Until then, I sneak a “pin” in here and there.

If you haven’t yet entered the world of Pinterest, you are probably wondering what in the hang I am talking about. Pinterest, like most social media realms, can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not “in” it. The terms, the rules, the obsession. It can seem a bit, ummm, weird? Until you figure it out. Then it’s like second nature.

But you don’t have to enter the Pinterest world blindly. Because Kelby Carr is awesome and has created Pinterest for Dummies {they really do have a “Dummies” book for everything!}!

Pinterest for Dummies walks you through every piece of the process, from requesting an invitation to sign-up to integrating it with your other Social Media platforms to the nuts and bolts of creating “boards”, “pinning” and “repinning”

Once you’ve gotten your feet wet, Kelby will help you through the social side of Pinterest, pinning etiquette and the pinning on the go (i.e. mobile).

While the entire book is quality, my two favorite chapters are Chapter 6: Finding Ways to Use Pinterest and Chapter 10: Self-Promoting on Pinterest.

Chapter 6 helps answer the age-old question: Why should I be on Pinterest? The chapter highlights some of the great ways you can use Pinterest. After all, Pinterest is one big virtual idea board. So you can use it for whatever you need. Remember the days when you would dog-ear a page or rip pages out of a magazine because you were looking for new ideas when redecorating your house? Or new recipes to try? Wedding dress ideas? Crafts for the kids? Now, instead of having all those magazines and papers/pages lying around your house, you can keep them on Pinterest. Oh, just go read Chapter 6!

Then, as a blogger and someone who works with companies to expand their Social Media presence, I really enjoyed Chapter 10. How to integrate pins and Pintrest into your site. How to track metrics. How to engage customers and readers. YES! YES! And YES!

So, you can just imagine my copy of Pinterest for Dummies is already decorated in highlighter, notes, and dog-eared pages!

But I’m giving away a copy of Pinterest for Dummies. One that I haven’t marked up. Promise! Fresh, new, and all yours to mark up as you like!

Of course you can always purchase your own copy online and at most major book retailers.

So, go. Pin. And follow me on Pinterest so I can check out all your pinning awesomeness!

You should know…I received a complimentary copy of this book from Global Influence in order to bring you this review. All opinions are my own. Oh, and Global Influence is providing the giveaway copy. Because they’re super like that!

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I was flown to Los Cabos as part of a press trip on behalf of 5MinutesforMom.com to tour the newly opened Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort and the other Solmar Hotel and Resorts properties. For work. Honestly.

Next week I will be sharing more about the trip and my thoughts on the resorts as a family vacation destination over at 5MinutesforMom.com. In the mean time, I thought I would share a few personal highlights of the trip here.

The Resorts

Are gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! Four of the five Solmar Resorts are nestled on the beach between stunning granite cliffs and the Pacific Ocean. The Grand Solmar, the resort I would call ‘home’ for the weekend, sits on the southern most tip of the Baja Peninsula.

The rooms, suites, and villas were so spacious, all of them include a kitchenette or kitchen. I felt slightly spoiled walking into my room at the Grand Solmar — kitchen, lovely bathroom, comfortable king size bed, stow-away murphy bed, sitting/dining area, three closets, and a balcony overlooking the resort and Pacific Ocean.

The Food

Each night we were treated to a delicious dinner by our hosts. Thursday night we ate on the beach at the Solmar. Friday, we enjoyed a beautiful lightning show as we dined at The Ridge and Saturday they prepared a private Tequila tasting and dinner at The Grand Solmar. Each night we ate foods and drank wines authentic to Mexico. Some of the foods, umm, stretched my comfort zone but it was all delicious! But after six courses each night, I definitely was not losing weight on this trip!

The Adventures

While in Cabo, we had the opportunity to enjoy some of the amazing activities the area has to offer. Of course, with the mountains/cliffs, desert, Pacific Ocean, and Sea of Cortez at your disposal, there are plenty of adventures to choose from!

