Taking The Mommy Hook To My Local H-E-B Grocery Store

Sharing The Mommy Hook as often as I can! 

While on a recent shopping trip to our local H-E-B, I brought along a Mommy Hook to introduce as well as give away. The Mommy Hook is the perfect gadget for parents and caretakers alike. They really do give you an "extra hand"! We have been using ours for shopping and times when we are carrying too much with the baby around. I absolutely love it! It is the ultimate stroller accessory that can also be used for holding things to a cart. I wrote a review on it that you can read here. 

I highly suggest it as a Christmas gift idea. I have decided to pair it with a couple other Mom gadgets to complete an ideal gift collection. You can find out where they carry them locally.
I also suggest that you look them up on Facebook here, as they have been posting a lot of helpful tips for parents.


With my last Mommy Hook, I have put together a gift basket idea to take to a Christmas party where I know parents will be present. One set of parents in particular that I think would truly enjoy these have three kids. One is autistic and one is an infant. Their hands are kept busy everywhere they go. I'm hoping the Mommy Hook will make it easier for them to get around.

What do you think? Am I on the right track with this??

Do you know anyone who can benefit? Who is left on your Christmas gift list that needs help?

Let's Make Boobs Easier! (+discount and giveaway!)

Fashion should be comfortable. And easy. Especially if you are like me. I don't like being uncomfortable, no matter how gorgeous I look. I also don't like flashing my "headlights". I'm a human Popsicle, so just imagine me in a cold room. No one needs to see my perkiness! That is where Boob-eez comes in to help! 

*Disclaimer: I was sent these products by Boob-eez free of charge in exchange for a review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions expressed are my own.* 

Where did Boob-eez get its beginning?

Boob-eez was created by a young girl coming to terms with her body. She wanted to make boobs "easier". Let's face it, we ladies have all had those moments. In my younger years, I started wearing only padded bras to avoid.... pointiness from showing. But of course those bras are all underwire ones. Which is not always very comfortable. 

In my later years, I now avoid wearing bras unless I know I need to go somewhere or I know I'm going to have someone stopping by. Mostly because of my back pains being so fickle. More than once have I opened the door to receive a package or because the neighbors came knocking - just to have to keep my arms folded to hide that undignified fact that I was missing an undergarment. Oh that I had the Headlight Hiders on hand for those days.... 

I have always avoided wearing those camisole tops with built in bras. At least, I wouldn't wear them unless I wore other shirts with them. Or even wore an actual bra underneath... Sports bras, while working out, have to be worn only at home. All because I can't have my headlights showing. 

We have all been there at some point. 

And that is where this young girl brought us a revolutionary product. She designed the Headlight Hiders that are better than stick-ons. More comfortable. Dependable. And best of all? Invisible! They are made to lay flush with your skin so that they don't show. There are two sizes to choose from: 6 or 8CM. 

They fit perfectly! Went on easily, didn't peel off as easily (which I was happy for) and laid flush so that you couldn't see them. With these, I can wear my workout bra without worrying about an outline. I can wear more form fitting tops without the need of a bra. When would I want this most of all? How about the days when my back pain has me not wanting to wear a bra at all! 

But she didn't stop there. She created bras and tops too. The bandeau, bralette and stick-on bra are to give you coverage from underneath. While the cami, racerback layering tank and tube top keep it smooth, but fashionable on the outside! I couldn't believe how soft and comfortable they felt. I could live in them and never wear anything else... 

I really enjoyed the racerback bralette. The material is incredibly soft. Even more so than the Barely There brand I've tried before. It does not hug too tightly, but stretches perfectly with me. Even on my worse days, I think I can manage wearing this one. 

The front-to-back cami is of the same material as the bralette. And I love it! My personal style wouldn't mind it being slightly bigger, though it would work under a loose top just fine. I wear confidence as boldly as I can, but tight-fitting tops still give me pause as I try to loose the baby blubber. This would be the best tank to wear for working out, sleeping - everything, every day! 

I sent the lace back bandeau to my fashionista sister. I love getting her feedback on things like this.  She's in her late teens and is quite the diva, so she knows all about style.

These products were all One Size. I'm currently and XL (to give you an idea of the models size). 

Where can you find them near you? 

I was surprised to find 3 stores here in Texas that offered Boob-eez products. I think more stores need to carry them. You can see where they are offered near you, by clicking on the Locator tab. 

Ready to win??

