How One Becomes A Christian--My Story

When I was a teenager, I found God and devoted my life to him by baptism of complete immersion in water. It was a long journey to get that point, and while I have lost a lot of details of the time, I still vividly recall the feeling of safety and love of my God at that time.

It didn't take long for my life to go awry. I have kept my faith in God steadfast throughout, but I can't claim that I was living anywhere near His image nor was any kind of good Christian. I was a typical teen with typical teen problems and mistakes... but then I was an atypical teen at the same time. In the years of my remaining teens and early adulthood were filled with lies, deceit, unplanned pregnancy, infidelity and so much more that leaves me being thankful that my God already knows all my mistakes so I don't have to hash them all out here.

Before I continue, I have to say that I am very far from proud of the following story. I am telling it in it's honesty because I know that it has to be told that way. A lot of people were hurt during this time and I don't want to reopen any wounds. My goal is to complete the healing process for all involved and to put my own testimony of the power of Our God into words.

Several years ago I was married to a man whom I had known for a very long time. We were unhappy for a lot of reasons for a very long time. About the time that we had decided to through in the towel on our marriage, we were blessed with the news that we were finally expecting a baby together: something we had both wanted. As in many stories, we took this as a sign to work harder on things and choose to stay married and raise our daughter together.

Many can guess, but the child did not make things better. Our marriage stayed unhappy and turned toxic and hurtful on both sides. It was a nightmare that I still can't believe I lived through. I spent many days wondering how to come out of this awful relationship without losing my daughter. I didn't see a way for the man was adamant that if I left, he would be keeping our only child from me. That was not a risk I was willing to take and he knew it.

Around the time that our precious little girl turned two years old, her father left the country with the military on a six-month deployment. A few weeks later found me on the phone with a dear friend having a familiar-to-me conversation: How could I leave and still keep my child? Now was the easiest time, but how does this all work out? What does my life look like if I just take off before he comes back home?

That friend was my biggest spiritual compass during all the worst years of my life. She said to me, "I know you have prayed about this and I have prayed for you so much. But have you truly handed this situation over to Him and let Him do His Will?" I was so confused by her question.

"What do you mean? God can't put money in my private savings account and find me a place to live and ensure me full custody of my daughter? I have asked Him for His help and so far there has been a lot of radio silence! I have to figure this out..."

My ever-patient friend sighed and told me again, "You have to let go of this. You cannot control something this big. It is already in His plan. Say your prayers and tell Him that you will do as he sees fit, whatever it may be and just wait for the solutions to come to you. Stop thinking about it and wait."

Not gong to lie, I thought she had lost her mind a bit. But after four years in an unhealthy situation, I was ready to try anything. So that night after putting my darling daughter to bed, I had a chat with my God. I told him that I had tried everything I could, but I no longer knew what to do that. I told Him that keeping my daughter was the single most important thing in my life and that everything else could be sacrificed, but not her. I told Him that I would hand over control to Him and trust that he would show me the path meant for me. Then I went to sleep with a heart full of hope.

The very next afternoon, less than 24 hours later, my husband calls me from the country he is in. I was out at the grocery store and we had a terrible connection--which wasn't unusual. There were a lot of things sad on his end that I didn't hear at all and other things I couldn't decode through the static and blank spots. To this day, I still don't know what else was said because I have never asked. Here is what I do know...

The conversation started with a lot of interference and the first thing I could understand was "I think we should get a divorce." My heart froze, unsure what to think. This is what I wanted, but what would that mean for my child and me if I agreed? I told him I didn't understand since we had just started hours earlier and everything was fine (well our version of fine). His explanations and reasoning was completely lost over the oceans that separated us and they will remain there.

The other parts of the call that got through clearly were that he was willing to give me full custody so our daughter could live with me because he knows I am wonderful mother (something he had never before said to me) and that we would split up all property equally. We ended the terribly-connected call with plans to talk later the next day and I was just utterly shocked.

