"That Mom"

It’s amazing how being a Mommy shapes and molds the person you were into a brand new, improved version! I am the happiest I’ve ever been and when I look back at my past there is only one thing I find myself thinking about and realizing… the type of Mama I want to be. I remember in my younger years, thinking about the cool, understanding and lenient Mama I was going to be. Yeah right. I am now recognizing the truth of the Mommy that I want to and will be now and forever. I am going to be “That Mom” , as I so lovingly refer to it. We all knew “That Mom” when we were growing up. “Of course you can go to Tim’s house Ty, just wait and I’ll call his Mom to make sure it’s okay.” “Absolutely you can spend the night with Tonya, Taylor. Hold on and I’ll call her Mom and then I’ll walk/drive you over there myself.” You think I’m kidding, but I’m not. “You want to go to the movies with Justin, Taylor? Okay, Daddy and I will be ready in just a minute; we’ve been wanting to see that movie too!!” Field trips, vacations, sports outings and slumber parties, I’ll be there for them all. And feel free to send your kids to my house, because there will be fun activities for them! I will rent water slides, movies, have great food and fun for all! And you won’t have to worry about drinking, smoking or anything else going on at my house… I’m just not that cool of a Mommy!!

I can hear it now, people saying to me “You have to let them LIVE sometime.” How right you are. That’s exactly what my goal is in life. To have them LIVE. I can’t control the good Lord’s plan for me or my children, but I can do my absolute best to keep anything unnecessary or stupid from happening to them as long as I have the ability. You see, in August my Ty is going to start school. 3K!! Wow! I am worried sick and completely unready for this transition in our lives. My children are not just kids to me. They are what keeps me breathing, they are what keeps my heart going, and they are the most precious gifts that God could ever trust me with. I plan on honoring those gifts and being “That Mom” for as long as possible. This means going to the school every chance I have and being completely and entirely involved in every aspect of my baby’s lives.

I hope Ty and Taylor will look back at this one day, when they’re in the position that I am in right now and say they will do these things, not TO their children, but FOR their children. God did not give me these little lives to disregard them or to be selfish toward them. God gave me these babies so that I would see what life truly is. For 23 years, my life was only about me, but that’s not life. Life is living for another. Life is having so much love in your heart that it feels at times like it might just explode! Life is family, and there is nothing more important or wonderful than my family. I will protect my family as long as I live, and if protecting them means being “That Mom”, it sounds like a wonderful person to be!

Mommy Do-It-All's Weekend Menu

I had someone ask me what my weekend menu was. I guess I never thought you guys might wanna know what I'm stuffing my face with on Saturday and Sunday, but since I did have someone interested I figured I would let everyone else in on my meals. Just so you know, around my house on the weekends, lunch is either a fend for yourself time or always something extrememly simple, so here's my breakfast and lunches for the next two days!! A big thanks to Skinny Crock Pot and Crock Pot Mom's who have been supplying a lot of my food ideas lately!! Crock Pot cooking is such a great way for a Mommy to cook!! ENJOY!!

SATURDAY (a.k.a. FOOTBALL DAY)

Breakfast : Almond Joy Oatmeal ( http://www.skinnycrockpot.com/almond-joy-oatmeal/ )

Dinner : Mom's Football Tex Mex Chili ( https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=231341226914300&topic=467 )

SUNDAY

Breakfast : Crock Pot Breakfast ( https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=213449945375997&topic=215 )

Dinner : Swiss Cheese Chicken ( https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=231341226914300&topic=467#!/topic.php?uid=231341226914300&topic=450)

The breakfasts are healthy meals and the dinners may not be AS healthy, but you can switch up the recipes as needed!! Enjoy Mommy Do-It-All's and have a GREAT WEEKEND!!

Mommy Do-It-All's Time Saving Tips

After researching and researching time-saving tips for Mommy’s, I’ve come to one conclusion… It’s all up to you. I read some tips that I absolutely knew would not work for me and my family. For instance the “designate days” tip that says to assign certain days for all of your tasks. The things I need to work on go according to the spaces my children demolish and the circumstances that arise in our week. As a stay at home Mommy I have come to terms with the fact that no matter how often I clean up the toys my kids drag out, my house will, for the most part, always look as if Toys-R-Us threw up in it, but I do pick up the toys each night, even knowing this and return them to their rightful space. All of the tips that work for me may not work for you, but I’m still going to give you my two cents, or in this case my 10 personal favorite tips and hope one or two might help you!!

1. Keep a notepad handy!! I really do keep a notepad handy at all times. I make lists and reminders to get me through the upcoming days and sometimes months to try and stay on top of my game!!

