KatherineJoy

Only moms want to talk about constipation, and no one wants to deal with it, but it’s a common issue that affects many children. If your child is dealing with constipation, you know how uncomfortable and cranky it can make them feel. As a first time mom, my 6 month old had a lot of trouble when we introduce dairy to her diet. 13 years later, her little sister has similar issues. It's heartbreaking and frustrating because they are not themselves. It can be confusing if you don't know what's going on. For both of my girls, they were sweet as pie.... until they got backed up! Then the whole house was walking on eggshells until they pooped and we could all breath again. Fortunately, there are some helpful strategies that you can use to get your little one back on track. Here are some tips for helping kids with constipation.
Increase Fiber Intake
One of the best ways to help your child with constipation is to increase their fiber intake. Fiber helps move food through the digestive tract more quickly and prevents stools from becoming hard and dry. Aim to feed your child foods that are high in fiber like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans. Find out what fruit and veggies are your child's favourites and be sure to keep them on hand and offer them often. Cucumbers and peppers are popular in our home. In the winter, when fruit is not in season, I like to buy frozen raspberries and blueberries. My kids will eat them frozen or in a smoothy. Some people find Fiber supplements like Metamucil or Benefiber helpful but they never really worked well for us.

Drink More Water
Making sure your child stays hydrated is also very important when dealing with constipation. Water helps keep stool soft so it can pass through the intestines more easily. Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day and avoid sugary beverages like soda or juice as these can make things worse by dehydrating them even more.

Encourage Exercise
Exercise is another great way to help reduce constipation in children as physical activity stimulates the digestive system and encourages regular bowel movements. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day—a bike ride around the neighborhood or playing tag in the basement are both great options!  For little ones, tummy massage may also help. Massage the tummy gently, in a clockwise motion.
If these options don't quite cut it for you, you may need to take some extra steps to support your little ones tummy. Both of my girls have benefited greatly from introducing pro-biotics, digestive enzymes and essential oils.

Constipation can be an unpleasant problem for kids that often leads to tears and tantrums, (both mom and kid) but there are some simple strategies you can use to help them feel better fast. Increasing their fiber intake, making sure they stay well-hydrated, and encouraging exercise are all great ways to help ease their discomfort and get their bowels moving again. With a few small changes and extra snuggles from you, your little one will be feeling better in no time!

I saw this image the other day and it hit me smack between the eyes. I had been asking for direction on how to balance all the things, making meals for a family of 6, sorting the piles of laundry, planning youth group for my oldest, dance for my youngest, and birthday parties for both my sons, volunteering in the community and then there's my work: the never ending emails, the work plans and schedules, goal setting and team building. For years I've been seeking to figure out how to balance it all because,

All of it matters. 

I can't just cut out the things that I don't love to do. All of these things need to be done.

By nature, some of us are “go with the flow” kinda people. We find plans rather restrictive and we  are not great at time management. I actually set a timer for 5 minutes the other day, for the kids to finish their video game, and when it went off, I was like 

"THAT'S 5 MINUTES??" 

no wonder I'm usually late! For people like us,  living in surrender, actually comes more naturally.
It’s easy for me to say things like

 “if it doesn’t work out, it’s not meant to”

 

But the trap of living in this state of surrender is CHAOS. Tell me I’m wrong.

A few years ago I was told that what I needed to do was to learn skills and discipline, that this would give me peace. And there are some major skills that have helped me immensely as a wife, a mother, a business owner and a human. (here's one) My home is more organized, my kids have a better idea about what is going on each day and no longer live at the whims of their mother… mostly. 

But the trap of living in this state of discipline striving and exhaustion. Tell me I’m wrong.

Have you ever found yourself, like me, waffling between chaos and striving? The problem is, we need both.

We need both Discipline & Surrender. 

When we have one without the other surrender looks and feels like chaos.

And discipline looks and feels like striving and exhaustion.

and peace is OUT OF REACH!



But when we bring them together, when we are both disciplined and surrendered, this is where we find peace. 

And this is where we being to see miracles in our home and business!

The last two years have been the hardest years our generation has ever seen. We have been through the wringer physically, emotionally, psychologically and even spiritually. The most basic of decisions have become complicated, confusing and even scary. One does not simply go to the grocery store, to work or to school anymore. There are guidelines and expectations and opinions around every corner. People are angry, afraid and divided. 

It is tempting to get wrapped up in all the talk, the news, the opinions. But when we do that we are left feeling overwhelmed, anxious and often, more confused than ever. But we cannot simply ignore the issues we are facing. Everything that is happening effects us and our loved ones tremendously. So how are we to live in this world without becoming crushed by it all?

Today I want to invite you to be part of the solution. I believe we are all here on purpose, for a purpose. I believe you were created to be a part of the good and perfect plans that the creator of the universe has. You were given specific gifts, talents and abilities that equip you for a special position in this world. And you have a choice. We all have a choice.

I for one, am not good at waiting. I discovered a few years ago that I get restless and I need to be a part of the solution. I need to do something. If that is you, text "solution" to 825-250-8897. I will share stories with you of others who are working together to be a part of the solution. You don't have to do this alone.

