It's Fireproof Day!

Just in case you weren't aware, today is the day that Fireproof comes out in stores on DVD!

Of course, I pre-ordered my copy and got it in the mail yesterday! Ha!

Anyway, I highly recommend this movie. And I highly recommend that you go buy it, or rent it, or go over to 5 Minutes for Mom for your chance to win it! You won't be sorry.

Or plan a night out... I have heard of & seen signs at numerous churches in our area that are hosting free showings of the movie and some are starting "Fireproof My Marriage" classes.

Getting Ready for Christmas & Great Giveaways!

We've been busy with Christmas activity around here! I decided I waited too late to make an Advent/Countdown calendar this year, so we went with the traditional Countdown Chain. And the crafts have begun!

So far we've played with glitter, freezer paper, markers, fabric and ribbon. I haven't decided if I'm going to post finished pictures here or not because some of them will be Christmas gifts! The pantry is stocked with flour, yeast, sugar, oatmeal, chocolate chips, and M&M's - all the essentials for Christmas baking! I started a Sourdough Starter this week, and I must say - this stuff is nasty! The only thing that's keeping me interested is the potential for all the different recipes I can make with the stuff.

And guess what? Our neighbor, Mr. Nick, has soft water. : \ Dad found a water softener that also has an iron remover setting, but when we went to Lowe's last night, they weren't in stock. Go figure.

And how about this - 5 Minutes for Mom is having an amazing some amazing Christmas giveaways this year... including a $500 Home Depot Gift Card! Wow, that would almost cover a water softener! I've got every appendage crossed that I can manage to cross and am trying to teach the kids how to cross their fingers, too! : )

And we also have 5 - yep, FIVE - chances to win $500 Kmart Gift Cards! Check out the following blogs to see how:

Chris Brogan
Loren Feldman
Jeremy Schoemaker
Wendy Piersall
Michelle Madhok
Julia Roy

Is it Christmas yet?

Beautiful Play Silk Giveaway!

The fun blog, Kiddio, is hosting a Fairy Silkies Giveaway this week! Based on my experience making them, I know David & Elizabeth both would enjoy playing with those beauties! These are made by an Etsy seller, Beneath the Rowan Tree.

Besides the beautiful play silks, they also have these amazing wool nativity sets. Absolutely gorgeous. I collect nativity scenes if anyone wants to buy this one for me! : )

Can you believe how beautiful that is??? They also sell wool dryer balls and instructions for making your own wool dryer balls!

Our Babywearing Journey

I've been reading posts about International Babywearing Week all week and realized yesterday, when I used these photos in my letter to Motrin, that I hadn't put my baby wearing photos into the mix this week!

This is Elizabeth in her homemade pouch sling that I got from a fabulous Etsy mom, Drew Baby Designs. Click over to her Etsy shop where's she's got an amazing BOGO sale going on! And her prices were great to begin with! We loved using this sling - it was very portable, beautiful and very well made. Elizabeth attended her first Women of Faith conference in this beauty and we got tons of compliments on both baby and sling!

When I wanted to try out a Mei Tai, I had no idea where to get one. Since I was going all ladybug crazy on Elizabeth's nursery theme, I kept it going and found a pattern, and made this gem. The Mei Tai was very comfortable to wear, but I found the long straps to be a bit cumbersome for running errands with a lot of taking her on & off. I think it would have been great for longer outings, though. We enjoyed using it around the house and even though it was cut small for a newborn, it was strong enough to carry David! Unfortunately, Elizabeth never liked the back carry, so we were unsuccessful using it that way.

The carrier I used most for out & about was the older model Baby Bjorn carrier that I got for a steal on eBay. Since Elizabeth was born in January, I was able to put the straps on at home and put my coat or sweater on over it. Then when I got to the store, I just snapped the pouch on, slid her in, zipped my coat & got out of the car. We always did tummy to tummy, so the leg strain from the out facing position was never an issue.

In the above picture, Elizabeth was in her Baby Bjorn under my coat while I'm carrying David at Christmas lights in the park last year. Now that was a load!

When David was a baby, all I had was a drab gray ring sling that I'd found at Toys R Us. I never really figured out how to use it, and I never thought to take a picture of it. We also had a Snuggli that he didn't like & we soon quit trying. I do have a picture of that, but that was before I had a digital camera & the picture is safely in a scrapbook now. I think with Baby #3 I'd like to try a ring sling again. I know so much more about babywearing now that I think we could make it work.

