I have a "Our Daily Bread" daily devotions book that I love. I use it every morning for their wonderful devotions and help guiding me through my bible reading. I also use Joyce Meyer's "Ending Your Day Right" daily devotion every night.
Last night's devotion, this morning's devotion, and today's bible reading all have the same theme. I love how God can strike you over the head sometimes with a lesson you need to learn. Before I share what the devotions were I'd like to share a similar experience with you from last year, actually about this same time too! I'm telling you God is AMAZING!!
Last June I was down visiting my family and I was using a daily devotion called "365 Most Important Bible Passages for You". We had decided we wanted another baby so we had been trying for a few months. We really wanted a January baby since my due date would have been really close to my husband's birthday. When May came and went and I found myself not pregnant I was really discouraged and frustrated.
I told myself I couldn't take it anymore, the excitement and then the let down. It was too much of an emotional roller coaster for me. I had a friend who had been trying for over 2 years and I couldn't even imagine what kind of strength that took mentally.
So I had planned on talking to my husband when I got back home and tell him I could't try anymore. It was just too much for me. Well my day to start came and went. My sister always said a sure way to make your Aunt Flo come visit was to take a pregnancy test. So I bought one the next day. I waited until two days after I was supposed to start and took the test.
I was shocked and so excited I nearly screamed. I would have but I was at my family's house and my hubby wasn't around. I didn't want to tell anyone before him. I did though. I told my two and a half year old daughter. I couldn't contain my joy! She wasn't going to tell anyone.
The next day my devotion was all about God's timing. The devotion commentary stated "the Lord does not function on our timetable. And that is frustrating" and "He knows what is what and how things work. And sometimes he doesn't help us out just when we think he should. It's not because he likes to watch us suffer, but because he wants to grow our faith in him."
I have always had a struggle with control issues. I think that is how I got through some pretty tough times in my life was controlling everything. If I was in control of everything then there wasn't anything that could pop up and ruin me. The saying "the fear of the unknown" was a constant debilitating fear for me.
I just sat back in awe after I read that devotion commentary that day. It was like God spoke directly to me saying, "Heather, I'm going to give you what you want. I am blessing you with another baby. But you do not control when you will have a baby. Just as you do not control everything. You have no control. I am in control. It's about time you learned this once and for all."
WOW!!! That was so amazing. God knew exactly what I needed to learn. Looking back we only tried a few months before getting pregnant. And we were blessed with a baby boy, the first boy on both of our sides of the family.
My devotions yesterday and today are about waiting on God. I think that strength goes along with the knowledge that God is in control not us. Joyce Meyer wrote "any time you become frustrated and start trying to make things happen on your own, it is a sure sign you are not being patient with God. You need to practice waiting on God and let Him do what He wants to do, in His way and time." She also says "patience is not merely waiting; it is how you act while you are waiting."
And this morning's devotion talked about several bible stories about waiting "Abraham waiting for a child, the Israelites waiting for deliverance from Egypt, and the disciples waiting for Jesus to act like the powerful Messiah they anticipated."
Powerful stuff!! The author of today's devotion asks the question "As we wait, why are we so often fearful and axnious?"
The bible reading today covered some of the Psalms. In particularly Psalm 101 spoke volumes to me. I'm going to end this post with that Psalm. I know in our society today we are an instant gratification type of people. I am challenged daily to wait on God and rely on Him to be in control. I am so glad He is still working on me daily.
Have a great day everyone!
xoxox ~ Heather
Psalm 101
I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.
I will praise you with songs.
I will be careful to live a blameless life-
when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity
in my own home.
I will refuse to look at
anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly;
I will have nothing to do with them.
I will reject perverse ideas
and stay away from every evil.
I will not tolerate people who slander their
neighbors.
I will not endure conceit and pride.
I will search for faithful people
to be my companions.
Only those who are above reproach
will be allowed to serve me.
I will not allow deceivers to serve in my
house,
and liars will not stay in my presence.
