Family

Need a smile? Meet my new business partner

August 29, 2012 by Jennifer 2 Comments

Work has really been busy. I was able to talk the team into bringing in a new business partner to help me. Every morning, I sit down at my work table ready to tackle my to-do list. My business partner shows up right on time each morning and jumps right up (literally) into the chair next to me. He is ready for serious business talk.

Meet my new business partner

Isn’t he the cutest business partner ever? He only started jumping up beside me when the girls went back to school. He does not like to leave my side and besides… he makes a great colleague :).

Mother and daughter dates with my tween

August 27, 2012 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

Do you realize how hard that is to write? My tween…

How has it been 10 years since she was safely snuggled in my tummy? She was 100% dependent on me. Now, 10 years later she is becoming less and less dependent. She is declaring her independence but will always be mommy’s special little girl. There are still moments everyday that she likes to cuddle up with me on the couch. I will sit there wishing time would stand still.

As my tween is growing up, she is becoming a young woman. We are having more in depth conversations. As I have said before, I want her to always know she can come talk to me about anything. When I was growing up, I did not always feel like I could go to my mom and talk to her about anything. When I started my period, I was so freaked out. Then when I wanted to wear tampons, oh my goodness… I did not even know who to talk to about that specific thing. I do not want that with my girls.

How do we have these conversations so they are not awkward?

Last Christmas, I gave M a book from American Girl. In the book, there are coupons that she can use to give me. Each coupon is time for her and I. Just the two of us to spend time together and have great bonding time with wonderful conversations. It gives me a chance to talk to her about her changing body. It allows her to ask me questions that she may be afraid to bring up in front of little sis L or even her daddy.

We go on our walks together. We go out for frozen yogurt. We go shopping. We go out to eat. We go for manicures. We go for haircuts. Notice, I said WE. Just the two of us. It is nice to give her one-on-one time and let her know I care and will always be there for her.

I love using the resource at U by Kotex. Their articles and videos help me with my preparation conversations. Check out this video from their site that shares: “What’s one thing you wish you knew before your first period?”

Do you take time out with your daughter? Put away all technology and concentrate solely on your daughter. She needs you right now as this is a very crucial time in their childhood.

“I wrote this review while participating in a Brand Ambassador Campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of U by Kotex Tween and received products to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Have you ever created a vision board?

August 26, 2012 by Jennifer 3 Comments

Two weeks ago, I was invited to the Coca-Cola headquarters for two days of conversations. Over the next week, I am going to be sharing about my conversations with them. This is one event that I walked away in awe of such a huge company. There is so much to Coca-Cola that I did not know about and I think you will find interesting as well.

One of the first things that we did during the two day event, was to create a vision board. Our vision board theme was left up to us. Many people chose career, family life but I chose to do a vision of healthy living.

Magazines covered our tables and I thought I was a little child in a candy store. My fellow bloggers kept mentioning how organized and fast that I completed my vision board. Healthy living means so much to me though and it was such an easy vision to put on paper.

It was time to show my vision board to the Coca-Cola team.

This vision board shows where I want to be within the next year.

– I want to be able to run freely without any breathing problems.

– I want my BMI to stay within a healthy range.

– I want my family to be able to eat all the healthy foods that I eat on a daily basis. This has been a challenge since my family was so use to eating certain foods but we are working on overcoming this challenge. I am seeing improvement weekly.

– I want muscle tonement to show in my body instead of ugly love handles.

There are several components of the vision board that I already incorporate into my daily life.

– I am in love with my daily protein shakes.

– I enjoy my different salads and laughing cow cheese I eat on a daily basis.

– I enjoy my evening walks with a wonderful friend.

I was given the chance by Coca-Cola to present my vision healthy living board. There was a photographer on-site to capture the two-day event. This picture he captured while I was presenting was priceless. The smile captured in this picture tells all about my vision. Healthy living makes me happy.

Have you created a vision board? If not, you SHOULD!

Disclosure: Coca-Cola provided accommodations, meals, and travel for the two-day Conversations with Coca-Cola event. As always, all thoughts and opinions are of my own.

What is the first thing that should be on your back-to-school list?

August 16, 2012 by Jennifer 1 Comment

Parents wouldn’t dream of missing their child’s annual wellness exam with their pediatrician, however too many parents forget about a doctor’s appointment that is just as important: their child’s annual eye exam. I am so guilty of this myself. I keep saying each month that I am going to schedule the girls’ eye exam and it never gets accomplished. L was 20/30 a year and a half ago, so I really want to make it a priority to get her exam scheduled.

Did you know that close to ten million children in the U.S suffer from undetected vision problems that may cause them to fail in school? When I was in the 9th grade, I was having trouble seeing the board. I kept thinking if I moved closer to the board it would help. Of course, I was too embarrassed to tell my teachers. One day, low and behold, my mother took me to the optometrist for a pink-eye infection. During the appointment, my vision was checked. It was 20/200. It was no wonder, I was having a problem reading the board in the classroom. I never want my girls to go through the same experience.

Check out the three reasons why a comprehensive eye exam should top your back-to-school checklists this year:

1. One in four children has an undetected vision condition. Because eye health plays a major role in academic growth, it’s common for vision problems to be mistaken for a learning disability. Undetected vision conditions can negatively impact learning and contribute to frustrated students, poor grades and behavioral issues.

2. Comprehensive eye exams detect what school vision screenings cannot. Standard school screenings only test for visual acuity – which is not nearly the whole picture. Comprehensive eye exams test for visual acuity, color vision, eye alignment, eye health and chronic diseases such as diabetes.

3. Children’s eyes develop rapidly. A child’s eyes develop continually until about the age of seven – making early detection essential in correcting potentially permanent vision issues.

You can find additional resources and information by visiting SeeMuchMore.com.

Do not make the same mistake I did. Make it a priority.

Are big changes coming?

August 12, 2012 by Jennifer 1 Comment

Last week was a blur, I feel. Unfortunately, I was stranded in NYC because of bad storms. A time when I was so ready to be in my husband’s arms with my girls doing a group hug around us, but I felt so alone and so far away. The trip was a success with a lot accomplished. Five days in a big city and away from my family was enough for this small town living girl. I finally was able to get a flight out and when I came home, the girls had grown five inches. Not really, but you get the picture. M is going to be as tall as me before long… I’m telling you!

Take a look. The girls started back to school one day after I returned. Where did the summer go?

My baby girls are growing up. One day, someone is going to invent a time slow down tool. I just know it. So as you can see, last week was very chaotic so not much blogging was able to get accomplished. I plan to catch up this week. We may have big news coming too, and I want to spill the beans but it is going to have to just wait for now. Don’t you hate when people does this to you? I know.. believe me!

For now, I am cherishing each and every moment with my children… yes, including Kingston! These three little ones stole my heart a long time ago and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Hope you all are having a wonderful Summer!

Family

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