tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64144849965945809302024-03-13T16:45:21.184-07:00...Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.comBlogger759125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-13125473257485433372013-06-27T11:16:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.489-07:00Enjoy your Home NOW! - Pep Talk + Free 'Projects' Printable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enjoy your Home NOW!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can make this happen...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">live pretty, less stressed...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">within the time you have and your budget!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQ1Yg58ergA_azl80Vh2IbSOOF_iCoxVMwn04FUUS-Gb3pm7G1Ig059L-Bza8ThoXDOFilV_7m5oG1tT3oxOWdtLq25G7xS1gPwmqzZ4Td6YIh12A6NRED25ef2bavGiomYk092mmzk0/s600/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQ1Yg58ergA_azl80Vh2IbSOOF_iCoxVMwn04FUUS-Gb3pm7G1Ig059L-Bza8ThoXDOFilV_7m5oG1tT3oxOWdtLq25G7xS1gPwmqzZ4Td6YIh12A6NRED25ef2bavGiomYk092mmzk0/s1600/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama5.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Growing up, we 4 kids always "teased" my mom about how</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she ALWAYS would say "ok..lets make a plan"...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, now that we are older..we still lovingly tease her but with</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the realization that WE SAY IT NOW ALL THE TIME!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband laughs every time I say "ok babe we need to make a plan."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Seriously.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make a plan.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a list girl. and that is the only way thing can happen sometimes!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It helps take all the cluttered thoughts and stress we put on ourselves</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as women, wives, mothers to make it all be put together around us!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By writing things down we can get it out of our head and onto paper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love decorating my home..but sometimes things like,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh I don't know..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">having 3 kids and no money to just throw around, get in the way ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">psh. lame.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the same time, I know that I want to not keep putting off these home projects that I know would make me LOVE our home.. and enjoy moments in it more!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I'm a stay at home mom stuck in the house for a good amount of</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hours each day..I want to love my space!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SO..I realized that I just needed to "make a plan" and I would be</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">able to get through some of the projects and make it happen!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I created a free printable to help you do just that in your home too! <i>yipee free printables</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?or5gc4ddne9a83u">The Busy Budgeting Mama's Project Printable- Free Download</a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Print one out for each project.. as few or as many as you have in mind!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made it with nifty little circles to check off.. so you feel awesome. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having a price area there you can keep track of how much a project will cost you..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then by having a space for you to fill in where you'll get it </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(or to mark if you already have it)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you can make your trips to the store more time efficient!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I put a timeline next to the steps..so that you can lay it all out there so you don't feel overwhelmed <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Maybe monday you'll buy supplies. wednesday you'll spray paint the frames.. etc..)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq7dX8QiJ76Pd7et_ANoQXvhxpG9TgqQT3IvJBvjeL1NwRZVrNKmsIrDCjdxkBXFzf4zzdlDYwnWgfgoQhVeNXEUYE2CADBJzxBhqN-ENJ73twWA9fzOQ3h5FPmwJJNdnegxthv-ANmk/s742/ProjectList-TheBusyBudgetingMama-to+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq7dX8QiJ76Pd7et_ANoQXvhxpG9TgqQT3IvJBvjeL1NwRZVrNKmsIrDCjdxkBXFzf4zzdlDYwnWgfgoQhVeNXEUYE2CADBJzxBhqN-ENJ73twWA9fzOQ3h5FPmwJJNdnegxthv-ANmk/s1600/ProjectList-TheBusyBudgetingMama-to+post.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">MY TIPS TO HELP MAKE</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HOME PROJECTS HAPPEN:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>-Invite company over.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Makes you hustle your buns.. with that motivation,you'll probably</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>finish projects that have been on your list </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Hide unfolded laundry in your room on your bed.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Have a sitter come over during the day for 2 hours.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>You will be amazed at what you can get in done in a short amount of uninterrupted time.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>or maybe you won't be amazed...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I forgot what was even possible until the other day when I had help. haha.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Gather Ideas from <a href="http://pinterest.com/thebbm/">PINTEREST</a>!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>You'll feel inspired..and your creative juices will be flowing.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Shop your house.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really wanted to decorate our new space(we moved over easter)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but I didn't want to spend a lot of money.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes gathering up items and seeing them all together, seeing what you have...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">helps you </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">think of how you can use them in a new way!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the projects I wanted to make happen right after moving into our</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">new rental was to hang a gallery wall using all of the black and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">white frames </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've collected over our 6 years of marriage.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoy it EVERY DAY. I spend a lot of time in our kitchen and family room...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so It was really important to me to make it happen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I posted about the <a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/2013/05/black-and-white-gallery-wall-up-in.html">gallery wall</a> already. I eventually plan on posting</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the details on what I put in all my frames.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(below photo: sophie building a house. serious business.)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaH_OpePDfF4NQXgu_CsqSaLzxwbnJXY65_xK4baHfHmz5P9qol8iJ_Xyhx71DRvxC6Cp7vZaIuKwhOPCHSuTEM1qhlrmxCwtx6vgUUDDhrBm1h2ElE1qXsX3hfcyfTnqFLzoLMqSWb_Y/s770/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaH_OpePDfF4NQXgu_CsqSaLzxwbnJXY65_xK4baHfHmz5P9qol8iJ_Xyhx71DRvxC6Cp7vZaIuKwhOPCHSuTEM1qhlrmxCwtx6vgUUDDhrBm1h2ElE1qXsX3hfcyfTnqFLzoLMqSWb_Y/s1600/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are days NOTHING can get done.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and you need to give up</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and go play in the backyard.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">just do it. watch the clouds or something.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">eat ice cream , put the sprinklers on or blow bubbles on the front steps.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try again tomorrow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-40yGkVzZfzJrTbaHhhRqgSZ4P6Csf-prELU5i2vIcxWaJjKbp75rPsfryYIiR7mq1VCMIaQcVfpJH93Iiwn-Af29etryUTVssxlc19XIfiJ5oSGC4cgi8_sVQOMpngaPI4NEN2sTcA/s670/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-40yGkVzZfzJrTbaHhhRqgSZ4P6Csf-prELU5i2vIcxWaJjKbp75rPsfryYIiR7mq1VCMIaQcVfpJH93Iiwn-Af29etryUTVssxlc19XIfiJ5oSGC4cgi8_sVQOMpngaPI4NEN2sTcA/s1600/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILYWqWxYQ4y7NjY8pY_RpSpAoQjJ51-xjILyMV4CfcsfyZrc7Oi6OCzlnsjYfR0-SJUdns6b6qyxf_YxDw_VV5ZZR35u0ttwZ_IYnn1L960JLJlC443iisSFQtHhXLgYL1ChPlNzprYA/s794/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILYWqWxYQ4y7NjY8pY_RpSpAoQjJ51-xjILyMV4CfcsfyZrc7Oi6OCzlnsjYfR0-SJUdns6b6qyxf_YxDw_VV5ZZR35u0ttwZ_IYnn1L960JLJlC443iisSFQtHhXLgYL1ChPlNzprYA/s1600/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY6cARcl8nLFHVaMnLWBvgBoGQNYNv8GR9Vo__lr2-SOdizk-bzRvzmDk9mrmk2hrdln1WwBbGa-dAoEbc9LnMKswpShvAU0uvynpDVkPd_Lz6TeKoMphbDMg2iWx_iQG-fN2eGZSa7U/s600/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY6cARcl8nLFHVaMnLWBvgBoGQNYNv8GR9Vo__lr2-SOdizk-bzRvzmDk9mrmk2hrdln1WwBbGa-dAoEbc9LnMKswpShvAU0uvynpDVkPd_Lz6TeKoMphbDMg2iWx_iQG-fN2eGZSa7U/s1600/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama6.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Enjoy your space. no matter how big or small it is!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even<i> little</i> projects can help make your house, HOME.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and then LIVE in it. </span>Enjoy it...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let your kids help you "decorate" with stuffed animals on the sofa..</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">micah was as confused as I was. I guess they thought</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the space needed more personality.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPzE3gZO-Q_B1GVc7pxukpFiHvqOXNIQ1fhiZbuhNc2-E9cjVRfi0tmntctO86kFXS-Qq2vFonK0KKi1TYgKwUJKWB07RhG0v7ADLYgzLHisSwy11msPAYKMKkCzhr-zM8WKqNMsoxQg/s600/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPzE3gZO-Q_B1GVc7pxukpFiHvqOXNIQ1fhiZbuhNc2-E9cjVRfi0tmntctO86kFXS-Qq2vFonK0KKi1TYgKwUJKWB07RhG0v7ADLYgzLHisSwy11msPAYKMKkCzhr-zM8WKqNMsoxQg/s1600/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama8.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> This is your Pep-Talk!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get so many emails from mamas who are like ahhh</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to do this project or that project but I just can't make it happen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FIRST THINGS FIRST: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(This goes for all women, but)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are a mom.. You are doing ENOUGH.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">YOU are enough.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">your kids are alive? awesome.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">your kids are laughing and having fun in between punching each other? awesome.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Make a plan"..and make your house a home for YOU...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> but know that even if you don't have frames on your wall you are pretty awesome.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want you to feel motivated and capable..but also encouraged in that </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you aren't the only one trying to make it all happen and stressing about it when it feels like it just isn't happening.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have all been there.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Print off this printable. write down all the ideas and projects you want to do...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">including the steps and budget and then...relax.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">go squeeze on a baby.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">unless you are writing while squeezing a baby like I usually am.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They seriously don't stop touching me..... ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbUHNnJY7I1d5AJ6E7ySuVvjWitNDWBu50illLapceFi2YWq1lbUsY-DoJ1NpJk5EwknaEStLFnYgdY6iGl_kJ02X8eTL0JJCEoLatVhO3U1GBy9mB3ANt3anw-UX7x0T3iLubX_IQ5k/s600/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbUHNnJY7I1d5AJ6E7ySuVvjWitNDWBu50illLapceFi2YWq1lbUsY-DoJ1NpJk5EwknaEStLFnYgdY6iGl_kJ02X8eTL0JJCEoLatVhO3U1GBy9mB3ANt3anw-UX7x0T3iLubX_IQ5k/s1600/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hyUtu-5aRXmAwwI2HrRZbpHJI-Xx0W3V0hH0QtVnPn9HSet1bCemcwcQCQjo8SLNc1NxdkuZ_CzSsHaZvoP-piq-PEEoQ_hYj1k3ooKbrQ7U9bjEhGNNo_LFOWmQjY4i5t5xF_R0BkE/s812/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hyUtu-5aRXmAwwI2HrRZbpHJI-Xx0W3V0hH0QtVnPn9HSet1bCemcwcQCQjo8SLNc1NxdkuZ_CzSsHaZvoP-piq-PEEoQ_hYj1k3ooKbrQ7U9bjEhGNNo_LFOWmQjY4i5t5xF_R0BkE/s1600/decorating+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama7.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-92047471905507109602013-06-26T04:52:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.506-07:00House of Rose Comes to Pittsburgh! - VLOG: We're Expert Mothers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you follow me on any of my social media...You've seen some of</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this awesomeness, as it was happening!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I met Mandy, of <a href="http://houseofroseblog.com/">House of Rose</a> at BLISSDOM this past year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have stayed in touch and really became good friends..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> always wishing we lived in the same city!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We felt so similar and had so many of the same interests and goals for life..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not to mention we both have 3 kids and have a place in our hearts for healing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">( her with adoption and orphans and me with domestic violence awareness)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago.. I get a text from Mandy:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hey! do you remember how long we said it would take us to get there? ummmmm we want to come visit you! lol.." She said they would get a hotel and take the 10 hour drive..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and that it was an idea she had during worship that day at church"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My response: "MANDY!!! we would seriously love it!!"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(And the crazy thing is a few weeks earlier BEN was the one saying we should invite them to visit sometime!)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we of course decided sooner the better..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so the trip was planned for the NEXT WEEKEND!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love having spontaneous friends like that! And because "company" was coming..Our 3 month to do list became a 1 week to do list and I was way more settled than I thought I would be at this time because of this motivation ;) Ben was thrilled with the new time frame of the to do list ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**It needed to get done anyways!! ;)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNOtkickDCBbvcgOLSgYfEZ24JyiIV9mwOym2gH8XLXM8liQBS9UHlMztCBoIaAgdrR6tg5bhxXsRwU8vuBPzZGCneusnDwbclfk6BdEkatIv_q_qremtpqs-vcBbkxtTbnQnVfS5zUs/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNOtkickDCBbvcgOLSgYfEZ24JyiIV9mwOym2gH8XLXM8liQBS9UHlMztCBoIaAgdrR6tg5bhxXsRwU8vuBPzZGCneusnDwbclfk6BdEkatIv_q_qremtpqs-vcBbkxtTbnQnVfS5zUs/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama2.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IT WAS SO FUN.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously! It was so nice seeing Mandy again..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">getting our families together. our husbands together!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It felt so natural and like we were old friends. I have to say I was soo in awe that she thought we were worth a 10 hour car trip with a vehicle full of kids...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know how crazy road trips with kids can be!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I am so happy that they did it because my girls were so excited for our company and still talk about their friends. ;) We had a weekend of fun.. laid back pittsburgh fun. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I really feel so blessed to have found this friendship with Mandy!</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I only met her because of blogging..because I took that risk and leap of faith and went to BLISSDOM even though I only knew 1 person in real life that was going and we weren't even going together! God really works in our lives! He sees the big picture! We had both read some of the other's blog posts..but then re connected right before blissom.. and then during and after the conference became good friends.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mandy had found my blog through shannon's story...and I really feel like shannon has helped me find a friendship that I was needing in this time of my life right now.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband even told me that he facebooked mandy the day after they left just to thank her for making the trip and to tell her that he saw how happy I was..and how it made him think of how since losing <a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/2011/06/my-best-friends-funeral-victim-of.html">shannon</a> I have found it hard to find friendships that came about so easily and effortlessly and with such an awesome connection! Right now in my life I feel like I've been blessed with a great group of women..and mandy is one of those people that inspires me and lifts me up. She is such a creative and joyful person.. and I think we, as mothers..as women, need to be surrounded by people like mandy! If you are feeling like you are lacking in that area of your life.. don't fret! E-mail me. ;) I can be your girlfriend next door.. sort of. haha. I know how it can feel lonely or stressful some days as a mother.. and having connections with other women who "get it" is important..I hope you find that here! And don't be afraid to take a risk.. it might mean you'll discover a friendship you wouldn't have had before!</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had lots of playing this weekend!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We played at the park... in our back yard...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had pizza and lollipops for dinner! crowd pleaser here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made a nice big <a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/2013/05/favorites-fried-fresh-mozzarella-and.html">dinner</a> for father's day.. but other than that we kept it simple and easy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were lots of giggling and forcing of children to take photos with over exaggerated "this'll be funnn!!" comments--trying to get them to cooperate..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they are used to their mamas so they were pros.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">what did they expect? two bloggers together? we need to document this!!! haha.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1KgTgU3bT__Kcfwl5gwpzZY4ilYdE8EkFKJR4PiZDR3kbkIpPe_hUp8m4wmMFXHZPQGcKYTnfjQ5zGdFoIl6sheDVTltSjqajM4CZs5LfYXQF92AEEaEH3ZGeA3BUjA8OpQOSfdZf0A/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1KgTgU3bT__Kcfwl5gwpzZY4ilYdE8EkFKJR4PiZDR3kbkIpPe_hUp8m4wmMFXHZPQGcKYTnfjQ5zGdFoIl6sheDVTltSjqajM4CZs5LfYXQF92AEEaEH3ZGeA3BUjA8OpQOSfdZf0A/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama6.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSVYRS-GyUGkN-2iQ1vFeAggWeHSJvv_KxoTQwGFWLY6Kcj3sAJhM4WzDTEArOFdb46E9Mj0yJReyhpXOBIRiGqdNMmhDvvexW1ukbxU1yJtoqQenxGHe-l8rLz4Ge2wa3dF5WsZ4lKQ/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSVYRS-GyUGkN-2iQ1vFeAggWeHSJvv_KxoTQwGFWLY6Kcj3sAJhM4WzDTEArOFdb46E9Mj0yJReyhpXOBIRiGqdNMmhDvvexW1ukbxU1yJtoqQenxGHe-l8rLz4Ge2wa3dF5WsZ4lKQ/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama11.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I already shared on my blog the fun little <a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/2013/06/hotel-gift-bag-for-our-weekend-company.html">Gift Bag</a> we surprised them with at their hotel...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew I wanted to do a nice detail for their arrival since they were traveling 10 hours!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtlRdMY4Jr_QRL8oyfRF-6Xv4DofLAzr9sjB2VzQmUesl_DEILRgCbyssHjfbc7UL4YmqxHPUaip9c6VKJVSF12MzrJSPq1H9fVtCOarSVvSRHkkZziUYPWln8xZEOilF_WnJUzPpj4Q/s1600/hotel+gift+bag-thebusybudgetingmama1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtlRdMY4Jr_QRL8oyfRF-6Xv4DofLAzr9sjB2VzQmUesl_DEILRgCbyssHjfbc7UL4YmqxHPUaip9c6VKJVSF12MzrJSPq1H9fVtCOarSVvSRHkkZziUYPWln8xZEOilF_WnJUzPpj4Q/s1600/hotel+gift+bag-thebusybudgetingmama1.png" style="cursor: move;" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our husbands were great about taking</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on the role of photographers </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">over the weekend as well ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They knew that when we said "hey can you get a picture of us"..what we really</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">meant was "take at least 10 pictures of us."