All That and a Box of Rocks

A Bike 4 Eli...The Great Bike Giveaway 2016!

2016-03-09T13:05:00.000-06:00

Have you heard about the Great Bike Giveaway? It's an annual crowd source style fund raiser to fund adaptive bikes for children with special needs.

It is exciting to watch as the bikes are funded. It just started and already more than forty bikes have been funded! But the goal is 600, so we need your help.

My son is one of the 600 kids hoping for an adaptive bike. He needs votes, because in the event that the donations fall short, the bikes go to the kids with the most votes. Help us get #abike4Eli. Click this link and read his story. Scroll down the link to vote, share, and or donate. Share Eli's page and hashtag (#abike4Eli) with your friends, on Facebook, Twitter, and your blogs. We thank you for your help. Visit friendshipcircle.org to learn more about the giveaway.

2016 Word of the Year...

2016-01-02T14:57:00.000-06:00

In years past, my word of the year came to me repeatedly over the course of the holiday season. Time and again, I had to see it several ways before I realized, “Hey…this is it.” This year’s word is no different.

Last year my word was UNSHAKEN. What a tough, trying year it was! One of the hardest seasons of my life. I wish I could say I remained unshaken, but the truth is, I was tested over and over again from the stroke of the New Year until the world closed its eyes on 2015 last Thursday night. Hard, messy stuff. Painful, fearful times. But…I’m still standing. I’m stronger than I was a year ago. In spite of it all, I am unshaken.

Once again, I found myself wondering what this new year will bring. Not just in my word for the year, but life, in general. Once again, I found myself saying, “That can’t be it” or “That’s too simple.” Over and over, NEW became the theme. But NEW seemed too simple, really. It didn’t quite cover what was running through my head. NEW STORY, NEW BEGINNING. That seemed to be a better fit, but neither of those is a word; those are phrases. But then, as I was reading, I came across…

tabula rasa

[tab -yuh-luh rah -zuh]

Something new, fresh, unmarked, or uninfluenced.
Tabula rasa is Latin for“blank slate.”

Tabula Rasa. Latin for clean slate, fresh start. (New beginning)

And just like that, I knew.

Tabula Rasa

2016 will be my Tabula Rasa. My fresh start. My new beginning.

Along with my Word of the Year, I always choose a Bible verse to focus on throughout the year. My verse for 2016 is an old favorite:

Isaiah 43:18-19

This verse has brought me much comfort in the past. After a really trying and tough 2015, I am claiming Isaiah 43:18-19. God is doing a new thing...

Happy New Year!

Six Word Memoir--2016 Edition

2016-01-02T14:45:00.001-06:00

It was hard; Now…I fly!

(For past six word memoirs, click here.)

Have a Healthy Holiday Season!

2015-12-18T15:42:00.001-06:00

The Holiday Season is upon us! Can you believe it? I think it comes faster every year. Along with the holidays, December brings cold weather and the cold and flu season. What a bummer it is to be sick during the holidays. It's very important to do what you can to keep your family healthy.

There are so many simple things you can do to stay healthy. Limiting stress, exercising, and eating right are all pieces to a healthy puzzle. We do not travel for the holidays, but if you do, practice these #HealthyHolidayTravel tips. Build up your health with vitamin C. Washing your hands constantly will really help keep you and your family healthy.

In our house, we make sure to add healthy supplements to our diets and to flood our bodies with lots of fruits and vegetables. Now, I'll be honest. pushing fruits and veggies on my junk foodies is not much fun. I have picky eaters and limited diets in my house. My husband's idea of a well-rounded meal is meat, potatoes, corn, and green beans.

Seriously.

So...a little over a year ago, I found Juice Plus. I flood my family with fruits and veggies in the form of capsules, gummies, and protein shake mix. And in the past year, we've been the healthiest ever.

We also take Vitamin D3.

As the 2015 winter holidays take shape, my wish for each of you is a healthy and happy Holiday Season. Stay healthy! And if you don't, check out Amino to choose a doctor with confidence, no matter where your holiday travels take you.

Merry Christmas!

