Six Cherries on Top

fat butt friday | an update and an app

2012-05-18T10:56:00.001-07:00

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i have actually gained 20+ pounds since right before thanksgiving last year. i know that i am at an unhealthy weight, but this dieting thing and i are just not getting along. i do really well for a couple days and then i just give up.

jason took this photo of ryan and i the other day and i cringed looking at my arm. i realized my arm is as big as ryan's head and i immediately knew enough was enough. i know deep inside that i can do this, i have done it before and been very successful, but for some reason i have struggled to get my mind in the right place since elijah was born. i almost decided not to post this picture, but i knew that in order to keep my mind in the right place, i have to completely put myself out there. in this picture i am at my highest weight ever (aside from while pregnant) at 168.

i started weight watchers on monday and have done so well all week. i have even lost a few pounds already. monday, jason and i are going to start doing the insanity workouts together as well. insanity is probably not the best workout for a beginner to start with, but i am familiar with it (tried to do it last year) and i want to see results quick. a lot of people say that quick results are not the best way to lose weight, but seeing results is the only way i will stay on board with this. i know me, and i get very frustrated and tend to fall off the wagon if i don't have something to keep me motivated.

i could use all of your prayers and words of encouragement to as well. i will keep updating fat butt friday on my progress each week.

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have you seen this?

i have been using the waterlogged app for iphone for about 2 weeks now and it has really helped me keep track of how much water i drink each day.

it is a very simple app, not a whole lot to it, but i really like that i can take a photo of my own drink container and plug in the number of ounces it holds. as i drink my water throughout the day, i just plug in how much i have drank and i know how much i have left.

i have always struggled with getting enough fluids in my body each day. i just don't get very thirsty and forget that whether i feel thirsty or not, my body needs fluids to function properly. this app has been a great little reminder.

the version i am using is the free version but there is a premium version that allows you to graph your water intake. i personally find the free version to be just enough for me.

check it out in the app store!

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

semi wordful-less-ish wednesday - jacob

2012-05-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

jacob, pullen park, mother's day 2012

even at 10 years old, jacob still "plays". he plays with cars, transformers, power rangers, and even rides his bike. at 9 years old, ryan was talking about girls. the two of them are so different. jacob is so easily entertained we often joke that he could play with the wind and keep busy for hours. elijah is even following in his footsteps. the two of them are so much alike it's uncanny.

however, since jacob turned 10 in january, every now and then he will show his "big kid" side. the side where clothes and image is important, girls are no longer gross, and xbox and music take the place of board games and disney channel.

he is definitely growing up!

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i wanted to share so many of the other photos i took on mother's day this year but i still don't have my laptop fixed and i have resorted to editing through one of the free photo editing sites.

did i mention it sucks? it sucks!

did i mention i want to whine like a brat? i do!

did i mention money is tight and i may have to wait a really long time to get another computer? i just might!

but, i am trying to keep a positive attitude about it all because being a brat and throwing a temper tantrum isn't going to make a new computer land in my lap. and if you like phone photos, crappy edits and SOOC shots, you are in the right place.

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this was nearly a full body shot that i love cropped like this. and i am actually pretty pleased with my edit considering what i had to use.

linking up with the paper mama, angry julie monday, and then she snapped, and sarah halstead.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

top 3 tuesday - weight watchers

2012-05-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

since i am really trying to stay focused on weight watchers now, i decided to share some of my favorite "go to" links for points information and tips.

i used weight watchers after i had my oldest daughter mackenzie and got very familiar with how it works and lost a lot of weight using this system back then. of course, weight watchers got a face lift and is now using the points plus system, but after doing a little research, i familiarized myself with the new system and really have no need to join or attend meetings. that's really not my thing anyways.

however, if you have never been on a weight watchers program before, i strongly suggest you join before trying to figure it all out on your own.

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i love that healthy meals can be created by adding in a serving or two of fresh fruits and vegetables, and that i actually feel full after eating. the zero pointsplus value food list is my go to list for all those "free" foods.

i no longer have to eat bland tasting foods with this list of zero points condiments, sauces, gravies, and ingredients. you will also find a few other unexpected zero points foods there.

50 ways to make weight watchers work for you, has a lot of great tips and tricks that to help you get the most our of your daily points. some of them are no brainers, and some of them are just simple ways to keep weight watchers simple so you don't fall off the wagon.

