Top Ten Signs You're a Toddler Mom

We recently bought a minivan.  Yes, a minivan!  It's something I said I would NEVER do.  But then I had kids.  And thus, came the other signs of mommyhood....although less cliché and obvious as a minivan! :)  So here we go, David Letterman style!



10.  Taking a bath in your bathtub requires cleaning out the abundance of bath toys first, then using the convenient Disney Junior bubble bath.  That's a whole lotta' work just for the kids to knock on the door to see what you're doing, and when you'll be out.  So you just skip it and take a mommy shower.

9. You know exactly what the term "mommy shower" means. That it takes you precisely 6 minutes from start to finish: Wash, shave (yeah right), hair, and dress all in less time it takes to get shoes and socks on ONE kid.

8. You try very hard not to sneeze...for obvious reasons, that only a mom would understand...

7. Sneaking a small meal or a snack means never, ever making eye contact. Unless you want to hear the words, "Can I have a bite of that?" followed by giving up your food.  This also applies to sneaking all the good Halloween candy.  ;)

6. Running through the parking lot while your kids are in the plastic racecar shopping cart screaming, "faster, faster" is totally normal!  Or am I the only weirdo that does this??

5. You plan an extra 10 minutes in your schedule just in case someone poops right before walking out the door.  That's not true.  Someone always poops at the last minute and you're pretty much always late.

4. Your day requires more negotiating than a high power executive.  It starts at 8:30 just trying to get your toddler in their car seat, and ends with how many more bites of dinner in order to get up from the table.  Let's not even get started on bedtime....

3. Having kids turned you into a hypocrite and a liar, as you yell for them to, "stop yelling!!" and the, "I'm not going to tell you again!"  I lied.  I will tell you at least 2 more times. 

2. Knowing that just because your kids are potty trained, doesn't mean your days of wiping butts and cleaning up pee are over.  "Mom I need help wiping!"  "Look, Mom I made a waterfall!"  Did I mention I have boys?

1. You consider most or all of these to be true, but you wouldn't change it for anything in the world.  Well, maybe the negotiating part....

Perfect DIY Gift for a New Mom

So last week I decided to put my Pinterst boards to good use.  I mean, who doesn't love Pinterest?? Especially for a gal like me who doesn't have one creative bone in her body!  And don't even get me started on the 'secret boards'.  Is it weird that I'm collecting ideas for a nursery for a child that I may or may not have in the future?  What about the baby shower I am planning, for the next one of my friends who happens to have a baby?  Wait...Don't answer that first question!

Anyway, if you are addicted to Pinterest like I am, chances are you have found many great ideas.  In this case, it involved a coffee mug from the dollar store, and a sharpie.  I must admit, the reason I pinned this originally was due to the caption that, let's just say, is pretty accurate for me.  See for yourself...

This particular pin came from keep.com, but like many things on Pinterest, the link takes you to no-man's land.  Then there was the mug I found that was a perfect gift for a friend, but was later removed by Pinterest as requested by the owner.  Well jeez!!  Luckily there are tons, and I mean tons of pins about DIY coffee mugs.  I was saving this little tid-bit in my back pocket, but it finally clicked when one of my girlfriends had her baby.  Who needs coffee more than a new mom??  Pretty sure no one!  So I headed to the ever-reliable Dollar Store and picked up a few mugs, pulled out the sharpies, and called my most creative friend over to help.  What??  I told you it wasn't my forte.  My creativity is recruiting! Thanks, Kyleigh!  :) 

I remember how fun it was to be called "mommy" when I had my first son (and still to this day), so I went with that.  Then I and added some coffee and a little flair.  Not only is this a perfect gift for a new mom, it is a very reasonably priced as well.       

 

Choose the mug and colors you want to use

 

Note: I have since discovered that OIL BASED Sharpies will last the longest and give you the best results, so be sure to make the investment.

 

 

 Add your design and bake at a high temperature (400-450) for at least 30 minutes

Let cool for 1-2 days before using or gifting

 

 

Add some K-Cups or any other kind of their favorite tea or coffee 

 

And of course, make it pretty!

