ISSUE 15 MAY 2013
“I never knew how much my heart could hold until someone
called me mummy”
-Anonymous
10 Things I Learned When I Stopped Yelling At My Kids
Someone asked me this past weekend, “So, what were your findings from not yelling for a year? Did you learn anything?” Huh. Pretty good question. And it got me thinking, “Well, what did I learn?” I’ll tell you this; I learned a lot, a lot more than I can possible fit in a blog post! So I share with you the top 10 things that I learned from my Orange Rhino Challenge where I promised to not yell at my 4 boys for 365 days straight.
1. Yelling isn’t the only thing I haven’t done in a year (399 days to be exact!)
I also haven’t gone to bed with a gut-wrenching pit in my stomach because I felt like the worst mom ever. I haven’t bawled to my husband that I yelled again and again. And I haven’t heard my sons scream, “You’re the meanest, worstest, mommy in the whole world, I don’t love you anymore!” Yep, I learned real quickly that there are upsides to not yelling!
I also haven’t gone to bed with a gut-wrenching pit in my stomach because I felt like the worst mom ever. I haven’t bawled to my husband that I yelled again and again. And I haven’t heard my sons scream, “You’re the meanest, worstest, mommy in the whole world, I don’t love you anymore!” Yep, I learned real quickly that there are upsides to not yelling!
2. My kids are my most important audience.
When I had my “no more yelling epiphany,” I realized that I don’t yell in the presence of others because I want them to believe I am a loving and patient mom. The truth is, I already was that way…but rarely when I was alone, just always when I was in public with an audience to judge me. This is so backwards! I always have an audience – my four boys are always watching me and THEY are the audience that matters most; they are the ones I want to show just how loving, patient and “yell-free” I can be. I want my boys to judge me and proclaim, “My mommy is the bestest mommy ever!” I remember this whenever I am home and thinking I can’t keep it together; obviously I can…I do it out and about all theing “badly.” I also quickly realized that acknowledging my personal triggers by saying out loud: “Orange Rhino, you have wicked PMS and need chocolate, you aren’t mad at the kids, don’t yell” works really well to keep yells at bay.
3. Kids are just kids; and not just kids, but people too.
Like me, my kids have good days and bad days. Some days they are pleasant and sweet and listen really well; other days they are grumpy and difficult. By the way, I am always sweet and never difficult. Always. Ha! And like all kids, my boys are loud at times, they refuse to put their shoes on, and they color on the wall, especially if it is covered in brand new wallpaper that mommy loves. So, yeah, I need to watch my expectations and remember that my boys are kids: they are still learning, still growing, and still figuring out how to handle waking up on the wrong side of the bed. When they “make mistakes” I need to remember that not only does yelling not help, but like me, they don’t like to be yelled at!
4. I can’t always control my kids’ actions, but I can always control my reaction.
I can try my hardest to follow all the parenting tricks of the trade for well-disciplined children, but since my kids are just kids, they sometimes won’t do what I want. I can decide if I want to scream “Pick up your Legos! ” when they don’t listen or if I want to walk away for a second, regain composure by doing some jumping jacks, and then return with a new approach. P.S. Walking away and taking a breather can actually get the Legos picked up faster than yelling.
5. Yelling doesn’t work.
There were numerous times when I wanted to quit my Orange Rhino Challenge, when I thought yelling would just be easier than finding deep breaths and creative alternatives to yelling. But I knew better. Early on, I learned that yelling simply doesn’t work, that it just makes things spiral out of control and it makes it hard for my boys to hear what I want them to learn. How can they clearly here me “say” “Hurry up, get your backpacks, your shoes, your jackets, don’t touch each other, go faster, you an do it yourself!” when it’s all a garbled, loud mix of intimidating orders that are making them cry?
6. Incredible moments can happen when you don’t yell.
One night I heard footsteps coming downstairs well after bedtime. Although infuriated that my “me-time” was interrupted, I remained calm and returned said child to bed. As I tucked him in he said “Mommy, will you love me if I go to heaven first, because if you go first, I will still love you. In fact, I will always love you.” Tears still come to my eyes just writing that. I can guarantee if I had yelled “GET BACK IN BED!” we never would have had that sweet, very important conversation.
