Work

So I finally started my new job. I have to say that though I miss my babies, I really do love my job. The residents their are all so sweet. I just want to adopt them all as my grandparents! They are wonderful people. The staff is great. It is the only place that I have worked that isn't full of drama and backstabbing people. I thank God that He placed me there!

Sesame Street Live

I have just got to say how extremely cute Sesame Street Live is! We won tickets to take Kaden to see it. We took his little friend, Emma (age 4). They laughed and sang. The best part was seeing their little eyes light up seeing their favorite Sesame Street friends! It was the greatest prize pack I have ever won. I feel very blessed that I was able to do this with my son.

He got cotton candy that was bigger than his head! I love it!

This really is it...

I have been on a sweets rampage lately. Today was my last day eating and doing what I want. I have started Zumba and let me just say that it kicked my butt. I have started tracking my food with myfittnesspal. I have lost 3 pounds but want to kick it into high gear and want to encourage others to do so too. So today I am going to be brave. I am going to reveal every step of this journey with. I am not going to hold anything back. Feel free to leave comments (encouragements, hates, whatever). This mama is going to bring sexy back and be healthy doing it.

I haven't gotten to measure myself yet, I plan to do that this weekend. But my weigh-in this morning was 188 pounds. Now this is coming from a woman who weighed 110 pounds soaking wet 4 years ago when I got pregnant with Kaden. I gained 110 pounds with him due to undiagnosed gestational diabetes. We know that I had it because he was an 8 pound 2.8 ounce preemie! I went from a size 2 to a size 16. I don't even know what pants size I wear now, because I am too ashamed to try on anything other than my maternity clothes, which do not fit right by the way.

Well Ladies and Gentlemen

I did it! I got a job. I am so thrilled to say that the hours of this position still allow me to be home with my boys most of the day and all of the night! I will miss them while I am at work, but I won't have to be gone too long :)

Now I have to:
Get the house spotless
Get my hair cut
Wash all of my scrubs
Wash my sneakers
Practice getting up early
Go to bed at a decent hour
Get the boys on a schedule
Find a sitter
Get the pets on a routine
Still find time to get these workouts in
Still got to find blog time!


Oh my achy brain!

Goals

Last Week:

Family:
Take another shot at those toys
Kaden's A-F and a-f and 1-4 (getting better)
Get Eythan standing more
Pray for my family daily

Personal:
Start exercise and healthy eating
Drink 8 glass of Water ( 2 glasses is better than none)
Read a book a week (not quite)

Household:
Clean out linen closet
Get garage sale items labeled
Keep Flying
Notebook

This Week:

Family:
Get a routine going with the kids
Spend at least 1 hour a day doing "school" with Kaden

Personal:
Squeeze in 5 30 minute workout sessions
Stay with in my calorie range
Lose 2 pounds
Finish Book

Happy Mothers' Day

Happy Mothers' Day to all of the mothers out there. Even though this holiday is one created by Hallmark, it is a well deserved holiday. We are everything to our children: chef, taxi driver, maid, therapist, doctor, dry cleaner, personal assistant, tutor, event planner, ect. We don't get paid. We don't get days off or sick days. We rarely get told thank you. But those sticky little kisses and big ole hugs make all of the activities worth it.

Grey's Anatomy

Okay Ladies and Gentlemen... Greys Anatomy, any thoughts? I love that show so much and am glad it is coming back for another season. They have announced though that a beloved character is going to die. Who though??? I have heard rumor that it is Derek or Zola. I don't think the show will make it without Shepard and they should not kill another kid off. I seriously cried for over 20 minutes when the preemie died (could be because all of my boys were preemies and I am so deeply connected to that, but...).

I would love to hear your thoughts on the show!!!

FlyLady Day 22

Still Making Her Proud!

Menu

Breakfast:

• Toast and Jelly
• Omelets
• Biscuit and Gravy
• Bagels
• Zucchini/ Blueberry, Sweet Potato/Cinnamon Apple, Yellow Squash/ Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
• Baked Oatmeal

Lunch:

• Left Overs

Supper

• Soup Beans, Greens, Dip Dogs, Mac and Cheese
• Pot Roast With Carrots and Potatoes
• Beanie Weenie Casserole
• Grilled Chicken with Veggies
• Chicken Salad
• Pork Chops and Veggies

My Freebox

My freebox made me happy this week:
* $5 Amazon Gift Cards times 2
* $10 Suntan City Gift Card
* $25 CVS Gift Card
* $8 Dunkin Donut Gift Card
* 2 bags coffee

Busy Week...