And if you know you want to do that, but aren't sure exactly what it looks like. here's what I am doing in the coming months to be .a part of the solution:

1. Keeping my mind and body and spirit strong so that I can be the best woman, wife and mother that I can be

2. Opening a Maternity Home to support women and families in need. (check out Amber's Hope Maternity Home on facebook!)

3. Helping restless moms discover a vision for their lives that is not limited by financial burden or overwhelm. 

10 years ago I was an overwhelmed, restless, stay at home mom. I wanted to be home with my babies, but I felt like I was losing battles everyday. Being a mom kicked my a$$. So I started looking for solutions. I started doing things to take care of my body, my mind and my heart. I was introduced to something that helped me do that and make money from home at the same time. 

At first I was skeptical. But then, after getting results in my home, and helping a few others get results in theirs, I couldn't help but share what was helping us all so much! I replaced the income I had been earning when I was working full time. 

Then my husband caught a vision for what I was doing and realized that we could replace his income so that he could come home to farm. At the time he was working full time and using his holidays to seed the crops and harvest them in the fall. When he wasn't working or farming, we would cram our recreation into the occasional 2 day weekend. It was busy and stressful, but I was just thankful he was home in the evenings, even if he was in the tractor. 

In the fall of 2013 my husband quit his full time job. The next year we had another baby. This was one of the best years of my life. That winter we both got to be home with our children. My husband experienced milestones that he had missed with our other two children. That spring I was able to travel, I even took my little one with me. I shared stories with people all over Canada and the US all the while working very part time.

In 2016 our farming operation took a major hit. It was a miserably wet year that made it extremely difficult to get the crop off. In November my husband had planned to join me in Texas for a seminar, but instead he stayed home and harvested in the snow. 

Despite all this, thanks to the skills we had developed and applied to our farming operation, our family and my home based business, we were able to keep moving forward without too much pressure. The next year we expanded our farm, built a shop, had our fourth baby and I played a key role in opening the Pregnancy Care Centre in our community. 

These past two years I have been watching crisis unfold over our world. At times I have felt helpless and heartbroken. I see so many suffering and struggling and for the most part, there is little I can do. However, when I stop and look at my own life, I can see that God has set me on a path that has protected me from much of the destruction. And I have peace, peace that no matter what happens, even if the worst happens to me or my loved ones, my God has good and perfect plans. 

I truly believe that in the end, all that has been lost will be restored to perfection and glory in the King of Kings. I'm tempted to just sit and wait for God to complete this work. But I see now that God places us here to play a role in building His kingdom. I believe God has put me on this path to help others. Years ago when I was struggling in many ways, I cried out to God, asking why, why He doesn't simply heal me and take away the pain.  I knew that He could. And I got a very clear answer that I know did not come from me.

"It's not about you" this answer, though somewhat harsh, gave me a great deal of peace, knowing that my pain was not meaningless. There would be a purpose for it all. I'm here to tell you, that whatever pain you have faced and are facing today, it is not meaningless. It is strengthening you and building you up. Preparing you for the work that you get to do for building the kingdom. 

Please do not hear what I am not saying. I am not saying that you need to be a part of my company to be a part of the kingdom. I'm not saying you need to use my products or services to do good in this world. But I am embracing that this is all a part of my position here on earth. This is my vehicle. For a long time I have struggled because I have not wanted to mix business and faith but for me it is already mixed because my faith plays a huge role in everything that I do.

I may have something that can help you and your family. Maybe you do need natural solutions in your home, maybe you do need to sort out some financial burdens, or maybe you are on a totally different path altogether. Wherever you are at, I trust that your Heavenly Father is leading you. Maybe that's a new concept for you. If it is, I encourage you to consider what it might mean to be led by the creator of the universe. In my opinion, He is the only solution.  

I'd love to hear from you, if you have questions or anything you would like to share with me, send me a text at 825-250-8897

Bless you friend

Did you know that hardship, stress, trials, they are all for our benefit? 

We've been sold a lie that we need to "reduce stress" in order to live full and happy lives. The Truth is, hardship comes our way for our good.  James 1 tells us to:

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

I don't know about you, But I have been struggling to persevere these days. I'm tempted to just lay down and do nothing. To wait the storm out. I so badly needed to read this verse today. 

James goes on to say:

12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

When the world looks as dark as it does today, it is so important to remember that this life is not the end. That even if we spend the rest of our lives struggling and suffering, we have eternity in Glory, waiting for us. What does that mean?

Take a moment to think about something in this world that you feel is truly glorious, the stunning fall colors, the mountains, the ocean, the laughter of a child. That image of beauty is just a glimpse of the eternal glory that awaits us. We cannot even begin to grasp how great His love is and how wonderful forever with Him will be. 

I want to leave you with these verses in the book of Ephesians. Chapter 3 is a beautiful summary of God's plan for all people. (I've included in brackets some of my own thoughts.)

God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed

1When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles ( a prisoner! oh how he suffered! and while he suffered he encouraged so many others. Much of the New testiment was written while Paul was in jail. And when he says for the benefit of you Gentiles, we may miss how big this was. Paul was a Jew, a devout one who persecuted Christians violently.  After meeting Jesus was converted and began to spread the Gospel to both the Jews and the Gentiles. How radical is that??) 
2assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. 3As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

6And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 7By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

8Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9I was chosen to explain to everyonec this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

10God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

12Because of Christ and our faith in him,d we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

(Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth: My prayer for you)

14When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.