One Year Ago

One  year ago . . . I can hardly remember back to March of 2011! But here goes . . .


One year ago, we were not hauling 2 1/2 yards of mulch for landscaping! But we were trying to get outdoors whenever the weather would fair up.

One year ago, I was not engaging in discussions with my toddler -- life was still more simple with a lot more compliance from her part!

One year ago, we were in cloth diapers in full force -- today, it's Elmo panties all the way!

One year ago, we thought we were eating healthy -- today, we're getting back to the basics, and trying to eat more organic products that have been minimally processed. Who would have thought we'd be into raw milk?!?

What were you doing a year ago?!?


Photo Credit: Image: Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A Favorite Memory from the Great Outdoors

This has to be the best memory from the Great Outdoors!

With a week off of teaching, I planned a week's vacation in Arizona. I was younger and more into a tightly packed vacation, and I had the itinerary planned down to the hour. But my husband and I really didn't know what was in store!

We flew into Phoenix and drove up to Sedona, where we had 2 free nights from a timeshare sales pitch in another vacation spot, that we declined. The drive was amazing, and since we drove into the late evening, the next morning brought surprises of rock formations that were hiding in the darkness on our drive in!

After exploring Sedona, we drove up to the Grand Canyon, through Flagstaff. I remember feeling the heat in Phoenix, seeing the snow in Flagstaff, and going through the more moderate temperature in the Navajo Reservation. But as we approached the Grand Canyon, we were truly in awe of its grandeur. We spent a night in the national park, and nothing tops this time in the Great outdoors!

What's your favorite memory from the great outdoors?

A Vegetable I Won't Insist My Children Eat

Actually I probably insist that my children try any and every vegetable; they might not have to finish the serving of veggies if it tastes too different though. My daughter does a pretty good job of this already. She's willing to try almost anything, and I hope that will continue throughout her life! I've had my share of "interesting" foods, but I wasn't as willing to eat bravely when I was younger.

I was a highly opinionated eighth grader, and I proudly announced to my dad, at the restaurant where we were eating, that I needed to know what everything was before trying it. It was a battle of wills . . . and my dad won. I ate a few things that I couldn't identify, but I realized that I enjoyed something I probably would have never tried if I knew what it really was.

I'd like my children to embrace a sense of adventure when it comes to food, to allow their taste buds to be surprised (and hopefully not appalled) by the different kinds of foods we have available to us!

Photo Credit:  Image: Carlos Porto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Discovering the Me in Mommy

This blog grew out of my realization that motherhood adds another dimension to a woman's identity. And I wish I had recognized these much earlier.


Top 5 things every mommy needs


5. Time without being touched...by anyone -- Pretty self-explanatory, but moms are needed by someone almost their entire waking day (and some moms are needed regularly during their not-so-waking day too). But we need down time. I'm convinced that I need a "nothing box" too!


3. Proper nutrition and exercise -- Some meals and snacks are almost too easy to put together, but we do need to look carefully at what goes into our bodies, as our bodies process it all for our long-term benefit or detriment.

2. Her own interests -- A mom's life can so easily be consumed by her kids and family that she forgets about her needs and wants. Totally ignoring her personal desires can kill the spirit of that vibrant woman.This is for good mental health!

1. Contentment -- My mommy life was not how I pictured it. For several months, I wanted my life to look like my friend's life, and I wasted my own energy which I could have used more positively. Whether the top 5 needs are met as adequately as we'd desire, we have to choose to be satisfied with the life we have, not necessarily complacent, but joyful for what we do have.

I have purposely numbered incorrectly because I want to know what else should be on the list!

Photo Credit: Image: Naypong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A Beautiful View from my Window Would Be....

ooh....I'd love to be listening to the waves right now! With a sick toddler, this mommy wants some vacation time to physically and mentally unwind!

 But honestly, for the end of February, with bright sunshine in the Midwest, I shouldn't complain about my view.


Photo Credit: Image: worradmu / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

"Souper You!" -- Progresso Soup and "The Biggest Loser Workout DVD Giveaway

It's February, and some of our New Year's Resolutions might have fallen by the wayside. (I had to go back and see what I had wanted to work on, and I do need to get back on track!) One of those was to get this mommy's body working out regularly, and Progresso wants to encourage and support us in the endeavor -- and they want to help a special someone celebrate with a make-over! This year, the Souper You^® Contest will provide three lucky winners with an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood; this includes a trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California where the winner will receive a head-to-toe makeover including hair and makeup, guided shopping spree with a $1,000 fashion retailer gift card, $1,000 spending money and 2 tickets to this season’s live finale of NBC’s The Biggest Loser. Visit www.SouperYou.com and submit their photo with a brief essay about why you love Progresso soups and why you deserve a makeover, by no later than February 22nd -- act quickly!

Progresso has many varieties of soups. While I prefer the "light" versions, my husband enjoys the regular ones! But Progresso has someone for everyone. Visit http://bit.ly/ProgressoCoup  to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off the purchase of four (4) cans of Progresso Soup today!

Win It!

Make sure you click "Read More" to enter the Rafflecopter form to win (2) VIP Coupons for Progresso Soup and (1) copy of “The Biggest Loser” Workout DVD!

Win $1000 with Swagbucks 4th Birthday Celebration!

 

Just want to let you know of Swagbucks' 4th Birthday Celebration starting Feb. 27 because they're giving out four $1000 prizes to their users!

Here's how you enter to win the $1000:

1. Go to this page and RSVP for the Swagbucks Birthday Bash, a 24-hr Team Challenge happening on the 27th.

2. Pick one of the two parties and RSVP for it - if you don't have a preference, click "Surprise Me"

3. That's it - do that and you're entered to win! 

Don't have an account?

Get an additional 110 Swagbucks with code BIRTHDAYBASH12 until Feb. 27 -- that's 140 Swagbucks instead of the customary 30!

Contours Baby Brand

I'm a big fan of Kolcraft and their Contours brand. The Contours brand now has a new look and exciting products! They even launching a new Contours Baby Facebook, so stop on by and check it out!

10 Years Ago!

Last summer, I was able to reconnect with a friend I met 10 years ago, and I blogged about some changes of the past 10 years.


Ten years ago, I had finished my college degree and was beginning my career. A career I wasn't sure I could handle. I had visions of Dead Poets Society dashed by my reality of lazy high schoolers who thought they could bully me and my standards down. Almost coming to a complete break-down by Christmas break, the school provided some time for me to get composure, and after a few extra weeks to recoup, those high schools realized that I wasn't changing my ways. We all survived, though I'd never want to relive that first year again.

But we all need those "first year" experiences to help us grow and mature. Though I'd never want to revisit that first year, I've met students who have a different perspective on that year than I do. While we'll never achieve or experience perfection here on earth, the adage Whatever doesn't kill you makes you strong proves true.

Photo Credit: Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net