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	<title>Gidget Goes Home</title>
	
	<link>http://gidgetgoeshome.com</link>
	<description>finding contentment in daily life</description>
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		<title>today</title>
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		<comments>http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/05/13/today/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 02:23:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gidget</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life is beautiful]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gidgetgoeshome.com/?p=2911</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What we planned for Mother&#8217;s Day: church, 1st service, where I would watch a touching slideshow honoring the moms who had babies this year (including me) brunch at my favorite local spot, Swami&#8217;s Cafe a walk by the beach, or if nice enough, an afternoon at the beach a delicious dinner of rotisserie chicken (from [...]<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/05/13/today/">today</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/roses.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2913 alignnone" title="roses" src="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/roses.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="400" /></a></p>
<p><strong>What we planned for Mother&#8217;s Day:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>church, 1st service, where I would watch a touching slideshow honoring the moms who had babies this year (including me)</li>
<li>brunch at my favorite local spot, Swami&#8217;s Cafe</li>
<li>a walk by the beach, or if nice enough, an afternoon at the beach</li>
<li>a delicious dinner of rotisserie chicken (from Sprout&#8217;s), corn, CA salad, and scalloped potatoes</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>What really happened (the not-so-good):</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Last night Brody threw up right before we left my brother&#8217;s house (an hour away from home); he slept fine all night but we opted to stay home from church anyway (plus Hallee has a cold and I have a persisting sore throat).</li>
<li>Hallee was up all night (or at least it felt like it). She was bothered (maybe a sore throat, too?) enough to not even nurse at times. My physical therapist urged me not to lay down and nurse her anymore though anyways because of my shoulder so the part of the night spent nursing, I spent part of the night sitting up like a zombie.</li>
<li>I awoke to the sound of complete meltdowns from Brody and Hallee and various complaints from Gigi.</li>
<li>We stayed home all day, and in fact, I am still in my pajamas at 4:25 pm.</li>
<li>It was foggy most of the day (May Gray and June Gloom are my nemesis).</li>
</ul>
<p><a title="From my crew.  by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/7190887496/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7190887496_e921bf27de.jpg" alt="From my crew. " width="400" height="400" /></a><br />
<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>What also really happened (the GOOD):</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>David made me eggs, toast and tea for breakfast. Yum.</li>
<li>He played with kids so I could catch up on reading blogs and updating our photos on the computer and family blog.</li>
<li>Kids quietly and contentedly watched Mary Poppins.</li>
<li>He made me lunch (tuna melts!) and we enjoyed some El Nopalito chips and salsa (THE best).</li>
<li>I received Parenthood Season 1 (yay!) and a beautiful art book that the kids will draw/write in every year for me (I requested this and LOVE it).</li>
<li>David ran to the store to get the chicken. We&#8217;re scrapping the potato dish but he&#8217;s currently putting together my favorite salad ever (see below).</li>
<li>Hallee caught up on sleep a bit with 2 great naps. Brody took a marathon nap and kept all his food down today!</li>
<li>Gigi picked me flowers from the yard and drew me odd combinations of letters and a drawing.</li>
<li>Two days of resting my shoulder means <em>it actually feels better</em> today.</li>
</ul>
<p>Lessons (re)learned? Finding beauty in the ordinary, blessings amidst the bummers, it&#8217;s really all about perspective.</p>
<p>I hope Mother&#8217;s Day treated you sweetly.</p>
<p><em>Want to try out my favorite salad?</em> It&#8217;s based on one from a restaurant I worked at in college.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a title="0D6D0AA6-D819-4A30-BEC4-68B2FF684581 by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/7192712750/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/7192712750_30cc73c80b.jpg" alt="0D6D0AA6-D819-4A30-BEC4-68B2FF684581" width="400" height="400" /></a></p>
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<p><strong>Mix up these items for a delicious California Salad, courtesy of GidgetGoesHome.com.</strong></p>
<p>Lettuce of your choice (red leaf is my favorite)</p>
<p>Sliced red onion</p>
<p>Generous crumbles of goat cheese</p>
<p>Plenty of avocado cubes</p>
<p>A sprinkle of chopped walnuts</p>
<p>{optional} strips of chicken</p>
<p>Top with raspberry vinaigrette (I love Trader Joe&#8217;s). Enjoy.</p>
<p><div class="clear"></div></div>
<!-- Print This Section 1 End -->

<p>P.S. I took a little time today and revamped the blog a bit. If you&#8217;re in a reader, won&#8217;t you <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com" target="_blank">click over</a> and take a look?</p>
<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/05/13/today/">today</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
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		<title>A tool for satisfying the ultimate craving…</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gidgetgoeshome/PSQN/~3/sy5VkVQLmxU/</link>
		<comments>http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/04/24/a-tool-for-satisfying-the-ultimate-craving/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 03:24:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gidget</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[devotionals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gidgetgoeshome.com/?p=2894</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the trenches of motherhood, I often find myself craving time with the Lord. Uninterrupted, quiet, devoted time seems like such a treat, and it&#8217;s just not something I get much of these days. So any tool that helps me to soak up bits of His word throughout the day is a welcome one. When [...]<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/04/24/a-tool-for-satisfying-the-ultimate-craving/">A tool for satisfying the ultimate craving&#8230;</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>In the trenches of motherhood, I often find myself craving time with the Lord. Uninterrupted, quiet, devoted time seems like such a treat, and it&#8217;s just not something I get much of these days. So any tool that helps me to soak up bits of His word throughout the day is a welcome one.</p>
