Giveaway - A Copy of "Becoming Mom Strong"

If you follow me on Facebook at all, you know that I was hoping to do a Giveaway in October and another one in November. Well, October flew by faster than I had hoped... At least I am *starting* the giveaway in October. ~smile~

So, the giveaway starts now, and I will choose a random winner on Friday via Rafflecopter -- because Fridays are awesome! To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment on my blog (or on Facebook), telling me why YOU would like to have a copy of this book. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway



I am giving away a copy of Becoming Mom Strong, by Heidi St. John. I love Heidi St. John and have for years. She's just an authentic woman who loves God and family and lives, writes, and speaks about it in various avenues.

I am in the middle of reading this book, along with a couple others - eh hem - and it is ENCOURAGING!

This book is a great read for moms who want to gird up and refresh themselves and their visions for their walks with God and their love and sacrifice for their families.

The book points women to the Lord for their strength, helps them gain better resolve for their homes in a culture that feels very anti-home/family at times, and supports them in their decisions to be moms who desire to love and lead their children to Christ.

Best wishes and many blessings!

My Top Posts from 2016

Happy New Year everyone!

It's fun to look back over the past year and see which posts were at the top.

If you haven't gotten a chance to read these, check them out! And I plan to be on the blog soon with an encouraging word for the New Year!

Last month I did a giveaway for Andy Traub's Early to Rise Experience for Moms. If you haven't gotten the book yet, check it out! It could be a key to helping you rise earlier in the morning, and starting the new year on a better foot.

One of the highlights of my year was when my husband and I did the Whole30. I did a few posts with meal plans and also one that summed up our experience, as a whole.

A few well-hit recipes were:
A Great Big Tray of Delicious Nachos
Cauliflower Breadsticks
The Pioneer Woman's Brother's Tacos

At the beginning of the year last year, I did some posts about making time for important things. One of those things is to make time to take care of yourself! Even as this new year begins, I remember the importance of that!

A couple posts to encourage you to remember the goodness of God and treasure each moment:
As Life Unravels, Remember: God Gives Good Gifts
Motherhood: Why I Am Treasuring Every Moment

God bless you, and I look forward
to sharing 2017 with you!

Washer Necklaces: A Fun, Simple Craft

I hosted a girls’ night for the girls’ groups at our church, and we made these cool necklaces, inspired by these necklaces.

The necklaces are simple to make with inexpensive materials, and the sky is the limit on creativity since you can mix and match whatever colors you choose!

Needed Supplies:

• Washers. Mine were labeled 5/8” at the hardware store and were about 1 3/4” across.
• Nail Polish
• Twine. I purchased mine here. Cut each necklace strand to be 1 yd (3 ft) long. If you do it any shorter, you won’t be able to fit the necklace over your head.
• Beads

First, paint your washer, using nail polish, with whatever color and design you desire.

Wait for the washer to dry completely before moving forward.

Next, secure the twine strand through the washer with a knot. Even up the raw ends of the strand. Put the folded end of the twine through the hole of the washer and put the raw ends of the strand through the folded end to create the knot.

Bead your necklace, if you desire. To help the beading process, have a bowl of water nearby. Moisten the ends of your necklace strand and twist them together to form a needle. You can bead larger beads on both strands together and smaller beads on the individual strands.

When you are finished, tie a knot at the end of your twine to complete your project.

Encouraging Bloggers

I still remember the day… A few years ago I paid for a blog consultation, hoping to improve my blog.  Really, I was looking for some basic tips on graphic design, reaching readers, making good content, etc.  When I got off the phone, I was nearly in tears.  Okay, I think I was in tears.

I felt pressure to build my blog into a business, making money through ads – something I was not ready to do at the time – and spend at least three hours a day on the internet building my blog.

Three hours a day on the internet?  Nope.  Not gonna do it.  I can’t do it.

Some people may be able to afford that kind of time on the internet.  Not me.  Not at this point of my life.

I guess if I needed the money, I would have been able to justify the time online.  However, I wasn’t doing it for the money.  I was writing and blogging because I have a passion in my heart for it. 