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another perk of hanging with a blogger friend who documents everything like me.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she turned the camera on my family! loved some of the shots she</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">got of sophie and micah and I!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZA-RBH2Tt1SCo78__z0t3H-CTL4Ewn8Z-ZUMz2njAePRW9b0OlIM7o9cgMEZ4ehjSt0MoIekNXsyru6K3EQxlhB8ivzVf29a68QgtTrjbK0kgcZFpTYYGuwsspYYIxwaqNArgFbTEdY/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZA-RBH2Tt1SCo78__z0t3H-CTL4Ewn8Z-ZUMz2njAePRW9b0OlIM7o9cgMEZ4ehjSt0MoIekNXsyru6K3EQxlhB8ivzVf29a68QgtTrjbK0kgcZFpTYYGuwsspYYIxwaqNArgFbTEdY/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama10.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Playground fun. Can't wait for the day when micah will</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">be able to sit up with them! He is ready to be a part of the action.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really loved seeing our kids play together... It just made my heart happy! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeibfPATKyNooXp2K5daOd86v8tduf1cFRp5KDhCGA48MCfyzsqrYQHriSSVMMyBD2neJFIyjeGahfNxEeOeSnfgZfaWhLyHmGPkzUXviF4ZNy-bmwXNZV-dL4A96X_ub063c-BpuaAPw/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeibfPATKyNooXp2K5daOd86v8tduf1cFRp5KDhCGA48MCfyzsqrYQHriSSVMMyBD2neJFIyjeGahfNxEeOeSnfgZfaWhLyHmGPkzUXviF4ZNy-bmwXNZV-dL4A96X_ub063c-BpuaAPw/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama12.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because they were in Pittsburgh..we of course had to take them to the Incline!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A fun ride that takes you high up the side of the mountain and you can overlook the city!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's beautiful. (The first photo in this post is from on the way up.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also went to the zoo. I absolutely love the Pittsburgh Zoo.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(It has a great membership price so we go now and don't even spend anything!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was also fun getting Abby, of <a href="http://justagirlandherblog.com/">Just a Girl and her Blog</a>, to join in on the fun!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is the sweetest and so glad I discovered her through Mandy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our husbands already exchanged numbers to play tennis! Can't wait to get our families together..I randomly bumped into her at target a couple days ago! crazy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU-LwctNllJUQia0netYO6e5-hV0FFeNVgyE0Kf8g0TdeL-VGymuyvHDGNQRb64VbOFZSjlkfa4hkmCDEdwnNOa1UmgTyy9yLxZSwetsxdHLFoYlGr7E-isuNkAaPsu0vwq-NV3Nmcx4/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU-LwctNllJUQia0netYO6e5-hV0FFeNVgyE0Kf8g0TdeL-VGymuyvHDGNQRb64VbOFZSjlkfa4hkmCDEdwnNOa1UmgTyy9yLxZSwetsxdHLFoYlGr7E-isuNkAaPsu0vwq-NV3Nmcx4/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama7.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday night we had our sitters come over and watch all the kids so we could have a double date night! We took them into the city..had dinner at <a href="http://www.atrias.com/pnc-park-renovations.shtml">Atria's</a> in the</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">stadium and then walked the bridge into the city and grabbed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dessert at <a href="http://www.olive-twist.com/">Olive or Twist</a>. Cute place.. amazing desserts.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was such a nice night.. took pictures on the bridge.. had GREAT conversation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PhpLjU8OccVTOIeFsn1TD6a7CtZ-Khfuq5eCmz9cPKNEUmWFxnLq_0Ylusw6iAw8RVjAkZwVZAT0oUbza8ZOsMXRQkIQvc44f7ttSLyUC4CiQ4zAWuGryx41-Xmyvjo24TpTx_W2RT8/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PhpLjU8OccVTOIeFsn1TD6a7CtZ-Khfuq5eCmz9cPKNEUmWFxnLq_0Ylusw6iAw8RVjAkZwVZAT0oUbza8ZOsMXRQkIQvc44f7ttSLyUC4CiQ4zAWuGryx41-Xmyvjo24TpTx_W2RT8/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama8.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And now.. a little Expert Mothers Spoof...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">for your enjoyment.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://houseofroseblog.com/">Mandy </a>and I created this video to share how skilled we are in parenting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are your children as well behaved as ours?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kL1clvRlcR4aQvJcrkZYAP-7MPOKrjRZUpTk06uqKUZ5fJhBnsGRhw5rnXCcLWTSpxqM-hK_QY0ArAPqY0qD4GKRu4_Hfddu_gCO8XXeHW8zRRMX94mPNkT4Fd3mMoMpbyU9ipL4DJg/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kL1clvRlcR4aQvJcrkZYAP-7MPOKrjRZUpTk06uqKUZ5fJhBnsGRhw5rnXCcLWTSpxqM-hK_QY0ArAPqY0qD4GKRu4_Hfddu_gCO8XXeHW8zRRMX94mPNkT4Fd3mMoMpbyU9ipL4DJg/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama3.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Cpj2QmnWKAg?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the fun parts of getting together with blog friends..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was seeing the instagram feed come to life ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like Mandy and I both try to share "real life" on our blogs in a positive way...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And after our fun and crazy weekend adventures with our kids together we</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">felt like we wanted to share how it went down..through video.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And also here's some shots of when we were trying to get "blog post" photos.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We just ended up laughing and going with it. ;) REAL LIFE.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMjQFqDDOKIs215pGwekKRFTOyWi-MW6V-jNC58sBf_DJcmcyoAQ4BJyI7-7QZarLMvRCIAaAxW-W6YE1vrx0UUwXZnlac-2n41mZl38jMTj4a3kLAgzhDC1E-_B8_SWmvietb7mLFwY/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMjQFqDDOKIs215pGwekKRFTOyWi-MW6V-jNC58sBf_DJcmcyoAQ4BJyI7-7QZarLMvRCIAaAxW-W6YE1vrx0UUwXZnlac-2n41mZl38jMTj4a3kLAgzhDC1E-_B8_SWmvietb7mLFwY/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama5.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last day they were here we celebrated Father's Day with our amazing men..</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by giving them a chocolate cake (cake boss) of their dreams.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mandy was so sweet and gave me a cute going away present.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Art is now in my kitchen. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcr3w8nY3lCdoCMjCkaQQerG1vAaaqMTxnnlcJg4EZlPhu-dkNaFpjL331cZtdg1ctd-2J7_erZ9cbnp1hwfiTkkGjCgIjqN6cZIUQ7AZkmqDa_0l0XdY-v0CtSE-aM95FMBbIZ-kWK5I/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcr3w8nY3lCdoCMjCkaQQerG1vAaaqMTxnnlcJg4EZlPhu-dkNaFpjL331cZtdg1ctd-2J7_erZ9cbnp1hwfiTkkGjCgIjqN6cZIUQ7AZkmqDa_0l0XdY-v0CtSE-aM95FMBbIZ-kWK5I/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama13.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were so sad to see them go! But excited for</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the next time we get our little crews together!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You should stop over and say Hi to Mandy at <a href="http://houseofroseblog.com/">House of Rose</a>...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">she is posting her visit recap today too!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOofM5MEfx9LdywuCLqAEuG7Dsf-EZM1fJW5f0s28Yr6yp-bYDVhZXRzymXdwqUjnmPZd5UXQ2U3bPlGgrHiFeh1tL3vXEfx6oUaiZb3bQjtKA-CB8O3cVpLUvh3QPhxvHhXe9bwNnFc/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOofM5MEfx9LdywuCLqAEuG7Dsf-EZM1fJW5f0s28Yr6yp-bYDVhZXRzymXdwqUjnmPZd5UXQ2U3bPlGgrHiFeh1tL3vXEfx6oUaiZb3bQjtKA-CB8O3cVpLUvh3QPhxvHhXe9bwNnFc/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama1.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check back next week for the "official" video we created for you guys!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was fun to make it..and even more fun to watch the outtakes. we are ridiculous.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've had starting a blog on your heart..or wanting resources..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you won't want to miss that post!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi7oN8FJibNB9crVvuOn5eCmHfTOOWzE-rH7q9dbGC5tCKSkG0Esvrni8i7n8MF0A1xzkEsYvVS_Uu7qEziBk__hjy7gNem68ryEOP-nLYarvYMd41NvZAshtw7MkeU-5G1gjjWbxids/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi7oN8FJibNB9crVvuOn5eCmHfTOOWzE-rH7q9dbGC5tCKSkG0Esvrni8i7n8MF0A1xzkEsYvVS_Uu7qEziBk__hjy7gNem68ryEOP-nLYarvYMd41NvZAshtw7MkeU-5G1gjjWbxids/s1600/HouseofRoseVisit-thebusybudgetingmama4.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></span></span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-14100349535658531972013-06-23T19:53:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.517-07:00iPad App Love- English POP - VLOG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ToO3YK7m9fQTol5ce8dYfhT7pJZ_CIMjuz0XM8jYCeM3EFDu3SFaBF5Tk8PSAgNwrv5iPbjLIDde51g6Y8Tr-nyZpeRR6de6esNDcZSC_DKyPV9dYhacjlXWlZSUEwKLLA9E1f0l-jg/s1600/CJEDUCATIONS-thebusybudgetingmama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ToO3YK7m9fQTol5ce8dYfhT7pJZ_CIMjuz0XM8jYCeM3EFDu3SFaBF5Tk8PSAgNwrv5iPbjLIDde51g6Y8Tr-nyZpeRR6de6esNDcZSC_DKyPV9dYhacjlXWlZSUEwKLLA9E1f0l-jg/s1600/CJEDUCATIONS-thebusybudgetingmama.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a big fan of our iPAD. The girls got one from santa this past year...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and it has been a lifesaver! They love to play games together on it..or put on music and have a dance party. I sometimes let sophia play on it during her "quiet time" while sienna naps.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it has made making dinner a possibility some nights</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when I didn't think anything but pb&j's were a possibility.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've posted about my girls' <a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/2013/01/our-favorite-kid-apps.html">Favorite iPAD Apps</a> Before...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I'm excited to add English POPS to the list!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cjeducations.com/">CJ EDUCATIONS</a>, creator of English POPS, saw my girls playing another game they created (Play123) and got in touch with me to see if the girls would like to try out a new app that they just created! It's not available yet..but will be soon! I'll keep you posted on the details because my girls LOVED it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a video sharing more on the English POP App!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CJ9QSAOnC5E?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The graphics in the app are so cute! and the music is fun and playful.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a series of interactive stories available to download.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their favorite was the Polar Bear learning to say thank you.. the Hippos saying excuse me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ones we tried out all seemed related to manners and learning important words/phrases.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZoyhvP4PZctCXxLEYM0M3oALOyzGtWUvR4Lm2OIR84-jofnyWFPrZNUeDHvMQHP72h5vL6R3iVoMHq6mf_d5jukIUcMzC5digaCVx2xctQ4OdRTMlaRiIP6MZmmkLXRFanCYrohr8Bk/s1600/CJEDUCATIONS-thebusybudgetingmama5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZoyhvP4PZctCXxLEYM0M3oALOyzGtWUvR4Lm2OIR84-jofnyWFPrZNUeDHvMQHP72h5vL6R3iVoMHq6mf_d5jukIUcMzC5digaCVx2xctQ4OdRTMlaRiIP6MZmmkLXRFanCYrohr8Bk/s1600/CJEDUCATIONS-thebusybudgetingmama5.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw_3OAbV6q4PxFxMF1hI3Kfz6wPWyNF7-o-bdrAqP7LVcpcnZ9JNfmGelHVEUvr6vXkbzCYXzRdqgetCnbz8mVLPdzT83Z_uc3o4_Si2CiYVrs55C1gA1lteboF3uVW4C_SDjgYJKu3M/s1600/CJEDUCATIONS-thebusybudgetingmama2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw_3OAbV6q4PxFxMF1hI3Kfz6wPWyNF7-o-bdrAqP7LVcpcnZ9JNfmGelHVEUvr6vXkbzCYXzRdqgetCnbz8mVLPdzT83Z_uc3o4_Si2CiYVrs55C1gA1lteboF3uVW4C_SDjgYJKu3M/s1600/CJEDUCATIONS-thebusybudgetingmama2.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a I loved how the words pop up that are being read...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and it's very interactive. It can auto read..or you can record yourself reading the parts!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She had fun making the monkey character tell the story with her voice. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3jFlcLKDaF4HAt_gvqjGxcDty6gU1VAGIjJ3DEmHFnjXyIFI6gEEdadw6DQ7xq3SmO72czn6pZ03d99FMitYr5ZspxAkl3F-RbvWRp4JK4DkeBCLafSrGPk477VKpvFKF5FQz3ihgQo/s1600/CJEDUCATIONS-thebusybudgetingmama3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3jFlcLKDaF4HAt_gvqjGxcDty6gU1VAGIjJ3DEmHFnjXyIFI6gEEdadw6DQ7xq3SmO72czn6pZ03d99FMitYr5ZspxAkl3F-RbvWRp4JK4DkeBCLafSrGPk477VKpvFKF5FQz3ihgQo/s1600/CJEDUCATIONS-thebusybudgetingmama3.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are some of your favorite apps??</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has been the go to one when I let them play on their iPAD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And our 8 hour car ride monday to grandma and grandpa's is going to be a lot smoother with this new app. I might have packed oreos as bribery as well. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEwaqxX_0vhyphenhypheng0QJkz3YMIl8efjW1uv-OpuyOKeCzO-iFtfXFEHmBEfXZ8-lFA-kDQCdDBQXwUcaZvfLVEVTRPAL60eA1Z5MLiMA2_oNOFHdW8_34eUser8H9JJxRNc7Lyi7aV3q4j4s/s1600/CJEDUCATIONS-thebusybudgetingmama4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEwaqxX_0vhyphenhypheng0QJkz3YMIl8efjW1uv-OpuyOKeCzO-iFtfXFEHmBEfXZ8-lFA-kDQCdDBQXwUcaZvfLVEVTRPAL60eA1Z5MLiMA2_oNOFHdW8_34eUser8H9JJxRNc7Lyi7aV3q4j4s/s1600/CJEDUCATIONS-thebusybudgetingmama4.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks CJ EDUCATIONS for letting us try out the app early!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can't wait to hear when it hits itunes!</span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-4646063527600833602013-06-21T13:51:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.529-07:00My Favorites from AllDiaperCakes.com + $50 CREDIT to SHOP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_FDDtX5e_ce2HUvACVGGOBX8k4cik-0z1p7Jo7egI5N00FOy5hudv5DP-X85ZxR-kDJvFYokVpxWeCIWjyRHCHjW5olaTCg4qALBGLCqrDsYoZ9VAXYBkYXUxes9cZLDtlj17gJQdv8/s1600/AllDiaperCakes-TheBusyBudgetingMama1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_FDDtX5e_ce2HUvACVGGOBX8k4cik-0z1p7Jo7egI5N00FOy5hudv5DP-X85ZxR-kDJvFYokVpxWeCIWjyRHCHjW5olaTCg4qALBGLCqrDsYoZ9VAXYBkYXUxes9cZLDtlj17gJQdv8/s1600/AllDiaperCakes-TheBusyBudgetingMama1.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had been hearing about this site across the twitterland ;)......</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and was so excited when I checked my inbox</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and saw an email from Laura the owner asking me if I wanted</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to share her site with all of you and do a giveaway!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laura is a work at home mom of a toddler, and another on the way, and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">owner of the online baby gift store, <a href="http://alldiapercakes.com/">All Diaper Cakes.com</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love a mamapreneur!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All Diaper Cakes.com is offering a $50 credit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So be sure to enter below so you can grab up a free baby gift..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for your baby..or someone elses! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told her I would love to take a look and pick out my favorites.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And....I seriously got lost in her website going from one cute baby item to another! It was hard to just pick 10. (I had to limit myself. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are my picks!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkarBLytkEbCcURtHFzexwboDpNlGf9PPaZnnEZaa6xicn7tOLnIBvri9xE3ERUi5c1RAGNP3gR8hGyPpvRkbb7vGFC-F-bODj3Fhdves7gl08nKt4ePZtPvDeWuE3JD_45M7_WVS1Co/s1600/AllDiaperCakes-TheBusyBudgetingMama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkarBLytkEbCcURtHFzexwboDpNlGf9PPaZnnEZaa6xicn7tOLnIBvri9xE3ERUi5c1RAGNP3gR8hGyPpvRkbb7vGFC-F-bODj3Fhdves7gl08nKt4ePZtPvDeWuE3JD_45M7_WVS1Co/s1600/AllDiaperCakes-TheBusyBudgetingMama.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://alldiapercakes.com/baby-boy-tricycle-diaper-cake/">1. </a> <a href="http://alldiapercakes.com/swaddledesigns-hooded-towel-very-light-kiwi-with-kiwi-mod-squares/">2. </a> <a href="http://alldiapercakes.com/nap-time-deluxe-girls-gift-basket/">3.</a> <a href="http://alldiapercakes.com/organic-bodysuit-little-man/">4.</a> <a href="http://alldiapercakes.com/onesie-cupcakes-4-pk/">5.</a> <a href="http://alldiapercakes.com/personalized-modern-stripe-blanket/">6.</a> <a href="http://alldiapercakes.com/owl-theme-diaper-cake-girl/">7. </a> <a href="http://alldiapercakes.com/abc-what-i-can-be-personalized/">8.</a> <a href="http://alldiapercakes.com/babee-covee-orange-circles-6-in-1-baby-blanket/">9. </a><a href="http://alldiapercakes.com/my-snuggle-bunny-personalized/">10.</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I plan on doing more features like this.. showing my favorites.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was like shopping for all my friends! (you guys!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think these would be fun gift ideas..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but I seriously NEED that car seat/nursing cover for next baby. Love that print!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the tricycle diaper cake?!?!? AMAZING.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/56d1434/" id="rc-56d1434" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-72413049145633980612013-06-21T11:44:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.538-07:00Despicable Me 2 Screening Giveaway- 3 Family Four Packs - Pittsburgh, PA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite kid movie..has to be Despicable Me!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when I heard that Despicable Me 2 was coming out, I was so excited!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ben and I crack up at the lines..and my girls absolutely love the characters.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was sent a bunch of tickets for the Screening here in Pittsburgh...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and I'm excited to share them with my readers!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ENTER BELOW TO WIN ONE OF 3</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">FAMILY FOUR PACKS TO THE</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ADVANCED SCREENING</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">OF DESPICABLE ME 2.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">7:00PM-PITTSBURGH MILLS</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weekend Giveaway- Winner Announced Sunday Evening!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Tickets Mailed Monday so you can</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">get </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">them in time for the screening Thursday!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A couple days ago a box arrived at our door....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">full of fun Despicable Me 2 Goodies!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgruFvp9URzFamusupb8UpcW3dWwvMJtdDCGnNCSQ_vw6N0efKRapd1IDcCbGf72KkXm_mOM9HoYY5zvO05VVJUxfSfXeOX_x_eCZ1IMwiEcwPbY1sqfUGeen7CmdTMXFKg0pQGLdrug/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgruFvp9URzFamusupb8UpcW3dWwvMJtdDCGnNCSQ_vw6N0efKRapd1IDcCbGf72KkXm_mOM9HoYY5zvO05VVJUxfSfXeOX_x_eCZ1IMwiEcwPbY1sqfUGeen7CmdTMXFKg0pQGLdrug/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMeJmpX_zFf97gbth96bcBO87j6ddI7_nbgsyhKKT3woxDiwlMXXc82IScXGxQc3GRGYvaFcWB9C1s2cp-qKGIQavv1JyGOZlp5GO_OUSt65kMWJxD-UKBm86EhYwxOAskaAb-pMB0mc/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMeJmpX_zFf97gbth96bcBO87j6ddI7_nbgsyhKKT3woxDiwlMXXc82IScXGxQc3GRGYvaFcWB9C1s2cp-qKGIQavv1JyGOZlp5GO_OUSt65kMWJxD-UKBm86EhYwxOAskaAb-pMB0mc/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama2.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The little minions and t-shirts were a hit!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFCB1Q4d3gl-bnOBz00EEheyx2F8uoWZTYMkaAzIGzHctEGqj7ZJQ1WSPA509vcH8p_GlOrbWfYVsA6z0DHmS4MfRfWrtq2ePWMYtkj8R7DEamB7lITLMLbe3LE9NvHd-jvgWLAc-m0Y/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFCB1Q4d3gl-bnOBz00EEheyx2F8uoWZTYMkaAzIGzHctEGqj7ZJQ1WSPA509vcH8p_GlOrbWfYVsA6z0DHmS4MfRfWrtq2ePWMYtkj8R7DEamB7lITLMLbe3LE9NvHd-jvgWLAc-m0Y/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama4.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they sent some fun activity sheets and stamps.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my girls love doing "homework" so it was a perfect little busy time for them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRO1zfMcOGB0wpivMRPr3Zrtnj60gBayVcg6Rch2pDCWXMTIPWo64cAxqbP32YIZo7PRQesmURS3Q6xOlq_oR_htMudz4Fu3bqlIEG7C9-v5X7rH3sroDcq94R4F60SpDSkGtMhNB5WU/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRO1zfMcOGB0wpivMRPr3Zrtnj60gBayVcg6Rch2pDCWXMTIPWo64cAxqbP32YIZo7PRQesmURS3Q6xOlq_oR_htMudz4Fu3bqlIEG7C9-v5X7rH3sroDcq94R4F60SpDSkGtMhNB5WU/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama3.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I think I found Micah's mini me.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bahaha.