STRESS RELIEF: EVERYONE NEEDS it sometime

         This is a very helpful relaxation video I used today. Everyone needs some relaxation once in a while, and there are many for free on You Tube. Lately I have been doing these relaxation techniques and I notice how much calmer I feel. Let's face it, life is stressful. Though I LOVE my kids, they can do things that I allow my self to get stressed over. I have an anxiety issue that I've had since I've been a child so therefore, I had to find HEALTHY ways to cope with it. Sure my prescription of "nerve pills" is helpful, but is it really? It helps for the time being but when it wares off my stress and anxieties are still there. So, I turned to this recently. Because clearing my mind, letting go of stress, and allowing myself to calm down really puts a reality on stillness that is so needed in life. So, try this out if you never have. Try this out if you never  feel quiet, take ten fifteen minutes for yourself. Especially being a parent it's important because we need to learn to quiet our minds or calm down at the drop of a dime. Give it a go, and if it works let me know. If you don't have 18 minutes and 36 seconds for this one like I said, there are shorter ones out there. that last as little as 5 minutes. If it comes down to do this or flip out....take the time. Not into meditation, what are some other useful techniques you use for stress? Ive done guided immagry, running, exercise, and just flat out took a nap. What do you do?
xoxo

Megs

TIME TO START CHRISTMAS SHOPPING Part 1

So, it's that time again. Fall. And what's right around the corner? That's right. Christmas. And what's worse than last minute shopping? Not a whole lot. Last minute shopping comes with too many emotions: fear, dread, anger, remorse, and the ever hated regret and resentment.
Christmas for my family is a time to celebrate. Not just celebrate getting and giving, but to celebrate being together, and most importantly the Birth of Jesus. So, why allow Christmas to steal your cheer, as it has mine so many times?
Don't. I stopped this mess a long time ago. This is what I do. Around now, mid October I log on to Amazon.com. No You don't have to shop there (though it's a good way to avoid the rush at holidays), but it will help organize the things you must buy for Christmas. Espescially if you are like me and have more than one school age child or younger. I have to date a 2 year old boy, and 6, 8 and 9 year old girls, with one more bundle coming the end of March (sex is unknown). So, what I do is start watching the comercials. And you WILL see plenty of them. Our TV is rarely on anything BUT Nick Jr., or Disney Channel so of course I see plenty of toy comercials. You'll hear your kids saying the occasional, "Wow!" or "EW I want/need THAT!" and take note. Even my 2 year old sees toys and says, "ME!" And I say, "Oh do you want that?" And he replys with a smile, and an, "KAY!"-As he has not yet mastered "yes" as a way of responding but replaces it with "Kay."
I will then write them down and when I get a moment, I'll log into Amazon.com, and look up the toys and if they are worth it or interesting, I'll add it to my WISH LIST. This is a free service AMAZON offers so you can be notified if the price goes down, or up, and when it goes down, I order it, and avoid the Christmas rush. Here is one of my Just started lists for 2013. Click on it and it shows the price and the toy, and if you are buying for multiple people like myself, you can write notes as to who its for, or where it's going on sale, and even print your list and take it to the store. Check it out, make your own, whatever.

Sample Christmas Wish List

Next step: Buying for adults. My kids are in many programs, Bible Study, Girl Scouts, the Gifted Program, SCHOOL. So, I always have access to fundraisers. Though most things are expensive, you can stock up on things this way for adults. Ever have Christmas dinner and someone show up you do not have a gift for? Me too. This will help you not only buy for those adults you have on your list, but you can also have a few extra gifts "just incase." This year I took advantage of my oldest daughter's gifted program by ordering mason jar candles for only $8 each for adults. I also hit my youngest daughters Girl Scout Nut and Magazine sale, got each kid a magazine subscription for Christmas, but also bought 10 cans and jars of nuts because they are great adult Christmas gifts that are priced at $5-$8. This helps kid's activities and you at Christmas, as they ALWAYS come by November.
Finally, I visit the Dollar store regularly. The reason is, everything is $1 and there are SO many awesome stocking stuffers for the kids, and great containers to stuff home baked cookies in for gifts to friends, family and neighbors.
This is just a quick note on How to Jump Ahead On Christmas Shopping by Starting in the FALL. Shopping early means less stress and more time for family and to enjoy the meaning of Christmas.
Look for part 2.
xoxo
Megs

PARENTS: Better Safe Than Sorry, DO YOUR HOME WORK!

EVERYDAY I pick up the news paper. EVERYDAY-give or take one or two a week there is someone in the paper for Child Molestation!!! As a mother, a Christian, and a HUMAN BEING, I can't imagine what, why or how someone could take the innocence of our children and not see anything wrong with it. It is amazing. The people I know-(I know a lot of people), are always bringing this subject up as well. I was reading up on it, to try to understand it and although I CAN'T grasp it, I did learn a bunch. I found out that a child molester is most likely someone who knows our kids. A family member, a neighbor, and often at one point even our priests.
Although we can not stop it from happening, we can lessen the chances of it happening. If it did happen we can stop it from continuing.

1.  Do your homework. There are 47 sexually violent predators and a total of 53 people on Megan's law within a 25 mile radius from my home. I showed my daughter photos of the ones who lived within 2-3 miles, and explained if she sees them not to talk to them. I KNOW people change. But, these are our kids. I'm not taking any chances.
2. Do your homework. If your child shows the warning signs as listed below, talk to your child. You can easily say, "You are not in trouble, and have done nothing wrong. Did somebody touch you in your private areas in a way they shouldn't."
3. Do your homework. Check Megan's Law to keep you and your children aware of anyone who has harmed children in the past. They show photographs of the predator every six months at least.
4. Do your homework. Look for warning signs.