I have a passion to share the love and knowledge of God with others.
I have a passion to equip moms, wives, homemakers, and women to live better lives for God.
I have a passion to share my love for the family and home.

That’s what keeps me going.  My passion.

If you are a blogger, you know it is easy to get discouraged.  It is easy to see the popular bloggers and compare yourself to them.  Sometimes the urge to quit reveals its ugly head, and you push past it, hoping you are making a difference in someone’s life.

Let me encourage you.

If you are following God’s will for your life and sharing your talents with others, you ARE making and WILL make a difference.

You may not have the size crowd you want, and it may not come when you want it.  Nonetheless, you WILL touch people’s lives.

If you have a blog, let me encourage you.

Keep writing.
Keep praying to see how God wants to use your blog.
Keep plodding along in small ways to make your blog known to the world via social media, friends, etc.
Don’t compare yourself to others.  Focus on the task God has for you.

Here are some other resources for blog encouragement.

• My blogger friend, Lisa, from “Stop and Smell the Chocolates” did a series on Encouraging Bloggers.  It is very good!
• Jenni Mullinix did a post about writing for God, that I found very encouraging!

“Early to Rise” Update

This is my third week trying to get up early.  Here were my wake-up times:

Monday 6:30 a.m.
Tuesday 6:50 a.m.
Wednesday 6:30 a.m.
Thursday 6:15 a.m.

As I mentioned on my Facebook page, I have been trying to get up at 6:30 a.m. and would like to move that back to 6:00 a.m.

Today I was able to get up at 6:15 a.m., thanks to God’s initiation and grace!  I woke up at 5:35 a.m. due to a coughing child and couldn’t sleep well after that. I REALLY did not want to get out of bed, especially since I had gone to bed late last night and am juggling some great emotions in my life right now.  HOWEVER, I thought of Andy Traub’s encouragement to be in charge of my day and take advantage of the early morning hours, so by 6:15, I was “up and at ‘em”.

Now that I am up, I am blessed.  I have quiet in my home.  I am able to focus on reading and writing, activities that require peace and a lot of myself.  I do not regret getting up early. 

Having trouble waking up early?  Andy Traub encourages you to make it cost something if you don’t get up. Tell a friend you will buy her lunch that day if you don’t get up.  Allow your spouse a special outing or tell your spouse you will take care of the kids all night.  Do something that raises the stakes!

I guarantee that you will not be disappointed if you wake up earlier.  You will enjoy the peace.  You will enjoy the lack of interruptions (in general).  You will enjoy being productive.

Try it… Wake up earlier.  You’ll like it.

My Early to Rise Challenge–Week One

My new slippers – ready for greatness!

Recently I introduced you to my latest book and challenge, Early to Rise by Andy Traub.  I had started last week but got the flu and realized that I could not continue in that condition.  Hence, I restarted this Monday, five days ago.

Certainly this is a *challenge* as Andy Traub reiterated this morning in the daily encouragement!  It is not easy!  I had high hopes and have not reached my goal as quickly as I thought I would. 

Here were my wake up times:
Monday – 6:30 a.m.
Tuesday – 6:45 a.m.
Wednesday – 6:50 a.m.
Thursday – 7:45 a.m.
Friday – 6:45 a.m.

My initial goal for the week was to wake up at 6:30 a.m., and I am hoping to inch that back to 6:00 a.m.  As you can see, I didn’t quite make that goal.  My biggest problem…. Going to bed late!  As Andy says, if you go to bed late, you are pretty much setting up yourself for failure.  Yep, it is true!  I have gotten to bed most nights around midnight or later for various reasons, and it is so hard to get up before 7:00 when I do that.

Even though I am not exactly achieving my intended goal, I feel fairly good about the week.  After all, most mornings I was up with a “6” introducing the time, and that is a great accomplishment for me!

Yesterday’s daily encouragement was perfect for me.  Andy talked about controlling what you *can* control.  I struggle with letting go of things I can not control.  They weigh on me sometimes… okay, oftentimes.  Andy’s good point about waking up early is that it is something you *can* control.  You *can* take charge of your day and be the initiator, rather than the responder.

