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One year ago I laced up a new pair of tennis shoes and went for my first run. I didn’t have any fancy running gear. And I didn’t have any clue how I would feel. But I assumed it would hurt like hell and I wasn’t looking forward to it at all.

I’m not sure why the trend stuck this time. I just knew I was tired of feeling like shit all the time, physically and emotionally.

This post brought to you by Manwich. The content and opinions expressed below are mine.

I’m a big fan of easy weeknight meals that fill up my family’s tummies. I’m an even bigger fan if these recipes don’t have twenty ingredients and take a really long time to make. For a working mom of three kids it just has to be easy and fast to garner a spot on my weekly menu. In fact, Manwich Monday Recipes are one of the favorite things we’ve implemented!

When I trained last spring for my first 5k it was an 8-week program using an app on my phone. Due to the onset of depression this past fall, I lost steam and have had to go all the way back to week 5 of my 5k training. It’s really hard getting out of bed some days. So you can imagine how difficult it is to tell myself to get up and go running.

By the time Brigham was six-months-old, we had already been to Children’s Mercy urgent care/emergency room so many times we’d lost count. We didn’t understand why our baby was so sick all the time. We were frustrated, exhausted and didn’t know what to do.

Severe double ear infections from the time he was one-month-old. Scary vomiting episodes, respiratory illnesses that included bronchitis and pneumonia, which required nightly breathing treatments. We were told he probably had reactive airway disease. This, because they don’t diagnosis it as asthma until children are older.

This week on the happy list . . .

• 16 Things You Need to Say Goodbye to in 2016: If you read anything this week – let it be this! So good and I relate to so many of them!

• Peanut Butter Pie: I mean, does it need an explanation? I am sooo making this!

• Why is My Daughter Aggressive at Home and an Angel Everywhere Else?: Another great article that I relate to very much.

Mondays, man. Am I right? Especially the Monday after a long holiday weekend! It’s not easy to jump back in.

Since Mondays are kind of a tough day for pretty much everyone I know – I’ve decided to start posting a “Happy List” each Monday. It seems like a fun way to lift my spirits. Maybe it will for you too if you like something I post. Remember, I am trying to focus on the positive and be grateful for all the happy things in my life (there are many!). It’s just a healthier way to live and I’m learning to think more positively each day.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of DairyPure Milk. All opinions are 100% mine.

The holidays are upon us and everyone is looking for great recipes to put everyone in the Christmas spirit! I don’t know about you but I love to create recipes that my family will love and I’ve found some great options with one of my favorite treats – candy canes! Here are just some ideas I found on pinterest and can even be used as gifts or at your holiday parties!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ProPharma USA. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you’re a mom you’ve probably noticed your memory is not as good as it used to be before you had kids. The term “mom brain” has been coined to describe this struggle and it couldn’t be more true for me. And it might be for you too!

Maybe it’s because we have so many things to remember and our mind is trying to process multiple things at one time. Maybe it’s because we are constantly interrupted mid-thought. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s because we’re tired :)

*This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TryALittleGoodness *#CollectiveBias

I have now been running for nine months and although running has become my favorite way to exercise, I know it’s time to diversify my workout. I can tell my body needs a break from the strain running puts on my muscles and joints. As hard as it is to admit it – I’m not a spring chicken anymore! I have a full-time job and three kids so time is short. I’m just plain worn out after the day is over! But there will always be excuses, am I right?

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BeHealthyForEveryPartofLife #CollectiveBias

Sometimes we get it into our heads that a date night has to be expensive dinners and romantic escapades. When in reality those just can’t happen very often – especially when you’re parents!

Something like that might stretch your budget, having to pay for a night out not to mention having to pay for a babysitter.

I’m not sure exactly when it happened – but I changed. I changed for the better.

I’ve worked so hard the past two months to think positive thoughts instead of the negativity that often filled my mind.

I’ve gone to doctor’s appointments. I’ve practiced self-care. I’ve focused on my family. I’ve even taken a vacation with my husband to an amazingly beautiful island, which allowed us to relax and roboot after a couple hard years. It allowed us time to look each other in the eye and say, yes, I love you. Oh man, do I ever love you.

“I’m going to clean our shower,” I said. “It’s been too long and it’s really dirty.”

I grabbed the strong cleaners, rubber gloves, opened the windows and turned on the fan. I knew this would be a big job for me. Especially since I hate to clean anything at all.

Naaman took care of the kids downstairs while I started spraying down every inch of the space.

The room filled with clorox and chemicals but I didn’t care. The “natural” stuff just wasn’t gonna cut it this time.