Love your babies.

As I interviewed my Grandma, I relayed the next question on my sheet, "What do you love the most about parenting?" Her answer: "My babies." This statement effortlessly fumbled out of her mouth quicker than any other questions I asked. I held it together as I swallowed the lump in my throat, averting the scene I was about to create.

This incident was many weeks ago, yet the thought of it still haunts my heart. That gleam on her beautifully familiar face gave way to the great genuinity of her answer. Her babies. She loved her babies. This woman bore 8 children with birthdays ranging from 26 months apart to just shy of 12 months apart. This woman had to wash cloth diapers by hand with hauled water whilst carefully managing the preparations of cows milk for her babe's feeding supplement because she wasn't able to nurse. And yet, this woman still looks back on the years she held those little bundles as her favourite cherished moments.

The words love your babies keeps whispering to me as I stare at my baby boy.

There are too many harsh commentaries from today's exhausted mother. Too many rants about how hard it is. Too many platforms encouraging negative dialogue about how babies make life difficult.
It's 1 year, really. 1 year. You have a baby 1 year. 1 year you will never have again. You'll get a toddler for 2-3 years, a child 5-6 years, teenager 6 years, an adult, well, forever. BUT, you will never have that baby again. How precious, and sadly fleeting, a phase is the baby.

You only get 1 year. Make the most of it. It's true, they won't remember the rockabyes, the peekaboo's, the snuggles, the late nights, the early mornings, the messes, the giggles, the kisses, but YOU will. Even 60-70 years down the road, you will still remember.

Enjoy their little fingers and toes that grab, kick, and flutter. Enjoy those soft squishy cheeks and the sound of their breath and cries that settle into your ear. Enjoy those most innocent piercing eyes that seem to peer inside your soul. Enjoy this precious fleeting phase and love your babies.

Heaven's slice is loving her baby.

Annoyances

that I secretly kinda love:


A cry in the middle of the night from one of my children. The reason why is because when it initially happens I have to guess which child it's coming from and I just get really giddy anxiously anticipating the next squirm to reveal the true culprit. It's oddly satisfying to be unsure which one of my children is calling out for some love. May be because it enforces the realization of the blessing that I have not only 1, but 2 children!  How lucky am I?!!!

Grocery shopping. It's like a 4-5 hour event with my littles, and I always go in with the intention of not having to go back for a month (never happens) due to my frugal nature, but I always enjoy the day that comes out of it. I get my baby close and my toddler to teach and have fun with. I went grocery shopping solo for the first time in a million years (k, may be only a couple) and though it was super quick and efficient, it wasn't very joyful. I cherish the conversations I get to have with my little ones staring back at me in the shopping cart; it's just a fun day.

Filling up with gas. I really don't know why this is, may be because as a teenager the local gas station was where all the socializing and cool kids were at so I still feel oober cool being there... or may be probably it's the prospect of a coke slurpee... Either way, I really like it.

The end of a cold. Let me be clear - I HATE COLDS an insane amount. When my throat hurts it's like possibly the worst psychological turmoil I can handle without divine intervention. That being said, you know the tail end of a cold where your throat is perfectly fine and wonderful and your nose is only somewhat runny? There's this brief period where your face feels like a permanent post sneeze just occurred and it feels FANTASTIC.

Toys in my bedroom. When I stumble upon some toy in my bedroom at the end of the day after the kids are asleep it's like they carved their name yet again onto another side of my heart declaring:"I was here."

A teething baby. My boy is in this stage and oh how I'm adoring it! He's a little more clingy, unhappy, drooly, and wants to eat a lot more, but there's these particular precious moments that I just love. I love the "NOM NOM" part of teething! When I go to hold or kiss him and he aggressively goes to bite me with his drooly gums on anything he can get a hold of, it just puts a big ol' smile on my face. In particular, I love it when he goes straight in for my cheek. I can't explain it, I just adore it!




Heaven's slice is seeing the rose amongst the thorns.

Every Month a New Year

A new year has commenced and I've got goals on the mind.

Over the past year or two I've noticed that there's something special about a 30 day time frame. For me, it's just short enough to keep my interest and motivation whilst also being just long enough to tackle a great feat.

Every month I am choosing 1 goal, 1 weeker, and 1 task/project to accomplish.

