rise and shine and give God the glory glory!

$52 @spunkyfluff

start your day off right! 
10 ways to make the most of your mornings

1. wake up before your family. there's just something sweet about being awake before everyone else, when the house is quiet and the time is yours.


2. spend time in the Word. grab your coffee or tea and open your bible. thank God for waking you up, tell Him what concerns you, pray for others, and dedicate the day to Jesus. need accountability? check out Hello Mornings organized by my friend Kat.


3. put on your shoes. i don't know why but somehow this makes for a more productive day. maybe because putting on your shoes tricks your brain into thinking you're going somewhere, and that kicks you into high gear? it works. (with any shoes other than slippers!) try it.


4. eat your frog. in other words, do your least favorite chore first. for me, my frog is different every day. sometimes it's the dirty dishes i left in the sink over night, sometimes it's the mountain of clean laundry needed to be folded, sometimes it's checking and replying to emails. figure out what your frog is for the day and tackle it first thing. that way, you won't dread it for the rest of the day.


5. eat breakfast. the most important meal of the day! health nuts recommend eating a healthy serving of protein-rich food within 30 minutes of waking up. that might be a tad extreme for the rest of us, but protein is helpful for substantial energy, making it ideal for breakfast. do some research and skip the scones.


6. exercise. jump rope, go for a run, do some yoga, dance like a maniac to a few of your favorite songs, pop in a Jane Fonda VHS, or go to the gym (free childcare!). whatever your method: move. take care of your temple! it's good for your heart, great for your muscles, and is a surefire way to start your day off feeling great.


7. make your bed. (maybe this is your frog?) even if no one but you and your husband will notice, pull up the sheets, fold over the blankets, fluff the pillows, and make your bed look nice. it only takes a few minutes and it's so worth it. every time you walk back into your room throughout the day, a sense of accomplishment will wash over you.


8. get dressed. no matter what your plans are for the day, get dressed. put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. put on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared...hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. put on sal­va­tion as your hel­met, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph 6:13-17)

9. have a plan. set your daily goals, even the small ones like make bed, in the morning before the day gets started. you are more likely to be more productive all day long if you have your goals in mind. but be flexible. if the kids wake up late or rain ruins your day's plans, don't throw in the towel. be ready to go to plan B and keep a good attitude about it. it's okay if plan B is put back on your jammies and call it a stay-home-and-watch-movies day!


10. be on the lookout for gifts not gifts that you want, but gifts from God that you already have. He loves you so much and He is very present in your life! seek the multitudes of His gifts throughout the day, let them be glaringly obvious to your heart, and take time to joyfully give thanks. start your day with a spirit of gratitude!

keep kids reading this summer

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the slower pace and longer days of summer make it the perfect season for kids to spend more time reading (or being read to). summer reading programs are all over the place, with a variety of rewards and incentives. both of my kids love to read, and do it without being enticed with a reward, which makes this book-loving Mama Very Happy. but if we're reading anyway, we might as well get a little prize here and there, right? and if reward programs aren't enough motivation to keep kids reading this summer, i know research indicates kids that read during the summer months have better academic performance during the school year. where do i sign up? :) 

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here are some ideas to keep kids reading this summer. 

   

1. Half Price Books Summer Reading Program - for children 14 years and younger, this program rewards kids with a $5 HPB gift card after they read 300 minutes. 

2. Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program - for children in grades 1-6, read 8 books and get a free book from a list of choices from Barnes and Noble. 

3. Local library Summer Reading Program - we are cardholders at the 3 nearest city libraries, and each of them have their own summer reading program for kids of all ages, and even adults. the rewards range from a treasure box trinket to a free pass to the city swimming pool. check your local library to see what kind of summer reading program they offer for children. 

4. Scholastic Summer Reading Program - this free program, for children ages 0-12, is very comprehensive. Scholastic provides a Family Guide with literacy tips, an online reading log, and a free Reading Timer smartphone app. 

