momstown Fall 2013 Conference: Niagara Falls!

A year ago I was grounded, not allowed to fly per doctors orders to the momstown Fall 2012 Conference. Baby #4 (Caitlin) was due December 28th, and I was having complications from the last flight I took, so I wasn't allowed to fly to the Fall 2012 Conference.
I was so sad. I knew I was missing SO much!

Wow, what a difference a year makes!
momstown Central Alberta was recognized as one of the momstown Chapters of the year for 2013

 

We started out the conference with walk from our Hotel Courtyard by Marriott Niagara Falls to the Falls, and we thrilled to take the Journey Behind the Falls thanks for Tourism Niagara!

Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for our awards Dinner and ceremony at the Keg!

We were recognized with the most improved advertizing sales award!

Saturday Morning we got to work!

We had a very insightful Sales training with Shelagh Cummins, where we learned all about VALUE!

Then we had our Business Book Club Discussion. The Accidental Salesperson with Beer! What is a book club without beverages?

Then it was a night of pizza, pjs and a little bit of pampering! We all were treated to a mini mani or pedi while we played games and just hung out.

Sunday was a day of Best Practices, and the team delivered! Everyone had such awesome things they are doing in their community!

Thanks to Chevrolet Canada for the Equinox they provided us to get us around the Niagara region! #Chevydrive

Sunday Night was a fun excursion to the Chateau Des Charmes Winery for a tour, Wine Tasting and Photos!

We all had our head shots updated and a few fun group photos by CL Buchanan! I cannot wait to see them all!

Monday was wrap up and good byes! Such an amazing conference, where we brainstormed as a team, discovered our value and have AMAZING things coming to momstown in 2014!!

2014 is going to be game changing year for momstown! I can just feel it! It was a weekend where I worked ON my businesses not in it. I learnt more about MY Value, as a Business Owner and momstown Central Alberta's value. I learnt that it is OK to be where I am at, but it is not OK to stay here.

I had some incredible ideas presented to me from my fellow chapter owners, many that I am for sure implementing as I type this. I also made the decision that this is the last conference I bring a baby to.
This is a big step as I have never attended a conference without a baby in tow. This is a monumental decision for me. And I am sure it will be just as big for my momstown business!

Remembrance Day: November 11 2013

RemembranceDay is special for me. My Grandfather fought in World War Two, in Italy.
Growing up he never realy mentioned the war, but always taught us Italian words, and we knew me met my Grandmother in England during one of his leaves.

My Grandfather passed away in 2010, at 90 years of age. He has told me many of his stories and I have a copy of his story he wrote out.

Two weeks ago I was given some of his things from the war, and I wanted to share them.

In England, my grandfather on the Left

His Medals

Postcard from my Grandfather to my Grandmother

My Grandparents right after they were married in England

Soldiers in England, My Grandfather on the far Right

The mirror my Grandfather used in the War

My Grandfathers Last Leave Pass

Post War Credit

Christmas Post card from my Grandfather to my Grandmother

Four of His Pay books from his war service

Having these pieces of history makes explaining what Remembrance Day is to my girls easier.

FREE Nursing Cover, Carseat Canopy, Baby Sling & Nursing Pillow!

I love getting a deal and so do our momstown mamas! I always get compliments on my Carseat Canopy, when I tell people I got it for free they are shocked. 

 

There is no catch with these items, they're free you only pay the shipping! 

I've ordered each of these products and they're great quality! I actually liked my nursing cover from uddercovers.com more than the one I spent $50 with my first baby! 

Just enter the promo code "YOURGIFT" and each item will be discounted!

Here's exactly what you'll pay at the checkout for Canadian shipping:

Nursing Pillow -$15.90
Carseat Canopy - $15.90
Nursing Cover - $12.90
Seven Sling - $13.90

 

The Pregnancy Rules

Did you Follow the Rules when you were pregnant?
A new book by Emily Oster called EXPECTING BETTER: Why the conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong  - and What you Really Need to Know.  is discussing just these so called rules and whether they are actually founded in fact.

Have we all been following rules that really don't matter?

 If you don't know what I am talking about you probably haven't been pregnant... or at least in North America.

What are the rules?

Well it depends on lots of things. How old you are, your doctor, your friends, and how much you type "what not to do while pregnant" into Google.

My oldest just turned 10. Ten years ago after seeing the 2 lines on my pregnancy test I started looking on the Internet. I KNEW there were things I wasn't supposed to do, and I wanted to make sure I didn't do any of them. I knew the no Alcohol and no smoking rules... but I was sure there was SO MUCH more I had to do...