I have two great ways for you to enjoy your very own Boob-eez products. They are partnering with me to host a giveaway of 3 pairs of Boob-eez products. They are also allowing you all to get 20% off your entire order!  The code to use for the discount is: FOREVER2018 and is good all the way until December 21, 2018! So be sure to check them out. Especially if you need gifts for the younger ladies in your life. These are perfect, practical and inspirational. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do You Want a Free Mommy Hook?? (giveaway included)

I recently wrote a review of The Mommy Hook. This fantastic little treasure has been quite a blessing to our family. My husband and I are often in need of a spare hand (or two). And that is exactly what The Mommy Hook is! 

*Disclaimer: I was sent these products free of charge in exchange for my honest review and to give away. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed.*

What is The Mommy Hook? 

The Mommy Hook, simply put, is the greatest stroller accessory you can find. It has so many uses! But essentially gives you an additional helping hand. With 4 kids, we need help carrying bags or water bottles all the time. They hang from the stroller or cart with ease.
"They Call Me Mr. Mommy Hook," featuring David Abels as David Abels from The Mommy Hook on Vimeo.

Who can benefit from it? 

Honestly - anyone! Whether you use it just to haul multiple bags at once (think of unloading the car after going grocery shopping) or if you have to carry bags while juggling a baby.

Where can you get yours? 

These are sold locally too! You can check here to find out where they are close to you. I saw retailers like Target, Walmart and Buy Buy Baby on there. Amazon has them as well! But if you aren't in America, don't worry! They have international sales too.

How do you win one?  

Want to win one first and see how awesome they are before buying? Well, just enter my giveaway below! Or win one to pass along as a gift to someone you know in need of an extra hand.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

FunBites Make Every Bite Fun!

Have you ever noticed that there are some kids who just refuse to eat something if it does not look appealing to them? Doesn't matter what it tastes like, because it is all about presentation. Food often needs to be beautiful for children. Food needs to be fun. Otherwise they turn up their noses and cringe in their seats. FunBites is here to rescue meals! 

*Disclaimer: I received these products free of charge in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions expressed are my own.*

I've been through the stages with my kids. Those days of making sandwiches for the kids, but having them beg me to cut it up into halves or triangles. Does it change the sandwich? No. But as soon as I do as they ask, they devour it without hesitation. Why? Kids taste is often initiated by their eyes. If it looks appealing, they are more likely to enjoy it. I actually think a lot of their judgement starts with the eyes. 

But that is not the only reason to love FunBites. These are kid safe. Designed to be safe enough for them to use without cutting themselves. You can get them to help prepare their own food, which makes eating without fussing much more likely. Put everything into bite sizes. Little fingers go to little mouths, so let's make it easier for them eat and less likely they will be cramming too much in at once. Plus, this way they can try many other things in just the right size.

These are BPA free and dishwasher safe (top rack).

How does it work? 

Slide the cutter over the food and shake a little, then slide the popper top over that to push the food out and serve!

Where can you get yours? 

These are available at your local Walmart and via Amazon! Super convenient ways to pick yours up. You can double check to see all the places that have them HERE.

Why do I think you should check them out? 

Whether it is to get your kiddos or grandkids to eat better at home, or to help another parent out, these are super helpful. They make wonderful gifts too. Many colors and styles to choose from. As I showed you, there are Paw Patrol ones for girls and boys, but there are also plain versions that can go either way. They make party trays simple as well! 

The Car Seat Key Gets This Momma's Approval!

How many times have you bent back or broken a nail on your child's car seat button? Do you have arthritis in your hands that makes it difficult to push that button in? Or does doing so just make your fingers sore? All of the above are true for this Mom. And I have 4 kids. My youngest is about to be 2 years old. She has a toddler car seat. I get that they are supposed to be child proof to keep them in securely. And I appreciate that. But wow! Getting that button pushed can be difficult. Especially when your kid spills things over it. Ever get one of those things stuck before from stickiness? I have. It was a nightmare. Try though I did, I could never get it completely cleaned out and it never worked smoothly again. Which is where the Car Seat Key would have been a priceless gadget to have!

*Disclaimer: I was chosen through my association with US Family Guide to work with namra in writing this review in exchange for the products they sent. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. The opinions within are strictly my own.*

What makes it worth having? 

