thediaperdiaries.net

Frugal Friday- Huggies Enjoy The Ride

Diaper Diaries — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:41:57 +0000

Yet another week of telling you a way to get free things for buying things you probably already are buying. And apparently this is the week to talk diapers. I suppose that is fitting since this is THE DIAPER DIARIES. Which by the way has a new button. Look ma, I made my very own blog button. So grab it from the sidebar and put it on your blog. All the cool kids are doing it (not a inappropriate segue at all).

Anyway, are you using Huggies rewards program? I have to admit that I have thrown away many a diaper package paying no attention to the sticker with a code on it. But no more. You simply enter the code over on Enjoy the Ride Rewards. You can cash in those points for prizes, to enter sweepstakes or to play fun little interactive games to win instant gift cards.

In poking around the website, I also see that you can earn points by watching quick videos, taking polls, referring friends and surfing Huggies related sites. So easy. Also I discovered a bunch of codes over on Money Saving Mom. Not sure they are all still valid, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. And I have a feeling if you googled around you might find some more. I am too lazy to do that for you, but knock yourself out. I might attempt it while watching TV this weekend cause I have my eye on a super cute bib for the little man.

For more money saving tips, head over to Life As Mom.

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Things I Love Thursday- Direct Trade Coffee Club

Diaper Diaries — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:08:08 +0000

You ladies are in for a treat. I have let the hubby hijack the blog to talk about one of his favorite things. Which happens to be something I know ZIPPO about. Not that it has ever stopped me before, mind you, but I thought I would let him take a crack at it. So without further ado….as my girls would say….. Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing Mr. Diaper Diaries!!!!!

Hey Everyone! Mr. Diaper Diaries here with a chance to guest-blog about something near and dear to my heart (and heart rate) – coffee! As Jill can attest, I’m a true coffee lover. I drink six cups or so a day {does that seem excessive to anyone else????}, and I consider my French press to be one of the most crucial items on my list of household amenities – right after running water and just before flatware.

So where does a coffee lover turn for the best coffee? Well, there are lots of places to go for a cup of joe, but what if you could get your hands on coffee from a roaster that has purchased the best possible beans directly from the farmers that grew them? You can! And, you’ll be surprised at the positive impact that obtaining that coffee will have on the local communities where the beans are grown!

Introducing the Direct Trade Coffee Club: an organization started by a small group of individuals, including my friend Chad, who are committed to the concept of direct trade. If you’re not familiar with direct trade, it provides an alternative means of linking roasters and farmers that counteracts the effects of commoditization. You see, roasters of coffee normally purchase beans through wholesale middlemen. But in doing so, these brokers separate the roasters of coffee from the farmers that grew the beans and depress the price of beans by applying price pressures to the farmers. The brokers need to add in their own profit margin, which prevents the farmers from making a good profit, but those savings don’t get passed to the roasters or consumers.

Alternatively, the direct trade approach that the Direct Trade Coffee Club uses links the roasters directly with producers of high quality beans (the best 15% of beans available, according to industry standards!), ensuring that the farmers can make a decent profit by producing great coffee by environmentally-responsible means. In other words, the standard for a great cup of coffee shouldn’t just include how the coffee tastes, it’s should consider the positive effects of obtaining that cup of coffee on the local communities where the coffee is grown.

As an example, before I leave for work tomorrow morning, I’ll pour myself a cup of coffee that I brewed with beans from Madcap roasters, one of the Direct Trade Coffee Club partners. I know from their website that the beans came from a farmer named Ellen who washed and patio-dried them in the Franjilos region of Guatemala. While I’ll never meet Ellen, her hard work will help me get through my hard work, and I’m glad to know that she’s been paid a decent price for producing a more-than-decent product.

If you’d like to support the Direct Trade Coffee Club, and the farmers with whom they work, consider purchasing your coffee from one of the roasters that have partnered with them. Me again. This fits so well with our family’s new goal of trying to eat more local and “real” foods. Although the coffee isn’t necessarily local, I love that we know where it comes from. Thanks Ellen!!

Didn’t he do good. And he’s super cute on top of it. We were provided with coffee in order to facilitate a review, but as usual all opinions are mine alone. Or in this case his. Whatever.

What do you love this week? Check out the Things I Love Thursday guidelines and link up below. And have I told you lately that I love you? And that you are the wind beneath my winds? Seriously. You guys rock.