For the water lovers — swim with dolphins, snorkel, scuba, kayak, paddle board, surf, wave runners, sport fishing

For the water likers — glass bottom boat tours, sunset cruises, whale watching

Adrenaline boosts — parasailing, skydiving

Land lovers — ATV desert rides, camel safaris, mountain biking, horse back riding, zip lining

Friday – I swam with the dolphins! Despite the thunderstorm that blew in just as we were getting ready for our “encounter” {which scared off five of our seven-person group}, I was very excited to do this! I kind of love dolphins! Thankfully the storm blew over very quickly, so myself and Ann {another person from our press-trip} had the trainer and two dolphins all to ourselves! AH-MAZING! Not only did we learn a ton about the dolphins but I got to do both a dorsal fin swim and a belly-to-belly swim with a dolphin. AH-MAZING! {sadly we weren’t allowed to take pictures}

Also, it was apparent that it does not rain often in Cabo. Three or four times a year. Or so we were told. Repeatedly. By everyone.

Saturday — In the morning we visited the spa at the Playa Grande to experience a modified Temazcal Ceremony and massage. A very unique and rejuvenating time. Especially with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop to the spa. In the afternoon we took a boat ride along the coast of the peninsula, seeing the Arch, a resident colony of Sea Lions, and some of the amazing properties on the beach (including the vacation home of Sammy Hagar).

We also spent some time kayaking and snorkeling along Lover’s Beach in the Sea of Cortez.

The entire trip was fabulous. The area was beautiful. The people at the Solmar Hotel & Resorts were overwhelmingly nice. And the resorts were heavenly.

View more of my trip photos on Flickr.

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If you walk into my parents’ house, right this very minute, I’m willing to bet that they will have a pot of coffee ready.

And, yet, I do not share in their coffee enthusiasm. {gasp!}

I drink coffee for two reasons. First, when meeting a friend at a coffee-shop. I’ll gladly indulge in a latte or mocha. Or I’ll just forego the coffee-ish drinks and go with tea or an Italian Soda. I’m not a straight-up coffee drinker and not even devoted to coffee-like drinks, at that.

The other time is first thing in the morning. One cup. That’s it. One good cup of coffee.

It took me {what seemed like} forever to find that “good” cup of coffee. I like a variety of coffee-flavors — yay! for the K-cups! — and would usually toss in a dash of milk and an obscene amount of sugar. Too sweet! Backed off on the sugar a bit…too bitter. Honestly, I felt like Goldilocks.

Then I tried out a new creamer from Coffee-mate — Coffee-mate Natural Bliss.

I loved the idea of an all-natural creamer with only four ingredients. Ingredients that I knew!

After printing a lovely little coupon from Walmart.com, I picked up two of the Natural Bliss flavors {sadly the Low-fat Vanilla and Caramel were not not available at my Walmart} for my morning coffee this week. This week is especially critical because I’m solo-parenting. I really, really, really need to start off my days this week with a good cup of coffee. And a few moments of silence before the craziness begins.

But how would it taste in the coffee from the K-cups that I already loved? You’ll just have to wait until next week to find out!

That is, if I survive this week!

 If you haven’t tried Coffee-mate Natural Bliss all-natural coffee creamer yet, you can download a coupon and give it a shot. You can also learn more about Coffee-mate Natural Bliss online or connect with them on Facebook. 

You should know…This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias All opinions are my own. #NaturalBlissWM

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My sister and I (14 months apart) used to pass our days hanging out in the back room at my grandparents’ bar. That sounds a little weird but you need to understand that we lived in a very small town and, well, it just seemed normal. The back room was used for card tournaments, events, etc. It had a dance floor, piano, and small stage.

We would bring our little radio or beg our Grandpa for some quarters for the juke box and then spend the afternoon putting on our own little concerts. I can’t even imagine how silly we looked. Oh, wait. I can totally imagine because I’m reliving it.

My girls (28 months apart) love to sing and perform. They spend “rest time” in the family room rehearsing their latest song and dance and then will perform it for me after Talon’s nap time.

Disney songs. Taylor Swift. Whatever music video they happened to see on the Disney Channel.

Some days it will include Lego microphones and costumes made from stuff in their dress-up box and my shoes.

It’s so much fun to watch. The rehearsing. The preparation. The performance. The giggles afterwards.

Sisters are the best!

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So, if you want to skip this one, I totally understand. But, if it’s any consolation, it will be a happier one. In honor of Mother’s Day and my Grams, I want to share a few things that I learned from this amazing woman.

Five Things my Grams taught me

“I may not always like you, but I’ll always love you.”

I remember when my Grams said this to me. I was young, had gotten in trouble over something, and was very confused when she said it. But over the years, it makes more and more sense to me.

