ME

I do not do everything right
I try but often fail at putting God first
My boys don't always listen
I lose my temper
I don't always eat right
I don't always make my boys do their chores
My boys yell and fight
I forget about school pictures
I've put a movie on for my boys so I can have a few moments of peace
I don't take a shower everyday
My boys leave the house looking dirty and messy
My laundry pile is overflowing
I go to bed with a dirty kitchen sometimes
We show up at soccer late
There are crumbs all over my floor
I don't show people how much they mean to me
I make excuses to not workoutI don't call my friends enough
We try to live without but sometimes I want more
I am real just like you.{grin}

I just thought you should know. 

Work it Wednesday- Finishing the Race.

No one remembers how you started the journey of getting healthy. No one remembers that it took you months or even years to actually convince yourself it was time. No one knows the frustration, tears and sweat that went into each and everyday. You know what they remember? What they see. They see the way you finish the journey that you started for yourself. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses ever. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

So keep going. Don't Give Up. If you fail one day pick yourself back up and try again the next day.

{Super excited to announce the winner of the Jillian Michael's DVD was comment #6. Congratulations Becky from The Beckster's Blog!!}   

10 Things That Make Me Smile

I woke up this morning feeling very blessed with this life that I have been given. Thought I would share 10 things that make me smile on this crisp early morning.

1. Checking on my angels before bed every night and seeing that Mason has snuck into  Brady's room and is snuggled up next to him.

2. The look on sweet baby Cole's face in the morning when he is standing up in his crib and sees me for the first time. Every morning it's that same look. A feeling that is indescribable.  

3. Diet Coke {enough said} 

4. The after you cut your hair feeling.

5. Giving to others far more than they every could of imagined.

6. The feeling of getting into my bed after my mom has made it. {Yes, I know I am thirty but sometimes she still makes our bed} Don't judge please.

7. Cuddling up to watch one of my favorite TV shows.

8. Laughing so hard your face hurts.

9. The clean scent of my hubby after being in the shower.

10. Those moments when you just feel God had you in the right place, at the right time and you actually listened to what you were supposed to do.

When is the last time you took a second to just... stop. breath. reflect. smile? Think about it. What makes you smile on this Tuesday morning?

This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda ...Go check it out!

Still

... amazes me

... captivates me

... fills me with joy

... beyond measure

... madly in love with my not so baby boys

I Crave It.

Do you hear that? .......Ok, good neither do I. Silence has become a trusted friend of mine over the past 5+ years. I used to absolutely hate it, it used to make me feel vulnerable and lonely at times. Oh, but now... I crave it. I cherish it. I dream of it. I need a little in the middle of each day and after my sweet boys put their heads on their pillows and drift off to sleep. You know? Those moments where the pitter pat of little feet and the little voices finally stop. The swinging of swords and the throwing of footballs are no more. Those are the moments that help me recharge myself and causes me to appreciate the fact that I have been richly blessed with a lot of noise.

Birthday Stress 101

Help Please.

I can't sleep and if I do I am dreaming of party streamers, balloons, screaming children, pinatas, candy, goldfish, what table clothes to use, what colors will look the best together, what food to have and who to invite. When I finally wake up from this reoccurring nightmare I have hives. It's just not good.

Here at our castle we always make birthdays a big deal. The boys look forward to their birthday partays every year. Starting in October we have one birthday a month. Why are all of my kids born around the same time? Mason has been asking seriously EVERY morning if it's his birthday for the last month. He knows it's soon and this sweet little love is jacked and so ready to get his partay on.

We usually rent out the Y every year. It works out great and the kids seem to enjoy it. Here's the problem, there could potentially be a lot of kids. Are you shocked? These boys take after their mom, they are like rock stars.

I kid. I kid.

We keep going back and forth about joint partays. In the past we have done all of them together but last year there was a crap ton of kids. So, being the brilliant one I am, I am thinking it may be time to do separate partays. We had each kid tell us who they wanted. Mason's list was all girls. Shocker. While Brady decided he was having NO girls and ONLY boys. Then they both decided they would invite everyone and have one big shindig. Awesome.

