Storing Your Cleaning Supplies

Whether it is because you are bringing a baby home or you just want to get organized, having a central location for your cleaning supplies is very important!

I created a single location for all the cleaning supplies, but it was fairly simple.  I am pretty glad I did this because my little one is now walking and into everything, especially the typical under-the-sink cupboard. 

So I bought these items:

-One Shelf

-A small night stand dresser (not pictured)

-Hanger/Organizer (Home Depot)

I hung the shelf and organizer and placed everything in its place.  It is much easier to keep my little one out of harmful chemicals by having this organized and high up out of his reach!  And it's a lot more clear to my husband where everything goes :)

A Monster Nursery Design for Mommy's Little Monster!

I had so much fun creating this with my mother-in-law and mom!  It was a lot of fun and I just want to thank them for their creative insight!

So.   I was bored (as it so happens!) with the generic nursery style that is typical.  I had nicknamed my son "monster" because he was so big, and is so much fun.  My husband and I agreed to re-do his nursery in a monster theme, since we both loved his nickname.  Problem was, I couldn't find anything!!! That I loved.  Every style and theme did not fit his personality or ours.  SO I decided to create it!  If you can't sew (like me) don't give up! Just find someone who can! That's what I did!! And not all of it needed to be sewn together.

I did not sew this!!

I bought a bunch of felt pieces, and cut it out in monster shapes, teeth, mouth, eyes, all of it.

For this, I have a friend who is an artist, and she was so stoked to draw

I bought a stool from Michael's, painted it and she added the monsters according to what I asked.  She did an amazing job!!

 Stencil work!

 Blanket:  We bought Fleece, and again my artist friend drew the monster and cut it out.  My mom sewed it all together, but the back is four even squares of the red, green, orange (it's orange, even if the lighting is poor), and blue.  This thing is HUGE so I suggest making it to the size you see fit.  We like big blankets in this family!

 My mom found these at Michael's for 1$ a piece.  I just pinned them to the wall.  If you want to make them yourself, felt and vinyl cut in the shapes you desire :)

 His mobile.  To make this, I cut out in starburst pattern a variety of colors, and made them stiff (STARCH) and used ribbon to sew them in pieces apart.  I then sewed the monster in separate pieces til they balanced them out. And yes I hand-sewed them!

 Embroidery machines are amazing!

 Better pictures of the mobile

 My husband getting creative with the glue gun, making the mobile look its best

 We glued dowel sticks to the backs of the felt monsters, and hung them with ribbon. 

And Voila! A beautiful monster-themed room!  We also created pillows with the left-over fleece that spelled out his name :)

5 Moves to blast The Post-Baby Tummy

So recently I was asked what I have been doing to get in better shape after having my son (a year ago).  I showed them a few exercises really quickly.  When you have multiple children (or even one!) who is going to remember something you were shown really quickly?  No one. haha  Well, said individual asked me to write it down so here it is (Pin it! hehe)

First off, I just want to say exercise when you can, don't stress yourself out about it.  More importantly, do not forget that a big part of a healthier body is a healthy plate!  Your day-to-day diet is an integral part to losing unwanted weight and maintaining a healthy figure.  I know we can't be perfect, but it is important to eat as healthy as possible.

**Also I am not a doctor or a fitness coach.  If you are concerned about these, please consult a professional.

SO To the nitty gritty awesomeness.  When I do these daily I definitely notice a difference (and it's really short!)

1.  Sit with your knees bent and lay back on your elbows.  Bring your knees up to a 90 degree angle and twist to the right, bring to center and twist to the left.  Bring to center.  That is 1, do 20

2.  Sitting in the same starting position as the first one, place your hands palms down slightly behind you.  Lift your bottom up and push back, hold for a few seconds, return to starting position.  Do 10

3.  Starting in plank position walk (in short steps) to an upside down V position, then walk back down to plank, do 10

4.  From plank, straighten your arms so you are resting on your palms (I think this is called high plank? NOT sure, don't quote me).  Bring your left leg up and touch as close to your right hand as possible (You will be twisting your abs but try and keep your right leg straight).  Return to starting and repeat on the right side.  This is one, do 20

5.  Lie on your back and bring your legs straight up, palms flat on the floor.  Lift your bottom up, bring it down.  Do 30

Repeat 2x Daily.


**I will add pictures as soon as I can :) Please comment for questions!  Happy Fit Day :)

Mother Title has been added.

Well this last year and a half has been a whirlwind of change.  I really hope in the next year I continue to see change and grow/expand from all I have learned.

First, I became a mom.  Aaron and I both made a big deal about how we weren't ready for children.  We had a lot of people pushing us to have kids, and we were adamantly saying No.  Completely by accident, or some grand design (whatever you believe in), we found ourselves pregnant.  Although we didn't feel ready for this change, we knew that we would rather be blessed with a cute little kid than have to suffer another miscarriage.  Well, we were blessed.

