Young Wife's Guide

During my cloth diaper journey, I have tried many types of one size diapers. I have mostly focused on pocket diapers because of the cost…but I have to say, I have a new favorite!!

About Bum Genius Freetime All in One

Up until now I have mostly stayed away from all in one diapers. They are generally much more expensive and I’ve heard that drying time can be a pain.So I stuck with my normal pocket diapers. That is, until I got a recommendation form Coleen from Sweet Little Blessings.

Coleen is a super mom of 13 kids and owns and runs one of my favorite cloth diaper stores, Sweet Little Blessings. A while ago she recommended that I try Bottombumpers all in one and I took her up on that recommendation. Well I ended up loving the bottombumpers so when she suggested I try the Bum Genius Freetime diapers, I couldn’t say no!

Plus I have been wanting to get the Albert Bum Genius forever because it’s so stinkin cute! So I got two Albert and two Mirror blue.

Why I love my new Freetime diapers!

If you have ever used the Bum Genius 4.0 pocket diapers then you know what great quality the Bum Genius line is! I have 4 of their 4.0 diaper and thought they were my favorite! Until I tried out the Freetime diapers.

What’s different about the Freetime diapers is that they are an All in One diaper – they don’t require any stuffing, snapping, or preparation! They are ready to use right out of the diaper or off the clothes line. Then when you are done, you throw them right in the washer! I was concerned that they would take forever to dry but because of how they are designed, they don’t take any longer than my other diapers!

With two increasingly active babies, my time is so precious! So anything that can help cut down on my time is fabulous {such as not having to stuff diapers}! I love having four of these in my stash because it means I don’t have to stuff and put away my clean diapers right away, I always have a couple diapers that are ready to go.

The only thing is that these are not my favorite overnight diaper. They did fine, but I still find that my Bum Genius 4.0 pocket diapers with the normal and newborn insert work beautifully to keep them dry all night! But all in all I am super happy with my freetime diapers and LOVE having them in my stash!

About Sweet Little Blessings

I got my Bum Genius Freetime diapers as well as my BottomBumper diapers from Sweet Little Blessings and I have been so impressed! They really carry anything I need for my little ones including every kind of cloth diaper I could want, wet bags, accessories, swim diapers, detergent, and more!! PSSST….they also have an awesome clearance section!

I also love how FAST Sweet Little Blessings ships! There is nothing worse than falling in love with some diapers, ordering them, and having to wait weeks to get them!! Usually your order goes out within 24 hours!

ALSO I am so excited to share that they are offering Young Wife’s Guide readers 10% OFF your order through 5/18/13 {Plus you can get free shipping on orders over $40}!! Just use coupon code: 10OFF at checkout.

What I’m Going to Get With My 10% Off

Using coupon codes smartly is really the key to finding great deals on cloth diapers! I think most of my stash was built with using coupon codes. So here’s what I would order from Sweet Little Blessings with my 10% coupon plus FREE shipping!

I am totally interested in trying the Grovia diaper system and using this coupon code is the perfect time to try it out! You can get 2 shells plus 4 snap in liners with this awesome Grovia bundle for only $66.00. Because you can use the covers over again without washing, this is like getting 4 diapers. So with 10% off, you get the bundle for $59.40 AND free shipping…for essentially FOUR diapers!

Coleen also recommends {And I highly trust her recommendation!} SoftBums {which I love!!}, Bottombumpers {Some of my favorite diapers for newborns}, Best Bottoms, Kickernappies, and Tiny Tush Elite! I’m thinking of trying out some of these new diapers with my 10% off!

I’m curious, what is your favorite brand or type of cloth diaper?

It has just been giveaway week here at Young Wife’s Guide! First we gave away a Kindle Fire Hd, then five ultimate homemaking eBook bundles, and now I’m so excited to share with you A Mother’s Day Blessings Giveaway!

This month I am praising the Lord for his timing and his plans because for the first time, I will be celebrating mother’s day as a MOTHER! I still can’t believe it sometimes. But as my sweet little blessings are 4 months old…it starts to sink in.

