Wife Mother Runner Blog - Wife Mother Runner

I Want To Run For A Purpose

May 23, 2018

I am currently on the injured list from running. I sprained my ankle from a run a week ago. It makes me miss running when I can’t run. But it makes me think about running more as well. I don’t have any races on my calendar this year. By now I usually have a registration in for at least one marathon. But I’m feeling a need to run for a purpose.

This past January I ran my 11th marathon during the runDisney Dopey Challenge. I run the runDisney races for fun and usually don’t take the time to complete the races seriously. After all, they are Disney races.

The 2018 runDisney Dopey Challenge

I ran with Team Shenanigans and we had an amazing time. I started the race with my friends Diana and Fun Sized Jen. After we left the Animal Kingdom we found more members of Team Shenanigans so we began stopping for pictures and waiting for more team members to catch up. At this point Diana and Jen had gone ahead and I was going to try to catch back up with them. They eventually got too far ahead of me so I didn’t get the chance to finish with them. I finished with Jackie Cabrera and Amy and Jason Chase. It was my first time meeting the Chases and they were so sweet!

I’ll wrap up the end of the race in a few sentences. I’ll give more details about my Dopey Challenge experience in 2018 in a separate blog post. To end the race, we took our time through Epcot, met up with a large group of Team Shenanigan members in Mexico while we picked up our pre-ordered frozen Margaritas (thank you Team Margarita)! Then we chased the balloon ladies, with margaritas in our hands, to the finish line. It was every man for themselves at that last quarter mile!

I Want To Run For A Purpose

That being said, I do still plan to run the runDisney races. However, I am looking for my next marathon that I will run. I want to run for a purpose. I want to run a race for a cause. I have always wanted to run Boston as well; but at this time I don’t feel that I am capable of fundraising such a high amount for that race. However, I know that I want to run and raise funds in honor of Lyla. I want to run for the fight against childhood cancer. I want to raise awareness of rhabdomyosarcoma. I want to run to help others fighting the fight of their life.

I Am Considering Running For Fred’s Team

I really enjoyed running the NYC marathon. I felt amazing during that race. I had been feeling that since I ran it once and it was so special to me, I didn’t want to run it again. Yet, lately I was feeling a pull about running that race again. I feel like if I run it for a cause it will be a different race for me. I won’t be running it just for me; but for all those fighting cancer or who have lost their battle with cancer.

My childhood cancer charm

I have always wanted to run the NYC marathon and had the chance to run that last November. It was such an incredible race for me. I had my family there to cheer me on as well as Lyla’s dad, Bill. That meant the world to me having him there. I felt strong on the course, I am now familiar with the logistics of getting to New York, the course itself and this race wouldn’t be for me.

There is a runDisney runner Gabrielle Renna who is fighting cancer. 49 days after brain surgery she ran the Dopey Challenge this past January and she did it with a smile on her face. This wasn’t only her first Dopey Challenge, but it was her first marathon. That is a tremendous accomplishment, but running it with cancer – there are no words.

She has reached a point in her health where she can no longer run. She is in too much pain and gets tired easily, but she still cheers for all those can still run. I want to be one of those who can still run and run for her just like I run for Lyla.

Cancer Needs To Be Stopped

I know too many people who were touched by cancer. Whether it was them personally or family members. I have been close to more people than I can count on my fingers who have encountered cancer. A lot of my heartaches today are because of the losses from cancer. We need to find a cure. There needs to be a cure. It’s not fair.

Most of us take our lives and our health for granted. I know many times I do, too. We are not promised tomorrow. Yesterday is long gone. Right now is the only gift you have.

LG Kitchen and Laundry Appliances from Best Buy

May 22, 2018

Disclaimer: I have been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Mom Summit 2.0 Best Buy Suite Featuring LG Kitchen and Laundry Appliances

While I was at the 2018 Mom 2.0 Summit in Pasadena, CA I visited the Best Buy Suite. The previous year they also had a suite and their products are amazing! I also visited their booth at the 2017 #BlogHer conference. They never disappoint. One of my favorite products that Best Buy sells is the LG Twin Washer and Dryer.

In addition to the LG Twin Washer and Dryer, this year Best Buy was showcasing their LG kitchen and laundry appliances in the exclusive matte black stainless steel finish. I loved the look of it and the best thing about it – NO FINGERPRINTS! We have stainless steel appliances in our kitchen. While I love the look of stainless steel, it is hard to keep clean all the time with kids.

LG’s Exclusive Matte Black Stainless Steel

LG’s exclusive Matte Black stainless steel combines the timeless look of stainless steel with a luxe & low-gloss matte finish that compliments any kitchen décor. These LG smart kitchen appliances are wi-fi and voice-enabled, allowing you to control your kitchen appliances remotely — from changing settings, to checking the status, or turning on or off. These smart appliances make life easier.

