I Struggle

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of wellnessdaily.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

A few weeks ago, I decided that my family was going to start eating better. I started with portion control, and let me tell you, the kids were not happy. I made the same foods I normally do, but instead of everyone loading up their plates, and then going back for seconds, I gave each of us a proper sized portion, and that was it. Ryan about had a fit when one night when I threw away the extra garlic toast instead of letting him eat it. I also learned that night to only prepare what we are going to eat. Had I thought ahead, I would not have had any to throw away.

This change is only the beginning, though. With the help of www.wellnessdaily.com, I am finding other ways to help us get to healthy weights. I signed up for a free account, which gave me access to all types of resources that can help me in my quest. I found many articles related to portion control. They also link to blogs written by people who are living healthy lifestyles, and to me, they are an inspiration. I know what I want for myself and my family, and knowing where to find motivation is key. I struggle. I struggle every day. I know the choices I make impact my children, and I want, desperately, to be an inspiration to them. If I eat healthy, they will eat healthy. It's nice having somewhere I can go where I can find everything I am looking for in one place.

Sign up for yourself now, and you might be one of the 25,000 people that Jennie-O Turkey Store, sponsor of www.wellnessdaily.com, gives a rebate for the purchase price of any one product (up to $5.00).

I sure hope I am one of those people!

Happy Birthday Colleen!

My mom made this cake for my sister's 30th birthday. I did take pictures of her blowing out the candles, but I was threatened about posting them. I think my mom did an excellent job! She also made a chocolate cake for the guys (Junior and my brother-in-law Mike) birthdays. The picture I took of that was completely blurred, and I don't know why. But trust me when I say it was delicious!

Camera Critters ~ 45

Last weekend, we were at my dad's house, and he lives on a lake. The kids convinced him to take the boat out, so off we went. There were these power towers, and last year a crane made a nest on one of them. This year, there were two nests, and two cranes.

The next shot was taken about three minutes after the one up top, but we had moved a little closer on the other side. One of the cranes got spooked by the boat, and flew up a little. If you look close, you can barely see it right above the other one, on the next bar up. I just love the way the sky looks in this one.

Join in the fun and play camera critters too!

Spring Break Next Week

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

The kids are out of school next week for Spring break. Junior took a his vacation that week too, so everyone will be home, and there will be no alarm clocks blaring at 2:15 and 5:15 every morning. It's going to be so nice to get more than three hours sleep at a time. We don't really have anything planned, because we weren't sure if Junior's vacation days would be approved. If we had known a few weeks ago, I would have planned a trip to Branson, and stayed at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing.

Why Branson? Because it is close to Silver Dollar City, and this weekend is one of their Family Spring Break Days. This part is family friendly everyday, and I know this because I saw a television show about the Duggars, and this is somewhere they enjoy going, and we all know that they have very strict requirement about what they do with their family.

I also wanted to try out this new ride they have called RiverBlast. Just look at how much fun the kids are having in the picture, and we all know that I am a huge kid at heart, and that I would love something like this.

I should probably also point out that there are lots of stores and boutiques for those who prefer to shop over going to amusement parks, and golf for the men who find that an enjoyable sport. All of these things are within driving, or walking, distance of the Hilton Branson Convention Center, which makes this hotel the perfect place to stay.

But, since I couldn't plan ahead, we are going to spend next week close to home, maybe taking a day trip to the mountains. I will, however, be planning a trip to Branson soon. That water ride is calling my name!

Sneaky, Sneaky

I love Chinese food. In fact, I could move to China and live out the rest of my life quite happily.

But, I do have one little pet peeve when it comes to Chinese restaurants. I know that different restaurants use different recipes, but i would think that a spring roll would be a spring roll, no matter where you get it. But no. That's not the case.

My favorites are the ones that have only vegetables in them, but these are hard to find. I will eat the ones that have some type of ground beef (I'm hoping it's beef) in them without complaining, but I draw the line when I find seafood in there.

Yesterday, I was craving a spring roll, so when we ran to the grocery store, I ran into the Chinese food restaurant in the same strip mall to get one. I took one bite and almost threw up. You see, I HATE seafood, and there was big ole shrimp in my spring roll. I would think that they would have to have some kind of disclaimer on their menu...I mean, what if I was allergic to shellfish? Wait, is shrimp a shellfish? No, I don't think so...but you get what I mean.

