Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Throughout these pages we praise you as we step out in confidence to walk alongside others near us. We praise you because you are worthy, holy, righteous and just. We trust you through this process by seeking your will to reach others. Help us to draw closer to you and those around me as I offer vulnerability and transparency. I trust you with this calling.
I pray for the mamas flipping through every page and come to you to ask that you pour your love into them during these moments. I ask that you be with us in every season. Thank you for continually pursuing us and offering grace. We welcome your comfort, love, peace and faithfulness.
For those reading without a relationship with you, Jesus, I ask that you meet them within these moments to accept you as their Savior and receive all that you have to offer them.
Thank you for trusting me in this space. For your glory, Amen.
What a summer! For many of us summer is officially over as we welcomed a new school year with all of the feels I saw your posts with those back to school pictures and questions about the supply lists or curriculum choices, depending on the education preference for your kiddos.
A little update about the magazine, many of you may have noticed but some changes have happened behind the scenes My cofounder and fellow writer, Jennifer, made the brave move to Tennessee and will be so missed! If you have already, please head over to her socials to subscribe and follow because she has so much to share I personally cannot wait for her to publish her first book, I’ve already had a sneak peek.
I appreciate your patience as I learn all of the things
Since Maricopa Motherhood Magazine is over 6 months old, I would love to hear from you! What do you want to read? What resources do you need? What topics are you curious about? Have I shared something before and you’d like to have some follow up? I’m open ears!
I am still working out the details of opening a prayer community with monthly meetings for local mamas If you have been in Maricopa for a little while I’m sure you know everything just takes a little bit longer Subscribe– stay tuned for updates
I pray you know how much you are known and chosen by God who sent His one and only son, Jesus, to die for us.
Back to school season is here.
A lot of us have already scooped up the many supplies, or researched and compared the many curriculums out there, taken the first day of school pictures, packed the lunches and have sat in a few drivelines
At least that is what my schedule has looked like.
My husband and I have two school age kids, one who attends school at home and another attends school out of our home We also have two tiny boys, one is ready for pre-k and the other is ready to take on the world and usually colors on the walls when my back is turned.
From teacher to stay at home mom and now juggling the role of both, I have stumbled through enough week of school routine to learn a few things to set myself up for success
Food.
Hit up Costco. Buy whatever is on sale. Plan your meals ahead, all of them From breakfast to dinner, I plan it all My kids go from living the snacklife all summer to back in the classroom Pack extra snacks for the kids walking down new hallways and load up the snacktray on your kitchen table
Yes, even for the little ones that aren’t starting school because even they will be getting used to this new routine.
Snacks on the way to school, even though they just had breakfast Those nervous tummies need the extra munch If you ’ re wondering how much to pack in their lunch, a lot Fill it full, as full as it can be Include two extra snacks They might not be able to eat it all during their lunch period but they might bring it out later if their teacher allows
They just went from cannonballs all day to sitting at a desk.
I look at my routine and schedule and ask a few questions to create space in my day Gone are the summer days of sleeping in, skipping breakfast just to dive into snacks three times before lunch and getting to my bible at lunch. To set the tone in my home, and have it be one of humility and encouragement, my alarm clock needs to be set and I need to beat my early riser to the kitchen
Opening my bible and making a cup of coffee before anyone else wakes allows me to have quiet time focusing on God’s word, prayer and gratitude.
I need to create space for that or it won’t happen.
If you have spent any time in a driveline (especially two different ones), you understand the importance of leaving on time I need to create space for naptime, getting out the door on time for pick ups and, of course, remembering the snacks I need to prepare for the after school rush You know, homeworkdinner-practice-bath-bed times four tiny humans. Can any activity or commitment be eliminated for the first couple of weeks of the new school year? Sometimes we skip practices Usually we modify the “Fun Family Friday” of going out to eat with friends to a simple movie night on the couch, that starts early because everyone is going to be tired and fall asleep early
Speaking of being tired, everyone will be tired. My little humans won’t understand why their bigger humans are away or have new school routines at home.
A new school year might mean reviewing concepts from the previous school year but it is with a new teacher, new classmates and with a new routine. These little babes went from not remembering where they left their swimsuit and towel to being responsible for their backpacks, lunch and navigating campus to find their classroom Whether it's kindergarten or the first year of highschool, their brains are working overtime! Keep your after school questions tucked in your back pocket til the third week of school, hand them a snack and turn on some tunes It is safe for me to assume that there will be car naps, someone might fall asleep at the dinner table and at least one person is not going to want to get out of bed when the alarm goes off. Stock up on books from the library, pick a couple family movies, encourage early bedtimes and prepare for a couple of lazy weekends to let everyone find their groove
Praying for my children through these new seasons offers me a peace that I can pass onto everyone else.
I pray for their protection, teachers, friendships, and learning as well as their heart and spirit.
There is no way for me to prepare for every scenario that might happen, even though the recovering perfectionist in me wants to! I am going to hit traffic, I am going to forget the snacks, I am going to hit snooze and regret it but, God.
He has his hand over it all. I’m thankful I can invite the Holy Spirit into my day because no matter what I do in an attempt to set us up for success, someone is going to hate their favorite breakfast, have clothes that are too scratchy, get a lunchtime that is forever away, and complain their teacher is the worst.
