Planner Plans for 2017

I've put great thought into what I want to use for 2017 to keep tracking in the right direction toward my goals. I've decided to stick with the planner that I used last year since I've just recently fallen in love with it. It's the Homemaker's Friend Daily Planner, the 2017 version is on sale now, and it comes at a much more affordable price than some of the others that are on the market. I know loads of people that rave about their Erin Condren planners and Plumb Paper planners -- but I just haven't gotten enough use of them in the past to justify the price. 

Introducing some of my ALL time favorite products EVER! These are designed by the amazing ladies from Lara Casey Media. They have so much that just speaks to me. I could literally one one of everything! Cultivate What Matters Shop

I'm ordering this item that is shown below. Today is the first day that it is available, and I can't wait to get my hot little hands on it and get started planning for next year. I've got some big hairy scary goals to accomplish in 2017, and I know that this is the system that will help me get there. (all of these images are links if you see something you want to click on!)

This is the 12 month plan that takes you all the way through 2017 - and it has 176 pages walking you through setting up and deciding what your goals are... then how to break them down in monthly smaller goals to help you reach the larger ones. It has all of the tones of the seasons for the whole year.

She is also coming out with some add on guides for setting goals within your marriage, owning a business, and parenting as well -- those will be out sometime in the spring.


These smaller ones are the 6 month sets that are 110 pages that walk you through the same process as the larger one, just in two separate books. With the 6 month book you'll get to choose between these three cover choices.
I have been a huge fan of the Write the Word Journals from this same shop -- they are amazing! I have the whole set of them, but I believe that they are coming out with some new ones this next spring.
Lara Casey has been an amazing inspiration to me in the later part of this year, and truly - I just think she is outstanding... and she is one Mom that can totally relate to our personal story because she has been living the SAME thing we went through back in 2010 with adoption and having a baby super close together. She also has a weekly Live video session on each Wednesday morning -- and they are incredibly inspirational if you're interested in that as well.

So, I've ordered my Powersheets and an add on book of Stickers -- are you in?

Sister, Look at Me Now

After both surgeries were completed, and the scars were mainly just in the healing phase... it was time to shave my head. With no hair, and wearing a hat everyday... I felt like it was time to step up my makeup game. Coincidentally, at about the same time my sister, Cathi, joined Younique. I've always had REALLY sensitive eyes, so I was skeptical about buying any of her products. In fact, I was bummed at first because I just didn't think I'd be able to support her new endeavor, but she brought her kit over and let me try the fiber lashes... and I LOVE them. I've lived a life with no lashes for most of my years on Earth, but no more!

 

Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash comes with a transplanting gel and the fibers in this cool case. I've heard amazing things about them, and they are all natural! They easily wipe off, and while you might think that they are false... they are fibers that you put on after the transplanting gel and then cover with another layer of gel to seal them. 

This is a picture of my niece after she applied them for the first time... she is gorgeous inside and out... but her lashes are AMAZING!

As you can see - it's $29 for up to a 12 week supply, and I've heard from someone that has been using it for 2.5 months that hers hasn't gotten dry. It sounds too good to be true, but it isn't... I am in LOVE with these lashes! 

In addition to the lashes, they have a full line of other products including lip gloss. All natural again, and I love that you can click right on the products and read in plain English the ingredients! They not only tell you the ingredients, but also what they are good for! I've got the clear "Loyal" lip gloss - it has a slight shimmer, but it's subtle. I'm thinking I might get Luxe or Lovesick next.

We had some time for me to play around with the eye pigments this past weekend, and I loved them. I tried on three different "looks" and found one that I really liked, so I hope to order the colors to blend soon. The photos make the colors look a little bit darker than they are, but they have shimmer colors on the left and matte on the right. Don't you just love the names?

As I said before, it's a full line of gluten-free, all natural mineral makeup. I'm hosting a party for my sister right now, and I'd love for you to make a purchase from my Lash Bash. They also have some cleansers and other things.. and their makeup brushes are FABULOUS!

This fall they are coming out with all sorts of new products, and are bringing all of their existing products back to be manufactured in the USA -- with the only exception of the fiber lash mascara... it will continue to be made in China for now. Check out all of the new items coming out over the next couple of months!

 

Would you please take a look and shop my party? I need some help getting all of the items I want off of my wish list!

Reading, Reading, and More Reading

Over the last several months, John and I have been focused on reading 5 books for our adoption agency’s required reading list. We are to read the books and then send in a short summary explaining what we got out of the reading for the agency to keep with their records. These books are considered to be part of our education process – and will be followed up by 2 all day classes (May 1st and September 25th) at the agency office.

