Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's day Mommas!!

On this very special day where we demonstrate love for those around us... 

remember to do something special for yourself too...

even if it's just sitting back a second and taking your life in!

Love is a choice...it's an act of the will, it's what is left when you are exhausted, the feelings have faded, your child throws up on you in the middle of the night, or decides to throw everything at you, or spill tomato soup on the carpet, or draw with permanent marker on all the furniture in the living room....

Love is the choice that you make to keep doing what you NEED to do everyday without breaks, without timeouts, without vacations, (yes complaining...but still doing it).....all for the love you have for your family. Love is the choice we make to watch our babies sleep, spend endless hours looking at baby pictures, and allow yourself to be a living jungle gym!

 I'm so happy to know what it feels like to truly put someone else's happiness and well-being in front of my own. Unconditional Love is what Motherhood has gifted us with!

Happy Unconditional Love day!

Kids say the darndest things......but so true (someone them)

A group of young kids were asked how to decide who to marry and here are the results which are pretty amusing.

1) You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
- Alan, age 10

(2) No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with.
- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
(1) Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
- Camille, age 10

(2) No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.
- Freddie, age 6 (very wise for his age)

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

(1) You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

(1) Both don’t want any more kids.
- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

(1) Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
- Lynnette, age 8 (isn’t she a treasure)

(2) On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that Usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
- Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?

(1) I’d run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

(1) When they’re rich.
- Pam, age 7

(2) The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn’t want to mess with that.
- Curt, age 7

(3) The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do.
- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

(1) I don’t know which is better, but I’ll tell you one thing. I’m never going to have sex with my wife. I don’t want to be all grossed out.
- Theodore, age 8

(2) It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN’T GET MARRIED?

(1) There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn’t there?
- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is……..

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

(1) Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
- Ricky, age 10

Check out the WEBSITE:http://strangefunnyworld.com/how-do-you-decide-who-to-marry-written-by-kids/ 

Fun Ideas to Make Life Easier!

A co-worker just sent me this and I had to SHARE!!!! Check out these brilliant ideas!!!!

Ideas to Make Life Easier from Alderberry Hills  

Ideas to Make Life Easier

Why didn't I think of that?!  You'll be uttering those words more than once at these ingenious little tips, tricks and ideas that solve everyday problems.


Hull strawberries easily using a straw.

Rubbing a walnut over scratches in your furniture will disguise dings and scrapes.

Remove crayon masterpieces from your TV or computer screen with WD40.

Stop cut apples browning in your child's lunch box by securing with a rubber band.

Overhaul your linen cupboard, store bed linen sets inside one  of their own pillowcases and there will be no more hunting through piles for a match.

Pump up the volume by placing your iPhone & iPod in a  bowl. The concave shape amplifies the music.

Re-use a wet-wipes container to store plastic bags.

Add this item to your beach bag.  Baby powder gets sand off your skin easily, who knew?

Attach a Velcro strip to the wall to store soft toys.

Use wire to make a space to store gift wrap rolls against the ceiling, rather than cluttering up the floor.

Find tiny lost items like earrings by putting a stocking over the vacuum hose.

Make an instant cupcake carrier by cutting crosses into a box  lid.

For those who can't stand the scrunching and bunching: how to perfectly fold a fitted sheet.

Forever losing your bathroom essentials?  Use magnetic  strips to store bobby pins, tweezers and clippers, behind a vanity door.

Store shoes inside shower caps to stop dirty soles rubbing on your clothes.  And you can find them in just about every  hotel.

A muffin pan becomes a craft caddy.  Magnets hold the plastic cups down to make them tip-resistant.

Bread tags make the perfect cord labels.

Bake cupcakes directly in ice-cream cones, so much more fun and easier for kids to eat.

Microwave your own popcorn in a plain brown paper bag.  Much healthier and cheaper than the packet stuff.

Install a tension rod to hang your spray bottles.

Turn your muffin pan upside down, bake cookie-dough over the  top and voila, you have cookie bowls for fruit or ice-cream.

Freeze Aloe Vera in ice-cube trays for soothing sunburn relief.

Create a window-box veggie patch using guttering.

Use egg cartons to separate and store your Christmas decorations.

The above are not my pictures, this was a public email.

Christmas Boat Parade December 10th

2011

Saturday, December 10th    RAIN OR SHINE!

Check out the website for more details!

My Memories Suite Giveaway- WINNER!!!

I know Julia, Juan, Beth W. and Kara have been on pins and needles waiting for the results of the

  My Memories Suite Giveaway....

