Life Hacks Of A Working Mom

This probably applies to moms in general but since I am a "working mom" this is my life story...

• "Turn down for what" only means one thing...coffee!
• "Me time" only happens when both my husband and my child are napping...this is a rare commodity
• I know it's time to shave my legs when I see black strands of hair protruding from my legs
• I drive down the road singing Bubble Guppies...and I'm all alone
• I make a wonderful gourmet  Italian soup called...Progresso 
• A day off from work can only mean one thing, time to finally clean my house
• Finding one last pair of clean socks means I can put off laundry for at least one more day...maybe two
• If my child pukes on me before I get to work, no need to fear Tide-to-Go is here! 
• A $5 pizza is easier than making Mac & Cheese
• All of my daily errands have to be condensed into a 30 minute slot called a lunch break
• Movie date night with the hubby means the new LMN movie & take out
• Who needs diaper bags when you have disposable Walmart bags
• Coffee in the morning, coffee in the afternoon and coffee to help me do all the chores at night
• I rejoice when my child comes home from the baby sitters ready to take a nap because it means I get to nap to! :D 
• If the decision is between sleeping an extra 15 min. in the morning or wearing makeup to work...that's a no brainer 
• I use dry shampoo...a lot
• And most important of all...being a mom is the biggest blessing a woman could have and I would do it all over again tomorrow! :) 

Being a mom is the hardest, most challenging, best thing that has ever happened to me! Sometimes I think I just want to sit down and cry, that's when I look up and my daughter looks at me and says "I love you mommy" and I realize all is well with my little crazy world! I am blessed! 

Idea of Minimalism

I recently saw an instagram post of this chicks blog Caroline Joy Rector. She is a minimalist fashion blogger who builds her whole wardrobe with just 37 items of clothing, including shoes & purses! When I first came across her system I thought to myself...HOLY MOLY only 37 pieces!? I knew I had probably more than 37 pairs of shoes! I was astonished that any female could only own 37 pieces of clothing but yet still be fashionable. So, me being the researcher and "nosey rosey" that I am, I had to find out more about this minimalist lifestyle.



My research led me to countless blogs, YouTube videos, and articles. The more I read about it the more I realized that it is totally AWESOME! The idea of minimalism is basically simplicity, and who doesn't need more of that?!


I started just researching minimalist wardrobe's but it actually stems a lot farther than just wardrobes. Minimalism is more of a lifestyle, not just something you apply to your clothes. The whole idea of living within your means, living simple and clutter free so that you can focus your energy and attention on what matters most in life; is something I have been searching for, for a while now!


The whole concept really puts my mind at ease. So as I start along this journey of purging, cleaning, de-cluttering, and simplifying I will start posting more about the steps I am taking to live a more simple life in the midst of a chaotic world. Now, will I sell everything I own and live in an RV for the rest of my days...um I think not! But I am excited to see where this journey takes me. I just wanna be a Duggar. Nuff said!


Check out this girls YouTube page! She is a minimalist who centers her decision to live simple around Jesus Christ! Woot woot! Praise! Carrie Peterson

Potty Training: 101

It's hard for me to believe that it's time for my child to start potty training! It just seems like yesterday I was changing her mustard yellow, scentless newborn diaper and now she WANTS to use the "big girl potty". She will be two in November and my goal is for her to be completely potty trained by her birthday. Note: I have not pushed her to potty train, she has given plenty of signs, including literally telling me she needs/wants to use the potty. I have done extensive research on the best way to potty train and have gotten a few good tips that I have used but I have also learned to make it your own.

I have never been a "by the book" type of woman or mom. I like to take tips from other moms, blogs, magazines, ect and put my own twist on them! Making it my own has helped me to figure out what works best for Emery's likes and dislikes. So don't be afraid to step outside the box on your potty training ideas!

These are some tips/tricks that have helped Emery (so far) in her potty training journey. Like I said, these are things that are currently helping HER, so don't freak out if these don't work for your little one.

1. Potty seat NOT chair!

I was so excited to show Emery her new Dora the Explorer potty chair but soon found out that it was not floating her boat at all! She was much more amazed with the "big potty". So I purchased a potty seat, and it has worked like a charm. For some reason my tiny tot is fascinated by using the "big potty" which is a plus for mommy as well because she can't climb off the "big potty" like she could the potty chair (hehe)!

2. Time to Potty App

I'm not one of those people who use an app for everything in their lives but I will have to say that the Time to Potty App by Pull Ups has helped me a lot! The app allows you to customize to your child's age, gender, and what time they get up and go to bed. Then it recommends you to start the child out potting every 45 minutes, which I have found to be true, then when it's time to potty a fun alarm will go off on your phone. You can then document if your child pottied and if his/her pull-up was wet. So far this app has worked like a charm and has really helped me to keep up with Emery's potty times!

