Finding My God-Given Talents

Jan 31, 2022 | Books, Faith, Family & Home

Finding My God-Given Talents

The best-selling author, Erma Bombeck, once said, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say ‘I used everything you gave me.’” Like many things in life, this is easier said than done. I strive to embrace my talents, to trust in God to clarify what all my gifts are, to seek His counsel in how to use them. But I am learning that sometimes falling short of our talents is part of the journey to discover them.

How Do We Know Our Talents?

I feel it is often in my nature to resist (girl’s gotta love her control!), even when I don’t mean to. As a conduit for God’s word, I pride myself on hearing Him. But when He requires of me anything that sacrifices my comfort, I find myself attempting to evade the very thing God is ushering me into. So to truly seek the Lord’s wisdom and guidance, I’ve had to start by listening and learning from His desires. I must trust his direction, trust that He knows how to enhance every ounce of my talent to display Holy boldness and a life of purpose. So here are a few things I am practicing listening to and learning from him to embrace my God-given talents.

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Ugh… Well, Lord, if you had just planted me in one location for 30 years this would be so much easier! This is a thought that has crossed my mind on and off for 10 years. Excuses and reasons why it is too difficult to embrace the purpose of my journey. But after fighting against it for so long, I have finally surrendered to His will. By understanding that it is not an accident that God has moved our family, I am finally able to walk with freedom through these uprootings. It is time for me to embrace blooming, in EVERY place He plants me. To live a life of purpose, mission, and community, I have had to embrace His plan of dislocation and abort mine of stability.

Trust God’s Plan

No, duh! I know this one seems like a no brainer, but in order to trust God’s plan, we must have an intimate relationship with Him. I must release the desire to know how He thinks and instead wait and trust that His plan is greater than mine. I often have to remind myself that his vision is not centered around me and my experience, but instead is a great picture of which I am a mere brushstroke to be used to enhance and encourage.

Stop Hiding in Fear and Doubt

Fear and doubt only lead to procrastination. A fact of which I am painfully aware. I want to live without the bondage of these restraints, and to do so I must remember that some of my God-glorifying talents can’t be put on display until I deal with the root of my fear. It is my prayer to shed these so that every talent I’ve buried can be raised up. By embracing instead of doubting, His desires will show me how to multiply and bloom the talents that he has bestowed upon me, to glorify not myself, but my Heavenly Father.

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My Crowd-Pleasing Turkey Bacon Cheeseburger

Jan 28, 2022 | Family & Home, Food, Lunch

My Crowd-Pleasing Turkey Bacon Cheeseburger

If you know me, you know I love hosting events and bringing everyone together. My Turkey Bacon Cheeseburger recipe will turn heads and spark conversation. It’s a crowd favorite at cookouts and comes with so many options for dressing. There’s nothing like gathering family and friends together and celebrating community. My recipe is quick and easy and makes for a unique bonding experience with the kids.

Let’s get into my Turkey Bacon Cheeseburger recipe!

Ingredients:

1 family pack of ground turkey (3/4lbs)
Bacon
1 pack of Lipton soup mix
1 pack of ranch mix
1 tablespoon of Emeril’s Burger Bam
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cumin
Trinity mix
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Ice cubes

Instructions:

In a large bowl, mix ground turkey, trinity mix, soup mix, ranch mix, burger bam, garlic powder, and cumin. Work seasoning through but don’t overwork it.
Pat the burgers out to the size of your liking. (For large or small buns, patty melt, or sliders.) You can also use a burger silicon press to achieve more uniformed patties.
Preheat the skillet or grill. For the skillet, I like to use a dash of avocado oil to coat. Place the burgers on the skillet, and while it’s cooking, place an ice cube in the middle of each patty. This helps maintain moisture.
Pour your tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce over burgers while they’re cooking.
Once side 1 has browned and the ice cube has melted, use a thin spatula to flip the burgers. Let side 2 cook until done (no pink).
Now, place the burgers in the oven on super low heat to keep warm while you toast the buns/bread, cook the bacon, and slice your veggies.

Everyone in my house has different taste buds, so here are a few options for dressing your burgers.

Options for Dressing Your Burgers:

Brioche buns
Sourdough bread
Hawiian king rolls
Lettuce
Tomato
Cheese
Guacamole/avocado
Fried egg
Grilled onion
Onion rings
Mayo
Mustard
Ketchup
BBQ Sauce
Hidden Valley Secret Sauce

What to Pair with Your Turkey Bacon Cheeseburger?

My Turkey Bacon Cheeseburger recipe pairs well with onion rings or fries for a taste of comfort. If you’re looking to add health-conscious sides, I got you covered! I love pairing this juicy turkey burger with roasted broccoli and/or roasted kale chips. These sides add smokiness and a bit of crunch to your plate.

