God Approved WOrkMAN!

After getting out of the habit of reading my bible first thing in the morning these past few months I did what all normal people do and blasted myself on Facebook. You know, because that motivates you. In my case, sometimes. This morning after getting up with the baby like I normally do I played one full round of Candy Crush Saga on my phone (because candy can't crush itself) and drained my battery. After locating my phone charger  I sat down to read my bible on YouVersion (love that app). I realized how high a priority I've placed a game over God, and not just lately but quite frequently, intermittently. The featured verse spoke directly to me.

'Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.' 2 Tim 2:15 AMP

Yesterday, while trying on clothes on a much needed mommy's night out ALONE, I didn't get depressed. I used to. I didn't stare myself down in the mirror disappointed in what I saw. I normally am. I'm conquering my weight, body image, and self esteem issues and this verse explains how. I have to look to God, know His will, study His word. I'm not pleased with where I am physically/mentally but, I'm doing something to change it with His help.

A workman (re)discovering who they are in Christ
has no cause to be ashamed.

bodyWORK progress...

The 1st and hardest step is starting. TurboFire Day1 4/13/13

My BFF helped me run my first 5k! I got a MEDAL!! 4/21/13

A scheduled rest day but I was still pumped Day after the race day10

day21 @5-6x week I got this!!

mindWORK is also required and just as important. 

WORK hard but rest in His grace:)

I am not a BeachBody coach (yet LOL). This post is not endorsing BeachBody or BeachBody products. I do have a BBcoach and FitFriends who are helping me reach my fitness goals through accoutability and support, check her out on her facebook page for healthy fit tiops. I'm just sharing the tools I use. TurboFire Schedule.







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Baby's Top 5 Yoga Moves

T

his is a story. A true story about my baby. A baby who appears to be doing yoga. These are his top 5 yoga moves captured by me, his one and only Mamarazzi.

Mamarazzi, n;
a parent (usually the mom because they're the ones always left out of the pictures) who takes pictures of EVERY SINGLE THING their child does. From their first crawl to their first car, they save the images for later embarrasment/collateral.

They'll do ANYTHING for the PERFECT SHOT!

Like all baby milestones you want to document every single thing, right? Every burp, fart, smile... all their firsts are happening in this short little moment in time that I know I'll never get back. As a mom of 5, I know these moments well. At the same time I've easily forgotten them and each time it still feels new. I've been lucky enough to capture some of his moves in a series I'd like to call... #BabyYoga

1 - The Pike Plank { Like a plank, only piked. }

At a time when my core is at it's weakest, I AM Envious.
Date: 2/22/13 Age: ~5 months

2 - Happy Feet { He's pulling his feet close to his chest. }

When he found his feet I knew he'd be rolling soon.
Date: 2/26/13 Age: ~5 months

3 - The Side plank { He's on his elbow. He's a beginner.  }
Do advanced babies come all the way up to their wrists?

He's actually rolling from back to belly.
Date: 3/3/13 Age: 5 months

4 - Deep Stretch { Ready for assisted sitting. }

I thought he was ready to try sitting up but he wasn't. He fell over.
Date: 3/5/13 Age: 5 months

5 - The Runner's Stance! { After mastering the above 4 moves... }

I really don't recall any of my other four kids doing this. I took about 15 pics trying to catch this guy in action.
Date: 3/19/13 Age: 5½ months

Noah is ready to Walk & Roll.

{ happy #babyyoga fun }

No babies were harmed. This post is not intended to depict actual developmental stages of a baby.

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Happy Birthday (kLOVE)

He was my first son. In the beginning I just new he was a HE. I felt stronger, like superwoman. Actually, I found out I was pregnant while playing on my church's coed softball team. He, to date, was my most painful labor (because he was sunny side up). Because of that he made me feel stronger.