3. Rewards

Because who wants to pee in the potty without getting a special treat for it! We have a couple of different rewards for potting. The first is a sticker chart! We have a sticker chart hanging in the bathroom and every time Emery potties she gets to stick a sticker on her sticker chart! Some sticker charts are fancy and have the days all mapped out....not us...she just wants to stick it to the paper. Ba-da-bing ba-da-boom. I know stickers may sound a little lame, but to a almost 2 year old it's like a hundred bucks!

The second reward is a treat jar! Take a jelly jar, decorate it with fun stickers or even your child's name, fill it with M&M's and WA-LA! So every time Emery potties she get's one M&M! :)

4. Real panties

Some blogs encourage this and some discourage it. I have tried it and just the fact of introducing Emery to real panties has helped her. Yesterday, Emery wore her first pair of real panties (just around the house of course). She thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread! She loved them! Then...she had an accident. Immediately she recognized that her panties were wet and there was an unusual wet substance running down her leg that she did NOT like! She came running to me saying "Mommy I pee, mommy I pee" which was music to my ears because I wanted her to know that she had peed on herself. I then sat her on the potty and she finished her business. She is not wearing real panties all the time yet but by me introducing them to her she will grow accustom to them!

5. Privacy

This may sound like a weird tip but it has worked for me! The first few days of potty training I would stand in the bathroom with her and nothing would happen! I would tell her "pee pee in the potty emery" and she wouldn't do anything! So then I thought that she may be getting distracted with me in there with her, so I stepped out of the bathroom but stayed right by the door. As soon as I did I started hearing little trickles of pee hitting the water! She needed some privacy!! Which makes a lot of sense when you think about it. I mean can you pee when someone is standing there watching you?! No! Or at least I can't HA! So giving her a little privacy helped her to relax so that she could use the potty! Now every time I sit her on the potty I step out so she can privately do the deed.



I'm sure I will have more stories, tips, and tricks as our potty training journey progresses but for now...that's all I got! So to leave you with a sweet image...here is Emery's first time on her Potty (which we do not use anymore lol). My baby is growing up!

Long Time No See!

Greetings blog world, long time no see..or should I say read! ha! Due to my crazy life/schedule and my procrastination I have not blogged in months! I have definitely missed it. My husband misses it to because I haven't been trying new recipe's on him for awhile.


Life has been CRAZY busy this summer! From switching jobs, then switching back to my old job (long story) to singing a lot with my husband and I's ministry. Oh did I mention the fact that I've had weddings, wedding showers, baby showers, and every other kind of shower there is out there. So needless to say I am a walking zombie who's best friend is a white chocolate mocha Starbucks!


As summer is starting to wind down and I can already start to smell the aroma of hazelnut and roasted pecans, fall is almost here (YAY). But before the cooler weather fully sets in, I have a few nifty projects up my sleeve! Some include new home décor, chalk painting, and wardrobe purging! So guess what blog world....I'M BACK!!


Stay tuned!! :)

Q-Tip of the Day!

First of all....

Dear Lord, you are wonderful and thank you so much that it is finally FRIDAY!!! Amen.

Ok now that that's been taken care of...the topic for today is stinky trashcans. No one likes them but everyone has them! I love walking into a magnificent home that is well maintained and beautifully decorate and then I realize...oh yea...they have garbage too and it stinks (sick&twisted pleasure, I know hehe). So today we shall tackle the stinky trashcan with a quick tip to mask the odor. This process is so hard and complex I hope you can retain it all...(eye roll).

Oh hello magical smell good product! This is carpet powder, that I really wouldn't recommend for carpets because it can clog your vacuum, learned that the hard way.

After I take out my trash, I sprinkle just a little of this clean linen carpet powder in the bottom of my trashcan before I put the new bag in. I also use the scented bags which also help mask the smell.

I always dump the powder out when I take out the trash, so I won't end up with a trashcan full of powder ha!

I have a thing for smells, if I believed in past lives (which I don't) I'm pretty sure I would have been a blood hound because I can sniff out every foul smell that brushes across my nose! No joke.

So this is just one way I keep my house smelling "so fresh & so clean, clean" (insert early 2000's tribute to Outkast)

Happy Weekend!! :)

Leah

Confessions of Two Mommas and All Their Drama.

Okay. This is real life...not our perfect Pinterest lives.
...And here are our momma confessions...

I just recently stopped wearing maternity pants....

I wipe my child's snot on the bottom of the car seat.

Applying baby lotion to give the child a scent of a fresh bath...perfectly acceptable.

We resent all of the perfect moms.

We resent you even more if you have your body back.

My child pooped on the bathroom floor, stepped in it, then took a bath. I forget if I cleaned in between the toes.

Any event/function in the summer is pure evil. It's like chasing a prairie dog around while your dress flies up and your upper lip sweats.

Morning snuggles remind us why we love being mommies.

A cheese stick and teddy grahams pass as dinner.

My husband would crumble in fear if he had a solid 48 hours alone with our angel.

I let laundry sit for weeks. I then have to pull out clothes that smell like moth balls.

