Dear Diary…..Why We Can’t Promise our Kids the Moon

Dear Diary,

Monday, Tuesday Wednesday, November (something) 2016

What to Expect When You’re Expecting said nothing about this!! Last month it was turn a pumpkin into a horse’s head (literary pumpkin decorating), this month its turn a cake into Saturn (Boy Scout Bake-Off), lol! Talk about asking for the moon! So last night we got to work…and right when we were covered in sticky rice krispies & frosting the youngest came running in blood everywhere from a bloody nose, “I might be dying” she sobbed, phone rang, darn dog took off with marshmallows, 5th grader was yelling for a charger because the iPad was dying and with it, our 3rd grader’s dream of having a Saturn cake. His immediate reaction was denial, quickly followed by doors slamming, then some crazy ideas on how we could make a ring….”mom I just want to put a ring on it!”….”you & all the single ladies, son”, lol!  Then the water works, finally followed by acceptance, yep, we went through all 5 stages of grief in that one exhausting hour. And here is the big reveal of his Boy Scout Bake-Off Saturn Cake……

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Our 3rd grader grew a lot last night, he learned that sometimes you shoot for Saturn and land on the moon…a.k.a. life is 2% what happens to you and 98% how you react. He still isn’t necessarily over the moon (see what I did there? ;)) Could I have rushed out at 10pm with all 3 kiddos in tow to get more marshmallows? Sure, but the authorities might have been called in on account of all the blood all over my youngest face, clothes, etc. 3rd grader’s red eyes, and puffy face from crying, and my 5th grader yelling about what a horrible mom I was because I let it die (the iPad)…yep, that scenario would not have ended well for me and what would my son have learned, that mom will  always fix “it”? Instead he received a good lesson in resilience, coping when things don’t go your way, and persevering…all valuable life skills that should be learned at a young age. Was it easy to watch him go through this experience, not particularly, but life wasn’t meant to always be easy, nor was parenting. It is so important that we don’t promise them the moon when they are kids. That we allow them to make their own mistakes and learn how to react appropriately when life happens….and you might just be surprised how far they will go if you let them grow. They might shoot for the moon and far exceed their own expectations and end up orbiting Saturn and it’s gosh darn ring system! 😉  

I love how multifaceted parenting becomes with each passing year. Coffee cheers to choosing joy, to seeing the humor in otherwise stressful situations, accepting all life’s challenges, allowing our children the opportunity to grow when life happens & loving our kiddos to the moon and back!

 

Giveaway: Perfect Christmas Gifts (or stocking stuffer) for Girls and Kids!

My latest obsessions, headbands & literary classics! Headbands because I adore a little something that makes it look like I actually tried to do my hair, lol! It doesn’t get any better than a messy bun and a headband. headbands

And literary classics, the kiddos and I have decided that from now on in the evenings, in addition to saying the Rosary we will be reading a chapter or two out of a classic book that has also been made into a movie. Thus, once we have finished reading said book we can have a family movie night and then discuss how the book and movie differed.

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I am happy to state that we followed through and our first book we completed was The Little Prince. Last Friday we watched the movie and then discussed the similarities and differences once everyone stopped crying, yes, it was that good! As my son stated, in-between tears, “that was the best book and movie I have ever heard and seen”. I am not going to lie, that put a huge smile on this momma’s face.

Our next book, Treasure Island….

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And check this out, in addition to the book and movie combo, Marzipantz Knit & Crochet Dolls has this adorable Pete the Pirate Doll that would be the perfect addition!!

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This is why Marzipantz Knit & Crochet Dolls shop is my pick for the perfect Christmas Gifts (or add on/stocking stuffer) for girls and kids!

Total disclosure, I have already purchased one of Marzipantz dolls, Saint Kateri for my daughter’s birthday and it is absolutely adorable!!! I am such a sucker for a book, movie, doll combination for kiddo’s birthdays and Christmas gifts.

