Dirty Bow Wow: Book Review and Giveaway

I come from a long line of dog lovers. Particularly I have pretty much grown up with predominantly Irish Setters or Golden Retrievers. Both gorgeous breeds who have a real passion for having their own toys. Currently My parents and my brother both have Golden Retreivers adopted from a Golden Retriever Rescue Society, and I can't wait to get my own Golden for my girls when we are settled in a permanent house. Now Alex and Toby the family Goldens have another thing in common....they love their toys!

To celebrate dogs and their penchant for toys is this heart warming new book Dirty Bow Wow by Cheryl and Geoffrey Katz. Each page of the book features a particular dog and breed with their favorite toy. My favorite picture was the poodle with the pink purse....too cute!

Currently in the month of May the authors are partnereing with several bookstores across the country to have a dof toy drive to collect toys for dogs in shelters and rescue groups. What a fantastic way to give back for all you dog lovers. For more information on the Dog toy drive please click HERE



Want to win your own copy of Dirty Bow Wow? Then if you live in the United States you are in luck. I am pleased to have a giveaway for your own copy, sure to please you or your favorite canine companion. Remember of you are entering anonymously, I really need your email address to get in touch with you. This Giveaway will close on May 17, 2009 at midnight CST.

1.Mandatory Entry: Tell me your favorite Breed and why.
2.Another Entry, become a follower of my blog/ or Twitter Follower and leave me a separate comment letting me know you are.
3.Another Entry, Tweet about this post and leave me a copy in a separate comment
4.Post my button on your sidebar and leave me the link in a separate comment
5.Post about this giveaway and leave me the link in a separate comment

Coming to you Live: Vado Review

Well I have wanted to Vlog for awhile now, but a video camera is not in my household budget, and the quality of my digital camera leaves lots to be desired. You can imagine then how incredible it is to actually get to review a video camera thanks in part to Creative. The girls and I of course went straight for the pink camera because we couldn't resist it, although to be fair it does come in other boring colors like black and silver.


When it arrived I was taken aback with how small and compact it is. It fits easily in my purse and is smaller than my cell phone. There is a 2 inch screen on one side so that you can easily view all that you are taping without having to strain your eyes at all. My favorite part though is how easy it is to use.

It didn't even take us five minutes to figure it out. Well to be fair it took Rebecca about a minute and then she retaught it to me. So my 10 year old new how to work it instantly, and I took a few minutes more for instructions. But, both my girls found it very easy to just direct the camera, press record (the white button) and go with it.

There is also a nifty button that allows you to instantly trash any video that is not up to quality. This came in handy with Regan's three videos of her own knees. Which might have made for fun posting not really but I wasn't going to chance it. The Vado is also easy to charge and upload with. It plugs right into your USB port and you can choose to load up to YouTube or Photobucket with the push of a button. The battery is rechargeable, and charges through your USB or you can purchase a separate wall adapter for it.
Probably my favorite part is that it holds up to two hours of video on it. I can't wait to take it to our Mother's Day Lunch on Sunday in Austin to capture three of my grandparents, my parents, and my children to get to have that memory of four generations on film. This is such a convenient way to capture those wonderful moments inlife as they happen. Thank you so muchCreative for allowing me to review one.

Looking for an awesome Mother's Day gift? The Vado is less than $100 dollars which seems like such a bargain for all that you can get out of it. With something this convenient and easy to use, then Mother's Day Shopping just became a breeze.

Oh by the way want to hear me ramble about the Vado and take a tour of my kitchen and living room...then enjoy (and ignore the dirt!)

All things American Girl

We are huge fans of the American Girl Doll Company. Last year we trekked to the new Dallas store with friends of ours for a fun girls weekend. Here is Regan and Molly with the Molly Exhibition.
Did you know Rebecca is actually featured in one of the books....it is her one little claim to fame The book is called "American Girls love Gymnastics." She was thrilled to pose with her photo and book in the bookstore
We were tickled to watch the doll salon in action. Yes, Those are real dolls and professional stylists working in them.

Time to stop in for a treat. Regan never needs an excuse for chocolate milkshake ( well really who does?)This is Rebecca with her Kitt doll. I love the historical aspects of all the dolls and how much you can learn about those eras of American History by reading their books.

What would benefit us by putting her on Social Security?

A friend of mine not to long ago asked us whether or not Regan got Social Security. When I replied "no" she looked a little surprised at me. This is something John Mark and I have tossed around for years, and gone back and forth about. Really I think I just want some input from all of you other special needs parents or any of you who might know the information.

I guess when they told us about social security disability when she was born, I thought it was kind of like a handout for those who were really in need. Since we had insurance, we just moved forward and paid her medical bills. I guess I kind of assumed later on she would hold a job that would have Social Security taken out for retirement one day just like every other American. Since we don't particularly see her as needy I just never gave it much thought. What exactly would we need it or use it for? Am I missing part of the bigger picture?

Then on the other hand John Mark and I have both worked over the years and had our share taken out of paychecks, and we wonder with the state of government whether we will actually see it in our lifetime. The current program is a mess and not getting any better. Are we taking a chance that there will actually be money to add to our retirement one day? If there won't be are we justified in at the least making sure Regan is covered in case of emergency?

I have looked at the massive Social Security website, and I can't make heads or tails of it. I really would love the opinions of those out there in this situation. Do I really not understand the purpose of the program should I be taking care of my child in this area?