I know I'm getting in just under the wire here, but I'm going to link up this post to Adventures In Babywearing's International Babywearing Week Contest. This gives me the chance to win an amazing ring sling to try out that would otherwise be out of my price range! Check out Nonny & Boo to see how gorgeous these Mama made slings are!

I'd like a 4GB SanDisk Card, please!

I've been thinking that I should probably get another memory card for my camera for our 10th anniversary trip to the Virgin Islands, when low & behold, 5 Minutes for Mom is giving away some!

I had to enter a video in the SanDisk YouTube Contest in order to enter the 5MFM contest, so here ya go (my favorite part is the end):

This was several months ago, but I still love it.

Sleeping Angel Contest

At this very moment, my babies are sleeping angels. Crashed in my old bedroom, where the four of us have slept for over a year now. David has his twin mattress on the floor against one wall...

Complete with shark pillow, Snoopy sheets, and his "Great blanket" that my Grandmama made for him.

And in a play pen that she's just about to outgrow, Elizabeth is up against the opposite wall with her snuggly pink blanket (completely under her) and her little lamb.

Mom & Dad's bed is sandwiched in the middle of the room between the kids. BUT SOON... and I've been saying SOON for a while now... but soon for real, we should be able to move into our own house! And wouldn't it be grand if we had a beautiful bedroom set for David's room?

Well, I was so excited to see that 5 Minutes for Mom was hosting the Sleeping Angel Contest! I could just envision David's mattress off the floor (it's been on the floor since he was 2) and WOW, storage underneath it!!!! I also love the bookshelf headboard. That would be the perfect place for his favorite books and, of course, a flashlight. This is the Summer Breeze set, but I'm not sure if I'd pick the blue or pine finish.

If you've got little ones, click on over to 5 Minutes for Mom and enjoy the goodies. I don't enter too many contests, but I couldn't stay away from this one!

And speaking of the flashlight... Grandma got David some more glow sticks recently. He went to bed around 8, if I remember correctly. When I started getting ready for bed about an hour later, this is what I found on my bed:

Back to School Giveaways

Don't miss the exciting Back to School Giveaways over at 5 Minutes for Mom! You've got until August 12 to enter to win some exciting prizes! Check the link above to see what's up for grabs so far.

I was confused by the instructions on how to enter these giveaways, so hopefully with this entry, I've covered all my bases!

My Husband Rocks!!!

I just found this giveaway at Livin' With Me & I'm so excited about it! She's partnered with From*Me Tees to give away one of these awesome t-shirts. I almost hate to spread the news, reducing my chances to win... but on the other hand, I have just found a company that I feel really good about supporting.

So I'll reduce my odds and tell you to go enter the contest for the shirt, or at least read the contest post. Then go over to From*Me Tees, look at their products, read the about & FAQ pages, and feel confident in supporting this company also!

And it doesn't hurt that they're right here in Texas, either! ; )

Oh, yeah - My husband rocks because he's a great dad, a talented guy, a hard worker, he loves his job as a fireman, (he loves Texas, too) and just a few days ago he sent me an unsolicited email telling me a few things he loves about me. How's that for a rock star!?! Yep, my husband rocks!

Another Great Prize!

5 Minutes for Mom is at it again with another great giveaway! This time they're partnering with Parents Magazine for a great prize package, sure to be the hit of Christmas. Click on over to check it out!

A Retro Giveaway

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a Retro Giveaway this month - You can win either a pedal car, record player, Coca-Cola cooler, or a $179 Gift Certificate to their store, Pedal Cars and Retro Collectibles!

I think I'd choose the gift certificate, but I don't know yet, if I would pick this cool fire truck or maybe a Big Wheel & some other stuff. I absolutely loved my Big Wheel when I was a kid. Dad loved his, too. I think David & Elizabeth should have the opportunity to ride one before they get too big. You know something great about the Big Wheel? It's made in the USA! How about that?! Something that was not made in China!

I am thankful for all the generous people that I've found in Bloggityville. You never know who's going to be giving away something or having a swap or just being encouraging! I am thankful for some new friends I've gotten to know through their blogs, even though I will probably never meet them in person. What a great world we live in.

Vote for Elizabeth!

For Elizabeth's 9-month birthday, she has decided to give up sleep! This photo was taken at 4:55 am. Doesn't she look happy? I thought maybe if she played a little bit she'd get sleepy. It hasn't happened yet...

