Put a Little Spring in Your Step

Does anyone else have Spring Fever?  As if this winter wasn't bad enough, now we have the tease of  some warm weather to just push us over the edge.  But don't worry, I have some amazing news that will put a little spring in your step. ;)

Regardless of Mother Nature's inconsistency around this time of year, there is no doubt that it's time for a new spring wardrobe.  I am so excited to announce that I have joined the Closet Candy Boutique team as an affiliate!!  I could hardly contain my excitement when I received the email.  This is one of my favorite boutiques...ok, my favorite boutique!  So I was so thrilled to be able to share the love with you.   You might remember my Mommy's Favorite Things post a while back where I mentioned how cute and comfortable their clothes are.  And their collection has only gotten better since then.  Here is just a very small taste of what I am drooling over right now...

 So now that you are hooked, let me just make the deal sweeter for you.  Not only do they have the cutest clothes and accessories, but they have FREE shipping!  Not enough??  Ok, well how about 20% off until midnight tonight??  Thought that would get your attention!  In honor of an employee's birthday, they are running a sale for the rest of the day.  Now you know why I chose today to share my news with you!  So don't miss out on this sweet deal!  Be sure to follow this link to visit Closet Candy Boutique, (this is how you can tell them I sent you). :)  Start browsing, fill your shopping cart, and enter promo code 'birthday' to redeem your 20% off.  I know what I'll be doing as soon as I get the boys to bed!  Hoping for an early bedtime, because I know the best stuff will be gone fast!! 

Happy shopping!!

 



What She Doesn't Know

So... I went on a little hiatus recently.  I wanted to take a break from blogging and Facebook after witnessing so much social media negativity.  After reading some pretty mean-spirited comments within a Mommy Swap group, I decided it was time to delete the Facebook app from my phone.  Then I stumbled upon a post from a blogger about how her house was usually a mess from her two little ones.  She stated that she couldn't be friends with someone who expected her house to be clean when they came to visit.  By saying, "We can't be friends" she is obviously putting  playful spin on her topic.  I loved the message she was sending, and after reading the comments, so did many other moms.  But lo and behold, Negative Nancy thought it was important to comment about how this mom "must be lazy" if her house wasn't clean.  And so began the domino effect of negativity.  Don't ask me why I was so concerned by these comments that obviously had no effect on me.  I guess it just made me sad.  Anyone who has followed my posts in the short time I have been blogging knows that I am a huge believer in supporting one another, especially fellow moms.  It's not an easy job, and it makes it much harder when we have Judgmental Judy putting her two cents in about everything.  But it took a stressful trip to Target to realize that I started blogging for a reason.  And if it meant even ONE mom would be comforted by my words, I was going to continue.  I know you are curious, so here's the Target story...

We needed to make a Target run for a few things (which always turns in to much more than a few things), so we decided to go as a family after church on Sunday.  This is a rare treat to have Daddy with us because usually it's just me and the boys.  But what was meant to be a fun family outing quickly turned into a mound of stress.  It started a soon as we walked in the door.  While I was trying to return our brand new DVD player that all of a sudden quit working, Eric was letting the boys pick out a treat from the One Spot.  Luke chose Goldfish crackers and decided to try to open them himself.  And as soon as I approached the cart, I was greeted with a shower of orange fish-shaped crackers, thus, leaving a huge mess all across the floor.  My hubby and I exchanged a wide-eyed glance and  started picking them up as quickly as possible.  Next up was some bickering back and forth between the boys, followed by some very loud crying.  And we hadn't even made it to our first destination.  By the time we were finally about to get to the register, let's just say we were all a little on edge. 

I just wanted to get finished and get to the car as quickly as possible.  So, when Cooper asked me to get a (rather expensive) coloring book I replied, "Don't ask me for another thing.  You are getting nothing."  Just as the words left my mouth, a woman walked by and gave a rather loud huff as she looked back at me.  And there I was, a stressed out mom who had just been judged, by a woman who was a complete stranger and only witnessed 2 seconds worth of parenting by yours truly. 

