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  • Thankful Thursday

    Y’all, God is good!  Seriously, something happened this morning that just proved to me that He really keeps His angels around us.  Whether we ask Him or not, God is always protecting us and stepping into the mist of dangerous situations to help us come out unharmed.  With that said, I am definitely thankful this week that God is merciful and never forsakes us.  I’m thankful for His angels always being on watch.

    I’m also thankful for stronger faith.  It seems like since our move things have just been out of sorts.  Just a lot building up on my plate.  And yesterday, I felt like I was at my throw-in-the-towel point.  My mind was telling me to call it quits on everything, but thankfully my heart told me not to because my faith was stronger than that.  Sure, I may be going through right now, but things will get better. 
    We all go through rainy seasons.  It’s not the craziness going down around us that matters by how we emerge from it.  And I think that once our season of peace comes, I’m going to be even more inspired, motivated and stronger because of all that I’m going through now. 
    I’m thankful for the lovely outings we had last weekend.  Anytime that we get to spend time together as a whole family is always special.  I’m thankful that the holidays are almost upon us!!  While I’ve been looking at decorations, Moo has been busy scooping out stuff to add to her Christmas and birthday lists.  I’m telling y’all by the time either of those gets here, Moo is going to have a list three miles long.
    She’s been watching cartoons and commercials like her life has depended on it.  I her Santa would look at her list and decide how good she was to determine which gifts she should get.
    I’m thankful for having the courage to post my first vlog!!!  Yes, I finally did it.  Check it out here and don’t forget to enter the giveaway that’s at the end.
    What are you most thankful for this week?  Has your child started talked about Santa yet?

    Linking up with

    The Fontenot Four

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  • Here’s The Thing

    Listen y’all.  I’m a very introverted and private person.  Don’t laugh.  I know you’re probably thinking how can that be?  After all I’ve been blogging here on this space for three years.  And during these three years I’ve shared some rather personal and private things about myself and my loved ones.
    But here’s the thing….  For me writing has always been the easiest way for me to open up and step outside of my introvert comfort zone.  Just something about picking up pen and paper or touching my fingertips to a keyboard that make me want to bare my soul a little bit.  Anyone who truly knows me will tell you that I’m the master of holding things inside for the sake of not having to give up my privacy.  More importantly, I just like to keep things to myself.
    And if I do let you in, you’d best believe it’s because I’ve been watching you for a minute out the corner of eyes.  It’s 2013.  You’ve got to listen, watch and observe and then speak or either walk away.  Not everybody is the person they say they are.  I say all to make this point:  I’ve been struggling with whether or not to get into vlogging.
    I’ve mentioned it a few times here on the blog.  My hesitation is that I’ve been watching and listening to a lot people on YouTube and other vlogging platforms-both vloggers and commentators.   And honestly, what I’ve observed is that vlogging can leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.  With this blog I’ve been able to maintain a certain amount of privacy.
    But vlogging is a whole new ball game.  With that comes letting go a little bit more of that privacy because I’m now putting myself on display for thousands of people.  Vlogging requires leaving my comfort zone from behind the camera and stepping front of the camera.  And to be vulnerable for a moment, I have to admit that it scares me.
    I can take it when people leave a negative comment on my blog because they’ve disagreed with something I wrote.  However, as I already said vlogging is different and bullies are way more aggressive there.  People attack more than just your words when it comes to vlogging.  They’ll talk about your outfit, your hair, your skin tone and the sound of your voice.  It gets ugly.
    However, I’m not about giving in to fear.  As my dear friend and fellow blogger, Alicia from Mommy Delicious said in her recent post (here), “your dreams should scare you a little bit.”  And my dream is for the YUMMommy brand to transcend beyond just being a blog.  I’ve always believed that sharing my journey could be something great and this blog has proven that.  However, I know that it can become greater still.
    So, as worried, nervous and slightly scared as I am, I decided yesterday to just film my first vlog.  It’s like ripping off a bandage.  I wanted it done and uploaded.  And I have to say that I’m pretty darn proud of the outcome.  It’s not super fancy and the Mr’s computer mic makes sound monotone and nasally as hell, but I did it!! 
    I officially jumped into the vlogger pool folks.  And now that I have, I only see myself going up from here.  So, I give to you, my dear YUMMommy supporters, my very vlog simply entitled “Who Is YUMMommy?“
    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRnX-rj4ock]
    Vloggers, how did you overcome your fear or worry of vlogging?  And YUMMommy readers, what would you like to see on the future vlogs?