That I’m a mother. I’m responsible for these little boys. I will be their school teacher until they go off to college one day. I am the one they spend their days with. With eager hearts and curious minds they will watch my while I work. They will study how it is that I interact with the world. And they will learn…from me.

It all seems overwhelming sometimes. The respectability of raising children in the Lord. And that’s when I’m so gently reminded that it’s not all about me. Oh, I need to make sure that I am living God’s standards and always trying to grow in my walk…but ultimately my children – and myself – are in God’s perfect hands complete with His perfect will and His perfect time. Oh what a blessing that is!

I pray that you stay encouraged today Mamas – God HAS a perfect plan and you and your babes are right where you should be….in His loving embrace and plan!

A Mother’s Day Blessing Giveaway

We want to bless a mama this week with this awesome giveaway! You are doing a hard – and incredibly important job – so stay encouraged!!

Blessing Giveaway includes:

• Thirty One pink Organizing Utility Tote donated by  Thirty One – Jenifer Metzger
• Woman to Woman Magazine Winter 2012 issue and Spring 2013 issue donated by Woman to Woman Ministries
• $25 gift certificate to Shutterfly.com {not pictured}
• Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer
• Body Image Lies Women Believe by Shelley Hitz donated by Shelley Hitz
• Mended: Pieces of a Life Made Whole by Angie Smith
• “7″ by Jen Hatmaker
• The Love Dare for Parents {advanced copy}
• 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Son by Vicki Courtney
• 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter by Vicki Courtney
• Redeeming Childbirth {author signed} donated by Angie Toplin
• Mom in the Mirror donated by Emily Wierenga
• Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian
• Desperate by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae
• Desires of My Heart by donated by Heather Bixler
• Island Orchid jar candle
• Pink 20oz tumbler cup
• 3 piece Sweet Pea body wash and lotion set from Bath & Body Works
• 3.5 oz Godiva milk chocolate bar
• 3 Tinted vanilla bean lips balms {cherry, sugar plum, peaches and cream} donated by Apple Valley Natural Soap
• 2 hand crocheted flower rings from Handmade with Immense Love
• Bottle of Lavendar oil from Young Living Essential Oil donated by Jen Stead
• Homemaking 101 DVD donated by Jennifer Ross
• $50 gift certificate to Designs by Tahra donated by Tahra West
• Blessed Mother necklace by Rusted Chain {not pictured}
• $15 Starbucks gift card {not pictured}

Free Gifts for Everyone

God the Father – Four Week Mini Bible Study (The Holy Trinity Parenting Study) donated by Heather Bixler.  Free on Kindle download from May 6th – May 10th.  Click HERE to download from Amazon.

How Do I Get It All Done? …and Still Have Time To Enjoy It? donated by Beth Cranford.  Free PDF download.  To get the download please email Jenifer at jenifer@w2wministries.org.

Mother’s Day Blessing Giveaway Rules:

No purchase necessary.  Must be 18 to enter.  Void where prohibited by law.  Open to US citizens only.  This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or associated by Facebook. By entering this giveaway, you agree to release Facebook, Woman to Woman Ministries and all participating blogs of all liability.  Contest ends at 12:01am EST on Sunday, May 12, 2013. Winner is randomly chosen by Rafflecopter and will be emailed on May 12, 2013.

If you have been around all week here at Young Wife’s Guide you will notice that we have been talking about The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle. We promise to return to our normal content starting Monday, but for now we have a great present idea for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to share!

This deal ends TONIGHT at 11:59PM EST so don’t miss out. This will be the one and only time this deal will be offered. Get your bundle HERE. Scroll down to see the Father’s Day present…guys, you WILL want this! ;)

The Best Mother’s Day Present

Want to get your wife or mother an amazing present this year but finances are tight? TODAY only you can get this fabulous bundle deal which includes access to a library of 97 eBooks and eCourses {normally $640!!} on homemaking, cooking, marriage, fitness and more! PLUS over $140 in homemaking FREEBIES!

It’s the ultimate gift for every mother as there is something for everyone included whether your wife is interested in cooking, baking, making ice cream, fitness, spiritual growth, homeschooling and more!

