tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82131721552063832942024-03-13T11:17:56.437-07:00Fitness, Football and a Fleur de LisMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-67497364510039669152019-12-17T09:11:00.000-08:002019-12-17T09:11:26.139-08:00Are you a spicy or sweet family?<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spicy: Loud, humorous, sarcastic, passionate, emotional, default setting: exclamation marks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My family...ALL of my family falls into the SPICY category. It's just the way we are. How does that translate into parenting? I think it makes you worry about everything- did you say something bad? Will your kid pick up the words, should you slip and cuss? Will they not be kind? The list goes on and on and on. As mothers, I think we all worry we suck at it. YET, and this is important- we build up other women in our lives. We encourage and lift them up. We just are way too hard on ourselves sometimes. No parent is perfect. Everyone has hard days. Everyone messes up. Everyone does or says the wrong thing. All at the same time- everyone is trying. Trying to raise kids that are loved, nurtured, and will one day be happy and successful people in society. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jen talks in this chapter about a childhood that is "mostly good". She says that translates into "loved and safe". I have to agree with her. How will kids know what conflict is? How will they know what it is like to not get their way or lose at something? How will they know emotion? Stress? Worry? Panic? If they never see these things from the people they love most- their parents- they won't know what to do when they are faced with it one day. Be real, as parents. Embrace the spicy moments. Stop being so hard on yourself and striving to be something you just aren't meant to be. We are all on the struggle bus doing this incredibly hard and challenging job of parenting. You are not alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is your family SPICY or SWEET?</span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-72021149231653415632019-12-16T07:01:00.000-08:002019-12-16T07:01:14.355-08:00Thank you notes..... Chapter 8<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jimmy Fallon's segments on Thank You notes is the best. I totally agree with Jen on this one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are my Thank You notes for today.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you COFFEE... you make life possible. If I did not have coffee, I would not survive motherhood. My kids make me more exhausted than I ever thought I could ever be in my LIFE. Lydia woke me up at 3:30 and didn't go back to sleep until 5:00 and then my alarm went off at 5:45. Cue LOTS of coffee today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you AC/Heat for making the hormonal life of a pregnant or nursing mom bearable. Cue sweating for no reason and then freezing for the same no reason.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you baby wipes for always being there for me no matter what it is I need you for. Messy hands, explosive diapers, snotty noses, dog poop, food everywhere... you always get the job done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you sweets for being there when I am stressed and worried and upset.... some days a cookie is worth way more than losing a pound. It's a part of life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you straightener for making me look presentable, even on the days when I fall asleep with a wet head and wake up scaring myself- you make it work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Ever and Rowe Casa- between these two products I can look alive even when I feel like I might not make it at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you fruit snacks for being the cure all to my toddler's meltdowns. You can stop a meltdown in a second.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In all seriousness- Thank you God for this beautiful, messy life! There are bad days and good days, sad days, mad days, messy days, stressed days and more... but every day is a GIFT and I don't thank you enough.</span><br />
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<img alt="Image result for thank you god" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/38/cc/13/38cc134836ce4198f0aecb856fbc0209.jpg" />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-38136722379536358092019-12-16T06:46:00.001-08:002019-12-16T06:46:33.323-08:00Tell the truth!<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Tell the Truth</div>
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Another great chapter, another great message. How many of you feel you have to polish things, make them look pretty, pinterest and insta worthy? UGH! What about letting things be REAL. If it's sad, be sad. If it's hard, let it be hard. If it's confusing, be confused. Not everything in life will go in a neat little box with a bow. Stop fooling yourself and everyone else. Be human. Being human means you can change your mind and take time to figure things out. Yo<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">u can do things without apologizing for feeling a certain way.</span></div>
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What keeps us from telling the truth about things? People. Other people. What will they say? What will they think? Who cares! Keep those you can trust with the truth close and dear. Let the haters be just that- haters! In the same respect, stop trying to fix everyone and everything. Some situations and some people are not meant to be fixed.</div>
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Bring all things to the light and tell the truth. God has this. He will be there to make things less scary and overwhelming. When we do things for Him and with Him, everything becomes real and just a part of our story- messy or not.<img alt="Image may contain: text" src="https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/p960x960/79093827_10106126925130096_2987351690845356032_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQlGi25pV1FDXlZtwaJV0oPN7iF5oFq-X7t1xdZkL_I7230wbSwaGjGSUqgvmwNRMPE&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=09113f3f0272995632e466304519d5df&oe=5E81BF7A" style="background-color: transparent;" /></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-48872608878496656442019-12-10T10:00:00.000-08:002019-12-10T10:00:22.091-08:00NOT BUYING<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This chapter. It's real. </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">How many of you have ever watched a commercial for some product for women and said "There is no way in H-E-double hockey sticks that SHE is using THAT product."? I mean, seriously. I know that there are a lot of people out there who fall for it and buy the lip gloss or the shampoo or the makeup because someone they have seen and love in a movie is using it. I DOUBT it. That is no reason to make a decision about something you are buying. I am not buying it. I know, some of you are thinking- well you SELL makeup and skincare. Yes, I do. BUT I am not famous and trying to pull the wool over someone's eyes. I am a real wife and mom, trying to find a product that makes my skin feel great and is also not full of chemicals. Guess what? That is more of what I care about these days. Being healthy- not skinny. Being healthy- not wrinkle free. Being healthy- not the girl with microbladed eyebrows and a pound of makeup in the room. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Society does try and make women panic. Panic about aging and gaining weight and cooking. Panic about it all. We are all in distress and need saving. NO! We are women who are fully capable of handling life. We were meant for this. God was no dummy when he put women on this Earth. He knew husbands and kids would need nurturing. He knew we could take care of them and would. We need to be proud of all the things we do. We need to stop looking at the wrinkles and get disgusted. We should instead view it as a privilege to grow old, which many do not get. We need to stop worrying about the few lbs we put on and how we look and start worrying about heart health, physical activity, and living a balanced life so that we can see our kids grow old. A few gray hairs? Oh well! An easy meal for your family instead of a pinterest worthy recipe- their bellies are full and happy, right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The bottom line- stop stressing! This wife and mom life is a GIFT. All of the things that society and commercials and social media want us to believe are important- well, half of them just aren't. Enjoy this life. Enjoy the day. You never know when it might be your last. Do you really want your last moments spent worrying about that line in the middle of your forehead? Move on ladies, life is worth LIVING. </span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-78816482409828595512019-12-09T09:15:00.000-08:002019-12-09T09:15:05.620-08:00For the Love: Chapter 4 & 5<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter 4- Fashion Concerns:</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This chapter seriously made me LOL! I cannot express to you how many of these thoughts about fashion I have had. Leggings and tights.... I could cringe just thinking about it! UGH! Not to say there isn't a place for leggings and tights... but please don't show your butt and lady parts- PLEASE! Cover that stuff up. I totally agree with her on this. She also hates man capris, workout pants, mom jeans, overalls, etc. I agree with some of that for sure! I will tell you some of the things in fashion that drive me crazy:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People who dress their kids like adults. Kids are kids. I love a good outfit, but I don't feel our kids should look like adults when they get dressed. There are some fashion statements that are not meant for children. My style is totally Mudpie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People who dress their kids to the T, but don't take care of themselves. Come on momma, take some pride and time to look nice. If your kid looks like they just walked out of a GAP commercial, you could at least look Target style. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mismatching, wrinkled, frumpy clothes. There is a place for that-it is called "running to the store". Otherwise, again take some pride. If you are going somewhere, try and look nice. Iron those clothes, match. If you are at work, for sure,- please LOOK like you tried.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know momming is hard and I know as women, we put ourselves on the back burner sometimes. We need to stop. We need to plan ahead, do whatever we need to do to make sure we are walking out feeling and looking good. Stop waiting to lose the weight, fit back into that size, stop sleeping too late to take time for yourself. You feel good when you look good. Our kids aren't the only ones that need that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are you good at? Stop being ashamed of it. This part of this chapter got me in the feelings: "I don't like it when people minimize their gifts. There is a difference between humility and insecurity, and self-effacement does no one any favors." AMEN! Be proud of what you do. Don't back down when someone praises you for the great things you are doing! Stand tall and be proud. Chances are, you have worked hard for what you have done. Don't belittle it or be shy about it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you haven't found what you are good at yet, maybe it's time. Do you have a dream? Something you want to do but haven't tried yet? Now might be the time to make that happen. You might fail. You might succeed. Do you and run your race. Life is too short to sit around and wait for the perfect moment. Now is the time! I have tried several things over the years. I did some painting and hangers for people. I don't have the time for that now with the littles. I thought about signing up with Ever for a long time and I finally did it and I have been doing it for almost 2 years now. </span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-17559266195668490382019-12-06T08:00:00.000-08:002019-12-06T08:00:02.942-08:00Chapter 3: On Calling and Haitian Moms<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Point 1 from this chapter: Theology is either true everywhere or anywhere. Many times people get caught up in the "American Dream" mentality and think that is how God thinks. What about the single mom in Haiti? Does the fact that she is poor make all those promises of health and wealth to the faithful false? Just because she isn't married, does that make her not worthy? Try and think outside of your thoughts and stop speaking for what God thinks. God loves. He shows mercy and grace to all. We need to start thinking about loving everyone and not just who we think is worthy. God is the only one who has the right to judge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Point 2: A calling... the dictionary defines it as: <span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">Are you waiting on your calling? We all have a desire for a purpose in life. The key is to not pause our lives waiting on it. I can't tell you how many times I have said "When my kids get older"...."When the weather is better". Why do we do this to ourselves? We can live out our purpose in life now. The single, poor mom in Haiti does. She has no choice. She has to work and do her thing. She may not be famous and live a grand life, but she has a purpose, just like you and me. We are all worthy of the calling we have received, including her. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">Your calling may seem ordinary to you, but it might make a huge difference for someone else.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">What if we actually stopped worrying about a calling and started thinking of our GIFTS? You might be good at praying for others, encouraging others, serving others, teaching others, helping others...whatever it is- do it TODAY. Don't wait for something miraculous. Pray and ask God to show you what your gift is and how you can use it to help others and live out the purpose He has for your life. When you truly surrender to what he wants you to do with your gifts is when great things happen. What is your gift and how can you use it to bless others?</span><br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-91657363793628356652019-12-05T10:00:00.000-08:002019-12-05T10:00:08.360-08:00Chapter 2: Turning Forty<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="76qhh" data-offset-key="d6i9k-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="9ss24-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I am not quite to 40 yet, but a few more years and I will be there. It is so true when they tell you that you never think you will get there. You spend your life thinking that you will be 20ish forever. Life goes by quickly, but I think we all know that. </span></div>
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What people don't tell you is that things change. You can't stay up as late. You don't like crowds as much and anything that is inconvenient. Music and movie tastes change. What you read changes. Your skin changes (I sell Ever if you need help with that <a href="http://www.everskin.com/with/melissaanderson">www.everskin.com/with/melissaanderson</a>) You also might not feel as cool. When you get around people who are younger, you will start to realize just how much you have changed. You forget things- omgosh all the time. Age, plus mom brain is a killer. You don't lose weight as easily. </div>
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Good change happens as well. You don't care what people think as much. You kinda find yourself the older you get. For me, things don't get me worked up as easily as they would in my 20s or even early 30s. You stop inviting people into your life that bring drama and stress.You find out who you can rely on and who really matters. You definitely feel that you would rather spend your days laughing and enjoy all the little moments rather than worrying and stressing and doing too much (again, back to that balance beam). Things change, but for the better. </div>
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How have things changed the older you've gotten? I can honestly say the changes that have happened on my end are ones that I would not give up to go back and be younger again. Life is good. What about you? </div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-3521675054627925362019-12-04T06:24:00.000-08:002019-12-04T06:24:30.734-08:00For the Love: Chapter 1- The Worst Beam<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
I am always looking for a good book. Recently, a friend of mine loaned me a book that she had read. It's called "For The Love" by Jen Hatmaker. The minute I picked it up and started reading, I knew this book was for me. This author gets it. I will be writing a little about some of the things she talks about. So, moms, wives, women.... listen up- this is about to get good.</div>
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Chapter 1: Worst Beam Ever</div>
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Balance: I laugh at this. People always talk about<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"> the perfect work and home balance. Yea, try as I may- I don't have that. Sometimes, some things get put on the back burner. Sometimes, some things don't get done as well as the other things. I have accepted it. What you can do is chose the things you CAN balance and put those on the beam and then chose the things you just CAN'T EVEN and those get put off, for now. For me- cooking a good dinner, playing with my kids, time with my husband, getting a good night's rest, going to church, spending time with family- those all get put on the beam. Those are important to me. Things that get put off the beam for now: Time with friends- I love you guys, but I don't have the time and energy right now. It's not like I don't want a girl's day. I just don't have it in me. Working out every day. Again, I love to do this, but I just can't seem to fit it in consistently so for now it's off the beam and I'll do it when I can.</span></div>
