Give Technology A Break

I know that it can be hard after a long day of work or when we have a long list of to-do's to sit and play or entertain your kids. I am not saying that I don't enjoy spending time with my son. I love doing things with him, but if I had a choice, it would be to go for a bike ride or a do an adventure walk, or make some sort of fun craft. I don't really enjoy playing cars and trucks and building legos. Part of me feels guilty for sharing this with you, but I'm just being honest and we are only human.

I have to admit that sometimes I will opt for what is easy and let him watch TV or play a game or two on the computer. For awhile it was the phone that he wanted to go on and my husband and I would let him. I know that there are some of you who are probably really good about this stuff and allow very minimal screen time, I applaud you! We are really working hard towards reducing the screen time in our house as well, and not just for my son, but for all of us!

Please don't misunderstand what I am saying though. It can go both ways. I don't necessarily think that TV and going on a computer/phone is bad from time to time, but there has to be a limit. I do believe that my son learned a lot from the shows and educational videos that he watched (we were selective with what he was viewing).  I just think that we didn't realize the not so good things that were resulting from this screen time.

Now, I don't want you to think that we would just leave our son for hours on end watching TV or playing on the computer, either, with no interaction. It was usually for 30-45 minutes, an hour at the most, but even that we felt was too much and we needed to cut back. It all started over the Summer when I took a break from all social media sites and cut back on my TV time. It was great!!! I really saw a change in my overall mood and honestly I was less stressed. I realized if this is what I felt after taking a break, then my son probably would feel the same way.

We have completely cut out the phone and we do our best to not go on it when we are around him. It is hard at times, but it has made all the difference in his mood and behavior. He still watches TV and we will occasionally let him go the the computer, but it is very limited.

The one thing that I found that helped us get through those times of boredom and wanting to watch TV or go on the phone, was reading more. I went to the library and got tons and tons of books and just started filling the time with more reading. Below is a list of books that we have grown to love and  thought that I would share! A lot of these books have great messages behind them and they are super fun to read!

For us adults, cutting technology out completely, might not be an option, but we can certainly take a break from time to time! I promise it is worth it!

        

      

            

Many Blessings,

Finding Courage

You would think that by now, I would be an expert at these child study team meetings, because I have been through so many, but there are still times when I get anxious and afraid before I go into them.

I am a speech pathologist in a school district, and meeting with parents to discuss very important things, is something I do on a regular basis. I've been in very long meetings before, some that did not go as planned and some that last all of 5 minutes. Emotions can run high and being a parent of my own now, I can see why.

I have this weird twitch that I seem to get whenever I get really nervous or anxious, usually during a meeting. My heart starts to race, my palms start to sweat, my voice gets really shaky, and then if it gets bad enough, the eye twitch comes. My whole body just goes crazy with adrenaline and things don't really start to go back to normal, until after the meeting is almost over. I always wonder what the parents must say to each other, after they leave.

I have gotten a better over the years. Most meetings are wonderful. They run smoothly and quickly and we are all laughing together at the end, but they're not all the way! Some are very tough, tensions and emotions are high, and we have to do our best as a professional team, to keep it together.

So why do I get this way, all anxious and sweaty, eyes twitching and heart pounding?

Fear. Confidence stealing, anxiety filling Fear!

Fear that I am going to say the wrong thing and screw up the meeting. Fear, that I don't know what I am doing, even though I have had many years of schooling and experience in this profession. Fear, that the parents aren't going to like me or think that I am being insensitive. Pretty much anything that could go wrong!

About two weeks ago, I was about to have one of these meetings that I was fearful of. Leading up to this event, the interactions were tension filled and strong willed. I prayed for God's wisdom in dealing with this situation and for Him to help me see things from a different perspective. I was feeling better about the whole situation, until two days before, we received a letter stating that they would be recording the meeting and would be seeking counsel if things did not go the way they wanted during the meeting. Any chance of NOT having my eye twitch went right out the window.

Without going into too many details, I would like to share with you how the meeting went that day. I had my usual devotions that morning and prayed for everyone and the outcome of the meeting. It was not scheduled until the end of the day, so I had to go through the whole day with it in the back of my mind. I kept running through how the meeting was going to go and what I was going to say. At lunch, I decided to go sit in my car for few minutes to clear my head. That's when God started to bring to mind all of the different times in my life, I have been faced with fear. I realized that through every situation, He was always there right by my side. With His strength and power, I have overcome may fears, and today's meeting would be no different.

