Style Tips

I am the last person you want to ask for fashion and style advice.  Since having kids, the style part of my brain is damaged:)  I have been trying to take the time to get dressed in anything other than sweatpants and wear makeup.  After I started trying a little harder to look more like a female again, I heard a radio program on Moody Radio, Midday Connection.  They had a special speaker on named Jill Swanson.  She is a fashion consultant and has written a book with fashion advice, "Simply Beautiful".  She focuses on how to bring your inner beauty out and how to highlight your best features.  You can check out her website jillswanson.com for more info.  I also checked her out on You Tube.  She has a video on how to wear scarves.  She has some really cute ideas.  Some of the advice she gave was to wear rounder shapes if you have a more curvy figure and the opposite if you are less curvy.  For example, wear rounded necklines and no stripes if you are curvy.  Stripes and v-necks are great for those with pencil shapes.  The same goes for your jewelry, round shapes for us curvy gals and more geometric shapes for thinner folks.  Also if you have long, more dainty legs, wear dainty shoes.  If you have thick legs, wear thicker soles and chunkier shoes.  It looks more uniform.  I have been following her advice and I really think I look more presentable.  I also just feel more feminine.  You can sign up for a free newsletter on Jill's website.  Happy fashion ladies.

Healthy Tasty Cookies

Since Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is fast approaching, many of us are already thinking about ways to avoid gaining weight over the holidays without depriving ourselves.  Well here is a great cookie recipe that uses those Thanksgiving cranberries.  I will give you the original recipe found on the Kellogg's All-Bran cereal box and my even healthier version.


All-Bran Cranberry-Chocolate Chip Cookies


Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1hr and 10 minutes
Servings: 42 cookies


Ingredients:
  2 1/2 cups      all-purpose flour
  1 teaspoon     baking soda
1/4 teaspoon    salt
     3/4 cup       butter or margarine, softened
     3/4 cup       granulated sugar
     3/4 cup       firmly packed brown sugar
              2        eggs
 1 teaspoon      vanilla
      1/4 cup      hot water
      1/2 cup      All-Bran cereal
         1 cup      Dried cranberries
 8 oz (1cup)     semi-sweet chocolate morsels
      1/2 cup      chopped walnuts


Now the healthier version


Ingredients:
  1 1/2 cups      all-purpose flour
         1 cup       whole wheat flour
  1 teaspoon     baking soda
1/4 teaspoon    salt
     3/4 cup       butter or margarine, softened
     1/2 cup       granulated sugar
     1/4 cup       Splenda
     3/4 cup       firmly packed brown sugar
              3        egg whites
 1 teaspoon      vanilla
      1/4 cup      hot water
      1/2 cup      All-Bran cereal
         1 cup      Dried cranberries
      3/4 cup     semi-sweet chocolate morsels
      1/2 cup      chopped walnuts


Directions:
1. In medium bowl, stir together flour, soda, and salt.  Set aside.
2. In large mixing bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed with electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Beat well.  Mix in hot water.  Add flour mixture and All-Bran cereal.  Beat until combined.  Add cranberries, chocolate morsels, and walnuts.  Mix until combined.
3. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets coated with cooking spray.  Bake at 375 degrees F for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from baking sheets.  Cool completely on wire racks.  Store in airtight container.


**** Play around with other variations like using some flax seed or sugar free applesauce in place of part of the butter.  Try some Splenda brown sugar to replace the brown sugar.  Make them as healthy as you want.  These cookies are becoming some of my favorites. 


Happy Holidays

It Takes All Kinds

This weekend my two youngest and I stayed with a childhood friend of mine for the Thanksgiving holiday.  It was interesting to watch her parenting style and overall mothering/spouse personality.  My friend is a very laid back yet very loving mother.  Her children learn early how to fend for themselves since there are 4 of them.  The youngest, who is only 1 1/2, can already climb up into her bar stool chair to eat her meal.  I was amazed to watch how the kids helped each other like little miniature parents-in-training.  My friend sows her children's clothes and gives them farm fresh milk and eggs from the neighboring farms.  But her parenting style is different from mine which I consider laid back.  I realized that I am a laid-back-planner mom.  My best friend is an organized-delegating mom.  She likes to do lots of research on parenting strategies and keeps to a somewhat rigid sleep schedule for her kids.  There are many styles but none is better or worse than the other.  The staples of love and support are necessities, making sure they have clothing, shelter, and food.  But the rest is up to your interpretation.  I like to get some advice from "experts" but there really is no owner's manual that comes with our children.  Whether laid back or organized, love them real good.

