Enough

Tonight my DSS (Dear Step-son) joined me for a jog around our neighborhood. I had my daughter in the jogger and he said he would join me and bounce the ball while jogging with me.

Before that we worked on his summer math assignment which ran into my time to go to the grocers and Babies R Us. I had planned to pick up dinner and snacks for my little one and lunch for next week. That did not happen. And I kept thinking we won't have anything for dinner tonight. We will have to srounge. So as we jogged, I told him what I planned to cook. I'll grill the spicy italian sausage, I said, and cook a pot of rice and some green beans. I will make some mac-n-cheese with the little macaroni noodles and some rotini (because there was not enough pasta for everyone).

'That's a full course meal' my son replied. I thought about it. It certainly was. Why had I thought in my mind that we did not have enough? We had an abundance, we have plenty. Thank you God for blessing us this way. When I really looked in the fridge I realized we have chicken, sausage and in the cubbard is corn, beans and more beans. Lots of rice and pasta, heck peanut butter and jelly. We have plenty. My little one has snacks...4 different kinds to be exact. There is deli meat and in actuality, I do not need to go to the store until this weekend.

Thank you God for the overflow, for the abundance for giving us so much and supplying all our needs.

Matthew 6:26

One Happy Mother

I spent last Saturday hanging out with my fellow Mocha Moms at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. In the past Meek and I have vended at such functions, but this time I went as an eager participant.

The weekend long event was held at the Gaylord National Hotel on National Harbor. It was my first time visiting the harbor and as you can see in the picture, it is a beautiful. What I thought was the perfect escape from my everyday work of being a mom, became every bit a celebration of the same fact. As we mothers were educated on finances, parenting, marriage, health, etc.-- it became clear that we were actually being empowered to go forth and do even more.

They were plenty events just for moms; like the complimentary spa services, workout session and mom's night out in the hotel lounge-- not to mention plenty of coupons, freebies, great food and specialty shopping. But what I liked most was how the conference emphasized our focus on family. At times motherhood can be trying, but it makes all the difference when we're reminded that we aren't in the battle alone. Validation and encouragement like that of Saturday are food for the soul. The conference events and speakers left me better able to make financial changes, martial adjustments and a stronger commitment to raising my children. I am blessed to be a mother and I pray that God continually bless you!

What encourages you as a mom? We'd love to hear from you.

Truly inspired,

Polly

Where the Horses Run Free!

I want to go where the horses run wild! It is a must have photograph for one of our upcoming projects.

I was driving down a strecth of rural highway in my area and came across a few farms with horses. They were out frolicking about eating and just being horses I suppose. In my mind I wondered what it would be like to get up close and personal with one of these majestic creatures. Then I thought, nah, I better have my long lens for those shots…I would rather observe from a far.

It is a photo that Polly said we need to have. Horses running free. In my mind I see them running fast, mane and tail flying in the wind, muscles well defined and rippled, maybe even running into the sunset enjoying the life God has given to them.

Who would have known that wild horses roamed most of the land and though the numbers have dwindled a bit, we can still find wild horses here and there. I want to go where they are and see what they see. To watch them and see how they live. That's why I am heading to the assateauge and chincoteague islands next spring. It is there that I can find these majestic horses roaming freely as nature intended. I cannot wait to showcase the beautiful moments I plan to capture on film.

Back To School

...And just like that, it's August! I'm enthralled by all the store circulars boasting school supplies, especially while the tax free shopping bug is going around. I get so excited for all the possibilities of a new school year when I see the bins full of brightly colored folders, pens and notebooks for sale. That's about the same time I realize I've got to get down to business.

My kids had a carefree summer which allowed them to slip out of their school routine and has let me become lax with the supplemental teaching I normally do at home. I know they're going to have a hard time getting back on track for the start of the next year. So I'm prepping them right now!

Yeah, it may sound cruel because they still have a few weeks of summer left, but it's for the best. Going cold turkey to a new bedtime is only going to make them miserable. When that first day comes I want them rested, nourished and ready to learn. So over the next four weeks we'll practice reading comprehension, handwriting and math so their brains will be firing when they get to class. I'll take it easy and only do about an hour of review per day. Then we'll balance it out with science experiments and crafts so everyone can still have fun (including me)! All the while I'm inching the bedtime up by about 15 minutes per night until it's back to what it should be. And so long as I'm taking the time to prepare the kids, I might as well tell myself to get with the program. It's showtime in less than a month!

How do you get ready for a new school year?

Many blessings,

Polly