Negative Nancy No More!

I am so over being negative.

Seriously it is like a fire that continues to spread as more and more people around you are negative and then next thing you know it has consumed us all. 

Well I am putting a stop to it in my life.

I have noticed lately that I have been more negative lately. I am not sure it is because this deployment is taking a toll on me or if it is just me letting society in general attempt to take over my life. What I mean by that is if you read this news what do you read? Negativity. There are so many things people are critical of on social media or people who just spew absolute hatred on there as well. And then there are people at work who are negative or "Debby Downers" and their infectious attitudes take you over too before you know it. 

Besides why should I be so negative when I have so many positive things in my life. I have a perfect family, great friends, a job (while it takes me away from my family it most definitely provides for my family), and so many other positive things. So with all that being said I am officially calling September, the month of Positive. Every day I am going to find something to be that helps me be positive. Even when I am sure there are going to be days that will test my patience on this I know there will be something good that I can think of! 

So follow me on Instagram and Twitter and use the hashtag #positive4life

So if you're having a bad day let little Miss O cheer you up with her sweet smile!

Weekend Workout

Since I have been deployed I have struggled with what to write about because I feel like there is only so much to say before it seems like every day is Groundhog's Day here. And then it dawned on me...

Why not write about fitness! I became a certified personal trainer in June of last year and I truly enjoy working out so why not share the knowledge with you guys!
One of my favorite things to do is work my core. It is one of the most important parts of your body to keep strong because you use your core more than you think you do; from proper posture to carrying kids around the house! So here are my top 5 core exercises.

1. Heel Touch

Keeping your legs as straight as possible lift your shoulders and your upper back off the ground to touch your heels. Do this for 30 seconds and try to get 15-20 reps.

2. Reach for the sky
Start lying flat on your back with your arms extended past your head. Then bringing your arms up start to come up and lift your shoulders up. Continue keeping your arms straight until you are fully upright. You can do this with or without a weight. Do this for 60 seconds and try for 30 reps. *Note I only have photos of the 2nd and 3rd steps as I couldn't zoom out enough in my room to get the first step in.

3. Boat

Extend your arms straight out and keep your legs out as well. It is important to keep your back straight and not slouch. Hold this position for 30-45 seconds. This works all the core as it is a good balancing exercise too.

4. Russian Twist
Assuming the position twist from side to side touching the ground as you do it and do this for 30-45 seconds. You can also use a weight instead of clasping your hands together.
 

5. Plank
Hold this position and it is very important not to let your back sag as that can cause some lower back pain. You can do this on your elbows as shown below or also on your hands will your arms fully extended. Hold this for 30 seconds. Alternate dropping one knee lightly to the ground for another 30 seconds if you want to kick it up a notch. This will also work your shoulders and triceps.

6. Side Plank

This can also be called a side bridge. Hold this position below for 30 seconds. Then alternate to the other side and hold for 30 more seconds. You can do this in conjunction with a regular plank. This works your side obliques and shoulders too.

These are just some of the many ab exercises out there but they are easy to do at home and don't take very long to do at all. And you can always increase your time or reps if you want to increase the intensity of the workout. 

How Time Flies!

It has been FOREVER since I have written on here! I totally thought coming here I would have ample amounts of time to blog to my heart's content...WRONG! I am so busy all the time and I swear I have more free time at home working full time and taking care of the kiddos than I do here kiddo free! But I will say that I have actually had a pretty good time so far on my deployment and I can't really complain because there are far worse places to be! So here is the run down of things I have gotten to experience since the last time I blogged.

1. Met the Secretary of State John Kerry

2. Experienced the culture off base

3. Got to work with the Singapore Air Force

4.My hubby came to visit!

Until next time folks! Which I promise won't be another month and a half :) Enjoy!

2 weeks down!

You know that song "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall"...yea that should be my theme song on this deployment. Maybe it will make the time go by faster. 

I feel like I should give you all an insight into my "deployment." It isn't really that hard...really the hardest part is being away from the family (a no brainer) and finding things to do to fill the time. 

I am at a pretty nice base with quite a bit of amenities such as a movie theater; which by the way we get new releases just as you guys do so that makes it nice. We also have an outdoor pool, a gym, and a bunch of restaurants in case the chow hall gets to be bland. And it does fairly quickly I might add. And there is free wifi...yes I can't really complain about where I am at considering there are worse places I could be. 

One of the perks of being where I am is that we can take a cultural tour off base. I can't wait to do one but I might add that I'm a little nervous because I hear that the drivers here literally have the world's worst road rage and accidents per capita. Yikes! But it will be an adventure non the less and I can't wait to see how other people in this world live so differently than us. 