This week I am taking on cooking a real meal every night. I am also starting a new schedule with the boys. I am working on it, but Kaden is really honary this week so it isn't going as well as I thought it would. I am also preparing to return to work, My head is spinning. You may not get a post every day, but most days! I have also taken on a volunteering position as Community Outreach Manager for Knoxville Mommies, a subgroup of The Mommies Network. So now I have a bunch of research and events to plan! My life is busy but I love it.

Lindor Chocolate

Love chocolate. Love everything about chocolate. Most moms do! As a BzzAgent I have access to a coupon for chocolate! Rewarding all moms this Mother's Day! Click for $1-off an irresistibly smooth LINDOR truffle. #imabzzagent http://u.bzz.com/823s0

Flylady day 17

I have made you proud once again! This is getting easy. You would really be proud of me, FlyLady, I am getting rid of over 30 boxes of things tomorrow in a yard sale! This should be interesting!

I will post pictures soon!

Maxwell House Drops of Good Community Project.

Mawell House is giving a community center a $50,000 renovation! Vote here for your choice.

Dear Flylady, I love you!

I am right on schedule~! My house is no longer in CHAOS with all that mess! Thank you fly lady~!

FlyLady day 14

She is a lady after my own heart. I am obsessed with calendars! I am glad to see her write an essay about it! I made you proud today FlyLady!

I am very very behind!

I ended up at the hospital with Eythan last night. He is sick sick little boy right now. He has been really cranky and not letting me do much. But I am trying to catch up.

Goals This Week

Last Week

Family:
Get the toys sorted for our garage sale (big fat negative)
Get Kaden writing and recognizing A-F and a-f and 1-4 (he is up to E and e and 2)
Encourage Eythan's walking (he has been standing...YAY)
Pray for David and Kids daily (the need to be the focus of my prayers)

Personal:
Cut those sweets (no cigar)
Start eating healthy (nope)
Set Fitness goals (step by step with rewards)

Household:
Get house back in shape
Set financial goals with David
Keep working on Notebook
Keep FLYing

Business:
Pray for Dave's Employment test Thursday and encourage him (unfortunately this job was just not in God's plans for us)
Keep sending resumes and getting interviews
Start step by step Scentsy plan

This Week:

Family:
Take another shot at those toys
Kaden's A-F and a-f and 1-4
Get Eythan standing more
Pray for my family daily

Personal:
Start exercise and healthy eating
Drink 8 glass of Water
Read a book a week

Household:
Clean out linen closet
Get garage sale items labeled
Keep Flying
Notebook

Flying High

FlyLady would be proud of me. I not only did all of my baby steps (except shoes, I just can't say it enough. There will be NO shoes in my house!), but I cleaned my entire house! That's right my house is clean and hubby is going to be a happy boy!

We are all sick as dogs. I hope this beautiful cleaning spree helps get rid of germ

Creamy Chicken Rice Soup

Its AMAZING!!!

Ingredients:
1 lb Chicken Breast
1 C Long Grain Rice
2 Cans Chicken Broth
1 Pack Onion Soup Mix
1 Can Evaporated Milk
3 T Flour

Boil chicken, rice, broth, and onion soup mix with 2 cups water and seasoning. Simmer 15 minutes until rice is fluffy. Mix flour and milk. Add to pot. Simmer until it begins to thicken. YUMMY!!!

FlyLady Day 12

Now I am really getting the hang on this! I am so happy not having to freak out when someone calls and says that they are out our way and want to stop by. Before, I would have had a panic attack (actually happened). Now it takes 15 minutes for my house to be company ready with the exception of the toy room. But the way I see it is... We have kids. Kids make messes. If that is a problem for you, get out of my house and don't let the doorknob hit ya!

