Welcome! 
I am so glad you're here.  
Don't worry..it's still me, the same real, mediocre, parent surviving on coffee, enjoying some wine from time to time, and sharing our crazy, fun military family life! But, a lot has changed for us! 

We have moved! We no longer live in Missouri. The army decided it was time to move on, so we now call Kansas home--and we couldn't be happier with this location!  We are returning to our rural, homegrown roots, albeit in a different state.  We purchased a home in a small farming community equipped with an area for our horses.  Our house is the quintessential farmhouse, and turns 100 years old in 2020! Our small, modest, homestead will be the base of our roots and memories for the next few years. 

Country living has always suited me. It suits our entire family. The room to roam and grow is something we have missed and craved. I am excited to share our day-to-day raising organic, free-range, and quite frankly, feral children in a high-and-tight world. There can be balance in the military life and the rural one. Rurally raised, homegrown, dandelion babies live here with their caffeine-fueled, horse-loving, kinda crunchy, country lovin' mama, and their strong,loving,hardworking military dad.   

Welcome to our homestead. 

Study like a Motha! 5 Tips to Maximize Learning for Moms

Gone are the days of pulling an all-nighter cram sesh fueled by energy drinks and mediocre cafeteria pizza.  I have said it before, and I will say it again; college is hard.  It's harder when small people are counting on you for basic survival needs.  With increased online learning opportunities in more and more career fields, the possibility for mothers to continue their education or complete a new degree program are greater than ever!  If you are thinking of returning to school, or already have, check out my tried and true study tips to help maximize learning for busy moms like me!

1) Make it Part of the Routine
This one might be a little challenging at first, but once everyone gets used to it, it really is a God send!  Plan in your study and/or class time throughout the week.  This way everyone can anticipate when its coming, and plan accordingly.  Work it into your existing routine to make life less stressful on everyone.  Whether this means planning some reading during naps, designating homework time for kids and mom, or taking some time out of the house to work independently while the kids stay with a spouse, family member, or sitter find the times that work best for you.  Try to avoid working "after the kids are in bed" as much as possible.  Believe me, I have spent many late nights doing this because life happens, but it definitely added some stress.

2) Don't Overload on Classes
I know its hard.  Its hard not to max out at every possible credit hour each semester in order to accomplish goals earlier.  For parents, this isn't always the best approach.  While we focus on our education, our little people still want to do fun things and still want us to be present in those times!  Make sure you aren't taking so many classes that you forget to live in the moment with those sweet babies. 

3) Find a Note-Taking System 
Moms are already experts at multitasking.  Chances are, you might be attending class, reading, or taking notes when someone in your life needs a snack, poops, throws up, wants the TV changed, starts fighting, wants to play outside...the list is endless.  Finding a system for notes that works for you is key to college success!  For me, the old fashioned pen and paper is the best.  For others, typing on a document on the computer works best.  Others find recording a class to play again later works best.  Try many options until you find your perfect fit.  Use many if you need to!  I have often recorded classes and taken notes.  Don't be afraid to highlight your purchased textbooks (don't do it in rentals, folks!) and print off lecture slides and notes to make marginalia and highlight as well.

4) Don't Procrastinate! 
Ok, college 101 right?  I think this was probably on every single syllabus I read since 2010.  Prior to kids, it kind of went in one ear and out the other.  I worked well under pressure in those days.  Some of my best essays and best work was done the day (let's be real, 4 hours) before it was due. That doesn't work when others dictate your time.  Life with kids is always a toss up.  It's better to have that assignment done ahead of time and ready to submit, or submitted before hand.  Murphy's Law will dictate that if you wait, someone will vomit and your whole plan is now tossed to the wind.  Don't expect all of your professors to be understanding if a child is sick and you miss a deadline--it is not really their issue that your carpet is now covered in nasty and you are tired; just get that paper done!  Stay on top of reviewing your notes to help you be successful on quizzes and tests as well. 

