Under & Over The Weather

November 2, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

Happy Monday Y’all,

I don’t know where you might happen to be if you’re reading this post, but if you’re in or around the Atlanta area, you just might be over this weather we’re having! RAIN. Enough is enough! Typically, I don’t mind too much…as long as a fireplace, a blanket, a good book, my husband and a pup or two are available…but not only am I over this weather, I am currently under it, too.

This is a current, real-time view. I cannot stand being sick and at the office. Boo-hiss. If this continues, I will be staying home by my lonesome tomorrow for sure!

In the meantime, I have several ‘go-to’ remedies that are necessities in our house when a sinus infection creeps in:

Homemade Vicks Shower Tabs

All-Natural Pineapple Cough Syrup

This + **REAL** Sudafed, and a Hot Green Tea with Honey!

What are your go-to remedies for feeling better fast when you get sick? I’d love to hear what works for you!

Achooo!!!

My Choice Monday

The Lion (Mane) Tamer

September 28, 2015September 28, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Good Afternoon & Happy Monday!!

We’ve been absent, but with September as crazy a month as it is for our family, we had a good excuse – we’ve been preparing for and then vacationing in Hawaii! (More on that Wednesday!)

As much as I love the island that was my middle school stomping ground, I had almost forgotten how much my hair despises the humid island air – even more than it disagrees with the Georgian breeze. Thank goodness I:

Don’t have bangs anymore.
Remembered to bring a HUGE supply of hair rubber bands.

Do any of you remember Monica’s hair debacle from the Friends episode (#26) above? That’s me. While the other girls at the luaus had long, silky, freshly ‘coiffed’ hair, mine was in a big puff on top of my head, or strung up in french braids.

While my crazy, puffy head of hair didn’t deter us from having a marvelous time, I thought I would share with any of you who are fellow curly/wavy/thick haired girls my favorite ways & products to tame my mane:

Chi Keratin Shampoo & Conditioner

It all starts with the right shampoo & conditioner. Some may disagree with my on this, but I have tried A LOT of products, and these are my favorites. Not only do they smell fresh & clean, they work. I typically wash my hair 2-3 times with the shampoo and leave on the conditioner for about 10 minutes. If you have thick & crazy hair like mine, you can try not thoroughly rinsing out all the conditioner. This is more important if you’re in the thick of a humid summer stretch.

2. The Wet Brush

The Wet Brush. What you brush your hair with matters – most of all when it’s wet. And trust me, when it comes to tangles and being gentle, this brush has it all. I use it when I get out of the shower, after I towel dry my hair, and then again after I apply a ton of product (more about that in a second!).

When your hair is dry and styled, my favorite brush is one like this:

The Spornette Ion Fusion Brush is my favorite, but any large paddle brush will do! I like this type of brush because the bristles are long and sturdy enough that I can feel them on my scalp – believe it or not, this is rare. Plus, the brush is large enough that it covers a lot of ground at once. (Anything to lessen the amount of time I spend styling this mane!!)

3. DermOrganic Argan Oil

As soon as my hair is super towel-dried, I apply this oil, mixed well with another product and apply to all of my hair, concentrating on the ends. Say it with me: Life-Sav-Er!! But it’s important to read below and see how and WHY I mix it with the other product!

4. Outshine 01 – Redken Anti-Frizz Polishing Milk

This stuff works like a dream, and mixed with the Argan Oil (above), I apply it to towel-dried hair from root to tip, concentrating on the ends. For some reason, the combination of a cream and an oil really helps my hair to lay down, and decreases the frizziness quite a bit more than either product on it’s own.

5. Conair 3-in-1 Ionic Styler

This hairdryer has been my best friend since I was a kid. I use one of the 2 comb attachments it comes with and blow-dry my hair, all the way through. Those of you with fine, thin or straight hair, may be able to get away with air-drying or only drying halfway…or using a regular hairdryer with your head upside down…but not I. Dry your hair fully after towel drying and applying the products above.

