A Mom's Life

* WARNING: do not listen if you have little ears around. Santa and elves are mentioned. We discuss elf of the shelf and how the heck they remember to move every night, the number one place children look for your unwrapped presents and decorating the tree...with kids. 

Join us for NOvember where we say NO to some things in our life that can function without us! Let's refocus and declutter our life and get better at saying NO!

Katie has six quick tips to de-clutter your home! Lean why too much stuff actually makes your kids play with that stuff LESS! 

Katie is sharing some wonderful tips on how to make dinners so much easier in your life. We also are talking with Karen of Supper Sanity about some meal planning ideas to keep in mind. 

Suz talks about the challenges and blessings of raising a child with down syndrome. She also talks about her relentless advocacy for her daughter, Caitlin and tips on how all of us can be better. 1:00- Welcome Suz. How she knew she was carrying a child that had down syndrome 33 years ago.4:00- Being an advocate from birth. The hospital story that will leave you shocked!12:30- Expectations 13:30- How being a special education teacher shaped her parenting15:00- How she is blessed because of her condition16:00- How her outlook on life has changed17:00-They are who we were intended to be20:00- Message to other moms on this journey22:50- Bullying

Episode 37. Natalie tells us about her annual family lock-in at her in-laws! You might want to try it with your family by the time we are done! 

We talk with author on Unexpecting. Real Talk on Pregnancy Loss, Rachel Lewis. She is also the founder of "Brave Mamas" support group. In the episode: 5:00- setting the stage for what we were collectively mourning. Why Rachel chose to start her book like she did. 13:50- Advice for a mom going through pregnancy loss14:50- Carrying your baby's legacy15:45- You body and what it goes through during pregnancy and infant loss and why it's the foundation of your grief18:00- Faith. Questioning and coming through. 27:45- Anger29:20- Purpose/legacy35:45- Creating a legacy. 

We are pausing this week to remember Natalie's stillborn son, Samuel as well as all the other beautiful souls the world never got to meet. Other episodes about pregnancy loss:1 in 4. Miscarriage matters. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nvUc4Ks59moq7CNKK5Qef?si=smcLGGEISHiTOls1b9kPzg&dl_branch=1 Pregnancy after loss. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0yxv8gKodIJIjScvBpLBsA?si=A2CUVoN3TqSgRER-xsf4Ew&dl_branch=1Silent loss. The depth of stillbirth. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5VIjdVT6oVrjrQ0Z3YVVBh?si=i-lR-QmCQua29DprByVEyQ&dl_branch=1

Natalie & Katie discuss how you know you are done having kids

Season 2, episode 33. Lori's daughter was dress-coded by her school for wearing a dress she would wear to church. Do dress codes disproportionately target girls? We talk about what these situations do to a girl's self esteem, body image and life long messaging. We also discuss how to balance respect for authority with self respect 

Carrie's son was born with a cleft palate and lip. She details her journey of finding out, working through limitations and how she fell in love with both of his smiles. Facebook Support Page: Cleft Mom Supporthttp://www.cleftopedia.com/

Katie and Natalie learn more about pregnancy related genetic counseling with genetic counselor and podcast host of DNA Today, Kira Dineen. In this episode:What is a genetic counselor?Who is the testing for?The most common genetic condition found through screeningsGetting genetic testing for couples before babyHow often is the data wrong?Different types of screening 23 & Me thoughtsMinute with Mike

We are rounding out our short summer series with a great conversation about traveling with your spouse and leaving your kids at home.  ALL the emotions that come with it and some lessons learned along the way. 

Season 2, Episode 29. Short summer series. Do you have a hard time asking for help?  Are you trying to do it all yourself? Why? Why are you doing this? Start asking. Stop trying to do everything and getting nowhere. We discuss how in this week's episode. 

Season 2, Episode 28. Do you have 100 different classes of clothes in your closet? Are you hanging on to those pieces that you will likely never squeeze into again? We talk all about closets and why it's good for the soul to organize and clean them out!

Season 2, episode 27. We are introducing our short summer series for August! We are busy, you are busy, we get it. This month we are tacking a couple quick topics every week in less than 20 minutes. In this episode: Sports. The stress of practices and being on the go constantly, sick kids and saying no!