Now that that is passed, let us look into this awesome little gadget that does wonders! It is designed to assist you in a quick motion to pop open that red button that keeps the baby locked and secured in the car seat. They come in various colors (how stylish!) and clip on to your key ring or bag with the nifty clip that is attached. I decided to keep the teal one. It's so pretty! I'm going to be giving away the black one soon. Best of all, these have been tested with every car seat on the market, so you can be assured that it will work with yours. They fit nicely, even in smaller bags or you can hang it on the side.

Time for some great savings! 

They offer free shipping throughout the US as well as bulk discounts. Save big with The Car Seat Key.
Buy (2) Save $4.00 Buy (3) Save $9.00 Buy (4) Save $14.00 Buy (5) Save $19.00 Discount is automatically applied at checkout!
Coupon Link Here

So if you know someone with kids still in car seats, this is the perfect time to buy them a great gift! Parents, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles - anyone who carries young children in their vehicles can benefit from this tool. They would be a great addition to the gift basket, bundle or diaper cake design! They sell for $14.99 each unless you bundle and save!

Let me know what you think about it in the comments below!

How I'm Creating My Perfect Steampunk Goggles

I don't have a lot of free time. Between the appointments and kids... I stay busy. But every so often, I take a moment for me. Which, right now, means that I am working on my next steampunk project. 

Goggles! 

What steampunk costume would be complete without them?! I've always been fascinated by them. In college, I had a buddy that always wore goggles. Not steampunk, but still cool ones. I envied him for strutting his style so freely. 

Now I'm finally doing the same. And I love it! A friend gave me these goggles. I painted them and used gears that my Mom had sent me a while back to add some flair.

I also took apart a pair of aviator glasses my Mom had sent. They were pretty twisted, so I'm giving them a new life. Used the glass lenses to add a greenish color tint to my goggles.

Loving the effect! 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - what my kids always tell me :) 

I decided each side should have its own unique design to it.

So I switched up the pattern of gears. My engineer husband has plans to help me attach movable parts to create this effect next time: 

So what do you think?

Next, I am going to attempt to make pouches that I can attach to my belt and wear with my corset top. I have multiple sizes of glass bottles to put in them. Hoping to complete it all before Halloween. Around that time, we are wanting to go to Free Comic Book Day for Halloween and maybe catch an event at a local collectible's shop next to our favorite photographer!

Here We Go AGAIN....

What the heck is wrong with this world?! 

The first week of school is not even completed and already we parents are in uproar. Judson ISD Transportation - you are in for a rude awakening. Tomorrow morning, the local Kens5 News crew is coming to investigate the injustices our kids are enduring on the bus system. And they will be met by a bunch of angry parents in the process. 

Always changing something that worked to something ridiculous. 

I have been trying to get in touch with someone about the bus route. This year, they have the stop in a dangerous spot. Kids have to cross the street in front of the bus to enter its doors. With cars that don't often want to stop or have a tendency to try to turn around to avoid waiting for the loading and unloading. Moving cars and kids in the same street = danger, in my opinion. 

They are riding a different bus nearly everyday, but all of them have little to no AC and they are not letting the windows down due to "liability" and "dust" issues (depending on who you talk to). Don't know about you, but my kids, in 100+ degree weather, in what could be described as a giant metal can on wheels makes my blood boil within me. 

Thus the bullying returns.

Then, today, my son tells me that he is being bullied by a "big kid". Guess which Mama is going onto the bus tomorrow? I did it last year and I will do it again this year. Touch my kids - you answer to me! 
This is a healthy reminder to all parents. Watch, listen and be ready to act. Our kids depend on us. We have to stand up for them at times. And for those other times... well, let's just say that I'm going to be teaching my kids how to handle unwanted touching. And if someone else's kid gets hurt - they gonna learn to keep their hands to themselves. I've had a lot on my plate this week, physically and mentally speaking, and this is the straw breaking this camels back. Tomorrow is gonna start with changes.

Making Conscious Decisions

No matter how well I think I have things planned out, I still get my dates mixed up from time to time. I did just that this week. I thought for sure it was the Monday that I was supposed to find out if I qualified for Care Link. It is the program for poor folks in Bexar county to get financial health assistance. We got up, got ready and were there early. In the back of my mind, I felt a nagging. More like a worry that I wouldn't get approval. We finally go in about 10 minutes earlier than I thought my scheduled appointment was. Told the receptionist my name. After a couple minutes, I was worrying that I hadn't truly been scheduled in. Then he finally told me that I had an appointment, but that it was next week. Not today. Talk about a mental head slap....

