Praises of a Wife and Mommy

Grab your sidewalk chalk and draw some shapes so you can have fun creating this easy movement game!   This is a great way to get some physical movement.  
So after all the shapes were made and colored in I just gave directions with a movement.   Here are a few of mine:
Find the blue star and do 5 jumping jacks Find the pink square and do 10 frog jumps Find the orange diamond and do a 20 second plank
Thee possibilities are endless and my kids loved the challenge!   

Do you ever wonder about the messages you get in chocolate or fortune cookies?   I wondered about this one message I got... it's like a hidden message to go be naughty!   What are your thoughts?  How about some better encouraging notes... Let's give that a try!  :)

I am thrilled with my little flower pots and strawberry patch!   I didn't have high expectations getting strawberries this year because after I planted them there was a few nights of freezing weather so I though they were all going to die.    So blessed that most of them survived and are thriving and producing fruit their first season being planted.  :)  

Duckymeter, the Baby Bath Floating Duck Toy and Bath Tub Thermometer!

What you need to know about the Duckymeter: Introducing the Duckymeter, a Baby Bath thermometer built into a fun and safe Duck Bath Toy. The Duckymeter activates instantly in water with no annoying buttons or switches. The Duckymeter dynamically calculates the bath water temperature every second, and displays the temperature with 3 different color screens, with Blue indicating Cold, Red indicating Hot, and Green indicating Just Right. Compliant with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, the Duckymeter is safe and fun both in and out of the bath. Ships with 3 AAA batteries included.
My review: 
Thanks Ozeri company for sending me this item for free in exchange for an honest review.  I was not paid for this item and all opinions are 100% mine. 
I just checked and this Duckymeter is on SALE right now on Amazon.   It is only $12.95 a savings of $22.00!  

I am in love with this ducky thermostat!   I have had other ones …

Win a great T-shit and poster- Enter at the bottom using the easy rafflecopter form.  
Who wants to win the American Bible Challenge Prize Pack which includes: -1 Official "The American Bible Challenge" T-shirt - 1 11x17 official Season 3 poster
ABOUT The American Bible Challenge 5 Things you didn’t know about The American Bible Challenge: 1. All the money won in every single episode is donated to charities
2. All of the questions come from the old and new testament
3. Your bible knowledge will be tested in physical challenges as well
4. The American Bible Challenge is the highest rated TV program in Game Show Network history
5. It is nominated for two daytime emmy awards: Outstanding Game Show, and Outstanding Game Show Host Jeff Foxworthy THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE is a spirited game show that celebrates the Bible and its place in American culture. Bible enthusiasts from all across the country compete in a variety of challenges that put their knowledge of the Good Book to t…

I am too embarrassed to actually take a picture of my dining room table to show you how icky and dirty it can get with 2 kids!   Some of you could probably agree along with me on your own dining room table!   
Some days I look at it and think have I ever cleaned this table off!   Don't worry I absolutely do clean my table and often but each and every day my table gets so messy from food to crafts to who knows what else.   My table is a typical wood table and I never have covered the wood but I am considering getting a table runner or maybe even a linen table cloth.  I am in the need for some change and a room can be transformed with adding a little color by simple tricks such as a placemat, table runner, or tablecloth.   
Yes, the hope would be keep my kids projects off of the dining room table and help keep me motivated to keep it clean.   I have been making my kids have more responsibilities by clearing the table and washing it too which helps a lot.  



I am in awe of the simplicity…

Time to find the fan's!   Today it was a beautiful day in the 80's and we did turn our air on and find the fans to cool it down a little bit!   I love the warm air and I am so excited for nice long warm summer days.  
Description: Ozeri Brezza III Dual Oscillating 10" High Velocity Desk Fan Featuring dual oscillation motors that deliver cooling airflow with automatic horizontal AND vertical motion, the newly released Brezza III by Ozeri raises the bar in fan performance with unrivaled technology. Built upon the success of the Brezza II Fan, this new dual oscillation fan now boasts 4 motor speeds, a 4-hour timer, a refined design, and a new record for the lowest noise output in its class. The Ozeri Brezza III's dual oscillating motors deliver airflow from left to right and up and down, liberating you from having to move or turn the fan to change the airflow direction. With the new extended-range remote control or via the push of button on the fan's control panel, th…

