Last year I was introduced to the Ultimate Blog Party (UPB) sponsored by 5minutesformom. It was a great online party where I was introduced to some wonderful moms who hang out online! I know there are some of you who hang out on my blog that actually found me at the UPB10.
This year I’m throwing open the doors and really diving into the Ultimate Blog Party 2011! Every day, April 1-8, I will be giving away at least two (sometimes more!) copies of Hearts at Home books. Normally, I only blog Monday-Friday, but since the UPB11 is running through the weekend, I’ll be posting daily even through the weekend.
I’m looking forward to meeting some new moms and checking out some great mom blogs! If this is your first time here, pull up a chair and stay a while. You’ll find my posts listed by category over on the right (If you’re viewing my blog in an RSS feed or by email subscription, you’ll need to click over to jillsavage.org to actually see the categories!)
And don’t forget to check out www.hearts-at-home.org where you’ll learn about our mom conferences and even more great mom resources!
Today’s featured book is My Hearts at Home. Let me tell you a little about it. I once heard that the foundation of your life is laid in the first 20 years. After that, you’re building the remainder of your life on what was laid in that first 20 years. When I thought about that as a parent, I realized that I needed to be intentional about the foundation I was laying in my children’s life.
We would never even think about building a house without a set of blueprints. Those blueprints provide a vision of what we are building. Yet, everyday many of us are building families without a plan…without a vision…without a blueprint of what a healthy family experiences or what a firm foundation really looks like. My Heart’s at Home casts a vision for what you are working toward as a mom. It provides both the vision and the practical strategies you need to be the intentional mom your family needs.
If you’d like to be entered into a random drawing for one of the two copies of My Heart’s at Home I’m giving away today, leave a comment about one thing you intentionally do as a mom. (If you receive my posts by email or you came to this post via Mr. Linky from the UBP11 party, click HERE to leave a comment.)
I’ll share first…I intentionally try to listen with my eyes. Sometimes it’s hard to make it happen, but I try to stop what I’m doing, look at my husband or son or daughter, and listen with both my ears and my eyes.
Don’t forget to check back tomorrow and the next 7 days for some more wonderful giveaways!
Oh and one more thing…congratulations to Melissa whose email address begins with “ourheartforadoption”. She won Tuesday’s giveaway of the book Praying Through Your Adoption. You’ll receive an email, Melissa, with instructions for receiving the book. Thank you to all 52 of you who entered to win the book!
Hi, Thanks for a delightful visit for the Ultimate Blog Party 2011. I really enjoyed the time and thanks for a fun contest as well. I’m doing an Amazon gift certificate blog giveaway at SandwichINK as well as on the 5 Minutes For Mom Site. 🙂 Have a fun time tonight.
Glad to hear that you’re so passionate about family life! And it’s great to see someone who is being so generous. 🙂 PARTY!
Hi Jill! Will check out Hearts at Home website. I have actually heard about it from Debbie Alsdorf (Women’s director at my church and one of my mentors)! I found you from you just following me on twitter and then from the UBP11 party!
Intentional parenting – At family dinner time I ask my kids (ages 7, 4 1/2, 2 1/2) what the best part of their day was. Love to hear their responses. And of course, lots of hugs and kisses, but I don’t have to be intentional about that – can’t get enough.
Wendy, I love Debbie! You are lucky to have her as a mentor!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I intentional make holidays special for my kids, I intentionally kiss my daughter goodnight, and when they leave for school. I intentionally put notes in lunches for school.
I have been reading the Hearts at Home blog for a while now, and hope to be mmore involved with y’all in the near future. This is my first year at the UBP, and I’m excited about all the great blog-hopping I’ll get to do over the next few days!
Intentionally, my husband and I pray with our children each day, and every morning before we part ways we remind each other to “Shine Jesus!!”
I try to spend individual time with each of my kids once a week. It isn’t easy with the hours my husband works, but we always work it out.
Hi Jill,
I came across your blog recently and have subscribed to your posts.
As a mum, I intentionally read to my kids everynight and pray with them before they go to bed. Every morning before they go to school, I also intentionally wish them a great and fun day so that they will start off the day on a positive note!
One of most intentional thing I do as a Mom is plan my week to maximize time spent together as a family. With my dh and I both working FT, and the kids having school activities, I think it’s very important to plan as much as possible.
We make having dinner together as a family a priority. I also ask my kids every night what the best part of their day was.
Not a mom yet, but I try to be intentional in my marriage by 1. being dressed when my husband gets home from work on a day I’m off and 2. When he returns home from anything, I stop what I’m doing, go to him, and greet him with a hug. This shows him he’s more important than the TV, computer, laundry, the book I’m reading, etc. It’s taken just a little effort on my part, but I think it’s been worth it.
