Then on my trip down to the Dominican Republic, us mommy bloggers were accompanied by a few Veggie Tales staff who were working on a partnership between Veggie Tales and World Vision. I began to tell them of my deep abiding love for the Veggie Tales and they shared with us a new Veggie Tales movie was coming out soon and maybe we could work together to promote it.

Now, a side story. Before I had I was one of those annoying people without children who swore I would not do all sorts of things “once I had kids”. One of the things I SWORE was that if I had girls, they would NOT do the whole princess thing. I was surrounded by my friend’s girls who were up to their eyeballs in Disney princesses and I just found the whole thing appalling. And then I had little girls. Who will turn anything into a wand much like boys turn anything into a gun. If it was princess, they wanted it. And as many a sucker mom will do, I indulged the princess inside my girls.

Partly, because I know that God puts that desire in us to want to be cherished and loved. And because God puts it in us, I can use princess stories as a way to share with my girls that the princess stories are far removed from reality and that in reality they are "real princesses, daughters of a King." But frankly, I worry that Disney has a better marketing team at times and that my message is losing.

Well now I have help. It is like Veggie Tales is my fairy godmother. Sweetpea Beauty takes the Disney fairytales and turns them on their head. There are two stories that combine Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and a few other minor princesses thrown in. The messages in both are similar. That our true beauty comes from within and that our value comes from God. Perfect messages to counteract the princess message that being beautiful is everything and that our goal in life is to find a prince. And my girls loved it.

But my favorite part is the theme song. Partly because it is sang by one of my absolute favorite singers, Nichole Nordeman. But mostly because I need the message of this song. I find myself getting choked up every time it comes on. And then I watch my two little princesses dancing around to it and my heart prays that they will really hear it. Do you really hear it?

I have an awesome giveaway for all my princesses Two actually. One is a fun Sweetpea Beauty gift pack. The movie, the CD and a few other fun extras thrown in. To enter, leave a comment below telling me what your favorite Veggie Tales movie is. For an extra entry, participate in Things I Love Thursday and leave an extra COMMENT besides you link below because I will draw the winner from the comments.

Now the second giveaway you are going to have to work a little harder for. But if you participate it will also get you an extra entry into the first contest. The Veggie Tales have a live show that is making a nationwide tour this fall. I have a prize pack with free tickets to the live show for their family, access to the character meet and greet, and a free DVD library from Veggie Tales. That is HUGE!! To win, you need to post a video of yourself and/or your kids singing their favorite Veggie Tales silly song. Make sure to link back to this contest and leave a comment so we can come watch the fun. Also, with your permission, Veggie Tales will post the winner’s video on the live show Facebook page.

For the rest of you I have this:

Ok, got all that. Whew, I am worn out from typing it, but SO excited for one of you to win the grand prize. Contest will end next Wed. Sept. 15th.

Now, what do you love? Besides a chance to see Bob and Larry live. Write up a post about it, link back here, link up below, spread the comment love around. All the official Things I Love Thursday rules are here. Thanks as always for participating. And good luck!!

Tweet This Post

But recently I was given the chance to try the DYMO Label Manager 260p. It came in the mail and I put it up high, out of the reach of clumsy children eager to label everything in site. And one day, when I had a few moments of piece, I broke out the new label maker and began labeling. I have been making soups with all of my CSA produce and freezing it for when it gets cold enough to eat it. Which incidentally is like now. I am not sure we are completely done with summer, but it has been fall weather around here the past few days.

But I was just kind of sticking the soups in the freezer in their containers and praying I would remember what they were come fall and winter. It could make for a fun game of “what the heck is this that I am eating”, but I like knowing what it is I am eating. So here are my fabulous soups thus far:

I don’t know why, but there is something about looking in at labeled food that just makes my heart happy. Perhaps there is an organized person inside me dying to get out. Poor thing. She is trying to claw her way out through all this clutter. I wish I could show you more, but my fabulous chickens from the farm are currently taking over my freezer.