After ten great years with many memories it was time to say good-bye to my Honda.  I bought her while I was in college and she has seen many great days.   She was there for my graduation, wedding day, bringing home Selah and Titus from the hospital, moving across state a couple times, and moving out of state!   I thought she still had more life in her but unfortunately it was more work then what she was worth.   So good-bye my first car I purchased I hope your good parts are used in many other cars! ;) 
Can I just get real about car shopping for a few seconds.   If you are short like me this task is a headache!   I want to see when I drive and I want to feel safe but I don't want to drive a minivan!  Can anyone relate?  I found a great car that provided that for me!  I now drive a Nissan Versa!  It's a cute and fun car! :)

Here is another reason why I struggle to leave for work each morning.   
My 3 year old is starting to develop a love for reading and while I was trying to get ready for work this morning he was asking, "mom read me, read me."   He has a whole series of Lego books with superheroes and he really enjoys them.   They kinda have a comic feel so I might have to look for comics for this reader!   
So how could I not stop getting ready for work and encourage him to read his books??   I love him so much and it still is hard to leave him and go to work but I do know it is best for the family and guess what in 12 days I will be on summer vacation!   So I hope to share more crafts and activities soon!  :)   

SWIMSUIT season is here!!!!!   Yes, I am extremely happy winter is over and summer weather is here!  
Thank-you Hapari for giving me a swimsuit to conduct an honest review. All opinions are 100% mine and I was not paid for this review.   
Sorry fans but this lady here is camera shy in a swimsuit so I will happily share the model pictures from Hapari's Website.  :)


It was fun shopping around on Hapari's website trying to find the best suit that would fit my body right and still be modest.   I was pretty happy with the selection of choices that fit those standards.   I ended up getting two pairs of bottoms and one tankini top. 
One of the bottoms I got was this awesome tummy tuk that will help with women who are still trying to tighten up the abs after child birth!   This is my biggest area of self esteem issues.  
I got a top that fits a little snug right now... I blame that on my inconsistent gym workouts.   Time to make the time I need to feel confident.  Along with this adorable …

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So did my husband age overnight?   Nope, that is drywall dust!  Yep, he is covered from head to toe in dust!   
It has been a busy season of hard work for my husband at the church.   We have so many projects starting and finishing that he has been on the go non stop the last couple days.  
I sure feel blessed by how hard of a worker he is!   

These pictures were taken about a month ago!   It has taken me longer to write my posts due to busy schedules!   
We had a fun Sunday afternoon walking on a new path along the Mississippi River!   We are always finding new places to take the family for new exploring fun!   

We had a lot of fun watching the pelican's.   They are such a beautiful bird and we had a front row seat to watch them as they groomed their feathers.  

I am one of those moms... you know the kind that make their kids pose in front of statues!  Always making memories and having fun!  

Happy Mother's Day!!


The last Mother's Day I got to spend with my own mother was 12 years ago in 2002!   Little did I know it would be the last time I would celebrate with her.  Each year I still try my very hardest to think of happy memories to cherish rather then get angry that I only had 18 years with her.  

Even writing this and looking at the numbers sends some tears down my face.   I get fearful of forgetting her.   When I think it has been almost 13 years since she passed away and I was only 18 years old it immediately sends a cold shiver of panic because I have almost gone without her as I did with her.   I'm not sure where this panic and sadness are coming from because I truly believe I will see her again in heaven.   I know she has a brand new body and not suffering from Leukemia any more yet selfishly I take pity on myself and fear for myself because in a few short years the 18th anniversary of her passing will come and I'm afraid my memories of her will be fe…

No, that's not a picture of me... you all know I am short and that person has some long and skinny legs!   That is just a cute picture of  running attire to get you ready for spring and summer running!  Do you run?  Workout?  If you answered no, it's time to get up and start moving!   Really the biggest thing is taking out the two words- "I can't" and replacing them with "I CAN!"   Once you start you will be amazed at what you can achieve!  

