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ten on tuesday: the BAD about summer break

I mentioned when I wrote about The ten GOOD things about summer that I'd likely follow up with an ten bad.  Well, today is the lucky day.  Not because its a bad day but because a smattering of things are on my mind and it's time to just, let them out.

1. The relaxed schedule.  If you will remember, this was also number ONE on the "good" list.  And I referenced that this would indeed be number 1 on the bad list.  As nice as it is to let up at the beginning of the school year and just relax...nearing the final month of summer I feel my OCD kick in and find the insatiable need for ORDER once again.  Schedules start to look dreamy and idyllic.  Having no order in the home is equal parts liberating and frustrating.  It IS nice to not feel rushed (on weeks without camps) and it is nice to do what we want when ... but I think most children crave some normal order.  Not having that has been hard on Luke, and me this summer to some degree!
2. CAMPS.  Camps are awesome.  The un-aweseom part is the you sign up for them 4 months in advance when you are sick of school, thinking ahead to summer and your kids seemingly want to do everything.  Then push comes to shove in the summer time and next thing you know you are pushing your kiddo out the door in countless bribes to go to some camp that in March they REALLY wanted to go to.  Not to mention, you probably over committed yourself if you are anything like me.  I thought I had everything really spaced out, not too much and inevitably, it IS too much.  Mental note:  reread this post next March! ;)
3. SOMEONE IS ALWAYS UP IN MY BUSINESS.  And by business I mean within a 2' perimeter of me.  Toilet, kitchen sick, couch -- you name it.  My business is constantly being invaded.  UNLESS I take them outside.  Outside is their wonderland.  Wanna know what I can get done outside?  NOTHING. (besides weeding and reading and I've done that!)  I HAVE TO BE inside sometimes.  SOMEONE HASS TO PAY THE BILLS!  Make appointments, take to vendors, deal with household issues, etc.  Finding time to do these simple tasks is perhaps one of my biggest challenges!
4. Showers.  I'm ALL for bathing children.  But I happen to like the lax schedule of bathing in the winter when you really don't get that germ infested or dirty that you can push baths out to 2-3 days.  It isn't the ACT of bathing/showering as much as it is GETTING THEM THERE and the battle of "why do I need ANOTHER shower" ensues.  It makes me want to rip the hose out and just have a cold water squirt down fest in the buff every time.  I want to go all animal on these dirty rotten scoundrels!  We take a bath to get clean!  NOAH (aka Fred Flintstone) has black feet EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT.
5. I'm a short order cook.  I TRY not to be but let's face it, I am.  I want them to eat meals and get good calories into their bodies.  However they all like and prefer different things and then I turn into a diner for the better part of my days.  Luke is SO CONFUSED at dinner when I present "the meal" and says "That is NOT what I picked." I say, "Um, you didn't get a pick.  Dinner is MY MEAL that I PICK and YOU EAT."  *sigh*
6. While on that topic.  SNACKS.  Oh, and popsicles.  For the love of Jesus.  I had forgotten how many of these items I need to have on hand for not only my children, but the neighborhood.  I should just start playing my own music and get a truck to roam the neighborhood. ;)  For real, I LOVE dishing these things out but my checkbook thinks it might be time for school to start again!!!
7. Late bedtimes.  Each week starts out the same "Let's try and get the kids to bed at a decent time this week" and then we end up in the same slump of late bedtimes and failed goals.  Summer is hard.  Fun events are going on, evenings spent bike riding and enjoying the weather are precious here.  I keep thinking "soon we won't be able to do this" and it prods me to just let it go and ENJOY it.  I think that's best.  Gosh.  Some of my best memories were at dusk or dark growing up playing flashlight take and catching fire flies.  Bedtime will be back before we know it.
8. My house is a freaking train wreck.  But I think the time I wrote about Summer House pretty much covers all of that.  Suffice it to say I'm ready to take back my home and become the queen of my throne! ;)
9. Eating crap.  The garbage my kids are putting into their mouths is ridiculous.  Granted I have control over some of that still and do my best.  And sometimes, quite frankly, I don't.  Yes you can have that and YES we say YES to the ice cream truck!  YES!  But although my kids think SUGAR is a food group into itself, I need to remind them that indeed, it is NOT. (I might need to remind myself of that too!)
10. We miss our school friends!  Since we don't go to the local school we have to make real effort to see our friends from school which can not always work easily and conveniently!  We have amazing neighborhood friends but I know the kids miss seeing their school buds!  Going back to school is always like reuniting with long lost pals and such a good feeling.

