Creating a Bully-Free Zone

This is a pretty tough post to write, because it admits parenting flaws. For some reason having a special needs sister has not made Rebecca the empathetic and compassionate person we had hoped. We found out through yesterday's debacle (read post before this) that I have a child who was being a bully......and not just this one time....it had been happening for a while.

There is a fine line when empowering girls that they do not become so "all that" that they take it out on others....and this is what had been happening. She had repeatedly been very mean to a boy in her class....so much in fact that the child was begging to be homeschooled, or transferred to another school. Yesterday I spent my morning first in stunned disbelief, that she had failed regardless of her Christian values and upbringing. Secondly that the self-esteem I have worked so hard to build and preserve in her....she was destroying in someone else. It is heartbreaking to face the reality that your child is not who you thought they were.

I am raising a mean girl, and that is unacceptable.

I spent time talking to the principal who expressed his concerns because other children were following her example so the school has decided that in-school suspension, and stripping away her student leadership team title for the rest of the year are to be her punishment from them.

When we discipline her for this there are three things I want to see happen.
1. An immediate consequence for punishment
2. A plan for character development
3. A plan for retribution and reparations

So here is what Rebecca will be enjoying for the next few months: She will have no softball season this year...tryouts were last weekend but, she has not began practices or games yet. Her social life comes to a halt: no friends over or her going anywhere for at least the month of March.

With all this spare time I have freed up for her now comes part two character development. Since she has a problem with kindness and compassion she is now our local nursing home's newest volunteer. Here she can continually work with others who cannot help themselves.

Yesterday I spent a lot of time on the phone talking to he boy's mother and we both agreed that not only did she have a lot to prove by showing him kindness and learning to get along....she also needs to rebuild his self-esteem and make sure that he will no longer be afraid of her. We are working on some activities in the coming weeks so that they can spend time together to repair a relationship so that our kids can get along for the next three years they will be at school together.

So there you have it....an imperfect parent trying hard to raise a better child. What would you have done?

You are doing WHAT tomorrow?

Among the conversations I don't expect to have with Rebecca....today was one of those.

Rebecca:"Hey Mom, Tomorrow "E" and I have to go to Mr. Meyer's office to have a little talk with him."

Red flag goes up......she is scheduled for the principals office?

Me:"For Student Leadership Team? Is it about the Walk for Cancer you are organizing?"

This is the sort of thing she does at school, because she is a straight A, student council kind of kid.

Rebecca: "Ummmmmmm No, it's because me and "E" kind of hit and kicked "M" (boy in class) after school yesterday while you were in your parent-teacher conference.

Okay extremely alarmed!!!!!!

Me: "Rebecca Anne....why on earth would you do such a thing, you were raised better than that"!

Rebecca:"Well "E" and I were playing on top of the tunnel on the playground and he came over and pushed me off so I got mad and hauled off and hit him. He was fine when he left but "E" said he cried on the way home and then he told his mom, and now the principal wants to talk to us tomorrow"

Speechless......(for a while)

Me: "Surely you could have made a better choice than hitting the boy, Rebecca".

Rebecca: "Mom, daddy says I should always defend myself when a boy comes after me....so I did."

Speechless again.....(for a while)....should I yell at John Mark?

I have decided letting her talk to the principal and having the school merit what punishment that it will. Then we are having a long talk that a boy pushing you off of playground equipment wasn't quite what John Mark meant when teaching her some self-defense moves......but holy cow, apparently my ten year old can kick butt and take names......not sure what to make of that

Tiger Tales

At the tumbling gym where I work in the evenings....you can tell what season it is by the increase in junior high/high school girls all with anxious faces and nervous mommas. It is Cheerleading Tryout Season! Several of the coaches are booked for private lessons every spare second of the evening. Where do I fit into the mix? well not only am I taking on a few more classes to teach.....I am also officially the go-to gal for Mascot Tryouts.

Now normally I enjoy this immensely, and no I was never a mascot....I was in fact a cheerleader. But, for some reason, this is the niche I have become known for. Up until this year I could also say that I had a 100% success record too.....every kid I coached made mascot. It was because I was usually working with a few girls from different schools. This year that will not be the case.

This year I am working with four young ladies all reeeeeeeaaaaallllly wanting to become the new Tiger for one of the local Catholic junior highs. So for the first time ever I am working with four people who are vying for two spots. It absolutely sucks! Not only am I in creative overload to make each routine unique and different to the worst music ever put together (I'm sorry but rotating out "WangChung" with"R*O*C*K* in the U.S.A" along with five seconds of "The Wheels on the Bus" does not make for good music no matter who is doing the choreography). I am going into this knowing two will not make it.

So, in the middle of my work at home (blogging/scrapbooking), getting ready for a huge garage sale next weekend, getting ready to leave for Disney in two weeks, I have four young ladies to coach on the side. Forget that I am in need of a computer memory upgrade....I am in need of a me upgrade!

Disability Camp Series: Taking the Plunge

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Dive" that emphasizes well how apprehensive but determined I was for Regan to experience summer camp. The chorus read like this:

I’m diving in, I’m going deep in over my head, I want to be

Caught in the rush, lost in the flow, in over my head, I want to go

The river’s deep, the river’s wide,the river’s water is alive

So sink or swim, I’m diving in

I promised many of my readers to talk more about Regan going to camp. I can tell you it is a tough decision but one I am so glad that we made for her benefit and for ours. Like the song, I just had to let go and dive in head first and I am so glad we did. Honestly, she is a camp crazy kid....but I can tell you I was extremely apprehensive about sending her. Here were some of my many concerns:


1. No one can take care of her like I can. What if they do the wrong thing? What if she falls from her walker? What if she gets scared or hurt?


2. These people are going to be doing personal things for her....like helping in the shower, helping dress from the wait down, and helping with some basic toileting needs. What if they are not trained.....or worse some sort of child predator.


3. Will I be able to sleep an entire week leaving her in the care of perfect strangers? Is that really bad parenting on my part....that I kind of crave the break....but I am anxious that so much can go horribly wrong.

Well when she was ten we decided to take the plunge and try our first camp. First of all it was about 40 minutes from my house.....so the proximity if anything happened was very comforting. It also came highly recommended from friends of ours who had experienced success with their child at this camp. So we made the commitment and requested the paperwork for Texas Elks Camp in Gonzales, TX.

Let me say first of all that the requirements for every camp are very different. At Texas Elks Camp they take a variety of disabilities ranging from ADD to Downs Syndrome, but they will not take children who are wheelchair bound or need major medical help on a daily basis. The staff ratio is three kids to one counselor....and each session is open to all the special needs they accept....so it is not that they have "cerebral palsy week" or "diabetes camp". It is kind of a free for all in terms of campers. The counselors are all college kids most who return year after year to work with the kids. The counselors have gone through numerous interviews and family background checks to work at the camp. There are several adult staff members, a camp director, and nurse to oversee everything.

