First Friday Funday Winner

Congrats to Andrea for winning the Friday Funday Giveway!!! More giveaways to come in the following weeks. Keep watching!

One More Chance for Free Stuff!

I think I neglected to take into account that last week was Spring Break for half of the country. So I am going to extend the giveaway until Tuesday, March 22nd at 12:00 pm. Those of you who have already entered will get double entries!

Please be sure to read the instructions on the Friday Funday post carefully! Also, check your profile to ensure that I and others can see your posts. :) Your e-mail and private information are not posted when you reply. No need to worry about spam.

Friday Funday

It is chilly and a bit gloomy here, but all of you have filled me with sunshine. Okay...that might have been just a tad sappy. I have neglected you these days and I vow to be more consistent. So today I want to thank you for not forgetting about me! My little blog has received over 1,000 hits, and as my daughter would say (imagine in a high pitched 3.5 year old voice learning she is about to go to Disney World) "I'm SO excited!"

So today I am sponsoring this fun little giveaway. You all know that we need to drink more water. It is healthy, makes you feel good, and is essential to life! Bad news is that it becomes easy to forget or even overwhelming to think about consuming a minimum of 64 ounces.

I have found the cuter the drinking vessel the easier it is to drink. These days I consume at least 80 ounces of just water. Not trying to brag just proving a point. It is so easy because I use this super cute and earth friendly cup. This acrylic double barreled cup (with straw and lid) is easy to carry around and most of the time I finish drinking 16 ounces just on the way back from the sink. This is your chance to win your very own!


This contest is only open to those who are registered followers of the blog. If you aren't, just click the link on the right and start following (note:  you won't start getting annoying e-mails or spam). This giveaway is participatory, so please follow the instructions below. You don't have to do all of the options, but the more you do the more entries into the drawing you will receive. You have until midnight on Sunday to enter, and I will choose a winner through random.org on Monday.

1)  Leave a comment on this blog posting.
2)  Post a link to this blog on your facebook, twitter, blog, other social networking site and comment here that you have done so. You will receive on entry for each location to which you post.
3)  Invite a friend to follow the blog. After they become a follower, have them comment below saying that you sent them.

Good luck and happy Friday! Be sure to make it fun!

A Necessary Evil

I HATE shopping for swimsuits. In fact, I have never enjoyed this sometimes humiliating process. Now, I know a few weeks ago I wrote about embracing my body, loving the curves, and not stressing about those 8 extra pounds. I still love me and my new shape (on a side note, I have started running again…okay once) just not in a bathing suit. There is something about squeezing into a tiny piece of lycra and parading around half naked that is so not appealing to me. I also think that paying $75 for a decent suit is ridiculous, but sadly even the “cheap” ones can cost $40 or more. With a bathing suit, you definitely get what you pay for and I will take all the coverage I can get!  There has only one time in my life that I actually found a swimsuit  I liked, fit well, and was comfortable to wear. I still have it, but it likely won’t fit until NEXT summer.

Unfortunately, swimsuit season came a little earlier than anticipated this year. A last minute weekend getaway left me in desperate need of finding something that fit and 5 days to search a handful of stores. So one blustery Saturday, I left the kids at home with my hubby and set out on my mission. Two hours, 4 stores, and about 15 swimsuits later I arrived home empty handed. On the plus side, I scored 3 pairs of cute shorts (Old Navy Bermuda length) and found some great baby sales!

So on a whim I decided to try our local JC Penney’s during my lunch hour. Don’t get me wrong...there is absolutely nothing wrong with this store. I just almost never shop here. I entered the store expecting a quick trip only to be pleasantly surprised. I found several one and two piece suits that were cute, looked like they would be a good fit, and were on sale. I took 3 sizes (I’m not exaggerating) of every suit into the fitting room and for once didn’t hate the experience.  I was really dreading the thought of purchasing a one piece bathing suit. I know I hate swimwear, but wearing a two piece was somehow much easier than wearing what I used to call a “mom” suit. I was pleasantly surprised when I found a cute a.n.a option that came in real sizes not just s-m-l. These days, I need an actual size not just something that will fit most.  It met all of my specifications, hid the areas that I consider to be unflattering, was a beautiful blue, and wasn’t boring or “momish.” I loved it so much that at that moment I would have paid full price.

So I guess the moral of this little story is to search unexpected areas and you might just end up with fabulous results. I’m still not going to go on a crazy diet or start running 10 miles at a time just to trim the tummy and to fit into my other cute swimsuit. Instead, I celebrated my find with a salad…and a milkshake! J Embrace and love yourself…that is what matters most!

Giving In...Not Up

Every year about this time I start contemplating what I should “give up” for Lent. What small sacrifice I can make as a symbol of thanks for the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. He gave His life to make us perfect. I NEVER think of myself as perfect. Instead I think of all the improvements I should make or the vices I resort to in times of need. I forget all too easily why God sacrificed his Son, but thankfully a message in my inbox and a series of events reminded me of this.

