January 17, 2020 Leave a Comment

Cleaning Out the Clutter in 2020

The start of a new year and a new decade are upon us. I still can’t believe that it is 2020- where did the time go? I think the new year is a great time to reflect and make goals that you want to accomplish over the next twelve months. There is something about the month of January that makes me want to declutter my life in every way- my house, car, mind and soul. I love to hit refresh and take a deep breath while leaping into the new year with a fresh mind and heart. One of the things that I would like to work on first is cleaning out the clutter in my house. Being a wife, mom of three young kiddos and business owner keeps me really busy. It is easy to put every day tasks to the side while I am busy raising my kids, making meals, running errands, going to church and keeping up with my amazing friends on social media! 😉 I will always be the girl who will trade cleaning my kitchen to snuggles with my hubby and kids. Sometimes that can lead my home to get a bit cluttered. I have been working on ways to keep myself on track and be better organized around the house. Check out some of the things that have helped me so far this year and let me know if you have found some tips and tricks that you find helpful!

1. Donate Old Toys

Getting rid of toys can be a tricky job. I find I am only successful if my kids are in bed or not home. It doesn’t matter how long the toy has been sitting unused- the moment they fear it will be given away is the moment they grow a new attachment to it. Toys can take up a lot of space and be dust collectors, especially stuffed animals! I like to go through and find the ones that have been neglected for months and put them in a box to donate. I would much rather get rid of them and know some other kid is getting enjoyment out of them!

2. Clean Out Your Closets

I admit that I have a hard time letting some of my clothes go. After all, everything makes a comeback eventually in fashion, right? With that said, this year I am going to go through mine and my kids closets to see what I can part with. If the pieces are in good enough shape, I will donate them to someone else who can get some wear out of them. This is also a great opportunity to reach out to a friend who might have the same style as you or kids who can use some new clothes. Hand me downs are always awesome, especially with fast growing children!

3. Organize the Junk Drawer

We all have that one drawer- right? The one that is the catch all for everything random. Don’t know where this thingy should go? Toss it in the junk drawer! It’s all fun and games until you can no longer find anything or get the drawer shut! Take twenty minutes to go through the drawer and organize it or toss things that are no longer used.

4. Recycle Catalogs and Magazines

I definitely enjoy reading most of my articles on the internet now. However, I still find the occasional magazine or catalog creep their way into my house. I find myself saying I will sit down and look at them soon, but soon never comes. Toss those things in the recycle bin and get them out of your way!

5. Toss Expired Food

Anyone else have that old jar that gets pushed to the very back of the fridge and forgotten about? After a few months I find that there are quite a few that join it and start to takeover the space on my shelves. Take a few minutes to go through your refrigerator and pantry to check expiration dates. It’s always a nice help when I get some cleared up shelf space!

6. Scan Paperwork

There are certain things we like to save and store away in our filing drawers. However, I am noticing the drawers are becoming a little full. We live in a much more paperless world and I am going to try to climb on board. Take one hour a week to scan your documents on your computer and then save them to a flash drive or your cloud. This will make more room in your office space and won’t take up space on your computer.

7. Throw Away Expired Prescriptions and Medicine

I have a basket where I like to keep all of our medicines and prescriptions. I am definitely guilty of tossing the bottles into the basket once we are done using them and then forgetting about them. Check with your local health department and see when they are having a prescription take back day. This is the safest way to dispose of any old medicine you may have laying around.

8. Have a Garage Sale

Sometimes I come across items in my house that I no longer need but are in excellent condition. Instead of throwing the items away, place them all aside until you have enough to have a garage sale. This is a great way to make some extra cash and the kids usually love to be a part of helping!

9. Purge Expired Makeup

Unfortunately, makeup products do have an expiration date. It can be hard to part with that beloved shade of eyeshadow that you have had for years and have only used a few times. However, make sure it is not expired or you run the risk of bacteria growing in it. Toss it out and treat yourself to some new shades when Ulta or Sephora are having a good sale!

10. Schedule One Task a Day

Running a household can get overwhelming at times- there is always so much to do! Instead of stressing on trying to get the entire house decluttered and clean in a day or weekend, schedule it out over a month. Write down one thing you want to get organized or clean each day and take your time doing it. This will help you do a thorough job and not get burnt out.

