Mug-O-Comfort Swap!

At the end of April, I participated in the Mug-O-Comfort Swap from Chaotic Goddess Swaps.

I was paired up with Whitney at Decor Chronicles! Seriously love all her ideas on her blog!! :D

She sent me really cute stuff! Check it out!

She found the cutest packaging tape!

crammed full of goodies!!

  I love love love owls, so this one was perfect!

I love everything I got! The tea is delish, and my hubby totally stole the cappuccino and refused to share! lol

I was super sad that my measuring spoons broke! :(  

 

So she sent me some new ones!!!

And the cutest bracelet! She has a shop too!!!

Check it out! 

Thank you Whitney for all my amazing stuff! I LOVE IT!!!!

Remodeling our coat closet

So almost a year ago, we bought our first house!

We love it a lot, but of course, there were things that drove me crazy.

Our coat closet being one of them.

It's your standard coat closet. Minimal function, zero aesthetic. 

Additionally, it was right behind the front door, when the door was open. Those accordion doors were horrible to try to manage as others were coming in.

It had to go.

So Dave and I spent a few months throwing out ideas, including but not limited to moving it all together and expanding my laundry closet.....

Then I ran across this image on Pinterest.

I fell in love. So much so, that I started looking for hooks immediately!

I fell in love with these hooks from House of Antique Hardware.

So I started saving.

When we had the funds for the hooks, I gave Dave the green light.

This was in January.

He started by taking everything out {of course}

My laundry closet was a disaster.

So was my kitchen.

This is a very important and high functioning area of our home.

Next we went with paint.

We wanted something dark to hide dirt.

I'm a realist. I have kids, with muddy boots, and wet coats.

Dark was a necessity.

Next we put in the boards for the hooks to mount to.

We went with a black "drunk octopus" hook on the bottom.

Just your standard double hook from Lowe's.

And finally, it was done!

Organized.

Amazing!

We snagged the blue roller cart from Ikea. It has holes in the shelves so that the water from the kids boots hits the rug on the floor. 

The top shelf we use for gloves, hats, and the like.

It honestly is the best thing! We took off the door too. At first that was temporary, but we love the ease of getting into the closet that we don't want to put it back on!

Score!

I miss Disneyland.

I'm having a rough morning. I'm really trying to put something someone said behind me. So instead of posting the RANT that I've got in my draft section, I figured I'd just mention how much I miss Disneyland.

It's been a little over 2 years since we went last. We still talk about it all.the.time.

Swapping Goodness!

I've signed up to be a part of the Chaotic Goddess Mug O' Comfort swap! I'm super excited as it's been a year {at least} that I've done a swap, and I love me some warm tasty beverages!

YOU still have time to enter! It's open until MIDNIGHT Mountain time TONIGHT! So get over there already!!!

   

Early Puberty In Our Children

I ran across an article recently that has me all upset. "Preventing Early Puberty and Hormone Problems In Our Daughters" talks about girls going into puberty early, as in 7, 8, 9 years old. Many in the medical community are calling this the new "normal". What is normal about a child going into puberty at such a young age? They don't understand what is happening, why it's happening, or what to do about it!

What caught my eye was the list of ways to try to PREVENT this happening. They hit on preventing obesity in your kids. Obesity has been shown to prevent more estrogen, estrogen is a hormone. Lets put that one together.

Prevent/Reduce Obesity

• Cut out the soda and juice completely! (Water is the best beverage.)
• Cut portion sizes in half.
• Do your best to eliminate bread, pasta, potatoes and white rice from the diet: emphasize good quality proteins and vegetables as the mainstay of their diet.
• Cut the amount of TV watching in half (and adding exercise will make this even better!).
• Make sure you are doing all of these things yourself!

 Two things on that list are specifically related to the TYPES of food we eat. TWO!

Going Primal it is in my scope for me to avoid processed sugars, wheat, gluten, and any grains. Corn, rice, quinoa, and legumes are all considered grains. It has NOT been easy. In our fast food, in your face, convenience world, stepping away from some of my favorite foods is hard! I am a lover of fried, baked, sweet yumminess! Eating out or doing fast food is all too common in my house. But since becoming educated about what's going on with our food, and how far away it all is from the farmer, I have daily been motivated. I can't say that I don't lapse. Some days I'm lucky if I hate any meal that was "Primal", but there is grace. I'm motivated. I'm continually motivated. It's what drives me to continue making better choices, not just for me, but for my kids and hubby. I love them too much to let them suffer! To know that I could be contributing to a problem now or in the future, makes me think twice before I cave and buy McDonald's.

