Okay mamas, who is with me here:

It is 3:00 am and for some reason my brain is wiiiiiide awake even though my body is crying “GO BACK TO SLEEP!” Instead my defiant brain decides to travel down the winding slippery road of worries.

Worry One: Did I pay the bills? The answer every time is yes, however in the wee hours of the morning my brain convinces me for a moment that I missed them all and that they will be late, late, LATE!

Worry Two: Are my kids alive and healthy at this moment? I have to confess, this heart racing worry has leapt me from my bed and into the rooms of my slumbering children to assure myself that all is well.

Worry Three: Did I switch the laundry? Okay, okay more often than not this worry is a valid actual worry that usually ends up with me rewashing the load in the morning.

Worry four, five, six…anything that my mind can race to next. My kids in school, are the doors locked, did I sign homework forms, so on and so on.

This scenario happens more often than I like to admit, but one of my FAVORITE phrases lately is: “If you are worried about it – pray; if you prayed about it – don’t worry.”

Alas, taking heed to this simple phrase has changed my worry cycle. The minute those worries come flooding in, I remind myself to pray and not worry. Sometimes this is easier said than done, but if I have trouble giving up the worry I turn my phone on and read some scripture or bible study. Quickly, I feel my worried heart start to calm and my mind is able to focus on better things.

Mamas, are any of you familiar with this worry cycle?! What are your go to tips for battle the Mommy Worries?? Please share below.

x. earnest mom

As a Sage Spoonful Ambassador, I had the opportunity to review Sage Spoonfuls NEW Recipe book and Eco-Steamer! I love making food for my littles and knowing that there are only safe, organic ingredients that I put in!

For this recipe, I used organic baby carrots and organic apples. Recipe below.

The Sage Spoonfuls Sage Baby Eco-Steamer has a super easy telescoping handle to fit inside a pot with the lid on; has 1.75 inch high legs to keep food above water and preserve nutrients; is made from eco-friendly, non-toxic stainless steel; plus is dishwasher safe. The cookbook gave recipe for steaming and great combinations for growing palettes. My earnest little is about 10 months and loves picking up soft chunks to self feed lately, so I chopped the carrots and apples instead of puréeing them.

This gorgeous, revised recipe book includes 66 EASY organic recipes for baby plus hundreds of food combinations (listed by age appropriate foods); tips on allergies, special diets, preemies and even choking. There is a whole section dedicated to making mealtime fun and taking your Sage Spoonfuls to go! And earnest mom is GIVING ONE Sage Spoonfuls Recipe Book AWAY!!

To enter, leave a comment on this blog post of your favorite baby food combination – that’s it! Giveaway ends September 27, 2018 at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be announced here in the comments by October 1, 2018. This giveaway is no way affiliated with Sage Spoonfuls or Sage Spoonfuls’ Ambassador Program. The giveaway is the sole action of earnestmom.com and no others. It is limited to followers of earnestmom.com who are 18+ and residents of the continental United States. Earnest mom just loves this book so much, she wants to share it with one lucky follower!!

x. earnest mom.

RECIPE:

Ingredients

1.5 cups organic baby carrots, washed

2 medium organic apples, washed, peeled, cored.

Materials

Medium sauce pan

Eco-steamer

Paring knife

Sage Spoonfuls Storage Containers

Directions

Bring about 1.5 inches of water in saucepan to boil. Place Eco-Steamer in sauce pan, add carrots. Steam approximately 6 minutes then add apples. Steam approximately 2 more minutes or until carrots and apples are tender. Chop or purée depending on eating stage of baby. Store in air tight containers, refrigerated up to 3 days. ENJOY!!

Okay, so I am totally the kind of person that already has a plan set (complete with gifts ready) to celebrate Father’s Day next month – but let’s face it not all have the time or opportunity to plan a head.  I am posting this one for the dads who still need a little inspo for Mother’s Day, which is Sunday!  Here are some easy-peasy, totally FREE ideas that you can do for your significant other this Mother’s Day weekend. (If you are a mom reading this list, feel free to leave ideas in the comments below and then forward on to the procrasti-dad in your life)

Breakfast in bed. Let mom sleep in, get up with the kids and make a smashing brekkie. Personally, I am not a HUGE fan of food in bed. However, the thought and effort that goes into planning and executing breakfast is bed is so darling; I would eat anything brought to me as I wake. Coffee, do not forget the coffee ;).

All the laundry done. I mean, I am pretty sure this gesture would help any mom feel appreciated and let her really relax. Actually, why stop at laundry – give mom the day off! Meaning dad, you and the kids do all the chores that day (and not just leave the chores until Monday so mom does them anyway). If you really want make her Mother’s Day gift a home run, give her the whole weekend off!

Take the kids to the park. Seriously, sometimes us moms just need a few hours, alone, in the quiet. Get kiddos all dressed, sun-blocked and head out to the nearest park! Best part, if they run themselves tired they may need a nap when you get back, which means you and mama can nap too. Two birds, one stone!!

Make her favorite meal for dinner. Okay, this one may cost a little depending on the food in your fridge and pantry but trust me, a surprise meal with all her favorites will be enjoyed for sure. Have the kids make up a menu, take her order and serve her the whole course. Do not forget to make (or pick up) her favorite dessert.

Homemade cards/art. That’s right, bust out some markers, paper, glue, scissors and some creativity. Us moms love some handmade notes and pictures that say I love you. Not too crafty? Print out some All About Mom fill in blank sheets like the one found here at Mom It Forward, have kids fill them out themselves along with drawings. Kids not writing yet? No problem, let them draw and you interview them then record their answers for them.

So, want to know how to hit a grand slam?! Treat mom to ALL of the above. All of these sweet acts of love will leave any mama feeling all warm and fuzzy with love and appreciation from her family. Good luck dads and I hope you and your family have a great Mother’s Day weekend.

x. earnest mom

“If I had a super power, it would be explosive farts.” As I read these words on the art work sent home from my oldest’s second grade class, tears began to build. I stood in the middle of my kitchen, water boiling and kids running and cried. I had no idea that this would be the super power he wanted, silly I know, but the fact I did not know was a bit of a crush for me.

Sometimes in the hustle of motherhood, I forget how individual my little ones are! I get so caught up with the grocery buying, dinner cooking, child dressing, am I making the right choice for my children reflecting; my mind misses the small things.

For me, this art work was a wake up call. It listed more of earnestboy1.0’s favorites and to be honest, some of them I did not know about him (including his wonderful desires for super powers). This epiphany made me realize that I need to “stop and smell the roses” more often. By “smell” I mean I need to really stop, look and listen to the little blooming roses growing in my home. I want to laugh more, snuggle more and enjoy more with them. In order to do so, I need to be MORE with them – I need to be more present, more open, more patient and simply more attentive.

I am SO thankful for to have read these fun facts about my son and am more excited to get to know his growing mind even more, along with the rest of my earnest bitty babes.

x. em.