Boogie Wipes winner:

 

#4

Congrats! 

Kristen Andrews said...

follow your blog

October 16, 2009 8:21 AM

 

You have 48 hrs to respond to me email.. or I will pick a new winner. Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy!

Hunter got his…….

 

 

progress towards ranks badge this week.… His first achievement as a wolf! He is doing really good! I’m very proud of him. He is excited for the upcoming campouts coming up next month. Not to worry, their will be photo’s!

The winner is.....

 

for the El Tacodor Dinner Prize Pack!!!!
#5

alwayshopeful said...

folow ur blog! alwayshopeful

 

Congrats!!! I sent you an email, and you have 48hrs to respond, before choosing another winner. Thanks to all those who entered. More giveaways coming up soon, and still time to enter for my Boogie Wipes Giveaway HERE.

Blog Tour: Shadow Government by Grant Jeffrey Book Review

About the Author:

Grant R. Jeffrey is the internationally known prophecy researcher, Mideast expert, and author of Countdown to the Apocalypse, The New Temple and the Second Coming, The Next World War, and twenty other best-selling books. He is also the editor of the Prophecy Study Bible. His popular television program, Bible Prophecy Revealed, airs weekly on TBN. Jeffrey earned his master’s and PhD degrees from Louisiana Baptist University . He and his wife, Kaye, live in Toronto .

My thoughts:

I could not get into this book… I think it was just to paranoid for my liking. I’m not a paranoid person so i couldn’t seem to agree with his views making it hard for me to get into it. Some of it made you wander about how much of it could be true though? Do you really think that many people are watching you at all times?? And if so do you want to know about??

Summary:

Security cameras, surveillance of private financial transactions, radio frequency spy chips hidden in consumer products, eavesdropping on e-mail correspondence and phone calls, and Internet tracking. No one is protected, and privacy is a thing of the past. 
An ultra-secret global elite, functioning as a very real shadow government, controls technology, finance, international law, world trade, political power, and vast military capabilities. These unnamed, unrivaled leaders answer to no earthly authority, and they won’t stop until they control the world.
In Shadow Government, prophecy expert Grant Jeffrey removes the screen that, up to now, has hidden the work of these diabolical agents. Jeffrey reveals the biblical description of Satan’s global conquest and identifies the tools of technology that the Antichrist will use to rule the world.


To buy this book go to Randomhouse.com
If you would like to blog for books, go HERE!

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Rachel’s cake:

 

As I had stated in my previous post… the cost of cakes at the supermarket has just gotten ridiculous! When Rach asked for a $50 cake, I was thinking it was time to get thrifty in the kitchen. I already had a big set of tips for frosting cakes, so all I had to buy was the pan. Which I got on sale for $6!

My MIL has done some cake decorating, so due to my busy schedule I kinda just let her handle it this time. However, I do have all intentions of working on making the next one, with some guidance from her. Here is how it came out! I think it came out amazing!!! Thanks again Mom! :)

Do you make your own or buy a cake???

Blog tour: Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur Book Review

 

 

About the Author:

Randall Arthur is the bestselling author of Jordan’s Crossing and Brotherhood of Betrayal. He and his wife have served as missionaries to Europe for over thirty years. From 1976 till 1998, he lived in Norway and Germany as a church planter. Since 2000, he has taken numerous missions teams from the United States on trips all over Europe . Arthur is also the founder of the AOK (Acts of Kindness) Bikers’ Fellowship, a group of men who enjoy the sport of motorcycling. He and his family live in Atlanta , Georgia .

My thoughts:

I was not sure what this book was going to bring at first. I have never read any of Randall Arthur’s work. It took me a bit to get into it….but then I was hooked. It was an emotional book, from the beginning. It however, makes you believe that all things happen for a reason, and trust in god. Reminds you that even when things are down, you have to pull yourself up and move on. Triumph over evil… and that is exactly what Pastor Jason did in this book. Despite all odds, he found a way to keep moving and triumph over evil. It was inspiring and thought provoking. I thought it was very well written, and felt so real.

