tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011589966634487482024-03-05T21:21:57.575-06:00The Real Life is GoodThe days go by too fast. Sit. Drink Coffee. Write it down. The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-55762974322559912842020-07-06T12:56:00.003-05:002020-07-06T12:57:20.105-05:00"God offers courage, not escape." If you are familiar with my story, you know that I openly talk about my past issues with alcohol over-consumption. I decided to share this part of my story so that it no longer had this secret hold on my life. I felt alone in my struggle and as soon as I spoke it out loud, I felt as if I finally had control and that there was a community of people who could relate with me. Speaking out about our sin patterns gives us authority over our choices and sometimes even more awareness. When we finally stare that sin head-on and say, "no more will you win", WE start to win. It starts with little steps and grows into strides and finally into summiting our sin mountain where it's so far beneath us, we can't imagine going back down. <br />
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As I was thinking about how I would have typically reacted during a time of unsettling and staring into a foggy future, I started to be so grateful I gave up alcohol before the whole pandemic began. The last drop of alcohol I had was on January 2nd of 2020. I had lost the baby in November and slowly started sipping wine again. It never got out of control, and for that I'm grateful, but it was just so clear that it fit me like an ill-fitting sweater. It was uncomfortable and I felt like I looked silly in that sweater. It was an old garment, used and tattered and ready to go in the garbage. So I finally threw it away for good. Soon after I threw it out, I did some hard work of making myself truly believe I didn't need it anymore. I told friends and family that I would no longer have "casual" drinks and not to offer them to me. I told them if they saw me drinking, to confront me about it. I think giving others permission to help me in that way gave me even more confidence in my decision to be done. <br />
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At church a couple weeks ago, my pastor was speaking thoughts I had in my head before walking into the service. I started jotting notes down on my phone and as soon as he started speaking, I got my notes back out and added to them. He beautifully spoke to what I was thinking. This whole quarantine/pandemic/summer of riots has felt very.... heavy. strange. tiresome. among many other descriptive phrases I could use... but I'll refrain. Pastor Dave described them as stones being thrown. Stone after stone just kept on coming. <br />
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Shut down - stone. "Stay home"- stone. Closed parks - stone. Closed schools - stone. "You might die" - stone. "Wear a mask or you hate your grandma"- stone. "You're racist" - stone. "Defund the cops" - stone. Burning buildings - stone. "Your opinions are wrong" - stone. My Nanny dying - stone. My 34 year old cousin dying - stone. My great-uncle dying - stone. <br />
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Stone after stone just kept on coming. My mind tends to be very optimistic (maybe to a fault) but it just seemed like a lot. <br />
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Then Dave said some powerful words.<br />
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<b>"God offers courage, but not necessarily escape."</b> </div>
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My mind immediately went to what I was writing as I walked in the building. "When we start to focus on circumstances, we start turning to substances. But is what we are turning to anything of actual substance?" I was feeling those stones coming and I didn't see an end in sight. My optimistic brain was short-circuiting. I could only be positive about so much! The world seemed doomed. I didn't have my normal version of escape anymore, it just wasn't an option for me. What I started to do was consume as much information as I could. I read news and blogs and opinions all. day. long. I was addicted to information. I needed answers and there were NONE! No matter how much I searched, the only answer I could come up with was, PRAY!!! Pray and know that this is part of the story that God is writing right now. Humanity is full of sin and aching, as I wrote in my last blog post. We will die on this planet (unless we live during the rapture - COME JESUS!!) and Dave said another set of comforting words.<b> </b><br />
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<b>"God offers heaven, not earthly safety."</b></div>
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<b> </b> God never ever promised that we would live a comfortable, safe and happy life on EARTH. He promises us freedom from the worries of this world by giving us eternal life in Heaven. Beautiful, sin-free Heaven. Then he said,</div>
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<b>"When you live a heaven life, it changes how you see earthly circumstances around you."</b> </div>
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That couldn't be MORE true! As soon as you slip on your Jesus glasses, your perspective changes. This life isn't all there is. There is SO Much more to look forward to. While we are here, we aren't to worry or fret or lose hope. Jesus IS hope! He is the source of all we need. The greatest comfort we have. <b> </b></div>
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<b>"God offers peace while the stones keep coming." </b></div>
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To give you a little perspective, Dave spoke this message after learning that his wife was diagnosed, yet again, with breast cancer. Now THAT is a man of faith. A man on a mission to free people from their circumstantial mindsets. </div>
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<i><b>Phil 4:7 " And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." </b></i></div>
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As we stare into this uncertain future, set down your phone, seek the Lord and spend time in prayer. We are living through something historic, possibly even "Biblical". (definitely Biblical) Be grateful that we get to be a part of this time on Earth. We were hand picked and chosen to be living here during this time. Choose your words wisely, choose unity over division and relax in the Lord, knowing that He has this all planned out. <br />
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<br />The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-44034124227072287972020-06-09T14:31:00.001-05:002020-06-10T17:06:04.451-05:00The Earth and all it's people are groaning<div>
My last night at the beach, we were in awe of this amazing lightning storm happening all around us. There was no thunder, and it never did rain, but the sky was electric. This was the night the riots started in Minneapolis. </div>
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I was at the beach when the news story broke about the George Floyd killing. I was only using my phone to take pictures and post them quickly on Instagram as a little "vacation log" and got off of twitter and my news apps for the week. When I got back in the car for the drive home, I was appalled at what I saw. I couldn't bring myself to watch the entire 9, some odd, minute video, but I did watch parts of it. I saw people getting angry, rightfully so! What happened wasn't only BIZARRE it was WRONG! I don't understand what that Cop was doing or why, but that's besides the point. What the point IS, is that over the past couple weeks since watching this, I have seen some terrible evils rearing their head. There are mad cops, there are mad people in the black community, there are mad people in the white community... basically everyone is upset. Instead of getting upset TOGETHER, these people started getting upset APART, turning on each other and their own neighbors. </div>
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The more I see, the more I know that this is all part of what has been prophesied for years and years. First, you have a WORLDWIDE pandemic, forcing billions of people to completely halt and alter their lives. There were people dying and afraid. There were people killing themselves because they had lost everything. There were people turning on each other because they didn't agree about masks/no masks etc.. </div>
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This started the unrest. </div>
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Once things started calming down and starting to get back to "semi-normal" a race-war began. American citizens, who have been split in half and getting further apart for the past 15 years, started turning on one another. Black against white, cop against citizen. Anarchy, chaos, confusion, murder in the streets, riots. If you read the bible, this is nothing new. "There is nothing new under the sun." There will be very dark days in the end times. I am not saying Jesus is coming back tomorrow, I'm saying that the earth is groaning. The labor pains are becoming closer together. Humanity is hurting and crying out for a savior they don't know they need. The answer to these race wars isn't more or less legislation, more or less government, more or less laws, more or less cops... the answer is quite literally Jesus. Spreading the GOOD news that there is a God who loves us so much, that we have abundant Grace and Mercy. The bible is packed FULL of sinners hand picked and chosen by God to do big and mighty things. I'm not talking about sinners like, "I stubbed my toe and said a curse word" or "I lied to my granny", but sinners like murderers (Paul) and adulterers (David) being hand picked. God does this to show us that nobody is too far gone to have their life impacted by the Gospel. Nobody is below leading. These men were chosen as an example of the redeeming love of Jesus. A love so powerful, that despite your past, you can be used for GENERATIONS to come to bring people to Jesus. Isn't that good news? Aren't those the kind of messages we need to be spreading right now? </div>
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I have wondered if I should stay silent in this time, or if I should speak up. I have been told by many that right now isn't the time for "white voices" to be heard, but that is just further dividing us. I don't believe that God can only use certain voices at this time. If you feel led to talk, TALK! If you feel led to be silent, be silent! If you feel led to get down on your knees and pray, do it. If you feel like the only real change will come from marching with a sign, then go do that. We should be listening to the call of the Holy Spirit on our own lives right now. I know when to shut up, when to apologize and when to back down. Right now, I have been doing my best to listen and elevate voices that need to be heard. I haven't given my own opinion on much that is taking place and a lot of that comes from fear. I don't want to be criticized for my views or beliefs and I have a need to be liked (that is slowly fading). I want to have these tough conversations, but the answer I keep coming back to is that these people need Jesus. We ALL need Jesus. What we don't need is bowing before men apologizing for crimes we did not commit. We do not need to apologize for the way God created us or for the life we are living. We carry around with us enough guilt and shame as it is, we don't need to lump more on top of our shoulders over something we have no control over. We are each unique, with unique life experiences and voices. God placed us in our neighborhoods and families, it's what we do with our time that will shape us into the people we are meant to be. Instead of feeling like a victim, we should recognize the victory we ALREADY have in Jesus. ALL OF US! I have come up against some really tough situations, and those have shaped me into the person I am today. I have made some TERRIBLE decisions, but I needed to walk down that road in order to be refined by God. We go through fire in order to be refined. On the other side of that hard, of that heart break or that storm we find beauty. We find redemption, mercy and grace. We find that no matter what, God has our BEST in mind. He presents us with many choices and paths, its which way we decide to go that ultimately crafts our character. I wont make any excuse for the decisions I have made in the past. I knew when I chose to drink, it would only lead to regret, yet I chose it time and time again. God might lead us to the same place over and over again, and when we finally decide to stop dead in our tracks and turn the other direction, we find true freedom. <br />
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Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Racism. I believe it exists because I believe that sin and Satan are very real. Sin leads people to do terrible, awful things. The ONLY cure to racism is to cleans the heart through the sanctification of Jesus' grace and love. Without it, we will continue in our sin patterns and the hate and darkness within will only grow stronger and more callous. <br />
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Living in sin and becoming desensitized to evil makes people devalue life. We have celebrated horror and gore, "action" movies full of murder and graphic images. Pornography has devalued women and sex. Abortion has completely destroyed our idea that human life is sacred. These ideas get imbedded in people. Our culture celebrates drug and alcohol abuse, promiscuity and letting a woman "choose". We have Christian leaders who have turned on the heart of Jesus for his people and preached a message heavy with Grace and leaving out earthly consequences. Jesus doesn't PUNISH people for their choices, he merely allows earthly consequences to sin to happen. Arrests, guilt, depression, worthlessness, divorce, adultery, aborted babies, sickness, child abuse, wreckless violence, anger. These are often consequences of when we sin against ourselves or someone sins against us. We have got to understand WHY God warns us about certain sins in the Bible! It is for our GOOD! It isn't to deprive of us joy, but to give us joy that cannot be claimed in an instant, but lasting joy. It's to give us LOVE! If we harbor jealousy, comparison, anger, lust, pride - those things lead to a dehumanizing of those around us. An unhealthy self-love where we lift ourselves up on a pedestal and try to be better than everyone else. </div>
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There is so much darkness and hurt and oppression ALL OVER THE WORLD! There are children born into a life of trafficking, never knowing what it feels like to be truly loved. There are women used for their bodies to create babies to go into the trafficking circulation. Trafficking victims only have an average of a 7 year life span and they have to keep up with demand. There are MORE slaves today than EVER before in human history. These people need their names said too. MILLIONS of people who are quite literally invisible. These children deserve to play with friends and cry on a trusted lap. These women deserve to have a family and raise their children. These men deserve to get paid a fair wage for their work. These people are treated as disposable. And guess what? They are white, black, Asian, Somalian, Australian, Canadian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Korean... you name a race or nationality and they're in circulation right now being used, abused and then disposed of. THIS is the greatest human rights issue facing the world today. THIS is what we should be talking about. I am not trying to take away from the people in our country who feel like they are treated differently or not given the same opportunities as others. I am trying to point out, that WE LIVE IN A FALLEN WORLD. We live in a selfish, evil world and there will be NO redemption until Jesus returns for the second time. If we truly love people, we will share with them the good news that earthly suffering is temporary. These "earth suits" are not our home and we have a day to look forward to that there will be no more pain, or hurting or racism or slavery or abuse or hate or evil. We will be free from it all in the end. UNTIL then, we are to love. We are to UNITE, not divide. And we are to expect to be persecuted and hated. Jesus told us what to expect in Matthew 24 and 25 and it's that we are to be persecuted like he was. The world will hate us. The world hates the truth. Look to the WORD, not the world. Understand the scriptures, especially the warnings of the end times when people will seek out for themselves only those who speak what they want to hear, and silence voices who don't. Seek truth and speak truth. </div>
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<b><u>"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." 2 Tim 4:3-4</u></b></div>
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<b><u>"So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the WHOLE WORLD." Rev. 12:9</u></b></div>
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<b><u>"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." - John 3:19</u></b></div>
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I have been praying constantly about this unrest, about the deep hurting and confusion happening all over the world. Let me say one last thing. Nothing will become suddenly, magically solved by who we vote for. God had plans when he laid the FOUNDATIONS of the world. Please, do not place your entire faith and trust on ANY man or woman to do the job that only God can do. No president or politician can heal human hearts. Please, by all means, still vote! But we must understand that this isn't a bad policy or law, it's the groaning of human hearts in need of a savior. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"FOR OUR STRUGGLE IS NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST THE RULERS, AGAINST THE AUTHORITIES, AGAINST THE POWERS OF THIS DARK WORLD AND AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS." </span><br />
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<b></b><br />The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-55347833344201656302020-05-04T22:29:00.001-05:002020-05-04T22:29:37.302-05:00Podcast Interview recap with Kay Levesque of Love 2 HopeIf you haven't yet, listen to the podcast <a href="http://anchor.fm/thereallifeisgood">here</a>! This post is a little summery of what we discussed..<br />
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I had the privilege this week to interview a speaker from last year at my MOPS group. Kay Levesque and her family came and spoke to our group about the realities of Human-trafficking, Sex-trafficking, Labor-trafficking and child-trafficking. I had heard Christine Caine with <a href="https://www.a21.org/index.php?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-r71BRDuARIsAB7i_QMWd93UYrYjjNcgC3ttxE_yp5ChhLgFpZazlwluMoc1Bv0AczrmRqgaAqTDEALw_wcB&site=true">A21</a> speak on the horrific realities of human trafficking before, so I knew a little bit about it. I think most of us know that there are modern day slaves. If you're like me, you didn't really want to know much about it because then that knowledge comes with a responsibility. It's the sad reality of most consumers out there. But did you realize how staggering the child sex trafficking trade is? In this post, I'm going to sum up a little bit of our conversation, but I would encourage you to go to her website <a href="https://love2hope.com/">Love 2 Hope</a> for more resources. <br />
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We talked a little bit about hotspots in the U.S. A lot of trafficking happens over the border, under the guise of refugees and immigrants. If you're wanting to know more locations <a href="https://polarisproject.org/">Polaris Project</a> has a lot of resources and an infrared map that shows the "hotspots". <br />
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Here are just a few facts I jotted down during our discussion. <br />
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30-40 million people are trafficked globally (includes all forms of slavery)<br />
5 million of those are sex-trafficking victims, and is growing every year. <br />
Sex trafficking is the 2nd highest grossing criminal activity worldwide at $150 billion annually. (second to drugs and right above illegal weapons, with projections to be the number 1 criminal enterprise, thanks to the internet)<br />
women and children who are sex-trafficked have a 7 year life expectancy because of the abuse they endure day in and day out. No breaks. <br />
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The numbers seem almost overwhelming. <br />
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So, what can we do to fight human trafficking? <br />
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Become involved! Pray, journal and become educated. Watch documentaries (True Cost was recommended), read survivor stories, BELIEVE survivors, educate your children about the dangers of pornography, understand that pornography and sex-trafficking and slavery go hand-in-hand. Get involved in local non-prophits. Follow organizations that fight trafficking and share their content on social media. Falkirk Center, A21, Love2Hope, Shared Hope International just to name a few. <br />
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Now, to fight labor trafficking. First, head to this <a href="https://slaveryfootprint.org/">slavery footprint</a> website to open your eyes to how many estimated slaves you have directly working for you. Download the app, Buycott, you can scan barcodes and find out more about what you're purchasing. Look for the label Fair Trade on items you buy. (chocolate, coffee, bananas and clothing have the highest slavery footprint.) Buy second hand clothing to reduce directly purchasing from brands that exploit slaves, or go to <a href="https://www.fairtradecertified.org/shopping-guide/fair-trade-clothing-guide">this website</a> to find clothes that are fair trade! There are many more ways to fight labor trafficking, this is by no means an exhaustive list, but it's a start! <br />
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This is by far the most slaves our world has ever had in history. This human rights issue has no racial preference, and effects men, women and children. Please, educate yourself, share what you find and do your part to fight this! <br />
<br />The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-8463899391715684412020-04-18T16:06:00.000-05:002020-04-18T16:06:57.426-05:00Nobody said it was easy. <div>
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I'm a big, huge Coldplay fan. This has nothing to do with the rest of my post, other than this part of their song, The Scientist adequately describes how I am feeling right now. </div>
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<span jsname="YS01Ge">Nobody said it was easy</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">It's such a shame for us to part</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Nobody said it was easy</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">No one ever said it would be this hard</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Oh take me back to the start</span></div>
