A Traveling Thought

Kiddywampus

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-06:00

"Nothing bad ever happens at Kiddywampus."

And once you step in, you will see why! After traveling through snowy weather, driving my 5 year old to her knees in prayer to ask for safety, we made it to this exuberant burst of confetti.

This "store" took my breath away. Kiddywampus was established by Amy Saldanha in Edina in 2006 as a place for kids to come and be kids.

And she got it right!

Two years later, Kiddywampus moved from a small boutiquesh location to their current location on Excelsion Blvd in St. Louis Park. The building is very uniquely shaped. It has great big windows and from the outside it looks like a party!

It looks like a party from the inside as well! Amy called it an interactive toy store. It is. It has some specialty toys as well as the expected LEGOS, Calico Critters, and Groovy Girls. They have some unique learning toys and building toys. Craft supplies are in abundance as well as different types of journals. Seriously, I saw Mom's 5 Second Journal, a mother/daughter journal, a girlygirl journal in one sweep of the sales floor; those are just the ones that I remember.

Meet Tillie!

Peekaboo, I see you.

This fun little display greets you
as you walk in the door!

Kiddywampus offers so much more than just toys to play with.

os2--Open Studio 2--a room solely for the purpose of making whatever craft your children want to. That's it! Is that not cool? All the mess can stay out of your house AND you don't have to gather the arts and craft supplies. They are in os2 and completely accessible. Amy was telling us that during Valentine's Day glitter is everywhere! And it's not in my house! There is an $8 fee per child for an hour of time, but I would say it's totally worth it.

kiddie play-- an indoor playroom you can reserve and rent for a small playgroup with at a fee per child. Once again, a nice place to come and play to change up your days in the winter stuck at home.

The Studio--This is the most magical place of the entire Kiddywampus experience. As I walked in, I let out an audible gasp. First of all, there is an enormous tree that envelops the entire space! Also, in the Studio there is a magic wall. Amy told both Storygirl and Sir that this was the only place in the whole world that you can throw paint at a wall. The Studio is used for birthday parties, music classes, science classes, art classes, even adult corporate events. These classes fill up fast, so if you are interested, I would recommend calling immediately!

Highlights:

Coat hooks! It is so much easier to enjoy a place without dealing with your children, your purse, and everyone's coats. The hooks are at sweet peas & buddies' level.
The staff. While we were there, Amy (the owner) and her employee Jen were so attentive to us. We were enthusiastically greeted immediately upon entering the store. They were constantly ensuring the sweet peas & buddies were enjoying themselves. They made sure everyone was safe (poor Squirt fell and scratched his face on a table), and they insisted that we didn't need to clean up after ourselves. Those words are paradise to a tired mama. They were so welcoming and kind and excited to meet us!
Sale prices. Kiddywampus is an independently owned and operated. Usually that means everything is a little more expensive. When we were there, they were having a huge sale. Everything was 40% off or more, and it was very comparable to the big name toy stores.

Disadvantages:

If you are coming West on Excelsior Blvd, you can't really see Kiddywampus. It will be on your right, but it shares part of the building with a Salon or something. But to come from the East, you need to do a U-Turn to get to the parking lot.
Apparently on Wednesdays and Thursdays, a weekly interactive music class that is extremely well-liked. It's difficult on those days to find parking.
Birthday parties are a little expensive, but for the service and experience you get, you will want to weigh its worth.

Kiddywampus is not like anything I've ever seen before. The words that best describe your Kiddywampus experience is sparkling, inspiring, vivacious, and animated. If you want your sweet peas &buddies to know these words first hand, Kiddywampus is the place to find that.

Struggling Parenting Older Kids

2012-01-29T22:20:00.003-06:00

I appreciate the guest post, Emerson Moses

My kids get older and older. I know it is an inevitable fact of life, but I wish they would stay young. Things were so much easier when they were young. Toys R Us was the best place on earth and buying a simple candy bar would make them happy. Now it seems they always want something. Last week, my youngest was demanding directstarTV. I am always up for something new, but I am never up for being told what to do. My little girl was demanding I get it. Once the shock finally wore off, I sent her to her room, but I am still in disbelief. This was once a cute little girl, who always asked for everything so politely and was always thankful for anything. Now, she is demanding things and slamming doors. Did I do something wrong? When did I become a bad parent? I love my kids, but they continue to become more and more of a challenge the older they get. Sometimes I wish there was a “how to” guide for each kid.

Friday Freebie

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-06:00

The WiNnER of the MyMemories.com Suite v3 software is Karen!!!! Congratulations, Karen! You can be looking for an email from me, soon!

Congratulations!

This week's freebie is pretty cute!

I like flowers though!
This freebie is only available until Wednesday, Feb 1, 2012. Go here to pick it up!

Now remember these free packs are .png files, so you can use them with any software. However, you have to put them on your page as an embellishment.

Once I figure out how to do this, I will totally explain it to you! I promise!

If these MyMemories.com pages picque your curiousity about their software, you can go to their website to learn more.

If you choose purchase this software, you can use my code on the checkout page to receive $10 off and $10 worth of free merchandise. (Disclosure: I receive a small compensation if you use this code, but at no cost to you!)

This is my code STMMMS49979

And here are my pages for this week

Travel Minnesota: The Mississippi River

2012-01-26T00:00:00.000-06:00

Don't forget to enter my giveaway of MyMemories Suite v.3. It's open until noon on Friday, January 27, 2012.

The history of the Mississippi River?
Well, it was on the 3rd day when God said, "Let the dry land be separate from the water."
And the Mississippi River was born.

And there you have it!

The history of the Mississippi River.

What? You want more?

Oh, well, since you insist.

The Mississippi River is the longest river in North America. It begins in our humble little state of Minnesota and travels over 2500 miles (the exact mileage is in constant debate according to Twin Cities Tours). Whatever the exact mileage is, it's one long river! Of that you can be sure.

The Mississippi River was named by the Ojibwe Indians. They called it messippi meaning Big Water and Mee-zee-see-bee which means Father of Waters. So you can see how Mississippi came from that.
If you are having trouble deciphering how it came to be, contact me and I would love to explain it more in depth.

At it's headwaters--Lake Itasca--it is 20 to 30 feet across and shallow enough to wade across. Then, about 300 miles farther south, Lake Pepin--a section of the river that forms a natural dam to create a lake--is two miles across. I find that fascinating! It took less than 5 hours (of driving time) for the Mississippi to go from 20 feet to over 10,000 feet. Is that not cool?

There is only one waterfall present in the entire length of the Mississippi River. And that waterfall happens to be in Minneapolis! St. Anthony Falls is the name of these beautiful falls. I don't know who they are named for. Around the Twin Cities there are a lot of areas with that name: St. Anthony Falls, St. Anthony Village, St. Anthony Main, St. Anthony Park.

Interesting, is it not? Apparently, in the Twin Cities, we love him.

There are 29 locks throughout the length of the Mississippi.
Why? If there is only one waterfall, why do you need locks and dams?
I don't get it. Can an engineer explain the need and the use of dams on a river for me? Apparently, my rudimentary knowledge is lacking.

The Mississippi River is an integral part of Minnesota history. It's been used for transportation and power. It's been enjoyed for its beauty and for its recreation opportunities.

There is so much to know about the Mississippi River in Minnesota that I was not able to include it all, but you can go here or here to learn more!

Travel Twin Cities: Choo Choo Bob's Train Store

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

Don't forget to enter my giveaway of MyMemories Suite v.3. It's open until noon on Friday, January 27, 2012.

At the crossroads of Marshall and Cleveland in St. Paul, you will find a thriving little shopping block. In this interesting little strip of retail real estate lies a bustling toy store named...
Choo Choo Bob's Train Store has been around since October of 2005 and was opened by Choo Choo Bob himself, Bob Medcraft.

I was first introduced to Choo Choo Bob's by my friend Amanda. I was so curious about this place that it wasn't long after she told me about it I went to check it out. Since then, it has become a favorite destination of my children--well, actually of my whole family. We bring grandma and grandpa. We meet our friends. We go to play! Dash and JackJack can't get enough of Choo Choo Bob, and my girls are entertained during our entire visits aswell!

This store is for the train enthusiast of any age. The first time I walked in there, I immediately felt that we were in a train store.

I know.

Dumbfoundingly obvious, isn't it?

But hear me out. The reason I say this is because some toy stores say they are train stores because they have a little Thomas and a little Brio or Chugginton. Other train stores are definitely not toy stores, have not ever been toy stores, and will never be a toy store built for a young train enthusiast.

On the other hand, Choo Choo Bob's was designed for the train lovers who have little hands and big hearts.

Like I said, when I walked into Choo Choo Bob's, the first feeling I got was that this was a train store. Behind the desk the wall is filled with displayed scale model railroad cars (as in H, N, and OH and whatever other sizes there are.) There is a shelf filled with picture books and history books about the history of trains in Minnesota. I didn't know there was so much to know.

The walls aren't painted with extremely bright colors. The floor is carpeted with a neutral berber. I think. I'll tell you this. My eyes were not drawn to the carpet.

But this is only at first glance. When I began to look around, I saw so much more:

model railroad displays (at the children's level). More than just one. There were at least three on display if not more than that.
six train tables in the back of the store with set ups for the youngest train lovers to use.
one train table in the front of the store similar to those in the back.
rentable and nostalgic party rooms (a second one was just added this past fall which they call "The New Party Room."). These party rooms are designed to look like train stations and add to the decor of the play areas.
shelves and shelves of railroad accessories, railroad toys, a tv monitor with a train video playing.

Choo Choo Bob's Train Store was not designed to be the end all be all of model railroading. They readily admit this themselves. This is the perfect place to come and introduce an imagination to the joy of trains. This is the place to come for a beginner model train set. This is the place to come to play.

Choo Choo Bob's Train Store was designed as a playland. It's a playland for moms and kids, dads and kids, grandpas and kids, and grandmas and kids. Being able to enjoy the Choo Choo Bob's experience together is what makes it special.

Highlights:

The store is not particularly huge, and every inch of space is used effectively. The front of the store is used for the big-hands train lovers, and the back two thirds are used for the little-hands/big-hearts train lovers. I am starting to enjoy small stores that welcome little ones.
You can rent the train station party rooms for birthday parties. The birthday parties cost $125 for 8 guests ($5 per child over 8) which includes a goodie bag, a wooden train craft, use of the room for 2 hours, gourmet train cake from a local bakery, all the necessary table supplies (and clean up crew), and beverages.
Engineer Paul and the rest of the staff. They are so excited and enjoyable. Sometimes they are a bit eccentric, but they are always educational. Engineer Paul leads story times on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays and Saturdays of the month. He sings songs, reads stories, and engages with each and any child who wants to be included. Engineer Paul is one of the most loveable reasons to go to Choo Choo Bob's. Look for the grandpa-man in the engineer hat and uniform with the red bandana and perfect engineer beard.
Individual pieces of wooden track are for sale. This may not be unique, but it's helpful.

Disadvantages:

Even though you are not traveling to Grand Avenue in St. Paul, Marshall Avenue is still busy. There is a small parking lot in the back which is super helpful, but if you visit during storytime or a Saturday morning, you may need to find a parking spot along the street.
Since the store is small, it can get pretty crowded inside. Most people are very polite and understanding, but you need to be willing to be cramped a little and help with the sharing of the train tables.
Bob Medcraft (Choo Choo Bob) has created a TV show surrounding Choo Choo Bob's trains. What is the disadvantage of this you ask? There is a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scene (ha! get it?) concerning a TV show and right now this TV show does not have network backer so it's not on TV yet. You can get the 2 DVDs that they sell at the store, but that's the limit. That's kind of a bummer. But everything is in the works and they are in the process of producing an entire season of shows full steam ahead with the expectation that they will be on the air soon.

When you walk into Choo Choo Bob's Train Store, make sure you look up at the ceiling and then look around the store. You never know when you might run into something unexpected. Then, take off your jackets, get on your knees, and play!

Extra Cash

2012-01-22T20:55:00.000-06:00

To make some extra cash online, I'm going to go here

I haven't actually checked it out yet. I'll let you know what I discover. If it's all good, feel free to click on the ad at the top of the page and you can join me!

Friday Freebie

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

Don't forget to enter my giveaway of MyMemories Suite v.3. It's open until noon on Friday, January 27, 2012 .

This week, the MyMemories Freebie looks like this!

You can get it by going here.

These freebies are .png files so you can use them with any software. The Freebie contains the 2 Quick Pages shown and all the pieces (papers and elements) used to create those Quick Pages!

These Quick Pages are deliberately created as "two-page layouts."

Here are my pages for this week.

I tweaked it and it's a little bit better.
I like the caramel color in the back.

If you are interested in learning more about MyMemories.com, feel free to check them out. If you like what you see (i'm starting to like it more and more), you can use my code to get $10 off and $10 worth of free merchandise.
Gianna's MyMemories Code: STMMMS49979

Copy and paste that into the promotional box when you check out.

This page was a blast! But so was our trip!

Disclaimer: If you do purchase MyMemories using my code, I will receive compensation at no cost to you.

Travel Minnesota: History of Stillwater

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-06:00

Don't forget to enter my giveaway of MyMemories Suite v.3. It's open until noon on Friday, January 27, 2012

image courtesy of leclouxt

I had no idea where to start my Minnesota history lessons.
Minnesota's history is super diverse. From the fur traders to the farmers, the rivers to the railroad, the iron range to lakes, Lake Superior to the Red River Valley.
So today we are going to begin by looking at Minnesota's first town.

Besides being in Michelle Bachman's district, Stillwater is known today for being a quaint riverside town. Nestled on the banks of the St. Croix River, it is possible to cross into Wisconsin over the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge. Antique and specialty shops line the main street as well as an abundance of unique restaurants. Filling the neighborhoods is a plethora of bed and breakfasts.

There are so many funny things regarding this history of this small town.

First of all, it was established in 1848, just after Wisconsin became a state. Stillwater hosted the Stillwater Convention (terribly obvious, wouldn't you say) to determine the petition for Minnesota to become a territory.

And all of us Minnesotans can say, "Thank you, Stillwater."

Even though Stillwater was established in 1848, it didn't become a city for another 6 years. In those 6 years, Stillwater was busy.

Stillwater, Minnesota was named for Stillwater, Maine. John McKusik was the first mayor. Maybe he was from Maine. Maybe he wanted to go to Maine. I don't know. But that is how the city got its name.
John McKusik along with 3 other buddies established the Stillwater Lumber Company and built a huge mill. After a while they musta said, "Later, dude!" because he became the sole owner of the mill. Once the mill was in operation, people started to converge on Stillwater. Probably because they needed work, huh?
Stillwater was filled with lumberjacks. Being on the river made it a successful logging town by adding mills that were steam-powered. Roads and railways connected city to city, and it wasn't long before Stillwater was the main source of lumber to the entire St. Croix Valley. I wonder how easy it was to find a husband. Probably not that easy since they were lumberjacks and women usually didn't travel from Maine to Minnesota by themselves!
After Minnesota because a territory in 1849, the first thing Stillwater wanted to do was build the territory's prison. I find this somewhat ironic since now it's a hotspot for tourists. The prison is still in Stillwater which I still find ironic due to the fact Stillwater loves its tourists.

And there you have it. A short list of facts for you regarding Minnesota's first city!
Again I say, "Thank you, Stillwater!"

Travel Twin Cities: The Red Balloon Bookshop

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-06:00

Don't forget to enter my giveaway of MyMemories Suite v.3. It's open until noon on Friday, January 27, 2012

Located on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, The Red Balloon Bookshop is a perfect stop for everyone on the family.

The first time I ever entered this store, I was 10 years old (give or take). It was so magical then.

And it is still just as magical today.

Okay, so I'll admit it. I'm a sucker for books. I like to be surrounded by books. I like piles of books and stacks of books. Books on shelves. Books on beds. Books in bags. Books scattered around my house (just not on the floor where they can and will be stepped on).

It tickles my fancy to see my kids enamoured by books as much as I am.

And The Red Balloon Bookshop does everything right to make books magical.

Now that I've used the word magical three times in my description of The Red Balloon Bookshop, let me describe it for you.

It's located in big gray house right off of Grand Ave in St. Paul. As you walk into the store, you find yourself in book wonderland.

Picture the library scene in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. While the books don't climb exactly that high on the walls, you get the same sense of breathtaking "Wow!"

It's spacious lay-out makes it very user friendly. Almost every corner is visible from anywhere in the store, and because it is open, I was able to hear my children when I wasn't able to see them.

As we explored this homey bookshop , my eye caught the sign that said, "Bargain Books in the basement." Of course. The four of us, traipsed down the stairs to explore what goodies they had hiding down there.

In a sectioned off area from the book processing space, The Red Balloon Bookshop had crammed Educational books,

Bargain books,

Grown-up Bargain books,

and Foreign Language books.

My family is in love with Skippyjon Jones. We were able to find a brand new copy of Skippyjon Jones and Mummy Troubles for $4. It was thrilling!

It was awesome!

Everyone was excited!

When our treasure hunt was deemed successful, we traveled back up the stairs to enjoy a bit more of The Red Balloon Bookshop.

With lots of book characters to love (Princess Pea is holding her good friend Olivia) and other "old-fashioned" toys, The Red Balloon Bookshop brings you back to the simple joys of life.

A good book is priceless.

And a bookshop filled with good books is even better.

Can I say that I love that they call themselves a bookshop and not a bookstore. The word shop is just so sublime for this gem.

Highlights

Parking on Grand Avenue can be hectic (like I mentioned here), and The Red Balloon has a small parking lot in the back. This is extremely helpful. I'm sure on busy days, it gets filled up quickly, but check it out first before trying to park on the street. There is also a back entrance into the shop so you don't need to walk around the store (in the snow if it's a snowy MN winter).
They offer red balloons to families. One per family. People know where you've been if you decide to walk Grand Ave. after enjoying your visit.
The staff is sweet. You can tell that they truly love books. And that they truly love children. They are upbeat and kind, ready with a smile. JackJack was playing with a broken toy and honestly, I wasn't sure if he had broken it or not. I brought it up to the counter and they didn't accuse us of breaking it. They didn't even allude to that (which honestly, I probably would have done). They were so gracious.

Disadvantages

They are on Grand Avenue, so when it's busy, parking can be extremely difficult.
Some of the books within JackJack's reach were a little too fragile (especially in the basement). A 21 month old tearing through a pop-up book without major adult intervention makes me a little nervous. I do not want to buy a torn pop-up book even if it did come from the Bargain section.
There is a single step (or was it double? I can't exactly remember) up into part of the store. Everything was carpeted so tumbles were not a major factor but not everything was wheelchair accessible.

As you can see, I was in love with this bookshop. If you are on the east side of the Twin Cities, it's indubidibly a must see. Even if you aren't on the east side, it's worth it.

Friday Giveaway

2012-01-13T01:16:00.000-06:00

The Giveaway is officially closed!

The first Friday of every month this year, I want to try to host a giveaway. This January edition of first Friday giveaway not pushed back to the 2nd Friday, but let's see what happens, shall we?

This has been such a ride.

And entering this is your freebie this week! By the way, my giveaways are and will be listed on Contestgirl.

My first giveaway is from MyMemories.com. They are offering a complete My Memories Suite v3 for you to have. With this prize, you can join me this year in documenting 2 pages each week to create a whole album that will be completed by the end of the year. That's over 100 pages by the end of the year (or just about by the time we get started).

Here's a sample of what I created this week.

I created this page from the layout to the
colors/papers/embellishments.

This was a pre-made page. I customized it.
I still need to tweak it, but I like that it was so easy.

How you enter (leave a comment for each of these that you do).

Mandatory Entry--Go to MyMemories.com and tell me which new kit I should purchase
Bonus entries-- Become a follower of A Traveling Thought
Post my giveaway on your wall
Tweet about this giveaway
Write a blog post about this giveaway.

The winner of the giveaway will be announced on Friday, January 27, 2012.