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  • Foodimals, Friendship and Laughs

    Disclosure:  I was given an invitation to a private screening of this movie.  I was not compensated for this post.  As always, all opinions expressed below are 100% my own!!
    This past Saturday, the kiddies and I had the opportunity to go check out a private advance screening of Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2.  The Mr had to sit this one out because he was sick.  And his meds had him feeling more than a little bit drowsy.  Back to the movie.  Did I mention that it was in 3D?!!
    Moo thought it was the coolest thing that she needed “shades” to watch a movie.  JJ on the other is not a fan of wearing anything on his face.  No worries did not stop him from the watching the movie in a trance-like state.  Now for those of you not familiar with the Cloudy movie series, it’s based on the children’s book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs written by Judi and Ron Barrett.  (Check it out if you’ve never read it.)
    In the first movie, we meet Flint Lockwood, an inventor, who has been striving to create a successful invention that end up in failure or smoke since he was a child.  When creates the Flint Lockwood Diatonic Super Mutating Dynamic Food Replicator (FLDSLMDFR), it would seem that he’s finally on to something.  The FLDSLMDFR is kind of like a weather machine but instead of being able to choose rain, snow or sunshine, you can choose for it rain meatballs, ice cream or any other foods you desire.  Long story short, it’s not long before the machine malfunctions and causes a major food storm in which the entire town of Swallow Falls has to evaluate.  Flint and a group of friends- Baby Brent, Sam, Earl, Mann- and his dad, Tim, have to then risk their lives to destroy the machine.

    So, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 picks up where part 1 left off.  And guess what the whole gang is back for another round of adventures- Flint (Bill Hader), Sam (Anna Faris), Earl (Terry Crews), Steve (Neil Patrick Harris), Manny (Benjamin Bratt), Tim (James Caan) and Baby Brent (Andy Samberg).  The town is rescued by Flint’s idol, Chester V (Will Forte) (a fellow, but uber successful inventor) and he receives a once in a lifetime opportunity to work for his idol.  However, it’s long before Flint discovers that his machine was not destroyed.

    Instead the FLDSMDFR has started creating Foodimals (food animals).  There are all kinds of species like Cheeseburger Spiders, Flamangos and Bananostiches.  So, once again Flint and the gang journey back to Swallow Falls to try to save the world and prevent these foodimals from taking over.
    I give this movie two thumbs up because for starters I loved the book.  Secondly, the first movie did not disappoint.  And lastly, this movie was not only able to hold my kids’ attention but my as well.  It’s funny, inspiring and heartwarming all at the same time.  There’s a lesson to be learned about the true values and bonds of friendship as well as a lesson on parenting and how it’s never too late to reconnect or find a common bond with our children.  This movie had us laughing our heads off.
    I saw that many of you commented on my last post wanting to know if this movie would be worth spending your money on to take your families to see?  My answer is yes!  You won’t disappointed.  And neither will your kids.  There are some new faces and a twist to this movie.  I don’t want to spoil them.  So, be sure to check out Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 when it hit theaters of September 27th to find out what they are!

    In the meanwhile you can visit the movie’s website with your kids and check out the official movie trailer, games, cast info and more here.
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  • Bible 365: Week 38