You could even make gifts for Valentine's Day, Boss's Day, or let the kiddos go to town for Grandparents' gifts.  The possibilities are endless!!  So, now that you all know what gifts will be showing up at your door, I'll just wrap it up by saying thanks to Stella's Mommy, Nicole for letting me show off your gift.  And of course for letting me snuggle with that sweet baby!!   Love you both!


Side note: I have started a Facebook Page in order to stay connected in-between posts.  I will eventually only post links to my blog on my page instead of my personal page, so be sure to head over to license2mommy and click "like" and share with your friends!  Don't make me invite you!!! :)
 

 



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! 

 

 



 

 



Why Are There No Pictures of Mommy?

This is a very interesting topic.  And one I have my sister-in-law, Jenny, to thank for bringing it to my attention.  It started while we were at the annual Pattonville homecoming parade.  The floats were starting to approach, so the kids and I grabbed a spot on the curb for some prime candy catching.  It was then that Jenny attempted to snap a picture of the candy crew.  But I'm sure you can guess what happened next.  I bolted off of that curb so fast, you would have thought it was on fire.  Sound familiar?  She then proceeded to tell me a story about how a son thought his mother was beautiful, but didn't have many pictures of her to remember her by.  So sad, right?  (I'm sure I did not do any justice to the real story, but hopefully you get the idea.)

This instantly hit home with me.  Not only do I become an Olympic gymnast in order to avoid a picture, I am also usually the one behind the camera (um, iPhone).  Which is why there is an abundance of pictures of the boys with Daddy.  But the real reason for pictures is not for Facebook or Instagram (although they are great ways to keep in touch with friends and family), but are meant to be memories to treasure for a lifetime, and then passed on to your children to treasure through their lifetime.  So what will they have to cherish years from now if we continue to resist the camera?  Sure you have the professional family photos, and the ones taken over the holidays, but what about the yoga pants, no make-up, dance party pictures?   I am so blessed to be able to spend all of this precious time with my boys, but I know I will eventually regret not capturing these special moments once they are grown up and too busy (or too cool) to just sit and snuggle with me.

Definitely a lessoned learned, thanks to the wise words of one Jennifer Stranghoener!  And since then, I have started making an effort to take more pictures of us, just living.  Doing the things we love.  Snuggling in bed on Friday mornings when we don't have to get dressed for school.  Curled up on the couch watching a movie on a rainy afternoon (pictured below...no make-up and all.  Eeek!!) .  Helping Mommy cook in the kitchen.  Playing at our favorite park.  Reading the Kids' Bible Stories book together before bed.  Those are the moments that bring so much joy to my life and I want the boys to be able to share the joy of seeing their Mommy snuggling, playing, and cooking with them for years to come (make-up or not).  :)

 

Why Are We so Hard on Ourselves?!

I've known this for a while.  That I'm hard on myself, that is.  But isn't it true that it takes on an entirely new meaning when you become a wife?  And especially when you become a mother?  As if we didn't have enough going on to worry about not doing a good job.  The house isn't clean enough...I don't serve enough healthy meals...I raise my voice one too many times....the list goes on and on.

 I remember the moment I noticed this feeling as if it were yesterday.  It was when a friend of mine (and a fellow mommy) told me what a good mom I was because I played nursery rhyme CDs in the car.  Can you guess what my response was?  I believe it went something like this, "Well, I don't know about that, but thank you."  Really??  Why can't the "thank you" come before the "I don't know about that"?  And why does the "I don't know about that" have to come at all?   Are you guilty of the "I don't know about that"?

And what about the insincere thank you?  My husband can relate.  Here I am depriving myself of tasty calories...um, wine...in order to shed a few...um, several...pounds.  He is my biggest cheerleader and I love him dearly, but for some reason as soon as he tries to pay me a compliment, I completely shrug him off as if he's just doing me a favor.  Eventually he's going to stop trying and I wouldn't blame the poor guy if he did.  I will smile and tell him thank you, but if I don't actually believe it, then what difference does it make?  So this is for all of you women.  Mommies or not... 

