Sticking with it.

I've recently committed to training for a 5K and I am proud to announce that I've stuck with my schedule for a week now! (Pat on the back for me). I've been doing it by myself but have found tons of support in the running community. My runner friends on Facebook are encouraging me and giving me tips and hubby is keeping me in check. I'm loving it. I love the way I feel about myself now. I know it's only been a week but man I feel a whole lot better and I'm making better eating choices. So I want to encourage you to get active if you aren't already. Just get outside and walk or play with your kids. Enjoy the sunshine or rain. So 1 week down 8 more to go, then the 5K! Lord help me. :o)

Mother's Day.

To all you woman out there who have an influence in any child's life...
If you encourage, teach, nurture, compliment, or are a positive example in a child's life, whether you are a biological mother or not, I hope you have a blessed Mother's Day. I especially want to say Happy Mother's Day to my grandmothers, my mom, and my mother-in-law. Thanks for being amazing woman and helping me see what being a mom is all about. Love you all.

Top Five.

In honor of Mother's Day this weekend I thought I'd make a list of the top 5 reasons why I love being a mom! I'd also like to say thank you to both of my moms. They did a great job of raising myself and Marcus and they are still there for us whenever we need them. Love you Mom Wags and Mom Moran. Now on to my list...

1. I get to wake up to giggles and snuggles... most days.
2. I never thought my heart could love anyone as much as I love my girls and it's the best feeling to be loved unconditionally back. I will always love them.
3. I think I have the best and cutest girls and everyone else should adore them too... anyone who doesn't is dumb. lol.
4. They laugh at me all the time. I don't know one adult that would laugh at me for making a funny face or simply laugh because I'm laughing. They have the cutest giggles too. I'm sure the world would be a better place if bad people were locked up with laughing toddlers.
5. I love watching them learn and grow. There is nothing more rewarding then seeing my beautiful girls grow and discover new things about themselves everyday.

I love you Mya Kay and Kylie Lynn... you make being a mom the most exciting adventure in my life.

happy clipping.

Today I got payed to take smoked sausage out of the store. <----You heard right. This was really exciting for me. I have been researching on how to coupon so I feel like my hard work is finally starting to pay off. Does anyone else watch the show on TLC called 'Extreme Couponing'? There's a new one on every Wednesday night and it really motivates me to save money. I am learning a lot about being a money saving mom so I'll share a few tips that I've picked up about couponing.

1. It pays to know your stores coupon policy.
2. Try to find a store that doubles your coupons. (There's aren't any in Michigan yet... I'm working on it).
3. Some store will give you money off for bringing in your own grocery bags.
4. Buy a newpaper or two or three or four on Sundays for the coupons OR an even better idea is to ask your friends and family who don't use coupons if they'd give them to you.
5. Match up coupons with sales to get the lowest possible price.
6. E-mail manufacterors asking for coupons since you buy their product a lot anyways.
7. Some store have special perks like CVS has Extra Bucks and Meijer has mPerks so get involved.
And last but probably most importantly...
8. READ FINE PRINT ON COUPONS.

I'm having so much fun with this. To find other coupons go online to Coupon Mom and Shop at Home. Those are the two websites that I've found most helpful so far. This really works and if you think about it, coupons are like money so get clipping.

On another note: finished those bracelets! I made 30 of them. I hope the kids enjoy them... I had a wonderful time making them. I felt like I was a kid again... Marie (my sister) and I use to make these all the time except a little differently. We'd also make pot holders. Well here's the finished product...



Orphan Project.

I can't wait to decorate my house. I've been trying very hard to make my house cute but with a little budget it is hard but I'm finding ways here and there to give it some life. One of the things I recently did is hang paper lanterns in Mya's room above her bed. My next project after I make the bracelets is to make my picture frame with the chicken wire behind it. I've been waiting for spring to be here so that I can spray paint the frame outside and guess what... SPRING IS HERE.

This is the lanterns I hung in Mya's room. Sorry it's a weird picture.

So if you didn't catch it, I'm making bracelets for Orphan Project. I'm so excited to do this and was inspired by another blogger. The bracelets I'll be making are made out of jersey material. I'll be finger weaving (as I call it) like I use to do when I was little. I'll give you a sneak peek of what the fun colors I'm going to be working with. Hopefully I'll get a few made this weekend.

Join in the fun making bracelets for the Orphan Project. For more information click on my link:

Orphan Project info.

Have an awesome Thursday everyone! -Manda



Getting things done.

It's been hard for me to find motivation to keep up with my house lately. I feel like I clean up a room, walk away and it automatically get's messed up again. I am happier when my house is clean and things are in order. I've been following an organizers blog iheartorganizing.blogspot.com and it's helping me get my house in order. It also helps that my mom, sister, and I are doing a garage sale soon. So I'm going to take before and after pictures of each room and then post them with tips. I'm excited. If you feel up to the challenge feel free to join me and give some helpful tips to what helps you organize your home. Lets make organizing fun. Happy organizing to all.

Getting caught up.

I haven't posted in a while and the reason for that is because I've been scrapbooking in all my spare time. Marcus' parents brought over 2 eight foot long tables to put in our basement so I can keep my scrapbooking stuff out all the time. It has been a blast. I've been working on Mya's book. It's finally coming together. I can't wait to start on Kylie's next. I should post some of my favorite pages. Maybe I'll do that for Monday.

Other than scrapbooking I have been busy running around. The weeks are seeming to fly by. I already have to start Kylie on solids next month. Crazy. Well I better get busy. I have Easter baskets to put together and a house that needs my attention. Everyone have a wonderful Easter.