Back in the winter of 2013 with a 3 month old baby and almost 3 year old, Chris and I decided we were outgrowing our town-home. We searched for the perfect home but all the homes just didn't feel right. You know what I mean? I wanted to walk in and it already feel like home. We were not opposed to a forecloser in fact we encouraged our realtor to find one.
We searched for hours online and kept passing up one home because the pictures were terrible and honestly creepy. Finally we were like just show us this home since we'll be in the area anyway. Would you believe that when we walked in Chris and I looked at each other and we just knew this was the one for us!
It was a forecloser, it needed a TON of work, but the layout was perfect, the schools were great, the neighborhood was beautiful, and it had an office for us to work from home in!!!!
The very first thing we did when we moved in was remove all the dead bushes and trees. Which seems like most all the landscaping. Then we painted and repaired the exterior. It was a scary looking grey and the deck was orange. I'm not lying...ORANGE! Who paints their deck that color? We called it the Halloween house.
We LOVE this house now. It's perfect for our family. We now have 3 boys. Each one has his own room, Chris has his office, and I have my salon. It's perfect! Oh and I can't forget to mention the awesome closets! Especially mine <3 It's HUGE! It honestly could be the 5th bedroom...no joke.
BUT
We are selling it!
Why?! I know, I know, I know! Chris and I have prayed a lot about this. We are setting ourselves up for a BIG adventure in the future! We see ourselves living on a small homestead eventually. It won't be right away but in the near future. Plus, we love fixing up houses. We have found a passion for it.
Chris and I work well together...surprisingly. Haha! He does all the heavy lifting and I do the design. It's perfect but it does have it's challenges too of course.
Alright, now for the good stuff. These pictures were taken for selling purposes. The house is "staged" so people can see themselves living here. I will eventually post before and after photos once the house has been sold. If you love this house I'll have my realtor's contact information at the bottom of the post along with a video.
Thanks for checking out my house! There are some pictures that we don't have but if you would like more information please contact our realtor.
Robin Rohrman SFR
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Office: 847-277-2712
So, I must say that I'm loving the new Facebook LIVE feature! I've always wanted to create videos, I've taped them and then procrastinate on splicing them. So I'm happy to announce that I am now creating Facebook LIVE videos!!
My first video was on my personal page that I have now made public and will share with you here.
I shared a pic on Instagram and got requests to do a video on how to create this faux braid on short hair.
Here is a fan pic!
Thanks Selena for sharing it with me :)
Faux Braid on Short Hair
My first video was on my personal page that I have now made public and will share with you here.
I shared a pic on Instagram and got requests to do a video on how to create this faux braid on short hair.
Here is a fan pic!
Thanks Selena for sharing it with me :)
Faux Braid on Short Hair
I hope you enjoyed my first video! Come follow Pampered Daughter Thrifty Wife on Facebook so you don't miss out on all future LIVE videos!
This past weekend was so nice outside. We took advantage of the awesome weather and cleaned up the yard and washed windows. Loads of fun I know!
My kids wanted to have their morning snack on their picnic table. I was all for it since I wouldn't have to clean up as much...heck yeah!! Of course they dropped the plate too. I guess I was too busy taking their picture to notice the plate was hanging off the edge.
OOOOOPS!!
We love Apples and Peanut Butter Nachos! How could you not love the creamy peanut butter and crunchy apples? Not to mention a little chocolate to awaken your taste buds.
These "nachos" are messy, gooey, and filling! They are a great after school snack or a sweet treat. Share with your kids or keep it all to yourself.
Apples and Peanut Butter Nachos
Serves 1-2 people
1-2 Apples, washed and peeled (peeled is optional)
1-2 Tbs. Peanut Butter or your favorite nut butter
Mini Chocolate Chips
Cut up the apples in to small chunks. Heat up the peanut butter in a sauce pan on medium-low heat until creamy. Keep stirring so it doesn't burn. Drizzle the peanut butter over the apples and sprinkle the chips on top. ENJOY!
Apple Pie A La Mode Smoothie
8 oz. Milk of choice
1 cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
2 scoops Vanilla Shaklee Life Energizing Shake
Ice as needed
Blend all ingredients together for 1 minute.
ENJOY!
Apple Pie A La Mode Smoothie Freezer Meal:
Freeze beforehand in an ice cube tray: (optional)
1 cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce
Place into a 1 quart freezer bag:
1 cup frozen Unsweetened Apple Sauce
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
2 scoops Vanilla Shaklee Life Energizing Shake
Place in freezer until you are ready to make your smoothie.
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Place the frozen contents of the freezer bag into the blender. Add 8 oz. of milk, ice as needed and blend. ENJOY!
