Posts by Ocieanna Fleiss
“My Heart is Ever at Your Service”
My heart is ever at your service. William Shakespeare Hi awesome mommies, As a romance writer I love that quote from the bard. Can’t you just see the handsome, muscular hero pledging his deep love to the heroine? But the more I think about it, the more layers I see for me as a…
Read MoreAre You a Lifeguard Mom or Grace Mom?
Hi awesome mommies! If you’ve read my blogs or Facebook posts lately, you know we go to the lake a lot in the summer (at least on sunny days–not guaranteed up here in the Northwest). The other afternoon we traipsed down to the lake and, as usual, I was impressed with the safe structure the lifeguards gave…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreThe Power of “No”: 2 Tales of Whining
Hi awesome mommies, As a parent, saying no is hard. Really hard sometimes. Here are a few examples from my life. Whining in Alaska I was fourteen when my dad took me on a trip to Alaska. For part of the time (while he fished for salmon over…
Read MoreLord, Help My Kids Know Your Love
Hi awesome mommies, I really love the book, The Power of a Praying Parent, by Stormie Omartian. She uses Scripture to create beautiful, pertinent, powerful prayers. Her prayers guide me on how to pray for my children. Here’s the one I’ve been praying this week. I insert my own kids’ names. Lord, I pray for…
Read MorePerformance-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…
Read MoreBible Memory! Five Games to Beat Boredom and a Secret Weapon that WORKS
Going over memory verses can get a little boring—escpecially for our wee ones with tiny attention spans. Secret Weapon that REALLY Helps One almost magical trick I’ve learned is so simple! If they understand what they are memorizing and, even better, make connections to it memorizing comes naturally. For example, today we’re memorizing, “Look at the…
Read MoreI Had a Bad Day
Hi awesome mommies, Do you ever have a bad day? I started out today on an emotional landslide. I cried and smeared mascara and told my husband how terrible a wife I am. I’m a horrible organizer and housekeeper and mom and everything. Poor guy. He said he loved me then gave me an awkward,…
Read MoreMoms, Did You Know…
What you do—from folding socks to changing diapers—has incredible value. You are not a mere employee, but a vital, beautiful, and highly honored mom. And mom is no throw-away title. Have a great day, Ocieanna www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Read MoreLetter to My Much-Loved Son
Dear Son, I love you. I wish I could get that into your head and heart. I love you so much, many of my waking moments are spent thinking about you—how to love you better, how to make you understand how much you are loved. You are awesome. You are smart and funny. You make…
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