We recently did just that. In hind sight we are still questioning if it was the right decision. We have ended up where we have ultimately wanted to be to raise our kids… but the mental and emotional battles of staying with extended family and not having our own space, and the unknowing future of my husbands employment has almost been too hard at times.

We have come away with seems to be, too much understanding of others… we are quite bruised from the experience. But then there is the whole learning challenge of all the months with out our own comforts of home, only each other.

There is power in not having life comforts but having your significant other and children around to help you through hard times. It helps the children learn about not getting every thing they want, or think they deserve… it is about dealing with what life brings.

So a family adventure can end up good or bad but it is what you do with what is thrown at you. I truly believe our kids will be stronger more well rounded individuals as they think back to our life changing adventure. It has given them insight that only comes through true experience!

Post from: Jenna Storms

A Family Adventure

Fathers Day and Mothers Day also tend to be where the significant other feels like they need to buy a gift, even if the children make their own.  Where does it end?  It is a bit of a pocket emptier if you ask me.

I tend to think that every holiday in America does not have to be celebrated so extravagantly.  Good food is always a plus but we just put it on out grocery list and use left overs and kind of just incorporate what we are doing into the budget.

For Memorial Day weekend this year, we put up a tent we already had, in the back yard.  The kids got to camp out in the safety of our back yard, while my husband and I got a soft bed and did not have to chase a 2 year old around an unknown area.

We grilled hot dogs on a charcoal grill/ portable fire pit.  So we ate then had a nice warm fire, the weather was perfect… it was awesome, the kids loved it.  We put a table up for condiments with an old birthday table cloth, had fun plastic colorful plates, we already had.  We pulled out tiki-torches I got for 25 cents each.

Really, we probably spent less than $20.  It was great, the kids were so happy!  They had a wonderful time, it was the ‘wow’ factor of it being different, a little dressed up, and the tent… oh ya!!

It has been on my mind because of the economy… all these holidays, including the birthdays of your immediate family.  I think that you do not have to feel the crunch or the push to spend money because every one else is.

If you have to tighten your belt in your budget then consider more creative ways to make it fun.  If it is mostly for the kids, then you can get creative with out spending much, it also helps to get their input.

If it is with friends throw a party together.  Maybe your place will be more spacious, so split the spending with someone… like food or drinks.  Or have every one split up food to bring.  Or condiments, or plates, cups, napkins and things.  It can work out pretty good, if you communicate it all.

Just get a sign up list, make some phone calls… it could work out nicely with less spending.

If you don’t spend so much money on a few of these holidays then you can have the funds to throw a few good parties.  Decide in advance which ones you really want to have a fun party for, then work it out.

I recently wrote an article on birthdaypartyideas.com that talks more about saving for birthday parties for the year, which is why this article came about.  Just in case you are interested.

Thoughts for the week from me 

Post from: Jenna Storms

So Many Holidays!

There are many ways to get caught up in how you should look. As a young teen, I wasn’t really worried about my weight, as the time went on I was a dancer, and I became more concerned with what I thought I should look like. Looking at magazines with those skinny models on them.

My mentality was to just be thin, not understanding what that would make me… not as strong as I could of been, probably made school harder to concentrate. I basically was not eating enough meals, I am pretty sure I was not the only one doing this. I also tried to eat everything “fat-free”.

Which now we know not to be good either! It actually causes you to store more fat, and not absorb that protein which ultimately makes you stronger and leaner.

I married my best friend, who happens to be a personal trainer of 15+ years. I had a pretty messed up understanding of skinny, how to get skinny, how to stay skinny.

My husband has educated me so well in how metabolism works, and what my old habits would actually do to my body… I have come to realize I don’t want to be ’skinny’, I want to be lean… which is mostly eating. I also have come to realize skinny people are usually not very healthy or strong. I like to be strong and athletic… it is in my nature to want to be tough.

Just another reason why I think the Lord had him in mind for me.

So it all comes down to eating habits… more importantly portion size. At this time I don’t want to miss out on cake at my kids birthday party, or not eat Pizza on our movie night. That is where I am at right now. So I can over eat or eat a portion that will not cause me to gain weight.

Yes, self control has to be exercised. Do I always exercise this? Nope… but again I don’t think many people do. It is how many times you choose to not over do salty and sweet foods in a day.

