Well? Did I Succeed??

Holla Back,

Well this is it! Last Monday of the month of April, so time for my #AwesomeApril wrap up! Check out my original post here to view my original goals.

First, a brief update from this past week. And trust me, it is brief! I didn't accomplish much of my goals at all this week. Hubby got sick, then baby got it, then last Sunday I got it. I think I worked out twice? Once doing Body Gospel's Stretch in the Spirit and completing Week 3 of APY 60 (yoga). So doing push ups or getting to the gym for kettlebell swings were completely out. For the food category, I did well! HFCS is pretty much out of our kitchen and whole grains are moving in!! I also went to my (in)rl event on Saturday, which I cannot wait to share with you about! 

So, overall, this past week was a bust, but #AwesomeApril was a success! I worked out pretty much every day (not counting this past week), I have cut out most junk foods and am now making healthier choices eating out, AND not only did I finish reading Second Corinthians in the Message, but I am now in Colossians!! 

I am totally proud of myself! I am beginning to feel a physical difference in my body from working out daily and cutting out that addictive HFCS. Good Feelings all around! 

I hope you, as well, managed to accomplish some goals in April. If you did, feel free to brag about it in the comments!

But of course, before you go....It's time for my Ten Goals for May!! :D I am back to less detailed goals for the month of May. Check out my September 2012 Goals or my October 2012 goals, which I never got to update because I had a beautiful baby! So without further adieu::

Ten Goals for May

1. Read two books

2. Continue to read through the Message daily

3. Bake 1 new Pinterest recipe

4. Blog MWF the whole month

5. Verse meditation at least once each week

6. Stay on the workout train! BG and APY

7. Glass etching project

8. Read my new Revealing Jesus devo daily

9. Try 2-3 new baby foods with Baby G

10. Go on TWO fun dates with Hubby!

Making goals for the month of May?? Share below!!

FMF: Friend

Howdy there Bloggy,

Time for Five Minute Friday. I am linking up with Lisa Jo Baker. Today our word is FRIEND

GO!

Do you need a friend?? Doesn't it seem like everyone everywhere is crying out loneliness?? Where have all the friends gone? Are we too busy? Are we over stretching? Trying to be too many places and doing too many things at once? 

Why do I hear so many women asking for community? How do I foster community? How do I start making friends?? 

Why can't we just step up first, and BE that friend??

Trust me, you are speaking to a friendless introvert here, I preach to the choir hardcore. But maybe we all need to quit reading SO MANY blogs, and really dedicate ourselves to a few. And then dig in. Comment. Encourage. Get to know each other. Dedicate yourself to replying to your own blog's comments and emails. If we want the community we have to BE the community. 

So.

There is that.

Maybe it is too late at night. Maybe I attended too many twitter parties tonight (#intentionalblogger, #inRLMN, and stalked #FMFparty a wee bit) but...

Does anyone want a friend?? Does anyone want community?? Let's start here. Let's slow down. Tune in. Connect. Respond. 

Friend. 

Perhaps it doesn't happen HERE or THERE......my blog or your blog....but somewhere. Let's start being brave. Let's start opening up. Let's start being real. There is no such thing as too many friends!! 

So jump in. Join a community! Here? FMF? Tell me where you are actively seeking friendship!!

STOP

True & Co Review

Hello Bloggy Friends!

I tried a new subscription box company and cannot wait to share it with you! A lot of people are jumping on the Stitch Fix bandwagon, myself included, but I am discovering it isn't as personal as I had hoped. I received my third fix a few weeks back and didn't keep a single thing. I had requested skirts and accessories, and although I did receive a scarf, I didn't get a skirt.

Insert Big Frowny Face Here.

One shirt was the same one as a shirt I had sent back from Fix #2 but in a different pattern. Suffice it to say, I may be off the Stitch Fix for awhile. If I need new clothes, and can manage to have a happy, well-fed, well-rested baby AND mommy, I could always head off to Kohl's or Target. Or on especially adventurous days: The Mall. Two things I would still find it very hard to shop for even if the above conditions were met: swimsuits and bras. And while this new company can help with the latter, you are still on your own for the former!

