Family

The day I realized social media was over-ruling my life

February 19, 2013 by Jennifer 11 Comments

Device continuously in my hand at all times. This constitutes a problem but only my eyes recognized the problem over the last week. My job is gone. The wool was really pulled over my eyes with my previous job. Since my job revolved around social media, I would use that as my excuse to always stay connected to technology at all times.

Who cares the house needs a deep cleaning? Who cares that there is world happening around me? Who cares that a good book was just released? Who cares that I was pushing my bible devotions further away? Who cares that I would stay tuned to my phone during a movie my girls really wanted me to watch? Who cares that a fun television show was on?

I CARE!

Enough is enough. I decided last Friday, that I was tired of social media over-ruling my life. It was time to make a big decision and start calling all the shots in my social media world. I am officially stepping away from my personal Facebook page. I will use Facebook for my business and blog and that is IT. The second step was completed today by uninstalling the Facebook app on my phone. Do you realize how much time I would spend scrolling through the news feed? It is quite embarrassing and I do hang my head in shame. It was like an addiction. Last Friday night, I started overcoming my addiction by completing first step: stop posting to my personal page.

I am enjoying keeping the house clean on a daily basis. In the last two days, I have watched three entire movies with the girls without any technology being in sight. It is an amazing feeling. This is what being a parent really means. I am getting back to the basics. Watching my girls more closely, and letting them know that they are more important than a technology device. Mommy really does care about that special drawing or the creative dance they are performing. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders for some reason. I feel lighter.

During this time, I also want to really get closer to God through his word. Each morning, as soon as I woke up, I would check my Facebook. Social Media was more important than God. This is just wrong. How do I expect to grow in my faith and help lead my girls in their faith when I keep putting things before God? God is working through me and I had to let the guard down. I am ready to see what he is going to do with my life and my family. I vow to read more devotions daily and really understand the word of God more.

There will be a few social media outlets that I will still partake in, instagram, pinterest and twitter. I am (onemomsworld) on all channels. Obviously, I will continue to blog as well as this is my creative outlet. I love to write.

Think about it. Is social media over-ruling your life?

We are back after 7 days in the hospital

February 18, 2013 by Jennifer 11 Comments

Have you seen Jen? She went missing in action. Oh snap! She is back. I will let her take it from here.

I am so sorry to be lacking on my posts here at One Moms World. Unfortunately, the stomach bug virus caused all kinds of complications and my sweet and precious L ended up in the hospital for 7 days. We were hospitalized Friday a week ago, and were able to go home that Sunday afternoon. Only things began going downhill fast and we ended up being hospitalized once again on Monday.

The nurses were so good to my daughter. They tried to make her smile and make her stay more bearable. This particular nurse let L listen to her own heartbeat. We did get a smile from her.

Technology proved to be the right dose of medicine.

I will admit, the pictures do break my heart. It was so hard to see her like this and was tearing my nerves all to pieces.

After IV’s, MRI, Electrocardiogram and lab tests, L was released from the hospital last Thursday. Thank goodness!

We were battling low sugar throughout her hospital stay. She is now on a hypoglycemic diet to maintain her sugar at a normal level. We will be following up with a cardiologist. Her MRI did show a spot on her brain. The radiologist feels like the spot was not a tumor. After consulting with a few doctors, we are going to wait for six months and see if the spot has grown before we seek further action. Of course, I am worried but we are praying that this spot will dissolve in Jesus name!

During L’s stay at the hospital, she was able to experience music therapy.

This was a local college student completing her graduate studies in music therapy. Music does so much for your soul, so naturally it really uplifted L’s spirit’s immediately.

It is amazing to sit and watch how well L responded to the therapy.

We are so glad to be home and ready to put this behind us. It was downright scary to see my daughter go through this and not really have a lot of reasons why? It was very hard to send her back to school today but I was assured by her teacher that she would watch her very closely.

Thank you all for understanding about the absence here. Look forward to lots of posts this week. God Bless!

Win a $50 Walgreens Gift Card to try FlatOut Breads

February 1, 2013 by Jennifer 56 Comments

Remember my post earlier this week about the Hungry Girl FlatOut Foldit breads? I am thrilled to let you know, you are able to try out this delicious bread as we have an awesome giveaway.