I do however, when I am a bit older want to be leaner and stronger and walk around feeling a bit more in shape. You know the age thing… closer to 40 and I will go to a lot more trouble to be lean… that’s just me.

Now with this said, exercise is the next step after the eating… obviously. They do go hand in hand, but losing fat is only produced by better eating habits, or portion control. You can burn that fat and build muscle with exercise.

The problem is people over do it so fast that they burn out and don’t want to go back. I say… start changing your eating habits, begin to see the difference and then begin a doable exercise program. Don’t be in a hurry, be consistent and patient.

I know many friends and family that have done Weight Watchers. I completely believe in it. It gives you the tools you need to understand what your body really needs to lose pounds and be at a comfortable place, weight wise.

Every one has their own wants about their size, I am promoting Weight Watchers because it is simple and educational. It just takes doing the work. It isn’t a hard core, muscle building, body changing program… it is a life changing possible life saving program to help you understand eating habits.

So we all have our different desires about our health and our bodies. Some are changeable like our weight, I believe that if your weight is causing you health problems, then it is time to make a change. I truly believe Weight Watchers is the place to start.

They also are there for you, if you need more support! It is a great thing! If you agree with what I have said then check it out… My desire is that it helps you make the changes you need!

Post from: Jenna Storms

Eating Habits

I do not like to wear make up.  I am talking about foundation and powder.

Over the last 5 years of my life, I have been breaking out a lot, which I do not like to admit… but it is the truth!  Since I don’t like to wear cover-up… I just went out of the house feeling ‘not so pretty’.

I had wanted it for a while, and my husband was paying attention.  I was excited and a little nervous to try it because I didn’t want to be disappointed.  It takes a few times to get use to putting it on.  It is easy but you tend to put a little too much on at first.. at least that’s what I did.

I was not disappointed, I love the product.  It gives my face more even tone, and a little sun to my cheeks.  It is totally natural and good for your face.

It gives me a natural look with out the appearance of caked on make-up look.   I also have inherited dark circles under my eyes that this stuff just fades away.  You can use as much or as little as you want.

I worship at church and it is nice to have make up so natural, and it makes me feel pretty.  Wow I sound like a little girl, but that is what I am at heart. I don’t intend to change it. 

So I am putting an ad on my site today, because I personally use the product and believe in it!  To me it isn’t that pricey because it goes a long ways… and NO this is not a commercial, this is the truth!

So if you are interested… try it out, it is awesome!

Post from: Jenna Storms

Bare Minerals

This is such a great experience for them.  They have so much fun!  They get up, do their chores and are ready with their bibles in hand each morning.  Ready on time so we aren’t late,   I can’t ask for much more than that. 

I asked them what they like about Vacation Bible School and these are their answers.

Quote from my 6 year old boy: “I love that it’s 3 hours and it’s so fun!”

Quote from my 9 year old daughter: “I like hat it’s Christian, the crafts, games, snacks, and Bible Teacher!”

Quote from my 12 year old son: “That I get to play pingpong.  The games and the snacks are also good!”

Now those sound like pretty funny answers, but I love the honesty.  Since it is Christian based they learn scripture, and have God loving teachers.  They get to play tons of fun competitive games which usually include water.  They get to do crafts they never get to do at home.

It is 3 hours of fun!  I am so happy for them this week.  I get a little time to myself which isn’t as full filling this time as I was hoping.  It is only Tuesday, though.

My almost 2 year old is a lot of work, and I am feeling old this week.  Why does every thing seem so hard at times.  So I am not feeling that rejuvenation I was hoping for from a short break from them each day.

But you know what?… They are getting rejuvenated.

So which is more important?  I think my kids getting a break from our day to day and getting their own rejuvenation with the Lord by their side is equally important!

So yeah for them!  I will keep on ‘keepin’ on this week just for the sake of my lovely children! 

Post from: Jenna Storms

Vacation Bible School

The Lord has opened up doors for me to sing more at my church.  He has allowed me to sing more by myself just to get rid of the nerves and to gain some confidence.  I am able to pour out my heart in song for Him.

That  is my hearts desire!  To just sing a song the way it comes out is very freeing and full-filling in a manner of… believing that the Lord is using me for that purpose.  The purpose being to worship Him at my potential for others, so they can worship Him too!

