I well remember the days when I was buried in baby life and I yearned for a friend who was not-yet a mom. First, she’d be able to come help! But, second, I knew she’d bring fresh perspective like this post from Malisa, that not-yet mom I needed so long ago.

Jessica’s blog was one of the very first blogs I found in the Spring of 2010 with her Spring Clean Along series. I had never really heard about blogging and for sure didn’t know the world that would open up to me through the “mom bloggers.”

As a wife and a not-yet mom, there are many valuable topics I have learned from the blog world including: meal planning, freezer cooking, Godly attitudes, and marriage. The other day, I had a wonderful conversation with a friend of mine. She shared how every morning her toddler comes into her room and wakes her up with a smile and happiness.

My friend said, “it’s weird how as adults we can often lose the joy children have; when I see my daughter’s outlook it reminds me of why I love being a mom and encourages me to be more joyful!”

This conversation got me thinking. My friend didn’t know it, but that story lifted my outlook on parenthood. What she shared expressed the joy of having kids.

So often in our society the role of parenting and motherhood, specifically, is looked down on. I will not accept that belief. Moms are raising our next leaders and have a challenging task. With all the negativity, I need some positivity and a paradigm shift.

There are 3 things I’d like to ask current moms to do for us not-yet moms.

Share the good about being a mom

I have heard many times that being a mom is the hardest career ever, but it is less frequent I hear moms enjoying their lives. Please share the little kisses you get, the “I wuv you, Mama,” and the feeling you have when your child wants only your attention. It’s important to share the difficult parts of parenthood, but a balance of positive stories would be great to hear.

Share how your life has changed

Telling stories about your how your life is different encourages me not to be scared of the changes that occur with parenthood.

• Do you still see your friends?
• Do you and your husband do things differently now because of your kids?
• What things about life do you appreciate now that you didn’t before?

These are some of the things I love hearing about. I have never thought of closing my eyes at the beach as a luxury, but to some of my friends, it is.

Share how you still need non-mom friends

I imagine being around children all day is stressful and talking to and about children all day, is also stressful. There is a big difference in lifestyle between parents and non-parents. It is important for moms and non-moms to talk about where they are in life. Being around you and seeing you raise your children helps me. I hope that being around me and having adult conversations helps you too.

Lastly, keep up the good work and sacrificing for your children, it will pay off! I look forward to one day joining you on the other side!

Is there anything you would add?

What would you share with a not-yet mom?

– Malisa blogs about cooking, crafting, and opinions about the world around her. She loves sharing the latest recipe she’s modified and easy DIY crafts. Malisa enjoys discussing her experiences as a married woman and a follower of Christ in the 21st Century. You can follow her on twitter @malisaprice.

3 Things a Not-Yet Mom Wants from You is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved.

A few days ago we took our fam to Disneyland. It was our third visit to the Magic Kingdom since we’ve had children. In a way that is odd since I grew up going to Disneyland every year. We could. We lived 60 miles from the Matterhorn.

On my first visit back after a decade+ hiatus, tears welled up in my eyes. I walked into Main Street and in so many ways, I was taken back in time.

Those of you who didn’t visit as a child might think I’m nuts. The rest of you, well, you understand. There’s something about Disneyland that brings out the kid in us and reminds us of the best of being a child.

For this visit, I didn’t spend hours planning and scheming as I’ve done in years past. We took it a little more spontaneously than other times. We can. We live about 60 miles from the Matterhorn.

The weather did not disappoint. It was a Mary Poppins kind of forecast, practically perfect in every way. The crowds were slim. (I’m going in February every year from now on!) And I don’t think there was a fight or squabble among my crew the entire day.

Sure, there were some downsides. There were the guys “flipping off” the camera on Space Mountain, blocking our faces in the photo. There were the folks issuing blood-curdling screams during the Haunted Mansion tour that clearly freaked out my already-on-the-edge kiddo. There was the toddler crying during the first full five minutes of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Oh wait. That was my child.

We certainly didn’t have the place to ourselves and it showed in some ways. People are people. And your toes will get stepped on — even in the Magic Kingdom.

In the days leading up to our little day trip, hubs and I joked that we were heading to “The Happiest Place on Earth.” My nine year old son, still free from the advertising mottos that we grew up with, curiously inquired, “What’s the happiest place on Earth?” I explained to him about the marketing slogan of yesteryear.

And then our conversation got serious as he took the question literally.