Travel Minnesota: A History

2012-01-12T00:20:00.000-06:00

When I was in 6th grade, we spent the entire year studying the history of Minnesota.

So let me recap what I remember about Minnesota history from 23 years ago.

image courtesy of julycoaron

First here's what I don't remember

What year Minnesota became a state. (if you must know it 1858, but I only remember because I looked it up for my father in law who was born, raised, and still resides in Wisconsin)
Who were the first people to live her besides the Dakota and Ojibwe tribes.
Why St. Paul became the capital
Why there's a little bump on the western border
What the reason for the Red River running north instead of south is

I'm sure there are plenty other facts I don't remember I learned in 6th grade, but I can tell you that it is not Mr. Witt's fault. He was definitely one of my favorite teachers BY FAR!

Let's move on to what I do remember.

Minnesota's state bird is the loon; the state mushroom is the morel (and why we have to have a state mushroom is beyond me); the drink is milk (move over Wisconsin); the muffin is blueberry (oh, yeah! go blueberry!); the state flower is the pink ladyslipper (however, I have only ever seen one in Wisconsin); the state rock is the Lake Superior Agate; and the state motto is in French but means "Star of the North" (because of the lower 48 states, Minnesota has the most northern border).
The French fur traders were very active here. (I remember this because we had to write a pretend fur traders journal and one of my entries was that I saw a bullet heading towards me and I saved a child's life or something. Yeah, I was getting sick of writing, "6 pelts in my traps today" or "no pelts today. I may need to move my traps.")
They discovered iron in northern Minnesota (now known as the iron range) and developed taconite by mixing iron with steel? (I'm a little fuzzy on that detail).
There was a big logging boom. (when? I'm not sure)
There are indian burial grounds called "mounds" somewhere. But to tell you the truth, I didn't really understand how these were different than hills with items buried in them. I'm not trying to be disrespectful. I really just didn't get it.

Does this entice you to come see my awesome state? If not, keep coming back on Thursdays and I will give you another chunk of fascinating history. From here on out, it's gonna be researched by my presently. Not by me when I was in 6th grade.

I promise!

Head On Over to Pam's Blog

2012-01-11T16:33:00.000-06:00

Go check me out at my good friend's blog The Busy Woman's Guide to Surviving Motherhood.
Me and all my wittiness and wisdom about traveling.
Yeah, because that's me!

Travel Twin Cities: Creative Kidstuff

2012-01-11T00:15:00.000-06:00

Many locations throughout the Twin Cities host this popular toystore.

Creative Kidstuff is a locally designed, owned, and operated. They have locations in Edina, Maple Grove, Minneapolis (in the Linden Hills neighborhood), Wayzata, St. Louis Park, and St. Paul. They have even expanded to West Des Moines, Iowa.

We happened to be in the neighborhood of St. Paul's Grand Avenue location, so we stopped in to check it out.

Grand Avenue is host to a variety of eclectic shops, and Creative Kidstuff fits right in. They have a wide variety of toys: From specialty toys (European designed toy cars and Papo figurines) to common toys (LEGOS and playmobile). They had a wide variety of toys. They are a small shop, so, of course, they are not going to have the same number of toys in stock as the big toy stores. But I was supremely impressed with the selection.

The store was divided into several areas. These included

Trucks and cars
LEGOs and Playmobile
Outside toys like scooters. They even had special order playground equipment that reminded me of tinker toys.
Trains--mostly Chuggington
Books
Collectable Figurines.
Pretend play with a kitchen, cooking utensils, house cleaning supplies, gardening supplies, costumes
Dolls
Marbles. An entire display of marbles: large ones, small ones, shiny ones, transparent ones. How cool is that? Marbles. I don't think I've seen marbles for years--if ever. By themselves anyway. I have seen them with the Klutz books, but for some reason that's not the same.
Pets--not stuffed animals. No, oh no. Supplies for your pets. For instance, there was a leather pouch that you could buy that made it possible to carry water for your dog when you go on a walk. And cat nip and such.

The store was spacious and colorful being well kept and orderly. Not once did I lose a child because even when I couldn't see them, I could hear them. The oversized windows and cheery lighting made the whole store feel like Candyland.

Highlights:

Each divided section of the store had a play area of those toys to use. The pretend play area had a kitchen set with a gazillion food items and utensils. The outdoor area had a small set up for the kids to climb on with a slide. The train area had a train table.
There was a big table in the back that looked like it was used for whatever the guests wanted to use it for. A big white table just the height for your child. At least for my children!
My absolute favorite was the bathroom. The founders of Creative Kidstuff know kids. When I noticed that Sir was possibly needing to use the facilities, I asked a staff member where the bathroom was, and she stopped everything she was doing to let us in. Once Sir was done using the toilet and was washing his hands, I noticed a small handwritten note on the mirror that said, "Look up at the ceiling, turn off the lights, and what do you see?" So we did that. Sir was entranced. I convinced Storygirl to take a bathroom break, too, and showed her the ceiling in the dark when she was done. "ooooh, they're stars!"

Disadvantages:

Parking on Grand Avenue can be tricky as mostly it's street parking. However, honestly I did not experience what the parking was like or if they had their own small lot in the back as we had parked 4 blocks away earlier in the day and had walked. When it is January 9th and over 30 degrees without any wind in Minnesota, you take advantage of the beautiful weather and walk. Because in Minnesota during January, that feels like May! I can tell you that whenever we had to cross Grand Ave, we crossed at the corner. Every single time we did that, drivers stopped for us. I'm not exaggerating. They were so considerate. Part of that may have had to do that we were crossing at the crosswalk, so I would highly recommend obeying the traffic laws and being as considerate of the drivers as they are of pedestrians.
The tempting bins of random, miscellaneous toys was RIGHT at Squirt's height. I chased him down on numerous occassions in order to replace items in the correct bins. That was pretty exhausting. And I know they do that on purpose so that the kids can enjoy them, but as a mama? That's a hard one.

Like I stated, there are other locations throughout the Twin Cities. I experienced the St. Paul location, but my guess is that they are all pretty similar having the same philosophy of kind and joyful customer service and a well maintained store. I did not feel the pressure to buy anything. I was regarded as a guest and treated with dignity.

Creative Kidstuff is enjoyable because it was made for kids. It was a delightful experience and one well worth it.

A Perfect Opportunity

2012-01-10T00:51:00.000-06:00

Since beginning 1st grade, Sweet Girl has proven she is a strong strong reader, but her math skills need some strengthening. Since this has been on my mind, I am excited to learn more about K5 Learning.

K5 Learning has an online reading and math program for kindergarten to grade 5 students. I've been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program. If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an online learning review of their program.

NoMoreRack.com

2012-01-07T21:18:00.003-06:00

This message is brought you by friends of nomorerack.com.

Saving a buck is always helpful especially when you are saving towards something like a vacation or a wedding or--ahem--a mid-life crisis adventure. Never mind that I want to travel to all the continents.
That's not important. What is important is that somehow I need to figure how I'm going to do that.

Despite what trip I am saving money for, I still have things that come up and need to be taken care of; like gifts for birthdays or clothes to wear or shoes to replace or food to eat. There are things that need to be purchased and should not be ignored. I can't place all my money into savings without taking care of the basics first.
And since that is the case, we must find whatever we can to save on these things that can be inconvenient but are still important.

My way to do that is by shopping second hand stores (for clothes) or extreme couponing (for groceries and diapers) or using discount sites like nomorerack.com (for birthday gifts). I love discount sites like this! They are so fun. Nomorerack.com specializes in canceled orders and overstocked items posting 8 new deals each day. (and one for charity) Apparently, they charge no more than $2 for shipping! How incredibly cool is that?

I have not purchased anything from them yet, but I wanted to learn more.

I follow a blog called Mom Tried It and I was curious to see what she had learned through the nomorerack reviews. And because I trust her, I was excited to learn that she too was impressed by nomorerack.com.

Also, I learned from A Helicopter Mom that you don't need to worry about nomorerack scams. This company is legitmate and FUN!

The items you can purchase there are limited so they can sell out fast If you are interested, you need to jump on it. What I'm going to do with this site is make a list of people who need birthday gifts andstop by every few days. By being proactive, I plan on saving money and being generous in giving gifts! It's a win win situation.

Watch out world, I am going to be coming at you with some awesome gifts, and you aren't going to want to know how much I acutally paid for them. Or you might, but I won't tell you!

I'm saving for my next overseas journey, remember?

MyMemories Freebie Giveaway

2012-01-06T15:19:00.000-06:00

My Memories is another digital scrapbooking option for you.

The Perks from My Memories:

You download it to your computer so you don't have to be online to work on your album.
They have a wide variety of pages and embellishments and such to choose from, but if you are like me and need it simplified, they also have lots of premade pages.
They offer freebies frequently.

Here's their freebie for you today (it's good for the next week or so). All you have to do is go here for this free package.

This comes as a .png file, so you are able to use it in any software.

These freebies include 2 Quick Pages, and all of the papers and elements used in creating them. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format. These Quick Pages will not autoinstall into the software itself, but are used by adding to your project as you would a photo, and then layering your photo behind the open box. From there you can add journaling, embellishments and more to truly personalize!!

If you like what MyMemories has to offer, you can consider going to their site to purchase the MyMemories Suite v3 package. If you use this code: STMMMS49979. you will recieve $10 off your entire purchase AND $10 of free product.

I will share a new freebie link with you each Friday. Look for it!

In the interest of full disclosure, if you purchase the MyMemories Suite v3 software package, I will receive compensation at no cost to you.

Travel Minnesota: The Truth

2012-01-05T15:30:00.002-06:00

I live in Minnesota, so when I hear that people from far away (i.e. beyond the neighboring states) are interested in visiting Minnesota, I have two reactions. First of all, I'm shocked. And secondly, I'm beyond proud.

Why am I shocked? I grew up all over Minnesota. I was born in the Red River Valley (Northwest), we lived on the prairie, we lived in the North Shore region, we lived near "the lakes" region, and I've lived in the Twin Cities for a long time now. Except for the southern part of the state, it's fair to say, I know my state pretty well. And since I know it so well, I forget that it's cool. (Kind of like when you've been married for a while and you forget how awesome your husband is--not that would ever happen with us of course, ahem!)

Then, I remember how cool it really is (much like your husband). And oh, is it cool! When that happens, I become supremely proud. No, you are right. Minnesota doesn't have Disney World or Disneyland or Universal Studios or Six Flags or Kings Island. We don't even have the Wisconsin Dells--it would be a big strange to have the Wisconsin Dells in Minnesota, don't you think?--or the Black Hills.

image courtesy of llamoore

What we do have is a lot of nature. We are known as the land of 10,000 lakes. But that isn't completely accurate. We actually have more lakes than just a mere 10,000.

And now, I must reveal the TRUTH to you, my dear readers: Wisconsin has approximately as many lakes as Minnesota does. Maybe a few less, but nothing to scoff at. I believe Iowa has a lot of lakes, too (don't quote me on that, I could be very wrong), but I do know that Minnesota isn't unique in the vast surplus of lake water.

However, let not that stop you from visiting our fine state! Our state is unique as the NORTH shore of Lake Superior runs along our border. We share the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and the Lake of the Woods with Canada. The Mississippi River's headwaters begin in our state and you can WALK across it! We have fantastic state parks to camp in. Many even have camping cabins to rent so all you need to do bring your sleeping bags--no need to haul your shelter. We are diverse. You will find river towns and mining towns and prairie towns and even the big city in our state.

And the big city (actually citIES!) is full of culture. It's nothing to scoff at. Minneapolis and St. Paul are meccas of places for art, theatre, music, and dining.

We are quite proud of ourselves even if we do say boat and goat with weird Minnesota accents!

As the year progresses, I will be sharing with you more in depth about our awesome state!

Travel Twin Cities: Wild Rumpus

2012-01-04T05:00:00.000-06:00

There's this little bookstore hidden in Minneapolis. It's a quaint little place where the books are numerous as are the animals! Today our cousin Melody with her baby and I with my sweet peas and buddies explored my ideal of a bookstore. Let me introduce you to Wild Rumpus.

Located in the Linden Hills neighborhood not far from Lake Harriet, Wild Rumpus is a dream. It's the place where you can pull up a chair or a bench and just read without any distractions.

No, forgive me. That's not what I meant. There are plenty of distractions. Mostly coming in the form of little beasts.

Including a 2 chickens who are welcome to roam the store freely, 2 cats who have the same privileges,

2 ferrets (who are nicely caged), a lizard named Spike, a tarantula, a chinchilla, 3 cockatiels, 2 doves, and a rat. The rat lives in a cage under the floor boards. You can see him through a glass window in the floor.

And no, I couldn't walk over him without getting the heebie jeebies and nervously gagging and shuddering.

But when there are good books to be had, nothing can stop you! You will read and read. And Wild Rumpus has plenty of great books!
Sweet Girlwas in heaven with books surrounding her floor to ceiling. (who am I kidding? I was in heaven!) Squirt was in heaven with a gazillion nooks and crannies in which to hide (I on the other hand kept losing him! I wasn't too worried since the store wasn't that big). Seriously, there are a gazillion nooks and crannies which makes me love it even more! I wouldn't want it any other way. It's perfect just the way it is.

This was one of my favorite parts of the store. Recycled Books. Read: Used books. And while they were a dollar, I was able to leave the store having spent only $2. 1 dollar for sugary treats and 1 dollar for a young reader's abridged version of Jane Eyre. Sweet Girl will begin to read the classics before you know it.

Storygirl roamed around the store toggling back and forth between seeking out animals and reading books. She could have spent 4 hours there and not been ready to leave.

And yet when it was time to go, everyone had had such a fulfilling experience, that we all left with smiles on our faces (and the promise of candy in the van)!

Highlights of Wild Rumpus:

the animals. The favorites included: the cats for Storygirl and Sweet Girl, the lizard and the birds for Sir, and the chickens for Squirt. He would chase them behind the counter any chance he got. He even walked away from the counter with me, waited for me to turn my back, and darted back over then when I did. He was a little stinker!
the books. For being a small, locally owned bookstore, their selection of books was incredible. Literally, books were floor to ceiling
the coat rack. When you walk in the door, there is a place to hang your jackets so that you can enjoy the store without wearing a hot coat or lugging it around.
the door. An adult door had a small child-sized purple door built into it. It was perfect.

Disadvantages:

the parking leaves much to be desired, especially in the winter. It's only street parking, so once we parked, we had to walk quite a ways to get to the store. However, that could also be due to the fact that I don't have parking assistant in my car and it's been 17 years since I took my driver's test and had to pass that part. Now, I just circle the block until I find a spot big enough to fit into! Or park a long ways away.
swanky. Linden Hills is a very swanky neighborhood. However, I did not feel out of place once in the store. The store is so down to earth that I felt like everyone else there except that I didn't have tortoise-shell eyewear and I wasn't wearing a black puffy coat.

I would recommend Wild Rumpus to anyone who loves books, young or old, who has children, young or old, and who wants the ultimate book heaven adventure.

Posted with permission from Wild Rumpus.

A New Focus

2012-01-01T15:56:00.002-06:00

I have a new purpose for A Traveling Thought.

I love to travel. One of my dreams and goals for my life is to visit the 6 inhabitable continents. I want to experience culture. All kinds of culture. I want to see how other people live and eat and adapt to each other and their environments--both natural and economical.

I have no desire to travel to Antartica as I don't want to learn about the culture of penguins.

People? Yes.
Penguins? No.

I have already been to Mongolia three times for a total of 8 1/2 weeks. I have experienced 6 days in China (I have stood on the Great Wall of China 3 times--my guess is that not too many people can say that; not even everyone in China has done that). Unfortunately, it was all in Beijing, but those short visits were incredible making me want to go back and learn more! I have even been to South Korea for a night and a day.

I want to visit Africa. Visiting Europe is my dream. South America and Central America are on my list. Heck, I even want to see Mexico. I live in Minnesota. There is a greater chance of visiting Canada than of visiting Mexico--although I am in the Mexico-visiting minority of my friends. I have been to Canada; even though I have not gone too far past the border.

These dreams are on hold right now as I am busy being an active mom. I am not willing to travel across the ocean alone and miss my children growing up. So instead, I am going to do some traveling around my neighborhood and telling you all about the adventures. I live in the Twin Cities in Minnesota, so this year, I am going to focus on points of interest in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Each week I will focus a post on a new location.

Also, I will try to give good traveling advice for families: Good places for pit stops, restuarants that are family friendly, games for the car, airport hints. I want to be helpful, but whatever I say will only be suggestions. What I will tell you is not fool-proof. I may even add humorous traveling stories of our family. With 4 kids from ages 1 to 6, there are bound to be some great stories (I use the term great loosely--it's all about your perspective!)

But as I build this website, I plan on traveling more and telling you all about it. Moving on to the upper Midwest like outstate Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Iowa. You know the states neighboring MN.

Please join me as I travel around my town and enjoy my discoveries.

Anyway, all this to say

Computer Routine

2011-12-30T16:42:00.001-06:00

Guest post written by Joseph Finch

Every time I sit down at a computer, I have a routine that I go through. The first thing I do is check facebook. I begin by going through my news feed on facebook to see if there is anything I missed since I was last on a computer such as engagements, pregnancies, new pictures, or status updates. After I finish looking at other peoples’ facebook pages, I usually change my status at least once during the day before I move on to the next part of my routine. I then check my personal email, which has become quite a task. I am not sure how this happened, but I have been receiving so much junk in my email, so it takes me a long time to go through it each time I check it. Luckily I have it on my phone as well, so by the time I check it on a computer, I usually have already seen most of the emails. Lastly, I check my work email. I do not do this as often, because I usually check it when I go to work. However, I only work one day per week, so if I wait a full week to check it, then my inbox will have at least 50 new emails waiting for me when I get to it. I am really glad I have East Providence Clear internet so I am able to keep up my routine each time I sit down at a computer.

don't be Stuck in the House

2011-12-29T14:38:00.001-06:00

When I have company come over...in the middle of winter...in Minnesota, we have to figure out some things for people to do or we go stir crazy!
Even ME and it's MY house!
My girls are too loud.
My boys are too whiny.
Everyone is running around the house like crazy people and I can't take it.

So we make plans.
Plans to leave the house.
Even when it's 50 degrees below zero.

It's worth all the coats and hats and mittens and gloves and boots.
Trust me.

Everyone will be so much happier if you structure your guests' visit just a little.

We plan one excursion outside of the house per day that everyone can enjoy. A child friendly muesum, an indoor playground, swimming (although this one I don't recomment until they are all aware of water and can obey well)
We have separate grown up time and kid time.
We make simple meals. Lots of soups and casseroles that can be made ahead of time.
Since we don't have a dishwasher, we use paper plates at some meals. (not all the meals, but some)
We divide and "conquer." A couple of kids with me. A couple with daddy or the guests. That way everyone gets some focused attention.

When all else fails, we banish the kids to the play room!

Enjoy your guests while they are with you. Read cues they are sending and be sensitive to their different preferences.

I am learning this all. the. time!

Attn: BLOGGERS - Great opporuntunity!! Join OutnumberedMama in giving away a $1200 Cash!

2011-12-26T16:33:00.002-06:00

Please excuse this interruption of your usual A Traveling Thought blogging ;)

OutnumberedMama is organizing a large cash giveaway for the new year - Jump into 2012 with $1200. It will start the first week of January and run for three weeks. The layout will be roughly the same as previous multi-blog giveaways (blog post & graphic provided, rafflecopter code included).

Buy is $10 per entry method (Facebook, twitter, Google+, rss, newsletter, vote).

Additionally she will be looking for up to three banner sponsors that will each put in $100 to have their name added to the graphic, be listed at the top of every blog post and have their twitter ID included in the daily tweet optional entry.

You can also get another entry for free for every 5 people that you refer to this giveaway - so please share this with your fellow bloggers.

