Happy Early Birthday!  You look great and not a day over say...22! LOL! The thirties are no longer the "old" years anymore.  I remember when I was a kid babysitting for some family friends.  The Mom was turning 35 and I thought she was "ancient"!  I am heading towards 37, and darn it..., that is still young!  What was that saying...."You are only as old as you feel"...so here's wishing you a young feeling day! 

 Happy Birthday!

Less is BEST!

What ever happened to "Respect your elders"?  Most children don't seem to do this anymore.   I am really trying to teach my children otherwise.  I am striving for them to be respectful and to become productive members of society. 

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Less is BEST!

Any news?

Less is BEST!

Well, for this question I needed some extra time.  There are so many moments in my life that are important to me, but would seem so ordinary to others.

1.  The day I married DH!  There was nothing sweeter than walking around my reception introducing myself as Mrs...

2.  The birth of each one of my children!  (That event occurred 4 times! LOL!)

3. The day my DH was dragged by a car while he was working and was severly injured.  He was off of work for 2 years.  He recovered for the most part and I am truly thankful.

4. The day my eldest DS was diagnosed with brain cancer.  This one wasn't to much fun, and the years of treatments, therapies and deficits that have followed have made life challenging sometimes. There were many tears, but the joyful ones came after the 1st cancer free MRI.  We are blessesd!

5.  Lastly, and on a totally selfish note,finally after 3 years, 7 months, 1 week, and 2 days I, this past March, reached my goal weight and officially lost 90 pounds.  I was determined to get myself healthy and now I am helping my family get healthy as well.

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Less is BEST!

I have stayed home taking care of my children for the last 15 years.  I have had part-time jobs here and there, and I have babysat a few friends' children over these past years as well.  My DH's schedule varies much to often for me to work outside the home.  There have been many times I have wanted to help my DH by contributing to the household income, but then I come to my senses and realize that daycare would be so EXPENSIVE for 4 children and a special needs one at that.  Besides, I have been willing to give up all the extras to make staying home a priority.  The Volvo will have to wait! LOL!  Ford and Scion are currently our vehicles of choice.  I am not to proud to wear hand me downs, and we always eat left-overs.  I do not like to waste anything!  Now, if I could just get DH to save a few dollars instead of "pimping" his car, maybe we could save up for a vacation.  It has only been 5 years, but I can be patient....How many more years until retirement?!

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Less is BEST!

Very good article!  I myself am trying to get my family to eat healthier as I have been on my own journey to a healthier self.  It has been a slow process, but all of my family has watched over the last several years as I made better food choices and as I exercised.  My eldest DS was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism, (a condition apparently common in children that have had the diagnosis and treatments that he has had).  I am now more than ever convinced it is time for my entire family to get healthy.  Over the past 6 weeks I have really started changing what we eat here. Things are going great!

On a side note....yesterday I spent about 2 1/2 hours running errands with my children, anyone with even one child knows how hard this can be, and after the 6th stop, I decided that we were going to go home as it was past our lunch time.  I had brought healthy snacks in the car, but I knew the kiddos would be getting hungry.  I mentioned maybe as a treat to let them have some fast food, and my eldest DD says..."No, let's go home and have something healthy".  I am so glad that at my moment of weakness or laziness at having to get home and fix lunch, my DD had the sense to think about making the healthy choice. I was so proud!  Now, if I could just get DH to give up junk food....

Just had to share...a proud "Mother" moment....

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Less is BEST!

I really enjoy wearing shorts and capri pants.  I used to wear black everything (it made me "feel" thinner), now with a large brown shedding dog, PINK is my new favorite color! I have a summer motto over here..."Summer=no sock wearing!"  We are flip flop/sandal wearers all summer, unless we are exercising.  The afternoon school got out, I threw all the tennis shoes in the washing machine, got them all clean and dry, and they went up in everyone's closets. DONE!  Now I don't have to match up 6 different sizes of white socks in the laundry every week! YEAH!  Being a Mom just got easier!

How I LOVE summer break....

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Less is BEST!

Ok, so summer is here and I am so excited!  I thought I would also end my May on a high note, and so here is what I am doing...

• I am taking the family to the backyard...playhouse, putting green and swimming pool.  We always have a BLAST out there! 
  
• I am giving myself a pedicure today before my In-Laws come for a visit and DH takes me out this afternoon.  I can't hardly wait to spend some quality time with him.  It has been way too long. 
  
• We had family breakfast today and it was sooo nice!  Everyone waits for each other to sit down and then we eat as a family.  This I always enjoy!
• I spoke with a girlfriend today and congratulated her on a job well done!  She changed careers and it was a hard decision, but I am so proud of her!
  
• I have been trying to cut back on the caffiene, but after getting addicted to the chat room last night, I have enjoyed 3 cups of coffee this morning with my favorite sugar-free hazelnut creamer. It was a real treat!
  
• All of my TV shows have ended, and I do enjoy reading a good book, but WOW!, the blogs on this site are a very enjoyable read!  I guess I have been missing out on not seeing what all you MommyTalkers have been up to.  It's good to be back!    

Less is BEST!

I hope things go okay.  I too would just keep an eye on him to make sure he is doing fine.  On a lighter note...it gives a whole new meaning to diaper changing.  You will certainly need to do some "poop checking" for the marble!

 Good Luck!

Less is BEST!

Any update?  How is he doing?  Find anything yet?

Just wondering....

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Less is BEST!

Welcome!

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Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

I shop about once a week or so.  Fresh produce needs to be replenished a little more frequently.  I should use coupons, and occasionally I do use a few, but not nearly enough.  I typically shop at Fry's.  We use mostly their brand (Kroger) products and I find them a very good value.  I have recently started going to Costco for a few items that are a better deal purchased in bulk, however all of their food is not a better price and I really have to be careful not to go overboard there.  We are a large family (6) and I cook all of our meals.  I have been really trying to help my family eat healthier, so I do find those products a tiny bit more expensive.  Less junk food is better on the waistline however!  I still have one child in pull-ups, and we still use baby soap and shampoos which can get expensive.  A new Super Target just opened by our home, and they have a few really good deals.  Within the next year a Super Walmart will be opening close by, so I am sure they will help Target be more competitive in their pricing.  Basha's is super close, but SUPER expensive.  I spend about $150 per week at Fry's sometimes less.  When I  shopped at Basha's, my bill was twice as much.  DH freaked out...I haven't been back since.  Closer isn't always better...LOL!

I actually drive to a Fry's that is farther from my home for the quality of service and better all around shopping experience.

Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

Ummm... WOW! Enough said....

Less is BEST!