by Kimberly | Jul 21, 2015 | Uncategorized
Some people may think I’m a good Mommy, but my husband and few friends understand what a struggle it is for me every day of the week. I thrive on quiet and peace and I’ve been given two toddlers who love to scream and they giggle really loud and they say “hi mommy” 50 times in a row. I wouldn’t change them or trade them for anything.
So, here is what I say to myself often – and I need to say to myself more:
“Bless the Lord who daily bears us up.” Psalm 68.19
Bless – praise, thank, admire, worship
the Lord – Jesus, God – the one who created everything including you and your children
Who: he is the one who does it!
Bears – gives strength
Us – you, me, anyone who will call upon his name
Up – he keeps us from falling.
The rest of the verse goes on to say that God is our salvation. God is more than just your provision (Jesus) out of hell. But God is your salvation every single day!
So, if you are like me and struggle in your mommyhood role – know that crying out to the Lord is such a source of help. He will bear you up because He is faithful at his word!
by Kimberly | Jul 21, 2015 | Books
One of the best things that my husband ever said to me before we had children was that they would know how to be affectionate because I was their momma. I cling to that these days when the discipline is so hard. I still love getting their hugs, wrestling with them, tickling them, and having them give me kisses and hold my hand. I will take it all. It is one of my favorite things about being a mom!
There are so many children out there who don’t get the love they need from loving adults (whether it is their parents, other family members, or loving adults in their lives). One of the reasons we wanted to settle on a church quickly when we moved to the metro area is so that the boys would get familiarity from other adults besides us. They would get to know their SS teachers, pastors, friends’ parents. They would be shown love.
Some say it is hard to love when you have to discipline a child. It is hard. Disciplining is hard. But disciplining them (when done with a correct action and spirit) is loving. God loves us, his children, when he disciplines us and he is always love.
Tommy Nelson just released I Love You Even When, a book for toddlers. It is a foam board book but has enough letters that it would be a great book for those learning to read. Animals are a usual high attraction for most children and these illustrations are cute.
Good points about this book: God’s love is unconditional. Helpful illustrations that will be perfect for most toddlers and the messes they get into.
Questionable – not bad, but just some points to talk about with your children as you read through it together – our kids should not feel they are more accepted and loved by us (their parents) when they obey. That only teaches them legalism. If you need a good book to talk more about this go here.
If you want a copy of this book, just leave a comment either here or on social media and answer the question: what is one thing your toddler does that as you are disciplining them you are trying not to laugh (yes, kids do the darndest things).
by Kimberly | Jul 21, 2015 | Uncategorized
Most people who know anything about weight loss (and maintaining weight loss) will tell you that it can’t be just about what you put in your body, but also has to include what you do with your body.
Over the last 21 months I’ve been trying to lose the baby weight from back to back babies. During that time I also moved states and now am finally getting settled into life with two toddlers. We are an active family and I seldom keep the boys at home. It is a fun, busy life. One that I need energy for. So, I’m learning how to change my eating habits and also work hard at changing my body tone every day. (The photo above is from my lingerie shower about 6 weeks before I got married. I can wear that dress again!)
Where I’ve been: when I delivered both my boys I was at 257. Yikes. That is an awfully high number for my 5’7″ frame and I know some of it was water retention. But, I’ve now lost 86 lbs since my second was born in October of 2013. I still have 15 to go to the weight I want to maintain. I’m back below the weight I was when I wore my wedding dress back in October 2011.
As I’ve been doing this weight loss journey, I’ve had friends ask my how I do it. Here are a few things:
1. Eat less but also eat naturally healthy foods. This is 80% of what I eat: whole, natural, foods including animal products.
2. I have mainly cut out breads and potatoes and pastas.
3. MOVE! I will talk more about this further down in this post.
4. Drink plenty of water. I use the “half of your body weight in ounces” rule. But, I also drink diet cokes (please, no rant in the comment section about this).