Thank You for Giving to the Lord

On Sunday my church honored me with a special presentation for being a Sunday School teacher.  They played the song "Thank You" made popular by Ray Boltz.  As I sat and listened to the song I was humbled and reminded that I have been given a huge responsibility that I need to take more seriously.  I started teaching Sunday School when I was still in high school because I loved kids and loved the Word of God.  I never really thought about what a responsibility it is.  I have been given a charge to keep, the charge of leading young hearts to Jesus.  While I thought about how much more time I needed to spend praying for my students and preparing my lessons, I also thought about all the people who helped to lead me to Christ.  I first have to thank my parents.  It is their influence that weighs heaviest.  I remember even as a small child waking up to find my father sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bible.  I have always enjoyed my dad and I's spiritual talks on our many road trips.  My mother and I have matured in the Lord together over the years.  My mom wears her heart on her sleeve and she is so willing to hear Godly advise from others and really takes it to heart.  My parents always took us to church and we never knew that we could choose not to go.  Secondly, I have to thank the many pastors and Sunday School teachers who have taught me and challenged me over the years.  Thanks to Pastor Rick Matthews for never telling me the answer to my questions but instead making me go find the answer.  And thanks to his wife Mary for being the one to lead me in a prayer of repentance at Vacation Bible School.  Thanks to my first two Sunday School teachers, whose names I can't remember, who went to be with the Lord during the years I was in their classes.  Their sweet spirits made me feel safe and loved.  And thanks to my mother-in-law.  She was my Sunday School teacher long before I joined her family.  She has been teaching as long as I have been alive.  She has invited hearts to Jesus for 30+ years.  May God bless you all!

I want to remind us all that we have a responsibility to teach our children.  We will be held accountable for what we did and did not teach.  May we all be found faithful.

Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.

And I know up in Heaven you're not supposed to cry,
But I am almost sure there were tears in your eyes,
As Jesus took your hand and you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child look around you, for great is your reward."

Shaken Baby Syndrome

I learned a very important bit of information when I was attending one of my child development classes in college.  Shaken Baby Syndrome is 100% preventable.  I know it sounds obvious but when you are a stressed out, sleep and sex deprived, financial strapped parent, you sometimes do not think very rationally.  If you are a new parent, I want you to know that if you are feeling overwhelmed and are afraid that you may hurt your child, take a time out.  Put your child safely in their crib and walk away for 10 minutes in another room.  Read a book or take a shower.  Your child will be safe and you can take some time to calm down.  Maybe even ask a neighbor that you trust to watch your child while you take a walk around the block.  If your child is a screamer or is colicky, then you need to have a plan for those times when you have had enough.  Have a plan in place that you tell to your spouse and others in your support system.  You are not a bad mom if you let your child cry for a few minutes while you take a timeout. 

Thankful

It is the time of year where we count our blessings.  Tonight I am thankful for my children's health.  I know that there are many parents who are spending tonight in a hospital room.  I can't imagine the pain and stress they are under.  I don't want to have survivors guilt when I look at my kids, but I am so thankful that they are healthy.  I thank God for the numerous times He has protected them from harm, times that could have been tragic but ended up just being little boo boos.  Like the time my daughter feel down the stairs head first.  Or just last week when my 7 month old put an entire leaf in his mouth while we were driving home from Mamaw's house. 
But Lord, I pray for all those mom's who tonight feel the pain of their child's sickness.  I pray that you would comfort them.  I pray that you would provide for the financial needs to pay the medical bills and to make up for hours lost at work.  I pray that you would touch their children and heal their broken bodies.  I pray that the children would be glimpses of Jesus to the medical staff.  I pray that Your presence would be felt and that Your love would be evident.  And thank you again for my children's health and help me to never take it for granted.  Amen.