I have hair balls floating around like tumbleweeds in my house.

I am trying to teach my child to take a 'selfie'.

I forget the last time I didn't share my dinner.

I feel like I lose my patience way too much.

I haven't scheduled family pictures because I don't like the way I look.

My stainless steel looks like someone rubbed butter all over it.

I wish I was a better housekeeper.

I sometimes spray perfume on my child...Just in case.

I rip diaper wipes in two. Save that paper. (as in money. forget the trees)

We should buy organic. I'm just lucky to make it to the grocery.

I watch my sweet babe sleep.

The toilet is where my child prefers his hands.

My sweet pride and joy likes to eat our newspaper. Who needs a dog?

I post my FB status and tweets from the bathroom. It's the only place to think.

If you buy Toms and other boho items for your child you are wasting your money. Go to walmart to buy shoes because their feet are comparable to Jack and the Beanstalk...

I feel like a bad mom because I work outside the home.

My husband is hotter than I am. Thankfully he hasn't realized it yet.

Woman swoon over my husband and his parenting skills. I see you ladies and you can step off. Me and my hormones are ready for ya.

I pick my child's earwax.

I hide in my bedroom to watch Real Housewives so my husband doesnt think I am trashy.

I'm terrified I am not being the mom I am called to be.

I am overwhelmed.

When my baby wakes up from a nap I avoid eye contact in hopes that he'll go back to sleep.

...................................................................................................

Is This Appropriate?

As wives and mothers there are times when you must ask yourself, "is this appropriate?". This happens to us all the time, whether it be what we're wearing, saying, or watching....

Let us begin. 

Now that I am a reflection of my husband and child I find myself questioning my wardrobe choices. I have never been one to be inappropriate with clothing...maybe a little outdated butttttt 'everybody has those days'. Are shorts okay to wear as a mom? Do they have to be Bermuda/capris? Can they have a pattern? Will people think I am trying to get attention? Do I have any cellulite cream? Did I even shave my thighs? I know I missed my knee caps. Can you wear heels with shorts? I am so trashy. Insert trusty mom jeans here. 

Shoes. I am short, and by short I mean 5 feet tall. I make my husband look like he is a strapping, ruggedly handsome giant. That's why we're a match. :) Soooo I have heels that would make strippers nervous to walk (get jiggy wit it) in. Since becoming a mom I have stored away my leopard print shoes, as well as my bright red, calf accentuating, wedges. I am sure I am allowed to wear them but for some reason I just don't feel right. Now, I don't believe in running out to buy mass quantities of clogs and crocs but I do believe there is a happy medium with shoes. 

Vocabulary. We graduated high school in 2008, which makes us 6 years older than the kids who just graduated. It doesn't seem like we're 6 years older than these students until they open their mouths and start speaking this 'cray cray' gibberish. We're just going to say this, IF TEENAGERS are saying the word or phrase in question... DON'T say it. I repeat, DO NOT. Nothing is more attractive than you saying 'LOL' and 'totes mcgotes' to your in-laws during dinner. We grew up in the 90s and reading rainbow taught us better. What a disservice. 

Music. Am I allowed to blast "Party in the USA" with the windows down in the middle of summer with my child in the back seat? I get really conflicted when I want to rock out to "Toxic" while cruising with my 1 year old. Honestly, I always turn the song or station to Hillsong, Jesus Culture or Dolly Parton. I know that the music should always be on those stations but the 'young' person in me wants to pretend it's the summer of 2008. 

Swimwear. Shewwwwww, bless all the moms and the bathing suit struggle. That is all. 

Shows. I can't watch MTV anymore because usually "16 and Pregnant" is on and all I end up doing is crying on behalf of those sweet babies. Yes, I am an adult and I am not afraid of my mother coming in to tell me to turn the channel, but there are certain shows that ALL PEOPLE shouldn't be allowed to watch. 

These are our daily conflicts in a nutshell. :)

Ingredients to Keeping It All Together

We have had a few requests asking us to do a post about how we seem to "do it all" and still stay sane. So today we will spill the beans about our secrets about being a so called "Super Mom" (yea right). You may want to take notes. ;)



First of all I'm not perfect.....SURPRISE! I'm sure you all are shocked by that statement, not. Ha! Just kidding. I wish my house was cleaner, I wish I could cook more throughout the week, I wish I had more time to spend with my husband and daughter, I wish I could go to the gym more, and I wish I had more time to craft. But right now in this season of my life that's just not realistic. I think a lot of times women, wives and mothers put too much pressure on themselves to be this perfect person that is unreachable and then when those goals are not met discouragement creeps in. When I first got married I thought I had to do it all. I tried to be perfect on all levels, I thought, a wife should be. Then when I would seem to mess up or something wasn't perfect I would feel like a complete failure. After months of that constant battle with "self" my husband reassured me that everything did not have to be perfect and that I was being too hard on myself. Now, do I believe that your home should be a pig sty and your family should live on ramen noodles? Of course not. I've always been a strong believer that the woman is the nurturer of the home and family and it is her duty to perform these task to help her family function properly. As you can tell, yes I'm old fashion and I wouldn't want it any other way.