6. Creme of Nature Argan Oil Replenishing Sheen Spray

Ok, before you say anything, let me say that I was a skeptic too…but WOW. This stuff has changed my hair life. Now, having said that, be sparing. More of this is less. After you dry your hair, spray on this. Not too much. Just enough to lightly coat it. When you begin straightening, you can use this again to spray (lightly) on each piece before you use a flat or curling iron on it. Just be sparing. Otherwise, you will look like a greaseball. I promise you.

7. Moroccan Oil Styling Clips

Yet another lifesaver. It is a must that I section out my hair prior to styling it. There’s no other way. However, most clips out there do NOT hold my hair (read: in the past week, I have POPPED, while wearing, 7 rubber bands.), so I found these babies – made for big, thick, crazy hair. They hold it and they do it well – and no pinching.

8. Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium Straightening Iron

Now that your hair is dry and protected from the heat and sectioned out, it’s FINALLY time to flat iron. This is the best flat iron ever. I have had it for more than 4 years, and it is still going strong! And it straightens my mess of curls and frizz in one pass. Amazing.

9. Vavoom Freezing Spray

Okay, I don’t care what anyone else tells you. This stuff is the BEST. If you don’t want you hair to move – rain or shine, it will NOT. And you’ve just spent a good chunk of your day perfecting your hair, so you would be a little snarly if it were to get messed up after all the work, right? 🙂

10. Batiste Dry Shampoo

Considering you’ve now spent two or more hours on your hair, you may not want to wash and style it every. single. day. And I’ll let you in on a little secret…days 2 and 3 are often my BEST hair days. But just because you may want some morning free time, doesn’t mean you can neglect your flowing strands. Keep your hair fresh and clean with dry shampoo! I have tried MANY brands and Batiste is my favorite by far. The one I’ve linked to above is specifically for blondes, but they make a brunette version, as well, in addition to many different fragrances. I haven’t found one yet that I don’t like!

So there you have it. I may not always be on time, but now you at least know WHY! 😉 Even with all the products above, I still don’t have great island hair…but that’s one reason I *usually* keep my locks long enough for a knot on top of my head or braids. They are life-saving styles in case of humidity!

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s “My Choice Monday” – Please note that we were not sponsored or commissioned by any of the above brands. All opinions and suggestions are my own and I am not a hair professional. However, should you wish to send us a sample of your product for review, please contact us here.

Join us tomorrow! We have a very special guest post I just can’t wait to share!!

My Choice Monday

Intentional Living

September 14, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

I just noticed I haven’t posted anything in the month of September so far…and for that I apologize! The other day, I received an e-mail confirming my speaking to a women’s group in October, and at first, I thought, “Well, that’s still a long way off…”

Well, no ma’am, it is not! October is just around the corner! Time sure does fly, doesn’t it?

We get so bogged down in everything we have to ‘take care of’ and before we know it, a week…two…three have passed by. In today’s world, where everything whizzes by in an instant, we have to be intentional about our time, and make the best use of what we have been given.

Now, I don’t say this because I am a particularly good steward of my time, but it is certainly something I am working on!

Several weeks ago, Craig and I went to see ‘War Room’…and it was so moving and heart-wrenching, I saw it a second time with one of my best friends. Once again, I was deeply affected by the film, and if you have been in my vicinity in the past couple of weeks, you have been urged, begged and pleaded with to go and see this movie! (And here I go again, “GO SEE WAR ROOM!!! It is worth the noise and crowds of the theatre. It is worth the cost of the ticket, Diet Coke and popcorn! The Holy Spirit will speak to you in that theatre, so be prepared with a box of tissues. You will NOT be sad or feel you have wasted your evening. I promise.)

And therein lies my whole point about being intentional with your time.

In John 21, beginning with verse 15, Jesus is speaking with Peter:

When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” He answered, “You know I love You.”

Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”

Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.”

Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?”