Season 2. Episode 26. The laundry, kids clothes, meal planning. It all has to be done but sometimes these jobs disproportionately fall on mom. Natalie & Katie talk about why the mental load of being a managing mom is a lot some days! 

Season 2, Episode 25Natalie & Katie are catching up on life. Katie has some great tips for when you take your kids to the movies, why the show Sex/Life speaks to moms on a greater level, what dads are like on vacation and honestly so much more from minivans to summer. 

Season 2. Episode 24. We are talking with @katiestraveltricks again on how to vacation for FREE! Yes, you heard right. No, this is not an ad. She is giving us the insight to travel for free with your family using credit cards. Before you think it's not for you...listen to how EASY it is!1:30 -Traveling is expensive. Katie is here to help us learn new ways to get FREE hotels and flights. 2:30- She has got more than $13,000 in free travel!4:55- How she does it! Miles and Points!6:00- What about your credit score?8:00- Where you should start!13:00- More credit score questions. 21:00- Her favorite airline27:00- Can you do Disney for free?

Natalie was recently asked "are you skinny mom?" by her 4 year old. We talk about the answer she gave. 

We talk with our licensed independent social worker, Mike (A Minute with Mike) about parenting in a world where love is love. How to create an accepting environment from a young age.

Liz joins us as a mom of two gay children. She discusses how they came out to her, her thoughts on the journey and advice to other parents navigating the same thing. 2:12- When did she know her kids were gay?3:30- Grieving expectations as parents13:00- Telling dad14:00- He thoughts on how society would see her children15:45- Advice to other parents navigating this journey19:00- Letting your kids figure it all out.21:00- What can parents do to help their kids through 26:00- More on letting them figure it out28:45- Life is too short to not have your kids in your life33:00- How young parents can create accepting environments. 

Fathers may be on to something. In this episode, we explore the things fathers do that moms can learn from. Happy Father's Day!1:00- Mow the lawn!5:45- Embrace the gross6:22- Be the FUN parent8:15- Shake it off11:00- Pick up the phone and cut the drama11:45- Just lay down and enjoy the cuddles14:45- Be a minimalist 

Traveling with kids can really suck. We are getting tips from Katie who started her own Instagram account with travel tips: @katiestraveltricks  

Episode 18. The secret to sleep training. We talk with Lauren Wolf, a certified infant and child sleep consultant and founder of Lolo Lullaby. 1:40- Welcome Lauren2:30- Do you feel lost when it comes to getting your kid to sleep? You are not alone3:05- What is the #1 sleep tip to give to exhausted parents?5:25- Infants7:20- Swaddles10:10- Does every baby need swaddled?11:25- Swaddle for naps?10:40- Pacifier?14:04- Room sharing16:00- When it's time for a full size crib16:40- Is there long term damage to sleep training?20:30- When should you start sleep training?24:10- Is it ever too late to sleep train?25:00- When schedules are hard to follow because of older kids27:15- Naps!34:30- How to start sleep training36:55- What is a sleep coach?

We are breaking down myth vs fact on a practice that is becoming more and more common in America...human trafficking. Advocate and educator, Jessica joins us to arm parents with the RIGHT information about what this is and how we can protect our kids. 2:00- Welcome Jessica4:30- Her first introduction to human trafficking6:00- Yes, it's happening in the US7:00- Modern day slavery8:00- What it looks like11:30- Do some states have higher rates? (It may surprise you)14:45- No one is immune16:15- How it happens20:00- What parents can do26:00- Who to be on the lookout for26:26- Debunking social media trafficking myths31:00- Hope of getting out once they are in it?34:30- How the average person can help

Episode 16. Katie from the Eat Pretty Darling Instagram account talks about her 5 year old son's diagnosis with Celiac Disease. 3:00- How Katie found out her son has celiac 12:30- What her kitchen looks like now. The life changes they have had to make28:00- What the future looks like35:00- Words of advice to another parent

Episode 15. Tips and recipes for picky eaters!  Our guest Katie l, runs the Instagram account, Eat Pretty Darling. She is talking to us about all the tips she has found along the way! HINT: she says kids SHOULD play with their food! 2:30-Hello Katie!Next episode Katie is back and talking Celiac! 

