Being Present

In the present moment, wow that's a hard thing to do. With all the technology we have, were constantly giving pieces of ourselves away to our phones, email, FACEBOOK (My culprit), work, house, etc. I just finished  FISH! by Stephen C. Lundin, Ph.D., Harry Paul and John Christensen. This is a great book especially if you are dealing with a toxic work area. However, some of the philosophies could be applied to present day. One of which in the book it talked about being present with customers. Actually being there and not thinking about each and every other thing we need to do. Well, as a mommy to a 7 year old who doesn't actually have conversation but asks 100 questions a day this can be so hard to do.  I really have lots of things to focus on and he continually has a billion questions to ask. One of the examples in the book was one of the employees kids asked him to take her to the park. He said he would get to it just not right now. Well, now is 5 years later and she is a teenager and could care less about the park.

This hit me hard. I will constantly answer Evan's (my son) questions while I'm reading a website, texting etc. It takes a lot for me to STOP what I am doing and just be present for him. He deserves that minute of my time that can be better designated anyways. This summer Evan, Kayla (my daughter), and I made a pact, to have fun and really enjoy summer. Evan as a WAHM I had to make this goal. Making it a daily effort to have fun has been tiring and challenging amongst the regular responsibilities to my business and household. But, the rewards have been plenty. They love me watching them slide down the slide, almost get a broken bone on the spin-go-round, or play with friends on a stage. This fills up their cup that promises I am there for them. Yes, it is draining to go in the heat and make an effort to do fun things. However, last night as we are driving home from movies in the park they both told me this was the summer they will never forget. This is our first summer were not taking a big family vacation (had a small camping trip), so it was important to make it fun. We didn't need a big trip to relax, or activities planned every day of the week to keep us having fun (this was a big one as we are in soccer, gymnastics, church, and scouting activities during the year.) We just needed to be together doing goofy and unique things we only do this time of year, and making a concerted effort to do so.

Reading this book further affirmed my decision to be present. I put off the park all year long, we go two-three times a week now. I am going to put my phone down, or stop watching the tv, or put down whatever I am doing just for that little minute they need me to ask the question that is so important on their little hearts. This is a hard thing to do and is a fine balance. Just have to remember, they will never be this age again, and we don't get the luxury of a do-over.

July 4th 2012 Freebie STARBUCKS!!

In celebration of our nations birthday and promoting unity in the political arena, Starbucks is giving everyone a free tall brewed coffee at their stores. Check it out here Starbucks We are #INDIVISIBLE

Thankfulness Thursday

Usually Thursday is a humdrum kind of day. One step closer to the weekend. But, I want to know, what are you thankful for today??


I am thankful at this moment for the rowdy kids in the kitchen eating breakfast making alien gun fire noises.

Free (or Nearly) Free Stuff To Do with Kids in Vegas or elsewhere

 It's Hot, and sticky outside, fun stuff with kids is always essential.  I love Free Stuff! So here are a few ideas of free goodies here in the Las Vegas valley! IF your not in Vegas, consider these ideas in your areas as many places have similar offers. Although I'm sure there are tons more out there these are the ones on our radar and are easy to get to. LIKE Facebook pages of all your favorite places to go, many places do special coupons only for their Facebook fans.

Clark County Parks
-We have an array of splashpads for the kids that are quite fun and provide a great way to cool off.
List of Parks

Clark County Library!
-Besides the really awesome summer reading program, each library has different events geared for kids to keep them busy over the summer. This spans from more than just little ones all the way to teens.
Be sure to LIKE the library on Facebook especially the closest one to you as they always update their pages frequently.
Clark County Library
Library Events

Town Square Park
Movies in the Square
-This one is really fun! Thursday nights during the summer at sundown, Town Square shows a free family movie in their park. You bring blankets, come a little early, (6-7 and you'll still get a spot) let the kids play in the water park while they wait for the movie. They have lots of little vendors and special activities each night too!
Town Square Las Vegas


Regal and Cinemark Cinemas
Although these are not free offers they are quite fun. For as little as a $1 you can go see a movie in a cool theater and the kids can have an experience for the day.
Regal Summer Movie Express
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse

Bass Pro Shops
This a great learning experience as  well. Kids get to learn all about the great outdoors in their structured events. A crafts every Tues, Thur, Sat, Sun, free photos, smores cookouts. LOTS OF FUN! Hurry this ends July 15th!
Bass Pro Shops Family Camp

Barnes and Noble
Imagination's Destination Free book Program. Evan's already scored his free book.
Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program

Sonic Drive Thru
HAPPY HOUR! IN this heat a little Slush or soda treat is great and everyday Sonic drinks are half-price from 2pm-5pm and their shakes are half price after 8pm!! Yeah!

Ethel m Chocolate Factory Tours
Kids get to watch how the chocolate is made and receive a free sample at the end. Super Fun!
Ethel M Tours

How I became an Avon mommy

As I negotiate with my daughter about the merits of cleaning her room, I am grateful for this blessing I have. My name is Amie Croteau and I am a work at home mommy with two awesome kids, a husband, and mother-in law who is also my business partner (yes, I can actually work and live with my mother-in-law and we get along quite well!) God has blessed me with the chance to be at home with my kids, which I prayed for seven years ago after my son was born.

I worked most of my life, in high school, through college and into married life. We are your typical middle income American family trying to make ends meet. My husband, mother-in-law and I all worked full time and the kids spent many hours in daycare. As a family we decided that we needed to provide the one on one attention that kids really need, and quit spending some much time in childcare. Easy decision, no. It was very hard, it meant giving up a few luxuries and a little bit of security. However, once the last extra bill was paid off I put in my two weeks notice. But, I still needed to be able to provide an income for our family as well. This is how our Avon story took off. All this time my mother-in-law was pushing to make Avon her dream, to quit her job and work Avon full-time. She struggled while caring for her ailing mother and still pushing her full-time position. She and I put our heads together and decided two was better than one. So, while I was working my 50-60 hours jobs she was plugging away at hers and growing our Avon business. She sacrificied

her time and energy to allow me the chance to begin this journey with the kids. This afforded me to quit my job a year ago and be able to stay at home with my kids and work our Avon business. We are now Executive Unit Leaders with a team of over 200 representative who we help and mentor. My kids and I also stay busy with church, sports, scouts, and other activities. I am able to do all the things I was too tired, too stressed, and too worried to do. Dinners, bedtimes, homework, dancing in the street, singing show tunes, waterfights in the living room, the list goes on and on.

This entire process of going from a working mommy to a work at home mommy has taught me so many lessons. I feel like this year has been a lesson in triumph, heartbreak, time management, money management, and security. I've battled the opinions, the assumptions, and the struggles and I sometimes feel like we're still battling but I know God may bend us but he won't break us. Plus, every struggle we've faced as we began this journey has made us as a family only stronger.

So, my goal is to show you some ways to save money as I dabble in couponing, fun ideas for the kids, great ways to make $ including starting your own Avon business and how to thrive in it. I'm also a sucker for the inspirational and have a strong desire to read, so I plan on sharing different book recommendations and ideas with you all. I'll share some of my struggles and success stories and would love to hear yours. I have personal reviews on Avon products and great recommendations with special deals for my blog readers. I'm promising interesting tid bits of info along the way, not sure how many., but guaranteeing tid bits :)

Thank you for taking interest in my blog and I look forward to welcoming you on our journey.