Honestly.  I thought I'd have more bad to right but this summer has treated me really really well.  I've enjoyed the kids much more this summer than previous summers.  I think it's their age.  Noah, the youngest, is able to do so much on his own now.  With no naps (he was still napping last year), a willingness to do things and ability to do more ... it has made the summertime more enjoyable.

For a list of "bad" this stuff isn't so bad after all.  CHEERS to a good summer and let's RAISE OUR GLASS to a great back-to-school Fall (still 30 days away for us!)

Ten on Tuesday - travel

We're back.  10 days, 6 states, 7 cities, nearly 2000 miles and hundreds of hugs and kisses distributed.  We survived a 10 day cross country road trip and we didn't kill each other!  WOOT!  And I'm happy to report, the trip was fantastic on all fronts.  The kids EXCEEDED my expectations and I couldn't be more proud.  Honestly!  I'm still blown away by how awesome they were (especially because I was dreading it!)

Here are 10 tips for ROAD TRIP SURVIVAL and what work for me.

1. Pack smart.  If you are going to stay at places with washer/dryer then pack LIGHT and wash frequent.  I only packed 5 outfits for each kid and we didn't even use all of those!  I only got half way through my own lightly packed suitcase!  A summer vacay often means SWIM SUITS and less clothing which makes packing easier, take advantage of it!  NO ONE CARES what you are wearing, they are just happy to see you!
2. Think about the BEST arrangement for your car/van/SUV.  We always take the car top carrier (best Craigs List purchase ever!) for stuff we don't need easy access to and that helps a ton.  But think about WHO sits WHERE.  We put Luke in the middle row with one seat put down so "he is on his own island" and the two that get along the best are in the back together.  It opens up space and saves on disputes!
3. Bring a cooler.  I've learned through YEARS of travel that we always need something on hand food and drink wise.  Also, if you have special diet needs BRING IT WITH YOU.  I keep the cooler stocked the entire trip and buy bags of ice frequently to keep things cold (Including my beer!).  I have friends that swear by the electric cooler they purchased which might be on my list someday!
4. If you can, BREAK UP YOUR TRIP into small bites.  This time we went to Iowa first then on to Ohio.  I cannot tell you how much that helped.  I know that isn't possible every time but if you can do it, DO!
5. DEVICES DEVICES DEVICES.  Each kid has something.  I charge it before the trip and at every stop so they are always ready.  I also only have a portable DVD player and headphones that rotates as needed.  They are NOT on these at all times but they are a huge help!
6. MUSIC.  Have a special playlist ready for restless moments or when you need to improve the general MOOD in your vehicle! ;)  Bust a move!
7. Embrace the potty.  Yep.  Potty breaks happen.  Might as well not fuss and just embrace the chance to stretch your legs and relieve yourself!  On the way to Iowa we stopped 6 times to PEE!  That is once an hour!  On the way to Ohio we stopped 2!  Go figure!  They made that 8 hour trip with only 2 pee stops!  You just never know.  My favorite is right after you leave lunch then someone pipes up from the back "I have to poop.  RIGHT NOW!"  Ahhh, music to a tired parents ears!
8. SNACKS.  Lots and lots of snacks.  Healthy, unhealthy and everything in between.  If you think you have enough snacks, throw in a few more! ;)
9. Don't be a "cool mom" before you leave and take the kids to the gas station to pick a treat.  It led to a nuclear meltdown and my efforts to be cool were completely useless.  INSTEAD tell them NO and then SURPRISE them later at some point in the trip.  You KNOW what they like.  Pick it up (or better plan ahead and buy it cheaper and bring it!) and surprise them on the trip.  We played "Road Trip Bingo" and I had their favorite candy for prizes!  BOOM!  #majorwin
10. Keep your hubby (or driver) happy.  Get him/her drinks, favorite snacks and music.  Help charge their iDevices and keep them happy.  Offer to drive and keep the kids happy.  A happy driver makes a happy road trip! :)  Mike might suggest other road activities but, ahem, this WAS a family trip! ;)

Happy Travels to you this summer and BE SAFE!!

ten on tuesday - the GOOD about summer break

As Noah and I sit (or play) this week preparing for the monkeys kids being let out of school on Friday I'm trying to stay POSITIVE and think about the GOOD THINGS that come with summer break.  I've made it no secret. I'm NOT the mom eagerly awaiting this day.  I'm just not.  I'm a fair bit sad about it actually.

I love school.  I love teachers that love my kids and teach them well.  I love our school.  I love having time to WORK on my business and I LOVE the breathing room.  I truly feel READY for them when they come home from school and READY wasn't I feeling I had for many years.  