5. Local ISD Summer Reading Program - some school districts provide approved summer reading lists, with books suggested for children in elementary through high school to read through the summer. even if you homeschool like us, check your local ISD for summer reading programs and book lists.

6. HEB Summer Reading Program - this program encourages children of all ages to read 10 books over the summer and mail in the reading log for "cool prizes," which i think might be an H-E-B Buddy T-shirt (for Texas residents only)

7. Chuck E Cheese Reading Rewards - for kids of all ages, this year-round program entices kids to read every day for 2 weeks and redeem the reading log for 10 free tokens at Chuck E Cheese: where a kid can be a kid!

 

8. Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge - this program comes with book lists for early readers and independent readers and a beautiful printable progress tracker poster. take the completed progress tracker and certificate of completion to a Pottery Barn Kids store and get a free book. 

9. DIY Summer Reading Program 1 - use these lovely printables from Simple As That to create your own at-home summer reading program. her free kit includes reading logs, bookmarks, and bookworm treat bag toppers. 

10. DIY Summer Reading Program 2 - this is a super cute and crafty idea to keep kids reading this summer from Brown Paper Packages. she provides a list of her favorite books for different age groups, free printable tokens for a supercute tracking system, and ideas for easy, inexpensive prizes. 

how do you keep your kids reading through the summer?

simple ways to be the light

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recently, my friend Crystal presented a challenge when she spoke to a room full of moms at a Mama Chiks meeting. "what is your family's mission?" she asked. she encouraged us to be in "mission mode" as opposed to "maintenance mode," as we bring up our little ones. 

what is your family's mission? i knew it instantly. our family's mission, without being written out or formally defined as such, is to be the light of the world...to let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16) i want to raise my children in such a way that wherever they go, people know that they belong to, believe in, and live for Jesus. in a dark, dark world, a dim workplace or dingy classroom, i want the Hall family to shine! not because of who we are, but because of whose we are.

i ran our family's "mission" by my daughter to see if she agreed that this is the unspoken but ultimate goal of our family, and she readily agreed.

lately i've been thinking a lot about this mission and how it works in our life right here, right now. i want to be in Perma-Mission Mode. how can i let my light shine before others? after all, i'm just a Mom with two kids, ages 3 and 7, living in a suburb, running errands, folding laundry, and going to playdates. there must be a way. i won't be caught hiding our lamp under a bowl, waiting for the next season of life, the next opportunity, the next door to open. we have been commissioned, and God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. 

someone give me a lampstand. there are no excuses for not letting our light shine before others. 

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i came up with this short list of super simple ways we can be the light:

1. tell someone what God has done in my life.
2. donate, don't sell, outgrown clothing or furnishings.
3. put the toys and books back on the store shelves after my child plays with them.
4. volunteer to give someone a ride.
5. buy the next person's coffee.
6. give half of our watermelon to the soccer team even though i'm not snack mom that week.
7. refrain from complaining to the manager. find the manager and thank him/her for outstanding service.
8. smile at the person at the next gas pump, the Target check-out lady, the recluse neighbor i've never met, the man sitting by himself at the restaurant.
9. let someone go in line ahead of me.
10. tip the teenage Sonic hop.

what is your family's mission? how do you let your light shine before others? 

ten things to do this summer

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summer is so close i can smell it! time to stock up on sunscreen, make sure the kids' bathing suits fit, and plan for fun! in addition to sleeping in a little later and going on family vacations, here are 10 things to do this summer:

1. summer school: i had to put this one out there first, to get it out of the way. yes, we will continue schooling through the summer months. our schedule will be more flexible, but we have a nice momentum going and the kids like schooling, so we'll keep at it!

2. pursue the word: if summertime means more free time, how about use that time to be in the Word? yes. pair up with a friend or two and read the Bible together. there are a lot of online study plans and groups available. start here and make a #commit-ment?  

3. eat snowcones: i don't know if it's like this everywhere, but snowcones are a BIG DEAL in the summertime in Texas. we're already mapping out the nearest snowcone stands and dreaming about our favorite flavor of shaved ice. snowcones are essential to our summer diet!

