Category: Battle of Motherhood

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Battle of Motherhood christian mom christianity Faith Journey Family Online Bible Study

Encouraged by “Grace looks amazing on you”

Grace looks amazing on you is a 100 day devotional with personal stories, scriptures, and reflections of God’s grace. Such an excellent book for encouragement.

I received the Grace looks Amazing on your 100 Day Devotional for free to review and post. Although, I received the devotional as a gift. My opinions are my own. My Full Disclosure Policy

Searching for Amazing Grace amongst Anxiety

Anxiety has risen high in the last two weeks for me, and when fear creeps in, that is a sure sign that I am not intimately concerning Christ. I’m doing it on my own, and I am not that strong in the gym and especially mentally.  That is what has appealed so much to me in Christ is peace.  Peace from the worry, what if’s, racing thoughts, problematic outcomes, the world is ending scenarios that can plague my dark mind.  But where there is light, there can be no darkness, and that is how I know that I am not leaning on Christ.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Grace looks amazing on you, not self-reliance.

Because I want to be in control, I want to understand, and I want to know the end of all this, but it’s not for me to know.  I am to abide and trust in Him.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs 3:5

Every day I wakeup a sinner saved by grace and; Without God, my sinful nature will always take over my second nature, and here we are now.  I am all over the place with my moods, either enthusiastic or utterly incapable of functioning.  I need Jesus!

 

You can find amazing grace through prayer.

Prayer is an immediate peace provider for me. Its the ultimate remedy for my anxious thoughts, but I also need time in the Word. I was learning more about the heroic story of Jesus how He died for me because He loved me like no other.  

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

God revealing His amazing grace

Right now, with my Online Bible Study group, which was a thing that a group of friends and I did before COVID began.  We are almost a year into studying the Word together online.  In late February, throughs God’s urging, we decided to explore the book of Hebrews.  As we slowly navigate through Hebrews, I am deeply reminded of God’s divine plan from the beginning of existence. His love and His amazing grace.

Grace looks Amazing on you 100 Day Devotional Book

I am also reading a devotional that I received as a gift from Amy Sieffert called grace is a breath of fresh air. Every morning I am reminded that despite my hot mess, I am His masterpiece. His love is unconditional, and that is something that I need to hear these days as anxious thoughts tell me differently.  This devotional is so relatable as Amy shares her failures and God’s redemption through it all. I often think of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus as my redemption, but I am being redeemed in Christ every day.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

Grace looks amazing on you as a daily devotion.

Each day begins with a Scripture and a personal incident Amy where she was able to see the grace of God.  As a mother of three unpredictable girls, it’s kind of refreshing to see Amy’s take on the struggles of motherhood and that we’re not alone in our insecurities and mishaps.  It has been such a blessing to get deeply study God’s Word through Hebrews, and to have this gracedevotional every morning. It is a 100-day devotional.

This is an excellent gift for the woman in your life that needs to be reminded that although she is flawed, she is ultimately loved by Him. I am not a medical or mental doctor, but I do believe in the power of God, but I want to say it does not replace a mental health specialist if you need to speak to someone.  I was in therapy for many years for my anxiety and have gotten many tools to help cope.  

We need to invest in our mental health.

We have to honor our temples inside and out, especially now, and if you need help in any area. Spirit, mind, and body, I want to encourage you to seek them out.

Amy Sieffert has a giveaway for her book happening until 5/10/20, so enter to win. Make sure you come through here and get the opportunity to see God’s amazing grace through Amy’s eyes and encouragement through her book.

Is there a favorite devotional you have when you are anxious?

 

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Battle of Motherhood christian mom christianity Faith Journey Family raising family

Breaking up with Busyness

Breaking up with busyness

September is National Self-Care month. Self-care is not about massages and manicures but about doing the things that help you operate at your best self. For me, that means breaking up with busyness. For the last several months, I have been busy with no results. The things that I invest time in has not brought fulfillment. The things that my busyness is taking away from is falling by the wayside. This month I decided to self-care I need to stop being busy and do the things that are going to bring fulfillment.

Psalm 62:1 (NIV) Truly, my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

What I knew

I was taught, “idle hands are the devils’ playground.” It has stuck with me throughout my life. Still busying myself with a task, some meaningful and some meaningless.  Then, I became a mother and applied that to my children. Signing them up for classes, keeping their weekly calendar full with outings, play dates and activities.  Teaching them that they should always have something to do and not allowing them to have the time of rest or leisure. After rereading the story of Mary and Martha I came to an epiphanie- “I need to break up with busyness.”

Luke 10:41-42 (NIV) “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” 

For the first time in my adult life, I wanted to be a “Mary.” Previously, I took pride in the fact that I was an exceptional multitasker and exemplary at time management.  I realized slowing down and taking time to “be still” was an admirable trait.

