Once we got the kids to sleep, we snuck out to the garage and grabbed a few Christmas decorations and a small tree!

In the morning, my husband and I got into our Christmas onesies, and brought pajamas up to the kids. They thought *that* was going to be the fun part… then they came downstairs!

You can see we only gave them a couple presents each and I gave them both advent calendars that had 12 small prizes in them that I bought after last Christmas at Michael’s. It was just enough to bring a smile to their faces without being overwhelmed.

Matching Christmas jammies made it feel real! Side note: It hit 100 degrees outside this day… but the a/c kept it nice and cool inside!

We watched “The Grinch”, 高潮毛片无遮挡高清免费视频 Alone, and Elf over the weekend. Perfect for snuggling! In hindsight, I wish I would’ve made hot chocolate!

Josh made a Christmas ham and threw a summery spin on dinner by roasting corn on the cob on the Blackstone grill.

Then we got messy and made Christmas cookies. Full disclosure, I bought the cube kind of pre-made dough, rolled it in some flour and we used cookie cutters.

They were crazy, but they had a good time. A memory we won’t soon forget from this crazy period in all our lives.

Have you done Christmas in July before? I’d love to see pics or hear your ideas! Comment below or find me on 国产福利精品一区二区: @the.国产福利精品一区二区.国产福利一区二区三区在线观看.mom

Yes, this is our new normal.

Rescue Rangers

Who remembers Chip, Dale, Gadget, Zipper and Monterey Jack!? The theme song alone is worth your time. My kids love this 90s fave!

Tale Spin

So when I was little, I questioned how Baloo the bear from Jungle Book was all of a sudden a pilot bear wearing clothes. Now as an adult, I can get all those answers thanks to Wikipedia! There’s actually a lot of drama associated with this show.

Gummi Bears

I actually didn’t introduce this one to my kids, but came 高潮毛片无遮挡高清免费视频 to find them watching it on their own one day. I remember being jealous of the kids who had the Disney Channel (when it was a premium on cable) solely because I couldn’t watch this show.

Doug

Disney’s Doug is actually the reason I bought into Disney+ in the first place. I was a much bigger fan of the Nickelodeon version, but it’s still a great show that always has a good moral, especially for 高潮毛片无遮挡高清免费视频 situations.

Recess

Who remembers Disney’s One Saturday Morning?! Recess was such a staple on Saturdays during my childhood. A fun one to share with your kids!

Duck Tales

That theme song tho. The gold coin pool for Scrooge to dive into? Timeless classic that all kids will enjoy.

Darkwing Duck

Was every intro song in the 90s just SO GOOD!? This Duck Tales spin off has lots of action and lots of great music

Even Stevens

If you have a tween or teen, time to introduce them to Even Stevens! As a bonus, you’ll remember why you first fell in love with Shia LaBeouf.

Lizzie McGuire

…And while you’re at it, stop by and come of age with Hilary Duff as Lizzie McGuire. It’s crazy to think she’s just another mom like us now!

Boy Meets World

Duh!!!! I almost didn’t put this on here because it seems SO obvious that everyone would be binge watching it. The former TGIF hit show will have us all cheering on Cory and Topanga for seasons! And swooning over Will Friedle until his character Eric Matthews gets too quirky for comfort

Shipt

Shipt is life! When you sign up for this grocery delivery service, you download an app, choose your store, and start creating a shopping list that your Shipt Shopper will buy from. In Omaha, Shipt serves Target, Hy-Vee, CVS, and Petco stores. As long as you spend $35, there is no additional delivery fee. You can tip if you want. The other bonus? If you buy certain promoted items, you get money back. My subscription has already paid for itself a few times over!

Sign up now using my code and get a year subscription for only $50!

Grove Collaborative

If I’m being honest, I originally joined Grove Collaborative just to get their awesome Mrs. Meyers gift set. I had planned to cancel my subscription after that. However, I’ve loved trying so many of their products, and getting to try all different scents of Mrs. Meyers that I ended up staying on for more than a year now!

