There are lots of ways to show your affection for mom, but it’s the effort that counts. I’m a sucker for the nice things my kids do for me. I would rather have nice things said, handmade cards, and backrubs over chocolate any day! What about you?

Free Mother’s Day Printables

If you are looking for something that the kids can easily do for mom, here are some free printables for Mother’s Day! There is a page that the kids can write what they think about their mom and some coupons for mom to use to help her around the house and get some special pampering in. 

Which one do you think mom will like best? 

If you’d like to get more free printables each month, join my Book Club Group on Facebook here.

Personally the coupons are my favorite, but I can’t wait to see what the kids say about me. I will treasure looking back at that page and I’m sure having a couple laughs too. Kids are so fun and I’m so grateful to be a mom!

Click here to download your free Mother’s Day Printables!

Mother’s Day Giveaway!

Mother’s Day is coming up and I’ve partnered together with a great group of bloggers to bless some moms BIG TIME this Mother’s Day! 

We are giving away FOUR $100 gift cards to the place of the winner’s choice. The winner can choose a gift from Hobby Lobby, Christianbook.com, grocery store of choice, or restaurant of choice. 

Now I know that the Rafflecopter has quite a few entries, but each of these bloggers generously chipped in their own money to bring you this giveaway, so I hope you will take the time to do all of the entries.  And hey, the more entries you do, the better your odds are of winning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends May 7th at 11:59pm EDT.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to email to claim the prize. By entering this giveaway you will be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers. Please be sure to read the Terms & Conditions upon entering the giveaway. By entering the giveaway, you agree and acknowledge your understanding of the terms & conditions.

The post Free Mother’s Day Printables – Mother’s Day Giveaway! first appeared on True Aim.

Then I became a mom…at the young age of 19. Each day my baby boy made a new face or cute noise I’d never heard. I found myself actually trying to slow down time. I wanted my baby boy to grow up slowly so that I could ensure that I took it all in.

My baby boy is now 13 years old and in his final middle school year. My daughter is 11 and in her first middle school year. I never was able to slow down time, it didn’t work for either of my children no matter how hard I tried. So, now I’m faced with the reality of having two children in middle school, which means they are over halfway grown up! In less than half the time I’ve held them in my arms they’ll be adults, ready to be out on their own. Just like I used to be what seems to have been so very long ago.

Being the mother of two middle schoolers is not always easy. In fact, this may be the most difficult part of my motherhood journey yet. No longer are they in need of my help to complete most tasks, make meals or even do their school. Yet, I’m still their mother.

Each new stage of motherhood requires mothers to find their new role as a parent. A mother of middle schoolers takes some of the biggest steps required of a mom.

• Learning to let go

Middle school aged kids are ready to spread their wings and fly. While we know they truly aren’t ready for life in the real world, we have to let them have a taste of it now and then. Try letting your kids grab a few groceries alone, attend a birthday party or sleepover without you sticking around or even walking downtown to grab a few candies or ice cream on their own.

• Let them make their own decisions

Sometimes our kids need to see what happens when they make their own decisions without our help or input. They need to understand there are consequences to bad decisions and we may be surprised to see blessings from good decisions they make. Consider allowing your kids to decide what to do with their allowance, whether or not to attend a friend’s party or choose to stop an activity they previously enjoyed.

• Explain the why

It isn’t just good enough to say “Because I said so” anymore. Middle schoolers need to have an explanation as to why they can or cannot do something. When we don’t give them a specific answer we’re creating a divide between us and it could cause them to hide activities or thoughts from us and breakdown our relationship.

• Deepen your conversations

After you explain the why or when you need to talk to your middle schooler heart to heart take the time to have a deeper conversation. Don’t just lay it all out for them and run off. We need to encourage our children to talk with us by asking how they feel, what they think and giving them the time and undivided attention they need to share their hears and minds with us. If we find ourselves not understand our kids its probably time to sit down and have a heart to heart chat.

• Teach by example

Our kids aren’t little anymore. We can’t live out, “Do what I say, not what I do” with middle schoolers. If we want our kids to do or not do something, we have to ensure that we are being a good example and doing (or not) doing what we’re telling them.

Middle school moms have to start taking steps that can hurt in more ways than we’re prepared for, but it is essential that we begin allowing our children to become the young man and young lade we’ve been raising them to be. We’ve spent years pouring our heart, soul and energy into raising them well, now it is time to watch them begin to fly!

