Random thoughts

We went to the mall last week to purchase our family ornament since we hadn't gotten one since Aslynn was born.  I was dreading this trip to the mall.  I know what you are thinking too, dreading a trip to the mall??  But yes, I was.  Because of one person. She's the one person from this summer.  I have reasons to thank her because she kept Brad alive for me but other than that I don't like her.  The trip to the mall was miserable only because I know that if I had seen her, I wouldn't be angry, I would be sad.  Sad because all of the thoughts from this summer and things I know would come rushing back.  I would get this empty feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I've tried as hard as I can to put all of it behind me.  I don't blame him, I just blame him for how everything went about.  I still believe that things happen for a reason and in the end I'm the one who ended up with him again.  And that gives me some comfort but I'm female.  I can't help it

10 Habits for Happy Moms

I saw this on a friend's blog and just had to repost!  <3






1. Find time for yourself
Happy moms know they deserve a little time to themselves. When you know you're going to have a little room to breathe later on in the day, it's easier to take on everything that's in front of you. Our formula? Take 2 hours out for yourself every 3 days. 

2. Don't make a happy baby, happier!
We all do it...you see your baby's head at what you're sure is an unnatural angle snoozing in their car seat. You just know they'll be happier if their head was straight. So you move them. And they wake up. Then they scream. Or, you see them playing happily in the sand. You just know they'll be happier if they played on the slide. So you interrupt them and move them to the slide. And they're angry. And they let you know they're REALLY angry. Here's the thing, they were happy. It can be hard to do, but if your kid's not complaining, leave them be! Happy baby = Happy Mommy.

3. Embrace the mess
So your house doesn’t look like something out of a magazine. That just means it’s cozy! Your children have hands coated in dirt from the playground and faces coated in spaghetti from dinner. It’s not gross—it’s an adorable photo op! Life is about how you look at things. Next time that pile of laundry that’s been sitting on the chair for three days starts to get you down, just remember… it’s probably feng shui.

4. Make time for your friends
Your family can survive without you while you make time to see friends. You are a woman with your own identity and its imperative that you and that identity go out for some margaritas once in awhile!
5. Stop blowing yourself off
While you may be the one taking care of everyone, it doesn't mean you can't also get what you want. Help your family realize your needs are as important as theirs and when mom is happy, everyone is happy, but when mom is not....

6. Get in the zone
Take 10 minutes to do absolutely nothing but rest. Take a break from your day, close your eyes, breath in slowly and deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Repeat several times. Think about a place you love that is relaxing, spend 10 minutes there in your mind.

7. Remember your dreams and goals
Everyday we are encouraging our children to reach their full potential. But sometimes in the midst of being a parent we forget about our own dreams and goals. The best thing you can do to encourage a child is to lead by example –happy moms hold on to their dreams and goals and don’t let go.

8. Be lighthearted
Don't be the uptight mom. Be silly and dance with your kids to their music or tv show tunes. Be romantic and pull your partner into a waltz. Dance in slippery socks in your kitchen while making dinner.

9. Bend the Rules
One of the best parts of making the rules is occasionally breaking them. Maybe it’s taking your child out of school for half a day on their birthday, or waking them up in the middle of the night to see a sky of shooting stars. Happy moms know how to turn the mundane into fun.

10. Mind your own business
Concentrate on creating your life the way you want it. Take care of you and your family. Don’t get overly concerned with what other people are doing or saying. Don’t get caught up with gossip or name calling. Stop seeking the validation of others and be confident in yourself.

Home made Kool-Aid play-doh

As a means of being a more instructive, creative parent I have spent countless hours looking at blogs upon blogs of crafts suitable for toddlers.  And I have come across quite a few good ones that I plan on sharing over time.  One that I just absolutely love is Pink and Green Mama.  She has tons of ideas that I am just aching to try.  She also puts together lesson plans centered around a certain theme that you can purchase that contain ideas and crafts, some of which she doesn't post on her blog.  I really want to see if I can convince the hubs to let me buy this one, Rainbow Fun.  And the price is a really reasonable price!  At $8.00 I really don't see why he wouldn't let me since it is for the kids.


But anyways!  


Recently the kids have shown and interest in play-doh.  We didn't have much, just the few little Easter eggs that were filled with some.  I had bookmarked her Kool-Aid play-doh recipe a while back and figured today would be the best day to make some to have.  I just wasn't feeling going outside in the slightly frigid temps that we are having right now here in the south.


I'm going to post my pictures and what all you need but you can check out her post about it here.




So as far as the cast of characters used to make you need:

1 Cup of Flour

1/2 Cup of Salt

3 teaspoons. of Oil 

1 Small Package of Kool Aid

1 Cup of Boiling Water

Mix the dry ingredients

Then add the oil and the boiling water

Stir well then knead on a piece of waxed paper.  She wasn't playing when she said it would be hot for a few minutes so be careful at this part.

I didn't have enough flour to make the third color so I only made the blue and the red.

I just stored mine in a ziploc bag in the fridge.  After their nap I'll get out the cookie cutters and let them go to town and let you know how it went!

Wordless Wednesday

Ten on Tuesday

1. I've been on a crocheting kick again lately.  This time though, it has been pointed towards pot holders.  I made two for my sister and quite a few more for here at the house.  I have on incomplete on that I just can't bring myself to finish even though I oh am already like 95% done with it.  I'm just not thrilled with how the last round is working out.
2. The kids and I have been spending our free time during the day alternating between a movie, reading, the playground or doing crafts.  I've become addicted to quite a few blogs dedicated only to crafts for toddlers, that soon I will be adding to my sidebar if you are interested.  
3. As a sort of " I need to collect myself moment" I spent a long weekend up there and went to the UT/UAB football game in September.  Knoxville to me will always be home.  I miss that place dearly and I try constantly to convince my Alabama cheering husband that we should move up there.  He highly objects most of the time.
4. While in Knoxville, I was introduce to the HBO series True Blood based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels.  I had a few of the books lent to me prior to to read but never started.  Then, I go up there, watch season 1 only to come home and within 2 weeks finish the other two seasons.  So needless to say, I am up to date when the time comes for the next season to start.
5. I <3 the winter!  I hate what it does to my skin, but I love the clothes!  I have an unhealthy sweater obsession and scarf obsession and I love, love, love to wear them! And now, I've been working on crocheting some hats and toboggans for our little family.
6. I am totally digging this tutorial on Candy Corn Earrings made out of paint chips!!  
7. Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes are out!!! Eeek!!! Those are a total weakness of mine and I can't help it.  There is a difference between those and the everyday cakes that they have out year round.  I thought I was going to be let down this year because all I saw were the chocolate ones and that is just blasphemy.  But I found them!!
8. My latest indulgence has been the purchase of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on Blu-ray.  Not Charlie, but Willy!  The original!  Yes! On blu-ray!  I was soo geeked when I saw it at Movie stop!  I am a huge Roald Dahl fan so this was just fantastic!
9. Scheduling posts may just save my blogging life!  I sometimes tend to forget as the time gets closer to actually needing to post but this may keep things fresh!
10. In the 4 weeks since I've moved back home, I have yet to cook one of my "typical" meals.  Yes, that means that every time that I have cooked, I have made something different that I have never made before!  I love it!  I always run the idea through my husbeast before making the plan but he's pretty much game to try anything once and he will be the first to let you know if he doesn't like it.