True and Co. is changing the way women shop for bras. Fill out a two minute quiz to determine bra size, while never using a measuring tape?? Count me in! After filling out the quiz, you are brought to your own personalized lingerie shop with bras in your sizes in all sorts of colors and fabrics! You get to choose three of your own picks and then two are chosen for you and kept a surprise for when you receive your box in the mail!

The Nitty Gritty? Yes there is an initial deposit of $45 dollars, BUT that is fully refundable if you do not choose to keep anything in your box. True and Co will charge you only for what you keep, applying the $45 towards your purchase. You have seven days to try on the possibilities before returning what you won't be keeping in a prepaid box. Sadly, this part means I do actually have to go to the post office. I haven't tried their other clothing products, but they do offer underwear, sleepwear, and accessories.

Admittedly the first box will be trial and error. I received five bras in three different sizes. But I got to try them on in the comfort of my own home and take my time checking them out from every angle. For a new mama who did some minor breastfeeding....that is a big deal!! From this first box, I narrowed down my new mama size and got to keep one new gorgeous bra!

I highly recommend this for new moms. YOU DESERVE SOME GOOD SUPPORT! And while that may awkwardize me to say it, it is so true. Wearing nursing bras past the nursing stage is just not a great way to feel good about yourself, much less sexy.

Give it a shot! You have nothing to lose! Try it here: True and Co..


All opinions in this post are 100% mine; I was not compensated in anyway! This post may contain referral links.

#AwesomeApril Updates

Aloha!

It's time for an #awesomeapril update! Make sure to check out my original post here!!

So, jumping right into it! It was a week of hit or miss! On the spiritual side of things I have been reading more than a chapter from the Message every day (go me!), and I have been pretty good at writing out my 1000 gifts each day. I haven't, however, been very faithful at remembering to pray before each meal with Baby Girl. This is a habit I really want to develop now so that I can instill it in her as a good habit as she grows up. My Fitness Goals?? Epic fail. I missed about three days in a row of working out because I actually managed a social calendar :) I also, then, didn't eat as well as I would have wanted the last three days. But! I have done really well at cutting out HFCS! It is in some things I wouldn't expect (Ritz crackers) but not in things I would expect (peanut m&ms). Lastly, I finished my book, Age of Miracles, which I highly recommend to everyone!! 

Without any further delay, the new weekly goals!:

Spiritual:

1. Continue reading through the Bible daily

2. Pray before meals and bedtime until it is a habit!

3. Try Bible mediation at least once (I used to better at this before baby, so time to add it back in!)

Fitness:

1. Continue to alternate APY60 and Body Gospel

2. 5 'real' pushups daily

3. 15 pound kettlebell swings (managed this 1x last week, because I only made it to the gym 1x!!)

Food:

1. Choose all whole grain foods (bagels, breads, flour..)

2. Continue cutting out HFCS

3. Try out a healthy dessert recipe!

Personal:

1. Go to (in)RL on Saturday. Eep. 

2. Try my hand at "glass etching"

As a note, before I go, I would like to recommend a resource to you. I have been following along with Donielle Baker's Sugar Detox Challenge e-book. I received it for free after signing up for her emails over at Naturally Knocked Up. Instead of going cold turkey on the sugar, I am taking it week by week, slowly cutting out bad products. So, as seen in my food goals section, I cut out HFCS, but perhaps I still had a Kashi brand chocolate chip cookie, which contains sugar yes, but not HFCS. In this way, I can still 'get my fix' but am slowly working towards my goal of no junk food. I recommend you download this e-book as well and jump on board!! 

Got any #AwesomeApril goals?? Tell me about them in the comments below!

FMF: Jump

Hey Hey Hey!

Time for Five Minute Friday. I am linking up with Lisa Jo Baker. Today our word is Jump.

