CentralFoothillsMommies

Some of My Best Memories Revolve Around You... #HappyMothersDay

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Sun, 10 May 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Ever since

I've been old enough to remember,

you have been there

whenever I needed you...

to share my troubles,

to laugh with me when I was happy,

to love me most when I was hurt.

I have so many memories...

memories I hold most dear

and that will be cherished forever.

For not only have you been my mom

and my best friend,

but also the person

I most want to be like in life.

~~~ Debbie Avery Pirus

Enjoy your day Mom! Live, Love and Learn each day, don't sweat the small stuff.

Monthly Moms Night Out #ncmoms #momsnightout #centralfoothillsmommies

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 06:47:00 +0000

Yep that's right we are starting up our monthly "MOMS NIGHT OUT" again, I don't know about you but all this crazy weather and snow has me stir crazy and ready for some adult conversation. I love my family, but sometimes momma just needs a night out with the girls.

Help us plan our monthly outings & and dinners by checking in and posting your thoughts on what you would like to do. With five counties of moms we have lots of choices!

Check out the calendar for this month's Japanese night out at Nagano's in Conover!

Yipee!! Stay tuned also for updates on our migration to the new website soon!!

Wordly Wednesday : Looking For A Moms Group In Your Local Area? #nc #momsgroups

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 14:00:00 +0000

We Are Looking for New Members To Help our local Chapter Grow! join for FREE! never pay to join!

Exciting Changes coming for 2015! New Websites, events, fun, outreach!

Need some support, help, a shoulder to cry on or just another mom friend to talk to! We are here! Our forums are open 24/7 , our moms are

moms from all walks of life, just like you!

Have you been a member in the past? we really wish you would try us out again, many changes, new faces, coming soon a new website upgrade that you are going to absolutely love!

As part of The Mommies Network, CentralFoothillsMommies.com is a free community for moms in Alexander, Catawba, Burke ,Caldwell and Iredell Counties, North Carolina. We realize that all moms need local support -- and who can't use another friend? CentralFoothillsMommies.com offers a simple way to connect with local moms for friendship, support and fun. Members meet on our private discussion forums to share information on everything from where to get the best haircut to tips on transitioning to a "big kid" bed. Each month, we also offer many face-to-face events for our members, their children and their families. Register today to access our discussion forums, events calendar and more! It's free and we'll keep your info secure and private.

Register here http://www.centralfoothillsmommies.com/mommies/registration.php

MISSION
To provide a safe, secure, FREE place for mothers to find support and encouragement from other mothers and to empower them to be better women, parents and community leaders.

But CentralFoothillsMommies is more than just a community of moms. It's moms in and for the community. Our members work full time, stay home full time, work part time, represent many races, are pregnant for the first time, are adoptive moms, were adopted themselves, recently moved to the area, have lived here all our lives, have twins, are happy with one, are single moms, are searching out schools and have watched their kids graduate. In other words, we are a reflection of mothers in the real world. And we help out our neighbors as much as ourselves through organized fundraisers and other charity events - specifically those focused on providing for mothers and their children.

http://themommiesnetwork.org
http://centralfoothillsmommies.com

Do you live in the counties of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba or the Statesville/Iredell area?? We are looking for you, join today for free, just click the registration link below, safe, secure and private. Much safer than a Facebook group, we check all registrations to keep you safe and our site secure.

Registration link http://www.centralfoothillsmommies.com/mommies/registration.php

CFM Has Heart Project- Keeping Others Warm This Winter #coatsforkids

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 00:13:00 +0000

CentralfoothillsMommies, a chapter of The Mommies Network, is proud to offer another "CFM has Heart Project" this quarter by collecting items to keep the less fortunate warm this winter.

We are collecting new and gently used coats, jackets, scarves, gloves, mittens, hats etc. to be donate to local shelters in the 5 counties that our local "moms support group" serves.

So get to cleaning out those closets and basements, find any gently used items that your own family is not in need of any more. If you are out Christmas shopping and find some awesome deals on coats, go ahead and pick up some for the less fortunate also. We do have tax forms if you need on effort the end of the year's taxes. We are a 501(3)b nonprofit organization so your contribution is always tax deductible .

Please email me for more information leslie@centralfoothillsmommies.com or to arrange a pickup.

Christmas In Every Country, Celebrate The Magic

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 01:27:00 +0000

What a magical time of year, the holidays are upon us, a time to reflect and give thanks for all the blessings and people in our lives.

Make somebody's day by ordering a letter or package from the Santa, delivered in time for Christmas.
#Christmas magic in the mail from the North Pole #Santa #mommiesnetwork, imagine the excitement on little faces, order your Letters from Santa Here

Ever wonder how other countries around the world celebrate Christmas? Here is a fun little infographic with several countries and their Christmas traditions related to Santa Claus.

Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.

Get on Santa’s Nice List early- order today, #TopSantaLetters to bring you unique creations by Santa's top elves!

Fall Fest Today! #family #events

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 08:54:00 +0000

Fun, Games,Bounce Houses, Costume Contest, join us today!

The Legends and The Estates Fall Fest!

Open to the public, bring a friend.

A CentralfoothillsMommies.com family friendly community!

A Safe Green Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 08:22:00 +0000

