Mom Based Business: Uppercase Living

Uppercase Living is one of my favorite home products EVER!

Uppercase Living is a company that makes vinyl wall expressions ..they rub on beautifully, and look like you painted these amazing thoughts on your walls, mirrors ..anywhere.

I have been in love with this product for a long time, and my house reflects it!

UL is our mom-based business of the week ...Our "mom" today is Michelle, who is a mom in terms of the fact that she keeps children of single moms at her home in Kansas City, Missouri. Her home is a thriving home base for moms and children alike who need love and ministering to,  as well as mothered by this lady with such a big heart! She sells Uppercase Living from her home, and is the supplier for my favorite decorating item!

I personally love our expressions because they are a very inexpensive way to quickly & easily 

dress up any space!! {says Michelle}

Michelle has given LPLS readers a chance to win $20 worth of credit towards an expression of your choice! 

Right now, $20 would go a long way because the UL expressions are BOGO! How great is that?!  That is ALL the expressions. Which.is.awesome. The sale ends on July 12th, and you will want to take full advantage of it!

To enter, lets reflect on in how your home blesses you and your family! Please leave a comment with your blog as contact info OR, send your contact info through my Contact Me link...once you comment and enter, head over to Michelle's website so you can start thinking about what you will use your $20 on! We will draw NEXT TUESDAY!

Update:  I just have to share my great deal...I just spent just over $50 and got 5 beautiful expressions for my house! I love LOVE these,  and the monthly budgeted FUN money to do it with (thank you Dave Ramsey :)  I got three of the expressions for free, two for the BOGO deal and one because I spent $50. This was before tax and shipping, but because I love wall expressions, I can tell you that you cannot buy these at Target on clearance for much cheaper than $10 an expression!

a little tip: the Launch Pad

Getting out of the door for us is like trying to herd cats into the ocean! There are kids going everywhere, dogs barking, babies crying, mommy yelling, time passing ...it is STRESSFUL!

And, not always safe ..let me tell you a story. This weekend we were all headed out the door for something or another. It was not well planned on my end, and I was harried trying to get everyone out the door. There was a timing miscommunication between hubby and I, and he sent the boys to the car to buckle up. As they were headed out the door to go obey, I explained that I still needed to feed the baby one last time before heading out.

We didnt get the message to the kids. The eldest figured out pretty quick we werent coming, so unbuckled and came back in the house. No one thought anything about it.

It wasnt until we were ready to head out again, that we discovered the three year old had been waiting in his car seat, buckled up and ready to go that whole time. You see, he can buckle but not unbuckle ..this is bad, because it is the middle of July in SC ...and the car was closed up, leaving my child cooking in the van in 120 degree weather!  I dont have to explain how I felt. He was flushed, sopping wet with sweat and a bit weepy. So.was.I.

There has to be a better way ...obviously such things wont always happen if you are running late out the door, but had we a better plan, that would not have happened.

 I know this is not an original idea, but it works for me. It is something that has helped in a major area of stress, especially since having my third little one two months ago...

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For me,  planning is everything.  I have discovered that having a physical place where I can plan my route and my day out, really helps decrease the stress that is involved in getting out of the house.  I call it my Launch Pad! Combining this space with the Car Bucket makes for a great location to identify what is needed for everyone.

Timing is a big factor as well, when talking about the stress of getting out the door. I know, if I take the time the night before we have planned activities out of the house, I am most more relaxed with it comes time to leave. It helps the whole experience be less stressful for all involved!

Our "Launch Pad" is a shelf surface in our dining room, which is a central location between the kitchen (where the snacks and drinks are) and the rest of the house (where everything else is).  I put the Car Bucket there, as well as the kids outfits for the next day and anything else I need to make our morning run smoothly.  Today, I needed paperwork to drop off at the doctors office, dvd's to return, the kids clothes and shoes and the Car Bucket..truthfully, it was NOT all in one location but scattered all over the dining room.  But..it would have been better if it was!

Anyone else have any other "out the door" ideas to share? I know I can use them!

Stress and Your Family: Part 2

Dont forget to enter for our Scentsy Giveaway! We will post an update later today!

This was part 2 of a post that was posted originally in June of 2008, it was edited for length

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Okay, we talked about husbands...and those realizations have made a huge difference in how I have looked at him the last few days :)

So also when I realized some even more interesting things about my kids' stress.

I asked the question, how does stress effect them, and what does their stress look like? Conversely, how do I reduce their stress?

I found answers that encouraged me, alarmed me, and inspired me to be more alert to all of our stress levels. Here are some things I picked up on as a evidence of their stress ...

• Whining
• Fit throwing ..both more than their usual personalities
• Mean to siblings, or friends
• Discipline issues
• Physical aggression

Some things I have noted that cause them stress ...

• Lack of proper sleep
• Lack of proper rest (this may not be sleep, but just quiet)
• Too busy of a schedule
• Lack of consistent discipline
• Lack of routine (kids thrive on knowing what to expect!)
• MY stress stresses my kids
• Yelling (this one makes me sad ...and I have to work on it)
• Lack of healthy eating (especially protein intake)
• Too much sugar (this one is big for my kids!)
• Dehydration
• Lack of one-on-one time
• Clutter in their spaces (I was little shocked by that one!)
• My being on the phone or the internet

Its amazing, to note that when my kids have these stressors our discipline issues greatly increase. I can just about promise you if Ty is being especially hard to get along with, I have not given him the time he needs today. If they are getting hard to manage in public, could it be you need to be home more? If they are getting really whiney, consider if they have eaten, when and what? Dont forget water!

