It's time to flip the “Switch”

To ring a new year we all make resolutions. We make promises to ourselves that this year will be different. This will be the year where we actually will follow through. This will be the year that we achieve all of our goals and change our lives.

 

Fast forward to six months down the road...

{Well, I tried to keep up with my goal but then “this” or “that” came up.}

{It was to hard, so I just had to stop.}

{Well, I made it 4 months at least. There's always next year right?}

The list of excuses could go on and on.

We all have good intentions, but then when it comes right down to it, we just don't feel like we have it in us to achieve what we set out to do. Well, this is where I tell you...you do have what it takes. The secret is this:

You have to be deliberate in your actions. In everything that you do in life, from getting up in the morning to making those tough decisions at work or at home with the kids. Make everything in your life have a purpose.

I've been reading this book by two brothers, Dan and Chip Heath. It's called Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard. This book has completely changed my outlook on life. Just because I have tried to change before and have failed, doesn't mean that it has to keep being that way. I can indeed c.h.a.n.g.e. And stay that way.

In the book, the Heath brothers talk about when setting goals, set “SMART goals—goals that are: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Timely.”

Specific—so that it's something that you can pinpoint and strive for. Not just some general blanket goal that is out there in space.

Measurable—a goal that is easily broken up in to little steps of pieces along the way. That will make getting to your goal a lot less daunting and overwhelming.

Actionable—something that you can act on. Something that requires doing and not just wishing, wanting or waiting.

Relevant—something that is in line with your priories and values. A goal that is bringing you closer and more in line with the way you live your life and what you want to achieve.

Timely—make sure that is the right time in your life for you to achieve this goal. If you try and achieve a goal but the timing is off, then you are setting up yourself for failure because that goal will never be realized.

If you are SMART you can achieve anything. I truly believe that. That is why, I am now going to conquer the world!

Well...let's start with today. One step at a time.

Top 10 Crafty Blogs (a must read)

I'd like to think of myself as a very crafty person. Not overly obsessed or anything, but just someone that likes to create for fun. Most of my craftiness is sewing, however, sometimes I like to branch out into different avenues. The other day I was looking for some good blogs to read, to keep my crafty skills sharpened. In doing this I came across blogs.com. This is a really cool site because it has all different topics of blogs. In my case, I was of course looking for crafty blogs. It's those really creative minds that love what their doing and love to share their knowledge.

I've always wanted to be that person. The person that everyone wants to get advice from. The person that knows. Before I used to only dream about being that type of person. But now I realize the way that those knowledgeable crafters becameknowledgeable was through experience and reading. Learning all they could about the subject. Constantly. If I had time I would read a book a day, but unfortunately..being a mom of two kids, I do not.  Oh, well, maybe I'll just settle for reading at leastsomething each day.  :)  Just to keep my edge.

Here are some blogs that I have found that are considered to be (by Craft Gossip) the top 10 favorite Craft Blogs:

 

 Bakerella

Imagine making something that not only looks divine but tastes it too. This blog is sure to inspire you into the kitchen for some edible crafting delights.

 CraftFail

A close up look at when crafting goodness goes terribly wrong.

 Cuteable

Looking for cute handmade finds? This blog is jam-packed with cute (as the name suggests) finds from around the Internet.

 Dollar Store Crafts

The global economy is no excuse to not do craft and this blog shows you just what you can do for pennies.

 

 Hostess with the Mostess

This blog is all about parties. It’s not actually a craft site but it is filled with inspirational party ideas that will make your next DIY party the talk of the street.

 

 Makes and Takes

A mix of craft, kids craft ideas and recipes - this blog has some fun realistic craft projects you can do at home.

 

 

 Not Martha

This blog has a fun name and lots of fun projects from craft, sewing and cooking.

 

 

 One Pretty Thing

A collection of inspirational crafting ideas from around the Internet.

 

 The Crafts Dept.

Martha's craft blog is obviously written by a team of crafters, but the projects are fantastic, the images devine and the skills needed are minimum yet effective.

 

 The Purl Bee

If you are into crochet then you just have to stop by this blog filled with fantastic projects and amazing photos.


What are some of your favorite craft blogs? Or any blog (for that matter) that leaves you feeling inspired or enlightened? Please share! I am always looking for great blogs to follow!

Let your crafty adventures begin! :)

Snickerdoodle Pie!

