Add your link to this linky for more entries in your giveaways, scroll through the linky to find lots of fabulous giveaways to enter, or just discover new blogs that you’re sure to get hooked on.

Also be sure to come back to this post throughout the week and check to see the new giveaways added to the linky. People come by all week long, so you don’t want to miss your chance to get more entries in your giveaways. And you certainly don’t want to miss your chance to win some really awesome prizes!

Ready? Set. Leave your links here:

Disclaimer: I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Delta Faucets. I received a product sample and promotional item as a thank you for participating.

I am so, so excited to have been selected to be a Delta Faucet Mom Ambassador. What an honor! Over the next few months, I’ll be using my new Delta In2ition Showerhead and showing you some of my favorite features. (Don’t worry. There won’t be any steamy shower scenes. I promise! I’ll keep things nice and clean for this campaign. — Get it? Clean?!)

Sorry. Apparently I’ve become a comedian. I really am giddy about being a Delta Mom Ambassador. Can’t you tell?

Now, let’s get back to my post.

In this post, I’m going to tell you about some of my favorite features of the Delta In2ition Showerhead.

First, look how pretty it is:

I just love how beautiful it is, and I can’t wait until our entire bathroom is remodeled and looks as beautiful as our new showerhead.

I’m going to take a moment and share a video with you that highlights some of my favorite features of the Delta In2ition showerhead.

Video on Youtube

Just to highlight a few of my favorite features again, (including the one I forgot to include in the video) :

• Love the beauty of it. This is by far the most beautiful showerhead I have ever owned. I smile every time I walk into the bathroom and see it in the shower.
• I love how easy the installation was. It literally took hubby less than 2 minutes to install. 2 minutes from a crummy old showerhead to a showerhead that shines in radiant glory.
• I love the different stream settings. You can use the showerhead and handshower, the showerhead only, or the handshower only. And you get your choice from a relaxing stream to an invigorating massage.
• The water conservation feature is awesome. I love, love, love that you can use the pause setting to reduce the water to just a trickle. This makes lathering up your head or body with shampoo or soap and shaving so much easier. And it helps the environment our because you’re not using a full stream of water when you don’t need to.
• The super long hose makes cleaning kids OR the shower easy peasy! The hose stretches from 60 inches to 82 inches and allows you to spray whatever and wherever you need to. Let me tell you, this makes getting the kids, the dog, and the shower clean so easy.
• The In2ition showerheads offer H2Okinetic technology that controls the movement, speed, and water droplet size as it exits the showerhead. This means you feel more water without it actually using more water.
• A powerful magnet locks the handheld part of the shower firmly into place inside the showerhead.

I absolutely love my new Delta In2ition showerhead, and I can’t wait to share more with you in the coming months.

I also want to encourage you to connect with Delta in the following social media outlets:

• Delta Faucet on Facebook
• Delta Faucet on Twitter
• The Delta Faucet Youtube Channel
• Delta Faucet on Pinterest
• Delta Faucet on Instagram

Also be sure to enter the Ultimate Kitchen and Bath Faucet Giveaway from Delta Faucet.

Be sure to come back to hear more about how much I love my Delta In2ition Showerhead and how well it’s working out for my large family.

This year, I did something very similar to what I did in 2011 at Christmas for teacher gifts. I just changed it up a little bit.

I started by having each of the kids write down 25 – 30 words and/or phrases to describe their teacher(s). I don’t help them with this at all. I make them come up with the words and phrases all by themselves. It sounds like a lot, but once they get going, it’s harder to get them to stop than it was to get them started.

Then, using my photo editor, I turned those words and phrases into a 5×7 sized word art and then put it in a frame. Each teacher also received a blue mason jar full of freshly picked buttercups.

Here are pictures of each of the teachers’ gifts….

First, is Lucy’s teacher, Mrs. Arnick. Lucy was in Kindergarten this year, and this was her first experience with any type of school setting. She ended up just loving her teacher and her class. She excelled in everything and has gone from not being able to read or write anything to reading level 2 books and writing full sentences. (Some sentences I have to have her read to me, but she’s doing great!) Her favorite subject this year was math. She was the first kid in her class to count all the way to 100. (And she does this at least 50 times a day for me at home.) I loved the phrases that Lucy came up with to describe her teacher: “She listens when I talk to her.” or “Reads to us.” “Super good teacher.” Lucy said that her teacher loved her gift.

