Tag Archives: motherhood

The Unwired Mom

When Five Minutes Becomes Two Hours

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You all have seen me lately talking about being in real life more and online less. My children are growing and moving on right before my very eyes, and I don’t want to miss these years, these days, these moments… because I know I can’t get them back. Well, I’m not the only one. And one mom even wrote a book about it.  I asked her to come share her heart and book with us here so we can all encourage each other in swimming against the current.  

The Unwired Mom

“I often wonder what my kids’ memories of me will be.

Will they remember me playing with them, cuddling, reading, cleaning, going places and spending time with their daddy, or will they remember a mom who was on the computer? What will the bulk of their remembrances be?

I want to pay attention, daily, to how I’m spending my time. How I spend my time will add up to my life, and it is just this one earthly life that I have – this one life that my babies will remember and think about one day when they get older. What if someone were to ask them, “What does your mommy love most?” Would they think of their daddy, or themselves, or Jesus, or would they think of my computer? How do they see me spending the majority of my time?

My babes are important to me, and I want them to grow up knowing how to live a real life in the real world. I want them to have strong, lovely memories of me because I know they will be healthier for it, emotionally and spiritually.

How much time I spend online means something to them.

And it means something to me, because I want to really live. I want to live where God has placed me, with the people He’s placed me with. I want to get outside

myself and get uncomfortable and do things that matter. In the real world. For real, hurting people.

And for the people in my care.

So that’s why five minutes matters.

That’s why it’s important to use this gift of time well, because it all adds up to something or nothing. And I want something.”

~ Sarah Mae

{This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure page for details.}

Five minutes does matter, doesn’t it? Sarah Mae’s book, The UnWired Mom, offers encouragement, vision, practicality, and a two-week challenge designed to equip you with healthy online habits so you can live fully present and purposeful in your real life. Buy The UnWired Mom as a pdf or for Kindle and begin your two week challenge to disconnect today!  signature-heidi

SM1000bwcontrast-265x300Sarah Mae is the wife of Jesse and the mother of the three spunky, beautiful children. She is the author of the best-selling eBook, 31 Days to Clean – Having a Martha House the Mary Way, the co-author of the book, Desperate – Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe, and a contributor to the DaySpring blog, (in)courage.

If you love cozy socks, coffee, Little Women, and candles, you might be her kindred spirit. You can find her blogging {almost} daily at SarahMae.com, tweeting @sarahmae, or Facebooking (is that a word?) at SarahMaeWrites.

Simply Pulled Together

Simply Pulled Together- for the Stay at Home Mom

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Simply Pulled Together

We’ve all been there- it’s four o’clock, your hair is in a messy bun, you haven’t showered yet, you are still sporting the old painted-on college sweatshirt that you donned the night before and your sweatpants bear traces of snot, cookie crumbs and other unknown substances.  You look frazzled, you feel frazzled, and you dread the thought of your husband getting home and finding you this way- let alone any unannounced visitors who may show up at your door!  Oh, the horror!

“How did June Cleaver do it?” you wonder as you pick up your crying baby and holler for your son to take out the garbage for the 17th time.  Then you remember that Junie Dearest wasn’t a real person and this ain’t the 50s no more!  Can I get an Amen!?

But what if we didn’t have to take this departure from June’s ideals quite so far?  What if we could find some middle ground and actually make ourselves feel better in the process instead of just more undone?  Yes, today, mamas, I am proposing just a few simple ways we can stumble out of bed in the morning and pull ourselves together just enough to not feel disheveled but still be comfortable as we take on the daily tasks of conquering our homes!

5 Simple Ways to Pull Yourself Together for a Day at Home

1. Swap the sweats for some leggings!  If you’re really feeling dangerous go with a bold color or maybe even a print.  They are just as comfy but a whole lot less frumpy and some even have the amazing capability to suck you in in ways you never thought would be possible again post-baby!  Just try them, and when you find a collection of them mounting in your closet, don’t say I didn’t warn you!

2. Show some love for layering!  I don’t know why but whenever I pair a great extra-long tank with a fun top it makes me feel like I have stepped up a couple of notches on the fashion scale!  It’s like that little bit of extra effort to add more texture and color to my ensemble puts me in a whole different league.  And yes, you must use the word “ensemble” instead of “outfit” because it too will automatically make you feel more sophisticated and better about yourself.  You just tried it, huh?  And now you feel like a French actress, don’t you?  Mmhmmm- we’re making progress already!

