Colic is making me crazy!

This week has been crazy... mainly due to the fact that Ki Ki has been horribly cranky.

A few weeks after Kinley was born the doctor diagnosed her as having colic, not knowing what colic was or how to fix it was the worse experience I've had as a mom so far...having to listen to my baby cry for hours on end with no relief was awful. She was at the doctor every other day for the first few months and every time it was the same thing, "Little babies gas can sometimes be very severe." I already knew that and the fact that she had equally bad baby reflux was making me slowly (or maybe it was quickly) lose my mind!

The doctors switched her formula too many times to count, they tried what seemed like a million prescription reflux medications, and they recommended a blue million herbal remedies like gripe water. "What is gripe water?" I asked the doctor confused and a little skeptical as it sounded like something that would induce these horrible fits. He assured me that it wouldn't and explained that it was a mixture of herbs designed to ease stomach discomfort...honestly the gripe water was the only thing that even half way offered the poor baby any relief at all. The doctor also assured me that colic almost always goes away by 12 weeks of age.

Fast forward to almost 7 months old and she still is the most unhappy baby I've ever seen! She never seems to be happy for more than twenty minutes at a time which can really be trying when I have a list a mile long of things to do. Have any of you dealt with colic? And if so how long did it last and what worked for your baby?

To tan or not to tan...that is the question!

So it's been in the 80's here for the past few days and I've been walking around in jeans.

Why? Well let's just say my legs would scare you they're so white.

I'm a sun worshiper...big time! When I was younger (I say that like 30 is older) I used to lay out every chance I got. When I became a mom laying out was not a luxury I was afforded so I opted to go to the tanning bed, nothing hard core I always just went until I have a tan and then I'm done which never takes me very long. The problem is I have been pregnant the past two summers so I've been white as a ghost and now that summer is coming and I'm not pregnant I want to start going to the tanning bed again. My mother always tells me the same thing every time I mention tanning, "When you turn 50 you're skin is going to look like leather." Well that may be the case if I went tanning all year round but I don't and now she has me thinking and worrying about it.

So I want to know if you tan. Do you lay out, go to the tanning bed, or slather on sun block and hide under a hat? And if you've been going to the tanning bed for years then has it negatively affected your skin, i.e. more wrinkles?

Hannah Montana Giveaway Winner!!!!

First I want to thank all of you who entered the Hannah Montana Beauty Products Giveaway...it was by far my most successful giveaway to date with 396 entries.

And without further ado the winning number is:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

242 

Timestamp: 2009-04-26 17:24:38 UTC

So that makes this lucky gal our winner:

tawnda on April 23, 2009 4:42 AM said... 42

we love Crest pro health... it's the only toothpaste we all seem to agree on

(For some reason my comments start over after 200 so even though it says 42 this comment was number 242)

Congrats!!! Alright you have 72 hours to send me your shipping information...if I don't hear from you by then I'll have to redraw and pick a new winner!

Thanks again to all that entered and don't forget to enter my Kelly's Colorful Creations giveaway and be on the lookout because there are more great giveaways on Misadventures as well as My Mommy Said to come!

Hannah Montana Giveaway Ends Tonight!

I just wanted to remind everyone that the Hannah Montana Giveaway ends tonight @ 11:59 pm so make sure that you check it out!

BabyGanics Review

I've mentioned in the past that I'm not all that "green" but I have been trying. Having children totally changes your awareness of things that you never really worried about before you become a parent. As soon as I became a mother I developed OCD like tendencies when it came to two things; 1. My house being clean...it was an obsession and it had to be spotless and sparkling all the time. 2. Not using anything toxic or not safe for babies in my house. I used to freak out when my husband would come home from work smelling even slightly suspicious. Though some things have changed since then my obsession with keeping my house clean and my babies safe has not.

When I was asked to review the BabyGanics line of cleaning products I immediately said yes because after doing some research on the products I realized that these were exactly what I needed to be using in my home. BabyGanics was founded by two "compulsive, clean freaks" and there products are not only safe for the environment they are also safe to use around kids and pets!
I received the BabyGanics Essentials kit which includes; The Grime Fighter all purpose cleaner, Dish Dazzler foaming dish and bottle soap, Breathin Easy Air Freshener in Lavender, The Grime Fighter all purpose wipes, and The Germinator foaming hand sanitizer. I have to admit that I was skeptical at first about how well these products would work (because for some reason people seem to equate the smell after cleaning (which are the chemicals people) with clean and these products (except for the air freshener) were fragrance free.