SOOOOO.....(dumbroll please)

My little monkey-head helped me out!

And the winner is.....

BETH W...I will be contacting you your PROMO CODE!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Guest Post by Julia Vegas: Dollars and Cents

I'm sure you all have that mom friend that always knows of all these crazy deals and makes you feel like a SPENDAHOLIC...well Julia  is my SUPER SAVER MOMMA FRIEND. Almost every time I talk to her she shares some great deal, super cheap find, and some awesome coupon just saved her a bagillion dollars. SO...I asked her to write a guest post to shed some light on this oh so important topic: SAVING $.  Now we can all be that super saver friend to someone else if we only put to use these great tips. Check out Julia's blog, I never Drank Coffee Until I had Kids,  for lots of other great posts, especially the very real and funny list of things she's learned as a NEW MOM.

Dollars and Cents
By Julia Vegas

Being a mom is hard work. So when Valeria of Making Mommy-hood Easier asked me to write about couponing/saving, I of course said “yes”! Having a child makes you really think about where your dollars and cents are going, because you want to be able to provideeverything their little hearts desire!First and foremost, if you haven’t signed up for Amazon Mom, shame on you. This is the only way I am able to spend $20 a month on diapers, and I change quite a bit of diapers (Jackson really likes spinach smoothies). Amazon Mom gives you the luxury of free 2 day shipping, and 20% of “subscribe and save” items (diapers, wipes, etc) and so much more! You also get 15% off beauty, grocery, household items (think laundry detergent for all the laundry mom’s get to do). It really is a deal. Just today I placed my monthly order for Huggies Overnites 64 count for $13. 99. That’s right folks, what costs the average mom $20 at Target, Wal-mart or any other retail store just cost me $13.99 for two months of wonderful, non-pee soaked crib sheets!
Sleeping Beauty
I purchased Huggies because Pampers Overnight diapers had Jackson waking up wet for a week straight (aka miserable baby, and miserable mommy). I’m a Huggies mom all the way, but to each their own and of course their are great deals on Pampers too! 

How else can one save? Well if your really looking to stretch your dollar, you can make your own laundry detergent! I haven’t tried this, but it sure does sound enticing to spend $20 and have clean clothes for 9 months! There are so many DIY projects that can save big bucks, even on the things you “splurge” on. Try making your own wall plug-ins, instead of paying $12 at bath and body works. Decorating a home, while on a budget can be difficult when your trying to save.Why not buy a gorgeous piece of fabric and using a stable gun, staple it to a blank canvas? In an instant, you have a new piece of wall-art! Want to have pictures taken of the kids, but don’t have the cash to pay a photographer? Tape a piece of fabric to the wall and voila!, instant photo studio! 

Also try Notifinder.com to save you time when searching Craigslist for awesome deals. I just got Jackson a Smart Trike BRAND NEW for $50 that is worth $119.99 at Toys ‘R’ Us. Sure, the kid in the back seat was probaly crying the whole way home after his mom gave it to me, but hey, my kid sure is happy! 

When it comes to food, you would be surprised by how much you throw out. I, however, was tired of throwing food out, so now I’m thankful for my freezer. One of Jackson’s favorite dinners is a turkey meatloaf I make from my “Deceptively Delicious” cookbook, which is all about using puree’s in dinners to get your kid’s to eat vegetables. With the help of my freezer, I am able to cut and save slices to easily serve later to him when I am in a rush to feed him dinner. I won’t eat the meatloaf (something about knowing puree’s are in it) so it makes it easy to make a whole batch knowing it won’t go to waste. I almost never throw food out anymore(unless it’s rotten). If Jackson only eats half a banana, the other half goes in the freezer for a smoothie another day. Won’t eat his vegetables I made? Make a tomoato sauce and throw the veggie puree in there, they won’t notice a thing! 

Coupons help save some bucks too! If your new to couponing (I am, thanks to Extreme Couponing on TLC) you can easily come up with ways to stretch a buck. I don’t know anyone who every spends full price at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. They practically beg for you to have everything at 20% off! Look for your store’s weekly ad and match sales with your coupons. Doing so, I have managed to get free dog treats for Bruno, free toothpaste, shampoo for less than 25 cents, etc. I wish I would have done it sooner! You can easily print coupons from manufacturer websites up to FIVE TIMES per I.P. address! Think about the savings! The Krazy Coupon Lady is an awesome way to get in on the action of couponing. She even tells youwhat coupons to use at which store. She does the work for you, so what are you waiting for, get to saving! 

