The Mommy Project

Easter Nos Fill the Void 

Everyone needs a little confessional session at the end of the week. So- we have provided a space to unload our burdens and share our guilty pleasures. This is the Sunday Confession Episode 01. What is your McDonalds? Enjoy! and Subscribe! iTunes. Hannah Alfred and Kimberley Roberson and their Sunday Confessions. Find Kimberley on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Leave us a comment and let us know what you would like discussed and your weekly confession. Topics mentioned: Whole30, Wendy Williams, Jim Gaffigan, A Serial Bailer, plus more.   Music: Hold On by Alabama Shakes Shake it Off by Florence and The Machine

Music by: University of Johannesburg choir performing:   Ukuthula David Crowder Band: Doxology Easter is a holy holiday and one which compels me to confess. I talk on real struggles, giving grace and why I don’t want my children to hide from the world, but to be brave and courageous. Let’s have a counterculture conversation. Special Mention: “Living in regret robs you of your confidence. Living in regret renders you timid. Living in regret kidnaps your courage. Living in regret weakens or steal your hope. Living in regret drags the past into present. Living in regret even drags the past into the future.” – Paul David Tripp. Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles that can Radically Change your Family. By Paul David Tripp. Special Thanks to: Evie and Maverick Roberson for their rendition of Holy Holy Holy

Lyndsey  Sikes, director of Life Choices Pregnancy Resource Center in Monroe, La. lives by the mantra “Only Love Today.” Keep the Mountains… Mountains and the Molehills… molehills. In her natural state, Lyndsey says she is an analytical- thinker with a heavy dose of anxiety. This anxious energy is one of the reasons she swears woman need to Advocate for themselves.  Lyndsey Breard Sikes and her beautiful family.   Quotes to love: All God is looking for is a little yes in our heart. I don’t have much, but I do have a little yes! Lyndsey speaking about her husband:  “To Know him is to Love him!” When Lyndsey gave birth to Olivia: “Its Like seeing things in color.” Advocating for yourself. Keep Pressing In. … Be your own Advocate. All the Baby Sugar, Its fun to get all the baby sugar. Your Faith is the Bedrock of your life. Its the greatest adventure! When you have a toddler at home there is, “A lot of Big Feelings, Big Feelings for her, big feelings for me.” In the crazy moments- I keep saying to myself I say, “I only have to love today!”   Lactation consultant: Nancy Brown Settle For More Megyn Kelly Hands Free Mama Rachel Macy Stafford Hands Free Life Rachel Macy Stafford Only Love Today Rachel Macy Stafford The Wonder Weeks App (see iTunes) Are my Kids on Track? by Sissy MEd, LPC-MHSP Goff (Author), Melissa MRE Trevathan (Author), David LMSW Thomas (Author) Music in this week’s episode: Lovely Day– by Bill Withers Sugar Town – Zooey Deschanel I’m Gonna Make it Better – She & Him Vol.2

Topics discussed: Time Management vs. Life Management Article about the dreaded question: “What do you do?: A Stay at Home Mother’s most Dreaded Question. The Quotidian Poet- Anne Bradstreet. Puritan Work Ethic Boss Lady- P31 woman. Why comparing ourselves to other women is a soul-killing pursuit. Tips and Tricks: Having a Curriculum/ or simple goals Reading the entire Laura Ingalls Wilder Series  to your nursing infant keeps the boredom at bay Create a Calendar and plan 1 outing a day. The Library is a good place to go. Journal/ When you wonder how to calculate your day- write down Everything you do in that day Don’t forget to be still. Quotes to Love: “Dang Gina!” “I read an article somewhere at some point and I am sure its a credible source!” “Our Culture worships at the alter of busyness. We brag about how busy we are without acknowledging it is a brag.” Its not Time management, but Life Management. How are we qualifying our time. Wash on Monday,Iron on Tuesday,Mend on Wednesday,Churn on Thursday,Clean on Friday,Bake on Saturday,Rest on Sunday.”     ~ Little House in the Big Woods p. 28 – 29. Music to Listen for: Jimi Hendrix “American Woman.” Alabama Shakes “Always Alright.”  