5. Have people who are cheering you on. We all need cheerleaders and I think that losing weight it so hard to do on your own.
6. Self-discipline. This, for me as a Holy Spirit filled believer, is a gift given to me by the Spirit. I just need to put it into practice more often.
7. Enjoy life. You can do this by eating special meals every now and then or having dessert every now and then – but find other ways to enjoy life and celebrate.
Ok – since this post is mostly about working out and exercise, I want to just tell you what I’ve done. First let me say that with two toddlers I would not have been able to lose this weight this quick without my parents who pay for my gym membership each month and that comes with childcare. So I spend time at the gym 6-7 days a week. It helps my body and my sanity. And my boys love the kids klub!
I typically spend about 40 minutes doing cardio (either a spin bike or running – especially if I’m training for a race). Then I spend the rest of the time doing body weight strengthening. I’ve recently been enjoying the 30 Day Plank Challenge and the Little Black Dress Challenge. It helps to have accountability so I’m in groups on facebook with friends of mine who are scattered throughout the country. When I’m not in the gym sometimes my boys and I will walk a trail in Alpharetta in the shade for about an hour or we will play on playgrounds. One night a week typically we will bring Daddy along and hike along the Chattahoochee which is fun but not very fast when you have toddlers who want to stop and look at everything.
Whatever you need to do – please take care of yourself. Maybe you can take the money you spend on eating out or coffee trips and put some of that toward a gym membership. Maybe buy some videos (I like Jillian’s 30 Day Shred and Bob’s Weight Loss Yoga).
Take care of yourself – for yourself and for others.
by Kimberly | Jul 20, 2015 | Launch
Small businesses probably make up a lot more of the business world than we would think. SO many people now go into work for themselves because they like the autonomy of their own hours, the flexibility it provides their families, and you can design your business however you want.
As I finally work on launching my photography business (I’ve been shooting for friends and for my family since about 2005), I have been learning what it takes to get started, especially in a field where everyone believes themselves to be a fabulous photographer. I’m not a fabulous photographer, but I’m good, I’m growing, and I’m passionate about learning more and constantly growing in my field.
I’ve found one aspect to be especially important: encouragement. Everyone needs a cheerleader (or more than one would be nice). It is helpful to surround yourself with people who know your craft, can give you constructive criticism, will help you grow and get better, but also those who believe in you and help push you outside your comfort zone.
I have that one person (outside my husband and parents) who believes me and encourages me every step of the way. I’ve taken some photos for her and she loves them – always encourages me to be better (I absolutely love shooting with her around because she challenged me).
Who is that one person for you – find that person. That person will be the biggest blessing to you in your career!
by Kimberly | Jul 20, 2015 | Books
It is no secret that I love to read. But, I need more time in my schedule to read. And with two toddlers, a husband, a photography business, White Collar, West Wing, and lots of books – I have to do something to find more time!
One thing I am doing is getting more organized in my reading. I am one of those readers that reads multiple books at once and always has a stack of books by my nightstand. I have several books a month I’m reviewing for one publisher or another and that always keeps my mailbox full (and that is a happy mail day!)
So, since I have different interests and ways I need to read to fit my life – here is the deal. I’m going to try each week to organize what I’m reading and let you know about it. That way you can be introduced to new authors and books and you can also give me suggestions on what you are reading in those categories.
Christian Life: Newton on the Christian Life and Packer on the Christian Life (these two are both on my Kindle and they are both books I’m reviewing for Crossway). I think I would highlight the whole book! So good!
Creativity/Business/Photography: A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman
Marriage: The Fruitful Wife by DiMarco
Food: A Modern Way to Eat by Anna Jones (a book review I’m doing for Blogging for Books) and My Life in France by Julia Child
Children: Just for Me Bible, Say and Pray Bible, and I Love You Even When (all book reviews for Tommy Nelson)
Parenting: My husband and I are reading through Shepherding a Child’s Heart together and even though I’ve read it is very important for me to re-read it now that I have children.
