Kristen Welch

We are THAT Family

A Celebration {Giveaway}

by

I’m an average mom. I yell too much and don’t listen enough. I mess up. Daily.
 
My kids are normal too. They can be delightful one minute and talking back or writhing on the floor in a tantrum the very next.
 
[If you can’t relate to the above confessions, you are probably above average and might want to skip this post.]
 
And we probably don’t love each other any more than you and your kids.
 
But, that doesn’t mean I’m not going to brag. (See first sentence about being an average mom: I can’t help myself).
 
Because this is the happy face of a Mom who hasn’t seen her kids in 10 days (or had a shower in 30+ hours):
 

 
Returning from Africa was a celebration!
 
 
We did it: my family (with the help of grandparents and friends) championed the cause without complaint and only offered me unconditional love and support while I was away. I couldn’t have done it without them.
 
 
Life is full of ups and downs. The good and bad mark our journeys. But it’s the celebrations we remember. Whether it’s overcoming fear (my first Goodnites post) or celebrating victories, we are in this together.
 
Speaking of celebrations, someone will be rejoicing with a $2500 victory by winning the Bedtime Theater Writing Contest! Just submit your 275 word chapter and it could be you!
 

Oh, and a lucky reader, will have cause to celebrate when they win what I’m giving away TODAY:

 

 

  • 2GB Silver iPod Shuffle
  • Logitech Speakers
  • $25 iTunes Gift Card
  • Brookstone Cuddle Blanket
  • Patagonia Bag
A prize package worth approximately $175!!!!!!
 

 

To enter, please leave a comment that might help a child overcome adversity (like “have faith”, “don’t give up!’ etc) Who knows, you might even come up with an idea for the next chapter in Iggy’s Great Adventure at the Bedtime Theater.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper & not harm you, to give you a hope and a future. Jer 29:11

    A promise to me during a time of great adversity.

    Reply

  6. When you remember that you are God's child, of infinite worth, and that he loves you more than your finite mind can comprehend, what other people think doesn't matter so much.

    Reply

  8. We always told our child who had issues here that she wasn't alone, this is how God created her, we didn't love her any less because of it, and she would get through it.

    Eventually she did.

    Reply

  25. We always have a direct line to God. Unlike the phone calls to friends and family….God is never busy, He is always there, and will always answer!

    Reply

  27. There are millions of types of love in the world and millions of types of people, God made it that way because there are million different things we can love about each other and it's guaranteed we've all got at least one of those one in a million things about us.

    Reply

  36. As my grandma always reminded me when things seemed too tough:

    "THIS TOO SHALL PASS!"

    Thanks for the entry.

    Rachel
    coupongrabber (AT) hotmail (DOT) com

    Reply

  39. Everything that everyone else has posted is great…I guess the only thing I can add is this…When my kids get frustrated, I tell them to calm down, take a deep breath…and take it one step at a time. Just do one step. Just one. When that step is done, then we'll do another. Then another, and another….And eventually- we'll get there.

    Sometimes my (average) kids get overwelmed at the BIGNESS of the task they are facing. Breaking it down into small steps helps them.

    (I know, cause its what I have to say to myself sometimes!!)

    Reply

  40. I always seem to be telling my three oldest kids not to complain about the fears the youngest one has that they didn't, that he'll grow out of it. We can leave the house now without him having to go with us everywhere, he sleeps in his own bed and not on the floor outside his sister's room (although someone reads to him until he falls asleep)…stuff like that. But I don't freak out about it and I tell them not to and so far it's working (should I tell you he's already 10?).

    Reply

  44. ALWAYS shoot for the moon,even if you miss you're still among the stars! My HS health teacher had that saying in his classroom and 13 years later it is still inspiration to me!! No matter if you dont do the best, you are still a star for trying!

    Reply

  46. First – ask God for help! He is there for you and understands what you are going through.

    Second – Just take it day by day, minute by minute and do the best you can!

    Reply

  49. When tasked with 'un-fun' things, I always reminded my daughter it would be easier to finish if she did it with "a smile on her face and a song in her heart."

    Reply

  51. There is a star in the sky for every child on Earth. When people look up at night, they don’t see the star that’s the lightest shade of blue, nor the one that twinkles a little brighter than the one next to it. They simply see Heaven. You are unique, just like every one of those stars. When I look at you, I don’t see someone who’s different– I see a little piece of Heaven on Earth. You are special. You are a blessing.

    Reply

  52. Awesome giveaway! I talk to my daughter about being like a duck. Things just roll right off their backs, and I hope that she can be like that a bit too when little annoyances or issues with friends come up. 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply

  59. You might just discover you're the hero you've been searching for, find your inner hero, love yourself, and be proud to represent who YOU are!

    Reply

  63. Instead of giving up or walking away from a challenge find a way to work around it or through it. Believing in yourself makes you ten times more stronger then being a skeptic.

    Reply

  66. "…rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit…"
    Romans 5:3-5

    Reply

  95. God knit you together in your mom's womb, and even if you can't see what's going on in the big picture right now, he's got plans for you. Something that no one else but you can do, and he will give you the strength, courage, and knowledge to get there, all you have to do is ask and he will give.

    Reply

  100. Believe in your dreams and do what you love.

    BTW…after reading more about your journey, I sponsored a Kenyan boy…can't wait to get my info packet on him. Thanks for inspiring!

    Reply

  101. Chin up!

    "The Eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" Deut. 33:27

    emilyslinger at juno dot com

    Reply

  102. JEREMIAH 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
    I grew up in one of those scarry stories you hear about but the one thing my mom did, was ship me off several times a week on the church bus.
    Find God, cling to God, know that he is there and helping you write a beautiful story

    Reply

  103. God made everything, and he didn't make any monsters.

    Also, think on things that are true, lovely, etc. Like God's faithful kindness to us, His covenant love for His people, and the gospel of Jesus.

    Reply

  105. God doesn't make mistakes!

    I think kids sometimes have a tendency to think they don't belong or aren't good enough. But if they only saw themselves as the Lord sees them they might be able to break through the wall that stops them.

    Hugs
    Kim

    Oh and I just have to tell you that I admire all that you did and cried many a times reading your posts.

    Reply

  109. Psalm 25:21 "My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare."
    and
    Psalm 27:13-14 "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

    Reply

  115. my mom used to always tell me as I was walking out the door "Take Jesus with you" of course back then, most of the time I just blew her off..but the more I listened and realized what she meant, the more confidence I would have.

    Reply

  119. Don't ever stop believing in yourself because you have the most wonderful ideas that God has given you.
    We try hard to encourage even the "not so good ideas" so they can learn successes and failures and learn to pick themselves up from that.
    Kristina M

    Reply

  121. I'm constantly telling my kids, "Fear not, for God is with you!" and "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight." and "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything through prayer with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

    Reply

  124. One time our family had a flat tire. After the tire was changed we went on. About a mile up the road we came across a multi-vehicle wreck. They were the cars that we had been driving along side for a while. Since then, when something doesn't go our way we say "Thank God for flat tires!" Because you never know what God was protecting you from.

    Reply

  131. My "mantra" with my two children that are more easily discouraged is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"!

    Also, I started reading at the beginning of your journey to Africa. Thank you so much for sharing that story. What an amazing, amazing journey.

    Reply

  137. Do your best in everything! We love what Colossians 3:23 says, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for me.

    I love the look on your face Kristen when you're coming through the doors….pricesless!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.