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How lucky am I to have found a store that feeds both my obsessions, headbands & literary characters?

Luck was meant to be shared! 😉

GIVEAWAY

Marzipantz Knit & Crochet dolls is giving away one of their awesome headbands (winner picks which one)!  You can keep it all for yourself or use it as a Christmas gift, your choice…all you have to do to be entered to win is:

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1.Give Marzipantz shop some Facebook & love, www.facebook.com/marzipantzknitandcrochet    & Instagram love  www.instagram.com/marzipantzknitandcrochet

2. Share this post with a Facebook Friend.

3. Checkout the shop here, www.etsy.com/shop/marzipantz and comment below sharing what your favorite item is in the shop

Winner will be randomly selected Monday the 28th

Good Luck!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

Are you ready to make a memory that is sure to go down in history? As many of you know I have always been a HUGE proponent for giving the gift of an experience for Christmas. Giving the gift of a beautiful experience that a child can treasure for a lifetime is ultimately priceless, especially when they get to share that experience with a loved one. To this day I still treasure my first live performance show, the ballet, The Nutcracker, at Stranahan Theater with my mother and grandmother, it was seriously an experience like none other and one I enjoy sharing even to this day. My grandmother has since passed and that memory is one I cling to, getting all dressed up, chatting during intermission and the feeling of being part of something special, it was magical! And I can’t wait to share that same magical feeling with my children. The most famous reindeer of all is coming to Stranahan!!

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As a child the Christmas season didn’t officially begin in our house until that highest rated CBS Christmas special of all time, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer aired. The excitement and anticipation was always off the chart that night. My sibling and I would sit way too close to the television set, eager to see if the story may playout differently this year, but every year my eyes would tear up when they met Charlie-in- the-box on the Island of Misfit toys. rudolph_hermey_and_yukonAfter learning of the Island of Misfit Toys I remember vowing to always take good care of my toys, and for the most part, I did. As an adult I really appreciate ALL the valuable lessons hidden in that critically acclaimed show….true friendship, how our unique traits should be treasured, the importance of diversity, not bullying, responsibility, etc. Come to think of it, there are some lessons in the show that even we grown-ups might need to go back and review. And review we can!

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RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL (www.rudolphthemusical.com) is coming to Stranahan Theater!! November 25 for two performances ONLY!!!

Performance Schedule for RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL at the Stranahan Theater

Friday, November 25, 2016 1:00 PM

Friday, November 25, 2016 4:00 PM

Tickets for RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL start at $28 and are available online at http://www.BroadwayInToledo.com , at the Stranahan Theater box office, 4645 Heatherdowns Boulevard, or by calling 419.381.8851. (Looking to make this a scouting, playgroup, youth group, or club event? Group tickets of 10 or more can be ordered by calling 866.314.7687).

If you are looking for the perfect souvenir to help your child commemorate the experience then check this out……

Rudolph’s partnership with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center continues this year. A new illustrated storybook, T.E.A.M. Rudolph and the Reindeer Games, will be available this year only at the stage show performances. A portion of the proceeds from all sales of the books will be donated to PACER.

***Please Note: Theaterleague.com, BroadwayInToledo.com, and the Stranahan Theater box office are the only official sources for tickets to RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL and all of the shows in the 2016-17 Broadway in Toledo. If you purchase tickets through another source, you may pay over-inflated prices and your tickets will not be guaranteed. ***

What is your favorite scene from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?

 

Pet Wants: Perfect Present for your Four-legged Family Members & Giveaway

May 2003 on our way home from our honeymoon, after being married for only one week we made the first big commitment of our married life, we became pet parents. We picked up an adorable yellow Labrador and I instantly feel hard for that little fur ball. On the drive home we decided on a name, Deuce. As Deuce lay on my lap I soaked in all his cuteness, pondered all the fun we would have, memories we would make, and then suddenly a wave of sadness took over me. My husband inquired why I was so sad, I should be happy! And he was right, though in that moment, in the beginning of that beautiful relationship, after giving my heart to that adorable puppy, I also knew that one day he was going to break my heart.

