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]]>We were happy and content with our family size… then found out about an unplanned pregnancy. My heart immediately fell in love. I would put my hand on my belly and just think, there’s a miracle that only God could make in there. I made all kinds of plans, emotions and thoughts of how it would be like, another blessing to love.
Then sometimes, something goes wrong. You sit in the bathroom and know it’s over because something is there that shouldn’t. You cry out to God, why? Or you go in for a routine ultrasound, like I did, and the baby’s heartbeat has stopped. in the moment you feel overwhelmed with extreme sadness, anger, and you silently scream out to God, why?
No matter how many weeks you were or how many children you already have, losing a pregnancy is heart wrenching. The raw pain of grief is real. I know it was and still is for me as I’m working my way through this.
I didn’t understand why that was happening. I am still asking why. And maybe I will always be.
My prayer for you if you’re walking though a trial of your own, or you have lost a baby… and for ME as I walk this road, is that we can surrender to the Lord. I know there can be freedom and joy when we surrender to His will. I know this from past times God has been faithful in trials in my life. To give him my burdens and let Him carry them. That’s doesn’t mean just let go of my dreams, it means letting Him hold them.
We often have an illusion of control or that we know what is best, when in fact, only He knows what is best. But what does it mean to TRUST God? I am coming to find that it means to trust Him when things don’t make sense. For me, losing this baby, it doesn’t make sense, even still. Trusting Him, means that I am willing to trust the Lord so deeply, even when it doesn’t make sense to me, that even when He takes away (or things don’t happen the way you thought they would, whatever you’re walking through) and things are so ungraspable, to holdfast to my faith, because I know He is good in all things.
Trusting Him because He is good doesn’t mean it is easy and it certainly doesn’t take the pain away. Just yesterday, I went out and checked the mail. You know those full sized formula samples you get in the mail, not that I would have used it anyhow, but that triggered me… I would have been 35 weeks this week. And all those emotions flooded me once again. We aren’t promised an easy life and that we will never walk through trials. But we are promised that He will work everything out. Everything. If we love Him, He will work out our heartache, our contention, our marriages. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whoa] have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
So through this heartache I am learning to trust God. I have times it’s easy and times it’s hard. And I question a lot, will we have another baby, I don’t know. But it is ALWAYS a breath of fresh air to get reminders from God. Just this morning I woke up to my bible app. I don’t always click on the verse but today I did. The word of God speaks to us… it said …. “He himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” Even though at times I feel I am in a season of losing, no matter what we face, He is the ONE who is able to heal, restore and bring joy. He has done it before in my life, HE WILL AGAIN.
Praying this encourages someone today! -Rachel
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There is just something about this time of year that brings out that southern greeting. It’s Fall Y’all and that means pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins!
Pumpkin Pie Spice
to get the recipe click here!
*the 2 ideas below originally posted 5 years ago in this post*
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
This recipe is so very simple! All you need are a few ingredients and a great blender and your set!
What you need:
1/3+ tsp harvest pumpkin spice, depending on your taste
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup frozen pumpkin (cubes from silicone tray)
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1-3 Tbsp honey (or sweetener of your choice)
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder *optional*
Handful of Ice cubesWhat to Do:
*Add all ingredients into a blender, except protein powder.
*Blend together until desired consistency, add more milk or water as needed.
*Once you have your desired consistency, add in protein powder but only blend until mixed (about 10 seconds or less). If you overdo it, the protein powder will make the smoothie too frothy.
*Enjoy your pumpkin smoothie! Yum!
Pumpkin Yarn Craft
What you need:
orange yarn
a couple balloons
multi-purpose glue (like elmer’s or make your own paste with flour and water)
1/4 C water
green pipe cleaners + green felt
scissors
small bowl
plenty of paper towels
What to do:
To make this fun with as little mess as possible (this IS a messy craft), follow these simple steps.
