Jill Savage

Making Memories Day 2

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:05:00 +0000

Wow, already we've had six great ideas submitted for creative ways to keep the memories for your kids! I just love it when we can share with one another like this. If you haven't already read the six ideas submitted, you'll find them here. Remember if you submit an idea, you'll be entered into the drawing for a Hearts at Home book of your choice.

As promised, here is something from Evan's journal. We laughed outloud on this one:

Evan, you are almost 5 years old and you love to pretend. Just now you came running in and said, "Mom! I'm a butterfly and Anne says she's killing butterflies!" You are really fun. For the next 20 minutes I was the "butterfly protector."

Smiles,

Making Memories

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:51:00 +0000

I've stated before that I tend to have an "all or nothing" mindset. This sometimes keeps me from doing the things I want to do because if I can't do them right then I don't do them at all.

Almost twenty years ago I decided to keep a journal for each of our kids. My goal was to share my heart with my kids and to also keep track of the funny things they said and did especially when they were small.

I would write whenever I thought of it and needless to say, as we added more children to our family, I wrote less and less.

I hadn't written in them for years and decided to pull them out during the holidays and share them with the kids. It was a powerful and emotional experience for the older kids. They were overwhelmed with getting a peek into mom's heart. Not only that but we laughed until we cried as we read some of the funny things they said and did when they were small.

Evan said to me, "Mom, you need to blog about this. More moms need to do this for their kids. This is powerful."

So I'm following Evan's suggestion. If you haven't ever considered doing something like this for your kids, I invite you to consider the possibility. I didn't start until Anne was 5 and Evan was 3. Believe me, after seeing their response, it didn't matter that I didn't start at birth. What mattered is that I started. Period.

I can't say I've done it well for all my kids, Anne's journal has probably 30 entries in it, Evan's about 25, Erica's 20, and then there was little Austin. His journal has 3 entries in it. I guess I could consider that failure for Austin. I certainly wish I'd done better. But rather than beating myself up for that, I'm going to rest in God's grace and start afresh even though he's 12. There is still so much of my heart to share with him. We adopted Kolya 5 years ago and I don't even have a journal for him. But that's on my shopping list for this week.

What is it that you do to keep memories? How do you share your heart with your kids? This will be our January contest. If you share an idea, your name will be thrown in a hat and I'll draw a winner on Tuesday, January 13. The winner will receive a Hearts at Home book of their choice.

Throughout the duration of the contest, I'll be sharing some fun entries from my kids journals. May we all be encouraged to be the memory keepers in our family!

Real Moms, Real Lives, Real Stories

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:26:00 +0000

This year's Hearts at Home conference theme is Real Moms, Real Lives, Real Stories. We want to encourage moms to share their real hearts, real lives, and real stories. This week, my online friend Lynn shared a real story and how God used it to teach her a real spiritual lesson. I asked her if I could share it with you and she graciously agreed.

From Lynn:

My youngest son, Jacob, age 10, was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome last summer. Tourette's is much more than just Tics, it is also learning problems, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, rages and more. About 4 years ago we had to switch dentists due to insurance changes and we chose a pediatric dentist that seemed to be good with both of our boys. This year Jacob needed partial braces, and one day over Christmas break was going to be the "big day"!

When the "big day" arrived I asked the dental hygentist to explain everything to him because of his Tourette's (up to this point we had not had to explain much about his Tourette's because he had just had to have regular check ups). After the braces (and a tooth extraction - yikes!) the dentist came out to talk with me in the waiting room. It was his lunch time and all other patients were gone. He explained everything we were to do with the new braces, etc. As we were talking somehow the subject of Tourette's came up and the dentist made mention that his son had Tourette's. Then Jacob said he had it also. They both talked awhile about the struggles of the syndrome.

As we were getting ready to leave the dentist came over to me, put his hands on my shoulder and said, "This is something I do not tell many people, but I think you need to know -- I have Tourette Syndrome". I was amazed. Then he said, "It was rough, I was bullied, teased, and belittled, but I played sports in high school and college and became a dentist -- it can be done. He will be okay!" I said to him, "You just have to take each day, learn from it, forgive, forget and go on." and he then said, "that is exactly what you have to do!" We then talked a little longer and we left.

