" Mommy Dearest "

Parent's Choice Infant Formula

2011-08-04T14:02:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have mentioned before how many companies will spend so much money on advertising for their product, and right now, I am here to mention it one more time. The Parent's Choice Infant Formula is the Wal-Mart brand Infant formula that has all of the major ingredients of brands like Infamil and other formulas. Right now the Parent's Choice Brand is having a sweepstakes where they are going to help send the student of one family to college with a $10,000 scholarship in the form of a College savings 529 plan. Please visit Parent’s Choice Infant Formula Savings Sweepstakes for more information, rules, and entry form.

Wal-Mart has helped write the earliest chapters of millions of success stories by helping to produce equally nutritious products, for a reasonable price. Now they are wanting to help even more with this sweepstakes, by investing in our children's wellbeing and now their education. With PBM Products, LLC, a Perrigo Company, Wal-Mart has been a part of giving this scholarship to one lucky winner, so they are able to attend college to further their dreams. The Sweepstakes will officially launch June 15th and will run through August 1, 2011.

This is the year

2011-07-03T03:50:00.000-07:00

Guest post written by my buddy Bernardo Graham

My husband and I decided this was finally the year I was going to stay home for the summer. I’ve been a teacher for the better part of a decade but with the economy the way it was, it made sense for me to get a summer job during the summers to bring in a little extra cash. Our kids are at that age, though, where we’d have to hire a babysitter to watch them anyway which would eat up any extra money I was making, so it just made sense for me to stay home and watch them while they were out of school. I convinced my husband to look at www.atlantaHomeSecurity.com with me since I’d be home so often by myself and he thought it was a great idea. We talked to the kids about what was going to be expected of them and laid out house rules for the summer that they’ll be expected to follow. I’m looking forward to some time off and some play time with the kids!

Walgreens Brand Health & Welness Products

2011-06-10T05:02:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

While this was my first time trying the Walgreens Brand Health & Welness Product, Green Tea Supplement, I had a wonderful experience! Green Tea is suppose to boost the immune system with all of the antioxidants that is has as well as offer possible weight loss. I have tried the name brand version of the Green T before, but I experienced nothing but bloating. But this time, I tried the Walgreens Brand Green Tea Supplement, and had a much better experience. I did take the supplement according to the dosing instructions on the back of the box, and I experienced a slight weight loss and I did notice a slight increase in energy. As a stay-at-home Mom, I can use all the energy that I can get, without putting a bunch of chemicals and what-not in my body. I am not a huge coffee drinker anymore, so I figured I would try the Walgreens Brand Green Tea. All in all, it was an awesome outcome! As many of us know, the name brand products spend so much money on advertising, so they end up passing the bill onto us by raising the price of the products. In turn, you get up to 40 percent less product and you pay more. Who wants to do that?? I don't know about any of you, but I want to take charge of my health the right way. No matter who you are, or what situation you are in, everyone can benefit from saving money and being healthier. Here are some additional facts about the Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products. They are a great value, allowing families and individuals to save money without sacrificing quality or trust. With the rising cost of health care, saving money on over-the-counter medications can really benefit a family’s budget. In addition to being an exceptional value, Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products:

a. Are Walgreens pharmacist recommended.

b. Most contain the same active ingredients as other national brands.

c. Have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

d. Visit http://www.walgreens.com/walgr… to learn more about Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products and the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™.

Plus, on top of all that, some bloggers are having some awesome giveaways. There is a chance for all you readers to win a Walgreen gift. So, not only can you take charge of you health and check out some of the wonderful products, you could possibly win a gift card and do it for free! It definitely doesn't get any better.

Check it out: http://socialspark.com/Walgree…

All for the USA

2011-04-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of talking to my little brother, Broch, via Skype. Skype is the online way to communicate anywhere in the world. We use the web cam to talk to him and we love it. It is so sad to think that his entire career is serving the USA. What does it mean to "fight" for our country anyway? What do we (the USA) stand for anymore?
Well, I can tell you that listening to someone that has spent years in the military tell me that he fights for what our country used to stand for is extremely disheartening! I cried. Here we are, in several different countries, sending more and more troops to fight for our Presidents demands, and we, the citizens, don't even know what's going on. I don't have the answers to any of those questions, nor do I even pay any attention to politics anymore.

