Healthy Routines

 We just bought our first home! We recently just moved in and things have been hectic trying to unpack and get situated. Our home is much bigger than our last, so I knew I would have to make some changes.

 I have been trying to establish healthy routines, which means I need to be disciplined in order to achieve them.

 I used to sleep in until I absolutely knew I  had to getup. I would hurry to cook breakfast and pour the coffee. If I was lucky, I would have just enough time to read our Marriage devotional and pray with my husband before he left for work. I rushed to pack lunches and hurry the kids out of the house to make it to school on time. Can I just say, that is no way to start your day!

 I was always in a hurry and that my friends, equals an Irritable Mama. 

 I knew it was time to make the changes I desperately needed in order to establish healthy routines. I want to be more focused, energized, and well balanced.

                   Is there something you can start doing in order to achieve healthy routines?

 Here is what my days are starting to look like:

Morning Routine:  

 Wake up Earlier 

 Spend time in the Word & Prayer

 Make Breakfast

 Marriage Devotional & Prayer with my Husband

 Wake kids up and get them off to School

 Start a load of Laundry

 Put clean dishes Away

 Gym Time

 I feel like these are all so important in order to start the day for success. When you are pressed for time, something is bound to get left out!

Evening Routine:

   Prep dinner Earlier

   Clean up as I Cook

   Wash dishes after Dinner 

   Wipe counters down & Shine Sink

   Make Lunches for the next Day

   Lay clothes out for the next Day

   15 minute Clean-up
   Make a To-Do list for the next Day


 I hope this encourages to really think about your days. If there is one change you could incorporate to make your day run ore smoothly, what would it be? Please comment below, I would love to help encourage you friends! 

     

    

     

  

                     

      

Review: 8 Simple Tools For Raising Great Kids

8 Simple 

Tools For

Raising

Great Kids

By: Dr. Todd Cartmell

 Whether you find parenting intuitive or impossible, we could all use a hand here and there.

 The Title really spoke to me. We all want Simple effective ways to parent our children. This book is very practical, easy to read, and leaves your heart full.

 It is broken down into 8 sections. Which includes a summary tip and application questions. I was able to read a few pages each day, and apply what I learned immediately. Dr. Cartmell focuses on Talking, Listening, Influencing, Connecting, Teaching, Encouraging, Correcting, and Leading.

 I really enjoyed this book to the fullest. There is so much insight no matter what ages your children are. I have a 17,15, and 9 year old and I have different struggles with each of them. There is so much encouragement inside this book.  
 It left me feeling excited and ready to apply everything learned. If you want to maintain a healthy relationship with your child, correct behaviors, or develop a nurturing home environment I encourage you to pick up a copy of 8 Simple Tools For Raising Great Kids!


For more information you can check it out and grab your copy today here! 

As a Thank You, if you would like to purchase "8 Simple Tools For raising Great Kids" you will receive 50% off when your purchase it at moodypublishers.com.

                                          Code- GREATKIDS 16

(Expires May 15, 2016) 

   

I received a complimentary copy of this Book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

When Friendship Hurts

 As far as I can remember, it all goes back to Elementary School. Little girls playing on the playground and all of a sudden someone's Feelings are hurt!

 Nothing has changed much today, my daughter's have come home in tears at times because of their friendships. 

 If I'm being honest here, even as grown women we are still those little girls on the playground.

 Ladies, the truth is we live in a fallen world. We all will have trials in our friendships. You will have your heartbroken, you will be betrayed, and you will loose some dear friends in the process.

 It's what we do when these trials occur. I know in my own friendships I haven't always been in a place where I was able to forgive and move past the hurt! 

 Over the past years, I have learned a lot in my friendships.


1. Some Friends are only for a certain season. Some people come into our lives for a very short time and that's alright. Focus on what you may have learned in that time frame and hold on to it! I'm sure you have many great memories.

2. We all get Busy. As women, we have our hands full with our families. If your friends aren't meeting your expectations, and aren't able to hang out and talk as much as you would like. Show them Grace and ask if they need anything? Most of the time, they are just overwhelmed. Try not to take it personal.

3. Be Honest. Try and be as honest a you can be in your friendships. This will build trust and your friends will be able to confide in you at all times!

4. Say Sorry. When you know you messed up, learn to apologize. As women, we have so much pride. It's easier to justify ourselves, rather then just say " I'm sorry". Be the first to admit when your wrong.

5. Forgive. We should be forgiving each other even when it's hard. Circumstances may change the friendship, but holding on will only cause bitterness and it will destroy YOU!

6. Show Grace . You can choose Grace in any circumstance. A strong friendship based on grace will almost always excel. The choice is yours. The questions is, will you choose Grace? 

 I hope this has encouraged you in your Friendships. 

    

   

   

Surrendering your Teenagers to God

  A couple weeks ago I was attending my Women's Bible Study. We were talking about Life, Marriage and Motherhood. I had been struggling that week and honestly questioning myself as a mother.