Through my tears on the way home the boys and I talked about what happened. My oldest son said, "That was a coincidence huh, mom?" I immediately said, "No, Honey, that was a God thing! That is the whole reason we were sent to him in the first place. God knew that someday we would need to hear exactly what he needed to say and today was the day!"

I then realized that that is what God does for us everyday! God takes each day with us as sinners, tells us to learn from our sins, then forgives us (if we ask him to), forgets it and we get to start over fresh! And I get to see that and be reminded of that everyday with my son! It gives me an opportunity to be reminded everyday what God does for me through my son everyday! We all mess up every single day -- We all fall short of the Glory of God, but we serve an AWESOME God who forgives us!

And that is what I have learned from one short trip to the dentist!

Do you have a real story you'd like to share? I'll be posting them throughout 2009 and invite you to share your stories so they can encourage other moms. You can send them to me at jillannsavage@yahoo.com. Please keep the stories to 500 words or less.

Read thru the Bible with your kids

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:38:00 +0000

I love the start of a new year. It's a great time to evaluate and start fresh in whatever area of our life we want to do in a different way.

Last week when Mark and I did our "advance decision making" conversation, we discussed wanting to do something more intentional about getting our boys in God's word. Austin is 12 and Kolya is 14. Those ages are so integral to building a foundation of God's truth in their lives.

We decided to begin a two-year process of reading through the Bible together. I googled "read through the Bible in 2 years" and found a reading plan that would work for us. So last night we began. The four of us sprawled across our bed, each with our own Bible, and read aloud Genesis 1 and Matthew 1. Some good conversation followed.

Would you like to join us? I found the reading schedule here. Don't worry that you didn't start on January 1. Just start when you can!

Jill

Friday's Quote of the Week

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:35:00 +0000

"A mother understands what a child does not say."

~Jewish Proverb

Advance Decision Making

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:01:00 +0000

Mark and enjoyed a date tonight. We chose to use it as a time to evaluate 2008 and make plans for 2009. One of the things we've learned to do over the years is to use the concept of advance decision making to keep our priorities and achieve our goals. I wrote about that in my Pantagraph column this week. If you'd like to know more about advance decision making, you can find the column here.

Friday's Quote of the Week

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:56:00 +0000

A family is a place where principles are hammered and honed on the anvil of everyday living.

~Chuck Swindoll

Real Gift Giving

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:02:00 +0000

Ok, it's Christmas Eve. It is finally here. Yes, it did come fast, in fact it always is here before we know it. Do you have your baking done? Is you shopping finished? Do you have the house cleaned? Are you packed for traveling? There are so many things to get done to "do" Christmas.

But Christmas is tomorrow. Isn't it time to let go of some of the expectations for a "perfect" Christmas and really enjoy this time with our families? I'm issuing a challenge to myself to today, and to you if you want to take it, to drink in my relationships and let go of my "to do" list for today and tomorrow. No my gifts aren't all wrapped yet, but I've got a few gifts to give that can't be wrapped.

I want to give the gift of listening today. I want to make sure that when my children and my husband speak to me, I look into their eyes. I want them to feel that they are special. I don't want anyone to feel like they are in the way of what I need to do. They are what I need to do. Lord, let me give the gift of listening today.

I want to give the gift of time today. When my 12 year old asks me to play video games with him, I'm going to stop what I am doing to play with him. Playing video games is not my most favorite thing to do, but it's one of his, so I must value it, too. I recently heard the convicting response of a young girl when asked what kind of message she would give to parents from a child's point of view. She responded, "Parents have too many tomorrows. Tomorrow I'll play ball with you. Tomorrow we'll bake cookies together. Tomorrow I will play that game. Most of the time tomorrow never comes." Lord, let me give the gift of time today.

I want to give the gift of touch today. Have you ever gone through the day or the week and realized that you really haven't given out any hugs lately? People have the need to touch and be touched. Our children need hugs from mom and dad daily. (Yes, even our teens!) I'm going to make sure that my husband gets a bear hug today. When my daughter comes in to tell me a story, I will try to remember to touch her as we interact. Lord, let me give the gift of touch today.

