Today we have promised Savannah a day of water play. It looks like it's going to rain…
This week I decided that the following places need drive-thru windows. The Post Office, Panera Bread and Chipotle…
I have been writing an eBook in my time away from this blog…
I'm pretty happy with it so far…
I'm currently researching another hairstyle….
I now understand how women get addicted to weaves…
Please Lord do not let it rain before she gets outside…
Instagram and Pinterest are two different social media platforms. Please do not fill my IG feed with all of your pins…
I am planning to dust off my pom poms and get involved with some of the youth here this summer…
My son is a very cranky teething ten month old. He's laid back and chill but mad about his teeth all at the same time…
I'm so glad we have a boy and a girl…
I'm considering running a 5K. My fitness goals need to be reached…
Living by the 80/20 rule when eating is harder than I thought…
Following Jeanette Jenkins on IG keeps me motivated though…
Trying to plan a family vacay for August. Everything is so far away from Texas…
Savannah is going to freak out when she sees the splash pad her Dad has for them…
I must say that the funniest thing about Mimi Faust's shower rod scandal was all the memes that came from it…
As a woman, I'm kind of sad at the backlash that she received. She didn't make that tape alone. Where is his backlash?…
But I get where everyone is coming from. "She's a Mom! She's a Mom!", but she's still human and she still has to live for herself. Not agreeing with her behavior but I'm not judging her for it either…
Looking forward to this laid-back Saturday. Enjoy yours….
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Giving Back to Veterans: Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
As you might remember I am an Army Wife. One of the ways I have been trying to give back to my community is getting involved with more of what goes on here on base. Giving back to our veterans and active service members is something that I've always wanted to do. I'm glad to finally be at a place where I'm able to serve the community that serves us all.
Over the summer I'll be working with the youth on base in a couple different ways. I'm excited about what's to come. You always learn something when you reach out to others and I'm ready for my lesson.
I'm finding that there are so many ways to give back to our veterans. One way to give back is by drinking wine. Yep. That's right. You can have your wine and drink it too and give back in the process.
CK Mondavi is the only American made/grown wine in the “supermarket wine under $10” category. A percentage of each bottle sold between May-August is donated to Intrepid Fallen Heroes (up to $50,000).
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (IFHF), an organization that supports the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. Funded entirely by public donations, IFHF serves U.S. military personnel wounded or killed in service to our nation and their families.
I have been enjoying the CK Mondavi Chardonnay. I mix it with a lemon lime soda and it's such a refreshing drink. It's pretty tasty on it's own too.
“Please comment below to share your own story about supporting veterans and/or American-made products. I will select ONE reader to be entered into CK Mondavi’s grand prize drawing by May 15. The grand prize is a $500 donation to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund in the winner’s name!”
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Keeping Your Relationship Healthy After Kids...
As a mom, you understand how rewarding having children and a family can be. From their first steps to their first day of school, your goal as a parent is to be there for them as they grow and develop. However, in your quest to be the best mom you can be, your personal life takes a back seat. Your marriage may suffer, too, because you no longer have the intimate time you once had with your mate. As your worries shift from yourself and your partner to your children, your marriage isn't your focus or priority anymore and may become neglected.
You're not failing your kids if you put your marriage first, however. Marriages need just as much nurturing as our children do. According to Parents.com. "When you put your marriage on the back burner, your kids can sense the lack of closeness between you." Therefore, you must make time for you and your spouse because it will create a number of positive outcomes, including the improvement of your marriage and enrichment of your ability to show your children how to develop positive relationship skills.
You probably recognized the change in your marriage once you entered parenthood. Your children obviously began to take precedence over personal hobbies and professional endeavors, while your partner faded into the background. You've given up just about everything in your life—from your bed to your time, not much in your life is solely yours when you have young children. This is particularly true when it comes to your relationship.
According to a recent Net Mums survey, almost 80 percent of women report a reduction in the amount of sex they've had since having children. Most of the surveyed mothers claimed to make love with their significant others about once a week. Obviously, you and your mate can no longer spend those intimate moments you once enjoyed together prior to having little ones. However, it's important that you work to maintain a healthy balance between your children and your relationship.
