Monday's Motivation: MAKE-A-DIFFERENCE!

Make-A-Difference MONDAY!

This is a simple saying that I have used for years now. I believe I got the idea from K-Love radio station. Make-A-Difference Monday is an awesome way to get my Monday mornings started each week. I am constantly looking for ways to "make-a-difference" in others lives. I want to share God's love and forgiveness, send several smiles, love on the weak and needy, and be joyful always! Kicking off my Monday with the persistant thought of "making a difference" helps me to stay focused on Christ's love and commandments to serve and give to others.

Currently, one of my favorite Make-A-Difference Monday missions is bringing breakfast to daycare. I cannot share my appreciation enough for the lovely ladies that care for my son daily as I have to work. On Sunday's when I do my weekly cooking/meal planning, I usually just double one of my recipes and make a batch for daycare. The ladies appreciate my little happy and breakfast snack. I love starting their Monday/week off on the right foot as well!

I encourage you to pray on this mission and seek God in the small places today!
Where can you "Make-A-Difference" today? Who's life can you touch? The opportunities are ENDLESS if you open your eyes and ears!

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give that to receive'".
                                                                                                 Acts 20:35

have a happy Monday!
reagan

Tuesday's Tutorial: Random Acts Of Kindness

We've moved into a new month: February- the month of LOVE and Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)!

One thing I absolutely LOVE is surprising others, giving "happies", making others smile, boosting others confidence in themselves, and sending "warm fuzzies"! This week is "Random Acts of Kindness Week"- right up my alley. I found this great free printable created by Kirstin that I printed and cut out. I have been sneaking these cards around work with different homemade baked goodies and V-day treats, gift cards, coffee money, etc. The key is a handwritten card with the goody expressing your thankfulness for the person and all that they do for our patients, families, and coworkers. The fun part about it is leaving the card anonymously! Just imagine receiving a goody and card to boost your morning and not knowing who it's from....I LOVE THIS! Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky =) I encourage you all to try this out! Make others smile and pray for them after you place their goody. Remember, we are called to serve. I find it very humbling to not expect praise in return for what I've done. This reminds me of all that Christ gave for me when he was nailed to the cross in exchange for my sins so that I may be free. AMEN. 

THANK YOU JESUS!

Bonus: Here is the McElroy Dinner Meal Menu for February! ENJOY!

Monday's Motivation

Justified

"a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified."    Galatians 2:16

"Justified Christians are perfectly forgiven and perfectly righteous. When God looks at the justified believer, parent or child, he sees us not only as forgiven (which is GREAT news) but also as obedient and righteous (which ought to amaze and astound us)."
     -excerpt from Give Them Grace by Fitzpatrick and Thompson

"For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law." Romans 3:28

THANK YOU JESUS!

Friday's Faves

Friday's Faves

-Homemade Baby Food Journey has begun-

I followed Shawna's Efficient Homemade Baby Food instructions to a tee

-Camp's First Pair of Shoes-

-These darling badge reels handmade by my coworker Pam as a fundraiser for her niece who is currently battling leukemia-

(Let me know if you want one! She can make most anything you desire!)

-Yummy treats that I made this week-

 -This sweet boy has a new found love for his furry brother, Murph-

-Camp getting his WOD in- 

{Other Mentions From The Week}

-Camp has slept through the night three nights in a row (minus one paci episode)!!!

-Camp watched his first Superbowl with Nana & Papa gave some football tips

-Valentines Day is right around the corner! I am still on the hunt for the perfect V-Day meal to prepare. Comment your ideas Please!

-I have joined the Quest Bar bandwagon. Now I see what all the fuss is about!

-Lots of love and laughter in my life. BLESSED!

Have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

reagan

Tutorial Tuesday: Grocery List

Grocery List

I hope you have all been following and enjoying my Meal Planning Tutorials the past two weeks! Have you tried out my tasks yet? Taken any of my tips? I'd love to hear! Click on my 'Tutorial Tuesday Label' to look back at past posts.

This week I reveal my Grocery List!