From a spiritual standpoint, Jesus keeps me on track. I can tell a huge difference when I'm not giving him the time he needs in my DAILY routine. Almost feels like nothing works out right, like I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. That's when I have to stop, breathe, pray and go on.  "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33


Other than having your priorities in order. Some more organizational things I do to help with my time management is, I keep a planner. I have used a planner since college and it really does help me to stay organized and keep up with all the things I need to get done.


Lastly is plan ahead! I try to plan ahead in various ways. Simple tasks like picking out your outfit the night before, getting the diaper bag ready the night before, having your purse and keys sitting beside the door; can help you save time during the day! I know they seem silly but just trust me and try it!


Lets recap:

• Don't set unrealistic goals
• PRAY!
• Use a planner
• And plan ahead!!

Keep Calm and Love Life!!

Cover that up!!

Okay, so I have some wall decor that sort of brings me down. My husband and I love bright colors for the house. I mean, our bedroom is a soft orange. Nothing like snoozing in a sea of sherbet. Anyways, back to the wall decor. This is the before...

We ran ourselves down to The fabric store so pick out a color pick-me-up!

My husband picked out the fabric btw. He's amazing. 

 

I also picked up some quilting baking to wrap the decor in for

more of an even surface. Make sure you iron the fabric to have a smooth look! 

 

Wrap that sucker up tight!

 

When putting the fabric on make sure you do the top and

bottom first to avoid ripples. 

 

A little flavor! 

Excuse the dining room... It's my current project! :)

BABY DADDY!

I know we talk a lot about being a mom and tips for making life easier but what about the father of your child? Dare I say it? HUSBAND! Don't forget about that stud muffin. How easy it is to treat him like one of your soldiers that you are commanding. "Did you grab the diaper bag? How much did you spend at the store? Can you give the baby a bath while I make dinner? Why are you just sitting there watching TV?" Wives, give your husband a break too. We love to be pampered and have words of affirmation spoken over us and then get all upset when this doesn't happen. What if we did it first? I don't think it's rocket science to treat others the way you want to be treated. :)
Sooooooo last week I put this into practice. I took initiative to purposefully pour into my husband. Why? Because I love him!! My husband loves when the bed is made, when the kitchen is clean, and when laundry is caught up. He helps with this alllllll the time. I..well...slack on my wifely duties from time to time. I made it a goal to have these tasks done or to come alongside him and help. I made it a point to have genuine good conversation, more eye contact, more 'I love yous', more hugs, and longer kisses.
LADIES!!!! It was like magic! In my opinion, my husband and I have a great marriage and seriously just love being together and hanging out. But after purposefully doing more in our day to day contact was phenomenal. Have you read the quote 'Do small things with great love'? I think that is what a lot of being married is. It really is the little stuff. Doing things out of love brings small bouts of joy throughout the whole day.
He's busy too, he's stressed too, he wants some 'guy time' too...The two of us started this journey together and we are in this journey together. How great is it to be on the same team versus playing against each other?

Ephesians 4:2-3 (New International Version)
²Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (New International Version)
⁹ Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
¹⁰ If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
¹² Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

 Also, I love listening to uplifting podcasts on marriage, family, parenting, and everything in between. Focus on the Family is a great resource to listen to quick messages.
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId={84B96447-9C2A-4993-B27A-AAA09B240C1E


Keep calm and love your man!

Weekend Recap

So last weekend was filled wish accomplishments and very productive. This weekend....not so much! Ha! Friday night consisted of olives filled with blue cheese and playing the card game Phase 10 with my mother-in-law and brother-in-law. It was nice just to have them over to eat junk food and play cards, and no I did NOT record that into My Fitness Pal. Sue me.

Saturday was hair cut day!! Woot woot! I love those days! There's just something about a haircut, just warms my soul. :) I got it a little shorter in the back this time and it feels so much better and is a lot easier to fix! I think I lost about 3 pounds just from a trim. (wishful thinking)

Lunch with my hubby and baby girl was a great way to start off the afternoon. Then what came next was unimaginable...we took a....NAP. I know, a NAP! What is a nap?! I haven't had a nap in a 1 year and 11 months!! I rarely even speak the word. A nap on a Saturday afternoon=perfection.


"When the hubby's away the wife will....snack!" While the hubs went to the gym we ventured the long journey across the yard to visit my rents (that's code for parents, trying to be hip, epic fail). I love going to my parents because their cupboards are filled with delicious, artery cloggy, foods. Little Debbie is an important member of the family. We love her! :)


Sunday was very relaxing. I was amazed at all the great movies that were on TV yesterday! Did anyone else notice this?! One Fine Day and Sleepless in Seattle were just a couple that was on my watch list.


