Tangled

Earlier this year we saw the movie Tangled. I instantly fell in love and knew that I had to buy this movie the moment it came out... for the KIDS, of course. We marked it on the calendar, so the KIDS would know when it came out. We planned a Tangled party for the KIDS. They got to invite their friends from school. We made cupcakes, ate pizza, and had little party favors. The KIDS had a blast watching the movie and spending time together. We love the stinkin' movie so much that we even watched it when the girls got home from school today... their idea, not mine. But, I am always willing to take one for the team. You know, sacrifices and all. 

If you have not seen this movie yet, you must! Here's a sneak peek: 

To read a review of this movie check out Plugged In from Focus on the Family.

Have you seen any good movies lately?  

Thanks for stopping by,

  

 

Homework and Hot Chocolate

I had a fun day with my girls today. I picked them up from school, which is always a treat for them (they don't like taking the bus). Then we headed to Panera Bread for an after school snack. I made them get something healthy and then we all got one of these:

We did homework, read some Judy Moody, and sipped hot chocolate. We had a really nice break from the normal routine.  We spent so much time there, in fact, that Emma forgot where we were and burped REALLY loud.  They giggled.  I was mortified.  A few minutes later we cleaned up and headed out.  I have my pride.    

What is something you do to break up the humdrum of the day-to-day?  

Thanks for stopping by, 

  

   

My Blogiversary

I knew that I was coming up on a year but I wasn't sure exactly when I started blogging. It was a year on March 20th! I can't honestly say I've blogged regularly but, I have faithfully attempted blogging for a year... does that count? 

Here is my very first blog post. It's fun to read through and see what I actually did. I'm glad to say I can cross some of those things off my list. Others, well, I'll be working on them until I die. 

In honor of my blogiversary, I want to give you a list of the blogs I read regularly. These blogs have inspired me in one way or another in my life and blogging journey.  Whether it be decorating my home, making me smile when I feel like screaming, inspiring culinary creativity, challenging me to be a better mom, wife and mother, or just stalking peeking into someone else's life, I repeatedly return to these blogs.

Here you go: Enjoy!

Whatever

Growth Chart Moments

Pioneer Woman

Passionate Homemaking

House of Smith's

Musings of a Housewife

Greener Grass

Life in Grace

I think that's a good list so far.  I guess I read more blogs than I thought because I have several more that I have not listed.  

Ok.  Your turn.  What are some of your favorite blogs? I try to keep my blog list short or my to-do list suffers but I'm always open to checking out a new blog.

Thanks for stopping by,

Donuts... who knew?

This weekend I took the kids through Tim Horton's drive thru for breakfast. I ordered a hot sandwich.  With the meal, a Boston Cream donut came with it.  (So of course I had to take it, right?)  Instead of putting the donut in a separate bag, they put it on the bottom of the bag with the hot sandwich on top of it. What?! Come on! So naturally, the donut got squished and the chocolate melted. I was annoyed. I have this thing about bad customer service. If CS is not your gifting, you should find another job. It's not about quantity it's about quality. You may be able to get 18 cars through your drive thru in 5 minutes, but that's not impressive if you are skimping on quality. 

ANYWAY, that made me a little grumpy and I found myself snapping at my kids. I didn't yell or anything but I had a short temper and was treating them disrespectfully. That got me thinking about how often I take frustration about a situation out on the people in the closest proximity to me. It could be my kids, my spouse, or a person I am passing on the street. It doesn't matter. The fact is, I should control my emotions enough that it doesn't negatively affect those around me. I'm not saying shove everything down. Ask my husband. I am a COMMUNICATOR. But, if we let every frustrating thing that happens to us cause us to act differently, we need to evaluate that. 

I had to stop mid-sentence with my kids and apologize for the way I was acting. I told them about the donut and how it annoyed me but that it was no excuse for my behavior. They understood and accepted my apology. It was a great teachable moment. It was also a good moment for self-reflection (if there ever is a "good" moment for that... that's one of my least favorite things to do).  Who knew donuts could cause so handy?  I may need to eat more of them, ya know, to become a better person and all that...  *wink* 

I just want to encourage you to take some time and notice your behavior. I find that I'm often mistreating the people who mean most to me because something unexpected happened or something didn't go my way. It's not fair to them. What situations do you find make you grumpy?  

I read something a few years back that said to look at your face in the mirror when you're explaining or ranting about something. What do you see? The article said to recognize that's what others see, especially your children. I gave that a try... yikes!! I don't think I've perfected the "look" yet - I'm pretty much an open book. You can guess how I'm feeling by the look on my face. I have tried (and am still trying) to learn not to be so disrespectful or disapproving with my looks. It's HARD! 

How do you react to things? Does the atmosphere around you change when something happens that upsets you? Do you use any techniques to help tamper or control those reactions?

Thanks for stopping by,

A little of this, a little of that...

The sun is shining! As you probably have realized about me, the weather can affect my mood. And for some reason, when the weather is nice, I get this urge to write about random things. SO, I'm going to keep with the tradition of randomness and tell you a couple of things: 

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LOOK WHAT I got yesterday!!!

I wrote about these adorable things the other day.  Hubby reads my blog occasionally and apparently will buy some of the things I post. Hey, look Hubbs!  Isn't it beautiful?!  You can buy it here, if ya wanna....  *wink wink*  

I'll keep you guys posted on what happens with that one.  

So, as I was saying, yesterday Jeff looked at the mail and escaped to the kitchen.  When he returned, he plopped the mug in front of me.  Isn't it great?!  I haven't used it yet because I've been at work but, I was informed by it's purchaser that I can use it to drink water too.  I don't only have to use it on hot beverages.  After all, he doesn't want my hands to get cold.  What a sweet guy.  Thanks, Jeff.  You're very thoughtful!  You can buy my love with coffee related items any time you want. 

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AT THE MOMENT my girls are playing with some neighborhood kids outside.  There is one girl who lives a few streets over whose main source of communication and expression of joy is screaming.  Lord, give me strength.  

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I BOUGHT this today: 

It's a Irish Trailing Moss.  Now, I could pretend I bought it because it's St. Patrick's Day but, that's not true.  I bought it because it's cute.  I have a thing for little plants.  I don't know why and I don't have some spectacular green thumb.  But I like green and I like plants.  They remind me of life and refreshing.  Weird.  I know. 

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I FINALLY finished the dryer balls.  It was a process.  Mainly because I had to put it on hold to take care of my sick kids.  But, they're done. Here is a sneak peek.  I will blog about them soon. I know you're dying with anticipation.  If you're wondering what in the world dryer balls are, I'll explain later.  

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FOR DINNER I am going old school, or at least, first grade lunchbox.  We are having these: 

Very gourmet.  If you want the recipe, let me know.  I'd better go and get them started.  They take forever to make you know.

Thanks for stopping by,