Anyway, here is what I absolutely love about my new label maker:

• Lithium rechargeable battery: seriously, I am now spoiled and annoyed with anything that takes actual batteries.
• Labels easily peel off because they split down the middle: should have really read that before I spent 5 minutes trying to peel it off from the side
• Allows me to print labels in 3 different fonts: no idea why this excites me, but frankly it just does
• Stores labels so you print things without retyping: I haven’t used this, but it is a great idea for kids names
• Labels totally stuck on already frozen containers. Without any peeling.

What I don’t love:

• I live in constant fear that my children will get a hold of my precious label maker and it will be no more. Ok, so that really isn’t the label makers fault, but to ensure its safety I have placed it high above their reach and threatened bodily harm if they touch it.

I still have more freezer labels I want to tackle. I hope to tackle my canning stash next. Then the filing cabinet. Then I might just start labeling everything in site.

Do you need help getting yourself organized? Think a DYMO Label Manager 260p would help? Leave me a comment letting me know what you most want to label and you might just get your chance. For extra entries (please leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry):

• Subscribe to The Diaper Diaries via email or RSS, or leave a comment if you already do
• “Like” The Diaper Diaries on Facebook
• Follow The Diaper Diaries on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway

The winner will be drawn randomly on Tues Sept 14th. Good luck!!

Tweet This Post

1. Survivor Nicaragua: I have watched every season of this show from the beginning. Only two seasons have I quit midway through because I just couldn’t stand the people playing. Otherwise I am a devoted fan. The hubby and I love to watch, talk strategy, and predict winners. All from the comfort of our warm, bug free house. This year, the old vs. the young. I expect lots of young eye candy and lots of old, crotchety men. (Premiers 9/15)
2. Chuck: Can you believe this show was almost cancelled. It is one of our absolute favorites. Perfect mix of humor, action, intrigue and romance. Seriously, if you aren’t watching this, get onboard. It is one of the most underappreciated shows around. (Premiers 9/20)
3. Glee: Do I even need to talk about why this show is the best thing on TV? I was a show choir girl in high school, jazz hands and all. I love the music, love the characters, mostly love the plotlines. I am a little concerned about the addition of a “Christian” this year, but hopefully they will stay inoffensive. Please don’t disappoint me Glee. Oh and more Broadway tunes, less episodes about Britney Spears please. Thanks. (Premiers 9/21)
4. Raising Hope/Running Wilde: They are hedging their bets with these two placing them in prime spot after Glee. Will Arnett has me at hello. And clueless guy raising baby, well that seems like a good time. So I have them ready to DVR. I am hoping for comic genius. (Premiers 9/21)
5. Modern Family: I can’t even tell you how much I love this show. And unless you are living under a rock, I don’t need to tell you. It might be the most talked about show from last season. For good reason. Please tell me you are watching it. (Premiers 9/22)
6. Community/30 Rock: I put them together only because they are on the same night. And because they make the hubby and I laugh our buns off every single week. I love any show that takes political correctness and shows it the door. That is exactly what these both do. Joel McHale and Alec Baldwin are reason #1 and reason #2 to watch. Who knew I could love Alec Baldwin? (Premiers 9/23)
7. Grey’s Anatomy: I really, really, really wish I did NOT watch this show. It is just trash. And last year’s big finale shooting seemed a tiny bit desperate. But darn it, I can’t stop watching. And apparently someone is getting married right off the bat. Which also seems shark jumpy. But again, I will watch. The hubby has bailed 2 seasons back, but Grey’s Anatomy, I can’t quit you. (Premiers 9/23)
8. The Good Wife: I am not sure if this is permanently moving to Tuesdays at 8, but that seems odd to take on Glee. Especially because it is such a stellar show. Seriously, the biggest surprise of last season. So ridiculously well acted, well written and well executed. There has not been a good legal drama in so long and this one is perfection. (Premiers 9/28)
9. American Idol: I hesitate to even put this in here, because I have no freakin’ clue when it is coming back and I am just not sure what the show is doing. Last season with Ellen was weird, but now she is gone. Kara apparently quit too. I don’t even know how the show can recover without Simon and the names tossed about for judges could not be more unappealing. I will watch. I can’t not watch, but I am skeptical. Their reign could be over. Thoughts?
10. You tell me. I am heavily loaded on the comedies. Which I don’t mind, but I am longing for something to replace Lost. Which isn’t even close to possible. I am leaning towards Undercovers. Maybe The Event (which seems a little desperate, but I might give it a shot). *sigh* Maybe I will just watch the box sets of Lost…..