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<span jsname="YS01Ge">I was just guessing at numbers and figures</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Pulling your puzzles apart</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Questions of science, science and progress</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Do not speak as loud as my heart</span></div>
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This is just a snippet of this song, but I sat down to write a post about the way I was feeling about this whole Pandemic, and the words, "Nobody said it was easy" came to my head. I have been struggling the past few weeks how to adequately describe my emotions, thoughts and feelings surrounding this time we are all facing. I have had moments of absolute peace, severe anxiety, utter devastation, motivation, restfulness, yearning and grief. </div>
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I want to talk about each of these feelings and explain why. </div>
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Let's talk about peace. For too long, I have felt hurried and rushed. I already have extreme FOMO (fear of missing out) and tend to pass that onto my children, whether they feel that or not. I have always thought of myself as an extrovert, but it's partly because I'm afraid I will miss out on something epic and awesome if I don't go to every. thing. Since the Coronavirus has halted our entire lives and cancelled all of our plans, I have had tremendous peace. We have slept in, erased our calendar and done life simply and quietly at home. Soccer was cancelled, Maxine's three-day school was cancelled (and all the things that come with that), church, MOPS, coffee dates, playdates, Sunday lunch. While I miss a lot of these things, it has made me reassess what we will allow back into our lives when this is all over. I have felt a lot of peace just simply being with family. </div>
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Yet, on the opposite end of the spectrum is severe anxiety. I have never been one to struggle with SEVERE anxiety. Every now and then, I will get anxious and overwhelmed and have negative feelings that seem to take over, but I've always suppressed them. I don't like to live in a negative place for very long, so what I tend to do is vent out all of my frustrations verbally to someone or put on a good sad movie to cry it all out. I don't cry easily so it helps to have a jumping off point. In the past I would drown out my feelings with alcohol, but since that isn't an option, I have been feeling all of my feelings without much of an outlet. I haven't been able to get away from the kids for breathers and talk with my people to vent things out and have a fresh perspective brought my way. I have been fed fear-mongering lies from the media that I have been careful not to let infiltrate my thoughts, but the thoughts still come. I am trying to figure out who I can trust and where we will be going from here. I have crippling scenarios of "what ifs" going through my mind and waking me up in my dreams. But, I have that balance of Peace to bring me back down. The balance of God's word FILLED with promises, knowing that no matter what we face on the Earth, He is with us, and has the ultimate control. No virus or world leader has the power, only HE does. </div>
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Now, let's talk about the utter devastation, motivation and grief I have been feeling. I don't know when it began, but a few years ago, I started to realize if I thought about someone else's pain and heartache enough, I could actually feel it. I would begin feeling it on such an intense level I wouldn't be able to shake it from my mind. Jordan told me that I needed to protect myself from these feelings, so I stopped being informed about the depravity of our world. The magnitude of it would overwhelm me and I would cry for days on and off and feel pain deep in my heart. I have realized that separating myself from the pain others face in this way is also not healthy. We all need to face the truth about our world and the pain and horror others face, or we will stop caring. At the beginning of this epidemic, I was thinking about all of the people who live paycheck to paycheck, wondering how they would feed their families and make ends meet. I thought about the substance abuse and physical abuse that would be ramped up during this time in the homes of some. Praying for these people has been a daily priority, as I don't even know what else to do at this moment in time. </div>
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I have watched the daily press conferences that the President has held for the past couple of weeks, just to stay informed. The other day, he said something and nobody even followed up with a question. He had openly said that he was going to be fighting the drug cartels trying to infiltrate this country during this pandemic, and had released the full power of the military in order to do this. One of the reporters asked him if there were other illicit activities these cartels were carrying out. Trump said human trafficking and sex trafficking. He went on to talk about it for a couple minutes, and when he was finished, the media went right back to their fear-mongering tactics and president-hating rhetoric. They completely ignored what he was saying. As I started to look into this, I saw things that devastated my heart but brought me a lot of hope. The media refuses to cover any of it, for whatever reason, but I needed to understand more. In January he talked about completely wiping out these large human trafficking organizations and working to rid it from the earth. There are literally millions of people suffering in slavery around the world. Slavery is bigger today than it has ever been in the history of mankind. </div>
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When I started to realize that Trump has been fighting two "invisible enemies" during this time, I wept. I wept for the callousness of the media and people that don't support him no matter what he does. I wept for the women, men and children trafficked all over this world. I wept for a couple days while the weight of it all seemed almost overwhelming. I was led to Psalms 2-6 and just got on my knees and wept them to the Lord as a prayer. I have been filled with a fire that has turned my weeping into righteous anger. I am feeling motivated now, more than ever to get involved in some capacity. I am praying right now what God would have me realistically do during this time. (I will be writing more on this topic next week.)</div>
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The next thing I have been feeling is a yearning. We have been spending a lot of time outside and together as a family. We've been barefoot in the yard planting thigs, playing in dirt and listening to the leaves in the trees blow in the wind. I have a yearning for slow, nature, connection, friendship. I know that we were not created to live these fast-paced, consumer driven lives. I know we were made for much much more. I'm hoping for a mass revival, spiritual awakening and a real shift in the way people make decisions moving forward. Not revolving around success, money, fame or the "American dream", but rather for gratefulness, humility, community and spirituality. </div>
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I know we live in a fallen world, full of fallen people, and we will never truly experience the fullness of life God designed for us until the time of the new heaven and the new earth arrives. But, while we are here, maybe we can give a glimpse of that life to each other, our families and communities and start to value every human life. It's time to stop turning a blind eye to the cries of poverty, slavery, injustice and human rights all over the world silenced by the Media and Hollywood. It's time to truly see that this world isn't operating how God intended it to, and move in a different direction. Let's heal, starting with our own hearts and way we spend the time left in our lives and continue that ripple into our communities and eventually, the world. </div>
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"Nobody said it was easy, Oh let's go back to the start."</div>
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The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-82677501845442184492020-03-29T10:47:00.001-05:002020-03-29T10:47:41.649-05:00Here's the real: Life is hard, and still good. When I say The Real Life is Good, I want to say it and mean it. <br />
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Here's the truth: Life is hard, life is a struggle, life is unpredictable, life is a gift, life is fleeting, life is precious, life isn't ours, life is overwhelming. And through it all, Life is Good. Real life. Not the picture of life you see happening while you scroll. Not the life that you imagine for yourself, but the life that is yours. <br />
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Through the hard, good can be seen. Even if just a glimmer. <br />
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I'll use myself as an example. Here's the hard. In November, I suspected that the baby I had been carrying wasn't alive anymore. I had stopped feeling kicks and had a gut feeling something was off. I needed to hear the heartbeat. I went into my appointment anxious that my suspicions would come true.. and they did. I went through a rough week and next couple months. After my hard labor and delivery with Daisy, Jordan and I decided that we were done having children. I didn't want to go through anything remotely close to that again. Then I obviously got baby fever again, and we started trying again. Then after losing the baby in November, I told him that I was actually finally done. No more, I don't want to experience any more trauma. I had 3 beautiful babies and was blessed above and beyond with my kids... fast forward a few months and I got baby fever again. With my due date approaching (April 13th) I have been hyper aware that I am not pregnant. A family friend who was due around the time as me, had her baby, and right when I saw the precious one's face I unexpectedly burst out into tears. I should be experiencing that. I threw the phone across my bed and let myself weep. Then I heard God tell me, "It's okay to long for what was lost, but it's also okay to rejoice with those who rejoice." So I picked my phone back up and stared at the sweet face, saying a prayer for them as they enter into this sacred time with their baby.<br />
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This week, something beautiful also happened, I took a pregnancy test and a faint positive was shown. I was pregnant again! How redeeming! I had planned to tell my family on Easter (the day before my original due date). I thought it would be a beautiful way to turn the sadness around into an unexpected surprise! After 3 positive pregnancy tests this week, I have experienced what is called a "Chemical Pregnancy". A child had definitely been conceived, but my body had not fully become pregnant, and I miscarried. I'm disappointed, sad, confused and losing a little bit of hope that I will ever have that 4th child we so desired. I keep thinking my body is broken, that my time of being pregnant, cuddling an infant, nursing, being sleep deprived and all the things that come with a new baby, that stage of my life has passed. I'm trusting that this is part of God's plan for my life and the story He is writing. <br />
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Sitting here, typing this now, I am watching the children I DO have play, sitting in a comfortable house where every need is taken care of. The rest of the world is going through a true epidemic, but I am not. My husband's job is secure, we have plenty of food, nobody is sick and we are protected. I struggle to allow myself to mourn anything today. I know that God desires to give his children good gifts, and he truly, truly has. The glimmer of hope that I see unfolding before me is that I have years of parenting to look forward to with my three. So many milestones, stages and decades to look forward to of being their mom. <br />
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I have started using my voice for speaking up about the realities of life. With that in mind, I won't keep my story hidden. I have started sharing and just because this is recent, real and raw doesn't mean I wont talk about it. 8 out of 10 miscarriages are in the first three months. 1 in 4 women experience miscarriage. A chemical pregnancy is still the loss of a conceived child that was loved and wanted. These are the facts. I was chosen to walk through the things I've walked through, for whatever reason, and I will continue to share those things. <br />
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<b>"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that <i>far outweighs them all</i>. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18</b>The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-2863197972498118122020-03-27T07:03:00.001-05:002020-03-27T08:26:13.280-05:00Less is More<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This morning, like many my Dad said he experienced as I was growing up, "the Lord woke me up." (Maxine's electric toothbrush kept turning on randomly in my bathroom like it was a set alarm clock... okay, God, I'm awake!") I have had just so much on my mind lately during this "pandemic". I'm thinking about every person impacted by this. Whether it be job loss, financial uncertainty, lonliness and isolation, cancelled trips, babies due during this time... it's all weighing on me. I am somewhat of an empath, so when I think too deeply about any of these things, the feeling is crippling. I, myself, haven't experienced much loss out of this situation. We are definitely blessed that Jordan's job is a necessity at this point in time, and if anything he will just end up working MORE if he's needed. And what's funny, is I have always considered myself an extrovert, but I'm discovering just how much I enjoy being home and having ZERO plans. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">What will life look like after this? Will everyone live a slower life? Will people go back to eating dinner with their families every night and spending their weekends at home and not going from activity to activity? Will kids get the opportunity to combine home and school in some kind of hybrid school? Will jobs allow people to work from home more often now that they've seen how much can still get accomplished? I don't think there will be a great depression following this experience, I think there will be a great awakening and a financial boom! There are new ways of living, working and educating being explored right now that could transform our very way of life! We are starting to see what needs to stay and what can go. The priority shift about to take place will send shockwaves throughout the world, but I don't think for the bad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">God missed us. He saw how anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, short-on-time, hurried and greedy we were and decided to give us the much-needed break we all so desperately needed. No way we would have chosen any of this for ourselves, but He said,<i> "Enough is enough. I AM enough. What you have is enough. Those in your 4 walls are enough. Breathe. Rest. Be."</i></span></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NIV-23488" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">28 </sup>“Come to me,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23488A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23488A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></sup> all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23488B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23488B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></sup></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-11-29" id="en-NIV-23489" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">29 </sup>Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23489C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23489C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></sup> for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23489D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23489D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></sup></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-11-30" id="en-NIV-23490" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">30 </sup>For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11: 28-30</span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="text Matt-11-30" id="en-NIV-23490" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b></b><b></b><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-11-30" id="en-NIV-23490" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj" style="box-sizing: border-box;">What God promises us in times of rest is a light burden. He doesn't want us to pile more and more and more upon our plate that we don't even know where to start. As a nation, we are in extreme debt. I don't mean the government, I mean as individuals. Our need for more, bigger, better will never end. God created us <i>perfect</i> in a<i> perfect</i> garden in a <i>perfect</i> order... Since the fall, man has been striving ever since to attain that perfection again. In that striving, we have given up some of the most important things in life in order to have just a little taste of perfection. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-11-30" id="en-NIV-23490" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We clean and decorate our homes based off of a Pinterest perfection that isn't sustainable. We cook our meals comparing them to cookbook pictures and Pinterest food photographers who work on their craft YEARS before achieving the perceived perfection. We turn in our paid-off vehicles that need occasional maintenance for an upgraded version that will look the part and never need new parts. We send our children to school 40 hours a week for others to raise as we spend our days working to pay for the things we don't need and can't afford. We grieve the time spent away from them but don't see how we can do life any other way. We click the link under what she's wearing because those jeans <i>need</i> to be in my closet. We starve ourselves so we can then fit into those jeans... they don't fit perfect quite yet. We skip church on Sunday mornings because it's the only morning of the week when we can sleep in. Somethings gotta give, right? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">We are constantly going, constantly measuring and weighing ourselves and finding ourselves wanting, when God has said over and over again that we are enough. Just as we are, with what we have. He will provide. <b>1 Cor. 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." </b></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The bible verses about Provision and rest are endless. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">My hope in writing this post is not to throw guilt on any person, but to start the wheels in your head turning. Jordan and I live in a comfortable house, we have an extra vehicle "just in case", we have 3 healthy children, our pantry is stocked (and toilet paper supply), we have running water, climate controlled house, comfortable beds, clean clothes (a plenty)… and yet I have found myself wanting more, needing more, feeling restless, trying to fill the gaps of imperfection with counterfeit perfection. I find myself wanting a bigger house, a cleaner back yard, a perfectly organized house, a the best school-choice, upgraded vehicles, a part-time-job to give myself some kind of false affirmation, a new hair style, an extra pair of shoes (although I have enough). I find myself going down this spiral and I have to remind myself the lifestyle we have chosen to live cannot realistically attain all of these things. I compare what we have to what others have, instead of being grateful for the wonderful life God has provided for us. I tend to look at it as an itch for change, but in reality, it's an itch for more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>God is saying to everyone in this moment in time, <i>"Less."</i> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I pray each of us has less from here on out. Less worry, less stress, less comparison, less sleepless nights, less debt, less on our plates. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just, Less. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><b></b><b></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><b></b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-11-30" id="en-NIV-23490" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b></b><b></b><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-11-30" id="en-NIV-23490" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="woj" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-15184621003788726192020-03-26T12:53:00.002-05:002020-03-26T12:53:17.978-05:00Podcast Episode 2 - Carmen Needham Interview - resourcesHey yall! If you're here, that means you're wanting some resources that Carmen mentioned in our episode! Thank you for listening and I can't wait to share more with you! <br />
<br />
First: R. Keeth Matheny - <a href="http://sellaunchpad.com/">http://sellaunchpad.com</a><br />
<u><span style="color: #000120;"></span></u><br />
Second: Parenting with Love & Logic: <a href="https://www.loveandlogic.com/">https://www.loveandlogic.com</a><br />
<br />
Third: <a href="https://www.christianbook.com/child-revolutionary-strategies-nurture-childs-developing/daniel-siegel/9780553386691/pd/386691?en=bing-pla&event=SHOP&kw=family-0-20%7C386691&p=1179517&dv=c&msclkid=261f7ff43f011b3985ec2188d50f493f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20Main&utm_term=4580565442052542&utm_content=s-family">The Whole Brain Child</a>: Dr. Daniel Siegel<br />
<br />
Below is an example chart like the one we discussed in the episode. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: -22.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 901px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 86.75pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 86.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.75pt;" valign="top" width="176">
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Identify your time of struggle:</b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Ex: Bath time</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 86.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 108.8pt;" width="145">
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is the plan:</b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 86.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 108.8pt;" width="145">
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jobs we can help to engage the little
people?</b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 86.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 108.8pt;" width="145">
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How do we know if we are starting to
escalate?</b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 86.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 217.75pt;" width="290">