November 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

6 Things To Do with Your Spouse After the Kids Go Down

Love my kids. So much. But they consume a lot of time and energy to the point that all day long, my husband and I are at their beck and call. The only alone time we seem to get nowadays is that brief window after the kids go to bed. Here are some things to do with your spouse after the kids go down (besides Netflix and, you know…”chill”) that can make that brief window fun and meaningful.

6 Things You Can Do with Your Spouse after the Kids Go Down

1. Give foot rubs

One year, my husband jokingly made a New Year’s resolution to rub my feet every single night for 365 days. Although he may have missed a few days here and there, it quickly became the very best part of my day. We’d sit on the couch together (when do you have the time to do that during the day?), he’d rub my feet, and we’d just talk. Next year, I think I’ll return the favor.

(P.S. I love this lotion. We’ve gone through many bottles of it!)

2. Check out new music

Another thing we like to do when the kids go down is check out new music together. We’ll share AirPods, check out what’s new from our favorite artists on YouTube and spend an hour or so just being “real people” again.

3. Couples stretching

How often do you take the time to stretch? If you’re like me, it’s near to never and my husband and I are good to squeeze a workout in, but terrible about stretching. But did you know how important a good stretch is? It has amazing benefits.

My husband and I recently instituted something we call Sunday Stretch. After the kids go to bed, we get out this book and go through the stretches together. There are some great couples’ stretches that are insanely relaxing and give you the physical contact you need to feel close and connected.

4. Start a book club, just you two

With the convenience of streaming services, it’s easy to get into the comfortable rut of show surfing. But if you’re looking to shake it up and increase try something meaningful together, start a book club. The only two members should be you and your spouse. Read the same book (try these Pulitzer Prize books) and then talk about it.

5. Critique movies

To be completely honest, sometimes my husband and I are so beat from a long day or week that all we want to do is lay down and watch a movie together. And that’s great! But sometimes we waste time just searching for a movie to watch.

Instead, turn movie watching into something more. Become a Siskel and Ebert. Start with a list of notable movies (like Shawshank Redemption, Forest Gump, and Schindler’s List). Create a grading system and rate each movie you watch.

6. Late night treat delivery

This has become one of our favorite things to treat ourselves. When the kids go down, we’ll order fresh cookies from a local cookie delivery business or have Uber Eats deliver a desert or appetizer from our favorite restaurant. It feels like a secret, something the kids don’t know about and you don’t have to share.

So spice it up! Turn dead time into quality time with a few of these things to do with your spouse that require very little effort but yield a noticeable difference in your relationship.

July 30, 2019 Leave a Comment

Summer Activities That Mom Will Love, Too

Summer break is in full swing. I recently wrote a blog that shares some tips on how I help make summer break a success in our house. However, if your kids are anything like mine, their attention spans can be short and I’m constantly on the hunt for new things for us to try. I always love doing all the fun, crazy and silly things that keep them laughing and exploring, but I will admit that there are some things I like doing more than others. Surly I am not the only Mom who cries a little bit on the inside when they ask to make slime or decorate something in glitter! I think my carpets and floors will forever have a sparkle to them. However, there are some activities that we have tried this summer that have been thoroughly enjoyable for the kiddos and me. If time allows you to, give some of these a try and let me know how it goes!

Outdoor Fun

It is no secret that Cody and I love to be outdoors. I am so glad we are passing that joy down to our children. Some of our best memories from this summer are when we are outdoors playing.

Hairdresser

Any other ladies love having their hair played with? It is so relaxing and luckily my daughter loves to do it! We set up a pretend hair salon and I gladly take on the role of being her muse.

Bake or Cook

Yes- this one can get a bit messy, but I love to have my kids helping me out in the kitchen. Since we are already creating the mess, I try to have us make something that we can take advantage of eating throughout the week. They love to learn new recipes and get excited when Daddy comes home to try our newest creation!

Outdoor Movie

Movie time is always fun. I love to snuggle up as a family and laugh. During the summer, it can be a really nice change of pace to have a movie night outside. Gather neighbors and friends, find someone with a projector, and grab lots of pillows. All that is left to do is sit back and relax!

