Giveaway Time :)

"It's the perfect accessory for children in the dropping, throwing, losing, or just tossing-for-fun stages."

Introducing, the Clingy Cord, brought to you by CaitiMacCreations :)

I have the experience, as a mother and even as an aunt, in witnessing the drops and throws of items that our children own. Whether it be a sippy cup, a lovey, the pacifier...the Clingy Cord can save you! It has a plastic link that secures to even the smallest of surfaces (ie Belt Loop) and an easy to use sliding knot to secure all those necessities that are strewn about (any size)! The Clingy Cord was designed to keep all the beloved items of our children off the floor and still within hands reach for children. It's GENIUS, I tell you! Thank you for giving us moms that extra hand, because we all know that having to constantly pick up and clean off every toy or cup thrown can be a hassle. Now there's no more need to worry about missing pacis or loveys, they will always be attached!
The owner and designer of CaitiMacCreations has given me an awesome opportunity to share the news and GIVEAWAY a Clingy Cord to one of my followers!! I'm super excited, and I hope you are too! Whether you're a mother, an aunt, a godmother, or just a friend of a mom to be...this is a giveaway for you!

There are lots of ways to Enter!

• Go to CaitiMacCreations and let me know what product is your favorite :)


• Also, on the website, watch the video of her son dropping his sippy cup and tell me what color his Clingy Cord is!


• Leave a comment and let me know that you are a follower of my blog!


• Become a fan of Clingy Cord on Facebook


• Follow Clingy Cord on Twitter

That's a total of 5 entries per person!! I'll leave the giveaway post open until Monday 9pm EST. And I'll pick a winner using Random.org. This way the lucky mom or aunt will have this little helper in her hands in time for Mother's Day!! Good luck :)

Five Question Friday

Last Friday of the month, can't believe it's already May...boy is this month flying by! Here's another 5QF brought to you by Mama M over @ My Little Life!

1. If you could, would you go back to high school?
Um, yeah...that's a big fat no! I wasn't a huge fan of high school, I actually dropped out of the whole scene and did homeschooling for a little bit...before I just decided to take a test to get my diploma. I don't think any amount of money in the world could bribe me into going back :)
2. If a genie appeared and granted you two wishes, what would they be? (And, no saying "more wishes".)
I definitely agree with Mama M. I would wish for complete happiness and well-being for my family. They always come first!And, a yacht load of money, because everyone knows we're going through a tough situation right now. If things were different, and you asked me again in a couple of months..I wouldn't put the same, popular answer!
3. What kids show do you secretly like?
I enjoy watching alot of shows actually. K loves to watch Noggin and I love to see him learn things from each show. It's amazing how much he can pick up from the different shows; Chinese, Spanish, colors, numbers, shapes...He's gonna be one smart cookie, especially with the help from us!
4. What is your beverage of choice?
My beverage of choice is water, always. I don't drink nearly enough as I should, and because of that I'm probably dehydrated. However, I do have a "slight" addiction to McD's Mocha Frappe. **I recently found out they have a supersize, how dare they torment me!!"
5. What is something that you would change about yourself (or are working to change in yourself)?
I would love to change things, physically and mentally. I hate the fact that I have yet to lose my baby weight. I see other people (ie on Biggest Loser) who weigh the same as me and I wonder to myself, do I look that bad?!? I see myself as being overweight, but I'm comfortable in the sizes I am, I know nothing different. However, my insecurities about myself cause me to have some trust issues...because every woman knows that there is always that one girl or two million out there who look 100% better than you. So yeah, those are the things I would change. My weight and then the insecurities I have elsewhere!

HAPPY FRIDAY

The Good & The Bad

HHmmm, maybe I should throw in "The Ugly"!

This week has been a mixture of the good and the bad. There is a reoccurring theme out there called Fuming Friday. I figured, I'm not really fuming...yet; so I would just post some good and bad things about the week. It's been a bit of a roller coaster, I've had my ups and downs all week long. I'm only hoping things will get better from here out; I need that.

