Thoughtful Thursday...Recharge, Reconnect, and be Revived

Hi Friends!

Have you ever felt that you needed some recharging? How about to be reconnected with something that you love? Or even yet you felt so out of touch or down that you wanted to be revived

Well my friends, that is me! Yes, to it all!

I have been so very busy and so many things have been going on and if you have been reading my post you know that our household is pretty busy!

No complaining, really! I am truly grateful for my situation!

Listen all those things that I needed, I have been filled and blessed and I am looking forward to more of that beautiful blessing that I have been receiving! 

In the midst of busy schedules and work, we have been attending a week of prayer and it has been such a blessing!

This was tonight's topic! Boy, I have been loving it!

Recharging doesn't always mean doing nothing, or vacationing, but it also means fellowshipping with like minded individuals learning about the condition of our hearts and that Jesus is the answer.

xoxoxo

Love you all!

Thoughtful Thursdays......Hardships of Running a Family Business!

Are there hardships in running a family business? 

Yes, yes, and yes!

At this point my soap business is not a booming success and I can honestly say that I am still just taking baby steps.  But, it is moving along - slowly - but it's going. I can actually tell you that in the past weeks I see doors opening up that I thought would take a long time to open for me. I am praising God for these opportunities.

What has been an added bonus? I have a supportive husband, and I have a picture to prove it. Just look, he's even smiling! 

I know everyone's situation is different, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. 

We have a lot going on in our home, but it is working, with God's help.  It also helps to be organized, and I love my planner! ;)

Before you continue to read, I want you to know that this post is meant to encourage you and not discourage you at all. I just want to share what has been helping me through the hard times. 

I think as entrepreneur, you are always asking yourself questions? 

You know... the "Should I?", "Why didn't I?", "How can I?", "What if?", and on and on.

What does my situation look like?

My husband can be considered self employed. His plate is pretty full and we are blessed that he can work from home. We have 5 children, homeschool 4 of them and cater to them all. =)

I try to run a tight ship but I often find myself running my business in between math, science, reading, and social studies; during a diaper change; as a passenger in the car; while the kids are playing outside; and more often than not - while the kids are sleeping! How about when friends are having fun at a function and you can't attend because your working? I have learned that there are important things that help to keep me sane.

Here they are:

1) God

2) Support from family and friends.

3) Schedules

4) Planner =) 

5) Goals

6) Courage

7) God

I am sure there's more for the in-between! But this is what is working for me at the moment.

Remember, it's ok to step back and take a break and come back at a later time.

If you are married, you must make time for your spouse. I have to admit that I can forget. I have to write it in my planner sometimes. Yes, I am not proud of that, but it's true! I am always learning.

I have faith in God! I know that He will work everything out, but we have to do our part, too.

Just know that whatever you are experiencing, though it may difficult - it will pass!

"And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee."  Psalms 39:7

Thoughtful Thursdays.... A quote!

Hi Friends!

I thought that this, Thoughtful Thursday, I would leave you with a quote to ponder!

Xoxoxoxo

Thoughtful Thursdays....What makes you happy?

Hi Friends!

What makes you happy?

I want you to really think about it and even journal it! 

Life can get so complicated and hard! But there should be a smile on your face!

Someone loves you and appreciates you!

I wish I could put a smile on your face, because I appreciate you!

xoxoxox

Thoughtful Thursdays... Peace

The most beautiful and peaceful scene is that of a sleeping baby!

Ahhh! 

This week has been such a difficult week for us and even to those who are very close and dear to me. So, I imagine there are plenty of you who feel the same way and perhaps even become discouraged. 

My faith is a big part of who I am, and it is impossible to separate business and my faith. So, if some who read this perhaps don't believe in God, you don't have to read.

I want to give you my readers hope and peace today!

In our hardships, it is always so easy to see only that which is so difficult to bear, but I want you to know that the situation that you are going through will pass. Be thankful for it and know that God is drawing you closer to Him for it. 

I love you!