What IS the happiest place on Earth?

And I looked at him and I knew. Even though I love Disneyland with every part of my being. Even though I dream of season passes and stays in the Dream Suite. Even though I could “do Disney” for days on end — much to the chagrin of my husband.

I looked at him and said, “I think the happiest place is being with you guys. Wherever that is.”

May YOUR home be the happiest place on Earth today.

The Happiest Place on Earth is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved.

While your home may be in utter chaos around you, we’re going to take a non-traditional approach to tackling it. We’re going on Zone Defense this year. This week our zone is your closet.

This month we’re tackling our first zone out of twelve. But, I’m kinda faking you out a bit. We’re gonna get up close and personal.

Rather than work on the hardest zone, which would probably be a great “eat that frog” kind of approach, we’re going to tackle your space, your zone.

Here’s my rationale: If you feel put together, if you can start the day with a smile on your face and a spring in your step, all the rest will fall into place. Or it just won’t bug you that much.

Your Zone

So, we’re going to be looking at several aspects of your zone this month:

• your clothes closet
• your body
• your bathroom and bedroom
• your place to hang out/relax/recharge
• your purse, your calendar, your car

These are important aspects of your well-being as a woman. And so that is where we start. You’ll feel better this year. And that’s golden, baby.

An added bonus is that if you start with your stuff, then later on when you approach other members of the family regarding some of their possessions and storage methods, you’ve already set the tone. You will have already purged unwanted stuff and redesigned your space to fit you. You will, Lord willing, feel more rested and put together, and that will be contagious!

Or at least help you answer any protests they give you with a smile on your face!

Your Personal Space: Clean out your clothes closet.

They say, “Clothes make the man,” or woman, as the case may be. How you feel about yourself is often related to the clothes you wear. And if you feel good about your outward appearance, that will give you confidence to tackle these other projects – and the other stuff of life, too.

So, here we go!

1. Pull out everything in your closet.

Everything. Only the items that you regularly wear are going back in. Anything you don’t wear is going to be trashed, repaired, or donated. If you don’t wear it, someone else could. And there are plenty of needy people out there.

2. Try them on.

Try on the items that you’re not sure about or haven’t worn in awhile. If you like what you see, you get to keep it. If not, then send it to the maybe pile. You’re allowed a reprieve on five items. You can keep five things that might fit someday or you might change your mind on. Choose wisely, little grasshopper. Too many of us hold onto stuff that really will never come back in style or fit us again.

(Pregnant and nursing moms get a free pass on this one, but ditch the stained pieces and those that are outdated and in disrepair.)

3. Replace the keepers.

Arrange the YES items in rainbow order: white, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black. This is a great means for locating the blue sweater that you know you just put away. If the clothes are arranged in color order, they will be easier to find.
I find it best to place tops in one section and bottoms in another. Do what you know works for you. If you’re not sure what works best for you, try my way first and then make adjustments.

4. Plan the matches.

As you look through your clothes that you love, can wear, and will wear, think about how they work together. Do you have a mix and match wardrobe? Does every item have something to go with it? (Preferably, you’ll have more than one thing to coordinate with each garment.)

Matchbook Magazine has a checklist of classic basics that might inspire you for any upgrades you want to make to your wardrobe.

5. How would you improve your organization?

While you’re admiring your clean closet, make a note in your notebook of organizing improvements you could make. Would it help to have a sweater organizer hanging for the rack? Would hooks help you organize your scarfs and belts better? Do you have enough hangers for your clothes? Do you need a shoe rack or a behind-the-door organizer?

Think through the “organizing” items that really would help you. Don’t just go buy something.  Make a list of “this-would-really-help-me-out” items and make plans to go shopping and price these items out. (You can download this Room Organizer Chart to help you.)

6. Clean up!

Vacuum or sweep your closet floor so you know you did a thorough job. Take out the trash and the discards. Deal with them appropriately.

7. Maintain

So, now that your closet is clean and organized, keep it that way! Hang clothes up, keep things off the floor, replace shoes in their holders. If you maintain this space, you won’t find yourself in trouble again. And hopefully, if your closet plays by the rules, the other zones will follow suit.

photo source: Small Notebook

Related links:

• Wardrobe Woes
• Your Wardrobe: Learning to Mix and Match
• Shopping for Clothing that Works
• Fall Wardrobe Essentials
• Add Classic Style to a the Small Wardrobe :: from Small Notebook
• How to Manage Your Wardrobe with Common Sense :: from Small Notebook
• What to Wear When You Travel :: from Simple Mom
• Dressing Your Worth :: from Pancakes and French Fries
• Clothes Make the Woman :: my fashion pins on Pinterest

 Will this zone be easy or hard for you this week?