I want to give the gift of encouragement today. I want to make sure I tell my 18 year old daughter how much I appreciate the responsibility she has been taking on lately. I want my 12 year old son to know that I think he has been doing well in his school work. I want my husband to know I greatly appreciate how hard he works to support our family. Sometimes the people we live with receive the least verbal encouragement from us. Lord, let me give the gift of encouragement today.

I want to give the gift of Jesus today. Since we are celebrating His birthday, I want to make sure that we invite Him to the celebration. When I'm tempted to skip that Christmas Eve service tonight because I still have too much to do, I will resist that temptation, gather the family, and make sure we take time to worship together. Lord, let me give the gift of Jesus today.

Yes, it is Christmas Eve. The gifts aren't all wrapped, the food isn't all prepared, and my family is coming later tonight. Yes, some of these things need to be accomplished today. But I
want to do it with my family, not for them. I want to give them the kinds of gifts that can't be placed in a box and wrapped in red and green paper.

Come on, join me. Fix yourself a cup of hot chocolate, sit down, put your feet up, and gaze at the Christmas tree lights for a few minutes. Think about the incredible blessings God has given to you. Thank Him. Ponder the gifts that can be given today that don't need to be wrapped. Lord, thank you for the gift of family you have given to me.

New Haircut

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:15:00 +0000

Well I decided to take the plunge and cut the hair that I was trying to grow out. I honestly don't know what I was trying to grow it out to...I guess I just wanted something different. I really like my new cut!

Our friend Steve was over tonight and he commented as he walked in the door, "Wow! New haircut---it looks nice." Then he made me laugh when he said, "I love it when my wife gets a new haircut. It's like having a new girlfriend...without all the baggage!"

Mark and I have been laughing about that all evening! What a concept!

Who would have known that a new haircut could spark the romance! Thanks for the insight, Steve!

Real Life

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:34:00 +0000

The weekend was a busy one for company in our home with 15 extended family visiting and 10 of them spending the night at our house plus about 50 people who joined us for Erica's graduation open house on Saturday. That was the best part of the weekend.

But in the midst of it, there was bad news. On Friday night after 10 of the extended family had arrived we noticed that the toilets were having trouble flushing. Mark did some tweeking on the plumbing but nothing seemed to work. So Saturday morning he called the guy who services our septic system and he promptly came out since we were expecting a housefull that afternoon. The news was not good. Our septic tank was indeed full, but it wasn't because it needed to be serviced---it was because our septic field has failed.

That's not good and it has dollar signs all over it.

Isn't that the way life works? Just when you feel like you are getting ahead in some way...reality hits and you face another challenge. It happens with marriage, with parenting, and with money. Real life is full of ups and downs. People, relationships, and circumstances change from one moment to the next.

Today I'm thankful for a God who never changes. He's the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He's a Solid Rock. My Strong Tower. I can depend on him 100%.

And I need that kind of security in my life...especially when life gets a little stinky--if you know what I mean.

Winter Wonderland

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:12:00 +0000

It's been a busy weekend at the Savage homestead. Thursday evening we got the predicted ice storm. And as you can see by the picture...we were hit hard. We will likely lose a couple of trees that have been damaged by the ice.

Tonight we lost our power for a while. But honestly, I don't think that's a bad thing when it happens for a short period of time. We were all doing our own things when it went off and the instant darkness rallied the troops together. Mark and I lit candles while the boys placed them strategically throughout the house. Once we had some lighting, we determined that our entertainment options were somewhat limited so Austin serenaded us by playing worship songs on his guitar and Mark, Kolya, and I played triple solitaire by candlelight.

Honestly, it was a nice change of pace. Sometimes God gives us the most unexpected gifts.

Happy Birthday and Happy Graduation, Erica!

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:55:00 +0000

Today is a special day at the Savage household. We're celebrating our daughter's 18th birthday and her high school graduation.

Erica was always a fun child, very inquisitive, and very funny. Finding her pulling all the toilet paper off the roll was a daily activity. When she started talking...she never stopped. I remember my father taking 4 year old Erica on a 3 hour drive to his home in Indianapolis. When he arrived home he called me and said, "Does she ever stop talking?"

She's artistic, musical, and lots of fun.

Erica has completed her high school education at Normal Community High School, at home, and at Heartland Community College. She'll now continue at Heartland pursuing a degree in art education.

