When 9:00 am rolls around, the Houle kids know what time it is; it’s Bible time. A time we’ve set aside each day to teach them about God. Our teaching is not limited to one small block of time, life is filled with lessons, but it’s a way we have instilled in our kids that making time with God is a priority. My kids are 5, 4, 2 1/2, and 31 wks gestation :) My kids love devotional time. I commonly hear the phrase, “Yay, devo time!” as I announce it’s time for the morning devotional.

Marriage is a commitment filled with promises that are made between two imperfect people, yet tied together with love and a vow. With the words “I do”, you promise to love and cherish your spouse. Although society says love can be temporal and disposable, and that it is okay to disregard your vows; God paints a different picture. His is one of perseverance, companionship, love, and devotion.

Little clothes, big clothes, I fold the basketfuls of laundry that are always awaiting me. The dishes that once enveloped my sink are put away. The house is picked up to the best it will be for now. There has been many opportunities to teach and love my kiddos, and the day is not done. […]

Fear limits. Faith builds up. I am not referring to the fear of God, out of respect for His authority, rather the kind of fear that limits our obedience to God rather then drawing us closer to Him. Obedience that requires faith, also has an antithesis known as fear, and it is knocking on the door. The unknown breeds a slew of emotions, especially if we question our circumstances rather than the God who called us there.

It was one of those not so proud moments of motherhood, where instead of speaking life and encouragement to the ones I love, my words came out hurtful. It was undeserved. Through the grind of day to day, we need to be conscience of the words we speak, and the tones we speak them in. We impact those around us, whether we know it or not. Thankfully, sometimes even when we mess up, we are shown God’s grace, through the undeserved love from another, and hopefully, we can glean from those moments, reciprocating the same love to others.

We all have our foundational beliefs that form the framework of our core. Where does your truth stem from? From society? Your parents? The Bible? Perhaps you don’t even realize where they came from, they are just so embedded in your personality you continue to live them out. I challenge you-to strip down your preconceived notions of truth, and start building your ideologies on the Word of God. Because ultimately when we say our parting goodbye’s here on earth, the only One we have to give account to is God.

I watch my precious kids grow up before my eyes. Each 24 hour period passes almost as quickly as it arrives. I try to balance all of life’s details, while still prioritizing my kids. Despite the slew of stuff that bombards each day, I want to stop and breath in the moments that make each day special. I want to appreciate my kids and savor the moments that I don’t want to pass by. Hopefully if I pause long enough I can create a memory that can’t be taken from me. So as I hear the laughter bubbling through my house, and the joy that kids bring, I want to put aside my tiredness, my work, my distractions and remember how fleeting these moments are. I want to soak in just one more memory.

Crafts are a great way to engage kids in learning. For me, I have a craft cabinet to keep everything for their crafting needs. It doesn’t always look pretty! But it is everything in one spot. I was teaching the kids about Elisha and the Shunamite women the other day, and couldn’t find the specific craft I was looking for, so I made up this simple craft to help remind my kids of this historical event. Hopefully you will be able to get some use out of it too!

You were so young, still forming in my womb, as anticipation of motherhood filled my heart. Everyone around us was so thrilled to hear the announcement that you were on the way. Each passing day I grew more and more excited, longing to hold you, to meet you.

“He doesn’t have to say he’s sorry” my 4 year old daughter’s said after I told my son to apologize to her. It wasn’t in a disrespectful tone, but one of forgiveness. True forgiveness, one that can’t be bought or faked. She got it.