Storms.

 

In the last couple of months, I've entered a season of 'life storms.'  I share the details with a VERY select few and it's not because I want everyone to think my life is perfect, but because I know prayer & faith are what I need as opposed to advice and judgment.  Yesterday, I had a slow morning and ALMOST skipped out on church, but I've found that the times I want to ditch church are the times I need I the most, so I packed my van full of kids and went.  And, as usual, the message tore me up in the best way possible.

 

We read through the calming of the storm.  The disciples are all freaking out, naturally, trying to get the water out of the boat and Jesus is sleeping.  So, they wake him up and say, "don't you CARE if we die?"  Jesus' response was not "of course I care.  My bad."  His response was: "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"

 

In my own life, when things seems hard or I get really down, I am (slowly, but surely) realizing that it's because I am lacking the faith that is required of me.  I start to get all "WHY ME?!" and tend to think that I have done my part in this relationship with Christ enough to at least get a pass on the really hard stuff.  I was reminded this Sunday that Jesus died on the cross for me - I am owed NOTHING.

 

The BIG takeaway for me was that Jesus was there; he was there, IN the boat, WITH them the whole time.  He never left, he never abandoned, and he never worried.

 

I want to encourage you today with whatever storm you're going through that you aren't alone.  Yes, it will hurt and, yes, it will be hard, BUT if you believe in Jesus Christ and have that faith that so may of us are lacking, you are weathering this storm with the Creator of the universe.

 

You're in good hands.

October School Lunches!

The best part of October lunches was making treats "for the kids."  I've gotten some questions on what I feed my younger two and, generally, I feed them the same thing I send with my Kindergartener!  They're both pretty good eaters, but need variety so they don't get bored eating the same thing every day.

 

[PB&J, banana, Gogurt, Football shaped pretzels, confetti sugar cookies]

[Halloween Mac 'n Cheese, Trader Joe's organic Animal Crackers, Grapes]

[Annie's Mac 'n Cheese, Greek Yogurt w/ Sprinkles, Broccoli]

[PB&J, Cheez Itz, and Mixed Fruit]

[Homemade Lunchable: Chicken Chunks, Cheddar Cheese, Pretzel Sticks, Mini Cookies, & Grapes]

[Turkey, Cheese, Crackers, Banana Muffin, Grapes, & Dark Chocolate Chips]

[Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Knot, Grapes, Mini Cookies]

[Beef & Cheese Burrito, Smoothie, Bitsy Brainfood Cookies, & Mixed Veggies]

On the day we made 'lunchables,' someone spilled Stevie's lunch and it was the worst day ever until they gave him pizza from the cafeteria.  I was SO THANKFUL when Stevie told me that one of the ladies that works in the school café took him back and got him a lunch when he was crying because I can only imagine his sweet little face when his food fell to the ground.

I scored a couple of boxes of Bitsy Brainfood Cookies from Target for next to nothing with a coupon on Cartwheel and he LOVES them; they're shaped like letters and the ones pictured are made from organic beets and chocolate!  I really like to give my kids 'fun food' and I try to make it homemade most of the time, but these are such a good option for quick grabbing.  Total bonus buy!

Choosing Love.

Facts:  A marriage does not stand the test of time because two people are good looking.  It doesn't last because two people have a lot of money to do all the things they want to do.  A marriage doesn't thrive because two people have kids that are obedient and sleep through the night.  A relationship with your kids isn't 'good' because you buy them the latest stuff or sacrifice a job to be home with them.

A relationship will outlast all the rest when it is rooted in Christ.  I KNOW I got some eye rolls there because I used to be the biggest eye roller when it came to this; what does it even mean when a relationship is rooted in Christ? 

I used to think that if two people were believers, that was enough to sustain a marriage.  I found over time that it wasn't; my faith alone wasn't enough to stop me from saying the things that would hurt my husband the most, it wasn't enough to keep me from feeling unloved and unnoticed.  I used to think that being a 'good parent' meant taking my kids to church, staying home with my kids & providing their basic daily needs; I found that being a mom who talked about Jesus, but got annoyed or frustrated when my kids wanted to tell me a story or lost my temper when they weren't being 'good' showed them more about the conditions my love had than anything else.

