Falling off the wagon….

And that’s not in reference to drinking or any addictive behavior at all.

This is really more of a blog entry geared towards SAHMs (Stay At Home Moms). Although, I’m sure that the working mommies out there could weigh in on this subject as well.

As I’ve said before….in March it’ll be 1 year that I’ve been home with my kids….Ages 8, 5, and 18 months. They pretty much run my life at this point. And I wouldn’t trade it for ANYTHING! But when I was working I noticed that I had more of a sense of accomplishment. Sunday evenings after dinner I would sit down and do a week or two week meal plan. I would dedicate 1 day on the weekend to doing laundry, scrubbing the house, etc…..but here we are almost a year later and I seem to have fallen off the wagon. And even my husband has noticed unfortunately. It used to be that I would run the vacuum and he would be like omg did you clean the house….and now I run the vacuum once or twice a day and he’ll be like when is the last time you dusted? LOL….now that just irritates me….but hey whatever….at least he pays attention right?

But now…it’s like I know I’m going to be home ALL DAY EVERY DAY….so I feel like if I don’t clean for 4 days who cares because on day 5 I’ll clean…or why do laundry on Sunday when I can do it Monday or Tuesday….I almost feel like I have lost my sense of accomplishment! There are days where I wake up at 630 and start cleaning and am cleaning until 3-4 in the afternoon…and there are days where I just want to watch everything from the last week I have on my DVR…or I just want to take a nap….because I CAN!….and I seriously feel like a hermit bum.

It’s winter so we are inside all day…really there’s no excuse for me not cleaning except I don’t feel like it. And it has started arguments with my husband because he busts his ass 40 hours a week to support us and allow us to stay home. But at the same time….3 kids is a lot of work…..and an 18 mo old by herself is even more work omg….and she is like a tornado that rips through the house and cleaning up after her SUCKS…but I am the one that is home….therefore I am the primary caretaker….I clean…make sure the boys are out the door for school on time….cook for them…help the boys with their homework every day….make sure they are all bathed etc….so don’t I deserve to NOT do anything once in awhile?

I feel like that sense of entitlement to be lazy because raising kids is hard work….but that’s no excuse. I know it isn’t, but that doesnt mean my mindset is going to change….

How do you stay productive? What do you do to make yourself feel accomplished? Do you make lists? Or just fly the seat of your pants most days? Im really curious what my readers do and have to say….Is this a normal thing I will grow out of? Or am I doomed?!

Revealed by Green Photography – Service Review

Owner & Photographer: Tim Green
Co-Owner: Kristin Green
Facebook for Revealed: https://www.facebook.com/revealedbygp
Facebook for Green Photography: https://www.facebook.com/greenphotography815

Services Offered – Revealed is the boudoir side of the business. 
                              Green Photography is the family pictures, weddings, prom pictures, etc side of the business. 

First off, I will say that Tim and Kristin are great friends of mine. But putting that aside…..I am actually someone who is unbelievably self-conscious about their body. So much so that I wear baggy sweatshirts and baggy sweatpants most of the time. I’m aware that I shouldn’t be that self conscious but it happens to a woman after she’s had kids. But I wanted to do something that brought the sexy back. Something that made me feel alive, and beautiful even though I have had three kids. So I reached out to Tim to take my photos. Now Tim has taken my family photos in the past, so I was really nervous about booking a boudoir photo shoot with him. You start think….omg what if I get uncomfortable…..what if I look fat? What these turn out awful? You just have these awful thoughts that run through your mind.

Then it was the day of the shoot. I had no one to do my hair or make-up that day. It was just me getting ready. By myself. I hate curling my hair, i actually really suck at it…and I hate putting on make-up…but I caked that stuff on.