He is a total sweetheart, my forever Valentine. He steals kisses and hugs when I least expect them. He makes up silly words, like 'Back-ugh-boook. He plays the drums by ear and if there are no drums around he bangs on his trucks or his sisters tea set. Music is everywhere.

He created and leads our family meal prayer. He will be a mighty man of God, a sound worshiper, a caregiver, a leader.

(I guess I really love this pose)

He will always steal my heart with that smile...

... just like his daddy.

I just hope the next four years don't fly by so fast. Happy Birthday sweet boy!





(His aliases on this blog are lil man, lil dreamy, princeC and now kLOVE :)

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Use My Pictures Instagram!

I've come to realize I really do love taking pictures (way more than writing posts). It's like they say, "a picture is worth a million words", or is it a thousand? However the saying goes photos speak volumes about a lot of things. I can show others exactly what I see either how I see it or want it to be seen.

If you didn't hear recently, there was a huge stink risen about Instagram. Just google boycott Instagram or read this post over at the Christian Post. Basically the terms of use were changed and users' pictures could then be sold without permission.

Uh Uh Instagram, the heck you won't!

I've decided to stamp every picture I post with 'Christy, Home-Mom' using Phonto (apple | android) before publishing with them. I can't seem to part with them and have been too lazy to checkout any other app. That's like dropping facebook to head back to myspace, I've gotten too comfortable. Plus I go where most of the people I know go.

No matter what I post from homeschooling...

I didn't let anyone eat until I documented our #superbowlfood, we didn't have much because it was also my birthday. These were last minute finds.

I don't think I really need a reason for capturing random cuteness...

My watermark will be there!

Click Here and follow me

What are your thoughts:

Will you use social media any different in the future?

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Life's about to get CRAZY!

Iam thinking about so much these days. This baby is just 3 months away eeeek!!!! I've dropped a lot of aspects of my blog. Homeschooling is rough, my kids are growing, and some days I feel like I just can't keep up. With all of that going on my kids are still smarter than me, I think that's my biggest obstacle. How can I teach them when I don't know. My blog is still impacting in a way I'm pretty proud of, I was featured today at WeGotKidz.com. Despite it all of this my baby is growing and kicking and will be here before I know it. Hubby's business is about to jump off the ground and soar, it's like a crazy pivotal moment for so many things and my first reaction is to fall down when I should be up and running.

Storm before the Storm source

Financially our world has been turned upside down this past year. Our one family car broke down forcing us to add on another payment (conveniently after we paid the first one off) and even though it's been a year it's like we're not catching up. I see these amazing posts by mommy bloggers who feed their families of 8 with a $100 monthly budget and I really need to head out and research these gals bc we're so there.

I read a really amazing verse today that spoke directly at my circumstance, “When we were at Mount Sinai, the LORD our God said to us, ‘You have stayed at this mountain long enough..'" http://bible.us/Deut1.6.NLT I'm following Joyce Meyer's Daily Devotional on YouVersion, it's amazing, seriously the only plan I've followed over 5days. The mountain that should have only taken 40 days took 40 years for the Israelites because they were mentally stuck in slavery still.

My oldest has asked me if we are poor and I really want to say yes but poor is a way of thinking and I don't want that. I don't want that for them, I'd love to hear them say when their older, "We were poor but we never knew it". We are on a serious budget but I don't see it lasting too much longer if I can just get up and move. I'll take 40days over 400 anytime. Anyone would, why make a hard journey more difficult.

The sun's up, Run! Source

So as I fix beans and rice for dinner again I'm thankful for a family to cook for. I'm grateful for the tool this blog has become to reach out to others and receive from so many awesome moms out there. I'm excited and scared to run a work from home business and do what we've always dreamed. Instead of the calm before the storm this is more like a storm before a storm and I'm ready.







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I Met UFC Fighter Jon Jones!!!