I was a bit reluctant to get dressed every morning, especially make up and hair. I mean it seems a bit silly to get dressed up for my kids, right? No, they seem to listen better when we are ALL dressed and ready to go at a moments notice. Which is excellent to be ready to go first thing in the morning because to be honest, before this challenge it would take us at least 45 minutes to get ready and that was certainly nothing fancy. we would be lucky if the kids clothes matched and I remembered that I was in PJ's. It is so much more relaxing. I feel better about myself. Grant it, I don't do my hair and make up everyday, but just getting dressed feels nice!

Neutrogena Cosmetics Review

Today my BzzAgent bzzkit came today! ! I can't believe how excited I am to use the products. I love to under eye concealer. It is a bit odd to me to use the brush on the end, because the amount of concealer on the brush just doesn't seem right. But the product works well. I love the eye liner. It goes on smooth. I will continue to use the eye liner. But the lip balm... oh, the lip balm! I love love love it! It goes on smooth. The colors are beautiful and I love the way my lips feel when I am wearing it. Plus the SPF in is great. We all know that we are supposed to use sunscreen everyday, but we tend to neglect or lips. Lips can get skin cancer just as much as our bodies! These products are great. Can't wait to share it with friends.

Disclaimer: I am a BzzAgent member. I get to keep the products I test and get rewarded for my reviews (through Mypoints). Word-of-mouth marketing is an effective way to increase business by allowing people to test the product and to share their honest opinion of the product.

I will always give my honest opinion of the product. If I don't like it I will tell you.

This has encouraged me to start putting make up on most days! I am so excited! This challenge has already got me feeling more girlie. Face it, most stay at home moms are not going to get dressed up (June Cleaver was a TV character. She is not real)!!!

Treasure Box

I LOVE FREEBIES. More than love, obsessed is more like. This weeks goodies were:
* Metamucil (walmart.com)
* Coupons for Crest Pro-Health (vocalpoint.com)
* Coupons for Alpo
* Tide Pod
* Toms Toothpaste

FlyLady Day 11

Dear FlyLady,

Thank you for making things so easy to do! I successfully did all that you asked me to do today (with exception of shoes! It's not gonna happen in my house!)! My house is slowly becoming less likely to be condemned by the state lol. It is starting to become less cluttered and chaotic! Thanks to the House Fairy, Kaden is finally starting to pick up his toys. Though today, he was much too sick to do anything.

Love,

Sarah <3

Fitness Goals

After you've had three kids, you body just doesn't look like it used to... at all! So I want to get back in shape. Not only to look good again (though that is a big one for me), but to be healthy (an even bigger deal to me). I know that with as busy as I am, I am just going to need motivation to do it. So here is a list of my goals and rewards for my fitness (all of this will be tracked in my journal).

Goal 1: Lose 10 pounds. Be able to walk/jog 2 miles without stopping. Reward: $10 in my clothing allowance for new clothes when I lose all of this weight.

Goal 2: Lose 10 more pounds. Be able to jog 2.75 miles without stopping. Reward: $20 in my clothing allowance for new clothes.

Goal 3: Lose 10 more pounds. Run/jog a 5k! Reward: New shoes!

Goal 4: Lose 10 more pounds. Reward: $20 in my clothing allowance!

Goal 5: Lose 10 more pounds. Reward: $20 in my clothing allowance and spray tan package!

Goal 6: Lose 10 more pounds. Reward: $100 in new clothes!

Goal 7: Lose 10 more pounds.Reward: New family pictures. I really don't like having my picture taken now that I am a bigger girl!

FlyLady Day 10

I am so behind! Three sick kids and sick husband makes a busy sick mommy! But I did get dressed and shined my sinks. I put out hot pots and set my timer for 15 minutes and threw away trash. We have too much junk because the difference made by just 15 minutes was amazing! My routine is coming together!

FlyLady Day 9 (yesterdy)

Today's FLYing lessons went just as planned. I really got dressed. Hair, makeup, the works. It truly is amazing the change you feel in your energy when you get dressed up! Sinks shined. Hot spots put out. Plus, I did my room-to-room cleaning list. Got up and went to my job interview. Then to the mall to pick up my baby wrap.

Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey

I just finished reading Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey by Joanie Demer and Heather Wheeler also known as the Krazy Coupon Lady. This book was life changing for me! Truly! It talks you through the ins and outs of couponing. Where to find coupons, how to use them, more importantly when to use them, and much more. I have already started getting newspapers to build my coupon stock. Even though I can't afford many papers, I am starting with 2 and asking friends and family for their left overs. The newspaper here is $2.00. So if I were to get 5 papers (one for each person in the house) it would cost me $10.00 a Sunday. I will start this when I get back to work. I will never be unprepared again!

