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Being a parent is hard. There are days that are magical and days that are full of frustration and tears. My children mean the world to me – I would do anything and everything I could for them. Even on the bad days the moment they look up at me, reach out for a hug everything melts away.

Sometimes I still need those moments for me. You know those quiet moments of peace where I can just get back to being Carla.

When I was asked what were the things I would need for these Carla moments it really had me thinking. What, besides my children, do I need on a daily basis? A monthly basis? The things that make me feel good, energized, relaxed and ready to conquer the world. Here are the four things I came up with:

My Tassimo. I love my coffee. I would be lost without that delicious cup of coffee every morning! Coffee time is me time. Where I am all alone with my thoughts, able to reflect, think on the day ahead and to just relax. Not to mention what a fantastic cup of coffee this baby makes!

My book collection. I am a huge book worm. A good book is the best form of relaxation to me. I lose myself in my books and cry, laugh along with the characters. There is nothing better then finding that new great book!

Pedicures! So this may not be the best picture of a pedicure I gave myself (do you know how hard it is to paint your toes with two jumping boys on the bed??) but it is something I love to do for myself. I feel feminine, pretty and since I am on my feet all day it really helps my aching feet!

Last but not least my garden! I would never have added this to my list even five years ago but I can not believe how relaxing gardening is and how rewarding. We have had so many tomatoes in the last two weeks and I am so proud that I grew them myself!

The idea to create this Mom Survival kit was given to me by Man Crates – not familiar with Man Crates? Man Crates creates unique gifts for men based on their likes and ships them to your door in a wooden crate. How awesome is that? Can’t get much more original then that!

What would be in your survival kit?

Thank you so much for all the wonderful support I received when I first posted about my goals. I was a little scared at first but I am glad I did it – my online community is so supportive and I appreciate all the fantastic comments, tweets and support!

Here is my update for you:

• I have committed 100% to the 21 day fix work out for the last two weeks (I even did it while camping at the trailer!). Today I completed the lower body work out – the one workout that I quit at the fifteen minute mark when I first started the program because I was in too much pain – I did the whole thirty minutes! I cried out a couple of times but I made it through!
• I am still working on portion control but have increased my vegetable intake which I am very proud of since I was never a big vegetable eater.
• I am also including USANA’s protein meal replacement shake with added fibre (I really enjoy the taste and the amount of protein and fibre is high which is always important – it is also gluten free).
• No pop, juice or sugar in my coffee!! Funny thing is I don’t even crave sugar as much as I did before. 

Now here is the part that I am even more proud of:

I have lost two inches around my waist and am down ten pounds! 

This has been one of my greatest accomplishments – I have had a heck of a time taking the weight back off since giving birth to my second child so this was a proud moment for me. Caring the extra weight has put extra stress on my overall health, my bladder and my self esteem.

I am now on my doubles week meaning I will be doing two of her fixes each day plus a daily ab routine (might as well keep those results going right??!). I can’t wait to update you next week with how I do.

Welcome to the launch campaign for debut novelist Kristy Cambron‘s The Butterfly and the Violin. Romantic Times had this to say: “Alternating points of view skillfully blend contemporary and historical fiction in this debut novel that is almost impossible to put down. Well-researched yet heartbreaking.

Kristy is celebrating the release of the first book in her three-book series, A Hidden Masterpiece, with a fun Kindle Fire giveaway and meeting her readers during an August 7th Facebook author chat party.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 7th. Winner will be announced at The Butterfly and the Violin Author Chat Party. Kristy will be connecting with readers and answering questions, sharing some of the fascinating research behind the book, hosting a fun book chat, and giving away some GREAT prizes. She will also be giving an exclusive look at the next book in the series, A Sparrow in Terezin!

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 7th!