    Just a little over 10 weeks left before we are done with the Bible 365 Challenge!  I can hardly believe it y’all.  I’m beyond excited.  I was toying with the idea of speeding things up and finishing the it faster. The New Testament isn’t nearly as long as the Old Testament.  But I’ve decided to just stick with the reading plan.
    In Week 38, we read about the build up to the crucifixion of Jesus, how he was betrayed and the crucifixion and rising of Christ.  It’s crazy to see how fast people turned on Jesus even after all he did for them.  Despite having seen him give sight to the blind, bring people back from the dead and cast out demon spirits. these people still betrayed him, mocked him and demanded his death.  And they took pleasure in watching him die.
    I don’t how Mary, his mother, did it.  She stood in the crowd and watched (probably weeping uncontrollably) as her son bled, was spat on (Matthew 26:67-68) and teased until his spirit finally ascended into Heaven.  I don’t think I would have been strong enough to do that.  She knew that this was God’s will and I certainly think that God gave her the strength needed to not do anything to interfere with what was suppose to happen.  
    Could you imagine how torturing it would be first be given this miracle baby only to find out he’s going to have to die for a bunch of ungrateful people so that their sins can be forgiven?  Could you wake up day in and day out wondering if that was going to be the day your son would be executed?  If ever there was a mom deserving of the Mom of the Year Award, is Mary!  And let’s not forget about poor Joseph.  He might not have been Jesus’ real father but he was his earth father and I imagine he wasn’t exactly handling this revelation well either.
    What dad would be able to stomach knowing his first son was going to eventually die?  Reading about the crucifixion always makes a bit frustrated.  Why?  I just don’t like it that Jesus had to die.  He was such a great man.  It frustrates me that these people couldn’t get their lives together and stay in God’s will.  
    Why did the Israelites constantly lose their faith and betray God?  I mean they saw miracles performed first hand.  They didn’t have to read about them like we do now with the Bible.  They had front row seats to the parting of the Red Sea and water flowing out of rocks in the middle of the wilderness.
    Aside from the whole crucifixion, I also learned that while a lot of people use the excuse now days that Moses was given the right to grant Christians the right to get a divorce without consequence that doesn’t hold true anymore.  In Matthew 19:8-10 the people ask Jesus about this very issue and he replies “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, bur from the beginning it was not so.  And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” 
    This right here is why we need to start teaching our children about the sacredness that is marriage.  No matter how much the government tries to make marriage a governmental thing, for us Christians we need to remember that we take a vow before God when we marry.  And that vow cannot be broken no matter what a piece paper from the judge says.  We will be held accountable for that.
    I’m so glad that the Mr and I went through so much before we tied the knot because it really made us step back think if we could be with each other until we die.  I don’t believe in divorce and neither does my husband with the exception of sexual immorality/cheating.  And I think that if you can’t go through all the worst possible scenarios in your mind that could happen and still come to the conclusion that you would stay with your spouse then you should take the advice that his disciples had to offer in Matthew 19:10 saying “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”
    Marriage isn’t for everyone and that’s ok.  Also, another verse that I’m going to continue to mediate on is Matthew 21:22: “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”  I know that it gets hard to keep the faith, but we often have not even after we’ve asked because we don’t believe. We ask in doubt and God doesn’t work in doubt.  He needs us to know that He is able to deliver!
    Lastly, once you betray people, you can’t take the betrayal back.  Judas realized as he watched the treatment Jesus was getting that he had a huge mistake and tried to give back the 30 pieces of silver aka Blood Money but the high priest wouldn’t take it back.  What was done was done.  They had already arrested Jesus, spat in his face, and assaulted him.  So, they were going to move forward and kill him too.  
    That guilt and remorse was too much for Judas to live with so he took his own life.  I would like to think that if Judas could see that in hindsight by betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, he actually put his own life at risk.  This is why the Bible says that money is the root of all evil.  People will do anything to get it without thinking.  Then afterwards is when the remorse and reality of their actions set in but it’s too late.
    Have you ever been betrayed by a friend or loved one?
    Week 39 Readings
    9/23:  Mark 10
    9/24:  Mark 11-12
    9/25:  Mark 13
    9/26:  Mark 14-16
    9/27:  Luke 1-4
    9/28:  Luke 4-6
    9/29:  Luke 7-9 

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  • My Autumn Bucket List

    As of 4:44 PM EST it is officially the first day of Autumn!!  Y’all know what that means.  Time to bring on the cooler weather, shop for Halloween costumes, plan out Thanksgiving menus and get a jump start on Christmas shopping.  This year I thought I’d create another bucket list.  Last year we didn’t get to accomplish much on our list, but I’m determined to not let that be the case this Autumn.  So, here’s a few things I’m hoping to get done and experience.

