5 Places to Travel with Kids Before They Turn 18

You know what they say about parenting...the days are long but the years are short. Well, we experienced just that about seven years ago, when we realized it wouldn't be long until our family of five was scattered. The kids grow up and adult responsibilities start to dictate your kids schedules. College spring breaks don't align with your school-aged kids spring breaks, summers are for working to pay off student loans and expenses. Internships, jobs and girlfriends start taking priority over family time. It's normal and good but before you know it travel with your family just changes. We created a family travel bucket list. We sat down with the kids and created a list of the places we wanted to visit as a family. We got all of the places checked off the list just after my oldest graduated from high school. Maybe you want to create a family travel bucket list too. Or you just want to find somewhere fun to travel with your kids before they turn 18. Either way, I've got some ideas for you.

5 Things Every Homeowner Should Know How to Fix

Every home will need an occasional repair, no matter how old or new it is.  You can either hire someone to fix the issue or figure out how to take care of the problem yourself. Luckily, with a little patience and some basic home repair knowledge you can fix a variety of problems on your own without calling the handyman. Here are five common home issues that every home owner should know how to fix {and instructions on how to fix them}. 

No Bake Healthy Lemon Bar Coconut Balls

I don't know many people who don't love the refreshing flavor of a lemon. It makes me think of summer even in the dead of winter. Why not try these healthy lemon bar coconut balls for an easy-to-make snack. The lemon flavor pops while the coconut takes a backseat to let the flavor take over. I do love a sweet treat that seems like an indulgence but really, it's low in sugar and cures the craving. Give them a try, I bet you are going to love them!

Shrimp Avocado Wonton Cup Appetizer Recipe

I love that summer is here! I'm totally ready for summer BBQ's and pot lucks and of course, signing up or bringing dishes to share. Seriously, a the easiest way to get me to come to any event is to tell me that it's a pot luck and that you will be serving punch. I'm a sucker for having a variety of foods to choose from. It's why I love a good buffet. All that aside, here's a great summer appetizer that's easy to make and easy to eat. Which is important when you lap is your table or your standing up chatting at a party. I know everyone is going to love these shrimp avocado wonton appetizers. Come get the recipe!

Back to School Kleenex Teacher Gift with Free Printable Gift Tag

This post is brought to you by Kleenex­® Facial Tissue. All opinions are 100% my own. 

It's hard to believe that the summer is coming to an end, but I've started seeing the aisles at the store fill with school supplies and back-to-school-themed everything, so I know it's coming. Maybe you've already started digging into your kids' school supply list or perhaps you are dragging your feet soaking up every last second of summer. Whatever camp you fall in, it's happening, so let's get you prepared. 

Several years ago, with college expenses looming and a school system in desperate need of emergency substitute teachers, I signed up to be in the classroom. I got a totally new outlook on how classrooms are run from a teacher's perspective and was shocked that many of the supplies kids brought in on the first day of school were depleted from the shelves by mid-year. I stopped complaining about the 26 glue sticks we were asked to send in and started sending in extra supplies. I'm not going to say I became the classroom hero but...ya know.

I will say, it sure made for some grateful teachers who were very thankful for my support. I'm sharing a simple way you can help this year as your kids head back to the classroom. You'll be a hero in the eyes of the teachers-I promise you that.