What are your best tips for the motherhood journey through middle school?

The post 5 Tips for Middle School Moms first appeared on True Aim.

From the moment that you find out that you are expecting a child your motherhood journey begins. It is a journey that truly never ends. You don’t merely raise a child for 18 years and stop being a mother. Once a mother, always a mother. I haven’t even finished my first 18 years a mother yet, but I know this to be true because my mother is just as much a part of mine and my brother’s lives today as she was when we were growing up.

Throughout your pregnancy there will be difficult moments along the way. Some women’s bodies handle pregnancy better than others, but every mother has hard times while pregnant. Whether you struggle with morning sickness, loss of sleep or sciatica nerve pain, the pregnancy season of motherhood has unique difficulties. In the midst of those long nine months it is hard to understand how you could possibly miss this season of motherhood, but you do. The moments you will miss include feeling the first butterflies of your child moving in your womb to your babe kicking inside of you and their hiccups that shake your entire body from the inside out! Once your child is in your arms, these are moments you won’t have again…and you’ll miss them.

The infant stage of motherhood is full of lots of sleepless nights and you’ll wonder time and time again if you’ll ever sleep from dusk to dawn. The amount of diapers you will change is astounding and because of them your house often your house does not smell clean and fresh. This season is often one that you struggle to remember because you were so sleep deprived, but later in the life you’ll look back and realize just how amazing it was. You’ll miss the smell of your freshly washed babe in your arms, the way they snuggled up close to you and all the times you rocked them to sleep because they needed the safety only you could provide.

Toddlers keep a mother busy from sunup to sundown. They are into every nook, cranny and cupboard that they can get their pudgy fingers into. Often they don’t like to eat what we feed them and each mealtime requires another bath. Most mothers have to choose whether to sleep or deal with a messy house throughout the toddler years. What you’ll miss are the moments when your little one takes their first few steps, the light in their eyes each time they learn to do something new and the first words they speak!

The early years are full of adventure and wonder for children! Their vocabulary is constantly growing and they want to discover everything about the world they live in all at once! You’ll be asked “Why?” more times than you ever thought humanly possible and stubbornness will likely begin to show it’s colors as independence starts to take root in every child. You’ll find yourself missing your children’s discovery stages, the funny ways they say specific words and their desire to help with everyday tasks.

As you entire the school-aged season of motherhood you’ll spend a lot of time teaching your children, having “play dates” and playing games throughout this time. You may begin to encounter attitude as your children approach puberty. The things you’re likely to miss from this season are the times that your children want to talk and do things with you, them asking for snuggles at bedtime and their willingness to hold your hand or hug you in public.

Middle schoolers are unique and you’ll face struggles that you never imagined. You’ll also find that your children are more willing to take on responsibilities as tweens! Likely the biggest difficulty you’ll face during this time are the moments when your children feel like they don’t have to listen to you as their independence continues to grow. Puberty will continue throughout the middle school years presenting hard moments often when you least expect it. This is the season of motherhood that I am currently in and it is not easy, so I’m not exactly sure what all that I will miss. I love the heart to heart talks that we have and that they still want and enjoy spending time with me.

The teenage years are a struggle, I remember what I was like as a teenager and all of the difficulties I went through with my mother. There were a lot of times when I said things that I didn’t mean, I made decisions that didn’t make sense and my attitude was not pleasant. Yet, I know that as a teenager, I really did love my mom and her support meant the world to me. I’m sure that my mother felt lost and defeated at times in my teenage years and I’m confident that I will feel those things too when I reach this season of motherhood.

As I think about reaching the teenage years as the mother, I want to ensure that I slow down and make the most of every moment. I want to enjoy the teenage season of motherhood, I want to do it well and succeed. After those years pass, I will still be a mom, but it will be different. My children will already have spread their wings out on their own…I want to reach that moment and smile as my heart bursts with pride.

When a mother’s children become adults, they will be out on their own. One day they will realize that they need her now, just as much (if not more) than they did way back when. They’ll long to hold her hand, to feel her fingers run through their hair and have her lips pressed against their forehead. Once a mother, always a mother.

Sweet momma, embrace each season of motherhood for once it has passed, it will never come back again.

The post The Importance of Embracing Each Season of Motherhood first appeared on True Aim.

