{Fitbit Lover? Earn Some Money While Wearing It!}

I recently was given a little incentive and right away I started thinking, "What could I buy? What have I been wanting that would be a treat?"  Quickly I came to the impulsive idea I needed the latest fitbit. Mine had been great but it's been through the wash (still works!!) a couple of times and the battery was always needing changed...then there were mornings where I couldn't find it because it was left on something that had been put away..talk about looking for a needle in a haystack! 

Loving the fitbit company because of the product and their customer service, from experience, I decided I wanted the new Charge HR.  I love it!  I never claim to be an expert on anything because there is always someone who is going to know more about an area than I do.  Today, is proof of that and I have to share what I DIDN'T know!  If you like to save money, check out this link on how to with your fitbit!  If you don't have a fitbit...you should check them out!

Don't forget to pass this on to a friend!

{10 Words with Different Meanings After Kids: Keep Calm and Mommy On Version}

"S-L-P.....no wait. S-L-E-E-P,  I think that looks right. When was the last time I slept through the night. Hmm? Has it been that long? How am I functioning right now? Maybe it's the coffee...oh gosh, am I an addict. What time is it? I really need a shower...and to clean...It would be nice to go for a run...wonder what the kids are doing...so glad Aaron has them right now....why does rubbing your eyes feel so good when your tired?"

Trying to write this post was a hard start. I can't tell you the last time ANY of us have slept through the night in our household. I've lost track of when it all started.  Now, I knew this day would come. Landen and Caroline were awesome sleepers as infants and babies. I knew God was trying to give us a break after the crazy stay in the hospital. So I knew there would come a point in time where we would have to "serve our time" with sleepless nights because you know we have to "earn" our parent badge. And that can't be done without having consecutive nights of little sleep and soreness from sleeping on floors and couches.

Aaron used to wonder how I would ever do without sleep. I wondered too, but figured I would adjust. It's amazing what you can do when you HAVE to do it. I am at the point where around one or two o'clock in the afternoon I wonder why I'm sleepy. Sometimes it hits me that I had a long night and other days I make coffee and don't even think twice about it. To all you new moms or future moms out there, I do have good news for you....

Life. Goes. On.

If you read my previous post, {Then and Now}, and visited the link, I'm sure you would agree with me when I say it was pretty funny! I have a few I would like to add to the list..here they are:

                          

                      Defining Words- After Kids

Vacationing BEFORE kids

Sleep
Before kids: I can stay up late and sleep in in the morning!
After kids: Something my children require a lot of and I get very little of. 

Bath

Before kids: bring out the candles, John Mayer music, bubbles, and wine.

After kids: A day at the water park

Nap

Before kids: "that three hour nap was amazing!"

After kids: there are two choices here.. Hurry and lay down for a ( hopefully uninterrupted) nap or hurry and get chores done!

Baby Wipes

Before kids: No need for those anytime soon.

After kids: I use them for everything! 

DVR

Before kids: All of my favorite shows to catch up on! Maybe a bachelor marathon is in order! 

After kids: DVR List: Dora.Paw Patrol. Bubble Guppies. Diego. Curious George. "Im too tired to watch anything anyways!"

Minivan 

Before kids: "I'll never drive a minivan!"

After kids: Minivans are a saving grace.

Run

Before kids: Easy. Peaceful.

After kids: Load up the jogger and expect many "drops and stops" along the way.

Drive

Before kids: Heading to who knows where. We'll find something fun to do wherever we end up.

After kids: Something you do in hopes your children will finally fall asleep and take their nap! 

Dinner Out

Before kids: Anywhere our hearts desire.

After kids: Anywhere noise is acceptable and they serve food fast! 

Pooped

Before kids: I'm exhausted

After kids: Get the wipes!!! It's falling out of her pant leg!!!


Keep Calm and Mommy On Ladies!!


xoxoxo
Danielle 

{Then and Now}

I saw the link below and had to share. I'm slightly under the weather and wanted to write you about the latest and greatest in our world of having twins, but the lack of sleep and congestion in my head has me wanting to take a little break tonight. 

You all are going to LOVE this link! It's a good one-quick read and funny! Enjoy!

http://www.babble.com/parenting/20-words-that-take-on-totally-different-meanings-after-kids/

Keep Calm and Mommy On!

Xoxoxo

Danielle

Keep Calm and Mommy On: {Minivan Mayhem}

Keep Calm and Mommy On: {Minivan Mayhem}: I've been honest with you about my secret  love affair with my minivan. Its honestly hard to hide it anymore. If you own a minivan or pr...

{Minivan Mayhem}

I've been honest with you about my secret  love affair with my minivan. Its honestly hard to hide it anymore. If you own a minivan or previously owned one, I'm sure you can relate to what I'm talking about.  But lately, I've hit some bumps in the road with my secret love.