My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked
and free the city of the Lord from their
grip.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Thursday, June 25, 2015
My homemade yogurt mix
I love the fruit and yogurt parfaits at McDonald's. I love the berries and I love the taste of the yogurt. I don't like paying $1 for one when I can buy the ingredients myself and make a ton of them for about the cost of maybe 5. So here is my at home fix for my Mickey D's parfait craving.
Ingredients:
Vanilla Yogurt : I bought a large tub for $3
Vanilla Extract : I already had this in the cupboard but I think it cost me less than $2
Blueberries : I bought a package for about $1.50
Strawberries : I bought a package for $2.50
Cinnamon : I had this in the cupboard too but I think it was less than $2 as well
The vanilla extract and cinnamon go a long way so I really don't count the cost as much for these parfaits. I washed up my blueberries and strawberries and put them in fruit saver bags to help them last longer.
When I want to whip up this yummy dish I put a serving of yogurt in a bowl, add a cap-full of vanilla extract and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and mix well. Then I add a handful of blueberries and a handful of strawberries.
And there you have it! My yogurt wasn't tasting quite as delicious as the McDonald's yogurt. It may have needed to be "french" vanilla but I couldn't find any in the big tubs when I was at the store. So today I added the vanilla extract and some cinnamon and it was delicious!
By the way I thought of adding the cinnamon based on what I read in a workout post about cinnamon being a good metabolism booster. I don't know if my sprinkle of cinnamon was enough to help but it definitely made it taste yummy.
Feel free to add some granola on top if you like some crunch with your yogurt.
Good night everyone! I cant wait to have this again for breakfast after my workout tomorrow!
~Heather
Ingredients:
Vanilla Yogurt : I bought a large tub for $3
Vanilla Extract : I already had this in the cupboard but I think it cost me less than $2
Blueberries : I bought a package for about $1.50
Strawberries : I bought a package for $2.50
Cinnamon : I had this in the cupboard too but I think it was less than $2 as well
The vanilla extract and cinnamon go a long way so I really don't count the cost as much for these parfaits. I washed up my blueberries and strawberries and put them in fruit saver bags to help them last longer.
When I want to whip up this yummy dish I put a serving of yogurt in a bowl, add a cap-full of vanilla extract and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and mix well. Then I add a handful of blueberries and a handful of strawberries.
And there you have it! My yogurt wasn't tasting quite as delicious as the McDonald's yogurt. It may have needed to be "french" vanilla but I couldn't find any in the big tubs when I was at the store. So today I added the vanilla extract and some cinnamon and it was delicious!
By the way I thought of adding the cinnamon based on what I read in a workout post about cinnamon being a good metabolism booster. I don't know if my sprinkle of cinnamon was enough to help but it definitely made it taste yummy.
Feel free to add some granola on top if you like some crunch with your yogurt.
Good night everyone! I cant wait to have this again for breakfast after my workout tomorrow!
~Heather
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Faking It
Have you ever heard the term "fake it til' you make it"? Well I guess that has been my mantra lately. Up until today it has been working. Maybe since I let my self kind of slip from my routine thats why it isnt working now.
So the last week or so I have been forcing myself to change my daily routine. I get right out of bed and work out, do my bible reading and devotion, get a shower, get a decent breakfast and my iced coffee (totally a necessity), put on some makeup and get dressed for the day. All of this while nursing the baby, getting my 3 year old around and fed, etc. My morning routine sometimes doesnt finish until lunch time but thats what being a mom is all about.
I am not usually a make up person except for maybe special events and sometimes its just so nice to be in comfy sweats or pjs all day. However I have noticed that since forcing myself to do this small change it has helped my mood. I feel better and more awake by doing this.
Working out and eating better more balanced meals has been helping me physically and emotionally. I have also stopped drinking pop which is hard for me I LOVE pop. But the sugar makes my brain crash hard into depression. I found a love of iced coffee that fills my caffeine need. I know its not ideal to be a nursing mom and have caffeine but I honestly would not be able to survive the day let alone function without it.
