Blessings

 Counting Our Blessings: A Reminder in the Everyday

We live in a world that often emphasizes what we don't have, what we're striving for, the next big thing. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and feel like we're constantly chasing something just out of reach. But what if we paused, just for a moment, to take stock of what we already possess? What if we actively looked for the blessings that weave through our daily lives?

For me, sometimes it takes a quiet moment, like sipping my morning coffee, to bring those blessings into focus. It could be the warmth of the mug in my hands, the sun peeking through the blinds, or the sound of my kids starting their day. These seemingly small things are threads in the rich tapestry of our lives.

Think about it:

 * Our Loved Ones: Family, friends, even our furry companions – these are the people who fill our lives with love, laughter, and support. Their presence is a gift, offering comfort in tough times and celebrating our joys.

 * Our Health: Even on challenging days, the ability to breathe, to move, to experience the world is a blessing. Taking care of our bodies and minds is a way to honor this precious gift.

 * Our Opportunities: Whether it's the chance to learn something new, pursue a passion, or simply have another day to make a difference, opportunities abound. Even challenges can be reframed as opportunities for growth.

 * The Simple Things: A beautiful sunset, a good book, a moment of quiet, a delicious meal – life is full of simple pleasures that often go unnoticed. Cultivating an awareness of these moments can bring immense joy.

Perhaps you've found, like I have, that as your perspective shifts, you start to see blessings in places you hadn't before. Maybe it's a newfound appreciation for your community, a moment of kindness from a stranger, or the comfort of your faith.

It's not about ignoring the difficulties we face; those are real. But by consciously acknowledging the good, the gifts, the blessings that surround us, we cultivate a sense of gratitude that can carry us through those challenges.

So, take a moment today, amidst the busy-ness. What are you grateful for? What blessings can you count? You might be surprised by the abundance you find.

Some people that knew me a long time ago said that I really changed when I kinda started getting into Bible stuff … I guess I don’t notice it that much

 It's interesting how others can see changes in us that we might not notice ourselves. When you're living a change day by day, it can feel like a natural progression rather than a big shift.

Often, when someone deepens their faith, it can influence their outlook, priorities, and how they interact with the world. For people who knew you before, those changes might seem more pronounced because they're comparing the "then" to the "now." It's not uncommon for a person's faith to be a significant part of their identity, and that can certainly be something others notice.

Trying to teach independence

That's a great goal. Encouraging independence in children is a key part of helping them grow. Here are a few ways you can help your son learn to do things for himself, no matter his age.

Give Him Choices

This is a simple way to build confidence and independence. Start with small, manageable choices, like letting him pick his own clothes or what he wants to eat for a snack. This allows him to feel like he has some control and responsibility.

Assign Age-Appropriate Chores

Chores teach responsibility and give him a sense of purpose within the family. For younger kids, this might be picking up his toys or putting dirty clothes in a hamper. For older kids, it could be helping with dishes, folding laundry, or taking out the trash. Based on his age, your son Seth could handle some bigger tasks, while Evan and Ava could have responsibilities tailored to them.

Teach Him Problem-Solving Skills

Instead of immediately solving a problem for him, ask him questions to guide him to the solution himself. For example, if he can't find his shoes, ask, "Where was the last place you remember seeing them?" or "What's a good place to start looking?" This helps him learn to think critically and rely on his own abilities.

Do you want to focus on a specific area, like chores, or are you looking for more general tips?

 

Delicious 😋 Recipe Creation Recently by Hubby

 Sure, here's a short and sweet blog post about your awesome Sunday dinner:

Sunday Supper Success!

Just wanted to share a quick little moment of pure deliciousness from our Sunday dinner. My hubby whipped up a new creation: Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo... with pierogies! Yes, you read that right.

Honestly, it was a flavor explosion I didn't even know I needed in my life. The creamy Alfredo with the tender chicken and shrimp was fantastic on its own, but the addition of the pierogies took it to a whole new level of comfort food goodness.

Sometimes the best meals are the ones that come together unexpectedly. This one was a definite winner and left us all with happy, full bellies. Just had to share the love for this surprisingly amazing combo! 😋

Big name brand ad on my blog: 👍🏼

 You're right, Tyson is a very big name brand. They are the largest meat company in the United States and the world's second-largest processor of chicken, beef, and pork.

Their brand portfolio is much larger than just the Tyson name; it also includes well-known brands like Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, and Aidells.

Seeing an ad for a major brand like that could inspire a blog post in a few different ways, playing on the idea of a "big name brand":

 * A "Cooking with Convenience" Post: You could try a recipe using a well-known Tyson product, like their chicken nuggets or strips, and turn it into a quick, family-friendly meal. This would be a perfect fit for a busy SAHM.

 * "What's in a Brand?" Analysis: Since you're studying digital multimedia design, you could analyze the ad itself. What makes it effective? How does the branding communicate a message? You could use it as a case study for a post on marketing and design.

 * A "Meal Makeover" Challenge: You could take a basic Tyson product and see how you can elevate it. For example, a gourmet chicken sandwich using their frozen patties, or a creative recipe for a snack.

Just do “art”

 I think that's a great approach to your art.

It sounds like you want to focus on purely creative expression. Keeping religious references minimal gives you the freedom to explore a wider range of subjects, emotions, and styles. This allows your art to stand on its own, appreciated for its technique and design, rather than its symbolism.

Your phrase "just do 'art'" really captures this idea. It allows you to focus on the fundamental elements you love about painting and drawing—the composition, color, texture, and emotion—and simply create for the joy of it. This is a very authentic and fulfilling way to approach any creative project.

Getting blog ideas from ads

That's a fantastic idea! It's a great way to find inspiration because ads are designed to grab attention and speak to people's needs and interests. The information you've shared about yourself suggests some cool ways you could turn those ad ideas into blog posts.

