Running With Spears

Faith Builders Bible

My girls and I were super stoked last month when we received the Faith Builders Bible from Zonderkidz to try out and review!

This children’s Bible uses Lego illustrations to pique kids’ interest and invite them to engage with the stories they’re reading. It’s written in New International Reader’s Version (NIrV), which I’d never heard of before but really like. It’s based on the NIV, but revised to be easier for kids to read and understand. Not only did they use easier to understand words, shorter sentences, and all that jazz…they also added some clarifications, such as actually putting “Pharaoh Hophra” (if that’s who’s being talked about) rather than just “Pharaoh.”

It has quite a few story pages that briefly tell a Bible story, for example, the birth of Jesus, with a picture of a Nativity scene made of Legos and the invitation to make your own. There’s one page with some simple Lego creations like a cross, a sheep, and a fish that it challenges you to create on your own. It offers ideas for using Legos to memorize the books of the Bible, and includes tons of “Building Block Verses” such as First Thessalonians 5:11 “Encourage one another with the hope you have. Build each other up.”

The first thing my girls decided to do…after dumping ALL their Legos out, of course, was build the cross shown on the page with simple challenges. Even Smiles got in on the action (and did an amazing job for a two year old, I was super impressed that the creation she made wasn’t that far off from her sisters’). Then Boo decided to flip through and look at some story pages with illustrations.

The story of Zacchaeus caught her eye, and she and Artist decided to work together to make different parts of the scene. I read the story out-loud while they got to work. Boo can be super wiggly and interruptive when I’m reading, so it’s always great to have something for her to do with her hands while she listens.

When I finished reading, I wrote out the Building Block Verse to put on our fridge so we could all memorize it together, and Misteris noticed the fun the girls were having and joined in for a bit, showing Artist how to make a base for her tree so it wouldn’t topple over.

Inspired by the idea of creating stuff from the Bible story, Artist grabbed some pens and paper when she’d finished her portion of the Lego scene and began drawing additional illustrations to go along with the story of Zac, who became a cat in her version of the tale. 😀

Boo, however, was obsessed with the idea of building the illustrations with Legos, so she asked me to read her a few more of the story pages with illustrations, and she ended up deciding to build her own version of the Lego “Last Supper” scene.

I liked that the page about the story asked some thought provoking questions, like “What do you think they talked about that night? What would you have wanted to tell Jesus?”

I ended up leaving my girls to their own devices cause I needed coffee, so I’m not really sure what else they did, but they had a good time. Smiles eventually decided that her contribution to the efforts should be throwing all the Legos onto the floor, which was of course super helpful. 😉

All in all, I absolutely love the Faith Builders Bible, and so do my girls!

It’s the most unique children’s Bible I’ve seen. I adore the way it engages my girls with the stories so they don’t just go in one ear and out the other, and my girls love that they get to play with Legos while we read the Bible. 😉

Seriously, though, they’ve had a blast creating Lego scenes to go with the stories we’ve read, and seeing my girls associating God’s word with a creative, fun, fully positive experience is pretty priceless in my book.

I’ve bookmarked several more Building Block Verses for us to memorize together, and so far I’m quite pleased with how easily understandable the NIrV is, so it’s my current go-to Bible for reading scripture to my girls. And I just noticed a page on The Lord’s Prayer that I’ll show my girls later, because that’s what their lesson was about at church last Sunday, so that will be a fun way to reiterate what they learned.

If you’d like more opinions about the Faith Builders Bible, or to see other ways it’s being used, check out my fellow crew members’ reviews!

If your kids enjoy Legos (and what kids don’t, I mean, when else are they handed perfect little weapons to scatter all over the floor and test your ability to not cry out when you walk through the house at night barefoot and step on them. 😉 ), I bet they’d have fun with the Faith Builders Bible.