I also have been meeting with my awesome friend who plays the violin.  We have been taking songs we like and working them out in a new creative way.

Also just this week another one of my good friends from church who I use to sing with on the women’s ministry worship team is now helping me with my voice and guitar skills for growth.

I feel like I am in a place where I need help… more outside influence to grow me as a musician, and the Lord has brought it together, once more.

He is so faithful!!!  If you just let Him take the wheel!  In His perfect timing it all comes together… Such a blessing!

Here is an awesome personal example that confirms that waiting on the Lord is what he wants from us…

I have been wanting to do more at Church Worship for awhile, meaning I wanted some solos and more responsibility for growth.  To sing for our God with out nerves and concern of how it should sound, or what I sound like.  I wanted to work through all of it, so I could grow as a singer, and a worship leader.

I have found that those qualities come from experience.  We are all made of flesh which can overcome what we know to be true from the bible.  So I realized through all of my experience so far that I just need to be in circumstance that make me uncomfortable more, and that will grow me… that is the experience I need!

Anyway I shared how I was feeling with my husband months ago, and I really wanted to say something to the worship leader ( my authority) about it, but never found the right time.  I just didn’t feel prompted too, so I just left it alone.

About a month ago, my Worship Leader/Pastor decided that once a month he wanted to start doing a more intimate worship setting where it would be just four people doing worship instead of a whole band full of people.

So he has made it  just two singers, two guitars, and percussion.  I am the second singer and it is pretty neat to do, and it is more responsibility for me.

So I have more opportunity for solos and help carry the songs in a more passionate way instead of technical way… if that makes sense.

On Sundays the worship team comes in 2 hours early to practice the 5 songs for an hour and a half before church for the 2 services that day.  So a few Sundays ago, our Worship Leader lost his voice.  He could not sing.

So myself and another singer had to carry worship that day.  It was a big shock, and a lot of pressure to carry the songs… instead of just being an addition to the songs.  It was also awesome.

I just continued to ask the Lord to use me, to just sing through me for the congregation.  He carried me through and I was able to just worship passionately for Him.  I did not have to worry about blending with my worship leader, or singing to loud or too soft, I was just able to sing from my heart… it was divine!

So after first service, my worship leader said to me all the things that I have been wanting to say to him.  All the things I was hoping for in the church worship setting, came from the Lord out of his mouth.  It was so cool, so obvious to be from our Almighty and at His time!

So in God’s perfect timing, everything just comes together!

I have another story about Gods perfect timing… about a different kind of worship where he in His own time has allowed me again to be apart of something awesome!  But another day. 

Post from: Jenna Storms

Time Is Approaching

I do!  But I don’t do it once a year, I do it like quarterly sometimes more.  I do it, maybe takes me a week… but I do every room.  I completely exhaust myself, and the kids are pretty tired of it when we are finished.  But I have to say… it is so wonderful when it is done!

Maybe with 6 people in the house the need for purging is needed more.  Who knows?  But I do get a sense of accomplishment from it, I will tell you that.  My house looks ’spic n span’.

I do find with an toddler, nothing stays clean… EVER!  It is so sad, and very frustrating.  I am not a fan of clutter, but it follows me through my house.  I purge, clothes, toys, books, whatever… to keep my house as uncluttered as possible.  It is a constant battle!

Then I think when I have conquered the battle, watch… it will only be because my kids have grown up and no longer live with us and I will be lonely and wish the clutter was back. 

Isn’t that the cycle of life?  My husband uses that phrases a lot!  I will come in after my boy, because he has broken free into Daddy’s office to say”Hi” and I am tired of chasing him, and my hubby will say, very sweetly… “You’re gonna miss this”.  If I am not too annoyed and step back for a minute… he is so right!

I am going to miss it, all of it… but when it’s gone!  There is a sweet country song about just that by Trace Adkins called “You’re Gonna Miss This”. It pretty much covers  life and how we need to slow down and just enjoy the moments, the good times in the mists of the craziness, it’s poetic!  It is sweet and makes me have to fight back tears every time I listen to it.

So if you are a mother and get overwhelmed and your attitude starts going down the toilet like all of our does, at times… I encourage you to pray for peace and joy amongst the craziness, and then… listen to that song, play it for you hubby too!!

