Follow Up to Girl Power

Last week I wrote a post titled “The Dangers of Girl Power”.  The post talked about how this message of self reliance and strength, that is being taught to our girls. 



I had a comment given on that post and wanted to write a post in response to it.  Her comment was that she learned a great deal of good things also from the girl power message.

Comment:

I'd just like to point out that the Girl Power movement isn't necessarily all bad. I got the Girl Power message - learned to fix stuff, build stuff, get myself out of jams, think for myself...the whole bit.
When I met the guy that is now my husband, he actually found these to be appealing qualities in me.  
My point is that the Girl Power message doesn't have to mean disregarding the contributions of the men in our lives. Like anything else, we need to train our daughters to take it with a grain of salt and evaluate it for themselves.

  I don’t want anyone to think that strength and skills are better left to men.  Oh no!  I just think that we need to find our guide for living a life of strength and courage in the word of God rather than from the world, who has tainted the message.  Proverbs 31:10-31 is the best example of a woman of many talents, strengths and abilities.  The difference is that she was also guided by selfless motives as oppose to the self-centered motives being taught to girls today.  The P31 woman was motivated by a love for God and her family in everything that she did.   


 Just wanted to clear that up!  


Jeannie  

Princess Training

 



I was just out browsing the web and saw that my favorite Character study is on sale.

 

Princess Training 

 

 

Head on over to Under the Golden Apple Tree to order.

 

 

Also, I don't know if you notice but I do not do any advertising for my own benefit.  If I list something like this, it is meerly because I love it and want to pass the greatness on to you.

 

Enjoy!!

 

Jeannie

The Tough Days of Motherhood

The other day I was reading a post on a blog that I like.  The writer is a young Mama.  She was pouring her heart out, and venting about some of the frustrations in her life connected to being a young, stay at home mom.  Some of the frustrations were loneliness, boredom and just feeling out of touch with the world.

 

I remember those says so clearly.  I was just like her, I married right out of high school and had our first child within 2 years.  Even though I choose all of this it still was a struggle.  I longed for a best friend as she does, someone I could confide everything and share the struggles of motherhood.  But she never came.

 

Now I am thankful that she never came.  I learned to confide in and share my struggles with two best friends that I had hiding in the wings, my husband and my mom.  They have both always loved my unconditionally.

 

I also remember feeling unable to do some of the great things that I wanted to do, which lead to boredom and feeling out of touch.  I knew God had big plans for me.

 

I am thankful that I didn’t do big things back then.  Now I realize that I was not equip, I thought I was but I was not.   I also realize that I had then and still have 4 gigantic ministries I take care of, in the lives of our four children.   We now have one adult child and one very close to being an adult and I see the impact that my life has had on them.  Our faith, values and love for others has been multiplied by 4 more lives. 

 

I love to serve others, if I had spent my time and energy on that alone, instead of in my family, I would have been just me, but when we go to serve today we come as a army of 6 very willing servants.

 

The days of loneliness and boredom(of mind not body, those little ones keep you hopping) will be their.  Seek out those who are in your life right now, pour into them all of you and draw strength from them as well.  The days of constant activity and the desire for boredom will be on your door step before you know it.

 

God Bless!!

Jeannie

Hot Oatmeal Cooler

In the morning we eat Oatmeal often and it is always to hot for my kids.  We used to put an ice cube or 2 into the bowl, but that just watered down the Oatmeal and it didn’t taste as creamy.

 

 

One day as I was reaching for the ice cubes, I saw a bag of frozen Berries.  I thought well we can try it.  We used frozen berries in place of ice and had great results.  My daughter especially loves the berries instead of the ice.  My son (Mr. Picky) would rather eat watered down Oatmeal.

 

 

 

So, have some fun trying different combinations:

Peaches with cream

 

Raspberries with Cinnamon

 

Strawberries with a little Nutmeg

 

Blackberries with a dash of Ginger

 

Blueberries with Pomegranate seeds

 

Enjoy Breakfast!!

 

 

Jeannie
 

 Check out one of my favorite places to hop!!

Is There Something High Schools are Leaving Out?

Sadly, with our first daughter it didn’t occur to me till her Senior year of high school, but I realized that one very important option was left out of my daughter’s array of choices for after high school career choices.