“Lord, You know all things;” he replied, “You know I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.

After He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.” John 21:15-20

This scripture says more to me than what it appears on the surface. Jesus is saying here, if you want to follow me; if you want to be a Christian (AKA Christ-follower, which is what that means literally); if you love me, your life is about more than just living. Your life is about more than just attending church on Sunday, saying a prayer before bed, reading your ‘Jesus Calling’ first thing in the morning. Your entire life and being should be intentionally devoted to your walk with Christ.

When we saw ‘War Room’, one thing that struck me was the intentional time being set aside for prayer. I don’t want to ruin the movie for any of you who haven’t seen it (because I know you are going to finish reading this and immediately purchase a ticket to see it tonight), but Jesus tells us in the Gospels:

“But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6 (Berean Study Bible)

I know that much of the time, I get up in the morning, quickly read my devotion and rush to get ready and head out the door to work. I listen to sermons, praise and worship music, and/or Victory 91.5 on my way to work. And honestly, by the time I get home in the evenings I am dog-tired – right alongside our precious pups, who always seem to be dog-tired, no matter how little they’ve done all day! I lay on the couch in front of the television, scrolling through Facebook and Instagram. I may do a few dishes or a load or two of laundry, but my evenings are always haphazard. By the time Craig and I have our evening phone call before bed, our prayer together is only half-conscious being that we are both so exhausted.

Since seeing the movie, I have a strong desire to make my life more intentional. Ecclesiastes tells us:

“Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Nothing God does is coincidence. Everything has a purpose and a plan, and I think then, if we are striving to follow Him and become more Christ-like, so should our lives. I know I do better at the office if I plan my day, so how about my evening?

What if I returned home from work, fed my pups, changed into comfy clothes, ate dinner and then retreated to my war room? What if I was as intentional about prayer and spiritual warfare as I am about making sure I feed myself and my fur-kids?

How much would my life change from this one intentional addition?

Would He give me the strength and the means and the opportunity and time to serve Him with my whole heart, to feed His sheep, to shepherd His sheep if I only made room for Him in the way He asks me in my busy schedule?

My Choice Monday

My Choice Monday: Joy

August 24, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Let me be brutally honest.

Life is hard.

It’s hard to be alone every week. It’s hard to watch all my friends post pictures on Facebook and Instagram of their beautiful children. It’s hard to accept that some people don’t want to rekindle friendship with you and your husband. It’s not fun to wake up and be on the road before the sun in the morning, every morning, and arrive back home – to a husband-less household – after the sun has gone back to bed.

But in spite of all of that, and any other circumstances I may have glossed over, people continually remark at my cheerful demeanor, how happy and carefree I seem to be…and I can honestly say it isn’t my doing at all.

Job 13:15

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Have any of you recently read the book of Job? I’m currently reading and studying this book of the Bible, and if you haven’t read it closely, WOW, Job had it pretty bad. I feel almost embarrassed to complain about anything in my life because, well, there but for the grace of God go I!

Job was not only the wealthiest man around; he also was “…a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8 ESV) He was blessed with ten children, numerous servants, countless livestock…probably the nicest tent on the block! And not only these material possessions were taken away, but his health fell away too. Job 2:8 (ESV) says, “And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.”

Here is a man who was on top of the world, and now he sits on top of ashes, where his belongings had burned. His children are gone. His servants are gone. His livestock is gone. And he is covered from head to toe with itchy boils and sores covering his skin, and all he can do is scrape at himself with a shard of pottery, broken in the midst of everything.

Job’s wife, almost understandably so, says to him, “…Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” Job 2:9 (ESV)

But his response to her is a lesson for all of us:

But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” Job 2:10 (ESV)

Job trusted God. He praised God, and he accepted his circumstances.

Not that my own circumstances come close to those of Job, but I have found in praying about and trying to find reason and comfort for many of the things going on in our life, if Jesus calls you to experience something, He gives you everything you need to get through it. And not only survive, but to do so with JOY and PEACE.