Now I know not to eat there anymore...I mean, if there is shrimp in their spring roll, who knows what's in their egg rolls!

Decorating Junior's Birthday Cake

The girls and I baked a cake for Junior's birthday last Sunday. I know it's weird that a grown man's cake is pink, but his favorite cake is strawberry, so it is what it is. Brandi wrote on the cake...I'm not too sure why Kasi didn't help...and it came out great. It was delicious, too, or so I was told. I don't like strawberry cake, so I didn't have any myself. It's Tuesday, though, and there is only one small piece left, so I guess it was pretty yummy...

Buying Our First Home

It's no secret that Junior and I moved into a new home last month. I wish it was a house that we are buying, but as luck would have it, we are renting yet again. In fact, we have rented for the entire 15 years we have been married, except for the time we were "renting to own" from his dad, and you all know how that ended. It is just not in the cards for us to be homeowners right now, and I can not tell you how much I wish that wasn't true. I am hoping that within the next couple of years, we will be buying first home. This is the first time we have laid out a plan for accomplishing this, and it will be a wonderful day when we will be putting our hard earned money towards something that will be ours.

I wish we were able to get a house last year, so we could have qualified for one of those awesome tax credits. Check out this video, which explains everything.


This guys explained things so much better than I could have, that's for sure. The only thing I really know is that last year was the perfect time to buy our first home, and we couldn't do it. I guess it will continue to be a dream of ours, and hopefully, someday, it will become a reality.

Cold And Wet

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.

~Author Unknown





I love rain when I do not have to go out in it. Sure, when I was younger, it was fun to get wet. In fact, there may have been a time or two where I have danced in the rain. There was even a time I walked a few miles in the rain in the middle of the night, but that's another story.

That said, I am ready for this yucky weather to go away. We had a beautiful day on Saturday, complete with fishing and a boat ride. Then yesterday, it poured. All day. Today, it is windy and cold. Cold enough that I had to put the heat on to warm up this morning.

I want the 75 degree weather back. For good.

Please, Mother Nature?

Between 9 And 11

I love my husband. I really do. But he has a tendency to break things.

Tonight he broke my cable box.

He broke it bad enough that they couldn't troubleshoot it over the phone, so I have to have a technician come out and look at it tomorrow.

He'll be here between 9 and 11 am.

When I am normally sleeping.

Hopefully he will show up closer to 9, and I can still get a couple of hours sleep before the kids get home from school.

YoVille Or Casinos?

My son is obsessed with playing YoVille online. I set up a game for myself, but never really got into it. So I did what any good mother would do. I let him use my game to get ahead in his game. I prefer to stick with my cat and fish games. What can I say? I'm an animal lover.

It could be worse, though. Ryan could be playing casino games online. I am glad he would rather spend time in a virtual town than in a virtual casino, because those online casinos can become addicting.

Awesome Little Elephant

I can't think of another word to describe how I feel about this little guy...he is just awesome! I found him in highveld's etsy shop.

This sculpture only stands about 3 1/2 inches tall, and I want him.

I want him bad!

But, he costs $35, which is a little more than I am willing to spend to add to my collection.

Had I found this a month ago when we had our tax money, I might have splurged a little. If you are a hippo, rhino, or ladybug fan (Boo loved ladybugs!) check out this etsy shop.

These sculptures are truly awesome!

Camera Critters ~ 44

Can you spot the critter?

Here's a hint...it's my daughters hamster, princess.

It's been a while since I have participated in camera critters, and I've missed it.
Hopefully I am back for good!

Fun For Everyone

What is your favorite vacation activity to do with your kids?

I know some of you will say amusement parks, especially if your kids are older, like mine. I was about 16, I think, the first time I went to a real amusement park, and it took all my courage to get in line for that huge roller coaster. In fact, it was the first summer that particular ride was open, and it was great! We went back several times over the next few years, and I always made sure I rode that ride.

I have been thinking about taking my kids to ride some NJ Amusement Rides this spring, and I heard a rumor that there will be a new ride at Morey's Piers. I am not sure if it is a roller coaster or not, but I am sure the kids will enjoy whatever it is.