4. be in or near water: this is the first whole summer that both of my babies are swimmers! i am so thankful, and so excited to spend many hot summer days in and by the pool. when we can't go to a pool, i plan to turn on the lawn sprinklers, make water balloons, fill the baby pool, or the bathtub. whatever it takes to be in or near water when it's 100+ degrees outside!

5. plan for fun: last summer i made a posterboard list of fun things to do and displayed it on the fridge, and the summer before that i wrote all of our fun ideas on colorful paper and kept it in a bowl on the kitchen table. there are hundreds of ideas for summer to-do lists on Pinterest. somehow, some way, make a plan to have some fun, and get your kids involved!  

6. drink water: this seems obvious, but it's easy to forget to drink water, especially when you're in water or scarfing down snowcones. having plenty of big insulated cups (i love Tervis Tumblers!) + fat smoothie straws + Sonic ice + sliced limes really helps me keep drinking water all day every day. if drinking water is too boring or bland for you, may i recommend spa water?

7. don't overplan: swimming lessons, vacation bible school, free summer movies, concerts, swimming, playdates, storytime, beach time, late nights, Grandma visit...whew! summer can get overplanned before you know it. but isn't it the slower pace and unplanned time what we love about summer? be cautious and try not to overplan. we don't want to get to September and be exhausted from our busy hectic summer!

8. P90X: i'm not a coach any more, so this recommendation comes with no strings attached. i love the P90X exercise and eating plan. my husband and i have done it twice. those infomercials? they're not lying. i'm talking seriously wonderful results if you stick with it. tone up, lose weight, get healthy, feel great. the exercises are completely modifiable for all fitness levels. it's every day, about an hour a day, for 90 days. isn't summer about 90 days, too? perfect!  

9. read: we read a lot here. we're at the library weekly. and i want that to continue even during the summer months. local libraries usually have summer reading incentive programs for children and adults. i'm not a big fan of the rewarding reading, the prizes are mostly chintzy, but i do like the idea of listing the books we read and making reading a priority in the summer.

10. invite friends over: most people are home more and have more free time during the summer months. when it's too hot to be outside (i know those days are coming!) stay cool and save money by inviting friends to come over to your house. crank on the A/C, turn on Cosby Show reruns, kick your flipflops off, let the kids make giant blanket forts, and serve ice cold water or homemade snowcones.


what are you doing this summer? make the most of it! 

celebrating Easter this year

traditionally, we spend Easter with my husband's extended family and their friends. they so graciously invite us over after church, we catch up and enjoy an elaborately delicious lunch. after lunch and dessert, we linger and sip coffee, and sometimes someone will start to play the piano and we'll sing old hymns. then, they hide candy-filled eggs in their yard for our children to run around and hunt. it's a beautiful day with family and friends.

this year we're on our own, as the family takes a much-needed break after just recently hosted a big wedding for their daughter.

i am certain the day will be just as beautiful at home with my husband and our children, celebrating the reason for the season: Jesus' resurrection.

10 ways we will celebrate Resurrection Sunday this year:

1. spend the morning in worship and reverence at church. i'm praying people will be drawn to Jesus this Sunday and will want to come back to church again and again to learn more and get closer to Him.

  

2. make a delicious lunch for my family. i don't want to go out to lunch after church, like we usually do. i want to make a delicious lunch and serve my family in the comforts of our home. 

3. bake and serve Resurrection Rolls. i have seen these all over the internet and i know my kids will love them. {recipe here}

4. hide eggs in the backyard for a Resurrection egg hunt. this is a great way to add meaning to the egg hunt game. i also like these Faith-Filled Easter Eggs.

5. read with my children the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. from their own Bibles, we'll find together the story, read, and celebrate the empty tomb. 

6. give my children a small, practical gift to represent new life and springtime. maybe a packet of flower seeds and a little pot, or a bucket of sidewalk chalk and bottle of bubbles, or a new umbrella and a new Veggie Tales DVD. 

