tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53453828744592203752024-03-05T21:55:50.809-06:00Stringer MamaI am a mom, wife and married to the pastor! I do all these things seeking to bring glory to God and walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Organization, Saving Money, Homeschooling, being a Pastor's wife and mom are all up for conversation on Stringer Mama. I strive to be real and let people see into my fishbowl instead of wondering how the Pastor's family really lives! Come on in!Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.comBlogger323125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-72801186332818635372012-03-01T08:59:00.003-06:002012-03-01T08:59:27.170-06:00Delight Thyself has Launched!<div style="text-align: center;">
It's official everyone! Delight Thyself has launched! Head on over and say hello!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8-JinDe2zo9v-AWigm5oQiHAaYcF3c-Gk6RpoKEVuhmaCQvUEXbnTIaWF_AEtctJ5oVxyqkOTIlAjE8oqFa2SJPJTTZaDmQXP2S2njEw4y-8RlGCaiaI3IO7iSWlC7xnaqZ34bBsu7A/s1600/Psalm+37+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8-JinDe2zo9v-AWigm5oQiHAaYcF3c-Gk6RpoKEVuhmaCQvUEXbnTIaWF_AEtctJ5oVxyqkOTIlAjE8oqFa2SJPJTTZaDmQXP2S2njEw4y-8RlGCaiaI3IO7iSWlC7xnaqZ34bBsu7A/s400/Psalm+37+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's almost here! The launching of <a href="http://www.delight-thyself.com/" target="_blank">Delight Thyself</a>! There appears to be a little confusion as to what will happen to Stringer Mama. So I thought I would let you in on exactly WHAT will happen. </div>
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On March 1st, the majority of posts from Stringer Mama will be exported to the new blog, <a href="http://www.delight-thyself.com/" target="_blank">Delight Thyself</a>. In fact, most of the posts will be fresh and rewritten with current and updated information. They will be organized more by topic and easier to find. So the posts that you love will still be accessible! </div>
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As for the Stringer Mama blog however, it will eventually (not anytime real soon!) be placed into a private setting and kept for only my family's viewing. The blog was originally meant to be for my family and it's going to go back to just that. So if you are subscribed to posts, you will no longer be receiving them. </div>
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That means that if you want to stay connected, trek yourself on over to <a href="http://www.delight-thyself.com/">www.delight-thyself.com</a> and click the <a href="http://www.delight-thyself.com/p/follow-me.html" target="_blank">Follow button and choose multiple ways to continue receiving my posts</a>! The type of posts will be the same however, there will be more of an emphasis on the awareness of God's impact on everything we do so that even in the mundane, the ordinary and the exciting, we will have a chance to delight ourselves in the Lord! </div>
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<a href="http://www.stringermama.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/StringerMamaSignature.jpg" /></a><br />
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<center>I am linked up with: </center><center><a href="http://www.thesefiveofmineplustwo.net/search/label/A%20Handful%20of%20Heart" target="_blank"><img alt="These Five of Mine" src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c148/5sweeties/newagainlinkupbutton.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUroySQahfurNyHYgrhvkiSD2QwJlkzcnimGG_jT-HYer7wQ_3-St4I8btnR57sTymf5joeNxT0FgeEBBqbcB4Tm6L_vAiRbaQygS1rPZBXCiJlf-cmzMN-69xFppQqfpwVsHASxRJi8/s1600/BetterMondaysLinkup.jpg" /></a></center>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-57523201136577346422012-02-22T10:10:00.000-06:002012-02-22T10:10:00.415-06:00Dun, Dun, Da DUN! Introducing BRAND NEW BLOG!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.delight-thyself.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/DelightThyselfButton.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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After much prayer, contemplation, counsel, and a few hassles with Google, I am excited to announce</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><a href="http://www.delight-thyself.com/" target="_blank">Delight Thyself!</a> </i></span></div>
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I would give you more information here but I'll save that for when you visit <a href="http://www.delight-thyself.com/">www.delight-thyself.com</a>!<br />
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Completely launching on March 1st, you can still go over and check it out and get ready to follow via facebook, email, or subscribe to the feed so you're all set to go! </div>
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As for Stringer Mama blog, </div>
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it will stay open for a while longer but eventually will be retired. </div>
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But don't worry, the posts you have grown to love and appreciate will be exported to <a href="http://www.delight-thyself.com/" target="_blank">Delight Thyself</a> and will still be available. And truly, the type of posts will be fairly the same but with renewed purpose and a fresh perspective! </div>
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Stringer Mama has been a wonderful experience and the blessings of so many of my wonderful friends has been amazing! I hope that every single one of you will head on over and join me at the new blog where we can continue to strive to delight in the Lord in everything we do! </div>
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<center><a href="https://www.facebook.com/StringerMamma"><img border="0" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/FacebookPurple.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=StringerMama" target="_blank">Subscribe by Email</a> - <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/StringerMama" target="_blank">Subscribe in a Reader</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/StringerMama" target="_blank">Twitter</a> - <a href="http://pinterest.com/stringermama/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></center>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-14426524768604429792012-02-15T09:04:00.002-06:002012-02-15T09:04:56.915-06:00Huge Changes for Stringer Mama Blog<div style="text-align: justify;">
My blog started out with one purpose. To be able to share with my family, mainly my mom, what was going on in my life and the things I was learning. About a year ago God took that little desire and shifted it into something much bigger and much more outside the scope of what I had ever imagined. And guess what, my mom is my biggest supporter! </div>
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God gave me a burden for women a long time ago which led me to pursue a degree in Women's Ministries and Counseling in college. And now, God has allowed my burden to flow onto Stringer Mama. I love women and I have a burden for their burdens and as God has led, He has blessed me with the ability to impact and encourage many of you - for which I am <i>completely</i> humbled and honored.</div>
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But as He has so many times in my blogging, God laid it on my heart and BOOM! Things have swung into action in a big way. I'm not ready to share all of the itty-bitty details but I'll tell you this, <b>StringerMama.com is changing names and relocating with a renewed purpose and focus on delighting in God and intentionally pursuing His plans for marriage, parenting, homemaking and a life of godliness. </b></div>
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In the next couple of weeks, I will be announcing <b>a new Facebook page,</b> a new blog home and tentatively <b>a new blog launch on March 1st.</b> It's somewhat comical because I recently just redesigned my blog and now I'm doing it again! That's the way God works sometimes and who am I to argue? :0) I am truly excited by what God is laying on my heart and I want <b><i>you</i></b> to come with me on this adventure!</div>
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Stay tuned!</div>
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Regardless of what you are doing tonite for Valentine's Day, most likely you will be sharing a meal with your man and if you are, whether it's in your own home or at a restaurant, I have another idea for you that will only take about two minutes to prep. Go to this link at <a href="http://zachterry.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/50-questions-to-ask-your-spouse-on-a-date-night/" target="_blank">zachterry.wordpress.com</a> and copy and paste these <a href="http://zachterry.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/50-questions-to-ask-your-spouse-on-a-date-night/" target="_blank">50 amazing questions to ask your spouse</a>. My hubbie and I did this about a month ago for date night and it was one of our most amazing and intimate dates simply because we reconnected with each other and learned more about each other.</div>
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The questions start out fairly simply with basics like "What are your 5 favorite sources of reading, with the most favorite first?" but as you go through them, they get deeper and more intense like "What can I do that provides the greatest comfort and encouragement for you when you are hurt, fearful, anxious or worried?" Trust me, they are perfect! The way I did it was to print them out and show them to my husband and we passed them back and forth and asked a question of the other person. Sometimes we asked the same questions, sometimes not. We didn't ask every question and honestly, there were some that were a little too deep and we didn't want to go into them or we already knew the answers of one person and not the other.</div>
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Here are some other ideas that some of YOU are doing today for your men! And how creative you are too!</div>
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<i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BonneLynn">Bonne Nagle</a> Homemade pizza. Red box movie (free rental!) and a picnic on the living floor with our heart shaped picnic basket (corny, I know.) We even get dressed up for it and use the fancy glasses with heart shaped plates to match...</i></div>