5 star rating!

You Better Shop Around

So a big part of this blog is trying to change our financial situation. Dave Ramsey recommends getting rid of cable. David is so addicted to TV that we all know that will never happen, BUT...  After looking at my cable/phone/Internet package, it was too high for the quality of service we have been getting. 4 service calls in 3 weeks! But I digress, I called there competitors and now we have lowered our bill by $60 a month. That is 2 weeks worth of groceries! Or 1 night of dining out. Or a haircut!

I could go on but I won't!

How do you save on your cable/Internet/phone bill?

FlyLady Day 8...modified

I have modified day 8. She wants us to get a 3-ringed binder and start our "control journal" (aka notebook). Since I have been working hard on mine I am going to stick with it. I got dressed, shined my sinks and put out my hot spots.
I think the FlyLady would be proud.

Beco Portable Baby Wrap Carrier

I am so excited! I won the carrier I wanted. The one I was wearing at the expo had been recalled and I didn't know it. Another mom let me borrow one of her carriers. I fell in love with the wrap style! I had to share it... I was like I just put 29 entries in I better win haha!

Goals this Week

Family:
Get the toys sorted for our garage sale
Get Kaden writing and recognizing A-F and a-f and 1-4
Encourage Eythan's walking (he has been standing...YAY)
Pray for David and Kids daily (the need to be the focus of my prayers)

Personal:Cut those sweets
Start eating healthy
Set Fitness goals (step by step with rewards)

Household:Get house back in shape
Set financial goals with David
Keep working on Notebook
Keep FLYing

Business:
Pray for Dave's Employment test Thursday and encourage him
Keep sending resumes and getting interviews
Start step by step Scentsy plan

FlyLady Day 7

So I took yesterday off. We all are sick and I sure didn't feel like cleaning so today is definitely going to be a day of catch up. Yes, we are still sick, but we think clutter could hold germs and keep us sick longer!

I got dressed... to sweats I just am not feeling up to being sexy-fied today! Monday is kitchen and utility room day on my cleaning list so that will be the focus. BUT as I was typing this Kaden informed me that he peed out of his pull up. So we will be washing sheets and steam cleaning the mattress too! But that can come off of my list this week!

Hopefully, I will figure out how to post pictures and show before and afters~!

FlyLady Day 6

Today was an off day for me. We had the Great Cloth Diaper Change! But now I am back home and fixing the house. It looks like a tornado hit! But we will be back in line tomorrow!

Great Cloth Diaper Change

I am excited to announce that tomorrow the two young boys and I will be participating in the Great Cloth Diaper Change, an attempt to create a world record! This is a great event to get out awareness for cloth diapers. These are not your mama's cloth diapers. They are stylish and easy to use.

Here are 5 reasons that I use cloth diapers:

1. Cost- They are cost effective and do not cost much to get started.
2. Healthy - Less likely to cause diaper rash
3. They are cute!
4. Environmentally friendly
5. Did I mention money?

I encourage everyone to check into cloth diapers for your little one. They truly have been a blessing to our family!

FlyLady Day 5

Dear FlyLady,
You would be so proud. Despite nature's best attempt to cause CHAOS at my house, I was able to get dressed and shine my sink. I am so glad that my sink was clean when I needed to give an emergency sink bath to my 15 month old! I was even able to take a nap yesterday before Carson's doctors appointment. I didn't have to rush to hide the mess before my mother came over!

FlyLady, you are my hero! You and and my notebook!

Love,

Make This Mama Over

FlyLady Day 4

Dress up
Sinks Shined
FlyLady Looked At
Post its Made!!!

Truth: I'm Fat

I know when I write I sound like a supermodel. The truth is: I'M  FAT. Ok, that was a bit harsh but I told you I would be honest. Man, I have sweet tooth that won't go away. But it's going to have to right? I mean that is what Make This Mama Over is all about: Improvement! Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being a full figured beauty (because ladies we are all beautiful...period!). It's just not right for me. I always used to pride myself on being fit and healthy. That's what is important. I want to be healthy enough to keep up with my three kids.