Living in Austin, I am lucky enough to have Free Fun in Austin to go to when I am in a rut for things to do without spending alot of cash. Maybe in your city, you have something similar just haven’t looked. If you don’t, why don’t you become the city guide for things to do on the cheap! You will be able to learn all about your city, it’s hidden gems, and all there is to do for free! 

Groupon, Living Social, and Eversave are just a few of many deal sites that you should definitely look into, if you haven’t already. I have been able to take Jackson, myself and Matt to the zoo three times so far for $6 total each visit! Fandango movie tickets are a great snag when they are available because what mom doesn’t need a date night with the hubby for $5 each? It’s a great way to splurge on the kids as well! I have been able to buy Jackson a month membership to My Gym for $49, which was worth $175! A few months ago, when I was not pregnant, I bought vouchers to Bikram Yoga for $30 for 5 classes! Each class at my local studio is $17 plus mat and towel, but I was able to get mat, towel and 5 classes for $30! What a steal! There is always something for everyone when you visit a deal site. Oil changes, restuarants, movies, sky diving, hotels, if you can think it, you can save money on it! 

When it comes to toys for the kids, I wouldn’t hesitate to check out retailers online websites before buying in the store. For example, I bought a pathfinder wagon for Jackson’s first birthday that was at Wal-mart for $79 in the store. Online it was $62 withfree in-store pickup. What did I do? I paid for it online, got in my car, drove the 2 miles to Wal-mart and picked up my $62 wagon that was in the store for $79. Online and In-store prices are almost never the same. Check first! 

Remember, saving doesn’t mean have a  ”boring today”, it means saving for a “better tomorrow”. You can get a deal on just about anything if you just know where to look.Good Luck saving!

Thanks Julia for sharing your WISDOM!!! 

My Memories Suite Giveaway!!!

My first Giveaway!!!!


Hello SCRAPBOOKERS!!! Any of you that know me,  know that I've scrapbooked my whole life....old school style until my son was born and it was NO LONGER realistic to be cutting letters from magazines and printing pictures and putting it all together in a scrapbook. I've dabbled with different websites, but I recently came across this scrapbook software that gives you the opportunity to create pages for your scrapbook JUST AS IF you were doing it OLD SCHOOL STYLE, but ON your computer, no cutting, no gluing, no going to get more paper if you run out of sheets.... AND IT MADE ME SO HAPPY! 

Even happier when they contacted me and told me I could give this DIGITAL SCRAP-BOOKING SOFTWARE away for FREE!!!

My Memories Suite is rated #1 by Amazon and TopTen Reviews. Using this software, anyone can create digital scrapbooks, photobooks, cards, calendars and gifts without having to buy expensive and complicated software programs.What's amazing is that this software is only $39.97! 

But I get to GIVE ONE AWAY FOR FREE, here, on my Blog!!!

 To enter the Giveaway:
1. Go to MyMemories.com 

2. Look through the digital paper pack and layouts 

3. Then comment on my blog telling me what scrapbook projects you have pending.

On  OCTOBER 28th, I will chose a winner at RANDOM!

Here is a PAGE I put together for NICO's 21st months-tomorrow...(I'm a celebrator, what can I SAY--ask my husband, I drive him nuts with all the random special days that I celebrate-First kiss anniversary, Started dating anniversary...you get the picture.)

I had to hold myself back because there are so many different and fun things to do with the pages, the pictures, the extras..... that you can loose yourself, and spend all of precious naptime scrolling through the endless possibilities of cuteness that you can FINALLY put together to actually print out to show off to your friends and family!

Aside from this giveaway, I also have a PROMO CODE you can use to get $10 off . 

Here are some instructions for you when downloading the software with MY promo code:

1. Go to http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software

2. Click on Add to Cart.

3. Enter the Promotional Code field on the shopping cart page

Coupon code is: STMMMS85924

4. Finish the checkout. 

5. To download the software, go to http://www.mymemories.com/my_accounts/downloads and click on the link to download the software. Your product key will also be displayed on that page.

Don't wait until your child moves out to start working on their scrapbooks, check this digital software out and GET THOSE BEAUTIUFL SCRAPBOOKS printed and on those coffee tables! 

And remember, The Holidays are around the corner!!

Check out the MyMEMORIES Facebook page where they are giving out A FREE IPAD!!

My Memories Blog also has lots of great tips, forums, and inspiration for your next project. 

I can't wait to read your comments!

Happy Scrap-booking!