Goal = Something MAJOR that will be your primary focus for the month. Something like 465 things gone, memorizing something lengthy that's of great importance to you, or a certain book read...things like that.

Weeker = A 7 day daily regimen of something you want to or feel you should do, but are scared of commitment and/or too scatter brained to remember. Think things like flossing, drinking 8 glasses of water, taking only stairs for work, or getting dressed before noon... 7 days isn't overbearing, so you will probably actually do it. At the end of the 7 day trial you can then decide to take it or leave it. You have 4 weeks to squeeze in your 7 consecutive days to trial it. Once you do it you can take on another weeker for the month, or only do the 1, whatever you wish.

Task/project = Something you've been wanting to get done, but haven't for whatever reason. It's not something big, but something that does require a little time set aside.

This is your new year in a month. You're going to make it simple by having it few, but it's going to make a big impact.

Repeat for the next month.

Can you imagine what you'll be able to accomplish in 12 months!?! I just love it when productive ideas fall into my head!

With simplicity as my need and accomplishment as my desire, this progressed it's way into binder form. If you're interested, this is what I made to help me with this New Month = New Year project:

Materials

1 binder

   dividers (# depends on your personal categories)

1 plastic sleeve

1 bundle of loose sleeve paper

A list of your interests (faith, family, home, writing - limit them to what is MOST important to you) *must include Goals

Step 1 Write in alphabetical order your interests. Then write one on each tab.

Step 2 Put in the tabs with paper in between each into the binder.

Step 3 Put the plastic protecter with a page inside stating the Month on top then 'Goal', 'Weeker,' and Task/project' down the side.

Optional: Make it cute and put those Pinterest board quotes to good use!

How to use it:

You will write in your divided sections many things pertaining to the subject: wants, things to remember, any and every scribble you whimsy.

From those sections you are going to pull things you really want done and put it under your 'Goals' section.

From your 'Goals' section you are going to pull 1 hefty goal, 1 simple weeker, and 1 task/project to write on your month page that's in front of the binder. This way, your goal will be the first thing you will see every time you open the binder to jot a note down.

* Side note - Keep those month sheets so you can look over your accomplishments come the new year!

Heaven's slice is bettering yourself through goals.

My Gift

This is the 3rd year where I have selected a particular goal to finish by Christmas as a gift to my Saviour. After I achieve this goal as my gift to Him, it always turns into a gift for myself somehow. It nourishes my spirit and calms my heart. It has been a deliverer of peace during the Christmas season.

My gift this year was to have THE LIVING CHRIST memorized. I squoze in the time whilst caring for my little ones, carefully memorizing each inspiring sentence. In the back of my mind I had envisioned some sort of presentation that would come of it; a recitement in front of my family for Christmas morning or perhaps a special family home evening of some sort. This type of publicized event did not come, but a more perfect setting did present itself...

I had it completely memorized right down to the signatures by December 23rd. In the late evening, I found myself alone in the house; My husband was gone, due to come back late that night, and my 2 kidlets were just settled in their beds fast asleep. Alone in the kitchen, I started to have one of those overwhelming moments that I get every so often. My heart holds it's beat and my eyes start tenderly filling with tears; a moment of deep deep gratitude ensues. My husband. My daughter. My son. All mine. How I ever found favour enough to receive such an insurmountable blessing of being a wife and a mother to this family, I will never understand. It was in this moment I felt a prompting that this was the time to give my gift. With a voice humbled and quivering, I recited THE LIVING CHRIST out loud. I stared into my living room of glowing Christmas lights, a tree holding the handprints of my babies, a standing plaque of mod podged pictures of baby Jesus, a string of cards given from family and dear friends, and photos on the wall of what matters most. This was Christmas. This was my gift. It was given standing in my kitchen wearing ragged pyjamas. My hair was undone. My makeup was off. It wasn't wrapped pretty nor was it grandiose... But neither is a stable and a manger.

Even given to us in the most humble birth, Jesus Christ will always remain the greatest gift we will ever receive.


CLICK HERE TO READ THE LIVING CHRIST



Heaven's slice is our Saviour.

We wish you a ...

Heaven's slice is celebrating our Saviour's birth.

How to Spend Less at Christmas

Well, I've found the secret to spending less at Christmas time. Are you ready to know what it is?!