The funny thing about Texas Elks Camp is that they very rarely are actually at camp. It is headquartered in an old Polio hospital that does not have extensive grounds or activities of it's own. So every day the whole camp has trips to places. They go swimming at the local public pool, and go bowling at the bowling alley. They go to an amusement arcade that has go-carts, virtual rollercoasters, and a rock wall. They spend a few days at Splashway....a nice Waterpark in our area. They also bring in entertainment for after dinner, like a magician, have a camp dance, and outside water fun and barbecue. They also give each parent a detailed schedule for the whole week so at any time I can look at her schedule and know what she is doing. The first year I checked the schedule obsessively!!!!!!

Here is Regan on a blow up water slide they had one evening .Well, after the first week at camp, John Mark and I could not wait to pick her up....first to see if we had made a huge mistake....and she really did need us for every moment of the day. I was also sure she had missed us and would be so happy to see me that we would both be shedding tears of joy ( I am still waiting for those tears from her....three years later).

Okay, so she loved it! She loved making friends with people who are a lot like her, because honestly she doesn't know many. Secondly she had a social life.....like boys asking her to dance...and girls to gossip with. She was also a huge hit with the counselors....so much that she was voted the "Blue Moose Girls: Camper of the Week". They told me her positive attitude and her willingness to try everything made her a joy to be around ( yes, just like her mama).

She chatted the whole way home, and well into the night about everything and everybody, and then said "I am going back next year right"?

It is a plunge well worth taking.

Some Cookbooks should not be Made

I am (as always) in awe of all things Disney....ummm until now that is. This little treasure has made the list of fifteen worst book covers ever made. This was one of the cleanest (trust me). As much as the girls love to cook I guarantee poo(pooh) will never be an ingredient found in my kitchen.

Truvia Review and Giveaway

I think if I were a movie my title would be "Confessions of a Sweet Tooth". I would expand my diet and waistline to include all the chocolate, pie, and girl scout cookies that I can handle. So, I was intrigued when for the last month or so I have been seeing commercials for a new natural sweetener called Truvia.

The first thing that caught my eye....is how good that strawberry looks dipped in that sugar (and will it really taste that great). Well, when my box of Truvia arrived the first thing I did was rip into a packet...lick my finger and see for myself. It was good! It was not sickly sweet like sugarcane sugar, and it was not chemically odd like those horrific pink packets. It was almost a light sweet unlike any I had tasted. Both of my girls dipped in their fingers for their own taste test...and agreed with me completely.

The next day I took it to church to asked the Adult Sunday School class to try it in their coffee (and get their venerable opinions). They were more than happy to be guinea pigs for me, and every single one of them liked it...and said it was "different, but quite tasty". I had so many request packets to share with their family at home...I nearly ran out for me to keep a few for myself. Anyway it has been the perfect addition to smoothies for breakfast to help naturally sweeten the frozen fruit.

So here is the low-down on this sweetener. The reason it tastes so natural is because it is 100% natural instead of being from sugarcane like traditional sugar....it comes from the leaves of the Stevia plant. It has no calories (guilt-free usage!), and one packet is the equivalent of two teaspoons of sugar. I have really enjoyed Truvia and I am excited to be able to give a box away for you to form your own opinions about.

Giveaway:
I am giving away a box of Truvia, PLUS a garden tote and gloves. I really want you to remember that Truvia is natural and comes straight from the earth's Stevia plant. This giveaway is for United States Residents only and will close March 4, 2009 at midnight. Remember....if you are entering this giveaway anonymously please leave an email address to get ahold of you.

Entering:
1. Find a store using the store locater near you that sells Truvia and leave in a comment (Manadatory entry)
2. 2nd entry becoming a follower of my blog or leaving me a separate comment if you already are.
3. Twitter about this giveaway and leave me a copy of your tweet in a separate comment.
4. Stumble this post and leave me a comment with your stumble ID
5. blog about this giveaway and leave a URL link in a separate comment.

Irreplaceable: Book Review

I was recently fortunate enough to get the opportunity to read the breakout first novel Irreplaceable by Stephen Lovely. You know, I love to read, and I am always in the midst of a novel (or several). I must admit to this being a bit of a mixed review.

The novel begins with the tragic death of Isabel as the victim of a reckless driver (Jasper). Because she is an organ donor her heart goes to a young mother of two named Janet. About a year after the transplant takes place Janet would like to connect with Alex who was Isabel's husband.....are you following me so far. Anyway it follows the journey of getting through grief, acceptance, and finding the way to love.

Irreplaceable is a very well-written first novel, and the characters are engaging and you definitely fall into the story line as believable and genuine. I guess my main issue was it was just a little too sappy and reminiscent of several authors who I typically refuse to read because I just don't like sap. There were a few times that I just wanted them to kind of "snap out of it" and embrace the life given. Of course I have never been in a situation like this where a transplant and a loved one are involved....so I can't say that I wouldn't react the same way. Maybe it was because Alex was not a personality I could relate to.

Anyway, Irreplaceable is a good book and the story line is not to complex. The characters are well-fleshed out and I really enjoy Janet. I recommend this book for those who are fans of Nicholas Sparks novels. You will not be disappointed with this book.

Welcome to my Pity Party

I am either going to have to drop the followers button.....or do something drastic because it is driving me nuts!

Seriously people....have I really offended that many of you?

Okay this is the scoop (and yes it could be a stinkin system glitch). Yesterday....I noticed my follower numbers had dropped, and I thought "Oh well people clean up their follower lists all the time (in fact I have myself from time to time)". Sometimes you find people really funny or poignant....and then after a while not so much. I get that!!!!!!! I really do!!!!

But today when I logged on I had dropped by 30 People that is crazy!

Should I hire a pied piper....or promise you all some rockin MP3 players
or join facebook like everyone else on the dang planet.....including my parents who have succumbed to the world's newest drug.

What would normally make me just a tad bit sad has manifested itself into major paranoia....I blame Rebecca and her silly dance (memo to self: ground the child later for costing me followers)


***********EDIT******************
Well it is a blogger glitch...so I will not flog my children (this time)......ummmm wait what is flogging again?

The "First" Dance

Yesterday, Rebecca got to go to her first official middleschool/junior high dance.

First came the phone calls to all her other friends.

Then came the planning of who was traveling with who....and what to wear.

Oh Wait...then there is the phone call about how to wear your hair.

No....still another rush of phone calls to speculate which boys might be attending.

Oooooops, still more phone calls to confirm first choice of outfit or whether 2nd and 3rd choice are better. Apparently T-Shirts/Jeans/flipflops are the winner
Then the announcement that we were to arrive "fashionably late"

Now it is time for nervous chatter in the car and trying to decide if they are brave enough to walk in the doors by themselves......or if they want me to walk in with them. It is decided that I should walk them in....just in case they don't know anyone right away (at least I don't have to drop them off a block away).

Then 2 1/2 hours later I arrived just a little early.....to keep an eye on things, and chat with other parents. There they were in the middle of the dance floor whooping it up with a crowd of kids dancing to "Baby got Back" apparently some songs never go out of style. Then I observed the "Boy's Choice".....and was glad to see that both of the girls I brought had partners to ask them. A few more rock/pop songs, and finally the last dance....where luckily both girls had a partner again.

