{Glitter Moments}

 Since becoming a mom I feel like I have become a more relaxed, let it roll off my shoulder kind of person. Now that's not to say my type A personality does not still exist. Some people would probably say I'm still not relaxed at all.  I've said this before, but my children have made me really see the importance in every day life and to 'not sweat the small stuff.' Landen and Caroline have especially made me appreciate, what I will now call, "glitter moments."

With today being the day before Thanksgiving break at school, we were having a little extra fun. The children were playing in centers and one child asked for glitter so I brought in a jar along with some glitter glue. I gave it to thechildren in art and noticed the rest of the children in the classroom were content and having a good time.  About fifteen minutes later, when I asked the children to clean up I noticed the Art center was especially shiny. From table top to the floor, stretching all the way to the bathroom and on the carpet, there was a glittery 'mess.' It was even up the leg of my boots at lunch time. The children were proud of their works of art and laid them on the counter to dry. There were swirls, names written, and even a little house that was drawn with glue and all covered with glitter. 

Before having children I would not have appreciated this glittery moment as much as I do now. With my Mom eyes on I saw todays situation completely different.  I was happy for the children who made the glittery mess,  they obviously had fun, were creative, shared-I mean come on it was only one jar of glitter!, were independently working, and they were taking pride in their work.  So there was glitter caked around the foot of the table-it can be swept up! So what it's all over the carpet-it looked like children truly existed in the classroom and were having fun! Looking at our new shiny classroom, all I could do was smile.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I have to say I'm so thankful for not only my job and my students, but I am also thankful that I can appreciate moments like today's. I mean isn't everything better with a little glitter on it? 

What type of 'glitter moments' have you had recently? Are you moving to fast and need to slow down to look for them or do you find yourself sitting back and taking them in. I challenge you to just throw your hands up at the next mess or crazy situation and just take a deep breathe and  laugh. I assure you there will a little bit of joy that comes out of it. 

Xoxoxo

Danielle 

{Parenting: Manners}

Hello Weekend! I don't know about you, but I needed a break. This week has been busy and I have to be honest with you all, I've been going to bed when the kids went down...like at 7:30-yikes! Which is why there hasn't been many posts this week. Sometimes us Mom's just have to take a break and reboot to keep going! It's nap time in our house which means a coffee break for me! 

This past summer, I had ONE goal.  If nothing else got done, my children were going to begin learning their manners.  To my surprise, Landen and Caroline quickly picked up on saying "please" and "thank you." Yes, they didn't always know when to use them, but after a good six months of now practicing in our daily lives, we hear the pleases and thank yous all the time.

I do have the give the occasional "p-" reminder or say, "what's the magic word." But for two-years-old,  I have to say I'm pretty darn happy!  And the sweetest thing to hear is, "Thank you Mommy/Daddy" in that ever so gentle voice. It's music to this Mommy's ear!

Manners for me does not end at just please and thank you. I feel like manners encompasses more. I want my children to act polite. Yes sharing is still a lesson in the works, but I want them to use a kind tone of voice, pick up after themselves, and say sorry when they've hurt someone-and MEAN IT! Personally, I feel if I can raise children who are polite and kind hearted, they will have everything they need to go far in life.

 This afternoon, I was on parent.com.  I came across a little "parenting quiz" and decided to take it-why not right? Here is what I got:

"Optimizer: You're doing an amazing balancing act. Sure, you read the parenting guides, but you remain calm if you notice your baby starts teething (or crawling or talking) a few weeks later than the book says he should. You seek input from your mommy friends, your pediatrician, and your own mother, but you generally trust yourself to make good decisions. And although you aim to keep a schedule, you know missed naps and blown bedtimes happen. In short, you begin every day with a good plan and even better intentions, and when life gets in the way, you do whatever it takes to make the best of it. Brava, mama!"

