Mommy Moments

What is a  Mommy Moment, click here

We have been trying to teach Maleeya the importance of sharing.   This week she decided it would be a good idea to share her Twizzler with her little brother….he sure was happy about it (till we took it away)

What is a  Mommy Moment, click here

If you have taken a coupon class from me, you have heard my story about why I started this blog.  To give back, an effort to help my friends and family save money.  And to say thank you to all those who helped us on our long journey of getting our son well after years in and out of the hospital, and 14 heart surgery’s.  It seemed like an easy way to help others, and has reconfirmed something that I have learned over and over throughout my life.  When your heart is in the right place, and you openly give to  others it comes back to bless you in more ways than you can count.

One way be give back is taking donations to Ronald Mcdonald house.  My kids love it, and are so happy to share with other families in need.  This last week we made another trip over, and told my kids that we were helping others, but blessing always come when you give  to others.  Not sure if they understand, but they sure think it is fun to haul in the food, sit on Ronalds lap for a photo.

What most of you do not know is this last week I have been sick.  I have had awful cold,  I totally lost my voice, my nose will not stop running.  I cough so hard I feel like I am going to pass out. I just feel yucky.  Those of you who know me personally know that I am a farm girl…and well I was raised that  you work weather you are sick or not.   Just keep pluggin forward.  I guess I am stubborn but I refuse to ask for help, and even if someone offered I would just tell them I was fine and would be ok.

Well out of the the blue my friend Lisa who is 2 weeks away from having her baby and a busy Mom of 3, dropped off a hot pot of soup for my family.  I was so tired that day, it not only filled my tummy but lifted the burden of the famous question of  ”Mom what is for dinner”.   It was delicious, as my family gobbled it up for dinner I could not help but smile as we talked about the Lord watching over our family. Just days before we  gave to help sick families, now we were receiving the same blessing.

Yesterday my friend Ingard  (who I meet thru the blog) called me to tell me about a field that you could glean potatoes from for free.  Nothing beats a  fresh Idaho potato but I just was not feeling well enough to go work in the field.  Later that day what do I see, a huge box of potatoes and a friendly face.   Once again confirming that when you give back, you can never under estimate the blessing that will come back to you!

What is a  Mommy Moment, click here

When I was little every summer we would can  jams, pears, peaches, tomatoes, green beans, etc.  It was a way to take the  fruit from our trees, produce from our garden and feed our family over the next year.  Even at a very young age I had a job to do, I will admit some days I hated it.  I would much rather be playing, but it was a wonderful skill to learn.  And the older I got the more I enjoyed working along side my Mom and sisters as we canned.

This year my brother was able to get a lot of  peaches for free. We  do service work at a local orchard all season long, thinning, picking. Once their picking season is done and all the fruit left on the tree was free to glean.  He then set up a temporary canning kitchen in the middle of his cabinet shop.

Between my Mom and 6 siblings we have put up over 300 jars of peaches.

It was fun to work along side my Mom, and watch my little ones help…just like I did when I was little.

It hit me, that the jars we were filling, where to same jars my Mom has been using since I was little.  Many of them where given to her by my her own Mother.  I wonder if some day these same jars will be filled by my future grandkids?

Lots of work, but they sure are pretty!

What is a  Mommy Moment, click here

The older I get, the more I appreciate  the values and the perceptive on life my parents taught me.   These things were taught to me in word, but more importantly by example.  I am thrifty today, not because my parents told me to spend wisely but because they taught me by example.

It is a bit overwhelming knowing my actions, words and daily behaviors will be learned and reflected ( goof or bad) by my children.  This week as I listed to my girls play I heard them rambling back and forth as they played house.  One of them said, I am going to the store I need to use my coupons before they expire (which made me laugh). Just then little Maleeya comes up behind me and says ” Mommie, Wook how much me save…. Me A Thrifty Mom”, pulling out a receipt from her little purse, and showing me with a huge smile on her face.  I can only hope they keep the same enthusiasm towards saving as they get older.

When little Matthew was about 3 (almost 6 years ago) we bought him a toy lawn mower.  Ever since then, he proudly cuts the grass with Daddy.  Each week running behind him,  following  everything he does.  He comes in so proud of the work he just did.

It goes the other way as well.  I was trying to get dinner on the table and had kids around my feet.  They were fighting and I was grumpy. I know how I should of handled it, but instead  I pointed my finger and yelled “out of the kitchen, you kids are driving me nuts”.  Not even five minutes later I heard my daughter Mckeely say the same thing to her brother and sister.  Hmmmm I wonder where she learned that from….yip from me.  All in the day of being a Mom…..some days I am a little better example than others.

My Sister passed this along to me and it totally made me laugh, and brought a smile to my face.  So I wanted to share it with you.  I love the minivan shot at the end! Hope you enjoy this  cute remix of the Taylor Swift song.

Anita Renfroe sings : A More Real Love Story

What is a  Mommy Moment, click here

Most days I feel like I am a pretty good Mom.  I am able to keep things in perspective, keep my cool and remember that good or bad most things only last a moment.  I have been asked many times why or how I always take photos of my kids (even when they do naughty things)  I almost ALWAYS have my camera in my pocket, I take photos daily and try to capture  the joy they bring to me within a photo. It also helps me keep my cool, (some people count to 10 so they don’t blow up…I take a photo)  I helps me take a minute to think about things so I do not blow up, and over react.

Like last Sunday, when Matthew decided to hose us all down in our church clothes.  I was so mad I was ready to “pop”,  he was having a blast, laughing and did not even seem to notice that I  was screaming turn the water off at the top of my lungs, while in high heels, a dress and holding the baby. While his little sisters darted around the yard to try and hide from their crazy older brother  splashing mud and water.

Oh I was so mad…. what on earth was he thinking?  Once I got the water turned off, got him in the house, all three kids out of their wet clothes.  He  sat in time out ( which he had a melt down over)  Once he was calm enough to talk, and I sat down with him and asked him WHY on earth he did that?  I could tell me was truly sorry and with a twinkle in his eye said ” Mommy I love the water, it is so much fun”

This was a moment where I have to remind myself ….. He is just a little boy.  He does not thinks about the fact that we are in church clothes, or that we may not want to get wet.  He just thinks it would be fun to play in the sprinkler because he is hot, and he wants to have fun.

7 days ago these photos were not taken with a smile on my face….. I was one upset Mommy.  But after a good talk, time to cool down I am glad I have them.

( plus I learned  I can run sprints in my front yard in high heels, with a baby on one hip, and church bag in hand , take photos, scream loud enough to wake all the neighbors…  get the key in the door before my son soaked me with water)

What is a  Mommy Moment, click here

Both my girls love playing make up with Mommy.  I enjoy it as well, gives me one on one time with them and they are alway so proud of making Mommy pretty (we will let you be the judge, lol)

Maleeya is very serious as she picked out her colors

She normally starts out on my eyes…but then gets a little off track.  But always says, “Mommy you so pretty!”

I have to admit I have answered the door looking just like this before….

Look who else our little Makeup artist got while we were not watching.  At least he is happy about it!