The Mommy Project invites Shelley Amos on the podcast to discuss Breastfeeding tips, supplements and “what I wish I had known” tricks. Shelley is a registered nurse, wife to a worship minister and mom of 3. This episode has the vibe of  2 friends siting at a coffee shop and catching up on life. It is also broken into 3 parts. Part one: Breastfeeding: our experiences, what we wish we had known, supplements, and what to do if you have mastitis, engorgement, what to do if your baby Will NOT take a bottle, and How to handle a Nazi Nurse in the hospital. Part 2: we discuss : how having kids rocked our world and some of the particular challenges we face on a day to day basis. Part 3: How to find the Serenity when the house is a zoo, kids are fighting, and you are hating life. Special Mention: GIFs- this useful tool of communicating your feelings without sending your SO into hiding. Amazon overnight Crayola Washable paint and the use of a Garbage bag. (great trick) Chainsmokers What Alice Forgot by Laine Moriarty (an excellent read for any woman of any age) Gaia Lactation Support (helps with the Quality and Quantity of milk supply) I buy my supply on Amazon- great for moms who pump. Jump on the Trampoline, dance Parties and Alex Crafts (Amazon) Love & Outcome – In God Alone Excess Lipase IN Breastmilk- and How to save the Pumped Breastmilk- great article. About Scalding the milk before freezing. This is especially helpful information if you have a baby who will NOT take a bottle.

Episode 34 – we are in the kitchen with Marianne Neufang, a mom of 2 toddlers, Dietitian and Nutritionist, Mentor, Minister, wife, Life group Hostess…she wears all the “hats” well. Her secret? Stay Organized, stick to the schedule, plan out the meals, and let everything else fall where it may. I learned so much from talking to Marianne. She threw a PSA for choosemyplate and several tips on trying to get your toddler to eat vegetables and fruits.  The food issue is a hot topic among moms with littles.  Other topics discussed include: Ratatouille, Breastfeeding (trials and complications), the Competitive Spirit among Moms and Why placing Margin in your life is So Important! Music for this Episode: Suis Moi- Camille (From The Little Prince)   Don’t forget to Subscribe and check us out on iTunes. Share the love. Leave us a review, please. We are on Instagram! Much Love to all women and all mothers in this fascinating world.

On this week’s podcast- the discussion revolves around Anxiety- Coping mechanisms, feminism, How to NOT let history repeat itself, and Music Therapy- For our Guest- this means: “Loud, disruptive, hard core Rock to express anxious emotions and stress.   Quotes to remember: “[Music like Tool and Led Zeppelin] give Reason for the tension in my life.” “I hope he never stops playing with me.”- Hannah speaking about her son’s playful Rock, Paper, Scissors game and the way they laugh with each other.” “Don’t Turn on me.” “Family life is a Collective Effort.” Songs for this week’s Podcast Episode: The Outsider by A Perfect Circle The Pot by Tool.    Don’t forget to Subscribe and tag a friend- Share with a Friend. Help us Encourage women, moms, young and old beautiful ladies. We all could use a little Led Zeppelin in our lives!

We are talking about Intentional Parenting on today’s podcast. What does this mean? How can we keep up the pace when we are weary? Pam gives us a picture of what a day looks like in the Life of the White family, crazy moments and all. Intentional parenting is maintaining a presence of mind and as a parent knowing the end goal. Pam gives tips and tricks on how to rejuvenate the weary soul. Quotes to love: I’m not a Maid, I’m a Mom Always have a snack on hand- they are usually little bears to deal with due to blood sugar issues. (when you want to have a sane conversation with your kid- after school pick up) You fight the most with people you love the most Wednesdays are the Worst The first time we tried game night – it was a disaster! I want our home to be a place of comfort and peace. This is my place. Game Night   Things to try: Wednesday Game Nights Dance Parties in the kitchen or while driving are a way to help break the tension. Sugar by Maroon 5 Full disclosure: “the kids and I like “Sugar” by Maroon 5. I know.. horrible mom… wait till they find out what some of those lyrics are…    Pam is on Facebook Find us on iTunes Subscribe and tell a friend Twitter Facebook Instagram

Angela Lebrun Grubbs is a Wife, Mom, Sister, Daughter, Professional- this is how she describes herself. She approaches Motherhood like she does with life…. laidback, unflustered.  A “laisse les bons temps rouler” affair. Angela shares her easy-going way of handling sleep schedules, toddler appetites and understanding how finite this stage of motherhood is. She gives tips on appreciating the grandparents, dressing your child, and “don’t judge” breakfast for the rushed working mom. Music for this podcast episode: Buckwheat Zydeco “Ya Ya.”

