Getting Organized...Just in Time for Spring!

I have had a lot of people make mention of, or ask me how I keep organized in different areas of my life and home.  While I don't always have an answer besides that I think I may be a tad OCD, I have found an AWESOME website that leads you through baby steps for the beginners to a simple, organized life with plenty of tips and tools for those who've already got so much of it down.
Flylady.net will help you out!  Don't be afraid...start at the beginning.  She eases you into an organized life one tiny step at a time.  Keep browsing, I always find new stuff...just today I realized she has partnered with Cozi.com (I mentioned previously here), for an incredible FREE, online, family organizing tool!

Check it all out and let me know what you think!  It certainly feels good to get things in order and what better time to start than today? =)

Neeci Is 4 Years Old?!

"Happy Birthday To You..." Sweet Neeci!!!  I love having four little girls, especially when they start knowing what kind of parties they want and get all excited about planning the activities, theme, and foods...and this year Neeci wanted to celebrate in LadyBug style!

 Thanks to my mom-in-law I had these great ideas for snacks: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Bugs and  Ladybug Appetizers.

We snacked for awhile and then ate Tacos for dinner (or Taco Salad on chips for those who wanted).  We ended the party on Ladybug Red Velvet Cake (thanks Aunt Janet!) and Ice Cream!  We had lots of fun, here are some of the pics to prove it...

The End. Until next month when we celebrate Addy's 2nd birthday......

Happy Late Earth Day and All Things Green!

I was so sad when I realized Earth Day had snuck up on me and I wouldn't have enough time to really put together a good bit of deals and freebies for you =(.  I forwarded a few links on Twitter and Facebook of some great Earth day deals on Sunday, so be sure and follow me there if you want more up to date information!

Well this weekend we spent all day Saturday celebrating my 2nd baby's 4th Birthday (more pics coming soon)! It was so much fun and so exhausting!  I guess everything pretty much wipes me out right now.  But I also sang for the second Sunday since last year.  I can't explain how it makes me feel to be able to do what God has made me to do (lead His people into His presence through song).

I have really been focusing on getting healthy and back in shape over the past two weeks, trying to workout 30 minutes at least 4 mornings out of the week and get in a good 30-60 minute workout in the afternoon (and following TIU 2nd Annual "Spring Into Bikini Series" pictured above). The crazy thing is, this seems to take all my free time each day.  I can't say I mind it...I love being able to focus on me for a few minutes each day, but I always feel bad when I know it means I'm neglecting a few other areas in my life.  =) So I have decided to be a little gracious to myself in some areas (such as this here blog), and I hope to get back to 100% involved in all areas of my life within the next few months (once ALL my babies sleep more at night then during the day). ;)

On that note, I thought I'd just let you know in the "Going Green" part of my life I am pretty much still slowly switching things over.  I am buying only organic Apples now and organic Greens (i.e., lettuce, spinach, kale) as much as our budget will allow.  Same with milk.  Since I haven't found as many good deals on organic items locally I am just doing what I can each week.  We haven't really made any progress in the "starting a garden" department but I am planning to tackle small-indoor-potted-herbs soon!  Haha.  Yes even they intimidate me.  But home-grown produce will have to wait a bit longer.  First I need to muster the strength to potty train my almost-2-year old.  Bleh.

As of now, I am working on improving me a bit, in my spare time.  Eating healthy, using natural, kitchen-ingredient beauty treatments (loving my stinky mint-apple cider vinegar hair rinse), working out, and trying to get back into regular one-on-one time with Jesus.  Sometimes I just overwhelm myself and give it all up for a day...but it's all part of who I am so I get back at it the next.  My next goal is to find a peaceful moment in every day to appreciate something small but significant.  Today: I am sitting in my lawn chair outside my house listening to bird calls and cars driving in the distance.  As I type, I smell salt-water and sand.  I guess I haven't thoroughly washed out these chairs since our beach-trip to Galveston.  It's wonderful how one tiny smell can bring back a flood of warm, sunny memories...can't wait for our next vacation.  =)

Hello Again...