My Bro drinking "Korean Super Water"

But, I decide to try to see things in a positive light about my little brother being in the military. When I talked to him a few days ago, we discussed how he gets to experience all kinds of different cultures, and he gets to see places that I will never have the opportunity to see! He gets to transform his life so that he can blend in with the surrounding culture. He "becomes" one of them, while still being himself. What an amazing opportunity! While we were talking, I thought it was so hilarious when I saw him take a drink from a water bottle, that looked extremely similar to the one I was drinking out of! I took a picture, and I have to share. My favorite bottled water is Aquafina. So, you can see the Korean Super Water vs. Aquafina and laugh to your hearts content
with me.

Korean Super Water

Isn't it hilarious???? Well, I think so.

Inbox Dollars

2011-03-29T21:48:00.001-07:00

Introducing Cash Tasks, the latest way to earn cash rewards from InboxDollars. Everyday InboxDollars will list a collection of available tasks that can be completed for cash. These tasks range from identifying the content of a photograph, to translating phrases, to completing descriptions for products or services. Each task is presented with the number of opportunities to complete it and the earnings a member will be credited for completing the task. To earn the cash reward, the member must complete the task requirements and accomplish the entire task properly without submitting nonsensical answers or gibberish. Members will be notified they have completed the task once they have completed all the requirements for that task. A member's account will be credited the same day the task was completed.

The best part ---- every InboxDollars member is eligible for every task. As long as a task is listed on the Cash Tasks page it is possible to complete it and earn cash rewards. Note that some tasks have multiple activities, each of which can be completed for cash and there is no limit on the number of tasks or activities a member may complete. Once an InboxDollars member completes a task or activity and earns the cash reward, the task or activity is removed from the list of available tasks.

Members can see their cash earnings for completing Cash Tasks by visiting the InboxDollars Current Earnings page. Look for a summary of total completed tasks and total cash earnings for those tasks.

Check the Cash Tasks channel often to see new tasks and more opportunities to earn cash rewards!

Only One Lifetime

2011-03-09T22:15:00.000-08:00

I feel like time has flown by since we saw her newborn face. I found pictures the other day of our daughter, Zoi. She looked so funny and yet she was the most adorable thing that I had ever seen! Only the Mother of the child can appreciate what God has given her. I was reading a devotional this morning about how God lends us our children for a short while. Well, that is so true in so many ways. Life is so short, and there are so many days when we are just "stuck" in reality, so we don't stop to appreciate what God has given us! We focus solely on how beautiful they are when they are sleeping or taking a nap. I have always tried so hard to cherish every, little, single moment of my childrens' lives. Not only have I realized lately that I should slow down, but I've noticed how much I really appreciate my 'H'usband.......and yes, he is 'capitalized' because of how much he appreciates his family. ....I love my Husband and children.
I sincerely wish that every person in this world could experience what I have now, without what I have had to experience in my lifetime....so far. But, I guess that God have an order for all of our lives. I do believe that everything happens for a reason.

Sincerely,

Mommy Dearest
xxxxxxx

Pregnant? Free BellyBag!!

2011-03-04T07:01:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CryoCell International for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

There are so many different kinds of things in the world that we try to protect our children from, but sometimes, no matter what we do, certain ailments are inevitable. Like when we find out that one of our children has a devastating illness. I think it is so important for every parent-to-be to learn about their baby's life, and how they are developing in each stage of pregnancy. Now with all the advancements in technology, you would like to think that our typical Flu Shot would cure and prevent any type of serious sicknesses in our children. But we all know that thit isn't the case. This is the number one reason that every parent-to-be should invest in cord blood banking, or at least get the information and check out what is it all about. Request an information packet and consult with an advisor today at www.Cryo-Cell.com or www.Cryo-Cell.net Plus, you get a free BellyBag. I understand that not every person out there is financially able to do this, but the benefits completely out weigh any type of cost! This is one of the many steps in learning about your new baby's options in life! Congratulations and good luck!

