Blog

Posted on

Road tripping…

Willie Nelson said it best: “I can’t wait to get on the road again.” Who’s ready for a road trip this summer? After being locked in our homes for most of last summer, it’s time to get out and explore. Texas may be HOT in the summer, but there are an abundance of places to visit. Here are a few road trips and places to visit, as well as a few MUST HAVES for road trips. 

  1. GALVESTON 
    1. Stay on the beach
    2. Places to visit: 
      1. MOODY GARDENS is a great INDOOR place to visit on hot days. You can explore the Rainforest Pyramid, Aquarium Pyramid and the Discovery Museum. They also offer 3D & 4D theatre experiences. For the best bang for your buck, purchase the Value Pass that grants you access to all that is offered. 
      2. THE 1877 TALLSHIP ELISSA & MUSEUM- The Tallship Elissa was purchased from a shipyard in Greece, brought to Galveston for restoration and is one of three left that still sails today. The kids loved being able to walk around the ship and the museum offers great info on the history of seaports in Texas. While there, you can buy tickets for a harbour tour.
      3. HARBOUR AND DOLPHIN TOUR- Take advantage of the opportunity to explore the harbour by boat. You will most likely get to see dolphins and a sunken ship. 
      4. PLEASURE PIER- carnival games and rides. When we went to Galveston, this was not open, but I’ve heard from others that the kids love it. 
      5. Other places to visit- Bishop’s Palace, The Strand, Pier 21
  2. San Antonio
    1. Stay close to where you will spend the most time. Construction and traffic in SA are no joke. 
    2. Places to visit:
      1. SeaWorld
      2. Fiesta Texas
      3. Downtown-
        1. The Alamo and its grounds
        2. The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum https://www.buckhornmuseum.com 
        3. El Mercado- eat at Mi Tierra or La Margarita
        4. Ripley’s Believe it or Not and the Wax Museum
        5. The Doseum
        6. Riverwalk and river boats
        7. Missions around town
      4. Witte Museum
      5. San Antonio Zoo
      6. Outside of San Antonio
        1. Boerne Enchanted Springs- experience the Old West
        2. Enchanted Rock

MUST HAVES FOR ROAD TRIPS

  1. Make packing easy with packing cubes. https://amzn.to/34kahyQ 
  2. Car Organizer for backseat https://amzn.to/2SptsV4 
  3. Lunch bags- pack snacks for the kids so they aren’t asking for food the whole trip. When we do long road trips, they get a new bag when we cross state lines. https://amzn.to/2RQbPO9 
  4. Kindle Fire- there are bigger more expensive ones, but this is the one we have for the kids. And it’s only $50. https://amzn.to/2REFiuF 
    1. Then get a case for it: https://amzn.to/3wzf5fB 
  5. First Aid kit- I can guarantee someone will need medicine or bandaids while on vacation. 
    1. Small kit: https://amzn.to/3yHFdab
    2. Large Kit: https://amzn.to/3fOgd8m 
Posted on

Why I hated Christmas…

Holidays are such a happy time. Everyone gathered together, warm indoors, laughing, singing, drinking cocoa. However, for a lot of people, that isn’t their truth. For a lot of people, the holidays bring a remembrance of something lost. A happier time now gone, a loved one no longer with you. So how do you make it through the holidays with a broken heart? 

As I was sitting around a fire with friends, they all expressed how excited they were that Christmas was almost here. They were excited for their kids, and all the fun times they had planned. They talked of Christmas carols and one even wore a “Jingle Bells” shirt. One of my friends would celebrate Christmas year round if she could. As I sat there and listened to all of them and their joy for what was to come, I was reminded of the many years I HATED Christmas. Yes, you read that right. I HATED Christmas! Everything about it. The music, the gathering, the decor… EVERYTHING!! It served no purpose in my life. It brought sorrow and heartache every year. 