- Gather supplies, decide number of yarn pumpkins you’ll be making
- Blow up your balloons and tie a knot
- Cut yarn in 2-4 feet strips depending on your balloons sizes, set aside (3-5 strips per ballon)
- In a cereal bowl make glue paste using the whole bottle of glue, and 1/4 C water, mix well, set aside
- Dip your yarn into the glue paste, then lightly slide yarn through 2 fingers dripping access glue off
- Wrap yarn around pumpkin, overlapping pieces of yarn to make it sturdy
- Once all yarn is wrapped around balloon, hang dry or set on a jar for 1-2 days
- Once dry, pop balloon and pull thru an opening
- Use the pipe cleaners & felt to make a stem, twirly vines, leaves
Display for all to see, your kids will love their crafty pumpkins!
These 3 ideas are shared in the video below:
And here are more pumpkin ideas found on this blog:
- Spiced Pumpkin Pie
- Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins
- Cream Cheese filled Pumpkin Muffins
- Redeeming Halloween
ps. Im curious, if you are a reader here, would you like to see more posts? I have been almost exclusively posting on youtube because this blog lacked interaction and comments but if you all are reading and commenting, I would try more to post here!
-Rachel
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I thought it would be fun to do a Homeschool Mom Tag especially since everyone is planning and thinking about next year! I am answering the 10 questions below.
Homeschool Mom Tag Questions:
Do you have a set budget for your homeschool?
1. Were you homeschooled?
2. Did you know always know you’d homeschool your children?
3. What are your 3 favorite books in your homeschool library?
4. Are you the only “teacher”? Does your spouse help, outsource help, tutors, etc.
5. Where is your favorite place to buy homeschool curriculum?
6. Do you have a set budget for your homeschool?
7. What are 2 must have homeschool supplies?
8. What’s your favorite/least favorite subject to teach?
9. Are you involved in coops or homeschool groups? What has your experience been in these groups?
10. What is your approach? ( charlotte mason, eclectic, classical, etc)
Go over to YouTube and check out the other mom’s videos here: Homeschool Mom Tag Playlist
Happy Homeschooling!
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]]>The post Stupid Mistake + Where Have I Been??? appeared first on Day2Day Joys.
]]>Or is that even the word I’m looking for?!?
Not like picking your kids up late from their practice or putting on the wrong shoes or putting salt in your coffee instead of sugar.
Maybe the word I am thinking is irresponsible, foolish, “mom” brainless, the other kazillion of words that could be the right word.
I almost lost my blog a while back and it was my OWN fault. I know I haven’t even been writing on here in a LONG time but these are still memories I have, things I still want to keep and for a moment they vanished, never to be found again… recipes, heartfelt topics, birth stories, and so much more.
But just like Christ can redeem us in our mess, I was able to get this blog back up and running…. THANK YOU JESUS, for real!!
(the real reason my blog was down, again a STUPID mistake, was that I let my hosting expire and the card I had attached to my account had been lost a year ago, plus the hosting had an old email)
Then on top of that, this blog had been hacked and the bot as they’re called kept of publishing posts that didn’t make any sense, you may have noticed if you saw any come through in email. But thankfully, I *believe* I have that all sorted out now!
So where have I been?
I know I kinda left the 1500+ of you who have subscribed to this blog hanging back in August. We started homeschooling and I knew I would need to be focused on doing that. Which has been going well, but definitely has its struggles.
For me, blogging took up a lot of my time, however, I missed the community feel after a while, interacting in comments and getting to know y’all, my readers. I then decided to start a YouTube channel to be able to be a part of the online community once again… You may be thinking how did I have time to make videos but not blog? And the answer is this, making videos is much more simpler for me… I can record one real quick while my littles are napping and my bigs are doing independent work or having free time. And editing it real simple on iMovie!!
I have been having a lot of fun getting to know the subscribers over there and would LOVE for you to stop on over and even subscribe if you’d like to keep up with me! I hope to post once a month, if not more on this blog but to keep up with me weekly, make sure you check over there because I post 1-2 or more videos a week, depending on my time I’m available to make videos.