The Verdict: Well the best dance ever don't you know! Rebecca was proud to tell me she danced with seven guys....although she only knew the names of three of them. I laughed as the girls chatted about "big sweaty guy" , "guy who can't dance", and "nice guy that stepped on feet".......such Seinfeldian names for people you don't know.

Do you remember Junior High dances like this?

EyeBuyDirect Review and Giveaway

I must confess I have been stalking glasses websites for a while because I have been hunting for a back-up pair for Regan for a while. My hesitation has been due to the fact that I was just unsure how well you could do prescription glasses online.

Well, thanks to the Family Review Network I finally had the opportunity to test it out. Regan and I picked out frames from EyeBuyDirect...thank goodness they had several frames in "pink" to choose from. We even uploaded a picture of her to the website so that we could try them on her "virtually". I must admit it was pretty cool and easy.

Did I mention their prices? They have pairs for as low as $7.95....and a huge selection to try on your virtual self. You can have fun all say long trying different styles and colors on your face.

Within two weeks her prescription had arrived....and they are perfect. She absolutely loves them. They were intended for backup glasses, but have become her favorite pair.....isn't she cute?

Anyway...on to the really awesome part. The wonderful people at EyeBuyDirect are allowing me to host a giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a pair of eyeglasses of their very own (excludes sunglasses and designer frames), including any upgrade up to $100 and 100% free shipping.
This Giveaway is open to United States Residents only. It will close on March 2nd at midnight.

1.To enter this giveaway please visit EyeBuyDirect and leave me a comment telling me the frames you would pick.
2.For an extra entry, upload your photo and virtually try on some glasses or leave a review on The Wall of Frame and leave a comment
3. A third entry can be had by twittering this contest...and leaving me your tweet in a comment
4. A fourth entry can be had by becoming a follower of my blog and leaving me a comment.
5. A fifth entry can be had by posting about this giveaway and leaving me a link to the URL telling me that you have done this.

Scanalog Review and Giveaway

If you have been reading me long, you know that we are planning to build a house. I want a house that is completely handicapped friendly and accessible to make Regan comfortable so that she live with us ling term, but still have a space to call her own. With this in mind I have become a collector of sorts. I have files of decoratin ideas, ADA building ideas, Disability catalogs filled with showers, baths, and everyting we could ever need. Even my files have subfiles.....like paintcolors I love, and furniture styles....pools with zero entry so that she could walk right in with her walker...all the bells and whistles. I have upgraded my files at least three times, and they are still expanding.

I now have a cure for my ever expanding collection(disease)....Scanalog. This software catalogs all of your magazine articles, pamphlets, children's artwork, important documents, and stores them for you in categories. There are eleven master categories....and then there are many subcategories that you can make to suit your needs. It is great to have all of the articles, items, and paperwork that you are saving in one place on your computer. The Scanalog software retails for $49.95and I highly reccomend it to all of you magaizine junkies who are saving articles for years...or like me decorating ideas for your ultimate house.

I am very fortunate to be able to giveaway one away from the Scanalog company. This Giveaway is open to all United States and Canadian Residents and will close on March 1st at midnight. If you are entering Anonymously please make sure to leave an email address so that I can get in touch with you. Here is how you can enter:

1.Leave a comment on what you would store using Scanalog software (mandatory first entry).
2.Become a follower of my Blog and leave me a comment telling me: 2nd Entry
3.Place a copy of my button on your sidebar, leave me a comment: 3rd entry
4.Twitter about this post and leave your tweet in a comment:4th Entry
5.Blog about this giveaway and leave the URL in a comment:5th Entry

A Special Thank You to the Family Review Network for this wonderful opportunity.

Give that child some Gas

I knew Yesterday was gong to be an adventure....because Regan was dreading the dentist so much she had already cried several times in anticipation. I could not get it into the child's head that she would not actually feel the tooth beng pulled.

She is always apprehensive and hysterical, and I just keep hoping that as she gets older it will happen less......but my hoping is wearing thin.

Well we head to Dr. Braden's office and the first thing that happens is they get out a swab of jelly stuff to numb her gums.....and she breaks into hysterical sobs. My friend Cheryl who works there just stares at me kind of baffled...no one had even touched her yet. Dr, Braden pokes his head in and says...let's give her some laughing gas to help her relax (ummmmmm, can I have some too?).

If I would have known she would be so ridiculous over a swab of numbing gel, I would have gotten a Xanax in her for preparation. It becomes very clear that I will be staying in with her through the whole procedure. I tried to hang out near the window and watch cars casually through the Bamboo shades and play on my Iphone quietly....nope. I end up in a half-nelson straddled across her on the chair til the gas takes effect.

Can I just tell you......Regan on laughing gas is hysterical! She kept calling Dr. Braden...."Phil" (his name is John). Saying things like "Phil, what are you doing now?" and "Phil, I can't feel my legs", and "Phil, can you get my mom to stop laughing she is making my tummy shake."

Then after gas.....three injections into the gums.....and finally the moment the tooth was pulled.

Yes, hysterical screaming/sobbing (waking the dead) again....even under gas.

Dr. Braden made a notation in her chart that all future dental procedures she be put completely out for.

Thanks, Phil

How are you at making Ramen?

Well in the chaos of my life I have not been to the grocery store in.....well I think two weeks (holy shysters, Batman!). So I cannot even begin to explain what trying to come up with for the girl's lunches today went like.

Since Regan got her tooth pulled yesterday....she is on soft foods only. So last night John Mark went to get her a chocolate milkshake from Dairy Queen to cheer her up.....and this morning I found one plain yogurt (still within expiration date time) and added a spoonful of some random blueberry "Christmas gift" jelly so she had blueberry yogurt for breakfast.....but what could I send the child for lunch?

Well she is saved by the fact that the school cafeteria is serving some sort of mystery noodle dish for lunch....I look at Rebecca and say great you can have the noodle dish too.

"I am not eating that junk.....last time there was a hair in it"

EWwwwwwww Gross!
Well we have a lot of tuna in the pantry

"Mom, that stuff stinks, and people make fun of me when I bring Tuna"

Well, we have a pack of ramen noodles, several packs of jello, some salad dressing, and sugar free maple syrup and pancake mix....what can you make of that?

"Mom, really? We only have a microwave to heat stuff in so I can't make ramen or pancakes at school"

Wander to fridge....we have a carton of cherry tomatoes...and several things that need to be thrown out....and dried sausage.

Well we have a winner! Rebecca took dried sausage...some chunks of leftover cheddar cheese, a few water crackers , and a handful of cherry tomatoes.

The really sad part...going to the grocery store is not on today's agenda either

We Love Camp Waldemar

I grew up going to summer camps. From church camps, sport camps, cheerleading camps....I was always a camp obsessed kind of girl, and they never lasted long enough for me. My parents would come after a week away to pick me up from one of my camps, and I tearfully said goodbye to all my new friends, and always wished we would have had a longer time together. Then I would obsessively watch "The Parent Trap" and wish that I was spending a whole summer away just like they got to do.

