Prepare for busy VBS mornings

Prepare For Busy VBS Mornings!

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It’s summertime which means we will need to prepare for busy VBS mornings! Vacation Bible School (VBS) is one of our favorite ministries to be involved in. They are like summer day camps, usually held at churches for the local area kids! You usually don’t have to be a member of the church to join in the fun! I encourage you to look for a church offering one near you! It’s a blast! But if your family is like ours, you aren’t used to getting everyone ready and out the door so early every morning. 

In just a couple of weeks, our two “big” boys will get to attend VBS at a church nearby (where we also participate in Awana club through the school year.) Then a month later we will all be going to VBS every day at our church where I will also be volunteering.

I know lots of families are used to running out of the house in the morning, during school days but for us homeschoolers, it’s a new challenge, for sure!
So, there are a few things we do, to help us

Prepare for Busy VBS Mornings

1. Prep Clothes

I lay out all of the boy’s clothes for the whole week! It may seem a little bit overboard BUT, there really isn’t much worse than not having enough clean clothes or someone not being able to find clean underwear, in the middle of a rushed morning! 

Prepare for busy VBS mornings
This is everything the boys will need.. socks and undies included.
tips for getting out of the house
I usually stack them up like this.. A pile for each day. And leave it here in our room, so I can easily grab what everyone needs each morning!

2. Prepare Lunches

Usually, VBS let’s out just in time for lunch. Especially for the week that I volunteer, getting everyone lunch is pretty ruff. So I prep lunches ahead of time for the boys and for me, so we can eat before we leave the church. This really helps keep the crankies at bay 🙂 and sometimes they even fall asleep in the car on the way home!!! One tip I’ve discovered is that if you put peanut butter on both pieces of bread then the jelly, it will help the bread to not get soggy! 🙂

3. Easy Dinners For Tired Days

I LOVE using my once a Month Freezer Meals for these days that everyone is just plain worn out! and rushing around for drop off and pick up means, I don’t have to stress about “What’s for dinner?” Here’s a link to how I use Once A Month Meals

Freezer Cooking Made Simple

4. Early Bedtimes for All

Everyone gets an early bedtime during VBS week. Even Mom!! Nothing is more hindering in efficiency, organization, temperaments, and everyone having a good time, like sleep deprivation! So, get everyone to be early and make sure you shut off the lights at a decent time too!

5. Pray Pray Pray

Pray it up, Mamas! The Lord Sees what we are striving to do with our kiddos. He cares about all of our troubles. Even the “small” things like getting our family out the door in one piece. And of course, Pray that all this preparation and effort provides for wonderful memories and lessons about Jesus for our kid’s hearts!

Freezer cooking in the summer - Loveandscribbles.com

Freezer Cooking for the Summer

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It’s almost summer and around here that means we’ll be out at the BBQ a lot more often! But you better believe we will still be Freezer Cooking for the Summer!

Once A Month Meals is amazing! It’s easy to use and implement no matter your eating or cooking style! I normally use mostly Instant Pot recipes from my Once A Month Meals Membership (and we love them) But there are all kinds of recipes available. Stove, Oven, No Cook, Easy assembly, crockpot, griddle, and grill!!

For the Grill!! I cannot tell you how many times we have been sitting around and think, oh man, the weather will be perfect for bbqing tomorrow.. but we don’t have anything in the freezer or fridge to grill!

Freezer Cooking for the Summer to the rescue!

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Switching to mineral make up

Switching To Mineral Makeup

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I’m going to do it, I’m switching to Mineral Makeup! Not going to lie, I’m a little nervous and really hope I like it!
Have you ever tried switching to Mineral Makeup?

I’ve never been all that fussy about makeup, Didn’t even start wearing it until I was already an adult. But, I enjoy that it makes me feel pretty and put together and I’ve learned to have fun with things like eye shadows and lipstick!!

Switching to Mineral Makeup

Young Living has quickly become a part of our life, in every aspect. And you’ll find products from Young Living in nearly every room in our home (in both cars too) And now, you’ll even find Young Living in my make up bag.

Switching To Mineral Makeup

So Why switch?

We really have been becoming more aware of the products and toxins we use in our daily lives. Swapping as many items with synthetic fragrances and other unknown ingredients out for more natural products.

What Makes Savvy Minerals from Young Living so great?

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Late For New Years

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Happy New Year! I know, that was so last week! hahaha I’m a little late for New Years, But, I’m slowly getting into the groove here.

Do you like the New Year? I get super excited about all the New. But, then I get super overwhelmed by it very quickly!

I love setting goals and getting organized, but I also don’t order a new planner or get any calendars until the first week of January, so I sit here waiting for them to arrive and then scramble to get started using them.

And you know what? It’s ok to be late for New years

And why does it feel like no one remembers how to do the school thing, (even mom) after a 2 week Christmas craziness break? We have been struggling to focus, that is for sure.

But, I won’t let any of it stop me from planning, dreaming, setting goals and even getting my calendar in order… even if it’s mid-January when I do.

I saw a funny meme the other day that said,

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my Favorite Instant Pot accessory

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This steamer basket is my favorite accessory for my instant pot…

it makes it easy to get veggies or small things out of the pot. you can use it for eggs too really anything!!

This post has affiliate links, which means that shopping through them is an easy way for you to support us here at Loveandscribbles without costing you anything! Thanks

 

This Steamer basket!!

Today only it’s at a great price!!!  $8.50 (at time of posting) This deal will not last long so hurry and grab one!

 

This one fits your 6 or 8 qrt Instant pots

and you don’t need to use a trivet if you use these ones with the feet on it.