If you are interested please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFRDcTU5bjZRalVSMDVmajVTWnFGNXc6MQ

And send your payment via PayPal to 1outnumberedmama@gmail.com

If you have any questions, or suggestions, please feel free to contact her. We hope you all have a great holiday!

Registration ends DECEMBER 31st!

Currently Participating Blogs:

Retail Therapy Lounge

Thifty Divas

Burning Moon

Travel Contests & Sweepstakes

Disney Contests & Sweepstakes

Savvy Sister Shop

As Mom Sees It

Chic Monkey Boutique

Indiana Coupon Saving & Giveaways

Sprinkle Me Pink

Finger Click Savings

Cindy Batchelor

Peanut Butter and Whine

We now return you back to you regularly scheduled blogging...

Confession of a Christmas Non-Crafter

2011-12-13T22:43:00.000-06:00

I am not crafty.

I can scrapbook--kind of...if I get the time...whenever that may be.

But I must tell you that I am not even kind of crafty.

About my inability to make something worthy of gift giving? I have decided I am never going to make a "gift" again. Oh, no.
I will bake everyone a loaf of bread.
Yes, a loaf of bread.
But make a gift?
No.
I just can't do it.
Of these, I am not proud. I will put on a proud face for my kids because they are excited about them.

They sure are!
But me?
Not so much!

So next year and the year after that and the year after that it's bread. Fresh bread. I think.

Crafty Tools--Improvising and Frugal

2011-12-07T06:42:00.001-06:00

When I was a kid, my mom would make a new Christmas ornament representing that year. Actually she did it starting the year she and my dad got married, but of course I don't remember those first 4 Christmases. But I do remember the ones where my brother, Andrew, and I got to be involved.

A couple of years ago, I decided that I liked that tradition. But I am not as, how shall we say it, as crafty as my mom. She would say otherwise, but this is my blog, not hers, huh? And truth be told, I'm not.

2 years ago, my girls pained wood ornaments with acrylic paint. Last year, we made salt dough ornaments (oh, THAT was an experience--let me tell you!). This year, I found origami box ornaments. They aren't that hard.

Once I figured out how to fold the paper into a box shape and not a 3D trapezoid, it was a piece of cake!

I learned how to do this on the DIY channel on the internet--or something, I don't even remember now--and watched their 4 minute tutorial. Then, I watched it again with a piece of paper in front of me.

Not too bad. I could do this. They suggested using a bone folder to make the folds tight.

I don't have a bone folder. I didn't have time to go get one. I didn't want to spend money on one. But was I going to let that stop me?

NO WAY, JOSE!

I ran to our kitchen utensil drawer and dug around for a butter knife.

There you have it, folks! My one bone folder. I just use the flat butt of the knife and press down firmly. The crease is gorgeous! GORGEOUS, I tell you!

So if you ever want to make an origami something--box or swan--please know that you don't need a bone folder. And one butter knife will do you fine!

Thankful For My Sister

2011-11-28T14:50:00.001-06:00

Author: Dorsey Velasquez

My older sister is a life saver. I have always been so thankful to have her in my life and this past month has not been any different. I recently bought my first house and while I was and still am very excited, the entire process has been a little overwhelming. Surprisingly, a lot of the major stuff I was able to do. I was able to get a mortgage from the bank and actually got a great rate. However, the small stuff was very hard for me. I knew I needed to paint the walls, but had no idea what color to pick. I know it is a minor decision, but thankfully my sister was able to help me pick some wonderful paint colors. They coordinate wonderfully and are going to look great in the house. I then realized I didn’t know a thing about texaselectricityproviders. I know this should have been another easy one, but for some reason I freaked out over having to make this decision. I have no idea why and if you asked me today I would have no problem. Nonetheless, my sister helped me though it all and for that I am very thankful.

Black Friday was Yesterday

2011-11-26T14:36:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, my husband had to work overnight at his store due to Black Friday.
He told me that when the store opened at 9:00 pm, there was a crazy rush into the store until about 1:00 am.

Then, it died.

Completely.

By 4:00 am, they were sending employees home since there was nothing for them to do except straighten. And they had just spent 3 hours straightening. The store probably never has looked that clean.

Due to his overnight shift, Chris had to sleep all day on Friday, so the kids and I camped out at our friends' house. We had a great day. And Chris got an entirely quiet house in which to rest! It was perfect.

At 11:30, Dacia (my friend) and I decided to brave the crowds since I needed to get a birthday present for Princess Pea. After dropping her car at the mechanic (oh, and that's a whole different story), we drove to JC Penney. Was it busy? Yes. Was it difficult to find a parking spot? Maybe a little, but it could have been a lot worse. Was it completely insane?

Nope!

And so there you have it.

Black Friday Hints for Normal People

Go shopping on Black Friday after the selfish insane crazy nuts are gone.

Don't pick the things that are on the front of the flyers. Pick the lesser sought after things and hope to get them.
Be excited for the things you get for a great deal and let the rest of it go! (like the things they were sold out of)

Fluid Scheduling

2011-11-22T22:16:00.001-06:00

Two weeks ago, I was full force into my our schedule at home. It was going swimmingly and ~~everyone~~ I was starting to get the hang of it. There was still a lot of convincing and encouraging that needed to take place, but it was going well.

Then, last week hit.
AKA Stomach Flu Week.
AKA Puke Week.

It all started with my littlest on Monday night. On Wednesday night the next two youngest got it at the SAME time (which honestly is a blessing). I came home from church that night and both Chris and I got sick. Then, Friday night, our oldest woke up vomitting all over her bed. I think she and our little guy had it the worst.

Now, it has run it's course in our house and I hope that I can safely say, we are done. At least for the time being.

However, for an entire week, our schedule was thrown COMPLETELY out of whack. We slept in, we hardly ate, we didn't go to school, we didn't go to work (luckily, Chris got sick on his days off), we watched a LOT of TV. So much TV has been ingested that I banned for this entire week.

Well, that is until Thursday night when the Christmas specials start playing. And Daddy is at work. And I will be home alone with the children after a long day at Grandma and Grandpa's.

I know my limits.

However, this week, we are trying to get back to our schedule. Honestly, it hasn't been that hard getting back into the routine. Maybe because this week is a vacation week for Wordgirl, so we are starting an hour later than on school days. Maybe because they really like knowing what is happening and can count on it. Maybe because they can show their older sister what they do each day? Whatever the reason, easing back into our schedule is a lot easier than I had prepared myself for.

I like it when it works out that way!

We all gotta give ourselves (and our little ones) a chance to learn and relearn. And it's important to stay fluid and go with the flow.

Cookbooks Every Mama Should Have

2011-11-18T21:20:00.001-06:00

Whether you are a willing cook or not, it is essential to eat.
If you want to save some money, it's important that occassionally you eat at home.
Something prepared at home.
Eat something you made.
Or your husband.
But either way, more than likely, you will prepare something yourself at home.
Even if it is just a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Unless, of course, someone is allergic to peanuts (or jelly), therefore rendering that argument obsolete.
However, even in my digression, my point can still be made.
One day, in the not so distant future, you will prepare a meal.
Of some sort.
Be it allergen-free or not.

I recently purged my home of unneccessary cookbooks.
The cookbooks that never get opened.
The cookbooks that you think maybe one day I would like to open.
And then you never do?

Yes, those.

However, in this purging, I have decided that every kitchen must have at least three cookbooks--give or take. You may need more, but I can almost guarantee, you won't need less.

Fanny Farmer or Betty Crocker. I had both. I may still have both. These two "ladies" have the most basic cookbooks out there. If you need to learn to cook just by reading a book, then you better have one of these. They are so absolutely basic that they tell you what a teaspoon is and what a measuring cup is and how to sift flour. Everything! These books tell you when your meat is properly cooked and what to subsitute if you run out of an ingredient. Their recipes are bland (read tasteless--except for the chocolate torte, I really oughta make that again), but their cooking advice is priceless.
A 4-H cookbook. It doesn't matter what state or city or club it's from. What matters is that you have one. These recipes are some of the easiest and tastiest recipes tried. For example: Cheesy Barbecue Beef Casserole. One of my familie's favorite recipes. Good old Anoka County 4-H Cookbook. Doesn't it sound fantastic? Trust me it is. Another example: Monster Cookies. Thank you Rock County 4-H. Oh, yes. 12 dozen cookies! That's 144 cookies for those of you who may be like me and need to understand the magnitude of the cookie monstrousity.Were they delicious? Was it almost impossible to mix? Yes to both. In my defense, I didn't want to cut it in half because (and this is the only reason) it called for 3 jars of peanut butter. I didn't know how to properly cut that in half. Honestly! I am not lying! Maybe next time I will just eyeball it! And yes, I have two 4-H cookbooks. If you got a treasure, why not have another one?
Last but not least The Pioneer Woman Cooks. I am so enamoured with my cookbook. I have only had it for 5 months, but because most of meals come from her book, it is a disaster. Grease splatters everywhere. Tomato sauce dumped on more pages than I can count. Napkins stuffed in between pages as bookmarks. Let me tell you, this book is well used. I've decided that her food is comfort food. Everyone needs a cookbook that speaks comfort food to them. Her chicken pot pie, her lasagna, her homemade meatballs, her cinnamon rolls, her pot roast. These are meals that satisfy. And even though her meals may not be the easiest to make, her sense of humor and her step by step directions provide me enough confidence that I am secure in the endeavour. And for the most part, I am successful! (And that, I must tell you, is completely AMAZING!)

So there you have it, a basic how-to-cook cookbook, a tried and true proven meals cookbook (or 2), and a comfort food cookbook.

If you have these three different types, you will be successful.

I promise.

#$500BFCash #Giveaway Ends 11/23 Rafflecopter

2011-11-14T22:07:00.000-06:00

This Giveaway organized and brought to you by A Well Being and The Busy Woman’s Guide to Surviving Motherhood

Need a Little Extra Spending Money this Holiday Season – How about a LOT? Enter to win $500 Cash (via PayPal). Several Bloggers and Businesses have joined together to make your Black Friday the best yet!

Using the Rafflecopter below – all you have to do is “Like”, Follow, Subscribe and/or tweet as directed. You can do all or just some of the entries. Please note that all entries are subject to verification and must be complete (this especially applies to email subscription – you must confirm your subscription for it to count).

The $500 Black Friday Cash Giveaway starts on Monday November 14^th, 2011 12:01AM EST and ends on Wednesday November 23^rd, 2011 11:59AM EST

Here is a list of all Participating Blogs and Businesses:

The Busy Woman’s Guide to Surviving Motherhood
A Well Being
KidClings
It Works - Jessica Pena
LaMomba
Thrifty Divas
Multitasking – All Day, Everyday…
Sapphire Says It All
Mamalou’s Gems
Sprinkle Me Pink
Indiana Coupon Savers
Debs Dealz
Spilled Milkshake
Learn How to Crochet
Learn How to Make Bows
Debras Dollars
Music and Mommies
Pink Dandy Chatter
A Traveling Thought
Sweet Peas & Buddies
Newly Wed, Newly Bred
It Works! - Desirea Garcia
Burning Moon

Best of Luck! Open Internationally – all you need is a PayPal ID to receive payment!

Plus Size Maternity

2011-11-11T22:02:00.001-06:00

This post is sponsored by Womanwithin.com

No matter who you are, if you are a woman, there are times when you want to look good. I'm not saying you have to want to look good all the time, but generally there are those moments in which we find it is essential that we look our best. Because we know when we look great, we carry ourselves with more confidence, and thereby, we feel great.

It doesn't matter your size, if you feel beautiful, you are beautiful! Especially with that smile on your face.

Never is this more true than when you are pregnant. When you are pregnant, your body goes through this amazing mutation: there is another little being growing inside you. This little one is making your body their home for nine months, and while it is completely miraculous, sometimes you don't even feel like a woman. This is true whether you where a size 2 or plus size maternity. Never is it more important to treat yourself to some beautiful designs.

If someone would know about pregnancy bellies, maternity clothes, and weight gain, it would be me. I can tell you that I have never felt as pretty as I did when I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter. A close friend of mine (who happens to be incredibly stylish) lent me her entire pregnancy wardrobe. Honestly, I have never been more fashionable than I was for those nine months of my life, and I enjoyed choosing my outfit every morning.

Generally, wearing maternity clothes can become very monotonous. It's incredibly important to find things that make you feel special, make you look great, and show off that baby belly!

8 Week Writing Experiment

2011-11-07T11:18:00.000-06:00

From now until the end of December --aka Christmas--I am going to be working on a project.

I am calling it the 8 Week Writing Experiment because that is what I am doing.

Writing.

Not blogging.

Not worrying about content.

Writing.

Writing because I want to develop as a writer. As I write, I am confident that the content will come.

Oh, I am still going to blog because I need to get my thoughts out about life and things.

But I had to make a choice: Write or Build a Blog Business.

And right now, as my husband is working extreme hours until Christmas, I don't think that I can emotionally work out building a blog business. I think I want to do this. I think it sounds invigorating, but life is about timing.

I attended a webinar by Blogging Your Passion and utterly enjoyed it. It helped me to get perspective on how to make my blog work for me.

However, when I, by myself, am temporarily--aka during the Christmas shopping season--putting my four children to bed five nights out of the week (and at some point it will be 6), I need a smaller goal.

So I am taking 8 weeks to write.

And write I shall. I'll let you know how it goes.

Real Life Virtual Travel

2011-11-01T21:34:00.002-06:00

I want to travel the world.
I want to see EVERYTHING!
I want to experience how other people in the world live.
I want to be fascinated by the depth of God's love.
I want to go anywhere.

I want to take my kids.
I want them to see everything.
I want them to experience how other people in the world live.
I want them to understand God's perspective goes beyond their lives

I want to go with them.

But not right now.
Oh, no!
If I can't handle a 6 hour car ride, there is no way I am going to fly in a plane with them for 13 hours.
Nope.
God's gotta do some big time work on my heart for that to happen.

So instead we are going to send a little piece of ourselves to someone in another country through Operation Christmas Child.

We are sending a little piece of heart and a whole lot of God's love.

This year, I will let the kids pick out what they want to send instead of telling them what they have to send. If they want to send all toys and candy, then so be it. If they want to send practical stuff, more power to them. But this is their gift.
Who am I to get in their way?

The only rule is that it has to fit in the shoe box.

Death of the Pen or Not

2011-10-31T13:54:00.000-06:00

Many of you know that I am totally against e-books and kindles and the like.

Let me rephrase that. I am totally against them for myself. I like to hold a book in my hands. I like to turn the pages. I like to inhale the subtle fragrance of print and paper.

Ahhhhh.

Even the thought of a book relaxes me.

As our world becomes more technologically dependent, because that is what is happening, I want you to know that I also do not believe that the pen--the simple pen--will be extinct.

I think there will always be a need for a pen: whether it's jotting something in a meeting or sketching the shape of a tree or scribbling an address down so that you can later put it into your GPS. I believe the pen will be around for a long time.

I'm not the only one. Visual Artists are still using primitive means to create. Art needs any and all tools to be created: old or new.

The need for pens/writing utensils goes beyond the world of visual arts, though. The business world still needs them. Have you seen a copy center void of pens? Have you been to a conference where you didn't need a pen?

No, I didn't think so.

Most of my pens around my home are free pens that have been used as promo pens. Everyone has the need for a pen.

All this to say, if you need to market your business, promo pens are a cheap way to go. I don't know how many of you need to do this, but if you do, now you've got my two cents!

Good Toddler Car Trip Movies

2011-10-25T13:14:00.003-06:00

Taking a toddler on a road trip is only for the strong of heart.
To endure the screaming and the tantrums and the thrown bits of food....
And that's only pulling out of the driveway.

You are trapped with this little tormentor for who knows how long, and so you think, "I know! Let's put in a movie!"

Great idea!

However, you must remember that you cannot put in a feature length movie and expect to hold their attention for very long.

Good toddler movies consist of a few key components:

Make sure it has lots of music and movement.
The younger the toddler the more likely they won't like to see real people. They would rather see dancing sharks or bears or dragons.
Unless it's a really good music video. Then, they could care less.
Stick with really good and peppy music.
Music that will drive you crazy after listening to it just twice.
Keep in mind, the choice is between either going crazy because you have a screaming kid or going crazy because you have to listen to "Little Red Caboose" 50 times! What would YOU rather experience?
Keep the videos short. It will hold their attention longer.

I'm so glad we have videos now. To think how I tortured my parents makes me shudder.

Miracle of Scheduling Part 2

2011-10-21T04:00:00.001-06:00

For the last 2 weeks, I have been implementing our schedule, and it's working out pretty swimmingly. There is a time for each child to spend with me. A time for homework. A time for Bible Study. A time for exercising. And while I have had to deviate a little here and there, it's been great!

(it also helps that JackJack is sleeping through the night)

After 8:00 am each day looks a little bit different. Not drastically different, but a little bit here and there. Monday and Wednesday are probably the most different days in the schedule.

So here is what Monday looks like.

8:00 Wordgirl goes to the busstop and the rest of us have our daily chores. Each person is given some daily chores to accomplish in 15 minutes.
8:15 Preschool for Dash and Princess Pea--Monday is Computer Day
8:45 Weekly Chores: Princess Pea cleans the windows/Mom and JackJack Time
9:00 Mom writing time/Babysitter
1:00 Mom writing time done/JackJack Nap/Pea and Dash quiet play time
1:30 Pea and Dash Quiet on bed time/Mom manages computer stuff
3:00 Snack/Mom exercise
3:45 Wordgirl and Mom Time
4:00 Free play/supper prep
4:30 homework/Pea sets table
5:00 supper
5:30 Supper chores
6:00 Family Time
6:30 Pick up time/Bath
7:00 Bedtime chores
7:30 Reading
8:00 Light out
8:30 Writing
9:00 Castle/Fold Laundry
9:30 Relax
10:00 Read
10:30 Lights out

I know this seems rigid, but with Daddy's schedule never quite the same each day, we need consistancy. Even for me!

The book that I am reading is called Managers of Their Homes by Steven and Teri Maxwell.

Kudos to Kohl's

2011-10-20T04:00:00.000-06:00

This year, I have made the decision to buy no new clothes. I can buy at a thrift store or do a clothing swap or receive a gift, but I am not going to buy new clothes (idea received from Amanda--thank you!). However, this does not include socks, underwear, or shoes.

The other day, I went to Kohl's because my mother-in-law had sent me a $50 Kohl's cash gift (she had earned it by getting our children clothes--so she doubly blessed me). She told me that I could buy anything for the kids or myself that I wanted (or Chris, too). After much deliberation, I decided that I would use it for shoes for myself.

So I went in, tried on 50 pairs of athletic shoes, marveled at the fact that Storygirl, Sir, and Squirt played quietly among the shoes, and finally decided on a pair. I went to the counter with my Kohl's cash and realized that it had expired 12 days prior!
TWELVE DAYS!
I had looked for an expiration date and had never found it!
Until now?

Oh, brother.
When the cashier saw that it contained every last penny that was orginally on it, she said, "No problem, I'll see if I can still use it."
Her manager approved it and I walked out of the store with completely free shoes.

Thank you, Kohl's.

In my experience, Kohl's takes care of you. Even scatterbrained mothers.
What has been your experience?

Momaphones

2011-10-19T04:00:00.000-06:00

Working at a doctor's office is like working nowhere else.
Where else can you go to find someone speaking to themselves or to their pockets multiple times a day without thinking anything of it?
At first I had no IDEA what they were doing when I would approach them with a question or for a signature. Many times I would completely interrupt them so oblivious to their actions. They would roll their eyes and just humor this rude young lady.

However, now I have grown wise in all my years at the clinic.
For those of you who are wondering why you go see these strange people who talk to themselves constantly. Let me tell you.
They are dictating.
So that a computer or another person can type up their notes.

Isn't that brilliant?
Because, believe you me, you do not want your doctor typing up their own notes. Oh, it's just painful thinking about. I can picture some of my docs doing just that, and truly it makes me cringe.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that they are not my docs anymore since I have decided to stay at home with my kids, but I do believe that in my heart they will always and forever be my docs.

