Baby, Family, Good Reads, Gospel Topics, kids, Lifestyle, Parenting, Relationships

All This Time Our Hearts Weren’t Ready For Our Kids To Grow!

I was reading my friend’s post about her daughter moving away to college.

It hit me hard as she wrote that she had done all she could to prepare her daughter to grow up and move away, and yet, she herself hand’t prepared her heart for WHEN her daughter moved away!

Cue the tears!

It’s so true.

Mama’s work hard day in and day out to teach their children how to grow and develop in every way, so that one day the child can leave the nest and grow on their own independently.

However, mother’s can never quite grasp the reality of their children not being under their own roof.

It’s hard to process.

Especially since, for most mothers, they cared for their babies while in the womb.

Then of course, they took care of their child as a helpless and innocent little baby, then a toddler, then a child, then a teenager, and then suddenly….. they are grown and on their own.

No my children are not grown up yet (and I am grateful).

However, my oldest son just turned 8 years old and I can tell you that was the fastest 8 years of my life!

I have watched time and time again how fast children grow up.

And yet, as a mother it seems that children truly do grow up faster than ever.

So can we really ever prepare our hearts for when our child grows up and moves away?

I don’t think so.

Because our job as a parent is to love and protect that child.

With that love and protecting, a separation of any sort is extremely difficult.

It always will be.

However, it’s what we know to be best for the child as well.

And perhaps, with high hopes, when that child is grown and moved out, they will call us mama’s up, and they too will miss us.

It will never be the same, but there will be that hope, that the child will understand, that their mama will never stop loving them, never stop guiding them, never stop encouraging them….because a mother will always be a mother.

Near or far, that mother will continue to shower their child with love.

person doing heart hand gesture
Photo by Dids on Pexels.com

So my hope for those that are dealing with their kids growing up and leaving their home, my hope is that that mama will know she is loved. And more so, that mama did all she was supposed to do, to help that child reach a level of independence that must take place for that child to grow.

The love never ends, no matter the age or the distance, mama will still have that mama heart that will always care for her children.

Always.

xoxo,

Christy Lee

Family, Food, Gluten-Free, kids, Lifestyle, Recipes

A Fast & Easy Gluten-Free Fruit Salad that Everyone will Love!

When it comes to a great gluten-free fruit salad, I have you covered.

I found this fruit salad recipe years ago, I made some tweaks, and today it is our “go-to” fruit salad.

This fruit salad just has a few ingredients (that I always keep on hand).

Even better, you can easily double the recipe for a large BBQ group –or keep it small for family dinner.

Fresh berries are great to use, however, if you don’t have access to fresh berries, the frozen berries are delicious as well.

Let me know if you make this fruit salad, it’s probably the recipe I have shared the most with people!

And the best part….it’s naturally gluten-free!

Enjoy!

xoxo,

Christy Lee

Baby, Family, Gospel Topics, kids, Lifestyle, Parenting, Relationships

Motherhood: My Last Few Days as a Mother of Three, Soon to be Mother of Four

As some of you may know, we are expecting our fourth child any day now.

In fact, if he doesn’t make his appearance this weekend, we will be getting induced on Monday morning so we can finally meet this sweet baby boy.

There is a lot of preparation and planning that goes into having a baby.

We have all the major items ready: bassinet, diapers, clothes, changing table, swaddles, pacifiers, lotions….you name it.

Something I realize my mind needs to prep for is the fact that my other babies, well, they really wont seem like babies anymore.

In fact, having a baby, makes your other children grow immensely.

My oldest son is almost 8 and he already has felt the pressure of me asking him for help a bit more.

My second child, my daughter who is 6 is so nurturing and excited and I know she will love a baby brother, however, there will be some stretching and growing as she sees much of her moms time being utilized by a newborn.

And my current youngest child, who is 3 1/2 years old…well, she won’t be the baby of the family anymore and that’s also a hard adjustment, for everyone.

And yet, I know all our hearts will grow ten-fold as we welcome this baby boy into our home.

No matter what your religious background is, you can’t deny the fact that babies bring a sacredness and beautiful spirit into homes.

Yes there will be sleepless nights, and our house may not be as clean for a bit.

However, it’s all worth it for this wonderful baby that we have hoped and prayed for.

Yes, there will be many adjustments and changes for this mama and my sweet husband as we take on four kids. But we couldn’t be more excited!

We feel so very blessed, and cant wait to meet him!

Hopefully next post, I will have a picture for you.

xoxo,

Christy Lee

Family, Food, Gluten-Free, kids, Lifestyle

The Best and Easiest Cherry Limeade Drink You”ll Ever Make!

This Cherry Limeade drink has been a family favorite for years!