I press on!  I like getting up earlier.  I like having some quiet time to myself, to get my Bible reading done, to spend time with the Lord, to read, to blog, and to get my daily chores started.  It’s nice.  I will continue…

Yogurt, Oatmeal, Honey Face Mask

We did these masks recently at my daughter’s birthday party.
The girls enjoyed themselves and felt quite pampered.

Right about now, you may be feeling quite stretched as you attempt to juggle all of the demands of life and the holiday season.

You need a time-out – a good, soothing, pampering, wholesome, homemade face mask!

It is refreshing just to take some time to sit quietly and give your skin a pick-up.  This mask feels cool and refreshing and leaves your skin feeling so soft afterwards.  The ingredients are simple and healthful.  My friend even tasted the mixture and said it would be a good breakfast!

Yogurt Oatmeal Honey Face Mask
recipe found here, along with other wonderful homemade spa recipes

1/4 cup plain yogurt or buttermilk
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 T honey

Finely grind rolled oats in a blender or food processor.
In a small bowl mix honey and yogurt.
Add oatmeal.
Mix.  Put on face and neck. 
Rest, relax, wait… for 15 minutes. 
Rinse.
NOTE:  This recipe makes a good amount, so be sure to grab your daughter or a friend to share this wonderful experience with you!

Savor 7– Linking up with a Friend, Savoring Blessings from the Week

I just returned from “Family Camp” with our church.  I had hoped to get some posts together before I left to keep you busy while I was gone.  I’m sorry that didn’t happen.  I’m back now, though, and need to crack a whip at my blog!  To start, I’m linking up with my blogger friend, Lisa, from “Stop & Smell the Chocolates”.  I hope you’ve had a great week!

SCRIPTURE
Psalm 91:1  “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”. 

STORY TELLER
Traci from “Ordinary Inspirations” always inspires and blesses me with her God-centered, humble posts.  Check her out!

SOCIAL
We had a great time at camp with our church this past week.  I had a wonderful time catching up with friends and just having fun.  I played beach volleyball, tennis, ping pong, and other fun games. 

SILLY
This is my husband when he finished riding the zip line at camp. 

SNAPSHOT
Here’s my sweet baby on the beach.

SIPS
I love English breakfast tea and had a few cups of it at camp.

SWEETS
The campground served layered cheesecake slices at our last meal there.  I endured graciously as I forced every delicious bite of chocolate raspberry delight into my mouth.  ~smile~

Girls’ Lock-In

The past week has been busy.  I hosted a surprise 30th birthday party for a friend.  I celebrated my daughter’s 2nd birthday (for which I still have to post the cake recipe), and planned a lock-in for the girls’ groups at church, ages 5 through 13.

My husband became the head of the boys’ groups last fall, and as of the beginning of June, I have become the leader over the girls’ groups.  My husband did a lock-in for the boys in the winter.  Since then the girls had really hoped they could do one.  It had been in the back of my mind to help host one for them, even before I became the leader.  When I took on my new responsibility a few weeks ago, I quickly hopped into action and planned a lock-in.

The girls had a lot of fun.  We didn’t even get to all of the things I had planned.

We had a beauty room where the girls could get their
hair done and faces painted.

We made mosaic craft designs.  I got the idea from “Family Fun”.
Sketch your design on a paper plate.
Mix an equal amount of white glue and water in a cup.
Paint onto mixture plate and affix small pieces of magazine scraps.
When design is complete, coat the top with the glue mixture.

We roasted marshmallows for S’mores over sterno fuel cans.

The girls also did an impromptu fashion show with sleeping bags and blankets that was quite amusing, painted nails, and had fun goofing around together.

They are looking forward to next year, Lord willing!

Exercise: It Does a Body (and Soul!) Good

I feel like I'm just about the last person on earth who should be writing a blog post about exercise!  I always have good intentions to exercise, but it gets pushed down to the bottom of the list, all the time!

Lately, though, I have been feeling more inspired and pressed to exercise.  It's been weighing on my heart, and I've been looking for the right opportunity to plunge into the activity!