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Fast forward 10 years, one house, four cars, one cat, and three kids later and our Deuce was diagnosed with diabetes. I felt horrible. It was my fault, I would just buy him whatever dog food, and treats, etc. were on sale. I never paid attention to ingredients, additives, preservatives, etc. That last year of his life was SO HARD to witness. I gave him his shots twice a day, he had so many accidents in the house, and he eventually lost his sight. It hurt my heart so bad to watch this magnificent dog who loved to run around and play fetch with his favorite ball suddenly deteriorate. My husband slept on the kitchen floor with him that last night, the next morning Deuce couldn’t even move, and we knew it was time, it was time to say goodbye, it was time to close that chapter, and I couldn’t help but think back to the beginning. The day we welcomed a yellow Labrador named Deuce into our hearts and that little fur ball lay on my lap, it felt like I blinked.

After losing Deuce I wasn’t certain if my heart could go through all that again. But, there definitely was a void without having a four-legged family member roaming the house. So we did it again, this time we welcomed a chocolate Labrador, Wyatt. wyatt-013dogWyatt is the most energetic, mischievous, crazy, cuddly, sweet, rambunctious dog I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He has torn up our kitchen floor, chewed through the kitchen table leg, chewed chairs, torn our comforters, gotten out a couple time, and so much more, he definitely keeps us busy; there hasn’t been one dull moment since he entered our hearts and home.

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And this time I refuse to have a diabetic dog. I am much more conscientious when it comes to the food and treats I purchase for him. He also has some food, skin, and environmental allergies, so finding food that works for him is a bit more complicated, which was why I practically lost my mind when I learned about Pet Wants. Pet Wants is a local pet food company, which makes fresh, sugar, gluten, dye, wheat, corn, & soy free pet food. And…and this is the best part, they deliver right to your door!!!

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What’s Wrong with Name Brand Pet Foods?

Most commercial pet food is manufactured in mass quantities and sent to a series of distribution warehouses before finally making it onto the shelf at your local store. There it sits…and sits…possibly for up to 6-8 months before it’s purchased for consumption. Because pet food loses its nutritional value over time, pets can ultimately end up eating a diet that’s low in nutrition and can ultimately lead to unnecessary sickness, disease and even a shortened life.

How Are Pet Wants Products Different?

Pet Wants proprietary pet food formula that has been carefully developed over the years. Since their food is slow-cooked to lock in nutrients and is made in frequent, small batches, the result is fresh and highly nutritional food. Best of all, you can relax knowing they are providing the best possible food for your pet—delivered right to your door—for the same price as most premium commercial dog foods. It’s simple. Freshness is the key to good nutrition. You and your pet will appreciate healthy, complete and balanced pet food made from fresh, all-natural ingredients. http://www.petwantsperrysburg.com/

Wyatt loves Pet Wants food and I love the peace of mind that comes with knowing I am purchasing food that is good for him, that is fresh, and contains no fillers or by-products.

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Pet Wants offers a variety of Pet foods and products, including:

  • Dog Food
  • Cat Food
  • House Made Jerky
  • Salves, Balms, & Sprays for Dogs

Giveaway

Pet Wants goodie bag filled with the following:

  • 1 bag of Pet Wants Beef Jerky Treats (Grain Free, Single Ingredient treat, great for pups with allergies or food sensitivities)
  • 1 tin of Paw Wax (helps to protect and condition pads during the cold winter months)
  • 1 12-inch Odor Free, Made in the USA, Bully Stick (Easily digestible, single ingredient, natural alternative to Rawhide)
  • 1 Medium Sized Split Elk Antler (Long lasting chew, perfect for puppies or aggressive chewers)

Total Value: $30

To enter the giveaway simply follow these steps:

1.) Show Pet Wants some Facebook love, click on link

https://www.facebook.com/petwantsperrysburg/

2) Share this post with a friend on Facebook

3) Comment stating what feline or K9 family member you will be buying a gift for this Christmas.

