tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44520854565410408072024-03-13T08:32:19.866-05:00MS in MSMelodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-36346478707195755862019-10-08T18:16:00.000-05:002019-10-08T18:18:22.491-05:00When God Uses Your 5 Year Old to Remind You of Eternity<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white;">Quick back story. So after I miscarried last year, we use elephants to remind of us of our baby that we lost (we named him/her Micah). So we have some elephant things: a blanket, a stuffed animal and we have a little plastic elephant figurine on our kitchen table.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We talk to our kids about the baby that died and went to heaven sometimes and Judah somewhat comprehends it.</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Sunday morning while getting ready for church, somehow the little elephant figurine ended up on our living room floor and Judah (who just turned five) tripped over it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">He immediately was reminded of our sweet baby Micah.</span></div>
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</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial";">He said, “Mom, is that baby in heaven?” </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial";">I said, “Yes.”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial";">He said “Which baby?” </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial";">I said, “The baby we had before this one (pointing to my large pregnant belly) - baby Micah. He died in my belly.”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial";">Judah asked, "Did Jesus bring him to heaven and bring him back to life?”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial";">I said “Yes, Judah, he did.”</span></div>
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</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial";">I started crying and can’t stop. I’m so grateful for the gift of eternal life and for our God who values babies enough to “let the little children come to me.” I’m glad our faith gives us hope and that our God raises people from dead... even ones we will never meet this side of eternity. I'm so thankful our God is in the business of breathing life into death.</span></div>
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And I’m so so grateful that God uses my five year old to remind me of the hope of eternity.</span></div>
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</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial";">Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.</span></div>
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Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-78998285499058863932019-09-06T09:25:00.004-05:002019-09-06T11:44:36.958-05:00One Year Anniversary of my Miscarriage<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One year ago today, I experienced an incredible loss. It was a loss that felt like it wouldn’t end. For days, I was sitting numb in my tears. For weeks, I felt raw, cut open in the heart. For months, I didn’t know how to move forward. And now it’s been a year, and that numbness is present. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I miscarried my third baby at five weeks on September 6th, 2018. One year ago, time stood still. Then it sped up and this year has gone by remarkably fast. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One thing I think most women want after a miscarriage is to get pregnant and to carry a healthy baby full term. I couldn’t even bring myself to even think about getting pregnant again for months afterwards. It was a long transition to feel like myself again. Because I wasn’t myself. And I’m not now. I changed. I am a new person. This is now part of me and my family’s story.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I recently listened to a popular interview between news anchor Anderson Cooper and comedian and host Stephen Colbert. They both experienced loss of parents so they bonded immensely together. Two quotes from their talk stood out to me. The first is from Anderson Cooper who said "Grief is a strange thing in the sense that we all experience it and yet we rarely talk about it. “</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m here to talk about it! It’s tough. Stephen Colbert also said in this interview "I think when you meet someone who has had a loss, you have two options. One is to say, I'm sorry for your loss which is a perfectly lovely thing to do. But if you can share your experience, then they're not alone.”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wept listening to this interview. Knowing you’re not alone in a tough situation can get us through these kind of difficult situations. If you’ve miscarried, you’re not alone. Share your story. Share it with me if you want. One thing Satan loves to do is make us feel isolated - that we are completely alone and that no one else has gone through what we’re going through. And that couldn’t be further from the truth. The way we don’t feel isolated is by opening up and sharing even when it’s hard. I’m so grateful for people who have gone before me and shared their struggles and their stories so I wouldn’t have to feel alone. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";">One year later and the pain is very real. Things have changed with me however. I am pregnant again. 20 </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">weeks exactly which is incredible. Being half way through my pregnancy on the first anniversary of </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica";">my 3rd baby’s death is bittersweet. I am still mourning but looking forward to meeting my fourth baby on earth in January. My fourth baby doesn’t replace the baby that I lost. I am so grateful that I have been able to carry our baby for this long and can’t wait for the day where we meet him or her (in case you’re wondering, we won’t find out the gender until the day they’re born!). </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you’re suffering, I am praying for you my friend. Life can be so hard but God is always good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">But as for me, I watch</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-22672A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-22672A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">in hope</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-22672B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-22672B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">for the Lord</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">, </span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Micah 7:7</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I blogged about my miscarriage a year ago <a href="https://msinms.blogspot.com/2018/10/thoughts-on-my-recent-miscarriage-part-1.html">here</a> and <a href="https://msinms.blogspot.com/2018/10/thoughts-on-my-recent-miscarriage-part-2.html">here</a>.</span></span></span></div>
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Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-36314875348432135402019-06-19T14:52:00.000-05:002019-09-06T14:32:38.695-05:00Amusing Observations Living in MS for 10 Years<span style="font-size: large;">This month marks 10 years from when I moved from Pennsylvania to live in Mississippi. Life has been an adjustment moving 1000 miles away from home permanently especially from the North to the South; so I compiled a short list of observations I've gleaned from living in the MS:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1) Sonic and Chick-fil-A are different denominations of the same religion. They are a way of life around here. I am not a hater but I just.do.not.get.it. As the young folk would say, "don't at me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2) Ranch is a staple here much like ketchup, mustard, water and air. And I'm a convert. I am here for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3) Everything can be fixed. You fix your car, your hair, your breakfast, your supper, your life. And if you didn't get your fix of things getting fixed, you can also use the phrase "fixin' to" to mean you're "about to" do something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4) When you go to a southern restaurant, you can order a "vegetable" of macaroni and cheese or spaghetti. Coincidentally, I am eating way more vegetables.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5) Sweet tea runs through southerners veins. When you're sick, a doctor will recommend drinking more water and more tea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6) In all seriousness, MS gets hated on a lot. I'm sorry if you didn't know that but it's true. But we have some of the lowest cost of living the country and let's be real, some of the greatest people in the country. And my favorite place to eat in the country is here (Avellinos!). Oh and we have the greatest <a href="http://citychurchob.com/">church</a> in the country here as well. Like homemade ranch, I am here for it. Let's leave the hate for our neighbors, Alabama and Arkansas. ;)</span>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-40482630684237885202018-10-15T16:43:00.000-05:002018-10-27T14:23:10.125-05:00Thoughts on my Recent Miscarriage - Part 2<div style="font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Part 2 of 2 (<a href="https://msinms.blogspot.com/2018/10/thoughts-on-my-recent-miscarriage-part-1.html">read part one here</a>)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Let me set the record straight. As a believer, I do not believe for one second that God took this baby away from me. I don’t believe he/she was “too beautiful to be on earth” or that “God wanted another flower for his garden” or an “another angel in Heaven.” No. God’s word says His plans for us are to “prosper you and not to harm you…” (Jeremiah 29:11) and John 10:10 says “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Eric Matthews from Boy Meets World said very (in) famously, “Life’s tough, get a helmet.” So true. I just wasn’t ready for this. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I never watched an episode of Dawson’s Creek but somehow, I follow James Van Der Beek on Instagram. He and his wife have five kids. </span></span></div>
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The day I woke up after I miscarried, he timely wrote this: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">“Wanted to say a thing or two about miscarriages... of which we’ve had three over the years (including right before this little beauty). First off - we need a new word for it. “Mis-carriage”, in an insidious way, suggests fault for the mother - as if she dropped something, or failed to “carry.” From what I’ve learned, in all but the most obvious, extreme cases, it has nothing to do with anything the mother did or didn’t do. So let’s wipe all blame off the table before we even start.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Second... it will tear you open like nothing else. It’s painful and it’s heartbreaking on levels deeper than you may have ever experienced. So don’t judge your grief, or try to rationalize your way around it. Let it flow in the waves in which it comes, and allow it it’s rightful space. And then... once you’re able... try to recognize the beauty in how you put yourself back together differently than you were before. Some changes we make proactively, some we make because the universe has smashed us, but either way, those changes can be gifts. Many couples become closer than ever before. Many parents realize a deeper desire for a child than ever before. And many, many, many couples go on to have happy, healthy, beautiful babies afterwards (and often very quickly afterwards - you’ve been warned </span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">😍</span><span style="font-kerning: none;">). I’ve heard some amazing metaphysical explanations for them, mostly centering around the idea that these little souls volunteer for this short journey for the benefit of the parents... but please share whatever may have given you peace or hope along the way... Along with a new word for this experience.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I have never felt like this was my fault but yes, we need a different word that doesn’t indirectly blame the mother. I really cannot bring myself to say the word, “miscarriage.” It hurts too much. I avoid it at all costs. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">It happened so fast. It was a whirlwind. It’s a grief like no other. A tiny baby died inside of my body. Every time I bled, I wondered if my baby was exiting my body. I bled for nine straight days. And I’m not sure which day when my baby left my body to meet Jesus. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I’m heartbroken. There’s a constant lump in my throat. I am on the verge of crying. There is a pit in the bottom of my stomach. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Today, October 15th, is pregnancy and infant loss remembrance day. I had no idea this day even existed until it popped up in my Pinterest feeds. </span></span></div>
