Episode 4: Embrace The Chaos
Join us for our first episode in our new series... Coffee and Chai!
Along with our interviews, Joel and I thought it would be fun to start a series where we just chat! We're going to answer your questions, show you a little glimpse into our lives, and maybe even let you know how crazy we are!Get yourself a cup of coffee or chai and join us this week as we talk about what it looks like to raise three boys under seven years old.
Products and links we mentioned:
Paul Tripp Parenting Bookhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JdcLE2NGCo
Challenge:
Embrace the chaos in your life!
What To Expect When Coming To Our Boy Filled Home
If you come over to our house be ready for.....
A full on Nerf gun battle.
You better be able to hold your own because they can smell weakness. You also have to have eyes in the back of your head so you can see when they switch out the nice nerf bullets for sharp and hard items. True story.
The kids to take it to far.
If you give in and play with our kids be ready for them to take it to far or never want to stop. You’re working them up so you better expect it! Be the boss and find your voice when you’re done.
Non stop snacking.
Little boys are never full. They snack all day long and it only gets worse as they get bigger. Even if you come to our house for dinner, you're going to see our kids eat fist, second, and third dinner. All little boys have an inner hobbit that they have to feed.
Huge imaginations.
There isn't anything like a little boy's imagination. It's never ending and it can take you to places you never imagined. You will get to see our kids turning their forks into planes, their bedrooms into lava filled caves, and the couch into a boat that's taking them to safety. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
A lot of noise.
It’s never quiet in our home. Our kids have one voice inside and outside. We remind them about five dozen times a day but even their whispers are freaking loud. If it does get quiet you better run because they’re getting into something!
Bathroom mysteries.
Okay, it's not really a mystery. Boys simply don't flush. It doesn't matter that I've asked them hundreds of times. It doesn't matter that it's disgusting. They're simply in such a hurry that they "don't have time" to flush the toilet when they're finished using it.
Best friends.
Our kids don’t just like having people over. They love it. If you play your cards right you’ll become auntie and uncle status before you know it and they’ll become your little buddy. They’ll have your back forever and never forget all the times you played with them.
To sum it up, you will never get bored when you come to our house...
Road Trip Travel Hacks
Road Trip Travel Hacks
Growing up our family went on quite a few road trips. We drove everywhere. We’d go to the beach, the lake, friends houses, visit family, and go on adventures. IT wasn’t until I had kids that I realized why we drove everywhere.It’s freaking expensive to fly the whole family! It wasn’t as bad at first because babies fly free. As soon as they turn two, life changes again and now you have to fork out a few hundred dollars for them.As a family of five, you can imagine how expensive it gets....So road trips here come. Buckle up kids and get ready for an entire day in the car! Prepare for constant bickering with your brothers on how much they touch you or the fact that they’ll try to eat all your snacks. Excited!?The funny thing is none of that matters to my kids. They love road trips! They love looking out their window and seeing all the new places, bugging each other, and watching movies on their iPads.At least my hubby and I have slowly figured out a few road trip hacks to surviving family road trips.
Pack light.
The assumption when traveling with kids is to BRING IT ALL. Don’t do it! As a parent you’re the in-house pack mule and carrying it all is a nightmare. Bring the essentials and let each kiddo bring ONE special toy. Being a minimalist for a few days won’t hurt them.
Pack a cooler with snacks.
We recently picked up these coolers for the kids, and they’re a lifesaver! We load them up with snacks, and it keeps them cold. It cuts down on stops, and it keeps them busy.
Get something novel.
Novel is key on a road trip. If you have a DVD player you can get a new movie from the discount section, or you can get a little activity book. Pull it out halfway through your trip when your kids are getting restless.
Plan 1-2 stops where the kids can get out and stretch their legs.
The goal of road trips is to get to your destination fast, but planning at least one stretch your legs time will help. I don’t mean a potty break either. Find a rest stop and play a game of tag. Let them run and get their wiggles out.
What are your road trip hacks?
60+ Things To Do This Summer With The Whole Family
The summer is officially here! Alarm clocks are getting hidden away, bedtimes are extended, and parents everywhere are feeling a little frantic. It's because now, we as parents are responsible to fill our children's schedules with all of the fun adventures they've been looking forward to. We can't look to teachers for the next few months...It's all on us.Our kids are going to wake up every morning and the first thing they're going to ask is, "What are we doing today?"Don't worry, I'm here to help. I have put together a list of fun activities to keep your family busy this summer! My friends and I put this list together because we were tired of racking our brains every day last summer, trying to think about what we could possibly do that wouldn't mean spending all of our money each day.Summers can get expensive! If you're not careful, you can end up spending a few times your house payment on a few months of adventures for the family! Instead, why not save up for one big trip or activity and then fill your summer with cheap, family-friendly summer activities?
Summer Activities For Parents!
Whip up your own Mango Black Tea Lemonade at home.Try a new cuisine on the grill.Choose a DIY project to work on for your home.Create an epic slip n slide in your backyard.Take family pictures. Invite your friends over for a BBQ.Host a wine tasting.Go camping.Plan fun date nights for you and your spouse.Read a book.Get a makeover and try a new hairstyle.Go to the movies.Get a tattoo. (It's okay to live a little.)Host a game night with your friends.Do a scavenger hunt around your town with a group of friends.Try a new hobby.
Family Friendly Summer Activities!
Fidgit spinner challenges.Glow stick tag.Build wooden race car tracks.Campout inside.Find out what melts in the sun. Play Shoot and Splash with Nerf Guns!Get your race cars muddy and then have a car wash. Build a bird feeder. Have your kids paint with ice cubes.Make a backyard obstacle course.Play a fun game of balloon pinatas!Make your own rock tic tac toe game.Make your own chalk.Do a DIY sprinkler relay!Have your kids try their hands at chalk art. Play glow in the dark bowling!Read a book as a family then watch the movie!Help your kids build a marble run!Freeze your own dinosaur eggs. Try making a stick raft.Make up your own minute to win it games. Put a water blob in the backyard!Build a tin-foil river.Play water balloon tennis.Write your own book.Make rainbow popsicles.Whip up a batch of banana pops. Have a paint war!Throw a late night, glow in the dark movie night outside.Play a color scavenger hunt.Try water balloon baseball.Make homemade play-dough.Create your own fairy garden.Make bird feeders!Freeze your treasure!Paint with DIY foam chalk paint!Sit inside an air fort.Do science experiments!Adopt a pet rock.