Next, we have Jace’s teacher, Mrs. Bridges. I was really worried about how Jace would do in school this year. Last year, he had the most amazing teacher. She is a good, godly woman, and she has become such a good friend to the family. I was sure, though, that Jace’s teacher this year wouldn’t hold a candle to Mrs. Evans. I was wrong. Jace ended up getting a teacher this year that is exactly what he needed: another godly woman who poured her heart and soul into teaching these kids. Jace took to her like glue this year, and he came home crying yesterday (the last day of school) because he’s moving out of the primary school next year and he won’t get to see Mrs. Bridges every day. Jace’s words to describe Mrs. Bridges made me cry, “She loves Jesus and isn’t afraid to show it.” “I can talk to her about anything.” “I can trust her.” Jace also said that she cried when she opened her gift. <3

Lastly, Zander had two teachers this year: Mrs. Garrison and Mrs. Todd. We had a hard time with Mrs. Garrison, but luckily, Mrs. Todd was there to help pull Zander through this year. He finished the year with straight As and a perfect score on the English CRCT. (State mandated end of the year testing.) Plus, he exceeded in every other subject on his CRCTs. I really think that’s because of Mrs. Todd and her help this year. Here is Mrs. Garrison’s gift:

When I sat down to work on these (at 11pm the night before the last day of school), the first paper full of descriptions that I read was Mrs. Todd’s. I absolutely lost it. Phrases like “A good person that loves children.” “A godly woman.” “A good influence.” all filled the page. But the one that got me most was, “I can talk to her when no one will listen.” That’s the kind of teacher Zander needs, and I am so thankful Zander got it in Mrs. Todd.

I created the artwork with Photoshop CS, printed on cardstock, and put into a 5×7 frame from the Dollar Store. The blue mason jars came from Amazon.  The tags on the jars came from Party On Designs. (It’s a free printable.)

This is a fun, easy gift to create, and it comes from the heart.

Are you doing teacher gifts this year? If so, what are they?

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Elmer’s. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

I am always trying to come up with fun, creative ideas for gifts for family, friends, teachers, and so on that we can make. That means that in our house, we go through a *lot* of glue. Glue sticks, school glue – you name it, we have a stash here that’s always being used by at least one of the kids.

That’s why I was so excited to be selected for this campaign with Elmer’s Naturals. For this review, we received a bottle of Elmer’s Naturals School Glue and a two-pack of Elmer’s Naturals School Glue Sticks.

While we have used the glue every day for some project or another, I wanted to show you how we used the Elmer’s Naturals Glue to make Mother’s Day cards for MawMaw and Granny. (Hubby’s Mom and My Grandmother.)

First, I created one flower petal as a template, and then cut out 7 different colored petals for each flower card (one for each child) :

After that, I let Parker glue the petals on to one of the flower centers with the Elmer’s Naturals Glue stick while I glued the other petals together for the other card:

Once we got it all glued together, I let each child decorate their petal however they wanted to. (I did help Gage and Carly a little bit, although Gage really went to town with his marker.) Here is the end result:

I loved the way the cards turned out so much that I hoped the kids would make one for me, too. And guess what? I woke up Sunday morning, and the kids couldn’t wait to give me the flower card they had made just for me! It was so sweet.

I am super impressed with Elmer’s Naturals Glue. It works every bit as well as their regular school glue, only I don’t have to worry if Mr. Rotten ends up getting a hold of it:

The glue is a little different in color from the regular Elmer’s School Glue, but it still goes on clear and dries clear. Elmer’s® School Glue Naturals™ is the FIRST and ONLY school glue made with naturally occurring ingredients (corn and soybeans) and available in recycled packaging. Even the label on the package is printed with Soy inks. It doesn’t have a harsh smell, and I love it just as much as the original Elmer’s School glue – if not more!

Overall, this crafty mom is super impressed with Elmer’s School Glue Naturals and would highly recommend it to anyone who uses school glue a lot, has kids, or just wants to use a product that’s better for the environment.

