Over "Stuffing' Our Lives

by Jeannine Carroll

A few yeas ago, I was traveling across Mexico.  I had taken my second trip to Mexico to learn more about their culture and way of living.  For three days I lived with a family in the city of Chihuahua.  According to our standards, this was a very poor family, but in their city, they were middle class.  They lived in a five-room cement home, one of the very few with a black-iron security fence around it.

They were a warm and loving family that went out of their way to make me feel at home.  They were so proud to show me that they had a shower and even though I couldn't get the hot water to work, I was very thankful for it!  They always had food prepared when they knew I was going to be there and they asked me each day if I wanted to take a shower.  I know that this family was careful not to waste anything and I really hoped I was not causing a hardship for them.

 As I look at this family, that we would say has very little, I can't help but wonder.

Prayers For Children

by Jeannine Carroll

What were the prayers you were taught as a child?  So many of us were taught this little prayer:

Now I lay me down to sleep.

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

What were our parents thinking?  Today we would not think of sending a child to bed worrying that they might "Die before they wake"!

Here is a prayer I wrote to replace this one for the children in my life:

As I lay down to sleep tonight,

I pray, Dear Lord, you'll hold me tight

And surround me with your loving arms

Until the morning light.

What are some of the prayers you or your children have prayed?  Please share them with us!

Juggling Five Balls

"Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you're keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls...are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered."  ~James Patterson

Do you feel as challenged as most parents do when it comes to deciding how your family will use it's time? There are the everyday choices, that are already made for us, such as work, school, and chores. Then you add church, sports, volunteering, entertainment, etc.   We feel like we need more hours in our day!!

Do you know that children can feel the stress of having too many things to do?  Even though they may be the ones asking or even begging to be allowed to be involved in sports, clubs, plays.or special events, parents need to be the gatekeepers that will help them to find a balance.

Making time in our schedule for important activities, takes courage.  Courage not to be influenced by the urgent or even good activities, when they put too much stress on our family!  Trust yourself!  If you are feeling overwhelmed, even by doing good, chances are, your children are, too!

A Mother's Journey

by Jeannine Carroll

I wrote this poem on Mother's Day in 2005.  My daughter had called  to wish me a happy Mother's Day.  She, also, had a surprise for me!  She was expecting her second baby!  What a wonderful surprise!! 

My mother has Alzheimer's and although she is still with us, we have lost sharing memories with her.  I thought about my daughter beginning motherhood, the joys of being a grandmother, and my mother at the end of her journey.  This is what I wrote:

A Mother's Journey

by Jeannine Carroll

A young mother, intoxicated with the joy of motherhood,

begins a journey across the mountain tops

and valleys of her heart.

Does she now this is forever?

Through love and nurturing, her children grow, as she has grown.

Gone are the nighttime feedings, diapers and story times.

Her children are entrusted to others- teachers, peers, coaches...

Do the entrusted know they hold her heart in their hands?

The time comes to share her children with their "life's love".

Vows are exchanged at "happily ever after" weddings.

Mother rides in the backseat

as her children take their place in the front.

Do they know how long the road ahead will be?

Her children become parents.

Oh, the joys of being a grandmother!

Tiny bundles of memories- How fast time went!

Do they know how soon today will become yesterday?

Now, Mother needs "mothering".

How hard it is to accept the help she needs.

How beautiful to see how lovingly it is given!

Being a mother was the journey of a lifetime!

How had she known?

Mother's do not get paid for their work because it is priceless!

Happy Mother's Day and never forget how important the job you are doing is!!

Easter Wreaths

My favorite store is our local DAV thrift store.  When I was in the store last week, I bought a bag of miscellaneous Easter things for $3.99. 

I loved the eggs and all the little Easter toys that were in the bag!  I decided to use some of the things in the bag to make a wreath.  I have made Christmas wreaths before, but I have never made any other kind of wreath. Guess it was time to give it a try!

I went to Michaels to pick out a wreath and some flowers.  Luckily they were on sale!  When I picked the flowers, I could see that there were enough flowers in a bunch to make two wreaths.  I decided to buy another wreath (less than $4) and make one to give away. 

I'm hoping to brighten someones day!

Secret Good Deed Idea:

When you take the time to make something special for your family, consider making two or a double batch.  Brighten someones day with your thoughtfulness and remember to involve your children!

A Simple Truth!

I love this simple truth! 

Best Sugar Cookie Frosting Ever!

I love making sugar cookies for so many holidays- especially if I have a helper!

I have a great cookie recipe - there are many out there!   What I needed was help with the frosting.  Mine never got hard enough to be able to wrap the cookies or stack them without the cookies sticking together.  I finally came up with this recipe.  It is a glaze and has no butter, which is what keeps the frosting from getting firm.

Here is the recipe:

Cookie Glaze

1 cup Powdered Sugar

1 Tablespoon Milk

2 Tablespoons Light Corn Syrup

1 teaspoon Vanilla

Add Food Coloring after other ingredients are blended.

Mix ingredients until smooth.  Add more milk, if needed.  (You can use any kind of milk, including canned, evaporated milk). 

Jessie helping me with cookies on Valentine's Day-2013