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulations worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience hope: And hope maketh not ashamed: because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

But God commendeth his love towards us, in that,  while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!

Romans 5:1-8

Thoughtful Thursdays.....Network Group

Hi!

Today I want to share with you the importance of networking!

You've got to get out there and believe me, I have to take my own advice!

It's easy to just be the creator of your product, but you've got to get out there. 

I want to share with you the blessings that I have discovered in networking.

1) You will make friends.

2) You will learn a lot!

3) You get to share your passion.

4) You get to ask questions. 

5) You get feedback!

There is so much more, I promise.  If there is a networking group around you, reach out. Don't forget that Facebook and other social media provide groups in your artistic field. 

Give it a try! Heres to you!

Thoughtful Thursdays....You love me, You love me not?

Hi Friends!

Today's topic will be on criticism!

I know we have all experienced it and how we have dealt with situations have most likely varied from good to bad! 

Let us remember that criticism does not have to be negative, it can also be positive.

Let's look at  positive criticism: When one can come and express themselves to us without tearing us down and encouraging us to do better. ( We all know, we are not perfect and can make plenty of mistakes, right?!) We are then left with being able to acknowledge our fault and feel as though we have an opportunity to mend and perhaps even rise above!

Let's look at negative criticism: When only demerits  and mistakes are highlighted and perhaps even false accusations are made in order to tarnish your image out of a sheer enmity.

Here is what Aristotle has to say:
"To avoid criticism
say nothing,
do nothing,
be nothing!"

So let us continue on and be positive, and pray for those who can't or won't!

Love you! xoxoxoxo

Thoughtful Thursday... Pricing Help

Hi Friends! 

This post is for my craft peeps who have their own business and are still having a hard time with their pricing. I think there are a ton of you out there who are seeling yourselves short. But there is no need to fear, pricing help is here and it comes by help from the lovely Mrs. Lela Barker.

Lela Barker and her company, "Lucky Brand Consulting" has a ton of resources for you.

Now what I want to introduce you to is her "Price-O-Matic" It has really opened up my eyes to pricing. Besides selling myself short, there was a couple things that I was not taking into consideration. (Lela, where are you I want to give you a tight squeeze.)

Without further ado, here is a link to all the wonderful information.

Just say, Price-O-Matic here I come!

Your welcome! I want you all to succeed! 

Thoughtful Thursday...Double Your Productivity!

Hi Friends!

I wanted to share a video with you! Whether you have your own business or you're  a stay at home parent, a homeschooler, or just need to make sure you get more out of your day, I got something for you!

I am BIG on organizing, I actually love it! Planning, I love that too!

Here's a look at my planner!

We all pretty much know what we have to do, so that we can be more productive! But, we all need reminders sometimes.

I hope that this video will help you put something into place that will work for you.

Here's to more productive days!!! xoxoxo

Thoughtful Thursday ...Interview with me.

Hello Friends!

Welcome to another,"Thoughtful Thursday"!

Today, I wanted to bring you another interview! (Really, it was my hubby's idea!)

This time, it's me. (I was sooo nervous.)

I hope that this interview will encourage you in your craft!

You will also get to meet my little apples, whom I love sooo much!

xoxoxox

Love.....

Organization!!!!

Organization....Its getting there, I hope!!

Before I begin, I just need to thank Nikki, for this! Catch her on Youtube! I linked her below! 

I didn't know how dirty things would get before everything had a right place to be in. NO photos of the demolition going on here at home! I thought a binder with proper note taking and some scheduling would be all, but I have been purging! But, I really must admit, even though the house is turned upside down because I have managed not to stick to one room....my bad, I am so excited about it all! I already feel some sort of accomplishment. I am definitely considering taking some before and afters, it just might encourage you! I think Home Depot, just might be added to my Summer bucket list! (Squeal!!!!)

So, I rambled on, and this was just suppose to be a post about the beginning of my organization project!

So, lets get to it!

The binders and planners:

This is a Day Timer! Oh Filofax you are out of my reach! (Should anyone want to be loving, I will gladly accept a Filofax as a gift!) Now, my Day Timer is doing just fine! You are also seeing a Business Card Holder!!!! Both purchased from Staples.