Get going team and be ready to report back. Can’t wait to see the polished you!

Maintain Your Personal Space & Your Clothes Closet (Zone Defense) is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved.

Today is my husband’s birthday. We got engaged on this day eighteen years ago. Look! I think we were teenagers!*

I find it amazing that my skin once looked so good. Thankfully, I’ve had much better hair days…. and hair decades since then, though.

January 29, 1994 was a Saturday. Unbeknownst to me “Fish” had secured the ring months before and had slowly been paying it off. He had planned to propose on his birthday. He got paid on Friday and was going to head down to the ring shop a couple towns away to make the final payment.

However, for some reason he wasn’t able to get there before they closed. I don’t remember if they closed early or he got off late or what. He was desperate, asking the receptionist if someone could stay later or if he could pick it up at someone’s home. Finally, he asked for George.

You see, George owned the company. And his motto was that he was “your friend in the diamond business.” George would help. They made plans to meet at the local college’s homecoming basketball game that night. George was an alumnus of that school. (So were many of our friends who would be there, wondering what Fish and the diamond man were doing together….)

George would be able to recognize him by his LA Kings hat.

That Friday night, Fish bowed out of dinner with my mom and me, saying he needed to go see somebody about a job. He was a self-employed contractor, so that made sense. But, he was wearing a ratty, old LA Kings Hat.

You gonna go wearing that hat? It’s practically falling apart?! says I.

I almost took it from him. He was shaking in his boots that I might. Then where would he be?

Today I’m baking him an LA Kings birthday cake. You can imagine that the ring for cash exchange went over well. None of our friends were the wiser, except for the woman I lived with who snapped this photo before we went out to dinner the next night.

There’s no way Fish would get all dressed up like that unless he were going to propose.

And now you know the rest of the story.

*We weren’t. He was just in his thirties and I was “almost” 22.

18 Years Ago Today is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved.

It would seem that this month we’re all reevaluating how we spend the daze. I’m working on an extreme home(school) makeover while contributor Lauren examines how to embrace a new season of motherhood.

January is always a time of fresh starts. I can’t wait to crack open my newly purchased calendar each year and plan our days. Knowing that I get to start over is a great feeling. You’re allowed to readjust the way you do things: your schedule, your commitments and even your vacation.

As a mom of several little ones, I’ve also learned that those times of needing a fresh start often happen at odd times of the year. I have caught myself completely revamping our schedule in the middle of October. Or I’ve recognized my need to overhaul our school curriculum at the end of April.

These aren’t typical planning times for most people.

With young children, each season of life passes unbelievably fast. During the first twelve months, those milestones are reached about as quickly as they outgrow clothes. All of a sudden the baby who slept in the swing all day is now a little toddler pulling all of the books off of the shelf.

But what does this mean for you as a mom? How do you keep up with your husband, your family life and your home through these quickly moving seasons of babyhood? How do you gracefully manage it all?

Examine Where You Are

Take a close look at where you are: do you have a newborn who wakes every 2 hours? Has your little one transitioned to only 1 nap a day? Do you have a little tornado that destroys every room in the house before you can blink? (We do!) Do you still have one or two children who need help feeding themselves at each meal?

All of these time and labor-intensive stages require energy.

It requires the kind of energy where you feel drained and exhausted every night when you lie on your pillow. While it’s fulfilling to spend each day with your children, it also can make a mama weary.

Be realistic with yourself if you are in this draining stage. It’s impossible to have a spotlessly clean house and still tend to those sweet faces that love you so dearly.

Be Willing to Give Your Schedule an Overhaul

My 13 month old started walking this past week. My little Mama’s heart just smiles every time I see her pop herself up and go again. She’s a red-head and very feisty and determined to walk where she pleases.

So last week, in the middle of January, I had to completely revamp the way our school flows in the morning. The baby is now old enough to stand at the desks and pull my son’s pencil out of his hand or stick her fingers in the do-a-dots the girls are working on. This new walking stage presents a new set of joys and challenges to work through.

Regardless of the time of year, be willing to stop what you’re doing and re-evaluate.

