For instance, my kitchen counter/bar is by far the worst flat surface I have in my house. Look for yourself ~This is a continual problem, which sometimes causes heated discussions in my family. Life, being as busy as it is, tends to hinder me from taking the extra step and put away whatever I have in my hand. As, I still have Bubbaloo, I still put things “up” so the baby can’t get to it. You know, out of sight, out of mind. Well, most of the time, this is the norm.

And because my kiddos are my kiddos, they follow suit. Time for school? Clean off the kitchen table and everything goes to the bar. Time to eat dinner? Clean off the table and everything migrates to the bar. A small toy on the floor, move it to the bar. It’s off of the floor and now it won’t get broken…..the list goes on and on and on….

Let’s look at the above picture….school papers that should be completed (but I’m not sure!), glass cleaner in a spray can, a baby bib (Bubbaloo hasn’t worn a bib in forever!) and the banana hanger thrown in for fun!

Or this one ~ a battery, a water worn reading book, MORE school papers (again, I don’t remember if they are done!), hand lotion, glue stick, coupons, container lid, my decorative candles (they kinda get lost in the mess), a pen, a cassette tape, the baby bib (again), baby doll hat, purple building block,  nightlight and torn envelope….

This is the rest of the bar….the big basket on the end, that is my attempt to help My Main Man keep his stuff contained, it works, most of the time. See the paper laying beside the basket, that would be his. My Scentsy warmer, a note pad and tape.

Now, the crazy thing is, I can clean this kitchen bar off and no lie, within 20 minutes someone puts something up there that doesn’t go there!

So my question to you is, do you have this issue at your house too? Or is it just me? I know that I have conflicting temperaments….”I’ll do it the correct/perfect way when I can find the time” that battles constantly with, “I’ll do it in a minute”, but I MUST know if you have similar goings on at your house.

My honey is on my case about all of the storage bins that are full to over flowing with clothes….so I just added a gigantic lot to eBay for ALL GIRL CLOTHES ~ ALL SEASONS ~ ALL GYMBOREE ~ ALL NEW WITH TAGS

Help me out and take a peek at the listing. If you aren’t ready to replenish your inventory, please pass along the listing so someone else can take a gander at what I have for sale.

You can view the lot via this link: http://tinyurl.com/396amos

Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to help me out….I am swamped and need some help digging my way out from under all of these bins!

Here are a few pictures of the clothes I have available ~

Thank you!

1. See What the Word Says

All uncertainty is removed if God’s Word says something against what you are deciding. Make your decisions based on what GOD wants and you will have peace.

You may be thinking; “God’s Word does not specifically tell me everything I need to know…like should I take that new job.”

Well, maybe not “specifically.” However, as you read and study God’s Word and get to know Him more, you will soon realize that His Word really does have something to say about pretty much anything. His Word is life and it WILL speak to you in all situations…IF you know it and IF you are willing to hear.

God will use His Word to help us see our motives. Are they pure in the decision? Many times, He will reveal any heart issues we have.

So, to answer the previous question; there could be a clear answer to the job issue. What are your motives? Is it more money? Will you be leaving your kids more? Maybe you have a contentment issue? Hmmm…

2. Pray. What is the Holy Spirit saying to You?

This ties in with knowing God’s Word. The Holy Spirit will remind you of Scripture.

Pray! Include God. Ask Him what HE wants you to do in the situation. WAIT for your answer. Do not make the decision until you are certain and have peace. If rushing is involved, perhaps you already have your answer and are not happy with it!

Trust God. His Spirit dwells within you. His sheep hear His voice. He WILL answer you. TRUST that He will. He may make us wait to teach us something. To help us examine our motives and reveal heart issues to HELP us.

3. Seek godly Council

This is more valuable than you may think. You will get different perspectives from those who are not emotionally involved. They may be able to give you insight that you would not have had. It expands your understanding of the circumstances that you are in.

The act of seeking council is an act of humility. Pride will keep you from seeking godly council. Do not think that you know everything.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. – Proverbs 16:18

Also, you need to be VERY careful WHO you seek council from. Have they experienced what you are? Are they spiritually fit and mature in the Lord? They should NOT be emotionally invested. (ex. parents are not good marriage counselors)

4. Your Experiences

Is this a familiar experience? Have you been down this road before? Someone once said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.