How is a busy mother supposed to be able to enjoy the Christmas season and all the joy it has to offer when her to-do list is longer than the hours in her day allows?

• Stay organized

This is key for mothers to be able to slow down throughout the Christmas season! The Multi Taskin Mom has a Christmas Survival Guide that will keep your shopping, meal planning, Christmas movie watching and more organized this Christmas season!

• Keep your priorities in order

You must remember your priorities and their importance throughout the entire Christmas season. Remember the Reason for the Season, make room for quality time with the ones you love, reach out to those who are in need of extra love and help this Christmas and ensure you save time for you to rest and be refreshed each day. Download this free printable to remind you of these priorities all Christmas season long!

• Don’t overcommit

You’ll receive invitations, your children will be invited to special Christmas events and family members will be hosting parties and more during the Christmas season. Don’t overwhelm you or your family by overcommitting. Take time to talk to your husband and children to determine which events are best for your family this year.

• Stick to your budget

Shopping during the Christmas season can be exciting, but often that excitement can cause us to continue shopping even though we’ve already purchased all of the gifts we had on our lists. When we only buy items that are on our Christmas gift list we ensure that we aren’t adding more to our already busy days, we stick to our budget and help our days remain slow throughout the holidays.

It’s important for our families to be able to spend time with us during the Christmas season, so we must take the appropriate steps to ensure that we can do so. Christmas isn’t about the gifts, parties or even the pretty twinkling lights, when we take time to slow down at Christmas time it is easier to remember what we’re celebrating…what truly matters.

How do you remind yourself to slow down during the busy Christmas season?

The post A Mother’s Guide to Slowing Down This Christmas Season first appeared on True Aim.

Then there are days that are filled with tears, anger, disappointment, ugly words and hurt feelings. My little blessings sometimes mistake who I am. I am a mother, not a friend.

Being a mother is hard sometimes. We wish you could always have sunshiney days filled with having fun with our little blessings, but that isn’t always possible. Sometimes being a mom gets us labeled as mean. I often refer to myself as a mean mom, it doesn’t bother me. After all, I am a mother, not a friend.

Being a Mother Isn’t About Being a Friend

Our little blessings don’t understand the difficulty of being a mother. They don’t see that the choices we’re making are with their best interest in mind. They just want us to let them do what they want because they can’t see the outcomes that we can.

It’s important that we remember that we are called to be a mother not a friend.

The choices that we’ll make on our motherhood journey often won’t be popular. The explanations and reasons we offer will not be received well at times. Yet, just because our little blessings don’t like what they hear doesn’t mean that we give in and let them have their way.

Our little blessings need us to stay strong and be their mother. Even if they think they want a friend.

Being a mother isn’t always easy. There are times when it will seem like the most difficult job in the world. Sometimes we’ll wonder why we wanted to be a mother in the first place. After all, it isn’t as easy as it looked is it?

Decisions we never thought about having to make will show up each and every day and we can’t avoid them. Our little blessings will need directions and a mother needs to have the answers. A friend doesn’t offer direction or answers, they just go with the flow.

Someday the choices we made on our motherhood journey will be evident in the lives of our little blessings. If we’re prone to giving in, our little blessings will expect that throughout their lives from everyone. If we guide our little blessings as their mother not their friend, our little blessings will learn respect and they will be able to listen to authority throughout their lives.

Will our choices reveal that we were more concerned with being a friend to our little blessings or were we the mother that our little blessings needed, but didn’t want at the time?

The post A Mother Not a Friend first appeared on True Aim.

My days are always over planned and overflowing though I keep reminding myself of the need for quality time with my husband and little blessings.

Instead of holding my blessings tight when they’ve been hurt, I put an ice pack in place, give pain medication if needed and move on to the next thing that “requires” my attention.

When voices begin to raise I tend to make mine louder rather than keeping a cool head and patiently guiding my children through their disagreement.

The Mother I Never Wanted to Be is Me

How did I become the mother I never wanted to be?

By saying yes to others way too much and no too often to my little blessings that deserve my best.

By not keeping my priorities straight and being more concerned with completing my to do lists than with the hearts of my little blessings.

By trying to live each day on my own without clinging to the Lord who longs to give me all the strength that I need.

Thankfully my motherhood journey isn’t complete, I’m so blessed that God is still working on me. Yet, I must be willing to step up and out in order to become more like the mother I dreamed I would be.