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Works For Me Wednesday- Book Club

Diaper Diaries — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:02:23 +0000

Growing up I pretty much lived in the library. And I read everything that wasn’t nailed down. Even through college and grad school, when I should have been pulling all nighters, I was often curled up in bed with a good book. That is my story mom and I am sticking to it. Honestly I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love reading.

But at some point post babies “She’s Come Undone” became replaced with “Where the Wild Things Are” (I love that book by the way, not knocking it at all). It could also have been squeezed out a bit by this little internet thing and a ridiculous amount of DVR’d shows. Anyway, I really began to miss a good book. Enter book club.

It was started a few years back with a group of moms. Some of us were life long book lovers. Some more trashy beach novel readers. And truth be told it is half book club, half night away from the kids and hubby with a good glass of wine club. But every six weeks we are forced to put down the remote and curl up with a good book.

I haven’t loved every book, but I loved reading every book. Does that make sense? I just love the art of reading. Of escaping and delving into another world and another person’s mind. I love having a grown up conversations about plots, character development and allegories. I look forward to book club night every month. And I look forward to cracking open the spine of a good book.

Are you in a book club? If not, start one. If so, what good book have you read lately?

For more helpful tips, head over to Rocks in my Dryer.

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Change is Coming

Diaper Diaries — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:04:47 +0000

Ten years ago, I was sitting in the crowd at a Jennifer Knapp/ Third Day concert when they began their pitch for World Vision. I had heard of these sponsorship organizations before and was highly skeptical. But I trusted the band and was incredibly moved by the stories of what World Vision was doing around the world. The hubby and I (then just a fiance) wandered out to the tables and I thumbed through the stack of children waiting for one to catch my eye. One did, an adorable little boy from the Dominican Republic who was 3 years old.

I have watched for a few years as groups of bloggers have traveled with Compassion International wishing and hoping World Vision would do the same. I am a World Vision girl and my heart is with them. Little did I know that God had big things in mind.

May 3-7, World Vision is taking a group of bloggers on a mission trip to learn about what they do and how they serve. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be asked to go. But I have been. And our destination? The Dominican Republic. And there is a chance I will meet my sponsored child face to face after ten years of sending checks and getting updates. I am floored by this opportunity.

I have been doing a bible study this winter where we have explored if we are “comfortable Christians.” Life is about to get very uncomfortable. I know there is no way I can go on this trip and not be forever changed. Which frankly scares the crap out of me. I have never been away from my husband and kids for this long. I am leaving behind a newborn. But I feel like God is calling me to go. And who am I to say no?

So can I ask you to pray for me? Now, that things would continue to fall into place. And especially in May when I am on my trip. Can I ask you to go check out the bloggers going with me? I am so blessed and excited to be traveling with some of my absolute favorite bloggers in the world:

Matthew Paul Turner (our fearless leader) from Jesus Needs New PR
Jessica from The Mom Creative
Briana from Bargain Briana
Andrea from Mommy Snacks
Amanda from Oh Amanda

You can follow us on Twitter as well. And I would love your help in spreading the word especially as the trip grows closer. Blog it, Facebook it, Tweet it (use the hashtag #WVinDR). And why wait until May to partner with us? Consider sponsorship now.

I am prepared for God to rock my world. I’d like to say I’m ready, but in truth I am terrified. Somehow I just can’t get these lyrics out of my head.

I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I’ve closed the door.
I will walk the path, I’ll run the race
And I will never be the same again.

Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let the flame burn to glorify Your name.

There are higher heights, there are deeper seas,
Whatever you need to do, Lord do in me.
The Glory of God fills my life,
And I will never be the same again.

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A Monday Giveaway- Just Because

Diaper Diaries — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:23:49 +0000

I have some ridiculously exciting news to announce tomorrow and I can’t wait to share it with you. But in the meantime I thought I could hold you over with a lovely giveaway. Just make sure you come back. What a tease I am

If you are a regular reader of my blog you might remember a bit ago I told you I was going to be reviewing the new Pampers Cruisers with DryMax. The time has come. Have you been waiting?

To be completely honest, I had very low expectations of these diapers. I have always loved Pampers, but the buzz around Twitter about these new diapers was not good. There was even a Facebook page dedicated to hating them. So I was all prepared to tick off the Pampers people by giving a scathing review. But honestly, I liked them and had zero problems with them.