Tim was the MOST professional photographer that I have worked with. And I have worked with quite a few of them….whether it be family shoots, boudoir shoots, or just pictures of my kids. I’ve never in my life been so comfortable around another person (other than my husband and best friend) in panties and a bra. But he didn’t even look at me any differently….It’s as if I were still wearing my baggy sweatshirt and sweatpants. And I started getting comfortable. And even kind of giddy at the fact that omg I was actually doing this….the world was going to see this pictures. But then all of a sudden….I was 100% okay with that.

I told him what I wanted to capture. I told him what my goal for these photos were. And wow…did he make it happen. I saw myself in a way that I never thought imaginable. I was beautiful. And not the kind of beautiful as in a man tells you you’re beautiful….but artwork beautiful. I truly see the photos he did of me as art. Now some are risque, but hey….they wouldn’t be boudoir if they weren’t.

I am so very much looking forward to my next session with Tim and Revealed. And believe me….there will be plenty more. I highly recommend that if you are interested in getting photos done…talk with Tim and Kristin. Their pricing is very affordable and the level of comfort will blow you out of the water. I will use Tim for all my photo needs,whether it be family or other types of photos….the ideas are endless…the possibilities are endless….and he is amazing.

The talent that he has seriously blows my mind. I cant say enough good things about him and his professionalism. And Kristin….she books all of the appointments and sets up the contracts etc….she too is amazing at what she does. She is on top of everything every step of the way no matter how big or small the detail is. Check out their Facebook pages above. You wont be sorry….and if you do book or have questions….tell them Taboo Mommy sent you 😉

6 things I wish I would’ve never said to my children…..

1.) Hush or shhhh or shut up – We are all guilty of it. Kids are meant to be loud. Its apart of them being KIDS. Sometimes my kids are so loud if I am watching TV I will turn it to volume 50 just so I can hear what is going on. I’ve learned over the last few months that the older they get, the louder they get….so whatever is on TV….it can wait….let those kids be just that….KIDS….They wont be loud forever….and lord knows they wont be kids forever. 

2.) We don’t have time for that – Another way of saying “I don’t feel like doing this”. MAKE TIME. Like I said above they wont be kids forever….and you have to treasure every second that you have them. Before you know it, they will be in college and wont want to build legos anymore, or play NERF guns, or paint stupid hand trees that you found on pinterest. It doesn’t matter what it is…..make the time….don’t tell them that you don’t have time because you can absolutely find 5 minutes to do whatever your child wants to do. 

3.) I’m busy OR maybe later – No…..you’re not busy…..you just want to finish what you are doing uninterrupted. Like for me vacuuming every day is something I am super OCD about….but you know what? The floors will be dirty tomorrow and will still need to be vacuumed. You’re never to busy to watch a show with them, read them a book, or just BE with them.

4.) Let me do it myself – Oh this is a big one I wish I would never say to my kids. As everyone knows I have an 8 year old and a 5 year old and they are both very into helping mommy do things. Ive actually had the 8 year start doing laundry and the 5 year old help me cook dinner. Normally I would tell them to leave me alone….or let me finish what I am doing so it gets done right….but there’s in no right or wrong way to do something when they are that age. They need to learn how to do things. Trial and error people. Trial and error.

5.) GO away – Yes, I am guilty of telling one of my children to go away….most of the time its in the middle of a conversation with their father, or I am on the phone with someone….but you know what? Those people can wait…your children cannot. Nor will they.

6.)  You’re not doing that right – False…..there is no wrong way to do whatever it is that they are doing. Let’s talk about common core math for a second. My second grader struggles in math and I learned basic math in school. So its very hard for me when it comes to common core to tell him that he isnt doing something right….because he is just doing it DIFFERENT than what I learned. Talk about a learning opportunity for both of us. This applies to everything. Even teaching them to clean their room or make their bed. Do not ever tell your child they are not doing something right….it just degrades them. 

