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Monday, September 23, 2013

Lifestyle Changes- Coming From a place of Yes!!

                                                      


Over the rainy weekend, I finished A place of Yes by Bethenny Frankel and really enjoyed the motivation and positive guidance that it gives you. Her 10 rules for getting everything you want out of life are general rules that everyone should follow. Most books like this give you rules that only particular people can follow or you can only follow if you do this or do that. Her 10 rules are very inspiring and help keep you focused on what it is important and not to be distracted by "noise"!
    We all have noise; relationship noise, money noise, business noise, family noise, parenting noise, etc. Noise is all of the worrying and the I cant's and don't wannas. It's all the stuff in our heads that tries to keep us down and not allow us to live to our true potential and achieve everything we want out of life and see for our selves. I never really thought about it like this until I read this book and have noticed since reading this book, I've been able to point out when I was allowing particular           "noises" to affect me and I'm now able to silence them an get done what is needed and stay focused on what was important! 
                                              


                                      


     I absolutely recommend this book, not only to any one that needs help focusing on the good things but also just as a good read! I plan on printing these 10 rules out to hang in my office to keep me focused on my goals and remind me that you CAN do anything you set your mind to, even on the "I can't" and "I don't wanna" days! 

Peanut Butter Bars

   
                           

 All you need is :
- 1 1/2 cup of Peanut Butter
- 1 lb of powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup of butter (melted)
- 12 graham crackers, finely crushed 
-bakers chocolate or chocolate frosting 
- glass dish <what size>

Mix all the ingredients together until well blended, place in to glass dish and even out. If using bakers chocolate melt chocolate. Once melted, spread  evenly over the top and allow to harden. Cut into bars & ready to eat! 

*You can even add sprinkles, M&Ms or any of your favorite toppings to the top. 

It truly is that simple and easy! 
                    
                     Hope y'all enjoy! 

I call em' Peanut Butter Balls- you may call them buckeyes.


 
     One of my favorite holiday treats is chocolate covered peanut butter balls. I recently was reminded by a certain Ohio State Fan that they were called buckeyes :p I refuse to call them that! College football gets the best of me :)
     I haven't made Peanut Butter balls since Christmas 2012 and decided to make some! These are so easy to make and very tasty! It's sure to be one of your favorites as well! ( they are not healthy at all however so, don't make if it isn't a cheat day- you have been warned) 

All you need is : 
-1 1/2 cup of Peanut butter
-1lb of powdered sugar
-1/2 cup of butter (melted) 
- 12 Graham Crackers, finely crushed
- if dipping in chocolate you will need - bar of bakers chocolate
- wax paper
                                

     Mix all the ingredients together, once all is mixed and blended well, you can begin rolling them into balls. 
      If dipping into chocolate- break the bakers chocolate apart and place into a glass bowl. Now, you can do this two ways; if you have a double broiler or you can make make your own and melt the chocolate or you can melt it in the microwave. If you decide to melt the chocolate in the microwave, do this in 30 second increments till the chocolate is melted to make sure you do not burn the chocolate. ( I've done this too many times, even knowing better, and burnt chocolate doesn't smell great) 
     Once the chocolate is melted, dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate and place on wax paper, the chocolate will harden and are ready to eat!



You can also make peanut butter bars the same way. ( see blog for recipe)

Manic Monday- let's get it going!

Hey y'all! Hope everyone had a great weekend- it was a wet one here!
                         
We stayed in all weekend and really just hung out! It's been a while since we did that. Thankfully there was of course football on all weekend. The Gators & Saints won! :)
                                                 

 I also had a good book, the kids played board games, video games, watched movies, and we had a 1000 piece puzzle that needed to be put together!
                            

                           
This as far as it got- & yes that is the one and only The Swamp a.k.a. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
                           

That is pretty much what our weekend consisted of. I, of course got stuff done around the house! All the tedious work that a mother and wife has to do. :p 

On a brighter, cooler note- Happy Fall Y'all! 

                      
I'm excited for all the Holidays coming! I love decorating and the cozy feeling of fall and winter HOWEVER I hate the cold! Living on the coast, my definition of cold is probably completely different them your definition of cold! Anything below 65 is cold. If I need a jacket, it's cold, and I'm freezing- luckily we have a about a month if not longer of warm days left, so that will be nice to enjoy the beach some more! 

Hope everyone had a great weekend! We're looking forward to all the fall activities! It seems that the next four months will fly by, as I think of everything that is planned. :) Have a great week! 


                            





Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies.