I'm Reading A.D. 33...Official Blog Tour Book Review

2015-10-14T15:33:00.001-05:00

Let me just say…

I love, Love, LOVE Ted Dekker. His stories are over the top, adventure-filled, and exciting. Always. He writes like no other.

Really.

His stories are so detailed, the characters, so real. He takes from his imagination, puts it on paper, and pulls you right into the story. You can see everything, feel it, and even smell it. It’s that real.

A.D. 33 is the second book in the A.D. 30 series. It continues the story of Maviah.

Here’s a preview:

“They call her the Queen of the Outcasts. Maviah, a woman whose fate was sealed on her birth by this world-unwanted, illegitimate, female, a slave-subject to the whims of all. But then she met a man named Yeshua who opened her eyes. She found strength in his words, peace from the brutal word around her. Because of what he taught her, she has gathered her own traveling kingdom of outcasts deep in the desert, wielding an authority few have seen. But when her growing power threatens the rulers around her, they set out to crush all she loves, leaving her reeling as a slave once more. She must find Yeshua to save her people, but when she does, she will be horrified to discover that he faces his own death.

Enter a story full of intrigue, heart-wrenching defeat, uncompromising love and staggering victory-one that re-examines everything you thought you knew about the heart of Jesus’s stunning message and the power that follows for those who follow his easily forgotten way.”

See what I mean??

(You can read a short preview, prologue and an excerpt from Chapter 1 here.)

To be honest, I have not finished reading this book, but I wanted to participate in the blog tour. If you’re a Christian, this book (and series) will bring the days of Jesus to life in a way that compliments everything you already know about the time He walked the earth. I will tell you that the story is captivating; I can’t wait to learn what happens next! The confrontation in the desert between Maviah, along with her elders, and the Thamud in chapter five reeled me in—I could easily ‘see’ what was happening in my mind, which is the intention of all storytellers, I think.

I know when I am finished with this book, the characters will be as real to me as they are to the writer. And I know that there will be a multitude of surprises from the characters and the story line as the book unfolds.

That’s just how he writes.

If you’ve never read Ted Dekker’s books, this series is a good place to start. It’s believable, as well as thought-provoking, especially if you are a fan of thriller-type adversity stories. Even if you already know how the story of Jesus on earth ends, you have never experienced it in this context.

I promise.

Not to mention…the book is absolutely beautiful. See?

Check out the Hachette Book Group for more information about this book.

Also, you can read more reviews by visiting the official blog tour here.

This book is available at major retailers and online book sellers like Amazon.com.

Enjoy~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Are You a Trim Healthy Mama?

2015-10-13T19:02:00.002-05:00

I don't know about you, but I really, Really, REALLY want to be a Trim Healthy Mama.

And I'm on my way! I have lost 42 pounds in just SIX months and it has been the easiest, most effortless eating plan (not a diet, because diets are temporary) I have ever attempted. I eat good food, I eat a lot of food, I'm not hungry, and I am not even 100% on plan. And that's okay. Because...life.

I first heard about Trim Healthy Mama on Facebook. I ordered the ebook to get started and then jumped at the chance to review the new, revised edition for Blogging for Books.

The cover of the new book is very nice. It's clean and simple, much like the new plan details. They call this plan "the easy-does-it approach to vibrant health and a slim waistline."

Basically, it's all about separating your food fuels, eliminating bad stuff, adding good stuff, and eating for health. It seems a little overwhelming at first, and you really must read the book--it tells you why you need to eat this way for optimum health. My advice is to dive right in....seriously...just start with one meal.

You will be amazed at how good you look and feel!

One of my favorite chapters in the book is chapter 12, Thirsty Mama. Why? Well, I believe one of our biggest problems, with health and with excess weight, is the way we tend to drink our calories. Sodas, sugar, sugar, and more sugar. This chapter starts out like this:

You're going to learn how to drink yourself trim.

The chapter goes on to give you great alternatives to sodas and sweet drinks, like good girl moonshine, for example. (Check out the Trim Healthy Cookbook for recipes for all-day sippers that satisfy that soda craving while keeping you on the THM path. I will be reviewing the cookbook later this month.)

Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison, sisters from Tennessee, have shared a gold mine of health information. All we have to do is apply it.

Published by Harmony Books, you can find this new, improved edition of Trim Healthy Mama at major retailers and online.

From the back cover:

Join the Trim Healthy Mama movement along with thousands of others and discover the groundbreaking, easy-does-it, and delicious way to eat for health and weight loss.

So...come join us. Read the book. Check out the authors' Facebook page, join the closed and/or secret Facebook groups. Eat to live.

And I mean.....Live Well.

Are You Afraid?

2015-10-09T09:41:00.002-05:00

Fear.

Big. Scary. Fear.

We all experience it at some point. Some of us more than others.

Sometimes it comes because of trivial happenings. Other times it overcomes us--our circumstances are....big.

But always, always...fear comes from inside of us. Sure, it is brought on by outside forces, but fear is our reaction, our choice of response, even when it feels like we have no choice at all.

They say fear is the lack of faith, and I get that. To be faith-filled is to be free of fear.

And yet, I am afraid. And so are you.

That's why I am enjoying Grace Malone's new daily devotional, Unafraid-365 Days Without Fear.

This devotional has a short devotional and one or two relevant Bible verses for every day of the year. For example, today's passage is about the wind. The verse is from Matthew: "But when he saw the wind, he was afraid." (Matthew 14:30)

The passage mentions that wind represents many things, from things that happen beyond our control, but it also represents the Holy Spirit. It goes on to reference John 3:8: "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Unafraid by Gracie Malone is a daily reminder to stand firm in the face of fear. It is light at times, deep at others, includes humor, stories, quotes, and practical advice.

Living in fear is not fun. It is exhausting. If you struggle with fear, try starting each day with a little dose of
Unafraid. (Available at FaithWords.com and many other retail outlets.)

*This is an impartial book review. Hachette Book Group supplied my copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review. Thoughts are my own. (LS 2015)

Book Review--I Take You

2015-09-24T08:53:00.001-05:00

I Take You is the story of Lily, a rookie lawyer with a troubled past and a bright future. She is engaged to marry Will Force, a successful archaeologist. Lily is a free spirit, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type of girl. She enjoys a good party and really shouldn’t be planning a wedding, if you know what I mean. Will is all business, a scientist, both brilliant and attractive. No one believes this marriage will last.

As the couple, their friends, and family meet in Key West for a week of celebration and wedding plans, Lily’s time is spent reliving her past and partying through a series of meaningless hook-ups. Is she really going to marry Will?

To be honest, this book is a little bit out of the realm of my usual reads. It is true chick lit in every since of the word. It is risky, racy, and well, a lot over the top. It was a cute story, though, and the ending was reminiscent of a fairy tale…with a bit of a twist. I think the rhythm of the book made it a little hard to get into, but that could be due to genre. The cover is great, though. It was light-hearted and had a cute story, so I can recommend it as a good beach read.

I Take You is the work of Eliza Kennedy. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review in exchange for an honest review. This review post is not influenced by this gift.

Summer Reading--A Book Review...Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes

2015-06-30T16:33:00.000-05:00

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Now that school's out, moms everywhere are looking forward to days spent at the park, by the pool, or on vacation. It's a great time for some light-hearted reading. I've read a few books lately that definitely fit the bill. Sometimes you just need to fill your mind with fun fiction, ya know?

The Sisterchicks books by Robin Jones Gunn never fail to amuse while giving you a geographical tour. They also give you a faith-based boost and who doesn't need that these days?

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes is the story of longtime pen pals Summer Finley and Noelle Van Zandt. Pen pals since fourth grade, the women maintained their long distance friendship through the school years, adulthood, marriage, and parenthood.

When Summer learns her medical test is abnormal, she decides to finally meet her best friend for the first time by traveling to her home in the Netherlands. The two explore the area, finding a deeper connection to each other and to God.

Even though this book series has been around for years, I somehow missed reading this book, in particular, until now. I thoroughly enjoyed my virtual trip to the Netherlands and I'm sure you will, too.

Let's Talk Devotionals.... (Jesus Daily Review and Giveaway!)