There is a difference between liking someone and loving someone. This is true in almost any relationship. I will always love my children but I may not always like them. I will always love my husband but I may not always like him. The more I’ve thought about that, the more I’ve realized that this is what gets a lot of marriages in trouble. “Liking” something is a temporal. Love is everlasting. It is not an emotion. It is not a feeling. It is always there.

All your external beauty means nothing if you have an ounce of internal ugliness.

We all know those people. The ones who are so beautiful but when you get to know them, you see nothing but ugliness. I hope I can teach my kids how important internal beauty is in a world that put so much value on external beauty.

When all else fails you still have family.

My family could be the poster-family for that statement. Despite our many screw-ups, mistakes, and blunders, it seems like my family has always been there for one another. Even through the big mistakes. Sure, they don’t let you forget those mistakes. They’ll be brought up at Christmas and joked about when camping together. But they will still love you, despite it all. And it doesn’t hurt to show a little humility and grow some thick skin.

We’ve all been dealt a hand in life, it’s just a matter of what you do with it.

Grams didn’t have the easiest childhood. I remember her telling me stories about it and I know she was only scratching the surface. But she rose above it and had a wonderful life, in spite of it all. I may not have had the story-b0ok childhood and there are things I wish that would have gone differently. But I won’t let that dictate who I am today. It’s a part of me but it isn’t the whole of me.

If you want to love your husband, then respect him.

This one, although probably the most important lesson she taught me, was an unspoken one. It was one that I learned after years of watching her and my Grandpa. Their relationship. Their marriage. Hearing stories of their early life together. Living through the situations of their later life.

Regardless of what was going on in their life, my Grams always showed my Grandpa respect. She would joke about his snoring and giggle with us as poked fun about his knee high socks with shorts and sneakers. She would get on his case if was indulging in the sweets because she knew it would mess with his diabetes. But she always respected him.

My Grandpa made choices throughout their life together that I know my Grams did not approve of. If she had it her way, the decision would have been made differently. But she respected her husband. She knew what was important to him and respected his decisions.

My Grams was the rock of our family. She was the constant. The gravitational force that held us together. Yes, we will all move on and will continue to bind together as a family but I believe it will be different. Just different.

So, on this Mother’s Day, the first without her, I miss her. But I am so unbelievably blessed to have had 32 years and 9 months with her in my life. I am a better person, a better woman, and a better mother because of her.

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I told the girls about Grams last Thursday night. And it was hard. Gut wrenching hard. At first Zoe (4yrs) talked about how wonderful it is that Great-Grams gets to be in heaven and wear angel dresses and fly. But Abbi (6yrs), her heart broke. Instantly. She understood but didn’t understand.

She knew that Great-Grams’ health was pretty bad and that she had a hard time breathing. She noticed the oxygen she was using but never asked us much about it. She was sad that she won’t ever see her Great-Grams again when we go up north during the summer or at Thanksgiving or at Christmas. And I am sad for her.

At some point during the conversation Zoe too realized what this all meant. And her smile dissolved into tears.

My girls love their Great-Grams. They miss her. I miss her.

Our week has been brightened up by the kind words of friends and the beautiful flowers that now decorate our tables. Seeing the colors and watching the lilies bloom each morning makes the girls happy.

I know this will pass. I know the emptiness will fill and the pain will subside.

But today it is raw. It hurts. And I miss her.

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She took care of her four children. She raised them, often times by herself as her husband was serving in other parts of the country or world. She kissed their boo-boos. She held them after a bad dream. She scolded them when they broke curfew. And she silently cried as she let each one of the go to live their own lives.

She took care of her grandchildren. She rocked them in her arms. Made crafts with them at preschool. Taught them how to play cribbage and rummy. And beamed with pride as she watched them walk down the different aisles of life.

She took care of her great grandchildren. Making each one of them feel beautiful in both body and spirit. Making them feel special. Making them feel loved.

She took care of her husband. Nurturing him. Loving him, taking care of his soul. Respecting him and standing beside him, even when times were tough. Supporting him through the easy decisions and even those that she did not agree with. She took care of him through all the trials his body threw at him. And, when his body was giving out and his time in this flesh was coming to an end, she took care of him.

She took care of their business. Paying the bills. Making sure orders were placed and deliveries were made. Setting up pool leagues and events. Keeping the hungry hunters’ bellies full of chili and cornbread. Treating each person who walked through that door as though they were family.