Communication is vital to any relationship, but romantic relationships in particular must have a strong line of communication. As Buzzle suggests, maintaining open communication with your spouse brings you closer together as a couple and helps you resolve issues quicker and more effectively. If you're frustrated with the lack of intimacy in your relationship, don't be afraid to voice this to your partner. At the same time, figure out ways to better your communication. Whether it's five minutes to connect in the morning/before bed or spending an hour hashing out the details of your day, you must make a point to touch base with your mate at least once a day.
Remember to use this time to discuss topics other than your children and family. Instead, focus on your life together as a couple or personal issues. Talk about the mundane details of your day or your new dreams and goals—just be sure to have this open dialogue with your partner each and every day. This will make your bond as a couple stronger and can even re-spark some of the desires that may have waned after you started growing your family.
Sex is essential to any romantic relationship, and you and your partner need intimacy for your relationship to thrive. According to Women's Health Magazine, lack of sex is a common marriage problem that could lead to unfulfilled desires being perceived as rejection. To combat a sexual rut or prolonged sexual dry spell, schedule it into your routine. Figure out a time when both you and your mate are free, and take a break for some sexual intimacy.
Whether you go for a quick love session or a full-on sex fest, make time to show your partner some physical loving. Not only could this boost your relationship and add some passion to your marriage, it could also intensify your libido. Also, keep in mind that there are other ways to show you partner affection besides the actual act of having sex. Small, tender acts of affection—a simple caress of the cheek or holding hands—can signal emotional connectedness and higher levels of empathy, as Adam & Eve details here. This can in turn create a more affable environment for sexual interaction.
In addition to enhancing the romance between the sheets, you must also pay attention to the emotional intimacy you share with your mate. Explore the passion you have for your significant other outside of the bedroom. Start by incorporating activities like date night. In a 2012 study conducted by the National Marriage Project, date nights are a valuable way for couples to spend some time to themselves and can heighten marital happiness. You don't have to go to great lengths to be successful, either.
A simple dinner and movie does wonders, or, if you'd like to switch things up, try a new activity like taking a couple's cooking class or going on a whiskey distillery tour. Even if you can't go anywhere, you and your partner should still enjoy a relaxing evening alone at least once a month. Send the kids to your parents, prepare a meal together, and have a romantic date at home. By integrating date night in your relationship, the two of you will have some much needed time to focus on each other and your relationship.
You're not failing your kids if you put your marriage first, however. Marriages need just as much nurturing as our children do. According to Parents.com. "When you put your marriage on the back burner, your kids can sense the lack of closeness between you." Therefore, you must make time for you and your spouse because it will create a number of positive outcomes, including the improvement of your marriage and enrichment of your ability to show your children how to develop positive relationship skills.
You probably recognized the change in your marriage once you entered parenthood. Your children obviously began to take precedence over personal hobbies and professional endeavors, while your partner faded into the background. You've given up just about everything in your life—from your bed to your time, not much in your life is solely yours when you have young children. This is particularly true when it comes to your relationship.
According to a recent Net Mums survey, almost 80 percent of women report a reduction in the amount of sex they've had since having children. Most of the surveyed mothers claimed to make love with their significant others about once a week. Obviously, you and your mate can no longer spend those intimate moments you once enjoyed together prior to having little ones. However, it's important that you work to maintain a healthy balance between your children and your relationship.
Communication is vital to any relationship, but romantic relationships in particular must have a strong line of communication. As Buzzle suggests, maintaining open communication with your spouse brings you closer together as a couple and helps you resolve issues quicker and more effectively. If you're frustrated with the lack of intimacy in your relationship, don't be afraid to voice this to your partner. At the same time, figure out ways to better your communication. Whether it's five minutes to connect in the morning/before bed or spending an hour hashing out the details of your day, you must make a point to touch base with your mate at least once a day.
Remember to use this time to discuss topics other than your children and family. Instead, focus on your life together as a couple or personal issues. Talk about the mundane details of your day or your new dreams and goals—just be sure to have this open dialogue with your partner each and every day. This will make your bond as a couple stronger and can even re-spark some of the desires that may have waned after you started growing your family.
Sex is essential to any romantic relationship, and you and your partner need intimacy for your relationship to thrive. According to Women's Health Magazine, lack of sex is a common marriage problem that could lead to unfulfilled desires being perceived as rejection. To combat a sexual rut or prolonged sexual dry spell, schedule it into your routine. Figure out a time when both you and your mate are free, and take a break for some sexual intimacy.