I have recently started compiling a list of websites and info-graphics on Pinterest. You can check out my Food: Educate Yourself! board here. I also have pinned a couple other items there regarding this topic of puberty and the food we are eating. It's always a good idea to be informed!

Primal Recipes from around the Web

As I mentioned last week, I have been working on going "Primal". This is not a diet for me, this is a lifestyle change. The health of myself, my husband, and my kids depend on it. As Maria said in "The Art of Healthy Eating: Savory" you can either pay the doctor or the farmer. I'd like to pay the farmer if I can help it!

So I thought I would post some of the recipes I've found around the Internet that I've fallen in love with. I do have to substitute in some of them. Best judgement practices here people.

Almond Joy Larabars

Simple, easy, and RICH. I enjoyed the blended flavors, and it tasted like a dessert more than something healthy. It is a bit pricey to make, but they were worth it. 

Christmas Tree Salad

In season, this is a treat! We served it by itself on a day where we had had a late lunch. It would pair well with chicken either on the side or in it. I wish I could get Pomegranate year round without the added expense. They are seriously amazing fruits!

Banana Pancakes

This was honestly the first thing I tried to make. I like them! My kids have to be in the right mood for them. Don't expect amazing pancake texture, you won't find that here. I did try them once with adding a bit of coconut flour to the mix. They did rise more. I think I will be trying the batter with this idea this week.

Bacon & Egg cups

Super simple here folks! Just remember to grease your muffin tin. I didn't do that as I thought the bacon would handle it. Errr....Wrong. Just grease them. And don't expect yours to look like hers. Mine never come out like that.

5 Minute Frozen Yogurt

This was amazing. We are all big ice cream people in this house. This was quick, healthy, and tasted great! I may add some more honey next time to give my son that added sweetness he wants. I did frozen strawberries AND cranberries. I've even got frozen banana. Ya know the ones, they are almost down for the count, and you either throw them out or make bread? I peel, slice, and freeze them. BAM!

Baked Dijon Salmon

I made this last week and my husband sang it's praises! My kids ate it ALL. It was the first meal in weeks that I felt successful! This is definitely on my list for a couple weeks from now.

Flourless Brownies

I have a sweet tooth. Baked chocolaty goodness calls my name around 8pm nightly. So when I ran across this recipe, I had to give it a try. The texture is almost identical to a boxed variety, and they are rich and sticky. They hit the spot with a glass of milk. It does have coconut sugar in it, which is going to raise insulin levels, but it's better than refined sugar by a mile.

As you can see, I've tried a LOT of different things with success. I've also tried a LOT of things that either I hated something about it, or I hated it all together. Primal eating is definitely trial and error. Like I said in my last post, it's also not something I've got down consistently either. 

If you want to see more recipes, I do have a Primal board on Pinterest!

Have a great week!

Going Primal

It has been a LONG time since I posted anything. Mostly in part to the desire to not let it be a "job". But lately, I've had a lot on my mind, and in all honesty, I need to jot it down somewhere. Mostly for me to come back to, but also to share with friends, family, and the world in general. If my ramblings benefit anyone other than myself, I will feel accomplished.

In January I turned a whole whopping 33 years young. However, for my birthday I did not feel young. I actually gave myself the worst birthday gift ever. I hit 200 pounds on the scale. On my 5'6" frame, lets just say there is some junk in my trunk and up front too.
I am not proud of this at all. In fact, it's kind of horrifying and liberating to admit this "out loud". The only person I've really told is my husband.

The day before my birthday I ran across this article about DIY Health on Ana White's blog. She started describing how she was NOT happy nor healthy despite eating "healthy" for a long time. In fact, her "diet" caused her to gain 20+ pounds in over a year. I related with her emotional status as well as her weight gain.. While my eating habits had NOT be healthy, I was gaining weight yearly. Significant amounts of weight. Additionally, I am on meds for PMDD which are a build up of these emotional issues the week before my period. If I forget a pill, I am UNBEARABLE. My poor family.

