tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68646590345792005002024-03-12T18:13:26.463-07:00Skinies for MommiesKeep your own beautiful, unique style!Skinieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589997019782870463noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864659034579200500.post-52291911256839215452010-10-25T12:43:00.000-07:002010-10-28T21:46:55.221-07:00I Will Breastfeed in Public. Darnit.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/TMcC8B2wdRI/AAAAAAAAAGE/m_jAnbLznO0/s1600/blog.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 174px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532393897561453842" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/TMcC8B2wdRI/AAAAAAAAAGE/m_jAnbLznO0/s200/blog.jpg" /></a> The funniest (or most tragic) breastfeeding in public moment I had was with my screaming infant in the middle of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Krogers</span></span>. She just would not wait to eat and the grocery list was calling out to me. It stressed me out thinking about sitting in the middle of a busy store filled with strangers to breastfeed. Right before I decided to give up and go home, sneaky mom ingenuity prevailed and I slid myself down a semi-dark hall that was hiding by the bathrooms. Making sure I was down far enough past the bathrooms, I whipped out the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">lactators</span></span> and let baby have at it. Her screaming stopped, she relaxed in my arms and became completely content (and I gotta say, so did I).<br /><br />A sense of pride and accomplishment swept over me as thoughts of 2 more hours of shopping danced in my head! The joy that I could actually finish my shopping list with a content baby, and the pleasure of being able to find a secluded, quiet and totally PRIVATE place to nurse made me feel warm and fuzzy. Either that or the let-down hormones were just kicking in. Leaning back against the wall, totally exposed but cool with it, the "Hallelujah" chorus I heard playing in my mind came to a screeching halt when I lifted my eyes and noticed my worst nightmare. The security camera was on and pointing right at me!! <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">NOOOOOOO</span></span></em>!<br /><br />It was moments like these that led me to invent <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Skinies</span></span>. Knowing that breastfeeding my baby was the absolute best I could give drove me to set aside all my personal feelings of being exposed and put baby first. The sacrifices we, moms, make! But I'll tell ya, I absolutely <em>hate </em>the concept of someone other than my husband getting a glimpse. No, I am not ashamed of my body, I just hate being exposed. It's just me. I will breastfeed in public. Darnit. But I'm gonna do it my way! Because of this mentality, I found myself becoming a super sleuth trying to find a way to accomplish this and satisfy my need to be discreet. After six babies, I have discovered a few things that really helped me.<br /><br />For what it's worth, here's my (mom of 6) breastfeeding in public advice:<br /><ul><li>The most important of all is <strong>what is going on in your head</strong>. Our minds can play tricks on us especially if we are doing a good thing and others may not think so. Hold your head high! Know that you are giving your baby the best and poo-poo if anyone disagrees!</li><br /><li><strong>Prepare beforehand.</strong> Before you ever go anywhere, think about the possibility that you could have to nurse in public and devise a plan. <strong><em>Where will you go?</em></strong> Are you OK with a bench in the middle of the store, or would you prefer privacy? Remember ~ you have the right to be comfortable. Determine where your comfort level is. You have nothing to prove. Respect yourself and your feelings. It will make your experience much more enjoyable. Consider also that comfort levels may change as your nursing experience grows. For example, a brand new mom who is just getting the hang of breastfeeding may prefer a bit of privacy, and a mom who has been at it awhile may be comfortable anywhere. </li></ul><p>If you are fine with a bench in the middle of the store, scout out just where that bench is. That way, as soon as baby calls, you can find your spot. If you do prefer privacy and the store you are shopping at does not have a "breastfeeding room", they may find you a place. You could even call ahead to find out. <strong><em>What will you need?</em></strong> Pack books, toys or snacks in the diaper bag to keep older children entertained. Planning ahead will put you at ease when the moment arises that your little one demands <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">yummies.</span></span></p><ul><li>I preferred to <strong>find a private place.