Accepting the Challenge - Are You Strong Enough?

Today I want to get real with everyone. I got real with myself. Broke down. Cried. As strong as I have tried to portray myself... When I'm alone or when its just me and the husband, I break down. I let go of the strings and let the puppet with the smiling mask fall away. He understands. He is patient through it all. Supportive. Life, right now, is nothing near the perfect, happily ever after I may have dreamed up once. But it is also not as miserable as it could be. I have an amazing husband and our kids are growing up with happy memories. Sometimes I have to challenge myself. And today, I'm proposing a challenge to you as well. 

Accept what you cannot change, with patience.

We all have to accept certain changes. Life throws us curve balls, after all. And we get slammed in the face by them more often than we like to admit. Sometimes they knock us down. It is up to us whether we stand back up and try again, or whether we just stay down. There are so many times when I think that I should just get comfy and stay down. That I just don't have the strength to keep pushing forward. That has been when I turned to God in prayer. You aren't religious? Great! Neither am I. I'm just a follower of Christ. I have and read my Bible. I pray. I believe. That doesn't mean that I always feel happy. I don't always feel satisfied with my life. I'm learning that I have some things to accept even though I don't want to.

I've been told I need to repent for my sins. Like when Job's friends called him wicked and said that obviously he was sinning, so repent and all would be well again. (Bible reference - Book of Job) He was righteous before God, yet his children were all killed, his servants slaughtered, and livestock taken. His wife even tells him to curse God and die. Job 2:9 (No wonder Satan didn't kill her too.) At first I believed all this hardship was because of something I had done wrong. A punishment. Not anymore. 

Some days, however, I just want to fold. I tell my husband often, "Just shoot me. It'd be a mercy." His answer, "No. You can't leave me." We do it jokingly. But I would be lying if I didn't desire death sometimes. I'd be fibbing if I didn't think that I would rather lose my legs than keep fighting this pain. But then I know that wouldn't help me in the long run. I have people depending on me. Broken or not. I'm not going anywhere and not giving up the fight. Not today at least.

So hear my challenge and accept, only if you think you have the will for it. 

Get a piece of paper. Or three, depending on how you write your list. 
Your first thing to write is who would be affected physically if you were gone. How do I mean? If you died today, who would be affected? Coworkers? Spouse? Kids?  
Second list is of anyone that would miss you financially. Who do you support? Kids, spouse? Could they make it without you? 
Third list is of who relies on you emotionally. Friends, family. Who comes to you for advice? Who spends time with you when they just can't take the stress of their lives at that moment? 
Why do I suggest this? I believe that everyone in the world has at least one person out there that would miss them in some way if they were suddenly gone. More often than not, we don't realize just how much of an impact we make on others. We tell ourselves that no one would care. That's selfishness and self pity talking. It's baloney. Make your lists. Put them where you can find them. The next time life strikes, pull them out. Remind yourself why you fight. Why you can't give up. You can take the easy path. Give up. And you might feel good about yourself. But who will you hurt by doing so? I'm going to hold fast to my God. And being there for those I love.

Summer Grilling with Kikkoman

Summer is synonymous with grilling. A good time to get outside and cook while enjoying fun activities with family and friends. And even better when you experiment with new flavors. Flavors with Asian influence - such as Kikkoman! 

*Disclaimer: I was sent promotional products to share with my party friends from Kikkoman, via House Party. Everything said here is my own opinion and was not otherwise endorsed or scripted by my sponsors.*

This summer has been hot. And maybe grilling isn't as much fun unless you are getting together with family and friends. But it is the perfect time to begin trying something new. I had never tried grilling with Kikkoman until we had this party. But since I love the flavors that Kikkoman brings, I was excited to be chosen as a host and give it a try.  Kikkoman sauces have always added a burst of flavor that makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

 (I'm smiling, can you see it?)

I just love shopping!

First thing on the list is to check out their products. Our local stores keep them in what they call the Asian section. I always keep soy and teriyaki sauces on hand. One of my favorite recipes is Korean beef. My husband and oldest son also love to share in this flavorful meal. 

My party pack had an amazing pair of grilling tongs to use. They made cooking our burgers super easy. I was happy to share all these great recipe books and coupons with my guests as well as friends and family. Still have a bunch of the shirts....

We made them slider size. The soy sauce and brown sugar made them irresistible. 