So I thought that I’d share all of the things that I’ve been reading lately with you… a couple of them I haven’t started yet, but they are on tap for me to read in the near future – so I’ll share about them as well. The first 5 books are the required reading for our agency – the others are supplemental. (All Images are from Amazon.com)

 
Dear Birthmother: This book was the first one that we tackled because we thought it would help us understand the communication that we would be having with our birth mom over the 18 years that our child is growing up. I think when we started reading this book – both John and I were unsure if we were ready for the concept of open adoption – mainly out of fear and not knowing what it could be like. I truly felt more prepared to write my initial letter to the birth mothers to look at as a part of our adoption profile. The book is an equal amount of explanation of the concept of open adoption as well as showing some really poignant examples of letters shared between actual adoptive families and their birth mothers… and from birth mothers to adoptive families. It is an interesting bond that is formed in this process, and I look forward to sharing that with the special woman that chooses us for her child.
 

Good Grief: This is a very small book – it took me about an hour or so to read it. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone going through any sort of major life change… or any type of grief. I found this to be an interesting reflection on the process that I went through emotionally during September and early October. I grieved briefly each cycle that we went through the infertility treatments when we'd get so close, but the cycle would be cancelled before being able to go through the entire process. Ultimately, I grieved the loss of the opportunity to have our own child through medical intervention. I went through each stage - I can remember each stage at varying times of the process going from anger, denial, depression, and finally coming to accept that our family might be brought together through other methods as part of God's will for us. I know that having gone through this process – and even sharing it with all of you through the blog has certainly made me a stronger woman!

How to Really Love Your Child: This book was extremely enlightening for me… it changed the way that I think about some things. I have to say that I really enjoyed this book - it opened my eyes to things that I hadn't thought of before. The idea that children who act out are missing out on feeling completely loved, was certainly an eye opener. I have always heard that when children need attention, they will sometimes act out just to get someone to react to them... because negative attention is at least something. So to think of it in terms of the child missing some critical form of love was different, but it really makes sense. The real life examples used in the book helped me to understand where these ideas might be able to fit into our own lives, and it also explains some things that I've wondered about with a few of the children in our lives that seem to be more strong willed than others.

I think that the most important role of the parent is to make sure that the child feels loved - unconditionally - and that takes many forms. I know that it won't always be easy, but I want to do my best to make sure that whenever our child acts out in any way that we stop and make sure that we are giving them enough undivided attention, eye contact, and touch. It seems so simple, but when we are caught up in the daily struggles of everyday life - it can get away from you, but it truly is the most important thing in the world - to love and show love to your children and spouse. It will my goal to make sure that our children always know they are loved in every way that I can, and to stop and think about why my children might be acting in ways that aren't normal before disciplining or correcting them.

Holding Time: For me the jury is still out on this book – I’m about half way through it, and the basic idea is about having a deeper connection with your children through a special technique of holding them. This technique involves holding them in such a way that you are forced to make eye contact with them and deal with any and ALL emotions that they are feeling – often this starts off with the child fighting against the holding, but when the session is complete… you’ve moved from that initial fighting to a resolution that brings about a deeper connection for both the mother and the child. This can be used with children of any age, and is typically used with toddlers and older children because sometimes the lack of complete dependence on the parents can create a loss of some of the initial bond that you form with the baby when they rely on you completely for all of their daily needs. I think I personally am still a little resistant to this book because the concept is completely foreign to me, but I am trying to have an open mind – and maybe when we have a child that is a little older than the baby stage… I will see the need and benefits of this technique.

Twenty Things Adoptive Kids Wish Their Parents Knew: I haven’t started this book yet – we were advised to read it last of our 5 books because it can be the scariest of them to read. It goes through 20 potential things that adopted kids might have going through their minds at different stages of their development. I’m interested to see if John has ever thought of any of these things in his life as an adopted child, but I am grateful that we will have his experience – and the experience of several of his cousins as well as my little brother and sister to draw from if our child ever has any questions about why they were put up for adoption. I also hope that we will be able to keep an open line of communication with the birth mother to help with these things as well.

Now for the books that are not a part of our adoption…

BabyWise: This book comes highly recommended by our pastor’s wife, Lisa as well as John’s boss. Apparently it helped John’s boss and his wife get their baby sleeping through the night by 8 weeks of age. I’m sure that I’ll start reading it as soon as I get done with these others – because I’m certainly interested in getting some good quality sleep in for all of our family!

Baby 411: This was given to me as a gift by another adoptive mother – she has a 5 month old now, and says that she still refers to it daily. It seems to be a bit of a reference guide on all things baby – including an entire chapter devoted to poop! Oiy! I’m sure that when we bring a baby home – we will find this book to be extremely useful!

