Little Sis

A New School Year Brings Changes

September 14, 2014 by Jennifer 2 Comments

Life comes at you fast. We are finally settling into a good routine with this new school year. I will not be as quiet on the blog any more. We have been praying about this decision for the past few months. Several one-on-one conversations between our sweet family of four and prayer, the decision was made. The girls will not be going to public school this year. They are now being home schooled. Two weeks of schooling have past, and the smiles on our faces will show how it is going thus far.

Individualized learning is proving to be highly successful. My girls are not from a cookie cutter. They were handmade from God. Each one has their own personality and learning style. Unfortunately, the public school system has to teach them as if they were from a cookie cutter.

Obviously, we are doing a trial and learn basis here but I do love the routine we have in place. M and L both have their own different curriculum and are sailing through the studies so well. No tears have been shown, no “I don’t want to get up”, and no meltdowns. L rise and shines on her own each morning and ready to dive into her books. She is like a sponge. Her brain is continuously wanting to soak up the curriculum. My heart just swells with love. So different from last school year.

I am thankful we listened to our hearts and God’s direction on this new school year. As we go through the year, I will share what is working for us and what isn’t working for us. Each week they go to our local University campus for PE with other home school students, and one day a week they attend home school co-op classes. Obviously, this means they are still getting to fellowship and be with other children their ages.

It’s going to be a great year. What I want to know is how are my girls growing up so fast? They are going to over-take me on height pretty soon!

Please hold my hand…

August 27, 2014 by Jennifer 1 Comment

On our recent vacation, tears started streaming down my face. After a few minutes, I felt like I was a sobbing mess. Why were tears flowing on our vacation? It should be a happy time.

I was standing there on the beach with the sand between my toes thinking about my girls first beach trip. I had to hold their hand and not let go. My hands had to protect the girls from the huge waves crashing right at their thighs. Fast forward a few years later and my hands no longer have the job of protecting the girls. They are able to swim freely and jump the waves as they crashed at their feet. This yearning feeling would not go away. The words please hold my hand kept wanting to leap from my mouth.

As a mom, we spend the early years meeting every need and demand of our children, but as the years fly by, our children eventually no longer need us to meet their every need and demand. The “will you get me a bowl of cereal?” turns into, I am going to go pour me a bowl of cereal. The dependency fades into independency.

I know M and L are spreading their wings. Their wings are beginning to flap but are not quite ready to take off from the ground. I still want them to need me. I want them to ask for my hand. Thankfully, M still loves to sit beside me on the couch and we will hold each other tight. L still loves to walk into a store with her arms wrapped around me. In fact, once we get out of the car, she is wrapping my arm around her arm. She may not ask for my hand, but she will reach for my arm.

My heart yet is still heavy because I know they don’t need me to do every little thing for them. I want to do every little thing for them. My heart aches for them to be more dependent on me.

onemomsworldgirls

As they look into the future and hold their sister conversations, I will continue to cherish each and every moment. They will both always be my babies. My hands and arms will always be available to pick them up when they fall. My prayer is they will continuously ask God for guidance and direction for their future. Even though I cannot walk and hold their hand to protect them, I do feel a sense of peace knowing our almighty God can.

M and L, please hold me hand…

Mom! I want another Fruit Shoot drink!

August 17, 2014 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

The Fruit Shoot craze has caught on at this household. We kept passing it by at our local grocer and finally decided to take a leap and do a taste test once we got invited to partner with the brand. You haven’t heard of Fruit Shoot? That is about to change!

The girls and I want to share some of our favorite things about Fruit Shoot. It has a new no-spill cap, perfect for children of all ages, and contains no fructose corn syrup, making it a much better option than other flavored drinks. Did you hear that? YES, no fructose corn syrup!!

This fun hydration drink is perfect for energetic, independent kids who desire fun on the go. It contains real fruit juice, natural flavors, no high-fructose corn syrup, and no added sugar. M loves taking the bottles with her to dance class.

These vibrant fun colored bottles come in tasty flavors of Orange, Apple, Berry Burst and Strawberry/Raspberry. You are welcome to purchase any of the flavors in both the regular and low sugar varieties.

As if this drink was not fun enough, Fruit Shoot is currently celebrating imaginative activities with a really special competition. Check out the super creative video M and L put together on their own!

Now, it’s your turn to let your kids get creative. Entrants will receive a free bottle of Fruit Shoot when entering the contest. Entrants will also receive a Waboba ball anytime they buy 6 bottles of Fruit Shoot in-store.

Get those cameras rolling. Click here for all details on how to enter the contest and more information on the Fruit Shoot drinks!

Disclosure: Thank you to Fruit Shoot for sponsoring this post, but our love for their juice and endorsing children’s imaginations is our own opinion!

The day I had a public meltdown…

July 15, 2014 by Jennifer 2 Comments

Looking back on the day of my public meltdown, I feel a sense of silliness. I’m sure though if this incident ever happens again (please NO), I will react the same.