Hives. Hives and more hives.

Their birthdays are only 2 1/2 weeks apart. Hm. Two birthday partays versus one. Only have to get food once, goldfish once, one pinata. (saving money right?) So, it's fine but holy stressin me out. I need some ideas for where to have this Birthday Shindig. Most likely it will be the Y again. Most likely it will be over the top crazy again. Most likely I will not get rid of these hives until the PARTAY is over.

It's alot of pressure to put on a girl. I can't let them down; a whole year of anticipation is riding on this.

Sigh.

Any suggestions? Themes? Where to have it?

Work It Wednesday- Biggest Loser

You have to do more than just WANT to lose weight you have to EARN it.  

I LOVE this. I was watching the Biggest Loser (shocker) when I heard this. Think about it. Everyone wants it but too often we don't earn it. We cut corners, we put our kids, spouses, jobs, laundry, dinner, grocery, yard work, fear of failure in front of what we NEED to do. I have said it a million times but it doesn't matter if you have 0 amount of weight to lose or if you have 200 lbs to lose. YOU have to really earn it. That means getting your butt off the couch and doing something about it.  There will be sweat, tears and maybe gas. In the end, it's totally worth it!

One of the things I love about the Biggest Loser is you get to see what brought on the weight gain and unhealthy lifestyle. You see them week to week lose weight and in the end you get to see what they transform into. It's phenomenal. Really it is.

So, enough of watching other people do it, get moving. Even if it's 10 minutes today. It was 10 more than yesterday. If you are moving, which I know you are, how are you feeling? 

Confident. Refreshed. Energized. Sexy. 

Remember, you deserve this and NOTHING CHANGES IF NOTHING CHANGES.

Don't forget about the ** GIVEAWAY**  

Money Doesn't Grow On Trees or Does It?

Or does it?

I can remember my mom and dad saying this to me many many times in high school and college.  I didn't get it until I got older. Thankfully, I married a mathematical genius who keeps my butt in check when it comes to spending. It has actually been such a huge relief. 

Let me explain.

I think it's in my DNA or something but I REALLY like to spend money. I mean get real who doesn't like it? But I can spend an enormous amount in a very short time. Then I got married. Enough said right? I remember in our pre-martial counseling learning that often the two main causes of divorce were money and sex. (SHOCKER) So, my mathmatical genius of a partner decided to start us out on a budget the second we said I do. I guess that meant I had to be in charge of the second one.

 Sigh.

I am not even going there. Back to the budget. Of course, I said absolutely NOT. There was no way in hades I was going to have to spend only x amount of dollars and then report back to him on what I spent. Seriously? Obviously, I had it all wrong. It wasn't about being  allowed or controlled it was actually about freedom. Who would of thought? So, from day one we have been on a budget. I can say in the 7+ years we have been married I can count on one hand the times we have disagreed on finances. I can also tell you that we have no cc debt  and have paid 11k in medical bills in the last two years. I can also tell you that if you wanted to know what we spent on October 22, 2003 my mathematical genius of a hubby could pull the excel sheet from that year and tell you. I know your thinking we are crazy but once you form the habit it's truly awesome. We have a fabulous system that I think could help anyone with or without debt. I am in no way saying we have it all together with money.  Do I go without things I want? Sometimes. Do I go without things I or our boys need? NEVER. 

Which brings me to this.

Here in our castle we have been trying to figure out the best way to teach our boys at a young age to appreciate money and learn how to budget. To some this may be too young but my feeling is if they can ask for a million different things they can learn how to save and buy it themselves. Does this now mean I wont buy my boys anything. Of course not. I mean have you seen the stuff in our house? Good Gosh.

We were wrestling with some of the details. Do we pay an allowance for chores or do they just get an allowance every week? For our castle we have decided that the boys will have their chores and NOT get paid for them. This is just part of being in our fabulous family. Aren't they lucky? They will each get a dollar amount equal to their age. With each birthday they then get a raise! That way they have a consistent weekly amount and they can learn kid friendly budgeting.  Here are the four categories they will separate their weekly allowance in to. 

