The Mommy Project

We have our favorite Louisiana Bride on this week’s podcast. Emily Babb, blogger of Louisiana Bride Blog joins me on the podcast for all things Summer! We discuss Vacation on a Budget- different ways to fill up the Summer hours without going crazy, And some of our favorite road trip tips for packing plus road trip snacks. Especially,  if you have littles in your home – vacations can feel like real life…. only not home. Forget the relaxing, lounging by the pool, sipping Pina Coladas type of vacation we did in our “no-kid days.” It is quite the opposite not to mention expensive. However- there are a few tricks and tips for vacationing where you can save money. Hotels.com, Groupon, HomeStay, Airbnb.com are just a few we have tried that are fun and inexpensive. We discuss the merits of Beach Camping, and Mountain Camping. Why it is important to start slow and small-scale when kids are involved. Beach Camping Link. Snacks for Road trip and The Zip-loc Bag Snickers, MMs, Coconut Water (the Nirvana Kind only and must be served cold), Ball Park Gum-balls, and Trail Mix.. made at home.   PlayDough Mess The No Crazy Method to Summer Hours and Littles or Kids at home: Toddler Approved Activities – article about 5 things to do daily with your toddler. Use all the Free Community Sponsored Activities to your advantage. The Library! Tv or No Tv: No Tv with commercials pushed at kids is my method of watching. And use Tv when you need it most. Like when you are trying to get ready for a date, church, or cooking dinner. The more TV my kids watch, the more they argue and the less they use their imagination. Especially- my two year old who would love to watch Peppa Pig all day !! Playdough, washable paints, garbage bags, and Going on a hunt! So much Fun. Edible Playdough (peanut Butter for anyone with allergies.   Music: Rolling in the Deep: Youtube Culture ( I love Adele, but this girl can sing it ! )

Sunday Confession 10: This is serious- all women everywhere need to know the answer to this question: where are the comfortable bras? For a self- proclaimed “booby” gal.. Cathy gives a few recommendations. What music did you like to listen to as a teenager? Being a teenager of the 70s- soft rock – Jackson 5, Chicago, Bread… Advice on the M-I-L question: Love her son. Develop a relationship with her as best as you can- It will enrich your life and hers. Yall are different, from different generations- y’all wont see things the same way- you may have different values…. If you can’t develop a relationship with your mother in law, respect her need and desire to have a relationship with your husband (her son) and grandchildren.       Top 3 pieces of advice for marriage: Love- Acceptance- Forgiveness Watch how you speak to your husband, tone of voice, bossiness, etc. If you don’t respect him, he may be attracted to someone who does… Love and Respect  book Dress in something sexy….

What advice would you give your 30-year old self? It is 1987- My 30 year old self- my children were 8,6,5. I worked outside the home as a Language Arts teacher. My children went to our church school. My life was fast paced, every second counted. I would say- Dear Girl, You are trying so hard to do everything perfect, you are forgetting to concentrate on the most important thing- and that is To LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your Children! If someone is misbehaving, try giving your him/her an extra 20 minutes of your time. Take a quick walk in the woods, build something with legos together, or climb a tree, sit on a limb and talk. Not only does the extra time help the parent-child relationship connection, it also aids in the child being more responsive to disciple and helps cultivate a heart of obedience. This method worked especially well with my (Kimberley) 13 year old self. At 13, I was an angry, rebellious child. The gift of quality time helped turn my relationship with my mom around for the better. Passing on the Faith: The Basics: Prayer Bible Time Worship being part of a Great Church Community Serve others. You are going to strong in one or two areas- not all- You Will Grow With Them (your children). Having a Mentor: Who will come along side you and give wisdom when needed. Family Talk (Podcast) Family Life Today (Podcast). Which provide programs on every part of marriage, raising children, dealing with our culture… Scripture: “I hoped to pass on to my children a love for God’s Word. The Word is Life- Isaiah 55- Plant seeds- Trust God to harvest.” Be assured that His promises are true. Whether you have seen it or not, Whether it happens in your lifetime or not. Psalm 34, 100, 145, 23. Small doses of Scripture– Meditate, Speak it, Discuss it, Apply it… Practical Steps: “We started out strong: but sometimes our Bible time ended with me (Cathy) getting angry.” do it according to their age level keep it short always apply to real life use object lessons on the spot Plan ahead if an idea strikes you in the middle of the night (good for teenagers) Draw a map or puzzle Eat the Passover of other Feasts discussed in the Bible. The Ology: Ancient Truths, Ever New. (a great resource for young children) And Pray…. That is the simplest way to begin Passing on the Faith.