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<i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002519939145">Heather Skelton</a> My honey works 2nd shift so I am going to pack him a special dinner. I am going to tie bows on his snacks & include little hearts with lines from "our" song (from our wedding!) We enjoy movies & popcorn when he gets home, so I an going to make special valentine popcorn (with red & pink m&ms) & light candles. I am making him that <a href="http://www.stringermama.com/2012/02/woo-your-man-random-love-game.html" target="_blank">heart game you mentioned too</a>!</i></div>
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<i>Mary from <a href="http://www.theencouraginghome.com/2012/02/11/valentines-day-fun/" target="_blank">The Encouraging Home</a> is having fun preparing special food with her family today that she <a href="http://www.theencouraginghome.com/2012/02/11/valentines-day-fun/" target="_blank">explains in this special post!</a></i></div>
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<i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hidden-Treasures/192208720817160">Hidden Treasures</a> We're going to do our annual Valentine Tradition!! Stay home, throw the kids in bed, eat pizza by candle light, watch a romantic movie!! This year I've bought some avocado oil to give him a massage with!! It's a great one for massages!! ;) Might throw in some peppermint oil too!</i></div>
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What great ideas ladies!! You may be wondering what I'm doing for my hubbie for Valentine's Day. Well - nothing. He is in another state at a conference and I was hoping he would have internet so I could send him a sweet and sappy love letter but alas he does not. So I'll have to settle with a nice long phone conversation with him tonite. We're going to celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday night when he gets back with a special meal and goodies for the kids! Can't wait to see my man! I miss him SOOOO much but you know what they say "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" and we will be truly fond of each other on Friday!</div>
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Regardless as to what you are doing today to celebrate your love, may it be a blessed time for you and your man and I hope that Wooing your man is not something that only happens on Valentine's Day but make it a priority throughout the rest of your lives!!</div>
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<center>I am linked up with: </center><br />
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<a href="http://www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2PW-KKjsfAva1C1CkwmU_-9XtNZFOdVGC-lGGwBer8frbDlZOKWSGVhjLoQyidZofxr_S2El6J2pRDuWCwZbIblF4mEfXqV0tbHa-_upR1zu55Y9Ks23sDyG6hLq12Svh_6Wg9Yo0Ac/s1600/Titus_2sdays.jpg" /></a><a border="0" href="http://www.aboverubies.net/search/label/Domestically%20Divine%20Link-Up" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv54/jasminecucuta/Jasminesdomesticallydivinebuttongood.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Growing Home" src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/jacindajoy/lemonhomemakingbutton.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.stringermama.com/search/label/Woo%20Your%20Man" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/WooYourMan.jpg" /></a>Does your hubbie work in an office or does he have a desk where he works? If so this idea will work perfectly for you! Everyone loves to receive something from a loved one at their work simply because it let's everyone know who works there that there is someone at home who loves them. For a woman, this is easy! Just send flowers! And maybe your man would like flowers or balloons sent to him at work but for my man, he would think it was a little silly. So I had to get creative!</div>
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First, I took pictures of our children and put them in a small frame for his desk. Then I got all prettied up and took pictures of myself for another picture for his desk.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pic I chose of myself :0) </td></tr>
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<i>Sidenote here: If you take a whole bunch of pictures of your self and your hubbie sees the pictures on your computer before he receives his gift, he may be slightly confused as to why you are taking pictures of yourself like that and get concerned. My hubbie did and he had to wait a week to find out that the pictures were not for the internet but for him! It was entirely laughable at the time but I think it did cause my hubbie concern as to who these pictures were for. Men can think that way I suppose! :0) </i></div>
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I also got a candy jar with a lid and filled it up with his favorite kind of candy to put on his desk. A homemade pencil holder made by your kids would be a nice touch as well. Put all of these things in a basket then continue to fill it up with snack packs of trail mix, jerky, chex mix, soda, or any other things that he may enjoy on his lunch breaks that he can store in a drawer of his desk. If you would like to add a little more eye-catching appeal, tie some helium balloons to the basket so they make an appealing entrance.</div>
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You can deliver the basket yourself during his lunch break or ask a co-worker of his to help you deliver it. You can also have a delivery service but that would cost additional money. I chose to surprise my man at work and deliver it myself then kidnap him for a long lunch break that I had gotten approved with his boss the day before.<br />
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<center>I am linked up with: </center><center><a href="http://www.thesefiveofmineplustwo.net/search/label/A%20Handful%20of%20Heart" target="_blank"><img alt="These Five of Mine" src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c148/5sweeties/newagainlinkupbutton.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUroySQahfurNyHYgrhvkiSD2QwJlkzcnimGG_jT-HYer7wQ_3-St4I8btnR57sTymf5joeNxT0FgeEBBqbcB4Tm6L_vAiRbaQygS1rPZBXCiJlf-cmzMN-69xFppQqfpwVsHASxRJi8/s1600/BetterMondaysLinkup.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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<a href="http://www.stringermama.com/search/label/Woo%20Your%20Man" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/WooYourMan.jpg" /></a>A very simple and easy idea that I did one year for Valentine's Day involved flower petals and Hershey Kisses. I used like four bags of Hershey Kisses and planted Kisses ALL over the floor - we had a rather small apartment at the time so that helped. Our living room and kitchen and hallway were covered in Hershey Kisses - but only on the floor! </div>
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Then in our shower I used that blue sticky stuff (now I would probably use glue dots!) and stuck flower petals ALL over the inside of our shower. Then I included a sign that said: "Now that I've Kissed the Ground You Walk on and Showered You With Flowers, Would You Please Be My Valentine?" and I signed my name. </div>
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Very simple and not too elaborate but it was special and made the point that I love my man! This would be a good idea to combine with another idea or a gift since most men aren't exactly wowed by chocolate kisses! :0) </div>
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<i style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In HIS Grip,</span> </i></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/116/081FD3EFE97E5F09462141AC2C7D0945.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-20065106753934647962012-02-09T05:00:00.000-06:002012-02-09T05:00:00.769-06:00Woo Your Man: Ballooning with Love<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of my hubbie's favorite Valentines involved this idea. I blew up TONS of balloons and put them in our bedroom. You could also put them all over your bedroom, his car (just make sure he will have TIME to get them out before he has to be somewhere!), his office, man-cave, wherever! Inside each balloon, I put a rolled up piece of paper with a little message or a coupon for him to redeem later. I used loving messages or sayings - some of which I found on Pinterest. You can check out my <a href="http://pinterest.com/stringermama/" target="_blank">Words of Wisdom board</a> for some that I love! </div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I handed him a pin and told him to pop them. He is not a fan of loud noises so it was funny watching him try to cover his ears with one hand and pop the balloons with the other. Just so you know, I was laughing WITH him!</span>
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The beauty of this project is you can fill the balloons without blowing them up and bring them anywhere and blow them up within a little while. So if you want to bring them to his office, or surprise him while he is in a store, or whatever, this is very portable. </div>
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You can also do this with helium - just add the papers and fill with helium. Perfect for delivering them to his office or work place. He may not want to pop them at work but as they wilt, he could check the messages! </div>
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Now I know this is for your man and all that but you could do this any time you have balloons! Birthdays, get well soon, hospital visit balloons, baby shower balloons, you could play a bridal shower game with them, whatever! You could put Bible verses inside, words of encouragement, praise or counsel. </div>
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<i style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In HIS Grip,</span> </i><br />
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<a href="http://www.stringermama.com/search/label/Woo%20Your%20Man" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/WooYourMan.jpg" /></a>Is there a hobby or activity that your special someone does that you really don't care for? </div>
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Is there something that you've been holding back from him because you REALLY REALLY don't want to do it? </div>
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Consider giving him the ultimate gift - your participation or support in that activity even if you can't STAND it!</div>
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After all, you do LOVE him right?</div>