Believing in Jesus is life altering and is the 'thing' that ignites my soul every day, but until our belief shapes the way we act, the way we think, and the way we treat other people, it's dead.  I'm not talking about loving your spouse because he got you flowers or washed the dishes or told you how beautiful you are; I'm talking about loving the spouse that didn't notice you did you hair and put on make up for him, forgets to say thank you when you work hard to make him breakfast, and leaves his dirty clothes in the corner of the bedroom.  I'm not talking about loving the child that cleans his room, does well in school, & is obedient; I'm talking about loving the child who has screamed all day, thrown food all over the floor, and had ANOTHER accident in his pants.

It's not hard to extend love to people who serve our desires or who give us the warm fuzzies and recognizing love as more than a feeling is a great place to start.  In John 3:16, we learn how MUCH God loves

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

in 1 John 3:16-18, we learn how God wants us to love.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?  Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

STOP talking about how much you love people and START showing it.  Love your kids?  Show them.  Sit with them, talk to them, be patient with them.  And when they drive you up a stinkin' wall, sit with them more, talk with them more, and be more patient.  Love your spouse?  Show him/her, too.  Sit next to him/her on the couch even when it's boring, ask him/her how the day was, buy him/her a cup of coffee (ALWAYS a safe bet).  And when he/she is being the absolute worst and is completely unlovable, lay it on harder.

Choose love.  Every day and even more on the hardest days.

School Lunch Roundup!

Good news, guys:  I'm learning that taking pictures of food on a white surface makes it look much more appealing.  I'm sure this is as exciting for YOU as it is for me.

 

[My mom's Mac 'n Cheese, Grapes, & Mini Cookies]

[Turkey Roll ups, Grapes, Football Pretzels, & Greek Yogurt w/ Sprinkles]

[Chicken Chunks, Horizon Organic Cheese Shapes, Grapes, & Broccoli]

 

[Pb&J, Goldfish, & Chocolate Covered Oreo]

[Spaghetti & Meatballs, Grapes, & Chocolate Graham Crackers]

Things I learned: 

- Spaghetti & Meatballs is a total family favorite!  The kids loved it the night I made it and for leftovers, which is VERY rare; definitely going back in the rotation!

- One word: Grapes.  Kids love grapes.  They're like $30/lb, but the kids freak out over them, so it's worth it.

- Kids at school think you're super awesome when your mom packs you anything with chocolate.

- Anything cut or made into shapes is really good times. 

Parental Statistics.

# of times I said I would never take my kids in public dressed in their pajamas:  1500
# of times I've probably taken my kids in public dressed in their pajamas:  3000

# of times I said I would never give into the demands of toddlers to make them stop crying:  30,000
# of times I've probably given into the demands of toddlers to make them stop crying:  50,000

# of times I swore I'd NEVER EVER, under any circumstance buy my children fast food: 400
# of times I have probably bought my children fast food: 300

# of pins on Pinterest for teaching toddlers at home: 15,000
# of days per week I implement teaching: 2

# of times I judged a parent after seeing a temper tantrum in a store: 20
# of times I really regret judging parents after my kids throw temper tantrums in stores: 300,000

# of times a day I have to change diapers/clothes: 20
# of times a day my kids act like I'm physically harming them during diaper/clothing changes: 20

# of times I try to sneak away to the bathroom and hide from my toddler dictators: 50
# of times they find me: 50

# of times a day I say, "I'm never having another kid:" 1,000,000
# of times a day I think, "Aww, I want more kids.:" 2,000,000


*Disclaimer:  these are 100% factual.  I take back nothing I've said.

Why I Will No Longer Cling to My Plans.

 

So, I revealed back in August that I failed the NCLEX.  If you don't know, it's the test graduate nurses take to obtain licensure in the state they plan to work.  It was a BIG deal to me and is a BIG deal to every nurse coming out of school. 

I remember sitting down at that test, answering the first five questions and immediately saying some not nice things under my breath.  I KNEW before I actually found out that there was no way I was going to pass that thing; I wasn't prepared, I focused way too much on content and not enough of prioritization.  My confidence after those first five questions went down the drain and continued to plummet in the few months leading up the next test.

When I got the news that I failed (which came with $250 price tag to retest - DOUBLE WHAMMY), I was crushed.  I knew the test didn't define me and I knew I was going to get back up and take it again, but it sucked.  I cried every night for several weeks, questioned my ability to be a nurse, and wondered what the last several years of school were even for.

BUT GOD...