<p>When I received this unique devotional, I set it up on my desk, right by my computer, and I love having a Bible verse and short encouragement staring back at me when I&#8217;m sittin down for a few quiet moments. Plus, it&#8217;s cute, too, so that&#8217;s a fun bonus.  <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/product-photo.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2898" title="product photo" src="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/product-photo-113x300.jpg" alt="" width="113" height="300" /></a> Read on to learn a little about the Cravings devotional and how you can help author/creator Carey Bailey celebrate its release.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: bold;">About Cravings</span></p>
<blockquote>
<div id="_mcePaste"><a href="http://ow.ly/arFQM " target="_blank">Cravings</a> is a collection of card-size devotionals based on the Psalms. They are written to help mothers develop their relationship with God in the midst of motherhood.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste">Each card contains a scripture for the day, a “thoughtlet,” and an action idea. As moms crave the sweet morsels from God’s Word, they can draw a card from a delectable Cravings holder—a pink cupcake!—that also displays the daily card for hands-free viewing. Versatile enough to fit with any feminine décor in a dining nook, a prayer closet, a kitchen&#8211;wherever you‘d want Scripture at your fingertips. If you find you need Cravings around the home, just one may not be enough!</div>
<div id="_mcePaste">Cravings can be a mom’s daily devotional, a supplement to her regular quiet time, or even doubled up during the day. The set of 40 cards offers over a month’s worth of Cravings in whatever way serves the spiritual needs of individual moms.</div>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>About the Author</strong> <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/headshot.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2897" title="headshot" src="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/headshot.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="133" /></a>Carey Bailey is a recovering perfectionist, wife, proud mama and Family Life director for her church in Surprise, Ariz. On the side she loves party planning, crafting, and pursuing her dream of writing. She has a degree in religion from Westminster College and writes at her blog at <a href="http://www.carebaileyonline.com" target="_blank">www.carebaileyonline.com</a>.  <strong><em>&#8220;When I became a mom I lost my God time,&#8221; says Carey Bailey.</em></strong> &#8220;I couldn&#8217;t figure out how to fit it in, since everything but that time was a priority. So I made note cards that I set around my house with scriptures written on them. Even when my arms were too full of babies, laundry, and diapers to pick up a Bible, I could easily read God&#8217;s words of encouragement that I was starving for.&#8221;  <strong><em>And <a href="http://ow.ly/arFQM " target="_blank">Cravings&#8211;The Devotional</a> was born. Celebrate with Carey by entering her Minute-for-Mom Giveaway!</em></strong> <strong>One grand prize winner will receive:</strong></p>
<ul>
<blockquote>
<li>$50 gift card to Erin Condren Shop (Your one-stop-shop for all things awesome!)<!-- li--></li>
<li>$50 gift card to Victoria&#8217;s Secret® (For something pretty.)</li>
<li>$25 gift card to Bath &amp; Body Works® (For a little spa treatment.)</li>
<li>2 Sets of Cravings &#8211; The Devotional (For you and a friend.)</li>
<li>Scentsy Plug In and 2 Bars (A lovely scent for your space.)</li>
</blockquote>
</ul>
<p><strong>Hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/12/12. </strong>The winner will be announced 5/14/12 on <strong><a href="http://cravingstheblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Carey’s blog</a><!-- b-->!</strong></p>
<p>Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Carey&#8217;s giveaway on <strong><a href="https://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/219040/invites/new" target="_blank">FACEBOOK</a></strong> or <a href="https://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/219040" target="_blank"><strong>TWITTER</strong></a> and increase your chances of winning.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/219040" target="_blank"><img title="Enter via E-mail" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uZ-Jn9hhgco/TXqYObD7J_I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/nG5ci6jgwFg/s1600/email_icon.png" alt="Enter via E-mail" width="48" height="48" /></a> <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/219040" target="_blank"><img title="Enter via Facebook" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZBHv5uije28/TXqYfJCLMkI/AAAAAAAAAiU/AVPqG6Tv5W4/s1600/Facebook_icon-300x300.png" alt="Enter via Facebook" width="48" height="48" /></a><a href="https://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/219040/entries/new" target="_blank"><img title="Enter via Twitter" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-m-99VSwns4U/TXqYmf0klHI/AAAAAAAAAiY/VwREnY_u7TA/s1600/Twitter_button.png" alt="Enter via Twitter" width="48" height="48" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Thanks to <a href="http://litfusegroup.com" target="_blank">Litfuse</a> for providing the devotional for review!</div>
<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/04/24/a-tool-for-satisfying-the-ultimate-craving/">A tool for satisfying the ultimate craving&#8230;</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
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		<item>
		<title>This is what real community looks like…</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gidgetgoeshome/PSQN/~3/SumaaUChEHk/</link>
		<comments>http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/04/19/this-is-what-real-community-looks-like/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:21:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gidget</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[gratitude]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[friends]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gidgetgoeshome.com/?p=2888</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m working my way through a shoulder injury. It&#8217;s really hard to &#8220;rest&#8221; a shoulder when you have a nursing 10-month old and a beefy 2-year old. That little injury has done some good though. It has enabled me to receive some amazing little (and not-so-little) gifts and glimpses of what real community looks like. [...]<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/04/19/this-is-what-real-community-looks-like/">This is what real community looks like&#8230;</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a title="My happy place. by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6942521752/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/6942521752_123cf82520.jpg" alt="My happy place." width="500" height="500" /></a></p>