Now that I am blogging, I have decided that I need one of these devices. Many a time I have thought of a great post idea. Without writing it down, I lose it. Sometimes it comes back, but rarely.

But even as a mom, I would love to carry something like that around so that I can keep track of my superstars moments. Wouldn't that be awesome?

"October 14, 2011 Dash stayed dry all day."

"October 15, 2011 Wordgirl and Princess Pea passed Level One Swimming and will be progressing to Level Two next session."

Seriously!
For those of you who have them, it should be an app on your smartphone or iphone. For those of us who don't, we should get them when they come out with an app like that.

Is there one? Otherwise, I am going to come up with a Momaphone app myself!

Coupons

2011-10-18T12:08:00.000-06:00

I am trying to become an Extreme couponer.

Key word is most definitely: trying.

I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job. In fact the other day, I went to our local grocery store, just to pick up a few things and could. NOT. Spend. Full. Price. I almost choked at the price of graham crackers.

No, seriously.

I almost choked.

So I guess that's a good sign of me becoming a couponer. If it makes me physically ill to pay full price, maybe I can say that I've arrived.

I can say I've arrived. I may not be very good at it yet, but I have arrived.

Now, with that said, I must say that sometimes you just need to stock up. For that I am grateful to have an Aldi nearby. I don't have to worry too much about the price of a can of cream soup. It's always less than 50 cents. I know that I can get a bag (or sometimes in my case, a box) full of groceries--I'm talking stuffed full--for $25.

And a word of advice from my friend, Dacia (one of my couponing heroes), if you have to run to Aldi and stock up, don't even look for the deals at the other stores.

You will just be sad that you missed out on it.

It's okay to miss those deals, occassionally. They usually come back around.

Organizing the Basement Week 9

2011-10-17T12:02:00.001-06:00

In the basement, I didn't do anything this week.
Unless you count the 7 loads of laundry, sweeping the floor, picking up the toys, moving the play kitchen, and stocking the shelves in the pantry.

Yeah, I didn't think so.

But you know who did do something?

Chris.

Alas, my heart grows faint of all the sweat and toil he so endured for the sake of the basement.

Okay, so he cut off a section of the sheetrock that was moldy due to water in our basement. And he has discovered there is another section that needs to be taken care of.

Yes! How fantastic.

So the section of sheetrock was torn off and the insulation replaced. But we have no sheetrock to recover the wall, AND Chris can't find his roll of heavy duty plastic. So what did I do to cover the exposed insulation?

Moved the monstrous play kitchen in front of it, thereby preventing fiberglass splinters in my superstars' fingers.

Oh, yeah! Whose the mama?

I can tell you that I am afraid that there will be nothing done this week either as we are traveling all the way to WI! But we gotta do something fast. We have guests coming to stay with us and they need something a bit more inviting than exposed sheetrock covered by a big ol' plastic play kitchen!

Photographic Memories

2011-10-14T04:00:00.000-06:00

I love to scrapbook. I have told you that before. This is nothing new.
When digital books first came out, I vowed that I would always use paper and adhesive and real printed photos. I also vowed that I would never, and I do mean never, do a digital book.
Then, I had a baby. And another baby. And another baby. And another baby.
Now?
I am doing JackJack's book analog (as my friend Amy calls it) with paper and adhesive and stickers.
But that is the last one.
I think.
Unless, I go to Europe and need to relive it again--which I will have not problem doing. (Which by the way, my mom and aunt are going in less than 2 months! Augh! I am so excited for them!)

So now that I'm eating my words, I must say I even have an opinion about digital scrapbooking.

That didn't take long, did it?

Online book creation companies are nice because they store all the pictures for you. And depending on the company, it's forever or temporarily.

However, I must say that software you download onto your computer, especially if it's a laptop, is nice so that you can take it with you everywhere even if a place doesn't have WiFi. As my friend, Dacia, has said, if she had a laptop, she would be scrapping on long road trips.

Even when she is driving.
No!
I'm totally kidding!
Or am I?

You have to decide what you like better.
If you are interested in downloadable software, you should check out the My Memories Suite v2 at http://www.MyMemories.com/digital-scrapbooking-software. And if you like what you see, you can use this code for a $10 off discount and $10 of free merchandise: STMMMS49979

Copy and paste it when you check out.

You should be good to go! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I receive a commission every time this code is used at no cost to you.

Affliate Links and Wordless Posts

2011-10-13T19:27:00.000-06:00

Affliate Links are one way you make money on your blog. I'm still trying to figure them out.

Some of them have policies that I don't understand.

Some of them give you credit and not actual cash.

Some pay per click, some pay per view, and some pay per action.

Oh, boy! This is so confusing.

And not to mention the fact that to keep your blog fresh, you need to post each day. I tend to get a little frazzled by that.

Don't get me wrong. I almost always have something to say. I'm not one to ignore my opinion, BUT sometimes the pressure to always have something to say....leaves me speechless (or better said Wordless).

So what do you do when you are out of words. When the words just won't come, what do you say?

Are you ever out of words?

The Miracle of Scheduling

2011-10-12T10:42:00.000-06:00

Every family has a rhythm and every family must decide for themselves what is important.

What is important to me? Besides financial stability

A full night of sleep
Time exercising
Time spent with God in prayer and in the Bible
Time with my children and husband
Writing
Maintaining an organized Home (Not so good at that one yet)
Enjoying the life God has blessed me with

I have learned that if number 1 through number 6 are not fulfilled, I can't reach number 7. Isn't that crazy how that works?

One of my mentors, who we will call Nancy since that is her name, encouraged me to look at scheduling my days. I thought I was already doing this. And in all fairness, I was. She gave me a book that really encouraged me to stick to a very regimented schedule. And already in the small steps that I have implemented, I can see a vast improvement in how our house is running!

Let me share with you the first 2 hours of our morning.

I start the day the night before by making sure that I'm in bed with my light turned off at 10:45 and no later. It makes a huge difference going to bed before midnight. I have also determined that I do not have to get up before 6:00 am (which is impossible for me unless we are going to DisneyWorld or something). I schedule one hour for time by myself exercising and with the Lord before the kids get up and then it's 7:00.

At 7:00 am sharp, I get all the kids up!

This alone has changed our home life.
No one has to be quiet because someone is still sleeping. 7:00am is Wake Up. You can wake up slowly or you can GET UP, but no one has to tiptoe around.

7:00-7:30 is designated for Morning Chores. Morning Chores include getting dressed, brushing hair, teeth, putting pajamas away, and making beds. This all has to be done before breakfast.

7:30 am is breakfast. This gives Wordgirl plenty of time to eat before she gets on the bus. I start a load of laundry at this point and get dressed myself.

7:50 am Wordgirl puts together her backpack

8:00 am Wordgirl goes to the bus stop. And the schedule continues at home.

The schedule becomes a bit more complicated at this point because we haven't gotten everything solidified yet and each day looks a little bit different.

I encourage everyone no matter the age of your kids or your personality type to try a schedule for 1 week. You will notice a difference. It will not necessarily be the same schedule as ours, but like I said before, every family is unique.

Stay tuned for the next installment of The Miracle of Scheduling.

Swaps

2011-10-11T04:00:00.000-06:00

Saving a buck. Everywhere I look these days, I feel like that is a common theme. Let's face it, most of us need to save a buck. I was introduced to a creative and alternative way to do this.

In one word: Swap.

My sister-in-law has been doing this for years. (and if she hasn't, it sure seems like she has) I think she is even part of some sort of Swapping Co-op.

Oh, that's fun to say. Say it with me. Co-op Swap. Co-op Swap. Co-op Swap.

Was that not fun?

Moving on.

I was invited to a clothing swap and had a blast. Let me picture for you my experience. There were only four of us, but we were similar in size. (I am using the word similar very loosely. The point was that none of us were a size 0 or 1. We were definitely different heights--so that played a little bit of a factor) And the most important part? We were all moms so we all knew about the mommy rolls! Oh, yeah. No shame: just truth! It was so freeing to be so open about our imperfections and surrounded by others who encouraged you and made you feel like a million bucks!

I must say that I had the best clothing experience of the four of us. I brought an entirely full bag of clothes and left with an entirely new full bag of clothes. Apparently this isn't the norm because even leaving with just 3 or 4 items is good.

Everything I was thrown to try on, I thought, I'm going to look just like Amanda. I now have all her clothes. But I was amazed at how much I didn't feel like her when I put the clothes on. I was seriously surprised.

I highly suggest you get together with friends and do this. Once a year, go through you closets and pick out the things that you are tired of or don't fit quite right (or never have) that are still in great condition. Get together with your friends, and peruse each other's stuff.

Another thing: try stuff on. Whether you think you will fit it or not. Just try it on. What can it hurt? I tried on a size 1 skirt! Yeah, right! Never in my life would I fit a size 1, but it was fun to try on! If it had fit, it would have been really cute! But alas, it didn't fit, and it was HILARIOUS! Oh, and someone who was a size one dropped off her stuff--but the 4 of the present participants were not. But the size one person had dropped off a shirt that fit me really well. SEE? You never know!

This idea can be for more than just clothing. You can swap household items, tools, accessories, cookbooks, books, art, cars!

Okay, so maybe not the car thing. At least not for me. I like my car and I don't want to swap it!

But the possibilities are endless!

Organizing My Basement Interruption

2011-10-10T09:20:00.000-06:00

Guess what we have.

Again.

AUGH!

I was so sure last week that it wasn't a problem anymore, but apparently, I was wrong!

Oh yes.

I'm sure you've already guess.

If you haven't, let me give you a hint.

"They're baaaacckk."

Chris found evidence of little rodents inside our house again. Not only were they eating a package of Keebler cookies, they were eating the only ones I really actually wanted. The ones I bought out of nostalgia for my childhood.

Of course! Those beastly little beasties are completely out to get me. They hate me! What did I ever do to them (besides hate them with all of my being!)?

I came home on a beautiful evening from a clothing swap (more on that later) and Chris let me know that we had a mouse.

Me: Really? What was the evidence this time?
Chris: There was a package of cookies eaten.
Me: Oh. (pause) Really?
Chris: I wasn't going to tell you, but I decided that maybe I should.
Me: Yeah.
Chris: Are you okay?
Me: No.
Chris: I think it's only one.
Me: Yeah, you think it's only one. (implying that it doesn't mean there is only one and there probably isn't just one)
Chris: Yeah, I know. (completely agreeing with my implication)

Immediately, I was deflated. It doesn't matter that I had just gotten a huge bag of free clothes at my friends house.

So today, I commenced with my "proven" mouse scare tactics: pounding down the stairs as loudly as I can, yelling, "don't come out little miceys! We don't want to see you," and most definitely wearing shoes. I haven't donned my mouse dwelling attire yet, but I am not above that!

Organizing basement was emotionally put on hold.

To be continued.....

A Traveling Thought Promise

2011-10-07T13:39:00.000-06:00

I am just getting my feet wet in this whole blog-making-money thing.
As you can probably see, I have ad banners and such up and around.

As of right now, I'm still testing things out. I've posted a blog entry in which I didn't understand my assignment and then realized what I did.

You guys come here to see what I have to say. Not that what I have to say is very exhilarating, but I appreciate it.

So I promise you this:

I, Gianna, will only publish posts about things that I

understand
am excited about
recommend

So if it's on my blog, whether I receive a commission or not, I promise it comes from my heart.
Like I said earlier, most of my crazy family stories and humilating moments will be at Sweet Peas & Buddies.

No matter where you will find me, know that my words come from my heart!

Joyful in 5 minutes

2011-10-06T04:00:00.000-06:00

Sometimes at our house, we call our cranky kids Mr. Crankypants or McCrankpots. Mama becomes cranky McCrankpots, too. But there's so much to be thankful for and to tap into the joy filling our hearts. Sometimes we just need to remember to laugh!

Happy Birthday, Carissa!

For the Coffee Lover In All of Us

2011-10-05T04:00:00.000-06:00

It is a well-known fact that I don't like coffee.
But oh, how I long to.
I love the scent of roasting coffee beans.
I love the cozy ambience of coffee shops.
I love the wamth of a hot beverage on a cold day.

I love the idea of coffee.

But one sip, and I'm lost. I just can't get over that flavor! No matter how much sugar, cream, and flavoring is added. (And believe me, my sisters-in-law have tried. And me with them. I want to like this stuff)

My husband thinks I'm crazy (and we go back to that again: Chris always thinking I'm crazy) that I want to like it. You see, he doesn't like coffee either and can't even handle the smell.

I think we have the only coffee free house in the entire world.

And yet, we need to have coffee since the rest of the world adores it and even expects it. So even though I can't handle the stuff, I thought you would want to know about Roast E--an online coffee distributor. It's the largest on the web with so many choices its crazy!

It's micro-brewed coffee.

Whatever that means.

Anyway, they are offering two things: free shipping for orders over $35 and $5 off your first purchase with this coupon code BLOGME5.

If you trying to save a buck or two like me, I thought you might want to know.

That's RoastE for all of you Coffee lovers and Coffee must haves.

Disclosure: There are links on this post and on my webpage of which I earn a commission at no charge to you.

Organizing the Basement Week 8

2011-10-03T06:02:00.000-06:00

Our basement floor is permanently stained with concrete dust. I literally poured cups of water onto the floor and scrubbed it with a scrubbing brush (ideal, don't you think?) and you want to know what happened?

It moved around.

But it didn't come off the floor.

How in the world am I going to do this?

You can't even paint over it because the paint won't stick. If you can move the concrete dust around, that's a problem. And yet, it won't lift off the floor.

I'm seriously contemplating hiring a professional.

Like we did with the mice.

Which by the way, I think it's time for a mice update.

They are still gone!

We haven't seen them for 6 months!

And this is a good thing, too, because now our warranty is expired.

Don't come back you little beastie beasts!

Back to my basement floor--does anyone know of a reputable concrete dust removal professional? I'm willing to pay top dollar!

Or no dollar--whichever you prefer! (Please pick the no dollar! Consider it a donation to charity for your company and it can be a tax write off!)

Moms Need to Label

2011-10-01T21:48:00.000-06:00

Wordgirl lost her jacket at school.
This is very sad because I loved Wordgirl's jacket.
Absolutely loved it.

We got it second hand from a used clothing store, but that doesn't matter because it was in mint condition. It was a denim jacket with lots of girly embroidery. And it would have fit her through the rest of this fall.

She looked all over for it, but she couldn't find it.
And my daughter is not shy. She even asked some guy to bring it to her room if he sees it.
Who this guy is, I have no idea.

I can tell you this though! I have learned my lesson.
As did she.

Mommy's lesson: I must must MUST label things.
Wordgirl's lesson: She must must MUST remember her things. She hates that she lost it and I don't want to make her feel badly, so I'm holding my tongue.

And again I must label these things.

To make it easier, I could get labels from Bright Star Kids.
Have you heard of them?
Yeah, neither had I.

But I can tell you this: Now that I have been introduced to their website, I really think I need their round clothing labels.
Especially since the more children I send to school will inevitably mean more stuff will get lost.

image used with permission

This company is kind of cool because it has two arms...the label arm and the home decor arm. Usually when I hear the words "home decor," my mind goes numb and I start to zone. I am not into knick knacks or candles. We have pictures on our walls and a few things on our shelves, but mostly I try to minimize everything to the bare essentials and candles (to me, anyway) are not essential.

But Bright Star Kids is different. They have coordinating themes of wall art and canvas art. With the simplest of efforts, you can totally create a themed kids room! And believe you me, I am all about simplicity!
They also have a labeling system that I must say is fabulous. Labels of different shapes and sizes and bag tags that can fit anyone child's personality. That these are what I need!

So if you don't mind, keep me accountable whenever you see me and ask if I have labeled my children's stuff.

This message is brought to you by Bright Star Kids, but all opinions are completely mine!

Costumes Costumes Costumes

2011-09-30T21:21:00.001-06:00

What's the first thing you think of when you think of Halloween?

If you recall, I am "all set" with my kids' Halloween costumes.

Do you remember this list?

1. Determined with the kids what they want to be.

2. Confirmed with the kids what they want to be.

3. Argued with the kids about good ideas for their costumes.

4. Finalized with the kids that these indeed will be their costumes.

5. Called my mom to say, "Okay, this is what we've got!" and placed our order for their custom-made costumes. (I know. I'm totally spoiled! But I must tell you that there is no way to do a last minute costume. We have to be a month out! So technically, we were cutting it close!)

Now, I realize that not everyone is as blessed as I am with my "own personal tailor," so let me give you my two cents about Halloween costumes.

1. First and foremost, half the fun of Halloween costumes is deciding what you want to be. Start dreaming with your kids about what it would be fun to be. If you don't have kids, you can start dreaming for your own adult Halloween costumes. This is one day that kids can play pretend and it's okay!

2. Try to make the costumes as easy as possible. Hats and bright colored shirts and creative word plays are LOTS of fun.

3. If all else fails or there is a certain character or costume you are looking for, check out websites like Halloween Mart.

Coffee Break

2011-09-30T21:04:00.000-06:00

Another Cheap Mom Trick

2011-09-29T21:10:00.001-06:00

Look at me and my bad self! Getting the hang of this html world!
Hardly!
But I am still quite impressed that I am able to figure out how to put pictures in my blogs and use hyperlinks!
I am way out of my comfort zone, people!

Okay. I'm done bragging! Let's move on, shall we?
Raise your hand if you have heard of Vistaprint?

I have completely heard of them. But I never really thought they existed.
You may be saying, "Gianna, you make no sense!"
I know, dear friends, I know! And my poor husband has to live with this every day! But enough about me.
I just wanted to say I have since discovered that Vista Prints really does exist. And if you like to go shopping...in a print shop....with about a bazillion choices, they are the place to go.

My mom used to work in a print shop. I loved the smell. I loved walking into the store and through the grimy aisles looking at the boxes of paper and things they have. Now, you won't get the ambiance online--the single lightbulb dangling from the ceiling and the matted green carpet with permanent smudge marks--but you will get the goods. And that's what it's all about.

I'm planning on using my free business cards as christmas gift tags!
Be creative and think outside the box! They are free!

Vistaprints is well known for their amazing deals. So if you want to check them out, click here and see for yourself.

Disclosure: I earn commission with each purchase made through my website at no cost to you.

Appliance Replacement Made Easier

2011-09-29T08:25:00.001-06:00

After I had my fourth baby and we decided that financially it was wiser for me to stay home, I was excited to finally be a stay at home mom. What I didn't realize was that being a stay at home mom was not exactly what I thought it would be. Running a household is not easy. There is so much to keep track of (not to mention the actual job of raising the kids). How did this all get done when I was working?

Oh, that's right. It didn't.

I have discovered that since I'm at home, a lot of the household responsibilities fall on me: Like keeping track of the bills and making sure that dinner is made and doing the laundry. I am so thrilled that we live in this age so that we have lots of help. How would we live if we didn't have a refridgerator or oven or washer or dryer? We depend on those things so much that when one of them goes ka-put, we need to replace them...immediately.

Replacing them can be a hassle, but a website like Comparison Shopper does all the research for you. It doesn't matter if you are a stay at home mom or a working mom or even a man. Comparison Shopper makes it easy to make an informed decision.

This is a paid post, but all everything I have stated is 100% my own thoughts.

Halloween Take Back

2011-09-28T04:00:00.000-06:00

Halloween is coming and it will be here in a month.

Are you ready?

Because I certainly am.

Are you ready for the list of things I have done?

1. Determined with the kids what they want to be.
2. Confirmed with the kids what they want to be.
3. Argued with the kids about good ideas for their costumes.
4. Finalized with the kids that these indeed will be their costumes.
5. Called my mom to say, "Okay, this is what we've got!" and placed our order for their custom-made costumes. (I know. I'm totally spoiled! But I must tell you that there is no way to do a last minute costume. We have to be a month out! So technically, we were cutting it close!)

