Well... (as you know :)) when I try something I love I always HAVE to share it with y'all! Recently I was asked by ePantry to try out their service and share my experience with my readers! I already love online shopping and of course I love to get a deal so this seemed like the perfect fit for me! I went online, signed up and within a few days received my box of items. It was so simple, convenient and the best part???... I LOVE all of the products I received. A few of them I already use in my home, but even those products are offered at a discount through ePantry. My three very favorite products I ordered were the Meyer's hand soap, dishwasher pods and the ePantry soy candle in pear (LOVED this candle!!).

Sooo..... What is ePantry???

ePantry is an online subscription site offering mostly all-natural household products (such as Mrs. Meyers), where you get to choose what you want.

Nov 16
Nov 16 The Verse That You Need Taped To Your Refrigerator

Jessica Smartt

Following God, The BetterMom Updates

A few months ago, we came home from the hospital with our newborn baby daughter. One summer night our little family was gathered out on the driveway, kids playing, my husband and I still in the beaming/wow-we-did-it/exhausted stage.

Our sweet neighbors came over to say hi; they'd just had a baby, too.

After the "she's-beautiful"s and "how-are-you-doing"s were over, our friend leaned in and said something that just jolted me out of my sleep-deprived haze.

"Guys, I need to tell you something," he said. "You wanna know your verse for this season? It's John 10:10."

Oh, I remembered that verse. We used it when I worked as Young Life leader in college. "I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full."

Nov 15
Nov 15 Do his Hobbies Leave You Parenting Alone?

Christy Fitzwater

Marriage/Relationships, Toddlers

t’s hunting season here in Montana, which means the men in this family are pouring over maps and pulling out camo. Saturday night my husband and his brother headed out, going east for a scouting trip. This wasn’t a big deal for us, but it was hard for my brother-in-law to leave his wife and three young boys alone for Sunday.

Twenty-four hours is a long time when a woman is parenting little kids by herself.

A really, really long time.

Nov 14
Nov 14 Remembering Your Weight Is Not Your Worth

Rachel Wojo

Fitness and Health

As mom to 7, I'm often asked if they are "all mine." After I briefly explain our beautifully-blended family, then I'm usually asked a second question. "So you had six of them?" The saucy side of me wants to reply "No, they hatched." But thankfully, the Spirit restrains me and I answer with "Yes, all 6." And then a conversation follows with something like "How in the world do you stay thin?" I am not telling you this typical conversation for any reason other than a woman's weight is a very tricky conversation topic. I'm half embarrassed that it draws a frequent conversation. Now mind you, I really want to be healthy, just like you. And I definitely want to be attractive to my husband, just like you.

But just like any other woman on the planet, my physical weight has fluctuated. In fact, my personal weight has varied as much as 60 lbs. over the course of bearing my 6 biological children. I'm guessing that many of you can relate to wishing that after baby weight didn't stay indefinitely or at least dropped off faster. Maybe it's been years and you are still struggling with weight gain. Maybe your weight gradually crept up and you are currently in a stage of moving forward to a healthier weight. Maybe you struggle with a thin unhealthy weight. Wherever you are on the scale, today I wanted to focus on remembering that your weight is not your worth.

Nov 13
Nov 13 When I Forget To Ask

Natalie

Following God, Hope, Parenting, Prayer, The BetterMom Updates

Some days seem longer than others.

Those days when I am not the mom I want my kids to learn from.

The other night after each of my children fell asleep I went into their rooms. I felt like I didn't enjoy them that day.

It wasn't until they fell asleep, when I realized that my patience level was embarrassing to admit. I held each of their hands and watched their peaceful faces as they were sleeping. I began to cry and ask God for help. I thought about how it was the only time I had asked him for help that day.

I talked to each of my dreaming babies about how much I love them. How much I really do enjoy them but I forget about what really matters. I forget that speaking truth to their hearts is much more important than how they act on the outside.

Nov 12
Nov 12 4 Practical Ways to Reach the Heart of Your Child

Christin

Discipling Children, Following God, Parenting, Prayer, The BetterMom Updates

Our children are in a stage of shaping and growing while under our care. They have so much potential and we have so much influence in this season. Often we have goals and ideals for our children that we want to implement but aren't sure how to do that in a practical way.

And sometimes I think we can overcomplicate something that can really be quite simple. Sometimes it's not always easy making the hard decisions for our children, but the Bible gives us some great direction as parents.

So here are 4 things you can do to reach the heart of your child.