Habits for a Happy Mom » Habits for a Happy Home

Happy Mom Basket Giveaway

Mar 182013

As moms, it’s always nice to find encouragement. Our group of writers here at Habits for a Happy Home are offering that to you, dear readers! We gathered a basket of items we feel will make a happy mom. And we are giving it away! Be sure to enter to win via the rafflecopter widget at the end of this post.

What is included in our Happy Mom Basket?

Song of the Meadowlark ebook by Sherri Wilson Johnson – When trusting others only leads to pain and rejection, and loving ends only in loss, what will it take to restore hope again? Plunge into this South Georgia pure romance with a twist of mystery. (Download a full description pdf here) http://sherriwilsonjohnson.com

Southern Hodgepodge cookbook bundle (3 eCookbooks): Sunday Savings, Slow Cooker Batch Cooking and Southern Celebrations. To make it easy to feed your family!

$15 Amazon gift card

Starbucks Sumatra coffee 2.5 oz pack

Mary Kay hand cream… Fits into your purse for soft, smooth hands anytime!

Exclusive Inspiration Case in black floral brushstrokes from thirty-one gifts. (Without personalization).

To encourage you – our favorite verses for Happy Moms!

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Amy
“ONE THING” have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4 ~ Angie
Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Beth
Phil 4:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ~ Heidi
Psalm 31:19 How great is your goodness which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. ~ Kendra
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. ~ Kerri
Matt. 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ~ Kim A.
Isaiah 30:18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion ~ Kim W.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 ~ Tricia

Special discount code for Habits for a Happy Home readers!

Use discount code HabitsHappyHome for $1 off the Southern Hodgepodge cookbook bundle – making the cost just $3.99 for all three cookbooks! Code good through 4/30/2013.

Now for the basket giveaway!

One reader will win the contents of the basket pictured above. (Basket not included). Amazon gift card, Mary Kay hand cream, Starbuck’s coffee and 31 bag will be mailed to the winner. All ebooks will be delivered via email to the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We appreciate you, dear readers!

Be sure to click over and enter to win each of the baskets above from iHomeschool Network bloggers!

(1) Mad Scientist Basket from Milk and Cookies
(2)†”See the Light” Easter Art Basket from Classic Housewife
(3)†Tea Time Basket from See Jamie Blog
(4)†Butterfly Basket from Spell Outloud
(5)†Family Movie Night Basket from Jennifer A. Janes

(6) Pamper the Homeschool Mom Basket from Granola Mom 4 God
(7) Freezer Cooking Basket from Motherhood on a Dime
(8) Hodgepodge Basket from Hodgepodge
(9) Healthy Living and Fitness Basket from Forever, For Always, No Matter What
(10) Making Writing Fun Basket from This Reading Mama

(11) Coffee: Fuel for Homeschooling Moms Basket from Homeschoolin’ Mama
(12) Mom’s Quiet Time Basket from Upside Down Homeschooling
(13) Missionary Basket from Our Journey Westward
(14) Happy Mom Basket from Habits for a Happy Home
(15) Crafty Goodness Basket from Mamas Learning Corner

(16) Rejuvenate the Mom Basket from Spoonful of Imagination
(17) Beginner’s Math Manipulatives Basket from Meet Penny
(18) Welcome Spring: Gardening Basket from Abundant Life
(19) Healthy Living Basket from The Encouraging Home
(20) Mom’s Pampering Basket from Teaching Mama

(21) Kid’s Gardening Basket from Momma Hopper
(22) The Gift of Parenting Basket from Teachers of Good Things
(23) Preschool Crafts Basket from It’s Gravy, Baby!
(24) All the Extras – Electives and Enrichment Basket from Curriculum Choice
(25) Homeschool Mom Basket Case Basket from Classic Housewife

Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett: Your Passport to Learning Adventures!

Fruit of the Spirit Jar: When it’s time to mix things up a bit

Habits for a Happy Mom, Habits for Happy Kids, Habits for life, Heavenly Habits 2 Responses »

Mar 142013

You know how sometimes you just need to mix things up a bit. You might need to do something new or it might be something you just haven’t done in a long time. The point is it’s something different from what you’re doing at that very moment. Well, a couple of weeks ago I was at that point. That point of knowing something needed to change. The change needed to effect the good or bad consequences I may or may not be handing out depending on my boys behavior or attitude. I knew I needed to be more intentional with my boys about pointing out their good choices, you know those times they were submitting to the spirit. I also knew I needed to mix things up a bit what it came time to decide on what to do for their not-so-good choices.

So one day I remembered the jar I used to keep out on the counter full of what we called fruit tickets. The fruit ticket was a strip of card stock that I had printed a row of different kinds of fruit. These tickets represented variety that represented the Fruit of the Spirit.