Every year our church puts on a Harvest Festival--ie Halloween Party. But you can't call it that because that would be sinful.

Oh, our church is not the only one who does this. I think every church in Minnesota who hosts some kind of fall party that invites costumes and candy calls it something different--but what they have in common is that they avoid the word Halloween...like the plague.

For Example, I have heard of The Pumpkin Patch, the Fall Frolic, and ours, of course, the Harvest Festival (which is really funny being that we are located in completely surrounded suburbia without a harvesting farm anywhere near us)

I've decided that I don't like this celebration.

Not because I boycott Halloween. (I boycott the evil, demonic, dark things--you know what I'm talking about, the things that aren't lovely, pure, true, and noble--but I like the idea of dressing up in costume)

Mostly, I can't handle the chaos. I can't handle the masses of people milling around trying to pick up their candy. I can't handle the masses of people in the carnival. I can't handle the cranky babies (who happen to be mine) who are tired of waiting through the chapel time. I. Just. Can't. Handle. It.

So this year, I'm not going to go.

I guess I've become a snob.

Internet Tips for Moms

2011-09-27T04:00:00.000-06:00

The internet can be awesome. The internet can be helpful. The internet can make your life easier!

On the flip side, the internet can waste a lot of useful time. The internet can give you the wrong information, and the internet can be confusing.

So how do we use this cool tool that we have without wasting our life away or being misled?

If it has to do with your medical care, do not use the internet. When it comes to your healthcare, call your doctor. Internet credibility is so questionable. Unless you log into a doctor's medical journal website, you don't know anything about the information you are reading. Even on sites like WebMD. WebMD is good for broad answers like what do bed bug bites look like? WebMD cannot diagnose if you have bed bug bites. Let me say it again, if you have a medical question regarding pretty much anything: Call your doctor.
There are a lot of money saving websites out there. Lots of them. Pick one or two that have worked for you and stick with them. Going to dozens of different sites may save you a few dollars, but what about all that time you have used. Yes, we are called to be good stewards of our money, but there are other resources that we need to manage as well. For instance, our time, our relationships (with our children and with our spouse and our friends, etc), our health (both mental and physical), and our ministries/work. I, personally, don't find being on the internet for 4 hours a day to save money a good investment. Why? Because I get really (and I do mean REALLY) crabby with the kids. They don't want a virutal mom. They want a present mom.
My most important tip (even more so than calling your doctor instead of self diagnosing), is when you have small children at home and you need to be productive on your computer/internet--because let's face it, usually it is the internet--pick 2 hours each day and call it your personal computer time (maybe you can think of something more catchy). And stick with it. I have an hour during quiet time and an hour after everyone goes to bed (this does not include my freelancing time). I check my email, make my grocery lists, hop on facebook, etc. That way I can be a present mom and still do my best to stay on top of things.

Now, by no means am I perfect at this! Far from it! These are just some tips that I try to live by.

How do you manage the internet in your home?

Organizing the Basement Week 7

2011-09-26T13:37:00.000-06:00

We made some major progress!

Let me tell you!

Well, kind of. It may not be what you would consider major progress, but it is.
Believe me!

I am feeling a wave of hope.

A wave of "Oh, I think we can do this!"

As if that is any different than a wave of hope!

But you get the idea!

First, I want to show you our bathroom closet sans the towels.

And, yes! Our bathroom closet is in the basement!

Why do you ask?

Do you forget that I have 2 closets in my entire house?

For those of you who are thinking about buying your own home and have never done it before, let me give you a word of advice.

Make sure there are closets everywhere you look.

Closets in the bedrooms are a must! Believe me!
Closets in the hall are also a must!
A closet in the bathroom is the greatest thing ever invented.
A front door closet? You gotta be kidding me! I'm drooling already!
Closet or a pantry in the kitchen? HEAVEN!

Closets.

With that said, let me reveal my bathroom closet to you!

Ooooh! I love it so!

Yes, we are using the fishtank not currently in operation as a shelf for Q-tips!

Yes, our swimming pool is in its box next to our bathroom closet!

And yes, on the top shelf are three boxes of pulmicort for the nebulizer! I don't think we will need any for about 3 years!

At least let's hope not.

Now.

On to more exciting and fun activities (although what could be more exciting than my bathroom closet? I know not!)

Teasing my highly attractive husband.

He will certainly not like this!

But alas, he will not be reading this and I must point something out that I find hilarious! We will not point that I, yes I, would have done the same thing and have done the same thing on numerous occassions!

This was our former living room. Now we must call it a family cave. Because that is what it is. Not family room. oh, no! CAVE!

It will not have a floor....for a long while. Well, what I mean is as in a finished floor.

It's not like it's dirt or anything.

Not that there is anything wrong with a dirt floor!

Anyway, we have to paint the floor again to reseal it! And so on the first Wednesday night of Awana, I, with the troop of 3 children, was out of the house. And Chris, with the littlest one, was at the house and trying to be productive.

And productive he was.

He painted the floor.

He painted around the carpet rug we have down for the time being.

But did he put paint on the floor?

Yep!

He sure did!

And was the littlest one kept out of the paint?

Yep!

He sure was!

Am I getting excited over a very small reason!

Yep!

I sure am!

And it will be painted by the end of October because we have a deadline!

Ahh, the magic of a deadline!

blueskyscrubs.com

2011-09-23T14:04:00.000-06:00

At one week, I would bring each of my babies into the doctor for their first check up after being discharged from the hospital. When my 4th baby (and final baby *weepy sniff*) was born, our doctor's office had moved locations. So when I brought my 4th baby to our doctor, I felt like I was bringing him to a brand spanking new doctor.

What made it even more like a first-time visit to a new doctor (instead of our old family friend) was that a new nurse roomed us; not our favorite nurse of all time. Not only was this a new nurse, but this nurse was.....male! Okay, so technically, he was a medical assistant, but when you are only one week post partum being incredibly sleep deprived and especially when the person is wearing scrub clothes, you don't worry about the definitions and titles. To me, he was a nurse.

In the past 18 months since that first initial visit, he has become a regular part of our visit to the doctor. We have learned that his favorite color is green, that he likes to golf, and that he has no idea where our town is. Now we expect to see him.
Well, him or our first favorite nurse of all time!

They are my people and I can't visit our doctor without my people.

What do scrubs make you think of?

http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Men/

Anti-Itch Cream

2011-09-23T04:00:00.000-06:00

I have these 4 bites on my belly.

I will not be taking a picture of them for you.

Oh, no. No one wants to see my belly! TRUST me!

So last night, I was going insane. I couldn't take it.

I never knew what it felt like to go insane, but I'm pretty sure that's what was happening.

Chris quietly mentioned that he had some anti-itch cream, and I hollered, "Get it for me! NOW!"

So he did. We applied it. And I waited. And waited. And waited!

Nothing.

You know what helped?

Reading.

Do I know what I read?
No. Of course, I don't. I was too busy trying to distract myself.

But it got me thinking.
And thinking and thinking.

Now, I am convinced.

Anti-itch cream is a placebo.
It does nothing.
They get you to pay bookoo bucks for the idea that your itch will be gone when in reality it is completely false.

I am here to warn you: Do NOT believe the lie!

Because I'm still itchy itchy itchy!

Hydration and Water Bottles

2011-09-22T04:00:00.000-06:00

We all know that drinking water is really good for our bodies.

How do you try to get enough (approximately 8 cups, give or take, right?)?

The first thing I do is forget the 8 cups rule. I try for 4.

That's right! I don't even fake it! I go for four and I am proud of it.

I figure if I get 4 cups of water in than the other four cups can come from juice (which I don't drink a lot of), milk, and fruits and veggies--even soup. You gotta count soup! I am trying to start this thing of drink tea (non-caffeinated) each morning, so there is another 8 ounces. Although right now I'm kind of just gagging it down. We'll see how this goes. I've only just started (read yesterday was my first day) so I'm trying to give it a fair shot.

But back to my 4 cups. So each morning, I fill up my 32 ounce water bottle. And that is my goal. I drink one of those and I have achieved my daily goal!

I tote around an old Nalgene bottle. You know the ones. There was an uproar about the bHp or something with these bottles and baby bottles leeching toxins into your water and ultimately into your body.

Now, let me tell you, I know I have just warned you yesterday to not believe everything you read on the internet when it comes to your health. I have from a credible source (my husband who works in the baby gear industry) the facts about these bottles.

The toxins will only leech into the water if you have scratched the inside of the bottle and heat it up. (I'm not sure if it's heated up only in the microwave or not).

I for one wash my water bottle with a wash cloth and don't heat my water bottle.

So my husband's not worried. And neither am I.

What is your opinion?

Our First Place

2011-09-20T21:15:00.000-06:00

Posted by Arden Wallace

There’s nothing like owning your own home and my new wife and I just bought ours. It’s really exciting living there together and getting to decorate and all that but the thing of it is that she’s scared to stay there when I’m not home. If I didn’t travel for work so much it wouldn’t be an issue but I’m gone at least 2 nights a week so I’m really worried about her being afraid! I got us a home security system and she said that’s helped some but the last thing I want is for her to be going to her mom’s to spend the night when I’m out of town. I think we’re adults now even though we married young and that sort of undermines our marriage for her to do that, don’t you think? I don’t want her dad thinking I’m not taking good enough care of her or that I don’t care that she’s scared! She’s a great wife but we’ve got to eventually work this issue out.

New Design

2011-09-20T04:00:00.000-06:00

In case you haven't noticed, I have a beautiful new page.

What is cool about it is that this is pretty much the look I was wanting one day--thinking it was going to have to wait for 50 years until I had a chance to learn html and how to create a web page design.

Seeing as 50 years makes me 84 (quick math! How old am I now?), it's really nice that it didn't take as long as I had originally thought!

Because you see, I now know this cool lady named Pam Olsen. I don't know what she looks like, what she sounds like, what kind of fashion-style she has (not that I care what she wears. I'm just saying that I don't know and if she is way more fashionable than me, I'll be so embarrassed!), what her husband's name is (maybe I should), but what I do know is that she is cool.

I think I started to read her blog A Busy Woman's Guide to Surviving Motherhood through Karen's blog Surviving Motherhood.

Are you detecting a theme?

How do I survive motherhood? I may not know, but these two ladies sure do! And so therefore I am looking for all the guidance I can get.

But not only did I find helpful tips from Pam to survive motherhood, but I found a confidant who has my virtual (online) back. Do I know why? Not exactly, but I think God is so good for introducing us!

Oh, and I think God is so good for introducing Karen and me, too. I do know what she looks like and how tall she is(n't) and what her husband's name is and what she sounds like.

Enjoy my pretty site.
I sure am.
And thanks Pam!

Organizing the Basement Week 6

2011-09-19T08:30:00.003-06:00

This week when it came to the basement, Chris got involved.
Majorly!
Check out what he did.

This would be our sump pump completely finished except for the covering Chris wants to make so that we can add the 4th leg of the wash tub back on.

I can honestly say this is one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to our basement since we first tore it apart!

In other basement news, this corner is starting to look better. The white shelf is half filled with the designated paper products.

The other stuff on there was to make room on the floor.

For what?

Apparently for more junk!

But hey, it's coming along.

And look what just happened! We have a linen table!

I still don't know what to do with the press drawer.

When we got that, I was trying to be my mother.

My mother who is brilliant in home design and in eclectic decorating (in other words can use junk to make her house look amazing!)

I, on the other hand, have not inherited those skills and therefore have learned that I should not copy the things I remember my mother doing to our house while I was growing up.

Because I look at it and think, "How can I get rid of this and streamline my house?"

My mom looks at it and thinks, "I don't have room for this, but I need it! It would be perfect for Christmas or fall or Easter or the 4th of July...."

Yup, sometimes I am amazed that I came from her when my kids are lucky to have a Christmas tree put up!

So there it is for this week.
I have decided that I must do some major work this week to wow you and impress you, my friends! You see I just realized (I know it's week 6) that you may be tired of pictures of my basement that look like the pictures from last week.

Because let's face it.

My basement is not pretty!

And it's time to impress you.

Still looking for that IKEA makeover someone would like to donate to me!

Anyone?

Change Up

2011-09-16T05:00:00.000-06:00

Let's get down to business:

I am going to take me and my little self over to a new location.

But I'm keeping myself here, too.

Have I confused you yet?

I am taking myself to Sweet Peas & Buddies. Named for the Sweet Peas and Buddies in my life (bet you couldn't have figured that one out, huh?).

I know I have tried this in the past.

This time, however, I have a plan.

The plan is that all my rantings and ravings and hilarious stories and sad stories will be over there.

A Traveling Thought will be focused more on helpful tidbits of information. Things I discover that could be helpful to you: to save your time, save your money, save your sanity, you know what I'm talking about.
These ideas or discoveries will not just be merely reporting, my friends.
Do not worry.
My sarcastic and humorous-to-myself-only thoughts will highly permeate these posts.

Gianna is not leaving you, my friends!
I guarantee that you will still enjoy this site! I guarantee you will not be disappointed. I guarantee that there will be some mention of Wordgirl, Princess Pea, Dash, and JackJack.

However, to hear about what is on my emotional, spiritual, and relational mind--try out Sweet Peas & Buddies. To hear what is on my physical mind, stick around and see what A Traveling Thought has to offer!

_____________________________

I do want to say about my post yesterday that

I do not necessarily believe that God gave us the giftcards (oh, did I not mention that we got ANOTHER ONE given to us anonymously? Yeah, I know! God is so GOOD!) because we obyed Him.

I believe He does good things for His children because He wants to and not necessarily as a reward.

However, I do completely and utterly believe that when we do obey Him, receiving those gifts is so much sweeter! There is no guilt. It's all just sweetness!

But Malachi 3:10 says, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

And to the other sweet friends in Christ who gave us yet another gift, we love you too. I think we must. I wish we knew who you were, but even though we don't Thank you for loving us! Once again we are humbled and amazed!

Take A Step of Faith

2011-09-15T05:00:00.000-06:00

To: Our Friends in Christ
From: The Kordatzkys who are humbly grateful

On Saturday, Chris and I discovered that we had received our property tax refund!
Sweet!

On Sunday as I was scrambling out the door trying to get to church, I was writing our tithe check when I suddenly thought about our tax refund.

I stopped writing the check, but I kept thinking about what to do with our tax refund.

I thought about it as I was tying shoes.
I thought about it as I was brushing teeth.
I thought about it as I was finding something to bring to the potluck.

The whole time I was thinking about it, I was trying to find a way to excuse the fact that I wasn't going to give God the money He asked for.

Then, I walked over to the check book, quickly wrote down a dollar amount, and tore the check out. When I did the numbers, I realized that on top of our regular tithe I had given exactly 10% of what our refund had been. I didn't even do it on purpose; I just wrote down the number that God had placed in my mind.

Tuesday rolled around and I went to get the mail. Inside was the weekly ad flier, our netflix movie (Castle--oh, yeah!), and a yellow envelope with our names scrawled across the front. I didn't recognize the writing and it didn't have a return address, so I was curious!

I ripped open the envelope and found a bright yellow and orange butterfly card that said, "Better, Brighter, Happier" on the front.

When I opened the card, there was a Target Gift Card, so I looked to see who signed the card.

Once again it was blank except for the card's words saying, "those are the kind of days you're wished." But to tell you the truth, I didn't even remember what those words said (I just looked at it now to inform you) because in an effort to figure out who it was from, I read the back of the giftcard .

This is what it said:
To: Kordatzky's
From: Friends in Christ
Amount: $_00.00

HUNDREDS of DOLLARS!!!!????!!!!

I almost dropped it in the road I was shaking so badly.

My first thought was a prayer, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Jesus!"
My second thought was, "Who is this from?"
My third thought was, "They don't want us to know. So I'm giving all the thanks to you, Jesus!"
My fourth thought was, "No, really! I shouldn't be trying to figure out who sent this."
My fifth thought was, "Thank you, Jesus."

I was just being obedient to Jesus. I was following what he had laid on my heart to do. Even though I didn't want to do it, and my heart wasn't into it. It wasn't the ideal act of worship, but I followed His leading.

I don't believe in the prosperity gospel. At. All.
I do believe that God will bless you beyond what you can imagine, but that doesn't always mean financially. Health, Relationships, Influence, and Babies are all blessings.

But wow!

So whoever these specific friends in Christ are, thank you! We are humbled by your love for us. We are humbled that we matter that much to you. We are humbled. And grateful.

Leaning on Your Mom is Not as Effective as Leaning on God

2011-09-14T05:00:00.002-06:00

Church was interesting this past Sunday.

Chris had to work all weekend long due to the fact that his store had its grand opening. So he was unavailable to come to church with us. However, it was kick off Sunday, and I wanted to make sure that my family was a part of it.

I prepped everyone that they got to go to a new Sunday School class.

Except that when we got there, the 3's room and the 4/5's room were closed. Many of our children's ministry rooms needed to be closed due to insufficient staffing.

That meant going to the service with a 3 year old and a 4 year old and no back up.

Oh, well. What could I do?

Nothing.
That's what.
It wasn't the Children's pastor's fault.
It wasn't the coordinators' fault.
No use getting ticked off or annoyed. It was just the way it was.

So into the service I trekked with my middle two.

And surprisingly (and proudly, I might add) they did fantastic!

Of course, I had to refrain them from crawling under the pew and bothering the people in front of us. I had to ask them frequently to stop talking and use a whisper. I had to figure out how to make sure that Dash didn't pound the broken ruler he had his bag loudly on the wood when Pastor Todd was preaching. I had to make sure that Princess Pea picked up her mess before the sermon was over.

But all in all, it went swimmingly.

Could of it been better?

Indubidably.

Could of it been worse?

Totally!

As I was praising God, I was holding Dash on my lap. Since we were in the back row, he stood up to be able to see. As he was standing on my lap, he would lean far back and rest the entire weight of his body on my head. You can probably imagine how comfortable this was as my head was being smashed to one side.

I thought about how Jesus supports us. He is able to carry us without getting tired. Whatever choice we make will not affect his ability to hold us up.

When Dash rested his body on my head, it affected me greatly. When I rest my body in God's arms, I don't affect Him at all. He can still see and do everything he needs to. His nose isn't smashed into his face. And his neck is not badly in need of a chiropractic adjustment.

Moms are great, and being a mom is beyond comparison. But I am so glad that there is a great big God I can effectively lean upon.

Even when it means bringing my two preschoolers into the church service with me!

Hurting People Seen With Open Eyes

2011-09-13T05:00:00.001-06:00

There are those of us who are so engaged in our own lives we forget to see those around us. We get so ticked off when someone gets in our way and causes us to be late, we forget that that person is a person.

I am such a person.

I find myself yelling at the car in front of me. A lot. Especially when we are in a turn lane.

Me: It's green. It's GREEN! It's GREEN!

Car does not move.

Me: Go! Go! Go!

Driver takes foot off the brake.

Me: You gotta go faster! You gotta stay right behind the car in front of you! Let's GO!

Car makes it through the yellow light leaving me to fume at the red light.

And fume I do. Muttering and sputtering.

I need to remember that the driver may have had a good reason to not go as fast as I would have liked.

Maybe their car stalled.

Maybe their child was crying and needed something.

Maybe they just got a bee sting.

Who knows.

Either way I need to open my eyes and see people through God's eyes, not Gianna eyes.

This includes members even of my own family. They can be overlooked in an attempt to do life.

For example:

On the first Friday of school, Wordgirl came home from school. Dash ran out to give her a hug and Princess Pea followed right behind him. Wordgirl took their hugs and continued shuffling to our front door.

Fortunately, my aunt was at our house. If she had not been, I would not have even noticed Wordgirl's blueness.

Lis: Oh. What's wrong?

Me: Huh, I don't know!

All it took was another person's perspective, and I was able to sit down with Wordgirl as she cried telling me all about her day.

If Lis hadn't been there, I would have completely ignored Wordgirl and carried on with life. And then when Wordgirl needed to talk, it would have been an inconvienence.

Lis's observation reminded me to open my eyes.

