Healthy Habits = Healthy Teeth

For the last three weeks, my family has been participating in the Listerine Healthy Habits Challenge. As the challenge winds down, I can't help but reflect on some of the things I have learned about my kids along the way...

~ It doesn't matter how old they get, they still like Batman, Barbie, and Phineas & Ferb
~ New stuff still motivates them (even if it's a new toothbrush or dental floss)
~ Checking off boxes on a chart fills them with a sense of accomplishment
~ Showing them how much they missed when they brush is kind of like a science experiment
~ My behaviors are still the best way to model healthy habit

Even with the challenge at the front of our minds, it was still difficult to remember simple tasks like rinsing twice a day or flossing at night. It served as a good reminder that oral health is a huge area for improvement in our home and in home across America.

Going forward, I plan to help my kids by providing floss and mouth wash to be kept in their lockers. I also will be keeping a bottle of mouth wash in my drawer at work. Dental floss is now conveniently located in the center console of my car, as well as in my purse, for those just in case when my meal is stuck between my teeth.

Listerine, Reach, WalMart, and the American Heart Association have put together a great site to help you and your family develop healthy habits for a lifetime! Check it out for great ideas on how you and your family can make positive changes to your oral care routines!

I received products and compensation from Johnson & Johnson and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the Oral Care Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are mine.

Adjusting

Cookies and cream and jelly bean dreams...

Sunshine and roses...

Rainbows and unicorns...

These are the feelings one usually associates with the life changes being experienced in my home currently.

Yes, it's true. I am getting married, and I am on Cloud 9.

I have committed to forever after with the man I love. So what's the catch?

For the last 11 years, my family has been a three-man team.

Our non-routine life revolved around us. Our nuances, our struggles, our perfect imperfections. Despite the highest of highs and incredibly low lows, we worked.

Sure, there were the days I locked myself in my closet and sobbed until I couldn't possibly shed another tear. And let's not forget the nights I would cry myself to sleep, desperate for answers, clinging to the hope that God would see us through another day.

But despite the clouds of heartache that came alongside my daughter's behavioral and mental health issues, despite the anger and rage welling up inside my son when he'd reach his limits of tolerence, and despite my depression that waxed and waned with the tide of our home, we were happy.

We still are happy.

And adjusting.

The fact is, I have been a widow longer than I was ever a wife. I have been an only parent for 11 years. My children have no idea what a dad really is. What does a dad do? How does a dad act? What is a dad's role in a family? The only man I have ever lived with is my husband, and that was for less than 2 years. I don't know how to co-parent. I don't know how to let someone else participate. I don't know how to let someone do for me (without feeling guilty). And I don't know how to ask for help.

We are all adjusting. Including him.

He has never been married. He has never had kids. He has never lived with a woman...until he moved in with us.

Most days are great. We communicate well. He listens when I talk, I listen when he talks. Every once in a while the kids will even listen when someone talks. And we adjust...

Who knew that sharing my life - my family - would come with such a learning curve?

Each day brings a new challenge, and a new joy. Having a partner in life is more rewarding than I ever imagined. I know in time, this new way of being, this new family, will find its groove.

Have you ever had to make major adjustments in your own life?
 
 

Walgreens for Picture Day!

Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://www.discoverbeautywithin.com/.

Wedding planning is a heck of a lot more work than I ever imagined! It seems like October is forever away, but I still feel like there is so much to do and so little time.

Engagement photos are just around the corner, and I am beginning to panic. I have no idea what to wear, what the weather will be like, or how to wear my hair.

Fortunately, I know Walgreens has me covered when it comes to make-up!

Not only am I able to find a wide selection of eye shadows by Maybelline, Rimmel, and L'Oreal, I can also find all of the make-up tools I need to get the job done!

Some of my favorites include:



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This Soho Kabuki Brush. The bristles are goat hair, wash easily wild a mild soap, dry well, and hold their shape. I find kabuki brushes give a much more even look when applying liquid foundation and I love them waaaaay more than the standard foam triangles most of us have been trained to apply foundation with.





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I am also a huge fan of the ModLash fake eye lashes. They are crazy easy to put on, and they come in a variety of lengths. This way you can decide just how glam you want to go. The 21's I have here are my favorite length for more regular use! And don'f forget your Revlon eye lash curler and a fantastic volumizing mascara!

Best of all, my neighborhood Walgreens has a great assortment of Burt's Bees Lip Balms to pick from! Burt's Bees is my go-to, lip balm for all occasions, whether I'm getting all gussied up for my engagement photos, or moisturinzing before bed! I love that Walgreens has a dozen different flavors for me to pick from!

Taking Care of Our Pearly Whites

On President's Day, the kids and I were discussing the old wives tale that George Washington had wooden teeth. The conversation took an interesting turn as we began to discuss their recent focus on their own personal hygiene.

When they were smaller, it was often a battle to get the kids to brush their teeth. As a mom, I was overwhelmed and frustrated with the best way to get them on board.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting children in the U.S. today. Statistics show that 50% of kids will have at least 1 cavity or filling between the ages 5 - 9!

The statistics get even more frightening when you realize that brushing your teeth alone misses germs in 75% of our mouths. EWWW!