I’m sure you are asking why. Well, my senior year of high school, the ONLY grandparent I ever knew, passed away ON CHRISTMAS DAY! We went to visit her at the hospital. We all spoke to her, and said our good-byes. The nurse told us to go home and have Christmas and they would call if anything changed. So, we did that. I drove home with family members in the car. We went home and we opened gifts. I purposely saved my gift from her to open last, after all other gifts were opened. ALL gifts were opened, BUT I made sure the last gift opened that year was from her. As we all got our dinner plates and sat down, the phone rang. She had passed away as we sat down to eat. I don’t remember anyone being at the hospital with her, but I could be wrong. I do, however know, I was not at the hospital with her. As soon as we got the call, we left our plates on the table and again headed down to the hospital. It was our way to say one final goodbye. The rest of the day and week are hazy. I vaguely remember the actual funeral. Afterwards, we resumed normal life. 

I do believe this was the event that set off my depression and anxiety. It wasn’t until the next year, while in college and with a new boyfriend (my now husband), that it actually surfaced. It was right after the year anniversary of her death. I dreaded everything about Christmas. I just had no desire to celebrate anything. I just put on a happy face. As the years passed, it continued. I remember a specific celebration at my cousin’s house. My uncle and aunts were talking about my grandma and I just sat there and listened. Finally, I had had enough. I got up with tears in my eyes and walked back inside, right out the front door. My (now fiancee) followed me and calmed me down. 

It was not until years later, after I found Christ, that Christmas began to feel normal again. Christ gave new meaning to the holiday. It was no longer about the lights, cheesy songs and presents. It was about the birth of my Savior. The music exhalts Him and His birth. It is now about celebrating His birth. 

When I had kids, the other parts of Christmas slowly began to become fun again. I enjoy playing Santa, decorating the tree and house, and baking cookies. It took many, many years (23 to be exact), a Savior, and a family for me to fully enjoy the Holiday again. If you are sorrowful or mourning the loss of a loved one this year, my prayer is that you find joy in the Savior. That through all the “stuff” around you, you are able to find Him. Focusing on just ONE positive a day also helps. Remember to celebrate those around you. Mainly, find your reason for the season.

Posted on

Unique Christmas Gifts

Christmas is right around the corner. If you have kids, I’m sure you’ve struggled with what to get them. Toys are great, but tend to over take your house, and let’s be honest they usually only last a few months before they are broken or lost. And if you have older kids that don’t do toys anymore, what do you get them? Then, there are your parents and/or in-laws. Hopefully our list of unique gifts will help you this Christmas shopping season. 

(some affiliated links included)

FOR THE KIDS: 

  1. Universal Yums is a monthly or yearly snack subscription box for the whole family to enjoy. Each month you will receive a box of snacks from a different country. There are three options: the YUM box with 6 snacks, the Yum Yum box with 12 snacks (which is what we receive), and the Super Yum box with 18 snacks. The snacks included are a variety of sweet and salty snacks. Some are so good we end up fighting over the leftovers, and some are so bad we laugh at the faces we make when we try them. It has opened my kids up to trying new things and realizing that the world outside of our own backyard is vast and different. Each box also includes info on the given country, trivia questions and games, and depending on which size box you order may have recipes and other info. You can also purchase 1, 3, 6 or 12 month subscriptions. I recommend at least 6 so you can get the full experience. 

For $5 off your subscription, you can use the following link: https://www.universalyums.com/?uy=k4waca7m6z 

  1. KiwiCrate is a monthly subscription box for all ages. They have something for everyone from infants- elderly. The boxes offer a range of activities from early development exploration and fine motor skills, to art & crafts, geography and STEM activities. Over the years, my children have received the KiwiCrate, DoodleCrate and TinkerCrate. They loved being able to create something each month. This year, we will be trying the MakerCrate and/or EurekaCrate. Most of the activities can be done alone, but some do require adult help. 

Just the follow this link and start the fun today: https://www.kiwico.com/Refer?i=DaynaM6 

  1. Osmo is an educational gaming accessory for the iPad or KindleFire. Many kids have been exposed to this system at school, but having one at home helps keep them engaged in the fun. Osmo offers a bunch of unique kits and add-ons. When first purchasing the system, one of the starter kits is the easiest way to go. The Genius Family Starter kit is the best bang for your buck. It provides you with a stand for your device (iPad or KindleFire) and NINE games! The games range in ages starting with letter and number recognition games and then progressing to Math and Coding games. My kids really enjoy the MindRacers game and PizzaCo. I highly recommend this for all ages as it grows with the child and can be used with multiple siblings.  