GO!

"Might as JUMP!"

Jump in with both feet, hands tied behind back, oh and don't forget rock tied to feet. Or...is that Aladdin?? 

I am not sure. Either way I am standing on the Cliff of My Life, not sure which way to turn next. Do I turn and run away, back to safety, back to the lonely well-known? Or do I jump into the raging blue and hope for the best?

The feeling of failure and embarrassment are out there in the raging blue unknown. If I go, I WILL be the dorky girl hiding in the back, quiet, silent, alone, counting the hours until I am free to run home to safety, skipping the next day entirely. 

But what if......what if I do go? What if I actually talk to someone? I might meet someone as dorky and lonely as me. 

Sigh. 

Whether I jump or not, I do not know. One thing I do know: every time I jump I will fall flat on my face the next cliff down. Only when I jump in tandem with GOD will I be at peace. So here I am praying, wondering, praying, biting nails, praying........maybe they will see me, maybe not....

found here

 

Your Fairy Tale Life

Hello Blogging Community!

Thanks for stopping by today! I won't mind if you turn and run away because today I am writing a post with a ton of Bible verses attached that you will have to look them up yourselves!! I want to ensure you open your Bible at least once today. Or your handy dandy Bible app :)

I have a Prince Charming who finds me absolutely enthralling (Ps 45:11, Song of Songs 4). My Prince is Mighty and Strong (Zeph 3:17) and He protects me from all enemies (Ps 32:7). He even rides a great white horse and gallops forth commanding a great army (Rev 19:11-14).

The best part?? I don't have to sit in my tower waiting for Him to rescue me; He already DID! ( John 19:30, John 3:16, Romans 5:8)

I even get to wear an everlasting gown that would shame Cinderella (Ps 45:13-14).

My happily ever after is coming and I will live in a castle of gold and rare gems (Rev 21:9-21) and we will live together forever (Rev 21:3-4)

***

So you CAN live happily ever after! This is my story. This is your story. Don't you want to share this Love Story with the world? I need to remember this myself on a daily basis! 

Any verses you would love to add??

Baby Update + Goals Update

Howdy Mr. Bloggy

Well it is time for updates all around!! Starting off first with my precious Baby Girl!! She is SIX MONTHS OLD TODAY! Oh my gosh. I have had this blessing with me for half a year. Wow. Just wow. 

We went to the doctor today for her well check up so the next few days will be rough after those shots. She weighed 16# 2oz and was 25 inches long. She even managed to smile at the nurse through tears after the shots! What a cutie! Heck, I know you want another picture!

SO ADORBS

This month we didn't accomplish much. She still won't roll from her tummy to her back, but can't seem to stop herself from rolling back to tummy! Blowing raspberries seemed to come back full force after disappearing for a few weeks. That one could have stayed wherever it went! 

She has become an oatmeal eating pro managing to eat 2 ounces at a time. Then we both get bored and quit. Oops. Yesterday she also received a few tiny bits avocado. That was a good time. For the parents that is. Not sure she is ready for so much flavor but hopefully with time :)

We also bought her a jumperoo. And oh.my.goodness. Now the kid can't stop bouncing! Constantly, constantly bouncing. Glad she loves it so much! 

Lastly, she has *almost* gotten her foot in her mouth twice. Centimeters away and she gives up. I guess this means I should clip her toenails more often....

Well.......my #AwesomeApril goals for this last week went largely unaccomplished. Review them here. 

Walking the baby was out of the question with the SNOW. I managed to finish my two books Jellicoe Road and A Thousand Gifts, so look for possible book reviews in the future! I also ate more sugar than I wanted because Hubby was trying to convince me to relax. Eating well, much less clean, is always a little harder when he is on days off because then we both just want to relax and kick back. We did still manage to work out; I only missed one day of both the daily blend in the morning and a Body Gospel workout. I picked up where I left off the next day, but now I am set back by a day. So! That being said, here are the new week's goals, much the same as last week...

