simple blog


A simple blog about seeking the Lord, savoring life and joyfully serving.


Sunday, June 30, 2019

Live a Quiet Life

When I think of a quiet life I think of a life filled with peace, contentment and a satisified feeling in your soul. A life that is filled with quiet joy and doesn't have to compete with the noise around you.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 says, "make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands..."




DO Work with your hands. Be active. Idle hands are the devil's handiwork or so I'm told...I do believe when you are too idle your mind can wander into some pretty dark places.

DO what you know you have to do each day and go about your work vigorously with joy. Know what you need to do, make a plan and do it. You will rest easy when you know you've had a productive day.

DO NOT compete. Live YOUR best life and live within your means. Be thankful and content.

DO NOT worry. Let go of the things you cannot control. If you are facing a problem, try to take the emotion out of it. Approach it logically and from every angle. Ask the Lord for wisdom and think in a manner that is pleasing to Him. Let it go. For more on that check out this post: Manage Your Emotions. 

DO NOT give in to FOMO. Fear OF Missing Out. It keeps people in a cycle of running to every social event even though their body is exhausted and they need to rest, unwind, and spend some valuable time recharging.

Do spend some time outside without electronics. Take a walk. Sit on your front porch and try to identify all of the birds and the different sounds they make. I love this Bird Book and have learned so much about the birds that frequent our feeders. 

These are just a few ideas that I hope get your wheels turning and prompt you to slow down and seek a quiet way of living.
Thank you for reading.

Grace & peace, 
Adoring Family

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Five Friday Favorites

Hello everyone, thank you for stopping by to check out my five Friday favorites this week.
My Wee one is at a friend's house tonight. I missss her! Do you miss your kids when they are away?





Onto my Friday Favorites...
As I mentioned in this post from earlier this week, I have been trying this new circuit training routine and I absolutely love it.  I have been striving to up my fitness game and have found great help with the following...

This one is an excellent deal and the absolute lowest price I have found,. There is an app to download but it is a quick and easy process. This scale tells you weight, BMI, bodyfat percentage and so much more. My husband and I both enjoy using it. 

This App has been helpful in tracking my meals and ensuring I am getting my daily protein and other nutrients. It's been very informative and helpful. 
MyFitnessPal


Fitbit
Im excited to finally use one of my Christmas presents. I am new to this device but I will let you know how I like it!

I purchased this charger from Amazon and appreciate how sleek it looks when I am charging my Fitbit. ITs great to have a backup charger as well. 

I needed a change from my usual gray or black so I thought I'd be brave and try these. I don't usually do well with white pants but I still love wearing them. These fit perfect and are not see through. 
 

I have to keep this post short and sweet because I am writing this after an awesome but tiring week of Vacation Bible School. Thank you for reading.
Grace and peace,
Adoring Family
linking up here
http://www.alittlebitofeverythingblog.com/


Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Circuit Training

Hello everyone, I’m back from a brief hiatus. I wanted to jump on and share a 20 minute circuit training routine that I have created and found to be very effective. I start out by doing a ten minute light cardio routine on my rebounder/mini-trampoline (read more about about why I think rebounding is THE best form of exercise here). Then I jump right into my circuit training routine. I will do upper body Monday, Wednesday, Friday and lower body Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. As I mentioned in this post, I am doing 90 seconds of cardio before meals and 90 minutes after as part of my 90 Day Sprint Fitness Goals

Let’s get into the routine...
Start by doing 10 minutes of cardiovascular training on your rebounder. For a simple routine click here. I like to find three songs that are upbeat to keep me motivated and give me an idea of how much longer I have to jump. 

Upper Body
MWF

Cardio rebounder 10 min

Circuit one
Side plank 30 seconds each side
Plank 30 seconds 
Push up 20 reps 

Circuit two
Tricep extension w 10 lbs weights x 12
Side Shoulder raise w 10 lbs weights x 12
Straight leg sit up x 30 

Circuit three
Bicep curl w 10 lbs weights x 12
Lat rows  w 10 lbs weights x 12
Shoulder press w 10 lbs weights x 12 

Repeat circuits three times 


Lower Body 
T Th Sat

Cardio rebounder 10 min

Circuit one 
Weighted squats x20
Single leg dead lift right x20
Single leg dead lift left x20

Circuit two
Back leg lift x20 
Side leg lift x20
front leg lift x20

Circuit three


Glute bridge x20
Single calf raise right x20
Single calf raise left x20

Repeat three times


I'm planning to keep this routine up for at least thirty days and then I’ll switch it up by adding more weight or changing up the routine. 

For a short recap, this is what I’m finding to be effective for my fitness goals this week:
Daily 
-10 min cardio rebounder
-Circuit Training for Upper Body MWF
-Circuit Training for Lower Body T TH SAT
-Cran Water- read more about what this is and why I drink it in this post. 
-Supplements- I am currently taking

NOW Foods L-Glutamine
-Lean and green meals -I have some easy recipes coming up soon 
-90 second cardio before/after meals

I hope you find some ideas and inspiration here today. Thank you for reading. 
Grace & peace,
Adoring Family

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Must Have Hair Care Products

Thank you for me joining me today as I am linking some of my most reached for hair care products and how I keep my locks thick and shiny. 

1. Denman Brush

I have used the Denman brush on my hair for years as it stimulates my scalp and helps with blood circulation. The Denman brush is also a helpful tool when removing large tangles in little girls' hair...

 2. Mason Pearson Brush

I had a friend's little girl stay the night and she had this brush. I was sold instantly when I brushed my girls' hair with it and there were no tears or complaints. It's been a favorite since then and I highly recommend it to my mom friends.The Mason Peasron brush is a bit on the pricey side but I think of it as an investment piece. I purchased the junior size and keep it in my purse at all times. I have had this brush for over five years and it still works wonderfully. It is very smoothing and when used in combination with the It's a Ten leave in conditioner it gives a very smooth/ sleek look. 