When Rebecca was born a very good friend told us all about the camp she sent her daughter's too (and that she herself had attended as a girl) that was a month long located in the Texas hill country....and I remembered several of my college friends having talked about their times spent at those girls camps (there is about four of them), and I told John Mark that I hoped with all my heart that we would be able to do that for Rebecca. I know people always say you should not force your children to live out your own dreams....but Rebecca is just like me as a child and she took to it like a duck to water.

Here is what Rebecca's camp is all about...

"Our two traditional Waldemar terms are referred to as First Term and Second Term. Each of these 30-day terms are offered to girls going into 4th-11th grades. Most of our campers start at a young age and continue to build upon their camping experience until they reach their final year when they are known as “hilltoppers.”

On the first night a girl attends long term, she draws for her camp tribe. Whether she draws Aztec, Comanche, or Tejas, she will continue to be a member of this tribe throughout her camping years. In everything she does – from her table manners and cleanliness in her cabin to how well she participates in her classes – she will earn points for her tribe.
At the end of the camp term there is a final program during which awards are given in many of the classes to the most skilled and most improved participants. At this time, the much anticipated winner of the tribal plaque is announced. Points from kampong inspection, table grades, class participation, medals awarded, field day victories, and many others all contribute to this ultimate prize.
The camp term also concludes with the naming of the Ideal Waldemar Girl. This is usually a hilltopper who has been voted on anonymously by the counselor staff because she best lives up to the ideals of Waldemar. Being named Ideal Waldemar Girl is the highest honor a girl can receive during her camping years.
Each camper lives in a “kampong” (a South Sea Islander word meaning house on stilts) or cabin with five to seven other girls her same age and one counselor. The cabins feature private baths and are air-conditioned.
The girls all choose their own activity schedule from our more than 40 activities available. Much like a college course schedule, they participate in up to 12 activities total with six on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and another six on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. We encourage the girls to take a variety of classes in land sports and water sports, as well as the arts so they have a balanced schedule.
At night, the girls participate in a variety of scheduled activities that include everything from movie nights and a dance with neighboring boy camp, Camp Stewart, to a camp carnival, climbing of the sacred tribal hills for tribal ceremonies, and kampong skits. In addition, there are two field days during the term. During each field day, each camper will participate in at least one and as many as three activities to earn points for her tribe. "

This year will be Rebecca's third year...and for us it is worth every penny, because we are developing a wonderfully well-rounded girl who has very high ideals for herself. She is a leader and good friend to others, and we are so proud of how well she handles herself in all situations. In the past I have talked about Regan's camps....and I still will post extensively of her experiences there, but we are just as proud of Rebecca and how camp has molded her.
The pictures included are Rebecca drawing for her tribe two years ago....she is a proud Comanche, a picture of the dining hall, and Rebecca doing Archery at one of the field days....all during her first year!

I Don't like Your Schedule!

I am an on-the-go kind of gal. In fact I can't stand to not be busy or have a gameplan. I think that if they had been diagnosing ADD in the 70's when I started school the would have put me on Ritalin instead of in the gifted kids program. Because my mind and body can not stay still.

Now my family is completely at ease with the frenetic way we embrace life.....but my five year old niece is not. After the cheer competition on Sunday.....I raced up to Austin to see my stunningly beautiful newborn niece Claire (picture to follow again soon), and to pick up my five year old niece Kyla so that mom and dad could have a little peace with the newborn.

Well Kyla is not used to having to be at the gym in the evening for hours while I teach gymnastics....and not having her supper at a normal time, and having two older girl cousins who want to talk about weird things like bras. She was exhausted come Monday evening (to top it off, my computer once again acted up hence no posts from me).

Then this morning I get her up bright and early at 6:30 a.m. with my girls.....because we have school, errands, things to do. She tried to tell me she doesn't wake up when it is still night outside, I told her I was sorry....but the rest of the house was leaving, and she was not old enough to stay by herself.

"Aunt Christine (she tells me in a tired voice) I don't like your schedule"

I am so sorry, baby.

The Importance of a Beautiful Heart

Heart disease is a part of my family heritage. It is in the genetics and something that I am consistently aware of. My father and both grandparents have all had heart related problems in the last few years, and it has been a real eye opener for the whole family. In fact the Heart Hospital in Austin should have a room dedicated to my family, as much as we have patronized it.

It has made all of us very aware of what we put in our bodies as far as nutritional health, and making sure that fresh fruits and vegetables are a major part of our diet, and a lot less fat. In fact proper diet and exercise are the main ways to have a healthy heart....and the main things that most people don't do.

Metamucil, the makers of fiber products, has created a new program called "Beautify Your Heart". Metamucil wants women across the country to make a pledge to get their cholesterol checked and to start making lifestyle changes to keep your heart healthy. When I began to read all of the ways that Metamucil is getting involved I must admit to being very impressed.

Not only does it show how increased fiber can make a real difference in your heart health, but also drinking water daily, getting a good exercise program. There is a section devoted to goals, for fitness, diet, and body/soul health. The really neat thing is over 50,000 people have already signed up to be a part of their challenge.

When I make changes in my lifestyle, it models to my girls what I expect of them. I want my girls growing up knowing the importance of proper nutrition and exercise, and how fortunate that they have their great grandparents around them today.....because their heart problems have been addressed and are being worked on. Prevention is of course the best medicine, and I applaud Metamucil for helping lead the way.

Cords, Cords, Cords

My living room is a mass of bad wiring. Whoever built my house had no idea where the normal person would want to watch television.....or set up a computer. So, I have wires going all over the place so that things sit in their logical (according to me) places. I have satellite lines across my fireplace and a DSL line stretching across the floor to a kitchen phone outlet.

Obviously I need to call the cable company and have the set up moved....but the computer situation would be easily solved with a Linksys router. I was pricing these for the last Black Friday sale...and just wasn't happy with prices. But, my desperate need to clean up the cord situation may drive me to pay more than I bargained for just to have a nice wireless router set up. Maybe I can write it off as a business expense.....that would be admitting my blog is a business....not just an obsession.

Hijacked BlogPost Homedogz!

We beez rockin da trophies at de Mardi Gras Cheer Competition. Wanna give a shout out to my peeps on senior squad...Grand Champions Level four. Peace Out HomeDogz! Flyers Rule!
Love, Becca Boo

(sorry regular readers.....I thought I would let Rebecca help me write a quick post about her cheer competition....not my typical language style, but it does completely crack me up)

Mood Music for Valentine's

Last night, the girls and I threw John Mark a surprise Valentine's Day picnic. Rebecca and I climbed into the attic and got our Christmas tree lights down. We strung them all over the back patio. I managed in only an hour to succesfully get a fire built by myself in our chimenea. and we set up a drink station, a dessert station, and our stereo ( which was honestly so ugly looking that I wish I had a special stereo cabinet for it).

The girls and I had been planning this all week and were busy setting up and decorating/cooking all afternoon. What we did not expect was that John Mark would lose his truck keys, and spend the entire day with our next door neighbor (who owns the Ford dealership in our small town) trying other random Ford vehicle keys and writing down all the serial number information to have another key made.....then getting John Mark a loaner vehicle for in the meantime.

