Update on Life Changes and Winner of Gift Card!

Hey friends! 

Soooo, since I posted about my food addiction I've been busy making some life changes.

The main thing is praying about changing the way I see food, and then actually putting that into action.

I signed up for a program called Advocare.  I knew a lot of people who were doing it, and most of them were having success.

Not just with weight loss, but with feeling their best.

So, I decided to give it a try.

They have this thing called a 24 day challenge, and so that's where I'm starting.

I like it because I am eating real food, but the kind of food I should be eating....whole foods, things that will help my body instead of hurting it.

It is helping to teach me about what makes my body feel better and run better.  And the best part is, I have never felt hungry, which is something I was afraid of.

I have finished the "cleanse" portion, and am now on to the "max" phase.  Basically, I'm on day 12 and so far, I've lost 16 pounds and 8 inches!!!!

Oh.  My.  Word.

BUT, even better than that, is that I feel great!!

My mind is clearer.

I am not tired all the time like I used to be.

I am not craving sugar or fried foods.

I am not having all the stomach issues I have struggled with for so long.

And I feel good about myself.

It has been a long time since I could say that.

But it's true.

Because, you see, I realized that for so long, I have not even been looking at myself.

I mean, of course I do my makeup and hair in the mirror, and I check my outfit before I leave the house.

But I never really look at myself.  Like, look into my own eyes and actually see me.

Why?

I don't know.  I think it's just because I was afraid I wouldn't like who I saw there.

But the other day, when I realized this, I just took a moment to really look at myself.  And you know what?

I like me.

I try to be kind and giving whenever I can.

I really care about other people and how they feel.

I am a loyal and true friend.

I have a pretty good sense of humor (if I do say so myself...and I do :)  )

I try to stay positive.

I am smart.

I am always trying to be a teachable person.

I am a good mommy.

I am a faithful and loving wife.

And I genuinely love Christ with every fiber of my being.

So maybe I don't exactly love the physical part of my looks, and I know I still have things that I need to change, (like this food addiction I'm working through), but overall, I can honestly say that I like me.  And that is a HUGE step.

Not afraid to really look in that mirror anymore.

And, if after all of this, if that's the only thing I get...I feel pretty great about that!

So there you have it.

My first "update".

I'd say it's a pretty good one. :)




And NOW, are you ready for the results of the $50 Visa Card Giveaway??

Congratulations to...

GRETCHEN!!!!

I hope you enjoy your $50 and spend it on something to spoil yourself!!!!

Please send me your address at thefamilyfunmom@yahoo.com and I will send it off to you!



And thanks again to all of you for continuing to read and for all the encouragement!

Ten Ways To Give A Gift Without Spending Money

I LOVE to give gifts.

I have said before that it is a gift to me to be able to give someone a gift that they really love.

And often, we think we have to spend a lot of money to make someone happy.

But often, the best gifts cost us nothing at all.

Here are Ten Ways to Give A Gift Without Spending Money:

10.  Offer to Babysit!  If you have children, you know what a treasure it is to have a date night and know that you won't have to pay a babysitter.  And don't just put it out there and offer, actually have them give you a list of dates that work, and choose one (or more) that work for you!

9.  Make a Meal!  Sometimes it's nice to get muffins or cookies.  But what really helps out is when someone delivers an entire meal to your door.  No cooking and no having to pay for dinner.  Awesome!

8.  Do some Housework!  Oh the luxury of having a housekeeper!  That is something most of us can't afford.  BUT, if a friend would be willing to come and do it for you, that would maybe be the best gift ever!

7. Write a Note!  Sometimes, the people we care about just want to hear the words.  Take time to sit down and write a letter and tell them what they mean to you and why.

6.  Become a Photographer!  Everyone loves great family photo's, but photo sessions can be pricey.  But with a decent camera and good editing software, almost anyone can capture at least a few great pics.  Offer to accompany them and their family on an afternoon outing and be their own personal photographer.

5.  Get Crafty!  Knit a scarf, repaint a frame to look pretty, or put together a really cool wreath.  We all love those cute little things we see on Pinterest, but we rarely have time to do them.  Try doing one of them for a friend!

