NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN! SHOW SOME LOVE FOR MILITARY VETERANS

Veteran Shane Kruchten was the first recipient on the MISSION: THANK YOU tour and was honored at a ceremony in San Diego in May. 

This summer Adam Sandoval is hitting the road with Harley-Davidson for a cross-country ride to honor those who have served and give away bikes to eight lucky vets.

Adam is an avid H-D rider, and he and his chihuahua Scooter have crossed the country in support of military vets. His ScootinAmerica initiative has raised awareness for several veterans organizations, and he’s honored to partner with H-D to bring relief to more riders. He understands that riding can be a relaxing, restorative hobby for vets, especially for those suffering from PTSD.

Anyone can nominate an active military member or veteran to MISSION: THANK YOU by submitting their story of sacrifice, strength and courage to http://missionthankyou.com. Adam will be part of the group reviewing and selecting deserving patriots for the award.

Follow the mission on adamsandovalrides.com or on Facebook or Twitter.

Homeschool Updates Spring 2017

We are headed into our final two months of third grade with William and thankfully next week is Spring Break. We both desperately need the break. I now understand why school teachers used to act like they were about to blow their top at this time of year. I admit, I am burned out. Some days wear me out to the point of aggravation. I am SO ready to get our last day out of the way so that we can relax for a week. I make sure that I take a power nap in the afternoon if I start getting too crazy. It has come to a point to where William recognizes that I need a little breather.

Don't get me wrong, William is a great student when he's not being lazy or getting distracted. He is doing so well and is currently making all A's with a 96% overall average. Let me tell you though, those good grades don't come easy! We both work hard to make it happen. I am so thankful that I can pinpoint what he struggles with so that we can review for as long as it takes until he gets it. I am grateful I have the gift of patience, because some days are trying.

Some days are hard, but every day is worth it 📓📚📝 . . . . #homeschool #unschooling #life #workhardplayhard #school #learn #believe #family #stem #mathalete

A post shared by Shelly 🇬🇾👑 (@momfiles) on Mar 28, 2017 at 9:45am PDT

William has really been enjoying learning about different cultures in his current unit in Language Arts and seems to really love math. He sometimes stumbles while learning new skills, but once he understands it, he aces through the work. One of the things I love is when he learns something that his dad recently taught him, which is usually about money, spending, or making smart choices. He geeks out and tells me he can't wait to tell his dad what he learned in school that day.

He is enjoying his life as a homeschooler and never complains about being bored or lonely. That was one of my biggest fears, but thankfully he is like an old man who enjoys the most simple things. We break up the day with outdoor play or having lunch on the back patio. I think we are both going to enjoy Spring Break and hope to be back refreshed and ready to tackle the end of year testing and final assignments. I have noticed that my friends with kids in public school have been going nuts with all of the spring festivities and craziness that comes at this time of year. I can definitely say that I do not miss any of that!

Anyway, I wanted to share the latest regarding William's school progress. Have your kids had their Spring Break yet?

Helping an elderly family member in their later years

Caring for elderly relatives and ensuring they spend their days in a dignified manner is important. Talk with your family members to discuss their wishes for their end of life care and funeral preparations. As difficult as it is to have these conversations, it is well worth it to have everything planned as early as possible to get their input while they are able. Planning will ease the burden on family and friends when the time comes.

image credit

A home for family members
Many families have an elderly family member to care for during their later years, and need to get educated on how to care for the elderly at home. Typically, the younger relatives of the elderly person help care for them or help them plan their care. If the family is large, with many children or grandchildren of the elderly family member, there might be a need for conversations about palliative care and who will be the primary caretaker or point of contact for their care.

Some families wish to have their family member live with them. Depending on their needs, this might require one adult to stay at home around the clock. If you plan to do this, learn as much as possible about their illness or disability before making the commitment to care for them long-term. It could be that you hire additional help from a professional care team, to help support and care for your loved one at home and perhaps offer a little respite for you and your family members. If this is the case, it is imperative that accurate care notes are taken so that all caregivers can pass on details of the care given, progress made, and medications administered. Remember to encourage their independence while caring for them. Seek out devices and technology to allow them as much independence as possible.

While caring for your family member, limit yourself to only things you feel qualified to do and always ask a doctor’s advice when needed. It is understandable to ask a family member or healthcare professional for help. There will likely be times when you feel overwhelmed. Take time to yourself and seek counseling or join support groups to connect with others caring for a family member. Consider home health aides or adult day care for seniors to take a break. Keep in mind that some employers in certain states provide family leave programs. These leave programs usually allow several weeks of leave time from your job per year.

Another option is to consider a care home that meets the needs of your family member. There are care homes designed to look after those who need around the clock care, such as people with Alzheimer’s, and there are care homes similar to apartment homes that provide on-site medical assistance. Care homes can provide socialization for your family member while allowing you to focus on your own needs and existing obligations, like work and children. You and your family member will need to decide how to pay for their care. This might involve selling their home or reducing your inheritance.

image credit

Financial planning
The financial future of your family member and making their will are things that should be discussed as early as possible so there is no question about their wishes later. Have a conversation with your family member and make sure they have a will. It is important to have their assets clearly allocated.

