Why I will be running on...Coffee, Choas and Cuss Words

I feel like there has been so many posts telling you all just how busy this mamma feels when it comes to having three girls! 

This year seems even busier for some reason and I am unsure why but my poor planner seems to be a rainbow of colors trying to keep up with it all. 

This year the girls seem to be more and more interested in extra curricular offered through the schools and through their church and though this mamma seems to be booked solid most of the time I REALLY enjoy seeing them grow and learn on all these levels! 

Here are just a few things we have going on right now! 

One Million Minutes

It was announced last week that the Elementary school is challenging the kids there to read one million minutes this school year! 

As a minor book worm I LOVE it! 

The school has come up with ways to get the entire school excited about it too with weekly contests, prizes and a HUGE thing is being put together for the entire school if they reach it. 

I know Aaliyah will be doing her part to help and I can not wait to see how this goes for them all!

Caravan 2016-2017

When we moved into the house we are in now the girls started going to church on a more regular bases with our middle daughters bestie. Wednesday nights it is off to church on the church van and the girls have been very active this year! The church offers a caravan program where the younger school aged children learn not only about God and His amazing self but also about real life lessons. They have the program set up like a boy or girl scout and the kids earn patches, take field trips and have a ceremony at the end of the school year so show off what they hvae learned. 

I LOVE this idea and it gets my little one super excited about getting some Jesus in her life! 

The older two are now teens and they also learn, work and enjoy activities as they learn more about God. For instance the just had a field trip to our local Christian Music Festival and my girls REALLY enjoyed it! 

I am super excited to see everything that they learn and do this year for the Lord. 

One Million Words  

Dakota signed up this year to read ONE MILLION WORDS... 

by herself...

 voluntarily...

Though I know she can do it because she is a HUGE book worm I am just amazed she signed up for this. She is already jam packed with JROTC, band, Honors and Pre AP classes but what is one more... 

She was also very proud of herself that she was the first person to sign up for it too...

JROTC

As you all have seen here before Dakota is also signed up for her first year in JROTC. 

She has been thinking hard about signing up for some of their teams like riffle, First Aid, Color Guard etc and I am REALLY pushing color guard!

I think she would enjoy it and it would help her break out of her non social self but we will see what she decides if anything. I know we are 4 weeks into school and I am over the 5 am mornings to help get her ready for inspection though :) 

Elf Club

Alora this year has signed up for the Elf club this year and I have to say I am kinda excited for this. Dakota did not do any of these things when she was at the Middle School so I am excited that Alora is willing to get involved there. This is a club where they help others through out the year but their main goal is to raise money between now and December to purchase gifts for children in need this holiday season. Though it is a social club technically the purpose behind it is heart warming and helpful and I am super excited to see what all these kids accomplish in the few short months we have in 2016! 

Girls On the Run

Our youngest Aaliyah decided to sign up for a 5k this year! 

Now I am NOT athletic what so ever... period... I have not ran in YEARS and I will be the first to say this gene is NOT from me! 

BUT...

More power to Aaliyah and I am VERY excited to see her do this program!

They meet every Monday and Wednesday after school and train the girls for the big 5k that will be in November. They also have snacks, lessons and will teach the girls about a healthy lifestyle. 

This is the first year that the elementary has offered this and we have been VERY VERY blessed to have our school sponsored for these girls to enjoy and benefit from this! 

Though most of these extra curricular will be done with by the time the girls go on Christmas break I am SUPER excited to see them SO involved this year. I will gladly keep you all updated as these play out and progress!

XOXO

SJ

10 Ways We Are Beating the Summer Heat in Central Arkansas

With summer in full swing and the temperatures rising we have been finding ways to cool off this summer!

June and July are usually our "coolest" months here in Arkansas but with the heat index already reaching 105+ I sit here and wonder what August will bring.

Luckily we have found a few tricks and treats to beat the summer heat and ALWAYS looking for more...