I think this quiz hit the nail on the head with me. I'd love to do things a particular way all the time, but that is just too much for me and my kids sometimes. I certainly don't claim to be a know-it-all Mommy either.  I rather just ask a mommy expert or Dr.- Why should I waste my time trying to sift through millions of webpages?  How old is your child(ren)? What is your "thing" that you expect out of them. Do you expect them to sit at the table a particular amount of time? Do you make them do chores or pick up?  You may enjoy the  Parenting Style Quiz from Parents.com  to see what type of parent you are.

Keep Calm and Mommy On!

xoxox

Danielle  

{Night Off}

I've been debating wether or not to post tonight. Honestly I'm tired. Mostly emotionally, but also tired from a busy day and the anticipation of a big field trip tomorrow is weighing on me as well. A friend who is dear to our heart is having some major health struggles and I'm just not 'here' I'm mentally with him.... In the mean time..

Keep Calm and Mommy On! 

Xoxoxo

Danielle 

{Twice As Nice-Not Always}

Two-for-one,twice as nice, BOGO-this is always a  great deal right? Free coffee, free shoes, shirt, donut -what have you.  When we were first pregnant, we heard a lot of that. "A two-for one-deal!" "Wow, now that's efficient!" "Twice is nice!" 

{Being Thankful...and Not Just "Saying" It}

On February 13th, 2012 I went into my 24 week check-up around 4:00 in the afternoon after a full day of teaching kindergarten. I was excited to see how much my tummy had grown and I had a laundry list of questions to ask the doctor.  Shortly after the doctor came in, she asked if I was feeling contractions.  I said, " no," and she said you've got to go straight to the hospital.  Being naive, sometimes that's a blessing, I said to her, "well, I have a lot of questions to ask you." She told me they could be answered later and that I really needed to go.  

I had NO idea what all was about to happen. I did NOT even realize how serious things were-thank God, because I probably would have never made it to the hospital.  I jumped in my car, turned on my nav, because I had not ever once been to Good Sam, and called Aaron.  We had no idea what to expect. I was thrown on liquids and Magnesium that thankfully saved our babies after a three and a half month stay at the hospital.  I went to Labor and delivery around 28 weeks, but again, doctors and nurses were able to somehow calm my body until 35 weeks. 

Before Landen and Caroline, I would say I appreciated things. I also expected a lot of things too. I worked hard to get to where I was going and kinda just expected everything would fall into place.  Getting pregnant was not easy for us. These babies meant (and now mean) the world to us. Our struggle made us fighters for when we were in the hospital and now have made us understand what it truly means to be THANKFUL.  

I hate that it takes tragedy, struggle, and loss to put our life in perspective.  I treasure more and reflect more now after having gone through our experience with the twins. I hope, as Landen and Caroline grow up, I can show and teach them what being thankful is all about. 


Thanksgiving is coming up quickly. It's so easy to sit down at the Thanksgiving table and rattle off how we are thankful for "things, " health, and family-I'm not pointing fingers, I'm guilty of it too!  Have you stopped and really reflected on what you are truly thankful for? This Thanksgiving, head to the table with something you are truly thankful for-instead of just saying what we think we should .  I think our Thanksgiving will mean a lot more to us! 





Keep Calm and Mommy On

xoxoxo
Danielle 

{JOIN ME:Winter Workout!}

It's time. Time to figure out what in the heck I'm going to do about these cold temps!  So I'm sure you read the photo to the right...I totally agree, but the photo on the bottom left...forget it! I am that person who is waiting around for perfect temps when it comes to running. Yes, I'll run in the heat, but running in the cold is killer on someone who has a hard time keeping her toes warm with layers of socks on in a warm boot. Yes, if I get desperate or too coped up, I will venture out on a "nice" winter day, but otherwise, forget it....more power too the runners who enjoy running on wet, slick, pavement with freezing cold ear drums.  This girl is just not doing it.  But this girl DOES have to do SOMETHING! 


I don't know about you, but the transition from summer/fall activities and sports to winter is hard.  I prefer to hit the pavement and run for my exercise. It's also just so much easier to get in the extra steps because we're out and about a lot more. 

