Tag: momlife

Mom Topic Monday: Inadequacy

Posted on by Maverick in YouTube

Have you ever read a steamy romance novel by Nora Roberts?  I have not.  But I have read a trending tweet that quoted the best-selling novelist as saying: “The key to juggling is to know that some of the balls you have in the air are made of plastic and some are made of glass.  If you drop a plastic ball, it bounces, no harm done.  If you drop a glass ball, it shatters, so you have to know which balls are glass and which are plastic and prioitize catching the glass ones.”

In the constant struggle to find work/life balance Robert’s advice gives us a powerful analogy that asks us to set realistic expectations of ourselves.  The idea that we should be doing it all, all of the time in order to feel like “good moms” rubs me the wrong way. We are human and we shouldn’t expect perfection in every area and moment of our lives. There are days when everthing rolls so well – super smooth, no hiccups. Then there are days when it feels like roadblock after roadblock.

If you’ve ever felt inadequate, as if you’re dropping the glass balls in your life, tonight’s episode is a MUST WATCH.  We have certainly felt the pang of inadequacy, in fact, it’s our Mom Topic Monday tonight!     

We also share an important scripture that gives us strength when we are struggling. Grab the printable coloring page for tonight’s scripture; and, please share the mission of MaverickRx with your #momfriends by forwarding this email to a mom who could use some encouragement tonight!  

Best Devotional Books [Christian Moms]

Posted on by Maverick in YouTube

Do you ever feel off-center, stressed out, and overwhelmed? This week Melissa & Rhonda share four daily devotional book titles with you that help them stay centered. Each day is a new adventure in motherhood, right? We get up, we hit the ground running. And some days are just STRESSFUL!

We have found the more we rely on God to carry our worries, the easier our days are. To keep that simple act in mind, we start each day with five to forty-five minutes with our daily devotional books. Some days, we only have a few minutes, while other days we can really sit down and focus on the devotional and time for our prayers. We release our worries and ask for guidance. In doing this small act, we’ve found that time and time again – it helps!

Watch our latest episode and learn the titles of the books we rely on to stay centered and let our lights shine into the world around us.

Much love,

MAV

Before & After: Charcoal Masks and Toothpaste

Posted on by Maverick in YouTube

Have you ever wondered what all the fuss is about the trendy charcoal products? We’re trying these products out tonight! First we’ll try the charcoal powder toothpaste and give it our review. Next we try charcoal cleansing wipes (that Rhonda’s mom gave us!) and then we’ll finish with a charcoal face mask. These products are really hot recently because charcoal draws bacteria and toxins out.

Watch this week’s episode and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, too! Drop us a comment below the video if you’ve got a skin care product that you just love. We’d love to get some tips for under eye bags.

At Home Couples Workout (Plus Partner Body weight Exercises)

Posted on by Maverick in YouTube

Partner workouts can be a little silly sometimes.  I don’t know about you, but I am not able, nor interested, in hanging upside down from my husband’s waist to do sit ups.  Sometimes when I see the stuff couple’s are doing for their “partner workouts” on social media, I cringe! Either they look like they are going to hurt themselves or it just looks too challenging.  I’m not a professional athlete or bodybuilder, I’m just a mom who wants to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. I might love kale and beets, but I also love chocolate and red wine. Nothing makes me quite as happy as box jumps, but reading a good book is a close second.   

In this week’s episode on MaverickRx, Rhonda and I share a quick, fun partner workout that couples or best buds can do to improve core strength, make fitness fun, and get a good sweat on!  

There are so many proven benefits of exercise; but did you know having a workout buddy, or accountability partner makes an incredible difference in fitness consistency? According to the IDEA Fitness Journal (volume 10, issue 3) people persist longer through exercise with a partner.

Maybe it’s time for YOU to try working out with a partner?  Download the workout from today’s episode here!  

If you’re looking to live a healthy, balanced life out loud on your own terms, join our group of Maverick’s on Facebook today!  

In Support of Breast Cancer: Jelena’s Story

Posted on by Maverick in YouTube

I sat down at Jelena’s kitchen table to meet Jelena for the first time.  Her story, a journey with breast cancer, is one that touches so close to home for me.  As a daughter and niece of women touched by breast cancer, each year when October rolls around I feel compelled to turn my attention to breast cancer awareness in new ways.  For many years I participated in Y-Me and Relay for Life, in honor of my aunts: Bonnie, who lost her battle with cancer and Mary, who has fought many times, still nurturing her body through post-chemo illnesses and conditions.  After my own mother was diagnosed, I tried to rally some troops locally at our YMCA to generate support for the victims and survivors of breast cancer.  This year we decided to take another direction and share the story of what really happens after a diagnosis from a survivor herself.  Enter Jelena.

Jelena was diagnosed just last year, 2017, and quickly sought aggressive treatment at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  She went through a long and destructive course of chemotherapy; she followed that quickly with an invasive double mastectomy.  Jelena shared her story with me for a couple hours in September, over a very strong cup of Turkish coffee in her home. We took a few moments to enjoy the beautiful day and turn our attention to the future.  The conversation left me forever changed, touched by her strength under such intense sickness; my heart warmed by the support her family shared with her.

In part one of our four part series with Jelena we learn about life before cancer and the day she learned she had breast cancer.

