True Treasures- a book review

It was one of those days.  You know the kind.

One of those days that the only way I could have qualified as a good 'keeper of the home' would have been if that meant I was supposed to keepa' you (and anyone else) outta' my home so they wouldn't become witness to the insane chaos and mess.

My children were annoying me.  Yes, annoying.  Couldn't they tell that mama had a lot to do, too much to do, and that I really just needed them to play quietly by themselves?  Couldn't they stop fighting and getting into things?!  "Please boys!" I pleaded.

Why, then, at that moment, did I decide to read the words of Lorrie Flem?  As if softly whispering...

"Slow and steady...."

There is nothing slow about living with little boys and our life is about as steady as a teeter-totter!  (I sternly and almost fiercely respond!)

"One of a mother's busiest seasons of life is when her children are young...."

Well, Amen there!  Finally- she's getting it!

"I often tell mothers of young children to stay home and just try to get the basics done every day..."

Wait!  I have bigger things to do than just the basics!  I'm aspiring and creative- there is more to me than this motherhood gig!  I'm not doing enough if I am just doing the basics!

"Enjoy your children and don't wish away these years.."

But they are so hard!!!  Once my kids are just a little bit older I will like my life better...

"How do you look at taking care of your children's needs... Do you see them as interruptions?"

Well, um... yes! (I roll my eyes)

"They're not."

Wait... what?  (I pause)

"They are some of the most important daily duties as a blessed mother of young children! ...We are training and shaping young lives, and in the process, we are allowing the Lord to shape ours as we yield to Him each day... We are ministering for the Lord as we minister to our family!"

(Chirp, chirp- ya know, the crickets- while I process)

"Some days, being a Godly mother is all we can accomplish- and it is a BIG accomplishment... Eventually the undone jobs will get done, but in the meantime, our children have a mother who truly loves and cares for them by spending her time with them."

Gulp.

I place the scrub brush back in the sink.

I shut the laptop and tuck it away.

I turn the phone to silent.

Then I quietly navigate my way through the mess in the play room to get to the neglected box of legos that they have been asking me to build with them for a week.  I find the boys behind the couch playing with Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

"Do you guys want to build Legos with me?"  I suddenly feel like a sheepish child, asking my own children to play, but in that moment their eyes begin to sparkle as they quickly dart into the living room to play with mama- one of their favorite people in the whole world to play with.  Hmmmm... something to savor, 'cause it won't always be this way.

We sit and build- planes, trucks, sky scrapers- it doesn't really matter because we are together.  I am there, teaching them how to share by example and squelching fights before they reach the ear-piercing levels that normally draw my attention.  We enjoy each other.  No distractions, just us.

My boys quickly obey when it comes time to clean up, because I work alongside them.  They then pick out a few cars and follow me into the kitchen as I finish the dishes and for once don't let it get to me when they race around my legs and over the limited space on our tiny kitchen floor.  Instead, I choose to enjoy their antics, listening to the funny exchanges they have between each other that I too often miss.

I realize that this is what Lorrie was talking about.  Playing with Legos was the most important work I did that day and I enjoyed it.  Mothering the young is life at it's simplest- living in the moment and just doing the next thing.  The rest?  It's just frosting.

____________________________________

This is the kind of goodness, refreshing and encouragement you can find in True Treasures, the new book just released by Eternal Encouragement Magazine (formerly TEACH Magazine).  Overflowing with wisdom and kind prodding towards better things in marriage, parenting, homemaking, homeschooling and your walk with Jesus, this book is truly a treasure that I will open and read again and again.  These words are timeless and inspired!

Visit www.HomemakingWithTeach.com for this and many other great products published by Mrs. Lorrie Flem.  You can also visit TheGabbyMoms.com for more than 50 reviews on True Treasures.  Use the coupon code: GabbyMom, for $4 off your purchase of True Treasures between now and May 31, 2011.  (Only one per customer please)

I received this product as the Head Mama for The Gabby Moms blogging program of Eternal Encouragement Magazine.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.

All quotes from Mrs. Lorrie Flem in the article Slow and Steady, pages 16-17 of True Treasures.

Be sure to visit my sponsor- Marmee's Bread Market- for recipes and everything else you need to easily make fresh baked goods for your family!

My BIg Fat Wonderful News!!!

So, last Friday I was contacted by Lorrie Flem of TEACH Magazine.  As you may remember, I am participating in her 6 month Step Up- Attitude is Everything program right now, and I had emailed to ask her if there was any work I could do for TEACH to work off my membership fee instead of paying through Paypal.  Well, as it just so happened, she had been thinking of me, but couldn't remember my name, and had been wanting to get ahold of me to do just that- work for TEACH! 