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">De- Escalation Techniques</b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 346.35pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 346.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.75pt;" valign="top" width="176">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Non-Negotiables:</b><br />
<br />
Kid needs to get cleaned<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is your goal?</b><br />
<br />
Get him cleaned<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is your fluff
that is not important?</b><br />
<br />
It doesn’t have to be a bath, it can be a shower.<br />
Get rid of the toys that cause him to want to stay longer
and cause a problem.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Are there any
distractions?</b><br />
Get rid of the phone.<br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 346.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 108.8pt;" valign="top" width="145">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Give Jack a shower instead of a bath. Get rid of the toys
in the bath tub so they are not a temptation or discussion for a longer
shower. Get him cleaned and then to bed. 5-7 minutes top.<br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 346.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 108.8pt;" valign="top" width="145">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have him wash his own body with
the loofa. Help him put his own shampoo in his hair.</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 346.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 108.8pt;" valign="top" width="145">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Triggers?</b>
Yelling from the toddler<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Physiological
Responses?</b><br />
My heart starts racing<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is your phone in
your hand?</b><br />
If it is, let it go and drop kick it sister!<br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 346.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 217.75pt;" valign="top" width="290">
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Create a signal with your child that you need
a break</div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Do not speak. Or say your empathetic one
liner, but don’t engage.</div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Put your hands behind your back to avoid
physical contact with your child.</div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Remove yourself from the situation</div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Move it or Lose it: Jumping Jacks, Yoga,
Stretches, deep breathing technique (Breath-in 4 seconds, hold 4 seconds,
Breath-out 4 seconds, hold 4 seconds- Repeat), meditate, pray</div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Avoid your phone</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 71.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 71.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.75pt;" width="176">
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Identify your time of struggle:</b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 71.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 108.8pt;" width="145">
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is the plan:</b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 71.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 108.8pt;" width="145">
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jobs we can help to engage the little
people?</b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 71.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 108.8pt;" width="145">
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How do we know if we are starting to
escalate?</b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 71.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 217.75pt;" width="290">
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">De- Escalation Techniques</b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 375.3pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 375.3pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 131.75pt;" valign="top" width="176">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Non-Negotiables:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is your goal?</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is your fluff
that is not important?</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Are there any
distractions?</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 375.3pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 108.8pt;" valign="top" width="145">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 375.3pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 108.8pt;" valign="top" width="145">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 375.3pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 108.8pt;" valign="top" width="145">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Triggers?</b> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Physiological
Responses?</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is your phone in
your hand?</b><br />
<br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 375.3pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 217.75pt;" valign="top" width="290">
<br />
<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-37697498608924934482020-02-12T13:07:00.000-06:002020-02-12T13:07:41.724-06:00Overcast skies and Downcast spiritIt's so odd when I go outside and the atmosphere matches what is happening within. There are sunny happy days where the birds are chirping and I am feeling bubbly and excited about life. Then there are days like today, where there are clouds hovering above me literally and figuratively. The rain drips from the skies as the tears drip from my eyes. This isn't a sobby journal entry, rather, it's an expression of human nature. God created us with complex emotions and struggles. Relationships seem to bloom and flourish one day and the next seem to be wilting and the growth - stunted. Jobs can be successful one day - and the next be swept out from under us. Emotions can over-take us and in turn make us lose our focus on the Lord. For a personality type like myself (enneagram 7, thank you Carlin...) my mood doesn't stay down for long. I do not enjoy wallowing or even being slightly sad. I enjoy being happy and upbeat so when these days come, I tend to look for the silver lining or purpose for these feelings. <br />
<br />
I was reading about Jacob today in Genesis and what I read was interesting for my feelings this exact day: (and please don't skim over these verses, like I sometimes tend to do... read them)<br />
<br />
Genesis 32:24-28<br />
"So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until day break. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob" he answered. Then the man said, your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and man and have overcome." (In case you missed it, God is "the man" in this)<br />
<br />
God recognized his struggle against Him as a good thing, as something that made him into the man He had intended him to be. He changed his name from Jacob, meaning "to follow behind, supplanter or assailant" to Israel which means "Struggles with God, God prevails." He looked at it as something to reward him for, not punish him for. God doesn't want us to stay safe in our faith but to wrestle with it. <br />
<br />
Sit in the discomfort. Squirm in the uncertainty. Run your fingers through the questions. Wrestle with The Word (which could be scripture or God Himself). Nothing you could yell at him about will stop him from loving you or even calling you Righteous. He is not easily offended and keeps no record of wrongs. He can take it. He can withstand the unrelenting doubt or questions and will strengthen YOU through it all. <br />
<br />
Later on in the same chapter in Genesis, Jacob names the place he wrestled with God "Peniel" which means The face of God. <br />
"The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip." vs. 33:33 This is a picture of what happens to us in life. We will encounter struggles which leave us with emotional scars or visible reminders of our choices and seasons of doubt. He wasn't cast away because of his struggle, but blessed and used in a mighty way. We will be left with scars and possibly even visible wounds, but God promises to use those in a big and mighty way. We don't go through our experiences left without bruise or blemish. Embrace it. Walk with a limp. <br />
<br />
So on days like today, when my soul is downcast within me, I look at it as a refinement period. Just as David writes in the Psalms:<br />
<br />
Psalms 42:5 "So then, my soul, why would you be depressed? Why would you sink into despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what,<i> I will still sing with praise</i>, for living before his face is my saving grace! Here I am depressed and downcast. <b>Yet</b> I will still remember you as I ponder the place where your glory streams down from the mighty mountaintops, lofty and majestic - <i>the mountains of your awesome presence.</i> My deep need calls out to the deep and kindness of your love." <br />
(The Passion Translation - Italics added)<br />
<br />
I have a deep sense of Joy waiting to emerge from behind the clouds. Like the sun peeking through the clouds after a storm, revealing a rainbow that is His promise.<br />
<br />
Psalm 18:17-19<br />
"He then reached down from heaven, all the way from the sky to the sea. He reached down into my darkness to rescue me! He took me out of my calamity and chaos <i>and drew me to himself,</i> taking me from the depths of my despair! <i>His love broke open the way </i>and he brought me into a beautiful broad place. He rescued me - <i>because his delight is in me</i>!"<br />
(The Passion Translation - Italics added)<br />
<br />
If only we knew the depth of His love and comprehended it. We would come to Him with our doubts directly instead of talking behind His back. We would ask Him the question directly and go where He leads. We would feel secure in ourselves and let go of our shame and earthly shortcomings. We will never be enough in earthly eyes - but we are EVERYTHING to Him. Our human mind cannot fathom how he could possibly keep track of every living person or even understand how he finds value in every living person, but He does. He dwells among us and within us. He created every man and woman and child in his image. <br />
<br />
If we look hard enough, we will see the sun peeking through the clouds. We will welcome the warmth it brings and turn our face towards it. We will shed the layers we have put on ourselves of ill fitting clothes, and put on the righteous attire He has laid out for us to take, woven together, fitting each individual person perfectly. <br />
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I pray that we discover who God has created us to be and start to use the gifts and talents he so graciously bestowed upon our souls. <br />
<br />The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-77705536370188472662020-02-05T12:50:00.000-06:002020-02-05T12:50:35.206-06:00Not sure how to follow that up...<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
I've spent the last few days re-reading my previous blog post, kind of surprised I posted it. If you know me, you know that I'm an open book and I will literally tell you anything... but that post? That was tough. I have been wanting to talk about it for the last 18 months, but it wasn't something I had <i>gone</i> through, it was still something I was <i>going</i> through. I wasn't on the other side of it yet. </div>
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{If you're not sure what post I'm referring to you can find it <a href="https://www.myfancyschmancylife.com/2020/01/its-time-i-tell-you-my-story.html">here</a>.} </div>
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One of the reasons I shared that story, is because I want others out there to not feel so alone in their failures. We ALL fail. Possibly not as epically as I did, but we do. I was reading a Joyce Meyer book this morning called<u> Healing the Soul of a Woman</u>. If you're struggling from past abuse, self loathing or living in a constant spiral of shame, this book is for you. Today, I read something so profound it almost quite-literally blew my mind. </div>
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She writes, "A rattle snake, if cornered, will sometimes become so angry<b> it will bite itself</b>. That is exactly what happens when we harbor hate and resentment against others - <b>we "bite" and poison ourselves. </b> We think that we are harming others by holding on to spite and hate, but the deeper harm is <b>actually done to ourselves</b>." </div>
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The are a few things that stand out to me here. I have made them quite obvious. Think about that for a minute. We poison and harm ourselves when we are angry at the hurt that others have caused us. We "bite and poison ourselves" when we feel cornered, like we have no way out. We don't face the situation in the face, we become so entangled with the problem that we can't possibly see the solution. The only thing we can harm in this situation is ourselves. Obviously if we are angry with our children we don't hurt them, we don't hurt our husband or that friend. We don't retaliate against them because we are decent human beings. We, instead, mistreat ourselves. To me, when I think about this, that was me. I felt like I was trapped inside myself taking on the roll of "just a mom". Getting through the endless piles of laundry, dishes, screaming kids, working husband and finding time for myself. I coiled up in a corner and poisoned myself. Every day. I was so blind to what I was doing and I even justified it. I didn't look at it as poisoning myself, I looked at it as an outlet. As a way to ease the situation. I used it to feel more relaxed, or to be a little bit sillier, maybe even to give me the courage to have that conversation that needed to happen (alcohol was never helpful in that situation). </div>
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<b>Like the snake, I needed a release and that release would only come when I had just enough to drink. My "bite". </b></div>
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Did that drink ever help? Maybe for a few minutes. But my anxiety and need for more only became worse the more I used. I say "used" here because Alcohol is a drug. It has actually just recently been listed as the most dangerous drug on the market, taking more lives annually than cocaine and heroine.</div>
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That scares me to death.</div>
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In tears days before I decided to give up alcohol for good, I told Jordan that I keep having this whisper in my ear that if I continue trying to find a "comfortable" place for alcohol in my life, it will eventually be the reason I die. Whether it be from one of the seven forms of cancer it causes, liver disease, a car accident, alcohol overdose, dementia... the list of alcohol related deaths is extensive. I refuse to let that be the reason, to be a statistic. God will take me when He is good and ready, but it will NOT be correlated to alcohol in any way. More and more young moms and women these days are believing the cleverly conceived lie that drinking in excess is the norm and you will not survive motherhood without it. Women on Instagram are free advertisers for the alcohol industry! They don't need to pay 5 million dollars for an advertisement during the Superbowl, because chances are, your wine rack is already stocked. </div>
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Don't believe the lie that you need to poison yourself in order to relax, have fun, forgive, sleep, conversate, vacation, throw a kids birthday party, calm down, reminisce, chat with a friend... Honestly, what events do people NOT drink at these days? </div>
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I write this knowing that I will probably rub some people the wrong way. My intent here isn't to call out those people who have the occasional drink or don't have a problem with dependency on it. My intent is to hopefully give the person who needs it a gut-check. I got way too many gut-checks before I finally listened to it. I have countless moments I could list where I said to myself, "Never again. I will never drink again. This was the final straw." There were <i>a lot </i>of those moments. More than I care to admit. Maybe this will be one that can be added to one of your personal gut-checks. If it is, don't let the list get too long, life is too beautiful to live one more day of it wasted. Literally. </div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-60597465758013808412020-01-28T13:36:00.002-06:002020-01-28T13:45:19.222-06:00It's time I tell you my story. <div style="text-align: justify;">
Ok, so my heart is pounding and won't stop. Usually that is an indication I need to do something that will take courage to do. I need to share my story. This story will be long, but whoever takes the time to sit down and read it are the people meant to. This story starts a way long time ago, but I can't start from there, I have to start from about three years ago. I have shared some of this testimony out loud with my MOPS group, but since then more has happened. I am saying out loud to myself as I type this, "Practice what you preach!" I have talked a lot about sharing your story. Emphasis on the word "YOUR". I tend to be extremely idealistic about what I am capable of, and leave myself out of the group of people I am speaking to. I hold others to a higher standard than I hold myself, and that's where this story begins. How will I encourage anyone to speak boldly about their life and story if I hold parts of mine in my own heart? </div>
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My story starts with the day a friend of mine spoke out loud the words that had been running through my mind for months, "You should probably stop drinking." She spoke these words, knowing they were heavy, because she said them in a hushed tone. Jordan and I had been trying to get pregnant with our third for a few months to no avail. I had heard God directly say to me, "If you want to get pregnant, you need to stop drinking." To anyone who has never made drinking a part of their daily life, they'll say, "Obviously!" Obviously, I shouldn't drink while I'm trying to get pregnant. Obviously that is extremely selfish and possibly dangerous to the baby. Yes, Obviously. I knew this in my head but didn't act on this conviction. I kept on drinking. This was in the stage of my life that I drank the heaviest. My heaviest drinking wasn't when I was single, living the "good life" going out partying every weekend. No. My drinking was heaviest when I had a 4 and 2 year old at home. I drank every single day, without fail. For some reason, it seemed completely normal to me. Maybe it was all the meme's saying things like, "Mommy needs her wine" with some funny image of a 50's housewife with a robotic smile doing chores with a screaming baby in the background. Or maybe it was the fact that most of my friends drank. I spent time with a lot of people who talked openly about having a drink or two or 5 like it was normal. I didn't really think I had a problem with it. </div>
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Looking back on it, I went out of my way to drink during the week. If Jordan was at the fire station, I would make random little trips to the grocery store, throwing a bottle of wine (or two) in the cart like it was an afterthought (and not at all what I actually went there for.) To back track, I did not grow up in a house where drinking was normal. My mom and dad did not drink in the home while we were growing up, and if they had alcohol at all, we didn't know about it. It wasn't until I became an adult that the generation of Christian women who started normalizing drinking every night and possibly the occasional instance where they took it too far. It was funny and relatable. Because of the culture I surrounded myself with, I felt like I had a very healthy relationship with alcohol. Until I didn't. I woke up too many times with a head ache or a hangover. I woke up too many mornings sorry for things I said to Jordan or checking my phone to make sure I didn't post some ridiculous rant on Facebook, or even see who I had been texting and what I said. I woke up too many times in a panic that I had done or said something that would mess up my life. I started to realize that alcohol was making me a worse version of myself, not a better one. </div>
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I was a worse Mom. Sometimes I would sleep so hard that Jordan wouldn't be able to wake me up in the middle of the night. Most times, I would slur an evening prayer hastily so that I could go binge-watch the latest series on Netflix until 2 am, only having to wake up because - SURPRISE I had kids who woke up early. I was a worse Wife. I picked fights with Jordan pointing out his flaws and shortcomings only to completely ignore my own. I would disrespect him and would then wonder why we were in a rough season. Sometimes I would remember things I said to him and other times I woke up completely unaware of an argument I had started. I wasted so many days and hours of my life inebriated. </div>
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When my friend said those words to me, it was as if she was in my head. I knew I had a problem. It took a month or so after that of me battling with it until finally I just stopped drinking. Cold-turkey. That was in January of 2017. </div>
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During this time, the phrase "His face shines upon you." Rang out in my mind. I heard it in songs, read it in scripture and it seemed to be following me around. I didn't understand the phrase at the time... In March, my pastor, Joe Champion at Celebration Church spoke a message titled, CROSSROADS. It was about being at a place in your life where it was time to make a decision. Choose the direction your life will go. We are given a choice and it is up to us to act. After that service, he came directly up to the row I was sitting in (in a church of 2500 people), shook hands with people exiting the row and then stopped me and the group I was with. He asked about a couple of us and then looked me square in the eyes and said, "Now tell me about you." I sputtered a couple random facts about myself, "My name is Lisa." "I like this church" you know, small talk. He then placed his hand on my shoulder and said that he was going to pray over our group. He started praying and I could tell he was praying specifically for me and my situation. He was saying things that I had been saying the past few months to myself. I don't remember the exact words, but it was, as we say in church- talk, "A God Thing." He assured me that what I'm going through is necessary and that I will grow from it. He didn't know anything I had been going through or really anything about me, but spoke to me like I had been seeing him for counseling. I started to understand what "His face shines upon you" meant. God had a spotlight shining on me. He had favor over my life and was aware of my struggles and pain. He wanted me to feel seen and known. </div>
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In May of 2017 I found out I was pregnant with Daisy.
