SPRING

One thing that is so fun about blogging is all the different contests that people host on their blogs. It is very rare that I actually win anything, but if I try most of the time. My friend, Lindsey, had a contest a while back where we had to guess the truth out of three lies...and I ACTUALLY won! I was pretty excited. Then shortly after that she arrived at the door with this!

I LOVE it! We don't experience much of a winter here in Arizona, so we probably don't look forward to Spring as much as those buried in snow. But I do love the colors that Spring brings. Everytime I walk past this I smile because it reminds me of the wonderful season, and the wonderful friend that I have. Thanks so much Lindsey!

FREE Photography Session!

Check out this AWESOME giveaway! You can get more details about it here!

Fall Soiree

Lindsey posted about this awesome blog that I just had to check out. Now I am hoping to win some of the fun stuff that Natalie is giving away. She is hosting 3 different giveaways per week for the next 6 weeks!!! So here's to hoping that I get something! Who doesn't LOVE free stuff, right!? I put a link to her blog in the sidebar or just click on the picture in this post to get to her fabulous blog!

And the Winner is.....

Amy of "A Little of This & A Little of That"!!

All I need is your mailing info, and the labeler will be in the mail!

I used Random.org list randomizer to pick the winner, but I can't seem to get the image to load here on blogger... I just wanted you to know that the name was picked fairly. :)

I just wanted to thank all of you for entering. This was fun, and I hope to do it again soon!

"Roughing It"

The closest that we seem to get to 'camping' is going to Shawn's uncles cabin. I can't really complain. It is great that Jim lets us use it, and we always have a great time. More details & pictures to follow, but I got laundry to do! :)
Anyway...that is where I have been. Sorry to those who have been wanting to see all about James' 30th Birthday party. I promise the pictures are coming soon. Here is a sneak peek. Remember you still have until midnight tonight to leave a comment for the DYMO Labelmaker!

Need Some Help Organizing!? **GIVEAWAY**

I will be the first one to tell you that I am not the most organized person around. I long to be that person that has everything cataloged perfectly, where everything has its own 'home', but sadly I am far from it. I was so excited when Laura contacted me about sending me the DYMO Personal Labelmaker LT-100T for a product review!

The ways that this handy tool can be used is endless! There are regular plastic labels available in 4 different colors, but is also capable to make MAGNETIC & Iron transfer labels! Isn't that so cool!?

"The DYMO LetraTag Plus LT-100T is the compact label maker that is ideal for the home or small office. The computer keyboard design is easy-to-use with navigation buttons that allow for quick access to advanced features like multiple font styles, text sizing, date stamping and more. Its unique graphical display allows you to see bold, italic, underlined and other text effects on screen before you print."

I found all of this to be true. This product is sooo easy to use, and I have had so much fun 'labeling' my house away. I still have a long ways to go, but I am so happy to have such a nifty tool to help me with my organizing. Everyone could use this product in their home. It is inexpensive and can be found at your local Wal*Mart.
Now YOU have a chance to win a DYMO Labelmaker of your own for FREE! It is the handheld version of mine! For one entry, all you need to do is leave a comment here (Come on lurkers...you know you want to win this!). For a second entry, link back to this post on your own blog (it is super easy - just click on the "create a link" or "links to this post"). I will keep the contest open until Tuesday, July 22! Good Luck!

A Few Contest's

How would you like to win this framed piece of art (worth $350)!? My best friends and owners of Matage Custom Framing are holding a contest to give it away! Go HERE to check out the details of the contest. The painting is called "Mary's Heart" it is absolutely beautiful! The winner will be chosen at the end of May.

For the past two weeks 5 Minutes For Mom has been highlighting a TON of different 'toys' for kids. The details of the contest can be found here. The deadline to enter is on May 7th! Good luck! I hope to win the Exersaucer and/or BebePod Plus. Caden has his eye on the LEGO City Police Headquarters. There are lots of others that I have my eye on too...heres to hoping! Winners will be announce on May 9th!

Recently Julie had a contest for a purse pal. I never got around to entering the contest :(, but I thought that the product was so cool that I thought I should still mention it. It is a cute little portable hook for your purse! That means that there is no more putting your purse on the yucky floor at at restaurant! I might just have to buy one myself. I also think it makes a great, and unique type of gift!

I Am Seeing Pink!

I have always wanted to get a Dyson vacuum. I don't think that I have ever actually used one, but there is so much hype around them, and how well they work. It is just hard for me to fork over $400 for this baby.

Dyson recently came out with a limited edition that contributes towards Breast Cancer. Because of that they made it PINK! Then the lovely ladies over at 5 Minutes for Mom are having a giveaway for this Pink Beauty. My chances are slim since there are almost 2000 entries, but it doesn't hurt to try right!? You can enter too! Just go visit this post and it will tell you what you need to do to enter. You better hurry because they choose the winner on October 1st! Good Luck! If you win, and you live near me...I may just have to come over and try it out!