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXG_15gXM3buTPTlKIGLW7cnCCqIWBjDRq1dX-y4323YTPIbRoAvIyC3QVlMIL31X_sYDNVM7jKcNC2QzXyniGGM6LhNT8BeMG3otKrXMqpB3F8t7XqYCVXDLDMEUEFQYjuiH2N0h3fE/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXG_15gXM3buTPTlKIGLW7cnCCqIWBjDRq1dX-y4323YTPIbRoAvIyC3QVlMIL31X_sYDNVM7jKcNC2QzXyniGGM6LhNT8BeMG3otKrXMqpB3F8t7XqYCVXDLDMEUEFQYjuiH2N0h3fE/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama5.jpg" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42I0oJL1O02qOL5MmdppAqKYJ1riAVQlZkDFPL15jNpeLLaOuUTmUmYhD7pxmxNrmiT8rJiobIcQCFsibKuctu8pgLNQiElLMyp0tjIQfGEKAJ-aJu02z91mxPYVZ1DgfGurVZQYOqVM/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42I0oJL1O02qOL5MmdppAqKYJ1riAVQlZkDFPL15jNpeLLaOuUTmUmYhD7pxmxNrmiT8rJiobIcQCFsibKuctu8pgLNQiElLMyp0tjIQfGEKAJ-aJu02z91mxPYVZ1DgfGurVZQYOqVM/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama6.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaLJyx5JOoqtUFvlHBNoIbnUmJZCwO3oQ-xKeEhRsTpjPKt8dkZNRpAaqlsaz1wgDEsUOwq9b7nK756pTaLwPVo-UeJjA_sFSOJRXaphOXN3FGourPWQGilkXf4faoFzqjg5-aJZ014M/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaLJyx5JOoqtUFvlHBNoIbnUmJZCwO3oQ-xKeEhRsTpjPKt8dkZNRpAaqlsaz1wgDEsUOwq9b7nK756pTaLwPVo-UeJjA_sFSOJRXaphOXN3FGourPWQGilkXf4faoFzqjg5-aJZ014M/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama8.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX5ztK_oSGIFAEOjaQc3ZZRNz-hfFYdHwauf12zqZePsnGY-69I4in_l2spy8XUacJXoDofHrO5V1EZA63NzpYU1KmSdciApTaxKGeaNVVeabc1Vy0pM8LBbc_zGP5Yy5sEJ7N28OZ58/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX5ztK_oSGIFAEOjaQc3ZZRNz-hfFYdHwauf12zqZePsnGY-69I4in_l2spy8XUacJXoDofHrO5V1EZA63NzpYU1KmSdciApTaxKGeaNVVeabc1Vy0pM8LBbc_zGP5Yy5sEJ7N28OZ58/s1600/despicableme2-thebusybudgetingmama7.jpg" /></span></a></div><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/56d1433/" id="rc-56d1433" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am ready for more (former?) Super-Villain Gru, his adorable girls</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and funny minion madness..can't wait to see the new movie</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and see the new story line!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks Universal Pictures and Illumination</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Entertainment for the fun goodies!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO ERIN, SHANAN AND</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CASSIE FOR WINNING THE 3 FAMILY FOUR PACKS!</span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-30248859912810768322013-06-20T13:22:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.546-07:00Ohio Valley Blogger Meet + Greet at IKEA Pittsburgh<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I have had this event on my heart for a while!!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>So glad that it is finally happening!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4CefALFW7_1HdB8naV38cOoLuiN51Xah3cX_K5gemzJsifPh9IT6YRKJ0cgje0rVPSwsJ02g-Trk-G9a_C9B9KQQZkw_1cYw6YOOLWELBIRYpX9pKT9GXyblSPWJnBo6ebjpzfw39mc/s1600/WEB-PROMO-Ohio+Valley+Blogger+Meet+n+Greet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4CefALFW7_1HdB8naV38cOoLuiN51Xah3cX_K5gemzJsifPh9IT6YRKJ0cgje0rVPSwsJ02g-Trk-G9a_C9B9KQQZkw_1cYw6YOOLWELBIRYpX9pKT9GXyblSPWJnBo6ebjpzfw39mc/s1600/WEB-PROMO-Ohio+Valley+Blogger+Meet+n+Greet.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ohiovalleybloggermeet-greet2013.eventbrite.com/">:::PURCHASE YOUR TICKET HERE:::</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>"Join Local Bloggers & Social Media Lovers like you for an evening of fun! </i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Hosted by: IKEA Pittsburgh and The Busy Budgeting Mama</i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>DRINKS. APPETIZERS. TREATS. FUN ACTIVITIES & RAFFLES.</i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>LOTS OF GIVEAWAYS. SWAG BAGS.</i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Natalie,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/" style="color: #ed2184; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Busy Budgeting Mama</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">is teaming up with </span><a href="https://twitter.com/IKEAPittsburgh" style="color: #ed2184; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">IKEA Pittsburgh</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">and some great local bloggers like Kacia of </span><a href="http://coconutrobot.com/" style="color: #ed2184; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Coconut Robot</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">and Angelique of </span><a href="http://www.thepiggytoes.com/" style="color: #ed2184; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Where The Piggy Toes Go</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">.. to bring you a fun event where you can connect with local bloggers, enjoy good food, fun conversation... and win stuff!</span></i></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Don't forget your swag bags! Lots of great brands on board wanting to connect with our wonderful bloggers in the Ohio Valley Area - PENNSYLVANIA, WEST VIRGINIA, KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, MICHIGAN, OHIO, INDIANA! Make a fun trip out of it and connect with women like you!"</i></span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A ticket was bought before the post even went out!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So grab up the tickets.. we are only offering a limited amount.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ohiovalleybloggermeet-greet2013.eventbrite.com/">:::PURCHASE YOUR TICKET HERE:::</a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Can't wait to meet you! and greet you. ;)</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Follow hashtag #OVBLOGGERS to see the planning and event fun!</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's some graphics for you to use if you want to promote</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or use to share that you are going!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LINK TO: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>http://ohiovalleybloggermeet-greet2013.eventbrite.com/</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ja-bGYoCZwbI8PR7qK2O0f0KHTKhkNZe_Xj5mEESiECMUfs1YVEtx8WO4VhtPcNCqgnVjGuYZpNandEcA9lo73vx_U_yFciyab4Q8e5LfGB8Rv7nlEVGTBcxARAIPhew5pRibv1s-XU/s1600/500X500+OVBLOGGER+GRAPHIC.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ja-bGYoCZwbI8PR7qK2O0f0KHTKhkNZe_Xj5mEESiECMUfs1YVEtx8WO4VhtPcNCqgnVjGuYZpNandEcA9lo73vx_U_yFciyab4Q8e5LfGB8Rv7nlEVGTBcxARAIPhew5pRibv1s-XU/s1600/500X500+OVBLOGGER+GRAPHIC.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0x0kQ7cZZJTxiUF7hl7-aqPDFdlGDj5qChQAeoybDoyV3KD5jOGgLiQRFuf4YxFD-uyBzsIjq9JlAxfLAK8W8O-Izo4DwAng2NJDZjmSLm0IrHEh2xn7Pb5bjwMxrYnMpMjrWfxEjiY/s1600/250X250+OVBLOGGER+BUTTON.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0x0kQ7cZZJTxiUF7hl7-aqPDFdlGDj5qChQAeoybDoyV3KD5jOGgLiQRFuf4YxFD-uyBzsIjq9JlAxfLAK8W8O-Izo4DwAng2NJDZjmSLm0IrHEh2xn7Pb5bjwMxrYnMpMjrWfxEjiY/s1600/250X250+OVBLOGGER+BUTTON.png" /></a></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-46625678627589215942013-06-19T16:20:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.554-07:00Hotel Gift Bag for our Weekend Company!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past weekend we had some friends come to town!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I met Mandy (of <b><a href="http://www.houseofroseblog.com/">House of Rose</a>)</b> at Blissdom this past year..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and we quickly became really good friends. We are similar in so many ways.. and I feel beyond blessed to have discovered our friendship through the blogging land!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was so excited about their last minute decision to make the 10 hour drive to come see us...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More details on the weekend soon!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to share something that I</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">had so much fun doing for our company!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have seen the idea of 'Hotel Gift Bags for your wedding guests' all over pinterest.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't plan on getting married again anytime soon....so I jumped at the chance to leave our weekend company a little surprise goodie bag for when they checked into their hotel!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have a tiny house. and although we offered them the basement...I think they appreciated having their space at a hotel. It was good for the kids to have a break from each other too I think. Lots of fun giggling shenanigans were going on all weekend. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was so fun being super sneaky and leaving it at the front desk for them!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sienna tagged a long on our "mission."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqOGcIuyO8Om_r_CRCNuAWapw4WgqAisFxFIquIQZfsyMCD7JkQGElvRn1n57wNWVCDNxHpMB9ULGuWbYKyXZQEceJDOQc_OSkvSq4ynPWh4s1tmzA2FS2gxs7lNakmbl1b8ZkzJwjLU/s1600/hotel+gift+bag-thebusybudgetingmama1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqOGcIuyO8Om_r_CRCNuAWapw4WgqAisFxFIquIQZfsyMCD7JkQGElvRn1n57wNWVCDNxHpMB9ULGuWbYKyXZQEceJDOQc_OSkvSq4ynPWh4s1tmzA2FS2gxs7lNakmbl1b8ZkzJwjLU/s1600/hotel+gift+bag-thebusybudgetingmama1.png" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made up a little tag the night before to look like a hotel privacy sign.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just welcoming them and I even put one of their blog's logos on the car.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://dollarsandroses.com/">(Dollars and Roses)</a> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't help but brand things.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I loaded up a gift bag (from target) with everything a family</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in a hotel room with 3 boy toddlers could possibly need! snacks. juice boxes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fruit. super hero stickers. car stickers. and sticky lizzards.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretty sure the hotel management was THRILLED with the</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sticky lizzard stuck to the ceiling.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband also threw a beer in the bag as I ran</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">out the door to the hotel.. For Jeff. I heard it was appreciated ;) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2AGroWWVeMU88LtTkilxs33Nju1BTlNs-Ic75kzgN5MpgkqbKPk1Y9tQ0rmY17NIOSyhuJWfsY6-NMvw5h0HlaqRHH9-qWwVxDMe9ESmIMt8HTW5X_XGVTpLkBaz5ZLpxCv2J2cwbMg/s1600/hotel+gift+bag-thebusybudgetingmama2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2AGroWWVeMU88LtTkilxs33Nju1BTlNs-Ic75kzgN5MpgkqbKPk1Y9tQ0rmY17NIOSyhuJWfsY6-NMvw5h0HlaqRHH9-qWwVxDMe9ESmIMt8HTW5X_XGVTpLkBaz5ZLpxCv2J2cwbMg/s1600/hotel+gift+bag-thebusybudgetingmama2.png" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was fun seeing the photo of the bag pop up on our instagram</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">feed while we waited for them to come from the hotel to our house!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought it was a good way to start off the weekend. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-RM0UnF_Eu3Vq4rt2z-oRWKJ0SQYGm7XgFVf61hBl2_clh02ChNoGii3IQgKWlrEovHC1QpD2ocub51jzhfm08U3h4EtbTPn0OHF7rjZtbb_XS2CAxQRtsyDqQbq15fbaFAsGZtbQjk/s1600/hotel+gift+bag-thebusybudgetingmama3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-RM0UnF_Eu3Vq4rt2z-oRWKJ0SQYGm7XgFVf61hBl2_clh02ChNoGii3IQgKWlrEovHC1QpD2ocub51jzhfm08U3h4EtbTPn0OHF7rjZtbb_XS2CAxQRtsyDqQbq15fbaFAsGZtbQjk/s1600/hotel+gift+bag-thebusybudgetingmama3.png" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even if you don't have photoshop to create a tag.. a hand written</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tag on a bag full of goodies would mean so much to your visitors!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You could even leave it in the guest room of your house...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or for when they are about to leave.. to take for the drive home!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-91851855432939239702013-06-18T20:17:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.562-07:00Our Family Photos<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was so excited...when Jacquie, a blog reader, left a comment on my blog's facebook page about being from pittsburgh...I checked out her blog, <a href="http://www.thesweetersideofmommyhood.com/"><b>The Sweeter Side of Motherhood</b></a>,</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and saw how completely ADORABLE it was!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is not only a busy mama to two sweet girls.. she is a baker.. an artist..</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AND a photographer.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was so excited to connect with her and have her take some family photos for us.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her price was incredible..it made family photos actually possible for us!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was so good at keeping it fun for our girls while capturing great shots.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are in the pittsburgh area.. stop over and say Hi and schedule a shoot!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She just invited us over for a princess play date... can't say no to that!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even prince Micah was invited. ;)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So nice meeting other creative joyful mamas.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy to have connected... and excited to share our photos. :)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sorry...I couldn't edit this down any more than this.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**Already printed and put some of these in frames I love them so much!**</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>LOCATION- Backyard.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>My dress- target(current). sophie's-old navy(current)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>sienna's dress- target(handmedown)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>micah- polo from target, shorts(handmedown)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfEhuBrAo2zsCIOCWQtYNWIvf3qojpXFB2gOYzXPok5MYt9bfecXf-9SKEIfgjAXFQoQQQs0-XYorU-cnYcBOyqlk26Jfp24qKxdtJDtNgrsZrmYRkob54DbN91ku8Jezgt2FYkUHb5o/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfEhuBrAo2zsCIOCWQtYNWIvf3qojpXFB2gOYzXPok5MYt9bfecXf-9SKEIfgjAXFQoQQQs0-XYorU-cnYcBOyqlk26Jfp24qKxdtJDtNgrsZrmYRkob54DbN91ku8Jezgt2FYkUHb5o/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4MW-Ka9MDntCK2V0FPrFBgfI0YBbnGCGzpHK94O93RFZjglamuljLN0LQ1mAhx1P-rkrY4gTq_q7TMHtQKsRuXOvSTDj4mojOIZKcP2WBIEQg497yVGcHYM0CpZgJXF1jDtrZcmsWPs/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4MW-Ka9MDntCK2V0FPrFBgfI0YBbnGCGzpHK94O93RFZjglamuljLN0LQ1mAhx1P-rkrY4gTq_q7TMHtQKsRuXOvSTDj4mojOIZKcP2WBIEQg497yVGcHYM0CpZgJXF1jDtrZcmsWPs/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama11.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our neighbor was so sweet to let us use part of their yard...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he even went out and mowed it and scrubbed down the benches!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNjh5KDBHzEkmyIuBjNOldt776ReJN_FnjL47J7aX7Yom0K43y27H5_uqG0mcik3c9npZIM6xuKra8mQJ6mNDCud64-7c6x1D669hesdgQLM1_J7-PeNyedlGpnjU1cLo0-o4-Y__5H4/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNjh5KDBHzEkmyIuBjNOldt776ReJN_FnjL47J7aX7Yom0K43y27H5_uqG0mcik3c9npZIM6xuKra8mQJ6mNDCud64-7c6x1D669hesdgQLM1_J7-PeNyedlGpnjU1cLo0-o4-Y__5H4/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFa6_1HkJZhEQ1zalXzI88o_TCTen5UXBM6puxiImX-YZ0Vei6L16SxkvbwONiEGGml4KqYpSSDkVQ0mFmHtzhlZZ6M6aVgyjX-A_gnrRYmIvt9pLV_mVjhEuxf6cesuXE4h7tlOOGEQ/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFa6_1HkJZhEQ1zalXzI88o_TCTen5UXBM6puxiImX-YZ0Vei6L16SxkvbwONiEGGml4KqYpSSDkVQ0mFmHtzhlZZ6M6aVgyjX-A_gnrRYmIvt9pLV_mVjhEuxf6cesuXE4h7tlOOGEQ/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRJCMu9FwDMfu7K8IMcq6-57aE-2CvHOGR2e5ShfYbErqp6ZjkgaR_n7b5oO-Dh6yCDwdqlbk3pTb6C1Rc3OLwi203nHJghbAneSGSCNBdVTkJLZVvW90ZApBaBSoazkcRJyEt7Lr7l4/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRJCMu9FwDMfu7K8IMcq6-57aE-2CvHOGR2e5ShfYbErqp6ZjkgaR_n7b5oO-Dh6yCDwdqlbk3pTb6C1Rc3OLwi203nHJghbAneSGSCNBdVTkJLZVvW90ZApBaBSoazkcRJyEt7Lr7l4/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama8.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGg33HL4xifD6zvBuEeSvz5rRRgYY7FRnmLT_1mkuAFQKpASE3wXNcxxWEDSgI0SwJY5siFJ8sHCf7so9q_cmkEanIixc72bCaoeXcFmgIu3NHvnTNCtcKzDHLmD1bLrA7a52cK3o2zw/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGg33HL4xifD6zvBuEeSvz5rRRgYY7FRnmLT_1mkuAFQKpASE3wXNcxxWEDSgI0SwJY5siFJ8sHCf7so9q_cmkEanIixc72bCaoeXcFmgIu3NHvnTNCtcKzDHLmD1bLrA7a52cK3o2zw/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_LiTMdtbWujssA5o4UKoMHGW7YWU46mPPPoyXcPHLK4FN4V5CQiwL7NGKy6svKvGFu00O7c1a5VXwwfgvLyZXkJR39xnygkmx-BNqyH5Imo716kud4C8n08LU9qhggQJPHvhrSlZAkU/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_LiTMdtbWujssA5o4UKoMHGW7YWU46mPPPoyXcPHLK4FN4V5CQiwL7NGKy6svKvGFu00O7c1a5VXwwfgvLyZXkJR39xnygkmx-BNqyH5Imo716kud4C8n08LU9qhggQJPHvhrSlZAkU/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love my man.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is my rock. and 'he's got da muscles.'</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtAS82Bm3LPsfC0MpIgGFsSjuvmtJcDmJ49rY50w6i9yikwjTGREeotSk3SxVIvCi8Jg2MLSqahyQJuSFjKVbsKQJ9XW1nwvAnjTBV3bJPiZplAtrEOo_AoS2U6UeyVmGen5JXh3wQjE/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtAS82Bm3LPsfC0MpIgGFsSjuvmtJcDmJ49rY50w6i9yikwjTGREeotSk3SxVIvCi8Jg2MLSqahyQJuSFjKVbsKQJ9XW1nwvAnjTBV3bJPiZplAtrEOo_AoS2U6UeyVmGen5JXh3wQjE/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama5.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fHmT5XaemQ5DjwEZDA5IQOPTZl-3Dm_HATJdXx6geESnxrPIoCdwjnfG1GTud45X1RDFBHiBUS5IKkm-laYGJar9Cq77NhwLPps-q5DIs4xfX46nyONGTxDioFcAkZDyGPXcmfUKtWc/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fHmT5XaemQ5DjwEZDA5IQOPTZl-3Dm_HATJdXx6geESnxrPIoCdwjnfG1GTud45X1RDFBHiBUS5IKkm-laYGJar9Cq77NhwLPps-q5DIs4xfX46nyONGTxDioFcAkZDyGPXcmfUKtWc/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama7.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsPbhie4GIYCsSUA6jXgTzgYHEDxSZw31HQcjAthHE0fk0oij7T0RQm05rtFdbRp0YwsZO_D_DqB50NJr55N4u2RFy-Q5uD_8uG7dwY607TBmTg8oKj2Em8ks7TR7UVjnp25kvD6OHgw/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsPbhie4GIYCsSUA6jXgTzgYHEDxSZw31HQcjAthHE0fk0oij7T0RQm05rtFdbRp0YwsZO_D_DqB50NJr55N4u2RFy-Q5uD_8uG7dwY607TBmTg8oKj2Em8ks7TR7UVjnp25kvD6OHgw/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama9.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK5-iCIvJFcFGQsDKwfpz0E5gIk6uQbIaD5NySIQsbIMjixF0W-PS46772ySIlwfwGT8vbkdc0IhleTxqq0hVaRQIySWFwr2MrvpLIecHPSMnvy3YnDy-4Rve6HhWoFHZlTe80nVvWOA/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK5-iCIvJFcFGQsDKwfpz0E5gIk6uQbIaD5NySIQsbIMjixF0W-PS46772ySIlwfwGT8vbkdc0IhleTxqq0hVaRQIySWFwr2MrvpLIecHPSMnvy3YnDy-4Rve6HhWoFHZlTe80nVvWOA/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama12.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7-WUzw6lETzFMkhUpVpMjFBn8fyjoyq1WwHW6CJZwRp7KpA6HsJva9NWGoRxJwDSLVDN5Q0cZhyfbCoJuLIetNVj2TEW81tv1puC9QNwAO-jZXwuPtTpnlFw28sYOHVSXxmiqtFwlNY/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7-WUzw6lETzFMkhUpVpMjFBn8fyjoyq1WwHW6CJZwRp7KpA6HsJva9NWGoRxJwDSLVDN5Q0cZhyfbCoJuLIetNVj2TEW81tv1puC9QNwAO-jZXwuPtTpnlFw28sYOHVSXxmiqtFwlNY/s1600/familyphotos-thebusybudgetingmama10.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for following a long as our family has grown.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feels like just yesterday we had sophie!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then sienna! and then micah!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are so blessed... exhausted-ly blessed. ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are going to try and do family photos more often....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">most of our family photos are taken with a phone camera!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So glad we have these memories captured. Love these sweet people.</span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-44550749779236078582013-06-17T11:52:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.575-07:00Learning to love Myself Postpartum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 months postpartum...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some days I feel like one hot mama...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and others I let my insecurities get the best of me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My post baby weight loss is at a standstill.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everything I've lost so far has come off from nursing, chasing kids and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">going to the gym "ever so often." I eat healthy but haven't gone crazy over it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am realizing that getting my body back after my 3rd baby is going to take</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">more effort than with my first two! With them, I nursed it ALL off.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Micah doesn't nurse as much (shocking I know.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm really trying to love myself more... and that means to take time to get healthy...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but even more, to not focus on the "problem" areas every time I see a photo of myself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harder said than done!</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKEtKna3oWtLJwfVNaFAg4a-kDNRw5zTp8Mm-7psbuMopjV7XzuCW1GcMCpiRsU1Q_y2zriJ2ktwnnB2lfN0a3ji6pua4s1Win8pJ4z2nDfzpyI8ciFYzf9VD513Yo2QO5xATWCRqphA/s1600/thebusybudgetingmama+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKEtKna3oWtLJwfVNaFAg4a-kDNRw5zTp8Mm-7psbuMopjV7XzuCW1GcMCpiRsU1Q_y2zriJ2ktwnnB2lfN0a3ji6pua4s1Win8pJ4z2nDfzpyI8ciFYzf9VD513Yo2QO5xATWCRqphA/s1600/thebusybudgetingmama+copy.