Today was the day!  I had "another one of those days". I was feeling pretty sluggish and overwhelmed by my emotions from challenges of the day.  I asked my hubby to get the kids in bed, so I could exercise.  My mind was made up!  

I changed my clothes, slipped on my jogging shoes, and popped in my exercise DVD. Yep - the 20 minute cardiovascular workout sounds just right!

During and after my workout, I felt better.

I felt energetic.

The endorphins kicked in.

I felt negative emotions and baggage release.

Ahhhh....  Comfort for the body and the soul!

Studies have shown that stress dissipates with exercise.

Our bodies need movement.  Our blood needs good circulation.  Our lungs need to exhale and inhale more deeply.  Our hearts need to be revived! Our minds and emotions gain benefit from it all!

Have you had challenges in your life lately?  Have you felt sluggish?  Have you felt you needed or wanted to exercise?

Go for it! 

Give yourself a realistic goal.  When I *do* exercise, I usually only have time for about 15 or 20 minutes. Something’s better than nothing!

Get yourself moving and feel better!

For some valuable core exercises

check out Mass Gain Source's article here!

Natural Skin and Hair Care–Part Two

First of all, a note regarding my last post on the oil cleansing method:

You do not have to use the method twice a day. I use it once a day, each night before bed. I have read of other women using it less. When I am not cleansing with the method, I simply use water to cleanse my face.

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Last time I shared with you how to care for your skin. Today I will share with you a simple, natural method for obtaining soft, clean hair! Just as the oil cleansing method seems to be making its way around the web, the “No Shampoo” way appears to be the newest craze in caring for hair. Even a couple months ago, I discovered that a friend of mine had also started cleansing her hair this way.

So what is “this way” you ask?

Yes, baking soda and apple cider vinegar!

Some of you are probably familiar with using these ingredients for your hair or maybe just for other cleaning around the house. Others of you are probably shocked and amazed at this combination and wonder why in the world anyone would put this stuff in her hair!

Whatever category you are in, I encourage you to try cleansing your hair more naturally, even every once in a while. This method is economical, natural, and does the job well! I will admit… You don’t feel the lathery, sweet-smelling sensations that you do with normal shampoo and conditioner, and that may turn some of you off immediately. Sometimes, it is a true act of faith, as I rub these ingredients through my hair to get the simple and good results I am looking for. However, in the end, even as my niece testified the other day, my hair feels soft and supplely clean.

How to make your shampoo and conditioner:

I found a couple plastic, squeeze bottles at my local hardware store. Make sure you use plastic because you don’t want to be dropping glass bottles in the shower!

Shampoo: Mix 1 T baking soda per 1 cup of water.

Conditioner: Mix 1 T of apple cider vinegar per 1 cup of water.

I use a funnel to help pour the baking soda and vinegar into the containers.

To use your mixtures:

I always like to shake my bottle well before starting.

Douse your scalp thoroughly with your shampoo. Rub throughout your scalp, especially, and into your hair. Let sit for a minute or two and rinse.

Then douse the mid to end section (not your scalp) part of your hair with the conditioner. Rub into your hair well and leave on for a minute or two. Rinse.

That’s it!

Again, it might take some getting used to this new way. It is a very different experience than using “normal” shampoo and conditioner.

Give it a try and pass it on!

For more info check out Keeper of the Home. She’s got a great video there!

Also check out Stop and Smell the Chocolates. Lisa's got a wonderful three part update to her "No 'Poo" routine!

Natural Skin and Hair Care–Part One

I’ve always tried to take good care of my face, especially since I have been prone to breakouts.  A couple months ago I was looking for a new system.  I wanted to find a decent cleanser and moisturizer that didn’t cost a fortune and was naturally-based.  I have used some good products in the past, but I was hoping to find something more economical.  I looked online, at various stores, and was finally at Ulta, consulting with a woman there.  She directed me to a couple different products that were not very expensive, but I didn’t feel great about them.  They weren’t really what I intended.

I went home from Ulta feeling frustrated.  It’s hard enough to be in the stores, sometimes with children, trying to weigh cost, effectiveness, and ingredients let alone to find nothing that really suits your scheme.   Within a couple days, though, God led me to a routine that works well for me and fits right into my economical, non-toxic hopes and dreams!

