You asked! I tried these sock curls for the first You asked! I tried these sock curls for the first time last night and I was so impressed!! I decided to freshen them up during Sunday nap and record the process for you.

Literally all you have to do is wrap your very slightly damp hair around a sock and then fold it up over the curls over night. The sock kept slipping out from my hair so I used a claw clip to hold it in place and it wasn't uncomfortable to sleep in. Then I like to brush them out a little and add some texture spray and you're good to go!

 Tag me and let me know if you try it!!
Every. Single. Time. Every. Single. Time.
You ever feel like you're dying for a change and t You ever feel like you're dying for a change and then even everything's changing you're like HOLD ON I DIDN'T MEAN EVERYTHING AT ONCE. Yeah, me neither 🤪🫠
POV: You have 3 boys, 7 and under and it's bathtim POV: You have 3 boys, 7 and under and it's bathtime 🧼
Summer slow down 🌻 Summer slow down 🌻
Taking care of home, one hungry mouth and thirsty Taking care of home, one hungry mouth and thirsty plant at a time 🙃 🪴🪴
This weekend the boys are staying with their baby This weekend the boys are staying with their baby sister’s foster family. It’s a nice visit for them to be with her (she is oh so cute and sweet) and it’s essentially a respite weekend for us. 

Man, it’s like I forgot how simple things once were. And I never realized it in the moment, either. Two well-connected children since birth are a heck of a lot different than four kids—two well-connected and two traumatized.

We had a movie night with David and Ev last night (something the boys wouldn't normally sit for) and went for a hike up on Paris Mountain this morning and then got our fav BBQ for a weird lunch/dinner at like 3:30 🤪 Good BBQ doesn't wait for the right time of day 😂

It's a definitely a change of pace from the rigid schedule we keep when the boys are with us and I'll admit it's been nice to slow down at least for the weekend. 

We pick them up tomorrow afternoon and I can't wait to hear how their weekend was with sissy + her foster fam!
Everyone needs a creative outlet. This is one of m Everyone needs a creative outlet. This is one of mine. What's yours? 🌸🌺🌻🌼
I've held onto this photo and rewritten the captio I've held onto this photo and rewritten the caption a hundred times trying to think of a concise way to describe the last couple months. 

The reality is, it's messy and hard. The best and easiest days are the days where we stick like glue to our routine. The boys do so well with structure. Even rules that they hated at first, they now love bc they've come to expect them and knowing what to expect gives them a sense of control and safety. 

I have to say, I'm so thankful for the training we got before starting this journey bc we use it daily. And then there's times when Josh and I just need to take turns locking ourselves away in a quiet room for a little while just to take a breather. 

We're also learning the level of attention that David and Evy still need from us. We've started letting them stay up an hour later than that boys each night just so they can get some individual time with us and decompress a little. 

I have to admit, it was hard on Josh and I at first. The constant (and I mean constant) opposition, defiance, screaming, hurting, etc. was just exhausting and stressful. But I can honestly say that we've gotten a grip on things and I feel like we're a really strong team. Even in the hard moments, we are way less stressed and we just redirect the kids or give consequences without getting overly emotionally involved in what the harmful behavior was. I know that's vague but you'll have to trust me I guess ha. 

Continue to pray for Josh and I, David and Evy, and of course the boys. Our needs are all pretty different but we need prayer all the same 💗
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Family, Life & Finances, Motherhood, Work · September 5, 2015

8 Apps that Every Mom Desperately Needs!

8 apps that every mom desperately needs. So glad I found this list!

Google Keep

This is one of my all-time favorite and most used apps that I have EVER downloaded! Here’s a list of things that make this app awesome:

  1. Time reminders
  2. LOCATION reminders
  3. Voice reminders
  4. Check lists
  5. Notes
  6. Ability to add photos to notes
  7. Sync to phone and desktop simultaneously!

Here’s a screenshot I took of what mine looks like right now:

I have my typical lists and time reminders, but I also have reminders with images (yes, I made that cake- it was delicious) and a location reminder. The awesome thing about a location reminder is that, if I’m out later than I thought I was going to be, I’ll still be reminded to do a task when I’m in the place where I need to be reminded. I dismiss reminders all the time because my schedule changes and I’m not where I need to be in order to take care of that task. This way, I’m always in the right place to be reminded.

I can also make quick lists while I’m at work on the computer and have them on my phone when I leave for the day. Pretty easy right?