Here is the link: https://www.playosmo.com 

  1. green kid crafts is another subscription that offers 4-6 science or art projects to be done at home. The boxes are great for ages 2-10 and are geared towards STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math). The variety the box gives allows kids to engage in a number of educational activities.Think homemade volcanoes, painting with marbles, and outdoor activities as well. My kids loved all the different activities each month. 

Here is the link to get started: https://www.greenkidcrafts.com 

  1. Bitsbox is a subscription that teaches coding. There are three subscription types available; Digital only, Basic BitsBox (includes a binder, cards, stickers and access to a coding website) or the Deluxe BitsBox (everything in the Basic BitsBox and trading cards and a mystery toy). Your child will need access to a computer, but if they are interested in coding at all, this will keep them busy. We receive the Deluxe BitsBox, and the toys included are always interesting. The last one we received was a small crank music box. My son was fascinated with it. There is also a Grown Up Guide included if you want to follow along. This is a great way for kids to play and learn. 

Here is the link to get coding: https://bitsbox.com 

  1. Highlights for Children offers a variety of magazines and activities for children of all ages. Of course they still have the “Hidden Pictures” Magazines but there are so many new ones to choose from as well. Our two favorites are the “Which Way USA”  and “Top Secret” sets. The “Which Way USA” set focuses on two states each month. Since we like to take road trips, this was perfect for my kids to read before and after trips. The “Top Secret” set focuses on solving puzzles and a “whodunit” all while learning about different countries. 

To get started with highlights, click here: https://www.highlights.com 

  1. Focus on the Family offers a wide range of gifts for children. There are multiple magazine subscriptions and other things available, but I recommend the Adventures in Odyssey series. My kids really like the Audio Stories on CD. There are also 3 book series available. Focus on the Family also offers all the VeggieTales merchandise including videos, books and music CDs. 

Check out: https://store.focusonthefamily.com for more info. 

  1. NatGeoKids Magazine can be given as a gift for an affordable price. It is for kids 6 and up and offers kids a fun way to learn about different animals throughout the year. 12 issues are just $20 or you can get 20 issues for $34. 

You can check it out here: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/subscribe/kids-magazines 

  1. Wildlife Collections offers a number of animal themed gifts. They have two different styles of bracelets, the turtle and the elephant, that allow you to follow an animal in the wild with the purchase of a bracelet. There are also save the Orcas and Sharks items, but you are not able to follow one in the wild. 

Turtle Bracelet: https://www.wildlifecollections.com/collections/save-the-turtles/products/the-journey-bracelet 

Elephant Bracelet: https://www.wildlifecollections.com/collections/save-the-elephants/products/expedition-bracelet 

  1. 3D Printers are the new thing now. Kids are able to create all kinds of things. There are a variety of options that allow you to draw with a 3D pen or just print out an original creation. 

Beginning pen set for ages 6+: https://amzn.to/379SqLT

Pen set for older kids: https://amzn.to/3q7Lszu 

Filament (“ink” for pens): https://amzn.to/2HGEtMN

3D printer: https://amzn.to/2V89c8s 

FOR THE TEENS:

  1. Bungee Chairs are great for any teen bedroom. I originally bought a set for my classroom reading corner and my students loved them. When I quit teaching, my kids inherited them and they LOVE them. They make a great reading or gaming chair. And if your kids have ADHD, they can bounce up and down while ‘sitting still’. I highly recommend them for any teen. 

Here’s a link for a great one: https://amzn.to/36arQD9 

  1. Record Players are a hit again. My teenage son asked for one last year and now his friends are getting them. This Crosley one is the one we have and uses bluetooth connectivity for speakers. It’s a great retro gift for any teen. There are also some links included for vinyl records. 

