When I was a new mom and living far away from family and friends (well, three hours), I discovered a messageboard for moms with kids born the exact month and year of my little girl. Soon, this board became my lifeline! We discussed diapers, naps, food and all the questions I had about my new baby. But as we became friends we discussed parents, husbands, hurts, disappointments and relationships.

And as dangerous as the internet can be, it also has the amazing ability to make the world smaller and connect like-minded people who would have never found each other before. One small dream I have for Impress Your Kids is to make it that same lifeline for like-minded people. I want to help you surround yourself with others that have the same heart to impress their kids as you do. (Hey, I want to surround MYSELF with people that have the same goal!)

I’m not exactly sure how that looks but this weekend I installed a community forum on our sidebar—it’s called Blog Frog. (ha!) All you have to do is click our community and then sign up for a quick free account. Once you’re in you’ll see other people that read Impress Your Kids. You can click their blogs, read their tweets and generally connect with them. But the best part is the forum. If you’d like to ask a question to other Impress Your Kids readers, just start a topic. If you have something you’d like to share a cool new book you read, or a even a cute picture on your blog, feel free to share it in the forum! I started an easy “introduce yourself” thread in the forum, please come say hello!

Speaking of Impress Your Kids readers, I thought I’d let you know some of top referrers (that’s the sites that sent the most people our way). They obviously like us, so I figured you’d like them, too. Please go visit them and say hello!

Complete Organizing Solutions
Amys Finer Things
Homeschool Creations
Daily Dwelling
To Be Thode
A Blessed Fam

Thank you so much for visiting and interacting with Impress Your Kids. We honored to be a part of your life! If you’re new here (or just haven’t done so) you can always subscribe to our email updates or by subscribe with your feedreader. And if you’re on facebook you can always connect with us on our fanpage! It makes us happy to see your smiling face (even if it is an emoticon ) every day!

Happy Monday! Happy March!

I just got back from Blissdom, a big blogging conference last weekend. It was so amazingly fun and inspiring. (And apparently it took me an entire week to recover because this is the first post in a week! YIKES.) I’ve been blogging at my personal blog, ohAmanda for almost 3 years. I’ve been doing Impress Your Kids for about 2 1/2 years. And although I am very passionate about Impress Your Kids, I sometimes feel at a loss on what to post and feature.

At first I thought Impress Your Kids was going to be an online journal of what Lydia and I crafted. Then I felt like my children’s ministry experience would be beneficial to other readers. I was googling stuff to do with my duaghter and couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for and I figured others were doing the same.

So, while I was at Blissdom I got a revelation (oh, yes, I did!) about how Impress Your Kids is different than ohAmanda. Impress Your Kids is what you call a niche blog (is that NICH? NEESH? anywhoo…) while ohAmanda is a memoir-anything-goes blog. So, if I don’t post at ohAmanda it’s obvious that there’s nothing blog-worthy going on in my life. And I’m ok with that!

Generally, that’s what happens at Impress Your Kids, too. We get busy or sick or tired or we’re just hanging by the skin of our teeth so we don’t post. And because I want this blog to feel real and personal, that’s ok. BUT I also know that some of you are busy, sick, tired and hanging by the skin of your teeth, too. And I want Impress Your Kids to always be here. I want to be that encouraging parenting toolbox that we set out to be.

So. I’ve been thinking, talking, evaluating and praying about Impress Your Kids and it’s future. And I need your input. Would you take 3 minutes and complete this survey? I won’t share your answers, you don’t have to fill out your name and most of it is mutliple choice. It would mean so much to me!

Thank you! And thank you for honoring us at Impress Your Kids with your visits, your links and your comments.

photo of ME by mooshinindy

Congratulations to Ashley, who won our God Gave Us Christmas book giveaway!  Take a look at her crafty blog (and her adorable daughter)!  Thanks to everyone who entered!

Now, since I’ve been doing our attributes of God Advent series on a daily basis, I’ve missed being chatty and rambling in a “normal” post… so I’m going to chat your ear off for a minute.