Here are a few of my favorite items from the bundle that I know your wife will love! Check out the complete list of what is included in the library for even more eBooks & eCourses that your wife will enjoy!

Just Making Ice Cream Cookbook

This is such a fun cookbook just in time for Summer! I have been making my own ice cream for years, but not like this! Each recipe is naturally sweetened and contains healthy yummy ingredients. This is the perfect accessory for summer that won’t leave your family stuffed with sugar and chemicals.

This cookbook contains over 70 recipes and lots of easy to follow instructions so that even the novice ice cream maker can jump in and make delicious frozen treats. I literally just drool over this cookbook and can’t decide what to make next!!

I seriously am in love with this cookbook! I learned so much reading through this book including how to make ice cream inexpensively that is actualy GOOD for you!! Talk about a win win. I wish I had this cookbook years ago.

Husbands, do you want fresh, wonderful, yummy ice cream all summer long? Then get your wife this book!! PSSSST you can even learn to make icecream without an ice cream maker!! 

42 Days to Fit

As a new mama who still has some baby weight to lose, I was so excited to start looking through this book. I love that it is written by three moms who have been there before. They know how hard it is to fit excercise into our crazy schedules and actually get into shape between homeschooling, taking kids to swim practice, making dinner, and all the other things we do each day. I love their practical hands on advice and experience!

The book is broken down into easy weekly meal plan and excercise challenges with printable tracking sheets included. I love the 42 day challenge format because it’s broken up into easy managable pieces that even the busiest mom can fit into her schedule. Busy mamas who want to get it…THIS book is for you!

Embracing Beauty

I had the privelage of meeting Trina in person this year at a confernce and let me tell you, her fun and witty personality shines through this book! Trina shares her journey to embracing beauty in the season of motherhood. Every chapter is crammed with practical inspiration and tips for defining your style, choosing clothes and accessories that work for you, and combining it all into a look that will bring joy to your day, and bless those around you. There is so much packed into this book! I highly recommend it for every mother! 

I love this quote from the book, it really hits home for me as a new mama!

“Perhaps the most neglected part of a mommy’s wardrobe is her bras. Once we enter motherhood what was once ornamental and pretty low-maintenance becomes utilitarian and a daily challenge to keep under control. They swell, bulge, and grow out of anything they fit, all while gaining a nasty attitude and extreme sensitivity. Oh, and they leak. What’s up with that?! Suddenly, instead of an asset, we have a liability hanging off our chest, waiting for the next chance to embarrass us. Sisters, this ought not so to be.” ~ Embracing Beauty by Trina Holden

3 Month Free Membership to List PlanIt

Okay, every wife and mama should be lining up to get this subscription! My year subscription to List PlanIt  just expired so this comes at the perfect time!! They have lists, worksheets, and printables for everything you could ever want!! 

They have printables on homeschooling, cleaning, organizing, packing, blogging, and SO much more! It’s really the homemaker’s best friend and you wife will LOVE you for getting her this 3 month subscription which is included for FREE in the bundle! {You will also get a FREE three month subscription to Plan To Eat which is another homemaking essential!!}

Husbands, this bundle is the perfect gift for your wives, they will love it and the FREEBIES included! But wait…there’s stuff in it for YOU too! Read on below…

The Best Father’s Day Present

Okay ladies, what is the one thing that your husbands want this year {and every day}?? I’m just gonna say it…Great Sex! But as we all know, that doesn’t always happen. We may go days, weeks, months or even years with little to no sex or at least not very good sex.

This year, give your husband the promise of great sex {because after all…he IS a father because of it ;)}. So this father’s day, give him something fun! Included in the Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle are TWO resources to really help you spice things up in your marriage!

31 Days to Great Sex

After a rough pregnancy, 2 months of bedrest, THEN a C section and recovery…our intimate life has been a bit derailed. But now that I have {mostly} recovered and our twins are sleeping through the night {Praise the Lord!} we have decided it’s time to get back on track!