4.  Give a Lesson!  Maybe you know how to sew, but your friend doesn't.  Or maybe you're a really good cook and she can barely boil water.  Whatever skill you have that your friend may want to learn, (but maybe is afraid to ask you about), is a great opportunity to give of yourself!

3.  Coupons!  This one is a no-brainer.  It has been around a while, and for good reason...it works!  Write a coupon book that the receiver can exchange for items.  We did this with our girls one year for Christmas and they loved it.  Some of our coupons were for: 30 minutes of staying up later, ice cream for breakfast, having a friend spend the night, and getting to choose what we have for dinner.

2.  Make a Scrap Book!  This one is great for anyone, but especially family members.  Collect old photo's, write down memories, and be creative.  We did this for my Father-In-Law's Birthday one year and I think I loved it as much as he did because I got to learn so much more about him while I was putting it together.

1. Give them Your Time!  If the receiver is anything like me, it's your time that means the most to them.  Take a whole day and spend it doing fun stuff with your friend.  And it doesn't have to cost a lot (or anything!).  Hiking, cooking together, watching TV movies, or just sitting and chatting are great bonding activities.  OR, if it's a guy your giving to, let him have a day just to watch sports or listen to his favorite band.

Do you have any other good ideas for ways to Give without spending Money??  If so, Please Share!!

I will be linking up with Top Ten Tuesday at Many Little Blessings and WFMW at We Are THAT Family!

Back To School 2012: Shopping and School Supply Deals

We're all looking for a deal on our Back To School items,

and I've Highlighted a few of the really good deals out there for you!


Target has kids shoes Buy One, Get One at 50% off now thru August 11th.  Plus, 10 or 12 ct. pack of pencils are $1 and 10 ct. Eagle pack of Pens are $.94

JCPenney has FREE kids (grades K-6th) haircuts in August!  Must book an appointment!

OshKosh B'gosh has Buy One Get TWO Free Tee's thru Aug. 15th

Walmart has 24 ct. crayons and 3 pk. glue sticks for $.25 each, and markers and colored pencils for $.50 each!

Staples has $.01 paper folders, 100 ct. paper clips, and pocket tissues and $1 1" Binders with any $5 minimum purchase thru August 4th! (plus a $5 off any purchase of $50 or more!).  They also have $.25 5 packs of mechanical pencils.

Walgreens has scissors for $.49 each (limit of two) with coupon. and $.99 3 subject notebooks thru August 4th.

Office Depot has $10 Backpacks, $.01 folders, $.25 composition books, 10-pk. ballpoint pens for $.25, and $.99 pencil boxes thru August 4th

And for a FULL List of comparative Back To School Items, check out this list from SavingsLifestyle.com!

Things I Love Thursday: Vistaprint

If I haven't already mentioned, I'm going to Blissdom next week!!! :)

{Can you tell I'm a little excited??}

As I began my preparations, I decided I wanted to print new business cards to hand out. 

I remembered that Vistaprint had very reasonable rates, (you can 250 for FREE!), and so I visited them online and while I was there, I discovered I could create my own logo and purchase it to use on my cards, my blog, etc.!

{I can even order T-shirts, bags and all kinds of other stuff with my logo!!}

I had been wanting to do this for a looooong time, so I was REALLY excited to know that I could do it so easily! 

Now I have a new logo, (like it?), and pretty new business cards to hand out at Blissdom.

And don't forget that Vistaprint isn't just for business cards!  They do websites, Banners, Checks, Birth Announcements and a ton of other stuff as well!  Be sure to check out the link below to see what they can do for you!

I will be linking up with the Diaper Diaries for Things I Love Thursday!  Be sure to check them out!!

Disclosure:  I am an affiliate and may receive compensation for the Vistaprint placed advertisement.  Please know that ALL opinions are completely mine and completely TRUE!  

Winner of The Nutcracker Tickets!!!

Congratulations to......


Real Life Motherhood of 4 for winning tickets to The Nutcracker!!!

Email me your name and mailing address to thefamilyfunmom@yahoo.com and I will send you your voucher!