Why is Busyness Applauded?

Many people are always on the go until they reach exhaustion.  Busyness is considered tremendous, and stillness is deemed to be lazy.  When we are still, we can hear God, be closer to Him, and use His guidance.

Mark 6:31-32 (NIV)
31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

Are we valuing our relationships?

Being busy also keeps us from having meaningful relationships with others.  We are so wrapped up in the go-go; we aren’t fostering our communities and fellowship, which is very important.

Hebrews 10:24–25

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and ball the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Are we meaningful and present in our significant relationships, like our spouse or children? Are we filling our time and presence with stuff and activities? Is it worth the stress and isolation to be task-oriented?

Three Ways I plan to break up with Busyness

  1. Say “No” more. I often say, “yes” before even thinking of how it will add or take away value from my life.  I plan on saying, “Not Yet” and “No” more and see if the situation or task will take away from my life.
  2. Get over FOMO. I often say, “Yes” because I don’t want to miss out on anything. I have always been like that but I am starting to realize that I don’t have to be part of everything and that is okay. Age brings you the wisdom I guess.
  3. Knowing my Why.  If I stayed focused on the “why” I am doing something than “what” I am doing will either have more or less meaning. Being rooted in my “why” will help me discern of the things that are meant for me.

My “Aha” Moment

The story of Mary and Martha was an epiphany for me. I discovered I wanted to fellowship, devote more time to God and my family and friends.  Have a more meaningful and present relationship with the people in my life.  It gave me permission that I needed to slow down and reduce so that I could be more like Mary. When I am planning for my children now, it’s memorable experiences versus expertise in activities. I spend quality time in the Word, with my husband daily, my family, my dog and my stress level are low.  I am living the “Mary” lifestyle and enjoying the moments instead of calculating my time. So, the last part of the year I am going to be doing less and enjoying more. This life was not meant to cram as much as we can into every hour but to enjoy every hour that we have. That’s the plan let’s see if I stick with it.

Does busy equal important? Which would you prefer the “Mary” or “Martha” lifestyle?

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Battle of Motherhood Children christian mom

Workbooks help avoid Summer Slump with TinkerActive Workbooks

This post is sponsored by TinkerActive Workbooks, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. My full Disclosure Policy

TinkerActive Workbooks are a fun way to avoid the summer slump

There are those last days of summer when the kids are bored of being home, and the school has not yet begun.  Its the perfect time to refresh on skills to get ready for back to school with some engaging interactive workbooks.  I have three children for the first time going back to school, and my kindergartner is beyond excited.  She can’t wait to ride the school bus that she has watched her sisters get on for many years.

Ready for Back to School

We are ready to begin school all we need is for it to open. So, while we wait, I thought it would be a great time to explore TinkerActive Workbooks.   These workbooks are comprehensive, curriculum-based workbooks.  Each lesson has an interactive “tinkering,” creating and engineering project connected.  These activities improve your child’s ability to reinforce the skill learned in the experience.  The lessons are also very simple and don’t always involve lots of materials you don’t already own.   We had fun, refreshing math and science skills that she will expand in kindergarten this year.

Interactive Learning

Introducing these tinkering activities was a great way to pass the time until kindergarten began.  It also increased her excitement to learn new things and skills.  I am so impressed with the TInkerActive Workbooks. We are exploring foundational skills in STEM, Common Core. The lessons in the workbook for math covered themes like classifying and sorting, counting and quantities, counting by 100 by tens, measurement, 2D & 3D shapes and basics like addition, subtraction, and place value.

 

Built-In Motivation

Every child wants recognition, and for Mimi, it’s a great motivator.  In the TinkerActive Workbook, it includes progress recognition stickers and a Final “Secret Magnetic Merit Badge” for your child once they complete the book. It was fun to find the “hidden treasure” as a reward for completing the workbook. Mimi told everyone who would listen about her “hidden treasure.”  What a fun way to reward all her explorative work.

Sending my Baby off to School

The activities were just as fun for me as it was for Mimi and an excellent way for us to bond before school begins.  My last baby is leaving the house, and I know the time will fly.  I also have a tenth grader starting school this year, and I remember the days of teaching her to read and write.  It’s bittersweet preparing my baby for school, but I know that she is going thrive this year.  Exploring with our hands and minds is fun with TinkerActive Workbook.  We just began the science workbook, and we both are excited to complete it in the afternoons after morning Kindergarten.

TinkerActive Workbooks are great education Support

If you’re looking for an activity workbook for your kindergartner, I highly recommend you check these workbooks out. It’s an excellent opportunity to engage with your child through learning and a great supplement or support for school or to avoid the summer slump. TinkerActive Workbooks can be purchased wherever books are sold. If they decide to purchase on Amazon, share your thoughts, and submit a review for TinkerActive Workbooks. 