What are you looking forward to watching in Fall TV?

This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday over at my fellow Lost, Chuck, and Survivor loving friend, Oh Amanda.

Tweet This Post

• Lily (I wrote this on her 5th birthday. In a few weeks she will be 7. SEVEN. *sniff*)
• Hannah (My craziest, wildest birth to date)
• Silas (my baby is about to turn 1. Where is the time going?????)

Thanks Amy for letting me revisit these amazing moments. Happy Labor Day!!!!

Tweet This Post

Post the challenges me::: My Jordan

Post about something God wants you to love::: Sex

“Keeping it real” post::: Real Tolerance

Must.make.this.recipe::: S’mores Pie

This post is linked up to Saturday Stumbles at Its Come 2 This

Tweet This Post

Anywho, we went to his farm and gazed lovingly at his cows grazing freely on a large plot of land. With a few horses thrown in to keep them company. It was such a stark difference from the farms we passed on the way there full of cows standing shoulder to shoulder as far as the eye could see. Ugh, it made me so sad. But “my” cows are happy cows, full of grass. And more importantly NOT full of hormones or antibiotics. So we checked out the cows and then went in, sat at his kitchen table and picked out our cuts of meat. My “cow” will arrive in about 3 weeks.

Then we drove about a half and hour away to check out our chickens. One of my hubby’s coworkers raises chickens and we had to go pick up our five. Not to raise ourselves mind you. But to consume after they were lovingly raised on the farm. Along with turkeys, pigs, sheep, goats and a few random frogs. No one is eating the frogs. My city slicker kids squealed with amusement at the animals and the hubby and I realized we should probably take them out to the country more. It was like a bad episode of “The Simple Life” without the Prada shoes and Chihuahuas.

My favorite part of the night was when we were feeding the lambs and I said to Lily, “Your favorite food is lamb!! This is where they come from.” Her eyes got big and she began to freak out. How is this news? IT IS CALLED LAMB!! Clearly, the trip to see where their food was coming from was VERY needed. Hopefully they will eat again. Well, maybe they will be vegetarians, but they will eat.

So the trip was a total success. We got healthy, grass fed meat. We met our farmers. My kids were educated. It was a “real food” masterpiece. Except……

We were running a bit behind. And so the hour I had allotted for dinner between farms turned out to be more like 15 minutes. And we were kind of out in the middle of nowhere. Cause that is where the farms are. Except when we passed by the interstate exit. Where there were fast food restaurants in abundance. So yeah. Um, we went from grass fed beef farm with happy grazing cows to evilfastfoodplacethatrhymesiwthchicklonalds to happy, raised by homeschooling 4H kids animal farm to pick up our free range chickens. But the good news is my tummy barely enjoyed those French fries. Or the Frosty we stopped for on the way home. Hey, the kids need water and we could HARDLY just ask for water……

This post is linked up to Friday Fails at My Blessed Life.

Tweet This Post

First of all can I just say, I am a sucker for packaging. I am like a marketer’s dream. Cause I look at this package and I just want it. I love the look so it is a little bit like, “you had me at hello”. Then I discover that even the packaging is “Al Gore” approved, made out of 60% post-consumer recycled packaging. And I absolutely love the pump handle because my older kids can use everything their own. And by on their own I mean without supervision, not “I can do it myself!!” while half the soap container comes out in the tub.