About the Advent posts I’ve been doing – would anyone like me to make a tutorial on how to make the wooden ornaments?  It’s something that could be adapted for any number of ideas…  If there is any interest, I’ll write up a quick tutorial.

Also, I’m “behind” on my Advent crafting… I wanted to make an Advent calendar like this one here to put all my ornaments and little craft/activity slips of paper in – but I’ve only gotten as far as purchasing the fabric.  Ehem.  This will probably get done in January… so I guess I’ll have to unveil it next year.

I’m also thinking that I might have to keep adding on to the list of names and attributes of God each year – there are so many more that I didn’t think when I made my list, and I already knew I was leaving so many off.  So I’m excited to see how this could grow each year – the boys might be able to add more as they get to know God more themselves, too!

Amanda’s back from her very exciting extended weekend… be sure to watch her blog for updates about her time at Disney!

So that’s kind of what we’ve been up to… how about you guys?  How has your December been?

You know, we’ve been “up and running” again for several months, and we just wanted to check in with you guys to see how YOU are doing.  We’d love to know more about you – so if you’re a regular reader, or even a first-timer, can you leave us a comment and answer the Top Ten Questions we have for you?

1. What’s your name?
2. Where are you from?
3. How many children do you have and what are their ages?
4. Do you blog? Share a link to your blog with us if you do!
5. What do you think your biggest challenge is as a parent to impress God’s Word on your children?
6. What’s your favorite Bible verse about parenting?
7. What’s your favorite rainy day activity?
8. What’s your favorite color?
9. Where do you go when you need some peace and quiet?
10. What would you like to see from Impress Your Kids over the next several months?  Is there anything you’d like to see more/less of?

Now, here are my answers…

1. Leigh (aka Momma and My Love)
2. I’m from Atlanta, but I live in Richmond, VA now.  I love it up here!
3. I have 2 kiddos – Elias is almost 4 and Donovan is almost 2.
4. I do blog – I actually have a blogging problem.  I have 4 blogs – only one of which is active right now (Impress Your Kids).  I had to stop the other 3 so I could actually spend time with my kids.
5. My biggest challenge is scheduling time to do activities with the kids.  If I don’t schedule it, it typically doesn’t happen.  Also, it doesn’t happen naturally for me – I really have to think and plan things through.
6. “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD…” Psalm 127:3; “But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” ” Luke 18:16
7. I love to sit on the front porch with the boys and watch the rain.  This really only works when it’s warm and rainy, though… otherwise, we build forts.
8. GREEN!  My current favorite is spring green.  Nice and fresh.
9. For peace and quiet, I really don’t go anywhere yet.  I can see how it would help to have someplace special to go, but there’s not a place in the house that I can go that I can’t hear the boys.  So I guess I would have to leave the house for peace and quiet.  Leaving the boys appropriately supervised, of course.
10. I’m excited about the next several months at IYK.  I’m always looking forward to more fabulous ideas from Amanda, and I’m excited about what I have planned for the boys.  And with Christmas coming (soon! argh!), there seem to be even more opportunities to share the Word of God with the kids.

Please let us know a bit about yourself… we really want to know you better!

For more Top Ten {Tuesdays}, visit Amanda here.

The surprise is on us! We’re in the middle of our week long we-love-our-blog Surprise Party when suddenly (ok, not so suddenly, I just kinda forgot about it), Robin is hosting a big fun BlogHop for all the non-BlogHer attenders! Yay!

So now, for a little introduction…

We’re just two moms, Leigh and Amanda who blog about our kids. Big surprise, right? But THIS blog is a little bit different. We don’t blog about the cute stuff our kids do. We blog about the stuff we do TO our kids. See, our goal is to impress God’s Word on our kids’ hearts. We believe kids are little sponges open to receiving and understanding God’s love. And all we want in life is for them to know that Love.

So, this blog is that journey. We use crafts, activities, experiments, games, songs, adventures and stories to tell our kids about this Love. We blog it here to keep ourselves accountable. To learn from each other. To encourage you. So our kids will know. So your kids will know. And one day a generation of kids will grow up ALWAYS knowing that Love.