“With one sacrifice he made perfect forever those who are being made holy” Hebrews 10:14

The devotion went on to state that God completes us. We all have areas in our lives that we don't like, but this doesn't make us bad. I have to let God fix me...it is impossible to do so on my own. This message was preceded by an amazing sermon by our Pastor and study of Scripture from Matthew 6: 25-27.  This passage ends with “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” These are POWERFUL statements to remember…especially when I am struggling. I have been faced with my share of challenges lately and their burdens are too great. But instead of giving them to God, I try to sort through the mess on my own. Funny how sometimes we need that smack (or several) on the forehead to remind us what is truly important.

So this Lenten season I am giving into God. I am making Him the focus of each day, each decision, and every struggle. In all honesty, I am not entirely sure what this looks like, but I know that when I GIVE IN the path will be there for me to follow. I know that I need not only read but STUDY my Bible more. To let go of the worry and the unhappiness and let God take care of His child. Isn’t that really what Easter is about? He loves us and wants us to remember the beautiful gift of His Son’s sacrifice.

Gear and Gadgets

The baby industry is a multi-billion dollar racket! They lure you in with adorable prints and patterns and gear that you essentially cannot live without (insert sarcasm). I can walk into a baby store and instantly fall in love with 6 different carseats and start scheming reasons why we need to purchase new ones. I see baby bedding and decide it is time to redecorate. Since we travel so often, I am always on the lookout for the latest and greatest travel products. I’ve come across a few pieces that I really NEED, until my husband points out how 3 other items we already own are perfectly functional. Ladies…do not go baby shopping with your significant other. They will become easily overwhelmed with the sheer amount of stuff and after a few visits with be a hindrance to your shopping bliss. That is unless they like to shop as much or more than you.

While I love shopping for baby stuff, I have gotten pretty cheap about it. Most is way overpriced, only used for a small window of time, and a pain in the rear to store between babies.  I wish that I had borrowed more of these items. Although, we have gotten great use out of the items we purchased and now I am looking forward to passing it along to others!

The first few times I traveled, I was so worried that my baby would be bored without all of the items that we had at home. Truth of the matter is they will enjoy their new environment and the newness will keep them pretty entertained. However, there are a few items that I do consider to be essential when traveling.  Ideally, if you are traveling to a location that you will consistently visit several times a year (i.e. your parents, in-laws, etc.) it might be a good idea to invest (or frequently borrow) in a few key pieces that will grow with your baby. We have been very fortunate that both sets of grandparents have purchased some of these items for their own homes. It has made traveling much less stressful, and the items get plenty of use. My essential baby travel (and everyday use) items are:

1)   Pack and Play: Your baby can sleep here and it keeps them safely contained as they get a little older. If you plan on having your baby sleep in your room the first few weeks/months, this is a much more practical purchase than a bassinet. Most will come with a bassinet attachment and you have the added bonus of a changing table.  If you find yourself needing to travel with it, they are a little annoying to travel with but well worth the trouble. If you can utilize the ones at the hotel or borrow from a friend, leave the thing at home!  I used to be a snob when it came to borrowing or using ones from the hotel. My mind raced with germs from spit-up, sick babies, diaper blow-outs, you name it. Now I just throw in a small mattress pad and my own sheet. They don’t take up much room and I know they are clean!

2)   Bouncer:  When your baby is little, a bouncer is indispensible. It will help soothe, comfort, and entertain your baby. Splurge for one that has vibrations…so calming! Even after your baby has outgrown the infant needs, you can use it to feed your baby or keep them contained and entertained while you shower, get ready, etc.

3)   Booster Chair with play attachment:  Unless you really plan on utilizing a high chair when your baby is smaller, a great booster is all you need. Once they are strong enough to sit up and keep their necks steady, you will get the most use out of this. The play attachment is an added bonus because it snaps into the tray and keeps baby occupied while you enjoy a relaxing dinner (a girl can at least dream). Booster seats are also nice as they are easy to take with you to a friend’s house without lugging all sorts of other gear.  I have noticed that there now convertible high chair/booster combos that grows with your child. These look interesting and might end up being a good investment. Sadly, I won’t be purchasing any of this new gear so I have to rely on parents of all those new, cute babies!

4)   Stroller/Baby Carrier/Sling:  This one is a bit trickier. I am of firm belief that you don’t ALWAYS have to travel with a stroller. It really depends on where you are going, how you are going to get there, and what you plan to do. In most situations, I rely on my trusty Peanut Shell instead. Both of my babies LOVE being in them (I only use them once they can face out and keep their heads steady). They are versatile and can be used through toddlerhood. My husband prefers his front pack baby carrier. If you can splurge on both a sling and a front pack, I recommend it. At different stages of their lives, you might find both useful. There are a ton of different options out there so my suggestion is to WAIT until your baby arrives and is at the age that you can actually use it and experiment with what will work best for you and the baby. Trust me…MG was tiny and PD is already the size of a toddler!

5)   Activity Center/Walker:  Now this is not a make or break item, but it certainly helps. There are plenty of activity centers that will last through many developmental stages. Some have seats that later convert to a stand-alone play center.  Walkers are a controversial subject so do what you feel is best for your child. Both of my children loved using them, it is a useful alternative to an activity center for pre-walkers and are usually pretty easy to store. Like with all baby gear, use smart judgment, supervise your child, and don’t use for it for anything but it’s intended purpose.

