I was so excited when I was recently chosen to be a member of the Carmex Blog Squad. You see my son and husband are both addicted to Carmex! We can't keep it in the house! When my Package for review arrived I was blown away !
Carmex sent a fabulous Travel Bag filled with Goodies!






With a little help from vitamin E and aloe, Carmex Moisture Plus™ lip balm helps nourish and moisturize lips leaving them so kissably soft they will be hard to resist. Carmex Moisture Plus™ also contains 15spf to protect your lips while you are outdoors! I love the tinted version it is a perfect replacement for lipstick!



New! Carmex Healing Lotion – Use daily to soothe and protect dry skin. Non-grainy with a pleasant scent. Contains aloe and vitamin E. Us this anywhere skin feels dry, daily use will help protect and keep dryness away. Rich healing ingredients including Vitamin E, nourish and moisturize skin. This lotion is amazing! It nourishes the driest of skin. It is very silky and smooth with no greasy residue!



This fantastic kit came with an assortment of Carmex Lip Balm tubes, sticks and jars as well as 3 Carmex Moisture Plus sticks and one each of the Healing Lotion and Healing Cream. The bag very roomy and it came with 2 cute zipper pouches. This kit is valued at $53 and guess what? I get to give one away to one lucky reader!

How to Enter!
Leave a comment telling me if you use Carmex products and which ones. If you don't use them, tell me which ones you would most like to try!

Extra Entries

* Like Carmex on Facebook(1 entry)
* Follow Carmex on Twitter (1 entry)
* Follow me through Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
* Follow me on Twitter @busymom3 (1 entry)

Make sure to leave a separate comment for the entries you complete!

Deadline: Sunday, November 14 at 11:59 pm cst. I will use random.org to pick the winners so everyone has a chance to win. Please leave your email address in your comment so that I can contact you! The winner will have 48 hours to reply back before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years of age or older.Odds of winning depending on number of entries!

Todays Back to Blogging assignment is to re-upload a post that you wish more people had read and explain why it was important to you.

This post reminds me that even when you think all hope is lost, when you feel as though you are ready to give up that you never know what lies ahead of you. I experienced an honest to God miracle and I am fortunate to have two very special reminders that no matter what anything is possible.
When I was struggling to have children I felt so alone and isolated. I didn't know anyone who was going through infertility and I didn't have anyone that could understand how much I wanted to be a mother. I wrote this post for several reasons one was to celebrate the twins and the other was so that just maybe someone that was going through a difficulty or struggle would be able to find hope in my experience.

Heckle and Jeckle and realizing that somethings are
meant to be~

The one thing that I always knew I wanted to do in life was be a mom. After years of struggles and issues and having my sweet little Rorie I managed to get pregnant again. However, the universe had other plans and my sweet little angel was never meant to be mine. I still remember very vividly the pain and despair I felt, the loss that still goes with me sometimes. I had never before nor since felt that kind of pain and those closest to me know that I completely fell apart. My life and marriage was in shambles and then September 11 happened and every ones lives were turned upside down, things that seemed important evaporated in the aftermath and something else happened too. Those of us that were on the outside looking in were able to count our blessings and put our lives in order. In November my Husband started talking about trying to have another baby. I was against it, I was still having such a hard time coping with the feelings of my lost little baby, November was when my baby would have been born and I was so afraid to try again. After the first of the year hubs began to bring it up again and I was still very resistant. Valentines day was quickly approaching and Hubs was getting more persistent I told him I had no desire to go through the medicine and shots the rigorous schedules the temperature taking and tracking. So I gave in on a few conditions it was a one shot deal I agreed to try one more time. No medicine, no charts, absolutely nothing and if it didn't work I would never try again. I can honestly say I just knew it wouldn't work, Hubs had the flu and I had no idea if I could even ovulate on my own so I was feeling pretty confident at that point that I would have RoRo as my one and only. This is the point in which God laughed and I don't mean chuckled, I mean fell on the floor rolling around nearly pee your pants laughing, because a few weeks later I threw up and not just once. So of course the husband runs to the store to buy the pee test at which point I was furious because Lord knows I had single-handedly kept EPT in business for years and you can't buy just one so he came home with several. I waited a few days and convinced myself it was a stomach flu until I was late. So I took the tests all of them and the all came out positive. I was in shock and scared. I knew not to get my hopes up so I called the doc and went in for the tests. The first blood tests showed very low numbers so I was prepared for the worst and over the next two weeks I went in every few days for more blood work and on the final day Doc says, I think we need an ultrasound. I thought to myself, here we go again. We got ready, got a baby sitter for Ro and went to the Doctor. I assumed the position on the table and the hubby grabbed a chair and in comes the sweet little ultrasound tech and finds the babies, yes I said babies, there were originally three but there sat in my belly two little heartbeats strong and healthy. Needless to say Hubs nearly passed out and all I could do was cry there they were my two little babies. After a difficult pregnancy and a tense seven months my babies were born my little man at 5lbs and 6oz and my princess Lyla 3lbs and 1 oz. We were so blessed, they were able to come home after only two weeks even though everyone thought it would be months, they defied the odds. In just a few weeks they will be 7 years old. It doesn't seem like seven years. They are amazing little people . They are funny and infuriating, strong and sensitive they are each others opposites. They have balance and they bring us all more entertainment than anyone should have. And each time I look at them I remind myself that no matter how bad something seems, you never know what waiting around the corner for you and that there is so much truth in the saying, "When one door closes, another one opens".




This post is written to play along with SITS and their Back to Blogging event.
If you would like to join in then stop by and link up!

This week, I will be taking a look back at what got me blogging in the first place and get back to the root of blogging and that is making connections with people.
There is a contest to try and win a Turquoise Sky Washer and Dryer from Electrolux. Which I desperately need since I have just gone through my third washer this year!

