I created a Mudroom

         I'm not quite sure why homebuilders in the south don't think we need mudrooms.  I mean really, we may not have snow shoes but we have just as much stuff as the next guy.  Honestly, I've had this set up for quite a while but it never was really working for me.  It held some random shoes and old helmets but it still wasn't functioning the way I wanted it to.  After hearing my son say "Mom, you can't find anything in this house" (in his somewhat sweet and loving way), it occurred to me that that I needed a plan. 

Enter said plan: 

This was after I learned the lesson of the value of a garage door opener.  You see, I've looked into a keychain garage door opener before.  One that I could just take with me when I walk to get the kids.  I wanted one so the kids would end up in the garage (Jman always rides ahead and gets home before me) not the front door.  Which are right next to each other!?  Why I don't know, but I'm sure a guy designed this house and this is when my husband would roll his eyes.  But anyway, those suckers are $30 and I wasn't about to pay that months ago.  But the other day when I analyzed why I wanted it and what it would do for me, $30 was totally worth it.  

And it has been.  I am thrilled that I don't have backpacks and folders strewn all over the floor.  I am ecstatic that the lunch boxes are right there to clean every night, and the shoes in the garage and not in the front room almost puts me over the edge into a sea of happiness.

I don't know why this took me forever to implement. I thought I was being nice by letting them chill after school but really they are used to the rules and order.  That's why their teachers have a smooth running classroom.  My house deserved the same.  

An Award?! For me?!

I received this super sweet award from Barb over at Saturday's Mail

This award is given to bloggers with less than 200 followers, in the hopes that it will bring many new friends/followers.

Leibster is German and means 'dearest' or 'beloved' but it can also mean 'favorite'.  The idea of the Leibster award is to bring attention to blogs with less than 200 followers.  So, in the spirit of good fun I am passing this award on to five other bloggers.  Please stop by and visit them.

The Rules are:

1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

2. Reveal your five picks for the award and let them know.

3. Post the award on your blog.

4. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the blogshare-other bloggers.

5. Finally and the best rule of all..........have fun and spread the love!

My five picks for the Liebster award are:

1.  Not So Simple Housewife

2.  Simply Kelly

3.  Clarendon Lane

4.  Blissfully Ever After

5.  Pretend Texas Farmer 

Now head on over and visit their sweet blogs - make some new friends! :)

Why I work out everyday

I just want to say that I'm not this super motivated person that wakes up everyday thinking how awesome it is going to be to workout.  A lot of days, I spend the first 15 minutes of each workout convincing myself to not give up and keep going.  But I've been working out at home for so long now and I know it makes me feel so much better that I just get it done.   

{Quote by Jim Rohn}

A huge reason I choose to work out everday is that it's actually easier for me to keep up with.

If a doctor told me to take my medicine every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and one of those days it had to be at noon, another it had to be at 3, and so on, it would be so hard for me to keep up.  Yes, I could write it down, schedule it, whatever but the fact is that it would make it even harder for me to make taking my meds a habit.  I know myself.  I know that I would miss a day, have to wait two days to catch up, I might forget again or make something else a priority and then I've blown it.  Or at least I'll tell myself that I blew it.  {We can be mean to ourselves can't we?}

I've done this time and time again with my workouts before being introduced to Beachbody programs.  I would make things so complicated and overscheduled that it was actually easier to get behind.  (And I would drive to the gym which would put another obstacle into the equation)  I've been most successful when I've made my workout schedule less complicated and just stayed at home.  Beachbody programs make my schedule for me.  They tell me what DVD to do, I pop it in, and I get it done.  Easier, I tell ya.

So I work out every day and it's pretty much a habit now.  If I miss or decide to take off a day, it's ok,  I'll be ready to do it tomorrow.
If you have any questions about my journey to a healthier lifestyle or Beachbody products please shoot me an email.  I would love to chat!

My first Shakeology Giveaway Winner

The Shakeology cup has spoken and the winner is:

Lyndsay!!  (-:

Thanks to everyone for entering.  It was really fun.

Chalkboard clipboard wall calendar

A new calendar for a new year.  I'm in the process of turning my dining room into an office.  Ok, I've been doing it for months now but I'm hoping to wrap everything up soon and call it done.  And then finally show it to you!  I like that everyone can see what's going on for the week and I have a 9 year old that reminds me to change it because it really annoys him when I don't (:  If only clothes on the floor annoyed him.

  

I bought the clipboards at Office Depot in packs of three, I think.  I fully intended to cover up their logo but it's a very low priority right now.  

I aligned painters tape with the clip to keep things looking straight even though every board is a little different. {grr}.  The boards were primed since I knew I would be using them frequently and after two coats of chalkboard paint, I was in business.   

 I'm thinking of framing it out with some moulding, and I might make some fancier labels, but for now I'm loving it. 

Linking up to:

Nutmeg Place

My first Giveaway

****This Giveaway is now closed****

{Please contact me if you have any questions}

Ok, this should be fun because I've never done a giveaway before. Inspired by my word for the year, CONNECT, I thought it would be a great way to connect with others.  With the help of Pinterest, I know some people read my lil' ole blog but I would love to hear from you!
I have shared with you my love for Shakeology and I think that you will love it too.

This picture says it all.

I drink it everyday and it curbs my cravings and gives me energy.

Would you like to win 3 days worth?

 Just say "Hi" to me in the comments and I'll pick a winner from the comments on Friday.  Since it's my first giveaway, I wanted to make it easy.  But be sure that I can reply back to you.  Good luck and I'm having fun already.  Please say "Hi" so I don't feel like the only one invited to the party.  (-:

You can go here for additional information on Shakeology!

A word for 2012

Roo was so sad this morning.  Her best little friend in 1st grade moved away to like "China".  I cherish the few moments I had with her this morning encouraging her that it will get better.  That she will meet another friend to act silly and goofy with.

For my baby girl:

I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears and listen

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No, it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

You know it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
Then the circle of your friends
Will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No, it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Fear is a friend who's misunderstood
But I know the heart of life is good

I know it's good

~John Mayer

Boy do I know this more than she can understand.  With so many moves under my belt you would think that I'm a pro.  But I'm finding that Roo is more and more like me (scary) and that she needs others to help her along.  Before moving to the big city,  I had a dear friend to lead me along the way and a circle of friends/wives/sisters in Christ associated with my hubby's job.  Not here because I haven't been letting myself connect with anyone.  So I'm excited for this new year.  A year that I will actively connect with people instead of just relying on others.

I think that's a great word to focus on in 2012.  

  

I'm hoping to be a great example for my girl.

 ⁹ Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ¹¹ Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Do you have a word for the year?