Good friends and great bakers!

I spent the better part of a day last week baking cookies.

Trust me when I say that I am no baker! I absolutely love to cook, but somewhere in my lineage, the baking gene passed right over me!

As luck would have it , my mom was down for a visit, and I chose two family recipes, so she could assist me. The results were wonderful, all due to my mom's tips and helpful guidance!

The cookies were made for a cookie exchange being held at a friend's house. If you've never participated in a party like this, I highly recommend it! It's a fantastic excuse to get a group of friends together, and it sets such a festive tone.

Everyone was told to bring three dozen cookies, a container to bring our confections home in, and include the recipes to exchange. We put our goodies into our bins, dividing them equally. We had a beautiful selection and were fortunate enough to get to sample and take home some amazing cookies! I dare say I have very talented friends! One of my girlfriends at the party is from Europe and she remarked several times what a wonderful tradition this is, and one she will be introducing to all her friends when she returns home!

It's funny how things we are used to doing we tend to take for granted until their splendor is pointed out to us. With every cookie that I and my family have nibbled on this week, I've tried to reflect on the morning spent in the company of good friends and great bakers!

Cherry Cookies
Great Grandma T's Recipe
1 3/4 C Flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 C butter- room temp
2/3 C sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C maraschino cherries chopped and squeezed

Cream butter, mix sugar and egg. Add dry ingredients and vanilla, last gently stir in cherries.
Roll into quarter size balls, press with fork dipped in water.
Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes. Don't let them get brown!

Ode to Coffee

Coffee.

By definition it means 1. A hot drink made from the roasted and ground beanlike seeds of a tropical shrub. 2. A cup of this drink.

To me, it is so much more. It's my morning fuel, to which without I tend to function far below optimal level! It's described by others as the nectar of the gods, liquid gold. Indulgence? Necessity? Maybe even a necessary evil?

The ways to drink it are virtually endless. At one point in my life I heard myself order a tall, half cafe, skim, cold latte with a shot of coconut, not too much ice. Seriously? At which point I did apologize to the barista and slipped her a tip--silly, high-maintenance customer!

But truly, nothing beats a good strong cup of joe to send energy coursing through my veins to help conquer the day. Sometimes it's multiple cups of joe and once in awhile it's the long, fussy order, placed at a coffee shop that puts a smile on my face and a zing in my step! I'll say I drink it for the health benefits, of which there are many. But really I drink it because I love the smell, the taste, and how I feel after drinking it. So raise your mug and cheers to all my fellow coffee lovers out there!


Check out these links:
Seven surprising health benefits of coffee
Coffee health benefits

Truman is a ton of love

Ninety five pounds. A little or a lot? In my case, it's a ton! A ton of love that is, as mine comes bundled in the form of a beautiful white labradoodle.

I know I've made a few references to my pooch before, but he's just such a great guy I thought I'd write a bit more. When my kids are having a bad day, or don't even want to get out of bed to start their day, they will gladly take an early morning lick in the face or a hug to cheer them up and wake them up!

He's there and excited to see us if we leave him for five minutes or five hours. Unconditional, devoted canine love! We had a dog prior to this guy, who we lost when he was eight to cancer. We all took his loss very hard, but my daughter was devastated. We debated just when the right time would be to get another dog, and what type would suit our family the best.

I did a lot of research, and stumbled upon a local breeder of labradoodles. We visited with her before she even had any puppies, and really liked her small litters and beautiful dogs she offered. Then the wait was on until the day that our guy was born. We had the privilege of going to pick our puppy, and wow was that a fantastic experience! I think in the end, our baby, Truman, picked us. He gets as much love as he gives, and I love every last wag of his tail and shake of his paw. I think he's the best four legged buddy a girl could ask for! Dog, woman's or man's best friend? Do we really have to pick sides?

Check out this link: She Knows Pets

A nation in mourning

As I pondered what to write for my entries this week, I had several ideas, especially with the holidays approaching.

But all of that went out the window the moment I heard of the unspeakable tragedy that occurred in Connecticut--26 innocent people who won't be around to see the holidays, sensely taken before their time.

When I read about the school shootings, as a parent, I fought every urge not to drive directly to my kids' school just to hug them as hard as I could. I'm sure I'm not the only one, and maybe many parents did just that.

It's impossible to try to reason or make sense of this violent act. I've read words of wisdom from leaders in the community and struggled with how to handle discussing this with our children. How can we expect them to comprehend something so awful if we, as adults, can't? I didn't want to scare my kids or put unnecessary thoughts in their heads, but I know that they will hear about it at school. We allowed them to watch some of the news coverage and had a discussion where they could ask any questions they wanted.

As the weekend winds to a close, the start of a new school week begins. I am certain that the thought in every parent's mind is the safety of our kids as they enter into their school and start their Monday. How do we let them go without some reluctance?

There is no good way to write about such a situation. I want my kids to have a carefree, idyllic childhood. I will do anything I can to try to see that they do, including sending them to a school they love. I will hug them extra hard on Monday as I drop them off, and I may arrive extra early to greet them as they are dismissed.

As a mother, I will keep the families of Connecticut in my thoughts and prayers and hope that they know they have a nation of parents who are grieving with them. They are not alone, and they will never be forgotten.

J. Bells is still watching! Where is he now?

Our elf, Jingle Bells, has struck again.

He's been a bit more mischievous this year, much to the delight of our kids!

He's been spotted high on top the Christmas tree, suspended from a door lock in a pair of undergarments, and hidden in a potted plant. The other morning he was on the kitchen counter covered in flour and had made a snow angel!

It sure has been a terrific way to see the kids get excited for Christmas. Every visitor to our house gets to see where Jingle Bells showed up that day. We get to listen to the kids tell the tales of what the little elf has been up to, and how he is full of magic!

We have seen the kids behavior improve when they know Jingle Bells is watching, so who knows, maybe he is magical after all! The time of holiday magic is so very brief. Before long the kids will be doubting Santa's existence, a thought so very sad to imagine. I'll do anything I can to keep the holiday spirit, even if that means helping Jingle Bells cause trouble the month of December!

Dear Santa,

I've been a pretty good girl this year.

I've managed to get my family through most of 2012 with only minor amounts of complaints.

We enjoy dinner together around a relatively tasty, home-cooked meal more nights than not. I've tried to keep my kids involved in fun activities, and I help them get there on time (almost always!). The dog is fed and exercised on a regular basis, but I know there is room for improvement there! Overall he seems happy and moderately well trained.

So this year Santa, if I make it onto your nice list and not the other, there isn't too much to ask for. I'm happy with my family and friends and the majority of my possessions. My clothes are ok, I don't wear much jewelry and my car runs fine.