From HealthyStuff.org

If there is one thing no one wants with their Halloween costume, it’s toxic chemicals. But that may very well be the case according to the results of our new HealthyStuff.org study of 106 common Halloween related products purchased from retailers including CVS, Kroger, Party City, Target, Walmart, and Walgreens. The products were tested for chemicals based on their toxicity or tendency to build up in people and the environment. These chemicals include lead, bromine (brominated flame retardants), chlorine (vinyl/PVC plastic), phthalates, cadmium, arsenic, tin (organotins), and mercury.

The results showed that 33 of the 106 products contained vinyl (polyvinyl chloride, abbreviated PVC). Two items contained high levels of phthalates that were recently banned in children’s products, including a Walmart Toddler Batman Muscle Costume. Vinyl products were also twice as likely to contain tin—indicating the presence of organotin chemicals—as non-vinyl materials. Five of the 106 products were measured to have high levels of lead and an additional seven had lower lead levels.

Ten of the products, mostly decorations and party accessories, contained levels of bromine consistent with the presence of brominated flame retardants. These items included:

Kroger retailed Disney Cars Trick-or-Treat bag
Party City retailed Silver Princess Tiara
Kroger retailed Flicker Halloween Light String
Walgreens Living Solutions Orange Pumpkin Lights set
CVS retailed Spooky Village Halloween LED C3 Lights Set

Finally, almost one-third of the products contained antimony, which is used as a catalyst in synthetic fabric production and at higher levels, as a flame retardant.

The study also documented an ongoing shift away from phthalate plasticizers in many products. Fifteen of the vinyl items tested were plasticized with less-toxic DOTP, which we hope indicates that companies are becoming more chemically conscious.

So... to avoid unnecessary toxic chemicals, here are some tips for having a *GreenHalloween***!

Creative Costumes: Skip the store-bought plastic or vinyl costumes, especially masks. Vinyl may contain hormone-disrupting phthalates. Thirty-three of the 106 tested Halloween products contained vinyl, including two items containing phthalates that were recently banned in children’s products.
Instead:

Opt for costumes made with cloth.
Buy used costumes from a local theater troupe or dance studio.
Visit thrift stores or yard sales. Old prom dresses are perfect for princesses, brides, or scarier variations thereof.
Try ebay—be sure to filter your search to include only pre-owned items.
Raid your own (or your dad’s) closet. A red flannel shirt is like the Swiss-army knife of costumes, enabling you to choose from fisherman, lumberjack, construction worker, and more.
Reuse some otherwise less interesting household items for costumes:

Turn anything with a handle into a Grim Reaper scythe
Big cardboard boxes can become almost anything from a robot tolife-size legos to a samurai warrior
Some old, unwanted clothes can be torn and redesigned into scary ghouls, superheroes, cartoon characters and more.

Make up and Masks: Vinyl and other plastics are even worse when they cover your or your child’s face. Halloween make-up may contain heavy metals or ingredients linked to cancer and other health concerns. Instead:

Use face paint and pencils made from clay or other natural ingredients, such as Natural Earth Paint, Terra Firma Cosmetics, and Nova Naturals.
Make your own edible face paint with these recipes.
Make a paper-mache mask using an empty milk jug, strips of used paper, wheat flour and water.

Carving Pumpkins: Don’t let all those good pumpkin guts go to waste!

Make a Halloween snack: Rinse the seeds, pat dry, and coat with a little oil, or melted butter, and salt. Spice them up with chili powder, curry, or another favorite. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour at 250 degrees. The seeds are a great source of magnesium, iron, and protein.
The pulp can be steamed for half an hour, then served similarly to squash or used as a base for soups, muffins, quick breads, and pies.
Feed the garden, too! Add your pumpkin to your garden compost bin instead of disposing of it in the trash. It’s easy to start if you don’t already compost: break up the pumpkin and layer it with raked-up leaves and other yard waste in an outdoor area. Keep moist and turn regularly. Learn more

Trick or Treating: Ten percent of the products we tested contained levels of bromine consistent with brominated flame retardants, including two Disney-themed Trick-or-Treat bags. Leave potentially toxic bags and one-time use plastic buckets on the shelf.

Use old pillow cases or reusable shopping bags
Don’t buy plastic pumpkins
Decorate a paper grocery bag with construction paper
Oatmeal cylinders or ice cream cartons can transform into candy totes
Give out organic candy and snacks. If you can’t find organic candy locally, trynaturalcandystore.com.

Decorations: Decorating for Halloween shouldn’t bring unnecessary toxics into your home. Vinyl wall stickers can contain regulated phthalates, such as the Disney Wall Art set we tested which contained 16% regulated phthalates.

Cut and paint egg cartons to make bats and spiders or use toilet paper rolls to create a whole host of characters, like witches, scarecrows, and mummies.
Stuff old clothes with leaves and place them outside. You can make a paper mache face for it as well!
Use outdoor solar lanterns and old white sheets to create ghosts that seem to float in midair as they light up your walkway.
Reuse old decorations, preferably non-vinyl, from previous Halloweens.
Cut out construction paper bats or other shapes and tape them to a branch to make a decoration like a bat tree.

Be safe and have fun!

#MrsFieldsMoments Slow Down And Enjoy A Cookie With Someone You Love! #USO #cookies #family

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 08:00:00 +0000

Share your story Here and download your coupon

Mrs. Fields Famous Brands ("Mrs. Fields") and Interbake Foods LLC ("Interbake Foods," the company responsible for the manufacture and sale of Mrs. Fields branded pre-packaged cookies sold at retailers throughout North America) today kicked off "Mrs. Fields Moments," a national campaign inspiring busy cookie lovers to slow down and enjoy a cookie moment with loved ones.