You are doing a great job! 
You are beautiful!

Now you (and I) just have to start believing it!!   No more being hard on ourselves.  No more "I don't know about that".  And definitely no judging other moms.  This job is hard enough and we should be supporting one another through every step.  I say we take a stand and make a conscience effort to praise ourselves for all that we are doing right and stop focusing on what we think we're doing wrong.  Isn't that what our kids would want?  Our husbands?  And don't we truly want that for ourselves?  Take the challenge with me.  God is in control anyway and He won't let you down!

And remember...  :)

Fall Family Traditions

I love fall, I mean LOVE fall!  And I have come to love it more as we start new family traditions.  In the spirit of Halloween, here is a little glimpse of some of my favorite fall activities!

 

Eckert's

 

I have some great memories of apple picking with my parents and siblings, so I wanted to start that same tradition with my family.  We asked...forced...Daddy to take a day off work to spend the day with us.  He works so hard for us and doesn't take many days off, so I wanted to plan a day dedicated to some family fun...just the four of us!  The idea started with a day at the pumpkin patch, but then we decided to make the most of his day off and head to Eckert's.  Out of the three Eckert's locations, we chose Graffton.  I'm pretty sure you can't make a bad choice out of the 3, but we were definitely happy with our choice.  It started with a scenic drive and a ferry ride across the river.  And that was just the beginning!  Once we got there, we had a hard time deciding what to do first.  From the tractor ride, to the pumpkin and apple picking, all the way to the animals, and playground, we had an absolute blast!  And of course Daddy had to get the biggest pumpkin they had!  Although it was a perfect morning, next year we will pack lunch for a picnic, or visit the location with the restaurant (which I've heard is amazing) so we can spend more time there.  Follow them on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all deals and special events! 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Painting Party

 

 

So now we have a carload (literally) of pumpkins, so what are we to do with all of them?  Well, have a pumpkin painting party of course!  I started doing this last year because, let's be honest, I love any excuse for a girls night.  Little did I know how much fun it was going to be.  And obviously we had to do it bigger and better this year.  I asked the guests to BYOP and bring anything special to make their masterpiece.  I provided the paint, paintbrushes, some carving tools, and of course, the boos booze.  I also made tortilla soup, which is one of our favorite fall soups (I will be sharing the recipe, so stay tuned).  I have some pretty creative friends, so I was very excited to see what was in store, and they certainly did not disappoint!  As you will see, we represented our hometown teams quite well!  And my Mom's "designer pumpkins" were the talk of Facebook!  I again took some notes and for next year I think I'm going to ship the kids off with Daddy to have some fun outside of the house so I can play hostess.  I will plan a separate painting party dedicated to the boys, and possibly their cousins too.  That way I can focus more on helping them with the Monsters Inc./kid friendly  pumpkins  and worry less about who's pumpkin they just added some color to.  :)  All in all, this is one of my favorite events and if you aren't doing it already, I highly recommend it!  And maybe next year I will have time to do something creative with the carload of apples... We'll see!!

Oh, and also next year, I will photograph the carved pumpkins at night!! ;)

 

 

 

Photo credit to Kelly Sahrmann (Bird on the bat/St. Louis Arch) 

Mizzou 'M' by Jenny Stranghoener. 

Orange Buttons and Spotted pumpkin by Momma (not pictured: Fancy 'H'). 

Mizzou Tiger Paw by Nikki Nill. 

Painted Carving and unfinished STL done by yours truly.

Mommy's: Spider web Mizzou 'M', STL Baseball, and Painted Carving.

Daddy's: The Monster (The picture does no justice, it is huge!)

Boys: Mike Wazowski (with a little help from Mommy)

 

Pumpkin cheese ball courtesy of my Momma. 

Contact me for the recipe.  Not only is it adorable, it is yummy!!