Parent Hacks For The Summer!
Have summer essentials packs in the car.Make a summer reading log.Put together boredom buster jar.Put up a family schedule on the fridge.Have the kids use popsicle drip cups.
Don't forget to head over to my Instagram so you can keep up on our summer adventures!
Episode 2: Becky's Global Journey
The Almost Indian Family | Episode 2: Becky's Global Journey
Today, we're chatting with Becky from Kid World Citizen. She is a Spanish teacher turned world traveler with her multiethnic family. She and her family travel the world, learning about new cultures. She also helps teachers and parents who want to teach their own families about the world around them.Becky's love for the world comes across the entire episode as she shares how her family has been able to blend four cultures into one unique family. She jokes that her family has been called the United Nations family and I can definitely see why! She's answering your questions on adoption and world travel, sharing a glimpse into their big move to Mexico, and all the funny stories in between.Challenge: Make a family calendar with all of the cultural traditions that your family wants to do throughout the year. Don't forget to tag #TheAlmostIndianFamily as you take on the challenge! Becky and I can't wait to see what traditions your family chooses!
Follow Becky along on her journey by heading over to her blog and social media channels.
Blog/ Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram
Links Mentioned:
How To Challenge Racism And Prejudice As A Family
Over the last eight years in my interracial marriage, my eyes have been open up to a new world.
I had no idea how sheltered I was in my own little bubble. I grew up in a white community, with a white family, and white friends.I loved everyone I met, so it wasn't an issue of any ill-feelings on my part. I simply didn't know a life outside my own. I never learned about cultures around the world other than the little bit they teach us in history class.It wasn't until I married my wonderful husband that I saw the harsh reality that racism exists. The fact that an entire people group could be stereotyped as one personality or one characteristic of an extremist. It's easier for society to clump people together rather than get to know the actual people involved.Even though you may have the same ethnic background as someone, by no way means your culture was the exact same growing up. Our culture is so much more than just our ethnicity. It's the way you grew up, your beliefs, whether or not you were the oldest in the family, the situations you've experienced, and everything that has shaped you to be the person you are today.
Racism and prejudice aren't hidden from society. It's out in the open every day.
We see it in the news.We see if when we walking in town and someone crosses the street just to avoid walking next to a man of color.We see it when people make a rude, stereotypical joke to a friend.We see it when people spew hateful, toxic things to people they've never even met.It's happening every day, all around you. Here's the problem. People either give excuses to why they did what they did or claim they didn't know any better. We're no longer living in a day and age where those excuses work. We are fighting for a better world for our kids. This fight means we have to stand up and say this is not ok. We have to challenge wrong thinking and start learning about those around us.
Let's start by learning a few definitions.
Racism: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.Prejudice: preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.Ignorance: lack of knowledge or information.Racism and prejudice are both learned behaviors. Through out our lives people have shaped what we believe. Maybe you grew up in a family that made racist remarks. Or maybe they lived in their bubble like I did growing up and didn't know better.
Either way, ignorance leads to both racism and prejudice.
So how can we stop it? What can we do to make sure our kids don't learn this hate?We can teach our kids. It starts as simple as that. We can help them to have a deep love for cultures around the world. We can remind them to ask questions when they don't know something rather than lay a stereotypical label on it.Remember, kids learn by example. You need to be the right example to them and challenge yourself. If you mess up, admit it to them and have a conversation about it. If you see someone in their life, whether it's a family member or someone in the media, call out bad behavior. Don't ignore it when it happens. If you do, your kids will be left trying to figure it out on their own.
How can you challenge racism, prejudice, and ignorance around you?
The Stage Of Motherhood We're Never Ready For
Okay, you guys true story I either need a new puppy or a baby.
It’s as simple as that. I’m ready for something because all I keep seeing in my Instagram feed our babies. So many freaking babies and all I want right now is to hold one and snuggle one and have one. The problem is I have a Husband. He doesn’t seem to think an Instagram feed full of itty bitty teeny tiny babies is a reason for one more child. Okay, maybe it’s the fact that he woke up to my three-year-old peeing in the garage and our five-year-old got threatened to get kicked out of gym childcare today?But you guys come on.
I’m going to chalk that up to a day full of mischievous little antics that remind me I’m a boy mom.
Okay, maybe I really don’t want any other things to add to my life right now. Maybe, I’m just going off to you guys so that I can somehow have reality come back into my mind and remind me that I am happy to be out of diapers for my kids and be able to sleep through the night.My husband and I are entering into a new phase of parenting. This is probably the real reason I’ve been thinking so much of having another baby lately.
This is my last year with my babies home in the morning.
This year my oldest son was the only one in school, and my other two babies got to stay home with mama all day long. Next year my five-year-old enters kindergarten and my baby will start going to preschool. Excuse me while I hide under my covers and cry my eyes out asking myself where my babies went.When I walk down the street with my boys, I always have one of them by the hand. It's usually Lukey Bear, my youngest. He always loved holding my hand. He'd look for it every time we went out together. Today, I noticed I was holding him by the wrist. It was the only way to hold onto him because he was trying to run off and walk with his big brothers.
Then it hit me.
He's becoming a big kid. They are becoming boys. They are no longer little toddlers and babies, but now they're boys. We are starting to go through countless pairs of jeans due to torn up knees. I’m realizing that I can’t get through one week with one grocery trip anymore. Instead, I have to constantly run to the store to feed these three endless bellies. They want to have grown-up conversations with me where they talk about their dreams for the future. They’re all about what school to their friends. They would just about anything if they thought their friends would like it.
I don’t know how all of you mothers out there have done this before me.
When I look at these boys, I always see our babies in their eyes. I remember the moment I first looked into their beautiful brown eyes. I remember rocking them to sleep countless nights. I remember nursing them in the middle of the night.Part of me is sad.
Part of me looks at them with tears in my eyes and wonders how it all went by so fast.