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anyone else doing weight watchers right now? i would love to know some of your best ways for staying on track.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

sponge balls

2012-05-14T06:48:00.002-07:00

last summer i saw these on summer's blog, crosbie crew during her boys of summer series. i had it in the back of my head to pick up sponges every time we went to the store, but every time i got sidetracked and forgot.

this year, i finally added them to our 2012 spring and summer bucket list and picked up two packs of sponges at target for just a dollar each the other day.

let me just say that these have been a big hit around our house. several times now, the kids have gone outside to have sponge ball water fights.

here is summer's quick sponge ball tutorial. be sure to check out all of her other boy's of summer activities as well.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

let's get real

2012-05-14T06:11:00.000-07:00

i've been seeing a lot of bloggers talking about getting, "deep," & posting about , "real," things instead of always posting pretty photos & pretending their lives have no struggle. and then they make their, "real," post, only it's full of BS. the only blogger i've yet to see get, "real," is audrey. and do you know what? i loved it. i love her raw honesty. i loved that she put herself out there. i loved that she was brave & talked about the real shit.

its' true. the blogging world is full of pretty things. and happy mamas. and clean houses. and perfectly styled/dressed children... and that's okay.

i've decided to join holly once a week as she hosts a linky party. she's calling it, "let's get real." and once a week, on every monday, we will write about something uncomfortable or something we'd normally be afraid to share. we're hoping this will inspire others to write & improve on themselves. reflection is an awesome tool & incredibly therapeutic. if you're not sure what to write about, here are some ideas/examples:

a body part or personality trait you are self-conscious about
a struggle you're currently going through
a struggle you overcame
something that happened to you
a scary encounter
a move you were reluctant to make
a chance you didn't take
dealing with daily pressures (wife, mother, work, etc)

holly has recruited some of her favorite bloggers, including mandey, audrey, chelsea, megan and myself. i am honored she asked me to be a part of "let's get real" with her.

we all struggle. we all have inner turmoil. let's use blogging as our platform to inspire & lift each other up. here is our button, so please take it & put it on your blog or use it on your let's get real post. our first posts will be going up monday morning, so be sure to stop by any of the above listed mama's blogs above to link up.

now that all the details are out of the way, LET'S GET REAL...

i was six the first time i remember knowing my step father was touching me inappropriately.

i was 16 when it finally stopped and i told my mom.

i don't really know what a normal reaction would be to this type of news would be, but instead of my mom being on my side that day, she told me not to tell anyone because she didn't want to lose everything she had.

my mom and i had the typical relationship you would expect a rebellious teenage girl and her mom to have before, but i lost a lot of respect for her after that day.

for 10 years, i dealt with the sexual molestation of my step father. no one knew this side of him he was a successful business man, with the perfect house and the perfect family to live there. my mom lived the life she had always dreamed of and wanted to maintain that image more than anything.

i strongly believe that my downward spiral and that followed shortly afterward and later on events were directly related to what he did and the rejection of my mother.

i did as my mom told me to and never told anyone except my very best friends, my ex husband, and jason.

until now that is...

my mom, later on, found out what is was like to be betrayed by my step father. although i don't look at what later happened to my mom (that i will share next week) as one of those "karma's a bitch!" moments, i know deep inside that she now realizes that the man she was married to for 20 years wasn't who she thought he was.

today, i still feel like so much comes before me in the eyes of my mom, but i have accepted that that is how it is. i have no doubt my mom loves me, and she has certainly been there for me at times and done so much to help me out over the years as an adult, but i have always felt there was something missing from our relationship.

although the past is never really spoken of between my mom and i, i can tell my mom knows she made a mistake that day, and together we share this common ground of betrayal by my step dad, that even today we both are still working to overcome.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

got a cell phone? here's a quick tip...

2012-05-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

if you like to listen to music on your phone, then you will love this little tip!

i saw this somewhere but i honestly have no idea if it was on pinterest, or facebook...i just don't know, so don't give me the credit. i just thought it was such a genius idea that i had to share it with you.

GET A CUP... it can be glass or plastic...i prefer plastic because i actually get some use out of my awesome carolina panthers cup, and it just suits my needs better.

NOW... turn on the music you have on your phone and turn it up, whether it is pandora or music you have purchased and loaded onto your phone.

LAST... put your phone in the cup.

