Sick!

I think I have just had one of the worst weeks ever! I know it could have been worse, and it probably has been worse but for the time being, this past week was horrible. About a week ago, my entire family (me included) came down with a very nasty cold virus causing severe congestion and that terrible all night coughing. Then, just as we all were just starting to get over that, my daughter started going back down hill and was crying and clingy. My son spiked a high fever out of nowhere and was missing his 3rd day of school in a row. I decided it was time to head to the doctor.

My daughter was then diagnosed with strep throat. The doctor didn't test my son because his throat looked normal. We spent 3 hours at the doctor's office that day though as the doctor was running very behind. Of course, my children were acting completely normal at that time and were running around like crazy. I on the other hand, was trying to figure out why I was feeling bad again as the day before I was starting to feel fairly decent.

So the next day I woke up with a bad sore throat, went to try and get my son to school but he was also complaining of a sore throat. Then my husband woke up and was complaining that he had a sore throat and felt horrible and wasn't going to work for the day! So off to the doctor we went....again. And yes, we ALL had strep. Lovely. Second time in 2 months for my daughter and me and I'd never had strep throat in my entire life before this winter!

Luckily the antibiotics kick in pretty quick and I was feeling almost human again today. Spent the majority of the day cleaning and disinfecting the house (which was a royal disaster after a week worth of sick mom, sick dad and sick kids)!

Hoping I can get refocused on life again!

Oh The Valentine Memories!

Happy Valentine's Day to you all! I am reminiscing today of previous Valentine's Days as my kids and I are all sick so we aren't have the most exciting of holidays today. I am remembering back a LONG time ago to my kindergarten days. As my son and I lay awake for hours on end last night coughing up our lungs, I told him he was going to have to miss his Kindergarten Valentine's party today that I was supposed to help with! Funny thing is, it brought back the memory of me missing my Kindergarten Valentine's party when I was his age due to illness! I remember being so upset.

When I told him he would miss it, he got that break-a-mom's-heart look on his face and said "I will be sad to miss the party but I'm not going to cry or throw a fit about it!" And he hasn't! Poor kid, I wish I could have made his day a bit more exciting but hardly have enough energy to get through the simple tasks of the day! So heart shaped rice crispy treats I think will be the extent of what I can handle as I'm not sure I can even make it to the store! Maybe I can make it up to him later this week.

New Babies!

No, I'm not having a new baby...I know that is what you might have thought when you read the title though! :) I have not been around for the last couple of weeks because I was working on starting a new website. My website is called First Baby List and is dedicated to helping pregnant women (and their significant others) find the right stuff for baby.

For some people this is an overwhelming task, others think of the basics such as a crib/bedding and clothes but don't know what is really necessary. This website is to help those people figure out what a newborn needs and why. I'm also excited to start a blog geared toward pregnant moms and new parents on this website! So if you are a new or soon-to-be parent or know someone who is, I would love for you to take a look or send them my way! www.firstbabylist.com

Dance Party!!

Check out my Couch to 5K tab for today's post on our family's dance party!!

The Sun Needs New Batteries

This is the time of year when I start dreaming of the beach and warm sun!  We lived in Florida for 5 years and this was my very favorite time of year.  I have to say, I rarely missed the snow!  Today as I run my errands in 30 degree (feels like 20's) weather, I am dreaming of kayaking in the clear waters, running my toes through the warm sand and worrying about nothing much in particular!  But no vacation for us again this year!  Work schedule and finances just won't permit it at this time.





Mahe Island,...

José Fuste Raga

Buy This at Allposters.com


I think I passed on my love for all things warm to my son (who was born in Florida).  Yesterday, we were on our way home from picking him up from school (keep in mind, this has been a rather mild winter for us in Illinois).  Out of the blue he says, "mommy, I am tired of the cold. I want it to be warm again.  I think the sun needs new batteries!"  The funny things kids say!  Someday, my dear son, we will at least take you on a warm vacation during the cold season!

TGI..Tuesday!!

I am finally on my "weekend" away from work, and yes, it's Tuesday.   Every other weekend I spend Saturday, Sunday and Monday working.  While I am thankful for my work at home nursing job, there are many disadvantages to it as well.  The company I work for operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week including all holidays.  So last year I had a total of ZERO complete holidays off of work.  I work every other weekend during the day and evenings during the week. My work breaks are every 2 hours while I'm working but I am confined to my home office for 8 hours at a time, my breaks consist of changing diapers, helping with homework, giving baths, etc.  While it is very nice that I can be home to do these things....sometimes I need a real BREAK!!  I also feel like I have less time with my son now that he is in school than I would if I worked a day job while he was there. 

So, I am "on the hunt" to find my fit in the internet world of making money online to get out of this annoying schedule.  I have been trying to figure this out for years and have a little knowledge in how to go about it, but mostly enough knowledge to make myself dangerous.  If I had more time to focus on this knowledge then I could maybe get somewhere! My current idea is to have multiple streams of income such as my Etsy shop, blogging, and other forms of legitimate (not spammy) affiliate marketing.  I am an honest person and NEVER want spam or scam anybody!  

While I am still "working" a lot when it comes to creating these businesses, I can at least do it on my own time.  Instead of spending an entire weekend locked in my little room downstairs with the phone to my ear and staring at a computer screen, I can do a little here and there, after kids go to bed and during the day when my lovely and independent 2 year old decides she wants to entertain herself (which she is very good at).  Yet, I can still work on these things with her by my side.  She LOVES it when I work on my painting or clay creations as she gets her own set of paints or play-dough and works along side of me!  

Do you dabble in making money at home? Or maybe you are even successful at it!  I would love to hear your stories on what you do to make it happen!  

Lots of New Recipes!

I have recently fallen into the Pinterest trap!  It is SO addicting but there are so many great ideas on there.  I am mostly using it to bookmark recipes that I stumble on.  Tonight, I made Crockpot Chicken Taco Chili which is a pretty healthy chili recipe and very good!  I really need to learn to start taking more pictures...sorry, forgot to take a pic of this as well but if you click the above link, it will take you to the recipe and a picture, mine turned out looking almost exactly the same!