Have you ever thought of using oil to wash your face?

Yes, oil!

The thought behind it is that “like breaks down like” – oil breaks down oil.  Using the right combination of oils breaks down the dirt and grime in your skin, purifies it, and leaves it soothingly moisturized.

Castor oil is used as the base oil because it is a detoxifying, purifying oil.  Most of us think of castor oil when we think about inducing labor, but it is actually a healing, cleansing oil that is used in medicines, cosmetics, and other common household items.  For more information on castor oil read here.

Along with the castor oil, you use a supplemental oil that is more moisturizing.  I have read about people using olive oil or sunflower oil.  I actually use Vitamin E oil.  Mine is from Jason and actually contains good oils like sunflower, apricot, and almond, and smells good!

I have combination to oily skin, especially during the summer, and have been using the following mixture:

25% Castor oil

75% Vitamin E oil

I use the clear bottle that is located in the center of the above photo to hold the mixture. 

To clean with your mixture:

Place about a quarter size puddle of the oil into your dry hands.

Massage this oil gently into and around your face and over your eyes as well to remove all makeup and dirt, for about a minute.  Enjoy the process!

Steam your face.  Wet a washcloth with hot water, squeeze, and place over your face to steam until the washcloth becomes room temperature.  Rinse the washcloth and repeat a couple times.  I take this time to pray for people who are on my heart at the time.

After steaming your face, rinse the washcloth again and then gently wipe all oil and makeup off your entire face. 

Your face will feel clean and moisturized!  If it doesn’t feel good, try to alter the ratio of castor oil you are using – less for dry skin, more for oily skin.

After I used this method for a couple days, my husband thought my skin was as soft as a baby’s bum!  He couldn’t believe how nicely it was working on my skin.

Enjoy your fresh, glowing skin!

*Note:  You do not have to use this method twice a day.  I use it once a day, each night before bed.  I have read of other women using it less.  When I am not cleansing with this method, I simply use water to cleanse my face.

For more info. on the Oil Cleansing Method check out these sites:

Keeper of the Home – has a Video with “How To” instructions.

Simple Mom

www.theoilcleansingmethod.com

 

Baby Shower

Over the weekend my mother-in-law and I hosted a baby shower for my new niece.  It was a lot of fun and went super well!

My mother-in-law worked hard to set the tables very nicely, and she placed a cake pop (ordered from Starbucks) in the middle of each napkin as a favor for each lady.  I had run across these cake pops recently and thought they were so adorable.  The pink one worked out perfectly for the shower!

For lunch we served a large salad bar.  I grilled chicken the day before and basted it with a yummy marinade while it was cooking.  My mother-in-law also prepared strips of ham and cheese, other vegetables, toasted walnuts, along with a combination of lettuces and dressings.  Each person could decide what she wanted on her salad, which worked out wonderfully!  We also served croissants to help complete the meal.

I made these adorable “Cute and Contented” cupcakes.  The original recipe is found on Wilton.com.  (Please don’t compare my amateur cupcakes with theirs!)  I came across the idea at “Mel’s Kitchen Café”.  I used a vanilla cupcake recipe for the actual cupcake.  You could use whatever recipe you like!

We played a few games:

Candy in a Bottle – Guess how many chewy Sweetart candies are in the bottle.

Don’t Say Baby! – Everyone wears a necklace with a safety pin(s) attached.  If you are caught saying “Baby”, you lose a pin.  The person with the most pins wins!  NOTE:  We had each player start with one pin, but I think it is more valuable if you start each person with multiple pins, between 3 and 5.  That way the person still has to be cautious about saying “baby” or could lose another pin!

Dirty Diaper Game – This game is a lot of fun.  We played this at the baby shower I helped host in February.  You melt a different candy bar in each diaper and participants have to guess which one is inside.  No tasting or moving the contents allowed!  Only smelling!  I would post pictures here, but my husband thinks they look a little gross.  ~Smile~

Tips from Other Blogs

The other day I read a helpful post on how to stand firm in your convictions and what you are doing as a family.