One book I’m reading that has NOTHING to do with babies…

Comfort Food: This is by the lady, Kate Jacobs, who wrote Friday Night Knitting Club – which is a phenomenal book. This book is centered on a group of people involved in a television cooking show instead of a knitting club, but it is equally good! This writer has an incredible way of writing characters that you care about and want to get to know… I am really enjoying the story line and it is a great book to read when I just can’t think about the adoption process for a little bit during my day.

That's pretty much what I do with my time these days in between working, meetings for the adoption, and sleeping... so are there other books you can suggest for me?

Public Service Announcement

Ok, so I seem to be finding people all over the place talking about Netti Pots lately... and I felt like I should weigh in on this topic. I'm not sick - so it is an unbiased opinion on the products available. About a year or so ago - I was at a doctor's appointment for one of my ever present colds, and found out an interesting tidbit of information.

I had become addicted to nose spray - namely Afrin - which apparently can happen if you use it for more than 3 days before stopping. I'd used it for a good long while, and what the famous Dr. W (my primary care doc) told me was that basically your body becomes dependent on the chemicals in those sprays - and you will have the congestion or runny nose chronically if that happens. It happened to me.

The transition off of the nose spray wasn't easy - I couldn't breathe for sure... but he offered up a solution that was more natural, that helped get me through the misery.

I was skepitcal folks... I seriously was beyond terrified at the idea of shooting salt water up my nose... but once I got over my fear of drowning in my bathroom - I realized that this product is truly a gift from God. Ya'll, I know this isn't the topic that you really would want me to cover... but it's like a massage for your sinuses... they will seriously become your friends if you use this product.

Mine is shaped different from most that you've probably seen and heard of - you know, the ones that look like tea pots - I can't even begin to figure out how you'd administer the saline solution into your nose from that thing... but this one works for me.

I've even gone back and gotten a large pack of the little salt solution packets to have around for whenever I need to use this little jewel...

I've also become a HUGE fan of these bath products from WalMart...

I personally prefer the bath soak to the salts - but I could only find the salts on their website - I've tried all of the different versions: Stress & Tension, Restless Nights, Aches & Pains, Cold & Sinus - they don't sell them online, but they are over by the facial cleansing products in our store - maybe even by the bubble bath in yours. The Cold & Sinus one is great when you're sick... and I use the Restless Nights one (think lavender scent) all the time... also the Stress & Tension (I'm not sure what the scent is, but it's mild and relaxing)

So there you have it folks... the things that are some of my "go to" items when I'm not feeling well.

Copyright © 2007-2010 Thoughts By Kim. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the author unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Help For Cancer Patients

Have any of you seen this? The wonderful, Karen (word up yo!), sent me an email tonight about this... and I thought that I should pass it on to all of you. This is a phenominal idea, and when I saw that it was offered nation wide - the best thing I can do is just put it out here for ya'll to pass on.

Cleaning for a Reason - If you know any woman currently undergoing Chemo, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment.

All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service.

Pass this on to everyone you know - I don't currently know anyone that could use this service... but I'm sure some of you do. Can you imagine what an incredible blessing this would be for someone that physically can't manage to do it themselves?

Fairhaven Health

About a month ago, Barbara from Fairhaven Health contacted me about reviewing some products from their site. It's taken us a while to get it all figured out, but I've got some products on the way!! It was ironically, right after I'd placed an order for some vitamins for John... not too long after his tests came back odd and we were on the disabled list for our treatments.

I'd ordered him some FertilAid for Men upon the recommendation of Summer. The ingredients in FertilAid for Men have been scientifically demonstrated to enhance male fertility and improve overall reproductive wellness as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Ideal for men with a low sperm count or for those looking to optimize their sexual health. I can't say without a doubt that this helped John's tests this time around - but they certainly were part of our treatment plan. Along with the recommendations from our doctor - he used this product.

Where we read that it would most likely take 3 months for there to be big changes in his tests - it happened within a month!! So I'll credit FertilAid for Men with some of that drastic change!

One of the products that Barbara is sending me is FertileCM - which she says will help counteract some of the negative effects (physically) that the fertility drugs might have on my system. FertileCM for Women is a balanced dietary supplement to promote the healthy production of fertile cervical mucus – the bodily fluid central to fertility and conception. The ingredients in FertileCM have also been shown to support female arousal and sexual sensitivity and strengthen the uterine lining, both of which can increase chances for successful conception.