Happy Mother's Day!:30- what our perfect Mother's Day looks like8:15- Best advice we have gotten from someone important in our life10:30- Best advice for new moms12:53- Best advice for a bereaved mom16:00- Mom failure of ours -- what we are working on19:00- Something you think is a failure but we've decided to own22:00- Unexpected moments. Things you won't find in a mom book28:00- Something you teach your kids everyday29:10- Stage of parenthood that is the hardest31:20- If you could outsource one thing from your mom todo list, what would it be?32:35- Do you have a favorite kid? 34:15- Something you never thought you would do as a mom that you do37:45- Mom confession nobody knows

4:45Welcome Amy- mother of two and owner of Gold Fish swim school in Dayton. 5:30- what's the one thing you would want parents to know. Leading cause of death for kids under age of 4. Water safety is forgotten topic.7:00- can you really drown in one inch of water? 7:26- always watch kids when at water focused vacations. 8:00- when should we start with lessons? 10:30- how confident should we be after swim lessons? Boys at greater risk12:00 water watcher 17:00- nobody is drown proof 18:20-life jackets 22:30- when is it ok to let kids go by themselves ? 24:30- what skills do they need to know 26- signs of drowning

Season 2, Episode 12. 6:15- Welcome Dr. Ceccarelli of Itstime2.org. 10:25- The term bullying and how it gets used. 12:50- Keeping a paper trail 13:45- Where do we start as parents? Do we intervene or not?15:20- Helping fight bullying starts with parents17:20- How to make sure your child isn't the bully19:35- It's Time 2 presentations and the iceberg metaphor. 21:45- Does bullying start at home?26:50- Empowering kids to speak up30:25- Giving your kid a smart phone vs giving your kids keys to a car. What we need to be teaching them. 33:00- Should we be talking about suicide more?37:40- The note we should be leaving our kids38:45- Communicating with your kids41- Signs of suicide48:00- Biggest message from the presentation for parents.51:00- words of encouragement54:00- Minute with Mike's biggest suggestion for parents

Season 2, Episode 11.We talk with the creator of Jambo Book Club about the importance of building a diverse library for our kids. 

Season 2, Episode 10.We continue our discussion with medical nutritionist, Mary Ruddick. She talks about some of the natural ways she helps her patients with secondary infertility.  12% of women have difficulty conceiving or staying pregnant after they have had a successful pregnancy. It's called secondary infertility and it brings with it a bunch of challenging emotions….hopelessness, confusion, frustration…the list goes on and on. This episode does NOT go into your typical suggestive solutions by the medical community. We talk with Mary about some things that are not talked about as much and more of a natural approach. Please note, A Mom's Life is dedicated to sharing the stories of others. Any advice mentioned by our guest is not our own and does not necessarily reflect our viewpoints.  

Season 2, Episode 9.Medical nutritionist Mary Ruddick talks  endometriosis and other hormone issues women face and how to overcome them without your typical doctor's visit. What's inside:1:30- Katie's journey with endometriosis 5:45- Meet Mary, the medical nutritionist working overseas studying diet and how it impacts our health as well as hormone imbalances. 25:00- Why you need a girls night for your health

Season 2, Episode 8.1:15- Parents don't sleep2:37- Welcome Dr. Michelle Noel - Dayton Center for Neurological Disorders3:42- How long should it take an average person to fall asleep?4:59- Do daytime naps impact sleep?5:38- Are power naps a thing?6:23- Why our to do lists seem to come up at night8:23- Do men and women differ in time it takes to fall asleep?9:46- Circadian rhythm10:51- Bedroom ambiance 12:50- What should your bedtime routine include?14:13- Do we need 8 hours of sleep?14:40- How much sleep do kids need?16:30- What happens if we don't get enough sleep?17:50- Can we catch up on missed sleep?19:50- The two things the bed should be used for21:39- Light vs deep sleepers22:50- Loud snoring23:40- Is snoring normal?26:00- Insomnia 27:20- Over the counter medication to help with sleep28:40- Sleep apnea and treatment options30:00- Alcohol and caffeine 32:00- Pillow type35:30- #1 tip for sleepingMore information about Dr. Noel can be found here.  

Season 2, episode 7. Welcome to the world baby Cameron! Natalie had her baby! We talk about her rainbow baby birth and how life is going with a newborn at home. 

