Creating Balance with Kari

Hi, my name is Kari. I am 35 years of age and am a wife of 8 years and a Momma of 4 boys 7 and under.

I am presently on a maternity leave and am a Law Clerk for a family law office otherwise.

I appear to most people that I have my stuff together. I am told constantly by people that they don't know how I get so much done in a day.

The real story is this. From the outside I look completely normal, all my stuff together, my kids appear clean, happy and healthy (and they are), my home appears clean and organized, my husband appears happy and I appear happy as well.

The truth, I wake up anywhere between 5:30 am and 6:30 am each day when one of my children wake, I do not wake up early to have me time as I would have to wake up at 4 am (not going to happen), on week days I get my eldest two boys ready for school, drive them to school and after I usually run errands and eventually make it home before or around lunch.

I feed my youngest two lunch, out the baby down for a nap, play with number 3 for a little and squeeze my workout in which is about 30 minutes long ( which you will see shortly this 40 minutes is my me time), I finish my workout and the baby wakes and it's time to go and get the bigs from school.

After school I allow my children to play like kids should with friends in the school yard for about 20 minutes before coming home. I find everyone is more pleasant when this happens, the only time it doesn't is on Mondays when my eldest has hockey practice. When we return home I start cooking dinner and the bigs do homework at the kitchen table. This means my eldest does home work and number 2 does what his brother does because he wants to be big!

We eat dinner, I bathe my children thy have some down time while I clean up the 100th mess of the day and then bedtime starts!

I have four children so this means that I start around 7 pm and am done around 8:30pm. By done I mean I am out for the night! I can't stay up because I am exhausted. I don't sit down during the day, I don't read books and relax, I don't watch tv and surf the net. I do periodically come on fb during the day to check my challenge groups and make sure everyone is doing ok but that is about it.

So you ask where is my husband? He is here and when he can he is helping but he works two different shifts on a week by week basis and is a Police Officer 👮 and when he is needed he has to go. He cannot assist me during the days even though he would want to.

Everyday my life is a whirlwind of events and somehow I make it through each day. I may not get everything on my list done but I try,

Most days I don't to care for myself like most people. For instance there are times where I do not get to shower for a few days because my days were too crazy and by the time I have time I have fallen asleep. I at times leave my home without deodorizer or brushing my teeth or my hair!

But at the end of everyday my children are clean, healthy and happy, my home is clean, my husband is happy !

I am not putting this out here for people to feel sorry for me or for people to say well it was your choice to have 4 children,

Yes it was mine and my husbands choice to have four children and we have no regrets!

I am putting this out there because people think I have my stuff together and it's not true, people have said to me that they wish they could get done in a day what I can and they only have two children.

The truth, I don't have my stuff together. I wake up everyday thankful to be with my family and I get done what I can. Yes some days I wish I could just sit down or wish that I could stay up with my husband once my kids are asleep and maybe one day that will happen but not today.

My point is no one needs to compare themselves to one another. Be happy with what you have and what you can do. My life isn't for everyone and that is the way it is suppose to be.

Wake up grateful for what YOU have!

Meet Erin,

A stay at home mom, like me, with two kids ages 3 and 1 and a half!

She started her journey on July 4, 2016 and as of September 13, 2016 she was down 16 pounds and 16.5 inches!!! She is feeling awesome and has more energy to play with her children!

What did she do? She gave herself 30 minutes a day and workout in the comfort of her own home! She also at according to a meal plan that was provided to her!

Erin is a prime example that if you commit yourself to a healthier you, positive changes happen in a very short period of time!

Looking for a delicious salad dressing?

Give this a try!! It is also good for you !!!

LEMON DIJON SALAD DRESSING
Serves 6 (approx 2 Tbsp. each)
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: None

Container Equivalents (per serving): 1 orange

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 large egg yolk, pasteurized
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, gluten-free
1/4 tsp sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
4 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped lemon peel
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Place egg yolk, mustard, salt, pepper, lemon juice and lemon peel in a blender (or food processor); cover. Blend until smooth.
2. Slowly add oil, blending continuously until well blended.

Notes:
Store leftover dressing in air-tight container in refrigerator (good for approx 5 days).
For best results, set out 30 minutes prior to using.
If it thickens up, you can always add a splash of lemon juice or water to thin it out.