7. listen to old hymns. i love the old traditional hymns. people have been praising Jesus in song for years. my Selah Greatest Hymns CD is sure to be on repeat. 

8. brew a pot of coffee in the afternoon. because it's a yummy tradition to have coffee in the afternoon on special occasions.

9. write a letter to baby Joel, our Compassion child. it just seems like a good day to write to him and remind him of how much he is loved by us and by Jesus. 

10. give the gift of God's Word translated to a people who haven't ever been able to read it. it also seems like a good day to give $26 to OneVerse to have the story of Jesus' death and resurrection translated so more people can read and believe.

  

what are your Easter traditions? how are you celebrating Jesus' resurrection this year?

SAHM Boredom Busters

about 7 years ago, i abandoned my "career" to be with my baby all day. every day. it was both the easiest decision and the hardest decision i ever had to make. i didn't know how much i would love being a SAHM- i didn't realize it was what i was made to do- until i was in the thick of it.

i can truly understand it when i hear a new mom, or a mom who works outside of the house, say they think being a stay at home mom would be boring. maybe it is to some people, i don't know. i'm sure being a SAHM isn't for everyone and that's okay. two of my close friends are moms that work outside of the home, and when the three of us are together, this conversation often comes up, and they say things like this:

"it would be fun at first, but then i think i would get bored." 

"i would go crazy." 

"i think i would get cabin fever."

"we would be at each other's throats all day long."

now, these are my really good friends that i'm talking with, and there is absolutely no judgement going on here. i usually just laugh because, yeah, i get it! i can see how that could happen! but the truth is, i don't get bored, i only go a little bit crazy sometimes, i only get cabin fever when it snows or we're sick, and we're not at each other's throats all day long. 

i would never describe being a SAHM as boring. i believe boredom is a choice- you can choose to be bored, or you can choose to make the most of every moment! being a SAHM is a blessing (sometimes in disguise) and there is always something to do to make the most of the time spent with your little one. 

if being a SAHM is anywhere on your radar, but you think you would get bored or go insane, here is my attempt to bust the "being a SAHM would be boring" myth... 

10 SAHM Boredom Busters:

1. get out of the house. being a stay at home mom doesn't literally mean stay at home. go to the park, library, gym, go for a walk, to a friend's house, the mall, church, the mailbox...just get out.

2. make friends. get on Meetup.com or a local community site and find out what other SAHM's are doing. join playgroups, introduce yourself to another mom at the park. you will make friends and your children will, too. for starters, check for your local ECPTA, MOMS Club, and MOPS. 

3. run errands. when both hubby and i were working full-time we ran all our errands on the weekends. grocery store, dry cleaners, post office, Home Depot, dog groomers...now, i get them all done as needed during the week. the grocery store is nice and quiet on a Tuesday morning!

4. take care of the house. stay on top of laundry, dishes, floors, bathrooms...the same chores that use to wait for Saturday can now get done on an ongoing basis. i'm not saying spend all of your time cleaning, that would be boring. but cleaning as you go will free up Saturdays for family fun. also, now you can take the time to hang curtains, fix that squeaky door, plant flowers, and invest some time into your home.

5. join a bible study. connecting with other moms over the word of God has been such a blessing to me as a SAHM. we meet on a weekday morning and we all bring our kids. we dig into scripture together, pray together, and confide in one another. it's glorious. see what's available at your church or if there's a BSF in your area, or start your own with some of your friends. see #2

6. work from home. my career was cut short, and even though i loved being home with my baby, i had a hard time not working. so i found a part time work from home job that gives me the best of both worlds. it's great to be able to contribute a little to the family income, put my education and skills to good use, and stay active in the professional realm.  

7. play. color, read stories, play dress-up, bake cookies for no reason, give them bubble baths in the middle of the day, build a tower with what's in your pantry, draw a chalk mural, finger paint, sing silly songs, make a sock puppet, watch old movies...play with your little one! kids are fun and there is rarely a dull (or quiet) moment in their presence.

8. teach your kids. children learn a lot through play time. see #7.