 Some days, I just feel like I'm doing it all wrong. 

  

  There is another woman in our group who also has teenagers. We have shared our concerns and lifted our children up in prayer, however we never really opened up and shared our struggles as Mothers. 

 That evening, she sat next to me and we began talking. I shared my concerns with her about raising teenagers and she shared a little of her own. It was if, God placed us next to each other for this reason.

 I shared my fears as a mother of teenagers. The Partying, Alcohol, and Drugs that are out there. The fear that my children will make Wrong Choices and my greatest fear that I will somehow Mess them up!

 I question myself all the time!  

  Am I training these children up in a way that is honoring God? Some days, I feel like I am doing a great job and other times I feel like I am messing my children up.

      ~Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. 

Proverbs 22:6

Do you ever feel like if you could just find the right Balance? 

 I do, all the time. In fact I remember asking this sweet woman, "How do you find the right balance in giving your child freedom, but not too much. For instance, if your teen comes to you and asks to go to a party, and you know there may be alcohol there, what do you do?


 Her answer was spot on! She said, " There is NO Balance." We do our part as parents and we have to fully surrender our children to the God." It was almost instant freedom knowing that as long as I am doing my part, I need to trust the God with the rest.


 Have you surrendered your Teenagers to the Lord? It can be hard at times because, we Love our children so much and want to protect them from anything that could cause harm.

 I have great news for you mama! 

 God loves your children so much more and he wants every-Single- part of them. The truth is, God knows your children better than you do!  He wants the messy and broken parts of their lives. God wants use your children in ways beyond your imagination.

~ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm          you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

So what do you say Mama, will you do your part and trust God to shape and mold your teenager into who he has called them to be? I encourage you to let go of your fears and trust God who cares so deeply for your children...


   

They Deserve The Best Version Of Me

These past 2 weeks have been very busy! I have had to really evaluate not only my schedule, but my life. I wake up at 4:45 am during the week. My children attend 3 different schools, that is 6 school runs a day. I am currently babysitting an 18 month old baby. I have chores, errands, kids activities, and my blog. Not to mention, my husband and children want to hang out at the end of each day!

 I have found myself saying NO to a lot these days to the things I long to say yes to. I have no problem saying yes to everything that drains me. In fact, I take on way more than I can handle. Why is it, as women we think we could and should do everything? 

 The truth is, We can't ! 

 I want to say yes to the people and the things that fill me up. That means, I have to say no to a lot more. I had to make changes in order to achieve this...

 I have cared for a sweet baby girl since she was 2 months old. She has truly been a blessing to my family. We have loved her like she was our own and our children have too. However, I had to make a decision to let someone else care for her. We will miss her dearly, but my family needs me to be the BEST ME.

 I have started to delegate more responsibilities within our home. One day my children will thank me for this..

 I have made the choice to go to the gym more frequently, and eat more nutritional food. The saying goes, You are What you Eat!

 I plan to focus more on my blog, because it not only blesses other women but it is truly blessing me.

 I will start saying YES to my husband and children. They deserve the BEST version of ME!

 I pray you will start saying yes to the people and the things that fill you up...


God Bless you,

Tara-Lyn 

When Anxiety Has a Grip On You

I'm sure we have all experienced some sort of anxiety..

 Some anxiety can be useful. Healthy Anxiety: is response to a pressing challenge that helps galvanize a person to react to a task or issue appropriately and with his best effort.

On the flip side, What if you worried all the time about everything? 

 I suffered my first panic attack at the age of 15 yrs old. Out of nowhere my heart began to race and pound out of my chest, my hands were sweating, and I couldn't breathe. I literally thought I was going to die!

 My sister rushed me to the ER and the Dr. said everything is alright, you had a PANIC ATTACK. I had no idea what that meant. I was only a teenager. He began to explain that I was suffering from anxiety, which led to a panic attack. 

PANIC ATTACK: a feeling of acute and disabling anxiety

 Over the next few years, I took many trips to the hospital thinking I was dying. All panic attacks. I started living in fear on a daily basis. I worried about everything and anything. I felt like I was losing control. 

 My Dr. wanted to prescribe medication, but I decided I didn't want to be on any medication. Instead, I suffered through the fear and anxiety.

 In 1998, I became pregnant with my first child. During the whole 9 months, I felt great! Sure, I worried about many things and had anxiety, but I didn't have any panic attacks. For some reason, anytime I was pregnant, I never had a full on panic attack. Thank you Jesus!

 As time went on, my boyfriend at the time (husband) joined the Military, we got married and moved to San Diego! I was away from anything I had ever known. I spent a lot of days feeling lonely and my anxiety began to get worse. 

 Over the years, I learned to manage my anxiety. I still had it, but I somehow was able to only let it go so far. Still, I was broken inside and didn't understand why!

 In 2009, I decided to seek counseling. I was at a point where, I needed answers. Why do I have anxiety? Is there something I am doing wrong? How do I make it go away? I needed to understand my ANXIETY  exactly for what it was. After, many sessions with my counselor we discovered it was linked to my childhood. I honestly thought I had let go of the past and moved on because I wasn't that child anymore. The truth is "That child still lives in me today."