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I pitched my idea of naming our baby to Troy one night. I don’t think he had thought about it. I had heard about people doing this before and I knew if we did it, it would make this whole situation feel more “real.” So I didn’t want to do it but I knew this would help my grieving process. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We threw around several unisex names. Of course, we can never agree on anything but we both really loved the name Micah. It fits with our name theme of our kids names ending with an “ah” sound. Micah means “who is like our God?” Taylor means “to cut” which seems very literal but we love the name. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I am still grieving. I am still raw. I wish that after a month, the pain would have lessened. It hasn’t.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The tears are still flowing. The lump in my throat is constant. Random things still trigger my heart wrenching sadness. I feel empty. Empty physically literally. Empty emotionally. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I’m learning to push through the pain and move forward. For myself, my kids, husband. I’m back at work. Back to serving behind the scenes at my church. Back to making dinner. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Although my grief and pain is still very much present, I know my baby couldn’t be happier. He/she knew no pain. Just love. Love from our creator. I’m grateful for our Lord.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I pray to God that this is the only time in my life that this happens to me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">One of my friends who doesn’t have kids, texted me and said that she thought it was cool that I shared my experience online [a few days on FB & IG after we found out]. She said she had friends who had similar situations and felt so alone. I never, for one second, felt alone. I never felt that I was the only one who had this happened. I know women have gone before me and women will come after me. I know friends and family who have had this happened to them too. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I can’t fathom not sharing. Not for my glory but for my <i>release</i>. <br />
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I thought about it and it feels like a vicious cycle for those. Many women don’t share their pregnancies in fear that something like this could happen. Most of the time, everything is fine. And 1 out of 4 times, a miscarriage or stillbirth happens. Then those women that didn’t share their pregnancies are now hiding their miscarriage. Now, they are alone, sharing their pain with themselves and concealing their sorrows. How lonely. I’m not saying you need to reveal your pregnancy as soon as the digital test reads “pregnant.” That’s your business. If you do miscarry, don’t hold it in. You don’t need to blog or tell the world about it either but let some confidants know. Let those that have paved the way (and grieved properly) to help you process it. To pray <i>with </i>you. Pray<i> for </i>you. I am still having a hard time praying for myself, let alone anyone else but one day, I will pray and grieve with you. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Bear with me as I struggle trying to find a new normal. Losing a baby has cut me deep. It may look like a bandaid on a cut but it’s much deeper than that.</span></span></div>
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I am so grateful for the Lord and for the gift of eternal life and I am so excited to see our little one some day. </span></span></div>
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Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-10209221277282965182018-10-14T18:49:00.000-05:002019-03-16T16:49:01.294-05:00Thoughts on my Recent Miscarriage - Part 1<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Part 1 of <a href="https://msinms.blogspot.com/2018/10/thoughts-on-my-recent-miscarriage-part-2.html">2</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I wasn’t prepared for this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Yes, this <i>could </i>happen to me. But, I never thought this <i>would </i>happen to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Be warned - these blog posts will feature inserts from random 90 sitcom stars and kinda graphic info on pregnancy and miscarriages. It will be lengthy but well, that’s the only way I know how to write. One of my best friends recently wrote about miscarriage (of which she has had 3) and she wrote “The more people who speak about miscarriage and loss- the more people who understand it.” So that’s the purpose of my writing: a release for me and for more people to understand it. Because truthfully, before September 6th, I didn’t fully get it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">A month in and I’m still raw. broken. hurting. wounded. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I’m just going to be honest. I never thought I would miscarry my third child. Troy and I first got pregnant in January of 2014. That was the first month we ever tried and we were fortunate to get pregnant immediately. We were blessed with the world’s easiest baby, Judah, so we wanted another one right away. Eight months later, we got pregnant again with our daughter, Alexa. Troy could just look my way and we would get pregnant when we wanted. (Is that how babies are born? I’m not sure yet.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Alexa was a difficult baby. She was tough; everything was hard with her. Breastfeeding was crazy hard (hello, mastitis!). Her colic seemed like it would never end. She was night and day from Judah. Now, she’s 2 1/2 years old and the most easy going, sweetest child ever (especially if she has chocolate in hand). </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I had a really hard time recovering from Alexa’s birth. Postpartum anxiety hit me hard and I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism (pregnancy can trigger it). That’s another story in itself but we didn’t start trying again for two years. Before that, we could snap our fingers and I would be pregnant but for some reason this time, it took awhile. I have no idea why it didn’t happen as quickly as before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But finally after six months of trying (I know many couples try for a lot longer), we got pregnant! I could not even believe it. I found out before church on a Sunday morning. Troy is up at like 3am on Sundays so I never see him before service starts at 10am. I was elated. We had a meeting at 9:15am, service at 10am and another lunch meeting at 12pm. It wasn’t until 2pm when I told him. He was overjoyed and couldn’t believe it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Of course, I took 3 more tests for a total of 4 by 3 different brands and they all turned up positive. We were SO excited and honestly, just relieved. My parents live 1000 miles away in PA and were coming in less than two weeks to celebrate Judah’s fourth birthday with us. I have never told them in person when I got pregnant so I cannot even tell you how pumped we were to tell them in person. We ordered “big bro” and “big sis” shirts right after I dusted off my box of old maternity clothes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I made an appointment at a new OBGYN that’s closer to our house since we moved a year ago. I had an appointment for an ultrasound at the end of the month. It didn’t feel real. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On Thursday, September 6th, I took my kids to preschool then went to work as usual. I picked the kids up and drove home. Everything felt fine. Everything <i>was </i>fine. I went to the bathroom and found it. Blood. More blood. I started shaking and breathing heavy, on the verge of a panic attack. I pleaded with God, “No, God! <i>Please</i>, no!” I put on a pad in case of more blood. I called Troy immediately. I cried, “I started bleeding. It could be nothing. But, I’m bleeding.” and he immediately ran home. As soon as I told him, I kid you not, the flood gates opened outside and it started pouring buckets (hurricane leftovers). He was soaked when he got home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We tried to convince ourselves that this wasn’t happening and there could be a million reasons for this. He stayed home from work the rest of the day and I sat quietly on our couch, too fearful to move, <i>just in case</i>. Like somehow sitting still would save my baby. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But I was in pain with cramps that felt like contractions and blood kept coming. I didn’t want to take any medicine to ease the cramp pain in case everything was ok.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I waited until the morning to call the OBGYN. I told the receptionist that I was terrified I was miscarrying. I held it together as I choked out the word “miscarriage.” She immediately transferred me to a nurse’s line. No one answered and I was forced to leave a “detailed message.” I lost it on the voicemail. I tried to pull it together but my voice cracked and my personal flood gates opened. I felt so bad for the person who was going to hear this message.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">What felt like days were only hours when the nurse called back. The nurse said that it was mostly likely that I miscarried. She said I had a few options. I could wait a week and take a pregnancy test and if it was negative and I was done bleeding then that would confirm my miscarriage. Or I could come in right away to do some blood work then go in a few days later and give some more blood. They would compare the levels and see if my hormone levels went down to confirm the miscarriage. I took a shower and went to their office immediately. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Seeing so many pregnant ladies in the waiting room made my heart break. That.Was.Supposed.To.Be.Me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I was constantly bleeding. I was screaming internally. My heart was breaking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">After several days, the blood work confirmed my biggest fear - a miscarriage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Although, we had only known we were pregnant for less than a week, we had planned out our lives with this little baby. We were so pumped to have Alexa become a big sister and for Judah to continue on his big brother role. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I thought miscarrying would be a once and done event. Like, I thought you bled for an hour and then it was over. I didn’t think I would continually bleed and cramp for nine days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">How am I supposed to move on? How do I carry on with life? To the outside, no-one knows what happened. I feel like I’m a walking wound. Sadness is overwhelming. Grief is my closest friend. Brokenness shoots in waves over my body. There’s a pit in my stomach. A lump in my throat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">My biggest fear has come true. </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Read <a href="https://msinms.blogspot.com/2018/10/thoughts-on-my-recent-miscarriage-part-2.html">part two here</a>.</span></div>
Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-4569007976838148092018-05-31T15:43:00.003-05:002018-06-01T15:20:07.654-05:00How to Make the Most out of Church on Sunday<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sounds simple, right? You might be thinking you’re already doing all these things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here are some super practical tips to to get the most out of your weekend worship experience at your church that you may not have thought of before. </span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I have to start with this one first: <b>commit to going</b>. Do not let your kids decide. Do not let your emotions decide. Do not wait until Sunday morning to see how you feel (your emotions will always tell you that sleep is better). Do not plan on going UNLESS something else comes along. Commit. Do not make excuses. Ask off work. Do not make plans during that time. Make it a priority. Finish your school work, studying, house cleaning, and work at another time. Have a standing appointment on Sunday mornings (or Sunday nights or Saturday nights - whenever your church meets). I have seen an individual miss one Sunday then miss another. Then they miss months and months turn into years. And just because your spouse has a cold doesn’t mean you should just stay home too. You are missing an incredible opportunity to learn and grow. Take your kids who aren’t sick along. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you attend church on a Sunday morning, <b>get to bed early Saturday night. </b>Troy and I are super careful about what plans we make on Saturday nights. If we plan events, meetings, or dinners, we try to make them for Friday nights or early Saturday evenings. Now, Troy has to get up earlier than most people on Sunday mornings (between 3 & 4am) but regardless, we still make it a point to get to bed early. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Get to church early.</b> If church starts at 11am, you cannot have your alarm set for 10:45am, hit snooze once or twice then speed to church and expect to get the most out of your worship experience. You will be stressed out for trying to make the yellow light, yell at your kids while shoving a granola bar down your mouth (What?! I’ve definitely never done that.). So many churches have fellowship areas that provide coffee, water and maybe even snacks and breakfast items. When you get there early, you can take advantage of that time.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">If you have kids, <b>check them into your kids ministry. </b>This is so important for a million reasons. This is not just childcare, this is a ministry to them! They are learning at their level. What a gift! It’s so important for them to learn about the Lord and the Bible. In their classrooms, they learn and grow with other kids. This is not just a way for them to grow but for you to grow as their parent. You are letting other women and men of God speak into your kids lives, teaching them, praying for them, encouraging them and reinforcing what you are teaching them at home. There have been maybe three times (maybe) where I have brought my kids into a service and it is beyond stressful to say the very least. I could not pay attention because I was too worried about my child making noise or distracting others. What a blessing and a gift a kids ministry is to a church!