Pure EXCITEMENT!!!

So I had a blog post all stuck up in my head about Chubby Cheekers turning 2, then I logged onto Facebook and saw my beautiful friend's post on seasoned moms.

Lisa Ensor decided this was the year to interview 12 seasoned moms for the sole purpose of sharing their wisdom with the rest of us who sometimes struggle as moms.  I mean, that's not me, riiiight?  Hopefully, I'm not the only one who thinks, Am I doing this mom thing right?

So instead of sharing my thoughts on Chubby Cheekers turning two today (I'll share next week), I wanted to leave you with the advice from a very seasoned mom that I have the utmost respect for, Mrs. Gail Andersen.

I hope you are able to take to heart her wise advice on structure.  I know it touched some very special spots that need to change in our schedule.

Without further ado, I bring you the Seasoned Mom blog post!

And because I cannot NOT give you a sneak peek of Chubby Cheekers 2nd birthday.  I bring you a highlight pic...

 

As much as this guy keeps us on our toes, he is equally hilarious.

Menu Monday

Did you begin to doubt if it would ever come back?  It's been a long time since there has been a Menu Monday.  Whew!  I've got a good one for you this week.  I've missed them too!

Monday-Coconut Chicken, Roasted Asparagus, Berries
Tuesday-Taco Soup, Cornbread, Salad
Wednesday-Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa, Grilled Peppers, and Brown Rice
Thursday-Veggie Spaghetti, Garlic Knots, Green Beans
Friday-Pizza Night
Saturday-Surprise Date...I have no idea what we're doing, but I'm hoping it involves dinner
Sunday-Birthday Dinner!  It's my BIRTHDAY!!  I've decided to turn 29...again.

Since it has been so long, you must have taken time to find new recipes.  I neeeed to know them.  Like I may pass out...or keel over...if you don't share.  You wouldn't want that to happen, would you?

Rhea Lana of South Tulsa Sale...IT'S HERE!!!

It's time to shop on!  Hopefully, you have purged your own closets of outgrown toys, furniture, and clothes.  If not, you still have a little time.  The consignor tagging system is open for one more day.

For everyone else, you have just a few more days to get your list going of what you need this Spring and Summer.  For us, Chubby Cheekers needs some good play clothes and Little Miss needs cotton summer dresses.  Last year, I walked out with 5 dresses and spent $12 or $13.  Steal.  Most were from Gap too.  I love those deals. 

So if you are in the mood to shop, here's what you need to know. 

•  Sale Begins Sunday, February 23rd @ 1pm-7pm
• You can shop early on Saturday if you have one of the following passes...

Early Worker

Saturday, February 22nd 12pm-10pm

(you volunteer...it's not too late to earn this)

Worker

Saturday, February 22nd 1pm-10pm

(can earn this too)

Consignor 

Saturday, February 22nd 3pm-10pm

(yep, you can earn this as well)

Mom's to Be 

Saturday, February 22nd 5pm-10pm

(you can earn this too, but the cost is much higher if you know what I mean).

The remaining sale dates and times are on their site.  Be sure to check and like them on Facebook for special incentives throughout the week.  Don't forget to tell them Torres Tidbits sent you!!!

What Do You Do All Day???

Yesterday it hit me pretty hard what my work life looks like.  When people ask what I do my first answer is, "I'm a stay-at-home mom."  I love that title.  We sacrificed a lot for me to have that title.  If you look at the majority of my day, I am a stay-at-home mom.

Except right now.  I'm a blogger.

20 minutes later, during nap time, I'll be an Arbonne consultant.

An hour or so later, depending on nap time, I'll be a carpooling mama.

Then I'll be a homework helping, dinner cooking, cleaning up, tuck the kids in bed kind of mama.

But two nights a week, I do go out.  I LOVE going out.  I go out and meet new people.  I plant seeds of how blessed we have been.  I plant seeds of how my church and relationship with Jesus has changed my life.  I also plant seeds of belief into people.  Belief that they can live a better life physically and financially.

That's the work life that hit me pretty hard yesterday.  As I left my house, I was thankful for the people who planted belief into me.  It's almost my year anniversary with Arbonne and I'm doing the same thing I did 11 months ago when I began except my check continues to increase.  I'm still investing 10-12 hours a week of my time, here and there, around my kids and husband's needs and increasing my pay.  Why?  Because I focus solely on serving others, listening to their dreams and visions, and helping them get there.