Cherry + Lime is the best combo!

In fact, most Sundays we make this tasty drink as part of our family dinner.

The flavoring isn’t too sour, but just enough to make it taste great.

And as always, this drink is naturally gluten-free.

With summer around the corner I think you’ll enjoy making this drink to sip on through the day.

Enjoy!

xoxo,

Christy Lee

Family, Food, Gluten-Free, Health & Fitness, kids

Gluten-Free Breakfast Ideas Your Entire Family Will Love!

Sometimes it’s a struggle to get your entire family on board with eating gluten-free. And to be honest, it’s ok if not everyone wants to eat gluten-free with you.

However, these recipes I am sharing with you are tasty and delicious I am sure your entire family will love it!

The french toast bake is especially one of our family favorites!

And if you love eggs, these tasty cheesy/parmesan eggs are the best!

What is your favorite gluten-free breakfast?

xoxo,

Christy Lee

Family, Gifts, kids, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous

12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 10-La Crosse Technology Alarm Clock.

As the days are getting close, I am going to suggest heading to Wal-Mart for this next gift!

The La Crosse Technology Alarm clock is only $22.98 and it has many wonderful features!

Disclosure: this blog contains affiliate links. This means that I get commission from any link you click on…but of course it’s at no cost to you!

Some of the main features are:

  • 3 Light modes: Color cycling (14 color rotation), Evening mode (sunset fade), and Single color select (14 choices, such as Red, Fire, Yellow, Green, Forest, Ocean, Purple and more)
  • Natural Light alarm (simulates Sunrise) and Evening Light mode (30 min cycle simulates sunset)
  • 2 minute Crescendo Sound Alarm with programmable snooze (5 to 120 minute duration)
  • Auto-Dim Backlight with Intensity control
  • 1 Amp USB Charging Port (charging cord sold separately)
  • Indoor temperature (range: 32°F to 99°F; 0°C to 37°C)
  • Includes 5V AC adapter; optional CR2032 button cell (not included) battery for power loss

And this alarm clock is sleek and nice looking. It could be great for people of all ages!

So run, don’t walk to Wal-Mart and snag this great gift! Who knows, maybe at this price you will grab one for you as well!

More ideas coming tomorrow for those very last minute shoppers.

xoxo,

Christy Lee

Clothing & Accessories, Family, Gifts, kids, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous

Christmas Gift Ideas! Day 2: Heated Blanket

During this cold time of year, a heated blanket is the perfect give for many!

Disclosure: this blog contains affiliate links. This means that I get commission from any link you click on…but of course it’s at no cost to you!

I love that this particular heated blanket is still washable, it quickly warms up, and automatically shuts off after 4 hours.

I love the sherpa material that this blanket is made out of….what a cozy blanket!

Perhaps this is even the gift you give yourself?

More coming tomorrow!

xoxo,

Christy Lee

potatoes beside stainless steel cooking pot
Family, Food, Gluten-Free, kids, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Recipes

Two Gluten-Free Potato Recipes to Make For Thanksgiving Dinner!

With Thanksgiving approaching, we don’t want to be left out of good food just because we have to eat gluten-free!

Lucky for you, I will be posting many delicious recipes to make for Thanksgiving.

potatoes beside stainless steel cooking pot
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Today, we will start with two of my favorite potato recipes.

First, our favorite Gluten Free Cheesy Potato Recipe is not only gluten free but it’s simple and tasty!

These cheesy potatoes are just creamy enough that everyone will be coming back for more!

The second potato recipe is our delicious Gluten-Free Potato Salad Recipe!

This potato salad recipe has a delicious flavor with a little crunch to it as we use pickles and cucumbers.

Who doesn’t love a great Potato salad at Thanksgiving?

I hope you enjoy these two potato recipes!

Comment below if you plan to make them for Thanksgiving!

xoxo,

Christy Lee

pile of sliced wheat breads
Family, Food, Gluten-Free, Health & Fitness, kids, Lifestyle, Recipes

My New Favorite Gluten-Free Store-Bought Bread!

Recently I went to the Gluten-free expo in Sandy, Utah.

There were so many gluten-free items at the expo that I would like to feature.

First–I want to mention my new favorite bread!

The bread is Mrs. Hewitt’s Bread.

It tastes just like I remember bread tasting.

It doesn’t crumble, it doesn’t taste like cardboard.

I tested it out with a grilled cheese sandwich and it was amazing!

There was a wide variety of gluten free breads Mrs. Hewitt’s offered but I was happy with the Homestyle White Bread.

Let me know if you try this bread…it has opened the doors to many more recipes for me!

Enjoy!

xoxo,

Christy Lee