Grove has cleaner living items that are more eco friendly. I’ve purchased things like dryer balls to swap out for dryer sheets, walnut scrub pads, and even makeup removing wipes that are more natural. So many household and beauty products to try! Another bonus? You get free gifts every now and then. Plus, share with your friends, and make money!

Get this free Mrs. Meyers Gift Set now!

Young Living

Young Living has been a game changer in our household. I used to roll my eyes at people who used essential oils; now I’m a believer. I joined after being at my wits end with sickness in our household. We had a bad winter for illness in 2018. My baby boy had even ended up in the hospital for 4 days.

I tried Young Living because I kept hearing about Thieves. My trusted friend who is very practical and a nurse swore by it. She had me convinced. It’s a special essential oil blend they make that supports your immune system. It can be diffused or used to make household cleaners. They even offer a whole Thieves cleaning set. We’ve been so much healthier since we first started using. I then started ordering oils like lavender to help with my anxiety. I roll it onto my wrists at night, diffuse it at bed time and now I’ve become lavender obsessed. I’ve also used oils for teething pain, diaper rash, energy boosts, carpet cleaning and more!

Want to get started with Young Living? Sign up here!

I consider it a “subscription” because I am part of their essential rewards. Basically I buy about $50 of products each month to get the lower prices, but there’s so much you can do with oils, that you end up saving in other spots- like making your own bath scrubs, flavoring your water with lemon EO, diffusing instead of using candles (which put lots of toxins into your air!), putting drops of oil on your dryer balls instead of buying dryer sheets, etc. and the best part is, you’re getting the health benefits, too!

Check out my Pinterest page for diffuser blends and other essential oil recipes!

But why Young Living instead of some $10 oil at Walmart? No fillers. You know your product is really coming from the earth. You can actually visit and walk through Young Living’s fields across the globe. It’s part of why they have the reputation they do.

Have questions, comments, or want to talk about your favorite subscriptions? Drop a comment below or follow me on 国产福利精品一区二区: @the.国产福利精品一区二区.国产福利一区二区三区在线观看.mom

Visit a new destination

This doesn’t have to mean travel across the globe. I wanted to make sure this list was doable for anyone on any budget. Maybe it’s visiting a new campground in town. Maybe a new state. Certainly if you can afford an international trip, do it! 2020 should be all about the experiences!

Try a new restaurant

Again, this doesn’t have to be a fancy dinner, but it could be. Save up for a nice meal or just check out a new dive with a greasy burger. I love to search Yelp and find hidden gems when I’m looking for a new restaurant.

Have a self-care day

Hit the spa. Get a massage. Get your nails done. Get highlights. I’ve started splurging on getting my hair done. No more box color for me. I work too damn hard to put myself last all the time. If you’re still concerned about money, doing something as simple as buying some masks and soaps from the dollar store and doing your nails will go a long way. Or maybe it’s just taking a day to sleep in, pop in your ear buds, read a book, or go on a walk.

Go on a date

Finding time for your significant other is important, especially if you have a demanding job or kids. For Josh and I, we haven’t lived near family in years so it was hard to find a babysitter. We used that as an excuse for far too long. Find someone on Care.com or use a vacation day to have a day date while the kids are at daycare or school. If you’re not in a relationship, date yourself! You can’t expect someone to love you if you don’t love yourself. Enjoy your time alone. Go to dinner alone. Find confidence in your solo dates. Or grab your best friend and make it a girls/guys night out. Reconnect. Reminisce. Laugh.

Have a goal writing session

Sounds corny, but do it. Block out an hour or two and write down all your goals for 2020. What do you want out of your job? Your personal life? Your finances? Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? What do you need to organize?

Get your yearly physical

This one is so important. My husband hasn’t been to the doctor for a physical in years! I’ve got to get him there in 2020. For one, you get a free physical each year. Use this trip to talk to your doctor about any concerns you might have; A strange spot, a pain that won’t go away, abnormal stressing. By attending your annual physical, you may also catch a problem early- like pre-hypertension, pre-diabetes so you can start fixing it before it becomes a problem.