This event is sponsored by SITS, Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances.

My First Post

Posted by Busymomsteph at 5:08 PM July 14, 2009

I have always wanted to be a mom, I was always the one that would rather be holding a baby than playing with my friends. We tried for a while with no luck to get pregnant and the after finally finding a couple of amazing doctors, just when I was ready to give up and accept that I would never have my own children I found out that finally all of the tears, prayers, injections, and meds I was finally going to have what I had been waiting on my whole life.

In May of 1999 I was inducted into this crazy fraternity called motherhood. After many years of hoping, wishing and praying my beautiful little girl made her entrance into this world kicking and screaming something she still hasn't grown out of. This amazing person that surprises me each day. She is funny, infuriating, creative, intelligent, all of these things that I can't believe I helped to create.

In September of 2002 my fate was sealed when my Twins came along and completed our family. They couldn't wait and arrived 2 months early but after only two weeks in the NICU they were able to come home. They are amazing, they fight, laugh, kick and scream at each other but still can't stand to be away from each other either.

My husband teases me all of the time saying that I collect kids like most people collect shoes. I have become the mom that all the kids come to, so now I have 12 co-children that call me NeeNee..I love this family that we have built, it is everything that I have every wished and hoped for.

I decided to start this blog as a way to keep of with all that goes on. My memory has not been very reliable and there are so many things that I want to pass on.

Last week I found out that I most likely have Multiple Sclerosis, I have been going down hill for the last 9 years. I have been to so many doctors and had so many tests and have not been able to find out for sure. I will not know if I finally have the correct diagnosis until I get in with a specialist. It was odd, I feel relieved almost because once we know for sure I will be able to better manage my life. I mostly feel guilty, I don't want my kids to grow up and feel cheated or like I have been a burden to them. My plan is to pull myself up by my bootstraps put on my big girl panties and make the most out of the good days.

When I first started blogging I really just wanted a place to keep up with life in general. I was going through alot health wise and needed an outlet. So here I am a little over a year later. I have gotten on and off the blog wagon several times. I found out I don't have MS which is great, but in the last year, I have found out I have a Pituitary Tumor, Thyroid Tumors, Fybrosistitis on my Eye Muscles and many other random things. I still don't have a difinitive diagnosis. I am trying desperately to live each day and not get bogged down in all of the illnesses.

My kids are still amazing and challenging, they are my world. This year I became a Macaroni Kid Publisher Mom. I love it. I think the one thing I would change about my blogging is defintely getting back on track I am excited about this challenge I think its just what I need to get back to blogging!


This post is written to play along with SITS and their Back to Blogging event.
If you would like to join in then stop by and link up!

This week, I will be taking a look back at what got me blogging in the first place and get back to the root of blogging and that is making connections with people.
There is a contest to try and win a Turquoise Sky Washer and Dryer from Electrolux. Which I desperately need since I have just gone through my third washer this year!

This event is sponsored by SITS, Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances,

This is my first time participating in the Monday Minute. I figure there is no better way to clear up the writers blog than to do a few memes. So today I will be joining in on the Monday Minute.

Who was your high school Sweet Heart?

I mostly dated through high school I didn't have anyone serious until my senior year and that was my older brothers friend, I had a crush on him for years and then we started dating.

What is your favorite vegetable to eat?

I love vegetables so its hard for me to pick one I guess it would be artichokes, spinach and potatoes

Do you plan on dressing up for Halloween, if yes, what do you have in mind?

I am trying to talk Loco YaYa into dressing up with me as Lucy and Ethel, we'll see how that goes.


Are you a reality show junkie? If so, what is your guilty pleasure?
Yes I am. I love Top Chef, Big Brother, and when I need a serious break from the real world I watch The Real Housewives and remember how lucky I am to be normal.

and finally

What year did you graduate high school? 1990 I know I know I'm ancient!

Make sure you go visit the Monday Minute Co-host Melissa
and our guest hostess Jessica

I thought I would finally post some pics of the the Threads I have been working on. Crochet has been a sort of salvation for me over the last year or so. When I am having a flare up it seems to be the one thing that can take my mind off the pain. There is something about the counting stitches and concentration that tends to distract me just enough. I owe a lot of that to Teresa at the Art of Crochet. I always wanted to learn but never did until last year I came across her blog and youtube videos and just like that I was a crochet queen.. :) Usually the amount that I crochet is directly related to the amount of pain that is going on but even so there is always a sense of accomplishment with each finished project. Here are just a few ...

Less than 6 days left. I can hold out, not much longer and everyone will be in school! Don't get me wrong, I am not a horrible mother, I love all of them so much, however I miss the routine. I am ready to have some me time back. I am ready to watch what I want on T.V. I am ready to not have to share my laptop and my phone to keep the peace. To be honest, they are ready too. They miss all of their friends and all of the activites that school brings. So only 6 more days until school starts.

In the mean time I have been crazy busy with my Crochet projects. I know it seems weird but when the pain levels are up I crochet. There is something about the counting and concentrating that keeps my mind off the pain. Right now I need it. I am headed to yet another specialist to try and find something that will help. Hopefully this will be the one, but we will see.

Macaroni Kid is going very well! We have made new contacts and have a lot of really great things in the works. My concentration is not real great right now but I am hoping that will turn around soon.

I haven't been around much lately, that's not true, I've been around just not around the bloggy-verse. I haven't made time to read or post as much as I would like. I have been immersed in working on Macaroni Kid. I have finally gotten the courage to start reaching out to companies and groups and I have been amazed at the opportunities that are coming my way. Something a little amazing happened yesterday, the hubs doesn't always say much about the MK. I will tell him what I'm up to but usually he shows very little interest. Then last night out of the blue he tells me how impressed he is with the work I'm doing. It was nice to be taken seriously.

