Oh, So Chic!

Have you ever asked yourself what your personal "style" is? I think about this when I see articles in magazines that make it look so simple to have a particular look. Preppy, boho (what?), classic, retro... Honestly, I am so-not-connected to that world that I don't even know the different categories. I do know that what fits and is unwrinkled(ish) will often determine my style du jour. I've done the argyle sweater with pearls on a Tuesday and then a pair of jeans and a long sleeve T on a Wednesday.

One category I would pretty much say I do NOT fit into is "chic"! This is mostly because I am pretty cheap when it comes to my clothing purchases. I'm a Marshall's/TJ Max kind of girl. If I can leave the store with 5 shirts under 50 bucks, I'm on cloud 9! Sadly, chic typically doesn't come cheap.

Until now! I was so excited when the ladies of Agape Chic Consignment Boutique approached Spirit FM with their support. I saw an ad of theirs in a coupon magazine (Clipper, maybe?) and the tag line, "Where Style is Reborn". I thought, with "Agape" in their name and that tag line, they have to be Christian-owned. I've got to check them out! Next thing I know, they are coming on board as Spirit FM underwriters!

I love Ann Taylor and Ralph Lauren and they have both, along with BCBG, Michael Kors and the fancy purse companies too! They are celebrating their 1st anniversary with a sale this Saturday. Their prices are already 40-80% off retail, so it's gonna be a doozy!

I know what you're thinking. "Abby, you haven't blogged in a week and now you blog a commercial?" Yep. It's important to support the companies and organizations that are run with Christian principles. So if you want to chic-up (not a real word) your wardrobe and not kill your wallet, swing by Agape Chic on Saturday. Here's their website.

Grandparents & Footprints (Not the Poem)

I think the reason grandparents have so much fun with our kids is not only because, as the joke goes, they get to return them at the end of the day, but also because they've finally got the joy of parenting figured out.

A few days ago my parents stopped by for a quick visit. When they arrived Liam and I were playing in the front yard. It had rained a few hours earlier, so the shady parts of the yard were still a little wet.

We got our toys together and headed up the sidewalk. My mom said, "Look at those little feet!" I looked back and both Liam and I had left footprints on the sidewalk. His tiny prints were perfectly formed and perfectly cute. I thought to myself about how I never would've noticed them if she hadn't said something.

We don't always have a chance to "check out the footprints" or step back and take it all in. Many times there is some disciplining or cleaning up that needs to be done or we just don't notice. I think that's ok. We can't be too hard on ourselves, but I DO think that we need to take a break from being parents every now and again to see God's amazing work manifested in our little ones. And for the record, I don't mean we need to take more pictures. Increasingly so, our lives are in jpg files instead of our hearts.

There is so much beauty in those little moments or footprints in this case. Let's all try to look for them, instead of needing them to be pointed out to us or missing them all together. I don't know about you, but I have a feeling the little print I saw will be as big as mine before I know it.

All the Wrong vs the Right

Deep thoughts come to me on my morning commute. It's dark out, so maybe there are less distractions with the lack of sunlight. Perhaps this isn't the deepest thought ever, but I wanted to share it anyway in case you are finding yourself questioning how you're doing as a parent.

I can question and point out a bazillion things that I am probably doing wrong: Is he napping enough? Am I keeping his teeth clean? Is he eating too many processed foods (see picture)? Does he know what "NO" means yet? Is he on track with his verbal skills? I know these questions will grow in number and complication as my boy grows older.

One thing that I can say without a doubt though, is that this kiddo knows he is loved. The hugs and kisses and smiles and affection he receives MUST communicate to him that he has people in his life who think he's the bees knees and would lay down their lives for him in a fraction of a heartbeat. So while the plaque builds, and the tantrums ring out, I can take a deep breath and say, "We are doing something right." And thankfully, it's the most important thing.

In case you ever doubt that you're doing a good enough job, tell your son or daughter you love him or her and you can have a moment of rest.

Fun Family Event

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, Hyde Park United Methodist Church is hosting a fun concert for the whole family. Christian artist, Yancy will be there Sunday at 5pm. The show is being billed as, "A Praise Party for the Whole Family!", so you know it's gonna be a good time. Tickets are just $5, but you need to get them in advance, here or through iTickets at 800-965-9324. Hear samples of Yancy's music and read more about her here!

