10 Baby Hacks to Save Money

 1. Try Amazon, hand me downs. It is fast shipping with Amazon Prime they have great deals on baby related items and you can order from your home in your PJs with Free shipping right to your door! No getting the baby in and out of your car or walking isles during nap time! 

 2. Shop Clearance sales! Buy a year in advance during sales and holiday clearances. My friend has her daughters winter clothes for next year...including boots for $3 and $1!

“This review was made possible by iConnect and Luvs. I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.”

Mclachlan's Birth Story

Today I am going to do something a little different. I am going to talk about something very personal to me. My son's birth story. First, I need to give you some background leading up to it. I will go into some details not meant for every viewer! At the age of 23 I was faced with, what I would consider a horrific decision on where I would ever have a child of my own. I had for years been battling cancers in my "lady parts" and was faced with the reality it just may never happen. I was in such a horrific place in my life because it was my ultimate dream to one day carry and have my own children ( yes, I know I could have adopted). Talk about "GET YOUR CRAP TOGETHER AND GROW UP"!!

“This is a sponsored conversation from Mums the Word Network and The Stork OTC. All opinions are my own.”

My life just had not taken that road in stead it was a mess of failed relationship attempts, several serious operations and health complications really preventing the right time to have a child. I was in no condition to conceive on my own and was faced with the tough decision to in fact schedule a hysterectomy. As I sat in the Doctors office I remember thinking this was it, I was going to be left with an empty place. After discussing this with my doctor we both felt that at the time insemination would in fact help balance my hormone levels to help with some of the "lady problems" I was having. I would love to say that road was easy and fun and end the story right there. We tried for one and a half years to have a child. I had a miscarry and an ectopic pregnancy which landed myself with serious complications and I almost died! 

Organize Kid Artwork & School Papers with Keepy

 I often express how busy I am in my posts. This is not an understatement. I can pretty much guess most parents feel the pressure to fit everything in one day. To me there just is never enough hours to do all the things I want and need to do! I have stacks of my sons artwork, school papers and skating achievements laying around the house in piles and or in shoe boxes. I promise myself I will get to them but it just never seems like I do. I had so many visions of scrap-booking and or displaying them throughout the house and updating them but then life happened.

This post was in collaboration with Keepy. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. 

Guide to Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

The first trip to the Las Vegas area, was without my son and more work related. Back then, we spent our time on the Vegas strip and in convention rooms. This trip I had my whole family along and we had more free time to explore. If I could give you some great advice take the 17 mile-ish drive to Red Rock Canyon (that was the distance from our hotel)! I wanted to visit it on our first trip and just did not have the time. 

Once we landed at the airport, we got our Mazda CX-3 rental. It housed all our luggage without any issue. We were super excited to explore and set off after a quick stop at the hotel. I simply typed in "Red Rock Canyon" into the GPS point of interest feature and it immediately had the route we needed to take. 

As we started to get closer I saw this rock and HAD to stop for a photo. We do not live by mountains and seeing them up close is so surreal! I wish I could explain how the views make me feel but words escape me. I can say I would take them over a beach any day. Something about them are simply majestic and make me giddy inside!

Planning ahead for College

 Seems like just yesterday, I was telling my Mom, this was finally it. I was going to have a baby and she would be a grandmother for the first time. I remember her holding my hand and helping me through a rough labor. Just a minute later we were picking out my son's first school backpack and his first day of school outfit. He was ready to go to school although I was a bit concerned. He tested ahead for his age and I remember thinking he was a year younger than most of his classmates. Would he fit in? 

Compensation was provided by NY 529 Direct via Momtrends.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of NY 529 Direct or Momtrends.

A second later it seemed, my son entered second grade and already started to plan for his future. What job he wanted as a grown up. A grown up? Where have the years gone? They say as you get older they slip by you but lightening speed just pails in comparison once you start actually living them. Now, is the best time to think ahead for his future. I have always been a very savvy person when it comes to fiances. I wanted to have a nest egg, a "rainy day fund" because in these economic downfalls it is smart business to do so. I am after all not just in-charge of myself but also the little soon-to-be twenty something year old going off to college, second grader! Let's talk College savings plans specifically a 529 College Saving Plan we are setting up for our son.

15 Shows to get you through Winter

 Aside from the dumping of snowfall this Winter, sickness has plagued us. Sickness has taken a very energetic  boy into a couch potato who barely stays away for more then a few hours before drifting off. Usually around this time we are experiencing cabin fever or temperatures that do not allow us to go outside. If any of these things are happening to you here are 15 movies/shows on Netflix to get you through Winter!

**I received a free service to facilitate my review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

1. NCIS- I has been watching re-runs because I just miss Ziva and Anthony's characters!

2. Santa Clarita Diet- So many people have watched this and LOVE it. I am one of them. A great mix of comedy, TV drama and Zombies. If you have a weak stomach not the show for you!

3. The Crown- I seriously binge watched this series! I love this type of historical drama.

4. Reign 💃❤😍👌

5. Shameless- is awesomely inappropriate, with social commentary about gentrification weaved through the hilarious story lines.

10 Books for Boys Age 4-7

At a very young age you could find me snuggled up somewhere immersed in the dusty pages of some book reading. Being a parent I wanted to pass down that love of reading to my son. Interestingly enough not many parents actually sit down and read to their children anymore. If you do, THANK YOU! Even if you DO read to your child the selection of books can be a bit overwhelming. Here are some great books for boys I found that work wonders in the imagination realm and I believe truly gave my son the love of reading bug.

Extend your Families Vacation!

 Do you enjoy planning long trips? My family has really come accustom to planning longer trips verses several small vacations. I fine we end up enjoying ourselves, it saves money and we explore more things. Extended Stay America is the perfect place to stay when you’re planning a long trip because each room includes a fully-equipped kitchen that includes a stove, microwave, and refrigerator. No more microwave-only meals or expensive meals out! This is such a wonderful feature if you are traveling with kid much like us! We simply take along our dry foods and grab meat, milk and eggs once in town.

 "This post is sponsored by coupons.com. All opinions are 100% my own."

Another great feature they also have on-site guest laundry, so you won’t need to worry about lugging your dirty clothes to a nearby laundromat. If you decide you do want to give them a try also check out the Extended Perks Rewards Program. This gives you access to special national and local discounts from America’s top brands the moment you enroll. Plus, you can save up to $2,500 annually with no points required.

Peppercorn Steak with Kale & Roasted Potatoes

 First off this is NOT my recipe. I got this from a Blue Apron box we enjoyed. If you are interested in this meal box enjoy my review here. I have since been making this meal so much I decided to share. It is an entire meal but so easy to make and VERY tasty! 

Peppercorn Steak with Kale & Roasted Potatoes

What you will need:

Steak 

Peppercorns, 

Mustard ( we enjoy honey Dijon!)

head of Kale

Garlic minced

2-3 tbs butter

Salt & Pepper

Potatoes

Parsley

Olive Oil

JORD Watch Review & Giveaway

We are finally back from our trip to Las Vegas and it is time to share all about our experiences. It is also time to have a JORD GIVEAWAY!! First let us marvel at the wood craftsmanship delicately placed around my wrist.

I am a firm believer in all things durable, long lasting and unique. When my JORD wooden box came in the mail I was so excited I could barely contain myself. I have always wanted one  and it may have been on my Valentine list!