At the end of each month, I plan the upcoming month's dinner meals on a calendar. After choosing my meals, I open my 'Grocery List Template'. I have listed each day of the week, additional groceries, weekly preparation,  and breakfast and lunch meals for both Michael and I. I then do what I call 'pantry inventory'. I will pull up each recipe for my meals and dig through my pantry to see what I already have or ingredients I can use as substitutes. This has GREATLY helped clean out my pantry and make use of what I've already bought (as well as save a little money for my grocery bills so we do not exceed our weekly budget). After inventory, I begin my Grocery List to complete the ingredients needed to prepare dinner each night.

I'll add our Additional groceries that are regular weekly purchases, as well as any extraneous needed pantry items.

Weekly Preparation consists of Sunday afternoon prep for the week. I'll count out just how many chicken breasts I will need for each meal to cook. I'll prep my salads for lunch. I add anything that needs to be thawed from freezer on here also.

For Michael and my Breakfast and Lunch meals, I'll plan what we will have to eat that week. We are pretty simple eaters and not picky at all. You'll see a trend on my lists that we typically each the same things often. We both go to work very early and don't have time to eat before leaving the house. I drink a protein shake on the way to work, and then will eat my 'breakfast item' that I've prepared an hour or two after I get to work.

Camp will start stage 1 veggies this weekend! I am attempting the Homemade Baby Food route. Last weekend, I prepared Sweet Potatoes and froze them to get ready! Soon I will add him to our weekly grocery list for what I need to buy, cook, prepare, and pack for his lunches! I love being a family of three =).

I print out my list at the beginning of each month and use it each week for shopping. I like Iphone lists for all other reminders (I am serious about list making!), but for groceries, I like a hard copy so I can cross off each item.

Hope this helps to continue the Meal Planning adventure for you and your family!

smiling is free =),

reagan

Monday's Motivation: Holy Spirit and Mike Sills

Th Holy Spirit is eternal and holy-

Eternal:
"I will ask the Father, and he will GIVE YOU another Counselor to BE WITH YOU FOREVER- the Spirit of truth." John 14:16-17

"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the ETERNAL SPIRIT offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" Hebrews 9:14

Holy:
"Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has GIVEN US." Romans 5:5

Consider this fact: "Because the Spirit is holy and dwells in us, our bodies are holy sanctuaries from God's vantage point. Too often we disdain our bodies as the source of sin and our fallenness; yet they are precisely where God the Spirit chooses to dwell!" (excerpt from Forgotten God by Frances Chan)

This stood out to me while reading this morning. In studying the Holy Spirit, there is truly SO much that goes into this and plays a part. Thankfully in Chan's book, Forgotten God, he has broken it down into manageable promises and points that help organize my thoughts. This point that the Holy Spirit is Holy seems obvious right? I mean, it's his name. But honestly, there is way more to him than just a name and a spirit. He is God, and we have been given Him as a gift to dwell WITH us. We can have a relationship with him. Relationships are here and now, daily camaraderie, living and being. And we GET THIS! WOW! THANK YOU JESUS!

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

The fact above from Chan's book reminded me of the I AM CROSSFIT CHALLENGE that I am participating in currently at our gym, CrossFit 27:17. Our bodies are sanctuaries for the Holy Spirit. We often see ourselves full of sin (don't miss the point here- WE ARE!), but the Spirit lives in us as God, to help remove our sinful selves and heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26-27). He DWELLS IN US, and the wild part is that he CHOOSES TO! Again, THANK YOU JESUS!

Remember, during this challenge (and everyday after!), the Holy Spirit is WITH you. God LOVES YOU. Take care of your body (aka your temple and sanctuary) day in and day out!

For added Motivation on this first Monday of the Month, I give you MIKE SILLS!

This man of God is an athlete at our gym, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. He is currently undergoing weekly chemotherapy, both inpatient and outpatient. In this picture above, you can see his continuous chemo pump on his hip during his WOD. Mike hasn't missed a beat, and he refuses to let this battle beat up the Spirit in him. He continues to work out at the gym, and has never stopped motivating others. Being a healthcare professional and witnessing the affects of cancer to the body daily, Mike ceases to amaze me! Praise God for MIKE SILLS and the witness this man has been to Michael, myself, and more importantly, CrossFit 27:17 and all of our gym members.

have a happy Monday & thank God for  his gift,

reagan

Friday's Faves

Friday's Faves:

Last week of January

 CrossFit 27:17 5 year Anniversary Party

Robert's Christening 

January 26. 2014

Michael's 28th Birthday

Camp's First SNOW DAY

January 28. 2014

My snazzy new keyboard cover :)

{Other Mentions from the Week:}

-Amazon Prime = my newest online obsession

-WOD MOMs remain in first place after Week 2 of the I AM CROSSFIT Challenge!