Celebrate the Epiphany this Sunday

Thank you "Catholic Icing" for the pic from 2011! 

A Church tradition my family has just started participating in in the past two years has quickly become one of my favorites. On the Sunday when we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany (when the three kings, after following the star find the new baby Jesus), we are given pieces of chalk to use to bless our home. The chalk is blessed by the priest, but I would venture to say God will still honor your request to bless your home even if you don't have the "special chalk".

Wanna do it too? Here's what you do:

Above your door (on the outside) write this:
20+C+M+B+13

The "20" and the "13" represent this calendar year, 2013 and the "C, M & B" are the first initials of what tradition tells us are the names of the three kings, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The “C, M, B" also stands for the Latin blessing Christius Mansionem Benedicat which means “May Christ Bless this House”.

There is a pretty extensive blessing here you can say where the priest or head of the household leads and everyone else responds. But for the abbreviated version, which I am pretty sure is what is handed out with the chalk at my church, use this prayer:

Lord God of heaven and earth, you revealed your only begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star. Bless this house and all who inhabit it. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness and the keeping of your law. Fill us with the light of Christ, that our love for each other may go out to all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

You can involve all the kids where each person gets to write a different letter or number and every time you enter your home you'll be reminded that it is a home filled with people who know and serve the Lord!

10 Things Your Family Can Focus on in the New Year | iMOM

10 Things Your Family Can Focus on in the New Year | iMOM

I'd bet the vast majority of resolutions are for the individual. After all, it's not very nice to tell someone else they need to lose a few pounds. I can hear it now, "Dear, this year, you're resolving to stay away from the cupcakes!" Yikes. But wow about a Family New Year's Resolution this year? It's something you can focus on to improve the way your family loves and interacts with one another and those around you. A big plus of the family goal is that you can keep each other in line. You have multiple accountability partners!

I love some of these suggestions from iMOM. My favorites:
1. MORE SLEEP! Ain't nothin' wrong with that!
2. MORE SURPRISES! I love surprises! (See, Baby # 2) The gist of this is to have a "Surprise Captain" each month. He or she gets to come up with an idea that is a surprise for the rest of the family. Fernando's first thought, "What if the Surprise Captain says 'Ice cream for dinner!'?" I say- it's only one time and yum! If you have multiple young children who might need assistance in being the S.C., maybe assign one to your husband so you're not bearing the brunt of the work each moth.
3. MORE PATIENCE! This goes for everyone. Parents towards kids. Siblings towards each other. Husband towards wife. Great idea!

I'd add to iMOM's list, Family Prayer Time. Now don't feel the need to bite off more than you can chew. Just try adding little moments to your day. Maybe as you start the car on the way to school you say a quick thank you to God for the day ahead. Or maybe instead of individual bedtime prayers you gather in one bedroom and pray together, listing what made the day special.

Just because it's not January 1 that doesn't mean you can't take this idea to "your people" and start fresh next week. Try one a month and see what happens!

Happy 2013!

Is it just me or do you also know more people who don't make resolutions than do? I don't know a single person who has made a resolution this year. I think part of the downfall for the New Year's resolution is that we (possibly on a subconscious level) think that the time frame for this new habit is one whole year. As adults, we know what a year feels like, but it is still a pretty lofty goal to sustain anything for that long. Ask any fitness or weight loss expert & they'll tell you that setting small goals is key. Aim to lose 5 lbs, not 50. Try to walk three days this week, not 12 this month. In my efforts over the years, that is truly what has worked. Small, attainable goals.

If you haven't made a resolution yet, why not take a cue from Mom Squad Blogger, Julie? Yes, it feels nice to fit into your skinny jeans and you don't want to over-commit in the resolution department, but how about this year, we resolve to pray more? In essence, we're resolving to strengthen a relationship. A pretty important one!!

Check out Julie's blog entry here and may our Lord be with you and your loved ones in this New Year!

