Beyond Motherhood

We went to the park again on Sunday evening with the kids. I did a bit of running and racing with the kids, so did daddy running with baby C in the stroller. Now that baby C can walk, I let him walk by himself and instead of walking he sat down and starts touching and playing with the grass. He refuses to stand up or to be carried and just stayed there.

Anyway, today is Monday. When I was still working Monday has never been my favorite day. I will always feel gloomy on Monday, I called it my lazy day. And now I am a stay home mom, everyday is a special day today tomorrow and yesterday. Monday is where I start a fresh week, trying to accomplish the thing that I miss out from the previous week, and I failed most of the time, as I am too lazy to think about. Monday will be a day where I do the cleaning of the house only if I am in the mood to do the cleaning if not postpone it to the following day. Today is Monday; I thank God for a beautiful Monday it’s also our church three days fast and pray. It’s a good way to lose fat not only for our body fat but for the spiritual fat as well without taking any weight loss supplements.

Have a fruitful day everyone and here’s the shot of baby C enjoying the grass.

I must admit that when things get a little tougher, especially in our family finances, I tend to think a lot, sometimes feel unhappy and wish I had more and wish that I did not stop working. But I know that my way of thinking and my outlook on life has an impact to what my situation going to be. I know that it has a major contribution to my unsatisfied and unhappiness life. I choose to be contented with what I have and where I am in life because I know that God will provide and not fall into self-pity trap.

Contentment is not….
 … Just settling for what I have and where I am in life
 … Being happy that I am poor and refusing to work hard to lift my standard living
 … Waiting around for handouts from God or others

Contentment is….
 … Realizing that if my physical needs are met, I can be content
 … Believing that no matter what happens, God is enough
 … The ability to have joy regardless of my possessions or financial situation
 … Being grateful for what I do have, not what I wish I could have
 … Knowing that my value as a person is in no way tied to the value of my assets
 … The ability to say “no” to things that I don’t need, even though I could use and afford them.
 … Keeping an “open-hand” with what I have, because I know that God will provided for me, if I am seeking His kingdom and righteousness.

Happy Beautiful Monday!

1. Always listen for feelings underneath the words.
Me : When I have only one child, I excellently did this. Now that I have 3 young kids, sometimes I have a hard time to do it.

2. Allow your positive feelings (love for the child) to take priority over anger.
Me : Hmmm.. I must admit sometimes I over react.

3. Listen, Listen, Listen!
Me : Sometimes it’s hard to listen when two children are talking at the same time while the baby is crying and there are urgent things I need to do.

4. Become aware of your feelings, and express them in “I” messages.
Me : Moderate

5. Don’t participate in an emotional escalation – walk away until you can stay in control.
Me : Yes, I do this when my emotion on high peek. It’s help.

6. Never resort to name calling. (“You dummy!”)
Me : Phew… I can say that I am excellent at this. I Never use name calling.

7. Don’t Judge or size up their character. (“You are so selfish!”)
Me : Moderate.

8. Don’t act superior. (“I told you so!”)
Me : Now I feel guilty. I constantly say this to my kids.

9. Don’t act on assumptions. (“I know exactly what you were doing.”)
Me : I did say this to my son sometimes.

10. Don’t talk more than you listen. (“I’m talking, you listen to ME!”)
Me : Ok… I really need to remind myself to talk less and listen more. 

Pay attention to what I say to my children. My children trust me and believe in what I say. I will not use this trust to manipulate them or to fill my own needs.

What are your challenges as a parents? Happy Beautiful Monday!

Stress is part our daily life that we must go through. Sometimes stress is necessary for our own growth. Whether you are facing the stress at work, or at home it’s all required a solution. If you are a stay at home mom like me, I can definitely understand the stress at home that we are facing everyday. So what do you do? STOP NOW! You cannot think rationally when your mind is in a whirl!

Stop what you are doing.
Turn away from all distractions.
Open your Bible to a calming verse
Pray.

Nestle into the arms of your Saviour.
Open your heart to God so He can replace your anxiety with his peace.
When you are calm, return to what you were doing
- by Delwyn McAlister

Does it work for me? Absolutely (provided I condition my mind to deal with it right away!)  Try for yourself and if you have other ways of handling stress, I would love to hear from you.

Happy Beautiful Monday everybody!

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day I had so much to accomplish that I didn’t have time to pray.Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task, “why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered. He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on gray and bleak; I wondered why God didn’t show me. He said, “But you didn’t seek.”

I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock, God gently and lovingly chided,” My child, you didn’t knock,”

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day; I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray

Happy Beautiful Monday! Another Monday to start a fresh week.

How’s your week been? Last 2 weeks were school holidays so a little relax for me. With my 6 years old son and 3 years old daughter at home, the house is full with their noises, laugh and fight. And there are house work, laundry, dishes, my 5 months baby and all the chores, which make me, feel exhausted. I am a very high “D” at home, so can you imagine a dominant stay at home mother? If you don’t know what D is, check out this Personality D.I.S.C overy

Anyway, it’s Beautiful Monday (BM) today, and I start with a fresh week. Sometimes I overlooked the inconvenience of stay at home with the kids. Rather than complaining I want to be thankful for the time I spent with them and for all the chores at home. I want to use this time to put my heart and mind in a state of joy as a stay at home mother. So these weeks I choose patience and kindness.

Happy Monday!

Another Monday to start a fresh week. I love to start my week with this prayer for my kids adapted from Barbara Cornet Ryber.  

I washed the dirt from little feet, and as I wash I pray, “Lord, keep them pure and true, to walk in Your way!”

I wash the dirt from little hands, and earnestly I ask, “Lord, may they ever willing be, to do the humblest task.”

I wash the dirt from little knees, and pray, “Lord, may these be the places where victories are won, and guidance sought from Thee.”

I scrub the clothes that soil so soon, and pray, “May they be dressed throughout eternal ages in Your robe of Righteousness.”

Before many hours shall pass, I know I’ll wash these hands again; And there’ll be dirt upon their clothes before the day shall end.

But as they journey on through life and learn of want and pain, Lord, keep their precious little hearts cleansed from sin and stain!

For soap and water cannot reach where You alone can see.
Their hands and feet, these I can wash — I trust their hearts to Thee.”

Its Monday again. My internet connection was out the whole day today, only manage to do this post at midnight. Since today is public holiday, we wake up at 9.30 am except for my baby C wakes up at 7.00 am and I wake up realizing that there are so many things I am thankful for. I am thankful that hubby is at home for the next 3 days, for my kids, home, being on earth and to God who created me.

As a stay at home mom there are so many things I need to do and sometimes I just have to imagine moving or working through it effortlessly in order for me focus on my week ahead. I’m starting my week with thankfulness, gratitude and I shall take joy in a little little things including having a good laugh.

Where is your concentration this week? If there are thing that you didn’t manage to do last week, today is another day to start a fresh week.

How’s your Monday today? What have you accumulated in your mind to complete your week? For me other than adoring my little baby smiles this morning, I shall start my week with this prayer.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying [to ourselves] that we are born to eternal life.

Isn't he's cute?

check out my other posts
Beautiful Monday#1
Embrace whatever challenge comes your way
Discipline – Something to think about