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There is the unattainable, ridiculous standard that we all feel as moms and wives that we have to meet. We think we have to do it all and do it all well. Stop exhausting yourself. It's not worth it. God did not put us here on this Earth to be exhausted, stressed out and at the end of our rope. He wants us to have joy and peace. Stop comparing yourself to others. Don't guilt people for making choices regarding their beam. God's gifts stare you in the face every day- do you see them? Every minute that you waste is a minute you will not get back. What can you do to stop worrying about balancing everything? What can you take off the beam to make life more joyful?</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-46695826606151085992019-08-29T07:00:00.000-07:002019-08-29T07:00:40.957-07:00Reading with purpose<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love to read... there is nothing better than a good book-whether it is on the couch with a cup of coffee, on the beach listening to the waves roll in, or just a simple quick read when I have time (this is more the norm these days with two littles at home). I love to read for enjoyment, but I also find myself reading more with a purpose these days- a purpose to grow in Christ, to be a better wife, and to be a better mom. Here are some things I have been reading lately.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="The Daniel: Holding Firm in the Face of Fear Experience Guide" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0219/1772/products/Bookstore_Daniel_EG_2019_-1_300x300.jpg?v=1564577780" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have said it before and I will say it again- I love first5.org . It is a daily devotional and simple, but helps you to grow closer to God and learn about scripture at the same time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Image result for wife in pursuit" 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" 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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My husband and I just started this challenge. While we don't get to it every night, because kids are demanding and we both work and are tired, we do our best. It has scripture to read, prayers to say, and acts to do together. It has been great for us and helps us to really have some in depth conversation about God, life, and so much more. I highly suggest it for anyone who is married and just looking to grow together in your journey and be closer to Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Image result for from grouchy to great" 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" 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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another great book! It really gets you thinking about how you as a mother set the tone for your household. It is easy as a mom and wife to feel overwhelmed and tired. It is easy to let the negativity come over you. This helps you realize you are alone in a lot of those feelings that people just don't talk about enough. I think there is this false sense of what mom life is like. It is not all yoga pants, trips to target and Starbucks. It is HARD work. Today when I was reading, it talked about 10 things you can do to create a home of warmth and grace. Get Rest, Time with God, Simplify Schedules, Clutter Busting, Give Up Perfection, Meal Plan, Schedule Mom Time Out, Play Music, Give Grace for Limitations, and Scripture Memory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I try to do many of these. The ones that spoke to me most today were Give Up Perfection and Scripture Memory. I am too hard on myself and lately I have had to really take a step back and say "It is ok that the house is a little messy, we live here and it's not for show".... "It's ok if it doesn't get done today"- I am not perfect. The Scripture Memory is something I want to try and do with my family. I am going to be looking for a cute way to display a scripture every week and work on that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What are some books that you read for enjoyment on for a purpose? I am always looking for suggestions! </span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-64713900705674330662019-06-17T06:15:00.002-07:002019-06-17T06:15:50.399-07:00Don’t miss out...I have let food control me.<br />
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I have let it stop me from ordering what I really want, fearful that the person behind me in line would judge me for my order, thinking I am too fat to eat that.</div>
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I have let it keep me home in fear of going out to a party, event or whatever else and not having food that fit my diet or my macros available. </div>
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I have let it stop me from enjoying that meal or drink or piece of cake. </div>
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How sad is that. </div>
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I am done doing that. </div>
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As most of you know, I am on my postpartum journey. I am almost 2 months postpartum. I am struggling with my thyroid again (I have Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism). I haven’t lost any weight in weeks. I have lost inches which I am happy with. I have counted calories and worked with my macros. I am also working out with Beachbody and currently doing Transform 20. I am trying to be more conscious of what I am eating and not eating junk food. </div>
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All of that is great. It is. </div>
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You know what is better? </div>
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I went out to eat with family and ordered what I wanted instead of getting the high protein meal.</div>
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I ate 2 snow cones this week and got an amazing frozen coffee and felt no guilt.</div>
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I couldn’t fit what we were having for dinner for my husbands birthday into my macros today and you know what? I ate it anyways. I enjoyed a burger and had a piece of cake.<br />
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I didn’t miss out on life. Memories. Time with family.<br />
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I also ate my feelings yesterday when my kids wouldn’t nap, I was exhausted and the day seemed it would never end. </div>
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Does it mean I’ll gain weight? Does it mean I lost sight of my goals? </div>
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No. </div>
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What it means is I am human. I know I am not going to go the rest of my life without a burger. I am not going to ever permanently remove a food from my diet. I am not going to hit my calorie range or macros goal every single day. I am still going to keep going for my goal. Is that a number on the scale? A size? No. It’s when I feel healthy and fit. Comfortable in my skin. </div>
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Right now- this is my body. This is where I am on this journey. I will embrace it and keep moving forward. I won’t feel guilty for enjoying life. </div>
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One time a person who I love dearly told me she missed out on so much in life because of her weight and wanting to avoid going out at that size or the temptation of food. She said if she could go back again, the things she would do! Don’t be that person. Be human. Enjoy life. Just find a balance with that and your goals.</div>
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Updated pics:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG6qBJhn1umANjS2ybROyE1Zhn9nwFiv9tOz0pV9uHezcYJTiBVdkUZrgq96D4DndPJjcWQObZd3B1IUws5q51qE5qBvWERv5spdUu4TCzVXeCcSshKkvO3HiC5_9OfKeGKy8fIyp8Cg/s1600/3E889CD0-1747-4E80-A10F-D189E7E4CA4E.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG6qBJhn1umANjS2ybROyE1Zhn9nwFiv9tOz0pV9uHezcYJTiBVdkUZrgq96D4DndPJjcWQObZd3B1IUws5q51qE5qBvWERv5spdUu4TCzVXeCcSshKkvO3HiC5_9OfKeGKy8fIyp8Cg/s320/3E889CD0-1747-4E80-A10F-D189E7E4CA4E.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFSXxbfkBySdzzgUq6GmBEMJeFbX97PLkqD6WBCsNQd7Kintc-kisPgZd7rY-nlCEffNEL9kXIFiZ1CnmJiaq9ehZsKa7dMnZ8JvubgkEeUC1PPsdlqkJObkZBQHUhDdWF-S5FjfaCQE/s1600/81A3128D-0FEA-451D-92FF-533CD28151C2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFSXxbfkBySdzzgUq6GmBEMJeFbX97PLkqD6WBCsNQd7Kintc-kisPgZd7rY-nlCEffNEL9kXIFiZ1CnmJiaq9ehZsKa7dMnZ8JvubgkEeUC1PPsdlqkJObkZBQHUhDdWF-S5FjfaCQE/s320/81A3128D-0FEA-451D-92FF-533CD28151C2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-60419365993384197562019-05-22T07:48:00.002-07:002019-05-22T07:48:29.824-07:00The scale sucks <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I am going to talk about something everyone tends to hate- the scale! So many people out so much emphasis on the scale when on a journey to lose weight and get fit. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQJrZYcabLwei0ZZqut6c82BuQgSW6zbbjMqBAKVvIgf8SVNcqQ1NycZL71P6Et3hZ080uEnUNbzs5Rk6fO1Om2GnmbdBQ4hl3H6H7I3YjqGKa6LBTaU8Gsv0_pvt9oIFS11A9gxBOwU/s1600/6CE84470-8C39-491D-AFDD-E3D8A1CA260E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="824" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQJrZYcabLwei0ZZqut6c82BuQgSW6zbbjMqBAKVvIgf8SVNcqQ1NycZL71P6Et3hZ080uEnUNbzs5Rk6fO1Om2GnmbdBQ4hl3H6H7I3YjqGKa6LBTaU8Gsv0_pvt9oIFS11A9gxBOwU/s320/6CE84470-8C39-491D-AFDD-E3D8A1CA260E.jpeg" width="250" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I mean seriously- who hasn’t done that? Weighed without clothes on? Took your shoes off and tried again? Lol! We all are guilty. It’s sad that we let such a meaningless number affect our outlook and how we feel about ourselves. There is no perfect number or weight. I hate BMI charts and I think they are seriously flawed. I can’t tell you how long I have been in the overweight category, even at my leanest. Everyone’s body composition is different. Don’t let those things get you down and discourage you from reaching your goals </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here’s a visual to keep in mind:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy40n1bUlh6IPHpU79uSDfZ8Bsi9ERrz_urMJeRMepHzPCTQtBXOoscXnn4mDjnCcaheqqfVgBM2dxLDaxB9Rj2vlbbwm06qGoWAxqfjtZKl1XD4p90AQnpVJNErPFmUoy_KwkO3SsrTE/s1600/5000B656-7E29-409D-94BC-0952D0F559A5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy40n1bUlh6IPHpU79uSDfZ8Bsi9ERrz_urMJeRMepHzPCTQtBXOoscXnn4mDjnCcaheqqfVgBM2dxLDaxB9Rj2vlbbwm06qGoWAxqfjtZKl1XD4p90AQnpVJNErPFmUoy_KwkO3SsrTE/s320/5000B656-7E29-409D-94BC-0952D0F559A5.jpeg" width="252" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fat and muscle definitely look different! I suggest instead of focusing solely on the number on the scale that you: 1. Take measurements of arms, legs, hips, waist, and bust. You can compare those and see a true difference even if the scale isn’t moving. 