INSTANT SPEAKER!

i have been doing this non-stop ever since i discovered this little bit of genius.

want to listen to music in the shower? not only does this make the music louder and easier to hear, but it kinda protects your phone too (as long as you don't have it directly near the flow of water). i have a sliding shower door, so i have been doing this and sitting the cup up on the top ledge of the shower door.

i have an iphone, but i am sure this can work with any type of cell phone.

let me know if you try this!
and speaking of music, what do you like to listen to most?

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

DIY painted keys

2012-05-04T10:31:00.000-07:00

i am over HERE today sharing a tiny toot on painting your keys with...nail polish. be sure to stop by and check it out!

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

we live at the ER

2012-05-01T10:52:00.002-07:00

in december we had an emergency with elijah when he accidentally ingested his sister's medication, after she dropped it on the floor, and had to rush him to the ER. he was monitored for 8 hours and then released in good condition.

in march, mackenzie fell off of her bike and broke her right wrist and we had to take her to the ER. she received a cast that she wore for 6 weeks and is doing great now that it is off.

this past sunday, tyler hit the edge of our bar and put a gash in her head and had to be rushed to the ER also. they had to put staples in her little head to close the wound, but she was a super brave girl and doing awesome now.

we live at the ER.

nothing is scarier than your children getting hurt, and i have always been a paranoid mommy about so many things and felt like i was holding my kids back because of my own fears. but, as i am learning, we can only protect them so much, and things will still happen. we have to let our children explore the world on their own and learn from their own mistakes. we can only be there to guide them in the right direction.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

missing in action

2012-04-24T03:38:00.001-07:00

hi friends! i thought i'd stop in and give a quick little update. about a week ago i finally felt i was ready to start getting back into blogging a little more frequently. i posted several times last week and then...BAM! my stupid computer got one whopper of a virus. it was so quick and violent, and i hadn't saved anything for a couple of weeks, so i am up the creek on that one. i have done just about everything except take the thing in because i just know it won't be good news. i am not a pro, but I am pretty computer familiar to know how to wipe it all clean and start from scratch,and even that didn't work. ugh! anyhow, if i post it will probably be filled with iphone photos from my phone because i will be using jason's ipad. this thing doesn't even have a single photo app on it either. double ugh! blogging is not easy from these types of devices. no pictures for this post because i am not even going to try to figure that out. have a great day!

carnation® breakfast essentials™ frozen coffee drink

2012-04-19T07:53:00.000-07:00

this is my new favorite thing to drink for breakfast and it has two of my favorite things...chocolate and coffee. it takes less than 5 minutes to whip up in the blender, is a less expensive alternative to starbucks, and so good you will crave them. plus, carnation® breakfast essentials™ is a great way to still get in those healthy vitamins and minerals.

here's what you need to make this drink:

1 package of carnation breakfast essentials (the powdered kind) in any of their chocolate flavors (check out the variety of flavors)
1 cup of unsweetened almond milk. i use unsweetened vanilla almond milk because it tastes good and has WAY fewer calories than even 1% milk.
1 package of starbucks via in blonde or breakfast blend
2 cups of ice
stevia or any other kind of sweetener (optional)

you can use regular milk, other starbucks via flavors that have added calories, and even regular sugar, but my intentions here are to make a healthy breakfast alternative with very few calories using the ingredients i have listed above. i promise, that even if you are not a fan of almond milk, you can not tell a difference.

in a blender, add one cup of unsweetened almond milk. (in the photo above, i actually used unsweetened coconut almond milk, but i wasn't fond of it, so i will be sticking to unsweetened almond milk from now on.)

i found these ice cube trays at my grocery store that are perfect for blenders.

add all other ingredients, plus 2 cups of ice, and then blend until the ice is completely crushed. if you prefer, you can choose not to add the ice to the blender and make this an iced coffee drink by adding the ice after you have blended the ingredients.

total calories (using the exact ingredients i have listed): 170

total weight watchers points: 4

i drink this every morning and it keeps me full all the way up until lunch.

try it and let me know what you think.

i was not compensated to mention any of these products. they are products i actually use on a regular basis and love!