So much to do, so little time

2011-02-25T11:06:00.000-08:00

It already feels like I started this blog forever ago, but in all reality, it was only about 4 to 6 months ago. Life just blazes by when you want to cherish each moment. We have moved into our new house, started doing one renovation at a time, and it is becoming a reality to me that we will never stop doing projects around here! I love making things look like our home, and I love the feeling of having our home, too. So much has happened in such a short amount of time. I am sad that time flies by so fast when you actually love and enjoy your life. It doesn't seem right or fair, but I have also had to experience life on the other spectrum before, too, so I definitely know that life isn't peachy for everyone. Plus, I am not the type to take anything for granite. Speaking of blogging, I wanted to let everyone know that they should start their own blog! There are definitely ways to make a little bit of cash with it. I have made a couple dollars by joining the Social Spark website. It is really cool, because I get to use my creative writing abilities, plus I still get to be "Mommy Dearest" and give product reviews, tips and tricks on certain products that have worked for me.
Well, thank you to the few followers that I do have, because I have learned that the entire social networking business needs support, too. In this case, I am by no means popular, but I still get to feel special by having my little blog!

Warmest xxxxx,

Mommy Dearest

Bright Beginnings

2011-02-09T07:00:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

It is so frustrating and amazing to think of how many diapers we go through in one week! Our daughter is not quite getting the hang of potty training yet, so she is still in diapers right now. Typically, we usually order our diapers from diapers.com, because I can always find coupons for the shipping cost. You really can't beat that! It is so wonderful to have the convenience of online ordering now days. The Bright Beginnings products are such a good deal right now, too. They are extremely comparable to the high end brands, but they don't cost an arm and a leg! They also have a Facebook fan page that you can follow as well that is really informative. I have also been attempting to go Organic and Natural in my home, with the foods and products that we consume. And, it is nice that the Bright Beginnings brand has both Organic and Natural products. We are all trying in some way or another to "go green" these days, so it is extremely to have Bright Beginnings as an option. Check out Bright Beginnings on Facebook, and get any information that you need, including reviews on their products. Also, right now when you buy on diapers.com, you get Free 2-Day Shipping on any order of $45+, and you can read about how to get 30% cash back on your diapers and 10% off everything else. Super cool, convenient, and cost effective!

So much more than hot for game day!

2011-01-31T15:00:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

TABASCO® Original Red enhances the flavor of nearly anything we put it on. I am "one of those people" that loves hot sauce so much that I carry a mini-bottle in my purse when we go to restaurants. I have literally earned a golden trophy for how renowned my love for Tabasco is. I would not put too much emphasis on how hot the sauce may be, because my husband used to drink it as a child for no reason other than to drink it. We are not as strange as it sounds, but we love adding specific flavor to our foods. We have put it on pizza, chicken, pasta, eggs, mac & cheese, veggies, home-made sauces and dips. With game-day around the corner, I am going to make one of the simplest and most delicious dip recipes "of all time". If you are looking for recipes to include TABASCO® Original Red into, this Game-Day Party Menu is a great resource. My famous dip recipe includes: 16-oz of softened cream cheese (one package), two cans of Hormel chili (w/o beans), add Tabasco until it tastes right. Don't burn it... but keep it on medium on the stovetop. Add chili and cream cheese, stir until smooth. Turn the stove to low and add Tabasco to your tastilage. Simmer for five to ten minutes... let it cool and serve. On family game night, we usually order pizza and no matter where it is from we add TABASCO® Original Red and unlock it's flavor for Pizza Perfected. As a fail safe, I always use Tabasco to enhance the flavors of all of my foods

A Very, Merry Christmas!!