Today my blood seems to be on a constant boil. It could have something to do with my son's teething or my daughter's constant whining or the fact that its 1130am and Im still in pjs. I have been working so hard on my house trying to get organized and more settled (been in this house for 4 years now and Im still settling - maybe that is a constant homeowner task). I decided to give myself a "day off". A day to sit around watching tv and working with my crochet and knitting all day.
Maybe I am learning I cant take a "day off" from some tasks. I obviously know I cant take a "day off" from my mom duties that would cause so many problems. I also learned today I cant take a "day off" from "faking it" either.
So I guess this post needs to end and I need to get myself up and put some decent clothes on (mind you I did get dressed today but just in new pjs). I will go put myself together and finish my coffee I started at 8am (usually I start it at 6am but thankfully I did get to sleep in today!). And also mom duties are calling.
Hopefully I can get to "work" before the hubby comes home and I need to start dinner and bedtime routines. Does anyone else feel there arent enough minutes in the day? Or is that just only an issue for a mom that is trying to take care of the kids, the house, the hubby, and maybe herself if there is time? Which you can gather Im having a "time" issue.
Take care until next time,
XOXO ~ Heather
So the last week or so I have been forcing myself to change my daily routine. I get right out of bed and work out, do my bible reading and devotion, get a shower, get a decent breakfast and my iced coffee (totally a necessity), put on some makeup and get dressed for the day. All of this while nursing the baby, getting my 3 year old around and fed, etc. My morning routine sometimes doesnt finish until lunch time but thats what being a mom is all about.
I am not usually a make up person except for maybe special events and sometimes its just so nice to be in comfy sweats or pjs all day. However I have noticed that since forcing myself to do this small change it has helped my mood. I feel better and more awake by doing this.
Working out and eating better more balanced meals has been helping me physically and emotionally. I have also stopped drinking pop which is hard for me I LOVE pop. But the sugar makes my brain crash hard into depression. I found a love of iced coffee that fills my caffeine need. I know its not ideal to be a nursing mom and have caffeine but I honestly would not be able to survive the day let alone function without it.
Today my blood seems to be on a constant boil. It could have something to do with my son's teething or my daughter's constant whining or the fact that its 1130am and Im still in pjs. I have been working so hard on my house trying to get organized and more settled (been in this house for 4 years now and Im still settling - maybe that is a constant homeowner task). I decided to give myself a "day off". A day to sit around watching tv and working with my crochet and knitting all day.
Maybe I am learning I cant take a "day off" from some tasks. I obviously know I cant take a "day off" from my mom duties that would cause so many problems. I also learned today I cant take a "day off" from "faking it" either.
So I guess this post needs to end and I need to get myself up and put some decent clothes on (mind you I did get dressed today but just in new pjs). I will go put myself together and finish my coffee I started at 8am (usually I start it at 6am but thankfully I did get to sleep in today!). And also mom duties are calling.
Hopefully I can get to "work" before the hubby comes home and I need to start dinner and bedtime routines. Does anyone else feel there arent enough minutes in the day? Or is that just only an issue for a mom that is trying to take care of the kids, the house, the hubby, and maybe herself if there is time? Which you can gather Im having a "time" issue.
Take care until next time,
XOXO ~ Heather
Friday, June 19, 2015
Dinner was AMAZING!!!
Dinner was AMAZING!!!
Last night I made another one of my Pinterest meals. First off let me just say how much I love finding recipes on Pinterest. Since having my son I have pinned alot of things I want to try for dinners and other meals/snacks while I nurse him. Having simple meals to make has been such a stress saver for me. I do alot of crockpot meals which are a God send really. Through a couple ingredients in one of my crock pots (I now have 3 all different sizes, YIPEE!) and when its dinner time we are all set. This has been so helpful since my son still doesnt have a routine sleep schedule and still gets up alot through the night. Plus with a lack of sleep and a 3 year old to chase around by the time dinner rolls around Im too tired to come up with something to cook let alone cook it.
My husband hasnt been as excited about my love for crock pot meals though. I think after last night's meal he may be coming around to it. He just thinks its really strange to have something like pork chops come out or a slow cooker. But after last nights meal he is on board (at least for this particular dish).
