Moving Tips!

A couple of months ago, my family and I moved cross-country with our three kids. 2300 miles in the car over about five days made for some interesting moments...and memories! We got to see parts of the country that we wouldn't have otherwise. Starting off in Ca and ending up in WV, we are now full of tips and tricks on how to stay sane and happy while traveling. Here are a few things I learned along the way! - Keep expectations low! From the food, to the attitudes of your kids to the conditions of the weather, keep it all in perspective. You may not have the most beautiful instagram worthy pictures in the end and you may not have been able to try that amazing diner you hoped to, but if you all make it in one piece, let THAT be the goal! - Have plenty for the kids to do. My kids range from 3-14 so they have very different needs. But pack that bag of tricks! From books and devices, to coloring and craft supplies, keep your supplies handy! Nothing ruins a road trip faster than a whiny baby or teenager! - Plan for naps- or quiet time. Every hour or so, encourage your kids to rest their eyes and maybe even take a quick snooze. Again, cranky and tired kids make for a miserable trip. - Snacks! Be sure to have plenty of snacks, some healthy and some just for fun. You never know when you'll be able to stop next so have several options and lots of bottles of water! - Potty breaks! Whether kids say they have to go or not, MAKE THEM TRY! Nothing is worse than pulling out of a rest stop or gas break only to have kids announce that they have to pee ten minutes later! And because you'll never know the condition of bathrooms on the road, keep plenty of paper towels and sanitizing wipes in the car. I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy your time on the road. Remember, there WILL be unexpected issues and you'll have a few messes on the way, but the memories you make will far outweight the negative. Happy trails!

Is Breast Really Best??

My son is going on three years old and still attached at the...mammary gland. He loves nursing. Loves it. At about two years, I was thinking he "should" stop, "should" wean, and "should not" be so attached. But then..why? I mean, what's wrong with him still wanting my milk? We adults still drink milk so why wouldn't he still want milk? Aside from social norms, why would he need to stop? And so this journey of gentle weaning has begun. I want to sleep better and so he must sleep better for that to happen so for that reason, I've weaned him off the nightime feedings. But aside from that, I've decided there's just no good reason to stop until he's ready. My breastmilk has literally grown his brain, his bones, his BODY from his infancy and I just can't see how it can hurt. So what do you think? Have you felt pressure from society?? Let me know your thoughts!

Homeschool!

Today I began my homeschooling journey and while it is a scary ride, I'm excited that God has granted me the opportunity and freedom to educate my children the way my hubby and I feel is best! There are many reasons one might choose homeschooling and for mu husband and me, the list looks like this: - More control over our schedule. My hubby can teach the kiddos on his day off and share the burden with me. - Less driving back and forth for drop off and pick up. We also have a toddler so this one is tough! - More flexibility in what we teach. - Ability to pray, have bible time, and teach our kids what God's word says about the world. - Less exposure to bad influences. Look, teachers with thirty kids just can't monitor what kids are doing, saying, seeing...period. So with all that being said, we jumped in today, all the way into the deep end! I'm getting organized and planning the year as we go and honestly, I'm so excited! I never thought I would say that since I'm a mama who needs peace and quiet, time to myself and love to work on my blog, YouTube channel, and food business but all that will have to be worked in. My kids are the most important job I have and I want to do the best I can with the resources God has given us. Pray for me and feel free to ask questions if you are on the homeschool path yourself! Also, I can use all the tips I can get :)

Holiday (or anytime) Treats!

Here are a few recipes I wanted to share that you can enjoy all year long but that are especially fun to make and share during the holidays! Chocolate Fudge 3 cups sugar 1 1/2 sticks butter 2 tablespoons vanilla 1 1/2 bags (12 oz.) chocolate chips 7 oz. marshmallow fluff nuts or other toppings, if desired Line a 9x13 pan (or 8x8 if thicker fudge is desired..) with wax paper. Melt the sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla until boiling. Allow to boil 4 min then take off heat. Stir in marshmallow fluff and chocolate chips. Mix well then pour into pan. Top with desired toppings then allow to cool at least 4 hours. Enjoy!

Peanut butter brownies 1 box fudge brownie mix 2 eggs 3 tablespoons coffee 1/2 cup oil 4 peanut butter cups, chopped 1/4 cup peanut butter Heat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients, except peanut butter and pour into greased loaf pan. Swirl peanut butter into top of batter. Bake 45 minutes or until set. Frost or dust with powdered sugar.

All Things Discipline

How do you know when discipline is too much or too harsh?? Well, God's word is an excellent source of wisdom and encouragement when it comes to this topic. The bible has many verses that speak of discipline, spanking and the relationship between children and parents. I believe that if you follow God's word, interpreted correctly, you will never fail. We are all doing our best on this road to parenthood and through prayer, support from your spouse and devotion to raising your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, you will find the road less traveled may be the road to success! Here are a few verses that I rely on to strengthen my resolve when the going gets tough, I feel lazy or I simply don't feel like adulting lol! "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him." Proverbs 21:15 "Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod and deliver his soul from hell" Proverbs 23:13-14 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4 I hope you are having a great day with your children today and find joy in the responsibilities of parenthood. Some days are easier than others, but they are all a gift from God!

Breast Is BEST!

As the challenges of weaning my two year old lie ahead, I am compelled to encourage you not to give up if you are frustrated with nursing or weaning...or both. Hang in there and remember that breast really is best. No formula or other source of milk can compare to mommy. Breast milk changes as baby grows and changes depending on circumstances, too. Did you know that if your baby is sick, your breastmilk will change to accomodate your baby? It's amazing and while it can be a hassle, breastfeeding is free, readily available, is always at the perfect temperature and provides a host of health benefits including weight management, allergy prevention and creates bonding. Let me know if you have any questions. I've nursed two babies and am working on weaning my third so I'd say I've been there! I get all the frustrations that come with feeding your baby!

Stock up on Savings

Hi Guys! Just wanted to check in and give you some tips on how to save on groceries! You don't need to be the crazy coupon lady to save! - First of all, be flexible! If you had your heart set on chicken parmesan but ground beef is on sale, then make meatballs instead. If you are too stuck to your list, then you won't be open minded and alert to savings. - Second, stock up on sales! Meat, dairy and a lot of vegetables freeze well so when you can, stock up and freeze. For non-perishables like cereal, baking goods and snacks, designate a shelf or closet for "overflow". Yes, you will spend more up front, but you'll be stocked! - Third, purchase toiletries and sundries from dollar stores. Napkins, foil, kitchen tools and more are almost always cheaper at dollar stores. Make sure you ALWAYS check the price per ounce, though, to make sure you get the best deal! - Lastly, take advantage of store coupons and online deals! Sign up for the email alerts and rack up points when applicable. I hope this helps and I hope you find ways to make your dollar stretch!