I KNOW that you will love this show!!

Congratulations and I hope you have a FANTASTIC time!

Things I Love Thursday: The Nutcracker {GIVEAWAY}!!!!

One year when I was about 15, one of my church youth leaders took some of us girls to see The Nutcracker Ballet. 

It was beautiful.

I knew that one day I would want to take my kids to see it too.

And when Addy was 3, we took her to see it, and she loved it too.

It is so much fun to get all dressed up, go out for a fancy dinner, and then go to The Schuster Center.

The Christmas decorations were up, the Holiday music was playing, and there was a fabulous anticipation in the air because it was just one of those magical moments.

You know, the kind that almost make you want to cry.

(Okay, so maybe I'm a little over-emotional right now.  But it *is* just so special!)

I wish everyone had the chance to see this beautiful and special ballet, but I realize that it can be a big expense during a time of year that is already kind of tight.

Not that it's not worth it, because it TOTALLY is!  But I'm just saying that I can definitely see why sometimes people just can't fit it into the budget.

But if you have thought about going, but have been holding off on getting tickets, TODAY'S YOUR DAY!

I am giving away 4 FREE tickets to The Dayton Ballet's Performance of The Nutcracker!!! And one of the BEST parts is that you get to choose the date you want to go!

There are several ways to enter for your FREE tickets AND YOU CAN ENTER AS MANY TIMES AS YOU LIKE!  But make sure to leave a comment for each entry.

-Follow This Blog
-Follow Family Fun Mom on Facebook
-Follow Family Fun Mom on Twitter
-Follow The Dayton Ballet on Facebook
-Follow The Dayton Ballet on Twitter
-Tell us about your favorite memory of seeing The Nutcracker
-Tell us why you want to win the tickets
-Blog about this giveaway
-Link a post from your Facebook or Twitter account to this giveaway

But Remember, LEAVE A COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!!

The Giveaway will run through November 17th and a winner will be announced on November 18th! 

I am SOOOO excited to be doing this giveaway, you don't even understand!  I just know that you'll have a fabulous time!

Good Luck!

Disclosure:  I have received tickets for my family and to giveaway for this promotion of The Dayton Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker.  All opinions in this post are completely my own!

Free Friday at Cincy Museum Review

Last Friday our family headed down to Cincy for Free Friday at The Museum.  While all the Museum's located at the Museum Center are free that evening, we spent our time at the Duke Energy Children's Museum.

Because a Free Night at a Children's Museum with thousands of cranky, hungry kids sounds like a blast, right? 

Actually, it wasn't so bad.  Yes, it was pretty crowded, but we got there right as it began (4pm), and so there was no wait for tickets, (they are free, but you have to have them), and the parking, (which was $4), was easy too.

The first thing my girls wanted to do was the Energy Zone.  This area is a netted enclosure and has like a gazillion little balls for kids to play with. There are these stations inside, and each station offers chances to figure out the path the ball has to take to reach its destination, and what kinds of energy forces help get it there. Plus, there is a HUGE ball catcher thing in the middle that dumps all the balls at random times, and the kids love that!

Next, we headed to  Kid's Town.  This is an child sized neighborhood complete with a diner, a grocery store, a bus, a vet clinic, a post office and more.  My girls spent most of their time in the diner serving up delicious dishes like smothered steak sandwiches, bleu cheese bread pudding, and pecan pie with caramel sauce.  (Okay, *maybe* we have been watching a little too much Food Network...)

At any rate, they had a lot of fun there, and I love to see their ideas go wild as they experience it all.  There is a freedom of imagination that comes with being in that kind of setting, and for kids, it is paradise!

They also had a great time with using their hands to build things.  They had blocks, a workshop area, and soft building toys to play with and I realized that maybe I need to incorporate more 'building' play at home.  I think with girls it's easy to get stuck in the rut of buying dolls, crafts, and other girly items.  So now, it will be, Bring on the blocks!

Some of the other areas we enjoyed were the water play area, (watch out!  You WILL get wet!), making music with drums, puppets, and The Woods.  The Woods is like a Huge Tree House area that kids can climb all over.  I will warn you, if you have really young ones, you may want to avoid this area.  It can get kind of crazy, and since it's a large area, it's easy for kids to start climbing and wandering and get lost.

