Friday Fill Ins

1.Apparently there's some sort of Game going on here

2.Its a beautiful sunny day.

3. 2009 has had its up and downs so far.

4. I am hoping that was it.

5. For too long I've been having a belly ache

.6. I am not obsessed with Bloggin; I am not!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having a great supper with family, tomorrow my plans include hopefully taking walk with granddaughter and Sunday, I want to take my family to church

want to play along? Head over here

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

My children, kid brother and now my nephew have all played little league ball. My question today is:

Did you or do your kids participate in sports and if so what ones?

Want to join in the fun? Head over to An Island Life blog here

Photography Friday

This is my nephew going after a ball in his first t-ball practice. All of my children plus his father played baseball and loved it. I truly love the way little league sports is ran by allowing all to participate and learn together. I believe that little league ball also allows them a chance to build their self esteem by achieving one of their first goals on thier own. So far so good Payton loves tball

for more Photography moments visit the blog What Works for Us here

Show and Tell Friday

I just seem to love this old gate in front of this house. This old gate was on a country house until the old house fell down with the old picket fence remaining. My brother sold this gate to the people who lived in this house. Now as they have sold the house they will move away. I wait to see if this old fence will remain behind again or go with this family. If it stays behind what will become of the old gate? Will it remain in its place or be carted away yet again? What stories could this gate tell? I just love to think of the olden days and history that happened here in Southern Illinois and just wonder if this fence could hold stories what a story it could weave.

want to join in? Head over to the blog There Is No Place Like Home here

slow cook carrot cake

A little while back I won a great Sandra Lee Semi Homemade slow cooker recipes book. I am going to share a recipe out of that book here.

Carrot Spoon Cake

butter flavor Pam
box spice cake mix
2 c shredded carrots
1 box instant butterscotch pudding and pie filling mix
4 eggs
1 8oz can crush pineapple
1 c sour cream
1 c water
3/4 c oil
whip cream

Coat slow cooker with Pam Mix in bowl the cake mix, carrots, pudding, eggs, pineapple, sour cream, and oil. Beat with mixer 2 minutes Transfer to slow cooker. cover cook low 5 hours Serve warm with whip cream

For more slow cooker recipes check out the blog Diary of a Stay at Home Mom here

Add your own great recipe or check out more on tasty Tuesday on the balancing beauty and bedlam blog here

kitchen tip teusday located at tammys recipes blog here

blissfully domestic here

tackle it tuesday at the blog 5 minutes for mom here

Ultimate Recipe Swap meatless meal

Eggplant Parmesan

1 eggplant sliced 1/4 inch thick

1 c shredded parmesan cheese

2 c shredded moz cheese divided

1 1/2 c spaghetti sauce

375 degrees Layer 1/2 eggplant, 1/2 parmesan, 3/4 c mozzarella, and 1/2 sauce in casserole Repeat layers cover and bake 375 degrees for 40 minutes or til eggplant is tender. Uncover, top with remaining 1/2 c cjeese, bake 5 minutes or til cheese melts

For more great ideas check out the Life as Mom blog here

Thursday 13

It is Thursday and one of the great leaders of this blog carnival is getting married in just a few days so I decided to follow cue and share with you some wonderful moments of my daughters wedding

1. First it all began when they met on the internet. Now if I had none about this I do not think that they would have gotten together. But she knew what I would say so when I met this young mand I did not know anything about the internet meeting

2. This young man would marry my beautiful little girl

3. This young man would become my son in law (yes that is me and my husband standing with our son in love)

4. My son in law is a fireman and he had his best friends several of them firemen to stand up with him for his wedding

5. There was an emergency call that went out directly before the wedding and all of these men could not wait to go several of them left and arrived back to the church directly before the wedding. It was at this time that she found out that firecalls would be a part of their lives.