10% Tithing
30%  Savings 
30 % Others
30% Spending

-Tithing goes directly to our Church.
-Savings is for a long term future purchase, like a car or college. 
-Others goes to someone/something other than themselves.
-Spending is something more immediate: a movie, candy, a video game, a new bike or a baseball glove. Something they want, they have to save for but can be earned in weeks or months not years.


We sat the boys down and talked about it and they are beyond excited. Will this make them never have budget or money problems? Of course not. But in our castle we want to teach them as early as possible. Too often I see kids, and I am guilty of it myself, forget that Money Doesn't Grow on Trees. As with anything else, I'm sure we will change it up a bit if we need to but in our castle we are excited and ready to take on that six letter word that haunted me for so long. 

Do you have a budget set up and is it helping? What do you do for your kids allowance?  

Designing on a Budget.

I love decorating. In fact, I am pretty much a decorating junkie. I can't get enough of it. It makes my heart happy. There is only one problem. Here's a hint it has six letters. 

Budget. 

Often my taste is rather, um, lets just say pricey. I would rather shop at Goodwill for my clothes and spend money on decorating. I am learning how to actually do both. Nope, no raise. (It's been two years since this castle has seen any raises) Some call it an obsession, I call it a gift. I can look at something high end and figure out a way to cheap it down so to speak. Design on a budget lets say. 

I have been going at turtle pace getting my sweet little boys nursery done. Maybe it's because he is the third  penis that has had a nursery in our house. Plus, if I don't LOVE something I am not going to get it and I REFUSE to pay full price for it. 

Tonight I was out at Target, aka the place that I go in for formula and leave with a shower curtain. As I am cutting through the store I go down the bathroom aisle and I see the CUTEST shower curtain EVER. Immediately sirens start going off, I break out in a cold sweat and think what if I make this into my sweet angels curtains? Did I mention he has none? If you have ever shopped for them, which unless you have a designer or a penis you have, you have definitely seen just how expensive they are. Plus, they aren't very cute. So, I buy the shower curtain and the matching shower curtain hook. I then go and get a cheapo curtain rod.  At this point I am beyond excited. I immediately go home and start obsessing thinking about how I can create the look I am wanting without spending an arm and a leg. I remember I had bought 2 mirrors for $5.00 so I go and get them. I also have a lamp from Ikea that I love and oh ya 2 years ago I had bought a wall book bin. It was cheap and I knew I could use it at some point. Well, it's time for that "some point." 

Here is what the small space looked like before

      

and here is what it looks like now

Can you believe that's a shower curtain? Simply fabulous if I do say so myself.

Here are some tips I used with this small space:

• Think outside the box (i.e shower curtain) 
• If you are putting up new curtains put the rod up higher towards your ceiling. It will make the window appear bigger which will make the space appear bigger as well.
• Use mirrors. Not because you think your hot and like to look at yourself but because they also give the illusion of having a bigger space.
• Light. The more light the better. Look for different designs. They don't have to cost a lot. Don't be afraid to try something new. 

So, what do you think? Doesn't it look so cozy and sweet?

Step Aside Betty Crocker a New Diva's in Town.

I decided to (drum roll) cook.  Yep.  There are certain things I can do well such as decorating and beauty tidbits but I am the first to say I royally suck at cooking.  My entire family of men would attest to this. 

Here is my thinking on cooking. First of all, all but one of my men are so picky they only like pasta, chicken, or hamburgers. Second, you spend 30 minutes making it and then you have to clean up the mess that you made while making the dinner. Then you put it on the table and within 10 minutes ALL of the food and time you put into it is gone/done/finito. Then you have to clean up that mess.  (I know what you're thinking....be nice). I'm sure your wondering what we eat here?  Well it is a lot of the same. Here in our castle dinner time consists of chicken on the grill, hamburger on the grill, mac-n-cheese, hot dogs, corn, stuffed shells or NOW chicken pot pie.  I bet your happy you aren't a king in this castle, huh?

