Snowy Days

We've had some snow around my parts the past couple weeks. Not much. Just dustings of snow really. Enough to tease the poor kids. Ok, and me. I LOVE snow. I just want one good, big, snow to play in and then it can be spring. I know spring will come either way. It's just SO fun to play in the snow.

The day it snowed the most, we fortunately had the chance to go out and play for a bit. It was wonderful. Baby boy played in his swing the whole time. I put so much clothing on the poor boy that I couldn't get his shoes on him!! Poor kid..

Princess however, ran all over the place. Up and down, up and down, up and down the hill she went. Giggling non stop. Running to her brother to show him some snow. Bringing him other treasures she could find.

She attempted to sled down the hill. There wasn't enough snow for it though, so she was highly disappointed. Charlie wanted to dig into that sled though. Good thing he was on his lead!

She LOVED going down the sliding board and having all the snow fly into her face. Silly kid.

Then it was time to come inside. Little man had a drink and went right to sleep. Princess and I enjoyed some hot apple cider and the movie Beethoven. Wonderful bonding time.

It's days like these I'll remember forever and cherish in my heart. I'm so glad I have the opportunity to stay home with my babies. It truly is a blessing from God, that I have such a great hubby who supports my decision to stay home.

It's Goal Time! February Edition

It's February! There is so much going on this month including baby boy turning 1! What a fun month in store. Here are my goals for this month.

Personal:
Finish reading Three Weeks With My Brother by Nicholas Sparks
Keep doing Through The Bible in 1 Year with my Bible app
Run and lift Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays
Eat clean 70% of time
Follow along with BusyMomGetsFit for her #FitFamFeb

Kids:
Continue dates with Princess (park, starbucks, walking around the state parks)
Start dates with little man
Finish reading American Girl book
Start a new book
Take 1 photo of each of them a day (this one is pretty easy for me, I'm always snapping photos)

Hubby:
Continue date nights ( really want to go to Cheesecake Factory with him)
Read a book about marriage (haven't decided which one yet)

Blog:
To post 2-3x's a week
Post reviews (I have a few coming this month)
Buy a domain!!! (excited!!)

Financial:
Get back into couponing
Spend under 100$ a week on groceries

What are you goals this month?

How To Earn Money in 2013

The other day I mentioned a couple of things I did in 2012 to earn a little extra money and free stuff. I'm going to tell you a little more about each of them in just this post. I know this isn't along the lines of my normal posts but I really like these programs and think EVERYONE should know about them!

First lets talk about SWAGBUCKS

What it is: A program where you earn points for searching the web, printing and using coupons, shopping online, taking surveys and polls, and MUCH more! You also earn points if you refer others, up to 1000 points!

What you earn: points. These points then can be redeemed for things like amazon gift cards (I've earned over 100$ worth since I've started!) or PayPal moneys, e books, jewelry, baby items, music...etc. that's just a small list!

How to sign up: click HERE to and you'll get started with some bonus points (yes ill be earning points by you going through the above link)

The next one we will talk about is IBOTTA

What it is: ibotta is an app for android and iOS devices. You "clip" coupons by following the required actions, usually a trivia question and/or poll and/or a short video about the product. Once you clip the coupon go buy the product scan the products barcode and your receipt and your done!

What you earn: MONEY! When you complete the required actions and ibotta confirms all, then your money is deposited in your ibotta account. From there you can transfer it to your Paypal account or donate it to any school in America!!

How to sign up: Click HERE and fill out the required info! (I started this one just a couple weeks ago and I've already earned over 5$) by clicking the above link you get a bonus of (I also get a bonus of 1$, so thank you! And when you refer your friends you will too)

Next up is BZZAGENT

What it is: a program where you receive FREE products in return for your honest opinion. When you accept a Bzzcampaign you simply tweet, share on Facebook, share your opinion anywhere, and report it to Bzzagent.

What you earn: FREE products. Simply full out the questionnaire when you sign up and accept Bzzcampaigns and you'll be on your way to free products in no time. You will also earn mypoints for doing the required sharing of your opinion. (Mypoints is just like swagbucks, you can sign up for them HERE)

How to sign up: Click HERE to join. Provide the required info and your ready to go. (no I do NOT get anything for referring you to Bzzagent)


Any questions? Any programs/companies like this that you love? Please share in the comments below!

Enjoy!

Charlie the Boxer Pup: 4 Months Old

I thought I'd give you all an update on Charlie the Boxer Pup. I know you've all been waiting to hear how he's growing!

Charlie is COMPLETELY house and crate trained. We have even been able to move his crate to the living room! Yay! I'm so glad to have my bedroom back *cheesy smile*

However, the dog is NUTS. He has more energy than the 4 of us humans put together. His listening skills are lacking as well. Apparently I have NO top dog assertiveness or something. I tell him to do something and he ignores me. He jumps on my counters, table, kids chairs, baby boys high chairs, the counters.... The list never ends. I think doggy behavior classes may be in his future. He makes my head spin on a daily basis.

Don't get me wrong. I'm beginning to actually bond with him. He's getting bigger and starting to be the "defender of home and family" that I want from him. And of course the friend that he is becoming for all of us. He's cuddly, cute, and warm, and loves to kiss. He likes to sleep or relax right next to you and loves to play.

He's just crazy. It's just because he's a puppy....RIGHT?!

I feel like I need the great Cesar Millian (the dog whisperer) to come to my house and train me how to be a proper dog owner. Maybe they have a "training puppies for dummies" book out there somewhere. I could use that too. Hmmm... Ill be researching that tonight.

We are still working with him walking on a leash. I would really like to run with him and be able to take him hiking, and take him with the stroller too. All in due time I suppose, all in due time.


Do you have any tips on how I could be more assertive and top dog-ish? How do I teach him to listen to me and not just my hubby?

Goals for 2013

I'm not making resolutions this year. Resolutions never seem to stick and the word resolution just sounds like I'm setting myself up to fail. I've made resolutions before and never stuck to them. Resolutions are by definition to commit to doing something with determination. I'm determined alright. I just don't like the word resolution, it's lost it's meaning to me.

I will, however, be making goals. Goals are something I can work towards. I have small goals and large goals. Goals are achievable. I can reward myself for reaching each goal, and I will.

My number one goal is to grow deeper in my faith. Everything else will fall into place as long as I do this. I have a few books and devotions that I will be doing, as well as trying to read the entire bible this year.

Next is to be the best wife and mom that I can possibly be. Spending more time together out doing things as a family. Or just as a husband wife. I hope to continue dates with my princess and start having dates with WonderBoy (I can't believe he will be 1 in a month!).

My personal health goals are to be doing some sort of physical activity 5-6 days a week. I also want to be eating clean 70% of the time. Hubby and I are starting all of this on Sunday! I'm so excited he's doing it with me. I also want to grow a garden this year which will be great for our health.

I have some financial goals too. Really they are just to get back into couponing. Continue using swagbucks( i earned 100$ in amazon GC among other things thanks to swagbucks!) and ibotta to earn money (ill post more on those soon) continue to do things like Bzzagent and MomsMeet to get coupons and items to review.

My blogging goals. I want to do 2-3 posts a week. One book review a month and one product review a month as well. I also want to have my own domain at some point in the second half of this year.

Each month I will post how I'm doing on my goals and list what books and other small goals ill be working towards that month. Ill start February 1st!

Are you making any goals or resolutions this year? I'd love to hear them!