photo by stacey at 29lincolnavenue.com
Welcome to ohAmanda. Or should I say, “Welcome. I’m ohAmanda.” I guess it’s about the same thing. *shrugs*
This little space on the internet is about those big “Oh!” things in my life–my kids, my marriage, my relationship with God and how they all come together in my heart.
(And of course, my perennial favorite, “Oh, Amanda!! Where did you put your keys?!”)
There’s a few things I do well: homemade bread in the bread machine, birthday parties and reading gosh-darn fast. But, God gave me one very special talent: I can take any old random thing and give it a spiritual application. Really. Try me.
Sweet Tea? God’s Word refreshes. It’s sweeter than honey…er, sweet tea.
Highchairs? God lifts us up when we’re humble. He serves us in the presence of our enemies.
Laundry? God is ever-present. He promises He’ll never leave us. Just like laundry.
See, I’m good, right?
On a less freaky note, this is what I try to do for my kids. I want them to see God, experience Him all around them every day and in every way.
Once, a long long time ago, my husband and I were full-time Pastor-types. We did puppet shows and special performances for churches and kids’ camps. We helped plant a small church. We developed a children’s ministry at a mega-church.
Then motherhood came. And it became my real ministry.
Making up every day experiences to teach kids about God became my goal. Only this time the kids were bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.
And that is this blog.
I want to help you help your kids know God. I want to impress God’s Word on my kids’ hearts and help you do the same. I want to partner with God in raising my kids for Him. And I hope to share that journey with you.
So, wanna meet my family?
This is my husband, Les. He’s pretty cute. And recently lost 40 pounds, joined CrossFit and only eats stuff that God made.
My daughter, Lydia is in 1st Grade, just lost her first baby tooth and is way way way too big. We do a hybrid homeschool with her and I’m glad I get to experience those days of growth together.
My Asa is 4 and steals my heart with his dimples. He is at that age where pretending to be Spiderman and a baby bird on the same day is acceptable. And he might be a Mama’s boy.
And my bloggy street cred?
I’ve been blogging for over 6 years. For a long time I had two blogs (one called Impress Your Kids, which is all located inside the archives of this blog, so you can find anything you need from that space!) and decided to push them into one blog so this online space could be a true reflection of my life and passions.
I’ve worked with some big companies and little mom-n-pops on my blog–Nestle, The Four Seasons, Pampers and more. I’ve even had the honor of working with some of my favorite Christian organizations and minsitries–Operation Christmas Child, World Vision, Veggie Tales and Thomas Nelson. I’ve even done a little bit o’ stuff for Disney!
I also wrote the best-selling ebook, Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands. It is basically a Christmas phenomenon. Well, maybe not. But it is way less creepy than the Elf on the Shelf, I can tell you that much.
Social Media is also the place where I’ve met some of my best and greatest friends. I’d love to count you as one of them! And hey, I’ve even got a gift for you!
If you sign up for my monthly ohNewsletter (which is full of all sorts of fabulousness), you’ll receive my free ebook, Praying God’s Word for Your Kids. (You can also subscribe to instant ohAmanda updates via email or a feedreader, if you like that better. Regardless, you’ll get the ebook.)
Of course, feel free to connect with me via email on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest. Google+ still eludes me and I refuse to get a LinkedIn account. Or maybe I have one and just can’t remember the password.
Nice to meet you. 
You were at Church of Highlands? I go there!! Birmingham right? Is this the same church?? WOW! What a small world!
Okay, you are SO pretty. I covet your big blue eyes.
Ok…this is a really weird picture of you, Amanda! LOL
Looks like you’re sportin’ a bit of a ‘tude, here!:-)
Found your blog through FMF. Where have you been all my life?
Good stuff. Bummed that you turned of your FMF post comments, I had a compliment all ready for ya!
I am with CadeRyan and we are promoting the dog bark collar store. We would love you to write a sponsored post about frugal dog tips in about 500 words. In exchange for your post, we will send you a $30 Target gift card. If you are interested, your post should start with a line that this post is part of a campaign hosted by the dog training collar store and include the link back. Please let me know if you would like to participate.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Oh, hi, Amanda!
We did Truth in the Tinsel for the first time this Christmas and I’ve been watching your site and blog since then.
What caught my attention today was your post about Monthly Missions! How exciting. I read lots of Christian mommy-types of blogs, but I can’t think of one that talks much about missions. I know life gets busy, but we’ve got a big hole in our hearts, our faith and our Bibles if we’re skipping over the commission we were given.
I’m currently serving in Haiti with my family. I am teaching English and my husband and I lead an organization called Hoops for Haiti. (hoopsforhaiti.org)
Maybe you get lots of requests from other organizations to be featured in your Monthly Missions?? I dunno. But, would you consider us? Please let me know if you have any questions!
Blessings! Sarah Aubry
You truly have a beautiful family, as well as, a great side profile.
Stumbled across your blog, so I’m just taking a peek of your world here. Just lovely!
Thanks, Mandi! I’d love for you to stick around.
a
Amanda,
I just found your blog via Live Laugh Rowe blog. I have enjoyed looking around. Quick question????? Do you draw your own cute little graphic people that are on your site? I love them, and was just curious if you did them yourself. If so, great job!!! I do some of my own “stick figure” type drawings for my site, and really was impressed with your cute figures.
Off to look around more. Have a great day…
Pam @ The Patriotic Pam
Nope. I bought them from istockphoto.com.
Amanda,
I am about to start the armor of God with my son. I have a castle themed advent calendar for Playmobil. Instead of using it during Advent, I decided to do it now, and use it to teach the Armor. I have been “collecting” your armor series but I did not see the Shield of FAith, Helmet, or the Sword. I might have missed them. I wonder if you have them all together on a certain email or page for easy access. I am subscribed to your monthly email.
I have really really enjoyed your Easter activities. WE did a combination of Sense of the Resurrection, Uneaster baskets, and homemade Resurrection eggs. Plus I did my own adaptation of the REsurrection (or grace) garden with stepping stones to the cross. Each was a little clear stone with a picture that represented a story about Jesus (miracle, parable, etc.) We picked one out each day and read the story, then placed it in the garden as a stepping stone to the cross. Anyway thank you for all your ideas. I look forward to finding the Fruit of the Spirit lessons and doing those a little later.
Thanks!!
I love all your Easter ideas!
I haven’t finished the Armor of God series (it got a little derailed during March and Easter activities!). Here’s the page w/all the links: http://ohamanda.com/2013/01/14/armor-of-god/
a
Do you ever ‘critique’ blogs? I read about your blog at ‘how they blog’ and would love to hire you (?) to critique my blog if you do! I love yours and would love to learn from you!!!
Blessings,
Melanie
Email me, Melanie! amanda at ohamanda dot com