</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Come prepared. </b>Bring your Bible - not just the one on your phone. Bring the one that you use on a daily basis (or weekly or yearly) where you write notes in the margin. And bring a notebook. Take lots of notes. Write down names of worship songs you sang so you can download them later in the week. Write down upcoming events and news from the church announcements. Write down points and verses from the message. Make notes to re-read verses later that week. Write down what you feel like God is telling you through the message and worship. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Leave your phone at home.</b> Or turn it off or leave it in your car. I know, I know, you want to “take notes” on your phone and “look up verses” on Bible app. I can’t tell you how many times I see people texting, Facebooking, Instagraming during church services. What’s worse is when they show their neighbor what they are looking at on Instagram. It can wait. What’s worse than that is when a mom or dad is showing their son or daughter something from social media. My heart literally hurts when I see that. If you are not engaged in the message or worship, that’s completely fine; but, please, don’t distract your neighbor from what God is trying to show them. That is showing them that it’s not important to you. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Greet others.</b> Did you know that you may be the first impression someone gets when they walk into church? Every Sunday there are people who have never been to a church or have haven’t been in years and are filled with anxieties. Look for new people and show them around. Ask them to sit with you. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Do not leave immediately after the service.</b> And definitely don’t leave before service is over. At the end of the service, many churches have a time for fresh starts - where people choose to give their lives to Christ for the first time or maybe they are making a decision to recommit an area of their life to the Lord. If you are leaving to get on the wait list at IHOP, please do not leave in the middle of prayer or during a song at the end. Your impatience could be interrupting someone’s very important, life changing situation. Plus, if you leave immediately you can’t talk to to your friends or new people. </span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Do the homework from the pastor. </b>Did your pastor tell you to read a book or chapter of the Bible? Did he ask you to pray for someone or a situation? Do it! You will be so much better prepared going into your Sunday worship experiences.</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>A few more notes.</b> Get involved and serve! If you need to be a member first, ask how to become a member and serve. Tithe regularly. Give above your tithe. Pray for the leadership in your church. Pray for the church’s safety. If you’re out of town, don’t forget to tithe that week to your church. Sit up front!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I could go on and on and I am sure you have some awesome suggestions too. These tips are not completely black and white. I get that you may be on call with your job and need to have your phone out or your toddler needs to sit with you once because you have to leave early because you have family flying into town. And some churches have apps where you follow along the service with your phone. I get it, I have broken all these tips before. Most of these are suggestions but I know you can’t follow them all the time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I’ve spoken to so many people around the country who say they are leaving their church because they “aren’t getting anything out of it.” I think that can be true in rare cases but how much are you putting into it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I know, I may be stepping on some toes, especially introvert toes who hate when I mention talking to other people. I know, I get it. I am an introvert. Going to church stretches me to my absolute introvert limits. Most of the time, I leave completely mentally exhausted. </span></div>
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But can I say that it is 100% worth it. It will always be worth it. Jesus is worth it. The kingdom is worth it. Your family is worth it. <b>You are worth it. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ephesians 5:25 (NLV) </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Husbands, love your wives. You must love them as Christ loved the church. He gave His life for it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Wow! Jesus gave his life for the church. The Word says that husbands need to love their wives like Christ gave himself up for the church. What an incredible command.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am super passionate about the local church, not because I am a pastor’s wife but because <b>I am a Christian.</b> I am SUPER blessed that my parents valued church and always made it a priority. When my parents were engaged, they found a church to go to together. That was in 1984. It's 2018 now and they continue to serve, give and worship at that same church faithfully. My parents scheduled work and vacations so that we wouldn’t miss it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">One thing that absolutely kills me on the inside are church hoppers with kids. They leave a church every few years for whatever reason. Their kids get connected then their parents leave abruptly and now the kids have to start over <i>again</i>. Now, there are absolutely many reasons to leave a church so I am not saying you should never leave. I’m just saying it’s so important to find a church, get connected and plant roots. <br />
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I was born at 5:55am on a Sunday morning. My dad went to church a few hours later. True story. Now, I am not saying that’s the right thing to do but it illustrates the point how dedicated my parents are. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Pastor Bill Hybels says, “the local church is the hope of the world.” <b>And I tend to agree. </b></span></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-12613546121264596722017-06-10T11:08:00.001-05:002018-06-01T15:23:33.829-05:00Flying Alone with Two Under Two - Part 2<span style="font-size: large;">As the title states, this is part two of this post. Please refer back to <a href="http://msinms.blogspot.com/2017/05/flying-alone-with-two-under-two-part-1.html" target="_blank">part one</a> to read about my experience flying alone with two kids. As I said in my first post, I searched the internet to find any advice and experiences of people that flew alone with two kids under two. I found next to nothing and what I did find was very discouraging so I am offering my advice for the next courageous mom or dad (or aunt, uncle, grandparent, caregiver, etc) who sets out to try this. Here are my advice/suggestions/thoughts on flying alone with two under two.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1) Do NOT psych yourself out. Have a plan (a plan A, B & C) on
what would work best for you and your kids but do NOT overthink it and
go to worst case scenario in your mind every time. Almost 95% of everyone I
talked to about my upcoming trip alone was discouraging. Choose to
IGNORE them. If you are brave enough to want to try this then go for it
and don't let any Negative Nellie get in your head.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2)
Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray some more and then pray again. Then, ask others for prayer. I
know, you think I'm joking but I'm not. My trip was kind of last minute
(less than a month from time plane tickets were purchased until we took
off) but you better believe I prayed as many times as I remembered. My husband and I prayed for safety, for the flights to be on time (are they ever?),
for our kids to cooperate, wisdom (LOTS of it. Refer to <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A5-6&version=NIV" target="_blank">James 1:5-6</a>) for health (for all of us), etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3) Check your bags and pack minimally! Yes, I hate paying baggage fees too but it's 100% worth it. I packed as minimally as I could (since my mom had most things at her house and I borrowed the rest). I carried one small backpack on the plane with me and kept necessities with me (several diapers, wipes, infant Tylenol, Tylenol for me too, small toys [that I didn't care if they got lost], lots and lots of snacks, bottle with breastmilk, change of clothes for both kids, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nalgene-Grip-Gulp-Water-Bottle/dp/B001NCDE2A?th=1" target="_blank">Nalgene sippy cup</a>, etc).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4) Get a direct flight. This was VERY important to me. It may not be for you though. I did not want the hassle of getting off and on ANOTHER plane. I would rather suffer through it all at once.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5) Don't be afraid to ask for help (even from strangers). To be honest, I hate doing this (and most of the time, I don't do it) but I had to rely on others. I had a flight attendant buckle me in and lots of friendly people asked if they could help me and I tried to let them when I could!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6) Think and plan ahead. You don't need a million pieces of clothes for you or your kids. My mom had a Pack 'n Play for my son but we needed a bed for my daughter who was used to sleeping in a Rock n' Play. So I contacted one of my friends back home where I was headed and she let me borrow hers that her daughter had outgrown. It was such a LIFESAVER that I didn't have to buy one while I was home or drag it across the country. She also let me borrow a convertible car seat for my son. My parents brought it when they picked us up from the airport. It was SO nice not to have to bring it across country too. HOWEVER, if I had to do this all over again (my BIGGEST take away) was that I would have brought that car seat on the plane and strapped my son in it. He has been on MANY road trips (over 20,000+ miles combined) and he does great! He would have been super content in the car seat since he's used to it. If you're staying at a hotel at your final destination, call and ask what they offer there for kids for beds (some offer Pack 'n Plays, cribs or cots). If you're staying at a friend or family members house, ask what they have that you don't have to bring along with you. Bring a few diapers and buy the rest there. Don't forget to check with the specific airlines and airports about what kind/how much liquids you can take on the plane (I had no problem carrying breastmilk, extra bottles and my son's water cup with us). Cover your bases; only you know what those are.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Would I do this again now that my kids are a little older (Judah is now 2 1/2 and Alexa is 15 months)?</b> Probably! Judah is still not completely potty trained so it might be easier now than we when he is 100% potty training and having to get up every few minutes. I would definitely want to find a harness to strap Judah in or bring his carseat (although it's very bulky). I would bring lots and lots of snacks like last time. Now, my son is super into electronics (he's obsessed with Paw Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines and lots of apps) so I would definitely make sure my phone and iPad were completely charged for him to watch or play. In February, I flew with just Alexa who was 11 months at the time and she was SUPER busy and would not stop moving so I would be more worried about her the next flight since I would be holding her. And she is not into electronics at all so it would be more of a challenge to keep her entertained. But on the other hand, maybe my kids would keep each other entertained. I would probably lather some lavender scented lotion on them to help calm them and give them special treats (like chocolate milk) that we don't normally give them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are considering this, only you know if you can do this without freaking out. You just have to take deep breaths and remember that the plane ride won't last forever and your final destination is going to be worth it. If you have any questions, I'd love to help in any way I can.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-53402859960148801732017-05-20T11:39:00.001-05:002017-05-20T11:57:48.735-05:00Flying Alone with Two Under Two - Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That title alone should scare off anyone but if it doesn't, continue
reading. I recently had the opportunity to fly back home to Lancaster,
PA (via the Baltimore Washington Airport). OK, it was actually almost a year ago but it has taken this long to write this blog post. The only catch for the free
ride was that I would have to fly back home to Memphis by myself. With my
22 month old. And my 4 month old.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since I've been
back, dozens of people have asked how I did it. Just kidding. No one has
but I'm going to share my experience and what I've learned and some
tips and tricks regardless. My mom very graciously paid for a ticket for
myself to fly up to see her and see my family and friends. Since I have
two kids under two, she would have had to pay for two tickets so she
suggested having someone fly up to PA with me so I could have help with
my kids. So my husband flew up with me. He flew back home to Memphis
within 48 hours since he had to go back to work. On the flight to BWI, I was in charge of our 4 month old and my husband was in
charge of our 22 month old. Luckily on the flight up, my husband, Troy,
was able to snag another seat for our toddler since we flew Southwest
and he didn't have to hold him the entire time. The flight there went
fabulously. We really couldn't have asked for any better scenario.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I
was in PA for 15 days before flying back home to Memphis. Prior to the
trip, I googled "flying alone with two kids." It was pretty much crickets on the Internet. The little that I did find was discouraging.
In fact, one mom blog said to NEVER fly alone with two kids unless you
had help. I quickly ignored her opinion and gave up on the mom bloggers.
