Galaxy Bars

What is it about outer space that is so fascinating to us?  Maybe it's the idea of the unknown or just the thought that there are things out there that we haven't seen, but know they are there, like giant stars and black holes.  From a young age, I remember learning about the planets, moon, stars and galaxies and finding it all so interesting.  My kids are getting to the age where they are experiencing the same wonder and it's been fun to relearn with them.  (I even got to tell my kids about how "when I was a kid, we had nine planets".  Talk about feeling old!)  Today I'm sharing a family recipe with you that I've adapted to go along with the space theme and I'm calling them Galaxy Bars.

9

3 Reasons You Should Mail Out Announcements

When was the last time you sent or received a card or letter through the mail?  How does it make you feel to get something other than an ad or a bill?  I know that it almost always brings a smile to my face.  There's a reason people still send out wedding invitations, graduation and birth announcements and Christmas cards through the mail.  There is something about having a physical piece of paper in your hands that makes it a little more special.

1

Memories Shadow Box Anniversary Gift

My husband and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary at the beginning of this month.  It's hard to believe that 10 years have gone by so quickly!  Since we just had our third baby a couple of months ago, we are going on our anniversary trip next year.  But I still wanted to give my husband something to commemorate the last 10 years together.  A friend of mine shared the idea of using a shadow box to write down memories or moments we've had together.  I found some really cute and simple white shadow boxes at Target with some little wood hearts included that were perfect.  The whole project only took me about an hour total, but the end result was exactly what I hoped for.

9

Kids Night In Box: Day At The Farm

I love doing fun activities with my kids at home, but sometimes the thought of coming up with an idea or theme and then gathering all the materials together feels like more than I have time for as a busy mom of three kids.  So when I heard about the Kids Night In Box, I thought it would be a great solution and also a great opportunity for my kids to do something new and fun together as a family.

4

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow and Pink Polka Dot Bikini Baby Onesie

With summer right around the corner, I know my kids are going to be spending a lot of time in their swimsuits.  My baby, on the other hand, is only a couple of months old and won't be needing a swimsuit for another few months at least.  But that hasn't stopped me from putting her in a cute little baby bikini!  The best part about it is that she is still protected from the sun and she looks adorable.  This no-sew baby bikini onesie is super simple to make and would be a fun gift for those little summer babies.

14

You Are Doing Better Than You Think You Are

As mothers, we have a lot of responsibility placed on our shoulders.  At times, it is a burden we gladly carry.  Other times, the weight of it is heavy and it's all we can do to put one foot in front of the other.  I've laughed with my children and I've cried with them and over them and for them.  They are some of my greatest joys and present some of my greatest challenges.  Motherhood, it seems, is full of contradictions.  So it's understandable that as a mother, it can feel at times that we are stuck in this middle ground, where we're not sure if what we're doing is making a difference.  Mom guilt is real and it can cause us to question our methods, our abilities, our strength and endurance.  But I'm here to tell you that you are doing better than you think you are.

14

Protecting Our Kids From Pornography

As parents, it's our responsibility to set boundaries and monitor our kids' activities.  By setting rules and limits for our kids, they know what is expected of them and they know when they've crossed the line.  It creates consistency and accountability.  But we can't be everywhere, with each child, all day, every day, tracking their behavior  And if your kids have electronics (cell phones, tablets, computers, etc), that is just one more device you have to try and monitor.  This might be manageable if you only have one or two kids, but you start adding more kids and more devices and it can become overwhelming and inevitably, things are going to slip through the cracks.   So how can we still be attentive parents and monitor our kids use of their devices without checking them multiple times a day?

7