Okay even if you are a Dad listen to it…   I don’t think of guys coming to this site for good reading… (so just in case) LOL!

Just in case you are not a fan of country listen to it anyway, it is so worth it!

“Your Gonna Miss This” by Trace Adkins

Post from: Jenna Storms

I’m Gonna Miss This

I never again want to sacrifice my own space to keep my kids areas and the rest of the house as tidy as possible!  It gives me, no place of serenity!  I only came to this realization because I did actually finished my room, today.

Every time I go in there now… I feel like I am on a vacation. I vacation with a nice room, you know a hotel room, only my stuff is all unpacked.

I moved my dresser so I could have more space when I walk in, it is a more open feel.  A nice big thing is I got the baby’s play pen out of there.  It is spacious and beautiful, and we don’t even have nice furniture. LOL

I think the key word is spacious, not because it is huge but because I do not have unnecessary things on the floor and I did not cover every single inch of available wall space with shelves or a hamper or anything.

It is wonderful and I never want to go back!  I realized I constantly sacrifice my own time, space, things to the kids… which is what mothers do.  Sacrificial love is what we are all about, in our own ways… not anything like Jesus, but He is a great example. 

Anyway… We are suppose to sacrifice… I just don’t think it is suppose to be EVERYTHING…  so today, having a nice clean haven, is just what the doctor ordered!

So I encourage you to find the space you like best and start there.  Clean it and try to not cover every empty space with something.  Leave empty places, don’t add another shelf for more storage.

I am serious, it makes a difference!

The next instruction is… when one of your kids says, “Hey Mom, what do you want me to do with this”… don’t say, “just put it in the empty space on my floor by the door, until I can figure out where to put it.”  Think about where you would find a place for it, and make them do it right then.

Aaahh, now the start of that mess has yet to flourish!  Yeah!

Well, that is my new accomplishment this week, don’t let the kids off the hook to help create a mess you have to deal with later.  I have them do chores and all, and things STILL pile up in the darnedest places.  Again storage is an issue, but not an excuse!

Now I am just talking to myself.  LOL

Hope this helped someone!

Cheers! 

Post from: Jenna Storms

Your Own Space

It is colorful, and smells of exotic fruit… something you would find on a small serving table next to a beach chair that is occupied by a women… oh i don’t know about my age, with her cute and tasteful beach attire, getting a tan and enjoying her kids play from a far.   The waves crashing up on the shore line, palm trees blowing in the gentle breeze, kids building sand castles, while she is nibbles cinnamon tortilla chips dipped in fruit salsa made by her and her lovely children earlier that day…aahhh, that is the life.

Okay back to reality… this is my recipe!  My kids and I perfected it to our liking, so we get to claim it!

Ingredients:

1 Green Apple

1 Peach

2 Kiwis

10 strawberries

3 tbsp fruit preserves (any kind of canned fruit syrup will work)

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 tbsp brown sugar

You basically cut it up small enough to put in a food processor.  Any machine you have that will cut it up into tiny pieces.  You also add the sugar and juice right to the mixer you are using.

It has to look like salsa to be salsa.  I took a few pics of my own salsa so if they turn out you will see.

Then you must chill it.  I would say at least 15 minutes, I think it is best cold.  So if you can’t wait then you won’t have the TRUE beach side snack! 

Now for the cinnamon tortillas that go with it.  You need some thing to dip in the fruity salsa right???

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

I would like to give you a heads up that if you don’t have a double oven or huge cookie sheets… they take a while depending on how many you make.  So you might want to get these started first.

You take flour tortillas, you can spray them with some Pam or brush them with spreadable margarine or butter.  Then you mix cinnamon and sugar.  I like sweet cinnamon, so I make the mix a pretty light cinnamon color… I don’t measure but I am sure everyone already knows the consistency they like.

So you sprinkle the buttered tortillas with the mix of cinnamon and sugar and then use a pizza cutter to slice the tortilla 4 times into 8ths.  Put them on a cookie sheet… I like to put tin foil down first just for the mess factor.  Cook them for 7-10 minutes.  You will know they are almost done when they start to curl a bit and brown.  You want them crispy not chewy, and you don’t want them burnt… burnt cinnimon is gross!