If nothing changes nothing changes.

Think about the Israelites going around and around the mountain. If they would have listened to the Lord and STOPPED making the same WRONG choices maybe just maybe the trip would have taken the 11 days it was supposed to take instead of FOURTY years!

5. Pros and Cons

This is an easy one. Simply make two lists. Write down the pros and cons of the decision results. What do you find? More questions? Well, you better wait. Clear answer? Well, maybe you know what to do now?

The point is do not jump into any decision. Take your time. Read the Word. Pray. Seek God. Seek godly council. Look at your past experiences. Be certain before you jump.

Let’s Pray;

Daddy God, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for only wanting the best for me. Thank You for loving me. Lord, I ask that You help me in every aspect of my life. Help me to include You in my decisions. Help me to slow down and seek Your face. Send me people that I can trust to speak in my life. Help me be all that You created me to be. I love You, Daddy. In Jesus Mighty Name.

Copyright Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved
For Further Study and Application
Dig Deeper

Take the time to look over these steps and be ready to apply them in your decision making. Find godly people who will speak honestly into your life. Make a commitment to seek God and LEARN His Word, so you will KNOW what it says in YOUR situations.
Scripture Study

Next, study the Scripture references from this devotional to help you gain a better understanding of the Word. You may also want to search for more!

Here are the reference verses:

* Psalm 19:7-14
* Psalm 15
* Proverbs 15:12, 22
* Proverbs 16:18
* James 1:5-6
* 1 Cor 2:9-10

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

NOTE: You may use this article for reprint ONLY if you DO NOT change the article in ANY way, AND you keep the source and Author’s bio IN TACT with ALL links ACTIVE! You may NOT add “no follow” tags to the links. Period. About the Author: Lara Velez is a Christian wife and homeschooling Mother of two. She is a published writer, web designer (designedbylara.com), and Mom of Faith (momsoffaith.com). She enjoys cooking, writing, scrapbooking, and web design.

Frequently, though, parents stop reading aloud to their children once they can read well on their own. Parents often don’t recognize the value in continuing to read aloud to their children.

However, it’s important to read aloud to older children and teenagers, even once they can read well on their own. Being read to helps older children and teenagers continue to learn and understand language, recognize patterns, and is entertaining.

Build Your Children’s Vocabulary

First of all, reading aloud to older children and teenagers can help improve their vocabulary and writing skills. Choosing to read more advanced books than students would read on their own not only keeps their attention during story time, but it also introduces new vocabulary.

For example, most elementary school children wouldn’t use words such as “scrupulous” and “paltry” in their own writing, but after hearing them used in Pride and Prejudice, they may be willing to try. They’ll also hear and learn more advanced ways to put words and sentences together in their own writing.

Improve Oral Reading Skills

Reading aloud to older children and teenagers can also help improve their own oral reading skills. When you read aloud to older children, read with expression and give the characters unique voices when they speak.

If you’re a woman, it may feel silly to give The Three Musketeers’ D’Artagnan an arrogant male voice, or if you’re a man, equally foolish to give life to Kitty’s exclamations of devotion, but you will certainly keep your listeners’ attention.

Giving each character a unique voice also helps listeners keep track of who is speaking in complex conversations. Most importantly, you will be teaching your children how to use expression in their own reading.

Reading Together Can Become Quality Family Time

If you make story time a regular part of your regular routine, it can become enjoyable family time. When children are older, it’s hard to find time to enjoy being together as a family. Kids are often too busy with homework or their friends to spend time talking to their parents. Story time can become a favorite part of the day that everyone looks forward to.

To keep story time interesting, choose books your listeners will enjoy. If you have a child who is an animal lover, try novels like White Fang, The Call of the Wild, or a book by Farley Mowat. A science fiction lover will enjoy almost anything by Jules Verne.

Story time can also become an opportunity to teach history, discuss issues, and share your values with your children. Children and teenagers can learn about the Civil War in The Red Badge of Courage, racism in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and the French Revolution in The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Celebrate completing a difficult novel by watching the movie or attending the play based on the novel. It may not be the giggles you shared over Green Eggs and Ham, but it’s fun just the same.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Denise Willms is a homeschooling mom of two and owner of an article directory just for moms, WAHM Articles. Submit your best articles for women at WAHM Articles and they’ll be read by hundreds of mothers and home business owners, and could be published in their websites, newsletters and blogs.