Healthy Dilemmas

For me making healthy choices is a daily battle.  Even tonight I was feeling a little chubby and guilty about eating birthday cake yesterday and ice cream cake today and knowing that I am going to have birthday cake and fondue tomorrow.  I want to be healthy and thin but I just love food, especially sweets.  I have nothing against exercise in fact I enjoy walking and dancing.  I just lack motivation most days especially after several wake ups each night with the babies.  This winter weather is also a big downer.  Now I started this blog to be an encouragement to other moms and ladies, and so far this post is pretty sad.  But there is hopeJ  Here are some things that might help me and you in making healthy choices.  One thing I have been thinking about lately is that each day there are several moments of opportunity to make good choices.  For example each time I go to the fridge is an opportunity to make a good choice: apple or leftover cheesy potato soup?  Bran muffin or cupcake?  Tea sweetened with honey or coffee with cream and sugar?   These small choices can add up to big changes in weight.  According to “The Biggest Loser” just adding 2 teaspoons of sugar and 2 teaspoons of half and half to your coffee each day can add 10 pounds in a year.  No wonder I have trouble losing weight.  Another tip is to do something fun that you can include you kids in.  Sing the silly kid exercise songs and do the motions like “Father Abraham” and “Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes”.  Do some dancing in the living room.  Having crawling races.  Another tip, feed yourself like you feed your kids.  Most of us make sure our kids eat lots of fruits and veggies and little sugar.  We don’t let them have soda or Kool-Aid, but we eat fast food and cookies.  We even make sure they eat all the food groups.  We deserve the same.  Another tip, from Dr. Oz, is to use agave nectar in cold drinks, honey in hot drinks, and date sugar for baking, instead of sugar.  Make small changes like changing to lite mayo, turkey bacon, and whole grain bread.  Figure out what healthy foods you really like to eat and keep plenty of those on hand.  For me they are Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, and roasted broccoli.  And give yourself a cheat day so that you don’t feel deprived.  This is a reminder to you and me that we deserve to be healthy and feel good about ourselves.  Live well.

Military Moms

With Veterans Day just ending, I have been thinking a lot about the military families.  I have heard a lot  about the major stress deployment has on the family and the rate of divorce is on the rise.  And things seem to get worse after the soldier comes home.  I really can't imagine the stress and loneliness the spouses both feel when they are separated.  The advice I have been hearing from those who have gone through it is to not isolate.  Get out and get involved.  That goes for the rest of us non-military ladies.  We need to reach out to those young moms whose husbands are gone.  They need a shoulder to cry on or simply a babysitter.  More than that they need our prayers.  Please send a note of encouragement today to a military family that you know.  And if you don't know one, think about finding one.  I know that we are all busy but wouldn't you want someone to be there for you if you were the military spouse?  And thanks to all of you who have served our country so bravely.  Your effort is not unnoticed.  May God bless our military families and protect them.  Lord guard their hearts and their marriages.  Provide for their needs.  Help us be a beacon of hope for them.  Amen.

Things I Love About Being A Mom

Little feet -- bottoms face up --  and diapered bottoms as they crawl up and down the stairs.
The excitement on their faces when Daddy gets home.
The spontaneous "I love you Mommy".
Dimpled hands.
The giggles.
The first and last hug and kiss of the day.
The way my daughter talks about the entire day's events at bedtime to stall the inevitable.
Watching my children sleep.
Letting my 2 1/2 year old help with the baking.
That first smile.
Each new learned skill.
Singing Sunday School songs.
Living room dance parties.
The first trip to the park.
The first snow experience.
When they use big words correctly, like delicious:)

There are many things I love, but this is a quick list.  What do you love?

Hormones Shmormones

Since I am breastfeeding, I haven't had my period since I found out I was pregnant last year.  But that doesn't mean I haven't had all the darn symptoms.  I have noticed that I have been having the emotional roller coaster that comes with my cycle.  If we all think about it we have one week each month where we feel like superwoman and one week where we feel like sludge.  Those sludge weeks come with a lack of motivation, increased irritability and sensitivity, and self deprecating thoughts.  If you are like me, how do we deal with these weeks?  Well here are some ideas: journal, call a girlfriend, tell your husband about how you are feeling, take a walk, sing a song, take a bath, and give yourself a break.  So what if you don't get much accomplished during one of those weeks?  You will make it up on the superwoman week.  But more than anything remember that you are a priceless person who is worthy of respect and love.  Remember to love yourself those kind of weeks.  And most importantly, God loves you. 