6)  Age appropriate toys:  You will need far fewer toys than you actually think. Just take a few that will keep them entertained. You are probably going to be so busy that most of the toys are left unused.

As I look over this list, even though it is only 6 items it looks MASSIVE. This list is really ideal for traveling to homes, relatives, and if you are traveling by car and have room. If you are going to more of a destination, you will obviously not be checking your activity center on the plane. You just need to get creative. A stroller will double as high chair if needed. The carseat (I intentionally left this off the list as it is a no brainer…you HAVE to have one) can be used for several purposes. Pack light but pack the necessities. My overall advice is to borrow when you can. It is convenient, practical, and every penny counts when you add a child into the mix. I spend way more on my children than I do on myself. Keeping your baby safe is the ultimate rule of thumb. If you can splurge after that…go for it!

And one final word of advice, unless you know you are "one and done" buy gender neutral items. The little professor spent many of his early days in a pink, butterfly swing and a pink and gray pack n play with gender neutral sheets . Not a huge deal but something to think about!!

More to come on favorite baby items and a few other thoughtful topics I have been pondering...

(Note: The links in this post are for informational purposes only. Most of them are items we used but others are just pretty darn cute!)

Traveling Tots

I am exhausted and struggling to recover, but I don’t think my life will be in order until later this weekend. On Sunday we returned from a 6 day road trip, I went back to the office on Monday, and my husband is heading out of state until Saturday night. On top of all this, Wednesday and Thursday are gymnastics and dance nights for my daughter. Nothing like carting two kids around town and waiting in a small cramped room with an antsy baby and 75 other parents. Of course, I am still trying to get the house in some semblance of order and tackle my favorite chore of all…laundry.

Traveling wasn’t always such a tiresome and overwhelming experience. I vaguely remember the days when our trek from Stillwater to San Antonio was relaxing, enjoyable, and when 8.5+ hours in the car with my spouse was a time to reconnect. There was a time when flying to Columbus was an opportunity to finish a good book and maybe sneak in a little nap.  And I can’t forget about vacations…I am sure that one day I will go on one again and maybe even sleep!

My daughter has traveled so much in her 3 short years that she now has her own frequent flier numbers. The little professor would have his own too but for now he can still fly for free. Over the last 3 years, I have had more than my share of travel experiences. I would like to think that I have travel gear and packing down to a science, but every trip I inevitably forget something. Packing for a 3 year old really isn’t too bad. I get together her clothes and toothbrush, and she is responsible for her toy bag. I still have to modify the contents of her backpack, but overall it is a pretty good system. Now that I have a baby thrown into the mix, my whole routine is off.

My little man has already logged 3 car trips to Texas, a flight to Ohio, and another plane ride to San Antonio. This is about 4 trips more than I had planned after his birth. In fact, this was supposed to be a “no travel” holiday season but obviously that didn’t happen. There is just so much STUFF that a baby needs. The running list of necessities includes: clothes, diapers, wipes, bottles, pump, pacifiers, socks, a few toys, baby food, baby snacks, blankets, teething items, and a partridge in a pear tree. As I write this list, I am positive that I have already forgotten something. Then you have to think of all the things you might also need if your destination doesn’t have them: a play crib, sheets, mattress pad, baby proofing items (if mobile),  carseat, stroller, booster seat/high chair, stoller, baby carrier, larger play items if you are going to be there for quite some time. Whew…

The first time I traveled, my daughter was 6 weeks old and I packed HALF of her wardrobe. I wish this was an exaggeration but sadly it is not. In my head, she needed at least 3 outfits a day because she would likely go through that many with accidents. So for a 5 day trip, there were 15 outfits plus a couple extras (like 10). I may have forgotten that washing clothes was actually an option. Then, we were going somewhere relatively cold so she needed a snowsuit. I BOUGHT MY BABY A SNOWSUIT! Please consider how ridiculous this was. First, you don’t put the darn thing on the baby before you put them in a carseat because that just isn’t safe. And after you get to your destination, are you really going to take 10 minutes to wrestle it on in the cramped quarters of the tiny car you, your in-laws, hubby, and baby have all crammed yourself into…no. Needless to say I returned it without even trying it on, but it made the trip just in case. I also packed 6 bottles….just in case. She was primarily nursing and we hadn’t even introduced a bottle yet, but I didn’t want to be caught unprepared. In the case of baby travels, too much preparation can in fact be a very bad thing. I would also like to think that hormones also played a large role in my irrational thinking. It takes quite some time before us new moms can even remember what we had for breakfast much less formulate rational thoughts!

So even though now I still pack at the last minute, at least I have a pretty solid routine. The kids share a carry-on rolling suitcase with one outfit per day plus one extra (if we are going somewhere with a washer/drier).  If no washing facilities then I throw in extras based on how many days we will be gone. When it comes to my own suitcase, I go as low key as possible. I’m not trying to make any fashion statements so a few pairs of jeans, leggings, cute but comfy shirts, and a couple of pairs of shoes. I want to be cute, but all of my items must be functional. I choose clothes that can be casual or dress up easily. I promise that this works!  I only take the jewelry I am wearing as it minimizes lost items or having to keep up with a little bag of jewels (ha ha).  When it comes to all of the “extra stuff,” I collect it all in a central location so I have a visual of what might be missing before I toss it in my suitcase. (Important note:  always leave plenty of extra room in your suitcase. You will inevitable return with way more stuff than you expect.) If I’m really on top of things (which is rare), I make a list. Yet, somehow my lists never seem to be complete.