You can make meatloaf with ground beef or ground turkey. Ground turkey is a healthier, lowfat alternative to ground beef. Meatloaf is also a great way to use ground meat you pick up on sale.

Several meatloaves can be made at one time. You can freeze them either before or after they are baked. To bake a frozen, uncooked meatloaf, bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 1/2 hours (do not thaw out first). To bake a frozen, cooked meatloaf, bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Cool completely before freezing.

Basic Meatloaf Recipe

1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
3 slices bread
1 large egg
1 c. milk
1/4 c. onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. sage
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 c. catsup OR barbeque sauce OR chili sauce
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix all the ingredients except the catsup together. Spread the meat mixture into an ungreased loaf pan, 9 x 5 x 3-inches or shape into a loaf in an ungreased baking pan. Spoon catsup onto the loaf and bake, uncovered, for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until done. Drain off the excess fat and serve sliced on a heated platter.

Olive Meatloaf

2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 c. chopped onions
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 bacon slices, halved
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. each: basil, oregano and salt
1 can (6 oz.) pitted black olives, drained
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

In large bowl, mix all ingredients except olives, tomato sauce and bacon. Mix in olives, reserving 5 for garnish. In a 9×12-inch baking pan, shape mixture into a 4×12-inch rounded loaf. Pour tomato sauce over loaf. Lay bacon slices across loaf. Bake in 350 degree oven 1 hour and 15 minutes. Garnish with reserved olives.

Turkey Meatloaf

2 lbs. ground turkey
1 env. Lipton onion soup mix
1/4 c. ketchup
1/2 c. bread crumbs
4 oz. mozzarella cheese, grated
1/2 c. ketchup

Mix first 4 ingredients. Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Divide the meat loaf in half. Place half in the pan and put grated mozzarella cheese on top of the mixture. Place the rest of mixture on top of cheese and seal edges. Spread 1/2 cup ketchup over the top. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until done.

Italian Style Meatloaf

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 (6 oz.) hot Italian sausage or spicy bulk sausage
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) Italian style stewed tomatoes
1 c. fresh bread crumbs
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. chopped green pepper
1 egg, beaten

Combine all ingredients; mix well. Place in loaf pan (4 1/2x 8-inch). Bake at 350 degrees 1 hour; drain.

Crock Pot Meatloaf

2 lbs. ground beef
1/2 lb. sausage
2 med. onions, finely chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 c. sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2 c. bread or cracker crumbs
1 1/2 c. milk

Soak bread or cracker crumbs in milk. Mix meat, seasonings, and soaked crumbs thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix sour cream and mushroom soup. Make meat mixture into loaf and pour the sour cream-soup mixture over top. Bake in crock pot 10 to 12 hours on low.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of What’s for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For more recipes, gardening, organizing tips, home decorating, holiday hints, and more, visit Creative Homemaking at www.creativehomemaking.com.

When familiarizing yourself with popular outdoor play structures, you will find that you have a number of different options.  Perhaps, the easiest way to go about seeing what is available is to visit your local retail stores.  Many home improvement stores, toy stores, and department stores should have a fairly large selection of play structures available. In addition to seeing what is available locally, most storefront retail locations will have displays setup. These displays may give you an idea as to what your child’s new toy will look like in your backyard.

While it is nice to view the selection of local play structures, you may also want to examine a number of different online retailers. You may not get to see product displays, but you should be provided with detailed information, including pictures. What is nice about online shopping is that most online retailers have a larger product selection, when compared to most traditional retail stores.

Whether you shop online or at one of your local retail stores, it is likely that you will come across a number of different items that are referred to as play structures. As previously mentioned, most play structures are large in size and are often equipped with more than one activity.  Popular play structures include, but should not limited to, swing sets, playhouses, sandboxes, and tree forts.

Sandboxes are often referred to as outdoor play structures because they are made of durable materials. Popular sandbox styles include ones that are made with plastic or wood.  It is also important to note that sandboxes come in a wide variety of different sizes. This means that if you have a large yard or a small yard, you should be able to find a sandbox that is perfect for your child.