Fitness:
1. Continue to alternate APY60 and Body Gospel workouts
2. 5 'real' pushups daily (stemmed from Hubby making fun of my girlie pushups)
3. 15 pound kettlebell swings at the gym

Food:
1. Eat healthy snacks! (I am generic with this because it still isn't a good habit)
2. Cut out High Fructose Corn Syrup wherever possible
3. Use the rest of my Shakeology (2 dinners)

Spiritual:
1. Read a chapter of the Bible daily (I totally accomplished this goal from last week, making it to 2 Corinth          10. Reading the Message NT straight through)
2. Write out my 1000 gifts daily, 2 minimum
3. Pray before every meal and bedtime (trying to make it a habit now to teach Baby Girl good habits!! Good for me too :))

Personal:
1. Finish reading Age of Miracles
2. Begin organizing my Compassion binder


What are your goals for this week? For April??

FMF: Here

Dearest Bloggs,

Time for Five Minute Friday. I am linking up with Lisa Jo Baker. Today our word is Here.

Go!

I could respond to this word in one sentence: I need to be more HERE. Ouch. How does Lisa Jo Baker always know what word is on my heart???

It's true. I am never HERE. I am never in the moment. Brutally honest? I think most of my HERE moments suck. Perhaps it is not what I wanted. It didn't meet my expectations. I am bored. I am frustrated. I want More. And so to keep myself from dwelling HERE, to escape my bad temper and lack of patience, I escape to ANYWHERE. 

Mostly ANYWHERE includes Facebook, Twitter, blogging, and man oh man: Pinterest. I don't like HERE so I escape to ANYWHERE; I check out. See ya Real World. 

But...

But in the same process, I am checking out on my Baby's life! I am missing moments. I am missing smiles. I am missing giggles. 

True, it is one of the biggest kept mommy secrets that babies are boring. But when I pick up my phone as soon as I pick up that bottle every. single. time. even I know that I am missing out on the HERE. 

God wants me HERE. That is why He gifted me this moment, this very HERE I am trying to escape. Who do I think I am to say "Nope. This HERE isn't good enough for me. I am off for a better ANYWHERE"??

Again, no promises that I won't escape ANYWHERE ever again, but I am going to try to be more HERE. To start?? Logging off...........bye Bloggers!! 

STOP!!

In which I challenge my Blog's Name

Hey Fellow Bloggers!

These past two weeks I have been apart of a challenge group to eat clean. For me, the biggest challenge was trying to not eat sugar.

I think I made it four days before going bonkers. I had to force myself to stay out of the kitchen. I would stuff gum in my mouth (sugar-free of course) to avoid eating 'bad' things. Even when I saw that I had lost five pounds, I just wanted to run out and eat a giant milkshake. And as much as I would like to attribute the hardcore cravings to my 'lady friend' this week, I know the truth: I am addicted to sugar.

I considered myself truly a lost cause when I hosted a girl's baking night at my house. All leftover goodies were left at my place. On my counters. On my stove. Under my salivating care. Suddenly I knew what it must feel like to quit smoking........to quit using crack........and yet have it sitting right there on the counter.

I made just one allowance. And then another. And then another.

Oh yeah. I have a problem.

And I know its wrong.

My addiction should be for the LORD. I have a God sized hole that can only be filled by God. He created this longing in us so that we may pursue HIM and find pleasure in HIM alone. Not sugar. Not eating. Not alcohol. Not drugs. Not exercise.

My soul needs to find rest in God alone when I am stressed (Psalm 62:1,5 NIV). My soul needs to pant for God alone like the deer pants for water (Psalm 42:1 NIV). He is my rock, my fortress, my Savior (Psalm 18:2).

I can't make any promises that I won't stumble and fail again, that it won't be a struggle to turn to Jesus for comfort instead of sugar. And I am not saying I won't ever eat a cookie again. But I will promise to keep taking it step by step, turning away from my sugary comforts, my sugar idol, and step by step closer to Him, the only One who can provide Comfort. I want to be addicted to nothing but God alone. 