The kids love it, but we did lose ours a few times in the chaos of it all. But alas, they found us.  (Oh well, better luck to us next time).  Hahaha, just kidding, (kind of...)

After several hours, we were worn out and ready to head home, (well, not without a stop to Red Robin on the way home!).  I have to say, I loved Free Friday and I am sure we will be back!  The dates for the next Free Fridays are:  August 5th and September 9th 4-8pm.  I encourage you to load up your own crew and check it out.  I'm sure you'll be glad you did!

FREE Friday at The Cincy Museum

Don't forget!  Tomorrow,  (Friday, July 8th),  is FREE Friday at The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal!  I *Know* you don't want to miss out on this amazing bargain for your family! 

For more details, see this post I did a while back!  And I hope we see you there :)

Things I Love Thursday- Free Food!

Yummy Chicken Bacon Quesadillas.  Sweet Baby Back Ribs.  Warm Tortilla Chips with salsa, (and ranch...my fav!).  Crispy Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard dipping sauce.  Hot, Gooey, Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup.

Hungry Yet?????

I don't know about your family, but mine LOVES Chili's!  We are there several times per month and it is a win/win for everyone!  One reason I love it is that kids eat FREE on Tuesdays, (all day!).  Plus, they have so many options for kids, not just the standard mac-n-cheese and chicken nuggets, (although, that have those too if you have Super picky eaters!).  And they actually have healthy side choices too, like mandarin organges, salad, and pineapple.  So my kids are excited that they get to choose whatever they want, and I feel good about letting them!

So literally, my family of four can have a great meal out on Tuesdays for less than $20!  That is hard to beat!  And now you can do even better by clicking on this coupon above and getting a coupon for a FREE Chips and Queso!  Combine that with the kids eat free, and that is a YUMMY deal!! 

Plus, be sure to stay tune to the blog because I will be doing a Giveaway for a $25 Gift Card to Chili's next week! 

And of course, I am linking up with Diaper Diaries this week for Things I Love Thursday!  Be sure to check it out!

Free Doughnuts!

I can't post much, but I didn't want you to miss out on this!!!!

Friday, June 3rd is National Doughnut Day!  Lots of places are giving out free doughnuts...here is an article for Local (Dayton) deals. 

Enjoy your doughnut day!!!

The Official Summer Weekly Plan

So my friend, Amy, had blogged about getting a plan together for her kids for the summer, and it inspired me to do one of my own. 

As I said in an earlier post, my kids do best when there is some sort of routine schedule involved, so I approached my plan with that in mind.

And I must say, I am QUITE happy with the outcome!

Each day of the week, we will have a different theme, (except weekends...those are always just go with the flow).

And I am pretty sure this summer is going to fly by!

So here is the new plan:

Sun day Mondays:  All day at the pool!

Trippin' Tuesdays:  It's field trip day!  Movies, bowling, museum, zoo....lots of trips to do!

Wander the Park Wednesdays:  Picnic at the Park day!

Thrifty Thursdays:  Garage Sales and Thrift Stores

Friendly Fridays:  The girls get to invite friends over to play

Of course we will be incorporating the pool into more than just Mondays, (everyone who knows me knows that I cannot go more than a few days without being in the sun!), but these are basically what will be the highlight of each day, and after these are done, THEN we can head over to the pool if we want. 

Plus, as I said before, this gives the girls an idea of what to expect and they won't be asking me everyday, "what are we going to do tomorrow?", (which is the question they begin to ask EVERY.  SINGLE.  DAY. at dinner time).

So do you have a summer plan?  I would love to hear what you'll be up to!  Go ahead and comment and share...maybe you will inspire us!

Winner of The Etsy Giveaway

And the winner is......

CARRIE! 

Congratulations Carrie!  Please email me your information to thefamilyfunmom@yahoo.com and I will get you set up with Christine for your personalized towel!

And if you didn't win, but still want your own towel, be sure to check out Purse-O-Nals Etsy store and order yours today!

