Happily everafter

I often wonder what I will do the day my children have all flown from the nest. I am planning on sticking to the nest exit age, of eighteen; and might give them a few months  grace!

That might be the most important stage of my life, and requires detailed planning. My track record for productive use of 'me time' has been severely tainted by my inability to do something fun when not with my children.

The five things I absolutely have to do:
* Eat ice cream at Nelwa's Gelato in Tanzania

Image from @nelwasgelato via twitter

* Experience a sunset in Kenya

Image courtesy of via FreeDigitalPhotos

* Touch the right hand of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil

Image courtesy of via FreeDigitalPhotos

* Conquer the world one-cupcake-at-a-time with my Cupcakenism brand.

More than just a cupcake lover!

*Write a book dedicated to my children to let them know how much I love them!

Triple fold blessings

Everyday is not sunny but that doesn't mean one has to stop dreaming. So whilst my son is dreaming about becoming a Formula One driver, I fantasize about eating ice cream; uninterrupted!

It is totally worth it to raise my trio, but it will be even greater to look back on a life, lived and loved! I may not hold their or my future in my hands, but the One who holds us reminds me constantly of  '... plans to bring about the future you hope for.'(Jeremiah 29:11).

Share your plans for living a life a happily ever after raising your kids.

Are you a problem solving parent?

There is a world of difference between a person who has a big problem and a person who makes a problem big.- John Maxwell

Our perception of what constitutes as a problem, is more often than never, exaggerated. A constant headache is soon escalated to a brain tumor, based on nothing other than our own diagnosis. How many other times haven't we allowed small issues to become life issues. Yet, we can all bear witness to times when we genuinely felt like crying about something that happened, but can now retell in laughter!

Such are the woes of people and slightly more demanding for parents, who have to think on behalf of our children! That often distinguishes us from the rest of the human species...

The world calls it your gut feeling, I call it my spirit being. The  voice or prompting which lets you know whether something or someone has good intentions towards you or your loved ones.

How do you deal with it?
Grab your phone to call or text  someone?
Start panicking and create a scene?
Allow your mind to conjure up the worst case scenario?

We might think all of the above applies when you're a parent, but there are better ways to deal with challenges.

This has been my sure fire way of coping with almost eight years of single parenting and being far from family. I also have my 'crazy cycle' moments on occasion, however  this is what I know works for everything; from nightmares to a broken down car.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos

Dealing with challenges beyond your control:

* Pray, an honest powerful prayer from your fear or pain.
* Acknowledge your limitations, but stay open to the limitless power of God.
* Unpack the problem in order to determine its merit.
* Think it through before sharing it with anyone.
* Let it go and trust that the correct guidance or help will come
* Pray intentionally for patience and wisdom
* Realise that experiencing difficulty is not a reflection on you as a person, but rather a right of passage to growth.
* Remember: Nothing lasts forever!

Going through these motions of problem solving often creates opportunities for godly wisdom to fill an anxious heart and mind.

Share how you deal with inevitable life challenges.