Sponsor Spotlight: The Streeters Unlimited

I would like to start posting about all of my amazing sponsors and button swappers! I think most of us can agree that one of the best things about blogging is meeting our fellow bloggers. I am amazed at the generosity I have encountered within my small time in the blog world.

Kristina from The Streeters Unlimited:

Kristina is my "big" from the big blogger/little blogger program. She is so amazing! She is incredibly helpful and has given me so many great tips on how to improve and grow my blog. Check her out!

Hi! I'm Kristina, the writer behind the blog.

I'm married to my best friend & handsome husband, Ryan.

We have been together since March 2006, married since December 2009.

We live in the beautiful state of Colorado, with our 5 furbabies.

We are expecting our first baby, a little girl, this November & we are beyond excited.

We own a Shop online full of handcrafted items and we're huge advocates for other small businesses (you can see that with our Small Business Saturday Link Up & the A-List).

My roots are planted in the Midwest state of Kansas, but I found a heart for Colorado many years ago, then foundmy heart (Ryan) in Colorado, and packed up & moved out here in 2006.

I love creating whether it's in the kitchen, on a canvas, through a lens, or on the computer.

  I'm a bit scattered brained at times, a little too independent for my own good, and a bit of a free spirit.

 I'm can a bit shy, but I try to hide it well, Ryan is one of the few people that knows how shy I really am.

I'm an optimist, and believe everything happens for a reason.

Ryan is my best friend, soul mate &  is the one that keeps me grounded. 

 He's a trained culinary chef, has a degree in business science, is an excellent manager, and heck of a mechanic.

 His weaknesses: Cheese. Chicken Bouillon, & Saltines.He can eat Cheese practically by the block, and can't get enough of Cheez Its and Saltine Crackers.

We love spending time outdoors - especially hiking, fishing and camping.

Some nights we like to go out and have fun with our friends, and other nights we are total homebodies that would like nothing more than a relaxed night in.

We are the kinds are friends that drive across the country for weddings or get togethers celebrating babies.

I'm a huge fan of twitter, in fact, Ryan calls me the "Streeter-Tweeter" (no idea where he comes up with this stuff). So come find me on twitter, I'd love to connect & chat with you there!!

Mom Challenge: Day 8

#15: Be firm when needed, but not harsh.

As many single mothers will tell you, one of the hardest parts of single motherhood is having to play the roles of both mom and dad. I think traditionally in our society, moms are the "softies" and dads are the "discipliners".  Throughout my son's life, I have struggled with this.

I have had trouble finding this balance between wanting to be a loving mother and the discipliner. It took me quite a few years to realize I could be both.

In order to have somewhat of a sane household, there must be consequences for your child's negative behavior. This usually took precedence over my chance to be the softie. Many times I watched my son run to another family member for comfort when I was forced to be the "mean" mom and dad.

It's a challenge to not let your own hurt feelings get in the way of firm parenting.

Now that I am married and my son has a step-father, we have entered a whole new realm of parenting. My son is used to taking direction from me and has had a hard time viewing my husband as an equal parent who can discipline. We are slowly making progress on this.

I think one of the differences in being firm vs. harsh lies in the way your child will look back on how you parented. When your child is grown up, will they want to parent their children as you did? Will they admire your parenting? Or will they view you as someone they never want to be like?

For me, I hope my son will always believe I am a good parent, especially when he has children of his own.

Here's a picture of my little guy from Kindergarten :)

My First Blog Award!

I would like to thank Erica over at Walking In My Shoes for this award! 

Here in the story behind it:

Facts of the Liebster Award:

The Liebster Award's origins are pretty much a mystery. Bloggers nominate other bloggers that have 200 or less followers. It's basically a "Hey, that's a sweet little blog you've got there. Here's an award!" You can't just accept the award. You have to play by the (ever changing) rules and pay it forward. Then you can put the award on your blog for all to see.

The Rules:

1. List 11 facts about yourself. 
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you. 
3. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.
4. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate. 
5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award.
6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

Facts about Michelle:

1. I love my son and husband.

2. I was born on St. Patrick's Day.

3. Macaroni and Cheese might just be my favorite food!

4. I used to sing and dance in competitions.

5. I was a pre-med major in college until I changed it to criminology.

6. I never wanted any pets...ever...until we got our Mustang and Stella.

7. I still don't know what I want to do with my life as far as a career.

8. Laying in bed and blogging is one of my favorite things to do.

9. I live in sweatpants...sometimes I wish I didn't...

10. I hope to work for myself someday.

11. I want to start eating healthier! 

Erica's Questions for Me:

1. What is your middle name? Renee

2. Is there an animal that you want that you could never have? Maybe a monkey

3. What is your favorite TV show? Shameless

4. If you could move anywhere, where would it be? To my own small farm in the country

5. What do you want to be for Halloween? Something where I can dye my hair crazy colors

6. What is your favorite kind of music to listen to? I really like alternative and country

7. What is your lucky number? 17

8. How many kids do you have/want? I have 1, I want 2 more

9. What is your favorite color? Green

10. What year did you graduate high school? 2004

11. What are your plans for tomorrow? Rest, go to the doctor

Questions for my award winners:

1. What was your favorite food when you were a child?

2. What chore do you hate the most?

3. What is one of your favorite quotes?

4. When you have 30 minutes of free time, what do you do?

5. What was the last thing to make you cry?

6. Why did you start blogging?

7. How did your blog get it's name?

8. What is one dream you have for the future?

9. What is the best gift you have ever received?

10. What do you miss most about being a kid?

11. What do you love most about being you?

Check out these amazing blogs who have earned this award! Show them lots of love!!!