Here is what we have so far this summer.

1: Swimming!

Because it takes a REAL genius to figure that one out :) 

Here in Central Arkansas you have a TON of great swimming places to choose from ranging from FREE to a few bucks a head and you can't beat that! 

 

One of our favorite places is the Saline River.

It is close to home for us and free! 

The kids and the hubby always enjoy it but to be honest I am not a huge fan of river water. Guess its the Cali girl in me but my Southern babies love it. 

A few downfalls is when it storms the river is easily flooded and damaged so unless you have a 4x4 and maybe a death wish this may not be for you.

 

 

We have also fell in LOVE with Lake Catherine State Park this year. 

Between the swimming "beach" and the trails we tend to find ourselves there on the weekends soaking in the sun and taking a dip in the lake to cool off. 

Warning... get there early or the beach will be crowded, but all the same a great day to be had :)

 

We personally don't have a swimming pool... yet... but we are very blessed to have some friends who do. 

They have invited us over a few times for the day to hang out, have a few drinks and par take in the enjoyment of their pool. Granted we have not been once where my hubby has not thought it would a splash to throw me in... 

Now if these places aren't for you that's ok here are a few ideas for you to run with!

Local splash pads!

We have one walking distance from us at Tyndall Park but I personally think that our youngest who is 9 is a bit big for this area though I have seen grown adults enjoying the pad. There are also several scattered between us and up into Little Rock :)

Public Swimming Pools

There is a great one not to far from us at Mills Park we went a few times last year but they went up on prices this year and since I am not working right now we are trying to conserve money. You can also check out other places and parks plus even hotels in the area will allow you to pay to swim for the day! 

2: Ice Cream

Because we all SCREAM for ice cream and lets face it who doesn't LOVE ice cream?!

We are HUGE Sonic ice cream fans and I since I am signed up for the text deals they have I get the scoop on all the promos they have! Which you can't beat! 

 

One of my personal favorites though is Gary's Sling Blade Diner. 

It is another home town favorite here in Benton. The diner was the diner in the movie "Sling Blade" staring Billy Bob Thorton and a HUGE local fav! 

Their ice cream is amazing and the prices are too!

3: Shaved Ice aka Sno Cones
Because no matter your age who doesn't LOVE a sno cone!
Here there is NO competition on where to go and that is over to Hobo Joes!  
There are well over 50+ flavors and the prices are hard to beat!
We have been SEVERAL times this summer and I might have a new obsession!

4: Iced Coffees
I love coffee... my girls love coffee... my husband does not... weirdo!
But that doesn't stop us girls from enjoying this amazing iced treat right here at home!
I happen to have 5 years as a certified barista under my belt of "talents" and it pays off here at home. The girls love that I can make "fancy" drinks and lets be honest so does this mamma :)

6: Make Overs 
What girl doesn't love a make over!
Me and my youngest has spent a few days relaxing at home  doing our toes, nails, make up and face masks. This is a great way to bond and always fun!

7: Cold Drinks
Ok so we ALL know Summer = Beer but I personally think Summer=Cold Refreshing drinks no matter the alcohol content.
Don't get me wrong I do LOVE a good beer, wine, liquor etc. but I have kids too ya know :)
SO anything from an iced tea to a Mikes hard lemonade you can't go wrong with lots of ice plus you need to stay hydrated right?  

7: Gatherings with Friends
There is nothing like spending time with some amazing friends!
We have been very blessed this summer and have got to hang out with some very good friends so far!
On the 4th we went and sepent the day with my god father and his work crew (which is my hubby's work crew also) and enjoyed every minute of it!
I love that my husbands job has brought so many wonderful people into our lives these last few years!

8: Exploring your town!
 Yesterday I posted where we had spent the weekend exploring new places.
Though I have not posted EVERY time we have done this (maybe I should?) we do it often.
We are always checking out things and visiting our favorite spaces :)
Check out yesterdays post for more information.

