Shark Tank!!!

I have spoken/written before about Zipadee-Zip sleep sacks (many times, get over it ;) ). A friend of mine from way back when and his wife created this product/company and I am so SO proud to announce that they will be on the Shark Tank premier tomorrow!!!!!! I am beyond stoked!!! I have...6-8 of these, at least, and am fighting buying more. haha They are awesome and amazing and I wish that they made them in my size. Ok, maybe that is a bit of a stretch but you get what I mean. ;) Anyway, check them out tomorrow on ABC at 8p/7p central!! 

OR...

website: http://www.zipadeezip.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zipadeezip-Slumber-Sacks-wwwzipadeezipcom/140978145992706

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT work for Zipadee-Zip, I am only a mother who is passionate about her friends and her sleep and wants to share the love with anyone who will listen.

(P.S. Margaux has other pics in her Poppy, her Yeehaw Cowgirl, and her newest eLOVEphant Zippies but I can't find them, at the moment. When I do I will post them.)

Zipadee-Zip Shout Out!!

To my pregnant mama friends and those who have just given birth, while swaddling is the best thing for baby for the first few months, let's jump ahead (not to get ahead but to PLAN ahead) to where baby is not so fond of swaddling anymore or he (since most of y'all seem to be of the blue persuasion..LOL) keeps kicking out of every swaddling technique there is...remember this name: Zipadee-Zip. Oooh myyy gosh! I am in love. A good friend of mine from many moons ago and his wife came up with this and, if I am not mistaken, I was there from (almost) the beginning and Maisie was one of the first to have one. Margaux is in them now and I cannot tell you how much we love them. LOVE them. ADORE them! In fact, I might be slightly obsessed and want them all. haha For real, though, check them out. I love this product and this family and all I ask is that if you try them out (the product, not the family  ), you zip your baby up and give him (or her, for those of us who apparently prefer pink) a squeeze for me because these babies in their Zippies are THE cutest...EVER!

To check them out and order, go to Zipadee-Zip Sleep Sack

Sausage!!

Recently, I was given the opportunity to try Hillshire Farm Americab Craft Sausages through BzzAgent.com. They sent me vouchers for two packs of sausages in exchange for my review on them. Deal! Free and I get to grill?? Done. 

The two flavors that I chose were Jalapeño and Cheddar and Garlic and Onion.

 Mark fired up the grill and on went the sausages. After they were grilled to perfection, might I add, I wrapped half of them in tortillas and the other half I put in hot dog buns (because I ran out of tortillas). I served them with mustard and ooh myy goodness!! SO good! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! The flavors were spot on. The Jalapeño Cheddar even had a little heat, which was perfect! 

The next morning, since we had some leftover, I chopped up the sausage and added it to scrambled eggs before putting it back in the tortilla. It made for a wonderful breakfast!!

All in all, I have to say that Hillshire Farm hit the nail on the head with these! I'll for sure be buying these again!

What's in Your Diaper Bag??

After I had my first child my aunt made me a BEAUTIFUL patchwork diaper bag. It is just amazing! I love it so very much! I always thought, "oh, a diaper bag's a diaper bag. Diapers, wipes, change of clothes, bottles if need be, done." I quickly realized just how much I would come to rely on my diaper bag. Not only do I carry diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, a blanket, a toy/book or two, but I have my most favorite item my First Aid Kit. I threw this thing together on a whim because I got sick of needing something and not having it or needing something and having to dump out my diaper bag to find it. 

I took an extra makeup bag and filled it with all that I could or would need and then some. 

Just to highlight a few of my essentials...

1. Neo To Go. I LOVE this stuff because it is so convenient!

2. Baby Comfy Nose. THE best nose aspirator there is!

3. Shout Wipes because we all know that these come in handy as a mother!

4. Tide To Go. See previous reason.

5. Infant Tylenol

6. Infant Motrin

7. Bordeaux's Natural Butt Paste

8. Sunscreen

9. Vick's Flexible Thermometer. My FAVORITE thermometer for infants and children!

10. Thermometer Probe Covers

11. Petroleum Jelly (for the thermometer)

That is just a short list of things that I keep in there but you get the idea. I like to feel that I am always ready no matter what happens.

