The Entrecard Debate: Do I Stay or Do I Go?

I'm sure by now everyone who uses Entrecard has seen the new changes. Now people can pay to put ads on your widget.

At first, I thought nothing of it. I approved ads and only rejected the ones with half-naked women or something else repulsive on them.

Then, I read a thread on the Mom Blogger's Club about all of this. It made me wonder if sticking with Entrecard is the right decision. Entrecard has always been a fun way to find great blogs. But, now with these paid ads, people who use their credits to advertise for a day on my blog are having their time replaced by someone who many not even be a blogger. I don't like that.

Lately, I've noticed ads that I did not approve or have never even seen appearing on this blog and on Buy By Mom's blog. I've contacted Entrecard about it, but they haven't responded. I honestly wonder if they will. My guess is that they'll have some lame excuse about a "glitch" in the system.

As of right now, I only approve paid ads that are from bloggers - and only those in my category. If Entrecard doesn't rethink things, I'll be pulling out. I'll spend my last few Entrecard credits and be on my merry way.

What are your thoughts about all of this? Are you sticking with them to see what happens? Have you already left?

Today's Thrifty Techy Tip

I don't know about you, but I am terrible about calling 411 when I need a phone number. I ended up getting a whopping $4 charge every single time I do this. It is so frustrating!

Now I found out that you can send google a text message to get the information you need! If you have unlimited text, there's no charge! Otherwise, the only fee you'll be charged is whatever it costs you to receive a text message.

Want to know how to do it?

You'll send the text to 466453 ("GOOGLE" - Brilliant, I know!). Then, just tell them what you need. For example, I needed to call the Murphy, NC Walmart the other day. I typed in walmart, murphy, nc and sent it off to google. Not ten seconds later, I had the phone number sent right to my phone! Quick and easy!

You can also find local restaurants, movies, sports updates, and so much more.... it's goggle on your phone! If you want more details, go here.

Hope this helps ya'all out. I can't tell you how much money this is going to save me!

Wordless Wednesday: What is taking so long?!

Enter the Kissimmee Freedom Sweepstakes

What they say is true, the best things in life really are free.

Gene and I dream all the time of taking our kids on a big vacation. Somewhere warm, sunny, and full of things to do. Kissimmee, FL is one of the places we dream of going! Right next door to Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World, there are a bazillion things to do. But, even more than all of those things, there are some really awesome free things to do in Kissimmee.

I am a History buff, and I love things that focus on the Civil War era. In Kissimee, you can visit the historic Courthouse, the oldest in continuous use in the State of Florida. St. Cloud would be another stop. St. Cloud is dubbed "The Friendly Soldier City" for the thousands of Civil War veterans who relocated there in the early 1900s. There are tons of antique stores, shops, waterfront parks, and restaurants. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Oh, how I'd love to take the kids and let them learn while having FUN!

Now, if we could afford to splurge, you know we'd go all out - time at all the Disney Parks, a visit to Universal Studios, and a trip to Sea World would be top on our list. Oh, we also have to play mini-golf. Lots and lots of mini-golf! And, since we're going all out, I'm taking along a sitter so that hubby and I can enjoy a romantic dinner - without 5 kids.

So now that you have seen all there is to do in Kissimmee, you're ready for a care-free vacation yourself! Luckily, Kissimmee is giving away three (3) weekend getaways (3 days/2 nights) for two (2); and two (2) week-long vacations for four (4). Drawings will be held on or around 5/1/09 and 6/1/09. The best vacations are free, so go enter to win one for yourself!

Photography Tips & Tricks: Posing Children

As they get older, kids get easier and easier to photograph. It's so nice to be able to tell them, "Ok, sit here, on this rock, and put your hands in their lap." Typically, kids listen and will do what you ask. Sometimes you have to actually get down and show them what you mean, but they usually get it after that.

With bigger kids, you can do so much more, simply because there's less risk of them falling off the rock like you would with an infant or toddler. It's still a good idea to keep a parent close, just for safety's sake.

With older kids, I still love closeups. As they lose teeth and get new teeth, it's a great way to document how much they change. Other fun shots are to include things that are important to them. If they're all about being a princess, let them be a princess. If they are obsessed with baseball or soccer, incorporate the sports into the shot. They'll be cooperative if you make it fun for them!