She is also sending me a copy of this Bend, Breathe and Conceive Yoga... which I'm really looking forward to! Bend, Breathe & Conceive is a new yoga program specifically created to help couples conceive. Anna Davis, PhD, RYT, scientist and yoga instructor, guides you through a series of physical poses, yogic breathing techniques, visualizations and meditation practices designed to integrate mind, body and spirit to cultivate balance. This connection acts as an antidote to stress and promotes fertility and optimal reproductive health. This video will help you:

• Learn how daily anxieties and “fertility frustration" can trigger the release of stress hormones that disrupt the healthy functioning of the reproductive systems.

• Relieve stress with proven relaxation techniques designed to restore mental and physical balance and actually increase conception rates.

• Build strength, increase flexibility and learn to shift your physiology away from stress towards relaxation to help you conceive.

In a recent clinical study, just ten weeks of yoga was shown to improve overall fertility fitness and increase conception rates among women in the experimental yoga group.

I'd highly recommend you guys going to check out their site - they've got

Fertility Products as well as Prenatal/Nursing Products - so they'll suit your needs no matter what they are.

The best part?! Is that they've given me a coupon code for 10% off everything in their store - it will be valid all Summer! The code is Sunshine09. Go check it out - and I know that these products will help you just as they have helped us.

Hot'n Healthy Oatmeal Squares

So, what happens when Kim is left waiting too long for a prescription to be ready on Tuesday? She spends her time wandering the aisles of Walgreen's in search of things that she just can't live without!

I'd heard about these Pure Protein Hot'n Healthy Oatmeal Squares on several other blogs that I read from time to time... and they happened to be on sale - and I hadn't eaten all day because of my blood work... so I was hungry... and all planets aligned - so I bought the chocolate chip and cinnamon roll versions.

Yesterday, I finally ate the chocolate chip version - I left the cinnamon roll version for John to try... because I'm nice like that. And can I just say that these are REALLY good?! I ate it cold instead of warming it up, but I can see how that would only stand to make it better.

I didn't even feel like I was eating a protein supplement - it was sweet enough to suffice as a dessert even... and I'd totally buy another! If you haven't tried them - I think you should. They are a great alternative to getting some protein while you are on the go... or while you are feeling the need for something warm and yummy.

Don't forget to sign up for the necklace giveaway contest here... contest closes on Saturday - so don't miss out.

General Admission

Humiliated, party of one...

Oh yeah - that's me today! We went last night and picked up the new workout game, for those that haven't seen my other 200 posts about this game - it's called EA Sports Active. Any of you that were around a year ago, know that I was every bit as excited about getting my Wii Fit last year at this time... and I loved it.

This game and I might have a love/hate relationship... the jury is still out.

I will tell you that this is not your children's workout game... this sucker is hard, and really more geared toward the people that truly are looking for a way to work out and have the benefit of a personal trainer that can give you some feedback on how your form looks. (on most things... we'll get to that)

So being the idiot that I am, I put the thing in the Wii and off I went with workout one... OIY! In case you missed it - let me say it again... OIY!

It starts out all nicey nice... and lets you do a little walking/jogging to get warmed up... then it immediately goes in for the kill...

After the two lap walk/jog - it went right into squats. When I tell you that John was cracking up at this point - it's not even a joke. For some reason I couldn't get the thing to register that I was squatting low enough - so I must have done like 20 before it even started counting them! ARG! At one point, John got up and was trying to help me squat lower... and actually pushed me down to the floor.

It might NOT be an understatement to say that I have zero muscle control... so my legs are feeling like jelly already at this point... but I continue on... and we do lunges. Nice...

(I can't remember exactly the order of the exercises... but there was some good upper body work as well as lower body... and cardio too)

So shortly after the squats and lunges... she has you back on the track to do this nifty move where you're running but you kick your legs up high in the back - like running while kicking yourself in the butt. Sounds glamorous, right?

Yeah, this is when it gets really bad... so I THINK that I'm going to be alright and I can't seem to get the brain to communicate with my extremities - so I sort of modify it and walk and kick myself in the butt. John, being the coach that he is... tells me that I'm not going fast enough... so I suck it up and try to do the run... only it doesn't work out.

I sort of hop to get myself off the ground into a run... and kick my one foot up... but when I go to put it down and get on with the second leg... the jelly legs take over and I fall completely on my butt. Insert hysterics... because John and I are laughing so hard that we can't even breathe. He couldn't even ask me if I was okay for a LONG time... and I was sitting there trying to breathe, laugh and cry at the same time. (the crying was a result of the laughing!)

Eventually - I pick myself back up and finish the rest of the workout - there was another round of running, walking, high knee walking, squats, lunges, boxing, and lots of arm work...

When I was done - I was sweating for sure! My muscles were certainly feeling the burn... and I knew right then that I was in BIG trouble. It's going to take me a little bit of time to work up to the 30 day challenge... Laurie and I are talking about starting it next Tuesday, but we'll just have to see if I can walk by then. HA!