It's says in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind. And that's exactly what I prayed for that day. His power & strength to just get through the meeting, breath by breath, for His love to run through me, so that my words were compassionate and grace filled, and for sound mind, so that I could use the knowledge I have to speak truth and help to create a solution for this problem.

I am happy to tell you that I made it through the meeting. Not without sweating and feeling like my heart was going to pound right out of my chest, of course, but no eye twitching! Praise God!

Friends, God never promised us an easy life without fear. He only promised to be with us every step of the way, guiding us through. All of the not so pleasant feelings that come along with it, are going to be there too, but I can tell you from my experiences, that the feeling of facing your fears and overcoming them with God's help, is a far better feeling than running from them because you are afraid!

Will you boldly go and trust Him to lead you through whatever your "meeting" is today?

Many Blessings,

A Huge Thanks!

I just wanted to say thank you to all who played along in my giveaways this week. I had so much fun putting these together and sharing with you guys!! It means more than you know to have you guys check out my blog!

Here is a cute little print that I hand painted for you, to say thanks for joining me this week! Just click the download button under the photo!

Download Here

I hope that you will continue to follow along on Instagram as I finish out this #write31days challenge for the month of October! You can also subscribe to my blog, so that you don't miss out on and posts. See the tab at the top of my page! I only send one to two emails a month!  

Happy Fall & Many Blessings,

Day 5 Giveaway

This is it!! Today is the last day!! Day 5 of my Fall Favorites Giveaway! My all time favorite thing about Fall!! I think it's a favorite for many others as well. Drum Roll.................

Fall Home Decor!! I absolutely love to decorate my home for Fall! I put on some music, grab a cup of coffee, and just spend hours decorating, room by room. I love coming up with new ideas on how to decorate. Trying to find new ways of using items and creating perfectly styled vignettes! I love how my home feels around Fall. It's just a feeling that you can't explain. Something about Fall decor makes a home so cozy and comforting!

Today I am giving away a cute blessed pumpkin sign, with a few cute little porcelain pumpkins. I love these little guys!! I am also giving away your choice of a $10. gift card to either HomeGoods or Kirklands. Winners choice!

Question: What are some unique ideas that you have for decorating your house for Fall? Head on back to Instagram and leave your answer in the comments section.

Thanks to everyone who played along all week!! Check back tomorrow for a special surprise for all of my friends who participated in these giveaways!! I hope that you will continue to follow along for the rest of the month during my #write31days challenge. I have some great things to share with you guys! Have a fabulous Fall weekend!

Many Blessings,

Day 4 Giveaway

We are getting close to the end of my Giveaway. It's day 4 already. I hope those who have been playing along are having fun! Today's giveaway is a close second to my all time favorite thing about Fall. I look forward to having a cup every morning during my quiet time, which is the most important part of my day. The smell, the taste, it just brings all the Fall feels.

Have you guessed it? It's pumpkin spiced coffee! I love coffee period, but the pumpkin spice coffee from Trader Joes is, by far, the best! So, for today's giveaway, I am giving away this mug that I made. I love the quote, considering that it is my topic for my #write31days challenge that I am doing right now. I am also giving away a can of Trader Joes pumpkin spiced coffee and a $10.00 gift card to Starbucks. Their pumpkin spiced lattes are pretty awesome too!!

Question: What is your favorite Fall drink or food?! Head back over to my Instagram page and leave your answer to the question in the comment section of today's post!!

Many Blessings,

Day 3 Giveaway

So I know that you can all agree with me, that one of the best things about Fall, are the clothes!! There is nothing I love more than a good pair of boots, comfy sweater, and other accessories, like scarves and cute leg warmers! I just finished creating my wardrobe capsule for the Fall and I think that this has been my best one yet!

For today's giveaway, I am giving away a super cute plaid infiniti scarf with a beautiful pair of brown druzy earrings. These were hand made by my very talented friend Kristen. I have a pair and they are the perfect earring to wear with all of your Fall attire! I am also giving away a $10.00 gift card to Target, so you can go grab that cute sweater or pair of boots that you've been eyeing up!

Question: What is your favorite Fall clothing item that you just can't live without? Head back to my Instagram page and leave your answer in the comments section of todays post!!

And,..... if you don't win today's giveaway and would like to purchase a pair of those gorgeous earrings, my friend Kristen, from project.shineon is selling more, so head on over to her page and send her a direct message.