Worst case scenario…you forget something. In most situations, it won’t be anything too major. So this week I will continue with travels, packing, baby gear, etc. These are the things that are most on my mind these days especially because in a few months we are going on a MAJOR family vacation. While we aren’t leaving until April, I think I need to start planning now!

Chica Band Winners!

Wonderful friends! Thank you so much for participating and I apologize for the delay in announcement. Another Oklahoma snow storm resulted in an early departure for my sister's Texas wedding. Lucky for us we beat the storm! After two days of last minute wedding errands and kid wrangling, I finally have a moment to update everyone.

Without waiting any longer...the winners of the chica bands are Palvih and Kara! Ladies, please e-mail me (acdroste at gmail dot com) with your contact info so Chica Bands can send you your prize! Thank you again to this wonderful company for supporting this!

I am looking forward to more of these in the future!

All participants' entry(or more) was randomly entered into a numbered spreadsheet. I then used random.org to generate the winning numbers. 

Operation Shrink a Booty...and a Belly...and Tone These Thighs...Maybe

The fact of the matter is I, like many women in America, have body issues. I look at certain areas of my body and just flat out don’t like them. Some people would look at me and think that I am crazy. That I should be happy with my size, weight, and my post baby curves. Sometimes it is difficult to accept those changes with open arms. Bless my dear, sweet, husband…he tells me every day that I am beautiful. He just doesn’t understand how I don’t always share his view.

The problem is I struggle with finding the time to run, practice Pilates, or even make it to the gym to renew my membership.  I know I would feel better if I was doing something instead of coming up with excuses. Excuses, excuses, excuses…I have a whole slew of them. The Little Professor still isn’t sleeping through the night…I already get up at 5:00 am…there is too much cleaning to do after the kids go to bed…I’m too tired…there is a mountain of laundry that must be tackled…I NEED that bowl of ice cream more than I need to run. Logically I know that if I exercised then I wouldn’t be so tired. I also know that the minute I stop breastfeeding all of those bowls of ice cream are going to catch up with me. I love the fact that I can eat whatever I want and not gain weight. Don’t hate me…a girl needs her calcium and primarily in the ice cream form! Nursing a baby for 8 months+ is a lot of work, and at the end of the day I am exhausted! My other excuse is that I can’t lose the weight too fast or it might impact my supply. So why risk it? Yeah…not really a healthy attitude to have.

 I actually started off pretty strong after the Little Professor was born. I was jogging about 4 weeks after his birth and ran my first postpartum 5K at 8 weeks.  I got up early to run and logged a ¼ Marathon, 10K, 15K, and finished off the season with a ½ Marathon at 6 months. I don’t share all of this to brag, but I was pretty proud of myself. My times weren’t as quick as I would have liked, but I was out there and taking care of myself. I was probably on the worst training schedule ever. Just lucky enough to get a run or two during the week followed up by a long run on the weekends. I promise you this is not the way to train for a ½. I’ve all but abandoned my running partner at this point. She still sends me encouragement and invitations to run, but I feel wholly inadequate to get back out there and pound the pavement (I promise I will make it back Ty…don’t give up on me).

So rewind to about 8 weeks when I tried on my beautiful but not flattering bridesmaid dress. I could get the thing zipped up, but it clings in all the wrong places. Without some serious cleavage control my sister’s wedding might end up with a Janet Jacksonesque wardrobe malfunction moment. (Note to all future brides…if you have a pregnant or nursing mom in your wedding party, make sure the dress has a strap. We need the support!) At that moment I vowed to begin the New Year with healthy eating habits, no sugary snacks, practice Pilates during lunch, and to utilize all of the cute, cold weather running gear I had obtained at Christmas.

Now I am exactly 5 days from the blessed event, and I am afraid to even take the dress out of the bag. It is hanging on my closet door so I don’t forget to pack it, but part of me wonders what would happen if it didn’t make the trip. (Megan if you are reading don’t stress...the dress will make it!) I am so scared that I went and spent $48 on a pair of Spanx. Not the full body version, but ones that are pretty darn close. I am pretty confident that the dress will zip on Saturday, but I am packing an emergency sewing kit just in case. I can’t sew…just hoping someone there will be able to when I bust out of the dress.

All of this rambling for a few simple points. I shouldn’t feel this way. None of us should be so uncomfortable in our own skin. A tiny part of me recognizes that I stopped exercising because I was afraid. Even after all of that running, my body didn’t look how I expected it to. What if I worked really hard at losing weight, but I just never looked how I envisioned? In the end, it doesn’t matter if I never fit back into size 4 jeans, I always have little love handles or that my hips will always be a whole lot wider after birthing two babies. It does matter that I feel comfortable in my own skin. That I exercise, feel good, and pass on HEALTHY habits and a positive body image to my daughter. I am going to stop focusing on what my body looks like and instead how it feels. To enjoy exercise for the benefits it provides instead of as a means to an end. I am going to focus on becoming a runner instead of someone who just enjoys running. Then maybe I’ll notice my booty is a little tighter and my belly a little less saggy. If not, who cares…I’ll just have to go shopping!

