Pop Quiz

 It's quiet time.  All the kids are suppose to lay down for one hour, so I can nap they can rest their brilliant minds. 

I hear screaming from the other room. 

Someone is either
A.) throwing a temper tantrum
B.) dieing
C.) Has decided nose picking is a good hobby and completely freaked out there's a booger on his finger that will not come off.

Media Fast Guidelines

  I've always been one to "toe the line".  Actually, my life before Christ had me hopping over the line and back, over and back, over...you get the idea.  Thankfully, He's grabbed a hold of me and I try my best not to jump over.  I still have a tendencies to put my "toe to the line".  So when I set up our Media Fast Rules I had to create specific guidelines.
  
#1 No T.V. during the day and limit night time. (except on Election Day.  It's part of history and was important for the kids to watch.)

#2 No Computer (Mainly, stay off Facebook, Pinterest and no games for the kids.  Starting this blog is ok, as long as it doesn't take away from time with family.)

  Confession, On Election day and the next I jumped over the line and onto Facebook.  I wanted to hear what others were saying.  Many of my friends said, their facebook was covered with hateful messages and post of total despair.  I'm happy that wasn't the case on mine and signed off encouraged from family and friends. 

  Now I'm off the F-B again.  The kids are awake and reading books at my feet.  Really, they are! I'm not saying that to make myself look good. Taking T.V. out of our day has been a huge blessing.  {seeing guideline #1. and kids needing breakfast}  Gotta run...

Why, Across the Picket Fence?

  My dear friend Amber and I have spent millions many minutes on the phone.  We've discussed politics, marriage, babies, menu plans and every topic under the sun. Our friendship is platinum! We made a vow to clean each others homes if one of us dies suddenly. She's a gem.

  We often joke that one day we'll be neighbors and spend our days chatting over our white picket fence.  When we're on the phone that's how I picture us, hair a mess, coffee in hand, babies on our hips, chatting across our fence. It's our friendship that gave me courage to start blogging and inspired the name.

  So welcome to my little picket fence.  Perfection isn't required.  I hope you leave feeling encouraged and cared for.  Hugs to you! (I'm a hugger.)

 P.S.  Amber, if we were in 6th grade I'd buy you a BFF key chain, earrings and anything else that has an ugly heart.  Thank you for being one of the four people reading this. Ha! Love you.

Fear of Hosting

  My husband and I love having friends over for dinner.  Chad often grills and preps the side dishes.  I'm in charge of drinks, setting out food and making everyone feel at home. Often our friends bring something to add to our meal. It's taken practice, but we've gotten pretty good at hosting large groups. 

  Recently I was talking to a friend about having people over.  Before this friend moved, we spent many nights eating dinner together.  I would make enchiladas and sides.  Her husband would often make desert.  She said, how much she missed having friends over for dinner.  That she lacked confidence in her ability to cook and that's why she doesn't host meals. 

  This is one of the funniest, kind hearted families I know.  People are missing out on laughter and connecting because of fear! I'm pretty sure she's not the only person making this mistake. Ack! Stupid fear! You are the death of so much joy.  I told her to buy  frozen lasagna, bag of salad, bread, paper products and make tea! There, done, easy! 

  Don't let Martha Stewart make you feel inferior! It's not the meal that makes a party, it's the heart of the host.  I could share a few MAJOR meal failures.  Sometimes those are the best, because we can have a good laugh.  Remember, people just want to feel welcomed into our homes and lives.  What's keeping you from hosting friends? 

 

 

PB and J Can Change Lives

  What comes to mind when you hear, peanut butter and jelly?  Do you have flash backs from camp, singing Peanuuuut, Peanuuut-butter, and Jelly?  Do you picture picnics or lunch at home with your siblings?

  For me, PB & J always reminds me of my sweet friend April. (yes, we have the same name.)
Several years ago, when Savannah wasn't even a year old, she invited me over for lunch.  April said, all she had was PB & J, but I was welcome to join them.  I have to admit, I hated PB & J! But I wanted to be friends, so of course I accepted. It was the beginning of a very special friendship.  She taught me how to study the Bible, which completely transformed my life.  I learned more about God and how to share Him with our daughter. 

  Now, I enjoy eating PB & J.  Every time I see a jar of peanut butter I think of her and my heart fills with gratitude. Very thankful the Lord placed her in my life to teach me about himself. How to pass on our Christian faith to my children.  Thankful she opened up her home to a new mommy.  I cannot tell you if her home was immaculate. I have no idea what she wore or if her kids looked perfect.  What I do remember is, how good that PB & J tasted.  I remember her telling Jacob (who was 4 at the time) not to eat before prayer.  He and I sharing a laugh, since we both had taken bites.

  Next time you want to have a friend over, don't worry if what you make is perfect.  Remember, people just want to be accepted.  No one really cares what we serve them, it's more important how we make them feel.  PB and J is inexpensive and easy, but it can impact eternity. 

 

 

Media Fast

No, not Medi-fast!   Media Fast!  Although, I'm sure both will result in weight-loss.

The urge to detox from all electronic entertainment has been tuging on my heart for a couple of months.  I have to be honest...I did not want to do it!!  We've fasted from TV before and the end result is rewarding, but it's not always easy.

  I have my moments when I want more time with a book and cup of coffee.  Turning on the Electronic Baby-sitters would grant me that time.  Most of the time Sometimes I use my babysitters, so I can simply shower! 

  Texas only has a few months of "perfect" weather. When our kids didn't want to play outside because they would rather sit in front of the screen, I knew it was time.  The moment came when I heard arguing in the other room.  This was it!

  I quickly grabed a poster board and wrote, MEDIA FAST- No Computer, No TV!
Thankfully, the Lord prompted me to add what we would be saying yes to. So I wrote, Yes Love! Yes Family! Yes Bible! Yes Games! And so on...

  Next I wrote a count down till the end of the year. 66 days!  Yeah, I know! CRAZY!!  I don't care that my sign is ugly or that we started on a Saturday. I knew if I waited for Monday, it wouldn't happen.  I knew if I waited to find time to make a perfectly scrapbooked count-down, it wouldn't happen. So right now I have my ugly plain white sign hanging, front and center in our dining room.  I couldn't be happier.

 

Voting Day

 
  Voting day has become an exciting day in our household.  The kids look forward to getting their stickers.  Sometimes they even receive peppermints!  It's an event that causes lots of questions and good discussion.

  During the Primary the kids were shocked when I told them women were not always allowed to vote.  They couldn't believe it when I said, not all races could vote either.  Savannah commented, "what kind of sense does that make!"  I love how clearly kids see injustice.

  Today the kids learned women could run for President.  Grady said, a woman hasn't won yet. When I asked him how he knows that.  He replied, because I've never seen a woman on our Presidents puzzle.  Melissa and Doug toys really do educate. Ha!

  I remember sitting on the floor next to my mom's feet while she voted.  Will Brody remember holding my pocket as I cast my ballot? I hope so. 

As a kid did you go with your parents to vote?  Are you continuing the tradition or starting a new one?