She took care of her friends and neighbors. Lending a listening ear and word of advice as she clipped their hair, mended their upholstery, or ran their errands.

She took care of her sister-in-law and her mother when their healths failed. Being the constant care they needed and holding their hands until the very end.

She took care of everyone around her. If you had nowhere to go, she would find you a place. If you had nothing to eat, she would fill your belly. If you had no one to talk to, she would pour the coffee. And she never asked for anything in return. She just took care.

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And, oh my goodness, I’m passionate about a lot of things! The best part, I realized that I can be passionate about all sorts of things and, most of all, I’m passionate about making my dreams and the dreams of those around me happen!

So I told you the other day that I was going to live out one of these dreams. And…It. Was. AWESOME!

Jodi and I spent the afternoon at Pat’s European Flower Market in Holland learning all about flowers and the art of arranging them under the guidance of the amazing Sharon!

Sharon has been in the flower business for 40+ years! What I love about Sharon (besides her delicious chocolate chip cookies) is that she is a person who is living out her passion. Sure, she thought about doing other things in her life, but she always had this love for flowers. When she started working for Pat, she worked for flowers. She loved the idea of arranging flowers so much that she didn’t care if she got paid. That is passion!

Anyhow, Sharon was generous enough to take Jodi and I under her wing for a few hours and teach us some of her tricks. She and Pat let us pick out vases, flowers, and greens and create our own arrangements!

Jodi hard at work

My first arrangement with Gerber Daisies & Tulips

Second arrangement…experimenting with different flowers

Fell in love with these flowers!

We even got to create some arrangements for customers.

Unfortunately most of the deliveries had been made in the morning so we only got to make one delivery. But that delivery brightened up someone’s day and I loved it!

I’m hoping that maybe once the kids are in school more and my day-time is freed up a little, that I can volunteer to do some flower deliveries for Pat!

If you’re ever in the Holland area (or if you live here), you need to go visit Pat’s European Flower Market! Order flowers for yourself or someone else. Or go in to the store and pick your favorite flowers from all of their “loose” flowers. You will not be disappointed!

You can see more photos from the day over on Flickr! And you can see the other fun I’ll be up to over on my Life List!

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There is just something about bringing that kind of simply joy to someone. Delivering a small gesture of love or appreciation to someone. A little color to brighten their day or to say thanks for being you!

I smile just thinking about it!

Well, it looks like I just might get that opportunity. The opportunity to live out one of my dreams and to share in that joy with complete strangers!It all started when @jodimichelle sent out a tweet…

After some Oh, we could totally do this! and What if we did that?‘s, we found ourselves talking to the wonderful owner of Pat’s European Flower Market in Holland. After overwhelming her with our excitement and dreams, she generously agreed to let us come in for an afternoon, teach us about floral arrangements and design, and then make the deliveries!

I know! How awesome!!!

I’m beyond excited!

So, now I need your help! I need you to order flowers. Order them for yourself. For someone you love. Someone you appreciate. Someone you know needs a little color in their day!

To order, just give Pat’s European Flower Market a call at 616.796.3221. Maybe even let them know that you’re calling because the awesome duo of Jodi & Stacey are there!

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While I pretty much love most types of music, I’ve always been a country girl at heart {hello, born & raised in Northern Michigan}. You can have your boy bands. Give me a country band and a little banjo. And it doesn’t hurt that this particular country band is made up of some fine looking fellows.

I had the privilege of seeing Rascal Flatts perform live while at Blissdom in Nashville. They were ah-mazing! Although I wish they had performed longer. I could have stood at the front of the stage gazing up at them for a few more hours.

They captured me way back in 2000 with “I’m Moving On” (released again in 2008). Again in 2004 {like most women across the country} when they released “Bless the Broken Road“. And then my girls decided they were super awesome when they sang “Life Is A Highway” for Disney’s Cars.

So, when Rascal Flatts released their latest album, Changed, earlier this month, well of course I knew I was going to love it!

“Banjo” is the perfect Summer day, windows down, feet on the dashboard kind-of a song. “Come Wake Me Up” makes me fall in love with them all over again. And “Next to You, Next to Me” (available on the Deluxe Edition on iTunes)? Oh my word, it takes me instantly back to high school. Sitting in my bedroom, listening to Shenandoah, mending a broken heart and “falling” in love.

How they managed to wrap all of that into one album…amazing.