This year, I'l like to see more smiles on people's faces. I'd like to read more stories of people "paying things forward" and being kind to one another. Maybe I should try harder to do more of that. So this holiday season, I'm going to try to enjoy the spirit of Christmas, and maybe my gift will be trying to make that feeling last throughout the year! So Santa, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Love,
Tracey

The Silver Screen

Who doesn't need a break from everyday life?

One of my husband's absolute favorite things in life is going to the movies.

Talk about disconnecting and "letting" go. We can be transported to anywhere the screen wants to take us. Over the past few weeks I've been lucky enough to get to three movies! This maybe a personal record for me!

My husband and I were fortunate enough to get to see the new Bond film and Lincoln. I think there are two people, fictional and real, that my husband would/could claim as idols. He would choose Bond's snazzy wardrobe and Lincoln's wisdom! We were whisked away for a few hours, and afterward we had the pleasure of several lengthy discussions, especially concerning the Lincoln film.

It's not often anymore, that we are able to truly shutdown and tune out the happenings in our day-to-day world. Why not channel the excitement of a British spy or try to empathize with a world leader during a major turning point in our nation's history? Even better, try to do this while and enjoying a big tub of popcorn or box of Junior Mints! The next time you find yourself at the movies, enjoy the journey! It's only too soon we are back to reality, and our everyday wardrobe too!

Sometimes the 'bugs' win!

There is never a good time to get sick, not for anyone at any age.

I have to say this is especially true for moms or dads who stay home with kids.

It's inevitable, and you know that when living with kids who are constantly exposed to germs, our time to fall will happen. My time arrived bright and early Monday morning, ugh, a Monday after the holiday, double ugh! I was struck with some sort of vile stomach bug. I promise to spare all details to the dear readers of this blog, only to say that I felt like a useless pile of ice.

Somehow you find some reserve of energy to get all the troops assembled for school, clothed, fed and out the door in time. I returned from the school drop off to promptly take up residence on the couch.

Now to entertain a two-and-a-half year-old.

Thank goodness for technology and Max and Ruby. I think we completed a marathon of cartoon watching and book reading. It's certainly no fun to be sick, not for anyone at anytime. I think I'm fishing for some sympathy. In reality I was very fortunate to be able to stay home and rest. Even better I felt much like my old self 24 hours later. Now all fingers and toes are crossed so that no one else is subjected to this vile bug.

We moms, and dads too, are tough, even if we are managing things from our perch on the couch!

'Tis the season: Burning Off the Splurge!

There is a great, and might I add, very timely, article on the Balance Your 7 website. It's titled Burning Off the Splurge.

I needed to read this after spending Thanksgiving weekend at my parents' house.

I'm just wondering when they discuss splurging once in awhile, if I can condense mine into a few days worth? Did I need that extra slice of pumpkin pie, at 10 a.m.? No, but someone had to eat it, Grandma worked so hard to make it!

When they discuss coupling your indulgences with exercise, does walking the dog a few miles count, or chasing the kids? I had great intentions of running in the annual Turkey Trot, but we didn't get to town in time. The next day, it was too icy to run outside, so I tried walking off a few calories while Christmas shopping at the mall! I know it's not the same as vigorous exercise, but it's nice to read an article like this and know it's ok to indulge periodically and remember that all things are ok if done in moderation. It isn't often that I have pumpkin pie for breakfast, in fact it's about once a year. I think that qualifies as moderation!

And as far as catching up on my exercise after a weekend of indulging, there's always Monday!

J Bells is watching!

Our house has another family member, at least for the next month.

His name is Jingle Bells, J Bells for short. He's about twelve inches tall, wears red and white, has a twinkle in his eye and a permanent grin on his face.

Yes, he's our Elf on the Shelf and he's back for another holiday season.

If you've never heard of such a thing, they are the special helpers from the North Pole who report back to Santa every night. They watch all the activities that go on in the house by day, and each morning reappear in a new spot! They are magical, each with their own special name, given by the family.

Only the mommys and daddys may touch the elves or they could lose their magic. Jingle Bells has been a member of our family for the past three years. He arrives the day after Thanksgiving and leaves on Christmas. He may be small, but his presence is large, and during the month of December he is never forgotten.

It's a race in the morning to see who can spot the elf first. Santa's little helpers are mischievous and don't like to hide in the same place twice. We love having Jingle Bells around. It's funny how fast bad behavior can turn around with one quick reminder that "Jingle Bells is watching!"

If you have not had the chance to bring one of these cuties into your home, I would highly recommend it. They are fun for all ages, I think my husband and I get a bigger kick out of J Bells than the kids! Except on those nights that we are in bed and forgot to figure out where the little elf will show up the next day!

Stay tuned for more J Bell sightings!

My first acupuncture treatment...

I'm blogging to follow up from my acupuncture entry.

I went in for my appointment, late in the afternoon, the day before Thanksgiving.

The Gundersen Lutheran clinic was a ghost town, everyone scrambling to leave for the holiday. Have I mentioned that my biggest phobia in life are needles? So the idea of getting stuck with multiple needles does not render a great sense of calm! So I sat in the empty waiting area and my nerves kicked into overdrive. Once in the actual room, we briefly discussed the reason for my visit, my injured lower back. The practitioner explained that she would insert several hairpin sized needles, once inserted, she would attach a "pens" unit to stimulate the needles, causing a body buzzing sensation. I jumped when one of them was inserted, but after quickly being adjusted the pain went away.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, relaxation, pain, pressure? I felt several sensations, anxiety, calm, body buzz, some feelings familiar and some brand new. Laying on an exam table for twenty minutes with multiple needles vibrating in my back, I tried to train my mind to focus on anything other than what I was doing.

Admittedly it wasn't the best half hour I've ever spent, but by far not the worst. My body "buzz" lasted a bit after my appointment, one of the after effects of acupuncture.

I scheduled another session closer to Christmas. In order to see improvement, these treatments must be done on a regular basis. I know the next time I go my anxiety won't be so high, as the fear of the unknown is over. I'll focus on using the half hour of downtime as a chance to try to relax. After all, a practice that has been in existence for 5,000 years or more should be given a fair chance to prove it's worth it!

The origins of acupuncture...

Building headaches!

Well, I have blogged before that my husband and I are undertaking the monumental task of trying to build a house.

Many would not attempt such nonsense, most people we talked to advised against it!

Headache after headache--we were warned. But we persisted.

Well, this week we received a huge dose of reality. Our dreams and our budget are not aligning, in fact, they are so far out of alignment we may need to start over!

Yes, I have a headache! Talk about feeling unbalanced. I revisited the website of Balance Your 7, and when our home bids came back this week, felt out of synch with just about all of them!

