New Year...Refocus

The baking is done. The gifts have been given. The decorations are down…well, maybe not quite. Another holiday season and another year are behind us. I hope you have had the opportunity to stop, take a deep breath, and remember God’s faithfulness through 2010. Now it is 2011—a new year with new opportunities, challenges, and goals. It is important to set goals even as moms, not necessarily in a business setting. You know the saying, “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” Solomon said it like this, “Where there is no vision, the people perish [run wild]” (Proverbs 29:18). So I’m curious, this first week of January, what are you aiming for this year spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically—for you personally and for your family? It might be something specific or maybe one word that you want to be a theme through all areas of your life. These are questions that I asked Sharon and Laurie on this topic. Here is some of our conversation.


How has setting goals helped your success as a mom?
Sharon: If I plan the week or even the day before, I usually have a better day/week. Last night I started to plan my tomorrow, but first stopped and wrote what I was thankful for today. That really helps me put things in perspective. That is something I want to do with my kids this year as they go to bed…let them review their day and remember what they are thankful for.


Laurie: I am not naturally an organized person, so it goes against my grain to plan. However, with four kids it is necessary. Our weeks seem to go more smoothly if we can get together on Sunday night and compare calendars and discuss weekly activities, schoolwork, chores, etc.


Have you noticed your goals shifting as your children get older?
Sharon: As far as discipline, I used to focus on behavior more. Now I think I’m focusing on the big picture – how will this affect them in the future…what does this behavior reveal about their heart?

Laurie: Because I don't have babies that awaken me all through the night (I just have teenagers that keep me up all night!), I can have early morning quiet times. I desire to get up and spend my first minutes of my day with Him! I am more of a night owl so this is a challenge for me; even so, I have found that my day runs much more smoothly when I fix my eyes on Jesus first thing!

Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. (NIV)

Most of us have goals to be healthier this year in one form or another. Do you have any advice in this area? How do you find time to exercise and eat healthy?
Sharon: We have used e-mealz…it has made it easier to have meals at home, which is always healthier. I play outside with the kids as much as possible for exercise. Basketball is great for some exercise…wish there were some tennis courts close!

Laurie: E-mealz has made my life easier in 2010 and I am ready to get back on track in 2011 that. It saves us time and money! As far as physical fitness, I am going to begin working-out with some girlfriends three times per week. We meet at 6 a.m. This is the only way I can be consistent. If I try to workout any other time, other things get in the way. I feel better physically and emotionally when I am exercising. (Wondering about E-mealz? Here is a link.)


What is one of your goals this year?
Sharon: My main goal this year is to be more like Jesus. I think if I focus on Him, everything else will be much more likely to fall into place. The Scripture passage God is putting in front of me to focus on this year is Colossians 3, especially verse 12.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (NIV)

With His help, I can clothe myself with all those great attributes. If I don’t, it’s like I’m running around naked! I also want to set a priority on my family. That means I’m going to have to let go of some things.


Laurie: I desire in this New Year, instead of fretting about the chaos in my life, enjoy every minute of it. Embrace right where God has me! I also desire to put my husband’s needs a little higher on my radar. It is so easy to be consumed with children and their activities, that I can ignore my husband at times. That saddens me. I want to think of him more often!


Father, You are the author of our stories. You are so faithful to walk each day with us. Thank You for loving each of us so personally. Thank You for the responsibility You have given each of us to be the mom in our families. It is a really big job and what we do now impacts future generations, so we ask you for wisdom and a vision to guide our families in the right direction. You are the One who sees the end from the beginning, and we ask that You direct our steps today and this year in such a way that next January we will look back and see Jesus all over 2011! We love You, and hope that we will honor You in what we do and say. In Jesus Name we pray…Amen.

Psalm 86:11
You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake. (The NET Bible)

We would love to hear from you. What are your goals for the New Year? Do you have a one word theme or a focus verse for the year?

Whatcha Got Cookin'?

I come from a family of cooks-Good cooks I might add! Thanksgiving dressing was one of my Granny Young's specialties. My Granny Grace made a Milky Way Cake that was out of this world! Lovejoy's on Main Street is a wonderful shop and restaurant in Whitesboro, Texas, which is owned by Hank and Rita Lovejoy . . . you guessed it . . . my parents! They are known for many things at Lovejoy's (homemade soups, salads and sandwiches), but one of the most popular items on the menu is their German Chocolate Bread Pudding! Add to that, both aunts on both sides of the family are incredible cooks—one even owned her own catering business. And you're not going to believe it, but it gets worse. My brother married a gourmet chef and together they provide personal chef services! Lesa, my sister-in-law, doesn't make anything ordinary . . . When she serves a meal, it becomes extraordinary! She is truly one of the best cooks I know.


I say all this to let you know the pressure I was under when I decided to cook. Many times I allowed myself to feel that I didn't measure up. I wasn't organized enough. (So much for our "Contentment" talk!) I didn't have all the ingredients I needed when I did decide to cook. Or, much of the time, I was just too plain-tired to cook. So, too often, my suggestion to my husband was, "Let's go out to eat!" Not only was this an expensive suggestion, after a while, it became a self-defeating suggestion. I wanted to cook for my family. I knew I needed to set a good example for my children and teach them to cook. I desired to be home to eat together, but I just wasn't very good at juggling all my responsibilities and getting a healthy dinner on the table on a consistent basis. "Why can't I do this?" I would ask myself. "My mom did it all the time and made it look so easy!"


One day my husband suggested I take a look at a website a co-worker had found, E-Mealz.com. When he told me that Dave Ramsey endorsed the program, I thought, "Oh, great! 7 creative ways to prepare rice and beans! This sounds fun!" At first, I have to admit, my feelings were a little hurt. I knew I wasn't doing the best job in the area of meal preparation, but I didn't want my husband to suggest I needed help. "The kitchen is my domain . . . right?"


Reluctantly, I decided to take a look. But to my surprise and delight, I discovered that not only did E-Mealz offer 7 meal recipes and the preparation instructions to go with them, but also a categorized grocery list mapped out for the aisles of my favorite store. Wow! I was sold immediately! This was my answer to my meal-time woes.


We have been using this meal preparation program for several months, and it has literally changed my way of thinking about cooking at home. I no longer dread making dinner. My children are very involved in meal preparation now. It has allowed me to be hospitable in a moment's notice, not wondering if I had all the ingredients I needed. We eat at home much more than we did before, and I feel that I'm providing for my family, like I always wanted to. What a wonderful feeling . . . sanity is back!


One of the things we want to do at Mom and Loving It is to pass on practical, helpful tips when we come across them. This is one we feel strongly about passing on to you!


Ladies, maybe you feel overwhelmed and defeated in this area much like I did. We want to encourage you. You can do it! Take a look at E-Mealz and then let us know what it does for your family!

Dear Lord,
Thank You for our daily bread. Now grant me the will, wisdom, and ability to prepare it for my family with strength and dignity, like the woman of Proverbs 31 (vv. 15, 25-27). In Jesus' name, Amen....Dig in!

Mealtime blessings!


Laurie