avatar by on December 30, 2011   •   Personal Growth You

20 questions for reflecting on your 2011

Happy New Year’s Eve Eve! Today I’m over on (in)courage, sharing my annual list of questions I use to reflect on the previous year. Head over there to read the post and to share your thoughts.

Then, head back here and download the free PDF of questions. Use it to journal in solitude or to chat with a group of friends over the next few days. Either way, I hope it’s a blessing to you.

Next week, I’ll be back on (in)courage, sharing ideas, tips, and motivation to kick-start 2012, springboarding from my e-book, One Bite at a Time. If you haven’t yet, mosey over to 52 Bites and download yourself a copy—it’s a great way to start off the new year. (There’s a coupon code for $1 off the e-book in the download linked above.)

The following week I’ll share another round of questions. This time, you’ll plan your goals for 2012. What are your plans? Your hopes? What would you like to happen for you personally, for your children, for your family? Be intentional, and jot down some ideas so that you can create a workable plan.

Enjoy the holiday, and I’ll see you in 2012!

avatar by on December 28, 2011   •   100 Comments Kids: Developing Character Your Family

Everyday ways to foster independence in kids

I feel that one of my main parenting jobs is to help my kids leave the nest knowing to look both ways before crossing the street, how to boil water, and that it’s a good thing to pay bills on time.

How to be a grown-up, in other words.

By the time my kids are young adults, my prayer is that they’ll understand the basics behind living in the real world, so that they can establish their own households responsibly and contribute positively to the world around them.

Baby steps. It’s got to be baby steps, because as I write this, only one of my children knows how to get their own pajamas on, and one of them still can’t leave my side for more than a few hours at a time before he needs milk again.

I’ve got a long time before my nest is empty. But baby steps are required for fostering independence in my kids, and it’s the little, daily things that add up to creating a young adult who isn’t scared of the world around her.

Here are some basic things we do to help foster independence in our little kids.

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avatar by on December 26, 2011   •   65 Comments Film + Music You

My favorite music, movies, television, and books of 2011

You know, I was going to write a post revealing great ideas for celebrating New Year’s Eve with little kids. But then I realized I don’t have any great ideas.

Stay home. Play a board game or two. Pop some popcorn. Maybe watch a movie and stay up a bit later than usual. Talk about your favorite moments of 2011.

That’s all I got. Not much of a post.

So instead, I thought I’d do something I don’t do often on this blog. Talk about me.

On Friday I’ll share my annual Reflection Questions download, where you can journal your answers solo or make it a game with your spouse or friends. It’s fun. It’s Simple Mom-ish. I think you’ll like it.

But in the meantime, I thought it’d be fun to share my favorites 0f 2011. I know you’re oh-so-excited, so I’ll get right to it—here they are.
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avatar by on December 23, 2011   •   21 Comments Inspiration

Merry Christmas!

From my family to yours… May your days be merry and bright.

“Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” -Washington Irving

“I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.” -Harlan Miller

“Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide-open-heart that thinks of others first.” -George Matthew Adams

“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.” -C.S.Lewis

“He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy. He, the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.” -Augustine

“Hark the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the new-born king.’ Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” -Charles Wesley

avatar by on December 22, 2011   •   6 Comments Inspiration

A Simple Holiday Season (the latest on The Simple Mom Podcast!)

The latest podcast is up! In this episode, I’m talking with my friend Megan Tietz of Sorta Crunchy. We’ve been trying to podcast all throughout the fall, so it was great to finally catch up with each other!

In this episode, Megan and I chat about We talk small houses (and how to deal with tiny closets!), how to handle well-meaning gift givers who pile it on for the kids, and one of our new favorite artists! (Hint: Just take a look at both our headers.) We’d love for you to join us.

So get out your last unwrapped presents and get to work, or just whip up some cocoa and take a break—head here to find the latest episode and all the show notes, or you can head directly to iTunes. (And if you’re so inclined, would you mind leaving a review there if you like the show? It’ll help more people find it.)

Enjoy!