It's hard to believe she's 18 already. I guess my friend Charlene Baumbich is right. She says "Don't miss your kids...they'll be gone before you know it!"

Video Tips for Moms

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:18:00 +0000

Today Hearts at Home is launching a new resource in partnership with the Pantagraph. Once a week a one minute mom tip (taped in my home) will be featured on the Pantagraph newspaper website. Here's the first one!

http://www.pantagraph.com/blogs/main/?p=3385

Friday's Quote of the Week

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:02:00 +0000

The best occupation on the earth for a woman is to be a real mother to her children. It does not have much glory in it; there is a lot of grit and grime. But there is no greater place of ministry, position, or power than that of a mother.

~Phil Whisenhut

Hearts at Home Blog

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:46:00 +0000

I'm posting over at the Hearts at Home blog today. Check out post one and post two!

Christmas Cookies Galore!

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:39:00 +0000

Well, this was a busy weekend in the Savage kitchen! We spent all day Saturday and all of Sunday afternoon and evening baking bread, cookies, and dipping chocolate. I can't believe how exhausted two whole days of baking makes you!

This was a first, though. I told the boys that they were to help and the weekend turned into one big lesson in Home Economics. Both boys have had cooking in school so they knew the basics. Kolya loved it and I told him a million times what a great help he was. I did have to watch him, though, because he wasn't so good at following a recipe. "You know...1/4 or 3/4....what's the big deal, mom? It was a fraction with a four on the bottom...I just read it wrong!" LOL!

Here are some pics from our weekend!

Friday's Quote of the Week

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:59:00 +0000

Be warm. Be welcome. Be home.

~Annie Danielson

Hawaii afterglow Day 1

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:16:00 +0000

Hawaii is absolutely beautiful. I was struck by God's creativity and and the unique beauty of His creation. We were on the island of Maui near the city of Lahaina.

Everyday we had sunshine and 85 degree temperatures. What a change considering when we left Chicago and returned to Chicago it was snowing and the temperature was 4 degrees!

Mark and I stayed in the timeshare 2 bedroom unit with our friends Annette and Ruben and their 11 year old daughter Andrea. Andrea and Ruben both scuba dive so they did quite a bit of diving throughout the week. Mark and Ruben golfed twice and Mark was so proud that he hit one ball that actually ended up in the ocean.

Most days I enjoyed the sun and lots of reading (more about that tomorrow!).

One day we drove what is known as the "road to Hana" and many of these pictures are from that day. This is when we got to see the most beautiful parts of Maui but the road was extremely winding, and often one lane where cars had to yield to one another every few hundred feet. It took us 3 hours to travel the winding 32 mile road---that's how crazy it was. But it was filled with beautiful foliage and plant life, waterfalls, and incredible views of the ocean.

Much of the time I felt like we were on the set of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!" because the plants were so big and we were so small next to them!

I knew that the Hawaiian Islands are volcanos, but I never thought about how that would affect the look of the land. We spent alot of time exploring lava fields that extended right out into the ocean. We also explored a black sand beach that was beautiful!

I loved the picture below that looks like hands lifted up in worship. It brought to mind the scripture that says that "even the rocks will cry out in praise."

We're Home!

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:03:00 +0000

I'm home and excited to share with you about our trip, but I'm still not adjusted to the time change yet and need to head to bed. Here's a picture so you can enjoy a little bit of God's beautiful creation. More coming in the next few days!

Saturday's Marriage Thought

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:21:00 +0000

What is your husband's love language? Speak it today!

Friday's Marriage Thought

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:19:00 +0000

Wear your pretty nightgown to bed tonight instead of your "practical jammies."

Thursday's Marriage Thought

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:18:00 +0000

Write your husband a love letter and put it under the Christmas tree for him to open on Christmas morning!

Wednesday's Marriage Thought

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:15:00 +0000

When was the last time you did an overnight getaway with your husband? Get one on the calendar and start making arrangements now! Even if you're on a tight budget you can have the kids spend the night at a friend's or grandma's and you can stay alone in your own home!

Tuesday's Marriage Thought

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:13:00 +0000

Send your husband an email or a text and tell him that you love him!

Monday's Marriage Thought

jillannsavage@yahoo.com (Jill) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:11:00 +0000

When was the last time you had a date with your husband? Put a date on the calendar today!