Take a moment and really look at someone.

Even if it means you are staring at them for a whole minute.

And they think you are a freak.

(please don't go doing this to children. You may frighten them and cause someone to call the cops--and do you really want to deal with that? Discernment, people, please!)

____________________________________

I would like to publicly give a ShoutOut to my new friend Pam Olsen of A Busy Woman's Guide to Surviving Motherhood. She has been instrumental in helping me navigate through this world call freelancing. She has personally taken much time out of her busy day (she has 3 boys and a new little 3 month old girl) to answer my questions and give me a hand up! She is awesome! And every email I send to her I try to refrain from repeating that phrase multiple times because I don't want to sound insincere, but she is!

Not too long ago, I thought that in this freelance writing thing, it was every man for himself. But recently, I have discovered that unless we can build support with each other, ain't no one going nowhere!

So thanks Pam! And I hope one day to be able to be as helpful to someone as you have been (and will continue to be) for me. And that maybe I can repay you!

Check her out! Her blog is quite fun with LOTS (and I do mean LOTS) of giveaways!

Organizing the Basement Week 5

2011-09-12T05:00:00.000-06:00

Do you remember how my basement looked last week? Let me remind you.

Now, let me show you how it looked after this weeks progress.

Oh, no, but only worse!

Let me show you the highlights

We have added more stuff! Like an entire swimming pool!
Isn't the box of wrapping paper in the foreground classy? I thought it was a nice touch myself.

The small box on the back wall is the garbage box.
Not be confused with the huge and ever growing pile of Chris stuff to go through (and ultimately throw away? PLEASE! I am begging!)

This week I did absolutely nothing.

Now we could blame it on sending Wordgirl to school and adjusting Princess Pea and Dash to a new schedule. We could suggest that JackJack just wasn't that cooperative.

But no, those would be lies. All lies, I tell you. Well, there might be some semblence of truth in those explanations, but mostly the word that comes to mind is excuses.

However, I will say that I enjoyed myself this week. The piles of laundry were continuously growing. Occassionally, I had to madly wash the dishes so we had something clean on which to eat. Oh, yeah, and I volunteered at Wordgirl's school.

Twice.

During lunch time.

Need I say more?

So let me show you what my projects for this week will be.

I must remove all items, put them somewhere that is appropriate (i.e. not on the floor or stashed in a corner where we will forget about it), and scrub, scrub, scrub.

Then, I must make this into our linen closet.

Because we have none.

We have 2 closets in our entire house.

Don't get me started.

I really could go for a complete IKEA remodel of our house.

But alas, that is a dream that is not meant to be.

Once again, I digress.

So whoever thinks I can do this should raise your hand.

And then call me and tell me how to do it.

I must tell you first what is off camera.

What we are missing in this picture is the heater parts for a baseboard heater that Chris and my dad disassembled a year ago.

What, pray tell, am I to do with those parts?

I know those mustn't be thrown.

But where do they go?

And last but not least

I really ought to do something with the dresser that is sitting at the bottom of my steps.

Oh, and the dead horse on the floor.

I am not a perfect mama

2011-09-09T04:00:00.000-06:00

To: My Neighbor who thinks way too highly of me
From: The Least Perfect Mama in the Entire World

It's time to tell you, my friend, just how not perfect I am.

You like to tell your daughter that when I call the children into the house for supper, they drop everything and come in.

This, I can assure you, is completely misleading.

Not only do they not come running. Not only do they start to cry and fuss. Not only do they complain that they have to stop playing.

But generally, I have to chase one or more around the house and threaten (big time) that they are going to starve to death if they do not come NOW! It doesn't matter if they don't want to. If you don't come, you don't eat, and there will be no snack for you, mister! Just try me!

Honestly, I can't believe you haven't observed this regular occurence. This almost daily occurrence. By the way, how do you spell occurrence/occurence?

My dear friend, I would also like to assure you that my children are rarely in bed by 8:00, so there should be no exclaiming that at 8:00 the lights are always out--no exceptions.

Oh, no.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

8:00 is my goal.

8:00 is my destination.

8:00 is a nice theory.

But does 8:00 happen?

Hardly!

We are lucky to be finishing reading by 8:30 and convincing everyone that sleep is really what they would like to participate in. Sometimes we are even lucky to be reading.

So no! We do not get our kids to bed by 8:00.

8:00 is so highly elusive that if we catch it, Chris and I do a happy dance, spring for Culvers or Dairy Queen, and watch movies into the wee hours of the morning.

Okay, so maybe not.
No, we are much too old for that.
What we really do is dance a happy dance, eat ourselves whatever munchy food we can find, and start sawing logs before we can even say "Good Night!"

What Does a Vegan Believe and Why Is It Important?

2011-09-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

To: Any Vegan who is willing to engage in discussion with someone who has a lot of questions and is not trying to give you the third degree

From: Someone who just doesn't get it.

And I don't. Veganism is not popular as in the vast majority of the world is doing it. Not even the vast majority of the US is doing it. I bet the vast majority of any country are not vegans.

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, let me enlighten you (as you probably should know what this is.)

A Vegan is an extreme vegetarian. Where vegetarians don't eat meat, vegans don't eat meat or biproducts from an animal.

Including but probably not limited to: eggs
                                                        milk
                                                        butter
                                                        cheese
                                                        cream
                                                       half and half (okay, you get the idea)
                                                       honey

Honey?

Really?

Can someone please explain that to me?

It's not like the honey comes from the bee's body.  Nectar is held in the bee's mouth (for lack of a better word) and spit out. Then, the bees in the hive dance on it. (Thank you The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That and The Magic Schoolbus) It's not coming out of their body as a bodily fluid. They are holding the nectar in their natural carrying sacks.

At least that's the way I look at it. What am I missing?

And what is the advantage of the vegan way of life? What does it do for you?

I don't get it.

I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm really trying to understand.

If vegans won't eat a natural sweetener like honey, is refined white sugar a better sweetener? I wouldn't think that is what they believe.

But my biggest question is: What about breastfeeding?

My suspicion is that formula is not an option. But I do believe we are considered animals. And I do believe that breastmilk is an animal byproduct.

And if breastmilk is an approved animal byproduct, what makes it so?

Because in nature, there animals who raise babies that are a different breed or even species.

So I guess I don't get why it's okay for nature to do it and not us.

Honestly, I'm not trying to pick a fight. I seriously want to understand what they believe and why it is so important!

First Day of First Grade

2011-09-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

To: My Wordgirl--You make me smile!
From: Your mama who is so proud of you!

So the first day of first grade is safely tucked under our belts. There was someone in our house that couldn't wait for this day. She couldn't wait for the bus. She couldn't wait to see her friends. She wasn't worried at all about what was going to happen. NO nerves at all.

And then there was Wordgirl.

This is the grown up picture.

And this is the crazed picture!

As we were waiting for the bus to appear:

Mama: You know what? I don't think I'm gonna cry!
Wordgirl: Good for you, Mom!

However, there were some tears and glares.

But none of them were mine.

I give you Exhibit A:

I am a bit unsure of the glares, but Dash was not impressed with Mr. T (the boy who waits at the same bus stop with Wordgirl). If you look closely at Princess Pea, she is holding on for dear life.

As soon as the bus pulled away with Wordgirl safely inside, the sobs erupted from her little chest. Her best friend was leaving her--oh, what was she to do?

Okay, so that was a little bit heart breaking.

But we managed very well indeed.

Fast forward to lunch.

I volunteered for lunch room duty for the first couple days of school.

AAAAHHH!

What was I thinking?

This:

insane

chaotic

nerve-racking

insane

outtacontrol (and yet strangely in control at the same time)

hungry

whaddayou mean I need to write their number on a piece of paper for them? don't you think there is a better way/flaw in the system?

insane

And yet, whenever I looked up at the lunch lady serving, she was always completely calm, cool, and collected. She had at least a hundred children at a time surrounding her and she was happily serving away their macaroni and cheese.

Without breaking a sweat.

Meanwhile there was me.

As I stare blankly at one of Wordgirl's classmates, me: you don't know your number?

classmate: no

Dumb stare of what are we gonna do?

With a sudden realization that I am holding the school list of lunch numbers,

me: Oh, um, yeah, I have it right here!

When my line was completely finished, I looked at one of the 3 lunch ladies (there are only THREE lunch ladies for over 700 kids--I find this unbelievable).

And then, I uttered the words I had been wanting to say for 45 solid minutes.

Me: I gotta go.

Lunch Lady J: Okay, yeah. Thanks for your help.

Me: No problem. I will see you tomorrow.

Lunch Lady J (with a huge sigh of relief): Oh, great! Thanks so much!

Am I dreading tomorrow?

Yep.

You bet I am!

But am I dreading it with a smile on my face?

Nope!

Okay, totally just kidding.

I am.

I'm grinning like a chesire cat because I have the best little 1st grader in the world!

How to Make the Great Minnesota Get Together Kid Friendly

2011-09-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

To: Anyone who would like to try to enjoy the MN State Fair with kids
From: One who successfully and quite accidentally did just that

State Fairs are chaotic and crazy! And yet each year I feel the tug....I feel the pull....I feel the yearning of I-have-to-get-to-the-State-Fair-this-year.
Especially in Minnesota.
My husband thinks I'm crazy.
But my husband thinks I'm crazy when it comes to a lot of things.
This is not unusual in our house.
So we will just roll with it, shake it off, and proceed into another year's edition of gluttony on a stick. Not that I eat a lot of food on a stick.
Although one year, I did have the macaroni & cheese on a stick--I do not recommend. The tatertot hotdish on a stick was do-able though.
For those of you who cannot figure out what tatertot hotdish is: just replace the word hotdish for casserole and add cream of mushroom soup and there you have it.

But I digress.

Since Labor Day was the last day of the Fair this year, I figured I would post what I learned for you so that you can remember it until next year.

So bookmark this page.

Steps of How to Make the Great Minnesota Get Together Kid Friendly
Preface: Decide the year before with your mother that you think you should and could do the State Fair with all the kids. Know full well that your husband will not be on board for a number of reasons that include but are not limited to the following: He doesn't like the Fair, he doesn't like crowds, he doesn't like to bring the children to unknown activities, and he thinks Minnesotans are weird. (Yet he married one, so what does that say about him?)

1. Wait impatiently for your mother to come home from Canada. In fact, call her on your aunt's phone as she is on her way to Niagara Falls because you can't wait another minute and your mom didn't answer her phone.

2. Collect your children's winnings for their library's summer reading program: 2 tickets to the Fair! YEEHAW!

3. Make no food list to be followed as if it was the Ten Commandments. Look online at the new food this year and remove any thought of following a list from your mind. You will only be disappointed.

4. Take a small umbrella stroller and a baby carrier. Anything more will be too cumbersome and you will want to chuck the stroller into the lumberjack pool to be rid of it, only to realize that now you have to lug an ornery 3 year old around AND a 17 month old.

5. Take the bus to the fair. That is half the fun! Discuss the difference between a charter bus and a city bus! Oh, the education the Fair brings out!

6. Purchase 2 adult tickets and one child ticket. Walk away from the booth, count your tickets, and realize that you don't need a ticket for your 4 year old or your 3 year old. And your 4 year old has a ticket from the summer reading program that you can use from Grandma. So you can return one child ticket and one adult ticket equaling $19! SWEET! More to eat with! Proceed into the fair!

7. Eat a good breakfast at a diner.

8. Don't forget to pack sippy cups for the kids. They will thank you for it. However, be prepared to lose one, maybe two. That's just the way it is!

9. Indulge the kids in rides.

10. Buy cotton candy.

11. Buy a Sno-cone!

12. Introduce your children to the farm. As you are herded in droves through the pretend farm, state loudly and clearly, "This is just like a real farm!" Forget for a moment that they do not pick up on sarcasm and then be grateful that they don't. Continually ask them if they are having fun so as not to lose sight of the goal of the activity as you get crabbier and crabbier!

13. Make sure to pet a cow. Make it a jersey (as they are the most adorable cows ever!)

14. Check out the baby animals.

15. Most importantly, take your time and don't try to see everything! Shopping with kids--NO! Eating ice cream more than once--YES!

For all those Minnesotans who want to know: Here's the list of food we had.

Breakfast: pancakes, apple juice, eggs, bacon, hashbrowns (at the historic and now gone Epiphany Diner)

Starting with Lunch (4 hours later) and continuing throughout the rest of the day: corn dogs, Sweet Martha's cookies (amazingly I was never introduced to these as a child, but now as an adult, I cannot do the fair without them!), milk, ice cream cones (My mom, JackJack, and I shared an old fashioned ice cream soda), yogurt, cheese sticks (string cheese--nothing too amazing), free samples of sour cream and onion potato chips, and a blackberry malt--for me.

And there you have it! A Successful trip to the Minnesota State Fair!

Organizing the Basement Week 4

2011-09-05T05:04:00.000-06:00

The basement--oh, the basement.
Have you ever had the feeling that you will never accomplish anything?
I'm starting to feel that way.
Because even though I have spent about 3 hours (I know it's supposed to be 4, but I'm just being honest) organizing and trying to clean, I feel like it still looks like this

When in reality this is what has happened.

Now, I know that these are pictures from last week.

Never fear, I did work on the basement this past week

And work, I did.

Let me just show you the fantastic progress I made.

Once again, I feel like it looks just as bad if not even worse.
But let me assure you (as I assure myself) that this is not the case.

I moved the door from one side of the room to the other.
Chris's pile of stuff is getting bigger
I added the last shelf that we own to the other pantry shelves. Never mind the fact that I couldn't figure out how to connect the shelves together. No, that does not matter. I just persevered through it and mashed it up against the already-correctly-put-together shelves.
I decided that I want to paint the basement because, let's face it, the only way that it's going to look fresh is if we put a fresh coat of paint on it.
I pulled our sheets out of the dresser and placed them on shelves.
I, then, put the dresser at the bottom of the steps with every intention to haul it up later. Later has just not arrived yet.
I worked in this room.

I know you are supposed to work in one area at a time, but I needed to change it up a bit.

And I was pulling together Princess Pea's and Dash's preschool stuff, so I figured that counted for something in the basement clean-up effort.

So there you have it, folks, the basement. Maybe this week, I will clean the floor. Maybe I will paint. Aren't you just giddy with anticipation?

MyMemories.com Giveaway Winner

2011-09-02T13:34:00.001-06:00

True Random Number Generator

Min: 1

Max: 3

Result:

1

And the Winner is NancyZ! Congratulations!

You can be looking for an email from me!

________________________

On a side note, does anyone have any idea how to boost my giveaway numbers. I'll admit that I didn't do everything that I should have.
But really?
Only 3 people?
Now, granted, the 3 people were AWESOME people! This has nothing to do with how great they are?
No, it's more about me.
Am I that lame?!

What do you guys think?
No, wait. Don't answer that. Let me rephrase the question.

What do you think I could do to boost my giveaway entries (without going crazy on the computer--I do have a busy life that includes 4 wonderful children!--and ignoring everything else around me)?

How to end a garage sale

2011-08-31T20:58:00.000-06:00

To: those who don't know what the end of a garage sale looks like
From: The expert of get-it-out-of-my-house-NOW!

This is what your garage sale should look like when it's all said and done.

This is my front step

With a sign that looks like this:

Let me translate for you.

The sign says, "Courage Center take it all. Everything above this sign. Everything below this sign. Everything to right of the this sign. Everything to the left of this sign. Take it all!"

Let me tell you how to end your garage sale successfully.

Preface: Receive a call Thursday night that asks you for any clothing or household donation you may have. Listen as they tell you that a truck is coming on Monday to pick up any donations. Try to retain your glee as you confirm that, "YES!IWILLHAVEITEMSTODONATE!"

Step Number 1: On the last day of your sale, let your irlbff bring over her stuff that she has been accumulating all summer to sell at a garage sale but hasn't had the energy to put on.

Step Number 2: Chasten her for carrying large boxes full of heavy wares while she is 23 weeks pregnant.

Step Number 3: Chasten her again for arguing.

Step Number 4: Shush her by grabbing the said boxes away from her.

Step Number 5: Enjoy the day with her three children, the neighbor's grandchildren, the neighbor's daughter's friend's girl, and your four children: equaling in all 10 little ones--oldest being 7.

Step Number 6: When the neighbor's grandchildren and daughter leave to go to the airport, invite the neighbor's daughter's friend to stay for lunch. Make lunch for 2 pregnant ladies and leave them in charge of the 8 remaining children in the yard.

Step Number 7: When your irlbff decides to leave, encourage her to leave everything she just toted across the miles to your house because it is "no problem" for you to get rid of it. Just tell her you're putting it on the curb when it's all said and done.

Step Number 8: Watch as she decides what she wants to do with that information.

Step Number 9: Talk to your neighbor about cleaning up the garage sale, have your oldest child hear her say the kids can come and play at her house, and listen to begging for 10 minutes about going over.

Step Number 10: Send them away.

Step Number 11: Move all the furniture into the garage. The living room furniture that did not sell? Yeah, that furniture.

Step Number 12: When the sale is officially closed, encourage the last straggler to stop and take a look around. You will not have had a lot of business and would like to unload the rest of your items on this unsuspecting customer. You will do your darnedest--AND IT WILL WORK! They will toss $10 at you and you will be thrilled and yet unsure of how you are going to divide the spoils with your irlbff.

Step Number 13: Move all the rock polishing equipment (that you don't want at all) back into the garage. Realize that you will not need to exercise for the next 3 months!

Step Number 14: On Sunday night, move the remaining items to the front step, label it, and realize that most of it didn't even belong to you in the first place. The big stuff you wanted to sell is still in your possession in the garage waiting patiently to be sold.

Because be sold it must!

Step Number 15: Come home from a busy day at the state fair and see nothing on your front step!

And the choir sings, "HALLEUJAH!!!!"

Last Chance: My Memories Giveaway

2011-08-31T05:42:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow, I will select the winner of my giveaway for MyMemories.com. So if you want to enter my giveaway, make sure you do so today! But going here is an absolute must if you want to enter! This company has been fun to work with and their stuff is fun, too!

This video gives you a lot of information regarding what they can offer you!

Welcome to the Family! from Lisa Jurrens on Vimeo.

If you are interested in purchasing the downloads, you can copy and paste this coupon code--STMMMS49979--and receive $10 off your purchase AND $10 of free merchandise! Seriously! How cool is that?

Disclosure: I earn a commission if you purchase through my affliate link.

An Unconventional Love Story

2011-08-30T05:55:00.001-06:00

To: those who love love stories and to those who want to know more about my family
From: Gianna--that's who

Do you see this handsome young man?
And this beautiful young lady?

This young man is my brother.

Isn't he handsome?

Isn't his bride lovely?

They just got married in July and had a celebration at their home 6 weeks later. It was so exciting. We love Khaiti. Andrew definitely found a gem!

Andrew and Khaiti have quite an interesting story.

And I want to tell it to you, but it's not my story to tell.

So I'm going to leave you hanging.

Just like that!

Here is a picture of our whole family including my parents and aunts and uncle and cousin.

Our girls have completely claimed Khaiti as theirs--but you can't tell that, can you? Princess Pea would NOT stand by anyone else except Auntie Khaiti!

Sometimes that's annoying.

And sometimes it's endearing.

At this point in the day, it was annoying.

But now looking at the picture, it's completely endearing.

Random topic change.....

Khaiti and Andrew own a farm.

They have goats, pigs, turkeys, chickens, and ducks.

Rosie is their gigantic (GIGANTIC) sow.

At Khaiti and Andrew's wedding celebration, Princess Pea was super enamoured with Rosie. When we couldn't find her, we knew we could find her feeding grass to Rosie.

This is how in love Princess Pea was.

Chris told me that we needed to buy a pig and put it in the backyard.

So that she could feed it.

For the rest of her life.

Khaiti and Andrew have an incredible journey ahead of them: One they are currently in the middle of experiencing.

We love you guys! Congratulations!