So what's a mom to do? Might as well do a little blogging... and beg for your votes at this week's contest at Mom 4 Life!!!! The winner this week will be selected by viewer's votes, and I was late getting my entry in, so please, please, please go vote for Elizabeth!!!

Our entry is # "SS" and you can only vote once on each alphabet set of entries. (You'll see what I mean if you go vote!) Here is her contest entry photo:

Isn't that cute?!?!?! GO VOTE!!!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Casio has gone pink!

The special-edition pink EX-Z75 will be available beginning October 2007 and can
be purchased at Sears, La Curacao, Fred Meyer, BJ’s, Nexcom, AAFES, Staples, and
Future Shop. The bundle package will have an MSRP of $179.99, and will proudly
sponsor the National Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information, please
visit http://www.casiousa.com/.

NOW... click over to 5 Minutes for Mom for your chance to win one! (After you've VOTE for Elizabeth, of course!)

Elizabeth's First Cup: Avent Magic

Elizabeth's first cup

is the 5 oz

Avent Magic Trainer.

As I researched safe plastics for sippy cups, I came across information about the Avent Magic Trainer Cup. It is polypropylene (recycling number 5 - this is a safe plastic) and I think this purple one is really cute.

Magic Cups are available in several different sizes. I also like that all of Avent's products are interchangeable. Several sippy spouts are available or I can switch the sippy spout out for a nipple, I can put the handles on a different size cup or take them off completely, and I could even attach a Magic Cup to Avent's Isis Breast Pump to pump directly into the cup! Oh, one more plus - these cups are made in England, not China!

*NOTE* - I do not recommend the Avent Bottles! These are the bottles that I used with David when we had to supplement breast feeding, but it has since been brought to my attention that they are made from polycarbonate plastic (recycling number 7). Polycarbonate is the plastic that has been found to leech the harmful toxin, Bisphenol A (BPA).

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And now, the winner of last week's gDiaper Giveaway: Olivia! Congratulations!!!

Never in my wildest dreams...

would I have imagined myself drooling over a VACUUM CLEANER!!! But here ya go...
Dyson has now come out with a pink one, giving $40 from the sale of each Limited Edition vac to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and they're donating the full price of one of these babies ($400!) just in honor of this giveaway over at 5 Minutes for Mom! This model is available exclusively through Target.

While the odds are getting slimmer each day, one of us WILL win this gem in the giveaway this week over at 5 Minutes for Mom! Will it be you?

Two Thumbs Up for gDiapers!

The more I use these gDiapers, the more I love them! I have now made the switch so that all of our away-from-home diapers are gDiapers. It felt good last Sunday at Lowe's to just drop the wet liner into the toilet & flush it away! (as opposed to a disposable diaper in the trash can that would eventually find it's way into a landfill... and then sit there for about 500 years!)

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At home, I use the soft covers (in addition to my AIO diapers) as diaper covers, putting washable prefold diapers in as the liners. And another piece of good news - I have never had a leak in gDiapers! That's no leaks with flushable inserts and no leaks with cloth inserts!!! This Mama could not ask for much more than that!

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Wanna see how they work? Check out the gDiaper website! You can watch a video and get answers to all your questions, sign up for their newsletter, and order diapers to be delivered to your home! AND...

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I have this great prize pack to give away this week! Prize pack includes one gDiapers t-shirt (size XL, but fits more like a M!), one window cling sticker that reads, "Leave less of yourself behind," and two $2 off coupons for any gDiaper purchase at a retail store. This would be a great way to spread the news about gDiapers, and save you a couple of bucks!

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To enter the giveaway, visit gDiapers. Then come back HERE and leave a comment, telling me your favorite thing about gDiapers! Make sure to leave a way to get in touch with you - either through your blog or your email address! The winner will be announced next Monday, September 24. Feel free to spread the love & link back to this giveaway post!

Updated: The winner is Olivia! Congratulations!!!

Wear that baby!

This is the sling that we will be taking to the Women of Faith Conference next weekend! I love wearing Elizabeth because it's so much easier than dragging the stroller out with us, it takes up so much less room, and she loves it! We learned when David was a baby, that strollers are not allowed at the American Airlines Center where the Conference is held, anyway.

Renee at When 2 Became 3 is giving away a great wrap that she made! I haven't tried a wrap yet... but sure would love to! : )

More Free Stuff! Share the Love!