Time for a reality check, and then some! At this point we are taking baby steps forward, reaching out to those who have successfully navigated this road before us. I've received a ton of support from friends who tell me not to fret, someday we will have a beautiful home to show for all of our work. I sure hope they are right.

As for now, it's time to rethink all of our priorities, and it's a good time for my husband and I to really discuss what's most important for us and our kids. We are trying to live in the now but also plan for the future as well, something much easier said than done. I feel we are working with a group of remarkably professional people who will help us navigate this crazy path we are on!

I will say that one fun surprise in this process is discovering all of the exceptionally talented people that live and work within the Coulee Region. We have found dedicated professionals from every stage in the process. For now, all hope isn't lost. It's just going to take us a bit longer to see the final results.

Bedtime Book Bash is a smash!

We all know the saying "it takes a village."

Well I think this is especially important in today's world.

At my kid's elementary school this week they had a Bedtime Book Bash. This is an annual event where local community "celebrities" come in a read a book to the children.

We rotated between three rooms for fifteen minutes each. We listened to a book being read by the fire chief, and got some great fire safety information on top of it! We listened about princes and princesses from a grocery store executive in another. Our final stop was in a room with a volunteer dog and his person. The person did the reading, but all of the attention was on Odin, the yellow lab. We learned about adoption from the Humane Society and the pooch got a lot of extra loving!

All of this was done with the kids wearing their pajamas and being in a safe and comfortable environment.

The members of the community volunteered to come in and do this, I think the volunteer list included more than fifteen people. It was fun to watch the kid's expressions as they listened to the book or got to ask a question. We ended the Book Bash with a snack in the cafeteria with all of their friends. My 5-year-old thought it was especially exciting to drive home in the dark, with her pjs on. When she whispered "That was super fun!" I wished I could have recorded it to show the volunteers what a great thing they had just done.

It does take a village, but sometimes it doesn't take much to make a big impact! My gratitude goes out to all of those who helped make this a special night.

How do you approach the idea of getting older?

Do you embrace it with open arms or do you run away in fear and denial?

Birthdays, as we age, are definitely different from those of our youth. When we were younger we shouted from the rooftops and wanted everyone to know when the big day was and just how old you were going to be.

At what age did that change?

I tell everyone that I'm 29, again. I'm not ashamed of my age, I think a lot of how old we are is a state of mind. We've all seen some young-at-heart grandma's and others who are old before their time.

I recently celebrated my 29th birthday, or so I said. My big day happened to fall on a Monday. I did manage to have a babysitter for a few hours so I carved out a little "me" time. I treated myself to an hour at the gym followed by a massage! Then I took the kids and we picked up my birthday cake.

We went out for Chinese (my choice). Dinner was followed up with cheesecake at home, where my kids presented me with their homemade cards and a sweet coupon book, redeemable for hugs, playdates and kisses! Overall, my Monday birthday was great! I embraced the year that passed and am already looking forward to the year ahead. Sometimes turning 29 a few times has it's advantages!

You can go home again...

We recently went back and visited the town in eastern Wisconsin where we lived for the first five years of our marriage. We had our first two kids there and forged lifelong friendships with people who knew us BK, (before kids)!

It had been two years since our last visit, which is far too long in my book. We stayed with our friends who have four kids of their own, bringing the household total for the weekend to eleven people, seven of whom were under the age of thirteen.

Our kids meshed perfectly and played nonstop the entire weekend. We were fortunate enough to gather ten friends for an adults-only dinner out and met up with several more couples after dinner. Needless to say, this was such a priceless visit.

Our kids saw the house where we lived and the people who loved them from day one. It made my friendship jar overflow.

I loved seeing my husband joke with his buddies and my kids rekindle friendships that they didn't even know existed. There is a saying that you can't ever go home again. But I am proof that that simply isn't true. We are just lucky enough to say that we have two places that feel like home, one of which is where we live and the other where we are welcomed with open arms anytime we want! If you ever find yourself in need of a pick-me-up, might I suggest contacting an old friend or visiting people who know and love you best. It's a great way to feel loved.

Thanksgiving.

An often overlooked holiday, but happens to be one of my favorites!

Sure, it lacks the excitement of Christmas or the drama of Halloween, but that's precisely why I like it! It's a time to get together with family or close friends and just celebrate with a great meal.

We always have the traditional turkey with all it's fixings. After a slice of my grandma's homemade pumpkin pie and a glass or two of wine, conversation and relaxation is enjoyed at it's utmost. Sure, there is always the logistics and clean up to plan for, but the pleasure is in the togetherness.

I'm excited to journey back to my parent's house this year where my grandparents, aunt and uncle and cousins will all be together. This will be the first year that my husband will try deer hunting with my father! Who knows, maybe this will be part of our new tradition! My mother will be fixing the main courses, and she has put me in charge of bringing dinner rolls and a green salad. I think in the grand scheme of Thanksgiving preparation I'm getting off as lightly as possible. I guess that means I'll be on dish duty!

However you plan on celebrating the holiday this year, I hope it's one of your best ever. I know when I look around at my little family, I have everything in the world to be thankful for.

Feeling like Sisyphus?

Ever feel like your day or your life sometimes goes a bit like this?

It's an example of Sisyphus who was punished by the gods to forever roll a rock up a hill, only to have it roll back down and start over.

It has come to mean "unrelenting" and accomplishing nothing.

Midweek, after a weekend trip with the family, I took a look around my house and could totally relate to Mr. Sisyphus. When I left our home, it wasn't pristine, but was in satisfactory condition, presentable. I returned and within a few hours it looked as though a bomb had gone off. Piles of laundry were to be found in various stages, cleaned but needing folding, folded but needing to be put away, and dirty.

Not to mention the suitcases that needed unpacking. I also realized that all of my Halloween decorations needed to be put away and stored for next year. I know that as soon as the house is cleaned, laundry folded and put away, decorations shelved, it will start all over again!

Soon I'll dig out the Christmas goodies, attempt to complete laundry and spruce up the house. Although I know these things are a fact of life, unlike Sisyphus mine will lessen once my last child leaves the house. I only have a mere fifteen years left of rolling the 'ol boulder up the hill.

The Myth of Sisyphus...

Taxidermy.

Maybe you don't or haven't ever thought much about the subject.

I grew up in a house where my father hunted for deer, ducks and other birds. He is also an average fisherman, so it wasn't unusual for a prize mount to suddenly appear on our wall. Luckily it was usually reserved for space in the basement where it didn't have to confront you daily.

Well this subject came up this week in our house. My husband has taken up the sport of pheasant hunting and recently shot a very large male bird. It traveled with him and his friend, back from South Dakota, frozen in a cooler to be hung in our basement and safely delivered to a local taxidermist.