We go through 6 boxes of Fiber One bars, 4 bags of chips, 2 boxes of cereal, 2 boxes of pop tarts (you get the point). I am realizing that with a total of four men in this house I must learn how to do what I despise.  Oh the things I do for a house full of penises. This means I need help. So, I am joining a RECIPE CLUB.  I guess you make meals and bring recipes. I seriously feel bad for these fabulous ladies who will soon taste my cooking awesomeness. 

I decided to be a little crazy tonight. Put on my little sexy apron (I totally don't even own one) and get to baking. What's on the menu for tonight?

CHICKEN POT PIE.

While trying to make this fabulous dinner I couldn't find the recipe, forgot the milk and nearly had a knife sticking out of my foot.  Are you beginning to understand  why I have a terrible relationship with cooking. Keep in mind I do have three little crazies running around. I knew it was too quiet in my house so I stopped to see what these little men were up. Mr. Bossy Pants was outside, Mr. Blue Eyes was playing the Wii and sure enough this is what I found Mr. Mischievous doing.

He was SO happy in the midst of ALL the wipes.

Make this reason number 1,342,6789 as to why I don't cook. At this point I don't even care. Heck at least the kid's clean I guess.  I go back to hell  baking. Here is how it turned out. Not gonna lie it looks okay. I can't make any promises on the taste but it's all about the presentation. Right?

As the men take a bite I look around to see if there is vomiting or choking. Nothing. Silence. Until my blonde haired angel says, "Mom, thank you this so good. Thank you." He said it in a way that made me feel like he hadn't had a meal in the entire 3 (almost 4) years he has been alive. I need to step up my game. These men need me. 

Step aside Betty Crocker there is a new cooking diva in town!

Do you have any recipes your family loves?   

Work It Wednesday

Yep, It's it's me AGAIN. First of all can you believe this is week three of the Work It Wednesday? What have you done since you decided you were going to start moving? Are you making excuses like you always do or are you finally doing what you deserve and that is getting your body in shape?
Think about this.

What if  YOU refused to settle for less than the BEST in your life? 

One of the many ways that you can personally achieve true/no excuse motivation for exercise, and really for life in general, is for you to believe you are worth it and to refuse to settle for anything less than the best for yourself. It truly is about deciding that you deserve the best. You deserve a fantastic body, confidence, excellent health, high levels of energy. Make the decision to settle for nothing less. Why? Because YOU deserve it!

Enjoy your day! GET MOVING!   

Only one more week till the GIVEAWAY! 

Yep, it's time.

Time for what you ask? That fabulous time of year where the windows are open, you can smell the pumpkin candle, leaves are starting to change colors, high school football is in full effect, the kids are settling into their back to school routine.... Oh and did I mention it's time for the FALL LINEUP! OK, so maybe this time of year I turn into a television addict. That's bad isn't it?

Crap.

So you think it's bad I maybe, kind of up my kids bed time so they are in bed and on their way to sweet dreams when my shows come on? I can't help it. I get sucked in with all the dancing, fat people, Mc Dreamy love fest that takes place during this special time of year. 

Sigh.

With that being said I will watch (please don't judge) and I will like every last second of it. For your viewing pleasure here it is....

The FALL LINEUP.  

I can't be the only one who has a butt print on the couch when they get up or has a few extra kernels of popcorn in their sports bra. What are some of your guilty pleasures of the season??

What is the Best Way to Wear Eyeliner for My Eye Shape?

Do you use liquid eyeliner or just the normal everyday eye pencil?  I was a pencil girl until I decided to get crazy and try the liquid. I LOVE it and don't see myself going back anytime soon. 
Tip: For a classic look, only use liquid eyeliner on the top lash line. For less mess and longer wear time underneath the eye, use a matte powder or pencil along the lower lash line and/or inner rim.

Round eyes: On the upper and lower lash lines, draw a thicker line at the outer corner of the eye, tapering toward the inner corner.
Deep-Set eyes:Use eyeliner on upper lids. Apply eyeliner very close to your lashlines. Avoid black colors which can make your eyes look smaller.

Almond-shaped eyes: Wear thick or thin eyeliner the whole way across the eyelid, both top and bottom.

Small eyes: Line upper and lower eyelids with soft-coloured eyeliner starting above your iris and extend to the outer corner of your eye or slightly upward. Avoid thick black lines, which can actually close up the eye. Smudge the line or use the matching eyeshadow to soften. 