Life is still the same old roller coaster my new favorite saying is "I WANT OFF THIS FREAKIN' RIDE NOW". It's like this whole year has been one thing after the other from my illnesses which are ever expanding to all of the crazy that runs around on a daily basis. There are days that feel like just when I've cleared one hurdle another comes flying at me before I can get my feet back on the ground. Little R had her tonsils adenoids and sinuses done a couple of weeks ago and what was supposed to be in and out in the same day became four days in a hospital 75 miles from home with no clothes or anything, but thanks to some really great friends and family we survived. She's back to her old self now and all is well. Loco YaYa's dad had a health scare three days after we got Little R home and it was a scary week but he's home now and doing better.

I took a mental break over the weekend and took the Fab Five out for several activities, We went to Lowes and built:





Later Saturday I took Big R and Big K to Painting with a Twist it was a blast if you've never been and you have one in your area you should definitely go. The girls loved it and the staff was amazing!









I will definitely go back next time with few girlfriends and a bottle of wine. I can't wait. Overall it was a good weekend. Nobody died or got really sick and even though there was some minor drama the crises was averted thank Big G. I have lots of work to do his week but for now, I'm going to take a little time to stop by and say hi to all my bloggy friends. I miss you all so much!

We had a great day yesterday! For those of you who have been keeping up, I am feeling a little better. I have several new doctors and things seem to be on the upswing. Yesterday we decided to take advantage and take the Fab Five to the beach. We had such a great time. I am red as a lobster, but the kids had a blast. The weather was great and the waves were big. We have been very fortunate not to be affected by the oil spill so we figured we should enjoy it while we can. It was a wonderful peaceful day, no one argued or nit picked and needless to say we were all in bed very early last night completely exhausted. We are planning more days like this and hoping to use this summer to take a vacation from all the craziness and just enjoy the little people are growing like weeds and it won't be long until days at the beach a few and far between.

I decided to join Shell today for Pour You Heart Out. Check her out for the rules, the main one is Pour Your Heart out and remember to be respectful of others feelings and thoughts.

I'm going to apologize in advance, I am in a bad place today. Not just today, for a while now. But I am at a point now where I cannot hold it all in any more. I am in pain, so much that I can barely stand it. I can barely walk. My skin hurts, my hair hurts, everything hurts. My eyes are not working the way they should and I am angry. I want to play with my kids, I want to run around my 2 acre back yard. I want my life back. I want my memories back.

I spend a lot of time trying to hide my pain, carrying on as if nothing is wrong, pushing through even when I am not sure if I can. I can't believe that I was given my three miracle children only to have them grow up with a mother that can barely function. They do not deserve this, they deserve so much better. I don't want them to have to watch me deteriorate the way that I watched my Grandmother. I know how hard it is to see someone you love suffer in pain.

I want to not feel sorry for myself. I want my pain to go away. I want to find a doctor that will not just send me to another. I want to find a way to be pain free. I want more than anything to be some version of normal.

I know that I am lucky, I would rather be the one with the illness than anyone else. I know that I am fortunate that I have a healthy family. I know that it could always be worse.

I read about Monkey today. I cried and I felt guilty, because I know that even though my body is shutting down on me, my kids are healthy and I am so very fortunate. I remember when the twins were born, two months early, I remember the fear and I know how lucky we are that they survived. I know that not everyone has a healthy child if you have not read about Monkey please do. If you can help in any way please do. Ian over at Daily Dose of Reality Is organizing a fundraiser so if you have anything to donate or would like to enter the raffle stop by and see him. If you would like to make a direct donation to help click on the link below and it will take you directly to paypal. Any way that you can help makes a difference wheather it is through a prayer, a dollar or more.

Click on monkey to donate...please help!

I was recently given the opportunity to try out some Cascadian Farm products, thanks to MyBlogSpark.

I was able to try two boxes of Cascadian Farm cereal–Fruitful O’s and Cinnamon Crunch, two boxes of granola–oats and honey and dark chocolate almond, and two boxes of chewy granola bars–chocolate chip and dark chocolate almond. Also inside the package was a handy reusable green tote bag that was able to fit all of the Cascadian Farm products.

I have to say, the family was a little skeptical of the organic products. But much to my delight they loved everything. The Granola Bars were a huge hit with my husband and the twins. I would have to say that my favorite was the Granola-oats and Honey Cereal which is also a great topping for vanilla yogurt. The taste was absolutely delicious. My oldest daughter loved the Cinnamon Crunch and little K was thrilled with the Fruitful O's. They have all not only been enjoying their morning cereal they have been having them for their bedtime snacks too.





This year marked the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. To celebrate, you are invited to live green by pledging to follow a few eco-friendly tips on Casadian Farms Facebook Page. For each person that signs a pledge (through 5/31/2010), Cascadian Farm will donate $1 to the Organic Farming Research Foundation (up to a maximum donation of $40,000 with a minimum donation of $20,000). In turn, your pledge will help to create a cycle of positive change towards a more sustainable future!

Visit CascadianFarm.com to learn more and download a $1.00 coupon today!


Now on to the good stuff. Cascadian Farms and My Blogspark would like to give you a chance to try out these great products too!





To enter:
Leave a comment telling me which Cascadian Farm product you’d most like to try.

For additional entries: leave a separate comment for each -
1. Tell me what your family does to live greener.
2. Sign the pledge on Facebook.

Contest ends 5/23/10 at 11:59 EDT and is open to residents of USA who are 18 years old or older. Void where prohibited by law. Winner will be chosen by random.org after the close of the contest and will have 48 hours to respond to email. If no response is received within 48 hours, winner forfeits their prize and a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary.

Cascadian Farm provided me with the products, information, and prize packs through MyBlogSpark. All opinions are mine.