My first Doctor's appointment I was ready to hear the list of rules. It is like your first job as a mom to follow these rules.  My doctor was the laid back kind... I asked him what do I need to not do, what are the Rules... and he said no booze, no cigarettes and limit the amount of McDonald's you eat to a few times a week.
I asked "That's it?" He said yup.

I heard from friends and family, No Sushi, (but I love sushi!...but then this inst a rule in Japan) no coffee, no tuna...

My Husbands family from Zimbabwe have always have "a bit" of wine while pregnant... how much is a bit... no one knows, but it isn't really frowned upon. I have asked my family there, they do not have pregnancy rules besides "just a bit" of alcohol...

EVERYONE tells you SO MANY THINGS you are not allowed to have and to do!
A recent poll on our message board and on our facebook page gave us these rules and how they were broken!
Here is portion of that list of the forbidden things during pregnancy! What was on your list of rules?

• no deli meat
• no coffee
• no sushi
• no honey
• nothing cooked medium rare, must be fully cooked
• no tuna
• no heavy lifting (more than 25 pounds)
• no runny egg yolks
• no alchohol
• no peanut butter

Another reason why I love momstown... you have a place with moms to bounce these rules off of... who followed them who didn't... helps you get real life help that isn't as scary as GOOGLE!

I turned 40: I'd rather be 40 than....

I would rather be 40 than Pregnant. There I said it!!

 So I had a really big birthday a few months ago, and it has taken this long to process that fact FORTY!! THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE OLD But I don't feel old. AT ALL.

The days leading up to it, were a big deal... I just couldn't fathom that I was soon to have THAT number attached to me.

This truly was the oddest birthday to me. FORTY is a number that I didn't want to be. It seemed so OLD!! Waiting for the big day was also very weird for me, as I am one of those people who LOVE their birthday. I have always thought it was the greatest day... then I had my first child.
That all changed. Sure I still really liked my day, but there were other birthdays that we just as special to me now. Four Others for four little girls I have the privledge of raising..
And of course My husbands Birthday. That is pretty special too.
So I have decided I am still 25 with 15 years experience!
Not that I want to be 25 again.
I wouldn't be married
I wouldn't have FOUR beautiful daughters
I wouldn't be the owner of momstown Central Alberta!

I am a happy FORTY year old. A cool one at that. If I have to say so myself!
I cannot wait for what the next 40+ years bring!

MUD HERO 2103

I did it.
Along with 13000 or so people I ran, walked, crawled, got muddy, laughed, almost cried - twice, got muddy again, and had a great time doing one of the hardest things I have ever done.
Besides Childbirth of course.

Before - Our Shirts are White!!

The energy while waiting to start the race was amazing. A DJ set up with music to get us all excited and ready to go. Lots of cheering and a countdown. The most exhilerating atmposphere! You couldn't wait to get muddy!

 

I started the race the same way I finished it. Holding the hands of my best friend and niece. We decided to run together, stick together and be like the Marines " No one is left behind".

The run was an amazing thing to do with others. Absolutely would not have been the same experience if I had run it alone. It is hard not to laugh when you see your Friends covered in mud, to see how graceful and not so graceful mud makes you.

Also amazing for the " you can do its" and "take your time" and the sharing of lots of swears trying to conquer the hills. WOW THE HILLS!!

We have all decided we are doing it again next year.
With better costumes and an even bigger after party to celebrate just doing it.

Fellow momstown members took on the challenge as well on Saturday and on Sunday with us.

Who is in next year?

I AM!!

Alberta Flood 2013

I grew up on Calgary. Graduated high school from Bishop Grandin High School. Spent my 20's living in the Beltline and working in downtown Calgary. I am a huge Calgary Flames and have been since they moved to Calgary. 

Inside the Saddledome - posted on facebook

I was married in Banff. Had our wedding reception in Canmore. 

You always see floods and other natural disasters on TV and think how terrible...But wow, when it IS places you know and love, with people you know and love affected...
I live in Red Deer now. We have been under a flood warning as well. It has been odd waiting for the waters to arrive here, hopping that we are not hit as hard. Red Deer luckily had warning... As a city we have had time to fill sand bags, to prepare.

Swollen Red Deer River

I can only imagine how it must feel to be one of the ones affected. The ones that had no time to grab anything just had to leave as the water came so fast...
What I love is that the amount of people needing shelter is very minimal, the people of this province have been amazing, taking in friends, family and strangers!