Where were the moms on the Internet that accomplished this feat? Were
they scarred for life? Did they even exist? Did they not live to tell
about it? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Nevertheless, I was up for the challenge. As you can
already guess, this post will be lengthy but if you're flying soon or
considering it, I invite you to take the trek through this post. The
first post will be my <b>experience</b> and the second will be my <b>advice</b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">First, I tried to plan the flights were we would be back on the ground before bedtime. Our 4 month old, Alexa, sleeps whenever and wherever so I wasn't worried
about her. Our 22 month old, Judah's, naps are sporadic so I tried my
best to schedule it around his nap since I was almost 100% certain he
wouldn't sleep on the plane (too much excitement).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Next,
I decided on whether or not to bring my double stroller or to bring an
umbrella stroller (much more lightweight and easier to fold and deal
with) and baby wrap my newborn with a Moby wrap. I thought for sure I
was going to use the latter. But I had a test run around our neighborhood of
me with my newborn in a baby carrier and my toddler in the umbrella stroller
without the luggage. It was miserable. I spoke with a friend back home, Darla, who flew with her two kids and she highly recommended bringing the double
stroller and that's what I decided on (plus, the stroller I have can fit
infant car seats so that was nice too).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I tried to
pack as little as possible. My mom had tons of outfits and diapers
waiting for me at home along with a Pack 'n Play for Judah and we
borrowed a Rock 'n Play bed for Alexa (from Darla again). Darla also
offered up her extra convertable car seat that we could use for Judah
while we were in town so I didn't have to lug ours around the airport
(everyone needs a friend like Darla). I brought a backpack with as
little as I could bring but I packed it full (contents will be in part 2). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My dad and sister drove to the airport with me and the bambinos. Both kids fell asleep almost right before we got to the airport so that was not the best. My dad dropped me and the kids off alongside the gate and my sister got out to help us get through security. We strapped the kids in the double stroller and got checked in to receive our tickets and check our bags (I wanted to walk on the airplane with as little as possible). My sister let me use the bathroom (all by myself) while she watched the kids then we got in the security line. My sister helped me until the last possible minute (which was right before going through security). It was so nice to have someone help me even if it was the smallest thing. Thanks sis!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Going through security was the most stressful part. I had to take my bag of liquids & iPad out, take off my shoes, take apart and breakdown my stroller while managing two kids. One of the TSA officers asked if my (double) stroller (it's 40+ pounds, sir) would fit through their little scanner. WHAT?! How would I know that?! And I had TWO kids. Did they not see my TWO children? Luckily, one nice TSA man helped me with my stroller and walked Judah through the scanner. They also were nicer on me and I could just walk through a scanner instead of raising my hands over my head like they do now in that super hi tech x-ray type machine. After I got through security, I sighed a big sigh of relief. I packed up my stuff and headed to my gate. I made sure I knew where my gate was before I went to Auntie Anne's to grab a quick lunch. I was not risking that me and my 1 year old would be hangry. We grabbed our lunch and I headed to find a family bathroom. I nursed my baby and changed both kids' diapers. Then I put my Moby wrap on and put my daughter in. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, this may not sound like it would take up a lot of time but it did. By this time, I headed to the gate and it was time to board. I got to board early since I had small kids. At the end of the runway, I had to check my double stroller and infant car seat. This was difficult since I was wearing one child and trying to control another. Luckily, a nice flight attendant helped me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We boarded the plane and I got an aisle seat while my son had the middle seat and a very nice woman had the window seat. I buckled my son in and had to ask a flight attendant to buckle me in since I couldn't see because I had my bambino strapped to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The flight for the most part went well. It was about 2 1/2 hours long. My baby slept and was super comfy in the wrap. The nice lady by the window was very kind and helped me and was totally cool with Judah touching her from time to time and she opened up the window for him to look out from time to time. Towards the end of the flight, my baby was getting fussy and my toddler was getting anxious. I tried to give him lots of snacks and he started throwing them on the floor and by that time, I really didn't care. He also did NOT want to sit down. By this time, my baby was hungry so I bottle-fed her while trying to distract my toddler. It was tough and I had to take a few deep breaths and tell myself that it was all going to be over soon. He was really content to play with the on flight magazines and tray table for most of the flight. I got my iPad out for him to watch something but he was not interested.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The landing couldn't come soon enough. We packed up our things (sorry for all the goldfish on the floor, Southwest) and headed out. I stayed at the end of the runway to get my stroller but they told me I was going to have to wait back at the gate! I was stressed by this time. They finally rolled my double stroller out to me and they said they couldn't find my infant car seat. I was trying not to freak out. I had to put the kids in the stroller without the car seat and head to baggage claim to try to find it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My husband met me inside and helped me collect our bags at baggage claim and luckily our car seat showed up too! Then, I practically ran out of there.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Overall, the experience was very positive. Towards the end of the flight, my toddler got very anxious especially when he was told to sit and put his beloved tray table up but nevertheless, we got through it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I would do it again... I think. Maybe. If you are thinking about it, you can do it! Having both kids in diapers was a plus since I didn't have to run to the bathroom every time my toddler had to pee. And my daughter was very young and she was very content to sleep and just be cuddled up by my side. She didn't need to be entertained. Neither had any blow outs, major tantrums or super hyper moments.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Check in tomorrow for my tips and advice on flying alone with two under two.</span><br />
<br />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-5187421773986024532017-01-14T18:17:00.001-06:002018-12-31T22:28:31.618-06:00Daniel Fast Four Bean Chili<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0eGZ3RPoFg/WHq-gBhb3WI/AAAAAAAAAd4/H6dHgZZOdm0WqnDBNavtDKxWPcw92UYIACLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="467" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0eGZ3RPoFg/WHq-gBhb3WI/AAAAAAAAAd4/H6dHgZZOdm0WqnDBNavtDKxWPcw92UYIACLcB/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you're looking for a quick and easy Daniel Fast meal, look no further! This recipe is a Troy and Melody original but feel free to change it up and add your own twist to it. Sometimes we add different beans or throw in different spices but this is our template. It's super easy to make; chopping the vegetables is just time consuming. If you're making this for the Daniel Fast, make sure all the beans do not have any added sugar or corn syrup in. Sometimes you have to search for them but they are out there! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 Tablespoons olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 large red pepper, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 large orange pepper, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 large yellow pepper, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 large jalapeno pepper (seeded, de-veined and chopped)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6 cloves garlic, minced</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 cup vegetable stock</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 (16 oz) can black beans</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 (16 oz) can dark red kidney beans</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 (16 oz) can hot chili beans</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Tablespoon ground cumin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 Tablespoons chili powder</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Tablespoon hot sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 can refried beans (vegetarian) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In a large pot, add olive oil and warm over medium heat. Add peppers and garlic. Saute for five minutes or until softened. Add vegetable stock and stir well. Drain tomatoes, black beans, chili beans and kidney beans then add to pot, stirring well to combine. Add cumin, chili powder, and hot sauce. Stir in refried beans to thicken chili. Reduce heat to low and simmer for fifteen minutes before serving.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy by itself or on a baked potato.</span>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-74989427809987384742017-01-01T21:19:00.002-06:002019-01-06T19:22:10.257-06:00Practical Tips for Thriving in the Daniel Fast<span style="font-size: large;">My church, <a href="http://www.citychurchob.com/">CityChurch of Olive Branch</a>, is starting 2017 with 21 days of prayer and fasting. We are doing the Daniel Fast together this year starting Sunday, January 8th. Here are eight practical tips for thriving during the fast. I am not ignoring the spiritual side, just giving some practical tips.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">1. <b>Plan, plan, plan. </b>Know specifically what you can and cannot have. After you have researched, plan out breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for each day for a week at a time. If you're feeling advantageous, plan for the entire three weeks in one sitting. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a sample meal plan for us: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Breakfast: fruit smoothie (frozen berries, 100% apple juice and frozen banana) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lunch: taco salad with guacamole and apple slices with peanut butter </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Dinner: <a href="http://msinms.blogspot.com/2017/01/daniel-fast-four-bean-chili.html" target="_blank">four bean chili</a> with a side of green beans </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Snacks: mixed fruit, clementines, mixed nuts</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">2. <b>Tell yourself that you're not going to give up and quit. </b>Tell yourself that you will complete the 21 days. If you say you're going to "try" then you are giving yourself room to fail. It's tough but it's supposed to be tough. If you slip up and eat a handful of M&Ms, repent, forgive yourself and <i>keep going</i>. Don't give yourself an out to quit. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">3. <b>Have readily available snacks when you get hangry.</b> For me, I like easy fruits (bananas, clementines, apples) and mixed nuts. I also keep sugar free applesauce on deck. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">4. <b>Realize temptation is going to come and that you can overcome it. </b>Whenever my husband or I have done fasts, it seems like we get invited to lots of parties with all you can eat pizza buffets with a five tiered chocolate cake. Either, don't go to those food filled outings or eat before you go and bring approved snacks along so you're not [as] tempted.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">5. <b>Check your labels carefully. </b>While you're mostly eating whole, fresh foods, you will use some prepared foods like canned beans. Now, if you're like me, you would assume there would be no added sugar in a can of pinto beans you're using for a chili but most have at least corn syrup in. There are some jarred salsas without added sugar and pasta sauces without added sugar.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">6. <b>Invite friends or family over to have dinner with you.</b> During our first Daniel Fast in 2012, we had another couple over for dinner that was also doing the fast with us. We had mixed fruit as an appetizer and a four bean chili for the main course. They brought the most delicious guacamole with baked corn chips. We had a great time sharing recipes, encouraging each other and praying with and for each other.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">7. <b>Know ahead of time that caffeine withdrawals will be tough. </b>Realize the first few days will be very difficult if you're used to drinking soda or coffee on a regular basis. You will have headaches but most of the time, they will die down after day three so drink lots of water.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">8. <b>Experiment with new foods so you don't get bored or stale.</b> Sometimes, we just have a baked potato for dinner because of our lack of creativity and because we're just hungry. We love to go to Whole Foods to get inspired with new foods. They also have a buffet with many DF approved foods. It's a nice treat not to prepare a meal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Remember to drink lots water, eat as much as you want with DF approved foods, and get enough protein. Remind yourself that it's only 21 days and that you're stronger than you think.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Each year, many people tell us they aren't doing the Daniel Fast because they "already eat like that." Chances are, that's probably not true and more of an excuse than anything. <b>If you find yourself pushing back hard, you may need it the most. </b>But if you legitimately have a similar diet as the Daniel Fast then I still encourage you to do another type of food fast.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Click <a href="http://msinms.blogspot.com/2014/01/daniel-fast-approved-restaurants.html">here</a> for some Daniel Fast approved restaurants.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And click <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/citychurchob/">here</a> for some Daniel Fast recipes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And click <a href="https://danielfast.wordpress.com/">here</a> for more info on what exactly the Daniel Fast is. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You can do this. </span>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-71579436303045420882016-09-07T19:58:00.000-05:002016-09-07T20:14:00.650-05:00Welcome (back).<br />