As part of an Oral Care Challenge in my own home, I have received LISTERINE and Reach products from Johnson & Johnson to work on developing some oral care best practices for myself and my children.

In addition to committing to brushing twice a day - at a minimum - we will be rinsing twice a day with LISTERINE products to kill as many of the cavity and decay causing germs in our mouths a we can!

Each of the kids has stashed some LISTERINE in their locker to rinse after lunch. And as a challenge to herself in the mornings, my daughter is rinsing after she brushes to make sure she got all of the "sugar bugs".

We have hung a brushing chart on the towel rack, and each of the kids will me marking it with their initials each time they brush throughout the day. The winner of the challenge will get dibs on the Phineas and Ferb SmartRinse that came in our complementary oral care package! (Yes, even at 11 & 13, they can be won over by Phineas and Ferb!)

I encourage you to start your own Oral Challenge with your family! Get more information at http://www.walmart.com/AHA/Listerine/Reach or follow along with the Twitter hashtag #healthyhabits!

Also, I would love to hear some of your family's best oral care practices! How do you encourage your kids to brush? Do you rinse? How many times a day do you brush, rinse, or floss?

I received products and compensation from Johnson & Johnson and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the Oral Care Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are mine.

The Anti-Valentines Day

Traditional is rarely a word used to describe me.

I don't do routine. I have never functioned well on a schedule. I have been known to do (or not do) something simply because someone say I shouldn't (or should...).

I'm not sure when or how it started, but I don't really "do" Valentine's Day.

Sure, I have been known to pick up cheesy cards and chocolates for my kids. I enjoyed the heck out of making Valentine boxes for them to take to school, and I adore all of the cheesy Valentines they used to bring home.

But as it pertains to me, meh... Not so much.

I like the idea of taking a day to appreciate the people in your life who mean the most, but a day of romance? Elaborate, expensive gifts to show our devotion to our significant others? I don't get it.

Sure, I like fancy gifts as much as the nice girl. But in my head, a fancy gift just because is far more thoughtful than a fancy gift because it is expected.

Needless to say, my fiance' loves not having to figure out a gift that will knock my socks off. He loves that there is no pressure to plan the perfect night. And he loves that when I say, "I don't want anything." I mean, "I don't want anything." I have no hidden agenda. It's not a trap. I really, truly don't want anything.

So imagine my surprise, when climbing into bed, I found a folded piece of paper with "Kristin" written on the outside slipped under the covers.

The most amazing gift, a simple letter, printed on simple paper, with a simple message...

I love you for who you are, in good times and bad. I love you when you are at your best and when you are at your worst, and I look forward to loving you for the rest of our lives.

Simple and perfect.

Have you ever had an unexpected Valentines surprise? What is your Valentines tradition (or anti-tradition)?

Dog Food on My Doorstep

You may or may not know that I am an animal nut.

I recently learned about a company called Mr. Chewy. Mr. Chewy is an online pet supply store that delivers directly to your door step.

For many years I worked for a specialty pet supply retailer. Working for this company allowed me the opportunity to become deeply involved in animal rescue. Over the last 10 years, my family has served as a foster home to over 100 dogs of various breeds, we have conducted home visits for placing pets, trained deaf dogs, and have dealt with a variety of dog special needs.

That job also allowed me the opportunity to become very well versed on the importance of animal nutrition. I wrote employee training programs that educated staff members on reading pet food labels, the dangers of clay cat litters, and proper pet care.

Our animal family consists of a beautiful and amazing rescued Great Dane, 3 old, fat, hand-me-down cats, and a 3.5 foot long Ball Python.

That being said, I'm sure you can understand when I say pet supplies are pretty necessary in my home. And with that many mouths to feed, affordable pet supplies are a must. I was thrilled that Mr. Chewy carried many of the brands I could usually only find at the local pet specialty store.

Mr. Chewy actually carries 70+ brands, including Nature's Variety, Avoderm, and Wellness! We were also able to buy our giant, Nat, her favorite treat - Greenies!

We were able to get a 30 pound bag of dog food, Bags on Board refills, and Greenies with no shipping fees, because Mr. Chewy has free shipping on orders over $49.

**This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Mr. Chewy provided me with credit to be able to provide a fair review of their site. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Pretty Flowers That I Can't Kill

I have a black thumb. Not. Even. Kidding.

I have never been gifted at growing things. I have, in fact, killed a cactus. I wasn't trying to...

Needless to say, artificial plants and I get along.

I don't have to water them. I don't have to make sure they're getting adequate sunlight. And I certainly don't have to protect them from the curious jaws of my cats.

That's where Silk Plants Direct comes in. With a large selection of artificial plants ranging in size, Silk Plants Direct offers a wide variety of options at various price points.

Recently, I received a tulip and twig arrangement from Silk Plants Direct. The attractive arrangement stands just under 2 feet in height and makes a great centerpiece on my dining room table.

Silk Plants Direct also has some neat artificial spiral topiary that make for decorative floor pieces, as well as artificial boxwood topiary for statement table pieces.

**I was not compensated for this post, but I did recieve this lovely tulip arrangement in exchange for an honest review.