I remember people used to tell me to hold onto every single moment. They told me not to blink in fear of missing out on what was before me.I have to be honest. There’ve been so many times in motherhood that I've wished for seasons to be over. I’ve prayed to God that I could simply get through to the next day, get through to the next season, or my kids would finally sleep through the night so that I could get a moment's rest.It's not all been easy.
Motherhood requires us to sacrifice a little bit of time, ourselves, and more than I realized.
I would do it over and over, time and again, because it’s all led us to this point right now. My kids are who they are because of the sacrifices my husband and I have made for them. We would do anything for our kids.Motherhood is painful.Motherhood is a blessing.Motherhood has transformed my life more than words can express.Motherhood has given me hope on the hardest days.Right now, motherhood means letting go.It means I have to watch my little boys grow up before my very eyes and let them experience new adventures. I wish I could be that crazy mom follows them everywhere they go. It wouldn’t bother me to see the looks that I got from the other mother's wondering why in the world I can’t just hold on to the alone time I've finally gotten after all this time.But I doubt my Husband would let me be that crazy mom. Instead, we’re going to hold each other’s hands as we watch our kids go off to school next year. Even now they’re talking about it, deciding on backpacks they’re going to get, talking about lunch they're going to enjoy together, and getting more excited it as every moment passes.
The moment is going to come as I drop them off to their first day next year.
They’re going to get that fear in their eyes and run to momma. They’re going to wonder if they can do it if they can survive an entire day without mom and dad by their side. You guys I have to get myself to a point emotionally where I can hug them tight, give them a big kiss, and let them know that they can do anything they set their minds to. Even though inside I'm praying I can keep it together until I get out to the car.Motherhood means making the tough choices for our kids. It means being strong even when we feel weak.I have officially turned in to that mom that comes up to you on the street and says don’t blink. Hold on to every moment with your kids because it’s going to go by in a flash. Your babies are going to turn into little boys and girls, and they’re going to take everything that you've taught them and shown them about the world and put it into action on their own.
What It Means To Be An Anna In Our Multiracial Family
What It Means To Be An Anna In Our Multiracial Family
As a little girl, I always knew I wanted to have a big family. I loved having my brother with me growing up. We did everything together. We built forts together, we had epic movie nights on the weekends, we stood up for each other, and we always knew we weren't alone. We always had someone there to look out for us.Even if that meant I yelled at dumb kids on the bus when they decided to pick on my little brother. He was my little brother and I wasn't about to let anyone mess with him.
Along with all the good times, we had plenty of knock out, drag out fights. We were siblings, what else do you expect.
I loved my little brother, but as we got older it wasn't just fun. I had responsibilities as his big sister. I HAD to be there for him all the time. I HAD to look out for him to make sure he wasn't dumb enough to swallow a penny (which in fact he was dumb enough to do and did).Older siblings carry a lot of weight on their shoulders. You can ask any older sibling how it was growing up with little siblings and you'll instantly hear grumbling.It's one of many reasons my husband and I got along so well. We were both the oldest kids and knew exactly what the other one went through.
When we had our second son, we looked at our oldest with excitement and a bit of pity. We knew the road he was about to embark on.
In our multiracial family, we have raised our kids to understand what it means to be an anna. An anna is an older brother and it also carries a different meaning in our almost Indian family. It's a badge of honor for older brothers. It means it's not their responsibility to help raise their little brothers. They have to look out for them as they're little and even as they venture out into the real world as adults.Our oldest son, Liam became an anna when his little brother was born. Then Levi became an anna when Lukey was born.Their dad and I do everything we can to teach them how important this role is in each other's lives. It's not a burden like it feels like at times. It's a special bond they will always have with each other.
It doesn't matter where life takes them around the globe, they will always have each other.
The three amigos. They will always be partners in crime and I can't tell you how happy that makes me.It's not an easy road as an anna. It's hard. The weight is heavy, but the best part is they can all carry it together. Even as the little brother, they can look out for their anna. They can all be there when one of them needs help. They can all be there to love on each other. They can all push each other to be the best they can be.I know they'll even be there to cover each other's backs when one of them decides to be dumb. Even though I'll give them the mommy look of death when I catch them in the act (I'll secretly be smiling as I see what a strong unit they've become).
Being an anna isn't easy, but it's one of the most special things they'll have in their lives.
Finding Balance In Motherhood
Finding Balance In Motherhood
As I sit here after a long week, looking at my unfolded clothes, dirty dishes in the sink, unkept yard, and glass full of wine... I realize this week was anything but balanced.I've added a few new things to my plate and while it's not a crazy change, it's been just enough to send my routine into a full tailspin. The routine that once felt like it worked so well simply doesn't anymore.Isn't that just life though? You feel like things start to work well and then life throws you a few more plates to balance.
The more I talk about my lack of balance in life, the more you all start to stand up and say ME TOO! It truly does help to know we're not alone.
I used to look at my mom and think wow she has it all under control. She knows everything. She can handle it all.Now that I'm a mom, I realize that was anything from the truth. She just knew how to take it as it came at her. Then when we went to bed, she called her girlfriends crying that she had no idea what she was doing!Most of the time I have no idea what I'm doing.I call my girlfriends and go on and on about how completely out of control I feel. I know what my life should look like, but it never looks that way. I want things to run smoothly, I want my kids to flush the toilet when they're done, I want mornings to be easy, I want to finally follow my budget, I want to get along with my husband all the time, and I want to look flawless every day.The reality is the only thing on point every single day is the kid's bedtime. Which really just means, I make sure they go to bed at the same time EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. I mean come on. I have three rowdy boys and momma likes her alone time at night. (Can I get an amen!?)
Why do we as moms constantly pressure ourselves to be perfect even though we've seen it never works?
In my mind, if I do things well enough I'll find this perfect balance. I'll look at my life and see that I have set the perfect routine, parented my kids perfectly, and run my house without a hitch.Well, guess what. IT'S NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. Listen to me carefully. There's no magic moment where everything comes together perfectly.
The magic comes when we realize perfection is unattainable and loving ourselves and our family needs to be the biggest priority.