    ~Family Portraits:  We didn’t get around to this one last year sadly.  However, the Mr actually started a conversation about it on Friday.  He wants to take holiday pictures and start taking family pictures at least once a year.  Y’all I thought I was getting punked because he hates pictures and it takes a LOT to get him to take pictures.
    ~Decorate Pumpkins:  I remember decorating pumpkins with my siblings a handful of times and I want my kids to experience the same.  I’ve been stumbling across a lot of different tutorials that I think will work well for their age and can’t wait to get started.
    ~Make A Autumn Wreath:  Wreaths are great ways to spruce up a plain door or an empty wall.  I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making one and now the Dollar Tree has started to set out their wreath bases and Target has some great trinkets that I can glue on it, I’m aiming to make two- one for the outside of door and one for the living room wall.
    ~Visit The Library:  We haven’t been to the library in forever.  I’m talking about months.  It’s hard to believe that we used to never miss story time.  Moo’s been asking to go and I’m going to make the effort to take her and JJ both at least one a week.
    ~Watch Less TV:  I want us to have more quality time as a family and interact with each more.  I realized this weekend as we were out of the house that we watch entirely too much tv for my taste.  My kids watch more tv than I ever did as kid.  So, I’ll be attending more movie screenings and we’re getting an aquarium nearby.  Family outings here we come.
    I’m talking flea market hopping, farmer’s markets, pumpkin patch and exploring Uptown.  We will be getting out and getting active together.  My husband thinks that I have tons of pictures of the kids now (I’ve taken over almost 1,200 pictures of them and the year isn’t even out yet), but he hasn’t seen anything yet.
    ~Start A Business:  For years, I’ve been waiting to start a real business.  I’m talking about going beyond an Etsy store and actually filing for a business license.  I’ve been looking into all the paperwork and fees I’d need to complete.  It’s going take a bit of hustling/fundraising to get up the capital, but I want to do this.  I NEED to do this.  
    I can’t see my dreams flushed down a toilet because I’m fearful.  I was reading this post on Mommy Delicious recently and I’ve decided to just make the jump.  I’m taking a leap.  I’ve started toying with names and will be setting up a blog and Facebook page before the middle of October.  Of course, it’s going to be fashion related.  Can’t wait to share more as I progress.
    ~Personal Community Service Project:  I’ve been really wanting to do a few personal community service project and incorporate YUMMommy with it.  I’m not an official 501 3(c), but I’ve been researching and a lot of people do personal projects that are successful. I have a few ideas like hosting a community baby shower, crocheting blankets for the homeless and a food drive.  With Christmas coming up, I’d love to adopt a family and do a toy drive.
    ~Vlog:  I was working on a vlog before we moved.  Unfortunately, during our move my laptop broke and since I saved my vlog to the hard drive, it never got finished or uploaded to the blog.  The Mr has been so gracious to let me take over his laptop from time to time to blog and handle other stuff.  So, I’m going to be filming another one soon.  I’m going to also be redoing my intro/about video.
    Do you have an Autumn bucket list?  What you like to accomplish this Fall?
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  • 5 on Friday

    I’ve been wanting to join in on the Five on Friday action for a while.  Why?  Well, link ups/blog hops are fun. That’s how I’ve found most of the blogs I read and comment on regularly.  After all blogging is suppose to be fun and enjoyable (for me at least).  So, today I’m finally joining Christina (Carolina Charm), Dari (The Good Life Blog), Natasha (Hello! Happiness) and April (A. Liz Adventures) for their weekly link up and sharing five things.

    THE GOOD LIFE BLOG

    {~ONE~}

    JJ is definitely turning out to be a boys boy.  What do I mean?  Aside from sky driving on my head and causing me to sprain my next last week, he’s also being a little bit more rough with Moo than usual.  He’s obsessed with screw drivers and tools now.  And we can’t go anywhere with loose dirt and rocks without me having to watch him like a hawk.  He hates it when I comb hair still.  He loves trucks and cars.

    It’s like he’s coming into his boyish manliness more and more as the days pass by.  I kind of like it but I hope he’s not going to start thinking he’s too cool for us girls (Moo and I).

