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Tag: Organization

Bye, Bye MyPublisher

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MyPublisher Photo Books

Something I have done for our kids since they were born is to make them birthday books after each birthday, to look back over the past year and record milestones, favorites, and special events.  Because we don’t regularly print pictures, unless we are using them in a frame or for a special project, all these pictures that we take are not going anywhere other than on a screen!  I make these books so we can look back and see how much he grew in the past year, what he was interested in, and even special stories that impact his life.  Because the years pass by so quickly, I don’t want us to miss it.  They are also my way of “holding on” to special artwork and writings.  I take a picture of the artwork and include it either as a background  or a photo.  Then, for most I discreetly discard the original.  The artwork goes along great with the story I am trying to tell of their lives!

Birthday Books

So, I make these books, and my go to software and development company has always been MyPublisher.  I have made many books using their program, and have been very pleased with the quality of the books and the ability to customize completely.  They all match and their name and birthday date are on the books’ spines.  You can create custom, or use the quicker method which automatically arranges the photos for you.  I love these birthday books!

Well, a few weeks ago I received devastating news!!  MyPublisher is closing down for good in May, so I only have a few months left to finish up current projects and print/download before then.  If you use My Publisher you should have received a notice.  I will miss them because their service and quality has always been wonderful in my opinion.  And all of my books match!!




Now, they are referring their customers to sister brand, Shutterfly.  I have not had any bad experiences with Shutterfly and have used them on occasion for projects.  It’s just… change!

Recipe Photo Books

These companies are amazing for staying organized and creating beautiful keepsake books and projects.  In addition to the birthday books,  you can make picture-based recipe books.  I did this several years ago to store my favorite recipes and it has been a helpful in the kitchen and fun to look at the memories in those books!  Our kids love to bake with us so there are fun pictures of them through the years baking cookies and watching them bake in the oven.

Gift Books

One other wonderful way to use their service is by making photo books for friends or grandparents.  Better than a card and possibly not too much more expensive, you can make a mini-book for any occasion.   Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day are all great occasions.

My heart breaks just a little at the thought of MyPublisher not being around for the rest of my kids’ childhoods, or even past May, when they are closing their doors.  I appreciated the simplicity and matching books!  But, I will get over it and enjoy Shutterfly or one of the other photo book makers.  In the meantime, I will finish up my projects on MyPublisher, and you should too.

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Organization: Apps for Moms

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Mom’s Priority has put together a list of the best apps for moms, to help keep us all sane and organized through this busy season of motherhood!

Best Apps for Moms

best apps for mom

15 of the Best Apps for Mom

  • AnyList makes grocery list making and shopping simple and easy to share with other family members!  Simply start typing the grocery item, and it fills in the rest, sorting the items by type.  When you add the item to your cart, simply tap the item name and it will cross it out.  The basic app is free, however, you can purchase a premium subscription and have more options.  With premium, Any List can be used with major recipe sites like Allrecipes, saving the recipe and automatically adding the ingredients to your shopping list!  This is a great app that is making my life easier!
  • Errands is a task manager that reminds you of the commitments you make and helps keep you organized.  I have used this app for several years now and it is super simple- just add a reminder like “call the vet”, set a due date (and time, if you need that), and a reminder will pop up on your screen, based on the settings you set.  Streamlined, simple, but very valuable.  If I’m in a conversation with someone and I say I’ll do something, it’s simple to add a reminder into this app.   It’s important for me to keep my commitments, and with so many distractions, I can easily forget by the time I get back to my desk or a notepad.  This app is so helpful for that!!
  • Cozi is a popular app that helps families stay organized READ MORE 

Top 7 Ways to Get Organized Mom

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A new year means a new chance to get organized!  For busy moms, being organized makes a huge difference in how we get things done. It’s time to get organized mom!

Here are 7 Ways to Get Organized in the new year:

  1. Use an old-fashioned planner.  For me, nothing replaces the old-fashioned habit of writing it down, and there are some amazingly beautiful planners to have these days.  I like Emily Ley’s because the focus is similar to that of Mom’s Priority.  On the pages , she reminds you to keep your priorities, focusing your time and efforts on the things that matter most.  Also, these planners are just gorgeous.
    emily ley planner organized mom

    Emily Ley Planner

     

     

  2. Use technology to keep organized.  Check out Mom’s Priority’s 15 best apps for moms.   Included in this list are apps for organizing your money, the kids’ artwork, your exercise and healthy eating habits, the sports schedules, the kids’ chores, and more!  Technology is amazing!
  3. As things come into your house (mail, school paperwork, bills), limit the clutter and mess by throwing out junk right away, and putting the rest where it belongs. Less clutter and less is lost or misplaced!
  4. Pick out outfits a week at a time.  Check the weather for the upcoming week and set out 5 or 6 options for the 5 school days in the front of their closets. It makes mornings much easier.
  5. Delegate!  As the kids get older, everyone has their own responsibilities around the house.  This not only teaches the kids how to care for a house and their things, but it helps immensely keeping the house organized and tidy.
  6. Plan a monthly meal menu and weekly check the stores for sales before you shop either online or in the store.  Chop vegetables all at once for a few days worth and prep freezer meals in advance to simplify.
  7. Pay attention to sales seasons so you can buy kids clothing and home items at the lowest prices of the year.  January and July are great times to find clothes marked way down.  When you find clothing items, try to anticipate the size they will be that upcoming season.  The best place to find deals in one place is Mom’s Priority Deals page.  If you find food items on sale, buy two and put one up for a little later.  The same goes for gifts and homes supplies.  Get organized mom, and watch the savings grow!

