The most unique holidays are usually the most memorable. If you are that household that everyone expects to host nearly all the holiday parties, then it is your job to never let them down. What exactly does it take to set it off every holiday? Let us take a look at 4 different ways to make the…

I like to tell my son about the time my fifth grade class was all set to have our gym class in the indoor pool at our school, only to arrive and see that it was filled with nuns doing their laps. They were confused on the times that the pool was reserved for student use - or they just didn't care - but all the same, the memory still stays with me. So does the memory of the time we had to take a written test on how to play basketball -…

It’s expected for your step kids to take all their frustrations on you. They’re obviously going through a lot trying to cope with their biological mom’s absence and trying to accommodate you into their life. The best way to go about developing a positive relationship without coming off as a pushover or a wicked stepmom is by first understanding what the issues are.

Our stepmom advice will, over time, help you set clear boundaries which will…

Losing weight is a goal that almost everyone has these days, but which is also very difficult for most people to accomplish. For this reason, a massive range of diet plans have emerged to fit different weight loss needs and different lifestyles. If you want to lose weight, picking a diet that is effective but at the same time…

Children are a gift and a blessing, I have dreamed of being a mom for as long as I can remember.  When I think of children the word legacy comes to mind.  In my opinion, the most important legacy we can leave to our children is a legacy of faith. Giving our children a legacy of faith outweighs leaving them houses or things although it's great to do both.  I read a quote…

*Too many pictures to upload here, head to the blog to view detailed pictures.  

Our family recently went camping at Collins Lake Recreation.  We scheduled this camping trip right before back to school for our last summer adventure. We were not scheduled to camp at Collins Lake, we were actually scheduled…

*Too many pictures to upload here, head to the blog to view detailed pictures.  

Our family recently went camping at Collins Lake Recreation.  We scheduled this camping trip right before back to school for our last summer adventure. We were not scheduled to camp at Collins Lake, we were actually scheduled…

August 10th is National S'mores Day! These mini treats are a perfect way to help you celebrate.  According to the S'mores Cookbook Americans buy 90 millions pounds of marshmallows every year! If you don't have access to a firepit or open flame, this recipe is a great way to fill that s'more craving just using your…

With the recent heat wave we have had here in Sacramento this homemade S'more Ice cream makes for the perfect way to cool down!  I received this Cuisinart Ice Cream maker a few years ago as a gift from my mom, and I love it.  This is a great item to add to your birthday or Christmas list. I highly recommend it.  We have made all types of ice cream with this nifty…

National S'mores Day is celebrated on August 10th.  Our family just returned from camping and s'mores are definitely one of our favorite camping treats.  Did you know the s'more recipe was first published in the Girl Scouts Handbook in 1927 the recipe was called "Some More" the recipe was printed again in 1956 with the new name…

With the summer heat we have in California I am always looking for simple meals that will not heat up the house, I try and utilize the grill as much as possible.  I also want a meal that is satisfying but doesn't leave me feeling weighed down.  



Last week we made ribs and shrimp for dinner on the grill.  It was such an easy meal to…

In order to keep your home organized, it's important to utilize storage in order to keep the clutter away. While plastic storage bins can be effective, their bulky size can take up quite a bit of space. If you're looking to get more creative with the way you store things, the options below are worth considering. These are affordable,…

Can something be simultaneously genius and vilely racist?  This is the question posed by D.W. Griffith’s 1915 film Birth of a Nation.  Silent film star Mary Pickford called it the first movie that made people take the motion picture industry seriously.  The film debuted in a politically charged atmosphere, full of anti-immigrant bias, racial tensions, and fear of danger from…

If you’re like many of us your kids have either started their first week of school or will be starting very soon. The school year, especially at the beginning, can be a hard transition from lazy summer days to rigid schedules of jam-packed days. If you think it’s stressful for your kids it can also take a heavy toll on you as…

After your gender reveal surprise you may want to start planning your nursery. You want to make sure that it's the perfect space for you and your new baby.

First Things First: Choose A Theme

The first thing you should do before decorating the room, and while you are pregnant, is to pick a theme. Think of all the themes you like and list them on a piece of paper. Then start researching the different…

From the time you find out that you are pregnant to the big reveal, it is exciting, and you want every moment to be special. There are many ways to do the big reveal, and it can seem like it has all been done already.

If you want your big reveal to be special and noteworthy, then you are not alone. There are many moms who want the special moment to be memorable, and yours can be too.

Here are 10 unique ways, compliments of…

Store shelves are full of notebooks, backpacks and the latest kids clothing styles. Summer is coming to an end and it is the time to get ready for back to school. Parents get excited about this on one hand, but the cost seems to get more overwhelming every year.

Here are 6 brilliant ways to give your kids what they need for the new school year and not have to break your piggy bank to do so.

• Make a…

Children are in a fragile state in life wherein their immunity isn’t fully developed, and illnesses and infections are a constant threat. There is no questioning the fact that most parents do an amazing job at keeping their children healthy and happy, but at some point, parents must pass down some of these responsibilities to their children.

Making sure that your kids grow up to be balanced adults pertains to both mental and physical prowess. If your kids are excelling at school, are…

I have my good weeks and my bad weeks.



Good weeks are the ones in which I get the majority of chores done during the work week and find myself with time on the weekend for games and family time.…

Cuddling up with someone is one of the simple joys of life that we can all enjoy, and recent studies are now shedding light on the fact that this simple act can be a lot more beneficial for you. When you cuddle with someone, while you feel a warm rush of happiness, there is a lot more that is going on in the biological levels of your body.…