It’s that time of year again when all of my organized things are ending. One thing that I love during the year is BSF, Bible Study Fellowship. I have been in BSF for four years now. So far I have studied Matthew, Moses, John and Isaiah. The problem is when BSF ends and I’m left to study my Bible completely unguided.

Why is it that the Bible is so scary? What is it that keeps you from diving in and learning?

For me, sometimes I know right where to go, some times I’m lead on a journey….but other times I’m dry. Where do you go when you don’t know where to go???

This is my second time to read The Modern Girls Guide To Bible Study by Jen Hatmaker.  This book motivates me to develop a more intimate relationship with God through my own study. If you are looking for a book that teaches you how to study the Bible on your own, I highly recommend this book. Resources, cross references, how to find Bible history. It’s perfect to reread as I’m going into the summer. This time I’m doing the “study” in the back on my own, last time I only read the book.

With chapter titles like “I’m Less Intimidated Reading Shape Magazine” and “Nail, Diet Pills, and other things that don’t work” how can you NOT love it? Jen mixes humor and a passion for the Bible so nicely. She’s relatable. A girl like me…..yet not at all like me as she’s a Pastors kid and a Pastors wife….but a messy mom of three kids who still finds the time to be passionate about the Lord and admit her kids may watch too much TV.

Anyway, I just thought I’d pass it along, in case anyone out there is wondering how to start being effective in their Bible study journey.

I’m a member of Mothers of Preschoolers (aka MOPs). One of the recent topics was intimacy in the marriage and how to keep it hot after kids. I’m sure everyone with kids can relate to the weariness that follows. Anyway, I happened to miss this particular meeting but the girl who took notes for me sent them along and added was a book, Sheet Music: Uncovering Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage.

I, of course, googled and read the description. There is always room for improvement in this area in our marriage (isn’t there in everyones?) so I thought why not. My Pastor is so good about reminding us to watch what we are reading/watching/etc, because so often even “Christian” books can get into some trouble. But, after praying, I felt comfortable with this book.

Yall, I’m not going to go into details as I know better than that, but I must say, this is a great read. I was enjoying it so much that EP actually went to two stores in NC to find, buy and read while he was gone. EP does not read much outside of scripts. He has never shown any interest in any book I have ever read fiction or non fiction. So, imagine my surprise (and sheer delight) when he was willing and wanting to read this to!!

We both agree this book hits the nail on the head with respect to intimacy in marriage. I thought the author (male) was reading my mail when reading the “husbands this is what your wife needs” sections (including help around the house more!!  i nearly fainted!)  and EP said he agreed with everything in his section as well. At the same time, it was hugely convicting of how selfish we can each become. Our generation is so “its all about me” –but when you are married, by scripture, it isn’t all about you first. This book really opened the lines of communication in our marriage. We are talking much more about things that we put aside for a long time due to kids.

This book is for MARRIED or engaged couples. It will have no relevance to you if you are not married. God created sex as an institution between husband and wife. He addresses both the previously sexually active and the virgins about to get married…every chapter was worth reading. We’ve been married almost 6 years but both had a lot to comment on the “before you get married” chapter. In fact, that chapter had both of us longing for a second honeymoon. (Because, if you’ve never heard, our first one was a doozy) Taking time off from parenting is a little hard right now, but we are bypassing gifts of all kinds this year to really go all out for 24 hours alone.

We owe it to our marriage to make every aspect outstanding. God created husband and wife to be this way.

Anyway, HIGHLY recommend. I would offer you locals one of my two copies, but I’m afraid we both underlined and took notes…and you don’t really need to know THAT much about us now do you??

****PS I did ask EP permission to write this.  We both agreed that it was so insightful that we thought we should share. *****

I had a Baby Bjorn with Stunt Boy. While the Bjorn was good, it wasn’t great, he hated it and therefore I hardly used it. With Starlet, I got two Hotslings I was really excited after all the reviews on the slings. She was good for the first few weeks, but as she got older she started to dislike it. Because of some projectile vomiting in the beginning, Starlet was always held upright so I understand her not liking the sling that was laying her back.

Not going to lie, shopping for a baby carrier was intimidating to me. I had seen a TON. I knew I was interested in a wrap type carrier, but a wrap scared me. Holding the baby while wrapping and securing…. well, I just knew that if it was too much to learn there was no way I’d actually use it. Carriers aren’t cheap so I needed to know that I’d use whatever I bought.

During my search I needed some nursing supplies so I stopped into a local store. When I came in they had what I thought was the Moby wrap that I was considering buying from my chiropractors office. I asked if someone could show me how it worked since I had Starlet with me. They explained it was a Baby K’Tan which is slightly different from a Moby in that the main portion of the carrier is all connected. i.e. no wrapping and holding. After trying a few positions I was sold. The price stung a bit at about $60 but I knew I could handle it.

I came home from the store and immediately modeled my purchase for my mother-in-law:

I then wore it ALL.THE.TIME!!!

5 weeks old… (cannot believe I’m posting this pic)

To her first car show…

At a Fall Festival in NC (5.5 months)

The zoo…

And at the Cowboys Stadium tour (6.5 months).

The Baby K’Tan is SUPER comfortable. It’s t-shirt material which makes it stretchy and cool in the TX heat. It has even more positions that I’ve never even tried. I actually thought I lost it the other day and immediately told EP I was buying another no matter the cost!

I love love love this product. I’ve been seeing more and more of my mommy friends in pictures with K’Tans!!! YAY!!