The first of the BabyGanics products I tried was the Grime Fighter all purpose cleaner and I used it everywhere; I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked and amazed that it got the job done as well as the leading cleaners without all of the chemicals. I was also very impressed with the hand sanitizer, there are so many times that I want to put hand sanitizer on my sons hands (he is a boy after all and he gets into quite a bit of stuff that he shouldn't) but I refuse because all of the alcohol in the hand sanitizer scares the crap out of me. BabyGanics hand sanitizer is alcohol free and it has been a Godsend in our house. The product I was most impressed with though was the Dish Dazzler bottle soap; my daughter's formula is a hypoallergenic blend and its quite possibly the most revolting thing I've ever seen put into a baby bottle. The formula separates within the first 30 minutes of mixing it turning it into a stinking oily mess that it very hard to get clean. The first bottle I cleaned with the Dish Dazzler soap I was amazed...not only did it get rid of the oily residue that my normal brand of dish detergent usually leaves behind but it also got rid of the horrible smell that seems to never leave her bottles. Honestly I would pay any price to get that nasty stuff out of her bottles and this stuff worked... kind of makes me wonder why in the world I was soaking her bottles in the other stuff all of this time with no results...all those chemicals and they still couldn't get the job done like the Dish Dazzler!

If you're looking for cleaning products that are safe for your family and are also earth friendly then BabyGanics just might be it, they have an entire line of cleaning products from laundry detergent to floor cleaner. Whatever your cleaning needs BabyGanics has you covered!

Provided for review by Southard Communications on behalf of BabyGanics.

Kelly's Colorful Creations Review and Giveaway!***CLOSED***

When Kinley was born the first thing I noticed was the mound of gorgeous hair that she had...I was so overjoyed that one of my girls finally had hair that I didn't think about what a pain all of that hair would be. I quickly learned that hair bows were the only way to keep her hair contained and she has worn bows ever since! The bad thing is that stores in my area have one or two styles in a few colors and that's it so I decided to search the Internet for bows, that's when a friend told me about Etsy. I decided to do some searching around and then I got an idea;why not try to find someone local who has an Etsy shop that sells bows...and viola that's when I came across Kelly's Colorful Creations! Me being the outspoken person I am I asked Kelly if she would be interested in doing a review and or giveaway on my blog and she said YES I was so excited and I know that you guys will be too when you see Kelly's creations!



Kelly's Colorful Creations is the brainchild of Kelly Vose and she makes the most adorable hair bows my little Ki Ki has ever had the privilege of wearing! Kelly's Colorful Creations started on Etsy in March of this year. Kelly told me that she started her Etsy shop because she wanted other moms to enjoy her bows and because she found it difficult to find the bows she wanted for her girls in the stores,"at my Etsy shop you can have them (bows) custom made to match any outfit or uniform!" Kelly says the inspiration for her bows comes from new outfits for her girls or great ribbon that she's found.

(Kinley modeling one of Kelly's bows)

Kelly sent my girls (Kinley and Savanna) an assortment of bows in different sizes, styles, and shapes. Kelly's bows are well made, super cute, and very easily worn (Kinley usually jerks her bows out within the first 15 minutes but she left these in for the majority of the time we were out). I also love the fact that you can have bows matched to your school and sports team colors. Savanna liked the bows because they were colorful and different from anything that her friends have. I loved the colors and patterns of the bows and I also loved that she made them all a little differently while still keeping the same basic design .

Kelly's Colorful Creations offers three bow sizes; Large (4.5 in.), Medium (3.5 in.), and Small (2.5 in.) in a variety of colors and patterns. She also has the most adorable Hair Bow Bouquet's which would make the perfect gift for that special girl in your life...and if you spend $30 in bows (and that gets you a lot of bows by the way) then you get free shipping which is awesome)!(Hair Bow Bouquet...comes shrink wrapped and ready to give as a gift!)

How would you like to win some of Kelly's Colorful Creations? Kelly has very generously offered one of my readers a $20 Gift Certificate to her Etsy shop...that's a lot of bows!

1. How To Win: To be entered in this giveaway all you have to do is visit Kelly's Colorful Creations and tell me what your favorite bow is! This must be done for any extra entries to count! Please make sure that you leave your email address with your comment so that I can contact you if you win!

