Corn Maze Fun

Posted on October 21, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

Last weekend we took a trip to Mount Dora, to participate in our first ever corn maze! I started planning the trip about a month a go, when I received a Livingsocial.com email advertising a Long and Scott Farms special admission to their corn maze. Normally, they charge between $11 and $9 dollars for an adult and youth but Livingsocial.com had them for $5…I jumped on it and I’m so glad I did!

Worried about getting lost…have no fear, as you enter the course you are handed a flag to hold up when you have had enough and can’t find your way out. Thankfully we didn’t give in and I’m proud to say we found our way out!

There’s always time to stop and explore along the path.

Felling a little hot…take a run through the “Misting Maze”!

They have a 60 foot long Super Slide for all ages! Guests tall enough to slide by themselves are able to enjoy this thrilling sensation!

The girls’ favorite had to be the Zip Line!

My favorite was the food! It didn’t sound good at first but I gave it a try…fresh cut fried pickles…Yummy!

My number one recommendation is to bring lots of water or have the cash to buy some!

For more information you can go to Scott’s Maze Adventure.

Adventure is Out There

Posted on September 23, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

After two weeks of packing, moving, unpacking and building things, we decided to take a break. We planned a Boy Family Adventure through Split Oak Forest Mitigation Park.

Alayna and Kayla brought their notepads to document all the interesting things they found along the trail.

We found this little guy hanging out on one of the info signs.

Josiah had a blast running free and playing in the dirt!

Our adventure took us 3.1 miles through one of Florida’s deep wooded forest. Thankfully it was cloudy, low humidity and a gentle wind kept blowing through the trees. We took many water breaks and were all able to complete the North Loop trail! I’m so proud of all our adventurers for not giving up!

Value in a Meal

Posted on July 24, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

“Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:7

Making dinner together as a family can sometimes be a challenge, especially when you have little ones that can’t reach the counter. That’s when we get a step stool and their hands go to work! It’s not only fun to cook with your kids, but I think it’s important to teach them early on how to value the meal you are preparing for the family.

Growing up I remember having big breakfasts together as a family every weekend and every night we would come together again for dinner. This was a time to talk about the day, to share the good and the bad. Our parents were our counselors, they would give us advice, encouragement, and even jokes to blow off the things that weren’t worth stressing over.

Food brings people together, it brings our family together. Our schedules can get busy and electronics suck us in, but when Mama says it’s dinner time, everyone stops and is ready to eat. I enjoy teaching our children that it’s more than cooking a dish of Lasagna or Picadillo and placing it on the table. That dish is like a glue that connects the family and keeps them close together.

God helps us to see value in cooking for our family. Bless the hands that prepare the meals and give wisdom to the parents as they pour into their children’s hearts around the dinner table and we ask you continue to strengthen and protect our families. In Jesus Name Amen

Proverbs 6:20-23 (The Message Bible)
Good friend, follow your father’s good advice;
don’t wander off from your mother’s teachings.
Wrap yourself in them from head to foot;
wear them like a scarf around your neck.
Wherever you walk, they’ll guide you;
whenever you rest, they’ll guard you;
when you wake up, they’ll tell you what’s next.
For sound advice is a beacon,
good teaching is a light,
moral discipline is a life path.

Below are 10 Benefits of Family Dinners from Webmd.
Toting up all the benefits of frequent family dinners:
-Everyone eats healthier meals.
-Kids are less likely to become overweight or obese.
-Kids more likely to stay away from cigarettes.
-They’re less likely to drink alcohol.
-They won’t likely try marijuana.
-They’re less likely to use illicit drugs.
-Friends won’t likely abuse prescription drugs.
-School grades will be better.
-You and your kids will talk more.
-You’ll be more likely to hear about a serious problem.
-Kids will feel like you’re proud of them.
-There will be less stress and tension at home.

Just Go to Bed!