11989333_10153686832566654_668023949_o

Alarmdroid

I used to be one of those people who, probably once a week, woke up in a panic because she had slept through her alarm. And I’m one of those people who likes to enjoy her morning and sip her coffee while she gets ready. At the time, I also had a roommate who I really didn’t want to startle awake with an alarm clock so I always used the vibration on my cell phone for an alarm clock. That worked for about a month and then I began sleeping through every alarm. When waking up in a panic got old, I searched for better alarm clock apps and found alarm droid! They’ve come a long way since I first downloaded the app 3 years ago and have added new features and a super cute layout as well. The thing that makes this app so loveable for me is that the alarm doesn’t scare me away, it’s a simple beeping that gradually gets louder the longer you take to turn it off. It also provides a mind exercise which you have to complete before the alarm with completely shut off (the volume does drop significantly however while completing the exercise). A lot of the time the mind exercise will be a simple math problem or the app will ask questions like “What day of the week was yesterday?” Which can sometimes be a difficult question at 6 a.m.!
11996408_10153686832821654_1328839304_o11995338_10153686832961654_631925111_o (1)11993948_10153686832661654_1210222795_o

Audible

Ever feel like you live life in your car? Sometimes I do. Most days I also wish I had just an extra hour in the day to sit down and read for a bit! Well if there’s a book that’s been sitting on your shelf that you’ve really been meaning to get to but just haven’t had the time, check out Audible where the books are read to you! This now is one of the only ways I “read” books. This app is also great for runners! If you get bored on long runs, try switching from music to listening to an Audible book. It’ll for sure help get your mind off the miles and in a different place while on that jog. I’ve finally managed to get rid of some of the guild I feel when I drive past libraries or glance at our bookshelf 🙂

Google Docs

I write all my blog posts on Google Docs. You know why? Because life has interruptions. Magnify that by 1000 when you have kids. Google docs is available on my computer or phone (or would be on a tablet if I had one). This means that I can begin typing my posts and then if I have to run and pick someone up in the car, I can keep typing my post while I’m waiting. No need to hit save. Everything is synched in real-time. Another great thing about Google Docs is you can share your docs with others and they can simultaneously type while you type. I’ve used this for group projects in college, and with my family when we were doing a long distance bible study together.

Genius Scan

This is an amazing app that makes horrid paperwork not so scary. I’ve used this app for everything from sending legal tax documents for work to sending Josh a copy of the shopping list. In fact, here’s an example :

 

Yes I wrote bananas twice… bananas and Thai Peanut sauce are really important in our family. The great thing about the Genius Scan app is that you can keep the original photo of your document or you can turn it black and white (like in my example here) which makes sending legal or insurance documents much more official than just sending a picture. Have I mentioned there there is a sister app called Genius Fax? This is also free and allows you to- you guessed it- send your scans as a fax from your phone! I absolutely love how this app has taken the stress out of scanning and faxing. Sorry if that’s nerdy.11989146_10153686833026654_967893934_o

Mint

Mint.com is my online budgeting resource. The secure site links up with your bank account to automatically track spending and income. I have budgets set up so I can easily see how fast we’re spending in each category. Mint also shows me charts a the end of each month so I can see what percentage of our money is spent in each category. Mint also has a sister app called Mint Bills that help you set up and managing paying your bills right from your phone.

Screen Shot 2015-09-05 at 3.30.28 PMScreen Shot 2015-09-05 at 3.30.53 PM

Nike+ Running

I’ve been using Nike+ Running since before Josh and I got married. I used it while I was just beginning to get into a running habit and while I was working up to run my first 5k. I have it set so that I receive a notification for every mile I reach where I’m told my time and pace. When I’m done with my run, I can record notes like how I felt during my run and I like to add wheather I ran with the stroller or not (that usually affects my time a little bit). I can see a map of where I ran and where I was the fastest/slowest on my rout. I love that I can add friends on this app and we can record miles together. I awaken my competitive side when I see that a friend of mine has run one more mile than me that week, or I can bring out my team-player side and cheer on my friends when they’re having a great running week. Here’s some screenshots of what my Nike+ app looks like:

11989370_10153686768886654_1212151828_o11982416_10153686768951654_1550703405_o11999327_10153686768831654_2022936211_o

Photochron

While this app doesn’t have the same practical value as some of the previous ones mentioned, I still use this all the time and am so glad I started when I did. Ever see those really cool time lapse videos of children (or adults) aging over time? Well now there’s an app that does that for you! I started using this just a few weeks after David was born (I kick myself for not knowing about it earlier!) and I can play back how he’s grown in 11 months in just a couple minutes! I’m so got this app to be able to look back and say, “Oh that’s when he went completely bald!” and stuff like that. All you have to do is snap a quick pic and the app saves it, backs it up for you, and add it to your time lapse video. Now taking a picture of yourself- that’s easy. Lining up your ever mobile yougin, not so much. But we’ve managed to make it work. Here’s some shots of what mine looks like:11994004_10153686832396654_1643864675_o11991105_10153686833051654_1564192225_o

This is one way Photochron helps you line up your photo with the last photo you took in order to create a smooth video replay. Essentially, the goal is to take one photo every day, but as you can see we manage to pretty much just do one photo a week.