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

violet irises

2012-04-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

when i first got these irises, most of them were yellow, with a few violet ones. now, as the years have gone by, and they have begun to spread, they are mostly just violet. i may get 4 or 5 yellow ones.

if you don't have a green thumb like me, irises are the way to go. buy them from a farm that grows them or just find a friend that has a bunch to share. their bulb only grows a few inches below the surface of the ground and you could almost just dig down with your fingers and pull them up.

replant them where ever you want (just a few inches below the ground), and enjoy them year after year. you can even plant them in large containers. i have a some planted in old metal wash buckets and they look great. the best part is that over the years they will multiply. you don't have to do anything except let them do their own thing.

go get some if you don't have some already. they come in tons of colors.

if you do have irises, what colors do you have or what are your favorite colors?

linking up with the paper mama, angry julie monday, and then she snapped, and sarah halstead.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

iphone recap

2012-04-16T15:46:00.000-07:00

here are some iphone photos of what we have been up to the last couple of months.

oh gosh, where do i begin. life hasn't been fabulous (as in nothing super exciting happening around here), but it has definitely been busy.

a few things you will see above:

beautiful spring days // fun at the park // lunch at moe's and a trip to lowe's // my las vegas draw something artwork // delicious smoothies // cupcake toppers for gracie's birthday // the lizard we found in our sink // my clown-like workout attire // coffee and cleaning // elijah and "his" ipad

mackenzie's broken arm // food, food, food // beer, beer, beer // yummy coffee drinks // tyler and the goofy glasses // rainy days // hardcore kazoo playing // playing with beans

more food, more beans, more booze, more tv watching, more, ipad playing, and easter at grandma's.

**if you follow me on instagram (@mamacherry if you want to follow me), you have probably seen most of these. instagram is now available for all you android users. be sure to check it out and join the fun if you aren't already.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

2012 ultimate blog party

2012-04-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

I am participating in the 2012 ultimate blog party with 5 minutes for mom. i have participated the past few years and have found that this is a great way to make new friends and discover some new blogs out there that are along my interest lines. thanks for stopping by.

*** i don't want to be a debbie downer but i have also found that these types of parties bring in a lot of spam traffic with generic comments as well (remember your proper blog commenting manners please). i want you to be here because you want to be here and i only want you to follow me because you have a genuine interest in my blog and what i write about. not sure what that is?

let me introduce myself if this is your first time here:

my name is joni and i am a stay at home mother of six children, 3 boys and 3 girls...mackenzie (13), ryan (12), jacob (10), phoenix (6), tyler (5), elijah (2). jason is my hubs, an ex marine, and together we raise our brood of little cherries in a small town in north carolina, right outside of raleigh. we pretty much hate it here in this town, but it's home until we FINALLY move one day.

we are actually a blended family, my three girls from a previous marriage, and the two oldest from jason's first marriage. elijah ties them together as brothers and sisters, and they all have the arguing, fussing, and fighting down pat to prove it.

if you would like to read a longer version of our story, go here.
want to know a few personal things about ME, go here...some of these are pretty good.

i started blogging in 2008 when i found out i was pregnant with elijah when i knew he would be my last child and our family was complete. this blog is my way of documenting my life and the lives of my children.

i also enjoy sharing some of my other favorite stuff like photography and editing, television and movies, and products i love. you can also follow my ups and downs with weight loss in my fat butt friday series. i post lots of photos taken with either my canon 5d mark ll or my iphone.

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now that you know just a bit about me, be sure to leave a comment and your blog address and i will be sure to stop by to say hi sometime.

you can also follow me at one of these places here: twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry or email me at sixcherriesontop@gmail.com

thanks for stopping by!

iphone app: viggle

2012-04-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

viggle has to be, hands down, one of my top 5 favorite iphone apps. whether you watch a lot of tv like we do or watch just a few hours a week, why not get rewarded for doing so?

viggle gives you points for watching tv, which you can then redeem for rewards. i just signed up last week and already earned enough points to get a $5 starbucks reward.

there are other great rewards as well, but my personal favorite is the one for starbucks. the best part is that if you have the starbucks app. you can just add your reward straight to your account.

sign up with viggle, watch some tv, get rewards. that easy!

fyi: i was not compensated to mention viggle or starbucks.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

picmonkey

2012-04-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

if you are a picnik user, then you have probably already heard that picnik is going away as of april 19. when i first started really getting into taking more pictures, i started out with picnik to edit most of my photos until i could afford to get one of adobe's photo editing programs.