Extra Entries!!!!! Make sure that you leave a separate comment for each extra entry!

2. Be a follower...you know me and begging for followers...2 extra entries!

3. Blog about this giveaway with links to Kelly's Colorful Creations as well as this post...2 extra entries!

4. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway come back and leave your Twitter ID with your comment...2 extra entries!

5. Grab my button...2 extra entries!

That's 9 chances to win! Giveaway ends Wednesday May 6 @ 11:59 p.m. EDT! Winner will be chosen using Random.org!

Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday...my daughter's newest trick!

Hey Mom look what I did!
Now can you get me out?

Calypso Studios S.H.O.P. Totes Giveaway!!!

As you all know Earth Day is fast approaching (April 22nd.) and everyone is getting into the spirit! I have to admit that I'm not super "green" but I've been introduced to so many great eco-friendly products lately that I'm definitely more conscious than I was before!

I figure the best way I can help spread the word is to S.H.O.P. (Start Helping Our Planet) alright so it wasn't my idea but it's a great one! Calypso Studios launched a super cute eco-friendly line of reusable grocery bags in January of this year and they are called S.H.O.P. Totes! The art for the bags is absolutely gorgeous and they are even being used by celebrities (Calypso Studio S.H.O.P. Totes were included in the swag bags for this years Oscars (how cool is that)!

Why should you use reusable grocery bags? How about some facts about plastic bags...

• Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide.
• According to the EPA, over 380 billion bags are used in the USA every year, which is more than 1200 per resident and it takes about 12 million barrels of oil to make this many bags.
• Over 46,000 pieces of plastic are floating in our oceans worldwide.
• Each reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of 1000 bags over its lifetime.

What more reason do we need? And Calypso Studio is going to "green" up some very lucky winners lives for Earth Day! They are having a huge Earth Day giveaway so head on over to Calypso Studios and register for your chance to win one of these very stylish totes! But hurry the giveaway ends tomorrow @ noon!

A conversation with my son.

Yesterday Debra's boyfriend (better known as Bub) and I were having a conversation. Yes I said conversation (he does that now). At first I couldn't understand what he was saying to me but then I stopped thinking the million thoughts that were running through my head and I listened to him, really listened and I realized that he was having an actual conversation with me. My first thought was "I have to record this." that thought quickly dissipated because I realized that if I grabbed the video camera he would undoubtedly stop talking so I just sat there talking to my son and this is how the conversation went.

Bub: DiDa at?
Me: Dada's at work.
Bub: (Looking at the front door) Dida bye bye?
Me: Yep dada's bye bye.
Bub: Tissy bye bye?
Me: No silly sissy's right there.
Bub: (Laughing as if he knew he was being silly) Tissy pay!
Me: Yes sissy's playing.
Bub: (Lifting up his t-shirt) Bellbee!
Me: Yes that's your belly.
Bub: (Smiling that gorgeous smile that always melts my heart) My bellbee!
Me: Yes Bub that's your belly. I love you!
Bub: I ob you!

That single conversation made all of the things I had to do, all of the stress that I was under, all of the worry and wondering melt away until it was just me and Bub and our silly conversation about Dida and bellbees. I can't even begin to explain to you how amazed I am with my son every single day... he inspires me, he challenges me, and above all he makes me want to be the best mom I can be because I know that he deserves the moon and stars and I would gladly spend the rest of my life trying to figure out how to give him both!

New Hannah Montana Beauty Line... Review and Giveaway!**CLOSED**

Unless you've been living under a rock (and I don't discriminate by the way...to each his own) then you know who Hannah Montana is!

If you happen to have a daughter, granddaughter, or niece then you definitely know who Hannah Montana is and I'm willing to bet that you've seen a couple (or 50) episodes of her show and that you've caught yourself singing along to her songs a time or two...it's alright I do it too!

As you may or may not know I have two daughters (10 and 7) and they are Hannah Montana fanatics! So when I was asked to review some brand new Hannah Montana products that P&G (Proctor and Gamble) is launching I all but jumped off of my computer chair trying to reply to the email with a big old YES! Yesterday my package came via FedEx and as soon as the girls got off the bus I greeted them with a, "Guess what I got in the mail?" Of course they knew what it was and almost knocked me down trying to get in the door to get their loot.