I honestly have no idea what happened to spark this change in my ex-husband, but it came immediately after my vow to let God take the reigns and steer my life down the best path for me. I have never asked the ex why he finally was willing to let me have our daughter and end a very miserable four-year marriage. I won't ever ask him either, because I don't need to. I know, with zero doubts, that God put the whole thing into play just for me.

Today, I have two other children with my now-husband and I can't even begin to describe how happy and fulfilled I am. My daughter's father is still in her life and they talk and visit often which makes me happy for her. My ex and I have a relationship based on our mutual love for our daughter and so things are generally pretty amicable between us. The life I have today is the life that I thought I would never be allowed to have; the kind of life that I felt God just simply left out of His divine plan for me,

So that's my story about how My God took me out of the most awful situation of my life the moment I relinquished control. It is my testimony and will always be my reminder that He has a plan for us all and it is far greater than any of us could ever have guessed.

Best Thermometer Found

As a mom to two young kids, I take temperatures often. In my four and a half years in momhood, I have gone thought about 7 different thermometers, ranging from combo ones to standing stick ones to nice ones that I spent $50 on. None of them seem to last and they have either lacked in accuracy or not been anywhere near fast enough for my taste. It has been a big struggle for me.

When I was given the change to test out the Nanny's Choice Thermometer, I agreed to post my thoughts on Amazon. However, after using it around my house, I have to share my thoughts and experience with my blog readers as well because it totally deserves the praise.

This is probably the great thermometer I have ever used and I have owned several of them. My most recent thermometer was an ear/temporal combo one and I didn't feel like it was very accurate and often froze up on me. I have had zero issues with this one. Not only does it take the temperature incredibly fast (about one second) but you don't even have to touch the person to take their temp! Just point it at the forehead about 1-1.5 inches away and push the button. The color display helps you know when a temp is normal, slightly high or really high I think that is a nice guide for anyone who might not know when to really worry on a temp.

My favorite feature that is unlike any other thermometer I have ever owned is the ability to get the room temp or take a surface temp as well as the body temp. I like to take the room temp to see if my thermostat is working well or not. I used the surface temp setting every night to check the kids bath water. I also found out that my hot water on max heat comes out at 113 degrees! I might need to adjust my water heater!

The Nanny's Choice Thermometer is so easy to use, I am just amazed. Switching between the modes and taking the temp is all so quick and easy and done with just a push of a button. As a bonus, they include a wonderful box to hold it in so it can say clean and safe and away from so many things that would likely harm or hurt a thermometer. I don't think I will ever get another thermometer!

Inessence Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser

I recently started using essential oils around my home for cures for common aliments. I love using peppermint oil for headaches, migraines, and nausea. I have been using lavender, chamomile and a YL exclusive blend to help everyone in my family rest and be calm for bed in the evenings.

One of my favorite ways to apply oils to everyone in my household is to diffuse them. It tends to be a stronger way to get the oils into your system faster and not having to worry about skin reactions (though we have yet to experience any). The best part is that everyone in my house can benefit at once when I diffuse essential oils.

So far I have tried three different essential oil diffusers, all with their own benefits and draw backs. This is the beginning of a series of posts that I will be dedicating to my personal use and experience of essential oils, diffusers and all other EO related products.


First Up: Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser from Inessence

This is the diffuser that I use in my daughter's room and it was the prefect selection for her. It lights up in 8 different colors (a few of Morgan's favorites are shown in the below photos) and the transitions between the colors are as equally pretty as the ones shown in the photos. This diffuser has it set up so you can have the lights continuously changing or by pushing the "light" button again, it will stay on the color you selected, or the light can be off completely while having the diffuser still working. The light is completely separate from the mist function, because it can be on with or without the mist.

When you take the lid off, which locks into place by rotating it til the dots are lined up on the side, there is a very useful measurement lines that shows you exactly how much water is in the diffuser and how much remains so you can judge how many drops of essential oils to add in. It also came with a little cup that helps you fill the diffuser really easily, instead of having to put it under the faucet like other diffusers.