Giveaway Reminder-Chica Bands

You have about 24 more hours to enter! The awesome Commander-N-Chica, Meg Perez, is sending two lucky winners their very own bands. We can't thank them enough for their support. Show them some love today and increase your chances to win! As an added bonus...if we get to 75 followers before tomorrow, I will throw in an extra chica band.

Chica Bands

(photo from Runner's World)

I have searched long and hard for headbands. I used to have different bands for everyday wear, working out, coming-home-throwing-on-the-comfy-clothes-get-the-hair-out-of-my-face bands, and sleeping. Yes wearing headbands to sleep is supposedly awful, but I hate wisps of hair caressing my face when I sleep. Not a single band can keep my fine, thin hair in place without constant readjustment or flyaway pieces. Let’s not forget the annoying pain behind the ears after a few hours of wear or worse the accompanying headache from one that is just too tight. And it always seems like the cutest ones are just way too expensive.  When I am running, I need something that keeps the hair out of my face, doesn’t move, doesn’t get nasty from sweat, and holds its shape through multiple uses. Most of your garden variety bands just don’t last or work.

I was giddy with excitement when I came across Chica Bands at last year’s Williams Route 66 Marathon expo. The vibrant colors, cute designs, and variety of options were what first caught my eye. In all honesty, I didn’t realize they were “sport bands.” Duh…I was at a race expo…it should have been my first thought. Anyways, my friend and I spent a good 30 minutes agonizing over which bands to purchase. They have skinny (3/8” ) Glitzy Glam bands (absolutely divalicious), thin (1”) varieties in an unending array of patterns and colors, and thick (1 ½”) bands for those who want even more control. You can custom order designs and even purchase tiny bands for your little chicitas. My daughter keeps stealing mine so she will be receiving a few of her own for Valentine’s Day.

These bands are BEAUTIFUL, fun, sassy, versatile, and stay-in-place. I wear mine all the time! My Chica Band is so comfortable that I actually forget I am wearing it. After purchasing my first one, I immediately wore it the next day while running my 1/2 Marathon. There were stretches of the race that were so windy I thought I would blow away, but through it all my hair stayed in place. I didn’t have to readjust during the entire run.

What makes these bands unique is their design. The ribbon band has a velvet backing which gently grips your hair and stays in place. The elastic is thin enough to stay put but won't irritate the most sensitive of heads. There is no yanking, pulling, or slipping.

They are also affordable. I have wasted so much money on cheap headbands only to have them stretch out and lose shape after a couple of uses. A thin band typically runs about $12-$15 (I would spend more), and there are often sales and specials offered through their site or facebook page.  Thick bands will cost you a few dollars more. I abuse my Chica Bands...working out, running around town, wearing them to work, and even sleeping in them. Yes…my Chica Band stays in place while I sleep. Even better, it doesn’t leave that unsightly headband ridge on the top of my head!

Can you tell that I love my Chica Bands? So here is your chance to win your own.  You must be a follower of Momma Are We There Yet to be eligible to win. Follow the instructions below. You have until 12:00 pm CST on February 8, 2011 to get in your entries. I will select a winner (maybe 2)through random.org later that day.

1)      Follow  Momma Are We There Yet

2)      Fan the Chica Band facebook page, come back here, and Comment Here that you did so.

3)      Visit the Chica Bands Website then Comment Here with your favorite design.

4)      Post this giveaway on your Facebook, Twitter, or blog. Comment Here for each.

Good luck!

A Few of My Favorite Things

I am so excited to be sharing these items with you! Over the next week or two I will be adding “favorite things posts” in addition to my various musings. For some of the items, you will have the chance to win your very own! My friends will tell you that I only suggest products that I absolutely LOVE. I’m pretty picky and also cheap (relatively speaking). If I am going to drop a significant amount of cash on something then it had better be worth it. The products you see here are tried and true items that I just can’t live without. Some of them are super practical and others are great gifts or personal indulgences. Hopefully you will enjoy them as well, but this is where I need your help!

I jumped into this blogging journey to have fun, share stories, and engage in a creative project. I didn’t start with any goals or even too much of a focus for the project, but now as I research the blog world I am realizing there are great opportunities for free stuff for readers, sponsorship, networking, and more. All of this is dependent on readership and “followers.” The stronger I build this foundation, the more I will be able to offer to each of you! I love to share and give gifts, but my pocketbook (and my hubby) wouldn’t be able to keep up with everything I want to giveaway. The more you share this blog with others, the better your chances at winning free stuff!

The first giveaway (something I think everyone can use) will start today. If you want to increase your chances to win, follow these instructions:

1)  Click the link on the right to officially “follow” the blog. Following a blog is not the same as subscribing. By following, you are only indicating that this is something you are keeping track of and enjoy (I hope) reading. If you want e-mail notifications every time I add a new posting, then you can subscribe to the blog as well. This is found at the bottom of the page.