This disaster only emphasizes what an amazing organization the Canadian Red Cross is. They are where we need them when we need them, when people have had to leave everything and The Red Cross is there. 

The momstown team is so proud to have the Red Cross as our National Charity and an amazing partner. This is why I donate to The Red Cross every month for just that reason, and why I will donate again to help the flood victims!

Here is the link do that you can Donate as well. 

With FOUR girls now, does Dad need a man cave for Father's Day?

I was just re-reading my Father's Day post last year, and realized it needs to be updated!
We now have FOUR girls in the house!!

The first reaction people have when I tell them I have four GIRLS, is ask, how many Bathrooms do we have, and does your husband have a "man cave"!!

They also seem to pity Paul, because he has to live with so many girls!
I promise you he loves it! He said he will have the highest honor when he gets to walk each of them down the aisle at their own weddings.

We are also asked a lot if we will keep trying for a boy, as if to assume the last 2 girls are here because we wanted kids of a different gender. My husband is pretty practical, and he said if we keep having girls, we don't need to buy ANYTHING!!

But it would be fun, to give him his man cave, even for just a day.
I could then agree to hang his prize fish he had mounted on the wall (it's still in the box), his framed money he has collected from all over Africa could finally have a home, his scarves supporting the South African and Zimbabwe cricket teams could be displayed, and I would pay for the international Rugby and Cricket Channels on his very own TV, along with the Golf Channel...
But then, where would I store all of my momstown supplies....
Happy Father's Day Paul, its the thought that counts right?

Reflections on my third momstown Conference... this time at Fern Resort!

It has been one year since I have seen all of my momstown mamas. These are my peers and my team members, momstown Chapter Owners and the amazing women of momstown.ca HQ.

There were many familiar faces, some that were no longer part of our team and some new ones. All amazing business women I have the honor of working with on a daily basis, even if we are located all across Canada.

I missed the November conference. Something I was NOT happy about. I was told it was not safe for me to fly because of the state of my pregnancy, as I had blood clot scares, and lots of other complications, and it was best that I stayed put. I tried to plug in via Skype, which is a great option when it is your only option, but not the same as being there.

I continually heard about how amazing the conference was, to be all together in one location, enjoying the amazing Fern Resort. It was so exciting to be able to experience this FINALLY! I also got to meet our new team members and they are all AMAZING additions to our team! It is a testament to the momstown.ca team that we keep attracting the best and the brightest business women from all across Canada!! I am honored to work with each of you!

I brought my youngest daughter with me, she is 4 months old, and planned to get to work! Fern was as amazing as I had heard, and the best part, was the babysitting. As I have shouted from the roof tops, having live in child care has changed my business. It has also changed our family life. All for the better!! Having this option at a conference, priceless. I was able to continue to nurse my daughter, and focus on my business as I needed.

And Wow, what a conference it was. Instead of only focusing on numbers, we focused on our feelings. Now if you would have told me that before hand I might have had a different idea... but I have NEVER left a business conference feeling so inspired and so ready to GET TO WORK!

I was able to to look inside myself and ask WHY I work so hard at this business, What I want to feel and the affect this has on my family. For me, the results were amazing. Now that I have articulated how I want to Feel, I have a clearer path for my business and my family life! This is all thanks toJen Bodenham!

Of course so conference is complete without late night chat sessions, a glass of wine or two and lots of fun!

Thank you momstown HQ for organizing such an amazing weekend.
Thank you Fern Resort for the amazing location.
It was so relaxing looking out from my room at the lake!

Thank you to Jen Bodeham for the amazing Coaching Session exploring our Core Desired Feelings!

Thank you to Mattel for yet Another Fun Games Night!

Thanks to Quaker Canada for the Quaker Harvest Crunch treats and to Twistos for the snacks!

I loved my Swag bag!
Thanks to Goody Canada for the Hair accessories and Brush!
Thanks to Mabels Labels for the momstown Central Alberta Labels!
Thanks to Barilla for the Pasta
Thanks to Post for my Alphabits Cereal
Thanks to Walmart Canada for our conference supplies
Thanks for Adult Essentials for the Vitamins!

I cannot wait to see everyone in 6 months!
Be Brave. Be Bold. Feel Great.

Cheers!

There is no maternity leave when you are an entrepreneur!

Its true. There is no maternity leave when you are an entrepreneur.