I'm not kidding when I tell you before I went to bed - every muscle in my body from my neck to my toes hurt... and I fell asleep in the tub!

The sore muscles were there this morning, but I truly didn't start noticing it until I had to get up and down out of a chair 15 times like I have this morning... and when I went to go DOWN 2 flights of stairs... I'm not kidding ya'll... it was nuts. Picture me in a back stairwell - thank goodness I didn't try to use the main one where the whole building would have seen this... but there I was holding on to both sides of the railing... trying to will my legs to cooperate! It felt like a total out of body experience... like I had zero control over my legs.

Have any of you seen those cartoons where it looks like the person's body is a million miles behind their legs while they are walking... like they're leaned back and walking... that's what I think it might have looked like!

The muscles in my back are screaming too from some of the upper body stuff that I did with the resistance band... my legs and back seem to be the two areas that are the most offended by the workout moves from last night.

Anyway, I'm not sure what I'm going to do tonight - but I'm thinking that it's going to involve me designing a custom workout and avoiding squats, lunges, and the butt kicking run... at least to give my legs a day to recover.

I NEVER had this experience with the Wii Fit... so I already know that it is a much more quality workout... so long as it doesn't kill me.

Have I scared you guys off, or is anyone rushing out to get one??

If anyone wants to get it and do the 30 day challenge with us - let me know... we could push it back to June 1st if needed potentially. Speak now or forever hold your peace... or well hang in there and laugh when I start writing about it. HA!

*** Edited to add: I just found a review on Yahoo that talks about Wii Fit vs EA Sports Active

Skin Care

So, who out there is completely overwhelmed by the number of products that we're supposed to use as women to keep ourselves looking: young, supple, clean, beautiful... etc?!

I for one am, and really it boils down to the fact that I'd rather have 2 minutes more sleep than spend the time making myself beautiful for the people at the office.... I mean really... I'm not trying to attract any of them - I'd honestly rather them leave me alone most of the time. (Oops... lets just call that a character flaw...)

My constant quest is to find ways to cut down the time spent on my beauty regime and more time getting on with my life... and I can only imagine those with children have this desire intensified... because seriously, who has time for that extra 10 minutes of beautification when there are children to feed. Even more, what's the point if you're going to get spit up on 12 times that day?

ANYWAY... let me just introduce you to a life saver that I've found in the beauty section of Wal*Mart. (Apparently, that is how it's supposed to be spelled - according to my database at work.)

First, let me preface this by telling you that for a short period of time... I sold beauty products through BeautiControl. The irony there is not lost on me... a woman with my attitude about beautifying trying to sell such products, but really I was only interested in their line of spa products. I am a horrible sales person... so I lost my status as a consultant... but I can hook you up with a great one if any of those products interest you.

In my training to sell BeautiControl's products - they made a point to tell us that when choosing a line of products, the most important thing with skin care is that you use a cleanser and toner from the same line. They are ph balanced to work together - so it is important to stick with products from the same line. With moisturizers - it is not as important that it be from the same line.

Okay, seriously... back to my point...

In my quest to get ready in less than 30 minutes (yes, I can...), I try to do as much as I can in the shower - sort of subscribing to the one stop shopping philosophy... I've even tried brushing my teeth in there, but the hot water factor didn't quite work for me. So instead of washing my face separately... (and please don't lecture me about needing to wash my face before bed) I found the perfect solution!

Biore makes a line of products called their Daily Recharging line... they also call it rehab for your skin (which makes me giggle a little... when did my skin get an addiction problem) This 4-1 self foaming cleanser is AMAZING! In one product it cleans, tones, stimulates, and detoxifies. The website says that: the airy foaming cleanser gently removes dirt, oil and makeup from the skin. Contains extracts of sugar beet, a known skin-conditioner, antioxidant green tea leaf and eucalyptus to help skin feel fresh and glowing.

Call me extra lazy, but I love that it's a cleanser AND a toner in one step. My favorite part of using this product is that it makes my face have a little tingle in the shower - which is sort of invigorating to me at 5 in the morning... it sort of helps wake me up.

With my extra sensitive skin, products tend to dry my face out and I haven't noticed that at all with this product - and it is oil free for those that have problems with oily skin as well. I've felt no irritation with using this product, and am actually now on my second bottle.

In doing a little research this morning, I found this moisturizer that I am going to have to add to my shopping list... it is listed as a "Perfect Partner" for my foaming cleanser. It again is oil free, if that is a concern for you. It also has built in sunscreen - which is a must in today's world. I has vitamins A, C, and E in with other anti-oxidant ingredients. The website says: Nourish Moisture Lotion SPF 15 formula uses humectants to lock in moisture. That means your skin is optimally hydrated and glowing. Natural extracts of celandine (wild yellow poppy), rose hip, chamomile, and aloe soothe, moisturize and strengthen skin and provide calming, anti-inflammatory benefits.