The diffuser timer setting are pretty great as well. You can set it to automatically stop misting after 30, 60, 120 or 180 minutes. I wish it had a 10 or 15 minute setting, as many oils suggest to only diffuse for a shorter amount of time, but this is my only diffuser that has a built in timer, so it already has a lot up on many other essential oil diffusers,

You can find this diffuser here on Amazon. I doubt you would regret this purchase for your home, Coupled with a 180 day Home Warranty Guarantee from the manufacturer, you know that it will last or they will replace it for you.

To keep reading my other posts on Essential Oils and all things related, click here and check back often.

Catching up by taking a break

I have been so behind on reviews and mommy duties lately that I haven't spent any time to make a post for myself. I am still behind on about 5 reviews, but I have to share a mommy secret I have found recently that, I believe, may save my sanity.

Whenever I am overwhelmed and overrun by my life--the dishes are overflowing in my kitchen that is only equipped with a dishwasher labeled "mama" <<freeze here while I remember that I have not refilled my daughter's 8th cup of chocolate milk like she asked me before her brother pooped>>

OK where was I?
All over the place?
Sounds like me.

Anyway, I was talking about how overwhelming life can be! I have two small children (almost one and almost 4--love the birthday season in our house almost as much as I despise it) and a husband who works a lot to provide for our family so I can be home with our tiny blessings.

Let's not forget about the two dogs, the crazy cat and any other family relationships I have to foster. With all of that, I spend a lot of my days helping or caring for others. Do you know what though? I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Please read that accurately: I wouldn't have it any other way.
Meaning: I love my life, I love my kids, I love my husband.
I do not love the limited number of hours in a day.
I do not love all the things I have to cram into those few hours.
I do not love cleaning up animal or even human excrement <<yes, we potty training -- and excuse me while I refill aforementioned chocolate milk and find a new shows for my daughter and quickly act out the previous episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates>>

Resuming with... ummmm .... what I do to distress on days when I feel like the list of things I have to get done are deafening me? Well, I tried a lot of things:

I tried to organize myself better for maximize time efficiency -- but I ended up spending way too much time organizing and getting stressed out when things didn't go as planned.

Let's face it, you can't plan meltdowns or potty accidents or what times your baby is going to need his mommy to hold him every second of the day.

You just can't account for those things, which is why I am always late to E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. Seriously, I am late to the grocery store. How? Talent. Natural talent.

Insert very important tip here: ctrl+z is a mommy blogger lifesaver --and so is my husband who I just called in a panic because I was unsure how to fix my mistake over typing over THIS WHOLE POST! Thank you for bailing me out calmly, love! <<hitting SAVE now>>

OK OK So what is my secret if not any of those things they normally suggest?

I do nothing. Nothing at all.

<<I just had to stop my son from eating the toilet paper so my daughter could use it to wipe while on the toilet. Does any mother think this is what their life will be like?>>

Nothing, you ask? That seems ...  highly unproductive? Don't worry, you are right, it is. Doing nothing gets nothing accomplished. 

And some days, that is what you need more than a clean house -- trust me

Instead of cleaning or stressing or organizing or making phone calls or setting up appointments or balancing our account, I spend time with my kids just enjoying their childhood.

And it is beautiful.

My son whistles, yes whistles, while he plays and I don't know the last time I found something so thoroughly entertaining. 

My daughter has mastered the art of reenacting scenes from her favorite shows, she dances almost all the time and she talks just. like. me. I am both terrified and thrilled at this new development.

My children found the time and ability to play together with minimal catastrophes, while I was busy stressing over the Fruit Loops on the high chair and the water in the bathroom floor.

This morning I took a time out with my daughter while my son napped and my husband was out for his morning run. We put together a puzzle and I was shocked at how smart she is and how I could let my control freak-ness rest while she took her time to figure out where the pieces go.

This is true beauty.
These minutes were so much more productive than cleaning that crazy thing called a kitchen behind her.
Life is made up of moments like this and I am going to soak them all in.

So that's my lesson: take your time figuring out where the pieces go and love every minute of it.