Meet with your family member’s financial planner or set up a meeting with one to discuss your questions. Consider their care, guardianship, property, assets, and estate planning including wills and trusts. Take into account their debt, income, expenses, and benefits. The last thing you want is to not have their debt under control and allocated appropriately. If you need some beginner guidance, Creditful.com is a great resource to start. Financial planners and lawyers are well versed in their area of expertise, so they can help your loved-one determine how to manage their finances for end of life and their estate.

End of life plans
Talking about end of life for your elderly family member might be difficult for you, your family, and for them. Plan to avoid feeling rushed and stressed when making plans during a time of grief at the end of their life. Discuss how they want to handle their end of life care and funeral preparations. Talk with them to determine whether they would like a casket burial or cremation services. Plan a time when they are able to meet with a provider, like Dallas funeral services, to discuss all of their options.

A burial with a casket funeral can offer many fine details, while cremation provides a dignified and affordable option. Loved ones might like an open casket funeral. Others might prefer cremation and a ceremony scattering the ashes at a memorable location. Either option allows for a respectful service. The loved ones left behind should also have important documents such as transfer of death deeds, documents for an obituary, and other certificates needed at hand.

Caring for your elderly family members is personal and involves many different aspects to consider. Planning for the future is never emotionally easy, but the benefits to planning early outweigh the emotional toll that comes with waiting until the end of life. Gather your family and have conversations about the future. Preface the conversation by expressing that these discussions come from a place of love and caring.

Gadgets that give your home a warmer feel

When skies are gray and the weather is chilly, there’s nothing like coming back to a nice warm home. A roaring fire is a real treat, but that’s not practical for everyone, and even when it is it will often only heat one room. The good news is that constantly evolving technology has led to the development of some great gadgets for keeping your home snug. These are some of the best.

image credit

Smart thermostats
Once upon a time the only way you could control heat sources in your home was to manually turn them on and off. Thermostats made it much easier, enabling you to set precise temperatures for your central heating, and now the next generation of thermostats lets you do that from wherever you are – even if you’ve gone overseas on vacation and forgotten to turn the heating off. You can make sure you have a warm home to return to even if you’re working irregular shifts, and it’ easier than ever to avoid waste, which also makes this good for the environment. in addition, you can sync it to other apps, so that, for instance, if your fitness app notices that you’re working out, it can tell your boiler to heat water ready for a shower.

Thermal bedding
If it’s hard to get your home to warm up in the mornings or if you tend to get cold at night, thermal bedding is a great solution. It’s now much more diverse – and much safer – than the traditional electric blanket. A thermal pillow, for instance, can aid relaxation, and some emit a gentle scent of lavender, known for helping people get to sleep. You can even buy thermal coverlets that are separately adjustable on different sides, so you and your partner can both be comfortable even if your preferences vary. Thermal blankets can be used in bed but are also great for keeping you warm as you wander round the house upon waking, or for curling up in on the sofa at the end of a long day.

image credit

Innovative lighting
Feeling warm enough isn’t just about the actual temperature of your home – it also has a psychological element. Few things factor into this as much as your choice of light. Even little details like having a lighted outlet cover in each room to help you find your way around at night can make a difference. One of the great things about the shift toward diode based lighting is that it offers a much wider range of colors, including lights whose color you can change. Using lights with yellow or pink tones makes your home feel much warmer than using blue tinted or plain white lights, and with a set-up like this it’s easy to temporarily change the lighting if, for instance, you need to be able to see better to clean up a spill.

Luxurious faux furs
Home always feels warmer when you have something to snuggle up in. These days there are faux furs as good as the real thing. They’re more affordable, have none of the same ethical issues and give the home a real touch of luxury. The secret is a technological one – not only have the materials used improved, but designers have discovered that mixing short hairs with long ones enables a fur to trap much more air, creating an insulating barrier that stops body heat escaping. It’s even possible to get thermal fur pillows that generate heat internally so that you’ll feel as if you’re hugging a snugly animal.

image credit

A cozy kitchen
A warm kitchen at the heart of your home can make a big difference to how cozy the whole place feels. If you use a kitchen range that’s on all the time, heat from it will spread throughout the house. If that’s not practical for you, using a slow cooker can have a similar, if subtler, effect. It will also spread delicious smells throughout the house. Thinking about the hot food you’re going to enjoy in a few hours’ time will make you love being in your home. In the mornings, try a bread maker with a timer switch so that you can wake up to the warm scent of fresh food being prepared.

Gadgets like these can make all the difference if your home is feeling chilly. They’ll not only heat it up, they’ll make you feel cozier and more at ease. A home like this always feels welcoming, whatever the weather.

Age Old Solutions

Caring for an elderly relative can sometimes be a bit tricky. Not only is it difficult to see an elderly loved one’s health decline, but it can put you in an awkward position. Where you have the added responsibility of caring for someone that used to be perfectly capable of caring for themselves. But to help you out, check out the guide below provides solutions to the most common issues you may face when caring for an older relative.

Ensuring they eat well

One of the biggest issues that you may come across when caring for an elderly relative that their eating can become erratic. This can be due to things such as catching a virus like the flu. As older folks' immune systems are weaker than ours.

