Starting Natural from Day One

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.  All opinions are 100% my own.

When I think of baby essentials, I naturally think of larger items like a crib, stroller, and car seat. But then I realize that babies need so much more than that. Smaller essentials like baby wipes, baby wash, and diaper cream also need to be collected before a new baby arrives in the home. I prefer to use only products with natural ingredients on my babies (and on myself for that matter.)

We have used and loved Burt's Bees diaper rash cream for every single one of our babies because it is the only one we've found that does the job on even the worst diaper rash — and it usually clears it up overnight!

Burt's Bees sent us a package with some Baby Bee Nourishing Lotion, Shampoo and Wash, Chlorine Free Wipes, Cream-to-Powder, and Multi-purpose Ointment.  We have enjoyed trying out these other products, and I love that there is a whole line of baby care products that is based on natural ingredients.

Now, I'll be completely honest and say that while most of the ingredients in these products are easily recognizable and definitely natural, there are some that I would need to check into a little further.  I also would prefer that they didn't contain soybean and canola oil as those are usually genetically modified, and I like to keep exposure to GMO's to an absolute minimum, even though it is only external exposure.  (Remember, your skin is your largest organ.)

With that said, I'll go back to saying that I'm okay with using the diaper rash cream for the reason that it works so well.

I just want to be completely honest with you.

I like the way Burt's Bees products work, but I do think their ingredients could be cleaned up even more than they are.  Are they better than some of the alternatives?  I think so.  You'll just have to make your own call on this one.

Update: Burt's Bees has offered the following information about their products:

“We actively engage with our suppliers regarding their sourcing practices, including the starting materials they use for our ingredients. Both the suppliers of our soybean oil and canola oil have signed a declaration that these are non-GMO ingredients.”

That's nice to know!  That actually makes me love their products so much more!

Baby products that work really well and are natural and non-GMO?  Yay!  I love it!

(Maybe Burt's Bees should add to their packaging that their products are non-GMO for the paranoid mothers like me?)

Some of the other natural ingredients you'll find in Burt's Bees products:

• Buttermilk for moisturizing.
• Beeswax to help lock in moisture.
• Shea butter to soften dry skin.
• Aloe vera to soothe irritated skin.
• Coconut oil to help nurture, young sensitive skin.

Want to know more about Burt's Bees baby products?  Follow them on Facebook:

How will you go natural with your baby?

This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Burt’s Bees blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.

Save Money, Reduce Stress, and Feed Your Family Healthy Food

Answer this question right now.

What's for dinner tonight?

If the answer is “I don't know,” when are you going to figure it out?

Will you wait until 5:00, when you will throw something together, inwardly kicking yourself for not feeding your family something more nutritious?

Planning your meals ahead saves money (no picking up takeout), reduces stress (no guilt trip over feeding your family sandwiches for supper), and helps your family be more healthy (always have the ingredients you need to prepare balanced meals.)

The problem with meal planning for some people is that it requires a window of time each week to sit down and figure out what to put on the meal plan.

Build a Menu is an easier way to meal plan, but you still get to choose what you want to prepare rather than having the menu determined for you.  They are running a special right now where you can get 3 months for $15.  This is a great way to try it out and see if you like it!

You can also choose specialty menus if you need them, like gluten free or Trim Healthy Mama!  You can choose the store where you'd like to shop, and your shopping list will automatically be created for you as you create your menu, along with the approximate total you'll be spending for the week.

I posted a few months ago exactly how it works if you'd like more information.  Check it out here.

To get the 3 months for $15, use the coupon code 3For15 when you check out.

What I Learned From a Week With No Internet

My internet is down right now. I had to order a new modem, and when the new one came it didn't work either. So I am patiently waiting until I have internet again to do much online.

I thought this would be a fitting time to republish this post from last year…

While having a computer with internet access is almost a necessity these days, we all get distracted with it sometimes, don't we? We sit there in front of Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, or whatever it is you like to look at, and end up sitting there longer than we intended.

When my computer's modem broke last week, I thought it would be a huge blessing. I would be forced to stay off the crazy computer and focus on more important things. It would be a breath of fresh air to not even sit down in front of that screen. I thought I might even have the chance to see for sure just how evil that computer was and decide to get rid of it for good!

But I learned a different, very important lesson.

It's not the computer that's the problem. It's me.

