Busy Snacks

So, one of the challenges of being a family, is balancing, schedule, life, down-time and more!

That includes eating good, and not constantly eating trash all the time, because that's what is so easily available.



I was pretty excited to receive this pile of goodies from General Mills &  Target.

The plan is to use a few of these items as a "quick breakfast" or "quick snack", yet keeping it on the healthier side of life!

So...here's what we have:
•1 pouch Nature Valley® Protein Granola
•1 box Nature Valley® Granola Bars
•1 box Honey Nut Cheerios® Medley Crunch™ cereal
•1 box Trix® cereal
•1 package Quaker® Oats
•1 jar Jif® peanut butter
•1 package Nutella® mini cups
•1 pouch Grandma Hoerner’s® Big Slice™ apples snack

Now...let's be honest...no one in my family even wanted to attempt the "pouch" of fruit.
BUT--- my mother-in-law LOVED it! So, I might have to re-visit the idea (after a trip to Target)

Then, my first "problem" was the I tried the Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch, all by itself.


I was a little intrigued by this cereal, so I tore right into the box. And my first "healthy" snack was born! I didn't mix it with anything! It is the perfect "grab a handful and go" snack! So, I divided a few ziploc bags, and now we have a snack, or breakfast, on the ready!  So, easy as that!!

 You can take a look at a few more ideas here: Target.com/BreakfastTwist



  Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op

Win an entry -- Pretty Muddy

Remember, when I told you last week, I had a giveaway coming soon?

Well, here it is!

Very easy!

Here's what I am giving away:

2 standard race entries (up to a $69.50 value) - offered to two separate winners
2 family edition entries (up to a $45 value) - offered to two separate winners

You can choose from any of these event dates:
Dallas, April 26th
Sacramento, May 3rd
Chicago, August 16th
Richmond, September 20th

So, go ahead, follow us on twitter, and facebook, and complete all of the entries below, for your chance to win!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Anyone wanna get Pretty Muddy?

So, let's talk about Mud Runs??

Yes, or no?

Are you a fan?

Personally, I am not a fan of dirt. At all.

But...take a look at Pretty Muddy!!!

 

But, the "cause" of this one, is just enough to make me want to dive right in!!!!

It's a women-only mud race, and they have partnered with Susan G. Komen to make all of the dirt, and laughter benefit a good cause!

So, here's the fun part!

I've got a few entries to give away!!

So, spend a little time checking out their site! Which race, which location would you want to do???  And then check back here in a few days, and I will post the giveaway!! Oh yeah, even better...it's a giveaway for you AND a friend! Whoop Whoop! Ok, see ya in a few days!

Here are a few links for you to browse: Pretty Muddy Runs

Pretty Muddy Run - Dallas TX April 26,2014

Pretty Muddy Run - Sacramento, CA May 03,2014

Pretty Muddy Run - Chicago, IL August 16, 2014

Pretty Muddy Run - Richmond, VA September 20,2014

And if you want to register today, and don't want to wait for the giveaway, you can use the discount code: GIRLSGONESPORTY and save some $$

You can catch them on Twitter too: @pretty_muddy

Disney Cruise Line Vacation - a must do!

It's just no secret that I am a lover of all Disney Vacations.

However, it's very clear when someone says "so what about a Disney Cruise?!" and my eyes just light up.

Don't get me wrong, I love being in the parks, and everything that goes along with that, but I think as my kids have gotten older and life is just "busier" and we are all very much a slave our electronic leash (you know, the phone or the upgrade we just HAVE to have!!!)

Anyways, as life has progressed, I think I love to partner a Disney Vacation, with a complete disconnect from the rest of the world.

We have great dinners together, we play together, we focus on each other, and yes...we even take a nap or two!

So, then, when I finish convincing you that you MUST try a Disney Cruise Line Vacation, then come all of the "must-do" items.

So, I thought I would list a few here:

But, of course, I must say....don't book a Disney Cruise on your own! Use an Authorized Disney Travel Planner. The tips and resources they can offer are priceless! Oh, and I just happen to know an amazing Authorized Disney Travel Planner!!! :)

Things you MUST know before going on a Disney Cruise:

1. The staterooms are "small". They are much larger than other cruise lines, because they are made for families, but even still. They are small. Pack tight!


2. Be sure when you book your cruise, you go ahead and login to your Planning Center online.
Don't procrastinate on this one.
You want to go ahead and reserve your Port Adventures.
Register your children for the Oceaneer Lab or Oceaneer Club (even if you think they will never go in there! This will save lots of time on the ship, if you have done all of this in advance!)

3. Plan to dress up for Pirate Night!! Even if you only wear Pirate Patches and a fun pirate tshirt! Play along! There aren't many opportunities that you have to look crazy as a family, and it's totally acceptable (and you'll be glad you did!)

4. Bring a cup. Preferably a travel-style cup with a lid.
Coca-Cola products, coffee, hot cocoa are available on the pool deck with unlimited refills, however, the cups that are provided aren't great for the journey back to the room, or for sitting in your beach chair!

