Author: Bethany Barrow

Mom Talk Monday: Jen Haderlie

Tell us a little about your family & why it is special?

My husband and I have been married for 7 years now and are truly best friends. We balance each other out which in helps us to work so well as a team. I am also a mom of twin girls that just turned a year old. My girls are such a special part of our family. After years of struggling with infertility without a reason as to why – we found out we were pregnant not with one, but with TWO babies! I can’t imagine life any other way than the roller coaster ride we’ve been on!

What do you do for work/volunteer outside of being a wife and mom?

I’m a pilot’s wife and decided I would take a break from working the corporate world for now. Instead I’ve filled my time with my church’s youth program. I work with the young women ages 12-17 years old. It’s been such a treat! Don’t let it fool you, there’s much more behind the scenes action then what it sounds. They keep me on my toes.

Is there something your family does on a regular basis for quality time?

We love to go on walks! We just moved to a new area and there’s so much to explore!

How do you take time for yourself to recharge?

Taking time for myself has been a learning process for me. I literally have to schedule it into my weekly routine. My girls usually go to bed early and that’s when I take 30 minutes to myself, grab a drink & surf Pinterest, read a book, meditate or sit in silence. Before having kids I would go shopping, hit a coffee shop, go out for a bite to eat with my girlfriends – all of which I still love to do, but it doesn’t rejuvenate me like it used to. The simplest things and moments are all I need to get me going again.

What is your go to, never fail and in a pinch recipe?

Pasta! There’s really not a name for the recipe…As long as I have some sort of noodle in my cupboard there’s a meal! I love to sauté any vegetables I have together in some extra virgin olive oil (or coconut oil, if I have it) and mix with pasta. My current favorite mixture is red onion, (left over) roasted broccoli, sweet potato and string green beans sautéed in coconut oil on top of rigatoni pasta. Yum!! My husband likes to top his with a little Parmesan cheese.

What is the one product you cannot live without?

My one guilty pleasure, must have & cannot live without product is my Origins GinZing Eye Cream! This stuff is a miracle worker! I use it every day!

If you’re interested in being featured on Mom Talk, email us at [email protected]. Subject line “MOM TALK”.

Mom Fact #2

Thanksgiving Kid Crafts and Activities

Everyone did a painting of a turkey in the shape of their hand in school; and kids still do. But doing something new never hurt either. We highlight a few Thanksgiving kid crafts and activities that you can do to get into the spirit of Fall and will add some festive flair to your home.

This adorable painting is easy for even the youngest littles. They can use their fingers or paint brushes. All you need is paper, paint, leaves and tape. When it’s all dry, put it in a frame and every year pull it out to display in your home. You’ll be able to talk about the day it was painted with your kids for years to come. Find a tutorial here.

Kids love to make things, but things with eyes on them are always better. This simple craft could be done with a group of kids with each one being a little different. Another idea would be to let your kids make enough to use as napkin rings. Find a tutorial here.

On the big day sometimes it can be hard to keep the kids distracted long enough to cook. Have them paint some feathers (or just buy colorful ones) and hid them around the house. Tell your kids they have to find all of the “Turkey” feathers before they come into the kitchen. Depending on how well you hide them you may even be able to sit down for a few.

To see more fun ideas, check out Parenting.com’s great article!

Mom Fact #1

Just a little laugh for your Friday morning, since we have all been there. Enjoy your weekend!

Family Time: Month Long Thankful Wall

During the craziness that is this time of year, it’s easy to rush through our Thanksgiving plans and into preparing for Christmas–it can be hard to really stop and breathe for a moment to reflect. Last year one of my favorite blogs, Our Happiness Tour, was featured on her local news channel for a “craft” she did with her family of four. I loved it! I immediately put it to work in my home. I couldn’t believe the difference it made for me. {Lindsey’s Blog Post , Lindsey’s Video Interview about the Banner}

We had to think hard about what we were thankful for each day. Closer to the end of the month it was getting a little difficult, but that is the point. You have to truly decide and speak out loud what you can’t see yourself being without. Below you can see the start to ours in our entry way. Because we are proud of the things we write down, we want everyone that comes into our home to see them.