I just signed up for BabyFit by Sparkpeople. It is where I can track my food intake and my exercise. It even gives suggestions. Since I am still not working, our food supply is quite limited. As soon as I go back to work that will all change with my couponing!

Fly Lady Day 3

I woke up and get dressed to socks. Shined my sink and logged on to Flylady messages. Oh, the FlyLady woud be so so proud!

Cheesy Taco Meatloaf

1 pack ground beef
2 eggs
1 pack saltine crackers
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 T Worcestershire Sauce
1 splash hot sauce
1 pack taco seasoning
Creole Seasoning

Mix together and cook on 425 for 1 hour 20 mins. Freezes Great.

Live Below the Line

Live Below the Line is a campaign that challenges individuals and communities to eat and drink on just $1.50 per day for 5 days. By exposing participants to a glimpse of some of the daily difficulties experienced by the 1.4 billion people who live in extreme poverty every day, for everything, the campaign provides a unique window into understanding the realities of life for so many.Through the insights gained over the 5 days, Live Below the Line is assembling a movement of people passionate about eradicating extreme poverty. Through partnerships with various charities, the campaign raises both awareness and critical funds.

This a campaign sponsored by BzzAgent. If you want to sponsor me, my link is https://www.livebelowtheline.com/me/makethismamaover. My sponsorship money goes to Unicef.

Challenge date: May 7-11.

Fly Lady Day2 (Should have posted yesterday)

The FlyLady would be proud...sort of. Today is day two of the baby steps and today I was supposed to
1. Shine My Sink
2. Get Dressed to Lace Up Shoes

Well, I woke up and got dressed all the way to socks. We DON'T wear shoes in my house...period!!! So socks is the closest it is gonna come! But I got dressed, that is a first. Then I shined my sinks like a good girl. Then on to my cleaning schedule. Today was the bed rooms. I got everything but the vacuuming done, so not too bad.

Hubby has been a happy boy coming home to a clean home. He even had steak for dinner!

Also, the house fairy has worked wonders on getting Kaden to do his chores so YAY!!!

Busy Day Ahead...

Today is going to be a busy day! The kids and I are going to work on the house this morning and then we have "school" time. I have got to get Kaden recognizing letters better than he does. He is advanced for his age, but I don't really want to slow down to make him "age level" either. He is too young to start kindergarten this year, but gets to go next year. I want him to be able to succeed easily by the time he starts!Then...

:: Nap (we have been up since 3. Eythan woke up with a burst of energy, great fun!)
:: Get Dinner ready to go
:: Baths for the 2 little ones
:: Get Kaden Dressed for His Teeball Game
:: Go To Game
:: Bath for Kaden
:: Reading Time
:: Bed for the Kids
:: Bath for Mommy
:: Bed For Me (fingers crossed)

Ice Cream Play Date

I had a blast tonight with the boys! We met up with my play date group for ice cream. With only $2.00 in our bank it didn't leave much room to spend money. Luckily I had a coupon for 4 free ounces of ice cream. When we got there, it was free waffle bowl night. So Kaden got chocolate ice cream and Eythan got an iced waffle cone. Total cost: FREE!!!

Can't beat that!

Goals This Week

Goals This Week 4/16/12

Family:

Cook Every Night Except Tuesday (We Have Tee Ball)
Work on Kaden’s Writing
Work on Eythan’s Walking
Have one In-Home Date Night

Personal:

Start Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey It was so good that I finished it in 3 days!
Start The Fitting Room I tried, but no cigar. I just couldn't get into it. It was not quite what I expected.
Get Blog Up and Running Get Dressed Every Morning Pretty much
Research Couponing

Household:

Start the Fly Lady
Work on Household Notebook Work in progress.
Follow Cleaning Schedule
Work With David To Set Up Budget That's a big fat negative. We both got sick with this ugly cold. When we are sick, we can be mean so definately not the time to discuss money!

Business:

Create Scentsy Plan Get a Job Not successful yet, but I will get one!

Swagbucks

If you are not a user of Swagbucks, I highly encourage you head over there right now and sign up. You earn points for internet searches, polls, surveys, special offers, even for watching videos (my favorite are Paula Dean). You can then redeem these points for gift cards (like amazon) and other prizes (or swag). You can earn lots of points a day. I will share my tips with you soon! My goal is to be able to buy all Christmas gifts with my points this year!