And of course the night ended with a wonderful and uplifting church service! :) Can it get any better than that!

Keep Calm and LOVE your LIFE!


Leah <3

Friday Q-Tip!!

Yes it is time, yet again for another Friday Q-tip! Today we shall focus on the amazing super powers of...the dryer sheet!! Oh yes my friends, their are many other ways to use dryer sheets other than using them to make your clothes smell clean and fresh. Here are some ways that the dryer sheet can make your life much easier.

• Stinky bathroom trash can? Stick a couple of dryer sheets in the bottom of your trash can to give it a clean, fresh scent!
• Use a dryer sheet to clean the outside and inside of your dryer! They collect dust and lint like a BOSS!
• Dryer sheets does wonders for your baseboards! Instead of using a rag and harsh chemicals, use a dryer sheet! The dust comes right off!
• Clean your shower doors with a dryer sheet! Will make it super clean and sparkly!
• Also use them on your bathroom fixtures! Makes them sparkle and shine!
• Dryer sheets cleans pet hair off of clothing and furniture quick and easy!

Did anyone else know that these little guys could do this much?! Well now you do! Let us know if you have any other uses for dryer sheets!




Happy Friday Peeps!!

18 Things I Would Tell My 18 Year Old Self

As old wives and mothers, this is what we would tell our 18 year old selves ;) Of course it is in list form because, let's face it, we are in a list day and age! While at work, in the bathroom or waiting in line somewhere we tune anything out that is a novel but our eyes can quickly skim the wealth of knowledge below. ;)

 

1.Seriously, you ARE NOT fat!! You don't even know what cellulite is! You'll know what I am talking about a few years from now...

 

2. Buying jeans for $100 doesn't make you look cool, it makes you look stupid.

 

3. People who care if you wear $100 jeans will not be your 'BFF'.

 

4. Stop stressing over guys...or one particular guy. There are many others out there who would love a chance to get to know you and your foxy ways...But don't date around too much because people may peg you as a horrrrrrrrible person.

 

5. Invest in a great pair of spanks. As in, you can skip the $80 handbag and grab $80 spanks. Your thighs and facebook pics will thank you.

 

6. Stick with your girlfriends and Jesus because they'll never leave you.

 

7. Don't take the top bunk in the dorms. There are too many times you may not make it to the bathroom at 3am. No one wants to room with a bed wetter.

 

8. 'Nighty dresses' should not take the place of a regular summer dress...because in sunlight, while walking to class, they are see-through.

 

9. Laxatives are not considered a diet plan, they are considered 'punishment for everything you have ever done wrong and you probably wont make it out of your bunk in time to release your intestinal fury".

 

10. Stop using words like hizzy...and fo rizzle.

 

11. Retire your 'boots with the fur'.

 

12. 'Adults' don't know everything. Seriously. Don't let them put you down or your dreams. DO NOT LET ANYONE LOOK DOWN ON YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE YOUNG.

 

13. Make 3am Walmart runs. It builds character.

 

14. When you are bored don't go to the drunk tattoo artist for a piercing...Piercings will not attract your husband, but they will attract infection.

 

 

15. Listen to your parents. They really know what's best for you.

 

16. SMILEEEEEE.

 

17. Stop trying to graduate earlyyyyy! College is your big kid playground.

 

18. TAKE PICTURES...and PRINT them out.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few pictures during our formative years.

 

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The Mother of all Mommy Tips

A couple weeks ago I was running late for church (imagine that) and I was rushing around trying to get everyone ready and it dawned on me that oh maybe my child needs to eat!! Ha! I didn't have time to fix a full gormet breakfast but I wanted my daughter to have something besides a pop tart. 

While scrambling through my cabinets my mother calls...mom always seems to come to my rescue in times of need. I explained to her what I was doing and what was going on and her reply was shocking. Her words were "Leah just scramble her some eggs in the microwave, it only takes 60 seconds." Of course I was immediatley sceptical but she assured me that it really works! 

First of all my mothers a genius, and second of all IT REALLY WORKS!! Scrambling eggs in the mircowave in 60 seconds was the highlight of my day, don't judge me.

I was slighty bummed at the fact that I had missed out for so many years on microwaved eggs and was also curious if anyone else knew the most amazing news in motherhood history! 

My research found that some of my friends new the time saving trick but most did not! 

So here ya go mothers on the go or mothers who need to rest or just lazy people (me included) here is how to make microwave scrammbled eggs:

1 . Break and whisk as many eggs as you need. I usually use 1 or 2. 

2. Add about one tablespoon of milk while you whisk

3. Salt and pepper is optional (I use garlic in mine! Yum!) 

4. Microvave for 60 seconds. If you like yours more dry you can microwave a little longer if needed. I've found that 60 seconds is perfect for one or two eggs. 

And you're done!! That's it!! I'm so giddy right now I may have to go make me some! Let me know what you think and if this works for you. Enjoy!! 

Leah

Weight Loss Detox!