Being a parent is a learning process. We are all going to make mistakes. Big ones. Little ones. Ones that dont even matter in their upbringing. But they will make mistakes too. But how we respond to their mistakes and requests will shape them into the adult/husband/wife/parent that they are going to be. Out of 3 kids I can tell you that I have made probably close to a million mistakes….but you know what? Parenting isn’t a perfect science and it never will be. Our children teach us things daily that we dont even realize. Take a second and look at the things that your children are doing or saying. Learn to be a better parent FROM your child. No self help book or parenting class can teach you what your children will. They are my greatest achievement. And I hope to continue to learn from each child every day as they grow. I hope to learn more patience for each child….because quite frankly each of them needs a different amount of patience. I hope to god that one day my kids will look back and say “my mom was the best mom EVER”……

New Years Resolution….

What is a new years resolution anyways? I’ve always felt like it’s something that people do just to set themselves up for failure….because for real….how many of you have actually completed a new years resolution? I haven’t completed one. Ever. So this year I thought that I would try something different. Daily goals. I mean how hard could it be to complete DAILY goals?!

I’ve been a SAHM 11 months now and have finally gotten into a pattern w/ certain things….but there is always something that needs to be done with 3 kids running around. Like I would like my house to be cleaner. And I would like to cook 5 out of 7 nights a week. Not to mention I run a business as well and have to make sure to get that stuff in.

So each morning that I wake up…..the first thing I do while the kids are eating breakfast is I make a list of 10 things no matter how big or small they are that I want to get done. There is just something really satisfying about checking things off of a to do list. Whether it’s as small as washing the white clothes or as big as rearranging the bedroom furniture, it goes on the list. And sometimes I even get the kids in on the gig….which takes ten times longer but its good bonding time I feel like.

Its only 3 weeks into the new year….but so far so good….except the cooking….Im failing pretty miserably….I did cook every night this week so far….so there’s that….but hey it’s a process for us all! So now I have to jump on the meal planning bandwagon….because honestly it’s really the easiest thing to do for a family of 5. I’m looking forward to making 2015 my bitch. Will it happen? No probably not….but I have to keep thinking like that and pushing on.

For everyone out there that DOES make new years resolutions….what are yours? and HOW in the world do you complete them? Or are you like me and just take it day by day? I’m really interested to know……

Poofy Organics – Product Review

Distributor: Erika Dycus
Company: Poofy Organics
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Poofybyerika
Website: www,poofyorganics.com/barefootdiva
January Special: All home parties booked in the month of January, the hostess will receive a gift basket worth $45

Oh Erika I am so happy that you sent me the samples that you did. First we are going to start with the all natural lip balm that she sent me….that’s right all natural! You just cannot go wrong with organic products these days….especially knowing all of the harmful chemicals that are every day things we put in our body.

My oldest son has lips that chap so easily in the winter that they crank and bleed. And he gets this weird irritation under his bottom lip every single year because of the drying and he licks to moisten his lips/mouth area versus using chap stick. We got the Vanilla mint chap stick in the mail and the first thing I made him do was to put it on his lips. He uses it AT LEAST 3 times a day! He says that he loves the smell of the vanilla and likes even more the sensation that his lips get from the mint that is infused with the chap stick. He has been using it since Monday and here we we are Wednesday only and his lips are as smooth as a baby’s bottom and his rash is almost completely gone from under his bottom lip. So now he has his very own special chap stick that he uses every day multiple times a day. It has taken so much to find a chap stick that works for him. We tried using Burt’s Bee’s for the longest time and still….it didn’t work. I am so happy that we found something that works for him.

Then I used the menthol vanilla lotion stick that was sent to me. First of all I am loving the fact that it is not a greasy product whatsoever. I actually put that on the bottom of my feet last night because they crack really bad in the winter and put socks on. I woke up this morning and my feet were probably 5 times better after one use of this product. I am so glad it worked because I really didn’t want to have to get the “cheese grater” foot spa tool to cut off any of my callouses. I am going to continue using this ever night before I go to bed putting socks on and see how great they look when 1 full week is over. I will be editing this blog one week from today with before and after pictures of my feet on how great this lotion stick works. 