BzzAgent

I am a BzzAgent. From time to time, I get to test free products and services. I then will share my review with you. This is something I really enjoy doing. I love trying new things and like to inform everyone about it. To sign up, click here. You can earn My Points (redeemable for gift cards) for completing activities.

FlyLady Day 1

Baby Step 1 Shining My Sink

Flylady baby step 1 is shine your sinks. So I tried it. It really does make your home look nice. A cluttered dirty sink can really make a room look nasty. But a shiny sink can make a room pop! I like this step. Now if I can only get my hubby and Kaden to put their dirty dishes in the dishwasher instead of the sink and to dry the sink after using it.

Did you Shine your sinks? To FLY like me visit the FLYlady!

I Hate To Clean

I Hate To Clean

FACT:  I don’t like to clean. Hate, no despise it! So what was I thinking when I married a military man?  It has been forced into their head to keep their living quarters clean at all times! That’s not something that changed when the get out either. So here is a look at our perfect worlds…

My World: When David walks in the door, the house is clean and the kids are dressed. The smell of meatloaf comes from the kitchen. The maid leaves.

His World: When he comes home, the house is clean and the kids are dressed and clean. The smell of meatloaf comes from the kitchen. I come prancing around the corner in a very June Cleaver way to greet him.

But in reality: David calls to say he is on his way home, but I am too busy screaming at the kids to not color on the walls to even hear him. He walks in as I am running to try to clear a path from the remains of what earlier in the day was our living room (but it was destroyed when the toy tornados hit). He asks if I got the dishes done like he asked. I grin my cutest grin trying to be cute so he won’t be mad that I didn’t get the chance. But how cute are you really when you are wearing sweats, your hair is a mess because you didn’t have time to shower, forget about makeup what about that giant smear of baby food on your cheek and oh man what is that smell? Oh its baby spit up! Yeah, not very cute at all.

I hate and love our reality at the same time. I love being with my kids and playing with them all day. I hate a messy house. I hate looking a mess and I hate smelling it even more. Today I am going to begin to change my sloppy ways. Starting with the house.

I have created a cleaning schedule and laminated it. I have put it in my house hold notebook (which is a major work in progress). I am going to start with it. I am also going to start FLYing with the Fly Lady. She is brilliant and I think it is an easy way to make my hubby happy!

Who wants to start this challenge with me? What ways are you cleaning up your act? How is your hubby or wifie or SO responding?

About Me

About Me

I’m Sarah Reed, the wife of David and mommy to Kaden (2008), Eythan (2011) and Carson (2012). I am an Independent Scentsy Consultant and a nurse. I love both of my careers. I am an animal lover and have a dog and a cat. I am an attachment parent (i.e. Baby wearing, co-sleeping, breast feeding, cloth diapering) and love it, but I accept other parenting styles. Every parent has to do what is right for them and best for THEIR child. I am a Christian and am trying to grow each day.

What I Love

When I am not working as a nurse, I am constantly trying to find ways to build my Scentsy business. I truly love the products and encourage everyone to try them! I am a frugal person and have been since I was a child. I am always finding new ways to save money. I love sharing them. I love cooking, baking and organizing. I love crafts. I home preschool my kids. I love spending time with my friends and family. I always enjoy trying something new.

About This Blog

Five years ago I married my best friend. When we started dating, life was so “perfect” for us. Top physical shape. Spending money galore. Always looking our best. Closer to God than I have ever felt. After, we got married we started getting plagued with things like weight gain, bills and debt, and spiritual stronghold. Not to mention that rut you get in when you start feeling too comfortable.

I am brutally honest. I am not perfect, in fact I am so flawed it isn’t funny. I won’t hide my flaws. I will share my victories at trying to overcome these flaws and encourage you to do the same. Flaw # 1 I have not figured out how to upload photos from my digital camera or use my webcam. I hope to overcome both of these soon! I will share my DIY projects and crafts. My cooking triumphs and disasters (and there will probably be tons of these because I am not Martha!). I will probably make you laugh a lot! We will have fun and become “e-buddies” very quickly.