I actually printed this detox recipe and instructions out a couple years ago but never did it. On my mother-in-laws wall I saw she had posted it and I had to share! I will let you know if I try it and my results!

 

 

 

 

A great way to detox and get started!

7-DAY DIET WEIGHT LOSS SOUP (WONDER SOUP!)


 INGREDIENTS
½ head of cabbage, chopped
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup white or yellow onion, diced
1 cup carrots, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
14 oz can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
and cayenne pepper
Salt and Pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add celery, onions, bell peppers, and carrots.
Saute until slightly tender.
Stir in garlic.
Pour in chicken broth.
Stir in tomatoes and cabbage.
Bring to a boil and then reduce heat.
Cook until cabbage is tender.
Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, black pepper and salt (if using)
Taste broth and adjust seasoning if needed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remember: This diet should only be followed for 7 days at a time, with at least two weeks in between.

Day One:
Fruit: Eat all of the fruit you want (except bananas). Eat only your soup and the fruit for the first day. For drinks- unsweetened teas, cranberry juice and water.

Day Two:
Vegetables: Eat until you are stuffed will all fresh, raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. Try to eat leafy green vegetables and stay away from dry beans, peas and corn. Eat all the vegetables you want along with your soup. At dinner, reward yourself with a big baked potato with butter. Do not eat fruit today.

Day Three:
Mix Days One and Two: Eat all the soup, fruits and vegetables you want. No Baked Potato.

Day Four:
Bananas and Skim Milk: Eat as many as eight bananas and drink as many glasses of skim milk as you would like on this day, along with your soup. This day is supposed to lessen your desire for sweets.

Day Five:
Beef And Tomatoes: Ten to twenty ounces of beef and up to six fresh tomatoes. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water this day to wash the uric acid from your body. Eat your soup at least once this day. You may eat broiled or baked chicken instead of beef (but absolutely no skin-on chicken). If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for beef on one of the beef days (but not both).

Day Six:
Beef and Vegetables: Eat to your heart’s content of beef and vegetables this day. You can even have 2 or 3 steaks if you like, with leafy green vegetables. No Baked Potato. Eat your soup at least once.

Day Seven:
Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices and vegetables: Again stuff, stuff, stuff yourself. Be sure to eat your soup at least once this day.

Day 8 and Beyond:
The Cabbage Soup Diet is not suitable for long-term weight loss. The Diet is a low-fat, high-fiber diet that will help you get into shape fast before you embark on a more moderate long-term eating plan.

 

Weekend Recap

This weekend was absolutely fabulous! Did I go to a fancy party? NO! Did I go out of town for a trip? NO! Did I do absolutely nothing but lye on the couch and eat potato chips? Surprisingly, no! I cleaned and organized! (insert heavenly choir singing)


Something radical has happened to me in the last 3 years. I went from a total slob in college to now an OCD wife/mommy! My college girlfriends would always tell me that my husband would either die from malnutrition (because I couldn't cook ANYTHING) or die in the rubble of my messy home. Well boo-yah girls!! I have proved you wrong! Ha! I'm not sure what it is about getting married and having a baby but it has really revamped me. And I'm not sorry for it. Maybe it's the fact that I'm the "woman of the house" now or the fact that I have my own house and I take pride in keeping it tidy. I don't know what has happened but I'm kinda lovin' it.


So Saturday morning I woke up bright and early, even before Emery (my 1 yr. old daughter) woke up. Crazy I know. I bypassed morning coffee and went for a Diet Mt. Dew and started in cleaning. I cleaned and organized from about 7:30 Saturday morning till 5:00 that afternoon. How did I do it you ask? I was in "the mode". All mommies and probably wifey's know what I'm talking about. It's that mind set you get in where nothing else matters but the task at hand. You will do anything to get it all done and if it doesn't get done, you will not rest nor sleep until it is finished! Showers are a negative, eating is optional, and self-control is NONE! It's unexplainable, crazy mood that is "the mode".


While I was in "the mode" I managed to deep clean my bedroom, purge my closet, reorganize my closet, cleared out our junk room, organize my daughters room, clean the kitchen and living room. Shew, I'm getting tired just typing it. I have not had a moment in a long time that I can sit back and say that I am satisfied with the way my home looks, but today Monday January 13th 2014 I can finally say that! Now ask me on Friday and I will probably tell you differently but as for now I will bask in this moment of glory!

Keep calm and CLEAN!

Leah <3

Q-tip Fridayyy!!!

Want to add some flair and comfort to that area rug? This is so simple it has me wondering why this isn't in every home!?

The rug in my front room is thin and doesn't have that 'plush' feel or look. My mother-in-law told me she would have the local carpet store cut a pad to put underneath to see if it would help.... GENIUS!!!!

This only cost $15 for a 4x6 pad. The difference in look and feel completely finishes it. 

