6/23/2016 0 Comments Top 5: Boost Your Prayer LifeAs a mom of any child, but especially one with six kids under six (yeah that would be me!) finding time to pray can seem like a challenge! There's zero "dead-time" during the day, and if anyone asks me to give up a spare moment of sleep, no matter how brief, will be tortured and left for dead. So trust me when I say, I understand! I totally get it! But so does the Good Lord up above! And thankfully, he's worked moments that are prime for prayer right into the life of a stay at home parent, packaged conveniently as different things. We just have to open our eyes and recognize each of these moments. So here are my top 5 places/spaces to work prayer into your daily routine: 1) Just Do It: sometimes the hardest part of increasing your prayer life is just getting started. We all like to dream about a fancy prayer life, but when it comes to parenting, prayer can be messy. You may want to pray for the deliverance of demons and world peace in a third world country, but the truth is, God is just as concerned with your children as well. He understands that your prayer life may not be digging spiritual trenches for orphans in Zimbabwe, but that you may need to just call down deliverance for your three year old, who wedged himself between his bed mattress and the wall. Praise the Lord! Prayer doesn't have to be fancy. So just start. Start somewhere. It ca. Be with the kids even- just do it! If you feel weird at first, don't panic. Just press through the weird feelings and eventually it will become routine! 2)Drive Thru: Us moms wear many hats and have a laundry list of responsibilities. (Including laundry!) One of those responsibilities is Chauffeur. The next time you're driving down the road, with the kids all harnessed and secured, pray! Pray for each little one in your care. Pray for the traffic that's stressing you out (since most people probably need it!). Pray for the city you're driving through, or the ambulance and it's patient that just whizzed by. Pray for the things you can see around you, and you'll add between 5-30 minutes to your prayer time each day. Some of us spend much more time in the car too. Instead of scrolling through Facebook in the car line, try praying. And watch what God can work out while you're just driving through! 3) While everyone else sleeps: As a mom of a newborn baby, I am in the throes of this myself. Every three to four hours I'm up for about forty minutes feeding and changing and burping and rocking to sleep a sweet boy named Ozwin. Most people dread this time after the initial "baby swoon" phase ends. I decided when Adalynn was a baby, that I would use the time I was up, and the house was quiet, to pray. The funny thing is, that even when a newborn baby starts sleeping through the night, inevitably another kid wakes up in the night or I'm left staring at the ceiling and thinking of all the things I've left to do for tomorrow. Utilize the time wisely and spend it praying! Pray for the baby you're holding, the kids in the next room sleeping, the husband beside you, the anxious thoughts you're sifting through- whatever! Just start praying! I always say that this scenario is a win-win scenario. If you've ever felt like the enemy is tormenting your sleep, and causing you to be awake - either with worries or kids, prayer will change it. He will leave you alone if you start praying against him! And if it isn't the enemy, you're gaining valuable face time with the Creator of the world! See? Win-win! The next time you're wide awake at dark, pray! 4)Amidst the Melt-downs: if you're a mom, you know all about melt-downs. You know that at some point during the day, no matter how perfect things go or how long the kids nap, someone is going to lose their mind and freak out crying. Sometimes it's a baby who can't tell you what's wrong, sometimes it's a toddler who is screaming because they can't eat batteries, sometimes it's you because you're so tired and the house is a wreck and the kids won't listen and you smell because you haven't had a shower in three days. To be honest, some days, everyone is crying- mom and kids! But it's during those most difficult moments when prayer seems like the silliest idea. But really, it's one of the best ways to get through the hardest moments in the day. It also teaches and trains both our flesh and our onlooking children to press into the Spirit when things around us are in chaos. The moment the kids are inconsolable, pray. The times yore most tired, pray. The days when nothing is going right, start praying. And when you don't know even the right words to pray, begin to pray in the Spirit. The Bible tells us that when we can't find the words, the Holy Spirit makes utterance for us, and knows exactly what we need in those most desperate moments. So pray your way through those struggles! 