</strong> Then I could let it all hang out and not worry about being exposed. Plus, the thought of applying nipple cream in front of strangers kind of freaked me out. However, I refused to nurse my baby in a bathroom stall! I tried it once and realized it's just plain gross. My solution: dressing rooms! I actually began arranging my shopping according to which stores had dressing rooms. This was soon after the Kroger incident. :) </li></ul><p>In my opinion, dressing rooms are the perfect place to nurse a baby. They are private, quiet and you don't have to worry about being covered. If you have toddlers with you, they can play on the floor while you nurse. In addition, a break from the busyness of a crowded store was like a pick-me-up for baby, toddler and me. It was always an intimate and sweet moment of re-connecting. I found that most store clerks were very accommodating. However, if they give you a hard time, pull a garment off of a store rack and politely say "may I have a dressing room please?" What can they say? ;) </p><ul><li>If there isn't a private place, <strong>nurse anyway!</strong> The way I see it, the biggest problem people have with nursing mothers isn't so much nursing, but they just don't want to see a breast. I don't blame them. Even though I could care less about seeing a nursing mom's breast, I really don't want my husband to! </li></ul><p>This one is simple to handle. Just keep your breast covered and no one will give a hoot. As a nursing mom 6 times, I felt that other people's feelings deserved respect as much as I deserved the respect of being able to nurse in public.</p><ul><li><strong>Don't flash skin.</strong> This serves a two-fold purpose. 1) It keeps you comfortable knowing nobody can see your belly or breast. 2) People who may not be familiar with breatfeeding will be more comfortable when they can't see flesh. It's really not as hard as it seems. After a couple weeks of getting good at breastfeeding, baby becomes a little pro and can practically latch on by himself. At that point in my experience, my only concern was not being exposed. This is where <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Skinies</span></span> came in. It was a cover-up for under my clothes. When I lifted my shirt to nurse ~ everything was covered. The openings are just the right size so that I could unlatch my nursing bra and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Skinies</span></span> would give maximum cleavage and breast coverage. </li></ul><p>Even with all the perfect gear, if you do accidentally flash some skin ~ don't stress. Keep your cool. Return back to what you are doing and pretend it never happened. Selective recall is a beautiful thing. </p><ul><li>If you choose to use a blanket or a nursing cover, <strong>practice at home</strong> several times a day to get baby use to it. This way, it won't be foreign to your little one and he will relax. Even though they did <em>not </em>like it at first, my babies got so use to having a blanket over them it just wasn't a big deal. Remember ~ moms are teachers. Learning to nurse under a blanket or nursing cover has to be taught. Don't force it. Begin with placing it on only as long as they will allow and work up to using it the whole session. I do recommend getting one with as light a fabric as possible, though. It can get stuffy under there! In my situation, I began by first having baby latch on and then adding a blanket. After we mastered this, I transitioned to placing the blanket over both baby and myself first, then latching on underneath. By practicing all of this at home, stress simply didn't enter in. </li></ul><p>We became such pros at it that I remember sitting in church one day nursing the baby when a man in the congregation walked up and started talking to me. He had absolutely no idea baby was even nursing. Yes, my mind went into freak out mode for a second. I figured as long as my body language wasn't screaming "Get back! There's a naked breast under here!" he would probably have no clue. I mentioned nothing about nursing and kept my cool. Sure enough, I was right, he had no idea! Maybe it was because he was a man, or maybe it just looked like baby was napping ~ either way, he was oblivious. Goal accomplished! The practice payed off! I felt powerful at that moment! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hee</span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">hee</span></span>.</p><ul><li>Don't make a big deal of it. Your <strong>confidence and attitude</strong> will go a long way. Humans are funny creatures. Most of the time, they will follow your lead. Being laid back and comfortable will put others at ease. If you are uncomfortable and feel like you are being <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">gawked</span> at, create a diversion. Keep your water bottle close and demurely grab a drink. Pull out a magazine and gently flip through it. The focus of what you are doing will be completely diverted and their minds will transfer from "a woman nursing a baby" to "a woman taking a drink". If you find someone who seems preoccupied with staring, grab your cell phone. Begin flipping through yours, and they may feel a need to check theirs. Or you can fake like you are taking a picture of them. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">That'll</span></span> be sure to make them turn away. </li></ul><p>If someone <em>still </em>has a problem with your nursing, well, they can get a ladder and get over it! Remember ~ you are doing an <strong><em>incredibly good</em></strong> thing! God created your body to nurse your baby, and if He approves, who cares what anyone else thinks.</p><ul><li>Lastly: Always, ALWAYS look for security cameras!!</li></ul><br /><br />BACK TO <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">SKINIES</span></span>: <a href="http://www.skinies.com/">http://www.skinies.com/</a>Skinieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589997019782870463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864659034579200500.post-30163412401555371292010-06-04T10:22:00.000-07:002010-10-26T12:48:26.087-07:00Make Your CAMI a Nursing CamiDid you know that you can wear Skinies underneath a tank top or EVEN a cami? Yep! If you have a favorite <em>CAMI</em> you love, Skinies is cut to <em>disappear</em> right under it! Just wear Skinies under your bra and your favorite cami over the top for the perfect breast-feeding camisole!<br /><br /><em><strong>3 Easy steps to comfort:</strong></em><br /><br />1. Put on your Skinies.<br />2. Put on your bra over Skinies (super comfortable).<br />3. Slide your favorite camisole or tank top on and, voila! You are ready to go!<br /><br />Now you have a complete full coverage camisole and you can still wear your favorite bra! When you need to nurse your baby, just pull up the outer camisole. Skinies will cover everything for you and help you nurse with confidence!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;">BACK TO SKINIES: </span><a href="http://www.skinies.com/"><span style="color:#ff9900;">http://www.skinies.com</span></a><span style="color:#ff9900;"> </span>Skinieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589997019782870463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864659034579200500.post-45896639454718297802010-01-19T09:42:00.000-08:002010-10-26T12:48:44.111-07:00Haitian Babies<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/S1hxxTZA8mI/AAAAAAAAAFc/NjXxxUuyhfA/s1600-h/orphans+7+close+up.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429214442627854946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/S1hxxTZA8mI/AAAAAAAAAFc/NjXxxUuyhfA/s200/orphans+7+close+up.jpg" /></a><br /><div>If your heart is tugging at you when you think of the devastation in Haiti, I can certainly relate. I am sure that it was not a coincidence at all that just a few weeks before the tragic earthquake struck, I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful Haitian man named John. In fact, I believe it was a <strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">divine appointment</span></strong> for the both of us. </div><br /><br /><div>Through a tender-hearted passion, John told my husband and I about his vision. The two of them take care of 25 orphans in Haiti. He talked about them like they were his own babies - I could sense the love God placed inside him for them. How wonderful that God gave them someone like John to be a father-figure for them! After we parted, John sent photos and as soon as I saw them, my heart melted. They are precious and darling, <strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">just like my own</span></strong>. I looked at my husband and I said "Rick, Skinies has to help these babies!" </div><br /><br /><div>I knew then that my goal was to grow Skinies so that we could be able to <strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">help these little ones</span></strong>. John told of how he has a waiting list of other orphans who need a loving home, but he doesn't have enough money to support them. Sadly, I am sure that after this earthquake, there may be even more on that list. We desperately want to become a source of support for them. </div><br /><br /><div>If you sense your heartstrings pulling as well, I ask that you <strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">please do not ignore it</span></strong>. Please consider giving a tax-deductible donation to:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">Luther and Stella Ogle Foundation<br />P.O. Box 648</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc6600;">Gatlinburg, TN 37738-0648</span></strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Please write "orphanage" on your check. Every penny you give will go directly to the orphans.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>BACK TO SKINIES: <a href="http://www.skinies.com/">http://www.skinies.com/</a><br /><br /></div>Skinieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589997019782870463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864659034579200500.post-88534477623311667262009-10-21T09:53:00.000-07:002010-10-26T12:50:01.910-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/St9NysttelI/AAAAAAAAAE0/GYJuivxo_g8/s1600-h/hobo+mama.