John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give it to you. Let your heart not be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

It’s the very thing that allows persecuted Christians to get out of bed every morning: their worlds may be falling apart around them, but they are BLESSED with a RELATIONSHIP with the CREATOR – “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

It’s amazing what Jesus can do with circumstances in our lives that seem to be only painful at first glance. I am so blessed to be asked to share Jesus with so many people simply because they hear a part of our story and are amazed at the peace and calm and joy in our lives.

The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace. Psalm 29:11 (NLT)

That peace, strength and JOY is Jesus and our relationship to Him, my friends. It’s nothing short of amazing, and He is all you need.

My Choice Monday

A Top Ten List For Your Top Ten Places

August 17, 2015August 17, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

It’s already Monday?!?! Wow, it feels like this weekend just flew by! Not only was I busy with cooking (Craig’s) meals for this week, but when Craig arrived home on Saturday afternoon, we enjoyed the beautiful day walking at the Marietta Square and having dinner at Stockyard Burgers & Bones – where I was delighted to find they served not only gluten-free buns, but also lettuce wraps for their burgers! Yippee!

After church on Sunday, we began getting Craig ready for his trips this week with more cooking – that man eats pretty well, if I do say so myself! 😉 We also took the pups to a nearby dog park, and all ran around and played catch as a family. Anyone who thinks it takes human children to turn a married couple into a family is sadly mistaken. We are just the family God designed us to be at this moment in our marriage!! (Not that we can’t wait to see what He has in store for our next season!) You should have seen us running around out there, talking to Lucy & Caroline as if they were people! 🙂 They are my heart!

What are your weekend activities? Where are your favorite places to spend with your loved ones? For our My Choice Monday post, we have compiled a list of some of our faves (in Georgia & Maine) for free time fun:

So now it’s your turn? What do you like to do on the weekends, or in your spare time with your loved ones? There was a time we spent way too much time indoors and at home, but now, we are facing the beautiful opportunities the Lord provides each day by celebrating His glorious creation as much as we possibly can!

It’s amazing how the feeling of a long week and a tired earthly body can be reactivated with a little bit of fun! 🙂

My Choice Monday

Turning Traffic Into Tranquility

August 10, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Happy Monday Y’all!

I don’t know where all of you live, but here in the Atlanta area, it is BACK TO SCHOOL MONDAY!! Traffic was just dandy and my fellow drivers seemed to be in such relaxed moods!!! 🙂

Obviously, I speak sarcastically, but it brings me to the My Choice Monday topic of the day:

Turning Traffic Into Tranquility

5 Tips For Making Your Drive To Work A Blessing

Audible: Download the app on your phone and discover the joy of listening to great books on the way to work. It’s inexpensive and if you’re busy like the rest of the world, it can make reading that book you’ve been meaning to read a possibility!
Podcasts: Learn about subjects and topics that interest you or delve further into the subject your pastor spoke about on Sunday!
- Podbean http://www.podbean.com/religion_and_spirituality
- Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/stitcher-list/
The Bible From 30,000 Feet: Skip Heitzig, pastor of Calvary Chapel Albequerque in New Mexico, did a series several years ago that is available on both Audible & as a podcast. It goes over every single book of the Bible, not verse by verse, but in detail with attention to historical background and Jewish custom. Craig and I typically read a book of the Bible and then follow-up by listening to Skip’s podcast/chapter on that book.
- http://www.biblefrom30k.com/subscribe.asp
  - Options for iTunes & Android users!
  - Via Audible
Prayer: Make your travel time your prayer time. I find some of my best conversations with God happen in the car. I can worship and belt out some of my favorite songs to Him. I can pray, cry, scream out loud to Him with abandon. Consider this your first meeting of the morning. You won’t have to worry about dialing-in or being late, because He is always right there. Waiting.
Two of my favorite devotional books are by the same author, Sarah Young, who wrote both “Jesus Calling” and it’s ‘sequel’ – “Jesus Today”. This past Friday’s “Jesus Today” reading had this to say:

“When world events are swirling around you and your personal world feels unsteady, don’t let your mind linger on those stressors. Tell yourself the truth: ‘Yes, this world is full of trouble, but Jesus is with me and He is in control.’

