Get Unstuck!

 All to often we make plans to accomplish certain goals, to break bad habits, to start living a healthier life-style or strive to be that awesome go-getter that we've envisioned ourselves to be .I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like I am just stuck in mud. I find myself getting all pepped up to do something and set out to make the first steps to accomplish my goals and I just get stuck. Stuck in negative thinking. Stuck in convincing myself that I don't have enough time or the right resources. Once that negative thinking starts to set in, my body begins to respond to it. I'm all of a sudden too tired to do anything and unmotivated about life. I can't think straight and my sleeping begins to go haywire. My attitude stinks and my overall quality of life is affected.What I have  come to understand is that during these times I have to find a way to get unstuck, and to get unstuck quick! The longer you get stuck in a negative mindset the harder it is to recover. Reading the bible is one sure way to change your thinking. Proverbs 23:7 says, " For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...". We must change our thinking and begin focusing on all that is right rather than everything that is or could be wrong. Make the decision to get and stay unstuck. We must call on God during our times of uncertainty and frustrations. We can ask God to guide us in the right direction but it is up to us to move forward and to not get "stuck" in negative thinking and past disappointments.

 

Let's all make the decision today to get unstuck from the past and negative thinking and focus on the present and moving forward.

 

 The year of Forward Progress!!

 

Father, today I choose to focus on all the things that are going right in my life. When I feel like my mind is headed towards negative thinking, I ask that you will cause my thoughts to be agreeable to your will.  I thank you for your continuous guidance, in Jesus name I pray, amen.

 

 

xo

Jesisca B.

 

 

 

Weekend Recap

So the day finally came! The boys had their first basketball game.
How did it go? Well, I'm glad you asked. Orlando thought he was running track and Tyson already tried to quit. Now in Tyson's defense, the other team thought we were playing football and Tyson just couldn't understand why they were attempting to tackle him. I completely understood his logic. As a result, he hit his head on the court and had an attitude the rest of the game. He said that he didn't  want to play anymore but Thomas and I thought this was a good time to talk to him about quitting. Hence, he will be out on the court next weekend and finish out the season.
Orlando on the other hand was constantly beating everybody down the court. He put a brand new meaning to the word hustle.What can I say, the boy can run! I mean, check out his form below. Lol

Anywho, after such a stressful game ( my nerves were shot from watching all the tackling on the court) the plan was to grab some sushi but the almighty NFL PLAYOFFS were on and the Japanese Steakhouse didn't have TV's. I was a bit disappointed about not having my sushi rolls but a cosmopolitan made up for that. Plus, Thomas is about to head back to work and recruiting is about to gear up again so mommy needed a cocktail to mentally prepare herself for double duty. All in all, family time is always great even if it means watching preschoolers in oversized shirts fall all over each other for a basketball. I enjoyed every minute.

How was your weekend?



Tyson expressing his concerns to daddy

The boy is focused, lol

Orlando sprinting down the court

Playing defense



Cosmo 'hello lover" :)

Glued in to the TV. Ty was asking endless questions...ha!

Sunday Afternoons

About to flip through the pages of Elle magazine's January issue and admire the fierceness of Joan Smalls while listening to Elle Varner and enjoying an afternoon cup of coffee. 
Also, glancing over next week's blog post and getting organized. What else are Sunday afternoons for?

Hope you are enjoying yours.

Parents can use the internet to their advantage

Lets face it, the internet is an endless highway of information. Some of us use it to past time, other as a connection to the outside world. One thing is for sure, our children can navigate it like nobody's business! In our household we struggle to put limits on the time the boys use the internet as well as other electronic devices. I must say, I have struggled in this area because when I am up to my neck in laundry and other house chores, these devices are definitely a go to option. I have found that the internet isn't so bad when you put limits on it and monitor the activities accordingly.

Tyson is home with me two days out of the week while Orlando heads to school fours days out of the week. On those days that I have Tyson we find online stories and activities to do. My mother-in-law found an affordable site (www.education.com ;  $1.99/month or $24 a year) where the kids have individual lessons for their age group as well as activities. This website is great and both boys love it. Not only is it good for learning, it's also a great distraction when I need to sit and write an email or pay bills (be sure to use all parental control locks on all devices). Lastly, I love this because the kids are not just staring at a game system. They actually have to use some brain cells to use this program. So far so good!

