kitchen all this time. Once you get the hang of it you can throw everything into the pot in about 15 minutes…especially if you aren’t cutting up a lot of meat! Soup really is easy and fast)
Ingredients:

* 2 Tablespoons real salted butter
* 2 medium onions, chopped
* 3 medium carrots, cut into 1/4-inch rounds
* 3 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
* 1 (6- to 7-pound) chicken
* 2 quarts chicken broth (make your own by simmering bones ahead of time-see link above) or canned low-sodium broth
* 1 quart cold water, or as needed
* 4 sprigs of fresh parsley
* 3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 bay leaf
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 2 cups egg noodles or rice
* Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Preparation:
Heat the butter in a pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 10 minutes.

Cut the chicken into 8 pieces. Break the bones of the chicken and add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the broth if you want to make release the nutritious marrow from the bones into the soup-this is best to do only with organic chickens. If there are any pads of yellow fat in the tail area, do not remove them-fat adds flavor to soup.

Add the chicken to the pot and pour in the broth. Add enough cold water to cover the ingredients by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, skimming off the foam that rises to the surface. Add the parsley, thyme, and bay leaf.

Reduce the heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is very tender, about 2 hours.

Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside until cool enough to handle. Remove and throw away the parsley and thyme sprigs and bay leaf.

Discard the chicken skin and bones and cut the meat into bite-size pieces. Add the noodles or rice and cook until done, about 10 minutes. Stir the meat back into the soup and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot (if you want to degrease the soup-chill it and skim the solidified grease off the top).

Serve with a simple homemade quick bread such as cornbread and you will have a feast fit for a king. Enjoy!

Remember that soup recipes never have to be followed exactly. Soup making is an art and you can quickly learn to use what you have on hand and create your own combinations of veggies, meat and grains. Have fun and remember that throughout history women have loved and served others by making delicious homemade soup!

What is your favorite soup?

Wisdom for Mothers of Newborns by Ria VanDyken

17 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Homemaking, Inspirational Mama, Practical Help, Sticking through tough times, Thoughts and Prayers

≈ Leave a Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,


Ria VanDyken is the mother of ten and grandmother of many. She wrote this exhortation for three mothers who were honored at a triple baby shower at our little church. Her words are so rich with godly encouragement that I asked if I could borrow them to share with Generational Womanhood readers. I know they will bless you. I have changed the names of the mothers who were honored at the shower.

“Are all these yours?”
“Are you Catholic or Mormon?”
“You must be a very patient person.”
“I love kids too, but, you know, I find I don’t have much patience. Besides, I have to work to make ends meet. ..so, really, I can’t afford more. Besides, I can’t handle the two I have!

Sound familiar? You might mumble a word or two, feeling somewhat irritated and maybe a little sheepish for yet, again, failing to have a good comeback. In the meantime, the other person walks away (probably feeling smug because she is in some way superior to you. After all, she has a “real” job and is a contributing member of society.

My dear sisters, never let these people get you down. I can think of no job harder, more fulfilling, more exhausting, more challenging than being a faithful, godly mom. It is an honor and a privilege. Do not be cowed by insensitive and ungodly people.

All three of you have large families by today’s standards. Both Sally and Maria deal with multiple ages; the infant, the in-between and the burgeoning adult. Nancy, you have four close together and all still very needy.

All of you are busy moms. As you struggle to homeschool, change diapers, prepare nutritious filling meals, counsel the older ones as they mature, counsel the younger ones, deal with squabbles and an endless array of dishes on the counter, don’t forget the man who won your heart in the first place.

I know, I know, you are probably groaning and thinking one more person to remember? However, a marriage that is healthy and full of love and respect conceives a home that is nurturing haven for your children. I am not suggesting you wait on him hand and foot. However, love him well.

Respect him.
Give him the largest piece of pie.
Serve him first at mealtimes. Yes, your teenage son is probably eying the food hungrily but he’ll survive (trust me) and he’ll, hopefully, one day will be a dad who gets served first!

Lastly, never ever complain about him to your children.

Secondly, enjoy your family, be content. And, yes, as older women tell you, the years fly by. And, trust me, they do!

I recall the days in Burlington when we had six kids under seven. We had a small eating nook in the kitchen with benches around two sides (by the way, benches are great, you can squeeze a lot of kids into them!).

One day while serving up food, spooning applesauce into the toddler’s mouth, juggling the baby on my hip and just, in general, fretting and micro managing…my husband quietly set me into my chair and said, “Just sit down and enjoy them.” And it was true. A mom is so busy keeping body and soul together we forget to enjoy their little conversations, jokes, their different personalities; just the blessing of who they are.

So, enjoy your life as a mom. Rejoice in the children the Lord has given to you. Be faithful to your husband. Above all, live in loving thankfulness to your Savior. He has blessing us with so much and, in spite of our short-comings, He will continue to uphold you and make you prosper.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28