Wifestyle Hustle

We hope you guys have enjoyed these few ideas we have for ways to spend time with the kids during the month of december. If you have any ideas you would like to share. Leave them on the comments for this episode on our website, or on our social media. Until next time… These are salt dough ornaments Lauren made with her kids the other day. Be on the look out for those tomorrow. This is another grea...

Today we discussed something that could go really well or disastrously wrong depending on the day and age of your kids. It is the worst when our kids behave badly out in public. We hope to help you avoid this embarrassing situation with a few tips we put together for you. Also just know that every parent has been there. Even if they are giving you the evil eye they have themselves done the walk of...

These are some of our favorite hacks for Christmas. If Christmas were an equation this would be the formula. Enjoy.

Today we discussed how we handle our different Christmas activities. Christmas is such a busy time of year. One of the biggest keys for staying sane this time of year is staying organized. It is so easy to let the season get away from you. The next thing you know it is the week before Christmas and your presents are only half bought. You don't have to tree up or have any idea who is coming fo...

In the spirit of the upcoming holidays we discussed some of the favorite books we enjoyed when we were kids and also titles we've given to our kids over the years. Books have played huge part in our lives. Some of my favorite memories were of our dad reading to us before bed. He is a gifted story teller and books in his hands always came to life. Likewise, my favorite time to spend with my ki...

Today, we talked about how important is to teach your kids gratitude. Whether is it being thankful for the glass of water handed to them or the bigger blessings in life, teaching your kids to look for ways to be thankful is so important. Making a point to lead our kids to be thankful is a big lesson. And one so often over looked. It is the little things every single day that lead to a grateful hea...

Today we discussed how important it is to spend time alone with your kids. There are things you will only hear from your kids if you are alone away from the nosy ears of siblings. It is such a treat, usually, to get the hear these little pearls. It is also great to build individual relationships with your kids. Our families are a little different in how we manage to find this time. It can look how...

There is nothing worse than opening your credit card statement in January when you didn't think about how much to spend on Christmas in November. There's that sinking feeling that you know you won't be able to cover the bill. Today we discussed strategies to help avoid that awful feeling. It is so important to set a budget for each thing and then stick to it. It is easy with the mag...

There are so many toys out there and it's hard to figure out which are the best. Today we will share some of our favorites, and tell you why we love them. 

If you've been a listener of our podcast for a while, you already know we are both veterans. Today, in honor of Veteran's Day on Saturday, we dove into our time in the service a little deeper. We joined at different times and for completely different reasons. But, for both of us, our military service was one of the defining times in our lives. The military took us around the world and to...

As you look across the sea of toys in your house, you know it is about to get a whole lot worse. Grandmas and grandpas, aunt and uncles and friends all love your kids very much and enjoy giving them gifts in the Christmas season. What a blessing these people are. But at the same time you know that January will see even less floor space in your house. Unless...you clear out some toys now. A little...

As the saying goes, over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go... It is almost time for those holiday trips. Are you ready? It is so fun to pack up the car and hit the road with your family. It's such and adventure to travel to new places and see people you don't very often. Today we discussed the actual travel which was a review of an earlier episode. We als...

Hopefully this episode doesn't make you too hungry. Today we are talking about a way of cooking that will set you up for easier dinner making for the rest of your life. We will also be giving several of our recipes for doubling food for those busy nights. We understand that doubling dinner off the top is a learned occupation. Enjoy!

Do you feel it? It's coming! We are closing in on that time of year when everything is taking up your time and it feels like the walls are closing in. OK, not quite. But close. The holiday season is upon us. As soon as Halloween is over, Christmas is everywhere in the stores. You can feel the busy creeping up on you. In some ways it can steal the joy from the season. Today, we talked about a...

Today, we talked about how we went about leaving home. We both joined the military in our late teens. So our leaving was a little abrupt. We left home about 4 years apart and completely different time. We both lived pretty sheltered lives to that point. It was so good for us both to get out of our home town and experience something different. But it was a culture shock for us both. We, honestly, h...

Today we talked about a topic that really doesn't get addressed enough with moms. We discussed the importance of ditching your family and having fun with your friends sometimes. Time spent with friends is so worth the investment. These are relationships that can last a lifetime and see you through the good times and the bad. Getting away with your spouse is also important and a really great w...

Today we got into a new topic that we've eluded to a few times. We talked about our desire to be sustainable. This can mean different things for different people. For us, it means to grow as much food as we can for ourselves and purchasing as much as we can locally from people we know. Chances are good we will always use Amazon delivery for things we can't get locally. But we do try to d...

Listen to First Jobs For Kids HERE Today we talked about our kids' first exposure to employment. When your kids are young, their only real employment opportunities are the ones you create for them. Maybe it is helping around the house or the yard. Or maybe it is a helping an older neighbor or family member. But as your kids get older, they can start find money making opportunities for themsel...

In this episode, we discussed how we are doing as we are a few weeks into the new school year. This was a pretty Lauren centric episode. We both home school, of course, but this the first year for Lauren home schooling all of her kiddos. We are into our 10th year of home school so there is a lot new for us. This episode is an encouragement for new home schoolers. Lauren spent the end of last schoo...

We wouldn’t want you to think we’re good at every thing we touch from the very first day. Actually I think that has been pretty well established already. But as further proof, we offer today’s episode. Today, we discussed just some of our many failings in the kitchen. It really was hard to narrow it down to just these. These were the winners or losers as the case may be. HAHA! We hailed all the wa...

Listen to Cooking with Kids. The Good. The Bad. The Ugly HERE . Want to make a big mess and not get a whole lot accomplished? Get your kids in the kitchen to ‘help out.’ Just kidding. Letting your kids help in the kitchen isn’t very helpful at the beginning but so awesome once they get a little older. Today we discussed the days at the very beginning when all they can do was stir. We got into what...

Today, we talked about the evolution of decor in our kid's rooms. You start out with complete control over their room. You decide on the theme and placement of everything for the baby's nursery. Then, You sit and are calm in the little slice of peace you've carved out for yourself to enjoy your baby. It all goes amazing for a few years. Then they come to you and ask to have a little...

What do we do all winter? Well, I'll tell you. A whole heaping lot of indoor things. Our houses get pretty neglected during the summer months. Winter is for home for us. Today we talked a little about what you'll hear from us during the next few months. Our social media and episodes for the last couple of months has been pretty garden and kid centric. Over the next few months we will ste...

Today, we talked about allowance for our kids. We went through the different ages and stages, from the first quarter you give your little guy to what allowance looks like through the teen years. For us, allowance is tied to help around the house. In those early years, it is given for not much actual help. As our kids got older, allowance was given and help was actually helpful. Every family handle...

Today we talked about a few jobs we did while staying home with our kids. For us, our primary responsibility is our home and kids. And it is a full time job! But it is nice to earn a little extra money for the family budget. It is also good to get out of the house and away for a little while and do something on your own. If you have a skill set that lends itself to employment, that is probably a g...