It's that time if the week again today I will be participating in Friday Follow hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families, Midday Escapades

This idea is a fun way to find out about new blogs, find new friends, and grow in followers. So hop on over and link up for a chance to meet up with a bunch of great bloggers! So if you have time I encourage you to participate.

Here's how YOU can join the Friday Follow celebration:

--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Grab the Friday Follow button and include on your Friday Follow blog post.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.

--Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you'd like.

--Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

This list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

Tooth Soap® Happy Mother's Day Giveaway!

Win one of 4 $100 Tooth Soap® gift certificates! It's your chance to try out some of the MOST TALKED ABOUT product on the blogger web!


To enter:


* Post the Tooth Soap® Happy Mother's Day button on your blog sidebar, AND within YOUR FRIDAY FOLLOW post.
* Please leave a comment on either Midday Escapades, Hearts Make Families or One 2 Try Blog (on the May 7th Friday Follow post) telling Tooth Soap® that you plan to participate in the contest!
* Please keep your sidebar button up until Friday, May 14th 2010.
* After May 15th , 2010 the winner of the Friday Follow will be announced on Midday Escapades, Hearts Make Families and One 2 Try Blogs.


Winners will be chosen at random using random.org .
Winner will be contacted via email to confirm winnings.
Winners have 24 hours from notification date to claim prizes.
Contest ends May 15, 2010 12:00 AM EST.

The way it works is that you take out all your frustrations on people/things that peeved you off during the week and thank them in a very sarcastic way, for being who or what they are/doing what they did. I know everyone can use some free therapy, so go ahead and type yours out. Then link up with KMAMA and grab the button and get in on some free therapy.

This is my first time joining in but it's been one of those weeks so here we go!

DOG - I get it, your a Lab, which means it is in your DNA to hunt. However, it is not necessary for you to go all over the entire neighborhood and drag back every single item you find and scatter it all over my yard! Thank You Very Much for making my yard look like a landfill! I also do not understand why you feel the need to CLIMB on everything! YOU ARE A DOG!!! You are not an Orangutan dogs don't climb. So Thank You Very Much for being a freak of Nature and Climbing all over everything!

IMMUNE SYSTEM - I know that you are tired and worn out, I know you are having a rough time. Thank You Very Much, for letting this be the worst allergy attack I have had in 20 years( I know I'm Old) Thank You Very Much for letting my sneeze my head off, I can't even go out to the laundry room so Thank You Very Much , I now have an infection and more medicine so Thank You Very Much!!! I feel like crap! and there a tons of people coming in a week, have you seen the house? Again Thank You Very Much!

CHILDREN - Please see above, I'm sick and we have company coming so Thank You Very Much for your refusal to help clean up your messes I really appreciate all of your cooperation, I will be donating all of your toys to charity, so Thank You Very Much for being lazy and making someones day!

HOUSE CLEANING FAIRY, LAUNDRY FAIRY, GROCERY SHOPPING FAIRY - Thank You Very Much for your failure to show up! YOU ARE ALL FIRED!!!


Thank You Very Much for letting me get this off my chest, I feel much better now!

Here I am again, trying to play catch-up. I am so far behind on my reader it's awful. I have been trying to get around to reading and commenting on everyones blogs but I'm not sure if I am making any progress at all. I have been spending a lot of time being sick and working on my Macaroni Kid stuff. I am loving MacKid, not loving allergies this year! I haven't had them this bad since I was a little and its wearing me out both figuratively and literally. I even started taking Vitamins and I never do that! I know, I know I should always take vitamins but I take so much medicine that I hate taking anything else.. uggh! I've been sitting here all day looking at the calendar. Checking events and dates then it finally donned on me that the kids are almost out of school. Then there's the big birthday coming for the oldest. She'll be 11 in a week and a half. I'm crying, it's awful. I know that they have to grow up, but she's going so fast. I want to slow her down. I want to tell her to wait, enjoy it, take some time, don't be in such a hurry. Before too long she will be out in the "real" world and things will happen before she knows it. I want to hold on just a little tighter but I know that it won't help it will only make her want to go faster. I want to prepare her it won't be long now before boys and broken hearts. I want to tell her to skip it, wait till your 30 there's plenty of time. I know thats not always true, but when your 11 it is. I understand this is the beginning of the end, she is already so grown up and in 2 years she will be a teenager and in 7 she will go off to college. Thats not a long time and I want it to be. I want it to take forever. But for now I will focus on 11 and her birthday and enjoy it while I can.

It's that time if the week again today I will be participating in Friday Follow hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families, Midday Escapades

This idea is a fun way to find out about new blogs, find new friends, and grow in followers. So hop on over and link up for a chance to meet up with a bunch of great bloggers! So if you have time I encourage you to participate.

Here's how YOU can join the Friday Follow celebration:

--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Grab the Friday Follow button and include on your Friday Follow blog post.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.

--Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you'd like.

--Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

This list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

I wrote this post this morning and then got busy with the rest of the bloggy moms and tweeps and as of this afternoon and 132 emails later I am happy to report that Janes son is being transferred to a great school. Anyone that says that you can't make a difference is wrong! There is nothing more powerful than the voice of a mother except the voice of many mothers! So thank you to all who helped! I know that Jane and Islaam will be forever grateful to all of you!
********************************************************************************************

As mothers our deepest fear is that we will be unable to protect our children. We all know that we will do anything to make sure that they are safe. But what would you do if your child was being terrorized at school and the school was refusing to help you. I know that it sounds unimaginable but it is happening and that is where you come in. Jane needs our help. This is Janes beautiful son Islaam.




This is Islaam after he was attacked at school.



If you are not familiar with his story please go here.

One thing that we all know is that there is power in numbers and if this was your child you would do anything to get him somewhere safe. We are reaching out to help Jane and Islaam the best way we know how, with our voices. No child should live in fear and no Mother should ever be told that she will be prosecuted if she doesn't send her child to a school that refuses to ensure her childs safety. This is unacceptable.