Tree forts are another popular backyard play structure. Unlike many other play structures, tree forts may be hard to find for sale. This is because a large number of them aren’t just big, but enormous.  If you are able to find tree forts for sale, it is likely that only the supplies are for sale. It is rare to find a fully assembled tree fort in most, on and offline, retail stores. If your child would like to have a tree fort, but you are unable to find the supplies for sale or make one yourself, you may want to seek the assistance of a professional contractor.

Tree forts are many children’s dream toy; however, not every child can have one. If you are unable to afford the cost of a tree house or if you do not have any trees in your backyard, you may want to think about purchasing a playhouse. In a way, playhouses are similar to tree forts. The only difference is that playhouses are ground structures.  Playhouses, like most other outdoor structures, come in a wide variety of different styles. Many of these styles are great for boy, girls, or even both.

The above mentioned play structures are ideal for small children; however, if you are looking for a structure that can be used for a long period of time, even as your child grows, you may want to look into swing sets. Swing sets often come equipped with swings, slides, teeter totters, and monkey bars. Metal swing sets are available for a reasonable price.  For a more expensive and dependable structure, wood swing sets are also available.

In addition to tree forts, playhouses, swing sets, and sandboxes, there are also a number of other outside play structures that are available for sale. Whether you purchase one of the ones mentioned above, another, or make your own, your child will likely be pleased with the purchase.  So pleased, that they may never want to play inside again.

One of the many benefits to backyard camping is being close to home.  Despite this closeness, you may want to avoid your home. This will help to make your backyard camping experience seem more lifelike.  To prevent your backyard campout from being interrupted, due to multiple trips inside the house, you are advised to devise a plan. That plan should not only include camping equipment, but toys, snacks, food, and drinks. The best way to develop this plan is to pretend that you aren’t camping in your own backyard. By imagining that you will not have access to your home, you can better develop a camping plan.

When it comes to camping, whether it be backyard camping or not, one of the first things that you need to consider is your sleeping materials.  Many campers use tents, while others use nothing, but a blanket. If you are planning on sleeping in a tent, you will want to make sure that your tent has all of the needed pieces and equipment. It may also be a good idea to setup your tent in advance. This may help to ensure that you can repair your tent or purchase a replacement, if needed.

If you are interested in sleeping under the stars, instead of using a tent, you will want to keep a close eye on the weather. Despite the fact that you will be camping in your own backyard, you will still want to make sure the weather is appropriate for sleeping without a tent.  Regardless of whether or not you are sleeping with a tent, you will need a sleeping bag or blanket.  Additional sleeping equipment may include pillows or an air mattress.  In the event that you do not have these supplies, you can purchase them from most sports stores or department stores.

After you have decided how and where you will sleep, you will then want to prepare for other aspects of your backyard campout. What many campers enjoy about camping is eating outdoors. If you wish, you may also want to incorporate a backyard barbeque into your camping adventure. Simply by moving your cooking grill near your other camping supplies, you should be able to create the illusion of a campground.  The type of food you cook should all depend on your preference and the preference of the other campers. If a backyard cookout is not possible, a pre-made picnic can be used as an alternative.

In addition to a full dinner meal, you may also want to think about having snacks on hand. There are a large number of snacks that are ideal for campers. These snacks may include, dry fruit, chips, pretzels, cookies, and other dry foods. If you are able to start a small fire, don’t forget the most important camping snack, smores. Although it may be easier to keep your food, drinks, and snacks inside your home, you may want to store them in outside ice coolers. This will not only help to keep your food fresh, but it may also reduce the number of camping interruptions.

Finally, depending on the length of your backyard campout, you may want to consider bringing along outdoor toys. These toys may include water guns, water balloons, a kickball, a Frisbee, baseball equipment, or other similar items.  Even if these items do not get used, they are still nice to have on hand.  At times, even in your own backyard, camping can be a little boring. Having a fairly large selection of outdoor activities to choose from will help to ensure that boredom is a thing of camping past.