<p>I&#8217;m working my way through a <a href="http://simplehomemade.net/the-downside-to-baby-sling-ing-my-shoulder-injury-and-natural-anti-inflammatory-treatment-plan/" target="_blank">shoulder injury</a>. It&#8217;s really hard to &#8220;rest&#8221; a shoulder when you have a nursing 10-month old and a beefy 2-year old.</p>
<p>That little injury has done some good though. It has enabled me to receive some amazing little (and not-so-little) gifts and glimpses of what real community looks like. (Then again, some of these gifts have nothing to do with my shoulder and everything to do with God knitting together His believers into a loving, fellowship of DO-ers of the Word.)</p>
<p>Gifts like a community group potluck that refreshes the tummy and the soul.</p>
<p><a title="Untitled by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/7094754493/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/7094754493_ea3893cb9a.jpg" alt="Untitled" width="500" height="374" /></a></p>
<p>Gifts like friends who come over and pull weeds and mulch and build garden fences&#8230; when they could be working in their own yard.</p>
<p>Gifts like a sweet friend and neighbor who takes my kids for the afternoon and evening so I can enjoy Opening Day with my hubby (for the first time ever!).</p>
<p>Gifts like a friendly guy wrangling my 2-year old for me from escaping the lunch area at our community meal when I couldn&#8217;t pick him up.</p>
<p><a title="amber by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6948693594/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/6948693594_68e3e668e1.jpg" alt="amber" width="500" height="418" /></a></p>
<p>Gifts like a soul sister friend vacuuming my house&#8230; while holding my baby for me. And loading my kids into car seats for me. And lifting my stroller in and out of my car for me whenever she&#8217;s around.</p>
<p>Gifts like my dad stopping by on a tough day just to help entertain my kids for a bit and break up a day at home for us. And picking up my CSA box for me. And bringing me yummy chips.</p>
<p>Gifts like my husband taking a day off in the midst of a busy week to bear a bit of the physical burden that is parenting these little ones all day. And taking the 2-year old to his yearly well visit. And grocery shopping for me. And bringing me a green tea freddo and a Peet&#8217;s gift card. (Not all on the same day, but pleasantly spaced out over the last couple of weeks).</p>
<p><a title="Why yes, those are farm fresh eggs going to waste...  by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/7094327063/"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5461/7094327063_2a9a5eaa38_n.jpg" alt="Why yes, those are farm fresh eggs going to waste... " width="320" height="320" /></a></p>
<p>So I&#8217;m just really grateful, and humbled. Focusing on that today (and not on the eggs I cracked on the floor and the three-hour deep cleaning visit that I had to schedule with the dentist after my cleaning this morning).</p>
<p>God is good.</p>
<p><em>And look, I blogged! So that&#8217;s something.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/04/19/this-is-what-real-community-looks-like/">This is what real community looks like&#8230;</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
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		<item>
		<title>From Organic to Homemade and more…</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gidgetgoeshome/PSQN/~3/gNQtlJ-H0q4/</link>
		<comments>http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/03/23/from-organic-to-homemade-and-more/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:21:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gidget</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[writing & blogging]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gidgetgoeshome.com/?p=2884</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m so excited to announce that Simple Organic is now Simple Homemade! The new branding is such a good fit for me as editor and although we won&#8217;t be veering away from green/natural living at all, we&#8217;ll be adding more of the DIY/crafty/homemade stuff that I love. I spoke about this a bit in the [...]<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/03/23/from-organic-to-homemade-and-more/">From Organic to Homemade and more&#8230;</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>I&#8217;m so excited to announce that Simple Organic is now <a href="http://simplehomemade.net" target="_blank">Simple Homemade</a>! The new branding is such a good fit for me as editor and although we won&#8217;t be veering away from green/natural living at all, we&#8217;ll be adding more of the DIY/crafty/homemade stuff that I love.</p>
<p>I spoke about this a bit in the latest <a href="http://homefries.com/show/the-simple-mom-podcast/starting-small/" target="_blank">Simple Mom Podcast</a>, which you can take a listen to if you want. I love podcasting with Tsh&#8211; it&#8217;s like chatting with a friend over a virtual cup of coffee, and it was especially fun to tackle some of our readers&#8217; questions.</p>
<p>Those of you who&#8217;ve been around since the beginning&#8230; remember when Tsh was my blogging idol and I stared at an empty Google Reader just waiting for Simple Mom to have a new post? Sometimes it&#8217;s still hard to believe that now she&#8217;s my boss and my real-life friend. I&#8217;m still so honored to be the editor of one of her blogs.</p>
<p>In other news, I&#8217;m now thirty-one years old, I have tendinitis/a strained supraspinatus in my shoulder, and we&#8217;re inching forward in progress with Gigi&#8217;s attitude, thanks to <a href="http://www.joyshope.com/2012/03/treat-yokids-day.html" target="_blank">this simple yet brilliant idea</a> from my friend Julie at Joy&#8217;s Hope.</p>
<p><a title="IMG_2038 by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6860941476/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7094/6860941476_9e89267578.jpg" alt="IMG_2038" width="500" height="375" /></a></p>