Posted on June 28, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

I have often heard moms say they can’t wait for their kids to go to bed…I have never understood what they meant by this. I don’t just love my kids, I enjoy them…I like to be with them 24/7 and more…they are my pride and joy. Then it happened! Last night I had a revelation…the kids must go to bed, early!

Josiah had been diagnosed with a virus on Tuesday that showed up in his throat with blistering red ulcers and 103.7 fever. On top of it, his molars are coming in, so he was extremely fussy and if that’s not enough, he wants to nurse 3 times a night again! Then Thursday morning Kayla looked like she had pink eye, come to find out she’s positive for strep. Are you kidding me?! All three of the girls just had viral gastroenteritis three weeks ago…can’t my kids just be healthy?

This Mama was tired and weary and these babies needed to go to bed. Better yet, I needed to go to bed early! That’s actually the best thing we can do after praying. When we push and push ourselves daily we can run out of fuel, out of patience, out of mercy.

Friday morning I woke up with my batteries recharged and ready to take care of my sick babies.

Thank you God for your strength daily, thank you for giving me wisdom yesterday to know when to say enough. Your presence gives me comfort and assurance that I’m not alone. I pray you will continue to give me wisdom as I raise women and men of God. Amen

And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while.” For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. Mark 6:31

Can we have a ReDo?

Posted on June 5, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

Six months a go I started planning our big trip! This trip we would be celebrating our Ten Year Anniversary, our daughter turning 8 and family time. We were so excited. I searched for deals, reserved breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the best places.

May was finally here, let the packing begin or so I thought. Two days before our trip Alayna woke up with a terrible migraine, she couldn’t even open her eyes! One hour later she was diagnosed with strep at the doctors office! Then Victoria started feeling sick and weak, but was negative for strep. The next morning, the day before we leave, our son slipped on the floor and I had to take him to get stitches! At this point I started thinking about cancelling the trip. After praying and talking it over with my husband we decided to go for it.

We pulled out of the drive way Thursday afternoon, the sun was shining and the kids were smiling. Fort Wilderness here we come! Alayna still had to wear her sunglasses everywhere we went because of her headache and sensitivity to the light, but at least she was feeling better.

Our first reservations was at Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. We were ready to try Disney’s idea of African flavors. I started with some Spinach and Quinoa Salad, Tunisian Couscous Salad and Tabbouleh. The girls just enjoyed coloring their paper of a hog stuck in the mud. After dinner, we walked around the lodge looking at the different animals…there were zebras, giraffes, ostriches, flamingos, impalas, gazelles, and more.

It was 7:30pm and the night was young. Daddy yelled, “Let’s go swimming!” I am so glad we did because that was the one and only time the girls were well enough to swim. The resort had two different play areas at the pool one for kids shorter than 48 inches and one for the bigger kids. The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool, featured a 67-foot-long corkscrew waterslide…Victoria and Alayna had a blast going down the slide time and time again.

Everyone was tucked in ready for bed. The day had turned out well but 2am would come oh to quickly. Mama I had an accident, “Kayla started crying.” Two hours later Victoria was crying the same thing. I later figured out the girls had Gastroenteritis!

Finally around 7am the girls were back in bed sound asleep when Josiah decided to wake up. It was May 31st, our 10 year anniversary and it was also our big girl Alayna’s birthday! Again we were stuck. What should we do? Two of our four kids were sick. Were they sick from the food the night before or was it something else? Victoria started doing better, so I figured it was something they ate. If we cancelled the reservation we would still get charged because of their cancellation policy! Alayna put on her birthday girl shirt and we were off to 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. As soon as I opened the car door I noticed a white Pandora bag sitting in my seat. My hubby had a special anniversary present waiting for me. I couldn’t believe it! It’s very hard to surprise me because I’m always into everything! But he did it!