2. Don’t underestimate a short period of time!! You would be amazed at what you can get done in 5 or 10 minutes!! Clean and organize in short spans of time!! Set an alarm for 5 minutes and pick up all the toys or set it for 10 minutes and do as much cleaning as possible! While the food is cooking clean out a few drawers or finish those dishes!! It’s amazing what you can get done in a short span of time!

3. Put away the toys before bedtime! The kids are ready for bed and you’re ready for some quiet time!! Take a minute and put away those strewn out toys!! It will make your house a much more peaceful place to relax and will make your chances for injuring yourself in the middle of the night a little smaller with the tiny cars and baby doll strollers put out of your walk space!!

4. When cooking, double what you can! When cooking a meal, double your recipe!! You can take the extra and freeze it for a later date or even save it for a meal later in the week!! You can take a main course and serve it later with new sides or use that frozen meal for a day when you don’t want to do much of anything!! It’s a great time saver!!

5. Plan your kiddos outfits for the week on Sunday! I always try, though I may not always succeed, to plan, sort and iron my kid’s clothes for the entire week on Sunday. It saves SO much needed time during your week!! Another great thing to have is a sorter with the days of the week to hang in your child’s closet. You can take everything they need (Outfits, socks, underwear, etc.) and put it in the compartments for each day. SO MUCH TIME SAVED in the evenings and busy mornings!!

6. Set up a box for bills! Set up a box to place all your bills that need to be sent out, and stock it up with all the necessities!! Put envelopes, stamps, pens and even the checkbook in it and ready for bill paying time. Don’t waste time searching for the bills and supplies you need when bill paying day arrives!!

7. Clean the bathroom while the kids take a bath! If you have little ones, get their bath water prepared and let them play for a few minutes while you clean the bathroom!! Your killing two birds with one stone here!!

8. Deep clean while wearing your tennis shoes! I was amazed at how much this tip really helped me. When wearing your tennis shoes, you move a little faster and seem to take breaks less! I’ve learned it really does save me valuable time when cleaning if I lace up my shoes before I get started!!

9. Get up during commercial breaks! Even if you are watching something you recorded on DVR, please let those commercial breaks play and use those times to MAKE yourself get up!! Do a small work out or even pick up clutter and when that show comes back on plant it on the couch once again!! Great short breaks to get things accomplished in small blocks of time!

10. Crock Pot Cooking! I’m sure you’ve all heard of the Crock Pot craze that has taken over Facebook, if you haven’t, allow me to catch you up!! Crock pot cooking can and will save you valuable time in the evenings!! Instead of being in the kitchen preparing a meal, you will be spending time with your family or finishing your own chores!! It really can allow you to have more “Me” time in the end!!

Hopefully you have found a tip or two that may help you in your day to day Mommy world!! Enjoy it Mommy Do-It-All’s!! And please, share your tips for success with us!! We’ll figure this out together!!

Being YOU and MOMMMY -- All at Once!!!!

I have a handsome and fun 4 year old little boy and a gorgeous and feisty 2 year old little girl. I am able to stay home with both of my beautiful, joyful children. I have a husband who is wonderful and supports me like no other. I am blessed. I thought I was Mommy Do-It-All because that’s who I chose to be. I wanted to be the caretaker of all of my family’s wants and needs. However, I realized a couple of months ago, that while trying to be Mommy Do-It-All, I had somehow let go of me. I had gone from a fashionable and fun person to a frumpy and boring Mommy. I was wearing my “comfy” clothes all the time, makeup and hair was a thing of the past and I was so busy taking care of everyone else, that I forgot how to take care of me. I started Mommy Do-It-All with the intention of changing myself into the person and Mommy I want to be. Hopefully, we can do this together.

With tips to one another on saving time on our Mommy chores, we will be able to devote time to ourselves. That’s what this site is all about. Learning to be Mommy Do-It-ALL. Learning time saving tips and fitting personal “woman” time in our day is a part of being a Mommy Do-It-All. I will be posting daily on short exercises, beauty tips, money saving deals, time saving cleaning/chore ideas, time saving recipes/cooking and everyday “taking care of our kids” information that we can all use. I decided, in a moment when I looked in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw, that I would figure this out. How to be Mommy Do-It-All…. and to be Mommy Do-It-ALL, you must also be YOU. A woman. You must take care of your family and yourself and learn to do both of these things harmoniously. As I am learning how to do this, I am bringing this information to you. It is a learning process for us all and hopefully we can make it easier on one another and encourage each other. I feel blessed and ecstatic to share my journey with you and to hear how your journey is unfolding!! Let’s do this Mommy’s!! We will be the envy of women everywhere!! We will DO IT ALL!!