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so not brave enough to post a photo of me with no makeup...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but this is with a swipe of foundation. As natural as I can go...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and this is a big step for me!!!! haha. (I feel lame being that girly but its' true.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ68Tk5w4_gRK9x7BCzbDwqIj-vsqrd9B09iVS5e4iWL0XeZk0ooAL8kWPc3-5U4wqVkL_6b2PQq5s89Ni5TnnCtl-3WLuhwIvpMJ6ijn-pvgxNtLTJg-fZqxbElmDXL_2pohnVBcnFg/s1600/thebusybudgetingmama2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ68Tk5w4_gRK9x7BCzbDwqIj-vsqrd9B09iVS5e4iWL0XeZk0ooAL8kWPc3-5U4wqVkL_6b2PQq5s89Ni5TnnCtl-3WLuhwIvpMJ6ijn-pvgxNtLTJg-fZqxbElmDXL_2pohnVBcnFg/s1600/thebusybudgetingmama2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> These sweet little ones are the reasons for</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my under eye circles...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the stretch marks..</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the dirty hair on top of my head.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Totally worth it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9giVbZPZ9k2cCVii6iC5hJBH8u3PJ2WdmHSHUGoaR2u0lRaNyrGwy0bbAtKO8PvkTH-L0tgdFr2vkb0Vw4ACHuHfUONio_u1Bp1TWKeOMqeQKMqFtj10ifBX5SLHYeOdVQSLBferaaM/s1600/thebusybudgetingmama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9giVbZPZ9k2cCVii6iC5hJBH8u3PJ2WdmHSHUGoaR2u0lRaNyrGwy0bbAtKO8PvkTH-L0tgdFr2vkb0Vw4ACHuHfUONio_u1Bp1TWKeOMqeQKMqFtj10ifBX5SLHYeOdVQSLBferaaM/s1600/thebusybudgetingmama.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post is for all the mamas who are feeling like me!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are beautiful and courageous and sacrificial.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try to love yourself today...and realize that God looks at you</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and is so in love. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like insanely in love with you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And He sees the things you have given up or had to bear...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and He takes note of each and every hardship or cross you have carried.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the big sufferings in life that can leave us feeling worn...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to the "small" crosses of longggggg nights up with WIDE AWAKE babies. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope that my inner beauty will shine through...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">past my blemishes and squeezy arms. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope that I can learn to see the beauty in myself that God sees in me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope that insecurities never hold me back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and that my girls learn to love themselves.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by seeing their mama love herself.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Song of Solomon 4:7</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Song of Solomon 4:9</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-24949631348308359112013-06-10T07:57:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.614-07:00MY NEW GAME PLAN- FREE Housework/Meal Planning Printable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0YAlUFVZ3eKa97O0qNmotXkeHOfoZ7L-d6YIcITT00445WEHoJV8a49BpOisQRlk2DF2Sw7EoxGDoh1mnkUK9RVLkusQmiPyxzWn_97jWUhTvFQ__wlpcau7iT2hyWgu4Su-hpeJMks/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0YAlUFVZ3eKa97O0qNmotXkeHOfoZ7L-d6YIcITT00445WEHoJV8a49BpOisQRlk2DF2Sw7EoxGDoh1mnkUK9RVLkusQmiPyxzWn_97jWUhTvFQ__wlpcau7iT2hyWgu4Su-hpeJMks/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama1.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am the queen of the laundry mountain.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The moment I feel like I'm on top of laundry...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realize I completely ignored everything else I needed to do</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the world is completely out of control. It's a vicious cycle!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some days I feel like I have to choose between clothed fed children and a clean house.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a very good list maker...not so much a schedule follower!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I knew that I needed a new game plan if I was going to be able to tackle working part time.. being a stay at home mom.. a blogger.. a graphic designer.. the list goes on.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew that I needed to write out what I needed to do every day so</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that it wouldn't get out of control..but also set it up to be doable!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here is the printable I created for my daily life! I'll print one for each day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The daily chores are divided up into time frames.. NOT set times.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because that just won't work for me. I can't have my schedule put out hour by hour...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT I did put a timeline so that I could plug in different time sensitive things like appointments, play dates or deadlines for each day (It's marked for 5AM-9PM)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(We also have a different page with set times ben and I have time to both work.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">whether it's here or at the office. It's amazing how much more work you can get</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">done in a couple hours when you have no distractions.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew that I wanted to reduce the stress...and by portioning out the daily chores</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and having a set area for my to-do-list and notes.. it would help me not have it all</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">jumbled in my head, looming over me or thinking I had to do it all at once.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's a spot for marking what you are having for lunch and dinner.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> even created an area to remind myself to drink water! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Healthy mind healthy body!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the To-Do-List area I will usually </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">plug in one of the following when</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think they are needed!---</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">monday-scrub bathroom tub/toilet. tuesday: mop floors.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">wednesday: windex windows. thursday: clean fridge/microwave. etc..</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I might have put a little motivational wording at the top for myself. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can download My <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/view/lxxaz8e6dyum6z6/TheBusyBudgetingMama-Daily_Schedule.pdf">Daily Schedule HERE</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla2GjTdrR9hvZF_SELeLBvl2fM112jXTGOZfJwBnXhDdUshlWFPKvlO2Yey6gsXEerwX5Ly-FKT5R4f7OhVUzyC-iccF8uFYAmHMxWdbU7oDemJ-AUfEPYwfaaKOFUZ82YRXzwZsR164/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-Daily+Schedule.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla2GjTdrR9hvZF_SELeLBvl2fM112jXTGOZfJwBnXhDdUshlWFPKvlO2Yey6gsXEerwX5Ly-FKT5R4f7OhVUzyC-iccF8uFYAmHMxWdbU7oDemJ-AUfEPYwfaaKOFUZ82YRXzwZsR164/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-Daily+Schedule.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And because figuring out what's for dinner can be another added stress...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made up a calendar to fill in what I'm making for dinner!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can download the <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/view/dg155j9vl90cmey/TheBusyBudgetingMama-Monthly_Meal_Schedule.pdf">Monthly Meal Schedule HERE</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSck5UFnHLlApxAiQr0JBmMG6xKS3GvknfYMNjmWeN9A_PWZw1Zx_aDnOpu4ML2RznzaSarhNoCDHsNLQY1b9MMjbAtgCExUVLpTZkGie2obW3wbTzVXxTtX3hIDNXRpR84UroMZEqedo/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-Monthly+Meal+Schedule.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSck5UFnHLlApxAiQr0JBmMG6xKS3GvknfYMNjmWeN9A_PWZw1Zx_aDnOpu4ML2RznzaSarhNoCDHsNLQY1b9MMjbAtgCExUVLpTZkGie2obW3wbTzVXxTtX3hIDNXRpR84UroMZEqedo/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-Monthly+Meal+Schedule.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm just starting this new routine..but so far it has been amazing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was so funny..one of the days ben and I both got up and did our morning</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">routine we felt so ready for the day and on top of the house stuff!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ben: "It's kinda stupid but it feels like you conquered the world!" haha...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt the same way. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And when you aren't stressing about your crazy messy house and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">what to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">feed your family for dinner...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you can enjoy moments with your family!</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrN06Wc28q-k7IyazZZKW4O9_-XwauCKG26iTOMT9wGn63A8BJx9G3LuvjCEPxfsRzxuSeC3sx2yXGHZAgGsQdRruppU6qMIgQB-w8cXW_97VVI6J2Tlz5vKV-SuD2OvlCuKZ8Zc66l4/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrN06Wc28q-k7IyazZZKW4O9_-XwauCKG26iTOMT9wGn63A8BJx9G3LuvjCEPxfsRzxuSeC3sx2yXGHZAgGsQdRruppU6qMIgQB-w8cXW_97VVI6J2Tlz5vKV-SuD2OvlCuKZ8Zc66l4/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama2.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6skCApgtppDDgVZ82l5_jnh4dvs8JuVrclR4ODx6ErwgQWE5kJkrrJCb5uWPAfOzInc26uCiD-4Sh7OHxYcEO_Zy587yr9pp41j8eR0h0uHQ8r6P8d4CAulE7SKaeF-j51OPFsrwI9k/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6skCApgtppDDgVZ82l5_jnh4dvs8JuVrclR4ODx6ErwgQWE5kJkrrJCb5uWPAfOzInc26uCiD-4Sh7OHxYcEO_Zy587yr9pp41j8eR0h0uHQ8r6P8d4CAulE7SKaeF-j51OPFsrwI9k/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama5.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've heard that your children sense your stress...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is SOO TRUE.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we moved it was intense trying to get all unpacked</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and handle all the work load we had...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The girls were acting up more and extra "wild"...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We tried to keep it as routine as possible but there was a</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lot of things going on to disrupt the 'normal.'</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They totally sensed our stress and reacted to it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ben and I made a conscience decision to take moments each day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to not worry about all the work we had to do and just have fun with them..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and to do some 'bigger' family adventure each week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(they are easy to please at this age.. a garage sale where they can buy</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a 25 cent toy is exciting...and the park is guaranteed fun.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYAXlkLqBr2Q6_b0pSCIvY3oxHdm6Qa-NKbKq_SpSxaQZhV4y2ki6LEKLzY5KSovjEn48Qc_YlEpAFUyzIWoR02XaGPcHEiQX2X_qyXejGKRQJOgY6dcDqCEeM_j5J2UlXiA_VZk14qY/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYAXlkLqBr2Q6_b0pSCIvY3oxHdm6Qa-NKbKq_SpSxaQZhV4y2ki6LEKLzY5KSovjEn48Qc_YlEpAFUyzIWoR02XaGPcHEiQX2X_qyXejGKRQJOgY6dcDqCEeM_j5J2UlXiA_VZk14qY/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama4.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7-dIHFQNEuTrR5Xce9yFdWYGvfTSmzZkNO3n3LLQdj-prW1bWO70kzIQmArkmNxT7NplDlVXBlIdUHKBMT2BXofvlTLjkrAsvgfeQHcgKqSY3ddWI1zVdbFhKwe5FCrEslv3SG3JwU8/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7-dIHFQNEuTrR5Xce9yFdWYGvfTSmzZkNO3n3LLQdj-prW1bWO70kzIQmArkmNxT7NplDlVXBlIdUHKBMT2BXofvlTLjkrAsvgfeQHcgKqSY3ddWI1zVdbFhKwe5FCrEslv3SG3JwU8/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama3.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtuWkqKt87zpCF2pdoofpaf0CahcKLgpdcTnhAIwayBS2jmT21vumxiq_RmmfWBHfSqs9jTiXjdpEC1sDVqdxsgD0Pq3epCc4-Lv1ytHgle2iIpNY-PkgKjhs7BDmXrmalvp1UDmWOAI/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtuWkqKt87zpCF2pdoofpaf0CahcKLgpdcTnhAIwayBS2jmT21vumxiq_RmmfWBHfSqs9jTiXjdpEC1sDVqdxsgD0Pq3epCc4-Lv1ytHgle2iIpNY-PkgKjhs7BDmXrmalvp1UDmWOAI/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama7.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think every mom needs a reminder that a messy house is completely acceptable.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have kids.. even just one.. life gets busy! It's more than just taking care of you now.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> But I think I've felt more and more capable with each baby I have had.. You learn how to handle the "chaos" a little bit more each time... and probably a part of that is you realize that it's fine if everything is crazy for a while. Toys will be covering your floor for most of the day..you will find the hand towel soaked and on the bathroom floor.... the cup of pretzels you gave your toddler might be found <strike>in</strike> throughout the toy bin... BUT. that's ok. My goal of less stress is to tackle certain areas that lead to making me overwhelmed if neglected!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some days will be crazy still..and the house will go out of control..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but I'm hoping those days will be FEWER.. with this plan. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvs8Rh7QwnGRI15uC2YWkk4FfyUjnG_godGcYF4JeQeqzLahNCZ9y9M7azzZH6pvyuwUNN9jOc61FX_9Z-A6zz32nqcKrcil6lY162DDigdq0CjzOvxljCv-RKvepHa1Bzlz9nOWrwF0/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvs8Rh7QwnGRI15uC2YWkk4FfyUjnG_godGcYF4JeQeqzLahNCZ9y9M7azzZH6pvyuwUNN9jOc61FX_9Z-A6zz32nqcKrcil6lY162DDigdq0CjzOvxljCv-RKvepHa1Bzlz9nOWrwF0/s1600/Less+Stress+Housework-TheBusyBudgetingMama6.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Try this new strategy with me!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm going to see how it goes and maybe make up updated printable if needed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you are having a great monday!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-62129416086114272872013-06-06T20:10:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.656-07:00My New Blog Design is Live!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so excited to finally share the new design with you!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been dreaming in html because of this project. ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have loved seeing how my blog has become a community of women and mothers!</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like I'm sharing our life, all the ups and downs, with a big group of girlfriends.</span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since starting my blog..I have loved seeing how it has evolved and I've found my place.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really wanted my new design to show my personality and make it easy for my readers, new and old, to discover posts they'll love!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are different features to make discovering new posts easier!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A featured slider on the main page will showcase different</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">posts of mine, new and old, that I'm excited about and "want you to check out!!!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a long with our "We like to Party!" page..where I showcase</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">all of the parties(big and small) that I have thrown.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAjZXS_8cid4k8pjkVFd6D1Qv1TKHaYyt8ehGGxMbdMoAliNdCDl5v5sca-Vr-11IcRcT-uKUAcnFqa3VSDbRFsIO3JreG4IVfebTzO9qMypASC3msh1eJjXn8PA1Z5rgI6KneHo1jRc/s1600/thebusybudgetingmama.com.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAjZXS_8cid4k8pjkVFd6D1Qv1TKHaYyt8ehGGxMbdMoAliNdCDl5v5sca-Vr-11IcRcT-uKUAcnFqa3VSDbRFsIO3JreG4IVfebTzO9qMypASC3msh1eJjXn8PA1Z5rgI6KneHo1jRc/s1600/thebusybudgetingmama.com.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The video at the top right is there to welcome any newbies to our community here</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">let everyone know who I am and what I desire for this space!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The drop down menu bar is now loaded with a bunch of different topics</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for you to choose from and see related posts.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also updated my media kit!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can view my full media kit <a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/p/blog-page.html">HERE</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGv2RbbzLMnxygHHnsGq8D4JlfOU2sDyp3ObWJr6qNTpC9gXMc3kx6SArFUt3w5UMFHebJCqHSKnMNuTcyo8BGMRMWmYViu8lMtj3kPWbtLXsNqKsK5Bwak5s2yXPBud6S8sa26Gai48/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-MediaKit01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGv2RbbzLMnxygHHnsGq8D4JlfOU2sDyp3ObWJr6qNTpC9gXMc3kx6SArFUt3w5UMFHebJCqHSKnMNuTcyo8BGMRMWmYViu8lMtj3kPWbtLXsNqKsK5Bwak5s2yXPBud6S8sa26Gai48/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-MediaKit01.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I updated my stats..and realized that the months I throw</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">parties..I get over 144,000 more page loads! WOWZER.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past month, with the move, no parties are happening..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I'm excited for some fun play dates I'm planning..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and SUMMER TIME means it's the girls' birthday soon! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I'm totally guilty of already thinking of micah's</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">first birthday in november.. a BOY birthday!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm also excited to be decorating our new place..and sharing </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the spaces </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">come together. This summer is gonna be loaded with fun posts!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmTe61GReGkjzsGjcZGzw6XWPMNYvpgOb7UnvgVkK5nU04vUkNGPiYvfa-LfO4hxaWLOB1pfqv2j5L3UOLCSxSLFvPmiFdZL1DcZb3335Fi9Bm56PgRoFCnr_HFoMqUbZq_DljXlNS2k/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-MediaKit02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmTe61GReGkjzsGjcZGzw6XWPMNYvpgOb7UnvgVkK5nU04vUkNGPiYvfa-LfO4hxaWLOB1pfqv2j5L3UOLCSxSLFvPmiFdZL1DcZb3335Fi9Bm56PgRoFCnr_HFoMqUbZq_DljXlNS2k/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-MediaKit02.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1koAqfqB9Lqp7uCIg7j9r9MMALxDzzvcywB57O060E4VkBOHFVr2Zc3o2FJlO8E4-n0D1N-iQoU_g79OfG7A3jOTiFAq9R96D1VVL859sCDVRUD6iPdSTlpXu3G19gr6UyBnA3mADNI/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-MediaKit03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1koAqfqB9Lqp7uCIg7j9r9MMALxDzzvcywB57O060E4VkBOHFVr2Zc3o2FJlO8E4-n0D1N-iQoU_g79OfG7A3jOTiFAq9R96D1VVL859sCDVRUD6iPdSTlpXu3G19gr6UyBnA3mADNI/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-MediaKit03.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really wanted to include in my media kit WHO I blog for... there is an underlying mission in my mind when I post. To celebrate motherhood! Even when posting about a crazy day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to be a positive creative place women can go to feel uplifted, encouraged or inspired!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even if that is at the cost of putting it all out there..failures and successes!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want this to be a place for moms..whether they are feeling overwhelmed with life...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and need ideas or a break from the busy...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or for those moms feeling underwhelmed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and wanting to DO something creative and fun and bust out of the routine.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvr73rkoHQVLblK1ZIkuIedAMxiqIPGMs3ogZKhEqol_iCjkPe51es4dP7d6WiilxkJlhPMUjIVKinsgNm9bZYMqtj0mk9FfS65KP9E84AJWaGcOWq5WqzezZj1OZLQW7nmzdcNtPglw/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-MediaKit04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvr73rkoHQVLblK1ZIkuIedAMxiqIPGMs3ogZKhEqol_iCjkPe51es4dP7d6WiilxkJlhPMUjIVKinsgNm9bZYMqtj0mk9FfS65KP9E84AJWaGcOWq5WqzezZj1OZLQW7nmzdcNtPglw/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-MediaKit04.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently asked my readers, via my facebook page, to let me know if my blog has helped them or if they are a fan by leaving their name and where they are from.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was BLOWN AWAY by all of the amazing places people</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">are coming from and reading my blog!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mamas and women all over the world!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I listed a handful of the hundreds of comments I got in my updated media kit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I blog for you guys!! And in return I have been blessed so much.. the support kindness and love has been amazing these years. ESPECIALLY this past year though.