Pic Source: facebook.com/OfficialJonnyBonesJones

If you can imagine, having 4 kids doesn't allow for The Hubs and me to have many date nights. I can't say I have high hopes this will get any better with number five just 3months away. We're lucky if we get one every other night. So instead of going out together, locating a baby sitter (for four kids, really), and using gas to pick/drop them off  we stay in and have UFC Date Nights. Hubby gets home late from work and will sometimes bring me my favorite snack, CANDY or we may just have a glass of wine, sit on the couch, and watch our favorite sport, MMA Mixed Martial Arts.

Over the years of watching there are a handful of fighters that I really like and Mr. Jon "Bones" Jones is right there at the top.

So Wed. night when hubby got a text from his friend that Jon Jones was in town for a Xyience promotion event and a local fight we packed up the kids to run out and try to meet the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champ.

Wednesday morning we got up with good intentions of leaving the house early. I had several errands planned and as a multitasker I always want to get as much done in one day as I can. Getting 6 people packed into a car isn't a 15min task anymore, but for some reason I always think we can do it. I have to remember it takes 30-40min of finding shoes, diaper bags, and several potty breaks to make this happen.

We finally get in the car to go and are running behind. The whole way I was just hoping we'd get to see Jon leaving or getting into his car and could say I was in the same area. Taking turnpikes and paying tolls we made it with it by 2:50 but the line was long. We found out later he got there a little late and stayed later to accommodate those waiting. Glad to know we weren't the only ones :)

  The line was long but the kids did really well sitting in the basket.





I thought this was the best pic I was going to get...

You forget athletes, actors, and celebrities are just people. It's hard to see how normal they are with all the production that goes into making them look amazing on tv and in ads. He was happy and seemed to be enjoying making all the people smile as he took pics with them and shook hands. The Xyience crew helped to move things along by reminding the line to try to make it quick win taking pictures and talking so they could get through the entire line.


Hubby's coworker had an extra ticket to the Extreme Fight Night event that evening so the kids and I visited my mom while he watches some in person MMA action. LUCKY!!!

We were able to say a few words and take this picture.

This trip was sort of surreal. Once upon a time I had six-pack-abs, true story. More than just meeting Jon I got to visit the town I went to High School in, the trip brought back so many memories of me and my athletic days. Looking at this pic of me standing next to a serious athlete and my 4% body fat hubby I feel super huge. Granted I am 23wks pregnant and I shouldn't be so hard on myself. I know, I know this. Still it's motivating to know I'm on my way and this can serve as a great before picture.






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Dream Big... No Bigger!

The Hubs and I've had this dream for so long, to both work from home. Name some of the most popular work from home businesses and I've either done it or strongly considered joining. This dream we have is more than just a want, I truly feel God wants us both to work from home, homeschooling, and build our family up every single day in that manner. I will take the same role I have had for the past seven and a half years and manage behind the scenes for The Hubs aka The Photographer with Real Xpressions Photography.

My hubby has always been gifted interacting with little kids but getting them to shine into a camera has been really amazing to watch. The cutie pie pictured below is the son of my BFF also pictured and he's just 4 days older than my 2nd son. They're going to be friends for life if we can help it :)

visit Real Xpressions Website

This role is much needed. I can't say it's more important than my other MANY roles but it definitely will help make everything go much smoother. There are so many great moms out there that are juggling more kids and more tasks than me and do it so well. I've been struggling these past few months off and on and feel I really do need daddy's help at home. He'll tell you the same thing as far as running appointments, scheduling and such, he needs me too. It's a win-win and I can't wait to announce he's left his corporate job to be a Home-Dad!!!! It may happen sooner than we think :)





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Oh Happy SITS Day!

Well hello there! Come on in, we're having a HOUSE Party today. I'm glad I didn't fully pack up all the party decorations from the blogiversary a few months back. Oldies and newbies alike, WELCOME to my Home! I've been scurrying around trying to clean up and make things more presentable.

Just for fun, I've got a question for you. Raise your mouse if you've ever hidden dirty dishes in the oven. You know when you've got company coming over and the dishes were the least of your worries? I knew it! I was hoping I wasn't the only one .)