I encourage you to engage with Elmer’s in the following ways:

• The Elmer’s Website
• Elmer’s on Facebook
• Elmer’s on Twitter
• Elmer’s on Pinterest

I also want to encourage you to check out the Elmer’s Pin to Win Sweepstakes:

Thank you, Mom Central and Elmer’s for allowing me to test out the new Natural’s Line. I am definitely going to be using these products with more and more of our craft projects. I just love it!

For this review, I received a Boba Carrier in order to facilitate my review.

As a mom of 7, there are many days when I wish I had more hands. Our newest baby, Carly, is a snuggler. She absolutely loves to be held. While I love holding her, there are times when I have to get things done.

Thank heavens for my Boba Carrier!

My new Boba Carrier allows me to keep Carly close to my chest, and frees up my arms to load the dishwasher, fold laundry, or even type up a blog post. I even power walk most days outside with Carly strapped securely in her Boba Carrier.

I love how easy the Boba carrier is to put on. And the buckles are extra big, so I feel that Carly is completely secure once she is buckled in. There is a large buckle in the back at my waist, and another buckle up at the top near my shoulder blades. I simply snap the buckle at my waist, hold Carly to my chest, bring the carrier up over Carly, and secure her in with the buckle at my shoulder blades. It couldn’t be easier.

Boba has excellent step-by-step instructions for using all of their products on their website. You can find them here: Baby Wearing Instructions

Besides the feeling of how secure Carly is in the Boba carrier, there are several other features that I love:

• The comfort. This is one of the most comfortable carriers I have ever used with Carly. I can wear it for hours at a time – walking, in the grocery store, doing things around the house, etc. – and my back and shoulders don’t hurt after wearing it for so long. The shoulder straps are thick and padded, and that helps keep the comfort level even higher.
• The hold. I don’t have to worry about the constant feeling like Carly may fall out. Because she is high on my chest, right in front of me, I know she’s there, safe and secure. Plus, because the hold uses both shoulders equally, there’s so much less strain on my back.
• The styles available. I love the colors and patterns available in the Boba carriers. They have so many options from simple solid colors to bright, bold patterns. The style I selected for this review is the Soho. I just love the fun, unique pattern on the front. I can wear it dressed up or dressed down, and it always looks good.

The Boba carrier retails for $125 and is worth every penny. I see myself using the carrier quite a bit over the next few years. It’s definitely an investment worth making if you are looking for a comfortable, easy to put on baby carrier that will make you and baby happy.

Overall, I am quite impressed with Boba and will continue to use our new Boba carrier often. I would also highly recommend it to anyone that prefers a front, back, or side style carrier. As Carly gets older, I plan to try out all the different ways I can carrier her, and I will share more pictures and thoughts as I do.

Now, I’ve got something really exciting! A giveaway from Boba!

You can enter for your chance to win a Boba Baby Carrier, a Boba Wrap or a Boba Air! (That’s right! There are 3 winners in this giveaway!) All products can be found on the Boba Website. With Boba products, it’s easier than ever to enjoy Freedom Together as a family, and Boba wants YOU to get a chance to use their products.

To enter to win, you will need to “Like” Boba on Facebook and follow Boba on Twitter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: This giveaway is being sponsored and conducted by Boba, it is being hosted on Blessed Beyond Words as well as several other blogs. Opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own and are based on my usage of the product. Your opinions may vary. I was in no other way compensated for this post.

My facebook newsfeed today has been full of moms complaining about their Mother’s Day. I’ve read quotes like the following:

• My husband didn’t bother to get me the $600 bracelet I wanted.
• All I wanted was a day to myself. So much for that.
• What a crappy Mothers Day. I’m so tired of this. I just want to be done.
• All I got for Mother’s Day were stupid handmade gifts from the kids. (This was a direct quote. Someone really said these exact words.)
• Can you believe I still had to do laundry and dishes on Mothers Day?

Or my absolute favorite…

• My kids wouldn’t leave me alone all day!

My heart hurts. When did motherhood become such a bad thing? And why, the one day of the year when we celebrate Moms, do we expect to get a day off from motherhood?

I’m going to remind you all of something you already know: Children are a gift from God.

Psalm 127: 3 – 5
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed.

I’m not just talking about having a large number of children. Whether you have one child or twenty, you have been blessed by God. Our children should be treated as treasures and not as trials.