i did a post awhile back about the end of picnik and some other choices to use in replace of it but just recently came across picmonkey. i spent about 30 minutes or more editing a few photos with picmonkey just to get a feel for what it is like and i highly recommend it for those looking for a picnik alternative.

the only thing i didn't find were the easy to use collage templates that i would sometimes still use in picnik. be sure to check out my other post i did and some of the other choices you have when picnik disappears in just a few days.

edited with picmonkey

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

do this with a canning jar

2012-04-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

i just discovered the blog, the burlap bag, and saw this quick and simple idea to do with a canning jar for powdered sugar. i love this idea and have been thinking of other things to make these for as well...like cinnamon & sugar, or even poke larger holes for parmesan cheese.

it is super easy to make these yourself. simply use a nail and hammer to poke holes in the metal lid. do as many as you like depending on how much you want to come out at one time (of course, a larger nail will make a larger hole).

so neat, go try it!

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

she got the part!

2012-04-01T14:40:00.002-07:00

so, today is april fool's day, and i am probably known as the world's worst prankster, but i put this photo up on my facebook anyways. i told them all mackenzie had gotten a part on grey's anatomy and would be starring in the show this fall. let's just say, i had a few people. one person even said they were going to record it. HAHAHAHAHA!

this photo was taken several weeks ago and the story behind it is much funnier than the actual april fool's joke and how i got the idea for the photo.

it was the day we took the kids to marbles museum and mackenzie was feeling a bit "out of place" because the museum is centered around a 10 and under age group. we had gone to give phoenix, tyler, and elijah a chance to get out of the house and play.

mackenzie just kind of wandered around all bored like until suddenly she disappeared and returned with this "get up" from the hospital play area. the first thing out of her mouth was "take my picture! i'm the new attending on grey's anatomy!"

put this girl on tv! she's hilarious!

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

diy fort kit

2012-03-31T11:56:00.000-07:00

i believe this was originally a pinterest inspired idea, however, i first saw this diy fort kit done by melissa at hi, baby blog. i am a terrible toot writer so for a better explanation, be sure to check out melissa's post.

i did do a few things my own way though. on all four corners of the sheet, i sewed a piece of fabric covered elastic, perfect to hang over the posts on phoenix's and tyler's beds. then, on each of the four sides, i added two sets of fabric strips for tying off if needed.

they absolutely love this kit, which also included flashlights and clothes pins, all stored inside of a mesh laundry bag. this would be a great gift to give a child.

know a child with a birthday coming up? make this kit!

this kit was on my 2012 spring & summer bucket list also. that's one to check off the list.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

little bits of happiness

2012-03-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

this little ham is at an age that comes with so many surprises, and i just love it!

yesterday, while touring a model home, i walked in to this. all the rooms were over-the-top decorated (way more than the norm) as if people actually lived there. in a room that was decorated for a teen girl there were a bunch of hats, scarves, purses, and sunglasses and elijah couldn't resist trying them all on.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

it's gracie's birthday week

2012-03-21T15:11:00.002-07:00

it's that time of year again and i can hardly believe it. this gal will be three in just a few days. i missed gracie's birthday last year due to a household full of sickness. but not this year!

gracie is my best friend amanda's daughter. when amanda was six months pregnant with gracie, i found out i was pregnant with elijah. the irony of it all was that gracie was her first child, elijah was my last.

i have been photographing this little princess since she was born and she is such a photogenic child. check out some other photos i have taken in the past here, here, and here.

linking up with the paper mama, angry julie monday, and then she snapped, and sarah halstead.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

my 2012 spring & summer bucket list

2012-03-20T12:33:00.000-07:00

to celebrate today being the first day of spring, i decided to go ahead and get a jump start on my spring and summer bucket list. it's no secret that i absolutely love the spring and summer. once november hits every year, i am pretty much already wishing for spring already.

although spring has come way too early this year, i am not complaining. the last couple of weeks have been amazing and i can't wait to dive into some fun activities with the hubs and kids.

here are all the things i hope to accomplish this spring and summer:

