*NEW* Join the Chick-fil-A Kids Club!

As I shared in this post I am on the Chick-fil-A Mom Panel for 2015-2016 and I'm super excited - I heard we're getting special welcome packages in the mail!!  My family would eat Chick-fil-A every day if I'd take them....seriously!  

Someone recently asked what I'd do on a date night with my husband and I said we'd go to Chick-fil-A because I can send the kids to the play area while my husband and I talk and eat peacefully.  
Yes, our kids are with us almost 24/7 (with the main exception being Tuesday and Thursday mornings).  Yes, they have grandparents that they see often.  No, I do not regret having kids or spending so much time with them.  No, I'm not judging you for sending your kids off to school or grandma's house.  Just thought I'd get all of those questions out of the way so we can move on to more important things...

Like food. And Chick-fil-A. And Kids activities. Specifically Chick-fil-A's new Kids Club!

Their kids club is supposed to be unlike most other kids clubs.  Here is what they say about it:

"Kids Club puts a unique twist on important values, positively influencing the world’s greatest kids – your kids! Each month, we get together for games, crafts and challenges designed especially for Kids Club members."

 My kids and I are excited to join the kids club.  They will get a welcome packet and they will be able to go to our local Chick-fil-A and participate in fun activities!  Please visit the Kids Club website to register your child(ren) and join in the fun!

Tantrum Thursday

These tantrum posts just make me laugh...toddlers are such quirky little creatures!

 

Ok, so this last one isn't my toddler.  It's my pre-schooler (who can throw a tantrum better than any toddler I've seen when she's mad).  We went outside this week to check on the (little) pumpkin we have been accidentally growing in our yard....only to find that someone had pulled the vine out of the ground and pulled the pumpkin from the vine.  My kids (ages 6, 4, and 1) were all so upset that their pumpkin had been taken! 

 

(Update on the Great Pumpkin coming soon!)

Tantrum Thursday

If you've ever lived with a toddler (or preschooler) then you know that they are capable of throwing some insane tantrums....over CrAzY things that make no sense to a 'normal' person.  As a mom of 3 ((darling)) girls, I know that sometimes you have to laugh at these moments to keep yourself sane.  So from now on I'm taking note of the crazy tantrums in our house and adding them to our weekly 'Tantrum Thursday' blog post.  

I hope you find these as entertaining as I do...oh and feel free to send me your pictures - you mind find them featured on my next Tantrum Thursday post!!!

We're back!

In case you have all been wondering where I have been....well here goes:

I started homeschooling my oldest daughter who is now 6 and my middle daughter (now 4)....AND I had a baby (who is now 15 months)!!  Somehow life got away with me and I found myself with no blogging/reading/cleaning time.  BUT NOW I'M BACK!

We are still homeschooling (another post on all that is coming SOON).  My kids are still wild and crazy.  I still love blogging and reviewing so be prepared - it's coming full force! haha

So what's my current project? Let me tell you now that I'm a little excited about this one....

I was chosen to be on the 2015-2016 Chick-fil-a Mom Panel!  My family LOOOOOVES Chick-fil-a (for many reasons) so I'm super excited to see what's in store for me! I'm just gonna leave you all with this fun video for now...

Meatless Mondays

Note: I am a BzzAgent. I got this item free from BzzAgent (but have previously bought on my own). All of my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Are you looking to save money? Or maybe trying to be a little healthier? Or maybe just looking for something healthy that your kids will eat?

I'm always looking to do ALL of these things!  We try to have at least 1 meatless meal a week. Does that mean we starve for a day? haha No way! Sometimes it is meatless spaghetti, sometimes salad, or sometimes veggie burgers.  Most of the time I make black bean burgers (with a very simple recipe - I hate cooking), but  Morningstar Farms has a super easy alternative!



These burgers stay frozen until you are ready to cook.  Then you can cook them in the microwave! Add sweet potato fries and you have a meal that my kids will even eat without complaining!

Here is the recipe from Happy Herbivore that I use for my burgers:

Ingredients

• 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ⅓ cup instant oats
  I actually add a small amount of blackstrap molasses to mine. It helps them stick together and adds a little extra nutrition. 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F. Grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper and set aside. In a mixing bowl, mash black beans with a fork until mostly pureed but still some half beans and bean parts are left. Stir in condiments and spices until well combined. Then mix in oats. Divide into 4 equal portions and shape into thin patties. Bake for 7 minutes, carefully flip over and bake for another 7 minutes, or until crusty on the outside. Slap into a bun with extra condiments and eat!

Jesus Pure & Simple

I recently received "Jesus Pure & Simple" by Wayne Cordeiro from Bethany House Publishing.  While I received the book free, the opinions below are my own. 

Summary from CBD.com:

“Pastoral help for Christ-followers who want to live a life of significance! Offering encouragement, stories, and practical guidelines for God-centered living, Cordeiro helps believers focus directly on drawing near to Jesus. A welcome message for Christians looking for simplicity and peace in their anxious, over-scheduled lives.”

My Review:

When I received “Jesus Pure & Simple” I was really excited to read it! The back of the book asks, “Do you ever feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions?” Why yes, many times I do! I’m sure many people feel that same way these days! There are so many good things to be a part of now that it is hard to know when to say no.  I am learning that there are many projects and ministries that are good, but just aren't for me right now. And that is ok! 

Back to the book…I started reading it, and was frustrated within a few pages. The author has many good stories and illustrations, but he jumps back and forth constantly.  I kept reading hoping maybe it was just the first chapter, but it wasn’t.  It just didn’t flow easily from subject to subject.  The stories were great and encouraging, but I like books to flow.  I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t love this book since I had such high hopes.  If you like to read short encouraging stories, you might enjoy this book; otherwise, you might want to keep looking for a different ‘simple’ book.

52 Ways to Wow Your Husband

I recently received "52 Ways to Wow Your Husband" by Pam Farrel from Harvest House Publishing.  While I received the book free, the opinions below are my own. 

Summary from CBD.com:

"Add spark to your marriage with best-selling author Farrel's woman-to-woman advice on how to support - and surprise - your spouse! Filled with inspirational stories and godly advice, her creative "wow" assignments, wisdom, and dates are perfect for any wife who wants to deepen her spiritual, emotional, and physical bond with her husband."

My Review:

"52 Ways to Wow Your Husband" is exactly what you would think.  Every week you get an assignment, wisdom, and a date.  The assignments are simple, quick things to do to make you think about your husband.  The wisdom is scripture or stories from other wives to encourage you in your marriage.  The date suggestion-sometimes as simple as spending time together.  The book offers encouragement and ideas to help push your marriage in the right direction. Many of us want to 'wow' our husbands and make them feel appreciated, but many times we just don't know where to start. This book is a good starting point!  This book could be used by the newlywed or the 50 year married couple!  It's a quick and easy way to show your husband he is loved every week of the year!