So I have another week to wait. I'm telling myself that it is building my strength and patience. My pains and the dizzy feelings are a daily annoyance. Especially as they strike randomly and very often when I'm sitting. It has made things difficult. My husband now does the all the driving. I have come to the decision that unless absolutely necessary, I will not risk being behind the wheel any more. I won't put myself, my family or anyone else in danger.

This type of decision does not usually get presented until a person has aged considerably and is approached by those who love them most. So it is not easily confronted by me. Just like an 80 year old woman who desperately clings to her independence, I do not like being restricted to my husbands schedule as to when I can go out. I want to be free. But at the same time, I'm very conscientious to what my actions might do to others. After all, how can I risk driving when I never know when I will get dizzy and possibly pass out. Our continual prayer is that I will soon start treatment and be back to my normal self. That I will be able to return to normal activities. 

Another decision I have made is that I will work out every day. Pain or no pain. I am currently 40 pounds over my proper weight (I've gained 10 pounds since January). I have devised a schedule that enables me to have morning devotions while feeding the baby. This is followed by cleaning up the baby and kitchen area. Once she is settled, I do my workout. I don't have the strength to do my husbands P90X or 10 minute intense workout sessions. So I'm keeping to my own pace. Don't get me wrong, I still break a sweat. I still get my heart rate up. And that is what matters in the end. Also, don't think I am giving place to vanity. Sure, I have a flabby stomach. But I have been pregnant 4 times. I have a Mom bod. Anyone who can't handle it can take a hike. On the other hand, I also have a weakened spine that is crumbling. Which means that I can't be carrying all these extra pounds. And I'm secretly hoping that this will build strength as I go. On top of my daily workout in the morning, I have decided to add in other things. I do squats while brushing my teeth. Maybe 25 jumping jacks before bed. Little workouts like these spread out, can have a huge impact. And make me feel a little better about myself. 

If you are struggling with something this far into the new year, might I suggest that you take it one day at a time? We don't change as quickly as we want. Things don't always happen the way we want them to. And sometimes a hard choice has to be made. But if you take one step after another, one day after the other and get through it like clockwork - it gets so much easier to see a big picture. Here is to the hope that one day I will be able to return to my normal way of being. Until then, I will do what I can to protect those I care about as well as those I have never met.

Reaching the Breaking Point

Tonight I have reached my limit of patience. Tonight I have come to the last straw. Tonight... I'm completely past taking a breath and letting it go. 

What has my knickers in a twist? My boys' homework math sheet. They are learning to tell time. Second graders, they both are. The same exact homework, they both have. Yet, it is not in the same way. My younger sons teacher sends home a front and back page to do each day. She also removes and checks his homework daily. My older sons teacher must not be able to get the same amount of paper the other teachers get. She tries to cram 4 pages onto a front and back sheet. So everything is shrunken and harder to reader. Try reading the minute lines on a clock the size  of a quarter some time. 

Tonight, however, it climaxed my wrath. I've kept the grammar nazi at bay when I saw spelling and grammatical errors. I have adjusted the errors to show my kids how it should be done properly. I have dealt with multiple choice questions where they try to trip up the kids with a couple answers that are ultimately the "right" answer and when I confronted the teachers about it, I got - "We want them to find the best answer." I have squashed the urge to scream every time my eldest sons teacher says he didn't bring in a particular homework assignment. How does she know? She never takes his homework from his folder! And where did it go if not to her?! I do homework with all my kids EVERY SINGLE DAY. Monday to Thursday. And on Friday, he has all his assignments crammed in the folder, exactly how I placed them there. I am the one removing them and trashing them on Friday afternoons. Tonight... tonight was a whole new story. Tonight they had a clock with the time showing 6:32. But none of the three answers corresponded. My younger son chose a time that was closer - 6:37. I had to tell him, that was incorrect. And that the correct answer is not any of the options available to him. 

Honestly! How can you expect children to learn to read properly if they are reading work pages that are filled with errors? How can they learn to tell time when the clocks are so tiny and the answers provided are all wrong? You can't! You are setting them up to fail. 

Then, my older son tells me that his teacher needs more pencils. I already donated a hefty stack to her class. He tells me no one has erasers. ?#!#%$#%^$$! 

 Only this time, there is no bee!

Then came the greatest problem. The bully from earlier this year is still antagonizing my children. And cursing worse than a sailor. Guess who is going to throw down with that girls parents in the morning? Final warning before I get the police involved and show them what real parenting is all about. 