Organizing My Basement Week 3

2011-08-29T05:55:00.000-06:00

I was thinking back over my organizing time this week and had determined that I was going to have to confess that I had only spent 30 minutes again organizing the basement. And here's what I have to show you.

I know it's not much, but I guess I have to make whatever progress I can. Those piles are actually in an order.
You know....one is a trash pile.
One is a pile of stuff I don't know what to do with.
IE Chris has to figure out what to do with it!

But then, my awesome husband entered the picture. Look what he and Dash did! in less than 20 minutes. Aren't they the best?

But then I remembered that Chris and I took at least 2 hours to move our furniture into the driveway to sell it.
Yeah, like that happened.
Even though it's still in our garage (as no one bought it), at least this is what our playroom looks like!

And booyah......

And yeah, I am the nerdy white girl who just used the word booyah.

And I probably spelled it wrong.

And I probably used it incorrectly.

But who cares? My couch and loveseat are out of my basement.

Yes, they are still in the garage, but (in the words of my bloggie mentor friend--who I should not call my friend because she doesn't know that I am calling her that and she knows not who I am) that is neither here nor there.

(Taylor, that was for you!)

Garage Sale

2011-08-26T14:30:00.000-06:00

I am a liar.

A big one.

I said I would never have another garage sale, and yet, look at me.

Here I am; sitting on my living room furniture in the middle of my driveway hoping that some passerby will see the entire living room set and say, "I need that entire living room set RIGHT NOW! And I just happen to be driving a moving truck so I can pick it up!"

I must say that it's a very nice living room set. It would make a great addition to your driveway!

:
:
:
:

I sold a box of rocks today!

Did you hear what I said?

A box of......rocks!

For $5.

Could you sell a box of rocks for $5?

I bet you couldn't.

Then, I learned that Chris had a dinosaur fossil in there.

Oops!

I was so proud that I got some guy to pay $5 for a box of rocks.

It's not quite so awesome when you learn that that same guy paid $5 for your box of rocks and a dinosaur fossil.

Not cool at all!

I hope one of his 10 grandchildren enjoy the DB (dinosaur bone).

I folded laundry in my living room today.

My living room that is on my driveway.

Come on, people! You really need to buy my furniture.

How to Host a Summer Morning Tea Party

2011-08-25T06:00:00.115-06:00

To: Moms who want to enjoy the summer with their little girls and even their little boys
From: A Mom who sometimes doesn't but feels like she should.

1. Talk about a tea party all summer long but keep pushing it off. This is very important. If you skip this step, the tea party will not be. It just won't be.

2. Suddenly realize that summer is almost done. What happened?

3. Listen to your children talk about a tea party yet again and then, figure out that there are only 3 more weekends left in the summer.

4. Decide that you will be doing this tea party, so help me, if it's the last thing you ever do.

5. Plan the entire thing on the way to church: Make up a guest list that you will have to remember entirely in your head because you can't write it down being that you are driving, ask what will be on the menu, and discuss games that will be played--include making up your own game called Tea Party Tag. What is Tea Party Tag? You will not know. But it sounds fun doesn't it?

6. The next day give the girls paper and tell them to draw flowers for invitations.

I guess you have to be specific. Little flowers around the edges is what I was thinking, but flowers and trees and birds over the entire card will do just fine! Did you catch what was happening in the top invitation?

7. You will need to scurry and send out the invitations all the while remembering to talk to one girl's mom to see if she can invite another little girl that you won't even know her last name but it's very important that she be invited.

8. And you must decide to invite boys, too because little boys in England attend teas, why not American boys? Plus a little boy was helping to host this tea party. We are an equal opportunity family around here!

8 1/2. Tell your husband that he needs to mow the yard, promise him that you will help by mowing the backyard not the front (as you are still learning how to drive the tractor and it's better for everyone in the neighborhood if you just stick to the back), and then do the front yard anyway. In the process of mowing said yard, run into the flower bed and destroy the stones bordering it. Immediately decide that you will continue mowing the yard because you don't want to get off the mower having it quit and then have to get the neighbor over again to help you get it started for the third time. When you are done mowing the front, hop quickly off the mower scrabbling to fix the flower bed.

9. Another important step is this: the night before the said tea party, make sure your husband's cousin goes into labor and have her request your presence in the birthing room. Feel all honored that you have been chosen to be a part of something so significant that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure you are there; even calling one of the guest's moms to see if she would make mini teacakes so that you can go to the hospital. Decide that the best way to get her your minimuffin pan and cake mix would be to drop them off at your husband's former work location, tell her to ask for his former boss, comment that the former boss is going to love you for this, and listen as your friend says, "let me just meet you there." Agree to that. It's way easier.

10. Go to the hospital with the laboring mama. Walk around the hospital with said pregnant lady, her mom, her brother, and her post partum doula who happened to be available.

Make this comment, "If you had told me 13 years ago that I would be walking around a hospital with a pregnant Mel doing deep knee bends, I would never have believed you. But now look at me!" Giggle and then discuss how many years it has actually been since you met them and settle on 14. After it is all said and done, watch her get discharged to wait until she has progressed a little further.

11. Go home slightly relieved and slightly depressed that now you won't get to be with her when her baby arrives. Decide it's okay because you have to have a tea party!

12. On the morning of the tea party, have a sudden inspiration. Everyone will decorate their own plate for their food.

14. Have another inspiration. This one is very important: How to play Tea Party
Tag. Only rename it Tea Pot Tag. Try to get over the name Tea Pot Tag. And tell yourself the rules: Once you get tagged, you are a teapot until someone tips you over and pours you out. Ask who wants to be it and realize it's gotta be you or no one! So here we go!

What is wrong with my arms?

15. Have your final inspiration (you will get tired from all these inspirations, let me tell you) for your last game. This inspiration will happen when you find an empty box sitting around your house and notice that someone didn't put the Hulk Basketball away. Here are all the supplies you will need for a Ball Toss: You gotta put Hulk away because he doesn't belong at a tea party. So get everyone involved!

16. Send everyone away happy and excited for the next tea party. Be excited yourself as it was the easiest party you have ever (and I do mean ever) thrown.

MyMemories.com

2011-08-24T07:00:00.003-06:00

I have this awesome sister-in-law! You all need to meet her. She is the one who unknowingly inspired me to start blogging. She is creative, brilliant, tech-savvy, and absolutely wonderful! (I am sure she is blushing and refusing to read anymore and yet can't help but keep going to see what other wonderful things I will say about her!)

You all need to go checkout her blog--Rumahama.

There is a point to all this gushing.

My sis-in-law did some exploring on MyMemories.com for me. You see, where I am completely capable of doing the exploring, I am not good at exploring.

So Ruhama gave me some good ideas for different things MyMemories.com can help you create.

Here they are in her words (copied and pasted verbatum! Aren't I creative?)

They've got fun fonts--make fun or personalized stationary (or grocery list headers!)--I saw there are a couple of free downloads available, if nothing else.

You know those travel mugs where you insert your own artwork? Make a 'page' that would adapt to that, if you were to print it out. Even if it's just several papers lined up in an interesting design.

So that brings me back to MyMemories.com. You see, I have this giveaway happening. They have some really cool stuff and some very simple stuff--which is what I tend towards since I need to simplify my life. If you are interested, check out their digital scrapbooking suite and then sign up for my giveaway here.

If you are interested in purchasing the downloads, you can copy and paste this coupon code--STMMMS49979--and receive $10 off your purchase. I do earn a commission on it in the interest of full disclosure, but it's still a great software program.

"You're Worth It!"

2011-08-23T07:00:00.068-06:00

To: Parents everywhere
From: A Mom who knows it's time to face the fact that this needs to be talked about.

This past week, we learned about someone in our church who has been accused of sexual abuse.

This just makes me feel yucky.

Everytime I think about it, I feel like throwing up.

My first thought was, "Oh, I hope this is only allegedly and not actually proven." But the more I talked about it with my pastor, the more I realized that hopeful thoughts don't make things go away.
Whether he is convicted of these charges or not doesn't take away the fact that these people are out there.

And my kids are vulnerable (as are yours!). It's time to talk about this.
How do I talk to a 6 year old, a 4 year old, a 3 year old, and a 16 month old about this?

Thankfully, Wordgirl had just suggested that we start reading the Bible more (which looking back, we hadn't been--I'm so glad she suggested this), so we started in Genesis and took a little bit each day.

One night, we read about the day God made the birds of the air and the fish of the sea (Day 5--in case you were wondering...Day 4 was the sun, moon, and stars, Day 3 was something I don't remember--the sky maybe?, Day 2 was the something else, Day 1 was the light and there you have it in reverse order! Sorta!).

The next night, we read about the day God made the animals on land and man. We discussed what it meant to be made in God's image: How we reflect him like a mirror reflects our image.

The following day at lunch, we sat under a tree in the front yard eating our lunch at the picnic table when a stroke of genius hit--or the prompting of the Holy Spirit whichever you prefer.

Now was the time. We were all in a great mood. We were enjoying each other's company, and we could have a good discussion.

These were the points of conversation we had.

God made us and it was good.
We were made to be like Him--not to be God but to look like Him as a mirror image looks like us.
God finds value in us and we are worth a lot to Him.
How much are we worth? We are priceless.
We are worth so much that God was us to protect ourselves. That's why we were seatbelts in the car and bike helmets. That's why we wear shoes on our feet.
Sometimes people want to hurt us or touch us in a way that makes us feel yucky and God wants us to protect ourselves from that. That's why we don't talk to strangers, or let them into our circle of safety yelling that we don't them if they get too close.
If anyone we know hurts you or touches you in a way that makes you feel yucky, you can tell us and we will believe you and love you.

And from there we proceeded to practice things to shout when people come too close.
"YOU ARE NOT MY MOM! YOU ARE NOT MY DAD! I DON'T KNOW YOU!" (We didn't actually yell these things! That would not have been a good idea in the front yard of our house!)

Wordgirl wanted to yell, "I don't like you!" But I told her that wouldn't be as a effective being that kids yell that all the time.

The rest of the day was filled with, "Dash! You are in my circle of safety!"
"Wordgirl, give me space!"
"Princess Pea, don't forget about the circle of safety. You can't hit!"

So on and so forth.

I know that this discussion is far from over, but it's started.

How do you talk to your kids about this?
Sign up for my giveaway from MyMemories.com to win the digital scrapbook suite. Go here!

Organizing My Basement Week 2

2011-08-22T06:01:00.000-06:00

This is what it looked like last Monday

And this is what it looks like today.

I must confess that I only did 30 minutes instead of 70.
Why you might ask?
It must have something to do with 4 small children.
To which I would have to confess again that no, it doesn't have anything to do with small children.

Reason number 1: I did not actually do any work the day I posted -10 minutes.
Reason number 2: I thought I would be needed in helping bring a baby into this world--which actually hasn't happened yet--and so I was distracted trying to finish some other things. -10 minutes.
Reason number 3: We had a tea party on Saturday and I was completely exhausted. -10 minutes.
Reason number 4: We went to a graduation party and I took a nap. -10 minutes.

And there you have it.
Yet, I am still proud of my small accomplishment. However, maybe I shouldn't be so proud since the shelf has been in our backyard for 6 days now.

Excuse me while I go do something about that!

My giveaway for mymemories.com is stil up and running. Go here to enter! Currently I have no one signed up to win. It's open until September 1--my birthday--and there is a great possibility that you could win just by being the one and only entry! Go for it!

'Fessing Up Friday--A Short One

2011-08-19T13:57:00.000-06:00

I was gonna fess up today, but I can't think straight as there is exciting news happening and I can't think about all my blunders this week.

Well, I'll give you one. .

I was busy getting ready for my kids' tea party tomorrow and I was in such a hurry that i mowed the front yard.

I told Chris I wouldn't mow the front yard.

Oh, dear. I shouldn't have.

Maybe I'll just strategically place the tables and chairs over the patches that I missed!

Yeah, that's what I will do.

Don't forget about mymemories giveaway.

A GiveAway: MyMemories

2011-08-17T15:11:00.001-06:00

Are you anything like me? You take picture after picture because your kids are so dang cute, but you leave those pictures on the computer or worse, on the camera, until you have so many pictures you don't know what to do with them.

I have a really good friend who is a scrapbooking consultant and she puts me to shame with all the scrapbooking she actually gets done. She hosts girls evenings so that we can get together and spur each other on toward love and good deeds... Or at the very least a scrapbook.

I haven't gone.

I'm too ashamed! (that, and it never seems to work out for me to go)

I used to be a consultant.

I no longer am.

Why?

Because I am lazy.

Oh, yes! Lazy. If I can find 10 minutes everyday to clean the basement, I should be able to find 10 minutes everyday to scrapbook. Except that it takes 20 minutes to find all my stuff and then another 20 minutes to pack it all up. Before you know it, it's been an hour and I haven't gotten anything down on the page.

But I have to do something. JackJack deserves a baby book just like everyone else. I am determined. And I want to make sure our family has documentation that they existed.

In 1000 years, unless the Lord returns first, I would like someone to pull my scrapbooks out of the rubble and say, "This is what a family in 2011 looked like."

You know, because paper will last 1000 years.
Who wants to be green anyway?
Paper must NOT be biodegradeable.
My legacy must live on!

Let me introduce you to MyMemories.
They are a pretty cool online company that lets you download their digital scrapbook software for a super reasonable price. And it has lots of features. Let me show you what I was able to figure out in 20 minutes (you must remember, I'm not the brightest bulb when it comes to computer related stuff--for most of you, this would take you about 5 minutes! And they offer tutorials on http://www.youtube.com/ but let me remind you, I'm lazy)

They are offering a giveaway to help you maintain your family's memories with their My Memories Suite.

Here are the ways you can participate. Leave a comment for each one you do.

1. Mandatory: Visit their website MyMemories.com and see what they have to offer. Comment with what you liked best!

2. Follow them on their blog - http://www.blogger.com/goog_140472528

3. Follow them on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/mymemoriessuite

4. Follow them on Twitter- http://twitter.com/#!/mymemoriessuite

This GiveAway is open until September 1st--My BIRTHDAY!

If you don't win the giveaway and are still interested in purchasing their software, I have a deal for you. You can use this coupon code to receive $10 off your purchase: STMMMS49979

Disclosure: If you purchase using the coupon code, I recieve commission.

Getting Married and Staying Married

2011-08-16T13:46:00.001-06:00

To: Anyone Who is Married
From: One who has been married for 12 years now -- completely unbelievable--did I spell that right? I hate when I overanalyze a word and think it looks wrong even when it is spelled completely correctly.

When Chris and I got married, I was so excited. Romance was on the agenda for the rest of my life. I didn't have to worry about a date or worry if someone thought I was the cherry on top of their ice cream sundae. I was picked to be loved for the rest of my life.

Oh, what a great feeling. I was on cloud nine! (Even though I had an emotional breakdown the day after our wedding--freaking out about money--that was soon remedied with some awesome barbeque)

Then, we stayed married.

For those of you who don't know this, let me tell you. Staying married and Getting married are two completely different things. Getting married is all about an event and it's fun and it's meaningful and it's romantic.

Staying married is all about everyday life. About eating and cleaning the house and passing gas and working at our jobs. It's not always fun. It doesn't seem very meaningful at the time. And rarely do you want it to be romantic--you just want to do your household tasks and move on!

It was hard for me to stay married. I didn't like it. It's not that I wanted to leave. I still cared about Chris and I knew he cared about me, but I didn't feel pretty or cherished or chosen. Well, I did feel chosen. But not the good kind of chosen--more the leftovers chosen to help with the work.

Yea! This is awesome!

Don't tell me that you have never felt this way. If you say you have never felt these feelings, you are a liar. Okay, so if you have only been married for 2 years, I won't call you a liar, but if you have been married longer than that, I will.

It's not about looking for someone else. It's about feeling pretty or cherished or chosen. Am I right?

There are a few things that I have determined we can do to make marriage easier on our husbands (and ultimately ourselves):

Smile when you see him. Amazingly we forget that we like our husbands, and we forget to smile at them.
Tell him a fun story or two about your day whether it be about the kids or about a project at work. You have purpose in this world. Invest in that purpose and include him by being excited and telling him about it.
Try to look our best for our husband. If you fall into the slump like I have done (and sometimes still do), we forget that we used to work hard to look good for him. So even if we aren't going anywhere at all beyond the backyard, we can leave the ratty clothes for disgusting projects, put on a nice outfit and even a little makeup to draw attention to our best features. Don't spend 40 minutes in the bathroom when all you have is 10, but use those 10 minutes efficiently and come out of that bathroom like a rock star. Even run the shower to create steam in order to walk out of the "smoke." No, I am totally kidding--although that would be hilarious!
Encourage their hobbies. Join them on their adventures without complaining and send them on adventures without complaining!

For the longest time I thought the statement, "I love you more now than when I first married you," was the dumbest statement ever made on the planet.

(in all reality--I say that about a lot of things)

How could that possibly be true?

But then one day I realized that I liked Chris a whole lot more now than who he was in 1999. He was WAY better now than back then.

Does that sound bad? Because I don't mean it to sound bad. But seriously, he is so much cooler now than when I first met him.

And then I understood.

I can honestly say (and have honestly told him), "I like who you are now a whole lot more than who you were!"

To which he looks at me like I'm a crazy person and says, "okay? Thanks?"

Annnnnnnddddd I love him!

Too Overwhelmed to Organize? Me Too.

2011-08-15T14:29:00.000-06:00

To: those of you who are like me. When a gigantic project lands in your lap, you don't push it off. You don't even touch it with your hands. You ignore it. .....and ignore it.......and ignore it until one day you realize it's not going anywhere and maybe you should do something about it. So now you've decided to do something about it, but you can't figure out what so you don't do anything.......and don't do anything else.....and don't do anything after that. And you just sit there hoping that if you wait long enough, it will get up off your lap and leave you alone. But it doesn't.

From: Me--I've decided it's time to do something and I need your help.

I have a complex. My complex is called If-I-Ignore-It-It-Will-Go-Away. Let me explain.

In May, our basement flooded. We did not have inches of standing water; only puddles that would not recede. They were all over the basement. My dad and Chris cut channels in our concrete floor to guide the water to the drain.

It worked.

It also layered our entire basement (not to mention the rest of the house) with fine concrete dust. Yummy!

Then, in July, just after Chris had patched the grooves, while we were on vacation, it flooded again.

This time, Chris cut through the concrete to make a hole big enough to submerge a water basin and sump pump.

It worked.

And our basement once again was layered with dust. This time, Chris sectioned off the room of the basement to prevent it from going everywhere. And it helped a little, but still there it is.

I say there it is because even though he put it in 4 weeks ago, and even though our basement first flooded 2 1/2 months ago, I have not looked at our basement.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have been down there multiple times a day. I have to switch the laundry or get something out of the chest freezer, etc. But I just put on my shoes (and my blinders) and trudge my way through the dirt and mess, do my thing, and get back up stairs as fast as I can.

Every day I think, "I just can't do anything about it. I have 4 small children who make it impossible to do anything but my daily routines. They can't come down here. It's hazardous." On and on the excuses pour forth.
And pour forth they do.

Let me just show you what I'm working with. (As humbling and embarrassing as this is, you are seeing the before. And trust me when I say I took these pictures this morning. There is NO after yet)

Chris spent 2 hours--on our anniversary--with the girls starting
to clean the mess.
Believe me when I say this looks amazing!

This is the laundry room.
I know you are jealous.
At the bottom right is the hole that Chris cut and
put in the sump pump. The concrete pieces are still there.

I'm trying to sell the loveseat.
I don't think it's going anywhere, do you?

Can't really play in the playroom, huh?

What are some options I have?
1. Ignore it. (As you can see, that's working well for me)
2. Send my children to my mom's for a week and clean it (but with school upon us, I can't see that happening and right now she is in Canada).
Plus, would I really work on it or would I ignore it and play with my friends since I was childless?
Exactly what I thought.
3. Do something everyday. Because even if I didn't do much at least I would have done something.

