Updates

Hey y'all.... see that wagon over there? The big red one rolling down the street?

Ya, that's me on the side of the road. I fell off the wagon....

I started blogging because it was fun, and I had some fun things to do/say. Recently it's become more of a chore than fun. While I feel like some people are interested in reading this (as some people do tell me in person), I also feel like no one is reading it and I'm talking to myself :-P

I haven't posted in 10 days, and the only thing that's changed is the fact that I keeping writing "BLOG" at the top of my To Do Lists. Some days I have more time than others to get behind my computer and write something out. But I don't want to just put anything out there, which is why I stopped the Blogging Challenge.

Starting November, I'm going to be doing the National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo. It's a month long challenge to write 50,000 words-- the length of a small novel. I completed the challenge in 2014, and plan to do it again in 2016. Which means all my free time will be going towards that. So blogging will take another backseat.

Honestly, if I don't post this to my facebook page, no one sees it anyway. If for some reason you do, will you leave me a comment and let me know? I will try to keep posting randomly, with Kiddo Krafts, some more Room Makeovers (not sure what will be next though), and some 15 minute projects if we do any. But I'm not going to force any posts just to have a post.

So I hope you enjoy what gets put up. Let me know what you'd like to see!

Blogging Challenge: Day 7

Day 7: Your 5 Favorite Songs

Hmm... another hard one. I've never really been one for a favorite song. I have favorite songs at the time, where I am in love with a song for a while, but not really any of all time.

I guess some that stand out are:

1. Savage Garden, I Knew I Loved You
I remember when this song came out. I listened to it over and over and over. I knew I wanted to use it as the first dance song at my wedding. While everyone else was obsessed with Truly, Madly, Deeply, I was obsessed with this.


2. Jason Mraz, The Remedy
I have loved Jason Mraz since this album came out. I remember buying it, and playing it in the rental car while with my dad when we visited my aunt and family. Luckily my dad doesn't mind all the crazy things I do, and was willing to listen with me. I still think its a great reminder to not worry about things and to let loose. Its also one of my favorites to sing along to!

3. Fun. Some Nights
I love this song. I rocked out in my car a hundred times to this song. Booger knows that when this song comes on, its "mommys song". The craziest part of this song is how your perception of it changes after you see the video. I also love dancing around the house to this. Many, many times. I so wish they would come out with another album.

4. Imagine Dragons, On Top of the World
Such a fun, happy song (see a pattern?) The best thing about this song is when I saw them play it live in concert last year (June, 2015). I went with my BFF. It was monsooning outside, literally ocean waves coming down on my car. It was also the night of the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup final game. The concert started, Imagine Dragons played songs from their newest album, Smoke and Mirrors. Then they started a ballad. A slow, steady, heartfelt ballad. When all of the sudden, a loud rousing cheer began to spread through the stadium-- not a normal cheer for a slow song. Everyone was on their phones in a second as the cheer got louder and louder and louder-- the Hawks won the Cup!! The band was so confused, they stopped playing. The lead singer bent down to ask a dude in the front what was going on. The guy placed a Hawks hat on him and told him they won. The singer announced it to the crowd to more whoops and hollers. Then the band left the stage, gave us our time to celebrate and came back out a few minutes later. They said they weren't going to do this song, but it felt like the right time to do so-- and started in with On Top of the World. It was perfect. The rest of the concert was amazing as well.

5. Gavin Degraw, I Don't Want to Be
This was the theme song to one of my favorite TV shows ever-- One Tree Hill. It introduced me to Gavin Degraw, who I now love, love, love. I also went to one of his concerts with my BFF :-P All of his albums are amazing. Not to mention, hes super cute and awesome. I'm so upset he doesn't have any dates in the Chicago area for his new tour with Andy Grammar...

So there you have it-- my top 5 favorite songs (currently, at least!)

Room Makeover- The Playroom... almost done!

Guys, my computer has been so super slow lately. It's taking forever to edit some pictures to put in this post. It is very annoying and I am very frustrated and I have no idea what to do about it. Any computer helpers out there?

Anyway, the playroom is *almost* done. I have one more set of letters to paint and hang ("Laugh"- Target just couldn't have all the letters in stock at the same time!) and the shelf/ bench to put in- Husband is working on it this week- he needs to take all his stuff off and find a replacement.

Other than that, we're done! The chairs are in, the toys are set, the other words are on the wall. I have one puzzle to hang, but that takes only a moment.

This is where we currently are:

The shelf/ bench will go where those bins are now, hopefully with new bins to hold more of the toys.

"Laugh" will go to the right of the windows, at the same height as "Play".

We decided against the floor cushions for now. Booger still loves to run around and kick balls and generally be a dork, so we want the extra floor space. When the kids get bigger and do more video games/ movie watching in the room than toy playing, then we'll add the cushions. For now, the chairs work well (and are mainly sat in by me anyway while watching them play).

Then we'll be done! I'll post a before/after post later this week, if we get the shelves in. Maybe this weekend as I work a few nights this week. For now, here we go:

We're also decorating for Halloween this weekend, I'm going to review all the new shows I'm watching this season, I have a Book Review on tap and homemade applesauce to share (not literally, just the recipe. But make it- it's delicious!)