Well that day is today, here you are and I'm so happy you're here. If you don't already know TheSitsGirls, they're a group of bloggy women who support and encourage each other. When I say group, I don't mean a small group knitting group that meets once a month, I mean a troop-group with over 9,000 women.

SITS stands for the Secret's in the Sauce, these women aren't afraid to share tips, tricks, and techniques to successful blogging. I have to give a much deserved shoutout to Miss Baby Makin(g) Machine for sending me in the right direction. If you have a blog I highly encourage you to go check them out like I did over a year ago. Last month I got an email from Mama Kat, one of the SITS rock stars, telling me my day had come. The email alone MADE my DAY! I love you Kat! Woot-woot!

Hi, I'm Christy!
So most people would show you their most flattering pictures? I guess that's what profile pics are for. Ya'll are like family now so I can show you my crazy side, right? It's crazy, silly, fun, and totally depicts a Mom who's not gotten enough sleep. This actually is the first picture taken specifically for the blog. Can you tell what sort of day I had when I wrote How's Your Day?

I started Home-Mom in it's current state because I really loved giveaways and wondered if I could do what so many other great blogs have done. Now, over a year later, I've found that I can. Talk about confidence boosters when big ol'companies will deal with little ol'me. I'll still host them occasionally but that's not all Home-Mom is about.

Meet the Family.
I never thought I was one of THOSE people. You know, the one who pulls out the photo albums of all their kids on the first visit. That's exactly who I'm going to be today. So sit back grab a mug of water (I'm not serving coffee, it makes me sleepy) and enjoy the reads. Here we Go!

In short I'm a... green attempting, home-birthing,


For more grown up pics visit my about me page re-birthed under the direct tutelage of my SITStahs.

R- pT born in the hospital 2004 L- pj born at home 2006	lil D born at home 2009	lil turkey born at home 2010

cloth diapering, homecookin',

Bluberry Muffins from Scratch in less than 30min.

and home-schooling, bloggy mom to 4 precious babies.

Here's How I Chose Our Grade Levels

I bet you can guess the million dollar question everyone asks next.

Will there be more? That's the one.

I'll answer it this way. If I can make and sell more items from momMADE, my online boutique, then I'd really be happy either way. We've made soap, deodorant, laundry and dish detergent, and hubby is a photographer. Multiple streams of income are way high up on our list right now.

The Hubs and I have known each other for over 10 years now and have been married almost 9. He was and still is my best friend. Looking back over the years it's hard to believe we've made this small sport's team. But hey, I always wanted a big family.

     

I'm praying even now for Godly                                   Our Wedding Day Feb 2003                                     at our church's                                              .

spouses for each one of my kids.                                                                                                                         Marriage Conference 2007                                 .

Together we're a Home-Family.
Home is where mom is, Home is where family is, Home is where love is... (sounds like a new tag line)

Any facebookers our there? Come and join me at Home-Mom on facebook. It's a place where I enjoy supporting and promoting moms who make and sell from home. My way of giving back for all the support I've received this past year.

Got a fan page? I've been writing tutorials just for you. Did you know you can customize your fb URL, create a welcome page, and add even more customized pages?

So stop in as we're just 154 fans away from a 2k FanFiesta Giveaway. Prizes are made or sold by moms who are working from home. Still accepting sponsors.


If you weren't already overloaded here are just a few more of my favorite posts to tip the scales:

• Speaking of scales, Lindsay Brin's moms into fitness review. Day1 and my Day30 results.
  
  (for daily updates follow @ChristyHomeMom and the hashtag #homemomif on twitter)
• Sharing our B.i.G. Vision and why we've chosen to homeschool.
• I'm going on a Date - HeyHeyHey and Halloween-The Date Aftermath
• I was featured at Simplicity with a a photo that I took. Love taking Pics, could you tell?

         

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