Grandma’s Apple Cobbler Crumb Pie

Pie Ingredients:

1 unbaked pie crust (9 to 10 inch)
lemon juice
6 cups sliced, peeled apples (I use Gala)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon butter or margarine

Peel, core and slice your apples down and place slices in a large bowl. Sprinkle the slices with a little lemon juice and set aside.

In a large bowl combine the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Pour this sugar mixture over top of the apple slices and gently stir to coat the slices. Spoon the mixture into a 9 or 10 inch unbaked pie crust. Dot the top with some butter or margarine.

Cobbler Crumb Topping Ingredients:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup oatmeal
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup butter or margarine

Combine all of the above ingredients together in a large bowl except for the butter. Once they are combined, cut in the butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Drop mixture on top of the pie filling by the teaspoonful until its completely covered by the topping.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or until the apples are soft and the pie is lightly browned.

Serving Suggestions: You can serve your pie warm or cold. We like to serve ours with vanilla ice cream, vanilla yogurt or with some whipped topping.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Shelly Hill is a mother and grandmother living in South Central Pennsylvania who enjoys cooking and baking for her family and friends. You can visit Shelly online at my.tupperware.com/Ravish30 or her recipe blog at wahmshelly.blogspot.com for additional free recipes.

Well, it is again summer time and Regal Theaters has just announced their summer Free Family Film Festival!

Yep, you read right, FREE MOVIES! Now, don’t get your hopes too high, nothing like Twilight: Eclipse or Karate Kid…these are pretty much kid movies…but again, FREE!!!

Cold a/c, a bit of candy and a drink and you have yourself a pretty cheap babysitter for an hour and a half of your time. You even get to watch a movie on the big screen…and honestly, when was the last time you got to go to the movies? Uh, huh…I thought so, me too…it has been way too long for me too.

So, I will be “convinced” at least once or twice this summer to drive and sit through a FREE movie.

You can find out if this is in your area by clicking here.

Enjoy your time at the movies, on Regal’s dime…gotta love that!

Safe to say, the overwhelming majority of those polled most likely have a fairly good relationship with their mothers. So, why would they think that they are “better” at mothering? One reason is that people form their own ideals, regardless of what others around them believe. While you may be influenced heavily by your familial norms and roll models, you also have a network outside of your family. These people also play a part in how you form your personal belief system. So, in essence, some things that you believe were not, necessarily, believed or taught to you by your mother. The exact opposite may actually be true. Your beliefs may be completely counter to your mother’s.

Another factor in our overall parental skills is how we perceived our parents. If you believed that your mother was “perfect”, then chances are, she may still be perfect in your eyes and you may feel that you will never measure up. This is completely normal. For those people, their mother may be their hero, and her beliefs regarding child-rearing take precedent. For me it was my grandmother, the one that I learned the most from on loving and caring for a family.

Then, there is a group that loves their mother, but may only follow her lead on certain things. Of times, opting for a “best practices” approach. They may not consider themselves “better”, and would not even consider the competitiveness involved with making that type of classification.

There are many reasons why some may feel that they are better. Many have had better educational opportunities than their mother. Many have been afforded advantages that their mother could only have dreamed about at their age. Some just believe that their mother could never be as “cool” as they are or as they feel they are perceived by their children. They may feel that they “understand” children better. There may be some truth to that; however, your mother may not have wanted to have that type of “friendly” relationship with you. Maybe she just wanted to be your mother, and not your friend.

Who is to really say who is better? At the end of the day, those who think that they are better should absolutely think about this…You could not have been better if you never existed. Love your mother. For better or for worse, that wonderful woman helped to make you who you are today. With Mothers day coming upon us, remember the mothers and women that have influence you in your life and honor them for their efforts and love in trying to be the best they could be in your life.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Mardie Caldwell, C.O.A.P. is a Certified Open Adoption Practitioner, an award winning author of 2 adoption books Adopting Online and Adoption: Your Step-by-Step Guide. Mardie is also the talk show host of Let’s Talk Adoption.com with Mardie Caldwell and the founder of Lifetime Adoption in 1986. She travels and speaks nationwide on adoption topics, family topics, infertility and writing. She has been quoted in and consulted for Parenting and Adoption magazines and has appeared on CNN, CBS, ABC, BBC, NBC, and Fox. Featured in Parade Magazine, Caldwell is an adoptive mother living in Northern California.