Learning to Say Yes More

I can be somewhat rigid when it comes to schedules and the way I like to go about my days. I plan the week, I plan our meals, I plan blog posts (except for the day I'm actually scheduled to co-host a blog link-up! that's when I decide to head out of town for a long weekend and shut down. WHAT?!), I plan when I do my back to school, holiday shopping right down to the time and day. OK, maybe I am a lot rigid.  I section out every day with plans.  Eesh. When I decided to take a bit of a long weekend with just the my girls and 'say yes' during that time, I had no idea if it would make life and driving a whole lot more fun or just a trip on the crazy train. We've got one day left on this trip and this is what I've learned. … [Read more...]

Maintaining My Back-to-School Sanity

Disclosure:  This post was sponsored by The Motherhood for review and educational purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are TMC's only. Last week I decided to start my back-to-school shopping. As I strolled into the store I saw a sign reading, "Virginia Tax Free Day!" Oh, what a happy, lucky coincidence! I would buy my school supplies, coupons in hand and all three kids hanging off the cart and not have to pay taxes. Bonus! Clearly, my intuition failed me. As I walked through the store it was quiet and empty up front. Had a zombie apocalypse occurred without my knowledge? Should I find something sharp to beat off the brain-eaters we might encounter as we selected broad-tip markers? Wait. What is that buzzing sound? That my friends would be the total mayhem that was taking … [Read more...]

Staying Fit 5 Minutes at a Time

Fall Turkey Trot 2012 I'm running around Chicago, participating in Blogher13 today, hustling a bit here and there and working with the awesome team that is MinuteClinic while finding ways to spread health.  Today's post is brought to you by guest contributor Sara Dawkins and her take on how to stay fit in just a small amount of time.  A little bit can go a long way!  … [Read more...]

Yogurt Pops Make for Easy Summer Fun

I will be the first one to tell you that I am so not crafty.  Glitter, beads, yarn and all those little things that make cute creations make me break out into hives. You think I'm kidding. I may like to bake up a batch of cookies or cupcakes and I've been known to make an octopus or ladybug cake but creating recipes and showcasing them on the blog or making holiday-themed crafts. It is so not my thing.  That stuff just stresses me out, man. BUT … [Read more...]

Scenes from a Weekend- 8k Edition

Run for the Dream to benefit the Achievable Dream, Wounded Warriors program was this past weekend in Williamsburg, VA. It's a nice scenic run that takes you around the William & Mary campus and through historic Williamsburg. We might be starting a family tradition as last year H and I both did our first half-marathons here and the 8k on Saturday. … [Read more...]

Workout of the Week-40 Minute Total Body

This week I bring you an excellent full body workout that can be done in under an hour. That's 40 minutes of body strengthening that can't be beat. BeFit GO 40 Minute Total Body Strength Mobile Workout is great if you are trying to lose weight.  Full body workouts elevate your heart rate and build strength at the same time. In addition, they add lean muscle tone which enables your body to burn lots of calories.  Trust me, I did this type of workout many times over in the last year and it worked.  I dropped ten pounds and a size and a half.  … [Read more...]

Not Lovin’ It- A Mother’s Day Wish

Mother's Day gift guides, reviews, special product placement and sponsored posts have all been pitched to me ad nauseum the last few weeks. I'm over it. What a woman wants for Mother's Day is pretty personal. I usually want the same thing each year. 1. To sleep in. 2. To read the Sunday paper. 3. To not wash one dish or cook one meal. 4. I want my coffee hot. In a 'Join or Die' mug. And if a copy of Moonrise Kingdom, Rushmore and L.A. Story happen to wander into my hands I'm happy.  Easy peasy. Pretty simple, really. There's something else too and I want it all the time. 24/7, all year long. … [Read more...]

Scenes from a Weekend

It's my firm belief that weekends are a time to recharge. I feel that more than ever with the addition of the girls. They are tired on Friday afternoon.  They need time to sit in the sun and relax with old friends. … [Read more...]

Good Enough to Be Enough

In the past I have struggled hard to find a balance between work and life.  I continuously felt that if I wasn't working my wheels were spinning out of control.  My control over my work load and how much work I was doing defined me.  At least I thought that  it did and I even thought that I wanted it too.  Yes, I took joy in the time I was home for only 3 days in one month while six months pregnant with my third child.  Maybe it was that I used to hate my work and it was often just a j-o-b.  The last few years weren't like that and it was all new and exciting and I just wanted more.  Like a sponge I wanted to soak up as much as I could.  Then 2012 happened and it was like a giant hand just knocked me on my ass. Or as I like to think of it, God just bitched slapped me and handed me my … [Read more...]