I will keep looking for other websites for children to maximize leaning skills. When I find them I will be sure to share. I will also begin posting activities from the site that were successful.

If you have other websites that have been useful for your children, please share in the comment section.:)

"Train up a child in the way they should go.." Proverbs 22:6

Reading the bible daily is something we all have a hard time doing at times, but as a mom I have to remember that I must lead by example. I love my boys and I want them to have a foundation based on biblical principles. I'm far from perfect but I have tried to read bible stories to them daily, weekly when I'm slacking off. I've recently realized that slacking off is not an option. They are growing so fast and I am determined to train them up the way my mother trained me (in God's word). So regardless of how bored they may be during our reading time, I know that they are listening. There have been times that I thought that they have just completely checked out and the next morning they repeat the story I read the night before verbatim. Children are always listening so be sure to tell them the stories that you would want them to remember and repeat. It takes patience and dedication but our heavenly father is definitely here to help.

Father, thank you for blessing me with the opportunity to be a parent. Your word says that children are a blessing and I pray that you will help guide me in training them up in your will. I ask for patience and consistency in this area. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

xo
Jessica B.

We're those parents

My husband has been waiting forever for the boys to be old enough to play a sport. Luckily, they are not only old enough, they desperately want to play. Before kids, and I guess even when we had kids, I would attend sporting events and see the parent who's screaming at their kid to get the ball, to stop crying and get up, or constantly snapping pictures and telling their kid to smile in the most awkward positions and I would say " I am so not going to be that way." Whelp, the day is here and my husband and I both failed miserably at not being those parents. It started with me asking the kids to pose outside in the 1 degree weather to take a picture (it only took a second, I swear). Before we could figure out what court the boys would be practicing on, my husband was snapping photos and telling Orlando to stand still so he can get a picture with his smart phone (a.k.a. the time guzzler....you can spend hours on a smart phone and wonder where your day went) . Meanwhile, I was on the sideline taking pictures with my huge camera while the parent next to me had to listen to endless clicks. In my defense, it was their first practice and well...they are my babies dang on it! So I will say in advance to any parent who will be sitting next to me in the bleachers this season - No, I will not scream and shout but I will definitely be taking pictures until my fingers catch a cramp! Sincerely, the unapologetic mom with the camera. :)

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

 "What do you do when you feel like your voice has been silenced? When everything that you want to say has been crumbled up in a ball and placed in a bottomless pit with no way out? Your eyes cry out for help through endless tears, but no answer.  You look around, but no one to be found.  You’re left with your thoughts, left with your demons, alone with your pain. Who will save me, you ask? Who will hear my cry? Who will find me in the midst of this darkness that is trying to engulf me? My fear is that no one will. No one will hear me, no one will find me, and no one will look for me. BUT then I hear a still voice. A whisper. I feel a calm wind take me up in its arms. It took me. It held me. Saved me from the darkness. Suddenly, my pain was healed, my scares cleared, my blindness reversed, and my voice heard. I got an answer. Without a doubt ,I was saved . I once was lost but now I’m found."

Life can sometimes bring so much heartache and pain that you feel like your drowning in despair. Whether it's stress and anxiety from losing a job, raising kids alone, being trapped in a dangerous relationship, experiencing loneliness, or  just feeling like your world is crumbling all around you, life can be extremely difficult. The good thing is that you are not alone. Your Father in Heaven knows exactly what you are going through. He sees you, He hears you and He loves you so much. When we are falling to pieces He is right there catching every piece waiting to put us back together. As believers in Christ we must go to Him and ask for help. With endurance and steadfast patience he will be faithful to His word. The bible says " In the world you will have tribulations and trials, distress and frustration; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33) So, even in our darkness we must seek Him and we will be comforted. For He has already overcome whatever we are going through.


Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for demonstrating the love that you have for me. You didn't have to save me, but you did and for that I am grateful. Thank you for lifting the clouds in my life and allowing me to feel your goodness. I submit my life to you and believe that your word is true. Teach me to be still in my time of trouble and trust in you and in you alone. I ask that you continue to keep me and allow your light to shine through me. In Jesus name I pray, amen.



xo
Jessica B.