7. Not yelling is challenging, but it can be done!
I am not going to say not yelling is “easy peasy,” but getting creative with alternatives certainly made it easier and more doable. And after yelling into the toilet, beating my chest like a gorilla, singing Lalala, Lalala it’s Elmo’s world, and using orange napkins at mealtime as a reminder of my promise, it certainly got a heck of a lot easier. Sure, I feel silly at times doing these things, but they keep me from losing it. So do my new favorite words: “at least.” These two small words give me great perspective and remind me to chill out. I use them readily in any annoying but not yell worthy kid situation. “He just dropped an entire jug of milk on the floor…at least it wasn’t glass and at least he was trying to help!”
8. Often times, I am the problem, not my kids.
The break-up line, “It’s not you, it’s me” rings uncomfortably true when learning not to yell. I quickly realized that oftentimes I wanted to yell because I had a fight with my husband, I was overwhelmed by my to-do list, I was tired or it was that time of the month, not because the kids were behaving “badly.” I also quickly realized that acknowledging my personal triggers by saying out loud: “Orange Rhino, you have wicked PMS and need chocolate, you aren’t mad at the kids, don’t yell” works really well to keep yells at bay.
9. Taking care of me helps me to not yell.
I was always great at taking care of others; I was not, however, always good at taking care of myself until now. Once I realized that personal triggers like feeling overweight, feeling disconnected from friends, and feeling exhausted set me up to yell, I started taking care of me. I started going to bed earlier, prioritizing exercise, trying to call one friend a day and most importantly, I started telling myself it’s okay to not be perfect. Taking care of me not only helps me not yell, but it also makes me happier, more relaxed, and more loving. Ah, the benefits of not yelling extend far beyond parenting! There is no doubt that I am in a better parenting AND personal place now that I don’t yell. Just to name a few unexpected benefits of not yelling: I do more random acts of kindness, I handle stressful situations more gracefully, and I communicate more lovingly with my husband.
10. Not yelling feels awesome.
Now that I have stopped yelling, not only do I feel happier and calmer, I also feel lighter. I go to bed guilt-free (except for the extra cookie I ate that day, oops) and wake-up more confident that I can parent with greater understanding of my kids, my needs, and how to be more loving and patient. And I am pretty sure my kids feel happier and calmer too. I know everyone wants to read, “I stopped yelling and not only do I feel great, but also my kids are now calmer AND perfectly behaved.“ Well, they aren’t. They are still kids. But, yes tantrums are shorter and some are completely avoided. Now that I am calmer, I can think more rationally to resolve potential problems before meltdown mania. But forget perfectly behaved kids for a second. My kids are most definitely more loving towards me, and now tell me quite often “I love you Orange Rhino mommy!” and that feels more than awesome, it feels phenomenal.
When I had my “no more yelling epiphany,” I realized that I don’t yell in the presence of others because I want them to believe I am a loving and patient mom. The truth is, I already was that way…but rarely when I was alone, just always when I was in public with an audience to judge me. This is so backwards! I always have an audience – my four boys are always watching me and THEY are the audience that matters most; they are the ones I want to show just how loving, patient and “yell-free” I can be. I want my boys to judge me and proclaim, “My mommy is the bestest mommy ever!” I remember this whenever I am home and thinking I can’t keep it together; obviously I can…I do it out and about all theing “badly.” I also quickly realized that acknowledging my personal triggers by saying out loud: “Orange Rhino, you have wicked PMS and need chocolate, you aren’t mad at the kids, don’t yell” works really well to keep yells at bay.
3. Kids are just kids; and not just kids, but people too.
Like me, my kids have good days and bad days. Some days they are pleasant and sweet and listen really well; other days they are grumpy and difficult. By the way, I am always sweet and never difficult. Always. Ha! And like all kids, my boys are loud at times, they refuse to put their shoes on, and they color on the wall, especially if it is covered in brand new wallpaper that mommy loves. So, yeah, I need to watch my expectations and remember that my boys are kids: they are still learning, still growing, and still figuring out how to handle waking up on the wrong side of the bed. When they “make mistakes” I need to remember that not only does yelling not help, but like me, they don’t like to be yelled at!