9: The Good Ol Water Hose!

 

With today's world I have noticed that things move faster and faster and there is less time enjoying the simple things for example the water hose...

I woke up one Saturday morning around 8 to an empty house... I went outside to see if my husband had left to find him and our youngest out washing the cars (another great way to beat the heat!) But when I looked at my daughter she was more wet than the cars daddy was washing! LOL 

I love moments like this where I see my girls taking in the old school techniques that we did as kids too. You can even find her in the sprinkler once in a while too or building forts in the house :)

10: Movies/TV
Though I would not say we are HUGE TV watchers we have come to find two shows that we might or might not schedule our lives around if possible :)
Monday nights you can find us on the couch watching America Ninja Warrior... I am not sure to be honest why we are so addicted but we are and we love that is is something ALL of us will watch!

 Now on Tuesday and Wednesday nights we are ALL about some AGT!
This is the first season where we have watched it from the beginning episode and we are hooked! So hooked that someone in this house (wanna guess who?!) even downloaded the app for the live shows!
There are so many talented people on this season and I am on the edge of my seat this week as tonight is the last of Judges Cuts! EEEKKK

 

Wednesday nights me and the youngest stay up and watch The Night Shift 

(daddy usually bails on us and goes to bed...party poop-per)

we love this show! It kind of reminds me of ER which I LOVED back in the day and I am very sympathetic to overnight workers since I personally worked the grave yard shift before. 

I also love that it is something me and the girls can watch together :)  

 

Though we are NOT TV people we are however movie people!

Though we do not usually go to theaters we do how ever rent or buy movies like a maniac! Movies are our go too!

Here are a few that we have seen and both are worth it just so you know :) 

Trust me when I say we have seen more but I can't remember all of them PLUS I don't want to bore you :)

 How are you beating this summer's heat?

Planning it all Out!

As a mom of three girls there are times that life can get a little chaotic hectic crazy busy, that is of course ONLY the beginning. 

All three of my girls are in different school again this year.

Dakota my oldest is going into 9th grade and will be going back to the Junior High building this year before hitting the big league next year on the High School campus. 

Alora my middle girl is headed to 7th grade and will also be headed back to the same campus as last year over at the Middle School grounds where she will be prepping for the Junior High campus for the 2017-2018 school year.

Then there is my "baby" who is headed to 4th grade and is still at the Elementary Campus which to me is WAY for fun than the other two and with a lot more happenings!

So on top of keeping up with all three of their schools and what is happening in their lives like band, choir, ROTC, etc; I have to keep up with my husbands work schedule, school schedule, when bills are due, appointments for everyone, events that we are to attend like birthday parties, get together's and such. I keep up will birthdays and anniversaries for both sides of our families, I run the blog and still working on What the Photography plus right this minute I am back to job hunting so there is the luxury of keeping up with interviews... yay.

If you are like me then I am sure that list overwhelmed you. When I sit and think about everything I am responsible for as a mom I think I am NUTS! Not to mention I do NOT have the best memory at all so then I have to figure out a way to make this all work and run smoothly...

There are a MILLION apps out there now since we are in such a tech-lovin' day in age but I will tell you right now as much of an app and tech junkie that I am I HATE using my phone or a digital device to keep me on track. 

Of course there are SEVERAL reasons why this is for me personally but to each his own: One is because I have never had the best of luck with phones. I have lost important info when my phone has reset its self etc. Two if I loose, break, or even have my phone stolen well then there goes my life.... and it would spiral into a VERY quick chaotic world.... 

So what DO I use you ask?

A Planner...

A good old fashioned, paper, use a pen to write in, tabs to pick your month planner!

There are two types of planners:

1: Annual

 Which will run your new planner from lets say January 2016-January 2017 and you might even get a bonus month or two.