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 110px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 94px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395116412004825682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/St9NysttelI/AAAAAAAAAE0/GYJuivxo_g8/s200/hobo+mama.bmp" /></a><br /><div>Another fabulous review of Skinies! This mom blogger says "Don't flash your father-in-law". Too funny! Here's a review that is down to earth and honest, check it out! <a href="http://www.hobomama.com/2009/08/dont-flash-your-father-in-law-skinies.html">http://www.hobomama.com/2009/08/dont-flash-your-father-in-law-skinies.html</a></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>BACK TO SKINIES: <a href="http://www.skinies.com/">http://www.skinies.com/</a><br /></div>Skinieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589997019782870463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864659034579200500.post-79607211586893322542009-07-28T11:50:00.000-07:002010-10-26T12:50:37.763-07:00Pure and Undefiled Religion<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/Sm9ItuhcyvI/AAAAAAAAAEs/n-55C8vQ1xo/s1600-h/Jesus+and+Lamb.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 166px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363585631641193202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/Sm9ItuhcyvI/AAAAAAAAAEs/n-55C8vQ1xo/s200/Jesus+and+Lamb.jpg" /></a>Death touched the life of a young girl I love dearly a few weeks ago and changed the course of her world forever. Watching her go through this was almost too much to bear. My mommy's heart ached day and night just thinking about the pain that wrapped itself around her.<br /><br />I met Emily when she was only a tender, sweet and adorable 5 year-old. She and her beautiful mother moved in right across the back yard and our hearts became connected by our touching lawns. Through the years our two lawns became one big yard as Emily and my girls crossed between homes pretty much daily. When the neighbor kids were <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">asked</span> to go home because we had company, that never included Emily. She even signed Grandpa's birthday card.<br /><br />It was God who surprised us with this close bond we developed and it seemed planned by Him all along. In the beginning, I babysat Emily because her mommy was a single working mother. We just wanted to help out. That was our plan, but <span style="color:#993300;"><strong>God had a bigger one</strong></span>. He knit Barb and Emily right inside of our hearts and lives and made us feel like family instead of neighbors. I love Him for that.<br /><br />One of the issues surrounding Emily that pulled at our heartstrings was the tragic loss of her daddy right before she moved into the neighborhood. Barb had been widowed and little Emily (daddy's girl) was left fatherless. We walked through moments with her when she missed him so very much. We reassured her that her Father in Heaven would be faithful to comfort her, and we prayed like a bandit for her and her precious mom through the years.<br /><br />God showed us all <span style="color:#993300;"><strong>His faithfulness</strong></span> to Emily. He began to show her that indeed it was true - He was a comfort. He became hers. We watched Emily learn to cling on to God as her source and even turn into a little warrior for her mother. She was the preacher of the family and preach she did. Her mom heard the gospel through Emily. Most importantly, she saw a living version of the gospel. I remember Barb calling me one day and saying "Jodie, the change in Emily is like a miracle!"<br /><br />For eleven years we watched her grow, prayed for her, and loved her like our own. On July 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> of Emily's sixteenth year on Earth, a second tragedy struck her life that I thought would completely shatter her. But I was wrong. Instead of shattering her, she became a pillar of strength that I have not seen before in a human so young. Faith exuded from her and held her whole family up. <span style="color:#993300;"><strong>Her strength made others strong.</strong></span><br /><br />The call I received July 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> I will never forget as long as I live. It was Emily. She was hysterical. She told me that her mom and boyfriend were in a motorcycle accident and Bruce was killed. Barb was in critical condition. Within an hour and a half, Barb died. Emily was orphaned. Life as we all knew it was changed forever. Death touched us all and left a permanent mark on our hearts.