Wanna Be Balanced Mom

My MOTHER!!!!

Updated: May 2016

My mom is amazing, seriously! You would not believe what this women has endured in her lifetime. First of all she had 9 kids, and that right there is extremely admirable. I always said I wanted to have lots of kids because I loved growing up with so many siblings. Now that I'm a mom of four, I CANNOT imagine how it's possible!!! My constant question for these women who've had a lot of children, is HOW IN THE HECK DID YOU DO IT?????????

First of all, can you imagine being pregnant for 81 months, that's almost 7 years of your life...........PREGNANT!!!! I'm sorry, I'm just not one of those women who appreciates every moment of pregnancy, I know I should, but I REALLY don't enjoy it. Now imagine how many diapers my mom changed, and having to potty train 9 two year olds. Ugh, I'm getting tired just thinking about it. I'm sure she was completely exhausted by the end of the day. Somehow ALL 9 of us are still alive and somehow, she was able to remain sane enough to endure each day showing us love and tending to our every need.

I think we all go through a period of time in our lives where we may not appreciate our mothers the way we should, most likely during the teenage years. But now that I have children of my own, I cannot be more grateful for ALL that she did for me. I don't remember the night time feedings, the diaper changing, potty training, meals she made, ALL the cleaning she must have done. But NOW I know what she did each day for me when I was young.

My mom is the kind of person that just LOVES everyone, and does not judge. She's the most forgiving, compassionate, humble, spiritual person I'vel ever met. She devotes much of her time helping others and serving in the church. She is also VERY green, she never wastes anything. One of my favorite quotes is, "fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without". This quote might as well have been my moms. She's the perfect example of someone who lives very meagerly, doesn't need nice things, and lives as natural as possible. She loves to garden, sew, and quilt, and she's VERY good at it.

Another thing that I LOVE about her, is that she's a GREAT listener. She will listen to you ramble on and on without interrupting, and completely engaged in what you're saying. She gives great advice, I'll always remember that about her. I've talked her ear off many times when ever I was having a bad day. She was always there to give me some words of encouragement. While I was on my mission, her letters were so uplifting and filled with inspiration. She always knew just what I needed to hear. Now that I'm writing this, it's making me realize I DON'T tell her enough, how much I love and appreciate her. I'm actually tearing up just thinking about how great she is.

Mom, I love you more than words. You are such an inspiration, and I'm so grateful for all you've done for me. You amaze me!!!!

Mothers Day Gift Ideas!

I've been looking all over the Internet for some great mothers day gift ideas, and would like to share with you a great website with a TON of creative gifts for under $50.

It's called CSN, and here's a little background information for you.

They started in 2002 in Boston, MA. They feature over 200 stores and over 1 Million products!

"CSN Stores LLC is a fast-growing, privately-held company offering customers the best online shopping available for home and office goods. A $200 million company, CSN is made up of more than 200 online niche shops offering a huge selection of products ranging from bar stoolsand bedroom sets to grills, greenhouses and gaming equipment. We have items for budget-minded shoppers, luxury seekers and everyone in between."

Here are a few of my favorite items I found that I thought would be GREAT mothers day gifts. I know it's a little late now to purchase anything online, because you probably won't get it in time. But, no worries, just have the item shipped to your mom, print out a picture of the item purchased, then write her a nice card with the picture inside. Just let her know that it should be arriving to her house soon :) Sean and I have had to do this before, because we tend to procrastinate when it comes to getting gifts.

This one, probably not for our moms, because we're old :), but I think it'd be a great gift for ME :) Picnics at the park with the kids is always fun.

My mother in law would LOVE this Pilates set.

PERFECT gift here I think. Just pop in a couple pictures of your kids, and I'm sure grandma would be thrilled!

Now THIS one, I'm definitely getting for my mom, maybe one for me too :) My mom loves gardening, and she's actually really good at it. I on the other hand have not been known to have a green thumb, tried it once, and all my plants died within a couple of weeks, hmmmm. I need to learn a few things I guess.

So anyway, I think my mom would just LOVE it, and the whole seat idea is brilliant!

I thought this cook book stand was WAY cute!!!!

Find the above items HERE

I'm also looking for some outdoor rugs, and they have such a cute selection. Pretty much have everything you need. Home decor, Appliances, furniture, Lighting.

They have everything from recessed lighting, to lamps.

I think you'll really enjoy this website, go take a look around!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY- Luxury Sleep

To play along, go to Live and Love Out Loud

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday-Dinner Attempts

Well folks, I done it again. Another, almost, successful meal. This week I decided to play along with Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays over at Blessed with Grace, by sharing my recent masterpiece.

Chicken and Cheese Turnovers

I got the recipe from Running Away.

I'm always up for making a quick, simple, and somewhat healthy meal. And this one was SO easy, and tasted great!

I used an already cooked rotisserie chicken, that right there cuts the time in half.

A can of corn, can of cream of chicken soup, some cheese, and WALAA!!!

Okay, now here's where I screwed up. I have a serious problem......... I don't like to read the directions. One of my former mission companions goal in our companionship was to teach me to READ THE DIRECTIONS!!!! She noticed my problem early on, and set out to cure me of this disease.

Needless to say, her efforts were in vain.