<br />
You know those people that start a blog and promote it heavily then post once or twice then never post again? This will be <i>that</i> blog. I will post randomly and sporadically.<br />
<br />
All my posts from my old "wifey life" blog are still here. A lot of it makes me cringe because of the photos or wording, but it's fun to see how I've grown and evolved so I decided to keep it.<br />
<br />
This new blog is called "MS in MS." It stands for Melody Sowden in Mississippi. MS are my (semi) new initials from getting married nearly seven years ago. And MS is the state I have lived in (also for seven years). Growing up, I desired to be married more than anything but wasn't sure if it was ever going to happen. And let's face it, Mississippi was probably the last place on earth I ever thought I'd live especially being a proud Northern girl from Lancaster, PA. But Isaiah 55:8 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.<span class="p">" I may not know what I am doing tomorrow or even later today but I am sure glad I serve a God who does.</span><br />
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<span class="p">So the initials "MS" represent me and the new person I've become and living in the new state I moved to seven years ago. My old "wifey life" blog just encompassed my title of just "wife." While I am still a wife, I am more than that. I embraced a new role two years ago when we welcomed our first son, Judah, into the world. Then six months ago, we welcomed our first daughter, Alexa, into our family. </span><span class="p"><span class="p">I am a Pennsylvanian,</span> married to a Seattleite and we are raising two Mississippians.</span><br />
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<span class="p">I don't think this is a mom blog or cooking blog or hair blog or couponing blog or whatever blog. It </span><span class="p"><span class="p">is </span>just a blog. It's a constant work in progress - just like me. I may post 10 times in one week or I may not see you again for three years. But I still want you to check back daily anxiously awaiting a new post. ;)</span><br />
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<span class="p"> </span> Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-55585345450292393732015-11-13T14:21:00.000-06:002016-09-04T14:27:51.506-05:006 Things I am Learning in 6 Years of Marriage<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Troy and I got married on Friday, November 13, 2009. Here are 6 quick things I have learned (and am still learning) about marriage since then.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1) <b>Marriage is not 50/50. It's 100/100. </b>We both have to give it our all. We cannot short change each other. Yes, we are partners, but we are partners giving it everything we have and striving for more.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2)<b> I am not the same person I was six years ago. </b>And neither is Troy. Am I perfect? Not even close. Am I better than I was? Absolutely. Troy continually helps me be a better person: a better wife, friend, mom, and most importantly, Christ follower.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3) <b>We never stop growing in our love for each other. </b>Six<b> </b>years may not sound like a long time compared to a couple married 16 or 26 years, but I have learned that our love has blossomed and grown immeasurably. We have grown spiritually, relationally, sexually (oh yeah, I said it.)... in every way. That's one of my favorite parts of marriage - growing deeper.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4)<b> I'm learning to get better at forgiving</b>. I heard a quote that said that a great marriage is made up of two great forgivers. Troy is the BEST example of it. Which is crazy because I am probably the worst example of it. He is constantly giving me grace and time.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5)<b> The Word of God has got to be our guide.</b> It just has to be.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6) <b>Troy is still my favorite.</b> No matter what has happened, his voice is still the sweetest sound. His face is still my favorite sight. I never tire of being with him and I will work my hardest to see that that never changes.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c-d--YgW71E/TVajSlwYWqI/AAAAAAAAACY/_dpKRWeUe54/s1600/_C1D0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c-d--YgW71E/TVajSlwYWqI/AAAAAAAAACY/_dpKRWeUe54/s320/_C1D0054.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love you, Troy! Thanks for choosing me.</span>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-20909804963789786972015-02-24T21:12:00.000-06:002018-06-01T09:16:53.830-05:00Why We Are Waiting - Part 2<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a follow up post to Why We Are Waiting which you can read <a href="https://msinms.blogspot.com/2014/09/why-we-are-waiting-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a> if you haven't read it yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To sum up my last blog post...</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Troy and I decided to wait until our baby emerged from the womb to know his/her gender.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fast forward five months after our little one came into the world and we are at present day. On September 17th, 2014 at 4:42pm after twenty-four hours of labor and an hour and forty minutes of pushing, my husband announced that we had a baby boy! Judah was the cutest 5 pound, 11 ounce baby I'd ever seen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Am I glad we waited? <b>Absolutely.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Would I do it again? <b>Most definitely.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On September 17th, Troy told me we had a boy and then he cut the cord. It was such an incredible experience. It was one of the greatest surprises of our lives. It was so thrilling to find out what we were having and we had a great "gender reveal party."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I am so glad we waited for a few reasons.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1) If I would have found out beforehand, I know I would have bought every little cute outfit or accessory I saw in the store. This kept me from doing that. I have bought maybe three outfits for Judah total and the rest of his wardrobe has been generously donated (a lot of that has come from my mom, a woman with a gifts love language). On the same note, what if I did find out that we were having a boy? I would have went out and bought blue this and green that. A blue nursery would have been painted maybe with a Seahawks color theme. What happens when I have a girl the next time? Do I buy all new "girl" stuff or do I put her in all of the boy stuff? I am too cheap for that. Would I have to paint our nursery pink and purple? In the words of Sweet Brown, "Ain't nobody got time for that." Our nice gray and cream nursery is already ready for the next Sowden kid, boy or girl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2) To be perfectly honest, I wanted a girl so badly while I was pregnant. EVERYONE told me I was having a girl. <i>I was carrying high so I must be having a girl. The baby's heart rate was high so, of course, I was having a girl.</i> Everyone said it and I wanted it to be true. Towards the end of my pregnancy, I started to think there was a boy in there. If I would have found out at the traditional twenty week anatomy ultrasound that I was having a boy, I would have been thrilled but let down. Can I just be real with you? I probably would have had to psych myself up the entire rest of my pregnancy knowing I was carrying a boy. But once that adorable baby boy was pushed out of my body and I saw him for the first time, I was instantly in love and couldn't have even imagined having a girl. After you see that little bundle of joy who has your DNA and your legacy attached to him, you can't think of anything else.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3) It was fun for people to guess what I was having. When you know, that thrill is not there. People were so shocked up until the last minute (ie: our delivery nurse) that we waited. The anticipation was so fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Troy and I have already talked about the next time we have kids, whether we have multiples or not, we want to wait to find out the gender at birth. It was kind of a rush and a feeling that can't be duplicated in any other scenario.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am not by any means putting down anyone who chooses to find out beforehand. Go for it. It was so fun for both me and my husband that we look forward to it the next time. We felt like it was such a gift. Ironically enough, Troy got a phone call today from a couple who is pregnant and they are choosing to wait to find out because I said it was one of life's last surprises. So cool!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regardless if you find out, babies are a blessing from the Lord and God's first command to the first married couple was to be fruitful and multiply. And with that, I have to go do the Lord's work. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Edit: Since this post, I gave birth to another <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">perfect baby on Mar<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ch 6, 2016. We had a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">sweet baby girl and we didn't know the gender before<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hand. We <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">COULDN<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'T wait until we found out at <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">birth. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was so m<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">uch exci<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tement and anticipati<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on. I'm not sure if we will have another biological child again but we will definitely contin<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ue this trend.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-40813653295430565272014-09-06T14:21:00.000-05:002018-06-01T09:24:25.865-05:00Why We Are Waiting - Part 1<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">No, I am not talking about waiting until we got married to have sex (which we did and I believe is the right thing to do), I am talking about why we are waiting to find out the sex of our baby until the birth. Here is my slightly sarcastic and light hearted opinion (mind you, I am at 37 weeks of pregnancy) of why we waited.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">When we first started telling people we are going to wait until the birth to find out the gender of our child, it was almost like I had told them that we grilled snake for breakfast. Utter surprise and astonishment filled their faces. I had been forewarned by a few friends who chose to wait that I would get odd responses from people when we told them.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><b>They were right. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">1) “What about a gender reveal party?”</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">2) “How are you going to plan?”</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">3) “What colors will you paint the baby room?”</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">4) “How will you know what to use – pink or blue?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">5) “Don’t you want to find out?”</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">6) “You know you have to pick two names, right?”</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">7) “There is no way you’re going to wait.” </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">8) “You won’t last that long.”</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">9) “You’re going to break down and find out.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is only a snapshot of the weird responses we received. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><b>Here <span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">were</span> my response<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">s:</span></b> </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">1)<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We will have the best reveal party on his/her birthday. I don’t need an excuse to cut into a cupcake with pink icing or drink blue lemonade. I’ll do that to celebrate the baby’s birth… and I will since I have totally cut out sugar until after I give birth!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be honest, I have no idea how to take care of a newborn – boy or girl. If I knew the sex, that wouldn’t help me in advance on knowing how to care for a newborn.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Lime green with touches of lavender. Seriously though, painting the nursery a gender specific color wasn’t on my top priority list when it came for preparing for a baby</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. We</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">c</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hos</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e to do a pale gray and a cream and then decorate accordingly. I don’t want to paint a big pink mural for our baby girl only to have a boy a year later and have to change everything else. I watch too many HGTV shows not to worry about resale value.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">4)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I know everything is made with a gender specific slant these days: blue car seats, pink baby baths, blue this, pink that. However, I love gray, yellow, pale neutrals, and simple patterns. Again, let’s say I knew I was having a boy this time around and bought everything blue and dark green then the second time around, I had a girl. What would I do? Keep all my boy colored stuff to reuse for baby girl or buy all new girl colored stuff? I am way too cheap for all that. This way, I can reuse what I have over and over again. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">5)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yes, I definitely want to find out. Just not right now. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">6)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yes, we have them picked out. No, I will not name my child after you.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">7)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Ok, thanks.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">8)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yes, we will.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">9)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We are not.</span></span> <br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Reasons we waited:</span></b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">1)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">There are very few surprises we get in life. The only other surprise I can think of is when you get proposed to and that just (mainly) effects the bride. Let me preface by saying a contradictory statement, I HATE surprises. I am very Type A. I live by my day planner and make lists of my to do lists. But for some reason, I just think this is the most glorious surprise God can give us.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">2)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The anticipation is great. It’s absolutely thrilling not knowing. The anticipation is not only great for us but for others as well. It’s also fun having people guess what they think the gender will be. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">3)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Looking back, I can say without a doubt that I know we saved a ton of money from buying baby clothes that the baby would outgrow right away. I know Troy and I would have been suckered into buying every little bathing suit and shoe that we would never need all because “baby girl <i>has</i> to have it!” Now, if you have money for that, then go for it! We don’t so it’s been great for us to be able to resist and spend money on necessities. </span></span> <br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><b>Have I ever wanted to <i>just</i> know? </b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Yes, definitely. There were two times during my pregnancy that I wanted to find out. One was right around the time of my 20 week anatomy ultrasound where we could find out for the first time. I debated for awhile but quickly became confident in my original decision. Then there was a time where I was about 34 weeks and my husband and I went to Target to roam and we both saw the smallest and cutest little bathing suits – some for boys and some for girls. We both just looked at each other and wanted to buy them both at that very moment. However, we just couldn’t justify buying one of each. </span></span><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Closing Thoughts</span></b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">To me, if you can wait 20 weeks until the traditional anatomy ultrasound to find out, you can wait 20 more weeks. I have no problem if people want to find out. Go ahead! If you will be less stressed and more prepared then go for it. I am not mad at the way people responded or from the looks of disgust on some of their faces. Everyone has a preference on it! We may find out some day too (if we have multiples or through adoption). The few people that are pro waiting tell us that they support our decision louder and more often than the many people who have no clue why we chose to wait. The baby’s gender is out of my control anyway. I love this baby whether they are male or female. I can’t wait to see the plans God has in store for our little one and for our little family. The miracle isn’t whether our baby is a boy or girl – the miracle is the baby itself. If we would know the sex, we wouldn’t pray more for our baby in the womb. We pray every day for a healthy baby and a safe (and quick!) delivery. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">***I plan on doing a follow up post after Baby Sowden is born. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Edit: <span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://msinms.blogspot.com/2015/02/why-we-are-waiting-part-2.html" target="_blank">Here</a> is the follow u<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">p. </span></span> </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><img class="ajn bofPge" id=":0_2" name=":0" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/no_photo.png" /></span>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-65282110019737507132014-01-10T17:57:00.000-06:002018-12-31T22:24:46.841-06:00Daniel Fast Approved RestaurantsWhether you are doing the Daniel Fast by yourself or with your church, it can be hard constantly prepping meals. Sometimes it's easier to just go and pay someone else to make something for you. I have a list, albeit a short list, of some restaurants that have some Daniel Fast approved menu items. <br />
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<a href="http://bangkokalley.com/" target="_blank">Bangkok Alley</a> - Memphis area<br />
This place is so tasty! There are several options to choose from. You can get edamame for an appetizer and chef's fried rice, basil fried rice and veggie fried rice (just make sure to substitute brown rice instead of white and 86 the egg). You can also get tofu with your fried rice. If you're not in the Memphis area, most Thai and Asian restaurants should have similar entrees. Just ask specific questions for what's in their ingredients.<br />
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<a href="https://www.thecitysilo.com/">City Silo</a> - Memphis Area (formerly Cosmic Coconut)<br />
Honestly, we visit this restaurant every year and it's such a treat for us. They have fresh juices and smoothies. Check out their menu especially their hearty bowls. The "El Goodo" is mouth watering good.<br />
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<a href="http://www.swankystacoshop.com/" target="_blank">Swankys Taco Shop</a> - Memphis Area<br />
There isn't much to choose from unless you want a mixed vegetable salad. Swankys uses such fresh ingredients that you will forget you are eating healthy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mcalistersdeli.com/" target="_blank">McAlister's</a> - Located in mostly the Southeast US<br />
McAlister's is known for it's huge baked potatoes called spuds. Luckily, they have a plain spud and a veggie spud (make sure to ask without cheese). They also have a garden salad (sans cheese) and fruit cup that are good too.<br />
<a href="http://www.chipotle.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a><a href="http://www.chipotle.com/" target="_blank">Chipotle</a> - National Chain<br />
Chipotle is known for food with integrity. They use basic ingredients that create amazing, healthy food. Get a salad with guacamole, salsa, pinto beans, black beans, tomatoes, and other veggies.<br />
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<a href="http://www.rubytuesday.com/" target="_blank">Ruby Tuesday</a> - National Chain <br />
You can get the salad bar and stuff your face for hours for under $10.<br />
<a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a><a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/" target="_blank">Whole Foods</a> - National Chain<br />
This is not only an amazing grocery store, it also has a great buffet filled with hot and cold vegetables and fruits. It will not disappoint! <br />
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Please post any other Daniel Fast approved restaurants in the comments if you think of any. <br />
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Want more info on the Daniel Fast? Click <a href="http://storage.cloversites.com/citychurchofolivebranch/documents/Daniel%20Fast%202014_4.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> to download a PDF. And click <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/citychurchob/" target="_blank">here</a> for more DF recipes you can make in the comfort of your own home.<br />
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***edited December 2018 since Cosmic Coconut changed it's name & menu to City Silo<br />
<br />Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-82755751906736906752011-10-03T20:38:00.000-05:002016-09-04T14:27:51.597-05:00Chocolate & Peanut Butter Chip Blondies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blondies, blondies, blondies. My first consumption of a blondie was at my first serving job at Ruby Tuesday. On occasion, a server would mess up an order ("accidentally," of course) and the food would be considered "dead" and that meant that all the servers could secretly pull the dead food item aside and share with other co-workers. As servers, we would scarf that food down like vultures. It wouldn't happen often but when it did, it was glorious. It was in one of these moments, that I tasted my first blondie. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I found this great recipe from <a href="http://annies-eats.net/2008/01/19/basic-blondies/">Annie's Eats</a> (another culinary genius). I made the recipe my own but the great thing is you can add any candy and special treat to equal your mood.<br /><br />What is a blondie exactly? According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blondie_%28confection%29">wiki</a> (don't tell my college professors), it is a brown sugar based dessert resembling it's bff, the chocolate brownie. In my simple terms, it is like a thicker cookie made in a cake form. And it's oh so delicious. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hFS42Sy53dQ/TopmDYX7k6I/AAAAAAAAAK0/1bhOW0pM3o4/s1600/SDC11635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hFS42Sy53dQ/TopmDYX7k6I/AAAAAAAAAK0/1bhOW0pM3o4/s640/SDC11635.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />In fact, the first time I made these, I placed them in the oven, set an alarm on my phone and of course, someone called me. Since I was on the phone and my alarm didn't go off until I got off the phone, the blondies were in the oven a full 16 minutes over the time I was supposed to take them out. To my surprise, they were amazing! You can't go wrong with them. Here's a simple recipe (you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry now!). <br /><br />Ingredients:<br />1/8 cup of butter (or margarine) <br />1 cup light brown sugar<br />1 egg<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I just found a recipe to make my own! So excited!)<br />1/4 teaspoon of salt<br />1 cup of flour<br />1/4 teaspoon of baking powder<br />3/4 cup of chocolate chips<br />1/4 cup of peanut butter chips (yum!)<br />PAM<br /><br />Directions:<br />1. Preheat oven to 350˚F. Use PAM to grease an 8x8 inch pan or 9x12 glass pan. I used a 9x12 pan (the blondies will be thicker in an 8x8 inch pan... either way is tasty). <br />2. Heat butter in a mug (mug = easier handling) for about 30-45 seconds and allow to cool off for a few minutes.<br />3. Mix butter and brown sugar with a mixer in a medium bowl and beat until smooth.<br />4. Beat in the egg and then the vanilla.<br />5. Add in the flour, salt and baking powder and blend until smooth. Then add in your chocolate & peanut butter chips (you could add in M&M's, toffee chips, Reese's peanut butter cups, nuts, anything really) and mix by hand until evenly distributed. <br />6. Pour delicious batter in the greased pan and spread around. Cook for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. <br /><br />Take out and let cool for a few minutes then cut into squares. These babies are so good and since they are so easy, you'll want to make them over and over again. You've been warned.