My Mother-in-law said she enjoyed the extra depth from the Kikkoman soy sauce in the burgers. My husband loved the perfect match they made to our cookout. My sister-in-law said they took the burgers up a notch. It was the perfect way to spice up the grill. My boys actually told me they were "perfect" while my toddler chowed down an entire patty by herself. She only likes beef if I have cooked it Asian style, which means I have to make it with soy or teriyaki sauce. 

Overall, I think we all love Kikkoman sauces. They are a household name here! 

Our end thought was that it would be perfect for a themed luau party! We can't wait to try it again. Have you ever used their products? Notice the smoothness? The extra kick in flavor they add? What is your favorite recipe?

M&M's Were Made For Summer Parties!

I love M&M's, don't you? The perfect little treat. Either by themselves or with things. They go great in trail mixes. You can bake them into cookies and brownies. There are so many flavors to choose from. I remember growing up with only 2 - regular or peanuts. In addition to the multiple flavors, however, they also have themes. Right now, you should be noticing that M&M's, Skittles and Snickers bags are sporting red, white and blue. These can be used for fun events like your Independence Day parties! (4th of July for you millenials) 

*Disclaimer: I was sent products and promotional materials as well as a gift card to purchase M&M's from Walmart via my association with House Party. I was not otherwise endorsed or told what to say. All opinions are my own.*

During the summer, the kids are out of school. You probably have vacations or parties planned. Time to spend with family and friends. For us, we are visiting my in-laws. Grilling out and enjoying the time we have with them. What better way to accentuate good foods than to add a marvelous, yet fun, dessert? 

We decided to do just that. We made a patriotic themed rice crispy treat with the Red, White and Blue M&M's! This dish did not last long at all. And it showed off how well M&M's go with summer!

I love using and sharing M&M's. We keep them stocked in my Star Wars dispenser. Priceless gadget for keeping the kids limited and teaching just how unfair life can be with portions...

Are you an M&M's fan??

While planning this party, I found this cute game idea that I think would be fun later. What do you think? How else do you use these delightful treats?

Why Label Daddy is the Company I Go to for All My Labeling Needs!

Label Daddy is here, and just in time! Summer is around the corner. Camps, camping trips, summer vacations, and then you can't forget the back to school that comes after. All these things have something in common. Can you guess what it is? After my quick disclaimer, I can tell you what. 

*Disclaimer: I was sent this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed for this review. The words written herein are my own and were not given to me to spout to you.*

Labels keep our family organized!

Now! The fun part! Label Daddy has amazing labels. They are perfect for putting onto things that we take with us and our children to public places. Like all those things I listed above! You don't want your items being confused for someone else's. You don't want lost things never finding their way home, right? So how do we let people know? We label them! And we use Label Daddy labels to do just that in our home. Why?

• They are washable! I have washed my labeled containers after being used in my daughters classroom. I have washed blankets that the kids took on an over night trip with the labels on them. And nothing has messed them up! 
• They go on super easy, but can be removed just as easily. No sticky residue left behind.
• I love the designs! We have had various kinds over the years. And they keep adding more. My oldest son was thrilled when I got the Emoji ones for him. And my daughter has the princess ones.
• Ordering is simple. I can place a label order in less than 5 minutes. The hardest part is choosing which background to use! 

I use these on all my kids school supplies. I label my storage bins to clue me in on whose stuff is in which tote. But I found a new use. Sometimes I have to leave my baby in the nursery. And after the last time, I have decided that I need to label her cups... 

They had put a paper sticker on the cup. That was almost 2 weeks ago and I am still cleaning off residue. Definitely need something better. And that is exactly where Label Daddy labels come in. Their labels have survived my dish washer with flying colors. I also labeled my plastic food storage containers when I sent them with my kids to class. 

These labels are dishwasher safe! 

 

I ordered this set for my baby girls' things. The Medium All-Purpose ones will work on anything.

Personalized for your specific needs.  

I was a little disappointed this time around, however. Twice have I washed and dried her cup before attaching the label only to have them start peeling off in less than 24 hours. Hoping it is only because of the cup. I've used their labels for my older kids' lunchboxes, backpacks, school folders - all without a single problem. 

They have so many new options to choose from. And so many discounts offered regularly. If you are not on their mailing list, I suggest you get on it.  They will send emails of new savings and products.
Labels are not all. Label Daddy has expanded their product lines. They now have personalized fleece blankets, towels, laundry bags, wall decals, key finders, write on labels and even journals!

And the best part? You can save 25% off! 

Save 25% on Label Daddy labels for Summer Camp (or anything else you know of!) - Use code USFAMILY25 Best deal! http://www.usfamily25.labeldaddy.com

What do you need labels or personalized products for? Let me know in the comments below.