Well anyway, I didn't want to sound naggy about calling or texting "When are you coming home?" especially when he was coming home in a foul mood about losing his keys. So the girls and I decided to make the menu easier than originally planned. I had the cobbler all done, and the rolls.....then we opted for HEB Pizza and bag salad...ready to whip together at a moment's notice. So our family picnic was not at the expected time....but it was appreciated, and we all got to dance outside under the twinkle lights, and enjoy the fire. How was your night?

AaaaaK....She is growing!

Now granted Regan grows slowly. Her cerebral palsy consumes a lot of energy and doctor;s had told me that she would grow very slowly. For years I have not minded a bit basically because as long as she is in kid's sizes there are lot's of choices for elastic waistbands and still be semi-cute and fabulous in your clothing choices.

The problem is that although I think you can find some gorgeous pieces in the juniors section ( along with the slightly trashy Brittany Spears look). Clothes in this section are not cute and have elastic waistbands. The pants are low rise and come in plenty of fabrics, colors, and no elastic! I know I could go the legging route with her and tunic tops.....but it is only nice looking if the top stays properly down...which I cannot guarantee on Regan.

Well since I am not giving my 13 yr old a diet pill to stay tiny enough for children's clothes.....I guess she is looking forward to a lifetime of athletic wear. Any other suggestions?

Do you know where that Mouth has been?

Seriously, sometimes my children are just insanely weird to me.....I mean what in the heck are they thinking sometimes?

Last weekend Rebecca stayed the whole three days (yes it was blissfully silent at my house) with a very good friend of hers in a neighboring town. Now said friend has a large ranch with all the typical animals on it. Rebecca had the joy of bathing pigs to get them ready for the San Antonio Stock Show, and then going out on four wheelers to count cattle. She is very much my country girl and loved every minute of it.

So in regaling me with her stories about her weekend she started telling me about licking the cattle salt cubes. You know the ones that lie in the field full of salt and minerals for the cows? Apparently the girls thought it would taste pretty good....Okay I am completely horrified!

and then it got worse.

"Well then, mama, a cow came up and huffed at us cuz we were licking the salt block...so we backed out of her way to let her lick it....and then (friend) dared me to lick it after the cow."

"Oh Rebecca Anne, please tell me you didn't do it!!!!!!!"

She did....and laughed....no remorse at all.

Word World Review

Regan has a strange obsession with children's program.....on any given evening you are just as likely to find her watching PBS Kids as you will watching any other channel. I have asked her why at age 13 she prefers watching shows geared towards the younger crowd, and she simply replies....because they are fun to watch. I have to admit some of them really are.

Word World is an Emmy award winning series that promotes early literacy. In fact studies have shown that children that watch the show doubled their oral vocabulary skills and tripled their ability to read certain words. This was especially helpful in households where English is a second language.

Personally it is easier if I leave the fact that it is educational out of the equation for Regan. She just loves the characters of dog, pig, and sheep and thinks it is really cool how their bodies are med up from the words. On Saturday February 14th Word World has a special Valentine's episode, can you guess who already has it on their Tivo to-do list.....me!

On a side note, I found it really creative how they formed the animals out of the words that name them. My favorite I have seen so far is the shark. I think this will be a really creative project for my gifted and talented group at the girl's school. I will let you know how it goes.

A special thank you to the Family Review Network for this wonderful opportunity.

It's my Talent ....and you can't have it!

I was very inspired by a post yesterday by Ellen at To The Max about how people respond to special needs children. In reading through the responses (and there were a ton of them) I began to realize that I have a very different perspective than most parents. I guess I haven't really thought about it to much, but I thought I would at least try to explain my theory.

Now I am not going to get overly preachy, but the Bible states in the Parable of the ten Talents, that you are to take your gifts from God and go forth and use them. One of my favorite verses Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Anyway, I have brought Regan up to see her cerebral palsy as a talent from God. She is supposed to do her best with it and share with others....not bury it away like the misguided servant in the parable. There are several ways we do this. First of all she leads a life that isn't centered around her disability....it is just a different way to showcase her talent to others. Through Tap, Ballet, Cheerleading, Track, Golf .....and not mention she has been in 4H, active in church, and in the mentor program at school (as a mentor). Every year she has the privilege of spending time with the newest Pre-K class to tell them about her disability, let them walk in her walker, try on her AFO's....and instantly she has made a dozen new friends.

I want to express that we have worked very hard to never focus on the things she can't do....we just find a new way to do them.

The funniest thing ever for me....was after Regan had participated at a national Cheer Competition in an Individual event (where she used her walker for jumps, and then went down to her knees for a forward roll, and brought the crowd to tears and a standing ovation). Several complete strangers bought her congratulations gifts and wanted to spend time with her at the competition talking to her. On the way home, Rebecca and two of her friends from the squad were talking about how lucky Regan is and they wish people treated them that way.

Rebecca said:"I wish I had cerebral palsy"

Regan quickly said: "It's my Talent, and you can't have it!"

I wouldn't have it any other way.

It's Award Season.....You should see my Dress!

It is award season and I didn't want all of you to think I had forgotten misplaced my newest trophies. I love having my blog acknowledged by those who I admire. There are a lot of amazing women out there that I am glad to even be in the same league (okay that was my thank you for nominating me speech).

As I walk the red carpet Ryan (Seacrest don'cha know) asks me about the first award . A new blog award called the Sisterhood Award (inspired by The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants). This is a special award that should be given to your best bloggy girlfriend(s). Give them the award to thank them for their special friendship. This was given to me by Allison who I just love to read. She actually has several blogs I stalk. but this time I just want to mention her atMy Mommy Said.
For this one I would like to nominate two bloggers that inspire me.

1. 1. Piera at Jolly Mom
2. 2. Erin at the Mom Buzz
   
   

The next stop on the red carpet I am accosted interviewed by Joan and Melissa Rivers. Not only do the want to know who I am wearing (This time it is Badgley Mischka) they would like to know about the next award I am up for



I got this from the oh so fabulous Donella at So Not Domestic. I must confess I know I was nominated for this award by one other blog...I just can't seem to find it in my emails....so I am honestly sorry(hence you can see the award is deserved).

This award is called the Honest Scrap award. Unfortunately I have to reveal some of my Honest Truths in order to accept the award, so you'll probably think I'm even more neurotic after I post these than you did before. The honorees are to: A) first list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep! B) pass the award on to seven four bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap. Here are my 10 Honest Truths
1. I love that I was born in Japan...I think it adds to the mystique and mystery that is me.
2. If I were not married and had no children...I would have loved to be an archaeologist and scour the world looking for hidden treasures from lost civilizations.
3. This morning I had a Diet Dr. Pepper for breakfast along with my breakfast taco even though I swore to give them up for my new years resolution.
4. In the background while I am working is playing National Treasure: Book of Secrets...I probably have listened to it about 10 times. Some of you watch/listen to daytime talk shows or news...I always have movies playing in the background.
5. I need to be working on some scrapbooking right now and several paid posts for such obscure things like weight loss pills(look I am working! lol)
6. I am probably more excited about going to Disney World next month than Rebecca is...I just love that place! My parents tell me when I was a child I wanted to be Minnie Mouse as my profession.
7. I am so excited that my sister had another girl....I honestly think any boy in my household would end up gay(not that there is anything wrong with that)...cuz I am so darned prissy!
8. I wish it would rain for days where I live. This ten year drought and brown world that is south Texas is incredibly depressing.
9. I have three novel outlines in my computer, but have found I am not a fiction writer. I just can't get into all the details needed to talk about the rooms. scenery, clothes worn and mundane details that build into a good story.
10. I am embarrassed that I am in desperate need of a haircut, but too lazy to make the appointment and actually go to the salon. Such a ridiculous thing to put off!