Once your guests take a bite out of this Turkey Bacon Cheeseburger, it will surely become your party staple!

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New Baby, New Night Routine

Nov 8, 2021 | Family & Home, Parenting

Hands Full, Hearts Fuller!

I can officially say… we are now a family of SEVEN! I am thrilled to announce the birth of our newest Davis Family addition, but adding another baby girl to our organized chaos is definitely shaking things up a bit. With five little people in the house, it’s all about adopting new tasks and adapting old routines.

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Get the Whole Family on Board

For all the mamas out there, you are not alone! Remember to use the help of those around you. Adding a new baby can be challenging for the entire family, but establishing a plan and getting the older kids involved can help make the transition smoother. In our case, Daddy is a little tied up with football season (talk about late nights and early mornings!), but he always makes sure to jump in when he can and I rely on my other kiddos to help in the meantime.

Strengthening the Sibling Unit

Empower your older kids to be more independent with their chores, bedtime routines, and extracurricular activities. If they can, ask them to help with the younger ones, like reading them a bedtime story or helping them to brush their teeth. We use a color-coded calendar board in the kitchen so that everyone can check up on their schedules and activities and to help remind me of upcoming events.

Don’t Forget to Help Yourself

Giving yourself a little grace and extra support during this time is crucial. A few small tips can help ensure I am taking care of myself, too:

Get sleep whenever possible, a few extra minutes can make all the difference (Mama Night Owl + Baby Night Owl = Sleepy Mommy), so don’t be afraid to press the “Snooze” button every once in a while.
Meal prep and menu plan when you can and use grocery delivery to shorten your to-do list.
Lay out your kids’ clothing/backpacks/school assignments the night before, it will make your mornings much quicker!
Set aside time to communicate both as parents and as a family. Creating a safe space to share feelings is integral to a smoother transition when adding a new family member.
Coffee, coffee, more coffee. And oh, did I mention coffee?

I am often reminding myself how important it is to embrace your changing emotions, ask for help or space when you need it. We may not have figured out everything just yet, but we are hustling to make magic.

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Building Our Forever Home

Nov 8, 2021 | Family & Home, Home Organization

Our Eternal Home

I will be the first to admit that the idea of building my “forever” home has been a bit of a distraction. I am obsessed with all things home-related.

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Looking to procrastinate? Just whittle away countless hours on Pinterest, saving interior decorating inspiration! Need a good lunch spot? Trade food for a trip to Restoration Hardware and fill up on furniture! I am an expert at scrolling social media for architecture, home decor, and everything in between.

But lately, I’ve slowed down on the idea of my “forever” home — realizing that it’s my eternal home that needs my focus.

A More Lasting Forever

I am reminded of Matthew 6:19-21 NIV, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

A scripture so powerful yet so easy to overlook. Although my prayer is that my earthly home always be a place filled with God’s presence and love, I must remember that it will never come close to experiencing our Creator and Savior in Heaven.

Construct Your Eternal Foundations

We must, first and foremost, remind ourselves that we will not live forever on Earth. It is merely a starting place for us to use scripture to build our eternal home’s floor plan. How do we do this? I may not have all of the answers, but I’d like to share what I am working on:

Making it my priority and prayer to spend eternity in Heaven rather than plan for it on Earth.
Keeping myself from seeing my home and the people in it as idols.
Using a firm belief in Him as a foundation upon which to build.
Establishing a plan that will guarantee I will receive keys to my eternal home when life ends here.

As we have excitement for things as trivial as our “forever” homes, we must surpass that excitement with a dedication to building our future in Heaven. Lay down your spiritual foundations with pride and exchange the material for the immeasurable. Only then can we rest assured our eternal home is waiting for us.

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For Expecting Mothers: What’s in My Hospital Bag?

Sep 30, 2021 | Family & Home, Parenting

When expecting mothers feel their labor pain kick in, everyone better be ready to go!

Preparation is key to having a smooth transition for parents and the new born during the first day, so I began building my hospital bag way ahead of our next arrival.

Having done this a few times (four children in), creating the perfect packed bag for myself and my husband was quick and easy when preparing for our fifth child.

Now, I want to share my special formula with future parents. So let’s get into what’s in my hospital bag:

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1. Toiletries

Your face is one of the first things your baby sees so including your skin care regime into your bag will keep you looking and feeling fresh. Bringing a few extra postpartum care items such as overnight pads (the hospital provides these but they aren’t always the most comfortable!), an ice pack, and a peri rinse bottle.

2. Breastfeeding

Feeding your baby is such a special bonding moment, so you don’t want to focus on the difficulties that come with breastfeeding. Pack a nursing pillow to help support the baby’s weight while breastfeeding and when they are done, nursing pads will save you from any unwanted leaks. Breastfeeding can be particularly painful for new moms, so having nipple cream on hand to ease the soreness will be a life-saver.