1. read one book a month. or more.
2. go at least one day a month with no tv. music is a must though.
3. movie marathons: harry potter, lord of the rings, christmas in july
4. crafts: canvas painting, family dates wall art, fort kit
5. go to the beach and build a sandcastle
6. get a tan
7. make homemade popsicles
8. exercise for 30 days in a row
9. have a picnic
10. play in the rain
11. make homemade lemonade
12. hang out at the pool as much as possible
13. pedicures and manicures with my girls (a couple times a month would be great)
14. pullen park day with friends
15. cook out on the grill a lot. these sound good: shish kabobs, hamburgers, grilled corn
16. busch gardens days
17. built an indoor fort
18. roast marshmallows over a fire and make s'mores
19. sidewalk chalk artwork
20. christmas in july with homemade gifts only
21. oil pastel hair with my girls
22. geocaching
23. put a puzzle together with the kids
24. drive-in movies
25. buy fruits and veggies at the farmer's market
26. make spongeballs and have a fight
27. make ziplock bag icecream
28. go on lots of walks
29. plant tomatoes
30. have "dessert first dinner"
31. have a family game night
32. make root beer floats

if i come up with any more, i will be sure to add them to the list. i would love to see what you come up with too. if you do a bucket list, please share the link in the comments and i will check it out.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

my geek squad will blow best buy away

2012-02-29T18:24:00.000-08:00

wanna create your own little squad of geeks? check out geek booth in the app store (i used the free version).

linking up with the paper mama, angry julie monday, and naptime momtog

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

a month in iphone photos

2012-02-24T19:36:00.000-08:00

these photos are from all different times throughout the past month. they are in random order too.

just a few things you might see above:

several beautiful winter days / elijah's new hand under head position / jacob's birthday at frankie's fun park / ryan skateboarding / mackenzie & jacob iceskating / tyler's sour gum face / a mustache valentine's day / riding the slide at jumpin' beans / new big boy underwear / my new canon 5d / my new epiphanie camera bag / my new coffee coozie / dinner at a mexican restaurant / in my pajamas / mackenzie's new slouchy beret made by a friend

...and more.

wanna know how i made the collage above? it is the photoshake app. using the grid design.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

fat butt friday

2012-02-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

i am making some changes to fat butt friday. so many people have shared with me that it isn't always about the number of pounds. i guess i always knew that but lately i have been realizing that as long as i am eating healthy, perhaps my body will adjust on its own.

i also have to admit that i could probably be working out a little more because, for the most part, i eat fairly healthy. as a family, we don't eat a lot of processed foods, i make most of our meals from fresh ingredients, and i don't use a lot of unhealthy fats and oils to season our food either.

it definitely takes a balance of diet AND exercise to live healthy. i know what i should be doing, i just have to put it all into practice.

so, from now on, you won't see the numbers at the bottom of each post. no doubt i will be checking on the scale too, but i won't be sharing it on a regular basis. i really want to get my mind in this new place of focusing on eating healthy and exercising because it makes me feel better health wise, not because i want a specific number on the scale.

a few tips:

i am excited about the upcoming spring. i definitely find myself outside more often when the weather is warmer. i really do struggle to get motivated in the colder weather months. however, even if you don't want to go outside, try this: run around the outside perimeter of your house a few times a day. by the time you think about how crazy you might look and contemplate whether you want to do it or not, you will be back. do it! right now!

i am loving salads. i have always enjoyed them, but lately i just can't get enough of them. i find the best way to help me include more fresh fruits and veggies into my day is to make them easily available. this includes washing them, cutting them up, and putting them into containers for quick access.

another great way to include veggies is to make an egg scramble for breakfast. crack one egg in a microwave safe bowl (this can also be done on top of the stove of course) and heat for 30 seconds, grab a few of those cut up veggies, 1 oz. of cheese, throw them in and heat for another 30 seconds. done.

get a food scale. it will honestly help you. i use mine most for almonds and cheese. i love almonds so much i could eat an entire container of them (especially the cocoa almonds and cinnamon almonds). i make sure i measure out my servings using my food scale. i will never give up cheese. i don't have to as long as i don't over eat it.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry

little bits of happiness

2012-02-23T07:24:00.000-08:00

this is smooches.

smooches is not our cat. well, he is ryan's and jacob's cat at their mom's house. he/she...i honestly don't even know if smooches is a boy or a girl but it was the sweetest little thing to watch smooches get excited to see jacob when we dropped the boys off at their mom's house on sunday.

the only pet we currently have here at our house is a fish and you just don't get that same kind of love from a fish. i love the unconditional love pets have for their family.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: mamacherry