Discoveries

In honor of Columbus Day, I'll give you some of my random discoveries that I've had over the years...

* Buying dental floss and using it every day is cheaper than a dentist visit for a filling.
* Buying name-brand food on sale with a coupon is usually cheaper than the store brand.
* Counting down from 5 to 1 works to get Salem and other children to do something or focus on the task.
* The attention span of a 2 year old is 2 minutes, a 5 year old is 5 minutes, etc.
* Cleaning as you go is easier than setting aside time to do everyday chores.
* Stop and smell the roses, breath in...breath out.
* Reading the Book of Mormon every day will bless your life, even if it's one verse.
* Keeping your gas tank 1/2 full or more keeps stress out of your life.
* The following letters are the same upside down: H, I, N, O, S, X, Z
* Children learn at an incredibly fast pace.
* You never stop learning.
* You don't "save" money by spending it.
* If you think someone's perfect, you don't know them well enough.
* As a new mom, you think why am I so alone? But then you realize that there are thousands of moms saying that same thing.
* Vinegar can be used for almost anything. I have at least 3-4 spray bottles of vinegar in my house.
* You can make substitutions in recipes very easily and it still comes out okay.
* If you are seeking a school for your kindergartner, you must start looking into a school in October of the year before he starts. (Same goes for preschool.)
* Breastfeeding is calming for the baby and the mother, strengthens the baby's immune system, provides complete infant nutrition, and is 100% the best.
* Attachment parenting is a style of caring for your infant that brings out the best in the baby and the best in the parents.
* Children don't care about "new" toys, they'll love a used toy just as well.
* Nutrition plays a big part in someone's health. Instead of popping a pill, look at what you're eating (or rather what you're not eating.)
* You don't have to be a member of Costco to use their pharmacy, or redeem a Costco gift card.
* Hairspray & gel work for most of my hair styles, I don't need to buy all that gimmicky other stuff.
* The rubber-band trick works well for the first few months of pregnancy when jeans start fitting a little too tightly.
* Children love playing dress-up! Halloween is just like any other day at my house.
* Always "google it" before you purchase something online. You can find product reviews and even coupons.
* A mother's intuition (the spirit) is sometimes better than a doctor.
* Those who understand interest, earn it; those who don't understand interest, pay it.
* Paying bills online is fast and easy.
* Renewing and reserving library books online is even easier.
* You can view demo videos on youtube and learn how to do just about anything.
* Wheat is not just for bread.
* After you shave your legs, put baby oil on them, it feels great!
* If your hair is straight or straightened and it's your off day for washing, sprinkle baby powder on your scalp and brush it through. It'll absorb some of the oil in the hair and make it smell good.
* You are in charge of your own happiness.