Organizing Monthly Bills

One of my New Years Resolutions for 2013, yes 2013, was to be more organized in my finances. I have read multiple blog posts and watched numerous videos on organizing your finances and one of the more popular ways is to have a binder system. I loved this system because it's easy and simple and keeps all of your monthly bills organized all in one binder.


I have seen some binder systems that are very detailed and complicated, but I have found that I don't need to have 10 different binders for each bill that I have. I needed something simple, easy, yet effective.


So here's how I did it!!


What you'll need:

1. 1.5/2 inch 3-ring binder
2. Divider tabs
3. Clear sheet protectors
4. 3-hole punch
5. A pen
6. Highlighter
7. 2-pocket folder

What to do:


First, make a cover sheet to put on the outside of your binder. Mine says "The Frank Bank". Cute huh!


Next, type out a list of all your monthly bills and the date they are due. (I used a bullet format to make it look more clean line and simple) Print it out and place it into a clear sheet protector and place it at the very front of your binder. So when you open your binder this will be the first thing you see!


Then, use the tab dividers to make a tab for each monthly bill you have. Use a label maker to label each tab.


Next, place the 2-pocket folder in the back of your binder to hold random mail items that are important or documents that won't fit into your binder. (ex. loan documents because the paper is extra long). Place your pen and highlighter in the front of your binder. (I stuck mine in the front pocket of my binder)


Waa-laa!! You now have your very own finance binder!!


After I finished making mine. I went through all my paperwork/bills and threw away what I didn't need and whole punched and filed what I wanted to keep.


How to Keep this System:


When you get a bill in the mail, immediately file it into your binder.


When that bill has been paid, mark it paid with the date and highlight it! I even take the receipt and staple it to my bill. Which came in real handy when my cell phone provider tried to tell me that I hadn't paid my bill for that month but I had my receipt to prove I had paid it! Boo-yah!!


Hope this system works for you as well as it has for me! Leave a comment below or message me on Facebook if you would like to see a video of a more in depth look into how I organize my monthly bills.
Leah <3

'YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!'

'You have got to be kidding' is the title for this post because that what my husband and I were saying the whole journey back to the Bluegrass state. Let me tell you, I am not a drinker. Okay, I don't drink at all, but I assure you, if I was a drinker I would have preferred to be drunk the entire 24 hours it took us to get home.

Opening Scene: Stephen, myself and Carter saying goodbye to my parents after a blissful week in Maine. The state motto is 'The Way Life Should Be'.  As you can imagine, it was a hard goodbye after an awesome week. Here we stand, New Year's day with our stuff in hand and myself trying not to make eye contact with my mom. If I make contact then I start crying too. Since becoming a mom I cry A LOT sooooo I was basically staring a hole into the ground...anyways.
While at the ticket counter with our cute babe in tow (who wasn't feeling the best btw) I kept hearing quiet whispers of flight delays from fellow travelers. I asked the clerk if our plane was on time and if we were good to go. She said, 'you'll have to check it out at the gate'. Welllllllll, thank you very much for your assistance. I would love to check on our luggage and go through the strip search of security only to find out we are not flying out and have to call my parents to come get us...with a sick baby. Bless you.
We make it through security.
Which wasn't bad.
 I am just dramatic at times.

The woman at the gate says we aren't going to make our flight but we can make it to Baltimore and spend the night there to catch a flight to KY the next morning. They'll even put us up in a nice hotel and give us airfare vouchers for our next flight. Sounded like a good idea at the time. Nice evening in Baltimore with my boys, grab dinner, hang out a free hotel...we agreed to this scheming woman's suggestion.

Delay to Baltimore.
Another delay.
And a third delay.

We finally were off to Baltimore after Carter had soaked the airport with vomit. :)
Once we arrived we waited for our bags...for over an hour. At this point we are pushing midnight.
We waited for our shuttle in the freezing cold. As the second people in line we thought we had a secure seat. LIES. Once the shuttle arrived people poured out of the four corners of the earth just like a battle scene in Braveheart. We were so shocked by this we couldn't say anything. Sooooo we grabbed a taxi for our freezing selves and our sick bundle.
The driver didn't speak English.
He kept driving around an industrial area.
We thought we would be murdered just like the couple in Bone Collector.
To our surprise we arrived to the hotel in one piece.

It's well past midnight and we're about to go to bed when Carter loses his cookies all over me.
We didn't sleep.
Up early to catch out flight.
The bed is covered in diarrhea.
About to leave again with all our bags packed...
Surprise. More vomit.
I stifle a cry and change. Again.

We arrive at the airport only to see what looked to be a scene out of Exodus. Hundreds of people trying to cross through check-in into the promised land. Stephen said, "Well, we probably wont even make our flight.'
The heavens opened up and God said to us, "Let that burden go and check in curbside!!!" We were the second in line. Beautiful.

We made it to our gate only to sit beside 60 something year olds covered in Bob Marley colors with their guitars. All the while they are dancing. YES, DANCING. Their long natural hair flowing as they were really feeling the spirit. I am not sure what spirit. They kept motioning towards my sleeping babe in my arms like they were beckoning him. UMMMMM stay away from me and my baby you green leaf connoisseur.