My recipients of this award...well actually the gals I can't wait to read what they write are:
1. Pehpot Make or Break: Just in Time
2. Texan Mama Who Put me in Charge of these People
3. Dorsey Searching for my Inner Skinny
4. Sara The Breathing Post
Okay, I am being interviewed by Entertainment Tonight and they would like all the dish not only about my fabulous vintage Harry Winston jewelry, but they are curious for some random facts buzz. Thank you Sara from The Breathing Post. Your in luck...cuz I am very random

1. I once punished Rebecca for misbehaving by making her wear "ugly" clothes to go out to eat. For that fashion diva....it was the best ever!
2. I have killed more innocent houseplants than is humanly possible...thank goodness there is no watchdog group against plant killers.
3. My computer I think nearly burst into flames last night...and it is now open on one side with some fancy maneuvering to get it running today...but I worry it is on it's last legs.
4. I can not wait until June when both my children are away at summer camp...no this does not make me an evil mom, but what it will do is make me a better mom, and my girls much more well-rounded.
5. I am beginning to wish I would have broken this post up...cuz I am sure I have lost readers throughout this monolog and honestly should have gotten another paid link in.
6. I love Nutella...and was put out when I took Regan out to eat after her orthodontist appt. Monday morning and IHOP was out of Nutella for their new crepes.
7. I wonder if anyone is curious what I look like since I only post pics of my children and husband....I mean you wouldn't know me from Adam if you saw me walking down the street...just pondering that randomly.

Well....I am burnt out on this post...so not tagging more at the moment, and I still have one more award to do from Pehpot (I have not forgotten), but this awards queen is done and my heels are killing me!

Nancy Drew and the Odd Bloggy Win

Well, I finally got to the bottom of an extremely confusing mystery. I have decided that Nancy Drew and I would indeed be kindred spirits after all the work I put into my own mystery....the published novel should make me millions. Okay here is the scoop (as we detectives call it)

Several weeks ago I was caught up in the frenzy that is Bloggy Carnival. I know I entered at least 200 of the over 1500 or so giveaways. I also know this...I am particular about what I enter. I am not going to enter anything that I personally cannot use (or easily regift). This is why I was very confused to receive an email from a contest that I had not entered....but they pronounced me the winner.

Apparently I had won a stuffed bear (which is super cute by the way)from the Stuffington Bear Factory. I know this was not a bona fide win for me...and was a little confused. My first reaction was to head to the website to make sure it was legitimate...and it is (Made in the USA).

My 2nd reaction was to email the owner to admit my confusion and ask for clarification there is always the remote possibility that Regan who is well known for being very tech savvy decided to enter a lot of contests in my name. As precious as she is she can be a bit devious sometimes.....and just loves my computer.

The next day I received a lovely email from the Stuffington Bear Factory Company themselves, asking for my address to ship my bear. At this time I am working under the assumption that Regan has been entering contests under my name....and she was going to get it when she comes home from school......but to be on the safe side (predator alert ya know) I gave them the address for John Mark's business not my home.

Well after mentioning to my sister, Jennifer, how odd the win was she suggested I go back to the site and see if I had commented (or possibly Regan had)....and by then the site owner had posted the win declaring someone named Sandy the winner.

Okay, now I am really confused....because I am definitely not Sandy, and Regan is now not a culprit. So I scour the comments section of the win (I know should have done this earlier) and found Sandy the commenter....who has no email in her profile, and no blog of her own....but apparantly is a follower of my blog.

Sandy, I am so sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Regan has fallen in love with the bear and thinks it is her Valentine's gift. I am ashamed to be a non winner and a bear holder that is technically not mine. I have no way of contacting you though to sort it out. I am hoping since you have chosen to follow my blog that you randomly check in and see this post.

So in channeling my inner Nancy...I have uncovered a new mystery and her name is Sandy.

Manifest Your Magificence Review

Okay....I am one of those moms.
I love to put notes in the girl's lunchboxes. I used to keep a stack of fun little prayer cards and rotate those into their lunches. Not only did the girls enjoy getting their daily affirmations, but they couldn't wait to show them off.

Now I have a new set of cards that I am really excited about. Manifest Your Magnificence are wonderful cards that not only affirm qualities in your kids they explain them on the opposite side so it helps each quality feel real. Here is an example of one of the cards.





Now let me tell you how I have used them personally to help Regan and Rebecca. You know, honestly, it is tough having girls ages 13 and 10......because that is when self-doubt sets in. They begin to question if I tell them they are talented or not. I see it a lot in the girls and their friends. Their brains are already working overtime telling them they are not that special.

So here is the daily challenge. Each of the girls gets one card ( a different one each day) in their lunchboxes. During lunchtime they have to figure out if they have already shown that talent at some point that morning, or it becomes their challenge for the rest of the day.

For Example....Rebecca had the "genius" card shown above. She told me that was the day she decided to present her principal with the idea of starting a "Cougars for Christ" club at school. The plan was to get interested students together on Monday mornings a few minutes before school starts to pray for the student body and staff as each school week began. She had been sitting on this idea for several weeks but was unsure of how to approach the principal with it. The card helped encourage her to express her ideas and hope for a good output. I believe the first meeting will be in two weeks.

She was so excited to share how well her assignment had gone. In the last week or so, even the girls' friends have gotten in on the action. They share the cards with their friends at lunch, and everyone tries to come up with ways to fulfill the cards. Yesterday one of Rebecca's friends couldn't wait to tell me how she had been a "shining star" that day.

I encourage everyone to help their child Manifest Your Magnificence because that is our future, and we want them to be empowered and capable leaders one day.

A special thank you to the Family Review Network for this wonderful opportunity

The Untoppable Birthday Gift

Well my incredible sister Jennifer managed to top me for John Mark's birthday....unfortunately it is a gift I can not compete with so.....
Welcome to the world my new niece

Claire Elise (Isn't she precious!!!!!)

I am so excited to welcome this child to girl world. My sister and I now both have two girls, and I can't wait to embrace life with the four of them.

Claire if I had to be topped with a gift I am so glad it is you

Your Aunt,

Happy Birthday to my Sweetheart

I absolutely adore my husband (okay well most of the time), and am trying to figure out how to give him a good birthday......then it occurred to me. I should just do all the things I hate to do that he would love to see around the house. So today for your birthday honey:

• I am doing all the laundry (including folding and putting away)
• I am cleaning up my scrapbooking off of the 7 (seriously) surface areas that they are taking up space.
• I have left none of the breakfast and lunch dishes for you to do.
• I will not drink the last soda, eat the last bag of microwave popcorn, or take the last of the ice cream.
• I take the garage sale boxes out of the dining room and put them in the garage so that you can walk through it safely.
• I will bath, shave my legs, wear a cute nightie, and light the dusty Votive candle holders that you always ask why we have them in the bedroom if I do not use them or light them.

