Saturday Salutes

We visited the zoo yesterday.

Ever the creative one, Sues amazes again with this monogram for her daughter's rain boots.

Check out Aurie's idea for a simple, fun gift.  She made hers for Valentine's Day, but these would be appropriate for many occasions.

Lindsay tells how she's seeking to establish a family service night.

I was inspired by Debra's perspective in Every Stage is My Favorite.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Confessions of a "Wannabe" Biscuit Baker

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In my dreams, it's Saturday morning.  I'm in the kitchen, apron 'round my waist, opening the oven door to pull out a baking sheet full of fluffy, homemade buttermilk biscuits, tall and golden brown with melt-in-your-mouth flavor.

Everyone scurries to the table where we slit open the biscuits, steam rising from the center of the flaky layers, and slather them with butter, drizzle them with honey, or smear them with strawberry jam.

Well, you might have guessed that my reality strays a long way from my dreams.  I've tried recipes that nearly guarantee success and talked to a master cook at my church who walked me through her techniques, all to no avail.  My mother-in-law pops out perfect biscuits practically in her sleep.  How can taking a few basic ingredients and creating a delectable treat be so difficult for me?

So, I have announced to my family that I have given up on making homemade biscuits.  My attempts, while not terrible, have failed to produce what I want (not to mention that it looks like I lost a battle with a bag of flour when I'm done!)  Baking biscuits has gone the way of making my own pie crusts...another homemaking endeavor that I do not plan to attempt again.  I'll stick to homemade cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins, and hamburger buns.

Thankfully we don't eat biscuits or pies too often.  But from now on, baking biscuits in my kitchen will be preceded by the popping of a can or the snipping open of a bag from the freezer!

Is there anything you've attempted in the kitchen that you won't try again?

Learning Patience

You can learn many things from children.  How much patience you have, for instance.  ~Franklin P Jones

This is a quote with which I can identify!  While I'm not currently battling temper tantrums, potty training, or sleepless nights, my patience is still frequently tested.

As mothers, we are constantly growing and learning right along with our children.  I find that just when I think I have a good handle on a particular stage of childhood, things change.  Perhaps sibling disagreements have diminished, but laziness is on the loose.  When disobedience seems to be under control, whining rears its ugly head.

I have come to realize how little wisdom I have and how much I need to seek it at the throne of God.  When the day has been long, I can say with David in Psalm 62:7, "In God is my salvation and my glory:  the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God."

I also find that discussing issues with my husband gives me a clearer perspective on the situation.  Since I am with our children all day, I tend to focus on the immediate problem, while he can see the bigger picture.

So, yes, motherhood does teach us a thing or two about patience....which helps us become better people - and Christians - in the long run.

Like at First Sight: A Love Story

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I was one of those girls who went to college to get a MRS. degree.

Now don't get me wrong, I was interested in getting an education.  However, I didn't really date in high school, so I was also looking forward to the prospects of college in that area.

"Like" began in the first semester of my freshman year. There was a cute boy from Georgia (with a definite Southern accent) in two of my classes. I liked him right away, knew that I would say yes if he asked me out, but that was it.  I began dating other boys and eventually found out that he had a girlfriend back home.

We became friends and ended up having several classes together in our second semester.  By the time spring arrived on campus, I hadn't found anyone that held my interest.  However, I was beginning to think the friendship that had developed between this particular boy and I could turn into something else.  I could only do so much, and tried to be patient....

Finally, he asked me to go to church with him one night, but I already had plans to go with someone else.  Thankfully, he asked me to go with him the coming weekend instead, and I was able to say "yes."

Would you believe that he was the last guy I ever dated?  Almost two and a half years later, he asked me to marry him, and seven months after that, I married the man whom I not only love, but still like and consider my best friend.

While Valentine's Day seems to be about chocolate and roses and fancy dinners, love is so much more.  This September will mark twenty-five years since I first met the one who accepts me unconditionally, listens to me patiently, and challenges me to be the best I can be.  He has held my hand through the worst of times and rejoiced with me in the best. I am confident that the years ahead will hold more of both and that the love God has given us for each other will bring us safely through.