6. The girls all went out before the wedding to get their hair and had lunchThey had lunch together and lots of fun.

7. During the ceremony the daughter in front of this picture the one in the blue dress passed out during the ceremony. Oh my it did not interupt the service it was done quietly and her sister the bride did not even know

8. Before the ceremony the dress received a black mark and had to be emergencied repaired. Here is a picture of us examining the dress

9. While the dress was being repaired my daugther takes time to look herself over before the wedding. Yes Susan as usually you look beautiful

10. The guys were having fun

11. Before you knew it they were at the alter

12 The happy couple was married

13 2 years later they became happy parents to a beautiful little girl

To find out what others have on their list of 13 head over here

Thankful Thursday April 23, 2009

Today I come with a grateful heart after just reading a friends blog and noticing that I need to be thankful for all things that happen in my life. We know that for one reason or another that things happen for a reason. Perhaps we leave house a few minutes late and we are upset but then we learn that we avoided an accident because we were running late. That lateness was meant to happen to keep us out of danger. God has made provisions both while we live on earth and after we leave here and go home with him. He is our protector and our provider and we should be thankful through all paths of life. Perhaps the world would be happier if all lived by this philosophy.

Here is a short list of what I am thankful for:

• I am thankful for the many gracious friends that I have at church. How wonderful to belong to a family of believers and be able to fellowship.


• I am thankful that my brother in law met a wonderful gal who he will marry in just a few weeks on May 8, 2009


• I am thankful that I was able to be in my children's life so much that they are not embarrassed by their parents. Many teens do not like to be seen with their mother my teens include me knowing that yes I will still act as their parent and let them know in front of their friends what I think


• I am thankful that my son is taking a stand in church that allows him to participate and grow in faith. He is taking more of an adult like atmosphere in the church participating in leading the younger ones

These are just a few of the things that I am thankful this wonderful day what are you thankful for? To participate or to see what others have on their thankful list visit the Women Taking A Stand blog here

Things I love Baby Bonn Bonn

The favorite product that I am listing today are the products of the Bonn Bonn Baby company. These products help to make a moms day easier. Moms as I know since I am one and have 6 children are hard workers. A moms job continues sun up to sun down so anything that makes a job easier is worth a great try. Bonn Bonn Baby products help keep your little one dry and incorporates a great antimicrobial protection which controls odor, bacteria and fungus.

One thing that every momma knows is that little ones get dirty. Whether it is from spills, spit ups or drool. Babies get messy. If you are like I am anything that can make the job of being a mommy easier is something that I would definitely want to try. Bonn Bonn Baby is the only company that uses a moisture wicking material in their baby products. The moisture wicking in the Bonn Bonn Baby products pulls the moisture away from the babies skin where it would dry. If this has ever happened to you then you know that if the moisture dries on the babies skin then a rash or worse could be the results.b The great Bonn Bonn Baby products are made in the U.S. and is both environmentally and user friendly.

Bonn Bonn Babies philosophy challenges you to

IMAGINE your baby staying dry after a spill.

IMAGINE your baby quickly dry after wetting the sheet.

IMAGINE baby staying fresher.

IMAGINE life easier with Bonn Bonn Baby.

Moisture Control Wicking works in the Baby Bonn Bonn products by being combined with a composite fabric with an integrated thermal layer. The material is still soft and comfortable to the baby. baby. The fabric laying directly against the babies skin transports moisture to the outer layer of the fabric. The outside layer helps the moisture to quickly evaporate. This wonderful system allows a mother less worry and assurance in knowing that the baby is dry which means warmer in winter and cooler in the summer.

Bonn Bonn Baby sells tees, onesies, bibs, blankets, sheets, and changing pad covers. You can purchase these great items at the Bonn Bonn Babywebsite.

If you would like to see what others are loving today or add your own then visit the blog Diaper Diaries here.