Also, remember to get down on their level, and don't be afraid to try different angles or tight crops. Another fun thing to try is if you camera has a continuous shooting mode to use it. This is a fun way to build a story board - and sometimes the second or third shot can be better than the first or second! Another tip for taking a photo of children: Ask them to do something goofy - get a photo of it, but make sure you also get the moment right after they do that. They'll react with a laugh or a natural smile, and you'll get a photo that you'll treasure forever!

Next week we'll talk about posing teens and adults. Hope you'll drop by!

Only in the Mountains

Can you find a beauty parlor that looks like this....

We survived another trip to the pediatric dentist.

I have been worried about today since I got the phone call to schedule the appointment. Today was the day that the boys had to go to the boys had to go to the pediatric dentist. Today was the day that they would be sedated and have all of the work done at one time. Today was the day I have dreaded more than any other day.

We woke up this morning to cloudy, yucky weather. A few nights ago, we had really bad storms and tornadoes that were touching down a little too close for my liking. They were predicting that today would be just as bad - if not worse, and everything would happen down where the dentist's office is. Driving over the mountain in a storm just didn't sound appealing to me. I was scared to death. Terrified of the potential storms, and more importantly, about how the boys would handle the sedation.

Before we even left the driveway, we turned off the radio and prayed. We prayed for safe travels, for the storms to stay away, and for the boys to do well.

We left and picked up my good friend Sabrina - aka "Mandy's Mom." Because both boys were going to be sedated, I was going to need some help getting them to the car after everything was done. Sabrina kindly offered up herself and spent the day with us at the pediatric dentist's office. We dropped the girls off at Grandma's and headed down to the pediatric dental office. Remember - we have to drive almost 2 hours to get there.

We arrived in plenty of time for Zander's appointment. We waited for almost an hour before they even took him back. They had me sit in the chair and I held Zander on top of me. The dentist held Z's arms behind my head and I crossed one of my legs over Zander's legs. The anesthesiologist gave Z a quick shot in the butt to put him into "twilight mode." It took about 2 minutes to kick in, and Zander was out. Only it totally grossed me out because he never closed his eyes. He just looked completely gone.

I left the room, and they began working on him. Almost 2 hours later, they came out to tell me he was in recovery and it was time to bring Jace back. We went through the exact same procedure with Jace. Only Jace didn't fight and scream like Zander did. When they gave Jace the shot in the behind, he whipped around, shot the anesthesiologist a look, and declared, "That hurt!" Not a minute later, Jace was gone.

They left Zander in the recovery room while they worked on Jace. When they finished Jace up, it was time for us to head home. Zander was just starting to come out of the sedation, and he was loopy. I carried him to the car, Sabrina carried Parker, and then she waited in the car with them while I went in to get Jace. They thought that Jace was coming out of the sedation, but they couldn't get him to wake up at all. They couldn't discharge him until he woke up and said a few words. It took us what felt like forever before he finally woke up and said, "Hi, Mommy. I did good!"

The ride home was hysterical. I'm so glad Sabrina was there because she can attest that everything I am about to type is true - plus, she grabbed a few pictures for me! They boys were really groggy when we first left, but Jace wouldn't stop talking. "Mommy, I've never been so good at the dentist." "Mommy, I didn't even fall asleep." "Mommy, Zander screamed like a girl when he got a shot, but I didn't scream at all." The child never shut up. And some of the stuff he said made absolutely no sense at all. Zander was in a daze for most of the ride - he could barely keep his eyes open, and the words he said were garbled. The closer to home we got, the more they started to wake up. Jace never stopped talking the entire time - but at least he was a little more coherent as the trip went on!

I'm just so glad today is over. They did AWESOME at the dentist, the dentist was so good with the boys, they were fine through the entire sedation process, the storms held off, and I got to spend some time with a good friend. Today really couldn't have gone any better. Thank you for all the prayers for us today!

Buy By Mom wants to Pay it Forward.

I am also posting this here, simply because I'm hoping that a mom in business will read this and enter!

"Here at Buy By Mom, we know that times are tough. We know that Mom-owned shops are having a hard time keeping their doors open and generating the income they need. We want to help out.

Buy By Mom is teaming with Angela Vinez Designs to Pay it Forward to 2 very lucky moms!

What will these two moms receive?

