The Joy of Unstructured Play Time

Hi awesome mommies! As I sit here writing, I can hear Abigail and Christian’s laughter. I honestly don’t know what they’re doing. Something naughty? Definitely possible. Whatever it is, they’re having fun. And the best part is, it’s fun they created. Part of the awesomeness of summer is our flexible schedule. We don’t have to…

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Performance-Oriented Me: An Honest Look

“Ocie,” (folks called me Ocie back then) “you’re performance oriented. A people pleaser.”  I remember the scene so well. I was about 17, sitting on the gorgeous grounds of my high school on an off day during the summer.  Monty, my youth leader, said those words.  Yep. Pretty much describes me. Over the years I’ve…

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Mommy-O Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for being a loving, kind, serving master. Your grace is amazing beyond words. Please help me to get through this day, filled to abundance with your peace and trusting completely in you for my strength. Dear Lord, I pray you keep each child in your loving hands today. Help them rest…

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Mommy-O Prayer

Dear Father, I praise you for being the Lord of creation–above all the heavens and earth. Thank you that you are all wise and full of knowledge and power. I stand in awe of you. And even though you are Lord of all things…you know me, love me, delight in me. I love you, my…

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Mommy-O Prayer

Lord, I need grace and forgiveness. I need compassion so much. Help me to look for these first from you and not others. I can rest in you, in your love and grace. Help me to give love, grace, patience, and forgiveness to my family. I can’t put aside my selfish sins without your help,…

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Where’s the Sunshine? A Husband’s Brilliant Cure for Summer Gloom

Ahhhh summer. That relaxing time of warmth, lazy days, and relaxation. Reminds me of the 8-track we listened to when I was a kid (very very young, of course) of the song  “Sunshine on My Shoulders” by John Denver. “Makes me happy…in my eyes can make me cry … Sunshine on the water looks so…

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