I went from a full time administrative assistant who is very detailed oriented and loves the tedious work to a full time stay at home mom almost exactly a year ago. Being a stay at home mom has definitely been an adjustment and a big change in my life.

I thought in the beginning that I would have so much “free time” when my babies were napping--I have since pondered the words “free time” and really wonder if they actually exist. I am a mom of a 23 month old vivacious, spirited, and resourceful little girl and an 11 month old little boy who is very inquisitive and never stops exploring. I find myself taking pictures daily of something cute, funny or new they have done. I have been trying to get these two to nap on the same schedule for almost a year but have had no luck yet. I am an avid ‘scrapbooker’ and love preserving my family memories in photo safe albums. I was hoping to do this (or at least get caught up) during all my “free time” with these two. Since my workday at home with my babies doesn’t allow me any free time, I try and take at least one Saturday or an 8 hour stretch for myself a month to try and get caught up with my many pictures and journaling memories.

Each of us has a special opportunity to be able to be home and raise our own children. I feel it is equally important to capture all of those special moments that are priceless and tell their stories. “I want my grandchildren to be able to carry on our family legacy and tell our stories by having it all right there in front of them.”

My kids are my passion and I love to share their stories. I have the opportunity to preserve my memories and help others to do so through Creative Memories. I’d love to help any other “mama’s” who feel just like I do.

I am loving the Creative Memories business opportunity. I get to experience the many benefits of being a consultant. Some include; taking a couple of hours a week to go and socialize with other people who love to do what I do and teach them fun and simple ways to preserve their memories as well, I get to purchase all my ‘scrapbooking’ supplies at cost (this is a BIG plus for me, since I no longer have a set paycheck coming in, so far I have not had to pay anything, my percentage I get from doing my business has paid for my supplies and then some-- my husband likes this A LOT) and the most important reason I love Creative Memories is because it allows me to set my own schedule and do what works best with my family. My family comes first and always will and Creative Memories compliments that. If you would like more information or just want to peek at what I do you can check out my website at:

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." -- Hebrews 12:11

I am guilty. Guilty as charged. How many times as a parent have I allowed current stressful circumstances to lure me into thinking my present harried situation is more important than my child's future? Countless times! In how many instances have I been annoyed by the sounds or actions of my children and reacted out of frustration rather than looking through glasses which reveal to me how my choices as a parent can affect the adult lives of my children? Don't have that many fingers or toes to count on. Can I borrow yours? And lastly, I am guilty of occasionally being too lazy or self-absorbed to discipline for offenses in which I know I should discipline. There you have it. I have confessed. I am guilty. Guilty as charged.

Don't you think that as parents we sometimes forget our focus? We can tend to focus on the "now" and not the "what will become." It's so easy to get wrapped up in the overwhelming tasks of life and to convince ourselves that keeping caught up on the laundry or making it to soccer on time is somehow more important than training our children for their lives as adults. It is useful to remind ourselves that while supplying the physical needs of our children is part of the job description -- providing spiritual and character training are far more important than the latter.

As mothers, we have a few different task categories -- the "unimportant importants" and the "important importants." Yes, your children need to eat from clean dishes. Clean dishes are important, but an "unimportant important" nonetheless. Have you ever found yourself snapping at your children because they are in the way as you wash your dishes? This shows us how easily we can slip into the glorification of the "unimportant importants." The "important important" in this situation is showing our children in our words, attitudes and actions that they are loved and valued. Although clean dishes are important, it is not to be held in higher regard than love and respect for our children. How do we keep ourselves from over- focusing on the "unimportant importants"? Simply put, by practicing "GNITNERAP" (pronounced "gun-i- ten-er-ap") -- parenting backwards.

"GN-I-WHAT?!" GNITNERAP is like reading a really good biography. The biography is written about your child. The only distinction is, you read this book a little differently than most parents. You start from the last page of the book and work your way back to the front. The front of the book is where you come in. The front of the book is NOW. Your job is to help the book to have a happy ending.

How do we ensure our children's biography ends happily? We begin by deciding what kind of future we would like for our children. Would you prefer your children's stories to read that they were habitually late for work, physically unhealthy, rude to others, egotistical, prone to road rage, overspenders in debt with no regard for the law? Would you like the stories to say your children were lovers of God, moral law-abiders, prompt, humble, healthy eaters, respectful of others, self-controlled and financially sound? How the story ends is largely based on how we train them today. We are the beginning of the tale.