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If he loves model airplanes - give him tickets to an airshow, one for him and one for you!</div>
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Or if he loves football, give him a new football and let him teach you how to play and PLAY with him!</div>
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Or if he loves tent camping, give him that new sleeping bag he wants and include one for you too! Then GO with him!</div>
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Or if he loves a certain type of food, take him to his favorite restaurant and EAT IT!<br />
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If your hubbie loves those stupid humor movies, give him Nacho Libre and tell him you'll watch it with him. With no mocking. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I am NOT endorsing this movie!! ;0)</span></td></tr>
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That's what I did. And guess what? It really wasn't SOOO bad because I wasn't</div>
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watching it for the joy of the movie (of which there is VERY little enjoyment!) I was watching it because I wanted to show my hubbie I loved him. It was for him, not me. What gift can you think of that your hubbie would be shocked to get from you because he knows how much you despise it? </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In HIS Grip,</span> </i></span><br />
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<a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/category/women-living-well-wednesdays/" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq297/courtneylivingwell/LivingWell.png" /></a> <a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img src="http://raisinghomemakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/RH-LinkUp-150.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Capture-2.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-86020466206660092962012-02-07T09:00:00.000-06:002012-02-07T09:00:16.960-06:00Our Perfect Gift to God<div class="MsoNormal">
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It was the best ultrasound I had ever had for one of my children. She jumped and waved and just seemed to be so excited that mommy and daddy could see her! The doctor said everything looks great - healthy baby, healthy mommy makes a doctor happy. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our memory music box for our little one - Dorema</td></tr>
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Four weeks later it was time for another routine check-up. I went by myself since my husband was in seminary and always very busy. He stayed home with the kids and did some homework. The doctor was just going to measure and listen to the heartbeat. Normal check-up. </div>
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They couldnβt find the heartbeat. The doctor was not expecting anything wrong. He said at 14 weeks itβs very unlikely I miscarried. I believed him and was calm until my baby came up on the screen and all of a sudden I knew. That sweet beautiful baby we had seen just four weeks prior was no longer bouncing and waving. She was still and nothing was moving. Not even a flutter could be seen. I had seen enough ultrasounds to know that my baby was gone. The doctor muttered something about how he didnβt know what happened and sometimes we donβt know what happened. He left and I wept. I didnβt know I could cry so many tears. . .</div>
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To read the rest of our story head on over to Hidden Treasures where I am guest posting for her series about miscarriages. </div>
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Then I used two small drawstring bags and put one set of hearts in each bag. When I want to show my hubbie a little attention, either he or I pull out one heart from each bag to see what I will do for my husband. Or take turns and he can do them to you too! So then I will get things like "rub feet," "kiss hands," etc. If you pull out a question mark for one of the hearts, that person gets to see what the other heart says and then fill in the blank for the appropriate heart. You can completely personalize these to what your husband likes and I'm sure it will make him smile! </div>
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<center><a href="https://www.facebook.com/StringerMamma"><img border="0" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/FacebookPurple.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=StringerMama" target="_blank">Subscribe by Email</a> - <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/StringerMama" target="_blank">Subscribe in a Reader</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/StringerMama" target="_blank">Twitter</a> - <a href="http://pinterest.com/stringermama/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></center>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-60477451016037980122012-02-06T09:00:00.000-06:002012-02-06T09:37:33.336-06:00"DAD!!! I REALLY want a boyfriend!!!!"<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUEvVZhGMPdp8pwA-9CpsyM815pUt-_nRS-DjKt2bxQVWuhdKVDfxjAziZpV2W8mPROR4q-66JpAQOftexjW7dTWuKm8x9o3cOg8WyfH67KDA4_cQ9TgQJjQdhdH9gbogzw0iWhY6GNo/s1600/PB110047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUEvVZhGMPdp8pwA-9CpsyM815pUt-_nRS-DjKt2bxQVWuhdKVDfxjAziZpV2W8mPROR4q-66JpAQOftexjW7dTWuKm8x9o3cOg8WyfH67KDA4_cQ9TgQJjQdhdH9gbogzw0iWhY6GNo/s200/PB110047.JPG" width="150" /></a>βDad!!! I really want a boyfriend!β I sobbed, and I mean
SOBBED on my dadβs shoulder. My sister was already planning on marrying her
boyfriend and she was YOUNGER than I was by two years! In just three short
months I would be graduating from college and then heading back to literally βno-manβs
landβ at least, no CHRISTIAN man I would ever dream of marrying no-manβs land.
My hometown was a mere 500 people and our church was only about 30 people so it
truly was a place where I would not meet a man of my dreams. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Therefore, I was devastated by this state of singleness I
found myself. My dad then told me those horrible, dreadful words that every
fiber of my BEING wanted to throw back at him and make him take back. "<b>Maybe God doesn't WANT you to get married!"</b> HA! Thatβs ridiculous! My life verse at
the time was:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">βDelight
thyself in the Lord and<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He will
give you the desires of thine heart.β<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 37:4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The desire of my heart <b>is to be married.</b> Period. Dad just didnβt understand that! Oh,
but he did and as he continued to talk to me I realized that maybe I wasnβt
delighting myself in the Lord like I thought I was at all. I had made this
demand for a husband and was at that moment throwing a little temper tantrum at
my Lord because He wasnβt giving me what I wanted. . .<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://beautifulmommyrom1015.blogspot.com/2012/02/and-i-knew-he-was-one-guest-post-ann.html" target="_blank">To read the rest of my story. . .</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">please head on over to Beautiful Mommy Feet where I am participating in her series <b><a href="http://beautifulmommyrom1015.blogspot.com/search/label/...and%20I%20Knew%20He%20was%20the%20One" target="_blank">And I Knew He Was the One.</a></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://beautifulmommyrom1015.blogspot.com/search/label/...and%20I%20Knew%20He%20was%20the%20One" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKWJeXuol0TqyFM9KzQssp3RZQaz5LdFIiB2wTY67RnQ9gP-sRyQx8zgrBGLaUGX_ew6T-dw_5iN3AHZFuJDPO6SHK_-UBXoE0zhvGPk9tcd5EZOYCQTd8tk63Q670i0bakpp9P4SxUNg/s350/feet+sand.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-19547858248189175442012-02-06T07:00:00.000-06:002012-02-06T07:56:28.773-06:00Be My Valentine Ideas: For Married Eyes Only Please!<a href="http://www.stringermama.com/search/label/Woo%20Your%20Man" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/WooYourMan.jpg" /></a>I<b style="text-align: justify;">f you are not MARRIED, please refrain from reading this post for the sake of keeping your heart and mind pure! I'm not explicit, I choose my words very carefully, but if you are not married, you can look at my <a href="http://www.stringermama.com/search/label/Woo%20Your%20Man" target="_blank">OTHER Valentine Ideas</a> that will help you out! Thank you!</b><br />
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Our very first Valentine's Day was one that was very special for me and my husband. For one thing, we hadn't been together on a Valentine's Day yet. My hubbie had to work and this was before kids so I was home alone and was able to set this up before he got home.<br />
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I took fabric rose petals left over from our wedding and made a path. You could also use Hershey Kisses. I then hid in the most obvious place - the bedroom. It started out with a note that said <b>"Happy Valentine's Day Sweetheart! Please follow the path and ONLY the path! No cheating!"</b><br />
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At different intervals along the path there were little "things" that would be fun to use in the marriage bed. (I'll let you fill in the details of what you would like to use here!). You could also mix in little gifts, like a card for him, a box of candy, whatever.<br />
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My path led straight to the bathroom - he worked in a dirty job so he always had to shower before ANYTHING else! You could have a bubble bath waiting for him, or his favorite body wash.<br />
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While he was in the shower, I picked up the original path and made a new one leading away from the bathroom and bringing him to other places and finally to the bedroom where I was waiting in a room filled with candles and dressed in a "very nice thing that he would like." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8Pt2qap88_yJ3297hxEwHs5KHmL5Y7T9ZaYqi2QE_0K55u4Hu3iWohu9mI3SJlsI7cW3KtSlG4_8l1hAvNr6XoES03jJrcGUDDT9ngpuonFSi4eBaIi47kInfDrW33TEDPAvPLV4HnY/s1600/STA74581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8Pt2qap88_yJ3297hxEwHs5KHmL5Y7T9ZaYqi2QE_0K55u4Hu3iWohu9mI3SJlsI7cW3KtSlG4_8l1hAvNr6XoES03jJrcGUDDT9ngpuonFSi4eBaIi47kInfDrW33TEDPAvPLV4HnY/s320/STA74581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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He LOVED that Valentine's Day and I did too! Very special memories were made and so far, I don't think I've been able to come up with a better plan to woo my husband!</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In HIS Grip,</span> </i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/116/081FD3EFE97E5F09462141AC2C7D0945.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><br />