Random Dish: Mom Brain

Posted on by Maverick in YouTube

Do you suffer from Mom Brain? If you don’t, consider yourself lucky, or smarter than me. Mom Brain is that thing that happens when you go to put the toaster back in the cupboard, but actually head to the fridge with the appliance instead. It’s the thing that happens when you’re supposed to pick your daughter up from dance class, but instead drive past the dance studio mindlessly until it strikes you…”where am I going?”
For many moms, Mom Brain, strikes at any given moment. It comes on totally out of the blue. I have pinpointed my Mom Brain episodes to be loosely connected to times when I have over-scheduled myself or my kiddos; alternately, it flares up when too many children are talking to me at the same time.
There are a few things that help it. Using a calendar app is incredibly important. Drinking coffee and morning meditation and reflection time also helps immensely. The other thing that helps, a sense of flippin’ humor. We don’t need to be perfect, we need to give our selves a break and stop trying so damn hard to make everything go exactly right. I like to start my day by reviewing the days agenda, drinking a cup of coffee, and reading my devotional. Then I journal for a little bit about the three things I thankful for that day; and I make note of my worries and prayers. Then I give the day to God. I let him lead me through it. Usually, when I organize myself, lower my expectations for perfection, and follow the path before me – things roll better.
What is your funniest mom brain moment?

3 Steps to Let Go of Mom Guilt for Good

Posted on by Maverick in Blog
mom guilt

Why do Mom’s feel guilty about so many different things?  I feel guilty I quit my job to be a stay at home mom; I feel guilty I work 50 hours a week.  I feel guilty I don’t bring in enough money, yet seem to spend so much of it. I feel guilty I’m so tired after work that I just want to eat and sleep.  I feel guilty I want a night out with my friends. I feel guilty I’m missing story time again because I’m out with friends. I feel badly because my kid was the only one not wearing the right color at the school musical.  I feel badly that I missed another school musical.

Seems like no matter who you are as a parent, you feel guilty.  The thing is, we put these feelings on ourselves. We have created it in our heads.  Truth is, we shouldn’t feel guilty when we’re doing the right thing for ourselves and our families. If we would just notice the moment and the exact thing that is making us feel guilt and then acknowledge it and make a call: is it the right thing to do or is it the wrong thing to do.  Then once the call is made and our behavior or decision set, let go of the guilt. Take two minutes and turn it around, like this

  1. In what way is “the thing I feel guilty about” also in anyway possible a blessing?
  2. Mental note: the blessing is _________. Thank you, Lord for the blessing of_________.
  3. Final Step: Let Him hold your guilt and focus on the blessing.

For instance, I feel guilty I quit my job to be a stay at home mom. Thank you for trusting me to be the mother of this child.  Thank you that my husband has a stable, secure income and can provide for me to be the primary role in my children’s lives.

Another example: I feel guilty I work 50 hours a week.  Thank you for the work.  Thank you that I love my work so much that 50 hours of my time is spent doing things I truly enjoy doing.  Thank you that my family has food on their table, red wine in our belly, and a warm roof over their heads.

I cannot quote any single piece of scientific evidence that my method will work for you to resolve your guilt.  But I am a truth teller and this is my truth. I pray in times of negative and positive emotion and in each, I am better for it.  

Fantasy Football

Posted on by Maverick in Blog

What am I thinking?  I can’t be the commissioner for a fantasy football league.

Pros

  • My kid likes football
  • It is a Sunday afternoon delight
  • Snacks
  • Wine
  • Hoodies and yoga pants
  • I know there are two divisions the AFC and the NFC
  • Bonding with my kid

Cons

  • I don’t know squat about current players
  • I frequently forget all the positions of the players on the field
  • Sometimes I don’t remember which down we’re at
  • I don’t know the difference between the teams on the AFC or the NFC
  • I don’t do good just sitting around on the couch
  • I’ll have to read or work on the side
  • I should be taking my kids to church
  • Just another app to follow on my phone

Cons has it by one so far.  But I’ve already bought the league and sent the invites.

It is interesting what people will do to make their kid smile.  Well, I suppose I can only speak for myself.  But I like to make my kids happy.  I don’t shy away from pissing them off with chores and homework and baths.  But when I can make them happy, when I get the right backpack, or make a dinner they all enjoy – I’m pleased and it feels good.

So I guess we’ll just see how this goes! 

Summer Workout 6

Posted on by Maverick in YouTube

This weeks Tuesday Workout is a 10 minute HIIT.  Set your timer to 20 seconds of rest and 40 seconds of work, grab a set of weights and a mat for today’s sweat sesh!

  1. Curtsy
  2. Burpee with a Bicep Curl
  3. Tricep Pushup
  4. Bigger Curtsy —little bit of a hop added
  5. Half Burpee
  6. Tricep Extension
  7. Speed Skater
  8. Mountain Climb (for speed with quality)
  9. Bicep Curls with Alternating Step Back Lunge
  10. Curtsy (increasing size and speed)

Remember, if you’re looking for accountability, a community of like-minded individuals, and some fresh workout ideas – MaverickRx is here FOR YOU!  Stay in the know by following us on social media and keep us posted with your progress and goals by emailing Melissa directly.  Click “Contact Us” in the top right corner of our website to get in touch.

Make it a great day!  -MAV