If you want your life to be more balanced, you need to start by loving your family more. Your kids won't look back at their childhood and remember the perfect school year they had. Nope. They're going to remember the raw, messy, unplanned moments.Those are the times that will mean the most to them.Those are the moments that will come to your mind when you look back at your kids being little.I promise you if you just let go, life will become much better. If you stop trying to make perfect moments, you will stumble upon life-changing memories with your family.The truth is a balanced life doesn't look like a perfectly run household. It looks like a family that knows where their priorities are and puts the well being of their family above perfection.
Let it go, momma.
Stop trying to be the perfect mom you think your kids need and be the mom truly you are. The mom whos kids see right past her messy top bun and sees the woman who holds everything together in their little lives.
6 Reasons Little Kids Test Boundaries
The moment the doctor tells you, "You're having another boy," you know things are about to get a little crazy.
Oh, and it definitely did. I have three boys, under five years old. As they get older, our stories about our day to day lives get more interesting.If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you've gotten to know my little family.You will definitely know my son Levi. I'm always posting pictures of his little mischievous antics. He's a riot. His nick name is Leviathan and if you were around him for any length of time, you'd understand. All of our crazy parenting stories involve him.
He greets people at our house half naked (Let me assure you I dress him about 15 times a day, but he always manages to "lose" his clothes).
He is always under the table with some contraband item (candy usually).
He randomly changes your name for an entire day (yesterday I was Queen Mommy).
He decides on a whim to cut our dogs hair.
He even wakes up at 5am to get a head start on it all.
It's because of him that I drink three cups of coffee a day. I have to keep up with him somehow! As he's getting bigger, I'm learning more about his character. Everyone always sees his mischievous and silly side, but people forget that their is so much more to him.People tend to think he needs us to raise our voice and be firm with him. They've told us he needs tough love and no grace. They make comments in front of him about how naughty he is. They tell us we're not parenting him right.What they don't see is that same little boy come up to me later that night and ask me to call him a good boy. While, you may think it's nothing, it is. He wants me to reaffirm that I love him and that I don't think he's a bad boy.There are so many rowdy little boys like mine in the world. Instead of understanding who they are, people label them the trouble makers or tell their parents they need to be put on ADD medication.Today I want to challenge all of you out there. Whether you're a parent or not. The next time you see a rowdy little boy, do not label him. Don't tell him he's bad because he wants to explore the world with his hands and push limits.
While you think he's disrespectful, he's learning what to say.
While you think he gets into everything, he's learning limits in his environment.
While you think he's can handle your "firm" words, he comes to mommy crying.
While you think he's being mean to his baby brother, he was trying to give him a big kiss.
While you think he's rude for not wanting to hug you, he is learning about his own emotions.
While you think he doesn't listen, he hears every word.
While you see some of the naughty things they do, you don't always know what they're trying to do. Instead of being tougher on them, figure out how you can help.I wish people would try to teach kids what they could do rather than what not to do. Yelling "NO" at a child doesn't teach him. Instead, teach him how to do it better.Kids need to be allowed to explore their environment and figure out how the world works. This means they will fail. They will cross the line. they will do it wrong. It's your job as the parent to teach them those limits.Children understand so much more if you encourage them to explore and set clear limits. Labeling a child as the "bad kid" will prevent them from being able to express themselves, learn about the world, have any self confidence, or want to learn how to do things differently. Encourage your children rather than label them.
Is Comparison Destroying Your Family
While I was growing up, I constantly found myself looking at my friends and wishing I had what they had. It didn't matter what it was, I just wanted it. I wanted to have a traditional family like them, I wanted clothes like them, I wanted to be like them... My friend's lives always seemed better than mine.You'd think I would have grown out of this as I got older, but no. I was always jealous of certain people in my life. In high school, it was the girls with the perfect family life. As an adult, it was people with the perfect marriage.It never stops.
2 Ways Comparison Destroys Your Family
Comparison stays with you like a cancer. It grows as you grow and starts to infiltrate different parts of your life. If you don't take care of it early on in life, it even attaches itself to your family. Then you have to watch something that's plagued you for so long, affect your marriage and children.
Teaches Your Family They're Never Enough
If you and your family constantly compare yourselves to other families, you'll start to believe you're not enough. You'll always see yourself as second best. All of it starts to bleed into your self-confidence.As a mom, you stop enjoying the little things that make your family unique and set apart from others. You spend so much time trying to mimic other "perfect families" that you lose sight of how beautiful yours already is.
Slowly Makes You Resent The People You're Comparing Yourselves To
The longer you compare yourself to other people around them, the more you start to resent them. They go from a "perfect family" you envy to a family you resent. You start to resent how seemingly perfect they are, everything that makes them threat way in your mind, and it destroys your friendship with them.Comparison may look like it's motivating .you at first, but it always leads to resentment and never feeling content with your own life.Every family is unique and has their own family culture. If you look at the families around you, you'll start to see just how different they all are. Maybe your family shares a big passion for the outdoors, maybe you like to reach out to your community, maybe you like to travel, or maybe you love cooking together.Instead of trying to conform to this picture perfect image of what you should look like or what your family should look like, try letting it all go. Let it go and celebrate what makes you different.Break down those comparisons by remembering no one is perfect. The families you admire for being everything you're not is probably a lie. They have their own problems and are most likely struggling by comparing themselves to someone as well.Stop comparing yourself to other people today. Celebrate what makes you who you are. Teach your kids to celebrate their special qualities now. Watch your family thrive as they stop trying to be something they're not.
Do you struggle with comparison? What have you done to try and overcome it?
The Chaos Of Going From Two To Three Kids
People joke all the time how motherhood is a full-time job, but they're wrong. It's not just a full-time job. It's two full-time jobs, with no break, no holiday pay, and constant over time. This job doesn't have a training period, you're simply thrust into it the day your child is born and you're left to figure it all out as you go.I have three boys. Three.
You'd think I'd have it all figured out by now, but I'm not even close.
