2 Major Benefits of Moving

Life is never more stressful than when you are planning to move. It seems like no matter how much we try to plan and organize, something always goes wrong. When the inevitable does finally happen we are left with 2 choices; forget the plan and stay where you are, or charge forward and take risks.

Pedro and I have decided to take the risk. 

Pedro is always saying, "there is no growth in comfort." I completely agree with him, which is why our family is moving from Puerto Rico...

 to Raleigh, North Carolina. 

We want to embrace the challenge and find new opportunities to grow as a family, as well as individuals.

Honestly, moving is exciting, but not all that fun. When the stress seems too overwhelming, it can help to remember the 2 major benefits of moving.

1. A chance to start over - there are very few times we are allowed to restart in life. If you are blessed enough to have such a chance take full advantage of it. Create fresh beautiful memories and allow yourself to be the person you've always wanted to be.

2. Problem Solving skills - This one was meant to be a little bit of a joke. If you have ever moved, you get it. There is no better example for Murphy's law than moving. You think you have it all figured out, but sooner or later you'll find yourself blindsided by something you didn't expect. Thankfully, you learn how to think on your feet!

Good luck to every brave soul who is also making an important life transition this year. Focus  on the outcome of the journey and the process becomes much easier!

Staying Calm When Things Go Wrong

As much as we try to make it so, life is not perfect.

The bible warns us that as Christians, we will go through many trials and storms.

 (See John 16:33) 

We go through difficult situations, and hard times more often than we'd like to admit. It's hard to see the beauty or the good when dealing with the stress and fear of an uncertain future, but in these times it can be helpful to cling to the word of God. 

Though sometimes we feel like everything is falling apart, we are encouraged to remain joyful and trust that God knows what he is doing. (Read James 1:2-4)

Like an old friend the bible compels us to remain faithful in the Lord. 

3 Things to keep in mind during, THE STORM:

1. God makes all things come together for the good of those who love Him. He will never forsake you, He will never leave alone. He does thing deliberately and intentionally, He knows what is best for us, and He loves us.

 

2. The bible holds countless examples of God protecting his people throughout scary and dangerous experiences. Remember when Daniel got tossed in the lions den for praying to the One True God? He came out unharmed and the king had all of Daniel's enemies thrown to the lions. (Read Daniel 6:19-23) 

The Lord protects those who trust in him. 

3. The bible promises that though things seem bad, they will always get better. (See Romans 8:18) 

God knows every detail of our lives, He knows our entire story, and He knows that there are wonderful things in store for all of those who put their faith in Jesus.

Our only job is to remain faithful. 

 

Potty Diaries: Day 3

 

Dear Diary,

Today was kind of disappointing; Nico experienced regression for the first time, which is completely normal, I just didn't expect it to happen so soon. At this age toddlers are learning how to express themselves. Nico goes through periods where he really wants to please me, and phases where he could care less whether I approve of his behavior or not; I call those, "Rough Days." 

Today was a Rough Day.

Nico defiantly used the floor when he went pee-pee, alerting me each time after he was already finished. And the times when I took him to the potty he refused to use it even when he was reminded of his potty reward, which is okay. To me, the most important thing is that he feels comfortable with going to the bathroom; it is not the time or place for strict discipline in order to avoid tears and outright refusal to even sit on the potty.

The one time he did use the potty was when I caught him in the middle of doing a number 2 on the floor. I carried him running to the potty where he finished! Afterwards, I cleaned up the mess with toilet paper and put it in the potty to show him that numbers always go in there.

3 Things I learned about Nico and Potty Time:

1. He likes to pee on the floor (I assume this is true of most boys when they start)
2. Regression is normal
3. He enjoys the Potty Song I made up to go along with Number 2's

Though I was a little discouraged to discover that he enjoyed peeing on the floor, and was tempted to give up and put him back in a diaper, I stuck it out until bath time, which is when we put his diaper on for the night.

 At the end of the day, it helped to focus on his small accomplishment, rather than dwell on the things that were out of my control. 