Gal. 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

I can not remember where in the world I got the idea or how in the world I came up with the idea of the Fruit of the Spirit jar. The idea though is to be an ‘intentional’ parent. One of the ways I am intentional is to put the jar in a place I am sure to see it, so I will be reminded to actually follow through with my plan. Not every time but sometimes when they bear fruit I will hand them a fruit ticket.

For example: offering forgiveness, using self-control when they choice not to hit their brother because they were really mad, obeying with a good attitude, helping without being asked, etc.. When I give them the ticket I will explain to them why they are getting it, maybe even what specific fruit they were showing. I make sure to thank them for their choice in bearing some fruit. Not every time but every so often, I also remind them that when they choose to bear fruit it is not by their power but it is by the grace of GOD through the power of the Holy Spirit that they can bear fruit.

Every couple of weeks I will collect the tickets. Each ticket is worth so many points, and I add these to the points they earn on their ”My Job Chart“. The point system doesn’t need to be included for this to work. I just do it so at a later date there is another opportunity for me to be intentional and to ”bless’ them for bearing some fruit!!

In case you wondered, my boys were very happy to see this jar back and to receive their first fruit ticket in a long time!! In a later post I will talk about the two other jars I have sitting in my kitchen window above the sink.

~Written by Angie

Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett: Your Passport to Learning Adventures!

The Best Laid Plans

Habits for a Happy Mom, Homeschool Habits 2 Responses »

Mar 072013

In the classic Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie, two migrant farm workers, dream of “living off the fat of the land”. They dream of buying a farm of their own, living off the land’s resources, and being completely self-sufficient. George doesn’t want to take orders from anyone ever again. He is smart and capable.

Lennie’s big dream is to own rabbits. A large and clumsy man, he is a bit mentally challenged and doesn’t know his own strength. His inability to control his strength and his reaction to fear causes great trouble for the pair.

In the end, the plans George has for their future do not turn out like he desires because Lennie isn’t capable of sticking to the them. Because of Lennie’s mistakes, his (Lennie) life ends and he does not get to be a part of their big dream.

Although our homeschools hopefully will not end in tragedy like Of Mice and Men, they often mimic the line from To a Mouse by Robert Burns, from where the book gets its title, which states:

“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men

Gang aft agley.”

(The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry).

By my calculations, there’s about sixty days left in this homeschooling year. You’re almost at Spring Break time and then the end of May will be here before you know it. One more year of homeschooling under your belt. Ahhh, such a feeling of satisfaction. Right?

For some of you, this may not be the time of year that you feel satisfaction. In fact, you may be panicking because you’re only a little over halfway done with your curriculum. Your 180-day plan has somehow fallen by the wayside.

Job 17:11-12 – My days have passed, my plans are shattered. Yet the desires of my heart turn night into day; in the face of the darkness light is near.

Why do plans go awry?

Usually plans go awry because we get distracted. This may be by things beyond our control or things that we simply allow to take precedence in our lives.

While it is important to make a plan and try to stick with it so you can reach your goal and enjoy a leisurely summer break, it’s equally as important (and emotionally healthy) to be flexible.

If you’ve got sixty days left this year but you’ve got ninety days of schoolwork, this would be the time to readjust the plan. Scrap what isn’t working. Tighten the belt where it needs to be tightened. Dig deep into your books and see what can be condensed a little. It’s also the time to admit that some subjects may need to be worked on over the summer.

Plans, like those of an architect, are not set in stone. They are written on paper or entered into a computer program. So the good news is: plans can be adapted to fit where you are right now.

Psalm 20:4 — May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

The most vital thing to remember this time of year is that you are not a failure as a homeschooling parent. Resist the urge to compare yourself to other moms. Take just a little bit of time to sip a nice hot cup of something delicious and mull over your planner. I bet you’ll be amazed at how you can adjust things and keep your plans from going awry!

Sherri Wilson Johnson is an Inspirational Romance novelist, a speaker, social media junkie, and a former homeschooling mom who loves to share God with others, while sharing her life experiences with them. She is a member of the ACFW and a graduate from the Christian Writers Guild writing course. She lives in Georgia with her husband and two children. She loves to dream of romantic places and romance in general–good, clean romance, that is. She is passionate about purity and sexual integrity. Sherri is the author of To Dance Once More (OakTara) and Song of the Meadowlark (OakTara). She is polishing her novels To Laugh Once More and After the Raging Storm.

http://sherriwilsonjohnson.com/

Photo credits: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1091624, http://www.sxc.hu/photo/967756,

Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett: Your Passport to Learning Adventures!