Shouldn't it be our goal to send children into the world with less personal struggle than we have ourselves? If we stop to think about it, aren't many of the complaints and woes we face in life mainly due to our lack of self-control or discipline in some area? Although our parents did the best they knew how, there were likely neglected areas of training in character and/or self-discipline or self-control. We can never be perfect parents, but we can aim to make our children's lives a little less consequence- based by equipping them with applicable life-tools. We can begin by facing the truth of the examples we are actively setting for them:

Our Emotional Example

Isn't it ironic that we find ourselves reminding our children to speak respectfully to their siblings, and in turn speak disrespectfully to them or to our spouses. We see them throw a tantrum while with a contorted Scrooge-face we angrily exclaim, "YOU NEED TO GET CONTROL OVER YOUR ANGER! ARRRRGH!" We tell our children that it is not God's way to hold unforgiveness in our hearts as we give our husband's the "silent treatment" for telling us the truth when we asked if he thought we should lose some weight.

Let's face it, we know in our hearts when we make the wrong choices in our behaviors and attitudes toward others. It is a difficult task to keep our emotions under control. When we look at our daily behavior from the perspective of our children's future, are we setting the right examples for them? Are we rearing emotionally sound human-beings, or creating little emotional train-wrecks?

Annoying childhood behaviors can become detrimental adult behaviors if we don't nip them in the bud. If our children find whining to be a valuable tool in getting their way, they will continue to whine into their adulthood. Haven't you ever met an adult whiner? It's not pretty! If our children are chronic complainers, you can bet their future spouses will spend a lifetime of listening to constant negative words. These are some of the behaviors that we as parents are responsible for curbing in order to eliminate adult grief for our children.

Our Spiritual Example

Teaching our children about the Lord is a priority for many parents. We tell them how important it is to learn more about God, pray, go to church, serve others and to give freely of our finances. Children know the simple truth, "Actions speak louder than words." If they hear us speaking the importance of these things, but not implementing them into our lives--it will not be long until they realize that we don't value that which we are instructing them to value.

Paying verbal homage to spiritual discipline does not equal possessing our own spiritual discipline. If we believe in serving others--then we had better be reflecting that in our lives. If we believe that giving of our finances is important--this will be apparent by our yearly giving statements. If we are committed to learning more about the Lord--we should be on a quest for Biblical knowledge through prayer and Bible reading and with that new knowledge, teaching our children. If church attendance is truly a priority--we will not instead choose sleep, ball games or shopping. What words would your children use to describe your relationship with God? How important would they say God is to you? Their answers are evidence of your living spiritual example.

Our Financial Example

Oh, the turmoil financial chaos can bring to one's life. Divorce, high blood-pressure and even suicide have been side-effects of poorly handled finances. If we do not train our children in the financial realm, we will inevitably send into the world illequipped stewards who will bring only ruin and havoc into their lives. Choosing to live within our means, setting an example of debt-free living, saving for the future and tithing can be a good start in instructing our children financially. But, simply being a good example is not sufficent enough. Children need more than a good example to learn how to handle their financial lives. They require the opportunity to earn, spend, give and even to fail.

Sit down with your children to discuss your bills and giving. Be sure not to unneccesarily burden them with any information that will cause them to worry about your own financial life. Explain to them the cost of living, the traps of interest and God's spiritual laws of giving. Admit your past failures--pass along your strengths.

Allow them the opportunity to earn an income; whether this money comes from allowance for chores or a lemonade stand. Instruct them in the proper ways of handling finances and then learn to stand back and watch them either sink or float. Simply running out of cash flow is enough to get them into a saving mindset. They will want to be prepared for the next rainy day that comes along.

Our Character Example

Have we recently spoken behind someone's back? Be careful, our children are listening. Failed to mention that the cashier has given us too much change? Those little eyes are very observant. Promised the kids we would read a story to them tonight, and then failed to deliver? Caution--our reputation of integrity is at stake. What God expects of us should first be standards for ourselves, and then for our children.

If we tell our children that honesty is the best policy, then it had better be the best policy for us as well. Do what you say, say what you mean--be a parent with integrity and impeccable character. Don't make promises you cannot keep. As the Bible says, "let your yes's be yes, and your no's be no." If you cannot keep a secret, be certain to inform those who tell you things "in confidence." Let your word be as gold and your children will value it as such.