If you like what you see, don’t forget to share my page and blog. This learning adventure is something I want to share with everyone!!

Soccer Mommy Do-It-All

Well, it’s that time of year again. The air is getting cooler and crisper, the green will soon fade to bronze and the holiday ambiance will saturate the atmosphere. For some of us, it takes on another meaning. For me, at this time, it means soccer. Now, I’m not saying I’m an experienced, veteran soccer mom. Ty is only four years old and it will only be my second year watching him run aimlessly around the field. But, it is my fear THAT is what I’ll be doing for a second year in a row…. Watch him run AIMLESSLY around the field. Luckily, I’m a pretty easy going Mommy. He is only four after all. I find it mildly amusing when he comes over to me in the middle of the game pulling his pants down, with everyone watching, because he has to pee. It’s also pretty funny when he’s standing waving at his family on the sidelines at one end of the field while the game is somewhat continuing on the other end of the field. Some of you may have noticed I said “somewhat continuing”. I say that because Ty is not the ONLY four year old on the field. There are others, like him, who thinks that soccer means running around pointlessly from one end of the field to the other while waving and MAYBE kicking the ball if it happens to roll past you. I love those kids. Sometimes those kids manage to make my kid look good if he just HAPPENS to be paying attention. There are even those kids that are more mature four year olds, and they have control of the black and white ball for, well, pretty much the entire game. They actually hold the whole game upon their own shoulders, because they are the ONLY ones that are scoring goals. It’s going to be SO much fun and I am truly looking forward to seeing if my little guy has matured somewhat as a team player. I can’t wait for the first practices and even the games to follow…

BUT THERE IS ALWAYS ONE IN EVERY CROWD ….

What I do NOT look forward to is “That Parent”. You and I both know they will be there. Acting ridiculously, running on the field to scream and scold their child for not playing up to their standards, and giving you horrible looks for letting your child act foolishly on the field. Yes people, those parents do exist even in the world of four year old soccer. I sincerely believe that there should be a screening for parents at soccer sign ups just to rule out the fanatic parents, and that they should all be put on one team, just to make sure my rambunctious and silly four year old does not ruin their perfect and soldier-like child’s game. I have many years ahead of me to make sure that Ty acts his age on the field. And for now, with his sideline bathroom trips and his waving frantically at his Mommy and Daddy, I feel he is acting perfectly appropriate for his four year old soccer team. These are the moments we will look back on and smile at for years to come. These are the years when they are carefree of whatever other people think and they have the courage to just be silly, and I love every minute of it!! Cheers to you Soccer Mommy’s of younger children and older kids!! Let’s make sure they enjoy every minute of it! And when they wave to you on the field… always smile and wave back!!

Mommy Do-It-All Weekly Menu

Once again, this week I am cooking in my crock pot!! Cooking with your crock pot can make your day more enjoyable because you know dinner won't be a hassle when you get home, and it also can give extra time in the evening to spend with your precious family!! Here's my menu for the week with links to the recipes! This week, since we are starting our exercising plan also, I thought I would post healthy recipes, so all recipes came from the Skinny Crock Pot Facebook page. Maybe you can get some ideas to help you with your Weekly Menu!! ENJOY!! :-)

Monday - White Chicken Chili https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=213449945375997&topic=312

Tuesday - Slow Cooker Fajitas https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=213449945375997&topic=419

Wednesday - Caribbean Pulled Pork https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=213449945375997&topic=292

Thursday - Mexican Chicken https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=213449945375997&topic=204

Friday - Skinny Spaghetti https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=213449945375997&topic=412

Mommy Do-It-All's Getting Fit!!

Okay Mommy Do-It-All's - I NEVER have time to exercise!! It is IMPOSSIBLE for me to set aside an hour in a day to do a routine or work out!! SO - I have an idea for us. Three times a day, I am going to post an exercise for us to do on my Facebook page. None of the exercises will take more than 15 minutes to complete. There will be an abs, legs and arms exercise each day, Monday-Friday. Do these exercises when I post them, or whenever you have time!! A little bit of exercise each day will go a long way in time!! It's one step in our quest to be Mommy Do-It-All's!! Let's not forget to take care of us!! "Like" Our page and join us -- There is already arms and abs workouts to get you started!!

Crock Pot Insanity!!