I can't describe the transformation that has come over the last few months; when I sat for the exam the first time, I prayed to pass, when I sat for the exam the second time, I prayed that God would reveal His plan for my life no matter what the outcome was.  Have you ever wondered the extent to which you trust God?  Give Him the thing you cling to most and see how much you trust His sovereignty; give Him your children, your spouse, your career, & your finances without trying to control the outcome. 

That kind of trust is something I've never experienced.  I've been a Christian my entire adult life, but I've also been an anxious person most of my life; "what if" has been a life motto of mine and it's controlled my life for much longer than I'd like to admit.  I also went through a YOLO period time, which I think anyone who knew me then would agree was not any better.

It seems ridiculous, but giving up that need to control the future, that need to KNOW the future, & trusting the greater plan is easily the most freeing experience of my life.  Failing the NCLEX could've crippled me; by worldly standards, it should've brought me to a really LOW low.  But it didn't. 

And that had nothing to do with me.

What I'm not saying: being upset, frustrated, or disappointed aren't normal feelings.  THEY ARE.  Truth:  if I had failed a second time, this post would not have come as quickly and my acceptance of God's will would have taken a little longer.  Also true: what's meant to be will.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29: 11-13

MH&S Team Call 10/7/15: Brainstorming!

Chipotle Lime Shrimp w/ Cauliflower 'Rice'

aka - the easiest recipe on the web.

So, my obsession with cauliflower goes on and on and on.  It is SO EASY to transform into something else and replace carbs.  Since I follow the 21 Day Fix, I eat two servings of carbs and often still want something 'carb-y' for dinner and I DIE BY CAULIFLOWER.  Seriously.

Are you ready for this?  No really, you'll be like "why is this even a recipe?"

What you need:

Shrimp - peeled/deveined (I use frozen salad shrimp because they cook fast and I am all about FAST)
Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning (to taste)
Crumbled Cauliflower (I buy the already crumbled cauliflower because I'm lazy and the cost is comparable to a head of cauliflower)
2 tbsp. EVOO
1/3 cup Water

Heat 1 tbsp. EVOO in a pan on Medium/High; add Shrimp and Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning.  Bring to boil, reduce heat to low and cover, allowing to simmer.

If you're not lazy and have a whole head of cauliflower, cut it from the stem and throw it in the fod processor to form your 'rice.'  Heat remaining 1 tbsp. EVOO in a separate pan on medium heat; add Cauliflower and cook for about 2 minutes.  Add water and bring to a boil.  Lower heat to low/medium and cover, allowing to simmer for 10-15 minutes.

THAT.  IS.  IT.

It was really delicious, easy, and HEALTHY.  No added salt, no unnecessary carbs.  TOTALLY 21DF approved!  Trust me, you have time.

School Lunch Roundup.

Stevie was sick one day, so we're one short of two weeks worth.  And I was sick for what felt like 2348932839 days.  I actually still have a sore throat, but I don't feel like I'm dying so that's a plus.  Before you judge how many PB&J's you see, remember that I was on my death bed.

[Chicken Nuggets, Annie's Mac 'n Cheese, Banana, Chocolate Covered Blueberries]

[Chicken Taco, Corn, Applesauce w/ Sprinkles]

[Annie's Mac 'n Cheese, Banana, Pretzles w/ Nutella]

[PB&J. Raspberries, Oreo Cookies, Gogurt]

[Chicken Lo Mein, Goldfish, Chocolate Covered Blueberries]

[P&J Stacks, Banana, Cheez Itz, Carrots]

[Confetti Pancakes, Pineapple, Raspberries]

[PB&J, Banana, Carrots, Craisin/M&M mixup]

[Chicken Roll ups, Cheddar Cheese, Tortilla Chips, Pineapple, Annie's Fruit Snacks]

Things I learned last week:  I can get the kids up, fed, and out the door in 20 minutes.  Pretty proud of that, NOT so proud of what I may have looked like dropping my kid off at the bus stop.  Stevie could give a crap less if his lunches aren't different and fun; he's just happy to eat.

MH&S Dynasty - Team Call 9/30/15: Sneak Peek Into Coaching

Inadequacies v. Truth

I set my alarm to go off during the week at 6am; it went off this morning and I hit snooze a million times until an entire hour had passed of me putting off the day.

