ATTENTION, ATTENTION: SUMMER HAS ARRIVED! by Betsy Ringer, Transition Physician

When I was in junior high - middle school for most of you- Nat King Cole (Natalie Cole's dad) had a song that started out, "Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer..."

I hope you are truly experiencing a joyful summer! Feel the heat. Listen to the laughter. Do something you’ve never done before. Thank God for blessings.

And if you are wondering how in the world you are going to get everything done, as your Coach:

1. I give you permission to NOT do three things today.

2. My prescription includes dropping everything for three hours and go do something fun.

3. AT LEAST make a yummy summer dessert like Fruit Pizza!

FRUIT PIZZA

2 pkgs. cream cheese
1 roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. sugar (or to taste)
Pizza pan
Assorted fruit suggestions: Kiwi, strawberries, pineapple, bananas, or blueberries.

Spread cookie dough over pizza pan. Cook the crust as directed on wrapper. Soften cream cheese. Add vanilla and sugar. Spread cream cheese mixture on top of cooled cookie. Cut and lay fruit in circles. Serve immediately.

Enjoy these lazy, hazy, mostly CRAZY days of summer!

Please share a yummy summer dessert or an idea to have fun!! CLICK HERE TO SHARE!

Betsy’s specialty is helping women navigate new life directions:

• Discovering your design and purpose
• Changing job/career
• Growing in a Leadership role
• Moving into Midlife and beyond
• Experiencing new life stage or role
• Stuck and wanting to move forward

She also speaks to women’s groups and conducts workshops that help women discover their design and live the vital life they were meant to live.

Visit her bio and speaking page at: http://www.ibloom.us/associates/betsy.html

Name Your Big Rocks First by Betsy Ringer, "Transition Physician"

So, I LOVE helping women navigate transitions in life. Transition is a synonym for progression! When we are in transition we “feel” stuck, but if we can view it as progressing, we will have a whole new outlook. Some typical transitions include:

• Discovering your design and purpose
• Changing job/career
• Growing in a Leadership role
• Moving into Midlife and beyond
• Experiencing new life stage or role
• Stuck and wanting to move forward

Something that gets me stuck sometimes and unable to move forward is not taking the time to name my priorities. I work like a crazy woman and feel like I’m not getting anywhere. I get a lot done, but not what I REALLY want to get done. I work with a lot of women and I know this is a common issue.

I invite you to watch this TERRIFIC video and learn the importance of putting your “Big Rocks First!”

Big Rocks First video

Please click here and let me know how the video is helpful!

Visit me on our website to view my bio!

Finding You.. Every Day by Tara McClenehan, Reaching Moms of Young Children

(Excerpt from “The New Me” by Colleen Kappeler as published in The Mommy Diaries.)
We celebrate our children’s uniquenss with abandon, relishing each new feat of genius, every step of creative independence. We encourage them to chase their dreams, seek out ways to practice their talents and strengths, and enjoy their passions. Why is it so hard to do the same for ourselves?

A map remains useless if left in the glove compartment. As women wired especially to live our own lives, one-of-a-kind creations tailor-made for significant impact, we owe it to ourselves and our families to fiercely protect our core identities. Our legacies flow from them, and they are what touch and move our children most intimately. Cultivate who you are; seek out ways to grow and to stimulate your true self. No one else can fill your role; no one else is prepared so perfectly to love your family, mother your children, live your life. You’ve got what it takes. It’s time to get going.

1.What surprised you the most about yourself once you became a mother?
2.How do you feel you have changed since motherhood? How do you feel you are the same?
3.Are there parts of yourself you feel you’ve lost and you deeply desire to regain?
4.Can you believe that you were created with amazing potential and with gifts that only you can bring to the table? If not, what is holding you back from embracing this truth?

Please add your comments on any of the above questions. We would love to hear from you! Click here to comment.

It's Off to College We Go! by Lori Snider

It started when my oldest daughter was in the 10^th grade; someone would ask how old she was and then I’d say the grade and immediately think- she’s almost a senior! I was known to tear up at the grocery store and any other place. I knew I needed to get a grip on the fact that my girls were going to grow up and leave the house!

I was browsing at the Christian bookstore and came upon the book, Give Them Wings by Carol Kuykendall. This book saved my life! My copy is tear-stained and dog-eared. I have recommended this book to many and have even purchased a few more copies for friends.

In her book, Carol gives advice and personal testimonies to use throughout your child’s high school years. You don’t have to wait until their senior year to buy this book! Here are a couple ideas that you might want to try:

• Keep a journal of your child’s senior year. I recorded the memories- both good and bad- and gave this as a graduation gift to my girls.
• Have your family goodbye prior to dropping off your child. Those move-in days are hectic- Carol shares a hilarious story of how her son’s goodbye was abrupt and not at all what she envisioned. Have your prayer and hug time before you head out to the dorm!
• Make as many decisions ahead of time as possible - finances, phone calls home, and expectations of college breaks. You may adjust these as the year goes on, but it is helpful if you have prayed and thought about major matters!

Enjoy the fact that your child is about to experience a new season of life and send them off with love and support! Let them know you have confidence in their ability to leave the nest! You will soon find ways to embrace this stage of parenting just as you did the other stages! Find the joy!

Lori is an Associate with iBloom and specializes in issues about parenting. She finds great joy in being a Mom and it is her desire that all women embrace and enjoy this amazing role! Click here to see Lori's bio page.

SPECIAL DELIVERY by Leigh Ann Napier

Have you ever had this happen to you?