My kids enjoy it because they can participate and help hang them up. But it’s a daily activity that will build a memory over time. Although mine isn’t as fancy as Lindsey’s, I hope to add some fun touches over the month.

{Tip: you can find cute paper cut outs at your local craft/scrapbooking store}

Mom Talk: Kayla Evans

For our Mom Talk Mondays we have something new for you! A different and unique mom every Monday that will hopefully give you some inspiration for your everyday life.

(If interested in being featured on Mom Talk Mondays, please email Bethany at bmbarrow [at] hotmail [dot] com, title MOM TALK)

-Tell us a little about your family and why it is special?

I am a farmers wife and a mother of 3 with #4 on its way soon! My kids are from ages 11 to newborn [soon]. We recently built our forever home on my childhood farm and I LOVE being home! It’s been my dream since I was little to live on the farm and I am living that dream now. My children have loved being a part of moving cows, playing in the ditches and riding the atv’s around the farm and to Grammie and Grandpa’s house and even to their cousin’s down the road. Being close to family was important to us.

-What do you do for work/volunteer outside of being a wife and mom?

Outside of helping with the farm, I co-own a photography/hair salon called Paisley Studios. I have had a camera in hand for 14 years, starting in my mom’s darkroom in her house developing my own film and moving on to good old Photoshop! I love what I do, but I have to admit it is hard because my work is always with me. Still trying to find balance with working at home. At the same time I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

-Is there something your family does on a regular basis for quality time?

We love to have family game night! We choose a game and play it over and over…..well until bed time.

-How do you take time for yourself to recharge?

A night out or day with my girlfriends! Shopping, food…..it always makes for a great recharge! Connecting with other women in the same season of life as I am helps me know that where I am at is normal.

-What is your go to, never fail and in a pinch recipe?

Taco Soup – My kids love it but I think my husband is starting to get tired of it after 13 years.

-What is the one product you can not live without?

I would have to say Doterra On Guard Cleaner Concentrate. I use this on a daily basis to clean all of my counter tops and other surfaces in my home! I had battled with eczema for quite awhile and really needed to keep my hands out of the water as much as possible, and this is what did the trick for me to get things while keeping my hands dry. I literally have a spray bottle plus a bottle of the concentrate in all of my bathrooms, my laundry room and my kitchen. I would really have a hard time without it for very long! [I am discovering that I am a little OCD on clean, so this is the product that I must have!]

Thank you Kayla and congratulations on your soon to be here baby!

One Small Child’s Newest Member: Bethany

My name is Bethany and I am so excited to be a part of the One Small Child team! I will be assisting with social media to spread new products, projects, any and everything baby and most importantly inspiration from other moms.

I am still a “new” mom, I have 3 littles that I adore. My oldest is a boy who is 4 years old, my daughter is 3 years old and my newest is a sweet boy just 8 weeks old today! I call myself new because I still have so much to learn and experience with my children that it’s almost overwhelming to think about. And I have been blessed to be able to work from home but it can be easy to work when my children need me, even if they didn’t tell me they did.

S0 I have come to realize that slowing down in life is not a bad thing. Yes, work, activities and adventures are also necessary to learn, grow and enjoy life but I have learned that too much can leave us feeling drained. I want to lead an intentional life with my little family and it starts with me and how I set the tone for my household. My example is what my children learn from, good and bad. For example, our sweet baby boy at just 13 days old had open heart surgery to save his life. We were so blessed with everything and everyone involved. I could have panicked more than necessary though but I didn’t. I wanted my older two to see and understand that being sad, worried and scared was okay but that we had to be positive and keep going. So when Mommy and Daddy were gone for 10 days at the hospital, they were okay. They didn’t worry. Now they love to tell people how baby brother “got his heart fixed by the doctor” and then roll into what they did at school, dance class or story time at the library. I would say for today it’s a win.