You don’t have to keep doing things the same way, despite the fact that major changes have taken place in your family. If you’ve just added a newborn to your family and you aren’t sleeping well, you don’t have to start school at 8am sharp as you did before. If your 7-month-old has just learned to crawl, you might have to add a chore time in the afternoon to vacuum the floor so she doesn’t crawl in crumbs.

It doesn’t have to be January to re-evaluate and create a new plan that can make your household run more smoothly.

Give Yourself Grace

There are harder times and there are easier times in mothering young children. If you’re facing one of those more challenging times right now, life will seem much more manageable if you give yourself an ample amount of grace.

I admittedly suffer from a healthy dose of mom guilt: Am I serving meals that are healthy enough? Have they had my full attention today? Did I make school “fun enough” this week?

During those times when mothering is more difficult, I have to remind myself that God intentionally did not make me superwoman. It is in these times that I must give myself grace. This may look like serving super simple meals for a while or maybe just doing very basic house cleaning for a couple of months.

I’ve proven to myself many times over, that when I give myself grace things seem instantly more manageable.

Don’t Rely on Yourself

As I said, God intentionally didn’t make me superwoman. He purposefully gave me more on my plate than I could handle. I honestly don’t know any mom that can handle a marriage, a home and a child or children without help from the Lord. He designed us to rely on Him.

When I lose focus of that and become too busy for a quiet time, the results are disastrous. I think it is God’s way of reminding me that He never intended for me to walk the road of motherhood without His help. I’m grateful He loves me enough to remind me to rely only on Him.

What are your biggest struggles as you enter different seasons of motherhood?

– Lauren Hill is the ‘Mama’ behind Mama’s Learning Corner, a site that features all kinds of educational ideas and tips as well as free printable worksheets. She is the mom of four young children and loves to learn alongside them.

Embracing a New Season of Motherhood is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved.

“If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not trying hard enough.”

My husband learned that phrase in his years of working in the construction trades. He ends up repeating the phrase to me that — a lot. His consolation applies to so much of life. My life.

We are apt to make mistakes. That is part of our human nature. Despite our best human efforts, we will fall short. But, no baby that ever learned to walk did it without falling down — many times.

I need the reminder that I am prone to mistakes, that it is par for the course. And the reminder that it’s okay to cut myself some slack.

I’m giving myself grace this week. I hope you are, too.

If You’re Not Making Any Mistakes… is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved.

Life is hard, especially “life as Mom.” But, there are things we can do to enjoy our lives more.

I randomly stumbled across this picture yesterday. It’s from 2009, one of the earliest and “best” photos of all six kids together. Which is saying SOMETHING. Some obviously have that deer in the headlights look about them; some are smiling; some aren’t.

It’s kind of a snapshot of life: there are good moments and bad, ups and downs.

Life is the proverbial rollercoaster.

And as such I want to enjoy it more. I know that I can’t ward away evil, bad hairdays, grumpy kids, dead car batteries, or the episode with a child that makes my head spin around and smoke come out my ears.

(Yes, we all have those moments.)

I love what Meagan said last week:

we do have a choice: to elevate the snuggles and the laughs above the vomit and bickering and spilled milk. To set up our lives in such a way that we’re more rested, more ready, more able to cope with it all. To forgive ourselves when we screw up and move past the unrealistic expectations that make those moments of “failure” feel so much more awful to begin with.

Untainted, all-day-long blissful happiness is impossible for anyone, but we aren’t victims of circumstance: we really can choose to be happier moms.

She’s a girl after my own heart. I get it that things are hard. Believe me, I do know. (More on that tomorrow.)

But, now that I physically look UP to my son to talk to him and see the ‘stash sprouting on his upper lip, I am so sobered by the passing of time. I want to drink this cup dry. I want to enjoy my life more. I want to BE more joyful.

Call me Pollyanna. I’m okay with it.

A few years ago I put together a series of 14 Ways to Be More Joyful. It’s not rocket science. The secrets to life aren’t there. I don’t profess a superior mind or an excess of whatever that happiness hormone is. I’m still working on my attitude as a mom. Believe me when I say that as we enter each new stage of parenting — and every stage is different with each kid that enters it — I shake in my boots with the weight of it all.

But, writing this series of devotions was so helpful to me. Rereading it, even moreso. If you missed the posts, you can check them out here:

1. Get a Reality Check
2. Watch Your Words
3. Simplify Your Life
4. Count Your Blessings
5. Be All There
6. Get Outside
7. Get Out of the Kitchen
8. Be a Yes MOM
9. Take a Time Out
10. Live in the Now
11. Read a Good Book
12. Encourage Others
13. Get Thicker Skin
14. Lean on God

Do YOU have a technique that helps you enjoy life more?