2. Take pictures and compare. 3. Pay attention to how your clothes are fitting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of these things are sure to give you a much better idea of progress than the stupid scale. </span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-79776990536673091422019-05-13T13:44:00.002-07:002019-05-13T14:19:26.374-07:00Postpartum journey <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am 3 1/2 weeks postpartum today. It’s still early in my journey, but I feel ready to begin getting back to exercise very slowly and eating to fuel my body to be healthy and strong. Here is where I am beginning:</span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">205.8 lbs </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My goals: </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Start walking on the treadmill and see how that goes</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After I am released, start Beachbody workouts again</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Eat intuitively and make sure to get lots of protein in</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don’t weigh for a month- next weigh in June 13. I will take measurements at this time also.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think the scale has a lot to do with your attitude towards food and exercise so I am staying away. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Give myself grace! I just had a csection and a new baby. I am trying to adjust to two kids, I will not be perfect. (I was 225 at delivery so I have lost 20 lbs)</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have contemplated doing an accountability group or diet bet! Anyone want to join me on my journey to healthy? </span></span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-7303678548029838612019-05-02T09:39:00.000-07:002019-05-02T09:42:39.928-07:00Landry’s birth story— csection vs vaginal delivery <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wasn’t an active blogger when I was pregnant with Landry. I kinda got busy with life and quit. I’m glad to be back to it, because it’s an outlet for me and I did miss it. I am going to backtrack a little and talk about my pregnancy with him and the birth. I will then compare the two births and give you my honest take on vaginal vs csection birth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, with Landry we tried for almost a year to get pregnant. We had actually started seeing a fertility specialist when I ended up getting pregnant naturally. I am still so thankful for that experience. It was during that time I discovered I had hypothyroidism and also low progesterone. If I had not gone there, I wouldn’t have known that soon. I may have miscarried. Never know. I saw Dr. Schnell at Center of Reproductive Medicine or CORM. They are in the Houston area and Beaumont as well. I loved the people in the office, the doctors, all of it. Definitely not an experience I regret. I saw them until week 12 and then went to a regular OBGYN.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With Landry. I didn’t feel pregnant. I wasn’t sick at all. I never threw up I felt totally normal. I worked out until 38 weeks pregnant. I gained abou the same amount of weight both pregnancies. I had totally different cravings. They were just different experiences all the way around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With that pregnancy, I rolled over in bed at 3 am and my water broke. Literally. We went into L&D. I was only a 1. My doctor started pitocin. I labored for 23 hours before Landry was born. I didn’t feel many contractions because I got an epidural at a 3-4. I had to use the peanut ball to make things move faster. I was about an hour away from having a csection. If I hadn’t had him by 24 hours of labor, they were taking me back, I barely made the cutoff. I pushed for about an hour and 45 minutes. I stayed in the hospital one night after that and I was released to go home, Other than being scared to pee, I was fine. Tired FOR SURE. So exhausted. It was all a blur. I barely remember the nurses and doctors. It was a bit overwhelming. Once home, I recovered pretty quickly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, the big question- vaginal or csection? Which is better? Harder?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I would say giving birth, no matter how, is not easy. Moms are superheros in my book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vaginal definitely takes longer in most cases.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A csection feels strange. You can tell someone is touching you but can’t feel the pain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Epidurals work, but I felt the last pushes and it hurt like hell.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was scared to pee after birth both times. I think that just comes with the territory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Csection scars are no joke. I have a decent sized cut.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Recovery for a csection is longer. I was working out at 4 weeks postpartum with Landry. I never stopped doing my regular routine. This time, I have to be careful. I can’t pick up heavy things. I definitely took more pain killers for longer with my csection.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s really hard for me to say I prefer one over the other. Neither is fun. I just think my experience the second go around was better overall. I bonded with my doctor. I had amazing people on staff that night in L&D from the nurses to the anesthesiologists. My doctor was there and I felt super comfortable with the decisions she helped me make. I think all of that makes me lean more toward the csection. It wasn’t the horror story you hear about. I know so many women will go out of their way and go to extreme measures to avoid a csection but I don’t see any reason to do that. Whatever route you take, whatever you do to get the baby here safely and in good health- it’s worth it.</span><br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-90153646325652716552019-04-25T14:26:00.002-07:002019-04-25T14:26:45.146-07:00Lydia's Birth Story<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is the crazy story of how sweet little Miss Lydia entered the world. This story is very different from my last delivery, which I will back track and do a post about soon. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, this was my second pregnancy. The whole pregnancy was different. I got pregnant first try, which did not happen last time. I was sick this time. I made it to my due date this time. All in all, it was just a different experience. Boy vs girl pregnancy? Maybe. I think every pregnancy is just different. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With my son, I made it to week 39 and then he came into the world. Lydia was not coming early. I was due on Thursday, April 18 and honestly shocked when I made it to that day and went in for my 40 week appointment. My doctor is truly amazing (Dr. Patel at UTMB if you are looking for a great doctor) and she wanted to be supportive and do whatever I felt was right. She did tell me I couldn't go more than a week overdue. She gave me the option to come in that night or Sunday night or Monday.... as long as I did it soon. I was so torn. I was scared, honestly. My water broke the last time and I was still induced with Pitocin but I have heard horror stories about inductions and I just wasn't sure. The husband and I headed for a Target run and discussed it. (Doesn't everyone go to Target when you are stressed? LOL)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luckily, we had packed bags just in case. We started thinking about our options. We ultimately decided to go ahead and go into L & D that evening after one last good dinner. We headed to Chili's (this turned out to be a bad idea later) to have dinner with his parents and Landry before heading to the hospital. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived at the hospital and I was in the room at 7:30. We met the doctors that were on duty that night and I was hooked up to a monitor. Immediately the nurse noticed something that didn't look right. She told me the baby was having a variable in her heart rate. Her heart rate would take a dip and stay there for a minute or two and then go back up. I was also having crazy long contractions- 5-6 minutes long. I really wasn't feeling these. These drops in heart rate were happening with the contractions. This is when the doctor came in and started explaining other options to us, in case we had to go that route. I knew then that this was not going to be easy. The plan was to give me some medication to help my cervix prepare for birth, but they chose not to go that route and use the bulb to help open it up instead. That was inserted. The heart rate drops continued to happen. My doctor arrived. We discussed more options. They had to stop making me contract, so they gave me some medicine for that. Everyone was so supportive and wanted to let me know we could keep trying for a vaginal birth. My doctor knows me. She knows I can't make a decision. She knows I just need her expert advice. She was honest and told me she felt the baby would not handle the stress of labor. It could be caused by so many things. She could be holding on to the cord, the cord could be wrapped, etc. The main problem was contractions. I have to contract to be able to give birth and when I did, the heart rate dropped. It wasn't likely going to work. We began to talk about a c-section. I am not one of those moms that goes in having an elaborate birth plan. I don't get my hopes up or stress out when things don't go as planned. I just want a healthy baby at the end of it all. Whatever you have to do to make that happen, I am game for it. Tyler and I talked it over and we chose a c-section. The chances that I would endure 12, 14, 18 hours of labor and then have to have an emergency c-section in the end were high, so we chose not to wait on that and have it be a panic situation. We chose to just go ahead and opt for it. We wanted to get the baby here and not put her through anymore stress. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As soon as the decision was made, things happened very quickly. They started prepping me for the OR. Tyler got ready. They took us down to the OR and set me up. I was given a spinal tap and it began. No more than 10 minutes after it started, at 11:16 p.m., Lydia was crying and it was over. The scary part was that the cord was not only wrapped, but wrapped THREE times around her neck. I would not have been able to deliver her without causing her stress and likely a c-section would have happened anyways. We made the right decision. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think of what could have happened. What if I had waited a few more days? What if I had chosen to keep trying for a vaginal birth? What if...what if... I know God was guiding us in the right direction. I am so thankful that we went that night. I am thankful that I had an amazing team of doctors and nurses that took great care of me. I am thankful Dr. Patel is so amazing! I am thankful that my baby girl is here with us, unharmed, healthy and happy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The worst part of my recovery to this day was throwing up that Chili's after the c-section. This was caused by the anesthesia. It was awful. If I could go back, I wouldn't have eaten. Other than that, I am on the mend. I have to take it easy and can't lift things or do much. That is hard for me to do, but I am trying. I plan to do more posts about vaginal vs c-section, the differences in my pregnancies, etc. More to come. </span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-48112086139532708042019-04-23T14:02:00.000-07:002019-04-23T14:02:26.539-07:00Slowly making my way back...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been a little while! Here is a little of what has been going on in my life lately that has slowed blogging down for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. I took a social media detox and successfully went without Facebook or Instagram for the Lent season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. I read and studied my bible daily during that time and am still continuing to do so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. I was busy at work getting everything prepared for my maternity leave, which I am now on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. I was busy at home doing the same- getting the nursery completed, house cleaned and organized so we would be ready for baby girl Lydia's arrival.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I plan on trying to blog as much as possible while I am home, but I can't make any promises! Mommin to 2 kids is busy and that is my priority! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blog topics coming up:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lydia's birth story</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nursery tour- maybe I will finally get to this</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breastfeeding story</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those are just a few topics that I have in mind for the near future! Hope to be back for a blog really soon! </span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-25538826889097774182019-04-02T06:39:00.004-07:002019-04-02T06:40:58.371-07:00Just bloggin.....update<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, I still have a couple blog topics that I want to cover in regards to babies, BUT I keep forgetting to take pictures of Lydia's nursery so that one will have to be put on hold. I also want to do one on fav baby items, but I figure I will combine the two so.... to be continued on that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am just going to do an update on life in general today:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Update on my Lent challenge: I have not been on Facebook or Instagram since March 6. I can't describe the feeling it brings. Less drama, less worry, less care.... more time for other important things. I have read so many books, spent more time with my son and family, been happier overall. I have a new outlook on things. While I will not give it up permanently, I do know that my time spent on social media will be MUCH LESS when I do return. Life is so much more important than the social world out there. I truly needed the break and the detox and I am beyond glad I took it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have also been reading my Bible passages daily and still keeping up with my First 5 readings as well. I love taking time to reflect on His word and feel good about how close it makes me feel to Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am almost 38 weeks pregnant with baby girl, Lydia Jo. Things are going well. I don't feel any closer to labor than I did last time. With my son, my water broke in the middle of the night and that was it. Off to the hospital and 23 hours later, he was here. He came at 39 weeks. I hear so many different things from people about how their second labor was different from the first. It's hard to tell what this baby will do, but I am find waiting and letting her come when she is ready. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Landry can tell something is going on. We talk about the baby and while I think he somewhat understands, I don't think he gets the whole idea. I don't know that he will until she is here. I do know he is attached to us like no other right now and going through a bit of a 2 year old phase where he thinks he is the boss. He is just pressing the limits and learning how to be a little person and we are trying to be patient and stern at the same time. Toddler life is tough!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Work update: I am still working and will be until this baby pops out! I am very fortunate to have a job I absolutely LOVE and has been much easier on me this pregnancy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Business update: Ever has been great lately. They have been having a lot of great monthly specials and just set up another one. Business has been good! The new foundation they put out is AMAZING and my fav! As always, if you'd like to check it out: <a href="http://www.everskin.com/with/melissaanderson">www.everskin.com/with/melissaanderson</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Feel free to email or message me for more info, coupons, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">msenseney05@aol.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hair: I cut my hair over the weekend! I LOVE IT! Right before I had Landry, I cut my hair off and it was so easy to manage with a baby, because you know you don't have time for yourself much the first few weeks. </span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-69148940978971771902019-03-25T07:49:00.000-07:002019-03-25T07:49:52.406-07:00Spending time with Landry before baby #2<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week, I talked a little about the fears that come with having a second baby. I don't think I am different than any mom in that I fear the change, fear the added responsibility and how I will juggle it all, fear how it will change life for my 2 year old. While there are fears, there is also excitement! I can't wait to see Landry be a big brother and to see the bond he and his sister will share. Our little family will be complete and it makes my heart happy! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been taking some time to focus on Landry more in the last weeks of my pregnancy. I know these are the last weeks that we will have with him as an only child. I want to make the transition as easy for him as possible. I want him to feel loved and cared for. I don't want him to feel as though the baby came along and took his place. He is and will always be the boy who made me a mom and my first baby. Here are some of the things I have done with him, as his sister's arrival approaches:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. I have included him in setting up her room. We talk about the baby. He comes in the room with me when I am working to organize and set things up. He gets excited about it and says "ooooo momma, look!". I tell him that this is his baby sister's room. Lots of things we have are his old baby gear and toys. I let him explore with them and play with them as he wants to. I tell him that those are for the baby and he is now a big boy. He seems really interested in the room and excited (for now- lol).