5) Be Flexible
Be ready for things to change in your routine.  Kids get sick.  Kids want to do things.  On that one sunny day after a long winter of indoors, kids want to go to the park--go!  Sometimes, kids just need you.  They want to cuddle and you might be reading textbooks to a teething baby at 1 a.m.  You might be typing a paper while kids play in the backyard in the sprinkler.  You might be taking a quiz while in labor because baby number two decides to come early.  Know that you CAN do it, mama.  You absolutely CAN do it.  There are times when you will just feel done and ready to quit. Believe me, its not easy; but finishing it is the absolute best feeling!  Remember you are doing it not only for you, but for those sweet (and sometimes sour!) kiddos too.  Give yourself some grace and be flexible. 

Now, stop reading this and go study like a motha!  Remember, when all else fails, pour a glass of wine and hit the books, mama. 

The Perfect Educational Fit for the Busy Milspo Mom

Picture this: it's 2010.  Side bangs were definitely a thing.  Everyone wore Etnies and DC shoes even if they couldn't skate (me), Rihanna wanted to be the only girl in the world, and we were first introduced to the yellow, annoying oblong being known as a "minion" (I didn't realize how big of a deal these guys would become in my life a few years later), and it was time to begin my freshman year in college.

Foundry College gives me the ability to further my education
from the comfort of my own home--even surrounded by the
tasks of motherhood; unfolded laundry for example.

I like to think I was a fairly typical college kid; loved my major, spent tons of energy drink-fueled late nights studying, participated in clubs on campus, and survived on copious amounts of pizza and lattes.  That is, until I fell in love.  Sure, lots of people find their soul mate in college, but I didn't find mine in college, I just happened to be a student when I married this hunk in a schmedium who caught my eye the first time I saw him (because he scared my horse and I needed to drop a very well placed F bomb). My true love was a soldier in the US Army, which changed my course of education from the time we said our "I do's."  

I spent more time than normal completing a bachelor's degree from my alma mater, just to find it really wasn't as useful as a transitioning military spouse as I thought it would be.  For three years, I felt lost.  I felt like all the sleepless nights cramming in studying between feeding a new born, reading babies the theories of Freud, Skinner, and Pavlov, caffeine-frenzied writing sessions at Panera Bread, and even reading textbooks in my children's first few hours of life just weren't adding up.  The stress of looking into other programs, costs, knowing the demands of a mother of a 2 and 5 year old, and the ever lingering possibility of a PCS (thanks, army) made returning to school seem impossible. I was on the verge of giving up returning to school when I read about Foundry College.

Visit Foundry College on Facebook!
Graphic credit: Foundry College  

Foundry College was the exact thing I needed!  This start-up college was offering a different type of post-secondary education.  While researching the college, I learned that all of their classes are completed in real-time, interactive lecture format and did not require any outside reading, outside homework, or the purchase of textbooks.  No way! Was it too good to be true?  I decided I might as well apply and decide for myself.  After interviewing with Foundry, I knew their new approach to learning was the perfect fit for me.  

The program takes a different approach to post-secondary education.  They believe that the focus should be on providing students with real-world knowledge and skills that employers are seeking right now.  Their associate's level programs ensure that students are prepared to enter the workforce with an applicable and relevant education that fits smoothly into the current employment atmosphere.  The courses are refreshing, educational, and perfect for those with transient lifestyles; especially military spouses like me.  Each student is provided with an educational coach to help guide student's on their collegiate path, tutors, and a very competitive cost without any excess like textbooks, access codes, or meal cards.  Students have the ability to attend class from anywhere there is a WiFi connection--from a Starbucks before household goods arrive....from the motel during PCS...from the Starbucks parking lot because the power is down...

For those who may be searching for the right college fit, check out Foundry.  As a means to better the educational experience they offer, those who apply for the Foundry College second class will receive free tuition!  This is an exciting and limited offer, so if this sounds like something that would be a good fit, make sure to visit them at Foundry College to learn more and apply before the March 31st deadline for the limited-time, tuition-free program.  

Photo Credit: Foundry College

Bougie on the Bottom Shelf

It's probably no secret by now that I enjoy relaxing after a chaotic day with the kids with a nice, refreshing, glass of Mommy Juice.  As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of the bottom shelf, I have found some nice wine options that taste good and don't break the bank!  I am definitely no sommelier, but there are plenty of great reviews about the best wines, pairings, etc. You know what there isn't a lot of? Reviews of the bottom shelf.  Reviews for the budgeted moms scanning the bottom shelf while some one screams in the cart about candy and another child watches some other kids playing with toys on YouTube as you frantically get the shopping done praying your daughter doesn't lick the cart this trip, then you, my friend, have found the review for you.