Then Ana mentioned Paleo. I'd seen pins on Pinterest about Paleo eating, and I laughed at the thought. I can't give up my breads and pastas! Rice, corn, and beans were out too? NO CHEESE?!!! Fergeddaboudit. But because of Ana's mention, and the fact that my mom had been talking about being gluten free for years, I started wondering if there was something to this.

I had my birthday dinner at Bombay house the next day with my family. I started talking to my mom about Paleo. I complained about not being able to have cheese, milk, or yogurt. She told me to look into "Primal" eating. Basically Paleo with dairy products.

So I went home and started reading more and more about Paleo and about Primal. I pinned and pinned and pinned items and recipes. The more I learned, the more I was shocked. All these grains {Wheat, Quinoa, Rice, Corn, Legumes} were making people not only fat, but sick. Inflammation was a HUGE side effect from these items. My husband has Fibromyalgia. Inflammation is the LAST thing this guy needs. In addition to that, I knew what foods set him off. Fast food burgers being one of the worst, but we ate out TONS. He rarely complained, but I knew it was slowly taking the life from him. Yet I did NOTHING.

I started reading up on "Primal" eating from Mark's Daily Apple. What you can eat, what you can't. He even has a shopping list and a book. {Which I have not read yet.} I started gleaning more information and pinning more recipes. I was becoming informed, and it scared the grains right out of my house.

About a week after my birthday I did a pantry purge. Anything and everything gluten and sugar got tossed. Processed foods, GONE. I couldn't have it in the house. I wanted us all to go through this together. I was not going to poison my kids while I ate healthy. Not going to happen.

My mom also got me 3 books by Maria Emmerich. I'm almost done reading "The Art of Healthy Eating: Savory". Her information as a nutrition and wellness expert is interesting and good to know. In this book she talks about "Why we get fat". How wheat and other grains turn into sugar in our body. Sugar is BAD. She talks about insulin resistance, Fibro, Crohn's Disease, hair loss, and other health issues. She talks about why eggs are good for you, including the yolk. She gives amazing recipes that are healthier for you than the regular version. Her blog is chuck full of information, but is a bit difficult to find that info. So keep digging. But I can say that she has such good information, that it is worth a look.

So how has it gone? Well, I can honestly say that I am addicted to convenience foods. Fast food happens when I'm not in the game 100%. It is HARD. Lunches are the worst. WORST I tell you! My kids are not at all supportive of our switch, and some days I'm needing an energy boost by the time it comes around that a fight is not what I want. So I cave and we get something totally horrible. If I don't plan ahead for dinner, it is the same issue. Primal and Paleo are all about PLANNING! You would think I could handle that.

So here we are. Everyday is a new day to try better. I know every day won't be perfect. I know that I struggle. I have an unhealthy addiction. So do my kids. But with information, practice, and time, I know that we can do it. Well, we can do it most of the time. I just have to make sure I plan ahead. ;)

I think later this week I'll post some of my favorite recipes, as my post today is HUGE. Sorry about that. ;)
xxoo

Musical Monday: The Boat Song

This is so cute!

My friend Lauren posted it on her family blog, and I just had to put it up for Musical Monday's with Miss Angie!
It's been a while.

Enjoy!

Boat Song by JJ Heller


If you were a boat, my darling
A boat, my darling
I'd be the wind at your back
If you were afraid, my darling
Afraid, my darling
I'd be the courage you lack

If you were a bird, then I'd be a tree
And you would come home, my darling to me
If you were asleep, then I'd be a dream
Wherever you are, that's where my heart will be

Oh, do you know we belong together?
Oh, do you know my heart is Yours?

If you were the ocean, I'd be the sand
If you were a song, I'd be the band
If you were the stars, then I'd be the moon
A light in the dark, my darling for 

chorus.

Laundry Tips I love!

In the last 6 months I have become quite strict regarding my laundry routine.

It is not uncommon that at least once during the month that I will have ALL the laundry clean, folded, and put away!

Minus the pieces we are actually wearing that day.

Any other time of the month, I usually only have a 2 to 3 loads to do everyday. It's mostly because one or two days a week I decide to be "lazy" and not do the load, or someone has an accident at night.

I know I've been gone for 3 months {wow!} and life has been kindof crazy around here and doesn't look like it's letting up at all. 