Cathy Hogan and Evie (one of her granddaughters) Discussion Points: Spend some individual time with your kids Psalms 34 Meal Time with the family Bible Time and How it really looks with littles It is important where you go to Church. It is important who you choose to influence you. God has a way of filling in the blanks Matthew 25:35-36 Invest in the family. Take care of your Man Next week- we will finish this conversation by discussing how to get reconciliation with a rebellious teenage daughter and some good resources for parents and passing on the faith.

Who wears the same sweat pants 365 days a year? Who takes an entire 45 minute car ride to create an Instagram post? Who gives a Hard No to the other’s choice of music? Find out more on this Special Bonus Confession  Episode- a Marital Confession. Anniversary – The Seventh Year Special Music: Alabama Shakes and Vanilla Ice

This Sunday Confession is a full of nuggets of wisdom. And in True Confession form- this episode took me 17 takes to get the intro right… and I am still not sure “it is the best.” Questions I am asking all moms who are part of the Faith and Family Series: Tops 3 pieces of advice about marriage How to answer the mother-in-law question… Where do you buy a comfortable bra? What book is on your nightstand right now? What kind of music did you listen to when you were a teenager/college? (one of my favorites) Ms. Diane gives us to wisdom and insight in this Sunday Confession . Music- Always Alright by Alabama Shakes

Diane Spillers- Mom of 10 and Grandmother to 12 is on the Podcast. We are talking about Faith and Family. Two values that are near to our hearts as Women of Faith and as Mothers.   Diane Spillers and her husband Jim Please come from our shoulders not from our side. Be the gleaner, the fielder of learning…learn from where we were wrong. Matthew 6:33 “All these little things..” What needs to be done, gets done. We can’t wield it- if you don’t know it. Just don’t stop! Mom is a Calling. “I just can’t wait until you fall in love with him.” Zephaniah 3:17 Ephesians. 3 Proverbs. 3:1-6 Micah 6:8 Proverbs 12:12 Jeremiah 23:29 Music: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton “Island in the Dream.” Gambler- Instrumental.

Sunday Confession 07 is here! It’s Mother’s Day and what a better day to come clean on what makes our life hilariously sinful. We talk food confessions and what happens when we dive deep into YouTube make-up Tutorials. We may have a slight obsession with makeup   Jimmy Fallon Lip Sync Battle Chocolate Chip Decadent Brownies Famous Amos Cookies Ice-Cream and – no sharing allowed Large Mugs full of M&Ms and late night television Cheers “It’s All Mine!” Emily can be found on all 5000 social platforms as LABride or Louisiana Bride Blog  and on her website: louisianabrideblog.com Thank You Emily for confessing and for being your delightful self! Happy Mother’s Day!

Ep. 41- We have our favorite LaBride on the Podcast. Emily is a wife, mom, blogger, teacher, and self-proclaimed “hippie who is forced to live in the city.” On the podcast- we discuss blogging life, music we love and won’t admit to loving, and  why having a two year is like living in the twilight zone. Favorite subjects on this episode include: Beef Wellington- The Southern Way Beatles, N-Sync, and the Spice GirlsWhy the internet is so fantastic- Find your People Blogging Life- the process and how it changes over time and seasons of life. Two year olds and their delightful and eccentric moments. Food, Whole 30 and why Pinterest is the way to go Favorite Quotes: How blogging changes after a baby: “I couldn’t figure out how to wash my hair and Blog at the same time.” The Walmart- Spaghetti Situation:  “I put whole wheat pasta in the cart and you would have thought I asked for a divorce.” Ice Cream and the Whole30: “I am willing to suffer for the cause.” Mardi Gras Bluebell ice-cream, Americone Dream Ben and Jerry’s and Why Emily needs her own pint!   Emily can be found on all 5000 platforms: twitter, instagram, facebook, google+, pinterest... The Louisiana Bride Blog is a great resource for recipes, culture, lifestyle and fun posts!   this is real folks!