How about you?  Did your relationship begin with "like" or "love"?

Talk of Them

"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." ~ Deuteronomy 6:7

Often, children are good at asking questions that cause us to dig deeper into our faith in order to answer them. As I attempt to follow the command of the verse above, I am delighted when our children present me with this opportunity.

Recently, our nine-year-old asked me how we know that God is real. As we talked it through that night, here's what I shared with her.

1.  God's Holy Spirit lives within us.  In Romans 8:16, we are told, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."  If we are saved, we have the Holy Spirit of God living in us and moving in our hearts.

2.  Answered prayer.  As we take our requests to God, we can see Him answering our prayers, often in ways that can only be explained as His hand at work.  As parents, it's important that we tell our children when God answers prayer in our own lives.

3.  Faith.  "But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)  As we come to God in faith, earnestly pursuing Him, He will reveal Himself to us.

One of the greatest rewards of parenting is to teach our children about our faith and see them develop a personal relationship with Jesus.

What Bible principles have you talked about with your children?

Saturday Salutes

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This Cupcake Buffet would be perfect for a Valentine's Day party.

If you homeschool, you'll enjoy reading Jamerrill's Reasons Why We Homeschool.

Since organization is near and dear to my heart, I admired Gretchen's freezer organization system.

Those who like the shabby chic look can try making these shabby puffy fabric hearts from Her Southern Charm.

Have a great weekend!

Practical and Pretty

According to my recent survey, many of you are interested in seeing more homemaking tips here on Girls to Grow. I wish I was more adept at homemaking, but since you asked :) I will do my best to share how I try to make our house into a home.

I enjoy finding storage solutions that are pretty and functional.  Since our "office" area is part of the open space that includes our living room and kitchen, it became the perfect place for a few of those items.

Our computer desk has no drawers, so I've had to find other ways to hide paperwork.

This magazine holder keeps file folders, notebooks, and extra printer paper handy.  I slide it into an open shelf at the side of the desk.

This box sits on the floor by our desk and holds files for current year taxes, insurance information, etc.

Both of these were purchased inexpensively at stores like Ross and T.J. Maxx.  They are just small touches, but I like them so much better in the office area than typical filing or storage containers.

Do you have storage in your home that's both practical and pretty? 

It Took a Schedule

If you're like me, you enjoy having a clean house, but don't always embrace the work that it takes to get there!  There are chores - like vacuuming - that I don't mind at all, while others - like cleaning the bathroom - make me look for any possible reason to procrastinate!

I finally recognized my weaknesses (at least those related to house cleaning ;) and found that there were certain tasks that I was always postponing because I dreaded doing them. Then, when I finally got around to the cleaning, it was more difficult since it hadn't been done for awhile. 

I finally created a minimal weekly schedule for attacking my chores and it has been a huge help.

I tackle the main tasks for the day at 8:00 A.M. That is when the girls begin their homeschooling and, since they are pretty good at working independently for the first hour or so, my interruptions are limited. I have found that I enjoy the tasks more if I have the radio or a cd playing while I work. Getting my chores done early in the day gives me a sense of accomplishment and allows me to complete them before other distractions arise. My energy tends to wane by the afternoon, but I still feel good about what I finished in the morning.

You will note that there's nothing assigned on Thursday; that is the day we are out the door by 9:30 A.M. for art class at a homeschool coop, followed by library time and piano lessons. On Saturdays, I oversee the girls' chores as they are responsible for cleaning their bedroom, bathroom, and play/school room.

I realize that others may have obligations that cause them to need more flexibility in this area, but I have found that sticking to this schedule works for me. You may still find dust on my ceiling fans, but if you stop by on Monday at 9:00 A.M., you'll be impressed with how clean the master bathroom is!

Do you have any type of cleaning schedule? How do you motivate yourself to do chores you dislike?

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday hosted by We Are THAT Family.