My Day Timer has the Martha Stewart Calender inside, and I am loving it. I just might post the contents and how it all works for me.

I use my business card holder to hold: gift cards, reward cards and medical cards! My wallet is now a lot lighter and all those cards are well organized.  I placed tags to divide each section, and cards are now placed alphabetically!

Here is the Martha Stewart Binders. Although, this is a beautiful vibrant color, I would definitely purchase the darker colors. This one seems to just pick everything up. It's seems to be a dust magnet for me.

I will be using this particular binder for important documents! 

The small spiral notebook will be used for all my logins! You see I have different login for different sites and my hubby can't keep up with them. So, I will be adding divider tabs to this as well and sorting them all out for my sugar bear! 

Inside of my binder, before everything goes into it!

So exciting!

Fresh and Clean Starts!!!!!!!!!

Youtube is so educational! Go check out Nikki! She is Fabulous and yes with a capital F! She will motivate you too!

The Wonderful Book of Proverbs.........

Hey there everyone! I must say that the book of Proverbs is so full of instruction and reflection.  (I hope that makes sense.) Why wouldn't it be when you contemplate the prayer of Solomon.

So, here it is.........I started in June. Everyday I have been reading a proverb in addition to my daily reading.  If you would like come and join me. We can talk about it together. So, if you start today, you will need to read and finish chapter three. You are going to want to continue reading, but just take one chapter a day and meditate upon it.

                                           

Praying you all will receive a blessing!

Life is Short

Life is short!

We often hear, "Tomorrow is not  promised", but the truth is this today is not promised as well.

So, I want to live my life happy.  I want to make others around me happy.  I am going to put my trust in Him, because He will not fail me.  So, I endeavor to follow Him the best that I can, surrendering moment by moment.

So, my friends, smile!!  Be happy!! Choose to be positive and be positive! I love you and Jesus does too!!!

Fitness Schedule

Hola,

I wanted to share some encouragement here! I hope that this will help anyone who is trying to get on an exercise schedule. (Now, this is what works for me!) You have to first acknowledge that it is going to take determination and courage to exercise, especially if you are the inactive type. Make it an anchor point of your day, schedule your activities around your "getting healthy time"!  Make it an appointment that you can not miss! I am a stay at home mom and my husband gets to work from home most of the time, so I have him to help me. I do not have a set time to exercise (Ex. 5 am.) I have a 5 month old baby, folks, who still gets up to nurse at night, so if Noah just happens to be sleeping at 5 am, I am going to be sleeping too.=) I just can't seem to get myself out of bed too much earlier than the kids! Sorry! It's a good thing that they are on summer break! =0) So, when I rise I will have my time with God and take care of Noah and whenever he seems content and I know that I can have at least an hour of uninterrupted time to exercise, then that's my time. I make sure I get it in before breakfast, that's my rule, because I know that if I wait any time after then , it will not happen for me! (There have been times where I am working out at 7:30 or 9:00 am.) Now this is what works best for me. Yours might be after breakfast, or maybe right before bed, or while the kids are at school! You just have to find out what time is best for you.

Listen, mommies! If you just had a baby, especially a c-section, you know you have to wait at least 6-8 weeks before trying to get on a program. I know I felt as though I had to jump right back in and get myself together but after having 5 c-sections, I knew I had to take it easy! 
Also,if you are breastfeeding, you have to remember that losing weight is not as important as getting the proper nutrients to keep up your milk supply and in order to do that you have to have plenty of rest, water and good food. If you really fell like you got to do something, try walking and stretching and when you feel like you can do a little more add in a little more. Your body will let you know if you are over doing it.
Now, I know that I probably could not have my morning exercise without the help of my husband and children, they will tend to the baby if he begins to fuss while I am exercising. So, if you can have a friend over to help you during your workout time, that would be wonderful! =)
If not put the baby in a stroller and go for your walk! Just make sure to move your body and give it your all.