And were we ever blessed.  We had a 10 pound baby boy in September of 2012.  I would love to show him off, but my husband does not really want his picture all over Facebook or any other networking site (he believes he is too young to be subjected in such a manner and that should be a decision he makes when he's old enough to, not our type of decision) so just believe me when I say he's adorable ;)
This kid.  Ohhh, this kid.  I have always been the type of person who does not understand or know what to do with children.  They come to me crying and I try to get them to stop, some I can connect with, but most of them I look at the mom and go 'hey you want him back? He's crying and it's probably my face' (JK).  BUT the mommy gene kicked the second I heard that little boy's cries. 

I had a c-section (because of course, I had a huge baby) and when they pulled him out, I was in tears.  It will probably be one of my most amazing memories ever.  I hope that I never forget it.  I can definitely understand why people have more than one kid, it was such a glorious moment.  Just think of every happy moment you've ever had, and put it into one moment.  This being that you created with a person you hold to be most important was just brought into this world.  He can melt your heart with the silliest of faces or brighten your day by reacting to your voice.  His life is so precious because you know what hard work you put into creating him, you hold a connection with him that you will never hold with anyone else.  (You may have more kids, but I think each connection would be different and special, just like each pregnancy).

And believe me, I was miserable during my pregnancy.  I was huge and miserable...everything I did, every way I moved, I was extremely uncomfortable and very unhappy in my body.  I felt so miserably limited and swollen and huge.  Gigantic huge.  People STILL comment on it, and my son is now 6 months old and I'm almost back to my pre-pregnancy weight (and I'm back in my pre-pregnancy clothes).  By the time July hit, I probably looked like the most miserable person ever.

But when they pulled him out and he started crying-it made everything worth it.  Every night I couldn't fall asleep.  Every pound I gained.  Every swollen part of my body, all the nausea and the vomiting, all the lack of comfort.  Definitely worth it.
Every time he smiles at me, every new move or sound he makes...all of it, is worth it.  I am so amazed by how this little boy has touched both of our hearts in ways we never expected. 

There's so much more I could say but I must finish cleaning the kitchen and dining room while the little tiger is napping, and I need to put the finishing touches on an essay I have due.  Then later I'm off for a run since I'm training for a couple 5ks. 

I hope one day you get the chance to experience parenthood.  Even if it's the form of an animal, I hope you get the chance to experience those moments where someone can melt your heart with the sweetest intentions.

Why I De-Activated my Facebook

Okay so the big question.  Since everyone keeps asking me and I'm not really one who likes saying the same things 30 times...I will tell you here on why I got rid of my Facebook.

For one: I read an article a few months back about the amount of users on Facebook and why some people don't have it.  If you didn't see it (since I can't find it) it talked about the amount of Americans using Facebook and those that don't.  Some people deleted theirs because they were finding more information related to family member's personal lives on Facebook but not in real life.  They seemed to feel that they were losing actual contact with their friends and family and yet still knew random things about them.
So that started me thinking about how exhausting it was to be on Facebook all the time.  How I knew what was going on in different people lives but not because they were telling me but that they were telling everyone on a social networking site. (Mind you I don't have any other social sites)
And then some issues began with my family.  I was told I don't contact them enough because I'm too busy.  But I knew what was going on in their lives because of their status updates and such.  Again, clicking of the motivation that perhaps this thing is not that great for "contact."
So I let myself sit on the idea of getting rid of it...not really interested in it as much.

And then the drama that is usually on FB accelerated.  And I'm usually like eh whatever drama is drama but it was stupid drama...like telling everyone your husband cheated on you via his? And then more and more...I was like ok final straw...this is pretty ridiculous. 

I love my friends and family and that's the main point.  I think the best way to contact them is to call/text/email...instead of waiting them to tell everyone else what is going on and then read about it.  I'm more active in other people's lives if I participate in them instead of being a bystander. 
And the last thing is my plans for the coming years.  I have too much going on that if I allow myself to continue time-wasting on Facebook then I will lose opportunities that would be more available if I don't have it.  And that's definitely number one to me.

Soooo bye bye Facebook! Much better! I can talk more to my family and spend more time in the real world participating in my life! Awesome :)

The next thing is what am I going to do with this blog? I'm sure some people find it fascinating to read about other's opinions on various topics but at the same it can be very boring same thing over and over again.  I think occasionally if a topic is prevalent then I will say something on it (like the having kids thing) but I might also have stories on here from various viewpoints about stuff that happens in our lives! So if it's in bold lettering then it will be from Aaron's viewpoint.  Italics will be from my viewpoint.  AND ALL CAPS WILL BE FROM HUNTER'S VIEWPOINT BECAUSE THAT DOG IS FOREVER EXCITED.

Ask us questions about anything and we will answer from each of our viewpoints! What we like, what we  think about certain topics, advice in something that you might think we would have a good answer to!



I think this will be a lot more fun :)  I wish you all the best and I hope I talk to each of you a lot more!