1. Website Evaluation/Redesign - we will search your website and offer tips on how to improve SEO, as well as the overall look and feel of your website. We will gladly help you re-design any current design you already have in place. Don’t have a website? We’ll get you started with a basic shop (with PayPal “buy now” buttons) and your first year of your domain name and hosting costs. (up to $330 Value)
2. Custom Logo Design (up to $150 value)
3. Custom Business Card Design - we will create a custom design that compliments your website that you can upload to Vista Print. ($35 Value)
4. Custom Blogger Blog Design (2 or 3 column - winner’s choice!)(up to $75 value)
5. The Ultimate Button & Banner Package ($35 value)
6. 6 months Featured Sponsor Advertising on Buy By Mom. ($45 value)

That’s a $670 package going to 2 mom shops - FREE!

In order to enter, you need to go here and fill out this form. Tell us why we should consider helping your busienss out. Be thorough, and be honest. You must enter by May 15th. We will narrow the entries down to 5, and will then select 2 winners from those 5 using Random.org by May 25th. One entry per website, please. If you want to enter on behalf of a mom in business, you are more than welcome to do so.

Help us help you! We want your business to grow and succeed!"

If you feel so inclined, would you please help spread the word about this contest? We'd love to see it go to a 2 very deserving moms!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. While the Easter Bunny, the coloring of eggs, the Easter egg hunts, and the candy are all a fun part of today, what I love most is the meaning Easter has to our family.

Today we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. The story started at Christmas when we honored His birth. He lived, he taught, and he died.... and He did it all for us. The best part of the story is that He didn't stay dead. He rose again on that third day, and He's waiting in Heaven for our Father to say, "Son, go get your children." All we have to do is believe in Him and accept Him as our personal Savior.

What a blessing to know that I serve a risen Lord. I will celebrate and rejoice that He is King.

May you and your family feel the blessings of His Love today and every day.

She handed her pacifiers over to the Easter Bunny.

It was not the most pleasant of experiences, either.

We had everything all set up beforehand. Hubby got up and left a few minutes before we did, and he got to the bank first. He reminded them what was going to happen, and they all remembered and were really excited about it. We met him at the bank, and we all walked back to where the Easter Bunny was sitting. We watched a few other kids talk to the Easter Bunny. Then, it was Lucy's turn. She freaked out. I'm not sure if she was more afraid of the Easter Bunny or of losing her pacis. Either way, it took a lot of "helping" her over to the bunny. But, she dropped the bag of pacis in his lap, and he handed her a great big present. She still wouldn't get near him.

If you want to see exactly what happened, you can watch the video that Gene took:

After we left the Easter Bunny, we let her open her special present:

She had a BLAST playing with those pots and pans all evening.

Last night was rough. It took her over 3 hours to fall asleep, but she did, and she slept all night. She kept asking for her paci, and we kept reminding her where they went. At one point she told me, "I don't like the Easter Bunny. He took my paci!"

Overall, it went surprisingly well. She knows that her pacis are gone, and she'll never get them back. It'll take a few days, but I think she's going to be just fine.

Thanks for all the support and hand-holding. Apparently I needed it more than Lulu! :)

MagnaPlay Toys Winner!

Congratulations to #59 cstironkat who said...

MagnaPlay Magnetic Coloring Travel Set is my favorite since it would keep the boys busy in the car.

I have tried contacting you through your Open ID link, but am unable to. That means I need you to email me your shipping information. (Send to angie(at)5vinezmonkeys(dot)com.) Please respond by Wednesday, or the prize will be repulled.

To those who didn't win, consider purchasing a MagnaKase. They're on sale right now for just $22.99, and I promise that they are worth every penny! My boys still take theirs on every single car ride!

Happy Half-Birthday, Little Man!

I can't believe it's been a full 6 months since Parker was born. I know that I say every month how quickly the time flies, but it's true! He's like a completely different baby than the one we brought home.

The newborn we brought home was smaller than any other infant I had ever held in my arms. He weighed in at a measly 5 pounds 6 ounces, and dropped to 5 pounds 2 ounces the day we came home. He was nothing but skin and bones.

Now, he's chunked right up. He's got the sweetest cheeks, and eyes that are the prettiest blue. (Please let them stay that way!!) He smiles and laughs all the time. He loves to snuggle, and he's Mama's boy. I am so lucky.