So last night I made Crock Pot Ranch Pork Chops and trust me you should give them a try so here's the link to the recipe.
http://www.raininghotcoupons.com/crock-pot-ranch-pork-chops-only-3-ingredients/
I also made Slow Cooker Buttery Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes and here's the link to those puppies.
http://lecremedelacrumb.com/2014/11/slow-cooker-buttery-garlic-herb-mashed-potatoes.html
Here is the kicker, the note to self moment I want to share. I cooked the potatoes as directed, on low for 5-6 hours (6 hours almost exactly). I added all the wonderful herbs and other ingredients and they smelled wonderful. I got out my hand mixer and put it in the crock pot and fired that baby up. SPLAT! Drops of my added goodies went everywhere. So I pulled out the hand masher, you know the manual one, and I couldn't get any mashing action. It took me about a minute to stop thinking something was wrong with my hand mixer or hand masher and realize I should check my potatoes. Sure enough those potatoes were not done at all.
Somewhere I have a problem I have to discover so it was instant mashed taters that topped off our meal. The meal was still amazing but would have been out of this world if those potatoes came out right. I guess the worst part was smelling all the herbs and garlic and just imagining how great those potatoes were going to taste just to realize it wasn't gonna happen tonight.
So note to self, CHECK TO SEE IF THE POTATOES ARE DONE! Ha ha ha! I just kind of shrugged it off, tossed the taters out (yes I could have probably saved them but that would have been too depressing and stressful last night), and fired up the microwave.
Thanks for reading. Let me know if you try the recipes. I think I am just going to make good old fashion boiled potatoes to mash next time. I just thought potatoes in the crock pot, genius they can cook alongside the meat and it will be perfect. Guess that one was a win for my husband's anti crock pot ideals.
Last night I made another one of my Pinterest meals. First off let me just say how much I love finding recipes on Pinterest. Since having my son I have pinned alot of things I want to try for dinners and other meals/snacks while I nurse him. Having simple meals to make has been such a stress saver for me. I do alot of crockpot meals which are a God send really. Through a couple ingredients in one of my crock pots (I now have 3 all different sizes, YIPEE!) and when its dinner time we are all set. This has been so helpful since my son still doesnt have a routine sleep schedule and still gets up alot through the night. Plus with a lack of sleep and a 3 year old to chase around by the time dinner rolls around Im too tired to come up with something to cook let alone cook it.
My husband hasnt been as excited about my love for crock pot meals though. I think after last night's meal he may be coming around to it. He just thinks its really strange to have something like pork chops come out or a slow cooker. But after last nights meal he is on board (at least for this particular dish).
So last night I made Crock Pot Ranch Pork Chops and trust me you should give them a try so here's the link to the recipe.
http://www.raininghotcoupons.com/crock-pot-ranch-pork-chops-only-3-ingredients/
I also made Slow Cooker Buttery Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes and here's the link to those puppies.
http://lecremedelacrumb.com/2014/11/slow-cooker-buttery-garlic-herb-mashed-potatoes.html
Here is the kicker, the note to self moment I want to share. I cooked the potatoes as directed, on low for 5-6 hours (6 hours almost exactly). I added all the wonderful herbs and other ingredients and they smelled wonderful. I got out my hand mixer and put it in the crock pot and fired that baby up. SPLAT! Drops of my added goodies went everywhere. So I pulled out the hand masher, you know the manual one, and I couldn't get any mashing action. It took me about a minute to stop thinking something was wrong with my hand mixer or hand masher and realize I should check my potatoes. Sure enough those potatoes were not done at all.
Somewhere I have a problem I have to discover so it was instant mashed taters that topped off our meal. The meal was still amazing but would have been out of this world if those potatoes came out right. I guess the worst part was smelling all the herbs and garlic and just imagining how great those potatoes were going to taste just to realize it wasn't gonna happen tonight.
So note to self, CHECK TO SEE IF THE POTATOES ARE DONE! Ha ha ha! I just kind of shrugged it off, tossed the taters out (yes I could have probably saved them but that would have been too depressing and stressful last night), and fired up the microwave.