Let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll be happy to try to answer them…assuming, of course, that they’re questions about the Faith Builders Bible. Though I suppose I can try to answer your random questions as well. I’m pretty sure the answer will be coffee. 😀

10 tips for Managing RLS during Pregnancy

Oy with the poodles already! This pregnancy has really put me through the wringer! From severe constipation (complete with worse hemorrhoids than I ever imagined possible – sorry, but it’s true), to a blotchy face, to constantly waffling between being on the verge of tears and wanting to rip everyone’s head off, to insomnia, exhaustion, and nausea that often only allows me to finish half a cup of coffee before I start feeling sick (and I LOOVE coffee! Ugh!). 🙁

But for the past month and a half or so, possibly the worst (I can’t even believe I’m actually about to say that there’s anything worse than not drinking coffee) is Restless Leg Syndrome (a.k.a. RLS). I can go to bed ready to pass out the second my head hits my pillow, after walking around in a sleep deprived stupor all day…but 30 seconds after I lie down, my legs, which have apparently developed a mind of their own, insist that I move them, and refuse to just let me be still. They keep me up for hours and hours unable to relax and fall asleep.

10 tips for Managing Restless Leg Syndrome during pregnancy. | Running With Spears #RLS #homeremedy #essentialoils

After about the fifth night in a row of being awake more of the night than I was asleep, I decided I could no longer just passively hope to get rest at night and needed to take things into my own hands. RLS isn’t the only culprit, of course – there’s also my snoring husband, clingy co-sleeping toddler, excruciating charlie horses, needing to pee every 3.9 seconds, plus of course the general lack of ability to get comfortable with a giant belly. 😉

I’ve taken steps to try to diminish as many of the malefactors as possible, but the one that’s been driving me the most insane is RLS, therefore that’s what I’m most obsessed with relieving.

Here are the things that seem to actually help:

1. Soaking in an Epsom Salt bath. If I were to do nothing else, this is probably the one thing that would make the biggest difference. My personal “recipe” includes plenty of salt, a few drops of lavender essential oil, diffusing a relaxing oil blend such as Stress Away, and turning off all the lights except for my fake candles (I love the idea of candlelight, but not the smoke of burning real ones, plus I’m a klutz and might burn myself).

2. Massaging with PanAway. It’s an essential oil blend of Wintergreen, Helichrysum, Clove, and Peppermint. I put it in a small pump bottle diluted with fractionated coconut oil and massage my calves with it before bed, and again as needed throughout the night. It’s also my biggest saving grace when I feel a charlie horse threatening. If I can massage the area with PanAway in time, it keeps my muscles from cramping up.

3. Taking a Calcium and Magnesium supplement. I’ve found a liquid supplement, taken before bed, works best for me.

4. Taking a (gentle on the stomach) Iron Supplement. As a note…you should totally check with your Dr. before adding supplements to you diet, especially when pregnant. I tend to be anemic so my OB encouraged me to add iron to my diet. I first tried just eating more iron rich foods, because I’ve already been struggling with the worst constipation ever, but he recommended going ahead and adding a supplement, and when I read that iron supplementation has benefits for RLS symptoms I finally gave in and started taking some.
— I also take additional Folic Acid and a deficiency of that can contribute to RLS, too…just fyi. 🙂

5. Exercising – a bit. OK, I can’t honestly tell all that much whether it really makes much of a difference how active I am during the day beyond the typical chasing and cleaning up after three kids, plus third trimester nesting insanity…but I try to take the kids on walks when I can, or do some Just Dance on the Wii. Not too much, though. I can definitely tell when I’ve overdone it because then I have more trouble with leg cramps during the night….so, yeah.

6. Stretching. I’ve started stretching my calves when I’m relaxing in the bath and it definitely helps.

7. Applying Lavender essential oil. RLS is a sleep related disorder, so anything that can improve sleep is also a good idea. I put undiluted lavender oil on my neck, writs, and behind my ears just before lying down, and again during the night if I’m wide awake. (Also, I recently read an article about How to Grow Lavender in case any of you want to make your own oils, or bath bombs, or anything, with fresh lavender. )

8. Diffusing relaxing essential oils. I’ve started moving my diffuser to my bedroom at night. Misteris isn’t a big fan of lavender so I don’t often diffuse it. I typically stick with my go-to relaxation blend, Stress Away, though I’ve just ordered some Gentle Baby to try as well.

