“How many more pages are left before we are done mommy?”

Fingers tap on the table as the last tests are timed out, and the little circles are filled in.

“If I have to fill in one more circle ….”

Folders are bursting at the seams with papers, pictures, graded quizzes and tests.  Waiting to be sorted and selectively saved.

 

Sound quite familiar?

Some homeschoolers are winding down, and some are preparing to school through the summer.

Whether your children go to school, and come home with the “end of year – restless spirits, or home- school..

Here are 3 Secrets to Finshing Out the School Year – With Sanity

 

1.)Lighten the Work-load – Finish what is important.  Space your work out.  Don’t pile it on to get done sooner.  How can that be effective learning?

2.)Integrate Fun – Put away the books, ( make a list of what topics are left to be cover),, and shuffle in some hands-on-learning.  Your kids will think that school is over and they are still learning.  Just refer to your list and get creative.  A pencil and paper don’t always have to be the “ means to the end.”

3.)Fill in the Gaps – Let your schedule’s become more flexible.  Homeschooling isn’t set to an 7 -4 schedule.  Plant your gardens together.  Fill the feeders.  Visit the Science Center, Hike the Trails, Fit in your music, swimming and athletics while reading at the park to your children.

(Some may disagree – by striving to finish every last math problem (just to say that they did), and completing Spelling List # 42…)

Over here – We are writing letters to missionaries ( Friendly Letter form),  Sketching the local Train Station( railroad tracks) – to practice Art  – Drawing with Perspective lines, Hiking the Trails ( collecting leaves and flowers)  – and identifying them with our magnifying glasses and using our plant and tress books.

We are making rain catchers and measuring this year’s precipitation.

Making a potato clock.

Studying our State History with a few local field trips.

Using Windows Movie Maker and Lightroom to film, edit and create fun movies in our home.

Here are a few great resources to making learning fun:

Potato Clock from Amazon

Three- Man Sling Shot From Vision Forum

We LOVE this Book!

 

 

 

Are you done with school, dragging it out, or making the best of your time in learning?

The Visions that you have shared in the comment sections were inspiring and beautiful.

We are Raising Generations together!

Just thought that you might want to sit down with a cup of tea while I sahre my Vision.  ( It is a little lengthy – but from my heart.)

Here are the  THREE Vintage Pearl Necklace Winner’s.

Contact me (oneseptemberday@gmail.com).. with your shipping information, and I will send them right out!  Congratulations and Happy Mother’s Day!

GRETCHEN

JD SETERA

LASAMES

Enjoy the simple, yet elegant, and meaningful necklaces  – that define your Vision even more clearly to those that see you wear it every day!

You could tell from the look on the mother’s face, that her pain was keeping her from getting comfortable.     First birth, breech baby, no pain medicine.  But there was something else.     Something was missing.

She was smiling. She was holding her baby.  Her beautiful baby girl – brown hair, dark eyes, perfect.  Her baby was now with the Lord. 

This was their time – to hang on to the nine months of life given to this Mother and baby girl.

Her eyes were so heavy.  She laid her head back onto the stacked pillows and turned slowly to her husband.  This is what she saw:

He was holding his new little girl.. and tears were streaming down his face.

The nurses had left them alone, to say good-bye.

It was when the new mother saw his tears… she and her husband lay close together - with their baby to say good-bye - that her own grief turned to a new love for her man.  Sympathy, thankfulness, sorrow, and togetherness.  All in one moment.

You could see it in her heart.  She was a Mother.  But she was given two gifts that day – a beautiful baby girl blessing.  And a man that protects her heart  – Always.

A gentle nudge in the right direction, a soft answer to lead me to a different conclusion, the balance of the extreme I might be thinking, and the voice to our children that brings the Lord and the Truth to our home.  My husband.

This year -again- at Mother’s Day.. I bend low, and let the grace of God wash over me, thanking Him for the Gift of this man that protects my heart.

He has helped me to become the Mother that God has always wanted me to be.  And will continue to.

The day I held my little girl –  while she breathed and rested warmly in my arms – I understood what it means to be a Mother. 

Sacrifice. Appreciation.  Looking beyond yourself to see the pain and needs of others.

The day that my husband held our little baby, while his head was bent low, and he said good-by – I knew this man would always be by my side.

And the gift of Motherhood  – I celebrate WITH him.

This is the last day that comments will be open for the THREE Vintage Pearl Necklace Giveaways.