It’s what God has called us to do…not this blog (well, maybe…) but this huge adventure of parenting. God clearly tells us to talk about His laws and His ways everywhere we go and in everything we do. It might sound daunting but it’s really pretty fun. So, let’s do it together, ok? Keep up with our blog by subscribing to our email updates or RSS feed. And if you are on twitter, please follow us @impressyourkids so we can do the same!

While you’re here would you like to win a little prize-ies? Our Surprise Party is still in full force. Why don’t you meander a little and see if you find anything you like…

Day 1: Boredom Busters: Win a Handmade Kids Crayon Wallet Thingie

Day 2: Craft-a-licious Tag: Win a One Year Subscription to Family Fun Magazine

Day 3: Interview with Author Sally Lloyd Jones: Win 1 of 3 copies of The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones

{{We’re also giving this book away at the BlogHop! Wooo-hoo!}}

Day 4: Rainbow Hunting: Win a Handmade Day at the Park Backpack Tote

Day 5: Mrs. Rosey Posey 4-book Collection (post will be up at a surprise time Friday morning…aka when my kids take a nap…)

Thanks for stopping by, reading and oh, commenting!

Surprise! We’re having a party!

A big We-Love-Our-Blog Party!

We’re having so much fun at our new digs we decided to celebrate! And to celebrate we’re doing what every good party does…inviting our friends, making the place nice and pretty, sharing some of our favorite things and of course, giving stuff away! So, go ahead, grab our button…

We want everyone to share in our Surprise-Party-goodness! And here’s a little sneak peek at what you could win this week:

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones
(Sally Lloyd Jones will also be making a guest appearance on Impress Your Kids this Wednesday! WHEEE!)

Mrs. Rosey Posey Book Collection

One Year Subscription to Family Fun Magazine

Plus lots more! So are you ready to party? The party begins NOW with YOUR TURN: Boredom Busters where you can win a handmade Crayon Wallet for your kids! Day 2 is a Craft Tag with a chance to win a subscription to Family Fun! Day 3 gets even better with an Interview with Sally Lloyd Jones, author of the Jesus Storybook Bible PLUS 3 readers will walk away with their very own copy of the book! Day 4 is another handmade goody from Leigh–a backpack tote for when you and your kids need to do some rainbow hunting! Don’t miss a day of our party!

cupcake photo by kellysue

The blogosphere is an interesting place. There’s something about a computer screen that allows you to be a little more showy than usual. A little louder, cooler or spunky than normal. It’s a place where you can speak your heart and then edit it to make sure you got it right. And through this bloggy land, I’ve met some women who really and truly impress me. Women who can turn trash into Martha Stewart-craftiness for $5. Women who can write rings around best-selling authors. But the ones that impress me the most are the women who love God and raise their kids to do the same.

Sarah from Real Life Blog is one of those women. Last week I had the honor of being a special speaker vlogger guest on her live internet show!  Every Thursday, Sarah hosts Get Real! on MomTV.com. Last week’s topic was “The Profile of a Christian Blogger“. We talked about the differences between being a Christian blogger or a Christian who blogs. Anyway, I talked a lot about Impress Your Kids (including my two big MUSTS to raising kids that love God) and had lots of fun talking and chatting with all the mamas who showed up! I mean, really, look how fun this is:

Sarah, me and Jendi

So, number 1 thing you gotta do: Click over to MOMtv to see Get Real with Sarah (which incidentally is playing TODAY at 1pm)!

Another fantastic mama is one of those rock-star bloggers I’d heard about but didn’t read until I attended Blissdom. (*gasp* I know! Don’t tell her, ok?) She’s the fabu Kristen from We are THAT Family.

Practically the same day we re-launced IYK, Kristen announced that she is launching a monthly newsletter…a newsletter with crafts, tips, tricks and activities to teach Godly character to your kids.

HOW MUCH DO I LOVE THIS?!

I signed up in .2 seconds and am anxiously awaiting the first edition so I can steal all bask in her great ideas. So, the second thing you gotta do is sign up for The Family Room Newsletter. Kristen is a former Children’s Pastor (like moi) and I know she has a heart for her marriage, her family and the church at large. I can’t help but love her. (And wallow in jealousy at her crafty creative-ness.)