There is a peace when things are organized; even if life is roaring fast, having organization keeps everyone focused.  It’s when life gets so busy and unorganized, that we lose our priorities.  Life is so precious, and we want to make the most of all of our days!  It’s never perfect; things come up unplanned and we just roll with it!  But, having organization in the first place helps us immensely keep our priorities.

 

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Organization Series: Playroom

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Organization Series: Playroom

Mom’s Priority wants to help moms live their priorities and is starting an organization series, beginning with the playroom.  If  your home is like ours, the playroom is one room that always needs fresh ideas for organization to keep everything looking tidy!  On this page, you will find a dozen or so ideas for keeping all of the toys, crayons, markers, cars, books, puzzles, artwork, (we could go on, couldn’t we?) and more organized!  When the playroom can be organized, and even better, when the kids know where to put away their things, creative kids

Easy DIY Chalkboard Wall

Playroom Chalkboard Wall

can thrive.  As they have room to explore, they can use their imaginations and creativity to create their own worlds and learn by doing.  Check out Mom’s Priority’s Playroom Organization page, along with links to favorites like Land of Nod and Melissa and Doug toys, and help your children enjoy childhood and use their creativity!

Creative Kids Thrive with these Playroom Organization Ideas

Organizing the playroom sounds like an impossible mission, but with a mind set on cleaning out clutter, purchasing inexpensive storage solutions, and being creative with storage, you can create an organized playroom inexpensively.  Click for more

Advertising Disclosure: Some tips include links where Mom’s Priority receives an incentive per click or per purchase.  If you ever have any questions regarding this, please contact [email protected]. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy and Disclosure.

 

 

Kids’ Birthday Books

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We have a birthday coming up soon, so I am working on the next in our kids’ birthday books series!  I do this for our kids each year, and I cherish it! We finalize and order these books after each birthday, to look back over the past year and record milestones, favorites, and special events.
MyPublisher, Inc.

Pictures Tell a Story

MyPublisher, Inc.Because we don’t regularly print pictures, unless we are using them in a frame or for a special project, all of these pictures that we take do not go anywhere other than on a screen!  I make these books so we can look back and see how much he grew in the past year, interests, and even special stories that impact his life.  Because the years pass by so quickly, I don’t want us to miss it!  They are also my way of “holding on” to special artwork and writings.  I take a picture of the artwork and include it either as a background  or a photo.  Then, for most I discreetly discard the original.  The artwork goes along great with the story I am trying to tell of their lives!

These kids we are blessed to raise- I’m talking about you and me- are a gift!  Each year we unwrap the gift of who God made them to be!  These books…they tell that story in a beautiful way.  Also, these books help our kids see that they are made uniquely by God. They can see that they are works in progress, and God is not finished with them yet.  Each child’s life is a story waiting to be told!  I love using photography to tell that story, and these birthday books are a gift I love to give.  Read more about how I put them together HERE.

Advertising Disclosure: Some tips include links where Mom’s Priority receives an incentive per click or per purchase.  For more information, please see our Privacy Policy and Disclosure.

Freezer Recipes

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Freezer recipes

Freezer Recipes are LIFESAVERS for me and our family!!  A freezer meal is ideal for nights that you know ahead of time will be busy.  You can pull it out the night before, let it defrost, and cook it on the night you need it.  Just add a side, bread, salad, or whatever, and you are good to go!  I try to make up freezer meals at least once per quarter, and when I do, I make 6-9 dishes at a time.  This seems to keep our family afloat through the busy days (and doesn’t overcrowd the freezer).  These meals taste amazing to me, maybe because I haven’t been slaving over the preparations!  I will add to this page over time, so check back for new recipes. I am always trying new freezer recipes, because they are a wonderful thing!  A meal waiting in the freezer keeps you on budget, on track health-wise, and fits into your schedule.  Truly a win all around!  Moms’ Priority’s freezer meals page is HERE.

School Supplies Online

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School Supplies Online

School Supplies Online

 

It’s that time already… School supplies are out in stores and the deals are starting!  Crazy to think, but in some areas, school will be back in session in less than a month!  We want to make things easier on mom, so we have included tips on finding the items on your child’s school supply list online and more help to come in the upcoming weeks.  Order school supplies online soon, and you will be ahead of the game and saving money, with no store stress!  For our tips, click here.

Advertising Disclosure: Some tips include links where Mom’s Priority receives an incentive per click or per purchase. If you ever have any questions regarding this, please contact [email protected]. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy and Disclosure.

Planning a Trip to Disney? Read This!

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Saving Money at Disney

Saving Money at Disney

Disney World is on many family bucket lists, and for good reason:  the memories you make with your children there, if they are old enough to remember, stay with them for a long time!  The music, rides, food, and atmosphere make this time at Disney World so special, and so memorable.  If you are planning a trip to Disney World, you want to make sure you plan in advance so you can enjoy your time there with your loved ones as much as possible!  If you are planning a trip this summer, read this as soon as possible so you can get organized, get magic bands,  and get fast passes before you go.  We’ve been many times now with our crew, staying inside and outside of the park, so send your questions to [email protected], and hopefully we can help!  This trip can be so memorable truly for kids young and old, and such a fun way to spend time with family!

Disney Planning on a Budget~ 5 Ways to Save

Advertising Disclosure: Some tips include links where Mom’s Priority receives an incentive per click or per purchase.  If you ever have any questions regarding this, please contact [email protected]. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy and Disclosure.

First Day of Summer

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The first day of Summer is here!!   How will you spend it?!  Catching fireflies at dusk, swimming past dark, running through sprinklers, and spending more time outdoors are wonderful ways to spend your days.  Hopefully some food prepared on the grill is in your plans! This page has grill recipes and ideas for amazing food this summer!    Enjoy!

Grill Recipes

Grill Recipes

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