In This Issue:

1. Welcome from Kelly

2. Scheduling Our December Away

3. Teamwork to Tackle the Holidays

4. Remember the Ten Things Not Found in Proverbs 31

5. Participate! Mom Break Stories

6. Book Recommendation - Kelly's Review of Finding Your Strongest Life

Welcome from Kelly

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2

December is here, and we have reached the peak season of stress. However, with a realistic perspective, some teamwork, and little bit of humor we will get through it just fine.

I hope to remind you that you are not alone in this chaos, perfection is not expected, and you can enjoy this time as a celebration of the birth of our savior.

Scheduling Our December Away

Basketball games are twice a week.

The kids have practice for the church Christmas program.

Between all of your family members, you will be attending or chauffering to six Christmas parties, and three of them are happening at the same time.

The room that you usually shove the clutter into has to be turned into a guest room, the house needs to be a little bit cleaner, and decorations have to be put in place.

It is very easy right now to try to skip the quiet time and take things into your own hands. After all, if you don't make sure you've got it all worked out, who will?

As tempting as it may be, you need to make sure the calendar is not controlling you right now. You need to be abiding in Jesus daily.

Don't let anyone tell you that you just need to balance your schedule to get it right. To learn more about balance and leaving room for God, read Work-life Balance: Is This a Good Thing?

Teamwork to Tackle the Holidays

Are you still trying to do everything perfectly all by yourself?

Don't forget about your team - your friends who are struggling with the same "to do" list.

Maybe one of you is great at navigating the shopping crowds and hunting down deals, but you hate trying to decorate the house. Your friend enjoys being crafty, is talented at putting together beautiful centerpieces, but absolutely hates to shop. Do you see a good partnership developing here? Maybe the two of you can call up your friend who loves to bake cookies and synergy just takes off.

Carry one another's burdens...

For a refresher the importance of working together, read Teamwork: Who is on Your Team?

Remember the 10 Things Not Found in Proverbs 31

This is a good time to review the list of 10 things not found in Proverbs 31:

1. Her coffee table never has dust on it.
2. Many have eaten off of her kitchen floor.
3. Immaculate Home Magazine just did a photo shoot in her living room.
4. She does all of the housework herself while the kids play video games.
5. All of the words that flow from her children’s mouths are blessed.
6. All of her children are straight A students, musical geniuses, and all-star athletes.
7. Her hair is always fixed perfectly and her make-up is artfully applied.
8. She does not touch make-up or hairspray because it is vain and the art of Satan.
9. She never makes a bad decision.
10. She is classroom mom, PTO President, the bearer of orange slices at soccer games, and the church committee queen.

If you are looking for a gift for someone who needs to remember this list, shop for 10 Things Not Found in Proverbs 31 products here.

Tabitha's Team Apron by Tabithas_Team
Design aprons at www.zazzle.com

Participate! Mom Break Stories

I am thinking that this is a good month to get new Mom Break stories.

You know, those times when everything just unravels and you need to take a breather.

Here are some of the great stories that have already been submitted:

It's Snowing Inside the House by Alison Wells.

I'll Take a Mom Break but Not a Nose Break by Kristi Maloney.

Dear God by Doretta Mills.

Share your Mom Break story.

Recommended Book

Find Your Strongest Life: What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently By Marcus Buckingham / Thomas Nelson

I was very skeptical when I first saw this book. Who was this sleek-looking guy telling women how to be happy and successful?

Is this a message that a Christian woman would even take seriously?

It looked like a catchy money-making scam to me.

I'm glad that I decided to read it. I was touched by the very high level of respect that Marcus has for women, and the deep understanding he has of the conflicts that we face.

This book was very refreshing. No assumptions, no myths, no checklist on how to "balance" your life. This is a researched, honest look at how to find our God-given strengths and use that information to approach decisions in our life.

Women are discovering that "balance" is a myth and a burden. Marcus gives direction on how to "intentionally imbalance" our lives and be confident in those decisions. He gives a new definition to "having it all."

If you ever struggle in navigating all of the choices available to women today, I would definitely recommend reading this book.