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, 

and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh

Romans 13:14 NIV

How about you? What things in life are you addicted to, making idols out of?? Let's take baby steps together! 

#AwesomeApril

Bonjour Bloges,

Well seeing as it is the second week of April I thought it would be the perfect time to share my April goals with you ;) I am following along with Awkward Girl Gets Fit and my Hello Exercise Tribe on Facebook! Give it a search and ask to join!

My #AwesomeApril Month Goals:

Fitness
*Workout 3-4 times a week
    -Alternate APY 60 and Body Gospel workouts
    -Daily Blend (part of the APY60 program. 10 minute wake up routine)

Food
*No junk food
*Healthier choices when eating out
*Move to all wheat products

Spiritual
*Finish Second Corinthians via The Message


Now specifically, for this week (April 8-14th) these are my goals:

Fitness:
1. Continue to alternate APY & BG
2. Brisk walk with Baby 2-3x this week (weather permitting). One down already!!
3. Use 15 lbs for biceps and 12.5 for triceps all week at the Y

Food:
1. Make 1 recipe from either APY or BG nutrition guide
2. Use Shakeology to replace 3 more dinners this week
3. Eat healthy snacks (apples, whole wheat popcorn, smoothies)

Spiritual:
1. Read Second Corinthians 1, 2, & 3
2. Write out my 1000 gifts challenge daily, 2 minimum
3. Pray before every meal and before bedtime Oops.

I also have a personal goal of finishing the 2 books I am reading this week!

As you can see my weekly goals expand upon my broader monthly goals, but I feel that they help me keep a good focus on each area.

Join me and HelloExercise for the month of April! Subscribe to follow my progress :)

Have a great day folks! Time to go read!!............jk..........change a poopy diaper.

The CMG Book Launch!

Hey Bloggers!

Today is the day Erin MacPherson is hosting her book launch at the Christian Mama's Guide facebook page found HERE. She will be offering prizes all day so be sure to enter and check out her books!!

Baby Girl says "What's this??"

"OOOO! Read this one!! Read this one!!"

And that was a public service announcement from Baby Princess. Please don't make her cry! Check it out today!!

FMF: After

Bonjour Blogs,

Time for Five Minute Friday. I am linking up with Tales From a Gypsy Mama. Today our word is After.

GO!

After. After. Happily Ever After. Isn't that the promise we all cling to? In our marriages. In our work lives. After giving birth. In our walk with God.

From the outside looking in, it would be assumed that once you become a Christian it will be Happily Ever After. You are a child of God and blessings will now rain down. Life will be easy. Life after becoming a Christian will be all gold streets and sing-a-longs.

But life still continues on in the After. We are still on this Earth. We are still human. Car accidents. Depression. Divorce. Cancer. Consequences.

But...

But we are also changed. On the inside. The world may march onwards, but we don't have to. We now get the choice to turn and run the other way, back towards the Light.

In the After, bad things still abound. Life happens, it is unavoidable. But we DO have the Ever After. We have the Forever After. So when our happily ever after isn't always very happy, we can look up, look back at the Light that is pursuing us and remember, this is the now, but we have the After.

Stop!

ABCs of Homemaking!

Hello Bloggers!

Here is a fun Homemaking Meme I found over at Live Called. I just couldn't resist sharing!

Aprons – Yes or No?I like wearing an apron.....when I remember to put it on!!

Bathrooms – How many do you have?
Two. The one downstairs is hardly used.....spiders probably live there now!

Clothesline – Do you have one?
Nope! It might be neat to get one though

Dusting – How often?
Oops. 

Everyday – One housekeeping task you do everyday?
Baby clutter. Toys, car seat, wash bottles

Family – Does your family help with household chores?
Ummmmm... :D Hubby usually washes dishes for me since I hate that the mostest. 

Garbage Disposal – Do you have one?
Oh yeah! Who can live without one??