I digress and I present:

The TEN GOOD things about summer break...

1. The relaxing of SCHEDULES. (this will be the exact #1 when I publish a "the BAD about summer break" in a few weeks! ;)  This is a love/hate relationship.  Some of my crew love a laid back approach while others thrive in a more scheduled environment.  It's a hard line to walk.  But at the beginning I really relish NOT getting sweaty warm bodies out of their beds before they are ready and not having to push, push, push them OUT the door!
2. NO HOMEWORK.  However, they are doing workbooks this summer and I'm using this bridging book for the kids this year as well as the TenMarks Math Program that allows you to set rewards and they can work towards them thru the summer.  I've chosen rewards (you set your own!) like "date with Mommy" and "Target gift card" as I know these things MOTIVATIVE them!
3. CHORES.  We've slacked on the chore chart and Mama is bringing it back.  Earn your keep little people.
4. Sand and SUN.  The beaches and parks are plentiful here and we will hit them frequently!
5. Quality time.  This is a mixed bag.  Those first two weeks are usually downright painful.  Getting used to each other all over again and getting OVER the fighting and general nit-picking of one another is TOUGH.  It is not for the weak.  I'm digging deep this year.  BUT.  Noah yearns for his siblings during the day.  Around noon every day lately he asks "when are da kid home Mama?"  He is looking forward to the chaos of summer.
6. FRESH AIR.  And lots of it.  My crew loves being outside and we try to make that work for us as much as possible.
7. Time to do things we've been "needing more time" to do.  Craft projects, birthday gifts that require more time (Fairy Garden for example) and other things of that sort.
8. I hired a NANNY two days a week.  ALLELUIA.  Yep.  It made the GOOD list.  I needed time to work and Mike and I agreed that this just made sense.  At the same time I can work, I can also get a break and they can get a break from me.  Tuesday and Thursday, you just became my new best friend! ;)
9. Not packing lunches.  Yeah, I realize I am STILL MAKING THEM.  BUT, I won't be haphazardly packing the same monotonous stuff each day.  It will be a different sort of monotony, but a welcomed change for a few months at least.
10. Following that DAMN SCHOOL CALENDAR and figuring out what SPECIALTY DAY it is!?!?!  No more arguing/finding library books/scrounging for gym shoes and ALL sorts of other mayhem that occurs EACH and EVERY school morning.  AYE AYE AYE!

So, focus on the good, right?  Yep.  I'm focusing on the good.  Stay tuned for the ten BAD things about summer ... for sure it is COMING! ;)

Ten on Thursday: busting boredom & breaking monotony

If anything, over the 14 days that I was with my kids consecutively over Spring Break, I learned how to add a bit of magic into our days OR cope when things went awry.  Which they did.  Often.

I'm no expert.  I only play one on the blog! ;)  I digress.  Here are some tricks I use to break the monotony, bust the boredom, or break up battles in my home.  Perhaps they will work for you too!

