Trying new things!

Today I was able to spend a nice, kid-free lunch with my husband! Thanks to my mom we were able to go down to Main St. Seal Beach and dine at one of our favorite BBQ restaurants, Beachwood BBQ. Now don't mistaken this time as a needed break from our children...their Bama just wanted to hang out with them:) So they did a sleepover and we went out for dinner and a movie with friends! Actually, yesterday after she picked them up, Dan was asleep on the couch and I laid there thinking...I love the quiet! But after about 20 minutes, I was bored!!! My kids bring so much entertainment and life to our house that I can't imagine one without them:)

Well that my friends is what we call a "rabbit trail"! So we were at Beachwood and enjoying our food, when Dan asked if I wanted to try his blue cheese grits. Now I have never tasted grits before, but I also have never been too excited to try something that looks like mush! I politely said 'no thank you' as he held the fork in front of my mouth waiting for my taste test. But he was not going to let me get away with not trying one of his favorites...and this is where he got me! "But your taste buds are always changing" he said with a beaming smile. This IS what I tell my children all of the time! So I took the bite reluctantly.

I love trying new things even if it doesn't look appealing. Though, there is something about comfort that can keep me from finding my new favorite hobby, book, restaurant or even friend...kind of like a pancake getting stuck to the skillet when it's ready to be flipped. I don't want to get peeled yet, but when I do I find that when I'm cooked well, I taste better......WHAT!?! Ok, I was trying my hand at an analogy that obviously turned weird:)

With that said...I am looking into some new blog platforms. I don't have the following (YET!) to justify paying for my own domain, so it needs to be free. The pancake sticking, is the fact that I love Google! It's simple, it's attractive and super convenient...but I am trying new things!

Flip me over! :)

***Also, in case you were wondering, the blue cheese grits were ok. The taste was there, but just as expected, the texture was gritty mush:) 

I just did a guest post!

I was asked to post monthly on a blog that I follow! It is for a California based Etsy team that I am a member of :)

Here is the link! Tell me what you think:)

March Product Feature!

Every month I will be featuring a product that is near and dear to me. (I only refer products that I believe in)

Right now I am thinking of my kids' immune system. We have heard of so many families being hit with colds, flus, stomach bugs, bronchitis, you name it! Joslyn and Holden did get a bit of congestion last week, but so far they have kept away from these illnesses!

Biomega Jr. is a great way for my children to get their Omegas from a healthy fish oil!

Holden takes USANA's Usanimals, Vitamin D (during the winter months), Biomega Jr. and Active Calcium. Joslyn takes USANA's Body Rox, Vitamin D (during the winter months), Biomega Jr. and Active Calcium.

Exercise, sleep, healthy eating (everyone has a different opinion about this category), water and a supplementation program, are the steps that we have taken in order to live a healthy lifestyle:)

Now of course, I cannot say that these products have kept my kids healthy. I am NOT a doctor! But we keep taking them :)

Knitting Night Owl

Here is a cute knitting pattern from Simply Notable (cute blog as well) and it seems pretty simple! Try it out and post your pictures:)

http://www.simplynotable.com/2011/hooty-and-his-owl-pals/

Preparation for Resolutions!

Every year I think the same thing..."why did I give up?", "why did I make such a big goal?". If you knew me well, you would know that I am a dreamer! I can dream, imagine, envision pretty much anything. I like to think of myself as an idea lady! I have lots of ideas, as most creative people do...but for the life of me, I can never get from point A to B. I see B...and it looks awfully close, but I do not know how to get there!

So my New Year's resolution is to make many goals, to be specific many 'small' goals. Each week will be a new goal and if it becomes to big and overwhelming, then I will deconstruct it and make them smaller. I am ready to finally have a year that I can say "I finished all that I set out to do!"

This week, I am cleaning each room. Everything needs a place, so I am going room by room to put everything away and make sure it has a place:) Seems simple maybe to some, but not to me.

Wish me luck! What are your goals for the year?

90 Day Transform Challenge!

Join me this 2013 in getting the body and health you have always wanted!