P&G is launching a new line of products featuring Hannah Montana that is geared towards tweens. The line offers products that will help your tween establish her own personal care routine. Some of the products included in this great line are Olay "Rockin' Blossom" Body wash, Secret "Bella Bloom" deodorant, and Covergirl nail polish and lip gloss in fun girly colors. These are all amazing brands used and trusted for their quality by millions of moms!

My girls both got to sample some of the great new make-up products from the line; the Hannah Montana lip gloss and Hannah Montana Nail polish (both made by CoverGirl). The first thing I noticed about the products was that they were very appropriate for both of my girls even given the 3 year age difference. Taylor (my oldest) is really starting to get into the whole make-up thing and I think that these products are a perfect starting point for her. Savanna my lil diva in training goes gaga over make-up so she was in Hannah Montana heaven! The lip gloss was very subtle in color while still being noticeable and the nail polish was equally muted but still fresh and very fun...it really is the Best of Both Worlds (did you get the Hannah Montana reference?) While most of the time I tend to tell the girls no when they ask to wear nail polish I felt very comfortable with the colors and even helped them apply it! Overall I was very happy with the CoverGirl products and my girls of course were over the moon happy about them!.

(Here are a few of the products that my girls got to try out.)

(Savanna insisted that she model the nail polish and lip gloss.)

(The nail polish was perfect for her.)

So how would you like to get your hands on some of these products for your favorite girl? Better yet how would you like to get your hands on the WHOLE line of these products? Yes you read it correctly the nice people at P&G are giving one very lucky Misadventures in Baby Raising reader a gift bag of the entire line...I know I was ecstatic too (see how much I love you guys)! Now I know that you want to know what's included in the gift bag so here goes:

• Herbel Essences "Drama Clean" Berry Tea and Orange Flower Shampoo & Conditioner
• Olay Foaming Face Wash
• Olay "Rockin Blossom" Body Wash
• Oral B/Crest Toothbrush and Toothpaste Combo Pack
• Secret "Bella Bloom" Scent Expressions Deodorant
• Covergirl Wetslicks lipgloss in 4 shades: Crush, Tutu, Patently Pink, and Shimmershell
• Covergirl Nail Polish in 4 colors: Pink Taffy, Pink Twinkle, Fuchsia Girl, and Disco Dazzle

That is going to make some little girl very happy! And now for the rules and this time I've tried to make it as fun as possible and even kid friendly!

1. To be entered in this giveaway all you have to do is tell me what you're favorite P&G product is and who you would like to win this gift bag for (all of the products listed above are P&G brands but you can't use any of them)...make sure the product is made by P&G or your entry won't count! This must be done first before any of the extra entries count! The link to post a comment is in the top right hand corner of this post...not at the bottom like in most posts!!!!!

Extra Entries!!!!! (Make sure that you leave separate comments for each extra entry and please make sure that you put your email address in your comment or make sure that it is visible somewhere on your blog...I've had to redraw on past giveaways because I couldn't contact the winner!)

2. Be a follower (current followers count as well)...I love new followers and my goal with this giveaway is 100 followers...this will get you 3 extra entries!

3. Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post...make sure that you leave the link to your post in your comment...2 extra entries!

4. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway, make sure that you leave your Twitter ID on your comment...you can follow by clicking on the link in my sidebar....2 extra entries!

5. Grab my button (if you have my old button please remove it and grab my new button... 2 extra entries!


Up to 100 Extra Entries!

ALL LOGOS Have Been Found!!!!!

***Logo's Found: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20***

This is where it gets interesting and fun! I saw this on another blog for an Easter giveaway and have wanted to use the idea ever since...so here's my chance! I've hidden 20 Hannah Montana numbered logos (like the one on the right) in posts throughout my blog, each logo can only be found once and is worth 5 extra entries, if you find a logo leave 5 comments with the logo number and the page link you found it on...get the kids involved in this one kids love scavenger hunts! I will update this post as logos are found and then remove them from the pages they were found on...make sure that you pay attention and see what logos have been found before you leave a comment if more than one person finds the same # logo I will take the first person to find that #'s comments and delete the rest!

This giveaway ends on Saturday April 25, 2009 @ 11:59 p.m. EDT! One winner will be chosen using Random.org!

Good luck!

Let's Go To the Circus!