Here's the thing about wine.  It doesn't have to be expensive to taste good, to get you a little happy buzz, or to be enjoyed.  If you need a wine that pairs with tantrums and Goldfish, welcome.  If you need a wine that pairs with "I should be vacuuming, but meh" welcome.  If you need a wine that goes with "the dog shit on the floor again," welcome.  If you are simply looking to try some different wines to find your taste, while keeping it under $10 a bottle check it out! Some may be amazing...some might be down right nasty...what will the weekly Bougie on the Bottom Shelf reveal?  So, without further ado, what am I drinking tonight?!

This week's selection: Barefoot Rose.

Barefoot cellars describes this wine as "a refreshing wine with aromas of ripe raspberries and juicy watermelon.  Flavors of cherries and sweet citrus compliment the smooth, crisp finish."  It is delightfully sweet according to the label, and is a California rose sporting 10% alcohol per volume (winner, winner, chicken dinner!).

That's great and all, but here's my mediocre review of this under $10 wine.  It definitely fits in that sweet category, without being overpoweringly sweet or super "sugary."  It was a nice, smooth rose.  I definitely got the raspberry notes the maker talked about as well as the citrus and cherry finish.  I didn't really pick up on anything watermelon-y, but that may have helped cut some bitterness that can sometimes be associated with raspberry anything.  I chose to drink it room temperature tonight, and it was nice that way, but is also a good chilled wine as well.  The mom pairing recommendation is that this wine pairs very well with "my kid needed 10 snacks and 30 gallons of water before bed" and leftover, cold nuggets remnants that looked too good to waste, and "can Sandra Bullock come teach my kids how to be quiet for longer than 2 seconds?"  While drinking this wine, I feel happy, calmed from a hectic day, and relaxed for bedtime!

Bottom Shelf Steal or Cheapo fail? Bottom Shelf Steal!  This is a lovely Rose for those who enjoy a lighter, fruitier, sweet wine without the overpowering sweetness.  A great wine to buy in the large bottle and share with friends, or, ya know, enjoy during a Netflix binge.. Try it out and let me know your thoughts!

Disclaimer: I am by no means a professional sommelier, just a mom who likes to try new wines and is frugal while doing it.  I did not receive any compensation for this review; it is my real, fun, take on a product I purchased and tried at my own discretion for no compensation.

Always drink responsibly.    

Eat MO!

We are food people.  Now that our kids are self proclaimed chicken nugget connoisseurs, we have so much more freedom to go try all of the family owned restaurants we have been eyeing since moving to South-Central Missouri!  It's not that we don't like chain restaurants, but Applebee's is Applebee's pretty much across the board.  Sure, a good chef makes a big difference, but the menu is the same no matter which one you visit.  Trust us on this one, our son is probably Applebee's biggest fan and we frequent the ones in our area way more than I would like to admit.  Thank God there are cocktails.

As our time here winds down to just one more year (give or take, let's be honest it's the army so...), we have challenged our family to take our "Selfie Sunday" (what my husband aptly named the day I don't cook and we fend for ourselves in the food department) up a notch and knock a TON of local eats off the bucket list! The truth is, we get stuck in what's familiar.  Chains are familiar.  But where is the excitement in that?  Discovering the flavor of any place is part of the fun!  There are so many one-of-a-kind eateries in Missouri and they are all so worth it.  Follow us every Sunday as I highlight where we will be dining as a family!

Feel good, family food is what we are all about.  Be sure to watch for our restaurant reviews each week!  This isn't your run of the mill review--of course it will have a Mediocre Mommy spin!  We will give you the skinny (or....maybe not so skinny? yea, I'm going to need to hit the gym a lot more) on the food, price, and atmosphere of each location we chose to Eat MO this year!  There will also be a "nugget report" from our resident picky eater, who will give me some kids menu insights.  He's a pretty cut throat critic--Gordon Ramsey doesn't have anything on him! Have a suggestion? Tell us! Where is the "place to go" in your MO hometown? We want to go there! We want to try ALL OF THE FOODS!  I am so excited to Eat MO, Eat sooooo much MO this year!