#22 - Get a media cabinet for under our t.v.

I have been waiting patiently to fill the void of emptiness under our t.v. in the family room. I knew that I wanted something with storage that would give me space on top for pictures. Thanks to these cool "points" that Tastefully Simple gives out for sales, I got my media cabinet for FREE!!!  And it only used up half of my points! I was hesitant to buy furniture on the internet, but I couldn't be happier with how it looks in person. #22 on my 101 Goals in 1001 Days list is DONE!

#92 - Go on a special date with Jason twice (1 of 2 DONE!)

Last weekend, Mike took the big kids to an arena football game with Ryan's flag football team. We agreed that Jason isn't quite ready to sit still for that long yet, so I planned a Mommy/Son date with him. The day before our date, I invited my mom to come along, since we weren't going to be seeing her for Mother's Day.

Ironically, I didn't get any pictures of Jason and me on our special date. Nor did I get any pictures of my mom and me for our Mother's Day celebration. But I did catch a few pictures of Jason playing in the fountains and browsing the candy shop nearby.

We finished off the night riding the huge escalator and buying cupcakes to bring home to the rest of the family. Jason loved his one on one {...on one} time. Half of #92 is checked off my 101 Goals in 1001 Days list!

Before and After - My 20 Minute Makeover

Last week, my bloggy friend (Emily at Practical Paleo) posted a link to a gal who gives beautiful makeovers. The before and after pictures were amazing! I found myself daydreaming about what my "after" pictures would look like if this gal got her hands on my face.

You see, I don't get dolled up very often. Why would I? We spend most of our days at home and when we do leave the house, we are quickly running to the grocery store, the library or the gym. And I'm not one of those people who wears jewelry and makeup to the gym.

I put on makeup when Mike takes me on a date or when I have a Tastefully Simple party, but for the most part, I look like this:

Hot, right? I did not ugly myself up for that picture. It was taken by Kaylin on Sunday after I was done showering before church. I didn't wash my hair (I only wash it every few days. Don't judge!) and it was looking a little greasy. Instead of pulling it back into a pony tail, I decided to curl the ends. And put on foundation. And make sure my eye make up didn't look like Jason put it on me.

This was the result:

Seriously? These pictures were literally taken 20 minutes apart in the exact same spot in my bedroom. I changed my shirt (as I tend to do several times before leaving the house) but other than the quick hair and make up...WOW. I had no idea I should put myself together more often.

I've been a stay at home mom for nearly nine years. It takes me a loooong time to go through my makeup because I rarely wear it. And when I do decide to throw on make up, it's usually just on my eyes. I'm realizing that foundation makes a huge difference in the skin tone of my face.

No wonder my kids say, "Mommy, you look beautiful!" when I'm walking out the door for a party.  They're used to staring at the "before" picture all the time! Now if I could only figure out how to do the dramatic smokey-eye technique, I could really look like a rock star!

How to Get Kids to Pick Up Their Stuff

Have you ever stepped on a Lego in the dark? Or a Polly Pocket? Or a Barbie high heeled shoe?  

It is no secret that I love a tidy house, but it is nearly impossible to keep up with the tornado of toys all by myself. And we all know my kids will help for a little bit, but there are always straggling pieces and parts laying around the floor at any given time, day or night.

The other day, I met a mom of six with a clean-freak husband who figured out the secret. After all of her kids are in bed, she goes around the house and gathers all of the stray shoes, toys, books and games. She then puts them in her trunk and her kids have to buy them back, $.25 per piece. Shoes? $.25...each. Legos? $.25 each. The only thing safe from her wrath are school books and backpacks. 

If the kids are indifferent to buying back certain items, they know that she donates them to Good Will. It keeps her floor tidy and her house slightly less cluttered.

This is not a new concept, but it's definitely not one that I've tried. Oh, but I will. And I can't wait for the results!  I'll keep you posted.

#76 - Make a new recipe off Pinterest twice a week for a month

Week 1:

* Healthy Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip - YUM!  We've made this again and again.

* The Biggest Loser Oatmeal Pancakes - So filling and surprisingly delicious.

* Chocolate Chip Quinoa Trail Mix Balls - Not a huge hit, but my family ate them.

Week 2:

* Avocado Chocolate Mousse - Addicting! The perfect period food for clean eating freaks.

* Paleo Banana Pancakes - Epic fail. I'm thinking the bananas aren't supposed to be ripe.

Week 3:

* Clean Eating Brownies - YUM! This was soufflé-like. I'll make them again!