1. Play-doh.  Ahhhh.  The rarely reached for trick.  The "Oh mom never gets out the play-doh b/c she's a certifiable clean up freak so we will sit here and play with it for at least an hour" fun!  Serious.  I promise.  Best done OUTSIDE but we live in Minnesota and playing Play-doh in your snow suit is rarely fun.  The best alternative is to get one of those wipe off table cloths and lay it out for all on a table or floor.  Much less muss and fuss.
2. Perler beads.  If you don't know what I'm talking about it's these.  I set up camp upstairs on the kitchen table.  Each kid gets a cookie sheet for their project (b/c if you so much as sneeze it all falls apart) and their own bowl of colorful beads.  I set up the iron for easy ironing (or sewing as Luke called it!) after a project was finished.  Honestly.  They did this for HOURS this year.  Thank you Jen for suggesting it!  TOTALLY WORKED for two days of enjoyment!  However, Josie pointed out  the magnificent BEADOS in which Mama doesn't NEED to iron and guess what EASTER BUNNY is bringing those in the basket?  ME. ;)
3. Shells.  Cleaning the shells (or anything.  Seriously, anything can be "cleaned" in our home) in the bathroom with a tooth brush took up a significant amount of time and on the good side?  All of our newly collected sea shells from Florida look stunning.  ps.  I've caught my kids cleaning their feet on NUMEROUS OCCASIONS with a toothbrush.  I don't get it at all.  Disgusting.  Clean feet but stinky foot breath.  Eeew.
4. Draw a bath.  It is NOT uncommon for me to suggest a bath in the middle of the day.  It makes sense.  Warm soothing water, play toys, a chances to just settle and play for as long as you want.  BONUS?  Children get clean!  Voila!
5. New iPad game.  This works ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.  I/we try to be disconnected but let's face it, sometime you need that screen time to catch a break or even for the kids to settle on their own.  A new game ALWAYS does the trick.  Some of the kids current favorites are:  Subway Surfer, PBS kids, Sonic  Blast and the Toca Hair Salon apps.  Notice NONE of those are educational.  Oopsie.
6. Karaoke.  Bella has a little Karaoke machine and she belted out MANY a tune over Spring Break.  What follows that?  CONCERTS.  Both of the "big" kids put on concerts in the few days we were at home.  Those concerts were AWESOME (she said with gusto!)!
7. If you have a child like Luke with a HUGE imagination and ideas for miles ... then you give them the following:  toilet paper rolls, tape, scissor, rope, duck tape, an old flashlight, rubber bands and a shoe box.  Just trust me on that.  It WILL create a mess, however you won't see your kid for 6 hours.  At the end you will also have a guitar he made from the box, rubber bands, tape and toilet paper rolls and you will be AMAZED.
8. Popcorn.  We, for some reason, don't have popcorn a lot.  If we do it's skinny pop from a bag.  You can either make your own on the stove (gasp!) or microwave some which is what we did.  They think WARM popcorn is DREAMY.  Whatever.  It worked.  Learned that trick on Spring Break from my sister in law!  WOOT!
9. MUSIC.  CANNOT tell you how many dance parties we had over spring break.  They are good for everyone!!!  Each of my kids has a different taste -- Luke likes rock and roll, Bella pop and Noah anything with a beat and there is ONE SONG they all agree on -- UPTOWN FUNK IT UP. ;)  If your child has ears then most likely they have heard this song and as soon as it comes on three little booties in my house start shaking.  Love that MUSIC can always bond us and get our energy out.
10. TURN UP THE MUSIC AND DANCE.  And when all else fails and the whining prevails ... turn that damn music up.  BOOM.  Fist pump.  It over powers the most annoying whine/meltdown and also helps a mama feel sane again.  It's a great chance to be silly and show your kids your silliest dance moves -- the lawnmower, the roger-rabbit, the moon walk, the tootsie roll.  Come on.  You know you know it.  Show the kiddos and I promise they will all be giggling in the end.

What about you?  What are your SURE FIRE tricks for boredom busting and breaking up battles in YOUR home???

Ten On Tuesday: The First day.

I set out to write a post about my FAVORITE 10 moments/photos from our recent family vacation to Anna Maria Island but as I scrolled through the photos I just COULD NOT NARROW DOWN 10 from the whole trip. So instead, I selected my favorite 10 images ... from the FIRST DAY.

To be fair.  We had an epic first day.  It. Was. Perfect.  The weather.  Our home that we rented and the Island itself the beautiful beaches.  EVERYTHING.  That first day set the tone for the rest of the trip!

As you can see from the photos, we had a BIG day.  Beach. Pool. Beach.  Yep, it was rough! ;)  Well, anyone traveling with children DOES understand that there are tough aspects to doing these things.  But it was worth it.  TOTALLY WORTH IT.

And one more for good measure of our first Island sunset from the beach ... simply heavenly!

I hope to share more about our trip in the coming days!  Happy Monday!

Ten on Tuesday: Motherhood is raw emotions.

I was driving along yesterday after a particularly hard morning (and night) and just thinking a lot about motherhood and how much it has shaped me in only nearly 8 years.  The emotions I never knew I was capable of are now real, raw and present often daily.

Here are ten emotions that I've felt to the depths of my soul through motherhood.

1.  Desperation. The desperate need/want for sleep.  Oh sweet sleep how you elude parents.  I thought I knew exhaustion before children.  I. Was. Wrong.  The desperation of wanting your child to do XYZ ... maybe it's give up a binky, potty train, ride a bike without training wheels, follow directions -- you name it.  Sometimes I desperately want these things.