At check in I explained our situation to the host and she said they wouldn’t charge us for Kayla since she didn’t feel well enough to eat. She also explained they wouldn’t have charged us if we had called and told them the kids were sick…ugh! Well, it was too late for that now. We were there and the birthday girl was ready to eat! All you could eat Mickey waffles, eggs, bacon, biscuits, gravy, omelets, bagels and more! Josiah wasn’t too sure about the characters but enjoyed the food!

The highlight of the breakfast, by, far, was the Mad Hatter…what a character!

Right about the time we were finishing up with Alice from Wonderland, Alayna leaned over, “I have to use the bathroom!”Everything was down hill from there! We went to Wal-Mart to pick up some extra under garments and crackers then back to the cabin we went 😦

In between bathroom breaks and naps the girls wanted to venture out again. The lodge had many activities, but we had to choose wisely because we didn’t want to infect anyone else. We decided to go for a little pony ride. After each one had their turn we returned back to the cabin again!

Who wants S’mores? I do!!! This was our last night, everyone was fever free! Chip and Dale’s campfire sing along was calling our name. I love S’mores, I think I had four, but whose counting we are on vacation, remember!

Click, I snapped a pick of the family with Chip, when suddenly I hear Alayna say, “Mama I’m sick!”

Lord have mercy, we were done!

This trip had some good memories, but more bad than good. We would definitely like to try it again next year, minus all the yucknyess!

The Circle of Safety

Posted on April 16, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3

I have heard and read this scripture many times over the weekend. Our pastor preached from this scripture on Sunday morning and then I read it again last night during my study time.

Any time I go out to run errands, I constantly tell my girls to stay close to me. Being a mom of four I can’t hold all of their hands, so I have taught them to either hold each others hands and my pockets or to walk right beside me. At least once a week, I explain to them that their safety depends on them listening to me. If they are not aware of what’s going on around them and are not listening and obeying my voice something terrible could happen to them.

I like how Tedd Tripp explains, “Children’s obedience is not secured so that you can be obeyed for your sake. You must be obeyed for their sakes!”

As long as our children are honoring and obeying our words, they can receive security, safety, and blessings from above. Obedience is willing submission of one person to the authority of another. It means more than a child doing what he is told. It means doing what he is told without challenge, without excuse, and without delay.

One morning the girls and I were making our weekly trip to the grocery store. As everyone was getting out of the car. I saw another car driving up quickly to park into the spot beside us. I quickly told my daughter, getting out of the van, to stop. If she would have questioned me or went ahead anyways, she would have been hit! When a child steps away from your guidance, rules, or instructions they are putting themselves into harms way. They are walking outside the circle of safety.

Demonstration:

Blindfold your child. Tell them to listen carefully to your words. Now give them a couple of spins around. Next walk them through the house by giving them clear instructions, take one step forward, two steps to the left, etc., but be very specific so they do not fall or hit anything. Now with the blindfold still on, tell them they are free to walk any where they want to, but no one can help them. They will most likely run into some walls or furniture.

The same things happen when a child decides to go on their own and not obey their parents. They can stumble and fall but if they choose to obey their parents their walk will be smoother and may enjoy long life on the earth.

We can talk, lecture, and scold until we are blue in the face, but when we lead by example, something powerful happens. Our children actually have a model to follow after when they see Mom submitting to Dad and their parents submitting to the state and the church, it then goes beyond the words and a connection is made.

More Than a Craft

Posted on March 26, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Today we had a time of sharing. We talked about things we are struggling with. We then wrote them down on a piece of paper and stuck them to the cross. I explained to the girls that Christ died for these sins and these negative feelings. When we come to the cross daily, He helps us to overcome these battles.

This was more than a craft, it brought awareness to the hearts of these little girls that sin had been covered. It brought acknowledgement to the weaknesses they have without seeking God’s face everyday, all day. Prayers were spoken with repentance around our kitchen table this afternoon.

Finding ways to make the word living and alive sparks the connection our children hunger for. The next time you have a craft I challenge you to take it a step further!

