Day 3!

You're doing great with your goals! Here are some for today.

Happy Mom Goal:

While running errands today, pick up your favorite treat! It's okay, really. Why shouldn't you?

Happy Kid Goal:

Take your child on a fun walk today! Point out a few new things they may have noticed before, and talk about what you see. They'll love it! (And they might be worn out enough for a nap when you get home!)

Happy Husband Goal:

Leave a note for your man in his wallet before he goes to work. Nothing overly mushy or cheesy... just let him know that you appreciate all he does for your family and that you think about him! =)

Happy House Goal:

Organize your DVDs. I know, it can be a big pain in the butt! But trust me, you'll love it once it's done. (This might actually kina count as a Happy Hubby Goal too....)

Dinner Tonight

Marinated Pork Chops

1/2 cup orange juice

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup apricot jam

2 tablespoons lemon juice

6 (1" thick) pork chops

Combine first four ingredients. Marinate pork chops in sauce for 1 hour. If desired, brush sauce on pork chops before grilling. *Grill on medium heat 5-8 minutes per side.

Serve with mashed potatoes with (instant) pork gravy and steamed broccoli.
*You can grill these on a George Foreman Grill, or they can even be baked in 350 degree oven for 45 mins. (brush the sauce on during the last 10 minutes.)
Today's Pep Talk
You guys all rock! Don't you love that it's Friday?? I sure do! We've made it through another week. Are you any happier? I hope so - I know I am! Today, I just want to remind you all about why we're doing this.....our children. Aren't they amazing? Even though there are certainly times when we think they'll drive us to insanity, they bring such joy to our lives. Can you imagine life without their little faces? I think it's amazing and wonderful that God trusts us with these little miracles, and I want to do the best job that I can raising them. That, of course, means that I need to be a happier person. We do these goals each day so that we can be the best we can be for these beautiful and inspiring children. They are wonderful, and SO ARE YOU!! You're the ones who brought them here and who have raised them to be as great as they are. Keep it up!!

~Karyn

Start Your Own Group!!

So....

I've had a few inquiries about "Happy Hour" and "Guilty Pleasure Day."

Turns out that there are a lot more mommies out there who like our club than I realized!

Awesome.

So, if you don't personally know us, but would like to participate in the activities, all you have to do is start your own branch of The Happy Moms Club!

Invite a group of your friends to this blog and figure out a day every other week that you can hold your own Happy Hours, and one day each month to do Guilty Pleasure day.

Every day, have your ladies check in on the blog for the daily goals and pep talk!

Don't forget to have everyone leave a comment here saying that they are now a Happy Mom!

I'm excited to say that in addition to our branch here in Orem, there is now a branch of Happy Moms in Cache County!

Woo Hoo!!!!!

Loves!

Karyn*

Our First Happy Hour!

{{Click on the image above to enlarge!}}

Second Day! Wooo!

Hey! Who's ready for today's goals?





Happy Mom Goal:

Take 5 minutes extra in the shower today. You deserve it! If you've already had your shower today, you can apply this tomorrow, or be extra naughty and take a bath later today =)

Happy Kid Goal:

Let your kids help you do the dishes! They will love to get to play with water, it's teaching them a new skill, and they'll feel important because they're helping you. Plus, you actually DO get help with it!

Happy Husband Goal:

Cuddle time on the couch. Do this when you would normally be watching TV together or doing other things. Pay extra attention to your man (play with his hair or something!)

Happy House Goal:

Wash one large window that really needs it. Just one, that's all you need to do!

Dinner Tonight: {It's Slow Cooker Thursday!}

Simple Beef Stroganoff

1 pound stew meat, cubed

1/2 cup dried minced onion

1 can (10 3/4 onces) Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 can (4 ounces) mushrooms, drained

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 cup sour cream (or for a richer taste, substitute one 8 oz. package of cream cheese.)

Combine all ingredients except sour cream in greased slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat 6-8 hours. Add sour cream the last hour of cooking. Makes 4-6 servings.

Spoon over hot cooked noodles. Serve with a salad of red cabbage and apricots tossed with balsamic vinegar and oil.

Today's Pep Talk:

Okay, I'll be the first to admit...I didn't do my best yesterday! I let a few things get to me worse than I should have (see confessions page.) But, today's a new day!

Today, I'd like to talk a little bit about being a successful mother. Sometimes, I feel like we get into a slump and get everything done without noticing everything we've accomplished. That's where our goals come in. For myself, I don't feel good about myself unless I've done something to improve my house, my kids, and my relationship with my husband each day. I know that's not really the case, and that I'm still a good mom if I don't get everything done every day, but I feel so much better and am so much happier when I'm productive as a wife and mother. That's how I came up with our "Happy Goals." I think that if we can do one thing for our children, husband, house, and ourselves each day, we are successful. That's all. One thing in each area, and you are a success! People will think you're super-mom, and you'll feel good inside, because you'll see everything you've accomplished every day. You can do it ladies!! You are successful!!

Our first day!!

Good afternoon ladies! Here's our first post:

Happy Mom Goal:

Paint your toes today! Make an extra 10 minutes to make your toes beautifully girlie! (My kids are playing outside while I do this.)

Happy Kid Goal:

Today's goal is to read a few favorite books to your child. This will give you both some special bonding and cuddling time!

Happy House Goal:Clean out one kitchen cupboard today. Just one. Good rule: If you haven't used it in the last six months, throw it out. Organize everything into groups for easy location (i.e. canned goods, spices, baking items, tupperware, etc;)

.Happy Husband Goal:

Give your hubby a few extra kisses today! (noticeably more than usual.) This will help him feel more loved and appreciated. (and it might lead to something even better! Ha!!)

.Dinner Tonight:

Karyn's Favorite Chicken Enchiladas

mix together:

4 chicken breasts cooked and shredded

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 pint sour cream

1 small can diced green chilis

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup chopped onions

1 can of your favorite enchilada sauce, divided in half

Spoon meat mixture into 12 flour tortillas. Roll, and place into greased 9"x 13" pan. Pour other half of ennchilada sauce on top of tortillas. Sprinkle with extra grated cheese.

Bake @350 degrees for 45 mins. to an hour.

SO yummy!!

Serve with a side of fruit and a package of knorr(Lipton) Fiesta Sides Mexican Rice.

.Today's Pep Talk:

I'm so excited to start this club! I'm planning to follow these goals every day to help me be a happier and more successful mother to my children. You can do it too! I promise that if you follow at least 3 of the goals each day, you will feel better about the woman you are. You are amazing, and YOU CAN DO THIS! (Plus, if you do if for a week, you'll be rewarded......our first Happy Hour is next Thursday!!)