The thing I love is that they are ridiculously thin. So I can fit a bunch in my diaper bag without adding bulk to my already ginormous bag. These diapers are 20% thinner than other diapers. The complaints I heard from others is that it leaked gel and led to major diaper rashes. I didn’t experience any of that. Really I didn’t notice any difference from the original Cruisers except that they were thinner. So I give them 2 thumbs up. And I am happy that I don’t have to stop loving my Pampers.

Would you like to try them out? I have up for grabs a coupon for a package of Pampers Cruisers along with a Liz Lange clutch that retails for$50. It would be a nice change from my diaper bag that is giving me a back ache it is so big.

To enter, leave me a comment. Any will do, but if you have tried the new Pampers I would love to know what you thought. The contest ends March 14th when I will pick a winner using random.org. Good luck!

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My New Favorite

Diaper Diaries — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:53:56 +0000

Music Video::: This Too Shall Pass‘

Kid’s Video (actually it drives me bonkers, but my kids LOVE it)::: Highway 40

Piece of Blog Advice (Seriously, can I get an Amen??)::: 5 Reasons You Aren’t Getting Comments

Post About Marriage::: My Marriage at Once a Month Mom

Blog::: It’s Almost Naptime (ironically found it through someone else’s linky post)

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Frugal Friday- Tropicana Juicy Rewards

Diaper Diaries — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:57:14 +0000

There is nothing better than getting free things for something you already do. Honestly, what is better than that?

Recently I partnered with Motherhood.com to become a Tropicana Juicy Insider. Doesn’t that sound like I am going to be giving Brangelina orange juice? What is actually means is that I get to spread the word about Tropicana’s new reward program. I love orange juice. But I am really, really picky about orange juice cause a lot of it just tastes nasty. And I don’t like it when it comes from concentrate and is loaded with sugar. Frankly outside of fresh squeezed, I only buy Tropicana. So this is such a great fit for me.

Here’s how it works: You buy Tropicana products (which, SCORE, I already do). Each product has a point code which you then enter over at the Tropicana website. Then you redeem your points for stuff. For instance, my last carton of OJ earned me 3 points. Which I then cashed in for a buy one, get one free ticket to our local children’s museum which my kids have been begging to go to. Once I earn a few more points, I have my eye on a discounted spa day at the local swanky salon.

Wanna try it out? Head over to Tropicana and sign up for a juicy rewards account. Click over to where you enter codes and enter MOTHE-RHOOD. You must enter the code within 6 hours of creating your account. You should also follow Tropicana on Twitter. I discovered today by accident that they sometimes tweet out a code that you can redeem for points. I also discovered it on Facebook so why not cover all your bases and follow over there as well.

*Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Tropicana. I was provided with free reward points and monetary compensation toward the redemption of my points to facilitate my review. As always, all opinions in this review are my own.

For more frugal tips, head over to Life As Mom.

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Things I Love Thursday- Healthy Choice

Diaper Diaries — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:09:24 +0000

I have made a ton of strides toward eating more and more foods in the state God created them (ie. whole foods/real foods). And I am spending a lot of time cooking from scratch which I am really loving. But I got to admit, when it comes to lunch I just want convenience. I hate leftovers, I hate spending a lot of time cooking at that time of day, and I hate feeling like I am always eating the same thing. Honestly, how many times can I write on my blog that I hate lunch?

Of all the healthy frozen meal options, I have never been much of a fan of Healthy Choice. But recently they revamped their food and their packaging and you can consider me impressed. My hubby has been a big fan of their Asian Inspired Cafe Steamers for awhile, but I no likey the Asian food. So I was excited to see they have a new line of Mediterranean Inspired ones.

But unfortunately I haven’t tried them. I was sent the Grilled Vegetables Mediterranean and Lemon Garlic Chicken and Shrimp. Here’s the problem. Something happened to the grilled veggies during shipping and the seal was broken. Which is a huge bummer because it looked really good and was the one I was most looking forward to trying. And I don’t eat seafood, so I saved the other one for the hubby. How’s that for the most incomplete review ever?