Or it could be due to other issues that affect the appetite, such as diabetes that isn't being managed properly. Or it may even, be symptomatic of depression caused by chronic pain, losing a long term partner, or living alone.

But what can you do for them if you have noticed that they are eating less and less? Well, firstly it's important that you get them checked over by the doctors to see whether there is an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated.

image credit

It's can also help to go round to their house, or invite them over to yours and make a hearty home cooked meal to tempt them into eating something. It's likely that the company will help them with this as well. 

Ensuring their medical needs are met 

Of course, a very important aspect of caring for an elderly relative is ensuring that their medical needs are met. 

image credit

This might be something as simple as helping them to sort their pills into the right compartments for the rights days each week. 

Or it could be more involved, doing things likes organizing a palliative nurse for end of life care. Or being an advocate for them with the medical profession. 

image credit

But whatever you have to do, be sure that you listen to their wishes as much as possible and engage them in the process. As no one likes to feel as if they are out of control of their life, no matter what their age. 

Getting them out and about 

Something else that you need to consider when caring for older relatives is giving them a chance to get out of the house occasionally. It can be pretty grim to be stuck indoors all of the time, and it isn't likely to help them feel their best. 

Obviously, mobility is an issue for many older folks so you will need to consider this before you plan out any trips. 

image credit

Consider your destination carefully and make sure that it does not include too much walking or difficult terrain. 

Also, you can use disabled parking stickers so you can park closer to the store, or attraction that you take them to. Or consider using a wheelchair, or motorized scooter for those whose mobility is severely inhibited. 

Why Getting A Pet Might Be The Best Thing You Do For Your Children

If you have children, one of your top priorities is going to be making sure they are happy and healthy as they grow. Did you know that getting a pet for them might be one of the best things you decide to do? Here’s why!

Your Kids Get Added Responsibility
When you get a pet, assuming you’re not going to do absolutely every chore, your kids will have added responsibility. They’ll have something else to think about, other than themselves. This can be really good for them. It can help them to grow up a little, and make them more willing to help with other things around the house. Whether you give them the task of administering Capstar meds or helping your pet to get some exercise, having more responsibility is good for them. Eventually, they’ll enjoy caring for the pet and be more than willing to help out, even without you asking them.

Increased Confidence And Self Esteem
As your kids have added responsibility, they’ll also have more confidence and self esteem. They’ll realize that they’re capable of things they may never have realized before. Scientific studies have also proven that kids with pets have more confidence and self esteem than those without. This could be down to the unconditional love, constant companionship, and other benefits pets can offer. Whatever the reason, giving your kids all of this confidence can only be a good thing!

Quicker Development
Kids who curled up and read with their pets show quicker development than kids who read alone. Your kids can improve many of their skills by having a pet to love and look after!

photo credit

Getting Them To Stay Active

A pet can encourage your kids to stay active. A dog is one of the best choice for active kids; they can go on walks with them, play catch with them, and teach them tricks. However, other kinds of pets can keep your kids active too. Your kids can play with guinea pigs in the garden, and teach rats tricks. There are all kinds of pets that require exercise and stimulation. 

Help Your Kids Become Less Anxious And Withdrawn

If your child is shy, anxious, withdrawn, and showing similar traits, a pet can help to reduce these. In studies, pets really helped shy, nervous children to come out of their shells. Having a dog as a full time companion could be just what your anxious child needs to give them more confidence and make them happier. However, another pet could prove to be just as beneficial. 

Turn Them Into Compassionate, Well Rounded Humans 

Overall, a pet will help to turn your children into compassionate, well-rounded humans. Not that they wouldn’t have turned out great with your guidance, but a pet can supercharge the results! If you want your children to turn into well-rounded, confident, intelligent, caring adults, then a pet is a great idea! 

Do you think getting a pet is a good idea for your children? What kind of pet are you considering? Leave your thoughts below! 

#TBT The Early Years Of Learning

I stumbled across a video this morning that warmed my heart and brought me to tears at the same time. I used to teach William some reading and math basics at home before he was kindergarten age. Who knew he would end up being home schooled. He is in his second semester of third grade, and it looks like he will make high honors again like in the first semester. It's hard to believe that this little munchkin boy will be turning 9 this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by 💖

Dealing With Illness When You’re A Mom With A Crazy Life

When you’re a mom with a hectic life, the last thing that you want is to get sick. Whether you catch a stomach bug, get the flu or end up with a kidney infection, the last thing you want is to be feeling under the weather when you have a household to run and little ones to look after. But unfortunately, the chances are that at one point or another that will happen, and you will fall foul to some illness or other, especially when you spend a lot of your time surrounded by little ones who are germ magnets. (Kids spread germs like no tomorrow - it’s all that touching everything and anything that does it.)