Ready for the New

Ehh this week has not been the greatest.  I think the biggest reason is because I have been letting the 'small stuff' get to me.  It has been a struggle, but I am attempting to get the 'right foot' out of bed this week so that I can continue on my plans for this new year.  I have a few 'resolutions' that I am preparing for.  I can't say all of them...I don't really want anyone to assume things and such and if the plans fall through then life becomes more complicated to explain.  Sooo...to start!
-Graduating! I will be obtaining my bachelor's degree this year so I am ready for that :)
-Passport.  I am ready to travel...see and meet other places and people! There are quite a few places we both wish to go :)
-Get into Shape! I did lose a lot of weight last year but this year it is to tone and work on my physique
-Adventure.  I really want to convince Aaron to go white water rafting.  He doesn't want to but I am definitely wanting to! More kayaking, backpacking, and camping, too :)
-Buff Puppy.  This is a goal of both Aaron and myself.  As I have said in my previous post...we really don't want children.  Hunter is our 'child' (he's a beagle).  He is definitely an awesome dog and we want him as beefed up and ready for adventure as we are!
-Continue with my master applications.  I have a few things completed but I still need to prepare quite a bit and I am really excited to know where I want to go and how I am going to get there!
-I have a few more but some things I like to keep to myself.  Perhaps I will reveal more as life unravels.  I hope everyone has as prosperous a year as they intend :)

Why we don't want Children.

Lately I have received many words from individuals that my husband and I should really start a family.

-My first question is usually, 'Oh so you are now in control of my life and know what is best for me? Thanks for informing me...'

I just do not understand the necessity to pressure others into have children.  I see nothing wrong with them.  I am just not ready for kids.  In fact, the older I get the less ready I am for children.  My husband and I have become so aggravated by others telling us we should have children that we actually go around listing reasons why we should not have them.  We honestly love children because they are cute and if raised properly they can do some of the most amazing things,  but I cannot fathom having one of my own right now.

For one...they really do annoy me.  Yes they are cute and everyone claims that when it is your own child it is so much easier to bear.  Really? I have a dog and a husband.  The dog I have had for almost 7 months and the husband for 5 years....I love them both with all of my heart but I must say they annoy the hell out of me and it does not matter much i love them, I love being able to get away from them from time to time without wondering if they are properly supervised (although sometimes I wonder about my husband haha).  They can be loud and obnoxious and I can't just walk away from that if they are mine.  But if they are someone else's then I do not have to keep putting up with them! Awesome, it's like keeping my sanity.  That doesn't sound crazy at all. 

Another reason I do not want children-because the financial hardship of being married already feels like it is enough of a struggle.  I love my husband to pieces (as many know) but, as many also know, he really is very expensive.  I do not believe I could maintain a proper amount of financial stability if we were to have children.  I would have to make sacrifices...for one not letting my husband invest in certain things that he wishes.  And (even though I do not desire a lot) I would as well.  For one we both love outdoor activities.  But much like everything else in this world, that requires money.  I don't think we would be able to do most of the things we enjoy doing.  I mean face it, you really do have to sacrifice certain parts of your life when you have children.

And then as you raise them you have to accept that you will not be their only influence. They will go out into the world as individuals (a good thing, in my opinion) and it may not be what you wanted of them.  Which can be contradictory.  Everyone wants the best for their children but sometimes the children do not agree on what you think is best for them.  If you don't want your daughter wearing the trend of skimpy shorts but she does it anyway...then you have to battle that.  And their choice in clothing is only just the beginning.  Who they hang out with, what they want to do with their lives, what they don't want to do, what they choose to do in the here and now....all complications.  Because at the same time you're raising those children you also have your own life to live.  Some people are cut out for those choices, those sacrifices...but me? I just don't think I am.

I know what you're thinking...well that's not what I think, or what my kid is like, or what I have to deal with.  But really face it, in some ways it is what you have to deal with.  You are just willing to make those sacrifices because you do not see them as sacrifices.  Often I have been told that it will be 'different' when I have kids.  I don't think it will be.  I think the only 'difference' is that I will say it is because I will either 1) justify my sacrifices by arguing that it is well worth it or 2) I will be willing to make those sacrifices.  But right now? Just because everyone around me is having children/preparing to have children? No.  Just because you are ready does not mean that I am.  I am only 24 years old.  I have so much that I want to do, so much to prepare for to start my life in the direction I want it to go.  If I were to engage in the act of bringing a child into this world I would have sacrifice those desires to make room for someone else's.  As selfish of an opinion as it may appear to others, I am not ready to do that now.  And I know my husband is not either I think having a child is one of the most selfless acts you will ever have to make. I am unprepared to be completely selfless, to give my life to someone who at times will be thoroughly ungrateful for all that I do for them.  I know they will be because when I was child I had my own moments. I know that perhaps some day my opinion MAY change...but honestly right now...I don't see that happening.  I am willing to keep the option open but in this moment? No.  Not at all.


Oh, and my husband would like to add that he wants a motorcycle.