9. Consuming cinnamon. This one is difficult to tell for sure if it actually does anything, but cinnamon is supposed to help regulate blood sugar, and blood sugar crashing can be a cause of insomnia. Plus I like an excuse to eat a couple cinnamon candies (with cinnamon oil) during the day. 😉
– In all seriousness, this is an awesome warm milk and cinnamon drink that’s relaxing to have before bed.

10. Keeping my Kindle handy. If all else fails, my Kindle is (almost) always charged and ready on my bedside table. I used to think if I was lying awake in bed I’d just browse Facebook or something mindless on my phone for a few minutes rather than getting involved in a book that I might not want to put down, but the light from my phone actually makes me more awake, and I can read a book in night mode without having that problem. Even if I do accidentally get caught up in a good book, it’s still a lot less torturous than just tossing and turning for hours unable to sleep.

Bonus tips: I put a nightlight in my bathroom so I don’t have to turn on the light every time I get up to pee, and started using the new nursing pillow I ordered from Blessed Nest to support my tummy, which is working way better than any of the giant pregnancy pillows I’ve tried.

Edited to add – My sister is pregnant now and RLS has been a problem for her, too! She said a number of these tips helped her, especially the oils, and also her midwife recommended she take a turmeric supplement and that helped, too! 😀

I’ve found if I do ALL THE THINGS every day I’m able to sleep much better at night and have significantly less trouble with RLS…most of the time. That is, if I miraculously don’t’ have to get up to pee every 2 seconds, and my skin isn’t too itchy, Apple isn’t crushing my lungs too much, and the moon’s not full…but whatever. I actually had like three nights in a row of pretty good sleep. It was practically a miracle.

What is, or was, your worst sleep disrupter during pregnancy? I’d LOVE to hear any sleep tips you have! I’m so tired of being exhausted (Wah-wah-wah. Aren’t I *punny?* Yeah ok, sorry…I’m just gonna go drink some coffee now.) 😉

My Maternity Stitch Fix!

You guys, I used to think I was some sort of freak because I really don’t like to shop for clothes! However, since the inception of Stitch Fix I’ve seen more and more women confess to feeling the same way! Yay! That makes me almost as happy as finding out that tons of other people really don’t like to talk on the phone. (Please just text me, I’m begging you!)

Anyhoo, I tried Stitch Fix last spring and loved 4 out of my 5 items, 2 of which became my favorite summer wardrobe essentials!

Once our precious baby number 4 was on her way, I decided to try a maternity “fix.”

I received 2 tunics, a dress, a pair of maternity leggings, and a pack of three camisoles!

My favorite item was the cream and orange tunic. Since it has 3/4 sleeves, it’s just warm enough for most fall/winter days here in Texas, especially with your own personal oven keeping you toasty.

But it also lends itself well to adding cozy layers for the few days it actually does get cold. And it’s nice and long, so it’s perfect for pairing with leggings and boots and being totally comfy while looking cute…or as cute as you can look when you’re all puffy, and have blotchy skin, and waddle when you walk. 😉

I also adore the blue, striped dress I received. 😀

I’m NOT a model. And my 8 year old was the one taking pics of me (which she really did quite splendidly, but “a flattering angle” isn’t really something I could ask her for), so ya know, give me a little slack…these pics are just to show you guys what the clothes look like.

I’ve worn this dress ALL THE TIME, dressed up or down.

It’s short-sleeved, so I’ve typically worn at least a thin, drapey cardigan with it, and often some leggings as well.

It’s super stretchy, as is everything in this fix, so it fit me well in my first trimester (I’m wearing it in the pics I took for my Facebook page), and seems like it will last me all the way through the final weeks!

It’s a smidgen low-cut for my tastes, but since I have the camisoles as well I just throw one under and it solves the problem.

The cami 3 pack came in white, black, and cream, and they’re super soft and stretchy, and nice and long, so they gave me a little leeway in wearing non-maternity shirts for awhile after they would otherwise have been too short.

The final top from my maternity Stitch Fix is this fun blue one!