So this is a picture of my small abode here. 

So this is small abode here. 

It is my part of the room as there is also a bathroom and two other bunk beds. I am just now getting a roommate so 2 weeks without one has been pretty nice. 

So I am adjusting fairly well to the time difference and to the heat...it has only been 108 so far!! It is strange because some people think that since I am a "weather girl" that I am used to this heat...umm negative. When I left Arkansas it was only high 70s!

Well as most of you are starting to wake it is actually bedtime for me so until we write again...see you soon!

Potted Plants Project

Potted Plants Project...can you say that three times fast?!?! The easy DIY craft is not as hard as saying that is thankfully! If you're looking for something fun and easy to do with the kids this summer this is just for you!

All you need is ceramic pots from any store that sells lawn and garden stuff, some paint, a paintbrush and some paper towels cuz it could get messy!

You can have your kiddos do any design. I had my oldest use your hand prints because her hands and feet were too big to make a butterfly. My littlest one made a butterfly using her feet and it came out so cute! 

This is a super fun AND super cheap way to have a fun crafty afternoon with the kids!!

Honest Company Discovery Kit

For the most part I dislike the sponsored posts that show up on your wall on Facebook. However that changed when the Honest Company post showed up. I had heard of the company and I knew it was started by Jessica Alba and that it didn't use all the chemicals that most companies use in their products. 

So I thought what the heck let's try this out. 

Best choice EVER. 

So in the Discovery Kit it contains a sample of their diapers in all their fun patterns. I mean who wouldn't doesn't like cute diapers! They also include a sample pack of their wipes. 

My favorite thing about the diapers besides being super cute is that if you order their diaper bundle every month you get all different designs AND it is shipped to your doorstep. How nice is it to not have to run to the store every week because you need diapers! This is also the only other diaper I have found that my little munchkin doesn't leak out of! Also my little one has to use sensitive wipes or she breaks out and their wipes are perfect and don't irritate her skin.

Modeling the new diapers!

They also send you a sample of their Family Essentials. It is a their laundry detergent, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, etc. I have to say that I haven't used it yet because I brought it with me  on my "trip over the pond." But I will say that I am so excited to use it and I'll be posting later on how it works!

In the words of Siskel and Ebert I give this company two thumbs up! I love baby products and it is even better that they are chemical free!

Socially Yours: Invitation Review

I have had the privilege of reviewing invitations for Socially Yours. Socially Yours is an online invitation site that was among the first to sell their invitations online and before that have been in the business since 1994. What makes these invitations even more personal is that a few of the original 9 designs showcased her two young sons and are still some of the best selling invitations on the site!

One of my favorite invitations on the site is Yellow and White Floral Party Invitations. I am a fan of flowers and even more so flowers that have bright colors that stand out to viewers. It is perfect because you can use it for any type of spring or summer party. Whether it is a family get together, birthday party or bridal shower it works perfectly. 

I also loved the Precious Patriotic Baby Invitation! I am a sucker for babies and putting a baby on an invitation makes it an instant favorite for me! It is perfect for any type of patriotic party like 4th of July, Memorial Day, or Veterans Day. It also is the perfect baby announcement for a military family! LOVE LOVE LOVE babies!

Are you on the hunt for a bridal shower invitation? Look no further because this next one is perfect. The Satin White Wedding Gown and Colorful Floral Bouquet Bridal Invitation is just what you are looking for. Like I said earlier I am a huge fan of colorful flowers and the bouquet in this invitation is exactly that.  I love the detail in the wedding dress and flowers and it just makes it have that classic beauty feel. 

It was so hard to choose a favorite wedding invitation but I must say that I loved the Bride and Groom First Steps Wedding Invitation from the first moment I saw it. Everyone knows how important it is to find the perfect wedding dress BUT I think that having a good pair of heels for your dress is like the icing on the cake and the beautiful red heels in this invitation do just that. This card is perfect just like how any wedding should be! This invitation can be used as a wedding invitation or you could use it as thank you cards also. 

Last but certainly not least is birthday cards! Being that my littlest just celebrated her first birthday I enjoyed all the birthday invitations. Baby Girl in Flowerpot with Orange and Yellow Flowers is just the invitation for any spring or summer birthday party. The cute innocence of this darling baby staring at the flowers could put a smile on anyone's face! 

One of my favorite things about this site is the variety of all the invitations. Whether you are having a beach wedding or a rustic country one there are invitations for it all. This company has proven its quality, creativity, and customer service for the past 18 years so why not trust your needs to them! 

And for a limited time they are offering a code for 15% off your order! Just use the code Summer VIP! 

Enjoy!