<p><strong>A few even more random thoughts&#8230;</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>I made homemade pizza dough tonight but realized I&#8217;m out of sauce and most of the toppings that I usually use. Sooooo, I&#8217;m going to have to get creative.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>How do you respond when people ask how you&#8217;re doing? My answer is usually something along these lines, &#8220;Uhhh, life is crazy. Good, but totally crazy.&#8221;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Hallee is 9 1/2 months old and has slept through the night approximately 5 times. I&#8217;m a bit ready to be done with that mess.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I totally took 10 on 10 photos this month, but alas, they are still hanging out in iPhoto, so I may get them posted before the end of the month. We&#8217;ll see.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>My husband is officially a blogger now. We used to have a family baseball blog, but he recently resurrected it as <a href="http://roundballroundbat.com" target="_blank">his own nerdy space</a>. It&#8217;s awesome. Even though the statistics/analysis are a bit over my head, I love that he found something he&#8217;s passionate about to write about, because he&#8217;s a really good writer.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And yes, I realize the header says &#8220;fall 2011&#8243; on it. That&#8217;s how I roll these days&#8230;.</li>
</ul>
<p>See ya around, peeps. Thanks for being here just in case I get a minute to type up a few words in this space.</p>
<p><em>In the meantime, come see me over at <a href="http://simplehomemade.net" target="_blank">Simple Homemade</a>.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/03/23/from-organic-to-homemade-and-more/">From Organic to Homemade and more&#8230;</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
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		<item>
		<title>just thinking of a friend</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gidgetgoeshome/PSQN/~3/ecXh2dV0iOU/</link>
		<comments>http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/02/29/just-thinking-of-a-friend/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:56:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gidget</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gidgetgoeshome.com/?p=2874</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have this friend. She lives a half a country away now, although she used to be just a few minutes away. And we were never that close when she lived here, although I&#8217;ve always admired her as a mama and been encouraged by her faith. She is the type of person that you can&#8217;t [...]<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/02/29/just-thinking-of-a-friend/">just thinking of a friend</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>I have this <a href="http://www.jkclarkfam.com/" target="_blank">friend</a>. She lives a half a country away now, although she used to be just a few minutes away.</p>
<p>And we were never <em>that</em> close when she lived here, although I&#8217;ve always <strong>admired her as a mama</strong> and <strong>been encouraged by her faith</strong>. She is the type of person that you can&#8217;t talk to without being encouraged to go deeper with the Lord.</p>
<p>She&#8217;s someone I think I would have grown even closer to if she had stayed here, but alas, she moved away&#8230; and now we stay in touch by reading each other&#8217;s blogs. I might even say I feel closer to her now, as she has poured out her own heart and struggles on her blog, and as I&#8217;ve gleaned from her ways in parenting, teaching, having courage and finding contentment.</p>
<p>Funny thing is, as she as grown as a writer and in her walk with the Lord, I find myself leaving her posts unread when I open up my Google Reader. It&#8217;s like, deep down, <strong>I know that her words will speak to me with the conviction of the Holy Spirit. </strong></p>
<p>And sometimes it&#8217;s easier to sort through the reader for the eye candy and the fun and the creativity and the yumminess, and to skip the deep (which also often includes bits of all that other good stuff).</p>
<p>So they sit there and pile up, and then finally on a day when I feel a bit bored by everything else I&#8217;m reading online during the kids&#8217; quiet time, I open up the folder of her blog&#8217;s posts and I take a deep breath, and I ingest them.</p>
<p>Slowly, carefully, with a smile on my face, I enjoy them. I miss my friend. I see her precious treasures&#8217; smiling faces. I&#8217;m encouraged by the way she speaks truth into her kids&#8217; lives. The way she lives out the gospel with her family.</p>
<p>I have other real-life friends that make me feel like this. A handful of them that I hold dearly and feel refreshed after I spend time with them.</p>
<p>But this one friend&#8230; she&#8217;s got this heart-laid-bare blog. And sometimes I need to see the <strong>words</strong> in front of me because I&#8217;m such a visual learner.</p>
<p><strong>Reading her blog makes me want to be a better gospeler to my children. She spurs me on like friends should. I feel inspired to dig deep and focus on what matters most in our home. </strong></p>
<p><em>And to make my blog even meaningful. The blogosphere, such a wonderful &#8220;place&#8221; in many ways, can be so distracting. I think it&#8217;s time for me to rethink things a bit around here. </em></p>
<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/02/29/just-thinking-of-a-friend/">just thinking of a friend</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
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		<item>
		<title>10 on 10: February 2012</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gidgetgoeshome/PSQN/~3/D9atEdBDrmg/</link>
		<comments>http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/02/13/10-on-10-february-2012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:53:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gidget</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[life is beautiful]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gidgetgoeshome.com/?p=2869</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m a few days late in posting, but here are my shots from February 10th&#8230; just a little glimpse into the ordinary beauty of my day. Cheating a bit here with a few collages&#8230; shhhh, don&#8217;t tell! &#8230;my new tea kettle is warming up some water for my coffee! &#8230;did a little organizing in Brody&#8217;s [...]<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/02/13/10-on-10-february-2012/">10 on 10: February 2012</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>I&#8217;m a few days late in posting, but here are my shots from February 10th&#8230; just a little glimpse into the ordinary beauty of my day. Cheating a bit here with a few collages&#8230; shhhh, don&#8217;t tell! <img src='http://gidgetgoeshome.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6867441465/" title="DSC_0001 by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6867441465_e4a7c39b88.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0001"></a></p>
