Married to Michelle

0 Likes I’m a huge believer in speaking things, saying them out loud. Why is that? Well, for a couple of reasons. 1. A psychological connection happens when you say something out loud as opposed to saying it in your head 2. The Bible talks a lot about saying things out loud (confess with thy mouth, yada, yada).  There's got to be something to it. Even if you don't "believe," a lot of the tenets make sense. I use this a lot with my kids. I tell them all the things I want them to believe about themselves. Since they started talking, at night when I put them to bed, I’d say the following: I am a Soldier of God One day, everyone will know my name (In a good way, of course) I am the leader, (not the follower) I am the victor (not the victim) I am the owner of the business (not the employee) Once I drilled it into them, I’d have them say it with me, or I’d say the first few words, and they'd  finish the sentences. The beautiful thing abou

I don’t usually participate in Lent (for no particular reason), but I do practice regular bouts of sacrifice. At the beginning of the year, my husband and I usually do a spiritual fast consisting of water, juice and Daniel's fasts.  Throughout the year, if I need to connect spiritually, or if I need to give my body a break, I'll engage in a fast as well.  Spiritual connection is usually my main motivation for a fast, especially if I'm doing extended water fasts, maybe seven days or more.  God and prayer is the only way this chocolate-loving heathen can get through several days with not even a bite of avocado.  Seriously, though, I find fasts a great way to practice discipline and prove to myself that most things, anything is possible.  I started off with juice fasts, because my mom has been drinking fresh juice every morning for as long as I can remember, at least thirty years.  It's to the point where she carries her juicer with her, even when she travels and stay

We’ve all heard about how it’s hard to get things going. But once they get going, boy do they go.  The thing we have to do is 1) get going, and 2) keep moving.   You've seen Finding Nemo, right?  Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.  You know why you keep swimming?  Because when you stop, you lose...you guessed it, MOMENTUM!  Let's examine this for a bit.  How does Newton's First Law of Motion go?  An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion.  Why is this?  Because if you've never done anything, then chances are you won't.  But if you've done some things, chances are you'll continue to do so.  Key takeaways here: 1. Do something 2. Once you start, don't stop moving.  Kinda like, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."  Just keep going. I was watching a training video on YouTube recently about how to become a more effective swimmer.  The trainer was describing how if you're moving swiftly through th

Ok so when you read this title you think, this is gonna be heavy. It’s not. It’s just about a realization I had recently. Whether you believe in the Bible or not, Proverbs has some really good life lessons, for adults and kids alike. Now, I’m not claiming to be the most Godly person out there, so don’t go throwing this stuff back in my face if I present “not so God-like the next time you see me. Haha. However, I do believe he’s out there and I think he and whoever came up with the Bible had some cool stuff to say. And, Proverbs is an awesome example of that. For instance, take the one about of you hang out with food, you become one. Or, A wise man will hear and increase learning. Duh. Fools despise wisdom and instruction.  Yep. Or, spare the rod, spoil the child. That’s a doozie. (Some people aren’t into spankings. I get it. But when it’s done controlled and out of love and not anger, with instruction, it can be useful.  But another post for another day) :). How about listen to your

When I was younger, a friend used to tell his son to use his words. The toddler would cry, point, and whine when he was trying to communicate something, and his dad, would say, ”Use your words.”  When I started having kids, I began to say the same thing. We want our kids to be able to express themselves. And, we want them to do it using words. We are trying to encourage them to move out of that baby stage and into the big boy and big girl stage. Fundamentally, though, when you think about it, how often do  we  really use  our  words?   Communication is key.   My kids use “like” all the time, as did I (and still do, if I'm honest). We counted one time and in a one minute conversation,  my 11yo used like like twenty-one times (see?).  This is an intelligent kid who clearly ranks at the top of his class, but he can’t always find the words he wants. I myself drive my friends crazy, because I don’t always use my words. I say things like, “you know,” or “like” or “uh.”  I do this fo

I was discussing my work, kids, travel, life, etc. with a friend of mine the other day (Stephanie).  She doesn't have children, but she was remarking about all the things I do, and how I still had "perfect" (her words, not mine, as indicated by the quotes) my kids were.  I do, though, have pretty amazing kids.  I do not deserve them.   Anyhoooooo, she said, "You know, Michelle.  Your cup is full.  Therefore, you have more to pour into your children's lives."  Wow!  I never thought about things like that.  I mean sure, I give my kids alot of myself.  But as mompreneurs and dadpreneurs, employees, whatever the case, we sometimes get lost between trying to be great parents, and trying to be great at life (business, fitness, friendships, etc.).  Do we lose one to gain the other?  Can we be great at both?  Are we sacrificing our kids to pursue our own greatness?  C'mon.  I know I'm not the only one who has those (and other, even deeper) thoughts.  But St