He was very excited to report that the bird will make an excellent mount perched upon a fallen log. I have to admit that I had a difficult time sharing his enthusiasm for this soon-to-be-new piece of "art."

But, he says, he can look at it and picture walking in the field with his friends and the excitement he got when he knew he had hit his target. I guess I can see that, but what I don't want to see is this stuffed bird sitting in my living room.

Lucky for me, he has agreed that it will claim a prize spot in his office. I guess that is a compromise that I can easily live with. If I were a hunter I might be better able to share in his joy over having such a possession.

As for me? I'd rather have a chosen spot for a new pair of boots I found "hunting" on a great sale rack! I guess to each their own. When the bird returns in all of it's glory, I will post pictures for all to admire!

Comfort Food

Food can be the ultimate in comfort.

A warm bowl of soup, a slice of grandma's famous pie at Thanksgiving, pancakes like only your dad knows how to make.

A friend of mine recently had jaw surgery. She can eat only liquids for the next six weeks. Talk about the need for some comfort! So I decided to whip up two of my very favorite fall soups. Being the good friend that I am, I even made extra for us! The first is a very simple carrot ginger soup. It's the perfect balance of sweet with just a hint of spice. The color is beautiful with finishes of orange swirls.

The second, and a family favorite, is our curry butternut squash soup. This involves a few more steps to complete but the results are well worth every spoonful. The curry is just the perfect spice to compliment the hearty squash flavor. More or less can be added to your liking. According to my poor girlfriend, it was awesome! And I think for a few spoonfuls she was able to find some comfort in a bowlful of soup.


Recipes

Flu season has arrived!

Well the season of cold and flu has officially descended and decided to make a stop in our house.

We have had a terrific year of almost perfect health, so you knew it had to end!

Our youngest came down with a cold over the weekend and as the week progressed it turned into a dry, barking cough. One trip to the pediatrician confirmed she had croup. Add to that a low-grade fever and one round of vomiting at 1 a.m., and you can imagine how the poor kid feels.

With a sick child at home every schedule is turned upside down and things get set aside until all is well. One of the main reasons is I have zero energy to tackle much more! After fighting round one of the cold and flu season, it drives home the point to make sure to get your flu shots. Two of our five family members have had theirs, but we need to wait until we are all healthy to get the mist, our preferred method of delivery.

Gundersen Lutheran makes it easy to get vaccinated. There are flu clinics everywhere, and it's a fast and painless way to try to avoid a week like I've had! Take it from this exhausted mom, run, don't walk to go get yours!



http://www.gundluth.org/flu

The ottoman saga...

I'd like you meet the culprit.

Don't be fooled by it's sleek, beautiful appearance. It sits looking very innocent, but don't be hoodwinked! Inside it's filled with darkness (and probably some foam cushioning).

You see, it started out as a great idea for a ten-year anniversary gift for my husband. It was selected with a great deal of care, and shipped to a friend's house so it and the ottoman, could be assembled in secret. It was then brought to our house on our big day, much to my husbands's delight!

Then, we noticed a flaw in the leather of the ottoman. After several calls to the company, in New York, a Fed Ex truck was dispatched to pick up the package. What the company couldn't seem to figure out was how to pick up the ottoman at MY house and not my girlfriends. Three attempts by Fed Ex later, and a personal escort up to our house by my girlfriend, the ottoman was returned.

The replacement ottoman arrived, at my girlfriend's home! After the box was opened we discovered they had shipped the wrong color. Several phone calls later, the ottoman was sent back again. Our third, and we hoped final, ottoman arrived, this time at the correct address. I made my husband open it, I was afraid to look! All looked fine, at first, but the finish around the edging was not done! Major flaw! Talk about feeling frustration and rage! The company received several less than kind emails and phone calls, and they decided to issue me a $100 credit for my troubles, and a replacement ottoman. The only problem? They didn't have any of the correct color in stock, would I like a replacement chair instead? Seriously? Six weeks, three ottomans and still the gift is not complete! Insert several curse words here…..

We have decided to keep what we have until the end of November when the new, and hopefully correct, ottoman, arrives. In the meantime do not be fooled. It looks nice but it's got a dark side.

I should have bought him a watch.

Sisterhood!

Relationships come in all shapes and sizes.

Some are good and some leave a lot of room for improvement.

I am the older, dare I say wiser and better looking, elder to my younger sister. Growing up we fought as all siblings do, and manage to do occasionally even now. My husband is amazed that we can fight over the telephone, as she lives several states away. We talk almost daily, she is the only one who shared in our upbringing and is therefore the sole person who can commiserate about all the things families commiserate about!

I miss her like crazy and wished we could live closer, especially for the sake of my kids. But for the few times a year we do manage to get together, my children act like it was just yesterday that they saw her. Although my sister and her husband do not have children of their own, and just the sight of a poopy diaper makes her gag violently, she is the perfect aunt! I mean it isn't everyday your kids get a surprise box of Halloween goodies and within is a box of gummy boogers! Give me a poopy diaper anyway over that!

So relationships do come in every shape and form. As far as mine and my sister's goes, ours is as good as it gets, and that's just fine by me! This dose of sisterhood helps keep my world in balance.

Acupuncture!

Early last winter I found myself in a world of pain and discovered that I had ruptured one of the discs in my lower back.

It was agony to go from sitting to standing and ibuprofen and ice became my new best friends.

I sought medical help, and after this was discovered on an MRI, I received two cortisone injections and three months of physical therapy. I slowly recovered and today I am living pain free and am taking every precaution I can to try to prevent another injury like this from occurring.

I refrain from certain exercises at the gym and try to do extra core work to strengthen my back. I try to get massages once in awhile, go to hot yoga, and overall just tend to be more aware of ways to stay out of the physical therapist's office.

I have recently been reading about all the health benefits that acupuncture can offer. At Gundersen Lutheran there are two providers who provide this type of therapy. People from all walks of life and every age have enjoyed many of the benefits that go along with acupuncture. I picked up the phone and scheduled my first appointment. This is a big step for a person who is terrified of needles!

I have several friends and relatives who have sought this treatment for various ailments, including my 89-year-old grandmother. Everyone told me of the positive results they experienced. One such friend said it helped remarkably calm her mood swings and helped her feel more energized. They all claimed that the needles did not hurt, although you may experience a tingling sensation when touched on certain areas. I am nervous and excited, but feel that taking an extra preventative step to staying healthy is worth it.

For more information on acupuncture offered in this area check out the links...
Acupuncture
Integrative Medicine at Gundersen Lutheran

Finding balance

If you have a few minutes of free time during the day, do you find yourself using some type of social media?

