My Kind of Boot Camp – Bloggy Boot Camp Recap and Link-Up!

I hear all you girls talking about getting up at 5am to go to Boot Camp and every now and then I think to myself  “Kristen – you should get yourself to Boot Camp”. So I finally did it! Except it was MY kind of boot camp. The kind where I sat in a room full of like minded people (women) working out our blog concepts instead of our biceps and the only curls going on were the ones on my head and the ones on our faces from smiling so much. THIS is Bloggy Boot Camp, y’all! Remember back at the beginning of the year when I set my goals for this year? One of them was to go to a couple of conferences so when I saw that the SITS Girls were bringing their traveling roadshow to Charlotte, I was like HELL YEAH!*, I’m going! So I bought … read more

Four Hens and a Rooster -

Making Your Own Envelopes with Kreate-a-Lope

Admit it. There has been some point in your life where you have NEEDED to make an envelope. It happened to me last week when I turned the girls loose on signing cards for their Grandmothers for Mother’s Day and the Queen Mum’s birthday. They were all excited over signing the cards and then they stuff them in the envelope and start going to town on decorating the envelopes. Totally adorable, right? Until you realize that you have to address the envelope and send it out via US Postal Service. And now you have no suitable way to mail it. And dangit! why don’t you ever grab extra envelopes when you’re at the store? That’s where Kreate-a-Lope comes in. The folks that invented this sent me a couple of their envelope making kits to try out and see how easy it is to make your own envelopes and I love … read more

Four Hens and a Rooster -

Simply Sydney – A Journey of 12 Years

It’s May 14th. Just another day to many, but for us it’s a day of celebration. It’s Sydney’s 12th birthday! I hope you’ll help us party! I’m sure we’ll celebrate with some cake… Maybe we’ll get dressed up and hit the town… Maybe we’ll ride some rides.. Or a day at the spa? There will be stories told.. And, since it’s a birthday, a nap isn’t entirely out of the question.. But, no matter what we choose to do, it will all center around celebrating the life and birth of this amazing girl named Sydney… She’s passionate, strong, smart and funny. She’ll be the one who strikes, crusades and fights for the rights of human kind. She may discover the cure for something or dig deep and find a lost, ancient village. She could have her own comedy show or win the Next Food Network Star. Her determination knows no … read more

Four Hens and a Rooster -

How Men Sign Cards

Okay.. we all know that men and women are different. It’s the whole Mars and Venus thing. But nothing brings that home quite like asking your husband to sign a card for the holidays. Every time it’s the same.. I give him cards to sign for the family.. I always sneak a peek at what he writes… And every time it looks like this: They do exactly what we ask them to do. Sign the card. I’m honestly surprised I get a “Love, ” out of it. I bet if they had their way, they’d just sign their name. Or even better – first initial, last name. You give me a card and I’m going to write out a couple of sentences of sentiment. At the very least, I want the recipient to know that I did more than just sign my name and lick an envelope. We, as women, … read more

Four Hens and a Rooster -

All the Little Things Mom Does

I don’t know about you, but I don’t always stop and think of all the things that I do on a daily basis. I have friends that ask me “how” do I do all that I do with 3 girls, a company, charity work and friends and family. “I don’t know.. I just do it”. It’s the job. But it’s not just me, we just do it. (man that’s a lot of doing in one paragraph…) I found this video last year – too late for Mother’s Day so I KNEW that I had to get it in this year. So here you go.. here’s a tribute to all the little things all we moms do every day! Enjoy and love to all my mom friends!!      

Four Hens and a Rooster -

What Your Mother REALLY Wants for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is right around the corner which is the not-so-subtle hint that if you haven’t gotten Mom something, you better get on it. Or else. This woman is either the person who birthed you (or your spouse) or who birthed your children. Honestly, that’s reason enough. I could stop right there and be done with this post. But of course, I won’t. So, you’re not sure what to get Mom? Here are a few suggestions to help: This is the woman who puts up with endless amounts of crap from everyone – it’s either oozing out one end or spewing out the other, but moms put up with more crap than a stableboy at Churchill Downs. For this she deserves Shari’s Berries covered in chocolate. She’s the one who always makes it happen. No one knows what the magic “it” is, but leave it to Mom to get it … read more

Four Hens and a Rooster -

Wordless Wednesday – From Cradle to Grave #iPPP

The girls had their big Girl Scout camping trip this past weekend and the inevitable finally happened. Girl drama. I’m still not 100% clear what happened, but I have been able to deduce that it circled around Cassie getting hurt (foot or something) and some of the others not having the patience/desire to stick around. What I love about this picture is that it was sent to me by my best friend…  whose daughter is Cassie’s best friend (and one of my extra daughters). And that’s her, with Cassie, doing what best friends do - Sticking with you when no one else will. Linking up with Greta and Sarah for #iPPP!

Four Hens and a Rooster -

Rooster’s in the Hen House

Today is mine and the Rooster’s anniversary. We’ve been married 13 years today and together for a few more than that.  We’re no different from any other couple in the world – life hasn’t always been smooth but somehow, we’ve managed to stick together. We don’t make as much time for each other as we should, but now that the girls are getting older it’s starting to become easier. Matter of fact, we went out last night to the awesome Spring House Restaurant to celebrate our marriage and discuss how much longer we thought we could make it. The food and company were awesome and we decided that we’re good for at least another 13 years. I thought that I would test my knowledge of my husband and see if I still know him as well as I did 15 some years ago. Remember when you’re hopelessly in puppy love … read more

Four Hens and a Rooster -

The Thing About Bullying – Love Is All You Need?

There are no two ways about it – bullying is an epidemic in our schools and with our kids. No child deserves to be taunted, teased and beat up because they may look, think or act differently. We should never have to hear about the death of a child ever but especially not one that includes the word “bully” anywhere in the description of it. Our kids shouldn’t have to worry about anything worse than the occasional outbreak of acne and the awkward age between 12 and 15 where girls are lanky and the range of a boys voice can go from soprano to bass in a single sentence. Yet with all the attention we’re giving to bullying, it continues to get worse. I’m constantly watching for signs with my girls that something might be amiss. If they’re too quiet, I ask and ask until they either tell me or they lose their cool because I’m … read more

Four Hens and a Rooster -

Welcome to Text-as: The San Diego Edition

It’s time for another edition of Welcome to Text-as!! This week, the rarely-seen, never-texting Rooster is the star!! The Rooster is in San Diego this week for business – let’s all give a collective “awww…poor guy” Yeah. Right. Other than the fact he had a flight that left at zero dark:thirty, I’m not feeling sorry for the guy at all.     He’s been texting me pictures all fricking week of the beautiful weather and amazing places he’s eating. This text was the final straw - You can see from HIS image that he was taunting me with his San Diego Food Truck lunch. While I was cooking dinner for tonight AND prepping dinner for tomorrow night. For his kids. The ones that I have already given birth to (which means my job is done). Can you say “not fair”?? Actually I’m kidding.. as much as I hate when either … read more

Four Hens and a Rooster -