After this long winter I have been waiting for warmer weather to get back out on my morning runs!   I miss them so much!  Ok, I miss them but yes it is very challenging to be motivated to get out of bed at 5:00 am.    Not only do I miss the way I feel in the morning when I get a good workout in before work but I miss the quietness by the river with the beautiful sunrises.   :)  I would typically run a mile down to the river and then as the sunrise was happening I would do some body movements such as lunges, squats, p…

What a fun and exciting treat we had last weekend!   We got to watch 3 sea planes take off right from our backyard!   My two kids got to walk right next to the planes and get a great view of each of the three.  
I was surprised at how loud the biggest one got!   When it was moving in the water the engine was very loud.  
It was a pre Mother's Day treat!  :)

Book Description: Bethany Hamilton has become a fitness expert by virtue of being a professional athlete who has excelled---and she's done it while overcoming incredible challenges. Whether you know Bethany or not, whether you surf or not, everyone has challenges, and in Body and amp; Soul, Bethany shares some of her core experiences with body, mind and spirit. Sharing her expertise as an athlete, Body and amp; Soul helps young girls develop a healthy lifestyle, understand their changing bodies, gain confidence, and establish a pattern of healthy living starting at a young age. This book includes workouts specially developed for young girls by Bethany’s personal trainer, recipes and information on healthy eating based on “Bethany’s food pyramid,” which follows the Mediterranean diet, and advice on deepening your spiritual health, for a total body wellness book perfect for growing girls. This isn't a book about Bethany, this is a book about wellness, becoming your best “you,” th…

Only a couple more weeks of school for the kids in Iowa so mom's I hope you have some summer plans lined up.   One thing I do often with my children is sidewalk chalk.   We have played many games with sidewalk chalk including: 

Thank-you RoseArt for sending me the two pack sample to conduct my review.   I was not paid for this review and all opinions are 100% mine.   

The two pack we received retails for $7.99.   My kids surprised me and took turns sharing both colors amazingly well.   Each paint comes with one paint brush so if you have more kids you might want to pick up a few extra paint brushes.   

We used both colors up in one sitting.   It was  a lot of painting but we did use it all.   I am not sure how well the paint would last if stored for future use.   The paint can did have a cover so that would be something to check out.   

My children both enjoyed painting since it was different then normal chalk.  The paintbrushes did not last as long though which is my only negative co…

Thank-you Zondervan for sending me this book in exchange for a review.   All opinions expressed are 100% mine.  

My Review:
This is a board book so it is perfect for little fingers to page through.  The pictures are adorable and I think many mom's will read this story and agree with what the author says.   Life is completely different after having kids but it is in fact life much better with kids!  I couldn't imagine life without my two children... it would be dull without them!  They bring the sunshine to me each and every day.  

"Along Came You" is a very  simple story as a mom tells her child what life was like before having her and after having her.   The author will get any mother to recall similar stories and have you comparing your own personal before and after.   What a wonderful gift it is to be a mother.  

My two kids enjoyed the story and they are aged 3 and 6.   Since it is a board book I was recommend the ages for 2-4.  

About the Author:

Karona Drummond is a …

I will call this Ozeri WeightMaster II scale the scale of all scales! I have never seen a personal home scale that will calculate your BMI and show you a red light if you gained weight or green if you lost weight.

I have gotten in the habit of stepping on the scale each and every day! I think this routine helps me stay alert to my habits with eating and exercise.

I have been aware of my weight because of weighing myself frequently but I have not calculated my BMI in months. When I stepped up and saw my BMI I was disappointed in myself for a higher BMI but then it allowed me to set some goals.

If you are setting some fitness and health goals this is the scale to help keep you motivated. Seriously a red or green light seems so minuscule but truly it will help keep motivation going when you see the green light and help you rethink you diet and fitness for each day.

Surprise!   That's what we were when our church surprised us after service with cake and gifts to celebrate us being their for 1 year!   
The year went fast and had many good days but some hard days.   We can reflect on where we started to where we are and where we are going.  We will stay giddy with excitement as our Papa God continues to guide and direct us.  
Riverside church we felt loved and we were encouraged!   Now lets remember to Have Faith, Give Hope,  and Be Love!   :)

Summer is coming so it's time to keep those skills your kids learned over the last school year and prepare them for the next year! Lakeshore Learning has created an amazing new game to help keep learning during summer! 



My Review: There is roughly a month left of Kindergarten for my daughter.   This year has gone a bit too fast but she is enjoying getting older and getting smarter. 
Thank-you Lakeshore for sending me the "Are you ready for 1st Grade? Game Show"  in exchange for an honest review.   I was not paid for this review and all opinions are 100% mine.
Since the game has arrived we have played the game two times.   It is very simple to play as I ask her questions and she wins money if she answers correctly.   The game board reminds me of Jeopardy a little bit as each card is worth a certain amount of money.  We have only finished one set of question cards so this game will not disappoint because it has lots of questions!  
I have only played the game with my daughter b…