I am grateful for the opportunity I have to be a part of this great company and blog and look forward to interacting with all of you!

Easy Baby Costume Ideas in a Pinch

Halloween for children is one of the most exciting times of the year. They can be their favorite superhero, princess or whatever their little hearts can dream up. The best way to use their imagination! But with that imagination comes a project for you. And as busy as we are it can be the last minute before we come up with something worthy of leaving the house.

Following are easy DIY baby costume ideas that we loved because many of the materials are things you already have. Making a smaller trip to the store and helping your wallet.

Happy Halloween! And here’s hoping you get at least one good piece of candy out of your kids’ bucket before they notice. You deserve it!

21 Easy Homemade Baby Costume Ideas

A couple of favorites from the link:

A Gnome! Having made this one personally in the past I can with confidence say how cute it is!

Tinkerbell, every little girl wants to be her, or just some kind of fairy. You can find wings at the dollar store and making the tutu is super easy. Here is a link just to show you how easy it is: Easy tulle tutu tutorial

And last but not least, a bowl of spaghetti. Because if your kids are anything like mine, they look like this anytime they eat it anyway.

Day in the Life of Mom: Bethany

Highlighting one of our own One Small Child Moms and what a not always normal, but somewhat regular Day in the life of Mom looks like.

5:00am – Accidentally hit “dismiss” instead of “Snooze”. I’ll totally get up….

6:00am – Feed the baby. Finally get up.

6:30am – Bring myself downstairs to eat breakfast and do my daily devotional. Somehow even when I am alone I eat standing up. I stare at the overflowing dishes in the sink from last night. I lay my bowl on top.

7:00am – Exercise to either Jillian Micheals or Richard Simmons. Feeling lazy, Richard it is.

7:30am – “Mommy! Where are you?” I get the kids cereal and turn on a show for them. After a few snuggles I do some laundry, the dishes and feed the dog. Throw away a business card my husband wrote on years ago, no way it’s any good. The garbage man takes it away. Bathe the kids and get them dressed for Preschool. There is at least 1 meltdown and 1 toddler argument. Forget on the way out it’s Show and Tell day. Pick a toy, of course for both it’s the wrong one. Go back in and get new ones.

8:55am – Finally getting in the car, good thing Preschool is only a mile from our house.

9:05am – Get home and feed the baby. Cuddle him tight and really enjoy our alone time together since he is our last. Do a little bit of work and hopefully put on “real” clothes. I don’t…

11:15am – Get home, get lunch ready and do some reading/homework. More laundry.

1:15pm – “Quiet time”. My older two no longer nap. I want to cry uncontrollably over this.

1:30pm – Cleaning and de-cluttering. Doing a “Minimalist Challenge” since all of our ~~junk~~ stuff is starting to drive me crazy. I throw away a few more things I hope my husband doesn’t notice. Husband texts me to ask if I have seen a business card with writing on it, there is a lock combo on it for his work locker. He can’t remember the numbers… “I don’t know where it is.”

2:00pm – Sit down to work. Suddenly hear running water upstairs I don’t recognize… my kids put a whole roll of toilet paper in the toilet and flushed.

4:30pm – Start dinner. Husband calls to say he is on his way home and will promptly be called back to work in about 10 hours. Great. Confess to my card crime.

7:00pm – Get the older two in bed. Praise all that is good and holy.

7:30pm – Dishes/work/attempt to watch a show on Hulu. I get half way through one and promise I’ll finish it tomorrow; probably won’t.

10:30pm – Bed finally. Write my “to do” list on the ceiling like Sarah Jessica Parker did in “I don’t know how She does it”. Maybe I’ll try to watch that tomorrow…

Bethany is our social media consultant and works from home. She has 3 children, ages 4,3 and 4 months. Her husband works on call and is away 2 days at a time, so she has a lot of non-alone time. She dreams of a beach vacation, paying someone to clean her house every week and fall year round. Being with her kids and husband is her favorite way to spend any day.