So, yes, I'm a stay at home mom to my crazy kids and nephews, but I also own my own business.  A business that has almost replaced my old teacher's salary within a year, and will continue to go up.  Except I'm not putting in 50-60 hours a week teaching.  That's where I'm thankful.  My day looks different than the average worker, but it looks so good to me.  True thankfulness for opportunities I never wanted to say yes to, but so glad I did.

And just because 'Mom' is the best job I've ever had, I need to show you the ones that steal my heart!

And these little guys are pumped that for the older two's birthday, I'm working towards an all expenses paid stay (by Arbonne) in CABO for their birthdays.  That's a pretty good way to celebrate turning 6 and 8!  We'll let Chubby Cheekers come too.  Mexico needs to experience his antics for sure!

A Little Change Up

Notice anything different? 

I used to not like change too much, but lately change is good.  Change is good for progressing and gets me working outside my comfort zone.  I love my comfort zone.  It's that little place in my home where the kids, the husband and I live in our own little world taking care of each other.  Yep, I like that world.

Then I notice things around me that I don't like and I have a choice.  A choice to stay in my comfort zone or do something about what I don't like.  This year I'm actively working on the doing something part. 

So here's the list I'm actively working on daily.  Let me tell you, the items on the list may seem so natural to you, but for me I have to really jump outside myself to make these things happen.  It's a choice, not an instinct, and definitely not easy.

• Talk to at least one new person each time I am out in public.
• Smile and make eye contact with as many people as I can.
• Actively focus and change the way I handle the emotions of stress and frustration.
• Share the gift of Arbonne's business with at least 3 people everyday.
• Share what eating clean can do for you with at least 2 people everyday.
• Let my house be dirty so I can have time to sit and play.
• Focus on how to serve others outside of Arbonne and my family.
• Be present.  In whatever I'm doing...be present in that activity.

Seriously, these are the things I have to work on.  I blow it quite often.  Most of the time I have to dust myself off, remind myself that change is a process, and move forward. 

Another thing I've really worked on is switching out my fiction books with non-fiction self-development books.  Here's the list of books I've recently read and highly recommend to you...

 

 The tag line says it all..."Making wise choices in the midst of raw emotions."  Am I the only one here that needed this???

 

This book I am super grateful for.  Creating vision and purpose through you life while focusing on those visions and purposes through prayer.  Powerful.  Simply powerful.

 

It took a while for me to pick this book up.  I knew it would touch some areas I wasn't sure I was brave enough to handle.  I'm so glad I did.  Reading about a woman who prayed because her life depended on it.  When was the last time I did that?  What's sad is my life does depend on it.  So does my kids' lives...and my husband's life.  I read this one before The Circle Maker, and I do recommend the books in that order.

 

 

Again, the tag line..."Finding Purpose and Happiness in Life and Work".  Can't really tell you anymore except...AWESOME!

I've Got a Reader

Since I was little I've loved to read.  I remember the BEST place in the world was a book store.  My mom would let me go in a bookstore in the mall while she hopped in and out of stores she needed..  I could sit there for hours just looking at new books.  It's been a long time since I thought about how happy it made me to just finger through new crisp books.

We've had some snow days around here lately.  I love snow days.  A warm fire, toasty blanket, snow slowly falling, it's the perfect time to get yourself wrapped up in a good book.  Unfortunately the schedules of 5 kids doesn't always match up so my book time gets pushed aside. 

Not on Tuesday.  Tuesday the stars aligned and every person under the age of 5 napped at the same time.  It left me and Little Man cozied up on the couch with our books. 

 

Little Man has become quite the reader this year and my heart could not possibly have any more joy from watching him develop a love for reading.  On Saturday we have our annual Valentine's Date together.  He chose a book store for us to go to.  A book store to peruse new, crisp books and just be together.  And, maybe a little snack to go with it.  Does this boy know the way into my heart or what???

I hope you all enjoy your weekend with your families. 

Rhea Lana of South Tulsa~Volunteer Sign Up

Last week we all decided that we were going to earn cash from our own closets.  We are going to clean out the clutter, tag our items, and take them to Rhea Lana of South Tulsa's event February 23-March 1.  We are all pumped about earning cash money, $$$ cha-ching $$$, and purchasing great brands like Gymboree, Gap, Toms, Converse, Matilda Jane, Janie and Jack, Lands End, etc. 