 

 

 

Tortilla Soup 

 

Is there really anything better than a simmering pot of soup and a fire crackling in the fire place on a cool fall day?  I didn't think so.  While I love chili, I had to find another recipe that I could throw into the rotation...and one my hubby would like.  And thanks to Pinterest, I found the perfect fall soup that makes everyone drool!  So many people have asked me for the recipe, so why hold out on the rest of you?  Bonus!  You make it in the crockpot!!  Easy and delicious?  Yes please!  I have since deleted the pin, so unfortunately I am not able to give credit to the original post, but I will share the recipe with you without taking the credit!  I was not prepared for this one, so I only have one picture that I sent to my pal Nikki to make her hungry as it was cooking.  Aren't I a great friend??  It doesn't look appetizing, but I promise you, it's delicious!

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

2 tbs olive oil

2 medium onions, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 qt. chicken stock

1 tbs chicken soup base

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 8oz can tomato sauce

1 19oz can enchilada sauce

6 small tortillas, minced

16oz velveta, cubed

1 cup Colby-jack chesse

1 bag Tyson chicken, diced (I used shredded chicken breasts)

1 can whole corn (I leave this out and set it out as a topping)

*garnish with sour cream, tortilla strips, and cheese*

 

Directions:

1. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onions until tender

2. Add minced garlic and cook another min or two, then scrape into crockpot

3. Add all other ingredients, except the chicken and corn

4. Cook over high heat for two hours, or low for 4 hours

5. whisk until smooth (tip: I make mine the night before so the tortillas absorb the flavor)

6. Add chicken and corn if desired and heat through, approx. 30 minutes-1 hour

Bon Appetit!

 

 

 

 

There you have it!  I hope you have enjoyed a few of my favorite fall festivities, and please feel free to share some of yours with me!

 

 

 

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 



Mommy's Favorite Things

I recently shared a couple of my favorite things with a few of my friends, so it prompted me to want to share them with all of you too!  Whether you're a mommy or not, this is some good stuff!!

1. UP by JAWBONE

 

 

This is by far one of my most favorite things.  I have my good mate, Mike to thank for introducing me to this little gem.  It's a wristband that not only tracks your activity by number of steps you take, it also yells at you if you have been idle too long...as in "get up you lazy bum"!  Nothing proves how hard a stay at home mom works when she's logging almost 11,000 steps just on a normal day!  But one of the coolest features is the sleep monitoring.  In the morning you can see how log it took you to fall asleep the night before, how long you were in light vs. deep sleep, and...wait for it...it also wakes you up when you are in your lightest sleep!  No more waking up feeling groggy when your alarm goes off (or a toddler barges in your room) in the middle of a dream.  Simply download the app, add your personal info, and begin.  You don't even know it's there.  Bonus!  You can also link it with other apps, such as Run Keeper and My Fitness Pal (which are also favorite things of mine).  I could go on and on, but instead, feel free to read more or order online here.

2. PLEDGE MULTI SURFACE

 

 

Every mom, or woman for that matter, needs a handy helper in the cleaning department.  Mine is Pledge Multi Surface.  Since it can be used on almost any surface, there are countless uses for this bad boy, and I find myself using all throughout the house!  In the kitchen, for instance, I use it to clean the glass-top table, the sliding glass door (sticky fingerprints), the outside of the fridge (more sticky fingerprints), and the cabinets.  And if you're using the antibacterial product, you can also use it on countertops.  That's a whole lot of efficiency in one room.  Just think how much I get done in the family room!  I can clean and dust the tables, picture frames and the TV stand.  And since it can be used for electronics, I can also clean the TV.  The list goes on and on.  If you want to give it a try, Target even has a coupon available on their website you can get by clicking here!  (More to come on Target, so stay tuned!)

3. SRUBBING BUBBLES WIPES

 

 

Speaking of cleaning.  I also get a lot of use out of the Scrubbing Bubbles wipes.  I keep some under the sink in every bathroom for quick and easy access.  One of the common misconceptions about a stay at home mom, is that she has all day to clean.  It's actually really hard to clean during the day with two toddlers running around, that I just have to fit it in when I can.  So while the boys are finishing their bath, for instance, I just pull out the container and go to work.  And since I keep them under the sink, I never have to leave the room!  This helps me a lot when I don't always have time to do a complete house cleaning...especially in a bathroom used by boys!!!