Although getting sick when you’ve got kids to look after is never nice, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be a total nightmare. The important thing is to know how to look after yourself while you recover as well as ensuring that your little ones and home are taken care of.

photo credit 

See your doctor 

When you’re feeling unwell, the first step that you take should always be to see your doctor. The fact is that with many illnesses, from stomach bugs to infections, the sooner you see your doctor, the better as this means that you are able to treat the condition more quickly and get well sooner. Even if there’s not a medicine that can treat what you’re suffering from or cure it completely, your doctor can still advise you on what to do. For instance, coughs and colds don’t tend to be treated with antibiotics, but your doctor may be able to recommend some natural or over-the-counter treatments to try. Or, say you’re suffering from a kidney infection, as well as prescribing your antibiotics, your doctor may also give you a website link and tell you to read these kidney treatment tips to help speed up your recovery. It’s tempting to put off a trip to the doctor’s office, but if you want to speed up your recovery time, it’s best to make an appointment as soon as possible. 

Rest and recuperate 

If you’re going to get well again quickly, you need to get plenty of rest. When it comes to recovering from being unwell, sleep is the best healer, so aim to get plenty of sleep. Obviously, when you’re a mom this is easier said than done, but it is still possible. Perhaps you could see if your little ones could spend some time at their grandparent's house while you get better? Or maybe you could see if your partner could take some time off of work to look after the kids while you recover? Or, as a last resort what about hiring a babysitter to take care of the kids for a couple of hours while you get some much-needed rest. 

Look after yourself

When you’re unwell, you need to put yourself first for once. This means ensuring that you’re eating plenty of fresh, nutritious foods, such as lots of nutrient-packed fruits and vegetables. It’s also important to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated - aim to drink at least two liters of water a day, and you will feel much better for it and beat whatever you’re suffering from more quickly. 

There’s nothing worse than being unwell when you have little ones to take care of, but hopefully, the above advice will help to make your next bout of illness much easier to deal with. 

Keeping Your Head with a Child in Hospital

Whenever someone in your family is sick, it can be difficult to deal with. But when it's your child who isn't very well, it's never easy to cope. If they have to have a stay in the hospital for a while, it can disrupt your whole life. It's a hard thing to get through, but there are things you can do to make things a little easier. If you have a child who needs to stay in the hospital for a bit, you can get through it with a few tips to help you approach it in a way that will allow you to stay as calm as possible. When you pack a bag, take the time to think about these important things.

Try to Be Present As Much As You Can

It can be hard to rearrange your life around a poorly child, but most parents want to be there for their parents as much as they can be. Your employer should work with you to ensure you can take off the time you need. You have the right to time off work to take care of a dependent during emergency situations. However, if you know that your child will be going into hospital soon, you might need to look at arranging compassionate leave. Speak to your employer as soon as you can to see what you can do. Being there for your child during their hospital stay will help them to get better, reassure them and you, and keep you involved in their care.

photo credit

Don't Be Scared to Speak Up for Your Child

When you're surrounded by medical professionals, it can make you a bit wary of voicing your opinion. After all, they're the ones with years of medical training and experience. But even though the doctors and nurses know what they're doing when it comes to treatment, you're the one who knows your child. If you can sense when your child has had enough or if they need something, speaking up for them will help them, and it's useful for the staff too. If you can offer information about how much they normally eat or sleep, or how they usually behave, it can help doctors and nurses to see if they're different from normal.

Ask Questions

Speaking up and advocating for your child is important when they're staying in the hospital. If you have any questions about what's happening, don't be afraid to ask them. It's important that you understand what's going on and perhaps that you can explain it to your child in terms they can understand too. Medical professionals should be willing to answer your questions, except perhaps in emergency situations when they don't have time. Make sure they explain things to you in words you can understand. They might be able to give you relevant literature to read or make an appointment for you to have a discussion later on.

Make Friends with the Staff

If your child is settling in for a longer stay at the hospital, getting to know the staff is a great idea. Having the nurses on your side can be useful if you need any favours. They'll always be ready to do their jobs, but it can't help to butter them up a little too. Plus, it's always good to show that you appreciate them, and it gives you someone to make friendly conversation with. Make yourself familiar with the different positions and staff members. For example, auxiliary nurse jobs are sometimes referred to as healthcare assistant positions. They help out doctors and nurses to perform various tasks. For example, they might help patients to wash and dress or go to the toilet. Just knowing who to ask for what can help to move things along quicker.

photo credit

Get Organized at Home

There's no denying that a hospital stay for your child can disrupt life at home. If you have other children, you need to juggle their care with your other child. There may or may not be another parent around to help you out. If you want to make things easier, you need to come up with a plan to keep things ticking along at home while things are a little different. You might not be able to keep everything exactly the same, but you can try to make arrangements to keep everything organised. It might help if you can get friends or neighbours to help with some things, like collecting your other children from school.

Keep Things Consistent

Staying in the hospital is a huge change for your child, and it can be upsetting. You can be tempted to let go of the usual rules and perhaps let them get away with things you wouldn't normally allow. But it's more helpful for you to keep your expectations consistent with what you expect at home. If your child is expected to be polite at home, they should be in the hospital too. Of course, you don't have to be too strict, and there are moments when they might not be feeling well when you might let things slide.

photo credit

Have Someone to Talk To

When you have a child in the hospital, it's also important that you have someone you can talk to. While you're not the one who is ill, it can be emotionally trying to deal with. You might have a partner you can talk to, but it can also help to reach out to other people. As well as speaking to family members and friends, you might like to talk to a professional. There might be someone at the hospital you can speak to or a charity you can call to have a chat with a volunteer. Sharing your feelings helps you make sure you don't bottle them up.

