Christmas Shopping

It is not even Thanksgiving, and I am already planning out not WHAT, but HOW am I going to do my Christmas shopping this year. I already know I am going to be shopping at the last minute...I always do:(. Will I go to the store and ship my presents or shop online, or BOTH. Well, I stumbles across this new website called Ebates from another blog that I follow. As a mom working a few days a week, I am determined to save money while still being able to buy the gifts that I want to for those I love. This site is great because I have access to all the stores I would normally shop at online, but this way I can actually make money by shopping. I thought it was too good to be true, but it actually makes sense. This website gets a commission from these stores for referring customers to their websites, but then Ebates turns around and shares part of the commission with you. I am so excited I found this, and thought I would share it with all of you. HAPPY SHOPPING!

Healthy Habits start Young

Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like you accomplished more in a few hours than you have in an entire week. Well, today was one of those days for me. I woke up early, worked out while Kinz napped, cleaned the house, folded the laundry, and grocery shopped for the week. And although I am definitely proud I knocked some things off my list (even though it is FRIDAY), that's not even what has made me feel so accomplished.

As many of you know my family is drinking this new fruit juice blend. I am so happy Paul, Hunter, and I are getting the benefits of 13 servings of fruits and vegetables through this drink. I am still nursing Kinley so I know she is getting at least part of those benefits too. But today, I invested some time in healthy choices specifically for my babe....

At the grocery store, I purchased 2 sweet potatoes ($0.73), 2 butternut squash ($0.90), carrots ($1.68/bag); 4 apples ($1.84); 3 pears ($1.52), 3 bananas ($0.68); and 1 can of pineapple chunks in 100% pineapple juice ($0.77). That's a total of $8.12. We spend that much for

I washed, blended, mixed, packaged and stored. And in no time at all, I had over 15 servings fresh fruits and vegetables to feed my little princess

This really was so easy, and I had a lot of fun doing it. I can't wait to see how much Kinley enjoys her new food.

Consuming Love

Last night while at dinner with my family, Kinley began to choke on her first finger foods ( we won't be trying that again anytime soon). Instinctively, I stood up and reacted like any mom would. I was pretty shaken up because in just an instant I was reminded how fragile life is. Now, it may not have been that serious, but in the moment words can't express the fear as a mother when your baby is struggling. As her mother, I reacted differently than everyone else at the table......it really struck me, and so I have been thinking all morning about this crazy thing called motherhood!!!

The past five years, I have been consumed with motherhood. About 99% of everything I say, do, or feel has been related to being a mom. Being a mother is the most exhausting, time consuming, yet exciting, and rewarding role I have ever had. I wake up a mother and go to bed a mother.

...My whole life revolves around these two angels...

It is a love I have never quite experienced. I always thanked my parents for their unconditional love, but I never truly understood it until I became a mother 5 1/2 years ago. It doesn't matter how tired I am or how overwhelmed I am feeling at the moment, my love for my babies has NEVER waivered. It is a love that only grows every day.

It is a love that could only be created by the One who loves us more than even our own parents. People talk about miracles every day, but the love of a parent for their child is truly miraculous because it is only through divine intervention that our own selfish, human tendencies are put aside when we become parents.

Sometimes, it's hard to grasp how we, as parents wake up every day and give all our time and energy to another being whose every need depends on us. However, in the midst of it, we don't think about this stuff because it comes so 'naturally'.....well, only a love that natural can come from our first parent, our Father in Heaven. I am so thankful everyday for the patience, the energy, the commitment, and the desire to be the best mom I can. I pray that God can continue to work through me as I guide my children through this life and help them navigate their own path.

And so today, in the midst of pure exhaustion (they both needed mommy last night)I thank God for my happy and healthy children who are better than any amount of sleep could ever measure up to;)

Fall Time

Oh How I love Fall.

The cool breeze and beautiful landscape

We have been trying out best to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible because we know that once winter hits, we will be dreaming about these days!!!

The Costumes

Mamma's boy

black ninja and pretty princess:)

Daddy's girl

HAPPY FALL