Something Bright and Clean

We have been on wait for a house that we hope to become our home very soon. Meanwhile, I've been waiting on some home projects so I can match new things to my possible new home. Well, I was going crazy with waiting to recover my dirty, dingy, absolutely disgusting dining chairs. Poor things have been through 5 1/2 years of torture and torment from my 4 children, as well as lots of visits from friends and family. It was time for me to change them and I couldn't stand the wait any longer.

So, I called up one of my good friends and we headed out to the fabric store in search of something bold, bright, and fun. She pushed me toward the fabric I was a little afraid of, but was totally drawn to. After lots of staple removing, and a few trips to Home Depot, here is what we have.....



For my sanity, I covered them first with the fabric and next with a plastic covering. This way I can wipe them clean and not be a stressed out mommy when the spills began. Yes, I said that right. We already had our first spill only minutes after completion and it wiped right off :)

Christmas Creations

I've been staying busy putting together some fun Christmas projects. This one I created using inspiration from pinterest, and just made it my own. I added the chalkboard paint so the numbers can be easily changed as more children are born.




I've also been doing some sewing projects for Christmas gifts. I love the feeling of creating gifts for other people. What a wonderful time of year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I love the joy the season brings as we think of others and focus on those things we are grateful for.

Organization=Sanity!!!

So mommies out there. If you haven't been on pinterest lately, just let me warn you, its more addicting than facebook! I love it!!! I've been finding tons of great ideas on there including home decorating, crafts, hairstyles, recipes, and tons of other stuff. I have to say I think the one I am addicted to the most are the fabulous ORGANIZATION IDEAS!!! Maybe its because my house is small so I have to use every nook and cranny functionally or maybe its because I have 4 children and a husband who I am constantly picking up after?
I found a great post on organization I thought I would share. I do some of these things and it makes a world of difference, so here's the link. Maybe it'll help you too :)

http://organizing.yourway.net/10-things-to-do-everyday-to-stay-organized/#sf

Getting back into it

Summer is officially over. I was a horrible/the best mom ever by having my kids miss their first 2 days of school in order to complete the family vacation we had planned before the school let us know what the start date would be. Now that I'm done pouting over the whole situation of summer being over, I am trying to remember/relearn this whole routine mom thing.
The first day of school was simply a nutty day. Trying to figure out where, how, and when to pick up and drop off the kids from school and Hudson starting tiny tots for his first time. Now carpools are running smoothly, and I am working on having a healthy snack ready for when the kids get home (today was zucchini bread, about 1/2 healthy 1/2 yummy!). I also try to have at least 1/2 of dinner prepared so I can sit and focus on homework with the kids.
It is absolutely strange to me that for 3 hours on Tues and Thursday I only have one child with me. Funny how when I had my first child I felt so tied down with a toddler, but now with ONLY 1 toddler to deal with I feel like I can conquer anything. My hardest thing is deciding what wonderful thing I want to do with those 3 magical hours. Should I workout, shop, clean the house, prepare meals, craft, visit teach, work on church stuff, just relax, or ....... the list can go on forever!
I have a lot of figuring out to do still. Funny how each new year brings on so many changes. How long is a routine really a routine? With children always growing, life is always changing and priorities change too.

So, my job this next couple weeks is to figure out what my best routine is, so my family's days can flow calmly and smoothly. Have you picked up any new routines with this new school year? Anything working great for you?

I made it!

So, I made it through my vacations with no excess weight gain! Its pretty amazing what you can accomplish when you have your mind set. I still have 1/2 of the summer to go, but I'm proud so far of how I am doing. It wasn't so hard to hit the gym when I got home since I had continued it when I was away from home.

How are you spending your summer days? Enjoying time with the kids and family?

How are you finding a way to fit in exercise and healthy eating with all the vacations and time with the children?

If you are struggling: try setting a goal to improve a little at a time. It can be something simple, like only eating dessert 2 times a week instead of 5 ;) Or fitting in at least 2 days of exercise a week. Make a small goal and set your mind to it. Good luck! Please share.

Exercising while on vacations

We just got back from a week vacation away with the family. I have been so concerned that I would falter this summer on my exercising, but it has been quite the contrary. Being with other people that love to exercise and make it a priority has made all the difference.

During my week vacation I made it to 1 kickboxing class at the local 24 hour fitness, Ran/did elliptical twice for about 40 minutes and combined that with a few weights, and did a P90X video with my hubby and bro in law. So, on a week vacation I fit in 4 workouts! Its really amazing how when you make something a priority you really can fit it in. Instead of feeling horrible when I came back from vacation, I felt great!

So....Survival tips for vacations,

#1 Make exercise a priority
#2 Surround yourself with people who enjoy exercise or be the motivator! (Everyone will thank you later)
#3 Enjoy the relaxation but do not over indulge in the food.

Good Luck with your summer vacationing!!!

Saving money

I love learning and trying new things. I think its so fun to educate myself and see how far I can take myself in new explorations. I think exploring is a healthy thing to do :) My newest little "hobby" is couponing and saving my family money. Most hobbies take a few extra dollars, so its pretty fun that this hobby is actually saving us tons on our grocery bill!

I would not call myself an extreme couponer~as I only purchase one paper per week and shop only maybe twice a week, but still its been fun and exciting to see those savings.

For example: Last week one of my best transactions(its often best to do multiple transactions at one store), I scored 2 gallons of milk, 2 dino gogurts, a danimals drink 6 pack, and yogurt 6 pack for.....

$2.19!!!!

This week I took a picture of my loot, so here it is

8 boxes of fiber one bars, 4 bottles Sweet baby BBQ sauce, 2 Kraft dressings, 9 lawry's marinades, 1 frenches mustard, 1 Kraft Mayo, 1 gallon milk, 1 knudsen sour cream, bag of twizzlers, and 7 boxes of brownie mix

All for $16.80!!!!

I stuck to stuff that we buy on a normal basis so I feel like I'm only buying things I normally would. The fiberone bars alone would have cost me more than that amount had I bought them at Walmart where I usually shop, so I figure everything else on the counter is just bonus and free. My pantry is starting to burst out the seams and I've spent less in the last month in grocery shopping than I do on a normal month. Its amazing!!!!