Maryville Moms

Adjustments – life is full of them! We can adjust everything from the dial of our radio to the attitude of our heart. Life rarely goes as planned, and adjustments come in handy at such moments.For me, parenting has been one huge adjustment. At times I’ve fought this adjustment.  I’ve tried to keep some things [...]

Ahhhh, Christmas time…  The time of year when we can use the tactic,  ”Santa’s watching”, to keep our kids in line.  I’m not sure if you personally apply this in your house.  I have been coaxed to use it many times, but just can’t seem to.  The truth is that I wouldn’t follow through on [...]

Sometimes parenting is akin to taming wild horses.  When one kid is being obedient, the other is running crazy.  Many moments they are simultaneously running me to the point of emotional exhaustion by fighting with each other or rebelling. I can’t count how many times I’ve been on the receiving end of a sorry spoken [...]

I have an almost-5-year old and an almost-3-year-old.  During the course of a day, it’s not unusual to hear “Hey mama?!” at least 4,000 times.  But why am I telling this to you?  If you’re reading this, you’re probably a mom; since you’re probably a mom, you know what I’m dealing with. The morning “hey mama” [...]

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 Who has time to be still?  Perhaps upon waking you’re in a dash to get everybody fed, dressed, and out the door for school and work.  Back at home, there is laundry to fold, meals to cook, floors to wash.  Let’s not forgot your volunteer [...]

Today’s guest blogger is Noelle Larson.  You can find her at www.metromom.org or on twitter @metromom.  Funny story:  A few weeks ago at her church in Nashville, someone said they “like her costume.”  She wasn’t wearing a costume… unless, of course, she was disguised as a mom. I had three, count ‘em, three baby showers when [...]

I am grateful to have kids that truly are buddies.  They play really well together and genuinely love each other… most of the time.  My house has seen it’s share of arguments this summer.  It seems, however, that the kids are fighting with each other more than the normal sibling. The increased activity could be [...]

By Emily Effler True story: Ten-year-old Carol sat, too shocked for tears, in the hospital waiting room.  Her parents had just identified the body as her brother Bill.  The car wreck had altered him almost beyond recognition, but his parents sadly agreed that the dark-haired, 6’3 young man was in fact their son. As Carol’s [...]

So I stole this from the Ragamuffin Soul blog.  Sue me.  Wait – no.  Don’t really. 10 Things We Should Know About Our Kids by Carlos Whittaker 1.  When you say “later” your kids hear “never”. 2.  When your kids want you, well, they want you. 3.  “Daddy has to go to work to pay [...]

I have developed a strategy to solve all domestic issues.  What is public enemy number one?  A clean house, right? It’s not that I don’t like cleaning, it’s just that it doesn’t stay clean.  As I move from room to room, the tiny terrorists follow me and undo all that I have done and then [...]

A letter from John Eldridge of Family I.D. RANSOMED HEART ~LOVE GOD. LIVE FREE. May 2011 A few Weeks ago I was travelling in Slovakia and Poland, speaking on this beautiful Gospel.  Being a tea drinker in the morning (I gave up coffee years ago) my wonderful host offered me an herbal tea I had [...]

Kids are smart.  They know and understand the way things work more than we give them credit for. I overheard Abigail (my oldest) trying to talk William (my youngest) into doing something she knew he’d get in trouble for.  I quietly sat with my ears perked to hear how the little guy would react.  He [...]