So I'm taking a break from Mix it Up Monday today to enjoy the day with my family, but I *will* be posting in the What I Wore Wednesday post and linking up with The Pleated Poppy, so be sure to look for that!

Happy Memorial Day everyone!  Have fun and be safe!

Free Friday's at The Cincinnati Museum Center

As I have said before, I am always on the lookout for FREE activities for my family.  One activity that we have taken advantage of in the past are the FREE Friday's at The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. 

These are usually in the summer and offer free admission for everyone from 4-8pm.  This year, the dates for FREE Friday's are:  June 3rd, July 8th, August 5th and September 9th. 

This year Free Fridays include the Museum of Natural History & Science, Cincinnati History Museum and Duke Energy Children’s Museum. Cleopatra, OMNIMAX, and parking are extra. 

Parking is $6 per vehicle ($4 per vehicle after 4:30pm), and OMNIMAX Theater is $7.50 adults, $6.50 seniors and $5.50 children (ages 3-12).  Cleopatra is Adult: $23, Child: $15, Senior: $19 Member Adult: $14, Member Child: $10

The Cincy Museum Center if a REALLY FUN place to go, and my girls especially love the Children's Museum.  It is made up of four areas, which are:  Kid's Town, Little Sprouts Farm, Energy Zone, and The Woods.  Plus, there is a Water Play area that all children love, (parents-not so much!). 

And if you need snacks while you're there, no worries. They've got you covered!  The food court offers two options: Track One Pizza that serves pizza slices and bread sticks; and the Gateway Cafe, which offers sandwiches, hamburgers and hotdogs, soup, salads and more. Food is generally available during museum hours. Drink machines and snack machines are available in the concourse area of the Rotunda.

Enjoy the Rookwood Ice Cream Parlor for something sweet. It's open until 5pm on Friday's. 

So mark your calendars now and plan to visit the Museum Center this summer...and I'm sure you'll see us there, too!

Free Movie for Spring Break!

My friend, Jan, passed along this info. to me, so I wanted to pass it along to you! It seems that Rave Movie Theatres is playing Despicable Me for FREE at 10 am (Tues/ Wed/ Thurs/ Sat): Dayton South (by Home Depot) 3/29-4/2 The Greene 3/29-4/2 Huber Heights 4/5-4/9 Click here for details. Hope you can take advantage of this great deal!

Morning at The Movies

This morning we woke up early, (for a Saturday), and headed out to catch a movie at The Danbarry Dollar Saver. The company my husband works for had a free day at the movies which included admission, popcorn and a drink for each family member.

For our girls, going to the movie theater to see a movie is an extra special treat. Partially because spending $50 for our family to see a single movie is NOT my idea of fun. Also because, in the past when our girls were younger, the TEN trips to the bathroom during a movie, (usually just to check out the facilities), were kind of a hassle.
Moms everywhere know what I mean.
So, usually we try to wait for movies to come out on DVD. I must say, however, today was a lot of fun. First of all, Danbarry is a great bargain for families. The normal cost is $3 per person, (and on Tuesdays, it's only $1.75). But today it was FREE, and you can't catch a better deal than that! Plus, our girls are a little older now, and don't care as much what the bathrooms looks like. :)

The movie we saw today was Yogi Bear. This movie was great for kids because it had lots of silly humor and a cute ending. There were definitely a lot of laughs throughout. And of course, getting yummy treats like popcorn and candy can only add to a fun experience!
If you have been avoiding the movies becuase of the higher prices, I encourage you to check out Danbarry and give them a try. And I hope your family has as much fun as mine did today :)

And The Winner Is.....

The winner of the Disney Giveaway, the New Bambi Blue Ray/DVD Combo pack, is Marcella! Thanks everyone for the comments and for following the blog..I really appreciate it. And who doesn't love a giveaway?! I know I do, and that's why I will be doing them periodically. So stay tuned to the blog posts for the next one, and of course for more fun ideas for your family!

Happy Spring!