I spent that pregnancy completely transforming my mind and my physical body. Yes, my body was already going through changes due to pregnancy, but I was on a mission to be the healthiest version of myself. I went plant-based and I kept getting affirmation after affirmation from God that drinking should never again be a part of my life. During that pregnancy, I have never felt more like who I was supposed to be. I truly felt great! My mind felt renewed and my body as well. I noticed many changes in my appearance. My skin became less inflamed and I seemed to be glowing from the inside out. I blame pregnancy hormones, my plant-based diet and complete absence of alcohol... a trifecta of transformation. </div>
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The last month of my pregnancy was hard, to say the LEAST! The traumatic birth that followed the hardest month of my life didn't help. The birth story is too long to add in here, I'll just say this: I thought Daisy and I were going to die and I replayed the terrifying moments of that birth over and over in my head for months. I don't like to throw out the term PTSD because I feel like it is disrespectful of me to put myself in the same category of men and women in uniform who have truly seen and come out of situations that I can't even imagine. However, PTSD is the only way I know to describe it. </div>
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Let me just say, I had ZERO plans to reintroduce alcohol into my life after Daisy was born, but I did.
There was a day a few months after I had Daisy where I felt like I needed to just get out of the house. You know those days... you just want an hour or so to not hold a baby or help a child do something. I needed to clear my head and give myself a break. I didn't have a lot of money to spend, so I couldn't go shopping or anything. I decided to just go walk around the square by myself. I got to the square and saw some people walking around drinking pints of beer from a local restaurant. (You're allowed to walk around with alcohol on the square in Georgetown). I decided ONE beer couldn't hurt. It had been so long since I had a drink, I'm sure it wouldn't effect me like it used to. I slowly sipped on that beer while I walked around the square window shopping and people watching. . I got a flood of memories about why I used to drink. I felt relaxed, at-ease, like my old self and I liked it. This was the start of me trying to re-incorporate alcohol into my life. I thought I could just have a drink here or there, which is what it started out like, but after a few months one drink, two drinks, even three didn’t give me the relaxed feeling that I remembered from that first beer. I was beginning to become desensitized to it again. It took more and more to make me feel relaxed or like I was getting a buzz. </div>
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I was painfully aware of my drinking habits and swore to myself I wouldn't let it get the way it used to be. I did NOT want to go back to that place again. I spent the summer of 2018 trying to find a comfortable place for alcohol in my life. I really did believe that I could become the "casual drinker" I so envied. I wanted to be able to have a drink and not immediately want another one. It had to be possible, so I kept trying. Inevitably, every drink I had made me want another. </div>
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Finally, I thought I came to a healthy place. I decided that I wouldn't drink while I was at home and I would save drinking for when I went out to a restaurant or to someone's house. This seemed like a great happy-medium. </div>
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The day that changed my life forever arrived. </div>
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I was feeling a kind of overwhelm that sends me into almost a panic-mode. Jordan had been gone working overtime at the fire station for a few days, and was about to leave again for another long shift. I broke down in tears telling him that I needed a break before he left again. What I had been doing to relax was sit in the bubble bath, watching Parks and Rec on Hulu. The show always put me in a better mood and the bubble bath helped me relax. Obviously, that wouldn't be relaxing this day because the kids noise and knocking on the bathroom door would leave me feeling anything but relaxed. Jordan suggested I get out of the house. </div>
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I texted a friend to see if she wanted to meet up last minute for Happy Hour at a restaurant near my house. We got to the restaurant and hung out for a few hours drinking margaritas. Over those four hours I had a margarita per hour. The time together was just what I <i>thought</i> I needed. I vented, she vented, I cried, she cried and we drank. I felt like I deserved these drinks. I had put in some hard work to make sure I wasn't making drinking part of my daily life again, so these drinks were well earned ( I told myself.) </div>
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Finally, I looked to see what time it was. In an almost panic, I realized I needed to get home to get Daisy to bed. (She didn't go to bed very well without nursing to sleep.) I had ran out of pumped milk so my only option at that point was to go nurse her. I wasn't planning on having that much to drink but there was nothing I could do about that now. I would have to nurse her and cross my fingers that the alcohol I had consumed wouldn't effect her. </div>
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My friend seemed a little tipsier than me, so I offered to drive us home. It was dusk, where the light is just starting to fade and the night is setting in. I pulled on to my street a mile from the restaurant and a police officer noticed my headlights were off. He followed me a few feet and turned his lights on. I immediately noticed the lights, panicked and pulled sharply to the curb, running into it and driving my car slightly up on the curb. (Not a good first impression.) The police officer came up to the side of the car. My window was broken so I had to open the door, hitting the officer in the process. As soon as I opened the car door, he asked where we had been. I answered him. He asked if I had been drinking, and because I'm a terrible liar, I said that I had one margarita. Without saying anything else he asked me to get out of the car. When I got out of the car, my friend started throwing up outside the passenger's side door. I still though that I was going to get out of this. I went on to fail the sobriety test. </div>
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As he placed the handcuffs on me, I was hit with a shock so intense I felt like I couldn't move. I started crying and pleading when I was put into the back of the police car. I tried to explain to him that my husband was a fire fighter and needed to go to work in the morning, that I had a 6 month at home who was exclusively breastfeeding. To add insult to injury the officers comments were gutting. "Your husband is a fire fighter and you're driving on the road risking lives? You should know better." and the real kicker was when he came after my motherhood. "Oh, you were planning on going home to nurse your baby with your contaminated breastmilk? What a great mom you are." Ya'll I have never felt lower in my entire life. This was by far the lowest I had felt and his words choked my very soul. Yes, I was planning on going home and feeding her my contaminated breastmilk. What kind of a mother am I? What was wrong with me? My kids deserve better. </div>
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I won't go in to the details of that night, but I will say I have never felt the kind of evil presence I felt while sitting in that jail all night. It was the worst and longest night of my life. My shirt was sopping wet with breastmilk by morning and I was so struck with self-loathing that I couldn't even muster the strength to cry. I didn't deserve to be sad. I had brought this destruction upon myself. But my kids, my husband, they didn't deserve this. </div>
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I could hear God saying to me, "You're done now. Alcohol has no place in your life. Move on from this." </div>
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Over this past 18 months I have had a breathalyzer in my car. They save that for people who's BAC (blood alcohol content) was above .15 (almost double the legal limit). I have had to go about my life with this daily reminder that I failed. I let my family down, I let myself down, I let people who I have "preached to" about alcohol use down. I have had fleeting moments of trying to find a place for alcohol in my life again over the past 18 months, but it is obvious to me that my life is so much better without it. </div>
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I want to share this part of my story because God calls us to use our stories to help others. I did not go through this to suffer in silence. I share now because I can truly say that this season is behind me. Alcohol has no place in my life. Alcohol promises all these things to us and never delivers. </div>
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Jesus follows through. He delivers. He sustains and remains. </div>
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Please reach out to me if you need someone to talk to. If you are struggling, whether with addiction or not, please talk to someone. If not me, find your person. I know that I am no where near qualified but to quote Christine Cane, <b>"God doesn't call the qualified... he qualifies the called." </b></div>
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<b>Please feel free to share this post with someone you know who is struggling. People need to know they're not alone. </b></div>
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The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-30655116454808410862020-01-27T13:02:00.001-06:002020-01-27T13:02:54.932-06:00Start where you are...<h2 style="text-align: center;">
"Start where you are, Use what you have. Do what you can." - Arthur Ashe</h2>
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Jordan and I adopted this quote when we were on a tight budget and had some projects around the house we wanted to do. We started this little sing-songy chant we would recite to ourselves when we found ourselves wanting to run to home depot or go buy something new. We would look at each other and one of us would start singing, "Using what we have! Using what we have! Using what we have!" and we would skip around the garage trying to repurpose something that otherwise looked like junk or something unusable. We got pretty creative! I redid my kitchen using paint we had and we remodeled the island using old pallet wood and some corbels I bought in Canton during first Monday. It really actually completely transformed the space. We did a few other things also just looking around at what we already had in front of us. </div>
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This concept can be taken through other places in our lives as well. If you feel inadequate to do something you feel called to do or even just WANT to do, but don't feel like you have the resources to accomplish it, just start with what you CAN do! For me, I feel called to reach others with stories of what I have gone through and somehow try and help someone else. I feel like I need to write, for whatever reason. I may not have finished high school in the conventional way (GED), or ever been to college, but I know that for some reason I feel compelled to do this. Like I have mentioned before, maybe it's just a personal thing, maybe this isn't for anyone else but me and my own mental health, and I am A-OKAY with that! So, I look around and think, what DO I have to accomplish this... well, I have a kitchen table, words to write and a laptop. I can start there, using what I have. (a fresh cup of coffee from my Nespresso machine doesn't hurt either!) I also know that I am called to homeschool this year. I can't afford expensive curriculums and our daily schedule is really lax, but my kids are seven and five. This is what I can do right now and I feel like it is enough. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuoBa5gpp8zdU2wjIB8jI8yKzDmIQ8kPhY6m5YRKe580APiPF4YKOMjNAGuQwrbOmthyyNFnEH8Rh_arcdT4Efur_lv9zcLYYeNNKycf4I2786Po7CAEf9Cf0gozxlYh8Rbtu440j7sFG/s1600/bloom+where+you+are+planted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuoBa5gpp8zdU2wjIB8jI8yKzDmIQ8kPhY6m5YRKe580APiPF4YKOMjNAGuQwrbOmthyyNFnEH8Rh_arcdT4Efur_lv9zcLYYeNNKycf4I2786Po7CAEf9Cf0gozxlYh8Rbtu440j7sFG/s320/bloom+where+you+are+planted.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I know that we are each in different places in our lives, and I know that God has gifted each person with individual talents and gifts. If you look at this image, the words "<b><u>Bloom where you are Planted</u></b>" really puts into perspective what God calls us to do. I have been planted in THIS house in THIS town. I have been planted as the mother of THESE kids, the wife to THIS man, the neighbor to THOSE people, a member of the church I attend and in a place of leadership at MOPS. This is where I'm planted right now, these are my people and THIS is my mission field. I AM in the season to do what God has gifted me with. I don't have to wait for some grand and glorious announcement from God that I am finally mature enough to do His will. I can start now. I can put yesterday behind me and trust that today, where I am, IS His will. I am living it daily. If we press in close to Jesus, spend time in His word and allow ourselves to live each day on purpose, we WILL be living the life we are supposed to be living. If we sit and wait for the day to arrive, it never will. Act now, don't wait for tomorrow because tomorrow may never come. </div>
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(follow this <a href="https://www.teachercreated.com/products/bloom-where-you-are-planted-positive-poster-7428">link</a> to where I found this image.) </div>
The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-53385800315339659032020-01-23T13:34:00.002-06:002020-01-23T13:34:38.255-06:00Bubble baths and pedicures can only take you so far..Let's talk about Self-Care. It's the new buzzword lately, but what is self-care and what should it really look like? Obviously, that will be different for every person. Some people enjoy walking miles on a long hike, some people enjoy running long distance, or doing Zumba. Some people like putting air pods in listening to nostalgic music while shopping or watching Netflix on an iPad in the bath. Whatever you do for your "me time" is now considered self-care. Even drinking a bottle of wine is considered a normal way to unwind in the evenings in this day and age. People think of self-care as just doing something they consider fun or even just taking a break. Some people do a lot of physical self-care like working out or getting massages and pedicures. In my opinion, I think we are missing the point here of self-care. We should be focusing on Soul and Spirit care. Obviously, physical self-care is important. We only are given ONE body and we should take care of it, it is where our Soul and Spirit lives after all. To quote Rachel Hollis, "When you MOVE YOUR BODY, you CHANGE YOUR MIND!" and I 100% agree with that. But if we are constantly feeding our bodies everything it needs with good nutrition, exercise and doing things that satisfy our flesh, and we neglect our souls and spirits, then what is the point? We will be in a constant cycle of this "self-care" wheel without ever really taking care of ourselves. We get frustrated or stressed, get to a boiling point and run out of the house for a bit of time by ourselves. We do the thing that we think will fix our anxiety (shop, work out, go grab a drink at happy hour, get a sugary caffeine buzz, eat some yummy food... whatever) and we come home and the source of our anxiety hasn't left, making us feel like we need to go out and repeat said behavior. Again, not all of these things are bad. What's messing us up is getting into the cycle of thinking it will fix our anxiety without touching on our Soul or Spirit.<br />
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Let's look at what Jesus did when he was on earth. What Jesus did to feed his Soul and Spirit is throughout the Gospels. He took time away by himself to pray and he would do this often. He would disappear for hours, sometimes days, to reconnect with God. He would pray and fast and be still. He would put away all distractions and just be with his Father. <br />
Mark 1:35 - "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." This is just one example of Jesus taking time to feed his Spirit and his Soul. <br />
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He would spend time with his friends, breaking bread and fellowshipping. I can attest, spending time with the people closest to me definitely feeds my soul and spirit. Sharing struggles and stories, encouraging one another towards the Lord, calling out sin patterns that need addressing, going through life changes together, talking about real things. I'm not talking about getting together with the ladies to have happy hour and vent about your husband or job or kids. I'm talking about getting down to the nitty gritty. Talk about your own faults, not your husbands. Be real about your struggles and doubts and in turn you will find the people that will stick by you through thick and thin. <br />
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In his last 24 hours on the Earth, he didn't have a bucket list of things to do before he died, he got down on his knees and washed the disciples feet. He was showing them the ultimate form of service. It was unheard of for a leader, teacher or nobleman to serve the ones serving him. John 13:1, "It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love....Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." He was constantly serving, constantly pouring himself out. The generosity he showed while on Earth flowed out of him constantly, up until his death when he gave, literally, it all. He was the ultimate example of loving others and putting others first.<br />
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He sat at the feet of the people who had gone before him and listened to their wise counsel.<br />
Luke 2:46 "After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions."<br />
Find the ones who have gone before you. Seek counsel from women or men who have experienced and come out on the other side of what you are going through or have gone through. If you are in the trenches, find others just on the other side of those trenches to give you hope and help you see that there IS another side. <br />
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Jesus is called "the bread of life" for a reason. Man cannot live on bread alone, we need to feed our soul and spirit, not just our body. In John 6:33, 35 "The bread of God is the One who came out of heaven to give his life to feed the world... I am the Bread of Life. Come every day to me and you will never be hungry."<br />
To feed your Spirit and Soul properly, we need to spend time with Jesus. We need to let him fuel our passions and from there we will get the proper self-care we so crave. <br />
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Jesus was the perfect example to us of what love and sacrifice should look like. He ministered to those who were otherwise unapproachable. He told stories and fed crowds. He held children on his lap and looked people in the eyes. He gave and he prayed and he obeyed. <br />
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I hear people say all the time, "I'm just not in the season right now to do... {fill in the blank}" Ya'll, we only have one season. This life goes in a blink and if we are constantly waiting for the right time to do the thing we feel pulled in our gut to do, it will never come. I challenge you to find the thing that makes your soul and spirit come alive and go do that thing. If it is helping others get healthy through diet and exercise, go do it. If it is helping others through teaching, go do it. If it is homeschooling your children, pour into them. If you have a heart for the needy, bring your kids and teach them about the less fortunate, go bring them food or volunteer somewhere. If you have a longing to help young mothers, reach out to them. There are things we can do today to help others. <br />