But, I thought that I'd pipe up with my method to tackle the madness.

via Etsy

Tip #1: Don't give up. 

I know laundry is daunting and never ending. You have piles every day. It is annoying as all get out. If you stay on top of it, and do at LEAST one load a day, you CAN and WILL make a difference! If you can even squeeze the energy to do two loads in a day, even better!

Tip #2: Don't sweat the small stuff.

I know I'm going to get some finger wagging at me {especially by my mom} but I honestly do not separate my loads into "whites", "darks", "lights" UNLESS it is something new and has never been washed before. I don't want a brand new red shirt turning hubby's white tee into a pink nightmare. I do however throw in a white dish towel to find out if said item bled at all. If it doesn't, off it goes into the regular rotation the next go around.

Delicates are thrown into pillowcases I keep in the laundry room just for washing. Throw it in the case, tie it in a knot, throw it in the wash.

So, throw it all together unless it bleeds. I have not ruined anything by doing this.

I wash everything with cold water and I never iron anything. If it needs ironing, it's not mine, it's hubby's. He does his own. *wink*

Tip #3: Folding & Putting away

I fold my laundry as I pull it out of the dryer. I have 2 baskets on top of my dryer.

Me & hubby and then one for the kids.

I place the items in the appropriate basket as it is folded and I hang up everything that needs hanging. I have the hangers on a rod in the laundry room and just keep it going. Once or twice a week I take the baskets and unload them in the bedrooms and then put them back.

Tip #4: Vinegar

This is one of my newest steps that I've started thanks to something I saw on Pinterest.

Instead of using fabric softener, I've started putting vinegar in my Downy ball. It disinfects everything, none of our clothes smell of vinegar, and I've even noticed the oil stains are disappearing from our napkins! Also, not to forget that a big bottle of vinegar runs you about $2 and you get more than in a bottle of $4 fabric softener!

Tip #5: Tin Foil

Sounds crazy right? But I get tired of being shocked as I fold the laundry. It's annoying. So I started putting a small ball of tinfoil into the dryer with the clothes. I don't get a new one every time, I actually have had the one I'm using today for over a week. It pulls the static out. I still have my Downy dryer bar in there for the smell, but for static, I won't ever use anything else again! It's amazing! I cannot wait to see how this works in the dry Utah winters!

Well, that's it for me. How are you guys?

xoxo

Frustration, guilt, and my rant.

In the last 2 years I have GAINED 20 pounds.

My back is starting to complain.

About once a week I tweak my nerve and it hurts for days..

Some mornings I wake up and my right hip is in pain.

I'm getting older and more out of shape as the years go.

At the rate of 10lbs per year, if I continue on this track, I will be 260 pounds by the time I reach 40.

I am 5'6" tall.

I don't think my frame will be able to handle that.

But I don't know what to do.

I lack the discipline to eat healthy.

I love me some sweets.

They are crack to me.

How do you all get motivated and stay motivated?

Additionally, it's friggin' cold outside.

So I try to do the 30 shred and I can't get past 15 minutes.

I cannot even get past 10.

Lately I wonder if I should just give up on being healthy, or if I should just keep trying.

By the time I have the motivation to work out my son is home from preschool, and I need to give him attention.

Or like on Saturday, I woke up with the most outrageous urge to go for a jog, but it was super windy and raining.

And it was like 30 degrees out.

I'm at a complete loss as to what to do.

I did see that someone makes a list of what she can have instead of what she can't.

That way she can focus on the good stuff, instead of the bad stuff.

Maybe I should start there.

Exercise is only going to help fuel me to get healthy, but I can't get healthy unless I'm eating healthy.

Such a horrid circle.

Sorry, had to rant.

It's one of those days, yanno?

I'll try not to be gone for so long, I've just been burned out on a lot lately.

Can you tell?

lol

xoxo

Inspired Christmas

Christmas has finally come and gone.

I've been super busy through the month of December creating gifts for my family.

I wanted to share what I made, mostly because I'm so proud of how it all turned out!

Also, because a little bragging never hurt, right?

First, I made both the kids blankets for their dolls/animals.

Monkey loves his stuffed monkey, and other various stuffed animals, so we got him a doll bed from Ikea, and I made up these comforters and pillows to go with it!