At a time when obligations leave precious little time for the ones that matter most, Mrs. Fields is encouraging a nationwide movement to dedicate Sunday night to cookie moments with family and friends. Mrs. Fields wants every cookie lover to embrace and share their #mrsfieldsmoments – from milk-and-cookies to bedtime treats – and has provided fun and useful tools for doing so at www.mrsfieldsmoments.com.

Mrs. Fields is a Proud Supporter of the United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO), and "Mrs. Fields Moments" builds on the Organization's "Every Moment Counts" campaign, which helps all families – military and otherwise – make the most of every moment together.

"When you buy Mrs. Fields cookies, you're not just buying a cookie: You're helping create moments that matter for troops enduring long deployments," said Kevin McDonough, President of Interbake Foods. "By buying a box of Mrs. Fields cookies, you help give a cookie moment for you and for them. It's a touch of home to those who need it most."

Visit MrsFieldsMoments.com for "Snacktivity" ideas, Conversation Starters, more information about the Mrs. Fields–USO partnership, or to find a grocery store with Mrs. Fields Cookies (look for the USO banner on the box!).

About Mrs. Fields Famous Brands The Company is a well-established franchiser in the premium snack food industry, featuring Mrs. Fields® and TCBY® as its core brands. Through its franchisees' retail stores; it is one of the largest retailers of freshly baked, on-premises specialty cookies and brownies in the world and the largest retailer of soft-serve frozen yogurt with live active cultures. Its franchise systems operate through a network of more than 950 franchised and licensed locations throughout the United States and in 23 foreign countries. In addition, it operates an internet and catalog gifting business, a branded retail business and has entered into licensing arrangements that leverage awareness of its core brands among its retail customer base. The Company is currently relocating their headquarters from Salt Lake City, Utah to Broomfield, Colorado.

About the USO The USO lifts the spirits of America's troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors, troops in transition and families of the fallen. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.

About Interbake Foods Headquartered in Richmond, VA Interbake Foods LLC is a baked goods manufacturer with over 110 years of business experience. Interbake Foods is the North American cookie and cracker Division of Weston Foods. This includes Interbake Foods in the USA and Colonial Cookies Limited in Canada. Weston Foods' mission is to be recognized by its customers as providing the best bakery solutions in North America and Interbake is privileged to serve the marketplace with our award-winning products and services. Interbake Foods consists of three distinct business segments: Retail Private Brands, Contract Manufacturing and Girl Scout cookies through our ABC Bakers Division.

We would like to encourage you to spend a little extra time this Sunday with your family, here is a list of great "Snacktivities" to enjoy with the kids, from mix and watch movie night.....to a family costume contest, these ideas are so much fun. Turn off that TV and put down those devices for a little quality time. Enter to win the trip of a lifetime for your family in the #MrsFieldsMoments contest HERE , just upload a fun photo of your cookie moment and you will be entered to win a trip to Washington DC.

Share this with your fellow bloggers and friends!

Warning: Homework Crossing

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 23:18:00 +0000

Warning: Homework Crossing

Author: Adea (adeaneedscoffee)

Re-blog: TriangleMommies

The history spans years and generations. School homework in America has been a turbulent topic at best. Sometimes we Americans are all for it, and other times we hate it. Both scenarios have published points to support the cause.

This is not a history lesson on the merits or pitfalls of school homework for children. I remember doing my homework for hours, and I am sure our children will do the same. Today’s article is about the way some school homework sneaked up on me and what I did about it.

My son started first grade in the last several weeks, and we both knew it was coming. What I didn’t know was how hard it was going to be and how much of it we had to do in just a couple of nights.

Because of the Labor Day weekend, this week will be shorter than most, so I mistakenly thought the amount would be appropriate. The assignments included a math worksheet — at first glance, not too bad an assignment. Then a sheet of spelling words, also not terribly hard. I thought these two seemingly inconspicuous pieces of paper were not going to give me any problems, until I read them.

The math sheet had eight questions. They were simple word problems with some graphing on the last question. My son is already reading on a second grade level, so this would be easy! Um, no.

It seems that not only did my son not understand that you read the word problem for information, but that the data would be numbers. Then you had to answer the question (i.e., solve the problem) using the numbers you were given. Well, what first grader in the first few weeks of school would know this?

I looked at it and immediately said to myself, “Solve for ‘x.’ Easy!” Um, he is a first grader. First graders don’t solve for “x.” Hmm. How do I simplify this word problem for him using language he can understand?

I showed him first how to read to get the information — the numbers — and write them out to the side of the paper. Good. Then we counted on fingers, using both his hands and mine, to figure out the answer to the question. We solved the problem, and that was just the first question.

We continued to do each, one by one. It went quickly, amazingly enough! Now, the graphing question was tough. I had to explain a graph and show him how to record the information using one. And, as an extra bonus, I showed him how to read the graph for other information like which has the most and which has the least. Yay for me!

Yeah, OK, fine, you caught me. I had my child count on his fingers. Oh well. Sometimes I have to do that, too, and i didn't have any other ideas. I am not an elementary school teacher!

On to the spelling words! Luckily, my son can already spell them just by listening to me read them out loud. Of course, that isn't all there is to do according to the spelling worksheet.