2014-12-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

My friends at Hachette Book Group have given me a copy of this book

with the hope that I would provide a review on my blog.

They have also supplied an extra copy for a friend AND a book/t-shirt prize pack

for a giveaway on my blog. My thoughts about this book are my own and

are not influenced by the actions of Jesus Daily, the author, or Hachette Book Group.

A good devotional can keep you in the Word on a daily basis. Strong in faith. Consistent.

Or...does it?

Well...it depends.

What if you miss a day? Or a week? Do you jump back in or get discouraged? Or worse, do you end up ditching it all in defeat?

Yeah.

What if you had a devotional that made you "do" something? How about an interactive devotional that calls you to action every day. Nothing heavy-just a little social media connection that brings your daily devotion to life. Something productive while you play around on Facebook and Twitter.

Cool idea, right?

Aaron Tabor, MD, the creator of Jesus Daily, the most popular page on Facebook with 27 + million followers, has done just that!

Jesus Daily--365 Interactive Devotions is now available for purchase at these retailers: Walmart, Barnes and Noble, and ChristianBook.com.

From the introduction:

Jesus Daily--365 Interactive Devotions is a brand new hardcover devotional that will not only get you started reading and reflecting about Jesus, but also helps you connect with others. Dr. Tabor insists that you will be blessed in more ways than you can imagine, even in the midst of life's inevitable storms.

A sample page:

Hachette Book Group has invited me to participate in a public devotion round-up, celebrating the 12 days of Christmas. I chose December 5th.

My verse for today is Luke 1:38

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

This devotion talks about Mary's willingness to accept God's will for her life, even though the future was surely about to get complicated. Even though she didn't understand what was about to happen, she accepted it. Her deepest desire was to do His will.

The devotion ends asking two questions: What is your deepest desire? and Can you say yes to God no matter what he asks of you?

Tough stuff. Can I??

Of course, I want to say yes....

My daily interaction is to head over to JesusDaily.com and pray for someone to be obedient to God's direction as they pray that same prayer for me.

Awesome! Obviously, I need someone praying that prayer for me.

You know what?

I think I can do this. After all, I am a huge fan of social media. I have great connections and friends (yes...FRIENDS!) due to Facebook, Twitter, and the blogging world. I am excited to connect on a new level...a Jesus level. So excited, in fact, that I'm giving away not one, but TWO copies of this great little devotional---one to a local friend and the other, the official prize pack with t-shirt, to one of my blog readers!

A couple of rules: 18 years old or older, US residents only

To enter to win the prize pack: Leave a comment (It's that simple!)

Local friends: Leave "Local-Pick ME" in the comments here or on my Facebook post about this contest, or email me.

I will choose the winners using Random.org on Monday night, December 8, 2014.

Good luck!

An Event for Families Affected by Autism...

2014-11-04T22:26:00.001-06:00

Just an fyi...

A Facebook Autism Educational Event is coming!

This Thursday, November 6th at 9:00 pm EST.

Valerie Miles MD, Susanne Edson RN and Sharon Farrar

will be part of our educational evening on Facebook

discussing Autism and Whole Food Based Nutrition.

https://www.facebook.com/events/372687959574133/

For a personal invitation, 'friend' me on Facebook

and I will send you an invite to this Facebook event.

Front Porch Makeover

2014-08-01T21:50:00.000-05:00

I noticed some time ago that my front porch area was looking a little plain, dingy even. Our house is about to hit the 10 year mark and has never been spruced up. We've been here 7 1/2 years and the original, cookie-cutter neighborhood colors were getting washed out.

Boring.

I kept putting a makeover on the back burner for a couple of reasons. One...babies everywhere, and two...color indecision.

Then, one day, about a month ago, I saw a photo of a blogging/homeschool friend's front porch, complete with a bright, sunny yellow front door. I was wowed!

It looked so....happy.

I could imagine my online friend (even though we've never met in person) walking up to her front porch and smiling at that yellow door.

And that's when I decided to do something to jazz up my front porch.

To make it a happy place.

My house has a bit of a cottage feel and I wanted to play on that.