Starting January 7th USANA is offering a contest for your New Year resolution of weightloss to come true! Check out the link for more details... www.resetdestination.com
Contact me if you have any questions or if you are ready! christinaenglish@usana.com

Homemade Decor for Christmas

So I know the quality of photos here are awful! But I am getting a camera for Christmas:) So no more camera phone for me... maybe!

I found these vine wreaths at the Dollar Tree and I had a lot of felt from some old hair clip I used to make:)

Here is our 25 day countdown to Christmas....I really wished I had done the 12 days of Christmas instead:( It has been fun! The mini stockings are from Big Lots... $6 for a box of 12. I put the red and white wreath above this wall display after I took the picture. I think instead I will do a Merry Christmas paper banner...any ideas???

Holiday Cards

With the overwhelming access that we now have to professional photo cards, the options are endless! I have started a card on 4 different websites.... Tiny Prints, Shutterfly, Minted and Pear Tree Greetings. Obviously card design is a huge factor, but all of the sites have 100s to choose from. Paper quality is important, the price is important (they are just going to be thrown away!), and quality pictures.

Price...that is what it is going to boil down to!

What photo site are you using this year?

Courtesy of Michael Stonis

Egali...what?

There is a term that is not new... which refers to the equality in a marriage! Egalitarian vs complementarian! I was doing a little Google searching on this topic and came across a plethora of sides (so to speak), on how we should interpret the scriptures to define our 'roles' as men and women. I never truly gave it much thought, until I started reading Rachel Held Evans book (see virtual book club). Dan and I are both pretty easy going and when a big decision has to be made, we usually talk it over...but due to this book, I am intrigued!

I found this seemingly unbiased article, over at Patheos. Adrian Warnock takes the broad spectrum of 'camps', so that we can make a more well rounded approach to this discussion. Check out his article, I am curious as to what category we think we fall into. Don't feel pressured to put your label out there, but would you be willing to discuss it with me?

Themed Inspiration!

source: http://mejuki.tumblr.com
I love this! Maybe an UP themed party or I don't know...using this picture as your inspiration what kind of themed party would you decorate like this for?

Book Club

Ok it's not an actual book club, more like a virtual book club!

I am beginning a book called A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband "Master" by Rachel Held Evans. You may have heard of her before. She is the author of a well written blog based on her "big questions about faith, doubt, culture, gender and the church"!

My husband is actually the one who came across her blog! He said that I needed to read one of her books and tell him about it. (He is a reader...but I think this one he was less anticipated to read, since it had "womanhood" in the title :) Well I love reading, but I especially love talking about books with others who have read it!

So of course, I enlisted one of my friends and soon a couple of others wanted to join (BAMA included). Now I invite you to take part in this discussion with us!

What does it mean to live by the scriptures? And how ultimately are we to be wives. mothers, etc.? Are we to be the negative "submissive" and always be below... meek, quiet...?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts:)

Halloween

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday! Although I wish it happened more often, when do you ever have everyone outside walking their neighborhoods...together? Dressing up, acting a part, candy...?!? Yes, I have a sweet tooth like the rest of woman-kind:)

Dressing up for our family, usually happens more often due to themed birthday parties! For Halloween we plan out our costumes well in advance, since I am the ambitious mother, who likes to make the costumes from scratch. Here are some not so great pictures of past costumes.

Joslyn- Bumblebee (bought) Mom- Garden Fairy

Joslyn- Dorothy (bought) Mom (not pictured)- Wicked Witch

Tinkerbell, Princess Tiger Lily, Lost Boy, Peter Pan

Holden- Lost Boy

Tinkerbell, Lost Boy

Alice and Mad Hatter with Bama!

Queen of Hearts, Alice, Mad Hatter, White Rabbit

Darth Maul and Lord Sidious

Poison Ivy

With Uncle Bugsy

Bat Girl (I hate sewing vinyl)

Sally and Jack Skellington

Holden decided yesterday that he is no longer going to dress up as Jack Skellington, rather he would like to be a cowboy! Well, since I am awful at tailoring (no patterns for me), I only made to his coat as you can see....so I was very willing to let him be a cowboy (we have the components for that costume)!