I also made some for Princess and all her dolls.

She is very much into dolls right now, and has several that are very much part of her world.

Inspired via From an Igloo

I also made the kids and hubby their pajamas for Christmas eve.

They loved how they turned out!

{Me too}

Inspired via My Cotton Creations

I made hubby a carrying case for his new ear bud headphones.

He loves it!

Inspired via Erin Erickson

The thing I was so excited about was a Fort Kit, that I'd made the kids to share.

It has 4 sheets in it, along with clothes pins, and rope.

I added a deck of cards for fun too.

{Sorry for the horrible photo, but the kids have already put it to good use!}

Inspired via Meg and Andy Made

Everything turned out awesome and I'm really glad I was able to get it all done!

So, how was your Christmas?

Did you make anything this year?

xoxo

I linked up with Mama Kat and her Writer's Workshop this week!

Check it out for wonderful prompts weekly!

In Memory...

This past week has been overly stressful for my hubby.

For all of us.

Just this last Saturday Hubby got a phone call from his dad.

This happens every Saturday, so I figured it wasn't going to be such a life changer.

Until I saw my husband almost collapse.

His aunt and uncle were involved in a house fire.

It was fast and out of control.


via

Uncle Bill didn't make it.

Aunt Janis is in ICU for severe burns.

There was no telling what would happen next.

We continued on with life that day, but mostly in a state of shock.

We signed paperwork to further our steps as homeowners.

We took care of our kids basic needs.

We took naps.

We went to church and served.

We cried our ever lovin' hearts out.

Aunt Janis is going to be traveling a hard road.

My heart aches for her.

So far, she's doing okay, but she's still critical.

Uncle Bill.

The look of the man scared you to bits.

Over 6 feet tall, and hair everywhere, you were intimidated.

At least I was when I first met him.

It was almost dark in rural Wyoming.

We'd just pulled up to "the Bunker" to begin our extended family vacation.

{yes, that is a picture of the front of the bunker/house}

If WWIII hits, this is where hubby and I are heading.

Uncle Bill was standing in the garage, and light was coming from behind him, and like I said, it was dark otherwise.

I was slightly overwhelmed, but I figured that if my hubby trusted him, I had to.

I had a fun time in that interesting abode.

I shot my first gun at a rabbit {and missed}.

{sidenote: My hubby is a hottie!}

I realized what an organizational nut I am while I was there.

We had no tv, we barely had videos, so I spent time organizing cabinets.

Bill thought that was hilarious!

I was bored!

Princess was playing with her cousins while her aunt watched.

It was his man cave, and he graciously opened its doors for us to visit with all the chaos and kids.

He didn't talk much, but when he did, you listened.

He was a big bear with a soft heart.

Man we look like a bunch of rednecks....I think we aimed for that....wow.

Uncle Bill is on the far right, Aunt Janis is next to him.

Fast forward a year and half, we took the kids out to Bill and Janis' home in California for Christmas.

We stayed for a week at a home in Pismo Beach with Dave's dad and we'd drive down to their house to visit.

It was so much fun.

He took us all out to lunch at a BBQ joint he used to own.

He made sure that we had kitchen sink burritos for breakfast.

Yes, kitchen sink burritos.

If you couldn't taste the cilantro, Uncle Bill didn't make them.

They had whatever he had in the fridge.

Mmmm....so good!

He loved to cook, and loved having people eat his food and enjoy it.

I'm so sad that he is gone.

I'm so sad it ended this way.

Love you Bill!

Thankful day 24: Traditions

Today I'm thankful for Tradition.

On Turkey day morning for the last 3 years, we have gone to the Zoo for their "Feast with the Beast" with Hubby's mama.

We have so much fun!

This year will be our 4th year going!

Because of the cold, there aren't too many people there, so it's not overly crowded.

They have a schedule of which animals they feed, and when.

It all kicks off with the elephants busting a huge pumpkin.

It's my favorite part!

The picture above is from 2 years ago.

Last year it was 16 degrees when we got to the zoo.

They didn't let the elephants out.

*sniffle*

I think it warmed up to about 25 degrees.

We still had a blast though!

 My monkeys sure are cute!

Yes, all 3 of them!

The tigers get big ol' hunks of meat.

And there are 5 of them.