I'm Proud to be an Influenster!

I am a part of a website called Influenster and through them I am sent products to review. I have posted about this before with my Sargento box but this time my chosen box was...are you ready for this...a TLCVoxBox. All because I am a mother!! Yes folks, mother's need a little TLC every now and then. In my box I received a pack of Puff's Plus Lotion, a voucher for a free Breyer's Gelato (AHH!!), some Avon Anew Reversalist, some Neo To Go!, a bar of Ivory soap, and a Shell Fuel Rewards Card. Oh my goodness, how awesome is that?! 

Let's start with the Puffs Plus Lotion...loooove it!! I mean, seriously, as a mother of 4 young children who would not be excited about a pack of facial tissues?? haha These are soft yet strong and they get the job done.

Next, the Breyer's. Oh my goodness, I bought the Tiramisu and it was so very good! It was creamy and the flavor was really spot on. My favorite part? There was real cocoa sprinkled on top when I opened the carton!!!

So far, I have tried the Tiramisu and the Vanilla Caramel but next will be the Triple Chocolate; especially after a friend of mine heard my review and saw my pictures and tried the Triple Chocolate and said it was very favorite so far. 

Neo To Go...I have nothing bad to say about it! My girls, as any 2, 4, and 5 year old are always tripping or falling or even just needing a little medicine and a bandaid to make it better when there is nothing there. I do not have my picture uploaded yet so I will have to get it and upload it here but I was headed out of the house with 4 girls by myself so I was prepared with my diaper bag, extra diapers, wipes, and you got it! Neo To Go!! 

Avon Anew...I have not had the opportunity to try this yet but I am super excited to!! However, should I be a little concerned that they might be telling me, "Hey, you just turned 30, have some wrinkle cream" ?? haha Stay tuned to this spot for the actual review!

Ivory soap...I have BIG plans for this!!!! Ivory Soap Explosion experiment, Squishy Snow/Ivory Soap Cloud play dough, actual soap in the shower, soap shapes...oh my goodness. I don't know where to star and what to choose!! Stay tuned!!!

And last but not least, my Shell Fuel Rewards card. I am still learning all about it but who doesn't love saving money while you are spending money filling up your vehicle?? All you have to do is swipe your card BEFORE you swipe your credit card. I can use CAPS because I didn't realize that you had to swipe it before and would not be given the option of choosing to swipe it after my credit card. Oops! The Shell station in town is much MUCH cheaper than the others so it was packed and there were people in line behind me so I didn't want to be "that person". I'll try it again next time but did you know that you can attach a credit card number to your Fuel Rewards Network account and earn money off when you go out to eat or shop online?? What?? How awesome is that?! I plan on looking more into this card and trying it ALL out and I will update more. And if I forget, feel free to ask me about it. ;) ) 

Free Cheese??

About a month or so ago I received my first ever VoxBox from the website Influenster and it was SO me; a Sargento cheese box!! I was asked to try out their new Thin Sliced cheese and review it. My box included a voucher for a free package, a $1.00 off coupon for a package, and an insulated lunch bag. It was just perfect for me!! I mean, first off, I LOVE Sargento! Always have! So for this to be my first VoxBox, I was ecstatic! 

The cheese that I chose was Sharp Cheddar and I do not regret it. I understand that it is thin sliced to melt nicely and evenly and all but I still prefer the thicker slices; #1 because I love cheese and #2 because although the thin slice is nice, if it gets the least bit warm it melts quickly and makes it harder to get apart even with the little paper sheets that separate them. 

All in all, does that mean I will not be buying anymore? Oh no! Like I said, I LOVE Sargento!!!

We're here!!

Just a quick little blip....we're here!! In Virginia!! As a family!!! The trip was long but the girls all did so so well!! NO VOMIT!! EEK!!! haha It's the little things. ;) The last 2 hours were the hardest because Margaux was just done with being in her carseat so she cried. It was so heartbreaking. :( Alas, we are here and so excited to be together again!! Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support!

