Do you love the lazy days of summer or are you counting down the days until school begins?  Maybe your summer is busy with vacations, camps, playdates or a move and you are just ready for the routine of the school year to begin or maybe you are soaking up each moment and dreading the end of summer. Whatever camp you are in summer is coming to an end and it is time to get ready for school to begin. One thing I have found is that planning makes a difference so here are some ideas for making the transition from summer to the start of school. Preparing in advance should help any family get ready for a smooth transition to the school year.   Slowly get back to regular sleep routines. This one is a tough one for us as we like to soak up summer and love summer nights, but we have found that without a little rhythm to our sleep those first few weeks of school can be tough. Our family usually starts getting back to regular schedules at least a week before school starts. I move back sleep by 15 min for the week before so that it isn’t all at once and so hard on the kids. One thing we want to make sure we have is school supplies, right? I remember when I was little, we would all just take pencils, a notebook, and our favorite lunch box, but it is much for complicated today. With three different kids there will be three different lists and [...]

If you have been in the military for any amount of time, then more than likely you have moved. Moving is part of the process, isn’t it? And moving becomes a little bit more complicated when we need to sale a home. Often, we need to sale quickly and it is in the middle of chaos, so we need to create the calm and be deliberate about our showings to sale our home and get top dollar. When we prepare for showings and create a home that is welcoming and inviting, we are creating a space that a new family can see as their home. In that preparation I have found that the little things are the big things so here are some tips to help you get started.   Walk through your house with a notepad and look for things that need fixed or updated. Even little things can catch the eye of the buyer and change their mind in one direction or another. You can look at light switches, plugs, drawer pulls and paint. Make sure things match and that they aren’t distracting. Take out the clutter. Clutter is the first thing a buyer will notice and takes them out of the experience. Nobody wants more clutter, and it can be overwhelming to them. It can also make your house appear smaller and point out any lack of storage. Clean the house. This may seem like something everyone does, but it always amazes me how many homes we have been to that didn’t do this. Doing a quick clean of [...]

It’s almost Mother’s Day which means homemade cards, gifts and maybe breakfast in bed. For some of us we might even get a day at the spa. I mean doesn’t a day at the spa sound amazing. But, when was the last time you went to the spa? Do you remember what it was like to take a whole day away? It can be hard as a mom to find time, money, and the energy to spend on ourselves but, for us moms small escapes can add up. I have found that when I plan in a few moments of relaxation to my day I am a better mom, wife, and friend. The calm in the middle of the chaos makes a big difference. Motherhood is messy, noisy, beautiful, chaotic and takes all we have, doesn’t it? We are celebrated on Mother’s Day and if we are lucky, we will get some time at the spa, but if not here are some ideas so that we can have that spa experience right at home in the middle of it all. My top 8 tips for soaking up the moment and creating a spa like experience You know that smell when you first walk into a spa? That clean, fresh, and relaxing smell? The smell that tells us it is time to relax and unwind. Those smells can instantly change our mood and set the tone. We can set this same spa vibe at home with a few essentials like oils, candles, lotions, and air fresheners. One of the important things is to [...]

The smell of chai tea, pumpkins, changing leaves and the crisp air means it’s fall. I love this time of year for all these things, but I also love that this is the holiday season. Each holiday brings its own fun and focus, and I love celebrating each one, but thanksgiving to me is one of my favorites because the focus is on family and gratitude. The holiday is simple compared to all that is going on, but the importance should not be overlooked. When it comes to what I want to teach my kids and what I hope to embrace gratitude is on the top of the list which is why I love a holiday focused on being thankful.   Did you know that it’s hard to be grateful and mad at the same time? Gratitude can literally shift our focus to the positive and change our mood, attitude, and perspective. I believe it is so important that it is how I start and end our day as a family. When we start our day with a grateful heart it shifts our mood and allows us to embrace all that we have been given and helps us to have a positive attitude throughout the day. Being grateful is an active practice that can have a big impact on our overall happiness. Even when things are hard, I believe, there is always something to be grateful for and focusing on the little things with gratitude can help us walk through both the good and hard times.   Military life is constant change [...]