Computers and internet are incredible tools. They help us do all sorts of good things, like preparing Sunday School lessons, blogging encouragement to Christian women, and staying in touch with long-distance friends and far-off missionaries to name a few.

But they can be huge time-sucks too. We get on Facebook to say hi to a friend from church that we didn't see on Sunday or to read the latest update about an injured teenager we know, and the next thing we know it's been half an hour. Then we need to hop over to Pinterest to look up that recipe we were planning to make for supper. Another half hour gone. It's so easy to get lost on the internet even when you get on with the best of intentions.

You can see why I thought it would be nice not to even be able to get on.

But here's where the story didn't turn out like I thought it would.

First, it was terribly annoying not to be able to take care of things that needed to be taken care of – paying bills, sending emails, making a couple purchases, etc. I think having internet is getting to a point where it could actually be considered a necessity.

Second (and this is the part I don't like), I found out that I can find ways to waste time even without getting on the internet!

I am a born procrastinator! I hate it! Without even thinking about it, I find myself doing the least important things possible, instead of doing what I really should be doing.

Furthermore, when I do have some legitimate “down time”, I automatically seek out something entertaining rather than edifying.

I made a promise to the Lord years ago that every day I would not look at any type of media (books, magazines, movies, computer, etc.) unless I had already spent time reading His Word and praying. I haven't kept that promise perfectly, but I can honestly only think of a handful of days where I haven't.

But, here's the thing. Is there anything wrong with reading my Bible two times a day? Three? What kind of a person would I be like if I ran to spend time with the Lord every time I had a moment to sneak off?

As I think back to the days when my husband and I were dating, I can say for sure that I took full advantage of every possible opportunity to be with him. He was a dorm student at a local Bible college, and I was a commuting student, living only about 5 minutes away. I was in that cafeteria sharing every meal that I could with him. We were allowed a certain number of hours of dating every week, and you better believe we used up every minute. If I knew he was going to be somewhere, I would purposely make sure I ended up in the same place at the same time, even if all I had time to do was to say a quick hello.

If I can be that in love with a man, should I not be even more in love with the One who gave His very life because He loved me? And if I'm truly in love with Someone, wouldn't I want to spend time with Him every chance that I had?

Instead I've found the ugly attitude of “Well, I've already read my Bible today, so I shouldn't feel guilty doing something fun right now.”

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with entertainment, as long as it is wholesome. Everyone needs some rest and “down time” occasionally.

But I am wondering what kind of person I would be if I had such a passion for Jesus that I couldn't keep myself away from spending time with Him — if I went apart to spend time with him because I wanted so badly to be with Him. (Psalm 42:1)

No, friends. The computer is not the problem in my home. It's me.

I am begging God to continue to do a work in my heart – to give me more of a desire to be with Him and to be like Him. However, I must also remember that love is an action. With that in mind, I will be making the choice to spend time with the Lord during my down times, even if I feel like I'd rather do something entertaining. I think the results will be better than I could ever hope for.

What about you, my dear readers? What would our nation be like if we all got a passion for Jesus and just couldn't stay away from Him? I believe that's when we'll see revival. And it can happen. But we must make the choice to love him. Our love must be based upon action, not feeling.

What will you choose to do today to love your precious Lord?

A Little More Sanity (Plus a Giveaway!)

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me in partnership with One2One Network and Huggies. All opinions are 100% my own.

People.

I have 4 kids 6 and under.  Some days I wonder if I have a brain left at all.

Anything I can do to give myself a little more sanity is a big, big plus in my book!
And since diapers are also a very big part of my life right now, it is extremely important for me to find something that works great and doesn't cost a fortune in order to preserve what little sanity I have left.

I was recently sent a package of Huggies Little Movers to use on my “little mover”.

Here is one of my latest Instagram photos:

See nothing but a blur?  Me too.  The caption says “Literally 147 tries later and this is still the closest I could come to her looking at the camera.”

She's crazy, y'all.  (She gets it from her mother.)

Huggies Little Movers have Double Grip Strips for a comfy fit that lasts, a SnugFit waistband for all around stretchy fit, and the trusted protection Huggies LeakLock™ system.  The also have new colors and graphics (because diaper changing should always be as enjoyable of an experience as possible.)

What's even cooler is that when you buy Huggies Little Movers at Walgreens, you get rewarded.  Yes, ma'am.  I'm all about getting rewards for something I'm going to buy anyway.