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><span id="goog_2107556817"></span><span id="goog_2107556818"></span>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-27845192481931832182011-10-01T21:56:00.000-05:002016-09-04T14:27:51.610-05:00Easy Pizza Crust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fASSaMbFofY/TofG5oDhnDI/AAAAAAAAAIM/FansB-YMtXo/s1600/SDC11759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fASSaMbFofY/TofG5oDhnDI/AAAAAAAAAIM/FansB-YMtXo/s640/SDC11759.JPG" width="640" /><br /></a></div>Oh, pizza. I think it's safe to save that pizza is one of my favorite foods. I could eat it every day... and sometimes that just may be the case. I'll take frozen, delivery, take out, cheap or expensive. It's all delish to me. So why not venture into the world of making my own pizza crust? That is the most tasty part of a pizza if I do say so myself. <br /><br />I've been researching the easiest pizza crust recipe alive. One that doesn't involve fancy equipment or long hours to create and rise.<br /><br />I stumbled upon this recipe from one of my favorite money saving websites ironically named moneysavingmom.com. She is a super mom and I aspire to be like her. I don't know how she does it all. I tweaked the recipe a tiny bit to make it my own. You can find the original recipe <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/02/homemade-pizza-in-less-than-30-minutes.html">here.</a><br /><br />Not to brag or anything, but this was my first pizza crust recipe and well, it turned out perfect to me. It was so simple. The ingredients are all things I had on hand and the best part is that you don't have to let the yeast rise. I couldn't have asked for something easier. <br /><br />You ready? Let's go.<br /><br />Ingredients:<br />1 tablespoon dry yeast (this will be more than one packet of yeast)<br />1 cup warm water (needs to be warm enough to feed to a baby, about 105° to 115° F)<br />1 teaspoon sugar<br />1 teaspoon salt<br />2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil<br />2 1/2 cups bread flour plus extra for flouring a surface<br />cornmeal<br /><br />Directions:<br />1. Preaheat oven to 450° F.<br />2. Dissolve the yeast into the warm water (about 5-10 minutes). Add the rest of the ingredients into the bowl and mix for about a minute.<br />3. Pour mixture onto clean, floured surface. Make sure your hands are covered with flour so that the dough doesn't stick to you. <br />4. Knead by hand into a smooth ball for about 5-10 minutes. Don't know how to knead? I didn't either until this handy youtube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nPLsaMaGyM">video</a>. It should look something like this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GFyy9zxJa4M/TofHFbgmLuI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/KBqDlgXLWcY/s1600/SDC11749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GFyy9zxJa4M/TofHFbgmLuI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/KBqDlgXLWcY/s640/SDC11749.JPG" width="640" /><br /></a></div>If you press your finger into the ball, the dough should have enough elasticity to bounce back after you puncture it. Continue to add extra flour into the dough to take most of the moisture out.<br />5. Sprinkle some cornmeal onto a greased baking sheet or pizza stone (this gives it some texture). I've also read that turning a pan upside down and putting the pizza on top it will act just like a pizza stone but I haven't tried it out yet.<br />6. Add toppings and bake for 12-15 minutes. <br />7. Sit back, enjoy, and be very, very impressed.<br /><br />The toppings we used were 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 3/4 to 1 cup of mozzarella, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, about 25 pepperonis, one sausage link browned, home grown basil, garlic, garlic salt, crushed red pepper, and Italian seasoning. Oh, man. It was so good. I'm dreaming about it right now.<br /><br />You can put it in a freezer bag right after you knead the dough into a ball and stick it in your freezer. Just put it in the fridge for about 6 hours before you want to use it.<br /><br />I have one in the freezer right now just waiting to be devoured but I just got my wisdom teeth out yesterday (yep, all 4) and am eating only soft, baby foods right now. <br /><br />Getting sick = fantastic reason to blog.<br /><br />I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Let me know if anyone has any favorite pizza combinations that they want to share other than the usual pepperoni & cheese.Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-42201608589069588432011-07-11T20:39:00.000-05:002016-09-04T14:27:51.624-05:00Homemade Glass Cleaner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="498" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywru3Bfmebs/ThsfwbIpusI/AAAAAAAAAH4/RdJ4650GlCg/s640/SDC11470.JPG" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Recently, I went to a physician and she suggested that my allergies could be due to particular cleaning products used in our house. She said I should switch to natural cleaning products so this was the perfect excuse to make my own. This glass cleaner is a tried and true. It's SUPER simple to make and works just as good as an expensive window cleaner. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Ingredients:</b></div>1/4 cup white vinegar<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 cups water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 teaspoon dishwashing soap</div>spray bottle<br /><br /><b>Directions:</b><br />1. Combine all ingredients in the spray bottle.<br />2. Shake up before using.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The soap helps the solution not to streak up on windows. I've been trying to be more green so I've been trying to use more towels instead of paper towels. And of course, this saves money too which I am all for! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm pretty excited to learn how to create other natural cleaners. I'm learning that baking soda and white vinegar fix anything!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Does anyone have any cleaning concoction that they've made?</div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-2640996833855221762011-06-23T23:09:00.000-05:002016-09-04T14:27:51.638-05:00bread and butter pickles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze9limlizq8/TgQNWvW0yRI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Uaq5UVfpsnc/s1600/SDC10229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze9limlizq8/TgQNWvW0yRI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Uaq5UVfpsnc/s640/SDC10229.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Oh, pickles. People have a love/hate relationship with them and I, for one, am in love with them. Troy and I hosted Thanksgiving at our house in MS this past year and my family from PA drove down to be with us. We planned quite the spread and I decided to make my very own pickles. It has definitely been one of my crowning culinary achievements. I found the recipe from one of my favorite food blogs, <a href="http://bakedbree.com/">BakedBree.com</a>. She's a genius in my eyes!<br /><br />Making pickles was a lot more simple than I had thought and the result is way better than any store bought pickle. You won't want to go back, promise. <br /><br />Let's get started.<br /><br /><b>Ingredients:</b><br />3 pounds Kirby or pickling cucumbers<br />3 large sweet onions, thinly sliced*<br />3/4 cup Diamond Kosher salt or pickling salt<br />1 1/2 cups sugar<br />1 1/2 cups white vinegar<br />3/4 teaspoon turmeric (it's an orange spice that's pretty easy to find)<br />3 tablespoons mustard seeds<br />3 tablespoons coriander seeds<br />3/4 teaspoon celery seed<br /><br />*This is the original recipe but I DESPISE onions so I used some extra cukes to make up for the lack of onions. <br /><b><br />Directions:</b><br />1. Cut up the cucumbers into sizes that you would like. Since I had no idea what I was doing, I make some big and others smaller. The result was the same. In a large bowl, combine the cucumbers, onion and salt. Mix well so that the salt is evenly distributed.<br />2. Cover with ice and let sit at room temperature for two hours.<br />3. In a large pot, bring the sugar, vinegar, and all spices to a boil. This is when the magic begins.<br />4. Drain the cucumber mixture and add to the vinegar mixture and bring almost a boil. Remove from the heat and let cool. Go ahead, taste one.<br />5. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks in the fridge. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bxW8DbudulI/TgVNbzF8R6I/AAAAAAAAAHI/xQ33E6ct-7c/s640/SDC10230.JPG" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aren't they beautiful? Enjoy! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uP1AusgJtW8/TgVOlLfRL6I/AAAAAAAAAHM/9VvXtgpaoe8/s1600/SDC10237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uP1AusgJtW8/TgVOlLfRL6I/AAAAAAAAAHM/9VvXtgpaoe8/s640/SDC10237.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-55590409777423219392011-06-01T09:50:00.000-05:002016-09-04T14:27:51.653-05:00Free Samples 101<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRsuK9KSFrI/TeG6lnu762I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/w-bIq2ofzO4/s1600/SDC10841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRsuK9KSFrI/TeG6lnu762I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/w-bIq2ofzO4/s640/SDC10841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Who doesn't love free things? I know I sure do. Over the past 9 months or so, I have become more than obsessed with finding free samples online. The peek of my free sampling days thus far was when I received SEVEN free samples in the mail in one day... organic coffee, Crest White Strips 3D, a pack of Stride gum, Aveda hair samples, Tide laundry detergent & Tide washing machine cleaner (I had to be one of the first 5000 to get that one!) and some others.<br /><br />Oh man, what a rush. Some of my favorite free samples have been Purina cat food and a Diamond Dazzle stick which cleans my rings and makes the diamonds shine like crazy! I have also received some coupons for a free bottle of Advil, Exderin, Suave hair care products, chips, Zyrtec, Philadelphia Cooking Creme, and many others. <br /><br />To call me obsessed is an understatement... it would be more appropriate to call it a way of life. I look forward to visiting the mail box each and every day. Is that strange? On my way home from work, I ask my husband if he got the mail.... every day. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fv0Okpe4w44/TeG5A3OdNNI/AAAAAAAAAGE/81Cr60zVJd4/s1600/SDC10682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fv0Okpe4w44/TeG5A3OdNNI/AAAAAAAAAGE/81Cr60zVJd4/s640/SDC10682.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Where to go: </b><br />There are a ton of websites that offer free samples. Many retail stores like <a href="http://walmart.com/">walmart.com</a>, <a href="http://target.com/">target.com</a>, <a href="http://kroger.com/">kroger.com</a> offer free samples. Check your local grocery store chain's website to see if they have a free sample section on their site. And then there are many, many awesome coupon/free sample/savings sites like <a href="http://dealseekingmom.com/">dealseekingmom.com</a>, <a href="http://ilovefreethings.com/">ilovefreethings.com</a>, <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/">moneysavingmom.com</a>, <a href="http://freesamples2fillupyourmailbox.com/">freesamples2fillupyourmailbox.com</a>, <a href="http://hunt4freebies.com/">hunt4freebies.com</a>, <a href="http://thefrugalgirls.com/">thefrugalgirls.com </a>and <a href="http://thekrazycouponlady.com/">thekrazycouponlady.com</a>. There are a ton more but my life has changed since I found dealseekingmom. Most of the blogs will have a specific link dedicated to free samples. <br /><br /><b>Before you start:</b><br />I don't just sign up for everything. I make sure it's a secure link and that it's linked directly to the store or company's website. I don't use a fake email address but I use an email address that is specifically for junk mail. I never give out too personal of information either. It's just not worth it. <br /><br /><b>Free samples are great for many reasons:</b><br />1. My little sister is a lowly intern and makes $0/year but has to raise support. Troy and I can't support her financially but I support her by sending her free samples of shampoo or snacks. I also sign my mom up for things as well. <br />2. They make great stocking stuffers.<br />3. They are great to add to a little basket for a guest room. That way a guest won't feel like they are inconveniencing you if they need a tooth brush or laundry detergent.<br />4. They are a great back up if you are out of something. If we ran out of cat food, we know that we have a stash of 3 cat food samples just waiting for us. Plus, we have at least 8 laundry detergent samples. We're never running out.<br />5. You can try new products! There have been many products that I have sampled that I have started using now. Most of the time manufacturers will usually add a valuable coupon with their sample too. Double bonus!<br />6. They are great to travel with! You don't have to worry about size or weight restrictions when you have small samples going along for the ride!<br /><br />I mean, who doesn't love to receive a little package in the mail? It's like Christmas/your birthday every day!<br /><br />Do you know of any sites that you use for saving money, clipping coupons or finding great samples? Share them here.Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-35159969779788949152011-05-28T08:42:00.000-05:002016-09-04T14:27:51.666-05:00Lemon Cleaner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lcUj1ImSAWU/TeDuHSmBnpI/AAAAAAAAAF4/fvqlCMRCiBI/s1600/SDC11258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lcUj1ImSAWU/TeDuHSmBnpI/AAAAAAAAAF4/fvqlCMRCiBI/s640/SDC11258.