 

 

 

Do you have an instant pot accessory you love?

Happy Pressure cooking,

Deanna Grace

Hope for a mom

Truth for A Mama, From a Fellow Mama In The Trenches

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Thoughts from a fellow Mom in the trenches

 

One of my hopes with starting this blog was to encourage other moms out there… I had dreams of encouraging and inspiring.. But, then, I found myself hesitating to speak on anything involving the heart of motherhood or family, because I’m here in the middle of it too. I stop myself from saying anything because, “who am I?” How could I help anyone when I’m neck-deep in the trenches.

Truth is

I don’t feel equipped or strong or wise and sometimes (most days) I don’ t feel right for the job in front me.

I see a friend struggling or she tells me she doesn’t know how to keep on going or what to do with a situation.. I want to tell her truth, I want to fill her with life-giving words. Truth is.. I do know the TRUTH!! And it IS exciting, thrilling, and absolutely life-giving!!!

Truth is

The Lord has not turned His face from us, He has appointed you and me to this far-reaching, Intensely important role of MOM!! And you know what? He knew exactly what He was doing. And He doesn’t just shove us into this and leave us  (like the hospital does when they send you home with a day old babe and say good luck)

Truth is

He really has equipped us with all that we need and His power is available to us. Hebrews 13:21 says that God will “Equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. ”  He is aware that it is daunting and that everyday we feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure….

But that is exactly why he sent his bravest, toughest, soldiers for the job. He knows everyday is a battle, a battle for the hearts of our children, for their protection, their training.

truth for a mama

 

I know these things in my heart. but I still stop before saying them to my friends the majority of the time. I don’really believe them for myself or at least I temporarily forget them. I start to think things like “how dare I speak so boldly when I’m honestly cowering in front of my calling at this very moment.

Even now, you might be tempted to envision me sitting at beautiful desk, in a beautiful peaceful home writing all this to you. Maybe you see my kids playing so quietly with everything in it’s place. Truth is, I’m sitting in the dark, hiding in my room, typing this into my phone because it takes to long to locate my laptop. I can hear chaos in the living room, I left them with sheets and chairs to build forts and ran in here for just a break from the noise. My dishes are piled high in the sink, mostly because I tried to do way to much this morning and didn’t even finish the dishes from last night. I ruined an entire pot of yogurt that my husband was looking forward to and I’m leaving to attend an out of town conference tomorrow and the house is a complete mess. I haven’t packed or even figured out how to get the boys to sitters and all those details.

 

(updated to say: Turns out I can’t just copy and paste things from my phone notes on to here…. or I don’t know how to, so now you can picture me sitting with my laptop retyping this furiously, while my kids are eating way to many gold fish and watching tv so that I can finish this, before I lose my nerve to share it.)

So, Here’s the thing I’m trying to learn… I cannot wait for my life, and situation and calling to get figured out. My friends can’t wait around for me to perfect all this before helping them. If I do we all drown.

Instead, When a friend so bravely shares her struggles or concerns.  I can and should speak love, peace, and truth to her. In doing so, I’m not saying to her, ” see how I’ve figured this all out? ” But I can say I feel you, I hear you.. ” I can “preach” a little truth to myself in the process!

Christ’s truth for us is in fact true… Even when we forget it. Did you know that? He doesn’t change with the winds  (Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is (always) the same, yesterday, today, [yes} and forever (to the ages). )

 

He doesn’t rely on us for his identity or his power. BUT, He sure does long for us to rely on Him for ours!!!

 

Mommas in the trenches. Let’s do this hard thing! We aren’t alone in any stretch of the imagination.

 

YOU are loved, and Amazing, even (and maybe especially) when you don’t feel like it!!!!

 

~ In the trenches with you,
Deanna Grace

Know any Mamas in the trenches? Would you share this with them? Maybe add an encouraging “we can do this” word for her!

Hey even if all you can do is cry together.. it sure it better than crying alone! 🙂

 

Pin this …..> Truth for tired moms

Favorite Food Delivery

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If you know me even a little, then you know that I love food!

So, when you are reading what I’m about to tell you, and you think to yourself… this chick is a bit to excited about this… You would be right! haha but, you should still read on…

favorite food delivery

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Mom and three boys

letters to my Sons…. #1

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Letters to my Sons…  #1

Truth is you are usually too much for me…

Your high-octane energy, simply put, exhausts me.

Everyday, at some point in the day, I find myself shaking my head and wondering how I can keep going.

There are three of you after all. And you need so much, seemingly all of the time.loveandscribbles.cradle

Sometimes I just wish I understood you all just even a little bit.

For example: Why is everything better with a sound effect? Why does noise not bother you and in fact the louder the better seems to be your motto? Are bodily functions really that funny to you?

But, when I’m not frozen by my confusion I am overwhelmingly amazed by you!boymom adventures

All ready you have shown me more strength and courage than I think I’ve been able to muster up my entire life. Your boldness to embrace the unknown adventure which to you is in fact every day life. The curious way you are discovering every little thing around you in this great big world.

The strength you find inside of yourself to notice when you just need a cuddle from me in the midst of your conquering. HINT: I’ll take those cuddles anytime you need! I need them too! letters to my sonsAlready, inside your small bodies is an enormous heart and a tenacious spirit.

God has created you with a warrior bravery and it’s incredible.

So, I guess at the end of the day, what I’m trying to say is.. Thanks!

Thanks for letting me learn right along side you! Thanks for protecting me from the bad guys and keeping me on my toes.

I promise to keep praying us through this whole journey and even when I’m frustrated and confused I’m loving every bit of you!

I’m so glad I get to be

Your Mama