The child has to write the spelling word three times each. Then they have to write a sentence for each of the words. And then, and only then, they can study the words. Does a first grader even know how to study? Boy, I think I am going to have to teach him how to do that, too. Well, at least I don’t right now, because he can already spell the words. But I know that day will come soon enough!

So, this is a friendly warning to all you parents out there. You know the homework is coming. You know your child will have no idea how to do it. Get your brains in gear now, while you still have time, and just realize that there is only so much an elementary teacher can teach at school. You will have to teach the rest.

Count on it.

United We Stand, You Are Forever In Our Hearts 9/11/01 #America #freedom #9/11/01

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 09:12:00 +0000

We can never forget that fateful day 13 years ago when all of America was changed forever.

What were you doing at the moment the twin towers fell is a question I often hear asked on our forums, do you remember what you were doing? How has your life changed since then? We all have different answers, some good, some bad, some very sad. One thing we can say is that we still live in America, land of the free! United we stand!

Forever the victims of September 11 will stay in our hearts along with all the many soldiers that have died fighting for our freedom since 9/11.

United We Stand ~ You Are Forever In Our Hearts

Dedicated to those lost in the September 11,2001 terrorist attacks

Video post below- click to view So Awesome!

Post by Kristy Sinsara.

Leslie B

Middle School Moms~~ Get Ready For A Book Club Just For You! #middleschoolmakeover #moms #teens #tweens

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 07:12:00 +0000

Middle School Moms, this one is just for you, a book club with topics that discuss your tweens and teens. Are you frustrated with the attitudes, questions about sex, social media problems, cell phones and secrecy? How about dating, friends , bullies and even more?

Michelle Icard offers creative and constructive advice for navigating through these tough times in her book Middle School Makeover:
Between funny yet informative stories and scientific facts about the changes a teen brain is undergoing, she imparts priceless wisdom on how to make the middle school experience the best it can be for both you and your child!

Here’s how this will work: every Thursday on The Mommies Network blog the book club hostess will be posting discussion questions, supplemental information, and other fun things relating to the reading for that week.

Here’s how you can participate: check back with the blog weekly and share all of your thoughts, comments, experiences and reactions. This is your club and we want to hear what you think!

Here’s the reading schedule:

Thursday, September 11: Introduction and Chapter 1 (pages 1-20)
Thursday, September 18: Chapter 2 (pages 21-36)
Thursday, September 25: Chapter 3 (pages 37-49)
Thursday, October 2: Chapter 4 (pages 50-62)
Thursday, October 9: Chapter 5 (pages 63-81)
Thursday, October 16: Social Media and Sex talks (pages 82-95)
Thursday, October 23: Friends, Fights, and Bullies (pages 97-114)
Thursday, October 30: Fashion, Trouble, and Cell Phones (pages 115-130)
Thursday, November 6: Dating and Independence (pages 131-150)
Thursday, November 13: Finishing Touches (pages 151-174)

We also hope to include some live chat sessions, stay tuned for those dates as we get further into the book. On behalf of The Mommies Network, Welcome to the book club!

Visit the Book Club here:
http://themommiesnetwork.blogspot.com/

Link to get your copy of the book or ebook for kindle app here--- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I2ZW4DQ#

Crafty Kids: DIY Shaving Cream Paint Creations #crafts #kids

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:17:00 +0000

Crafty Kids: DIY Shaving Cream Paint Creations

Rheney Williams-Guest Blogger

For moms who grew up in the '80s like I did, you'll probably remember those spinning art toys that let you create splashes and spiral smears of paint. You know – there was a spinning platform with paper exposed underneath, you dropped dots of paint into the middle and the spinning motion and centrifugal force pulled the paint out to the edges of the circle and you were left with these crazy, tie-died-looking paintings?

Although the toys have changed over the years, a kid's (and kids at heart!) basic desire to see swirls of paint and crazy combinations of colors hasn't. And an old-school product is making new spiral innovations possible: Shaving cream! All you need are a few basic supplies and you and your kids can have hours of creative and colorful fun with a beautiful piece of artwork to show for it at the end of the day.

Gather the materials for your shaving cream paint projects. You'll need:

Foam Shaving Cream (not the gel)
Paints in an assortment of colors
Heavy card stock or construction paper
Spatula or ruler
Skewer or little fingers!
Large cookie sheet or use smaller individual trays, one for each child

Tip: To make clean-up a breeze (and avoid having to buy a disposable tray), line the cookie sheet with aluminum foil first. Then all you have to do is remove the foil and you're done!

1. Spray a few lines of shaving cream onto the sheet and use the spatula or ruler to spread out the shaving cream flat and in a square or rectangle about the size of the paper.

2. Add a few random dots of paint or food coloring around the shaving cream palette.

Tip: If you have leftover paint samples from the last time you painted a room, this is a great way to use those and ensure whatever masterpiece your kids come up with coordinates with the space!

3. Use the skewer to make swirls with the paint in free-flowing circles or waves and if you have little kids, just let them go nuts with their fingers.

4. Place the paper into the shaving cream with the right-side facing down so that when you pull the paper off, the paint is on the correct side.

5. Gently push the paper into the shaving cream so that all surfaces touch and allow it to sit for about 10 seconds before carefully peeling the paper off of the shaving cream.

6. Place the paper on a flat surface (in my case, I had another foil-lined sheet pan at the ready) and carefully scrape all of the shaving cream off of the paper to reveal the magical marbling below!

7. Set the paper aside to dry thoroughly and if the edges start to curl, place a glass or other heavy object on the corners to keep them down during drying.