I don’t know about you, but I need to write that on my hand with a Sharpie and make a sticky note to put in my car too:

“…but Jesus is with me, and He is in control!”

That should be our mantra for traffic, stressful work situations, family squabbles, disagreements, political issues, the disturbing news of the world. Let us be reminded that no matter what, He’s got the whole world in His hands. We are His children and as long as we follow Him closely, we will be just fine.

When the horns honk and my blood pressure begins to rise as a car cuts me off, I will take a deep breath and, instead of yelling, remind myself:

“…but Jesus is with me, and He is in control!”

If you didn’t grab our free printable on Friday, here’s another chance, because this also fits well into the theme of tranquility in the midst of stress. Isaiah 43 is one of many places in the Bible to be reminded of His great and wondrous, overwhelming love for us:

But now, O Jacob, listen to the lord who created you.

O Israel, the one who formed you says,

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you go through deep waters,

I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

you will not be burned up;

the flames will not consume you.

For I am the lord, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;

I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Others were given in exchange for you.

I traded their lives for yours

because you are precious to me.

You are honored, and I love you.

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

I will gather you and your children from east and west.

I will say to the north and south,

‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel

from the distant corners of the earth.

Bring all who claim me as their God,

for I have made them for my glory.

It was I who created them.’”

Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind,

who have ears but are deaf.

Gather the nations together!

Assemble the peoples of the world!

Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?

Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?

Where are the witnesses of such predictions?

Who can verify that they spoke the truth?

“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says thelord.

“You are my servant.

You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,

and understand that I alone am God.

There is no other God—

there never has been, and there never will be.

I, yes I, am the lord,

and there is no other Savior.

First I predicted your rescue,

then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.

No foreign god has ever done this.

You are witnesses that I am the only God,”

says the lord.

“From eternity to eternity I am God.

No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.

No one can undo what I have done.”

The lord’s Promise of Victory

This is what the lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon,

forcing the Babylonians to flee in those ships they are so proud of.

I am the lord, your Holy One,

Israel’s Creator and King.

I am the lord, who opened a way through the waters,

making a dry path through the sea.

I called forth the mighty army of Egypt

with all its chariots and horses.

I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned,

their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.

“But forget all that—

it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.

For I am about to do something new.

See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness.

I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

The wild animals in the fields will thank me,

the jackals and owls, too,

for giving them water in the desert.

Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland

so my chosen people can be refreshed.

I have made Israel for myself,

and they will someday honor me before the whole world.

“But, dear family of Jacob, you refuse to ask for my help.

You have grown tired of me, O Israel!

You have not brought me sheep or goats for burnt offerings.

You have not honored me with sacrifices,

though I have not burdened and wearied you

with requests for grain offerings and frankincense.

You have not brought me fragrant calamus

or pleased me with the fat from sacrifices.

Instead, you have burdened me with your sins

and wearied me with your faults.

“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake

and will never think of them again.

Let us review the situation together,

and you can present your case to prove your innocence.

From the very beginning, your first ancestor sinned against me;

all your leaders broke my laws.

That is why I have disgraced your priests;

I have decreed complete destruction for Jacob

and shame for Israel.

Have a blessed Monday, friends!

My Choice Monday

A Case of the Mint-Free Mondays

August 3, 2015 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Happy Happy Monday Folks!

…and what a Monday it is! I shipped Craig off to Texas on Saturday, so this weekend was one of the first in my re-training myself in ‘How To Be A Single Wife’. These days his schedule means about 6 days in Texas and then, hopefully, enough time to catch a stand-by flight (or 2) home to re-group, have his laundry done, and pick-up some new home-cooked meals before he heads back out for another 6-in-a-row… I have to admit…I love him with every nanofiber of my being, and I wouldn’t trade our life together for a nanosecond, but the Pilot’s Wife’s Life is tough.