Let’s set the stage for this meltdown. Our county has several small towns. Two of the small towns have 4th of July parades over the holiday weekend. Sissy wanted to participate in the parade since M was clogging in the parade. How could I say no? Plans were made that Sissy would ride on the float while M clogged the entire parade. She is my hero. Such a trooper even with getting blisters the day before in our town’s local parade. After double-checking that I would meet them back at the same spot where they were dropped off, Hubby and I were on our way to find a front row seat for the parade. Of course, I had to get my hugs in before I could walk away from the girls.

The parade strolled down Main Street and all was well. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining down on all of our faces. My smile stretched across my face as M performed right before my eyes and Sissy was waving to everyone in sight. Pictures were snapped and video taken as tears were starting to form in my eyes. I’m so proud of my girls. They make my heart swell, no doubt!

As the parade was finishing up, I grabbed Baby J’s stroller and pushed him to go meet the girls at the same spot I dropped them off too! We waited, we strolled, and waited some more. No sign of the float or the girls. My heart starts racing, but I decide to just stroll some more. After about 10 minutes, I received a text from my close friend. M’s clogging team had decided to clog one more time in front of Main Street but for me to get L from the float. I figured she should be at the “same spot” within a few minutes. Those few minutes passed and no L. I begin to walk all over Main Street and this small town. As I am trying to keep calm, my heart begins racing even more. Where is L and is she fine? Did she leave the float? Did she think she saw Hubby and I? I try to call M’s clogging teacher, but there was no answer. I tried to call Hubby, no answer. I tried to call my Mom, no answer. I finally make the decision to go meet back at our vehicle. Surely, Hubby must have grabbed L and this would solve all of our problems. I see Hubby, M and my stepdaughter, but no L. I LOST IT!

Big crocodile tears start flowing down my face and I begin to wail. A sound that I have never even knew I could make so loud. I scream, where is L? Who has L? I CAN’T FIND L!!! My husband immediately takes off in the vehicle. My stepdaughter tells me I need to calm down but I am thinking what if this was your child? My brother goes straight to the police to give a description of L. Words start just spilling out of my mouth that shouldn’t have such as… M you are never going to be in the parade again, M you will be changing clogging studios, M why did you not make sure to get your sister? M just hugged me. She knew I was distraught and talking out of my head. I begin walking all over and praying. God please take me to L. My phone dies. How am I suppose to reach Hubby? I run to my parent’s car and plug my phone in to charge. As soon as it has enough battery to turn on, I receive a text from M’s clogging teacher. She has L near the town pool. I am ready to collapse. Hubby brings her back to me and we both join in the closest hug ever and just cry together. I have my L. I never want to let her go!

After we calmed down, L said “Mommy, this was caused by evil. The devil separates evil from good. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He brings us good.” Wise words from my girl.

I feel so silly the way I reacted. I should have known M’s clogging teacher would have taken good care of L but all these bad thoughts went through my head. I asked for forgiveness for saying all those words in distraught. Thankfully, M is my calm child and is very cool and collective.

The day I had a public meltdown…

Focusing on the Family in 2014

January 12, 2014 by Jennifer 3 Comments

My heart has really been convicted over the past few months. Obviously, with myself working outside of the home now, my time with the family has been shortened. I am still trying to figure out how to manage this whole work outside of the home gig, but I have been making great strides. My girls will always be my top priority of course alongside my handsome hubby. This past weekend, it dawned on me that we needed a weekly planner. With our busy schedules, each day leaves for lots of guessing at times. I found this weekly printable planner on Pinterest from DigiMamas.com.

Each day is marked with what time I will get off (since we are still working over-time at work), what is for dinner that day, the extracurricular activities for the girls and who is doing pick-up and drop-off. Also, one big thing that is written for every week day – NO Technology from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. This is going to be our first week really pushing the no technology all week but it needs to happen. We are going to allow technology for the family every week night from 8:00pm to 8:45pm. I am excited to see how this works for us. Be prepared to hear an update from me next week.

Then we will end each night at 8:45 with devotions and prayers. This month, we are working through a great devotion book called God’s promises for girls. We focus on two pages a night. Each promise listed on the page includes bible verses. The girls take turns reading the scripture from the bible and then pairing it with the promise in the book. God is already showing his provision with this book. One night last week, L was very worried about her tooth. We need to get it checked out by the dentist but she just was overcome by tears. Our devotion that night was God’s promises when you are worried. Divine intervention right? The wording is appropriate for M and L. The promises are great conversation starters as well. I definitely recommend this book to Moms of little girls!

Spending more time with my family and making that time mean something instead of our faces in front of technology really means so much to me. M and L are not getting any younger. I want to cherish every minute and also grow closer to my husband.

This also means more pictures in 2014 with ME in them. I know you can relate right? Moms are usually the ones behind the camera. Also, we can’t forget about spending time with our sweet Kingston. He is the sweetest and most cuddly dog.

Here’s to focusing on the family more in 2014!

Little Sis

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