2010-12-25T23:59:00.000-08:00

We have FINALLY gotten our house! YEAY!.....right? No. So far, we have entered into the realm of unwanted terror! It has been one thing after another, and we haven't even moved our stuff into the house yet! Wow. I am so happy to have our home now, but we have a lot to do. It is a TLC home, and we have only gotten one and a half rooms painted. We are not very fast, and because we have small children, only one of us can do something at a time. But, even with everything we have ahead of us and currently on our plate, we are so happy. We are having the very first Christmas with our daughter in OUR home. It is an amazing feeling. I am so thankful for everything we have. Oh, and thanks to my best friend in the whole wide world, we were able to stay warm in a heated home for most of the morning......our furnace had the fuse blow. No one that sells 3amp fuses were open today. But, it is still a very merry Christmsas for us!
My favorite part of all is that we got to see my family today. Things have always been kind of really rocky in the past, but now they get to have the chance to know me, and I am going to do everything in my power to have a wonderful relationship with them. Family, friends, and fellowship are the reasons for the season. Cherish every moment and savor each day!

May God bless everyone this holiday,

Mommy Dearest
xxoo

Pier 1

2010-12-15T20:00:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have always loved Pier 1! They have something for every budget, and no matter when you shop, they always have extremely fashionable products that always stay in style. I looked through the web site and store this holiday season, and they have some of the prettiest stuff. I definitely think that some of the "must haves" for this holiday season would be the holiday dinner ware! You may choose one theme or mix and match from several themes they have to offer. They have candy cane bowls, a candy cane-shaped dip bowl with a spreader, an adorable Tartan Ruffle Apron that is so perfect for entertaining, a Mrs. Clause Apron, and everything else for the table and household decorating. My favorite things that are going to be on my wish list are the Tartan Ruffle Apron, Snowball Spoon Rest, and some new kitchen towels that match the Christmas Holiday coming up. I have always had a very contemporary/modern style for my home, and with all of the prices at such reasonable levels, I can afford to buy my favorite things from Pier 1. If I had to choose one thing to represent my style that is for sale at Pier 1, it would be the Mirrors and Circles wall decor. It's perfect for any room in my house, and not only is it pretty decor, but it has function; I love it! Oh, and another really cool thing is that for the months of November/December, we can all help Pier 1 out by supporting the Toys for Tots campaign this holiday season by dropping off unwrapped toys or making a cash donation at the store register. Who doesn't want to spread holiday cheer, right? I am also going to be joining Pier 1 on Facebook, because I found out that for every new fan that they get, they will donate $1 to Toys for Tots. So, please go join so they can donate!!! The holiday season can be so much brighter if we can put smiles on all of the little peoples faces this Christmas! After all, when I see my children light up with so much joy from getting a new gift, it makes me want the whole world to see the same thing. I've taken the liberty to include a couple pictures of the mentioned items below, even if they're not your style you could consider them for holiday gifts.

Baby Formula: Store Brand or Name Brand

2010-12-15T19:01:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

It seems as though certain formulas, such as Similac and Enfamil, cost so much more than the leading store brand formula. Why is this? Well, we can contribute this all to heavy advertising and marketing costs. When major companies spend money on those things, there is not much room for consumers to save that money in their pockets. Most of the Moms of today are trying to do their best to save money, while making sure their children are getting all the proper nutrients that is required for the family. Come to find out, there is nothing different about the store brand formula compared to the brand name formula, nutritionally. The FDA states, "All formula marketed in the U.S. must meet the same nutrient specifications, which are set (by the FDA in 1980) at levels to fulfill the needs of infants." So why are we so worried about the brand? Well, it really doesn't matter what brand you are buying and consuming, because there can be issues and recalls that may arise while partaking in any product. Abbott voluntarily recalled certain Similac powder infant formulas because of the possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product in September. The FDA determined the formula poses no immediate health risk, but some infants could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat as a result of irritated GI tracts.

"Best Friend"

2010-12-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

How frustrating is it that when you have tried everything that you can do to reason with stupid, stupid always wins? Only because intelligent doesn't want to keep arguing in circles about the same things. We got into a little situation with my "best friend" this morning, because she thought she could tell me what to do....and that is a huge mistake with me. I will do pretty much anything you want if you ask me nicely, but when you try to tell me what to do, we are gonna have problems. Her troubled son is coming back to live with her today, and he has stolen so much from my family and martyred me to his family by lying to them about things that never happened.
We usually try to get to church every Sunday, but there are a couple Sundays here and there that we don't make it. Everyone in the household was suppose to go together, but a couple of the people didn't go. I always feel better after Sunday school and church. It's like God gives us just enough peace and contentment for what we are gonna go through during the week ahead. I know that no matter what situation arises, I can get through it with God. God has blessed me and my family, so the least I can do is give credit to Him for being great!