Eve Organics Review

Eve organics is a company that is striving to provide the finest in organic skin care and mineral makeup. Eve Organics select the ingredients for their products gracefully and representational so as not to use ingredients for the sole purpose for improving the look or texture of the product. There are so many companies that appeal to the consumers by its appearance in the package. Eve Organics would rather appeal to the consumer through its use. Eve Organics demonstrates more care through its mission statement which states:

From the website:

. Educate about the lack of regulation in the cosmetic industry by making harmful ingredient information available to our customers and disclosing all ingredients in our products on our labels and on our website;
2. Avoid toxic ingredients in our products such as: dyes, lakes, synthetic fragrance, bismuth oxychloride, talc, parabens, sulfates, UREA, and others. To learn more, please visit our Informative Links section of the website.
3. Rejuvenate damaged skin, while protecting it from the sun and environmental irritants.
4. Give back to the community. Every quarter, Eve Organics will give 10% of its net profits to a different charity to help support people or communities in need. The organizations we choose to support we believe will use the money directly for its cause, not to pay its administrators.

Eve Organics sell cleaners for that super natural feeling clean, treat and tone products that leave your skin clean and fresh while adjusting the PH formula of your skin, moisturizes that are packed full of vitamins which renews your skin so that it feels great, Eve Organics also caters to your body through body butters for that all over great feeling, and to top it all off Eve Organics offers mineral makeup which allows you to have that radiant beauty as well as the brushes that allow you to apply such beauty.

Eve Organics caters to those with acne and oily skin as well. There are many women who go through that oily skin acne late in life and Eve Organics is there to help. For those ladies who suffer from hormonal irregulations that affect the skin Eve Organics can help here as well by offering special products just for you. I personally suffer from severe dry skin because of a medical condition but Eve Organics has not forsaken me as they offer product for dry skin sufferers as well. To top it all of the great Eve Organics company offers you information on all the ingredients on a web page found here

Next time you need to resupply your beauty items remember Eve Organics for the best products available.

Bumkins Review

Recently I was lucky enough to review a lovely and fun spirited body suit and tee from Bumkins. Bumkins is a company striving to offer the finer baby products at a price that can't be beat. Bumkins Finer Baby Products strives to offer their customers creative and well made merchandise that is aimed at a market attractive to the whole family. The goal of selling great looking yet affordable products is one that as a mother I truly appreciate. Bumkins Finer Baby Products are primarily created in the U.S. and are guided by the strict guidelines of the juvenile product industry only using the best and safest materials available.

Created by a mother to offer an alternative to the disposable diapers Bumkins Finer Baby Products has continued to grow to include bibs, bags, aprons, and even Dr. Seuss clothing line. I was very impressed with all that this great company did order since it is like the superstore on the Internet where every product that a child would need in the clothing line can be found on the Bumkins website. Very nice and easy in my opinion as a mother of 6 children I am always looking for a great and easy way to find attractive supplies for my children.

We received this delightfully fun body suit from the Bumkins company. I was very impressed with this item. The cloth in this body suit is not the thin cloth that is found in similar products. The cloth that constructed this body suit was thicker but yet soft and breathable. Construction was compared to the top of the line in my opinion. The body suit is 100% cotton and is tag less to ensure maximum comfort. The body suit comes in 4 sizes 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. One of the best features about this body suit is the picture that it holds. Dr. Seuss created wonderful stories and the illustration on this body suit helps to celebrate that.

Bumkins also creates a bib that has received raves of approval. The super bib that Bumkins creates is made of a special waterproof material which will keep your little one dry. Not only waterproof but the bib is also stain and odor resistant. No ties needed here as the bib possess Velcro closure which will keep the bib on securely. The bib features a catch all pocket which will gather the crumbs that your little one looses. Don't worry the bib is safe as it is free of PVC, BPA, Phthalate and vinyl.

The origination of the Bumkins company has not been left behind though as they still sell items needed for cloth diapering. Bumkins offers many products related to cloth diapering that are attractive, fun and so usable. From all in ones to cloth diaper bundles diapering needs will be taken care of by Bumkins. Like I said earlier Bumkins is the superstore of baby clothing needs in my opinion.