Educate Yourself

Learning as much as you can about the reason your child is in the hospital and the methods used to treat it will help you immensely. Firstly, you won't feel as lost when you're talking about their treatment with their doctor. You'll also be able to advocate for your child better if you're more aware of the options they have. Your child's medical team should be willing to help you learn more. You can also look for charities or official resources that might give you the information you need. There's usually plenty of information online, as well as people you can talk to.

Look After Yourself

It's also very important that you look after yourself so that you're able to be there for your child. While it might be difficult to do even basic things like eating or sleeping, it's essential to try and stay healthy. You may not want to leave your child's side, but try to make time for things like eating, washing, or just taking a breather. Don't neglect your own health in favour of your child's, or you won't be able to be there for them like you want to. At the very least, you can plan to eat with your child. Sometimes, you might be able to stay overnight with them too.

Bring in Home Comforts

Items from home can be helpful for you and your child. They would much rather wear their pyjamas than a hospital gown and might prefer to have some food from home too. If they have any special things they can't live without, make sure they have them. You can bring things to do, such as books to read or music to listen to. There can often be a lot of waiting around.

Hospital stays are tough for anyone, and it's even more difficult when your child is the patient. But if you prepare yourself, you can get through it.

How To Help Protect Your Family From Mosquitoes

Experts are predicting a fierce mosquito season this year. To help homeowners protect themselves against those pesky creatures, Arrow Exterminators recommends the following simple, proactive measures:

• Eliminate all sources of standing water such as children's wading pools, birdbaths and flower pots;
• Keep rain gutters cleaned out to prevent water from standing in drains;
• Cut back or get rid of unnecessary vegetation around the home where mosquitoes can breed and/or rest;
• Keep swimming pools covered in colder months to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs there, and drain any water that has collected on top of pool covers;
• Remove water that has collected in tree holes and hollow stumps;
• Screen windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside homes; and
• Consider using yellow bug light bulbs in outdoor light fixtures – the bulbs reduce the number of flying insects around your home.

“As the temperatures continue to rise, mosquito populations boom and the recent rains have created the perfect breeding ground for another banner year,” said Charlie Jones, Arrow Pest Expert and SVP of Operations.  “Homeowners should take precautions because these pests do more than leave behind itchy red bites, they can also spread diseases like West Nile Virus, Zika Virus and Chikungunya Fever.”

Needing only small amounts of standing water to breed – a bottle cap full is enough – these blood-sucking pests can develop from egg to adult in just 10-14 days.  Additionally, these pests are always in search of their next meal and sense a potential target from up to 75 feet away.

Arrow protects homes from pests with the STEPS® Total Protection System™, an industry-leading approach that utilizes Integrated Pest Management (IPM). STEPS includes a full property evaluation to pinpoint pest issues; identification of not only the pest, but the true cause of the problem; and treatment in the most environmentally responsible way to alleviate current issues and to help prevent future recurrences. Consumers interested in scheduling a free whole home evaluation can contact Arrow at www.arrowexterminators.com or call 888-462-7769.

From The Kid Files- The Old Man Child

If you have been connected to me through this blog or social media, you might know about the chronicles of the old man child. William is turning 9 this month, but is truly a 70 year-old man trapped in a child's body. This kid has an old soul and every day is an adventure with him. I have to mentally prepare myself each morning before he wakes up to deal with his lectures and old man chatter. 

We had to go to Urgent Care the other day for both William and his big sister. They both had been sick and shared an appointment. First of all, Brie was the one who was having symptoms of the flu. Mr. Man only had a sore throat, but I didn't want to take any chances. When we got called back to do vitals, William was up first and when asked any questions, he answered in real old man style. He was questioned about his overall health and before I (as his MOTHER) could say a word, he put his hand up to speak on his own behalf. He explained to the nurse that he eats only healthy foods and no candy or junk food. The nurse's eyes got so big as if he was saying, "Excuuuuse the #(@% outta me" 😅

Again, his sister was the one who was ailing with a 103.5 temperature and the whole time she was being checked out, William had his hand over his mouth as he shook his head. So why did this child decide that he needed to be the one to take the examining table? And how do you all like the arm positioning? 

The doctor did an examination on the man child and determined that he had an ear infection. William then questions the doctor asking him how it's possible that he came in with a sore throat and has no ear pain, and ended up with an ear infection. He then asks the doctor, "Will you please explain this to me in detail?" 😐 The doctor looked at him with a smile and said, "You sound like my grandpa". I cracked up! Yep, even the doctor recognized the old man in him. 

Back up 2 weeks ago, William had an episode where he broke out in hives all over his body. I went over every single thing he ate, where he has been, if I washed clothes in anything different, or any changes at all that could have caused it. When he took Benedryl, it would disappear and thankfully was a 24-hour thing. William mentioned it to the doctor and was told it was either an allergic reaction or stress. The doctor smiled again and said, "I wouldn't be surprised if it was stress". He was right. William had been very worried about me in regards to a death in the family, and he wouldn't stop checking on me to make sure I was okay. He would even go the the extent of asking, "Are you sure you're okay, or are you lying to protect my feelings?" Ummm, what child even thinks to say that? Oh yeah, an old man child! 