Breastfeeding, Postpartum, Letting Go of our Expectations. What are our biggest struggles as a mom? Especially a Mom to Littles- Hannah Alfred is a beautiful soul- if this were Avonlea and we lived in the Green Gables era- Hannah would be my “kindred spirit.” Her humor and exuberance is paired with an intense struggle with perfectionism; what she refers to as “paralysis by analysis.” We talk about the first year as mom- the preparedness a we can strive for, but when life happens or the doctors demand bed rest and the baby comes 8-10 weeks early- all the advice and the books are useless fodder and reality kicks us in the teeth. Motherhood is often a joyful, but lonely affair. There are moments when guilt can cripple, frustration derails our intentions, and the ordinariness of our day can isolate moms. This series is a safe place to share our stories, break the isolation and laugh at the absurdity of the idea of “perfect mom.” Thank you- Hannah- for being real- “for speaking my language.” Quotes to remember: “Its not the hat that I put on, but the freakin trashbag I wear! ” “Only a Man would come up with an invention like The Pump.” Soundtrack: “Jungle Boogie”- Kool & Gang “Good Day” – Nappy Roots “Giving Up”- Ingrid Michealson Subscribe on iTunes. Share with Friends, Family, church Members, and your neighbors. Lets share the love! The Podcast Project on Instagram The Podcast Project on Facebook The Podcast Project on Twitter

We both chose our top 3 habits of Happiness – The Practices we choose, the Priorities we make and the failures we encounter all point back to the question of Happiness. Craig’s Top 3 and Kimberley’s top 3 differ in many ways – capitalizing on different personalities, ways of approaching relationships and past experiences. Quotes to Remember: MY LIFE HAS BEEN A DANCE WITH HUMANITY.FRIENDS ARE MY PASSION.       “Pressure Pushing Down on me/ Pressing down on You/ No man Ask For.” – David Bowie, Queen. “Just ho​e your own row and raise your own babiesSmoke your own smoke and grow your own daisiesMend your own fences and own your own crazyMind your own biscuits and life will be gravyMind your own biscuits and life will be gravy” – Kacey Musgraves My Number 3 is a combination of 2…. – how’s that math for ya! – Craig “I don’t “do” the elliptical bike…” – Kimberley Music in Episode includes: Kacy Musgraves- “Biscuits.” American Authors- Best Day of my Life David Bowie- Pressure Quote from Mad Men I know its Not me- by Charles Jennings

This week’s discussion is centered on 1 word: Exuberance. We talk pop culture, historical legends and Children’s Lit. Asking ourselves-  What do Theodore Roosevelt, Phoebe Buffay, and AA. Milne’s Tigger  have in common? Plus More. Join the discussion- as we dive into what makes Happy People behave the way they do. How can we approach life with Vigor, High Spirits and Fearlessness when we live in a world of negativity and struggle. We also have a Top 10… ish list of Happy habits! Subscribe to The Podcast Project on iTunes. Check us out on instagram and twitter. Music in Ep. 28: Happy by Pharrell Williams, Bobby McFarrin’s Don’t Worry Be Happy and The Bee Gees- You Should Be dancing. Podcast mention: The Presidential

January is Resolutions Month.. but not here! This episode we discuss what is so awesome about childhood sicknesses, nostalgia, and home remedies: the mislabeled, the lore and the eccentric version. Want to Know how to cure Gallstones and Acne?  or What does day- time Soaps, The Princess Bride and Kraft Mac and Cheese have in common? Subscribe and Share with friends. Season 2.  Episode 26. Please Subscribe ! 

December Resolutions: What I will do: Emphasize The Christmas Story (Luke 2: 1-20) to my children- more than the Santa Culture. Get out of the Funk – and Read Children’s Lit (Little House in the Big Woods, Little Women, Winnie the Pooh). I learn so much from children and literature for them. Not over spending. (no 1000 cookie bake offs, expensive decorations, buying, buying and more buying.) Use what I have. (Go “shop” through my house for Christmas Decor) Limit Sugar- I don’t want to end the year: bloated, moody and needing a sugar detox. Watch The Christmas Story, While You Were Sleeping and Elf  as many times as I want. Listen to Awesome Tunes  such as Penny and Sparrow  Christmas Album (Spotify) Exercise daily- my best and healthiest coping skill with stress. Get in Bed with a good Book, and a large mug of coffee, tea, or my favorite Wassail. Say No to family drama, gossip and complaining.   What I won’t do: Misuse my indulgences: Save it for my Mom’s Sweet Potato Pie Squares with Shortbread Crust. or a Nice size slice of homemade pie…. NOT knock off candy, cookies, chips and whatever else comes. Fuss Over the MESS. (I live with 1 husband, and 3 little kids… my house is never up to my tidy standards… but for this month- I will relax.) Watch Too Much TV. Try to Fill Up the Days with Stuff. Compare my self, my house, my kids, my pocketbook, my heart, my mind to others. That’s Just dumb Forget to laugh. Forget to Pray.   Special Mentions in the Podcast: Myquillin Smith – The Nester.  (The Nesting Place – home decor, awesome hacks! Love this book) Penny and Sparrow  (Awesome Music – my favorite song is Come Thy Fount… They do an amazing- edifying rendition! ) Evie and Maverick Roberson are special guest on the show.