lessons from getting healthy
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Lessons From Getting Healthy (she: Lindsay)

ByLindsay

A little over 3 years ago, I had (what I hope to be) my last baby. It was always hard for me to stay motivated and lose all my baby weight after each baby when I was planning to get pregnant again. But after our last baby, it was go-time. And by “go-time” I mean 8 months after I had him I was finally motivated and ready to get back in shape. For the record, I didn’t exercise while pregnant with my last baby (unless you count chasing around 3 other kids as exercise, and it should probably count) nor was I a healthy eater while pregnant. I ate anything and everything all day long and put on a good 50+ pounds. And I was as out-of-shape as I had ever been in my life. I had my work cut out for me.

During this process, I started getting a lot of questions about what I was doing to lose the weight and get back in shape. I learned a LOT during the next year as I literally worked my butt off to get healthy and thought I’d share some of the lessons from getting healthy that I learned.

Sunday Sunshine
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Sunday Sunshine

ByMariel

Happy Sunday! I recently mentioned in my The Moment I Realized Family History is Awesome post that I’m part of a family history class at church. We spend a lot of time talking about the importance of keeping our own personal history. It got me thinking how a lot of what I write on this blog is part of my personal history that can be passed down. I love that!

With that in mind…

After my family history class, I transition to Relief Society. That’s the class at church for them women. It’s my favorite one. With all the chaos of life, the moment I sit down in Relief Society, I feel exactly that… relief.

Helping Your Family Keep New Year’s Resolutions (she: Heather)
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Helping Your Family Keep New Year’s Resolutions (she: Heather)

ByHeather

I know, it is hard enough to keep your own personal resolutions and goals. Why would you want to set goals with your family too? Well, because setting goals together and working towards goals, brings us closer as a family. It builds unity, trust and is a great opportunity to teach our children skills and values.

Whether your family has a word of the year, sets resolutions, or you have goals that you want your family to work on this year, here are tips to help your family stick with those resolutions so you can improve and grow together.

Kindness Begins With Me

Kindness Begins With Me

ByMariel

Happy Sunday, my friends! I’ve been meaning to do better with my inspirational posts for Sunday. So, here’s my attempt. Hopefully, I can be a little more consistent. Today’s thought is all about kindness. We could all incorporate a little more kindness in our lives, right? Come be inspired, share the love, and get your free printable!

How to Never Miss a Day of Scripture Reading
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How to Never Miss a Day Reading Scriptures

ByMariel

Today’s post is all about something that up until last January, was super hard for me… consistent scripture reading. Whether you read The Bible or The Bible AND The Book of Mormon, or whatever else enriches your life, this can work for you.

Okay, so as a member of the Mormon church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), we are asked to actively STUDY the scriptures. And despite the fact that when I do, I learn a ton, I evaluate myself for short-comings, I find answers to prayers, and I feel inspired to be a better person… it’s still hard to make it a habit to read the scriptures every day. It’s been hard my whole life. I get too busy, too tired, too lazy, whatever. But, now I got it down, sista. I haven’t missed a day since January 1st and it’s all because of a simple little trick. The best thing ever.

Starting Today ~ April 2014 Inspiration
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Starting Today ~ April 2014 Inspiration

ByMariel

I’m sure you’ve heard it said that the hardest part is ‘getting started.’ Isn’t that so true?!? Whether you’re going on a diet, wanting to exercise more, tackle a big project, or draw closer to God… the hardest part is getting started. It really does get easier from there. Something that I’ve learned in life is that it doesn’t matter if you fail, what matters is that you keep trying. We are expected to fail, we are imperfect. It doesn’t make you any less than anyone else. It makes you human. But, by actively trying, we prove that we are anxious for a better life, we exhibit gratitude, we become worthy of His assistance, and we attain blessings. Starting over, trying harder… it’s worth it.

‘Because of Him’ & Photo Challenge ~ April 2014 Inspiration
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‘Because of Him’ & Photo Challenge ~ April 2014 Inspiration

ByMariel

Hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday, my friends. With Easter upon us and swarms of bunny crafts, Easter egg ideas, and savory ham recipes surrounding us, I think it’s always nice to take some time and come back to what Easter is all about: Jesus Christ. I know it’s definitely something I need to do. When I stop and remember Him, what He did for me and why He did it for me, it put the rest of my life in perspective… My troubles seem manageable, I feel humbled, a greater desire to serve others, and comforted, knowing that there is a plan for me and that I, individually, am loved by God. I want those feelings every day. I NEED those feelings every day!

What Is Love? Inspirational Series www.orsoshesays.com
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What Is Love? ~ An Inspirational Series on Love, Part 4

ByMariel

My heart is FULL. It is such a blessing to be able to share these stories with so many. I am so thankful.

I must say, I’m a little sad about this being the last week of the ‘What is Love?’ series. Sad, sad, sad. I get anxiety all week long, wondering if I’ll be able to find the perfect love stories that I want to share with you. It can’t be just any story about love. It has to inspire me.

What is Love? ~ An Inspirational Series on Love, Part 3
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What is Love? ~ An Inspirational Series on Love, Part 3

ByMariel

For the month of February, every Sunday, I wanted to do a little ‘What is Love’ series; a collection of random stories and videos that exhibit love and inspire us to bring more love into our lives. Yes, we can BRING more love into our lives. We don’t need anyone else to do it for us. Love is there, waiting to be had.

I hope these favorite stories and videos that I found, will help convey the beauty of love, inspire you, and bring a little more light into your life. Enjoy!

three easy parenting tips
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Three Easy Parenting Tips for 2014 (she: Heather)

ByHeather

If we want to have strong relationships with our children, we HAVE to spend time with them. Not just every once in a while, but research shows that we need to find at least 15 minutes a day to spend with each child on an individual basis. This is uninterupted time where we put our phones and computers and the laundry away and just focus on them. Get down on their level, look into their eyes and really listen to what they say. If you are wondering what you are going to do, sit down together and make a list of all the things that you could do. From baking cookies, to going for a drive, playing a game or just chatting about the day. Then when it is time to be together, you wont waste it trying to figure something out. Pick something on your list and have a good time. Your kids will feel supported, listened to, understood, and you will even see improvements in their behavior. You will find that a little time makes a big difference.