A New Leaf

With Spring in full bloom, I wanted to comment on personal renewal as well. As a family we have struggled through the winter, almost unaware that we were in jeopardy of losing our sense of family through lack of communication, lack of awareness, and a growing sense of apathy. Do you ever see that happening around you. You trudge through the days, just working on making it through the day.....instead of making each day count.

It has been like that for us lately, just getting through. It is sad and disappointing, but one of those necessary lulls in life that you eventually have to snap out of.

The girls and I have been avoiding John Mark.....not for anything he has done personally, but because the tension around him has been palpable and hard to bear. When you are married to someone whose business revolves around how the economy and the state of Wall Street are doing....it is really hard to not walk on eggshells. The lack of sleep, stress, and just making it through has been tough. It has taken it's toll on all of us.

To add to the stress I have been so worried about the character development of Rebecca and making sure that she understands that she is so much more than a pretty girl. She has to be a genuine person who sticks up for others and empowers those around her. To raise up others and glorify her talents to God instead of basking in her own self worth. You can read more here.

The brilliant side to all of this is I can feel us turning the corner. With the advent of spring has come the birth of a renewed family, and it feels wonderful. John Mark called me from California (where he is taking a much needed break for a few days) to apologize for his recent stress and tension. He can't wait to come home and be with his girls. He sounds so genuinely happy and carefree for the first time in a long time.

Rebecca went to an end of school dance this weekend, where she danced with several boys, that before she would have turned her nose up.....and yes even that particular one aforementioned in "that" post. She told others who started to comment or poke fun to stop it immediately. I am hoping this is the blessing we have prayed for.

Oh by the way, Regan all of a sudden in her obsessive ways decided since her hair color and skin type resemble Bella of "Twilight", that she is going to grow her hair out of it's current rock star shortness. She assures me she is going to learn how to brush it and care for it herself. We are still working on proper face washing techniques to compliment the best acne treatment....oh those teen years!

Things Remembered Charm Story Review

There are many firsts that I have loved as a mother such as the birth of my girls, their first steps, their first hair cuts, and Kindergarten graduations.... The list is endless. I cherish all those memories, but I tend to try to be a clutter-free person. Luckily, I have found the perfect way to showcase those memories without adding to my house. Now Things Remembered has the perfect way to celebrate all of your motherhood milestones with their new signature line Charm Story.

I must confess to a love for charm bracelets and right now I have three of them. I have my high school bracelet that is filled with charms symbolizing all my activities. I have a travel charm bracelet that I add to when we take a trip, and now I am in love with the idea of a Mother's Charm Bracelet to tell the story of my life as a mother. I am so fortunate to have been able to receive a Charm Story Bracelet and select two charms from the collection to review from Things Remembered What a wonderful idea with Mother's Day coming up next Sunday. Here are the two I chose along with the starter Bracelet.

When my bracelet arrived, I was so pleased with the absolute quality of the charms. They are stunning! I am excitedto put in pictures of the girl's as babies, and then add to my bracelet to symbolize each step of the journey. I really like the fact that it is a portable and fashionable memento that I can show off my Charm Story so easily, and it looks great with all my wardrobe.

Are you on a quandary on what to get your mother for Mother's Day? Then please consider this wonderful gift. The best part to me is that it is a never ending present because you can add charms for future birthday's and Christmases with more charms. What an awesome idea! I can personally put my stamp of approval that this mother's day gift would definitely be one to remember if you gave a Charm Story bracelet from Things Remembered

Prima Princessa Review and Giveaway

Regan is the ballerina in our family. In fact it is one of her favorite things to do in life. Every Monday she has her own private dance class where she can work on her skills, and use her walker as her barre. Last year her performance was so touching there was not a dry eye in the house at the dance recital. Knowing how much dance means to my daughter I was thrilled to receive a copy of Prima Princessa to review. Oh by the way isn't she cute in her recital costume?

Prima Princessa was viewed by both of my daughter's and my five year old niece. We spent an evening watching and dancing to Swan Lake, and learning some basic moves. Even if you do not know a pirouette from a grand jete you will enjoy watching this DVD with any of your tiny dancers. This show includes:

It is a 40 minute DVD for anyone aspiring to be a ballerina or princess and stars a cartoon fairy ballerina princess named Prima Princessa who takes an adorable group of pre-school girls on a magic journey to see a live performance of Swan Lake, performed by the world famous Paris Opera Ballet, complete with kid-friendly narration by Prima Princessa. Between acts they come home and in a fun montage of animals, kids, and young dancers from the New York City Ballet's SAB they learn basic ballet steps. Our DVD gets kids up and dancing and twirling in their livingrooms!

Would you like the chance to experience this wonderful DVD for yourself? You can win a copy This giveaway is open to US residents only and will be close May 10, 2009 midnight CST. If you are entering this giveaway anonymously please leave an email address where you can be reached.

1.Mandatory Entry: Tell me who you would like to win this for.
2.Another Entry, become a follower of my blog/ or Twitter Follower and leave me a separate comment letting me know you are.
3.Another Entry, Tweet about this post and leave me a copy in a separate comment
4.Post my button on your sidebar and leave me the link in a separate comment
5.Post about this giveaway and leave me the link in a separate comment.

This Giveaway is being held in conjunction with the Bloggy Carnival held at livegiveaways.com. Enter all of them and enjoy!