Let's Be Real... 

 

 

 

 

  REAL MOMS

Faith - Family - Friendship - Fun
4Real Moms Newsletter         January 2015
WELCOME!
 
Happy New Year, dear mom!  Let's be real for a moment...motherhood is hard!  4Real Moms Monthly Newsletter wants to unite moms from all around the world to be real and encourage one another on this journey of motherhood! 
 
We want to make motherhood just a little bit easier for you each month by finding simple and practical ideas; encouraging you to be the best mom you can be no matter where you are on your journey; helping you grow in the areas of faith, family, friendship and fun; and sharing uplifting stories from moms just like you.
 
I hope you enjoy this first edition of the 4Real Moms Monthly Newsletter:  "Let's Be Real". 
 
 
HOW TO USE THIS NEWSLETTER:
Since this is the first one, there is an "In This Issue" Section just below.  You can click on any of those topics to take you to anywhere in this newsletter.  Obviously, I encourage you to read everything, but I also know that, like me, you're a busy mom, so you can do one of three things: 
 
1.  Skip around to just those points and tips that interest you most. 
2.  Don't skip a thing!!  Set aside just one hour during this month and read every blog, helpful hint, and tip! 
3.  Save it in your inbox and read it throughout the month and be inspired by each blog, idea, and tip at your
convenience. 
 
And lastly, I hope you enjoy what you've learned.  I hope you share it with other moms.  I hope you engage in the questions on the blogs, and even more, I hope you find this newsletter
helpful and encouraging! 
 

                HAPPY NEW YEAR!


 

*LET'S BE REAL ABOUT THE NEW YEAR...

1. I can't believe that this year is already going by so quickly.  Any other mom feel this way?  Does anyone feel that you're not quite ready?  I know that Allyson from the east coast understands that all to well... 

What To Do When the New Year Starts Without Waiting for You to Catch Up 

 

2. What if you are ready and raring to set some goals?  How about some helpful hints for you this year...

4 Simple Tips for Setting Goals

 

                FAITH

 

 *LET'S BE REAL ABOUT FAITH... 

1. How do you see yourself?  After turning 40...well actually even before that, I've struggled with how I look.  And now that I'm getting older and more gray and wrinkly, I need the Lord to show me how He sees me from the inside.  Let's learn from Sandra from the UK how God sees us...  

Distorted or Beautiful: A Dose of Encouragement

 

2. Don't laugh, but you simply must find quiet time in your day.  I love the story of Susanna Wesley, mother of 19 children (10 survived infancy) from the 1600s who put her apron over her head when she wanted quiet time with the Lord.  I figured if she can do it, so can I.  Let's find out how...

4 Ways to Find Quiet Time in Your Noisy Day

 

 

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH
Let's pray for our kids to be real this month: 
"May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection." Psalm 25:21

                 FAMILY

 

*LET'S BE REAL ABOUT FAMILY...

 1. I love my family.  I love to take care of my family.   I love to give to my family (most of the time--except when I'm eating brownies and cornbread.)  But I do not...I repeat...I do not love having my family photos taken with them!  Natalie from Ohio agrees!  Read her hilarious account of her own family photo session...  

Taking Pictures Alone Vs. Taking Pictures with Family 

 

 

2. What do you notice in your family?  Do you always focus on what's wrong? Or what isn't going well?  Or what isn't right?  Melissa from Michigan reminds us to be a noticer of what's important and ignore what's not...

 May I Be a Noticer

 

 

3. When your children are away, do you feel anxious...worried...uneasy?  How about those moms who have had children move out?  Karrilee from Washington encourages us all to put our children in God's hands as she reflects on when her daughter moved out last June...

Words to Build a Life On.

 

 

 

 

 

                FRIENDSHIP

 

LET'S BE REAL ABOUT FRIENDSHIP... 

1. What do you do when you see someone else's child throw a fit in public?  Do you stare?  Do you judge?  Do you try to help?  Do you just ignore?  Those public fits are the worst...especially when you make it through getting all of your groceries and then dun...dun...dun the dreaded check-out line!  Find out from Sara in Colorado how you can reach out in friendship from one mom to another to help...    
How to Help a Mom When Her Child is Raging in Public
 
 
2. Friendships are so important to me.  Every mom needs close friends, don't you agree?  Sometimes friends come into our lives in unexpected ways.  Find out how...
  

               FUN

*LET'S BE REAL ABOUT FUN...NO LET'S JUST HAVE FUN!