If you were a fan of Rascal Flatts before, you’ll definitely love Changed. If you have yet to experience Rascal Flatts, what are you waiting for… go download this album. Now. And, if you’re sitting there pretending that you don’t like or listen to country music, then you’re a fool. Yup. I said it. Your loss.

Now, for those of you who are fans, you’ll want to check out this fun contest! Two lucky fans will get to see Rascal Flatts during their American Band tour this Summer (includes airfare, hotel, tickets, meet & greet passes). Be sure to enter before April 30th. Or don’t enter…because that’s better odds for me {kidding. kind of. not really.}

Again, Changed is available now (in-store and online). Go, rock out! You’ll love it!

This post is written as part of a campaign with One2One Network. All opinions, memories, and overuse of exclamation points are my own.

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That is my Zoe. She is one of a kind and she is going to be a Serious Princess when she grows up. Unlike her older sister, she does not waiver from this. And I actually believe that that is exactly what she will be some day. A Serious Princess.

So, what better way to celebrate a Serious Princess’ birthday than with an evening at the spa!

Each year, when we come to one of the girls’ birthdays, they get to pick one big thing to do. We do this in lieu of a big party. Not that we don’t love having friends and family together to celebrate with us, it’s just that we’d rather celebrate with a fun experience than cake and gifts. {We’ll do the same for Talon once he gets a little older.}

A few weeks before Zoe’s 4th birthday, I gave her some ideas of things we could do. She immediately jumped at the idea of getting a pedicure. A real pedicure! At the salon. Like mom. YES!!!!

Of course the girls were nothing but giggles the entire time. And I was so thankful to the ladies at Profiles By Design…they made my little ladies feel so special the entire time.

The next day, her actual birthday, we went through all of our other birthday traditions.

Flowers from dad.

Dinner and dessert, the birthday girl’s choice — Crazy Horse, complete with ice cream sundae.

Seeing how much she’s grown this year.

Of course she did manage to sneak away with a few gifts, including her new 2-wheel bike!

All in all, a good birthday.

When I asked Zoe how she felt about turning 4 and if it felt any different than being 3, she got very quiet and thought about it for a moment. Then she answered, “It’s ok but I still want to be able to snuggle with you. And I don’t want to get too strong. Serious Princesses aren’t that strong.”

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And, because I really enjoy music across almost any genre, I absolutely love Pandora! If I’m somewhere where I have access to the internet, I’ll be streaming Pandora.

Here are some of my favorite Pandora stations. No judging.

For the workouts…

Today’s Hits Radio – There is just something about Usher telling me I’m sexy while I’m running. Because I am.

When I need a little Girl Power…

Lady Gaga Radio

Christina Aguilera Radio

I’m a country girl at heart…

Sugarland Radio

Zac Brown Band

Oh, those boys…

Rob Thomas Radio

The kids love to dance…

Walt Disney (Children’s) Radio – who doesn’t love some Disney songs?

Toddler Radio

Take me back to those Middle School & High School dances…

90s Were Great

So the fashion wasn’t so great, but the music…oh, the Music!…

Best of the 80s Reloaded

What are some of your favorite Pandora stations?

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When I feel defeated.

When I question every decision I’ve made that day. That week. Since having kids.

When I think I’m doing everything wrong. When I know I am.

When I am at a loss and don’t know what to do next. How to handle this. Deal with that.

When I am convinced that they deserve better.

I climb into bed. And before I turn off the light and close my eyes, I see this…

And in the morning, when everything within me wants to hide my head under the covers because I’ve been up half the night with a baby who is teething or a little girl who is convinced she heard thunder…

I read it again.

And again.

And again.

Until I’m reminded. Until I am convinced.

My kids are kind of all sorts of awesome.

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I have a bit of a sweet tooth. And, if there is one thing my girls have inherited from me, well that would be it.

The problem is that I am lactose intolerant and my girls are lactose sensitive. So, all those dreamy ideas of ice cream on hot summer days?  Well, we tend to revamp those dreamy ideas and create our own equally delicious and refreshing ideas!

It’s quite simple. Instead of giving ice cream as an option, we just add COOL WHIP whipped topping to some of our everyday favorites! {COOL WHIP is lactose-free!}

My girls love berries. And they will gladly eat a bowl full of strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries at any meal. But, to give them an extra special treat, once in a while I will add some COOL WHIP to their bowl of berries. “Oh Mom! This is so great!” They absolutely love it and it’s so easy!