Sometimes, It's The Simple Things

Yesterday we headed over to Books and Co. at Town and Country Shopping Center to check out their free Saturday Story Time. This week's theme was Barbie stories, and since my girls own just about every Barbie movie ever made, plus a gazillion Barbie dolls, I was pretty sure they would enjoy this activity.

We got there a little early, so we had some time to check out the kids section of the store, and I have to say, I was pretty impressed. They have lots of little nooks and benches for kid's to browse through their favorite stories, and of course, my girls found a few.

They also had a train table available to play on, which is great for the little ones who may not read yet or be interested in looking at the books, (or older one's who have an attention span of about zero :)

After a few Barbie stories, the reader handed out Barbie coloring sheets for the kids to color while she finished the rest of the stories, which was a great way to keep the their attention focused.

After the Story time, we strolled on over to W.G. Grinder's which is attached to the Baskin Robbins at Town and Country. It was awesome because kids eat free everyday with an adult meal purchase, so were all able to get lunch for a great price! Plus, I had a buy 1 cone, get 1 free coupon for the ice cream, so the girls were THRILLED to be able to get ice cream, too!

As we were leaving to head home, my girls thanked me for such a fun Saturday afternoon. Often times I feel like I have to "WOW" them with doing big adventures, and spending lots of money, and sometimes, that's fine. But today, they were just as happy to have this pretty simple and very inexpensive afternoon with mom and dad. And that makes me happy!

Weekend Fun for Kids

What are your family plans this weekend? If you are still undecided, check out the Upcoming Events page to the right. There are lots of options in the Dayton area this weekend, and I just know you will want to get out and enjoy this warmer weather with the kids!

For us, I am thinking that we are going to take advantage of the free Story time at Books and Company at Town and Country, (It's a Barbie Stories Theme this week!). Then, I have a buy1, Get1 coupon for Baskin Robbins (which happens to be conveniently located just in back of Books and Co.), so I will treat the girls to ice cream. Also, I am pretty sure my kids will be asking to hit up another park, (They have really missed them this winter), so I am sure that will find its way on the agenda as well.

Feel free to comment on some of your family's weekend plans, and don't forget to enter to win for the Disney Giveaway for the Bambi Blueray/DVD combo pack! You only have until Sunday! There are several ways to enter:

-Comment on the Disney Giveaway Post about your love for Disney
-Comment on some of the ways that you save money when doing a Disney Vacation
-'Follow' the Family Fun Mom blog
-Link the blog post on your Facebook page (make sure to leave a comment below letting me know you've done so)
-Link the blog post on your Twitter page, (again-comment below so I know you did!)

Winners will be chosen Monday, March 21st and announced on the blog! Good Luck!

St. Patrick's Day- Family Style

Happy St. Patrick's Day...and it is a happy day for me! The sun is shining and the temperature outside has warmed up considerably. I took advantage of the warm weather by heading out to the park with my youngest daughter, Faith, and we had lunch there with some friends.




I love going to the park when the weather allows it. The kids get to run and get out all that (endless amount of) energy they have. They can meet new friends, (we met some today!), and also work on developing those social skills that occasionally get lost when they are cooped up with only their parents and siblings for too long. (Note to self: when your child picks her nose and tries to rub it on her friends jacket...it's time to have a special talk about manners.)
I also love it that our community has SO many great parks to choose from! It keeps things fresh and the kids don't get bored from playing on the same equipment all the time. And, the best part of all, it's always FREE! It doesn't get better than that :)
Some other ways that we enjoy St. Patrick's Day as a family:
-Somehow, each year during the night before St. Patrick's Day, a leprechaun shows up and makes a mess of our house! When the girl's get up and realize he has come, they love it! Somehow, he never gets caught :)
-We ALL wear green! It is fun and silly to all be dressed alike.
-We make sure there are LOTS of green treats throughout the day. Green eggs, Green Jello, Green Kool-Aid...really you can make just about anything green with a little food coloring :)
Hope you enjoy your St. Patrick's Day, and that you get to enjoy the "Green" of the outdoors today!
P.S. If you haven't yet checked out yesterday's Disney blog post, make sure you do, and enter to win the Giveaway for the Bambi Blueray/DVD combo!