4. I can’t always control my kids’ actions, but I can always control my reaction.
I can try my hardest to follow all the parenting tricks of the trade for well-disciplined children, but since my kids are just kids, they sometimes won’t do what I want. I can decide if I want to scream “Pick up your Legos! ” when they don’t listen or if I want to walk away for a second, regain composure by doing some jumping jacks, and then return with a new approach. P.S. Walking away and taking a breather can actually get the Legos picked up faster than yelling.
5. Yelling doesn’t work.
There were numerous times when I wanted to quit my Orange Rhino Challenge, when I thought yelling would just be easier than finding deep breaths and creative alternatives to yelling. But I knew better. Early on, I learned that yelling simply doesn’t work, that it just makes things spiral out of control and it makes it hard for my boys to hear what I want them to learn. How can they clearly here me “say” “Hurry up, get your backpacks, your shoes, your jackets, don’t touch each other, go faster, you an do it yourself!” when it’s all a garbled, loud mix of intimidating orders that are making them cry?
6. Incredible moments can happen when you don’t yell.
One night I heard footsteps coming downstairs well after bedtime. Although infuriated that my “me-time” was interrupted, I remained calm and returned said child to bed. As I tucked him in he said “Mommy, will you love me if I go to heaven first, because if you go first, I will still love you. In fact, I will always love you.” Tears still come to my eyes just writing that. I can guarantee if I had yelled “GET BACK IN BED!” we never would have had that sweet, very important conversation.
7. Not yelling is challenging, but it can be done!
I am not going to say not yelling is “easy peasy,” but getting creative with alternatives certainly made it easier and more doable. And after yelling into the toilet, beating my chest like a gorilla, singing Lalala, Lalala it’s Elmo’s world, and using orange napkins at mealtime as a reminder of my promise, it certainly got a heck of a lot easier. Sure, I feel silly at times doing these things, but they keep me from losing it. So do my new favorite words: “at least.” These two small words give me great perspective and remind me to chill out. I use them readily in any annoying but not yell worthy kid situation. “He just dropped an entire jug of milk on the floor…at least it wasn’t glass and at least he was trying to help!”
8. Often times, I am the problem, not my kids.
The break-up line, “It’s not you, it’s me” rings uncomfortably true when learning not to yell. I quickly realized that oftentimes I wanted to yell because I had a fight with my husband, I was overwhelmed by my to-do list, I was tired or it was that time of the month, not because the kids were behaving “badly.” I also quickly realized that acknowledging my personal triggers by saying out loud: “Orange Rhino, you have wicked PMS and need chocolate, you aren’t mad at the kids, don’t yell” works really well to keep yells at bay.
9. Taking care of me helps me to not yell.
I was always great at taking care of others; I was not, however, always good at taking care of myself until now. Once I realized that personal triggers like feeling overweight, feeling disconnected from friends, and feeling exhausted set me up to yell, I started taking care of me. I started going to bed earlier, prioritizing exercise, trying to call one friend a day and most importantly, I started telling myself it’s okay to not be perfect. Taking care of me not only helps me not yell, but it also makes me happier, more relaxed, and more loving. Ah, the benefits of not yelling extend far beyond parenting! There is no doubt that I am in a better parenting AND personal place now that I don’t yell. Just to name a few unexpected benefits of not yelling: I do more random acts of kindness, I handle stressful situations more gracefully, and I communicate more lovingly with my husband.
10. Not yelling feels awesome.
Now that I have stopped yelling, not only do I feel happier and calmer, I also feel lighter. I go to bed guilt-free (except for the extra cookie I ate that day, oops) and wake-up more confident that I can parent with greater understanding of my kids, my needs, and how to be more loving and patient. And I am pretty sure my kids feel happier and calmer too. I know everyone wants to read, “I stopped yelling and not only do I feel great, but also my kids are now calmer AND perfectly behaved.“ Well, they aren’t. They are still kids. But, yes tantrums are shorter and some are completely avoided. Now that I am calmer, I can think more rationally to resolve potential problems before meltdown mania. But forget perfectly behaved kids for a second. My kids are most definitely more loving towards me, and now tell me quite often “I love you Orange Rhino mommy!” and that feels more than awesome, it feels phenomenal.
