A Fun Daddy

Last night was a split family night.  We all meet for dinner, then we split.  The boys go home and I take Little Miss to her gymnastics class.  It's a great 45 minutes of absolute MOMMY TIME!  I get to sit and work on whatever I'd like, or simply chat with other moms.  Then gymnastics is over.  Little Miss and I load up and head home to our boys.

The street we live on is pretty long and we live at the very top.  It's not a cul-de-sac, but pretty close to it.  We know which cars drive all the way to the top of the street and which ones will turn.  Basically, I tell you this because...wait for it...we let our kids play in the street.  Ah, the horror of it all!

Anyway, playing in the street is such a small part of my story.  It just happens to be where my boys were as we were driving up the street.  My boys and a few other neighborhood kids.  Steven had organized a baseball game.  When they were tired of that, they had out fishing poles.  Steven had drawn a pond in the street for the kids to cast in.  Eventually, little fish got drawn in as well so the kids could cast and catch the pretend fish.

Not often enough do I take time to thank him for being such a fun, playful dad.  The kids get so excited when he gets home from work.  He thinks of the best games to play, and leaves not one kid out.  Ever.  He makes sure all the kids on our street have the opportunity to play if they want to.  He even worked with our precious neighbor on riding his bike.  He only wanted Mr. Steven to do it.

Steven makes me proud and I just wanted to let the world know.  I know I'm a lucky girl.  I definitely married up.  Now, when I get irritated with him, someone please redirect me to this post.  Sometimes we forget what we have.

Thanks, Babe for being so awesome.  

Rhea Lana of South Tulsa~Get Your BUY On!!!

A few weeks ago I talked about making money.  Although making money is super fun and important, how you spend it is equally important.  You all know I'm a Dave Ramsey fanatic.  We have a cash envelope for our kids' back to school clothing.  We've been saving for a few months now.  Stashing $20's here and there into the Clothing Fund.  Months later we are ready to spend, but letting go of cash you've saved is a bit hard to do. 

That's why we shop Rhea Lana of South Tulsa.  We get more for our money.  When I get to see the gigantic stack of clothes and the little cash that leaves my envelope, it makes it easy.  Our hard earned money works for us and doesn't slip away so fast.  I can't say the same for retail stores. 

Here's some FAQs and their answers...

Where Do I Go?

Rhea Lana of South Tulsa has one location near 106th and Memorial.  If you can find Chick-fil-a (let's be honest...we all know where those are), then you can find the sale.  It's directly behind Chick-fil-a, and the store front faces the Hampton Inn. 

When Can I Shop?

Sale dates for the general public are August 11-17th.  Click here for specific times.

How Do I Get One of Those Early Shopper Passes?

In all honesty, an early shopper pass is the golden ticket and there are a few ways to go about it.  One way is to volunteer your time.  Go here for more info.  Another way is to bring food to the volunteers and workers.  You can also earn a pass by being a Preggers.  No pillows under the shirt please.  We all can tell! 

Menu Monday

Hey, hey, hey!  August begins this week and you know what that means... ARBONNE'S 30 DAYS TO FIT DETOX round 2!

Our first 'clean up' was in April and this is our 2nd go round.  Although I know we won't be absolutely perfect (we have a fun adult only weekend in Dallas in the middle of the month), we are striving for better health always.  Being super strict on our diet and giving our livers a break from, well, junk is welcomed.  It's really not too late for you to join us.  I know it's been on your mind.  You can do this, and you will thank me later for suggesting it for you.

As for my menus, they will look a little bit different beginning August 1st.  Even if you aren't incorporating Arbonne shakes...or Mommy Crack (fizz sticks)...or Craving Curbers (fit chews), you can still clean up your eating and reap some benefits.

Here's my menu...

Monday-BBQ Shredded Chicken Sandwiches, Watermelon, Broccoli and Cheese
Tuesday-Whole Roasted Chicken, Green Beans, Cheesy Biscuits
Wednesday-Enchilada Lasagna, Salad, Watermelon (we have a ton!)
Thursday-Lettuce Wrapped Chicken Tacos, Chips and Homemade Guacamole/Salsa
Friday-Turkey Burgers served on Lettuce, Sweet Potato Fries, Zucchini Tots (omit cheese and use brown rice bread crumb...made from home)
Saturday-Rice Cakes topped with Almond Butter/Strawberries, Greens Salad with EVOO and freshly squeezed lime, cracked pepper and sea salt, Berry Salad
Sunday-Dinner @ Mom's (thankful for a detoxin' Mama!)

