Family Fun Archives - Bliss This Mess

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5 Reasons to Encourage Kids to Start a Business

April 17, 2023 No Comments

My two oldest kids recently started their own businesses. I know what you’re thinking. Homeschooling mom of six kids who blogs in her limited free time; where the heck does she find the time for more projects?! I was very hesitant at first. But after witnessing some of the best pitches on why they should own their own business, we decided to invest. Just like one of the sharks on Shark Tank. After all, entrepreneurship provides many valuable lessons that my kids wouldn’t otherwise learn until later on in life. The Secret to Getting Ahead is Getting Started Last Valentine’s…

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St. Patrick’s Day Traditions the Whole Family Will Love

March 15, 2023 No Comments

St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays that seems to be brushed under the rug. I think a lot of people feel if you aren’t Irish, why celebrate it? It wasn’t until I had kids of my own that I really began to appreciate celebrating all holidays, especially the ones that don’t involve me stressing over buying them gifts. When we celebrated our first St. Patrick’s Day, I was shocked to find out that my childhood tradition of building leprechaun traps wasn’t something everyone participated in as a kid, including my husband. He had no idea what I was…

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The Best of 10 Years Well Spent

February 22, 2023 2 Comments

In a blink of an eye, a whole decade flew by. I guess that’s what they say, time flies when you’re having fun. Or when you’re busy having having six kids. Whichever. Time certainly doesn’t stand still for anyone. Just last month, my husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. I don’t think either of us imagined we would make it to this far without killing each other. Getting married at 18 and 22 isn’t for the faint of heart. You see, no one really prepares you for how hard marriage is. In a social media world, where everything…

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2022: The Best Year Yet

January 16, 2023 No Comments

After the dumpster fire that consumed most of 2020 and 2021, I was surprisingly optimistic about ringing in the year 2022. I know every one of us have spent the last couple of years approaching New Year’s Eve with extreme caution; not sure whether we should celebrate or resent the act of resetting our calendars. For a reason I couldn’t pinpoint at the time, 2022 just felt different. After celebrating my birthday in the beginning of March, that feeling grew stronger. It was only month later, we decided to take a huge leap of faith and put our house on…

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Baby #6 Means Dreams Really Do Come True

September 9, 2022 No Comments

While going through an old keepsake box of mine, I came across a Christmas card from my mom from a few years back. Referencing a handmade pillow case she had gifted to my first born that read “Dream Come True,” she wrote in the card, Merry Christmas Aaron, Jessica, and Brody!Although I tried to tie some humor into your gifts, I have a serious message behind them.’Keep Your Dreams Alive’Fall into sleep with that thought and you’ll be rewarded a fulfilling life. Strive to keep ’em alive! Always remember YOU were one of my ‘dreams come true’ and despite life’s…

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Colorado to Tennessee: The Adventure Begins Now

July 26, 2022 No Comments

A few months ago, you wouldn’t have been able to convince me that I would be sitting on my front porch in a brand new house in a new state, halfway across the country from our last home. 2022 has certainly surprised us. But we are so very happy with where we are at! My birthday was in March and I couldn’t shake the feeling that my 28th time around the sun had big things in store for our family. I even remember telling my husband that day that deep in my heart, I just knew this was going to…

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Husband Interview on Life, Fatherhood and Our Future

April 1, 2022 3 Comments

This week I wanted to give my husband, Aaron, a little spotlight on the blog. He doesn’t make an appearance very often because he works really hard so I am able to stay home and homeschool our kids. Awhile back, I wrote a thank you letter to him to remind him of how special he is to us. But in an attempt for you to get to know a little bit about this very important guy, I have put together this husband interview with 20 questions. Some are about our marriage, some are about being a dad, and some are…

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How to Raise Happy and Confident Kids

March 18, 2022 No Comments

All five of my kids have one thing in common; they light up every room they walk into. I hope they never stop believing they are capable of achieving everything they set their mind to. After all, as parents, our goal is to raise happy and confident kids. Did you know we are born with only two fears? The fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. All of the other insecurities, worries, fears, and doubts we burden ourselves with are learned and carried throughout the course of our life. I remember seeing a quote by Frederick Douglass that…

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Festive St. Patrick’s Day Snack-Shamrock Pretzel Pops

March 11, 2022 No Comments

A St. Patrick’s Day snack that’s sweet, salty, crunchy, and festive? You know I’m in! I’m all about finding fun ways to incorporate new holiday traditions with my kids. So when I saw this shamrock pretzel pop idea, I knew we had to give it a go! With only 5 ingredients, these are the perfect allergy friendly snack to enjoy at home, bring to a school party, or give to neighbors and friends! Better yet, they don’t require a whole lot of time either! So, are you read to get started? Ingredients Pretzel sticksPretzel twistsDark green candy meltsLight green candy…

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30 Spring Bucket List Activities Your Kids Will Love

March 4, 2022 1 Comment

We have made it to the first week of March and my mind is spinning with spring bucket list activities I can do with the kids! Last year, I created a fall bucket list challenge. It was a total blast spending that time with my kids as we tried to check off all 30 activities before the first day of winter! There’s only a couple of more weeks until the first day of spring and my kids are eagerly awaiting to get started on their spring bucket list. As a homeschool family, we aren’t limited to just spring break for…