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span id="goog_840343640"></span><span id="goog_840343641"></span>It's true, for the most part, I like to clean. But then there are some things that I just HATE doing. One is taking out the cat box... I mean, no one likes doing that. And another thing is cleaning the microwave. They have self cleaning ovens, why not self cleaning microwaves? That should probably be my next invention.<br /><br />I stumbled upon a simple technique <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/143289-natural-ways-cleaning-microwave/">online</a> on how to easily clean a microwave. To be quite disgustingly honest, I'm not sure when the last time we cleaned our microwave was. So it was time.<br /><br /><b>Here's what I did:</b><br />First, I cut a lemon into several pieces. <br />Then I filled a bowl up with water and dropped the lemon slices in.<br />I placed the bowl in the microwave and microwaved for about 3-5 minutes or until the water is boiling.<br />After it's done boiling, I let the bowl sit for a few minutes and when it's cool enough to remove, I took it out.<br />Finally, I took a damp wash cloth and ran it over the entire microwave. Not only will it be (literally) squeaky clean, it now smells delightful! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--liYkeY0YX8/TeDuKsqlTlI/AAAAAAAAAF8/p-Si0HKy_4o/s1600/SDC11260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--liYkeY0YX8/TeDuKsqlTlI/AAAAAAAAAF8/p-Si0HKy_4o/s640/SDC11260.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />It was quick, easy, painless and green! <br /><br />After I cleaned, I put the lemon rinds down the garbage disposal for a fresh scent! I also do this with orange peels too. <br /><br />Anyone else have any green tips to clean appliances or things around the home?Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-6132829386269690572011-05-26T16:39:00.000-05:002016-09-04T14:27:51.679-05:008th Grade Pizza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8th grade pizza? Yes, that is my fancy name for these little delicacies. Small? Yes. Delicious? Double yes!</div><br />For Troy's 30th birthday bash in December, I made an array of goodies but wanted something a little bit more substantial so I thought of these. They are so simple to make... in fact, I first made them in 8th grade in my home economics class. I forget what else we made in that class but we learned about nutrition and fun phrases like, "When in doubt, throw it out!" 8th grade was a great year and now that I can look back and remember this recipe from way back in the day, makes my 8th grade year seem even greater.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although these mini pizzas don't look any different than the ones that I made in 8th grade, I've jazzed them up with some spices and different ingredients to make them a little more grown up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ingredients:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Package of English muffins (6 in a package)</div>Marinara sauce<br />Pepperonis<br />Cheese (Any kind that you fancy. We usually use a mozzarella or pizza cheese and top with some parm.)<br />Garlic salt<br />Italian Seasoning<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Directions:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Halve each muffin.</div>2. Get a cookie sheet ready by putting some parchment paper on top of it (or skip the paper and spray the pan with PAM). Lay each halved English muffin on the cookie sheet. I usually fit about 12 halved muffins on a sheet at a time.<br />3. Scoop out sauce with a spoon and spread on evenly to each English muffin.<br />4. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and some garlic salt on each muffin.<br />5. Add some pepperonis (3-4 per muffin).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVTnLa-3m5E/TcCg-o7KcvI/AAAAAAAAAEw/MTFPmtIdyNQ/s1600/SDC10678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVTnLa-3m5E/TcCg-o7KcvI/AAAAAAAAAEw/MTFPmtIdyNQ/s640/SDC10678.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>6. Add the mozzarella cheese (or choice cheese) and top with a little parm.<br />7. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cheese gets hot, bubbly and starts to brown the edges.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VG298F9OSxY/TcChChNCAJI/AAAAAAAAAE0/C3HyW1HiOzU/s1600/SDC10680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VG298F9OSxY/TcChChNCAJI/AAAAAAAAAE0/C3HyW1HiOzU/s640/SDC10680.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These guys are delish and a great alternative for frozen pizza. I've taken these to many church functions and they've always been a hit! Thank you, public school system, for teaching me to be such a great, complex cook! :) </div><span id="goog_1752128849"></span><span id="goog_1752128850"></span>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-88659135254698889632011-05-19T08:24:00.000-05:002016-09-04T14:27:51.693-05:00Upcycled Garden Tags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Summer is almost here! I have been anxious to get my plants growing. Last year, I attempted my first garden. I was very excited to try one this year but we decided to sell our house so I didn't want try it again. Instead, I have about 20 pots of varying sizes on our back patio. Most I grew from seeds and some others I haven't. And since I am growing most of my plants from seeds, I wanted little plant markers so I could remember what they are. Basically so I'm not eating a big salad of basil because I thought it was spinach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found a cool idea online to make garden tags out of broken mini blinds. We have a window above our bed and our cat, Homie, loves to sit there and we tried to train him to stay off of it but we gave up. Since we gave up, he has broken many of blinds. But it's a good thing I don't like to waste so I put the broken blinds to work!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All I did was take the broken blind and cut it to the length I wanted it. Then I used a sharpie to write what plant it was and stuck it in the plant. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bGIEEVMQ-iE/TdCLfyitfCI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/eLMc7420BGM/s640/SDC11250.JPG" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They look simple and unified.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tiCuQYMd0z0/TdCLlZs3o8I/AAAAAAAAAFU/-FAxtkhIlb8/s1600/SDC11251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tiCuQYMd0z0/TdCLlZs3o8I/AAAAAAAAAFU/-FAxtkhIlb8/s640/SDC11251.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grow watermelon, grow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SK_dATo5oxo/TdCLpDQVonI/AAAAAAAAAFY/uGm1dJEwO7I/s1600/SDC11254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SK_dATo5oxo/TdCLpDQVonI/AAAAAAAAAFY/uGm1dJEwO7I/s640/SDC11254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZNWhUqlZ7k/TdCLsiJAEQI/AAAAAAAAAFc/yFqsPv16mdU/s640/SDC11255.JPG" width="480" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm hoping to use this lavender to make some homemade laundry detergent some day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope this little trick helps in your organization of plants!</div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-3069464497526318062011-05-17T14:16:00.000-05:002016-09-04T14:27:51.708-05:00Upcycled Wicker Chairs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Upcycle:</b> to reuse an object or materials to create a product of higher value or quality than the original object or materials (from macmillandictionary.com)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not going to lie, upcycle is my new favorite word. Basically you take something that could be thrown away and add to it to make it better or more functional. We got the great idea to take these ugly white wicker chairs and spray paint them black. I bought about 7 cans of spray paint for $1.25 each at Family Dollar so we didn't spend much and it looks fantastic! Here is the before picture:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Before: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXUhwCkeOZA/TdCKkzrVlCI/AAAAAAAAAFE/-hnYob36dxA/s1600/SDC11189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXUhwCkeOZA/TdCKkzrVlCI/AAAAAAAAAFE/-hnYob36dxA/s640/SDC11189.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>After:</b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--eMa7HPnoNc/TdCKQ5dqKPI/AAAAAAAAAE4/5OYqUb0yXqY/s1600/SDC11246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--eMa7HPnoNc/TdCKQ5dqKPI/AAAAAAAAAE4/5OYqUb0yXqY/s640/SDC11246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And now I use the old cushion as a knee pad for my when I'm thinning or weeding my plants. Win, win!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4B1_sHE_2hs/TdCK3vNUGoI/AAAAAAAAAFI/y332S1EfSOo/s640/SDC11248.JPG" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a little time consuming and your fingers will definitely hate you after it's over but it's pretty simple. I would recommend spraying the chairs over grass that needs cutting and not over cement like the previous owners of our house did! They turned out pretty spectacular if I do say so myself and we might actually use them now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have you upcycled anything recently? Or ever?</div><br />It's addicting... as is spray paint... I first spray painted our ugly mail box black and had some paint left over so I thought, what else? Hence our newly painted wicker chairs. I can't wait to have another project where I'm using some spray paint!Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4452085456541040807.post-70042502576191915222011-04-27T16:18:00.000-05:002016-09-04T14:27:51.723-05:00Potato Skins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Potatoes? check. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bacon? check. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cheese? check! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--W_dSQzwMtY/Ta5DIJDT4UI/AAAAAAAAADo/wzuBmYP44AQ/s640/SDC10801.JPG" width="640" /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Congrats</b>, you are now going to be making the delicacy known as potato skins. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Troy and I have been to a few restaurants (TGIFriday's, Huey's) that have these and we decided to see if we could replicate them. The results? Pure deliciousness. These appetizers can literally be eaten as a meal... and one time they were in place of a meal because our main course was ruined (but we'll just chalk that culinary failure up to a learning experience.).</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><b>Ingredients:</b><br />5 medium sized Russet potatoes (we use red potatoes too... just as good!)</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">10 tablespoons of cheddar cheese<br />4-5 strips of bacon<br />1/4 cup of butter</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sour cream*<br />Ranch*</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chives*</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* delicious optional toppings<br /><b><br />Directions:</b><br />1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Cover the potatoes in foil and bake them for one hour. <br />2. After they have been baked for an hour, take them out and take off the foil. Put them on a cutting board and cut each potato in half length wise and let them cool. <br />3. Turn your oven to broil. Cook your bacon and pat the grease off with a paper towel. Crumble the bacon strips into small pieces.<br />4. After the potatoes have cooled (trust me, it is NOT fun to try to cut the potatoes when they are still hot), heat the butter in a mug in the microwave (it takes us about 30 seconds to melt). <br />5. Using a spoon, scoop about 3/4th of the potato out. So there should be about 1/4 of an inch thick potato skin. After each potato has been scooped, brush the butter on the entire potato. You can use the unused scooped potatoes as an appetizer or for future mashed potatoes.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6. Broil the potatoes on a cookie sheet, cut side up, for 5-7 minutes. Take them out and put 1 tablespoon of cheese (or more) onto each potato skin. Add the bacon on top and broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted (this doesn't take long).<br />7. Take out and devour! <br /><br />You can dip these babies into ranch, sour cream (yes, please!) and add some chives to the top. They are wonderful. Troy and I are hooked. Absolutely hooked. We will never look back and are just finding reasons for ways to make them.<br /><br />I'm just glad they are healthy... oh, wait.<br /><br />But at least they are tasty and impressive!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br />Upon making these many times, I've learned a few tricks. The first: Always wrap the potatoes in foil. If you don't, they will burn. The second: Use a mug instead of a bowl to warm the butter. Instead of a burning yourself after taking the bowl out of the microwave, you now have a handy dandy handle to use. The third: Well, this isn't a tip but I've never broiled anything before and I was pretty much terrified of it. But basically all it means is that the oven gets VERY hot and the heat comes from the top of the oven only. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We adapted the recipe from this <a href="http://www.food.com/">website</a>.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div>Melodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03330587678853781032noreply@blogger.com0