Summary:

Pastor Jason Faircloth knows what he believes. His clear faith, in fact, is why he is one of the most prominent pastors in Atlanta . He relies on it to discipline his daughter, his wife, his church. He prays daily that others would come to see God’s ways as he does.

And it is about to cost him everything.

Groping for answers in the face of tragedy, Jason begins a search for the only family he has left: the granddaughter kept hidden from him. Soon he finds himself on an international adventure that will take him straight into the depths of his soul. He is determined not to fail again.

A fast-paced suspense novel rich in spiritual depth, Wisdom Hunter explores what it means to break free of Christian legalism—and discover why grace can mean the difference between life and death.

To buy the book go to Randomhouse.com

Interested in blogging for books?? Go Here

 

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Rachel turns 6

 

That really snuck up on us! Doesn’t it amaze you how you wait and wait 9 long months to meet that precious baby and then it seems like at the blink of an eye years have passed? I don’t get how it goes so quickly! She is a beautiful little girl! Here are some of the things she is up to this year:

• Dancing Ballet & Tap
• Learning lots at Kindergarten including a bunch of Spanish words.
• becoming a great helper
• learning to be a better sister
• became a girl scout
• get more stubborn by the year
• almost equally as tall and weighs as much as her brother
• becoming braver about things that used to scare her
• learning to read!
• just plain being a kid and enjoying every minute!
• trying to learn to ride her bike with no training wheels!

Rachel is one of kind, and she shows it everyday. She is a fast learner, and quick to show you what she learns. She is loving dance this year, and making us very proud of her. Her hair is getting longer… and she is more beautiful everyday! We hope that she enjoys being 6 just as much as she did being 5!

 

This year, for her birthday she enjoyed a girls day. Just her and I, went out with her friend Julie and her mom Cara (one of my new friends from here) to the mall. Where we went to Build-a-bear and made a new animal…. browsed the mall of course, and went to dinner. She really enjoyed just having mommy to herself and being with friends. She had a great time! Thanks again Julie and Cara for joining us!

Of course a birthday is not complete without cake. We made her a Ballerina Bear cake..Thanks again to my MIL for the help of the cake. Still working on getting better at that! After discovering our local grocery store wanted 50 bucks for that cake, I decided it was time to learn how to get creative! I purchased the pan and ingredients for less than half the cost of the cake!! I will post a picture of the cake, tomorrow. As we will be having it later tonight…

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! We love you!

Rachel’s Birthday Celebration:

 

This year we decided to do things a little bit different. Since we really are still new to the area, and don’t have our own house yet. Throwing a birthday party can me be way more stress, than fun. Who wants that when celebrating a birthday?? Not me! Plus being Rach’s first year in school, and only for a few months, she really hasn’t gotten the chance to make many friends.

Therefore, we thought it would be better to start a new tradition. Starting with Rachel, and she was excited about that. We decided that we would let the child decide what they wanted to do, and pick one friend to join us. That way they get some one on one time, and something special. This is also in place of a present. The day out is the present. Work in progress, but I think it will be a success.

Rachel decided to go to Build-a-bear workshop, and she wanted her friend Julie to join us. So we planned a girls day. Julie’s mom Cara, Rach & I would spend the afternoon at the mall. Allowing the girls to go to Build-a-bear, Claire’s, and me a quick stop at Yankee Candle. Then we would go out to dinner!

We had a blast and the girls were so excited. Rachel made the Autumn Bear (limited edition), and Julie got a bunny. I had some good coupons so we made out awesome! The girls got the animal, clothes, shoes, sunglasses, and bows. Then for Rachel’s present Julie & Cara got her a purse, necklace, and some rings. She thought she was all that, and then some.. It was rather cute.

After my quick stop at Yankee Candle, (another coupon) we headed out of the mall. On our way we stopped at a Kiosk, offering the girls a free opportunity. They got to paint some really cute puzzle (normally a ten dollar cost) for free. The girls love to be creative, so it was perfect for them. 

 

After the mall we went to The Olive Garden for dinner. The girls of course had Mac & Cheese. Rach devoured that and a bunch of breadsticks. Her face when they came out singing to her was so funny.

