Thankful Thursday

"There are so many things we can be thankful for and when we realize that, life instantly becomes better."

~ Rubyanne

Happy Thankful Thursday YUMMs!  Can you guys believe tomorrow is Friday?  I know that Monday was Memorial Day and the kids were out of school, but in way this four day week seems like it was long.  It could be all the late nights I've been putting.  I've been brainstorming up some new videos and weekly/monthly segments I want to add to my YouTube channel. 

Speaking of YouTube, I'm thankful to be back filming.  I was a on a little roll before my camera broke.  I'm toying with the idea of doing a day-in-the-life video once school gets out.  This week the kids in Moo's class seem to be better behaved.  Their teacher told them if everybody behaved they'd get to camp out in tents in the classroom on Friday.

Now while some of you maybe thinking that a teacher shouldn't have to bribe her students to behave, I think it was good idea.  Each week they have a different sub-theme.  Since this month's overall theme was nature, this week they studied about camping in the great outdoors.  She killed two birds with one stone.  Plus, it's always good to help students end the school year on a good note.  Also, I was glad to hear that nobody picked on Moo's friend this week.  These kids start bullying early y'all!

When I made my vision board for the New Year, I put travel related things on there.  I'm thankful to announce that I'll be taking my first trip next month and repartnering with one of my favorite brands.  I'll share more information as my trip gets closer.  For now I'll be going on this trip sans the kiddies unless something changes. 

This week I'm also giving thanks on clarity as it relates to friendships.  I've come to realization that people who only put in the effort to contact you when they need something are NOT friends.  No matter how long you've known them or how much of a friend you've been to them, they're still users. And surprisingly I'm okay with cutting ties from these folks.  Life's just too short and friendship to me is too sacred to be wasting.

Last but not least I'm grateful that my mommy is still acing her classes with flying colors!!   She's been maintaining an A+ and we couldn't be prouder of her. Please keep her in your prayers as finals are coming up soon.

What are you thankful for this week?  And have you entered my PayPal Cash giveaway yet?

My Dollar Tree & Target Mini Shopping Haul Faves

Shopping.  It's one of my favorite pastimes.  I mean who doesn't like to shop?  And if you follow me on Instagram, you already know that I frequent Target and the Dollar Tree a lot!  So, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite items that I picked up during one of my recent mini shopping hauls.

Dollar Tree

Usually when I'm out shopping, my first stop is always the Dollar Tree.  Why?  That's the store I usually have a list for.  I know by now what products they sell and follow a few Facebook groups and YouTubers who keep me updated on new product rollouts.  My faves from this trip all happen to be hair products.

Moo asked is she could stop wearing her hair in braids in all the time and I agreed that she was old enough to start wearing her hair down.  Plus, I felt like how can I help her embrace her natural curls if she nevers gets to show them off?!  My mission was to find some products that we could experiment with and use to help make her hair easier to manage.  Check out the products we found and have been using for the past week below.

• Lusti Organics Olive Oil Detangling Spray:  Not only does this spray detangle but it also conditions and has amino proteins that help to strengthen the hair. While this spray does have few parabens in it, there other natural ingredients such as sage and rosemary in here as well.  This stuff detangles like a charm on both damp and dry hair.  I've already added this my shopping list for my next Dollar Tree trip.

• Lusti Naturals Argan Oil Curl Wave Twist Shaping Gel:  I picked this gel because I wanted something that would help to define and hold her curls without making them hard as bricks.  Also, Moo has a naturally dry scalp and I knew whatever gel we went with, it would need some sort of oil/moisturizer to avoid over drying and irritating her scalp and hair more.  What like about this gel is that it does define her curls beautifully and helps to eliminate 90% of her frizz.  I would say that this gel has a medium firm hold.  This product definitely works better on mixed texture hair like Moo's as opposed to coarse hair like mine since I did experience some flaking and zero curl definition.

• Lusti Naturals Argan Oil Hair Moisturizer:  I like to use the moisturizer after I spray on the detangler, but before I apply the shaping gel.  Two quarter size squirts is usually all that she needs and I work in well with my fingers from root to tip.  In my opinion, I feel that using the moisturizer helps to add a layer of protection between her hair and the shaping while also working with the detangling spray to further condition the hair. If you enjoy Pink Lotion, you'll probably like this product.