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<center>I am linked up with: </center><center><a href="http://www.thesefiveofmineplustwo.net/search/label/A%20Handful%20of%20Heart" target="_blank"><img alt="These Five of Mine" src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c148/5sweeties/newagainlinkupbutton.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.thebettermom.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUroySQahfurNyHYgrhvkiSD2QwJlkzcnimGG_jT-HYer7wQ_3-St4I8btnR57sTymf5joeNxT0FgeEBBqbcB4Tm6L_vAiRbaQygS1rPZBXCiJlf-cmzMN-69xFppQqfpwVsHASxRJi8/s1600/BetterMondaysLinkup.jpg" /></a></center>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-50934698917777741782012-02-03T06:36:00.000-06:002012-02-03T06:36:41.336-06:00Woo Your Man: DIY Lovopoly Game<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am re-posting this from last year's Valentine's Day. The original idea came from <a href="http://loveactually-blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/lovopoly.html" target="_blank">Love Actually</a>. I found the actual product at <a href="http://www.lovopoly.com/best-anniversary-wedding-birthday-valentine-gift.php" target="_blank">Lovopoly.com</a> but at $74.95 I just couldn't do that! Sooo I made my own! And because I made it myself I could personalize it so much more. </div>
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One thing that you need to know is that my hubbie HATES Monopoly! And I know it, but the biggest reason is because it takes forever to play and it doesn't quite fit his attention span. :0) So I wanted to make a game that would be faster than the normal game. I had less properties - only 8 and gave out more money in the beginning. For some reason the game was still too long but I tried! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qIL66RtZosHVWlgraclhhf8f73_cfHYGZzcj1K5qF7cO6m2ngZUIfIJPwFY4v2iryDcPoJJtIFKbmgrljnyj_G-jGiEIr7Tk1n2Whdu3SnatDao8qIOUubpliLPc4KzcpegAluOZ1u8/s1600/STA74839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qIL66RtZosHVWlgraclhhf8f73_cfHYGZzcj1K5qF7cO6m2ngZUIfIJPwFY4v2iryDcPoJJtIFKbmgrljnyj_G-jGiEIr7Tk1n2Whdu3SnatDao8qIOUubpliLPc4KzcpegAluOZ1u8/s400/STA74839.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made my own Community Chest cards but called them Piggy Bank cards instead since we rarely have all that much money! The Chance cards I called "Get Lucky" cards (hee hee). Then I personalized the cards to things like "Gave a devotional at a church - Collect $100" and "Sold a Game on Amazon - Collect $20" or "Aimee had to go to the Emergency Room - Pay $200." I made the Jail into "The Doghouse." Now we don't have doghouse jokes in our marriage but for the sake of the game it worked. The Electric Company became "Have a baby - Collect $50 in gifts!" and Free Parking became "Tax Return Day!" Luxury Tax became "Property Taxes Due." The Railroads became cruise lines since someday we'd like to go on a cruise together. The properties that you purchase were the best part of the game because I personalized it to locations that we really enjoy or have special memories surrounding them. I included Lake Red Rock where we went on dates a lot and where Sam proposed to me. Jordan Creek Mall was our first date and Hickory Park was our defining moment date. I also included a place simply called church because it's our goal to someday have a church to serve - it was the most expensive since we currently are seeking a church for Sam to pastor. </div>
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It was fun to make but it took FOREVER! I used poster board and red cardstock for the board and scrapbooking paper for all of the spots. Measuring all of the pieces out took some time to make sure I didn't have any blank spots. All in all it probably took me about 5 hours to make it. I think it was worth it and Sam DID say that he DEFINITELY liked it more than the regular Monopoly. It will be something that we can remember different memories fondly every time we play. </div>
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<center><a href="https://www.facebook.com/StringerMamma"><img border="0" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/FacebookPurple.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=StringerMama" target="_blank">Subscribe by Email</a> - <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/StringerMama" target="_blank">Subscribe in a Reader</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/StringerMama" target="_blank">Twitter</a> - <a href="http://pinterest.com/stringermama/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></center>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-69598918395931925582012-02-02T07:00:00.000-06:002012-02-02T07:00:03.980-06:00Woo Your Man: 52 Things About Him<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBa-hOsWP1OQcEh-WDJC944z3IzamLeyR5-ubM9YwKl6xy1SnM1bWydL-bAQI1QZvvs0Oc3bHAafrbUytLxon6Ea6XpwR25vT-hwyHOdKd6rflWOs6RWk6y8dsOSS-8otDSgLV5v7M8Vo/s1600/100_0685%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBa-hOsWP1OQcEh-WDJC944z3IzamLeyR5-ubM9YwKl6xy1SnM1bWydL-bAQI1QZvvs0Oc3bHAafrbUytLxon6Ea6XpwR25vT-hwyHOdKd6rflWOs6RWk6y8dsOSS-8otDSgLV5v7M8Vo/s320/100_0685%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have made this for my hubbie two times, once before we were married and a few years after we were married. We both enjoy playing different card games and every once in a while when we are playing cards together, we play with these and it's fun to read them and see how we have grown in our love for each other! </div>
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Take a normal deck of playing cards - preferably one inside a box so you can use the box and decorate it and keep it away from the other playing cards. This idea is all over the web but I like to do mine in such a way that you can still play with the cards. One time, the youth group was over to our house to play games and they grabbed THAT deck of cards to play with!!! Not such a great idea! So make sure they are kept separate from your other cards. </div>
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The first deck I made was "52 things that I love about my hubbie." I had different things like how he puts his hand on the small of my back and guides me, how he tells people that he has a "wonderful woman." Things like that. It's truly not difficult to think of 52 things because for a woman, it's the little things that make a difference and this is a good way to thank your man for those little things! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-29pcal3Aos9fFDkasuoKM_StoOellzXHVwxLIVLUwB-bPs3EUOGMmhdBaSQDLU5ZHWGReLA56aa7MAH_iWngTbPfeS__9NG600fBETRBXWDyAStmR_b2Byu501tAg1tJl1Z9c9494P4/s1600/100_0690%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-29pcal3Aos9fFDkasuoKM_StoOellzXHVwxLIVLUwB-bPs3EUOGMmhdBaSQDLU5ZHWGReLA56aa7MAH_iWngTbPfeS__9NG600fBETRBXWDyAStmR_b2Byu501tAg1tJl1Z9c9494P4/s320/100_0690%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a>The second deck I made was "52 Things I want You to Know." In it I took a different perspective and said thank you for things that he does for me, things I see in him that I respect and am thankful for. </div>
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Both are really good ways to show your man that you care and you see those good things in him and are thankful for him. </div>
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Permanent markers are really the best thing to use. It really depends on the type of card you buy. The cheap cardstock cards you may be able to use pen but the good plastic feeling cards need the permanent markers. </div>
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I am linked up with: </div>
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<a href="http://www.oursimplecountrylife.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu140/simplycountrylife/heartsforhomeBUTTONSM.png" /></a><a border="0" href="http://www.raisingmightyarrows.com/search/label/Proverbs%2031%20Thursdays/" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l576/JHKnopp07/RaisingMightyArrowsProverbs31.jpg" /></a><br />
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<center>This idea is super easy but has a big impact on your man. Trust me, who WOULDN'T love this? </center><br />
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Take a stack of Post-It notes and a pen and start walking around your house. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a Family Picture - Life with you is GOOD!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6MlLsZZ2i7J3tl3VkCL7YUclOUH6odnwBHKRcw68IaVqD_yxkpY5RBEBNtljYpO8yKMjyHu3OpG0YkvjKCnIqwrYbNyvY6sROmjx-HrX5wpRZ5WAHxLEzMY8OH98o9gH8ybt-_w5Szk/s1600/100_0704%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6MlLsZZ2i7J3tl3VkCL7YUclOUH6odnwBHKRcw68IaVqD_yxkpY5RBEBNtljYpO8yKMjyHu3OpG0YkvjKCnIqwrYbNyvY6sROmjx-HrX5wpRZ5WAHxLEzMY8OH98o9gH8ybt-_w5Szk/s320/100_0704%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a globe - My world would stop without you!<br />
Or on a map - I'll follow you anywhere! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyfBlt-zqWsSj_0aBBS9s7WwgOYA1zlSIuEYDzLmHJ7HuFfGqQxLrLmB459dogFCl7ulRo9NyJnnCwGWatZTlPnRiu-te_N5XQDQPwimWHzzkCNeys-zJZmLCz1Q0-p6fVeXg4m02hMI/s1600/100_0703%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyfBlt-zqWsSj_0aBBS9s7WwgOYA1zlSIuEYDzLmHJ7HuFfGqQxLrLmB459dogFCl7ulRo9NyJnnCwGWatZTlPnRiu-te_N5XQDQPwimWHzzkCNeys-zJZmLCz1Q0-p6fVeXg4m02hMI/s320/100_0703%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You Protect Me in So Many Ways!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HlH-QNapxiETtvMa5IuYkezpOHN9SqXz8QREtSqMsQWY_CUWv_HxKWfTkXMNz27S5PYowCxjjzx4ahb5wqo0a6Uy9IhGuIsFInmC5H7l5xzXqUcd2NNJl7BYKSb9174JqvSStj-tLKE/s1600/100_0702%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HlH-QNapxiETtvMa5IuYkezpOHN9SqXz8QREtSqMsQWY_CUWv_HxKWfTkXMNz27S5PYowCxjjzx4ahb5wqo0a6Uy9IhGuIsFInmC5H7l5xzXqUcd2NNJl7BYKSb9174JqvSStj-tLKE/s320/100_0702%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I just posted a picture of my toilet on my blog.<br />