Bumkins Finer Baby Products are available for order on their online website located here at http://www.bumkins.com/

ABC Wednesday

ABC Wednesday is celebrating the letter N and I am stating that N is for nurses. I was a nurses aide for many years and know exactly what these women do. The work they put their bodies through and their poor sore feet. Their hearts are full of care and their duties to take care of the individuals they care for is their goal at work. Nurses are often over worked, over stressed, under paid and love it all. Hats off to all nurses of the word

Want to add your word to the ABC Wednesday head over here

Word Filled Wednesday

As spring and summer approach upon us this bible verse struck my fancy. His blessings are amongst us and all around us. Just take a look and you will see God's coloring book being recreated and styled.

For more wordfilled Wednesday visit the blog the 160 acre woods here

works for me wednesday prom edition

Each year our family has a budget that we must live by. There are things such as birthdays, holidays, school functions and the sort that must be budgeted in and then that budget must be kept. This year I became a bit worried when 2 of my teens decided they would be attending prom this year. We have did terrific so far though and here are the cost breakdown

$400 Prom Budget (total)

dress $55 (great find, buy and looks great as well)

flowers $25 (local florist friend of mine I am so happy these will look great)

shoes $50 (they each are getting a new pair and we are doing great)

hair/nails $30 (friend of mind again and man am I happy)

prom ticket $40 (he had to have one she did not)

eating out $30 (bought certificate and this was at a great price)

we only need his outfit and we have $170 to do that in I am so happy that we are doing so well. He choose not to rent a tux or this would have paid for that and had some left instead he is going with sports coat and cool looking outfit

What do you think have any ideas you want to share? I can use all the tips I can get my hands on

for more work for me Wednesday visit the blog We are that family here

Wordful Wednesday

Doesn't she look grand? My daughter had the opportunity to find her dress on teh internet this year so when the dress came in she was so excited she just had to try it on. What do you think I will be posting more pictures of her ready for Prom this was just the first time she saw the dress

for more wordful wednesday head over to the blog SevEn cLoWn CirCus here

Baby Burp Blocker Burp Cloths Review

Oh those little messes that happen when burping the baby. How the tiniest babies can make the biggest messes is truly beyond my comprehension. I only know that when burping a baby you need something great to throw over your shoulder. The only problem is what if you are doing something else while feeding your little one or the baby seems to move around a lot? Most moms with more than one child have at one time or another felt this problem. The Burpie Blocker is attempting to solve this problem.

The Burpie Blocker is soft and quilted so it is great for both mom and baby. The burpie blocker was created by a mom with a newborn baby who needed to stay clean while burping the baby but hated as the burp cloth would move about. She designed a great soft quilted burp cloth with a neck strap so that the burp cloth would stay placed while using both hands to burp the baby.

In addition to the great burpie blocker burp cloths they also sell blanket and BurpieBlocker burp cloth sets. These are cute and would make a great present for your child, grandchild or a special baby shower gift.

We received the beautiful yellow BurpieBlocker Burp Cloth and were really delighted. We all know that if giving a baby shower gift before the sex is known yellow is the color to go with. This great yellow color is also great for boys or girls. The quilted softness has no comparison and is like throwing a small baby quilt over your shoulder.


If you are looking for that perfect gift for a baby or baby shower gift then think about the great gift of the BurpieBlocker Baby Burp Cloths. Someone will thank you and you will love the great love placed in every BurpieBlocker. You can order online from the BurpieBlocker site or go here and you can find some other great places to order.

Giggle Bib Review

Little ones learning to eat is a very special time for both mommy and baby. But the mess that is sometimes left behind is sometimes more than one wants to deal with. But what if there was a bit of fun you could add into the feeding dilemma? Giggle Bibs are trying to do just that. Giggle Bibs are like no other that I have ever seen they are truly as their slogan says fun, funky and unique.

Giggle Bibs contain the love that goes into handmade products because each and everyone is mad by hand. It is always those special little touches that are noticed by the time taken to create a handmade product and Giggle Bibs host those specialties as well. Perhaps the fun or the funky and certainly the unique comes in when you take a look at what the great Giggle Bibs are made up of. Giggle Bibs are vinyl bibs they are not like the plastic bibs that I have seen before these are actually vinyl, easy to clean up and has the construction that is not too thick and heavy but not thin enough to rip either. I believe these bibs are created to last and are so easy to clean up.