First, I wanted to share one more recipe with you directly from Hungry Girl.

Very Veggie Pizza

1 Flatout Foldit 100% Whole Wheat with Flax
1/2 cup no-salt-added spaghetti sauce
1/3 cup shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
Preheat oven to 350.

Bake Foldit for 4 minutes. Remove and top with tomato sauce, veggies, and light cheese. Bake for 4 more minutes. Guilt-free goodness!

This would make a quick lunch or even an afternoon snack for the kids.

GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a $50 Walgreens Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post from The Motherhood and Walgreens. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

Trying to transition from extended co-sleeping

January 31, 2013 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

The minute I became a mom, I was a full-fledged attachment mom. At the time, I did not realize my parenting style had a name. It did not become clearer until I was doing research online when my first-born M was an infant.

Family members and friends have sent subtle messages about my co-sleeping parenting style, but I always chose to ignore them. You and your husband define your parenting style. I never try to push my parenting style on to others, and I always appreciate the same in return.

With all of that being said, I know it is time to transition from extended co-sleeping. My girls are 8 and 10. M sleeps in her own bed with no problems. She does love to have L with her and we are trying to transition L. Every single time, I am ready to do the transition, L gets sick. Is the universe trying to tell me something? For the last week, cough and asthma issues have bothered L. As all asthma parents can tell you, it is so hard to see your child launch into a coughing fit and not be able to breathe. For a few months, I thought we may be growing out of asthma issues and only dealing with her allergy issues but I guess I can eat my words now. M pleaded with L to sleep with her last night and L quickly replied back

No, because mommy is my pal. I need to sleep with her.

She learned at an early age how to charm her way to my heart. As she drifted off to sleep last night, I was up on the laptop working. She kept on rattling when she was breathing. My mind starts to worry and I just sit there listening at her breathe. After a little bit, she seemed to do better so I wrapped my arms closely around her and drifted of to sleep. I felt like I was waking up every hour on hour checking on her. At one time, I didn’t hear her making a noise breathing. It was very quiet. I put my finger under her nose and put my hand on her back to ensure she was still breathing. I still wasn’t satisfied so I lifted her arm to see if she would move. She did and was none to happy with me. At 3am in the morning, the decision was made that it was just not the right time to transition from co-sleeping. We will wait till this asthma setback passes.

I really want to transition her so Hubby and I can have the bed by ourselves but this mother’s heart is just not ready. They are only little once right?

Time to get back to the basics

January 29, 2013 by Jennifer 12 Comments

Seasons change as people change. For the first time since 1997, I will not have a “job” come next Friday. Several people have asked me if I am scared? It may be weird, but I am actually more relieved. This is a hard semester at school as I am finishing up my degree. I choose to look at it that this was all in God’s timing. He new my plate and wanted to clear part of the plate so I could concentrate on my studies. I will admit, I have had a really good four years at BabyCenter. The company has definitely helped shaped me into the person I am today. My boss has been an incredible one who gives constructive criticism. The constructive criticism has helped me both personally and professionally. The next steps from here will be exciting.

With the job gone, a big portion of our income leaves as well. My husband said it perfect when he said it was time to get back to the basics. We are in the process of downsizing to a much smaller house. The smaller house will equate to over $400 a month in savings. The satellite will be turned off which will save us over $80 a month. Our home phone has been turned off and we only use our cell phones. No more weekly out to eat visits. Am I anxious about all these changes? The answer would be NO! I am looking forward to being minimalists and growing in our faith with the Lord. All the extras are not needed to have a good life. We have really cut back the last two months as we knew the changes were coming. During the next few months, I am focusing on finishing school and blogging here and at my local blog. Writing is a great passion of mine. Due to school, work and other activities, I have not been able to write like I want to on the blogs. This will change after next Friday. We are looking forward to possibly traveling to even more locations throughout the US and just living on a lean income. It will be exciting to see how the next few months unravel. I hope you will come along for the journey.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. ~ James 5:16b, NLT

This verse is so powerful. We can never forget the power of prayer. Prayer has brought me thus far in life and will continue to take me into the future. Prayer, faith and determination are three words that my family is choosing to hold on to as we go through this big change. Life will be different but a good different.

For now, I will enjoy my view more.

Family

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