William keeps me in check every day. His old man antics are a part of who he is. I'm glad he is home schooled, because his behavior is unlike any child you will ever meet. Any adult who has ever met him would agree. Thank you so much for stopping by. 💜

Why We Switched Our Dog To Nature's Logic Dog Food

It's so hard to believe that we have had our dog Rocco for almost three years now. He has really grown in a lot of ways. We have worked hard to train him to obey rules and have good manners. Like any dog, he has his naughty moments. Overall, he is a very friendly, healthy, and happy pup. There is one thing that hasn't really been 100% with him and that is with his diet. We have been purchasing premium food and it seems like he has lost interest and some days won't eat a whole lot.

We also noticed that Rocco seems to have some type of allergy because he has been particularly itchy, more than a dog should be. We use natural, organic bath products and wash all of his bedding in unscented detergent. We narrowed it down to his diet.  I've been really nervous about changing his food, but knew we needed to do something. I was presented the opportunity to test out Nature's Logic nutrient dense meat based dry foods and after doing some research on the brand, I decided it was worth a shot. 

What makes Nature's Logic dry kibble so good for your dog? The first thing is that it's made of whole foods and no synthetics. I mean, you won't eat anything that is synthetic, so why feed your dog something like that? Below are some product details.

Highly palatable and nutrient dense meat based dry foods with  concentrates of select fruits and vegetables, containing no wheat,  corn, rice, soy, potato or chemically synthesized vitamins, minerals, or trace nutrients. Each dry diet is specially coated with digestive enzymes and plasma protein containing high levels of natural vitamins, minerals, and albumin and globulin proteins.

•Over 55% Animal Ingredients
•Gluten Free
•Probiotics
•Enzymes
•100% Natural
•No Synthetic Vitamins or Minerals

Nature's Logic is not genetically engineered, free of common allergens, and is family owned and made in the USA.

Rocco is only 8 pounds so I was very happy to see such small bites that are perfect for his size. We transitioned him from his regular food to the Canine Lamb Meal Feast, and I quickly learned why it got such a name. Just the mere sound of the kibble dropping into the bowl made Rocco sit anxiously until I told him it was okay to go to his bowl to devour it--- truly a meal feast! 

He took a few sniffs and immediately dove in. In less than 3 minutes, it was all gone. He looked at my like I was going to give him more. Ever since he started his Nature's Logic food, he has been extra stalkerish for his meals. He doesn't hesitate to eat anymore and stays on his feeding schedule we prefer him to be on. We feel so good knowing he is eating wholesome food that is giving him the proper nutrition he needs. 

Also, a little TMI-- my husband cleans the yard and noticed more consistency in Rocco's poop. This is good, since he was not eating properly before. 

Just how we feed our human family members, we want to ensure that our furry companion gets the same. It has been so good to see Rocco eat normally again. We will continue him on this food and will be using Chewy.com to purchase it. For a complete list of online outlets and local stores visit here. They offer a really good variety of items like the dry kibble, wet food, treats, and supplements. Oh, and Nature's Logic makes cat food too. 

If you are thinking about switching your dog's diet, I highly recommend Nature's Logic. Your fur baby deserves a meal feast every day! I am keeping a close eye on him to see if this food helps with his allergies. So far he seems a little less itchy, but I think he needs a solid month of eating this diet to know for sure.

Be sure to check out Nature's Logic on the web, and follow on Facebook & Twitter for product promotions and updates. They also periodically have coupons, so be on the lookout for those.

I received products for review purposes. All opinions are 100% mine as always, and this is one of those times where a review has turned me into a new customer.

The Family Files - Can Siblings With Big Age Differences Get Along Well?

These kids of mine are truly something special. They are all so different for the most part, yet have some striking similarities. Their ages are now 22, 20, and soon-to-be 9. It's funny, I often call William an "only child" because his sisters are adults. The nice part is that his big sisters come home from work/school and are fully ready to do child-like things with him. He always complains that his siblings are his biggest botherers 😆The girls are fully obsessed with their little brother. Every little thing he does is so cute to them. Oh, and the fact that he is the most adorable little thing makes everything even cuter! This is why they stay in his face. 

The older siblings do indeed start stuff with the little one. William will be so calm and quiet all day until they get home. That's when the adult children start to behave like little children. I admit, it's a lot of fun seeing the bond between the three of them. William will be the first one to get sad if one of his sisters have to go out of town or are spending the night away from home. By the way, he calls them "my girls". He asks me all day, "When will my girls be home?" And when they do finally get home.....

There are so many days where my husband and I listen to those kids laugh together, talk to each other through the walls, or get into some sort of mischief that results in all of them getting yelled at. It reminds us of how very blessed we are to have children who really love each other and enjoy time together. Our biggest hope is that they will be this way forever.

Do you have children with big age differences? Do they get along well?