Winner randomly selected Dec. 2nd

 

 

 

 

 

2016 Christmas Gift Guide & Giveaway: Perfect Gift Idea for Couples

This Christmas Gift Guide is an awesome resource to help you determine the perfect gift for each of the loves in your life-family, friends, neighbors, teachers, & we can’t forget Fido, or any other furry family members. Since this season is often an overwhelming one for most I have decided to give you something fun to look forward to, how does a giveaway sound? Giveaway DEETS will be at the bottom of each post….so, without further ado…

This week’s Christmas Gift Idea is for the Couples in your life….parents, sister & brother-in-law, in-laws, neighbors, that couple in your church group, friends, etc. This gift offers them the opportunity to eat, drink, play, and watch, all under the same roof!!  And it is something both the ladies & gents will enjoy….

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The Perfect Gift for Couples: A Gift Card to Dave & Buster’s!

Why?

  • Because though everyone has the best intentions sometimes a cooking class, a night at the shooting range, and/or camping gear don’t always go over well with the couple as a whole.
  • Because Toledo now has a Dave & Buster’s!!!
  • Because what couple doesn’t need a date night?

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  • Because of the fun local flavor Dave & Buster’s added to the décor.

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EAT….

  • Because it is so nice to get a break from having to plan a meal, make a meal, & then cleanup said meal! Oh, and the food is unbelievably delicious! The menu is off the hook….they literally have something for everyone; carnivores, herbivores, and they offer an allergy friendly menu too!

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  • Because 2 for Tuesdays: $2 Tacos, $2 Select Beers, & 2 FREE Plays with $10 Power Card (open-7pm)

 

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DRINK…..

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  • Because Happy Hour is Monday-Friday 4-7pm

 

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  • Because ½ off cocktails, $2.50 domestics pints, $1 off 22oz drafts, $1 off glasses of wine & $3 off bottles of wine.

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PLAY…..

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  • Because ½ priced games on Wednesdays, Woohoo!!!! (And the possibility to win COOL prizes…this isn’t your kid’s prize options, wink-wink)

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WATCH…..

  • Because there are no shortages of screen so you can watch whatever you please! For once there will be no arguing over the remote!

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Bonus: If you offer to babysit for free the night the couple uses your gift card your gift will officially get bumped to THE BEST gift in the world!

GIVEAWAY:

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Win a $25 Gift Card to Dave & Buster’s

How to enter:

1.Share this post with a friend

2. Comment below stating which game you dominate at Dave & Buster’s….or in general 😉

Winner randomly selected November 7th

Cheers!

 

 

 

 

Friday’s 5 Ingredients or Less: Pulled Pork (Sugar-free)

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Some of the best things in life happen accidentally, and this recipe is no exception. It was the day before grocery day and all I had left was one onion, package bacon, and pork sirloin. So I pulled out my handy crockpot, plugged that sucker in, diced that onion, sliced that bacon, scored the sirloin, hit the seasonings basket, dashed a little bit of that and sprinkled a tad of this, and then prayed that it would at least be eatable come dinner time.

Fast-forward 8 hours and it was judgment time. Food was plated, family sat around the table, prayer said, and everyone took a bite. I could literally hear my heart pounding in my head. If this was an epic fail the only backup plan I had conjured up was passing the jar of peanut putter around the table and then chasing it down with ketchup or mustard, we literally had nothing but condiments left in the house. Everyone chewed and swallowed their food and then the reviews started flying across the table “Mom, this is SO GOOD!”, “Mom, you need to make this again”, “Mommy, can I have some more?”….they loved it! Even my Tween who so desperately wants to be a vegetarian and refuses to touch meat loved the pork! That dinner WIN had me grinning ear to ear. I never did tell them it was an experimental recipe and that they were my Guinea pigs, and I especially didn’t tell them that if it didn’t taste good they were going to have peanut butter and ketchup for dinner, some things are better left unsaid.

