Mom Journal

Last year I attended a moms small group during the mornings and the leader gave us these beautiful journals to take notes in of the study we were doing.  She also encouraged us to write prayers for our children, what we might be struggling with as moms and scripture to pray over them. I had been thinking about doing this so I was soooo excited to come home and get started.  Frist I used our Christmas card from the year before (2011) and glued it in the front of the book.  Picture help to have a visual of who you are praying for and then I always have a current family photo on hand to show people :P

The very first page of the book I wrote out the scripture that God has spoken over me and my children. Psalms 127:3-5.  This is a verse I say daily especially during those hard days when the kids seem to be anything but a blessing :P

During our times of meeting we had some really great teaching.  One that I wrote out was 10 character traits for parents.   1. Affirming 2. Patient 3. Celebratory 4. Visionary 5. Prayerful 6. Authentic 7. Connected 8. Attentive 9. Comforting 10. Insightful

After writing them down I attached one of my favorite pictures of me with the kids.  The greatest thing about the mom journal is that I carry it with me everywhere I go.  That way when I am waiting for appointments I can open it up, write something in it or pray something that I have written down...like these parenting traits; asking God to help me be this kind of mama. 

Some pages are filled with specific things to pray for the kids well other pages have parenting quotes, encouraging stories, photos of me with the kids, teachings or advice I have received from another mama. Another list I have written out is the Character Qualities that we study in school (homeschool that is).  We choose 2 a month to study and try to be like! 

This year my book is still going strong so I took our Christmas card and glued it onto the page to show my new year!  This year our small group decided to read the book One Thousand Gifts.  It has been such a blessing to read this book so the next half of my book has been dedicated to writing down my blessings every day.  So far 2 months in I am about 150 gifts.  I think if I keep it up I will hit One thousand by the end of the year or summer :P 

Durning the days while I am home the book sits open on the counter so I can record blessings as they happen. Here are a few from my list: 

4.  Jaelyn cuddled into me snoring away

8.  Perfectly falling snow and no place to go

9.  Godly friends to spend late night laughs and sliders with

10. Elderly married couple hands in the air worshipping Jesus together

19. Giant boxes and creative minds

20. Easy clean up of parchment paper

41. Strong arms wrapped around my waist as I cook supper

50. Abrahams jolly smile that lights up any room

65. Pink clouds

87. Oatmeal on a cold winter morning

100.  Walking into a house filled with the aroma of fresh baked cookies.

My mom journal has been a blessing in my life.  I have been able to pour out my heart for my children in it and by carrying it around with me I am intentional about looking through it and praying for each one of my children as well as for me as a stay at home mama.  I know some days are not as easy as other days but this is my calling and remembering that and who I am to Jesus makes a BIG difference in how things run in this home.