I cannot help but think of the fact that we are God’s children. I am certain that not a day goes by where we don’t disappoint Him. Aren’t you thankful that instead of lashing out at us, or being annoyed by us, He loves us anyway? He never takes “time off” from us, either. He is always there, listening, holding out His hand, wanting to be a part of our lives. He spends every moment wanting more from us, and the closer we are to Him, the better all of our other relationships will be. If we spend more time nurturing our relationship with Christ, we will be kind, gentle, loving, and slow to anger with our husbands and our children. Really.

Am I saying that as a mom I never get tired and want to give up? Absolutely not. But my kids don’t know when I’m feeling that way, and I can promise that my Facebook friends don’t know it either.

When I get overwhelmed, I turn to Jesus and change my attitude. I turn on the gospel music station and sing songs of praise, or I take a deep breath and whisper a prayer to pull me through. There are some days when I whisper LOTS of prayers. And at the close of every day, I can still say that I am truly thankful for all that God has given me.

Your children won’t be little forever. Your sink won’t always be overflowing with dishes. You won’t always feel as stressed out as you do right now.

One day, your children will grow up and move out. You’ll be left alone with nothing but your thoughts. If you took the time to love and cherish your children, one day they will love, honor, and respect you. If you spend your time every day letting them know how much they annoy you or what a bother they are, I’d be willing to bet they won’t come around to bother you once they have the choice. You’ll be stuck at home, all alone, just wishing for something as little as a phone call.

If you didn’t get the Mother’s Day present that you wanted, or you didn’t get to sleep in because the baby needed to eat, find a reason to rejoice and praise Him anyway. Be thankful that your child wants to be with you. Be grateful that your child isn’t lying in a hospital bed fighting for life. Be glad that your child loved you enough to make you 15 cards for Mothers Day.

Let your children know how much you love them. Let them know that you value them and WANT to spend time with them. Then, get out there and actually do it! Have picnics, make mudpies, and hug them until they pull away. You’ll both be happier.

Edited to add: Ask a mom that has been trying to conceive about her Mother’s Day. Or ask the mom that has lost a child. Ask them how much your comments about “quitting motherhood” make them feel. I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t like their answer, because I’m pretty sure that they would give just about anything to experience those moments that we often take for granted. Stop thinking only about yourself and what you don’t have, or you’ll miss the whole world around you and all the blessings you already have.

For the past few months, I have been doing the Bible Study, “A Woman After God’s Own Heart” (Kindle Edition) with a dear friend.

One set of verses that is referenced over and over in that book is found in Titus 2:3-5.

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

I know that the very first sentence states that it pertains to the “aged” women, and while I don’t like thinking about getting older, I do realize that there are several groups of women who are looking up to me (besides just my children) —

• My teenage daughter and her peers
• The young college-aged ladies at church
• Newly married women
• Women just starting their families

And when they look to me, I want to be pointing them to Jesus. I would so much rather they look to HIM, but I pray that nothing I say or do could ever be used as a stumbling block if they do look to me.

As a mom of 7, and one that has been married for 10+ years, it’s pretty evident that I fall into the “aged” category now. And the more I read, re-read, and study these verses, the more I want to be this type of woman.

Let’s break it down, bit by bit:

The aged women likewise - We’ve already said who this pertains to: any woman that has someone who looks up to her. (In reality, every one of us can think of someone that looks up to us, no matter what our age or situation.)

that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness  - What exactly does this mean? According to the Strong’s Concordance, behaviour means “a position or condition” and holiness means “reverent.” To me, this section of the verse says that we are to be respectful in all that we do. In fact, according to dictionary.com, reverent means “deeply respectful.” So, we aren’t just to be respectful in any situation, but we are to be deeply respectful. (Boy, is that tough – especially when someone cuts you off in traffic!)

not false accusers - This is easy to interpret: don’t lie, and don’t make up stories to make yourself look better. It is never ok.

not given to much wine - The word given here means, “to be brought under bondage, made a servant.” In other words, don’t let wine (or alcohol) control your life. I do not drink – at all – because of my own convictions from I Corinthians 6:19-20 - “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (For another really good article on why Christians shouldn’t drink, read this one: Seven Good Reasons Why Christians Should Not Drink)

teachers of good things - This is literally translated from the Greek as “a teacher of the right.” Wow. Tugs at the heart strings, doesn’t it? We should know what is right and what is wrong, and we should teach others what is right. Not condemning, not judging, but teaching by our actions.