So we are going through this fabulous book by Sheila of To Love, Honor, and Vacuum and it has really helped us so far. I know most of us don’t have a lot of time and intimacy problems can be deeply rooted and hard to work through! So Sheila takes you through a 31 day journey towards better sex! Trust us, your husband will love you for getting this for him {plus you get some awesome homemaking books too}! 

“Billions of people have had sex. I don’t know how many have truly made love.”

“Satan’s big marriage strategy: get people to have sex before they’re married. Then get them to stop once they’re married!” ~ Sheila Gregoir, 31 Days to Great Sex

Rekindling Romance eKit

Following that excellent book to help you work through problems and get on a better track is our very own eKit written by my husband and I! Sometimes coming up with fun gift and date ideas that won’t break the bank can be hard!! So we have come up with 7 free or very cheap ideas aong with 30 pages of printables!

Included in the kit are some fun things like a cutomizable CD cover so you can make a mixed CD for your love. Or some sweet cards that you fill out of “10 Things I Love About You”. But this is our personal favorite - A stip newlywed game - designed to test your knowlege of your partner, draw you closer together, have some fun, and get naked and spice things up ;) This kit is obviously for married couples only…

Present these two resources to your hubby for father’s day and we know he will thank us!! Maybe throw in some candles to the deal and have a wonderful father’s day! PLUS you then get these two great eBooks AND access to the other 95 eBooks & eCourses AND over $140 in homemaking bonuses! 

This deal ends TONIGHT

It’s the gift that keeps on giving. For only $29.97 you can get a present for your husband or wife AND something for yourself that would normally cost over $640 {plus the $140 freebies}!!! But hurry! This bundle lasts until TONIGHT {Saturday May 4th at 11:59 pm EST} ONLY! After tonight the bundle will never be offered again! BUY YOUR BUNDLE HERE!

I LOVE my bundle so far and my husband is excited for the marriage books that come with it {there are actually 5 marriage books in all} plus he is so excited for me and all the great homemaking books I’m getting. Plus I think he’s excited about the ice cream! ;) So get instant access to this full library RIGHT NOW before this deal is gone forever. I’m actually buying another one just for the freebies!!

Enter to WIN your own bundle

We are so excited to be giving away FIVE of The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle!!! Enter via the rafflecoptor form below. If you are reading this on your email you might need to click over to enter}.

Do you want to buy this bundle before the sale is over but also hope you might win?? If you purchase a bundle and then win a copy from us, we will refund you! So what are you waiting for, enter the giveaway below!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This year I have several goals when it comes to my homemaking. I don’t ever want to be stagnant in my quest towards becoming a better homemaking, wife and mother who brings glory to God. My main focus right now is in the kitchen. This year I’m getting REAL in my kitchen…and converting to a whole foods diet!

I am on a quest and a journey right now towards making sure my family is eating healthy. I have been discovering what it means to eat a truly healthy diet and cook yummy nutricious meals for my family!

Here are some tips I’ve learned along this journey as well as some resources to help get you started!

Tips to a Healthy Kitchen

1)  Throw out all your packaged Foods

Packages foods are usually the most processed. They most likely contain fillers and chemicals that are unhealthy and even dangerous!

Learn to avoid things such as artificial food coloring, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, MSG, preservatives and more! Here’s a handy guide on 7 things to avoid when shopping.

Throw out all the processed, packaged junk and learn to make things from scratch. For example, did you know it’s MUCH cheaper {and healthier and super easy} to buy a bag of dried beans and cook them yourself  rather than buying canned!?

2) Learn to Read Food Labels

This is key to having a healthier kitchen! Many items that are labeled “healthy” or “natural” or “low fat” are actually the opposite!

It can be overwhelming to know where to start and what to look for when reading labels so here is a great explanation for how to read food labels.

3) Experiment in the Kitchen

If you are used to a highly processed diet then switching to a healthy diet may leave you stumped!

I never grew up eating many vegetables and even as an adult I have never really cared for them. But when I realized I really needed to get more in our diet, I decided to experiment with how to make the best tasting vegetables and this has led to many of our favorite recipes!

Start experimenting with new foods and I’m sure you will discover new favorites along the way!

I am learning how to make sourdough from scratch and I know it will be a new family favorite!