3. Move over college sweatshirt, long tops are in the house!  If you are going to opt for leggings than some long shirts need to be an essential element of your wardrobe!  Whether you pair something short with a long tank top (as I mentioned above) or you get some shirts that are delightfully long all by themselves, they are the piece that will make your newfound love of leggings feel completely natural and comfortable.  Basically, if I’m shooting straight, leggings + a covered bum = splendor!

4. Trade the messy bun for a top knot!  Aren’t we just in luck that the top knot is in style right now?!  It is the quintessential, “I have not showered in two days so I piled all my greasy hair on the very top of my head” do, without looking like it!  Take advantage of this trend while we can ladies!

5. A little dab will do ya!  That’s right, I’m talking about make up!  Now, I know as well as anyone that I just hate spending time and precious makeup on a day at home, but if I’m also being honest, I do feel better about myself and more ready to take on the day if I feel like I don’t look completely haggard!  I’m not going to suggest that you put on a full face everyday, I’m just going to encourage three simple things-

  • a little blush dusted on cheeks and eyelids
  • lipstain (it can’t be rubbed off on your littles with precious kisses and it lasts all day!)
  • and Blink mascara (I suggest this brand because it forms a tube around your eyelashes and does not smudge under your eyes during the course of the day at. ALL!  You can literally nap with the baby with this stuff on and when you wake up it looks just as good as it did when you put it on!)

So, that’s it ladies!  Simple, comfortable but pulled together!  If you’ve already laid this ground work you can also always just throw on some earrings and a cute scarf before your hubs walks in the door and he won’t even know what hit him!  We can do this girls- emulating June is for the birds but a little departure from our grungies can sure make life feel more fresh!

Heidi St John Guide to Daylight

Don’t Scare the Mama!

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Hi Moms!

Well, it’s Monday.  I don’t know about you, but I’m finding that the older I get, the faster the time is going!  Maybe it’s because there’s so much to do.  Life is full when you’ve got kids and parents and work and … well, you know.  But how do you find time for yourself?  Good question.

Are you struggling to find time to take care of yourself?  I bet if you’ve got kids you are!

Check out I Corinthians 6:19-20

Or, do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you who you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price.  So, glorify God in your body.”

Every home has it’s quirky little rules. In our house, quirky little rule #246 is: DON’T SCARE THE MAMA. For some reason, Continue reading →

For Those Who Believe

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Good morning moms!  I’m speaking in South Carolina today at an event for Orthodontists.  Funny, huh?!  Me, a busy mom with a bunch of doctors and specialists.  Pray for me, will you?  🙂  I hope to be an encouragement and blessing to them as they work to balance career and family.  Today, I’m talking about something near and dear to my heart: my faith.  Read on for more encouragement from Ephesians 1:18-19.

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Do you need some perspective today?  The Bible tells us that it is the Lord’s great desire to give us His perspective, His eyes to see. Check out these verses in Ephesians 1:18-19:

“I pray, that with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may comprehend the hope to which He has called you, what are the rich benefits of His glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the incomparable greatness of His power, available for us who believe, according to the exercise of His mighty strength.”

Did you see that last part? His mighty strength. His strength! Isn’t that awesome? His strength, not mine! I can’t do much on my own strength, I’m learning. The older I get and the older my children get, the more apparent it’s becoming that Continue reading →

Only What is Helpful

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Today we’re in the book of Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 29.  (Ephesians 4:29)

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it might benefit those who listen.”

Wow. That it might benefit those who listen. I had read this verse a couple of times because I am not a very good example, I think, to my kids sometimes!  The Bible says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth.”  Well,  I don’t have that down.

“…but only what is helpful” … no, I don’t have that down.  “That it might benefit those who listen.”  As we’re praying today, before we take on the day and before the busyness of the day sets in, let’s take a moment and Continue reading →

Fall Skin & Hair Care

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Don’t you just love fall? The leaves are changing, and the cool weather is slowly making its way in.  As much as we will miss those fun pool days, and long sunny days – we are excited to welcome this new season. There is so much excitement in decorating our homes, pulling out the cooler-weather clothes, and digging through all our favorite pumpkin recipes!

(This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure page for details.)