Crosley Record Player: https://amzn.to/3l6qbm5 

Michael Jackson’s Thriller: https://amzn.to/33mpCia 

Guardians of the Galaxy: https://amzn.to/36bt158 

Imagine Dragons: https://amzn.to/3fQcirv 

  1. Hair Dryer/Straightener is a must for any teen girl. This dryer allows you to straighten your hair while giving it volume. I own one and love it. I am very uncoordinated when it comes to doing my hair and this is super easy to use. I would recommend it for ages 10 and up. I just got my oldest daughter this one as well. 

Revlon One Step Dryer and Voluminzer: https://amzn.to/36ajbRd 

  1. Mini Fridges are a great novelty gift for a teen bedroom as well. I just purchased this one for my son. While he doesn’t really need it, I thought it would be a fun addition to his room. It holds about 6 cans and can be used at home or in the car. This particular one also has a built in bluetooth speaker. 

Check it out here: https://amzn.to/3laptVc

  1. Polaroid Instax Mini Cameras are also a great retro gift any teen would love. In the age of digital selfies, this brings back the nostalgia of days past. Teens can take pics of their friends and immediately get the pics for display. Both of my girls have one of these and love taking pics with it. You can even get film with different borders. 

Blue Camera Bundle: https://amzn.to/39kFx48 

Pink Camera Bundle: https://amzn.to/2V4eh1J 

FOR ADULTS:

  1. Lobster Gram offers top rated seafood to your door. You can browse their seafood selections online and choose from a variety of gift baskets, as well as surf & turf combos, live lobsters, sides and even desserts. While I have not yet purchased a LobsterGram, they came highly recommended from a friend who sent her son one.  You can even choose your delivery for tomorrow or months in advance. 

Check them out: https://www.lobstergram.com 

  1. Established Titles offers everyone a chance to become a Lord or Lady in Scotland. So long story short, my parents 50th anniversary trip to Scotland was canceled this year due to Covid. I was looking for something to help numb the pain of not getting to go and I found Established Titles. You basically purchase ONE square foot of land and gain the title of Lord or Lady. A tree will be planted in your name and you can either print out the Lord/Lady certificate or elect to have them send it to you. 

So elevate your friend or family member to a Lord or Lady: https://establishedtitles.com 

  1. Alehorn provides drinking horn vessels like the Vikings used. These are made from “100% ethically sourced bovine horn.” Each ‘drinking vessel’ is unique and can be engraved. They also come in a variety of sizes and shapes. There really is something for everybody. They of course have horns for drinking ale, but also have some made specifically for coffee and other hot beverages.   I just ordered some for family members and can’t wait to get them. They also have super customer service and are very helpful. 

Check them out here: http://i.refs.cc/DykN7pA4?smile_ref=eyJzbWlsZV9zb3VyY2UiOiJzbWlsZV91aSIsInNtaWxlX21lZGl1bSI6IiIsInNtaWxlX2NhbXBhaWduIjoicmVmZXJyYWxfcHJvZ3JhbSIsInNtaWxlX2N1c3RvbWVyX2lkIjo2NjU2NDY1MTN9 

  1. Shiatsu Massagers give the feel of a deep tissue massage from the comfort of your own house. With added heat, you will start to feel relief quickly. I have one similar to this one which was gifted to me and I love it. This one comes with arm straps to help you keep it in place. 

Highly recommend for any adult: https://amzn.to/2Jez7c6 

  1. Canvas Prints are always a great gift for anyone. There are of course your traditional canvas prints that can be made from any photo, but there are also some novelty ones that offer up a good laugh. YOu can create a caricature of your family as if they were on The Simpsons. You can also get a cute canvas of your dog as a general, king, queen, or anything else. Check out this unique canvas prints: 

Simpsons Caricature: https://turnedyellow.com 

Pet Portraits: https://crownandpaw.com OR https://paintourpaws.com Normal canvas you can check out: www.easycanvasprints.com , www.canvasprints.com, or www.Shutterfly.com

Posted on

Here we go!!

After many years of motherhood, we figured it was time to share the things we learned; things that did and didn’t work (for us). Our children ranges in ages from 17 to 6. We have both worked full time, and stayed home full time. We hope you find a little something here to help navigate the years ahead.

You can find us on Facebook (MotherloadedLife) & Instagram (@motherloadedlife).