Home Management Notebook – Do you use one? What’s in it?
I do! I put it together when Baby was in my belly; I think it was my nesting. So I am pulling it out and dusting it off again!

Ironing – Love it or hate it?
What is an iron??

Junk Drawer – Where is it?
Kitchen. It is also a junk counter. I avoid looking at it

Kitchen – Design and decor?
Not much. We have a galley style kitchen so not much room for hangings. Tans and browns. Maybe a Vino theme eventually. I am inspired by my calendar!

Love – What is your favorite part of homemaking?
Organizing! Well......in theory, not in practice. I am making some lists as I type this right now!

Mopping – How often does it get done?
I don't even own a mop! I am a Swiffer Lady. I used to love to vacuum and swiffer at least every other day. With Baby Girl this practice has fallen by the wayside. Once she learns to crawl then, it will be back at the top of the list!!

Natural Cleaning Products– Do you use them?
I am starting to transition slowly. I have a natural all purpose cleaner so far. Baby steps, folks, baby steps. 

Overwhelmed – What part of homemaking stresses you out the most?
Like I said before, dishes. Hate them. Clutter anywhere stresses me out but I don't always know what to do with it! 

Pets – Do you have any mess-making critters in the house?
Nope :( I still wish for a fluffy puppy!

Quiet – What do you enjoy doing when you get a quiet moment?
 Anything! Workout, read, clean, watch Netflix, blog...

Recipes – How do you organize them?
I have a Binder my BFF made me once. I keep all our most used recipes in there. I also keep a running list of our Most Fave Recipes in the front for meal planning

Style of House – What kind of home do you live in?
Splint entry. Three bedrooms, two baths. Fenced in yard is the bomb!

Tablecloth – Do you use one on a regular basis?
Nope. I have a special one for candlelit dinners with hubby ;)

Under the Kitchen Sink – What do you have under there?
Cleaning supplies. That is where I keep my cleaning caddy, fire extinguisher, and garbage bags. 

Vacuuming – How many times a week does it get done?
Oops. See Mopping. 

Washing Clothes – How many loads do you do a week?
I usually do 4-5 loads. And there are only 3 of us. Wow. 

X’s – Do you keep a to-do list and cross the tasks off?
I LOVE LISTS!! I don't always cross things off but I love getting it on paper and being organized. 

Yard Work – Who does what?
Probably the hubby. Last year was our first year with a yard and it never rained so we never had to mow!

ZZZ’s – What is your last housekeeping task of the day?
Quick pick up of baby toys!

Now It’s Your Turn

Copy this meme, post it on your blog with your own answers, then head to Live Called to link up!! See ya there!

White Chocolate Caramel Blondies

Howdy Bloggs,

Well I am back at it! After a crazy week last week, where everyone got sick and Easter festivities, I am hoping to be back to my MWF blog posting sched. AND I get to share some delicious desserts with you today!!

White Chocolate Caramel Blondies. Yup. You know you want them. I want them. Again! This is another Pinterest recipe. Find my Pinterest boards here. This review is based of the recipe you can find here.

White Chocolate Caramel Blondies

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp salt

1 cup flour

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup caramel bits 

1. Preheat oven to 350

2. Grease an 8x8 OR 9x9 pan

3. Beat butter and brown sugar until smooth in a large bowl. Add the egg and vanilla and beat well

4. In a separate bowl, mix salt and flour. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix well

5. Stir in caramel bits and 1/2 cup of the white chocolate chips. Pour it all into pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. 

6. Remove and cool, melt remaining white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every 20 seconds. Drizzle over blondie bars and serve! 

Delicious caramel-ness

REVIEW:

Pretty good! It sure hit my blondie craving. They probably would have tasted even better had mine not gotten a little crispy due to a wailing baby. These bars are chewy and adding the chips AND caramel pieces make for plenty of goodness in each bite. I don't think I could eat a blondie any other way :) Best recipe I have found for blondies so far! 

Give it a try and let me know!!