2: Academic

This planner runs your planning year from June or July 2016 to June or July 2017 plus a bonus month or so also

I use the Academic planner because there is nothing I love more then trying to swap information RIGHT there at the holidays :)

In all seriousness though I do like the fact that it follows the girls and their schools years. During the summer there is a bit more "free" time that I can find to transfer dates and all with than in the middle of the holiday season when there is shopping, decorating, parties and running to take care of. 

Planners also come in MANY different sizes from pocket, 4x6, 5x7 and a LARGE 8x10 size (measurements are not accurate I am sure).

When I first started using planners back when I was 16 I used the pocket size one and it worked great for a while even with school and work... but then came baby...

I quickly found out that you are on the run MORE with a child in your life than if you were single and busy... Weird how that works. 

Anyways a baby turned into 3 over the years and the older they get the busier we are, the busier we are the bigger the planner...

I am now up to the 8x10 size and LOVE it! 

Huge areas to write in, monthly views, tabs and references galore!  

The last few years I have used Blue Sky's and I wont be turning away from them anytime soon. You can find them at your local Wal-Mart or order them online through Amazon.com like I did this year.

 

Check out this layout!

You get a HUGE monthly layout for fast reference

On top of that each month even has a a dedicated area to keep up with the finer details on whats happening in your life.

There are also LOTS of reference areas plus a quick contact list 

Nice right!
Now when it comes to keeping up with everyone's stuff and not getting it confused because I am pretty sure taking your 9 year old daughter to the OBGYN appointment set up for your 14 year old would get you mommy of the year award :) for example I color code it...

Yes folks it's that bad like that

The color coding is super easy for me to not fuck it up and since I also have a slight obsession with pens its a win when for me :)

Right now there are 10 color coded "happenings"

I LOVE these pens and you can also find them at your local store or Amazon

Here is my "cheat sheet" for my colors which is located in the back of the planner in the great note section

With us only a few weeks a way before the 2016-2017 school year I have put together my planner and feel a little bit more prepared for what this year may hold.

How do you keep it all together?

Our NEW Online Store

Here at Inked & Sassy we are  now offering fun, unique products for you and everyone on your shopping list. 

Since we have just started about two weeks ago we are focusing on our first product which I hold dear to my heart and that is a fun and adorable coffee mugs! 

As an avid coffee lover I know just how much a fun mug can mean not only to you personally but to your home, your friends and family, co workers and more! Th

ese are perfect for gifts or even something for yourself to show off your personality or even a great conversation starter! 

You can check out our store front right here!

I hope that you will check back often for new products that we will be adding in the future and for more great mugs!

If you are into social networking I have a public group on Facebook where you can stay up to date with ALL the NEW happening so I invite you to come join us and send your friends!  

Here are just a few of the mugs you can find RIGHT NOW in the shop...

and don't forget we are always open to requests and custom orders. :)

 

Happy Shopping!

XOXO

SJ

Operation Brace Face: The Final Mission

These last few months have FLOWN by! 

I always say that the older I get the quicker it goes and these last few months REALLY has proven my point! 

Now if you ask the kids they would TOTALLY disagree because we ALL know Mom's have no idea what they are talking about :)

After our last check in here with you guys on Operation Brace Face (which was in JANUARY!) we were in hopes that the appointment in March would bring us good news....

THANK the LORD it did! 

Everything was looking good and with a quick swap of colors and a few new packs of rubber bands we were out the door with not one but TWO appointments to wrap u the mission and get these jokers out! 

On May 4th Dakota got to go in and have an impression made of her now straightened smile and got to pick out the color and design for her retainer! 

They now do a permanent retainer on the bottom so it was a face and easy choice for her when they gave her the HUGE selection of design ideas! 

On May 26th (the day after school let out) we made a mad dash to the orthodontist in excitement to get them removed after 38 months of them on! 

I took the other two girls and they were SUPER excited for Dakota and they talked non stop of EVERYTHING she could eat again!

Here is the appointment recap in pictures :)

Here are some throwbacks for you from Operation Brace Face!