4) Connect with other Homemakers

Learn from others around you. Ask how your friends and ladies at church make certain dishes and be ready to share your secrets as well!

Homemakers shouldn’t be in competition with each other! Rather we should be learning and growing together for the sake of our families and for God’s glory!

Join us on Facebook to connect with other homemakers and have discussions centered around how to raise our families for God’s glory!

5) Do your research!

I didn’t truly know what eating healthy was until one day I stumbled across the 100 Days of Real Food blog. My eyes were opened and for 2 1/2 years now I have been researching what it means to really eat a healthy diet!

Here are some great websites to help you on your journey:

• 100 Days of Real Food
• Keeper of the Home
• My Humble Kitchen
• The Nourishing Home
• The Humbled Homemaker
• Creating Naturally
• Weston A. Price Foundation

Those websites provide some great knowledge when you are starting out and if you want to dig even deeper {and broaden your recipe base} then here are some fantastic eBook resources you should check out!

Cookbooks

Crock On by Stacy Makes Cents

A semi-whole foods slow cooker cookbook – packed with a ton of yummy recipes!

20 Minute Meals by Intentional By Grace

Do you need simple, nutritious meals for your family without having to resort to pre-packaged, processed foods or carry-out? Leigh Anne shows you how to do it – and in under 20 minutes!

Real Food Real Easy by various authors

The book is a collaborative eCookbook with more than 70 real food recipes - This book can potentially be all a real food newbie needs (minus the cost of food!) to feed their family in the early days of converting to real food.

Simply Summer by Modern Alternative Mama

Fresh, seasonal summer recipes — exactly what you need when you want to enjoy summer’s bounty. The recipes are light and delicious.

Just Making Ice cream by Just Making Noise 

An awesome book packed full of ice cream  recipes that don’t need a fancy ice cream maker and are made out of nutritious ingredients!

Seasonal Meal Plans by My Humble Kitchen

I LOVE Diana’s menu plans!! I have done a few week so eating in our household off her menu plans and she has some amazing recipes! This eBook of 4 weekly menu plans is awesome :)

Cooking from Scratch Cookbooks

Restocking the Pantry by Nourishing Joy

Make Your Favorite Condiments at Home (Without Sacrificing The Store-Bought Flavor You Love)

Wholesome Mixes by Little Natural Cottage

Learn how to prepare, store, and even give as gifts your own healthy, homemade make-ahead recipes!

Books on Cooking Tips

Money Saving Mom’s Guide to Freezer Cooking by Money Saving Mom

Step-by-Step Instructions for Learning How to Cook for the Freezer

Do the Funky Kitchen by Heavenly Homemakers

Get your kitchen organized and functional (get it? funky…functional) once and for all! Learn to organize and clean your kitchen in easy steps!

The Curative Kitchen by Handy Pantry

A comprehensive food and nutrition resource and step-by-step healthy eating guide

We can learn so many valuable lessons from the Proverbs 31 woman. She is the picture of the domestic wife working hard at home and taking care of her husband, children, and home.

She is shown as a non-lazy woman who works with willing hands, she brings healthy and nutritious food for her household from afar, she gets up when it’s still dark out to prepare meals, her husband loves her and her children call her blessed! {Proverbs 31: 10-31}

Image courtesy of [marin] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

But this Mama is also industrious and works from home!! Is this okay for a Christian mama to work from home when your goal is to be staying home and being a homemaker?

Working From Home – Is It Right For You?

The Proverbs 31 woman works hard for her family but also brings income into her family! She makes business decisions and is business savvy enough to buy and sell real estate {Proverbs 31: 16}, plants a garden {Proverbs 31:16}, is wise to discern that her products are profitable {Proverbs 31:18}, and she buys and sells with the merchants {Proverbs 31: 24}.

Is working from home right for you? Are you excited about the idea of bringing in some extra income to help pay off debt, save for a house, or have more money to buy healthy food? Is it okay to be a stay at home and try and work from home?

I think it depends.

