My New Normal
Our family has had SO MUCH CHANGE in the past 5 years, it is hard to keep my head from spinning off. In the past 3 years alone, we have added 2 new son-in-laws and 5 new grandchildren to our clan. Change is in the air….I know that most people think of January as the time of life re-evaluation and yearly resolutions. Others think of springtime as the season of new life and new growth. But I always feel the strongest sense of new beginnings as we change seasons from summer to fall. School begins afresh, the evenings grow cooler and darker and the leaves begin to change. It may be because I absolutely loved school my entire life and looked forward to a new year of learning. It may be because during our Navy years, in all our change of duty stations, we packed up and moved in late August, to be ready for the new school year.
It is September once again, the signs of Fall are in the air and once again I have the opportunity to define “My New Normal”. What will this year bring? Sweet Ellie turns 3, in 2 months, and she and her little sister, Hanna, will both be BIG sisters in a matter of a few weeks when their new little sister makes her appearance into this world. 
So many new beginnings. So many changes. What changes will be required of me this year? What will be “my new normal”?
Yesterday I learned the difference between being an INSTRUMENT and an AGENT with regards to change. An instrument of change is ready to serve and willing to work hard to initiate change but usually is unaware of the greater power available to help manifest the desired change. An agent of change has …
Read MoreBlessed Abundantly
We usually don’t post on Mondays, but today is my 2 year anniversary and I wanted to take some time to post… I could get all sentimental about how much I love my husband (but I’ll save that for just him) but instead I want to post about how very blessed I am by some specific people. So here’s a shout out to my sisters, and all the girls in my wedding party. I love all of you so very much, and this day, and this moment could not have been any sweeter. I will remember it for my whole life. Anniversaries are a time to think about love, meaning of marriage, the fun wedding you had, and just how amazing the special people are in your life. So in honor of our blog, and my sisters, my bridesmaids, and my family… you NEED to watch this.
Aren’t they the best!!!!! Here’s to two years 🙂
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One Day at a Time
The thing that helps me stay organized and focused is to just take one day at a time. As much as I hate taking time from my evening to prepare for the next day, it is a huge relief to wake up and know that I am ready. Now getting my kids ready? That’s a whole separate ball game. But at least I am ready! I even do my best to get dressed and ready before I even go in the girls’ room. This helps me stay focused on them and their needs during our crazy morning routine.
Something that helps me stay focused on one day at a time is to keep my calendar current and up-to-date. I have my physical calendar on the wall in the kitchen with handwritten plans and commitments, plus my icalendar on my phone. I make sure to keep both accurate to keep myself focused. I appreciate that I can set reminders on my phone. I usually do a one day before reminder and a second one hour before reminder to keep my schedule in check.
Another thing that gets me focused is to have short term goals throughout the day. For example, my goal is to have the girls fed and ready by 8am, so that when the two sweet girls I babysit and take to school arrive, we are mostly ready. Once my girls are ready I know that we can leave at the drop of a hat if needed. I have already packed the car the night before, or at least organized our bags to take to the car when we leave. That give me a little wiggle time to wash dishes or maybe even apply some mascara and brush my own teeth before we have to leave at 8:30.
My …
Read MoreThe Eyes of Christ
How do you “see” things? Do you really see them? Do you have a certain perspective? Do you have a tainted lens through which you look? Do you look past the way things appear? Or do you have an opinion before you even really look?
I ask myself these things because I want to see things differently. I want to have the eyes of Christ as I see the world. This doesn’t mean that I walk around blinded by a “Christian bias”. It means I see things in a way that I want more of the world. I want to see things in a way where I can be the hands and feet of Christ. I want to see people with love. I want to see situations with truth. I want to see things for the purpose of Christ.
The world has tainted our perspectives. The world has a lens that is always pushing us to want more, get more, and have more. But it is filled with emptiness, void, and lack of real reason. I don’t want to see with my eyes. My eyes don’t see the potential that Christ sees. He sees fullness and hope and abundance. I get blinded by doubt and skepticism and criticism. I want to see truth. I want to see love. And I want to see Christ. He is there. He is all around me. He is living in the creation around me, he is speaking in relationships I have, he is touching my heart through blessings, he is showing me provision through trials, and He is holding my hand every step of the way. I just have to open my eyes and walk in faith so I can really see.
Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great …
Read MoreMemories Trunk
School is back in session! Sometimes you may be planning a mini party on the inside when this time of the year rolls around; in other moments, you may enjoy reminiscing on the fun family times from the summer or even think about the previous year and how your child has grown. A memories trunk is a fun craft to keep your child’s memories organized on the inside and the outside. It is also budget-friendly if you are willing to take the time! I decorated my trunk as a wedding gift that I gave to my now-husband with our engagement photos. Right now it is being used for storage, but eventually, when we have more space, I would love for it to be filled with memories of our love adventure! I am also now inspired to find one for each of our children in the future!
What you need:
Vintage Trunk
Paint and paintbrushes (Optional)
Stencils (Optional)
Photos
Mod podge
Embellishments (Optional)
How to:
1. Buy a trunk! It definitely took patience and determination to find a trunk in good shape for a reasonable price. But, I eventually found a great trunk at a thrift store for $60!
2. You may want to paint your trunk. My trunk started as a forest green color. I decided to paint the base of it as a more neutral color that would match better in our home. The top I painted purple to be more unique.