2)  Suggest “Momma Are We There Yet” to your friends. After they follow the site, have them comment on this post with your information. A simple “Janie R. suggested this blog” is perfect. This will earn additional entries for you!

Every giveaway post will have additional instructions, so be sure to read closely! If you have a product you would like to have reviewed, e-mail me and we will chat it out!

Cabin Fever

First off my apologies for not posting earlier this week. I know I promised a giveaway and my first round of "favorite things." I haven't forgotten or even put it on the back burner, I will start it either later today or first thing tomorrow. I promise it will be worth the wait! The last few days have been filled with hastily finishing work projects, battling crazy Walmart shoppers stuffing their carts with every last consumable product (someone please tell me why they sold out of celery and 8,000 eggs), and planning kid friendly activities all in preparation for our Oklahoma blizzard. Those of you in the northeast should be laughing at us right about now. We did in fact have a blizzard with considerable snow drifts, but I probably didn't need to be snowed in for three days. Coming up with no fewer than 75 art/craft/cooking projects and games per day for a preschooler is more exhausting than putting in a full week at the office with overtime. This is compounded when you only expect to be trapped for one day. In the end, being snowbound=not a single moment of alone time. Not good for this momma who needs plenty of time to debrief each day!

So the roads are still packed with snow, pretty slick in spots, and a step outside leaves your body shaking with bone chilling temps, but overall it is not worth another city semi shut-down. By lunchtime of day two we were all just a bit nuts so my husband shoveled half the driveway and took the mom mobile (my beloved Chevy Traverse-LOVE this car) out for a test run. The Ohio native declared the roads passable so we bundled up and headed out to a little place that I fondly refer to as paradise.

I've mentioned before that while we live in a college town with a major university, it is still a small town. We have two super Walmarts, Old Navy, and plenty of adorable local owned businesses but no Target and not many kid friendly locales. We do however have Chik-fil-a. Ours is like no other in the country. Fast food is fast food...right? Wrong!

This particular establishment is about as family friendly as you can get. These days instead of heading to the bars we head to Chik-Fil-A for a good time. While there we are surrounded by "our people." A quick glance around the place reveals numerous parents all with small children under the age of 5. The parents are enjoying a meal in peace (with fresh flowers on every table!) while their children are playing on a CLEAN, closed off, indoor playground designed only for little kids. It is not uncommon to see children pulling on the handle to the door of the playground (placed ingeniously at their level) and running back and forth between playing and eating. This all but eliminates the need for parents to leave their table. The visible stress levels melt away from faces as soon as they enter the restaurant. I imagine the prerequisite for working there is to say "It's my pleasure" with  heartfelt desire 800 times during the interview process. Each employee shares this statement with every customer, and they always seem to be saying it from a place of true commitment to customer service. Unlike other establishments, they tell you to sit down and when your food is ready they bring it to you. Being able to focus on getting the kids settled without 10 trips to the counter, dropping the beloved "best ever monkey" into ketchup, or spilling the contents of the diaper bag is a lifesaver!  The employees offer all the help you need with a wonderful smile, care, and laugh if you look like you need one.

I think it is important to find these gems in our communities and frequent them regularly. Just the mention of Chik-Fil-A can turn our daughter's sour mood into a delightful one. In fact, we often see many of the same families visit after visit. It is nice to make connections with new people and our daughter enjoys making new friends. Added bonus...the food is consistently delicious with plenty of healthy options and nobody cares if your child has a massive meltdown in the middle of the place. In fact, some understanding parent will probably offer to watch after your other children while you calm the crazy one. We have plenty of other kid activities in the local cities, but some days we just don't have time to drive the hour there and back so instead we get creative. Creativity is truly the key to good parenting and a successful marriage. Don't be afraid to think outside of the box and try something new. Worst case scenario...the activity fails. On the positive though, your failed activity might lend way to a new discovery.

From now on, I will look at snow days with appreciation and just another chance to test my mom skills! Thank you Chik-Fil-A. Thank you for allowing my family and others to eat lunch and hang out there for hours. We will be back again soon!

The Easiest (and cheapest) Date of All

I am going to be honest with you. This revelation is not groundbreaking, creative, or very forward thinking. It is so simple that you might be saying "I already do that every day." If you do, then kudos to you! For those of you in the same spot as me, here we go...

Quality, alone time with my spouse is sometimes the most difficult thing to find. We try to have lunch together every day, but it is difficult to turn off the office drama and talk about things other than work or the kids. On the nights that he has rehearsals, we have a rushed dinner at home amidst the craziness I like to refer to as "the witching hour" (more like hours). He is usually out the door about an hour after I get home; leaving me to carry on with my established mommy/kids evening routine.

By the time the kids are fed, bathed, tucked in, kitchen cleaned, toys picked up, and another load or two of the never-ending mountain of laundry washed, I am ready to crash. If I am not completely exhausted, I will indulge in one of the shows I DVRed from 3 weeks ago. Most nights I am so brain dead that I crawl into bed not long after the babes are asleep. My preschooler has the ability to instantly memorize any song she hears and most nights she graces us with a full on hour or two production from the comfort of her bed. Not easy to relax to the sounds of "little bunny foo foo" over the baby monitor.