 

How do you bridge the gap in the summer?  Does your child learn better with play-based curriculums and tinkering?

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Battle of Motherhood christian mom Faith & Self Care

#OwnYourBodBabe on May 13

I am participating in this years #OwnYourBod on May 13th and I want you to join me. There is something that has been irking me since my birthday and today I’m going to tell you what and why?

So, on your Birthday Facebook lets your social media know it’s your big day and people comment, post pictures, videos. It’s awesome you feel celebrated and loved. Well, I try to give people the same respect as they give me and respond to each and every comment I receive. (I know crazy) Anyways, I read every comment.

Well, my last birthday there was a comment that hit me in the gut.  Now, maybe I was taking it wrong but it went a little something like this:

“Happy Birthday to someone who has worked so hard to make their body look good!”

Did you feel the blow to the throat?

The greater hurt was that I see this person every Sunday when I go to Church. Alright, now you are feeling me?

 

My Intended Message

In the last four years, it has never been my intention to promote a perfect body. I have admitted that I am vain and that my weight loss journey began because I wanted to get skinny. But, that changed during the process and it became an authentic passion to help other people honor their temple and transition into a healthy lifestyle.  

The results of moving your body and fueling it properly is that not only you look good but you feel good. That is what I have worked so hard on is showing others that a healthy lifestyle is possible and the results are that I look good.  

I also have become more confident and aware of who I am and proud of the achievement that I have made and my goal is no longer to be skinny but I really wouldn’t mind being the strongest woman in the world.

Owning my Body

So, today I chose to Own this strong body and say, “Yes, I look good and I have worked hard.” If that inspires someone to respect their body and treat it the way God intended then I’ll take that throat punch of others passive aggressive opinion.  I am on a mission to serve others by helping them find and live a healthier lifestyle. Earlier this month, a Facebook Memory popped up that I did a year ago with ReadersDigest.com. Sharing the message that EVERYbody is a bikini body.  

We really need to stop comparing ourselves to filters and being the best of who we can be.  Again, I am being bold and stepping up I am also joining an inspiring Influencer that I met last year at the life-changing Well Summit.  I have grown so much from the things I learned at the Well Summit as well as the connections that I made. Amanda from  Prim and Propah

 

#OwnYourBodBabe Vision

Amanda invited me to share this message today.  Amanda shared the vision also came from her own vain reasons:

“I started #OwnYourBodBabe because simply put, I wanted to wear a shirt that was cropped. Pretty superficial, right? But as I started coming to terms with the ingrained yuck surrounding my own self-image, I began to realize that this sh!t was going to take some work. I plan to talk about the hard work it takes to really commit to self-love/appreciation/acceptance and some days just dealing with the funk.”

“OwnYourBodBabe intent is to open up a conversation “ to encourage ourselves and others to appreciate and love our bodies, not to be dragged down by ugly societal pressures and the urge to try to be something we are not.”

Sports Bra & Capri Leggings gifted from Handful Bra

 

Share the Message

Today on Facebook, Twitter and specifically Instagram join us in by following the hashtag  #OwnYourBodBabe and be inspired and encouraged by other women to love your body. Then other people’s opinion won’t matter.  Now if you aren’t comfortable posting which is understandable there is another way that you can participate. Amanda created these questions for you to take some time today to ask yourself:

  • “Why do I give myself a hard time?”
  • “What causes me to feel self-conscious?”
  • “Why do I hate my ‘insert perceived flaw here’?”

Answering these questions can help you to start discovering and appreciating your body for how amazing it is versus your physical appearance.  That is the beginning of transformation and that is exactly what I have worked so hard for and hope I impress on others to achieve.

Conquer you #OwnYourBodBabe Monday, Beauties!

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Battle of Motherhood christian mom Faith & Self Care Fitness and Health

Reasons why I have Fit Mom Guilt

I know it’s probably not just me. Before I was a Mom, I seldom felt guilty for my actions or reflective on my behavior. Since becoming a Mom, anything and everything I do causes me guilt. I am not sure why I hold myself to a higher standard than I do other Mom’s, but I am always questioning my motherhood skills.  From the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed. I am thinking the who, what, when, why and how that involves my three daughters’ day.

The majority of my day is making sure that their needs are met; physically, socially and academically.  I am constantly outnumbered.  I have found solace in the gym to help me get through the day.  Even though I know my gym time does not affect them because I am usually at the gym while they sleep. I feel guilty about not being there if they wake up. Crazy right? I have a whole list of my crazy guilt for being a fit mom.

