Changes to come...

I am going to be making some big changes on my blog.

I have had some major changes in my life over the last year and I am needing to make some changes in what this blog is about and what I want to discuss on a regular basis.

Be patient and hopefully everyone will enjoy the new look, purpose and results....

Family Advice

I found this article and really felt that I needed these reminders. I have four kids and a busy life. We have begun running around from activity to activity and have lost a little of the family connection

family ADVICE

Three Keys to a Connected Family

By Dwight Bain
Nationally Certified Counselor

CBN.com – Relationships. We all are impacted by them, but have you thought about how much of our happiness actually comes from being in a healthy relationship? MTV did, and conducted a massive study to see what made their viewers (ages 14-34) the happiest... and the answer may surprise you. The no. 1 answer by a huge margin was that these young people longed for a connected relationship with their family.

To be happy at home isn't limited to the younger audience either. USA Today surveyed an older audience and discovered the same pattern. The majority of people in the United States define happiness more from the health of their relationships than by their income, house, car, or job success combined!

God designed us to experience connected relationships and so when we are blessed enough to be in one life is great. However, when we are in a struggling relationship it saps the joy and sucks the energy out of life. If you are having the time of your life with the people in your home, rejoice and make some great memories! And if you aren't, then here are some tips to help you find the love and laughter again.

Blended Personalities Bring Value or War

I saw a desk sign once that read, “Everyone here brings happiness -- some by leaving and some by staying -- which are you?”

Why does it seem so hard to find healthy relationships? Simple, everyone is different, and those differences either make for a wonderful “blending” of people and personalities or it creates the ingredients of a major war!

1) Start with you

Are you taking responsibility to deal with the major issues in your life? For instance, if you know you have a short temper, take ownership of your anger before you begin to look for another group of friends or family that will just “put up” with your behavior. Scripture teaches us to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and “be slow to anger”, so start with looking into the mirror of your souls to see what needs attention. Once you see what needs work, get busy working on it. If you get stuck, find a coach to help hold you accountable to grow.

2) Do a relationship evaluation

After you have taken bold steps to face your fears and doubts, you should actually sit down and evaluate your current relationships. Confidentially list out the key people in your life on a legal pad by name. Start with those closest to you, perhaps parent, child or family relationship, dating or marriage partner boss or co-workers, as well as your spiritual relationship with God.

Pay attention to the strengths of the relationship as well as what needs improvement. As you map out these relationships, it will be easy to create a specific action plan. Once you have a plan in hand, you can make better decisions about which relationships are working well, and meeting needs in your life, as well as which ones may be a “bottomless pit” of irresponsible behavior and may never grow into a healthy relationship. (There are times that this evaluation process will reveal tremendous problems that require some intensive help from a counselor or clergy member to deal with to make life work better).

3) Prioritize key relationships

Once you have a master list of relationships, you can then quickly see which ones create a source of support and emotional strength so you can regularly nurture them. Too often we take our daily relationships for granted, and spend too much time reaching out to others. It’s better to spend our emotional energy on staying close to the people that God has placed around us than to abandon those people and try to live life alone.

It will not be easy to get along with some people in your life, but by taking time to build stronger relationship connections you build greater happiness and fulfillment. Relationships can add value to you today, and for decades to come. Sounds like a great trade for a lifetime of happiness.

*Reprinted with permission from the LifeWorks Group weekly eNews, (Copyright, 2004-2009), To receive this valuable weekly resource, subscribe at www.lifeworksgroup.org.

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Dwight Bain is dedicated to helping people achieve greater results. He is a Nationally Certified Counselor, Certified Life Coach, and Certified Family Law Mediator in practice since 1984, focusing on solving crisis events and managing major change.

For more stories like this one, sign up to receive Family News from CBN.com in your email every Friday.

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. This was a great reminder as to what all people want and need, as God had intended for us.

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Sage and Savvy

Okay, I love sweets and I saw this on Sage and Savvy and had to pass it on.

Cinnabon Cupcakes

Posted: 12 Feb 2010 04:55 PM PST
I just heard some really "sweet" news--Cinnabon is now offering CUPCAKES!!!

After 25 years of making our world famous cinnamon roll, we're kicking off the next 25 years by introducing the world's best cupcake!

We brought back the creator of our famous Classic Roll to develop our new cupcake product line. And, after testing 556 different recipes, each one containing the same secret ingredient, we have created a high quality treat, well worthy of the Cinnabon name. Baked fresh daily, they're perfect for parties, gifts or any time you need to put a little frosting on your day. If you haven't seen Cinnabon Cupcakes just yet, they should be near you soon!

(I am having trouble copying the pictures, but you can go to Cinnabon and look at these scrumptious cupcakes)

Chocolate Passion

Cinnacake Classic

Vanilla Bliss 24-Carrot Cake

I can't wait to try them out!

To find a Cinnabon location near you, click here.

I received no monetary compensation for this post.

I had good intentions....

and I just did not get it together quite yet. I am still working on my background and header, collecting some giveaway prizes and I just plain slacked off on the Monday recipes for this week. I am going to keep trying to get this blog where I want it, but I am in the middle of helping out my fathe rin the hospital, my kids at home (Spring Break) and my husband at work, people out for many good reasons.

Hopefully, in the near future I will re-adjust to all of the changes going on in my life and I can blog freely without worrying about all of the above......you never know, it could happen!!! LOL

I Won, Again!

Okay, if you are someone like me, who always wanted to win things, but the ticket was always off by 1 number, or it just was not your time to win...that all ends today!

Today I won again! I have won the book "Hurry Home" by Leah McDermott, on Barefoot Mommy Spot.

I am so psyched! I now have won a Facial spa by Become at The Dirty Shirt and a book, "Hurry Home" at Barefoot Mommy Spot. That is two!!!

So, start today off by entering a few giveaways and yes, even you can have a chance to win some wonderful items!

Have fun and win!!!

Please make sure if you go to any entries listed below, that you tell them I sent you! Thanks bunches! Sarah :)