Today I just posted a new video featuring my favorite things… you can check to out by clicking here. And below I share a couple recent videos.
I look forward to reconnecting with y’all and hope you are enjoying the beautiful Spring that is approaching!
Shameless plug… be sure to check over on Youtube on Friday for a “What’s in my kid’s Easter baskets” video!
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My kids often ask why they have to go to sleep at all.
Why isn’t an afternoon nap enough? Why do we have to sleep so much at night? And maybe most importantly to them, when are my parents going to bed and what am I going to be missing out on?
These are deep questions to young kids, and of course there’s always the “because I told you so” approach to settle their queries. Honestly, there are plenty of afternoons and nights when that is the only response I feel up to giving.
You need to go to sleep because otherwise mama is going to go crazy.
But there’s a deeper response that I sometimes give them, and it’s good for us all to reflect on too.
Really I am thankful for all their innocent questions because when I take the time to answer them adequately, it becomes a learning opportunity for them and a good reminder for me. And even though we plan for more structured ways to teach them about God, these short conversations are often what take root most effectively.
We were designed to need rest. Physiologically, emotionally, spiritually– we need time to reboot and reset. It’s true for my kids and it’s very true for me.
This basic, but important, need is not without purpose. Sure we can overlook it and stick with the pithy reasons for why sleep is important. Ultimately, though, our need for rest points us to our limits and our dependence on the limitless One. This is what we tell our kids.
It’s easy as mothers to start our day with a to-do list and plow through, regardless of the messages our bodies and minds are sending us. We are chronically busy as a culture. Whether you work out of the home or spend much of your time in the home, you almost certainly feel the same crunch and pressure to do it all.
A daily rest time is typically one of the first things cut when our schedule are bursting at the seams. The dishes and the laundry and the errands and the demands of our planners and people in our lives take precedence over our needs.
We do and do and do until we faint from exhaustion or snap at our kids because we are so stressed or get sick because our bodies are worn down.
We need to know our limits and embrace our need for rest without feeling guilty that we are not doingallthethings. Because when you can’t do it all, you need to prioritize what really matters.
Let’s give ourselves the freedom in our schedules and permission to not feel bad about recognizing our need to take care of ourselves, even while we are taking care of everyone else. You may feel like you are neglecting your lists, but what you are really doing is simply making a different choice and coming out more ready to be a better wife/mother/friend/worker/person.
So, what does daily rest look like for you?
Maybe it looks like a short reset with a coffee and a book while your children have independent play time.
Maybe you listen to an audiobook and take the long way home while you breathe deeply after a day of work.
Maybe what you really need is to take a nap while your baby naps.
Maybe all it takes is a good conversation with a friend that makes you laugh or think or remember you’re loved.
For me, it most often looks like a period of quiet time during my kids’ afternoon rest times. Not all of my kids nap anymore, but they all have their own rest time in their rooms. And while the house is quiet, this introvert savors the silence and soaks in the break from using all my words and meeting everyone’s needs.
Let me encourage you to figure out what is you need to give your mind and body the attention it deserves. Make rest a part of your day.You were created for such.
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On the heels of New Year’s come the New Year resolutions that we all make.
Whatever the goals or resolutions: healthier way of eating, weight loss, financial goals, marriage goals and/or spiritual goals they all can be accomplished if we set ourselves up to succeed.
I prayfully chose a word and a Bible verse to focus on throughout this year.
Now that a theme word, goal or resolution has been chosen, what’s next? How do we make sure we are setting ourselves up to succeed? We do this by having a plan.
Tips to set yourself up to succeed
1. Pray
Every morning spend time praying over your resolution. Seeking God about your goals will help you stay focused and aligned with God’s will for your life. Ask God to help you succeed! Just like Eliezer did in Psalm 145:18
2. Plan your day
Make the time to plan your day, week, month and year out. Write down your goals and the plans you have to accomplish. Thinking ahead will help you achieve your goals. For example, are you trying to eat healthier? Plan out and prepare what you will eat for the next day or week. Stock the fridge and pantry with healthy foods and snacks. Plan what exercises you will get done and when you will do them.
