What's in My Purse?

The Mama Purse - a magical space.

Does it remind you of this?

(image source)

I thought it would be fun to show you what is routinely found in MY purse - a mama, artist, teacher, oiler.

Thanks to my awesome mother in law, this is the purse I am currently carrying:

Large with pockets inside and outside.  Brightly colored a plus and chevrons a double plus!  This purse happens to be a Vera Bradley, but lately I have been REALLY into Thirty One bags.  Check out my cousin's Thirty One site here.

The cavernous purse of a mama.... a truly incredible sight!

Want to know what all this junk is??  I have to say, when I pulled it all out, I was impressed that there wasn't anything weirder in my purse.  Usually, I could win competitions for the most bizarre items in a purse, haha.

Here's what is in my purse now:

1.  Crayola Twistable Colors - I keep these in my purse for my girls.  When we are at restaurants or waiting rooms, they love to color.  Mommy wins, too, because the girls are occupied and being creative.

2.  Home Made Peppermint Lip Balm using Young Living essential oils (stay tuned for a tutorial!)

3.  Various Essential Oil Products - currently, I have home made bug spray, Tranquil and an Respiratory Blend that I made.

4.  A travel case with 8 sample bottles of Young Living essential Oils.

5.  Work Keys

6.  Organic lollipops - my husband calls these bribery ;)  We rarely get to this point, but occasionally the girls need a treat, so I keep a couple on hand.  I bought these at Sprouts.

7.  Green Tea Mints from Trader Joe's

8.  My wallet - with a thousand receipts because I am terrible about remembering to clean it out.  It's rather worn - might be time for a replacement soon!  Use it up and wear it out is our motto though :)

9.  Wall charger for my phone

10.  Toys - Likely, this was something that Olivia walked out of the house with and handed to me before school, but I generally have something to keep the girls occupied in my purse.

11.  Checkbook - who uses checks these days??  I do.  Once a month for our milk co-op and rarely for school stuff.

12.  Diapers - We use Honest Company diapers and we LOVE them.  Have you tried them?  Click my link and you can order a FREE sample - you just pay shipping.  I was sold after seeing the adorable designs, the amazing packaging and reading about their quality and attention to purity and the environment.


Ok, now tell me - what is the weirdest thing in YOUR purse??

7 Verses to Pray Over Your Child as They Go Back to School

Back to school - such a bitter sweet time in our family. My girls were so excited to start at a new school today - to make new friends, be in a new room with new toys and new books, to sleep on cots and eat at new tables! But it also means that they are not with me 24/7 - that I am missing out on those silly little things they say that keep me going through the day. And it also means that I am not there for those teachable moments. But I trust their teachers and in our most amazing God to care for them and to love them, and to ease my worries, I pray.

Here are 7 verses I will be praying over my girls as they go back to school:


1. 1 Timothy 4:12 - Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Lord, help my children to be little shining lights - a sign to all of your love for us. Help them to make good choices and develop good friendships. Help them to love their neighbors.


2. Joshua 1:9 - This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Lord, remove all fear from my children about school this year. Help them to adjust to a new schedule, help them to not be afraid to talk to new people and make new friends.


3. Philippians 4:8 - Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Lord, I ask that you please fill their heads with so many true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable things that there is no room for anything negative. Give them JOY in their day, and good thoughts and dreams as they sleep.


4. Isaiah 30:21 - Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left.

Lord, guide their steps. Even as preschoolers, they are learning to make choices that will stay with them in life. Please help me to guide them in the way they should be going and to encourage them as they learn to listen to you. Please help me teach them to pray and to always turn to you first.


5. Matthew 18:10 - Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.

Lord, I ask that you surround my children with your presence and your angels. I ask that you protect them from harm and from illness. I ask that you place people in their lives that will value them.


6. Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Lord, help my children to honor you with their speech. Help them to talk to each other and to their friends, teachers, family, and parents in a way that is pleasing and deflects anger. And Lord, as parents, help us to model this loving, gentle speech.


7. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Lord, above all else, I ask that you bring my children in to your arms. That you help them to KNOW you, to desire you, to trust you, and to rely on you.

Blessings on your school year, whether day care, elementary, middle school, high school, home school, private, public, or even teaching!  May you also find Joy in your days and remember to turn to your Heavenly Father when you feel overwhelmed or afraid.