A Mother’s Paycheck – A Full Homey Home

 

This past week our family enjoyed  24+ hours together, eating, talking, talking some more, eating, playing games and more talking.  Audrianna came home from MBI for 3 days, Laryssa flew in after Thanksgiving (leaving Josiah at a new base) and Alycia came home with her new boyfriend (Hi Jason) after they worked on Friday.  It was a special time for our family of enjoying each other’s presence after weeks of being apart experiencing new life events.  

It was great to have Audrianna home – I just enjoyed her so much… knowing that she was asleep in her own bed and talking to her in person.  She is doing great at Moody Bible Institute and we benefitted from her Old Testament Survey knowledge when we played Bible Outburst (although the guys won).  It was great having her boyfriend, Nic here with the family – he is a ton of fun and always makes me (and everyone)  laugh.  I am so proud of her and can’t wait till she comes home for Christmas break in 2 &  1/2 weeks. 

It was also so wonderful to have Laryssa here, but I missed having her husband, Josiah, here.  Laryssa is doing well, is happily married and loves to talk about her husband. She is here until Christmas and I love having her here to enjoy each day.   

And it was just great to have Alycia and her new boyfriend Jason here – he did really very well being  thrown into the “Joseph Family” mix, he is easy to be around and quiet (but so was Josiah at this point) .  I give him a lot of credit for spending 2 days with our family, especially since this was the first time he had met “the sisters”  (and he is from a family of 3 boys). 

Having our homey home full of our daughters and their boyfriends was the perfect Mother’s Paycheck for this Mom who has been just a tiny bit lonely over the past 11 weeks.   I have much to be thankful for and I have invested this paycheck in my memory bank. 

  

“God sets the lonely in families…” Isaiah 68:6 

Getting everything ready at the last minute – notice the beautiful turkey sitting on the counter. 

 

Our family together again (Bill and the turkey grease had a disagreement and the grease won!)

We enjoyed getting to know Jason – he is a great guy.

Enjoying our College Freshman home for the first time.

My Mother’s Paycheck

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Holiday Resource List of Christian Books and Products for Moms

Last Month I gave a MOPS Devotions on The Trouble with Holidays  where I encouraged Moms to keep the Holidays simple and focus on the real meaning behind each holiday and to make that the focus of each celebration.  Since it has been awhile since I have had a small child in our home, I asked my friend and former MOPS Coordinator, Stephanie to create a Resource List of good list of books and products.  Her children are ages 10 (almost 11), 9. 7. and 6.  Stephanie is a wonderful Mom who does her research on the items used in her home, so I trust her opinion.   

Mom’s Holiday Resource List

Thanksgiving:

• Thanksgiving a Time to Remember by Barbara Rainey – There are 2 versions in the book; one for younger children and one for older children.  Stephanie’s family reads this book every Thanksgiving. 
• Growing Together in Gratitude by Barbara Rainey – New this year, Family Devotional

Christmas:

• Advent Wreath  – Can be homemade or purchased here http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntk=keywords&Ntt=advent+wreath&action=Search&N=0&Ne=0&event=ESRCN&nav_search=1&cms=1
• Christ in Christmas, A Family Advent Celebration by James Dobson, Charles Swindoll, James Montgomery Boice, R.C. Sproul – Stephanie’s family uses this year.  It is no longer in print, but can be purchased used on Amazon here http://www.amazon.com/Christ-Christmas-Family-Advent-Celebration/dp/0891096051
• What God wants for Christmas ~ An Interactive Kid Friendly Nativity by Family Life – This navtivity set is a good one for little children.
• Adorenaments by Family Life – Ornaments that teach the names of Christ.  These are no longer made, but are available through Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Adorenaments-Parenting-FamilyLife/dp/1572292385/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259009431&sr=8-1
• Getting Ready for Christmas, A Daily Advent Prayer and Activity Book for the Family by Yolanda Browne
• The ADVENTure of Christmas, Finding Jesus in our Holiday Traditions by Lisa Whelchel – 25 days with a tradition, application and teachable moments

Books to read aloud to your children or for your older ones to read to themselves:

• The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
• Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco
• It’s a Wonderful Life for Kids by Jimmy Hawkins –  this is a great book for fans of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life

DVDS:

• A Boz Christmas – A good family movie, it has a live nativity
• The Very First Noel

Easter:

• Resurrection Eggs by Family Life – The Easter Story for Children.  You can make a homemade version
• Eggstravaganza DVD by Miss Patty Cakes

All Seasons:

• Creating Family Traditions by Shirley Dobson &  Gloria Gaither – There are 4 books in this series titled

Making Ordinary Days Special

Creating Family Traditions

Creating Special Times with Special People

Hide It in Your Heart

 

Thanks for the work you put into this Mom’s Resource List, Stephanie.   

 

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