Target

I feel like I spend so much time in Target that I should have my own little VIP section.  JJ and I usually hit up the Target closest to us at least three to four days a week.  Before you give me the side eye, let me say that I don't always purchase things on these trips.  I just like to check out the clearance deals and I've been stalking their camera display since my camera has gone to an early grave.   They have a really good Fugi on sale right now, but I'm a Canon girl.  Maybe, if it goes on a double clearance markdown I will pick it up.  

Anyways, I went to Target for the sole purpose of picking up some socks for Moo.  Her feet have literally been growing like weeds.  She requested socks that were either Frozen/Disney Princess related or purple.   Here's what I found below.

On the plus side, I did manage to find socks that were Frozen/Disney Princess themed as well as purple.  On the downside, they only had three pairs in her size.  But they got a new truck in this week and that means I'll be back tomorrow to pick up at least three more pairs for next school year.  She only has a few more days of school left and during summer break she lives in sandals.

To see what other things I picked up from my mini shopping trip check my YouTube video below! 

What your favorite stores to shop?  Any hair product recommendations for kids with curly hair?

Thankful Thursday

"Take time to be thankful for everything that you have.  You can always have more, but you could also have less."

~ Unknown

The struggle to improve my photography and video shooting skills has been real y'all.  My camera fell off its tripod during my DIY shoot for my JORD watch and broke.  I haven't found a budget friendly replacement and last week I started to get down in the dumps about it.  Then, I stumbled across the quote above and remembered that I needed to be thankful that I wasn't completely camera-less.

I do own a phone a with a camera.  Although, it's on its last leg due to kissing the asphalt a few times, in a pinch it gets a decent job done.  However, prayers are greatly appreciated that I as head out this weekend looking for a new replacement that I will find something within my budget.  

This week Moo came home from school talking about how some of the kids in her class were debating whose parents were the richest based on how much stuff (i.e.- toys, clothes, etc) they had.  It bothered her a bit because the situation kind of turned into some of the kids picking on one of her friends.  Also, I think it made her feel a little conscious of the fact that neither I nor her father rushes out to get her the latest toys, etc. As a parent, I've also strived and will continue to strive to instill in my children that material things don't define who we are.

I'm grateful to have had this teachable moment and to reassure her that being rich in life goes beyond how big your house is, the number of zeros in your bank account or in her case the number of Barbie dolls in her toy box.  She felt better by the end of our talk and said that she remembered that people are more important than things. Here's to hoping that as she gets older the peer pressure from her classmates to keep up with Joneses increases, she will continue to remember that.  I'm also hoping that more parents will work on teaching their children that it's not okay to shame others because they don't have as much as you do!

This weekend my little guy turned FOUR!!  Please tell my heart to slow down y'all.  I managed to keep it together on his actual birthday, but there may or may not have been a tear shed the night before his birthday.  While having kids has made me stronger and tougher in certain situations, when it comes to sentimental occasions like birthdays, I have turned into even more a sap.  I'm even more grateful that we got to celebrate his birthday as a family and that the Mr didn't have to work!

Lastly, thank God again for honest neighbors.  My UPS man is officially on my bad side.  He's been delivering all of my packages to someone else in a completely different apartment building and that poor lady has been trekking down three flights of stairs, down the sidewalk and up another couple flights of stairs to drop off my packages.  The first time I thought she'd made a lucky guess at which apartment to bring the package to because I'd expected there to be an error with the my printed mailing address. 

Nope, my address was correct.  This week, I got a really package and she was so out of breath that she had to pause outside our door to catch it as she explained that our UPS man had once again left my package at her place.  As expected my address was 100% correct.  I felt bad that she had to cart that heavy box down and up all those stairs in this heat we've been having.  At this point, I'm seriously wondering why he keeps doing this and what happened to the UPS lady we had before he started doing this route?  

Not sure if I can find out which warehouse he works at and contact the manager, but the we'll look into email from corporate isn't going to do this time. Nevertheless, I'm grateful for the reminder that we still have honest people in this often times crazy world.  I give thanks to God for this good samaritan in our neighborhood.  Also, thank you to everyone who's been entering my current PayPal Cash giveaway!

Let me know in the comments what you're thankful for this week!

Honey Glazed & Italian Breaded Baked Pork Chops

I have to admit the Mr and I don't get out for date nights much.  Thus, we have become more of the date night in sort of couple.  My husband gets to show off his awesome movie picking skills.  I get to show off my superb cooking skills by transforming an average week night meal into a date night worthy feast.  This week I made Honey Glazed & Italian Breaded Baked Pork Chops using Progresso Bread Crumbs.  Check out the recipe below.