There are so many things that make me feel guilty about living a healthier lifestyle.  It seems odd, but you have to admit that eating healthy, exercising regularly and taking care of your body is not the norm. So, for those who choose to live that life, it may be hard when everyone around them is not. Sometimes I feel guilty that I have made it a priority to honor my temple.  I always feel the need to explain my choices. Good and bad!

So, I am putting them out there all the things that I feel guilty about living this healthy lifestyle and being a Mom of three daughters. I am sure there are others who feel the same.

1. Spending time away to exercise.

This has always been a guilt trigger for me until we joined our new gym.  I would either work out very late at night after the girls went to bed or now very early before they rise so that I won’t miss time with them to go to the gym.  For my older daughters, this is important because they have extracurricular activities, friends and commitments. Not only is it nearly impossible once they wake up to find time to go to the gym. We spend a lot of time in the car going here and there. Until our new gym, I had to get up at the crack of dawn or in the late night.

Since a new gym opened up in my area that has a Kid’s gym included. As long as I can make time during there hours. I can go to the gym while they are awake.  They enjoy their time, and they are active while I sweat it out too.  It’s a great way to eliminate my guilt of spending time away to exercise.

2. Eating healthier versions of dinner.

I have tried intentionally always to eat the same or a version of dinner. I have guilt that my girls will remember me eating out of pre-prepped containers. Sometimes I have to eat differently because of my food allergies and sensitivities. I also feel guilty when we eat out, and I have to make a special request because of my food issues. Regardless, if I were fit mom or not I would have to order differently, but I still feel guilty. The only difference in my meals is usually because of my food allergies and sensitivities. Although created differently I try to make a dairy free, gluten free version of the same thing. Mostly, I make one meal and we eat together because of my fit mom guilt.

3. Eliminating or restricting foods that used to be permitted.

I have recently, become a sugar cop.  This year I have become convicted to remove sugar from my home. My revolt against sugar does not stem from me being a Fit Mom.  My decision to get rid of sugar in my house is because of the adverse effects of sugar. My family has a significant sugar dependency including myself.  

Sugar is tough to avoid especially when your kids are in public school.  I find there are ways to get your sweets without sugar.  I am trying to make that change in my home. I have guilt because although I know, it’s for my families health. Would it be a concern if I wasn’t a fit mom? Those are some of the things that I struggle with when making decisions for my family.  

4. Looking like a Fitness Model and trying to be a role model.

When I began my fitness journey, I admired women who looked like I do now but never thought that would be me.  Although, I look like a fitness model in a tank top. When I was up every day, I am a Mom to three very impressionable girls. I don’t walk around flexing or taking belfies in my full-length mirror in my Sports Bra because it’s not about that.  The way I look on the outside is because of what I do and put in my inside. I don’t ever want my daughters to strive to look a certain way to reflect a particular image. So, I have guilt for the way that I look although, it’s just a result of my lifestyle change.

5. Prioritizing health over idle time.

I have high anxiety, and when idle I find I get anxious  I like to exercise to get rid of extra energy as well as Workout and Worship.  I seldom have idle time now that my girls are older. In the past, I would fill my idle time with snacks and tv time. Now I fill that time with movement and doing things with my children.

I do feel guilty that we are always active. I need to practice balance give us time to sit idle as well as move.  Although I am showing my girls alternatives to mindless behavior. I feel we all could use a good tv show binge from time to time.  I am trying not to feel so guilty and to start practicing and showing balance.

 

6. Setting a Standard of good health

Because I am a Fitness Professional, I feel obligated to walk the walk.  I know as a Mom this may be setting a very high standard for good health. I don’t want my daughters to feel that they need to workout 5 to 6 times a week, but I do want them to be active at least 150 minutes a week.  I have guilt on what they see that I don’t realize. They are creating their standards, and I am giving them the example. Ultimately, I want my girls to honor their temple whatever that looks like to them and not what they see of me.  

7. Balancing life and living a healthy lifestyle and not a diet.

Because I am in the health and fitness field, my passion is to learn.  I am always exploring different aspects of wellness and a healthy lifestyle.  Typically, I am not a trend or fad jumper. I do like to research and try things for myself. Sometimes my children get included in the experiment as well. I am sure they will have plenty to share with their therapist about their Health Nut Mom.  Like the year she went crazy and took away sugar. I will probably still feel Mom guilt.

Living a healthy lifestyle isn’t something that I should feel guilty about, but I do.  I think if I weren’t living a healthy lifestyle I would feel guilty as well. I guess it goes with the Mom territory but if I could instill anything in my daughters: It would be to honor their temple; From top to bottom. Educate yourself, devote to God and Scripture, Feed yourself good food and move your body every day.  As long as they get those foundations, I think all my Fit Mom Guilt was not all in vain.

Do you get Mom Guilt? About what?

 

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