Maybe you twit or tweet or find yourself checking Facebook. I find myself doing this far too often during the day when I have a few seconds of down time. It does keep me informed of social news on a very timely basis. I have found that I stayed in touch with people or found people I have lost touch with and reconnected. It has allowed me to track events and stay on top of things in our community.

But I have found that although it has become a fixture in my life, with a computer parked on my kitchen counter, it has also become a huge waste of my precious free time. I have become somewhat addicted to checking what others are doing on Facebook, or keeping up to the minute on daily social ongoings.

I need to find a time to dedicate to doing this once, maybe twice a day. I haven't found my happy medium, but it needs to happen if I want to get my laundry done! There are more than a handful of my friends who don't follow any type of social networking, I say, all the more power to them!

As a stay-at-home mom, this type of communication helps me feel connected in a way I don't get from going to work outside the home. I do tire of reading the same posts from people. I really don't care if you just vacuumed your hallway, and I have to admit I feel like people lead far more exciting lives than I do.

There is a constant barrage of vacation photos and shots of gourmet meals and social functions. But when taken in context, it is fun to see how friends lives are being led and places and things they are doing. I have found some great resources along the way, like the Balance Your 7 website, and all the ways it shows to try to lead a more balanced life. While two of the components of balance your 7 are relationships and community, the underlying theme is still balance, and this is something that I hope to achieve with my "facebooking" especially before we run out of clean clothes!



balanceyour7com

Halloween is fast approaching

I have recently begun to realize that there are two schools of thought about this holiday. You either love this time of year and go all out decorating, pick the perfect costume, buy your candy early, etcetera.

If you are not this person, then you are that someone who refuses to get into a costume and for you the only thing good about Halloween is the candy! Well, I happen to be in one camp and my husband entrenched in another.

So with an upcoming party to go to there is always the big costume debate. Now this may sound trivial in the grand scheme of day-to-day life, but it's a decision that requires a great deal of planning and thought. If my husband agrees to be dressed up at all, he wants it to be a costume that is easy and comfortable and does not require any sort of explanation. But even this is done with a great deal of reluctance. Luckily, he loves me enough to go to the party at all!

So here I sit, mid October, trying to come up with the best costumes to suit both our wishes. Last year, at this same party, people tended to go all out. We saw an entire KISS band, several realistic looking superheroes, and quite a few were quite spectacular! We kept it simple and went as the Soul Surfer and the shark who bit her arm off. It was easy, cheap, and comfortable for both of us to wear. I have been racking my brains and the website and I believe I finally stumbled upon a great idea, and one my husband actually agreed to! But this idea requires one prop that I may have a difficult time finding. So, I have begun scouring Ebay and local retailers in the hopes that this will work! Stay tuned to find out what this idea is! In the meantime, try not to be a Halloween scrooge, but enjoy the one holiday where you get to be just about anything you want, even if it's only for a brief period of time and do all of this while eating candy!

A minivan mom...

So I came to a harsh reality a little over two years ago.

I was pregnant with our third child and realized that the vehicle I was driving would be less than practical for a family of five and their dog.

Now if you were to ask any one of my friends, I was the last person who would ever be caught driving a minivan. I had said "never" and we all know one should never say "never."

We test drove every available SUV, car, or something with wheels.

It was shortly there after that I found myself behind the wheel of a less-than-attractive, yet totally practical minivan. I had officially entered the minivan stage of life.

Now several people swear they love their van and wouldn't dare dream of driving any other vehicle. I am not in that camp. But I will say it is challenging enough to juggle three active kids, so sign me up for anything that can help make this even remotely easier. It's not perfect, but it will do for now, and I like to tell myself that you can still be a thirty-something, mother of three, and look good driving a van!

There and back again...

My husband and I recently had a weekend away to Chicago, sans kids.

Traveling is one of my favorite things in life to do. I love exploring new places, seeing new sites, smells, sounds and tastes. We managed to eat several fantastic meals, have adult conversation, and get to enjoy being together as adults without our kids for a few hours.

I got to explore during the day, as my husband had some meetings to attend. Being in the city alone can be a great thing. I was on my own time schedule, answering only to my growling stomach. Eating whatever appealed to me, shopping in whatever store caught my eye, exploring as I wanted.

My batteries were thoroughly recharged after only two days. But being in a large city, surrounded by people, it's amazing how alone you can feel. By day three I missed my kids, my dog, my bed. It was time for us to get back to reality and our crazy life.

I love to travel and I have an endless list of places I want to explore, but our next adventure will include the kids. And for those of you who have traveled with children, you know you don't have to go far for that to become an adventure unto itself!

Well done Farm2School!

Our local La Crosse County Public Schools have introduced a new program called Farm2School.

It teaches children about fruits and vegetables, letting them taste, watch and participate in cooking demonstrations, and basically getting kids excited about healthy eating. This is such a wonderful idea, and I have witnessed it actually working.

Our 7-year-old has begun to try new foods, instead of instantly snubbing them. He still holds a grudge against squash and a few other harmless vegetables, but he likes broccoli, kiwi and green beans. He continues to sample everything put on his plate, most of the time with a good-natured attitude.

I made a white chicken chili with lots of beans and vegetables. He LOVED it! For a mom this is a home run.

I think this is due, in part, to his exposure to new fruits and vegetables at school. Seeing his friends try new things, he too has decided this isn't such a bad idea. Every month they have one featured produce item on the lunch menu.

The executive chef from Gundersen Lutheran, Thomas Sacksteder, travels to local schools and gives demonstrations using items from local farms. We live in such an agriculturally rich area, it's wonderful to see this begin to be incorporated into the way our children should eat. This initiative needs to be applauded, especially from this mother!

Watch the YouTube video of chef Thomas Sacksteder by clicking here.

Political overload!

I have officially hit political overload!

I was tired of all the commercials by August, but now we are truly in the thick of things. The debate was predictable, but I did watch a fair amount.

I have friends who eat, sleep and breathe politics. I wish it interested me more but I always feel like they say whatever we want to hear, twist things to sound favorable to their beliefs, and do whatever they want to anyway!

Several of our friends are from foreign countries. They raptly follow all of the state and federal hoopla, and would absolutely love to have the ability to vote. It has been wonderful to get an outside perspective on some of the pertinent topics.

Overall, I continue to tune out the commercials and try to glean my knowledge of the various candidates from many different sources. I happen to celebrate a birthday at the beginning of November, and this year I will be just as excited to celebrate turning one year older as having the elections over with!

Grandparents

I hope everyone who reads this has had the experience of a wonderful set or two of grandparents. Maybe it was a special Nana or Papa or Oma or Opa. Perhaps it was just plain 'ol Gram and Gramps.