I love you, sweet baby. I look forward to watching you grow and learn every day. You make me smile inside and out. I love every moment that I get to sit and snuggle you, because I know a day will soon come when you no longer want to snuggle. Until that time, I'm just going to squeeze you and rock you as much as I can.

Have you heard of YouData?

I was recently introduced to YouData through another blogger. It sounded intriguing, so I checked it out.

YouData allows you to put ads on your blog - only your readers get to pick what ads they see - if any! If you want, you don't have to view any ads, and you can just not bother to scroll down to the bottom of my blog. But, if you feel so inclined, you can scroll down and view a few ads - but only the ones you want to! Then, when you view the ads, I share my earnings with you (50%/50%!).... and the pocket change adds up fast! I've only been on it a few days, and I already have over $5!

Now, you won't get rich using YouData. I'm sorry - but it's just not a "get-rich quick" scheme. I'm totally not into those. Instead, you get introduced to new websites that you may never have seen - and you get paid to do it!

I'm really impressed with YouData. Their customer service is fantastic, and I've found some awesome websites because of them.

Check them out today. And then have fun getting paid to read the ads!

Katie's Kreations & 55 Maple Designs (Giveaway - Ends April 24th)

Katie is an amazing mom to four beautiful little girls! They range in age from 7 to 1. I have gotten to know Katie over the last few days through her blog and through emails, and I have to tell you what a wonderful person she is.

Katie operates 2 etsy shops: Katie's Kreations and 55 Maple Designs.

When I first visited her shops, I was blown away by two things: 1. Her talent - her items are gorgeous! and 2. Her prices. (They totally speak for themselves! WOW!)

Katie has graciously offered one of my readers their favorite item (up to $10) from either one of her shops.

So, want to win a gorgeous piece from either Katie's Kreations or 55 Maple Designs?

To enter, visit one of Katie's shops: Katie's Kreations or 55 Maple Designs.
Then, come back here and tell me what piece you would select if you won. Believe me, it's not going to be an easy decision - her items are fabulous!

Want extra entries? Here's how to get them:
1. Follow my Blog.
2. Subscribe to my Feed via Reader or Email.
3. Blog about the contest. (Please link to 5VinezMonkeys and Katie's Blog in your post, then leave a link in your comment here to your post.)
4. Twitter about this giveaway. (You can do this up to 5 times per day. Please leave a link to your tweets or your twitter ID in your comments.)

Please be sure to leave a comment letting me know you've done any of the above so that you get the proper amount of chances to win!

Giveaway will end on April 24th. Winner will be selected via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or they forfeit their prize.

Don't want to wait until April 24th to get one of these fabulous pieces? Katie has graciously offered 20% off all orders (in either shop!) to my readers. Just enter the code "5vinezmonkeys" at checkout.

Good luck to all who enter!

Jace tried to take out a wall last night!

Last night at church, the boys were running around downstairs in the hallway. They have been told time and time again not to goof off because someone is going to get hurt.

Wouldn't you know it? They ran right into each other, knocked heads, then Zander hit the floor and Jace went into the wall. He completely dented the wall. How the child did not end up with a concussion, I have no idea!

Here's a picture.... I don't know if you can really see the dent or not, but it's there.

Crazy boys! One of these days they'll listen to their Mama!

Wordless Wednesday: Daddy's in Charge

Photography Tips & Tricks: Posing Toddlers

Last week, we talked about posing babies for photos. This week, we're going to focus on my *favorite* stage - toddlers!

Once your little one becomes mobile, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep them still long enough to snap a good photo. And anyone who has ever been a parent of a two-year old knows just how moody they can be. But, you CAN get a good photograph. Really. Just be thankful we are now in the digital age. I used to burn through film so fast. Ritz Camera and I had a very close relationship - I was in there all the time with new film to develop. Now, thanks to digital cameras, we can instantly see how the photo turns out.

Ok - let's get back to the topic at hand: Just how do you pose a toddler and get them to stay put? One good trick is to confine them. If you're at the park, put them in a tree (have someone else stand nearby!!!). Another good tip is to distract them - a fountain, a garden, even a little potato bug can keep their attention long enough to snap a gorgeous photo. Steps are another great place to photograph - whether you're indoors or out. A toddler-sized chair is also good to have on hand. Large chairs work, too. Just remember - wherever you put the child, ALWAYS have someone near them. Accidents happen, but it's better to be prepared beforehand. Distract them with a game of peek-a-boo, sing a song, play music that they know and enjoy. Make it a fun experience for them, and you'll love the results. And, above all... BE PATIENT. If now isn't a good time, try again later. Forcing a toddler to sit still for pictures is only going to make them act worse.