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We were not given our lives so we could get lost in our own needs, we are on this earth to reach others. To help others. If you have gone through an experience that changed you, talk about it. Share your stories and your struggles. Stop getting so caught up in what makes YOU feel good in this moment. When we are feeding other people's souls, ours get fed in return. <br />
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Yes, take care of yourself. Take that bubble bath or get that pedicure. Take those breaks that make you feel a little less crazy. While you're taking that break, take some time for silence and ask yourself what you wanted to be when you grew up when you were a kid. Pray that God would reignite the fire that once burned in your spirit and soul. <br />
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One of my favorite quotes is<br />
<b><u>"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."</u></b> - Howard ThurmanThe Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-70367978482837897712020-01-22T13:11:00.002-06:002020-01-22T13:11:53.998-06:00Nose Rings, Coffee and The GospelToday, I took Justus along with me to 309 Coffee where he did Math and I sat and eaves dropped on people sitting next to me while trying to write. There were these two guys sitting dead center in the coffee shop talking about their passion for the church. They were unapologetically voicing concerns about Hollywood's influence, the media, music and saying that people need to stop looking down on Christians for wanting to be a part of that line of work. They were saying that Christians are looked like they're becoming more like the world when they go in that line of work and try and have an impact. These were guys in their early early 20's, possibly just graduated high school starting college. They were drinking their trendy coffees with their nose rings and ripped skinny jeans talking about Jesus. I kept looking around the room to see if anyone was getting rubbed the wrong way by what they were saying, unfortunately, most people had their ear phones in. One of the guys was talking about how he wanted to quit his job so that he could have more time to actually hear the Lord's voice and understand His will for his life. He has a passion for ministry and reaching places the world deems unreachable (like Hollywood.) I was really encouraged by these guys. It reminded me of my Bible School days at Ravencrest in Estes Park. My friends and I would sit in our Hippie attire drinking rivers of coffee talking about future plans and wishing that we could change the world. Somewhere along the way, my voice fell silent and I stopped having the same drive to share the gospel. It seemed unpopular and, honestly, I felt unworthy. Who would listen to a 20-something girl fresh out of Bible School? Then, I became distracted. I became distracted by my boyfriend and my dream of becoming a young wife and mother. After that relationship ended, I then became distracted with work and play. I enjoyed going out with friends and binge drinking on weekends. I enjoyed vegging out on my couch watching documentary series' like "Intervention" and joining eharmony because I was lonely. I got out of step with church and started looking more and more like the world. I looked at all the things I didn't have and lost sight of what I did have. During that time, I started this blog. I would write all the God things but I didn't live them. My dream of someday being in women's ministry was dead and gone and I chose a lifestyle over a life calling. That lifestyle followed me around throughout the first few years of marriage. I lost that spark that made me want to jump up and jot down a thought. My thoughts were clouded in the evenings by wine and crying babies. I muddled the still soft voice in my mind with TV, Social Media, bottles of wine and the lie that I am JUST a stay-at-home-mom. Satan was thinking he finally had me. He thought he stole my voice for good. Every now and then I could hear it calling me, I could see my laptop sitting under a pile of papers waiting to be opened, thoughts screaming to get out. I could feel the passion of that 19-year-old living in the mountains. The creativity, Joy, zest for life, purpose was all still there. God has given me a desire to create as an outlet, whatever that may look like. I feel like I'm living my potential when I am doing what He gifted me in. Raising my children is first and foremost, putting dinner on the table, tidying up, putting laundry away, stopping in the middle of what I'm doing to sit and cuddle my sad toddler, will all remain in this season. But what also remains is my creativity, Joy, zest for life and purpose. It didn't go away when I became a Mom, and I am doing myself and my family a disservice if I silence that in this time. It was because I put duct tape over the mouth of my passions that I felt like I needed to numb myself. I am finding so much healing in finally allowing myself to do the things I enjoy doing. I don't feel bad anymore taking time for myself. I look forward to it. Jordan sees that I am a more joyful and productive member of the family when I am fed. I hope those guys sitting in the coffee shop will realize that the season they're in right now, that uncertain time of waiting and discovering their passions, is a gift. It will feed their soul. I pray for them that they will carry their passion for ministry and their heart for the spiritually blind through their marriages and their future families. I pray that their kids will grow up watching passionate parents feed into, not only their children and families, but those around them. I pray that by claiming my passions, I will spark curiosity in my children to find what makes their hearts come alive. The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-22584022872346589312020-01-18T15:23:00.003-06:002020-01-18T19:12:48.948-06:00Don't Let the Days Scroll By<br />
This day and age, people choose Social Media to feel
connected to one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They crave community
and scroll through endless feeds in order to feel some kind of connection to
the outside world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday, my
adorable, brave friend Carmen spoke at MOPS about the dangers of being
distracted by social media, phones and screens. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s become a sad truth that people spend more
time making eye contact with a screen than a person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were created with the purpose of spending
time together with one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
created for interaction and community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I spend too much time looking at my phone, it makes me feel
physically ill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There have been times
where the kids are busy doing something, Daisy is asleep, Jordan is at the
station and I will literally get lost in my phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lure of the screen and wonder of what
everyone is doing is strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel
pulled to look at Pinterest to find my next project or perfect recipe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel pulled to Instagram to scroll and look
at what all my “friends” are up to, maybe even become inspired to try something
new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a mindless thing, it is never
intentional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I purposefully DELETED my Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not DEACTIVATED, where all your information
is saved for whenever you want to log on again… DELETED!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have thirty days to change my mind… that’s
where they get ya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you sign on during
those 30 days, your deletion period starts back over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have made a commitment to be completely
done with that part of my social media life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
I have been reading this book called, Quit Like a Woman and it’s about living a
sober life in a culture obsessed with alcohol, but she has a lot of good points
for daily decision making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If something
is stealing pieces of me, or not putting me on a road to the life I want to lead
– it has to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there are multiple places
in your life where you’re giving of yourself, get rid of the one that’s killing
you FIRST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Social media addiction can
have the power to steal your very life from you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your eyes constantly diverted to the screen
instead of those around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting
angry at your kids for interrupting your train of thought while you’re reading a
post or looking at something on your phone. Missing out on the real life that
you are living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, Facebook was on my
list of things that was not putting me in line with my life vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had to go, and immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me angry and frustrated and created
in me a comparison mindset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have not
really been the girl that looks at others with envy, and somehow Facebook was
doing that to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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I have found that the most meaningful moments I have are in true conversation
with my “herd.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am one of the lucky
ones in this aspect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know a lot of
people are in towns or seasons of their life where it feels like they don’t
have anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To these people I say, GO
FIND THEM!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for me, I live in a town
where both my husband’s and my families live here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My kids are growing up around their cousins
and both sets of grandparents, and for this I am truly thankful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a solid set of friends that I could
tell my deepest darkest secrets to, cry with and call if I need anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the season I am in and it would be
silly of me to waste my days lost in social media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I frequently see my friends, spend
every Sunday at my in-law’s house for lunch, work with my Mom, meet up with my
sisters and reach out to people that I want to see face-to-face and not just
over Instagram (because, I kept Instagram… because, I love it.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have gone through a very difficult 2 years
since the traumatic birth of my daughter and have had my family and friends by.my.side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There has been a lot of fear of what others
will think of me but I have not felt abandoned in this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My community has got my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was thinking about the words “connection”
and “community” a few bible verses came to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
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<b><u>James 5:16</u></b> “Confess and acknowledge how you have offended
one another and then pray for one another to be instantly healed, for
tremendous power is released through passionate, heart-felt prayer of a godly
believer!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
If you know my friend Carlin, this bible verse should be posted in her
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever I meet with her, she
usually prays over our conversation, current situation or even an unknown
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her prayers have been known to
be backed by random cracks of thunder and will often bring me to tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her words are gracious and hopeful and I feel
truly loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THIS is the kind of
connection we are called to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<b><u>Proverbs 27:17</u></b> “ It takes a grinding wheel to sharpen a
blade, and so one person sharpens the character of another.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
This verse is touching on the Godly correction or graceful calling out of a sin
that needs addressing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had many
moments with friends or family gently pointing out a fault of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s never easy (like a blade being sharpened)
but it always makes me sharper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
had so say things to people close to me, often in fear that I will offend or
even lose a friendship, but it has proven to create strength in the
relationship or in the person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
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<b><i>Matt 18:20</i></b> “For wherever two or three come together in honor
of my name, I am right there with them!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
Obviously, God’s presence is constant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This verse is speaking on meeting to pray or plan, He will be at work
right alongside you if we are seeking Him during the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen God do mighty things above and
beyond what was even prayed for after diligently seeking after Him alongside
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
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<b><u>Hebrews 10:24-25 </u></b>“Discover creative ways to encourage others
and to motivate them towards acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as
expressions of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not the
time to PULL AWAY and neglect MEETING together, as some have formed the habit
of doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, we should come
together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as
we anticipate that day dawning.”<br />
I really feel like this verse might speak for itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God does beautiful things when we are in
community. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were not made to live in
isolation, living vicariously through one another on social media, but living
the lives WE were made to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<b><u>Romans 1:12 </u></b>“Now, this means that when we come together and
are side by side, something wonderful will be released.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can expect to be co-encouraged and
co-comforted by each other’s faith!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
This verse is beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just re-read it
and let those words sink in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“…something
wonderful will be released.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(insert
heart-eyes emoji x10!!!)<br />
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Clearly, this is not an exhaustive list by any means of verses
about community and connection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
merely a drop in the bucket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The call on
our lives is to live it together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whether that means you are investing into your children’s lives every
day, putting the phone down to be more present with them, or setting aside a
screen for time with your husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting
out of your PJ’s and off of Netflix for an evening with a close group of
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unplugging for an entire
vacation to take in all of the beautiful scenery and experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Letting go of the dangerous comparison game
and recognizing your life for the miracle it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Staring into your baby’s eyes while they
nurse instead of scrolling through pinterest or Instagram for the zillionth
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting on your knees to play with
your kid during bathtime instead of zoning out on your phone while they play
alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BE with those around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let your eyes look at their eyes and let your
lips speak words to their ears.<br />
<br />
<br />
Don’t let the days <i>scroll</i> by. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
Edit: I also want to mention that if you are in a place where you don't have a herd or community, find a local MOPS group, church small group, group exercise class, book club... Something! Your people are waiting for you to find them!<br />
<br />