My husband Chris and I rarely went out on dates when we decided that we wanted to get married someday. We saved the money we would normally spend going out and saved it for our future home. Only 9 months after we were married we found out that I was pregnant. I was attending Cosmetology school 60-65 hours a week plus a part-time job teaching dance and figure skating. Chris was also working 60+ hours a week. We had little time and little energy to go out.
Fast forward a bit and add 3 kids in 4 years to the mix and we still struggle to find the time to date. However, we both strongly agree it's essential to carve out some time during the week to focus on your spouse. Our relationship is always changing and growing with the seasons and unpredictable events of life.
We've noticed that if we intentionally take some time to focus on each other even for just an hour a week there is less arguing, more affection, more thoughtfulness, and less stress.
How to Date Your Spouse When You Have Young Kids
1. Schedule 3-4 date nights a month. Yep, take out your calendar and pick your date nights. Aim for at least once a week.
2. Plan an activity. Check out this post for date night ideas.
3. Put the kids to bed early or hire a sitter. Hire a reliable sitter if you plan a night out. Not every date needs to be out of the house tho. Put the kids to bed a little early to get some extra time alone.
4. Get dressed up. Take a shower, put some fresh clothes on, spray your spouses favorite perfume/cologne on and brush your teeth. I like to get dressed up even when we are staying in.
5. Add something special just for that night. Our something special is usually a new drink or dessert. It's something we look forward to and something we don't do often normally. This could be anything you want and something special to look forward to all week.
Happy Dating!
Cranberry Marshmallow Protein Balls
Ingredients:
1 cup Peanut Butter
1/3 cup Honey
1/4 cup Dried Cranberries
1/4 cup Mini Marshmallows
Mix together in a medium bowl or food processor (use the dough blade). Roll into balls or use a small ice cream scooper. Place in fridge or eat right away.
Chris and I love to get out of the house and have a date night but it's not always possible with 3 young kids. Hiring a babysitter can get expensive and sometimes staying in is just as fun.
I put together 20 date night ideas you can have at home that we've tried and want to try.
1. Have beer/wine/mixed drink tasting. Grab a new drink to try together.
2. Ice cream night. Make sundaes with fun creative toppings.
3. Cook a new meal together.
4. Paint night. Grab some paint, brushes, and paper and paint together. You could even use the same paper and see what you come up with together.
5. Have a bonfire and roast marshmallows.
6. Play video games together.
7. Exchange foot rubs.
8. Have a picnic on the floor or take it outside under the stars.
9. Build a fort together.
10. Chopped Challenge at home. Have a friend fill a bag with ingredients neither of you know about. Set a timer and race the clock together.
11. Do a puzzle together.
12. Dream about your future together and where you'd like to be in the next 5-10 years.
13. Look at your wedding album or watch your wedding video.
14. Play a card/board game.
15. Snapchat each other when one is out of town.
16. Movie and popcorn night.
17. Watch a sports game together and dress in your teams colors.
18. Play minute to win it games.
19. Play hide and seek.
20. Listen to an audio book together.
My friend Suni Ferrer came up with this amazing "Get Well" Slushy for when her kids are coming down with something and don't want to swallow vitamins.
I started giving my boys the slushy and they LOVE it! They ask for it as a dessert after dinner. I have no problem with that! Healthy kids equal a happy mom :) I've even tried it and I was surprised just how sweet and tasty it was.
"Get Well" Slushy
By Suni Ferrer
Makes 2 child servings or 1 adult serving.
- 2-4 oz. filtered water (Get Clean Water pitcher removes lead)
- 7-10 ice cubes
- 6 Defend & Resist (Zinc, Echinacea, Black Elderberry)
- 2 Nutriferon
- 10 Chewable Vita-C
- 1 Vita-D3
- 3 Tbsp Performance Orange (or Lemon-Lime)
- 2 Incredivites or 1 Vita-Lea (optional, if not taking separately)
- 1 Lime or 1/2 lemon or 1 Orange, freshly squeezed
- 7 drops liquid stevia or 1 packet stevia to taste (optional)
- 3-5 Alfalfa Complex (optional, decongesting and helps digestion)
Blend until slushy, Serve in 2 bowls with a spoon. Cover with lid and save in freezer any unused portions. If you blend too long, then it turns into a refreshing ice beverage you can enjoy with a straw.
Note: This can also be made as a room-temperature drink, simply use 8-16 oz. water and omit ice cubes.
Give this yummy slushy-sorbet as a natural remedy at the first sign of illness and repeat in 4 hours.
To boost immunity even more, take 1-2 Optiflora probiotic capsules per day.