So there you have it folks... great products at a great price... and you can find them at all of your regular stores. It works for me!

Head on over to We are THAT Family for more WFMW ideas.

YouData

Today - I'm sort of without a topic, but I found something through the Works for Me Wednesday posts that I was interested in... you know me... always trying to find new stuff - and of course if you can make a buck while doing it - EVEN BETTER!

That's when I found YouData... They are trying to convince consumers like us that we should be the ones controlling our own data and selling our own attention, not third parties like broadcasters, newspapers, and spammers. By creating a MeFile at YouData.com, I now control what ads I see and when I see them. Best part - I am selling my attention directly to interested advertisers, for real money. That's right, I get paid for giving them my attention. I can use the funds to buy music and video online, donate to charities, give to my favorite blogs and websites, or keep the change myself and do whatever I want with it.

It's real. They pay every Friday. You should check it out. I've already earned $3.80 today - and I didn't have to join any other sites or buy anything!

Focused Prayer

One of the most beautiful things that has come from being so incredibly open about our fertility struggle is the love and support that comes from the most unexpected places.

Whether it be friends from church that I'd never really been that close to... or a cousin that I haven't really kept in great contact with - short of the baby itself - the building/rediscovery of relationships has been amazing!

Shortly before I left for retreat one of my cousins, Kerry, suggested a book to me that has changed the lives of several people in her life, and well... if it has worked for all of them... it certainly couldn't hurt, right?

So, I did what any rational person would do... I made sure to have a copy of it on my retreat for those "down times" - you know the ones... the down times that never come when you're out having fun with a bunch of other ladies! Only I didn't actually have time to go get the book myself - so Renee went out and picked it up for me. (Which reminds me - I still need to pay her for it!!)

Little did I know that the book would really open my eyes to a myriad of things that I hadn't considered before. She suggested that I read Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize...

This book is an easy read - I'm a slow reader and I finished it within 24 hours... it might be classified as charismatic in some ways, but there is good stuff in the message no matter how you choose to use it.

I don't want to take away from anyone else reading it and gaining their own information - but honestly - this has changed my life in some ways. I've learned about so many scriptures dedicated to this very topic... on mothering, conception, infertility... the whole spectrum. God didn't leave any of it to chance - it just took Jackie's book to point it out to me with another set of interpretation.

Through this book, I learned the concept that God meets us where our faith level is... for some people that might be a small thing because their faith is so great - for others it might be a huge miracle because their faith level might be below average. But if you believe it, pray about it, and keep moving forward - God is going to answer your prayers. (No one promises a specific timeline on those answers.)

The concept of prayer is now different to me as well. In the book they talk about prayer for a specific gender for a baby - like say if you had 3 boys and REALLY wanted a girl... the time to pray for that and make those requests is before pregnancy... not after. It's too late after conception - it is determined already... so make those requests known to God from the beginning. (On this John just about dropped to his knees praying for a boy...)

My specific journey is less about the gender right now, and more about becoming pregnant... with a healthy baby. My prayers are for God to give us a healthy pregnancy, healthy baby and a healthy Mommy (Me) - and from there the rest is gravy...

I've been having heart to heart talks with God since reading this book - telling him that I'm praying that he'll give us a pregnancy this month... I know that it's all in his plan, but we are to tell him the desires of our heart... and believe me... this is it! If you feel so inclined... I'd love for all of my readers to throw up a prayer for us over the next few days as we prepare to find out if the Clomid cycle did it's job... and if so what happens next.

I highly recommend this book to everyone out there that is still in the midst of building their family - whether you're thinking about starting a family somewhere at a destined time (Meg), in the same battle that I am... or if you get pregnant easily, but just want to know a little more about how to be prayerful about that time of your life.

I can assure you, no matter what you want or need to gain from this book - you won't regret for one section that you took the time to read it.

ProBlogger 31 Day Challenge

I 100% promise that this is the last post before I start delving into the wonders from the retreat. I just wanted to let you all know that I'm going through the ProBlogger 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Challenge... so you will likely see some changes happening.

Today's assignment was to write our elevator speech about our blog. I don't know how dynamic mine is, but I posted it as my "About Me" biography. It ties in with my tag line from the top of the page, but expands on it just slightly.

I also learned today that the About Me page/section is one of the most widely viewed areas of a blog - so I moved it to the top so that it is easy to find.