Who can resist a cute little cottage, right?

Of course, I completely forgot to take a before picture, but I found a couple of older pictures in my files. Like I said, no changes since it was built in September 2004.

Before:

These photos are a few years old. The shutters and chairs had faded a lot.

And.....AFTER:

I love it SO MUCH!!!!

It makes me happy. :)

It looks so....cottage-like.

I found an old wooden chair in the attic and painted it white. I brought out my old piano bench and added some pillows I made from a vinyl table cloth, along with a wire basket I painted lime green. The basket holds gardening tools and gloves. (Because the garden always needs work!) I'm also seriously thinking about adding some of that gray porch paint to the porch itself...

$10.00 piano bench I found at a thrift store. It had been painted a putty color.
I washed over it with barn red. Love it!

Pretty metal butterfly wind chime I found at Dollar General for five bucks.
Cute, right??

This frog was old, dirty terracotta. I had fun painting him.
Now he stands out instead of blending in.

This little bunny had faded to shades of gray.
I spruced her up with bright colors.

I picked up the sticker on the door in the paint section at Walmart.
It says, Bless this Home with Love and Laughter.

The paint I used on the shutters is Glidden porch and floor paint in dark gray. The door color was originally Glidden 'Teal Lake'. However, it was REALLY bright, too bright. I added some navy blue to tone it down.

Now, every time I walk up the front walk....

I smile.

Fabulous Friday Twin Update...

2014-07-25T20:39:00.002-05:00

An impromptu photo shoot at dusk on the front lawn...

....turns out some pretty spectacular pictures of a pair

of not-even-similar-in-the-least-little-bit twin brothers.

Adorable almost 11 month old boys!!

Awesome Dads...

2014-06-14T12:12:00.000-05:00

A couple of real men, hard-working providers, and great fathers.

My husband...

And my Daddy...
(January 1938-July 1999)

Miss him so, so much. Every day...

Summer Break!!!

2014-06-04T13:31:00.000-05:00

(Official disclosure--see below for details!)

K5 Learning has an online reading and math program for kindergarten to grade 5 students. I've been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program. If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an online learning review of their program. - See more at: http://www.k5learning.com/review-k5#sthash.lGQt2bHt.dpuf

Ahhhhhhh!!! Summer break...

Eli's year-end picnic!

Oh, how we LOVE our summer break! These guys are so, so happy right now, and so is their mama!

For the past 3 years, we've been blessed with a trip to Disney (thanks to Make A Wish), and two consecutive trips to the beach, all to kick start our summer breaks. While the beach is not on our to-do list this year (unfortunately and with heavy sighs and some kicking and screaming on my part), we do have some amazing plans for our summer.

One of those plans is K5Learning. Now, we all know that my little one is not thinking too highly of any type of educational endeavor. However, as his mama, I have to do what I can to help him maintain those skills he has worked so hard to achieve.

Right??

Well, just as I was contemplating ESY via our school system, K5Learning offered me a free trial for the summer! Perfect!

So...

K5 Learning has an online reading and math program for kindergarten to grade 5 students. I've been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program. If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an online learning review of their program. - See more at: http://www.k5learning.com/review-k5#sthash.lGQt2bHt.dpuf

I look forward to sharing how this works out for us, for children on the Autism spectrum.

Happy Summer~

Wordless Wednesday--First Grade Awards!

2014-05-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

Purple cap and certificate for learning 200 sight words.

VERY proud of his purple cap!

The Nerds Award for 'intelligence and hard work in all areas'.

Take that, Autism....

Words...

2014-04-30T17:00:00.003-05:00

Words. We see them, say them, sing them, think them, read them, write them. Words are everywhere.

Words are...

...life.

I read a blog post today written by a dear, on-line friend of mine. In this post, Jill talks about how we take our words, and our ability to speak, for granted. As the mother of girls with few words, she wrote a piece that touched my soul.

Speak up!

Use your words.

Talk to me.

How many times have I begged my son to reveal his inner thoughts?

Hundreds.

Even though he has Autism, his head is filled with words, I just know it.