It seems like I woke up one morning and crock pot insanity had taken over Facebook. I originally thought of my crock pot as a place to cook my roasts, chili and even soups, but boy did I have a lot to learn! After clicking “Like” on a few crock pot pages, I was opened up to a brand new world of slow cooker meals – breakfasts, full feasts and even desserts!! All kinds of wonderful new recipes are constantly being added keeping our menu at home from becoming boring and repetitive.
I am also able to use my couponing and sales along with the new crock pot sites. I go over my sales and coupons for the week and then go to the sites and find recipes with ingredients matching my shopping list. That way I am also saving money as well as time …

SPEAKING OF SAVING TIME!!

Of course crock pot cooking may not all be simple, though most of the recipes are relatively uncomplicated, they do still take some time and effort. I am in the kitchen, preparing dinner in the early morning, most of the time before my kids are even awake, which puts my time and energy in the evenings where it should be… focused on my family!! Do you have to be at cheerleading or soccer practice tonight? Wake up half an hour early, put dinner in the crock pot and dinner will be ready when you get home. I am having a get-together for a college football game tomorrow evening. When everyone arrives, I will be greeting them and socializing instead of slaving away in the kitchen because taco soup and chocolate lava cake will already be waiting, ready to devour!!

If you’re skeptical of the crock pot craze, don’t be! It really can save you precious time, effort and even money, if you play your cards right! Try it – and when you do, let me know what your favorite recipes are!!

Mommy's Take No Crap :-)

"I'm a mother with two small children, so I don't take as much crap as I used to."
— Pamela Anderson

I couldn’t help, when I read this quote, thinking of how true it is. Some people are naturally outspoken and blunt, however many of us sit back, bite our tongues, and stay tactful in moments when we should really be speaking our minds. I recall these moments vividly - from personal controversy and life complications to politics and religion – I would sit back, listen to opinions, consider them right or wrong and never say a word. When I called the doctor’s office and had trouble getting an appointment, I would say, “That’s fine. Thank you. I’ll see if I can make it to urgent care.” I minded my own business at work and tried my best to stay neutral. I had an opinion about the school system, child care, politics, religion and life problems, but felt it was not my place to force my opinions on anyone. This was my life ….

UNTIL I BECAME MOMMY!!

You bring this child into the world. You have carried them right under your heart. You have learned their movements and sleeping patterns and you have felt their hiccups and stretching. You have formed a love and bond beyond what you found comprehendible. A love like nothing you have ever known nor could ever be explained. And what happens next?

YOU BECOME AN OPINIONATED MOMMY WHO TAKES NO CRAP!!!

Your child is running a fever of 102 and has a croupy cough, but the doctor’s office says they have no appointments available. You don’t ask them to “Please try your best to find an available appointment”, it turns into TELLING them that they WILL find an appointment for your angel, because they HAVE to be seen right away… “Thank you”. Child care was easy to find … before you had kids. Now there is no place good enough, nor should there be. You will never cease to expect the absolute best from all of those helping form your child’s life. Where before, you would have not questioned someone doing their job, now, when you pick up your child, you have a million questions about their day. Were they happy? Did they cry? How many bottles did you give them? You are checking to make sure an adequate amount of diapers were used that day and sometimes you even give up on the idea and just stay home with them. Your son should have the best baseball coach and your daughter should get enough one-on-one time in ballet class. Politics mean a lot, because the decisions these wonderful politicians are making are not only affecting your life, but now also the little life or lives that you are trying desperately to make as perfect as possible. Religion, if not a significant part of your life before, a lot of times become more essential in your world, because it’s hard to look into an angel’s perfect little eyes and face and not become overwhelmed with the presence of a Higher Power.

You now not only have an opinion, but need to speak that opinion in the hopes of always doing what is best for your child. Sometimes, we must also learn that biting our tongues is what is best for our babies. There is a fine line that we must learn to walk now. Where the urge to stay neutral took over before, now the urge to speak your mind will almost always try to overcome you. You will make mistakes. You will stay quiet when you should be vocal and you will speak your mind when you should keep silent, but one thing will become true of almost all of us….

MOMMY’S TAKE NO CRAP!!

Mommy Do-It-All Weekly Menu

With all the new crock pot sensations hitting Facebook, I've been dying to dig out my crockpot!! Cooking with your crock pot can make your day more enjoyable because you know dinner won't be a hassle when you get home, and it also can give extra time in the evening to spend with your precious family!! Here's my menu for the week with links to the recipes! Maybe you can get some ideas to help you with your Weekly Menu!! ENJOY!! :-)

MONDAY - Bacon Ranch Chicken http://crockpotgirls.com/recipes/main-dishes/chicken/bacon-ranch-chicken/

TUESDAY - Drunken Roast http://crockpotgirls.com/recipes/main-dishes/beef/drunken-roast/

WEDNESDAY - Pork Chops in Tangy Gravy http://crockpotgirls.com/recipes/main-dishes/pork/pork-chops-in-tangy-gravy/

THURSDAY - Beef Stroganoff with Cream Cheese http://crockpotgirls.com/recipes/main-dishes/beef/beef-stroganoff-with-cream-cheese/

FRIDAY - Let's face it ... I am REFUSING to cook this day!! LEFTOVERS!!!!!