Do you want to help get her son in a school where he can concentrate on learning and not have to worry about his immediate safety?

Blogfia has a job for you. Princess of Sarcasm has gotten everything together all you have to do is take a few minutes to send an email.

Email the principal, Mrs. Clark at llclark@lbschools.net and let her know that you are disappointed in their lack of cooperation and their failure to keep Islaam safe.

The matter has recently been presented to the superintendent, Christopher J. Steinhauser. We are hoping he will be more helpful. You can reach him at lbetschel@lbschools.net and let him know that you are familiar with Islaam’s case at Jefferson Middle School and that you have seen photos of the brutal attack and that you are SURE they will do the right thing and provide him with a safe learning environment at another school within their district.


Please send a copy to Jane at knottylbc@yahoo.com for her records.

If you would like to join us by posting a plea for help on your blog, Jane would be very grateful. Tweet using the #blogfia hashtag. You may copy my post and tweek it to fit yours if you wish. Please grab the blogfia button as well.
Our goal is to have their inbox flooded with emails by tomorrow morning when they get to work.


Please send emails up until 3 pm EST / noon PST on Saturday, April 24.


If Jane doesn't get a positive response we may do it again next week. We will give them an adequate amount of time to respond, but will stay on them if needed.


If you need a sample email to send you may copy mine.
Dear Ms. Clark,
I have been following the story about the recent attack on a student in your school, Islaam, and I am outraged that he has not been given an opportunity to transfer to another school. Your lack of action in this case is unacceptable. How are children supposed to learn if they are in an environment where they fear for their safety? Your inability to protect him is a serious issue. I am hoping you will take the necessary steps to protect this child’s mental and physical well being and do whatever is necessary to rectify this situation immediately.




Dear Mr. Steinhauser,
I have been following the story about the recent attack on a student at Jefferson Middle School, Islaam, and I am disappointed that he has not been provided an opportunity to enroll in another school within the district. Children need to be provided with a safe environment to learn. I hope you will move quickly to rectify this situation so that Islaam will be able to get back in school as soon as possible and work towards healing emotionally from the brutal attack. Please do not let this young man down.

Now is the ideal time to plant a butterfly garden! We all know that few kids will pass up the opportunity to dig in the dirt, plant flowers, and wait and see what new friends might come for a visit? Butterflies are all aflutter in the spring, summer and fall, and adding a colorful landscape will add delight and enticement to any Butterfly in his right mind looking for a place to land. This is a project that is not too difficult and depending on the size of the garden you plant can take around a day or two to complete.
Here's How:
• You will want to pick the perfect spot to entertain your butterfly guests. Choose a sunny location that is sheltered from wind.
• Find a couple of flat stones--dark colored ones that hold the heat of the sun are the best. Butterflies love to sun themselves after they have filled themselves up from a meal.
• Butterflies need water so make a small butterfly pond in the mud. You can also use a plastic lid from plastic ware or from a household item such as a butter tub or a round trash can lid.

Here are just a few plants that are known to attract Butterflies and sometimes Hummingbirds as well. There are many great resources on the web and at your local nursery that will list plants and shrubs that grow best in specific areas.
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) - a perennial that attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and bees with their large, fragrant panicles. The butterfly bush should be included in any butterfly or hummingbird garden. Butterfly bushes can grow 5 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 4 to 15 feet. The color of the flowers can vary, but the most common are purple, pink, white, or red. Butterfly bushes flower from June/July through fall. It is recommended that the bushes be cut back in winter to allow new growth in the spring months. Butterfly bush plants grow well in full sun and well-drained soil. The butterfly bushes are also drought-tolerant.
Lantana (Lantana camara), Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis) - attracts all types of butterflies and hummingbirds. Lantana comes in a variety of colors including red, orange, yellow, purple or blue and white florets. Lantanas grow well in Zone 8 and higher.
Larkspurs (Delphinium) and Hollyhock (Alcea) - Perennial plants that can grow to 5 feet tall or more. Delphiniums are good for zones 2 - 9 and are available in a variety of flower colors. Hollyhock grows in zone 3 and has white flowers.
Sweet Bush (Bebbia juncea) drought-tolerant attracts all types and sizes of butterflies. It has yellow blooms spring through fall.

In addition to flowering plants for the butterflies, you'll want to provide food for larva like Mexican Milkweed or Passion Vine. To truly enjoy your garden you will want to make spot to sit and observe your visitors such as a bench, chairs, or a sitting area. This is also a great opportunity to break out your camera or get a disposable one and let your kids take pictures of their gardens and the various insects and birds that visit. You can also help them to create a scrapbook, collage or online photo album as a keepsake. The most important thing to remember is to have fun and make wonderful memories.

For more info on Butterfly Gardens visit:
http://www.thebutterflysite.com/gardening.shtml

*I want to start out by saying this is NOT a sponsored post. This item was a gift. No one paid me, these are my opinions*

I'm not sure if I have told everyone how much I truly love to cook. Some of my fondest memories in my life are centered around food. Not only eating it, but preparing it. I have been cooking or helping someone cook for as long as I can remember. Now before you get confused, I am no master chef, I am what we all would call a good ole' down home southern cook. Which usually translates as butter, butter, butter, batterd and fried.. but not always. When I was little I was always in the kitchen right in the middle of all of the activity always wanting to help and I was always encouraged to help.

I have been no different with my kids. When they were babies they were either on my hip, strapped to me or in a seat in the kitchen and as soon as they were big enough they were holding a spoon and stirring something up. They all love to cook, they love being in the kitchen picking out recipes and seeing how things turn out.