3. Don’t procrastinate
Look at your goals and the plan you have set into place to help you achieve your goals. Now get on it! Do not procrastinate. If you’re trying to save money and pay off debt; don’t wait till the next paycheck or the next month to start on that stricter budget. Start today! Start now!
4. Get help
Bringing other people in your life that will encourage, motivate and hold you accountable while you are working on your resolutions is a huge help in succeeding. Accountability holds you responsible to your goals, plans and actions as you work on your resolutions.
5. Stay flexible
Bumps in the road happen to all of us. Be flexible enough in your plans by allowing bumps in the road to happen and not throw you off course. Be clear about your goals, but flexible in the process of achieving them. Remember life happens and that is OK.
6. Stay positive
Stay positive about your goals and resolutions. Even if you have had a bad day, week or month; you can still bounce back, refocus and accomplish your goals. Stop those negative thoughts in their tracks. Philippians 4:8 reminds us of what God wants us to think about.
What steps have you put in place to assure that you accomplish your goals? What are you doing to set yourself up to succeed?
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Last year was our very first year homeschooling our oldest daughter, Abigail. While, both my husband and I were homeschooled growing up, going from homeschool student to homeschool parent and teacher can be kind of overwhelming!
We tested the waters of homeschool pre-k and absolutely loved it. So, this September, we officially started homeschool Kindergarten! Or, Spena School, as we call it. We have been at it for almost two months now, so I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite things to use in our school days(aside from lots of coffee for Mom, a bumbo seat for the baby to chill out in, and lots of outside time to burn extra energy for Abigail)
Our Must Have Homeschool Supplies:
1. Tons of Crafts
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If there is one thing that makes my daughter happiest, it is the ability to create something with a giant pack of markers and an even more giant stack of paper. Construction paper, markers, crayons, scissors, glue, paints, and tape are all kept close at hand and always readily available to help stretch her big, BIG imagination.
2. Books, Books, and more Books
We finally got our act together and joined our local library! It has been absolutely wonderful for our school year. We go every Thursday for story time, return our books, and check out a whole slew of new books that sound interesting, fun, and coordinate with our curriculum’s theme for the week. (Things like, Nest, Apple, Leaves, Moon, Sun, etc.)
3. Youtube
It is amazing to me all of the knowledge that we have right at our fingertips! As soon as Abigail asks a question, if we can’t find it in our books at hand, all it takes is a quick search to figure out the answer. We listen to all sorts of classical music and learn about the composers, watch videos about animals, and learn new life lessons from video shorts that appeal to both me and her! We love taking a brief break from sitting down to dance around the kitchen to music(our favorite- Eine Kleine) and youtube makes it incredibly easy for us to do that.
4. The Jesus Storybook Bible
My personal favorite book to read through with the girls is the Jesus Storybook Bible. It is written in words that the girls can understand, but it speaks to all of our hearts in incredibly profound ways. At the end of the day, it’s all about Jesus and every single story- as the book says- whispers His name. I love being able to incorporate that into our school days. One of the biggest, best, and most wonderful blessings about doing school at home!
We absolutely love homeschooling and have been so blessed by the gift it has been to our family.
What are some of your absolute must have homeschooling supplies?
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Written by Courtney @ A + Life, Contributing Writer
It is hard to believe that we are already one month into the fall season and that before long (if not already!) we will be bombarded with all things Christmas related. But, today, I wanted to share about some of our very favorite fall things to do with our daughter, Abigail.
This time of year is perfect for being outside all day long! The crisp autumn air, the bright sun, the sights and sounds of fall, all make for a wonderful outdoor experience. There are SO many fun things that you can do, but here are just a few of our favorites! So, without further ado, I give you:
Five Fun Fall Activities For Children
1. Visit A Pumpkin Patch
The one thing we always make sure to do in the fall is to visit our local pumpkin patch! It may be small and quaint, but we love walking around and selecting our pumpkins and mums, taking a small hay ride, capturing a few special moments on our camera, and letting the farmers teach our little girl all about pumpkins.