I'm still figuring things out! My kids didn't want it to be too easy for me, so they decided to have completely different personalities and present me with different challenges every day.You have my oldest who is the rule follower. He wants to be perfect. It doesn't matter how often I tell him that it's impossible to be perfect and you learn the best through failure. It's ingrained into who he is. He pushes himself so hard and I'm still trying to figure out how to teach him to give himself a break and enjoy the journey.Then you have my middle child. He's full of endless energy, have no impulse control, and loves figuring things out for himself. This typically ends up in broken things around the house, situations I can hardly explain to anyone because they think I'm making it up for a laugh, and constantly asking, "Where's Levi?"Last, but not least, you have my youngest. He's the most dangerous combination of them both and he puts his own sassy spin on it all. He knows he has to hold his own as the youngest, so he never goes down without a fight. He also has two big brothers to learn his trickery from!Together, they're like a Power Ranger (see you can even tell I'm a boy mom through my references!) They combine together to become a super force and love trying to take me on every day.Aww. They're cute. They can't be that crazy can they??
Let's give you a little snapshot of my day yesterday.
I walked into the bathroom to see they forgot to flush for the millionth time. Not only did they forget to flush, but there was toilet paper all over the floor, soap all over the sink, and a full sink of soapy water. When I asked them about it (aka yelled at them for making such a mess) they quickly reminded me that they're magicians and had to make a potion.Over the next hour, things got crazier so I decided to take them to Chick Fil A so I could get a break. Plus it means they're playing in a room with one door in and out. It makes it much easier to keep tabs on them. I finally sat down with my coffee and peaked in to make sure they weren't destroying anything. What did I see? A pile of my kid's clothes. On the ground. Levi was completely out of sight. I ran in to find him before anyone else say my naked child running around and it turns out he had a costume on..... What!? He had apparently worn a costume under his clothes so he could "show his friends" his fun Ninjago costume. The mom in there looked at me like I was crazy, but I didn't care. I was just happy he wasn't naked. Costumes I can handle, naked tushies are a different story!You guys, this was just my morning!Three boys are no joke. Two boys were a little bit easier because I had enough arms to maneuver them when need be. Three kids mean I have to legitimately use my entire body to block them from all running off.
How has your life changed after welcoming another kiddo into your family?
How To Love Your Kids According To Their Love Language
Have you and one of your kids ever just been in a funk?Maybe it's one of those days you just can't get along? No matter what you do, it ends up in a fight or one of you crying...I thought I had a few years until this happened, but I'm quickly learning how wrong I was. My oldest and I have very similar personalities. We're both the oldest in our families, rule followers, and feel things very deeply. When he's upset I typically know just what to do. I know how to comfort him because I try and think about what would work for me.This week it's not working.I've tried everything! Nothing's working. Instead, it's causing us to fight nonstop. I can tell he's completely overwhelmed. It's causing him to have a teenager-level bad attitude, cry over everything, and hide out on his own.You guys... I'm over it! I hate not knowing how to help him and trying to talk to a kid who is completely annoyed before I start talking is... fun to say the least. Not to mention, it's putting me in a bad mood! I just want to have a good time with my kids and instead, I'm getting on him for his attitude all day long.Then it finally hit me. He didn't want alone time. He didn't want a break from me. He didn't want to play with friends.
He simply wanted alone time with his momma.
I completely forgot that daddy usually takes him out to practice alone each week. They drive to sports practice, then hit something to eat on the way home, and drive thirty minutes home alone. That's a lot of quality time and it fills his little heart for the whole week.Joel is out of town this week and Liam hasn't been able to have alone time with mommy or daddy. He's craving it. He has three brothers and he's at school all day. He needs that quality one on one time to have the strength to get through anything that comes his way during the week.It's really hard to find a balance and give all three kids alone time. I tend to take them all with me for everything so things are "even." I grew up thinking things had to be even for everyone for it to be fair. Well, guess what... Kids don't need even. Kids don't need things to be fair.
They need their little hearts to be filled each week and that happens differently for all of them.
You may have a kiddo who thrives on quality time and another who feels loved getting little gifts. Find out your children's love language and make sure you love them how they need to be loved.
This week Liam was in desperate need of some one on one time for me to love on him. We went to Starbucks for a mommy-son work date. We started the day fighting and Liam ended up in at least a dozen crying fits. By the end of our momma date, he was hugging me with the biggest smile he has. It was something so simple. He didn't want anything big.
He just needed time.
This year I want to do better at loving my kids. I know I love them all with all of my heart, but I want to love them better. I want to love them intentionally every day. I want to find more ways throughout the day to show them what they mean to me.
Find Your Child's Love Language
Quality Time
Does you child love to spend time with you? Would they choose to just cozy up on the couch and watch a movie over just about anything? Do they constantly ask to do things with you? If this sounds like your child, they may have quality time as their love language.Fill their little love tank by asking them to do things with you. Prioritize time with them because it means more than you realize to their hearts.
Words Of Affirmation
Does your child feel words deeply? Whether they're positive or negative, do they hold on to them? If so they may feel love the deepest through word of affirmation.Fill their love tanks by telling them how much you love them. Take the time to write them little love notes and send them in their lunch box. Make sure you tell them how much you love them every day. They need to hear it daily to feel how much you care about them.
Acts Of Service
Does your child love when you do things for them? They may value their independence, but then love when you come in and help them with their homework. If this sounds like your child, they may be acts of service.Fill their love tank by helping them with a project, teach them to do something, or even cook together. Find ways to serve your kiddo and let them know how much you love them.
Gifts
Do gifts just send your kid to the moon? Do they hold onto those little trinkets forever? If gifts mean a lot to them it could also be their love language.Fill their love tank by getting them little gifts. They don't have to be big or expensive. Even a simple little card will mean something for them. It shows them that you thought about them enough to choose something special just for them.
Physical Touch
When your child is upset, do they go to your for comfort through hugs and cuddles? Do they need you to reassure them by holding their hand or giving them a pat on the back? If so your kid's love language could be physical touch.Fill their love tank by giving them a hug, wrestle with them, teach them how to dance, snuggle up on the couch, or give them a piggy back ride!
What are your kid's love languages?