That they may teach the young women - Why are we doing this? Because of all the women that have been placed under us.

to be sober - This literally means “to make of sound mind.” We should not let anything have control over our minds or bodies (I Cor. 6:12) except for the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18).

to love their husbands - Notice who is mentioned first: our husbands, not our children. Many times, when we become mothers, we make our children our top priority. They should be a priority, yes. It is our duty to teach them right from wrong, and love them. But, we must remember that God expects so much more in our life. We are to first love our husbands. Respect them. Honor them. If we put our relationship with our husband first, it will cause our relationship with our children – and everyone else around us – to be even better. It took me a long time to learn this lesson, especially after being a single mom for quite a few years, but once I “got it,” my marriage has become so much sweeter and better than I ever could have imagined.

to love their children - Yes, we are to love our children. We are not to belittle them or be annoyed by them. We are simply to cherish them. I can’t tell you how much it hurts my heart to see moms on TV or even on Facebook talking about how terrible their children are, or how they wish they could just get away from them. Our children are a precious gift, and they should be treated as such.

To be discreet - This word “discreet” has caused quite a commotion on my blog as of late. While the literal translation of this word is “self-controlled,” I believe there are many ways it could be interpreted. We are to be modest, private, and careful with the words we choose to speak. I know this is easier said than done, especially when it pertains to our words. The world does not need to know how angry you are at your husband in your Facebook status update. There are some matters that are better kept to yourself or brought only before your Savior.

chaste - Literally translated, this means, “morally blameless, innocent, modest, or perfect.” None of us are perfect. We are human, and we fail daily. But, we should be striving for perfection. We do that by keeping our standards high in every area of life. In today’s world, there are no morals. We should stand out from the world so they might see the difference in us. (And they won’t always like it. You will be called things like a “prude” – or worse. Don’t let it discourage you. As long as you are doing what you believe will please your Jesus, that is all that matters.)

keepers at home - This means we are to run our household smoothly, efficiently, and to the best of our ability. I will tell you that this is one area that I have to work to do. Laundry piles up, dishes pile up, and I can’t remember the last time I dusted the mantle. I have given this area over to Christ, and with His help, I’m getting better.

good - This means “valuable or virtuous.” Am I a woman of virtue? One that my husband is proud to show off? One who keeps her standards high? There is nothing I desire more in this world. I made mistakes in the past, but God is using those mistakes to help me teach my teenage daughter the importance of guarding her heart and keeping her mind, heart, and body pure.

obedient to their own husbands - The world today jumps all over the idea that women are to “obey” or “be brought under” anyone. We are taught the exact opposite: you are your own person, no one can tell you what to do. But, God’s word is clear: we are to be under our husbands. To love them and respect the authority they have been given.

that the word of God be not blasphemed - The world will use the Bible against you. I hear it all the time. They justify their actions by interpreting the Bible to mean what they want it to say or by using verses out of context. (We Christians are guilty of this too.) However, if we are living the life of a true Titus 2 woman, and a woman who desires only to please her Lord and Savior, the word of God cannot be truly used against us – or against God. If someone tries, we should have enough knowledge of Scripture to back our choices up.

The Lord convicts different people of different things. I believe He has called me to keep my standards incredibly high on many things:

• My dress. I have never seen anything wrong with wearing pants, but as I’ve drawn closer to the Lord, I have felt Him convicting me about what I wear. I don’t wear low cut tops (unless they have something under them), and I don’t wear shorts or short skirts. However, now, I have an overwhelming desire to only wear skirts (or dresses) when I leave the house. It’s funny, because I grew up going to a Christian school that only allowed us to wear skirts – and they had to be below the knee. I hated every minute of it and swore I would only wear skirts to church once I graduated and you’d never catch me in a skirt anywhere else. Look how far God has brought me…
• Television and movies. My television is not on very often, but when it is, my husband and I are both very careful about what is showing on the screen. Foul language, sex, gore, and extreme violence are just some of the things that cause us to turn off a tv show. Before we rent a movie or see on in the theater, we use Focus on the Family’s website Plugged In to see exactly what we can expect from a movie. This site has saved us from wasting a large amount of money. Otherwise, we would have had to leave the theater or turned off the movie. The same goes for my kids: they don’t watch a movie unless my husband and I have watched it first, or we watch it with them and can turn it off if need be.
• My words. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt…”  Always. I want to be known as someone who goes out of her way to encourage someone else, not bring them down or hurt them with my words. And this applies to all areas of my life: with my husband, with my children, with friends and family, and even with strangers. A smile and a kind word goes a long way, and I know that my speech can either please or displease my Lord.
• My disposition. I have always been a “Here I am” type of person. By that, I mean, “I’m right here. If you need me, come find me.” I want to help, and I want to be asked to help, but at the same time, I am very much an introvert and don’t make friends easily. This gives off the attitude that I am a snob or stuck up or, gasp, “holier than thou.” (Man, I hate that term.) I’ve heard it all. And it’s not true – at least it’s not what I’m intending to portray. I just have a very hard time of getting out of my “bubble” and getting to know someone. However, I have fallen under real conviction about this lately. I’m trying so hard to become a “there you are” person instead of a “here I am” one. I want people to know that I care about what they need, and I am striving to reach out and let them know… no matter how hard it is. (And it is hard!)

Having high standards in today’s world can set you apart, and the world will often let you know how much they disagree with you. I have even had Christians tell me that I’m too strict, and if I don’t back off a little, I will regret it. I’ve had people condemn me (good people) because I took a stand against a movie, a book, or a decision they decided was all right for them. I won’t lie, it hurts. But, I’m not living my life to please them or make them happy. I must live my life to please Jesus. He is all that matters.

If it were easy to stand against the world, Ephesians 6:11 – 18 would have been left out of the Bible. We are in a battle, and we must arm ourselves with the proper equipment.

I am so blessed to have several examples of Titus 2 women – Joan White, Deena Stalnaker, Elaine Stephens, Pat Lucido, Glenda Seay, Bonnie Michel, Carol Renshaw, and my mom. These women live their lives daily for the Lord, and through the years, they have all helped mold and shape me into the woman I am today, and the woman I am becoming. I am still far from perfect, and I still seek out these women for Biblical counsel, advice, or to watch how they react to certain situations. I am so thankful for each of these women, the testimonies they have, and their desire to live for Jesus.

I don’t know if this post has helped you, or even just caused you to think. It is simply what the Lord has placed on my heart, and I felt the need to share it with you. It is my desire that we all get a little closer to Jesus and hear His words for us.

If this post has helped, would you let me know? And if there’s something I’ve forgotten, please let me know that as well.

How is the Lord working in your heart? Have you felt His touch lately? Are there changes you need to make in your life, your home, your heart? Are you striving to be a Titus 2 woman? Do you have an example of a Titus 2 woman in your life? I would love to hear from you.

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Invisalign.

Do you remember braces from way back when? The wrap around metal brackets, bonded brackets, clunky head gear? When I was a child, I had horrible teeth. They were so crooked, I was on the path to wearing all the head gear and metal braces for at least several years. I don’t know if it was lucky or not, but I fell and broke my jaw in first grade and had to have my mouth wired shut for six weeks. That fall straightened my teeth beautifully – but I do not recommend it as a way of getting out of braces.

Luckily, those old metal braces are becoming a thing of the past.  Just like technology improves our daily lives, it also advances orthodontics and today’s braces are better than ever… and far more sophisticated than they ever were.

Removable aligners, like Invisalign and Invisalign Teen, offer clear braces and are quickly becoming a better option than traditional metal braces. The lightweight plastic material sits smoothly on the teeth. This allows a more comfortable fit while working as well as the traditional style of braces. One big difference between Invisalign and metal braces is that Invisalign can be removed. Kids can eat, brush their teeth, and floss like normal, all without the hindrance of metal braces. Invisalign can also help keep kids confident because this type of treatment is almost invisible when they smile, laugh, or talk with their friends.

Take a look at these before and after pictures:

If you happen to visit a dentist and you are told that your child is not a candidate for Invisalign, you may want to consider getting a second opinion. After all, not all dentists and orthodontists are certified Invisalign providers. The very best way to find a certified provider is to visit the Invisalign Doctor Locator.