<br /><br />Over the next couple of weeks, we watched this young teenager (who is still that sweet little girl in my eyes) grow up in a way no child should ever have to. Death entered her whimsical teenage life and viciously, violently knocked the wind out of her sails. However, just when we thought she was down for the count in the dark dirt of despair, she rose up. When others would need a sedative, Emily grabbed her Bible. She chose the music to honor her mother at the funeral and, of course, it also honored God. She clung on to the hope that <span style="color:#993300;"><strong>Heaven</strong></span> <span style="color:#993300;"><strong>is just another city</strong></span> and we are only <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">separated</span> for awhile. That hope she has spread to others.<br /><br />It is for this reason that I am writing this blog. I want to honor Emily. I want others to know that in the great big world, there is a sixteen year-old who had the ability to overcome tragedy and become a pillar in the most tragic of any circumstance known to man. <span style="color:#993300;"><strong>If she can - so can we.</strong></span> I now have seen an example. If Emily can get through this with faith burning inside of her heart - I can get through anything.<br /><br />Emily is just at the beginning gate of this walk through the valley of the shadow of death. In Psalm 23, God promised her that He would be with her and comfort her. I heard it said once that we, as Christians, are the hands and feet of Jesus. He will use our arms to hug her when she hurts, our words to speak peace to her when she worries. On her weak days, we will hold her up - on her strong days, we will remind her where the source of her strength is coming from. Jesus will use our bodies as <span style="color:#993300;"><strong>living vessels</strong></span> to take care of His little girl. According to James 1:27, this is a part of pure and undefiled religion - to look after the orphan.<br /><br />Maybe you are moved in your heart by Emily's circumstance and would like to be involved in helping her. Maybe you just would like to be a vessel that God uses to take care of a young girl who no longer has a mom or dad to walk through this big world with her. Maybe you are simply interested in partaking in <span style="color:#993300;"><strong>pure and undefiled religion</strong></span>. Whatever the reason, an opportunity for each one reading this is available.<br /><br />An account has been set up at Fifth Third Bank in Emily's name. This is for her education. The call of God is very strong on Emily and I have no doubt that she will grow up to accomplish great things, so the donation will be well spent. However, even the smallest amount given is seen by God and pleases Him because we are fulfilling what He accepts as pure and undefiled religion.<br /><br />Please consider giving to the:<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#993300;">Emily <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Elliston</span> College Trust Fund</span></strong><br /><br />There are a couple of ways you can do this:<br />1) You can go into any Fifth Third Bank and give a deposit to the teller for the Emily <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Elliston</span> College Trust Fund.<br /><br />2) You can mail in a deposit to:<br /><br />Fifth Third Bank<br />ATTN: Deb<br />1311 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bellefontaine</span> Street<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wapakoneta</span>, OH 45895<br /><br />* Put a note in the memo of your check saying "Emily <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Elliston</span> Trust Fund".<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />BACK TO <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">SKINIES</span>: <a href="http://www.skinies.com/">http://www.skinies.com/</a>Skinieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589997019782870463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864659034579200500.post-79379365783422737172009-06-04T08:20:00.000-07:002010-10-26T12:50:55.872-07:003,128 Saturdays<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/Sifs8HbepsI/AAAAAAAAAEk/nttOooEoX74/s1600-h/At+the+Park.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343500000428992194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/Sifs8HbepsI/AAAAAAAAAEk/nttOooEoX74/s200/At+the+Park.jpg" /></a><br /><div>My favorite place to be as soon as I wake up when the house is still and the sunshine is peeking in to say "good morning!" is on my couch in the front room of my house. My kids dubbed it the "prayer room" years ago. They knew that is where they would find me each morning. One day, not too long ago, I was sipping my coffee and having a little conversation with God. The verse "Teach us to number our days" (Psalm 90:12) popped into my head. I pondered it for a few and then, feeling somewhat curious, pulled out my calculator to <em><strong>literally</strong></em> number my days. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>What I discovered astounded me as it changed me. I was 40 at the time and generously gave myself until 100 years old to live out my days. I decided if I went to meet Jesus face to face at 100 years old, that gives me 60 years left. Here is where it gets scary. 