Keep looking up,

Mommy Dearest
xxxxxx

No more diaper rash worries

2010-12-03T14:01:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.
We recently found out that our daughter is highly allergic to several things, and she has insanely sensitive skin. Well, yesterday, she had a horrible diaper rash, AGAIN, so I used my favorite diaper rash cream, Boudreaux's Butt Paste. I don't usually just use it for the rash, because sometimes I want to prevent the rash in the first place. Boudreaux's Butt Paste is an amazing skin protectant, too. Another thing about this stuff is that it goes on and cleans off real easily. It's not like super chalky nor is it like that other pasty stuff that you have to use paint remover to get off....good point, right? Plus, they make it in several different sizes that will please anyone and everyone. And, yes, they have travel sizes, so you can stick it in the diaper bag, or you could do what I do and just take the whole tube, because it has the cool flip top cap.

Well, I will give you additional information about Boudreaux's, but before I do, click on the link and get a sample for yourself. I am very practical person and parent, so trust me when I tell you that I am not the only person that thinks this stuff is awesome. It was also talked about on Oprah, the Tonight Show, the Today Show, and mentioned in articles in the famous People Magazine. And what kind of parent wouldn't want to use something that was created by a Pharmacist (with the direction of a respected pediatrician) and it is recommended by Pediatricians. Boudreaux's is made with 16% zinc oxide and peruvian balsam to provide soothing relief for irritated skin.

Enjoying the left-over turkey, or not

2010-11-29T20:21:00.000-08:00

I decided to try really hard and think of a recipe to make with the left-over turkey tonight (and yes, it hurt!!). I can only think of eating anything BUT turkey! I think I found a recipe, though, that is really easy to make in the oven. It is called Turkey Bake. It looks a lot like all the same ingredients as tuna casserole, minus the tuna and peas. Yep, I'm gonna try it tomorrow. Tonight, we are having pizza. I don't know about you all, but I definitely don't like to ever eat turkey after Thanksgiving. Especially since I had to watch everyone else eat it..... I'm just not a big left-over person anyway. Let's just say that I had a few bad experiences as a kid.

On another note, I started to wrap the Christmas presents today that I bought on Black Friday! I love wrapping presents, but our daughter also likes to dance on the paper, so it took me longer than I thought it would. By the way, I don't think I have ever seen worse "Sales" for Black Friday. The only reason we actually went this year was because it is a tradition for my best friend and I. We always to go Kohl's, then Target, and then to Victoria Secret in the mall. It was fun, but I was just a little disappointed. I still have a couple things to get for my best friend, nephew, and my Mr. Wonderful.

Turkey Day, Black Friday, and the flu! Whooohooo! It is really amazing what we put ourselves through for a "sale." I am more into it for family and the tradition. Those two things are so important to me. Keep those things close, and never let 'em go!

Sincerely,

Mommy Dearest
xxx

Yucky!

2010-11-25T20:33:00.000-08:00

I did not expect to spend the day before Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Day sick with a stomach bug! Wow, I am so sick of being sick this year! I am getting my flu shot this week. Not only was I sick, but our daughter was sick with me. And, by the way, those were the only two days my husband had off of work for this holiday. I couldn't do anything but sweat and sleep on our air mattress, and my daughter would occasionally beat me up, because she was mad at me or something -by the way, no, I don't expect a one year old to understand why Mommy can't do everything for her, like she normally does. I can definitely say that she was much tougher than I was though, because she was still kind of playing and walking around. I'm just glad that I wasn't vomiting like she was. I had my fill of that a month or so ago.