There is still time to join if anyone else out there wants to - just click the link up top and it'll take you to the first day's post. There is a place in there to sign up and join in the fun.

Paying Post

How does it sound to get paid to blog? Sounded pretty good to me!

So I went and checked out Paying Post.com and signed up - they have lots of different opportunities based on your interests, but so far it has been really easy to get signed up. This is my first post that I might be eligible to get paid for - but $10 to write something about their site... no problem!

They also do blog marketing as well - so please check that out too. I know that you will be more than thrilled.

Part of the idea is that advertisers pay for blog owners to review their products and write posts about them. Advertisers usually can pay about $5 a review - and get the word out about their product. They also have an affiliate program where if you have an advertiser sign up to have their product reviewed through your account - they will pay you $15!

Anyone wishing to sign up can go here:



I recommend you all go check this site out - whether you need some extra cash for hobbies like me... or if you have a product/business you'd like to get some marketing going for. Either way - I think this is a great opportunity.

Bath Junkie

I don't know what has come over me in recent months, but I've become a HUGE fan of soaking in the tub with bath products. The funny thing is that I'm not a huge fan of bubble bath by any stretch of the imagination... I don't know why - it the bubbles make me feel like I need to rinse off before getting out.

Anyway, my old boss gave me a Bath Ball from Bath Junkie for Christmas - and I just used it a week or so ago... AMAZING!

These are about the only pictures I could find on the internet to represent what I'm talking about. This is a small spa package sold by Bath Junkie... but in the bottom right - that is what my Bath Ball looked like.

This is what the actual ball itself looked like - except mine was orange. The scent of mine was persimmon - which wouldn't be something I'd choose for myself, but I liked it just the same.

I took the ball, dropped it in my hot tub and it fizzed away. The water turned a lovely shade of orange, and the scent was amazing... it's also good for you!

* safe for indoor spa tubs
* sweet almond oil moisturizes
* vitamins E & C nourish skin
* calming effervescent fizzing action
* mineral salts soothe sore muscles

They also have them in lots of other scents - rain, aloe vera, fresh air, honeysuckle, key lime, lavender, lemon balm, spring fling, oatmeal, and milk & honey all will be making an appearance in my bath tub in the coming months!

The cool thing about the stores is that they will make products to your specifications right there on the spot. And they make all sorts of products - not just bath things, but cleaners for the house as well. I even saw where some of the stores do parties... where you can have Girls Night Out parties or whatever - it's $25 a person... but each guest gets to make their own products and walk out with them! Very COOL!

They have stores all over the country - so I had to share this lovely find with you. I don't know how reasonably priced their products are, but they are well worth it!

Oh, I Can't Wait!

There is a REALLY cool new game coming out for Wii on May 19th... have you heard about this yet? It's called EA Sports Active! They are kicking off their 30 challenge blogs on April 14th - and Allison Sweeney (Host of The Biggest Loser) is one of their contestants. She is now saying that this game helped her lose all of her baby weight from her new baby.


Now those of us living at my house are BIG fans of the people over at EA Sports - because well... they put out the best NCAA Football games that John gets just about every year for his birthday - at least since I've known him... which is 10 years!


This promises to be better than the Wii Fit because it is more geared toward cardio - and real workouts. On Amazon's website I found a really good video, but it won't let me embed it - so click this link.


The game's features include: (As stated on Amazon)

* Active Fitness Made Fun & Easy - 20 minute circuits feature a variety of familiar activities that target upper body, lower body as well as cardio. Start off with a light jog, followed by bicep curls and get your heart beating with some cardio boxing.

* Benefit of a Virtual Personal Trainer - Your trainer will be the focal point of the experience guiding you towards your own version of personal achievement. Feedback will be given throughout your workout, keeping you on track to reach your fitness goals.

* The 30 Day Challenge - Take the 30 Day Challenge and experience tailor made 20 minute workouts to your level of fitness. Circuits will change as you progress each day, and EA SPORTS Active will track calories, intensity and progress throughout your journey.

* New Way to Play - Slip the Nunchuk into the specially designed leg strap and hold the Wii Remote in your hand to track your movements from both your upper and lower body. A resistance band is also included to increase the intensity of exercises such as bicep curls and shoulder presses.

* Workout Your Way - Circuits can be customized to your interest and fitness level. Choose your duration, intensity level & set your own goals for calories burned and workout score.

* Workout with a Friend - Burn calories with a friend as you both workout through routines together in a co-operative mode.

* Track Your Progress - Expand your Fitness IQ and keep track of your workouts inside and outside of EA Sports Active with the in-game Journal.

* Wii Balance Board Compatibility - Get more out of your EA SPORTS Active workout using a Wii Balance Board with added functionality for many of exercises.