    {~TWO~}
    So, I said I’d tell you guys how I meant my ghost neighbors.  This past Sunday, the Mr was off and I decided that Moo and I needed an outing because I know it’s important that she gets her alone time with me.  We headed out to the grocery store to pick up a few items to make tacos with for dinner.  We turn onto our street and there’s a police car parked outside the apartment next to ours, but the police are standing outside of the apartment next to my neighbor’s talking to some guy I had never seen before that day.
    I go inside and ask the Mr if he knew what was going on?  He says he didn’t even know the police were out there because they didn’t use any sirens.  That’s a good sign right?  Nope, turns out the supposed maintenance man (he knows how to fix or maintain NOTHING) has been stealing power from the neighbors! (Scandalous) Anyways, I still have to go and get bags from the car and when I open the door, BOOM.  The police, the new mystery man and my ghost neighbors (a young guy, his pregnant girlfriend and his mama) are all standing on our shared front porch.  
    And that’s how our first meeting/hellos came to be.  And the mystery man is the maintenance man’s new roomie.  
    {~THREE~}
    Moo did well at her preschool evaluation, but dang you have to pretty much have your whole life’s history in paperwork be processed before you can get a yes or no.  You’d think having a valid government ID, the child’s birth certificate and a lease would be enough to prove residency and that I had a right to register her, but these people started asking for copies of bills, insurance, bank statements and check stubs right out the gate!  Like hold up, she hasn’t even been evaluated and accepted yet.  It’s crazy.  So, we still have to drop off a bank statement and a copy of the Mr’s check stub.  
    I think it’s crazy that your pay can play a role in whether or not your child gets into preschool.  Like I know families that make good money, but most of the money goes to pay off pretty hefty debts likes school loans, mortgage, cars, etc.  And because the district doesn’t factor in bills, I don’t think it’s far to discriminate based on the fact that they assume if you make XYZ amount, you can afford private preschooling.  Times are hard for everybody still.  Anyways, we go yet another waiting list (the processing list) once all the paperwork has been submitted.

    {~FOUR~}
    We’re busting out of the house this weekend!  I got invited to the movie screening for Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2!  So, the kiddies, the Mr and I will be journeying over to one of the local theaters to watch with other bloggers and their families.  Now there aren’t many cartoon movies I like, but Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs is one of them and I’m excited to see the sequel.
    I’ll be sure to take pictures.  Look out for a review/weekend recap post on Tuesday.
    {~FIVE~}
    If you follow me on Facebook, you probably already heard my good news.  I’ve recently been selected to join the Chick-fil-A Moms Panel!!  I’m excited because aside from McDonald’s we also eat Chick-fil-A.  They’re our two favorite restaurants when it comes to fast food.  So, to have the opportunity to be a Chick-fil-A Mom is kind of a big deal for me.
    They’re really looking to get some feedback on current and future products and restaurant experiences to better their chains as a whole.  And I like that because having two kids with food allergies, I think I can give them a lot of insight as to what other options we’d like to see on the menus moving forward.  For instance, it was a challenge at first finding a Chick-fil-A that didn’t use peanut oil to cook their waffle fries.  Moo was not happy to get a kid’s meal w/ no fries every time we went.
    So, moms of allergy kids, I got you!  I’m voicing my opinion and concerns for me and you.  It’s no fun having to inject your child with an EpiPen in the middle of a restaurant and then spend hours in the ER for evaluation and monitoring.
    Don’t forget you can catch me on these other hot spots