Many Blessings,

Day 2 Giveaway

Another one of my favorite things about Fall is getting all cozy on the couch and watching one of my favorite movies! There is something about staying home with a glass of wine to just relax and watch a good flick. Especially, because it starts to get colder and darker earlier which means less time outdoors!

So, for today's giveaway, I am giving away one of my favorite movies, plus a $10.00 gift certificate to Redbox so you can check out the latest releases. Trust me, your friends will be jealous when they find out you get to stay home and relax on a Friday night!

 Question: What is your favorite movie to cozy up to on Friday night???!! Head back to Instagram and leave your answer in the comments.

Many Blessings,

Day 1 Giveaway

I have to say one of the best things about fall, is the smell. There is nothing better than walking out side into the crisp fall air and getting a whiff. You all know what I am talking about. There are so many  other great smells that come with the fall season. No wonder there are a ton of great candles that come out around this time. One of my all time favorites is Mrs. Meyer's Apple Cider Candle. The smell is amazing and it brings all the Fall feels!

So, for today's giveaway, I am giving away a Mrs. Meyers candle, plus a $10.00 gift certificate to Bath & Body works so you can go check out all of their scents. They have a ton of great Fall candles too!

 Question: What is your favorite Fall smell???!! Head back to Instagram and leave your answer in the comments.

Good Luck & Many Blessings,

31 Day Writing Challenge

As I sit down to type this post, it's a bittersweet feeling to think that another year just flew by, but at the same time, I'm excited for this season and all that it will bring.

This year, for the 31 day writing challenge, they opened up a new way to participate via Instagram. I knew immediately that this was the group that I would be apart of. There will be a few posts that I will link up to my blog, but most of my content for this challenge will be posted each day on my Instagram page, the.erin.elizabeth. I think that by providing this option, it allows others, who don't blog, to participate, and for those who do have a blog, it is a new challenge on top of the writing for 31 days.

I couldn't be more excited!

My topic this year is, Be The Change, and it's more than just being nice and kind. If I can be real, in my opinion, it doesn't take much to be kind to one another. I am sure for some people it may not be easy, but I think for most people, kindness should be apart of our every day routine, minus the bad days. I know we're not perfect!

This change that I speak of, kindness does play a part, but it's actually doing something about the things we so wish were different in our society. It's putting action behind our words. Now, I understand that for most, we can't just pick up our lives and move across the country to do mission work, but what if I told you that you don't need to move to another country to God's work. There is plenty of stuff right here in our little towns that need a change.

I hope that you will join me in this journey of exploring the many ways that we can be the change. I know for so long, I would pray to God and ask for Him to do something about a situation. I have finally realized that His response was the same every time, I just ignored it, and I believe that response is the same for most of us.

 "I created you"!

He created us to be His hands and feet, to do something about areas where we want to see a change. Sure, there are plenty of things that are not meant for us to fix, but there are plenty of things where we can make a change!

You can follow me during the next 30 days over on my Instagram page, the.erin.elizabeth. This is where I will create most of my posts. I will also have a direct link for each day's post here, if that's easier for you.

Day 1 --> Welcome
Day 2 --> Prayer
Day 3 --> Family
Day 4 --> Listen
Day 5 --> Grace
Day 6 --> Give Back
Day 7 --> Thankfulness
Day 8 --> Smile More
Day 9 & 10--> Make Mistakes but Don't Give Up
Day 11 --> Make a New Friend
Day 12 --> Hospitality
Day 13 & 14 --> Present over Perfect
Day 15 --> Rest
Day 16 & 17 --> Kindness
Day 18 --> Don't Judge
Day 19 --> Courage
Day 20 --> Forgiveness
Day 21 & 22 --> Simplify
Day 23 --> Be Yourself
Day 24 --> Be Spontaneous
Day 25 --> Try Something New
Day 26 --> Community & Support (Mom to Mom chat weekly)
Day 27 & 28 --> Technology Break
Day 29 --> Give Thanks & Be Grateful
Day 30 --> Strength
Day 31--> Love

And the best part of all, is that I am kicking off this challenge with my "5 days of Fall Favs" Giveaway. Staring tomorrow, Monday October 2, and running through Friday October 6th, I will post one of my Fall favorites to give away. Each day will be something different and you can enter each day. You must be following me on Instagram because that is how you enter!! All the details will be given via Instagram each day, and in order to be eligible to win, you will have to follow the rules posted there each day. Good Luck!

Many Blessings,