9. (re)discover your hobby. get back to doing the thing you enjoy just for fun, just for you. for me, it's writing. maybe you like cooking exotic meals, crocheting, photography, couponing, playing softball, reading, or painting, or discover something new that you love! start a blog! (ha) and if you don't mind mixing pleasure and work, maybe you can turn your new hobby into a little extra income! see #6.

10. make the most of it. one thing i have found out while "staying home" is that the days go by fast and the years even faster. i want to be here. i don't take this opportunity for granted, and i thank God that i get to be a stay at home mom. even on the most trying days of mothering, there's no where else i'd rather be than here raising my children, even if we are bored and staying home every once in a while.

how else could you prevent SAHM boredom? 

what i'm reading {top ten tuesday}

books i'm reading:

1. The Resolution for Women (Priscilla Shirer)

2. Grace for the Good Girl (Emily P. Freeman)

3. For One More Day (Mitch Albom)

4. A Confident Heart (Renee Swope)

5. Every Day a Friday (Joel Osteen)

6. One Thousand Gifts (Ann Voskamp)

7. Grace Based Parenting (Tim Kimmel)

8. Organized Simplicity (not pictured) (Tsh Oxenreider)

9. Savoring Living Water (not pictured) (Lara Williams & Katie Orr)

10. The No Brainer Wardrobe (not pictured) (Hayley Morgan)

what's on your nightstand?

linking up @ OhAmanda's Top Ten Tuesday. 

ever wonder about me? {top ten tuesday}

did you ever wonder how well you know me? here's a fun Top Ten list of fun, quick, random things about me...if you're reading in your email, open this page in your browser to see the video clips.

1. ever wonder what my sense of humor is like? i find this insanely hilarious:

 

2. ever wonder what my Pandora stations are? well-rounded.

3. ever wonder about my Awesome Amazing Anointed God-loving Bible-teaching church? free podcasts here.

4. ever wonder what commercial makes me cry every.single.time?   

5. ever wonder my absolute favorite food? 
 

6. ever wonder how i burn calories after enjoying said favorite food?. 

7. ever wonder my all time favorite movie? 

8. ever wonder what my heart looks like?

9. ever wonder what i think about Santa Claus? Ho, Ho, Ho, read this.

10. ever wonder my alma maters?

& 

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just in case you've ever wondered, now you know! 

i'm linking up today with OhAmanda's Top Ten Tuesday.

let the children serve

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"can i help you?" my 3 year old asked his big sister.

she was carrying boxes from the house, two at a time, loading them into the back of our car. her arms were full. i was busy carrying boxes, too, but i heard his kind offer from across the driveway and it stopped me in my tracks. i choked back happy tears, gave my little guy a high-five, and thanked him for being such a good helper. i continued loading boxes and held on tight to this Proud Mommy Moment.

my son wasn't offering to help his sister just so he would get a high-five. he didn't even know i was listening. he simply saw her arms were full and did the most natural thing. the more i thought about this, the more i understood:

children naturally want to help and serve.

even as a little tot, my daughter wanted to comfort other people's crying babies. and while sharing might not be the easiest thing for a toddler to do, if they know someone is in need, they will likely share their most prized possession. when all chaos breaks out in our house- the doorbell ringing, dogs barking, phone beeping, baby crying, water boiling over - my children step into action, doing what they can to help.

this instinct needs to be nurtured. because let's face it: we are raising up the next generation to grow the kingdom of God.

here are some simple but meaningful ways children can serve others every day, with scriptures that i found supportive:

1. give to children and people in need. encourage your child to sort through their clothes, toys, and books on a regular basis to give to children who might have nothing. bag up the gently used goods, find a local mission organization, and let your child give. (Matthew 19:21)

2. prepare a meal for someone in need. maybe one of your family friends who has a new baby, a new neighbor, or someone you know recovering from illness or surgery. involve the kids in planning the meal, preparing the meal, and delivering the meal. even young ones can help bake cookies. (Matthew 25:35)  