Season 2, Episode 6.The focus is all on the baby after birth but what about mom? This week it's registered dietitian and certified specialist in pediatric nutrition Kelli Pitrone. She tells us what we should be putting into our bodies after birth to help get "us" back. 1:15- Our bodies are amazing but we don't always feel great after birth3:30- Welcome Kelli4:15- Why there is so much focus on prenatal care but not much on postnatal?6:45- Nutritionally baby takes so much during pregnancy. We need to restore that. 7:50- Water, water, water!8:55- Iron11:00- Why you need to pair Iron with Vit C. 15:50- What other things we can do for our mood? Eating often!17:40- Why you shouldn't worry about weight loss in the first 12 weeks.18:40- What foods promote healing22:10- TIP: have snacks next to your bed!25:05- What we DON'T want to put into our bodies27:05- What can help promote rest?29:30-Postpartum depression and what we eat

Season 2. Episode 5. Money! We are talking abut how to teach your kids about money, saving, spending and how to be a financially savvy adult. 70% of families lose their wealth in the 2nd generation. We don't want our kids to be poor and we don't want yours to be either!Today's guest is helping parents raise money-smart kids. She's a mom, CPA and founder of Kids Money Academy. 3:10- What age should we be starting to talk to our kids about money?4:55- How much of an allowance should our kids get? $1/age6:15- Save, spend, give jars8:40- A lighthouse parent 9:50- Gift giving. What relatives should be getting instead of toys?10:45- How do we teach the value of money?14:10- Allowances. How can you learned how to manage money if you don't have any?14:45- Do they earn an allowance or do we just give them money? 16:25- Should it be tied to anything?25:20- Why schools are not teaching enough personal finance and what we can do about it.30:00- Biggest mistake families are teaching kids about money32:55- Should kids get a job? 37:00- Teaching kids about investing39:00- Kids Money Academy and what Dee offers. 

Season 2. Episode 4. Get your family eating healthier with these tips from a nationally recognized nutritionist. IN THIS EPISODE::32- There's a lot of information out there and it's confusing to parents!:54- Welcome Dr. Amy Lee. 1:39- We want to be healthier. Where do we start?3:30- How do we know what's best for our family?4:50- What should our plates look like?6:00- Drinking alcohol. New recommendations. How the pandemic has shaped our drinking habits7:45- Why we stare at the fridge!8:20- Snacks and kids. What do we give them?9:00- Diets. What's good? What's bad? Is fasting good?11:39- Gut health and what we need to know about it.14:15- PRE biotics15:30- Is breakfast good or bad?18:00- Can we still have dessert?19:30- What is the deal with Milk?21:15- Grocery shoppers...this is what we need to be aware of!23:18- Picky eaters29:15- Kids menus suck. 31:20- Diet foods.34:13- Supplements. What should we be taking?Supplements Dr. Lee supports can be found here. 

Season 2. Episode 3. The adoption path to parenthood. Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast@KatieLKenney @ntendallClick here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcastWHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE1:25- Becoming a parent. What that looked like for Natalie & Katie2:40- Was getting pregnant easy or hard? What if it didn't work? Did we have a back-up plan?4:45- Have we ever thought about adoption.7:00- Welcome Jodie7:55- Her infertility journey 14:00- When adoption became the next option14:45- Feeling attached. Was she ever worried?16:30- Everyone's story is unique17:00- Where do you start with the adoption process. Important questions you need to consider.18:00- Why they picked an open adoption18:57- Laws surrounding adoption21:00- The in-depth process of adoption and what it takes. 25:14- Choosing the age of the child you want to adopt26:39- The Christmas card story31:30- Timeframe. For them it was quick. 34:17- Birth parents and being picked36:05- Excitement tempered with hesitation37:41- "Dating" the birth parents38:52- How the birth works41:00- Birth Story43:58- Strength of the birth parents45:26- Telling your child they are adopted49:58- Deciding if you do it again53:33- Advice for listeners considering adoption54:29- Advice you would give yourself years ago?55:00 MINTUE WITH MIKESTAY WITH USNext week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma! Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language! Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

