Easy No-Bake Cheesecake

Want a perfect, simple dessert for summer? Here's an easy, no-fail recipe for your next get together (or cheesecake craving!) I'm going to keep this real frank. Step 1: buy ingredients. Step 2: mix it all together. Step 3: let it chill. Step 4: indulge! But seriously, this little dessert is always a hit. I...

Road tripping with the kids to see elephants

Want to see “elephants” in a natural environment in Missouri? You’ll want to plan a trip to the southeastern corner of the state and check out Elephant Rocks State Park.   The giant boulders that “stand end-to-end like a train of circus elephants” were formed from 1.5 billion year old granite. We took a quick...

Encouraging kids to be independent and follow their dreams

Growing up I was a huge tomboy. All I ever wanted to do was play sports, climb trees, build cities in the dirt for my matchbox cars and play more sports. There were many nights I fell asleep with my baseball hat still on. I had short, short hair. I wore baggy, boyish clothes. Most...

Pinterest Hit or Miss: 4th of July fun

Want to put a little pop into your Independence Day family get-together or neighborhood gathering? We’ve got you covered. We put Jacki's kids back to work and experimented with three patriotic ideas. And did so pretty successfully. Confetti Launchers This simple idea comes from the Piikea Street blog, piikeastreet.com, as a kid-friendly, inexpensive alternative to...

Road trips and food – what to pack and where to eat

‘I want to try everything once’ As a little girl, I remember my mom popping popcorn and placing it in bread bags in preparation for our summer vacation. We’d always have a big bag of Brach’s assorted candies and a few cans of Pringles. Food is an important aspect of any road trip, both what you...

Car Buying 101 with Kids – 5 tips for an easier car buying experience

Thinking of going car shopping with the kids? Tip 1 - Don't Do It!! We recently have been in the market for a newer vehicle and this mom has spent hours online doing research and finding specific cars in the area that might be worth taking a look at. We've spent several nights in the...

BBQ Chicken & Veggies Foil Pack

Need a quick and easy meal this summer? This BBQ Chicken & Veggies Foil Pack is perfect for the oven or the grill. Ingredients    4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in 1-inch pieces    2 cups barbecue sauce    1 red bell pepper, diced    1 green bell pepper, diced    1 small red...

Sacrifice in marriage: ‘giving up something good for something of far greater worth’

So ... I was asked again the other day about this ... ... the beard ... my husband’s beard ... No, I do not like my husband’s beard. I hate it, actually. I hate the hair in our bathroom sink and on my pillow. I hate not being able to touch his clean-shaven face or...

Pinterest Hit or Miss: mason jar crafts

Got any Mason jars lying around your home? Our next Pinterest "Hit" or "Miss" edition can help you transform these ordinary jars into fun and simple craft projects. Jacki's daughter, Hannah, helped with this one and picked out two projects to try that would be fun when she has friends over for a summer party....

How to survive (and thrive) during summer break with your kids

If you're needing ideas to get your kids motivated and out of their pjs by noon this summer, look no further! We all love summer days because it means sleeping in and being lazy, but my kids take that idea to the extreme. There were days last summer when my seven-year-old didn't get dressed til...