2.  JOY.  Joy -- "to be exceedingly glad."  JOY.  I've experienced sheer JOY watching the kids experiencing new things, excel at the things they do try or simply delight in the every day things that they see ... but seeing it through their eyes.  FRESH.  JOY is different than happiness.  Happy I equate with content.  JOY is deeper, richer and more full and fulfilling.  Here is a passage I found speaking to this:  "A dictionary definition of happiness is “a state of well-being, a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” The definition of the word “rejoice,” from which our word “joy” comes, is “to feel great delight, to welcome or to be glad.” Depending on the translation, the Bible uses the words “happy” and “happiness” about 30 times, while “joy” and “rejoice” appear over 300 times. If we look at some verses it will help us understand why joy is different from happiness." (Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/joy-happiness.html#ixzz3TzuFBLhc)

3.  HOPE.  I really learned hope through the adoption process and the experience of becoming pregnant with Noah.  Through all things, there is great hope.  Hope for better,  hope for a miracle.  Hope is the deep wanting for something.  But I think of hope more as a feeling of never giving up, an endless well of a wish ... maybe it's that saying "hope springs eternal" that drives my feelings for HOPE.  having hope means believing there IS good in the world and that you are WORTHY of that good.  We are all worthy of His good.  It is there for us.

4.  WORRY.  Ohmygoodness if we could bottle our worry and get rid of it there wouldn't be a dump big enough to hold the worry of a Mama.  I'm not even a big one to worry or fret.  I'm a huge believer in allowing things to unfold and deal verses waste time worrying about something BEFORE it happens.  Plus, Mike worries enough for the both of us!  But there is natural worry that occurs as a wife, a friend and especially as a mother to little people.  I worry about big things like hurt feelings and medical issues to how Bella might do on a spelling test or the hangnail that is bugging Noah.  I think it is a pretty natural thing to worry about those you love.  The key is keeping it in check and not letting it consume you.  Recently we drove home from Iowa in a massive snow storm (totally dumb).  Both of our parents were VERY worried and so relieved when we got home safely.  It just reminded me that indeed we are saddled with this great worry over our children for eternity.  Because in the end, the are precious and we want only the best for them.

5.  GUILT.  Stupid guilt.  Guilt over what I'm feeding them, what they watch on TV, my bad language, how I handle a situation, how I help/don't help with homework, the amount of reading the do/do not do, how my action affect them ... the list goes on and on and on.  I'm not striving for perfection by any means but I know I can do better at any given time.  I also know I am human and not perfect.  And then I feel guilty for that .... *sigh*  This one will not go away soon, that I know for sure.

6.  ANGER.  Wow.  I never knew I could become angered and agitated as often or as quickly since having children.  And then that makes me feel a ton of guilt.  I'm not sure how these little people, whom I love with my entire soul, can also make me a stark raving mad lunatic.  I have to work REALLY HARD to stay balanced and consistent and even.  Some days I'm really great ... and others I am not.  My voice rises to be heard when it feels like no one is listening.  My hands want to throw things and I can admit to kicking a box of books last week because I was so pissed off.  Then Noah said "You are a really good kicker Mama."  Ohgeez.  GUILT.  how can I expect them to healthily express their frustration/anger if I cannot do so myself?  I think of this often.  Anger is NOT a healthy emotion.  I wish/hope/pray to be better about controlling that emotion.

7.  GRACE.  I'm not sure that is a feeling per say, but I am working on giving grace to my children because they are children.  I am working on giving myself grace because as mentioned, I am not perfect.  And I am working on exemplifying grace under pressure.  Grace is more of an act, and a feeling of peace and acceptance.  We could all use more grace and I'm trying to FEEL that and act on that feeling.  I think it can ONLY bring GOOD.

8.  UNEQUIPPED.  I know that is a strange way to feel...but so often I feel unprepared to handle this big, huge job of RAISING PEOPLE.  And I even filled out form after form after form to do so!  People came to my house to interview me!  THEY THINK I CAN DO THIS!?!?!?  I don't have the answers.  Sometimes the solutions seem so daunting and challenging.  Sometimes I don't even know how to do the homework!?!?!?  ALREADY!!!  I am most definitely unequipped to handle homework as time goes on.  But I dig deep.  I use my resources (hello Google!) and my Tribe of loyal helpers (other parents, teachers, grandparents, etc).  They say it takes a village and I totally understand that.  I need to rely on my village when I do not feel equipped (which is often!  shhhhh!)

9.  HURT.  The hurt that comes with raising children is raw.  You hurt when they hurt.  You hurt when they have to get glasses (true story).  You hurt when they are hurt by others.  You hurt when they hurt one another/siblings.  You hurt when they use harsh words to YOU.  You hurt deep in your heart when they are off or something isn't right.  You hurt when you cannot find the answers to their problems or the problems are so deep you aren't sure what the answer might be.  That hurt is a big, raw open wound that never heals.  You bleed for them and hurt for them so deeply, especially when you cannot fix every problem.  Ouch.