She made a wish….

and dug in! She loved the cake. It was really good! YUM!

Dinner was wonderful, then we stopped off at Toy’s R Us to let the kids look around, and show us some ideas for Christmas. (Cara & I are planning a girls day with no kids next) They gave us some wonderful ideas.

Then we headed home, after a perfect day! Couldn’t have really been any better.

Simple Woman’s Daybook:

 

 

For Today October 26th, 2009

Outside my window.... is beautiful, warm but breezy…perfect fall day.

I am thinking.... Wow is it really possible, that tomorrow my daughter is going to be 6??

From my imagination....Scout lessons, stuff for our pack campout, and preschool lessons.

 

I am thankful for.... my friends, they get me through the worst of times, as well as the best!

 

From the kitchen.... not sure, we have a bunch of stuff going on tonight.

 

I am wearing..... Capri’s, t-shirt, and my sandals (which of course are croc’s)

I am reading....  got like 10 books waiting for me to read!

I am hoping.....for a smooth week…lots going on. Busy few weeks ahead of us.

 

I am creating... a new game for Sage to work on her letters.

 

I am hearing.... Snoring…we have a house full. Visitors are leaving to head back home today though. It was nice to see the BIL.

One of my favorite things....Coffee, and pumpkin doughnuts, or muffins. Pumpkin is a wonderful thing.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Dance, Girl Scouts, Rachel’s Birthday, Cub scouts, Library, Doctor’s Appt, working Saturday and then taking the kids out for Halloween.

A picture I am Sharing… Rachel’s puzzle that she painted. From this really cool company, I can’t remember the exact name, but its something like Creative Dodo. 

Our First Girl Scout Event:

 

on Saturday we went to Rachel’s first Girl Scout event. Rachel was excited even though, not knowing what to expect. This was her and Sage’s first Jamboree. They had a blast. Complete with plenty of activities. They did things from answering trivia questions, learn about recycling, throw a softball, and do a wheel barrow race! It was funny to watch, but great to see their expressions of joy, when they got something right, or learned to do something new. Here are a few pictures…..

 

They won two 3rd place ribbons, one 2nd place, and two first place!

Rachel lost her first tooth!

 

First I must say that this was absolutely unexpected which made it kinda funny! I had just been talking to my mom a few days before on the phone and said “Rach should be getting ready to lose her first tooth soon, Hunter had lost one by now hadn’t he??”

Then last night, the kids are laying down to watch a movie in the living room, Andy was putting laundry in the washer, and I was working on my Taco blog post. When all of the sudden I hear Rachel say “ My tooth just fell out” ….. I come out of the room, and kept saying did she just say she lost her tooth??? I was completely lost. She had NEVER said anything about it being loose…Nor had I noticed it being loose when helping her with brushing her teeth, nothing!!! So, I was a bit confused as I heard those words, but low and behold, indeed the teeth had fallen out! In our family tradition, here she is sporting her new look!

 

She was beyond excited!

 

El Tacodor Dinner Game Review & Giveaway:

 

 

Who isn’t up for a night of Mexican and fun?? Well with the new Old El Paso El Tacodor Challenge game, and some taco’s you can have both!! You can download the instructions, scorecard, and challenge sheet at El Tacodor. Here are some of the examples of the challenges:

• Crunch Time: Name at least 10 animated movies within 1 minute
  
• Meat-n-greet: Pick a partner. Correctly name 5 of their friends.
  
• Lettuce Play: Act out different animals-no noises, your partner must guess 3
  
• Lime Light: Cheer, “We love tacos, yes we do! We love tacos, how ‘bout you?”
  
• Say Cheese: Pronounce the name of everyone at the table backwards!
  

My kids love Taco’s so this was an exciting oppurtunity for us. We were very excited to pick a Taco night to try this out. My kids helped with the prep of making them, setting the table, they were excited to get this game going. What a blast! We laughed, we ate, perfect way to end a stressful day at work or school. We love to play games and this got us interacting at the table. Here are a few pictures from our Taco Game night!