 What she doesn't know, is that it was literally the 30th time Cooper had asked me if he could get something.  What she doesn't know, is that he had gotten used to getting spoiled with toys and treats after his recent potty training success.  What she doesn't know, is that as soon as we got home, I sat Cooper down and explained to him about not getting a new toy every time we go to Target.  What she doesn't know, is in that same conversation, I apologized to him for the words I used, telling him I could have chosen nicer ones.  What she doesn't know, is that I heard that sound she muttered all day, and felt more guilty about it each time I heard it.

By the end of the day, I prayed to be able to let it go, and to work harder on choosing better words.  I also prayed for the stranger, who I knew nothing about.  Maybe she was also having a bad day.  Maybe she couldn't have kids of her own and was angry at the way I spoke to my little blessing.  I couldn't tell you.  Regardless, I prayed for her.  I didn't want to judge her the way she had judged me.  I know for sure that I never want to be that person.  I never want to make another mom feel the way I felt that day.  So I also prayed I never would.  You never know what another mom is going through, or any other human being for that matter.  No matter how big or small.  So the next time you're tempted to pass judgment on someone, take a moment and say a little prayer instead!




Note:  The "We Can't Be Friends" post was recently followed up with "Clarifying We Can't Be Friends".  While I hate the fact that she had to answer to the naysayers, and clarify her original post, I love the fact that she did it.  Follow the links to read for yourself!!

 

Stress LESS

It is no secret that I have been a huge supporter of Crystal Paine's book Say Goodbye to Survival Mode.  I felt like it was Christmas all over again when I received my paper copy in the mail.  It has completely changed my day-to-day life, especially as a stay at home mom.  The words came out best in an email I sent to a local business, suggesting that they add Crystal's book to their Mom's Book Club.  I wrote, "I am not a paid spokesperson, just a mom who loves this book and wants to share the joy with other women."  It couldn't be more true.  But I experienced another truth this past week, and I thought it was important to share. 

After you finished the book and implemented Crystal's tips, you have officially said goodbye to survival mode.  Felt great didn't it?  But saying goodbye to survival mode doesn't mean you have said goodbye to all stressful days.  She says it herself in the subtitle: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore your Passion for Life.  You might have eliminated the things that were causing you the most stress, but the fact is, you are bound to have a bad day every now and then.  It's just the way it goes.  Last week was particularly challenging for me, for instance.  Regardless of setting a morning routine and being more organized, you can't prepare for your kids to get up several times in the middle of the night.  This was something that was completely out of my control, but something that affected me physically and mentally.  I. Was. Exhausted.  And so were my kids.  Which made for a very cranky combination.  We played, we did crafts, we tried to get out of the house, but somehow it always came back to someone yelling...myself included.  And naturally I began to beat myself up about the way the week had gone.  I felt guilty that the house wasn't clean and that there were things left undone on my to-do list.   And I really felt guilty about ignoring my kids to work on a rapidly approaching fundraising event.  (Where was this book before I said "yes" to being co-chair?!?).  :)

By the afternoon I was officially in breakdown mode and desperately needing a nap.  Then I received a text form a good friend who was also going through her own (breast pump triggered) breakdown.  I immediately told her to let it all out.  That it would get better and she was a good mom.  We had a heart-to-heart via text, and it was just what I needed.  Then, as if on cue, my sister came over to give me that extra little push.  She witnessed my growing lack of patience, and eventually saw the tears form in my eyes.  Even knowing my sister wouldn't judge me, I felt like the worst mom in the world.   But she told me the same thing I told my girlfriend.  "We've all been there.  It will get better."