Doing what?  Well, TEACH is launching a brand new blogging program and she not only wants me to head it up but design and create the whole thing right along side her!  I am still a little in shock!  The Lord is so good to have worked out this whole thing and put me in a position that just fits me like a glove!

I have been working on the program the last few days, since accepting the position on Sunday, and the more I work on it the more ideas keep popping into my head!  This program is going to be unlike any other blogger program out there and I couldn't be more thrilled to be the Head Mama (as I am being called)!  It is a huge responsibility but it has also been a huge motivator to get out of bed  earlier in the morning and get the rest of my life organized too!

Plus, getting to work directly with Lorrie is a dream!!!  Ever since attending the homeschool conference that I heard her speak at last March (remember when I LIVE blogged about her?) I have dreamed that she would be my mentor someday!  I have already gotten to talk to her on the phone three times and she is such a joy to speak with!  She is just about the best boss in the world- giving me lots of free reign to make decisions and really take ownership of this project!  Can you tell I'm excited?!

Want to get involved?

So, I am sure you will be hearing lots more about this program in the future!  And, if by chance you think it is something that you might be interested in getting involved in then run over to TEACH, see if it is a ministry you think you could get behind, ask me any questions you might have about the program and send me your info (address, blog link, etc...)!  We have approximately 40 spots left to fill, so don't hesitate to spread the word!

Be sure to visit my sponsor- Marmee's Bread Market- for recipes and everything else you need to easily make fresh baked goods for your family!

On the horizon...

I feel like I have had so much rattling around in my head lately and in all honesty have felt a bit scattered and depressed.  You those times where things just don't seem to be going quite as planned and it feels like you have nothing to grasp onto that makes sense or feels solid.  So, I have been trying to get my bearings and figure out what I'm going to do with myself.  I decided...

Step 1- run fiercely sprint to Jesus!  I need Him.  I need His words pouring into my life and I need to be engulfed by His love, His comfort, His forgiveness, His grace, His wisdom and His guidance.

Okay- next.

Let's build on that.  (wait for it...)

We are trying to get pregnant again.  There, I said it.  Some people might not like it, but guess what- it's not your life, it's mine and I don't feel done having children yet.  Am I going to ever turn into Michelle Duggar?  No.  (although I do have a deep-founded respect for her)  But, yes, I do want a bigger family than I currently have and the sooner I can get these tough baby years wrapped up, the better.

So, getting to the point.  In reflection on Lion Cub's demeanor (high-needs, fairly whiny, busy and a little... angry?) and the state I was in during my pregnancy with him (one of relatively high stress), I feel an intense need to live more peacefully.  I need to create an atmosphere of peace and kindness in my home- to my family and myself.

Now, this is a fine line for me.  I have been floundering between the two worlds of "mom's should be completely fulfilled by meeting the needs of their family- by taking care of their families they are taking care of themselves" and "mom's should ultimately put themselves first in order to be there for their families" for the last couple of years.  Honestly- both extremes leave me feeling spent and guilty for the feelings and attitudes they generate in me.  I have been having to reconcile to come to a balance between these two viewpoints and it is not easy.  I am finding though, that I truly do need to maintain my personal identity and take care of myself in order to take care of my family (emotionally, spiritually and physically) and a little bit of time to recharge my batteries and refresh can be a good and even needed thing as well.  However, none of that can come at the cost of my family.  It's all about balance and it isn't easy.

True to form- I have a plan.

Step 2 (spiritual & emotional health)- sign up for Lorrie Flem's Step Up: Attitude is Everything 6 month series.  Check!  This series was just released this week and will run through the end of February.  It is all about transforming your mind and generating the attitudes that God desires It is a total answer to prayer for me and I am so excited to commit to this journey and see the rewards it will bring.

At some friends' prompting I also plan to start attending MOPS next month and possibly another Bible study at the same church.  

Step 3 (physical health)- This may sound crazy, but for about the past 9 months or so I have been trying to gain weight.  I know, I know, what a cross to bare, right?  But in all honesty, it is a burden for me.  My weight drops very low while I am nursing and I have to make a conscious effort to consume enough calories in order to be healthy.  This is of special concern when I am trying to get pregnant (which I am), especially since I was nursing and my weight was fairly low when I had my miscarriage.  So, there's that.