Ingredients
4 pork chops
1/2 cup Progresso Italian bread crumbs
1/4 cup honey
salt (optional)
pepper (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and gather ingredients.

2. Using a sauce brush, cover both sides of each pork chops with a light coating of honey.  You can season with salt and pepper before brushing with honey if desired.

3. Pour bread crumbs into a shallow dish.  Place pork chops on top of bread crumbs and shake lightly using a back and forth motion.  Flip and shake again to bread other side.  Repeat until both sides are evenly breaded.

4. Place breaded pork chops on to a foil lined pan (easy clean up).  Bake for 30-40 minutes.  Flip halfway through cooking progress.

5. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

See how the honey caramelized with the bread crumbs in certain spots?  Yummy goodness I y'all.!

See how easy and simple it is to transform plain baked pork chops by adding two additional ingredients?  It's amazing the taste difference the Progresso Italian bread crumbs and honey make.  If you're interested in trying this recipe out be sure to print out this $1.00 off TWO Progresso Bread Crumbs products at Publix.  The coupon is available for printing until May 31st and expires June 30, 2015.  

Need more incentive to try out this recipe?  How about entering this $15 PayPal giveaway?  Yep, you could win a chance for me to pay for your date night in meal!  Just use the Rafflecopter widget below.  This giveaway is open to US residents 18 & under.  Good luck!

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Thankful Thursday

"There is always, always, ALWAYS something to be thankful for."

~ Unknown

I started this week off giving thanks for my little guy feeling somewhat better.  His cough has cleared up ton. He's back to his cheerful self.  I'm also grateful that we have health insurance.  Paying for doctor visits and prescriptions out of pocket with no assistance or discount can be pricey.

Mother's Day was almost a week ago. Since I've been tending to JJ and working a few other projects I haven't had the chance to be present around the blog this week.  I said all that to say Happy Belated Mother's Day!  This Mother's Day I wanted to be surrounded by my family and to have a whole day of being able to curl up with my books.  Sunday, I got to do just that.  I wrapped up reading half of Christina Lauren's Beautiful series and started on A. N. Roquelaure's (Anne Rice) The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty as well as Oprah Winfrey's This I Know For Sure.  

The Mr. took over breakfast duty.  Moo and JJ played quietly in the living room together.  No complaints here about my Mother's Day except for the Mr having had to go in to work.  Otherwise, it was nice and peaceful.

Thankfully, my mom was finally able to find a handyman to do a few odd ends around her house.  That process in and of itself was a small pain in her bottom.  I come from a super small town that 95% of people have never heard of.  And if you need major repairs you often times end up a creek because the closest major cities and towns are at 1 to 4 hours away.  Then you're not only worried about the cost of the repair, but how much they're going to charge for you traveling so far out.

Anyways, she called me all excited that she had found someone with a dependable crew and reasonable rates.  They've already made some repairs and she's pleased with their services and have been recommending them to others in the area who were looking for a good handyman as well.  I'm grateful she can rest easy and stop stressing/worrying over these issues now that they are being taken care of.

Lastly, I want to ask you guys to keep the YUMMommy family in prayer.  My husband is stepping out on faith to do something that will result in HUGE changes for our family.  While I'm excited, I'm nervous as well.  However, I trust God to lead us and guide us.  He wouldn't have opened this door if there wasn't a reason.  So, I've been praying that He makes those reasons clear in order for us to make the right choices for our family.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

"No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks."

~ Unknown

When I stumbled across this week's Thankful Thursday quote it really resonated within me.  For me and my family, thank you is a phrase that you will hear pretty often around here, especially from Moo.  She's very good at remembering to say thank you when someone does something for her like holding her door or opening her soy yogurt.  I feel like her heart so full of gratitude.

I'd like to take credit for that and I kind of can, but I know a lot of her kindness and overall awesomeness is just how God made her.  Although, I do my best to set great examples, I know that there are just somethings that God really gifted her with before she even came into the world.  She's taught me the importance of letting people know that I am grateful.  Whether it's being grateful for simply having them in my life or being grateful for something they did for me, it's very important to say thank you and express our gratitude.