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  • Thankful Thursday

    It’s 2:07 AM and I should be well asleep by now, but I’m not.  Instead, I’m up enjoying this quiet I get watch my children sleep.  Why?  Well, today is Moo’s big preschool screening and it’s hitting me (again) just how fast she and her brother have grown up on me these last two years.  Literally, I don’t know where the time went.
    I’m thankful that she’s so excited to heading in a few hours to test her way into school.  Her passion and yearning for knowledge makes my heart swell with pride.  Yes, some of that desire is just built into her, but some of it also comes from the fact that I started talking to her about education since the age of two!  I took it step forward by reading her books, getting her educational toys, taking her to my nieces’ school on several occasions and so much more.
    Whether she gets into preschool or not I am proud of the job I have done thus far.  She knows her full name, the names of her family members, the city she lives in, her age, her colors, her shapes, her alphabet, her numbers, how to write most of her letters and numbers and even a little Spanish.  It’s in my reflecting on this that I find hope to come to terms with all the challenge I have going on with JJ and getting him to speak.
    I feel reaffirmed as not just a good mom but a great teacher and educator.  I know that it’s only a matter of time before we burst through this wall with JJ’s verbal skills.  Just today he started saying the words ‘come’ and ‘go.’  I know some people will say that’s not much for a two year old, but for me and seeing how he regressed in his speech earlier this year it brings me tears of great joy and semi-relief.
    These last few months, I’ve been going through hell in my mind wonder if I did something wrong that caused him to stop progressing in his speech to begin with.  But now I have renewed hope and proof that I’m in fact doing something right!  And I know I can’t take all the credit.  God is definitely steering the wheel and opening up lanes on this front.
    I can start to let go of the frustration that I have been carrying around over having been a paid tutor and educator who helped kids with learning disabilities go from making F’s to getting on the all A’s honor roll, but not even being able to get my son to speech a lick of understandable English.  What I’m going through right now is the stuff you won’t read about in some of these motherhood/parenting books, blogs or magazines.  And if you do read about it, they try to keep as rainbows and puppy dog tails as possible.  They don’t keep real or keep it ugly as I refer to these situations often.
    However, I’m not those people.  And I’m thankful everyday for the opportunity to write and share my life struggles in motherhood, my marriage and everything in between with you guys.  If it wasn’t for the fact that one of my siblings had a learning disability and I wasn’t there everyday watching and helping them to overcome that learning disability, I would feel so much more unprepared than I do now.
    But I know there is hope.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel and we will reach it some day!  For now, I’m thankful for these quiet moments in which my struggles with motherhood don’t outweigh my successes in my mind.  I’m winning this battle one day at a time.
    What are you most thankful for this week?
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    The Fontenot Four
    Linking up with The Fontenot Four

  • My Fall Fashion Wishlist

    Fall.  It’s almost here y’all!  The mornings and evenings have gotten noticeably cooler.  Sunny days aren’t so sunny.  And I’ve seen some trees with leaves that have already started to fade from their vibrant green to soft yellows and vibrant burnt oranges.  I’m feeling a little giddy because I’ve decided to upgrade my wardrobe.

    And so I created a Fall Fashion Wishlist to serve as a style guide while I’m out shopping.  There will be no rocking of the mom uniform this year.  Check out my inspirations below.

    Date Night/Fancy Events

    1: Womens Gold/mint/pink Aztec Print Long Sleeved Bodycon Tunic Dress   2: Michael Antonio Loveme3 Pump3: Copper with 18K White Gold Plated Heart Bow Studs

    Everyday Wear
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  • Bible 365: Week 37