Blogging Challenge: Day 6

Hi!
If you didn't notice, I am not planning on doing the Blogging Challenge over the weekend days. Those are reserved for family and fun!

On Saturday, we took the kids to the pumpkin/apple farm. We have gone the past 3 years (1 without kids, 2 with just Booger, and now with Chunk too!). Booger had a great time helping us pick out the bag of apples, the apple donuts, and her own small cider pumpkin sippy cup. She held onto that thing for the rest of the trip.

Then it was time to go to the other side with the fun activities and pumpkins! This was definitely her favorite part-- a giant slide (she even went down once by herself!), tractors to climb, animals to see. She loved the corn kernel "sandbox".
Chunk was in and out of sleep most of the time, but he loved looking around at everything and everyone while he was up!

Sunday was my best friend's baby's first birthday. I cannot believe he is already ONE! It seems like just yesterday we were getting our matching tattoos (2012), or rooming in college (2004-2005), or playing mancala, going swimming, seeing Titanic in the theatre and oogling over Leo, or playing badminton in my backyard. I've known this girl since before I was 10 years old (neither one of us knows exactly when we met!) and here we are, a handful of kids between us. Life is crazy, isn't it?

So on to Blogging Challenge

Day 6: Something You Fear

The easy way out of this challenge is to just say something like Spiders or Bees or those super creepy crawly things with 800 legs.

While those are all terrifying, thats not a challenge.

There are two things I genuinely fear, but one has been around longer than the other. One thing is losing my children. I get flashes of car crashes, accidents, kidnappings etc all. the. time. Probably the same as any parent, but its truly frightening. My stomach clenches, my heart seizes up, and I start to panic when I think of things that could happen.

But the one thing that has been around longer than my fear of losing my children is the fear of failure. I truly fear being a failure at things. A failure as a mother, a failure as a wife, a friend, a sister, a daughter, an employee, etc. Especially if it is something that I have total control over. If it's personal. I try to do my best, but sometimes my best is only so good. I take things personally, even if it was not my fault. I try to please everyone, try to be the problem solver, the middle man. I try to make everyone see both sides of the story, so that no one is too unhappy.

Failure is always a possibility. It's how you react to it, and grow from it that shapes who you are. It is something I will always have to work on, to tell myself to use it as a learning tool instead of a fear.

What is something that you fear?

Blogging Challenge: Day 5

Day 5: My Proudest Moment

These are getting so difficult, as I have to keep choose one time!

But I don't think that I can.

My deepest sense of pride comes with my babies. I constantly tell Booger how proud of her I am for everything she does. From the first time she rolled over, to present day, Not a week goes by without me telling her that I'm proud of her. Lately it comes in the form of being a great big sister. Seriously, she could not be better (ok, except for the times she starts screaming outside of Chunk's room while hes napping, but other than that...). She is always finding ways to help me with him, always saying nice things to him, always ready to play, or sing, or talk, or hang out next to him.

I am so proud to call these two kiddos mine. They are both amazing and I know I will continue to be proud of their accomplishments, their personalities, and their successes over the years.

(Short post this morning; working on a Room Makeover post for this afternoon!

Blogging Challenge: Day 3 (and Day 4); Making Popsicles

I swear, I had Day 3 posted yesterday.... but here I find it sitting in Drafts and not Published.. oops!
So here is Day 3 AND 4 AND a quick post on a fun activity for Kiddos!

Day 3: Your Favorite Quote

This one was a bit difficult... there are so many good quotes out there that inspire, make me happy, make me thankful, etc. One that has always stood out to me is a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote:

I've actually had this printed out and in my planner for a long time, so I could see it every day. Its a great reminder to relax, enjoy life, and not take things too seriously. A good reminder to not stress over the little things and to live in the moment. 

What's your favorite quote??

Day 4: Your Dream Job

This one is tough too! I think my dream job would be something with travel. Or something in Australia. Maybe Samantha Brown's job, from the old Travel Channel shows. She got to just explore different countries and cities and film a TV show about it. There didn't have to be anything specific she had to do, just roam around, finding different places to eat, things to do, people to talk to. I think that would be fabulous. I would start in Australia, travel the whole country, then move on to Europe. 

Of course, I would bring my whole family with me. And it wouldn't be stressful travelling with babies (one can wish, right?). 

Yup. That would be it. Be Samantha Brown :-)

Making Popsicles

Booger has been asking me for popsicles for days now, and I kept forgetting until Tuesday afternoon. It's such an easy and quick thing to do, and Booger loves to help! I need to start cooking more and including her as a helper. She makes a fantastic sous chef...at least with stirring. Worlds Best Stirrer is her new title. 

We bought our popsicle mold from Ikea years ago, but these from Amazon are super cute too!

Mold 1  Mold 2 (good for smaller babies/ toddlers) Mold 3

I also like making our own, as we can control the ingredients and how healthy to make them!