Find your tribe

Humans are 高潮毛片无遮挡高清免费视频 beings whether we like to admit it or not. At work, if I see an employee struggling, I encourage them to connect with their coworkers. Attend a net国产福利一区二区三区在线观看 event. Talk to the moms in your child’s class. Put yourself out there. In this day and age, the nice thing is, even if you’re 高潮毛片无遮挡高清免费视频ly awkward or an introvert, you can also find your tribe online. Maybe it’s a Facebook group for moms, maybe it’s connecting with travelers on 国产福利精品一区二区. Have you heard of Mastermind groups? They’re groups (in-person or online) where you brainstorm with people who have different strengths. You’ll inspire each other, get new ideas, and find motivation.

Play like a kid

Yes! Just have a night of good old-fashioned fun this year. Go bowling. Play laser tag. Have ice cream. Hit up the arcade. Go swing at the local park. Slide down the slide.

Donate to a charity

Do. Some. Good. Donating doesn’t have to mean money. Donate your time. Go visit the animals at the shelter. Ring bells for the Salvation Army. At the very least, take Facebook up on its offer to ask people to donate to a charity of your choice for your birthday.

Read a book

I’m the worst at reading. I can read 高潮毛片无遮挡高清免费视频 media for four hours straight on my phone at night, but somehow I can’t find time to read a book. I only seem to do it on vacation. I’m going to try for at least five books this year, which I realize is nothing compared to some of you.

Try a new activity

Go axe-throwing. Paint. Try calligraphy. Step outside your comfort zone and try something new. If you’re bad at it, you’ll have a few laughs. If you’re good at it, you might just find a new hobby!

Have a board game night

Monopoly and the Game of Life are my favorites! Grab a couple board games and play with the kids. Pull out Cards Against Humanity and play with your friends. Pull yourselves away from the screens for a few hours and make some memories.

Go see a movie by yourself

I know this strikes fear into some of you. How can I be seen at the movies alone? We’re not 13 anymore. It’s cool to do stuff solo. When I worked overnights, I went to the movies sometimes by myself and it’s pretty liberating. For one, you get to pick whatever you want to see. You don’t have to worry about someone talking to you during the movie. You can laugh, cry, and no one will judge. PRO TIP: Go to a weekday matinee if possible. You might have the entire theater to yourself!

Try a new style

Spend a day off trying on clothes you’d never wear; Put on that bold, red lipstick. COLOR IN YOUR EYEBROWS! It took me 32 years to figure out how to color in my eyebrows. I should’ve been doing this for years! You’ll never know what you like and what you’ll look best in if you don’t try!

Do something to connect with your spiritual side

Maybe it’s reading scripture or praying. Maybe it’s just taking a walk in nature and breathing in fresh air. Maybe it’s yoga.

Compliment a stranger

We should do this more than once a year, but make it a goal. There have been many times where I liked someone’s outfit or thought they had beautiful hair– I should have told them. They may have needed that compliment that day. You can never go wrong saying something nice to someone.

Organize something

We all need to organize something. Maybe it’s your closet, your drawers, or your finances! Decluttering your life is good for your mind. Check out Marie Kondo or A Bowl Full of Lemons. They’re organizing geniuses who will help get you motivated!

Do something artsy

Find a new appreciation for beauty by doing something artsy. Sketch, paint, craft, body paint (wink, wink)… grab some color pencils and one of those adult coloring books. It’ll be good for your stress level!

Take a bubble bath

We have this huge, deep-soaker tub in our apartment, and yet I never take a bath. Always showering because I feel like I never have the time for a bath. MAKE TIME. Force yourself to decompress. Get one of these cool bath trays and multi-task by reading, too!

Update your resume

Even if you’re not looking for a new job any time soon, it’s always a good practice to keep your resume updated. For one, you may forget some of your accomplishments if you wait too long in between updates, or your company could reach out to you out of the blue for a promotion.