* Primal Banana Bread - A perfect pre-workout snack or breakfast on the go.

Week 4:

* Paleo Chicken Fajitas in the crockpot - Served on tortillas for my family, they were easy and so good.

* Paleo Tropical Turkey Meatballs - Not a hit at ALL, until I pulled out the Tastefully Simple Honey Teriyaki Sauce to dip them in. Then they were a tropical dinner wonder! My kids licked their plates clean and begged for more.

Thank you, Pinterest, for giving me recipes and new ideas in just moments!  #76 is officially crossed off my 101 Goals in 1001 Days.

"...because I'm too big for diapers..."

I walked into the boys' room today to put Jason down for a nap and was overwhelmed with the stench of urine. Jason had mentioned this morning that he wet his bed "a little", but that's not uncommon after he swims, because I think he swallows pool water by the gallon.

I was too tired to change his sheets, so I laid down a towel on the dry bed, only to realize that his comforter was soaked. On the floor next to his bed was a gently worn, very DRY diaper.

Me: "Jason, is this your diaper from last night?"

Jason: (smiling proudly) "Yes. It's the one grandma put on me after we went swimming."

Me: "When did you take it off?"

Jason: "After I was in bed."

Me: (*sigh*) "Why did you take it off, buddy?"

Jason: "Because I'm too big for diapers. I go potty in the toilet."

Me: (breathing in...breathing out...) "Yes, you are getting to be a very big boy, Jason. But you still have accidents at nighttime. When we put a diaper on, you have to keep it on until morning."

Jason: "Why?"

Me: "Smell your bed."

Jason: (sniffing) "It smells like pee."

Me: "That's why."

Jason: "But do I need to wear a diaper now for my nap?"

Me: "Nope - you just went potty, so you can wear your big boy underwear."

Jason: "Can I not wear pants? Because Daddy doesn't wear his pants when he goes to bed. Just underwear."

Me: (smiling) "Sure. But let's get you some clean, dry covers. This comforter needs to be washed. Again."

Believe me...I'm as over this diaper nonsense as anyone can get. I've been washing and rewashing sheets and deodorizing mattresses for nearly a decade. But it's not time to move on just yet. Hopefully soon. Very, very soon.

Do you have a friend who...

There are a handful of people that I've met who exemplify the idea of friendship. Constantly thinking of others, selflessly showing up in times of need, calling at just the right moment. 

I have been fortunate to have many friends over the years. Some have come and gone, others have been around for years (my sweet bridesmaids come to mind), others flit in and out more quickly. But there is one friend who never fails to amaze me with her generosity. Her sincerity. Her kindness. She makes me want to be a better friend. 

"My friends are wonderful, too," you say? How great can this girl be? Well, let me ask you this: 

Do you have a friend who...

... finds out you're sick and kidnaps your kids for a few hours so you can get some rest?

Do you have a friend who...

... keeps your secrets like Fort Knox?

Do you have a friend who...

... makes you feel beautiful, inside and out, even on your worst day?

Do you have a friend who...
... is among the first to offer to help you start your new business and is one of your best customers?

Do you have a friend who...

... uses her connections to take you away for a spa weekend?

Do you have a friend who...

... sees your list of 101 Goals in 1001 Days and makes it her mission to help cross off as many items as possible? 

Do you have a friend who...

... refuses to let you help her organize her pantry for free and insists on repaying you by buying your cart-full IKEA purchases?

Do you have a friend who...

... teaches you how to properly wash your face and put on make up...in your 30s?

Do you have a friend who...

... will tell you the truth, even when it's hard to hear?

Do you have a friend who...

... doesn't judge you? No matter how "bad" it seems?

Do you have a friend who...

... gives her homeschool friends a card and gift for Teacher Appreciation Week?

Do you have a friend who...

... after seeing your Facebook rant about common curtesy, shows up at your door at 9pm with cookies and a bottle of wine?

I have had a lot of friends in my life, but few have relentlessly been an example of the kind of friend others long to be. I am so blessed to call this girl my friend. I love you, Alison!!!

 

Meal Plan - 5/13/13

Monday - Paleo Chicken Fajitas in the crockpot *
Tuesday -  Paleo Tropical Turkey Meatballs *
Wednesday - Lasagna Soup
Thursday - Giada's Ravioli with Balsamic Brown Butter Sauce
Friday - leftovers
Saturday - Tastefully Simple Honey Apple Pulled Pork
Sunday - Tastefully Simple Savory Grilled Chicken, green beans

Also trying these recipes:
Green Smoothie *
Sweet Potato Paleo Brownies *