The Fun Starts Tonight!

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Are you all as excited as I  am that Big Brother starts tonight??

It is my FAVORITE show, and I look forward to it every summer!

I know it's cheesy and goofy and about as reality as the princesses at Disney World, but I can't get enough of it.

Plus, it kind of has special meaning to me because it's one of the few shows that my husband and I actually both like and we never miss an episode of watching together.

It's kind of like our own special date time.

I remember right after I had Faith, I was basically in bed recovering from the c-section for the first few weeks it was on.

Jeremy would put Addy to bed, bring me a Hershey bar, (one of the only things I could eat at the time), and we would just sit and watch it together.

During a time of mostly nothing but pain and boredom, it was the highlight of my week.

Plus, since we have watched it together for so many years, we have developed our "favorites".

Jeff and Jordan are definitely my favorite couple of all time, and I REALLY think they should have their own reality show.

And I pretty much can't stand Rachel and Brendan.  Or Jesse. 

But I LOVED Janelle!

Anyhow...will you be watching??

Who are your favorites?

Who is your least favorite?

How To Raise The Perfect Children

Did you seriously think I was going to say I had the answer to this?

The truth is, I don't think there are perfect children.

And even if there were, I wouldn't have a clue about how to raise them.

Anyone who knows my kids knows FOR SURE that they aren't even in the same galaxy as perfect. 

In fact, if my kids don't end up in juvy, I feel like I've done my job well.

{Okay, maybe over exaggerating a little here.  They're not quite on their way to juvy...}

{BTW, does juvy even exist anymore??}


But isn't it crazy how much we, as moms, worry about our kids, and try to make them as perfect as possible?


We teach them to read before kindergarten so that they'll be in the top of their class.

We take them to play dates when they're one so they'll begin to develop good social skills.

We feed them organic non-fat food so that they will never be overweight or sick.

We put them in every sport available so that they'll develop athletically.

We make them take piano and art so they'll be well rounded.

We make them double check their homework so there's no mistakes.

We watch their every move so that they'll never get hurt.

We decide who they can be friends with so that we can control their influences.

We demand good behavior at all times.

We want them to have a sense of humor, but not to be too silly.

We buy them the best clothes so that other kids, (and moms), will notice.

We want them to be well liked.

We threaten them with the consequences of bad choices.


I mean, this list could seriously go on for days...

But why??

Why do we do all of these things?

And it's not that we would ever say we are trying to raise perfect kids, but isn't that what all of these actions point towards?

Is it that we think it will help our kids have a better life?

Is it that we think we can help them to avoid all the pain and hard times that life brings?

Because we can't.

As much as we might want to, life will challenge them. 

And I don't think it's our job to make them perfect, as much as it is to love them through the challenges.

And please don't think I'm pointing fingers. 

I am guilty of several of the statements above.

But I'm learning that maybe I need to step back and re-think things.

Maybe my kids don't want to do sports anymore.  Maybe they're more artsy kind of kids.  I'm gonna be okay with that.

Maybe they should learn that it's okay to make a mistake on your homework.  Sometimes you remember better that way.

Maybe they need to make a friend that comes from a family different from ours.  Maybe they can teach each other a few things.

Maybe they need to be as goofy as six and eight year olds should be.  And I need to not let it bother me.

And maybe, just maybe, they need to experience some of life's really tough consequences so that they will know that when times are tough, Jesus still loves them, and so does momma.


I'll be linking up with We Are THAT Family for WFMW.  Go ahead and see what's working!

My Super Sweet Six Year Old

My Sweet little Faith.

She is full of spunk.

She is singing all the time.

She believes in fairies and princesses.

She is smart.

She says the craziest and funniest things.

She loves her blankie almost as much as she loves her momma.

She is a snuggler.

She is full of emotion.

She loves to play pretend.

She wants to be just like her big sister.

She is very independent.

She loves Jesus.

She has the sweetest smile.

She is strong, yet sensitive.

She loves snacks.

She could play Barbies for hours.

She is inquisitive.

She wants everyone to be her friend.

She is a dreamer.

She loves movies.

She believes that her daddy hangs the moon.

She is beautiful.

She is my baby.

She is six.

Happy Birthday to my precious little girl!

The Ice Cream Extravaganza

Tomorrow my five year old will become a BIG 6 year old.

I'm still in denial about that.

But, I will tell you about the Ice Cream party we had this past weekend to celebrate!

I got this fun idea from Pinterest, (of course I did.  It's like I can't have one original thought anymore!), and I thought it would be perfect for her July birthday!

I had it all planned out.  We would have fun ice cream themed games and decorations and it would all be outside where there is plenty of room for that kind of messiness.

But then Ohio got all confused and thought it was Arizona for a few days.

And it was 105 degrees!!!!

Ummm, change of plans.

Pretty sure kids passing out from heat stroke wouldn't make for happy 6th birthday memories.

So, I ran to Target and got a slip-n-slide and a crazy sprinkler for the kids to play in, called all the parents and told them to bring swimsuits and towels, and set up the decorations and ice cream inside the best I could.

It wasn't *exactly* what I was planning for, but I still think it turned out pretty well.  The kids had a blast and my birthday girl said, "it was the BEST party EVER!".

Couldn't ask for more than that :)

Here are the details from the day...

We did pin the nose on the clown game first.  I had planned for pin the cherry on the sundae, but that didn't happen.

Then we read the story "The Ice Cream King" by Steve Metzger.

After that, it was time to sing to the birthday girl!  I had mini cupcakes for the kids, so she got to blow out her candle with those.

Then it was time for ice cream!