Sincerely,
Sabrina (aka The KUL Mom)

Potty Diaries: Day 1

Dear Diary, 

Today was a very exciting day for Nico! He was thrilled to discover that he didn't have to wear his diaper at all, and happily ran around the house in all his naked freedom. 

Then, he had his first accident. He came to me saying, "Nico pee-pee!" And I was excited, until I found a small yellow puddle on the tiled playroom floor. I calmly told him that we pee-pee in the potty, and had him bring me paper towels to help me clean up, which he was very happy to do. 

The second time he had an accident, I caught him, and was able to get him to stop midstream, a thing that is difficult for him to do at this age. We ran to the potty where Nico finished his number 1! We sang a song, and I gave him lots of high-fives and endless praise. 

When it was time for his nap, we visited the potty again, though he didn't use it. It is unreasonable to expect these little ones to stay dry during nap time, or to be able to wake up and alert their parents if they need to use the potty; so, I put a diaper on him to avoid a smelly disaster. When we went to the potty after nap time, he successfully made another pee-pee!

We visited the potty several more times that day. Before and after lunch, snack, and dinner, without much luck. I was careful to not show disappointment when he didn't have to go, so that he wouldn't associate potty time with guilt. However, when he made a number 2 on the floor, I made sure he knew that it was not okay. While he helped me clean the mess again, I sternly but kindly told him that we must use the potty next time so that we can keep the floor clean.

3 things that Reassured me that Nico was ready for potty training:

1. He was able to tell me when he was finished using the potty
2. He knows the difference between going number 1 and going number 2
3. He recognizes the sensation and tells me either before or after he does his business

Overall, the first day of potty training went better than I had excepted!

Sincerely, 
Sabrina (aka The KUL Mom)

Surviving the Tropical Storm

Hurricane season is upon us! Erika is knocking on our door and she might be coming in whether we like it or not! The most important thing about an upcoming storm is being prepared. Nothing will put you at ease more than knowing you are ready for whatever the storm might blow your way! 

*Important Tips

• Don't wait until the last minute to prepare - Don't go out hours before the storm is going to hit expecting to find everything on your list. Be responsible and try to get ready a few days early. 
• Stay informed - Know the current details of the storm that is moving toward you! 
• Stay inside! - Once the storm starts, stay inside no matter what! Pets should NEVER be left outside during a storm. Trust your gut; if your boss is calling you, but you just saw a chicken fly by your window, it's OK to let it go to voicemail. 
• Stay calm, Make an Emergency Plan - Chances are, this is not your first time going through a storm, and if it is, there is a reason why the rest of us aren't freaking out. As long as you are prepared there is nothing to be worried about. God is in control and He loves us! 

*for those of you who live in Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, I am using Google Public Alerts to keep track of the tropical storm Erika. The website is also the source of more excellent tips and safety information. 

IN CASE OF BLACK OUT….

6 Must Have Supplies:

• Bottled water - If you freeze 3 packs of water you can use 2 of them to keep the food cold in your fridge and one of them to thaw and drink! 
• A grill or mini grill - Something to cook on if the power goes out. 
• Aluminum foil - For cooking things on the grill 
• Candles - Because candles don't run out of batteries. 
• Flashlight or Lantern - Because sometimes candles aren't quite bright enough to chase monsters away. (; Don't forget the batteries ;)
• Deck of cards - To see how many games you can make up in one night! 

4 Dinner Ideas: 

• Sandwiches - Tuna, ham, cheese, turkey, Swiss, the list goes on and on! There has never been a better excuse to eat a delicious grilled sandwich! 
• Hot Dogs - The go-to grill food, accompanied with your favorite chips! 
• Fish - Wrap some seasoned fish in aluminum foil with olive oil and toss it on the grill for a delicious healthy snack
• Baked Potatoes - Wrap in aluminum foil and bake of the grill with the lid on; don't forget to add the yummy toppings! 