The biggest challenge for me right now is the lack of light-tell me I'm not the only one!  I have the hardest time with the time change. It's dark by six now which makes me want to go to bed let alone run.  I also hate running in the cold. I hate how my ear drums feel frozen and on top of that I always have to take the kids with me. So if it's too cold for them to ride, my wishful run doesn't happen. With the change in weather and the holidays around the corner, I've got to figure out a new routine!

I'm not a 'New Year Resolution' person-AT ALL. However, I'm always up for challenging myself in different ways throughout the year in order to stay a fit and healthy mommy-I refuse to miss out on fun things with my kids! So here is my latest personal challenge: from today until January 5th, I will be MAKING the time to exercise indoors, for a minimum of twenty minutes (I've gotta be realistic with being a working Mommy!),  four times a week. 
If any of you Mommas would like to join me, I would love it! If you have a Fitbit, look me up (Click here to join me!) and we can encourage each other! 

For me, It's all about making a PLAN to make exercise HAPPEN in my life. I'm sure you working Moms can understand all the logistics that go into your day and week.  It's so easy to forget to pencil in that ME time!  For the upcoming week, I'm looking at the days I have meetings before and after work. I'm planning on getting up even earlier to get something in so I can start the week off right-even if it's only twenty minutes. Having in place the routine of packing lunches and such on Sunday will be helpful for making those early mornings easier.  I'll be using the the calendar that is labeled WINTER CHALLENGE to the right of this blog to help me pick my days for working out.  

So that's where I'm starting. I hope you will join me in fighting those WINTER BLUES. Let's stay in shape so when that warm weather comes back, we're ready to hit the pavement! 

Keep Calm and Mommy On!

xoxoxo
Danielle 

Guest Blogger: Lindsey Pollack

Good Evening Mommies! How was your day? I have to say it was a full day for us and with the change in weather; I’m ready to curl up by the fire and decompress! Before doing so, I just had to post the latest guest blogger: Lindsey Pollack. 

Lindsey and I met in college and became friends during our student teaching. After an awesome senior year and the birth of her son, Lindsey and her family moved back to Georgia (ugh-that was hard).  Before having children of our own, Aaron and I took many notes from Lindsey.  She helped us in so many ways preparing for the twins’ arrival and has always been available to give us sound advice- I could have written a book from it all!  She is an expert in her field-for sure!

I asked Lindsey to be a guest blogger because I feel like we hardly get to see inside the world of a stay-at-home mom.  Yes, I know she is busy doing laundry, grocery shopping, running errands and taking the kids from here-to-there, but I wanted to get a closer look at how a stay-at-home mom “runs” her household and makes time for herself when she could easily get caught up in her family.  I know there has to be SO much more to these stay-at-home mommies; I just had to ask one, “How do you do it?”

 Lindsey is not only a stay-at-home mom, but she also juggles the role of a single mom throughout the fall while her husband, Davey, travels with College GameDay. I know what it takes to run my household on a weekly basis with Aaron’s help; I can’t imagine what type of frenzy I would be in without him! But that’s not all. Lindsey is a down to earth mom who has found a love for fitness and has a passion for keeping her children healthy too. She has some wonderful tips on “how she does it,” fun holiday traditions that will get you in the spirit, and lots of motivation for Mommies who want to be their best version!   

Enjoy!

FAMILY

KC&MO: Tell us about yourself and your family.

Lindsey: I'm a wife and mom of two.  Davey and I have been married for 9 years and we have Nicholas, age 6, and Leah, age 4.  I'm a stay-at-home mom who wears many hats other than just mom, just like a lot of ladies!

KC&MO: How do you cope when you become the single parent during football season? 

Lindsey: The first week or two is always difficult to get used to, and being on my own for 5 day stretches can be tiring, but we soon get into our groove and find a routine, and then it just becomes our way of life for football season.  I have family close by and neighbors if I'm ever in a bind and need help, but the kids are older and more independent, so not quite so much falls on me.  I will say, there is A LOT more planning ahead on my part when it is just me at the house.