For realz tho, give these apps a try! They’ve played a big part in keeping me sane while working, managing our home, and raising a child.

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In: Family, Life & Finances, Motherhood, Work · Tagged: apps, family, mom, organization, stay at home mom, working mom

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Comments

  1. David Damon Sr. says

    September 6, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    Hey Chelsea,
    These are really great Apps. These organizational skills, including a great budgeting tool are invaluable. I keep hearing also about Dave Ramsey’s budgeting online tool “Every Dollar” which undoubtedly is top notch. You might want to check it out. These skill sets are going to be tremendously helpful for your family! Proud of you. You need to help Pappa here fumble through the learning curve for some of this stuff. It comes a bit harder for me as you know!

    • Chelsea says

      September 7, 2015 at 6:02 pm

      Hey thanks!
      I’ll definitely check out Every Dollar! And yeah I’d love to help with all the young kid techy stuff;)

  2. Kate says

    September 21, 2015 at 5:40 pm

    I have been in love with google keep for a long time now. It has been a total life saver! I can’t wait to check out some of these other apps, too!

    • Chelsea says

      September 22, 2015 at 12:25 am

      I’ve used it for forever and only recently found out that it was desktop compatible as well! I was so excited! Hope the rest of these help 🙂

  3. Megan Gonzalez says

    September 21, 2015 at 11:59 pm

    I love the idea of Alarmdroid! I have so much trouble getting up in the morning. I’ll have to check it out 🙂

  4. Adriana Renee says

    September 22, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    I love Mint! It’s so simple and you can keep everything on there instead of having to log into a million accounts!

  5. Sam // DIY just cuz says

    September 23, 2015 at 7:01 am

    I have been thinking about getting a task manager type app, I really want to try that Google one, maybe I’ll have to give it a go. I looove google docs, it’s absolutely invaluable. I used it all the time in college and now I use it whenever I can because I love being able to just hop on wherever I’m at and get things done. I’m happy to have stumbled across your blog from “Blogging on Your Own Terms!” FB Group 🙂

  6. brittany says

    October 1, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    Awesome!!! I love the details!!!

  7. Danielle says

    October 1, 2015 at 3:57 pm

    These are really great apps! I haven’t heard of Mint Bills, I need that one! I’m also a home manager, and I find myself always looking for ways to keep track of things. Thank you for posting!

    • Jen says

      September 22, 2019 at 4:53 am

      Update: mint bills no longer exists, sadly. I currently am using Prism app which is a great way to remind you of monthly bills and you can even pay via the app for a small fee.

  8. Christina says

    October 1, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    Thanks for sharing these. I will probably go and download Genius Scan now because that sounds like an amazing app. I’ll have to check out the rest of these as well.

  9. DT says

    October 2, 2015 at 2:43 am

    Google keep looks so cool— I have to check it out now. Thanks for sharing.
    I used to use Mint, but I just couldn’t deal with their countless irrelevant notifications, so deleted it.
    — DT | Here I Scribble

  10. Jennifer says

    October 2, 2015 at 5:11 am

    Audible is one of my favorite things ever!!

  11. Katie says

    January 22, 2016 at 3:30 am

    I’m a little disappointed Cozi didn’t make the list. I don’t know what I’d do without it. It’s available crossplatform and on the web. One account is needed and it helps you keep track of as many people or things you need (I have me, my husband, our 2 kids, my dad, doctors appointments and recurring bills just to mention a few categories I have,,,all integrated in the calendar. I input something and my husband, with a different operating device can see it immediately. And that’s JUST the calendar part of the app. Definitely an app a busy mom needs!

    • Jen says

      September 22, 2019 at 4:56 am

      I love Cozi!! Also have it on my husbands and adult/teenage daughter’s phones to keep track of grocery lists, chores, and appointments!

  12. Erin says

    November 6, 2016 at 1:43 pm

    I’m a huge fan of ChoreMonster and Mothershp (they work together). It says the age ranges are 4-12 but I’ve been using it with my 3 year old and she loves it! We don’t have any issues around doing chores if she knows she can get her points and use that towards the stuff she wants (donuts and iPad time, haha)!

