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All future blog posts for my personal life will be found at Living in Acronym Hell. If you are looking for anything involving the Internet and Technology, visit my new business, Redbird Empire!

I am also available on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Polyvore, and starting to grow on YouTube.

Maintaining New Year's Resolutions - Saving Money

Continuing with my mini-series, let's talk money today. Everyone LOVES to talk money when it comes to MAKING money ... but no one likes to talk about SAVING money. It's hard and it means making sacrifices. Saving money means looking at your income and thinking about expenses that may or may not be needed.

So, how do you go about saying, "I want to save money this year" and then actually see it happen? Read on ... and if you have any ideas, feel free to comment! Please share with others you think might find this post beneficial or those who might have some great input. I love seeing comments on my blog posts. *Note - make sure you sign up for my mailing list so you do not miss any posts or deals!*

Maintaining New Year's Resolutions - Losing Weight

When I was reading other blogs and my friends' Facebook statuses, I noticed a trend on New Year's Resolutions. They seemd to all be about losing weight, saving money, getting healthier, getting a better job, and managing stress better. I know they all seem cliche, but honestly ... these are the keys to a happy and healthy life! They are also things that I am looking to achieve this year ... except for the getting a better job. I love my job ... I just have a vision for my job!

I thought I would do a short mini series to talk about how to maintain your New Year's Resolutions throughout the year. Things you can do and resources available. To start the mini series off, I'm going to talk about losing weight. Since this is something that is a real struggle for me, I would love comments on how you have lost weight in the past. Do not take this personally, but I am not looking for anything that deals with quick fixes, pills, miracle shakes, wraps, or surgery. That isn't my style and it isn't what I will be covering in my blog. I was a Beachbody Health Coach and while I LOVE their products ... I want to be clear that I do not think the shakes are a fix-it. They are also not in my budget for a large family.

Lush Decor

I recently was given the opportunity to select some products to review in my blog from Lush Decor. I am waiting on shipping, but want to get the word out on their giveaway IMMEDIATELY. So, this will be a two-part post.

First, the product I am waiting on ....

Isn't it just gorgeous? This is their Flower Texture 8-piece Comforter Set and I am getting it for a Queen-size bed. I cannot wait until it comes and then go to Target to get matching sheets. I am not a silk sheet fan, but I might have to find something to be spa-ish when I have this set on my bed. It has been SO long since I have had anything nice for decor.

Book Reviews - The Chase & Love Trap

So, I am VERY behind on my sponsored posts, so bear with me over the next few days as I fill you in on a few things! There may be days when I feel the need to pop in with a more personal post so I might have 2 posts that day. I am very glad I have some patient clients as I could not anticipate this illness that I had ... or that it would get so bad.

One of the things I feel the most blessed about during this past month is having a lot of books to read. I was given the opportunity to read a couple books for free ... and I am going to tell you about both of them. These are two VERY different types of books but both will keep you wanting more until you get to the end. I was actually disappointed in the end of one ... only because I wanted more. I am sure that is is exactly what the author wanted me to feel too. *laugh*

So ... on to the first book.

Getting back into a routine after illness

One of the hardest things about being a mom is really having no time to be sick. There is no good time, but when sicknesses get the best of you, you have no choice but to make time. It's a fact. I posted my last update when I was feeling better after round one in the ER. Yup, round one.

Saturday was great for me. I was able to eat and drink again. I still had trouble eating some things as I had this huge swelling in the back of my throat, but I really thought the antibiotics had a chance to kick it. I was SO wrong. Some time overnight ... the pain meds and the steroid just no longer were hitting me full force. Or maybe the infection had just decided to remind me how horrible it really was. In any case, by 9:30pm on Sunday, I found myself BACK at KU's ER department. An IV was being put back in and another round of shots were being given. I got more morphine, steroids, and antibiotics. Then my ENT resident came back to visit with me. Same one that I had Saturday morning. We decided that draining was the next option.