KC&MO: What tips or tricks do you have for running your household during football season?

Lindsey:  I know I need to wake up 10 minutes earlier in the morning to get breakfast and backpacks going to get out the door on time.  We have our morning routine: eat, get dressed (including socks and shoes on), bag packed, and THEN you can play or do something before leaving for school.  We also lay out school clothes the night before so there is no trying to find something to wear or complaining about our clothes that morning!!

I try and plan out my errands at the beginning of the week to be most efficient with my time.  I tend to grocery shop from 4 or 5 different stores, dry cleaning, bank, etc… I try to plan out which days I will be in which areas and how I can knock them out in time to get back to carpool!  

We have sports at night, so I will make dinner early, put it in a to-go container, like the Ziploc plastic containers with 3 compartments and a lid, and if the kids aren't done eating before it's time to go, then into the car it goes so they can finish on the way or eat on the way home, but I don't like trying to feed them at 8:30 at night when we've just gotten back home.

KC&MO: With the holidays approaching, what fun family traditions do you have and look forward to?  How do you make them special? 

Lindsey: We always travel with Davey the week of Thanksgiving to wherever he is assigned because he always works a game on Thanksgiving Day, and we don't want to be without him.  This year we are headed to College Station, TX to visit Texas A&M, so that's always fun for all of us!

We ALWAYS put up Christmas decorations and outdoor lights before Thanksgiving! We go together and cut down the BIGGEST Christmas tree we can find!  I'm talking 14-16 feet!  We go to Stone Mountain Park and do their Christmas parade and train ride, Lake Lanier Islands Christmas Lights Tour and this year we are adding The Polar Express Train Ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railway!  It's a surprise for the kids!

We have 3 family gatherings that we do every year with either side of the family, and the kids just love seeing their cousins.  We also will sponsor a couple of families in the "Secret Santa" project in our community and take the kids with us to shop for those families who would not otherwise have a Christmas.  As much as our family LOVES Christmas and all of its festivities (if you can't tell!), we also teach the true meaning of the gift of Jesus and Christ's love, and we are trying to teach it to our children through giving to others.

MOMMY FAVORITES

KC&MO: When you have time for yourself, what do you enjoy doing the most? 

Lindsey: Watching a good movie or reading a good book… and possibly working out at the same time! :)

KC&MO: What do you indulge in (not thinking just food-books, movies, pedicures, travel, shopping etc.)?

Lindsey: My favorite date night activity is going to the movies!  I love music and going to concerts!  And traveling has become a new favorite indulgence!

KC&MO: What are your mom must-haves?

Lindsey: Healthy snacks :)  Music (we are ALWAYS singing and dancing in our house and car!). Coffee (trust me; my kids want me to have this, too!)

FAMILY HEALTH AND FITNESS

KC&MO: What's your parenting approach on food for your kids?

Lindsey: Davey and I are very healthy conscious.  I guess you can say eating healthy and exercise are passions of ours.  It's pretty simple, if we wouldn't allow ourselves to eat it, we aren't' going to feed it to our kids.  Now, we allow our kids to have treats occasionally because they are kids and parties and holidays a lot of times revolve around "treats" and we don't want to completely cut the fun out of these events, but overall, we don't allow sweets, candy, desserts, junk food, fast food, etc.

KC&MO: How do you get your kids to eat the 'good' stuff?

Lindsey: When they don't know any different, it really isn't as hard as you might think.  They kids know that we don't eat french fries, for example, so when we go out to eat, they just don't ask for them.  They know they are going to eat the fruit as a side instead.  Now, my kids are picky, too, and they don't just fall in love with every healthy food I sit in front of them.  However, we at least try.  We will make them at least try one or two bites of something ("two polite bites"), and if they absolutely can't take it, we don't force anymore.  We will try again in a week or two because sometimes things grow on you.  Neither of my kids used to like cucumbers, for example, now they eat them all the time because we tried them out over and over.

