The Worth of a Stay at Home Mom

With tax time upon us, I've read many articles about Stay at Home Mom's and the question of whether or not they should get some sort of a tax break. There are tax breaks offered to those who pay for childcare and work outside of the home, however stay at home parents do not have that same benefit. I for one do not think it's fair...how about you? Do you think Stay at home moms/dads who stay home and care for their children should receive a childcare tax credit of some kind?

The consensus seems to be an overwhelming yes among those who have given their opinions on the issue (both working parents and stay at home parents included). In fact, many of the articles and sites I came across also offered information pertaining to the "worth" of a stay at home mom/dad and what their salary would/should be. The most interesting was found over at Salary.com. They have put together a Mom Salary Wizard (for both working moms and stay at home moms) to help calculate the work each does and the wage they should fairly earn. It was just interesting to see, and I thought I'd pass it along for fun. They make it possible to print off the "Mom Paycheck" calculated in the end, which could serve as a neat Mother's Day Gift even?!?

Be Smart and Save Money With Seventh Generation

Before being pregnant with Kaelyn, I have to admit that I wasn't aware of the harmful effects many of our daily cleaning products have on our health. I don't even think it was so much that I didn't know, I guess I just never thought about it before. Then, when I became pregnant, and now having her here with us...my complete mindset has changed. I am now all for Green cleaning products that are safe to use for the sake of our health and hers.

One of my favorite brands, and one I'm still becoming more and more familiar with is Seventh Generation. I love knowing that the products I'm using are not harmful to our health. Not only are their cleaning products great, but the baby products they offer like their chlorine-free wipes, are amazing! If you've never tried them, you definitely should. In fact, it not only can be a healthy decision to make for your family, but one that will save you money as well. If you visit their website, you can sign up for an account and gain access to many useful coupons. I recently came across this option and thought I'd pass it along.

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/coupons

Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics

I have to say, once I became a mom I thought of everything in an entirely different way. Throughout my pregnancy I found myself more aware of what I was eating, as well as what I was using on my body. Everything from lotions to foods...I knew that I needed to provide the very best start to life for our little one that I possibly could. Then, after having Kaelyn, I did the same thing with the things I use on her and the foods I feed her. I search for everything from BPA free eating utensils and tableware to organic foods and organic skin and body care products.

One of our favorite brands of supplies to use on Kaelyn is Earth Mama Angel Baby® Organics! If you've never heard of them or tried them, you really should! They offer natural pregnancy products, baby products, and postpartum products that you won't find anywhere else! Using this line of products has really put my mind at ease knowing that I am using the very best shampoos, body washes, diaper salves, etc for her. Whether it's items like this, or stretch mark oil and breastfeeding care products....Earth Mama Angel Baby® Organics has it all! It's definitely worth the money to use something that's 100% safe for me and Kaelyn.

Daniel's Den

I don't often have a lot of time to read anything but my Bible and devotionals...I'm sure others, especially busy parents can relate. However, when contacted by Glass Road Public Relations to read and review Daniel's Den by Brandt Dodson, I decided that I was going to take a little "me time" each day and see what it was all about. After all, I enjoy a Christian fiction story...especially when it's a thriller like this one! Having heard many great things about this book and knowing what a 'page turner' it is...you can imagine it sparked my curiosity and had me indulging in "me time" even longer each day than I had expected! The reviews don't lie...this book is definitely a thriller and one that has you flipping page after page, not wanting to put the book down. I guess you could say this probably isn't the best thing when you're a busy stay at home mom and wife who is trying to get a million things done in one day...but after having read it, I decided that it's nice to have some time each day to do something relaxing like this. In fact, I may just begin reading more often! Who knows?!

Even though I could probably write pages about this book, I don't want to give it all away in case there are others as anxious to read it as I was. For those who haven't heard of Daniel's Den though, I thought it would be a good idea to give you a brief synopsis of what the story entails and why it's a MUST read!

As the reader you're thrown into the life of a very busy and successful stock analyst in New Orleans as well as that of Laura Sky, who runs a small B&B in the Shenendoah Valley with her young son Andy after having lost her husband to cancer and her parents when she was younger. Although Daniel and Laura are as opposite as they come, their lives were brought together when Daniel stays in her B&B, as he runs for his life. He has some very powerful people after him after being accused of a murder he did not commit. In his search for answers he is lead to Laura who he believes has ties to this situation. Together they now must work and try to let the truth be known, all while running from the men who want them dead! They discover how important it is to depend on God, the One who will never abandon them!

I would definitely recommend this 'page turner' to anyone who enjoys a story of hope, and one that has you wanting to know what will happen next until the very end! It lacks a bit of the "romantic element" that I so enjoy in stories, however all in all it's definitely one many will enjoy! I know I did!

Bubbles

As Kaelyn gets older she is adding more and more words to her vocabulary. We always say that she learns a word a day, and that really is no exaggeration. Each day it seems she is saying something new. One of her most recent words is "bubble" or "bubbos" as she says it. We spent some time at my parents over the past week while Scott was away for work, and Kaelyn was thrilled when Grammy got out her bubble blower. She had never played with bubbles so this was an exciting and new experience for her. She enjoyed watching them float in the air, as well as chase after them and try to catch them. It was so cute to watch her! After seeing how much she enjoyed this, I definitely think we'll have to get ourselves a bubble blower as well....especially this summer when it's nicer outside...she will have a lot of fun with something like that. A bubble blower is probably on my list of definite "Mommy Must-Haves"!