                          

     Thursday started off as a crazy day! I did the new iOS7 update for my iPhone, which by the way, I LOVE! Anyways, I checked my alarm before bed Wednesday to make sure that the update didn't delete them or anything, so they were all there but I didn't check the sound .. the alarm sound had changed and we woke up 38 min. late on Thursday. With only 10 min to get ready, I really thought we were going to miss the bus. All of us moms know that the morning is crazy already, so add a 10 min. RUSH to it and you would think you were at the circus. I was so thankful my kids got up, got their clothes, on brushed teeth, grabbed lunches, and were out the door and eating breakfast on the way to the bus stop & we made it!! So that's how my Thursday started off. I had some work that I needed to take care of and I also was meeting with a friend so I decided to make the kids a special treat and bake something for us to snack on and her to take home to the family as well.

When I opened the cabinet I new exactly what I was going to make! This is a SIMPLE throw together dessert. You can of course make this homemade but It was just what was in the cabinet. All you need is: 
•A box of Brownie mix 
•Chocolate Chip cookie recipe, or cookie roll. 
 & you then have Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies :)

              


 Make the Brownies as directed on the bow, ( you may also need oil and eggs) Pour the brownies into a greased pan, Drop a ball of cookie dough, or place a ball in several spots all over the brownie mixture. Bake as directed for brownies and pan of your choice. You can even add sprinkles to the top if it's a special occasion or buy fall sprinkles and Welcome in Fall!

Friday, September 20, 2013

Friday Five!

     Well the week has come to an end and its the weekend again! YAY! I love our weekends! Its the only time that we have no schedule or anything specific unless we make plans & then it's,  FUN plans :)  This has been a pretty great week though, so my favorites :)

1-
Started the week off right! Spent a beautiful day at the beach! This is one of my favorite views! I'm so glad its warm enough to still swim! I saw in Colorado it was 48 this morning.. whew, I am NOT ready for cold weather.

2-
 
The leaves are changing, well only two spots :) Autumn starts Sunday!


3-
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies! I was getting together with a friend on Thursday and wanted to bake a special little treat just to snack on and send some with her for the family! I thought this would be a great idea :) & they were so YUMMY!!! (Recipe coming soon)



4-
FULL MOON SHINING BRIGHT - :) I love a full moon! & Especially living on the water. We had Open house to go to last night  & then we went and spent some time with my sister and brother in law so I got to see it from their street, but it was still very big and bright!
 
 
5-
My daughters Open House for school was last night - this was one of her pieces of work that was hung in the hallway! It says: When I grow up I wanna be a princess. I have to marry a prince and I can live in a big Castle. I will live at Disney world. - the only words she spelled right are I, to, a, and Disney! Lol- My baby girl loves Disney! 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Throwback Thursday

                           
2009 - Fun times with some great ladies! We really laughed A LOT during these times! It's very nice and important to still keep in touch with each other! 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Wordless Wednesday











^^^( I know this is WORDLESS Wednesday but I mean really it should just say watch out it can go anywhere) :) 







BOWS BOWS & MORE BOWS

     It is no secret that I love Bows! So I wanted to share all of our bows with you all and give you all a little insight to RaisedSouthern.com on our blog as well. Here Im going to post our new products and updates to RaisedSouthern.com. Thanks for following & staying connected.

                           
Customization is FREE - all of our ribbon will be posted next week by for you to choose your own style! 

                                  
We also make fishing earrings, you choose your color! ( it's a secret but we will soon have some. Classic southern jewelry available!) 



               




Also order you a baby blanket!!! These blankets are great for newborns, and keep sakes for them as well! We especially love these for swaddling and tummy time! Customize to match your nursery! 

 
                                          

      Visit us at RaisedSouthern.com and check out all of our products and much much more!!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Techy Tuesday - Lifestyle Changes

              

                                      
    

      Usually I watch what I eat, workout, and make sure I'm staying under my 1200 calorie healthy eating lifestyle.  Over the summer it seemed that I had "fallen off the wagon", the kids and I were snacking, spending a lot of time at the beach snacking, and cooking and baking a lot of their favorite goodies.Now I need to focus back on me and making sure that I get that work out in everyday and that were all eating healthy. Of course because I am the mom and wife whatever I cook, is what is eaten and the lunches and breakfasts are of course made by me as well, so because of that everyone is going to be getting health, whether they know it or not, and in more ways then one.

     I prefer to consider any change, especially when it comes to getting healthy a lifestyle change. I don't like the word diet, I think because the first three letters are d-i-e and that's pretty much what you do when your on a diet. You die for some chocolate, or you die for taco Tuesdays, etc. With all the technology now a days, workouts are literally at your finger tips. I found some apps I enjoy and they help me stay in line and their FREE! What more could you ask for? I think the only money that should be spent when you are making healthy lifestyle changes should be done on food because and any odds and ends that will help you and fit your budget, because everyone is different and needs different things for their success.
 
     Here are some apps and other techy stuff that can help you keep your healthy lifestyle on track when it comes to watching what you eat and working out!