So it looks like I will have to cancel my plans to go to the store tomorrow morning. Instead, I shall be at the kids' school. Voicing my grievances. And laying into the principle. I have had enough! I'm writing a list of each problem I want to voice. And next year.... I think we are homeschooling. Sadly, I can't put them in the better schools because I have to share a vehicle with my husband who works over night. I can't drive them to the Science and Technology school I so badly want them in. Or the STEM school that my friends kids are in. Otherwise, they would be there in a heartbeat. I'd be enrolling them ASAP.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

I can hardly believe that February is well underway! Time is speeding by. Which is why I plotted a list (I'm super into lists, for those who don't know). My list marks all those birthdays coming up. But I almost forgot that on top of birthdays, we have Mother's Day (and Father's Day too). I am a firm supporter of being prepared and planning ahead for those gifts. They need to sincerely mean something. They need to have thought put into them. After all, they are for special people in our lives. I also believe that gifts don't have to be expensive to be valued. But even more than that, if you are on a very tight budget like we are, you need time to "make" the gifts. Here are a few ideas for those of you looking ahead, but also wanting to save money. 

1. Watch out for rewards programs you are a member of. I received an email from My Coke Rewards. For five product codes, I got a free 8x11 photo book.

I just had to pay shipping. Similac Strong Moms had a similar offer. I had gotten a code from them for an 8x8 book. Again, I only had to pay for shipping. So I have made 2 photo books so far. Now I just have to decide whether to give both away or keep one for myself... These are wonderful ways to relive happy memories over and over again.
Mom's and Grandma's (and Nana's) all enjoy this kind of gift. For starters, it gives them something to brag with. My great grandmother was always telling me how she showed hers off every chance she got. She was a great great grandmother and proud of it! My mom kept photos of her 10 kids and 4 grand-kids in her purse. The 8x8 book is soft cover and would fit perfectly into her large purse. And these are gifts they can get multiple times in one year, every year. Why? Kids grow up. New adventures happen. New photos are taken.

2. Handmade gifts are always in style for Mother's and Grandma's. I've found recipes for air drying dough that the kids can make hand print crafts or ornaments that are one of kind.We tried this for ourselves. The dough was great. We just are not gifted in shaping it.

I made a botched owl when trying to copy this idea on Pinterest. My son asked me to help him make a Pea Shooter, but it looks more like a flat duck. My daughter made a "baby" that looks more like a failed human transmutation from Fullmetal Alchemist... But we tried! And we had fun doing it. 

3. Poetry. One year, I made a picture/poem for my Dad. I used a picture of me during my pregnancy with my first child and wrote a poem just for him. I created a collage-like piece and had it printed for him. Not everyone thinks of themselves as poets, but you might be surprised as to what you can come up with. For me, I think of the subject or the person I am writing about and to. If you can write beautiful notes in a card to them, chances are good that you might just be able to come up with something special. But even if you are not thrilled with the result, think of how they will feel at opening it? Words that came from your heart! Put a picture on one side and words on the other. Print it up and frame it. Voila! You have a handcrafted, but priceless gift. A cheat to this would be to find a magnificent quote that would make a lot of sense to them and pair that with a picture. 

4. Homemade cards are the best. Hands down. Get your kids to do the artwork. Add in a handwritten note thought of by you, or add a message you find online that is heartfelt. Glitter, pompoms, construction paper - get crafty with the kiddos! My kids love doing artwork. They love creating scenes from their imagination. What better way to honor the Moms, Grandmas and Nana's? 

5. Check your Dollar Tree store. I've heard there are blank canvases that you can get for a $1 each. They also have paints there. Kids can make art that way. Hand prints are always a favorite. Show how they grow over the years. These can also have dual purposes. I made artwork for my Mom way back in elementary school. She held on to a couple of them. Then when I got pregnant with my first child, she framed them and gave them as gifts to hang in the nursery. 

6. How much time do you spend with your parents? Grandparents? Did you know that one of the most precious gifts we have to give is our time? After all, we have such a limited amount of time. So sharing it with them is truly marvelous. Take them out for lunch. Don't rush through it. Let them pick the place. Or how about a movie? Or do both! I love going to the Alamo Drafthouse we have here. Eat and watch a movie. There are always specials going on too. Lately, I've been seeing movies coming that they offer Mondo glasses with. Collectibles, movie and food. Now that is the way to go for sure. Or what about a day shopping? My Mother and I always enjoyed yard sales, thrift stores and flea markets. We would hit any and all we came across in a single day. We had lunch together, found some pretty unique things, but most of all, we had an amazing time making memories together. Don't have money to spend? Take your Mom for a walk if she is able. Some of my favorite times spent with my Mother were on our walks. We talked as one woman to another. Laughed and got in the cardio we needed as well. Win-win! 