When I found out I was pregnant with my oldest, I read to her every day
As a teacher, I read the books that were a part of my personal collection that had been included in lessons
At her babyshower, we collected books instead of cards so her personal library started growing.
After she was born, I read the books my mom read to me Some even from my childhood bedroom
Sometime between kindergarten and second grade, reading for her changed Like most children who start school, reading for fun turns to reading to learn
That transition is hard. Add in different learning and teaching styles, reading can go from fun to discouraging really quick.
As a former teacher, I understood this process in school and how development is different for each child
I desperately wanted her to love reading as much as I do but as a mom I needed to understand from a different perspective so I could walk alongside her.
As I started to read all of the things, from research to my friend’s advice and from podcasts to books, my favorite resources were the following:
The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids by Sarah Mackenzie
This book came as a resource at exactly the right time and I absolutely know God brought me to this book at the perfect time. Sarah Mackenzie graciously reminded me that I can pour as much as I want into my kids but it is important to be intentional about finding time to connect with them. Throughout her pages she gave the gentle reminder that no matter how the day has started, there is time to stop and connect and no matter how the day is ending, the activity of reading aloud together can be a time of bonding before falling asleep that impacts tomorrow
This book is written into three parts. Part 2 describes how to create a “Book Club Culture” in your home and my favorite is Part 3 where each chapter breaks down Sarah’s book list into age groups of 03, 4-7, 8-12 and teens.
I wish this book had been on the recommendations to read before having kids. In fact, I wish this book had been recommended when I was in college before I stepped foot into my first classroom. Not only does it lay an incredible foundation for the importance of reading with your kids but it shares why you should continue to do so no matter the age
My favorite chapter is nine where the author shares research of the impact dads have on their children by reading aloud to them Reading is an amazing way for father’s to participate in their child’s academic success and intellectual interests by simply reading.
“Dad when you read to a child you get a second chance in life: to meet and enjoy the books you missed out on as a kid. Or look at it this way: Reading to your child is really just another form of coaching, except this one allows snuggling.”
Even if you don’t read the book, the book lists provided in this book for any age, for specific character and interests are worth the purchase. These lists make it easy for anyone to check a few out from the library and find your next favorite book.
I decided to start being intentional by reading with my daughter again I mean I had just read two books full of research highlighting the importance of doing this activity, why not try it I didn’t just start reading based on her school requirements I didn’t pick books I thought would benefit the whole family I didn’t replace our other reading, like the bible, with this new activity I decided to create space in our day, every day, for us to read a book of her choosing. We read reviews about a book on her list, request it from the library and I download it to my phone. We would get snuggled up, cozy in some pillows or blankets, and read.
When I say immediate, I really mean it Within the first couple of days my daughter was looking for opportunities in our day to read more Within the first week she was interested in finding other books similar to what we were reading After the first month, we were hooked It has been fun finding books together, deciding some books don’t need to be finished, and the conversations of what will happen next. When we started this change, my hope was to help her love reading to make her work at school easier. By reading together, I discovered this time provided incredible opportunities for deep connection Not only did I uncover the root cause of her reluctance to read but we found a new joy in reading together
*This post contains affiliate links You can read our full affiliate disclosure here Mandy and her husband do life blended with four kids ages nine and under You can find
in homeschool lessons by day or eating tacos and country dancing during date night Mandy enjoys working closely
integrate
experiences to identify triggers to welcome wholeness while growing closer to Jesus
Mama, your kids need to eat! A fed kid is the best kid I pray these lunchbox ideas make you day a little easier to plan
Charcuterie: Sliced meat, cheese, fruit, crackers, humus, veggies
Quesadilla/Burrito: Pizza, Bean & cheese, PB&J
Deconstructed tacos: Meat, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, tortilla strips or chips
Breakfast: Waffles, fruit, eggs, sausage, bacon
Pasta with Sauce: Pesto and chicken, marinara and meatball, Sweet potato and chickpeas,
Wraps/Salads: cesar, tuna, cobb, southwest, fruit
Snacks: protein balls, eggs, nuts, meat jerky, dried fruit, protein bar, pretzels, veggie sticks
I know what my child needs during this season. i love my child.
i know my child best.
my child is beautifully and wonderfully made.
God knows what goes before me.
I am beloved.
I am worthy of the relationships with my children. God knows my needs for our school year.
Thank you for bringing us to another school year. You know the desires of my heart. Please guide my steps, words and actions to align with you and what you want for each child's life to set them up for success. Be with me in the morning when I rise and when I lay down as I walk alongside my family. Thank you for trusting me with your children whom you love more than me. Please cover them in your love and protection as they learn, engage with new content and love others around them. I know you have them in the palm of their hand. Please prepare and guard their hearts during this new school year. Thank you for covering this season and year with your grace. I trust you go before me and my children as we navigate the highs and lows, obstacles and celebrations and any milestone in between. Help me to appreciate and celebrate throughout the year. Amen.
I cannot believe this digital magazine has been growing for 6 months
Thank you for taking time each month to explore each page I pray you have been able to find something meaningful and relatable throughout each issue release.
Want to connect more? Please email me at maricopamotherhood.mandy@gmail.com
Want to connect with other mamas? Please join our MOPS Group for some play date opportunities I am looking forward to the next few months of sharing what is on my heart!
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6