Jeannie

Ten Great Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day

I’ve seen quite a few Mother’s Day gift guides floating around, and honestly I’ve been rather unimpressed. Either they’re things I don’t have the time or desire to use, or they’re terribly expensive. So here are some alternative ideas, especially for outdoor- and earthy-type mamas like me. Bonus: they’re all $25 or less! Affiliate links support our family at no cost to you.

CamelBak Water bottle

Seriously, can you get enough water bottles? I’m forever leaving mine in the car, or the kids borrow them. These beauties are definitely gift-worthy, and they come in fun designs like feathers and flowers and the Appalachian Trail.

Canvas tote bag

Cute, sturdy, functional. Moms always need more bags to carry everyone else’s things. If you want to make it extra special, buy a beach towel just for her and tuck it inside with her favorite snack.

Wild and Free enamel mug

The obvious advantage to this mug is the kids can’t break it. Plus, it feels woodsy. Most of us outdoor moms don’t get to adventure as much as we’d like, but gifts like this help keep the hope alive.

Handmade soap

There’s something special about handmade soap. It feels and smells luxurious without being fancy.

Soy candle

A candle is usually a safe bet if you really aren’t sure what she likes. This one smells like camping, a definite plus in my book.

Spa gift basket

This a another “safe” and traditional choice, but take it one step further if she has young children: give her a “free afternoon” voucher and take the kids to the park so she can enjoy it in peace!

Village Naturals bath salts

I love these! Epsom salt baths have so many health benefits, and they’re just plain relaxing. Great after a workout, a hike, or chasing toddlers all day.

Thermos water bottle

Is she more than a “one-cup” mama? Now she can have a refill of her favorite hot — or cold! — drink. And hello, it’s just stinking cute.

Cozy slippers

Her hard-working feet deserve a little pampering, right? Right.

“Full Hands” shirt

Graphic tees are in style, and this one celebrates the love that fills her heart as a mom. Because yeah, it’s hard work, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The Fight for Life: What You Can Do

I doubt anyone who reads our blog is unaware of what is happening in America right now regarding abortion. There are protests happening at Planned Parenthood locations all across the country today. If you are unable to attend one, or if you just want a place to start in the fight for life, here are a few ideas. There should be at least a few things that you can do, regardless of your circumstances!

— Pray. If you can’t find the words, pray through Psalm 139. There is also a 30 day pro-life prayer devotional here.

— Post something pro-life on Facebook: an article link, a quote, a picture of fetal development, or just what is on your own heart. Change the status to public so others can share it (otherwise it’s only visible to your mutual friends). This also means if your friends like or comment on it, it may show up in their friends’ newsfeeds. You never know who might see it!

— Consider signing a petition. Petitions often close without warning, but at the time of this writing, here are live petitions to defund Planned Parenthood, ask the White House to watch the videos , and request Congress to investigate Planned Parenthood.

— Support your local crisis pregnancy center. There are dozens of ways to do this, from volunteering to monetary donations. If your budget is tight, drop by with cookies for the counselors and tell them you support them! Ask for a list of prayer requests. And a list of needs (diapers in larger sizes and formula are pretty much givens). I could write an entire blog post on how to support your local CPC, so I’ll do that next week. But today, at least know where yours is located (Google “crisis pregnancy center” + the name of your town, or check http://www.lifecall.org/).

One last thing: please be kind when engaging abortion advocates. A shocking one in three women will have an abortion in her lifetime. Often the most outspoken, angry pro-abortion people you speak to are living with the reality of abortion, although they rarely announce it. Speak truth and hope in love. Jesus died for these people.

Room Makeover: Entryway

A good entryway should be functional and attractive, at least according to what I’ve read. Ours, unfortunately, was neither. I’m terrible about taking “before” pictures, but this might give you an idea.

(Pardon the cavernous hole on the left side — that’s the library, and hopefully the next room to get a makeover.)

It’s hard to tell from this picture, but that is not a lovely shade of green on the wall. It’s actually quite hideous. In fact, I think that is Evan’s favorite part of the entire makeover: to be rid of that green. Of course, having a place to actually store our shoes isn’t bad either.

Continue reading Room Makeover: Entryway

Letter to My Teenage Self

Dear Me,
There you are, 15 years old. As you look into the future, it’s probably a good thing you can’t see me at more than twice your age: you’d be terrified of the years that must pass before you will finally be that wife and mother you dream of now…
Your best friend now? She’s going to move away. You’ll keep in touch through the years, but you will make other friends. I promise. Two of your closest friends will be your little sisters. I know right now, at 8 and 10, the gap seems huge, but in a few years you’ll be quite the threesome. Oh, and your mom. Right now you clash a lot, but you’ll get past that and be really close friends. You’ll even be a birth attendant as she has your youngest brother… and a dozen years later, she’ll be by your side as you give birth to your first daughter.
You look pretty old-fashioned in that homemade dress. Your fashion sense will mature, but you’ll keep that love of everything old, especially books (my, what a library you’ll have in your 130-year old house!) And eventually you might learn that what you wear really isn’t as important as what’s on the inside. I know you’ve only been taught that since you could talk. Keep working on it. (This is to 30 year old me, too!)
You don’t have very specific plans for what to do after high school. If you thought about it now, you might do some things a little differently, but don’t worry… God has a way of using everything to shape you into the person he wants you to be. You won’t go to college. You’ll stay home until you get married (and keep sharing a room with your sisters). You won’t ever have a formal job, but the wide range of experiences you’ll get instead will be well worth it… volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center, working on the farm, working for your dad in many capacities, doing freelance writing and editing and formatting.
And since getting married is on your mind a lot right now, let me tell you a few things about your future husband. You don’t know him now (so don’t worry about not knowing a lot of eligible guys). You will get your heart seriously broken before you meet him, but you’ll come out stronger on the other side. God’s getting him ready, but you won’t meet him until you are almost 28. Despite the advances in technology and the fact that both of you will be on all sorts of online networking sites, you’ll end up actually meeting in person. You, little country mouse, will end up living in Los Angeles, CA, and you’ll be just fine. You’ll end up letting go of so many dreams to marry this man, but it will be worth it, because you’re going to find a love beyond anything you can imagine right now. Don’t worry overmuch about the crushes you have on other guys in the intervening years. It’s part of growing up, you’ll learn from them, and once you meet your man, you won’t even remember how it felt to like anyone else.
And those dreams you let die? God will give them back to you in surprising ways. You’ll leave the big city to live in a tiny village in southern Illinois, in an old house surrounded by a picket fence. You’ll have a garden, a clothesline, a fireplace, and even a barn. And wonder of wonders, you’ll have a little girl with her daddy’s eyes and mama’s hair. It’ll be worth the wait, I promise.
Love, Me

Linking up at YLCF and chatting at the sky