BUT, did you know you can get into the sale a DAY EARLY???

I'm about to let you in on a little secret.  Shhhhhh!

If you volunteer, you can earn a early shopper pass and even Rhea Lana CASH!

So you totally didn't hear that from me.  I'm just hear to tell you about volunteering to make new mommy friends all the while checking out the best items first.  I'm not telling you how to score those items and earn some cash to get them for free.  Nope, not dishing out those secrets.  

So if you're thinking, how do I sign up, then this next part is for you.  Simply click here, and pick out the date and reward you're looking for.  Me?  I'd personally go for both...the early shopper pass AND the cash, but then again I'm always looking for a good bargain.

Don't forget to 'LIKE' Rhea Lana of South Tulsa on Facebook.  They have some awesome random giveaways going on right now! 

 

Who, ME? A Gift in the Mail

Early last week I received an email.  I almost deleted it before I read it all they way through.  So often I get emails connected to my blog saying gifts will be sent in place of reviews, but they seems so fishy and generic I don't respond.

I was reading through one of those emails when I realized it was specifically written to me.  Nothing generic.  Specific references.  So I responded, and I am so glad I did.

RedEnvelope was honoring mom bloggers and somehow, someway Torres Tidbits came up (so thanks y'all for mentioning my family), and they were wanting to send me a gift.  First off, I'm still pinching myself.  Secondly, there were so many choices of earrings I loved I had the most difficult time coming up with a final decision.  Here's what I chose...

 

Enamel Stud Earrings

I really can't tell you how much I love these studs!  They are large enough to draw attention, but not too large in weight.  I have worn them twice since receiving them, and both times have been asked where I got them.  RedEnvelope

In fact, all the little Torreses were sleeping when the package came.  Of course I put them on, and before I could check myself out, Chubby Cheekers woke up.  That little hunk of lusciousness noticed my new earrings immediately.  You know when your earrings impress an almost two year old, you're doing well in life.  At least, that's how it works for me.

I digress...

I think my favorite part was the packaging.  The little red box.  So cute.  So fabulous.  So enjoyed opening it.  If you are planning on sending a Mother's Day gift via mail, I so recommend using Red Envelope for your online shopping.  Your package will ship to them like this...

 

Who doesn't want a pretty little red package all tied up with string???

On a side note, I spent some time perusing the site and I found a little somethin' somethin'.  Soooo, if anyone happens to have some contact with my husband, you can feel so free to point him in the direction of this bag...

  

Mercado Weekender Bag

I can't even post a pic of the bag.  You just need to take a little looksie yourself.  The over the shoulder, the space, the colors, the beauty of it all.  I can hardly contain myself while looking at it.  Too. Much. To. Handle.  I just died.

See you tomorrow ;)

Chubby Cheekers~23 Month Edition

Hellllo Ladies,

I'm a toddler on the move these days and I ain't got time for pics.  It's been a long while since you've heard from me.  I've become even more daring and a little ornerier since our last chit chat.  I'm thinking one of these days my handsome good looks are not going to cut it any longer.  Buuuuuut, since I'm a Torres you have to realize that we don't stop until we say it's time.  I haven't said it's time yet, so my antics will continue {insert the raising of my sticky fist}!  Muahahahaha....

One of my newest favorite things is cuddling up with the parental units for a good book.  I get me some Boobie (blanket), my thumb, and settle in on Mommy's lap for a good Sandra Boyton book.  HEY!  WAKE UP! has to be my favorite.  One cannot hear that story enough.

With the new year, I hear a lot of talk about goals from Mommy, Daddy, Little Man, and Little Miss.  Daddy wants to run a marathon and qualify for the Boston Marathon.  Mommy wants to run a half-marathon in under 2 hours. Little Man wants to run an entire 5k, and Little Miss wants to run a Fun Run (1 mile).  And here I am, not even two yet, thinking, "I just wanna suck my thumb."  

 

I don't want to show anyone up.  Plus, I have years to blow my siblings out of the water!

Another one of my latest obsessions is acting like a dog.  You know you were a born leader when you can get your sister and cousins in on doggie behavior.

Yep, born leader!  Next week I think I'll lead the way for Meerkat behavior...

Love,

Chubby Cheekers