KC&MO: How do you keep your children active? 

Lindsey: My oldest, Nicholas, is just an active kid!  There is no stopping him, so I don't really have to do much to keep him active.  But, he does play sports (football, basketball, and baseball), so those keep him very busy.  Leah, on the other hand, does not like to be active.  We found early on that she liked gymnastics, so we have her enrolled in that, and she is going to try soccer in the spring.  Team sports are a phenomenal way to get kids moving!  

I also run a lot of 5K's, and I have started bringing the family so the kids can run in the Fun Runs.  As I said, Davey and I love to work out, so we will bring the kids into the basement with us, and the kids will do obstacle courses or "work out" with us while we are down there.  We never make them do weights or anything of that sort, but jumping jacks, "push-ups", bodyweight squats, there is so much that kids are capable of if we just teach them.

Finally, just get outside!!  We jump on the trampoline, ride bikes, go for family walks, and swim when it is warm.  If it is too cold to go out, we have a small indoor trampoline, play catch with soft balls in the playroom, and go to indoor jumpy places or gymnasiums to run around.  I think all kids like to be active, they just have to be shown all the many opportunities there are… If all they know is having a TV or an electronic device in their face all the time, they don't know how much fun they could be having doing other things!

KC&MO: How do you stay healthy? 

Lindsey: I work out (cardio and strength training) 5-6 days each week.  I also incorporate yoga and Pilates.  I have just fallen in love with working out and sweating.  It makes me feel good about myself and is a stress reliever! I also eat healthy.  I don't eat Paleo, I'm not even sure what "clean eating" is anymore there are so many definitions, but I try to eat things that I have cooked from fresh ingredients as much as possible.  We do limit carbs and added sugars, but we don't eat zero carbs.  I'm not afraid to treat myself to a piece of pizza or a dessert when we are out with friends or on a special occasion, but portion control and knowing when it is a special occasion versus an everyday occurrence is the key!

KC&MO: When do you find the time to work out?

Lindsey: Whenever I can!  I have found now that I love it so much, I will make time no matter what!  If I know in advance that my day is going to be crazy, I will just have to get up at 5am and get my workout in and shower before the kids ever get up!  I can work out after they are both at school on some days.  Then there are other days that my kids are eating dinner on trays down in the basement while I'm working out.  When Davey is home, we can take turns, but when he travels, they are used to being taken down to our gym in the basement!  I know it sounds terrible, but working out makes me a much happier Mommy, so I'm sure they are glad that I'm dragging them down there! :)  I have learned over the past few years that I cannot feel guilty about working out!  It truly makes me feel better and happier, and in turn I really can be a much better, more focused mom.

KC&MO: What keeps you motivated to exercise? 

Lindsey: Well, as I said above, it just makes me feel better and happier.  I know the benefits of it and I want to live a long, healthy life, so that's a huge driving force.  I've seen how a sedentary lifestyle has affected family and friends' quality of life, and I don't want that to happen.  I want to set a good example for my kids, my family, and anyone else who may be paying attention to our lifestyle.  God gave me this body, it is a gift, and I want to treasure it and honor Him.  And finally, truthfully, I want to feel good about how I look, too.

KC&MO: What would be one tip to share with moms on the go that would make them a little bit healthier? 

Lindsey: Working out- it doesn't take as much time or "stuff" as you think!  You can get in a great total body or strength-training workout in 30 minutes or 20 minutes of high intensity cardio.  You also can use your own body weight do get a very effective workout- no need for weights and a fancy gym with machines!  Anything is better than nothing!

Eating healthy- always be prepared!  I try and travel with a healthy snack on me at ALL times (for myself and my kids!!).  If I get hungry while I'm out, it keeps me from grabbing something unhealthy.

Thank you Lindsey for taking the time to share SO much with us!  Your tips and tricks are not only helpful, but practical. You are an amazing mom! Mommies, I hope you enjoyed!  Keep Calm (and WARM!) and Mommy On!

Xoxox,

Danielle