Raising Young Men In A Time Of Trump And #MeToo
I'll never forget the moment I held all three of my little boys for the first time. Staring at their beautiful little faces wondering how in the world they could be mind.My boys.Six years later and I still find myself staring at them in the same way. Even after a long day of tantrums, fighting, wild antics, and all. Those wild little boys are mine.When I go to sleep at night, I find myself praying that their dad and I can raise them to be the kind of men this world needs.Men that know the importance of chivalry.Men that always strive to make the world a better place.Men that take care of their family and make them feel safe.Men that look out for people around them.Men that don't contribute to a #MeToo environment but stand alongside others knowing it's time for a change.It's a lot of responsibility to raise young men, especially the men you know they should be. It means we as their mothers have to fight hard now. We need to take every opportunity we can to teach them and surround them with men that lead by example.We have to stand up and fight against the negative examples of men that reflect the very disease in our society that leads to a time of #MeToo.
How can we raise young men with integrity when Trump is the most powerful leader in their country?
He stands for everything I don't want my kids to be. Regardless of your thoughts on politics, he's known for sexualizing women, joking about assaulting them, racist remarks, and promoting violence.He's undoing years of progress made in our country over the last hundred years.As a leader, our kids look up to him. They learn from his actions and words. Yes, even his toxic Twitter account where teens spend most of their time.So what can we do? Are we doomed to ending up with kids like the leader of our very own country?No. Hell no.
It's our job to teach our boys to be set apart.
They don't need to conform to the standard of men society has deemed acceptable. Our boys need to rise above be better.Every mother out there needs to challenge their kids daily. Raise the bar for them.Expect them to be chivalrous and hold doors open for people.Expect them to protect women rather than take advantage.Expect them to behave like young men with integrity and they will rise to the challenge.The time is now. We need to step up and challenge toxic masculinity at every step so our young boys can be the beginning of change. I refuse to raise my boys in the shadow of this example. They need to break through every bad example, every suggestion from our society, and SHINE.They need to learn to be the very examples we hope they find in their lives.
Ways To Simplify The School Week
I’m only a few months into a child at public school and I’m already feeling how crazy it all gets. Our homeschool schedule was completely different. We would wake up when we felt like starting our day, enjoy a good breakfast together, and ease into our school work. Then we were done by lunchtime and ready to have family and friend time!Public school is a whole different ballgame.Bedtime becomes life or death. If my kids don’t lay their heads on their pillow by 7 pm I know the following morning will be horrible. The next morning I have to get the kids up by 6 am, help them put their clothes on while half awake, and then leave the house by 6:45 am.Then you have the drop-off line.. The dreadful and infinitely long drop-off line. I typically spend our time waiting on my Instagram stories, complaining about how long it’s taking.By the time I make it back home, I’m completely exhausted but too wired to fall back asleep. Not to mention my younger two kids are wide awake waiting for their days to begin.I don’t know how all of you have survived it for so long! I count down until the weekends so I can get a bit of extra sleep and sanity. Only to find out my kid's body clocks won’t even let them sleep in!This is exactly why I started asking for advice from my momma friends about one day into our public school adventure. Here are all of the tips they have that help them make it through school mornings with a bit of sanity!
Breakfast Prep
Prepare your breakfast the weekend or night before. We don’t always have time for the kids to sit down at the table and enjoy a bowl of cereal. Sometimes, it’s simply a grab and go morning.Okay, most mornings are grab and go.I like to make hard boiled eggs, masala egg cups, smoothies, homemade granola bars, and samosa hand pies.The more that you can prep beforehand, the less you will need to do on school mornings.
Have Your Child Lay Everything Out The Night Before
Help your child pick out their clothes and school supplies out the night before. This way all they need to do when they wake up is put their clothes on. They don’t have to take the time to stress out over what they’re going to wear. They can simply roll out of bed and get dressed.On their way out the door, they can even grab their backpacks and lunches. No more of the whole looking for the notebook they misplaced the night before. Do all the handwork the night before when you’re not in a time crunch.
Keep The TV Off In The Mornings
If your kids are anything like mine, it can be incredibly hard to pull your kids away from their favorite show. Instead, you can turn off the TV and turn up the music. We have a few playlists that the kids have created and they choose our which ones they want to listen to for that morning. It helps get them moving, but it’s also easy to turn off when we’re done. Or you can even transition it to the car and listen to it on the way to school!
Stick To A Routine
Find a routine that works best for everyone and stick to it. This helps promote independence for your kids because they know exactly what they should be doing. It will be tricky at first because they’ll try to get out of it or pretend they can’t remember what they were supposed to be doing.Once they see your morning routine isn’t going anywhere, they’ll start to do it on their own!
Reward Your Kids For A Good Week
I am a big fan of positive reinforcement. Okay. Okay. I’m a big fan of bribery! I find little ways to reward my kids for good behavior and it helps! Did your kids have a good week? Were they getting ready quickly or did you find this week better than last week?
Reward them!
Let them know you’re proud of their hard work in the mornings and find a way to show them. It can be a special breakfast in the morning, an early trip to Starbucks, or take them to the movie over the weekend. It doesn’t have to be big, just let them know you’ve noticed their hard work.
What are you tips for school mornings?
My Family's Journey With Essential Oils + Our Favorite Blends
*I am a member of Young Living and receive a small commission on sales. All opinions expressed are my own.*
I’ve never considered myself a crunchy mom. In fact, I didn’t even know what that term meant until I moved to the Pacific Northwest. It was there I was introduced to a world of healthy moms full of vegan, dairy free, organic, sugar-free everything.I thought it was silly to waste all that time and continued on with my sugary coffee and donuts.Then my son had his first febrile seizure. Then my husband and I entered into a crazy season in our family’s life. It was also when I realized a crunchy life really wasn’t so crazy after all. It simply meant moms out there were doing anything in their power to make sure their kids were healthy and happy.I started looking into everything I could. I paid attention to what was in the food I purchased, started making things homemade when I could, and I was introduced to essential oils. I needed to find natural ways to boost my kid’s immune systems so they didn’t pass things along to Luke and cause him to have another seizure.A few years later and we’re still using essential oils. I love how easy they are to use and it’s become a part of our sick routine.The first sign of a cough or a fever and we immediately start diffusing oils, rub oils on our kids back, and start taking them in our water as well.We definitely saw improvements in our health overall. Not to mention, if you’re a candle junky like me, you love having your house smell fresh all the time. It’s exactly why my diffuser has become my best friend.