Season 2. Episode 2.Last week we answered a LOT of questions from you, our wonderful listeners but we held one back for this week because we thought..why not make an entire episode about it!Stephanie asked us how we make time for our marriages and what is something we do with our spouse every year no matter the challenges!We loved that so much and since Valentines Day is right around the corner, we thought we would dive into love, relationships and spicing it up a bit more. 3:15- Katie & Natalie answer how we make time for our marriage and what we do every year with our spouse. 10:51 To help us expand this huge topic of relationships and romance…we are even bringing back our friend Randi Levinson. You might remember her from last season where she helped us stay intimate during isolation… she is a couple's counselor and sex therapist and FULL of great advice.12:00- First  off..a lot has changed since we talked to you last year around this time! You  have moved out of your tiny LA apartment and MOVED in with another family to create a “pandemic pod” – What is that? 16:00- Last year we talked a lot about staying intimate during this crazy pandemic. Well, a year later, it is still going on. What new advice do you have for couples? 18:45- What have you seen change with relationships and sex due to the pandemic?21:00 - What we can do to strengthen our relationship. 24:00- How someone can nourish eroticism within themselves.25:30- If sex is not desirable, you are not going to want to do it. 27:00 Happiness and sex. Are they linked? How much sex should we be having per week to be happier?31:10- Why you can't just "turn it on" at the end of the night. 33:59- Intimacy killers for relationships. Why we need a safe space to be intimate in and what means.36:53- 5 sexual blueprints. (Sexual, Sensual, Energetic, Kink or Shape Shifter) 43:00- Intimacy killers for the bedroom. Maintain mystery to preserve intimacy.46:52-  If there is some homework we could give all our listeners over the next week to help with their relationships, what would it be?

Season 2. Episode 1.Welcome to Season 2 of A Mom's Life! Whether you're a first-time listener or a weekly listener, we're happy you're here and that you are back with us! You can subscribe anywhere you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. Thank you for being a part of the “A Mom's Life” community.For our first episode of season 2, we wanted to do something fun and different. So we asked YOU for questions and we answered them! :54 Check in with Katie and Natalie. How's life?Let's answer your questions!7:20- Are there things you hate/dread about parenting, and if so, how do you tackle these things? 9:10-What's your favorite quote and why? How is it relevant in your life?11:05- What advice would you give to someone who is wanting to start their own podcast?12:00- What is your go to de-stressor after a long day of work/taking care of the kids?14:15- Is your relationship with your kids similar to your parents' relationship with you?16:20- What has been your favorite stage/age parenting so far and why?18:40- Favorite products or brands?22:40- What is your favorite parenting hack?28:29- What is your best parenting advice given to you by your grandparents or parents?30:13- How did you decide to make a podcast? What's our favorite episode? What's a topic we want to cover but are hesitant to? What information do you wish you could spread to the world?34:32- What is one book that every woman/mom should read?37:20- What's your favorite activity to do with your kids during winter/pandemic?39:16- it important to have a “bucket list” or does that just set you up for disappointment if items can't be met due to money, health and commitments? 40:53- How do we figure out what each episode will be about and find people to interview? Have we every completely disagreed with their or each other's point of view on a topic? 42:15 - Do you have any advice for having a newborn during a pandemic? How do you work from home with a baby? 48:10- What are your favorite go-to meals for your family that are quick and easy for weeknights? 51:00- What are your long-term goals for the podcast? What do you want to achieve out of it?54:25-One word to describe your parenting styles? 57:35- Minute with Mike has an announcement! 

#43. 1:30- Last episode of 2020!2:55- Biggest lesson 2020 taught us5:03- Biggest blessing of 20206:53- Most challenging part of 20209:27- Goals for 2020? Did we meet them?11:15- Goals for 202113:50- Baby update!16:40- Katie update19:15- Season 2 is in the works! 20:13- Favorite episode of 202022:59- We will be back in February23:20- Minute with Mike. Words of wisdom as we leave 2020. 

