Community-Build it and Grow
Community is essential for my growth and development. Community is my life-line. Community keeps me balanced, focused, on track and able to conquer my fears and achieve my dreams. Establishing a community can take time or it can happen fast-out of desperation. The people that I draw into my inner circle have earned the right to breathe life into me. Developing community takes time, intentionality and effort. Trustworthiness, honesty, authenticity, faithfulness and enthusiasm are character traits that are important to me as I build my community.
When I was first married, my husband and I were both in school so our community developed fairly easily with classmates and church friends, but then we began to move around a lot because my hubby was in the Navy. Developing a community was imperative because we had small children by then and I needed the support since my husbands hours were ridiculously long. I desperately needed my love cup filled to overflowing so that I could be a good mom and a blessing to him when he returned from work especially after his 36 hour shifts. I quickly started searching for like-minded gals from church and wives of my husband’s colleagues that needed friends like I did. I reached out and invited them into my life. We started play groups and babysitting co-ops. We organized tennis dates and park days. We bought season passes to the zoo and Sea World and went once a week on a field trip with the kids. As we spent time together sharing life, our struggles, our joys and our frustrations, our community grew into a sisterhood of bonded friends. None of us would have survived those years without that community of friends.
During the years that I had school aged daughters, there was always so much going …
Read MoreLove Your Kids By Being Present
What do our kids want most? They want our attention. They want our focus. They want our love.
I’m sure like me, sometimes you just want to tune out. Keeping track and caring for littles can be exhausting-physically and mentally. And how do we tune out? Our phones.
I’m guilty of this all too much. “Just let me finish this.” “I just need to check something.” And so on and so forth.
So before you continue reading, make sure your kids aren’t around, that you are being present. This can wait. Everything else can wait.
Hopefully now you are alone and ready to spend a little “you” time. So let’s learn how to love our kids by being present together!
First, read these two articles by Hands Free Mama:
How to Miss a Childhood update
My sister and I had a wonderful conversation the other day. We were sharing back and forth, offering advice, when she gave me a wonderful…no, LIFE CHANGING idea on how to be more present. She asked if my husband and I took our girls on dates. I told her I loved the idea, it was just hard to figure out the logistics of when to do it and what to do. She told me this idea she heard from Hands Free Mama: to spend at least 5 minutes a day one-on-one with each of your kids. I thought, “YES! I can do that!”
I set up my younger two with an activity and read an entire magazine with Ellie. We did all the “search and finds,” read every poem, every story. I was astonished by what those 5 minutes meant to Ellie…NO. What they meant to ME!
Sometimes to break bad habits we need to start small. Here’s what I …
Read MoreWhat do you really love?
Pic from http://shirleymaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-love.jpg
We love alot of things. We love sports. We love stuff. We love food. We love the things we do. We love people. We love pictures. The word love is tossed around every day, for little meaningless things. But we can’t let that take away from the significance and the depth and the power of the word love. And love isn’t just a word. It is a feeling. It can be a choice. But most importantly, it is an action. Love lived out has the most power and the most potential to make an impact. What have you done lately that has shown love? What has someone done for you?
What do you love? What do you really really love? Who do you love? How do you show them that? Do you do extra things? Do you tell them you love them? Do you tell them why? There is power in words and actions. Be intentional in how you love. Be descriptive in why you love. Don’t just love someone to say it or check it off the list, love someone to make them feel loved and purposeful and on top of the world. This is what love really is….
Do you love this way? Or do you love only so you get something in return? This Valentine’s season, be filled with love, not to get something back, but to be overwhelmed in the feeling and the action of true true love! Live out love in action. Love not just with feeling, but with everything you are. Love big and love loud and love to make a difference!
…
Valentine’s Day Chex Mix
Valentine’s Day is such a fun holiday for crafts and recipes! I have definitely been in a baking/want to be creative in the kitchen mood (I think I am officially nesting) so this was really fun to create! This mix would be so cute bagged up for a little gift and is a fun way to give a sweet treat that is different than candy!
Valentine’s Day Chex Mix Ingredients:
2 Cups Cheerios
2 Cups Rice Chex
3 Cups Pretzel Thins (break into pieces)
One Package (Approx 9) Honey Graham Crackers (break into pieces)
1 Cup Ghirardelli White Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Valentine’s M&M’s
Red & Pink Sprinkles
Directions:
- Place the Cheerios, Chex, Pretzels, and Graham Crackers in a large bowl. You want the bowl to be large enough to mix.
