Thursday, March 31, 2011

If I Should Have A Daughter

I love this spoken poem by Sarah Kay.  "If I Should Have A Daughter" is the name of it. It stops at 3:40, but the whole video is worth the watch.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

One Happy Family

First thing in the morning and my whole family is cranky, so being the mom I always find a way to make them happy. A lot of times I go for a great breakfast to help make start their day off right. However there are a ton of other ways I like to make and keep my family happy. So, I'll share them here!

The first thing I do to keep my kids and husband happy is cook! They all love home cooked meals and even though it's not something I am great at, they love it. Breakfast is probably the one they like the most, and we all eat breakfast together when possible. Pancakes and french toast are their favorites, and I've come up with a few different ways to make them creative and yummy all at the same time. The smile on their faces during and after breakfast makes getting up early worth it!

Another thing I like to do to keep my family happy is to make sure we all get to spend time together as a family. We went from one movie night and one game night a week to about 4 out of 7 nights we are together. Routines can get the best of us, so we like those nights where we can switch things up. We recently got the Xbox Kinect and game nights have become a favorite around here. We all love spending time together and it's super fun!

I also like to put little notes in my daughter's lunch box and husband's coat pockets. They get to read them when I'm not around and they both love them. I like to come up with short day trips for my family and I to go one, and they enjoy the break too. They love going on day trips and doing all the fun stuff I find! I love to take my daughter for a mother/daughter day and go get our nails done. The time we get together keeps both of us happy. My son and I go to the park a lot while sissy is at school. That keeps him happy. My husband and I like to go play poker when we can get a sitter, and adult interaction definitely keeps my husband and myself super happy!

This one may sound like a housewife cliché but keeping my house clean also keeps my kids and husband happy. He likes coming home to a clean house and the kids like seeing how dirty they can get the house! I had some issues with this when I first became a stay at home mom, but I've gotten in a groove and my family appreciates it a lot.


Those are a few things I do to keep my family happy. I know they appreciate it, and I love doing things to keep them happy. What are some things that you do for your family? I would love to hear them! Thanks for reading!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Farm Rich blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here

Monday, March 28, 2011

Easter Fun!

Spring is finally here, and even though it's still not warm here in Missouri, I can see the warmth just around the corner. Spring is my favorite time of year... the flowers, the baby animals, the birds chirping, I love it all! With Spring comes Easter, which happens to be one of my favorite holidays! The main reason why Easter is one of my favorite holidays... chocolate!

Really, I love Easter because of it's meaning. However, there are so many other reasons to love Easter! I love the Easter Egg Hunt. It's a family tradition around here. We all go down to my sister in laws house where we hide over 500 eggs filled with candy and money and other goodies. All of our kids search through the back yard and house and sometimes even the neighbors house to find the eggs. The child with the most eggs wins the Giant Chocolate Bunny named Sam. We buy one every year and the kids get super competitive over it, Sam is very delicious! I always take a ton of pictures of them searching for the eggs and love going back later to look at them. We let the kids out in order of age, the little ones get a 2 minute head start, then the big kids get to go out.

Another reason I love Easter is because I love to see my kids dye the Easter eggs. We have a really fun time trying to be creative and come up with a ton of different ideas for eggs. We take almost the whole day the day before Easter to dye the eggs, and my kids love it! I also love seeing their faces first thing in the morning when the Easter bunny has come and left them baskets and hidden the eggs. Watching them find the eggs that the Easter Bunny hid is always fun, he finds some crazy spots for those eggs!

I also love going to church on the Sunday morning of Easter. Our church makes a huge deal about it and we have a huge BBQ after our service. My kids get to play with the other kids and they all look so cute in their Easter dresses and suits. I love coming up with the perfect dish to take to church and having my daughter help me fix it.

Last but not least, I REALLY love the chocolate :)

Those are the things that I love about Easter! What are some of your favorite things? I would love to hear if you have any cool traditions with your family! Thanks for reading!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Hop blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

8 Years!

We made it to 8 years! There are days that I'm not exactly sure how but we made it!
He puts up with so much from me, like the days that I'm absolutely insane for no reason. Or the days where OCD takes over and it takes me 20 minutes to put gas in the car because it keep landing on an odd number. He even deals with the fact that I would rather smell his hat when he comes home from work, than kiss him first. (Yes, I AM weird, but it smells amazing)
Sometimes I've thought about doing horrible things to him in his sleep, and other times (most times) he is the greatest man ever! Either way I love him, and I'm so happy to be able to share my life with him. He is my perfect fit, and I love him so much. Happy Anniversary Baby, I love you!!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

I'm so bored.

Yep. I'm bored. I need some excitement. I love being a SAHM, but I'm losing it... slowly... everyday... I get a little more bored than the day before.

I love my babies though, they keep me entertained.

I think I need drama. Wow, that's redonk. Who really needs drama? My life has been drama free now for years, and I love it that way.

Anyone around that's full of drama? Maybe I can live vicariously through you. I need a hobby. Blah. :)

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Feelin Lucky?