5) All Together: Every night before bed, we pray for our kids. And we've recently added turns for each kid to pray for each other. I love this because it is a form of discipleship. As a mom, I have the opportunity to train my kids in brief moments, what following Jesus actually looks like. Instead of just a measly prayer of "Jesus bless the kids and watch over them tonight" (which totally happens some days because it's getting late or I'm too tired!) I have the perfect platform to train them to battle in their own prayer lives. If I pray wimpy prayers every time I model prayer for my children, they will only ever learn to pray wimpy surface prayers. But if I use the five or ten minutes to war in the Spirit with powerful words directly from scripture, my kids learn this language and technique as well. I can pray for "The blood of Jesus to saturate every square inch of their room", for "Angels to keep charge about them through the night", for "God to give wisdom as they sleep, and to dream dreams and have visions, prophetic words as they sleep", that they would have "Power, love, and a sound mind as they sleep, and that the Spirit of fear would leave, because God doesn't give fear to His children". When I do this, I'm modeling a type of prayer that they can then practice when it's their turn to pray. If strategic prayer, using scripture and focused like a two-edged sword is going to be used by my kids, I have to show them how to use this weapon against the enemy. If I handed them a giant sword and said "here use this when necessary", they would injure themselves or stumble over the power of such a large weapon when the time comes. Unless, of course, I allow them space and safety to practice using it before the time of need arises. Allow your kids the opportunity to see and hear powerful prayer before they need powerful prayer for themselves. The time will come in school or with friends, when they're down and out or sad and sick- arm them and equip them with effective and fervent prayer that does much- by showing them what it is and how to use it when you pray for their dreams, their "boo-boos", their school day, or their meals. Do it, and do it together! I hope you're encouraged. I hope you're inspired! We can all "up" the power of our prayer lives, and I hope these times help you to gain a little more ground in the area of prayer time! If you have a favorite time of place to pray, let me know! I need all the help I can get!
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6/11/2016 8 Comments CALLING ALL MOMSCALLING ALL MOMS! I'm a mom all over again! And that means I'm revisiting the basics of balancing my life and priorities for this season. As moms, we can choose to panic at changes, or we can embrace them head on, and catapult our families for great success! I've lead small groups before, but in the current season I'm in (aka catch all moments of sleep while parenting 4 older kids and a newborn and simultaneously being a wife and manager of my home!) that seems a little overwhelming! The thought of cleaning my house at a specific time each week to host people just 1.5 weeks out from delivery is absurd! But, because of the day we live in, technology makes lots of things possible and sometimes manageable when other times it wasn't! So- as I review these "basics" of #momlife I thought I would see if there's any other mommas who want to review them with me and be encouraged at the same time! The study is called "Blessed Is She", and it's an 8 week study on spiritual principles for us moms (like balancing meal prep and quiet times) along with practical tips (like how to stay sane while traveling with a car-full of kiddos and having some time to yourself!) from my personal experience- but the best part is, that you get to share your practical ideas with me too! The whole group benefits and the whole group shares! I would email the worksheets as a PDF to you as a participant, and we would periscope the study together during the day - sometimes dressed and presentable, and other times with sleepy eyes, PJs, and a giant cup of coffee! From the comfort of your home you can connect and chat with other moms, near and far....all through a wifi connection. If you're interested, please send me your contact info by completing the "contact" page portion on this site- and let me know what day/time you'd prefer for your already booked schedule! If there's a day or time that works for most, I'm happy to cooperate! The other cool thing about periscope, is that the time is "flexible". The app stores the video session for about 2 days after the original post. So if for some reason (which is probably more normal than not!) you can't make the exact study time- the lesson will be ready and waiting for you at your convenience for a few days! The topics of the study include: -Meal Prep and Family Communion -Traveling with Kids, and Never Missing a Moment with Jesus -Rest & "Me" Time -Beauty Inside & Out -Godly Friendships -Discipleship: More Moms! -Family Devotions And more..... If you're a mom of one, a mom of 12, or a soon-to-be-mom, you'll love the study! And I'm excited about the network of momma-inspired-resources we will have available to us as we connect and grow together! And PS- it's FREE! Invite all of your mom friends-and just let me know where to send your email! 