<p>&#8230;my new tea kettle is warming up some water for my coffee!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6867443519/" title="DSC_0002 by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6867443519_6116ea6d21.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0002"></a></p>
<p>&#8230;did a little organizing in Brody&#8217;s room.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6867445627/" title="DSC_0003 by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6867445627_c86d446d8d.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0003"></a></p>
<p>&#8230;happy Hallee enjoying some floor time.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6872248807/" title="smoothie time! by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/6872248807_1681e5205c.jpg" width="500" height="250" alt="smoothie time!"></a><br />
&#8230;smoothie time is one of our favorite parts of the day!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6872259715/" title="time for a reading lesson by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6872259715_8bb06456b6.jpg" width="500" height="250" alt="time for a reading lesson"></a><br />
&#8230;teaching Gigi to read, a little bit each day.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6867472239/" title="DSC_0014 by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6867472239_ff9e818001.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0014"></a><br />
&#8230;remembering a special friend today on her birthday. She gets to celebrate with the Lord in heaven now&#8211; miss her though.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6867470735/" title="DSC_0013 by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6867470735_69582c9714.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0013"></a><br />
&#8230;doing the dishes is one of Gigi&#8217;s newest favorite ways to serve the family.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6867483249/" title="DSC_0017 by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6867483249_7a070bd417.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0017"></a></p>
<p>&#8230;homemade pizza for dinner.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6872238317/" title="yaya, papa and the babies by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6872238317_41d7fbd587.jpg" width="500" height="250" alt="yaya, papa and the babies"></a><br />
&#8230;silly laughs with Yaya &#038; Papa.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6867493667/" title="DSC_0020 by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6867493667_f7af36af12.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0020"></a></p>
<p>&#8230;time to play our favorite game!</p>
<p><a border="0" href="http://www.rebekahgough.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k578/rebagough/Screenshot2010-10-11at110042AM.png" border="0" alt="ten on ten button" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/02/13/10-on-10-february-2012/">10 on 10: February 2012</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
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		<title>Can I Get an Amen?</title>
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		<comments>http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/02/02/can-i-get-an-amen/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:07:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gidget</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gratitude]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motherhood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gidgetgoeshome.com/?p=2866</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A friend posted this quote on Facebook that she found in her BSF Bible study on Acts. Boy did I need to read it. &#8220;Let us not pray for easier lives but for greater power to bring blessing out of every pressure and trial.&#8221; Add to that this verse in Isaiah (40:11)&#8230;. He will tend [...]<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/02/02/can-i-get-an-amen/">Can I Get an Amen?</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>A friend posted this quote on Facebook that she found in her BSF Bible study on Acts. Boy did I need to read it.</p>
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><strong>&#8220;Let us not pray for easier lives but for greater power to bring blessing out of every pressure and trial.&#8221;</strong></span></p>
<p><a title="Untitled by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6809060457/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6809060457_fd4d209b2e.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="374" /></a></p>
<p>Add to that this verse in Isaiah (40:11)&#8230;.</p>
<p id="p23040011_01-1"><span style="color: #000080;">He will tend his flock like a shepherd;</span></p>
<p id="p23040011_09-1"><span style="color: #000080;"><a rel="v23040011"></a>he will gather the lambs in his arms;</span></p>
<p id="p23040011_17-1"><span style="color: #000080;"><a rel="v23040011"></a>he will carry them in his bosom,</span></p>
<p id="p23040011_24-1"><span style="color: #000080;"><a rel="v23040011"></a>and <strong>gently lead those that are with young</strong>.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">And I feel suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude that I have the Lord with me every step of the way as I journey through motherhood.</span></p>
<p><em>Lord, thank you for showing me that so much of overcoming my daily struggles comes down to leaning on You and trusting You to provide the strength I need. Lord, gently lead me as I raise my little ones, and please give me more and more power to see your blessings in the trials, little or big as they may be.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/02/02/can-i-get-an-amen/">Can I Get an Amen?</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
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		<title>Lately… {on simplifying in the New Year}</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gidgetgoeshome/PSQN/~3/YCGycnSv7ZU/</link>
		<comments>http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/01/23/lately-on-simplifying-in-the-new-year/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:45:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gidget</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[simple & frugal living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[behavior]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[simplify]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[simplifying]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gidgetgoeshome.com/?p=2852</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We&#8217;ve been struggling a lot with Gigi the last couple of months. Mainly through the hustle, bustle and excitement of the holidays, but even since then, we&#8217;ve been seeing some behavioral and anger issues in her that we want to start working though now, so as to hopefully prevent the development of a pattern in [...]<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/01/23/lately-on-simplifying-in-the-new-year/">Lately&#8230; {on simplifying in the New Year}</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a title="gigi coloring by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6751555207/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6751555207_e53f7df42c.jpg" alt="gigi coloring" width="500" height="374" /></a></p>