Also, the verses are from The Passion Translation.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><i></i></strike>The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-6552712371787786362020-01-15T12:54:00.000-06:002020-01-15T12:54:40.284-06:00Rise on the Wings of the DawnLet's admit it... waking up before the kids get up is hard. Unfortunately, the watch I got for Christmas this year tracks my sleep and says things to me in the app like, "You woke up three times last night. Maybe you should drink less water before bed." Or, "You woke up three times last night. Maybe you should consider meditating before bed." It keeps giving me all these great tips and tricks to get myself to sleep through the night without waking up. HOWEVER, little does my super-concerned-about-my-well-being watch app know, I have an almost 2 year old who still needs little bursts of snuggles or nurses in the middle of the night. 5 minutes is all she sometimes needs, but my watch thinks I'm just a serial waker upper. If I had it my way, she would sleep through the night, every night, but that's not the way life works. We don't always get our way... It is always on the top of my New Years resolutions list to wake up before the kids, and yet it's always a struggle. When I DO wake up before them, I cherish the time. I read my Bible or a book, sip my coffee in silence and have a big welcoming smile on my face when the kids do finally meander into the living room looking like little drunk adults. It's when I'm woken up by Daisy's shrill, "MAAAAAAA! MOOOOM! AAAAA" that I don't quite look as peppy and welcoming as I would have if I would have just sucked it up and woken up when the first of my 5 alarms went off. Even the second! It's a habit and practice that I just need to FORCE! It's like exercising. It's the getting out the door that's hard, the workout is excellent and worth it, but it's that getting out the door. Putting on the sports bra, spandex, socks, shoes, finding my little fanny pack where I keep my phone, making sure Daisy doesn't see me walk out the door... all those things. Once I get past all those steps, it's complete rejuvenation. It's also a little like refusing a drink. There's this little back-and-forth action that happens in my head where I have the little red devil Lisa on my shoulder telling me how great it will make me feel, spewing all kinds of lies about what alcohol does for me. Then the little angel Lisa explains to the little devil Lisa that alcohol is in fact poison. It makes me a worse version of myself, not better and it always makes me feel like utter crap. I feel tired and unmotivated and also a little confused. The little devil Lisa generally just hops off the shoulder and disappears on the way down, and the little angel Lisa and the big Lisa give a fist bump (careful not to knock little angel Lisa off) and share a confident smile. It's all the tiny decisions that we make during the day that form us into the people we want to be. It's waking up just a little earlier, taking the step out the door in running shoes, grabbing that <span style="background-color: yellow;">Topo</span> <span style="background-color: yellow;">Chico</span> instead, snuggling your lonely kid for 5 minutes in the middle of the night and finally sitting down at the computer to write. They all add together to form you into the best version of yourself. So, I guess tomorrow, I'm going to wake up when that first (or maybe second) alarm goes off. I know I won't regret it. The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-89188858146289776482020-01-14T13:23:00.001-06:002020-01-14T13:24:00.081-06:00Here I sit, drinking a Coldbrew with AlmondmilkThe inner pull to write will not let up. Here I sit at a local coffee shop, 309 Coffee, while Jordan is home with Justus and Daisy. I feel no guilt for taking this time. For years I have put off the idea of writing a regular blog because it felt selfish to be alone with my thoughts for a couple hours. I have long let go of that guilt. Jordan has spent the last year-and-a-half doing triathlons, marathons, working long sifts at the Fire station and training his rear end off to be ready to do the marathons and triathlons. There was a day last year where I finally broke down and told him I needed some space. I started homeschooling Justus and Maxine a year ago and a couple months into having them home constantly with no break, I about had a mental break down. (One of many.) He asked me what it was I enjoyed doing, what motivates me or makes me feel at peace. I thought about it for less than 30 seconds and said, "Coffee, music, alone time, and writing." It felt silly saying out loud that those things got me going. He laughed a little bit and said he couldn't relate. Obviously! This coming from the guy who can't sit long enough to watch a show, the guy who paces around the house looking for something to occupy his time. To him, sitting and writing is school. To me, it's an outlet. For years I have heard this tiny whisper to just sit down and start. A few months ago, I finally went out, sat and wrote. I started writing what I thought would be a Plant Based cookbook with a little bit about who I am woven into it. It is now 20 typed pages of my life. I think I wrote down one recipe and then went on a writing tangent. Those 20 pages hold moments of therapy I couldn't have paid a therapist for. I wept writing sections and laughed out loud looking like a crazy person behind the computer screen in the corner of a little coffee shop. I was shocked at the things that came out on that screen. Today, I wrapped up a section of it that feels a little too raw and real. I'm going to slowly chip away at this thing, keeping what needs to stay and casting away things that were only for my eyes. My Dad asked me the other day if he could read what I've written so far and it just made me laugh. "Dad!" I said, "It's really just like a long journal entry at this point. It's so not ready to be seen by anyone else's eyes." Maybe someday? Maybe this will all just lead me to what I AM supposed to be writing. I'm honestly not sure what that is. I know I have a lot on my heart to share and I'm hoping I can use this blog as an outlet again. The last time I wrote in it was roughly 6 years ago, so here's hoping I can be consistent again. I really don't mind jamming out to Death Cab for Cutie on headphones in cute, hipster coffee shops in my adorable Stars Hollow-Esq town while I type away aimlessly. If this isn't for you, I'll be okay if it's just for me. The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0Georgetown, TX 78626, USA30.640308 -97.6767882000000335.1182735000000008 -138.98538220000003 56.1623425 -56.368194200000033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-78249371053042363042014-08-04T22:20:00.001-05:002020-01-15T12:30:57.509-06:00Apology letter to my first bornSo... I'm a mom of two now. Yeah. TWO! One is TWO and one is TWO months! Maybe I should have renamed this blog post "somethingsomethingsomething TWO somethingsomething"... wait... I did put the word two in there. Ok, moving on now! <br />
<br />
I was perusing facebook today, and I came across a blog post here: http://www.scarymommy.com/apology-to-my-second-child/<br />
It's basically an apology letter to the second child. While reading it, I decided I feel the opposite of this mommy. I want to write an apology letter to my first born. He deserves what baby number two has experienced so far. Yeah, she's only two months... but in those two months I have held her more than I held my first in his first two months. :( I am enjoying this second baby far more than I enjoyed my first. Before you start shouting, "FOR SHAME!" in all caps in the comments section, hear me out! <br />
First off, I was a newbie. I was new to it ALL! I don't want to say too much at the risk of offending friends or family who have differing experiences and opinions, but I really want to share some of my mommy insight for new moms or expecting moms who really honestly don't know their options or anything about being a new mom. <br />
<br />
Ok. So, this part of my story and apology to my son still frustrates me. (this is the part where others may feel offended, and that's not my intent... just sharing experiences) I was seeing an OB for all of my appointments which is very expected and normal as a new mom. Did I know there were other options? Did I feel they were other LEGITIMATE options? No - to both questions. I wasn't really friends with many other moms out there. I had my sister, but that was it. I didn't know that a midwife was a qualified person to deliver a baby. I thought it was kind of cooky and hippy. I have had a reputation of being slightly hippy-ish in my days, but I honestly thought that was like, harry armpit having, vegan eating, hemp wearing hippy category. That makes me sad that I was really THAT misinformed about the whole thing. Natural birth seemed like something that only happened by accident in the car on the way to the safe and oh-so-comfortable hospital, or something that only people with super human strength could endure. Because of all of my lack of fact-checking and that I had blind faith in doctors... I gave myself and my son a less than ideal labor and delivery. We both missed out. In a MAJOR way. Sorry, Justus. I'm sorry that I allowed the doctors to FORCE my body, that was still patiently awaiting your spontaneous arrival, into labor. I'm sorry that you were disturbed, still comfortable and developing, inside my body. I'm sorry that I caused you distress. That I allowed this to happen to you and I. I'm sorry I believed the lie from my Doctor that forced inductions aren't always 100% successful. I'm sorry that the first few moments you took your first breaths, I wasn't the one holding you, and that we missed out on those first moments together - bonding, skin to skin. I'm sorry that I allowed the "expert lactation consultants" at the hospital make me believe that you needed formula. I'm sorry that because of the high demand of the lactation consultant at the hospital, I didn't learn the correct way to feed you, and therefore couldn't successfully for months. I'm sorry that I was finally informed for the birth of your little sister. That I had a calm, relaxing, surreal natural birth with her. That it really isn't as terrifying as Hollywood and horror stories make it out to be. I'm sorry that it's actually beautiful and rewarding, and that I didn't know any of this. I'm sorry we were robbed of the amazing bonding I experienced with Maxine, being able to hold her as soon as she came into this world. I'm sorry that she had this amazing, relaxed birth, and you had a traumatic one. <br />
<br />
Ok, I'm glad I got that off my chest. There's more. Lots more. But I'll let my doctor and the hospital apologize to us. <br />
<br />
Onto the next part of my apology. Justus, I'm sorry I read blogs about putting a baby on a "schedule" and that you didn't need ME to hold you or love you or cuddle you, you needed to learn to "self soothe". Honestly, ... If I wouldn't have put you on a schedule so young (two weeks) you would have been a lot easier of a baby. I tried to have you on a every two hour feeding schedule. I knew when you needed to eat, you didn't. Hmm... is that real life? When you're hungry, do you have someone following you around saying, "no you're not... it's not time yet. You have to wait." NO! When we're hungry, we usually eat or snack. That's all you were trying to do as a baby, and I'm sorry. When you cried, I kept reminding myself, "it's okay, he needs to learn to be on MY time schedule and MY watch." I had the mentality that you were going to be a hungry, weepy, clingy baby forever. Well, you're not anymore. Not at all. You're a big two-year-old. You wiggle to get out of my arms when I struggle to cling on to you for hugs... You grew up. That time is gone and I'll never have it with you again. This time around, I am holding her when she wants me, feeding her when she's hungry, lying next to her at night when she wants to just be close to me. She will be humungous soon. This baby stage FLIES! I see that now looking back. <br />
<br />
I'm sorry I give her more than I gave you. I'm sorry I let little things stress me the heck out. I stressed about feeding times, sleeping schedules, whether or not you'd sleep through the night, having a "momma's boy" or a kid that relied too much on pacifiers. I was scared that you would need me to rock you to sleep every night, or nurse you to sleep every time you woke up. I was nervous that I would always be this stressed out, sleep deprived mommy. <br />
<br />
Wake up call. You grew up. Those nights are long forgotten. What's remembered is all the times i tried painstakingly to make you fall asleep without me near you, or without the comfort of that last little snack before bed. I'm sorry I am letting your little sister have all these things and more. I'm sorry that having two kids is less stressful than having one baby and not knowing what I'm doing. <br />
<br />
Justus, I love you so much. I don't love Maxine more than you, I just realize now what matters. Security matters, feeling safe and loved matters, these fleeting moments actually do matter. I get more sleep now. Maxine gets more sleep now. She is happy, content, and loved. You were loved, just blindly. That's why when you call for me at night now, I come. When you want to sit in my lap, or want me to hold you, I will stop what I'm doing and hold you. You won't want that forever. You need it now, and I will strive to give you the mother you deserve from now on. <br />
Love,<br />
Mommy<br />
<br />
The end. The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-48316814662290214752013-05-21T09:13:00.000-05:002013-05-21T09:13:03.864-05:00PerspectiveI can't describe my guilt. I am ashamed of my insignificant prayers. My cushy life is too great for me to accept. I don't feel like I deserve it. All of those families out there who have lost their kids, mothers, fathers... I don't understand. Why do we have such an easy life? People in other countries don't have food, shelter... they are suffering from disease and starvation. Then there's this country... So many things have happened this year. Why have we been spared? It seems as though every family in this country has been effected one way or another from all of these tragedies. Jordan sees heartache every time he is at work. I have an iPhone, a house, plenty of food, plenty of clothes, a computer, TV's, cars, shoes for my feet, shampoo for my hair, make up to look pretty, three different types of strollers, lots of time with my husband, a beautiful HEALTHY baby boy, family close by willing to help at the drop of a hat, margaritas when I feel so inclined, delicious iced coffee in my fridge, a juicer to help with my new "clean eating" goal, a big camera to capture all of my life's little precious moments, good friends to call when I need someone to talk to or someone to hang out with, shopping centers around every corner, restaurants... the list of luxuries is ENDLESS!! Yet there is so much suffering in this world. I feel so guilty. Why am I allowed all of these things??? Am I thankful? Yes! But my only question is why? It is a major struggle thinking about all of the darkness and heartache in this world and still being able to enjoy what I have? I complain about things too! What gives me the right to complain when I can't buy that shirt or not get my iPhone the week I want to get it, or not have internet working when I NEED to get online? I am a spoiled little brat. We all are. <br />
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Perspective. The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-34509768259568098012013-03-27T19:51:00.002-05:002013-03-27T19:57:46.064-05:00Our world <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm done with Facebook because on Facebook you can't speak your mind without hearing a bunch of crap from your "friends" as to why your opinion is wrong. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion and I really like to be able to express my own opinion. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">The following is a very precise description of the world we live in today.</span></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;"> Romans 1:18-32"But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.... Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.<br />So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God's justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too." (NLT)</span></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">Ps... this isn't my opinion. It's fact. </span></h2>
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The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-5224809842071229442012-12-16T21:30:00.000-06:002012-12-16T21:30:37.399-06:00meaningless.<br />
<h3 style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.05em;">
<span class="text Eccl-1-1" id="en-NIV-17317">Everything Is Meaningless</span></h3>
<div class="chapter-1" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text Eccl-1-1"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: -0.1em; font-size: 1.25em; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; line-height: 0.8em; position: relative; text-indent: 0px;">1 </span>The words of the Teacher,<sup class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-17317a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+1&version=NIV#fen-NIV-17317a" style="color: #651300; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17317A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> son of David, king in Jerusalem:<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17317B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span></div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
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<span class="text Eccl-1-2" id="en-NIV-17318" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">2 </sup>“Meaningless! Meaningless!”</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-2" style="position: relative;">says the Teacher.</span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-2" style="position: relative;">“Utterly meaningless!</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-2" style="position: relative;">Everything is meaningless.”<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17318C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Eccl-1-3" id="en-NIV-17319" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">3 </sup>What do people gain from all their labors</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-3" style="position: relative;">at which they toil under the sun?<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17319D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-4" id="en-NIV-17320" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">4 </sup>Generations come and generations go,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-4" style="position: relative;">but the earth remains forever.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17320E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-5" id="en-NIV-17321" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">5 </sup>The sun rises and the sun sets,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-5" style="position: relative;">and hurries back to where it rises.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17321F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-6" id="en-NIV-17322" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">6 </sup>The wind blows to the south</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-6" style="position: relative;">and turns to the north;</span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-6" style="position: relative;">round and round it goes,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-6" style="position: relative;">ever returning on its course.</span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-7" id="en-NIV-17323" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">7 </sup>All streams flow into the sea,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-7" style="position: relative;">yet the sea is never full.</span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-7" style="position: relative;">To the place the streams come from,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-7" style="position: relative;">there they return again.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17323G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-8" id="en-NIV-17324" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">8 </sup>All things are wearisome,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-8" style="position: relative;">more than one can say.</span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-8" style="position: relative;">The eye never has enough of seeing,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17324H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-8" style="position: relative;">nor the ear its fill of hearing.</span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-9" id="en-NIV-17325" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">9 </sup>What has been will be again,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-9" style="position: relative;">what has been done will be done again;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17325I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-9" style="position: relative;">there is nothing new under the sun.</span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-10" id="en-NIV-17326" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">10 </sup>Is there anything of which one can say,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-10" style="position: relative;">“Look! This is something new”?</span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-10" style="position: relative;">It was here already, long ago;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-10" style="position: relative;">it was here before our time.</span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-11" id="en-NIV-17327" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">11 </sup>No one remembers the former generations,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17327J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-11" style="position: relative;">and even those yet to come</span></span><br /><span class="text Eccl-1-11" style="position: relative;">will not be remembered</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-11" style="position: relative;">by those who follow them.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17327K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup></span></span></div>
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<h3 style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.05em;">