You GIVE more.

Yep, that's it folks.


But BECAUSE I love the joyous sound of each stroke on my piano of letters, I shall type me up some paragraphs...


Over the past 10ish years I've noticed that December is one of those weird months. With all the expenses that Christmas can conjure, (most especially when you're married and have 2 families involved) it's no doubt that you worry about how much money is going out your door. On the flip side, December is also the month where you embark in the season of giving; Donating not only money, but time, smiles, compassion etc. Oddly enough, the month where you worry about money spent, is also the month where you joyfully give more of your dollars. The result is shocking - the expenses don't break the bank at all! In fact, when it's all said and done, you prove to be thriving! Truly. Giving more genuinely and generously with that Christ-like compassion actually blesses you financially. Obviously I'm not talking about when you spend excessive over the top non-needed gifts to people, but those dollars spent towards others that truly make a difference charity wise (Just thought I'd clarify in case you were tempted to go out and buy me that 5 star all-inclusive Hawaii vacation...) Though it is predicted to be stormy weather in December, it turns out smooth sailing.

Why is this? Well personally I have come to know it is actually the workings of a much higher power than you or I. God's hand touches our efforts and in turn blesses the giver. I've learned this through paying TITHING. I've had miracles happen by following this command. Money has become tight at times in my life, and as I've made sure to pay this regardless, a window has always opened. I've been ever-so blessed immediately after paying tithing, yes, even and especially financially. This is all due to the hand of the Lord, the only explanation.

My mother told me about this talk she stumbled upon called WHY GIVING MATTERS. The speaker is an economist who was setting out to prove that the more money you made the more money you gave. Though this was true, he stumbled upon the strange truth that the more you gave the more money you made as well. Even he, an economist, didn't understand why this was, but yet, it is. Giving more begets getting more. Even when it comes to $$ signs. It's a great speech, so click on it and read or listen to it will ya?!!

How blessed we are as human beings in the service of others. Doing good matters. Loving matters. GIVING, matters! I need to step up my game.

READ or Listen to it though, seriously, it's wonderful.




Heaven's slice is giving.

The Purge: 465 Things Gone In 30 Days

                                                                

Confessions:  I'm counting a bundle I still have here as gone because I'm taking it somewhere special come a week or so. I included loose paper kind of like 10=1 type thing, just cause I had so many. Also, pretty sure I only got rid of may be 2 things from the photo above.

Why I did it

You know that whole post I did on UPLIFT OR DOWNPULL? Well minimalism is one of those things that uplifts me. I've always had an appreciation and desire for the simple. In fact, this may be why I love complicated stuff so much - because I love to u-n-complicate it. I love the idea of only having things in your home that you truly love, adore, and use; cutting out all the rest. In my leisurely pinterest pinning on the subject I came across the challenge HERE. It got me so giddy I knew I had to do it! Also, I have fears of becoming a hoarder and I want to make sure this fear doesn't come true. Though I had started ridding lots of stuff out of my house prior to, November was my plan of action.

How it works

Day 1 = get rid of 1 thing  Day 2 = 2 things and so on until Day 30 which all adds up to a whopping 465 things gone! I made myself a sheet like this(except larger obviously) and wrote out what I got rid of as it left my house:

Day	Thing(s)	Day	Things
1		16
2		17
3		18
4		19
5		20
6		21
7		22
8		23
9		24
10		25
11		26
12		27
13		28
14		29
15		30

I didn't really follow dates to get rid of stuff as much as I  just followed the sheet and tried to get it all out by the 30th. It was just easier that way.

The struggles

Basically here is my briefing on the process: Your mind and heart have to agree. There's no brain wins this one, heart wins that one, no compromises made, and no sacrificing for either side. The single item that has the attaching struggle needs to makes sense both emotionally to get rid of as well as logically to get rid of. It's a soul search for the answers on either side to find the justifying reasons to let it go. If effort has been made on both sides and an agreement hasn't been made, you keep it and move on to another item. I learned to emotionally justify unattaching myself to things and to logically see how an item can be useful even though it is not fulfilling an immediate need.