Bickering and Whining

Every parent knows that nothing gets under your skin more than listening to your own child's whining and bickering.  It's straight up annoying.

A few months ago a friend of mine posted about using marbles in a jar for her kids.  It reminded me of when I was teaching.  Basically, you had two jars.  One was full of marbles and the other one started out empty.  Whenever the class as a whole would do something positive or presented the desired behavior you were looking for, you dropped a few marbles in the empty glass jar.  When the 'positive' jar was all filled and the original jar was empty, the kids got to pick from a list of reward activities.  It was a great tool for a lot of teachers, but it was one more thing for me to consistently stay on top of.  My teaching style and personality didn't fit well with the marble jar and a whole class setting.

Now that I am a parent and just have two big kids who can understand the purpose of the marble jar, it is perfect for my personality.  The rules for our house marbles are as follows:

• You earn marbles for doing what is expected of you without being asked (i.e. getting yourself dressed, brushing your teeth, making your bed, putting away your toys/clothes, picking your plate up off the table when finished, setting the table for dinner, etc)
• You earn even more marbles for going beyond expectations (i.e. helping one another, mowing the yard, picking the weeds, showing kindness when others are being ugly to you, etc)
• You get marbles taken away when you whine about chores or when being asked to do something, when you show ugliness to each other, when you do not complete what is expected of you. 

So far our jar has worked out very well.  Little Man and Little Miss chose Incredible Pizza as their reward treat.  Within a week's time, the kids are already halfway to their goal.  Managing the marble jar with just two big kids is a whole lot easier than managing a marble jar for 25 big kids.

P.S. The Rhea Lana of South Tulsa sale is fast approaching.  Be sure to stay in the loop by liking their FB page and checking out my blog post here for details!  I know on my to-do list this weekend is to go through all the toys inside and outside of the house, and the kids' closets!  Looking to make the most $$$.  

Plus, I am working on my referral list.  I would love to make 80% on my sales.  You can to!  All you need is 5 people who cosign with at least 15 items.  Three people with 15 items gets you 75% of your profits.

Chubby Cheekers~17 Month Edition

Heeeey,

It's Chubby Cheekers time!  It's hard to believe that next month I'll be the ripe old age of a year and a half.  I've accomplished so much already.  I'm a ladies man, proficient climber, runner, and all around a good guy.  

My newest fascination is Mommy's and Sissy's hair accessories.  I find bows and ties and clips and headbands all so exciting.  Not to mention they really accent my long blond curly cues.  Mommy refuses to cut my hair, but Daddy says it's getting too long.  I prefer the mullet look, but we'll see who wins out.  Daddy mentioned something about being 'Head of the House' and blah, blah, blah, so I think he'll win out.  All I know is I hope there is something left on the back because I love the party going on behind me.  Of course, it will be all business in the front.  

Last week Mommy and Daddy had a stomach bug for a day or two.  Although I felt bad for them being laid out on the floor, I took full advantage of exploring opportunities.  I am so sneaky that I was able to push the bar stools over to the counter, climb up, get into the cabinet above the counter, find the candy jar, and help myself to not one, but two delicious suckers.  Once Mommy and Daddy figured out what was going on, it was too late.  I was already sticky and cute and adorable.  I didn't even get the Mommy Look.  Secretly, I think she was impressed with my determination.

My family has had a lot of fun things planned this summer.  At my church  we got to go to the party out back and Daddy shared with me and my special lady friend his favorite kind of popcorn.  I secretly have a crush on my lady friend, but I'm think she uses that to her advantage.  See if you can figure out what's she's trying to pull...

First, she locks me in with those big beautiful eyes.

Then, she reaches in on MY popcorn maintaining that adorable, but innocent look.  It's okay.  She's still my girl.

Then she does it again.  I see her trying to lock glances, but I'm like, "Oh no, girl! No more for you.  I'll stick with my MOMMY for a main squeeze!"