Reminder: Make sure cabinets that store cleaning products have child-proof locks!



4. CLOSET CANDY BOUTIQUE

I have come to love boutiques!  They all have so many unique and cute clothes and accessories, but my favorite boutique is Closet Candy.  Anyone who knows me knows that I lived in my maxi dresses this summer.  And if you saw their stuff,  you would know why!  Sure, there are definitely those days where "getting dressed" is putting on yoga pants, but on the days where you want to be cute and comfortable, maybe run a few errands, I grab my Closet Candy.  Go to their website and like them on Facebook to check out all of the end of summer deals.  Not to mention the A-dorable college gameday collection!

5. SEPHORA BRONZER

 

 

 

 

I never thought I would say this in a million years, but most days I don't feel like wearing (wasting) make-up.  But I also don't want to scare the pants of anyone who might happen to ring the doorbell or see me outside watering the lawn.  So my solution is bronzer by Sephora.  These days, there are a million bronzers out there.  But what I love about Sephora's product is that it's not too greasy and doesn't smell like you just fell off the Banana Boat.  I also have yet to have it streak or get blotchy, which is key when you are applying bronzer yourself.   I ordered mine online a few months ago, and not only received free shipping, but also received 3 free samples.    

6. CARTWHEEL by TARGET

 

 

 

Ok, here is the one you have been waiting for!  I know I have already shared this beauty before, but I could not leave it off of my favorite things list.  And I didn't want to take a chance on anyone missing out on it.  Thanks to my amazing friend, Amber, I started using Cartwheel about two weeks ago and I am in love!  It is a free app that allows you to select certain deals and instantly save on the things you are already buying.  Here's the best part.  All of the deals you select will use one barcode.  So if you are terrible at remembering to bring or use your coupons (like me) this is your solution to save.  Once you are at the checkout, simply hand your phone (or a printed copy) over for one quick little scan and, voila!  Instant savings.  So let's review how you should be shopping at Target.  Add your deals to Cartwheel, use any additional coupons you brought, and swipe your Red Card for an additional 5% off.  You now have just saved enough to buy that dress you've been eyeing at CCB!  Pretty simple stuff huh?  Thanks again, Amber!!

 

 

 

While this list could go on and on, I will stop here...mainly because my UP band just told me to get my blogging booty out of this chair.  But I would like to ask you to share any of your mommy-must-haves with me.  That's what this is about after all...to share, learn and laugh with each other, right? :)  Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to reading your comments on this one!!

Good Mom. Bad Friend?

When you have kids, your life quickly becomes all about them.  The first person you neglect is yourself...naturally.  The second person is your husband.  Poor guy!!  And the third is more of a group than an individual.  And it happens to be your friends.  It is only natural, and it goes away after the initial shock of parenthood sets in, right?  Wrong!  Sure, no one expects you to be a stellar friend the day you pop the kid out, or even the days after, but what about when the kid(s) are two...three perhaps?  Well that's another story...

I have been blessed over the years to have made many great friends.  Some have been in my life for many years, and others have come into my life just in the past couple of years.  Friendships are funny that way.  Your first friends are in the neighborhood, or on your CYC soccer team perhaps.  Next comes grade school continuing all the way through your college years.  Then you have a career and meet new friends at the office.  There are also the "wives"...you know, the couples.  And eventually there are the moms.  Real Housewives of St. Louis??

It goes through a cycle, like most things in life, I guess.  It's easy to catch up with a mommy friend at playgroup or a tee-ball game, but what about those close friends that have been there for you countless times throughout the years?  Is it safe to say that we neglect the ones we love the most because we know they'll be there no matter what?  Regardless of the reason, I know I have never been great at reaching out first, but it got even worse when I became a mom.  Call it tiredness, call it forgetfulness, call it whatever you want.  Whatever the cause, it's not the kind of friend I want to be.  I'm not saying it's realistic to have an hour-long phone conversation while your kids are arguing about who gets to sit where, or pouring an entire box of Lucky Charms on the floor (true story).  Not to mention the fact that the person you are talking to might think you are suffering from a bout of tourettes.  It goes something like this... "Did you watch Big Broth...Get your hand out of the toilet...Aaryn is such a...Stop choking your brother..."  (I can't take credit for the reference!  Like all good things, it came from Pinterest!)