A Beautiful Reminder of our Vision   – Raising Generations.

Perhaps you would leave a comment today about What gift YOU are thankful for this year  –  Mother’s Day?

A few weeks ago – I was in my upstairs laundry room, which looks down onto our back yard.  I seized the moment to lean my elbows onto the window sill and watch my little boy play in the sunshine.

All Winter he had been asking me when the pretty yellow flowers were going to bloom?  Why is God waiting so long Mommy?  I really love it when they come out.

The day had arrived, and Sam came running into the house exclaiming that God did a miracle and all of the pretty yellow flowers were out.

 

Don’t you just love them mommy, they are so pretty!!

No, Sam. I do not.

Wide-eyed , and shocked by my answer, he asked, “Why Mommy?”

They are weeds Sam.  They may look pretty – those yellow flowers called dandelions – but they are a weed, and they spread, and that is why every year we have more and more.

Sam – Mommy doesn’t mind you playing with them, but please do not spread the seeds of the white fluffy dandelions.  They will spread.

Ok Mommy.  Off he ran to enjoy his Miracle.

Fast forward – to the sunny day where I am enjoying the view God gave me from my laundry room.

Sam is jumping through the FIELD of dandelions.  He is picking them, making bouquets, and making paths through them.

I was shocked to lean forward further in the window, to see Sam look around, to see if any one was looking.  (Any one as in me),,,, Pick the white fluffy dandelions, close his eyes, make a wish, and then…

He stood for only a second and watched those seeds drift into the wind and then take flight.

I stood for more than a moment thinking about Motherhood.

It was then that he began to chase every last seed and catch it between the palm of his hands, snuffing out its potential to take root, and to squash the guilt he had over what he had done.

He feverishly ran those little boy legs until every last seed was caught, and the ones that landed on the ground, he hunted down.

Then he sat, on the grass,, in the sun, and layed his head into his hands.

I was stunned.

He had been making wishes.  Enjoying the sunshine and the Miracle God gave Him.

When I first told my husband this story, he was quiet and reserved.  This morning before he left for work he quietly whispered in my ear..

He said, “ I don’t want to sound idealistic or harsh – but I love dandelions too.  And Our little boy loves those flowers.  Let him enjoy them.”

Me, the Promotor of All Things Joyful – FAIL!

I had been thinking about those dandelions as weeds – Relating them to How our Vision in Motherhood can be chocked out by external circumstances.

All day, I mulled over my husbands words that started my day.

How did I lose the Vision even in that moment of Parenting?  Robbing my son of his waiting expectations for the yellow flowers that have overcome my lawn.

I stood corrected. Gently.  My Vision for finding the Joy was once again restored.

Take heart moms  – Your purpose and vision is always held in the hand of your Heavenly Father – keeping it safe. 

There is a Redeemer.

Mother’s – Re-Capture your Vision – Your purpose.  Define it.  Let it be made known.

Will you share today  – What will your Vision look like in your every day?

(Oh… Did I mention a Mother’s Day Give-away?)

Yes!  And here is what this WHOLE Week will be about -

Raising Generations – The Heart of Motherhood

Leave a comment each day, spread the word via FB, Twitter or a Blog post – ( click the buttons below)..

And your name will be entered for this necklace!

I am giving away THREE special gifts for you.

Re-crafted from The Vintage Pearl for My Mother’s Day Giveaway.

So, tell me..

Now that you have shared your Vision with me.

What will your Vision look like in your every day?

Mother’s Day is celebrated BIG here  – Because we are Emracing Motherhood – One Day at a time.

I have been waiting 2 months to share this special Give-away with you!

Re-Created by The Vintage Pearl for me to share with you – This simply beautiful necklace – Raising Generations!

I wear mine almost every day – to remind me of my purpose!

You are special to me – and I would love to give THREE of these away this week -before Mother’s Day!

Subscribe to One September Day via e-mail or RSS feed.  There is a place at the end of each post or on the side bar.

Leave a comment at any time this week – What is your vision for your children?

Or share it on Facebook, Twitter, tell a friend, or share on your own blog..for an extra entry

What is the Vision you have for YOUR children?

I LOVE this site!  And I know that you will too!

Here is a little bit of my story, and the lessons I learned about Holding Onto My First Love…

Newly married and walking into a church service with my husband, he is holding my hand — I can feel his ring against mine. I love this man.