Now on to my point. I, being someone who loves to cook also have an obsession with kitchen gadgets and my father has a knack for feeding that obsession by gifting me with a new gadget each holiday and birthday. The latest addition to my collection is - The Presto Tater Twister . Who doesn't love Curly Fries? I love them and so do the kids. The thing I love most about my Tater Twister is that it is kid friendly. I help them put the potatoes in and then they press the top down and watch as their curly fries are created. One tip that I figured out is that if you cut the tip ends off of the potatoes it makes it easier to line them up on the top and the bottom of the twister. The clean up is easy too,the pieces snap a part and are dishwasher safe. I found a bunch on Ebay, I'm not even sure if you can get them in the stores any more becuase I had never seen one. We have been using it at least once every few weeks or so since my birthday. I love it and the kids have a ball with it. So if you have kids that you let cook with you and you love Curly Fries I highly recommend you get one, you won't regret it!

Ok, so MommyBrian and Supah want to know whats our word or words that we have made up or adapted.

What is YOUR WORD?
a WORD or CATCH PHRASE that you made up
or stole borrowed
or adapted or whatever
a WORD or CATCH PHRASE that you say all the time,
use in an unusual way,
makes you laugh or feel clever.
a WORD or CATCH PHRASE that you've redefined
or that has come to mean something different
because of your kids or your job




Adventures in Mommyville and Loco YaYa decided to do our post together, as we are one brain in two bodies. Allbeit totally different bodies!! But all the same. We were on the phone when we read this post and the first word we both said was the same. Soooooo, we decided to just go on ahead and post together. Meh, it's how we do things in these parts.


MADE UP WORDS


bitchitude - what you call the mid-point between an attitude and just plain bein' a bitch. yes people.

i.e. "let me tell you something, you don't drop that bitchitude you've been carrying around and i'm gonna lop it off like a gimp limb!"



asstastick - when something is so ridonkulousy rediculous. mostly used dripping with sarcasm.

i.e. when you go to get a cup of coffee, your significant other not only drained the pot, but there is none left in the cabinet, and you have no gas to get to the store. THAT is asstastic.


psycho sally/rosemary - this is our word for when one of the kids is being crazy. and i do not just mean run of the mill crazy. i mean a step above and beyond. one that could possibly require a white jacket with long sleeves and buckles. the type of crazy where no amount of lithium or shock therapy could make things better.

i.e. "sorry we could not make it to dinner last night. Lil'R was being psycho sally and Lil'K turned into rosemary about 10 minutes before we left"


asstabulous - in the 'ass' family. we use this family of words a lot. again, best used dripping with sarcasm. this is the next step up from asstastick. when asstastick just does not quite fit. this word can be used and interchanged with asstastick as much as needed.


i.e. coffee situation above except after spending all day complaining about no coffee, after your SO gets home, he informs you that he filled your truck up and your BFF brought some coffee by the night before, it just was not put in the right place. asstabulous.

assaholic - this term describes someone who is super awesome at being an ass. they cannot help it, and most of the time they are in denial about the situation. the recovery is long and hard for the assaholic. traditional therapy does not work for this person. one of the only cures that has been known to work is a soap bar in a tube sock applied nightly to affected areas.


i.e. "dude, your dad is an assaholic"


hoohoodilly - little man parts - we had to find a new word for penis when the kids were little and with 4 girls in the house, well this is what we came up with.

i.e "little man please put up your hoohoodilly and stop tormenting your sisters, you are going to cause them to go blind!





WORDS WE STOLE BORROWED BUT USE AND LOVE


douche-canoe - we first heard this one via The Bloggess. and we both use it and love it!


vajayjay - how dare they say that 'bailey' off of grey's made up this word. first off...locoyaya has been using this word for quite a while. at least since 2007. AT LEAST! but ok. she makes money and i do not. so i guess there is no ground to stand on. but i have my eye on your peoplewhodeterminewhocoinswhatword.

So many things have changed for me lately. Life has taken a turn. There is a kind of peacefulness that has fallen on my house that hasn't been here in a very long time. I hoped for it, but never expected it. It seems as though we have walked through a door and things have changed. Our family has found a new kind of normal and it is nice, we are all still adjusting but moving forward which is always good. It is new and different and I am not complaining at all.

For such a long time the only focus that I have had has been my kids. I know that I am not the only mom that this has happened to. I am not sure if my struggle with infertility propelled me into this role or if it is just who I am. I have always been the one that when the friends get together or invite me out I usually decline.

I hate leaving the kids for several reasons. One is that there are usually so bad I hate to inflict them on someone else (not really but kind of) Two, it seems as soon as I walk out the door all Hell breaks loose and my getting a break is never worth what I have to deal with when I get back home. Three is that I am kind of a homebody. When I became a mom that was kind of it for me. Don't get me wrong I love hanging out with the girls, having a drink or coffee but usually its only when the kids or at school or off at a sleepover. I enjoy spending time with my girlfriends but I prefer it when its in my backyard and all the kids are playing together and I am in my element.

I had also fallen into the mommy trap, you know the one. Where you start to think that all you can do is clean house, run errands, cook, make play dates, read books, do homework and essentially make your family happy. I am not saying that this is a bad thing but we all know that there is a point that we tend to loose ourselves. I gave up working a long time ago to be a SAHM. I wanted to be the supermom the ideal June Cleaver. It has since occurred to me that most women of the 50's and 60's must have been either heavily medicated or drinking most of the alcohol that they were marinating dinner with! My house is never perfect and laundry is never done but I try.