What’s on your 2020 Bucket List? Drop ideas in the comments below or connect with me on 国产福利精品一区二区: @The.国产福利精品一区二区.国产福利一区二区三区在线观看.Mom

Breaking Bad

Ok, so I didn’t binge Breaking Bad in 2019, but I did watch El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie and you can’t watch that without binging the whole series first. If you haven’t watched the series yet, block out the next three weeks, because once you start, you won’t stop until the final episode. It’s arguably the best television series ever created. Quick synopsis: A high school chem teacher with cancer hooks up with a former student-turned-junkie to make and sell meth to provide for his family. Not only is it high drama and action packed, but the evolution of the characters is something I could talk about all day. MAKE THIS YOUR BINGE PRIORITY.

YOU

Season Two is now out and I can’t wait to start it. So creepy, thrilling, and messed up! I personally think all women should watch this, especially women who are still part of the dating scene. Man, guys can learn so much about us now and manipulate us with that information.

TURN: Washington’s Spies

I started watching this because I needed something to satisfy my newfound Hamilton obsession. The first 5 episodes were hard for me to stay focused on because they needed to develop the characters and set up the history so much, but after that I watched the next 3.5 seasons in about a week. Disclaimer: I do have a weird thing for guys in colonial clothing, so it was also very easy to enjoy the handsome Benjamin Tallmadge (featured above) and George Washington who was really hot, too; but you’ll also learn a lot about history (I found myself reading Wikipedia a lot to see how close they stuck to the truth. They do.). I also found myself sympathizing with the loyalists at times and being turned off by the Patriots… meaning the show isn’t overly whitewashed.

The Office

The best comedy of all time. End of story. I’ve watched every season at least 5 times. My kids know lines from the show. We’re addicted. It will soon be taken off Netflix, so watch while you can. Seasons 4-6 are probably my favorite. It’s also somewhat uncomfortable to watch it now in today’s extra PC culture because all of these people would probably be fired and some of these jokes probably couldn’t even make air anymore.

Stranger Things

If you’re still living under a rock and haven’t binged Stranger Things, then what are you even doing with your life? There’s a reason everyone loves it. I will say it does start off slow, so stick with it through the first couple episodes and then your mind will be blown. Also, it’s so well done with a retro vibe that you may want to watch some 80s horror flicks after.

Good Girls

The next two shows are also on my Top 10 Mom Shows to Binge on Netflix list. I love this NBC drama. It’s like Parenthood meets Breaking Bad. I’ll admit when I saw the promos for it, I rolled my eyes because it looked like a short-lived comedy. NOT AT ALL THE CASE! It’s really well done for a network show that can’t get too racy for prime time.

Big Little Lies

Put some of the best actresses in one show, add in great directing and cinematography, with a dramatic storyline and you have Big Little Lies. I don’t want to spoil anything so you’ll just have to watch it.

Mindhunter

If I would’ve seen this show before I gave birth to Hayden, his name would probably be Holden. If you’re fascinated by serial killers (in a non-creepy way), you will love this show. It chronicles the beginning efforts of a group in the FBI who gave credence to criminal profiling and “discovered” what we now understand to be serial killers.

The Haunting of Hill House

Who thought a horror series could also make you cry? This is an edge of your seat horror flick, mixed with a psychological thriller, and all the emotions of a drama. You’ll scream, cry, and wonder if ghosts are real or a figment of the fragile mind.

On My Block

This is such an easy watch and great for so many reasons. It will make you laugh and cry. More importantly it may open your eyes to the reality people of color in poor areas face. It may make you understand gang life and give you extra respect for those who make it out of those conditions alive.

I’m always looking for a good binge! What are some of your favorites? Drop them below or let me know on 国产福利精品一区二区: @The.国产福利精品一区二区.国产福利一区二区三区在线观看.Mom

“Will my child come face to face with a school shooter?”

Granted, I work in news, so I tend to imagine worst case scenarios more often than I’d like to admit. But at the end of the day, I know that no school is immune.

I haven’t blogged in a while because most of my creative energy has been focused on work… one of those projects being an investigative piece.

It all started after we had Active Shooter training at work. During that, I learned that one of the reasons the Sandy Hook tragedy was so deadly was because those 20 babies bled to death. Out of that tragedy, Stop the Bleed training was born.