One thing that I used to hate about baby bibs was the tie closures that were in the back and tied directly under the babies neck. The Giggle Bibs have no tie closures and instead have Velcro that is so much easier to use. The Velcro on these bibs are placed on sturdy as not to wear out. Since the bibs are vinyl there is never no need to throw the bib in the wash the Velcro should stay great the life of the product. Another great feature of the bib that I loved was the great size of the bib. Not a short one that only covers the direct area under the babies mouth but large enough to cover the chest area of most babies and even over hanged a bit on ours. Thus the clothes that the little one is wearing will stay safe and secure in my opinion making this the bib to take to all the dress up restaurants the little one must attend. Don't worry about the food that may be dropped as the pocket located directly on the bottom of the bib will catch most of these as well.

The Giggle Bib comes in a large variety of colors and patterns. I am sure one will tickle your fancy. You can go here to see if a location near you sells the great Giggle Bib. You may also order online at their website here

Skin Care Logic : Clean Start Kit

SKIN CARE LOGIC and the CLEAN START KIT

One of the toughest things that teens have to live with is their looks. Acne often makes this a little bit more troubling. As a mother we try to ease up our children's life however we can in every way. So when I went to look for a aide in helping to relieve acne for my teens I found the Skin Care Logic site and the clean start kit. My teens have had success with this product and we will continue to use as long as they continue to struggle with the problem. For some reason my younger 3 of the 6 are the ones that are suffering the older 3 did not have such a bad problem.

I want to share with you about this great product today so that if you find you need the product you to will feel free to use the Skin Care Logic site and the Clean Start Kit or another product located on the website. The mission of the Skin Care Logic site located at www.SkinCareLogic.com is to share their knowledge with their customers in order to educate them on how to achieve the skin they want. Skin Care Logic offers superior products, information that is up to date and pertinent to skin issues and tops it all off with wonderful customer service.

Skin Care Logic is an authorized dealer of dermalogica. Dermalogica believes that skin should receive regular care not just luxuries. Through regular care the skin looks and feels the best it can. Skin Care Logic has the goal of educating you on the care of your skin and not just repair or decorating issues of it. There are many topics related to care of skin located on their website here.

The Clean Start Kit is designed especially for teens with the special issues of teens in mind. The kit includes Wash Off 1.7 fl. oz., All Over Clear 1.7 oz., Ready, Set, Scrub! .5 fl. oz., Bedtime for Breakouts .5 fl. oz., Welcome Matte SPF 15 .5 fl. oz. All of these products will help your teens skin look and feel the best it can. The kit gives special instructions for the teen to follow and includes early morning and nigh time routines.

How great it would be to travel through life with no skin problems but when they occur then why not to trust a company with your skin at heart. Trust the Skin Care Logic website and have trust in better looking and feeling skin.

Giveaway Jewelry from a great etsy shop

If you have ever been to the etsy shops you know how great many of them are. The etsy shop Four Times the Treasure is no different. The Blog Live, Love, Laugh with Leslie is hosting giveaway sponsored by this great etsy shop. The winner will receive an item up to $15. Contest ends April 28th 2009

I am very thankful this week for the weather turning warmer. Not only is getting to be beautiful outside but my utility bills are going down as well. Now that is two wonderful things to be happy and pleased about. I am also happy that my children delight in each other and get along well this week. I am pleased that they do not desire the best there is only that they are included. It is a wonderful feeling to have children that can do with what you can afford for them. I am also happy that I may have two children attending a christian based college. I am happy to say that these colleges are grand and do not offer the students what conventional state colleges do.