I look at those of you with kids and I think, well, at least you have COMPANY! 🙂 It’s just me and the furs at our house!

Anyways, getting to my point :-)…in the re-training process, I am learning how to sleep in an empty house again. It’s something I have never been good at, and having to wake up around 5:00AM means it’s something I need to improve upon! I got in bed last night, sure I would fall fast asleep, quickly. I was soooo exhausted. But my mind had other plans…I tossed and turned and heard (and jumped) every time the cat jumped off of the bed to wander around – which seems to be about every 45 seconds. Finally, I decided I would put on a podcast of a sermon to fall asleep to. International House of Prayer App? Check. Sermon? Check…

But the moment I close my eyes and get comfortable, I realize this must be a sermon about the Book of Revelation and the End Times. Nope. I can’t listen to that when the cat and the dark are scaring me and keeping me awake!! Eyes open again and it’s on to the sermon search…ok…I find one that seems to be about Jesus’ Sermon On The Mount, and drift off to sleep.

My alarm blares me to life at 5AM…I hit snooze…or so I thought…

When my eyes slid open at 6:22AM, I realized I must have turned my alarm off. Yay. And today’s the first day of school for much of the Atlanta area….I knew traffic would be worse than usual – by a longshot, and I only had 15 minutes to get ready and leave for work.

While I did manage to corral the dogs in the kitchen, make one cup of coffee for the road, and pull my hair into a barrette, I had that rushed feeling that I despise since I prefer to arrive everywhere with 15 minutes to spare.

So, today, is a Monday. For sure. I am praying my quiet time in the car at lunch proves successful in de-stressing me for the remainder of the day. The Orange Essential Oil didn’t do the job…Although I think the Lavender may have worked too well – once I got to sleep!!

…which brings me to today’s product recommendation:

Auromere Toothpaste

Y’all. I have a confession. I cannot STAND minty toothpaste.

Yuck.

The idea of brushing my teeth and then having to wait an hour before I drink my coffee or a glass of orange juice really drives me batty, and at night, that crazy strong mint flavor keeps me awake.

I know. First world problems.

However, much to Craig’s chagrin, I found this toothpaste which is a game changer. Not only is it free of fluoride, gluten, bleaches, artificial sweeteners, dyes and animal ingredients, it comes in a non-minty, licorice-ish flavor, and makes your mouth feel so clean.

Craig does not like the licorice flavor (aka Mint-Free, although there is a ‘Licorice’ flavor), but agrees it makes your mouth/teeth feel clean. We are going to sample the Fresh Mint flavor for him.

The link I’ve included lists the toothpaste at $6.99, but I was able to find it at TJ Maxx for $4.00. Similar to using salon shampoo, you don’t need as much, so one tube should last a long while. We bought ours at the end of May and it hasn’t changed shape at all.

So, whether you’re into minty toothpaste or licorice, this toothpaste could be the answer for your pearly whites too.

*Please note: We were not compensated in any way for the aforementioned product review. Above, please find an honest, consumer’s opinion of a product.*

Have a great day, friends! We send our love!

My Choice Monday

Juicy!

September 29, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres2 Comments

See? I told you we would return! My my my, this move to Maine has been DRAINING!!! Wonderful – but DRAINING!! As a matter of fact, I’m still in need of volunteers to help organize and unpack…Any takers?