My little blessings are depending on my willingness to change, they need to see me take the hard steps to become a better mother – the mother God desires for me to be! By them seeing me make the choice and take the steps to change they will learn more than if I just told them the importance of being willing to change.

I know that I will never be a perfect mom, nor would I ever want to be! Can you image being the child and trying to live up to that? Yet, I want to ensure that I am growing and becoming a better mom, I don’t want to become stagnant and just accept that this is the best that I can do. I want to do my best by taking steps to grow and let God do the rest!

A parent’s actions always speak louder than words. What are your actions speaking to your children?

The post The Mother I Never Wanted To Be first appeared on True Aim.

I am blessed to have a mother that loves every part of her life. I knew I wanted to be like my mom in many ways, there were a few things that I was sure I would do differently, but I knew I wanted to be like her.

I dreamed that I would be a wife that loved her husband, a mother who adored her children and a woman whose home was always neat and clean. My children would love the Lord, be dressed well, behave properly and respectfully at all times and they would be the center of my world. I was certain that with the upbringing I had that all of this would be easy. I knew how to parent because I had watched my parents raise my little brothers.

Yet, somehow over the last 12 years of motherhood I’ve lost my way more than a time or two. I’ve forgotten the joy that merely the thought of being a mother brought to my mind and heart.

The Mother I Dreamed I’d Be Isn’t Me

Instead of becoming the mother I dreamed I would be, I’ve become overwhelmed with the huge undertaking this motherhood journey is at times. I’m too busy to ensure that my children are learning what respect truly is and why it’s so important to be respectful to everyone. I don’t take time to spend with my children often enough to ensure they know that they are two of the most important people in my world. 

The mother I dreamed I would be isn’t who I’ve become. At times this truth saddens my heart because I know I could be a better mother. Then I am reminded that just as my children are growing and changing becoming the young man and young lady that God designed for them to be, I am still growing and changing too. God isn’t finished with me yet. He knew the mother He wanted me to become and is continuing to develop that mother in me.

While my motherhood journey doesn’t look anything like what I dreamed it would, I’m thankful that I didn’t become the mother I dreamed I would be.

I want my children to see my flaws and mistakes, my growth and my joys. I want them to see that it’s ok to fail and have to try again and again. I want my children to learn to never give up pursuing the person God has called you to be. I want them to know that just because you’re a grown up doesn’t mean you have it all together.

God knew that the mother I dreamed I would be isn’t the mother my children need. I’m grateful that He is still working on me to make me the mother that they need!

How is God making you the mother that He knew you should be?

The post The Mother I Dreamed I Would Be first appeared on True Aim.

Maybe you were like I once was, scornful of their many inquiries and requests. Doesn’t it seem like the ones who complain the most get the most attention?

A woman at the store demands to talk to the manager, and gets exactly what she wants after speaking with him. Your friend on Facebook asks for a baby sitter every week because she needs a nap, date night, girls night. Maybe it’s that family member who’s asking for hand-outs… again, or the activist who makes such a fuss that they get a new law passed.

We live in a digital world, access to hundreds of people with just a touch of a button, each with their own unique struggles and passions. I felt like there was enough noise out there. I shouldn’t mention my petty grievances.

I was wrong.

Let’s face it, most of us don’t have time to visit or call all our friends and family to solicit advice or ask for prayers. We’re busy tending to our families, trying to make a living, and care for ourselves with the time leftover.

People who share there struggles and reach out online are using their resources wisely and managing their time the best they can. They trust their fellow humans with their hearts and are more honest than most. They feel a sense of community with their friends and followers online that is unique and should be emulated.

What good is an online community if we never utilize it? Why bother having friends or followers online if we don’t feel a connection to them?

Transparency shouldn’t automatically translate to weakness. Instead, when someone talks about a personal struggle or asks for advice on social media, we should be flattered and grateful.

They are trusting us with a piece of their lives.

What a great opportunity to fulfill God’s command to “… pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18

So silent mamas, what about you?

You may have an inclination to keep everything in, guarding your struggles from others, afraid to be vulnerable in front of your community, thinking you’ll bring scoffers out of the woodwork. I think you will find the exact opposite experience.

Letting it out occasionally will feel a whole lot better. Think of them as “your people” and they will encourage you and offer their advice as a show of their care for you.

Silence shouldn’t automatically translate to strength. Suffering internally could be an issue of pride.