6/1/2016 0 Comments #OzwinThaddeusThere's stacks of single-serve apple juice "cups" on a tray to my left, along with that creepy oversized water "jug" you get at the hospital that looks like a surgical device. There's a board of "how to rate your pain" in front of me, with the first set of make-shift emojis ever used in the United States, telling me to use the numbers 1-10 to describe my current condition. There's also a bright fluorescent light creeping under the doorway just next to that, and behind me, is the sound of the television playing "America's got Talent" in the background (even though the screen is hung way too high in front of me). And just to my left is a couch, where my mom, "Gaga", is snuggling a sweet baby boy I'll get to take home with me in the morning, who will grow up calling me "Mama". The day started like most days at the end of pregnancy, where you're hot, and tired, and can't see your toes. I got out of bed to fetch juice cups and breakfast for the four kids, and pour myself a big glass of something other than plain water. I tidied as I went, and probably grumbled at how I'd straightened the couch throw-pillows for the 800th time this weekend. I made the (mayo-free!) potato salad I was bringing to the unofficial "Memorial Day BBQ" at my brother's house, and got the kids' swim suits ready, along with a change of clothes. I was craving a chocolate donut. I whined to Paco about it. After he helped get things together and woke up himself, he lovingly drove up the road to get me one, along with a Starbucks. He loves me. He really loves me. And the barista doesn't judge him for ordering a venti caffeinated beverage, unlike my last few visits with full-grown-baby-belly-in-tow. I felt a little "crampy". Just some tightness. Nothing painful. Nothing regular. Nothing rhythmic. Nothing to be concerned about, since it's baby number 6, and my body is well-acquainted with actual labor. I mentioned it to Paco on our way over. I told him that if anything "transpired" I would just tell him I was tired, to not alarm anyone, and he would know it meant "it's time to go home, the baby could be coming." After all, as all moms know, when you don't have a plan, things go crazy. When you have a plan, you don't need one. The day went on, I was about as comfortable as a 40 week prego can be. Sitting in the sun, watching 4 cute Curzio kids swim their guts out. We ate. And swam. The kids jumped and played. Teaghan practiced her diving. McKenna chased Uncle Nick through the deep end of the pool. Adalynn jumped in with her bright orange water wings and kick, kick, kicked her little brown legs. Wesley attempted to jump in backwards and catch himself with his hands on the ledge and split his chin open. To the hospital Paco went. The emergency room. With Papa. (My dad) He was responsible for holding the rag and helping Wesley through the car ride. The cute blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy gave us a run for our money, and wooed the nurses at the visit. Warranting only some "skin glue", Wes earned himself a "man-shake" as if the trip to the ER was a rite of passage for his gender. We headed home that afternoon, beyond tired and with children who were way passed nap time. In fact Adalynn fell asleep on the 4 minute drive back home. We let her sleep for about 15 minutes before waking her because we knew she would never go back to bed that night if not. I had one more "cramp" feeling while helping get the kids out of the car and sort through their "pool stuff". I went to the bathroom, and felt one more, this one a little more uncomfortable than before. I told Paco that while the kids were energy-less and settled before dinner time, I was going to lie down and rest for about 30ish minutes. If this was the beginning of real labor, I would need the nap. If not, I would still need the nap. I tried to sleep. And had one more. Strong enough to warrant closed eyes and calm breathing. I got up, and decided if I was going to be this uncomfortable, I would keep moving. Either they would pick up and be over with soon, or they'd subside and I would have had accomplished much. I helped get the kids dinner. Left over obviously. Because I was in no condition to make an entire meal. I started a load of laundry. I put away the pool items that remained in their designated place in the garage. Here comes one more. I needed to stop. To focus. To breathe. To.... Ok back to it. Pick up the throw pillows for the 801st time. Kicking remnant toys into a pile in the living room, as to avoid bending over, Paco noticed my discomfort. "I'm texting your mom." "OK but tell her it's not really an emergency yet." "She said she's coming now." I knew mentally, the kids would be laying down for bed around 7:15-7:30 because of the day we had had. It was 6:30. This wouldn't progress to full blown labor until at least then, if at all. I was too distracted and worried over the other kids. Mom