Toppings included: Chocolate, strawberry and caramel syrup, bananas, strawberries, crushed oreos, mini chocolate chips, gummy worms, m&m's, sprinkles, cherries and whipped cream.

We also had cones in case someone preferred that.

After eating, it was time for water games, and then the pinata, and then gifts.

And of course, after gifts the kids just wanted to play in the water again.

I don't blame them because I did too!

The ice cream table!

The fun ice cream bowls I found!

                                                     

 

for decorations, I made "sundaes" out of tissue paper and red pom-poms.

Birthday Cupcakes

My sweet girl and her Sundae creation!

Kids enjoying their treats

Water fun!

Whack!

Such a fun group of kids!

Grilled Cheese Perfection!

Sometimes, it's the simple things that are the best.

Take grilled cheese for instance.

It's so simple, but soooooo yummy!

And, I make a pretty mean grilled cheese sandwich, if I do say so myself.

{Okay, it's not mean at all.  It's really very nice.  In fact, it could become your best friend.}

I actually prefer my grilled cheese over any other grilled cheese that I've ever had....even in those expensive restaurants!

And my family loves it, too. 

So, I'm sharing my grilled cheese secrets with you!

Here's what you need for 1 sandwich:

2 pieces of Texas Toast (you can use other bread, but this one is thick and holds up well against the crazy amount of cheese on this sandwich!)
Butter or margarine
2 slices of American Cheese
1 slice of Swiss Cheese
1 slice of Cheddar Cheese

Spray your pan with cooking spray and turn it on to medium heat.  While your pan is heating up, butter one side of each piece of bread. 

Lay one piece of bread, buttered side down, on your pan.  You should hear a slight sizzle. 

Now, this next step is important!  Lay 2 pieces of American Cheese down.  Then the Swiss, and then the Cheddar.  DO NOT mix up the order!  There is something about having the cheeses in that order that make it so good.  I think it's because the Swiss is a little bitter, and the American and Cheddar are sweeter. 

Next layer place the other piece of bread, butter side up, on top. 

After about 4-5 minutes, flip the sandwich over.  The side that was on the bottom first should be golden.

 

After another minute or so, go ahead and put a lid on top of the pan.  It helps the cheese to melt without having to leave your bread on too long.

After about 2 minutes, remove the lid and press down the sandwich slightly with your spatula.

Once the second side is golden brown, remove your sandwich and cut it across. 

Or straight.

Or in fours.

It's really your choice...

And just look at that yummy, melty cheese! 

WARNING:  The cheese will be molten hot at this point.  I know it's hard, but try to wait a few minutes to give it a chance to cool off.

And then enjoy the best grilled cheese you've ever had!

Red, White, And Blue

How do you plan to celebrate the 4th??

Our plans are still up in the air, which I actually don't mind at all.

All I *do* know is that I'm going to have to march in a parade in about 100 degree heat with approximately 50 little girls, which should be a TON of fun!

If I make it the whole way without passing out, I may just decide to come home and call it a day.

They deliver pizza on the 4th, right?!


Anyhoo...if you have fun plans and need a little inspiration or help, feel free to take a look at my Pinterest Board full of Patriotic goodness. 

Here's hoping you have a happy and safe 4th of July!!

My Sweet Independence

The 4th of July is upon us.

It's a time to celebrate our Nation's Independence, but maybe also some of our own.

Heaven knows I could use a little independence from...well, a lot of stuff.

Like:

-A certain 8-year-old who *never* stops asking questions.  It's like she actually needs to learn stuff.

And

-My cell phone.  It is constantly ringing because I am just soooo important and everyone needs to get ahold of me.

And

-Cooking.  This family of mine wants a meal every single night.  Seriosuly!

And

-Being a chauffer to a gazillion activities.  When will my five and eight year old finally learn to drive?

And

-Answering emails.  I think I'm going to put an automantic reply that says something to the effect of: "I broke up with email a long time ago.  Please text me if you want a reply."

And

-Cleaning...oh wait.  I still haven't actually started that yet.

And

-Dieting.

Ahhhh yes, the BIG D-word.

I have longed for independence from dieting for, oh let's see, about all my life now. 

Let's face it, for most of us, dieting never works.  Mostly because we want to enjoy the good things in life, and the truth is that the good things are almost always the things that are off limits.

Like chocolate. 

If it weren't for my husband, chocolate would be the love of my life.

But because I'm always trying to lose weight, I am always feeling guilty about my love affair with it.

Or should I say, WAS feeling guilty?

BECAUSE....

Now I don't have to anymore!!!!!!!!!!

Hershey's has new chocolates, called Simple Pleasures, and they are Crazy Good!

When I was asked to sample these yummy little bites of heaven and blog about them, it was a no brainer! 

They have Dark Chocolates with Chocolate Creme (my fave!), Milk Chocolates with White Creme, and Milk Chocolates with Chocolate Creme.  They are individually wrapped and they taste just like expensive little creams that you find at those specialty chocolate shops!

BUT...

Hershey’s Simple Pleasures chocolates have 30 percent less fat than the average leading milk chocolates. 

Ummm, did you read what I just wrote?!

Chocolate.  With 30 percent less fat.  That tastes as good as specialty chocolate.

NO MORE GUILT!!

I'm ALL IN on this one folks.

You want in too?

Of course you do!

Then get on over to the Hershey's Simple Pleasures Facebook Page and sign the Decleration of Sweet Independence!  You could win some SWEET prizes including a $100 Gift Card or

Free Chocolate!!

Now tell me, what do you need some Sweet Independence from??

I was compensated for this post and provided this product for free from Hershey's,  All opinions are completely true, and completely mine.  I would NEVER recommend a product I didn't like.  You can read my full disclosure here.