3 Activities to Brighten the Night: 

1. Shadow Puppet Theater - Act out TV shows or movies, or make up something totally original! 
2. Read a Book Out Loud - Each person can read for a different character, or the person with the most enchanting voice can captivate everyone else! 
3. Never Ending Story - One person begins the story with 2 sentences and the next person adds to it with their 2, etc. See how long your group or family can keep it going! 

7 Ways to Say NO to Stress This Summer

Whoever said summer was carefree had no idea what they were talking about. This summer has been as busy and demanding as any other time of the year, with one exception; it's blood boiling hot! If we're not careful, the stress of every day life can drain the fun right out of summer. Avoid loosing your cool this year with these 7 happiness hacks:

Laugh at least once a day - The reason behind this is the Law of Attraction. If you laugh at least one time every day you will be generally happier in life than those who don't because you are emitting and attracting positive energy! Laughter is also good exercise for the abdomen; laugh your way to a healthier you! 

Take advantage of the SUN - During the summer we actually have TIME to go outside and enjoy being in the sunshine! Absorbing vitamin D makes us feel better; it's hard to be stresses when you're feeling amazing! 
 
Avoid Negative Gossip - You know who I'm talking about, that face that popped up in your head as soon as you read the word gossip. The person who always has something to say about everybody. You have enough on your plate, you don't need to spend any time focusing on other people's problems. 

Take a weekly day trip - This doesn't have to be a spa retreat of anything, just go out for the day to someplace nice with someone you love! The beach, the pool, the park, the possibilities are endless and adventure awaits you! Its okay to take a step back, healthy even. 

Treat yourself once a week - This is not the same as taking a weekly day trip. This means making time to do one thing for yourself. A self manicure, or setting aside an hour to read a novel, or even to spend time surfing Pinterest!

Get extra sleep - TAKE NAPS! Whenever you can, even if for only an hour. Because it's summer and you can. Sleep is directly linked to happiness!

Take a lot of fun pictures - No matter what you are doing, you can always snap a selfie. Whether its watching TV all day or working, you can take a moment to let loose. Make a silly face, and stop taking everything so seriously, at least for a minute. Then remind yourself what is really important. Life is beautiful!

Teaching Toddlers 102: Watering Flowers

 

When I look at Nico, it is hard to  believe that my vibrant energetic mess machine was a helpless infant less than a year ago. Time really does fly, and they really do grow up in the blink of an eye! In the short growth gap when our little ones go from babyhood to childhood, there is an array of important lessons they must learn. We all want to give our children the earliest possible preparation!

One tip I picked up is that it is never too early to start teaching them responsibility. 

 At around 18 months, most babies are highly aware of their surroundings, and they are aware that they can have both negative and positive effects on those surroundings. For example, a few months ago, Nico discovered that he was just tall enough to reach the low light switches in the house; whenever mommy or daddy isn't looking he begins to constantly click them on and off. 

But, soon enough he will learn that "With great power, comes great responsibility."

Now is the time to start showing your toddler how to take care of the things he can directly effect. Start with simple things and gradually increase complexity as the child becomes even more aware of the world around him. 

• When you leave or enter a room let the child turn the light on, or off, teaching him to conserve energy.
• If you have plants in your home or garden, let your little one help you water them, teaching her to take care of the environment. 
• If you have a pet let the toddler help/watch you feed it, teaching him that living creatures share our planet and might sometimes need our help. By letting him groom the animal gently under your supervision you are also teaching him how to handle other living things with tender care. 
• At the end of play time, let her help you pick up her toys, if you don't already do this. She will learn to clean up after herself. 
• When you are putting away his clothes, let him put a few items in the drawer so he will learn that everything has a place, and that sometimes, even mommy needs a little help!

Those five little "chores" may seem trivial to us as adults, but they could make your toddler feel like a SUPER BABY! Whenever he/she completes a task give them loads of praise and lots of high fives! Encouragement is the best way to reinforce and maintain gratifying behavior, and it makes those little guys feel special, and important!

New Tiny Teeth!

Babies are always more than proud to show off their brand new set of chompers, even if they only have one or two!

