Taking a Break From Chips

After the who knows how many gigantic boxes of those snack pack chips I bought at Costco I finally decided it was time to TAKE A BREAK.  About two months ago I took a break from buying those little snack bags of chips.  40 bags gone in a week [okay I'm exaggerating] but my kids are chip hounds!  

Like Dr. Suess would say, chips here, chips there, chips everywhere!  Instead of more chips for the month I splurged on a new kids bento to motivate myself to pack healthier snacks and lunches, chip free.  I've always loved this particular bento with its cute little slots and design.  I am happy to report that I love YUM BOX even more than I thought I would and so did the kids. 

It's just so cute and really fun.  I've been more intentional about packing fresh food and less bagged.  A little bento encouragement to eat a little healthier.  This is a breakfast for lunch.  Actually it was her left over sausage and egg burrito.   Ended up being a great lunch idea.  You can find the grocery list before.  

Grocery List

Tortillas

Eggs 

Sausages

Cheese 

Salsa 

Gogurt 

Baby Bell cheese

Gogurt 

Fruit (grapes, blueberries, strawberry) 

Marshmallows 

Celery & Peanut Butter

Now you should know, I'm not against chips and one day I'll buy some snack bags again, but this chip break and bento has really inspired me to create some fun fresh food combinations.  

Hello 30!

I joke about dreading 30 but I actually welcome it with open arms.  HELLO 30!!  

[starbucks and a birthday dress, silliness in the dressing room is my yearly tradition]

[twenty six,   twenty eight,   twenty nine]

 This last year,  God held up a mirror and I saw myself.  Defined by no one but Him; in that mirror I saw me as He sees me.  My strengths and imperfection.  I could see the person that he is shaping me to be.  It became my reality that he loves me just the way I am no more no less.  The biggest lesson learned was that good or bad, each day is a new day to learn and lean on God. 

That mama in the mirror is redeemed, a daughter of the king of kings, full of life, hope and purpose.  My confidence is found in who He says I am.  I lack nothing because time and time again I've seen God provide physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I know he always will.  I continue to see the power of the word and it's truth.  I know I cannot live on bread alone but in every word that comes from the mouth of God.  

For the first time ever I haven't felt guilty about my occupation.  I haven't felt the need to do more, be more.  I am fully enjoyed every fleeting moment of being at home.  Nothing makes me more proud than to say I am a stay at home wife to the best husband, a stay at home mom to these crazy kids.  

And with that I leave you with the top 7 things I learned and have told myself this year: 

1.  Don't be so defensive and easily angered.  Crazy angry outbursts... not cute. 

2.  Be faithful in the little things. 

3.  Stop trying to change people or make them better.  Love them for who they are.  

4.  Don't live life based on how you feel.  Do what is RIGHT and what you need to do even if you don't feel like it.   

5.  Verbalize expectations or don't have them at all.  

6.  Without focus you'll go in a million different directions accomplishing nothing but a little of everything.  Set goals and aim for them.  STOP starting projects and not finishing them.  

7.  You can't give your family what you don't have.  You can't teach them what you haven't learned.  So never stop learning! 

Here's to another wonderful year full of new lessons!  As Joyce would say, I may not be where I need to be but thank God I'm not where I use to be

Alphabet Letter Sliders

Don't you love the things you find when you're looking for a last minute activity for the littles?

  I found two awesome websites with treasures...  free printables to use for learning at home.  This letter slider for the little men found HERE was perfect for assessing which letters they knew.  I called our a letter and they put it on the bunny's belly.  

 Would also be fun for learning letters, letter sounds, beginning letter sounds, or assessing. 

It was so cute I also let my little lady use it to practice some kid spelling and writing.  

With each letter she wrote a word that started with that letter.  Because I spent a little extra time browsing I also found these word family sliders for the little lady for this summer from HERE.

What is or was your kiddos favorite letter activity?  This mama needs some suggestions! 

Our First Valentines Day

Do you remember your first Valentines Day with your love?  

I was the ripe old age of 16 and that morning at school I was greeted with a teeny tiny box of chocolates, a tiny little bear, and one yellow rose from my boyfriend of one month.  It was the sweetest little gift and I loved it!  I was already on cloud nine but that little stinker had more up his sleeve.  When the bell rang at the end of school, we walked together to our car and there in my silver Hyundai was the biggest bear, a dozen roses, a big box of chocolates, and the sweetest note.  You bet I was over the moon that day... best boyfriend  EVER.

I can happily tell you that my boyfriend now husband still exceeds my expectations and makes my dreams come true.  We may have been together for almost half our lives, married, and run around with rug rats but that doesn't mean romance gets put on the back burner.  Coexisting doesn't produce a strong relationship.  Love is a verb; it's thoughtful and intention.   There are always new ways to learn to show love and that is what the 14 Day Romance Challenge is all about.  

The chapter Speaking His Love Language encouraged me to show my love using all the languages. I challenge you to do the same.  One act for every language.  Like Sharon does at the end of each chapter, I will give you some ideas. 

Words of Affirmation

With the comfort of our relationship I sometimes assume that he already knows how I feel about him. This is the easiest language to speak but one I sometimes forget to express.  

Telling him how handsome he looks in the morning, thank him for being a good provider after he gets home from work.  Sending him a text or email during the day letting him know you are thinking of him.  Taking post its and writing all the reasons why you love him and put it on his mirror.   

Gifts

I confess that I am the worst gift giver.  During this challenge I wanted to treat him to lunch so I packed some cash in his lunch bag.  It doesn't have to be a big gift to be special.  

Get him a book he's been wanting to read, a gift card to a food place so he can go out for lunch or a coffee.  Buy him something from his Amazon wish list.  Bring home his favorite candy or dessert.  

Quality Time

Find something your hubby likes to do and do it with him, without being distracted and without any negative comments.  

Sitting with him during sports games, news, or boy shows.  Going to the gym, going on hikes. 

Acts of Service
For me this comes natural because it is the number one way I show love.  Think of things you can do for your hubby that he would love and do them!

Coming home to clean quiet house, breakfast in bed, pack his lunch for the whole week, clean the cars, organize the garage.  

Physical Touch
I'll leave you in suspense and you'll have to get Sharon's book and read her ideas.  This love language is pretty self explanatory.

It doesn't matter if you've only been married for a year or married for 50, A 14 Day Romance Challenge  is a great book full of ideas on how to be thoughtful and intentional with your love. It reminded me that he wants to feel as important as the items on my to do list and the kids.  As much as women like to be romanced, men do too!  During this challenge I was showing him how much I cared and in return I could feel him doing the same. 

Happy Valentines Day!

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