Well, on another note, we ended up having to cancel all of our plans with family, which by the way, I was completely bummed about, but I couldn't get up except to go to the bathroom. That was definitely no fun for anyone. And to make things worse, that was one of my favorite holidays out of the year. My Grandparents were here in town, so we usually all get together at my Aunt and Uncle's house. It is also one of the handful of times that I get to see my family all together, so it is special. To top off our Thanksgiving, we were also planning on getting to see our brother today as well, but found out that the rest of the family had the same stomach bug as Zoi and me. We also came to find that our brother is in ICU with a chemically induced coma, which all started with strep throat; and somehow got into his bloodstream. Needless to say, it did NOT feel at all like a holiday, but I still had everyone in the household sit together in the living room, and mention aloud 5 things that they are thankful for.

Tootles,
Mommy Dearest
xxxx

Never fails, when you finally realize that you don't have life by the horns, life rams you with them, just to give you that completely unwanted and unneeded confirmation! What's up with that?

The Celestial Seasonings Factory Adventure

2010-11-21T22:26:00.000-08:00

Brings new meaning to dressing up for tea

We finally got to go to the Celestial Seasonings Factory in Boulder! It was so much fun. The kids even enjoyed it. I was really excited to find out that you get a discount on the teas. Plus, all the tea is cheaper than in the grocery store. Plus, you get an additional 10% off if you buy a case. It doesn't seem like much, but it really added up for the amount of tea that I bought! I went crazy, obviously, because I am a tea freak! I now have enough tea to last me a good year...hopefully. Otherwise, we are going to go back up to Boulder. Another really cute thing about the factory was it's street names. They named the streets after the teas - Sleepytime and Zinger something or other (see picture below). The tour of the factory was free, and your "ticket" to the tour was a sample of one of the teas. I thought is was very cute and fun. We had a really fun time. I am also really into art and sculpture, and the cafe gallery is filled with all of the artwork and a few tea bag sculptures (pic is below). There was also free samples of all of the teas that they make. Any type of tea that you can imagine; white, black, green, red, etc. Well, technically, it was only all of the teas that they are currently selling. The gift shop has so many different things for the upcoming holidays as well, and, of course, everything was pretty pricey, but all of the holiday stuff was really neat. The holiday teas are my favorite, and that is what I stocked up the most of. The only down side to the tour was the fact that they don't let you take any photography of any kind of inside the factory.

Family picture in the tea garden... awww right?

Another reason we looked really forward to going up there so bad, was because there is this super awesomely delicious pizza that is only up there. The pizza is a BBQ Chicken pizza from this place called Sun Deli. When our friend lived up in Boulder, we went to see him, and we ordered the pizza and fell suddenly addicted to it! So, now, every time we go to Boulder, we have to stop by Sun Deli and get at least one pizza. We haven't tried any other toppings yet, but maybe we will next time (but I highly doubt it).

Mommy Dearest,

xxxx

PS I just had to share what we saw outside Sun Deli... no comment required

The Brazil Butt Lift

2010-11-19T07:36:00.000-08:00

I don't know about all of you guys and gals, but I am so tired of the millions of ads that try to sell fitness products that don't work. I found a really amazing workout plan that will work with any body type! It is called the Brazil Butt Lift workout! I was reading that a lot of the supermodels use this Brazilian workout, so that should show all of us that it works. Basically, it is a 3 month workout plan that will shape and sculpt your butt (no matter what your "butt type" is) by using dance and cardio. Fun, right?! The best part about it is that it is also really efficient with helping you lose weight the healthy way!

I know a lot of you might be skeptical, so if you want to get additional information, I recommend that you go to the Extreme Fitness Results blog and read tons of free reviews on the Brazil Butt Lift. There is not very many natural and healthy ways to lose weight and get fit, so I lucked out finding this one! Natural and effective!!! Please go check it our for yourselves, and evaluate the Brazil Butt Lift for yourself. It is always good to read up on any new product, so that you can form an opinion for yourself.

Now, personally, I need an option that is for beginners, so there is also program called Slim in 6. This is a 6 week slim down program that is super easy. This "Slim in 6" workout is perfect for anyone that has been out of the workout game for a while. It is the perfect way to get in shape for beginners, like me! My suggestion is to start with this program, because if you start with something that is to rough on your body, you can hurt yourself. So, be careful and check it all out!! Like I mentioned above, if you have questions about any of this, just click on the highlighted words above, and it will take you directly to the website!