Here is a video of my kids doing one of the game questions:

Now you can download the game at the site HERE.

Or Thanks to MyBlogSpark and Old El Paso you can win a Taco Game Prize Pack. Where you can receive (2) coupons to purchase Old El Paso dinner kits and a $10 gift card to purchase any additional meal needs (i.e. meat, cheese, lettuce, etc.) Plus the Tacodor game!

Win It:
Tell me what your favorite Taco Toppings are. (This first comment is mandatory to enter)

Extra Entries:
For each extra entry you MUST leave a separate comment or it won’t be counted.

• Follow me on Twitter (link on Right sidebar)
• Follow my blog
• Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link back to it (3 extra entries)
• Put up my button (on my Right sidebar… worth 4 extra entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway (leave me the link)

Giveaway ends October 29th, 2009 at 10pm EST. Winner will be chosen by Random.org. The winner will have 48hrs to contact me or I choose another winner.

Product for this review was provided by Old El Paso and the prize pack through MyBlogSpark.

A Field Guide to Burying Your Parents by Liza Palmer Book Review:

 

 

About the Author:

Liza Palmer lives in Pasadena, California with her dog, Poet. She has written two plays that were performed in Los Angeles, and is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts-West. She is the author of SEEING ME NAKED (5 Spot, 2007) and CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FAT GIRL (5 Spot, 2005).

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. I must say at first the title was a bit concerning..but it also peeked my curiosity. It was very well written and kept you reading. It was one of those books that will get your emotions going, but it also can make you laugh. I love books like that. I just attached with the character Grace and felt like I needed to know more about her. Maybe because she reminds me of myself in a lot of ways.

Book Summary:

Grace Hawkes has not spoken to her previously tight-knit family since her mother's sudden death five years ago. Well, most of the family was tight-knit-- her father walked out on them when she was 13 and she and her two brothers and sister bonded together even closer with their mother as a result.
She's been doing her best to live her new life apart from them, but when their estranged father has a stroke and summons them, Grace suddenly realizes she's done the same thing he had done...abandoned those who need her most.
And need her they do, for inside the hospital walls, a strange war is unfolding between the pseudo-kindly woman who is their father's second wife and the rest of the original Hawkes clan. Upon reconnecting with her brother and sisters, Grace will find a part of herself she thought was lost forever. As they unravel the manipulative deception of the second Mrs. Hawkes, Grace will finally be able to stand up for her family-- and to remember what a family is, even after all these years.

This book will be hitting shelves in December and I will be offering a giveaway closer to that date. So be sure to check back! Happy reading!

 

The book for this review was provided by Hachette Book Group, and the opinions are all mine.

Simple Woman's Daybook:

For Today October 19th , 2009

 

Outside my window.... it is beautiful and cool. Perfect temps...in the low 70's. Reminds me of fall in Maine. We are really enjoying it. 

I am thinking.... tomorrow starts the start of a new schedule for us all, and it is going to take some getting used too. Early to raise, earlier to bed! Lol

From my imagination...Not much this week. Working on some alphabet stuff with Sage, getting her to learn her letters, and to write them. We are having fun with it. 

I am thankful for.... my friends. They are a great inspiration to me. I miss them lots, and hope they know how much I think of them.

From the kitchen... Something in the crockpot. Its a dance night, and that means no time to cook dinner. Need something quick, for when we get home. 

I am wearing..... surprisingly light weight pants, t-shirt, and my croc sandals of course! 

I am reading....  Lots, and lots of books! My most current read is Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh... Wait to you see my list of books read for Fall into Reading! 

I am hoping.....this week goes smoothly. Lots going on in the next few weeks. Getting very busy! 

I am creating... a happy home... Do you ever feel like you fail as a mom? I have been lately, and feel like my kids are not as happy as they could be. So I'm trying to work on getting the kids their one on one time, more... Not always an easy task, but trying. Any tips are always appreciated.

I am hearing....silence, everyone is at work, or school.... and Sage is watching cartoons as she wakes up this morning.