Think about what stress does to you, then imagine that your precious babies are feeling that same feeling. Is there something that I can do, or NOT do that will keep that from happening?
How often does YOUR stress effect them? Think about that bad day, that day you are feeling bad or are overwhelmed...where are the kids? what are they doing? what are they experiencing when they watch you in that state?

I for one, feel more motivated to keep my stress under control!

Some things I have considered to help their stress levels ...

• Control mine.
• Keep a schedule that allows them proper naps/quiet time
• Make sure they get proper meals, and fluid intake
• Make sure to schedule one-on-one times
• Consistent discipline ..if you say it, then follow through
• Keep a routine they can count on ..we make sure to do all our running around in the morning, so we can count on afternoon at home.
• Order in their spaces..its weird, but they seem more calm when they know where their things are, and where they go when they are done playing
• Using calm words, controlling my voice
• THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO RELIEVE THEIR STRESS...PLAY WITH THEM!

I know that I fall into the temptation of thinking being home is enough. I have to remind myself (or they will remind me!) that I need to really BE there, with them..one on one, eyeball to eyeball, skin to skin, toy to hand.

Remember, they are our purpose. NOTHING is more important than this job we have to do. NOTHING on your list is more important than those precious moments when you forget the dishes and play trains with your little boy. Your little girl will not forget the time you played tea party, dressup or make over (but not if the laundry is done).

One more thing, if you are aware of your kids love language then use that as a very useful way to reducing stress. Does focused time with your kids make a noted difference? Then set the timer for 15 minutes, and give it to them. Does touch create a connection with your babies? Then touch them every chance you can get, set the timer for 15 minutes and cuddle while you read a book. On days when they are driving you the most crazy, grab them up, consider their stress, and DESTRESS them.

Its energy worth using. Its time you cant get back...dont waste it on stress, for you or your kids!

Stress and Your Family: Part 1

Dont forget to enter for our Scentsy Warmer giveaway! 

 This is a post that was originally posted on June 10th, 2008. Rereading it today was a great reminder for me ..it is edited for length (I am seriously wordy, but I am working on it)

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Since I have determined that managing this home well, and leading those therein is my purpose and passion right now, it kinna changes how I look at the jobs I have to do here. I see my husband and my children as my most important job and responsibility.

Since I have started looking at them that way, I have started to consider what stress they are under? What stresses out the husband? What about my kids? What does their stress look like? What do I need to do to decrease all of THEIR stress levels? How does my stress effect them?

Lets start with Husbands ...

Since every one of these is different, they each would have their own triggers that causes stress. They carry so much weight with their jobs, family obligations, church obligations, financial pressure, pressure to provide, pressure to be good husbands and be Christian men in the world.

Our homes are to be their havens. Their center in the storm, their place of comfort and LEAST stress. I realize that there are alot of things that I can change to make it more so for him...

If you noticed that your being late to things causes him stress, its worth the effort to make the effort to be better about it.

If he says that having certain areas of the house out of control (the office, his closet) cause him stress, then help him to maintain a sense of order there (it may not be fair, but ...its our job)

If not having socks, underwear or other essentials available when he needs them is stressful, we need to make the effort to stay up on our laundry for his sake.

If it stresses him out to run out of deodorant, then try to make sure there is always a spare under the bathroom sink.

Arent sure what adds stress? Or are you really ready to make this a priority? Ask him. You may be surprised with his response!

With effort, and a mindset of service (and a little humility) we can make our homes havens for them, and in turn us. It speaks love to these boys to attempt to care for them, its tough but so worth it! You know your man better than anyone, so you know those things that give him a sense of "ahh, its good to be home"  ...

A 10-minute nag-free break when he first gets home, before handing him his "hunny please do" list

Energy for him at the end of the day ;)

Homecooked meals, or a cookie jar full of his favorite cookie


Watching the football game with him ..oh, and asking questions.


Allowing him a guilt-free golf trip, or night out with the guys 


Remember, when we manage our stress well,  then we get to give it to the things and people that are the most important. Even more so, when you CHOOSE to conserve your energy for those things and people.

What I have noticed myself, is when I do focus on me decreasing his stress level, I end up doing myself a favor as well. Often, the things that cause him stress (not having the laundry caught up) also cause me stress. When I use him as a motivation, I get the benefit of a 2 for 1 deal :)

Its a wonderful cycle.

Can you confess to something that you do that causes stress, and what you can do to make it better this week? Comon, we are all in the same boat here!

Tool Time: Moby Wrap

The Moby Wrap has helped me to use what limited resources I have in this current stage in my life ..having a new baby, and two other crazy boys! I am finding it very useful, but I know that I am not the only one finds its flowing yardage intimidating!

Try to watch this while suspending judgement on any number of things ...It was an exercise in not allowing perfectionism to keep me from putting it up there and moving on! :)

Also, as a side note ..in the area of using your financial resources ...unless you find a quality jersey knit material for substantially less than I could, it is just as cheap and way easier to just buy the Moby outright. I am not just saying that because if you use the link to Amazon I get a 4% cut, I promise..for real.   The Moby Wrap runs about $40, that is from the Moby website, as well as other web outlets I found. That includes ebay ...I checked.  Its a little pricey for small budgets, but it is WORTH it!

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{Dont forget to enter to win the beautiful Scentsy Warmer ...its so gorgeous, and 

will smell wonderful in your place!}