Check it out at “Life As Mom”.

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Also, don’t forget …. “Simple Mom” reveals her third hotspot today: toys and kids’ clothes – something we have been working on lately ourselves!

Have a great week!

Thinking of Japan

Photos taken from “The New York Times”

I have seen online that some bloggers have joined forces today to do a “Blogger’s Day of Silence” for Japan, and they are collecting donations.  With that notion in mind, I want to encourage you to consider sending financial support to Japan.  We are so blessed here in America, in our plush homes, with our gourmet food, cozy homes, and loved ones.  Think of those who have been through so much devastation and how it would be so beneficial and good for us to help.  Talk it over with your spouse… Pray about it… and give accordingly.

My heart and prayers go out to Japan!

Mexican Baby Shower

Over the weekend, a couple friends and I threw a baby shower for a friend.  She is part Mexican so my friends had the idea of throwing her a Mexican shower.  Everything went well, and all had a good time!

We used plenty of color to spruce up the event!

 

 

My friend put chili pepper “trees” on the tables for centerpieces, and cellophane-wrapped salsa jars that she also used for prizes for the games.

 

 

 

 

 

We served a nacho bar:

1. Taco Meat
2. Homemade! Refried Beans (made by another friend)
3. Nacho Cheese Sauce
4. Shredded Cheese
5. Lettuce (some plain and some with lime juice and salt)
6. Tomatoes
7. Tomato Salsa
8. Mango Salsa
9. Sour Cream
10. Guacamole

Oh, and homemade cornbread, too!!

My friend, Yolanda, who is from Guatemala, made Tres Leches cakes for dessert.  I do not know which specific recipe she used, but this one is very similar to what she made.  http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/tres-leches-milk-cake/Detail.aspx

My friend, Katie, planned the games.

The guests played a diaper game where you have to guess which chocolate candy product is melted inside.  That brought a lot of noisy, joyful chatter. 

A good follow-up was the game where a model was chosen from each group to display a pregnancy outfit that was made from an inflated balloon (which was the belly), an oversized T-shirt, fabric remnants, flowers, feathers, and ribbon.  Laughter filled the place, as the models came out in their creative garb!  It was quite a sight!

We were happy to have such an event come together so well and most of all, were happy to celebrate with our friend, Candice!

Best wishes and blessings for her and her baby!

A “Thanks” from My Friend

A couple weeks ago I asked you to vote for a friend who was part of a weight loss contest.  She ended up finishing Second Place!

Kirstie and I thank you for your support!

Please Vote for My Friend

My good friend, Kirstie Hansel, has been part of a weight loss challenge through “Fit Yummy Mummy” and has done a spectacular job!  She is actually a FINALIST and needs votes!  She is listed as #1.  Please vote for her!!

http://www.clubfym.com/public/842.cfm

Voting ends tomorrow night,

Thursday December 23rd,  5 p.m. EST.!

On the link you can scroll down to see Kirstie and her story.  Then click at the top of the page where you will be taken to the voting section!!

Thanks so much!

A Puzzling Situation

Why I haven’t been blogging as much?  I’ve got a LIST of topics to blog about with pictures and recipes waiting for you, so what is the problem?  Basically, it is a combination of two key things.

For one, I am trying to simplify and focus so I can take better care of my family and home.  I am fluttering around too much, feeling overwhelmed, like things aren’t getting done and feeling emotionally stretched to the max.

Secondly, I have been feeling paralyzed.  Have you ever realized how much negative emotions can simply paralyze you?  Fear, worry, disappointment, discouragement, loneliness, rejection… These types of emotions come in and bombard our great, motivational beings! 

How are you feeling these days?  Are you feeling on top of life?  Are you feeling productive or paralyzed?  What is motivating you and what are some of the things that help you keep the puzzle pieces of life together?  Let me know!

Blessings! 

Flexi Clip Giveaway

I ran across this giveaway, and the hair jewelry is not only very pretty but appears to be very practical as well – especially since I wear my hair up A LOT lately!

Check out the giveaway here…

http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2010/09/charming-and-elegant-lilla-rose-flexi.html