David found a disposable camera in the kitchen today. So, Grandma, you may have some interesting photos when you get that camera developed! David hasn't had a nap all week. Now I've got to see if I can get him to take one on Thursday so we can go swimming Thursday night. Keep your fingers crossed!



And now, here's some exciting news in blogland...

If you don't visit 5 Minutes for Mom on a regular basis, then you just might be missing out! Tomorrow (Aug 2) is the new deadline to register to win $300 worth of dairy products from Horizon Organic - you know, the red cartons with the cute cow. Who couldn't use that?

Also visit 5 Minutes for Mom to register to win a box of Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters, Sesame Street's Ready for School DVD, and more! Click on CONTESTS to see the entire list of contests now running at 5M4M.

And lastly, today was a big day in diaper world! The new gDiapers went on sale online! Click the banner below to learn more about flushable, compostable gDiapers! New, exciting colors include Got Chocolate Brown, Genuine Vanilla Bean, Golden Orange, and new shades of Giggle Pink and Global Blue.

There's Elizabeth sporting her bright orange gDiaper. Isn't she adorable?

Meal Plan Monday & More Giveaways!

It's been a while since I posted a meal plan, and we've already eaten Monday's meal, but better late than never, right?

Monday - Garlic Shrimp, Penne & Cherry Tomatoes (I had a coupon & and it was good!)

Tuesday - Homemade Pizza on refrigerator crust

Wednesday - Chicken Quesadillas with Pico

Thursday - Sausage Links with Wild Rice, Green Beans

Friday - Bistro Chicken Pasta Salad

We may go out to eat one night, so this may all get shifted around.

Now, on with the (HUGE) Giveaways!

• 5 Minutes for Mom and Best Buy are sponsoring a drawing for a 37″ Flat-Panel LCD HDTV!!!
• Love Shak, Baby and Gymboree are giving away 2 - $250 Gift Cards to be used at a Gymboree Store on Online!

Wow...

Grandpa - I've been feeding Dumplin', Bob, Chico, 3 cats, 2 babies, and 1 husband. I've also been changing diapers, scooping cat litter, and walking an old dog outside. I also cleaned your kitchen this weekend - and SEWING without having to clean off the table! : ) Went to Wal-Mart today & did some more sewing. Make sure Grandma takes a look at the blankets I listed in my Etsy Shop last night!

Whoo-Hoo! I can't believe I won!

Yes, I was a winner in the Dog Days of Summer Bloggy Giveaway hosted by Rocks in My Dryer! I mean, really, who'd a thunk that my name would have been drawn out of the 409 comments left at Knee-Deep in Munchkin Land?!?!

The fabulous prize that everyone was after, including my sister? A $30 gift certificate to Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works lotion set, and some candles! Man, I racked up, didn't I? ; ) Thank you, Munchkin Land!

And The Winner Is....

First of all, I want to say thank you for everyone who played along and for all the complements on my tag blankets! What a self-esteem booster!!! And thanks to Rocks in my Dryer for getting us all together!

If you are not the winner, please visit my Etsy shop and take a look at the other blankets I have listed there. I will be making more this weekend, so don't forget to check back later, too!

And now, the winner...

Amy C Down Under! Amy is a brand new blogger at Stepping Heavenward. Amy plans to give her new Tag Blanket to a friend who doesn't have any play blankets for her baby. How sweet is that? I'm glad I could help!

Again, thanks for everyone's participation and complements! And don't forget to visit my Etsy shop!

Dog Days of Summer Bloggy Giveaway!

This is a cute little tag blanket for your baby made by me! Bright pieced cotton & satin fabric, assorted ribbons, and a satiny back make this little blanket a plethora of exploration for little fingers! This little blankie is about 10.5" square, not counting the ribbons - perfect for at home or in the carseat!

You can win it! To be entered in this drawing, leave a comment below. You must provide a valid e-mail address, but you do not have to be a blogger. International participants are welcome. The deadline for comments is Noon Friday, July 27, and I'll draw a random winner from the list. I'll announce the winner sometime on Friday evening.

To see more of my tag blankets, please visit my Etsy Shop:
http://onemotherslove.etsy.com/

To see more exciting giveaways this week, visit Rocks in my Dryer and check out the rest of the Dog Days of Summer Giveaways!

Thanks for dropping by & visit the rest of my blog while you're here! My sister has also joined the giveaways with an adorable bouquet of fall flowers... made from paper! Enter her drawing here.