These settings are so convenient for busy moms like me. Having the ability to set a time for the stove to pre-heat while I am at the softball field would save us time when I have to throw together a quick meal for the family later in the evening.

LG Washers and Dryers with SmartThinQ® Technology

LG washers and dryers with SmartThinQ® technology will change the way you do laundry. You can start and stop wash cycles remotely, get updates when laundry is done and even receive reminders about scheduled maintenance.

I can’t tell you how many times I have put a load of laundry in the wash while I put the kids on the bus, and then head into my office to work, only to find the laundry sitting in the washing machine at the end of the day! By then I feel like I need to wash them again or else they smell musty.

Here’s just a few examples of LG’s Smart Appliance Capabilities

Washer

“Alexa, how much time is left on my washer”
Or — receive SmartThinQ app notification that your wash cycle has finished
Dryer
“Ok Google, turn on my dryer”
Or — receive SmartThinQ app notification that your dryer cycle has finished

Refrigerator

“Alexa, turn on ice plus for my party tonight”

Range

“Ok Google, how much time is left on the range.”
Or — use your SmartThinQ app to check the time remaining

Dishwasher

Receive a notification that the cycle has finished

In-Home Consultation

While I was at the Best Buy Suite I was also talking to the representatives about the In-Home consultation services. They can help you tie all your appliances to your google home and your Amazon echo. So if these smart appliances intimidate you, you don’t have to worry because Best Buy is there to help you get everything up and running at no charge to you!

Special Product Offers

For more details and to view the products, visit the Best Buy site.

Summer Kitchen Bundle (5/10 – 7/11)

Purchase a 4-piece Kitchen Bundle and receive up to $400 INSTANT rebate. LG and LG Studio models are eligible for this offer.

The offer covers both Memorial Day and Independence Day.

LG Ultimate Laundry Room Rebate (5/10 – 7/11)

Purchase a qualifying laundry bundle and receive up to a $400 rebate

Fun Things To Do With Your Kids Before You See The Incredibles 2

May 21, 2018

Mark your calendars, June 15th the Incredibles 2 movie will be out in theaters. This is the perfect day for the Frost family to see the movie! It’s their last day of school and the kids have early dismissal.

About The Movie

In INCREDIBLES 2, Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is called on to lead a campaign to bring Supers back, while Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) navigates the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell), Dash (voice of Huck Milner) and baby Jack-Jack—whose super powers are about to be discovered. Their mission is derailed, however, when a new villain emerges with a brilliant and dangerous plot that threatens everything. But the Parrs don’t shy away from a challenge, especially with Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) by their side. That’s what makes this family so Incredible.

Incredibles 2 Trailer

Incredibles 2 Recipes

Enjoy Bob’s Incredible Waffle recipe and Jack-Jack’s Cookie Num Num recipes:

Waffle Recipe

Cookie Recipe

Incredibles 2 Coloring Pages

Incredibles 2 Activity Sheets

Incredibles 2 Maze

Incredibles 2 Memory Game

Incredibles 2 Door Hanger

Incredibles 2 Coupon Book

Follow The Incredibles

Like INCREDIBLES 2 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarTheIncredibles/

Follow INCREDIBLES 2 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheIncredibles

Follow INCREDIBLES 2 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theincredibles/

Visit the official INCREDIBLES 2 website here: http://disney.com/incredibles2

Get Your Kids Active With The Marathon Kids Program

May 16, 2018

When I was at the Mom 2.0 Summit Marathon Kids was one of the sponsors. Prior to the conference they sent out information about their program, and I wanted to get on board with them right away since their program aligns so well with my blog. Heidi connected with me and encouraged me to register my family as its own running club.

Marathon Kids Morning Run

On Friday morning Marathon Kids sponsored a morning run, which was a wonderful way to start the day. We went for a run around neighborhood surrounding the hotel.

The homes around the area were beautiful and I had a chance to meet up with a fellow blogger Carolina Moore from 30 Minute Crafts. I was having an issue with my blog and she had excellent advice on how to resolve it because the same thing happened to her once also. Having that time in the day to talk with a fellow blogger and share ideas was priceless.

What is Marathon Kids?

Marathon Kids is a program that is simple and fun to help get your kids moving and physically active. They create running clubs and assist adult to find their inner coach. When you start a Marathon Kids running club, they provide the training, rewards, tools and resources to start and build a running club in your community.

I registered my family to start our own running club to have my kids gain mileage over the summer. It’s not just through running that they gain miles. You can hike, walk, jog, run, sprint, skip, jump in the trampoline, play outside actively for 20 minutes at a time and more. You can also do these activities anywhere! You can go to the park, the beach, sporting events, and your own neighborhood.