Our Health Example

You've certainly heard the old adage, "You are what you eat." Let's modify that a bit to read, "Your kids see what you eat." And rest assured, they will follow suit. Our unhealthy eating habits will be a legacy passed on if not placed under control. Do we want our children to suffer some from negative effects of obesity such as diabetes, high blood-pressure, heart failure, fatigue and low-self-esteem? We may have failed until now, but it is never too late to begin making changes in our diets for our children's sake.

Encouraging our kids to go outside to exercise as we lounge on the sofa? An active lifestyle is one that is created by example. Bike-riding, walks in the park and kite-flying are activities which involve physical activity--with one added benefit. Conversation opportunity. Is there a better way to connect with your child? Isolate them on a physical journey--you'll learn a lot about those lil' offspring.

Inactivity is certainly a detrimental example for our children. Now, flip the coin. What about we who tend to overdo everything? We overdo the extracurricular activities, the weekend schedule, the exercise, the work-schedule. Running on adrenaline at all times can eventually lead to adrenal burnout. Being a healthy example to our kids also includes being a parent of moderation who allows a margin of relaxation into their lives. Decide which things in life you "must have" and those you can do without.

Our Priority Example

All of us exclaim how important our families are to us. We love our families. There is no doubt about that. But while many of us pay lip-service to the importance of our clan--some of us debunk that statement in our daily actions. How easily we can allow the love of self, money, selfish ambition and pleasure to get in the way of healthy priorities.

A father comes home from a long day's work and plops himself in front of the television set for hours. His wife and children proceed to ask him questions, but he is visibly annoyed by their interruptions. This man's priorities ring clear to his family. The love of self, peace and pleasure reign in his life. On the other side of the coin, a father who is equally as exhausted comes home from work. He takes thirty minutes to unwind before he asks the boys to play catch in the yard. He waits until after the children are in bed to catch up on the local news. This man's life is an example of one who practices a lifestyle of sacrifice.

In order to properly prioritize our lives, we must make minute-by-minute sacrifices. It is a constant internal struggle for me most days to choose what is in the best interest of my children over what is in my best interest. I pray daily that God would allow me to make choices that reflect servanthood and not self-servanthood. Many days I fail. It is much easier for us to be engrossed in cleaning the toilet than to play a game with our children. It is much less stressful to tell our children to keep themselves busy while we cook than to allow them to help.

A Biblical list of life-priorities would read something like this: God first, family second, work third. Our tainted human nature tends to lean towards what makes us feel best. Putting God and others first never feels comfortable at the time, but it is the only way of life without regret.

Begin practicing GNITNERAP today by deciding to hold the future of your children in higher regard than the "annoyances of the now." Allow God to show you His will for each of your children and map their biographies according to His plan. Of course, we will not plan their occupations or their choices in a mate- -but we can plan for their caliber of character. Innundate yourself with parenting and character training books to equip yourself for the task of rearing our future adults. Ask the Lord for His blessing in your efforts and to keep your paths straight as you journey in your devotion to the "important importants." Above all, we honor God by attentively nurturing the privilege He has bestowed upon us--our blessings--our children. Happy backwards parenting to you.

I recently received an email from a dear friend with instructions for these awesome omelettes. I was so excited about it, I had to share the fun!

These freezer bag omelettes are a treat for many reasons. One, you have no pans to clean afterward! Two, you don't have to play short-order chef at dinner time. Three, they are great fun for the kids to prepare. See why:

You will need:

1 Gallon-sized freezer bag for each family member
2 eggs for each person
Omelette fixin's (chopped onion, green pepper, ham cubes, shredded cheese, mushrooms, olives, hashbrowns, etc.)
1/4 c milk, half & half or soy milk for each person


Begin by writing each family member's name on their freezer bag. Crack two eggs into each bag and add milk.

Set each freezer bag at the family member's chair, along with a plate (for eating on later) and place fixin's in the center of the table on small platters or bowls. Allow each person to build their own omelette by scooping what they would like directly into their bags. After finished, press air out of the bag, seal and shake and squish until thoroughly mixed.

Microwave Method: (works best for those with smaller families)
Microwave each bag for 2 minutes, flip and microwave for 30 more seconds or until you see egg entirely cooked. Open the bag, slide onto plate--and voila! A beautiful omellete!

Stove Top Directions:(for those with more than 4 kids)
Bring 8-10 cups water to a rolling boil. Place as many bags as you can fit into the water. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until egg is entirely cooked. Open bag and slide omelette onto plate.

My kids and I have had a blast with these delicious morsels. We've already eaten them for breakfasts and even dinner! A great conversation piece and also fantastic for large family get togethers.