Walking With Your Husband

May 15, 2013 By Unveiled Wife

My husband and I love to walk side by side and talk about our marriage. Our favorite time of day to go for walks is during the evening when the sun has a warm glow. We seem to go on walks more regularly since our son has been born, and sharing something we have always loved to do with him makes it even better.

Going on a walk with your spouse has the potential to inspire new goals, put you and your husband on the same page and reconcile issues you have been dealing with. Going on walks may spark the conversation to cover topics you may have never talked about before or it can be a time of bonding where talking does not take place at all. You just do.

You just walk side by side, an outward expression of your friendship and love.

Walking with your husband also encourages health and wellness. Walking gets your heart rate up, it burns calories, being in the sunshine will give you vitamin D, and walking has been proven to reduce stress. Walking is good for your body. Walking with your husband will motivate both of you to do it regularly.

I always love how every walk my husband and I take is different… even if it is the same road, with the same turns, and the same view. The weather changes, the colors around us change, the clouds in the sky always paint new pictures, the aroma depends on who in the neighborhood decided to cook and our conversations change. The new experiences we encounter together on our walks encourages and benefits our marriage and I am confident that going on a walk with your husband will bless your marriage too!

Don’t hesitate and don’t delay! Go for a walk with your husband today!

- Jennifer Smith unveiledwife.com

photo credit: @unveiledwife

5 Comments | Filed Under: Marriage/Relationships Tagged With: activities to do with your husband, better marriage, things to do in marriage, walk with husband

About Unveiled Wife

Jennifer married her best friend Aaron in January of 2007. They jumped straight into missions living in three different states and three different countries during their first two years of marriage. Her passion for missions, writing, and marriage led her to create Unveiled Wife, where she blogs about being a wife with every intention to inspire other wives to develop God-centered marriages. Her and her husband are expecting their first child later this year. You can find Jennifer on Twitter and join the Unveiled Wife Community on Facebook.

Reaching Through to the Hearts of Our Children

May 14, 2013 By Lisa Jacobson

More than anything else, it’s what I care about. Their little hearts.

It’s what matters most to me as their mom. Sure, I want them to behave, to learn all they can, and to live meaningful lives. But where are their hearts? That’s what I really want to know.

And what does a mama do to minister in those deeper places?

Lately, I’ve been talking this over with our older children (does the word “child” even apply to a 17 or 19 year-old?) and asking them what touched their hearts when they were younger. What helped them connect when they were struggling, or when we were in a tough season. What’s kept our hearts tied together through it all?

Of course, there’s no formula. No 5-Step Program. It’s a Holy Spirit thing and by the grace of God. Along with a whole lot of love, patience and persistence on the parent’s part.

So then how does a mama go about reaching her child’s heart?

Ask God for wisdom. Okay, I say “ask”, but I’ve been known to literally cry out to Him, desperately seeking His light on a situation. It seems often it’s in the wee hours of the night when He’s revealed the Real Issue underlying a certain behavior or serious concern. At other times He has simply shown what the next step should be. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God (James 1:5a).

Make your child’s heart the highest priority. Above our schedule, activities, and even other ministries. Hearts do not become hardened overnight – this only happens over time – so keep a close watch that they remain tender and open. This also means that we can’t be so busy that we’re unable to see what’s going on, or have the time to do anything about it. Parenting takes TIME. Tons of it. Keep your heart with all diligence (Prov.4:23a).

Listen carefully. Sometimes as parents, we get too caught up in the talking. Lecturing. Teaching. But it’s good to remember that listening says a whole bunch too. Listening says, “I love you and I care.” Even if our child is off-track, this might be the chance to identify where there’s been a mistake (yours or theirs) or just a plain bad attitude. After we’ve heard them out, then we can lovingly correct where necessary. Let every man (or mama) be swift to hear (James 1:19a).

Point them to the truth. As parents, we are to be truth-tellers. We have the responsibility to gently lead them to what is good and right. It’s not about our “rules” or “preferences” or “expectations”, but a matter of grounding their hearts in the truth. Teach them to love God’s Word and to look to the Savior for the answers. Trust in The Lord with all your heart (Prov.3:5a).

Accept that it’s a process. We can easily fall into thinking that how it is now – is how it will always be. Not so! That’s the voice of the Enemy seeking to discourage. She’s having troubles with lying? Maybe today. But not forever. He’s been angry or withdrawn? Maybe today. But not forever. Patiently pursue their hearts and believe that God is the Redeemer He says He is.

After all, He’s redeemed you. And me.

Because as much as we care about our children’s hearts? More than anything else.

Our Heavenly Father cares about them far more.

Amen?

In His grace,

7 Comments | Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: behavior in children, children's hearts, motherhood

About Lisa Jacobson

Lisa is the happily-ever-after wife of Matt Jacobson, literary agent and author, and together they enjoy raising and home-educating their 8 children. She's also rather fond of dark chocolate, French press coffee, and deep friendships (though not necessarily in that order). She encourages women to embrace the rich life of loving relationships and the high calling of being a wife and mother. You can find her sharing her passion for husband, home, and family over at Club31Women and on Facebook

Decorating Your Child’s Room with Disney Paints {Part Three}

May 14, 2013 By Ruth Schwenk

I hope you have followed along for Decorating Your Child’s Room {Part One} and Decorating Your Child’s Room {Part Two}. My daughter Bella is thrilled to FINALLY have her room painted and re-done.

