Chilly Throw Back Thursday!

It was so hot at the park today! 

The only way Nico and I could stand it, was by reminiscing about the frosty Winters passed. 

Have a cool TBT! ^.^

There's No Place Like Space!

 

Humanity's unquenchable thirst for knowledge has led us to countless discoveries and achievements. It led us to discovering new species' of life, sailing the oceans to different lands, and most recently, landing a probe, Philae, on a comet in Space! 

Though it may not sound like much, this latest accomplishment will help scientist learn more about the origin of comets and how that origin relates to the home we call Earth. Most comets are composed of dust and ICE. As you know, where there is ice, there must have been water, and where there is water, there must be life!

Hopefully, the new discoveries will help us decode some of the mysteries of God and it will help others realize that there is no such thing as coincidence. I believe that purpose comes from something, and everything has a purpose. 

The purpose of the Earth is to sustain human life, but what gave the Earth that purpose?

If everything has a beginning, even beginnings, then how would we ever find out what the beginning of everything really is? 

UNLESS, there is something out there that has always been.

Not an exception to the rule, the creator of the rule. 

The origin.

Whatever happens, whatever you believe, one thing is certain; History has been made in our generation yet again, and it is something that we should all be aware of!

Sending Love Around the World

A few weeks ago our church announced that we would be hosting a charity event, Operation Christmas Child. The organization Samaritan's Purse leads this event and asks ordinary people to fill a shoe box (or any box that fit the required dimensions) with things that could make them heroes to children in need all over the world. Things like toys, hygiene products, school supplies, etc. (<-link for list of suggestions). Once the the box is filled you tape a label to it and drop it off at a host location to be sent to the Samaritan's Purse. 

From there, they send the box to children in need. 

Some of those kids have nothing.

Some have no one. 

This is an amazing opportunity to show them that some one cares about them, and that God is watching out for them. 

Words cannot describe how much this touched my heart! I feel like sending 100 boxes out! All I could imagine was Nico's sweet little face in the place of the children living in extreme poverty. I can only imagine how devastating it is as a parents to not be able to give your little one everything they deserve, and then to think that the world is over looking our suffering. 

I want those people to know that some people are honestly trying to help in any way possible, even something a trivial as filling a shoe box with Dollar Store goodies.

Of course we do what can!

Not only can I send a box, I can SPREAD THE WORD!

This event relies heavily on the participation of volunteers! It needs people to go out and put boxes together to send them to kids who desperately need to feel special and parent who need to know that their is hope. 

Their goal is to reach 100,000,000 children.

We can make it 1 Billion!!!

3 Tips to Keep the Winter Weight OFF

Yeah, it's that time of year again. We are putting away the bathing suits and busting out the sweat pants and leggings! We are finally stepping away from the scale and hiding that extra chub under giant comfy sweaters. 

But wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have to get back in to shape come summer 2015? Imagine a world when you look good in a bathing suit ALL YEAR! 

With these simple tips, you can enjoy this holiday season and still avoid falling out of love with your beautiful body! 

1. Toasty Workout! - In some places, I'd imagine that it is getting in to the "Too Cold" temperatures. Too cold to go out for a jog, too cold to take the kids to the park, too cold to enjoy the outside world, just TOO COLD! When the threat of frost bite seems too high, you don't have to risk it. Here is a secret you might not have known; there are hundreds of free full length workout videos on YouTube! And the best part is that there is an excellent variety to fit different needs. Whether you like Zumba, Krav Maga, Belly Dancing, or Weight lifting, I guarantee there is something for everyone. Find a quiet, private place (like your room) and get physical! 

2. Portion Makes Perfect - You might have heard of the healthy alternative to all of the yummy holiday snacks that are floating around this year, and if you are anything like me, that is simply NOT an option. Everything tastes better with an extra scoop of butter, am I right? So, instead of eating cinnamon spice celery sticks, eat whatever you want, just be mindful of how much of it you are eating. If you must try everything this year at Thanksgiving, again like me, try 2 bites of everything and then go back for you favorite. And since you're trying one of everything, you might want to hold off on that second piece of pie. Food for thought. (get it?)

3. Get a dog! - I love animals, but dogs are my all time favorite. No animal will make you feel as loved and welcomed and needed as a dog. Yes, they need you to love them back, and care for them, and most of all, they need you to walk them. A dog will force you to brave those "too cold temps." and by taking them out to do their business, you will receive some much needed sunlight and a breath of fresh air! (Don't only get a dog for this reason though, get one because they are AWESOME!)
But seriously, go outside every once in a while to change your body out of that comfortable sitting position you find yourself in throughout most of the day. Sometimes it is easy to forget that we have legs too!

Cory Proves That You're Never Too Young

This little boy is incredible! At only 5 years old Cory Nieves started a company called Mr. Cory's Cookies and he has big plans!

As human beings, we like excuses. We use them all the time in every

situation. We have doctor's notes, and little white lies, and the

classic my dog ate my homework. People even have excuses for why

things are not going the way they want in life. They are too fat, too

ugly, too poor, too stupid, too untalented, etc. So many of us are

unhappy because we are hung up on the things we wish we could do and the reasons why we can not do them. 

Excuses.

The truth is, there is nothing stopping you. There are many limitations
that we set on ourselves based on the ideals of our society and culture.
For example, people tell you that you should have a business degree if
you want to have a business, but you can't afford to go to school, so
you keep your head down and lose yourself in a meaningless job instead
of finding a way to keep your dream alive.

There is always a way to do something, even if it is not the "traditional" way.

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH DOING IT YOUR WAY! 

Even if you think your plan will take a long time, or other people tell you that it is stupid, or impossible, let nothing hold you back!

4 Tips for a Mommy "Sick Day"

So, you are feeling a little under the weather? Any normal person would  take a sick day and hide under the covers with a bottle of NyQuil, but you are not a normal person, you are a mom. And maybe, not just any mom, a KUL mom. KUL Moms do not get sick days, we do not take breaks. 

Fortunately, some of us have figured out some tricks and short cuts to get us through those tough sick days for those of you with little ones who can crawl or walk. 

Here is what I do with Nico to stay sane calm, and somewhat rested. 

1. Close off a large space in the living room using the couch as one of the barriers for baby to play in.
• This way I can lay on the couch and keep a very close eye on him. If you have a baby gate you could use that, if not improvise. We have found that a baby bouncer on it's side provides an exciting new activity center. Plus he can only touch the safe clean toys that I have provided for him. And I give him A LOT of toys, the more to keep him occupied the better. Have classical music in the back round to keep you both relaxed.
2. Have exciting and vibrant movies that you will both enjoy. 
• I don't like to let Nico watch television but when I get sick I have to make an exception.  It is okay to not do everything perfectly during these days. The more you rest the faster you will be able to get up and do educational things with your little one.That being said, I have found that colorful, exciting, and musical movies keep my little one's attention the best. We recommend the following, just to give you some ideas: 
• Turbo 
• Rio
• Frozen
• Tangled 
• The Princess and The Frog
• Aladdin
3. Make sure that you are fully stocked on everything that you need to get well.
• Stalk the cupboards with things you can make quickly, like Ramen Noodles or soup in a can or cup. Have the fridge full of vitamin C rich juice in pouches so that you can grab them and return to your little own. 
• Set up a waste basket just outside the "play pen" for tissues and any other trash. 
• Have any medicine that you need conveniently available 
• Lastly, but most importantly, keep all of your things out of reach of baby
4. WASH YOUR HANDS! 
• Washing your hands frequently in combination with those other things will help you to get on your feet and back to your regular routine in no time!

•