Sitting in the pew, shoulder to shoulder, thinking about what we will do together this beautiful Sunday afternoon.  A nap?  A picnic?  We stand to sing, and we share a hymnal as he holds my hand again.  I love this man.

The message has kept me in rapt attention, but then I notice again this man sitting next to me,  his arm gently wrapped around my shoulder.  This is my new husband.  My man.  And he is mine alone.

Fast forward a few years, and that picture is a little different.

……Click here to read the rest of the story about a Journey of unselfishness and priorities…

Hope to see you there..

 Perhaps you would leave a comment and let me know you stopped by?

You are here now, which tells me that you have been to this horrible,  feet-dragging place – called

Fatigue.  And it is a downer for sure.

Don’t leave now.  I have been here also.. and it robbed my pockets of any steam that I might have saved for the end of the day and more.

But, I have discovered the secrets to Fighting Fatigue and Feeling Fabulous.

 Again and Again.

I guess I am a slow learner, but, at least I have it figured out now.  So here you go, my friends.

 1.) Sleep as much as you need to.  Stop feeling guilty for needing extra sleep.  Your body is telling you something very important.

(Disclaimer to Moms – You must think I am crazy.. I know you do.  Get as much sleep as you can?  Yes!  Take naps, go to bed when your children do once in a while.  Train them to sleep a little longer.)

2.)Drink your veggies.  Juice.  Read, study and discover the power packed nutrients that juicing will bring to your body.  Multiplying your nutrients.  Regenerating your cells.

3.)Pro-Biotics – If you have never heard of Pro-biotics, then please start today.  You can even make your own!  Feeding your body good bacteria will benefit your energy and over- all health.  Check out this post on our Home-made Pro-biotics here!

4.)Drink your water.  Water, Green Tea, and more water.  Choose a special carry-thermos/cup, and fill it throughout the day.  Your body needs the constant nourishment.

5.)Exercise- I know what you are thinking…. If you are fatigued- then how do you find the energy to exercise of all things?   Begin with the smaller steps – at the top of this list.  Walking a little bit each day, and lifting small weights will add a little stamina daily.  Don’t go out and run a 3 mile stretch – please.  Exercise will jump-start your metabolism and clear your thinking.  Adrenaline – the ingredient your body is screaming for!

6.)Eat Whole Foods – Making the most of your grocery run and feeding your family whole foods is a wiser choice for your dollar.  Here is an excellent resource for your Whole Food Experience – Real Fast Food , by my friend, Trina Holden.  You will love this ebook – Soo very practical.  Gets you where you need to be!

7.)Vitamins B and D – You need sunshine!  We all need sunshine.  I call my dose of sunshine my Vitamin D.  When you are not getting enough Vitamin D -you will feel fatigued, and restless… depressed, and even have trouble sleeping.

Vitamin B is sorely lacking in most women’s physical make-up.  It is burned up with stress and hormones.  A daily check of your mood swings, and happy-levels is an easy way to check your B Vitamin levels.

8.)Laugh and Live Much – Laughter will lighten your mood.  Simplifying will decrease your stress, and your fatigue will decrease in some simple steps.  Who doesn’t feel fabulous while laughing?

9.)Avoid Refined Sugars and Caffeine – You knew this was coming, didn’t you.  This is your shot every day at combatting the fatigue?  I understand.  I do this too.  The refined sugars are harming you in more ways than one.  Begin making simple substitutions for the sugar in your home, and let your taste buds find new ways to enjoy your food.

Caffeine – I cannot preach to you on this one… but, I can say, that false means of combating our fatigue only increases the let-down we have when we are not able to always use this as a crutch.

10.)Eat GOOD Fats – This is an amazing concept that you should begin today.  GOOD fats -Omega 3′s, Cod Liver Oil, Coconut Oil, butter, and more… replace the canola, margarine, and other harmful processed fats in your diet.  This will help with your memory, your weight loss, and energy levels.  Here is a great book to fill you in:

Eat Fat, Lose Fat, by Mary Enig and Sally Fallon

Feeling better already?  I am!

What has helped you Fight Fatigue and Feel Fabulous?

( If you are suffering from extreme fatigue and the list above has not helped you – Please read this important article on Adrenal Fatigue)…

Do you struggle with fatigue?  Perhaps you have some Fatigue Fighters to share?

At the park, I push one child in a baby swing on the left, and another little one with my right hand – rotating pushes and bringing giggles and smiles, while my focus  is on the mom across the playground sitting in the grass watching her son on the monkey bars.  Her eyes are darkened with sadness, and she looks defeated.  She is alone, and her presence tells me that she will carry that with her.