Also, remember what I said before about photographing toddlers: Let them have fun. Photos don't always have to be completely posed to be fabulous!

And keep that tickle stick on hand. You'll be glad you did!

Snowflakes = Complete Panic

Gene's boss called him this evening and said, "I need the entire stock crew to come in tonight. Because they're calling for 2 inches of snow tonight, people swamped the store and the shelves are empty."

So, Gene called everyone on the stock crew. All but one guy will be there. Apparently, his mommy doesn't want him driving that far in the snow. (No joke - that's what he told Gene!)

I guess when you've spent 29 winters in the Chicago Suburbs and in North East Ohio, 2 inches of snow just doesn't seem panic-worthy. But, down here, just the sight of one snowflake is enough for them to shut down school, and even close some businesses. It just seems so crazy to me!

In other news, I scheduled the boys' dentist appointments today. They'll go in on Monday and have the sedation done. I've talked to several hygenists, several other moms, and I have prayed long and hard about this. I just think it's the right step to take! Wish us luck!

Problems with Lucy's teeth.

Just what I need. More dental problems.

For those that don't know, Lucy is still using a pacifier. I have tried and tried and tried to get rid of this silly thing, but if she doesn't have it, she doesn't sleep. At all.

Well, Lucy and I were making funny faces yesterday, and I noticed that she cannot put her top and bottom teeth together. Her canine teeth hit each other, and it leaves a huge space between her front top and bottom front teeth. How I never noticed this before, I have no idea.

I'm not sure how urgent this is. I don't know if it justifies calling the doctor and scheduling an appointment, or if I should call the pediatric dentist and see if they'll let me bring her in, even though she's not 3.

I feel like such a horrible mother. I should have broken her from this pacifier ages ago - just like I did with all my other kids. Now I'm reaping the consequences, and unfortunately those consequences are affecting Lulu's mouth.

Does anyone have any been-there-done-that advice? I've tried forcing her to go for days without her paci, but she absolutely will not sleep and is a beast. What do I do?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[IN]PLACE System by Peter Walsh (Review)

I'm going to let you in on a secret: I am not the queen of organization that I wish to be. My life is organized - I schedule every moment of every day. My desk, however, is a mess. Truth be told, my office space looks like a filing cabinet exploded. I have papers everywhere. Papers for homeschooling, client orders, client receipts, notes for church activities.... the list goes on and on... and on. Not only do I have papers everywhere, but my desk is also a haven for sticky-notes. I have passwords, important dates, important phone numbers all on sticky notes and all stuck all around my desk - on the computer monitor, the book shelves, anywhere I can find room. When it comes to organizing my office space, I am a mess.

So, when I was invited to try out the [IN]PLACE System and attend a live webcast with Peter Walsh, I was all over it! Anyone who watches Oprah or TLC has heard of Peter Walsh (and his amazing accent!). He is the organization guy. I've always wished he'd come do a Clean Sweep of my house! This review was a great start to that wish.

They sent me a wonderful starter kit and accessories to start getting things organized. I immediately put them into use. The desktop sorter is perfect for the kids homeschooling papers. I now have all their tests, reports, and other important papers neatly organized and in one place. The best part? I can take the desktop sorter to the kitchen table when we're schooling in there, and then put it back on my desk when we're done. All of the papers stay together and organized. Awesome.

I also organized all of my client files in the expanding folder, and my church activity notes went into their own special envelope. And all those sticky notes? All the information from them is now written neatly in the gorgeous little journal they sent me. I honestly feel like a new woman! I know where everything is now. I no longer freak out because I can't find a paper or an important phone number. Everything is clearly labeled and I can easily find exactly what I need. Another great feature is that the products are all reusable. They are durable, so they'll last forever, but because you can label everything with their special post-it notes (color-coded, of course!), or with their super-cool erasable marker, you can use the same products over and over and over again.