About a month ago after a lot of hemming and hawing on my part I decided to take on a new venture, something that everyone said was perfect for me and that I would be perfect for. I am now a Macaroni Kid Publisher Mom along with the BFF we are publishing for Macaroni Kid Golden Triangle it is amazing. I forgot how much I love working. Research is something I enjoy. Writing was once something I longed to do full time even though I am quite rusty. This is turning out to be such a rewarding experience. I have spent so many years wanting to find something else to do, but I knew that I needed to be available in case the kids were sick or if I was needed and my health has always been an obstacle as well. Macaroni Kid has been something that I have been able to fit in to my schedule. I am still learning balance. I have dissapeared from the twitterverse and my blog has been a little neglected but I know that as time goes by I will be able to find a place for all of it. Thanks to everyone who has supported and encouraged me to do this. I am loving it. It is awesome and if you would like to know more.. just ask!!!

FOLLOW FRIDAY:





Here's how YOU can join the Friday Follow celebration:

--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Grab the Friday Follow button and include on your Friday Follow blog post.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.

--Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you'd like.

--Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

This list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

Congratulations to Kkarin56381@gmail.com winner of the Yoplait Nourish your Inner Goddess giveaway! Thanks to everyone who entered!

With one day left to enter, I wanted to republish this post to give everyone a reminder and a chance to enter:

With 12 grams of protein -- twice that found in leading yogurts--new Yoplait Greek nourishes from the inside out. Available in four delicious flavors, Strawberry, Blueberry, Honey Vanilla and Plain, the brand’s newest offering has a unique thick and creamy texture with the unmatched taste expected of Yoplait.

To celebrate its new Greek yogurt and to encourage women to nourish their inner goddess, Yoplait has teamed up with actress Izabella Miko, who plays Greek Goddess Athena in the epic adventure new Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ film “Clash of the Titans,” in theatres April 2 in 3D.



I was delighted to recieve the opportunity to review Yoplait Greek Yogurt. I selected the Honey Vanilla and Bluberry to try. I have to say I loved the thick and creamy texture of the yogurt. The Bluberry was a little tart to me but my girls loved it. I preffered the Honey Vanilla and only wished I would have had some fruit to dip in it. We love yogurt and I will defintely be adding this to my regular shopping list. The kids all had mixed reviews but overall Yoplait Greek Yogurt recieved 5 thumbs up out of 7 which is really good with this picky bunch!


Now on to the fun stuff:

WIN: One lucky reader will recieve a Yoplait Greek “Nourish Your Inner Goddess” gift pack that contains two VIP* coupons for two free cups of Yoplait Greek yogurt.

In addition, stop by here to download a coupon* and save $0.30 on one cup of new Yoplait Greek today!

*This coupon offer for a free cup of Yoplait Greek yogurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee.


**A product was received for this review. Yoplait provided me with the free product, information, and gift pack through MyBlogSpark. All opinions are my own.

HOW TO ENTER:
To enter , leave a comment with a valid email address and tell us:

• 
  
  Which flavor of Yoplait Greek yogurt you´d most like to try

• How you get in touch with your own inner goddess

EXTRA ENTRIES:
Leave separate comments for each:

1. Tweet About It (2 extra entries)
2. Blog About It ( 3 extra entries)

**Winner will be chosen April 5, 2010**

It's that time if the week again today I will be participating in Friday Follow hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families, Midday Escapades

This idea is a fun way to find out about new blogs, find new friends, and grow in followers. So hop on over and link up for a chance to meet up with a bunch of great bloggers! So if you have time I encourage you to participate.

Here's how YOU can join the Friday Follow celebration:

--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Grab the Friday Follow button and include on your Friday Follow blog post.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.

--Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you'd like.

--Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

This list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.


While you're here take a minute to Hop down and sign up for my "Nourish Your Inner Goddess" Giveaway, you don't want to miss out on this one! I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!

After two days with Loco YaYa trying to get all of the Easter Bunny shopping done which may seem simple but it's not.. With two Tweens, the Twins and Lil' K it makes family pics a little interesting. Luckily for us after not too much stress we found 5 perfectly coordinated outfits for Easter that each child was actually happy with and the little man is even wearing a pink Polo with his navy shorts. So anyway now that all the candy, baskets, goodies and outfits are bought I was not left with much brain power for a blog post and then as I was Hopping (ha  ha) around my favorite blogs I stopped by my friend Pams and saw this post and was inspired to join in. I am a want to be Greenie at heart. I strive to save more and waste less as much as I can. So I didn't want to miss this chance make my Blog "Green".

KaufDA is a German based company who has dedicated themselves to helping the environment. They have launched a new campaign called "Make it Green!" Their goal with this campaign is to reduce the carbon footprint by raising awareness of the severe environmental damage caused by carbon emissions.

One of their goals is to raise awareness of the carbon emissions resulting from the use of the internet - specifically of blogs. A blog with 15,000 visits a month has a yearly carbon dioxide emissions of 8lb. To neutralize these emissions they have created "My blog is carbon neutral" buttons so bloggers can demonstrate that they care about the environment and the carbon footprint of their blogs.

For every blog that supports their organization, and adds this button to their blog, they plant a tree. This reduces the carbon footprint of our blogs. KaufDA is working in cooperation with the Arbor Day Foundation in Plumas National Forest in Northern California for their project to neutralize the carbon footprint of blogs.

If you would like to join in go here for more information.

I've been neglecting my blog. I've been really busy working on my Macaroni Kid stuff trying to get it off the ground, but the truth is that is not the only reason that I haven't posted. I am sure I am not the only one that has ever been through this. You see I have writers block.
When I started my blog I wanted to find the place where I fit in, would I be funny, would I be serious or would I just talk about my life and all the goings on and see what happened. I chose the latter. Then I had to make a decision about what parts of my life would remain private, the parts that I would try not to talk about and so far I had done a really good job. Until now. Now I am blocked. Most of you know that the last few months have been bumpy for me and for the most part I have handled it pretty well and in all honesty things have actually taken a turn and are for the first time in a really long time better than they have ever been. But now I am so full, so full of words, ones I am not sure if I want to put out there but after a lot of soul searching and long conversations I have decided maybe the only way to get through it is to get it out once and for all.
There is a running joke in our house about  how "mighty" I am and that there is no one more "awesome" than me. I know the truth, I am not mighty or awesome I am just a person who had to deal with some really difficult cirumstances and decided that I had two choices, feel sorry for myself and wallow in it or pull my self up by my bootstraps and take care of my business the only way I knew how. So here it goes. Before I decided to write this all down. I talked to hubs and he said it was fine with him. He knows that there is a lot I won't say to him but a lot that I need to get out. You see I am a stuffer, If it's bad or I can't change it I stuff it down and focus on the things I can do something about. It may seem like avoidance but it's not. I just don't see much point in dwelling on things you can't change.