ISSUE 14 APRIL 2013
ISSUE 13 MARCH 2013
ISSUE 12 FEBRUARY 2013
A Mom's Version of 1 Corinthians 13
by Sandra from Love Abounds at Home
"Grace and mercy is not your friend today!"
Those are the words I shouted this morning as the hustle and bustle started. Then I remembered that in everything I do, even in being a mother, I have to do it in love.
"And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place,
but have not love, I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,
but have not love, my children learn cleanliness, not godliness.
If I scream at my children for every infraction,
and fault them for every mess they make,
but have not love, my children become people-pleasers, not obedient children.
Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present "mommy",
the taxi-driver to every childhood event,
the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.
Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child,
then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.
Now I glory in God's perfection of my children.
All the projections I had for my house and my children have faded away into insignificance,
And what remain are the memories of my kids.
By JIM FOWLER
Try out this Cleaning calendar for a month- great for a mum with young kids, and see how you go, if this doesn’t work there are many more to try on Pinterest. If you find that you have too much on your plate or need more attention on your kids, by all means take a break that day....
"And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
but have not love, I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.
but have not love, my children learn cleanliness, not godliness.
and fault them for every mess they make,
but have not love, my children become people-pleasers, not obedient children.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
the taxi-driver to every childhood event,
the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.
then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
Now I glory in God's perfection of my children.
And what remain are the memories of my kids.
By JIM FOWLER
Try out this Cleaning calendar for a month- great for a mum with young kids, and see how you go, if this doesn’t work there are many more to try on Pinterest. If you find that you have too much on your plate or need more attention on your kids, by all means take a break that day....
"If you spend your day striving for a home that looks devoid of family life, you will quickly find yourself......devoid of family life"
Don’t forget to stay in His word even if it is for just 5 minutes a day, and pray throughout your day, just one sentence at time. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8
ISSUE 11 DECEMBER 2012
Tonight He is Yours
by Kenneth Cope
Tonight He is yours, Mary.
For this is the hour of His birth.
Count His little toes one by one
A million mothers have counted newborn baby toes
A million times before.
Marvel at His baby feet.
Tomorrow He will walk the shores of Galilee
And there¹s a long hard hill ahead to climb
Called Calvary
But tonight He is yours.
See Him curl His tiny fingers around your own.
Out in the darkness of the night,
The deaf, the sick and blind await His touch.
But tonight His little hands are yours, alone.
Tenderly trace the outline of His lips.
Tomorrow flow the words of Life Eternal.
The world awaits the story of the lilies
But baby lips were made to be caressed.
Touch His birth-wet hair and,
Kiss His soft, warm baby cheek.
Tomorrow the crushing multitudes will
Press and push and reach to
Touch the hem of His garment
But tonight He is yours.
Hold Him, oh so close, to your heart.
Tomorrow He must be about His Father¹s business,
And all the world is waiting for salvation
But tonight, He is . . .
Listen! Can you hear the angels singing?
And look! The star¹s already shining.
Wrap Him in swaddling clothes, Mary,
And lay Him in the manger,
For shepherds will be knocking at your door.
ISSUE 10 NOVEMBER 2012
Some things to think about.....
ISSUE 9 OCTOBER 2012
Her Hands
© Maggie Pittman
Her hands held me gently from the day I took my first breath.
Her hands helped to guide me as I took my first step.
Her hands held me close when the tears would start to fall.
Her hands were quick to show me that she would take care of it all.
Her hands were there to brush my hair, or straighten a wayward bow.
Her hands were often there to comfort the hurts that didn't always show.
Her hands helped hold the stars in place, and encouraged me to reach.
Her hands would clap and cheer and praise when I captured them at length.
Her hands would also push me, though not down or in harms way.
Her hands would punctuate the words, just do what I say.