Here's how it works:

-Buy Huggies Diapers at Walgreens
-After purchasing Huggies Diapers at Walgreens, go to Huggies.com/alittlemore and enter the Huggies Rewards code and Walgreens receipt number to earn great rewards.
-Play the instant win game (no purchase necessary) and earn great rewards like gift cards, and Huggies Diaper coupons.  (See official rules here.)

All right, moms.  Ready for a little more sanity?  Enter below to win a $25 Walgreens Gift Card to get you started with A Little More!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Why You Need to Embrace This Season of Life

It is very late — probably later at night than I've ever blogged before.  But this is the first time I've had a quiet moment for the past, oh, week or so, and I wanted to snatch the opportunity to put some of my thoughts down on (virtual) paper.

It's been a busy time in our family's life, and of course it comes just as I was seeming to find a good routine after our latest baby was added to the family.  (It always takes me forever to get my ducks in a row!)

My nice little routine was upturned and our family entered a season of busyness as we help my in-laws get their house ready to sell after having lived in it for years and years and years.  (It's a lot of work when you've lived in a house that long!)

You know that term “it's just a season of life”?  It's so true.  We all have seasons in our lives.  Sometimes the term refers to a very long period of time, such as the season of life when you have kids in “the nest” and the new season when they're grown and gone.  But sometimes a  season of life is just a short little stretch that is defined by a certain event, such as having a newborn in the house, canning and preserving season if you're the kind that grows a big garden, moving, a loved one who is ill and for whom you are caring until they are better, etc.

But no matter whether the season is short or very long, it seems like most of the time I hear the term being referenced, it is with an air of wistfulness for it to be over and on to the next season.  Well-meaning mothers who know their proper role and are making their families their priority will say “I'm in that season where I need to focus on my family.  When my kids are grown and gone I will have time to pursue my dream of…” (writing, art, etc.  — you fill in the blank.)  That is true and noble.

When you're in a short season of busyness as with a move or other transitional period, you might say, “Well this is just a season, but I can't wait until this is over with.”  I actually made a similar statement regarding the situation our family is in right now.  I wasn't complaining; just stressed and tired and looking forward to being “unstressed” and “untired”.

But while remembering that life comes in seasons is good, and entering those seasons without complaint is even better, why should we wish those seasons away?  Why can't we embrace whatever season it is in which we find ourselves, knowing that God has brought those particular circumstances into our lives for His divine purposes?

In seasons of busyness, tiredness, and stress, he reminds us to depend fully on Him.  (Isn't that great that those seasons follow times of peace and calm when it's so tempting to think we've got it all together and forget to depend on Him?)

I for one am going to not just accept the fact that this is a season and look forward to the next season that is more enjoyable; I am going to embrace right where God has put me today!  I'm going to soak up every lesson that is there for the learning.  I'm going to depend on Him to give me strength when I'm tired.  And I'm going to thank Him that He knows exactly what is best for me!

I hope I've encouraged you today to do the same, no matter what season it is in which you find yourself right now!

P.S.  Can I let you in on a little secret?  That “next season” that you're looking forward to so much?  It doesn't usually turn out exactly as you'd envisioned anyway.  I'm not saying your entire life will be one of living from miserable experience to miserable experience; I'm just saying life will pan out differently than what you have planned for yourself.  But that's because the Master Designer has a much better plan!  Will you embrace each aspect of it as it comes your way?

15 Self-Directed Activities for Toddlers

With the homeschool year about to start, I am once again faced with the question of “What do I do with the little ones?”  I need them to stay occupied so I can help the older ones with their schoolwork, and I need something that will hold their attention for a good while.

Here are some ideas that meet all of those qualifications.

Popsicle Stick Puzzles

Popsicle stick color matching

Build a cupcake

Building with velcro and craft sticks

Pipe cleaners and a spice jar

Button practice with felt

Clothespin Color Match

Weaving with pipe cleaners and a cooling rack

Practicing shapes with stickers

Popsicle Stick Shape matching

Pom poms and tweezers

Printable Sewing Cards

Block puzzles

I spy book

Magnetic items and a cookie sheet

If you want even more ideas, you'll want to check out my newest eBook!  You'll find a selection of ideas that isn't too hard for you to set up for your children but will keep them occupied for a good while!  Take a look here!