"I'm so thankful you ALWAYS put this down!"<br />
Now - if your hubbie did that wouldn't you want to share? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9LXG6pmKBq84dkflRAN4eISTlcVm2x5zeIcW0fz7HibPCwUsAMq35Ra1n3Tt6fP1612D-MJxrJuD7RUNuP1zLX6a91e7-JwKKyrtNy_FPB_Buwmcjec3ZWwXF_MeRIk9o3A7p9Homxg/s1600/100_0701%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9LXG6pmKBq84dkflRAN4eISTlcVm2x5zeIcW0fz7HibPCwUsAMq35Ra1n3Tt6fP1612D-MJxrJuD7RUNuP1zLX6a91e7-JwKKyrtNy_FPB_Buwmcjec3ZWwXF_MeRIk9o3A7p9Homxg/s320/100_0701%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, it's on the ceiling "I'll always look up to you!" </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkUeKrr3mhUfux-caP6SMn5pTX9le6_o_8NL8tX1nl9HxNkzAdJtj2i-Cw9roIDDhGY-TPuy0BPYBWqEGIfW99zi3khOozNOLntD6Uo96xYGXWWqTZOcMtf5-CduJc94-Kv4LwXQlArw/s1600/100_0706%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkUeKrr3mhUfux-caP6SMn5pTX9le6_o_8NL8tX1nl9HxNkzAdJtj2i-Cw9roIDDhGY-TPuy0BPYBWqEGIfW99zi3khOozNOLntD6Uo96xYGXWWqTZOcMtf5-CduJc94-Kv4LwXQlArw/s320/100_0706%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You Turn Me On!"</td></tr>
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Because I love my hubbie, (and not just because I wanted to take pictures for this post!) I decided to do this again for him so I stuck these everywhere and tonite when he comes home from work, he will go about his normal routine and find little love notes everywhere! Here are a few more little notes you could do! </div>
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Hot Sauce - You are already too hot to handle! </div>
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Ceiling Fan - You make my world go round! </div>
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Exercise Equipment or Weights - I love your muscles/strength!</div>
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Stereo or Ipod - We make beautiful music together</div>
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On your Bed - WOW! </div>
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Broom - You sweep me off my feet! </div>
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Really think about your hubbie and all of the things that he enjoys or does when he gets home and put a note on it complimenting him in some way! They don't HAVE to be about the thing either! Just tell him something you love about him. Just please don't make this a time to leave hints about how you wish he would change. He'll know what you're doing and he will feel disrespected. For example, if he doesn't pray with you very often, leaving a note on the Bible saying that you love it when he prays with you is not a good, loving thing to do. </div>
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<a href="http://www.stringermama.com/search/label/Woo%20Your%20Man" target="_blank">For other posts in this series, go here!</a> </div>
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<center><a href="https://www.facebook.com/StringerMamma"><img border="0" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/FacebookPurple.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=StringerMama" target="_blank">Subscribe by Email</a> - <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/StringerMama" target="_blank">Subscribe in a Reader</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/StringerMama" target="_blank">Twitter</a> - <a href="http://pinterest.com/stringermama/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></center></div>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-47056908999421838492012-01-31T07:00:00.000-06:002012-01-31T07:13:30.583-06:00Woo Your Man: Dinner for Two<a href="http://www.stringermama.com/search/label/Woo%20Your%20Man" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/WooYourMan.jpg" /></a>A<span style="text-align: justify;">s you prepare to Woo Your Man this Valentine's Day, here is the first post in this series to get you started! Please feel free to comment your own romantic ideas to woo your man! </span><br />
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Money has always been tight for us so when we want to plan something nice for the two of us, we have to be creative! One time we were especially broke and couldn't afford to do ANYTHING! But we had food and our home and $1 and some friends to help watch the kids overnight. My husband took off to bring the kids to our babysitter and he was gone for about 45 minutes. In the time he was gone, I spread out a nice tablecloth, candles, our best dishes and special glasses (we don't drink but we love using wine glasses for Cold Duck and Sparkling White Grape Juice). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfmtlBDdtuGTIYhaW8eWxheoLygabmspRLiRKYzNBpeFJ5nvI73vEGbx5DnVXBzIR-XAs1dRcOIVzvds4fJLtu_ZEYfzzb6JFNSbcD28Fm7b_3ODFNhT6jXuU5ZkLNHnmBHB3_O2RHhY/s1600/STA73226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfmtlBDdtuGTIYhaW8eWxheoLygabmspRLiRKYzNBpeFJ5nvI73vEGbx5DnVXBzIR-XAs1dRcOIVzvds4fJLtu_ZEYfzzb6JFNSbcD28Fm7b_3ODFNhT6jXuU5ZkLNHnmBHB3_O2RHhY/s320/STA73226.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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When he got back from dropping off the kids, he was really surprised that there was such a nice dinner complete with simple courses and a bread basket. I decorated the table with my wedding bouquet. After dinner, I left the cleanup for the next day and we wanted to get out so we walked around the mall for a little while and stopped and got a Redbox movie that we hadn't seen. We watched it in our room and used face mask - a new thing for my hubbie but it was fun! This was also one of my hubbie's favorite dates! I've done it a couple of times and it always goes really well!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNXtyfJPpVM56tXiGUyh-lXzB1dl8nheCndfnz0YYTJuvWbnTpk53q-2kw-e5a43YlRv0FGF2vM_Bxg-ojHttI2UDZE1k3_48t6hKQQcKK2WzHBF7R6rL5HQG0nId_9n31Wch13DsSSo/s1600/STA73229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNXtyfJPpVM56tXiGUyh-lXzB1dl8nheCndfnz0YYTJuvWbnTpk53q-2kw-e5a43YlRv0FGF2vM_Bxg-ojHttI2UDZE1k3_48t6hKQQcKK2WzHBF7R6rL5HQG0nId_9n31Wch13DsSSo/s320/STA73229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We closed the night with a picture to remember the night! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In HIS Grip,</span> </i></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2PW-KKjsfAva1C1CkwmU_-9XtNZFOdVGC-lGGwBer8frbDlZOKWSGVhjLoQyidZofxr_S2El6J2pRDuWCwZbIblF4mEfXqV0tbHa-_upR1zu55Y9Ks23sDyG6hLq12Svh_6Wg9Yo0Ac/s1600/Titus_2sdays.jpg" /></a><a border="0" href="http://www.aboverubies.net/search/label/Domestically%20Divine%20Link-Up" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv54/jasminecucuta/Jasminesdomesticallydivinebuttongood.png" /></a><a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Growing Home" src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/jacindajoy/button-1.png" /></a> </div>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-5954272029949965312012-01-30T16:16:00.001-06:002012-01-30T16:16:05.231-06:00New Blog Design!<br />
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For those of you who read Stringer Mama via reader or through email subscriptions, come on over and take a peek at the new blog design I just put together! </div>
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The pages have been updated with fresh pictures and new information and it's been simplified to make it a little easier for you to navigate! And if you haven't taken a peek at the challenge to "Woo Your Man" this Valentine's Day - click on the "Woo Your Man" image and it'll take you right over to Stringer Mama. I've also implemented a new comment system so hopefully, I will be able to communicate better via comments and responding to the comments that you leave. It's also much easier than the previous system so I'm hoping to hear from you! </div>
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Thank you so much for subscribing and reading my posts! It's a truly humbling experience to have you on my team! Thanks so much!!! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In HIS Grip,</span> </i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/116/081FD3EFE97E5F09462141AC2C7D0945.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-19520954455997425882012-01-30T09:38:00.000-06:002012-01-30T09:39:29.069-06:00Desiring Romance this Valentine's Day? Woo Your Man!<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">It was my birthday, my first birthday celebrated with my boyfriend (now husband). I was truly excited about the possibility of </span><b style="text-align: justify;">my man</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> giving me a gift for my birthday. I had never had that experience before and I couldn't wait to see what amazing, romantic thing he had planned just for me! So when he called me and asked if I wanted to go to the coffee shop, I was busting with excitement. The date to the coffee shop was fun and as we talked, I kept expecting something to happen. Things along the lines of a </span><b style="text-align: justify;">bunch of roses, big balloons, a beautiful wrapped present, </b><span style="text-align: justify;">something! But it didn't happen. Nothing. We left the coffee shop and my man said he had to run into Wal-Mart. We got there and he told me to stay in the car. The excitement returned full force and I just knew he was picking up something for me! He had it all planned out and in a few minutes he would come back with a big beautiful something! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">35 minutes later . . . </span></div>
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He still hadn't returned to the car with that beautiful something. And my ideas of romance were fading into oblivion. <b>This was not romantic. </b>This was not in my ideas of being shown love. This was <b>ridiculous</b>. Finally, I saw him coming to the car with a small bag in his hand. He jumped into the car and turned and gave me my birthday present wrapped in a Wal-Mart shopping bag. A glimmer of hope returned and I thought, okay, he's not good at the presentation but maybe the gift will truly make up for it! I opened it up with a loving smile toward my man (do you remember those love-blind days ladies?) and saw a CD of hymns. Ahem. Now I like hymns just fine! They are amazing songs with a fantastic message and I LOVE to sing them in church. But to this day, it is the ONLY CD of hymns I (or my husband for that matter!) own. And it has probably been listened to twice. First time was when I first got it and the second time was after my husband and I got married and my husband decided to listen to it! </div>