Emotions

Today has been one full of emotions. FULL of emotions. However, I am sitting here after everyone is asleep, a new baby next to me, and I am completely at peace. I can't help but smile at the aura of the room. 

I feel sorry for you

Today as I was walking through Target with my girls a lady, in passing, made the comments, "I feel sorry for you!" Why? Because I have four children? Because I have four girls? Please don't feel sorry for me. My life is blessed beyond belief! I know that she didn't mean any harm by it and it really did not bug me or bother me. I didn't take it personally. I just want to address it and let everyone know that yes, it is hard. I have a 5 year old, almost 4 year old, 2 year old, and a 3 months old, it is hard. I'm tired. But I am blessed, like whoa! Please just remember, friends, be mindful of what you say because not everyone is as lax as I and not everyone will let your comment roll off their back and give you the benefit of the doubt. Don't feel sorry for us who have multiple young children, we don't feel sorry for ourselves, we love our children and we love our lives. Most of us wouldn't change a thing. :)

The Oscars and Matthew McConaughey, the "Christian"

The Oscars were this past Sunday. I love the Oscars! I really do. I look forward to them all year. I like "predicting" what and who will win, the glamour, the flubs that are made (Travolta, this year, but we'll come back to that), the antics, I really just enjoy the whole thing. This year Ellen Degeneras emceed and while I know she is another "controversial celebrity" for Christians because she is a lesbian, I love her. She has been a favorite comedian of mine for many years now. She always makes me laugh without being raunchy and dirty. Anyway, that's my conviction, not yours, back to the Oscars. So we make it through the night and hear many acceptance speeches thanking cast, crew, husbands, wives, and even God was thrown in there a few times. Then it comes down to the big ones, THE awards; best picture, best actress, and best actor. *squeels!!* Here we go!!!! Best Picture goes to '12 Years A Slave.' *shrugs* I haven't seen it. I'll have to get back to you on whether it deserved that award. Best Actress, Kate Blanchett for her role in 'Blue Jasmine.' And Best Actor goes to Matthew McConaughey for his role in 'Dallas Buyers Club.' This is where the controversy of the night begins (well, if you weren't still a mess over Travolta's name flub). McConaughey begins is speech with, "First off, I want to thank God, 'cause that's who I look up to. He's graced my life with opportunities that I know is not of my hand or any other human hand." Where's the controversy in that, you ask? Well, let's start with a quick synopsis of the movie that he won this award for, Dallas Buyers Club. From what I gather (I have not seen it) it is a movie about a heterosexual man who is diagnosed with AIDS and the medicines that he needs are super expensive so he goes on this quest to buy meds from Mexico, I want to say, and then sell them himself so as to make them more readily available for those who need them but can't afford them. To my understanding, the movie opens with him having sex with two women in a stall at the rodeo. Also to my knowledge is that God's name was taken in vein however many times by McConaughey alone. After all of that it has people asking how he could even utter the name of God in thanksgiving. Maybe it is just me but who am I to question someone's relationship with God? I understand that if you really put God as leader over your life you will strive to please Him and will want to follow His commandments but what about those who get caught up in life, itself? Do you always do as God says and never ever have a time that you seem to go on your own path? If you really are honest with yourself, I doubt it. Sometimes we get a bit head about ourselves. Now, I'm not saying McConaughey has a big head, I don't know, but what if he is so wrapped up in providing for himself and his family that he has blinders on and doesn't see that his movie choices are affecting his Christian character? After all, that is what we are talking about, right? But isn't your character who you are when no one is watching? That's what I've always been told. Do you know Matthew McConaughey behind closed doors? Personally? No? Well, have you ever thought that maybe he may know God and have a relationship with Him and truly give Him thanks yet he is so focused on his career (don't we all lose focus sometime?) and providing for his family that he isn't thinking about how his acting, his portraying of a character and being told what to say and when to say it, is coming across? God tells us that once we know Him and establish a relationship with Him that nothing can pluck us from His hand. So again I ask, who am I and who are YOU to judge Matthew McConaughey?? And you know what? Maybe I am totally off and McConaughey was acting, once again, with his speech but who am I to judge and make assumptions?? I have no right to judge him. No right at all. I hate to say it but Christians give themselves the bad rap that we have. We start nit-picking and pointing out faults in others without ever thinking "oh..I've been there" or more than that, "oh..I need to pray for him/her." I mean, honestly, we are talking Hollywood, people!! HOLLYWOOD!!!! Do you know how hard it is to live a perfect life in Jacksonville, FL? Moncks Corner, SC? Burleson, TX? Norfolk, VA? It's not easy where ever you live so let's just be mindful of the judging and focus more on the praying. You don't know who has a solid relationship with Christ and you have no right to ever say that someone does not. We are all human and we cannot read someone's heart, only God can do that. So, instead of saying "This is why Matthew McConaughey is not my hero" why don't we say, "This is why I am praying for my fellow brother?" 