The Good

• I started my new job this week!
• I'm excited about learning new things at work and the challenges that face me there
• I'm hoping to make a good relationship with the people I work with, including my boss
• I'm relieved to have such an awesome manager, I really enjoy working with her
• I'm blessed with such a loving child, when I get home from work, the first thing he tells me is that he missed me :) Makes it all worth while
• I am super thankful for such an understand and loving family
• I've got a giveaway this weekend!!!!!!!!

The Bad

• I'm still an emotional wreck when it comes to our missing Doodle. I'm such a compassionate person, that I'm having a very hard time dealing with the loss. I've got work and crafts to keep me occupied, but once my mind is clear to wander...all I think about is him! I passed a sign on the way home last night, chihuahuas for sale...and I completely lost it! The leads we got from our ad and signs were all about another chihuahua. The people who were helping us, called us and told us they had it trapped...and it wasn't him. With that, it makes it so much harder not knowing where he is. I keep telling myself I need to grow up, but to me...my dog is like a child. I miss him so much!
• Nothing like coming home from an 8 hour work day to be locked out of the house for an hour. Luckily, I remembered a little trick and decided to break into our place :) Too bad I didn't think of it when I got here!
• The in laws are moving out of their place and we have yet to find one of our own. This is becoming super frustrating because J is having some issues finding a job, unfortunately. I can't wait to have our own place....I really need our space back

Well, there's my ranting for the week...the good and the bad.

Full Time to Part Time

Today is the day I go from a Full Time stay at home Mom to a part timer!! It's a sad day in my world. I know that K will be ok, because he's got his Daddy around. I'm happy to know that he'll be in good hands while I'm at work. I know that my time away at work will make the time with my family even more precious! I've been up since 8am; I got dressed for work and was ready to go around 11. I knew I wanted to spend as much time with my boys as possible before I had to leave, plus it made for an easy day..no rushing around. Today is just a four hour shift, pretty much teaching me how to do everything all over again. Before I left Stride Rite the last time, they were just upgrading their systems...so that will be something I need to learn how to operate. As for general customer service, feet measuring, and stockroom...I'm pretty much good to go! It's a complete and total bummer that today is BEAUTIFUL out and I'm stuck inside. Go figure. It's been raining every day since Friday, pretty today, and then it's supposed to rain again through the weekend starting tomorrow. Of course, this is how it will go. There will be beautiful days where I'm sad to be working and then there will be days where it's completely nasty out and I'll be glad to go to work. I will find a happy medium. I'm hoping that me starting work will take my mind off a couple things and come to peace with some stuff. We still have yet to find our puppy and I'm still a mess when people ask me if everything is ok...so whatever you do, don't ask!!
In less than 3 hours I will be working the sales floor at my new job...Wish me luck :)

Making it Official!

Today is already looking to be yucky, and really, so have the last couple of days. It has been raining, all day every day, since Friday. **Which again, makes it hard knowing my pup is out there somewhere** We're making the most of our day today and going out on a mission,

Today is the day we make it official (or hoping for it to be), today we come....Buckeyes!! We are heading out in a bit to go fill out some paperwork in hopes of finding a place. We've found the perfect apartment; low rent, big rooms, nestled in the woods, and very quiet neighbors. Now when I say quiet neighbors, I mean deceased. There happens to be a huge graveyard behind the complex AAAHHH! The older gentleman, I mean older, laughed at my husband's joke about "quiet neighbors" & even cracked one himself..."They were just dying to get there!" That made the move there even more critical, we love the leasing manager :) We're also going to open up a bank account here, because both us still have accounts with banks that are 100 miles or more away...that doesn't make it very handy! Then comes the fun part....getting a new license and tags to make us Buckeyes...Yee Haw (enter Southern fun) I'm not looking forward to the new picture that will be placed upon that little card, I happen to LOVE my picture of my SCDL. Oh, and then I'm dreading the Driver's Test...really!! I'm really hoping I don't bomb the test, I may have 8 years of driving experience...but I suck at taking tests! Pray for me...I'm gonna need it.