There are lots of thing I try to be intentional about, but one I’m most successful at is dinner together everyday as a family.
Me, too!
What a great question! I really had to think about this one. Thanks for giving me something to ponder this morning. The answer I came up with is that I am intentional in parenting with their future in mind. “There is no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4
One intentional thing I do as a mom? That’s tough, because I’ve realized recently that I’m not doing enough intentional things! 🙂 One of the things I want to be intentional with is giving them a lot of learning experiences. I want them to have fun learning so many different things. I’ve discovered though that I HAVE to be intentional AND willing to have a mess be made. 🙂
Yes, the mess thing is important. And for many of us…we have to be intentional about allowing that because our gut wants to say no!
It may sound strange but I intentionally try to give my kids time to get bored so they use their creativity and imaginations to come up with fun things to do….I am always amazed by what they come up with during those unscheduled times!
I love this, Kate!
I intentionally try to pray with my kids each day. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle that we don’t stop to listen to what’s on their heart, praying for them and with them.
hello – and lovely to meet you on the UBP . . . I intentionally LIGHT up when I see my children in the morning or when I pick them up from school. I never carry a cell phone into the school or anything of that nature. i want my kids to know that I am EXCITED to see them with love in my eyes!!
I always try to kiss my kids goodnight, no matter what kind of mood I am in.
I listen to my kids when they talk to me – even if I am busy – I try to STOP and really listen – they will be gone so soon!
love reading all the “intentional” things done in a day. makes me want to be more intentional. I intentionally kiss each family member every time they walk out the door (no matter how many times a day that is:) )
What a great question, as the mother of one child I’ve been accused of not being a “real mom” which I always find funny because to me it doesn’t matter if its one child or ten, I’m still a mom. The one thing I’ve always done since my son was a baby was set a routine to give him a sense of security. Now at 18 he values his routine in his life. Yes, that routine becomes out of sync at times but he adapts quite easily and when life calms down he easily falls back into his routine. I can see the benefit of this with his health, his study habits, his sleeping, in every aspect of his life. Another thing we do is always talk before he goes to bed, doesn’t matter what time or how long or short we talk, its just making that connection every day to make sure his head is still screwed on straight.
Beth, I don’t know who told you that being a mom of one does not make you a “real mom” but that is ridiculous! You are not only a real mom…but a good, real mom! Your son is lucky to have you as his mother!
While I am not a mother yet, I hope to be soon. One of the most important things I want to do as a mom is work on being a “YES” mom. I can too easily say no or dismiss things without really thinking about how happy it might make my husband, and I do not want to continue that trait with our children. Thank you for the chance for your book!
I loved reading all the responses. It is hard to admit, but I haven’t been all that intentional for the first 5 years of my daughters life. Mothering has not come naturally to me. I now have an 8 month son. I read “Bringing Up Boys” from Dr. Dobson and I realized how much I need to be intentional. But, all that said, I am intentional about talking about Jesus every day. We sing songs about Jesus, my daughter knows that I do Bible study in the morning, etc. We also have prayed with our kids every day. It’s good to learn from other moms what they are doing! So encouraging as I learn to be the best mom that I can be.
I love your blog Jill – thanks for the contest.
Intentionally, I pray with my kids every morning on the way to school and sometimes before we leave the house. I also, intentionally, always say I am sorry and that I messed up when I need to.
As a new mom (7 month old), I try to be intentional about reading daily to my son to give him plenty of opportunities to hear and see the written word. We have also been reading through Bible stories in his children’s Bible. Now that he’s getting older, it’s getting harder and harder to read while simultaneously keeping him from trying to grab and eat the book. 🙂
I have to say the one thing I intentionally try to do is establish family time every week. One day a week we spend it together. Playing games, watching a movie, or reading stories. Actually for the past couple weeks we have been fasting tv so we have been able to spend a lot more family time together.
TV is a great thing to fast from, Arkasia! Good for you!
I work a full-time job outside the home. My husband is a full-time college student. I desperately want to be at home with my kids. The thing I’m doing right now is to be very intentional about paying off debt, so that I can quit my job and be at home with my kids. I’m working through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace and I’ve started couponing. Until I can make that happen though, I’m intentional about making sure that that the majority of evenings we sit down at the table and have dinner together. We talk about our day and about plans for the next day. Your blog is very inspiring to me, thank you so much.
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace is sooooooo good! Hang in there, Stephanie. You have a great goal in front of you!
We have dinner together every evening. We try to make our kids aware of special needs around us (i.e. illness, death, missionaries) so we can pray together as a family.