-Camp is making it through the night without nursing! We still wake up, but a paci puts us back to sleep.

-Martin Moody, an awesome gym athlete, leaves today for a 6 month stint of deployment. Praying for him as he serves our country. 

-I finished reading my January Book of the Month Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. It was a great parenting read with super tips on raising and leading your child toward Christ.

Tutorial Tuesday: Monthly Meal Planning

Tutorial Tuesday:

MONTHLY MEAL PLANNING

Happy Tuesday everyone! It's SNOWING here is Jackson and it's beautiful! In the south, we aren't used to the driving conditions, but as a nurse- we don't miss work! Therefore, Camp and I packed up early and headed to daycare and work. So thankful C's daycare remains open even in inclement weather- perks of being at a hospital daycare. Michael thankfully canceled his early class at CrossFit 27:17, but will be open the rest of the day. 

Anyways- back to the important stuff: MEAL PLANNING! I LOVE meal planning, and I am SO thankful that I began doing this task. Time consuming- yes- but WAY worth it! At the end of each month, I start from scratch- just my Mac book, coffee, and Camp! One day, I plan to draft my own version of a "Monthly Meal Plan Calendar", but in the meantime, this is the blog I got mine from-

http://www.noordinarymomentsblog.com/2012/01/monthly-menu-planner-editable-pdf.html

Follow the directions on her blog to save the file, and now you have it to reuse monthly. I save each month's calendar and can then pull meal ideas from past months that M and I really liked. 

Here is what the McElroy's January Monthly Meal Plan looks like:

As you can see, I try to cook at least 4 days/week. On Sunday's, we have "Fam Jam" family dinner at my in-laws house. On Tuesday's, we have Growth Group Bible Study, so I only have to plan for my week. On Friday's, we eat out! Saturday's have been busy and hectic lately so I've rarely made what I had planned and I've cooked something else. I don't beat myself up if something changes. However, I have found the meal plan to be extremely helpful on nights that I do cook because I don't have to even think about it! I just come home, already have my groceries bought, and make what's on the calendar. 

My meals/recipes mostly come from my Pinterest boards "taking up cooking" and "crossfit challenge". However, this month I used several of these recipes. If there are any recipes you would like I can post those. Just comment below. ALL meals that I make are "easy". I LOVE to cook, but do not consider myself a chef (yet!). 

Hope this helps yall out! I have really found this to help keep me sane on dinner nights. I have gotten into such a strict routine every afternoon, and when my routine is shaken I'm SO scattered! 

Later posts to come with my Monthly Grocery List's and Breakfast/Lunch Meal Plan. Give the Calender a try- even if you only plan to cook 2-3 nights a week. You have to start somewhere! Happy Meal Planning! Let me know what yall think!

have a happy and bundled-up day,

reagan

Friday's Faves

Friday's Favorites!

1) Sweet mornings snuggled up with my boys

2. Lunch date with the ladies to show off my sweet cheeks!

3. My big boy is LOVING his rice cereal!

4. This momma is so thankful for C's high chair, and that he doesn't mind hanging out in it while I cook!

5. So thankful my mother-in-law saved some of Michael's baby clothes. These moments are TOO SWEET!

{Other Mentions from the week:}

- this commercial that brings happy tears to momma's eyes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD42PJnPzH4

-excitement for Team WODMOMS being in the lead of the "I AM CROSSFIT" challenge

-Looking forward to celebrating 5 YEARS of business for CrossFit 27:17

-this momma cooked 6 nights in a row!

favorite meal was Chicken that we cooked on our new smoker for the first time

Thankful Thursday: Ruth's Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUTH!

Happiest of birthdays to my best friend, Ruthie!