That is all. Back to your day. Spit spot!

1. Potty Training. Period.

2.Why is it not fun for my son to pee-pee on Cheerios? That has worked for everyone else I know… but apparently “that’s not a good idea, Mommy!”

3. My son’s mind. ‘Nuff said.

4.  What am I supposed to do with kid #2? Donovan’s attached to my leg 24-7.  And when we’re having potty time, he’s trashing the bathroom.  rrr…

5. Waiting until they’re ready. Fine – if they’re 2 and ready.  What if they’re 3.5+ and don’t care that they are missing out on all kinds of fun stuff (soccer, t-ball)?  that others won’t change them (babysitters, child care at the Y)?  that people look at me like I’m a bad mom because they can carry on long conversations with adults but still wear a diaper?  that they are too big for the regular diapers out there?  What about when I’m ready?!?

6. Sit or Stand. Does it matter which one he does first?

7. Why am I the one who cries over this?

8. Rewards. Should it be candy? stickers? TV time? all or none of the above?

9. Why does it take so long? I’m only into day 2, but we’ve had, oh… I don’t know… 4 or 5 other shots at this.  He should be catching on quicker, right?

10. Why didn’t God make us ready to pee-pee on the potty right from the get go?

OK – so you can tell what’s going on at my house right now.  If you have any advice or encouragement, please share!

For more Top Ten {Tuesdays}, visit Amanda here…

1.  I missed you guys!

2. Accountability. It’s been a sad decline in our crafty ways at our house. Knowing that I was going to post about… something – anything… kept me going and creative.  But lately?  Not so much.

3. Your great ideas. I love reading your comments and clicking through to your blogs – you guys always think of such amazing things!

4. Spending “time” with Amanda. Read more here about how Amanda and I met… as I blog with Amanda, I get to spend more virtual time with her, reading her posts and sending emails back and forth about the blog.

5. Spending time with the boys. Spending intentional time, that is.  This falls in with #2 above, too… I really do spend good time with the boys when I’m not blogging, but the times I prepare and set aside special things for us to do really draw us closer together.  I cherish those times!

6. Learning God’s word. It’s amazing how much I learn when I help Elias learn God’s word.

7. Getting creative. Again tied in with #2 above – the things I can come up with when I actually think and plan!!!

8. Blogging. I’m currently on a bloggy-break from my personal/crafty blog, and I’ve missed blogging!

9. Trying Amanda’s ideas. Have you seen some of the amazing things Amanda comes up with?  So much fun!!!!

10. I missed you guys!

For more Top Ten Tuesdays, visit Amanda’s blog here!

Welcome to our new home! Isn’t it spiffy? I do hope you’ll grab a button from our sidebar and spread the word about our new digs! 

Impress Your Kids started almost a year ago when I decided to chronicle my foray into teaching my then 2 year old a scripture for every letter of the alphabet. My good bloggy friend, Leigh joined up to show us her same journey. As our kids have gotten older and our parenting skills have become stronger (or at least more flexed!) the ways we impress our kids is different, too.

I’m learning more and more how to make every opportunity count for God. I have to consciously choose to turn times of play into teachable moments. I work hard at incorporating God-moments into our everyday life. This blog is just the record of that experience. Ultimately it’s the place that keeps me accountable to weave a little faith into our daily life.

I hope and pray that this blog does the same for you: encourages you, prompts you and gives you some tools and ideas that will make an eternal difference in the life of your kids.

Beginning tomorrow we’re starting a new weekly column called YOUR TURN. We’ll pose a question or a situation regarding parenting, child-rearing or crafting (who knows?!), then you weigh in on how YOU do it with your kids and your family. Hopefully it will be a place that others can come to find some great ideas for their own families.

We’ve also got some FABU guest bloggers lined up for the month and we’re even going to throw in a giveaway or two! We’ll also continue doing book reviews, linky round ups (fyi@iyk) and of course, just plain old crafts, family times and crazy adventures. Please subscribe to our feed so you don’t miss a post. And we’d love to hear from you—so leave a comment. We want this to be a place where we learn and grow together!