Is Homeschooling For Me?

Posted on March 11, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9

I have many women from all aspects of my life reach out to me in the past three years since I’ve been homeschooling. They’ve all had the same questions…The main one being, “How Do You Do It?”

When I began my homeschool journey, I felt alone. I asked and asked people around me but everyone always seemed to say, “it will just work out…don’t worry about it.” Well, that doesn’t work for me. I need to know details, I need to know what I’m getting myself into. With that said, here are a couple of things I would like to share with mothers and fathers thinking about homeschooling their children.

First, you need full support from your spouse. As a couple you need to have the same family goals. Mark 3:25 “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

Second, you must be committed. When you make a commitment, you are making a pledge to not give up. Through stress, frustration, and rough times, you are dedicated to the decision you have made.

Third, know that it is normal to have days you will want to scream into your pillow, cry and kick like a three year old, and run around your house like a crazy person. On those days, stop what you are doing and take the kids outside to the park or the pool. It’s important to take the temperature of your “classroom”. If you’re, frustrated just think how your kids might feel.

Fourth, by making this decision to homeschool, you are making a sacrifice. You most likely will live off of one income, the house won’t always be clean, and you won’t be able to chase after a career (not a big deal to me at all, but to some it is a huge sacrifice).

Fifth, homeschooling is the best reward and achievement you could EVER have in this lifetime. To be able to teach your kids how to read and write then watch their world come to life in front of them, is amazing. To daily sit beside them and solve riddles, problems, and equations, to cuddle up with them during reading time on the couch, ahhhh…there is no greater reward!

If you can read these five things and feel confident in knowing God has placed this on your heart and you can make a commitment to not give up in this calling, then, Welcome to Homeschooling. Feel free to write me any time…I will also take screams and tears 🙂

Hands-On

Posted on March 8, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

Field Trip Day! The hubby was off and the weather was beautiful. I had bought a Groupon a while back for Green Meadows Farm (www.greenmeadowsfarm.com) so, we took advantage of it weather and off we went.

To me, there is no greater way to learn than hands on. There is a powerful connection that takes place when you holding something…you learn about it. It is no longer a picture in your head or words from a teacher (parent), but the idea, the lesson, the thought becomes alive right before you. Hands-on activities encourage a lifelong love of learning and motivates students to explore and discover new things

Scheduling one field trip a month or every other month will restore focus and spark engagement in our children’s learning. You won’t regret taking breaks from the “classroom” and jumping into the world that was created for us to explore and play in.

Psalm 104:10-14 “He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-bringing forth food from the earth.” (NIV)

Psalm 104: 24-25 “How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number-living things both large and small.” (NIV)

At Last We Can Be Happy

Posted on January 21, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

Today Alayna chose to read, “The Magic Fish by Freya Littledale”, for family reading time. If you haven’t read this book with your kids, I would definitely recommend it. It’s a great lesson about contentment.

In the book, the wife keeps asking for more and each time, when she gets what she wants, her husband says, “at last we can be happy.” Her reply back is always, “we shall see.”

Teaching contentment is a priority in our family. When we spend time with family or friends and it’s time to leave, our children will sometimes complain about leaving. I quickly remind them to be thankful, grateful and content for the time we had with our loved ones. When birthday or Christmas time comes, again I remind them to be content with their gifts and toys. A life of always wanting can lead to bitterness and resentment. They are young and still have to be reminded at times to be content, but if we can learn at an early age what this word means and let it take root in our heart, our life will be so much more enjoyable.

Prayer: Thank you God for supplying every need and even our desires. Thank you for a roof over our head, food on our table, and clothes on our back. But most of all thank you for giving your only son to die on the cross for our sins. For that we should be content in all things. We are blessed and I pray that we all see beyond our selfish wants and at last can say, WE ARE HAPPY!

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6

From The Committed Heart

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