Out of the mouths of babes!

Today as I was dropping Holden off at school in workout clothes, he stopped me and said "mom, whay are you wearing pajamas?". Now, for background, I need to let you know that my husband does not really like or understand why people wear their pajamas outside of the house. And of course the kids know this, because all kids know what their parents' likes and dislikes are....no matter how aloof we are about them:)
So, I turned to my cute 4 year old and let him know that I was wearing what lookef like pajamas, because I was going to workout. I said "Holden, are you asking me that, because you are embarrassed of me?" Holden with concern on his face, says "well...I think people will laugh at you". Oh so sweet, he wanted to protect me from shame!
When is it that we stop caring what others think of us?

A Readjustment!

So awhile back I wrote a post about how Dan and I had a series of discussions dealing with me doing to much! Here is an update.

I love homeschooling Holden for preschool. I especially love that all of my pins on Pinterest were going to good use! However, after careful consideration and thought, I decided to put him back in the classroom. He was doing great with everything, he even looked forward to that "school" time each day, but my concern was the "socialization". Holden had progressed so well socially last year at preschool. I mean he was coming out of his shell, playing with new kids on the playground...he was comfortable (he still needs to be warmed up to a new place, but he eventually does).

It turns out I'm the kind of woman who gets something in her head, decides and does it that day! So on Tuesday, I decided to go to the preschool down the street from our house and see if anyone had dropped out of the program. Sure enough the lady said that there was a spot....so, I signed him up right there! His first day was yesterday, and he loved it! I told that I would be working in the classroom, but that it would not be for awhile...he said "that's ok mom, I like to be by myself there." Basically "mom, it turns out I really don't need you" :) I know that's not what he was saying, but for a momma's boy, I was happy that he enjoyed this preschool!

I did tell him that on the days that he did not have school, that we could do "homeschool":) It turns out I'm fun! His favorite are the science projects. Here is one of the bubble projects for B week.

So now you ask, "what will you do with your time, now that you have three days with no kids?" Are you kidding me? I have plenty to fill my time with :) I think first things first though, I need to organize my house!!!! So if you see me pinning a bunch of home organized pins, ask me if I'm actually using them!

Having Holden in preschool, has also made Dan a little more comfortable with the idea of me being a Brownie Troop leader...I think! My first training is this coming Tuesday night. I will keep you updated!

Sandlot

If you are reading this post, you must have seen the movie Sandlot! If you haven't rent it! It's about a bunch of neighborhood kids who get together everyday during the summer and play ball on a worn out field. One boy is new to the gang and knows next to nothing About baseball and gets laughed off the field. One of the other boys, who has the makings of a baseball legend, sticks his neck out and helps him out! It takes place in the all-American feel of the 1950's.

Anyway it's a great story, but it is what I hope for with my kids! Finding a love and passion for something, a camaraderie of friends, and being the one who goes against grain for others for someone who does not fit in! Dan and I talk about love for others all of the time, but who knows what they do when we are not around or when they grow up! Or they are in service to others for recognition.

Joslyn, two weeks ago, came home and told me that she received an award that is given out to students who are seen doing good! If you get ten of them, you get a prize from the principal! Well, being that Joss is the kind of kid who likes to follow all of the rules and win awards, she gets very proud when she is honored for something:) I asked her what she did to get the award. She said that there was a girl who was new to the school and so Joslyn decided to show her around and where everything was. I was impressed, not surprised though! I asked if the principal (the one who gave her the award) saw her giving the girl a tour....she said no she told her! I know it sounds like I'm hard on my kids, I'm not really...this is me just talking about it with you:) I told her that I was proud of her for finding the need and filling it!

I do hope that even though she loves helping others and receiving recognition, that the desire to help wins out over the latter:) What similar qualities are you trying to foster in your kids?

Picture Day!