This is such a yummy recipe! Snickerdoodle cookies are my favorite and this is just another twist!   It has become a family favorite!  Thanks so much Larissa for sharing!  You can find other great things on her blog.  Enjoy!!

Snickerdoodle Pie

1 rolled refrigerated unbaked piecrust
1 Tablespoon raw sugar or coarse sugar (I used regular sugar because that is what I had, it still turned out delightful)
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
1/2 cup butter plus 1 Tablespoon, divided (some softened, some melted)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons light colored corn syrup
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla, divided
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350^o F.  Prepare pastry and line 9" pie plate.  In a bowl combine raw sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.  Brush melted butter over crust.  Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon-sugar mixture. Set aside.

For syrup, in saucepan combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, the water, corn syrup and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon.  Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.  Boil gently 2 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.  Set aside.

In mixing bowl beat 1/4 cup softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds.  Beat in granulated sugar, powdered sugar, baking powder, salt and cream of tartar until well combined.  Beat in egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Gradually beat in milk until combined.  Beat in flour.  Spread evenly in crust-lined plate.

Slowly pour syrup over filling in pie plate.  Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture.  Cover edges of pie with foil.

Bake pie 25 minutes; carefully remove foil.  Bake 20 minutes more or until top is puffed and golden brown and a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool 30 minutes on wire rack.  Serve warm.

Brushing Teeth

January 18th and on our way to the bathroom.  It's 7pm.  Same routine as always.  Kyrah runs into the bathroom and says:

"Brush teeth!  Brush teeth, mama!"   (Honestly, I don't know where she came up with the idea of calling me "mama."  She's always called my mom or mommy in the past.  Oh, well, it's cute anyway.)

I plop her up on the counter and reach for the beloved pink, princess toothbrush and the jungle animal toothpaste.  Here is the exchange between mother and daughter:



Me:  "Open wide."

Kryah:  "A-h-h-h"

Me: "Let's brush your tongue.  Good job!  Now lets get inside.  On the top...now on the bottom.  Now teeth!"

Kyrah:  * Huge big smile, showing her pearly whites. *

Me:  "Oh, such pretty white teeth you have!"

Kyrah:  "Oh, pretty brown teeth mama, pretty brown teeth."  (As she points to her mouth full of toothpaste.)

Me: "What?  No, your teeth are white sweetie."

Kyrah:  "Oh, white teeth?  No brown teeth mama?"

Me: "No brown teeth, Kyrah."



It's silly moments like this that I cherish being a mom.

Valentine's Giveaway!

(picture courtesy of Disney)

Yes, it's that time of year again when we get to show our loved ones how much we LOVE them! I love LOVE! It's the one time during the year where I have a good excuse to be sappy and smitten. I know how much my hubby likes this... . No, really he's a good sport. That's why I love him so much! He always finds a way to make that day special for us and the kids. Even if it is a little cheesy.

However, the most memorable Valentine's Day that we had was actually before we were even married. I was running around like a crazy person trying to get ready for class and I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door to see my adorable boyfriend standing there FREZZING cold. (We lived in Rexburg, Idaho at the time. If you have ever lived there, you know...it can get pretty dang cold in the winter. You walk outside for two seconds and your nose hairs freeze pretty much immediately. Not. so. Fun.)

He smiled at me and then proceeded to tell me how beautiful I looked. Mind you...my hair was a mess, no make up and the huge bags under my eyes from the lack of sleep that college kids are known for. He then presented me with 2 roses. It was sooo adorable! I think the reason that it was such a big deal was because I knew how much Ry disliked giving flowers. It bugged him that you would spend money on something that would just die a few days later. HOWEVER, he knew how much I loved flowers so he still got me my two roses. :) Now that, is TRUE LOVE!

Because I love this holiday I am going to be doing a Valentine's Day Giveway:

The PRIZE: a $15 gift certificate to Kinder Keepsakes shop AND free shipping.

The RULES: 1) you MUST “Like” the fan page for Kinder Keepsakes. 2) Under the “Discussions” tab on facebook comment on: One way that you can show LOVE this Valentine's Day.

This giveaway will continue until February 1, 2011. The winner of the gift certificate will be picked at random. You can only enter 1 time.

Remember, this can be the perfect gift you can give your loved one this Valentine's Day! Can you feel the LOVE!!??

