the secret is...get yo hair did!

In case my blog title wasn't a dead give-away, I spend most days walking around with a messy bun on my head. After the new year, I decided that a new hair-do would be the perfect motivation to let my hair down and put some effort into my appearance. With a hair change in the works, I began to think about my own version of a "mom hair cut". I have spent years growing out my hair so the short mom bob was not going to be an option, but my color maintenance could use a little help. If I was going to do away with the lazy hair-dos, I needed to  find a way to compensate with a lazy hair color. Solution: Ombre!

This new trend is perfect for moms like me! It's like letting your roots grow out on purpose while staying up with the Hollywood trends. Perfect! My mom is a fabulous hair dresser and was more than willing to try something new. We took at look at some you-tube tutorials on how to ombre your hair. As painful as it was to watch some ditzy blonde explain her hair-coloring techniques, my mom & i were feeling inspired and ready for my mommy makeover!

Here are some pictures of my new hair style! I am so happy with how it turned out. Ready to let my hair down out of my messy bun and show off my new look!

Need a trendy lazy look? Go Ombre! Feeling gross and what a fresh mommy makeover?

The secret is...GET YO HAIR DID! :)

The secret is...ask for help!

Do you ever find your inner monologue screaming "a little help, please!!!!"? You know what I'm talking about, right? Those moments when all you want to do is mark ONE thing off your to do list but the universe seems to be fervently fighting against you? Well here's the thing, nobody can hear you screaming for help until you actually use those vocal cords of yours! On a side note: asking for help is not usually well-received when screaming, especially by your spouse. But, for all of you with youngin's, remember that many of your family members are dying to spend quality time with your little one! In fact, they are usually quietly wishing for an invite! Utilize them!

I am headed back into the swing of things as a new semester of grad school begins and Ernie is off to work after Christmas break. Without much surprise, I found half of my "Christmas break to-do list" unchecked. I voiced this to my hubby who then thoughtfully called my mom for a "grandma time" visit. As my mom happily played with Malachi and then rocked him to sleep for some snuggle time, I was able to clean and read in peace. So thankful for my helpers :)

The secret is...ask for help!

The secret is...Sentimental Kid Gifts

Part of my New Year's resolution was to save money. The problem is that I LOVE buying gifts for people, especially family. After Christmas, our bank account is having to go through a bit of recovery but I am determined to build up savings once more in 2013!

Today is my dad's 51st birthday! As I was discussing with Ernie what we should get him as a gift, I had a bit of an epiphany: Malachi can give family gifts this year! A thoughtful arts & craft or a cute picture of this little one is sure to do the trick every time! It will help us save money and will be a thoughtful keepsake for our family members :)

Here is the poem Grandpa will be getting for his birthday:

My Grandpa

My Grandpa has funny hair that rests on top his lip

My Grandpa lies down on the floor and let’s me crawl over his hip

My Grandpa has cool glasses that I like to pull off his face

When I’m over at Grandpa’s house, I’m in a happy place.

Grandpa sits me on his lap. We watch football on TV

I’m really glad I have my Grandpa to explain the game to me.

Grandpa gives me special treats and always makes me giggle

He likes to bounce me on his knees and wiggle wiggle wiggle!

My Grandpa’s head has no hair. It’s shiny and it’s bald.

My Grandpa walks me around the house, tells me what each thing is called

My Grandpa teaches me 1,2,3 and even 4 and 5

My Grandpa’s hands are always there when I’m about to take a dive

My Grandpa reads his Bible and likes to barbeque

I am so happy to have a Grandpa just like you!

Happy Birthday Dad!

The secret is...Sally Lloyd Jones

I have quite a few kid's Bibles and from time to time I will pick one up and read it to Malachi. At the start of the year, I made a resolution to read the Bible to Malachi on a daily basis. I feel like it is an important part of my job as a parent. This past Christmas my parents bought Malachi "the Jesus Storybook Bible" by Sally Lloyd Jones. Since New Years Eve, Ernie has been reading it to us as part of our night time routine. If you don't have this Bible, you NEED to get it! The illustrations are beautiful and every story is related back to the bigger picture of our need for salvation and how much Jesus loves us! Ernie and I keep reading it even when Malachi falls asleep!

Looking for a good way to teach your kids about God? The secret is Sally Lloyd Jones.

The secret is... Caffeine

My son has been teething recently and the nights with only one crying interruption seem to be a distant memory. I feel so sleep deprived. It's not that there are not times in the night that my eyes are closed and I'm resting. I certainly appear to be sleeping for several hours a night. The problem is that, as a mom, you can never fully surrender to that deep sleep. Your ears are somehow always open and alert.

Then the morning comes and you're immediately confronted with the fact that you, your baby and the dog are all hungry and need to pee. Let the multi-tasking begin!

Here's the trick: in the midst of the morning chaos, drink a cup of your favorite coffee with some yummy creamer in your "world's greatest mom" mug. Written affirmation in coffee mug form and caffeinated energy seems to help. Say a little prayer as you sip and wah-lah!! Your busy morning just got better!

The secret is caffeine!

the secret is...a fresh start

well hello there, 2013. nice to meet you. 

what is it about a new year that has people going wild with resolutions? what is it that has people believing that this year will be different? i think it's that grand illusion of a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning. people eat that stuff up. the world is filled with people who are "starting their diet on monday". we love the feeling of a new week, a new month, a new year. sadly, each of these calendar milestones are often met with the same lack of motivation and same "not enough time in the day" feeling. but, despite the numerous failed attempts to reach certain goals, we hold on to the hope that this year will be "the year". 

i am one such person. i did start a diet. i did start a blog. i did clean my apartment. i know it is only day two, but it's a start right? isn't that how you reach goals anyway? you work on them daily, little by little?

i love the feeling of fresh starts & don't plan to waste this one. here are my goals for 2013:

1. big surprise! LOSE WEIGHT. get to my goal weight (120)
2. read through my one year Bible
3. read to Malachi daily
4. run a half-marathon
5. document my life: journal, blog, keep up on shutterfly 
6. pay off debt & save money


these are the biggies but i'm not sure they capture what i am envisioning for my life this year. i want to become a health freak. i want to cook tons of new recipes. i want to be the best mom. i want to do arts & crafts. i want to be a book worm...

basically i am taking this new year seriously. i might not reach every goal perfectly but...

the secret is a fresh start for motivation.