Today Joslyn had picture day at school. She said she wanted her hair straight and wanted to wear a dress. She did not have a dress that was clean (don't worry, I'm doing laundry while typing), so we went with a cute grey shirt from Forever 21....did you know that they had a little girls section? She wore it with sparkly grey tights and a lace purple skirt...I know you can only see her shirt in the picture, but she looked cute! I also straightened her hair :)

While walking up to the classroom, I asked her how she was planning on smiling...she smiled her fake pose smile, and I said "looks great!" She said "remember how you said that I have a fake smile when I'm taking a picture? Well, is it that smile?" Ugh! Breaks my heart! I made her feel insecure, less than perfect...me! Her mom, the one who is supposed to assure her that she is beautiful and enough! So I told her, "you look beautiful, no matter how you smile! When I said that before, it was because when I see you smile naturally through joy or excitement, it makes my heart swell. It's infectious and it makes people want to be around you, so they can feel that joy too! This smile is just as beautiful...it's just that you are thinking about smiling, so it is missing that joy! Try thinking of something funny or something that makes you happy and then smile. If it comes out forced, I will still love it and show it to everyone!" With that she gave me one of her glorious smiles and said "Mom, I love you!"

"I don't know why she tries to do it all"

Last year I laughed my butt off, while watching the Sarah Jessica Parker movie "I Don't Know How She Does It"! Watching her run around trying to accomplish everything for her career, kids, husband and appear to have it all together...was exhausting. There were some things I could relate to: the laying in bed and can't sleep because you are thinking of all the things you need to get done, the idea of keeping with all of the other moms, the checking on your kids in the middle of the night...well, we can relate as moms!

I started thinking about this movie this last week, because I am trying to do everything and my husband thinks I'm crazy. It all started when I was getting ready to sign up Holden for preschool (last year's preschool wanted him to participate all day for 3 days a week, since it is a heavier load...too much money!), I was looking through our city's parks and recreation courses for the fall and found a ton of activities for preschoolers! Karate, science club, soccer, cooking, arts and crafts....well I got to thinking that I could enroll him in a bunch of classes and do the education part at home. 1 hour four days a week and he would have more one on one time learning. He would get his "socialization" through the city's classes and I would still save money!

So I presented the idea to Dan...it did not go over that well! His concern was that I was taking on too much, with coaching my daughter's soccer team, working our business, volunteering at the elementary school and not to mention I just applied to become a Brownie troop leader:) His main concern is that the house won't be clean (laundry, dishes, etc. not Better Homes and Gardens status). I joked that it doesn't get done anyway, so it won't make a difference :)!

I bugged him about it for quite awhile, until we (I) decided to do a trial run. Worst case scenario, it is not an ideal experience and I enroll him in preschool after Christmas. I think the issue will be more about not really have time to myself, but the truth is he starts kindergarten next year and I will have plenty of time for me! So Dan...the house will be clean next year:)

I realize that all of this is very ambitious, especially for a procrastinator, but today when someone asked if he liked his school....he said "I love my teacher"! Aww, melt my heart!

My question today is: How much is too much for us moms?

Super Moms can fall too!

I love blogging! It's like an unpersonal diary, that strangers can be influenced or impacted by my story. Unfortunately I have not always shared my complete story with you...dun, dun, dun! The way I function is, by not vocalizing my emotions until the situation is cleared up. I had every intention of introducing myself to you in a honest way...my favorite blogs are the ones where the author is genuine and raw! So here is a little piece of insight into what I have been experiencing the last year and a half. In fact, it might explain why I haven't been totally present on this blog.

 Two Mother's Days ago my mom and I had coffee and just hung out to talk...she seemed a little off, but I didn't think too much about it. Little did I know that she had much on her mind as she was going in for a core needle biopsy on a lump she had felt under her arm. The week prior to this, she and I went to the gym together and in some healthy competition, she overdid it a little. She thought that she might have pulled a muscle because it was pretty sore under her arm. The next day she noticed that her "pulled muscle" was quite swollen and starting to feel like a lump. She called her doctor about her scheduled mammogram and her lump. He suggested that she come in so he could just check it out. So the day after mother's day, she had a scheduled biopsy.