Really honey it is your birthday...and your worth it!

Catching up on a Monday

This is mainly a Regan update because there were several things I wanted to follow up with you all on.

1. We went to the Orthodontist this morning....in reference to her "teeth" post. They think for now she needs to have one tooth pulled to help with overcrowding in her mouth, and then come back in 8 months when the rogue tooth has found it's way in place. then we will make some decisions about her oral future.

2. my post on her getting "knocked up" to receive medical care down the road...has hit a dead end. I emailed it to several news agencies including the "O'Reilly Factor" and much the same as with our handicapped parking debacle last year....it has been met with silence. I am always one to fight, but when there is no interest it is hard to get motivated to do much more than that with everyday life in the way.

Anyway, she has stayed home with me after her orthodontist appointment this morning....mainly due to a slight fever she was running last night, so I am playing catch up on emails and work in blogworld....and she is quietly resting on the sofa Except for the occasional random question about how painful pulling teeth will be. She is my apprehensive obsessive child after-all.

I Love Fresh Clean Smells

If I am not fanatical about cleaning my house (which I am not) then how do I convince everyone that walks through my door that I am June Cleaver in disguise. The secret is to have that clean smell wafting throughout. Now I have lovely candles in clean linen and fresh breeze kinds of scents(my favorite),but they are obvious and fade after a bit so I am completely tickled that the Glade company has come up with the ingenious idea of a motion detecting spray that releases a wonderful burst of clean linen scent into the air.

Glade Sense & Spray is a clever automatic air freshener with MOTION SENSOR technology.
It freshens your home automatically, but only when you need it.
The built-in motion sensor detects when you walk into the room and releases a burst of long lasting fragrance every 30 minutes for as long as it senses motion.
It therefore does not spray when you are not around.
If you need an extra burst of fragrance, simply press the boost button to release the fresh scent."


Where did I put mine?

Well I must admit to being a bit devious. I hid mine in an arrangement that sits in my entryway. The secret of this is, that it sprays as I go and answer the front door (when the bell rings), and then whoever comes in enters and says...."You must have been cleaning right before I came"

Genius, right?

Would you like your very own Glade Sense and Spray? I am giving away one to a lucky reader. Just let me know which of these four you would like at your home to fool your next house guest, and leave it in a comment.

Clean Linen

Apple Cinnamon

Powder Fresh

Country Garden

Want extra entries?

Follow my blog and leave a comment

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Blog about the giveaway and leave me your URL.

This giveaway is open to all United States Residents, and will close on February, 14th at midnight. This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program by SC Johnson, who also supplied the product for review and giveaway.

I'm Talkin Basketball...oh Baby!

Well today was a great day for Cougar Basketball. For the first time in the school's over 100 year history the boys and girls basketball teams have gone undefeated. We are a little tickled that the girl's team even did as well as this.

You may have heard me mention before that the girl's go to a rural country school. There are around 130 kids preK- 8th grade. The teams tend to be small and they have players from 5th-8th grade on the teams. This year a lot of the girl's didn't even want to play basketball (too lazy), so we ended up with a team of 10 girls, and Rebecca was one of 3 5th graders on the team. The games are fun (there are five other rural schools they compete against) because the 5th graders are so tiny compared to the 8th graders. In fact Rebecca is the smallest on the team by far. Sometimes she spends all of her time on the court just jumping to try and reach the ball from the girl she is supposed to be guarding. She looks like a rabbit bouncing around.

Anyway, congratulations Cougars.....now on to track season which starts on Monday.

Getting Knocked up will Solve our Medical Problems

The Social Services in our town are a bunch of friggin idiots!

Here is the scoop....today Regan and I had an afternoon together. We went to get her hair cut, and I was planning to make her favorite dinner (chicken Alfredo) and just in general spend the afternoon talking with her (John Mark and Rebecca had a date to the local neighboring city together).

After leaving the salon....I had the brilliant idea to swing by Social Services in our town because I had a question for them concerning Regan's future. I thought this was a perfect opportunity to stop by because then Regan could get in on the conversation too and be in on her planning process.

Regan is on our private health insurance and we have never sought any government aide for her beyond all the free therapy she gets from the state for attending public school. A friend of mine had told me though that when she turns 18 we need to look at what Medicaid or Medicare have to offer as far as disability goes. Since I know nothing about it I thought I would talk to a social worker....pick up some brochures and start my research on the matter.

You would not believe what the woman in there told me!!!!!!!!!!

She said she was unsure that she had anything that would help Regan when she turns 18 as far as medical services goes (funny I thought this was part of the DEPT of Health).....but if she got pregnant they would be able to help her as a mother with her baby.

Let me clarify this....because I am stunned to the core.....do you mean to tell me I should look into getting my daughter knocked-up after 18 so she will be able to get medical care?

No wonder this government and economy are so screwed up. That would also explain the number of low economic young mothers running around my community. If this is the helpful information that they hand out here I can do without. These people are idiots...and spreading this information around my town...it is disturbing!!!!!!

Deals, Squeals, and Antihistamines....OH My!

I am around....particularly because I am posting at the moment....but this week is one of my favorite of the year....so I am not home much, and pretty much writing this as I head to bed. OK onto the title explanation.

Deals: This week is Rummage Sale week at my church...which may sound hokey unless you knew my church. I am very typical middle class living on a frugal budget.....but most of the congregation of my small town church don't seem to have the same said budget....hence this is my shopping Mecca all week long. As long as I am working the rummage sale with sorting and pricing all week I get my pick of incoming items. In the past I have scored a Louis Vuitton purse brand new for a buck, a Dell laptop for $10, and a lot of brand new clothes with tags still hanging on them. Not to mention when I was Ebaying heavily....all the antiques rolling in were great for my bankroll.

Squeals: I have officially paid for mine and Rebecca's trip to Disney all by myself with no help from anyone....which is awesome for me as a SAHM. I worked a week at my friends fire works stand. I upped my hours as a gymnastics coach, and took on three girls in private lessons for Mascot tryouts. I have done a lot of paid posting, surveys, etc. and finally upped all my scrapbooking for clientele. It took me two months and I completely paid for it on my own (I am proud can't you tell).

Antihistamine: Well I am fading fast......I am suffering from the extremely high count of cedar in the air right now, and have just been so congested! I have upped my Juice Plus doses, taken a lot of very hot showers to clear it, and am rubbing Vick's on constantly. Since yesterday, I have not managed to breath and eat at the same time (hate that). I finally decided for the sake of a good night sleep to resort to Benedryl....I can't even begin to tell you how this is affecting me.

So Good Night all, I have not laid down before 10 pm in yea.............