Next we boarded and sat in our seats...Carter spewed everywhere when we were about to take off. All over Stephen and the bags under our seats. I was handed the babe only to have him finish what he had started on my husband. Sooooo here all of us sit COMPLETEPLY covered in vomit until we reached 34,000 feet.

It never felt so good to get in the car once we got to Louisville. :) We went STRAIGHT to the doctor to help our sweet child. He had a bad case of RSV and an ear infection.

All of this happened within 24 hours and honey, let me tell you, there are no tips or tricks when flying a sick baby and have delay after delay. YOU SIMPLY SURVIVE and try not to cry or hit anyone.Make sure you have baby Tylenol and some sort of rag/towel to clean up any bodily fluids.

Fist picture was us leaving for Maine and the second is us trying to get home..

 

This all took place on the first day of 2014 and you best believe I have hit my knees praying for this year. I wonder what God has in store and what he is trying to teach us with such a interesting first day. I get worked up easy these days and can have a nasty elementary kid's attitude sooooo I am going to work on it and hopefully pass the next 'attitude test'.

 

If I could give tips for a situation like this, I would advise to RELAX and roll with it. There were many parents who took their flight frustrations out on their children. RIDICULOUS. It's not the child's fault so act like an adult and get over it.

 

Keep calm and don't puke.

'Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away'

Traveling with a baby can make anyone nervous. I was definitely wondering how it was going to be flying with our little man for the first time. Parents, don't worry!... It's really not as bad as you may think. Let's run through a few things about flying with a little one....

You think you need to bring everything. Stop. The lighter you can pack with a little one, the better! If you're going to a place where you can get a hold of a stroller or carseat to borrow, do it! I really didn't want to pack our two suitcases, a carry-on backpack, a diaper bag, a baby, and a stroller/carseat. 

Soooo what did we bring on the plane?? I brought a backpack for random things and a diaper bag. My husband brought a baby carrier and Carter. ;)

Maine here we come! 

Security isn't something to get worked up about either. They let my husband walk through the detector carrying Carter in the carrier. I was hesitant about the formula and the water bottles I brought for feeding during the trip. I just put the formula in one of those easy Munchkin formula dispensers.

It only cost me a few dollars and was much easier to use than trying to scoop formula out during the flight. They didn't question the formula and did a routine test on the water....the water bottles didn't necessarily have to be sealed either. DON'T FORGET YOUR BABY'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Because our baby is under 3 years old, he wasn't issued a ticket upon purchasing. We did, however, have to present his birth certificate at the check-in counter for him to be issued a boarding pass.

Let's fly!!!!

Carter was so good in the plane!!! He was so curious about everything and was definitely people watching. ;)

I gave him half a bottle on takeoff and half on the decent/landing to help his ears pop and he seemed to do just fine. I really believe the hum of the plane helped him sleep...the whole time. ;)

Overall, the biggest thing to do is relax and pack light if you can! Your child will respond greatly to your attitude. :)

 

Let's make a list for the diaper bag because I am a LIST LOVER!

 Diaper Bag

   -Diapers/wipes

   -2 extra outfits

   -Burp cloth for spit up

   -Bib

   -2 toys (let's not bring the toy chest)

   -HAND SANITIZER

   -Bottle

   -2 bottles of water

   -formula dispenser

(notice the diaper bag isn't that different from every day)

 

    

Keep calm and fly on!

Friday Q-Tip: Time Saver

A mother's middle name is "time saver". It's the way our minds are programmed to think and function. Everyday is a new challenge to try and fit everything into 24 hours. The task is daunting but somehow we seem to make it work.

With my slight obsession for organizing and my motherly make-up to save time, I am always looking for ways to save time. Whether that be in the morning trying to get everyone out the door on time or during my lunch break or when I get home from work. Anything that can help me save just a little time is worth it.

I started doing this little time saver  a few weeks ago and I have to say it has really helped me save some time in the mornings and has also helped me stay a little more organized when it comes to my daughter. One thing I have struggled with in the past is picking out my daughters outfit for the day. Not sure why this is a hard process for me but it is. It probably has something to do with the hundreds of items of clothing she has...maybe...possibly. Ha! Anyways, I had one of those hanging organizers that go in your closets just laying at the top of my linen closet and not being used. I saw it and thought that piece is to functional for it not to be functioning in my house! So I decided to put it in my daughters closet and fill each slot with the outfit for that day. If you wanted to go a step further and label each slot Monday-Friday or Monday-Sunday, whichever you prefer, this makes it easier for your husband to identify each slot. :)

So every Sunday I do laundry for that upcoming week and fill each slot with my daughters outfits for that week. It's simple and easy but has helped me save time in the morning. I've learned that the more you prepare the day before the more time you save that day! Hope this works for you as well as it did for me! Loves!