 

With new teeth comes new responsibilities! 

As soon as Nico had about six teeth we decided it was time for a visit to the dentist, who was pleasantly surprised upon meeting us!

She went on about how rare it was for parents to bring their child at such an early age, and about how amazing it was for Nico to have a head start towards healthy brushing habits! 

 We even got an adorable free toothbrush! 

A little bit of advice:  

Don't forget you camera! Unfortunately, I had to learn this the hard way because I left my camera at home. You are NOT going to want to miss seeing your little one in that giant green chair! It is something that you will want to remember forever! 

If your child is a biter there is a trick that the dentist showed me to prevent painful injuries, on my part and on his! 

Take two fingers and put them in between the back of his gums where he does not have teeth yet. This will hold his mouth open and though he will be instinctively biting down, you won't suffer any notoriously unpleasant baby bites. Your baby will not like this. 

Your baby doesn't really like foreign objects near his mouth unless he puts it there, or unless it's food, preferably something sweet. Don't be alarmed when the dentist asks you to hold him down, and keep your cool when he starts to freak out. This is NOT going to hurt him. So, smile at him, sing to him, tell him it's okay, and remind him that the dentist is a friend when everything is over! That will make return visits easier in the future! 

 

Stay healthy and keep on smiling =) 

 

 

6 Things to Consider When Expecting...

So, you found out you are expecting a child!

Congratulations! 

Babies are the most wonderful little creatures on Earth, as you will soon discover. 

But, now what?

Maybe, you don't really know that much about pregnancy or parenthood, or maybe, people have shared a few specific details from their personal experiences. Maybe, you have done a lot of research and you know everything about what  happens to a woman's body during those 9 months. 

While it's important to know those things, there are somethings that you will only come to understand throughout the pregnancy. 

It is an uncomfortable time for some women, very uncomfortable. But for others, it is easy and it feels very natural. That is why I advise you to never compare your pregnancy to someone else. Every woman is completely different from another therefore the same goes for pregnancy. 

Know that you have options. Everyone can tell you otherwise, but it is your body and only you know what is ultimately best for you. It is an enormous responsibility to have some one around who depends on you for everything. 

Make sure you are willing to love some one more than you love yourself.  Being a parent is the most selfless thing you can ever do.

You will need a lot of emotional support. You need some one around who will try to understand what you are going through, to pamper you, and tell you how amazing you are for carry a life into the world. Make sure you find that person! Or make sure you are that person!

You don't have to take everyone's advice. Everyone will have something to say to you about what you are going through. They all think that their way is the best way. I think that your way is the best way. God blessed us all with children that only we know how to deal with specifically. 

The most important thing is love. LOVE LOVE LOVE! If you are nervous about how you will do as a parent, just love them. For who they are, for everything that they are, and make sure that you let them know it!

7 Secret Parenting Tips

We can all agree that being a parent is extremely difficult, especially being a young one. 

Our kids are their own people, which makes us wish that they came equipped with an instruction manual and all the gear they will need throughout their childhood. Let's face it, we don't always have the answers and we don't always know what to do.

That is why I searched all corners of the internet to bring you 7 Parenting Tricks that will help you save money like its your job, cure sicknesses like a doctor, and make you feel like a superhero!

1. Vapor Rub Socks - Us Latina moms are well aware of the Vapor Rub remedy used on us every time we got sick. When your child has a cough instead of giving your child a Vapor Rub bath, try rubbing some on his/her feet and covering them with socks! This will help them fall asleep!

 

2. DIY Baby Puffs - I love those yummy Gerber Puffs for Nico, but they are just so expensive for a container that doesn't last him very long. So, I found a great recipe for puffs you can make yourself using ingredients that are much better for baby!
Baby treats
2 Tablespoons Oil
2 Egg Yolks
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 Cup Sugar
1 1/2 Cup Baby Cereal
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Water
Mix all ingredients. add enough water to make it come together. add more cereal if you added too much water. Roll dough into tiny little bite size balls. You don't need to worry about separating them all completely, after they bake, they separate easily just by shaking the pan. Bake at 325 for about 7-10 minutes. let cool for 5 minutes or so before putting them in an air tight container. Store in the fridge.