At the start, I actually leaned more on the side of wanting to get rid of EVERYTHING that wasn't an actual need. My logical brain burst onto the scene as a dictator over my heartfelt emotions and I quickly had to lead troops into a peaceful rally for democracy - I had to search my talents and dreams. These things enticed my logic to realize that although some items aren't a need, nor do they fulfill a purpose at the moment, they are a possibility that I do desire. Furthremore, this life isn't just food, clothing, and shelter, it's becoming our true selves; taking time in our talents and fulfilling goals and dreams that we have. Really though the real thing that broke through this stop point was my cheapskatingness; If I know I'm going to need this if my talents progress or my goals come true, it'd be nice if I didn't have to buy it again and save myself the money... super logical and economical.

Here is some of my personal thoughts to the common justifying pleas of keeping an item:

• But I love "so and so" and they gave me that. If it was hand craftingly made and that is the only thing you have that reminds you of them. Sure, keep it. But if it was one gift of many and was unused, unloved, and store bought, I say chuck it(give it/sell it)! People are not things, and honestly it's kinda weird how we attach people to items. Not saying I don't do this, actually it is because I am so sentimental I've learned that if I keep a limit to the sentimental things I have, I take better care of them and cherish them more.
• But it was a gift. If you fear that someone may be offended that you don't keep their gift, then that person doesn't know the meaning of a gift. A gift is something given, freely given, as in it is the recipient's choice as to what to do with that item. When people become preoccupied with the gift they gave you in where it's whereabouts is and if you are using it, then they did not give you a gift - they forced you to permanently borrow their thing. You literally got given a responsibility, not a gift. "Here, house my item forever, or I will hate you."  This is not a gift, and honestly I don't think near as many people are offended if you gave their gift up as you think. If I gave something to someone and they gave it to someone else and I found out, I would literally be glad because a) they know I am not a thing b) they don't feel the guilt of keeping things they don't want c) they know I wouldn't be offended and d) my gift quite literally became the gift that keeps on giving, YAY!
• But it's pretty. I had to really look at what I actually wear regularly and what decor my house mostly is. Though some things were pretty, I always opted out of wearing them, it was actually a chore to have them on my body and place them in my house. I felt guilt wearing them and guilt boxing them. Guilt is logically not good for the brain and emotionally suckeths... aka this thing has got to go!

Weird tip - Try not to hold an item for long (2-3 seconds) if at all! Something weird happens when you hold it, your body suddenly feels the need to hang onto it forever, and that's how hoarders are born... just kidding... but it's a little true.

A little recommendation - make sure family or the person who gave you item(s) wants it first before going elsewhere, just a polite thing to do ;)

What I gained by losing 465 things

- Better sense of what my talents are

- Better sense of what my dreams are

- More appreciation for what I have

- More selfless outlook on life

- More opportunities to give 

- Decreased stress levels

- Increased happiness

- Decreased guilt

- Decreased anxiety

- More clean and tidy home
- More efficient cleaning
- Tools to kick out regret and guilt
- Ability to focus in more on what truly matters
- More love for simple
- More ambition
- More time to myself (I don't how this happened, but it did)
- More motivation
- More focus on people instead of things
- More quality items
- More joy in the things I have
- Ability to see more of the things I love
- More creative/effictive ways to preserve/view sentimental things
- More empowerment
- More humility
- Realization of how incredibly blessed I am
- More focus on my family's needs
- More focus on the needs of others
- A little more pocket change
- More cautious spending
- More awareness on where I spend my money and time
- More attention to my little ones
- More awareness of what comes into my home and how it affects us
- More things I love in my home
- More space
- More acknowledgement of my true values


*I would write the reasons, but who really wants to read an even more gigantically long blog post?? You'll just have to do this yourself and see how you gain these things...which brings me to...

The Invitation
If you feel giddy and excited to do this then I invite you to do it! Don't do it though if you feel guilt to, I can't recommend it working to your benefit if you do it out of guilt. I think any hefty goal or project (within the confines of law and conscience) are a great thing to embark on and prove to be highly rewarding. Do it for you and see how it turns your heart toward others!


Conclusion
This project was easy, then overwhelmingly hard, and lastly super rewarding and easy. Overall, it was awesome, and I'm totally going to be doing it again most likely! Even now, off hand I can probably only name may be 20 things I got rid of, meaning I don't miss what I gave up at all. I gained so much more than what I lost and it became ever so true that:

Heaven's slice is giving.