Let Them Be Little

I just tucked my daughter in bed for the night and almost burst into tears as I hugged her goodnight.  I started thinking about how soon she was going to be too "big" to kiss mommy goodnight.  I thank God for these moments that remind me to be thankful for each day, each memory.  I thank Him that it helps me to slow down just a little bit to savor the moment.  They grow up way too fast!  I often think of that country song "Let Them Be Little" as I watch my children grow.  Everyday they learn something new and grow a little more independent.  I have met those parents who use the phrase "I can't wait til they can ____" when referring to their kids.  A wise friend told me that these kind of parents are wishing their children's lives away.  I try to not use this phrase or rush my children to grow up.  Yeah it will be great when my son can walk so that I don't have to carry that heavy pumpkin seat and it will be nice when my kids don't need car seats.  But Lord help me to savor each moment.  Lord slow us down.

Time Wasters

Have you ever thought about the things in life that annoy you because they seem like such a waste of time?  Like shaving your legs or putting away laundry.  Or Facebook:)  I feel like so much of my life is spending time on time wasters.  Sometimes I feel so guilty about watching TV or looking on Facebook.  I think about how I could have spent that time playing with my kids or making out with my husband.  But this is not a guilt trip but more of an encouragement to have moderation.  The world isn't going to stop revolving around the sun if we spend one evening watching Biggest Loser or if we spend an hour on Facebook once a week.  However we need to make sure that no one time waster is consuming a majority of our time.  Priorities help us keep our perspective and maintain balance in our lives.  Whatever your priorities are, write them down, or at least make a mental note.  This list may be what your ideal list of priorities is.  Then think about what is truly taking up your time and see if you need to make some adjustment.  My ideal list is God, family, friends.  I know in my heart I need to make a few adjustments.  Take some advice from Apostle Paul, "Everything is permissible for me -- but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissible for me -- but I will not be mastered by anything."

Warning Signs

I just wanted to let you know about some warning signs that I maybe should have noticed about my son's health.  I have been exclusively breastfeeding my son and had noticed that he had not been gaining any weight for 4 weeks as I weighed him at breastfeeding support group.  I mentioned something to the lactation consultant and she seemed a little concerned but I didn't pay close attention.  Then I took him to his 6 month appointment and he had only gained a few ounces in 3 months.  Since hindsight is 20/20, I began to look back and see all the small red flags that should have told me something was wrong.  1.  No weight gain. 2  His hair wasn't growing.  3.  His teeth weren't coming in.  4.  He wasn't taking any naps.  5.  He was only having a bowel movement every 3-4 days.   Now each of these flags could be explained away individually but as a whole they were a warning sign.  Praise God my son is fine and growing like a weed now thanks to feeding him whenever he wants and supplementing with some formula and baby food.  But I wanted to tell all of you so that if you ever are concerned about your child, please talk to a professional.  It is better to find out that everything is okay then to regret it later if something is wrong.

Learning to Ask

As a wrote in my post Money Monsters, I have had a little bit of financial strain this week.  But I want to report how God answered my prayers and helped me continue to put my trust in Him.  I mentioned that I would have to decide if I was going to trust that God could take care of us, and I have to be honest that I had some moments of weakness.  That morning I had a peace about it, but as the day wore on I began to let worry creep up.  I called my dear friend Andrea to talk a little about my worry and I thankfully regained my perspective. And I am happy to report that God showed up in a big way.  He supplied to cover all the needs we had for this weekend.  Some were just handed to us unexpectedly, but others I had to ask for.  As I mentioned in my last post, it is hard to ask for help.  It can be extremely humbling.  But James tell us, "You want something but don't get it.  You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want.  You quarrel and fight.  You do not have, because you do not ask God."(James 4:2)  Sometimes we have to ask for help.  How else can others know our needs and be able to bless us?  Remember again to remain thankful and have the right motives as James warns in the next verses, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."(James 4:3)  If the health and livelihood of your family requires you to humble yourself and ask for help, please do it.  There is not shame in admitting we have needs.  And remember, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."(Eph 3:20&21)