*I use Young Living Oils in my house so everything you see below is using their products. Also, I am NOT A DOCTOR. These are things we do when our kids get sick and merely a suggestion.*
My Go To Diffuser Blends
Wake Momma Up ( 3 Drops of Lemon + 3 Drops of Peppermint)Sick Days (3 Drops of Purification + 3 Drops Thieves + 2 Drops Lemon)Yucky Smells (3 Drops of Purification)Homework Time (2 Drops of Lavender + 2 Drops of Frankincense + 2 Drops of Stress Away)Bed Time (3 Drops of Lavender)
Our Sick Routine
FeversWe filled a roller bottle with coconut oil and 12 drops of peppermint oil. When our kids get a fever we roll it on their spine. It naturally cools your kid’s bodies.Tummy AcheMix a drop of Digize and coconut oil and rub it on their belly. Young Living also has a kid version of the Digize and that works well too.EczemaMix 2 drops of lavender and coconut oil and rub it on the affected area. It really helps my kids feel better. My kids have mild eczema, but it works for them and the coconut oil is very moisturizing.Don’t Get Sick!Try to stay healthy this season by putting a drop of Thieves oil on your feet in the morning. It’s supposed to help boost your immune system.If you're interested in trying it out for yourself, head over and pick up a starter kit. It has all the beginner oils you'll need to get your family healthy this season! Plus, if you sign up with me I can help you along the way!
Click here to sign up!
Fun Ways To Introduce Your Kids To New Foods
This post is sponsored by Happy Family. All opinions are my own.
Moms around the world know how tricky it can be to convince their kids to try new foods.You spend all day in the kitchen only for your kids to look at it with disgust and act like it's radioactive. They don't care how long it took you to make, they just see new and scary.What's a mom to do?You need to find a way to get through to your picky eaters and show them how fun and adventurous it can be to try new things.
Make It Fun
Make new time a big game when you introduce something new. Most of your kid's reluctance to trying anything new is the fear behind it. They don't know what it's going to taste like and they're worried it will be as disgusting as they assume it is.Turn their spoon into a train, make silly voices each time it gets close to their mouth, and just make the whole thing a fun experience.
Start With It
Trying to get your kids to eat a new food on a full stomach is just asking for problems. Instead, you can limit snacks right before a meal. Then offer up the new dish as the first bite when they're hungry enough to give it a chance.
Pair It With Something They Love
Knowing your kids may struggle with an "adventurous dish" aka anything new... take it slow. Don't offer it up as the only option. Instead, serve it with things they like. You can make macaroni and cheese for lunch and have a side of peas. Then their favorite dish becomes the reward!
Try Different Recipes
Don't give up if your kids have tried a new dish and decide they don't like it. It may not be the ingredients at all but how it's made. Next time you whip it up, try a new recipe. Then you can find the perfect recipe to turn a new food into a favorite food.
Encourage Their Successes!
Trying something new is scary for kids. Go crazy and encourage them every time they go out of their comfort zone and try something. They will be much more willing when they see how exciting it can be!
Start Young
If you want your kids to be open to trying new things, start them young. Show them how fun it can be while they're little!All three of my kids have proven to be picky eaters over the years. However, we're always trying out new things. One day it may be fish curry and the next could be taco salad. I want it all to be fun and a good experience for my kids.This is why I love Happy Family products! Their goal is to make sure infants and toddlers have a positive experience when trying new foods. You can find their products at Target! They just launched a new whole milk yogurt line and the combinations are delicious! They pair ingredients like sweet potatoes with kid-friendly flavors like bananas!Not to mention they use organic ingredients and their yogurt pouches have live cultures in them! This means they're not only tasty but healthy!
How do you get your kids to eat new things?
Surviving Flu Season
Winter has always been tricky for families. It's the time you attempt to hide your kids from the germs that start circulating, usually to no avail. Especially for our family! We move around so often that we tend to be up against brand new bugs every winter.This year the nasty flu bug found our family and came in for the kill. It went through all of us once and then came back around for the second time.One by one all three kids have gone down.I feel terrible for them. Especially as Liam comes down in the middle of the night burning up, trying not to throw up. The momma in me wants to fix it. I want to make him feel better so he doesn't have to be sick anymore. I hate seeing that look in his eyes.Two weeks into flu season and I find my hubby and I sitting there exhausted. We've been up all house of the night, gone through bottles of Tylenol, washed their sheets dozens of times, and made countless bowls of Top Ramen.
Stock Each Room With Supplies
There's nothing worse than waking up to a feverish child in the middle of the night and not being able to find the fever medicine... You try looking everywhere for it, but you have an emotional kid who just wants you to hold him.Save yourself the trouble and make sure each bedroom is stocked with Tylenol, water, and a thermometer. Then you'll have everything you need at your fingertips. Whether it's 3 am or 2 in the afternoon, you're ready and prepared.
Keep Essential Oils/Cleaning Supplies On Hand
When your kids are sick, they're probably coughing over every surface in your home. If you're really lucky they'll even cough on your face like mine do. Somehow. Every time.Cleaning materials are a must! Head over to the store at the first sign of a sick bug and grab all the cleaning supplies you may need. Then you'll have them afterward when your kiddos are feeling better. Flu season is much longer than any of us would like so keep that house as germ-free as possible.
Stick To A Simple Schedule
As a parent, schedules have become a big part of your life. They tell you where you're supposed to be and what you need to do every day. When your kids get sick you may be tempted to keep remnants of your schedule. The problem is it only leads to more stress. Let your kids sleep as much as possible and put everything on hold until they start to feel better.
Figure Out Who's On Call
Everything is harder at night and it's typically the exact moment your sick kids need you the most. Talk to your partner before you go to sleep and figure out who's going to be on call for the night. Who's the one who will get up and give them medicine or will it be both of you? No more fighting over who got up last!
Set Timers
Nothing fries your brain more than a mom who hasn't slept in who knows how long. You probably won't be catching up while your kids are sick so don't plan on remembering anything for a while. Instead of trying to remember when you're supposed to give your kids their antibiotics or fever medicine, set a timer. It will make things much easier for you.