3. Embellish! Use stencils to put your child’s name. Find creative ways to spell our your child’s name – I used old typewriter keys, that I found at a swap meet, to spell out a phrase and date on my trunk.
Put photos on the top of your trunk from your child’s first day of school each …
Read MoreMuffin Mania-Back to School Secrets
School is back in session and moms everywhere are adjusting to the early morning routine. Making lunches, serving a healthy breakfast, helping everyone get dressed for school and making sure all necessary items are in the backpack are just a few of the essential tasks that must be completed each morning. I remember a few secrets from school days that helped our family stay organized…
1. Lay out the childrens’ clothing the night before, including hair accessories, socks and shoes.
2. Organize the childrens’ backpacks the night before, making sure important papers, books and especially any permission slips or notes to be signed by a parent are completed. Get the sports/ dance/ music/art bags filled for after school activities.
3. Grab the brown bags or special lunch boxes the night before and fill with everything except the sandwich and place in the refrigerator. Then all you have to do in the morning is make the sandwiches.
4. Plan and prepare some healthy breakfast options so you are not rushed or stressed in the morning. Breakfast is a very important meal and a special time to connect and talk together and pray before everyone goes off to face their busy day.
I love to bake muffins and it is amazing how many delicious and nutritious foods you can add to a muffin. Muffins can be made ahead of time (they keep well for a few days in the refrigerator or for weeks in the freezer). Serve with fruit, yogurt or scrambled eggs for a super charged breakfast. They can also be wrapped and placed in their lunch boxes for a healthy snack.
Here are a few really YUMMY, kid friendly, adult craved muffin recipes:
Triple Berry Muffins
2 cups flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon …
Labor Day/Back to School Week
Growing Weisser followers…..
The Growing Weisser Staff is taking this entire week off to regroup and get recharged for the upcoming year. Stay tuned for more innovative and exciting developments in the weeks to come. Check back next week for the start of an awesome Fall season!!!
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Last Minute Moms…We Are Enough!
Today I am feeling compelled to encourage my fellow “last minute” moms. You know us as the ones always scrambling, always a bit frazzled, and rarely completely done up head to toe (I personally pick one thing whether it be “real” clothes, make-up on, hair done, etc.).
I know I have thousands of things pinned on Pinterest collecting dust. However, I do know that even when I don’t have great activities planned out or fabulous meals on the table, my kids are for the most part HAPPY.
Ellie’s new thing is to ask me each morning, “What are we doing today?” Usually I have one or two things to tell her, but after each activity it is always the same question: “What’s next?” I often feel bad or guilty that I don’t have something planned and ready to go in the afternoon. While there is nothing wrong with being a planned, Pinterest-worthy mom, (in fact, I salute you!) there is also nothing wrong with leaving room to be creative and come up with things on the fly.
Most of our activities stem from some interests the kids have that day or week. I whipped up our Mailbox activity one day that Ellie was curious and interested in mail. Yesterday we were putting together our new stroller and my husband turned the box into a spaceship that we filled with toys and then let the kids sit inside the box and color. Brilliant!
I think time that isn’t planned is great for the kids’ creativity too. Ellie will create elaborate tea parties or trips to the zoo all on her own. I’m having a lot of fun seeing what she can imagine.
In closing, I just wanted to encourage you that it is enough to just be present with your kids. …
Read MoreMexican Rice
Use this recipe with the following recipes to make a full meal
Mexican Taco Cupcakes
Mexican Marinade
Salsa #1
Salsa #2
Mexican Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 1 cup long grain brown rice
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Kosher or sea salt to taste
- 1/2 cup freshly chopped cilantro
- 1(14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1(4 ounce) can diced green chiles (optional)
- 2 cups vegetable broth, low sodium (optional, chicken broth)
Directions
In a large skillet or sauce pan add oil, turn to medium-low heat and saute onion until tender, about 4 minutes.
Add garlic and continue to saute one additional minute.
Add remaining ingredients, cover, reduce heat and simmer on low for approximately 45 minutes or until rice has soaked up the liquid and is tender. (NOTE: The time it takes to cook rice depends on the brand. 35-60minutes)
Remove from heat, leave covered and allow to set 10 minutes before serving.
Adapted from http://skinnyms.com
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Decorating on a Budget-Part 2
It is 11:30 pm and Bekah is still sorting and organizing the new home she and Ashkon moved into 2 weeks ago. So I am her ghost writer tonight. Today, we had a successful adventure searching for the best deals we could find. We were looking for creative ways to store useful items in her home in an organized manner. Buying new pieces of furniture was definitely NOT in their budget so we brainstormed all the places that might have things we could use. We hunted for inexpensive things that could be used for functional storage spaces. We saved a lot of time and money by being prepared with all kinds of coupons, discount codes and special apps on our phone. We had a strategy for which stores to start with and what to look for in each store.
Here are some things Bekah did before we left that gave us the upper hand for our “Decorating on a Budget”.
1. Look up each store online to discover their weekly ads and markdowns and print up any available online coupons.
2. Take advantage of the in-store specials.
3. Check to see if the stores you are going to have apps on your phone and have all the items you wish to buy designated before hand on the app. (Target’s Cartwheel app is fantastic!)
4. Check for coupons that come in the mail, in magazines or in flyers that you may have picked up the last time you were in the store. Some stores even give you coupons on your most recent receipt, but you have to keep an eye on the expiration date on those receipt coupons.
5. Check your email for free membership subscribers coupons that come to your inbox once or twice a week and print out any …
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