So there's our day in a nutshell....or in a Buckeye (haha). Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday, and make the most out of your day!! I know we are :)

Keepin' Busy

With my dog missing, it's hard not to think about him all day and night. I get quite attached to animals way too easily...and I'm really struggling with the fact Davey is out there somewhere!! My husband was kind enough to take me for some retail therapy at my favorite store, Hobby Lobby. I'm on a mission to make myself as busy as possibly with tons of craft projects. I don't need my mind wandering to all these awful thoughts about Doodle. I need to think happy thoughts! The fact that I start my new job soon, also helps the situation. I'll have a lot to keep me occupied there, too.
As far as my crafts go, below is the compilation I have of projects! I've already completed one and I'm ready to hop on to the other. I'm kinda nervous about how they may turn it, but it'll be a learning process. I'd love to start my own Etsy shop, those seem pretty popular nowadays. Please, feel free to comment on something if you'd like to own one of projects...I'd be happy to personalize one for you!!

Craft #1- Completed
Make a Monogram plate for the in-laws new place!
(this is actually a picture of our plate...will post one of theirs, too...eventually)

Craft #2-
Alter boxes for storage~ They're actually cigar boxes I got for free from my F-I-L :)

Craft #3-
Make a University Of Kentucky Birdhouse for the hubby, in time for Father's Day
Craft #4
Alter a place mat into a Diaper Clutch~ Because everyone knows I've made my designer purse into a "diaper" bag. This would be handy to have inside, for easy grabbing! *This is what it will look like...hopefully!!*

Maybe I can add some more projects to this, at some point, but for now...this'll do :)
These should definitely keep my mind from wandering, because a lot of thought goes into every craft I do. I can't wait for the finished products!

5 Question Friday

Mama M is much braver than I, for she vlogged this today :)

I think I will stay with my good ol' keyboard!

1. What was the first car you owned?
My first "car" was a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee, that my mother so graciously got me when she got rid of her nice ride. We split the money and we both got cars!
I will say that I've kept up with a trend, I upgraded to a 2001 Jeep my sophomore year of high school and then got a Durango my senior summer....after that one got totalled in January, I stuck with it and got another Durango. However, I must say that I did have influence when it came to the car choice of my hubby's...he got a Jeep :)
2. What song are you embarrassed to know the lyrics to?
Haha, Dare I even say it.....Ok, ok!! I am embarrassed to say that I know ALL the lyrics to any Spice Girl's song...yep, that's right. They were huge back in the day. "So I'll tell ya what I want, what I really really want, so tell me whatcha want whatcha really really want..I wanna I wanna"...yeah yeah yeah!! It's sad
3. Have you ever had stitches?
Yep. I had a horrific experience with my first set of stitches. I went in for a skin test, and as the doc was closing up the hole with A stitch...the needle broke off IN my arm. And I mean, in my arm. They had to poke me with 4 needles to locate the needle in an xray, it was deep in there. Let's just say, I got more stitches than I originally needed and a lot bigger scar thanks to that mishap.
4 What was your first job?
Well, if we aren't going technical here..I'd say my first job was babysitting. I loved taking care of kids :) It's still in my blood today, working with and for kids! My first real job was at Icing, I was 15 and wanted some moolah! It was a fun job, but I wasted too much of my earnings in the store, LOL
5.Who is your favorite Sesame Street character?
HHHmmmm, I'm kind of a fan of Big Bird...but I love me some Elmo, too. I think Mr. Big Bird isn't as popular as Elmo...hence, the toys and such out there for the little red guy.

I Can't Bare it!!