Her hands sometimes had to discipline, to help bend this young tree.
Her hands would shape and mold me into all she knew I could be.
Her hands are now twisting with age and years of work,
Her hand now needs my gentle touch to rub away the hurt.
Her hands are more beautiful than anything can be.
Her hands are the reason I am me.
ISSUE 8 SEPTEMBER 2012
TIPS FOR HANDLING
THE HOUSEWORK:
from Sonita from gapeachhomeschool.yolasite.com
(Link will be on our blogsite)
Here are some ideas for helping you get on top of the housework and daily chores that need to be done:
DAILY DOZEN:
Get Ready: Dressed, Brush Teeth, Fix Hair, Make Up, etc.
Start Laundry
Fix Breakfast
Unload Dishwasher
Clean Kitchen
Plan Dinner
Get Kids Dressed & Ready
Switch Laundry Out (Dry or hang to dry)
Swish & Swipe Bathrooms
Make Beds
Vaccuum Main Living Areas
Fold & Put away Landry
Fold & Put away Landry
------------------------------------------------
NIGHTLY NINE:
Load Dishwasher & Turn On (Or Wash Dishes)
Clean Kitchen/Table
Sweep Kitchen
Mop Kitchen
Empty Kitchen Trash/Rubbish (Take out)
Pick up main living area
Lay out everyone’s clothes for tomorrow (Iron if needed)
Bedtime ritual whether Read together or with one child at a time
Shower/Shave
-----------------------------------------------
WEEKLY:
For the rest of your chores/jobs to complete, spread out a job a day that you want to complete so not to overwhelm yourself!
For the rest of your chores/jobs to complete, spread out a job a day that you want to complete so not to overwhelm yourself!
SOMEONE SAID
Author Unknown
Author Unknown
Someone said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby ...someone doesn't know that once you're a mother, normal is history.
Someone said you learn how to be a mother by instinct ... someone never took a three-year-old shopping.
Someone said being a mother is boring ... someone never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.
Someone said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good" ... someone thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
Someone said "good" mothers never raise their voices ... someone never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.
Someone said you don't need an education to be a mother ... someone never helped a fourth grader with his math.
Someone said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first ... someone doesn't
have more than one child.
Someone said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books ... someone never had a child stuff beans up his nose.
Someone said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery ...someone never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten.
Someone said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back ...someone never organized seven giggling Girl Scouts to sell cookies.
Someone said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married ...someone doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.
Someone said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home ...someone never had grandchildren.
Someone said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her ... someone isn't a mother.
Someone said you learn how to be a mother by instinct ... someone never took a three-year-old shopping.
Someone said being a mother is boring ... someone never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.
Someone said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good" ... someone thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
Someone said "good" mothers never raise their voices ... someone never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.
Someone said you don't need an education to be a mother ... someone never helped a fourth grader with his math.
Someone said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first ... someone doesn't
have more than one child.
Someone said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books ... someone never had a child stuff beans up his nose.
Someone said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery ...someone never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten.
Someone said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back ...someone never organized seven giggling Girl Scouts to sell cookies.
Someone said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married ...someone doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.
Someone said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home ...someone never had grandchildren.
Someone said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her ... someone isn't a mother.
ISSUE 7 AUGUST 2012
ISSUE 6 JULY 2012
A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard.The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog.
Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.
He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.
As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, 'What happened here today?' She again smiled and answered, 'You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?' 'Yes,' was his incredulous reply. She answered, 'Well, today I didn't do it.'
ISSUE 5 JUNE 2012
ABC's of Children
Author: Meiji Steward
Amazing, acknowledge them.
Believable, trust them.
Childlike, allow them.
Divine, honor them.
Energetic, nourish them.
Fallible, embrace them.
Gifts, treasure them.
Here now, be with them.
Innocent, delight with them.
Joyful, appreciate them.
Kindhearted, learn from them.
Lovable, cherish them.
Magical, fly with them.
Noble, esteem them.
Open minded, respect them.
Precious, value them.
Questioners, encourage them.
Resourceful, support them.
Spontaneous, enjoy them.
Talented, believe in them.