7. Small kids are fun to make cookies with. They can help add ingredients and make balls of cookie dough. Then enjoy them with a glass of milk and have them tell you all about it. 

8. Let your kids write a book. This not only provides an inexpensive, but meaningful gift, it also lets your children be creative. Have them write and illustrate a Mother's Day adventure. You can even write the story for them while they draw the pictures. Then, to make it long-lasting, laminate the pages before putting them together. Don't forget to have a cover page with the title, authors name and the date of when it was written. 

9. Breakfast in Bed. Not all Mom's like eating in bed, but for those that do - its easy and doesn't cost much to do for her. Prepare her favorite breakfast after letting her sleep in. Allow her to enjoy waking up slowly for a change. This can also be the way you start every Mother's Day for her. Followed by any of the other ideas mentioned in this post. 

10. This one is an unusual one that my Mom suggested. Have Mom and child swap roles for a few hours. Mom can whine and not clean anything. Then throw a fit about what she wants to eat. Why do something like this? Making memories. It is a great gift to give. And lets you have insight on the ways we perceive each other.  

11. One of the best suggestions I have heard was to get a nice looking journal. They are sold pretty much everywhere. Write down your favorite memories, recipes, or other lists of things you enjoyed most during your childhood. Your perspective will differ from hers, but they will spark memories of her own.  

12. Clean the house. I can't tell you how much I appreciate a clean house. Not having to do the laundry for a day. Not having dishes to wash. Not having to vacuum, sweep, wipe the table and counter tops, picking up toys... There are days when I wish for a break from all this - for just a day! Why not have all hands doing these chores so that Mom doesn't have to? Give her a whole day of not having to slave away for anyone else. This is a great thing to do every year. Make it a tradition! 

Speaking of traditions, it is not too late to start. Pick your favorite gift ideas and make the day the same every year. Not only will it be easy for both of you, but it gives you something to look forward to together. Let them know that you are setting aside the time and they need to as well. Then do your thing. 

Before picking things from the list to do, get to know your Mother, Grandmother or whoever you are gifting. It is only too late when she is gone. Know what she likes. Where does she like going? What hobbies does she have? This makes gifting so much easier as well as enjoyable for you both. 

These are ideas for the Moms who have everything they need and don't want for much else. Or as my Mom calls it, the Moms who have everything. Or for the ones who have the husband that get her a vacuum as a gift to celebrate the carrying and giving birth to his children... Let's face it, a vacuum might be needed, but why wait to give it as a gift for this one day of the year when you are supposed to be showing her some real love? This is a message to the guys. What are you telling her when this is the type of gift you give her? We all need to remember what Mothers Day is really about. It is celebrating the woman who has sacrificed so much. So if it something she truly needs, maybe considering getting her that anyhow, but then getting her something she alone will enjoy for her gift. This is something my own Mother has had to deal with on Mothers Day. That, or last minute gifts that were ill-planned for. Like those half-dead flowers... Seriously? And if she is on a diet and seriously wanting to get her health back in check SKIP the CHOCOLATES. Take her out to a healthy alternative restaurant. Know the woman in your life, guys. See things through her eyes. And give her a beautifully Happy Mother's Day!

Putting it All Together!

My Party Pack arrived from House Party! Super happy to finally have all the fun gear together for the Sweetest Game Day party.

Tying that in with my sons parties. Time to get it all together and ready. They sent me a Snickers football, a mini Foosball table game and some bottle cozies!

I decorated the cozies and picked up some cream soda...I also got some Skittles and made little Rainbow Seed packs to send home with the kids.

It turned into so much fun! 

I also had fun piecing together my table decoration - the Pea Shooter. What do you think of it? 

I had to add beans inside the bottom of the cup as it would fall over otherwise. 