Mom Challenge: Day 7

#14: Remember that being a mother is a gift. 

Through the ups and downs of parenting, it can be hard to always view motherhood as a gift. We are usually only reminded of this when we hear stories of a couple who struggles to conceive or adoptions that don't follow through. Many of us take our role as mothers for granted.

I know I do. I am usually so consumed with the day to day activities of life, I forgot how lucky I am to be a mother. Being a mother has been my greatest role in life. It has defined who I have become and who I will be.

I am a very young mother. I had my son when I was 14 years old. As many teenage mothers will tell you, the news of pregnancy at such a young age is not viewed by many as a gift. The challenges of being such a young mother were numerous. It was never easy, but it was always, always worth it. Jasen and I have such a special bond that can never be broken.

Now that I have met my wonderful husband and we are married, the discussion of having a baby is one we have often. I can't wait to be given the gift of motherhood again. I know I will be starting from "scratch", as Jasen is almost 12. He is so self sufficient and mature. Jasen and I discussed the decision of Nathan and I having another baby.

Jasen told me, "Don't worry Mom, you won't have to do it by yourself this time. You have Nathan to help you and you have me to help you". Words can't express how much I love my son and how much he teaches me everyday. I'm so lucky to have him on this journey of life with me!

Sponsor Spotlight: Rambling Momma

The more I become involved in blogging, the more I am connecting with all of the other wonderful bloggers out there! Connecting with other bloggers is such an important way of growing your blog and increasing your audience. I also find it to be one of the best parts of running my own blog! I now have blogger friends all over the world! I love reading their posts and sharing advice.

I proudly present my first ever Spotlight on a fellow blogger, Terri from Rambling Mama Blog!

I am the girl who writes: rambling momma blog.

My name is Terri, I live in New Brunswik, Canada, I am a mom to a 9 year old, I am a wife to my handsome hubby for 10 years, 

I love all things girly, I collect penguins, they are so cute, I also am addicted to scrap booking and shoes....

I love Jesus and i attend an amazing church. I am part time Sunday school teacher as well. I love hockey, favorite team is Boston Bruins. love Pepsi, flowers and butterflies. 

Thanks for coming by and reading a little about me, you are welcome to join in the fun over here

http://ramblingmomma03.blogspot.ca/

twitter.com/terrilynngrothe

www.facebook.com/ramblingmomma

Check out Terri and her beautiful family as soon as you get a chance! I am so happy to have connected with Terri and look forward to getting to know her better! 

If anyone is interested in a Sponsor Spotlight and button swap, please let me know!

Mom Challenge: Day 6

Challenge #13

Do not criticize your child today.

Unfortunately, I will not have an opportunity to spend much time with my son today :( I came down with a very painful inflammation of my intestines. Long story short, I spent the entire night in the ER and I will be laid up in bed for the next few days on lots of medication. Thank goodness for Aunts and Grandmas and Family! I'd hate for Jasen to be stuck in the house all weekend, I'm so happy he will be having fun with family...even if I will miss him :(

Nevertheless, I still would like to examine the topic of criticizing our children. I think I need a solid definition for this:

From Merriam Webster:

crit·i·cize

 verb \ˈkri-tə-ˌsīz\

crit·i·cizedcrit·i·ciz·ing

Definition of CRITICIZE

intransitive verb

: to act as a critic

transitive verb

1

: to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly : evaluate

2

: to find fault with : point out the faults of

— crit·i·ciz·able  adjective

— crit·i·ciz·er noun

So, is it evaluation or finding fault with? I typically take criticism as something negative. I remember being younger and having people tell me "it's just constructive criticism, don't take it so personally".

I find it a challenge not to take any type of criticism personally. I can't think of a time where I have heard of criticism being used in a positive context. With that being determined, why do we criticize our children?

I feel as a parent it is natural to find fault with our children. We want to fix their problems. We want them to grow into responsible, well liked, adults. I know today I will not find fault with my child, but in the future, is this ok?

Maybe the solution is in how a parent delivers this criticism. I am a firm believer that we should never shame our children or make them think they are bad people. I also believe that even as adults, we need to have criticism partnered with compliments.

It is ok to guide our children and discuss behaviors to be changed, but we must always be aware of our delivery and make sure our compliments far exceed our criticisms.