Thanks for your blog Jill. The one intentional thing I try to do regularly with my daughter is open up her mind to imagine…. & we imagine together……Its amazing to see what responses & creativity comes out of this………As Albert Einstein once said “All meaningful and lasting change starts first in your imagination and then works its way out. Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Sheryl, have you ever seen the movie “Gifted Hands”? I think you would love it! The mom in the movie does the same thing you do!
I intentionally verbalize thanksgiving to God in front of my children for the many daily gifts we are given no matter how big or small, easy or hard.
We also have become intentional about memorizing the Word together, one bible verse a week is the goal.
I try to be intentional about actually engaging in playing and making memories with my children. This can be doing crafts, sitting on the floor building things or playing with dolls, throwing balls, blowing bubbles, drawing chalk pictures on the driveway, Wii, etc. It means a lot to them, it keeps our lines of communication open, and it’s good for me. All us grownups would be healthier and more content if we spent more time laughing and playing. It’s too easy to get too busy and serious with all our adult responsibilities and forget how important fun is and how quickly childhood passes.
Hi Jill,
I love reading your blog! And I am intentional about my kids by trying to show them love each day by their love languages. My Kate is a toucher…so I try to make sure she gets rocking time or a big hug each day, my other two are time kids, so uninterrupted time, even for 5 minutes fills them up!
Thanks for sharing all your insights!
Love your web site. You have been very encouraging. The kids are older now and they seem to only need food and clean clothes, LOL!!! One of the things I do intentionally now is hug them and tell them that they are loved my mom and dad.
Nereida, you bring up a good point. The older they get, the more we have to be intentional about hugging them and telling them we love them. It doesn’t come naturally anymore because they’re not crawling on our lap to read a book or snuggle.
Hello! I intentionally pray with my children daily, read with them daily, and sing songs with them daily!
I try to intentionally pray with my children, and to get one on one time with them as much as possible.
Hi Jill,
What a great question. Every day I express to my kids that there is nothing they can do to make me love them any more or any less than I do, that I love them for who they are. I remind them that God created them exactly as He intended and that He never makes mistakes.
I love your blog and read it every day, so I guess I’m intentional about that, too! You help me be a better mom, and I appreciate you and everything you do. 🙂
Michele
Thank you, Michele! Your post made me smile!
I try to be intentionally point out when my children are displaying character traits that I want to encourage. For example, my oldest son is very good at encouraging people with his words and I try to point that out to him when he is doing it.
I’m intentionally trying to cook healthier meals for my kids. I have always been able to follow a recipe, but working full time it’s so much easier to serve “convenience” food. My 10 year old son recently said, “You know Mom, some kids at school eat meat almost every night for supper. Do you know how to cook that?” So I’ve been trying to do chicken breasts, pork chops and roasts in the crock pot before I leave for work – done when I get home and happy little boy! LOL
LOL!! Our kids are sometimes great accountability, aren’t they??
I have been thinking a lot about this lately and realizing that I need to be more intentional as a mother. Perhaps I need to spend some time thinging about the core or most important things we want to be teaching our kids. It’s so easy to just let time pass by without making the most of it. I have been intentional about filling our time with things that will nourish my kids’ soul. My son skips out on a day of preschool to attend a bible study with me where he is also taught.
These comments have been helpful to read! I try to spend some time outdoors with my son as often as possible, to show him the wonders of nature and to help him understand and appreciate God’s world.
I’ve loved attending Hearts at Home for the last 4 years! I occasionally visit your blog and love the encouragment you offer to moms in all stages. I’ve read this book and loaned it out to multiple friends already–I love all the advice you give about being intentional. When I went to my first Hearst at Home conference (2008) I came away with the idea–“I want to be intentional in my parenting!” (At the time I had an 11 mo. old, now I have three!) Being intentional is something I’ve been striving for every day in all different areas of my mothering journey. Thank you so much for the inspiration and encouragment you provide!!
One thing I’m intentional about is praying for my 4 year old when we drive her to pre-school. It’s a short drive, but it’s filled with prayers, praise songs and lifting our hands in praise to our God. I’m making it a goal to keep our drives to and from school as a “no-phone” time and focusing on my kids (for as long as I get to drive them!)
I hope this is where we leave our comment. I intentionally take at least one major chore that should be done daily and put it off until the children are in bed so that I can take that time period to spend with my kids. In that time period, they get to choose what they want mommy to do with them whether it be read a book, play a game, eat a snack…the sky is the limit for them and they love to take turns choosing this one “special” activity!
Amber, welcome to the blog world! Your comment posted just fine!