I wasn't just tired this morning, but had no desire to really be a part of society; I could've stayed in bed all day if that was an option.  Soon after I'd hit snooze for the 10th time, Emmy started crying, so my daydreams about sleeping all day pretty quickly vanished and I had to go get her and start the day.

I wasn't ready.  I wasn't ready to change two diapers, make breakfast, let Bella out and back in again (100 times before I realized she was just waiting for her treat), brush my teeth, or get dressed.  I wasn't ready to rush out the door, barely making it to the bus stop ... AGAIN...and go to the store before the rain came.  I just wasn't ready for life.

The last couple of weeks have had me in a big slump.  It's hard for me to explain it, but I've thought a lot about my inadequacies and what they mean.  I have days where my kids do nothing but sleep and watch TV because I just don't feel like entertaining them. I have days where I STILL can't believe I failed the NCLEX and I question my ability to be a nurse.  I have days where I eat like crap and put off working out until the last minute where I go through the motions, not pushing myself to really work up a sweat, just to say I did it.  I think about my marriage and question whether I'm able to really fulfill my husband's needs and whether or not he's able to fulfill mine.  I have nights where I have to drink a glass of wine to turn my brain off and fall asleep; when that doesn't work I pray and plead until I'm so exhausted, my body just crashes and eventually falls asleep.

And I cry.  I cry a lot because I do a lot of 'fake it 'til you make it' throughout the day, not because I'm scared people will know things aren't perfect, but because I believe STRONGLY that my children shouldn't have to experience 'adult problems' and, while I know I can't protect them forever, I CAN protect them now.  It's my job to protect them now.

And just when I feel really alone in this, I remind myself there are probably a million other people who do the same thing; a million other people out there feeling alone and inadequate and unable to handle life.  We have to remember that the enemy is a LIAR.  He wants us to believe that we can't do the things we've been called to do and he wants us to believe that we're alone and undeserving of love.

Today, if you're going through a season of unknown and struggling to have faith that this time will serve as an incredible testimony to God's faithfulness in your life, I am praying for you.  I don't know the needs of all my friends, but God does.  I don't know who needs to hear this message today (besides me), but God does.

You have purpose and you are loved.


¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

Lunchtime Trickery.

And the charade continues...



 

[PB&J, Strawberries, Cheez-Its, Yogurt]

[Chicken Nuggets, Peas & Carrots, Blueberry/Dark Chocolate Mix up]

[Homemade Lunchable: Turkey, Cheddar Cheese, Crackers, Annie's Gummies, Strawberries/Blueberries]

[Chicken Tacos, Strawberries, Carrots]

[PB&J, Yogurt, Chocolate Brownie Cookie, Carrots]

Things I learned this week:

Freezing Gogurt is really smart!  It acts as a way to keep the cold stuff cold in the lunchbox and thaws out by lunch time (which is at 10:45 here aka late breakfast).

Stevie will ALWAYS prefer a PB&J over anything else; I let him choose his meals this week.

Peas & carrots are just as uncool as spelling 'love' with toothpicks and NO MATTER HOW MUCH HE LOVED THE DINNER THE NIGHT BEFORE, it's still unacceptable for lunch the next day. 

MH&S Dynasty - Inviting to Challenge Groups & Coaching

Motivational Monday - Live YOUR Purpose. No one else can.

It's NOT About What I Know.

Type a sentence, erase it.

Type a paragraph, erase that.

Type a letter, go on ahead and erase that, too.

Sometimes Often, I feel the Spirit calling me to share my experiences with others, but I have NO IDEA how to start writing about it, let alone TALKING about it.  I fumble my words, I delete my thoughts, and sometimes I just ignore that pulling at my heart to just be led by the Spirit.

Today, as I cleaned up Play-Doh (the toy of the enemy) all over the kitchen floor, paint supplies scattered in my front yard, cleaned the kitchen, made lunch, & cleaned it again, I realized that it just isn't about what I know.  I don't have to have the most parenting experience and I don't have to have read every John Piper book to know that I have been equipped with the just the right amount of 'stuff' to touch someone else.

I know a mom's heart & I know that many of you feel like what you're doing is fruitless; whether you're like me and you're in a constant state of picking up after others or you've been placed in a job where it seems like NOTHING you do matters, it does.  You have to know that you've been placed where you are for a reason and things have been designed in your life by the greatest Designer.  You have a purpose.