3. help your neighbors. take a walk with your children in your neighborhood and have them be on the look out for needs. toss your neighbor's newspaper up closer to their front door. pick up trash in the yard. move their basketball to a place where it won't roll.  (Mark 12:31)

4. put the cart back. when shopping and running errands, children can help by pushing shopping carts back to the "corral" or the area where they belong. kids love to push the cart! explain how this is helpful to the store employees, to people who need a cart, to shopper foot traffic, and to keep the carts from banging into vehicles in the parking lot. (Luke 6:31)

5. use their talents to bless someone. my daughter is a talented artist and loves to draw. my Grandma is in an assisted living apartment where the walls are blank and the days are long. by using her own talent, my daughter can bless Grandma by mailing her drawings on a regular basis. maybe your child plays an instrument, dances, writes, or makes beautiful pasta jewelry. whatever it is, her talent can bless someone in need. (1 Peter 4:10)

6. hold the door open for others. this is something i have taught my children as soon as they were physically strong enough. at the store, at church, at preschool, at the gym, and even at home, encourage your child to open the door and hold it open for the next person coming in. (Romans 12:13)

7. pray for the needs of others. at mealtime and bedtime and anytime you pray with your children, ask if there is anyone else that needs prayer. last night, my daughter said, "yes. pray for my brother... that he will feel better." let younger children hear you praying for others, like the little girl that fell at the playground, or the boy at preschool that is sad at drop-off. praying for others helps kids see beyond their own needs and wants, and helps them learn that God is a great BIG God that loves everyone. (James 5:13)

8. pay for someone else's anonymously. just a few dollars can go a long way for someone in need, and giving in this way is a two-way blessing. do your kids earn allowance? tooth fairy money? next time you take your children out to lunch, to the coffee shop, or the arcade, have your child give the cashier a dollar or two "for the next customer." watch the joy your child experiences knowing the next person is getting a secret surprise. we are blessed to be a blessing! (Psalm 21:6)      

9. volunteer in the community. even young children can serve in your community by helping the librarian stack books, helping clean up after Sunday school, or helping a teacher pass out papers at preschool. encourage your child to ask "how can i help?" (1 Cor 15:58)

10. speak the truth about Jesus' love. teach your child what the Bible says, sing songs about Jesus, and help your children memorize scripture. then, when your child meets someone in need, he will have the word of God in his heart to share with the person in need. i overheard my daughter, who was about 4 at the time, and her friend talking about something scary they saw on a TV cartoon. they recounted the frightening image together, and then my daughter started singing to her friend, "God hasn't given us a spirit of fear...but of power, love, and a peaceful mind!" and they both broke into giggles. memorizing scripture verses and singing songs about Jesus is planting seeds of faith in children's hearts, and those seeds grow into "fruit" they can apply to daily circumstances. (Deut 11:18)

now... go! nurture your child's sweet natural desire to be the "hands and feet" of Jesus! 

"what does the LORD your God ask of you 

but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, 

to love him, to serve the LORD your God with 

all your heart and with all your soul, 

and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees..." 

Deuteronomy 10:12-16 NIV



linked up @ OhAmanda's Top Ten Tuesday
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10 Things My Relevant Roommate Should Know

The Relevant Conference is 2 weeks from now. <- I had to hold my breath while typing that because I'm a little bit freaking out nervous mixed with excitement.


Exhale...Inhale....

Okay. Back to business.

So, last year I had a big fancy hotel room all to myself. It was quiet. It was tidy. It was cold. A little lonely. This year, I have a roommate! I'm bunking with my friend Kristen! And I am very much looking forward to it. But first...

10 Things My Relevant Roommate Should Know About Me


1. I have never had a roommate. Other than high school dance camp where there were 6 girls to a dorm room for 2 nights. This will be kinda like that, right?