Even though he is choosy with his spoken words, I know that he has a million thoughts and ideas swirling around in his head; I can often see it on his face. Some of his words are mischievous and funny; expressions reveal his heart. He is an amazingly brilliant, funny, and artistic boy.

And someday, someday...

...his words will fill the air with all that he sees and feels and thinks and dreams.

I need to stop worrying and stop talking (over-talking, which I am SO guilty of doing!) long enough to facilitate his transition.

As April ends and takes another "Autism Awareness Month" into history, I want to share with everyone a few of the current statistics:

An estimated 1 out of 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls

are diagnosed with autism in the United States.

Did you know ...

Autism now affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys
Autism prevalence figures are growing
Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
There is no medical detection or cure for autism

The following "red flags" may indicate your child is at risk for an autism spectrum disorder. If your child exhibits any of the following, please don’t delay in asking your pediatrician or family doctor for an evaluation:

No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter
No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months
No babbling by 12 months
No back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months
No words by 16 months
No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating) by 24 months
Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age

(Information shared via Autism Speaks at www.autismspeaks.org.)

To read more about specific symptoms, go to Autism Speaks/Symptoms.

You can read our family's Autism story here.

Don't take your words for granted!

Wordless Wednesday...Beautiful Autism

2014-04-30T13:55:00.000-05:00

In the name of Autism awareness....

I found these on my son's ipad. Awesome, right?

Beautiful boy...

All Together Now.....

2014-03-13T13:00:00.000-05:00

How sweet!

Awwwww...Holding hands while they fill their bellies.

It really is sweet. :)

Wordless Wednesday---Complete Chaos with a Capital C...

2014-03-12T21:08:00.000-05:00

It's all fine and good

until someone

~~Not that I'm naming anyone by name....~~

(CALEB!!)

BUTTERS THE DAWG!!

Seriously, kids.

I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.

Complete and utter chaos on a daily basis...

That's my life.

Wordless Wednesday---Snow Plow?!?!

2014-03-05T11:04:00.001-06:00

Well, that's a first...

Happy Heart Day!!

2014-02-14T15:50:00.003-06:00

Most people are celebrating today, Valentine's Day, with shiny red hearts, chocolate, flowers, and fancy dinners. How exciting it is to celebrate love!

But for some of us, this day has a double meaning. Out thoughts slide from the shiny red hearts to anatomical heart diagrams, from celebrating love to celebrating...life.

Today is Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Day! Approximately 1 in 100 babies are born with some type of congenital heart defect. Some of these defects are managed with medication, others heal in time, but many require, multiple procedures, surgeries, and lifelong monitoring.

Even though CHD is very prevalent, most parents will tell you they were completely blindsided by their baby's diagnosis and that they have never felt so alone. This is why I have decided to dedicate this post to resources for CHD parents, rather than listing statistics for awareness. Not that statistics are unimportant, but the need for support is great. I have been blessed with a large network of CHD professionals and parents. This support makes a huge difference in my ability to educate myself, as well as my mental stability while facing the hand we've been dealt. With that said, here is my list of go-to resources for new CHD parents (and friends and relatives):

Books- This list includes a variety of books written by medical insiders and parents with CHD experience. Read the descriptions to learn about each title.

Websites and Blogs- This list of websites and blogs includes professional resources as well as personal CHD family experiences. You can learn valuable information from both venues. This list is just a sample of this type of resource. Each link listed below will have additional resources for you to explore.

Online Groups- What would we do without our online groups?? Real-life, local support groups are great, but not always accessible. This list offers support resources 24 hours a day/7 days a week. All you need is Internet access.

Facebook, believe it or not, offers many CHD support groups. Some are general groups, like Heart Mamas and Heart Parents. Others are CHD-specific. Search Facebook for your child's heart defect by name to find the right group for you.
The Baby Center community includes a group for CHD parents called Babies and Children with Heart Problems.

If you are a new CHD parent searching for answers,or you know a new CHD parent (and chances are pretty high that you do), I encourage you to spread the word about Congenital Heart Disease, the number 1 cause of death due to birth defects in babies. My personal advice? Ask questions (no question is dumb!), educate yourself, and be an involved player in your child's medical care team.