So, a phone call might not always be an option, but a simple text can go a really long way!  You can even do it while the kids are asleep, or eating lunch.  Another idea would be a hand written note in the mail.  Gasp!  Mail?  I know it sounds silly, but a card mixed in with the bills could totally make someone's day.  You're at Target at least once a week anyway, just pick up a card while you're on your way to the diaper aisle.  I am the worst at all of this stuff by the way, but I cherish all of my friendships so much, that I strive and challenge myself to be better at it.  Don't get me wrong, a good old fashioned girls happy hour is not only fun, but occasionally necessary.  But in those moments where, let's say for instance, your hubby is traveling for the third time that month, or you already used one of your babysitters just so you could attend your board meeting.  Foregoing the evening out to get together at someone's house is still getting together.  And seeing your friends chasing, tickling and cuddling with your kids is an added bonus because in my opinion, it's priceless!  And for goodness sake!  Stop worrying about what a mess the house is!  And yes, I am mainly talking to myself.  First of all, your friends could care less, and second of all, if we only let people come over when the house was actually clean, we would never see anyone! 

So, bottom line...being a good/busy/involved mom does not make us bad friends, it only means we just might have to make a little bit more of an effort than we did before we became moms.  And if you have friends like mine, that extra effort is totally worth it!

Sometimes you Need a Timeout and a Good Cry

I'm sure I'm not the only mom who needs to put herself in timeout and just have a good cry...at least I hope I'm not.  But that's what happened last week, possibly on a couple of occasions.  It's the same old story.  We as moms, and women in general, take on a large amount of responsibility.  Even though we are juggling the kids, the household, and (for some of you) work, we find it necessary to add more to the laundry list of responsibilities...pun intended.  Take last week for example.  I decided to have a garage sale to get rid of some junk and hopefully make some shopping...uh, pocket change. I was reluctant to have one, and now I know why.  Talk about a lot of work!!  It turned out ok, but I think I may have had my share of sales for the next few years. 

Anyway, the garage sale left us all exhausted and the house a complete and total mess.   Which is never a good combination.  I felt as if I was taking one step forward and three steps back in an attempt to catch up.  Suddenly the every day occurrences seem so much worse.  Like, the full load of laundry that was folded and ready to be put away that was instead dumped over and cascading down the stairs.  Or the report you are in the middle of working on for the upcoming board meeting disappears from the computer and you look up to see your kid holding the plug with a sinister grin.  Or...ok, you get the idea, and hopefully why I felt the need to get it all out.  I literally locked myself in the bathroom and let the tears flow.  I also asked for help and prayed for strength and patience...which I don't do nearly enough.  Then comes the guilt.  I felt guilty for leaving my kids knocking outside the door even if it was only a few minutes, for not being able to remember how incredibly blessed I am rather than feeling sorry for myself, and for possibly losing my temper one too many times.  I can't say I have it all together, but at least I can say these days are few and far between.  And knowing I'm not the only one who feels this way makes it feel makes me feel like I suck a little less.  :)  Let's face it, no mom truly has it all together.  But does anyone??  We all could use a good cry once in a while so go ahead and put yourself in timeout.  And if Daddy's home, add a bubble bath and a glass of wine for good measure.  You will thank yourself.  But also make sure you know that God has it under control... even if you don't!!

Stuff No One Told You About Mommyhood: Part One

Before I had kids, I considered myself pretty kid-savvy.  After all, I am the youngest of all of my siblings and step-siblings, so I had my fair share of diaper changes and spit up to think I was an expert.  But I quickly came to the conclusion that no matter how much knowledge you think you have when it comes to kids, you are sadly mistaken.  I have a feeling this will be a recurring post, so let's just call this "part one" and start with my very first experience in the world of the unknown, which took my confidence level from expert, to beginner.  Buckle up and enjoy, because it started even before the kiddos came along. 