Going Backwards

2010-11-18T23:30:00.000-08:00

I have struggled with my son the last couple of weeks about going to the potty in the toilet....not his pants. We are totally going backwards! I know it is common when there is an age gap, and when there is a new baby, but it is still frustrating. So, we decided to go back to the "treasure box" system with him, so that he will be rewarded once again with doing what he is suppose to do. It has got to be the attention crap. I give both of my children the same amount of attention, but it is never enough. I am a stay at home mom now, but I am failing miserably with this. I feel like all I ever do is pick up and clean up after everyone else, so therefore, I don't actually get to give my children the type of attention I long for. I want to have a good relationship with them, and I want them to feel as though they can trust me and not be afraid of me.

One of the "good times" that gets me through times like "this time"

Our son told me that he is afraid of me, and he always says that he wants to go back to the "other" home. What a stab in the heart!! Painful. Anyway, I asked him about if he has accidents over there, and he says no, but why, then, is it happening with me? I try so hard. We really need to bail from here. It is long over do.
Do you all ever feel as though being a parent is the hardest and most emotionally trying thing that you will ever do in your life. I see people, and have met people, that make parenting look like it is the easiest thing in the world. And, magically, they have perfect kids, too! Why is that anyway? Whatever, I am just taking one minute at a time. I love my children so much, and there is no exceptions or buts about it. Life is hard, but how we handle each situation will make or break who we are and who we will become. I have so much more room for improvements, and I still have so much to learn! Why hasn't someone written a guide (not a gimmick) for us Moms yet?

Tootles,

Mommy Dearest
x

Bye Bye Papa

2010-11-17T22:27:00.000-08:00

So, we received an itinerary in our email today from my father-in-law, and it is a one-way ticket out of the country. He is moving with his wife to the Philippines; that is where she is from, and his dream is to retire there. It is really sad to me, because we were all getting closer and getting along so well. We don't have much family here, aside from my Dad and my husband's brothers. I don't really know what to do or say anymore. My kids are going to be able to still talk to him using a web cam, but it is not the same. It is really hard to explain the dynamics of our family, because it is really complicated. But, who doesn't have a story like that, right?? Anyways, we will just have to stay positive, and try to help our children understand the situation. And, hope that he comes back sooner than later.

On another note, we were suppose to get to see my Dad today for dinner, but he was busy. That is the usual for him, though. My Dad works in law enforcement, and he is always busy. I miss him a lot. Sometimes, I have anxiety attacks when I hear about an officer getting shot on the news, because I would never know if it was my Dad, unless I got a call from the hospital or something. My relationship with him is okay, but I want it to be awesome. I have always been a Daddy's girl at heart, and it means a lot to me to have family close.
My husband and I are a very, extremely family oriented couple. Trying to spend time with our families can be a little crazy. It is hard to be able to have the other members of our family to be that same way as well; something usually comes up to where we do not get to see them. Although I do feel as though if you actually want to spend time with your family, you will make the time; even if it means only seeing them for a few minutes. We will just simply be showing our children what we want them to learn by being an example. At the end of the day, if you don't have your family, then you don't have anyone. That is what we want our children to learn. We will always be there for our children, no matter what.

Friends may come and go, but family is (supposed to be) forever.

With Love,

Mommy Dearest
xxx

PS I miss Mom...

Love Love Love

2010-11-15T12:23:00.000-08:00

Isn't it crazy how we will love our kids no matter what they do? They drive us to our limits and push us over the ridge until we just crack and fall down! My kids were so tough to deal with a couple weeks ago, and it made me think about what my life would be like with having both of my children full time...wow! Our son has been through so much, and I struggle with disciplining him, because I realize that it's not his fault that the "other" household teaches him all the opposite things that we do. His life is so hard, but we want to make it easier. I really think that the second we get the word on this house, we are going to file the paperwork to proceed with getting him most of the time; instead of this 50% crap.
My husband and I are so excited about spending time with the kids this weekend, because it is his weekend off. We are going to drive up to Boulder, pending the weather, and go to the Celestial Seasonings factory. I think it will be a great lesson to the kids about being "green" and always being resourceful. Also, I am going to buy a bunch of my favorite tea. That way, I can enjoy them all year!
I am so thankful for all of my little family. No matter what I happens any day, my husband and kids have always been there for me. We will always stick together.