But with the new season and cooler weather, we also get drier hair and drier skin. Taking a little extra time to care of your skin can be the difference between healthy skin and flaky cracked skin. And keeping our hair moisturized throughout the cooler months can make the difference between hydrated healthy hair and dry, brittle hair.

 Fall Skin and Hair Care

I picked out my must have items that help me keep my hair healthy and my skin nourished throughout these cooler and drier months.

Hair care must haves:

Fall Skin and Hair Care - Triple Moisture Hair MaskNeutrogena Triple Moisture Hair Mask.  Ever deep condition your hair, just to finish with what feels like hair that needs to be washed again? If you have, you know how frustrating that is. This deep conditioner doesn’t do that. It is incredibly hydrating, doesn’t weigh down your hair, and keeps hair healthy and soft.  A small amount goes a long way too, don’t be fooled by the size of the jar. This jar usually lasts several months.

 

Fall Skin and Hair Care - L'oreal Nourishing Leave in ConditionerL’oreal Nourishing EverCreme Leave-In Spray. This is my go to extra care protection product, especially if I’m going to be outside in the cooler weather. It is incredibly lightweight, which is a big deal for me as I don’t like to feel products on my hair.

 

 

Face care must haves:

I’m very picky with what I put on my face. Most products take my skin to one extreme or the other. The only product I’ve found that nourishes my skin, keeps it clean, and controls break out – is Cetaphil. I use both the cleanser and lotion. Cetaphil is very gentle, yet effective.

Fall Skin and Hair Care - Cetaphil Cetaphil Cleanser. I use this all year long. I love that it’s mild, non-irritating, non-greasy, and rinses of easily.

Cetaphil Lotion. I don’t use this as much during the warmer months, just in the drier areas of my face. But in the cooler months, my skin need it more. Best part? Its fragrance free, non-greasy, and hydrates all day long.

 

Fall Skin and Hair Care - Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa butterVaseline Lip Therapy. Last fall my lips started to dry out a lot, and I was constantly applying chap stick but wasn’t getting any relief. I went to the store and grabbed tons of different lip products, but nothing worked. Until I tired Vaseline Lip Therapy. It is by far the best lip product I’ve tried. I apply it about twice a day, and that’s sufficient to keep my lips from cracking and drying out. I bought this last winter and still have more than half of it.

Fall Skin and Hair Care - BB Cream and SunScreenSun Screen. Sun Screen? Yup! Even though those long sunny summer days are in the rear view mirror, it is still important to use sun screen. I use one of two things: a BB cream which contains SPF protection or an oil free sport SPF sunscreen.

 

 

Body care must haves:

Fall Skin and Hair Care - Dove Go Fresh Body WashDove Go Fresh Body Wash. I recently switched to this body wash and love it! It smells SO good. Funny how the small things like great smelling body wash can be relaxing – especially after a long day of mommy duties. I really like how it hydrates and restores my skin.

 

Fall Skin and Hair Care - St Ives body LotionSt. Ives Body Lotion. This is one of the non-body-butter lotions that really keeps my skin hydrated. They say you should switch from lotion to cream in the cooler months, but this one works well. It doesn’t feel oily and doesn’t leave a residue. Perfect for a busy moms day to day moisturizing needs.

 

 

Fall Skin and Hair Care - Body Butter TubExtracts Brazil Nut Body Butter. I use this body butter about once a week. Usually right after I exfoliate. Much like the hair mask I mentioned above, you don’t need to use a lot, a little goes a long way. Most body butters that I’ve tried leave me feeling greasy and like I can’t touch anything, this one doesn’t. It is paraben-free and sulphate-free

 

Fall Skin and Hair Care -Pacifica body butterPacifica Body Butter. I carry this one around in my purse, and apply it as needed throughout the day – usually on my hands and arms. It’s 100% Vegan, made with Shea and Mango butters, almond oil and safflower oil. It’s also paraben –free.

 

 

Fall Skin and Hair Care -Exfoliating GlovesBath & Shower Gloves. This really isn’t really a product, but it’s a must have for me. It’s a great way to exfoliate, even if you don’t have a scrub. This will help keep you skin even toned and eliminate dry patches too.

 

 

I would LOVE to know what your favorite fall/dry weather beauty products are. And if you try any of these out, let me know what you think about them!

Heidi St John Guide to Daylight