Reflections

I think its great how church makes you think...I'm not talking about just thinking about for a minute but actually reflecting on your life. It's amazing how we all get caught up in the world and sometimes forget just who we are supposed to be living for. No matter how rough life gets and no matter how many times we forget...God is why we are here. If you aren't a Christian or could care less about any of this then don't bother reading any further. I realize not everyone is at "this" point in their life where I am and I'm not the way you get there. This is, however, my personal blog and if you'd like to read further please feel free. But please don't leave cruel comments about how you don't agree with me.

Sometimes in a person's life their main goal is to get "something" or "somewhere" or to become "someone" yet they never really feel fully satisfied with their life. There is always something missing no matter how much money you get, how many "things" you have, etc. And its amazing how, typically, God is the last person on the list to make us realize that He can satisfy us. He's like a cold drink of water when you're in the desert. He keeps you going when no one or nothing can.

I was recently "ridiculed" by someone that really hurt me. I was referred to as "poor" and looking back...it doesn't hurt my feelings the way it once did. Not that I think I'm better than anyone because anyone that knows me knows I am not that way. My point is...I'm content with the small things in life. I'm content with living in a modest home and driving modest cars. I'm content with having what I need in life and maybe just a little extra. Life isn't about how much you can get or what you can become. Its about what you are doing to live for God and to help others in the name of Jesus. If you chose to live a luxurious life then go for it. But if I do not choose that for me and my children then don't ridicule me. Before you or anyone else judges anyone...perhaps you should look into the mirror and ask yourself are you happy with your life. Typically people will ridicule others when they are miserable. Don't try to fix mine when yours probably needs help more. And believe me, I'm not judging anyone throught his post. Its actually just a reflection of things that were on my heart at the time.

The funny thing about having blogs is that people will follow you and will read your posts and will claim on their blogs that everyone has their right to an opinion, religion and whatever else but when you post something that offends them then that right is absolutely void for anyone but them. The practical truth is that we all have a right to speech, religion or whatever. But that doesn't mean we have to be hateful or judgemental.

On another note, I think it is important that I stop worrying about what someone else thinks of me because in the end no one's opinion will matter...it wont matter what I wore...what my home looked like...what car I drove...what shoes I wore...how my hair was fixed...nothing. I pray God takes my blinders away and opens my eyes to what is important in life...and that is to follow Him and do His Will. Because, ultimately, I want to go Home and be safe from this world...no more pain...no more heartache.

Sun Smarts

Here are myths about sun, skin care, tanning beds, etc.

You don't need to wear sunscreen if you have dark skin. FALSE.
"Any skin color can get skin cancer," says Heather Woolery-Lloyd, a dermatologist in Miami, "Also, the number on complaint in patients with skin of color is uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. Sunlight makes hyperpigmentation worst, and you can never address these issues if a person does not wear sunscreen."

I read somewhere that sunscreen can expire. TRUE.
The active ingredients in sunscreens can lose their potency, so check the expiration date on the bottle. "To be safe, toss them after a year," says Dr. Bank.

I don't need sunblock when it's cloudy. FALSE.
You need to wear sunscreen every day, full stop. Remember: It's a beautiful day above the clouds, which offer little UV protection. So never skip the sunblock--ever.

Oral sunblocks can protect you from sun damage. TRUE.
So-called "internal sunscreens" can be used as additional sun protection. These supplements--one is called SunPill--contain potent antioxidants like green tea extract and the fern polypodium leucotomos, which help skin resist sun damage. They're great insurance but should be used in conjunction with sunscreen--not as a replacement. "These pills prevent damage to skin cells after sunlight hits the skin," says Dr. Verallo-Rowell. "Unlike sunblock, where you prevent the sun from producing chemical changes, antioxidants act later to quench the fire that has already started."

Tanning booths aren't all that bad. FALSE.
A tan is a signal that cells have been damaged, says Fairbrother. When you use a tanning booth, you're getting deeper radiation than you'd get from the sun. "Tanning booths also give people a false sense of security," she says. "A tan only gives you an SPF protection of two to four compared to sunblock, which gives you SPF of 30 or more."