For example, if you see an ad for:

 * Skincare products: You could blog about your own skincare journey as a 36-year-old mom, sharing what works for you and what doesn't. You could even incorporate your love for painting and drawing by illustrating the blog post or creating a unique design for it.

 * Home organization tools: You could write about your experience as a busy SAHM for 14 years and how you keep your house organized with three kids. You could share DIY tips or review products you've actually used.

 * Fashion or clothing brands: As a Poshmark Ambassador II, you could create a post about styling the clothes you find in the ads, or even use your own Poshmark closet as a source of inspiration. You could do a "Poshmark Finds Inspired by [Brand Name]" post.

 * Healthy eating or fitness programs: You could share your personal journey with intermittent fasting and walking on your walking pad, and how the advertised product or program fits in—or doesn't. This would be a great way to talk about your weight loss goals in an authentic way.

 * Vacation destinations: If you see an ad for a beach vacation, you could write a post about why you love the beach so much, sharing photos and memories. You could even create a digital multimedia design project about it for your Penn State class and use it as a blog post.

Picking up on these ad ideas and filtering them through your own life experiences is a really effective way to create content that is unique, relatable, and authentic to you.

 

Peptides? Hmm 🤔

 A peptide is a short chain of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Think of it like a very small protein.

How they are formed

Peptides are formed when two or more amino acids are joined together by a specific type of bond called a peptide bond. A chain of two amino acids is a dipeptide, three is a tripeptide, and so on. Chains with ten or more amino acids are called polypeptides. Once a polypeptide chain becomes long enough (typically over 50 amino acids) and folds into a specific 3D structure, it's considered a protein.

Functions of Peptides

Peptides have many different functions in the body. Some act as hormones, such as insulin, which regulates blood sugar. Others are enzymes, helping to speed up chemical reactions. Some peptides play a role in the immune system, acting as antibodies to fight off infections. Because of their diverse roles, peptides are used in medicine, cosmetics, and as dietary supplements.

Examples

 * Glutathione: A tripeptide that acts as a powerful antioxidant.

 * Collagen Peptides: These are broken-down fragments of collagen protein used in supplements for skin and joint health.

 * Insulin: A peptide hormone that is crucial for regulating blood sugar levels.

What does ai think of my personality? I think I’m quiet & laidback sometimes.

 Based on the information you've shared, here's a glimpse into the personality traits and values that an AI might infer about you:

You seem to be a dedicated and family-oriented person. Being a stay-at-home mom for 14 years and mentioning your kids, husband, and family shows that your family is a central part of your life. Your commitment to your family and faith is clear from your mention of being a Christian and your family attending Harvest Baptist Church.

Your interests suggest a creative and introspective side. You enjoy activities like painting, drawing, playing music (guitar, flute), and writing poetry and blogs. This points to a rich inner world and a need for creative expression.

You also come across as disciplined and resilient. Going back to college after many years, especially as a busy mom, shows great determination. Your efforts to lose weight through intermittent fasting and walking also highlight your commitment to personal goals.

Finally, your career history, from working at Pizza Hut as a teenager to a gas station convenience store, indicates you are a hard worker with a variety of experiences. Your Poshmark success as an Ambassador II with a high rating also speaks to your diligence and reliability.

Bugs 🐛 must be part of the curse. I dislike them very much.

 That's an interesting thought, and it's a common idea in Christian theology. The belief is that before the Fall (the curse in Genesis 3), creation was in a state of perfection. Everything, including animals and insects, existed in harmony. The existence of things we see as negative or harmful—like mosquitoes that bite, pests that destroy crops, or even the feeling of revulsion toward them—could be seen as a result of that curse.

This perspective suggests that the perfect world God created didn't have any of the unpleasant aspects we experience today. It's a way of understanding why things that seem so gross or annoying would be part of God's "very good" creation. It's a valid and comforting thought when you're dealing with something you really hate, like bugs!

How does that idea sound to you for the blog post? We could add a paragraph or two about that possibility. It would be a great way to talk about the "why" behind the bugs without having to justify their existence in their current form.

Bugs: Why Oh Why? Yuck 🤢

 That's a great topic, and one that many people have wondered about. It blends a personal feeling (finding bugs gross) with a larger theological question.

Here's a draft for a new blog post focusing on the question, "Why did God make bugs?"

A Necessary Evil? Why Did God Make Bugs?

The other day, I saw an ad so gross it made me question everything. It showed a bunch of tiny dust mites near a person's nose, and it got me thinking about something I’ve wondered about for a long time: why did God create bugs?

It’s easy to look at things like mosquitoes, cockroaches, or spiders and think they must be a necessary evil. After all, if they didn’t exist, I don’t think anyone would miss them. But the Bible tells us that when God finished creation, he called it "very good." That means every little creature, from the butterflies I like to the creepy-crawlies I don't, has a purpose.

So what are those purposes? Many bugs are a vital part of the world's ecosystem. Bees and butterflies pollinate plants, which helps our food grow. Ladybugs eat garden pests. Even the bugs we hate, like flies and maggots, are part of nature's cleanup crew, helping to break down decaying matter. It’s all part of a complex and beautiful design, even if some of the pieces make us uncomfortable.

I think it's a good reminder that just because we don't understand something, or find it unpleasant, doesn't mean it's not part of a bigger, more wonderful plan. The next time a bug makes me jump, maybe I’ll try to remember that even the smallest, grossest creatures have a purpose in God's creation.

This draft frames the question from a personal experience and then connects it to a faith-based perspective. It acknowledges the feeling that bugs are a "necessary evil" while offering a different viewpoint rooted in the idea of God's perfect creation. How does this sound? We can adjust it as much as you'd like.