More about our lives as Maine-iacs on Wednesday, but today, let’s get down to the nitty gritty – The CORE of today’s blog, so to speak…Today, it’s all about JUICING! (Anyone catch the food/texture humor?? 🙂 ) Catch the video below for our take on juicing, and why we love it so much:

Grandma & Mama Dee – If you’re watching, just click the title of the blog in your e-mail (at the top, where it says “Juicy!”), and you’ll be re-directed to the video! If you have any questions, call me and I’ll walk you through it! 🙂

Here’s the ingredient list for my juice, in case you missed it:

Pier’s Groovy Green Juice

2 small yellow apples
1 bunch fresh kale
Several ‘stalks’ of broccoleaf
About 1 inch of fresh ginger root
5 small radishes
Fresh mint, to taste
1 scoop chia seed
1 green bell pepper

Seriously. This may sound off-putting, but this juice is EASY to drink and delicious!! The amount above easily makes 2 juice servings – one for now and one to replace your next meal!

If you’re interested in our juicer, here is the one we purchased:

The Mega OH Mega

And… here are some great juicing recipes to get you started:

ReBoot With Joe

Until tomorrow, folks!

My Choice Monday

Restored By The Master

June 24, 2014June 24, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed LefebvresLeave a comment

Better late than never, right? 🙂

Today, we are sharing a beautiful devotional from one of our favorites, Our Daily Bread.

http://odb.org/2014/06/23/restored-by-the-master/

Our Lord calls us to become RENEWED and RESTORED, to turn from our old lifestyle to follow Him! And trust us when we tell you, His restoration is miraculous…and I feel like that’s a ridiculous understatement!

If you enjoyed this devotion, be sure to check out Our Daily Bread in our sidebar. They have a great FREE app, as well, with included reminders to spend time with God! Not that any of us forget…right? 🙂

Have a great night all!
Love,
Pier & Craig, straight from our kitchen tonight to your computer screen

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My Choice Monday

He Calls Us Out Upon The Waters, The Great Unknown…

June 16, 2014 The Not-So Newlywed Lefebvres3 Comments

So “My Choice Monday” means we can post about whatever we want to today, right? 🙂 It doesn’t have to be a product recommendation or a recipe, does it? Because I don’t have that for you today…

I do, however, have a recommendation in the way of life, though…

Have you ever sung or listened to a song a million times…and then FINALLY been struck – off guard – by the lyrics, and what the song actually means?

About 5 (+ or -) months ago, I was listening to the radio (Victory 91.5 – for all you Atlantans!) and one of the morning dj’s from Rise & Stein – my favorite show – mentioned this song that she just LOVED and was SO MOVED by: “Oceans” by Hillsong.

Although I love and adore Hillsong, I had never heard “Oceans”, nor had I even heard of it…So I set myself to looking it up as soon as I arrived at the office. I listened. And then I listened again. I liked the song…but it wasn’t my favorite. I’m certainly somewhat OCD when it comes to music – I like symmetry: A verse, a chorus, a verse, a bridge, a chorus. End of song.

But this song is not written that way. So I was a little distracted from the words.

At the same time, I felt like I needed to sing something on my own. And the Holy Spirit told me it was this song.

I wasn’t thrilled. It’s a little bit of an odd range for my voice. It isn’t the symmetrical type of song I jive with most of the time. And I hadn’t sung something so ‘full-of-spirit’ since my high school youth choir touring the U.S. days.

But, we got the backing track and Craig and I set to work on practicing and recording and perfecting this song over the months. And somewhere along the way, the Lord led us to FullTurn Church – where, as I was leaving my first Wednesday night, they played “Oceans” as the recessional-esque song. And then He led us to the knowledge of our future baby “Jonah Elizabeth” and we began ‘building our ark’, so to speak, in faith. He asked us to take a giant leap (of faith) and plug into a new church…and as we have moved at His Word…the lyrics of this song began to really sink in. It was like an ocean wave slapped me in the face with all of the truth standing right in front of me.

Read those lyrics. Whoa.

So, the recommendation for this My Choice Monday? Listen for the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. Let your soul rest in His embrace, and allow Him to lead you – where your trust is without borders.

And while you’re at it, listen to this song {open in a browser}, and we will share the recording of my singing it on Sunday very soon!