And this face, this is why I love it!

Some of my other favorites that I love adding COOL WHIP to…

Chocolate Pudding Pie

Jello-cups

And, with the cold weather {hopefully} behind us, we’ll be turning our hot chocolate into Frozen Hot Chocolate topped with COOL WHIP

Of course, as the picnicking season kicks off, I’m always looking for some fun new ideas. I love that adding COOL WHIP keeps these treat so simple but yet delicious. And I know that they are things that my girls and I can eat and enjoy!

And this one just shouts “Summer Birthday Treat”! Forget the cake and ice cream and go with these cute COOL WHIP Cookie Shooters! Since I don’t have any Summer babies, I guess I’ll just have to take one for the team and make these for my birthday! {It’s in July, just incase you want to start your shopping early!}

What are some of your favorite Everyday Treats or Desserts?

Sponsored posts are purely editorial content that we are pleased to have presented by a participating sponsor. Advertisers do not produce the content. I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all my own.

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You can do this by personalizing your Facebook Page address!

Personalizing your Facebook Page address gives you a short url, perfect for marketing! Let me show you…

Old Facebook Page url - www.facebook.com/pages/Your-Company/324514237264?sk=wall

Personalized FB url – www.facebook.com/Your-Company

You mean you haven’t done this yet? Well, no worries! It’s really easy! So let’s get to it.

Login to your FB page. Make sure you’re using Facebook as your page, not your personal account.

If you’re running the new Timeline view, open up your Admin panel and click on “Manage”. Select “Edit Page”.

If you haven’t adapted to Timeline, then you’ll find your “Edit Page” in the upper right of your page.

Select “Basic Information” from the selections on your left.

Click on “Username:  Create a username for this page?”

Make sure you are on the page you want to edit (it should be listed right there on the left) and then type the username you want. The username is going to be that shortened part of your URL now. Probably the name of your company. Also, no spaces between the words. Once you have your username entered, click on “Check Availability”. If that page name is already taken, then you’ll have to make a modification to your name — YourCompanyInc, etc.

Awesome! You’re all set. Now you can direct your customers, friends, etc. to your new URL!

Also, no need to have your customers or fans resubscribe or re-like your page. Nothing will change for them. They still get to see all of your amazing updates and photos. This just makes it easier when directing new fans to your site and for fans to tag you in their status updates or photos.

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I’m pretty sure I’ve said at least a hundred times, I’m surprised at how moms have latched on to this series. And, oh my word, how on earth are they going to make these into movies without being rated R?

If you have not read the book, well, then I’m not sure this post is for you because I’m going to blabber on about why I liked the book better than the movie. If you’ve read the book and not seen the movie, be advised that this will have spoilers. And, if you’ve read the book and seen the movie, feel free to agree or disagree with me.

Ok, let’s talk about this.

First, casting. While I think Jennifer Lawrence is a lovely actor, I just wasn’t feeling her as Katniss. Katniss is supposed to be about 16 in The Hunger Games. Of course many actors can get away with playing a younger character, but I just wasn’t feeling Lawrence as a 16 year old. I also was not a huge fan of Josh Hutcherson as Peeta at the beginning of the film. However I think he redeemed himself once they got into the arena. The rest of the casting was great!

My biggest problem with the film was that it skipped over quite a few key parts of the book. Yes, movies need to cut pieces out to make it flow and, who knows, maybe if you had never read the book you may never miss those pieces. But I did. And I did.

I missed them not having Haymich fall of the stage at the Reaping. I felt they really brushed over him being an angry drunk all together. One minute he was a little tipsy and then next he was all Let’s train you crazy little tributes!

I did not like that they included notes in the “gifts” in the arena. It totally took away from the notion that Katniss and Haymich created this unspoken communication. Speaking of gifts, what about the bread from Rue’s district after her death? Or the sleeping syrup for Peeta?

Then there is the scene where the games themselves end. When the mutated dogs come after Katniss, Peeta, and Cato. In the movie, they make no mention of the mutts having the same eyes and general resemblance of the dead tributes. Or how the mutts took their time trying to kill Cato. By eliminating these pieces they missed showing how truly sadistic the Capitol is.