From here, take some time to admire your work and see what imaginative images your kids can find! Can you spot the hidden smiley face that appeared in my swirls? In addition to your classic refrigerator pin-up, here are some other creative uses for your pint-sized Picasso's masterpiece:

Make DIY bookmarks to give as Christmas gifts to the readers you love
Use the brown paper bags from the grocery store in your shaving cream paint project and have unique book covers for school next year
Frame it so you always have a custom piece of art in your office or work space
A DIY puzzle: Cut it into a bunch of different pieces that your kids can put back together and learn about how shapes and patterns relate to each other

What other cool things can you and your kids come up with for shaving cream paint creations?

Rheney Williams is a prolific crafter with a background in theatre arts. Besides writing about projects for Home Depot, Rheney is currently putting her DIY expertise to work by remodeling her first home and experimenting with colors and textures in her home decor.

Amazon.com Widgets

What's Up Mom? Monthly Mall Meetup and Play-date #cfmommies #ncmoms

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 10:00:00 +0000

Check our calendar on CentralfoothillsMommies for exact details and time to meet, not a member? Well
its time for you to join us Here CentralfoothillsMommies.com register for free!

Breast Milk A Life Giving Substance, Surprising Alternative Uses #breastfeeding #lactation

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 08:01:00 +0000

Surprising Alternative Uses For Breast Milk :
Guest Writer/Blogger: Umm Lyla

Donation- You've heard of Blood and even sperm banks, but have what about a milk bank? Lactating women across the U.S and Canada are bottling and donating their breast milk to local milk banks, who sell it to hospitals and anyone with a physician’s prescription. From there it is given to premature infants in the NICU, providing high quality nutrition. It’s easy for their little tummies to digest and gives them immunities milk-based formula lacks. In order to donate women must have given birth in the last six months, be non-smokers, and drug-free.

Skin Moisturizer- If you suffer from pesky skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis or acne you could use a steroid cream to take care of it but that’s no fun. Instead, try rubbing a little breast milk on the troubled areas and let air dry. Antibodies found in breast milk keep your skin clean and destroy bacteria. Don’t limit yourself to just skin care though because this liquid gold also helps heal and soothe diaper rash, cradle cap, nasal congestion and pink eye. If you prefer using lotions, simply make your own using breast milk! Plenty of recipes for these homemade creams can be found with a simple Google search.

Jewelry- Sentimental mothers are taking baby keepsakes go the next level and forever immortalizing their nursing days into fashionable jewelry. Several Online shops offer this off-beat service, taking a few precious drops of your breast milk and returning it back to you in petrified, bead form. The milk beads are highly customizable and are offered in a variety of designs. Several shops will even inscribe your child's name on the adornments, or include a personalized message. Whether you're wearing your petrified body fluid on your neck or next to some gems as a bracelet, it will never go bad. Birth control-Women that are exclusively breastfeeding may not need to worry about birth control. Countless medical studies have shown that a lactating woman's menstruation is delayed for the first six months after childbirth, making pregnancy highly unlikely. Sound too good to be true? It's not. When a woman is breastfeeding, she does not release the hormones that signal her body to ovulate. Of course, nothing is fool proof and safe sex should always be practiced. Using a secondary form of birth control such as condoms is recommended.

Cancer patients- It's widely known that breast milk is best for infant nutrition, but did you know cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy consume this miracle milk to alleviate harsh side effects like nausea and irritable bowel? Though not endorsed by medical professionals and considered an alternative treatment, breast milk is also highly effective in boosting the immune system and has been given to patients undergoing major life-threatening surgeries like organ transplants. As if soothing upset stomachs and strengthening immunities weren't enough, researchers in Sweden believe they have found a compound in breast milk that may kill cancerous cells and reduce tumors.

Visit www.themommiesnetwork.org for Breastfeeding Support and more information about breastfeeding, milk donation and other topics of interest.
Our local chapter here in the North Carolina foothills has an active Breastfeeding support forum with many experienced moms who have breastfed their children and can offer answers to many questions or just a shoulder to cry on at 4am if you need it (there are posts to prove it) lol. Register for free today
CentralfoothillsMommies.com

Thank you to our guest blogger Umm Lyla for an informative article about alternative uses for breast milk.

Are you a Business Owner? Now Sponsorship is easier (and cheaper) than ever!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 00:49:00 +0000

Every day, moms across the country are logging into their chapter of The Mommies Network, thanks in part to the support that we get from our sponsors... and our moms are returning the favor by finding out more about those businesses that support their chapter.

That could be you! Sponsorship is a really inexpensive option to marketing, and this week, it's even more affordable.

Now until July 23rd, we are offering 50% all Forum Sponsorship spots with a graphic and text. For as little as $10-$125, your business can be in front of our members for a whole year!!!!

And, we try to make it really easy for you.

Simply Click Here and select the 50% Forum Sponsorship Option. From there, select your chapter and how many spots you want and fill out all of the other information and your discount is instantly applied. Or, you can look around to see if one of our other options works better for you!

After submitting your sponsorship, you'll be taken to a secure PayPal page, and with that complete, we will have your sponsorship up and running within 24 hours!!

An entire year of presentation to our members for as little as $10.... how can you NOT afford to!

Click Here to order your sponsorship today.

Happy Fourth Of July From Our House To Yours! #celebrate #freedom