When my kids come home from school I always ask each one how their day was, this is the craziest time of day at our house with my daycare kids parents showing up at the same time but I know that my kids love me to take time just for them during it.
I love to love on my baby when she come home from daycare and I think its so sweet when she run through the door looking for me and saying “mommy I love you”
Hi, Jill! Right now I’m reading your ‘Living with Less…’ book, so as a family we are trying to be more intentional about what/how we spend. My kids are only 2 & 5, but already I hear them echoing my ‘is that a good choice?’ or ‘wouldn’t you rather share that?’… I love how practical the applications are and that we are all making better choices!
Yay!!!
My husband and I spend lots of time with our kids outside and teach our kids the importance of hard work.
I have twins; they tend to get lumped together with everything we do. I intentionally give them, one at a time, 15 minutes of my undivided attention each day. Often times, because they are two, the other one doesn’t understand what I’m doing, but I know it is important for them to continue developing as their little unique selves.
Just want to say “wonderful site”….love it!
I intentionally kiss my kids goodnight every night and still tuck the little two into bed, with my hubby. I also make it a point to let them know that they are special, so when some ‘friend’ is being mean, they can just say that it’s the friend’s problem and not theirs. One last thing, I intentionally make them be polite to everyone….please and thank you is lost nowadays for so many :o)
This is a great question. I enjoyed reading everyone’s responses…so many good ideas!
My daughter and I read together everyday. We also intentionally pray together before she goes to bed.
Lately, I have been intentional about sharing my experiences growing up….letting them know that we are not perfect. It is also a way to share those family memories that get lost along the way. I always try to listen with my entire person for at least 10 minutes with each child each day…. just us…
I enjoy reading your blog by email….
I am new to the Ultimate Blog Party thing, but am very excited to have learned about it through subscribing to your daily blogs. Every parenting tip I can get helps me in this parental journey.
Something I intentionally do with my children every night is the bedtime routine. We read books together and pray together. Even last night we were running late for bedtime and we were forced to sacrifice the book time, but both my daughter, 7, and my son, 3, reminded me “Mom we didn’t pray!” How can I say no to that??? It was God’s little sign to me that even our little prayers are heard and my intentional actions are nuturing their spiritual seeds. Thank you God for your encouragement!
All of you are such inspirations! It is on my heart to be more intentional as a mom! Our thing as a family is to wind down each day with baths, stories, prayer before bed. It might take more time but it is something that we always do! Also, as a family we have continued my parents tradition of forty years to have pizza as a family every Friday night. It is a great way to end the week!
I love this website and hearts at home. I have been fortunate to attend the last 4 years and just love it.
I intentionally have sit down meals with my husband and 2 daughters and we discuss our days. I also intentionally shower them with love and kisses and periodically put notes in their lunches.
Even though the extra money would make life easier, I intentionally work part time.
Me too… I tell everyone I can work full time the rest of my life when my babies are grown. Robin
There are so many things I’d like to be intentional about. But there are few things I can say that I AM intentional about. I am intentional about praying each day that I can be a good example of a godly woman, wife and mother to my 5 children. I am also intentional in not allowing any kind of “labelling” or epithets to be used in my house. (“Retarded,” “stupid,” “that fails” or anything like that is not allowed in our home.) And I am intentional about learning the differences in each of my children so I can parent them according to their needs and personalities. Not every child needs exactly the same kind of parenting, IMHO. And I’m intentional about working on the areas that I WANT to be intentional about. 🙂
Incredible “intentional” posts from you ladies — what a great ministry, Jill!
While I always have good intentions on being “intentional” with my daily actions, some days I feel broken and my results fall through the cracks. But like God, my children have a forgiving heart, and we can always start over:)
I’m “intentional” about singing a silly song to my girls as I cuddle them while they wake up in the morning, “It’s Time To Get Up, It’s Time To Get Up, It’s Time To Get Up in the Morning!” While they act annoyed, when I fail to sing or cuddle, they’re quick to remind me:) I’m also “intentional” about sitting down with my girls when they return home from school – before snacks or TV or playtime outside – to go through their backpacks and learn about their day. I want to hear from them immediately when they get home, or they’ll leave out the important events by dinner time.
my intentional parenting is (per an older blog post of yours) to be a ‘yes’ mom instead of a ‘no’ mom. it isn’t always easy but totally worth it!
I also do my best to be an intentional listener whenever my husband and kids are sharing with me. In this busy world it can be hard to pull away from the computer or task at hand to listen for a minute, but I have found my boys really appreciate when I do that. I also tend to remember more of what they said and can decode their mood a little easier if they have my full attention!!