They were still looking at kids like they were lunch.

Scary....

After the zoo, we usually hang out for a while, and then head up to my mom's for the big meal.

We try to keep turkey dinner around dinner time, so that we all can join in.

My sister usually works the morning shift.

And then we all sit on the comatose couch trying to fight off the "I ate too much" sleepies.

The kids are gonners in the back seat as we drive home.

Some times I wonder how WE make it, since we're so tired too!!!

Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful, fun filled, day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful day 23: Freedom & Possibilities

Honestly, we live in a land of Freedom and Possibilities.

Many people around the world do not share the same freedoms that we do.

They don't get the opportunity to seek out their favorite activity, hobby, or passion.

Today I'm thankful for those people that make those freedoms possible.

While you're at home tomorrow, having turkey with family and/or friends, please remember those who serve our country that are not with those that they love.

They are stationed overseas or in another state.

They cannot make the trek either because a lack of funds, or the lack of ability due to their commitment.

Keep them in your prayers.

They are the reason that you are able to live freely and passionately in this country.

Thank you to those that have served, will serve, and are serving our country.

Thank you to those that will be missing someone this holiday season around your dinner table, because they made the ultimate sacrifice for me and my family.

Thank you.

Thankful day 22: Friends

My friends are a huge part of my life.

I would not have survived the 45 mile move to Salt Lake City, if I had not made these friends.

I met them through my church, and they are a-mazing!

If I ever need anything, I know who I can call.

And my circle keeps growing!

I'm just so happy to call them friends, but more happy that they feel like family!

Thankful day 21: Menu Planning {How To}

Yesterday I talked about how I'm thankful for Google, and that I use it to menu plan.

Today, I'm thankful for the knowledge my mama taught me to be able to plan a menu.

*smiles*

Thanks mama!

Not everyone knows how, and many of my friends have been in awe of how I plan out my meals for 2 weeks in advance.

With a grocery list.

Do I forget things at the store?

Abso-freaking-lutely.

Does it drive me up the wall.

You have no idea.

So how do I go about planning my menu?

Simple, I hunt down recipes like a mad woman, and I put them on the list.

Then I look at the recipes and build my shopping list directly from what I've added on my menu!

Now, next week, I will re-add the dishes we didn't eat this week.

Because I know I already have the stuff for it, so I don't have to buy anything to make it.

Unless I forgot something.

*grumbles*

I print out my menu plan, and I put it on the front cover of my binder of recipes for easy reference.

I have all my recipes in sleeve protectors, because I am not a clean cook!

And I'll put all the recipes that I've got on this weeks plan at the front, so I can find them quicker.

I'm awesome {read: lazy} like that.

So, I'm going to give you my menu plan for this week.

Many of these recipes I've got on my Pinterest Dinner board, so if it's not linked, please check there.

I use a Pinterest board to help keep track of the meals I want to try.

I love Pinterest.

November 20th through December 5th
20th Jamaican Jerk Burgers with Apple Slaw & Oven Fries
21st Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Quinoa
22nd Chicken and Butternut Squash Pasta
23rd Small Group? Autumn sausage casserole
24th Thanksgiving Dinner at Bruce & Karen’s Cranberry sauce, misc other things
25th Black Friday Pizza Burgers and oven fries
26th Church Turkey with taters, green beans, cran sauce, stuffing
27th Leftovers
28th Broccoli & Cheddar soup {Panera Style} with turkey; bread for dipping
29th Black Bean Burgers with veggies
30th House Church Boca Burgers and oven fries
1st Spinach and Ricotta stuffed shells with salad and bread
2nd Sour Cream noodle bake with veggies
3rd Church Creamy chipotle turkey tortellini with veggies
4th  Cheesey Veggie Chowder
5th Turkey burgers with herb sauce and veggies

I've linked up today with Org. Junkie! Where you can find hundreds of other menu plans and recipes!

She also has an extensive list of recipe sites and resources!

Thankful day 20: Google

I promise you, this is not a paid advertisement.

I am a Google "groupie", for lack of a better word.

Obviously.

Blogger = Google

Gmail = Google email

Google Talk

Google Maps

Google Docs

Google Calendar

Google Plus

Android = Google

I use all of those on a regular basis, as in daily.