- Put the 1 cup of chocolate chips into a glass bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Microwave for 15 seconds and stir. Microwave another 15 seconds and stir. You want the chocolate completely melted, but you need to be careful not to burn the white chocolate.
- Pour the melted chocolate onto the chex mix and begin stirring right away. While the chocolate is still hot, pour the sprinkles and M&M’s into the bowl and continuing mixing.
- Spread the coated chex mix onto a lined baking sheet and allow to cool. Place the chex mix into cute Valentine’s bags to gift or in a Ziploc to keep fresh.
- 2 Cups Cheerios
- 2 Cups Rice Chex
- 3 Cups Pretzel Thins (break into pieces)
- One Package (Approx 9) Honey Graham Crackers (break into pieces)
- 1 Cup Ghirardelli White Chocolate Chips
- 1 Cup Valentine's M&M's
- Red & Pink Sprinkles
- Place
Be Salty for Valentine’s Day
Love is in the air. Valentine’s Day is around the corner and everywhere you turn something or someone is telling you how to express your love. A few weeks ago I heard a message about the Kingdom of God and how the teachings of Jesus are the map to know about the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is the #1 subject that Jesus taught His disciples about-He was passionate about modeling Kingdom values here on earth. So during this season of Valentine’s, chocolates, flowers and Love, I am going to focus on reflecting Kingdom values. I am going to ask myself if my attitudes and actions represent someone who models Kingdom values. I am going to pay attention to the needs of others and actually do something that shows love.
- Take time to make that phone call to a friend.
- Drop by and visit with someone who is housebound, sick or recovering from an illness or from surgery.
- Write a note of encouragement.
- Bake some cookies and take them to a neighbor.
- Send Valentine’s cards to your children or grandchildren.
- Make a meal for a friend just for fun.
When we take the time to stop our busy lives and think about what truly matters, we will bless others and have a deeper sense of emotional satisfaction and joy.
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt is an amazing chemical. Salt is used in cooking to enhance flavor, as a preservative and as a flavor suppressant. Salt enhances the flavor of what it is seasoning-you add salt to a stew or soup to enhance the flavor of the meat and vegetables that are slowly cooking together. The result is not a salty taste …
Read MoreDIY Valentine’s
I love holidays. LOVE holidays. BUT…
I also have a huge panic attack when I realize that holidays = parties = expectations that I’m a super awesome Pinterest mom who can whip out the cutest ever gifts to exchange. (This expectation is 100% self-imposed).
Well, I’m here to tell you that you can be SUPER AWESOME without braking the bank or losing your mind trying to come up with crafty crafts because there are super-talented moms that have done all the work for you. GOD BLESS PINTEREST (sometimes).
We have 3 different exchanges to prepare for, so I picked 3 seemingly easy to prep DIY Valentine’s with free printables and allergy-free snack options.
How cute is this CUTIES Valentine from Happy Money Saver? I love cuties. They are good for all occasions, right?!!
I instantly fell in love with this BEAR HUG Valentine from Bloom Designs
And how cute is this DIY craft? I’m totally going to have the girls make this for family members!
I am feeling 100% better and more prepared after my search and I am glad I was able to find some ideas that fit my needs.
What Valentine’s do you plan to make this year?
…
What’s your Why?
With Valentines day around the corner, I have been trying to think deeply about love, who I am, who God is, and who He created me to be. This past weekend I was challenged to describe myself without any title, without what I do, and without using anything about my job. It was all about who I am. It was really a challenge. Do you think you could do that? Describe yourself without a title, position, or what you do. Write it down.
This whole thing got me thinking about the TED talk by Simon Sinek “Start with Why”. His whole premise is figuring out what really drives you. Not the how or the what in what you do, but the why! 
What is the reason you do what you do. This circle needs to work from the inside out. Not the outside in. The why you do what you do should drive the how you do it, which ultimately drives the what. The why gives context and meaning. Who are you? Speak from who you are. Speak from the authenticity and trust of knowing who you are and living in that. Put your feelings into words. Combining your language and feelings is hard.