arrived and decided that with the holiday traffic and the light rain, along with the 35 minute drive to the hospital, we should head to the hospital now. I again, whined. "I don't want to go yet. If we go too soon, the hospital will just push me around and do things instead of letting me do what I want." "We are going" she said, "you can labor in the parking lot if you want when we get there, but I'm not cleaning up an unplanned home birth, or detailing my car after!" So against my wishes- sort of- we went. The other kids were pumped with adrenaline at the thought of a new brother as a possibility at dawn. At the hospital, we hung out near the car while I labored for a bit. Just about an hour. Until we walked towards the doors. Paco nearly carrying me the whole way. My legs were buckling under the pressures of active labor. After convincing the triage nurses I wouldn't sue them in the event of an emergency, I was allowed to get by without an IV, or labs, or pelvic exam. I chuckled at the nurse who said "well I need to check to see if you're really in labor" and with the next breath told me to "not push the baby out there on the ground floor but wait until we got to the actual delivery room if possible". As if the two were completely unrelated. We got to the delivery room- after stopping 4-5 times along the walk to breathe and "get through" contractions. The midwife on duty had met me a few times before- and was easy going and laid back for the most part. Except for when I told her I had to go pee, and she didn't believe me, and said I was probably feeling the baby instead. She was wrong. I finally got up in the hospital bed, on all fours to finish the last few contractions that would bring the pressure in my lower abdomen down and into my pelvis. I could feel every detail - I guess after six natural deliveries you learn every sensation and understand its purpose more clearly after each sequential birth. I had nurses telling me to push once my water broke on its own, since he was so close - but I knew I needed to rest and wait for the next contraction. There's no point wasting energy between the natural and God-given forces that bear down for you. "No. I'm resting. I'll work with my body." I told them. And then apologized for sounding snippy. They kept saying I didn't need to apologize, but I didn't want them angry- after all, I needed them on my team to be able to get through this with as few needle sticks as possible! I could feel the next contraction coming, and at that point, you have two choices, much like in life: whine and scream and wish you weren't in the throes of labor and pain, or use the power behind the pain to overcome the hurdle in front of you. It was a long push, because Oz had his head tucked like an Olympic diver, nearly buried in the space between his shoulders. But once it was over, he was out and on my chest. I looked down, and melted into mush, like a bowl of warm and soggy cream of wheat, because he was so stinking cute. I cried. I've not cried after any of our kids' deliveries. I'm not usually super emotional, and on top of the high of childbirth, I'm exuberantly relieved to be un-pregnant! But this time was different. It was the culmination of 18 long months of pregnancy and morning sickness and weight and aching. And now in a moment, the prize of a lifetime was staring me in the face. "He's so cute and I'm so excited we get to take him home!" I said. Everyone cheered, and stared at this perfect little baby as I was cleaned up. We are currently waiting to be discharged so that we can get home to rest in a more comfortable bed. He's a tiny little bear with tons of dark brown hair. As much as he holds close to his daddy, his hair is straight and reminds me of my dad- who the kids ironically call "Papa, the bug hungry bear". Did I mention he's so tiny? All of our kids were ginormous. Especially Wes. And I've heard from everyone over the years, that each baby gets bigger. Ozzie however weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces, just an ounce more than McKenna, the smallest Curzio kid at birth. My first noticeable contraction was around 4:30pm. And he was born at 10:12. Definitely not a record fast labor at our house, but short enough to get through! We are thrilled to be bringing him home, and the kids are all excited for their new little brother- especially Wesley- who has been outnumbered for quite some time! Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes! We are so blessed and so loved by all of you! And I'm also going to apologize now for all the texts I don't reply to, calls I miss, and posts I ignore, in advance- clearly I'm much too busy snuggling a super cute Ozwin Thaddeus! When you meet him, I'm sure you'll forgive me! |
AuthorBri is the mom to four little people, the wife to a gentle giant, and a lover of Jesus. She's figuring out the best ways to parent by trial and error, and sharing her struggles, successes, and stories with you! Archives
June 2018
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