When I was expecting this last baby, clients were always asking me how much time was I taking off after the baby... and I thought you know I am an entrepreneur right? Who else is going to run momstown Central Alberta if I take a leave? I chose this career, this amazing organization so I could work from home. Whether my home has 4 kids in school or 3 kids in Diapers.

I took 2 weeks off total after Caitlin was born. The month prior, I slowed down out of necessity, doing more of the office work than event work, as I was getting to be too big to move!!

I took over momstown Central Alberta when I was 8 months pregnant with my third daughter. I was told how crazy I was for that. And you are right, It was crazy! Going from 2 - 3 kids and throw a brand new business into the mix, wow! But we survived. I learned a lot, and now I feel like DD3 is growing with momstown Central Alberta.

Adding Caitlin to the mix has made things SO MUCH busier, but I wouldn't change it.
My biggest piece of advice? CHILD CARE!

Working from home means I get to set my own hours, and I get to work at home, but it also means I need to be productive. Before our niece arrived to be our live-in caregiver, time when the girls were awake was not productive work time for me. Every three minutes I was interrupted for a snack, a new cup of juice, a dirty diaper...

Now? I can work at home while the girls are playing with Melanie in the basement, and yes I can hear their giggles and I can spy on them when ever I want... but I also can work. Work doesn't take me as long to complete when I am not being interrupted. Now I know when Caitlin naps, the girls go down stairs, and I should get close to 2 hours worth of work done! Then I get baby and little girl snuggles through out the day, and sometimes I work all day and those times happen at night, same as other 'regular' working moms.

I had 2 traditional maternity leaves, where all I did was parent, and now I have had 2 babies with a growing business to look after. All have been special, but I love having the ability to be at home and a working mom at the same time.
For me, it truly is the best of both worlds!

Reflections on 10 years of Mother's Days

10 years ago, for the first time,  Mother's Day was something besides a day I thought of only my own mother. It was the first time it was starting to be for me! I was about 7 months pregnant with my first Daughter, and I received a card from a friend pointing this out, and I cried.  It was a big deal to me, still is, but I am sure the pregnancy hormones back then didn't help!

It made me think about what kind of mother I wanted to be. Would I be able to take the best parts from my own mother, my grandmothers, and the other mother's in my life, and limit the negative? Aren't we all sure we will do it better somehow?

I certainly still strive for that, but now 10 years on, I finally think I have found my "groove", I know what kind of mother I am. Can I label it? Probably not. But what I did notice, thanks to today's trip to the playground, with all FOUR of my girls, is that I am so much more RELAXED 10 years in!

I watched a few Mothers hover over the equipment more than me, a few more following their child only 1 foot away, and you can get a sense that they are a newish mom, perhaps only to one... and I saw myself 9 years ago!

Now I am the mom standing farther away than the others, not only just because I am more comfortable with what I know my girls can do, but I need the vantage point to see all of them! I saw the stress in so many moms faces with the kids on the equipment, afraid their little ones will fall, and I remember that fear clearly... but now, it is less. How did this happen? I would love to say I am much more zen about things 10 years later, but really, experience is the great teacher. I have learned that they will fall, there will be tears, cuts, bruises, but they need to explore, figure out what their body can accomplish. Just like I did!

10 years after I was approaching my first Mother's day, I am starting to see the mother that I have become, and I am happy! I like her. Even if she resembles my own mom more than I usually like to admit.

Should Kids wear Helmets while Sledding?

Should our kids be wearing helmets when out sledding?
This has been a hot topic on the momstown Central Alberta message board and at our events.
Moms want to know, do your kids wear helmets while they are sledding?
Does it depend how big the hill is?

At a recent event, a momstown Dad was seriously hurt from his toboggan ride, with his kids! He ended up in emergency with bruised kidneys!!

If you google kids sledding helmets, you will find articles on both sides, but most pro helmet articles are supported by doctors that have seen too many kids hurt, often seriously all because they weren't wearing a helmet.

Recently a Red Deer boy, nearly 3 years old fractured his skull and orbital bone from sledding down the popular Michener Hill. Doctors at both the Red Deer Regional Hospital and the Alberta Children's Hospital say the boy was very fortunate to not have suffered brain damage, after being in a medically induced coma. The details can be found here.

Some of the messages on our board have been about being a "Dork mom" with your kids wearing a helmet sledding. Something I certainly never did growing up, and I am sure most moms didn't either.

After reading what happened to the local Red Deer boy, I think our family is going to send our kids out with Helmets on.

What about you? Do your kids wear helmets?