I’m pretty sure it was a little longer at first, thus less offensive to the “leggings are not pants” sticklers. 😉

That said, the leggings I got in my fix are really thick and pants-like. Plus, at 34 weeks pregnant I care a lot more about being comfy than breaking someone’s random fashion rule. Of course, if I wanted to I could wear different pants, or a skirt, or whatever, with the top. (Or on the few days when it’s really cold, I layer a nice long, cozy, open-front cardigan with it, so that fixes the so-called “problem” too.)

I really love how cute my baby bump looks in the top…to the extent that it’s actually now vying with the first tunic for my favorite maternity item!

It’s short-sleeved, too, so I generally layer it. That said, we’ve had some really warm days these past few weeks so I’ve been wearing the top by itself with the leggings and my favorite Toms.

So…yeah. I loved everything my stylist picked for me! In fact, if you’ve seen me during the last 6 months, unless you were at my house and I was therefore in my jammies, I’m pretty sure I was wearing one of these tops. I literally just added a couple more pairs of maternity leggings, bought a few super soft non-maternity cardigans of varying warmths to layer with, and that’s been my capsule maternity wardrobe.

I plan to schedule another fix soon, to arrive shortly after Apple is born, and I have high hopes that I’ll get some cute nursing dresses and/or tops. 😀

So…yeah…you should totally follow my affiliate links to sign up for Stitch Fix (or get the Moms in your life a Stitch Fix Gift Card for Mother’s day, just saying). It’s a total win-win situation…you get awesome clothes, I get to buy myself more Stitch Fix awesomeness!

Or, you know, you could just do it because you get to try on fun new clothes in the comfort of your own home, and send back whatever you don’t love with no shopping stress — yayness!
Plus less time shopping = more time for coffee, am I right?!? 😉

Meet Jenn

Good morning! I’m over the moon today to have the privilege of introducing you guys to my awesome friend, Jenn Petersen! She is the most amazing singer/songwriter I’ve ever met…not that I’ve met a ton, but even if I had, I’m certain she’d be my favorite. 😀

You can check out a few of her songs on ReverbNation, and read a couple articles she’s written on Worship Design Collective. (Also, if you look up her single, “With Us Now,” that’s my adorable baby, Smiles, on the cover!)

Anyhoo, she’s also a wonderfully whimsical friend and mentor, and she and her family recently took an incredible leap of faith and moved from Dallas to Manhattan because they felt God tugging on their hearts to go plant a church there!

Without further ado, here is my interview with Jenn:

1. Tell us a little about yourself in 140 characters or less.
Well, I love Jesus, my husband, my kids, people, music, and a sweet cup of coffee with great conversation. I’m learning what it means to listen to God’s voice in the midst of a busy New York City life.

2. Do you have any secrets for intentionally connecting with your kids in the middle of busy, crazy, or just plain overwhelming seasons of life?
I heard someone say this once, and I’ve tried to put it into practice (especially since they’ve gotten older): when your kids are starting to drive you crazy, it probably means you need some quality one on one time with them. I find that when I can have some simple face-to-face time and conversation with my kids, I get to hear their hearts more clearly. Maybe that’s simply going for a walk, or doing some window shopping, or going to Starbucks. But just by me stopping and focusing on them individually, I think they feel valued and heard. Those are two huge things for adolescents.

3. What’s your fall back dinner when you can’t think of anything else to make?
Now that we live in NYC, it’s a heavenly thing called Seamless. Hands down the best order-in app available. But a time-tested easy favorite in our family to make is the good ol’ Midwestern Tater Tot Casserole.

4. If you knew you were about to be stranded on a deserted island and could only take one book with you (other than the Bible), what would it be?
Anne of Green Gables (can I also bring Anne of Avonlea?). A close second would probably be Love Does by Bob Goff. Or Walking on Water by Madeline L’Engle.

5. If you could opt out of ever again having to help your kids with their homework in ONE subject, which would it be?
Math. No question. I no longer have any patience for it. 🙂

6. What’s been the most unexpected blessing from moving to a new city with your family?
I have learned so much about myself over the last four months of moving to New York. I am relying on God more than ever before, and I love how He consistently surprises me with little nuggets in conversations, the people He puts before me, and how He shows His love in unlikely places. I feel like I’m walking around with a new set of glasses.