 My mom has breast cancer, what horrendous news for a woman who is so full of life and on the brink of turning (only) 50!

 The doctors said that her tumors were fast growing and that they were close to her collar bone. Within two weeks she had started her chemo treatments to shrink the tumors away from her bone, what an awful toll it took on her body. Nurses saw her as doing too much, but also told her that if she has energy than to use it. They were constantly surprised by her energy levels. I am surprised too, but in a different way! My mom has always fought and pushed through anything that has gotten in her way. As a single mother working long hours most of my life...she had to push through, which is something I have always admired in her! This cancer though, has reminded me that even she could be taken back by something so vicious...why did I need to learn (even at 31!), that my mom is not Super Woman! The woman who would stop at nothing to make dinner, work hard, be a Girl Scout leader, climb trees and play in the mud with my kids!

 My mom found out about an organization that helps patients with breast and ovarian cancer, through resources and financial needs. As someone who has seen many people battle and lose to cancer in her life: Brother Lymphoma, Father Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Friend/co worker Pancreatic Cancer and two other co workers; she jumped at the chance to support such a cause and take part in a 10k walk as a future survivor and representative of those she knew. The walk took place in Long Beach and right in front of the salon we work at. When the owner of the salon caught wind of this event, she decided to form a team in support of my mom and the three stylists who have passed from cancer at our salon. Our whole salon has supported and took part in this walk. Since the owners' involvement, my mom has done a couple of interviews for the walk and for some newspapers, one of which is under a caption "Local Heroes" (not a coincidence to me)!

 The walk was a great milestone in her journey. She was turning 50 five days after the event and two weeks before that was her last chemo treatment! We walked proud, knowing that she was fighting a battle and winning:) My Super Mom shortly after that walk, had a double mastectomy, radiation treatments, and then found out that she tested positive for the BRCA-1 gene! She had a hysterectomy as a preventative measure for the gene a few months ago and is now seeing a great oncologist, who like us believes in the power of alternative medicine! Her odds are great of never getting a recurrence of cancer again, but as most of us know that doesn't mean she won't! We are hopeful and grateful for every moment with the best BAMA in the world! Please ask any questions... I will try to post up moments from this last year as they come to me, since I know that there are a lot of holes:)

Dr. Seuss Birthday Party

My Joslyn turned 7 on the 24th! We spent the day at Disneyland with her brother too! We were able to experience some new adventures there, and coming from people who have had passes for the past 5 years that's quite a big deal. We finally went on the canoes that you paddle around the Pirate's Lair (formerly known as Tom Sawyers Island). Joslyn did great, Holden tried for awhile but kept splashing his sister (he didn't really understand that you only paddle one way) and the lady in front of me was out of sync and her paddle ended up on top of mine, for the majority of the ride! 

Sunday the 26th we celebrated in a Dr. Suess fashion with friends and family. At a beautiful park in Huntington Beach...Huntington Beach Central Park. We played Sneetch Tag (like regular tag, except everyone who gets tagged gets a star sticker on their belly, and then attaches themselves to a chain of " it" people. The last one to get tagged gets a prize!), we went on a hike to look for the Lorax (my husband went ahead of us to hide him), we took the Lorax back to the party and played pin the mustache on the Lorax, and then we had a Cat and the Hat piñata.

I made the piñata myself with cardboard and crepe paper. We went through about 15 kids and the darn thing would not break.....so my husband beat it to a pulp and candy flew:)

Has it really been 2 months?

I have been wringing out every last.drop of summer! The fair, the beach, the pool, frozen yogurt, eating out (a lot), birthday parties, swim lessons, camping, business convention,  berry picking....oh my goodness that is not even all of it! I have a draft list of partial posts up the wazoo, plus a running log of future posts in my brain!
My goal is to do 2 posts a week, more will end up going up this month so we can play catch up!
Since I am a one track mind kind of gal, I am super focused on my daughter's 7th birthday party. We are starting off the weekend with Disneyland on Friday (her actual birthday), and on Sunday we will celebrate with friends and family! Can you guess are theme?

So anyway, what have you been up to this summer?