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Needless to say, that my husband, although he has improved with his gift-giving, he is not very good with the romance in our relationship. And guess what ladies? MOST men are not! I could let this truly bother me every Valentine's Day, Birthday and Christmas and maybe even feel justified in being bothered that my husband doesn't have a romantic bone in his body. Or I can do what I'm going to suggest to you! </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Woo Your Man </span></i></div>
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You don't have to wait for him to woo you, start the romance on your own! After all, God promises in this verse:</div>
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In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, βIt is more blessed to give than to receive.ββ Acts 20:35 (ESV)</blockquote>
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It is more FUN to give than to receive! And trust me it's TRUE! Especially when it comes to the area of romance! That excitement and preparation and keeping secrets from my husband (because they are for him!) is the BEST time ever! </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The final product - a man loved and respected by you. </span></b></div>
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How much better can it get? Maybe your husband is one of THOSE men who is fantastic at wooing you! If so, wonderful! What a blessing you have! But how are you at wooing him? Is it a struggle for you? In the next few days, I am going to be giving you ideas to help you Woo Your Man! Just in time for Valentine's Day. Most of the ideas are ideas that I have used in the past for my husband that were truly successful. ;-)<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.stringermama.com/search/label/Woo%20Your%20Man" target="_blank" title="Stringer Mama's Blog"><img alt="Stringer Mama's Blog" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/WooYourMan.jpg" /></a> <center>
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<center><textarea id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="3"><center><a href="http://www.stringermama.com/search/label/Woo%20Your%20Man"><img border="0" src="http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx253/samandann/WooYourMan.jpg" /></a></center></textarea></center><center><br /></center><center style="text-align: justify;">Let me encourage you to stop wondering what your husband is or isn't going to do for you this Valentine's Day, but rather, what are YOU going to do for him? Let's go all out this year and truly bless and woo our men! </center></center>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In HIS Grip,</span> </i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/116/081FD3EFE97E5F09462141AC2C7D0945.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-29064951237777384672012-01-27T11:05:00.002-06:002012-01-27T11:07:02.183-06:00"Good Wife Guide" Winners!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Congratulations to. . . </i></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Drumroll please!!!</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/2010/11/good-wifes-guide.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHChbl1dIKyIQW8aDBMpCaFvIOzDKG-L7hYhEjPTjhbOY9C9m4qgYy-BQrVaRS343CUSOD5RIBx_AY-JYKvOF2xk95Z7JU3wi1Tmwco9qddg7F3oZfDjs100NKxL06zrCBhZpcdune658/s1600/CoverThumb.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Jonathan and Julia said:</b></div>
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"I think the best advice I have ever been given about being a wife came from my Dad. He told me just before my parents moved from California to Georgia when I was 19 "to not ever lie to your husband about anything but most importantly about money". I always have done my best to not lie to anyone but I think we often forget to be most open with our husbands."</div>
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<b>Susan Gay said: </b></div>
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"My best piece of advise is that you can not be someone else's Holy Spirit. When there needs to be a change made, it is God's job through the Holy Spirit to speak to your husband. My job is to pray."</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><b>Mommy Erica said: </b></div>
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"A piece of advice I have received is to not stress about the housework and to take time to be with your family. This is a good reminder for me because I don't like clutter and tend to like things in order."</div>
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Congrats you all! Please email me at Ann@StringerMama.com with your email address and we'll get them out to you! Remember to visit Darlene at <a href="http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Time-Warp Wife</a> and say thank you! </div>
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I was amazed at all of the amazing advice given in the comments! You will have to check them out in the comments of the <a href="http://www.stringermama.com/2012/01/good-wifes-guide-giveaway.html?showComment=1327427382895" target="_blank">original giveaway</a>! </div>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-12245676482414497612012-01-26T07:00:00.000-06:002012-01-26T07:00:07.926-06:00Helping Someone with Postpartum Depression<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you are struggling with PPD or if you think you are - TALK to someone. It will be the LAST thing that you will want to do but do it anyway. You will be glad you did! You can read my story about <a href="http://www.stringermama.com/" target="_blank">my struggle with PPD here</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYZ33Y2wMIR0NdXB-7W_2I2R7CzLhv4BbeMhnsDiormnXn0_vcoIy27YYDDTnuVjLXyJD7YhIb9W9-F8P5A0YgXthntP_GL27ebN8T8vcDwe1FuaHz7v-RrOwylA6WKDPpqWIlNubeaQ/s1600/PPD+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYZ33Y2wMIR0NdXB-7W_2I2R7CzLhv4BbeMhnsDiormnXn0_vcoIy27YYDDTnuVjLXyJD7YhIb9W9-F8P5A0YgXthntP_GL27ebN8T8vcDwe1FuaHz7v-RrOwylA6WKDPpqWIlNubeaQ/s320/PPD+2.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/postpartumdepression.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo Source</span></a></td></tr>
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If you know someone who you suspect may be struggling with PPD - I have made up a list of things that would have helped me whether at the time I wanted them or not. Just remember in whatever you do, do it to show God's love to this precious mommy and not because it's the "right thing to do."</div>
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1. <b>Food/ Meals/ Snacks/ Cookies</b> - bringing food to someone who is struggling with this is a HUGE burden lifted off of their shoulders because it helps reduce the things that they feel as though they are not accomplishing.</div>
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2. <b>Clean their house</b> - Call it a baby gift or something but give her a card on Sunday and say that you are giving her a few hours of house cleaning that week. Then ask what day would work best for her. Then go in with your own cleaning supplies so you don't have to bother her with getting hers out and clean bathrooms, vacuum floors, put odds and ends that are out of place in a box for her to sort out later, scrub kitchen floors, do the dishes. </div>
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3. <b>Don't stop by just to visit</b> - Trust me, talking is the last thing on her mind so make sure that there is a purpose for your stop. And make it short and sweet. You don't want to pressure her into cleaning the house because you are stopping by.</div>
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4. <b>Send a loving card of encouragement</b> - Bible verses, love, and encouragement will go far and sending cards will be the best way that it will be received. If you know she is going to be a wonderful mommy - TELL HER! Trust me, she needs that encouragement!</div>
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5. <b>Provide nap-time </b>- Ask her what time of day the baby is usually awake and tell her you will be stopping by to love on that baby and let mommy get some sleep. THIS IS A TOUCHY one. Any time that you offer help directly with the baby can make her feel even more inadequate. So be careful and feel her out - don't force this one unless you can do it in a very loving way. You could even stress how special it will be for you to be able to love on the baby (but only if it is!). And when you get there - no chatting is necessary, just say "We'll be just fine, we're going to talk and play together and we will come and get you if the baby needs you!" Then stay in her house and care for the baby, but if the baby needs mommy AT ALL - get mommy.</div>
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6. <b>Ask for a grocery list </b>- Do her grocery shopping for her. Ask her for a detailed list and bring them to her house and put them away - if you can't figure out where it goes, put it on the counter. At least put the perishables away because honestly, she may not want to put them away or it could become too overwhelming for her and they could be left out for quite a while.</div>
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6. <b>Kidnap Baby</b> - This is a LAST resort step but can be very helpful in helping mommy get back in her groove. As you could see in my story, it was the one thing that made me realize that it was okay to let someone else help me with the baby and that I didn't have to do it on my own and my child would still be alive after someone else cared for her! Just make sure it's a very short time period.</div>
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7. <b>Pray pray pray </b>- This is always an incredible way to help someone. God knows and loves that special mommy and He gave her that beautiful baby for a purpose. Pray for her that God will give her an extra measure of grace to get through those rough times.</div>
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8. <b>Love her and do not cast judgment on her. </b>She is struggling and her body is chemically fighting against her in ways she has probably never experienced before. Don't expect thank-you's for your efforts right away. Someday the actions you did will mean a lot.</div>