#42. Divorce can be bitter and co-parenting is not easy. We talk with Pam who sheds light on navigating the situation when things don't end smoothly. Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast@KatieLKenney @ntendallClick here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcast1:11- Katie & Natalie talk holiday stress and divorce5:30- Welcome Pam! 6:51- Pam's backstory. Divorced 10 years ago with one daughter. Her custody battle begins.8:40- File for divorce or live in a home with no love?9:30- Perfect storm. Job loss, divorce, devastating custody decision.11:15- Leaving daughter with her dad and moved to another state12:30- Doing what you have to do. Driving back and forth. 14:05- Nobody knows what kind of parent you are except you15:30- How they didn't make great co-parents and why she was so thankful for email!16:50- Making sure her daughter knew she was loved at all times. Getting creative. and not counting on her ex.20:30- Not venting to your child26:30- Why she moved back to Indiana27:54- What her time away gave her. Self-reflection and learning something from the divorce. 30:00- Why divorcecare.org is a great resource!31:20- Co-parenting events you had to be at. 33:38- Why she gave her daughter a cellphone at age 9.36:00- Finding learning opportunities in the struggle. 39:30- Navigating the holidays after divorce42:15- Minute with Mike. Top three suggestions for navigating the holidays after divorce. STAY WITH USNext week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma! Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language! Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

41. We are finding out what men really want for Christmas ... and what they don't want. We are joined this week by our other halves. Scott and Doug shine a light on what the best gifts are for men. Tip: get creative! Disclaimer: we realize this may not be what every man wants but we sure know a lot of men who agree!

#40.  A gift guide with a few of our favorite things!Something for everyone on your list!NOTE: DO NOT LISTEN WITH YOUNG YEARS AROUND. SANTA MENTIONED.Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast@KatieLKenney @ntendallClick here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcastWHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE:41- It's shopping time!2:00- Do kids get too much stuff? The 4 gift rule discussion.5:40- Do you wrap or leave unwrapped Santa gifts?8:05- Not letting the big gifts come from Santa10:00- Giving calendars. Help kids how to learn how to give back11:00- 12 Beers and 12 Root beers of Christmas13:30- Gift guide startsFor anyone on your list: Calm Optics Blue Light Blockers: calmoptics.comEveryone is on screens SO MUCH right now, they have sizes for kids and adults. They block that bad blue light and save your eyes. This brand works great and we love these glasses!COUPON CODE: For little kids:Piggy Paint: piggypaint.comThis nail polish is safe, fun for the kids, all kinds of cute colors, non-toxic and easy to clean off of hands and carpet!COUPON CODE: MOMLIFEEat2Explore: eat2explore.comThis cooking subscription box teaches kids about a country and a food popular from that country and/or culture. Hands on learning and a lesson on culture. COUPON CODE: MOM20 For bigger kids:The Comfy: thecomfy.com The blanket that you wear. Extra warm, extra soft and extra comfy. Your kids will love this.If that idea isn't for you, try the Calm Optics Blue Light Blockers, it's the perfect gift for school-aged kidsFor your siblings:Strength for the Journey necklace: travelingpendants.comBeautiful handmade pendants with a unique number on the back so you can register your pendant, wear it, then share it with someone special. The necklace gives you strength for the journey you're navigating. Slim Chillers Skinny Freezer Wine Popsicles : slimchillers.com Wine popsicle that comes in lots of flavors, for lots of fun, excellent gift for anyone over 21.For your parents or your in-laws:PeachSkin Sheets : peachskinsheets.comThe softest sheets, maybe ever. Lots of colors. All sizes. So comfy. Like sleeping on peach fuzz. For your friends: Female - Pure & Care Hair masks : pureandcare.dk/en/Not expensive and totally invigorating hair masks that leave your hair silky, conditioned and smooth. 

39.  However your Thanksgiving looks this year, it will probably still involve food. We are getting great turkey tips and beyond from our friend and chef, Candace Rinke. Her cooking and entertainment website can be found here.Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast@KatieLKenney @ntendallClick here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcastWHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE1:10: Intro to Candace3:25: Cranberry Sauce5:52: Gravy (Strain it)7:06: Mashed Potatoes10:00: How long things last in the fridge11:45: Cookie baking. 13:28: How early to start prepping14:05: Brine, brine, brine16:45- Cooking a turkey17:45- Take pop-up thermometer out and throw it away!19:45- Carryover cooking20:29- What to do if you overcook the turkey?21:24: Dressing or stuffing23:16- Dinner Rolls 25:08- When people want to help. What to do?26:00- Why you should always have snacks28:15- Drinking. How to prevent your guests from overserving themselves32:45- Why you should break out the China!34:05- Leftovers 37:30- Pies. Make your own crust!39:25- Advice for someone who is hosting for the first time! STAY WITH USNext week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma! Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language! Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