Valentines Cuties Giveaway

I know I am not the only mom frustrated by the fact that my children come home with waaaaaay to much candy at school parties. In fact my girls hadn't finished Halloween candy when Christmas candy came in, and we still have plenty left and it is nearly Valentine's day. I wished for years there was a great nutritional snack out there that would be fun to hand out to classmates at all the school parties....and now there is!

My family and I have been eating Cuties for years. Especially in the winter time when we all need those extra vitamin C boosts. The girls love them in their lunchboxes because they are easy to peel, have no seeds, and taste great. I love them because they are a guilt-free anytime snack that I never have to worry about. With only 80 calories, four grams of fiber and 300 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C per serving. My fridge is never without a box of these from November through February.....so when I heard that the Cutie Corporation was expanding to using them for a Valentines Day exchange, I got excited.

This year Cuties are getting in on the Valentine holiday scene with special edition Valentine stickers so that any child can hand these out to all their classmates. Valentine’s Day stickers include tag lines such as Kiss a Cutie, U R A Cutie, Sweet Cutie, and Valentine Cutie. Your kids will love the collectible stickers that are easy to remove and reuse on their favorite school binders and notebooks. Oh and by the way if your kids are looking for some added fun they added a great game on their website ( It only distracted me for an hour a little while) so check it out!

It is nice that I can feel good about the Valentine's my girls will hand out this year....and as a special promotion from the Cuties Clementine Corporation You can too! I am giving away to five of my readers each a five pound box of Cuties for Valentine's Day.

Here are the guidelines:

1. Visit http://www.cutiescitrus.com/ and share with me something you learned from the website in a comment. (Must do this one)
2. Become a follower of my blog and leave a separate comment
3. Twitter about this Giveaway and leave me a separate comment
4. Stumble this giveaway and leave me a separate comment
5. Blog about this Giveaway and leave me a separate comment with the link to your post.
   
   This Giveaway open to United States Residents only and will close on February 7th at Midnight. All winners must respond by February 9th to receive these on time for Valentine's Day.
   
   By the way I didn't want you to doubt that I really have these at all times in my fridge....so I took a picture just to show y'all (I also almost always have champagne in my fridge.....but that's another post completely)
   
   
   

If You Like to Talk to Tomatoes

Okay, I am just going to come right out and say it.....My name is Christine and I am 36 yrs old....and I like Veggie Tales. Is there a group out there for me? When I heard that the Family Review Network was looking for people to review the newest Veggie Tales Movie Abe & the Amazing Promise, I admit I was giddy in anticipation.

The reason is that all the Veggie Tales movies are truly funny and tell a great story that anyone can learn a good lesson from. The french peas are always my favorite characters (Think Monty Python's Holy Grail French Knights.....in children's cartoon form). Anyway the girls and I looked every day for the newest installment to reach my mailbox, and couldn't wait to watch it.

Well it was worth the wait and the lesson in patience which is something I continually struggle with. It is the biblical story of Abraham and Sarah and how God always keeps his promises....not in your time....but in his own. It is such an important lesson to learn, and so very difficult to learn it. Abraham was told he would father a great nation but he and Sarah were not only old...they still waited years for the promise to see fruition. In this one the nurse continually cracked me up with her trying to "fix" Bob the Tomato.....and regan really enjoyed The Silly Song with Larry called"Sneeze if You Need to".
After the remake of the biblical tale is a musical adventure called "Blunders in Boo-Boo-Ville" that teaches that sometimes doing things in hurry doesn't make it right.....but taking your time is often the best way. Told with humor and fun that only Veggie Tales can make happen, it is a valued addition to any video library no matter what age you are. This move will be available for purchase on February 7th. Thank you to the Family Review Network for this wonderful opportunity.

On Walkabout

walk·a·bout
Australian Noun
a. a brief, informal leave from work, taken by an Aborigine to wander the bush, visit relatives, or return to native life.

For lack of a better explanation.....this is the point I am at right now. It is with mucho mucho guilt that I have decided to go on hiatus, but at the same time extremely necessary for my own well-being. It would bother me though for all of my readers to not know why I came to this decision. So I have narrowed my reasons down to three main topics that are happening with me at the moment so that there are no lingering questions as Why, When , and What the Heck????

1. There has been a medical issue in my family that has kind of overwhelmed me for the past six months, and although it has never been an issue on this website due to wanting to keep a family member's complete privacy about this. It has left me feeling a bit numb and without focus.
2. There is developing a distinct apathy to all the wonderful products and companies I am partnering with. My gift closets were full going in to Christmas with all kinds of things I have tested and tried. My freezer is packed with the latest and greatest in food magic. My bathrooms are stocked with every type of hygiene product imaginable....and at the moment I could care less. It should not be that way if I am honestly going to tell you how I feel about the things I do or try. Reading through my posts you notice not every product to I find to be just "wonderful" so keeping  my honesty and integrity in check is very important to me with this site and my readers counting on my opinion.
3. I am stressed! Regan is about to finish eighth grade and we have no high school plan for her and her well-being. I know what I don't want for her, but I can't settle on a firm decision. My spiritual side is completely out of sorts, because my family and I are deeply unhappy with our church, and I am not sure what changes I need to make. Finally, We want so badly to move and build a house but everything has kind of ground to a halt until we can make some school decisions. and work decisions. 

My coping mechanisms feel stretched to their limits and it is time for me to get on track with my faith, my family, and my life. That being said this website and all of my readers have meant a great deal to me, but it is time for me to figure out....well....me.

It's a Bag Tag

Okay before I start this let me just say.....I didn't post yesterday and that is really weird for me. Since I started blogging in August (again) I have faithfully posted something everyday....and yesterday I had things to post. I still have to do my bloggy carnival winners....I have a review to get ready....I was online yesterday cleaning up emails and in general getting some work done....just nothing here. If you are a loyal reader, I am sorry....If you stopped by just to entrecard drop, then you didn't notice

BUT, OHHHHH THE GUILT OF IT ALL!!!!!!!!

Okay, on to today's topic. I love meme's, awards, tags, etc. and I am quite behind in them all, but I thought I would throw one in for good measure, and I promise I will catch up ( right after the review and random.org drawings)

I was tagged by my great bloggy friend Nessa over at Ramblings of a Texas Housewife. I have been reading her for a long time and just enjoy her immensely.

Here are the tag rules:

1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today.

2) I want to know how much it cost:) And this is not to judge, because I’m honestly telling you I was ready to put down some cash; I just got lucky. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.

3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your diaper bag/non-diaper bag.


Well here is my current winter bag it is furry with just a touch of bling, and I love it. I also stole it from my daughter Rebecca who bought it for a $1.00 at a garage sale (brand new). I thought it was too big for her so I confiscated it ( I think I still owe her a dollar).
By the way we have a history of finding new and gorgeous bags for $1.00 at garage sales. Two years ago my very good friend Suzanne (who also happens to have tons of money) donated a lot of items to our church rummage sale. One item happened to be a purse from her grown daughter's closet that she had gotten as a gift for Christmas but didn't like. It was a real Louis Vuitton Bowling Bag Purse (retailed for over $500). It had the registration number and everything! I carried that purse for over a year and now my mother carries it.
Okay here is my taggees

Erin
Texan Mama
Nicole
Emily

Enjoy!