As I mentioned last week, I locked my keys in the van,yes I know that was my fault, but if my minivan had keyless entry like my explorer,  I would have been okay. This week started off the way last week ended. Mother Nature decided to throw a taste of winter at us and I didn't put the van in the garage because I figured what's an inch or two of snow..no big deal and anyways the kids were already in bed and I wasn't about to wake them by opening the garage door. 

My "case of the Mondays" began with not wanting to get out of bed. It had been a weekend of children recovering from a lovely stomach bug that had me sleeping on the floor of their bedroom and running the sanitize setting on our washing machine all weekend. I woke up as late as I possibly could and got ready. I brought the kiddos down and decided to go out and warm the car up. I loaded up my arms and shoulders with my thirty-one totes and had my hands full with my coffee, water, and keys. I clicked the back gate button it wouldn't budge.  I'm slightly panicked but know I have four more doors to try. I click the side door button. Nothing. I work my way to the passenger side door and it won't budge! 

Aahhhh!The love of my life was not providing the convenient features I adore and instead it was a frozen ice box! It left me literally standing in the cold.  Knowing time was passing quickly, I decided it was time for a little tough love and got the driver side door open. I started unloading my goods to the front seats and started it up.  Looking at my watch I realized I was officially late and the rate things were going it was going to be a good ten minutes before my love would be thawed out! 

So what's a mom in distress do? I quickly thought back to what the weathermen say NOT to do- no hot water-it'll just freeze...keep a scraper outside of the vehicle-this I did do! I got the ice scraper and started in on the sliding doors. Scraping the tops the tracks and everywhere in between.  At this point I was so mad at myself for not having put  it away. After about ten minutes I was able to get one of the doors opened on the side and that was good enough for me. I started loading up the kids and away we went. 

Do I still love and adore my minivan? Yes. Have I learned a few things? Most certainly. Do I still recommend minivans to families? Totally...just do yourself a favor and make room for it in the garge and actually use it :-) I'm hoping we just hit a bump in the road and now I have a better understanding-just like any relationship, they have their ups and their downs. 

I hope you're having a great week! 

Keep Calm and Mommy On!

Xoxoxoxo

Danielle 

{As if Motherhood/Fatherhood isn't Hard Enough}

{M-O-M-M-Y-O-N}

I headed down to Northern Kentucky University this afternoon to do a video recording for work. I was feeling a little nervous and having never been to NKU before I was anxious about finding my way and making it on time. Thinking I left in plenty of time, I managed to hit unexpected traffic. I slid on to campus in just enough time to make it to the building I was to report to.

 I was so consumed with keeping track of my parking ticket and making sure I had everything I needed that I hopped quickly out of the van.  As soon as I locked the door and shut it I got a sinking feeling as I rounded the back of the van. My keys. I did the frantic purse dig,  sifting through diapers and lip gloss. No keys. I thought to myself, "Now how many times have I lost something in this dark hole-they've gotta be in here!" 

At this point I threw my stuff on the floor of the parking garage and started digging, with no luck I raced to the van and started scanning  the inside through the window. Sure enough the van was locked with my keys resting in my tote in the passenger seat. And now I was late!

I raced into the building not knowing where to go and luckily a nice older gentlemen pointed me in the right direction. At this point I was totally disheveled, I met the lovely ladies whom I was to meet with, apologized for being late and explained I locked my keys in the van. They assured me they could get me some help after we were finished. 

After we wrapped up the recording, I followed the ladies to their office and Dana asked for the make and model of my vehicle. I don't know why but I feel ridiculous when I tell people I drive a minivan-maybe because I am a geeky mom now that actually loves it!  Then she asked for my plate number. I told her Mommyon. The graduate student chuckled and was very endearing when she said, "that's so awesome."   Dana  then asked how to spell it. "M-O-M-M-Y-O-N," I replied.

Hearing Dana relay my information to the parking service department made me grin with slight embarrassment  but I was so grateful they could help me out at no expense!  After saying good-bye and thanking them for their help, I quickly headed out to meet the service person. 

I was relieved when he found me. The car door opened and out popped a young college student. I said hello to him and told him how much I appreciated his help. He grabbed some tools out of the trunk of his vehicle and said, " This  is my first minivan I've ever had to do." I said, " you're telling me college students are sporting minivans?"

He got out his iPhone and turned on the flashlight to get a good look at where the button was, I volunteered to hold the phone as he wiggled the, "slim Jim" in through the crack. I told him I really needed to get a slim Jim and wedge to keep in my purse. He laughed but I assure you I was serious. I have a feeling this isn't going to be the last time for locking my keys in the van. 

I must say the people at NKU are super sweet and very helpful. I also can say it's nice getting older and not totally panicking about things that I know will work out.  I swear to you someone is ways looking out for me!  Enjoy your weekend Mommies!!

Keep Calm and Mommy On! 

Xoxoxo

Danielle