One of my favorite things....trips to the park. It is such a different experience just taking one kid to the park, instead of 3! We enjoy our trips, and like our time together, or spent with friend playing. 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Rachel has dance, Cub Scouts Tuesday, library (no story hr this week) and then a time at the playground, lots of reading, fun with my kids, and then celebrating Rach's birthday at Build-a-bear (she is very excited)

A picture I am Sharing.…  A better picture of Hunter with his newest tooth missing! He is having fun trying to talk with this newest gap between the teeth! My little man is growing up!

 

Every other Friday at our house…

 

looks like this….

 
Hunter playing Big Fish, Little Fish!

Sorry

Hunter was blue, he thought he was going to win!

Then sage got the number she need (btw she is saying YES in this picture)

 
To do this!!

 
And Rachel was just having fun!

We have a family game night every other Friday, the opposite Friday's are movie nights. We make each one special with special snacks, and the kids each get to pick a game to play. We do them on Friday, so we don’t have to worry about bedtime. Much fun, for our family! When do you have game nights?? and how often??

Today is my Best Friends Birthday,

 

actually more like a sister to me. We spent a good majority of our high school years together. She is a great inspiration to me, and when I just need to vent she is there. Even though, I moved 1600 miles away, its like she is still right next door. I love that, I can count on her on the worst of days, even if its just to listen to me cry or complain. She gets it!
I’m sad that she has been going through a lot right now in her own life, and I can’t be there to support her with hugs, and my actions. I do try to encourage her with my words, letters and cards… and I hope that I make a difference. She is an amazing person and deserves more than she gets most of the time, but she is blessed in lots of ways.
I hope she has a great birthday and knows how much I miss her and love her!

Happy Birthday Holly!!!

Four Foods on Friday # 92

Brandi Carlile “Give up the Ghost” Cd Review:

 

I had never heard of Brandi Carlile before this….but i must say her voice is great, and her music is amazing. I loved it! With that being said.. I should pay more attention, cause she has been featured on one of my favorite shows, Grey’s Anatomy.
Her last album was called “The Story” it made it to the Billboards top 200. She is a lot like KT Tunstall, so if you like her, your going to love Brandi!

 

On her newest Album that was in stores on October 6th… “Give up the Ghost”

Track List:

Looking Out

Dying Day

Pride And Joy

Dreams

That Year

Caroline

Before It Breaks

I Will

If There Was No You

Touching The Ground

Oh Dear

My favorite song on her new album is “If There Was No You”. I love the melody and it just speaks to me.

Check out her website for Tour Dates, she is now on tour!!

Become Brandi Carlile’s fan on Facebook HERE!

Go buy your copy today at Amazon!!!!

Now go listen to her wonderful music, cause you don’t want to miss out on this!

Thanks to One2One Network for providing me with this album for review. I was not paid for my opinion. This is my honest opinion.

Boogie Wipes Review & Giveaway:

 

 

With fall/winter coming up who can’t use a little help with the nose department? Its so hard to teach your kid to blow their nose properly and to teach them to get the boogies off good. My son always picked up on blowing his nose right away cause we dealt with allergies and was always forcing him to blow his nose. My youngest though, makes such a mess! I was very excited to review these and share with fellow moms and dads!

They were invented by two mom’s. Boogie wipes was invented in 2007 as a solution to their kids’ runny red noses. Since then they have made it into 30,000 retail stores nationwide.

Here are some of the ways Boogie Wipes are different from regular wipes:

• Made with Natural Saline to Dissolve Mucus
• Hypoallergenic
• Alcohol Free
• Moisturize with Vitamin E, Aloe and Chamomile
• Fun Scents Kids Love
• Gentle Enough for All Ages
• Phthalate & Paraben Free
  

My kids thought these were the best, cause their nose didn’t get sore when they kept having to blow it. Of course as soon as we got these in the mail we had a cold floating around our house, so we were able to get right to reviewing them! I got the a 30 count container that we kept in easy reach for the kids to use.. and some individual grape ones, which I sent to school with my to older to keep on hand if needed. They loved that they smelled like grape. (always the little things that please them) I loved that I didn’t have to go behind my kids and re wipe their nose, cause they were able to do a good job getting the boogies with the wipe. I also liked that their was so much less complaining about blowing the nose, cause it didn’t hurt them. In the occasions we got some dried on boogies, they came off easily without fuss with the wipes as well. I’m wondering why I haven’t found these before! They are a life saver and affordable!