3. Removing Baby Stains - I haven't tried this one yet, but wouldn't it be amazing if all those baby food stains would magically come out? Apparently they do! With a little Dawn dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda, you can remove even set it stains. It calls for 2 parts peroxide and 1 part Dawn and baking soda (1 cup of peroxide and 1/2 cup of the Dawn and 1/2 cup of baking soda) 

4. Jumbo Play Yard - Play "yards" are expensive and small. Babies don't really have room to roam or play so it can feel more like a jail than a play area. Skip the play yard and baby gate buying and get a large inflatable pool instead! Its a great safe place to put baby without you needing to worry about baby boredom or a little escape artist. 

 

5. Doll Hairspray - A small spray bottle with 2 tablespoons of fabric softener and water will make any dolls hair soft and silky like new! I wish I knew about this as a kid. This will save many barbies from "emergency" hair cuts. 

6. Crib Teething Guard - When Nico started teething, I wondered how long it would take him to chew through his wooden crib bars. We took an old blanket and cut it to turn it in to a very effective teething guard. He still chews on the blanket, but he will not be breaking out any time soon!

7. Plane Common Courtesy - This was a really nice idea! If you are flying with a fussy baby or toddler, maybe you can try making little treat bags with a few pieces of gum and candy and a tiny explanation note. It would look something like this: 

Sunday Dinner

This week for dinner I decided to try a new recipe, Pink Bean chili with Shrimp and Beef. This meal took about half an hour to make since I cooked everything simultaneously.

To make it into a baby food, after meal is cooked add 1 cup of water and blend to desired consistency. 

That way every one can enjoy the same meal as you sit together sharing and enjoying the company of one another! 

Ingredients

1/2 pound of ground beef

1 cup of rice

1/4 cup frozen spinach

1 8oz can of corn

2 garlic cloves

1/4 cup of onions

Directions

Season ground beef.

Brown the seasoned ground beef with the onions and garlic.

Warm beans in separate pot along with the frozen spinach and add 1/3 cup of water (do not drain the beans) 

• Season beans with garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and salt to taste with a dash of lemon zest. 

When the meat is about half way browned add the shrimp so that it can soak up the yummy juices of the beef.

When the meat is brown drain it and add it to the beans. 

Cook for 10 minutes on low, then add corn. 

Meanwhile cook a pot of white rice until soft. 

When it is almost ready (maybe has 2 minutes left) add it to the chili mixture. 

Mix and cover, cook on low for 5 - 7 minutes and serve in bowls.

I also served this yummy mean with a side of honey biscuits! 

BUEN PROVECHO! =)

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!

Sunday Dinner

Family meals should always be an important time for sharing your lives and bonding with your family. That does not mean that is has to be a serious time of deep conversation and reflection (though it can be); the important thing is that you spend time interacting with one another. 

It seems that all the technological advances over the years have resulted in children being more attached to the internet or video games then to their own parents. 

Dinner time can be a time to interrupt the constant distraction of electronics. 

TURN EVERY THING OFF!! 

And sit down to eat together, at least one meal a day where everyone is at the table.

Cooking a meal for your family does not have to be a time consuming and tedious task! Quick, simple meals can leave your family pleasantly surprised, entertained, and satisfied! 

This week, make your Sunday Dinner special by trying Asparagus and Sausage Carbonara 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 lb thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 3-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
• 2 large shallots, sliced
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper, divided, plus additional to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 3-oz links all-natural, cooked chicken sausage, diced
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 8 oz whole-wheat spaghetti

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high, heat oil. Add asparagus, shallots, salt and 1/8 tsp pepper and sauté for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly browned. Add 1/3 cup water and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more, until asparagus is crisp-tender and liquid evaporates. Reduce heat to low, add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until garlic has softened, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a medium bowl.
2. Increase heat to medium and add sausage to skillet. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly browned and heated through. Add to bowl with asparagus.
3. In a small bowl, whisk eggs. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese and 1/8 tsp pepper; set aside. To boiling water, add pasta and cook al dente according to package directions. Drain and return pasta to pot, off of the heat. Immediately add egg mixture to hot pasta and stir vigorously until thickened and creamy, about 1 minute. Add asparagus mixture and stir to combine. Season with additional pepper. Divide among serving bowls, top with remaining 1/4 cup cheese, dividing evenly.