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Bzq7dxMxu0Ln5r_9p-fcIIrEygkl1DvR9yArtqhMmNuAS0tkJt65ZpNmo5Cgf2Pa3oloFdhlH2cgw0gFy13nVdVkJ6QlrYkQTzp4xUM1PJP4b8657MAE698LA6zibyYL7gJtamSswpo/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-MediaKit05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Bzq7dxMxu0Ln5r_9p-fcIIrEygkl1DvR9yArtqhMmNuAS0tkJt65ZpNmo5Cgf2Pa3oloFdhlH2cgw0gFy13nVdVkJ6QlrYkQTzp4xUM1PJP4b8657MAE698LA6zibyYL7gJtamSswpo/s1600/TheBusyBudgetingMama-MediaKit05.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, You can see my complete media kit <a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/p/blog-page.html">HERE</a>.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a look around and maybe you'll discover some posts to love!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please share my blog with your friends if you are a fan...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And let me know if you like the new site!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm still as giddy as the first days of blogging when I get a comment!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember calling my mom and being like woohoo nancy from west virginia left me a comment! ;) Blogging is so fun how it brings us together.</span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-25173605736450326182013-06-06T18:27:00.001-07:002013-06-06T18:27:40.402-07:00jasidjlaksdjahalsdjfaslkdsaNatalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-43017647442745062172013-06-05T19:42:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.699-07:002 Years Since Losing Shannon<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today marks 2 years since my best friend Shannon was</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">killed through an act of Domestic Violence.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and an amazing beautiful person was taken from so many people who loved her..</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a whole..each year seems to get easier.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But certain days are easier than others.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I flew into atlanta for a quick 1.5 day trip a couple weeks ago.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And even though I never said it out loud...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that night in the hotel I had a dream...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was sobbing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and was wishing I could go down the street to see Shannon.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deep down I felt like a trip back home to atlanta</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wasn't complete without seeing her.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I watch the video I made below...just to hear her voice in the first clip.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last voice mail she left me..that didn't show up till she was already gone.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some days I just can't watch much further.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While other days I cling to those memories because it was my last moments with 'her'...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/2011/06/my-best-friends-funeral-victim-of.html">The funeral.</a></span></span></div></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/2011/07/truth-needs-to-be-told-details-of.html">What Happened.</a></span></span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="510" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C9xxhz-qCj4?rel=0" width="640"></iframe></span></span></span></div></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day I walked into her house for the first time since I</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">walked through that door WITH her...was a hard day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But also a beautiful one because I was able to see her sweet babies happy and growing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I look back..and remember how when it first happened.. I just remember this incredible weight I felt. sadness. anger. I felt like I could just tilt and fall right over.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember asking my mom if I would ever not feel this way.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But over time I found strength.. and motivation to be a good mom and wife and friend.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember finding it so hard to want to socialize with other moms...feeling like a best friend was taken and how could I ever have that connection with anyone else...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> but then suddenly it turned into a desire to be with other moms to take advantage of the time we have..the moments we have of interacting with people, to make them happy..to invest time into friendships because you never know when you will lose that person.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started to realize that God puts people in your life for a reason.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't take advantage of the time that you have... and the people in your life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember the first e-mail I got from a reader telling me how shannon's story changed their life and gave them strength to act when in a domestic violence situation.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember thinking THIS.... this is why I started this blog so long ago.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If my words on this blog can help ONE person..then YESSSS... it is worth it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is very easy to be angry over losing shannon.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have gone through many stages of grief.. numbness, disbelief, sadness, and I'm definitely JUST leaving anger... I'm trying to shake that.. to not focus on the details of how she was taken...and WHO took her...but how we had shannon for those years.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never want to forget the good memories..</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the goofing off..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTfWI-FmoBoFFDcxN4iO0re4O55J5d5OmXK50It0D1JsIb0bj7bM4a43nhTo_GLb6PYDTT0aux1rY7le5GBzIUEpd17UG9PYC-18TpVNbpCjYwyVILTrFpajti5mDYBYkPq0fdD0RFzk/s1600/friends-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTfWI-FmoBoFFDcxN4iO0re4O55J5d5OmXK50It0D1JsIb0bj7bM4a43nhTo_GLb6PYDTT0aux1rY7le5GBzIUEpd17UG9PYC-18TpVNbpCjYwyVILTrFpajti5mDYBYkPq0fdD0RFzk/s1600/friends-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the time we were extras for a movie in atlanta.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">goofing off on the set and having fun.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(bobby jones: stroke of genius)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNXRXp35KGYovnENRYB-Viu4i_a8WIY-PPQmB7VyEP0oxJaSLtJl2erHdhDIm482KytFKThJmH7xdWwQvw6_ZUPLuXtSGKOMnKiQ7uyaSY6I8UU9A3QTOK8jmrI3St9W3O8k72EUWME8/s1600/friends2-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNXRXp35KGYovnENRYB-Viu4i_a8WIY-PPQmB7VyEP0oxJaSLtJl2erHdhDIm482KytFKThJmH7xdWwQvw6_ZUPLuXtSGKOMnKiQ7uyaSY6I8UU9A3QTOK8jmrI3St9W3O8k72EUWME8/s1600/friends2-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">going to dances!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">getting all dressed up... cassie's mom doing our hair.. ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">feeling pretty and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dancing the night away!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDk-AKzORWV0lPTlOnDOlYUoELwPMibTid-aA4SdI0W3fdo1nmetwKH7EOdayDIfT2GoD1YHqxHpF_zO4XFXZnZvvHT0Y7tAusQztceGFFOPRLxr75QpceZ5uR_sZb6-93RevO3SaQAYU/s1600/friends3-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDk-AKzORWV0lPTlOnDOlYUoELwPMibTid-aA4SdI0W3fdo1nmetwKH7EOdayDIfT2GoD1YHqxHpF_zO4XFXZnZvvHT0Y7tAusQztceGFFOPRLxr75QpceZ5uR_sZb6-93RevO3SaQAYU/s1600/friends3-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the bridal shower the girls threw me...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when they blindfolded me and took me to a restaurant.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(I just found, during the move, the little notebook that they</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">all wrote in the pages and gave to me. I re-read shannon's page more than once.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Z_S1ovdZlg4EuujRPzMzhFoMibIQ_p1fGIJOzFZvjr6p9QFRWE0H4qAUV0FYvQkAjg0HttBwLQoMeCORqzeIDTgg17OlYkjjwhIVptLWm5JbvK50WWzznuOS50cdBYJ-1P3aiaTi4U4/s1600/friends4-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Z_S1ovdZlg4EuujRPzMzhFoMibIQ_p1fGIJOzFZvjr6p9QFRWE0H4qAUV0FYvQkAjg0HttBwLQoMeCORqzeIDTgg17OlYkjjwhIVptLWm5JbvK50WWzznuOS50cdBYJ-1P3aiaTi4U4/s1600/friends4-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></span></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and having her there next to me the day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was getting married.. getting our hair done.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YzwAGxMzPEHBoKvp0v2CCppzgM61RvjAKE1cBn0fhJ9qf_-VX3Hkps7eUhQ1DVVG08QFsKTTIhyphenhyphenzv4eW-aWs7AFvPXvTOhLcz7n_ywowNjxrrL0YGflEU2D-220xNq2Zay7DG_A7n2I/s1600/friends6-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YzwAGxMzPEHBoKvp0v2CCppzgM61RvjAKE1cBn0fhJ9qf_-VX3Hkps7eUhQ1DVVG08QFsKTTIhyphenhyphenzv4eW-aWs7AFvPXvTOhLcz7n_ywowNjxrrL0YGflEU2D-220xNq2Zay7DG_A7n2I/s1600/friends6-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm trying to hold onto those good memories.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will always miss you shannon...but happy to have had you in my life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blessed actually.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blessed to have had you in my life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ48GIWyDHlxMfbw_P-wjtDoU5PWIDuD4D3Pu7LIxAtBy3JCKI5WT-88ErLrdWCv5UPtfUZQNhFwl07buiEc5m9kJTqdGsbwFThIbGRRGIj6wp-b97hl8r45IBhgZ9DacM3cpEE8_HAaE/s1600/friends5-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ48GIWyDHlxMfbw_P-wjtDoU5PWIDuD4D3Pu7LIxAtBy3JCKI5WT-88ErLrdWCv5UPtfUZQNhFwl07buiEc5m9kJTqdGsbwFThIbGRRGIj6wp-b97hl8r45IBhgZ9DacM3cpEE8_HAaE/s1600/friends5-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ff3366; font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Georgia, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">To read all posts related to Shannon you can <a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/search/label/tribute%20to%20shannon" style="color: #ff3366; text-decoration: none;">click here</a>.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Please share her story..<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Memory-of-Shannon-Marie-Lawrence/227300847282075?sk=app_190435500990432" style="color: #ff3366; text-decoration: none;">donate if you can.</a></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have been touched by her story and would like to </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">visit her Memorial Page you can <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Memory-of-Shannon-Marie-Lawrence/227300847282075?ref=ts" style="color: #ff3366; text-decoration: none;">visit here</a>. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Please Pray for peace in our world </i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>and for all those affected by Domestic Violence.</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZyVpbQraB9erKiQkKvxuk8QRfkMqBkuVO-EjORRAMshttGUr14EiDA4P43XsP601gE3R6gxQCi9G62YoNSl3znDlA6HkhapiiWPporyBNDeVkjE2fBU-KM39Pa3vhvzqikM43ZljIws/s1600/401604_445139642164860_1372328051_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZyVpbQraB9erKiQkKvxuk8QRfkMqBkuVO-EjORRAMshttGUr14EiDA4P43XsP601gE3R6gxQCi9G62YoNSl3znDlA6HkhapiiWPporyBNDeVkjE2fBU-KM39Pa3vhvzqikM43ZljIws/s1600/401604_445139642164860_1372328051_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-50772803005987777552013-06-03T07:06:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.739-07:00Tips to running errands with kids without losing ALL of your sanity -just a little-<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>disclosure: taking small children out in public will cause a minor loss of sanity.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>they are children.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately I have been reevaluating how I run errands with the kids.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some days it just HAS to happen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Because we need something</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Because I NEED to get out of the house.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Because sometimes they are angels for me when</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we are actually out n' about DOING something.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've had bad trips and good trips while taking out my little crew.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am learning as I go how to handle 3 out in public.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing I know for a fact...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going out with 1, 2 or 3...as you have your kids it gets harder</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and you will look back and say oh man that was so easy back then...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when you did NOT feel that way when you were living in it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'm trying to remind myself that one day (if we are blessed with more kids)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will look back fondly on these eassyyyy days ;) ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my future self is annoying me right now.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because right now is super hard sometimes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7vtOuWU3qr8vlRMFmNVaThO5SxRgSiyRjcJrR1z3FItHH19KmoHNVC0Irh-gh29JEaztRxUULGw6ZjTwaYlbzEISXvg5Da_G5YNC8Kh0csqUAtZNhqsh8Fr7KruyrrmFQVhyphenhypheneej1gHE/s1600/errands+with+kids1-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7vtOuWU3qr8vlRMFmNVaThO5SxRgSiyRjcJrR1z3FItHH19KmoHNVC0Irh-gh29JEaztRxUULGw6ZjTwaYlbzEISXvg5Da_G5YNC8Kh0csqUAtZNhqsh8Fr7KruyrrmFQVhyphenhypheneej1gHE/s1600/errands+with+kids1-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of my readers and and social media followers have</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">asked me "how do you take them all out?" haha...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which makes me laugh because just yesterday someone asked me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at church how I handle 3 little kids.. and I replied,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm not gonna lie. it's hard sometimes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you will call your mom crying.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but it's so AWESOME."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">MY TIPS:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. When you go out in public people will stare at you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>If you have one child..</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you will get lots of oh my goodness so cute!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MOST People won't open doors for you while you hold a giant car seat though.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That pampering ended as soon as you gave birth to that child! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>If you have two children...</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People will look at you like you are running a daycare..</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">even though you only have TWO children.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will get comments on how cute your kids are...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and possibly an old lady or two telling your child</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not to stand up in the shopping cart.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>If you have three children...</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">people will, with a smile, say "wow you have your hands full!!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To which your daughter will reply....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Mom why does everyone keep saying you have your hands full?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will probably hear this statement a handful of times and want to snap.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but don't.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that would be bad.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they don't realize they are the 4th person to say that to</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you since you entered Old Navy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(photo: sophie being a little mommy wanted to push sienna around. I'm all about containing that 2 yr old.)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7JbdWAOXBTeVad_-J5s8Pzl9bLRyk2gEj1gjvV7GddySdTn0up500nVYOVCz3n7YV6IeubIWmNcbKW3okPFPC6hSJURJt2XDl-Lkv7nlnvXqXgEYfDTgXx7WCAyH3KRN0_C-qX-Iwu4/s1600/errands+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7JbdWAOXBTeVad_-J5s8Pzl9bLRyk2gEj1gjvV7GddySdTn0up500nVYOVCz3n7YV6IeubIWmNcbKW3okPFPC6hSJURJt2XDl-Lkv7nlnvXqXgEYfDTgXx7WCAyH3KRN0_C-qX-Iwu4/s1600/errands+with+kids-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2.When you are out... Be Realistic with your time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will not be able to run into target and grab the 2 items you need super fast.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will have to deal with an I want an icee and popcorn at 9 am melt down as soon as you enter the building. it will be sooo fun. You might get the urge to turn around and go home...stay strong! you are in charge.............</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have found that the times I don't stress about how long it takes us to do things is when I actually am not the most stressed!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. Don't stress about what you weren't</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">able to get done and all that you have to do.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psh.. This last tip is easier said than done. I know. But I read something yesterday and I loved it..."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do not worry about tomorrow. Jesus is already there."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(photo: I'm not above donut bribery.)</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpxZ3YPdG6XBcAO-KFuGmOEsxEW_3ojuck-oUVAmgZ26ouBqEEswC2MFUfmH5edEqB-cdQ0JzKuubm4TbMSy4wQWvUjJPG2fd5w8RLRlxlZCux1EvHLcxWV8aOu8Tg_nM_SyNX4OuyV8/s1600/errands+with+kids4-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpxZ3YPdG6XBcAO-KFuGmOEsxEW_3ojuck-oUVAmgZ26ouBqEEswC2MFUfmH5edEqB-cdQ0JzKuubm4TbMSy4wQWvUjJPG2fd5w8RLRlxlZCux1EvHLcxWV8aOu8Tg_nM_SyNX4OuyV8/s1600/errands+with+kids4-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. Wear a baby if you can.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My K'tan savessss me. I wear it every day- at some point.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've even gone to the bathroom wearing a baby! tmi. but you do what you gotta do.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. Change a baby in your lap.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't care if this offends people... When you have a crew sometimes when you are in the corner of the mall on a bench it is easier to change that baby in your lap then to drag the little crew about to commit mutiny into a mall bathroom. ick.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have learned how to do the diaper hold---- Put the clean diaper under your armpit and then swap with the dirty when changing...dirty diaper doesn't touch anything..and it's super fast. I've gotten pretty speedy. I realized this when a fellow mommy cheered me after.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6. Have fun!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other day when we were out... we were zooming through the store..I jumped on the back of the cart full of giggling babies. I'm pretty sure some store employees would frown upon this type of silliness...but Sometimes some toddler giggles make everything better...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and your kids are soaking up everything you say and do..</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so let them see you laugh! (not just the cranky mama moments because you are exhausted and feel like you say "don't eat that. don't sit on your brother" wayy too often...)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I try to work in fun stops a long the way if I know we are going to be doing a few errands.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like the library or getting free cheese or kid cookies at the grocery store.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And take breaks... my girls love to sit on benches. so if we see one.. we chill for a minute or two. sometimes I have to remind myself that my little ones have little feet. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYhyphenhyphen9LhTbDbYq9aQEwRe2lc0nfPjN_4UMoQKwp6x-tUSn6HbdY3yg60pc2_dvAsyrco4ijmLSVpIt5IwE5gd76B3QEF9cOuiY37cNbRdpVVz_fHAFnyQ0OCB2luHY6_SrNUsy6F_fVw8/s1600/errands+with+kids3-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYhyphenhyphen9LhTbDbYq9aQEwRe2lc0nfPjN_4UMoQKwp6x-tUSn6HbdY3yg60pc2_dvAsyrco4ijmLSVpIt5IwE5gd76B3QEF9cOuiY37cNbRdpVVz_fHAFnyQ0OCB2luHY6_SrNUsy6F_fVw8/s1600/errands+with+kids3-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">7. Pack for the end of the world.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day you don't bring a change of clothes for baby..is the day you will have a poopy explosion of your nightmares. it will be bad. and you will learn your lesson.