How To Get Started

You can download the pre-registration packet online at marathonkids.org.

Next you register online to gain access to your Coach’s Guide and Coach’s Club. Your kit arrives in 7-10 business days.

Now it’s time to get outside and start moving! You track your miles with the mileage and fuel logs provided in your kit. When the children reach milestones during their progress they are rewarded with exclusive Nike rewards.

Your Kids Can Run A Marathon!

You or your kids may never believe it, but they can run a marathon! It doesn’t have to take place all in one day, but you can get your kids active by day one. They can track their miles over several weeks and months. If they finish one marathon, they may want to run another, and yet another!

They can also join Kevin Hart for the Kevin Hart challenge #MoveWithHart! Kevin ran his first marathon during the NYC Marathon in November of 2017. The same year I ran the NYC Marathon. Kevin created the challenge because he wants parents and kids to be active together.

I try to be an example to my kids with my running and cross training activities. I want them to know that it is important to have a healthy, active lifestyle. Along with good nutrition and self-confidence.

Start a team with your family today and make a goal for this summer to run a marathon with your family! To save 25% off the $15 price, use the code WifeMotherRunner when you order your Marathon Kids At Home kit!

Walk and Talk Summer Program

On June 1, the Summer Walk and Talk program kicks off but you can already sign up online and the forms will be emailed in a few weeks! Research shows that kids are sometimes more comfortable talking to you about things that may be hard to express when you are sitting face to face. But when you are engaged in an activity like walking, coloring, or cooking they are more comfortable to open up. My son often loves to walk with me because he tells me things that bother him or wants to share his thoughts with me. Sign up today for this free program!

Twitter Party with LoveHandle

May 8, 2018

Do you fumble with you phone in your hand while trying to take a selfie? Have you dropped your phone? LoveHandle is there to help with that!

LoveHandle is the smartphone accessory you soon won’t be able to live without! You put your finger under the elastic strap, and voilà! You now have a comfortable, confident grip on your smartphone, helping you avoid accidental drops and hand fatigue.

RSVP for the LoveHandle Twitter Party to be eligible to win a LoveHandle Mystery box!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

May 7, 2018

I partnered with The Hopping Bloggers for this sponsored Mother’s Day Gift Guide.

I like to put together ideas for Mother’s Day and holiday guides. This year my gift guide has a focus on running and workout pieces, fashion accessories and jewelry and cosmetics. With each item is a link to the site along with coupon codes. Enjoy!

Waxing Poetic Necklace & Charms

Waxing Poetic jewelry represents love, hope, friendship, faith and a devotion to family that we all share. Each of their handcrafted, rich quality, artisan pieces of jewelry hold a unique meaning that each woman makes her own when she wears it.

I received a beautiful necklace from Waxing Poetic. It as two hearts intertwined on a sterling silver baby ball chain. It was such a simple, delicate design yet to me it represented me and my family.

Shop WaxingPoetic.com for all your Mother’s Day needs! This particular charm can be purchased here. You can also browse all charms and pendants here.

GIVEAWAY: To be entered in a drawing for a $100 e-gift card, please complete this form. Open to US residents only. Entries must be submitted by 6/15/2018.

Follow DonaBelaShreds on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram

Dona Bela Shreds

Dona Bela SHREDS is a fashion accessory line that upcycles textile remnants & designs them into unique, one-of-a-kind creations. They strive to provide quality fashion neckwear that is as unique as their customers. They want their customers to feel beautiful, confident and comfortable in their accessories. This fashion accessory line is a way to appreciate yourself, your environment, and positively impact your community. For Every DB SHREDS neckwear sold, $1 is donated back to charity!

SHREDlite: A perfectly light and long neckwear piece.
How to wear it: casual dress, tank or light sweater; layer with necklaces.
https://www.donabelashreds.com/collections/shredlite

fionaSHRED: A boutique favorite with a perfect tinge of fringe.
How to wear it: dressed up or down, this timeless style will bring any outfit together.
https://www.donabelashreds.com/collections/fionashred

belaBAND: Headwear to neckwear, this versatile style is a grab & go must-have!
How to wear it: in your hair or around your neck.
https://www.donabelashreds.com/collections/bands

I love the ability to dress up my outfit so easily by just adding one of these pieces to what I am wearing. When I have to run to my children’s school after having been working at home and not really “dressed”, I pick a piece of neckwear that matches the top I am wearing and I’m off!

Browse DonaBelaShreds.com so you can give back and give to Mom! Use the coupon code PAMELA20 to save 20% off your purchase.

Follow DonaBelaShreds on Twitter and Instagram.

