A Happy Easter To You

Easter is such a precious time of year!

Hearts filled with hope of an even more precious Heaven!

How lucky we are that we have a Saviour that 'laid down his life for his friends'!

There is no greater love!

Easter is a beautiful reminder of That Love!

A Love that covers all sins, delivers hope to the downtrodden, strength for the weary!

O Happy Day!

O Happy Day!

O Happy Day!

Springtime poem

My Mom loves poetry and she will send me a poem that she thinks I will like. This is one of my favorites! In the heart of a bulb Is a promise of Spring. In a little blue egg There's a bird that will sing. In the soul of a seed Is a hope of the sod. In the heart of a child Is the Kingdom of God. ~Anonymous I hope your Spring is filled with sunshine in your hearts!

Crispy Kale Chips

I found this super simple recipe for kale chips.

They are light, crispy and delicious!

Kale is a dark leafy green that is a nutritional powerhouse full of health boosting nutrients!

~Wash and dry your kale bunch.

~Tear leaves off of the tough stem into bitesize pieces.

~Spread on cookie sheet.

~Sprinkle with sea salt.

~Bake at 350* F. for 15 minutes or until crispy.

~Great alone, as a unique 'side' or on top of eggs or soup.

Don't be shy! Give it a try!

Of Love and Babies

When my newborn smiles at me like I am the center of her universe, my heart wants to leap right out of my body!

It is the most precious thing!

Such unconditional love!

She sees no flaws!

Only love!

Isn't it just a beautiful thing?

When do we stop loving like that?

I mean, we still have so much love and all as we get older~but do we still love as a child does?

I am telling you, I learn so much from babies and children that it just amazes me!

Have I put expectations on the love I have for my parents, husband or children, for example, that I no longer can love unconditionally.

Do I expect more of any relationship, where as a child I didn't expect anything?

We just loved!

Hmmm.

It is something to think about!

God just loves.

I want to go back to that feeling of just plain loving.

My baby has taught me to just love!

Forget about conditions and whatever else that keeps us from really, truly loving!

Thank you, Baby Rosie, for showing me God's way of loving!

Jack LaLanne's Guide To Reducing Stress

Jack LaLanne, a health and fitness icon, passed away in January at the age of 96.
Just last year he wrote a book called "Live Young Forever" just to continue his love of encouraging people to get into and stay in great health!

We bought the book.

Here was a man in his 90's that was the picture of health from the time he learned about health and proper nutrition when he was 15 years old until his death at 96.

It is never too late to learn all you can to live a happy, healthy, fulfilled life!

Here are his tips for reducing stress, which is a major factor in illness.
These tips are from his book "Live Young Forever"

~Be prepared for the unexpected.
~Don't take a job of which you know little, are careless about, or that you find extremely difficult.
~ Don't expect constant approval at work or in the home. It seldom materializes.
~Work out at least three days a week: weights, stretching, walking, treadmill, yoga, Pilates.
~Prioritize your "to-do list" and follow through in order of importance.
~Eat clean: Natural, wholesome foods. Plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein.
~Don't worry about the future; plan your future. Set achievable goals, and follow through.
~Do everything that is healthy for your mind and body. No junk food, drugs, or cigarettes, and very limited alcohol.
~Delegate some of your workload to others; you cannot do everything.
~Learn to completely relax at different times of the day. Put your feet up and watch a half-hour TV comedy program or read a good book.

I love these tips. Read and think about everyone of them and see if you can incorporate a few at a time!
Check out the Jack LaLanne website for motivation and encouragement:
http://www.jacklalanne.com/

The Perfect Valentine's Day Gift!

I am a hopeless Romantic!
I love anything to do with LOVE!
Valentine's Day is a day to be a little more romantic and eventhough I think love is for EVERYDAY, it's fun to make the day a bit more special with a 'love' treat~
~heart-shaped pancakes, cookies, pizza and meatloaf!
~ maybe a bunch of roses and children's cutout hearts all over the walls and windows and doors and dressers and even a heart sticker on each cheek!

My Dear Husband is the type that hates when card companies dictate when he should be romantic.
He likes to do it his own way on his own day~
~Ane he does~
Every once in awhile.

But my husband gave me the most BEAUTIFUL gift EVER this Valentine's Day morning!
The gift of a Blessing!
Reassuring eachother that all our sins are indeed forgiven in the Name and Blood of Jesus!

I was nursing the baby in bed early this morning when my Dear husband came and asked me for a blessing!
In return, I asked him to bless me, also.

I have always looked forward to roses, or perfume, or a beautiful romantic card and at times, actually felt 'crushed' if I didn't receive anything 'special'~being the hopeless romantic that I am!

I will tell you, though, I am no longer wishing for those things.
I was given the perfect Valentine's Day gift!
The gift that is a 'one size fits all~all occasion, absolutely PERFECT gift!

My darling husband is probably feeling he has to rush out and buy me a box of chocolates so I won't be disappointed this Valentine's Day.

And eventhough I know this gift is from God, I have to let him know that I don't need anything more!
I already received the gift that can never be topped!
~On Valentine's Day or any other day!

Change It Up!

If you want to see the RESULTS you desire in ANY area of your life, you need to start DOING something DIFFERENT than what you already are doing!

~If the house is always messy, give a child a quarter to pick up one room!
~If you can't lose weight, make a plan and eat different foods!
Or do a different kind of exercise!
~If your spouse isn't paying attention to you, find a way to MAKE him NOTICE!
~If you need more money, SAVE a little, MAKE a little!
~If you are always running late, layout the things you need several DAYS in advance!

You know the old saying~
IF THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A WAY!

"I can do ALL THINGS, through Christ who strengthens me!"
Look it up!
~And have a rejoiceful and glad day!

PS. This is the advice I'm giving myself!