Anywho, there are no parabens, animal by products or dyes involved. Actually 98% of the ingredients naturally derived, but it still has the No More Tears Formula I love. And despite the simple list of ingredients, it had a great smell. My favorite smell is “clean” which I never really know how to describe, but it has it. You know what I mean? It just smells clean. But not creepy perfumy chemically clean. Just clean.

And FYI, the Johnson’s Natural product line consists of the following products:

• Johnson’s Natural Baby Lotion
• Johnson’s Natural HEAD-TO-TOE Foaming Baby Wash
• Johnson’s Natural Baby Shampoo
• Johnson’s Natural Kids 3-in-1 Shampoo Conditioner & Body Wash
• Johnson’s Natural  Kids 2-in-1 Hand & Face Foaming Wash

What is not to love about a product you love with less guilt? Do you hear that all things made with chocolate and peanut butter? Work on that will ya???

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by  Mom Central on behalf of Johnson’s and received the products necessary to  facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me  for taking the time to participate. As always, all opinions are mine.

What are you loving this week? It is so easy to play along!! Write about something you love on your blog, link back here, then link up with the linky below. Whew, that is a lot of linking!! Make sure to visit everyone else and spread the comment love around. And if you need any more help, check out the official Things I Love Thursday guidelines.

Tweet This Post

Wisk Protein from thediaperdiaries on Vimeo.

I was really impressed with how the Wisk cut through the stain. I don’t think it shows up really well on the video since Lily was supposed to drop a small amount of the Wisk in some sort of a “design” and she instead squirted out a blob that covered most of the fabric. Hazards of using an assistant in your blogging. But she is so darn cute, we will give her a pass.

The new Wisk Stain Spectrum Technology was designed to tackle all the specific stain categories and so far it has passed the protein one. And kudos to Wisk for making our “assignments” so fun. The science nerd in me got pretty excited. Believe it or not, that is what my college degree is in. Too bad they didn’t offer a degree in changing diapers and picking ground in play-doh out of the carpet. That would really come in useful right about now.

Any, can’t wait to see what comes next. More to come….

Disclosure: This sponsored post on behalf of Wisk laundry detergent was facilitated by One2One Network. While I will be compensated for this post, the experiences and opinions expressed are my own.