Thank you for the opportunity to share with you and also for everyone that has shared!! I found a new website to visit today! :+} Jen
I have been intentionally letting my kids help out with housework. Being 4,2 and 2 it does take longer and the job may not be done as well as I would like, but they do enjoy helping and it can be fun if I let it be 🙂 Hopefully it will help teach them good habits as well.
Jen, yes that takes intentionality because it would be easier to do it yourself. But they have to learn, too!
I try to intentionally be a “yes” mom as often as I can. It has done wonders for my relationship with my daughter and has limited the number of tantrums, when there truly isn’t time for a “yes” mom activity. It’s the give and take that makes it work. I put in a deposit of “yes” mom moments so that when I have to make a withdrawl, it’s doesn’t sting so badly.
I intentionally put things aside (chores, dallying on the computer) in order to allow my toddler to sit with me in the morning. She spends at least 2 hours up and down off my lap, snuggling, sharing my breakfast, etc. It was frustrating at first, because there were things I wanted to DO. But I’ve come to realize that anything I wanted to do during that time can easily be done as soon as she lays down for her nap. I have learned to relax and enjoy the fact that she wants to be close to me – she won’t always be this little!
BTW, I became a subscriber to your blog through LAST year’s UBP! 🙂
Yay Jen! Happy one year birthday of hanging out together in the blog world!
I intentionally try to sing to my baby every day. She loves my off-key singing even if no one else does!
With 5 kids and a job, it’s hard to routinely be intentional, but prayer isn’t optional. We always pray before our evening meal and at bedtime. If things are really hectic, the kids will specifically ask us to pray. I love that they want the last word of their day to be with Jesus. 🙂
I pray with them and read to them every day.
Loving this post! Getting so many ideas! I try to intentionally hug or give some affectionate words to each kiddo as I walk by them.
I try to be intentional in telling them “I love you” before they leave for school, asking how their day was when they get home, and to give hugs, kisses, and say “I love you” when I tuck them in at night and turn on their Christian music that they go to sleep to. Also, when I know it’s been busy and they are showing signs of needing some extra love and attention, to make sure we either just hang out at home together watching a movie or playing a game or we do something fun as a family like roller skating or bowling or just go out for ice cream.
I try to spend uninterrupted quality time with each of my chilren individually. These are the special times we get to talk about things important to them without distractions.
We homeschool our children. I don’t know how much more intentional that can get to raise them up in the way of faith to follow God. It is woven throughout our day.
I stopped in from UPB though I had heard of Hearts at Home from friends of mine who have been blessed to attend a conference. I hope to be able to attend with them someday.
I am intentionally involved in my children’s education. If they get in trouble at school, they can bet they will be in trouble at home too. I am intentionally teaching them that they are part of a family that works together. They have chores to do just because they live here, not because they want an allowance. They are 10, 7, 2, and 2 months and the older two are great helpers! I am intentionally taking time out to teach my girls about modesty, just because the clothes are in the store, doesn’t mean God wants us to wear them. I also intentionally take the time to tell them each day that their Daddy and I will always love them, no matter what.
I am intentional about having family traditions that are our own. For example, we have pizza once a week and when we do, we have a “picnic” in our living room with it. I throw down big beach towels (to protect my light carpet, but my 3 year old and 6 year old kids think it’s festive) and we sit down on them to eat our pizza. The rest of the nights, we eat dinner at the table in our dining room as a family so our pizza “picnic” nights are special.
Every night before bed, I sit with the kids after their prayers and ask them each what is one thing they loved about the day, one thing they didn’t like, one thing they were/are thankful for and one thing they want to pray for. It keeps our lines open (even though they are only 5 and 3) and we can talk about the day and then the kids are learning to develop their own prayers. I make a point of spending this time with them daily doing nothing more than prayers and focusing on them and God.
I am very intentional at tucking each of my children in bed at night and talking about their day. We homeschool so I get to see and hear most things, but at bedtime they tell about their thoughts and ideas that I don’t hear during the day. It extends bedtime sometimes, but I love it.
Stopping from the UBP ’11! You are so right about the need for blueprints!
I have 2 kiddos, I’m a homeschooling mom, a pro athlete that hates to workout LOL.. I also write a fitness blog for moms, but I LOVE fried fatty foods. You can read more about us in my party post
http://www.fitmomsfitkidsclub.com/2011/03/time-to-party-the-ultimate-blog-party-2011-is-here/
I intentionally try to ask my kids what the best part of their day was at dinner time (and I’m intentional about making sure we eat as a family sitting down in the dining room at the table) and really pay attention.
