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In the Water They Can't See You Cry: A Memoir - Hardcover available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, IndieBound and Simon & Schuster or get the eBook version available for Apple products, Kindle and Nook!
Every time you purchase Athena® bottled water, you join the fight against breast cancer!
My FAVORITE sunscreen ever! I seriously don't leave home without it.
As you all probably know, I have been the spokesperson for Softcup since 2011. Today, Softcup debuted my exclusive interview with them in a blog as part of their "Fun Fridays" feature. I talk about my training, being a mom, my new book "In The Water They Can't See You Cry" and much more.
Check out part one of my interview with Softcup here.
Amanda Beard, Being a Mom, Disneyland, Family, Olympic Games, Swimming | in Family The last few months were a whirlwind with my book tour, training and Olympic Trials; I figured it was time for a much-needed vacation!
We decided to head to Apache Lake, about a 3-hour drive from Tucson, for a quick getaway trip this past weekend. We got to go boating, fishing, cliff diving, tubing, water skiing and the list goes on with some great friends.
It was actually Blaise' first time on a speed boat - he LOVED it. He also did some inner tubing; it took me forever to get him out of the water! While my husband was busy with a successful fishing trip, bringing home six large Mouth Bass, I spent the afternoon cliff diving, water skiing and inner tubing.
This trip was exactly what the family and I needed. It was so much fun that we are thinking of making it a regular tradition, especially in the Summer. There's no better way to enjoy yourself out in the Summer heat than floating in a refreshing lake. Wouldn't you agree? Plus it doesn't break the bank! Getting away for a weekend on the lake is definitely friendly on the wallet.
What quick (and cost-friendly) getaway trips have you and your family taken this Summer? Sacha, Blaise and I are always looking for new places to go!
Amanda Beard, Being a Mom, Blaise, Family, Swimming, kids, vacation | in A Day in the Life, Activities, Balance, Family, Kids This is it, folks! It’s a “make it or break it” kind of week – Olympic trials in Omaha, Nebraska. What better way to ease my jitters than to check in with all the awesome moms out there? Anything to get my mind off of the pressure and nerves is 100% welcome (don’t you worry – I’m still focused as ever – simply channeling my high energy elsewhere!). The competition is high and I’m feeling more ready than ever. Here is to hoping for a fast, impressive performance. But, enough about the meet!
Getting a chance to leave the house for any kind of trip is always an adventure with my two boys – it comes along with some good, bad, stress and most importantly, fun! While this week is not a typical trip for the family, it still involved running too close to our departure times and searching around the house to grab those last-minute, forgotten items (only to find that youactually did stuff them in your suitcase). Not to mention, this trip did not have days of relaxation to follow the hectic day of traveling!
I’ll tell you what the rushed packing did give me, though: an even bigger appreciation for my Maytag washer and dryer. I realized before leaving for the airport that a load of laundry was sitting, still untouched and dirty, in the washer. Yes, like most of you have often done, I forgot to press the “start” button! Thank goodness those machines run so quickly and efficiently. My clothes were washed and dried in no time! For any moms out there searching the market for a new set, I highly suggest any Maytag appliances – they proved to be a lifesaver this week.
I want to hear about all of your traveling experiences with your family – the good and the bad. How do you maintain your sanity when you’re running late to catch the flight or a suitcase goes missing? Share your stories with me!
Family, Maytag, Olympic Trials, Travel | in Being a Mom, Chasing 5, Family, Kids, Swimming, Trials I can't express to you how important it is to achieve balance in life. Whether you’re a mom, dad, athlete, businessperson or just a regular Joe; you need to find the perfect harmony between work, family life and “me time” to not only keep your body and mind sound, but keep yourself sane too! A good balance is what allows you to live a fulfilled life and really enjoy what it has to offer. I believe that I still love to swim and compete because I have found this balance (finally – not without struggle for sure!)
It doesn’t matter if you are an athlete pursuing the first-place podium at the Olympic Games or simply a motivated stay-at-home mom; either way, you always need time for you and the things you enjoy. I always say that swimming makes me a better mom because I have a way to stay fit, active and refreshed – this allows me to come home relaxed and energized for my son. Being a mom is a welcomed distraction from my intense training and competition, though. After a tough practice session, I can go home and enjoy my family time without constantly thinking about swimming, which actually makes me a better swimmer. The two things perfectly complement each other and allow me to be motivated at home and in the pool.
Find your own balance.
How do YOU keep a work / life balance?
In a world where consumerism is king, it’s easy to get caught up in all things superficial and believe that buying fancy, expensive things creates happiness, so let’s rewind; remember childhood and how it really didn’t take much to make you happy back in the day? Well, as an exercise, I decided to try a few fun activities that used to put a smile on my face and you know what … they made me really happy!
Here are some random, simple, little things that you can do with your friends or better yet, if you’re a parent, with your child(ren), to bring back those good times and you wont be breaking the bank!
1. Watch The Little Mermaid (my fave) or any other great kid flick (if you’re a parent this doesn’t mean catching glimpses here and there as you pass from the home office to the kitchen! SIT DOWN and watch it!).
2. Build a fort (or a tree-house if you’re feeling ambitious).
3. Make pb&j sandwiches. YUMMY.
4. Make friendship bracelets. Once you start making them, you’ll really be surprised by who asks you for one.
5. Re-arrange and decorate your bedroom. Let’s face it; it’s just as fun now as it was then.
6. Play capture-the-flag. Put your game-face on for some serious fun.
7. Run relay races (avoid hospital trips for stitches if possible).
8. Dress-Up Tea Parties. You can really get crazy with this one!
9. Eat some Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Lucky Charms. You’re an adult now and your parents can’t tell you no.
10. Bake a chocolate cake. Right after you put it in the oven don’t forget to lick the bowl clean, it’s the best part!
-By guest blogger Caroline Stilwell Burckle
Snow Woman
Lens Bound SnowballThe fam and I jumped in our truck and made the short drive up Mt. Lemmon several days ago to play in the snow and to be quite honest I'm not sure who had the most fun; unsurprisingly, Blaise thoroughly enjoyed the snowball fights.
The trip isn't a tradition for us yet but I have a feeling it's going to be.
Sacha, Amanda & Blaise
One of my favorite family pics from our last trip to Oahu.
Shepherds & Sheep
Blaise and I Decorating
Blaise