Tough Times and a little Spiritual Warfare

I've had some tough times here lately, friends. Nothing huge, just a lot of little things but as you know, little things add up. Tonight was one of those times that make you second guess your parenting skills. I came out of bedtime with the girls feeling beat up and discouraged. I stood in the shower thinking, what have I done to deserve all of this?? I must have done something really bad. Maybe everything I have ever done is all adding up against me. But then if I repent, truly repent, then my sins are forgiven and it is forgotten, right? As far as the East is from the West. So why are mine not? All in all, friends, all these little things that have gone on have opened up a huge spiritual battle within me. It is exhausting, let me tell you. I have found myself having so many conversations with God that are complete circles. I state what I know He says and in the same turn find myself asking Him "why" and basically doubting Him only to turn back around and apologize for doubting Him when I know in my heart that what He says is true. See, exhausting. 

Well, tonight, after a particularly rough night, I found myself humming the old hymn, "draw me nearer, nearer, nearer Blessed Lord..." and I couldn't figure out why. I have not heard that hymn in years, maybe (we don't sing too many old hymns at church anymore. :( ), and I just have not heard it yet here I am singing it?! Then I remembered something my mom told me years ago, when you wake up with a song like that in your head or you have one randomly pop into your head it might be God trying to speak to you. Um...not this time...that wouldn't make sense. I have been the one apologizing to Him for not spending more quality time with Him. I have been the one telling Him that I want to be closer to Him. And I have been the one asking Him to help me. He is the one who has not been hearing me. So I did what any brilliant person would do, ask Him what he is trying to tell me with that song. To be honest, I didn't really expect any answers; at all, much less right then. (Bad night, remember?) But it didn't take long before He answered me...I need to draw closer to Him. He is allowing all of these hard times to get it through my stubborn hard skull that I need to draw closer to Him. 

The analogy that was brought to mind was a child looking for the attention of a parent. If you do not give a child the attention that they desire they will act out because any attention is good attention to them. In my situation, I have been talking to God and giving Him attention, per se, but not as much quality time or attention as He desires. So all of these little things that are adding up have been allowed because it has gotten my attention and caused me to give God some quality attention and time...even if some of those times were me angry and upset and doubting Him. I get it now. I have work to do but I get it. 

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I know that these times are not over and this spiritual battle is not done yet so please pray that God will keep guiding me, speaking to me, and comforting me. 

Now I want to challenge you, dear friends. Learn from me and my situation. When you are going through these tough times and you feel like you are being hit repeatedly, stop and ask God what He is trying to teach you or tell you. He may tell you immediately through a "duh" moment or He may use a random hymn that you haven't sang or heard in years but He'll let you know. And when that time comes that you need prayers, please think of me and let me know how I can pray for you, just as you have done for me. 

Happy New Year!!!

2013 was an amazing year and it went out with a BANG! with Miss Margaux Easton making her debut, HOWEVER, 2014 is going to be even more amazing when Lover gets home, gets to meet his youngest daughter face to face, and our little family is whole again. We may have a carrier sized hole carved out of our little family right now but the love and devotion sure is overflowing. I am more blessed than I ever could have imagined.