The idea of motherhood was never once mentioned as a possibility.  The recommended path is of course finish high school, go on to college and then on to your career and live happily ever after. 



What about children?  Why aren’t children in that path?  Why is the thought of, a plan for having children not in the equation?


So in my daughter’s senior year we began talks about what life after college could look like.  Most woman want children at some point.  We talked about how that might look in her plan. 


Did she want to work and have children?  Did she want to be a stay at home mom?  Did she want to work part time? 


I know you are thinking how in the world would an 18 year old know what she wants.  She didn’t completely answer those questions of course but it did get her mind thinking about the options and that was my goal.  How many of us wish that we would have thought about these things a little sooner that 2 months before our first child is born or worse yet the last 2 weeks of your maternity leave?


Now she is able to think about jobs that will work well with a family, careers that she can do from home or part time when needed.  It has even made her think about children and her relationship with a future husband, and what that may look like.

Hopefully those of you with future Mommies in your home, will prepare them with the knowledge that you have about being a mom and what it takes and the sacrifices that you very willing make for her.

Jeannie

Spaghetti Pizza Bread

This was a cool new find from Pinterest.  My family was so impressed.  This looks so fancy but it was super easy.  I made this one a few weeks ago and made it again for dinner last night. 



The first one I made was just like the recipe but the one I made last night was without the pasta.  I thought the pasta was a carb over kill.  I also did not use frozen bread dough but used my homemade bread recipe.

                               Photo Credit

Make your own Spaghetti recipe, roll out the dough and cut slits in the two sides of the dough.
Next place the already made spaghetti and the mozzarella cheese in the dough and then braid.
I also sprinkled the top with Italian herbs and garlic powder.

                                                  Photo Credit

Doesn’t that look good, and so fancy, but don’t be afraid it is so easy.

Jeannie

The Dangers of Girl Power

  The girl power “movement”,I will call it, teaches our daughters to be strong, to empower themselves, to be self reliant, and that she can be anything she wants to be.

  All of that on the surface sounds good, we don’t want wimpy, laydown and get trampled over girls do we?  Why shouldn’t she be able to be anything she wants to be,  she is very intelligent.

  But how strong exactly do we need to be?  Stronger than our husbands?  More dominant? Strength and honor [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.  Proverbs 31:25

  How self-reliant should we really become?  Aren’t we supposed to rely on God? Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding:  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.   This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8  

  Yes, girls/women have the capability to be anything we want to be but what will work best with having a family?
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.   Proverbs 31:27-30

Just because we can, doesn’t necessarily mean that we should. 


Girl Power is just a mini version of feminism.  Just like many of the other movements that are contrary to God’s word, they are being taught to our children when they are young.

  We first experienced this, in such a subtle way, when our oldest daughter, Allie was in Girl Scouts, this was one of the reasons we left that group.  They had a workshop that we attended.  The name of the workshop was on “becoming a better you”.


You can see this girl power theme in kid shows, as well.  Have you noticed lately that the damsel in distress is rescuing herself.  In Mirror, Mirror, a version of Snow White, Snow white locks the Prince in the house with the 7 dwarfs, so that she can go fight and defeat the dragon.


Just a reminder, this is not only dangerous for your daughters, but also your sons.  This same message is dumbing down and defeating boys-taking their future place as head of the household, out of their hands.


Tread very carefully through any of today’s media when it comes to your children.

Jeannie

See a follow up Here

Microwave Puffy Paint

We found this idea in Family Fun Magazine and the kids loved it.  They ask to do it all of the time.




Here they are in the bowls we made 4 colors.  The kids just painted it on the paper.




Then we microwaved it for 20 seconds and there you go, a 3D art project.



Before and after above.






The recipe is made of:
1 Tablespoon Flour
1 Tablespoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Baking powder
2 Tablespoons + 1-2 teaspoons Water
Several drops of food coloring of different colors.


You can have lots of fun with the colors and talk about mixing colors to make new ones.  You can see above Isabella was trying to make a new color, it is called pea soup.   

These paints work best on heavier paper, like card stock.  We started out on little index cards, they are the perfect size for experimenting.  We used paint brushes, or you can use q-tips as well.  If the paint does not look “done” after 20 seconds on high, put the painting back in for 10 second intervals until they are not goopy any longer.