<p>We&#8217;ve been struggling a lot with Gigi the last couple of months. Mainly through the hustle, bustle and excitement of the holidays, but even since then, we&#8217;ve been seeing some behavioral and anger issues in her that we want to start working though now, so as to hopefully prevent the development of a pattern in her personality.</p>
<p>Of course, even more importantly, in the long run <strong>we want to get to her heart</strong>, but practically we have some serious issues to work through right now.</p>
<p>Among seeking wise counsel, looking to the Word and how the Lord deals with us and we can model that with our kids, and reading elsewhere, we&#8217;ve been seeking some serious simplification. I might say that that is probably <strong>our main goal for the new year&#8230; simplifying life. </strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345507983/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=simporga05-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0345507983"><img class="alignleft" style="border-image: initial; border: 0px initial initial;" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL110_&amp;ASIN=0345507983&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=simporga05-20&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" border="0" alt="" width="71" height="110" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=simporga05-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0345507983" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /><br />
I recently read the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345507983/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=simporga05-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0345507983" target="_blank">Simplicity Parenting</a> with some other moms from Gigi&#8217;s preschool. We are going to continue working through some of its suggestions and meet again next month to discuss it more, because it has been <em>that monumental</em> for all of us.</p>
<p>I hope to elaborate here on what we&#8217;ve been doing sometime in the future, but for now, I just wanted to get something written down to commemorate the journey we&#8217;ve begun. Between <strong>significantly paring down our toy collection</strong> and <strong>establishing more rhythm</strong>, we&#8217;ve been making some serious changes around here to try to make life easier and more enjoyable amidst the craziness that is a family of five.</p>
<p><strong>I&#8217;d love to hear from any of you who have read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345507983/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=simporga05-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0345507983" target="_blank">the book</a>, or even if you haven&#8217;t&#8211; what have been some of the simplifying changes you&#8217;ve made that have impacted your family the most?</strong></p>
<p>Oh, we&#8217;re also working our way through Tsh&#8217;s ebook <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>, as another encouraging resource for simplification.</p>
<p><em>*affiliate links included in this post. thank you.*</em></p>
<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2012/01/23/lately-on-simplifying-in-the-new-year/">Lately&#8230; {on simplifying in the New Year}</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Prayer for Simon</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gidgetgoeshome/PSQN/~3/bFgOG--ff9k/</link>
		<comments>http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2011/12/31/prayer-for-simon/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:04:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gidget</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[makin' a difference]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[simon]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gidgetgoeshome.com/?p=2828</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[UPDATED 1/2/12: Visit his new Facebook page to leave messages for the family! Here is the latest update on Simon from Rena: Simon rested well through the night with stable stats. They might give him an MRI today to give them a better idea of where damage might be. Our neurosurgeon read his latest ct [...]<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2011/12/31/prayer-for-simon/">Prayer for Simon</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a title="pray for simon by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6621631233/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6621631233_502c10195a.jpg" alt="pray for simon" width="500" height="428" /></a></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">UPDATED 1/2/12:</span> Visit his new <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Praying-for-Simon-Frey/278089178916248" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> to leave messages for the family!</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Here is the latest update on Simon from Rena:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>Simon rested well through the night with stable stats. They might give him an MRI today to give them a better idea of where damage might be. Our neurosurgeon read his latest ct scan and it looks like there might be damage on the left side of his brain possibly caused by a stroke. He isn&#8217;t moving his right side nearly as much or as strongly as his left. Also some tests came back showing he has some sort of bacterial infection, which he could have had before the hospital since we&#8217;ve been fighting colds. They put him on antibiotics and he has been coughing a lot of gunk up, which is good and shows that it is loosening.<strong> Pray that they can move towards the extubation today and waking him up and that he is able to fully recover, especially on his right side. Also pray for clear, positive results from the MRI and wisdom for the doctors &amp; nurses as they proceed and continue to make decisions for Simon&#8217;s healing.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>And from Jesse, Simon&#8217;s dad, here is more of an explanation of what happened over the last 5 days:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>I got home today and was able to use my FB. I greatly amazed at the sheer volume of prayer being lifted up for Simon. I thank GOD so much for all of you. I praise him for protecting Simon through a VERY critical injury.</p>