For this batch, we first had to make some lemonade. Booger was the best at that, as there was a lot of stirring to do :-)

Then, we used the lemonade and some juice (100% juice-- orange, strawberry, mango blend). There are 6 molds, so we did 3 lemonade, 3 juice. 

In each, we also added some fruit. 2 raspberries, 2 blueberries, 2 strawberry. 

The best part is eating-- you don't know which popsicle is which so its a nice surprise!

Have you made your own Popsicles? They're so easy and fun for the kiddos to help!

Blogging Challenge: Day 2

Challenge: 10 Things About Me

1. I am adopted. My parents searched for me through the newspaper (hey, it was the 80's!). They had a few mothers considered and I was the first one born. I had my first plane ride at only 4 days old!

2. I've worn glasses since 2nd grade, contacts since 8th, and am not a good canidate for Lasik because my prescription changes every. single. year. This year one of my eyes actually got better! Thanks, pregnancy!

3. I've been skiing since I was 2 years old. I entered a few contests at resorts we've been to when I was in high school, but nothing major. My brother and I were so good, though, that our parents had to put us in Ski School because they couldn't keep up with us (by the time we were like 7/8). But we were so good, we got our own instructor because the other kids couldn't keep up either. Jumps, tree trails, and tricks were my favorites. 

4. I started competitive swimming in High School because my mother said I had to do something after school. Glad I joined swimming, because I've now made an entire life and career out of it...

5. I'm a very fast reader. It's actually a problem because I finish books too fast and then buy more. I attended multiple Harry Potter midnight releases, and my friends hated me because I read too fast and sometimes would accidentally spoil things by laughing or crying...

6. I've always had dogs in my life. My parents had a dog when they got married. When I was in 1st grade we added a Golden Retriever. The first dog passed when I was little, and then we got a crazy mutt. Both the Golden and the Mutt had to be put down (they were inseperable) when I was a senior in High School. A few months later, my mom got a Yorkie. 6 years ago, Husband and I got Cozmo, our crazy Corgi1

7. I dislike trashy reality TV. Any of the Real Housewives, Bachelors, etc drive me crazy. I don't understand how people watch that junk. Some reality shows are ok, but not those types. 

8. I don't understand Twitter, Snap Chat and Instagram. I have a Facebook...which does the job of all of those things in one place. I've had a Facebook since 2005, when my college (Go Bradley!) was approved for it....yes, when it was still for college kids and you had to have an approved college and college based email to register. 

9. I love organizing but am messy at the same time. I tend to put things in piles while organizing, but sometimes those piles stay in that place for a while... I've always loved organizing and rearranging rooms, but get super distracted while doing so, and then move on because I get bored... whoops. 

10. I like to travel, but don't do it often. I've been to a lot of US states, Canada, Mexico, London, Belgium (all over the country. LOVE LOVE LOVE it there), Germany (just 1 city though), France (just 1 city) and Australia. If I could split my time between Belgium and Australia, I would in a heartbeat. I want to go back to Australia so bad, and would love a summer home in Brugge!

Blogging Challenge: Day 1

Challenge: Discuss Your Blog's Name:

Why did I choose Be Happy, Be Bright, Be You?

Because it embodies everything I try to be and I try to instill in my kiddos.

Be Happy. I want that not only for myself, my children, but for everyone. I want this blog to be a place about happiness, about laughter, about enjoyment. The only negative aspect you'll see me post here is usually about what jerks toddlers can be :-P But then again, its all about love. 

Be Bright. I try to tell this to Booger quite often. It has a lot of different meanings-- be bright, as in smart. Be bright, as in internal happiness, a sort of glow. Be bright, as in shine in everything you do, try hard, give it your all. Be bright, as in be happy, a bright smile. 

Be You. I almost didn't have this at the end, but after a few days with the name, I had to add it. Its one thing to be happy and bright, but another to just be YOU. Be who you are, be who you want to be. Don't try to be someone else to make others happy. Empower yourself!

So I guess my blog name isn't really about me, its about YOU. These are all aspects I want YOU to be, to strive for, to achieve. I hope my posts reflect that!

I'm Still Here!

Hey y'all! I haven't forgotten about you!

This week has been busy, and I haven't had too much to post. I'm working on the playroom, but running into a few delays (Target hasn't had all the letters I need to make the words for the wall, Husband hasn't found a new shelving unit he likes to replace the one we're going to put down in the playroom, etc).

We did get the chairs and they are in place! I'll update that this week for sure. All that's left is to move a tub out, put the bookshelf in, put the words on the walls and order the floor cushions! I'm grabbing the clipboards from Target today (hopefully they have them!)

I'm also going to be doing a 30 day blogging challenge starting tomorrow! Some posts will be short, some longer, some interesting, some not. Make sure you check it out each day, or subscribe (link on the right!) so you can stay up to date! I won't be linking each one to Facebook, as that would get obnoxious, so bookmark the page and come back often!

During the challenge, I'll also be posting the normal 15 minute projects, Kiddo Krafts, and Room Makeovers. You might get 2 posts on some days!

Stick with me-- I'm still here!