• You get a call from a friend who says exactly what you needed to hear, right when you needed to hear it most
• You run into someone you haven’t seen in a long time and you know that had you been 5 seconds later, you wouldn’t have seen them
• You get a card in the mail that just makes your day
• You are seated next to someone on a plane who shares wonderful information with you about something you are working on
• Or (one of my personal favorites) a song plays on the radio that expresses your heart and offers you hope for what you are going through

These “happenings” are little gifts from God. They are little reminders to show you that God is a God of details. He cares about you beyond your capacity to understand. He loves you more that you could ever comprehend. God, who created the Universe and everyone and everything in it, knows and cares about YOU to the point of orchestrating other peoples’ errands, the mail truck, the seating chart, traffic, the playlist on your iPod or radio. Details…God is into the details.

Are you noticing these gifts? Are you recognizing when you get a care package from God? Sometimes we don’t even see them. Don’t appreciate God’s creativity in sending us an instant message. Some things that can block the message:

• Being too busy
• Running late…always in a rush
• Focusing on our problems more than our God

Be sure you are accepting deliveries! Look for God to show up. Expect Him to show you His love. Then remember to thank Him and pass on that love to others. They’re desperate for it.

Take a minute and share a “Special Delivery” you have received. Click on "Comments" below.

Leigh Ann is an Associate with iBloom. She helps you plant seeds for a fruitful, loving and lasting marriage. Click here to visit her bio page.

Birthdays and Beauty by Betsy Ringer - The Transition Physician

Did you know a synonym for “transition” is progression? When we are in transition, we often feel stuck. If we can think of it as part of our progression to a new stage, it won’t be so scary.

It’s almost my birthday. Oh, this isn’t just any birthday. I am now, well, let’s just say I have many, many years of experience in “midlife.” Did I say many?! Most of my life is behind me. When I walk past a mirror, I wonder who that person is I’m looking at. On the inside, I feel much prettier than the mirror reflects back.

No matter our age, I wonder if we see ourselves with the beauty God sees us with. I’m reminded of Norman Rockwell’s painting of the young girl looking in the mirror wondering if she’ll ever grow up as pretty as the lady in the magazine. I was a fat little girl with a unibrow. Perhaps beauty found me for a while in my late teens for a number of years. And now? No more physical beauty so it’s time for a transition into a different kind of beauty.

As I think about moving into yet another decade, I have decided that when I look in the mirror I am going to CHOOSE to see the beauty of wisdom, joy, making a difference, using the strengths God gave me, and then turn and look for the next adventure around the corner.

Please celebrate with me! Celebrate YOUR life and CHOOSE to see your beauty! I even have a gift for you…some inspiring quotes:

“A person is only beautiful, when their own beauty, is reflecting on to others.” Tara Grady

“Those who look for beauty, find it.” Unknown

“Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes.” Sophia Loren

"Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers and are famous preservers of youthful looks." Charles Dickens

“Even I don’t wake up looking like Cindy Crawford.” Cindy Crawford

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 2 Timothy 2:17

CLICK HERE to share a quote, experience or encouragement for others. YOU matter!

Betsy is an Associate with iBloom. She helps women navigate new life directions whether discovering their design and purpose, changing careers, growing in a leadership role or moving into midlife and beyond. CLICK HERE to learn more about Betsy.

The Lone Ranger Mama by Tara McClenahan

One eyelid fluttered open as I strained to determine if I really heard what I thought I heard. My suspicions were confirmed with the next telltale sound so I threw back the warm covers and groggily shuffled through the minefield of Legos, the overturned art table and leaking sippy cup as I tried to avoid tripping over the dog dancing in anticipation of her breakfast. I stepped into the kitchen and looked at my toddler standing with both feet squarely in the dog’s water bowl, doing his own version of Lord of the Dance: Waterworld. He noticed me and flashed his dazzling dimpled grin as he picked up the pace to impress me with his skills. The urge to just turn around and go back to bed was VERY appealing. Of course, just then both the doorbell and phone began ringing. I took a deep breath and evaluated my coping skills for the day ahead and realized that I was seriously lacking.

Have you ever had a day where before 7 AM you were ready to sink to the floor and cry? Oh yes, it’s actually funny later, but at the time…. I used to try to be brave and go it alone, but I’m learning a better way. I’d love to share and also hear from you as well.

1. Thankfully, God is with us to help us:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 ESV

Even though I may only have five minutes between my child’s escapades, it’s enough time to praise God, read a Psalm or simply acknowledge God’s presence. Find that chunk of time in your day because it provides life from the Vine that we so desperately need.

2. God is ever present AND He sends friends and mentors to provide encouragement, guidance, laughter and perspective that all our efforts with our family will make a difference:

“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” Proverbs 27:9 ESV

If you realize that you are trying to be a Lone Ranger Mama, I encourage you to seek out friends and mentors. You can reconnect with old friends, make new friends by joining a new playgroup or an online mom community (try www.cafemom.com), join a mentoring group or seek out an older mom in your church to be your mentor.

Most of all, I just want to encourage you that you are not alone. Even when you want to go face first into your Cheerios, you have support all around you. Look up, wipe off your face, reach out your hand and get connected!

I care and I would like to hear about a day you went face down in the Cheerios and how reaching out to connect with God and a friend or mentor helped you!

For more resources about spending time in the Word and connecting with God, please check out www.ibloom.us/store.html.

Tara is an Associate with iBloom. She has a heart for helping Moms of young children flourish. Visit her at Tara McClenahan.

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