Tweet This Post

1. He put up with me during the teenage years: We might as well just start with a big one. Go big or go home right? It wasn’t a pleasant few years to be around a daughter who was a hormonal mess. Add to that a wife who was equally hormonal and going through “the change” (sorry mom, you’re going down with me) and I am surprised he has the little bit of hair left he does (guess I will bring you down too dad)
2. He has been with my mom since 8th grade and they are still going strong: Apart from a brief time when he dumped her in high school (which my mom still gets a bit riled up about), my parents have been together forever. And although I know their marriage isn’t perfect they are an example to me of why you should stick it out and weather marital storms. They are still best friends, very in love and an example to me of what marriage is all about.
3. He keeps us laughing: I don’t even know how to begin to explain some of the things that my dad says. He needs his own blog. Plus some of them are not fit for your ears. If you wonder where I get my slightly off color sense of humor from, it would be him. And I love that.
4. He is insanely generous: He and my mom always taught me that we were blessed to be a blessing. And he lives that daily. If someone needs help, he will find a way to help them. Including his daughter who he has bailed out of a few questionable financial predicaments. Honestly, I don’t know of many people who are more generous than he is.
5. He keeps our house looking presentable: We joke that he is our lawn guy because lets face it, we can’t seem to figure out even the basics of lawn care. We would be living in the house with the brown lawn covered with dandelions if he didn’t come around and water and mow and seed and weed and whatever else we are supposed to be doing but aren’t.
6. He gets along with everyone: My dad once came to visit me when I lived in Chicago and ventured out by himself to a neighborhood bar to watch a game. When he came home a few hours later he told me story after story of the people he had met. I swear he left being friends with everyone in that place. Which is pretty much what happens everywhere goes. I would be very suspicious of someone who didn’t like my dad
7. He supports my talents: My dad is a sports guy. Football, basketball, baseball, track. He played all of those in high school and watches most of them all year round. And he was blessed with a very athletic son. And a very, very, very wonderful daughter with a large aversion to sweating and physical exertion of any kind. But the man never missed a piano recital, show choir performance or song in church. And he has been known to HIGHLY exaggerate my talents by bragging to anyone who will listen.
8. He has completely embraced my hubby: Did you notice what was missing from that list of sports up there? Hockey. We come from Iowa and it isn’t exactly hockey country. But he has gone to games, watched it on TV so he can discuss it and tried to learn the sport. All for my hubby. He has fully invested in my hubby like one of his own kids and that makes my heart happy.
9. He adores his grandkids: The man lives and breathes his grandkids. So much so that he sold his company, moved from the only state he had ever lived and moved to a town where he knew no one besides us and my in-laws. He claims he moved to be closer to the grandkids AND me, but we all know that isn’t true. And I more than happy to take a WAY back seat to them because they adore him right back.
10. He is my hero: Truly and honestly. He didn’t have a great dad himself, but he is the best dad around. I am so crazy blessed to have him as my dad and I don’t tell him enough. Because I also inherited his aversion to touchy feely displays of emotion. So this post will suffice and HOPEFULLY make up for the fact that he didn’t get an “official” card on Father’s Day.

I love you daddy. Happy, happy birthday!!!

This post is submitted to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda

Tweet This Post

• Silas got 3 new teeth today. TODAY. And don’t hate me, but outside of a very runny nose and a little bit of extra snuggles (and who could complain about that) he barely complained at all. He wins award for least fussy child EVAH.
• In the so cute it hurts category, Silas has learned to blow kisses, clap, give five and, although ridiculously inconsistently, will lay down his head when you say go nigh-nigh. Oh.my.word. the cuteness is too much.
• Lily rode her bike around a local lake this week. 4.3 miles. Although I am bursting with pride about that, what I am most proud of is that she fell two times on the way around. Because sometimes it isn’t about the goal, it is about perseverance.
• Also in the bursting with pride category, Lily got a few new piano books at a garage sale, sat down at the piano and played a few songs. Oh I hope she loves music like I do. And I hope when she forms her all girl rock band she lets her aging mom at least sing back up.
• Hannah, well she keeps us all laughing. All.the.time. She might very well be the funniest person I know. Seriously. And when she isn’t making us laugh she is entertaining us with her dancing. It seems like she isn’t complete if there isn’t music on to dance to. She is our little ballerina.
• The other thing I want to celebrate about Hannah, sadly just isn’t celebrated enough. She is so empathetic and I learn from her tender heart for other people every day. Today she broke something of her sister’s and I think she was more sad than Lily. It hurt her so much that she had hurt someone else. Oh, that she might keep that spirit as she gets older.
• One more week until school starts. Can I get a hallelujah? I know most of you have started already, and believe me, we ALL need school to start around here. We are all craving routine and order and a little bit of time away from each other. Does that make me a bad mom?
• In related news, I got a new calendar. Is there anything more wonderful than a blank calendar. Oh the joy of a blank slate. But now that it is filled in, I am a bit nervous to turn the page to September and October. Holy busy batman.
• Last, but certainly not least, I am so insanely proud to be married to my hubby. And I am not just typing that as a test to see if he reads my blog (ahem). I love doing life with him and love how much fun we have doing it. Life, that is. Together. I meant how much fun we have doing life together. Just checking to see if you are still with me.

Tweet This Post