LushLash Growth Serum For Longer, Stronger, Fuller Eyelashes & Brows

MeSkinLabs is revolutionizing eyelashes. Now you can have fuller, thicker, healthier lashes with new LushLash eyelash growth serum. LushLash fortifies and nourishes hair follicles for stronger, more voluminous eyelashes and brows in as little as 10 days. The physician-strength blend contains 542 advanced peptides, proteins and growth factors clinically proven to promote lash volume and growth. Doctor tested, safe and effective for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Just apply once or twice daily to lash line and brows with brush-tip applicator. Non-irritating and cruelty-free. No parabens, sulfates, phthalates or fragrance. Use code “momsave20” for 20% off the introductory price and get a free age-defying moisturizer with purchase!

Many women have been using false lashes lately to make their lashes look thicker and fuller. I have even tried them myself. But I worry that I will damage my lashes when removing them. Having thicker, fuller lashes give you a leg on up looking younger!

Follow LushLash on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Help Mom get the lashes she has always wanted with LushLash Eyelash Growth Serum!

Swag Bag From Another Mother Runner

My friends Dimity and Sarah from Another Mother Runner (AMR) have offered to give away an AMR runners kit to those who participate in the giveaway signup listed below. In the kit your swag will contain a visor, shoe tags and a bumper sticker.

Also check out great merchandise from the AMR store for yourself or a loved mother runner in your family!

To be entered in a drawing for the Another Mother Runner swag bag, please leave a comment about what your favorite running gear is that you can’t be without!

Dmoda Sportswear

Looking for leggings, tights, training pants or stretch pants? Call them however you like… Dmoda has them all. Their leggings go from basic to trendy and colourful designs. They are perfect to shape your body and not leave any marks on your skin. Made with technologically developed fabrics that absorb water and sweat, their leggings ensure comfort while enhancing your figure.

You can also participate in a challenge to win a free pair by posting a photo of you being active on Instagram from May 15 to May 30 and use the hashtag #WMRfitness.

To save $10 off your purchase of a pair of leggings enter coupon code WMRLEGGINGS.

Follow dmodas sportswear on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Rain Spa Treatment

I know most moms enjoy spa treatments. I really don’t know anyone who doesn’t like pampering themselves! Rain Spa in Branford, CT is running a special exclusively for Mother’s Day.

Their exclusive Mother’s Day Escape Package Includes:

Himalayan Salt Stone Massage | 60 mins

Therapists rest warmed Himalayan salt stones on your back using Swedish massage techniques. During the course of the massage, the minerals are absorbed through the skin. The effect is a profound sense of well-being. This service also includes our new invigorating Sweet Tea foot scrub and nourishing Sweet Tea cream massage.

Caviar Lime & Passion Fruit Facial | 50 mins

Unveil a radiant glow with the Circadia Caviar Lime & Passion fruit facial. This complex ingredient profile delivers unique exfoliating Lime Pearl Caviar technology to gently rejuvenate the skin and enhanced with a burst of antioxidant support resulting in a polished glow.

Salt Cave Session | 45 mins

Sit back and deeply relax as you breathe in the healing properties of Halotherapy.

SPECIAL OFFER $280

Includes gratuity and a spa lunch so Mom just has to show up and enjoy!

You can purchase their gift card online or visit the spa.

StitchFix Gift Certificate

I subscribed to my first StitchFix box as part of the Mom 2.0 conference. I have my second box waiting to be opened which I will do online with a Facebook Live broadcast.

Stitch Fix is the personal style service for men and women that evolves with your tastes, needs and lifestyle. Treat the special people in your life to a gift that’s as unique as they are. Give them the gift of a Personal Stylist who will handpick clothing just for them. Purchase a Stitch Fix Gift Card.

Perrotti Country Barn

Perrotti’s Country Barn is a family owned business. I personally know the owners and their children. I love the items they carry in their store, and shopping there is a chance to visit my friends as well as support their business. They are located in Middlefield, CT; but you can also shop online on their website.

Perrotti’s Country Barn opened its doors on December 10, 1999. Family owned and operated since the beginning, we pride ourselves on offering old fashioned customer service as well as providing a destination shopping experience. Located in central Connecticut, Middlefield offers a beautiful country setting for this country barn. We offer an outstanding selection of unique everyday gifts, jewelry, home decor, as well as seasonal and holiday gifts attractively displayed on two floors. We are proud to offer large selections of local and New England crafted gifts, Vera Bradley, Alex and Ani, Chamilia, Jim Shore, Kringle Candle, Natural Life, Crabtree & Evelyn, and much more.

I love to visit Perrotti’s Country Barn to visit my friends and also support their family business!

I hope this gift guide sparked some ideas on what you will want to give to your special woman in your life on Mother’s Day!