I have been debating cutting my hair for some time and I finally did it! And it was the best choice! I wake up and it is super easy to style and takes me so much less time to wash and blow-dry. For this season of life I am absolutely loving my short hair. Earlier this year I wanted to cut it so badly. After thinking it over I decided to wait until summer, grow it out more, and then donate my hair. I had 10 inches taken off and I left it up to my stylist to determine the cut and style. Needless to say it was a dramatic difference and I have been so happy with the results. Wearing: Romper (Similar) I donated my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths the program that helps women battling cancer feel like themselves again with free, real-hair wigs. In case you are interested here are a few of the products/tools I use on my hair: Kristin Ess Soft Shine Beach Wave Spray BabyBlissPro Dryer Curling Wand Its a 10 By It's a Ten Miracle Leave in Product My husband was super … [Read more...]
The Mama Confessionals: What No One Tells You About Motherhood
I can remember the summer before our oldest went to preschool. I continued to second guess myself in the weeks leading up to his first day of the twice weekly class he would be going to for a combined 5 hours a week. Were we making the right choice? Would he be ok? Would I be ok? And many more anxiety filled questions that were very similar. And here is a little spoiler alert for all you parents with little babies. These questions, at least in my experience, continue to happen for each new milestone. I don't think you can really understand this emotional roller coaster if you aren't a parent. At the time I was just 6 months out of counseling for postpartum depression and anxiety after the birth to our daughter. During the second week of preschool, I entered a room of 30 women+ women who I had never met to attend a weekly bible study that was held at the church where my child attended school. Clutching my Bible, I felt scared, my anxiety was choking me, but I knew I needed to be … [Read more...]
2018 East Valley Family Fun Summer Guide (That Won’t Break The Bank)
Local blog readers, last year I did a post that contained free or inexpensive activities around the East Valley. It was one of the more popular posts on the blog last year and I thought I would bring it back for 2018. I have lived in this area for 27 years and I feel I have a pretty good idea of the local spots that are fun, free/inexpensive, or air conditioned to hit up during the summer months. This is obviously not an exhaustive list, but this is a list of things that our kids enjoy or we think they will enjoy this summer, we enjoy doing with them, and also do not cost much money. Without further delay here is the updated list for 2018! EAST VALLEY SPLASH PARKS Our community has so many splash parks! Many master planned neighborhoods are featuring these in the parks surrounding new homes. I know there are probably many more that I could have included in this list. CHANDLER Spray pads operated by the city run 9am-7pm May through August and 10am-6pm September through … [Read more...]
How Family Discipleship Works in Our Home
For the last 6 months our family has been reading, studying, and memorizing scripture together, and using a shorter catechism. Josh and myself did not grow up in homes where this was modeled. So if we can do this anyone can. I know I am always so thankful to read examples of what this looks like in other families and thought that I would offer out a very basic outline of what we are doing. First and foremost, if you as the parent aren't committing to read your Bible it will be hard, to nearly impossible, to make a habit of family discipleship with your kids. In order for this to work you have to be in God's word yourself. This year I am reading a chronological version of the Bible. Josh is using The Bible Project reading plan. Second, pick a time of day that works for your family and be consistent. But also be aware that leading your children to follow Christ should be happening throughout the day. For our family breakfast time Monday - Friday is what has been working best. I … [Read more...]
The Buschel Digest: January 2018
Here are the highlights of what I have read including fiction, non-fiction, and around the internet for the month. I am reading this Chronological Bible reading plan six days a week and the kindle version is on sale right now for $2.99. It is always a great day to start reading your Bible and highly recommend this plan by George Guthrie. Apple Investors Urge Action on iPhone Addiction Among Kids "These creators-turned-critics say the software is programmed to trigger rushes of dopamine in the brain that keep users coming back over and over again, with little consideration, beyond profit, of the long-term consequences of that behavior scaled across billions of users." Parents, Please Don’t Let Your Kids Watch Logan and Jake Paul If your kids have access to YouTube you must read this article! "He leveraged a suicide for content. For attention. For views. What Logan Paul did was messed up, no doubt, but what Logan Paul did is simply a single strain of a much larger, multi-faceted … [Read more...]
How the Church Can Engage Millennials
The past weekend our pastor posed a question to the millennials in our congregation, how can the church better engage millennials? He challenged any millennial to send him and the church staff ideas about how to get this generation, my generation, more involved. Normally this isn't something I would write about, but here I go, about to try. To preface this post I am writing very broadly. I am not just writing in regards to my own local home church but to the body of christ universally. That being said here are my thoughts on how the church can engage millennials. Please read, teach, and engage me in God's word. My generation is used to seeing advertisements and gimmicks so show me something different on Sunday mornings. Show me the goodness and truths in scripture and help me apply it to my life. In a world that is constantly changing teach me about God being the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Read me scripture because I need to hear it. Encourage and challenge me to … [Read more...]
