Going offline

for a good cause.
I seriously heart my new found blogging world. Looking at blogs, joining linky parties, developing my own blog posts but I am going to go offline for a bit. Two weeks, maybe more...hopefully less. Honestly, I am already feeling withdrawals coming.  
It is time to focus the spare hours I have a day (8:30-11:00 p.m.) on my Cravings: Desiring God in the Midst of Motherhood project. 
The publishers proposal has been checked, double checked and finally triple checked (thank you,editors!) which means it is time to begin the process of finding a publishing house to pick-up this God given vision. In my dreams it will be like magic! But, I know the reality is that this process will be tough and come with some hits along the way. 
The goal is to have it to as many sources as possible before my 37th birthday on October 1st. 
Sooooo here I go! I will be thankful for any prayer requests you lift up. 
I will include some details below.


Project Summary:

Cravings: Desiring God in the Midst of Motherhood is a series of 5x7 devotional flashcards based on the book of Psalms. The devotionals will provide a scripture reference along with a “thoughtlet” that will encourage mothers of young children to challenge themselves and grow in their relationship with God.
Prior to becoming a mother, I had quality daily devotional time: Bible reading, journaling and regular prayer time. I could have never imagined a life without this constant time present. But, in an instant, everything shifted. When my son was born, I simply could not figure out how to fit my devotional time into my day. When he slept I either slept or tackled the long “mom” list of things that had to get done. I allowed other things besides my time with God to be the priority. But I was having cravings.  Just like the cravings that come with pregnancy, I was craving my God time.
I view my entire life as an act of worship. I can worship God in each action of my day: cleaning, feeding, cooking and even in changing diapers. I began to accept this shift in my devotional time was a new season of my journey with God. Still, I longed to figure out a new, purposeful way for God and I to have intimate times together.
God kept whispering to me “make it easy, make it easy, Carey”. God’s prompting led to the development of 5x7 devotional cards. I place these cards in locations I frequent the most in my day like the car, microwave, changing station, bathroom sink and more. These cards provide a nugget of scripture and a “thoughtlet” that challenges me and helps me grow in my relationship with God. Each card presents a brief opportunity to assuage my craving.
I want to share this technique. Prepared cards can provide women with a convenient means of fulfilling the craving they have for God in the midst of their busy day.
Rather than being a traditional book, this product is a set of 40 black and white devotional flashcards (see example card). One side contains the scripture and “thoughtlet”; the other side is a high contrast black and white image that could be used to visually stimulate a baby while mothers read the devotional. The cards will be packaged in a box, envelope or plastic pouch depending on the most economical approach. 

The Art Work & Samples:



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Declaring War!

Alright, it is time to declare war on the baby weight!
Yes, I realize those of you that read this do not need to know this but putting it out here helps hold me accountable. The week I found out I was pregnant with Avery was also the week I had reached what I called my happy weight from being pregnant with Renn so I am ready to get back there again. Here is what needs to happen: no more Blue Bell Ice Cream in the house - done and gone, no more easy meals (mac n cheese and fish sticks) and no more non-diet sodas. The best thing for me to do is shop at Trader Joes, I am always tempted by healthy choices there (don't know if it is the layout or what?)
Also, because I know I love sweets and if I starve myself of them then I easily fall off the band wagon the plan is to use substitutes (I know the tricks from my weight watcher days). Right now I am loving the vanilla/mango soy ice cream and the mini chocolate soy ice cream bars from Traders. Number two thing I can do for myself is plan ahead! Yesterday, I grilled a bunch of chicken breasts so they are good and ready for use this week. Last night we did chicken, squash and coos coos (sp?) and then tonight we will add it to a salad. Number three thing I need to figure out is exercise. Hmmmmm...where to fit it in? The Wii Fit we have is great and I know it will do the trick just need to pick the time, claim it and name it! I am thinking morning, 4:30? The sound of that is dreadful - but I think I can, I think I can! And the number four thing I can do for myself is allow myself 3 "freebie" meals a week.
I am going to do this in two parts.
War one is against seven pounds that will put me back to my happy weight and war two will be against the other five pounds that put me back at my dream at little dream weight.
Get ready seven pounds here I come!

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Sitting

Here I sit. Back at my job after 11 weeks of maternity leave. I have missed the people, the laughs, the purpose and the calling. I sit maybe 200 feet from Avery. I sit simply missing my daughter. Love you, baby girl.

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