The biggest part that I was surprised they cut was Peeta and Katniss’ time in the cave. They made it so short. Not enough time for them to fall in love. Or for Katniss to fall in love with Peeta, since Peeta was already there. No rainstorm holding them hostage in the cave. No immediate drought driving them toward the lake for water and, thus, a fight with Cato.

And only two kisses? What the hell? Would you believe that two people were in love if they kissed once on the cheek and once on the lips? Umm. No.

What I did like about the movie…I really liked how they used commentary between Caesar and whoever it was he was talking to to explain certain things that are explained in the book in Katniss’ thoughts. The cannon boom in the arena. Nightlock. And I liked how they showed Seneca and the game makers creating things like the fireballs and mutts to drive the tributes together.

Probably my favorite addition to the movie (not in the book) was the ‘execution’ of Seneca Crane. Having him walk into the room with the bowl of Nightlock? Brilliant!

So, the movie was ok. It wasn’t horrible. It was ok. I’ll be very interested to see how they do Catching Fire as a movie. But do you think it’s too much to ask for them to recast Katniss?

If you made it through this post, read the books and watched the movie, I’m interested to hear your thoughts. Did you love the book & not the movie? Loved both? Neither? 

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Him: Heck yeah! Call the sitter. Let’s make it happen!

Ugh. Sitter. I forgot about that small detail. Always the wrinkle in my kid-free plans.

I love our sitters. Our kids love our sitters. But scheduling one takes work.

I have to call Sitter #1. Leave a message (or text). Wait for a response (which could take an hour or a day). If she says “no” then I have to move on to Sitter #2. Repeat the process. Possibly move on to Sitter #3. Repeat the process (and beg). When it’s all said and done, it could take me the better part of a week to finally get a sitter scheduled. If at all.

Honestly, the whole idea leaves me disgruntled so I often times hesitate even doing it. We’ll just wait until it’s available on DVD.

So, when I received an email from Splash Creative Media introducing me to Sitter Scout, I was very intrigued. Let’s be honest, if it’s going to make scheduling a sitter easier, thus allowing me to see a movie other than G-rated in the theater, well let’s do this thing!

I visited SitterScout.com and signed up for my free account, which was way easy! {I do so love those no-hoops experiences.} Then I entered in each of my babysitters’ names and mobile numbers, indicated whether they had their own transportation, and which “round” I want to place them in.

When I’m ready to schedule a sitter, I simply logon to SitterScout.com, click “Schedule a Sitter”, enter in the details and select which sitters I want to send it to.

Those sitters get a text asking them if they are interested and they are able to respond with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ text. The first one to respond accepting it gets the job! And, if none of those first round sitters respond within an hour, then a text goes out to my second round sitters and on to the third round an hour after that.

Once a sitter does accept the job, I get a text telling me so.

And then I do a happy dance and try to find something in my closet to wear that doesn’t have spit-up or peanut butter smeared on it.

My sitter even receives a text with a link that allows him/her to edit the details of the job and another 48 hours before the job to remind him/her that if they don’t show up I just might hunt them down. Ok, maybe they don’t get the whole hunting down thing, but you get the point.

I was really impressed with how easy the whole process was. You just want to make sure you give your sitters a heads-up that you’re using this service so they don’t get confused when they receive texts from Sitter Scout.

I’m not a huge fan of the system only waiting an hour between when it sends emails to the next “round” of sitters. I’d like to see that customizable. But you do get to select which sitters you send a job offer to. So, if you’re doing a daytime event, your an send that job offer to only those sitters that you know can do daytime sitting.

There was also a small glitch in the response texts sent to my sitter but I’ve sent that info to the company and I’m sure it will be fixed soon (after all, it’s in beta right now). — UPDATE: They just fixed it! Awesome response time!!

Now, while this service does not guarantee that I’ll actually be able to get a sitter when I need one (hello, that app would make you a millionaire), it does make the whole process a little easier. Which means less time trying to call or text individual sitters. Which I’m a fan of!

It’s all about streamlining! And finding something that I can actually wear on a date night that doesn’t scream MOM OF A TODDLER!

You can see more about it all at SitterScout.com.

What is your biggest hurdle when scheduling a sitter?

You should know…this post is part of a compensated campaign with Splash Creative Media and Sitter Scout. All opinions are my own.

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It is fun to see it all. The persons they are becoming.

And then there are days that it sucks.

Today was one of those days.

Abbi (6yrs): Mom, I heard you talking on the phone. Someone can’t breath? Someone is sick?