So here it is, Fridays 5 Ingredients or Less Meal: Pulled Pork……

Ingredients:

1 yellow onion

1 package of bacon

1 pork sirloin

1 Tablespoon Wildtree Rancher Steak Rub (I have purchased organic seasons before and nothing has EVER tasted as fresh as Wildtree’s, I HIGHLY recommend their seasonings. Contact Katie and she can hook you up…. http://www.mywildtree.com/katiegaster 

1 Tablespoon Wildtree Tuscan Bread Dipper Herb Blend

Instructions:

  1. Slice/cut up onion and place in Crockpotpork4
  2. Cut Bacon and place in Crockpotpork5
  3. Score Pork Sirloin and toss seasonings on top of sirloin, rub in if you wish.pork3pork6
  4. Place crockpot on high for 6-8 hours
  5. Pull apart pork right before eatingpork

 

 

Serve over coleslaw, in a bun, or by itself.pork8

This is officially our go-to meal for the Fall ….perfect for having everyone over to watch the game, Sunday meals with friends and family, or ya know, on those days when you just don’t’ want to cook 😉

 

Do you have a recipe that is 5 ingredients or less? Send it to mommyblissmarks@gmail.com and your recipe may be featured as Friday’s 5 Ingredients or Less!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizing Memories One Adoramapix Photobook at a Time (Discount code included)

I posted this a couple weeks back on Facebook……

My 1st BIG Project of the school year: Stop Storing the Past & Make room to enjoy the Present!

Problem: “You can’t take it with you when you go”. So why do I have vast amounts of nostalgic memorabilia taking up valuable real-estate throughout my home? Total confession, the moment I became a mother I also became a sentimental fool…I have kept everything, first outift thru size 3T, first/almost all- art projects, etc. But what I would really like to do with the space is have a multipurpose family area for homework, piano lessons, puzzle assembling, etc.

Solution: Take pictures of everything. Place images in a photobook chronologically. In the back of the book attach a pocket to place memory cards from that year, any video/DVD footage, and/or small paper item. And then get rid of all the “stuff” after it has been documented.

It sounds very practical right? I’ll see how well my mommy heart does with this Project. Cheers to realizing the importance of no longer storing the past but making room to enjoy the present!!

So, I began my quest. First stop, family vacation 2015, Lake House (I decided to take it easy on my mommy heart and begin with the most recent items/memories). I managed to hunt down all images, pamphlets, and children’s art work from the Annual Lake House Art Show! lakehousebook7Honestly, the hardest part thus far has been the collecting of everything and identifying the date/location.  And the easiest part, thanks to Adroamapix is the putting the book together.

Why do I adore Adoramapix, let me count the ways….

  1. User-friendly! Everything about the AdoramaPix experience is very easy. Gone are the days of complicated formatting.lakehousebook50 Adoramapix formatting is so simple my kindergartener could do it. And the variety of themes, layouts, backgrounds, etc. is incomparable. They even offer round formatting options, so cool! They think outside the box, literally! I love it!lakehousebook60
  2. Economical price points! The only thing I can’t stand more than wasting my time with irritating, frustrating, formatting issues is wasting my money! Not an issue with Adoramapix, their products are priced accordingly and there aren’t any weird add-on costs at the end. BONUS: AdoramaPix offers credits through contests, sharing, etc. that you can accumulate to go towards your next project, score!!
  3. PROFESSIONAL- The end result left me speechless!

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The quality of the photo book is like none other, the colors are so rich & vibrant color. I simply adore the fact that the thick, durable, professional grade photo paper resists fading & ensures that my photos will be just as colorful for future generations…which is HUGE for me since I am tossing most of these treasured items, in particular, the kiddos’ artwork, after I take the images.