Scrapbooking

I know most people do not print out pictures like they used to. If you are like me, all of your photo albums are now stored on your phone, but I do still love going through old family photos from when I was younger. My kids also enjoy when I take time to print out pictures of them and put them into a scrapbook. It gives them a fun craft to work on for the afternoon while preserving something that will hopefully be really special to them one day.

Reading

We are big fans of going to the public library and picking out books to read. One of my favorite things to do with the kids is finding a book that is fun and appropriate for all of them and reading together as a family at night. We look forward to picking up on the next chapter every evening and seeing where the story is heading!

Volunteer

I have always enjoyed helping others and I love that we are instilling these values into our kids. I do not think they are ever to young to learn the importance of lending a helping hand to someone who is in need. Check out your local resources to find volunteer opportunities that would be appropriate for you and your kids to try together!

April 12, 2019 Leave a Comment

5 Self-Care Secrets That Will Save You in the Trenches of Motherhood

The trenches of motherhood—I’m there. I understand sleepless nights when the baby is teething and crying all night long, and the second you finally get him to sleep, and crawl into your own bed, your toddler wakes up crying from a bad dream.

I get days when you don’t brush you teeth because quite frankly, there were a million other more pressing things, like changing a blowout diaper or passing out fishy crackers, and then vacuuming crushed fishy crackers from the carpet. Motherhood is hard and comes with very little recognition, but it is also amazing when your baby smiles, I mean really smiles at you for the first time because he knows you’re his mama.

When you’re in the trenches of motherhood, self-care is vital. It will save your sanity and give you the strength to mom on. If you’re not already making these self-care strategies part of your routine, now’s a perfect time to start.

5 Self-Care Secrets That Will Save You While in the Trenches of Motherhood

1. Proper Nutrition

Whatever you put inside your body directly affects the way you feel. Period. As tempting as it is to get a quick spike of energy from a candy bar or soda, you’re much better off sticking to proper nutrition and upping your water intake. Plenty of fruits and veggies will give you the natural vitamins and minerals your body needs to tackle each day. Nuts like cashews, raw almonds, and pistachios are a perfect snack and will give you a protein boost.

My favorite way to get a punch of nutrients and protein in one yummy snack is my famous green shake. I’ll have one for breakfast or lunch and stay full and energized for hours. Try this delicious shake to set your day off on the right foot

Famous Green Shake Recipe:

12-14oz of water
2 big handfuls of organic spinach
3/4 C wild blueberries
2 Tbsp chia seeds
1 scoop Lean
1 scoop Recover
Ice

I call it my “green shake” because of all the organic spinach in it, but the blueberries will actually turn the shake a brilliant shade of purple! Blend all the ingredients together in your blender and enjoy! I blend mine up in a Blendtec.

2. Take Time To Exercise

If there is one thing you should never, ever stop doing, it’s exercise. No matter what type you prefer, make exercise a habit. Don’t use the “business” of motherhood as an excuse to skip a workout. Only you can make it happen. Moms who exercise regularly are happier (thank you endorphins!), healthier (exercise does wonders for your heart, brain, skin, bones, and muscles), and have more energy to help them get through the day.

Weight training is one of the most effective activities you can do to boost your metabolism, lose weight, and increase strength and muscle tone, especially as you age. After gaining over 50 pounds with my third baby, I lost 26 pounds with the Ladyboss trainer. It’s basically like having a personal trainer on your phone who walks you through a weight lifting routine each day. It’s great for people like me who don’t always know what to do when they get to the weight room.

One thing I love about Ladyboss is that everything is right on your phone. Daily gym workouts, resistance training to do at home if you can’t make it to the gym that day, meal suggestions, and grocery lists. Literally everything you need at your fingertips to live a healthy lifestyle.

Catch our body transformations in our weight loss Facebook group. (It’s private, but just request to join and we’ll let you in!)