3. Wet Brush

The wet brush is also a favorite and a must have. If you don't want to purchase a Mason Pearson I would say this is a close second. The Wet Brush is great for detangling but it doesn't smooth down hair the same as the Mason Pearson.  This brush does help detangle id you have a little one that has fine hair that tangles easily.  

 4. Its a 10


Absolutely, hands down my favorite hair care product.  This product has changed my hair tremendously. I used to have the frizzy,  Texas humidity hair but this calms and smooths it down. They key to using this is to spray it in while you hair is still WET. Brush it through and you will see amazing results. I also use this in my girls' hair as a detangler. It smells amazing! I do use this product to freshen up my style after I use the dry shampoo but using it wet is my preference. I have also used It's a 10 for Blondes. It has a purple tint to it which helps prevent your hair from turning brassy. The fragrance on this one is different from the original (love it as well). The blonde formula reminds me of the Heavenly perfume which is a very feminine and clean fragrance that my husband loves. Both are amazing and help me achieve a sleek, silky look.

5. Cat Walk Tigi Root Boost


This product truly is worth it's weight in gold! It gives my hair the most amazing volume I've ever had. My hair used to fall flat quickly but this makes it look thick and bouncy, like you just got a blowout. I love it! 

6. Batiste Dry Shampoo Beautiful Brunette
  


What can I say about how much I love dry shampoo that you probably don't already know? I love this formula for brunettes even though I'm not really a brunette but something about the regular dry shampoo seems to dull my hair and leave white spots. This particular one does not do that and it is a wonderful scent! I really love the fragrance. Amazon has a great price and I have this one on my subscribe and save delivery so I never run out.

9. Prenatal Vitamins Natures Bounty

I have always noticed my hair and nails are so healthy and grow so quickly when I am using prenatal. I highly recommend you try these for a few months before you will se a big difference but I do think you find your hair is more voluminous and your nails are thicker and longer. A bonus I have found is that these are especially good for those of you who get mouth sores. The folic acid in the vitamins helps keep those at bay. 

 

I hope you find some fun products that you would like to try in this post and as always, thank you for reading.

Grace &peace,

Adoring Family

I originally wrote and published this post on flusterbuster.com but all content is mine.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

The Most Important Lesson I Teach My Kids About Relationships

Value others above yourselves....

Philippians 2:1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians is book of the Bible means so much to me. I hesitate to say it is a favorite even though it is because, aren't they all? Every Word of Scripture is God-breathed and useful as we talked about in the post...The Word is living and active and IS Christ. I'm grateful for the Bible, for it's instruction to me and instruction to my children and others. 
One of the most influential passages in Scripture on relationships is the one in Philippians 2. 

2. Do nothing [c]from [d]selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude [e]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be [f]grasped, but [g]emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death [h]on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Humility and the heart of a servant have been a prayer of mine since I found this passage. It is my prayer for my children. I pray that I will not be self-serving but looking to the interests of others.  
Christ is the ultimate example of this. 

How do we teach humility?

Model it. It's important for my children to see humility lived out. Serve your children. Serve their daddy. Let them see you put their needs and their daddy's needs before your own. Let others go first. Show kindness. Go the extra mile for others in public. Pick up after others even if you didn't make a mess. Find what needs to be done and do it.

Gently point out wrong thinking. It is a natural thing to be selfish and to want all the attention and all the toys. When we see this type of behavior, we try to point it out and call it what it is. Are you being jealous? Is that selfish? We will remind them that Bible tells us to be ye kind on to another and how pleasant it is when God's people dwell together in love. 

Remind them to put other's needs before their own. This is easy to do for ourselves but it's hard when it comes to our kids. I'll never forget the first time I was at a public kids' function and there were tons of moms and dads scrambling to get whatever the prizes were (meaningless and cheap toys that probably came from the dollar store). My kid wanted one so I caught myself scrambling too! I felt something inside of me saying, no,this is not the way. I had to show restraint and say, we will get one when it is our turn. A lot of times when you do this, things will run out or you may not get the color you wanted but here's the thing...that meaningless object WILL lose it's luster but the lesson and the character building will last. You will build strength and gain wisdom to see what is really important in this life. Relationships, character, humility.  

Cultivate a servant's heart.
Teach your children to look for things that no one wants to do...
Empty the trash, do the dishes, do the dirty work that no one wants to do. Find the task that is glaringly obvious and seems difficult to approach and then do the first thing to get the ball rolling. Practice serving others and remind them that they are serving the Lord when they are serving others with a kind heart  and with Jesus in mind. Work as though you are working for the Lord. 

Simple Object Lesson:
"If anyone wants to be first he must be very last and a servant of all." Mark 9:35 
Try getting a basket of candy or treats such as popsicles and say, "Okay kids, lets all line up for our treats!" They may scramble to be first in line and then you say the Scripture Mark 9:35 and you start handing out the treats from the last person in line. Play this song:




 Have the children repeat the Scripture and maybe even have them write the verse down on a card. This is an object lesson they will remember.


Here is the full passage of Scripture and another collection of verses I love from this chapter:


Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any [a]affection and compassion, make my joy complete [b]by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing [c]from [d]selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude [e]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be [f]grasped, but [g]emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death [h]on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Thank you for letting me share this with you today and taking the time to read it. As Philippians 3 says, Not that I have attained this but I press on to make it my own...
Praying blessings over my readers this morning.
Grace& peace,
Adoring Family