Fourteen years ago I met the man of my dreams and well you know what happens next.  We built our lives had our ups and downs, made babies and did the best we could. Six years ago he took a job overseas. He spent three years there in the desert seeing God only knows what. During that time we saw him around 30 days each year. So needless to say when he got home things were different. The babies that were 2 when he left were now 5 and his little girl that was just starting kindergarten was now in 3rd grade. He was very distant, very quite, he didn't smile any more and it was difficult at best. I knew he had started drinking while he was there and not beer he was on the hard stuff. I thought at first that it would just take a little time for him to reaclimate to the "real" world. He was a functioning alcholic always at work and then once home in the bottle. Never abusive to the kids or put a hand on me. But never really here. I was different too. I had been juggling life mostly on my own and except for my friends it was just me. As the last few years passed the drinking got worse instead of better and in the last month finally hit a point at which I knew we were at the end. I felt I only had a few choices none of which I wanted so I started making plans. Then something happend something I never saw coming, something I knew never to even think about. He asked for help.  He checked himself into rehab and has been sober now for almost two weeks. This is the first time this has ever happened. He has never admitted he had a problem, never asked for help. He promised before he would quit usually to get me to back off or to not leave, but he never stopped before.
It is the one thing I was always too afraid to hope for, too afraid to expect and then it happened. I am very proud of him, but I am also not the same person he met or fell in love with. I disconnected myself from this part of my life a long time ago mostly out of self preservation and so that I would be able to sheild my kids and be a good mom to them. I am off balance. Who knew that this would be so hard. The only thing I wanted for so long was for him to be sober and now that he is it is great. I see that guy I met, the one that used to bring me kolaches and chocolate milk at work to woo me. But I am so scared, what if it doesn't stick, what if he doesn't like the person I am now, what if we find out that we don't have anything in common anymore but our kids.
I threw myself into motherhood and managing everything becuase I felt like I had too, so now how do I take a step back and let him find his place. I know that I have trust issues, I've been hurt and angry for a very long time, but it serves no purpose to put all of this on him becuase it won't change anything, the damage is done. The only thing that I can hope for is that day by day each one of the bricks in the walls I have built will come down one by one and we will find our way back. He is very commited to this and also very overwhelmed, clarity is difficult. I know that it takes a lot of courage to do what he is doing and I also know that he can do it and the way I see it is I've been here through all the rough stuff, I wouldn't dare give up on him now. Now that all the cards are on the table and everyone knows whats been hidden for so long a lot of people have asked me how I managed, how did I stay. Partly because when I got married and had the kids I knew it was forever, no one said it would be easy. I'm not sure maybe it's becuase I am so stubborn, maybe part of me just couldn't give up.
I am not "mighty" or "awesome" I am just a someone who knows that even though we may think that our lives are awful and we have it so bad that there is always someone worse off than us. I also know that I could cry until my arms fall off but the only thing that will happen is that life will go on just the same except I wouldn't have any arms. So that is it. I may seem like the "mighty one" the do-it all super mom but the truth is I am a mortal just like everyone else.
I want to say thank you so much to everyone that has been so supportive to me through all of this without you and you know who you are I wouldn't have made it. I love you all, you mean the world to me!

Oh I have missed you guys sooooo much!!!!! Somehow I survived Spring Break with the kids... barely :) I am so out of shape it is rediculous. But I am pretty sure I worked off some serious calories last week. Ok so I am trying to remember where I left off which we all know is virtually impossible since of course I am suffering from Swiss Cheese Brain and all! The movies were good. I loved Avatar, but of course I am a nerd at heart (please don't tell anyone) I have been since my very first Star Wars movie when I was a little girl! I loved the colors, the technology and just sitting there thinking the whole time omg, all of this stuff was floating around in someones head, that is so amazing to me. My brain doesn't even work at 1/16 of that capacity. Overall I loved it!

We spent last Wednesday at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and I just want to give a big SHOUT OUT!!! to all of the volunteers and staff!!! Great Job guys. Everything was great as always. The kids had a fabulous time!  The three little ones got to see their first concert, Rascall Flatts was amazing. The Bullriding, Chuckwagon Races, Calf Roping and Team Roping was rediculous of course now the entire family has decided that we need to be a family of Rodeo Cowboys and girls! Lol.

Thursday we decided to celebrate Lil K's birthday early so we took the whole family Bowling. It was so much fun the crazy thing was the little kids out bowled the big kids, it was truely hillarious..I spent the rest of the weekend trying to get ready for them to go back to school and get the house recovered from all the damage that was done from having all of them home for a week. It is amazing to me how much of a mess they can make in literally no time at all.

I've been hinting about my new and exciting project that I have been working on so now it is time for the big reveal. I am very proud to anounce that I am now a Publishing Mom of  Beaumont Macaroni Kid.  I am so excited to be a part of such an amazing and talented group of women!  I love being a mom and this is giving me a chance to not only be a mom but use all of my talents and resources I have developed as a mom to make a little extra income and earn some really great perks!! This opportunity is exactly what I have been looking for! If you would like to know more about it let me know I would love to share!!