3. Clothing

Hospital gowns never keep me comfy, so I pack slippers, a gown, and a robe in my bag. I also bring along shower shoes and a nursing bra for some added convenience. When you are finally taking your bundle of joy home, a comfortable going-home outfit is essential.

4. Baby

The baby essentials include a swaddle, scratch mittens, and burp clothes. But I also love to dress the newborn in an adorable monogram going-home outfit! For the car ride, be prepped with a car seat, a hat, and pacifiers to make the experience calming and safe.

5. Miscellaneous

In the rush to reach the hospital you will likely forget daily items like a phone charger and an extra pillow so throw those in the bag! I also like to bring my favorite snacks, a bottle of Pierrer, my own water cup, and airpods.

6. For Dad

Don’t leave Dad behind! He will likely be the one stressfully driving you to the hospital, so it’s best to take care of his must-have items before the big day. Throw in socks, underwear, two sweat suits, shower shoes, and a toothbrush so he can stay smelling fresh for the entire hospital stay.

You’ll have enough to worry about when your baby is ready to meet you! A hospital bag is easy to prepare before the stress sets in, so take the time to properly prepare.

Here’s an easy checklist to copy:

_____ Toiletries

_____ Personal skin care regime items

_____ Overnight pads

_____ Ice pack

_____ Peri rinse bottle

_____ Toothbrush

_____ For Breastfeeding

_____ Nursing pillow

_____ Nursing pads

_____ Nipple cream

_____ Clothing

_____ Comfy slippers

_____ A gown

_____ A robe

_____ Shower shoes

_____ Nursing bra

_____ A going-home outfit

_____ For Baby

_____ A swaddle

_____ Scratch mittens

_____ Burp clothes

_____ A baby going-home outfit

_____ For the car ride home

_____ A car seat

_____ A hat

_____ Pacifiers

_____ For Dad

_____ Socks

_____ Underwear

_____ Two sweat suits

_____ Shower shoes

_____ A toothbrush

_____ Miscellaneous

_____ A phone charger

_____ Extra pillow

_____ Your favorite snacks

_____ A bottle of Pierrer

_____ Water cup

_____ Airpods (or other headphones)

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Pregnancy Health Routine Tips

Sep 29, 2021 | Family & Home, Parenting

I am counting down the days until my next baby girl arrives!

And while I love carrying my child, the discomfort and hormonal imbalances with my skin can be a real drag. After baby #3, I learned to incorporate a few things into my routine to help me feel a little less stressed and uncomfortable.

While I’m no medical professional, here are my pregnancy health routine tips that may work well for you, too:

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1. Soaking in a hot tub of water with Epsom salt, apple cider vinegar, and lavender essential oils

These ingredients are miracle workers for relaxing my body. The Epsom salt is a great home treatment for inflammation and sore muscles, two things I have definitely acquired while carrying around a growing bundle of joy. While the salt is healing your insides, the apple cider vinegar is enhancing that pregnancy glow with its antimicrobial properties that soothe the skin. To complete your bath, a couple drops of lavender oil will create a beautiful smell that leaves you feeling refreshed.

2. Chiropractor visits

Back pains are inevitable, but they don’t have to make you miserable. Your body is working hard to prepare for the baby so treat it with some helpful adjustments! The frequency changes from weekly to monthly, depending on how the baby is laying or the pain you’re experiencing. Not only will a chiropractic adjustment help you but it will also ensure that the pelvis is in the perfect place for delivery.

3. Prenatal massages

These are worth the splurge. No matter where you are in your pregnancy, laying on your stomach for a massage is uncomfortable at best. Prenatal massages are done by specialists that know how to adapt to your body with a special table and pillows. It can help with joint pain, swelling, back aches, leg cramping, and even sinus congestion!

4. Drinking lots of water and faithfully taking supplements

I take Mega Food Baby & Me Prenatal with prebiotic and probiotics, and Mega Food Blood Builders. These give me a blend of feel-good vitamins that keep my digestive system happy and provide me with a much needed dose of iron. I take it with a cup of orange juice to help get maximum benefit.

5. Hydrafacials

I have a ton of hormonal imbalances naturally, but they tend to go into overdrive during pregnancy and postpartum. My dermatologist recommended frequent hydrafacials and a skincare regime to use in between. With a special blend of serums and a powerful wand, the hydrafacial cleans, exfoliates, and hydrates my skin. Not only does this treatment help with skin texture, tone, and overall appearance, but it also is a special treat for hardworking moms to enjoy.

Pregnancy is supposed to be beautiful for you and the baby. So if you need to step back from the excitement and planning to focus on what you need to feel good, do it!