Watch my investigative piece here for more information.

I learned that because of Stop the Bleed training and a more widespread use of tourniquets to respond to mass casualty incidents, we’ve had a better survival rate.

The Vegas Massacre, for instance, could have been much deadlier. Hundreds were wounded, but they survived. By that time, Stop the Bleed training was more commonplace. Our law enforcement and first responders are now trained to respond more like the military does. Let’s be real, they have to be since these incidents tend to look more like a battlefield where assault weapons are used.

Leaving that seminar had me wondering, does my daughter’s school have tourniquets and do her educators have Stop the Bleed training?

I made some calls, and what I learned was unsettling. That led me to start reaching out to school districts across the metro.

Throughout my investigation, I learned the training is pretty much free. You just need to find an area hospital, police or fire department to come teach it. It only takes about an hour. I sat through a session myself.

It’s eye-opening. It’s chilling. But it also has the potential to save lives. That’s why I want to spread the word.

Parents, call your child’s school district. Ask if there are tourniquets in their building. Ask if there are staff members who have Stop the Bleed training.

Ask your workplace. A good tourniquet kit only costs $50. The training can also teach you how to stop the bleed without a tourniquet. Both are invaluable.

If you have questions, feel free to comment below! But please, make those calls and spread the word.

I think our generation has overcome a lot of obstacles, like the Great Recession hitting at the same time we started our search for jobs, or the mountain of student debt we had to incur just to have a fighting chance for a job that would pay $27,000 a year.

I also believe our childhood will forever be marked as the last generation of innocence. We couldn’t Google if there was a Santa, we didn’t have unlimited access to pornography at our fingertips, and we didn’t know that 9/11 was coming our way.

But then two major incidents would forever change our world while we were still kids.

April 20, 1999: Two teens walked into their high school and shot up their classmates. They killed 12 students and one teacher. 21 others were injured.

The Columbine Massacre would shatter our innocence forever. Our nation would fight for decades about whether it was our video games, the guns, the bullying, or the music that caused it.

September 11, 2001: 2,996 lives taken. 6,000 injured. A nation unites temporarily through tragedy.

Columbine set the stage for kids to realize we weren’t safe in our schools. 9/11 would remind us we weren’t safe anywhere.

Now we’re grown, and the country is no safer.

In fact, it’s more dangerous. Our churches and synagogues are under attack. The terrorists are our neighbors, our colleagues, our children’s classmates.

While everyone is busy blaming Millennials for the closing of Toys ‘R Us or making fun of Millennials for eating avocado toast, we are spending our days in the workplace worried our babies won’t make it 高潮毛片无遮挡高清免费视频 from first grade.

I often ask myself how can I parent in this climate? I never know whether I should share these concerns with my kids so they can be prepared should the day come they are under attack.

Annabelle’s already been through lockdown drills “in case a bad guy or a deer” gets inside her school. She’s aware of the opioid epidemic and I’m trying to pass on critical information that pills won’t fix everything- despite the commercials on TV telling her there is a pill for every problem.

But, there are lessons Millennials are learning along the way…

…that it’s okay to be who you are. Whether that’s straight, gay, bisexual, transgender, black, white, Hispanic, Muslim, Christian, male, female, a stay at 高潮毛片无遮挡高清免费视频 or an 国产福利精品一区二区 国产福利一区二区三区在线观看 mom!

Millennials are “whiny” because we want better for you, for our kids, for the future. We just might make up for the security taken from us at such a young age.

Will we screw our kids up? Maybe. But we won’t go down without a fight. Millennials are lazy? We’ve been fighting our whole lives. Fighting for a sense of safety, equality, a 高潮毛片无遮挡高清免费视频 we can afford, and an educational system that is fair for all.

As we take power in this country, we will be cognizant of the financial burden that families carry. We will recognize corporate corruption is not okay, that the earth needs our attention. That racism is not okay. That love is love is love. And we will teach those messages to our children.

For lighter moments, fun, and reflection…come follow me on 国产福利精品一区二区: @the.国产福利精品一区二区.国产福利一区二区三区在线观看.mom