3. Nourish Your Natural Beauty

There’s just something about pampering yourself that makes all of those dirty diapers and mommy-sacrifices worth it. One of the greatest things you can do for yourself and your skin is an at-home facial. Let’s face it, moms rarely have the time to go to the spa, but here are some things of the top self-care treatments you can do at home to feel papered and nourish your natural beauty:

Do an exfoliating mask. This Aztec mask is amazing. I rave about it all the time and with over 16,000 reviews, I’m not the only one.
Take care of your skin now. Start now with daily SPF, and anti-aging serums and moisturizers. The best thing I did in my late 20s was start a consistent skincare routine.
Give yourself an at-home manicure. My hair can be thrown in a top-bun and I can have zero makeup on, but if my nails are done, all is right in the world. Cute nails make you feel good and sometimes that small detail is a big deal. These new nail dashes are so much fun and so low-maintenance.

4. Feed Your Passion

When you become a mom, it’s easy to push aside passions you had before motherhood. Moms put everyone else first and tuck away those dreams they had of starting a business, running a marathon, or writing a novel. The result is that feeling that every mom has felt—that feeling of “losing yourself.”

One big secret that will save you while in the trenches of motherhood is to feed your passion. Moms who don’t end up feeling lost, unhappy, or like they’ve missed out on life. No matter what your passion is: running, reading, yoga, traveling, etc., create a space for it in your life.

5. Experience Daily Silence

Quiet moments are few and far between when you’re a mom. Even the bathroom isn’t a safe place! Kids will find you wherever you are and that’s why it’s important to not only carve out a little time for silence, but to also recognize and relish that silence when it happens.

Take a few minutes each day to be quiet—write in a journal, meditate, pray, or just take a drive alone. The silence can be therapeutic, even if it is fleeting. I like to find the cleanest room in my house (#momlife) and use a meditation app called “headspace” to bring focus and center myself while the baby naps or at the end of the day.

Mothers, your job is the most important in the world and your family depends on you to be healthy, happy, and strong. You are beautiful, you are amazing. You got this mama!

January 14, 2019 Leave a Comment

4 Resolutions That Will Calm the Crazy This Year

The new year is a time to regroup, reenergize, and resolve to make a change. You may have one major goal in mind or a series of smaller ones. There may be new ideas to adopt or old habits to toss out. The truth is, if you’re craving more zen in your daily life, here are a few things to try.

4 Resolutions That Will Calm the Crazy This Year

1. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity.

To quote Henry David Thoreau, the writer and philosopher who left his life behind and went to the woods to get back to simple living:

“Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.”

Today, many of our affairs are a hundred or a thousand. We say yes to every favor, responsibility, and extra-curricular activity, skyrocketing our stress level and taking time away from the people and things that matter most.

This year, live by the mantra, simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. If this means saying no more than you say yes, do it. If it means missing spring soccer tryouts, that’s fine. You will be happier when your accounts fit on your thumb nail than on a mile-long to-do list.

2. Get rid of a bunch of stuff.

This year I am purging my home and my life of all the things that have accumulated over the years. I’ve found that “stuff” does not bring happiness, and on the contrary, too much of it invites turmoil.

When I can’t take two steps into my kids’ rooms because of excess toys scattered around, I get cranky. Cluttered closets and bursting junk drawers make me feel just as disorderly on the inside as things are on the outside. This year I’m tackling every room in my house, picking up every item, and asking myself:

Does someone need this to live?
Does this bring true joy?
Would I be okay if this was gone from my life?

3. Meditate every day.

Cartoons may depict meditation as sitting cross-legged, arms outstretched chanting “Hmm, hmm,” but there’s nothing loony about it. Meditation has been around since around 1500 BCE and everyone from Buddhist monks to modern-day moms can use it to de-stress and live each day with more focus and intention.

Meditation takes many forms. Beginners can meditate for a few minutes, then work up to greater lengths of time; some pros can meditate for hours!

For me, I’m striving for ten minutes of meditation daily, mid-day while the baby naps.

4. Positive affirmations…because you can.

Affirmations are positive statements that silence the inner critic that says, “You’re not good enough. That’s too scary to try. Someone else could do it better than you.”

It’s self-talk that can get you out of a slump, get you to try something out of your comfort zone, and realize that you have a ton to offer. This year, incorporate positive affirmations into your daily life. Replace I can’t statements with things like:

I have the creativity it takes to do this.
This is hard, but I can get through it.
I am really good at what I do.
Here’s what I bring to the table.

Allow room for simplicity and positivity this year and you’ll notice a huge difference.