<span class="text Eccl-1-12" id="en-NIV-17328">Wisdom Is Meaningless</span></h3>
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<span class="text Eccl-1-12"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">12 </sup>I, the Teacher,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17328L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup> was king over Israel in Jerusalem.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17328M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Eccl-1-13" id="en-NIV-17329"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">13 </sup>I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17329N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind!<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17329O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Eccl-1-14" id="en-NIV-17330"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">14 </sup>I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17330P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup></span></div>
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<span class="text Eccl-1-15" id="en-NIV-17331" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">15 </sup>What is crooked cannot be straightened;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17331Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-15" style="position: relative;">what is lacking cannot be counted.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Eccl-1-16" id="en-NIV-17332"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">16 </sup>I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17332R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup> I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.”</span> <span class="text Eccl-1-17" id="en-NIV-17333"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">17 </sup>Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17333S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup> and also of madness and folly,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17333T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup> but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.</span></div>
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<span class="text Eccl-1-18" id="en-NIV-17334" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">18 </sup>For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17334U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-1-18" style="position: relative;">the more knowledge, the more grief.</span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-1-18" style="position: relative;">(taken from biblegateway.com)</span></span></div>
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The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-19808522275458662602012-11-15T14:59:00.000-06:002012-11-15T14:59:16.567-06:00My 'go-to' baby items!If you are a first time mom, registering for a baby can be quite overwhelming! Do I really need all of those things I see in the stores? NO you don't! Don't go registering crazy... First of all... wait a bit to see what free items you will be given. So many moms with too much baby junk want to just give their stuff away! Believe me, you will be given a lot of things if you're friends with a lot of mommies! Also, go to second hand stores for things you don't get on your list that you still need... You don't really want to buy a used car seat, however, if you don't know the history of the car seat. That could be dangerous. I have a used car seat, but it's only because I knew the mom I bought it from and it had not been in a wreck and was used by only one child. Try to go to garage sales for furniture for the nursery, and the <a href="http://www.jbfsale.com/default.cfm">Just Between Friends</a> sale is awesome for clothes, shoes, toys, strollers...etc! I got a Peg Perego stroller there in great condition at a fraction of the cost of buying new! So, if you don't get all the things you register for, don't fret! There are plenty of money-saving options! <div>
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Ok, so here is my MUST-HAVE list for my newborn... I may have another list of MUST haves when he starts to grow a bit more, but for now... I MUST have these things... </div>
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Number 1:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdFAOvJP4DLRgx6F2O_G7T43TtnIfJJqKdEOw2pUzisLH45Tx8hfe-vcZGwL2dmuA8aWIwgOn3lvVzKaC0ww2YToCcPVT0JkEHxM5UqHv30VOikWM8AQfnkJD0pZ-Rqh_WEDOm4fTERcI/s1600/pTRU1-6735396dt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdFAOvJP4DLRgx6F2O_G7T43TtnIfJJqKdEOw2pUzisLH45Tx8hfe-vcZGwL2dmuA8aWIwgOn3lvVzKaC0ww2YToCcPVT0JkEHxM5UqHv30VOikWM8AQfnkJD0pZ-Rqh_WEDOm4fTERcI/s320/pTRU1-6735396dt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3813329&cagpspn=pla&pla=plab">Cloud B On the Go Travel Size Sleep Sheep</a> </div>
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Noise makers are amazing! They are a great way to reduce SIDS and help your baby sleep anywhere. Justus can sleep anywhere we go because he is used to the noise. I bring it with us in the car too and it helps soothe him in the carseat (which he HATES!)</div>
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Number 2: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BZvUmQRockDP4yS5WnfubB6GSaBmvqqGQ9qJmlCLDPs9SW5KA2Q3YwtpORw6SAPSlfFibkzJ5bJe8LfCMux4g-goQvAKcUDZCrkwrUh1XU5q8uom6CPZDYer2x8p8q0BAeyVf9D9zVBb/s1600/aden+and+anias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BZvUmQRockDP4yS5WnfubB6GSaBmvqqGQ9qJmlCLDPs9SW5KA2Q3YwtpORw6SAPSlfFibkzJ5bJe8LfCMux4g-goQvAKcUDZCrkwrUh1XU5q8uom6CPZDYer2x8p8q0BAeyVf9D9zVBb/s320/aden+and+anias.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.adenandanais.com/shop/itemdisplay.aspx?ID=17&SKU=2022">Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets</a> </div>
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These blankets are seriously awesome. I have the patterns above. 4 swaddle blankets may seem like a lot, and not really worth the money you (or whoever buys them for you as a gift) spend, but they are so worth it to me. I need all four because sometimes he'll leak out of his diapers in the night and get the blanket wet, or he'll spit up on it during his nap... I have gone through all four in two days before. Get the four pack! </div>
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Number 3:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cZ5I1miINQNLsSjSWji2kqR6iycWY8IG05ilFrTLbln_2xUfX-sDE2BNd0FhYW6BFmMEmxP26giQFjOYcxLvlNM_QWYpSg5glxWRBbDuN5LULtSERW9yIGckMzqt1X2IrXKzEYxafwSb/s1600/paci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cZ5I1miINQNLsSjSWji2kqR6iycWY8IG05ilFrTLbln_2xUfX-sDE2BNd0FhYW6BFmMEmxP26giQFjOYcxLvlNM_QWYpSg5glxWRBbDuN5LULtSERW9yIGckMzqt1X2IrXKzEYxafwSb/s320/paci.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11004924&cagpspn=pla&pla=plab">Philips AVENT BPA Soothie Pacifier </a></div>
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So, I was NOT going to use pacifiers... but babies get cranky, and sometime for no reason. You will see that they will search for something to suck on. It doesn't necessarily mean they are hungry, they just want to be soothed! Hence, the Soothie! These ones are the only ones my baby boy will take. They have a more natural shape. The other ones are kind of flat on one side and he just spits them right out. </div>
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Number 4:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjni-xWrahM53CLVZue43NxsnkVlznA4G0WXS7cXwx3BVSKTnMSx28U7Tb8GsFu9DnA7xk-Ajf5Zfe6oTaC7Mju81Mf7AVbzCqCx9Y59i65abPlhi4JR-Q7BZRVGUWH80y2udpOhtiKQHjZ/s1600/medela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjni-xWrahM53CLVZue43NxsnkVlznA4G0WXS7cXwx3BVSKTnMSx28U7Tb8GsFu9DnA7xk-Ajf5Zfe6oTaC7Mju81Mf7AVbzCqCx9Y59i65abPlhi4JR-Q7BZRVGUWH80y2udpOhtiKQHjZ/s320/medela.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/573/pump-in-style-advanced">Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breast pump</a></div>
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I highly suggest getting a breast pump! I honestly don't know how moms can be breast feeding moms and not have a breast pump. They will save you in so many areas! If you are away from your baby for the day, you will NEED to pump. If you want to have a couple drinks at night, you can give them some expressed milk from a previous pumping! If you feel extremely engorged and can't get relief! I bought the MOTOR of this pump on craigslist for CHEAP! Do not re use the tubing, bottles, or accessories! Just reuse the motor. Cheap pumps are not good pumps... Medela is what they use in the hospitals, so you know they're good!</div>
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Number 5:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteEabz0IgFnOhVGeSE8xM54KHj8N84jAJXcMxR2lX5pDMUDNu4X7dBoQRJyuKAf2GiSR1kkAWyZXoWdvJHVqICHGe4fHnD7II0hfMwyEynJeLnm2UaY2kxzVpMsTd4D4CvKT05UL3-W05/s1600/pillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteEabz0IgFnOhVGeSE8xM54KHj8N84jAJXcMxR2lX5pDMUDNu4X7dBoQRJyuKAf2GiSR1kkAWyZXoWdvJHVqICHGe4fHnD7II0hfMwyEynJeLnm2UaY2kxzVpMsTd4D4CvKT05UL3-W05/s320/pillow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mybrestfriend.com/products/deluxe-pillow">My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow</a></div>
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If you are a breast feeding mother... Do not get the boppy! They slip out of place and the baby rolls off of them. This one is flat on top with a head support on both sides. It goes around your back for back support and clips so it doesn't move. You can adjust it to fit snugly around yourself. It is bigger than the boppy, but for good reason! I highly suggest this pillow! I got mine used at the JBF sale I think, and just bought a new cover for it. </div>
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Number 6: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeQMf3y-JwoYi2ZvRJnHPhP0ntDY8MAeyylj2WnRGWe-M1JHnFO1aSWgEueNSAt5dnBYw1Lf9vpERddoC4iVswz_xZno8cmWHHDAevbur-hYN__gpXeC2nNbn456XLH2-lZAhohegp_EJ/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeQMf3y-JwoYi2ZvRJnHPhP0ntDY8MAeyylj2WnRGWe-M1JHnFO1aSWgEueNSAt5dnBYw1Lf9vpERddoC4iVswz_xZno8cmWHHDAevbur-hYN__gpXeC2nNbn456XLH2-lZAhohegp_EJ/s320/31.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/">31 Utility Tote Bag</a></div>
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This is the bag I use as my diaper bag. My sister bought it for me for my shower and I love it! There are so many perfect bottle sized pockets on the outside and tons of room on the inside! Seriously the perfect diaper bag!!</div>
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Number 7:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAs1zIbmER1Uar4abcsfGphovrytBiyPpRc77tnfWFJ2yxw_PF6rkvIGtZ5qdHsEctsscz00-ngDps-3oif0bAq8SS8tzvR7dux4tpF7h9bHbSFNJF9wkCUunoYS6fMjsG0nuTDZTx4Buo/s1600/graco-pack-n-play-playard-chadwick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAs1zIbmER1Uar4abcsfGphovrytBiyPpRc77tnfWFJ2yxw_PF6rkvIGtZ5qdHsEctsscz00-ngDps-3oif0bAq8SS8tzvR7dux4tpF7h9bHbSFNJF9wkCUunoYS6fMjsG0nuTDZTx4Buo/s320/graco-pack-n-play-playard-chadwick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.gracobaby.com/Catalog/Pages/landingPage.aspx?catid=10:43%7C%7C1">Graco Pack N Play Playard</a></div>
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I love this pack n play. This is the one that we have in our house. Jordan's mom found it on craigslist for a great deal! We kept it in our room for the first three months so that I could get to him right away if he needed me. He is now in his own room (sad day) so we will give it back to his parents. BUT we have another one we will use. I just really liked this one because of the changing table and the raised middle part for the baby to sleep on. It's great! </div>
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Number 8:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gJudr2fgORemv-snGeFQUfp6evcLQXR2-PGLEBN2Vg6FBHM01Phf3l5SlAJHq0-NipSELtHulE4lpaP_LVGzuFJyKpyAxuLg24Lf3vZHW69sFgbbqWW4ZRaDN43oz2cel-OVkdZzZJ_y/s1600/HootS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gJudr2fgORemv-snGeFQUfp6evcLQXR2-PGLEBN2Vg6FBHM01Phf3l5SlAJHq0-NipSELtHulE4lpaP_LVGzuFJyKpyAxuLg24Lf3vZHW69sFgbbqWW4ZRaDN43oz2cel-OVkdZzZJ_y/s320/HootS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://bestbottomdiapers.com/static.php?page=Best%20Bottom%20Diapers">Best Bottom Cloth Diapers</a></div>
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If you are a stay-at-home mom and don't put your baby in daycare, these are great! Most daycares wont let you do cloth... but seriously, I don't know why not. They are SO EASY!!! Changing diapers is gross no matter how you look at it... so why not use REusable? These are my favorite brand. I did a lot of research and these are by far the best! Hands down! </div>
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Number 9:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGt_5x550-RapVnExxTtFt0oYpxWq6CisbXCb7g1l-cOiVRk6KNyii_0t3lm2SNc1RqUBFv-NwGPFP4k9zYIb6gPp2lYaxTPyRbSYyQ3D2kitE-GzXtfgUinXMB9QZ7JpCdRDEYLaZwx9/s1600/rockin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGt_5x550-RapVnExxTtFt0oYpxWq6CisbXCb7g1l-cOiVRk6KNyii_0t3lm2SNc1RqUBFv-NwGPFP4k9zYIb6gPp2lYaxTPyRbSYyQ3D2kitE-GzXtfgUinXMB9QZ7JpCdRDEYLaZwx9/s1600/rockin.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://rockingreensoap.3dcartstores.com/Rockin-Green-Soap_c_1.html">Rockin Green Anti Ammonia Detergent</a></div>
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Ok, IF you do cloth diapers, these will SAVE your diapers. I use the pre-soak stuff, the detergent, and the odor remover sprinkle. My diapers do not smell and barely have any stains because of this stuff... I highly recommend you get this anti ammonia detergent or your diapers will probably start smelling after a while. </div>
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Number 10:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAkhVvupUrmHo9RbVw5J_foEalmqpTf9QFgmCGA51mITOJGG2I8Hl3r1tTd3xAKRoBg_8hzsf1ecvJ1i9TU5LHNgx80Kk2xKP7DMkgrGjd4vBK8ozaRDKBIArTpdKMGlQHK49fdTZjtLF/s1600/moby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAkhVvupUrmHo9RbVw5J_foEalmqpTf9QFgmCGA51mITOJGG2I8Hl3r1tTd3xAKRoBg_8hzsf1ecvJ1i9TU5LHNgx80Kk2xKP7DMkgrGjd4vBK8ozaRDKBIArTpdKMGlQHK49fdTZjtLF/s320/moby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mobywrap.com/">Moby Wrap</a> </div>
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LOVE the Moby Wrap! I bring it with me everywhere... once you get the hang of how to put on this ridiculously long fabric... it's AWESOME! Justus loves being up close to me, so when we grocery shop, go out and about, or if I need to get things done around the house and he's cranky, in it he goes! It's wonderful! I absolutely 100% recommend you get one of these! </div>
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So that's it for now... I don't have any more time, and these are really the only things I really really need and would miss if I didn't have them. </div>
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The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-64918067767413875742012-11-12T16:45:00.001-06:002012-11-12T16:45:42.516-06:00100 things I love about Jordan...<br />
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I was thinking about Jordan today while I was cooking. I was thinking about how thankful I am for him and how lucky I am to have him. I started listing reasons I love him in my head and I kept on thinking of them, so I decided to write them down. I actually had to make myself stop writing at 100... I keep thinking of more.... for now, I'll stick with the list of 100. It's a good thing to do to remind you why you married your husband in the first place. I challenge all you wives out there to do this... It made me really look forward to seeing him when he gets off of work tonight! :) </div>
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<b>100 things I love about Jordan</b></div>
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1. He believes in Jesus</div>
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2. He makes me laugh</div>
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3. He gave me Justus</div>
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4. He loves me just the way I am</div>
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5, He is honest</div>
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6. He is a hard worker</div>
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7. He has a great family</div>
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8. He talks to me about everything</div>
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9. He is my best friend</div>
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10. He works two jobs so I can stay home with the baby</div>
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11. He listens to my silly ideas</div>
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12. When he does something, he does it the best he can</div>
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13. He likes eating the food I make</div>
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14. He doesn't complain when I don't cook</div>
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15. I have known him since I was little</div>
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16. We were friends first</div>
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17. He plays wii with me</div>
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18. He doesn't need cable or internet.</div>
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19. He likes to live simply, like me. </div>
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20. He lets me do cloth diapers (and tries to change them too)</div>
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21. He is a great daddy</div>
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22. He is a great husband</div>
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23. He tells me he loves me</div>
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24. He lets me hug and kiss him whenever I want.</div>
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25. He has the same sense of humor as me</div>
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26. He is silly</div>
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27. He is a republican</div>
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28. He works on little and big projects with me</div>
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29. He likes to let loose and have a good time</div>
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30. He sounds exactly like Frank Sinatra when he tries</div>
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31. He likes pretty much every genre of music</div>
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32. He can play pretty much every instrument (and he learns if he can't)</div>
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33. Coldplay</div>
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34. He isn't pretentious </div>
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35. He is active</div>
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36. He takes care of our house</div>
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37. He listens to me</div>
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38. He offers solutions to problems</div>
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39. He isn't naive</div>
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40. He will teach our boy how to respect adults and others</div>
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41. He will instill a good work ethic in our boy</div>
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42. He has a great work ethic</div>
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43. He doesn't frivolously spend money</div>
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44. He can't sit still for more than 10 minutes</div>
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45. He is very attractive</div>