60 years times 365 days means I only have a grand total of 21,900 days left here on Earth! That's it! It seems like such a small number. 21,900 dollars can only buy a car - not even a house. <strong>Small number</strong>.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It gets worse - when I divided that into the days of the week, my jaw dropped. I have only - get this - <strong>3,128 Saturdays</strong> left here on Earth! That is assuming I live to be 100! This number is so small I could easily fit 3,128 squares on a chart and mark them off one by one. This number makes things like dust bunnies and tummy tucks seem like a ridiculous thing to waste my energy thinking about. After all, in a mere 3,128 days, how clean I kept my house and what kind of shape my body is in will be a non-issue. <strong>How I impacted my world</strong> will be all that matters. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So the question is, with my very few Saturdays left, what do I want to do? 3,128 Saturdays left to kiss my kids and let them know how much I love them, and my hubby. 3,128 Saturdays left to encourage a friend or help someone in need. 3,128 Saturdays left to do something that makes a difference in the world. If I told one person every week that <strong>God loves them</strong> and can help them, I will have only told 3,128 people when I stand face to face with Him. I best get busy...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>BACK TO SKINIES: <a href="http://www.skinies.com/">http://www.skinies.com/</a><br /></div>Skinieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589997019782870463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864659034579200500.post-26271171324086875582009-05-27T19:26:00.000-07:002010-10-26T12:51:11.306-07:00<span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#000000;">So excited...another post from this wonderful boutique!</span> Skinies </span><span style="color:#000000;">makes the perfect gift for that pregnant and nursing mother! A Mother's Boutique is a fantastic place to find Skinies and other goodies for moms. Judy offers impeccable service with first class professionalism! Why not stop in for a visit: <a href="http://tiny.cc/hrCzk">http://tiny.cc/hrCzk</a></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">BACK TO SKINIES:</span> <a href="http://www.skinies.com/">http://www.skinies.com/</a>Skinieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589997019782870463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864659034579200500.post-72076952906076226162009-04-15T16:14:00.000-07:002009-05-23T14:09:26.516-07:00Kiss That Boy!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/SeZvVf7jIPI/AAAAAAAAABo/nQn__mKwfCs/s1600-h/boating+08+00043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325066024551391474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/SeZvVf7jIPI/AAAAAAAAABo/nQn__mKwfCs/s200/boating+08+00043.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>OK, here is one to make a work-at-home mama's eyes tear up. I was griping about the overwhelming workload of being a business owner / <span style="color:#000000;">stay-at-home-mom</span> / home-school teacher this evening. In the background of my gripe session, my husband was cleaning up glass and tomato sauce that crashed to the floor and exploded as one of my kids walked by. (This is why I refer to him as my best friend.) Dinner had not been served and it was 7 pm. Folded laundry was still on my bedroom floor and had not been put away yet. It had been there for days (OK maybe weeks).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As I sat organizing all my business files and tending to paperwork I moaned "the secretary part of this business is overwhelming (I <em>am</em> my secretary). The business owner part is incredibly huge (again, that would be me). The home-school teacher/mom part is ridiculously daunting (yep, me too). The stay-at-home mom do the laundry and dishes part just doesn't get accomplished!" </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>With a voice of encouragement, my deliciously sweet son said <strong>"yea, but in the mom part - you rock!"</strong> He's getting something big for his birthday.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff6600;">...children are a gift from the Lord...Psalm 127:3</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;">*</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;">*</span></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff9900;">BACK TO SKINIES</span>: </span></em><a href="http://www.skinies.com/"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">http://www.skinies.com/</span></em></a></div><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span> </div>Skinieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589997019782870463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864659034579200500.post-45840342338937080242009-04-08T10:31:00.000-07:002009-05-23T14:08:29.897-07:00The Key To a Happy Marriage<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/Sd1j3Exwe2I/AAAAAAAAABQ/Jwdrcjx0RzM/s1600-h/pet+monkeys2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322520132448189282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 149px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/Sd1j3Exwe2I/AAAAAAAAABQ/Jwdrcjx0RzM/s200/pet+monkeys2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/SdzkrUxZiAI/AAAAAAAAABI/uFxJ5x2-3aw/s1600-h/pet+monkeys.