7. Most importantly, how do you like your coffee?
My go-to Starbucks drink is a sugar-free vanilla soy latte. But I also have a husband who makes me a handcrafted Chemex pour-over most mornings. I always drink it sweet and blonde, just like my hubby. 🙂

Thanks, Jenn! I can’t wait to see what God does through you and your family! You guys rock socks! -Heather

Bible Art Journaling – A Beginner’s Journey!

Last year I started following author Kiera Cass (whose books are awesome, btw) on Instagram. She posted a few pictures of Bible Journaling where she’d created artwork on the pages of her Bible accenting a verse or idea from the page. It looked awesome, and I’ve been in a Bible study slump, so I decided to give it a try!

I searched “Bible Art Journaling” as well as “Illustrated Faith” on Pinterest and found a bunch of people who are doing it. I loved everyones examples, so I kept researching and found tips and tricks and supply lists. Then, for Christmas, I asked for some supplies to get me started.

I got a note-takers Bible with wide margins, gelly roll pens, colored pencils, a special watercolor set, washi tape, and some photo-markers that work as muted highlighters.

For a few of my pages so far I’ve also used pieces of paper stolen from the kids pad of watercolor paper. And on that paper I used a sharpie once. I also printed a small coloring page of a verse onto the watercolor paper.

It’s nothing extravagant for now. I want to get a set of Copic pens, soon, because I’ve read that they’re the best at not bleeding through the paper.

I also have my eye on a few other items including a gold ink-pad and letter stamps, and some fun stickers for embellishments.

For now, however, I’m finding that there’s plenty I can do with a small amount of supplies. 🙂

That said, I wasn’t quite as happy with my first few attempts at Bible journaling as I’d hoped I’d be. 🙁

I considered waiting awhile before blogging about my new endeavor so that before I shared anything I could *hopefully* have mastered this whole thing a little bit better…and perhaps would even have a few super awesome pages to share. But then I figured, there are already plenty of fantastic pages that people have shared and you can go to for inspiration, I might as well share my attempts thus far to show that:
A) Anybody can do this.
B) It doesn’t have to be fancy and awesome.
(FYI – You can’t really tell from the picture, but the page in the middle picture is all wrinkled…which is especially evident on the back of the page…and the paint got darker than I intended, making all the verses harder to read than I’d wanted. So…yeah, just a heads up, if you’re anything like me, there may be some pages that don’t turn out the way you want. I’m not saying that to discourage anyone from going for it, though…I still love art journaling.)

An unexpected bonus from the journaling is that almost every time I pull out my supplies and sit down at the table, my girls all stop playing Mario or running around like hooligans or whatever, grab their own art supplies, and sit with me and create art, too! 😀

My grand plan is to decorate this Bible for about three years and then set it aside and start a new one…and do that again and again until I’ve created four personalized Bibles. Then I’ll give one to each of my girls at some point…perhaps their thirteenth Birthday, or when they move away from home.

We shall see, though. First I have to stick with this one long enough to do more than half a dozen pages. 😉

So far I’ve not been doing it as frequently as I’d planned, and I’m sure I’ll find it even more difficult to make time for once Apple is born…next month. (Eeek, that’s crazy soon! )

Anyhoo…there you have it. You can check out my Bible Art Journaling Pinterest Board for my favorite blogs with tips and ideas, resources like Bible coloring pages, instructions for making your own hand lettering, etc. You can also take a gander at my Amazon wish list for Bible Journaling supplies to find things that others have recommended plus other stuff that just looks really cool. (Brownie points if you want to get me stuff off the list. 😉 )

If you guys are interested, I can start sharing the pages I do on my blog Facebook page.

Let me know if you have any questions. I mean, I don’t know if I’ll be able to answer them, but let me know anyway. And if you do Bible Art Journaling, I’d LOVE to see your pages…and hear any tips or tricks you have to share!

And now it’s coffee time. Well, it’s always coffee time, but now I’m going to go drink some! Yay! 😀
Have a great day!