    Happy Monday!  Hope everyone had a good weekend.  I spent my weekend in bed after I sprain a muscle in the left side of my neck on Saturday morning.  How did that happen?  Well, I was wrestling with JJ and he decided to swan drive on head, forcing it jerk a little bit too far to the right.  As if that wasn’t bad enough, Moo hopped right on top of the pile added even more pressure and discomfort.
    I knew immediately it was sprained when I tried to turned my head to left and felt this really sharp pain shoot down the side of my neck.  Having a neck sprain sucks big time, especially since I was already sick.  Thankfully, I started to feel better and my nausea went away on Sunday.  I have definitely learned my lesson about wrestling with the kids.  And I finally, saw my ghost neighbors! I’ll post more on that later on this week.
    Anyways, in Week 37, a lot covered in the short readings we had.  We read about the disciplines, Jesus predicted his own death three times, he cured two blind men and brought a girl back to life.  Can’t forget about how he fed over 4, 000 people with 5 fish and two loaves of bread!  So, what else did I learn in Week 37?
    Well, you know how people say strip clubs are harmless?  God has a much different opinion.  “But I say to you that whoever LOOKS at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:28-29).  Adultery isn’t just the act of having sex outside of your marriage, but also includes lusting for someone other than your spouse.
    I was little bit familiar with this verse because a few years back T. D. Jakes preached about how couples get caught up because they let their eyes get them into a hole they can’t get out of (i.e.-cheating).  Also, last week there was a conversation on Twitter about whether or not if spouses who didn’t believe in going to strip clubs were comfortable with their wife or husband going.  A few people actually sited this verse as to why they nor their spouse went to strip clubs and true form, they got called out as using religion to hide their insecurities. 
    That kind of rubbed me the wrong way because it shouldn’t be hard to believe that there are couples who take their faith seriously.  Just because a person is trying their best to live right and follow God’s commands shouldn’t equate them to being insecure!  If anything, the people calling those who aren’t afraid to stand firm on their beliefs are probably the ones who are insecure, especially in the faith department.  At the end of the day, we all have to live the life that WE think is most pleasing to God and we shouldn’t insult each other for that.
    Now days divorce rates are through the roof.  Matthew 5:32 says there is only 1 reason why we can divorce our spouses: “But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever married a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”  If this command/law was enforced today, I think some of us would think long and hard before jumping the broom if we knew that only way we could get out of our marriages was through adultery.  Too many people marry for the wrong reasons and end up missing out on the one that was meant for them in the first place.
    Don’t forget to love and pray for your enemies!  Matthew 5:44 tells us to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,…”  Trust me your kindness will throw them for a loop.  And eventually, when they see that their evilness isn’t phasing you, they’ll move on to the next.
    “Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25).  This verse puts it all into perspective for me.  There is more to life than what we do and don’t have.  Life is about enjoying and making memories with my family, finding joy, serving God, living out dreams. God will provide for us if we just trust in Him and not worry.  We saw this proved true with the Israelites.  When they believed God came through.  When they doubted, God let them fend for themselves for little bit.
    And lastly, remember that “…for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).  Don’t give up!  It’s by faith that I’ve been been keeping up with my Bible 365 Challenge week after week.  There were times that it felt like it was going to be impossible for me to get in my Bible study, but I trusted God to give some quiet time and here I am 37 weeks later almost to the finish line!
    How do you keep the faith?  Have you ever been labeled insecure because your religious beliefs and/or practices?
    Week 38 Readings
    9/16: Matthew 19-20
    9/17: Matthew 21-23
    9/18: Matthew 24-25
    9/19: Matthew 26-28
    9/20: Mark 1-3
    9/21: Mark 4-7
    9/22: Mark 8-9
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  • Thankful Thursday

    Happy Thursday!  It’s almost the weekend.  Thanks to everyone for the reassuring words and concern while I wait to see what is going with this body of mine.  I still feel kind of morning sick-ish and drained, but at least I was able to sleep better.  I’m thankful for all of the positivity and support, especially from the Mr.

    Speaking of  the Mr, he was off this past weekend and we got to spend some quality time as a family.  It’s nice to just have him home on his days off.  We don’t have go anywhere or plan anything.  Just being able to snuggle with him or eat dinner as a whole family is enough for me to be grateful for.  This week it seems like I’ve barely seen him because he’s been pulling double shifts.  The kids have really hardly seen him because they’re usually still asleep when he comes in to freshen up and get breakfast before he heads back out again.

    We’re in hustle mode to up our housing budget.  This next move is going to be it for a few years unless God leads us out of the Queen City before then.  Ideally, we’ll stay here until after we have Baby #3 (2015) so that I can use the same hospital and doctors I did with my previous pregnancies.  So, I’m thankful that there are extra hours and extra money to be made for us to continue to support our family.

    I’m thankful that JJ is officially weaned from breastfeeding completely!  I’ve been wanting to say something for a while but just didn’t.  He was just feeding during the nights when he wakes up after midnight, but that’s done and over.  My breasts are officially my own again!  And while I’m happy, I feel a little sad too because it’s yet another sign that he’s growing up too fast for me.

    And while we’re on the subject of breastfeeding, I’m thankful that this time around I’ve had no problems with telling people to mind their business when it comes to how long I was choosing to breastfeed JJ.  My motto was and will continue to be:  My breasts, My milk, My child, My choice!  Think I’ll throw that on a t-shirt.  Anyways, we made it two years without throwing in the towel.

    I’m thankful that we’re almost near Moo’s Pre-K screening date.  Just ready to see if she’s going to test out.  We’ve been continuing with our homeschooling and she’s getting good at writing her letters and numbers.  We’ll be moving on to nursery rhymes.  She knows a few like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Row Your Boat.

    What are you giving thanks for this week?
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