Let Go And Embrace Technology
Embrace the chaos of your sick days and let your kids have access to tv, video games, and just about anything else that will keep them in their bed all day. They need to rest and if that means they watch Disney Channel all day for a few days... will it really matter? No. Give in and don't stress over the tech time.
Coffee
This one really just needs one word. Coffee. Stock up on the coffee. Whether it's brewed coffee, cold brew like me, or you beg your friends to bring you coffee... find a way and have plenty on hand. If you don't drink coffee, may God be with you! I have had more coffee than I thought possible over the last few weeks and you know what... It's okay! I'll go back to my normally obsessive amount when they feel better.
I don't think any of us would be able to sit down at the end of a sick day and say wow that was a good day, however, we can get through it. We can take those sick days one at a time and help our babies get better so we can get back to our normal chaos and crazy.
Helping Your Hot Tempered Child To Calm Down
"The words that come out of your mouth are much more powerful than you realize. They can make someone's day completely better or make them feel like complete garbage. You need to think about that before you start saying mean things..."
This was just a tiny piece of my conversation with my four-year-old last night.He is my sensitive boy. I always have to watch what I say to him because he can find a flaw or insult in just about anything. It almost means a simple compliment for him can mean the whole world!Then why is it so easy for him to say hurtful things to his brothers?Last night, I walked in on my boys fighting over some silly toy. It's not unusual for them in fact if I were to walk in on them playing nicely together... I'd wonder what they were up to.In that moment, I had it. I was completely over the arguing and mean things they were saying to each other. I started to explain just how powerful words are to my four-year-old and noticed he started to get emotional.His tender heart couldn't believe that he had truly hurt his brother's feelings even if his temper told him differently in the moment. The problem is everything goes to the waist-side when his temper is flared.
I've never felt so close to him!The perpetual struggle with your own temper is rough. Especially when you're a little boy trying to sort it all out. The good thing is he feels remorse afterward and he wants to be nice to people around him. That's more than I can say about myself when I'm mad. In the midst of my bad mood, I have no desire to be nice to anyone else.So what can I do? How can I help him try and calm down before he says something he regrets?
Tips To Calm Down Your Hot Tempered Kiddo
Take A Deep Breath
Teach your kids to take a deep breath when they feel like they're about to blow. It gives them a moment to think before they do or say anything they'll regret in the moment.
Find Alone Time
When your kids starts to get upset, teach them to ask for a break. They can go to their room, sit on the back porch, or simply find a little spot in the house to find some peace. Let them calm down on their own and then come back when they're ready.
Ask For A Hug
Sometimes emotions get high and all your child really needs is a big hug and some reassurance. When they get upset, give them a few options to calm down and always offer some love. You'd be surprised just how much can be solved by a tight hug.
Help Your Child Understand Their Feelings
Talk with your kiddo and help them talk through their feelings. You can help them find out what made them so angry and explain what they're feeling. As they learn to identify those feelings they can figure out what to do with them before they get too explosive.
Sing A Song
Find a fun song that can help change the tone of the situation. One of our favorites is Daniel Tiger. All three of my kids know their calm down song and even sing it to each other! Adorable.
Find Something For Them To Do With Their Hands
Anger can quickly turn to fighting with siblings or breaking something. Stop it before it can get there and help your kids find something to do with their hands. You can have them punch a pillow, play with a squishy ball, or play baseball.How do you help your kiddos calm down when they're about to blow a gasket? 
20+ Crafts Around The World
Are you looking for fun crafts that teach your kids about the world around them? Here is a list of 25+ crafts from around the world perfect for a fun day with the kids!
My boys are masters of creating mess and mischief. In fact, most days I look around my house and wonder how in the world they were able to make such a big mess in such a little amount of time.A question asked by moms around the world!Rather than try to keep them clean and tidy... okay rather than stress myself out over the impossibility of such a thing I've learned to get creative. In the summertime, I let them go wild outside with a hose and finger paint and during the winter time we bake together!
I know it sounds silly, but embracing the mess is much harder than I expected. Life is just so much messier with kids but the expectations of having a neat and tidy house are still there. They still creep up my arm every time the boys spill curry on their chairs during dinner or the bathroom floor turns into a pool of water.I've had to learn to focus on the adventure sometimes.Sometimes, the memories they're making by turning the bathtub into a pirate ship is worth mopping the floor afterward.So this year, we're looking for more crafts to do during the week. It helps channel a bit of their wild energy! Not to mention, I love seeing what they're able to create with their imagination and some paper.I've shared fun activities to do during the winter time and now it's time to find some crafts that teach us about the world! Take the kids on an adventure every time they sit down to do a craft!
20+ Crafts From Around The World
Here are a few of our favorite crafts we've found so far! They're all easy to put together and the instructions are perfect for mommas like me that need a little help with creativity!1. Painted Stick Craft From Two-Daloo2. Day Of The Dead Skulls From Happy Thought3. DIY Diya From Little Passports4. Totem Pole From Art And Go5 .Eskimo Craft From Mrs Kilburn Kiddos6. Bagpipes From Crayola7. India Flag From Artsy Craftsy Mom8. African Drums From Erin Shakespear9. Hieroglyph Bags From Pioneer Woman10. Swedish Horse From The Educator's Spin On It11. Weaving Loom From Hello Wonderful12. Mandalas From Artful Parent13. Dreamcatchers From Cutting and Sticking14. African Collar Necklace From Education15. Passports From Free Homeschool Deals16. Hamsa Craft From Kid World Citizen17. Henna Hands Craft From Kid World Citizen18. Flag Wreath From Meaningful Mama19. Russian Matryoshka Dolls From Mrs T's First Grade Class20. Paper Sack Piñata From Scattered Thoughts Of A Crafty Mom21. Cherry Blossom Fans From Fun Crafts Kids22. Chinese Lanterns From Tips From A Typical Mom Blog23. Rangoli From The Educators Spin On It24. Brazilian Rain Stick Made With Happy25. Dutch Windmill Craft From Grandparents Plus Did you like this post? Head over and see 50+ Activities For Kids To Do Inside when it's cold!