If you want you can always buy this beauty yourself. They are available exclusively at Target!

July 4th Giveaway!

I don't think that I can say enough about 5 Minutes for Mom. Those girls really know how to promote things, and they are doing it yet again! In honor of July 4th they will be having multiple giveaways. Just click on over to this post and it will give you the lowdown on what you need to do!

Their first contest is for a Krups GVS1 Ice Cream Maker and a 4 piece set of Rosanna Sweet Dreams Bowls courtesy of SplendidLife.com. I am a sucker for homemade Ice Cream, and would love to win this.

The bowls are also the cutest thing ever! They come in four different shades and have writing on the inside. So I am crossing my fingers, and toes...hopefully I will win.

Hurry and go check out the details! Don't forget they will be adding additional items until July 4 so keep checking in to see if there is something you would like to win. Good Luck!

Good Mail

This past weekend I got some "Good Mail" from So Grateful to Be Mormon. She had a contest last month for "The funniest post." I submitted Caden's Prayer, and was awarded runner up! The kids were so excited when the package came. It was a lovely Precious Moments cross-stitch, and some stickers for the kids. As you can see they absolutely love stickers! You can't really tell in the picture, but they are all over the side of Sydney's face! This one is for you Kathleen! Thanks so much!

Mother's Day Giveaway!

Those girls over at 5 Minutes for Mom are doing it again! They are giving out lots and lots of cool prizes for Mother's Day! The first one they are giving away is an Ipod! Go over there for all the details, and enter to win! Good luck!

And the Winner is....

Lani at The Wooden Porch!!! Lani is a great woman with a humorous outlook on life. You will surely have some funny things to say about Babyproofing Your Marriage. All I need is your info and I will send it on its way! Congratulations! Thanks everyone for playing along!

Babyproofing Your Marriage

Back in February, lovely Kailani over at An Island Life informed us that Harper Collins Publishing company was giving out free books for review. I hopped on over and requested Babyproofing Your Marriage from Felicia. It came while I was on my cruise so I wasn't able to read it right away, and with my kids the only time I get to read is while I am working out at the gym. So it took a while to get through this one, but I am finally finished and ready to give my input on this one.

Initially I was taken back because within the first few pages there was profanity. I know that there are people out there that use it on a regular basis. I am not one of them. I personally think that there are better words that can be used to express how you are feeling. I guess that these authors thought the context was appropriate, but I didn't really care for them.

As I looked past my first impression, I actually found the book rather entertaining. These group of girls made up alot of their own terms for different things that new parents experience. One of my favorites was

"The Mommy Chip: A hardwired circuit that is activated when women become mothers. Once trigger, this chip hums 24/7 and cannot be turned off. The chip drives, what men refer to as, crazy Mom behavior. It contains a Worst Case Scenario Program that feeds a mother's fears (Let me just make sure the baby is breathing) and is plugged into a Guilt Circuit that makes her constantly question whether or not she is doing enough for her kids."

That is just a glimpse of some of the humor that they have when talking about what happens when children come into your life. Although I didn't agree with some of the ideas (The Five Minute Fix) they did a great job at taking a lighthearted look at situations that we can encounter.

If someone is struggling in a marriage with kids, I don't know if this book would be able to give them all the answers. I think it is more of an entertaining way to look at things. They made me laugh, and it was interesting to see things from a different perspective. They had interviewed hundreds of mom's & dad's and had quotes from them spattered through out the book. I guess in a nice way it helped you feel not so alone when it came to certain situations... to know it isn't just you!

I think when it comes down to it...marriage takes work. There is always give and take, and you have to be willing to try your hardest. It isn't all about how much sex you are getting. It is about loving your partner no matter what. Giving them the benefit of the doubt and working together as a team.

So in the end, if you want to read an entertaining book, that gives you some tips along the way...this book is for you!

I will be giving away my copy of the book so if you would like to win the copy just leave a comment, and let me know if you want to be included in the drawing. There aren't many people who read my blog so you will have a fighting chance. If you post about it on your blog I will put your name in twice. I will draw the lucky winner next Friday, April 27. Good Luck!

Chance to win a Dyson Slim Vacuum!

While going through my Bloglines I visited 5 Minutes for Mom only to discover they are holding yet another give-a-way. I normally don't participate because I don't have the time, and the chances of me actually winning are very slim. I just thought I would have to try this one in hopes that I would actually get it. They are giving away a Dyson Slim Vacuum! Go check it out! Add yourself to Mr. Linky and you might just have a chance too! Good Luck!

You can also find out more about the vacuum at Dyson's website!