Happy Heart Day, my friends!

Go Red for Heart!

2014-02-07T13:16:00.000-06:00

Just a quick post to show y'all that I am wearing RED today for GO RED! Today is National Wear Red for Heart day.

Cheese!

I have many friends affected by all types of heart disease. I'm thinking of many people today while I wear RED, but officially, I'm wearing RED for these guys...

My sweet little one who is a dynamo of a heart warrior,

My baby Clint, an angel who fought an epic battle, forever my baby;

And my mom (holding Clint on the day of his birth 21 years ago),

a heart disease/heart surgery survivor.

Are you wearing RED today? Tell me about it!

And Happy Heart Week to all of my CHD buddies!

Chicco Meets the Feeding Needs of Babies One Stage at a Time with NaturalFit!

2014-01-16T15:01:00.001-06:00

Disclosure:
I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Chicco. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and as a thank you for participating.

Chicco's new NaturalFit feeding system

My very first encounter with Chicco, that I remember, happened by accident about five years ago with the purchase of an umbrella stroller. That stroller was a Godsend. I needed a good, sturdy, compact stroller with a high weight limit and Chicco delivered. That stroller made many a trip to the children's hospital much easier on this mama and well, it still looks great! As a matter of fact, my oldest grandson enjoys the smooth, comfortable ride these days. But this blog post is not about my old stroller. This is about a new product line from Chicco: the NaturalFit feeding system (pictured above).

The NaturalFit system is designed to meet your baby's feeding needs for every age and stage during the bottle feeding months. The bottles are sized appropriately and labeled distinctly for each stage. The box includes the month range, along with details on how baby eats at that stage and how NaturalFit meets the specific needs.

My little twin grandsons have been testing NaturalFit products in our home for the past month. At first, I thought we might have a problem since we received one sample for each feeding stage and well....we have two babies. OMG, y'all. TWO babies. 2. At one time.

However, our boys are on a slightly different feeding curve, so it actually worked out.

Sorta.

One of the twins eats great. He has a healthy appetite and takes the bottle well. The other twin...not so much. He has reflux, takes small amounts at a time, and generally struggles with feeding. Needless to say, he isn't a very happy baby.

We started using the 0+ bottles with them. The smaller one was perfect for our struggling eater's snacks, while the larger bottle worked well for our big eater.

We LOVE the design of these bottles! If you use powdered formula like we do, the wide mouth makes it so much easier to add the powder without making a mess. Also, the tilted nipple design seems like a no-brainer. Why aren't all bottles made like this??

"Struggling eater"

"Fat boy"

(Notice how totally different they are??)

I wish I could say that the NaturalFit feeding system cured our little one's feeding issues. I wish I could say that both boys absolutely love these bottles....but....I can't.

I think we waited too late. I think if we had started with these bottles earlier, we may have solved some of our initial feeding struggles. Or maybe we should have started with a different stage within the system instead of basing the stage by the number of ounces they each take. In all honesty, we didn't even think about that until yesterday. (duh.) We are not giving up! We will move up to the 4+ and the 6+ when the time comes. You just never know, right? These bottles are worth it.

We had every intention of using those nursers with the drop in bags, but these boys are Plain-Jane. They prefer the basic bottle and nipple.

Go figure.

This is so much nicer...

NaturalFit for 4+ months

If you are expecting a baby soon, you should definitely check out NaturalFit. The bottles are reasonably priced, offering quality you expect from Chicco. Their pacifiers are adorable, too. We loved the 'Deco' style and the silicone, too. Perfect for your newborn or as a shower gift. You can shop for these products at buybuy BABY.

As far as Chicco's NaturalFit in our home?

There is always hope.

I mean, he seems excited...

Christmas Chaos

2013-12-25T11:19:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas...

from our house...

Pop the Pig!! Thanks, Santa!

to yours!

This guy asked Santa for a hamburger. :)

Learning how to use a whoopee cushion.

Next on the agenda?

Baking a birthday cake for Jesus and...

cleaning up the chaos. Yikes.