St. Patty's day is coming! For some that means green beer, and for others that means a day full of luck! For me that means more than likely getting pinched by my hubby because I forgot to wear green! Lucky for you, redbox is giving everyone the chance to score free movie credits now through St. Patrick’s Day during the redbox Lucky to Have Friends Like You promotion! Everytime someone rents from your link, you get a free redbox movie! Check it out! I know we rent a ton of redbox movies, so I'm gonna be taking advantage of it! So, since St. Pattys means luck, so here are a few things that make me feel lucky.

My family makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world! Even nights when my son decides he would rather kick me in the face all night than sleep in his own bed. Yes, I actually like that! I'm lucky that he would rather watch a movie with his Mama than play with his toys. I'm lucky that he had the bluest eyes I've ever seen, and in them I see a ton of love that he has for me. I'm lucky to have my Mama's Boy.

I'm lucky to have my daughter because she makes me smile every other minute, and in between she gives me glimpses of her teen years. She can brighten up a room in an instant and whenever I'm feeling down, she is always the first person to cheer me up! I'm lucky to have her because when I look at her I see a world of opportunity waiting for her. She will take the world by storm, and love every minute of it.

I'm lucky to have my husband because he can make any situation better. He takes away my worries and replaces them with faith. I'm even lucky that he has a play station obsession, otherwise, I would never have time for blogging! I'm lucky to have him because he works so very hard everyday, just to make sure I can stay home and raise my babies. I'm lucky because I never thought I would find him, and I'm lucky I don't have to look any farther to find my soul mate.

I'm lucky to have my mother and father because they too are always there for me. They always have been and they always will be. They have always make me feel like a lucky girl! I'm lucky for my cousin and her kids, because they always keep me occupied. We are always hanging out together and I would be lonely with no one to talk to about play station woes! I'm lucky to have them in my life because they are a big part of what keeps me sane.

Besides my family, I'm lucky to have faith, a roof over my head, and things to believe in. All these things make me feel lucky, and I don't know where I would be with out them! What is it that makes you feel lucky? I'd love to hear!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and redbox blogging program, for a $25 Walmart gift card from redbox. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Monday, March 7, 2011

Tips for Great Family Travel!

Vacationing with the family is supposed to be fun and not stressful. All you really want to do is be able to spend time with your family and not have to worry about money. The expenses of traveling can be crazy! Here are a few ways to make sure your family vacation is the best it can be, without breaking your budget!

1. SAVE SAVE SAVE! I'm huge on saving money for vacations. I have a separate account especially for vacation. I put about 25-50 dollars every two weeks in that account, and I never let it run dry even while on vacation. When it comes time for our vacation, I use only that money and when we get home, we don't have to worry about bills.

2. Plan ahead. I like to be prepared. I like to know exactly what all there is to do and where when were vacationing. I look up local zoos, attractions, museums, and whatever else I can think of. I make a "schedule" and try to stick to it. That way we all know what comes next, and I know how much money I will spend!

3. Gather supplies. I'm a clearance shopper, so when I see something that I will need on sale I will grab it. We have travel sizes of shampoo, toothpaste, deoderant and other supplies on stock. I also put them in a different area in my closet so when it comes time to pack, I know exactly where they are and I don't have to go searching.

4. Think outside of the box. If you get bored on vacation, there are things that you can do that do that you would normally at home. My kids and I love to go to pet stores to look at animals. We ended up doing that on one of our first vacations while we were waiting for something else. My kids loved it. It may not be all that adventurous, but it's free and fun for the kiddos!

5. Search for free stuff. There are a bunch of free hiking trails, bike trails, and nature walks with guides all over the place. You learn a lot, and it's fun! Don't forget to visit parks too!

6. Stay with family or friends. If your heading to visit family, stay with them if they offer. The costs of motels during the summer skyrocket, and staying with a relative is free! Plus, they might even cook for you!

7. Bring some meals. I know you can really pack a freezer to take with you but you can take some sandwiches or healthy snacks for the kiddos. I always make sure to bring popcorn for an after dinner snack. My kiddos get bored and hungry and hotel room vending machines are super expensive!

8. Give up some perks! I love staying in a really nice hotel, BUT if giving up room service will save me $30, I will do it in a heart beat. I'm not saying to stay in a roach motel, but there are a few things that can be given up to save some money.

9. Sign up for rewards card. I learned this while we were in Indiana. In order to get deals in a certain store I needed to sign up for a rewards card with them. While I may never use it again after I leave, I still save money while I'm there!

10. Check out travel blogs. I love reading travel blogs, and seeing what all is available in different locations. Some blogs have every money saving activity already researched for you!

So, I hope my tips help you! Remember, vacation is fun! Try not to worry about over spending too much, it's a once in a lifetime thing so enjoy yourself! If you plan well, and do your research you will be just fine! Have fun!!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Great Giveaway!

PhotobucketHead over to Take Time to Smell the Rose and enter to win a Fisher-Price 2 in 1 cradle baby swing from Hayneedle! I would love this for my new niece! It ends tomorrow, so hurry!