•  Extreme fear of someone shown by your child. Your child may not know that something wrong has happened, but they may lose interest in being around the predator, or show anxiety when they are mentioned.They may even break down emotionally or throw an unusual fit when they know they will be around the predator.
• Loss of interest in playing with friends, and doing activities that they normally love to do. They may even lose interest in school, refusing to attend.
• Shame: a child could suddenly become over obsessed with their body in either negative or positive ways. Normally, it's negative. They may even state that their body is hurt, bad, or not good anymore. 
• Unfortunately a child who has been hurt in this way is exposed to sex before they should be. So of course, they may talk about it, when you as the parent may not have brought it up yet. The child may even introduce sex into play with dolls, figurines, or even friends.
• Behavior changes. Since children have trouble expressing how they feel, they may channel their anger or hurt into acting out. They may end up with a behavior issue, where as before they didn't have one. They may even channel this anger towards other people, even those they love most because they aren't sure how else to say they are hurting, angry, mad, confused, or any emotion for that matter.
• PHYSICAL CLUES: Don't make a huge issue of it at first, because these signs don't mean your child has been hurt FOR SURE in this manner. Do a physical examination. Watch your child. Does it hurt when they sit down, are they having trouble pooping or peeing, wetting the bed unusually, swelling and or bruises in the vaginal area, redness or blood.
• Loss of sleep: Child wakes more than normal, is suddenly afraid of the dark or has more nightmares than usual. Your child may ask for a light when they did sleep in the dark.

I was astounded at the amount of people in my hometown-small home town who are child predators. you can check your hometown, or a specific person by clicking on this  link:
Megan's Law Registry for The United States of America 
So parents, do your homework and don't be afraid to discuss this with children. Child abuse is on the rise. If your child, your child's friend or someone you know is being harmed, or you have a suspicion that someone is hurting a child, sexual, physical, mentally, or emotionally, don't let it continue. YOU alone make a difference. Call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A CHILD (1-800-422-4453) where there are counselors available 24/7/365. Or click this link, and once you are there click on the purple tab that says "GET HELP" for more information on this service. Here's the link: Find resources, information, statistics, stories, or get involved by helping, even if you don't know anyone who's been harmed.
I hope you found help, or will now use this knowledge, as I will to help children in the future or present.

xoxoxox
Megs

10 Tips for Praying as a Couple, Christian Engagement, Newlywed Couples

10 Tips for Praying as a Couple, Christian Engagement, Newlywed Couples

I FOUND THIS SITE TODAY. IT HAS EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO HEAR, AND I GOT SOME ADVICE ON MAKING A STRONGER MARRIAGE. I WILL SAY CHRIS AND I DO PRAY TOGETHER. THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. IT IS COMFORTING KNOWING THAT I HAVE A HUSBAND THAT IS WILLING TO PRAY FOR ME INSTEAD OF POINT A FINGER AT ME. ITS COMFORTING WHEN WE TAKE TURNS PRAYING TOGETHER AND WE TAKE THE WORDS OUT OF EACH OTHERS MOUTH OR WE ARE ABLE TO SEE HOW EACH OTHER ARE GROWING IN CHRIST. p.s. this pic is not of Chris and I. It's from the website.

Cleaning tips and 11 awesome DIY outfits for summer

Cleaning tips that will blow your mind, DIY outfits for summer

 I found this site, it has cool DIY cleaning products like how to clean glass and mirrors with shave cream, remove stains with bread, neutralize odors with Vodka,
They also show you so many cool ways to make AWESOME HOT clothing from T Shirts.
I recommenced it.
xoxox
Megs

FREE PAINT!!! MOMMA LOVES FREEBIES!

Free Paint at Ace Hardware (8/3)   

SO, surfing the web I got onto this freebie site. And most of them stink. Meaning that the items aren't free, there's some catch to getting said free items or it's stuff that a normal person wouldn't want (a.k.a products companies couldn't sell so they have to GIVE them away). We need to paint our shelves, so, I was looking at paint samples, and paint websites and getting ideas for painting the 4 tier shelf backs different colors. That's how I ran across an advertisement for "free paint." I thought, "humm wonder how much I have to buy first." Well, one click of my mouse and I found my answer, NONE. I printed the coupon. You can get one quart of paint (perfect for small jobs or to have around for arts & crafts). So, bottom line: you  can get one quart of Clark + Kensington Flat Enamel primary tint base(and it includes tinting to most colors)  at ACE HARDWARE but ONLY on Saturday, August 3rd 2013. So, hurry hurry get your coupon. BONUS: GET THE FREE PAINT AND YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED TO WIN 1 OF 10 $1,000 ACE GIFT CARDS AND A PERSONALIZED PAINT COLOR RECOMMENDATION. >>>>Rumor has it that they are doing this again on Saturday August 10th 2013 as well. That's a rumor so I'd just do it now for sure. CLICK THE ABOVE LINK.

 ******If you missed out on this offer STILL click the link, as it takes you to a REAL FREEBIE website with great offers.*******

5 fun ways to show love to your spouse

5 fun ways to show love to your spouse
I FOUND THIS WEBSITE HELPFUL. IT'S GREAT WAY TO WORK ON A ROCKY RELATIONSHIP OR TO KEEP A GREAT ONE GOING. CHECK IT OUT.  BELOW IS MY HUNNIE AND I WHEN WE FIRST GOT ENGAGED AND WE DO MOST OF THESE TIPS AND STILL HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP. HOPE THEY HELP YOU
XOXO~
MEGS

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A mother/father real life issue band solution blog. Do and say and post what you want. Ask us anything....we have been thru EVERYTHING between the two of us.