If you live in the Columbus, Ohio area boy do I have a treat for you! Alright so the treat is technically for your kids but if you’re like me then you’ll get just as much enjoyment out of it! So what is it you ask (as if you didn’t already see the post title and the big huge banner at the top of the page)? The circus is coming to town! The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is headed to Columbus next month and you’re invited!

The circus will be in Columbus at the Nationwide Arena from Thursday May 14 thru Sunday May 17 and I know that you want to go…I mean come on who doesn’t love the circus! Now if you’re like me money’s tight, but never fear because I got the hook up and the nice people at Feld Entertainment (the production company for Ringling Bro.s Circus) is offering you guys $5.00 off the price of admission… how awesome is that? That is a great way for you and your family to enjoy a great time together AND save some money!

There are two ways to utilize this discount…

1. You can print the coupon at the bottom of this page and take it with you to the Nationwide Arena Box Office!

2. You can order online or by phone using the coupon code FAMFUN!

Unfortunately the discount only applies to the Columbus shows but if you don’t live close and know someone who does then share it with them! I hope you get the chance to go and experience all of the magic that Ringling Bro.s has to offer! See ya at the circus!

Wordless Wednesday

Fun at the Aquarium!

My new look!

As you can see I found a new layout and I LOVE it! I have to admit I chose it because of the tabs at the top which I can not seem to use (must be because I don't own my domain name?) I'm not sure why exactly so if you're reading this and you know why I can't edit them can you please leave me a comment and tell me. I don't much care because I love the layout...now I have to change my button..I see more HTML nightmares coming!

How do you like the new look?

EcoStore USA Giveaway...My Mommy Said

I just wanted to remind y'all that the EcoStore USA Giveaway on My Mommy Said ends tonight so if you want to enter do it now!

EcoStore USA Winner!

I want to thank all of you that entered this giveaway...I was so happy with the number of people that entered (there were 129 entries)! If you didn't win this giveaway and you want to try again EcoStore USA is giving away another $25 Gift Certificate on my other blog My Mommy Said...so go check it out because it ends tomorrow night! Also I wanted to let you guys know that EcoStore USA is offering free shipping on all orders $25 or more for the month of April...this is a great chance to try there products and save a little money on shipping!

One more thing before I announce the winner...EcoStore founder Malcolm Rands will be touring select Meijer Stores this month for the Ask Ecoman tour! He will be availbe to answer any questions that you may have about EcoStore...the first 25 moms or dads that ask Ecoman a question will receive an organic EcoStore T-Shirt! And the best part is that they will have people on hand to keep the kids occupied while you're asking Ecoman...how cool is that! Below is a list of dates and stores...make sure you check it out!

4/13 Chicago - McHenry (5-7 PM)

4/18 Detroit - Wixom (5-7 PM)

4/20 Fort Wayne - Illinois Road (5-7 PM)

4/21 Indianapolis - Carmel (5-7 PM)

4/22 Cincinnati - Harrison Road (4-6 PM)

4/23 Grand Rapids - Cascade (2-4 PM)

So without further ado...the winning # in the EcoStore USA $25 Gift Certificate is...drum roll please!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

99 

Timestamp: 2009-04-14 04:00:30 UTC

mom2anutball said... 99

I would like to try the sleepytime baby bath wash, and the laundry powder! Thanks for the chance! hawkgirl_16 {at} hotmail {dot} com

April 13, 2009 7:19 AM

National Moms Nite Out

As Moms we are always taking care of others and putting ourselves last...this is what we signed up for after all! Well sometimes we need a break too right? Well here's what we've all been waiting for...National Moms Nite Out! It's the brainchild of Mom Select founder Maria Bailey and it's about time!

For all the details go to Moms Nite Out!

Reminder!

I just wanted to remind everyone that the EcoStore USA Giveaway ends tonight so if you haven't entered make sure you do!

The prize is a $25 Gift Certificate to EcoStore USA and their products rock! They have everything; cleaning products, personal care products, baby products, and even pet care items...and the best thing is that it's all eco-friendly and chemical free! So go check it out!!!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter

Round Robin meme

So I'm bored and I just do not have the energy or the brain power to mess with the design of my blog right now (even though I swore I would do it this weekend) so I decided to steal from Alexis and Debra...I know stealing is mean but whatever...enjoy!