Getting a Toddler to Drink From a Cup

For about a month I have been debating when to start Kaelyn with a "big girl cup", as well as silverware. She's used a spoon here and there, but other than we either help her, or she uses her hands to pick up most foods. I decided to start with the cup today.....it was quite the fun experience!! :) I was preparing myself for a big mess...as I wasn't sure she would understand what to do. I begin by showing her how Mommy drinks out of a cup, then handed the cup to her. She held it in her tiny hands, put it right up to her mouth and began drinking. Was she doing what I thought she was doing?? I couldn't believe she was drinking from the cup so well. After a few drinks, we did have a little spilling, but overall she did GREAT, and spilling was expected! :) I was so proud of her, and could tell she was proud of herself too. We'll have to show Daddy the pictures tonight....he'll be so excited of our little girl!!

Febreeze Air Effects Eliminates Odor

Have you noticed how scent really has a way of affecting ones mood and behavior even?! I sure have. If it's a scent I like, I am much more likely to be in a good mood and probably even relaxed depending on the smell. Recently I had the opportunity to try out Febreeze Air Effects to review it, and boy am I happy I did. The scents aren't only amazing, but it's outstanding the way this product truly eliminates odor. Having a toddler means lots of diapers, so at times you can imagine how her room smells. One tiny spray of Febreeze Air Effects really helped to eliminate the odor...not just mask it. I was very pleased with the way this worked and plan on buying more in the future! Thank you Febreeze!

Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink

I had the wonderful opportunity of reviewing Boost, Kid Essentials!! I was very excited to receive it in the mail and see what it was all about, as it's something we had never tried before. It arrived very quickly and there was a whole box of goodies for us to use and try. The best part of it were the two samples of Boost Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink. What I found to be so impressive and comforting as a parent, was that it helps to give children balanced nutrition by offering 25 essential vitamins, minerals, protein, antioxidants, and a great immunity supporting probiotics straw. Kids love this stuff, and the fact that it's so healthy is great....you don't find that much anymore! You can learn more about this healthy drink for your kids, which is great for kids ages 1-13, on the KidEssentials.com website.

As I said, we got a whole box of fun things along with our samples. They sent us a fun Rainbox Coleus Mix to plant together once the weather warms up, as well as a child size lunch bag and freezable container to keep food cool. I'm very happy to have had the chance to try all of this, and recommend any parent of young children to do the same! Thanks Kid Essentials!

Growing Like a Weed

Tuesday was Kaelyn's 15 month Drs Appointment and everything went great! I always enjoy hearing how much she's grown...that's the best part! It's also fun to see where she is developmentally and what the Dr has to say about everything too. Her progress report was fantastic....she grew almost 2 inches and gained about 1 1/2 pounds since we were there last for her 1 year appointment. She's walking around and talking all the time which was something the Dr liked hearing as well. She's a healthy little girl who is right where she needs to be developmentally, and is growing like a weed....we are truly blessed! As the Dr said goodbye, she said she'd be seeing us at Kaelyn's 18 month appointment, then after that we just meet with her once a year. That was completely fine with me, however caught me a little off guard, as it's weird to think that she is already that old. Wow!

Dining Out With a Toddler

As we were out to eat with my parents on Sunday, I got to thinking back when Kaelyn was a baby and what it was like to take her to a restaurant at that age. When she was just little...she would either sleep in her carrier, or lay/sit in someone's lap. Now, however....she's getting older and wants to eat with the rest of us which is completely understandable. Anyone who has kids though, knows that they don't like to wait for the food, so I have learned that it's always good to go somewhere that is fast and offers the foods she likes to eat. We were at the Pizza Ranch so this is perfect. The one thing I'm still learning is what other things I can bring for her once she decides she's done eating. I'd like to come up with some things to have on hand to keep her busy while the rest of us finish our meal. I'm sure with time we'll get our little "survival kit together'...any suggestions are more than welcome.... :)

15 Month Old Baby

....and what a joy she has been in our lives!! She's an absolute blessing and we simply adore her. I can't believe that she is already 15 months old...walking around, talking and developing such a fun and outgoing little personality. We feel so blessed to have her as our daughter...how lucky we are!! She had quite the eventful day today too....

It began with church, which she loves because this is the time she gets to see all her friends in the nursery. She enjoys walking up to all of them saying "baby", regardless if they're younger or older than her. :) It's too cute for words. After church she had a visit from Aunt Kim who she wanted to show ALL of her toys in the playroom. We ate lunch at the Pizza Ranch with my parents and Kaelyn had a blast running around the mall with them while we went to the movie, Taken (very good movie by the way!!!). My mom and I also had the chance to catch some great deals at a local consignment store which carries racks and racks of baby clothes, and shelves of toys. I think Kaelyn is pretty well set for clothes...at least through Spring time. Isn't it crazy how quickly they grow out of things?!? That's why we find consignment shopping to be the best option....and it's so much fun!! I can't wait for the huge sale in April up in the cities!! Anyone who's never heard of the Just Between Friends Consignment Sale for baby clothes should check it out!! It goes on all over the United States and is wonderful for parents with children of all ages.

It was an eventful day and we all had a wonderful time getting to see family. It was nice to have a movie date with my hubby too. :) I am so thankful for the family we have living so close to us. It's great to see them often and to have babysitters who love our little girl as much as we do. :)