We celebrated and had our own Disney Princess Party with Bella’s friends to reveal her new room! It was so much fun! All of Bella’s friends loved her new room, especially the glitter paint! Of course it didn’t take long until most of the girls had princess dresses on . After filling up with yummy treats, the girls snuggled up for a princess movie.

I have to say that I absolutely LOVE these new paints and specialty finishes from Disney Paints! I have told all of my friends about them because they are fantastic! There are so many great choices in colors and finishes. For Bella’s room we used the color Mike’s Mayhem in the Ultra Durable Paint with the All That Glitters Specialty Finish.

The girls showing their “love” for Bella’s room.

{It was hard to capture the full effect of the glitter wall via photo. (see professional one below )}

The painting process was actually quick and easy (especially when my husband offered to paint a coat ). After applying three coats of the Ultra Durable Paint, we added one coat of the All That Glitters Specialty Finish to one of the walls. The All That Glitters Specialty Finish is so easy to apply and adds so much fun and sparkle to the room! IMPORTANT: If you want a lot of glitter you need to apply thick layers of the All That Glitters Specialty Finish. I didn’t do this at first and had to go back over the glitter wall with a thick second coat.

Here is a little info on the All That Glitters Specialty Finish:

What would a princess’s world be without a little sparkle? This clear topcoat actually contains glitter that, when daylight or room lighting shines on it, gives paint an absolutely amazing effect! The All That Glitters finish can be applied over any paint in any color or sheen to make an entire wall shimmer or just light up a magical accent area. With the All That Glitters finish, you can realize fairytale-worthy bedroom wall ideas in a twinkle!

Pictured below is my princess posing in her new room! She especially loves the glitter. We are already looking forward to trying more finishes.

So now that Bella’s room is finished, I would love to hear from you! Are there any plans for painting in YOUR near future???

Disclaimer: Compensation and products for review were provided by Glidden via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are my own and are not indicative of the opinions of Glidden.

3 Comments | Filed Under: Decorating, Homemaking, Uncategorized

About Ruth Schwenk

Ruth is the wife of a pastor, who is her best friend and the love of her life. She is a blessed homeschooling mother to her four beautiful children, and she eagerly awaits meeting her five others in heaven. She has a passion for following God, leading worship, rescuing orphans, and inspiring others to create a God honoring family.

She thoroughly enjoys warm spring breezes, blooming lilacs, tall skim mochas with whipped cream, root-lifter, eye cream, gel polish, laughing (lots of it), venti iced teas, exclamation points!!, family worship time, and snuggling up to read a good book with her family.

She is the creator of The Better Mom and she tweets at thebettermom.

Helping Your Kids to Be Best Friends & Better Mom Monday’s Link-up!!

May 12, 2013 By Tricia Goyer

I grew up with one brother who was four years younger than me. I clearly remember he had a T-shirt that said, “Trouble Is My Middle Name.” And that’s pretty much how I thought of Ronnie during my growing-up years. He messed up my toys. He pulled my hair. He spit on me. Yuck.

I remember when John and I first started dating. John asked about how my brother and I got along. I told him we didn’t. I told John my brother had been a pest when we were little, and then John looked at me puzzled. “Did you ever invite him to play with you?” Uh, no. Honestly, I’d never thought of that! I was focused on my play, and I wanted him to stay away.

Then, I had my own kids, and one of my goals was for kids to become friends. Great friends.

I homeschooled Cory, Leslie, and Nathan from preschool through high school. They were with each other every day and had no choice but spend “quality time” together. They are grown now, ages 23, 20 and 18, and they are great friends. We enjoy the moments we spend together, and whenever we sit around and chat they share memory after memory of the ups and downs they had together as kids. (Even now I hear about trouble they got into that they hid from me all these years!)

And would you believe we’re starting all over again? Through adoption we have three little ones in our house, ages 5, 3, and 2. I still have the same desire to raise children as best friends, but now I remember how very hard it is to . . . make . . . kids . . . get along. Best friends?! Sometimes I hope we’ll survive through the day.

Yet even as my kids are getting used to their new brothers and sisters, here are some things I’m focusing on:

Set Guidelines. The first thing kids fight over is what’s “fair.” When rules are set and enforced equally for everyone, then kids know there will be no playing favorites. When parents provide the same affection, discipline, and praise to each child, children have a chance to have positive relationships with each other.
Build a sense of “team.” Even from the first day our newly adopted kids joined our family, John and I told them that they were ours forever and were now part of the Goyer team. We encourage team spirit. We tell them we work together as teammates. We play like team members, too. We stick up for each other, and we turn to God to be our coach.
We focus on time together. We limit each child to one extra-curricular activity a year. We focus on family dinners. We have times of independent play, but we also have times when the kids play together with coloring or play dough or blocks. Yes, there will be fighting, but as my kids interact, I get the chance to guide their interactions.
We pray. We pray for wisdom. We pray for our kids’ hearts to be turned to each other. We pray that God will give us wisdom. And when I turn to Him, He is always faithful to do just that.

What about you? How do you help your kids be best friends?

Blessings,

Tricia Goyer, TriciaGoyer.com

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16 Comments | Filed Under: Babies, Boys, Discipling Children, Following God, Girls, Link-ups, Parenting, Teens, Toddlers

About Tricia Goyer

Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-four books including Blue Like Play Dough, The Mommy Memoir, and The Swiss Courier. She won historical novel of the year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and the writer of the year award from Mt. Hermons Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. In 2010 she was selected as one of the top moms to follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are a part of the ministry of FamilyLife. You can join her at www.triciagoyer.com and on twitter.