Whether you go for a quick love session or a full-on sex fest, make time to show your partner some physical loving. Not only could this boost your relationship and add some passion to your marriage, it could also intensify your libido. Also, keep in mind that there are other ways to show you partner affection besides the actual act of having sex. Small, tender acts of affection—a simple caress of the cheek or holding hands—can signal emotional connectedness and higher levels of empathy, as Adam & Eve details here. This can in turn create a more affable environment for sexual interaction.
In addition to enhancing the romance between the sheets, you must also pay attention to the emotional intimacy you share with your mate. Explore the passion you have for your significant other outside of the bedroom. Start by incorporating activities like date night. In a 2012 study conducted by the National Marriage Project, date nights are a valuable way for couples to spend some time to themselves and can heighten marital happiness. You don't have to go to great lengths to be successful, either.
A simple dinner and movie does wonders, or, if you'd like to switch things up, try a new activity like taking a couple's cooking class or going on a whiskey distillery tour. Even if you can't go anywhere, you and your partner should still enjoy a relaxing evening alone at least once a month. Send the kids to your parents, prepare a meal together, and have a romantic date at home. By integrating date night in your relationship, the two of you will have some much needed time to focus on each other and your relationship.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Family Fun Out at the Races...
Family fun out at the races
It’s always great to have something different planned for the weekend, and if you can do something that gets the whole family outside in the fresh air, then so much the better. Unless you’re into horse racing, you might not have considered a day out at a local racecourse as a possibility, but in fact, it’s a great option for a fun day out.
Not only do you get to see some horse racing up close and personal, but if you pick a Family Fun Day there will usually be lots of other entertainment for the kids too. It depends on the size of the course, but sometimes you’ll find there are things like bouncy castles and face painting to keep the kids amused in between the race times.
You could always decide to have a flutter on the races while you’re there using a site like Betfair which offers mobile betting app so that you can make your decisions while you’re out and about. On Betfair, you can even bet in-running if you think you’ve spotted the winner halfway through a race.
Of course, there are some big events in the horse racing calendar that will attract huge crowds to the major race courses. Examples include the Grand National in Aintree, Liverpool, in the UK in April, the Kentucky Derby in May in the States and the Melbourne Cup in Australia in November. If you have young kids, you’re probably best avoiding major events like these as the crowds might be a bit much for the little ones, but you could always watch the big races on TV.
To get your family in the mood for a day at the races, why not watch the Grand National on Saturday 5 April. You certainly won’t be alone – an estimated 600 million people will watch the race live on TV and many of them will be backing Teaforthree, the current favourite on Betfair and other betting sites at a price of around 10/1.
*This is a contributed post.*
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Preschool at Home: Reading Resources (Sight Words)
I have often found that when people know how to do something, like sewing or doing hair, they are often not interested in teaching other people how to do it. Some may not even be willing to share how they learned. That's so funny to me. It's like they don't want anyone else to learn how to do something they're good at. They may even tell you that they'll be more than happy to teach you or share the info but they never follow through on that…
Well. As I have said before, I am a girl's girl. If I know something and I think it can help you I am going to share it. If I see that something has worked for my daughter or son I will be more than happy to share that with you. Why not? Sharing is caring and at some point I know I'll need someone to care for me and mine.
Today I am going to share some of the resources I have found online to make introducing Savannah to reading a breeze. We first started off by learning letters and their phonetic sounds and then we moved to sight words. I am not a teacher or educator of any sort. I am fumbling my way through teaching my daughter. I try different things until I find what works. So please consider all of that when you are reading these preschool posts. I'm just sharing our journey and I am not trying to come off as an expert at all.
Teaching Sav the sight words extremely boosted her confidence in reading. She even sounds out words a lot better too. We still have a long way to go but I think we're off to a great start. My little lady should be reading by her birthday and that was my goal for 2014. With that said, here are all 220 of the non-noun sight words sub-divided into five levels.
I like making my own flashcards. Since Savannah already knows many of these I'll be making cards for the words we still need to work on. If you visit this site you can download bingo cards to go along with the sight words. That's another fun way to help them learn. You may also remember that we like playing "musical words" or "word hop". I lay all the cards out on the floor and I have Savannah hop to the word I call out or I play music, she walks around, when he music stops she has to pick a word and tell me what it is. Very fun!
Did you find this helpful? I'll continue to share stuff as we find what works for us. Feel free to share and pin!