5, Room Service is free!
Yes, that's right. It is included in the price of your cruise.
It's great for breakfast on your Castaway Cay morning, so you can get off of the ship early.
Or it's great late at night, for a late Giant Cookie or Mickey Ice Cream Bar!!
You will want to bring a few dollar bills with you, to tip your Room Service Host.
(Coca-Cola products, and bottled water are not complimentary with room service)

6. Disney Movies!
This is a great time to catch up on a movie that you haven't had time to see just yet! There are always the most recent first-run Disney movies playing in the Buena Vista theater.

And then tons of other classic favorites playing on the pool deck, Funnel Vision!

7.  Bring sunscreen.
Yes, I know. You have a bottle in the beach bag.
But, please, bring 2 more! atleast!
That Caribbean sun is H.O.T!!
 (you can thank me later when you aren't paying $12 per bottle)


8. Pre-pay your gratuities!
This will save lots of hassle while you are on board.
If you do this before you leave home, then you've already budgeted it in, and one less expense you have to pay onboard.

**Also, you are going to LOVE your servers, so you might want to play to bring extra $$ for them**
We always feel like they are our family by the time disembark.

9. While in port:
If you have already been to Nassau, or if you are only on a 3 night cruise, you might not want to get off of the ship!
This is a great time to stay on board, and enjoy a very empty ship!
Watch a movie, go to the Fitness Center or play Croquet with Alice in the Atrium!


10. Highlighters.
We have found that highlighters are a prized possession for us while on board.
We keep a Personal Navigator in the stateroom and we each have our own color.

Then we highlight what we hope to not miss, and this helps us keep track of the day, and each other!!

Country Music Marathon Nashville - Course announced

Have you heard the word?

The official course for the Country Music Marathon 2014 has been announced! And I am stoked!

I absolutely love running the streets of Nashville with Country Music blaring as far as the ear can hear...

But----my favorite part this year?

Yep...look over to the right! See that "thumbs up" on the Full Marathon course!

I love that :)

Oh yeah, and if you want to register for the Country Music Marathon, use the discount code BRITTNEYRUNS to save $$!

February 6th, Jesus planted my feet.

I am writing this on January 24th.
Set to post on February 5th.
I already have a weight on my chest that almost keeps me from breathing. Today.


February 5th, comes each year.
And I dread it.

(for more of Elijah's stories, click here)

In the beginning of January, I get the rush of security, knowing that I am better.

And then as each day gets closer, I have random reminders that my heart just hasn't healed.

And that's ok, I don't know that I really expect it to heal, per se.

But sometimes, I just think that surely it shouldn't hurt this much 15 years later!

What in the world?
How has it been 15 years?

And an even better question. How have I even survived it?
-------------------------------------------
And then I remember February 6th.

I was discharged from the hospital, and we drove home.
Almost in silence the entire ride.

My belly ached from the pain of the delivery.
They told me I wouldn't feel pain. And they would keep me so comfortable in the hours leading up to it.
And they did.

But, it didn't help the next day.
The pain in my belly was so intense.
And it was an awful, cruel reminder that I had just delivered a baby.

Yes, a sweet boy.
And NO. He wasn't in the back seat, in his car seat, like he should've been.

What a terrible reminder.

We pulled in the driveway, and my sweet Charming helped me from the car, and I am not so sure that he didn't carry me into the house. My body was so empty.

I can remember so clearly that I felt so hollow, and so very bare.
I am not sure why God would ever do that to a mother.

But He did. And I can still today only trust that His ways are higher.

I managed myself to the bedroom, as I was heavily medicated (some for the pain but I do believe, some for the mental well-being).

I woke up several hours later, and although it was still sunshine outside it felt like I had been in a coma for days.

I tried to get out of the bed. And I put my foot on the cold hardwood floor, and it didn't seem to have any stability.

Scott came in, as he heard me stirring, and I said to him "I just don't think I can do this. I just don't think I can do this".

And so profoundly, from his own aching voice, he said "you don't have to. God will get us thru this"

What powerful words from a Dad who had just watched his bride deliver his son, and all of the heartache that would follow.

A Dad that would soon have to explain to the 4-year-old that his little brother didn't get to come home with Mommy and Daddy!

A Dad that was just one week prior, setting up the nursery------was today, planning a little, tiny funeral.

But still today, 15 years later. He was so true.

God planted my feet that day, and He gave me the strong sense that He would see me thru the funeral and the coming days, and obviously in the years before today.

And so I am reassured that He will plant my feet over and over, when I just don't know how I can do it.

Praise the Lord for February 6th.

Cheerios Love Breakfast. Share Breakfast

While you’re enjoying the Big Game this Sunday, be sure to keep an eye out for the premiere of Cheerios first-ever game day commercial!

Cheerios is also partnering with a non-profit organization called The Family Dinner Project, to bring you The Family Breakfast Project, which provides tips, recipes and activities to help families connect over breakfast. Use the limited time, buy one get one free coupon to get begin experimenting with the Family Breakfast Project recipes and activities.
The coupon is valid only until February 15th, and limited to only one million first come first served respondents – download it here, and be sure to share with your friends as well.
Be sure to visit Cheerios.com to join the Family Breakfast Project, or to watch the commercial!
If you plan on tweeting about this event, be sure to use the hashtag #familybreakfast