Big eyes: Draw a thick, dark-colored line along the upper lashes to help push back the pronounced eyelids. Line the outer corner of the lower lid if desired.

Drooping eyes: Use liner on the lower lash line, but keep the line light and stop before the outer corner.

Remember: Practice makes perfect. Now, go and look fabulous make liquid eyeliner your new signature statement!

Taming My Big Fat Tongue.

Why is my first reaction to raise my voice or to immediately think something negative. Ugh. I hate that about myself. I do this a lot with all the men in my castle. I found myself this weekend trying to teach my cranky kindergartner that he has to watch the things that come out of his mouth. Tonight my yummy blue eyed love spilled (his trademark) water all over the place before bed time. He felt so bad and was trying to get the water back in the glass. In an effort to try and use this as a teachable moment I explained how I wasn't mad but we can't pick that water back up and put it in the cup. Yes, we can clean it up and you will never know it was there and yes we can get more but it wont be that same water. I then explained how just like that water the things we say we can't take back. Yes, we can apologize or say something nice to try and offset it but we can never really put it back in the cup so to speak. And then I thought about how often (EVERY DAY, it seems) I say something I shouldn’t, I’m not a kid anymore. I nag my hubby about stuff I WANT DONE. I gripe at my boys for messes I don’t want to clean up or am sick of doing. I complain to my friends about something I don’t agree with or ways I think I could make it better. There are way to many “I’s” in that last sentence.

Maybe this was a gentle way of  making me realize that I need to watch what comes out of my mouth. 

I admit. I often fail. I often face plant miserably but my desire is this:

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

_________________________

Do you struggle with your tongue?

We have an Intruder.

In our castle we are FINALLY getting into a routine.  This whole Kindergarten thing is way more than I bargained for. Don't get me wrong he loves it, I love it, but the paperwork, homework, packing lunch, crankiness, lack of sleep has um lets just say it's a little more than I had planned for.  We  I am finally adjusting. 

It's somewhat liberating I actually get to go to the grocery with only one little man instead of three. Seriously, how easy is it to have just one? I forgot how much I can get done with just one sweet little man who still can't walk (jackpot).  There is no pulling on me or asking for a snack or to wipe their butts. It's rather fabulous if I do say so myself.

The biggest adjustment has been this little intruder who once was adored and loved by a blue-eyed little man is now, loved but lets just say he is not liked very much at this very moment. In our castle our mornings are pretty low key. Mr. Blue Eyes is somewhat of a genius (I am not biased, I swear) he will sit and do puzzles, sing to himself  and just be the absolute man for most of the morning. However, our intruder is now on the move and when I say on the move I mean crawling, pulling up on everything and now decided that he is obsessed with everything Mr. Blue Eyes is doing. This my friends means Mr. Blue Eyes sacred PUZZLES. Our intruder finds a way to take a piece or two or ten and slobber all over them. If you know Mr. Blue Eyes he is somewhat of a clean freak. (I have no clue who he could possible get that from.) This sends Mr. Blue Eyes into somewhat of a nervous breakdown. The once quite, best kid in America is now yelling, "Mom, get Cole Bear out of here. I don't want him to be my bruder if he is going to take my puzzles." 

So, in our castle we are learning that not all intruders are bad. In fact they can sometimes teach us alot.  It will take some getting used to but I think if Mr. Blue Eyes gives this sweet, adorable little intruder a chance he may just turn out to be his very best friend.

Work It Wednesday... Your Reason

Reason(s) I will exercise today:

I will get to shake my booty and feel NO shame
I'm going to be stronger
I will reshape my body
I want to know my grandkids 
Oh, those "skinny jeans"
I love getting fresh morning air & seeing the sun rise
It's part of my daily routine
I'll see some dear friends at my Zumba class
I like seeing more definition in my muscles
My iPod exercise music list is THE BEST
I ate more than I planned over the extra long weekend
I want to run in a 5k
Looking forward to some "me time"

What's your reason?

 ***Don't forget about this fabulous  Giveaway ***