Adding to that, though, I want to get in better shape without burning too many calories.  Of greatest importance is getting my abs stronger to hopefully help support the weight of a pregnancy.  I have scoliosis and pregnancy causes me a fairly great amount of back and rib pain, so I am hoping that this next time around I can alleviate some of that by strengthening my abs.

Step 4 (doing something for me)- One of my dreams is to someday be a published author, and while I see myself most likely writing a work of non-fiction many years down the road about the lessons I have learned in the trenches of motherhood (or as I often refer to them- "the research years"), I would love to have the opportunity to attempt to publish something before then.  I have trouble following through with my ideas, however, and they always end up piddling out.  So, this November I have decided to attempt NaNo WriMo (or the National Novel Writing Month Challenge).  Basically you are supposed to write a 50,000 word novel between November 1-30.  Now obviously this is a very rough first draft but it is an entire novel and quite an accomplishment if you finish!  

My goal between now and then is to come up with an outline and character sketches to work off of and then hit the ground running on November 1.  I was surprised when perusing the site to see how many people have actually gone on to have their novels published, and while I don't anticipate that happening, it is just the kick in the rear I need to get heading in the right direction!  You can be sure (unless God just puts a total kybosh on this plan) that you will be hearing much more about this in the future- especially in November!

Step 5 (improve and rest)- Save up for, arrange for, and actually attend TEACH on the BEACH March 11-13!  This is a mom's retreat (also put on by Lorrie Flem) that is all about rejuvenating and learning how to be a better wife and mom, and I need it!  I have been wanting to go since I first heard Lorrie speak last March and am determined to go to her retreat next spring.  Just knowing that it is on my calendar gives me something hopeful and meaningful to look forward to and I can't wait!  (And hey- I'm looking for some ladies to go with, so let me know if you're interested!)

Step 6 (pursuit)- Sometime within the next 8 months or so I want to take a couple of cake decorating classes at a local cake supply shop.  I am just starting to get back into the decorating arena (I used to decorate cookies professionally) and I would love to add some skills to my decorating repertoire and possibly be able to take a couple cake orders a month to help subsidize our income.  I currently have one tentative order on the books for next month, but since I am just starting out I am basically doing it for free (the cost of supplies and blog comments)!

So yeah.  That's what I'm thinking.  It feels good to see it all written down.  I am holding all of this in prayer and above all want to do what the Lord is leading me to, so I really feel that I need to remain sensitive to His call, but these are the things on my mind.

Do you have any goals right now?

Be sure to visit my sponsor- Marmee's Bread Market- for recipes and everything else you need to easily make fresh baked goods for your family!

More with Lorrie Flem!

As I mentioned in my previous posts about the Inland Northwest Home School Conference, I thoroughly enjoyed Lorrie Flem as a teacher, and I wanted to make sure I shared with you all some more of the things I learned from her other two workshops that I attended, plus Lorrie's goodies that I have been discovering since the conference!

For the first workshop session on Friday night I attended Lorrie's "Dawdling, Diligence, or Distracted" session, and it was very eye-opening!

Guess what folks?

I'm a dawdler!!

With a side of distracted!

Lorrie defined dawdling as the deliberate act of wasting time instead of working.  OOOO- that one stings!  Guilty!!  She went on to describe being distracted as allowing yourself to pay attention to things other than what you are supposed to be doing.  Hmmm.... guilty again!  I think that my days can too easily get overtaken by these two simple little concepts that can slowly, but surely, turn me into one unproductive little mama!

There is hope though!  It's called diligence!  Lorrie aptly referred to Colossians 3:23:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Lorrie went on to make lot's of wonderful suggestions and applications as to how you can use your time more wisely, increase efficiency and help your children overcome these tendencies as well (okay, so I think the workshop was actually mostly aimed at helping your children, but I found it applied more to me!).  For the full benefit, though, I would really encourage you to just hop over to her shop and pick up an MP3 or CD copy for yourself! 

On Saturday I attended Lorrie's session on Encouragement for the Homeschooling Mom, which was about overcoming weariness.  Lorrie made it very clear that our homes should actually be building us up, nourishing, blessing and fulfilling us as we pour our work into them.  That is a new concept for me, because as of late (okay, so actually since about the time I had Lion Cub last June) I have felt more like my home has been sucking the life out of me than nourishing me.  I had everything so together and running smoothly before he was born, and since then I just haven't been able to muster the energy and motivation to make it all work well again.  Sure, we have been surviving and maybe even learning some things along the way, but by no means would I say we have been thriving.  Sadly.  It has been a long battle (mixed with lots of hormones!) but one I am ready to be done with!  After all, our hope is to have a large family- if things are ever going to work well with a larger brood then I had better get our life in order now!

