Perfect Sentimental Gift Idea!

This week I’m reporting from my car, as summer has hit and kids are underfoot. So this seemed like a great spot to share an idea with all of you, without background “music.”
This darling idea came to our family years ago, and it is still super special and brings smiles. If a Build-a-Bear store is in your local mall, you can make a family memento like the one my daughter Alexis has, and it’ll bring a sweet smiles to your family for years to come too!
My oldest daughter is now 13, and through her life she has had a very dear relationship with her Grammy Jeri. Grammy isn’t her biological grandmother, but she’s a very dear part of our family just the same, and the special bond that she shares with Alexis started from the beginning. Since Alexis was about three months old, Grammy has been calling her “Peckin’ Queen.” Somehow it stuck.

Quite a number of years ago, Grammy gave Alexis this sweet friend from Build-a-Bear, and in the paw is the surprise. Grammy recorded her voicing saying, “Grammy loves you, Peckin’ Queen!” Years pass, and this little guy is still sharing Grammy’s voice with us, and her term of endearment that is unique only to Alexis.
Your child can enjoy the same sentiment, with a soothing, memorable memento for years to come. Most importantly, perhaps it brings the voice of a dear one that might not be with us ten or fifteen years from now. This unique family gift says it all!

Jul 01, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

How to Declutter Your LIFE!

Free Conference Call Recording -Available from June 10th- June 17th, 2010
Playback Dial-in Number: 1-(712) 432-1085
Playback Access Code: 768391

Send this number to all your friends today so they can listen to this value packed 60 minute call!

Jun 10, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Enchilada Soup!

My Kid's Favorite Soup!

1 small onion
1 clove garlic - Saute these two ingredients in pan
4 oz. chopped green chilies (I only use 1/2 of the can because my kids don't like it too spicy)
1 - 14 oz beef broth
2 - 14 oz chicken broth
1 - 11 oz can of creamy chicken soup
1 - 12.5 oz can of chunky chicken (The Big can from Costco!)
1 1/2 cups water
1 TBS Steak Sauce
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
Heat up the above ingredients
10 minutes before you are ready to serve add the following...
Pepper to taste
3 cups cheddar cheese
6 corn tortillas cut up
You want the cheese and tortillas softened but not too smooshy! :)

Thank you to Julee for sharing this recipe with our family!

May 20, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

A Snapshot of a CRAZY Life With Kids!

May 17, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Yummy Snack Treat for Kids!

This is one of my favorite and super easy treats that I make when the kids have a birthday treat for school, a party, or just a special day. It’s so simple and inexpensive, but it really makes the children feel special.

I buy the long pretzel sticks, and chocolate for melting. The better the chocolate you buy, the better it will taste. Then of course I always have sprinkles in the cupboard at home. In the kitchen, I have a tall, slender dish to melt the chocolate in; it only takes a minute or two in the microwave. The taller the dish or cup, the easier it is to fit the long pretzel rod in and cover almost the whole length of it. Once the chocolate is melted, I stick the pretzel in the chocolate and swirl it around, covering all the pretzel except a couple of inches at the bottom, which will be the “handle.” What’s nice about this kind of pretzel is that it leaves a spot for little hands to hold on without all the mess of melting chocolate and sticky fingers. Once the pretzel is covered with chocolate, I pull it out of the dish and pour the sprinkles on all of the melted chocolate. Then I lay the covered pretzel on wax paper while it cools & dries. It’s that easy, you guys. I make a dozen or so and it looks like something really fun & special, when really it was a cinch. If I’m really feeling snazzy, I place melted white chocolate in a baggie, cut the tip like you’re decorating a cake, and drizzle designs of white chocolate on the dried milk chocolate pretzels.

Enjoy!

Apr 23, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

1 Minute Tip to Easier Cooking!

This week I hit up my favorite aisle in the grocery store! I'm telling you, it makes cooking so much easier! When you get to this spot in the store, you can see that my favorite find of the week takes up like a third of the entire aisle. Have you guessed it yet? It's the packet aisle!So for a homemade meal, I can just grab a seasoning packet and viola- it's done. No more searching through my cupboards for that unusual spice, or finding the recipe that worked that one time. Now, I don't use these every night, but when simplicity is needed yet I still want a healthy meal on the table for my family, this does the job.Tacos, pork chops, pot roast, enchiladas. You name it, bring on the seasoning packet and the crock pot. Put together a salad and another side veggie. You're good to go! Enjoy, folks! See you next time on www.jenlovelady.com!