If anyone has any questions about Poofy Organics, please contact Erika directly via the contact info above!

Thank you again Erika for coming to the rescue with 2 products that make my life and my son’s life more comfortable and easy! 

Young Living Essential Oils – Product Review

Distributor: Krista Lipinsky
Contact Info: www. youngliving.com/en_us
Distributor ID: 1348847

So I’ve been weary about jumping on the oils train for quite a few months and finally….I reached out to someone for a sample so that I could try something to help me with my insomnia. Unfortunately I was cursed w/ insomnia that cannot even be cured with sleeping pills….prescribed or over the counter (OTC).

Krista was kind enough to send me a sample of the lavender oil. She also sent me a very information packet as to where to place the oils and how they effect the body. So I thought “oh what the heck, let’s give this a try…nothing else I’ve done has worked!” All I can say now….is BUY OILS!

I used the Lavender on Monday night because I was beginning to feel restless and hadn’t yet taken any medication. So I rubbed the oils on the bottom of my feet and put socks on and then sprinkled a few drops on my pillow and on my sheets on my side of the bed. I can honestly tell you….Monday night was the best 7 hours of sleep I’ve gotten in weeks. I felt so relaxed after about 15 minutes of putting on the oil and laying down and fell asleep so naturally. I woke up yesterday (Tuesday) morning and didn’t feel groggy and actually had quite a bit of energy…way more than I do on a day to day basis.

I was blown away by how well these oils worked and I cannot wait to jump on the oils bandwagon and try new scents for different things.

I have a son who has oppositional mood disorder and after using the lavender it actually made me want to go and buy a diffuser to put in the kids bedroom at night so they too can have the same kind of rest. I also want to get a diffuser for my living room and try different scents for all the different things they offer.

Seriously check out her link above and see what the oils do! I know that I will be ordering more oils and CANNOT just CANNOT wait to see how they work. Now the trick is going to be to find one that stops my husband from snoring 🙂

Thank you Krista for being so generous for sending me samples and allowing me to do a product review on your Young Living Oils products. I look forward to working with you in the future. If any of you have questions, please contact Krista directly at kristalipinsky@gmail.com.

Thank you again Krista! You are amazing and so are your oils!

If you are interested in becoming a rep….they have their premium starter kit for $150. It is $296.00 worth of products and included are: Oils: Frankincense (5ml), Joy (5 ml), Lavender (5 ml), Lemon (5 ml), Panaway (5 ml), Peace & Calming (5 ml), Peppermint (5 ml), Purification (5 ml), Purification (5 ml), Stress away (5 ml), Thieves (5 ml), Valor (5 ml), Home diffuer (as pictured original price is $98 retail),Aroma glide roller fillment, 10 oil samples, and 2 Ningxia samples.

Also if you sign up to become a distributor you get 24% off of the products w/ the wholesale membership.

Thank you again Krista!

Just Paint Professionals – Service review

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I don’t even know where to begin with how happy I am with the work Just Paint has done in my household! They redid my basement, kids bedroom, and hallway! Joe is the owner of the company and when he did our home it was such a pleasure to have him there.

His work is beautiful. Yes it might just be painting walls and fixing spots in my house but he was many other talents as well such as drywall, etc.

His prices were the most affordable around. He is so profession. Does amazing work, and is just a pure pleasure to be around. We actually plan to hire him back this summer to stain our house and decks that’s how impressed we were with.

Also on the plus side the man is amazing with kids. He actually let my 5 year old help him with their bedroom in some spots.

I highly recommend Just Paint Professionals for all your household interior and exterior paining. I won’t use anyone else.

Check out his Facebook page here! And tell him Dee sent you.

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=248292468587090

Because I’m all about…..

You thought I was going to say about that bass didn’t you? Haha no worries…not happening unless there’s video and I’m singing and dancing.