When dear hubby is home for an evening, we are able to divide and conquer. We try to throw in family game night for a little fun quality time. Nothing like a rousing round of Hi Ho Cherry-O or Candyland right before bed. Actually, in all honesty, we love playing games with the munchkin. After the kids are down, we commonly find ourselves stuck in our individual ruts. By the time we finally remember we are both home, I'm already half asleep or 3/4 of the way through a show that I don't want to turn off. So I have decided to implement date nights every night.

Instead of focusing on chores, emails or the unending fun of bill paying, we will have a date. Just sitting down each night for a little uninterrupted spouse time. On nights where we have done this, I am able to deepen my connection with my spouse and learn new things about each other and our relationship. After 8.5 years of marriage it is safe to say that we have changed quite a bit as a couple, individuals, and as parents. We are long overdue to further explore these new aspects of ourselves.

Knowing our tendency to forget about the importance of these dates, I've decided to set a few rules. They are common sense so don't expect anything wild!
 
1) Date night EVERY night. Ideally, our date will be at least 30 minutes.
2) If things have been unusually crazy and we are short on time, we can do chores together instead of our normal division of labor. We will still carve out a few minutes of together time.
3) Read and discuss a book together. In all of our years of being together, we have never done this.
4) Read our Bibles and embark on a study plan.
5) NO KID TALK!!!

I can think of at least 8 more rules to add, but it is probably best to keep it simple for now. I am sure the list will evolve just as our relationship will mature through the process. Tonight will be the start of our purposeful and nightly dates. I am really excited an hope my hubby will be too. I haven't shared with him my new plan yet, but I have a feeling he will be thrilled! Great ideas happen when I've been up with the kids since 4:00 am. Luckily not both at the same time!

The rest of the week will be devoted to a few of my favorite things and a giveaway or two! Be sure to subscribe to the blog and share with your friends!

A Love Affair

I am absolutely in love. This little love affair of mine might cause just a tad bit of trouble for my other half. But before you get in too much of a tizzy, let me clue you in on my little secret. I am in love with the Groupon and Living Social websites/smartphone apps. If you have never heard of these websites then I will apologize right now as you might soon become addicted to their deals. Instead of continuing to read this post, open a new browser, visit these sites, and sign-up for their daily deals. These sites will offer deeply discounted coupons to restaurants, movie theaters, various classes, trips, museums, gift cards to major online sites, at super affordable prices.

I am a girl who can't pass up a great deal, but I am also lazy.  I just don't have the time to search out the deals, clip coupons (much less remember to actually use them…I’m the mom that rips open a package of goldfish while grocery shopping to keep the kids from screaming), or search our nearby cities to find new and unique entertainment. I’ve heard stories of how some can “coupon” so well that they actually make money. If this is you and you would like to try your hand at blogging, let me know. You could be my first guest blogger. My husband would love you if I could start saving money instead of spending it!

The Groupon and Living Social sites are how I’ve added some spice to my life. Initially, I purchased deals to entertain my daughter over the weekend. My spouse has quite a few evening and weekend obligations, so I try to get creative when planning activities for the kids. After a few successful purchases, I started noticing intriguing adult activities. I thought what a great alternative to our traditional dinner date. For us it means venturing out to the nearby cities, but an hour drive is worth the time to deepen the relationship with my hubby. Plus, it gives us the opportunity to talk without interruption. This is a great luxury when you have a 3-year old! Imagine talking about politics, books, or the future instead of your child’s recent re-enactment of last night’s Fresh Beat Band episode.

Here are a few examples of some of my recent purchases: 

Coco Flow (http://cocoflow.com/) I purchased two classes for super cheap. We will learn the history of chocolate, make our own truffles, and indulge in some decadent desserts. Who doesn't love chocolate?!

Wine and Canvas ( http://www.wineandcanvas.com) I am so excited for this event! Mind you, I cannot paint or draw to save my life. Maybe I have some potential seeing as how I did have a pen and ink drawing displayed at the local library…when I was in 4^th grade.  If all else fails and my artistic creation looks like a puddled mess of paint on canvas, at least I have tried something new and enjoyed a glass of wine (or 2 or 3).

I also keep my eye on deals for different cities. It helps me learn about potential vacation spots for whenever my husband and I ACTUALLY take a much needed adults only trip. For fear of losing your respect, I won’t even tell you how long that has been. I’m still trying to convince him that these deals I keep purchasing aren’t frivolous, but his sense of adventure hasn’t quite matched up with mine. In fact, a friend of mine and I bought our Wine and Canvas events together. It will be a “no boys allowed” adventure. Either way (hubby or friends), I’m adding some much needed “me time” to my life and trying out something that has the potential to become a new hobby. I hope that you will check it out for yourself and share your purchases/upcoming adventures here.

I’m going to end with a shameless self-plug. If you enjoy reading, please take a minute or two to click the FOLLOW link. In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be sponsoring a few exciting giveaways, and you will need to be a current follower for the best chances at winning. I promise it will be good!

