I have been a chronic over-committer from birth.  It has been a problem that has severely stressed my marriage on many levels.  I have a hard time saying “no” because I always feel like I should help.

Recently, we were in an Espresso Minute brainstorm meeting and Nancy (our main writer) brought up over-committing as a topic for an email idea.  The gist of her solution to over committing was to alleviate the immediate pressure and guilt by delaying the opportunity until you have time for it.

In other words your answer is “Not now”.

Sure enough within a week I was asked to be on the board of an organization that I love, contribute to and have benefited from.

I was flattered, intrigued and then overwhelmed all in one second standing right before the director’s hopeful eyes.   And then Nancy’s solution sprang to my mind. I cheerfully explained that I could not serve right now but would consider it again in the Fall after my house renovation and book were complete.

He was great with that.  I walked away feeling totally devoid of guilt and empowered by the fact that I had maintained control of my life…for once!

Of course, I must caution that you should not delay something you don’t ever intend to commit to.  Then again, if they move on and don’t need you anymore that can be a good thing, too!

          My baby girl  

It’s not 21, so it’s not like it’s a big year or anything.

But it is 22!  In 2 months she will graduate.  No more long Christmas and summer breaks.

She is only 2 hours away at school.  She could be 2 flights away with a 2 hour lay over when she gets a job.

I really don’t know what the next 2 years will bring but I know that every day I get to spend with Megan will be a blessing!

The last time I got together with my sweet friend, Denise, was in NY, so I am very jealous that she is soaking up the big city without me.  However, envy takes a serious back seat to rejoicing because we are  celebrating her son Nick’s debut in the Broadway production How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.

It just doesn’t matter to a mom whether her child is 9 hitting his first homerun or 19 hitting the big lights in NY – it’s the same thrill!

Nick – we are so proud of you!

Anybody going to NY?   I promise to be the best tour guide ever!  I took my girls twice last year – so fun!

(If you go, get the family discount here – http://howtosucceedbroadway.com/family.php )

Imagine this…you walk in the house from a great day at the soccer field, the park, a ballet recital – whatever!  You take your camera out of your purse and turn it on.  You run to the bathroom, wash your hands and sit down at your laptop to look at the pictures from the day that have magically loaded to your computer all by themselves in just 3 minutes.

Maybe you already have one.  Not sure where I read about it but I am all about convenience.  So it was off to Wal-Mart I go.  And the result – I love it.

The Eye-Fi card is memory card for your camera.  I got the Connect 2 for $39.  It really does what it says.  I no longer have to load pictures manually.  There are lots of other features like it can send it all to Facebook, or picture sights like Shutterfly, etc., etc. (see video below).

I am just happy sending them to iPhoto!

It can be so easy to forget to encourage our children. When was the last time you really thought about the words you repeated  everyday to your child?

Valentine’s Day can be a great day to focus on saying loving, encouraging words to your child. Start on February 14th, but commit to making it last the rest of the year!

Here are some of my favorite free Valentine printables to help you get started.

Check out all of iMOM’s Valentine’s Day Ideas!

Did you know that if you have 5 children and 1 husband and you have an affinity for really cute Valentines you can spend $30 just on cards!  And then when you have girls who, because of your dark addiction, have been introduced to the finest of chocolates – WELL…. the expense goes up, up, up!

So I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all these free printables!

THESE are free classmates cards, of course you’ll have to buy lollipops or something to go with them.

THESE are free lunchbox notes to put in lunches, hide in every crevice of your child’s room or, like me, you can tape them all over the goodies you send to your college kids.

THESE are free cards for your sweet little loves and your big, romantic love.

So PRINT, PRINT, PRINT and be happy.

And then, with the money you saved, go out and buy yourself some extra rich, dark, and delicious chocolate – from ME  ; )

I can feel the sugar buzz coming on already.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Such a sweet sky.  I wonder who it was for.

Do you ever pine for that kind of impulsive, extravagant, sold-out kind of love?  The kind that spills over you with such emotion you want to scream it from a mountain top or write in the sky – so the whole world will know.

I LOVE this sky.  I wonder who wrote it.

Try this great game and how it can help teach your family to control the clutter in your home!

Get Clutter Jail here

Day 7:  Favorite

What more do I need to say?!

This is Gidget.  She is without a doubt the best dog in the world.

I really mean that.  Not exaggerating.  Won’t even get into counting the ways, too many.  She is simply the best!

Day 6: Makes You Smile

This is my husband on the right.  With his friend, Jay, on the left.  Wearing the same shirt.  At Disney World.  Dancing.  In the street.

Note:  The children are no where to be found – hiding in embarrassment.

My friend, Beth and I, we loved it.  It still makes me smile… and tear up.

Shortly after this visit, Jay discovered he had an aggressive, B-cell lymphoma.  His treatment is equally aggressive chemo – 6 rounds followed by a bone marrow transplant.

Mark took a trip to visit Jay and encourage him in between treatments.  I sent him with specific instructions to be a help and do some chores around the house for Beth.

This is definitely a posed shot.  My guess is they were just goofing around as usual but trying to prove to me that Mark was helping out around the house.

It makes me smile to know my husband can be “a friend who loves at all times, and a brother in times of adversity.”

And it makes Jay smile, too.