<p>On Thursday night as we were getting the boys ready for bed. Rena&#8217;s sister was taking Simon out of the bath. She stood him up on on the bathroom floor to wrap the towel down around him and he ran for the door. He slipped as he turned down the hall and fell directly onto his head. He never lost consciousness but showed symptoms of a concussion so Rena brought him to urgent care. While there he threw up so the doctor was concerned that the was an increasing pressure in his head so she sent them to the Hospital for a CT scan. The CT scan showed massive bleeding and later the Neurosurgeon said he had almost died while the ER team were stabilizing him. He was transported to Rady Children&#8217;s Hospital where he had surgery to stop the bleeding. The fall had apparently cracked on of the cranial bones and it had cut an artery that ran beneath it. <strong>The surgeon was incredibly skill and the surgery had a miraculous outcome.</strong> The following day they followed up with a second CT scan to determine if there was additional bleeding and to look for damaged brain tissue. There was no additional bleeding but as he has been waking up there was evidence that there was possibly stroke damage. He showed signs of weakness in his right side and the Neurosurgeon restudied the CT scan and identified a small portion of the brain that was damaged that particularly controls movement. That is where we stand.</p>
<p><strong>Pray for Simon as the ICU team work to remove the ventilator. Pray for growing strength as he wakes up. Pray that he stays free from infection. Pray that he is responsive to physical therapy as we reach that stage in his recovery. Pray for patience for Rena and I. Pray for Rena&#8217;s family as they take care of Liam (Simon&#8217;s big brother). Pray for Liam that he is patient and understands what happened to Simon. Thank you for lifting us up to GOD. </strong></p>
<p>Thank you God for holding us in your hands and for your spirit of strength in our hearts. Thank you God for your Spirit of healing in Simon. AMEN.</p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Keep on praying, friends and I will update this page when we have a place setup where you can donate towards the Frey family&#8217;s expenses with all of this. For now, you can visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Praying-for-Simon-Frey/278089178916248" target="_blank">this page</a> to message the family.</strong></p>
<p>I also wanted to post this prayer that Rena&#8217;s cousin posted on her FB page, so you can join us in praying it for them.</p>
<blockquote><p>***LORD, may you refresh and surprise Rena and Jesse with joys today. May Simon&#8217;s brain and body be completely healed from trauma. Lord, we pray that you continue to perform miracles with his little life, and that there would be NO stroke or brain damage. We know you can do this, LORD! Nothing is too great or small for you. May Rena and Jesse rest in your capable and mighty arms, knowing that you supply for their every need. In Jesus&#8217; Holy Name, Amen.***</p></blockquote>
<p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PRAISE from last night (1/1/12)!</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Rena posted this message late last night:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>He just opened one eye really quickly! But he&#8217;s still going to be asleep and rest for the night to let his lungs heal. Pray that his lungs clear up and that they are able to hear a &#8220;leak&#8221; which means that his vocal area has decreased in swelling. Also pray that both Jesse and I will get super sufficient and restful sleep tonight.</p></blockquote>
<p><strong>and then shortly after, this:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>Just fifteen minutes after I had posted about Simon&#8217;s lungs, the nurse came in and heard a &#8220;leak&#8221; and another nurse just told me that his lungs while breathing (listening through a stethoscope) sound &#8220;really good&#8221;. God is so powerful! And we continue to pray that we can be a light and a witness to those here at the hospital! I am blown away by God&#8217;s mercy and grace!</p></blockquote>
<p><em>Thank you Lord, for being at work in this situation, as literally thousands of believers lift up Simon and the Frey family!</em></p>
<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pray-for-simon-e1325352575977.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2829" title="pray for simon" src="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pray-for-simon-e1325352575977.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="500" /></a></p>
<p><strong>You just never expect things like this to happen.</strong></p>
<p>A freak thing can turn serious so fast.</p>
<p><strong>One of my best friends Rena&#8217;s youngest son Simon is fighting for his little life right now at Children&#8217;s Hospital.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Would you lift him and his family up in prayer with me?</strong></p>
<p>Here&#8217;s what happened in his mom&#8217;s own words. It all started Thursday evening, December 29th.</p>
<blockquote><p>He slipped while getting out of the bath and smacked his head on the tile. We went to urgent care where he threw up and now they are sending us to the hospital in an ambulance for a ct scan. Please pray for quickness and clarity of results and peace of mind.</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>He has an epidural hematoma on the surface and is being life-flighted to children&#8217;s for immediate surgery. Please keep praying. I&#8217;m in shock right now.</p>
<div>The doctor said Simon&#8217;s surgery went as well as expected, but he is in really bad shape. The next 24 hours are crucial with the possibility of a stroke. Please keep praying for his brain to heal with full recovery.</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote><form action="http://www.facebook.com/ajax/ufi/modify.php" method="post">Simon is stable and was moving/twitching by himself which is a good sign. He should be getting a CT Scan soon to show us how the damage is. Now we just wait and see. Thank you so much for the extent of prayers and encouragement. It is greatly appreciated. God is good &amp; in control and Simon is in His hands.</p>
<p>The official ct scan results are not in yet, but the neurosurgeon looked at them and said he was very happy with the results. He said, &#8220;Simon isn&#8217;t out of the woods yet, but I am cautiously optimistic.&#8221; They could differentiate the white and gray matter which is very good and Simon&#8217;s brain has gone back to where it is supposed to be and he didn&#8217;t see signs of a possibility of a stroke. Just waiting now for healing.</p>