INTENTIONAL PARENTING – ever since I found out I was pregnant with my 1st child, I have prayed “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep” to her before going to bed. Every night before bed, both of my daughters will get up in front of the TV to turn it off and “perform” their prayer. One night it might be a robot prayer, one night it may be a ballet, another night it may be a cheer, etc. This was so much fun watching them make up their performances, while still praying.
About a month ago, we started to wonder if the girls really understood what they were praying… so, we ended the “performances” and taught them to kneel next to their beds before being tucked in. Now when we pray, we do our original prayer but we also pray for ourselves, our family, and our friends. It’s so rewarding to hear who/what they pray for. In fact, a couple of weeks ago… my oldest prayed for her friend who was fighting a cold… priceless.
I also make sure that if they are staying over night with the Grandparents, that I call to pray with them over the phone before they go to bed.
In addition to making sure that we pray every night, I always go back to their rooms before I go to bed and whisper to them that I love them, that they are beautiful, and goodnight. I have done that since birth, as well. It’s funny… sometimes they will whisper back, “I love you, too” or “Thank you”. 🙂
My oldest is 6 and my youngest is 4. I plan on doing this even when they are away in college. Kind of reminds me of the book “Love You Forever”. 🙂
I intentionally abide in the word, in prayer, and choose joy and gratitude more and more as the Lord teaches me how to be a good Mom… who loves Jesus more than anything.
We intentionally choose family time–memberships to our river museum, waterpark, discount admissions to our jumpin janes play area- so we choose time together weekends and summer –that helps intentional conversations, fun, and real relationships to grow….
Early in my parenting career, I was more intentional that God’s Word be part of my kids’ every day. Now, by the end of the day I find myself saying “Go to bed! Go to bed! Go to bed!” instead of spending that time with them. I need to get back to that.
My daughter is speech delayed and when she is trying a new word, I try to stop what I am doing and like you, listen with both my ears and eyes, and try to figure out what she is saying. It limits the frustration on both our sides.
Hi Jill. Glad to see you joined in on the fun again this year!!
We eat dinner together as a family every night. During dinner we ask each family member to share their high point and low point for the day. Our girls are ages 5 and 4 now, so the love sharing! We are hoping to lay the foundation so they’ll still talk to us and share their day once their teenagers. 🙂
I am glad I stopped by. 🙂 This book sounds wonderful! I am now following you via fb and twitter. I am from http://www.livingonloveandcents.com Please stop by some time! I have a car seat giveaway on my blog party post! I look forward to reading more from you! ~Heather
http://www.facebook.com/livingonloveandcents
http://www.twitter.com/loveandcents
Hi Jill — I read your email feed everyday. And I share most of them with my husband, especially the marriage advice emails with you and Mark. My husband is a non-believer (although myself and many others are praying for his “awakening”). Thank you for your parenting advice, organization advice, Christian life advice, and so much more. And, of course, I follow Hearts of Home as well and usually chime in with a comment too. I appreciate the opportunity to connect socially with other Moms who think like me.
Intentional Parenting: I actually discovered this idea from your blog and started implementing it the same day I read it. I try to say “Why not” instead of “No”. Not for everything, of course. But I am trying to find the child heart’s in myself and forget about always having a clean house or perfect dinners and I try to say… Why not. As a result, my Madison and I have so much fun and I don’t always have to be the “No” mom. Thanks for the tip!
I intentionally make breakfast for my older boys every morning, even tho they are 16 and 13 and capable of making their own. I also intentionally try to get everyone to sit down together for dinner whenever possible, to a hot cooked, well-balanced meal. This can be a real challenge with 4 boys of differing ages and schedules and a hubby who usually works late.
I would love to win a copy!! I intentionally give hugs, kisses, and tickles for no reason to show physical love to my children.
[email protected]
Love your blog & HAH!!!
One of the things I try to do “intentionally” is spend some one on one time with each of my four kids. I try to get a little bit in each day and then once a month I give one of them the opportunity for a Mommy and me day. Helps me to get to know them better and really have a chance for some good conversation.
Something I intentionally do with my child is pray with them! Every meal and every night!! No matter what!! 🙂
I intentionally offer lots of hugs and snuggles throughout the day and try to praise good behavior every time I see it. Today my 9-year-old was so proud when I acknowledged how big he’s gotten and how nice it is that he’s independent.
Would love to win your book, can use a new book to read.
I make it a point to say I Love You numerous times through out the day. You never know when you wont be able to say it anymore.
sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com
My kids are 5, 3, and 1. One on one time is hard to come by and I aim to intentionally pull each one aside each day for some extra cuddle time, and “I love you”, read a special story or just tell a silly story. I want each one of my children to know that I love them individually for who God made them!