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pack extra diapers/wipes/drinks/and usually a snack to pull out when I need to stop the sisterly leg pinching in the back seat.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you got anything from this post..I hope it's that you are not alone</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and you are BLESSED.</span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-74624928823388169232013-05-30T13:01:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.779-07:00VLOG: What We Would Do with A Million Dollars + Win 1 Million & 5,000 every Week Mega Prize<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://publishers-clearing-house.linqiad.com/click/YKRQaGWcd3Jk"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tNaJkRo86IcHImWoP4w4KYo2hG1RJ_LScWZb07xM6H4ZJJaKmaZVVDTUwd_32Fw05MjvZTFfuS8dYBDFzCxEWzoZyHRYTPowjK7v7vgn4TkwZewmc80K_RBaSRr13DfzykMCI39-asg/s400/sweepstakes-logo.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #605f5f; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 23px;"><em style="overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible;">Special thanks to Publishers Clearing House for sponsoring today’s discussion.</em></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #605f5f; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 23px;"><em style="overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible;"><br /></em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think we've all seen the videos on tv of the <b>Publishers Clearing House</b> Van</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pulling up and suprising a winner with balloons and a big check!</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you know you can <a href="http://publishers-clearing-house.linqiad.com/click/YKRQaGWcd3Jk">enter to win that check yourself online</a>??! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Ben and I sometimes talk about what we would do if we won money like that.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The kids and I created a video this morning to share...</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Just because videos make blog posts more fun. :)</span></span><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4IetAlX7TvU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">What we would do if we WON:</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">-Pay off debt...... student loans, we don't like you.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">-SAVINGS! Would be such a blessing to have more security,</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">money saved for their college, emergencies and the future.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">-Be able to help Ben's Brother's Non Profit: Dirty Vagabond Ministries.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">-Be able to give more generously to those we meet in need.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">-We are in a cozy 3 bedroom one level house...</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">would love something a bit bigger to fill up with babies and host family! ;)</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">-Maybe buy a bigger vehicle. We have a little hyundae that fits all three kids</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">in the back seat with a squeeze. lots of "she's touching meeeee" going on in that car.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">- I have always wanted to publish a children's book.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I have one written, and having the funds to back it up....</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">would make that dream of mine come true!</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">-Travel to Greece with my husband!..maybe go back to his birthplace of New Zealand!</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">-Travel with our whole family.. go on some fun adventures!</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m sure you’d love to be the next person to win $1 Million plus $5,000 Every Week for Life from Publishers Clearing House! June 30th is their Prize Event. Think about how amazing it would be to receive a check for $5,000 every single week for the rest of your life. In one year alone, you’d have $260,000! And on top of that, the winner would get ONE MILLION DOLLARS ON THE SPOT! Think about what you would do with $1 Million. Now think about what you would do with $5,000 a week for life. Then combine those two thoughts and THAT’S what you could do with the Mega Prize!</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What would you do if you won the PCH <a href="http://publishers-clearing-house.linqiad.com/click/YKRQaGWcd3Jk">Mega Prize</a>?</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://publishers-clearing-house.linqiad.com/click/YKRQaGWcd3Jk">Click to enter online.</a></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://publishers-clearing-house.linqiad.com/click/YKRQaGWcd3Jk"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06ewq1DpIJ7slfw4vo5NATHr3HT9SeMO5o6hUKrRE_GWoS405QjJCKnE7FGd7AhEGay-_3NdnZcr5VpKktTYr3G66qdeLkgKxYFuPJThj15fLUvBMpsO5f65FBuCm2j4nsMtJbLg7WzI/s320/keep-calm.png" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-4156329452006413222013-05-29T12:13:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.819-07:00"No, You cannot marry your cousin."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We recently packed up our crew and traveled to Indiana for my cousin's wedding!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was one of those trips where, during the 5 hour drive, I had to keep</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">reminding myself that we were going to have some good family time!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">**"stop being crabby we're having fun family time!!" might have come out of my mouth at one point.**</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before we lost shannon, I was blessed by a random "stranger" with</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">an airplane ticket to fly down to atlanta to visit everyone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little did I know that would be the last time I got to see Shannon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's experiences like that that make me so much more determined to make the effort, however challenging it may be with little ones, to visit friends and family. Life is too short to stay in the house doing a routine nap time! pshhh.. lets live a little and lose some marbles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so glad we made the effort to go.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Family is important.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The girls had fun, but are now stuck on finding their</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">prince after seeing all the love in the air! ;)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SOPHIE: mom who is going to be my prince? how about jude?</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ME: honey you can't marry your cousin. and you'll find your prince one day!</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SOPHIE: how about micah? ME: you can't marry your brother either.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SOPHIE: why? ME: because micah is gonna marry another girl.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SOPHIE: I'm a girl. he can marry me.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I didn't bring my camera..but had my iPhone to snap away!)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lgKvLNNwmKVuPtpRQvlHy7EBt6kQU_6v4rGph6bY4LoMEEbvALnrahhvB6dGgSTrO1oaQZbNKmEmZg0Zyy1EK8BGgbhrKK_GMF5WmnNlX5H1Jv9KaI8wffSWDMEEuD3jGvxdW1Gf3B4/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lgKvLNNwmKVuPtpRQvlHy7EBt6kQU_6v4rGph6bY4LoMEEbvALnrahhvB6dGgSTrO1oaQZbNKmEmZg0Zyy1EK8BGgbhrKK_GMF5WmnNlX5H1Jv9KaI8wffSWDMEEuD3jGvxdW1Gf3B4/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">car trip tips:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. BUY and PACK scooby doo graham crackers snacks.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looks like dog bones... immediately awesome to toddlers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. pick up bribery dorito bag at gas station.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. do NOT share your water bottle with the toddler who just ate the doritos.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiVnSdxHzD1GSHETlxPGg2SQxJz-XeqgzkqgLtTTOJLyNnlWn9y36hJ0owJThmgt1KNF9vWDJBsKV3uSTf0nDOs-SmUCfGIZO6nOePacUO0d80mI6fsoWkMAnM9zCtQs203KrKafCaCQ/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiVnSdxHzD1GSHETlxPGg2SQxJz-XeqgzkqgLtTTOJLyNnlWn9y36hJ0owJThmgt1KNF9vWDJBsKV3uSTf0nDOs-SmUCfGIZO6nOePacUO0d80mI6fsoWkMAnM9zCtQs203KrKafCaCQ/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama3.png" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My girls have a lot of cousins nearby..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but they don't get to see their atlanta cousins as often.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I was happy they had the weekend to catch</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fish together, eat ice cream and force them to slow dance with. good times.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_lclCFewhED_b44fJays3251fjaBj2-QYMRPIPP1H9FozpQUIzZpv5PPkKXzsj85WIOdFEPQ9OCBDAhs_RcK8Eq-5ZeOSyboAy-Rh8Y6qLh2LoXQhPbeQ-9fpHC61Ylnhps3hAsCK0k/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_lclCFewhED_b44fJays3251fjaBj2-QYMRPIPP1H9FozpQUIzZpv5PPkKXzsj85WIOdFEPQ9OCBDAhs_RcK8Eq-5ZeOSyboAy-Rh8Y6qLh2LoXQhPbeQ-9fpHC61Ylnhps3hAsCK0k/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama2.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My cousin's wedding was BEAUTIFUL!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made the mistake of quietly whispering in sophia's ear "He is about to say you may now kiss the bride!".... because she then responded with "Daddy says you don't kiss boys!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">loud enough for everyone in the rows around us to hear.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">only to follow it up with "Are they going to have a baby now?"........... :::head in hands:::</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMEDiQyeIQTZbfIE7KoN6s_yP0Cswa_670jR2zEaIKINvPezidsaiaiRJpJ2QQ24Pq4_O4dG5KDR20R-EiyoCYXJo_Ue8ePkWKNOfQw31BbsZpJ1HH2KWyMmCbC0aKNlCgBMRLS6Wuuc/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMEDiQyeIQTZbfIE7KoN6s_yP0Cswa_670jR2zEaIKINvPezidsaiaiRJpJ2QQ24Pq4_O4dG5KDR20R-EiyoCYXJo_Ue8ePkWKNOfQw31BbsZpJ1HH2KWyMmCbC0aKNlCgBMRLS6Wuuc/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama4.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the first dance at a wedding reception. love love it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But my cousin and her "prince", as the girls call him, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">had the most AMAZING first dance.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was like straight out of a movie. so romantic!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sophie: "Mom.. the prince is handsome. he has nice hair."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESc8Gf_EC7VCFZ-eb9wPDfQDosECFk5AyCDJVLtmT6-A3ljkxD0nN6FzynnXOvfrZNqqHJZf6CI8PxnrZ14lcx-ExOZYkZsEMvTLTu1osOxV2n0fiDBGj-siGF8yNAOFggiqOX5LnCHw/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESc8Gf_EC7VCFZ-eb9wPDfQDosECFk5AyCDJVLtmT6-A3ljkxD0nN6FzynnXOvfrZNqqHJZf6CI8PxnrZ14lcx-ExOZYkZsEMvTLTu1osOxV2n0fiDBGj-siGF8yNAOFggiqOX5LnCHw/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama5.png" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXriCAcugt4KwKz68_DMwdcU9lIDbnp7Ptj4MJCcKdZb0VYz81OoExqGgcUwodL5Jk_OEO85yxDZe42keYINVW7Uoyrj4kpLKzb6f0CYERcFo0HVTeE3zRk5m5lN3NeQ3rYQeRoUg5SY/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXriCAcugt4KwKz68_DMwdcU9lIDbnp7Ptj4MJCcKdZb0VYz81OoExqGgcUwodL5Jk_OEO85yxDZe42keYINVW7Uoyrj4kpLKzb6f0CYERcFo0HVTeE3zRk5m5lN3NeQ3rYQeRoUg5SY/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama7.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSsu2PawB2v0mSbMWA7aouZj4kRnZGT20_NpMQiwUDxtbVIl1dxvgQaxYh-6iaCj5MRt4eBF1ly3fMD3Nzh_eFc1c9iwLc_tzH3WmJnd-UdjklMCf1B50H_nvY9qV7rqVpeYGxyuzqkQ/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSsu2PawB2v0mSbMWA7aouZj4kRnZGT20_NpMQiwUDxtbVIl1dxvgQaxYh-6iaCj5MRt4eBF1ly3fMD3Nzh_eFc1c9iwLc_tzH3WmJnd-UdjklMCf1B50H_nvY9qV7rqVpeYGxyuzqkQ/s1600/family-thebusybudgetingmama6.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So thankful for all of the men and women who serve our country and</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">those who have given their lives!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God Bless America.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you got to soak up a lot of family time over the long weekend!</span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-53505555227866604522013-05-22T17:24:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.859-07:00The Reality of Taking Photos of Sisters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sisters..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they are fickle little things!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sure the same thing goes for brothers..</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">but based off of my experience,</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I'm focusing on the little ladies in this post.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One minute they love each other... singing Jesus songs and doing ballerina twirls.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next minute they are ready to body slam each other</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with a very high pitch warrior scream.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm scared. for myself and the one getting attacked.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking them out in public is always fun and exciting...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Sophie: 4 Sienna: 2... birthdays in august)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgN7ne2-fHETYomBqbWZmCBz625wN5xBydrNNamEaaYRm0S2EIghuXTVqxFrCjjBxrJUmrGRunQSgjYO7nEmmYpgbFRA_emWc_S-ssAZCxJS-kGASZfw9jWa_Eli-LKqju07eC5JU6vQ0/s1600/sisters-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgN7ne2-fHETYomBqbWZmCBz625wN5xBydrNNamEaaYRm0S2EIghuXTVqxFrCjjBxrJUmrGRunQSgjYO7nEmmYpgbFRA_emWc_S-ssAZCxJS-kGASZfw9jWa_Eli-LKqju07eC5JU6vQ0/s1600/sisters-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because of my little ones fickle attitudes about each other during this period of their life..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photos are a bit tricky to get the first time around.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And because I get lots of comments on Instagram and Facebook</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">implying how much my girls love each other and how good they are...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought it was time to put this out there for the world to see.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are stinkers. cute-adorable-love each other-then heaven</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">forbid you take their purple crayon-arm pincher-stinkers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretty sure they aren't the first of their kind.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNB_6rQGZ5bzPKRgpYOUbFug_Z8Aa1Iod16JP3y_MMTVALg7VST78vfVshMqMfm5ryHTIMdobWrRoR5yFYYCVreIDUwTA-f4MGTHWWBWpPARBRT-Zv12sfy_jbWvndvdRSVkoxN4hCTGU/s1600/sisters2-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNB_6rQGZ5bzPKRgpYOUbFug_Z8Aa1Iod16JP3y_MMTVALg7VST78vfVshMqMfm5ryHTIMdobWrRoR5yFYYCVreIDUwTA-f4MGTHWWBWpPARBRT-Zv12sfy_jbWvndvdRSVkoxN4hCTGU/s1600/sisters2-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so glad they have each other though...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because they are helping each other learn to love more!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">learning to share and be patient... learning to roll into a ball for protection.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">jk. on that last one but I'm sure that'll came later.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHz0pXykDFDzTp6UwMUMDIGqPLROubwpVS88sj5R6xClBooBAumIDok6CA09zLtzCQl92uTbnPGXNWDc2OxiQldOIUFIXbTbvrbBLAFHWpI62K-UbTMy2_TH7BCX2HXowfRPguFfTXac/s1600/sisters3-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHz0pXykDFDzTp6UwMUMDIGqPLROubwpVS88sj5R6xClBooBAumIDok6CA09zLtzCQl92uTbnPGXNWDc2OxiQldOIUFIXbTbvrbBLAFHWpI62K-UbTMy2_TH7BCX2HXowfRPguFfTXac/s1600/sisters3-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day I took these photos at target I laughed out loud as I looked through my photo feed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A delirious, how am I going to ever survive, laugh.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seriously sums it up right now.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't laughing DURING this moment...I wanted to pull my hair out because they were acting like I was torturing them making them eat an icee.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As moms, we know you have to take a few MILLION photos to get a good one.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And even though I probably won't frame all the bad ones...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love my little stinkers. even when they drive me bonkers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSIang_aLPDSdmyNe25ENaAYx2hWBKOSj7mxP4gNLY8cNhZ6_uoD933LqjgEE-CkGKSwYHpvZ2llkwEVgJQO1t3q8QrypvCciVsPEaT5FIbu6HLdoQ3d3sW3okQYBiseyG5rBEOvWlaM/s1600/sisters4-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSIang_aLPDSdmyNe25ENaAYx2hWBKOSj7mxP4gNLY8cNhZ6_uoD933LqjgEE-CkGKSwYHpvZ2llkwEVgJQO1t3q8QrypvCciVsPEaT5FIbu6HLdoQ3d3sW3okQYBiseyG5rBEOvWlaM/s1600/sisters4-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-17727326717313681212013-05-21T17:50:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.906-07:00BUMPED by BLANQI Bloggers- Video Reviews!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was my job to help <a href="http://www.blanqi.com/">BLANQI</a> Founders, Valerie and Sabina, round up</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a great group of Bloggers to try out their new line BUMPED by BLANQI</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which is now available! exclusively on Target.com!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were some bloggers I knew we HAD to get...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then some that I found, and fell in love with immediately! You will too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the first round of blog reviews!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwz-LyawbUMrOvnxT_DzNaCnBnyIqZh__jyJTW4G0Wuf6PWL0YE52hlKospxHDX1chgBbI-ZtOUzRVjtZDE7I6ZDm0w1IZN1a7C7IGHKAyo-9afXTaKQe8ViOOjRN5U6T2w_j0-6a_kec/s1600/bumped+bloggers-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwz-LyawbUMrOvnxT_DzNaCnBnyIqZh__jyJTW4G0Wuf6PWL0YE52hlKospxHDX1chgBbI-ZtOUzRVjtZDE7I6ZDm0w1IZN1a7C7IGHKAyo-9afXTaKQe8ViOOjRN5U6T2w_j0-6a_kec/s1600/bumped+bloggers-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so happy with the girls we got on board to try the</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maternity or Postpartum cami </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and do a video review for all of you!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look below for links to their blog post where they share their thoughts on the new line.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was so fun seeing the real people behind the blogs through the videos!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I loved seeing BUMPED on each of them</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">after </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we had been chatting about it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYJBJQXLobxmzRxB-sDH_Dk0YkXMoQRn38Gcx21xzBYYTmPvukwMPy1az7DPPlADd55t-Zcnfiuk5PrDkprhIpaijnHVbYKF4Y1ai2FjRmPT-qPo1z__qXb87SKKCkGc-vGKySU3oavA/s1600/bumped+bloggers-thebusybudgetingmama2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYJBJQXLobxmzRxB-sDH_Dk0YkXMoQRn38Gcx21xzBYYTmPvukwMPy1az7DPPlADd55t-Zcnfiuk5PrDkprhIpaijnHVbYKF4Y1ai2FjRmPT-qPo1z__qXb87SKKCkGc-vGKySU3oavA/s1600/bumped+bloggers-thebusybudgetingmama2.png" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.lemonandlavender.com/bumped-by-blanqi/">image via lemon and lavender</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some of these girls are rocking the</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.target.com/p/bumped-by-blanqi-post-partum-nursing-cami-assorted-colors/-/A-14523031">postpartum</a> and some the <a href="http://www.target.com/p/bumped-by-blanqi-maternity-support-cami-top-assorted-colors/-/A-14523030">maternity</a>...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ALL of them are giving away a cami of your</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">choice from the BUMPED line!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">AND a $25 gift card to TARGET!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know 2 or 3 of the giveaways have ended...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but go enter the ones </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that are still going on! hurrry!!!! ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vanessa of <a href="http://seevanessacraft.com/2013/05/giveaway-bumped-by-blanqi-maternity-support-cami-25-target-gift-card/">See Vanessa Craft- Maternity</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ruthie of <a href="http://www.ruthiehart.com/2013/05/bumped-by-blanqi-target-giveaway.html">Ruthie Hart - Maternity</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Jennifer of </span><a href="http://www.babymakingmachine.com/2013/05/a-postpartum-miracle-worker-bumped-tank-by-blanqi-review-giveaway.html">Baby Making Machine - Postpartum</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CC34xJp7DAznz_lWuh0qei6nHnwIpGyFVk6qKNrgpGYYPQgAjEaPr5ejNxJA3-8n_oYI9fWuFhBF_qQe_lIiDU66C5iZCSV8Cu6kHs1KGEKAGOE7Sq8ZFOMTEjDj655iJX6re2CSlxY/s1600/bumped+bloggers-thebusybudgetingmama3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CC34xJp7DAznz_lWuh0qei6nHnwIpGyFVk6qKNrgpGYYPQgAjEaPr5ejNxJA3-8n_oYI9fWuFhBF_qQe_lIiDU66C5iZCSV8Cu6kHs1KGEKAGOE7Sq8ZFOMTEjDj655iJX6re2CSlxY/s1600/bumped+bloggers-thebusybudgetingmama3.png" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nicole of <a href="http://www.thestylehatch.com/2013/05/17/a-little-bit-of-everything-bumped/">The Style Hatch - Maternity</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kara-Kae of <a href="http://themomdiggity.com/2013/05/bumped-by-blanqi-review-giveaway/">The Mom Diggity - Postpartum </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Sarah of </span><a href="http://www.thestrollerballet.com/the-stroller-ballet/bumped-by-blanqi-review-and-giveaway/">The Stroller Ballet - Postpartum</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgAKXdeURtOmyqMf6KWwoyP2ut3ht2HMsUG_gfxCrRI4OrLsPmbTf5bv3sY-Rxtfixy9J1M8ni1OujEuZBb3QTq9C9BFf-91Tdt7oF2j7wXyz-hLKhuRl1vnUAvOECGx8Lo6OlFZYNl8/s1600/bumped+bloggers-thebusybudgetingmama4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgAKXdeURtOmyqMf6KWwoyP2ut3ht2HMsUG_gfxCrRI4OrLsPmbTf5bv3sY-Rxtfixy9J1M8ni1OujEuZBb3QTq9C9BFf-91Tdt7oF2j7wXyz-hLKhuRl1vnUAvOECGx8Lo6OlFZYNl8/s1600/bumped+bloggers-thebusybudgetingmama4.png" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heather of <a href="http://www.dandygiveaway.com/2013/05/11/bumped-by-blanqi-and-a-25-target-gift-card-giveaway/">Dandy Giveaway - Maternity</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Kim of</span> <a href="http://www.ohsweetjoy.com/2013/05/postpartum-cami-bumped-by-blanqi-for-target-review.html">Oh Sweet Joy - Postpartum</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Caroline of </span><a href="http://chocolateandcarrots.com/crackersandcarrots/2013/05/bumped-by-blanqi">Chocolate and Carrots - Postpartum</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmieP-CaJJlGKNMXpvREjUbHVeY8-sg2F07y7bk8HOtzzFLxuMerXIsL4T1744ZyFHHxa7Vj0i9fg41DRjn8YikIhxCIJR-ZmKxudCL7MCT4VSOEUyboE8IjejcTbNTfoLOoXds_v9XC0/s1600/bumped+bloggers-thebusybudgetingmama5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmieP-CaJJlGKNMXpvREjUbHVeY8-sg2F07y7bk8HOtzzFLxuMerXIsL4T1744ZyFHHxa7Vj0i9fg41DRjn8YikIhxCIJR-ZmKxudCL7MCT4VSOEUyboE8IjejcTbNTfoLOoXds_v9XC0/s1600/bumped+bloggers-thebusybudgetingmama5.png" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moriah of <a href="http://www.moriahmakes.com/2013/05/bumped-by-blanqi-review-giveaway.html">Moriah Makes - Maternity</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Ashley of</span> <a href="http://www.lemonandlavender.com/bumped-by-blanqi/">Lemon and Lavender - Maternity</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">ME! Natalie of </span><a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/2013/04/my-sisters-new-line-with-target-bumped.html">The Busy Budgeting Mama - Postpartum</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTSfsnN6a0HQFsFRXX3jJ85Xk3i6WvpjP-ieOZnsvpqeVq22dcxZxToa8sTlqmluq2RNtXzVSaMvSARuFlG_-f1fg4eHl9m20h4xLye4bYnKkHGzsEdJ_AQX6HIU8D29XZv-8L6lWXAQ/s1600/bumped+bloggers-thebusybudgetingmama6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTSfsnN6a0HQFsFRXX3jJ85Xk3i6WvpjP-ieOZnsvpqeVq22dcxZxToa8sTlqmluq2RNtXzVSaMvSARuFlG_-f1fg4eHl9m20h4xLye4bYnKkHGzsEdJ_AQX6HIU8D29XZv-8L6lWXAQ/s1600/bumped+bloggers-thebusybudgetingmama6.png" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned ten more AMAZING bloggers who are</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">set to share their video reviews this upcoming week!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(and MORE chances to win one of your own and a Target gift card!)</span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-50164919877499095452013-05-13T20:23:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.946-07:00I was that crazy lady in Walmart today +Free Gifting Printable<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was going to write this blog post...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">about my crazy day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnj2kmLhQIVpZJT771wEFyWiWDacZ2V0bMGYfKs-nElgvqXKDE1oCusNc5rPyBmdZp4vK8Y_jp-8S-BKpsB9Vut-vSoG4LLuFA-hMf7cKhnFZgcE1RaRYpztEjiUFVwo85E_l_4cjFsQ/s1600/celebrate+motherhood7-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnj2kmLhQIVpZJT771wEFyWiWDacZ2V0bMGYfKs-nElgvqXKDE1oCusNc5rPyBmdZp4vK8Y_jp-8S-BKpsB9Vut-vSoG4LLuFA-hMf7cKhnFZgcE1RaRYpztEjiUFVwo85E_l_4cjFsQ/s1600/celebrate+motherhood7-thebusybudgetingmama.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About how I took a trip to walmart because we had NO diapers.. and NO Toilet Paper.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a must trip. So I loaded up all three kiddos by myself and headed there.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">only to end up being a shoppers' attraction with both girls in the cart, micah strapped to me, racing through the aisles to the bathroom because</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sophie was screaming in pain from her stomach hurting and dry heaving</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(she is super sensitive and was gagging from her tummy hurting. insane. I know)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought she wasn't going to make it and throw up all over the walmart floor...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so we ran for one of those recycle box/trash can things. yup. classy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when I thought she looked better and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wasn't going to throw up,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we made our dash to the bathroom....alllllll while the</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LONG line of people for returns stared on horrified.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> LOVE hanging out in a public bathroom with 3 kids. it's super fun and not gross at all.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plus loud automatic toilets are known to be LOVED by small babies.........not.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Poor thing though.. as soon as I got sophie to feel a little better we grabbed the toilet paper/diapers and she started sobbing again.. race to the bathroom!! AGAIN.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finally ended up checking out. and if one more person told me I</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">had my hands full I was going to flip. flip or cry. one or the other. haha.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And what do you do when you have new toilet paper in the house....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Play with it of course!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later came across this and realized a certain toddler</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was trying to cover her tracks..... ::cough:: sienna ::cough::</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zs_KRWIWGzPgWPSM_CFg8MZFuTU1fikTQ7wzcJE4jGJtlkDMzumjwg-zPXo57woSgN7SwAMmINIIZUOpSw1s-ZQsBzewGVJ4UFsjYYjfU0vtM65aaFcfpK-aiANLtS58-17Dn5IOUYg/s1600/celebrate+motherhood3-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zs_KRWIWGzPgWPSM_CFg8MZFuTU1fikTQ7wzcJE4jGJtlkDMzumjwg-zPXo57woSgN7SwAMmINIIZUOpSw1s-ZQsBzewGVJ4UFsjYYjfU0vtM65aaFcfpK-aiANLtS58-17Dn5IOUYg/s1600/celebrate+motherhood3-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was going to write this blog post about how some days</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like I'm running in circles..</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sophia came up to me wanting me to check out her hair</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm making it not crazy"..................</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She thought it was my hair product that I put in my hair to smooth it out.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nope.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my face wash.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh and Micah was rocking a hand me down christmas outfit because it</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was the first thing I saw that he fit in. grabbed it. he didn't leave the house like this..</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't want to look tooooo crazy out in public.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iu6XynVolN51l1RbPLf5ovu_-hwfc5DvDWED511-G3DZhWNkaFhT63BdsDs1KvJCG0t4fqaLfn-6sJFRkWwmdJJ6udYBxRWvPMYFuBKeHazBXXKk9bM0I3LcHqJhATMi3PbdK4vmZRY/s1600/celebrate+motherhood6-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iu6XynVolN51l1RbPLf5ovu_-hwfc5DvDWED511-G3DZhWNkaFhT63BdsDs1KvJCG0t4fqaLfn-6sJFRkWwmdJJ6udYBxRWvPMYFuBKeHazBXXKk9bM0I3LcHqJhATMi3PbdK4vmZRY/s1600/celebrate+motherhood6-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But tonight, while snuggling with sienna before bed,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started thinking how I don't want to post just about how hard my day was.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course I want moms to see that we all have hard days...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want my readers to leave my blog relating to me..but also feeling uplifted!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I kept thinking about when someone dropped off this gift basket for us when we moved in..how I seriously wanted to cry I was so thankful for their kindness.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel a connection with you as my readers...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and I wish so badly we could all just do one big play date! ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That we could drop off meals for each other when we knew someone was having a hard day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I kept thinking how important community is as moms.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It made me want to reach out more to my mom friends...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to not just think about my hard days, but to think about them and lift them up!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you feel like me... and want to celebrate motherhood</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and lift up your fellow mamas...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just made up this printable for you to download and use when dropping</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">off something to show you care!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I asked on my blog's facebook page:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"If a fellow mama did something to show she cared,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">by dropping something off,..what would you be SO HAPPY to receive?"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(<a href="https://www.facebook.com/busybudgetingmama/posts/612278665450379">click here to read the facebook status</a>,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">read what other mamas said and leave your choice!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/view/?au7mt15uiy60a5d">FREE "CELEBRATE MOTHERHOOD- LIFT UP YOUR</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/view/?au7mt15uiy60a5d">MOM FRIENDS" - PRINTABLE DOWNLOAD</a></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm also offering, by request of a blog reader via facebook, the same design but</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with my blog and 'celebrate motherhood' tiny at the bottom of each tag!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would love for you to share our little community with other moms.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe it'll be the connection that mom needs to feel a boost!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/view/?3grnca29v9gbyoq">DOWNLOAD that version HERE</a></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AND, since a lot of my readers say Mum instead of Mom..</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made up a british version as well. :)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/view/?jxb7addpe3zoux6">Download the MUM Printable HERE</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">and the</span> <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/view/?66443tl2srld74x">MUM Printable with my Blog HERE</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYl3Tx0H88o9YDYYaUbBDAENEcpegID9Rp4DE6mqoImhZG0SufBeyMQzigcv8Z0Gy-x_LPeUl1XrpS7BM2h7M25hZMVSUoIIa6Qwr8aq9QuCB9HLez2BXRSW2nTGBErLlc53wuqvE7aGY/s1600/celebrate+motherhood8-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYl3Tx0H88o9YDYYaUbBDAENEcpegID9Rp4DE6mqoImhZG0SufBeyMQzigcv8Z0Gy-x_LPeUl1XrpS7BM2h7M25hZMVSUoIIa6Qwr8aq9QuCB9HLez2BXRSW2nTGBErLlc53wuqvE7aGY/s1600/celebrate+motherhood8-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Motherhood is hard...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and so very beautiful.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcKcJTxoG5quKLS7N5kAU5uXhyphenhyphen1I-Fv9N_yDMHkSlwA0i7LBlMmoyDToCzew8CIdgFfwi2TI-UIvuRX2-wEohaUuSwTgoLOrRlQ-BegVw7kZLqX1odOZNQEx6vWQXmavsEFXR5FG9OtI/s1600/celebrate+motherhood-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcKcJTxoG5quKLS7N5kAU5uXhyphenhyphen1I-Fv9N_yDMHkSlwA0i7LBlMmoyDToCzew8CIdgFfwi2TI-UIvuRX2-wEohaUuSwTgoLOrRlQ-BegVw7kZLqX1odOZNQEx6vWQXmavsEFXR5FG9OtI/s1600/celebrate+motherhood-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sisters.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuUoOYf4FZWBhNgkDv8Goz3LEOZ6RYnkrd8kHim7Z_LHKzzPxrZ-qZOC9AO67ERbZM3h2kglQix-yurRl4o2JAyZ6Erb9EoDGYNWVrfM7OILMtLawVj1PlzjUC-Y6W60teFQNubic5p0/s1600/celebrate+motherhood4-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuUoOYf4FZWBhNgkDv8Goz3LEOZ6RYnkrd8kHim7Z_LHKzzPxrZ-qZOC9AO67ERbZM3h2kglQix-yurRl4o2JAyZ6Erb9EoDGYNWVrfM7OILMtLawVj1PlzjUC-Y6W60teFQNubic5p0/s1600/celebrate+motherhood4-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnk6cs931RdaBcPHKZtyS_2kPTk1y8BFJfXM8gx_BXPKT0n9bDhcbQyF-HsT_77FhR73MxheSDVWd0J3Z3e9IprQviviJHTIXa3O-gSqG9Gm7acvWNNN9DY3tWdjsdGRltuJ2S-6fXoA/s1600/celebrate+motherhood2-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnk6cs931RdaBcPHKZtyS_2kPTk1y8BFJfXM8gx_BXPKT0n9bDhcbQyF-HsT_77FhR73MxheSDVWd0J3Z3e9IprQviviJHTIXa3O-gSqG9Gm7acvWNNN9DY3tWdjsdGRltuJ2S-6fXoA/s1600/celebrate+motherhood2-thebusybudgetingmama.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please Pin, Tweet and Share the printable!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We all need to bless our fellow mamas more.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We know how some days are hard..and we aren't alone in</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">feeling 'happily' exhausted while taking care of our sweet babies.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let's reach out and love on each other a little more!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would seriously cry if someone dropped off a case of diet dr. pepper at my door.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's all it would take! haha.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUpyvk8QCub9ugbVbrFtW7AR_ukhxhM_5Wm2HAPhFXmUWENqnbaBmXp3As_KPfifYzTMq8hbSpWZ8xCSR5u3VUEniR1I0LJVMY3i0dVYYQ1SZJOitiejz3t6GzW5-LqAj1R4j0IpwJlU/s1600/celebrate+motherhood5-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUpyvk8QCub9ugbVbrFtW7AR_ukhxhM_5Wm2HAPhFXmUWENqnbaBmXp3As_KPfifYzTMq8hbSpWZ8xCSR5u3VUEniR1I0LJVMY3i0dVYYQ1SZJOitiejz3t6GzW5-LqAj1R4j0IpwJlU/s1600/celebrate+motherhood5-thebusybudgetingmama.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sophie update: she feels better! an hour after we got home she was back</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to her normal self. </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">must have been gas bubbles. poor little thing.</span></i></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-32304719492211379932013-05-11T16:43:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:22.987-07:00Black and White Gallery Wall up in Kitchen!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In our new rental, we have a big wall behind the eating area of our kitchen...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and I knew right away I wanted to do a gallery wall with all my black and white frames!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll do a more detailed post sometime soon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right now I just put all the frames up on the wall and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have some different prints to update them next.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since taking the photo below, of the frames up on the wall,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I backed up and moved the bottom row all over a little to the right. haha.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The perfectionist in my has been tweaking them. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmk1a7zpEHPWMaso5nOrpNKoDO81eWiEqxMrH95veDMHZ2yub0tckYcqmGr_sBnG6Ff9TLl0Ax7eD2N2S3p3jACLH8nMF6_gOwD_e-I7A4V6BPrszoQ2SYfqfr_Z5sycEzt6ma1W_LSVo/s1600/kitchen+gallery-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmk1a7zpEHPWMaso5nOrpNKoDO81eWiEqxMrH95veDMHZ2yub0tckYcqmGr_sBnG6Ff9TLl0Ax7eD2N2S3p3jACLH8nMF6_gOwD_e-I7A4V6BPrszoQ2SYfqfr_Z5sycEzt6ma1W_LSVo/s1600/kitchen+gallery-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The next morning we enjoyed eating breakfast while looking at our frames!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Excited to UPDATE the frames next! I'll be sharing what I put in them</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and where the frames are all from. Super happy with how it's coming together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLgjq2WrpGnLdiSBNXZV4E-39T7d-nU6CtXI1Fys-eQKuV2y5f4pZR4Kovr86EYoXYvlD5jCF7A5eVMdNCxzuIJP1fqcZd1vJkhlZipOm07rA6G_H4gDwtcShapXiM6OzmD2mHGR_hmo/s1600/kitchen+gallery2-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLgjq2WrpGnLdiSBNXZV4E-39T7d-nU6CtXI1Fys-eQKuV2y5f4pZR4Kovr86EYoXYvlD5jCF7A5eVMdNCxzuIJP1fqcZd1vJkhlZipOm07rA6G_H4gDwtcShapXiM6OzmD2mHGR_hmo/s1600/kitchen+gallery2-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-70660624142196777202013-05-08T20:24:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:23.030-07:00Mommy Confessions<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to feel better about your parenting skills...keep on reading.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhCYIjJdSO_ZYaguIlGZQ9LXHB7ofNgW8wUPcDxZ0DIrdoCplmLdK_qMnVmIeWojOmb5xfnABbvCdrmOgHt0Ucr7bVb6XMz-pblf2gXkCowUTL8PKP7pEJKvhk_uxRCiGhy5U3pHCxl4/s1600/MommyConfessions-TheBusyBudgetingMama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhCYIjJdSO_ZYaguIlGZQ9LXHB7ofNgW8wUPcDxZ0DIrdoCplmLdK_qMnVmIeWojOmb5xfnABbvCdrmOgHt0Ucr7bVb6XMz-pblf2gXkCowUTL8PKP7pEJKvhk_uxRCiGhy5U3pHCxl4/s1600/MommyConfessions-TheBusyBudgetingMama.png" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love being a mom.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LOVEEEE it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is one of the hardest but most rewarding things I've ever done in my life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuACL38hyphenhyphen7kEUfxlvrYOvFwD6waLwL-VtznmS29o6RxpvZZxKIvOYdc83hQJxZyp4LvV2I67gF8RLjZB1V0vqQvc36YHSnLWeWsJm1oPcJm07Co7RqaHnCitVi86yDZGqqSCmt5ppqETQ/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuACL38hyphenhyphen7kEUfxlvrYOvFwD6waLwL-VtznmS29o6RxpvZZxKIvOYdc83hQJxZyp4LvV2I67gF8RLjZB1V0vqQvc36YHSnLWeWsJm1oPcJm07Co7RqaHnCitVi86yDZGqqSCmt5ppqETQ/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- I have cried while getting dressed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. because everything had baby spit up on it</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. because I don't know what fits or what doesn't fit at this point.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. because I look in the mirror some days and only see a tired mommy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and not the young fresh faced girl I feel like I used to be.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-- Sometimes I feel like I say....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> no. stop. don't do that. time out. slow down. don't put that in your mouth. don't fight. get out of the cupboard. don't lick that. no your brother isn't a motorcycle. talk quieter. get out of the bathroom. don't pull her hair. go to sleep. put your clothes back on. go to bed please.......</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> WAY too many times a day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It makes me want to go bonkers. seriously bonkers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--I have felt overwhelmed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--I have felt incapable</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--I have felt like a failure</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--I have felt like my brain was going to burst from the noise in this house.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--My laundry room has a mountain of dirty laundry.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--My bedroom has a mountain of clean laundry.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--at one point this week every single room had laundry in it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Many mornings I choose keeping the kids alive and the</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">house from burning down instead of showering.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--I have texted my husband,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">while he is at work, that I was losing my mind.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the text sometimes starting with "blah sdhfjkhsjdkfdhjs"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this happens more often then I want to admit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Sometimes I don't have time to wash my hair for a couple days.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thank goodness for dry shampoo.</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--I'm TIRED. a lot.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always wanted to be a mom. since I was a little girl!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing no one ever told me...was how TIRED you will be as a parent.