Thanks for reading. Let me know if you try the recipes. I think I am just going to make good old fashion boiled potatoes to mash next time. I just thought potatoes in the crock pot, genius they can cook alongside the meat and it will be perfect. Guess that one was a win for my husband's anti crock pot ideals.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
P.S to my first post
Ok so I was just thinking about how I ended my post by signing my name. I then realized I never explained why I chose the name "Down with Momma" for my blog. Hang in there with me I promise they all wont be that long. But I did want to mention quickly how I came up with the name.
I mentioned my depression and the fact that I am a stay at home mom. Well I want the blog to be about just that a stay at home mom who battles depression. So ingeniously I came up with "Down with Momma."
I hope it makes sense and its clever. I may not be as creative as I think and thats ok just go with it.
Take care,
until next time..... *** HEATHER
My first Blog post... AHHH!
So here goes...
This is my first post I have ever made in my first blog. I have heard of friends having blogs here and there and I have heard about blogs through entertainment venues (tv, books, etc) but I never thought I would have one. I have come into contact with several amazing blogs lately and seem to see them more and more as I search Pinterest for amazing recipes or Ravely for wonderful knitting and crochet patterns. I have seen blogs as cookbooks, self help guides, everyday how-to's, diy manuals, information hubs, personal journals, and the list goes on. Over the last year or so I have been hit with the idea of starting my own blog mainly for my own personal benefit and need. But I have hopes that others may get joy out of my blog as well.
In my blog I foresee alot of personal journaling about the past, present, and possibly looking to the future. I want to use this to share great recipes that I have tried, dug up from old family cookbooks, or surprisingly ones that I came up with all on my own (which is totally a new unexpected talent). I have an innate love and need for crafting be it crochet, knitting, sewing, card making, scrapbooking, coloring (with my daughter of course because what self respecting adult would color all by herself... oh that's me!), etc. All of these things I find extremely therapeutic, and once you get to know me a little better you will understand why that is a top priority in my life. Anyway, in this blog I will be sharing amazing patterns I find, crafting tips, and maybe even some fun kid craft and activities as well (being a stay at home mom means nothing is really 100% kid free - and I wouldn't have it any other way).
I will also be sharing about my battle with depression and bipolar in this blog. I tried for weeks to think of a clever name for my blog. You may not love the title or find it as ironically clever as I do and that's ok everyone has an opinion and Im trying really hard not to seek approval from everyone so if you dont like it please kindly keep that to yourself. So one day I decided I want my blog to be a sort of tell all tale about my life journey including the good and the ugly parts to maybe help just one person hear (read) my story and benefit from it in some way even just for a good laugh, a good cry, a distraction from their own pain, or just to know that they aren't alone or my favorite thing from my own self help is knowing that I am not the only person in this entire world who has ever went through a certain experience or time in my life or that felt a certain way.
I am kind of an over sharer by nature maybe the correct term would be "extrovert" but the reason I am this way I have discovered is to get out of my own head. If I don't get out my thoughts, feelings, and emotions they get trapped in a rather unsafe environment and can easily send me into a self sabotaging whirlwind. Sometimes I catch myself needing to share every detail of my day or share way too much about my back story with people. But honestly I have learned about myself that I am ok with sharing this information and its not about others, whether they want to hear this overload of information or not. Its about how my needs and its how Im wired. Ive tried fighting it and Im tired of fighting me. So just as a WARNING to anyone reading this blog: I guarantee you will learn more about me than you ever imagined. Even my really close family and friends have not heard or met the "me" I am going to be bringing out here. Dont worry Im not going to share every thought or every detail of my life with you but Im also not going to hold back either. If I feel I need to share something I will. If you dont want to know dont read it. This again is your WARNING: I wont post anything that Im not ok with the entire world knowing but just be advised you may REALLY get to know me. Ill try to warn you if there is something if anything shocking comes to mind.
I really hope that whoever reads this (if anyone besides myself even does) gets whatever they are searching for or needing out of it. I feel like that was a great start so Im going to end here. Thanks for making it this far with me and I really hope you come back.