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My little Morijah sprang one up on me today. I was reading her a storybook of King Nebuchadnezzar. I told her how, in order to save the two countries from potential war, the King of Persia gave his daughter to be married to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.<br /><br />The story goes to tell that the princess did not want to leave her own country to marry a stranger but she reluctantly agreed in order to save her whole country. To bring it to a kids level, the book read that when King Nebuchadnezzar laid eyes on her, he loved her and gave her beautiful rooms and silks and pet monkeys to play with.<br /><br />When Morijah heard this part she squealed "Pet monkeys! I would marry him if he gave me pet monkeys!" So I guess that’s the key to a happy marriage from a 7 year old. Pet monkeys. This is helpful stuff.</span><br /></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc99;">* </span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">Jodie<br /></span><span style="color:#ffcc99;">*<br />*</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">BACK TO SKINIES:</span> </span><a href="http://www.skinies.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">http://www.skinies.com/</span></a><br /><span style="color:#ffcc99;">*<br /></span></div></div>Skinieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589997019782870463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864659034579200500.post-89884899457363226742009-03-25T16:28:00.000-07:002009-05-23T14:08:49.181-07:00Thy Gentleness Hath Made Me Great<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/Scq_4ho_TbI/AAAAAAAAAAM/6xwETXxxzpo/s1600-h/Gab+Mom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317273287888162226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jirp80T0ll0/Scq_4ho_TbI/AAAAAAAAAAM/6xwETXxxzpo/s320/Gab+Mom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />Hello Fellow Moms! </div><br /><div><br />I hope this finds you and your family filled with lots of love and peace! Our lives have been busy with the hustle and bustle of welcoming our first grand-baby. My daughter, Gabrielle, just gave birth to the most incredible little girl in the world! Mommy and baby are doing fine. I had to chuckle when Gabrielle asked "Mom, do all babies stay up all night?". Hee, hee. We have all been there haven't we? And some of us still are! </div><br /><div><br />I want to encourage each and every one of you that you were <em><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">hand selected</span></strong></em> by God to be the mommy of your little ones. He knew that there would be no other mother who could meet all of the needs of this little one as perfectly as you do. You two are a perfect fit in God's eyes! Yes, it is not always easy. But remember, <span style="color:#ff9900;">a hug and a kiss can heal about anything.</span> When your eyes feel like cotton balls from lack of sleep and your home looks like a wrecking crew just blew in, keep in mind that the only thing they will remember about their childhood is love. They will look back and remember with their heart. I know because I do. My baby just had a baby. What an awakening I have had as a mom. I look back on when my Gabrielle was a little one and I don't just have memories of her childhood. </div><div><em><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">I feel her childhood with my heart</span>.</strong></em> </div><br /><div><br />Be blessed, ladies. The things that really count in motherhood can be accomplished with the greatest of ease. Your two arms are the only tools necessary to make your child great. Enjoy your babies while they still are!</div><br /><div><br />"...thy gentleness hath made me great." 2 Samuel 22:36</div><div><span style="color:#ffcc99;">*</span></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">Jodie</span></em></strong></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc99;">*</span></em></strong></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc99;">*</span></em></strong></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></em></strong></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"><span style="font-size:130%;">BACK TO SKINIES: </span><a href="http://www.skinies.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">http://www.skinies.com/</span></a> </span></em></strong></div><div><br /> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em></em></span></div>Skinieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13589997019782870463noreply@blogger.com