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think cramming for finals times a million......haha.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the crazy thing about "parenting exhaustion"...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is that it can suddenly be easy to handle in one sweet moment with your child.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a hug.. a giggle.. a reach for you.. it makes you forget how worn you feel...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and gives you the biggest feeling of peace.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just knowing you are everything to that child. and this is what God is wanting from you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1WN4MV_SZxMNTOKCkc-wfD0HIShBnguRkeAeRfNFzksni7HMmisaUZmirJzUsRkTYA9b-57CrenIEVfF1WJXl5PBWBzpA_oVI45HJbuvr9l2Tv1edkCsmRESZhayhy4N-iqaAQR0tjg/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1WN4MV_SZxMNTOKCkc-wfD0HIShBnguRkeAeRfNFzksni7HMmisaUZmirJzUsRkTYA9b-57CrenIEVfF1WJXl5PBWBzpA_oVI45HJbuvr9l2Tv1edkCsmRESZhayhy4N-iqaAQR0tjg/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama8.png" /></a></span></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwXfhzeL-BFk-G_dIVPyhpY9XInszKMG4aKw0Q-VnLtZ_GRAv8XOOa6n7mJ8b1usJaqC1T78qFzF9P_t0yOuOYIssNQ5ZAxgZDGcyJeTPOcR7lAzVCq0lvm4BdJkOTdxSEsxlRq4nkIE/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwXfhzeL-BFk-G_dIVPyhpY9XInszKMG4aKw0Q-VnLtZ_GRAv8XOOa6n7mJ8b1usJaqC1T78qFzF9P_t0yOuOYIssNQ5ZAxgZDGcyJeTPOcR7lAzVCq0lvm4BdJkOTdxSEsxlRq4nkIE/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama4.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBo5tEnzfHhz8ra5RSzC94Ds0dW1vtwtCXaTXXQvlSs-uRItg09I-cJnJQoykmzb6RrQU-mcYNYJobF0Sc-YmL9iDRt7HQd4lNERRuzYIDGGlkr21XOalPfWWju0-ftsHhZasx4Ub7iM/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBo5tEnzfHhz8ra5RSzC94Ds0dW1vtwtCXaTXXQvlSs-uRItg09I-cJnJQoykmzb6RrQU-mcYNYJobF0Sc-YmL9iDRt7HQd4lNERRuzYIDGGlkr21XOalPfWWju0-ftsHhZasx4Ub7iM/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama5.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THREE KIDS.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes it's easier to stay home... sometimes it's easier to take them out!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just have to prepare myself mentally before I go.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will be slower than I WANT to be.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will probably think at one point I wish I didn't make this decision. haha.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT... I have gotten better at taking the whole gang out.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We once went to target. I didn't have my k'tan wrap... So I was carrying micah on my hip and the girls were in the cart. we got a lot of stares. and a lot of "you are brave!" "you have your hands full!" "do you need help?".... my reply was "oh they are being angels right now! this is a good trip." ;) which they were. I think silly straw bribery worked.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have learned how to juggle them better.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Micah goes in the wrap. each girl gets a hand.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have our system down, even though sometimes things get a little crazy and I'll be holding a melting down sienna while micah is in the wrap.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that is when I get chuckles and stares from passerby's. soo fun!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu5aP0R1Lbc9Hj-uQZYkvmJSXZwA4zgcX1Nl5uapNx2mxcOx6yEdkaSvz_rRI1ZukMSmO4OUalarmlm0GBHFNYkwyV6Ey9lhbzIibFGjDPcZhKQd-2Y36XsrRlaCssJkHO681DIAHxGY/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu5aP0R1Lbc9Hj-uQZYkvmJSXZwA4zgcX1Nl5uapNx2mxcOx6yEdkaSvz_rRI1ZukMSmO4OUalarmlm0GBHFNYkwyV6Ey9lhbzIibFGjDPcZhKQd-2Y36XsrRlaCssJkHO681DIAHxGY/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama9.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cure to any hard day... baby giggles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can't help but be happy when you hear them and see a jolly face.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tRoyR0fqHAXnZjtUND5rzqj90C8IcF7zyB_2o5XgvJ88GslJ3ozBH3YWKagGaa8KlW-f2Tfdhg11E0ZbbDZ8SI74gSP3smalVFeOeL4qq7uUeFR11OMMhjbw9fS4DF3bxCMhEn5RBm8/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tRoyR0fqHAXnZjtUND5rzqj90C8IcF7zyB_2o5XgvJ88GslJ3ozBH3YWKagGaa8KlW-f2Tfdhg11E0ZbbDZ8SI74gSP3smalVFeOeL4qq7uUeFR11OMMhjbw9fS4DF3bxCMhEn5RBm8/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama6.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrjNXIMBidxAJQtt62h98Dx90yjKJLSm8m4lThNbETN67VG0x08QPdFeQLkMGekSXFdcuI-lFcmLAOfeA1ftU1OVruf4Fxpmsbh3eu51wAXHM4LxuDLHiMyin5A-MQc8WhMZI2wIlRSE/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrjNXIMBidxAJQtt62h98Dx90yjKJLSm8m4lThNbETN67VG0x08QPdFeQLkMGekSXFdcuI-lFcmLAOfeA1ftU1OVruf4Fxpmsbh3eu51wAXHM4LxuDLHiMyin5A-MQc8WhMZI2wIlRSE/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama7.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am learning to accept and not be so hard on myself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But many days I wish that I could have been a better mommy...a better wife..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I wish I trusted in God more.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every day I pray for more patience.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have the peace of knowing this is exactly where God wants me to be...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I just need to be realistic in my expectations that I set for myself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can do this. with HIS help. and maybe a case of diet dr pepper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHWzSQwMpvTNTLQD7UmHlTXccauo1BTz4SKI24JwRvDn5lAHy6Vra-rHcCw2Na8aF1Z2-WsJM4pfxbUvRrvwo7HgKQX_5XSQixI_l1I0GoPzu_IFAwp6z1sfSt_DE8TtD6g1aCBvWEXE/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHWzSQwMpvTNTLQD7UmHlTXccauo1BTz4SKI24JwRvDn5lAHy6Vra-rHcCw2Na8aF1Z2-WsJM4pfxbUvRrvwo7HgKQX_5XSQixI_l1I0GoPzu_IFAwp6z1sfSt_DE8TtD6g1aCBvWEXE/s1600/life-thebusybudgetingmama11.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-1708370204520023482013-05-08T07:02:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:23.070-07:00Winner of the $100 Visa Gift Card from SHOPPERK...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the winner of the<a href="http://sarahnleahy@gmail.com/"> $100 Visa Gift Card from SHOPPERK</a> is...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah L.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you haven't checked out <a href="http://www.shopperk.com/start/joingo.php?gclid=CPPR7vrShrcCFQYw4AodSEQAEA">Shopperk</a> yet you should!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's my <a href="http://sarahnleahy@gmail.com/">video post</a> sharing what I thought of it!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMXHF-of-0XQTrpXwTERIqSPjVICL8HGNpPe-cQi_pd6PgYcHJfD94wFDsJW6BQOy9LMuu-e6vlxe6j4oOQxWt0Jjk-UKnhBBwNnmr-UYZb44qDDMN4856_qZcoh9tIKIWvXkaBDDvO4/s1600/shopperk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMXHF-of-0XQTrpXwTERIqSPjVICL8HGNpPe-cQi_pd6PgYcHJfD94wFDsJW6BQOy9LMuu-e6vlxe6j4oOQxWt0Jjk-UKnhBBwNnmr-UYZb44qDDMN4856_qZcoh9tIKIWvXkaBDDvO4/s640/shopperk.png" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1322635177"></span><span id="goog_1322635178"></span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-25597923010954241992013-05-07T19:02:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:23.111-07:00Favorites- Fried Fresh Mozzarella and Chicken Parm<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are two of my all time favorite "special" dinner recipes...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fried Fresh Mozzarella </b>and <b>Chicken Parm!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes we make them together but plenty of times I'll make up the fried Mozzarella with some pasta and salad...or as an appetizer when friends come over.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The plate gets devoured.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheese.. fried.. c'mon. amazingness.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Chicken Parm is such an easy meal to make when you have company coming over. You can have all the messy work done with it ready to go..</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The chicken parm in the oven! kitchen clean... pasta boiling!</span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These recipes are low fat, low calories, low everything.........</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">just go with that. ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once you make this one time you'll be able to cook</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">without even pulling up the recipe! super easy. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvlD6XIktMXXxoV9aW8yYJR9YAdDGf_Can2_JIvu0oEp4c8rLvMnQYfPndPYUqstV1nUIbme1OMesS9DnmZ-ZlNdCKMcadqTh648XKgeVyR2x7MSEzz1zzN5wBKEO8-uTnIXLyhY4IjY/s1600/friedmozzarella_chickenparm-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvlD6XIktMXXxoV9aW8yYJR9YAdDGf_Can2_JIvu0oEp4c8rLvMnQYfPndPYUqstV1nUIbme1OMesS9DnmZ-ZlNdCKMcadqTh648XKgeVyR2x7MSEzz1zzN5wBKEO8-uTnIXLyhY4IjY/s1600/friedmozzarella_chickenparm-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">FRIED MOZZARELLA</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Better than store OR restaurant bought!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/2009/10/better-than-storebought-mozzarella.html">Originally posted here</a> when I discovered the recipe on recipezaar.com</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've changed it up to fit how we like it! Below is the recipe I use.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(not the prettiest photo below..but you get the idea! this wasn't a planned post. ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFbpSbC6FJGKOmC8HExvA-t7d2riYUIzSi1CCVQfgVtT_Tjvp5EOuke-J_VpbCFxNk0cnJGPi6JbozadaGF5ZEYl7e9A3RhPuFyli1QnflbTxXzErUMrYfGYFbMU_oT0RaidU97zVSaM/s1600/friedmozzarella-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFbpSbC6FJGKOmC8HExvA-t7d2riYUIzSi1CCVQfgVtT_Tjvp5EOuke-J_VpbCFxNk0cnJGPi6JbozadaGF5ZEYl7e9A3RhPuFyli1QnflbTxXzErUMrYfGYFbMU_oT0RaidU97zVSaM/s1600/friedmozzarella-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>pack of fresh mozzarella (ball or log)..cut into pieces</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>2 eggs beaten</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>2 tablespoons water</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>3/4 cup panko italian bread crumbs</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>1/4 teaspoon garlic powder</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>2 teaspoon dried oregano (I LOVE this spice. heavy handed with it)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>1 teaspoon dried basil</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>1/3 cup flour</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>pinch or two of salt and pepper</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>olive oil (for frying)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">DIRECTIONS:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Pull out three bowls.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--In one bowl combine the water and egg.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--In your second bowl but the flour</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--In the third, and final bowl, combine the bread crumbs and spices.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Dip the piece of fresh mozzarella into the egg mixture, flour mixture, egg mixture and lastly in the bread mixture. Place on a plate.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Repeat till all the cheese is coated.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Cover the plate of breaded cheese with foil and put in freezer.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This helps the cheese to hold it's shape when fried.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--When you are ready pull out the cheese a little before frying.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Heat up your saucepan..and then add olive oil.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Make sure it's hot enough.. (test with a pinch of flour.)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--I put in enough oil to have them soaked but not swimming in it!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>You'll get the hang of how much to put in.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Place your cheese in the pan and brown both sides. make sure not to overcrowd the pan.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Tongs make this whole frying process easier.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--SOMETIMES I place on paper towels to drain..but sometimes if the cheese is melting already I skip that or you'll have a big ol mess. I don't put in too much oil to begin with.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--EAT UP! You can dip in marinara or spaghetti sauce.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">CHICKEN PARM</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ingredients are the same as the fried mozzarella... same idea..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You just need thin chicken breasts.. and maybe a little more</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of the dry ingredients depending on how much chicken you are making up!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Same as Fried Mozzarella</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>+ Jar of Spaghetti Sauce</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>+Pasta of choice (sometimes we'll make just chicken parm with thin spaghetti)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>+Thin sliced Mozzarella (You could use deli sliced...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>shredded mozzarella.. or even the fresh ball/log sliced thin)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DIRECTIONS:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Bread the chicken and brown in pan, the same way I explained the fried Mozzarella.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--put some of the spaghetti sauce in the bottom of your casserole pan</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Layer the chicken, sauce and cheese</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Cover with foil</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.. depending on how thin your chicken is!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(The chicken is browned but just needs to be cooked through. I always check occasionally)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--You can remove the foil near the end if you want it a little toasted!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--enjoy!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>--Leftovers are great for chicken parm sandwiches!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">little tip when covering recipes that are cheesy on top, with foil....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">spray the foil with cooking spray before you cover!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GENIUSSSSSS. I know. Can't remember who</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">told me that trick but it's awesome.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(photo from when I last made lasagna roll ups)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zxzE74obkBN_pPAqpYq-CSHhsZomyWoxnUu9fipX08t0oUJAbg5KeqcvTIBggFM0Vs7JWvH11sVP5coKCOcQXu0ECjYrQJL3OyBaUGwiQDdsVyp3rTNiRamHKy4NbPrsUkeu4tG7SFM/s1600/friedmozzarella_chickenparm-thebusybudgetingmama3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zxzE74obkBN_pPAqpYq-CSHhsZomyWoxnUu9fipX08t0oUJAbg5KeqcvTIBggFM0Vs7JWvH11sVP5coKCOcQXu0ECjYrQJL3OyBaUGwiQDdsVyp3rTNiRamHKy4NbPrsUkeu4tG7SFM/s1600/friedmozzarella_chickenparm-thebusybudgetingmama3.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are looking for a good dressing to go on salad...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is our all time favorite in the house.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74o9tAJMMfxPRKGwch4Nh-Qls8GwppHNw_ylK2_R_YF3IhxlKvGh8r1eUbuzOG4ZEMR_LQhjfRVhsthdMGEha-CKz3Lruny0S2xmuhT1lYs_roSHrJ9JWPV3ukg2beNb99rc8S5cuVZg/s1600/friedmozzarella_chickenparm-thebusybudgetingmama2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74o9tAJMMfxPRKGwch4Nh-Qls8GwppHNw_ylK2_R_YF3IhxlKvGh8r1eUbuzOG4ZEMR_LQhjfRVhsthdMGEha-CKz3Lruny0S2xmuhT1lYs_roSHrJ9JWPV3ukg2beNb99rc8S5cuVZg/s1600/friedmozzarella_chickenparm-thebusybudgetingmama2.png" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-24849187006122285522013-05-06T20:14:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:23.151-07:00Fun part of having a Blog: Announcing Giveaway Winners! <div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is one of the best parts of having a blog...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Winners of the <a href="http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/2013/04/mothers-day-gift-ideas-something-i.html">Giveaway</a>... two $50 credit for <a href="http://www.carolinegshop.com/category/JEWELRY">Caroline G.</a> Jewelry are.....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Valerie D. and Jessica W.!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be e-mailing you tonight to make sure you know you won!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congratulations girls Have fun shopping!</span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414484996594580930.post-74260409796297161242013-05-05T20:01:00.000-07:002013-07-02T05:13:23.189-07:00Having 2 and 4 yr old girls.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other day, as I watched my girls driving</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">around in their little jeep in the backyard...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vWQHkvC4QMYyhbkac9pTAHtx_EPUQM2fGJ_oTAsUMnGh8WnTbE2S4yP61x_Jq92NOJ3WNwQsQK7279JEB-CHCx81E3tOJnEMv9TQQo_EgvXQbocIpx2dA6nQwSCj2toFCatVcEUm2kg/s1600/sisters-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vWQHkvC4QMYyhbkac9pTAHtx_EPUQM2fGJ_oTAsUMnGh8WnTbE2S4yP61x_Jq92NOJ3WNwQsQK7279JEB-CHCx81E3tOJnEMv9TQQo_EgvXQbocIpx2dA6nQwSCj2toFCatVcEUm2kg/s1600/sisters-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pictured them little again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwgbraGVivRy8ab2LJ0T9ORFuXtJAYSjgZ8ur5S9hiysZhMBfwwy8WUpCjwn33fMQqwCSasdgGMjCMnkWxgCa04CyyfralHLgF74Yc8OY8SZCs1v2EiIR5lT1d1AqOJlFbk5Z72g-fSM/s1600/sisters2-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwgbraGVivRy8ab2LJ0T9ORFuXtJAYSjgZ8ur5S9hiysZhMBfwwy8WUpCjwn33fMQqwCSasdgGMjCMnkWxgCa04CyyfralHLgF74Yc8OY8SZCs1v2EiIR5lT1d1AqOJlFbk5Z72g-fSM/s1600/sisters2-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so glad my girls have each other. They will be 3 and 5 in August.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fighting over toys and "don't look at me!! mommmm she's looking at mee" moments</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">are worth the cute ways they play together and giggle.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They make each other pee their pants from laughing.... seriously.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we've had to do complete wardrobe changes.....</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sophie and Sienna share a room..</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and even though there are <strike>nights</strike> many nights we</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wish they would just goo tooooo beddd...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's cute hearing them giggle and whisper.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When sienna first moved from the crib, to a big girl bed in sophie's room...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She kept waking up in the middle of the night and coming to our room.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or sometimes she would just cry out from her bed for a minute.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One morning sophie told us sienna woke up but that she got her back to sleep by rubbing her back. Once sophie held sienna on the couch and got her to fall asleep...... Tonight at dinner sienna got down and moved her chair closer to sophie's. they are so cute together. They also know how to push each other's buttons.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sienna is a hair puller/leg pincher..and sophie is a pusher/stomp away-er.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we do plenty of time outs during the day because of sisterly love. ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GIRL TIME.. + daddy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daddy crashed the picnic I made the girls...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOH6VYLPqb6jl_Ji2sAVGxkbYPrUMd861wtE3icJaHihqg7vdkanhhbX8wOiPAzzUrO7cqkmrsxUkCD3hvlaVpLNnyQQK7ZlXJW6UxFJDufy3EbcwVrg4AfiYv8VRWEgGnRoOk9DwONw/s1600/sisters3-thebusybudgetingmama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOH6VYLPqb6jl_Ji2sAVGxkbYPrUMd861wtE3icJaHihqg7vdkanhhbX8wOiPAzzUrO7cqkmrsxUkCD3hvlaVpLNnyQQK7ZlXJW6UxFJDufy3EbcwVrg4AfiYv8VRWEgGnRoOk9DwONw/s1600/sisters3-thebusybudgetingmama.png" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seeing my girls growing up, makes me excited for</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">all the fun we have in store with our micah!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love when babies are little and in the newborn stage...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but I reallyyy love the 6-12 month age!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is coming to life.. giggly and jolly as ever</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but moving and ready to rock and roll. a total snuggler.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trying to savor every moment with my kids...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and have more patience in all the crazy moments...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because they are growing up SO FAST.</span></div>Natalie of TheBusyBudgetingMama.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529562486800675586noreply@blogger.com0