A couple of nights ago, I came out of my bedroom from working out and showering to find that the living room was COVERED in flash cards, books, coloring books, etc.  I had just cleaned up before I left the room (and a million other times the day), so I was less than happy to come out to the mess.  I raised my voice, reprimanded the kids, and almost cried...OVER A DIRTY LIVING ROOM.

Then I felt a like a jerk.  Guess what?  The house was GOING to be a mess again the next day (every 10 minutes) and I was GOING to have to clean up again anyway, but sometimes it seems so pointless to clean up at all.  I went to bed, prayed about it, and this is what came to mind:

Everything we do has meaning, purpose, & value so long as we do it to bring glory to God.

It's somewhere in the Bible. 

I didn't want to share this story because I kept thinking "who am I to preach on this to a bunch of people when I can't even remember WHERE this comes from in the Bible?"  and "who am I to tell a bunch of ladies to use their housework to glorify God when I still grumble sometimes when I pick up clothes scattered around the house?"

Then I realized it's not about what I know.  It's about WHO I know. 

I've since Google'd the verse (1 Corinthians 10:31), but I realized it doesn't matter how many verses I have memorized or how many times I have to remind myself of my purpose; I am able to give you encouragement right now to recognize that, even in the seemingly insignificant, mundane daily tasks, God is at work.

He qualifies the called, right?  That's somewhere in the Bible, too.

Creamy Chicken Salad (Adapted from Fixate recipe)

I have always been something of a Chicken Salad hater; I do NOT understand grapes mixed with chicken...at least I didn't until this recipe.  I WILL be making this again.

Creamy Chicken Salad

3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken breast, boneless, skinless
1/2 cup chopped green apple
1/2 cup seedless red grapes, cut in half
1/3 cup sliced raw almonds
2 green onions, sliced
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh tarragon

[and here is the difference]
In Autumn's book, Fixate, she suggests pulling this together with her Honey Mustard Salad Dressing.  The dressing is DELICIOUS, but it's too much for my kids (they don't do anything remotely 'spicy' which makes me question whether or not they're actually mine). 

FOR THE DRESSING:
1/4 cup Light Mayo
1/4 cup Greek Yogurt

I ate it on top of spinach and the kids had I along side mini bagels.  OBVS, this is super versatile and you can eat it in any way shape, or form and you will stinkin' love it.

ENERGIZE GIVEAWAY!!!

SUPER FUN GIVEAWAY!

 

 So, you guys have seen me with my neon yellow workout juice, right? This stuff is CLEAN, so you're not putting crazy crap in your body and it gives you that extra BOOST to power through your workouts.

I love it SO MUCH that I want to give it to someone to try for free....

All you have to do to enter is:
1. Like my page (Go here).
2. FIND this post and SHARE it on YOUR Facebook.
3. Comment on the photo on Facebook with your email.

This contest is for NON-COACHES.  Contest ends October 1, 2015.

Lunchtime Trickery.

A little inspo for you moms already over the school year lunches.  I'm a newbie, so I'm still diggin' it, but only time will tell how long I can keep this up.

[Turkey Roll ups w/ Cheese Stick, pretzel rod, strawberries, & blueberry/dark chocolate chip mix up; snack - apple w/ graham crackers]

[Annie's Mac n Cheese shells, Applegate hot dog, green beans, & strawberry/blueberry mix up]

[Annie's Mac n Cheese w/ Fixate Taco meat, Tortilla strips, Chocolate/PB granola bar, & salad w/ almonds, cranberries, & apple vinaigrette]

[Annie's Pizza Bagels, cukes, & blueberry/dark chocolate chip mix up]

Things I learned this week:

Salad = Nope, pizza bagels = "not even real pizza," leftovers still suck, & Macaroni n Cheese is still boss.

Also, it's a fun little guessing game to see what he actually eats.

When Messiness is SO Beautiful.

Over the weekend, I got the chance to be around a few people who I am certain were hand-picked by God and placed in my life at just the right moments.

As I was headed to winery, several thoughts crossed my mind:

"Why is my hair doing this?" 
"How many glasses of wine should I have?" 
"I love wine so much." 
"I look like a hobo."

In no particular order.  I pulled up the winery and scored a sweet spot; when everyone else was scampering to find a place to even park, I pulled right in front of my favorite winery and backed up my mom van and placed it in park.  While I was parking, Jules called me to see if I was there yet and told me where she and Mags would be sitting.  Of course, the fact that I BACKED IN to a parking spot is something of a miracle in itself, so I did NOT process any of what she actually said.  Naturally, I called her back when I got out and asked where she was.  Again.