That is where the great part comes in!  Lorrie kindly reminded us all that we have the power to change!  We are not stuck!  We have the ability to get rid of what is weighing us down, and a lot of it relies on just doing what needs to be done (with a good attitude!) and worrying about how you feel about it later!

Wow!  Are you feeling convicted?  I know that I am! 

Lorrie was great about giving some practical suggestions for making days more fruitful, not the least of which was gathering strength from the Lord, each and every day!  Probably the most convicting for me, however, was "Wake Up!"  Erg- most of you know how my Early Bird Challenge for this year has been going (or not going, rather).  I really need to just do it and worry about how I feel about it later (which is usually something along the lines of "Seriously?  Get up now after being woken up every hour by a restless baby last night?!").  I know it will change my days dramatically, though, if I just buckle down and do it!

Once again- there was just so much goodness in Lorrie's workshops that I really think you need to hear them for yourself!  Her shop (TEACHersBookShoppe.com) is stalked full of wonderful books, e-books and audio messages for you (and me) to glean from!  In fact, I was just telling my husband that I think a monthly TEACH allowance to learn all I can from this wonderful lady may very well be called for (he didn't disagree!)!  Which brings me to the next part of my post:

BEYOND the CONFERENCE!

I only spoke to Lorrie for about a minute after her last workshop to inquire about one of her books (she mentioned a book of hers that talks about teaching your toddler to sit still on your lap during church!  I need that!), but I see many similarities between Lorrie and I!  She is an author and speaker (which I aspire to- someday- if the Lord wills!).  She has a large family who she homeschools and disciples in the Lord.  She sees the importance of leaving a written, tangible legacy for her children, their spouses and the generations to come (there is a little hint, hint into the top-secret blog project I have been dangling before you all for months!).  She holds retreats for women at her beach getaway house numerous times throughout the year (something I have always wanted to do- but let's face it, if it ever happens it will probably be minus the beach house part!).  Basically, I see Lorrie as the grown up version of ME- or what I hope and pray to be, anyway!

At the end of the conference I decided to take the plunge and order a year subscription to her magazine, TEACH. I was sure that it would be good, but had no idea just how good until I got home and started pawing through it!  It is filled with goodness!  And I am still just absorbing everything that the Summer 2008 back issue (that I received as a gift with purchase) has to offer, I haven't even gotten to the current issue yet!

I have been amazed as I skim the pages to find how many of TEACH's writers I am already familiar with, such as Marilyn Moll of Urban Homemaker, Cindy Rushton, and Jessie Hawkins of Vintage Remedies!  Such solid women in the Lord who write wonderful articles that are completely pertinent to the homemaking way of life!  Maybe, just maybe, someday I will be at a place where even I could have something to offer in an article for TEACH!  (A girl can dream!)  I am so looking forward to all of the issues to come and can already tell that I will be subscribing many years beyond the one I have already ordered!

Honestly, I think I could go to lunch with Lorrie Flem and talk for hours!  I would probably pick her brain until she was dying for an escape route, but I just think that there is so much to learn from this kindhearted and wise woman who has obviously spent countless hours at the feet of Jesus!  Let me tell you- her speech is seasoned with salt, and it is lovely to be around!

I am dearly hoping to be able to attend one of her Teach on the Beach retreats this year, to do just that! Possibly in the fall if she has one.  Since seeing her impact after just this short home school conference, my husband seems very game to have me go as well! :-)  Of course I would love to attend with some friends, be they online or IRL!  Who's with me?!

By the way, I want to make it very clear that Lorrie Flem has in no way compensated or encouraged me to write these posts!  They are just my honest, heartfelt opinions!  And you can be fairly certain that this is not the last time that you will be hearing about Lorri Flem or the TEACH ministry on this humble little blog!

So.... live blogging...

...didn't really work for me.  I found it to be a distraction and a hassle when I just really wanted to soak up everything from the conference. So, as you may have noticed, I stopped!  I loved the idea of it to begin with, but when it came right down to it I just felt like I didn't have enough time to put up quality, well thought out posts.

With that said, there is still a ton of stuff I want to share with you all about this conference.  I walked away feeling refreshed and re-inspired!  As Lorri Flem said (who actually read my blog last night, by the way!!!  AAAAAH!!  And she commented!!  I feel tremendously honored and humbled!), I am equipped to make the changes that are needed in my home, now I just need to do it! 