Give and Take

One thing I have learned since becoming a mother is that it is okay to ask for and accept help.  I am not sure why it is so hard to do for most of us.  When I was pregnant with my daughter I was put on strict bed rest and was told I could only get up to go to the bathroom.  You might think that this would be a blessing to be able to relax, but I had a hard time letting go of the control of my home.  I thought I could still do everything that I always had.  My doctor told me that if I didn't do what she asked I was in danger of having a stroke.  So I begrudgingly accepted help doing the daily things that I had done everyday of my adult life.  I still am not sure why it was so difficult to accept the help.  But since then, it has gotten easier to accept assistance, especially if it is to the benefit of my children.  I have begun to realize that we each have seasons of our lives where we are givers and some where we are takers.  In the season of motherhood I am a giver to my family but a taker of everyone else around me.  It is hard to not feel like a mooch, but I know that I will be in a different season someday where I can be a giver to those who are young mothers just like I am now.  For example, my parents and in-laws help us often by watching the children, occasionally buying us dinner, and finding good deals at garage sales for us.  They are in a position in their lives that they are financially and time-wise more stable than my husband and I are.  So they are able to give more.  But when they were my age they also received help from their parents.  And I will continue the tradition when my children are grown.  The important thing to remember is to not have a spirit of entitlement but of thanksgiving.  We are not entitled to have any help, but we could often use it.  Remember to say thank you and to pay it forward when you are able and be okay with letting others bless you.

Money Monsters

We have all experienced those sleepless nights when we are fretting about how we are going to pay that pile of bills on the desk.  We start to think of different scenarios about what we could pay part of today and a little of next week.  We think about things we might be able to sell on Craigslist.  It is at these times that the verse, "who by worrying can add a single hour to a day," comes to mind.  If God can clothe the lilies of the field and supply food for the sparrows, can't He take care of us too?  By no means should we stop working hard and being creative with earning extra finances but we really need to let God be in control.  He created us, so He knows what we need.  I woke up with a peace this morning knowing that God has provided in the past and will continue to provide.  Satan immediately attacked with an unexpected bill we received just this morning, but my test begins.  Will I trust God to be my provider?  I need to do my part and ask for His help and then be a good steward of what He has already given me.  For example, this weekend I am buying only the essentials at the grocery and eating things out of our pantry instead.  It might be fun to see what strange things I find in there.  It is also a time to make soup -- super cheap when you throw in whatever you find in your freezer:)  Lord help us all to lean on you as our provider but to be good stewards with your blessings.  Help our husbands to not carry the weight of the world on their shoulders but to place it in your capable hands.  Bless our families and provide for our needs.  Help us to know the difference between needs and desires.  Help us to count our blessings and to be thankful for all that you have already blessed us with, even if it is a meal of canned chili.  Thanks Lord.

Exercise

I know that last thing on our minds after we give birth is how am I going to work out now that I am a mom, but lets talk a little about it.  There are so many positive benefits to exercise whether you do it with your child or not.  Taking walks no matter how long with your child gives them much needed vitamin D and you some much needed stress relief.  I have found that this is one of the best exercises for me.  It is even better when you walk with a friend.  The walk also gives you an opportunity to have an activity/teaching time with your child.  I point out signs and objects all around and have my daughter tell me what they are.  We can work on colors and letters and animal sounds.  I know some moms who go to mommy and me yoga and have really enjoyed it.  Some gyms like the YMCA and Cardinal Fitness offer child care or at least a room where your child can hang out.  Workout videos can be great too because you can sneak in some workout minutes without having to get everyone packed into the car.  I know that time is limited but even a 10 minute workout can be beneficial. I find that I feel more relaxed, have a better body image, and have more energy after I exercise.  And lets admit it, who wouldn't want their body to look like it did before that bundle of joy came into your life:)  Try it -- you might like it.