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:01:00 +0000

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
~ The Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776

America

by Samuel Francis Smith
My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our father's God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.

One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, One Nation evermore!
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Have a Blessed day with your family and friends! Be Safe

Happy Birthday America....Eat Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 09:30:00 +0000

Enjoy your 4th of July holiday and be safe please in your travels Be smart!

WANNA CHANGE YOUR USERNAME? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Thu, 29 May 2014 17:02:00 +0000

We are in the last 48 hours of the Mommies Network May is for Mothers, and we are upping the perks for you to donate!!!

If you make a $25 donation before 11:59pm on May 31st, you can change your username by simply forwarding your donation receipt to heather@themommiesnetwork.org!

Yeah- it's really that easy!!!

Visit http://themommiesnetwork.causevox.com to make your donation right now!!!

You Got This Momma! #GetSupportGiveSupportTMN

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Fri, 16 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000

This week kicks off our $5 Challenge. Help our chapter win the prize... your $5 makes a difference. #GetSupportGiveSupportTMN http://themommiesnetwork.causevox.com/CentralFoothillsMommies

Would you skip ONE latte for a year of Mommy-Myth-Busting support? Join the $5 Challenge! #GetSupportGiveSupportTMN http://themommiesnetwork.causevox.com/CentralFoothillsMommies

Can You Spare Just $5.00 This Week, We Challenge You To Give Just $5.00 #GetSupportGiveSupportTMN

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Thu, 15 May 2014 23:41:00 +0000

Your support keeps us going. Please watch our video and read more about donations here #GetSupportGiveSupportTMN http://themommiesnetwork.causevox.com/CentralFoothillsMommies

As part of The Mommies Network, CentralFoothillsMommies.com is a free community for moms in Alexander, Catawba, Burke ,Caldwell and Iredell Counties, North Carolina. We realize that all moms need local support -- and who can't use another friend? CentralFoothillsMommies.com offers a simple way to connect with local moms for friendship, support and fun. Members meet on our private discussion forums to share information on everything from where to get the best haircut to tips on transitioning to a "big kid" bed. Each month, we also offer many face-to-face events for our members, their children and their families. Register today to access our discussion forums, events calendar and more! It's free and we'll keep your info secure and private.

We are a friendly community of moms who would like to invite you to join us. We know we learn better when there are new people, fresh views, other opinions and sometimes just a friendly new face. We also know that parenting, or the journey there, is one of the hardest jobs in the world. We crave a space to talk about it without judgment. Sometimes we need advice, someone else's point of view or even just a shoulder to lean on. We want to give you that place to go to.

www.CentralfoothillsMommies.com has discussion forums for an incredible variety of moms: Single Moms, Foster and Adoptive Moms, Step-Moms, Moms of Multiples, New to the Area, Homeschooling moms, Moms who work OR stay at home (or a curious mixture of both), Expecting or First Time Moms, as well as those who are currently Trying To Conceive and hoping to be parents someday in the future. We have private forums also for Postpartum Depression and Mothers of Special Needs Children also, a valuable resource for many of our members.

We chat on private message boards, share recipes in our online recipe book, and plan local events! We would love your ideas, and to get to know you.
We are part of The Mommies Network, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and there are no fees for membership. More info here http://www.themommiesnetwork.org

Our community is invaluable to 5 counties in the foothills of North Carolina, our moms come from all walks of life. Many are stay at home moms or work outside the home because they financially have to. Unemployment in our area of NC is high and frugal living is a common topic of interest on our online forums. Your extra donations to support our chapter would be well used. Many of our members can not afford anything extra added to their weekly budgets.
If you are a business in our area or something that would interest mothers, we would love to talk sponsorships with you. Our sponsorship prices are some of the best around, email sponsors@themommiesnetwork.org for more information.

Please, please consider your donation of just $5.00, it is tax deductible and helps support moms more than you will ever know!

It doesn't take much to help. Each dollar counts. #GetSupportGiveSupportTMN http://themommiesnetwork.causevox.com/CentralFoothillsMommies

Are you part of the 99%?

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Thu, 08 May 2014 15:19:00 +0000

How would you feel if I told you that less than 1% of the people around you cared about what you need?

Far too often, we feel the impact of standing alone and just wish that someone else would stand there with us, knowing that the journey would not be so hard if we just had a few extra people to help us along the way. This is apathy, and it's a big problem. I bet this is something you have experienced in your life. However, when the shoe is on the other foot and something out there in the world needs us, we tend to pass it right by.

The Mommies Network has over 20,000 members... moms who come to us for help and support and community. 20,000 moms just like you. Last year, less than 350 of those members donated to The Mommies Network during our May is for Mothers campaign. Look around you- do you think that only 350 of our members need support and community and the other 19,650 don't? And which one of those are you?

When we look at our chapters, that is not what we see. We see moms logging in day after day, sometimes 20 or 30 times a day. What we see is that almost all 20,000 of those members do need us and do use us, but that less than 1% of our membership helping burden the cost of the other 99% of us. Less than 1% of us are committed to what you need.