 In 2011, I accepted Jesus into my heart. I trusted him to a certain point and although I really wanted to fully surrender, I just couldn't. At times, it made me question my Faith. Was I a good enough Christian? Was I truly saved, because if I was I would fully trust God with my life and wouldn't have anxiety. Instead, I trusted God with what I wanted, and my anxiety with the rest. 

 I love how loving and patient God has been with me. The truth is Salvation is a gift from God, that can't be earned. " God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can Boast about it." Ephesians 2:8-9

 Recently, a good friend of mine Vanessa shared her struggle with Anxiety with me. I remember tears streaming down my face because I felt her pain and our anxiety connected us. It's really hard to understand anxiety, unless you have experienced it. I knew God brought her to me for a reason.

 Also, during this time I had a health scare and had to see a Neurologist. We went over my MRI results and Praise God everything was clear. However, he reviewed my labs and asked me if I had anxiety? I immediately, thought to myself " I'm I acting anxious? How does he know?" I said, Yes... He looked at me and said " I would have never known by looking at you. You seem very upbeat and happy." I guess I have learned to hide it well. He explained to me, anxiety causes your oxygen to throw your body off by the way you breathe when your anxious. Sometimes, it effects your nutritional values.

 In that moment, I knew God, God was speaking directly through this DR. We talked about my anxiety for awhile and he said you have learned to deal with this as part of your life, but you don't have to. 
       
 It was time for me to dig deep and face my own Anxiety. It was time to really give it to God and trust him in this place where I have tried to control for so long!

 Today, I am in counseling for my anxiety and I'm excited to start this journey. Although, I know God is my foundation and is the one who will deliver me from my anxiety. It's alright to use other helpful resources. I also meet with Vanessa weekly for a Bible study on Overcoming Worry and trusting God. I love our time together. 

 Everyday, I have to make the choice to trust God. He is my Rock and Foundation!

 There are several types of Anxiety disorders:

Panic Disorder

   Generalized Anxiety Disorder

 Specific Phobias 

Social Anxiety Disorder


If you think you may be suffering from anxiety, I encourage you to reach out and tell someone or speak to your Dr.. You are not alone!

If you would like to reach out to me personally, Please feel free to email me. 




Blessings,
~Tara-Lyn

Choosing Joy In The Midst Of It All

 The days are so long, and there is still so much to do...


 This week has felt that way in our home. My days are normally busy during the week with school runs, activities, chores, and everything else. However, it seems like from time to time the kids all have something more going on at the same time.    

 Our oldest daughter is in the performing arts and has 2 evening performances this week. Our son is playing basketball this season and has an extra game this week. I find myself rushing from place to place and feeling stretched thin. 

 Mamas, I know you can relate. It is so easy to get irritated and grow weary during these times. The truth is. There will always be busier times in our lives. It is how you handle those times... 

 Yesterday, I did a lot more running around and errands and rushed to get to my son's game in time. By evening, I just wanted to lay my head down on my pillow. Instead, My oldest daughter asked for my help in making her costume. I thought to myself, Really? It's the night before your performance and you want to put your costume together now. That is teenagers for you! 

 I could of gotten upset with her, but I made the choice to find JOY in the situation. Instead, God used this time for my 2 girls to work together to make the costume. All he wanted me to do was be still and enjoy the moment. I'm so glad I did! I couldn't help but think how blessed I am to be their mother. My heart ended up being full...

 My oldest daughter is a Junior in high school. These precious moments won't last forever. I choose to find the joy in whatever circumstances come my way! Mamas, We have a daily choice. Will you choose Joy? " This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24 I pray that you are able to see the many blessings in your life. Always Choose JOY!!

                      
                                    ~ Tara-Lyn           

Finding hope in the midst of pain

Finding hope in the midst of pain can be hard. Knowing that you have a heavenly father that cares about everything we go through, doesn't take away the pain, but makes it bearable.

Here is a story I would like to encourage you with...

 Luke 18:1-8

"One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people.  A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly!

Encouragement:

I highlighted some key points I would like to talk about, to encourage you during hard times. Jesus started by telling them a Story, "So that they should always pray and never give up!" That is one of the KEY points I want to stress in this article, that during times of difficulty and pain, ALWAYS PRAY and NEVER GIVE UP, Your heavenly father knows and is always doing a work behind the scenes!

The Judge in this story Jesus told, straight up admitted that he didn't fear God (in other words, he had no respect or honor to God) and didn't care about people but gave her what she was looking for, which was JUSTICE! and Jesus ended the story by saying, to learn a lesson from this Judge, who didn't care about people, but you have a heavenly father that LOVES you and wants to give justice to His people and he will do it QUICKLY! 

I LOVE this story because it encourages me to keep going, keep praying and to NEVER GIVE UP!

I pray this was a blessing to you!

~Trista