                            



The First App is Fast Food it gives you 7 pages of fast food and restaurants and their meals so you can
check out the serving size, calories, sugars, sodium, etc. This app really helps because you can see what your fixing to put in your body instead of just reading it and "thinking" its good for you. Even though the app really makes you want that cheeseburger.

Next, we all want a trainer, but don't have the time for a set schedule and need some flexibility? Try Workout Trainer. This app gives you 100s of FREE workouts from easy to high intensity workouts with someone walking you through the steps, and encouraging you during the workout. This works great for me for several reasons; I live in the middle of no where therefore, its about a 30 min drive or more to the nearest gym, I don't drive. I am terrified of it, and honestly, even if I did drive, I don't know where I would fit it in. It's so wonderful to have a trainer, be at home, and having the flexibility to do it when I have the time.


Now we all know that it isn't just working out that keeps us in shape, even though we all think well I work out so I can eat what I want and it just does not work like that. Here with MyFitnessPal you can keep track of everything you have eaten for the day and know how many calories, sugars, sodium, etc that you are receiving. Not only does it have a huge library of foods it also gives you the opportunity to put your recipe in for things that are homemade or your creation. Also, add your workouts to this to bring your calories back down and see what you need to eat to complete you day and healthy lifestyle.

If apps aren't for you there are many online options. My fitness Pal is online as well, and you also have the ability to use YOUTUBE for your workouts! THERE ARE SO MANY available to you! Check out some of your favorites and get moving now!
I will be checking in every couple of days with how we are doing and the changes we have made. Hopefully sharing how we are making changes simply will inspire some of you to do the same, because there is no reason not to be healthy except that we are lazy!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Just another manic Monday - I need another Sunday!

*This post is in no way affiliated with Lamberts Cafe.

                             


     Whew, this weekend flew by WAY to fast!!! Saturday my son started his bowling league.. it was a busy morning so I didn't get to take any pictures (I was not happy about that! - Some to come next week) He really enjoyed bowling and we love this particular bowling alley! After his bowling we decided it was time for Lunch, we wanted to go to Lamberts Cafe, Home of the throwed rolls. This place has the BEST FOOD! Check out their website at http://www.throwedrolls.com/ This was the first time my husband had been there. We just have never went and ate there on one of our kidless Friday nights and we have never went but I'm very glad we went and my husband absolutely enjoyed it and said we will be going back! Its one of my favorite restaurants in our town. It is a tourist place so if your here or near Foley, AL make sure you get there early!
                                       
                                                                      We love goofy pictures

     On Sunday it was BEACH DAY! YAY! - It was such a beautiful day so we enjoyed some time with the kids and family on the beach.
                                                            


                                               

Hope everyone has a great week!!






*This blog is in no way afilliated with Lambert's Cafe

Our Disney vacation is a year away! A year is nothing right?

     Anyone who is a Disney addict knows that it's an exciting thing when you decide the official dates of your vacation, even if it is a year away! We have set our vacation for September 2014 and I couldn't be more excited! Things always seem to be more focused on and prioritized when you have an exciting vacation planned, no matter how far away it is. So we will be starting the countdown I'll be focusing on getting everything in order so we can start saving before the end of the year and start planning all that we wanna do :) Hope Everyone has a great week! I know I will be just thinking about it! (Not to mention we will be attending Mickeys Halloween Party next year -and I'm so excited about all the stuff I  am seeing now all over the place!)


                            magicalkingdoms.com Ticker
Get your FREE Vacation Countdown at MagicalKingdoms.com                                        . \\



*This blog is in no way affiliated with Walt Disney World, or MagicalKingdoms.com

Friday, September 13, 2013

Are you a Mean Mom?

                                              
     You're mean!!! I think as mothers we have all heard that atleast once and I'm sure will probabaly hear it a lot more. I know when I hear it I think, really? I'm mean because I care for you, feed you, clean up after you, give you money, buy you stuff, - I could go on and on .... but I'm mean? I guess its just something that is suppose to happen between good parents and children. To me, being called a "mean parent" just means I am doing a good job. I make sure my children know I am their parent first and friend second. My children have rules, responsibilities, morals, manners, values, and confidence. I don't think I'm doing to bad of a job. On a particular day where i heard I was "mean" and it wasn't even from my child, I turned and asked my children, am I mean? My 9 year old looked at me like I was crazy and said, "no your not mean, you just care and we aren't allowed to do whatever we want." The particular child that said I was mean is pretty much allowed to do whatever she wants, for the most part, and the kids can only play together if they are here and well, there are rules in my home. I also asked my 6 year old who said, " you are mean when you get on to us for being bad". All I could do was laugh at that answer.  I was scrolling through Pinterest, as I do daily like its the newspaper. I found this artical called 12 Ways to be the meanest mom in the world it was submitted onto a site called familyshare.com by Megan Wallgren. This is pretty much exactly how our house is.


