Inspiring birthday party

Last Saturday, I attended a children's birthday party at a friend of my mother's. Her daughter was turning four. She invited my son, so we took him to the party. There were about thirty kids there. What really caught my eye was how every single little girl in attendance wore a pretty dress, complete with matching bow, and dress shoes or sandals. I was surprised. The party consisted of both indoor and outdoor activities, so I would have thought that the girls wouldn't be so dressed up.

But, they looked so beautiful and feminine. And the mothers were well dressed too. I asked my mother about this, and she said that it is part of their culture (many of the people there were from Venezuela) to dress up and be very feminine every day. No matter what the activity. She went on to say that many mothers there even took their children to the park dressed the same way. She has never seen these little girls in jeans or anything like that. Always a pretty dress and matching bow.

I was amazed, but inspired by the party. I remembered thinking that this definitely did not look like a typical American party, because most of the girls there would not be dressed up. The usual attire would be jeans, t-shirt and tennis shoes. If there were girls with dresses, they would be simple, summer dresses, not these fancy dresses, that were the type that you would take your daughter to church in. It was refreshing to see. Even the little boys that were there were well dressed.

It was so nice to see these children so beautifully attired. While I don't think I will dress my children up like that everyday, I do think that it is important to dress in an inspiring and beautiful way. It really is refreshing both to those who dress beautifully, and for those who see those dressed that way. Of course, it doesn't have to be expensive, name brand clothes. But, just showing that you have carefully taken the time to look nice when you present yourself and your children to the world.

Hope

Amidst depressing talk of a recession, rising gas prices, and rising unemployment, it would seem like a ludicrous idea to try to work from home. But, I have been steadfast in my endeavors to earn money through writing and tutoring, and coming up with more ideas.

Oftentimes, I wish that I had thought of pursuing work from home while I was single. Then, I would have had endless amounts of time to pursue various opportunities, instead of snatches here and there while the baby is napping. But, yet and still, I will persist. I am inspired by the many successful work at home mothers and writers that I know, and I'm pressing forward to a worthy goal. My children will be thankful that I perservered in the end, and so will I.

PayPerPost

I have heard a lot about getting paid with PayPerPost. It seemed pretty simple, so I signed up and my blog was approved. From there I'm able to write about various products or refer people, and I earn money. There are many different opportunities to write about, therefore, more opportunities to earn money. You can learn more here at: get paid to blog

I encourage anyone who is looking to earn more money, and you already have a blog, to check out PayPerPost. It will be worth your time. I'm always searching for ways to earn money online, and this is a great way to do so. Readers at Moneysavingmom.com have commented on how they have used it and have earned hundreds of dollars each month from writing reviews or referring users to PayPerPost. So, it's a very legit opportunity. So, if you have a blog, especially if you have a faithful following, go for it and sign up, and see the cash start rolling in. You have nothing to lose, and it’s a chance to earn money while doing something that you love to do, and are already doing; blogging. You can make new friends and earn money at the same time. Let me know if it has worked for you.

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Success stories, work at home moms

Today I read from two websites that featured success stories from women who work at home. The first, Internet Based Moms, was all about moms who successfully created and ran online businesses. You can read more here

Another website, called Work it Mom, featured women who balance work and family. There are a few stories that feature work at home mothers and how they began and how they manage their home business with raising a family. Check out their website here.

I always love to read about other people's success.

Success

I was thinking yesterday how my definition of success has changed. For me, I just want to have a happy, healthy, and strong family. And earn enough money through writing and tutoring from home to pay the bills that I incurred pre-baby, so that I can remain a stay-at-home-mom.


It's been my goal to be a SAHM since I was little, and I don't want to lose out on achieving that dream, and providing the best life that I can for my children. I am so thankful for all of the opportunities that have come my way and that continue to come. Faith without works is dead, so I have the faith that I can maintain, and I'm working diligently to make sure that I reach my goal.

Co-sleeping

When I was pregnant with my son, R.J., my husband shared some advice that he had been given: Don't let the baby sleep with you!! When he told me what a couple had shared with him, I wrinkled up my face in confusion, thinking, why in the world would I let the baby sleep with us? The idea seemed ludicrous. He went on to say that the couple he talked to said they had started out letting the baby sleep with them, and now it's hard for the baby to sleep by himself.

I began to understand about co-sleeping after the baby was born. I had a c-section, and for about a month afterward, I was in a lot of pain, and walked around like a disabled woman. My loathing for c-sections grew after having one, but that's another story. Anyways, it took me about five minutes to get out of bed with no help. It was a struggle, to say the least, to get out of bed through the night to get him when he cried, nurse him, then return him to his crib. After a couple of nights of this I wised up.

Thus, my journey into co-sleeping. The baby would start out in his crib, but then around 2 or 3 in the morning when he would wake up, I would get him, nurse him, and we would sleep side by side for the rest of the morning. He woke up off and on, but since he was right beside me, all I had to do was scoot him closer to me and nurse him.

In my eyes it was a beautiful arrangement. I guess you could call it laziness in some ways, but, it was SOOOO much easier. After I got stronger, I eventually put him back in his crib.

Now, he basically sleeps in his crib through the night, which he's been doing for a couple of months now. Occasionally, he sleeps with me when he wakes through the night, when I'm too tired to return him to his crib.

But, I have to say, that it is an incredibly sweet and relaxing feeling to snuggle up with him and just glance down to make sure that he is okay through the night.

I personally find nothing wrong with co-sleeping, and think it can be a wonderful way to bond with baby, and help mommy get some much needed sleep!:)

Advice for Young Ladies

Don't get into DEBT!!!!!!!!!

When I was in college, I determined that I would never own a credit card, because the only debt that I was going to have was student loan debt.

If only my convictions about that had been stronger! Unfortunately, I used two credit cards and purchased a car. So, on top of student loans, I have a car payment, the credit cards, and two student loans. Not very wise.

Ladies, if it is your desire to be an at home mom, start planning early. Don't get into debt unneccesarily. In most cases, debt is acquired unnecessarily. Being smart now, can lead to a lot of freedom down the road. The freedom to do what is truly important, and make the best decisions for you and your family.

Wise and Foolish Virgins

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, No so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Matthew 25:1-10.

This passage really ministered to me, because I was reminded of how important it is to plan wisely and to try and be ready for whatever comes. Or, you will get passed by. It's like planning to be a stay at home mother. You have to get your finances in order, or find some way to supplement your husband's income, if it is necessary, for you to stay at home. Otherwise, you could end up going back to work, and missing out on valuable, precious time with your sweet babies. This parable could apply to so many different areas of life. To plan and be wise, and then you won't be passed by.