I had everything to be thankful for today, then my world came crumbling down. We took our dog over to my sister in law's house last night to stay temporarily. Where we stay now, we're not allowed to have dogs...and there was no way I was getting rid of Davey, so we had to find him a sitter. Well, everything was going well...he was a little skittish towards her and the boyfriend, but they were kind enough to let him have free roam of the house. Unfortunately, when they went to let their dog in, Davey decided he was a free bird and he shot out. Now, I must say...he is one of those dogs that will run away but he always comes back. I mean, he's a chihuahua and he's got some energy..he loves to run around. We got the text earlier today that he was missing, and this was while we were at the zoo having fun. Immediately, my mood changed. Just last night I had a dream (a nightmare!!!) that Davey got out and got hit by a car. When the news came that he got out...it hit me, please oh please don't let my dream come true.
I'm such an emotional person...especially when it comes to animals. We got Davey as a last ditch effort to save his brother...thinking he was homesick and needed a buddy. Our first dog, Harley died just a couple days after getting him. I was a wreck for days on end. Now, multiply that times a couple years and we're looking at a couple weeks of tears!! What makes it even worse is the fact that I keep having the image in my head of my poor baby lying lifeless on the side of the road. It kills me, absolutely kills me. I witnessed a pup get run over once, I had to check on it and I nearly through myself into a heart attack with the breakdown I had with that. I just can't handle seeing a dog get hit, or hurt etc.
I've had my breakdowns today, I've said my prayers..practically begging God to bring back Doodle (What we call him) safe and sound. I've put a lost ad on craigslist and will most likely, if I can handle the chances of seeing him deceased somewhere, head back to Hamilton (an hour away for us) and put up signs in hopes of getting him found. I miss him terribly and I wish with all my heart that he's been taken in by a stranger and they're showing him much compassion...and we'll receive a phone call tomorrow to come pick him up.

We miss you Davey Doodle, Please come home!!

Thankful Thursday

With everything that's been out of place lately, and then it all turning out right...I have lots to be thankful for. I've decided to come up with a reoccurring theme for my blog on Thursdays. Today couldn't be a better day to start.

Usually I'll come up with one thing that I'm thankful for, but today is a special day :)

I am thankful for....

The beautiful Earth ( in honor of Earth day) , the air I breathe, the grass I walk on, the skies so blue! It's a beautiful planet we live on, let's treasure it.

A new journey in the working world. A job where I know I'll love! May it be rewarding and fun along the way. May I strive to do my best in everything I do and make the most out of every day!

What are you thankful for?

Watch Out World!

This here gal just got her a job :) I'm re-entering the work field after almost a 4 year hiatus!! I'm either crazy or just desperate...more or less, I'm just ready to make my own money and help support my family and help kids and parents out there too!! (hence the job) It may not be an average job that everyone gets excited about..but it's a job where I feel comfortable and where I know I'll have fun.
I had the chance today to stop by Stride Rite and fill out an application. I said very little words and had yet to even complete my application, when the manager told me I was hired. I guess it was the magic words " I have 3 years experience here". She was practically giddy over the fact! That made me want to take the job even more. The ladies I met today were super nice and I can't wait to start working. The location of the store reminds me alot of home. It's in a rather large city surrounded by huge houses, and it's a Town Center just like Mt Pleasant. I think, or at least I'm hoping I'll fit in well!
I'm still a little bit nervous about leaving my baby boy, but I know he'll do good with his Nana. It's been so long since I've been at work, but it's definitely a good thing that I'm going some place where I know I'll do good. With having the experience there, there won't be any difficult training to go through...and I get to work with kids all day. What could be better? I'm hoping that I can make new friends out of this too, because the ladies are fantastic. I can't wait to get to know them!
For now, it's still the waiting game for my husband getting a job. He seems to be having a little trouble..so please pray for him that God will lead him in the right direction! I prayed and He definitely provided. I couldn't be happier with where life is headed now **Well, I would be happier in our own place :)**

Wish me luck :) I start next week!!

Five Question Friday

Another 5QF brought to you by Mama M over at My Little Life

1. What words do you use on your blog/online that you don't use in real life?

As bad as it may sound, I'm not one

to throw my heart out there, verbally.

I think I'm more comfortable

putting it out there on paper,

or just written down....or typed and emailed :)

I find it much easier to talk about

religion, life and love here

than to say it aloud.