Walked inside to see my two, beautiful, put together friends and was SO HAPPY.  It should NOT be legal to spend large amounts of time away from people you love.  Of course they told me how cute I looked, when in the van I was just trying to figure out why all these new baby hairs are simply uncontrollable, and I immediately stopped caring.  We sat and talked about our challenges from the last few months since being out of nursing school and I just felt surrounded by such love!  You don't know this kind of love until you actually have friends who are naturally optimistic, encouraging, and uplifting.

As we wrapped things up, I planned to drop by my lifelong bestie's house (which turned into an evening stay because this girl does NOT know how many glasses of vino is too many).  I got to her house, where she'd picked up a bottle of wine before I arrived.  We ended up having a couple of glasses of wine, watching Game of Thrones, eating banana oat pancakes and strawberries, & blabbering on and on.  The best part about Whitney is that she talks just as much as I do and we both get excited over things easily, so I never feel ridiculous, HAHAHA!

We snapped a few selfies (usies?) as all good Beachbody coaches do and I got to see my baby hairs in action again.

I got to thinking about how different my closest girlfriends are:  I'm the ONLY one with a brood of kids, I am the only one who seems to find lounge clothes as acceptable going out clothes, & I am the only 'blonde' (I use that loosely because I have no real idea what my natural hair color is).

BUT, then I realized we all have 'something.'  We've all got our own thing going on, our own idea of what 'busy' means, our own struggles, failures, & disappointments.  And these girls just like me for me.  I can be completely honest with them, transparent, & 100% ridiculous and they like me anyway.

Sometimes we get so busy trying to hide the imperfections that we forget NO ONE is perfect.  NO ONE has it all together and we're all in this together.  When you find the friends that make you feel those truths, that make you feel beautiful and awesome and loved, it's probably the best feeling.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

 

Ecclesiastes: 4:9-10

Matthew 28:20

Ever felt like things just aren't going the way YOU planned?  Or it's just one little storm after the other?

God has used SO MANY of these moments to bring me back to Him and trust His promise to me that He's ALWAYS there.  Sometimes we get so caught up in our own goals and our own plans that we don't realize that there's a better plan at work.

Be encouraged, friends!

A Little Trickery to Get Your Kids to Eat...

I've found over my 5+ professional years of mothering that my kids will try new things if I make it LOOK fun and inviting (adding little picks and reusable muffin cups).  Stevie struggles with eating meat, but he's BIG on fruits and veggies, so fingers crossed that this rubs off on the kids that come after him.

[Raw Carrots, Strawberries, Mixed Cooked Veggies, & Applegate Chicken Nuggets]

[Cotton Candy Grapes, Strawberries, Turkey Rollups, String Cheese, & Annie's Fruit Snacks]

[Leftover Pizza, Cotton Candy Grapes, Strawberries, & Chocolate Chip Cookies]

[Cotton Candy Grapes, Raw Carrots, & Annie's Mac 'n Cheese]

[Chicken Rollups, String Cheese, Cotton Candy Grapes, Cheese Crackers, & Chocolate Chip Cookie]

What I've learned from the first week of school:  Spelling out 'love' is not really cool, sending leftover pizza makes your child a lunchtime rock star, & grapes that many days in a row is unacceptable.  In my defense, those grapes were ready to go bad & I do NOT waste produce.

Other things I've learned:  This is a lot more fun for me than it is for my 5 year old.  Let me have this one.

Motivational Monday - Idle Gossip

WHY it's SO IMPORTANT to hit Emerald Rank in your Beachbody biz ASAP.

Alright, guys and gals...

I wanted to touch on the very BASIC reason why YOU need to reach Emerald in your Beachbody business as soon as possible if you want to BUILD A BUSINESS and become successful.

 

 

If you have any questions or are looking to join a team, shoot me an email (schumann.susane@gmail.com) or add me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TheSuzieSchumann).

What is the 3 Day Refresh and HOW does it work?

Alright, guys! 

 

I get questions about how to prepare for the 3 Day Refresh and how to start going through your package when it comes, so I decided to make a video just breaking down the prepping process.

 

It' SO MUCH easier than you think it is!