With that said this week I'm giving thanks for awesome pediatricians.  Whenever one of the kids are sick, they always manage to squeeze them in to be seen the same day when I call.  They are very familiar with the fact that a common cold is never just a common cold for Moo and JJ.  I love how they take the time to explain what the issue is, how the kids may have gotten it and ways that we can prevent them from catching it again.  They also know that I get a bit of anxiety when my kids get sick and they do a great job of reassuring me.

Today is National Mom's Night Out and I'm grateful for the opportunity to hang out with some of my favorite bloggers and friends.  A special thanks to Kate from My Mommy Brain for hosting the event!  She's so sweet, soft spoken and just has this bubbly personality that is contagious.  Definitely, drop by her blog and check out her copy cat recipe posts because she is a master at replicating restaurant dishes!

I can never get enough of this cuteness!

A photo posted by K. E M (@yummommies) on May 2, 2015 at 11:49am PDT

I'm thankful that this week the Mr got to take the weekend off.  This does not happen very often.  We had a blast enjoying one of our favorite parks.  We played soccer with the kids.   Once the kids went to sleep we got to have the evenings to ourselves to reconnect as a couple.


Lastly, I'm grateful to have my voice back today.  I woke up Wednesday morning with a swollen, itchy throat and no voice thanks to severe allergies.  Moo thought it was hilarious that I had to pretty much use hand gestures to communicate.  Pretty sure I looked like a mad woman with my hands flapping everywhere.  Thanks to resting my voice and some home remedies I was able to get the swelling down and can talk today!!

What are you giving thanks for this week?

Calling All #HotMamas!

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by Warner Bros. Pictures.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Happy Tuesday YUMMs!  I hereby dub May Mom Appreciation Month.  We need and deserve more than just one day a year to celebrate our hot awesomeness.  Being a mom has by far been one of the most amazing and wonderful experiences of my life.  However, there have been times where it's been very challenging and a bit stressful as well.  It's easy to get so caught up in our families that we start to feel rundown and underappreciated. 

That's exactly why Sofia Vergara and fellow mom, Reese Witherspoon, are in #HotPursuit of some #HotMamas.  They understand how important moms are and how we as women in general have a tendency to put ourselves last.  To show appreciation to moms everywhere, HOT PURSUIT is giving all moms in need of some rest and relaxation the chance to win a trip to Hollywood, California!  And they've made entering easy.  All you have to do is take a photo of yourself with your mom or a loved one and post it on social media including the hashtag #HotMamas and HotPursuitSweeps.com in the caption/status.  Check out the official rules for more info.

To show some appreciation to you guys, Warner Bros. Pictures and I are giving away a HOT PURSUIT prize pack that includes the cute Hot Pursuit tote bag above and a $25 Visa gift card you can use to check the movie once it hits theaters on May 8th.  This giveaway is open to US residents 18 & older.  All you have to do is use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!  Don't forget to check out Hot Pursuit on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+.

Are You Ready For A HOT PURSUIT?

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by Warner Bros. Pictures.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Who's ready for a Hot Pursuit?  Mark your calendars YUMMS because it's going down May 8th!  Yep, Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara are coming to a theater near you.  I'm super stoked that two of my favorite Hollywood starlets have finally teamed up to star in a movie together.

Hmm... bet you're wondering what made them scream?  Guess we'll find out on May 8th.

Brought to us by Warner Bros. Pictures, Hot Pursuit is a movie about an overly-controlled, uptight, Ms-I-go-by-the-book Officer Cooper (Witherspoon) whose job is to protect Daniella (Vergara), the smoking hot and outgoing widow of a drug boss.  As if Officer Cooper doesn't have her hands already full handling Daniella, but now they're being hotly pursued by a group of crooked/shady cops and a band of murderous gunmen through Texas.  Will these two escape with their lives?

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get my laugh as this movie looks like it not only bring the action/suspense, but some belly-aching laughs as well.  Check out the movie trailer below and see for yourself.

Didn't I tell ya?!  So make plans to round up some your girlfriends, call a babysitter or Grandma and head out for a Mom's Night Out next Friday to enjoy some laughs, high-speed action and a little Southern charm!

Besides fellow mommy Reese Witherspoon and funny woman Sofia Vergara, Hot Pursuit also stars Richard T. Jones (Judging Amy & Why Did I Get Married), UK cutie Robert Kazinsky (EastEnders) and John Carroll Lynch (The Drew Carey Show).

You can check pictures of the cast and more on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+.  Also, be sure to drop back by the blog next week for a super special Hot Pursuit prize pack giveaway that will be going live on May 5th!