1. Sometimes moms just need a good laugh.  Enjoy this video as many of us moms can relate to needing some space!

"I Just Need Some Space" - Meghan Trainor - "All About That Bass Parody


 

2. Enjoy some free printables! 
In This Issue
Happy New Year
Faith
Family
Friendship
Fun
From Me to You
Book of the Month
Recipe of the Month
Money Saving Tip
Easy Craft Idea
Advertise with Us
From Me to You...
On Being Real!

Hi Moms!  My name is Christine Leeb and I am the founder of 4Real Moms.  I don't mean to brag, but I love this professional photo.  I remember feeling so good about myself that day that my husband took this photo at the park.  But what I love most about this photo is the "realness" behind it, because what you don't see is that while this photo was being taken, my daughter (who was 10 months old at the time) was putting a cigarette butt in her mouth!  YUCK!!! 
And that's what 4Real Moms is all about!  Being real!   Motherhood is hard for all of us--no matter what anyone sees from the outside!  I hope you enjoy your time here with us this month, and I look forward to seeing you back for our February Newsletter focusing on LOVE! 
Click here to find our more about 4Real Moms and its story.  
Book of the Month

THE FAMILY BLESSING


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Make a Profound Difference in the
Lives of Your
Children Through
the Simple Daily
Act of Blessing
by Rolf Garborg by Group Publishing
Paperback
List Price: $9.99
Our Price: $5.88


Recipe of the Month


PLAYDATE BLACK BEAN SOUP

It's so easy, you can make it for a playdate! 
 
Ingredients: 

1 can of black beans 

1 can of refried beans and little water (about 1/2 can) 

1 cup of frozen corn (you can actually use as much or as little as you like) 

1 packet of taco seasoning 

 

Directions: 

1.  Combine black beans, refried beans, corn and taco seasoning into a pot. 

2.  Add a little bit of water (about 1/2 can) and stir.  You can add more or less water depending on how thick you like your soups. 

3.  Heat slowly until it boils.  Stir occasionally to mush up the refried beans until well blended. 

4.  Top with sour cream, cheese and eat with tortilla chips.  Enjoy!

 

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OTHER REAL EASY RECIPES WITH JUST 4 INGREDIENTS OR 4 STEPS! 



Money Saving Tip

CLEAN WITH VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA

Two products that are green, non-toxic to your family, and cheap!  And you can use them to clean anything!!!

Click here for more ideas of how to clean your entire house with baking soda, vinegar, and lemons from a mom in Canada   
Easy Craft Idea of the Month

IDEA CUBE:  A fun and EASY cube to make.  It can also solve the argument of what to do in your family!  Essentially it's for kids, but for those married moms, you can even make one for you and your hubby in the bedroom...wink...wink.

Click Here for all the details from Elizabeth in Pittsburg.

Advertise with Us!

We love to promote businesses for moms!  CLICK HERE to find out how to promote yours right here in this newsletter and more! 
Upcoming Events for Local Moms
MOMS NIGHT OUT-  "You Matter:  4 Truths that Transform from the Inside Out" by Dr. Patti Spurlock.  Thursday, February 5th from 7pm - 10pm at the I Hotel and Convention Center in Champaign, IL!  You won't want to miss this!!  CLICK HERE to REGISTER
MOMMY CLASS-  "Proactive Parenting:  How to Stay Ahead of Your Kids"  Thursday, March 5th from 7pm - 9pm at the Urbana Free Library in Urbana, IL.  CLICK HERE to REGISTER
  
CHANCE TO WIN A FREE BOOK!
Thank you for joining us this month!  As a subscriber to 4Real Moms Monthly Newsletter, you will automatically get a chance to win a copy of the book of the month:  The Family Blessing: Make a Profound Difference in the Lives of Your Children Through the Simple Daily Act of Blessing  OR my new book-  In His Light:  Facing Fear with Faith .
HAVEN'T SIGNED UP YET?  Don't miss a recipe, blog, inspiring story, easy tip or even more that's to come!  Sign up to receive our newsletter for FREE by CLICKING HERE!  And please share this with other moms who might just need some encouragement too.  Thank you!
 
The drawing will be held on February 1st
(the winner will be contacted via email)
  
I Would Love to Hear from You!
Please contact me with any questions or comments.  Please let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for this newsletter!  This newsletter is for YOU, moms!  Please contact me just to say hi too!  So, basically, you can contact me for any reason whatsoever.  I would also love to hear from you if you have a story you'd like to share in this monthly newsletter!
Blessings and Be Real!  See you next month!

Christine Leeb
Founder of 4Real Moms
Website:  www.4realmoms.com