Category: Family

Making Family Dinner A Success

family

Dinner can be a tricky proposition.  At my house, we’re a super busy family of 4.  My husband and I both work full time jobs, and our two children both swim competitively after school.  On top of being on swim teams and having regular school homework, our teenage daughter is involved in orchestra and band.  We’re actively involved with our church which often includes weeknight activities in addition to Sunday commitments.  We’re really busy, just like everyone else on the…
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Hardships Of Living With A Gorgeous Brother

Hardship Of Living With A Gorgeous Brother

It’s story time today, so pull up a chair and get comfortable.  I’m sharing a tragically funny story about the hardships of growing up with a gorgeous older brother. Over the weekend we went out of town for a 4-day state championship swim meet a few hours away from home.  My little family stayed with my aunt and uncle so we could rest and hang out at their house in-between morning and afternoon swim sessions.  If you’ve ever attended a…
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Learning About Your Within Self

life philosophy

  I’ve been learning about myself over the last couple of years, in a very philosophical type of way.  I mean, I already know who I am, what I like, what I’m good at and what I’m not, what I don’t love, what I’m willing to tolerate, and on and on.  But the last couple of years of my life, more than any other, have been the hardest of my life.  There’s been a lot going on with my own…
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4 Favorite Clean Eating Fixes

clean eating title

Friends, gather round for some easy clean eating shortcuts. I mean, I really love a big fat cheeseburger every now and then, with a Diet Coke. But, the sodas and the burgers don’t usually leave me feeling healthy and energetic, and they definitely don’t leave me feeling swim-suit ready. So, though I’m not hard core or anything close to perfect, I try to stick to a fairly “clean” and wholesome diet most of the time. The definition of “clean eating”…
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Letting It Go

Letting Go

Hello friends!  I hope you’re all doing well today, I really mean it.  I hope it’s gloriously beautiful wherever you are, and that even if you’re neck-deep in snow or smog, or something less savory, that you’ve made your day happy in your own way. I believe in you. Have you ever chosen a word or phrase as a kind of personal mantra for yourself?  I know a lot of people choose a word at the beginning of every new…
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Homemade Watercolor Valentine Cards

homemade watercolor cardss

You know you want to get artistic today. Even though Valentine’s Day is notorious for reminding the single folk of their singlehood – with glaring, overstuffed bears and overpriced roses in every store. It pressure couples to heights of Olympic couple-ness, shaking once-stable sweethearts with heart-shaped everything and oversweet chocolate everything. I know, I have been both of those people on February 14th and neither is all that great. Try a Google search of “Valentine’s Day is…” and you’ll see…
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Good Fortune Valentines and a Free Printable

good fortune valentine printable

I love using free printable Valentines for my boys each year. It feels sorta like we are making our own adorable, homemade, super crafty Valentines filled with love and joy, but really, it’s just a matter of download-print-sign. Done. No folding or envelope stuffing or ribbon tying. Unless you want them that way, of course. I’m thankful from the bottom of my heart to the mad talents out there who share their cleverness with the rest of us. It’s kinda…
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Advice on Love from To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

Our young contributor, Whitney, has been waxing nostalgic ever since the announcement that a new Harper Lee book will be published on July 14.  (She is also lovely, bright, clever and single, wink wink.) This is what she has to say about it!, and we couldn’t agree more. To Kill a Mockingbird has been my favorite book since I first read it in fifth or sixth grade. (What can I say? I was precocious, even if I didn’t know exactly…
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Adorable and FREE Printable Valentines

free printable valentines

You know you want some free printable Valentines!  Because yes, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Have you even started thinking about Valentine’s Day cards for you or your kids yet? If not, I’ve got you covered with these 5 AWESOME Valentine’s Day cards that are free, printable and super cute. 1. DIY Superhero Valentine’s from 100 Layer Cake-let: Loving these SUPER cute superhero cards that can easily be printed out and crafted! 2. Quick & Cheesy Hubby Valentines…
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