Feel free to comment, share your thoughts, just say hello, or whatever but please be kind. I am a tender heart and try to treat others with respect and understanding so I EXPECT the same from you. If you disagree with something I say thats great we were all created differently for a reason. I welcome dialogue (you will see that later too I am a talker, if you havent noticed, and I love people!). Just please be respectful to me and anyone else who may comment (again Im probably just talking to myself).
Ok really done this time. Thank you, talk to you again soon.
XOXO
~Heather
This is my first post I have ever made in my first blog. I have heard of friends having blogs here and there and I have heard about blogs through entertainment venues (tv, books, etc) but I never thought I would have one. I have come into contact with several amazing blogs lately and seem to see them more and more as I search Pinterest for amazing recipes or Ravely for wonderful knitting and crochet patterns. I have seen blogs as cookbooks, self help guides, everyday how-to's, diy manuals, information hubs, personal journals, and the list goes on. Over the last year or so I have been hit with the idea of starting my own blog mainly for my own personal benefit and need. But I have hopes that others may get joy out of my blog as well.
In my blog I foresee alot of personal journaling about the past, present, and possibly looking to the future. I want to use this to share great recipes that I have tried, dug up from old family cookbooks, or surprisingly ones that I came up with all on my own (which is totally a new unexpected talent). I have an innate love and need for crafting be it crochet, knitting, sewing, card making, scrapbooking, coloring (with my daughter of course because what self respecting adult would color all by herself... oh that's me!), etc. All of these things I find extremely therapeutic, and once you get to know me a little better you will understand why that is a top priority in my life. Anyway, in this blog I will be sharing amazing patterns I find, crafting tips, and maybe even some fun kid craft and activities as well (being a stay at home mom means nothing is really 100% kid free - and I wouldn't have it any other way).
I will also be sharing about my battle with depression and bipolar in this blog. I tried for weeks to think of a clever name for my blog. You may not love the title or find it as ironically clever as I do and that's ok everyone has an opinion and Im trying really hard not to seek approval from everyone so if you dont like it please kindly keep that to yourself. So one day I decided I want my blog to be a sort of tell all tale about my life journey including the good and the ugly parts to maybe help just one person hear (read) my story and benefit from it in some way even just for a good laugh, a good cry, a distraction from their own pain, or just to know that they aren't alone or my favorite thing from my own self help is knowing that I am not the only person in this entire world who has ever went through a certain experience or time in my life or that felt a certain way.
I am kind of an over sharer by nature maybe the correct term would be "extrovert" but the reason I am this way I have discovered is to get out of my own head. If I don't get out my thoughts, feelings, and emotions they get trapped in a rather unsafe environment and can easily send me into a self sabotaging whirlwind. Sometimes I catch myself needing to share every detail of my day or share way too much about my back story with people. But honestly I have learned about myself that I am ok with sharing this information and its not about others, whether they want to hear this overload of information or not. Its about how my needs and its how Im wired. Ive tried fighting it and Im tired of fighting me. So just as a WARNING to anyone reading this blog: I guarantee you will learn more about me than you ever imagined. Even my really close family and friends have not heard or met the "me" I am going to be bringing out here. Dont worry Im not going to share every thought or every detail of my life with you but Im also not going to hold back either. If I feel I need to share something I will. If you dont want to know dont read it. This again is your WARNING: I wont post anything that Im not ok with the entire world knowing but just be advised you may REALLY get to know me. Ill try to warn you if there is something if anything shocking comes to mind.
I really hope that whoever reads this (if anyone besides myself even does) gets whatever they are searching for or needing out of it. I feel like that was a great start so Im going to end here. Thanks for making it this far with me and I really hope you come back.
Feel free to comment, share your thoughts, just say hello, or whatever but please be kind. I am a tender heart and try to treat others with respect and understanding so I EXPECT the same from you. If you disagree with something I say thats great we were all created differently for a reason. I welcome dialogue (you will see that later too I am a talker, if you havent noticed, and I love people!). Just please be respectful to me and anyone else who may comment (again Im probably just talking to myself).
Ok really done this time. Thank you, talk to you again soon.
XOXO
~Heather
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