It was Memorial Day weekend.  I recently had a baby shower and decided to get a head start on washing some baby clothes.  Nesting perhaps?  Regardless, I felt ahead of the game.  To make a long and incredibly boring story short, our washing machine decided it was going to go through an entire cleaning cycle without draining the water.  Picture this.  A full load of towels sitting in stale, dirty water with your only option being to wring them out one by one and re-wash them at mom and dad's.  What is this?  College?   Then, try finding a repair man on Memorial Day.  And what you get, folks is a man on his way to a BBQ leaving his wife to wait in the car while he does the job.  Oh and did I mention the steep price tag of a holiday repair man?!  Yep, that was fun!  But here comes the exciting part.  Mr. Handyman asked if we had any little ones other than the one that was clearly on the way.  He continued to share with us that tiny socks get caught in the drain, causing it to clog.  Light bulb!!  Before washing...uh, trying to wash...the load of towels, I attempted to wash all of Cooper's new clothes.  Remember?  Sure enough, an hour and $200 later, we had nothing to show for it other than a little blackened sock freshly pulled from the drain.  At first I felt like an idiot.  How could I have not known about this?  Then I felt like I must have been the only lucky one this had happened to, because there was no way my friends and family would withhold this very important, very expensive piece of information from me.  We will never know.  But today, you're in luck!  Because I'm here to share it with you. 

So what's the solution you ask?  A lingerie mesh washing bag found at good ole Target (Sorry, Dad!  I'm sure they have them at Wal-Mart too!).  Who knew?  Not only does this gem keep the socks out of the under parts of your washing machine, it keeps them separate from the rest of the load so the dryer doesn't turn them into lint.  We all know this happens!  There's a bonus too.  If you have multiple people in your family, just assign a washing bag to each individual and allow them to match their own socks.  Brilliant, I tell ya!!  So, take advice from me, and buy a few extra lingerie washing bags (or just dust off the one that's not being used for lingerie now that you're a mom) and make your life just a little bit easier.  Trust me, you'll thank me one day!

 

Stop and Enjoy the View!

This past weekend I took a trip to Rogers, AR to visit my family and friends....alone!  Yes, I left my poor kids and hubby at home to fend for themselves.  Sorry, guys!  Although, I did have groceries stocked and dinner ready to pop in the oven.  Hopefully that helps my case!  ;)  Anyway, I spent the entire weekend relaxing, eating junk food, and drinking wine.  Although I missed Eric and the boys dearly, it was perfect!  I intended to come back to St. Louis well rested and ready to blog about how crucial it is for moms to get away...yadda, yadda, yadda.  But instead, my ride home took a detour and so did my thoughts.  When I arrived home, there was just something else in my heart...  

It was the sign indicating "Incident Ahead" that started it all.  Soon after that dreaded sign, I came to a complete stop.  And my first thought was, "Oh great!  How much is this going to set me back?"  Don't tell me you haven't thought the same thing when coming to halt on the highway.  We are human after all.  But have you ever just stopped and prayed for what might be happening ahead instead of thinking about how much of an inconvenience it is?  Or have you ever stopped to enjoy the view?  Trust me,  it took highway patrol diverting me off the highway and 15 minutes of driving the scenic route for it to kick in, so don't praise my award winning attitude just yet.  But here we were, a long (really long) line of cars traveling through the small Missouri town of Newburg, and something clicked.  Maybe it was the beautiful view.  Maybe it was the quaint little small town.  Who knows?  All I know is that I was overwhelmed with gratitude that God allowed me to take this detour.

It was exactly what I needed to conclude my weekend away.  And as I was enjoying the view on my drive, I vowed to take more time away from to-do lists and the million other things moms juggle and focus more on enjoying the view at home.  Yesterday, for instance, the boys sat together and Cooper read books to his little brother.  Mixed with 'once upon a time' and 'the end', it was breathtaking!  And I might have missed it if I hadn't stopped putting the laundry away to take it all in. 

I still don't know what happened on the highway, but I pray that no one was injured or worse.  But here are some pictures of "the views" I speak of, and I hope that you will take some time to take it all in as well!