38. Can you  have it all? This week we talk with professor, entrepreneur, and mother of 7, Karen Wonders about balancing it all.  She started the non-profit organization Maple Tree Cancer Alliance. Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast@KatieLKenney @ntendallClick here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcastWHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODEMeet Karen. She has 7 kids and runs a business!Why see went into exercise scienceFinding your passion in lifeWhy exercise during a cancer battle is important!-Reducing pain, increasing energy and improves treatment tolerance!How Maple Tree got it's nameKatie's connection to Maple Tree23:00- Struggles she has had during her journey to starting this non-profit26:00- Have you ever failed?28:00- How she makes big decisions!30:00- Balancing work and family life Tips include: Getting organizedStaying on schedulemaking the most of nap timeKnowing it will not always look perfectIt's OK to work in front of kidsShow your kids you are doing it!34:00- She knows it's hard to "do it all"Faith and her calling 52:00- The Dayton Shooting tragedy and how that impacted her non-profit57:00- Parting words of wisdom to other moms. 1:00:00- Can you have it all?STAY WITH USNext week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma! Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language! Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

#37. They did everything together. Including a simultaneous cancer diagnosis. Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast@KatieLKenney @ntendallClick here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcastWHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE1:30- The power of the word "cancer"3:15- Welcome Kim Faris: mother, wife, grandma and radio host who beat cancer. 3:45- Her and her husband were diagnosed with cancer in the same week5:00- How her husband found his tongue cancer8:30- The breast scan and the news that followed11:30- How do we tell our kids?15:15- Challenge of fighting cancers at the same time. No one to take care of her.20:20- Having your village of support21:30- Why this happened to us? Having faith.23:15- The "Am I going to survive this?" thought26:45- Why so many people with cancer?29:15- How women have the crazy ability to continually put everyone else before themselves.  Burt toast syndrome. 31:00- Being a public figure going through this journey35:15- Why her happiness didn't go away36:30- Music therapy and how that has helped. 38:35- Staying positive as much as you can. 44:55- Minute with Mike (mortality, support, & what comes next)Links that were mentioned:Maple Tree Cancer AlliancePink Ribbon GirlsNoble Circle ProjectAmerican Cancer SocietySTAY WITH USNext week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma! Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language! Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

Episode 36. Teach me about boys. Natalie is having a baby boy and she has lots of questions for Katie! Disclaimer: this is just us talking. We know personalities vary and not all boys fall into the categories we talk about . Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast@KatieLKenney @ntendallClick here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcastWHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE-We talk all things boys and how they differ from raising girls! Circumcision and pee to sports and getting the opportunity to raise a future gentleman. STAY WITH USNext week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma! Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language! Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

Episode 35. With a rich family history of breast cancer, she hoped it would skip her but deep down she knew her diagnosis would come.  Nikki shares her incredible story of battling breast cancer and having a major and rare complication with her a double mastectomy surgery.Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast @KatieLKenney @ntendallClick here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcastWHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE2:30- Welcome Nikki! A wife, mother of  4 and now breast cancer survivor. 3:15- Why she always knew she would be on this journey. 4:45- Being proactive and how that caught the cancer early. 8:30- Getting a biopsy and the after-hours call no one wants from the doctor. 13:00- Deciding to get her care at Ohio State.14:15- She wants to remind women to not miss their appointments!16:11- Was having the family history a blessing?16:52- How she told her kids she had breast cancer19:05- Pandemic hits and she is recovering. Why it was difficult to focus on herself. 20:20- Of course this timecode would be 2020. The story of her double mastectomy surgery and how it went really, really wrong. 24:00- The chilling ask from a nurse during the tense moments.25:00- 6 blood transfusions later, she starts her recovery.28:30- Nipple sparing mastectomy31:04- Making that initial decision to take her breasts.32:40- What Nikki's message is to women. 35:13- Why she is getting her daughter tested at age 18!STAY WITH USNext week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma! Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language! Thank YOU for being part of our community. LINKS FROM THE SHOW: