Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Personal - Forgiveness of Sins

In my dream last night, God appeared. I’ve never had a dream like this. Someone asked me if I was reallyy sorry for all the bad things I’ve done, and I said yes. And then God appeared to my left and I fell to the floor with all this guilt and shame. It was so real. I then told Him that I know I’ve done way too much wrong in my life and understood that He is all forgiving. I asked Him to forgive knowing He is an awesome forgiving God and didnt feel guilt anymore. I was good. This is actually something I struggle with. I remember in my dream thinking I HAVE to remember this!! I just wanted to share……

When you find out in your 1st trimester.. and sharing the news

As for telling others when we think [tragically, the 1st trimester is never a definite the baby will survive] we are pregnant, I still have no clue on how long we.. no I will be able to keep it a secret from the friggin :P world. You should share with others after the 1st trimester because many, many healthy and perfectly fine babies and mothers can and do unfortunately miscarry their first time.

One pastor said that you should share with people when you conceive because whether you miscarry or not, you should go through it all with your community. I thought wow what an amazinggggg perspective. The only reason why I would think of not sharing is obviously for the sake of others. I'm not superstitious.

Going on a random tangent, I admire Guiliana & Bill Rancic for sharing their struggles because I don’t think they do it all for fame. It is a horrible and very hard thing to go through, let alone share. But in sharing, they help people in many different ways. That is SO inspirational to me.

I know a few people who have shared with me that they miscarried a [most common is first] pregnancy. If you would like to anonymously share your story on this blog to help encourage others, please feel free to email me.

I wanted this blog to show the "not so good" [bad, depressing] as well, so in that case maybe I will share early on. And if I do happen to miscarry, I will share about that too... only in hopes that others who are or have gone through it can all try to help, relate, understand, and encourage one another. It can very easily be a [beyond] depressing time and you don't need to go through it alone. It is sadly, indeed, common.

Soooooo.... I guess what I'll really do is try to get "permission" from my husband to share with others when we find out. :P So miscarriage or not, I would like to share during my first trimester. But it's not just up to me now.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Clek's Foonf Car Seat




They're about $299. Available this summer. All the amazing info can be found at their website, http://clekinc.com/foonf

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Article: 5 Unusual Ways to Raise Successful Children

by April Dykman

This is a guest post from Natalie Peace of PeaceAndProfit.com.She is the author of 30 Keys to Building a Multi-Million Dollar Business: What They Didn’t Teach Me in Business School. Natalie is an entrepreneur, business coach, and she’s currently writing a book on how to start a wildly successful business.

Looking at the businesses I’ve built, managed, and sold (worth $2 million) by the age of 30, I’ve been reflecting lately on what set the foundation for my achievements so that I can help others experience financial security and abundance. I believe my success is the result of an unusual childhood, and a few unique things my parents did to set me up for success.

1. Give incentive to learn from the masters
My father actually paid me $2 to listen to each chapter of an audiobook and then summarize the main points in my own words, so I wound up listening to dozens of audiobooks throughout my childhood. (I didn’t get paid for chores as they were simply expected of me.) The trick was that he would choose books on management, wealth building, and personal growth.

I was four years old when he started this, and as a result I became fascinated with human potential and manifesting wealth long before I was even old enough to have a paper route or babysitting job. All this knowledge seeped into my young, fertile brain and shaped my subconscious, priming me to be a confident entrepreneur and manager. People often tell me about great, classic books they read by people like Napoleon Hill, Og Mandino, Denis Waitley, and Zig Ziglar and I smile, fondly recalling my experience listening to those masters.

2. Encourage questions
Both of my parents went out of their way to make sure I felt heard, understood and valued. They would explain to me what was interesting and important about anything I was saying and would then expand on the topic with their own knowledge. And they were always willing to answer the million “why” questions I asked, with real answers. They never responded “because I said so.

3. Provide unconditional love
Researcher BrenĂ© Brown talks about the concept of teaching children that they are worthy of love and belonging, rather than telling them they’re perfect. This is a big distinction, and I believe I’m a good example of why this works. There will be days when the world is going to chew you up and spit you out. People are going to laugh at you and call you names, and they will reject you and your ideas. Knowing all of this will happen to your child and insisting that they are perfect no matter what will not help them.

No one is perfect. We don’t need to be! Instead, we can learn to hear feedback from others through a filter that says we’re completely lovable as we are. If we know for certain we are lovable regardless of what people do or say to us, we can then hear criticism and search it objectively for meaningful clues on how we can improve. My mom has always shown me a great deal of love and affection, and it’s certainly one of the biggest secrets of my success.

4. Show the importance of a strong work ethic
When I was a teenager, Dad had me mowing his yard, which was a sprawling acreage back then. Of course I had more fun things to do than household chores, so I got it done as quickly as possible. One day when I had finished, he thanked me and told me he wanted to tell the neighbors about my mowing skills, so they would hire me to do their yards as well.

The prospect of making cash appealed to me, so I was all ears. My dad then said, “Let’s take a look at the yard now. Are you happy with how it looks? Would you sign your name to this job, proudly telling people you did it?” As I surveyed my hasty mowing efforts, it was plain to see that I had left behind several tufts and swatches of grass. I realized that no one who’d seen this would hire me to take care of their yard. My dad could have yelled at me for being lazy, but he chose instead to demonstrate the benefit of a solid work ethic.

5. Teach kids to be powerful
I was not allowed to indulge myself in negative self-talk. I was shown how to cancel negative beliefs (like “I can’t do this”), and replace them with positive ones, focusing on the desired outcome. I started doing visualization exercises and focusing on goal-setting at the age of five, beginning with small goals like teaching my dog how to sit and saving up to buy a bike. When I had success achieving these goals, it gave me the confidence to reach for bigger things, with the belief that I would attain them.

I was encouraged to set goals in all areas of my life — when I was six, I wanted the training wheels off my bike and knew it would take practice to get there. When I was 12, I set a goal to take a babysitting course so I could earn money. When I was 13, I set a goal of being a really good friend.

You can help your kids set goals in areas they’re genuinely interested in, as well as set goals they would probably achieve anyway (like passing second grade). Get them to write down these goals somewhere they’ll see them every day, and check them off when they’re complete. When I did this as a kid, it gave me enormous satisfaction. (It still does today!)

As a result of a somewhat unique upbringing — thank you, Mom and Dad! — I don’t have a fear of success, and I know that creating abundant wealth is possible. What other unusual and effective parenting methods have you used or observed to set kids up for success? Share them in the comments!


http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2012/01/04/5-unusual-ways-to-raise-successful-children/

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Beaba

Bib'expresso $103
-Bottle preparation in 90 seconds with just one hand
-Always at the right temperature thanks to direct water control
-Unique water flow mixes powdered formula quickly, reducing air bubbles and eliminating hot spots
-Bottle storage compartment located on the back doubles as a microwavable bottle sterilizer, holding up to three 10 ounce (300 ml) bottles
-Self cleaning steam system
-Removable bottle and food warmer can be used anywhere
-BPA-free
Multiportions





-One of a kind, patented appliance that functions as a steamer, blender, warmer and defroster
-Add valuable nutrients back into baby's food
-Preserves vitamins and flavors
-Puree and blend food to the desired consistency super smooth - chunky



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

"...about being a mother — it will change you forever.”

No, I know it's nothing new. That's just so sweet. I love this.

www.theglow.com

The Glow is a glimpse into the world of inspiring and fashionable moms.
Here you’ll find their styling ideas, go-to gear, multitasking secrets, and enviable decor.

Edited by Violet Gaynor
Photography by Kelly Stuart.
Co-founded in January 2011
It's started by the director at Hearst and style editor of Instyle.




WHAAAT? This is my frigggggggggin' type of blog. I don't know what more I can ask for. LOL. Thanks Mar for the link!

Bibs

GAH! Love them all!! So cute!! At Barneys