I do hope you’ll take a few moments and learn more about Invisalign by taking advantage of the following resources:

• Invisalign Website
• Invisalign on Twitter
• Invisalign on Facebook
• Invisalign Fan Appreciation Month Sweepstakes

Have you – or someone you love – ever used Invisalign? Would you take a moment to tell us about your experience in the comments below? If you haven’t used Invisalign, would you consider doing so?

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Invisalign. They provided the information. However, any opinions and stories in this post are my own and should be treated as such.

When you first pick up the book The Fast Metabolism Diet by Haylie Pomroy, and turn it over to read what the book is all about, you may just be surprised:

D.I.E.T.
Did I Eat Today?
A revolutionary new way to think about the word DIET

Interesting, right? The book is about so much more than just dieting to lose weight. It’s about changing lives by fighting obesity, curing chronic illnesses, and healing a broken metabolism.

The program is 28 days long. I tried it, and overall, I am pleased with my results.

The book cover says you can lose up to 20 pounds in 28 days while on this program.

With every fiber of my being, I wanted to lose 20 pounds in 4 weeks. I followed the diet step by step, and the first week, I gained a pound.

I cried. I wanted to give up, but after a pep talk from SheSpeaks and the author, I decided to keep going. Week 2, I lost 2 pounds. Week 3 down another pound. And week 4, down one more pound. Total weight lost: 4 pounds in 4 weeks. Not fabulous, but not horrible either.

Now, I will note that as a breastfeeding mom, I have to keep my calorie intake between 1,500 and 1,800 daily calories. (That’s from my own physician – please speak with your own doctor before starting a diet program, especially if you are breastfeeding.) I was told that I should only lose an average of 1 – 2 pounds per week. So, according to that, the diet worked for me! It took a week to wake my metabolism up, but after that, I’ve consistently lost at least one pound per week.

I will tell you that at first, the diet confused me. (Which is probably why I did so terribly the first week on the program.) So, I went back and read the book again – this time taking notes as I went. I highlighted important statements, recipes, and meal plans. That really seemed to help, and I was excited to see that I had lost 2 pounds the next week.

I also believe that if I could have kept my calorie intake lower, I may have done better on the diet. But, I won’t be able to give that a try until I’m done breastfeeding. And I’m praying that doesn’t happen for at least another 9 months.

Also, I never, ever felt hungry when I was on this diet – as I have in the past on other diets. I really feel this is an excellent program and a wonderful option for someone who is looking to change their lifestyle and live a healthier life.

You can bet I will be trying the Fast Metabolism Diet again. There are many aspects of the program that I will continue to use while I’m nursing. And if I haven’t reached my goal weight by the time Carly is weaned, I will jump back into the program full force.

I think this book is a must read for anyone who wants to lose weight, and I encourage you to check it out and learn more information by accessing the following resources:

• The Fast Metabolism Diet Website
• The Fast Metabolism Diet Facebook page
• Haylie Pomroy on Twitter 

If you try the Fast Metabolism Diet, please let me know your results! I’d love to hear from someone who lost 10 pounds or more! I *know* it can be done, and I’d love to see my readers have great success with this.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for She Speaks and The Fast Metabolism Diet. Opinions expressed are 100% my own and are based on my own experiences with the book/program.

That being said, I support breastfeeding moms.

Except when it comes to whipping your breast out in public and not putting a blanket or cover over yourself.

I do not have a problem with breastfeeding. I have a problem with how “today’s woman” is so determined that it’s ok to flash an entire restaurant because she is feeding her baby.

Now, I realize I may be in the minority when it comes to this issue. After all, Luvs has a commercial out showing a second time mom that has no problem being uncovered. And don’t even get me started about the post over on The Leaky Boob about Fear and Breastfeeding. It has nothing to do with fear. Ok, well maybe it does, but not the kind of fear she is insinuating in her article. I fear the Lord, and I do not want to do anything that will cause Him shame. I fully believe that even how I present myself while breastfeeding in public can either bring Him glory or cause Him shame.