Happy Puffy Painting!!

Jeannie

The Next Generation of Mommies.

Our Daughters and Granddaughters are the next generation of Mommies.  What are the opportunities ahead of them?  What are the trials?  What choices will they make?



For the next few posts I thought we could explore some of that together.  Our world is so rapidly changing.  The girls are maturing in some ways more quickly and in other ways less quickly.



One example, we are doing a tea party for our 3rd and 4th grade AWANA girls this year.  In planning it, I have noticed differences in girls from just 11 years ago.  When our oldest Allie went to the tea party at the same age all of the girls brought a teddy bear or a doll to the tea party now that is out of the question.  Just amazing!  And yet these same girls are not as responsible as she and her peers were at that age.



I just started a little devotion/training with our younger daughter, Isabella.  It is called Princess training.  I found it at Under the Golden Apple Tree .com.  I found so many great things on this blog.  It is great, you should check it out.



Princess Training starts out with a story and goes in to Character training specific to a little girl growing into a young lady.   Below are the topics:

The Heart
Femininity
Courageous
Virtue
Discernment
Trust and Obey
Reflecting Christ
Modesty
Long Suffering
Ambition
Thankfulness
Hospitality
Memory Verses


 Come back for more on raising the next generation of Mommies.

 Jeannie

Grilled Pizza Sandwiches

Wednesday Nights are AWANA nights at our house.  Dinner is very much on the fly, so I loved this recipe.  These are a kicked up version of Grilled Cheese.  They are a favorite by everyone in our house including Max the dog.  Jacob left half of his out when he left for AWANA and was sad to find it gone when he returned. 



These are the ingredients minus the bread of course. Sorry! 
Butter your pan (I used coconut oil, I am really liking that stuff).  Then place a slice of the bread down in the pan. Next, layer on the other 3 ingredients, first the sauce, then the pepperoni and finally the cheese.

Place the second piece of bread on the top and flip after a minute or so, just like grilled cheese.  Add some carrot sticks to the plate and you have yourself a quick dinner.




Final product ready to pull out and serve.  See they look just like grilled cheese, but surprise they are not.

Jeannie

7 ways to get more Bible in your day!

So many of us run, run, run.  How many of us are running on empty.  We need more of God’s precious word filling us.  Here are some ways to get more of God’s word into your life with out carving out hours of your day.



1.  Listen to a Christian Radio Program in the car or while you make lunch or dinner.  You can also find radio programs here.



2.  Post Scripture around your house.  Especially in your bathroom, to read while you get ready in the  morning. 



3.  Place quick reading devotional books around where you spend time.  For instance, in your car, in the bathroom to read while small children play in bathtub, in your kitchen-a quick read while eating breakfast or stirring sauce.



4. Get up 30 minutes before your house does.  When it is quiet you can read the word and hear the Lord.  I know little ones get up.  Put a clock in there room and explain that they can’t talk to you till such n such a time. 

 5.  Join a bible study that meets outside of your home.  The fellowship will be fun and good for you as well.



6.  Sign up for a devotional email.  The site will send you daily devotions straight to your email. Try this one.



7.  Talk to a friend, your mom or your husband, ask them to text scriptures that they run across that make them think of you and you can do the same for them.


God Bless!!
Jeannie

My Favorite Thanksgiving Pinterest

I love Thanksgiving.  I have never had a year like this one.  I feel like I have the time and excitement to really do some fun things.  So, a hunting I went for ideas.  Where is the best place to get ideas?  That’s right Pinterest.  These are a few of my favorites.  They are realistic for my time and yet look fun. 



I can’t wait to try these cinnamon candles.  They are supposed to smell great.


 



This first post has 90 front porch ideas.  The second one is a cute kids table idea. We are studying U.S. History this year and just took a look at the pilgrims.



Yummy desserts!  And look my favorite kind of pie, a little of everything.



More kid table ideas.





Fun projects to do with the kids, above and below.







I don’t have any babies but I just couldn’t resist.  I will have grandbabies one day.  So stinkin' cute!!
Come on over to my Pinterest to see the rest of the great things I found.

Jeannie