**I used a Turkey Keilbasa sausage instead of a chicken sausage. Pedro and Nico both LOVED this!! I recommend it for anyone who is trying to convince their kids that veggies can be super yummy!**

Buen Provecho! =)

4 Affordable Dates for ANY Schedule

Most of us know by now that nurturing a strong and healthy relationship takes time, communication, love and respect. 

However, there is another important element that many people seem to overlook: companionship.  

As a couple, it is important to spend time together. Whether you are a new couple just getting to know each other, married with children, or have been married for decades, being together is what strengthens your bond. 

Though the concept is simple, to spend at least one night a week together, many people find this incredibly difficult to maintain. There are millions of excuse and intrusions that can pull us away from enjoying our soul mate. One of the most common excuses among the couples that I talk to, is that they don't have the time or the money to have a date night every week.

I have to disagree! 

With a little creativity and effort, any one can have a Date Night once a week on any budget. To get the gears in motion here are 4 romantic dates that won't break the bank, and that won't takes weeks of elaborate planning. 

1. Movies & S'mores! - After the kids have gone to bed bust out the grown up treats! That's right, the marshmallows and mini Hershey bar; it's S'mores time!! First place the chocolate on the gram cracker followed by a marshmallow. Make as many as you want together, 6, maybe 10 if you have a sweet tooth like me! Put them in the oven to broil for about a minute then cover with the other crack, flattening your gooey sandwich. As the s'mores chill in the freezer, pick out 2 movies that you each want to see. For added fun the movie could be a complete surprise to your partner! Whatever the other picks is mandatory for the other to watch, so make it good.
Supplies: Chocolate bars $3, marshmallows $2, gram crackers $2.50
NO BABYSITTER REQUIRED!!!

2. Sunset picnic - Drive out to an area that is well known for a guaranteed amazing sunset view and wait for a clear evening. Make a nice simple meal, pack it up, and enjoy a beautiful sunset dinner! You can even light candles if it is not a windy day. Spend a couple hours enjoying a relaxing adult conversation, without the distractions of home. 
Supplies: Gas, dinner, dinner containers/basket, blanket, candles (optional)
BABYSITTER REQUIRED

3. Road Trip Dinner - Pick a nice (or nice-ish) restaurant that is atleast 45 minutes away to have dinner at. Enjoy the drive with each other talking, listening to music, playing car games, etc. This can be a great way to bond and it is a wonderful opportunity for a deep meaningful conversation, or a lighthearted good time! It could even be fun to bring the kids along on this one for a meaningful family bonding, with one condition, NO ELECTRONICS ALLOWED! (Except for the GPS of course.)
Supplies: Gas, money for dinner
BABYSITTER OPTIONAL

4.Chapter by Chapter - Go to the local book store and spend sometime picking out a book together. Then after the kids have gone to bed, cuddle up and read a chapter aloud. This will only be boring if you pick out a boring book! Make it a page turning mystery novel, or a cool action sci-fi adventure! Depending on how long the book is, this can provide weeks of Date Night fun! You might even find that this is something you want to start doing every night, which would be especially helpful to your relationship if the book you choose is the bible! 
Supplies: Book, cuddle/reading spot
NO BABYSITTER REQUIRED!!!

World News Wednesday: Ebola

First of all, for those of you who don't know, Ebola is an infectious and generally fatal disease marked by fever and severe internal bleeding, spread through contact with infected body fluids by an Ebola virus, whose normal host species is unknown.