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I know the women who helped me and forced their way into my life truly gave me hope when I had none!</div>
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<i style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In HIS Grip,</span> </i></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/116/081FD3EFE97E5F09462141AC2C7D0945.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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I am linked up with: </div>
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<a href="http://www.oursimplecountrylife.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu140/simplycountrylife/heartsforhomeBUTTONSM.png" /></a><a border="0" href="http://www.raisingmightyarrows.com/search/label/Proverbs%2031%20Thursdays/" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l576/JHKnopp07/RaisingMightyArrowsProverbs31.jpg" /></a></div>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-2394703499434332892012-01-25T07:00:00.000-06:002012-01-25T07:00:10.239-06:00My Struggle with Postpartum Depression<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYgijgMjR76rep1rnOQq6OrQSFqzA30o2dES5Tpizc_iULJBUoQUiiqybQTd7s0rAWZXz4qFXyvAc1_sYy6lYargcwOeRIsFia-IDYXTAl5Ph1zhuwZQSR1FObhOTeKcB_hAcada4uQw/s1600/PPD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYgijgMjR76rep1rnOQq6OrQSFqzA30o2dES5Tpizc_iULJBUoQUiiqybQTd7s0rAWZXz4qFXyvAc1_sYy6lYargcwOeRIsFia-IDYXTAl5Ph1zhuwZQSR1FObhOTeKcB_hAcada4uQw/s1600/PPD.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.squidoo.com/postpartum-depression-treatment?utm_source=google&utm_medium=imgres&utm_campaign=framebuster" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo Source</span></a></td></tr>
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God really laid it on my heart to share my story about my Postpartum depression. At the time, I was unaware of what was going on and this could be helpful for any of you that may be struggling with these same problems. Just realize that EVERY experience with PPD is different and unusual - my story is not the same as other women's stories. But here are some of the things that happened during my struggle with PPD.</div>
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<li>I was overjoyed to be a mom. But I was also devastated.</li>
<li>I was happy. But I was also scared.</li>
<li>I loved my baby. But I also resented her.</li>
<li>I was prepared. But I was terrified I would mess it all up.</li>
<li>I was a childcare professional. But I had no idea how to care for my child.</li>
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Within five minutes of coming home from the hospital I completely fell apart. I was exhausted of course and I had had a difficult time with the care in the hospital. But this was something more. My little girl had choked and thrown up more amniotic fluid out of her lungs. It terrified me and I realized that this little girl was now our responsibility - MY responsibility. And I no longer had a clue. I completely broke down and while cuddling with my now sleeping little girl, I sobbed myself to sleep. My husband stayed beside me completely surprised by my tears.</div>
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The weeks that followed are really a blur. My husband came and went and I was at home with this little girl who I loved but at times, I really had no idea how to do this mommy thing. People called me on my cell phone and I began to ignore it. I skipped church because I didn't want people to see what a failure I was. People would stop by and I would pretend to not be home. My husband would want to go do something together and I was too tired. I just kept curling inside of myself and crying. I have always been a crier but this was something else. Despair and confusion. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">God was far away to me.</span></b></div>
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Then one day a friend <u>forced</u> herself into my life and into my home. She recognized exactly what was going on because she had been there too. The thoughts that confused me so terribly and grated on everything that I thought I knew and believed were suddenly understood by someone who had thought those thoughts as well. She came in and brought food and gave me that listening ear. She called someone else when she couldn't be there to come and "kidnap" my baby for me and give me that needed break.</div>
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I felt like a failure when someone came and told me that I needed a break. I thought I was a terrible mom who couldn't hack it. I couldn't take care of my baby on my own. So when the sweet woman called and simply said, "Feed the baby and I will be there in fifteen minutes to bring her to my house for a couple of hours." I was mad, I was angry. How DARE she think she could do that! But my husband ever constant told me that she would be ok, and I would be ok. And then he used the magic words that I will never forget how much they helped. "We can clean up the house while she is gone."</div>
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That's what we did. We cleaned the house and I took a shower and suddenly all of the pressures that had been weighing down on me were slightly lifted and it suddenly seemed as if God was telling me, "Everyone needs help once in a while, who do you think you are to think you don't?"</div>
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The dark days were not over but once I realized that I was struggling with PPD and that I would need more help to get through these first days of my daughter's life, I knew I would be fine. I knew that God was in control and He would help me, sustain me, and help me be the mom that HE had called me to be.</div>
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If you are struggling with PPD or if you think you are - TALK to someone. It will be the LAST thing that you will want to do but do it anyway. You will be glad you did!</div>
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If you know someone who you suspect may be struggling with PPD - I will be posting a list of ways tomorrow that YOU can help and encourage her!</div>
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<i style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In HIS Grip,</span> </i></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/116/081FD3EFE97E5F09462141AC2C7D0945.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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I am linked up with: </div>
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<a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/category/women-living-well-wednesdays/" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq297/courtneylivingwell/LivingWell.png" /></a> <a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/category/homemaking-link-up/" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img src="http://raisinghomemakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/RH-LinkUp-150.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Capture-2.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>
</div>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-56816687847730737702012-01-24T07:00:00.000-06:002012-01-24T07:00:04.666-06:00DIY Homemade Butter from Raw Milk<div style="text-align: center;">
Occasionally we buy raw milk from a <a href="http://www.midlifefarmwife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">local dairy farm</a>. It's an amazing farm and it's fun to go and see the different kinds of animals! If you were to picture a farm from the storybooks, this is the farm! By buying raw milk, you get the cream! Since I had never separated cream before or made butter for that matter, I was a rookie at this but believe me, I WILL do this again! Probably EVERY time I buy milk from them! If you don't have access to raw milk, that's ok - you can do the same thing with heavy cream bought from the store! </div>
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At the farm you have to bring your own container so I use my glass sun tea jar with a spigot. Then, when you are using it, the cream all goes to the top and you can use the milk down at the bottom. It has the consistency of 2% milk that way. When the cream gets close to the spigot, it's time to make butter! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEy2IcQXAtd2dqKrx80PBj7b2xedz0iJWL6qKWU5LQJ5J6e14bTmcvQ3lnsPRoCsOiQFZwIbdt-IX6Yb3nHZG9gobEbcQErHxDheqw_J9UiS0ICRD4ulSVhdeTFVBX8kjrVqDY14GWt1Y/s1600/100_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEy2IcQXAtd2dqKrx80PBj7b2xedz0iJWL6qKWU5LQJ5J6e14bTmcvQ3lnsPRoCsOiQFZwIbdt-IX6Yb3nHZG9gobEbcQErHxDheqw_J9UiS0ICRD4ulSVhdeTFVBX8kjrVqDY14GWt1Y/s320/100_0432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have no idea how other people do it, I'm sure there are different ways but this worked well for me. I used a ladle and scooped the cream off the top. I was surprised at how thick it was! But it was really easy to tell when it stopped being cream and started being milk because the milk looked a little different and thinner in coloring (more transparent) compared to the cream. That was my biggest fear - that I was going to be shaking milk forever and not getting anywhere. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJTlPI-OBYNenXokWUVesdhTcXkO2imTaNyfJzuM-ZvGHEvA1i6hv6XA0KiEIgq63MLAJcJT4h9nTKidYUsqLRqMV8Jf5XcBBwhijEUYmmn8EbA3QGAQf1izVhHrRsBCyTvuEdMNqMj8/s1600/100_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJTlPI-OBYNenXokWUVesdhTcXkO2imTaNyfJzuM-ZvGHEvA1i6hv6XA0KiEIgq63MLAJcJT4h9nTKidYUsqLRqMV8Jf5XcBBwhijEUYmmn8EbA3QGAQf1izVhHrRsBCyTvuEdMNqMj8/s320/100_0433.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I scooped it out and put it in a pint canning jar with a lid - One gallon of milk gave me about half a jar of cream which became about 3/4 of a stick of butter and half a cup of buttermilk. </div>