We can take all the steps in the world to stress less, but we are bound to have an off day every now and then.  And that's ok.  Embrace the bad days.  Cherish the good days.  Thank God for every day.  And be sure to have a good girlfriend or a sister on standby!!  :)

 

 

Perfect Snow Day Craft for Toddlers

Here it is.  Yet another snow day!  I am by no means complaining, and I welcome the extra time with my kids, but cabin fever takes on a completely new meaning when you have 2 very active toddler boys.  Especially when Daddy is traveling...oh, and when your snow day follows a holiday.  Have I set the stage well enough for the need for this activity?  Ok, we can move on then! :) 

It was just before 9:00. The boys had already been up for over 3 hours and the day was crawling.  We were on Disney Junior overload and had our fair share of movies and electronics over the past few days.  I thought about going to the library, but I was too much of a baby to brave the cold.  So of course, I consulted my Pinterest boards for a fun snow day activity that would occupy the boys and pass the time.  Nothing stood out.  I even let Cooper browse a little bit, but he was less than impressed as well.  I remember seeing a snowman craft somewhere that you make with marshmallows, so I searched for that.  I found something similar, but not exactly what I was looking for, so we just decided to "wing" it.  Luckily, one of my first tasks as a stay at home mom was to stock up on craft supplies, so we had everything we needed to make the perfect snowman.  Here is the list of what we used

 

Construction paper

Crayon/pencil

Glue

Marshmallows

 Mini M&Ms

Pipe cleaners

Scissors

 

I traced circles onto the paper and added the glue, so the only thing the boys had to do was add the marshmallows...and eat a few along the way.  Then We added mini M&Ms for the face and buttons.  The pipe cleaners were perfect for the arms because we were able to stick them in the side of the marshmallows.  We finished it up by cutting a construction paper top hat, and adding some "snow" to the ground.  I experimented with a few options for a scarf, but it looked cute enough without it, don't you think?!  :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a blast making these. And it was the perfect toddler activity because they could snack as they go. This is key when you have 24 hour snackers like my growing boys. 

 

If you have a favorite snow day activity, I'd love for you to share!  Thanks for stopping by, and stay warm!!

 

 

 



Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: Book Review

I think we all have gone through stages in life where we are merely trying to survive.  I especially experienced this feeling over the past year in my first year as a stay at home mom.  I mean, the fact that I had planned on writing a blog post titled, How I Survived my First Year as a Stay at Home Mom is a pretty tell-tale sign, don't you think?  But lo and behold, the Good Lord intervened once again when I asked for His help, and made me a member of Crystal Paine's launch team for Say Goodbye to Survival Mode.  Trust me when I say that reading a copy of the book was only the start of my launch team duties.  For the past few months, I have had the privilege of not only interacting with Crystal, but also so many wonderful people within the launch team.  I have found so much peace and comfort throughout this process, and especially within the book, so it is my honor to share this book review with you!

She gets right to the point by telling you to stop trying to do it all.  Crystal paints such a vivid picture of that moment when this truth hit home, and follows it up by saying...

"I wanted to run away from it all.  I was exhausted.  I was stressed to the max.  I felt stuck.  I desperately fought the urge to yell, throw something, and cry-all at the same time."

Sound familiar??  It was time to make some changes, and luckily for you and me, we can learn from her escape through each and every chapter.  Overcoming challenges such as job losses and low income, and a subsequent suffering marriage allows readers to relate as if you are discussing the topics over coffee at playgroup. 

She gives her best stuff, by suggesting to create a "Best Stuff" list, as well as a "Personal Priorities" list.  Which helps us to see what is most important, and allows us to only say "yes" to the things that matter most.  And her "15 minutes per day" approach to reaching your goals has been life changing.  Imagine having a basement that has been ransacked by two toddler boys and a goal to get it organized.  I felt completely overwhelmed until reading the goals chapter, and realized that just 15 minutes each day could have a huge impact.  Not just an impact on achieving the goal, but on my sanity as I attempt to accomplish that goal.

Even though she is known for sharing deals and money saving tips on moneysavingmom.com, there is so much more to the book than that.  You'll find everything from how to cut out "time and energy suckers" to how to get out of the "comparison game."  And although most view her as an expert, it is comforting and reassuring that she is admits she's not perfect, reminding us that no wife and mother is.  