I was also given a few of their All Natural Entrees to try. Which I actually did and am happy to give two thumbs up. I tried the Roasted Red Pepper Marinara and the Tortellini Primavera Parmesan. And although I wasn’t given this to try can I just say that their Pumpkin Squash Ravioli is my favorite frozen meal of all time. Oh my goodness is it good. And here is a Healthy Choice coupon so you can try it out for yourself.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Healthy Choice and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

What are you loving this week? Can I just say again how much I truly love reading your posts and how thankful I am you link up every week?! And I am not just blowing your know what up your you know where. If you want to participate and aren’t sure how, please check out the Things I Love Thursday guidelines. And if you have any questions at all please ask me. I’m not scary at all

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Works For Me Wednesday- Watching My Words

Diaper Diaries — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:57:02 +0000

Disclaimer right up front. I get a fair amount of press releases and pitches to write about who knows what most days. This is not one of those. This is something that is just near and dear to my heart and something I heard about and wanted to promote.

When I was in high school there was a boy named Bill who was mentally challenged. Because of it he used to be picked on. It broke my heart. So a couple of my friends and I took him under our wings. He sat with us at lunch. We would occasionally take him out around town to bowl (he beat me), eat or hang out at the mall. And we would visit him at the home where he lived. He didn’t have any family so our visits became really important.

I am not sharing that to make myself sound awesome in any way. I share it because it was the very first of many times that a person with special needs found his way into my heart. When I finished graduate school I began working as a physical therapist for children with special needs. I found myself head over heels for kids with autism, sensory disorder, cerebral palsy and Down’s Syndrome. Especially Down’s Syndrome. Oh my goodness, they absolutely stole my heart.

On March 3rd, the Special Olympics is asking people to think about their use of the r-word in your speech as part of “Spread the Word to End the Word.” And I will confess I use the word. Not to refer to people who are mentally challenged of course, but I don’t think that earns me any sort of pat on the back. Words are meaningful. They matter and they have the power to lift up and the power to destroy. And I don’t want mine to ever hurt someone. Especially someone who already has enough stacked against them.

So I am going to make every effort to eliminate the r-word from my vocabulary. Won’t you join me?

For more Works For Me Wednesday ideas, head over to Rocks in my Dryer.

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Rambling Thoughts on Faith (Seriously Could Not Come Up With a Title….Cleary….)

Diaper Diaries — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:37:48 +0000

Ever want to be a closet Christian? Not because you don’t want people to know your a Christian so you can go hog wild at the local bar. But because you are pretty sure God is up there shaking his head that you are claiming to be on his team.

I used to have a Jesus fish sticker on my car. Back when I lived in Chicago and had to drive all around the countryside (cityside?) and back for my job. IN CHICAGO TRAFFIC. I decided after six months of barely suppressing the urge to give everyone on the road the middle finger that it was time to take the sticker off. It was really a mutual agreement between God and I that the Jesus movement was better served if I didn’t draw attention him while I was behind the wheel.

I say all this very tongue in cheek. If God is our Father, I identify with how he must feel at times. It’s like when you are at the grocery store and your child starts throwing a large temper tantrum because you refuse them the gum they spot in the check out lane. You still love them, but really hope that people don’t think that this is how your kid usually acts. “She must just be really tired, she never acts like this at home.” But you still adore them. They are still your precious child. But maybe for just a second you hope the people around you think they belong to someone else.

What a ginormous gamble God took making us his hands and feet. I’m not even fit to be a toenail. It scares me that someone might make an eternal decision based on something I did or didn’t do. Seriously, what is God thinking? On the one hand I want to put my best face forward. Show everyone that living with God in your life equals well behaved children, a gracious heart, a forgiving spirit, the ability to resist the pull of TMZ and a lawn without patches of dirt in it. On the other, you want to let people see that Christians aren’t part of some holy country club that only the “good” people can get in to. We might let a few small sins slide, but commit any of the biggies and you are out of luck.

So it’s all pretty risky. And Christianity has taken a lot of hits from Christians acting un-Christian like. The world loves to shout “Hypocrite!” And if we run around like we got it all together it is only a matter of time before someone catches us being hypocritical. So I think we need to stop the charade. Pull back the curtain and let them see how broken we really are. Otherwise what is the appeal of Jesus? How unappealing is a guy who came for just the good people who have it all together? The last thing I need is another club I don’t feel good enough to get in to. Weren’t there enough of those in jr. high?

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