And then I made little candy goodie bags for him to take to class and give away, using mini Snickers, Milky Way and Musketeers bars. I think he will have a great birthday this year. There is more than one way to celebrate with such great snacks as Snickers, Skittles and M&M's! 
I also used some on his cake. Had trouble getting it out the pans. Lesson learned - white chocolate chips in a strawberry cake taste great, but stick to non-stick, greased pans like white on rice... So I went from this: 

To this:

Then this:

And finished with this!

Woo! I feel quite accomplished.

30 Never Looked so Good

To be honest, I was ready to forget my birthday. We are on a tight budget. My older three kids would not be home with us. And my husband was in the middle of his work week. Plus, it falls on a Sunday. The day I try to catch up on everything before the school week floods in again. Yes, I got a little down on myself about all this. And I even argued with my husband on the pointlessness about having a birthday party when you are as old as I am. But I have come to learn a couple things from this past week. Some things I think that Moms in particular need to be reminded of.

Just because we are Moms, doesn't mean we should skip celebrating ourselves. My Mother pointed out that I am to be an example to my girls. What example am I showing? That when you become a Mom, you give up on doing nice things for yourself? 

Or how about the idea that once you reach a certain age, no one should bother being happy for your special day? Whether you are 5, 21, 30 or 99+, you should always celebrate the day you were born. Each of us should be reminded that we were, and still are, loved on that day. More so, perhaps, than any other day of the year. It is after all, our day. Reflect on the past year and what you have accomplished while holding to the joy that you have a new year ahead to do even more!

If someone wants to do something nice for you, let them. I argued with my husband on this. After all we are on a tight budget. But, after realizing that he really wanted to do something, I caved. Sure, we can't do some of the things I would really want to do, but he at least made me cupcakes. We had them with the kids and a neighbor.

My kids were glad to have cake of course. And I got to use some of my Star Wars decorations for them.

We went out to dinner thanks to my Mother-in-law. Texas Steakhouse was quite hospitable. And the food was delicious! I was glad not to have to clean up the mess. For all those who freak out at turning 30, you are overreacting. Its as good, if not better, than turning 20. Plus, I can legally drink and not worry about being carded. Enjoy it. One day at a time.

The Lesson on Curse Words

Yesterday was a typical Monday. Busy with simple things until the kids got home. Then we dove into homework, making dinner, and awaiting my husbands arrival home from school. While I was putting the final touches on dinner, I heard a word that is forbidden in our house. 

Let me just say, that my husband and I don't use curse words. Not unless there is a sudden and extreme pain inflicted. And even then, we usually scream it in our heads or say something else like "mother of fudge" or "freakin A". So, our kids are not likely to say such words without having learned them from an outside source. 

So there I am, cooking. I hear my younger son saying a word while playing a video game.

At first, I thought he was saying beach. Except it was contorted. Then my older son says, "Mom, Allen said a bad word!" I asked Allen and he acknowledged he had, but tried to say he didn't know that b*tch was a bad word. In an effort to keep my cool and get to the bottom of it all, I ask where he heard that word. Of course, he had heard it while visiting my ex husbands house. They were watching YouTube videos of guys playing video games. I also found out that when the guy playing had something unexpected happen or he lost, he would exclaim curse words. So guess what the dinner table conversation was about? You got it, curse words. We had to discuss what they were, what they meant, and why they are inappropriate and will not be tolerated in our home. We covered quite a lot of ground. My kindergartner and second graders all now know that those words are not allowed in their vocabulary. They already knew a couple of them. After all, they had dropped the F bomb on me a few years back after visiting my ex husbands family. Then another word came up after being with the babysitter. Now, they have about 95% of them known. Along with meanings, good and bad. What has the world come to? When did kids so young start hearing such language used around them?

Today, my oldest started asking about a couple other words we hadn't covered yesterday. Apparently, the bus/school bully uses some pretty heavy language. I had to explain what the MF word meant and why we don't say it. (Didn't get into too heavy detail on what the F part actually meant.) And the word A$$ brought up the tally to 95%. Why? Why are kids hearing this regularly? What happened to covering your kids' ears when you had to curse. Who remembers when that happened in the movies? My parents muted certain parts of movies when they knew a curse word was coming or made an extra loud grunting noise to sort of show it was a bad word. Are we conditioning our kids to use the language of adults and expecting they will do so the right way and when acceptable in public? 