I have had the privilege to see my children grow up with my parents as one of the best examples of what a perfect set of grandparents should look like. On a scale of one to ten on the spoil meter, my parents are way off the charts. Hugs and kisses, laughter and smiles are never ending when Grandpa and Grandma are around. We live about an hour's drive away from their home. Each and every trip to their house is like a vacation for my children. They never tire of the drive or what awaits them at the other end.

They have helped to enrich and round out my children's lives by introducing them to things like fishing, baking, campfires in the backyard. What fun it is for me to watch the sparkle in both my parent's and my children's eyes when they are together with one another. Our 2-year-old is especially close to my mom. She can do no wrong in her grandma's eye!

I am so grateful for all they do for our family and our kids. My mother is here to help out so that my husband and I can get away for the weekend without the kids. I love that she wants to help and is able to do so, and our kids are in such great, experienced hands. So if you have grandparents or the privilege to watch your parents be the grandparents, be grateful. They are truly special people.

Balancing my mind...

One of the seven areas of the Balance Your Seven is mind.

Stimulating your mind by challenging yourself to try something new, stay up to date on current events, take a class or listen to new music.

I find this very challenging to fit in during the week. I was the kind of person who loved school, I enjoyed learning and being with friends. I do read and I enjoy music, even if it sometimes involves animated voices! I would enjoy trying to fit in a new class, but how does one try to squeeze this in between two different soccer practices, dance, piano lessons? Just sitting down and finding the time to blog with kids and schedules becomes a major challenge.

However, I have truly enjoyed blogging, engaging the "adult" part of my brain. I think about various things to write about, and do a bit of research before sitting down, or in this case, standing, to type it. I have followed up on my desire to learn French by purchasing a set of cds to listen to in the car. Even our kids have joined in!

Overall I know that my children and their schedules do dominate our day to day, but I keep hoping to find a way to keep squeezing in ways to keep my mind healthy and add to my overall sense of balance.

Kids in charge!

Amid the whining and protesting I have been hearing lately from my kids, "I don't need a bath...I'm NOT doing my homework...she started it...he started it...I hate vegetables," I had a thought. What if kids were in charge?

There would be whipped cream and Fruity Pebbles every morning for breakfast. Heck, there would be no breakfast.

Bedtime wouldn't be a word in anyone's vocabulary, neither would bath time or time outs, or any measure of time.

Pajamas would be the dress of the day and the same ones would probably be worn multiple days in a row. Hairbrushes would never be applied to one's head, nor would a toothbrush to anyone's teeth. The world would be fun and fun would be for everyone. Kickball and baseball would be played in the street again, and forts would dominate in every living room. Sure we might not be as hygienic as before, or very well rested but wouldn't that be a great tradeoff to be able to play tag until AFTER dark? There would be no winners or losers, everyone would get to play.

I guess I'm not quite ready to hand the reins over to my children, but some days, when the whining has reached its peak, I sure am tempted!

If I were in charge of the world...

Happy Oktoberfest!

This week marks the start of a huge local tradition known as Octoberfest.

Having only lived in the area for the past two years we are not "festers" like so many others who live in town. I love the history and festiveness it brings to the area. It is fun that there are so many options to choose from.

For the first time this year we will be bringing our kids to the Maple Leaf Parade. I love parades, seeing everyone in costume, hearing and seeing the marching bands so close they give you goosebumps!

Then, of course, let's not forget the candy! Who doesn't get caught up in the excitement of dashing into the street to grab that runaway Tootsie Roll? It's been awhile since I have been to a parade, but my kids had better watch out! I'm going to give them a run for their money! Maybe this isn't your thing and you want to attend the tapping of the Golden Keg, or participate in a run. It's a great time to be from such a wonderful community. With the fall season in full swing, I hope you are able to get out and enjoy all there is to offer just around the corner.

Happy Oktoberfest. Click here to learn more!

Reading, book club, and friends...

There are a few things I do in life to try to keep myself sane.

One has always been reading. Last fall I started a book club with a lovely group of ladies. We have been trying to meet every four to six weeks to discuss whatever book we had chosen the meeting before.

This is a group of ladies who did not know one another. We have varied backgrounds but are all at similar stages in life. We get along swimmingly to say the least. I am so excited to meet this week! We had to take a bit of a hiatus do to all of our summer schedules.

A book club is a wonderful way to explore books you wouldn't otherwise pick up and read, let alone discuss. We have had some fantastic discussions, and with each get together I always walk away with a smile and a new tidbit of knowledge I didn't have prior.

It doesn't take a formal book club or get together to expand your literature horizons. There are many online possibilities and book lists if you find yourself at a loss. I know several friends who are even in a couples book club. For now I think I'll stick to just my girl friends, although I have caught my husband interested in more than one of our selections. I have to say, I highly recommend it and it has proven to be one of my favorite girls night out!!

Happy reading everyone.

bookmovement.com

10 years together...

This week my husband an I celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary.

We have lived through many obstacles, two career changes, the birth of three children, two dogs, five moves, a bit of weight change, some ups and downs.

I feel that we have helped each other grow into the people, parents of three, that we are today.

Times have not always been smooth, and if asked we would both admit it certainly hasn't always been easy.

Through it all we have tried to maintain a sense of humor. We both have realized each others' strengths and tried to boost up our weaknesses. Trying to find life and work balance is our biggest challenge.

We don't live in a fairytale, but we realize how blessed we truly are. We met on a fluke, at a party, dated long distance for two-and-a-half years and then were married.

You could say the rest is history, but that's in the past and I'm busy looking forward to the future!

Our spiritual journey leads to a church home

I know I have blogged about our family and it's spiritual quest to find a church that fit. Well we have joined a local church and have enrolled the kids into its Sunday school program.

So far, so good.

While I have stayed home with our youngest, our two older kids really loved going to school with some of their fellow school mates. Our 5-year-old's biggest complaint was that it wasn't long enough! I think we can take this as a good sign.

But more than the social pluses we are seeing, we have joined a very welcoming community, which, in turn, has helped our spirituality grow. I'll be the first to admit that I won't be attending every Sunday, but I don't feel like I need that. Yet for others this is an essential part of their every day or every week.

However you find yourself spiritually, it took our family quite some time to find a place that suited our needs and gave us a sense of comfort. It was worth it, and I hope we continue to grow together and keep learning from this experience.

It's time for soup!

Today's weather--cold gray and rainy is screaming out for soup!

So I have transformed my kitchen into soup-making central.