Now, I know you're wondering where you can get all of these amazing products. Peter Walsh has teamed up with OfficeMax and they'll be available starting next week! (Read the partnership announcement here.) All of the products are affordable, functional, and downright fabulous.

The webcast on Thursday was awesome. If you have some time, watch it. Peter offers up some really great organization tips. My favorite tip was "If you have to think about it - it needs to go." I've put this tip into action in my kids' rooms and on my desk. It has helped tremendously!

I am so thankful for the opportunity to do this review. It really has put me on the road to real organization. Thank you, OfficeMax and Peter Walsh for your time and your products.


PS - You can now follow OfficeMax on twitter!

Yanni Voices (Review)

Ok, so I have to be totally honest. Before this review, I had never heard anything by Yanni. I mean, I had heard of Yanni, but I couldn't tell you a thing about him. Pathetic, I know.

But, anyone who knows me, knows that I love music. It doesn't matter what it is, I love to sing. So, when the One2One Network contacted me with the opportunity to review Yanni Voices, I jumped at the chance.

I have to tell you how truly blown away I was with this CD. (And it comes with a DVD! How cool is that?) After listening to this CD, I am hooked. The music was beautiful, and the vocals used where perfectly suited for the songs. There honestly wasn't a song I didn't like on this CD. It was so relaxing and so soothing. In fact, when I hooked up my new iPod touch the other night, this CD was one of the first that I uploaded to it.

My favorite song on the CD is Before the Night Ends performed by Leslie Mills. Absolutely breathtaking! I've had the CD for a few weeks now, and I'm driving my kids crazy because I can sing along with every single song. (At the top of my lungs, of course!) I can even get most of the ones in another language, simply because I've listened to it so much. Yes, my friends, it is that good.

Even better? These amazing Voices are ON TOUR! Anyone want to hit the Atlanta show on April 18th? Or I could do the Greenville, SC show, the Charleston, SC show, the Nashville show, or the Raleigh, NC show. LOL! I'm just about in the middle of all those places. :) Man, that would be *awesome!*

Go - check out the website - be sure to listen to a few of the songs while you're there). Watch the PBS special, and then you must grab the CD. You'll love it, I promise!

My Week Around the Blogosphere

Thanks to the Ultimate Blog Party on 5 Minutes for Mom, I've found some really cool blogs on the net!

I had to graciously bow out of the Say it Forward weekly meme on 5 Minutes for Mom. Since I purchased this new computer, all of my comments over there go directly to spam. In fact, it's happening on a majority of the WordPress blogs I visit. I have no idea why. I really think WordPress is just out to get me.

Anyway, instead of doing the loyal commenter thing, I'll share some super-cool bloggers with you each week. These are all follow-worthy blogs, and I hope you'll take a moment to stop by and say hello to them!

This week, I'm going to focus on some of the boutique and designer bloggers that I found.

Bei Tesori Boutique's Blog showcases some of the absolutely amazing products you will find on the Bei Tesori Boutique website. They offer the most amazing hand painted decor for your little one's room, nursery, or bathroom. I love the Jungle-themed decor, and this little turtle is just to die for!

JesseKate Designs Blog is awesome. I love going over there and getting tons of tips and tricks from her. She is a busy mom of four kids. She expresses her creativity as the owner of Jesse Kate Designs and the site manager of SWAKembroidery.com. She is also one of the core team members running YouCanMakeThis.com.

La Dolce Vita is the blog by Kristen of Kristen's Custom Creations. Kristen does amazing work and offers some of the most beautiful hand-stamped jewelry that you can find. Check out her blog for the newest creations she has made, and just to learn more about Kristen and her family.

Paisley and Posies blog is fantastic. They are the official blog of the Paisley and Posies website. They offer absolutely adorable children's wear and boutique items. On their blog, you can find the latest news, new products, and more info. Go check them out!

The Posh & Pretty Blog (of the Posh & Pretty Website) is a fantastic little blog that showcases their products and also gives instructions (for FREE!) on how to make some products on your own! I really like the instructions for the button snap clip. They're easy to follow, and walk you through step by step. Cute little blog and definitely worth a look-see!

Join me next week for some more fantastic blogs to check out!

Winner of the Chicken Soup for the Soul Giveaway

The winner of the Chicken Soup for the Soul "Teen Talk" Giveaway is......
Congratulations to gahome2mom. You have 48 hours to claim your prize or it will be repulled.