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(This page, swoon! I ❤ this memory….I want to go back to this day. The kiddos were obsessed with watching the Shrinky Dinks shrink in the oven. Did I mention this is such an emotional process…now I know why I just threw thing in the storage room. My heart aches…they are growing too fast :() 

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(The Lake House Art Show is clearly a pajama friendly event, lol! In fact I think she lived in those PJs that week, next summer I should just pack bathing suits and PJs, lol!)

 

DISCOUNT CODE:

Looking to create a photobook? You are going to want to jump on this deal….all Mom on the go in Holy Toledo followers can get 15% off photo books from @Adoramapix! Code:photobook15 Ends: 11/05/2016 http://bit.ly/23Tm25J

 

One book down! Woot! Woot! Small victory, one photobook down and a thousand to go, lol! What photobook project are you working on? Are you one of those amazing, on-top of things, parent who is already collating images for Christmas photobooks? I so admire those parents.

 

Worst Marriage Advice EVER!

I was at my wits end! My husband and I had had one of those epic arguments where we totally lost focus mid-disagreement and suddenly reverted back to adolescents. We were no longer attacking the issue but rather, each other’s character. It didn’t take us long to annihilate each other with our cut throat, dagger through the heart kind of words. We each walked away feeling entirely defeated, deflated of hope, and wounded. What I needed was a good friend’s shoulder to cry on, help mend my wounds, and offer some sound advice on my journey back to adulthood. What I received ended up being much the opposite, in fact I would say it is probably the WORST marriage advice I have ever received!

Read more

What does a mom do with all her free time once her kids are in school?

Finally the answer to the question man has been longing for since the beginning of time! What does a mom do with all her free time once her kids are in school?

This post is dedicated to all those dear souls, who since the beginning of time have so desperately wondered just what it is that moms do once all their kids are in school. I suppose we have managed to keep up the charade long enough, it is time to reveal the wizard, so-to-speak. I am officially pulling back the curtain and exposing one of the deepest secrets of all time. I am almost certain this post will permanently ban me from any future meetings of the, Private Moms’ Society, better known as PMS, but y’all are worth it. You deserve to know the truth!!

The following is a true story, a story about a Mid-West mother who embarks on one of the hugest milestones of motherhood yet, the dropping off of all her children at school, even the youngest. Just what is it that she will be doing all day? Here is her story in her own words, we beginning in the dining room of her West Toledo home where breakfast is underway.

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This morning my momma heart was firing off a multitude of emotions; excitement, apprehension, joy, sadness, etc. I needed to calm my emotions and re-center my heart so I could be a sounding board for my Kindergartener on her first day of school. And there is nothing on this earth that can calm this momma’s heart faster than my Holy Mother. So, in order to calm everyone’s nerves we said a few Hail Mary(s) over our waffles. We prayed that God send down his angels to watch over everyone today and then I packed up my heart and soul and drove it over to school.  

 

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Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. Elizabeth Stone

As I walked my youngest into her Kindergarten classroom I could feel the lump forming in the back of my throat. Then my allergies must have flared up because my nose started running. As I looked down at my Kindergartener my eyes went blurry and my vision was officially obscured because all I could see was a newborn, how am I supposed to drop her off? My epidural hasn’t even worn off yet?

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss

As I made that long lonely journey back to the car my heart took an unexpected detour. I wiped away the tears and smiled. I came to the realization that I should not be sad because a chapter has ended but happy because it happened. How blessed I am to have had the opportunity to first of all, have children, and secondly, healthy children, and to have been able to stay at home with them, I decided right then and there that I shall count my blessings.