SATURDAY(a.k.a GAMEDAY) - Taco Soup (My own recipe - go below if you want it!! AND, for dessert, Chocolate Lava Cake http://crockpotgirls.com/recipes/dessert/chocolate-lava-cake/

Try out one or all of these great recipes this week!! I hope it will make your life easier and your time with your kiddos less stressful!! Can't wait to try them myself!!

Taco Soup

• 2 pounds ground beef ( I use chicken breasts sometimes)
• 2 cups diced onions
• 2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans pinto beans, drained
• 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can pink kidney beans, drained
• 1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
• 3 (14 1/2-ounce) can rotel tomatoes (or 1 large 28 oz can)
• 2 (4 1/2-ounce) cans diced green chiles
• 2 (1 1/4-ounce) package taco seasoning mix
• 1 (1-ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix
• Corn chips, for serving
• Sour cream, for garnish
• Grated cheese , for garnish
• Chopped green onions, for garnish
Directions - Brown the ground beef or chicken and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, following directions on packet, add taco seasoning and water to meat, then transfer the browned beef or chicken and onions to a large slow cooker or a stockpot. Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, second taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix, and cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a pot on the stove.

Breathe

My days as a Mommy Do-It-All are obviously very busy ones. I run from one end of the house to the other - cleaning, picking up, drying tears, changing diapers, doctoring wounds, fixing snacks, handing out cups of juice, making dinner, cleaning spills and more, lots more, that have gone unsaid. Sometimes, in the midst of chaos, I stop. Only for a split second, I stand still. Sometimes at the kitchen counter, sometimes while I'm searching for Bubble Guppies on the television, or let's face it, sometimes when I'm in the restroom. But no matter the reason I stop. Sometimes during those brief moments, I remember to breathe.

Sounds silly doesn't it, to forget such a natural thing, but it happens to me every single day. Now, I'm not saying that I am going around passing out from lack of oxygen, but I am lacking to take the deep breaths that we all need sometimes to calm us, make us smile, and put a little pep in our step. Let's face it. These deep breaths, whether it be one or five inhales and exhales, can make you take a moment to appreciate just what you're doing. While we most likely will all be Mommy Do-It-All's for a very long time, it will forever be changing. Some things will get easier. Babies will be potty trained, spills will become less often, toys won't be as numerous and even the crying will be fewer and farther between. Some things will become harder. Letting go that first time they walk out the door alone, broken hearts, driver's licenses, and bullies will then be our reason to stop, breathe, and appreciate our children and ourselves.These deep breaths I take a few times daily are my moments to myself, no matter how short these moments may be.

Go ahead and try it. Do this many times a day. It really does help this Mommy Do-It-All. Anytime you find yourself standing still today. Wherever you may be in your busy existence. Take a deep breath. A very deep breath. You may find yourself smiling as you exhale.

What's My Job Title?

As I was filling out my son's paperwork for Pre-K, I came to an interesting "fill in the blank" for any Mommy who stays at home or even working moms. Job Title. They wanted to know my son's "Mother's Job Title". I thought, "Man, where do I begin with this one." I then came to the realization that I was a Mommy Do-It-All. That's right, I DO IT ALL, and if I don't know how to do it, I will most certainly figure it out. "Why" you may ask.... because that's my JOB!!

I am a nurse, maid, chauffeur, photographer, personal shopper, baker, pharmacist, deal finder, lost and found collector, mechanic, hair stylist, organizer, personal assistant, secretary, laundry specialist and cook just to name a few. As most any Mommy will say, I LOVE my work! I love my job as Mommy Do-It-All. That doesn't mean it's not stressful and tiring, but I am researching and learning every single day how to make the most of my time and this position I chose as my career. I want to be the best Mommy Do-It-All that I possibly can.

That is where this site comes in. I figured, while I am busy doing it all, I should have other Mommy Do-It-All's along for the ride. We can teach each other, share with each other, laugh at each other and even vent to one another. So c'mon all you busy Mommy's with no time for yourself. Let's learn together the art of being Mommy Do-It-All!!