Thanks to all who entered!

If you're looking for another great giveaway, be sure to enter our MagnaPlay contest - you can get unlimited entries and really increase your chances of winning!

Protect America: Interactive Wireless Security Systems

I remember when Ashley and I first moved out of my parents' house. I was a young single mom, and I had never, ever been on my own. We moved into a cozy little townhouse, but it was on the ground floor. The back of our townhouse faced a small lake with a walking path. Our back door was these huge glass french doors, which would have been really easy for anyone to break into. I always hated when it got dark because you couldn't see if anyone was out there looking in. I was terrified that someone was going to break in and something was going to happen to Ashley or I.

If I had a wireless security system back then, I wouldn't have felt so uneasy about living alone.

Protect America has awesome security systems at very reasonable prices! I was browsing their different packages and came across the Silver package. For just $34.95 per month, and no installation fee, you get the following:

• Talking Control Panel
• 10 Entry Points
• Internal Siren and Door Chime
• Battery Backup
• One Button Arming
• 3 Window Decals
• 1 Yard Sign

That's a great deal!

Plus, if you call 877-470-2751 to place your order, you also get 2 free keychain remotes.

How much is your peace of mind worth?

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Today is my husband's birthday. He's a whopping 28! We gave him his gifts this morning when he got home from work. We got him stuff that he's been asking for since we moved down - a Strong's Concordance and the Webster's 1828 Original Dictionary. What may sound boring to other people made him more excited than I've seen him in awhile. I think we made his day!

I am so lucky to be married to such a wonderful man. He loves me, puts up with all my crap, and supports me in everything I do. More than all that, though, he loves God and he is an amazing father to our children.

When he woke up, we took him out for a nice little birthday dinner and then presented him with a cake that the kids helped me make. (Tasted pretty good!) All in all, I think he had a pretty good day!

So, he may be a young one, but he's a good one. I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be able to call him mine.

He'll never read this - but ya'all who know him be sure to tell him how nice I was! :)

Sears is having a HUGE Clearance Sale!

Everyone knows that I love a bargain. And when I hear the words "Clearance" or "HUGE" before the word sale, then I'm all over it.

Well, wouldn't you know it? Sears is having a HUGE Clearance Sale right now! I'm talking incredibly low prices that you rarely find - from 75-80% off - from now until April 18th. It's the perfect time to stock up on items the kids will need next Fall & Winter. You know they're going to sprout over the summer, so buying now you'll just be one step ahead of the game! :) And, it's always nice when you can also buy yourself (or even your hubby) a little something and not feel guilty for spending so much money. And, because it's from Sears, you know you're getting high quality products.

I was browsing their website, and I came across this Apostrophe Belted Tulip Skirt for $5.99! I am desperate for new skirts for church, and that is such an amazing bargain!
That's not the only bargain I found. I have this thing for purses. They have some really great purses on sale. They've also got some kids' clothing that are priced from just $3.99!

Hurry to the Sears website and check out all the clothing and accessories they have on sale for the entire family!

Ok, so you got me!

To those that I fooled, I'm sorry. I just couldn't resist. I pulled it on Gene this morning. His initial reaction was complete and utter shock. Then, after a minute, he said, "Wait, don't you have to actually do something to get pregnant?"

So, he got the joke. The photo is actually one that I took when we found out we were pregnant with Lucy.

In other news - I won an iPod Touch today!!! No joke!!! My uncle handed me a package at church tonight and said that he signed for it today. (We're neighbors.) I was downstairs in class with my tweens when I opened it, and they all freaked out. Apparently, an iPod touch is a really big deal in the tween world. They all wanted to hold it! :) I can't wait to play with it and try it out. I really am a techno geek! My "geek bag" - as Ashley so lovingly calls it - is getting full!

So, I know you all want to know..... How did I win the iPod Touch?

I belong to MomCentral. They recently gave me the opportunity to test out and review Norton Online Family (which I LOVE!!). Somehow, because of that, I was selected as the lucky winner of the iPod Touch! Go figure!!

If you're not on MomCentral yet, what are you waiting for?

Wordless Wednesday: LOOK WHAT I GOT!!!

If you're participating in Wordless Wednesday, leave me a comment and I'll be sure to stop by!