8 Things I am Looking Forward to:
1. Easter egg hunting on Sunday...Gaige (Bub) is old enough to participate this year!
2. Warmer weather ( I think I have to agree with Debra on this one)
3. Cookouts with all the family this Spring and Summer
4. Corn hole at said cookouts! So much fun!
5. Doing more giveaways...it truly makes me happier than you know to give stuff away to y'all!
6. Trying out my latest review item from Eden Fantasys!
7. Finishing school this semester it has been horrid!
8. Losing all this baby fat from my last pregnancy..yuck!

8 Things I Did Yesterday (not in order):
1. Made dinner.
2. Paid bills...I hate that !
3. Watched Ki Ki as she sat up without falling over for about 3 minutes...so cute!
4. Gave Bub a breathing treatment he's sick again!
5. Washed dishes...5 times.
6. Bought more stuff for the kids Easter baskets.
7. Almost opened my newest adult toy in front of my fiance's kids.
8. Washed 4 loads of clothes...I till have a mountain left to wash!

8 Things I Wish I Could do:
1. Make the world a better place (I agree...who wouldn't)
2. Go to Greece and Italy.
3. Control my temper and my mouth!
4. Buy a house that was more than big enough for all of us...I can't wait until this one comes true!
5. Help all of the people who need help!
6. Get my kids to clean their room...any tips?
7. Never have to worry about money again!
8. Make my fiance be nicer to everyone!

8 Shows I Watch:
1. Rock of Love Bus...I'm surely going to have withdraw when it's over!
2. For the Love of Ray J...I know I need help!
3. Jon and Kate Plus 8
4. Taking the Stage (the new MTV show about the School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati...I so want Taylor to go there when she gets older)
5. Real World Road Rules Challenge
6. The Real Housewives...of where ever they are all equal wastes of my time but i love em!
7. Toddlers and Tiara's ...I so have a blog post coming for this one!
8. Nip/Tuck! I so love, love, love Christian Troy...yummy!
Yes they are all (with the exception of the last one) reality shows I told you I need help!

So apparently I'm now supposed to pick 8 people to do this but you know me and rules so if you steal it cool if not that's cool too!

Solution for pesky seasonal allergies!

Flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, it's finally getting warm all of that can only mean one thing...what you ask? Spring of course and with spring comes allergy season and if there's one thing I hate more than winter colds it's allergy season!

All of my kids suffer from seasonal allergies so Spring time in my house is not always a very happy time. Sneezing, runny noses, and itchy, irritated eyes are the norm in my house this time of year so I'm always trying to find a medicine that will help relieve their symptoms but not make them tired...that in itself is a challenge! Always before my kids have been on prescription allergy medications and always before the medicine made them tired, irritable, and left them in a fog, but I think I may have found the solution to this problem!

Recently I joined a campaign with Bzz Agent for Children's Claritin Allergy (Non-Drowsy) at first I was skeptical because in the past over the counter medications have not worked, but I decided that anything was worth trying so I had used my oldest daughter (who also happens to have the most severe allergies of my children) as a guinea pig. The first day that she took the medication she seemed to have less symptoms than in the past and the medicine didn't make her tired or cranky which was a big plus! I'm happy to report that she's been taking the Children's Claritin for the past few days and I've seen a huge improvement in her symptoms.

If you'd like to try Children's Claritin Allergy (non-Drowsy) then send me an email and I would be happy to send you a $3.00 off coupon to help save some money!

Wordless Wednesday

I had to borrow my momma's computer for a few days...mine is going insane and I can not be without the internet...I mean a girl has to blog...I mean do homework! Anyway she had some old pics on here so I thought I'd share!

This pic if of my sister and Tay Tay and Nay Nay when they were little...such cuties!

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Nay Nay's Birthday!

I have been so neglectful of everything lately including my blogs! It seems like if you stop for a minute then life just fast forwards on you can never seem to catch up, but I'm here now trying to do just that!

I know I promised more pictures from our trip to Gatlinburg but honestly I haven't even uploaded half of them to my computer (it's the procrastinator in me). So when I get them all finished I promise to put some up!

Alright so now that all of that is out of the way I'll move on! Yesterday was Nay Nay's birthday (and I did write a post about it but it wasn't how I wanted it to be so I didn't post it). Savanna turned 7 yesterday and her birthday celebration lasted nearly all weekend long, which was fine by her because being the Drama Queen she is, she naturally assumed that the whole month of April was reserved for her birthday!