Sunday Confession 06 is here! Thank you Jennifer for rescuing a friend who needed a friendly chat and a little spark in her Sunday. We talked old country music of the 90s. How Techno Music is good for concentration, and why Bruno Mars is the go-to for a dance-off.  Hoarded living room, Essex. The Confession involves: Hoarding. Deep Fried Twinkies , Online Subscription Boxes as a trend and the Colbert Late Night TV Show. Enjoy Sunday Confession 06, and Happy Sunday!! Music: Bruno Mars 24k Magic Tanya Tucker Down to My Last Teardrop  Marc Broussard Cry to Me… 

Changing it up this week!  We are going to have two “Sunday” Confessions this week.   Listen to Kimberley struggle to pronounce words like “ulterior” and try to rationalize lying to her kid. And what ‘s up with all the freaking cookies flying around in a moving vehicle? Plus, we discuss: Why Ron Swanson and dancing elephants can save a marriage, How to glean wisdom from day-time talk shows and enticing your kids to behave with food may back fire and ruin your great plans.   Music for this podcast: Alabama Shakes- Always Alright and Florence and the Machine.

Sunday Confession 04- Lauren Bond Confesses and shares a Guilty Pleasure!

Lauren Bond is our guest this week. Lauren is mom to 6. Here her story Here on the podcast.  We discuss: Birth Order importance, Faith and Family are the Top Two, and How Foster Care is a Journey of Grace. Quotes to Remember: “Passing Your Faith down to your kids is an on going conversation. It is in the day to day.” Who are you responsible for? ask this question when you think your child is feeling a like passing the blame. use a calendar and alarms to keep up with all the Stuff. The costume days, the snack days, book day, picture day, drug-free week… etc. Have Perspective Know who you are and whose you are. be gentle on yourself. Women can be so self-deprecating- and this is not fair to you or the girls listening and imitating you. Leaders always Lead Faith and Family are my Top Two things in my life.

Lyndsey Sikes comes clean- on this week’s Sunday Confession-

Books mentioned in this podcast: (in no particular order)- The Berenstain Bears books Amelia Bedelia Fudge and Superfudge, Shelia the Great Laura Ingalls Wilder series Babysitter Club and Sweet Valley High The Christy Miller Series EB White/ Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web Strawberry Girl Anne of Green Gables The Mandy Series Sarah Plain and Tall Redeeming Love The Mark of the Lion series (the triology that made me weep and repent as a rebelious 14 yr old) The Scarlet Thread Rise and Walk: The Dennis Byrd Story. ( the book that transformed Lyndsey’s life) Joyce Meyer books, Catherine Marshal, Elizabeth Elliott A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Little Women Peter Pan Winnie the Pooh CS Lewis The Hiding Place  Books are kids love: (ages 4-9mo.) Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me The Sandra Boynton books: esp. Doggies, Bath Time, Snuggle Puppy, The Belly Button Book- can’t go wrong with this author… (see pictures above) Jamberry (a favorite for both of us… moms and kids alike) Dear Zoo The Day the Crayons Quit (there is more books in this series, but this is my favorite one) Goodnight Moon (a classic love) A Lullaby for Little One (so beautiful! ) The Cranberry Books Amy Krouse Rosenthal books (love her website.. she does it all) The Pete the Cat books are also awesome! Books We love, Hated, and what we are reading right now:  Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL … A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Settle for More The Bait of Satan Game of Thorns Paul Tripp’s Parenting book Raising Boys In the Company of Women … I forgot to mention my love of art and interior design books) Classics that I love, and were surprised to Love: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Anna Karenina (that is a commitment) Age of Innocence A Tree Grows in Brooklyn The Hiding Place (a classic of awesome proportion ) Matilda and Danny, Champion of the World, Also- Witches is really Funny. Roald Dahl. Danny and my Maverick have a lot in common.