“Every positive thing in your life represents a single unique blessing. Every negative thing in your life has the opportunity to become a double blessing. For when you turn a negative into a positive, you gain twice. You are no longer burdened with the negative situation, and in addition to that you are strengthened by a new positive force”. Ralph Marston

Refreshed with a new take on this glorious day I celebrated this new chapter by doing something I haven’t done in ages, I tuned the radio WAY up and sang at the top of my lungs. The only thing bigger than my voice was my smile, I had been focusing so long on having to say goodbye to the past that I forgot to welcome and rejoice in the future.

“The future starts today, not tomorrow”. Pope John Paul II

Once home I did something I haven’t done in 11 years, I worked out with NO interruptions! Turns out you can work up quite a sweat when you complete the entire session. I might actually get fit and toned this year, MIGHT! 😉

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Then, while still feeling the effects of those natural endorphins, (I was seriously on cloud nine, and ready to conquer the world) I decided to make a list of all the things I would accomplish this school year, I made my 2016-2017 School Year Resolutions! (I will be addressing this more in next week’s post). And then I spent a couple hours working…writing some articles, catching up on potential projects, etc.

After that I started to feel a bit light headed. Turned out it was past lunch time, weird, without a little one to tell me their tummy was hungry I totally didn’t realize mine was, lol!

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Lunch; let me tell you, I forgot what it felt like to actually taste, chew, and finish a meal without getting up. I felt like a Queen! Lol!

After lunch I decided to channel my inner Martha and baked some cookies for the kiddos to have as an after school snack.

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“Now that the children are in school I can finally be the mom I have always longed to be…I have more patience, I can recollect words and complete entire thoughts, I bake, and my house is clean, why I am just a modern day June Cleaver, lol!” -Kat-

I have to be honest, those 6 hours kind off passed quickly once I had a new outlook on this Chapter in my life. Don’t get me wrong, I did miss hearing the giggles coming from the other room, the multitude of princess wardrobe changes throughout the day, and the random snuggles. But my head has almost entirely come to terms with this new chapter, now my heart is a different story, it is going to need much more time to get used to this transition.

Well, there you have it folks, now we know just what it is that a mom does with all her free time once her kids are in school. Juicy stuff, lol!

How was your back-to-school transition this year?

Discounted Photo Books!! Eeeek! (Promo code included)

We have had an absolute BLAST this summer! All our travels, road trips, all the amazing people we have had the opportunity & pleasure to meet, delicious foods we have eaten, and magnificent time together as a family deserves to be commemorated and treasured for always! I have the best intentions of one day printing off all those pictures and scrapbooking our adventures. But in the meantime, before we retire yet another computer before printing off all the pictures (true story, we are going on computer #3) I am going to get by with a little help from AdoramaPix!

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AdoramaPix helps people turn their digital photographs from abstract computer files into beautiful keepsakes designed to last a lifetime. Their custom photo books display captured memories in rich color and vibrant detail.

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Thick, durable, professional grade photo paper resists fading & ensures that your photos will be just as colorful for future generations. The binding is lay-flat, so even panoramic images can splash across two pages without any separation (I am envisioning a sweet Panoramic pic of the family in Lake Michigan). Memories deserve to live in a stylish, archival home with AdoramaPix photo books.

 

Shop NOW: http://www.adoramapix.com/app/customize-book/

And I am totally sharing this sweet promo with y’all!!15% off photo books. Use code: PhotoBook15. Sale ends 11/05/2016 11:59 PM EST

I know it seems too early to be thinking about Christmas but just imagine how awesome it would be if you already had some of your Christmas shopping completed before October, WHAT!?! Photo books make awesome grandparent gifts as well as gifts for the kiddos!! (My kiddos so enjoy looking at pics of themselves…not sure what that says about them as people, but, at least I know they will enjoy the photo book).:)

Alright, I am off to work on my photo book….just need to find some sappy music & tissues, possibly a glass of wine, this could get emotional. Why must time go by so fast? WHY!?! (sniffle sniffle)  I will totally be sharing mine once it arrives, please feel free to do the same!

Cheers, to commemorating memories!! (And holding back the tears).