10.  LOVE. I didn't know my heart had he capacity to love this deeply, this fully and this wholly.  I didn't know it would triple in size.  I didn't know it would explode every time a new baby entered our world.  I didn't know that love would some days be the only thing that gets us by.  I didn't know that love really can solve some problems.  I didn't know a love as big, as intense and as unconditional as this one I have for my children.  Every day I put my heart right back out there on my sleeve, loving them as fully as I can and risking the hurt that love like that can bring.  And somehow it all seems worthwhile ... when they give that unconditional love right back to you.

Whew.  Motherhood is indeed raw and emotional.  What emotion has motherhood brought out of you?

Ten on Tuesday: Facebook

I HEART Facebook.  

I know Facebook has a bad rap sometimes.  And I get it.  There are some things that are a drag and there are some things that IF YOU HAVE A CERTAIN PERSONALITY can really tear you down.  But there are a lot of redeeming qualities too, that I find simply wonderful.  So, here are my Top Ten reasons to LOVE Facebook.

1. It's good for business.  My business BOOMED when I began using Facebook a number of years ago.  It gave my business depth and reach and life that once had been hard to come by.  Word of mouth is great ... but word of Facebook is GOLDEN.  Yeah.  It gets tricky with the loopholes Facebook inputs on people and I understand that I mean, they ARE a business.  All of us business people reaping business perks without paying couldn't last forever.  So, I understand and will play along.
2. Huffington Post.  I HAD NO IDEA the Huffington Post existed until Facebook. (call me lame).  But now I'm linked to all kinds of content -- some relevant and so not -- that I am exposed to.  I like being exposed.  Exposed to things still means you have a choice to learn or not learn or dig in or not dig in.  Being exposed offers the opportunity to learn.  I like that.
3. A MOMMY NETWORK!  Ohmygoodness.  Facebook is my go to when I need a new Dentist, Doctor, Optometrist, Therapist, etc.  Someone always knows someone and guess what, people LOVE to share their opinions!  I've found some really great sources/resources via my friends on Facebook.
4. Private Groups.  The ability to have small (or large) private groups to exchange ideas, thoughts, motivation and more is empowering.  I've LOVED having my photography groups and family groups and importantly my Beach Body group which holds me accountable daily!  Woot!
5. Food.  LOTS and LOTS of food is shared on Facebook.  Recipes, healthy eating, links to Pinterest and more.  I've never needed to make so many recipes in my WHOLE LIFE. ;)
6. Family.  I've connected and reconnected with many MANY family members.  We even have a private family page that we post photos and information to for one another.  LOVE this.
7. My Grandma is on Facebook.  I LOVE THAT.  I also love that she sometimes mixes things up and we have to help her but I adore that she tries and does it and shares info and reports on what they are doing.  Since my Grandma doesn't live close, this is really special to me. :)
8. Photo archive.  I have a LOT of photos stored on there (some probably shouldn't be!) and it's a little walk down memory lane sometimes.  I love the ability to share photos and our lives via photos.
9. News and Gossip.  I don't watch the news anymore (is it really uplifting anyway?) nor do I get Gossip related info since I don't watch that or read magazines anymore!  Facebook allows me to skim all of this information!  In fact!  Julie recently shared with me The Skimm which is just that, a skim of the news!  How easy!  Thank you Facebook for getting me the news easy!
10. And finally.  Friends and family, I CARE about you.  I like knowing what you are up to and seeing your photos!  I actually enjoy it.  So keep sharing and posting and showing me the cutest kiddos ever because I eat it up with a spoon!

Stay tuned ... next week I'll follow up with a 10 things I HATE about Facebook!  Suggestions welcome!  What do you LOVE (or hate) about Facebook?  Do share!

Ten on tuesday - ten ways I intend to THRIVE this year.

1.  I'm saying SUCK IT to resolutions.  I totally think resolutions are great.  But you know what is better?  GOALS.  Real, attainable, make-a-plan and attain it GOALS.  Isn't it the same thing?  Perhaps.  But when you set a goal you usually make measurable steps to REACH that goal.  Resolutions usually come with a "I'm going to be better at such-and-such but no real PLAN as to how to attain that lofty resolution.  Hence, the breaking of resolutions.  Plus, I get all TYpe A and make too many and too many resolutions does NOT equal success for me!  So SUCK IT resolutions.

2.  I did pick a ONE WORD for this year.  And if you couldn't tell from that gigantic photo posted above.  It is THRIVE.  I love this word and kept circling back to it when mulling the new year.  I have a lot of fun things to look forward to this year and I want to grow in that and flourish (definitions of the word thrive btw).  When I think of thriving, I think of SMILING.  I think of stepping into things with all of myself.  I think of ENJOYING where I am right now.  I think of WILD ABANDON to new situations.  I think to THRIVE means to live fully.