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. I have been taking more time after school and on weekends to spend time with him doing whatever he wants to do. We go outside and play, we go to the store, we play and read, and we cuddle- lots of cuddling. I know many people think you are supposed to stay home with a new baby for like ever at the beginning, but I think this time around will be much different. I cannot lock Landry and I up in the house because we have a new baby. He is a 2 year old and needs to get out and explore the world. While I will take precaution to protect my baby from germs, she will also have to learn to roll with it, because I don't want Landry to feel that the fun is gone because baby is here. We will learn to manage and do things together as a family. Luckily, I have two very supportive babysitters- my mom and mother-in-law, who will come with me and help me out as I need it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. This one isn't a fun one, but I have had to teach Landry a little more responsibility and discipline. When he is the only one that I have to focus my attention on, it's a little easier to let some things slide, but as we get ready for a new baby- I have had to get serious about some things. He helps me with things that he can help with- picking up, going to get himself a bottle of water, he even tries to feed the dog and is pretty good at it. I have also had to be stricter with rules. He has had to learn that no means no. It's a tough transition at 2 but he is getting it. I need him to be safe and good while I give the baby attention. He really is a good boy and does a great job.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I cannot wait to see how things work out with a new baby girl in the family. I know it's going to be a whole new adventure!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What things did you do to prepare your child or kids for a new baby?</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-29304215246840708012019-03-22T06:48:00.000-07:002019-03-22T06:48:20.419-07:00The fear of having baby #2<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week has been a little busier than I expected. As a mom, especially a working mom, you never really know what the week will bring. I haven't had the chance to blog too much this week, so some of my blog posts will have to wait until next week. Today I am going to talk a little about having baby #2 and the fears that come with having another baby.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lots of people never talk about the fears that come with having a baby. Yes, it is a blessing. Babies are wonderful. But, there are some scary things that come along with that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To have another baby or not.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not going to lie. We contemplated having a second child. Landry made us so happy, we weren't sure we wanted another child. I know deep down, I knew I wanted to have another, but it is something you have to really think about. Being responsible for another little person. What changes will that mean for your family. So many things to think about. In the end, we left it up to God. I had a little bit of a hard time getting pregnant with Landry, so we decided just to try and if it happened, it did. If it didn't, we would be perfectly happy with our amazing son. Well, first try I was pregnant, so I am guessing that was God's way of saying YES!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How life changes......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You get so used to your routine and life with one. As they grow older, things get easier. The thought of starting over with another seems intimidating. Waking up all night, breastfeeding again, being restricted to what you can eat and drink, pumping, the demands of a newborn, and so much more. Landry is in such a good place right now. He has independence. He can feed himself, play by himself, tell me what he wants and needs.... we are in a good spot. AND we are about to start over again. Sigh. It no longer seems so daunting of a task. As we get closer and closer to the due date and Lydia's arrival, the more excited I get thinking about having another little person to love. I remind myself that everything with a baby is just a season. It doesn't last forever. In fact, it goes by so fast!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The world we live in.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think all the time about this crazy world we live in. Bringing kids into the world today is no easy decision to make. I worry about things people believe in, say and do. I worry that my kids will be surrounded by things that we just don't believe in. There is no more of the "good ole day" mentality or there are very few people who believe in that. Who believe in God first. Who believe in what the bible says. Who raise their kids that way. Instead, we are surrounded by those who believe in political correctness, gender neutral, science or spiritual but not religious, and so much more. It's scary. I decided that while I can't shield my kids completely from that world, the best thing I can do is to help them learn about God, take them to church, teach them everything I can, and pray for the best. The world is not changing for the better, but I hope my kids can remain solid in their foundation and focus on the most important things, even amidst a crazy world! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is another post about this---- it is obviously something many women struggle with. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.scarymommy.com/i-was-scared-to-have-a-second-child/">https://www.scarymommy.com/i-was-scared-to-have-a-second-child/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know when Lydia gets here, my heart will explode. I will love watching her and Landry grow up together and all will be right in the world. I am not ashamed to share my fears though. Did you have fears having another child? How did you deal with it? </span><br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-54762898985315724612019-03-20T06:37:00.004-07:002019-03-20T06:37:59.295-07:00All The Little Children book review and movie review of Green Book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The book I read over the week was "All The Little Children" by Jo Furniss. Here is the summary from Good Reads. I use Good Reads often to find books that I might like to read. </span></div>
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<br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Struggling with working-mother guilt, Marlene Greene hopes a camping trip in the forest will provide quality time with her three young children—until they see fires in the distance, columns of smoke distorting the sweeping view. Overnight, all communication with the outside world is lost.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Knowing something terrible has happened, Marlene suspects that the isolation of the remote campsite is all that’s protecting her family. But the arrival of a lost boy reveals they are not alone in the woods, and as the unfolding disaster ravages the land, more youngsters seek refuge under her wing. The lives of her own children aren’t the only ones at stake.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">When their sanctuary is threatened, Marlene faces the mother of all dilemmas: Should she save her own kids or try to save them all?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ever since watching "The Walking Dead", I enjoy the post apocalyptic type book every now and then. This book was kinda on that wavelength. I won't spoil it for anyone who might want to read it. It was a quick read. There were parts of it that kept me reading. Overall, I would say it was a 3 out of 5. There were no zombies or anything like that. There were times when it really made you think like a mom and wonder what you do if you were in Marlene's shoes. The best part about it was that it was free with my Prime subscription. Do you have Prime? Do you read the free reads? I am actually already on to my next read- "Say You're Sorry" and that one is one I can't put down! Excited to finish it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Now, on to the movie I watched. Green Book.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">AMAZING. I loved this movie! If you have not had a chance to watch this, do it! It is based on the true story of Don Shirley, a classical and jazz pianist. It tells the story of the journey he took to play down south during the 60s and his relationship with his driver and bodyguard, Tony. It really evokes emotion about that time and what he had to go through. I truly enjoyed it and both actors in it- </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahershala_Ali" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" title="">Mahershala Ali</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viggo_Mortensen" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" title="">Viggo Mortensen</a> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">were amazing! I love Ali anyways from True Detective, but he really did a great job in this movie and Viggo- he was so funny and so raw. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you seen any good movies lately? Read any good books?</span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-52314199516492062022019-03-18T06:59:00.000-07:002019-03-18T06:59:05.497-07:00SPRING BREAK! <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm baaaaaack! I knew I wouldn't get the chance to blog much over Spring Break and I sure didn't get to once. It was a very busy break. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am still reading my Bible passages daily as part of what I am adding in to my Lent time. I also continue to read my first5 passages daily as well. I really love daily devotional time and feel very connected to God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am also still on my social media detox. I don't use Facebook or Instagram right now. Some things I have done in place of wasting that time: cooked, spent more time with Landry, gone outside more, worked out, read a book over the break, spent time with my husband, watched several movies.....just had more time where I am not distracted by other people's lives and I actually get to live mine. I honestly don't miss it. It isn't as hard as I thought. I know I won't completely stay off of it forever, but I do know my time with it will change drastically after the Lent season is over. I am still determining what that will look like, but I will be talking about it soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple of topics that I will be writing about this week:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The book I read and movies I watched over spring break</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time with Landry before baby #2 comes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nursery for Lydia</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baby favorites</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My side gig has a great deal going on right now if any of you readers are interested! </span></div>
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<a href="https://resources.everskin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/EVER_Complexion_Launch_Shareable2_R1-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://resources.everskin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/EVER_Complexion_Launch_Shareable2_R1-300x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This deal is only good until the end of the month- order a regimen and you will get the complexion quickie ($115 set) FREE! I love it all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.everskin.com/with/melissaanderson</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feel free to email me with questions! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OHHHHH I almost forgot! The husband and I celebrated 4 years of marriage this week! We went to the Houston Rodeo and saw Kings of Leon. It was a great time. Funny thing, we forgot it was our actual anniversary a few days later- LOL! I guess you can say that we are in a "busy" season of life. We are blessed with a great marriage and truly feel we are married to our best friend. We don't do gifts or anything. Instead we try to share time and experiences with each other around that time. What do you and your spouse do for anniversaries?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I look forward to a great week of blogging! :) </span></div>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-45129158946239871182019-03-08T06:40:00.000-08:002019-03-09T08:36:45.635-08:00Lent Day 2 & 3 and a little thinking aloud.....<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yesterday was busy and I didn't get to blog. I am sure Spring Break will be busy as well and I might not get to write as much. I am still on my social media detox and I am still reading my scripture every day. I really thought that being disconnected from social media was going to be a lot harder than it is. It really isn't! I have gotten so much done including finishing a book that I have been slow reading for a while. I will share below. I have spent more time with my son and husband at home, not distracted. It's been nice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bible study for Day 2 and 3:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">John 1: 19-34</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">John the Baptist begins baptizing people. He informs them that he is not the Prophet, but instead that Jesus is the chosen one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Isaiah 6:1-7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Isaiah talks about the rebellious nation and how they have turned away from God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also read First5.org every day and look forward to diving into that devotional. I find taking time for God every day keeps me focused on what is really important, I feel more balanced and happy! Do you read or study the bible daily? Give it a try! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is the book I just finished. It was pretty interesting. It isn't something that I would normally pick for myself, but my mother-in-law suggested it and it was a good one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The book tells the story of the Madoff family. Bernie Madoff was involved in a massive ponzi scheme. It tells about the unraveling of his family's life due to his this scheme. The story is told from the point of view of Stephanie (his son's wife). It is a crazy story, but sad at the same time. It was a totally different feel reading it and knowing it was written about real people vs the fiction characters I normally read about. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's the last day of work today before Spring Break- huge perk working for a school district. Over the next week, we will be working on baby girl's room, going to the Rodeo to see Kings of Leon, and spending time with family. I am excited to be off and soak up some time with Landry before his sister comes and we become a family of 5 (including Nola) :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy Friday all! </span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-21095353037919851072019-03-07T06:27:00.002-08:002019-03-07T06:27:36.371-08:00Lent day 1- social media detox and bible reading<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's Day 1! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am posting this on Day 2, because I forgot to post it yesterday. I was on my phone a LOT less without social media, so it just didn't happen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I deleted both apps off my phone. The only thing I kept was Facebook messenger, because that is how I communicate with some people. Otherwise, I am not checking or scrolling at all on either social media app. It felt a little weird waking up and not looking at it right away, but overall it feels great to be able to go through the day without worrying about that world. I read more yesterday, I played with my son, and I just relaxed. So far, so good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I added in a Bible reading daily and here it is for today(Wednesday):</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">John 1 New International Version (NIV)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Word Became Flesh</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This reading is telling us that Jesus is coming. He is God' word. He is the light. He is with God and will always be with God. Jesus is important and we should pay attention to him. Jesus will show us what God is all about. </span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-46488331895986429132019-03-05T06:03:00.000-08:002019-03-05T06:03:23.956-08:00Lent challenge- what I am adding and what I am taking away!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, it's that time of year again. LENT. It's a time to reflect on the great sacrifice that was made for us all. It's a time to praise and worship. It's a time to think about something we can sacrifice for 40 days. Jesus sacrificed so much for us, we can surely do something for him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First of all, every year I try to add something in. This year I am adding in this 40 day challenge:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have been thinking long and hard about what I want to give up this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am giving up social media. Yep. You read that right. I am putting away Facebook and Instagram for 40 days. Why? I feel like social media can be great in many ways: it helps us stay connected with those we love, but don't get to see often. It can be a way of networking with people for business purposes. It can be fun and entertaining as well. But there are also some bad sides to it. People get addicted to it. People compare themselves with others- "comparison is the thief of joy". I saw this quote recently and I thought it is very true.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everyone flocks to social media to see what is going on in other people's lives, whether you know them or not, whether you talk to them in person or not. Sometimes that seems kinda silly to me. I just need a break. I spend too much time on social media. I admit it. So... my social media is:</span></div>