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Hi! I'm Chelsea and we're the Damon's. We spent the last two years in WA state paying off student loans and just bought our first house in SC! I love a smooth black coffee, Josh's first love is the Seattle Sounders. Our kids are huge dorks and constantly make us laugh and we all love spending as much time outside as possible.

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You asked! I tried these sock curls for the first You asked! I tried these sock curls for the first time last night and I was so impressed!! I decided to freshen them up during Sunday nap and record the process for you.

Literally all you have to do is wrap your very slightly damp hair around a sock and then fold it up over the curls over night. The sock kept slipping out from my hair so I used a claw clip to hold it in place and it wasn't uncomfortable to sleep in. Then I like to brush them out a little and add some texture spray and you're good to go!

 Tag me and let me know if you try it!!
Every. Single. Time. Every. Single. Time.
You ever feel like you're dying for a change and t You ever feel like you're dying for a change and then even everything's changing you're like HOLD ON I DIDN'T MEAN EVERYTHING AT ONCE. Yeah, me neither 🤪🫠
POV: You have 3 boys, 7 and under and it's bathtim POV: You have 3 boys, 7 and under and it's bathtime 🧼

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You asked! I tried these sock curls for the first You asked! I tried these sock curls for the first time last night and I was so impressed!! I decided to freshen them up during Sunday nap and record the process for you.

Literally all you have to do is wrap your very slightly damp hair around a sock and then fold it up over the curls over night. The sock kept slipping out from my hair so I used a claw clip to hold it in place and it wasn't uncomfortable to sleep in. Then I like to brush them out a little and add some texture spray and you're good to go!

 Tag me and let me know if you try it!!
Every. Single. Time. Every. Single. Time.
You ever feel like you're dying for a change and t You ever feel like you're dying for a change and then even everything's changing you're like HOLD ON I DIDN'T MEAN EVERYTHING AT ONCE. Yeah, me neither 🤪🫠
POV: You have 3 boys, 7 and under and it's bathtim POV: You have 3 boys, 7 and under and it's bathtime 🧼
Summer slow down 🌻 Summer slow down 🌻
Taking care of home, one hungry mouth and thirsty Taking care of home, one hungry mouth and thirsty plant at a time 🙃 🪴🪴
This weekend the boys are staying with their baby This weekend the boys are staying with their baby sister’s foster family. It’s a nice visit for them to be with her (she is oh so cute and sweet) and it’s essentially a respite weekend for us. 

Man, it’s like I forgot how simple things once were. And I never realized it in the moment, either. Two well-connected children since birth are a heck of a lot different than four kids—two well-connected and two traumatized.

We had a movie night with David and Ev last night (something the boys wouldn't normally sit for) and went for a hike up on Paris Mountain this morning and then got our fav BBQ for a weird lunch/dinner at like 3:30 🤪 Good BBQ doesn't wait for the right time of day 😂

It's a definitely a change of pace from the rigid schedule we keep when the boys are with us and I'll admit it's been nice to slow down at least for the weekend. 

We pick them up tomorrow afternoon and I can't wait to hear how their weekend was with sissy + her foster fam!
Everyone needs a creative outlet. This is one of m Everyone needs a creative outlet. This is one of mine. What's yours? 🌸🌺🌻🌼
I've held onto this photo and rewritten the captio I've held onto this photo and rewritten the caption a hundred times trying to think of a concise way to describe the last couple months. 

The reality is, it's messy and hard. The best and easiest days are the days where we stick like glue to our routine. The boys do so well with structure. Even rules that they hated at first, they now love bc they've come to expect them and knowing what to expect gives them a sense of control and safety. 

I have to say, I'm so thankful for the training we got before starting this journey bc we use it daily. And then there's times when Josh and I just need to take turns locking ourselves away in a quiet room for a little while just to take a breather. 

We're also learning the level of attention that David and Evy still need from us. We've started letting them stay up an hour later than that boys each night just so they can get some individual time with us and decompress a little. 

I have to admit, it was hard on Josh and I at first. The constant (and I mean constant) opposition, defiance, screaming, hurting, etc. was just exhausting and stressful. But I can honestly say that we've gotten a grip on things and I feel like we're a really strong team. Even in the hard moments, we are way less stressed and we just redirect the kids or give consequences without getting overly emotionally involved in what the harmful behavior was. I know that's vague but you'll have to trust me I guess ha. 

Continue to pray for Josh and I, David and Evy, and of course the boys. Our needs are all pretty different but we need prayer all the same 💗
1, 2, or 3?? @balielf making me feel pretty today 1, 2, or 3?? @balielf making me feel pretty today in all these gorgeous colors! 😍

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