My kids are 2 and 1. Its extreamly hard to spend time with just one of them as my husband works away from home. We have movie nights once a week where we will watch a kids movie and eat something simple, not on the family tv but on our laptop so we can snuggle in bed.
Intentional? Wow, sometimes it’s just an intentional move to get out of bed in the morning! 🙂 Right now, I aim to be intentional greeting my husband enthusiastically and genuinely when he comes home from work, stopping whatever I’m doing to give him just a few bits of my direct attention. It makes a difference!
I like to intentionally have days that we do not spend any money! Using only what is “in stock”. I am then very intentional in creatively designing activities for our day, baking goodies, making crafts, an indoor beach day, indoor roller rink, circus party, painting windows, trip to the park, trip to the library, nature hunt, indoor scavenger hunt and more. It may be exhausting, but at the end of the day I love remembering all the smiles and laughter.
I intentionally pray for my pre-teen by writing a prayer, note, joke, etc. each day when she turned 11 and gave her the journal when she turned 13. My prayer while doing this for a year was to make the transition a little smoother knowing that no matter what we faced together, she would know I loved her and am praying for her.
I am intentional about saying prayers at bedtime with my children. Also watching for those times when they need some extra love(even though the teen won’t admit it).
we are intentional about dinner – eating together without media involved. our 4 boys love to play “dinner games” at dinner which is a silly and fun game where everyone gets a randomly selected challenge or question. We also use the un-game cards to spark conversation as well.
So excited about UBP! I need to get more into it this year! It kind of passed me by last year.
As far as being intentional, we are intentional about teaching our kids (ages 3 and alomst 7) about using our money for God’s purposes instead of our own. We have a family meeting each Sunday after church (which, I suppose we are also intentional about), where we review the previous week’s goals, and set new goals for the coming week. Their allowance is based on their goals. If they met their goal(s), with a good attitude, they receive 75 cents and divide it into thirds- one third to save, one third to spend and one third for church offering.
Love your blog, your books and HAH, Jill. I’m so glad you followed God’s call into ministry!
I try to intentionally watch for what my children’s “Love Languages” are, or developing into and then communicate the best way I know how using their “language”
PS I ❤ Your daily emails!
Hi! I see you feature Reviews and/or Giveaways. I would like to invite you to add your blog to my “Review and Giveaway Blog Directory” if you haven’t already. Hope you’re having a Sweet Week!
April
Review and Giveaway Blog Directory
A Mommy’s Sweet Blog Design
Join us every Friday for our Blog Hop!
I make lunch and eat with my kids most days and after we read a preschooler devotion together and talk about it.
I intentionally try to keep annoyance out of my voice even when I’m feeling it like crazy inside. A child who feels like their parents are always annoyed by them are not going to grow up to confident people.
Every morning when I’m dropping my triplets off at school we put our hands in and do a “Super Duper Day” Cheer. It’s a silly, fun way to get their day away from me started right!
As a family we always have dinner together at the dining room table. I am also intentional about making birthdays special and big deals, even for my husband! We pull out the celebration plate, and make the day all about the birthday person.
Hey, I totally know you! Well, not personally! Though, you are sort of part of a sweet beginning in my life. A sweet young mom invited me to attend your conference in Rochester, MN a couple of years ago. Now that fellow mom is is my dearest friend! We enjoyed the conference and made some fun memories! Anyway, I am happy to find your blog and will be stopping by often!
Candace
Welcome Candace! Hopefully we’ll see you at the Rochester conference in November!
Today is just one of those days I am trying to hang in there. I am intentionally smiling and hugging and trying not to raise my voice too loud. Would love to read your book. Encouragement is always welcome here 🙂 Thanks for what you do:)
Being an intentional mom is so important (and hard). Many days I can find myself so caught up in my to-do list that I forget the important things. A few things I try to do in my busy days…eat breakfast with my kids and talk about what they are looking forward to during their day and how they can be a blessing to someone else. I read to each of my kids at some point in the day…always a good chance to snuggle.
As a family we have started a weekly”unplugged night” which means we spend our evening without technology. We have all found it to be our favorite evening. My kids count down to the night and plan out everything they would like to do together.
I try to walk the walk and not just talk the talk, be a good example for my children and not just talk about it but actually show them how to live a godly life
I try to do two things intentionally. First I am not a morning person and I am usually still in my pj’s when I put the kids on the bus, but I do try to greet them each morning with “Good Morning” very cheerfully as a way to start their day off right. Second, I make sure that my boys get hugs and kisses as often as possible because I know that soon it won’t be cool to receive those quite as often as I can give them now.
I *intentionally* tell my daughters that I love them every single day. That’s something that I didn’t grow up with (my grandmother didn’t give that gift to my mother either), that I missed, and that I vowed if I ever had children I would tell them, with words, every day how much I love them. I am proud to be breaking the pattern. My children have struggles, but they are blessed with the knowledge that their mother loves them totally and unconditionally.
Good for you for breaking the cycle!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. You have a wonderful blog.
I give hugs and kisses in the morning everyday.
When I pick my oldest up from school, we talk about what she learned at school today. When I pick the youngest up from daycare, the oldest has the same discussion, although it’s one-sided, with her little sister.
How fun!
Intentionally….I pray with my son every morning before taking him to school and then he says a prayer for me. My husband and I do the same for each other. My Mom did this with me and it really helps get the day off on a good note.
Newest fan! I know that I need to intentionally do more. Thanks for the reminder. I do intentionally get up from what I’m doing when my kids or hubby come and go into our home.
Stopping in to do the #ubp11 party dance on your site! I’m off to look around!
Susie!
Welcome Susie! So glad to “meet” you!
I have been intentional lately about realizing this season (with a 16-month-old and almost 4-year-old) is short. I don’t want to waste it trying to be perfect. I want to be a better version of myself but I don’t want to add stress trying to be perfect, which is my natural tendency.
I am glad to find your blog. I’d love to win. I intentionally pray every day to be a good mommy that shows Jesus to my daughter.
Stopping by from the UBP11. Enjoy your weekend!
Long Wait For Isabella
I’m Here from the UBP11 Party! I’m adding you to my blog
roll2 page.
Thanks for the chance at a prize pack I’m having a party
too. Let’s swap buttons.
barb g.
directorylanesuperstore(at)gmail.com
I currently have to work full time (praying for change!) and I try to be intentional about the “extra” things I do that take time away from my family! Jill, your blog is such an encouragement!
I intentionally tell my children at least once a day how proud I am to be their Mom (even when they do things we disapprove of) because I want them to know I love them and am proud of them on a daily basis.
Hope you’ll stop by and visit my blog too. I have a testimony and adoption story I would love to share with you on there. Come visit me at The Johns Family….. grettajohns.blogspot.com
bamagv at aol dot com
Hello from UBP! Have a blessed week!
I intentionally try to listen to what my teen is saying and participate in fun activities with him – like juggling!
Jill, I had the privilege of doing a radio interview with you a few years ago, and I blogged about it here:
http://cindyswanslife.blogspot.com/search?q=Jill+Savage
It’s great to see your blog on the Ultimate Blog Party! I hope you’ll stop by and visit mine!
Oh, do you still live in Normal? My daughter is attending ISU there now. 🙂
Hey! I am visiting from the Ultimate Blog Party! Please head over to either or both of my blogs (and become a follower if you aren’t one already):
So Stylilized is where I am currently offering FREE Custom Blog Designs at http://sostylilized.blogspot.com
Jessicas Lil Corner is where I blog about family and life at http://jessicaslilcorner.blogspot.com
Have a very blessed week! :0)
Great to meet you, Jessica!
Hi there:)
I’m your newest follower from UBP11 and what a lovely place you have:) Hope you’ll have time to swing by my place too!
God Bless,
Michelle
Faith on Fire
Nice to meet you, Michelle! I’ll drop by your place too!
I’m your newest follower because when the party is over, I want to be able to come back and take a look around your blog! It looks like a great resource on so many subjects!
Stopping by to say Hi! Hope you are having fun at this year’s UBP 2011! I know I am!
Blessings to you from NanaHood. I intentionally tell all five of my children (and my husband) that I love them and pray for them every single day. Life is short and we have no guarantee of tomorrow. When I leave this world I don’t want them to have any doubt about their mother’s love and her desire to be with them all in heaven forever!
Hiya I’m stopping by from the UBP’11. Now following you and would love it if you stop by A Little of This and a Little of That and follow back. I hope you enjoy yourself at the UBP. Have a fab week.
http://alittleoftheother.com
What an incredible ministry! Just stopping by from the UBP and I’m glad I did. This is a wonderful site. Nice to ‘meet’ you! 🙂
Stopping by to say ‘Hi’ from my 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party 2011 link-up! What a great blog you have and I will be following! Stop by and say ‘Hi’ back! I have blog parties on Tuesday and Wednesday’s that may interest you. Tuesday is Tutorial & Thrifty Treasures Tuesday. Wednesday is What’s Cookin’ Wednesday. I am also looking for guest posts on home décor and crafts if you are interested.
Denise
Extreme Personal Measures
Amazing blog! Im am here from UBP. You are such an encouragement! I am looking forward to getting to know you better.