 

If you have any questions or need some more info regarding the Refresh, shoot me an email:  schumann.susane@gmail.com

Happy 1st Birthday, Baby Girl.

Emmy,

I know all moms says this, but I cannot believe you're already ONE!  What a year it's been!

All signs pointed to you being a tough little thing:  I was sick throughout the entire pregnancy, you came out within TWO hours of induction sans epidural, & you stayed up almost that whole first night with me.  But, when I got to look at your sweet little face for the first time (and confirm that you actually were a girl), I was filled with such joy just thinking about the life I'll spend with you.

I'm really hoping you like to get your toes done because I feel like we, as a team, could really get dad to pay for that; with your dimples and my eyes, we're an unstoppable duo.  I can't wait to do your hair, have spa nights, & tea parties; if you don't like those things, I'll probably force them at least once before I relinquish you to your own desires.  I've earned this, Emmy.

I intend on reminding you every day for the rest of your life that you were the toughest baby I've had, but you're sure making up for that time now; you are sweet, adventurous, head strong, & so stinkin' cute!  You can hang with the boys, but have made your mark as the princess of the house.  I SWORE I'd never call you a princess and I SWORE I'd never put you in big bows, but you've broken me.  You've made two little boys the happiest big brothers ever (I promise Ethan likes you, he just shows it in a different way) and you've turned your big, tough daddy into a big ball of mush.  You've taught me grace, patience, and multiplied my love as a mom times a billion.

Between you & me, those first 6 months were HARD and I never slept, rarely ate, drank way too much caffeine, studied at really crazy hours to get through nursing school, BUT you gave me so much  purpose.  Knowing that YOU needed ME was the most humbling experience of my life.

I'm SO honored to be your mom.

The Airplane Revelation.

I had just spent a week with my sister and her family in TN, just outside Nashville, away from my three beautiful babes and I was anxious to get home.  Got to the airport super early (I do NOT like rushing or being late for things), went through security, found a Starbucks (SCORE!), accidentally moseyed on out of the departure zones, and was told I had to repeat the process.  Seriously, I was not even a full foot past the 'NO REENTRY' sign, but I went out (finished my Cold Brew) and started over.

This is a pretty good example of who I am on a 'normal' basis.  I'm a little spacey, but mostly because I've come to really learn the art of contentment and just being; I get a lot of joy from sitting around, sipping my coffee, watching people, and doing not a lot more. 

BUT LATELY...

I recently finished nursing school; nursing is a career I've chosen because I LOVE it.  I stinkin' love it.  But something happened in nursing school that is completely inexplicable unless you've experience something similar:  I became unrecognizable to myself.  It's not as if I hated the experience, in fact, I made some life-long friends during the process, but I became this weird nursing student with SUPER cloudy goals.  I began the process with a clear vision on what God had called me to do:  I was MADE to be in hospice care.  I met exactly one other person in school who wanted to do hospice and basically everyone else's response was "really?"   It's not that anyone meant harm, but it's REALLY hard to explain to people why you want to care for the dying; you have to be given a very specific passion.  But all that got lost pretty early on in my schooling; somewhere along the lines, I'd decided I was going to be a nurse at a hospital working weekends and nights to make the MOST amount of money in the SMALLEST amount of time in order to pay my debt off.  That meant an internal agreement to take the first job available, miss out dates with my husband (I figure we'll have them someday), give up full weekends with my kids, & relinquish any social life I gave up for school that I may retrieve after finishing.  And I was okay with it.

Fast forward after school to May of this year and you all know the deal:  I became a Beachbody coach, completely changed my health, and still haven't shut up about it.  But something SO MUCH BIGGER has been in the works; in under three months, I've gotten to like myself again.  I finally decided that it was okay that struggled with post partum depression, it was okay that I barely passed one of my courses in nursing school, it was okay that I didn't have the cleanest house on the block (or in the state), and it was really okay that I didn't have the best body.  It wasn't as if I became a coach and magically I was happier, but Beachbody suggests that each coach be active in his/her own personal development; this means, on top of working out and eating right, that we SHOULD be reading books or watching webinars on developing ourselves mentally & emotionally as well.  For me, personal development primarily means spending time with the Lord.  I have become more immersed in The Word and all of the reading I do about being successful is really a supplement to it and reinforces what I already know:  God is good and He is for me.