Depending on your oven you will probably have to watch the first batch but once you get the hang of it, you will know how long your oven takes.  I also want to say… make as many as you think you will need, they are good as left overs, and my kids go through them like a bag of chips so I have no idea how to determine how many to make.

A tortilla makes 8 chips so serving wise that is probably enough for 1 person, if you are measuring.  This recipe serves about 7, again depending on how much they eat! 

I hope you enjoy this recipe… we just did!!!

PS:  Thank you Kimi for showing me some yummy food to make for my family!

Post from: Jenna Storms

Storms Fruit Salsa

It has not been working for her.  It has been troubling me but I just couldn’t put my finger on it.  I had a Woman’s Retreat this weekend where I was spiritually fed, hence the break through… I am sure!

I do also have to give Kudos to my husband who mentioned before I left for the retreat that our daughter needed some special responsibility of her own.  He was so right!

She is a little Mama all the way.  She wants to be in charge, the one who is right…  I find her using a ‘not so nice’ parent tone often.  So after my husband planting the seed, and me being filled with spiritual food and rest, it became clear.

I told her yesterday that I would like her to help me micro-manage the household.  Now usually I am trying to do this task, which I don’t do very well… thanks to my busy, busy toddler.

I usually expect my oldest boy to do his chores properly.The other 2 I know it won’t be good and it just spirals into a frustrated Mom and half done kid chores.  Which also means the house never gets to a tidy place, hence me more frustrated then before.

Moving on to my point… she is very forgetful and distracted when doing her chores… like her mother.  So I am giving her 2-4 weeks depending on her progress to get better at her chores so she can take the responsibility of micro-managing them.

She can’t be in charge of this task if she can’t do her own chores properly, right?  She was ecstatic!  She had no problem with the grace period and can’t wait for the responsibility that she is long over due for.

In my defense I have 3 boys.  I have a 6 year old very passionate boy, who gets misunderstood with his humor, is a bit forgetful… and only likes to sit still, never.  He has the biggest heart and just wants to please people he loves.  Now the toddler, a boy, is very smart, bull headed, and cute… a very frustrating combination in my opinion.

My oldest is awesome, he is God sent.  He does what he is told, he tries to please his mom and dad the best he can.  He has read through his bible at least 2 times, maybe 3.  He has knowledge of the word that only comes from reading it so much.

He has been through so much junk with my husband and I, and yet the Lord has made him so good.  In saying that my poor girl feels like she has to live up to that.  The funny thing is, is that when they were much younger she was little miss princess and her older brother had to make sure he treated her just like one.  I guess she doesn’t remember, or maybe that is why she feels lost now.

Anyway, because of the retreat this weekend I have had a hunger to be in the word (yeah!) which I believe gave me this epiphany.  I need to start letting her help me with things that she should be learning as a girl.  A girl who will one day be a young woman, and some day a wife, a mother and a  keeper of the home.

So today instead of using my oldest son, who is just like a robot and does what ever it is I ask of him (plus he is strong enough to move furniture and stuff), I asked her to help me.  I am reorganizing our homeschool/my office area.  It was much needed, and I have not had use of my desk for a while.

She was delighted.  I used the time to teach her how to move furniture around, and how helpful the tape measure is, for less work.  We talked, laughed, and dusted.  I could see the gleam in her eye, she had a purpose like her Mom has a purpose.

I also had to go to church to practice some songs for worship today.  I decided to bring the little one so hubby could continue to work.  I usually bring my oldest to watch him because it works well.  Today I thought she needed the responsibility.

Usually with the baby she just makes things worse, because she so loves being in charge that she drives the smart toddler crazy.  So this time I gave her the task and gently told her to let him know you are there… but not to make him play, or make him sit, or make him eat.  Let him feel like he has some freedom and you are there to help him, and play with him.

She did a fantastic job.  It was about 2 hours all together, and it went very well.  I was able to get details on worship songs worked out, and that was my purpose for going.  So she succeeded!  She also got thanked and praised by the worship leader as well.

I am both happy and sad.  I am so happy for her to finally feel like she is needed and appreciated.  I am sad because it took a long time for me to see it, and apply what I realized the right way.

So here is just another awesome reason why God’s Word, the Bible helps so much in our lives, personally!  Praise Him for all He does for us, and all He wants for us… and our children!

HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!

Post from: Jenna Storms

The Only Girl