Going to the dentist

2010-11-13T22:55:00.000-08:00

I went to the dentist yesterday, and I couldn't believe how much we got charged. The only thing they did was my annual teeth cleaning! We got charged for the office visit, and the cleaning! So, I decided to look for another, less expensive dental office in my area that would give me the same awesome care, but at an honest and affordable price. I also want someone that will listen to me about my fears and make me feel comfortable, while keeping me as pain free as possible. My dentist is nice, and he is always smiling!!! I wonder why....he just got $190 from me, and he is double booked every day! A cleaning is the least expensive service.

My biggest fear about going to the dentist is probably the same as everyone else, too - the fear of having pain and loud tools in my mouth! Well, I looked around and found Bright Now! Dental. I am glad that I found this place, because they are everything I am looking for and more. I already have insurance, so I definitely can't stand when I get jabbed with retarded additional expenses. This place will tell you everything you need to know up front, and you won't be surprised with an outrageous bill later. Check out the site for yourself!

Finding Happiness in Sad Times

2010-11-09T21:13:00.000-08:00

So, I am attaching some pictures of the fire aftermath, because I didn't get any of the actual fire. It is a completely sad situation, but amidst all of this, I talked to the girls that I was telling you all about in previous blogs, and they saw Zoi's first hair-do, and they were telling me that it was the only time that they have smiled since the fire a couple days ago. Then, my husband and I were thinking about starting a memorial fund at a local bank, so that people can donate money for all of the victims of this fire. There was a total of 55. It is extremely close to home for me, because it was literally, the building 20 feet from mine! I want to help these people, so we are going to. There needs to be more outreach in communities anyway, so why not have us start the chain reaction? I will have to figure out how to have donations besides money, but the problem is that we have no where to put it. I will figure it out though. These people really need some help. They lost everything. I don't have money, but I have time. God will help me help these people. I will give updates on the account information to donate for all of you that are able to spare for the cause.

On a side note, our daughter actually loved her first little hair-do, and she kept it in all day, until we went to buy her a new brush, and she brushed them out.....OUCHY! Anyway, she had a hard night, so I made her the first root beer float she has ever had! I am the coolest Mom ever! I felt terrible, because she looked like I let her play with a blow dryer and running water! See for yourselves.

Thank you all for your support,

Mommy Dearest
xxxxx

Traumatizing

2010-11-07T22:38:00.000-08:00

The apartment building across from ours caught fire today. It was a horrific sight, and the worst part about it is the fact that my favorite neighborhood girls lived in it. Their apartment burst into flames and the roof caved in after the fire started on the floor below theirs. The most horrible feeling for me was the fact that they tried calling me for help while we were downtown this afternoon. The girls were in tears, and there was nothing I could do, except have my husband speed back to the apartments. I can't even describe the scene that I saw. It looked like the worst light show ever, with all the different fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars all lit up. No one could have ever asked for a worse day.
My husband got us back as soon as he could. When we arrived, I went straight to yelling for the girls. I found them and they were in shock. How can you explain to a high school child that everything that they own and all of the materialistic memorabilia that holds any kind of memory, is burning and they will never see again. That is the first thing they said.
I told them, this evening, that God gave us special places in our minds that hold those thoughts of the memories and the feelings are held in our heart. God doesn't want us to only have things that are materialistic that hold meaning. Otherwise, He wouldn't have made us the way He did. I also gave them the invitation to my closet, which I know they will be raiding tomorrow. It is a good feeling to know that I am needed by other people, besides my family. But even with my little family, I have my hands full. I am so thankful that God is able to use me, even in the worst of situations. I really feel as though He put the words into my mouth, so that I could at least give a little bit of comfort during such an uncomfortable time.