It smells wonderful and makes me cozy just thinking about a warm bowl of soup for dinner. On today's menu is a curry butternut squash, using a few local squash as the base. I think next I will make a huge pot of chili, Alabama Chili to be specific, and freeze a big batch for future Packer games! The list is endless and its such a fun way to use fresh ingredients and experiment a bit.

Years ago my husband and I were given a cookbook called "Chili Nation." We have tried about a quarter of the recipes and are working our way through the book. What a fun way to try a new recipe, especially when the weather turns chilly. Another way I cheat a bit in the kitchen is to utilize my crockpot. I love leaving for the day and coming home to a warm meal already prepared!

Whatever your tastes may be, stew, soup, chili--enjoy!


Fall Soups
Seriously Soupy

Go Pack Go!

It's time to dust off your green and gold, for Packer season has arrived!

In Wisconsin we have winter, spring, summer, fall and Packer season!

I too happen to be a huge cheesehead and a staunch supporter of the green and gold. My aunt and uncle live near Lambeau Field and as a kid we would go watch the players practice, get some autographs and if you were really lucky one of the guys would ride your bike over to the field with you running along side!

Now my husband and I are lucky if we can manage to watch half of the game without screaming kids or constant commotion. I have friends who record it just so they are able to watch the entire thing in peace! However and whomever you choose to support, it makes for a great time of year and is certainly one of our most exciting seasons!

Go Pack go!

From Trash to Treasure

That's my motto for the next few days as myself and a few friends prepare for a garage sale.

I vowed never to have another sale, as I found the amount of work almost not worth it.

First comes organizing what you want to sell vs donate and keep. Next comes the dreaded task of marking and organizing everything to be displayed for sale. And then it's trying to transform your garage into a temporary Bloomingdales for a few days.

Right.

Now do that with three other women and all of their stuff! Luckily I am not hosting this time, that task fell to a much more daring, organized friend! After all of the hard work, and hopefully some spending money earned in the end, it is such a satisfying feeling to purge ourselves of the unwanted and unused items we have in our home. Way too many of these items, I might add.

I found it a bit shameful the sheer amount of stuff we have managed to accumulate. This is something I need to remind myself of the next time I stroll through Target or shop the internet! So if you find yourself in need of some wonderful treasures, tell all of your friends and bring your cash to our incredible Bloomingdales, coming temporarily to a neighborhood near you!


Click here for information on how to hold a profitable garage sale!

School lunch ideas for a fussy eater

We have successfully launched the 2012-2013 school year.

My kids have done remarkably well, going to bed at a reasonable time and waking up without much a fight in the morning! I think they were needing routine and structure as much as I was!

With the school year underway the lunchtime debate is back in full swing. My son has morphed into a fussy eater. I think it happened sometime during the terrible twos, and we are slowly trying to get him to expand his palate. Baby steps.

So with a child who refuses to eat meat on a sandwich, dislikes most school choices, I have made more than my fair share of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. But I have already been told that he wants something "different" for his lunches. I really can't blame him!

I am trying to be more creative and still give him a relatively healthy lunch. I will take input at anytime from those of you in readerland. I try soup in a thermos, chili, cheese and crackers, mini pizzas on a bagel, boxes of cereal that can be eaten with his milk. We make Nutella sandwiches, to shake up the peanut butter once in a while.

I guess I rely on the philosophy that he'll eat when he's hungry and he may just discover that he actually enjoys beans and cauliflower. I can always dream.

I did and do look at websites often to try to find some inspiration for school lunches. The link below is just one of many, so if you find you are at all like me, don't despair. There are a lot of resources out there to help!


Click here for some brown bag lunch ideas...

Steppin' Out In Pink

Last Saturday was the Steppin' Out In Pink walk at Gundersen Lutheran. I am happy to say that our entire family walked.

It was even our daughter's birthday, but what a great way to celebrate!

Our family has been affected by two people very close to us, who won their battle with breast cancer. One happens to be my mother-in-law. The other is a very dear friend and a mother of two young girls.

What a terrifying diagnosis, but we will walk to honor the successful fight they and so many others have fought. This was a great community event and I was excited to participate for the first time!

It helps generate awareness and donations for future women and hopefully find a cure. So thanks to everyone who put on their best shade of pink, some comfortable walking shoes and joined us as we celebrated some courageous women and their loved ones!

Fueling a fire

Well, we survived our recent TRI like a Mother!!

It was a beautiful weekend and the course we competed on was fantastic! It was all set on the shores of a lake, with a relatively flat landscape. I found myself rather excited to compete and not nearly as nervous as I had anticipated I would be.

I have to say I ran my little heart out, and at about mile two that statement felt literal! It was a rather humbling experience, being passed by others who had just completed both the swim and the biking portion, and practically flew by me on the run. It did fuel a fire that I didn't know I had and has sparked an interest in competing in all the events next year.

I was happy I found my competitive self, she had been asleep for quite awhile! I think completing a race like this gives you a specific purpose and clear goals to shoot for during your exercise routines. I will never strive to compete in an Ironman, although I admire those athletes even more after a competition like this. I think the moral of this story that I "ran" away with is challenge yourself. You never know what you might find, and chances are you will be pleasantly surprised.

Gratitude for girlfriends

I have many things that I am grateful for, one of which are my dear girlfriends.

There is nothing more special than a long conversation with a special friend. Girlfriends tend to understand us in a way unlike any other, except maybe a sister. They tend to hold that ability to be brutally honest when you need it most. They can listen with an understanding ear, and give that cherished advice that you were looking for.

I am lucky enough to have several ladies I can count on in any situation. We commiserate about our kids, our lives. Last week was a challenging one in our house. I called a friend on more than one occasion and she listened and gave that golden advice that I was seeking. It's better than any bandaid and I am so grateful for her.

Today if you are so fortunate to have a girlfriend who holds a special place in your heart, thank her for all she does and all that she means to you. They are a special gift that I will always cherish.

I try daily to learn from her...

She's one of the most generous and thoughtful people I know.

She's constantly putting others before herself. A great listener? Yes. A hard worker? Yes. She has a great sense of humor, and she has one of the best laughs around. She's always up for adventure or trying new things, and her spirit is very catchy. I admire how she learns new things and is patient with others who are learning as well. She sets lofty goals for herself, sometimes achieving them, sometimes not, but always they are tackled with a smile. There is so much she can teach me, and much of her personality is enviable.

I try daily to learn from her, I have a long way to go.

SHE happens to be my 4-year-old daughter.

I don't know how we got so lucky, but I know I will forever be in awe of her. I hope she will forever be the person she is today, and I hope one day to grow to be half of the person she is every day.

Thoughts of fall

Can you see a change in the air?

Can you see the nights coming a bit sooner?