Forget the money, because it's not about the money. It's about apathy. The indifference of saying 'I don't need to do anything because someone else will take care of it and I'll still get what I need'. Do any of us really want to be that person?

Are you satisfied knowing that select few people are more invested in your support than you are?

This week, the conversation we are having on the forums is asking our members to make a commitment. We are asking one simple question:

"What will you do to make your community better?"

It doesn't have to be money! There are dozens of ways you can help... little things like signing up for Amazon Smiles and giving 0.5% of your purchases back to The Mommies Network, or asking a friend to join so that our community of support gets bigger, going to an event that one of our volunteers worked hard to provide to you, or even just not passing by a post without saying something.

Or you can give a few bucks and know for the next year that you were not a part of the 99% being cared for by 1%, if for not other reason than to know that a community cannot sustain itself like that and you know you use and need that community.

Give today so you can receive tomorrow.

Get Support. Give Support. The Mommies Network.

I Don't Like Mothers Day

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Tue, 06 May 2014 14:44:00 +0000

Let me tell you why.

I don't want to sound ungrateful- I really don't! But, I could do without the store bought card. Flowers are always nice, but they will wilt ( and guess who is going to have to throw them out and wash out the gunky water from the vase?)

Honestly, one day a year, a $5 card and overpriced flowers do not make this job any easier. I'd rather get something I know that I need. Something that actually makes motherhood a little easier. Something that is personal. Something I use the whole year!

This year, I am asking the people I love to give me a community of friends and people who understand me. This year, I'm just asking the people who love me to skip the card and the flowers and make a donation to The Mommies Network instead.

The Mommies Network is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which means that it can't continue to bring FREE support to moms without help.

It's super easy and takes just a second! Just click on the image you would prefer below and you can post it right to your Facebook Wall. Tag the people you know will be sending you a card and ask for this instead! Best of all, you actually are saving time (and money) of those people you love, because this takes just a minute. We will even be send out a personalized E-Card to you on Mothers Day to let you know that person has made a donation in your honor.

Give up the Mommy Myth that you can't ask for what you need, and tell the people that love you to skip the card... you'd prefer a circle of friends this Mothers Day!

Click here to Share this image on your Facebook Wall

Tales from our Supermoms

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Sat, 03 May 2014 15:41:00 +0000

Over the past two days, we asked for our moms to share their Mommy Myths, and the response has been overwhelming! Here are a just a few*...

" I had to learn it's okay to ask for help... My mom was very sick several years ago and was in and out of the hospital.... between taking care of my mom, going back and forth to the hospital... trying to keep some sort of normalcy for my family.... Dinner, homework, etc, I almost lost it. I felt like the world was on my shoulders and I was a moment away from losing it.

Thankfully several friends from this site would just send little notes of encouragement, offers to help with the kids, etc. I wouldn't have made it without them. I tear up just typing this because I will never be able to repay them for what they did during that time...."

"I'm not one who's afraid to lay it on the line.... For some reason however, it took me longer than usual to talk about (some) issues. I finally opened up last week and boy am I glad I did! It was like a weight was lifted. I don't want to talk about it on FB .... but I knew here I'd be safe. I got a ton of support and a wealth of information I would've had no clue about otherwise. I feel a lot better about my situation and I feel like I'm able to move forward not only more educated but also supported which means the world."

"When I started back at work after having my first daughter, I really depended on the MOTC forum for major support. I remember the feeling of missing the baby were so strong I felt like someone was ripping my heart strings out! I cried my first day back. The first few weeks were the hardest, and I went to the forum often for encouragement, understanding, advice, tips on how to balance working and being a new mom. It was so fantastic to get connected with other moms who knew exactly what I was feeling."

"I was talking to my MIL last night on the phone, and she asked me how I was coping... I said "Well, I am managing to feed the kids and keep them fairly clean, so we're doing okay." and she said "Well, I see you post smiling, happy pictures on FB and just think you are doing fine,....

Which is exactly why BM helps me. I don't post this stuff on FB because I don't want the whole world to know, but I can come here and talk, vent, ask for advice etc. I know that people here, other moms going through similar things will understand and give me support.

That's really such an amazing thing TMN provides, for their members to get and give support, for FREE! "

This is what just a few of our moms are saying when they are telling us why they need their chapter. We are not social media! We are a place where moms find support when the rest of the world expects them to just deal with what life throws at them. But we cannot do it alone.. just like these moms cannot do it alone.

We give this to our members for free because we don't believe that moms should have to pay to get this kind of support... but that doesn't mean that that it's cost free for us to provide it. We have moms who can't donate... and we understand that. We also have moms who already give their time to our organization, and we do not want to ask them to give more... they make your support possible! If you can give, give for yourself and another mom. Your donation means that these moms and tens of thousands of moms just like them can come here tomorrow and get the support they need!


Click here to donate now!