"Have I become Superwoman?  No, not in the least.  I've just learned a lot of tricks to running a home efficiently.  And I've become a lot more adept at multitasking, juggling, and delegating."

Crystal sums it all up beautifully in the final chapter of  How to Kick Start your Success, leaving you with the tools and resources you need to take tackle your goals and "restore your passion for life." 
After reading this book, Crystal has inspired me to be a better wife, mother, and Christian in so many ways.  I have focused more time on what matters most, and have seen drastic results.  And I know you will too!

So get your copy using the link below and let's Say Goodbye to Survival Mode together!!    

    

Set Goals, Not Resolutions

I have never really liked the idea of New Year's Resolutions.  Maybe it's because I have never been successful in the attempt.  But is anyone, really?  Don't get me wrong, there's no better time to make some changes than January 1st.  But, how you go about making the changes is much more important than the changes you plan to make, don't you think?  Especially if you truly want to be successful.  That is why I have decided to make a list of goals for the new year, and say NO to resolutions.  Some goals are very specific, and some fall more in the "to-do" category. But all have a place for one big fat check mark once they are complete.   I ran this idea by my hubby not long ago, and he loved the idea as well.  So we sat down and brainstormed some ideas together.  We now have a very solid list of things we want to accomplish in 2014.  It also gave us some much needed bonding time...you know, where we actually had a conversation.  Talk about pumping yourself up for the next 12 months! 

I admit, it was hard for me to get started because I felt the need to add everything I have ever wanted to do to my goal list. But you have to start small and focus on what is most important.  If you don't, you will find yourself with a ginormous list, and end up feeling overwhelmed and exhausted before you even get started.  And no one wants that.  This is the year to 'Say Goodbye to Survival Mode' after all!  And while we're on the subject...  Crystal Paine has some fantastic ideas in her blog post 'How to Change Your Life by Setting Goals'.  She nails it on the head by saying:

"...without goals, you have nothing that you’re aiming for. And complacency and floundering are often the result."

I couldn't agree more.  Sometimes I feel as if she writes what I am thinking (and planning on writing).   I talk about her as if we have discussed these topics over lattes at Starbucks (one can only dream), but that's what I love about her blog and her new book.  Keep that in mind while setting your goals.  And if you need some extra help and encouragement, here are a few of mine:

• Run a 10K
• Read a little every day, with a goal to complete: The Energy Bus, Loving the Little Years, Cha Cha Chandler Teen Demonologist, and daily devotions)
• Have our Pastor and his family over for dinner
• Spend more time with friends and family (dinner party, poker night, spa day, Columbia trip)
• Cross the finish line at a Tough Mudder
• Bring the boys to volunteer with us at our next Special Olympics event

 

 

Since my goal of running a 10K is much more defined than getting in shape, for instance, it gives me that sense of accomplishment when I cross it off my list.  While getting in shape is the result I hope to get, it allows me to have something specific to work towards.  Who knows, maybe next year I'll be adding a half marathon to the list...  

 

So now that I have you to hold me accountable, I hope you will follow along with me through the year as I work towards these goals.   And I wish you much success in reaching your goals in 2014, as well as a blessed and happy new year!   

 



7 Day Challenge

As most of you know, I am honored to be a member of the launch team for Crystal Paine's new book, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, coming out in January.  If you haven't been following Crystal and her website, Money Saving Mom, then you are totally missing out!!  I myself was late to the game having only started following her a few months ago...just in time to apply for the launch team.  Funny how that works out, huh?  Thanks, Lord!  :)  I am only on chapter 6 and I have already been so inspired by her words of wisdom, I can only imagine where the remaining chapters will take me.  As a sneak peak to her fans, she has offered a FREE 7 day challenge to get you started.  I have taken the challenge, so here is my report card so far. 

Day 1: Learn To Say NO

As women, saying no to things can be a foreign concept.  But if we said yes to every obligation, we leave no time for ourselves and our family, and will find ourselves feeling tired and overwhelmed.  Hmmm, guilty!! 