You might be like "um, okay,"  but let's go back to me sitting on the plane on my short flight home.  I was reading a book called The Success Principles which has several mini self-challenges in it and the one I'd just finished reading was about stopping, turning your brain off, and listening.  I challenged myself to just listen to what God was telling me and to stop thinking about how I was going to get there ALL THE TIME. 

And then it hit me.

I suddenly remembered WHY I started nursing school in the first place (hospice) and WHY I decided I would be a good Beachbody coach (because I love encouraging + motivating people) and what my ultimate goal is:  to live a purpose-filled life serving others while being a present and available wife and mom.  Even better, I began to put the pieces together as to WHY things had happened over the last few months:  I chose Beachbody coaching literally days after I graduated nursing school, I started focusing on my heart more & stopped trying to control everything, I failed the NCLEX even though I had really great connections all but guaranteeing me that hospital job as soon as a passed, I'd read countless devotionals that have specifically guided me through the 'stuff' I've been dealing with, and I'd learned what I'm good at, what I'm passionate about, & how those gifts can be used to make much of God.

So why am I telling you this?  I legitimately believed the phrase "everything happens for a reason" was a complete cop-out until a month ago; I thought it was something people said to make other people feel better about failures, missteps, and bad choices.

BUT GOD...
God used these moments over the last two years to shape me, form me, mold me, and remind me that I'm His.  I haven't persevered because I'm some crazy super human, but because God wanted me to.  I cannot even tell you the number of times I was ready to quit school and decide I just couldn't do it or the number of times in my moments of frustration & anger that I've doubted my ability to be a mother.

So, the cool thing is, I know now that I'm on the right path.  I don't feel any internal conflict about my purpose with Beachbody or what I'll do after I pass the NCLEX. 

So much relief.  It's crazy what happens when you let the One who can actually control things ... control things.

10 Tips for Moms of Toddlers.

Emmy will be technically considered a toddler exactly ONE WEEK from today.  This means, we'll have two little toddler terrors running around being all terror-y.

 



 EXHIBITS A & B:

 

 





  

 

Since I've had a couple already, I'm an expert (naturally) and wanted to share my top TEN tips for moms with toddlers:

 

1.  Definitely stick to a structured, normal nap schedule.  A normal schedule will keep them from getting overtired & cranky.  BONUS:  You'll get some downtime, too!

 

Unless that doesn't work, then basically let them fall asleep wherever they want.  Let's get real - you won't have this magical 'downtime' until they're 18.

 

 

 

 

2.  Invest in comforting items to help you through long trips; suggestions are blankets,      

pacifiers, food, & milk.  Allow them to self-soothe in the vehicle so they get used to traveling.  It will make life SO MUCH easier for you.

 

If that doesn't work, just sit with them.  Because, seriously, who likes to listen to a baby cry in the car?

 



3.  One word:  RULES.  Create them, stick with them, & NEVER go off track.

If that doesn't work, let them lay on the clothes you're trying to fold.

 

 



4.  Invest in age appropriate toys.  This will ensure proper cognitive growth and development.

If they don't want those toys, let them play with your [clean] stethoscope.

 

 

5.  Discuss appropriate public behavior BEFORE you leave the house.  The last thing you want is a public tantrum where everyone is judging how you handle the behavior.

 

If that doesn't work, buy them food and drink at the store to avoid such tantrums.  If they throw a fit anyway, just pretend you don't hear them.  Or know them.  That's what I do and, remember, I'm a pro.

 

 

6.  Treat all of your children the same.  This stops expectations in their tracks and everyone in the family knows his/her role as a PART of the family, not THE main event.

 

Unless you have a princess on your hands.  Then treat her as the princess she is.

 



 

7.  Proper nutrition is EVERYTHING.  They will learn to love fruits and vegetables if you continue to give them regularly with every meal.

 

Unless there's a day you just can't.  Then give them donuts.

 

 

 

8.  Appropriately dress your children when you take them out in public; this teaches them social norms.

 

Unless they want to be a ninja turtle.  Then that's your new norm.

 

 

9.  Teach them that hands are not for hitting, smacking, scratching, or tugging on other toddlers. This is a valuable lesson and one that needs to be learned.

 

If that doesn't work, create physical barriers in every aspect of their lives.

 

 

10.  Accept that toddlerhood is a phase.  This is a just a short period of time and they won't be impossible forever.

 

If you can't do that, pawn them off your strong, hot husband and tell him you need to "take some pictures."