7 Ways to Have a Happy "No-Screen" Holiday with Your Family

For the modern family, it's not unusual for family members to spend a majority of time physically together, although staring at their phone, tablet, computer or TV screen — the "parallel play" of technology. This holiday season is an opportunity to overhaul your family's technological habits and truly enjoy family time together. The following no-screen family activities can pull your family away from their gadgets, and instead create special memories and happy moments this holiday season.

Indoor Snowball Fight
A blanket of fresh-fallen snow creates a magical winter wonderland for building a snowman or snuggling up inside with hot cocoa near the fireplace. Are you without snow but looking to get into the spirit of the season? Create your own gentle blizzard indoors by crafting glittery paper snowflakes to string and hang. Spread artificial fake snow along the floors and start a snowball fight with indoor stuffed snowballs — like right out of "A Christmas Story."

Family Cookie Car
Spread holiday cheer to those in need, starting right in your kitchen. Baking with your kids is a sweet holiday tradition that creates memories for a lifetime. And Christmas cookies are a heartwarming way to give back. Your family can bake cookies and turn your car into a mobile cookie delivery vehicle for delivering gift-wrapped cookies to the community with joy.

Name That Christmas Carol
Put a fun "Name That Tune" twist on Christmas caroling and sing holiday tunes as a family. Split into two teams in which one caroler from one team hums a Christmas carol. The first person between both teams who correctly guesses the song earns a point for their team.

Holidays for Heroes
Check out your local Red Cross office to see how your family can participate in the Red Cross Holidays for Heroes program. This program encourages Americans to "Give Something That Means Something" during this holiday season. Participating in a variety of activities can help recognize and thank military members, veterans and their families.

Polar Express Adventure Night
"All aboard!" Bring the classic storybook to life at home with a "Polar Express" party for your kids and their friends. Ask all guests to wear their pajamas and hand them a golden ticket once they arrive. Then you (or another adult) can play conductor and invite the kids to hop aboard the (imaginary) Polar Express. As the movie soundtrack plays, hand out hot hot! hot! hot chocolate and cookies. During the train ride, read the story aloud and give the kids each a Santa's sleigh bell ornament as a party favor.

Holiday Journaling
This time of year is full of joy, happiness and love — which is why this special season is a great opportunity for your family to start a holiday journal. Throughout the month of December, set aside a few days a week for journaling based on a themed prompt such as:

• What does gratitude mean to you?
• What are you thankful for?
• What's your favorite holiday tradition and memory?
• What would you do if you were "Home Alone" on Christmas?
• If you were one of Santa's elves, what would a typical workday be like for you?

DIY Ugly Sweater Holiday Party
The ugly sweater party has moved from holiday trend into annual tradition. Host a kid-friendly party for young family friends centered around creating your own ugly sweater using materials like festive felt cutouts, jingle bells, garland and gift wrapping bows. For food, drink and dessert, go potluck style. Then unleash your Christmas creativity and get silly while munching on bites and sweet treats.

Need more holiday fun inspiration?

• Go on a festive doggy outing. Get your pup's photo with Santa and go shopping for stocking stuffers.
• Teach the lesson of giving and benevolence by helping your kids donate brand-new and old toys.
• Make holiday treats for your child's classroom and teacher

The Kid Files- When Your Child Has An Old Soul

Do you have a kid with an old soul? My son thinks and speaks like a 50 year old man most days. I guess when you're the youngest in a house full of adults, this is to be expected. The other day he was in his room with the door closed most of the way, and I knocked and asked him what he was doing. He told me he was playing with his toys. That seems like normal kid behavior, right? Well I noticed he had his radio on and a Zig Ziglar CD was playing. I said, "Did you feel like listening to Zig?". He responds, "Yes, I really needed some motivation". I was just like OH. I mean what do you even say?

This morning I was getting his breakfast cooked and he tells me that I need to eat too. I told him I wasn't quite hungry yet and he said, "It doesn't matter, you still need to eat now". I was also told that I had no excuse. Ugh, he's annoying 😅 Seriously, there's never a dull day around here. William always has something wise to say. I tell him almost daily that you're 8. Not 38, 48, or 58. Just eight. His favorite description of himself is that he is a 'professional man'. I fully blame his dad for that.

It's not unusual for him to walk up to me and put both hands on my cheeks and tell me, "Always believe in yourself". The funny thing is he does it at the time I really need it. It's like his spirit is in line with other people's feelings. He is a very special child. The bad part is when he loses his mind and has to be disciplined. I have to muster up all of my strength to be serious and not laugh. He asks for you to explain or elaborate when you are yelling telling him to cut out his foolishness.

As I am typing this post, he just yelled out from his room that his hand is itchy and he will be getting some money. You know what that means if you are old school. HA! William is a good trash talker. He will try to out talk anyone. He loves winning at everything. Don't watch sports with him. He gets super animated and yells at the TV. Also playing UNO with him is a trip. I don't know how he stays beating all of us and his celebrations are ridiculous. When he wins he says things like, "boom shakka-lakka, I am the champion!" and then does the whole superman shirt ripping thing and a victory dance.