I am thankful for Ruth and the impact she has had on my life! The memories of us looking through these pictures makes me laugh out loud. To think there are SO many more is such a blessing. Ruth and I met in 2003 (??) and we spent a lot of time together our senior year of high school. I made one of the best decisions of my life by choosing University of Alabama for collage/nursing school, and Ruth and I were roommates both freshmen and senior year! We knew nearly no one when we started at Bama, and after pledging Chi Omega together, we met countless people who we still call our friends!

Ruth and I are a lot alike in many ways. Our personalities are very similar, and we share a love for helping others and serving. Ruth is a tiny little lady with a HUGE heart of gold. She is talented beyond belief in academics, fashion, cooking and music. Ruth is inquisitive and eager to continue learning daily. She is a wonderful nurse, and her patients are BLESSED to be in her care (both ICU and now students!).

Through thick and thin, Ruth has never been far away (even though she live in Vegas currently!). She is always checking on me and visits with her mean more to me than anything. Austin is one lucky man to call Ruth his wife. Ruth and Austin are expecting Baby Ladner in July! CHEERS! Ruth was made to be a momma (just as I always have been), and I cannot wait for her to experience this indescribable feeling! God is SO BIG, right?!

Ruthie,
I love you so big! You have a special place in my heart, and I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me. You have contributed to my life more than you know. I thank God for you, and I pray of you, Austin, and Baby L often! Never give up. Never stop smiling. Never lose faith. Never stop praying. God is in control, and he will lead you and Austin to where he has planned. Enjoy your pregnancy (even the rough days) because before you know it Baby L will arrive! This is going to be the next best day of your life when you lay eyes and hands on your sweet little one! There is NO way to fully prepare your heart for this joy, but don't forget to enjoy EVERY minute of it!
I cherish our friendship! TODAY IS YOUR DAY! CELEBRATE!

with a heart full of love,

reagan

Tutorial Tuesday: Weekly Meal Planning/Preparation- Breakfast & Lunch

This week's Tutorial is so simple to do and oh so helpful for busy mornings when running out the door! Meal Prep for Breakfast and Lunch meals is key!

There are are several benefits to Meal Prep:
1) It helps cut down on daily expense buying meals ($5+ a day adds up!)
2) You tend to eat healthier when you pack your meals
3) You tend to eat LESS/better portions when you pack your meals
4) You know exactly what you're consuming (no hidden ingredients that add on calories/fat)
5) You save time in the long run
6) Less stress daily trying to figure out what you will eat
7) You are less likely to skip a meal- which is no good for your energy level at work and your metabolism!
8) Budget Friendly- you budget grocery expenses in a week vs. higher cost on restaurant/fast food

Below is what the McElroy fridge looks like when I open it up on Monday morning

All I have to do it grab and pack our lunch boxes (which are already laid out on the counter)! I even go as far as setting out our coffee mugs for the morning, our shaker bottles, and my water bottle for work! OCD a little? Maybe, but this leaves NO room for forgetful momma moments during a hurried morning. When packing for 3, planning ahead and 'night before prep' is a MUST or I would definitely walk out the door without something essential, which would then result in a tragic mental meltdown that 'super-momma' let one of my boys down! (No, I'm NOT perfect and my boys don't expect me to be...but I sure do try!) 

Here are my Meal Prep Tips for Breakfast and Lunch:

1) I start by meal planning for the entire month (Blog post on numbers 1-3 to come soon!)

2) When I monthly meal plan, I also create 'Grocery List' for each week of the month

3) On my Grocery List, I have a column for Breakfast Prep and Lunch Prep for both Michael and myself (Camp's meals are easy right now ;)) 

4) I do my grocery shopping on Sunday afternoon- using my Grocery List to stay organized and efficient with my time/budget

5) After shopping, I prepare and cook our Breakfast and Lunch meals for the entire week. (Meal Ideas/Recipes in another post soon!)

6) After all the cooking is complete, I set out all of our containers on the countertop. I use Glad tupperware and Ziploc bags to portion/pack our meals. This is what works best for us since I can wash and reuse tupperware weekly. This also prevents having extra tupperware taking up space in our cabinets.