It depends on you. Do you have a house full of little kids and you can barely keep your head above water between laundry, dishes, poopy diapers, cooking, cleaning and the 800 other things you do each day? Then working from home may not be right for you….at this time!

Everyone’s situation is different so no one can say if you should work from home or not…but answer this for yourself: Can you still do your duties as a wife and mother FIRST and then have time for work? Will your house and family suffer while you spend hours each day on your business? Then this might not be for you!

As a Christian Mama, remember that your first priority is to your family. {And remember, mama’s who have to work…I feel for you and don’t think any less of you. You do what you have to do for your family ! I’m talking to the busy mama who really can’t fit another activity into her day}.

So with that said, I think working from home can be an excellent option for some women. I started my business  when I was working full time outside the home. Then we moved and I got pregnant and I started working from home. Now I have cut back my hours and work part time from home while my twins sleep. This works well for me now but it IS hard work! I am busy from the moment I get up in the morning until the minute my husband gets home. But it’s worth it to us at this point :)

Tips for Working From Home

Working from home is hard work! You have to learn how to juggle your family and your business and that usually takes a steep learning curve. Plus there is the small question of WHAT you will do from home.

Here are some excellent resources to help you get started on working from home:

Websites

• Staying at home with your kids when you can barely afford it by The Humbled Homemaker
• 25 Income Earning Ideas from Money Saving Mom
• Becoming a Work At Home Mom {Series} by Money Saving Mom {This is a great series, I highly recommend you go through all the posts in it}
• 7 Must Read Books for Work at Home Moms by Money Saving Mom
• The Blessings of Being a Work at Home Mom by Money Saving Mom

Blog posts and articles are wonderful resources but they often only give you a taste of what you need to know. To really dig into details you often need great books to give you what you need. I highly recommend the following books on working from home and blogging!

Books

The Bootstrap VA by Lisa 

Lisa is a virtual assistant extrodainer and in her resource packed book she tells you step by step how to become a VA, keep clients, and do a fantastic job! Being a VA is a GREAT way to start making money from home and so many bloggers are looking for VA’s. It’s a great job for stay-at-home moms because you can work only a couple hours a week around your schedule.

I’m not a VA but I am the community social media manager at Keeper of the Home. It’s a fun job where I get to ineract with the community at KOTH the hours are flexible. Get The Bookstrap VA today if you are interested in being a virtual assistant!

How To Grow Your Blog & Manage Your Home by Jacinda

While this eBook is not a comprehensive guide to blogging, it does offer a great beginning step for anyone interested in blogging but doesn’t know where to start. Some resources available on blogging are so comlicated that the beginnger feels so overwhelmed!

If you are wanting to learn what it means to be a blogger who also serves her home, then this book is for you!

Have Your Cake & Eat It Too by Mandi

While this might look like a cookbook at first glance, it is NOT! It’s a comprehensive resource on time management and productivity when working from home. She gives you the tools to manage your house & your business without going insane!

I just recently got this book and I love the practical advice and encouragement she gives! She has a passion and a dream and wants to share how she juggles that AND being a stay at home mom! I love this eBook and highly recommend it for anyone thinking about working from home or trying to figure out how to better juggle everything.

Simple Blogging: Less Computer Time, Better Blogging by Rachel

In the world of blogging there is always something more you can do! More social media platforms to join, more writing to do, more commenting and connecting to do! As a blogger it can seem like you have to do all of this!! But Rachel shares in her nearly 150 page book that you don’t {and can’t} do it all!

She gives practical tips and advice on how to grow your blog even if you only have a few hours a week to do it. Learn how to do better blogging with less time online! A lesson that all bloggers need to learn I think, including me!!

Your Blogging Business: Tax, Talk, and Tips From a Bookkeeper Turned Blogger by Nikki

When I first started making a little bit of money from my business I realized that I was going to have to figure out taxes uuug!! And even those I knew who owned small businesses didn’t know how to handle taxes from money made online.

That’s when my friend Nikki released Your Blogging Business and all my questioned were answered! If you are a blogger then this is a MUST READ book for you and even if you own a small business {especially online} then this is a valuable resource as well! Nikki walks you through everything you need to know to run your small business!