The disease has been a problem in West Africa for decades, but now that it has spread to our soil, it seems like we are finally giving this crisis the attention that it deserves. The US Government donated $750 million dollars to fund a 6 month mission to fight Ebola at a known source; coincidentally, West Africa. 

That's reassuring. 

Meanwhile, as the world continues its struggle to contain the epidemic, the CDC warns us that we have 60 days to get this under control. Read More. And if we don't, we are faced with a challenge that we are not prepared to handle.  

This was not meant to scare anyone!!

I just feel that it is important to stay informed in ordered calmly prepare ourselves, and as a reminder to be careful. I always recommend that if you are really paranoid about something, do some research about it. Fear can sometimes stem from not knowing what you are up against. 

Personally, I don't think we have anything to worry about. I know that we can get this under control, and I am grateful that people are taking it seriously. 

However, history is being made, yet again, during our life time.

We should be aware of that.

5 Rules of Resolving Conflicts

The most important thing to remember, is that they would not call it a problem if it didn't have a solution. Always be willing to try to fix it by talking about it together, with in the relationship and try to do it quickly. The longer you take to work it out, the more an issue escalates, the more likely you will be to bring an outside opinion in to a personal matter. 

Most problems within a relationship usually stems from selfishness, on one or both parts. Christians have an advantage because we are taught to be selfless, as everyone should be. Marriage is about dying to yourself to be able to focus solely on the needs of your spouse. When someone steps away from that, and starts looking at what they want that they are not getting, that is when conflict arises. We are able to ask God to intervene, to help us internally and externally remove any selfish thoughts, feelings, and actions. By praying together as a couple, we can listen to each other in a kind of "safe zone" where no ones is judgmental or hurtful, and we can expect that he will come to the rescue. 

But not everyone has that benefit because not everyone believes in God. 

The good news is that there are 4 simple rules to follow that almost guarantees a fair "battle"

1. Restrain Your Anger - Most people find this the most difficult, however it is the most important rule. Remember that anger is only a symptom of your underlying feelings; try to figure out what those might be. You could be feeling fearful, frustrated, tired/fatigued, or rejected; get to the root of that emotion and talk about why you might be feeling that way together. 

2. Take "Time-outs"- Even boxers get a few moments of rest between rounds, why should it be any different for you and your spouse? If you feel that uncontrollable anger rising inside you again, respectfully tell your opponent that you need to take a break. Set the problem aside for a couple of hours, but ALWAYS be ready to pick up right where you left off. Never leave a conflict unresolved. 

3. Do Not Curse & No Name Calling - There are times when you would swear that they said or did something just to push your buttons, which makes you want to throw things at them, or maybe "love tap" them with your car, and shout a colorful variety of obscenities. You know what I'm talking about. No matter what they did, never resort to using mean words because words hurt. They can cause your spouse to close themselves off to you emotionally with out even realizing it, or they can make you want to give up and abandon any further attempts of repair. When you use hurtful language, you are disrespecting your better half. Would you talk to your mother like that? I didn't think so. 

4. Resolve it Privately - By this I mean, don't argue in front of other people, especially your children. Kids have no way of knowing how serious an argument is, that makes them worry and sometimes, act out. When you argue in front of other adults, you are bound to receive advise that you neither want or need. Or worse, that other adult might take sides! Talk about an unfair fight. Keep it behind closed doors, unless you have reached a point where you absolutely need an outside, unbiased opinion.

5. Leave The Past Behind You - Though it is tempting to throw old problems and mistakes in the other person's face, it is important not to. I am not saying that you should forget about what they did and how it affected the relationship, but don't bring it up during a fresh new fight. It counts as hitting bellow the belt. If you solved it once, don't make it a problem again.

If you are still having trouble after following these rules, these bible verses might bring you some clarity, whether you are Christian or not: Isaiah 1:19 & 20, Romans 15:1-4, James 3:1 & 2, James 3:16, Isaiah 41: 1-4, Ephesians 4:31 & 32, and 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Good luck! Never give up!