News footage of some of the Tornado Damage

Well, it's been 3 weeks since my last post, and I'm normally not so neglectful of my baby here (this blog I mean).  But with the holidays, 17 tornadoes touching down all around us here in the Dallas area, and reading through the Hunger Games trilogy...I haven't found much time for writing! Sorry! ;)

Easter Party at our House Pics:

Addy

Kailyn

Sadie

Neeci

One awesome thing that I have been able to do over this past week is wake up before all my children and workout!  WOO!  It's crazy how much it makes me feel like myself to be able to get up while it's still dark out and peek outside on our fog-filled pasture behind us and get my day started right.  I still haven't been able to get up as early as I'd like (to fit in a full 90-120 minutes to myself), but this is where I'm at and it's more than I could have hoped for with Sadie not even 3 months yet! (Can you feel me beaming as I type?!!)  You probably think I'm crazy for being so excited to sleep less and workout, but that is what helps me feel alive, and more like me!
My two middle babies are turning 4 next week and then a month later turning 2...so hard to believe!  I've just spent two days switching all of our clothes over to spring/summer and packing up the too-small-sizes.  It was an overwhelming feat at first but I dove in and it feels GREAT to have it done.  Plus we all feel like we just went shopping for new clothes...except Kailyn.  Being the oldest does have it's ups and downs...but at least she'll be getting some new summer dresses this year.  ;)
Just I thought I'd give you an update, I promise I'll be back sooner...I have a lot of goodies to share with you!  And just to show you I mean it, I'll leave you with one...

Lovely Lettered Printables by Paper Coterie!  I love these beautiful, FREE, printables.  Click here are a few more I mentioned earlier.

"Wish You Were Here" Printable

"Miss You" Printable

"I Love You" Printable

"You Matter" Printable

"Thank You" Printable

"You Are Beautiful" Printable

Wednesday Workouts: Training for a 5k!

I have only ran one 5k (so far), but that's all it took to get me hooked!  I got pregnant afterwards and wasn't able to keep up my normal level of activity.  So, now that we are 2 months post-partum and have the doctor's okay, I am starting to build up my strength again!  I am so excited to get back in shape and ready for 5k number 2!  Follow this link if you'd like to see Self magazine's plan to help you reach your running goals.  It will still be a little bit before I have the energy and strength I need, but I believe half of the battle is just having the goal and a plan to get there.  So if you need a little help conquering a 5k, 10k or half marathon, check out this simple (and easy to print out) guide to get you there!!!

Prayer Pail

Just a few weeks ago I happened upon this blog called Passionate Homemaking.  This little "Prayer Pail" craft really stuck out to me.  I love how kid-friendly this is and the real meaning behind it.  Fill your pail (or mug as pictured) with little popsicle sticks; you can let your older kids help write different people, places or things on each stick that you want to pray over at the dinner table.  This would also be great as a "Thankful Pail," as an activity around Thanksgiving or anytime that we need a reminder of our blessings.  Have fun with it and get your kiddos involved.  What a fun way to teach our little people how to give thanks to God for our blessings and show them how to pray for our loved ones!

I Love Food Friday: Peanut Butter Cup Bites

Inspired by Tone It Up's recipe, I made a few changes and created these delicious treats!!  The whole family loves them and no one can seem to get enough!  Good thing it made for a pretty big batch!

Ingredients

1c Peanut Butter (I used Smart Balance, Creamy)

1c Agave (or honey)

1c Oats (I used the Instant Old Fashioned, Walmart brand)

1c Chopped Dried Apricots

1c Sliced Almonds (I just threw 2 handfuls of whole, raw almonds into a little food chopper)

1Tbsp Flax Seed

2 Scoops Chocolate Protein Powder

A Few Tbsp Water (if needed to help moisten the batch)

Instructions

Heat (on low) the Peanut Butter and Agave on the stove until warm and runny.  Turn off heat and add all remaining ingredients.  Roll into balls (when cool enough to handle) and refrigerate at least 45 minutes.  Store in a ziplock bag.  Enjoy!  (Approx. 100 calories a piece).