Apr 22, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

“Planning a Successful Summer!”

Free Conference Call Recording -Available from April 2nd- April 9th, 2010
Playback Dial-in Number: 1-218-486-8703 Midwest
Playback Access Code: 269300

Send this number to all your friends today so they can listen to this value packed 60 minute call!

Apr 02, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Great Idea! FREE Fun Child-Date-Activity!

Before I fill you all in on my favorite find this week, I want to announce the winner from last week’s giveaway. I promised to treat one lucky subscriber to my favorite photo clutch! Well, Michelle Walker, it’s your lucky day! I’ll contact Michelle and hand over her prize!

So this week’s favorite find, which is when you get to find out my favorite finds without leaving the comfort of your home, is Lowe’s Home Improvement! Surprised? Well I was surprised to learn how many of you didn’t know this great kid activity that Lowe’s offers. Each month, Lowe’s hosts two woodworking workshops a month, for free, for children ages 3 to 15 years old! They do this nationwide, and they provide a woodworking make-n-take that has everything you need for the project: tools, a different kit each time, even a little carpenter’s smock! This month, I’m taking my 8-year-old daughter and we’ll be making a kaleidoscope. It’s a fun outing for you and your child to hang out, create something, and spend some special time together. Thanks, Lowes!!

I also have a big announcement to make! Starting in April, the first Thursday of each month, subscribers to my site can enjoy a FREE monthly call to help moms out! The first call will be held Thursday, April 1st, at 6:30 PM PST, and we’re talking about planning the perfect summer. I’ll cover all the bases, summer camps, creating a memorable “stay-cation,” outings, summer foods, safety … you name it! It’s going to be a phenomenal call, so be sure to subscribe. Just enter your name & email address in the banner of my site. And yet another reason to subscribe: next week I’m handing out another fabulous giveaway!!

Mar 25, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

The Best Way to Show off Pictures of Your Kids!

This week’s favorite find will be yours too! If you subscribe to my blog by this weekend, in the upper right hand corner, your name could be drawn to win this cute photo clutch! I love to show off my babies, from little on up to big, and this is a way to fit a ton of photos into one cute little clutch that pops right in my purse. It’s a sentimental mom thing, and you’re going to love yours.

I got mine at TJ Maxx for only $6.99, I’ve also seen them at Bed Bath and Beyond, and if you Google "photo clutch" you’ll see all the different colors in snakeskin and tapestry. They range from six to twelve dollars. But yours could be free if you’re subscribed to my blog! On Monday I’ll draw one lucky winner’s name. Subscribe now on this page! Just enter your name and email.

Mar 18, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Do You Find Yourself COMPLAINING About Your Busy Schedule?

I hear a lot of parents complain about how busy their family schedule is. Their weekly calendar is overflowing with lessons, classes, sports, and more sports. There’s snack in the car, drive-through dinners, baths, homework, and bedtime battles. Parents, and kids, feel overrun with obligations, rehearsals, and carpooling. “We’re so busy, there’s no downtime! No family time! No fun!”

Who’s to blame?

Prepare yourself for this one: Parents are.

Did I offend anyone? Keep reading, because you’ll see there’s truth to this.

I grew up on a farm, so we didn’t do much outside of playing on the farm, but my sisters and I had our share of sports too. And while farm life might not translate to everyday life for you, don’t think I’m missing the mark here because nowadays my family can be just as at fault here. The difference being that it’s the exception to the rule. If you think about, we as parents are the ones making these decisions; we’re the ones filling up the calendar.

When our children go to school each day, they have an advocate. Their teachers arm them with all they need to succeed. At home, you are your child’s advocate. If family time is important to you, provide it. If family dinners matter, schedule them. If you feel swamped, cut back on the activities. This is your call, and it’s your responsibility. You create the childhood and the family life that you desire. 

In our family of six, we have a rule: one activity per season. Of course, like everything else in parenthood, there’s always an exception, but this is a good rule of thumb. What are your family’s priorities? What are your boundaries? Open up this dialogue with your spouse.  Place a value on family time, on being a playful. Recognize that you can ease the tension on your calendar and create more joy in your family life.

Mar 10, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post
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