Ugh. I didn’t realize she was listening. But I should know better. They are always listening.

Me: Yes. It’s great Grandma. She’s not feeling well so it’s hard for her to breath right now.

Her: I know mom. I know that great Grandma is old. And when you get old your body starts to break down. And you die. 

NO! I wanted to scream that at the top of my lungs. I wanted to scoop her up with her sister and brother and take them somewhere safe. Somewhere where death couldn’t touch us. Where it’s pain couldn’t reach us.

I can do the physical pain stuff. I can snuggle them when their bellies hurt. Kiss the bump on their forehead. Bandage their skinned knees.

But the emotional pain? The breaking heart? The stabbing in your soul? That I’m no good at.

I don’t do the cliches. If you’ve ever experienced loss, then you know what I’m talking about. And you know that those cliches are only meant to make the person not hurting feel better. They do nothing for those in pain.

Her: It’s ok mom, I know you’re sad.

Me: You know, you’re pretty smart Miss Abigail. Great Gram is going to be ok. She has doctors and nurses taking care of her.

So, instead, I lie. I make them lunch and we continue on with our day. Knowing that one day, sooner than I will ever be ready for, the pain will hit.

I don’t know what else to say.

Growing up sucks. Sometimes.

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I gave birth to three beautiful, smart, and healthy babies over the past six years. And none of them were breastfed for more than a few months. Actually, none of them were technically breastfed.

My first born received breast milk that I pumped for the first 2 or 3 months. She never latched on. I didn’t know what I was doing and the nurses at the hospital and the one lactation consultant I saw didn’t help much. Honestly, the pain I experienced while healing from an unplanned c-section was a huge deterrent.

My second born received breast milk that I pumped for the first three weeks. Again, we tried getting her to latch on but it was not working. I was overwhelmed with trying to get her to latch on while taking care of a toddler.

My third born actually latched on! But he was a big baby and I was not making enough milk to sustain him. He lost too much weight while in the hospital. I would nurse him, supplement with formula when I ran out but he was still hungry, then I would pump in-between feedings to provide him some bottled breast milk and try to increase my milk supply. I did this (and other things to increase my supply) for two weeks. I did not sleep. There really wasn’t time for sleep. And so, after two weeks, we decided that my sanity and the health of our entire family was more important. And so we began formula.

All three of my babies received formula for the bulk of their baby-life. All three of my babies were and continue to be healthy. And smart.

I made sure that I was the primary person who bottle fed them. We created that mother/infant bond while bottle feeding.

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I beat myself up over the last six years about not breastfeeding. Blaming myself. Hating myself. Feeling like somehow I was less of a mom. I lied to people when they asked me about breastfeeding. I was ashamed.

Why?

I understand that breast milk is best for baby. I fully support breastfeeding moms! But I believe that what I did was best for my babies. Bottle feeding my babies allowed me to be a mom to them. While trying to breastfeed, I became so physically exhausted from pumping all the time and emotionally exhausted when I couldn’t get them to latch. It was not healthy for either one of us.

I’m writing this because I recently saw that Mom It Forward was going to have a #gno Twitter Party sponsored by a formula company. During that Twitter Party they were going to be discussing safety and feeding tips for baby. Unfortunately they cancelled the party after a number of moms took issue with it on Twitter. They were appalled that Mom It Forward was working with a formula company.

Really? You guys! I get it, I understand that you were being advocates for breastfeeding but let’s be honest. Not everyone can do it. I couldn’t. I didn’t. Adoptive moms can’t. So, what? Should we just pretend like we don’t exist? Like our babies don’t need to be fed?

Here are the facts: formula companies exist because, like it or not, there is a need. It sucks. I wish there wasn’t a need. I wish that all moms could breastfeed. But they can’t. Or don’t. And those babies need something. My babies needed nourishment that I couldn’t give them.

So please, continue to let new moms know that breastfeeding is absolutely amazing. That is unbelievably the best thing for a baby. Share with them tips and support. But stop making the non-breastfeeders feel like failures.

I did not fail my three babies.

I DID NOT fail my three babies.

I am not a bad mom.

If you are pregnant or are a new mom, I encourage you to breastfeed. Try. Talk to lactation consultants. Not just one. Ask a friend. But ultimately, do what is best for you and your baby.

You are not a failure. You did not fail your baby! You are not a bad mom!

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