* Some of the details have been changed to protect the identity of our members and have been used with the permission of those members Our mission: To provide a safe, secure, FREE place for mothers to find support and encouragement from other mothers and to empower them to be better women, mothers and community leaders.

Lessons from a Stressed-Out Mommy!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Thu, 01 May 2014 04:04:00 +0000

I've had it. The smile has disappeared from my face and I am in a twisty-twirly spiral of self-doubt and the words echo through my brain like a mantra I know too well.

I can't do it all....

Those aren't the words of the Mommy I show the rest of the world. To the rest of the world, I am a rock. A pillar. A foundation. But inside, I am crumbling. The dozens of masks I put on... complete parent to my children, loving partner to my spouse, absolute provider to my family, dedicated employee to my job, willing volunteer to the schools and clubs, kind and thoughtful neighbor, generous and loving daughter, giving and supportive friend... I'm exhausted and I'm sick of constantly sacrificing myself. I have to be these things- all of these things- and I don't know which one to let go of ( or even if I can let go of) without feeling like I've disappointed everyone. And in my mind, I spin.

...But I have to do it all.

This is where I have been. Tied up in knots. Caught in a race with myself. Unable to feel any satisfaction because everything I did, even if it was good, was never good enough. And the path out of my Stressed-Out Mommy Syndrome was simple. I just wanted someone else who understood it all.

There is a relief that comes with having someone who tells you that you are not alone. The reason is that within struggle lies a feeling of solitude..and not the good kind of solitude I get when the kids are in bed and I can have a moment of peace. The bad solitude... the lonely solitude. People, by nature, long for connection, especially in times of struggle. And during those times, the best connection is made by simply acknowledging that my struggle is hard. And that I am not alone in thinking that.

What lessons have I learned? Three simple things:

- Admit the struggle. Every time you think the world is depending on you, stop telling yourself that you can't show that to the rest of the world. Stop thinking that you don't deserve support, because you do. We all do.

- Don't underestimate the power of connection. Connecting with other people is key, and finding a place where you can let down the masks, and what you get back is that you are not alone; it's vital to overcoming struggle that you not feel like you are walking the path by yourself.

- You only get what you are willing to give. When we connect, we cannot simply expect to take and never give. Connection is about exchange.... others being there when we need them, and showing up when others need us. With this, we create our own safe space. Our own community of people we can turn to.

This is what we do at The Mommies Network. When we started, we didn't do it to get the latest slow-cooker recipe or to debate about the whether we return shopping carts or not. We did it because we recognized that connections matter, and that women ( and especially mothers!) find it difficult to connect in a meaningful way unless we have a place to be honest about our struggles. And nobody can understand the struggle of a mother like another mother. When I talk about the twisty-twirly spiral of self-doubt, that is a place that almost every other mother recognizes. When I say I can't do it all but I have to do it all, millions of other mothers know this feeling... because they feel it too.

We Get It

We've Been There

This month, The Mommies Network is launching in annual May is for Mothers campaign focused on one idea... the letting go of the Mommy Myth. The Mommy Myth is simply that we don't need help and support. What we do is give you a safe space to let go of your Mommy Myths. A place to come with your struggles and have a community of moms who understand why it's so hard who can rally around you and say the thing you need to hear... that you are not alone.

We are YOUR Community

We are asking for a donation- whatever you can afford- so that we can continue to keep "the lights on and the doors open", for you and for every other moms in our communities. If you have received support, or watched other moms benefit from simply having a place where they can be honest about their struggles, please make even a small donation. We want to keep doing this year after year, but we can't do it without your help.

Click on a mom YOU identify with to help us keep doing what we love.... supporting you!

Wordful Wednesday: Wholehearted Living #BreneBrown

noreply@blogger.com (Leslie Block) — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 11:00:00 +0000

CentralFoothillsMommies

Some of My Best Memories Revolve Around You... #HappyMothersDay

Monthly Moms Night Out #ncmoms #momsnightout #centralfoothillsmommies

Wordly Wednesday : Looking For A Moms Group In Your Local Area? #nc #momsgroups

CFM Has Heart Project- Keeping Others Warm This Winter #coatsforkids

Christmas In Every Country, Celebrate The Magic

Fall Fest Today! #family #events

A Safe Green Halloween

So... to avoid unnecessary toxic chemicals, here are some tips for having a GreenHalloween!

#MrsFieldsMoments Slow Down And Enjoy A Cookie With Someone You Love! #USO #cookies #family

Warning: Homework Crossing

Warning: Homework Crossing

United We Stand, You Are Forever In Our Hearts 9/11/01 #America #freedom #9/11/01

Middle School Moms~~ Get Ready For A Book Club Just For You! #middleschoolmakeover #moms #teens #tweens

Crafty Kids: DIY Shaving Cream Paint Creations #crafts #kids

What's Up Mom? Monthly Mall Meetup and Play-date #cfmommies #ncmoms

Breast Milk A Life Giving Substance, Surprising Alternative Uses #breastfeeding #lactation

Are you a Business Owner? Now Sponsorship is easier (and cheaper) than ever!!!!

Happy Fourth Of July From Our House To Yours! #celebrate #freedom

America

Happy Birthday America....Eat Cake

WANNA CHANGE YOUR USERNAME? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!!!!!

You Got This Momma! #GetSupportGiveSupportTMN

Can You Spare Just $5.00 This Week, We Challenge You To Give Just $5.00 #GetSupportGiveSupportTMN

Are you part of the 99%?

I Don't Like Mothers Day

Tales from our Supermoms

Lessons from a Stressed-Out Mommy!

Wordful Wednesday: Wholehearted Living #BreneBrown

So... to avoid unnecessary toxic chemicals, here are some tips for having a *GreenHalloween***!