My husband ... I felt so bad for him. I really could have grossed y'all out and decided to keep photographic evidence, but I was feeling awful. I told my husband no to all cameras. The doctor pulled 6 cc's of fluid out of my tonsils and Jeremy had to support me from the chair. It really was gross, I'm not even playing. I have NO idea how he was able to stay in the room. He says he feels like a wuss, but he was there holding my hand through the whole thing ... he's my superhero.

We were then told with how bad it was, they were keeping me overnight. I sent hubby home to relieve the babysitter and be there with the kids. There wasn't anything more he could do for me anyway. I finally got a room around 4:30am and passed out after they did their first round of vitals ... only to have the crap scared out of me 2 hours later when my nurse paid a visit. I was up the rest of the day. Visited by tons of residents, specialists, nurses, etc. I was given the all clear to go home by 1:30pm. I am able to eat and drink and there is only mild pain. However, I have been informed that if I get strep again, they are just taking my tonsils. It as really bad.

So ... my fever is completely gone and everything is returning to normal. However, I am just so exhausted by everything and I am so behind. So ... how do you get your routine back and catch up when you have been SO sick? :(

University of Kansas Hospital - Kansas City, KS

Well, this illness just went for a ride

So, I decided that I PROBABLY should fill y'all in on everything going on in my crazy life. I mean, that is why my blog is called Birdcage Media. My pocket book is heaving, my throat is crying, and I am so ready for a pause button.

Last week, all of my kids ended up with mild colds. I say mild, but they had a pretty good cough that was associated with them. The colds were gone by Thursday, but their coughs are still lingering. We took Turtle to her well child check and she has been given her vaccinations and we are calling a specialist to figure out this constipation issue we have been battling for two years. It's a little crazy and we feel like we have exhausted all natural and medical routes without using the specialist.

Before her appointment, we had the older two go to their dental exam. Found out that Peanut has not done as much damage as originally thought by sucking her thumb. She will need spacers and an appliance that will prevent her from putting her thumb in her mouth. UNFORTUNATELY, she is starting to act as if that means she can try to suck her thumb until we give her the appliance. *sigh* Bullfrog will also need some spacers, but not for another year. He has been cursed with his father's small mouth.

Let's Make the Perfect Smoothie

One of my favorite things to consume to stay healthy is to eat a smoothie once a day. I have done green smoothies and Shakeology, but there are many healthy smoothies you can make. Many people have asked me what makes the perfect smoothie. Guess what, I don't know your taste buds! SO, let's talk about the ingredients that make up a perfect smoothie, and you can select what would make YOUR perfect smoothie!

1. Use a nut butter or yogurt to make it creamy
2. Add chia or flax seeds for natural protein
3. Fortify with a protein powder if you are consuming it right before or right after a workout (or using it as a meal replacement)
4. Add a liquid component (milk, juice, coconut water, etc)
5. Add some greens
6. Add some fruits

Where I've Been ... and no I'm not back

I am battling a major infection in my throat. The jury is out whether it is viral or bacterial. In fact, that doesn't even matter to me right now. What matters is I can hardly swallow, my right tonsil is swollen, my right ear hurts, and my throat is swollen (with the right side very tender to the touch.

I have been battling this since Sunday night. I immediately wrote it off as tonsillitis since I have gotten that in the past. It actually WAS getting better. Them BOOM on Wednesday, my fever came back and so did the pain. I have barely been able to eat and drink. Last night I decided to up my Ibuprofen to 400mg every 6 hours. This has at least allowed me a little more sleep, a little more food, and a lot more water.

I know y'all are missing my posts and I have a LOT to catch up on, but I really am spending most of my time laying down. I did get a strep test run at the Minute Clinic at CVS on Wednesday, but that came back as negative. However, most strep tests make me gag and this one didn't, so I'm not sure if she even administered the test accurately.

My children are being such helpers and my husband is really picking up the slack. I feel very blessed right now!

How can something so small do so much damage?

When it comes to eating healthy, it is fairly easy. Honestly, it is. What happens is you eliminate the temptations from your house. Not having access to a vehicle helps keep me on the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, I then I have a vehicle on the weekends. I derail EVERY weekend! A little white granule is so addictive and so tasty, I just can't seem to kick it. What is this small white granule?