I really like helping people. Whether it be to build a business, give to someone in need, or just be an ear to listen I thoroughly enjoy helping people. I say it was because it was the way I was raised. My mom is the exact same way. I was raised that if you know or see someone in need no matter the circumstance, you go out of your way to try and help that person.

There is a family where I live that they call the “van family” because a mother and her disabled son live in their van. I just recently started following them on a Facebook page that was created for them and it just breaks my heart to see them in such a situation. Their van was broken down and towed out of the parking lot it has resided in for the last at least 2 years I’ve been aware of and the owner of a local shop has graciously offered to fix their van at no charge.

People in our community have reached out put them up in a hotel for a week until the van is fixed. But I keep seeing an underlying problem….the mother. She is basically refusing all help to her if it is not up to her standards. My question is this, if you are in that kind of situation….are you really supposed to have standards? Or wouldn’t you graciously accept any and all help that was given to you?

I would hope that I would never find myself in that situation….but I keep thinking of something happened and my husband lost his job…we’d lose everything….well just about everything. I would hope that there would be kind people out there to help us if we truly needed it. I would never say no to something just because it wasn’t up to my standards….or even my liking.

it breaks my heart…..a person in need feels that they can be choosey on the help they get…which it is a free country the last time I checked so yes she most certainly can be….but that doesn’t change how i feel any less.

I’ve done my fair share of fundraising, helping with benefits, giving away things to people in need, help people build their business, etc.

What are your thoughts? If something this tragic were to happen to you, would you accept any and all help? Or would you pick and choose? I would really like some honest answers and not what people think is right or what I want to hear….this is something that has been eating at me the last couple of days.

Tutuloo Bowtique Product Review

Just tell me how adorable these two items are? First let me start off by saying that these two items were not made for my daughter. But the owner of Tutuloo Bowtique did make my daughter a customer tutu for her Halloween costume….she was a scarecrow and it was amazing but it was too cold here in Illinois to go trick or treating with babies. So she and I together decided that this piece was going to be the one that we featured for the product review. Kelly Repp is a stay at home mom of 4 kiddos. One day, she found her inner craft goddess….sometimes Pinterest is actually good for people! Kelly came out of the woodwork with how talented she became with make these tutus and bows. Pictured below is a newborn tutu made on ribbon so it is adjustable. The bow…omg it’s just too cute. It is handmade with satin and feathers to achieve the cute look. She is so talented that she has even ventured on to making dresses with tutu bottoms….and let’s be real you are NEVER too old for a tutu. Trust me….I’m doing a mud run in May….and she will most definitely be making the team tutus.

Interested in checking out her work? Check her out on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/tutulooboqtique
She can customized anything! Take a look through her pictures on Facebook. And leave her a lovely comment on here or Facebook for when she reads her product review!

Thank you Kelly for being so talented and making my daughter her tutu even though she could only wear it for like 5 seconds! I cant wait to see what you come up with for the mud run!

CloudTwine Product Review

Now this might not be the most flattering picture of myself, but the hat is amazing. This is a hat that was actually given to me for my birthday by my older sister from an Etsy shop called CloudTwine. The work that I have seen on her shop is just to die for. She specializes in Crocheting, but taught herself how to knit by watching a YouTube video. Pretty impressive I’d say. But I also do not have the patience for tedious things like that.  If you take a quick peek at the featured image that is the exact hat I am wearing in this picture. I am OBSESSED. I don’t think I have had a hat so warm that DOESN’T stretch out when I wear it almost every single day. The owner of the shop is Amelia Barone. She is a young mother of 3 who does this because it is a passion of hers. I admire her passion…..It makes beautiful things. Her prices are so affordable as well. If you wish to view more products by CloudTwine please feel free to visit her Etsy shop at CloudTwine.etsy.com. She also has a facebook page that you can like at https://www.facebook.com/CloudTwine. Show her some love and tell her that TabooMommy sent you! If you have purchased something from CloudTwine….leave a comment and tell me how much you love her work!!!!