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Then I started shaking and shaking and shaking. By the way, I thought this would be a great project for the kids to help me with, turns out it is - but only for about 5 shakes - then it's all mom. Just to prepare you! I shook it for about 13 minutes when all of a sudden it was no longer making the splash sound in the jar and started making a glug glug sound. I opened it up to peek and it was firming up! I was ecstatic!!! I shook for another 3 minutes or so and then it looked like this!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKmdgwTWNlJE-GCzvy69CT_PAvOF68S15aN-XP069GSHpk1FMKAwd9rfn2w3NjjE_7fMW_QZUuyelITyWO1YrT0mDLT-J8zh6_7Mi9skZGMEhYOJTGx-SXsVS3NIpPKPkt98O61LOaa4/s1600/100_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKmdgwTWNlJE-GCzvy69CT_PAvOF68S15aN-XP069GSHpk1FMKAwd9rfn2w3NjjE_7fMW_QZUuyelITyWO1YrT0mDLT-J8zh6_7Mi9skZGMEhYOJTGx-SXsVS3NIpPKPkt98O61LOaa4/s320/100_0435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Within another MINUTE from this point it stated to make another sound - this time a MAJOR splashing sound! I looked down and WOW! It had become a ball with buttermilk splashing around! It had completely separated! Yes, I was amazed! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9EP_CNELPtOrZw5EQs48kh5fxVWERmZIdmThHxbvhxD7GcaJ60jmoratci6xtBWq7kcQtjag6xvabs24VAsFHEbm2NtqaJeTa705MsY_oTQV4VgQT8qk1Kl67SQkoKt11Z847JNdSyQ/s1600/100_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9EP_CNELPtOrZw5EQs48kh5fxVWERmZIdmThHxbvhxD7GcaJ60jmoratci6xtBWq7kcQtjag6xvabs24VAsFHEbm2NtqaJeTa705MsY_oTQV4VgQT8qk1Kl67SQkoKt11Z847JNdSyQ/s320/100_0436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is the finished product! I tried rinsing it with cold water to get the rest of the buttermilk out but I don't really see the point and probably won't do that again since I think it separated enough in the jar. I put it in a container and we're going to try it on homemade rolls tonite! YUM! </div>
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Let me know if you try it and how it turns out!!! It's really fun and the kids were just as amazed as I was how it went from being milk to butter! Oh and a little bonus - if you were to keep doing this every week as you buy the milk, you will get arms of STEEL!! But trust me, if I can do it, you can too! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In HIS Grip,</span> </i></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/116/081FD3EFE97E5F09462141AC2C7D0945.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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<center>I am linked up with: </center><br />
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<a href="http://www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyDgDv2VrFM_emTBARTQ1rgthMBA08rJcWNkyQYmz7SHyDpR5gNUO_pBoieQ2IcgbboZFNSHg_TMg1TxTY029rjHJfEcjObIxW8VKYsAgK6OamIPqJsXvpKryLWU_0K7nhUBVzK1a0W0/s1600/Titus_2sdays_button.png" /></a> <a border="0" href="http://www.aboverubies.net/search/label/Domestically%20Divine%20Link-Up" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv54/jasminecucuta/Jasminesdomesticallydivinebuttongood.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Growing Home" src="http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx291/jacindajoy/button-1.png" /></a></div>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-27597866740746673562012-01-23T07:00:00.001-06:002012-01-23T07:00:04.184-06:00Plan B: Single Motherhood<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<i>I am so honored and privileged to introduce to you my sister Katie. She is an amazing woman and I know you will fall in love with her. She has quite a story but it's a story that has God written throughout her pages and I'm going to let her tell you a little about it. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe1wtqRJEvGN87EgyTw8pkOLFIT6eEkYZg6XvSDzlQQ45ispcZx0Yu_S08Br2xZoseHEFuzHqQdSTonRxqJ7GJWbwsHQ1zIqVkhSGJP77KiarvHctcqZcBpZs2ppWToNSZS2sH7EOqQk/s1600/Beautiful+Katie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe1wtqRJEvGN87EgyTw8pkOLFIT6eEkYZg6XvSDzlQQ45ispcZx0Yu_S08Br2xZoseHEFuzHqQdSTonRxqJ7GJWbwsHQ1zIqVkhSGJP77KiarvHctcqZcBpZs2ppWToNSZS2sH7EOqQk/s320/Beautiful+Katie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't know about other Christian single moms out there, but being a single parent was not exactly my 'plan A' for my life. Since I was very small, I had dreamed of being a stay at home mom, and a wife of a godly husband. It doesn't seem like it was so much to ask, does it? Did any of us really plan to be single moms? If it wasn't our plan, whose was it? </div>
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I was raised with the belief that divorce is always wrong, and that every marriage can be saved. I'm not going to debate those issues here, simply because I'm discussing those who are already single! My point is, when I left my husband, I felt like God was done with me. I was irrevocably out of God's will. All that was left for me was try to raise my children well, and hope their lives could make up for the failure mine had been. But I knew statistically, even that was a losing battle. </div>
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So where are we now? No husband, no hope? Far from it! Would you suspend your disbelief for a moment as I suggest that God's plan for you right now is to be a single mom? Don't get me wrong, I know that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), and I agree! Divorce is no fun! But, God also calls lying an abomination (Proverbs 12:22). Now, if I said everyone who ever told a lie was out of God's will forever, you would argue with me, right? The Bible teaches that all sins are equally serious. Why do we act like a divorce is so much worse than other things? A single mother can glorify God with her life! </div>
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When I left my husband, it was for the safety of myself and my children. I believed God wanted me to leave. I still tried to fix the marriage, but I was the only one interested in that project. I began to doubt I had done the right thing. Then I started to see God work. He provided a very nice house for us, at very low rent. He provided a job where I could work nights (getting some sleep at work) and still be at home with my girls during the day. He provided babysitters. He gave me a car. Around this time, my Mom started calling me "God's spoiled daughter!" I worked hard to care for my girls, but so many times the only explanation for us getting what we needed was that God was looking out for us.</div>
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Aside from physical provisions, God provided things of much more lasting value. He gave me opportunities to minister. I wish I could tell you all my stories about 'my' teen girls to whom I became a big sister and was able to reach into their lives. I could tell you about bringing carloads of visitors to church because people were asking me if they could come, too! There are many stories of God working, of outright miracles I have seen and have been honored to be a small part in them. I finally realized God was far from putting me on the shelf because of my singleness. God can still use you! </div>
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I challenge you to take a moment and think about your life. Have there been times you have looked back and saw how God was preparing you for being a single mom? Have there been instances you realized you had an opportunity to minister which you wouldn't have had unless you had gone through whatever circumstances brought you to this state of singleness? Have there been moments you understood how God has made you more like Christ through the challenges you have been forced to rise up and meet?</div>
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We have an amazingly merciful God! No matter what caused us to be single moms, He uses our circumstances for our sanctification. I can almost promise that whatever brought you here, there was a great deal of pain involved. God doesn't tell us, "You messed up, so now you hurt. Tough luck." God feels our pain with us and uses it to mold us to be more like Christ. He brings beauty from the ashes. He can bring beauty even from the devastation of a broken marriage! Trust Him! Follow Him! Don't despair, and don't give up. Keep striving to serve Christ. Someday, you will look back and see that God redeemed your pain. We don't know when that may be, or if it will be on this earth, but it will happen if we keep following the Savior!</div>
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<i>If you were blessed by this post would you please take a moment to comment below? My sister is new to this whole blog world and I have been encouraging her for some time to start one of her own. She's an AMAZING writer people! She puts me to SHAME! Until THAT happens - she's starting out here on Stringer Mama. Of which I am deliriously excited about!! </i></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In HIS Grip,</span> </i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/116/081FD3EFE97E5F09462141AC2C7D0945.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345382874459220375.post-34384608408973570832012-01-20T07:00:00.000-06:002012-01-20T07:00:00.529-06:00"The Good Wife's Guide" Giveaway<div style="text-align: justify;">
I just finished reading a book "<a href="http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/2010/11/good-wifes-guide.html" target="_blank">The Good Wife's Guide</a>" by Darlene Schacht from <a href="http://www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Time Warp Wife</a> and I enjoyed the simplicity and biblical truth found in her words. Whether you are a pro at this marriage thing or just starting out or maybe even preparing to be a wife someday, you will find encouragement and help for married and homemaking life. It is packed full of biblical and practical truth alike. I love her stand on being a stay-at-home mom or a working-away-from-home mom - it is right on and so encouraging for those that feel pressured into choosing one as the only "right" way. Being a "list person" I also enjoyed her many lists of cleaning and to-do's that help your home run more smoothly! </div>
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Darlene was kind enough to offer her book first to me but also to some of you! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Three of you will win a free copy of her book "The Good Wife's Guide!" </span></div>
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It's pretty easy to enter this giveaway! </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Just leave a comment with a piece of advice that you have been given that has changed you! </span></b></div>
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Make sure to read other's comments too!! Comment on! Giveaway ends next Friday! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In HIS Grip,</span> </i></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/116/081FD3EFE97E5F09462141AC2C7D0945.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Ann@StringerMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720754454739043449noreply@blogger.com32