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46. He makes me feel needed</div>
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47. He makes up silly songs and sings them over and over again</div>
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48. He is respectful to authority and adults</div>
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49. My Great Aunt thinks he's a gentleman</div>
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50. He talks football with my 5 year old cousin</div>
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51. He loves my family</div>
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52. My family loves him</div>
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53. He told me he wanted to marry me on our like second date</div>
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54. He asked me to marry him four months after we started dating</div>
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55. He only wears Tshirts</div>
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56. He doesn't care if I only wore Tshirts</div>
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57. He likes my super fair skin tone</div>
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58. He lets me get my hair highlighted</div>
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59. He doesn't like going to the movies</div>
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60. His wii character is "The Most Interesting Man in the World"</div>
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61. He likes dogs and cats</div>
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62. He lets me do the budget</div>
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63. He is creative</div>
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64. He is a good dancer (when he wants to be)</div>
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65. He danced with me on our first date</div>
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66. He won't see Twilight</div>
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67. He let me pick out the last two places we've lived</div>
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68. He bought me a kitten for my birthday</div>
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69. He is great at giving and thinking of gifts</div>
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70. He weighs more than me</div>
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71. He doesn't shower me with useless words</div>
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72. He SHOWS me he loves me</div>
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73. He makes our son laugh</div>
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74. He is trying to grow a mustache</div>
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75. He encourages and inspires me to be healthy and active</div>
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76. He thinks I look prettiest when I feel ugliest. </div>
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77. He would be happy living in a box with me</div>
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78. He actually tells me about his day when I ask, "How was your day?"</div>
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79. He gives me an ornament for christmas every year.</div>
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80. He loves Christmas</div>
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81. His favorite movies are all rated G or PG</div>
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82. He is confident</div>
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83. He doesn't use credit cards</div>
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84. He makes wise decisions</div>
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85. He is proud of his family roots</div>
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86. He comes from a family of hard working, stand up men</div>
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87. He wears the pants in the family</div>
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88. He lets me be the kind of mom and wife I've always wanted to be</div>
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89. He likes hanging out with my favorite people just as much as I do</div>
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90. He likes going on vacations with me</div>
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91. He has been through and overcome a lot in his life</div>
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92. He takes a negative and turns it into a positive</div>
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93. He doesn't hold a grudge against me, EVER</div>
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94. He sleeps with his legs hanging off the bed </div>
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95. He makes me food when I'm too busy with the baby</div>
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96. He does me favors</div>
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97. He doesn't have facebook</div>
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98. He became a firefighter after working so hard to become one</div>
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99. He was my first kiss in high school</div>
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100. He was the first boy to tell me he loved me</div>
The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-85593885236345639652012-11-11T11:48:00.001-06:002012-11-11T11:48:40.731-06:0025 reasons I'm glad we don't have cableJordan and I had cable when we first got married and I thought I would never go back to not having it. Well, in May, I stopped working so I could be home with my darling baby boy (a decision I will NEVER regret!) Because of that we got rid of cable and internet. (the internet I'm using now is "borrowed" from our generous neighbor!) Since not having cable... I have noticed a difference in our marriage and in my day-to-day life. I was a TV/cable addict for a while... Some people may not have a problem with it like I do... so to each their own! I lack the self-control to just TURN IT OFF sometimes! :) Props to you if you can!<br />
<br />
25 reasons I'm glad we don't have cable:<br />
<br />
1. I spend less time sitting down (except when I'm feeding Justus)<br />
2. I find things to clean in my house that would otherwise go unnoticed.<br />
3. I have more free time. (TV had always distracted me from the free time I actually had - hence the complaint, "I don't have time!")<br />
4. I actually play with my baby on the floor and look into his eyes while I'm doing it. If the TV was on, I would be probably be sitting on the couch with him and not looking at him as much, giving him my undivided attention.<br />
5. I cook more<br />
6. I listen to more music (I'm on a Mozart kick lately after watching Amadeus with Jordan the other night. It creates such a calm atmosphere)<br />
7. Jordan and I have time for DIY projects that we want to do.<br />
8. I don't get frustrated if I miss a certain TV show<br />
9. I don't feel the "need" to finish a TV program if I start it. (how many useless Househunters episodes and My Fair Wedding episodes can you watch in one day, seriously...)<br />
10. We don't have the constant JUNK from commercials and programs filling our minds.<br />
11. Jordan and I find watching a movie together in the living room a little more special. It kind of feels like a date.<br />
12. Jordan and I talk and enjoy our friendship more while playing Wii sports together (we have intense competitions!)<br />
13. Justus isn't going to grow up with the TV being on all the time as the norm. <br />
14. I am inspired to get outside and moving more. <br />
15. Jordan and I sit and talk more often.<br />
16. We are saving a TON of money<br />
17. We go spend time with family members if there's a special game on or something instead of just watching it at home.<br />
18. When friends come over, we actually talk to each other instead of just sit there and stare at the screen together.<br />
19. I am not constantly hearing terrible things from the News.<br />
20. We can watch TV shows we really like in their entirety at the end of the season instead of waiting a week to find out what happens between each show. (It's like watching a movie together... way more fun)<br />
21. It's getting back to the basics of life... which I am all about. <br />
22. I grew up HATING the TV and wishing we could just go throw it in the lake. (even though we didn't have cable, it seemed to always be on!)<br />
23. We are saving electricity!<br />
24. I don't waste my time watching all of those stupid singing competitions anymore. (they drive me crazy)<br />
25. My days don't feel like a waste! <br />
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I'm sure there are many more reasons to be glad we don't have cable, but these are the main ones... I thought we would "need" cable... but we most certainly don't. The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-59084380705412734812012-11-11T10:57:00.000-06:002012-11-11T12:23:15.157-06:00Starting a new(ish) chapeter... It's called Being Frugal.I have always wanted to be a very domestic housewife/mother... I am not usually a very crafty DIYer, but thanks to <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>, and the new facebook group started by a former MOPS member, I am inspired, nay... <u style="font-weight: bold;">convinced</u> that it's possible! I don't have to come up with all of these great ideas on my own... I have an amazing support group and resource at my fingertips! Today, on my journey of becoming domesticated and frugal, I made some chicken stock from a whole chicken that I bought and cooked in my crock pot! <a href="http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/19/the-frugal-whole-chicken-or-waste-not-want-not/">here</a> is the website with all of the great things you can do with a chicken. And <a href="http://busy-mommy.com/2010/02/how-to-make-your-own-rotisserie-chicken.html">here</a> is the link to my crock pot rotisserie recipe I use. This last time I made it, I didn't use the spices or rub it calls for, I actually just made it my own and seasoned the entire chicken according to my own taste. You just can't go wrong, really... <br />
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Another thing I have been on a kick of making lately is granola bars... I have been trying to search the internet for a granola bar recipe like the Nature Valley Oats N Honey granola bars for weeks. I eat them like crazy and they're just OATS! It seems logical to make them yourself, no? Well, I came across a recipe that i LOVE in my The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook. I don't know if I can share the entire recipe word for word from the cookbook for copyright issues, but I'll give you the gist. it's simple as pie (that you pick up from the store)<br />
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The recipe calls for:<br />
3/4 C almonds (I didn't have any on hand so I didn't use any)<br />
3 1/2 C old fashioned rolled oats<br />
1/4 C canola oil (I used coconut oil because it's yummier and I didn't have canola)<br />
1/4 tsp salt (I didn't add that either)<br />
1/3 C honey<br />
1/2 C packed light brown sugar (i used dark because that's what I had)<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I love cinnamon, so I eyeballed it and added a little more)<br />
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STEPS!<br />
1. put your oven rack in the middle of your oven and preheat to 300 degrees. Line a 9x13 pan with an aluminum foil sling (put foil one way with it coming up over the edges of the pan and another piece of foil going the other way with it coming up over the edges. it's just so you can lift the granola out of the pan for easier cutting.)<br />
2. toast almonds (if you're using them) in a skillet over med. heat til golden brown about 5-7 min stirring often. transfer to bowl. THEN add oats and oil to skillet to toast to golden brown and aromatic. about 4-6 min. put in the bowl with the almonds and stir in salt (if you wish)<br />
3. Add honey and brown sugar to skillet and heat until the sugar is dissolved, stir frequently so it doesn't burn the bottom. should take about 5 min. take off the heat and add cinnamon and vanilla extract. <br />
DO PAST STEP AND NEXT STEP AS FAST AS YOU CAN! The honey mixture turns into a hard rock candy if it cools too long.<br />
4. QUICKLY add honey mixture into the oats and almonds. MIX FAST! pour mixture into the pre-greased 9x13 pan. PACK the granola mixture down into the pan HARD! I got out a small bread pan and a layer of wax paper and pressed it down really hard with the pan. it needs to be about a half inch to an inch thick. Put in oven cooking about 20-25 minutes rotating the pan halfway through. <br />
5. Take out and let cool 10 minutes or more so when you cut them it is hard! Cool bars completely before eating. <br />
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YUM! Seriously... cheap and delicious! <br />
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Nutrition Facts per bar (according to cook book version)<br />
calories: 180 Fat: 8g Sat Fat: 0.5g Chol. 0mg Carb. 26g Protein 4g<br />
Fiber 3g Sodium 40mg<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcr_XK4SJsLDe_iS3uDYRjSzIwQVkCfhm1JUMWM-gPkapkrSpGyo7fOxsq1K0uakY3Ip9gjbRxZYbv0Ic7ZFYGFQ3HYiIqwLMvOEP2Ii5j_rHBrNMfv640FwixtsU7KRAS8WbiiKW-kP5v/s1600/IMG_7755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcr_XK4SJsLDe_iS3uDYRjSzIwQVkCfhm1JUMWM-gPkapkrSpGyo7fOxsq1K0uakY3Ip9gjbRxZYbv0Ic7ZFYGFQ3HYiIqwLMvOEP2Ii5j_rHBrNMfv640FwixtsU7KRAS8WbiiKW-kP5v/s320/IMG_7755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the finished product!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLRm_RR4faQJVDBz3LgA6LPRJVFBMneWGHLLxv2WUm-VQQLvDsmnzCEonZ7xe9LZdsJ8lG7M2AFmJua2f2_EaZfaKhTAh-kwxouo5dckv2fkzzKW6vGNH3zwbA1JGM6NDtVtBLY58gW1C/s1600/IMG_7758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLRm_RR4faQJVDBz3LgA6LPRJVFBMneWGHLLxv2WUm-VQQLvDsmnzCEonZ7xe9LZdsJ8lG7M2AFmJua2f2_EaZfaKhTAh-kwxouo5dckv2fkzzKW6vGNH3zwbA1JGM6NDtVtBLY58gW1C/s320/IMG_7758.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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This should give you an idea of what the foil sling is to look like. </div>
<br />The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-801158996663448748.post-47152132211079969922012-11-08T22:10:00.002-06:002012-11-08T22:10:52.594-06:00From Poster to Podge to PalletSo, I have been inspired by pinterest like none other lately, and I decided to take on something that seemed fairly simple. It really shouldn't be that complicated, but Jordan and I are old-school so it took a little longer than people who have a lot of "tools" and "equipment" haha. I got this idea from <a href="http://www.pbjstories.com/2011/10/usa-pallet-map-boys-room-decor.html">this website</a>.<br />
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Here is our photo journey of this project. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAJgF4IHH5X1lKIv8gw2jyVu3q81uYgK5cNh3oJV4zpNmaOZrZ7adj13lmKB2m2qA1we5_ZnQrwfeXIF3MWUI5y5YTpUr6P0cjeSwpyTN5tw3H-HBIWijBbTU38hmUmvmAC81Wxp0nPGz/s1600/IMG_7668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAJgF4IHH5X1lKIv8gw2jyVu3q81uYgK5cNh3oJV4zpNmaOZrZ7adj13lmKB2m2qA1we5_ZnQrwfeXIF3MWUI5y5YTpUr6P0cjeSwpyTN5tw3H-HBIWijBbTU38hmUmvmAC81Wxp0nPGz/s320/IMG_7668.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pallet we bought for two dollars.. Poster we already had in a cruddy frame. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGuoE7TpvWdixPzIqdFHA90eLartoD2ljaqgtTTwyKyZ7ELHNrt3j2rz-mX82q3NCb1sNkBTHB9O_8NpPj6L7NuKiqhhMptJhUdpokYc3vqkpBH2rrEul3BkbThPtLDjFvmG5SSjr78Wj/s1600/IMG_7669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGuoE7TpvWdixPzIqdFHA90eLartoD2ljaqgtTTwyKyZ7ELHNrt3j2rz-mX82q3NCb1sNkBTHB9O_8NpPj6L7NuKiqhhMptJhUdpokYc3vqkpBH2rrEul3BkbThPtLDjFvmG5SSjr78Wj/s320/IMG_7669.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Justus wanted to come watch, but there were mosquitos... I had to do the right thing...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzKFFxAAZYE1HWEe2FMrmIsK-KbW3G-HFmuJmovWEONpUjB1BBrUMKHZzYW7Prhs5jVOJRNuXh3soZGMSkUTtURhsX1b48PuMNvRyMtSWF0q91cFOyK0oMBJtd73hzAHZ_T6lGEdqtUlF/s1600/IMG_7670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzKFFxAAZYE1HWEe2FMrmIsK-KbW3G-HFmuJmovWEONpUjB1BBrUMKHZzYW7Prhs5jVOJRNuXh3soZGMSkUTtURhsX1b48PuMNvRyMtSWF0q91cFOyK0oMBJtd73hzAHZ_T6lGEdqtUlF/s320/IMG_7670.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Jordan trying to separate the boards... ended up being too tedious. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18odrX302XhKxTvIWAOeEWhBMKg8RyLV6Qvf7wYTA8Vd38rqhTborEeGAcJxZaDMjzFqki5rmAHUJQc5-JL4keLp805I0hU6CY-4q3XWiVyggz7-mEWr9HC4kjLIKKn_QJqqaRew98emu/s1600/IMG_7685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18odrX302XhKxTvIWAOeEWhBMKg8RyLV6Qvf7wYTA8Vd38rqhTborEeGAcJxZaDMjzFqki5rmAHUJQc5-JL4keLp805I0hU6CY-4q3XWiVyggz7-mEWr9HC4kjLIKKn_QJqqaRew98emu/s320/IMG_7685.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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We didn't have a table saw.. like most DIYers... so he hand sawed it. He crazy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7nZG4Wl54SFUfG5WA6P4OEIoAXbWDbQqkB1dp6KEn0Z6V3YASU7C2ADR18a1M4mVQNB6k2Oeu2lEKAYSO_bSuW5BGWy2BmiXDQF5dGGp1LkU6Zi65dtQMErQApD7onA8bHe5RoAvfPGL/s1600/IMG_7693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7nZG4Wl54SFUfG5WA6P4OEIoAXbWDbQqkB1dp6KEn0Z6V3YASU7C2ADR18a1M4mVQNB6k2Oeu2lEKAYSO_bSuW5BGWy2BmiXDQF5dGGp1LkU6Zi65dtQMErQApD7onA8bHe5RoAvfPGL/s320/IMG_7693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Justus and mama watching Daddy do all the hard parts. :)</div>
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Our battery operated drill was not charged... it took about two hours to get all of the screws drilled into the back. We put two boards across the back to hold it all together. </div>
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Before we put the poster on... boards all together.</div>
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ugly bendy poster frame</div>
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Me, finally helping. (it was MY project... but whatever, he did all the hard parts)</div>
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I put Mod Podge on the boards and then put the poster on top slowly scraping the bubbles out with a credit card type material. </div>
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We went inside so I could dry the poster... we had already been working on it for like 4 hours by this point and were getting impatient. We are the kind of crafters that don't finish a project if we wait til the next day, so we decided to work on it until it was DONE!</div>
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Jordan went into all of the cracks between the boards and sliced the poster pieces out of it, which REALLY makes it look like part of the wood. It really looks like it's painted on there because of his detail work... which I'm pretty sure took three hours. </div>
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He even found cracks throughout the wood pallet and scraped them out. Looks AWESOME!</div>
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I had to keep bringing him beers... he was doing MY project after all... </div>
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Justus, still a part of the project... </div>
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Jordan holding up his proud work!</div>
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The Mod Podge on top of the poster was still drying, that's all the white parts.</div>
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This is where we hung it. I FREAKING LOVE IT!!!!</div>
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Any questions regarding how we did this... comment! It should be a lot simpler than we made it!</div>
<br />The Real Life is Goodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00724297403139688689noreply@blogger.com5