3.  I'm going to THRIVE in personal projects.  Meaning, I'm going to grow them and dive in and not be afraid.  More of this and me putting myself out there to come.  It might mean being a little vulnerable and brave too.

4.  I'm going to EMBRACE and THRIVE in turning 40.  I'm going to relish the turning to the next chapter. I'm going to embrace it and celebrate it.  I'm going to surround myself with the people I hold most dear, the people that support, uplift, encourage, love and respect me (the feeling is mutual btw).  Together, we will lift our glasses and CELEBRATE.  For a day, a weekend a week a month!  Who cares, its an excuse to celebrate.

5.  I am going to THRIVE when I take my kids to visit the OCEAN for the first time.  I'm going to splash in the waves with them, build sand castles, let them cover me with sand and search for the best sea shells.  I AM STOKED.  It is there, I will officially turn 40 ...WOOT!  Sunset on the beach!  YES!  More time to celebrate? YES!

6.  My business!  MY BUSINESS!  I'm going to THRIVE in the classes I am taking right now. I'm going to dig deep, shed fear and move FORWARD.  I'm going to embrace ME now and who I am as a photographer and move FORWARD.  And hopefully, flourish.  (I really REALLY like that word too!)

7.  I hope to THRIVE in my role as wife and relationship with Mike.  Keep it fresh, encourage different outings and fun and push past being tired at night and feeling lackluster.

8.  I'm going to THRIVE as mama.  I want to SMILE more and raise my voice less.  Resolution?  Nope.  Goal?  YES.  I want to grow in that.  I want their memories to be mom dancing with wild abandon in the kitchen and saying YES to jumping on the bed.

9.  I wish to THRIVE in my relationships with others.  This might mean re-evaluating "who has my back?"  I don't have the energy for false friendships. I want real, lasting, meaningful, we-are-in-this-together friendship. It's what I'm willing to give and wish to receive.

10.  And finally, which perhaps should be moved to the TOP of the list ... I want to THRIVE in my faith.  I want to look forward with certainty that only through HIM am I able to do any of this.  I know there will be challenges, set-backs road blocks and hard days.  It is only relying on Him, our Lord, that I will find strength to smile or dance with wold abandon.  I will fail.  I will fall.  And I will get back up again.  Of this, I am sure.

Yes.  This year, I will THRIVE.

ten on tuesday - the Christmas card edition

For YEARS I've tried to find the VERY BEST WAY to display my Christmas cards.  I'm made crafts, I've tired magnets on the door, I've hung string to attach them to and finally, I just throw them into a basket and collect them for years!

FINALLY!  This year I found the PERFECT SOLUTION! I found a vintage card holder at my favorite local store, The Vintage Gypsy!  I hung it in the foyer and in the off season it is holding family photos and instagrams (win!) and during Christmas, I'm piling on the cards!  I LOVE seeing all of the HAPPY!!  After the hoiday I'll take them all down and put them into the basket for everyone to look through!

Here is how it looks (taken last week so a few cards are missing!)

 

So very happy with that solution!

And, speaking of Christmas cards.  I have a few pet peeves about Christmas card sending season.  Here are my thoughts!  And remember these are only MY thoughts and opinions and by no means do I judge you based upon your personal card sending standards!  These are just things I hold myself accountable to!