The 25 exercises that you'll be able to do with this new game are: (Meg...bullets!! HA!)

• Cardio Boxing
• Basic Dance
• Tennis
• Inline Skating
• Kick Ups
• Cardio Dance
• Kickboxing
• Batting
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Pitching & Catching
• Serving (volleyball)
• Run
• Walk
• Jump
• High Step
• Lateral Raises
• Lunge Reps
• Side Lunge
• Squat/Calf
• Lunge Jump
• Squat Jump
• Fast Dance
• Punch Target
• Punch Bag

An image of the split screen workout with a friend... where you can also race each other... I wonder if during the kickboxing - you can beat each other up? HA! That would be good for a marriage right?!

The game comes with the leg strap - which you can't see well in this picture, but also the resistance bands that you can use for upper body work. Can I just tell ya'll that my upper body needs a LOT of work... I've got the worst bat wings!

Here you can see the leg band a bit better - she apparently is doing the punching bag - or at least that is what it looks like to me. One unique benefit of the leg strap is that it allows the machine to give you instant feedback on your posture and performance of the moves. It is also, in my opinion a more effective way to track movements - the Wii Fit only used your hands - and for running in place... ummm if you shake your hands a little too much while trying to run... it looked like you were running a mile a minute!

I've already told John about this - I think this would be a fun way for us to be able to work out - doing things that are fun and varied... but also we could do things together... which is a big bonus in our house! Add a little competition and our entire family will sit in front of this thing for hours!!

The best part - it comes out three days after my birthday... so guess what will be topping my list?! I've done very little shopping around for this, but of the little bit that I have - Amazon has the best pre-order deal... it's about 3-4 dollars less than everywhere else. Probably free shipping too when it's all said and done... because Amazon is cool like that!

Neat Website

Have you guys ever heard of Swagbucks? It's a really cool search and shopping site that gives you points that can be redeemed for stuff... like Amazon.com gift certificates! I love shopping at Amazon... so I'm all over this!

Check it out.

Hot Tea

I've got so much to share with you guys - so I'm going to start with the least important topics first. Here is a trip through my hot tea experience thus far...

These are the 12 different sample tins that I bought of the tea flavors - I've put them in a plastic shoe box that used to hold rice mixes in our pantry... this way I can seal them in there for a little added freshness.

I drank the gunpowder tea yesterday - it's a green tea flavor that was fairly good.

This is what the tea looks like before it is brewed. It has been interesting looking at the variations in the tea leaves.

This afternoon I sat down with a cup of white monkey tea - it's another green tea flavor.

Here is the tea getting ready to go into the pot with the hot water. Notice that these leaves are vastly different from the gunpowder variation.

In they go!

Here they are brewing in this brilliant tea pot that Christi told me about. You pour everything in the top, and then when it's ready - you put the cup underneath and it drains out the tea leaving the leaves behind.

My up of tea - my plan was to curl up with a book and read while drinking it, but that didn't work out for me as planned.

My friend Hope turned me on to this sweetener several months ago - okay - like a year ago... she brought some to my old office and had me try it... but I saw a HUGE display of it at the store today, and thought that it might be good in my tea. I added some to the tea today, and it was good. It wasn't as sweet as I thought it would be, but I might not have added enough.

That's pretty much all of my exploration with tea up to this point. I'm so exhausted still, I'm seriously considering taking a "mental health" day on Monday and sticking around to take care of John - so maybe between tomorrow and Monday... I'll get a repeat chance to curl up with a book and a cup of tea.

Magazine Freak

I happen to be what you might call a magazine freak... I love them! Some of them are practical - some are not... but all of them bring me some fun each month.

I currently get:
Redbook
Self
Weight Watchers
Taste of Home
Cooking Light
Food Network
Real Simple
(maybe another one - but I can't remember anymore)

I used to say that People was my favorite - but the subscription was cutting too much into my fun money... HA! I also can read them for free - granted sometimes they are a month old... at the nail salon - so I'm just as happy to read the information when it's old, for free - than paying $100 a year to get it at home.

By far, my favorite is Real Simple - I absolutely adore the practical advice and helpful hints for the home. Their recipes are fantastic, and I almost always find at least one to tear out and save for a later meal planning cycle.

Oddly enough though - my absolute favorite part of the magazine is looking at their art work in between the different sections of the magazine... they basically take paper and make it into a practical picture - for instance - the cooking section might have a scene of a coffee shop on the page made completely out of paper.

I am 100% drawn to these images... it doesn't matter what they section they are for... I love to stare at them and just try to look at the different textures and things that go into making the images look so real.

Here are some examples... click on them to blow them up and enjoy like I do each month.