Community Coop

For those who are interested in saving some money and eating healthy, a community produce co-op is the way to go. St. Louis now has a big community co-op that serves most areas.

You can order whatever you want or you can buy a basket for $23.00 that includes a variety of fruits and vegetablels. You get a whole LOT of stuff. All you have to do is pick up the basket that volunteers have already organized. It's sooooo easy. The baskets include something different each time. So it encouarages you to try new things and be creative with your snacks and cooking.

Adeline loves picking up at our local co-op. She carries in her own bag and puts as much as she wants into her bag. When we get home, she begs to try each item from her bag. It teaches her the fun in eating new and healthy foods.

Find a pick up group near your home or work location at: www.communityhelpingscoop.com

What I Would Have Done Differently???

Only 2 individuals have asked me what I would have done differently if I would have known that Mylie was going to die. I didn't know how to respond to either individual. But it is something that I think about it all the time. Guilt is something that runs through our minds frequently. Dan and I have openly discussed our feelings of guilt with others in our support group, therapy sessions, and with family and friends. Guilt is something that is so hard to deal with because we can never go back and change it.

Mylie's death has forever changed our lives. It has also change our other children's lives and they way that we raise them. We are less frequent to take them for granted, get frustrated, or annoyed (although it does still happen). But when I am living in the moment of getting annoyed, I tend to quickly stop myself in my tracks and think "What if they died tomorrow? Would I be acting like this?"

I decided to write on this particular post about what I would do differently if I knew Mylie was going to die. Maybe it can help someone else? I'm not sure... but at least it's good to reflect on our past and think about how we can change the future and the way that we act to others.

1. I would have given her more attention, love, kisses, and hugs.

2. I wouldn't have been so focused on how Adeline was going to handle being a big sister and just enjoyed the moment with both of my girls. I often feel like I gave Adeline way more attention than I gave Mylie.

3. I would have taken LOTS more pictures.

4. I would have bought a video camera and captured hours of her.

5. I would have taped her sounds of laugther and giggling.

6. I would told her how much I love her EVERY single day.

7. I would have stayed at home on Christmas instead of running around across town from place to place.

8. I wouldn't have listened to others on how I should raise my children. I would have just treated and loved them what I felt was comfortable and appropriate.

9. I would have forced us to sit together as a family on the floor and play more often during the evenings before bedtime.

10. I would have taken her hand and footprints and made some type of stone or Christmas ornament.

11. I wouldn't complain about the petty little stuff about being a mother of small children. For example: staying up late at night with her, listening to her crying in the car, the large amounts of dirty clothes she made me clean, and when she spit up on my shirt.

12. I would have let her experience more things in life. For example: take a lick of a sucker, feel and taste the cold snow, etc..

13. I would have just lived each moment with her and appreciated her presence.

Don't forget to enjoy your children. You never know what the next day will bring.

Kids and Organization

I am a true believer in organization! I especially believe that it's important that we become good role models to our children when it comes to organizing and implementing structure in our homes. Organization is an essential life skill that shows respect, creates order from chaos, and helps a child feel more secure knowing where things belong.


Regardless on how small your house is, you can still organize your child's belongings. Spend a little money on containers at the Dollar Store or save old boxes from the grocery store to help organizer their toys, art projects, school books, shoes, etc.... If their items don't have a home, then how do they know where to put them??? They won't, therefore they will never even attempt to clean up because they won't know what to do with it. So why would your child try to pick up???


Although my oldest child is not at an age to pick up toys very good, she still knows where everything belongs. And when she wants something.....she goes and gets it immediately without any stress because it's always in the same place. For instance, the other day we were playing princess dancing. She suddenly realized that she need a wand to dance with. Therefore she headed straight to the playroom, went to the jewelry box, and grabbed her wand. Without any hesitation or confusion, she knew exactly where her item would be and came right back to play. Structure and less chaos is important for our children.


Organization also implies a respect for others. Have you every loaned something to a friend and never got the item back because they somehow lost it? Did you feel like they respected your property of personal items? Have you ever had to wait at the door forever because someone misplaced their shoes? Did you feel like they were not respecting your time or where you had to be next? What if they would have just put their shoes in the shoe bin in the first place?


Children will not know how to organize their belonging unless you give them the tools and resources.

Here are some helpful tips:

1. Set up bins or containers and teach your child where each item belongs.

3. Label each container.

2. Organize them into importance. If they are really into barbies or cars, put those in the easiest places to reach.

4. Pack up or donate the toys they do not play with anymore.

5. Clean up toys EVERY night. Even if you have to do the rest after they go to bed. This makes every day a "new day." It keeps your house less chaotic, promotes new play, teaches respect, and responsibility.

6. Be flexible and helpful. Your children are not going to be able have the attention span like you do. They won't be able to pick up every toy, every time. So, help them. It's your house too. We all have to work together to keep the house clean and organized.

7. Set good examples. How do you expect your child to keep their room clean if yours looks like a tornado just rolled in?

I'm Going For It

Several months ago, my sister tried to convince me into blogging. It wasn't until recently I decided to cave and give it a try. Thanks for Kellie Kube for her extra encouragement! She came over to our home and told me that I should blog and give extra ideas to others. So I'm giving it a try. We will see how long it sticks around!!!