Right now I'm multi-tasking between a Google doc for my menu planning, Pinterest, and the budget I've created for 2012 in Google docs.

I am regularly checking the family calendar for what's going on today, tomorrow, this week.

I have a widget on my phone that helps me with it.

Hubby and I share a calendar, and whenever anything pops up that will possibly effect the family, it goes onto that calendar.

Hubby knows what I'm doing most days.

He knows when parent teacher conferences are.

When we've got a double date.

When we're watching the kids.

I know when he has to work late.

Or is hanging out with the guys.

What I love most about Docs, is that I can share the documents I've made for our home with my husband.

Our budget is in "the cloud" so if my computer crashes, I still have it.

{I learned this the hard way}

My menu plan and grocery list is in "the cloud" so that if I forget it while I'm out at the store, I can look it up on my phone and still know what I need to get.

There's an app for that.

Our list for Christmas gifts with links and price points?

In the cloud.

Some of our important documents?

Saved in Google docs.

My blog?

Google.

Need I go on?

I seriously could not fathom any other way to do things at this important, busy, productive point in my life.

Today, as I sit here menu planning, budgeting, and scheduling, I'm thankful for the services Google provides.

Thankful Day 19: No Regret

On Thursday I took our only car to get it's oil changed and a look over since we're going on a road trip in December.

We were about 1000 miles overdue.

{if Dad was reading this, he'd groan}

But that's not a big deal.

Our car goes about every 5000 miles between changes.

It even tells me when we are getting close.

Moving along....

About 20 minutes into it, I got called back to the service area.

I NEVER get called back.

So I pulled monkey along and we wandered back.

The nice guy at the desk says to me:

"I have good news, and bad news."

No one ever wants to hear those words.

He continues:

"I found a leak in your water pump. We need to replace it before it goes out."

Me: *gulp*

He says

"It's covered under your drive train warranty, so we'll just take care of it today, it'll be about 2 hours."

I think I did a little dance right there surrounded by 5 guys.

Today, I'm thankful for my car warranty.

It made the "overpriced" brand new car totally worth it in my book.

That lovely piece was $600 in parts and repair.

I paid $0.

I totally am all about buying a new car.

We did so 4 years ago.

Our warranty is amazing.

We have had to use it a couple times, but we're so thankful it is there.

We even bought the service package, so all our oil changes and state emissions and inspections are paid for for the first 7 years.

It's an amazing car that gets us everywhere we needs to go.

This is what our car is

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2008 Scion xB

Thankful day 18: Date Night

Date night is sacred.

It is not to be taken for granted in any way shape or form.

In our home we have almost weekly date night.

I've talked about our Babysitting Co-Op before.

Thankfully we are still going strong, and will be celebrating a year full of dates this month!

I'm so very glad that we get this opportunity!

I hope you take it as food for thought and get one started up for you.

It's one of the best marriage building tools Hubby and I have!

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Tonight hubs and I are doubling up with one of our favorite couples and having dinner and good convo!
I'm so excited!!

Thankful day 17: Fall

Fall is one of my most favorite times of year.

I love the colors.

I love the cooler temperatures.

I love that I get to break out my awesome boots and scarves.

A few weeks ago, Monkey had an assignment to bring to school a various assortment of fall items.

5 different kinds of leaves, twigs, pine cones, acorns, and a gourd.

We took the opportunity to use that as an "excuse" to drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon.

We usually drive up to see the colors every year around the first of October, but this year we just hadn't gotten to it yet.

Now it was almost the end of October, and I'm so glad we waited!

Fall was late coming this year, and if we'd gone earlier, we'd have missed what we found!

It was so stunning up there!

 When we reached the top, Princess refused to have her picture taken with her dad and brother, so she took a pic of me with them instead.

Poor Monkey lost his head in a couple of the shots.

Brighton actually had a bit of snow...on the ground, to the right.

You can't see it in this shot, but it is there.

*sobs*

On the way down we stopped at one of our favorite campgrounds to see if they had anything we needed.

We found the ground covered in leaves.

Since it was closed for the season, we decided to have a good time throwing leaves at each other.

I just wish it wasn't over so quickly.

Fall only lasts about a month, sometimes less.

I guess we should feel lucky it lasted over 6 weeks.

I just wish the snow wasn't coming close behind it!