    
Once, I walked out of the store without giving into my child’s tantrum for a cookie. A woman stopped me in the parking lot and told me I was the best parent in the shopping center. My daughter wasn’t so sure. When your kids tell you you’re mean, take it as a compliment. The rising generation has been called the laziest, rudest, most entitled kids in history. The stories about spoiled rotten kids scare the best of moms. Newsflash: it's not just the kids, it's the parents. It’s easy to want to throw in the towel with your own kids. After all, don’t we all want to be the cool mom? Don’t give up. They may think you’re mean now, but they’ll thank you later.Here are 12 ways to be the meanest mom in the world:
     1. Make your kids go to bed at a reasonable time. Is there really anyone who hasn’t heard how important a good night’s rest is to a child’s success? Be the parent and put your kid to bed. No one ever said the kid had to want to go to bed. They may put up a fight at first, but with consistency, they'll learn you mean business. Now enjoy some quiet me or couple time.
     2. Don’t give your kids dessert every day. Sweets should be saved for special occasions. That’s what makes them a "treat.” If you give in to your child’s demands for goodies all the time, he won’t appreciate the gesture when someone offers a sweet gift or reward. Plus, imagine the dentist and doctor bills that may result from your over-indulgence.
     3. Make them pay for their own stuff. If you want something, you have to pay for it. That’s the way adult life works. To get your kids out of your basement in the future, you need to teach your children now that the gadgets, movies, video games, sports teams and camps they enjoy have a price. If they have to pay all or part of that price, they’ll appreciate it more. You may also avoid paying for something your child only wants until he has it. If he’s not willing to go half with you, he probably doesn’t want it that badly.
     4. Don’t pull strings. Some kids get a rude awakening when they get a job and realize that the rules actually do apply to them. They have to come on time and do what the boss wants. And, (gasp!) part of the job they don’t even like. If you don’t like your child’s teacher, science partner, position on the soccer field or placement of the bus stop, avoid the temptation to make a stink or pull strings until he gets his preference. You are robbing your child of the chance to make the best of a difficult situation. Dealing with less than ideal circumstance is something she will have to do most of her adult life. If children never learn to handle it, you’re setting them up for failure.
     5. Make them do hard things. Don’t automatically step-in and take over when things get hard. Nothing gives your kids a bigger self-confidence boost than sticking to it and accomplishing something difficult for them.
     6. Give them a watch and an alarm clock. Your child will be better off if he learns the responsibility of managing his own time. You’re not always going to be there to remind her to turn off the TV and get ready to go.
      7. Don’t always buy the latest and greatest. Teach your children gratitude for, and satisfaction with, the things they have. Always worrying about the next big thing and who already has it will lead to a lifetime of debt and unhappiness.
     8. Let them feel loss. If your child breaks a toy, don’t replace it. He’ll learn a valuable lesson about taking care of his stuff. If your child forgets to turn in homework, let him take the lower grade or make him work out extra credit with his teacher himself. You are teaching responsibility — who doesn’t want responsible kids? They can help remind you of all the things you forget to do.
     9. Control media. If all the other parents let their child jump off a bridge, would you? Don’t let your kids watch a show or play a video game that is inappropriate for children just because all their friends have done it. If you stand up for decent parenting, others may follow. Create some positive peer pressure.
     10. Make them apologize. If your child does something wrong, make her fess up and face the consequences. Don’t brush rudeness, bullying, or dishonesty under the rug. If you mess up, set the example and eat your humble pie.
     11. Mind their manners. Even small children can learn the basics of how to treat another human with respect and dignity. By making politeness a habit, you’ll be doing your kids a huge favor. Good manners go a long way toward getting someone what they want. We’ve all heard the saying, "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."
     12. Make them work — for free. Whether it’s helping grandma in the garden or volunteering to tutor younger kids, make service a part of your child’s life. It teaches them to look outside themselves and realize that other people have needs and problems, too — sometimes greater than their own.With all the time you spend being mean, don’t forget to praise and reward your children for their stellar behavior. And always, make sure they know you love them. Here are 10 things a mom should tell her kids every day. With a little luck, your kids can turn the tide and make their generation one known for its hope and promise. -
See more at: http://familyshare.com/12-ways-to-be-the-meanest-mom-in-the-world#sthash.FaajlcG6.dpuf

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Throwback Thursday

My dad & I at my graduation, 5 days before I had my son! (May 5, 2004) 


My son, he's 9 now! :) (2005) 


My grandfather & Logan! My popsie! (2004)


My daughter with her attitude :) and she was only 3 months. (2007)

Big Smile! (2004)

One of my favorite pictures on my great grandfather- my papa(2005)

3 generations! (2007)