I am rocking and feeding my baby in the Church nursery.  The place where mom’s meet in heart and soul – wondering if someone here will understand what she is going through.  No sleep, no energy, no help, and no one to talk to.

A close friend writes me an e-mail.  Calls me, and texts.  Discouragement.

Facebook reveals the same.  Twitter and more.

How many times have you heard the words – “I cannot do this any more?”

Or…

“Does it even matter?”

Moreover – How many times have YOU said those words?

This is what is happening -

The noise of the world is becoming louder than the voice of the One that matters.

Why?

We listen.  

It is time to turn off the noise of the world.  Tune back into what really matters.

Moms- You CAN do this.  And IT DOES matter.

Turn away from the noise and clutter that make you feel so defeated.

Have you become distracted with any of these?  If you check even one below, it is enough to make God seem small.

-Voices of Criticism

-Heavy work schedule

-Deadline’s

-Comparison to Other’s

-Guilt over not being something you are not

-Over-loaded schedules

-Children that seem out of control

-Man-made rules imposed on you

-Imbalance in relationships

-Financial Stress

-Making Big Decisions-

When the fog becomes so thick, that you don’t feel like you can propel through it any more …

Pull over and give it to God.

If you are a mom with a burden that rests heavy on your heart and mind, and you feel that just being a mom – alone in itself is too much..

Please remember this – You matter to God.  He made this hard and beautiful thing – called Motherhood – and He has equipped us with all that we need.

 

The other things don’t take the front seat like He does.  Ask Him to give you strength.

I will ask Him for you.

It DOES matter.  You matter. 

And remember with me – that God would never call us to do something that we weren’t equipped for.  He will empower you to clear the clutter.

Where are you today?

He will meet you there.

Are you afraid to let your children see a side of you that resonates within?

Are our children growing up knowing that it is ok to let down their guard – and be real?

Can you identify with the following areas where the “true – you,” has been hidden from your family?  (and perhaps from yourself?)

 1. Having Fun - When was the last time you had real, good down-to earth laughing spell with your children?

Playing, Dancing, Laughing, Singing, Joking , Hula-hooping, and Just plain - Being Goofy!        

2. Knee-Bent Prayer – Allowing your children to see this desperate for God side of your life.  Praying out-loud for them, with them, and over them.  Are your children comfortable praying out loud. Praying with people, or on their own – calling on Jesus?

What example are our children seeing in our prayer life?

3. Crying -  Some may say that crying in front of your children is detrimental.  Crying tears of joy, some sadness, and letting your children know it is ok to cry.. is letting your children see how real your life is.  I am not referring to major emotional breakdowns, or tears of anguish, but the healing tears that can bring them to see…

…that mommy needs a hug sometimes too.

4. Love your husband -  Who says that we cannot hug, kiss and hold hands in front of our children?  Has it become so taboo to love our spouses in front of our children, that we have to feel uncomfortable with affection?

The priority of  our marriage before our parenthood is an important example to our children.

It is ok to be real.  It is what they will remember.

What are you waiting for?

Speaking simple words to their heart.  Perhaps a little uncomfortable if you have never done this.

Speak to their hearts – from the depths of your own.

Our children cannot read our minds.  It is time to speak up.

7 Things Your Children Need To Hear You Say:

 

1. I Am Sorry

2. It Will be OK

3. I Understand

4. I Am Proud Of You

5. No

6. Let’s Pray About This Together

7. I Am Thankful For You

I am sorry – You are going through this.

I am sorry- will you forgive me?

It will be ok- Because we trust in a sovereign God

It will be ok- because I am here for you

I understand because I have been through this.

I understand because hard things happen to stretch our faith.

I am proud of you for serving the Lord with your whole heart.

I am proud of you for giving God the glory in everything.

I am proud of you for using character, or achieving this goal with endurance.

No, you may not choose to follow a path of foolishness.

No, disobedience and disrespect is not an option.

No, walking away from a problem is not an option- let’s deal with it.

Let’s pray about this together -Now.  And tomorrow, and whenever I see you hurting.

Let’s pray about this together - Let me lay my hands on you and pray intercession for you.

I am thankful for you because_____________________.

Speak to your Children.

At every age – speak trust-building words into their hearts.

What’s on your heart to say to them today?

Have you left them wondering?