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<img alt="Weâre logging off ðð¼ââï¸ðð»ââï¸Us witches are doing a a mini social media cleanse for a few days ð Itâs time for more living and lessâ¦" height="320" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b3/fc/d7/b3fcd762f78cfab4aedc934552310376.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Starts tomorrow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What will I do with all that time? I plan to continue to blog. I love blogging and writing, so I want to keep this up. I will spend more time with my family. I might cook a little more, workout more, read more, go outside more, do some crafts, who knows? I just know that I need this. I am actually excited about it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, please continue to check in with my blog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://msenseneysjourney.blogspot.com/">https://msenseneysjourney.blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you would like to connect with me, my email is msenseney05@aol.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My Ever page is: <a href="http://www.everskin.com/with/melissaanderson">www.everskin.com/with/melissaanderson</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am always available to answer questions about that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'll be back around Easter. Lydia is due around that time, so I can't wait to introduce her to you all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What are you adding or giving up for Lent? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-33145129723974534682019-03-04T06:16:00.000-08:002019-03-04T06:16:07.435-08:00A sustainable lifestyle change!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I cannot tell you how many diets I have tried in my many years of struggling with self image and my weight. If you check out my story here on the blog you will see that I have fluctuated up and down with weight my entire life. I am just not one of those naturally thin people. Here are just a few things I’ve tried:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Weight watchers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">South beach diet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Keto </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Low carb</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The bro diet (think tilapia and broccoli A LOT)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Calorie counting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1200 calories only</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Starving myself basically</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cutting out all sugar and foods deemed “bad”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Diet pills to suppress my appetite</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The GM diet or military diet</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Those are just SOME of the diets I can think of right now. I am sure there were more. I would lose and then I would get off and gain. I never stuck with anything too long. It was all a struggle. I would cheat and binge occasionally because everything felt restrictive. To me, that’s the problem with anything that restricts a certain food or deems foods as good or bad. You ultimately end up wanting what you can't have MORE than you might normally because you have told yourself you can’t have it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That was the truth for me. I couldn’t do it anymore. I was tired of failing. I was tired of beating myself up. I HAD to find something different. That’s when I found Ledbetter and macros. It was the ONLY thing that I have continuously gone back to, time and time again. It is truly a lifestyle. It doesn’t restrict ANYTHING. Cookies- fine. Cake- ok. Donuts-sure. MODERATION is the key. BALANCE is the lifestyle. I don’t know about you but I don’t want any eating plan that doesn’t involve those things or some of my favorite foods. Macros doesn’t tell you to go eat ALL these things all day, but it allows them. It allows you to find balance with proteins, fats and carbs. You do have to weigh and track what you eat and make a plan, but overall it allows you freedom. Freedom to decide to have a donut but know you will have to have a protein rich meal later to meet your daily goal. When I was in the absolute BEST shape of my life I would have a day when I would eat egg whites and grilled chicken, maybe a protein shake, make a hamburger for dinner, some popcorn or ice cream.... it was all balanced. I never felt guilty or deprived. The weight came off. It stayed off. One thing I learned is you have to pick something you can stick with, something that will work long term. Short term solutions give you just that- short term success. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How do you do it? I have calculated my own macros before and I'd be happy to help. I also know several amazing coaches that can do it and have the accountability piece built in so you check in with them weekly. You may have tried everything else- why not try this? I will be heading back to the macros arena as soon as I have baby Lydia is April and get adjusted. I can't wait. This is my last baby and there is no better time to get in the best shape of my life. I know with macros and exercise I can do it. Are you ready? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feel free to message me or email me if you'd like some help with how to get started!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">msenseney05@aol.com </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213172155206383294.post-28310216185143093612019-03-01T06:43:00.000-08:002019-03-01T06:43:26.942-08:00Proverbs 31<br />
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As I have said before, one goal for me this year is to spend daily time with God. I love First 5 and I try and read it daily. Today's reading really spoke to me. In a world where our priorities seem to be off, competition seems to be up, and some don't pay attention to what is really important, this spoke to me today. </div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">I also love how <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Prov 31.30" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Prov%2031.30" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Proverbs 31:30</a> reminds us of what is truly worth celebrating: <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the </em><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">L<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ORD</span></i> is to be praised."</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">Notice it's not a woman with a spotless house who is to be praised. It's not the mom with perfectly behaved children wearing matching designer outfits. Honestly, it's not even the woman who is married and has children.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">It's a woman who fears the Lord that is to be praised. This isn't an, "I'm afraid of God" kind of fear. This type of fear is referring to having a heart completely in awe of God. It describes a woman who honors God by seeking Him in everything she does and trusting Him wholeheartedly with her life. She has a heart of reverence that overflows into a life of spiritual maturity and wisdom.</span></div>
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I am still a work in progress and will never be perfect. It has taken me a long time to get to a place where I truly feel confident in life with God by my side. I used to worry a lot. Little things and big things would upset me. I would spend time stressed out, unsure of the future, and without hope. It wasn't until I truly realized that what will be, will be. God is in control and there is no reason to worry. Even in the darkest moments, the times when nothing makes sense. All seems to be wrong in the world. God's plan seems to be a mystery. It is all for a reason. It will make sense one day. It is so easy in today's world to get wrapped up in the superficial, the temporary things of this Earth. Often these things take over and replace any time we might have for what is really important. To stand and be in awe of God and what he has done in this world, what he has done in your life. Life is so much more than what we have in the here and now. This life was given to us as a precious gift and we should honor it and trust in Him with everything we have. Like, I said it has taken me a long time to get there, but I am so glad I am here. </div>
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On another note, this verse speaks to being a wife. Some people spend a lot of time trying to figure out what that looks like. What does God expect out of us as wives? To some, it can be overwhelming. You can feel inadequate looking at everything it states in these verses. Instead, we should seek God in those areas of our lives also. We should seek <span style="background-color: white;">wisdom, instruction, understanding, insight, knowledge, discretion and guidance. With these things and God by our side, we can and will be all the wife that he planned for us to be. It's not about being perfect. It is about living it in the way that God designed you to live it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">What are some of your favorite Bible versus about being a woman of God, being a wife?</span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443716136345069857noreply@blogger.com0