June 2010 Better Homes and Gardens Giveaways and more!

Great Grill Off $2500 Sweepstakes! Enter today at www.bhg.com/grilloff

Win a $25,000 Dream Room Makeover! Enter today at www.bhg.com/dream.

The first 500 people to log on to www.bhg.com/sunblock will receive a free bottle of Neutorgena's new Spectrm+ Sunblock Lotion SPF 100.

iCamp. A free app for iPhone or iPods, enables your phone or iPod to emit strong white light--handy for finding things. Also suggests age-appropriate stories to read aloud--eerie sound effects included!

First Weeks of Summer

Last night we went to the "big" *sarcasm* city of Poyen, Arkansas to watch my cousin, Ryan, graduate from high school. It was awful! LOL. No, not really but it was really hot! Great to see him walk and get his diploma though...and he gave his mom, his Nana, his Aunt Melissa and ME a rose! I was so happy. It's sitting on my dinning room table now! :)

Today, Sara, Matt and I got up and ventured into Old Navy for $1 flip flops. Matt was less than thrilled and Sara wanted every color she could possibly get. We walked away with ten pair of flip flops! Now, we can start summer because everyone knows...flip flops are the start of summer! LOL.

Then we went to Wal-mart. I saw online, somewhere, that they were giving away free ice cream sundaes so I thought that would be the great ending to our shopping venture. I didn't expect them to be soooo big though. Great deal! Three types of ice cream, strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate syrup! I also got Sara some SUPER cute shorts to wear over her bathing suit when she has her FOUR day Science tour in a couple of weeks (blog to come about that later...super excited for her though!)

I've decided that this summer, since I get to be at home with them, we're going to plan our weeks (not so strict though) so that we always have something fun to do at least once a week. I bought some fun games for us to play at home too! And of course PLENTY of crayons, markers, glue, construction paper, glitter, pens, pencils, scissors and more for rainy days. Matt doesn't know it yet but he's going to master his times tables this summer too! I hope to blog daily on our adventures so keep your eye out! Maybe I'll see some of you on our journeys.

I'm so excited that I am able to be at home with them this summer! SOOO Thankful...it gives me so much joy in my heart because I feel this is where God wants me! I get to keep my home clean, study His word more and since I've been at home we have dinner together AT THE TABLE every night! Amazing considering we've never been able to do that...it was always rush rush rush. We actually sit down and talk to each other. I LOVE it!

Until next time,
Leslie

June 2010 Food Network Giveaways

Bobby Flay autographed a grilling fork right after a photo shoot with Food Network Magazine. Enter to win it, along with a whole set of tools from his line at www.foodnetwork.com/magazine.

Win a trip to the Big Apple to see Rachael Ray (two tickets), tour of the Every Day with Rachel Ray and lunch at one of her favorite restaurants. Go to www.facebook.com/mccormickspice to become a fan and enter to win.

Want to win $100,000? Enter the Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Contest. See complete rules at http://www.sutterhome.com/

Enter the Bush's Grillin' Beans Ultimate Hostess Sweepstakes for a chance to win Dinnerware and Glassware for 12, a BBQ Set and more ($2500 retail value) at www.bushbeans.com/sweeps.

Save $1.00 on al fresco. See recipes and get coupon at http://www.alfresconatural.com/

Cook with Beer! Enter this month's home cook recipe battle and you could win $500 toward foodnetworkstore.com. Enter your original recipe at www.foodnetwork.com/recipecontest .The winner will also appear in the upcoming issue.

Check back next month for July giveaways! :)

Want to subscribe to Food Network Magazine? Go to Amazon.com

Love

Have you ever loved someone so much the very thought of them being taken away from you can literally bring tears to your eyes? After today's ridiculous events I realized that my husband is wonderful...he is a very hard worker...he goes to school...he provides for our family and pays child support on two kids he never gets to see (previous marriage...obviously)...and he's good to me. I am so thankful for such a great man!