$5 Date Night

Okay…so $5 might be a bit of a stretch. The whole idea is to get creative and appreciate the power of the often elusive date night. After the birth of my daughter, I was absolutely terrible at making time for myself much less our marriage. I became a 24/7 mom. You might be thinking “aren’t you always a parent?” Of course this is true, the point being I was afraid of trying to be anything or anyone else. I thought that if I spent more than an hour or two away from my tiny, helpless, pink bundle of joy that our mother-daughter bond would suffer. Little did I know that it was I who would suffer.  After about 8 months (and this is a very generous estimate), I realized that if I continued down this road I would be teaching my little girl dependence not the independence.

I digress…more about mommy guilt, parenting and independence later. Today I am focusing on the sanctity of the much needed and often underappreciated DATE NIGHT!  Even though the thought of leaving your babies with someone else might be absolutely terrifying…do it! Enlist the support of fellow parents, a friend who loves kids, or steal that perfect sitter away from your neighbors. Make sure you tip her/him well! The extra money spent is well worth the happiness of your kids and the potential to come home to a house that is might be a little less messy than when you left. (Side note…if you are looking for the perfect new mom gift, offer to clean her house. She will love you forever!)

My husband and I are working very hard to incorporate date night into our weekly habits, but this is such a challenge for us. Not because we don’t want to spend time together, but it is just so hard to find a few hours when we aren’t exhausted, are actually both at home, or the kids aren’t crazy! Most of the time this happens at the last minute, and we are frantically trying to hunt down one of the babysitters we trust to watch our kids. We only have a handful but they are awesome! If you live in my town, bring me baked goods or gifts of wine, and I might just share their numbers with you.

Most of the time, we enjoy a dinner out sans kids menus, temper tantrums, milk spills, or our daughter standing in her chair singing her most recent arrangement of songs (the child NEVER stops singing). If you are ever in need of some free, weeknight entertainment just stop by our house at dinner time. This should probably be required if you are thinking about having kids anytime in the near future.

 In our relatively small town, there are only so many restaurants to frequent or other interesting things to do. Hence we created the $5 challenge. After one lovely dinner out, we weren’t quite ready to head home and face reality. We were both secretly hoping that even though we had said we would be home before the kids needed to go down for bed that they would actually be so tired from all of the fun that they would pass out early. Rule number 1 of date night…never expect your kids to be asleep when you get home! Even when you get home hours past their bedtime, they will wake up moments after the babysitter leaves. Back to the challenge…being the witty and clever woman I am, I jokingly said to my hubby “Let’s go to Walgreens and with only $5 pick out a meaningful gift for each other.” To my surprise, he agreed and 15 minutes later we were exchanging our “gifts” in the car. Normally I would share more details of our gift exchange, but I promised my husband that I wouldn’t embarrass him too much on my blog. We ended up having a blast and shared quite a few laughs. I have a feeling that this is only the beginning of our date night challenges.

So this is where I need you! Comment below with your own version of the $5 challenge.  I’m (almost) always up for a new adventure. I’d love to try out a few of your ideas. This post has already gotten a little longer than I intended so tomorrow…well really later this week…I’ll finish up with a few more creative date night excursions!

Getting Started

At some point, I got stuck doing life instead of living life. Don't get me wrong, I try to take time to enjoy the many blessed moments of each day but let's face it...being a mom is HARD! These little bundles of joy don't come with an owner's manual, the option to reset, or better yet…a pause button. It becomes a challenge to remember who you were B.K. (before kids) much less figuring out the kind of woman and mom you want to be. So I have decided to take the time to learn about me, put myself in time out every once in a while, and share the ups and downs of this wonderful journey called life (cliché, I know).

So you are probably wondering who is this crazy woman and why does she think she has anything to offer me. I’m a 30 year old (agh!) mother of two adorable but also sometimes trying kids. My daughter is 3, my baby boy is 8 months, and I’ve been happily (albeit we have our share of arguments…who doesn’t) married for almost 8 years. I spend my days working on a university campus surrounded by college students and my nights and weekends at my never-ending job called parenthood. I was a failure at the whole stay-at-home mom thing (tried for 9 months) and absolutely admire and envy those moms who make it look like a breeze. I’ve had my successes and failures and want to share it all. Sometimes as moms we are afraid to discuss the difficult for fear that we will be judged by other moms. This leaves such a void and lack of support during a time when we need it the most.

I do hope that my sharing helps fill a blogosphere niche. This won't be a blog about what I ate for dinner, how many times the Little Professor (my sweet baby boy) rolled over or how many tantrums my pre-schooler can throw in day, but instead how I am choosing to LIVE life. We will talk about topics that we just don’t always see in the mainstream our outside of the “mommyboards” you may have joined. Along the way I'll share tips and tricks to make mommyhood just a little easier. Of course, I HAVE to share my favorite products and indulgences. I promise to throw in a few funny yet awfully embarrassing stories that should brighten those gray, "I want to sell my kids and go back to bed" kind of days. Sometimes I will share my spiritual walk and also talk about those same struggles. On others, I will post on topics that I scoured the internet for during my pregnancies (like exercise), cloth diapering, the joys (and struggles) of breastfeeding, infantile glaucoma (my daughter’s struggle), exercise, quick and easy family recipes, etc. If there is a topic you want covered, just let me know. Ultimately my goal is to build this great network of moms, guest bloggers, and support.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me!