You guessed it ... sugar

This is why most people gain weight over the holidays. You first have Halloween where you are doused with candy and other sweets. Then you have Thanksgiving and Christmas where people eat way too much. New Year's Eve brings in alcohol. January isn't innocent ... it's Girl Scout Cookie month. By now, you have this desire to lose weight but you just feel overwhelmed.

Reaching my vision through babysteps

So, my focus word this year is Vision and I chose that word because I want to focus on the vision I have for my life. Where I see myself in ten years. I have some pretty hefty ideas, but I can't reach any of them until I break it down into goals that will help me achieve that vision. Each of my goals then must have tasks to achieve those goals. It's a very complicated process. It can also be overwhelming.

To help prevent being overwhelmed, I have decided to look at things in a very micromanaged fashion. I am a Type-A Parent and this year, they are doing a challenge to grow your blog. Since blogging is on my vision board, I decided it would be a great thing to participate in!

Not too late to join either!

Operation Save the Chicken - a Follow-up

So, a month ago, I discovered a chicken that was wandering around our apartment complex. Upon closer exam, I realized that she was once a pet and would not survive the winter. I needed to do something about that. I immediately started Operation Save the Chicken. You can read about the rest of the story here if you are just now tuning in.

It has been a month since little Bella was rescued and given a new home. I thought it was time to give a follow-up on how she is doing. Mainly because I am SO happy with the decision that was made in rescuing her and the home she went to.

Better late than never

We had high hopes for Christmas. Our game plan had been to load everyone up on Christmas afternoon and drive down to see my parents. My sisters were both going to be there, as well as my grandmother. We had made both a pumpkin and pecan pie.

However ... 30 minutes before we planned to leave, Turtle threw up EVERYWHERE. We had originally thought it might be from the excitement and too much candy. So, Jeremy loaded the other three kids up and headed down while I stayed home with the littlest (just in case). 1/2 way into the journey ... Monkey threw up (right after commenting that her tummy wasn't feeling so hot). They turned around and came home ... Christmas was off. For the next FIVE days I was cleaning puke and poop. Merry Christmas *not*

Rotating sickies left enough non-sickies to kill all but 2 slices of pie off by Saturday night

Such excitement in this house!

We absolutely love the new year here in this house. It brings about a fresh start and school restarting. HOWEVER, it also brings about PARTIES. My family hits party mode mid-October and we don't end that mode until the beginning of April. It's CRAZY.

In October, we got to enjoy my birthday with those who were closest to me (and celebrate birthdays). We then celebrated Halloween with Trunk or Treat at church and trick or treating around the neighborhood.

In November, we held a Creeper party for Bullfrog who turned 10 and then had a great Thanksgiving.

This was the second year that we didn't do much for Turtle's birthday, but she didn't care. We did hold a celebratory dinner for my friend.  We would have done Christmas as well ... but we all got the stomach bug. We were sick from Christmas day to the Sunday after (which caused us to miss my husband's work party as well).

Now that it is January ... we have a whole new set of parties to throw! So, what's on the agenda?

Moving towards a goal (in pictures)

I know that many of you know one of my biggest goals this year is to lose weight and become healthy. I had been working on it throughout 2014 but I never got fully serious. This year is different. I haven't been on my blog much this week because I have been resetting my life. Being healthy is much more than just working out. You have to eat right, sleep right, drink water, and exercise. Your body is complex.

Many people believe that if they burn as many calories as they take in, they will maintain weight. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. I have stopped calorie counting because I found that if I eat properly, I have no problems keeping on speaking terms with my scale.

So, this past week I have changed my diet (started going towards Clean Eating and Paleo - but still have carbs in a few meals when I will be doing a heavy workout) and set up an area to work out. I know that with four children and one vehicle, the odds of me getting to the gym as often as I would like isn't likely. I don't want that to be an excuse ... Here's my week:

Dealing with Dry Scalp!