Start with
- Clarity of Why
- Discipline of How
- Consistency of What
Your why compels you. It reminds you of why you are doing what you do. Be compelled to make an impact. Be encouraged to make a difference. You are unique. You are talented. And you have potential to have a positive impact. And the more you know why you do what you do, the greater impact you can have.
So why am I thinking about this? Why do I love what I love? What makes me who I am? Not my title or what I …
Read MoreValentine’s Day Crafts and Friendship
Celebrating Valentine’s Day can extend to giving and sharing more love than just the love you have for your spouse, kids, grandkids and extended family. Tonight we spread the love around as we gathered for a Valentine’s craft night. I personally love crafts of all kinds so I will clear my schedule anytime for a gathering of women who want to do crafts. One dear friend opened her beautiful home for us to gather, another friend found some projects on Pinterest that we could make and she brought all the supplies. I sent out an email invitation and encouraged people to bring friends. We each contributed some money to cover the cost of the supplies. Add some delicious and nutritious snacks and you have the perfect Ladies Night Out!!! The extra treat of fellowship time with a group of beloved girl friends adds a bonus that can’t be beat!
And LOOK WHAT WE MADE!!!!
What you will need to make the Valentine’s Tree:
-A variety of colored and patterned scrapbook paper
– A small pot
– Floral foam
– Wire
– Wire cutters or scissors you don’t mind cutting wire with
– Glue gun
– BBQ skewer sticks
– Fabric
– Wooden heart or make one from cardboard.
– Moss or rafia
– Ribbon
What you do:
Simple, Delicious Homemade Guacamole
This weekend is Super Bowl Sunday which means lots of yummy food! Chips, salsa, and guacamole are staple football game foods – so this year, WOW your friends with this delicious homemade guacamole that is sure to impress! And, you don’t even have to skimp on your New Year health goals with this recipe! Avocados have so many health benefits – check out a few here from Best Health. If you are devoted to stay committed to your health goals, try this recipe with your favorite veggies instead of chips!
Now, I have to give credit where credit is due – I always have my husband make this recipe because it is so delicious when he does! However, tonight was the first time we actually measured out the ingredients together (I’m a recipe follower and he’s more of a wing-it kinda guy in the kitchen), and it was the best guacamole we have ever had! He likes adding more kick to his (see the optional ingredient below) but he knows I like it better without so he usually won’t add it if he knows I want some.
If you are making this recipe for a larger group, I would definitely double (or triple) it, as I’m guessing it will go fast 🙂
Ingredients:
4 Large Avocados
1/4 Cup Pace Salsa
1/2 tsp Garlic Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
One Lemon
(Optional) Tapatio Sauce (Add to taste)
Directions:
- Cut open avocados, remove pit, and add insides to a large bowl. Mash up.
- Add all other ingredients to the mashed avocados, except for the lemon, and mix together.
- Cut the lemon in quarters and squeeze one quarters worth of juice into the bowl (Make sure no seeds fall into the guac). Mix and add more to taste but do not add
Fun With Grandparents
My girls are SO blessed to have in-laws that live close by and a large loving family to care for them so that I can get some much needed breaks and date nights with my husband. Mommy breaks are so important for a mom’s well-being and it is so important for kids to foster a relationship with their family or other caregivers.
My in-laws are THE BEST. They are so creative and willing to do whatever the girls want.
I wanted to help out and set up a little fun for everybody for today when I sneak off to Disneyland with my girlfriends…SHHHH!! Don’t tell.
A friend shared a DIY play dough recipe and I figured it was the PERFECT time to try it. 2016 is all about stepping out of my comfort zone to try and learn new things! I decided to put this Play Dough recipe from Imagination Tree to the test!
Ingredients:
2 cups plain all purpose flour
2 TBS vegetable oil
1/2 cup salt
2 TBS cream of tartar
Up to 1.5 cups hot water plus food coloring
Directions:
Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl. Add food coloring to the boiling water. (I definitely could have used A LOT more color!! So don’t be shy). Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky dough. Allow the dough to cool. (This only took a few minutes). After the dough is cool take it out of the bowl and knead until all of the stickiness is gone. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP SO KEEP ON KNEADING! Add a touch of flour if the stickiness doesn’t go away. ENJOY your new creation!!
It truly was FUN and as easy as promised. Nothing like a successful Pinterest craft to make you feel …
Read More