That was my first date night.  It didn't go so well.  Maybe next time I'll lock glances with her, but keep my snackies at a good distance.  After all she is a cutie pie just like me.

Love,

Chubby Cheekers

Menu Monday

When I pause.  When I take a moment.  When I stop and take it in, I see it.  I see time that I cannot stop.  I see life changing.  I look at my husband and see gray hairs that definitely weren't there 16 years ago.  I stroke Little Miss' hand as I sing her bedtime song, and it's not a baby hand anymore.  Chubby Cheekers climbs and talks, and I see he's not an infant anymore.  Little Man makes his own breakfast in the morning, and I know it's the beginning of his independence from me.  I'm going to be real honest, I love the stages of my kids lives, but I mourn what has passed.

{My best attempt of photog-ing the offspring}

This past week I have done a lot of reflection.  Have I used the time with my kids wisely?  Have I focused my energy on what's truly important?  Did I listen to what was important to them?  Did I make them feel important?  Am I helping them grow the spirit within them that God gave them?  Am I helping them realize their purpose?

Can you see my head has been spinning?  I'm thankful for times of reflection and change.  I never want to be settled in my relationship with my husband or children.  So pardon me as I figure these things out and spew my thoughts on this blog.  I know you are all so thankful for my newest level of craziness so you can feel more of a normalcy in your own life.  I get why you come.  It's okay.

For those of you who are already over my deep thoughts, here's my menu...

Monday-Enchilada Lasagna and Corn on the Cob

Tuesday-Southwest Chopped Chicken Salad, Honey Buttered Biscuits

Wednesday-Baked Fajitas and Salad

Thursday-Hamburgers, Chips and Salsa

Friday-Oven Baked Chicken, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli

Saturday-Sandwiches, Salad, Chicken Noodle Soup

Sunday-DATE NIGHT!!!! 

Rhea Lana of South Tulsa~CONSIGN NOW!!!

Back to school is around the corner and I know what most of you are thinking. 

Money, $$$, cash...it's going to cost a fortune.

Well, what if you flipped that state of mind?

Money, $$$, cash...I'm going to make some!

It's time to empty those toy bins and closets to turn your unwanteds to cash!  Get yourself prepared for back to school time and line your pockets with easy money by consigning with Rhea Lana of South Tulsa.

As a consignor you will be relieved to know the following:

• Rhea Lana of South Tulsa gaurantees the items you tag in store.  That was a big selling point for me. If for some reason an item gets lost or stolen, you are gauranteed to be paid for that item.  You can trust that your items are safe while at the sale.
• Only high quality items are allowed in the sale.  No clothing that smells of smoke, stained, or holey makes it into the sale.  Therefore, higher end shoppers love this sale and buys your stuff!
• You have access to LIVE sales through the website or app.  Basically, you get to know what you are making at any given point during the sale.
• Consignors pay a low $8 fee (taken out of your check), and make 70% of your sale price.  If you want more back, check here on how to do that!
• You get your check on pick up day.  No waiting around for it to be mailed to your house.  That's instant gratification!
• If you should choose to volunteer and meet new mommies, click here.  Maybe I should mention that you will walk out away with new friends AND $10 in Rhea Lana Bucks to be used at the sale!!!

Now that you have the fire lit under you to make some money, here's the info on how to make the most money for yourself.  If you are looking for the biggest bucks go straight for your kids' toys.  Those are always the first to sell.  Don't be afraid to discount them to half price.  If, for some reason, they don't sell immediately at full price, they will sell first on half price day.  Plus, you don't want that stuff coming back in your house, right?  After all, you just cleared it out.

Okay, you're done sorting through the toys.  Now, it's time to go big.  Strollers, pack-n-plays, bassinetts, car seats, exersaucers, play mats, furniture, it all sells fast!  There's no better way to make room in your house than ridding it of big items.  You'll also be thankful to have the space and make money off your big ticket item. 

Gently used clothing and shoes do well too!  Get to sorting items by size and gender. 

Who knew making money could be so simple?  Not to mention you can turn around the shop the sale later on for even better savings on back to school clothes and shoes.  We may be doing uniforms this year, but guess what??? Rhea Lana of South Tulsa will have a uniform rack!  Be on the lookout for that one...or not.  Better save that rack for me :)