As I have stated in November, I HATE dry skin! I have been using my Mary Kay products for several weeks now and I have noticed a HUGE difference. However, I have still struggled with an itchy scalp. I have used tea tree oil in my shampoo and conditioner and that has helped quite a bit, but not completely. I still find myself scratching at my scalp throughout the day and winter is only beginning.

When I read your comments on other blog posts, I realized that I am not alone in this struggle. I was approached by Insta Natural to see if I would like to try a few of their products. One of their products is Vitamin C Serum and I will touch on it at the end of this post, but the other two are Argan Oil and are designed to help with hydration. I was all over that!

So, here is my quick FTC disclosure statement ... I DID receive these three products free in exchange for a blog post and review. HOWEVER, the opinions on the products are my own.

Reclaiming my diet ... before the holidays

So, I did a 3-Day Refresh TYPE cleanse. I did not have the money to purchase the 3-Day Refresh from Beachbody and then all of the food on top of it. I have Shakeology in the house and I know recipes for a cleanse. Unfortunately ... and I am sure this is what many people do ... the day I went off my cleanse, I immediately went back to my regular diet.

You know what happens when you do that? EVERYTHING comes back! The things that have changed is I realize that I just cannot do dairy without my IBS flaring like no one's business. Except yogurt ... yogurt doesn't bother me. Anyone else have IBS that have noticed this? Let me know in the comments below.

It's almost time for those crazy resolutions

So, the end of the year is one of the hardest and rushed times for us. I am sure it is for everyone. However, once October 23rd hits, we are going strong with holidays and birthdays until the middle of April (course taxes are then due at the end of April and our anniversary is at the end of May, so ... I digress). If you don't believe me, let me walk you through this:

• October 23 - my birthday
• October 31 - Halloween
• November 24 - Bullfrog's birthday
• 4th Thursday - Thanksgiving
• December 5 - Turtle's birthday
• December 6 - St. Nicholaus Day
• December 24 - Christmas Eve (celebration with Birdwell clan)
• December 25 - Christmas
• December 31 - New Year's Eve
• February 14 - Valentine's Day
• February 28 - Peanut's birthday
• March 6 - Jeremy's birthday
• March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
• April 7 - Monkey's birthday
• April 18 - Oldest son's birthday

Did I forget any holiday that is actually celebrated with things to buy or decorate? Yeah ... so, needless to say, the thought of adding one more thing onto that list just is crazy to me. I am not a huge fan of New Year's Resolutions ... at all. Never really have been ... in fact, this is an echo of my post about this time last year!

Don't let construction come between you and good food!

Tonight I was given a rare opportunity to join six other blogging ladies here in the KC metro to dine at Renee Kelly's Harvest. It is this BEAUTIFUL diner that is built inside a castle. She has a wine cellar in the basement that holds a party of 30, a main floor, and then an upstairs party area that holds 22. The place is all lit up on the outside with Christmas lights, but it is nothing compared to the inside. You feel like you are walking into a little bed & breakfast almost in the snowcapped mountains of Colorado. I honestly could have sat by the fire and drank hot cocoa and been perfectly happy. However ... what DID transpire is an experience that I want to share with you. This is a restaurant that NEEDS to be on your list to visit ... ESPECIALLY if you have "weird" food allergies and want to trust that the food on your plate is something you can eat!

*note - I was given a complimentary tasting dinner in exchange for this blog post ... ALL opinions are my own!*

Let's first start with this adorable place called Renee Kelly's Harvest.

Operation Save the Chicken!

So, my husband will tell you that I am a complete sucker when it comes to creatures. I see abandoned or stray animals and my heart softens. My husband would prefer to simply call animal control and let them do their job. However, I know that their job is to capture animals in any way possible, give them a look over, and then put them in the shelter ... which usually gives the poor creature anywhere from three days to two weeks before execution.

Okay, so it is humanely done ... but still! They didn't ask for their life and they didn't ask to be put to sleep because of it. Enter Operation Save the Chicken.

So ... Monday ... driving to our errands with the kids, I see this thing that doesn't look right in the woods. I snapped a picture and drove a little closer ... sure enough, in our woods we have a wandering chicken!