Buy it:  From their website or these local stores… The prices range from $2.99 - $3.99 unless you go for the big Diaper cake! Plus they come in different scents.

Win it: Boogie Wipes has generously offered one of my readers (2) 30-count packs of Boogie Wipes.

Giveaway ends October 30th at 10pm EST…Winner will be pick by Random.org and they will have 48hrs to respond or I pick a new one. So be sure to leave me an email address.

To Enter: Tell me something special you do to try to make your child feel better when they are sick??

Extra Entries:
Be sure to leave me a separate comments or they do not count.

• Follow Boogie Mom on Twitter  
• Follow me on Twitter (can be found on my right sidebar)
• Follow my blog
• Add my button (3 extra entries)
• Blog about this giveaway (leave me a link)
• Tweet about this giveaway (leave me the link)

Thanks to the Boogie Moms for the opportunity to review these. I was given a product  in return for my
opinion., I was not paid to write this.

8 Years….Wow!

 

Hard to believe it has been 8 yrs since we got married. Time has gone extremely slow at times, and flown by at others. It has been a long road with a lot of ups and downs. However, we have made it and are still here….together. We have 3 wonderful, beautiful, smart kids to show for it. Our family really hasn’t changed much over the years. We still enjoy our times together, and love to spend as much time together as we can.

Since there are many things coming up this month, we were not able to do much in the way of our Anniversary. On Sunday we were able to get out and enjoy the day without kids. That was a nice break, and fun. We went to Downtown Disney (is that sad when you have no kids with you?) and saw a movie. We caught FAME….and it was really good.

After walking around and exploring the stores we normally don’t go into cause little hands will touch stuff, we headed over to the Rain Forest Cafe (which is turning out to be a tradition since we moved here) for lunch.

Then we went to Ghirardelli's for a nice ice cream sundae.

It may have not been a fancy expensive day, but it was our day and that is all that matters!

Incase your wondering the kids had a great day too. They spent it with Nana & Papa at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Can’t get any better than that right? We got home before them, and enjoyed a quiet evening… they came in about 8pm just in time for bed. They had school Monday morning (not a holiday for our schools) so they went right off to bed! It was truly a prefect day for all!!

Take Your Best Shot by Austin Gutwein (Founder of Hoops for Hope) with Todd Hillard Book Review:

Author Bio:

Austin Gutwein was moved when he learned there were more than 15 million children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.  He organized a free-throw marathon and now his organization, Hoops of Hope, has raised over a million dollars to build a high school and medical clinic in Zambia. If you would like to look at Austin’s Website go HERE or if you would like to know what Austin has been up to lately go HERE to read his blog.

Summary:

Discover how you can respond to God's call in your own life, whether it's in your own town or on the other side of the world.
Teen Austin Gutwein has taken his best shot several thousand times to help AIDS orphans in Africa and in the process has built a school and a medical clinic! Take Your Best Shot tells how one boy made an incredible difference in the lives of those without hope while challenging the reader to do the same.
The interactive dialogue will leave space for the reader to respond. By the end of the book, the reader will know the testimony of Austin and other teens from around the world who are committed to a life of sharing Christ’s love, and will have begun to search for God’s voice in their own lives. The book will also equip and challenge readers with information on a variety of ministries and organizations around the world to help people, animals, and the environment.
My Thoughts:
This book was truly inspiring. When you finish this book, you just want to reach out and help people. I mean if this boy, who everyone thought would just give up and walk away can do some much to help people why can’t you? I wish that more people would step up and do more. I was blown away by this book. Austin is a very unique individual and should be so proud of the accomplishments he has made. If only more were like him…. I am going to read this next to my son. I think it would be great inspiration for him to hear this, and talk about Austin’s accomplishments with our Boy Scout troop… and then come up with our Service project this year. Maybe this will inspire them to think bigger. Cause if this book does anything its make you think bigger and better….that anything you put your mind to, can be done if you are willing to work for it. Amazing story! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good inspirational read.
Buy your copy at Amazon today…..