Christmas Pledge

I Promise…

1. To make my Christmas a holy day with Christ-----not a holiday without Him. 
2. To observe Christmas as the birthday of Christ-----not just to give and receive material gifts. 
3. To remember that the real symbols of Christmas are the Star, the Stable and the Crib-----not Santa Claus and his reindeer. 
4. To teach my children that "Santa Claus" is the nickname of St. Nicholas-----who gave to the poor in honor of Christ. 
5. To help one poor family-----in honor of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Holy Family of Bethlehem.
6. To send Christmas cards mindful of Him, the Infant Savior-----not decorated only with candy canes, ribbons and wreaths. 
7. To make room in my home for Him-----with a Christmas Crib to remind me that He was born in a stable. 
8. During the Christmas season, in a special way, to honor Mary, His mother-----who kept the first Christmas vigil beside the manger. 
9. To begin Christmas by leading my family to His altar-----to receive the Bread of Life. 
10. Today and every day, to give "Glory to God in the highest"-----to work and pray for “peace on earth to men of good will”.

Nihil Obstat: Joseph A. M. Quigley, Censor Librorum 
Imprimatur, + John J Krol, D.D., J.C.D., Archbishop of Philadelphia, March, 1964

Thank you, Julie for this! 

Guest Post: Adventures in Christmas Gift Giving

Have you already missed Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Are you stressed about gift giving? Here is some suggestions on how to survive the season with sanity, from a seasoned mother of six: (color-coded your your reading pleasure)

 

Three Gifts, Christmas Date Night, Santa Doesn't Wrap, Religious Gift and Extra Gift Cards.

 

A great rule of thumb my parents used when we were young was Three Gifts each. Their reasoning was that the Christ Child received three gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, so three must be a good number. We don't always use the Three Gift rule with our kids, due to pricing of some big items, they may only get one or two. But use this rule of Three Gifts to curtail costs and keep it simple.

 

When all the kids were under 10, Bob and I would do all the Christmas shopping in one evening. It was our Christmas date night. We would have one of the grandmas watch the kids (sleepover is best) and we would have a nice dinner out and then go to a MAJOR toy store.

 

We always took this list with us when we went shopping in hopes of making each one's Christmas dreams come true and also to keep us from throwing in impulse items or getting more gifts for one child than another. To make a list, we used the ad flyers for major toy stores that come in the mail in early December. We always gave these to the kids and let them circle any and all the toys they wanted. We always told them that Santa needed ideas and that he could never bring all the items they wanted, but would bring some of them. This became our working list. 

 

Another list to have with you is a list of things the children already have. Home many times do you go to buy a new train for the Brio set and can't remember if you have Thomas and James or Thomas and Henry? If I don't write down Little Pet shop beauty shop, I can easily think she has Little Pet Shop hospital. Write down what you have so you don't duplicate.

 

As the children have grown up and no longer want kiddie toys, the gift giving gets trickier. One thing that is always great is a family gift, that everyone can enjoy. Some ideas could be foos-ball table, ping pong table/pool table, basket ball hoop, kayak/paddle board.

 

At our house, Santa doesn't wrap. 

 

This was always the tradition in Bob's family growing up. When our kids were little, all the gifts were from Santa. And Santa doesn't wrap, he displays the gifts. One child's gifts are on the sofa, another child's gifts are on the chair. Not wrapping saves so much time and money and waste. Also, a time or two, it allowed us to switch a gift from one child to another after everything was laid out the night before to make it all look pretty equal.

 

One thing we always try to do, not only for our own children but for gifts for our god-children too, is to give a religious gift. Depending on age, it could be a bible, a crucifix, a rosary, a prayer book or devotional book, a picture of a saint or holy hero or just a prayer card and a prayer. A Truth Be Told Download of the Month Club subscription is a great gift to inspire teens, click HERE to JOIN.

 

The last several years, we have bought the restaurant gift cards that give a discount or a bonus card for after the holidays. We usually buy extra of these, for people we might forget. I recommend getting some $5 and $10 cards and keeping them with you. Extra Gift Cards, come in really handy not only for someone you forgot, but also for someone that comes to mind spur of the moment: school personnel, hairdresser, postman, AND for Kris Kringle gifts that your kids remember as you are driving to school in the morning! And if you don't give them away at Christmas, they are great to give to a mom with a new baby so she does not have to cook a meal any time of year!

 

-Julie Musselman