I like the fact that I can save 35% during their Spring Sale. I know it will not be cheap for the five of us to go, so saving any amount of money is a blessing. It also helps that my sister lives in New Jersey, so we can crash at her house instead of a hotel.

I mean, how can she turn away family?

The Phone

As most of you know, I have two daughters. Kasi is going to be 13 in a couple of months, and Brandi Rose is 8.

One of them spends every waking moment on the phone. Her friends call here, or she calls them. All the time. It's insane!

The funny thing is...it's Brandi! Kasi hates using the phone...she's like me...but Brandi loves it! She will literally spend hours talking to her little friends.

I am not looking forward to her teen aged years...if she's this bad now...

The Sun Is Shining!

Yesterday was a beautiful day! The sun was shining, the kids were happy to be out of school, and they played outside for most of the morning. I love living where we do now, because they are excited about getting out in the fresh air every day. There are tons of kids around, and Ryan especially is having fun playing football and basketball with the neighborhood kids.

Today is supposed to be just as nice as yesterday. We are heading to my dad's in a little while to celebrate all the march birthdays...there are a lot in my family...and the kids are looking forward to fishing for the first time this year.

It's going to be a great day!

San Francisco

When ever I see pictures like this, I think of the television show Full House. I love these three story houses, nestled so close together. If I ever visit San Francisco, this is definitely something I want to see for myself.

My mom visited San Francisco when my brother graduated from college. She loved it. They did a lot of site seeing, checking out San Francisco Hotels and the Golden Gate Bridge. That's another thing I would love to see if I were ever to visit there.

Have you ever been to San Francisco? If so, what are the best places to visit? You know, the "must see" tourist attractions? I wouldn't want to miss a thing.

My New Favorite Etsy Shop

Last night, I was browsing through etsy, trying to find some new magnets for my fridge. I only have a million already, but I love them.

Anyway, I came across this adorable little lollipop being eaten by a worm...and it's purple! I love it! It is in Clayful Creations by Becky's shop, and there are so many cute things. She has a bunch of Easter stuff, too, so if you are looking for Holiday stuff, this is definitely the place to go.

Trust me when I say that she is extremely talented and creative! And you all know that I can not pass up an elephant, so this little guy, who is in her shop, too, is waiting for me to buy him.

Soon, little elephant. Soon

Start Here Giveaway At Anna's

Start Here
Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are
by Alex & Brett Harris

You want to do hard things.
But you don’t know where to start.

You are changing the world around you.
But you are tired and burned out.

You feel called to do the extraordinary for God.
But you feel stuck in the ordinary.

Do Hard Things inspired thousands of young people around the world to make the most of the teen years. Now Alex and Brett Harris are back and ready to tackle the questions that Do Hard Things inspired: How do I get started? What do I do when I get discouraged? What’s the best way to inspire others? Filled with stories and insights from Alex, Brett, and other real-life rebelutionaries, Start Here is a powerful and practical guide to doing hard things, right where you are.

Are you ready to take the next step and blast past mediocrity for the glory of God?

START HERE.

Sounds like a great book, right? Anna is giving away a copy, and I would love to win it for my kids to read. If you want a chance to win, head over to Beth & Cory's Mom and enter for yourself!

The City Of Love

I was researching vacation destinations, again, and this time I was focusing on Paris. I have always heard that this is the city of love, where you can take moonlit strolls and enjoy romantic meals. I know girls dream of having their significant others propose to them in this city. When I think of Paris, I think of love.

That said, I think this would be the perfect place for Junior and I to go to for a second honeymoon. We could stay in different Paris Hotels and take in all the sights. Of course, this would have to be a virtual second honeymoon, because we do not have the money, or the time, to take such a luxurious vacation. Plus, I am still afraid of flying.

All you men out there should consider taking the loves of your lives there if you are planning a proposal. I bet it would be really hard for her to say no.

Happy Games

I love all the games on Facebook. I have a farm, and a cafe, and an aquarium, and an island....wait...I have two different islands. I also have pets. Kitties. Lots of them in all different colors. The past few days, as I have logged into different games, I get messages saying that they have improved the games, making it easier to level up.

I am already obsessed...did they really need to make it easier to play?
I seriously lose too much time out of my day to these games as it is.