I understand the remark, “Everyone wants to see your boobs – unless you are feeding a baby,” and in today’s culture, that does seem to be true. BUT, there are many of us who DON’T want to see your breasts – whether you are in a bikini on the beach, wearing a “black tie” dress for your walk down the red carpet, or even if you are feeding your baby.

I do not wear bikinis. In fact, I cannot even remember the last time I put on a bathing suit and didn’t at least have a pair of long shorts or capris over it.

I do not wear low cut tops. If I do, I wear a camisole or tank top underneath it.

And when I breastfeed – even if I am at home with just the youngest 3 kids, I still throw a blanket over myself.

Why?

Photo Credit: Bebe au Lait. Click the picture to be taken to the website.

Because I believe in modesty, and I believe that as a woman striving to be like Christ, it is my duty to keep “private” parts covered and for my husband’s eyes only.

Like it or not, breasts are sexual as well as functional. Yes, God gave them to us so that we can feed our children. I can give you verse after verse in the Bible that references breastfeeding. But I can also give you many verses that refer to the breasts as pleasure for sex.

What about the man that struggles with a pornography addiction? And there you sit, right next to him, fully exposing your chest. You are causing that man’s mind to wander. Yes, he is responsible for his own thoughts, but as a woman, YOU are responsible for what you cause others to think. (Titus 2:5 – “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”)

The entire topic of exposing yourself while breastfeeding makes me think of Proverbs 11:22 – “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.”

My husband and I have discussed this topic many times over the years. I know firsthand that he appreciates the lengths I go to in order to stay covered up. I know he doesn’t want my breasts exposed for the world to see. He has always been my biggest breastfeeding supporter, and I truly believe it’s because I choose to do it in a modest and tactful way.

Now, I can hear you through the computer: “But, my baby doesn’t like being covered up.” … “But my baby will get too hot.” … “But I cannot bond with my baby if I cannot look at her.” … “But, but, but….”

To all those buts, I say, “Baloney.”

Please scroll back up and read the second sentence of this post. I have breastfed 6 children. Through summer and winter, with blankets, cover-ups, or whatever I could find to throw over me at any given time.

Yes, we did go through stages where baby didn’t like to be covered. But, my baby isn’t the boss. From an early age, they will come to understand that sometimes they will just have to deal with what they are given. If they continue to pull the cover off, they are taken off the breast and are allowed to nurse again after a few minutes. Not one of my babies has ever starved or suffocated from being covered up while nursing. I promise.

Nursing covers are fantastic when baby wants to try to pull a blanket off. Because the cover goes around your neck, baby can’t pull it off. And most nursing covers now offer a curved neckline that allows you to see baby (and vice versa) while shielding your chest from the world.

So, please, ladies. The next time you are out and need to feed your baby, take a moment to cover yourself – or even just pull your shirt down and keep yourself covered. I’m asking this on behalf of my husband, and many many other men out there that are trying to keep their minds and hearts focused on Christ and don’t want to see what you have to offer.

I’d love to see some women who are willing to take a stand with me and cover up while nursing. What do you say? Let’s show the world that there are still discreet, respectable, God-honoring women who want to please the Lord out there.

Edited to add: Thanks to the comments on this post, I realize that you can be discreet without using a cover. My problem is not covered vs. uncovered, my problem is with those that refuse to show any form of discretion and feel the need to be vocal about their opinion. This post is simply my way of voicing MY opinion about the topic. This blog is based on my thoughts, opinions, and convictions, and should be respected as such. 

Also edited to add: I am no longer going to take the time to reply to comments on this thread. Those comments that do not use foul language or outright attack my character as a person or a mother will be still be approved whether you agree with me or not. I have stated my opinion in this post and do not have time to reiterate the same opinions over and over. If you see this as you having “won” or having the last word, so be it. I know where I stand: Firmly planted on the Bible, and that’s where I plan to stay.

Photo Credit: The photo used in this article is from BebeAuLait.com – a place that sells some of the most beautiful nursing covers you will find online. I personally own and use several of their covers. This is not an affiliate link, and I am not making any money off of this post, I’m just thankful that companies like Bebe au Lait exist and believe their website should be shared.

Regarding Comments: I am sure there will be many who disagree with this post, and that is your prerogative. However, nasty, spiteful, or unnecessary comments will not be approved. Period. You are welcome to disagree, just do it respectfully.