7) I portion out for 5 days/week (Mon-Fri) meals. I cook breakfast at home on Sat and Sun.

8) In the fridge, Michael and I have our own individual larger sized tupperware that neatly stores our ziploc bags of meat for each day (notice on the right side of picture above).

It's as simple as that! This does take a couple of hours overall from start to finish, but it is SO worth it! Each night of the week you won't have to prepare the next day's meals because it's already done! Grab & go each day and we're off to clean/efficient/budget-friendly eating!

If you have any questions, I'd love to hear! Comment below!

Have a terrific Tuesday and go home and plan/prep some meals!

reagan

Monday's Motivation: Keep Going

I am currently participating in the "I AM CROSSFIT CHALLENGE" at our gym, CrossFit 27:17. Today begins Week 2 of an 8 week challenge to become fitter, stronger, and healthier. In teams of 3, we performed benchmark workouts/lifts, weighed in (body fat% as well), took "Before" pictures, keeping a food log daily, and took caliper measurements. 4 months postpartum, my body is simply not what it used to be. I know this is normal, and I wouldn't take back one second of my pregnancy, but it's time for change for this momma! I lost all 36 lbs of baby weight gain by 3 months postpartum. Now, after week 1 one of clean (er) eating and CrossFit, I am down to my wedding day weight (almost 3 years ago)! This number looks great on the scale and makes me oh so happy! But there is still one factor playing a large role in my contentedness...my body simply doesn't look fit. This picture reminds me that fit-bodies take time!
Whatever your fitness goals are NEVER QUIT! You just may surprise yourself. CrossFit is my way of working out. So many people think they "can't do CrossFit". I disagree with you (and I don't even know you!). Check out your local box, and give it a try. CrossFit can be scaled to ALL levels of fitness- constantly varied. Make sure you have a good coach who knows how to program safely and effectively (we're spoiled with our programming guru/my handsome hubby, Michael McElroy).
You can do it!
Team WOD MOMS is going to rock this challenge! Always remember to stay motivated by whatever ways works best for you- accountability, pictures, scale number, goals reached, shopping for smaller clothes, etc.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

have a fabulous Monday!

reagan

Welcome to my blog, One Gracious Momma!

Hello!

My name is Reagan McElroy. I'm a nurse by day and mommy/wife by life. I have always described myself as a "dreamer". I have high expectations for myself, and I truly enjoy life! I have been blessed beyond belief by Jesus, who saved my sinful soul and made me whole. Wholly His. My husband, Michael, is my hero; he is the hardest working person I know, and he wants nothing more than to make me happy and grow our business, CrossFit 27:17, to reflect and glorify God. I am a new mommy to a 4 month old happy baby boy, Camp. Being a mommy is such a blessing, and it has changed my life forever (in many more ways than one).

I am a list-maker, project-doer, and DIY lover. I recently have picked up cooking as a hobby as well! I love all things about photography (however, I am very basically educated on this topic and in need of much more knowledge!). I'm a strong momma and CrossFit lover. I always have music playing- in my head, from my phone, or at the house. I love a good party- espcially when I get to host! Im addicted to Pinterest and most all of my ideas come from here. Everyday I learn something new about mommyhood- for this is truly a skill that is ever changing.

I have always wanted to blog. I am fascinated by the fellow super-mom's out there and their never-ending talents and time-management skills! I don't know how much impact my blog will make. I don't know that it will even survive. But my hope is to touch at least one life- through Christ leading me- by my blog. I will simply share whatever I have going on in life at the time. I love trying new recipes. Im a sucker for hosting a good house party to share meaningful fellowship with family and friends. You will find posts on mommyhood, cooking and meal planning, my handsome husband Michael and our CrossFit gym, DIY projects, my little man Camp, etc.

I hope that you enjoy my posts and learn a tip or two! I hope that you see Christ's love and that you are touched by him in some way. I'm thankful for life each day I wake. I'm thankful for marrying a man who leads and gently allows me to submit to him. I'm thankful for a healthy baby and drooly kisses and gummy smiles each day. I'm most thankful to God, who has redeemed me and loved me despite all my insecurities and weakness. The only accurate way to describe myself and my life....

one gracious momma!