1. I believe once you have a family, you should send Christmas cards.  I started sending cards when I owned my own home.  It kind of goes along with the old saying "send mail to get mail!"  My mom told me that years ago, and its true!  Plus, once you are married all of your friends and family WANT to know how you are doing!
2. Pictures are the WAY TO GO!!!  Everyone likes to SEE the people they love!  Whether it's a collection from over the year, a backyard photo shoot or a pro shoot (always the best!) send us a photo!
3. Stamps.  I DO buy the Christmas themed stamps ... but I guarantee you that I DO NOT LOOK at each card to see if they in fact have a Christmas stamp.  I'm not sure why I stress over this!?!?
4. Someone once inferred to me that printing labels for your cards is "cheating" and if you aren't putting a hand written note in each one then the least you can do is address the card .  Hmmmm.  I had to think on that one.  I know ALL of our time is valuable so it's a toss up to me.  For me, I was finding that it was taking me about the same amount of time, so I just write them out now. But I go back and forth.
5. Another friend says the VERY LEAST you can do is jot a tiny personal note in your cards.  And I do agree, but I do NOT do it.  Shame on me. I just think it goes the extra mile.  I mean, since I said above SEND ME A PHOTO it leaves little room for a message, but it is always so thoughtful when I receive one.
6. Cards are fun to receive in the mail!!  Everyone gets bills and B/S in their mailbox and Christmas card season is JUST PLAIN FUN.  It truly is a "bright spot" in my day!  So mail your cards!
7. Piggybacking on that ... my biggest pet peeve is when people hand you a card and say "I wanted to save a stamp."  Ouch!  I wasn't worth the cost of a stamp?  Or did they really mean they didn't want the hassle of dealing with addressing it?  Probably the latter, BUT, I think a mailed and stamped and addressed card tells people you care and you WANT to wish them a Merry Christmas and they are WORTH to cost you put in and the work you put in!  It's a tiny Christmas present!
8. I think it is completely appropriate to combine events -- new baby, change of address, marriage announcement, engagement -- whatever!  Christmas is a perfect time to do this sort of thing and there are TONS of cute options now!
9. If you don't send cards this year, THAT IS OK!  Don't apologize for it!  If you do ... people will notice that they didn't receive one!  Just make your choice and move on!  If you want to send a group email do it but people really only notice when you ANNOUNCE that you did NOT do it and then blabber on about how guilty you feel over it.  Let it go, let it go, let it go! :)  We still love you!
10. If Christmas was too rushed embrace the New Year or Valentine tradition to send a card!  People LOVE getting mail, and that is the bottom line!

Again, only my opinions!  And here was our card this year ...

I found this card and knew this was "the one" with Bella and her "bunny ears" or PEACE sign!  LOVE!  

ten on tuesday

1. It's cold.  I think that it is a pretty blanket statement for the country though, so I'm not going to whine about it.  It is UNseasonably cold here and coming too quickly for me!  However, I better just suck it up and get used to it!  Is it cold where you are?
2. Feeling SO GOOD to get "back on track" with my diet/exercise.  I've still be committed, but like a "5 days a week" commitment rather than a daily EVERYday commitment.  My scale was/is like a giant Yo-yo going up and down and I'm sick of it.  I'd like to get that number CLOSER to my goal. I want to keep that goal in mind because my 40th birthday is starting to sneak up on me!!!
3. I'm firming up Christmas gifts.  WHAT?!?!?  What that means is ... I keep a list on Amazon that I continue to tweak and adjust daily.  I'd like to push that giant PLACE ORDER button and be done, but I'm just not quite there yet.
4. The VOICE.  Anyone else watching?  I've really loved it this year.  I love Gwen Stefani and I have a new found love for Pharrell and then there is that handsome eye candy, Adam Levine.  And Blake?  Well, he's just funny and no nonsense.  He always makes me laugh.
5. THE DUDE.  We called my brother "the dude" growing up.  And the dude did a full IRONMAN TRI on Sunday in Arizona.  It was pretty AWESOME.  I only wish I had been there to cheer him on.  However, he had an awesome cheering section there!  That cheering section pushed him to a stellar finish!  10 hours and 28 minutes!!!  Congrats to him!!!!
6. ...and that left me feeling INSPIRED.  And reminded me IT IS ALL ABOUT THE HARD WORK.  He didn't just get out there and move 140.6 miles easily.  He trained.  He worked hard.  He was dedicated.  It is all about the HUSTLE.  He reminded me to reach for my dreams and WORK HARD.  Keep on hustling.
7. I often feel pretty grateful for MONDAY around here.  The kids (and I) do better on our weekday routine.  YAY Monday!
8. CHRISTMAS decorations!!  We are up and ready for the season here.  I know its crazy, but the first snow was coming and the outside needed to be decorated.  Mike got it done in the nick of time!  So we continued with the inside too.  And it feels cozy and warm and sparkling and I kind of love it.
9. Except ... next year I might accidentally on purpose do it while the kids are at school!  They were pawing at and digging at all of my stuff (treasures) and soon tissue and boxes were flying and I was was "WAIT!?!?!?  What the heck are YOU doing?!?!?"  I panicked and gave them a few things and called it a day.  Next year ... different plan of attack! ;)
10. Eleven years.  If you are my friend on FB you know we celebrated 11 years of marriage last weekend!  It was a low key day with a happy "cheers" at the end!  We marveled over all we've been through in 11 years and didn't even TRY to predict where then next 11 will take us.  Could we have EVER expected ALL that we've gone through in these 11 years?  NOPE.  God is writing our story...and doing a pretty good job, so we will just trust we are in good hands. :)

Happy Tuesday!