I've even noticed some leaves starting to change. There is just the hint of autumn beginning to creep into our days. Fall is my favorite season, and it's coming just around the corner.

Living in a climate where winter seems to dominate, fall is a beautiful, though fleeting season. It's the time to get out your favorite soft sweater and comfy pair of jeans. It's the season for enjoying hot apple cider and fresh apples from the orchards. When the smell of leaves burning and leaves bursting with color are a common occurrence.

While the temperatures are climbing back into the 90's here this week, it may seem a bit early to be wishing for fall, but before long the nights and soon the days will be crisp. Autumn is a time for trick or treating and turkey carving. It's for back to school and jumping into piles of leaves. While we soak up the last rays of summers sun, I'm heading into my closet to lay out my sweatshirt and jeans, just in case!

TRI Like a Mother!

I've done it now.

I've gone and committed myself to competing in a triathlon this weekend.

Ok granted, I am not doing all of the swim, bike and run, I'm competing as part of a relay team. I will be the one running, sweating and cursing, across the finish line.

My husband and I are traveling to our dear friends' town this Labor Day to visit and compete in this race.

My husband will be competing in his second tri, and I have been convinced to compete as well. I love the idea of doing any type of exercise, but I also like the idea of adequately preparing for it too!

Oh well, it will certainly be a character builder and I'm sure we will have a blast during the process. At least this is what I keep telling myself. Doing only the running part, I have the least to complain about anyway.

I was also assigned the task of coming up with our team name. Every cool team needs a name! Several options were presented "The Cold Turkeys," "Momshells," "Tri Ineffectas." But the overall winner is "TRI Like a Mother."

And you can bet I will!

Here is some training advice for busy moms.

A new home for our family...

Well, it has been a long time in coming but my husband and I are building a house. Not us personally of course, but we are forging forward to create and build a new home for our family.

I have found that it's one thing to say we want to build, and a totally different animal to actually execute this task. Several people I know would never undertake this challenge. A part of me believes we are a bit crazy, three kids a new dog and now a new house. But I want the satisfaction of trying to create something of our own, and then watching it come to life.

We have tried to involve our kids as much as we can in this process. We have been offering them the promise of picking out colors for their rooms, and dangling the idea of a play gym in front of their little noses.

Now comes the difficult part, the dreaded budget. It's ridiculously easy to get carried away on paper. This beautiful kitchen, complete with top-of-the-line this and that. This master bath with only the best of everything. But that reality is shattered faster than it takes to type this all up. Here comes that word again, budget.

While dreaming and creating is fun and a bit exhilarating, it's also tremendously humbling. One must also enter into the world of compromise. What style cabinet I may have my heart set on, my husband may not agree. What? Really? So you find yourself back to square one and starting over. We have been creating and working on this project for the better part of three years, and we have yet to have a hole in the ground to show for it. But soon, soon that rainbow wall may be a reality in my daughter's room! Soon we may see our dreams of creating a house that is all ours.

Then comes the easy part, making it into a home we all love.

Check out this link to learn about building and remodeling while keeping your sanity and your marriage intact.

Any 'back to school' resolutions?

Well with the approach of school looming large, have any of you created any "back to school" resolutions?

Any projects staring you in the face, daring you to complete?

I have an absolute mountain of clothes to sort through and organize. As one daughter outgrows an outfit, her younger sister inherits a new look. A new look assuming it makes it into a place her mother can find it! A girlfriend is hosting a garage sale, so if I can get my act together some of these outgrown clothes may even earn me a bit of spending money!

I have photos to organize, baby books to update (in one case, start!). Maybe I'll even find a chance to carve out some much-needed me time. I will dust off my gym clothes, and assuming I can still find my way there, resume my exercise regime again! With the start of school comes much-needed routine.

I can see my kids starting to become sassier, a bit more challenging than they were at the start of summer. All of my friends say its time for school to start! This mom thinks so too! So as the mornings begin a bit earlier, and the rush to scramble to get out the door rears its ugly head, I say bring it on. I am waiting with open arms.

Planning for the unthinkable...

I have a very dear friend who lost her husband in a tragic accident a year ago last August.

As the anniversary of his death approaches, I have reflected on what a strong, inspirational woman she has been this past year.

She has begun to lecture individuals about the importance of life insurance and planning in case a tragedy ever occurs. This must take immense courage. Each time she gives a talk she relives her own experience. To be able to share this so that others won't suffer as she did, is truly amazing.

She is now a single mother to two beautiful girls, and she is definitely leading them into a bright future. I have learned a great deal from her example. Because of her, my husband and I have had several discussions on what to do if we ever encountered such a life-changing event. We have reviewed the plans we have in place and are confident knowing that our children will be cared for. As awful as it is to think about, it's a very necessary part of parenting and responsibility.

I hope my friend knows how wonderful she is, and I hope she finds peace in her bright days ahead.

Here is some information on estate planning for parents of young children...

Any frantic last minute school shoppers out there?

Anyone's kids feet grown 3 sizes from spring? I was amazed when measuring my 7-year-old's feet, wow!

So we are off to buy pants that fit, and getting him to try them on is a bit like wrestling an ornery pig. Not that I have ever wrestled any pigs, but I bet all my practice with my kids helps!!

Next we are onto the school supplies. This year I found myself buying for two of my three kids. Up go the number of things needed, up goes the cost. With a cut in many school budgets, parents are having to foot the bill for many extras that the schools cannot afford. My kids are too young for some of the technical equipment but that will only add to the cost as they age.

I've tried talking to my kids about need vs. want. I like to take a favorite pair of pants and turn them into a cool pair of shorts. Backpacks have a long life in our house. While I do make a date to take each child out for a special day to pick a new outfit, we stay within a certain price range and have a great time on our date!

However you decide to tackle the back to school lists, hang in there! You have my sympathies!

Learn more about sending your kids back to school...

Going...and coming home!

When going on a vacation with young children, it's best to set all expectations on the low side, so you find yourself pleasantly surprised when things go well.

We have just returned from a ten day trip up north. After packing as much as humanely possible into our vehicle, we were off.

I have dreams of watching my children frolic by the beach, catching fish, roasting marshmallows and singing songs by the fire. Well, we did get swimming roasting and catching but not without crying, screaming and cursing, and this was all from the parents!

I don't want to say that we didn't have nice quality family time. We created some fun memories that we will cherish. But I think there is a vision of how you want a vacation to be, and that vision does not include needing a vacation from your vacation! We are home, basically unpacked, and somewhat settled back into our routines.

It's at this time that I realize how much I cherish my own surroundings, my bed, my access to amenities, running water! I think the focus should be on relishing your every day and not putting so much stock in making the vacation be the memory.