My husband and I have become disheartened by the way things are in the world. So much so, that we have been talking about homeschooling the kids. Especially since I'm not working anyhow. We got the bullying situation under control, then were faced with ridiculous homework pages. The information they are teaching the children is not only beyond what he and I learned in school, its pretty useless. And now we have to worry about what they are hearing. And did you hear about the Mom who is facing felony charges because she put a digital recorder in her daughter's backpack to get proof on the bullying? I think that school should be investigated. What could they be hiding that they would call the police on the mom for that?! Thankfully, the school wised up and dropped the charges. 

I just don't know where to go with how things are working out for our children in the public school systems. Things have changed so drastically than when I was in there. It is more and more like a dangerous prison for kids, than an institution of learning. 

What are you thoughts and what are you dealing with? Do you think your kids should (or others') should be allowed to curse if you do?

This First Year!

Time certainly flies by. Especially when you have children. You lose track of the hours every day. Then your days go by and you question what you have done all week. Suddenly, a month has passed by, followed by another. And here I am, facing a whole year. You see, my youngest daughter is turning a year on the 19th of this month. Almost a year ago, I was in labor. Thinking I could not do it. Thinking I would fail during childbirth. My husband was my stronghold. He kept telling me how great I was doing. How I was doing it. Just hold a little longer. Childbirth is excruciatingly painful. I went into labor naturally, the night before I was scheduled to be induced anyhow. But, my little bugger still didn't want to come out on her own. It was as though she was putting her arms and legs out to the sides to hold herself in. No matter how hard or long I pushed. No matter how much they upped the dosage of the medicine meant to evict her, she was not coming out. 

Part of me panicked. I had three older children. And I wondered if I could do this. Four kids is a lot these days. I mean, I'm the oldest of 10, but it was different growing up that way. I wasn't the one raising them. I have had a lot of love and support to help though. Family and friends both have been there for us. And here we are, celebrating all those times past. 

She doesn't walk, but she doesn't let that slow her down. She can crawl, pull up and climb stairs. She climbs into my cabinets (after removing their contents). She dances when she hears music that she likes. She loves to get into anything and everything, so we have to take away and hide it all. Thanks to her, I have cleared some of the clutter zones. I had no choice. She loves all things tech-related. Controllers, remotes, phones, computers, TVs, tablets... all of it! Which is great. Her dad is an engineering student. Computers and electronics are his area of expertise. My future nerd might become an engineer after daddy's own heart. 

I might be a stay at home mom, but I am by no means lazy. I do occasional work as an Editor and typist on the side. TV binge watching or being idle don't happen unless I'm too sick, tired or in pain to move. My days are rarely spent on the couch. I have too much else to do. And most of it involves her. 

This week, my Monday was drastically bringing me down. Mondays are a busy day for me. I barely keep up with my days, but Mondays I know what I have laid out for me. I start with laundry. I clean the kitchen (if its not already done). I vacuum if needed, upstairs and down. I catch up with comments on the blog. I decide on what new posts I need to get done during the week. All this, while balancing a very active little girl. She goes where she can, gets into whatever she can reach, and has moments of Mommy Envy. Those moments are when she wants to be held and see what I am doing. I normally keep up with these things without losing my mind. I'll be tired by 5, but its a job I'm equipped for. This past Monday, however, was a little more stressful. She was sick. Stuffy, runny nose, congestion - just plain miserable. Top that with me starting my period for the month... My head hurt. My back hurt. And I was tired before I rolled out of bed. I didn't feel like doing anything. And then, there was the response I was getting from posting a GoFundMe campaign. My husband and I had talked about it. And we figured we had nothing left to lose, so why not try? But then some questions came my way. Some thoughts were tossed into my mind. And, I doubted. As my husband pointed out, I feel wrong taking because I'm a Giver. Its my "gift" (spiritual, for those who know them). I feel worthless, pathetic, lost even, when I'm having to ask for assistance instead of give it. It just isn't me. So I bombarded him with my concerns. I told him the thoughts that were tearing me apart. As usual, he had the answers that I needed to hear. The words that reassured me that I was not anywhere near what I thought of myself at that moment. And he came home with something special to remind me that he still thought I deserved and was better. 

It has made this week go by so much better. I am focused. I am driven. I am ready to embrace the next days challenges. And I'm looking forward to celebrating my baby turning 1! We plan to spend this weekend with my in-laws. We will have an early Thanksgiving Day dinner, followed by birthday cake. My kids are all growing up. And seeing her be a year old, is a huge reminder that I need to slow down a little more. I need to remember this. We all do. Life flies by, when you stop paying attention. Don't ever forget that. Don't lose time, while speeding through it.