Then there's the whole third child thing he has going on. This kid likes to ask about taking vacations and what resort we will stay at. He's very particular too. I think I can take the blame for that one. 😀 There are times where he attends gatherings with us, and any adult who comes in contact with him is usually blown away with William's words and mannerisms. Everyone agrees that he is most certainly not your average kid in any way.

William is an absolute joy and I couldn't imagine my days without having him around (even if it is 24/7 because of home school). Does your child have an old soul? I'm sure we aren't the only ones with an old man-child!

4 Tips to Keeping Your Home Safe During Holiday Travel

Traveling for the holidays is something my family always looks forward to. There's no better way to close out the year than by hitting the road, singing holiday songs at the top of our lungs, spending time with family and friends, and eating delicious food.

But if you're anything like me, whenever you travel, a little voice in the back of your mind says, "Is my home safe? What if a fire breaks out? Could a pipe burst? Could a thief break in while I'm away?" So even though I love holiday travel, I'm never able to completely relax.

So I breathed a sigh of relief when I was contacted by Ooma—a leading internet home communications hub—with the opportunity to deliver 4 tips for keeping your home safe and secure when you're on the road this holiday. Before you lock your doors and hop in the car, make sure you follow these steps to ensure your home is safe.

#1- DON'T TURN YOUR THERMOSTAT OFF
Before leaving for an extended trip, it's important to lock in a safe temperature in your central heating system. If you live somewhere with cold winters, don't turn your thermostat off! To prevent your pipes from freezing, set the temperature lower than usual—ideally between 40 and 55 Fahrenheit. Live in a warmer climate? Leave the thermostat at about 69 Fahrenheit. Alternatively, you can completely avoid worry by controlling your thermostat remotely. Ooma detects when your thermostat is on "Away" mode and will automatically forward any home calls to your mobile device.

#2- SHUT OFF THE GAS AND UNPLUG ALL APPLIANCES
Always turn off gas-powered devices such as stoves, ovens, and fireplaces, and unplug all appliances. This can prevent any accidental fires and potentially hazardous carbon monoxide leaks into your home, as well as save energy. This is especially important if you have pets at home who can't defend themselves against unforeseen hazards. For an added layer of protection, be in the know—Ooma can warn you via text and direct you to call 911 when your Nest Protect smoke/carbon monoxide detector has been triggered.

#3: DON'T KEEP YOUR TRAVEL A SECRET
When leaving home for several days, tell someone you trust where you'll be in case of emergency, such as a fire, burglary, or carbon monoxide leak. Friends staying in town or a thoughtful neighbor could be options. They can keep an eye out for suspicious activity and notify you of any out-of-the-ordinary occurrences. Ooma allows you to be notified immediately when 911 is dialed and you can call them or call police to investigate.

#4: LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY TO MONITOR YOUR HOME
Thanks to technology, our homes are getting smarter and smarter. Did you know there are countless apps that can connect to systems in our homes—from central temperature to security systems, light bulbs to the Amazon Echo? The Ooma Telo seamlessly interacts with your favorite smart home products and services to make your home safer and more convenient than ever before. Whether it be increased levels of carbon monoxide or a home break-in, Ooma can be the first to alert you of any danger.
 

Thankfully in my many years of travel, we haven't had any major incidents occur while we were away. We make sure our neighbor's are aware that we will be out of town and they have an emergency key just in case.

You can learn more about Ooma's home monitoring system and buy an Ooma Telo at http://www.ooma.com.

Has an emergency ever happened at your home while you were away? Tell me about it in the comments below!

Big Accomplishments In The Ismail Household

December has been the busiest month for our family and it has nothing to do with the holiday season. Both my older daughter Chardonnay and my husband Dwayne graduated from college within days of each other (Dec 9th & 12th). Let me tell you, it's no easy task pulling off two graduations so close together. We had a celebration for both of them in our home that Sunday in between the actual ceremonies. I'm happy to say that we got through it all with minimal stress and everything came together beautifully.

Chardonnay graduated Magna Cum Laude with Leadership Distinction from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications. She was able to graduate a semester early because she had all of the credits she needed. This was her dream since she was 5 years old to become a Gamecock and go to the University of South Carolina. Her strong work ethic and will took her all the way! She plans to continue her education to obtain her graduate degree.

The graduate with her very proud parents. 

We are truly a Gamecock family 

My husband Dwayne, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Wesleyan University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. He also gave the Invocation (prayer) for the ceremony. The whole ceremony from beginning to end was outstanding and even little William shed some tears. This was such a challenge for Dwayne to work full time, take care of his family, having the responsibility of being his mother's caregiver, as well as attend classes. By God's Grace and his determination, he made it through. Dwayne is a great example to anyone (especially working adults with families) that you can do it!

This isn't a great quality photo, but I was able to grab a video clip and screen captured this photo of Dwayne saying the prayer. I had to hold myself together to keep the phone still. Truly an inspirational and memorable moment. What a blessing! 

It was SO chilly when it was time to take photos! This is why we all had jackets on.

These two buddies were SO happy to be reunited after the ceremony. William is his father's number one fan. 

This has been such a wonderful time of celebration for our family. None of this could have been possible without faith and teamwork. Go Dwayne and Chardonnay! 🙌