Unique, affirm them.
Vulnerable, protect them.
Whole, recognize them.
Xtraspecial, celebrate them.
Yearning, notice them.
Zany, laugh with them.
Believable, trust them.
Childlike, allow them.
Divine, honor them.
Energetic, nourish them.
Fallible, embrace them.
Gifts, treasure them.
Here now, be with them.
Innocent, delight with them.
Joyful, appreciate them.
Kindhearted, learn from them.
Lovable, cherish them.
Magical, fly with them.
Noble, esteem them.
Open minded, respect them.
Precious, value them.
Questioners, encourage them.
Resourceful, support them.
Spontaneous, enjoy them.
Talented, believe in them.
Unique, affirm them.
Vulnerable, protect them.
Whole, recognize them.
Xtraspecial, celebrate them.
Yearning, notice them.
Zany, laugh with them.
6. www.mozy.com
ISSUE 4 MAY 2012
Let Me Hold You Longer
by Karen Kingsbury
Listen to the video above to hear the whole story, below is a small excerpt
Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts,
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
a miracle of firsts,
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts…
and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts…
The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.
to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.
The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.
The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry me when you grew old.
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held on longer if
I’d known they were your last?
bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held on longer if
I’d known they were your last?
Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.
Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last few days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.
those last few days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.
I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow-
will I recognize your lasts?...
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow-
will I recognize your lasts?...
Dear Maximum Mothers,
We’d Like to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day! Our prayer is that you feel loved by your family at home and your Father in heaven!
Find us on Facebook. There you can also access and share the newsletters, make comments and join community. We’d love to hear from YOU! Thank you for reading!
ISSUE 3 APR 2012
with little time to stop and pray. For life has been anything but calm, since you decided to make me a MOM! Running errands and matching socks, building dreams with wooden blocks. Cooking, cleaning and finding shoes and other stuff that children lose. Fitting lids on bottled bugs, wiping tears and giving hugs. A stack of last week's mail to read- So where's the quiet time I need? Yet when I steal a moment, Lord, just at the sink or ironing board, to ask the blessing of your Grace, I see then in my small one's face. That you have blessed me all the while- As I stoop to kiss THAT precious smile! ~author unknown~  |
ISSUE 2 MAR 2012
Listen to the Bible.
Listen to sermons from your church or local churches, or a church you know of.
In iTunes you can find many churches have video and audio podcasts of their sermons
Listen to audio books on Christian living or even Fictions(Karen Kingsbury and Francine Rivers Fiction is fantastic)
You can purchase these on iTunes or for free or on link below --for people in Auckland with a library card--
(for those viewing outside of Auckland check out your local library)
For Auckland's Library's Audio Books (click here)
And a quote to think on......
ISSUE 1 FEB 2012
Poem: A Recipe for All Mothers
by Joanne Green
Today I left some dishes dirty;
The bed I made at 3:30
The nappies soaked a little longer,
The odour grew a little stronger.
The crumbs I spilt the day before
Are staring at me from the floor.
The fingerprints, there on the wall
Will likely still be there, next fall.
The dirty streaks on the window panes
Will still be there next time it rains.
"Shame on you old lazy-bones," I say
"And just what have you done, today?"
I nursed a baby till he slept,
I held a toddler while he wept.
I played a game of hide and seek
I squeezed a toy, so it would squeak.
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess it's true...
Unless you think that what I've done
Might be important to someone
With bright blue eyes and soft blonde hair
If that is true, I've done my share.
The bed I made at 3:30
The nappies soaked a little longer,
The odour grew a little stronger.
The crumbs I spilt the day before
Are staring at me from the floor.
The fingerprints, there on the wall
Will likely still be there, next fall.
The dirty streaks on the window panes
Will still be there next time it rains.
"Shame on you old lazy-bones," I say
"And just what have you done, today?"
I nursed a baby till he slept,
I held a toddler while he wept.
I played a game of hide and seek
I squeezed a toy, so it would squeak.
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess it's true...
Unless you think that what I've done
Might be important to someone
With bright blue eyes and soft blonde hair
If that is true, I've done my share.
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