2. Watch An Outdoor Movie
This has been a new addition to our family fun, but recently my husband, Jim, acquired a small projector to play movies on. We set up a comfy place to sit in the backyard, hang up a big white sheet, and enjoy making our very own drive in of sorts in the back of our house! Projectors are pretty easy to rent and borrow, so I highly suggest getting your hands on one and giving a backyard movie night a try this fall!
3. Backyard Camping
If you’re already in your backyard for a family movie night, why not also set up a tent and have a camp out as well? I’m not much(read: NOT AT ALL) for camping, but if the weather is right and my own personal bathrooms are close, you can get me out there 
4. Play In The Leaves
We aren’t fortunate(or are we? enough to have large trees in our yard capable of being piled up and raked, but Grandma’s house sure does! There isn’t anything more quintessential childhood than running and jumping and burying yourself in a massive pile of leaves.
5. Roast S’mores
And of course, what is fall without a roaring bonfire, toasted marshmallows, and s’mores to enjoy? Getting sticky, sweet, and messy together make some of the most fun memories!
This is my list, but I would love to hear yours! So tell me,
What are some of your favorite fall activities to do with your kids?
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Written by Kari, Contributing Writer
Getting ready for the new school year means many things in our home. Our sleep schedule has to change, our chores change, we supplement differently and we have to ease back into a daily routine.
So, here’s how we make the transition:
How do you transition your kids back into the school season?
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Written by Christy @ Fresh Mix Momma, Contributing Writer
Many people are looking to eat healthier these days. It seems like there is a common misconception that it is hard to eat healthy or too expensive.
When I look at how my husband use to eat compared to now, I am shocked. Over the past few years we have pretty much completely changed our eating habits for the better. The best part about this change is, for us, it really wasn’t a hard change.
Over the past few years we have just taken different tips for eating healthy and incorporated it in our lives. Over time these tips became habits.
If you are looking to eat healthier here are some of my tips for eating healthy:
Shop the perimeter of the store
This tips could quite possibly be one of the most important and life changing tips. When you shop the perimeter of the store you are buying more fresh food. This can also save you a lot of time, since you aren’t wandering up and down all the isles. Of course there will be times when you need something down an isle, but just try to stick to the outside.
Meal Plan
Take time to sit down and make up a meal plan. This will help out with your shopping, keep you on track and probably save you some money (you are less likely to impulse buy junk food.) There are plenty of healthy meals available on Pinterest that can make meal planning a cinch. You can check out my Healthy Meals boards on Pinterest, if you are looking for a place to start.
Meal Prep
Once you have all your food together, try to take a day or so to meal prep for the week. This will help you stay on track and not fall into the “I don’t feel like cooking, let’s just eat out.”
Use smaller plates
One of my problems in the past wasn’t because I didn’t eat somewhat healthy foods, it was that my proportions were way out of control! Using smaller plates can help control your proportions.
Eat Real Foods
I think one mistake many people make is that they eat what they believe are healthy foods, but might not be as healthy as they realize. Try your best to stick with real foods. Real Foods are not processed, they are natural and quite delicious and filling. You will find that the more whole foods that you eat, the less you crave all the processed, sugary foods.
Treat yourself
That’s right, I said Treat yourself! Eating healthy is great, but we all need treats every once in awhile. You can even make your treats a little healthier as well. Fruits are delicious and packed with natural sugars for your sweet tooth. If you are a chocolate lover, try some dark chocolate! Treats every now and then are sometime essential, just be sure to keep the treats under control.
If you are looking for a healthier diet, try to follow these simple tips in your life and you will see change over time. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be hard, but it can take some time. Make it a lifestyle change and before you know it these simple tips will be habits in your day to day life!
What healthy tips have helped you? Do you have any to add to this list?
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