Favorites

So lately I have been trying out a lot of new products, which I love, so I thought I would share some of them, so are new, some are old but all are favorites. Some of the products I talk about like the eyeliner I have had for a while but other things like the in-shower lotion is a new find and a fast favorite. I love hearing about other peoples favorites because there is always a least one item that you haven't heard of and your like hmm I'll have to keep that on the list and try that some time, so anyway I hope you enjoy and maybe find something that you haven't heard of that you might want to try.

Planning

So today I decided to check out what all the buzz was about concerning all this Erin Condren planners, stickers etc, yea needless to say I get it. I had a coupon code for their items and I was like oh well I will just look I mean I'm not actually going to use it, then I saw the planners that you could custom with your own pictures, and then I saw that they already had a sale going on, and then I remembered my coupon, and then I started picking out pictures. So you see where this is going, fortunately my husband is very organized and love lists and planners so he thought it was a great idea, to him there is no such thing as too much organization, so here I am now, order completed and wanting ice cream. I know weird combination but that's how I roll. In case you want to be like me and check out what all the hype is I have a coupon code for you so I will not be the only sucked in. :)

https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/bethwilliams0120

Snacks AKA How I get my kids to eat healthy

So like any mom I am always trying to get my kids to eat healthy and of course my goal is not that they eat it but that they like it and that it tastes good, I know high aspirations right? Although I have had some successes with dinners, I have found my highest success comes with snacks, I think it helps though that the preconceived notion the kids have for snacks is that they taste good and they are a treat, so I have been using that to my advantage of course. So along with making various types of granola and smoothies lately I have been utilizing our new snack subscription box, UrthBox. It is a monthly box that specializes in healthy snacks that are supposed to taste good, I was a little wary at first but I have to say the claim is true and my kids ate almost the whole box themselves, little do they that they are consuming healthy yummies, such as roasted seaweed, quinoa bars etc. So this video gives a sample of the kinds of things UrthBox has and some of the things my hubby and I have been loving as well. Speaking of snacks we are actually out now so guess who has to make some more? Yep, that's me, so I'm off to replenish our supply, hope you enjoy and get some new ideas to try.

Thred-UP

So lately I have been exploring the world of online shopping and I have to say, I have been LOVING it!! So recently I discovered the site Thred-UP, which is basically an online consignment store which seems to specialize in more higher end clothing, like Anne Taylor, Michael Kors, BCBG, etc, they have women's clothing, shoes, purses and children's clothing. So in the past three months I have made about three purchases and I have been impressed with what I have bought, it says it is gently used clothing but most of the clothing and shoes I have gotten look like they are brand new. Also the prices are very reasonable, easily comparable to like Marshalls or TJMaxx, which are good stores but the benefit of online is you don't have to search it is already pre-sorted which I really appreciate. So this just gives a sample of the kind of clothing Thred-UP has, lately I have gotten rid of about at least 80% of my clothing, it was time, I'm done being pregnant and a lot of the clothes I got when I was a teenager, so it has really been helping me rebuild my adult wardrobe. Wow! That is so weird saying that, adult wardrobe, woo hoo! Hahaha. Well I'm off, Little Elf wants to sit with me, gotta steal that moment while I can!! :)

Seasons

So lately I have been reading a lot of blogs and articles about seasons, and thinking about Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 about how everything has a season and a time. Right now my season involves little people, a lot of little people!! Sometimes I look around and I can't believe I have four kids!! For the past four years I have been in between pregnancies and newborns, and now, unless God says otherwise we are done having children, so now its like, wow I have to raise all these children!! I find myself wafting between, its too much I can't do it, to wow I can't believe how privileged I am! It's so amazing how different they all are, in looks, personality, how they communicate and interact with each other and me, and of course how they respond to conflict. With three boys you can bet there is a lot of pushing and shoving going on, I'm interested to see how my little girl will respond especially since she is the youngest. So right now with four little kids there is a lot of screaming, hitting, crying, diapers, messes and accidents, and sometimes I look around and I'm like what the heck was I thinking this is crazy!! And of course I know I am not the only mother who thinks this, especially those who stay at home, if we are honest we probably think that a couple times a day! At least I do, but then I look at them and I am amazed by the things they will say and I'm like wow they were actually listening to me! And watching them grow, I can't believe my baby is almost six months already and its amazing how fast they develop in such a short time, and of course my oldest he's pushing seven and I keep thinking when did he become a little boy? Wasn't he just a toddler? Of course, I am by no means exclusive in these thoughts and emotions, I'm sure every mother has them, but I find as I grow older the responsibility becomes so much more intimidating. I always tell my husband, its so much more than taking care of them, anyone can do that, can feed them and dress them and change them, but raising them, that's the hard part, and right now in my season its soo crucial. I think for me at least, it was like oh yea, I want them to be homeschooled and I want them to be responsible and I want them to be Christians and God-fearing men and woman, just one woman :). But for whatever reason I thought I don't know you do that when they are older, middle school or high school, but no its now, when they are little, you have to lay that foundation, for if not now when? And if you don't do it someone else will. So its not just teaching them to pick up toys, or wash dishes, or hold the pencil right or learn their colors, or potty train them, you have to teach them about life about God and it starts so young and I'm amazed at some of the things they will say and understand. So I do talk to my kids about sin, and the cross and Jesus, I do talk to them about dying, and that someday they will and I fight the tears and force a smile as I do, because if they know Christ as I hope they will, its not a sad thing. Sometimes I feel like I'm too strict or talk about things that are too "heavy" and I think I expect too much, but they always rise to the occasion and when my three year old sits on the couch next to me and curls up beside me and looks up with a huge smile on his face and says "Mommy, I want to die and see God." All I can do is give him a huge hug and pray that he will and that he always looks at with that joy. So this is my season, a trying time, a messy time, sometimes an intimidating time but such a blessed time.

Nail Polish

 So I have always loved nail polish, I just think its so pretty and makes you look so polished, like my pun ;), every since I was a little girl, I have been amazed, although, I have never been that good with it, it just looked so blah on my nails, so after having my fourth baby I was like that's it, I am getting my nails in shape!! So I actually did who knew?? I finally got the shape that I wanted and the length which I still do play around with that, but the colors!! Sometimes I change the color like every other day, no exaggeration! There is just so much you can do, creativity abounds although I am not claiming that I have that much, but I try! Anyway, here are my favorite brands and some of my favorite colors, hope you enjoy. :)

Nursing

 

 

I'm sure you could guess by the picture of the tea what this video is about, nursing! What an amazing thing nursing is, it's unique and special, it fosters the bond between mother and baby, provides the perfect amount of nutrients and is free! Unfortunately I only nursed two of my kids, but I really enjoyed both experiences so much, I am still currently nursing my youngest, I am going to try to nurse her as long as I can since she is my last, and my pickiest, she can be a little diva, that one! lol Anyway, all of the recipes that I talk about here I found on Pinterest, because lets face it Pinterest is awesome and also an addiction. Speaking of I think I might browse there right now, while I'm nursing. :)