<p>We just got back from lunch and Simon&#8217;s blood pressure is elevating, has a fever and his heart rate is very high. Please keep praying!!!!!! They are concerned about this sudden change.</p>
<p>Simon&#8217;s stats are stable and the nurses are encouraged because he is moving slightly when they mess with his intubation. He is still heavily medicated and they are trying to slowly wean him back to consciousness. We were able to go to the Ronald MacDonald house for dinner and showers. Back in Simon&#8217;s room hoping to get some sleep. Please pray for his stats to remain stable through the night.</p>
<p>Jesse and I were able to rest a bit. Simon&#8217;s stats remained stable through the night, but he&#8217;s starting to move and wake up and struggle against the intubation, so they are medicating him more. This is a good sign because it shows brain function. Also, he&#8217;s moving his left side a little, which makes us happy since the damage was on the right side of his brain. Please pray that his temp stays low (it was starting to rise a little bit), so his metabolism can move slowly giving his brain a chance to rest.</p>
<p>Also, we are overwhelmed by the amazing amount of people praying for us and feel so encouraged. We serve a powerful, faithful God and we are leaning and trusting in His plan for our son. Thank you so much to everyone for spreading the word of Simon and for caring so much!</p>
</form>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/3a40812033c811e19e4a12313813ffc0_7-e1325354562601.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2834" title="children's hospital at sunrise" src="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/3a40812033c811e19e4a12313813ffc0_7-e1325354562601.jpeg" alt="" width="500" height="500" /></a></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://instagr.am/p/dM4U9/?ref=nf" target="_blank">Rena</a> and Jesse love the Lord </strong>and I know that He is going to use this trial in a mighty way in their hearts, no matter what the outcome. <strong>He is good and faithful and loving, and I&#8217;ve been thanking Him that He loves little Simon more than anyone on earth.</strong></p>
<p>Social media is funny. I feel like we constantly hear complaints of how it&#8217;s become so all-encompassing in our modern lives. But the thing is, it can be <em>an amazing tool</em> as well. <strong>I&#8217;ve been overwhelmed at the sight of hundreds of prayer warriors rallying around my dear friend and her family.</strong></p>
<p>So I just wanted to ask a few more people to pray for Simon&#8217;s recovery. May the Lord save Him so that this little guy might grow up to do great things for the Lord.</p>
<p>Rena &amp; Jesse, <strong>be strong, and let your hearts take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! </strong>{Psalm 31:24}</p>
<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2011/12/31/prayer-for-simon/">Prayer for Simon</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
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		<title>Taking a Breath Before Christmas</title>
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		<comments>http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2011/12/21/taking-a-breath-before-christmas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:26:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>gidget</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gidgetgoeshome.com/?p=2823</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Just wanted to share one of my current favorite passages. On the rare morning, like this one, where after a rough night with little sleep, the babies are sleeping in {thank you, Lord}. I open my Bible and I consider reading ahead in John, the book I&#8217;m studying in CBS and at church&#8230; but then, [...]<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2011/12/21/taking-a-breath-before-christmas/">Taking a Breath Before Christmas</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p><a title="DSC_0130 by mrs. bennettar, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bennettars/6259839144/"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6053/6259839144_35fa47fa38.jpg" alt="DSC_0130" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
<p>Just wanted to share one of my current favorite passages.</p>
<p>On the rare morning, like this one, where after a rough night with little sleep, the babies are sleeping in {<em>thank you, Lord</em>}. I open my Bible and I consider reading ahead in John, the book I&#8217;m studying in CBS and at church&#8230; but then, like a magnet, I feel pulled back to this Psalm.</p>
<p><strong><em>I hope it encourages you today.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>***<br />
</em></strong></p>
<h4>Psalm 16</h4>
<h5>You Will Not Abandon My Soul</h5>
<h5>A Miktam of David.</h5>
<p>Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, &#8220;You are my Lord;<br />
I have no good apart from you.&#8221;</p>
<p>As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,<br />
in whom is all my delight.</p>
<p>The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;<br />
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out<br />
or take their names on my lips.</p>
<p><strong>The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;<br />
you hold my lot.<br />
</strong> <strong>The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;<br />
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.</strong></p>
<p>I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;<br />
in the night also my heart instructs me.<br />
I have set the LORD always before me;<br />
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.</p>
<p>Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;<br />
my flesh also dwells secure.<br />
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,<br />
or let your holy one see corruption.</p>
<p><strong>You make known to me the path of life;<br />
in your presence there is fullness of joy;<br />
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2011/12/21/taking-a-breath-before-christmas/">Taking a Breath Before Christmas</a> is a post from: <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com">Gidget Goes Home</a>
<br>
Please visit my other blog, <a href="http://simpleorganic.net">Simple Organic</a>.
<br>
Gidget Recommends {a few of my favorite eBooks}:
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=24164&c=ib&aff=129957" target="_blank">One Bite at a Time</a>: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=129957E" target="_blank">Healthy Snacks to Go</a>: 20 Real Food Recipes</li>
        <li><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=139993&c=ib&aff=129957" target="ejejcsingle">Simple Blogging</a>: Grow your blog with less time on the computer.

<br>
Thanks for reading!</p>
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