To Enjoy My Life More is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved.

Booking It is an online book club where we discuss what we’ve read over the past month as well as review a monthly assigned book. January’s book was One Bite at a Time by Tsh Oxenreider.

I love to read. I always have. I was an early reader, starting at about age 4. I don’t remember my parents reading to me. (Sorry, Mom.) But, I do remember my mom taking us to the library often, of my bringing home a dozen books at a time, of my reading through that dozen in no time flat. I remember staying up late at night reading in bed. And Dad popping his head in every few minutes to tell me to turn off the light.

Just one more chapter, Dad.

I’m just going to finish the chapter, Dad.

Just one more page.

I lied. I admit. I totally wasn’t going to stop. No way, no how.

I still love to read. And there have been occasions during my tenure as a mother that I have pulled an all-nighter (or almost) reading an engrossing book. I usually paid for it the next day by being extra tired and cranky. But, in the moment of reading and exploring a different world besides my own, it was totally worth it.

Totally.

Over the past month, I’ve read a fair amount. I was really sick in December, meaning all I wanted to do was lie around. I treated myself to a handful of books at Christmas time. We went out of town with limited internet.

All of those circumstances have contributed to this wonderful list of books I’ve read over the last month, without pulling an allnighter.

Here’s the latest from my nightstand:

A Million Miles in a Thousand Year

I told you a little about this book at the beginning of the month. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I Learned to Live a Better Story by Donald Miller is a fabulous book. Fabulous. It is the “assigned reading” for March. But hubs grabbed it off my shelf and started reading. And then he coerced me into reading it before it was “time.”

This is a great read, especially if you’re looking for a deeper something to sink your teeth — and your life — into. It is laugh-out-loud funny as well as you-better-have-a-kleenex moving. I was so amazingly surprised.

Thanks to Tsh and Renee for recommending it. I respect them both hugely (is that a word?) and probably would not have read it without their endorsements.

The 100 Thing Challenge

I also picked up The 100 Thing Challenge: How I Got Rid of Almost Everything, Remade My Life, and Regained My Soul by Dave Bruno, thanks to Patti’s comment during last month’s Booking It. I’d never heard of the book or the blog before. Or if I had, then I forgot. It’s been a hugely thought-provoking book.

Don’t judge a book by its cover, though. A friend looked at it and said, “I don’t want another person lecturing about what to do with my life.” I guess he was under the impression that it was a How-to book. And I guess when you look at the cover, it might make you think that. But really, it’s not about that.

It’s basically one man’s journey to wean himself from stuff. He doesn’t have hard and fast rules about one hundred things. That’s not the point. The point is that life is more than the sum of our stuff. And so, he sets on a journey to whittle down his personal possessions to the bare minimum and see what life is like without stuff.

I have laughed. I have gone, “hmmm….” and I’ve found myself nodding about the stuff that weighs me down in life. It’s helped me see my stuff in a whole new light. I really have been inspired by this book in many ways. Thanks for the rec, Patti!

(There’s a little “language” in the book and some very honest discussion about life experiences, so be forewarned. It didn’t dignificantly detract from the book, but I know that it makes some uncomfortable.)

One Bite at a Time

Our “assigned reading” this month was One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler by Tsh Oxenreider. I started the book several months back and have slowly been digesting it. You can read my initial impressions here. Let me just say that Tsh drips with wisdom. I wish that when my kids had been 7, 4, and 2, that I would have known all that Tsh has presented in this book. It’s really that good.

Currently, I’m in the 40s, out of 52 Bites. But the beauty of this book is that it isn’t really meant to be read in one sitting. It really is a book to scan and take a bite out of. The projects are practical, yet very doable. And you could totally do one chapter at a time.

Of course, it’s so like me that my brain races ahead and wants to do everything at once.

Oh! A garden! That would be great!

Hey, I might try that no shampoo thing on the kids

Oh, yes, I definitely want to….

Obviously, 52 bites at one time would send me to the loony bin. So, I’m narrowing in on a few, or at least being mindful of them as I go through my day. I already do several of the projects anyway. Like # 39 Create a Daily To Do List. But, it’s still helpful to read what others say about a project, even if it’s one you think you already know. I’m freshly inspired by Tsh’s words and that puts some spring back in my step.