"If we want to say goodbye to survival mode, we need to make time for what really matters. This means we have to clear out the nonessential commitments. The fastest way to do this? Learn to say no."

Crystal goes on to suggest that we look at our list and cross some things off.  Not by completing them, but saying NO.  I, for instance, have had one large item on my to-do list that I have been dreading for quite sometime....the family budget.  We recently met with our financial planner and got a swift kick to the gut when we crunched the numbers for college and retirement saving.  We needed to take a hard look at our spending and make some changes.  Not only is budgeting not my area of expertise, I just simply don't have the time to devote to it.  So I have passed that task along to my hubby.  He works so hard, and often travels so I find myself just adding items to my list in order to take them off his.  Once we talked about it, however, we not only agreed that it was not a good use of my time, but that he would be much more suited for this task.  Saying no to something from my list was a good lesson, but asking for help when I needed it was just as good.  Cheers to that!

 

Day 2: Focus On Your Strengths

 

 

It's no secret that I am lacking in the self confidence department, but I'm working on it (and making major improvements, thanks to this book!).  So I have to admit this was hard for me.  But when I sat down, I used this as a helpful reminder: 

A Word of Caution: Beware of your negative language. It’s very sneaky, but can do so much damage. You know, you may be sitting in front of your computer trying to beat the clock and meet a deadline and think, “I’m so slow. I wish I were as productive as Jenn. I’ll never be able to finish this on time.” Stop right there! Remove from your vocabulary sentences that start with, “I can’t . . . ,” “I’ll never be able to . . . ,” and “I’m not good enough at . . .” These words don’t set you up for success. They only trap you in self-sabotage and eventual defeat.

After 10 minutes (and maybe recruiting some help from my hubby) it was refreshing to have a solid list of strengths I could begin to focus on.  And I have found a special place for that list as a daily reminder until I no longer need a reminder!

 

 

 

Day 3: Budget Your Time

 

This is one thing that I struggled with as a new Homemaker.  It was so easy to get into bad habits, and oh-so-hard to get out of them.  The biggest problem was (is) our morning routine.  I call myself the Queen of Excuses lately and this was definitely one of them.  Cooper likes to get up before the sun comes up, so that was my excuse to skip or put off so many things.  It was so much easier to curl up with him on the couch, and often fall back asleep.  A morning workout?  Skip!  Laundry?  Delay!  And so on.  Not to mention, I would wake up feeling more tired and cranky than I did when I originally woke up at 5:00.  Talk about a total day-killer!  Crystal agrees: 

 

I usually am most productive in the mornings so I make it my goal to go to bed by 10 p.m. and get up between 5 and 6 a.m. This way I have plenty of uninterrupted time in the morning for everything on my list. You might be the other way around. Do what works best for you, but by putting rest high up on your priority list, I guarantee you’ll feel better, have more energy, and be more efficient during the day.

 

Instead of taking one day, I took a few days to complete this part of the challenge.  That is one of the things I like most about the book.  There are so many suggestions to fit your needs and Crystal encourages her readers to always do what's best for their situation.  Taking a few days was a major help to ease me in, and I am now ready to start my morning routine.  So here it goes...

 

• Wake up (by alarm clock known as Cooper)
• Read a daily devotion
• Physical activity (run/yoga/strength)
• Make breakfast
• Get Cooper ready for school

I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but it sure beats dozing off on the couch, don't you think?  :)

 

 

 

So here is a look at the first 3 days of the challenge...I don't want to overwhelm you with too much information all at once.  Or spoil the surprise!! :)  So if you think this can work for you, I encourage you to sign up for this FREE challenge yourself and let me know how you do.  And stay tuned for days 4, 5,6 & 7 coming up on the blog soon as I 'Say Goodbye to Survival Mode'.  Also, if you pre-order your copy of the book you can get tons of freebies and discounts.  I promise you won't be disappointed!