So, until I have the chance to sit down and really give you guys the meat of how the Lord impacted me this weekend, and it really was incredible, I want to encourage all of you to go over and check out Lorrie's Teach Magazine.  I am confident that you all will glean as much from her teachings (magazine, books and MP3s/CDs) as I have this weekend!  And hey, the magazine is even on same right now, so why not get a subscription while you're there?!  I did yesterday and am so excited to have such a wonderful resource at my finger tips!

Oh, and by the way, Lorrie is not paying me to say these things!  I was just so clearly spoken to through her workshops this weekend that I really want all of you to have that same opportunity!

More to come hopefully in the next day or so!

LIVE BLOGGING- Remember Why to Revitalize Today w/ Lorrie Flem

For details about this LIVE BLOGGING event (The Inland Northwest Homeschool Conference), see this post!

Remember Why to Revitalize Today

w/ Lorrie Flem 

of Teach Magazine

Wow- what another great session!  Lorrie Flem is such a wonderful picture of Jesus!  Her words are gentle, loving and poignant!  This workshop was mostly about the unexpected rewards of homeschooling- particularly the deep relationships you are able to grow with your children and the way you are able to disciple them on a daily basis.

She strongly emphasized bringing your children alongside you to teach them and not letting a curriculum dominate your homeschool.  The academics are important, but not the main focus of teaching your kids at home.  Lorrie pointed out again and again how Jesus taught.  He said, "follow me."  He wanted his disciples to learn by the way he lived, to learn alongside him, day in and day out.  What a perfect example of how we are to teach our children!

Lorrie emphasized that as a homeschooling mother, my children, my home and my husband are my job.  Much more than that, they are worth my time it takes to bring them alongside me.  Even if it may seem like it is frustrating and time consuming, that longer amount of time is the time it is supposed to take because this is the way the Lord has for me to teach my kids!  What a fresh perspective!  When you reset your mind to think through those lenses it makes the day's tasks seem much more manageable and joyful!

I am really looking forward to the other workshops Lorrie has to offer throughout the conference!

Want to follow more LIVE BLOGGING about the Inland Northwest Homeschool Conference?  Be sure to visit Dawn @ 5 Kids and Dog and Katey @ Crazy Homeschool Mama!

LIVE BLOGGING- Welcome to the Zoo w/Lorrie Flem

 
For details about this LIVE BLOGGING event (The Inland Northwest Homeschool Conference), see this post!

Welcome to the Zoo

multi-level homeschooling made easy

w/ Lorrie Flem 

of Teach Magazine

What a fantastic kick off to the conference- complete with a few comical mix-ups to keep things interesting!  To begin with, there were some problems getting Lorrie’s powerpoint to work, which they eventually did get resolved!  Then she actually began her diligence seminar (which sounds great!), but none the less, the wrong one!  Too funny- what great character she has!  She simply laughed at herself, picked up the right set of notes and began again!  Then, someone turned all the lights off!  Once again, she was incredibly good humored!

All that aside, what a great seminar!  Lorrie covered, from the broad to the specific, ways that you can easily eliminate stress from your homeschooling day while teaching many children at different levels.

The two major things that Lorrie focused on were Obedience and Responsibility, noting that if you have done a thorough job of teaching obedience before the age of 7, then from that age on you can better teach responsibility and a love to obey.  These are the most important ways to teach your children and in turn help yourself!

I had heard something similar before, but Lorrie hit on the four principles that George Washington’s mother taught him to help him obey:

• Completely
• Respectfully
• Immediately
• Joyfully

Aren’t those telling?  I know that isn’t how obedience looks in my house a lot of the time!  What great tools to keep in mind (I feel a craft project coming on... these words need to be displayed prominently in my home!)!

I think one of the biggest things Lorrie said that stuck with me is that often times things we are having to work on in our children are things the Lord is actually working on in us!  How true is that?!!  She said that, possibly, if you are dealing with obedience issues in one of your children, you are actually having trouble obeying the Lord as well.  The same goes for dawdling and a whole host of other issues!

I love Lorrie’s spirit, attitude and fresh perspective and am very much looking forward to the upcoming sessions she is teaching!  Until then...

Want to follow more LIVE BLOGGING about the Inland Northwest Homeschool Conference?  Be sure to visit Dawn @ 5 Kids and Dog and Katey @ Crazy Homeschool Mama!