Back in November when I shared this book the first time, I was working on these three:

#3 – Establish a morning routine

#4 – Establish an evening routine

#18 – Get more sleep

Thankfully, I’ve been successful in working on #3 and #18. While I don’t have them down pat, they are getting easier to pull off on a regular basis. In the coming weeks I’m going to continue working on #4 and adding:

#34 — Drink more water. The suggestions in this chapter, provided by Simple Mom contributor, Lisa Byrne, are brilliant!

#38 — Carve out intentional downtime.

Tsh says to just take one bite at a time, but I’m taking three. I do, after all, have a big mouth.

Have you been Booking It?

Apparently, I’ve got a thing for books with numbers: a million, 100, one, 52. Tune in next month when I review 92 Ways to Skin a Cat.

In the meantime, tell us about the books you’ve read! If you read One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler be sure to tell us what you thought of it and what projects you’re using to simplify your life.

Tell us in the comments about your recent reads or link up your book review post.

Check out the list of 12 books that we’ll be reading together this year. Next up: The Money Saving Mom’s Budget.

Booking It (January Update: One Bite at a Time) is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved.

Feeling like you want to get traction in your life, but not sure where to start? This list of seven good habits may offer some inspiration.

This past weekend I was this close to a meltdown. {holds fingers about an inch apart} It wasn’t like things were crazy or bad. In fact, things are very, very good. Everyone’s healthy, the sun’s been shining, the bills are paid. I’ve got no complaints.

Except for the jumble of things going on in my mind.

There are things that I want to do to make life easier, more enjoyable, slower. They aren’t hard things to tackle. They’re all really good things, but they were one big mess in my head.

Where do I even begin?

I want traction. I want to move forward on our family’s and my goals. I want to make sense of these big dreams and enjoy the life God has given me.

I want my insides and my outsides to be as calm and peaceful as this lake:

So, here’s how I’m tackling things:

Thanks to reading One Bite at a Time*, I’m trying to work out a morning routine to start the day off right. It’s a Morning High Five for Mama, if you will.

My Morning High Five

• drink a glass of water
• drink a cup of coffee, cream, 2 sugars
• journal my prayers
• read the Bible and ride the exercise bike
• take a shower and get dressed

It isn’t rocket science, but it does set the tone for the day.

For the rest of the time, I’m revisiting these 7 habits to help me move forward. Even if there’s still a swirling mass in my head, if I know that I’m on the right track, I can relax and know things will be okay.

1. Worry less.

2. Read more.

3. Keep a household notebook.

4. Be prepared.

5. Eat better.

6. Set financial goals and pursue them.

7. Plan more downtime.

Are you working on any good habits?

*Use the coupon code HAPPYNEWYEAR when you purchase One Bite at a Time and get $1 off your purchase. Coupon expires 1/10/12. We’ll be talking about the book in-depthly on Thursday.

Good Habits is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved.

Jealousy and want can plague each of us from time to time. But, when we turn our attention to our own gardens, we get a glimpse of great beauty and a better way.

Last fall I shared a series called, “The Grass is Always Greener.” It was an exploration of how we can make things bloom right where we are. We talked about a range of topics including womanhood, marriage, parenting, and jealousy over what someone else has.

While there is no quick fix to the problems in our lives, there is always a different way to look at our circumstances and often many options to walk this path of life gracefully.

From the introduction:

It can be all too easy for us to compare ourselves to someone else. It can be the celebrity on TV, a co-worker, a family member, or the girl next door.

And sometimes that comparison leads to jealousy and want. What we once thought was sufficient somehow pales next to what someone else has. Yes, the grass is always greener….

But more specifically, the grass is always greener — where you water it.

….But as far as comparison and discontent are concerned, sometimes we need to turn our focus to our own yards and not worry and fuss over what the neighbors have flourishing in theirs. Sometimes we need to reexamine our priorities and determine how much we’re willing to give to get those blossoms we so desire. And sometimes, we need to turn a blind eye to some renegade dandelions and just not worry about it.

If you missed the series, today might be a good day to catch up.

• The Grass is Always Greener
• Find Living Water
• Watering With God
• Growing a Beautiful Marriage
• The Most Beautiful Garden

The Grass is Always Greener – Series in Review is a post from: Life As Mom. © Jessica Getskow Fisher - All rights reserved.