You don’t always have to put on a happy face or say you are doing good when you really feel like you are struggling to hold it all together.

Trust in your fellow man and you will be pleasantly surprised.

(I’m not talking about serious or life-threatening issues, but everyday struggles. Please seek professional or family help if you are in danger or are struggling with an addiction.)

The post A Message to the Silent Mamas first appeared on True Aim.

When you think you can’t go on, you throw back some black elixir; mocha, frappe, Americano. What are you striving for?

Is your reputation on the line? Are you trying to get a degree? Are you going for a promotion? Do you want your children to be successful? Is fame your goal?

These things aren’t bad, but all are NOT worth killing yourself for. And while you’re dying inside to get ahead, you’re missing out on more important things.

Remember, there are some people who have everything they’ve ever wanted, yet somehow, it isn’t enough.

So you believe the saying, “hard work never killed anyone” do you? Well it simply isn’t true. I’ve pulled plenty of all-nighters. I know what happens when you do too much.

You slowly turn into something scary.

Oh, hi mom!… y-y-you look a little tired today heh.

The littlest things will set you off. Your husband blows his nose too LOUD! The dog licks YOUR FEET! Then, YOUR. KID. GIGGLES! You make little mistakes, and they turn into big mistakes.

Chaos ensues.

Why, why are you doing this to yourself?

So you want to meet your goals? Your definition of success is just out of reach and if only you could do more, faster…

“Bring it on!”, you say.

Soon your goals become a blur in the midst of all the commitments you’ve made. You feel dazed and confused like someone just jumped you in a back alley. What happened to that person you once were? How can you get back to feeling normal again?

Just say no!

Do you have your goals written down? Do you have your priorities lined out? Now is the time.

What is most important to you? List those in order; 3 Big goals and what it is going to take to meet them, write those next.

If someone asks you to do something, look at your goals and priorities. Does it line up and do you have the time and energy to do it? No? Then just say no!

Reserve your yeses for things that really line up. Things that you’ve been missing out on in the midst of Chaos. The simple pleasures in life that you’ve been taking for granted.

The hugs, kisses, meaningful conversation. The relationships. The things that really make life worth living.

To the moms who do too much: Sometimes less is more.

Plan out your day for your little ones to help save your sanity!

Free Preschool Planning Printables

The post To the Mom Who Does Too Much first appeared on True Aim.

A fellow blogger and, more importantly, a fellow sister in Christ has experienced that immeasurable loss.  Her family was getting ready to make a huge journey to South America to spread the gospel when their 3-month-old little girl Zoe died unexpectedly.

That made me look at my 3-month-old and think, “What if this was the last time I held my baby?”  Every yawn, every smile, and every moment, I want to treasure forever because, it could very well be.

I feel blessed to be a mom 4 times over.  Time after time, each of my children bring me immense joy, while at the same time, a strong conviction.  I see the same effect playing out in the lives of so many others.

For example, My husband and I like to watch reality TV competitions.  Survivor, the Ultimate fighter, Master Chef, and Hells kitchen are some of our favorites.  And we see it again and again.  These people were broken and headed down the wrong path, but then they had a child of their own and it made them want to straighten out; living a better life so the ones they love will have it even better still.

Of course there is an ugly side to Motherhood.  It is all the little things your children do that urk you, but then you realize; monkey see, monkey do.  There is no where to hide.  Your children emulate your behavior, the good and the bad.

But that’s what’s so wonderful about Motherhood – the motivation to change bad to good and good to better, the opportunity to experience unconditional love first hand, no matter what you were like before or who you are now.  Motherhood is more than an experience, it is a miracle.

And just like other miracles, it can be brushed aside as simple coincidence, probability, or so diluted that it becomes an ordinary inconvenience.

But in the memory of Zoe and others lost, join me and 30 other bloggers in giving Motherhood the admiration it deserves.  Let’s rejoice in the amazing gift God has given us!  Let’s shout to the world and tell of the great rewards children bring to their parents!  Let’s treasure the time that we have because it is fleeting.

In the next 2 week’s I’ll be participating in the Ultimate Guide to Baby’s First Year.  Over 30 bloggers have gathered together to bring you advice, ideas, resources and more on everything you might need for your baby!  To make sure you don’t miss anything, please follow our Collaborative Everything Baby Pinterest Board!

The post Time After Time first appeared on True Aim.