On Saturday her father threw her a party @ Chuck E Cheese's...now I know that all of you parents out there know how truly annoying, loud, and expensive this place can be, but we all suffer through it for the sake of our kids...right? Right! So I sucked it up, put on a smile, and had as much fun as the kids did...can you say skee ball ...I am so addicted to that game! Savanna had the time of her life dancing with Chuck E (I mean should be really use his whole name all of the time?), playing with her friends, eating pizza, and of course raking in the birthday loot...and there was plenty of that! It made me so happy to see my baby girl (and by the way she requested that I not call her that anymore now that she's 7) have so much fun!

On Sunday (her actual birthday) when there wasn't a huge party she was dissapointed and boy did she ever let me know it! I tried to explain to her that her party was the day before and since she already had one party she didn't need two...that wasn't good enough she had a fit...so much for referring to her as my big girl). A few minutes later when my mother showed up bearing gifts (aka loads of moola) she was fine!


Savanna is my middle daughter and though sometimes I know she gets upset and wonders why I don't always have as much time for her as I would like to have she handles it pretty well. I think it's amazing when we can learn from our children and Nay Nay has taught me so much in 7 short years.

• She has shown me what unwavering faith and love in God looks like...seeing how much she loves God always makes me sit back and wonder how she can be so young and have no doubts yet at 30 I am still not sure!
• She has taught me that being sensitive is not a bad thing...one day she saw me upset and crying and she walked over sat on my lap, wiped away a tear from my eye and told me, "Mommy it's ok to cry, sometimes it makes you feel better!"
• She's taught me that childhood magic doesn't have to go away when you grow up...and this is one of the best lessons I've ever learned from my kids...every time I see her eyes light up over something that can only be equated to being "magicical" it makes me feel like I'm 5 years old on Christmas morning...in those moments when she's most happy I relive the happiest most magical moments from my childhood and I'll never be able to thank her enough for that!

She's taught me many more lessons but I'll save those for another rainy day...I just wanted all of you to know how special she is to me and that I love her more than any words (no matter how clever) will ever be able to say!

Happy Birthday Nay Nay...I LOVE YOU!

Our Trip To Gatlinburg...Part 1

Wow I feel like I haven't really blogged in such a long time, but I've been incredibly busy and with vacation and hosting some great giveaways that you can enter by clicking here, here, and here (no shame in my game...I need more entrants) I just haven't had the time.

I decided to make the time today to sit down and write an honest to goodness blog post!

As many of you know our family went on a mini-vacation last weekend to Tennessee and let me tell you it was amazing! We were in desperate need of family bonding time and we most certainly needed to get away and relax for a few days! I'll have lots of pictures up as soon as I get them all uploaded on my computer.

I did take the time though to upload the pictures of the resort where we stayed because it was awesome and I couldn't help but share!(The sign is not crooked...my camera was...lol)

We stayed at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort, they advertise themselves as having "The Best Views of the Smokies" and that couldn't be more true...the views were breathtaking! They should be because in order to get to the condo we had to go up, up, up a very steep mountain road! The drive up and down was probably one of the most adventurous things about our trip, the kids couldn't stop talking about how much fun the drive was!(See that group of condos overlooking the golf course? That's where we stayed...literally on top of the mountain!)

(A little closer view of the outside of the condo's..and half of my honey.)

(The kitchen which was really small, but it served it's purpose and my half naked lil man modeling one of the chairs.)

(Half of the living room with a fireplace and spiral staircase (which the kids loved) leading to the loft bedroom.)

(Three of our girls...told you they loved the stairs!)

(Master bedroom with it's own bathroom, and private entrance to the balcony...of course I didn't have the good sense to take a picture before the F5 Tornado (aka our family) hit.)

(The view from our balcony...absolutely breathtaking!)

(And again...picture perfect view of the Smokies!)

We had a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, fully equipped condo with all of the comforts of home! While the decor was a little dated all of the furnishing were in great condition and the place was very clean! The resort had both an indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, game room, laundry facilities, and great picnic area and playground for the kids! Honestly we didn't even need to leave the condo to have a great time, but of course there were places to go, and wax people to see!

Honestly this place was affordable (very affordable), very well maintained, offered amazing views of the Smoky Mountains, and was just an all around great place to stay! If you're looking for a great place to stay away from the noise and crowds that Gatlinburg's known for check this place out...and no I'm not being paid to say that I just think that y'all would love it as much as we did! We loved it at Deer Ridge and are already planning our next trip!