I want to thank Thomas Nelson Books for Bloggers for the opportunity to review this book. I was given a book in exchange for my review.

Simple Woman’s Daybook:

 

 

 

For Today October 12th , 2009

Outside my window.... it is usually hot for this time of year. We are still having 90 degree days. Looking forward to the fall days!

I am thinking.... Wow tomorrow I’ve been married for 8 yrs.

From my imagination...Lots of spreadsheets for my cub scouts, so I can track their achievements. 

I am thankful for.... my life…even as difficult as it may be some days, I’m lucky and need to keep reminding myself on the bad days of that.

From the kitchen... Not sure yet… taco’s maybe?? I have been craving them a lot lately!

I am wearing..... Shorts, a tank top, and my Croc’s!

I am reading....  a couple different books right now… I have a stack of 9 books to get thru soon. Lots of good stuff. Stay tuned for a book giveaway soon!

I am hoping.....that Rachel’s birthday goes well, and she is happy with it. She is really needing to feel special lately. This not being with mommy all day is getting to her.

I am creating... cakes. I’m practicing to prefect Rachel’s birthday cake! Wish me luck!

I am hearing.... silence, everyone is back to work this week, and its just Sage and I home.

One of my favorite things....friends! I’m so glad I have been able to make a great one down here lately. She really means a lot to me! 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Rachel has dance & Girl Scouts on Monday, Cub Scouts Tuesday, library, maybe a play date for Sage, and reading…

A picture I am Sharing.… a picture of Sage enjoying her Chinese food on one of our lunch dates. I love that I can do more with them one on one now. Still hard to always fit it in, but we enjoy it!  She loved the sweet and sour sauce!!!

Money habits:

can be hard to teach to children. I have been trying for almost the last 8 yrs. Yup, that means since my son was born. Ok, maybe not quite that early but close. As soon as he could understand what money was we have made an attempt to teach him its hard to come by. Does that mean that my kids don’t act out in the store when you tell them no?? I wish! However, we don’t hide our money issues from them. Some may think this is wrong, but its the only way we can make them understand we can’t afford things. Like when we save to go somewhere special they know it took us a bit to do that. Or when Cub Scouts offers a few activities in one month. We look at the prices figure out the cost, and tell Hunter he has to choose which one would mean more to him. Of course he is disappointed, but he knows that we can’t afford them all. By letting him choose we know he understands this.
My children save their mom in their piggy banks. Now this is hard for them, because they don’t get a lot of money. I’m not a believer in paying my kids to do chores. They do them cause they know that is how we help out as a family. So money is not something they come by often. They get it from family for birthdays, and holidays, or in Hunter’s case when he looses a tooth, and sometimes they find change on the floor, or someone will hand them some. The first thing they do is say thank you and put in the piggy bank.
Hunter has been saving his money for a year now. Yup, a whole year… and no its not a lot. After a year he just got up to $20 and he was able to go to the store and pick out what he wanted. Now for him, this was a tough year. Many times he came across books, games, Lego sets, cards, and various items he wanted. However, we kept reminding him that once the money was gone, he could not get it back. He needed to make sure this is what he wanted to buy. After thinking about it for the past month, he settled on the Batman Lego Game for the Wii! He went to Target on Friday after school and bought it. He was so proud of himself, as was I. I knew it would mean more to him cause he bought it with his own money. He is now trying to decide what he wants to save up for next! My kids only know of the Cash system… we do not use credit cards. So they get that you have to have the money present to buy it. That makes a big difference in their thinking… How do you teach your kids about money?

Happy Birthday MOM!!

 

I just wanted to wish my mom a very happy birthday today… I wish that we were able to spend it with her. I’ve been a lucky person and blessed with a great, supportive and dependent mom! I love you! Hope your day is everything you want it to be! We miss you!