If you want to share with what you are thankful for then visit heavenly homemakers here

Teusday Tribute

This tribute is to my dear daughter who will be attending her senior prom soon and graduating in just a few short weeks from now. I believe that as much as she is a mommy's girl as she is known she is her mommas little girl. She was a very sick little girl when she was little and I spent alot of time with her. I can remember crying with her, laughing with her, sleeping with her and eating when she ate. Even today you will find us together alot. Oh how much fun we have had in the years since she was born. She may be leaving to go away to school to a college that is 3 hours from here. The sad thing is even though I know she will have to get used the change it will be me who will have to get used to the change of her not being here. But here's to you sis you can take on the world and fight for what is right because girl I know what you are made of and it has a lot to do with your mommas love.

Take Me Back Tuesday

This young man playing here will be starting T Ball soon. I am so proud of him I can remember when my brother first brought him down. He was so wild and crazy he ran and played all night long til morning light. Now he will be playing T-Ball Yeah Payton Go play

for more way back when visit A Giveaway Addicted Mommy here Also listed at Way Back Whensday held at twinfatuation here.

To Do Tuesday

I am participating in the To Do Tuesday. I believe that it may help me keep track of what I have to do.

Here is my to do list:

eat lunch with my mom I need to start calling her daily so this week challenge is to call my mom 1 time a day and talk at least 15 minutes. She loves to talk but with my busy life sometimes I forget

send the needed papers to my sons college this must be done this week

finish up Prom for the kids this is almost done but I will truly be glad when it is done

straighten up kitchen cabinets I need to do this since I have not done it for a while

laundry 3 loads a day wash, dry, fold and put away

rearrange boys room they can not stand it and neither can I it must be rearranged

devotion and quite time at least 30 minutes a day

This is my first time in participating and you can participate as well head over to the blog Crazy Adventures in Parenting and get going or just see what others are doing here

Totally Talented Tuesday

So sad that this is the last Talented Tuesday that will be held. I have enjoyed playing along and it was a great meme to be involved in.

My little Talented Tuesday will be my little gal once again. She has grown so much and I have enjoyed posting talents of hers. Today she is learning to stand up, enjoying her toys, loves to feed her self, says several words and has changed allot in the 7 months that she has been alive.

Want to join in on the last Talented Tuesdays? Would be the last chance to share someones special talent. Head over to the blog Two of a Kind Working On a Full House here

Great giveaway for tot on go cot

The Two of a Kind Working on a Full House blog is hosting giveaway for a Phil & Teds Traveller Travel Cot This cot would be perfect for toddlers on the go. The traveling cot giveaway is sponsored by tots on-the-go. Contest ends May 9th, 2009.

Joey Junior Purse Hanger Review and Giveaway

JOEY JUNIOR PURSE HANGER

Do you ever wonder what you will do with your purse while eating with friends, studying at the library or visiting with others? Well the Joey Junior Purse Holder answers this question for you. The foldable purse holder which fits nicely in your purse when you are not using it to hold your purse is the answer to your question. The Joey Junior Purse Holder allows you to keep your bag in sight at all times and in easy reach. It helps you guard against theft or your bag being snatched by allowing you to hang your bag within hands reach. You no longer have to sit your purse in germy dirty floors but hang it in nicely in a place of your destination. Because you hang your bag up you no longer place that unnecessary wear and tear on the bag prolonging the life of the bag. Because the Joey Junior Purse Holder can hold up to 17 lbs. it is great for holding not only your purse but backpacks, diaper bags or gym bag. The Joey Junior Purse Holder makes a terrific and thoughtful gift as well.

Joey Junior would love to gift one of Annie's Home readers with a purse holder.

To win all you have to do to enter this great contest is to visit the Joey Junior website and let me know another product that this great company sells.

Extra Entries:

• Grab my button and let me know where you put it (3 entries)
• Blog about this giveaway (7 entries)
• follow me on twitter (3 entries) place ID in comment
• tweet about this giveaway (2 entries each time) place link in comment
• tell me a place you could use this (2 entries for each idea you list)

Contest runs from now through May 6, 2009 Open to everyone and you must include your email or have accessible. Winner has 3 days to claim or forfeit.