Little Moments

Habits for a Happy Mom, Habits for life 4 Responses »

Feb 072013

We all have them. . .little, insignificant moments that make up our days. They follow one after the other, and they are easy to forget if we don’t find a way to hold onto them. I have learned that photos are one way to keep our memories forever. I discovered as a young adult that my parents were right all along. . .you can buy that sweatshirt when you’re at the Grand Canyon if you’d like, but the photos of the memories you’ve made are what you’re actually going to keep for a lifetime and beyond.

Many of us are good at snapping those pictures when we’re on a family vacation or at a ball game, but how many of us remember to capture the small memories that are growing in our homes every day? Yes, we’ll want the memories of that big vacation we saved for forever, it seemed; but someday, our children will also want to remember what the kitchen looked like, what toys they played with the most, and what they baked with Mommy.

Now, I don’t expect you to become paparazzi for your family {although, I have been accused of that at times }, but what a treasure we can leave behind for our children by taking time to document our every day lives. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Don’t feel like you need to get every picture perfectly posed with everyone saying “cheese” at the same time. Capture your children doing what they do best, playing!! Of course, you will get some silly faces, too; but, seriously, silly faces can be just as cute as a smile!

Photograph your children at the places you like to go. . .your favorite park. . .

Don’t forget the details! You’ll want to remember those chubby hands someday.

Take your camera along on a simple walk, you might just find some of your favorites come from that. . .

Boys and dirt. . .it might be a mess to clean up now, but some day you’ll miss those dirty little toes. . .

What are their favorite activities?

Take a moment to photograph it from all different angles. . . even if you really should be making lunch.

You’ll be glad you did, later.

Pajama days are worthy of memories, too! Try photographing them at their level. . .yes, you may actually need to lay on the floor with them to do this

Try photographing them from above. . .

Photograph them from below their eye level, and you’ll find a whole different perspective.

Most of all, enjoy it!! You don’t want picture-taking to become a drudgery; so know when to stop and actually spend some time playing with them. . .not every single second of every single memory needs to be in a photo album.

~ Written by Amy @ JerAmy

We invite you to subscribe so you won’t miss any Habits for a Happy Home.

Hearts and Trees: Art, Handicrafts and Nature Study for your Homeschool

“And The Fruit of the Spirit is…”

Habits for a Happy Mom, Habits for a Happy Wife, Habits for life, Heavenly Habits 1 Response »

Feb 052013

Much of what I share today is from a study in my Women’s Study Bible. It blessed me so much, I wanted to share it with you! In Galatians chapter 5, Paul is writing about walking in the Spirit. Verse 16 tells us that when we “walk in the Spirit, we shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Then in verses 19-21 he tells us what the works of the flesh are and that if we walk in them we will not inherit the kingdom of God. Note he says, “if we walk in them.” Everyone messes up from time to time, but Paul is talking about a lifestyle of walking in the flesh.

In verses 22-24 Paul tells us what the fruit of the Spirit is. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace , longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Some of you may be wondering what the “fruit of the Spirit” is. The fruit is the Godly attributes of those who “walk in the Spirit.” As the Holy Spirit works in a believer, he or she becomes more and more like Christ in character and actions. Every believer can manifest the fruit of the Spirit, not just the spiritually mature.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit affects the life of a believer in three distinct ways. It affects the believer’s relationship with God, others, and self. As our relationship with the Lord deepens, we begin to develop unselfish love. A love that puts the needs of others before our own. True joy comes as we realize how much Jesus loves us and all the wonderful things He has done for us and desires to give us. We experience lasting peace as we take our eyes off our problems and focus on Jesus. As we begin to build relationships with others, there is the constant challenge to reflect the love of Jesus through patience, kindness and goodness. It is not easy, but as the Holy Spirit manifests Himself through us, we can do it. And lastly, as we mature spiritually we discover an inner strength. This inner strength results in a life characterized by faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is not necessary for salvation, but these godly virtues are evidence of salvation and the change that has taken place in us. The life of Christ is manifested in us by the fruit of the Spirit and the ministry of Christ is accomplished by the gifts of the Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit will never operate as effectively in us as God wants them to until we are manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. As the Spirit works through us not only do we receive the blessings of God, but we also reflect His character to all whom we encounter.

So the questions we need to ask ourselves today are: What fruit are we bearing? Are we walking in the Spirit or are we fulfilling the lust of the flesh? God has provided the Holy Spirit to enable us to reflect His character, so let’s start walking!

~ Written by Beth, “My husband of 46 years and I recently retired from full time ministry and we are looking forward to discovering what God has in store for the next part of our journey. I am a very proud mother and grandmother and I love to encourage others through the word and my life experiences. My life verse is Psalm 118:24 – This is the day that the Lord has made; I choose to rejoice and be glad in it.”

Hearts and Trees: Art, Handicrafts and Nature Study for your Homeschool

Older Entries Newer Entries