2. I will probably need white noise to sleep. At home, I sleep most peacefully with two big snoring dogs at the foot of the bed, a static-y baby monitor on high volume, and a bathroom fan on. Would it bother you if I brought my baby monitor? (kidding) (kinda)

3. I will definitely be brewing coffee first thing in the morning. I will save you a cup, or I will get you some sweet tea. :)

4. I'm ready to have fun. So feel free to talk me into doing something crazy, like going to Target at 10pm, or ordering a fudge sundae from room service, or making a karaoke video. I'm wild! And hyped up on coffee!

5. Master Books is sending me to Relevant. This means we will have lots of really cool books and swag in our room that I'll be giving away in the hotel lounge Friday 4-5pm and Saturday 9-10pm. I love Master Books. By the end of the weekend, you will love Master Books too. (wink)

6. My morning routine is quick and easy. I promise I won't hog the bathroom or use all the hot water. But let's get extra towels, okay?

7. I will miss my kids and husband like crazy. I hope I'm not obnoxious about this, but truly, my heart hurts when I'm apart from them. I know you, and I know you will understand when I need to call home "one more time." This makes me happy that you are my roommate.

8. I want pictures. When I got home from Relevant last year, I was bummed that I didn't have more pictures of me with my favorite bloggers. I'm just not very good at remembering to grab my camera when I'm in the moment (aka starstruck). I won't forget this year. Be ready!

9. I am tidy. The hotel cleaning crew might come into our room and think they've already cleaned it. My mom instilled in me a healthy fear of leaving something behind at the hotel as a result of being unkempt during my stay. Also, I can't turn off my Mommy-switch that picks up after a 3 and 6 year old all day every day.  

10. I have a feeling we are going to be THAT room. :) I am over the moon excited to be sharing a room and experiencing Relevant '11 with you! Love ya, girl!

Now you know what it'll be like to room with me!

I'm linking up my Top Ten Tuesday with OhAmanda.com, HomeWithTheBoys.net, and A Life in Need of Change.

Will you be at Relevant? Let me know in the comments!

Not going to Relevant? Courtney of Women Living Well has something fun going on for you! Check out Women Living Well and join in the fun.

Make sure you are following me on Twitter for live updates from the conference plus giveaways from Master Books! I am @mamahall and I'll be using #Relevant11. 

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ten on tuesday: 31 Days

just another reason to love October: The Nester's 31 Day Series.

while i'm not linking up with my own 31 Days Series, i am truly loving reading many others. there's a little bit of everything: womanhood, recipes, budget tips, photography, home decorating, blogging, growing in faith, and so so so much more. there were more than 700 31 Dayers linked up last week!

secretly, i want to curl up in bed and click through each and every one, reading and devouring their daily wisdom.

here are Ten 31 Days Series that i'm loving already (and it's only day 3):

(oops, that's eleven. oh well.) click through the badges to read more. they all have so much to offer. and go to The Nesting Place to see the 700+ other 31 Dayers. they are ALL amazing! 

linking up with OhAmanda's Top Ten Tuesday.

prayers for our homeschool days

BigGirl's first year of homeschooling, age 2 

when we started homeschooling BigGirl 4 years ago, i had no idea what i was doing or how we were going to do it. but, we made the decision to homeschool her and it felt natural and right from the very beginning. (i think that's how you know it's what God wants.)

over the years i've learned that homeschooling takes a lot of work and a lot of prayer. when we are overwhelmed, worried, stressed out, or just downright tired, we pray. we struggle with time management, staying on task, and sometimes subjects that just aren't any fun. when the going gets tough, we stop what we're doing and look to Jesus. God gives me the strength to continue on this path, and He fills our homeschool days with peace.

i keep this little note tucked in my planner for daily or as-needed reference.  

here are 10 scriptures (NIV or NKJV) that i pray specifically for our homeschool days, my lesson plans, and my children: 

1. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2. Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

3. 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

4. Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

5. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

6. Isaiah 41:10 do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

7. Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

8. Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

9. Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

10. 2 Timothy 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

"i don't know how you do it..." is the response i get most often when i tell people that we homeschool our children. 

and i'm not kidding when i reply: "...with lots of prayer." 

what are your favorite scriptures to pray for homeschooling?

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