Have you heard of FLYlady? FLY stands for Finally Loving Yourself. Basically this FLYlady sets up routines for you to follow so that you can spend a little time to organize your house and a lot of time with your family/work/etc. One thing she says is that anyone can do anything for 5 minutes.

I'm going to change that to: Gianna can do basement cleaning for 10 minutes.

So set the timer for 10 minutes each day and meet you here next Monday to see what I did in 70 minutes!

"Honey, this is what Hell is going to be! I'm so GLAD I'm not going there!"

2011-08-11T15:49:00.003-06:00

To: the nice man in Rainbow Foods at whom I glared menacingly
From: a frazzled mom of hoodlums!

At 6:00 pm, I decided to take my 4 children to Walgreens and Rainbow to take advantage of Double Coupon Day. We had eaten supper and had even finished our supper chores with the whole evening ahead of us. Also, Chris has been working late this week and our grass needed to be mowed--he finds this activity quite relaxing.

At least I think he does.

So I decided that I would take all the children to the store with me. He could then come home to a peaceful (i.e. silent) house and mow the lawn.

Wasn't that completely and utterly thoughtful of me?

I am the best wife in the world!

So

I loaded the clan into the van.

Oh, yeah.
That rhymes!
Clan into the van. Clan into the van!
Say it with me.
Clan into the van! Clan into the van.

Ahem.

When we arrived at Walgreens, we recited our Store rules and consequences.

Rule #1--Stay by mommy. (Don't run away from me and if I'm moving, keep up!)

Rule #2--Listen and obey. (Seems self explanatory)

Rule #3--Don't say "I Want, I Want, I Want." (You should hear Dash reciting this rule. It's really rather hilarious. The purpose of this rule is to control their tongues. We are going into the store to purchase what we need and if it's not on the list, we aren't getting it end of story. There are a few exceptions to the rule, but I can garauntee that if you are incessently asking, the answer will be no!)

Rule #4--If you have to go potty, tell Mommy.(declared by Princess Pea and Wordgirl)

Rule #5--Stay on the sidewalk and if there is a car, don't go on the road. (also created by Wordgirl and Princess Pea)

Okay, this is just getting ridiculous. I am much more concerned about Rules 1-3 than I am about Rule 4-5--however important they may be.

Consequence: If these rules are not followed, we will leave the store and sit in the van until we are ready to obey (I got this one from the Duggars).

These rules are recited almost every time we go into a store. They are quite versed in the rules. However, knowing them in your brain is much different than knowing them in your heart.

So into Walgreens we traipsed.

And it was a complete disaster. Part of the reason was because I was not in control, and part of the reason was because I forgot that I could declare marshal law and enforce the consequence without explanation.

However, instead of calling it a day, we decided to see if it could get any better at Rainbow Foods!

Rainbow was no better. They weren't keeping up, they were incessentantly talking and asking for my attention, and I was fighting Dash the whole way of who got to push the cart. To say the least, it was trying.

As we were searching the aisles for pizza sauce not even half done with our shopping, Dash who is new to this potty training thing said, "Uh-oh! I have to go potty!"

So I steered the cart over by the bathrooms, left my 6, 4, and 1 year olds alone while I took my 3 year old to the bathroom (who just happened to go all over his clothes because we didn't make sure he was pointing down!).

We then continued in our seach for pizza sauce.

On a side note--you would think they would put the pizza sauce by the spaghetti sauce being that it's all Italian food. But noooooo. Instead they put it some random place like beside the hamburger helper and say, "tee hee! Try to find us!" So when you are at your wits end and ready to swear at any passerby, you finally ask the cashier where it would be and they have to call the grocer department because they don't know either! By the Hamburger Helper? Really! Couldn't you put it somewhere more logical--like by the spaghetti!?

Suddenly, Princess Pea said, "Mom, I gotta go to the bathroom."
And Wordgirl, "So do I, Mom."

Uh, okay. Here we go again. This time, I steered the cart and stayed with it while I sent my girls to the bathroom.

Because who stayed with me? A very active 3 year old and a 1 year old who was completely DONE with being in the cart. Screaming and fussing ensued.

He squirmed his way out of the seat belt and was suddenly standing on the seat in the cart!!!!

Oh, I had had it with this experience.

So what did I do? I called Chris.

When he answered, "Yep, I'm still in traffic."

Me: I am so glad that I am assured that I'm going to Heaven because I now know what Hell is going to be. I'm in Hell right now!

Chris: Are you at home?

Me: No. I'm in Rainbow.

Chris: Oh.

Me: This has been awful. Hell may be dark and hot and horrible, but I'm pretty sure that I'm living it right now!

Chris: I'm sorry!

Me: And all this so that you could come home and relax and mow the lawn! AUGH!

FINALLY, after being directed to the pizza sauce, we were able to check out. Oh, but don't breathe a sigh of relief. After I paid, my children made sure to be right under my feet, constantly creating traffic jams in the aisle, trying to load the groceries into our bags while blocking peaceful patrons of the store from being about to leave! Insisting they "help" me!

And you, nice fellow who had the nerve to enjoy my torment, were just seeing my life through a different lense. Instead of being grateful for a kindhearted perspective, I growled at you and glared at you and muttered curses under my breath.

Okay, so I'm totally kidding about the curses.

Well, not really, but they weren't at you.

What I should have said was thank you for enjoying my children and not being angry at them. Thank you for seeing the chaos as a blessing and not irritating. And thank you for not complaining to me about them.

(i know i posted this on a thursday, but I'm pretty sure Kira wouldn't care!)

How to Not Make Money Selling Your Plasma

2011-08-10T14:06:00.000-06:00

Because really, that's what it is. You aren't donating when they pay you for it!

First, you ask your non-cousin cousin, Matt (you all remember Matt, right?) if he can come watch the children for approximately 3 hours. He will state that if you could get home any earlier it would be helpful for him to be able to get to class on time.    You will say sheepishly,"Uh, I don't know if Iwill be able to because I am going to see if I can donate plasma and I have to have this long appointment to do that." And yet, he will agree because that's just the coolness level of your non-cousin cousin.

When, he comes over on the specified day, you make sure that he knows what everyone can eat, and then you take off.

You arrive in the laboratory--because that's what it is--and you notice this awful smell. You will then say to yourself that it is completely okay. That odor means that everything is sterile--maybe.

A white labcoat tells you to sign in and read an incredibly daunting binder full of paperwork. "Just familiarize yourself with this. The nurse will go over it all at your physical."

Uh, thank you? I think.

After reading for 10 minutes all the different possible scary situations that could happen, you think, "was this really necessary? Couldn't this have waited until the nurse goes over it with me? I don't know if this is the best idea! What if I find out I'm really sick and I don't realize it!"

Just as you are about to decide to make a hasty exit, a white labcoat calls your name--perfectly, I might add--and you are obligated to go up to the counter. The counter where they take your picture, take your fingerprint 41 times, make you read an agreement statement out loud, and answer more questions.

Then, the white labcoat (who is very nice--because they have to be. They are going to stick you with a needle and take your blood out, play with it, and put it back in! They better be nice!) says, "We are going to see how good your veins are."

Okay?

They bring you back to a "chair" and make you lay down and put a blood pressure cuff on to see if they can find a vein. They tell you to make a fist and then proceed to bang their fingers into your elbow joint multiple times.

At this point, you will find it necessary to explain to them that when you had all your babies your veins collapsed. To which they will say, "That's not very promising for donating plasma."

But they don't stop there. "It's really important that your veins can take the stress since we use a 17 gauge needle. It's a really big needle......"  You won't hear anymore after that.

And you will think, "Phew."

Is that wrong?  Let me assure you that it is not wrong to be relieved that they are not going to jab you with a really big needle!

They will then proceed to put the blood pressure cuff on the other arm and continue with the finger banging on the elbow joint. What will they find?

Nothing!

And besides being slightly --and only slightly--disappointed, you walk out of the laboratory breathing easy. You won't even pay attention to all the instructions about how you can build up your veins and come back in a couple of months to try again!

Build up your veins? I don't think so! I am perfectly happy with the size of my veins!

Cheap Mom Tricks

2011-08-09T14:10:00.001-06:00

To: Anyone trying to save a buck
From: one who has some fantastic-lived through it myself-ideas!

I love my van. And it is my van because Chris's Santa Fe is his Santa Fe. So this is completely okay to claim. Occasionally, I drive his vehicle and vice versa, but mostly my van is my van and we leave it at that.

On Saturday, my Check Engine light came on. Oh, NO! How can this be? We aren't even at 100,000 miles yet, and I don't think anything is wrong. It runs just fine, but at the same time, what if something is wrong? I can't ignore my baby. (I use the term "baby" loosely here as I do not hold that tightly to a 6 year old van, but I do like it!)

So I discussed the situation with Chris, and we decided to take it to Matt's "guy."

You might be asking who Matt is. If you are, you are not alone. Matt is Chris's cousin who I claim regularly! Like today, when I called the "guy," I told him that I was Matt's cousin. Is this true? Oh, no, it is not. Who is Matt's cousin? Chris! And did I find it important to explain this to the "guy" when I went in? You bet I did! I had just lied about a relative. And it was imperative that I correct the mistake. Because one day I will have to answer for my actions and lying about how I'm related to Matt is definitely not going to be overlooked.

We got the number from Matt with the explanation that they aren't the cheapest in town. But he completely trusts them (which is WAY more important). So I called them. We got the price quoted for the diagnostic check, cleared with the powers that be (Chris--don't tell him I said that! It will totally go to his head!), and set up the appointment.

The morning passed and before I knew it, it was time to take it in. When we arrived, we registered, and I noticed their waiting room.

Cheap Mom Trick #1: Go to the service station in town with the nicest waiting room--i.e. popcorn and TV-- and eat their stuff while everyone thinks your van is getting worked on. Invade their space because even though your children are making a disaster of the room, at least it's not your house and then they can play with all the tires on the wall when they are done watching TV and eating popcorn.

The "guy" came back with a huge smile on his face and said, "Well.......it's not that......bad."
Oh, no! How much is this going to cost!

Cheap Mom Trick #2: How to save $35.26. If the Check Engine light comes on, the first--ABSOLUTE first--thing you should check is that your gas cap is screwed on tightly. This could save you money and save you face.

Not that I would know, of course. This would never happen to me. My check engine light was on for something far more significant.

Really!

How to Take A Bike Ride With All Four Children By Yourself In 10 Easy Steps

2011-08-08T14:11:00.000-06:00

To: Moms who want to go on a bike ride with their children, who have waited all summer to do it, and who have not had the chance before today--August 8

From: one who has tried

The first step is to make sure that your 2nd oldest can tootle along happily on her bike. Make sure that even though she is only 4 years old she has been taught her right and left and can turn the correct direction. Do not be too overly shocked or amazed at her intelligence or it will take time away from your bike ride. Praise the Lord Almighty, and move on.

The second step is to get your bike down from the rafters of the garage. It would be much easier if your husband is around to procure it for you, but understand it is August 8 and it is time to get the whole family out on the bike. So whether he is able to do this or not should not be the deciding factor. If he is not around, get it down yourself even if it means treadmarks on your shins as you fumble the awkward and heavy contraption. Also, expect that all the toys currently milling around the garage with be crashed, trampled, and dispersed in a destructive fashion as you lose your grip on the most beloved of summer equipment. Hopefully, you have removed and thus penned up any small animal or baby that could be crushed beneath you as you land with a thud on the grimy cement floor under your bike. Otherwise, much energy will be exerted to prevent your little one's death.

Once your bicycle is sitting on its own two wheels having been pumped up, ask your husband to attach the trail-along (an extra bike thingy for a child to learn to ride behind/with their parent). This is something you MUST ask your husband to do as you will have no idea what to do or what to use to make this happen. This may take some planning on your part, but once you ask him, you get to watch him be a manly man lifting the trail-along with one hand (and him hardly breaking a sweat). Seeing him will remind you why you married him (this is an especially helpful step if you have just had a fight) and that, indeed, is always beneficial.

Step four requires you practicing with each child (except the baby) to see if this is something you can really do.

We are now at step five. Everyone sit down for this one. This may come as a shock to you, but if you want to go on that bike ride and it is August 8 already and you still haven't gotten out with all the kids, this is a MUST! Pull your Burley pull-behind trailer out of the garage. Remember the garage? Ground Zero of the Bike disaster? Beneath all that wreckage lies your pull-behind and you will need it. So yank it out, and attach it to the Trail Along.

While you are preparing for step six, look at your train, gulp, take a deep breath, and listen to your 4 year old say, "You have a five wheeled bike, Mom!"

For step six, don your bike helmet--this is an absolute must for all pedalers--load the youngest two in the pull-behind, and have all pedalers take their positions--4 year old on her own bike, the 6 year old on the trail-along because she just hasn't gotten the hang of riding her bike yet, and you in the front of the bike train.

Step seven: yell at your independent 4 year old to "GET OUTTA THE WAY or I'M GONNA CRASH!" Continue on the road, realize you can't see your youngest girl (or boy, whatever the case may be), tell her to pass you on the busiest road in town, and try to keep the bike train steady as she passes you.

For step eight, pray, breathe, trust in God, and keep going.

Step nine, take your bike across the other busiest road in town while your independent biker runs as fast as she can to make it across. Once you reach the other side, tell her keep going keep going because the train is way long and is still sticking out into the middle of the road.

The last and final step-Step 10. Arrive at your destination and realize you have to do it all over again when you go back home. However, by now you are an expert and it should be a breeze.

Right?

A Not So Good Treat

2011-08-04T14:07:00.001-06:00

To Mothers of Toddlers/Preschoolers
From one who just discovered

There are good treats and there are not so good treats. Usually this information is obvious. But you would be surprised how often a not so good treat emerges when you first thought, "Oh, that would be a great idea!"

For example, good treats consist of crackers: animal, graham, soda, buttery, iced, etc. Good treats also consist of different types of cookies.

Now, I know what you are saying. You are saying, "I would NEVER feed my child refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup."

Or quite possibly you are saying, "Right on, sista! That's all my child will EAT!"

I understand your dismay (if you are one of the former), and if the latter agrees so wholeheartedly with me, I may need to post about nutrition.

However, I want to assure you that this post about good treats has nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, to do with nutrition and poisoning with bad nutrition.

This post has everything to do with common sense. And apparently, when I am surrounded by 2 young ones demanding my every attention, I do not possess such a characteristic.

Let me explain.

We went to the park for something special to do with the boys since they have been abandoned by the girls. To leave the park, I had a stroke of genius! Genius, I say!

Mama--hey, Dash! When we get home, we will have ice cream!
Dash--Ice cream?
Mama--Yep! Ice cream! Now, get into your seat!

I figured he would like that. What I didn't expect was his insistence that it be an ice cream cone.

Oh, well. What harm could it do? I only had to pay attention to him and JackJack. He could most definitely have a cone. Here I go again thinking 2 was easier than 4!

Except that when the littlest saw his big brother getting a cone, he wanted one. And JackJack was not happy with just a cone. He wanted ice cream too. So I appeased him. I put him in his booster chair, gave him a teeny tiny scoop of ice cream in his cone, and voila! Happy boys!

Until Dash wanted me to eat his cone down so he could get to his ice cream.

And JackJack's ice cream had melted into a small puddle in the cone.

And Dash wanted me to eat his cone down so he could get to his ice cream.

And I had to break JackJack's cone into pieces so he would eat it.

And Dash wanted me to eat his cone down so he could get to his ice cream.

And JackJack started chucking the cone pieces off his tray and into (of all places) my clean laundry!

Of course!

Word to the wise: Do not put clean laundry anywhere near where a child can get his grubby hands on it or for that matter chuck sticky ice cream cone pieces into it!

So even if the treat seems harmless, there might be repercussions you haven't even considered yet! Ask yourself, "What could they possibly do with this snack/treat? Can this treat smear on the walls? Can it break into pieces? Can this treat cause jealousy between siblings?" And most importantly, "Will this cause me to rewash an entire 2 loads of clean laundry?"

I'm just saying!

Have Lots of Children--it doesn't matter anyway

2011-08-03T13:45:00.000-06:00

To the audience of those who don't think they want more than one or two kids,

I have come to a realization that you may find helpful in your quest for determining if you should have more children. I'm not saying that you HAVE to have more kids (I know for some that is impossible), but I am saying that if you end up unintentionally pregnant, you might as well keep having more. This is why.

Currently, I am down two kids. More specifically, I am the only female in our house until our girls come back from grandma and grandpa's house. I have been looking forward to their trip to Wisconsin because I could get caught up on projects while they were gone.

After all, I would only have 2 and not 4.

However, I have learned that it makes no difference how many kids you have. What matters is if they are good listeners and obedient.

Dash is three. Before anyone says, "Oh, he's out of his terrible twos," I would like to point out emphatically that three is one hundred thousand times worse than two. A two year old may throw a tantrum, but a three year old throws a TANTRUM!!!!!!!!!

Back to Dash and being three. His whole life, Dash has never been the oldest. You may say, "of course he is not the oldest. He is your third child."

And thank you for pointing that out. The difference is that being the third child has made his life extremely difficult as he wants to be the oldest. He needs lots of attention. Yes, it is his age, but it is also more than his age. It's his personality!

I will go no farther because I love this little spitfire of personality and I don't want to deface his character (which we are still developing). However, I have noticed that it takes me just as long to get out the door with 2 as it did with 4.

And do you want to know why? The children who need lots of encouragement and choices are still at home! The ones who make me extra exhausted have not left the building. In fact, since the girls departed more harm than good has come to these little guys.

The first day the boys watched hours and hours of tv and movies because that was the only thing that made them feel better since they were abandoned by their doting big sisters. Simply abandoned. Then, we went to the portrait studio to get some pictures taken for Dash's third birthday where they watched more and more movies while waiting for our turn. When we came home, we ended quiet time early so that they could watch more (and also so that Dash could break his daddy's new tv, but that is neither here nor there).
Dash significantly burned his hand on the stove. If my girls had been home, more than likely he wouldn't have even been near the stove, but as he needs to soak in as much mommy attention as possible, I invited his participation in making lunch after he told he wanted to help. After I moved the pot off the hot burner, he placed his hand there and immediately snatched it up! I wanted to cry with him. I felt so horrible. He is okay, but it was a long afternoon in which he fell asleep on our easychair clasping his hands together because they hurt.

If the girls were here, everyone would have been playing together so the brain numbing and the hand burning would have been kept to a minimum. I'm not saying it would have gone completely away because you never really know what could happen, but there is a strong possibility that it would have never happened.

We still have 2 more days to go!

In conclusion no matter how many children you have, you are destined for craziness, accidents, and exhaustion, so you might as well keep 'em coming!

What is a Maggot?

2011-08-02T13:48:00.000-06:00

Praying
Dear God,
What is a maggot? And why are they so absolutely disgusting? I don't think they are a result of the fall because if my studly husband is right (and he generally is), they are baby flies. And if you created flies when you created animals, then baby flies would be found to be good, too.

But oh, my oh!!!! What can we say of this little "good" animal, I cannot know. Ew Ew Ew! Shiver shiver shriek! And now my sisterfriend Andrea has lost her ability to hear as I screamed into the phone and almost threw up on the lawn!

I am not convinced that you find these little nasties to be good. They MUST have come as a result of the fall. Simply stated, pestilence canNOT be good. It just can't be. When you said that man will toil over the ground, pestilence MUST have come as a consequence that we must suffer because of our sinful nature.

And with pestilence comes pestilence larvae. And thus come gross disgusting maggots!

Even the word maggot is disgusting. But do you know what is more disgusting? Seeing them crawling ALL OVER MY GARBAGE can!

Shiver shiver shriek!

How do you kill these nasties? Is it okay to kill these nasties because they gross me out? Or is that genocide?

Please please let me kill these nasties without a bit of remorse. I don't want them on my stuff. I don't want them on me!

Why are they all over my garbage can?

Save me, Lord!

Amen