Kids certainly have a way of making you feel like you always need to be on your best behavior.  I mean, that's good right? We always want to be doing our best as parents.  However, there was a moment this week where I began to question the fact that my daughter is only two and she already knows way to much for her own good.

Kyrah (she's 2) was playing with her little baby doll.  She was playing nicely with her baby, just talking to her, feeding her, changing her diaper, you know, all the stuff that you are supposed to do when you are being a good mommy.  ;)  Well, out of the blue Kyrah runs over to Sydnee (she's 8 months) who is happily sitting on the floor playing with her toys.  At first I thought she was just going to give her toy or something, but low and behold, she takes her baby doll's hand and wacks Syd on the top of the head with it!

Before I could do anything about it, Syd starts to cry and Kyrah looks at her  baby and exclaims:

"Time-out, don't hit!"  (As she is shaking her finger at the baby, scolding her for her misbehavior)

She then grabbed her baby and sat down with her in her lap and folded her baby's arms and held them.  (Just like we do for Kyrah when she is in time out...)  I couldn't believe how a little two year old could be so observant.  I mean I realized that she was watching us as parents but I didn't realize how closely.  I mean she's only two right?  How much can a two year really know?

Apparently...a lot.

Stroller Rides

After you have a baby, getting back to the gym just never seems to happen.  We all have good intentions.  But let's face it:  it's hard enough to get the kids up in the morning and get the daily routine under way!  But taking them to the gym for an hour so you can workout- forget about it!  At least that is how I feel.  Especially after I had my second.  

Today I found a great solution!  The company is calledStroller Strides.  This company (founded by Lisa Druxman, M.A.)  specializes in helping mothers with kids get a good work out in!  They have different workout programs to fit your fitness levels as well.  Most of the classes are offered outdoors but you can get classes that are offered in doors as well.  You get to workout and get fit with other moms in your same situation!  How awesome is that!  All while still being with your kids.  The exercises are basically basedaround your kids.  There are no classes in my area but I am looking into getting them brought here to Logan, UT because I know that their ideas and concepts would be very widely received.

I encourage you to get out there and get fit!  I know it's hard to feel like you really want to exercise, especially when you are chasing your kids around all day.  But I can tell you from personal experience that when I am the most patient and the most engaged with my kids is when I have exercised that day.  It just seems to release all the tension in me of the day and it makes me want to eat better and just be a better person!

So even if Stroller Strides is not in your area you can still find ways to make exercise fun and enjoyable even with your kids!  Just get some girlfriends together and makeyour own group.  But remember, just get some kind of physical activity in during the day.  It will change your life in more ways that you can imagine!

Values [of Stroller Strides]

We will help moms achieve their ultimate potential, both physically and emotionally.We will offer support and education for moms.

We will inspire moms to reach optimal health and well being.

We will inspire children to emulate their moms and make fitness a part of their lives.

[all content & images are courtesy of www.strollerstrides.com]

 

 

Potty Training Pep Talks

So my little K is being potty trained right now and can I just tell you...it can be really stressful at times and rewarding other times.  We have tried to potty train her a couple of times but she or I just wasn't ready.  But WE ARE NOW!  I have set a goal that by the end of the week she will be potty trained to where she only wears pull-ups at night and maybe naps.   Some days are good, some days are not so good.  It's just hard having to take her to the potty every 30 minutes.  But it must be done.  I keep telling myself:

"It'll be ok!  By the end of the week she will get it!"  I give myself potty training pep talks. :)

Now that I have been potty training my toddler I have realized that there are things that are a little tricky for her to master.  (For example:  telling me when she needs to go before she actually goes.  We are working on that one.)  But I know that if I am patient and I continue to give her positive reinforcement then she and I will be able to master this challenge together!  So, far today she has done really well!  No accidents yet!  Yay! :)  Wish us luck!

What are some things that you do/ or have done with your child when it comes to potty training?  What has worked and what hasn't?  Share your thoughts and tips!  PLEASE! :)

I'm back!

Hey!  It's been a while!  A LONG while!  Honestly though, I was enjoying my time with my family for Christmas and New Years so it's ok.  I just wanted to say that it's good to be back!  I am so excited for the new year and all of the changes that will be taking place!  It will be a crazy but I am ready for the challenge.  So please bear with me as I try and sort everything out!  There has already been a few changes already and I am really excited to share those with you soon.  I will start taking orders again on January 17th.  And there will be a lot of great coupons coming with that as well so stay tuned!  Happy New Year!