2. Do you still write checks?

Eh, I try to save the trees by not writing checks,

however, it doesn't work any better...

because it doesn't save my bank account :)

I leave the writing checks to the hubs,

he's the bill payer!!

3. Who was your favorite President and why?

I'd like to go along with Mama M

and base my favorite on looks alone...can I?

I must admit, I'm not a very political person.

I will say though, I'm not a fan of Obama,

and that I am a republican.

(GASP.....shocker, I know. Hehe)

Or it could be, that I just go with

what my family has gone with for years.

It usually works out that way, for the better.

4. Are you a yeller?

WHAT!!! ARE YOU KIDDING!!!

Does that answer the question for ya? lol

I can be a yeller, however, I try to control myself.

I lose patience pretty quickly....

when it comes to parenting and marriage,

it can be challenging.

A good scream is always good!

5. Have you ever dumpster dived?

I'd like to say no, but I just can't hold it back.

It's probably the only good memories

I have with my dad.

We used to dumpster dive all the time.

You can find some good stuff.

Like they say....

One mans' trash is another man's treasure!

Lots of Fun Surrounds Us

It has been one crazy last two weeks. I've been trying to fit in a lot of things I would like to do before we leave this state and embark on our new journey. I'm telling ya, lots of fun surrounds us...and I surely hope it continues. There have been trips to county parks, walks on the beach, egg drops and hunts, garden adventures, and playing tourist. It's been a very exciting time we've had here and I wish it didn't have to end.

Here are my collages of all the fun stuff that surrounds us.

As much as I would've liked to share it with you before,

I knew that it needed a post of it's own!

Easter 2010~ Family Luncheon, Spongebob & Diego eggs, Egg Drop...Silly Faces

Downtown Chs.~ The Battery, Rainbow Row, Basketball, Cannonballs....& lions, Oh My! :)

County Park & Folly Beach~ SurfnSand, Swings, TouchDown, Slides...Smiles & Giggles

Middleton Place~ Marsh, Trees, Running, Flowers, Horses, Peacocks...Beautiful!!

Spring has Sprung

Spring is a beautiful time of year, I love the flowers blooming (pollen moving), the waters warming...I just can't get enough. We're closing in on the last couple of days here in South Carolina and probably the last time I'll have such humid beautiful weather. Is that like a oxymoron?!? Because seriously, you can't have beautiful, humid weather. haha I'm realizing now that Ohio is going to be a big change, nothing of what I'm used to. Here in Sc, you see maybe 2 seasons...Summer and Fall. Ya know, really hot weather then it changes to somewhat cool weather. Then there's Ohio, where you see maybe 3 or all of them. I can tell you now, I'm going to be a little bit cautious of this stuff they call "Snow" because where I'm from, there is none. And if there ever is the slight chance of it, people freak out and go crazy like an earthquake is happening.
Anyways, with all this beautiful weather...we've ventured out into the city and gotten our last taste of Charleston. As I mentioned before, I had a list of to do's before we left. So far, we've been to Middleton Place and Downtown. Middleton Place was gorgeous, God's creations just amaze me every day. I just love nature, flowers...grass...the sky, I love it all!! As usual, Downtown was fun. Jason and I even revisited the place where we got engaged (dummy me, didn't even take a picture of the newly remodeled gazebo) It was nice to reminisce <3

It'll be great to look at all the reminders of home with the pictures I have from our outings. I plan on making a collage of the photos I have, but for now it'll be here on my blog for me to come and look back on the good times and places of my home.

Home is truly where my...our story began. I can't wait for the story to continue and I look forward to the next chapter!

Calling all Mommies & Aunties :)

It's coming....a giveaway!!

I've been given an awesome opportunity

to review and giveaway

a must-have if you're a mom :)

Of course, you can always enter

if you're an aunt or even if you have friends with children.

This item will be a huge help to that special someone.

I'm trying to get all the details sketched out
and it'll be ready for yall
towards the end of the month.
I'm hoping to get it in the hands
of that lucky person
just in time for Mother's Day.

Hint: It'd make that day extra special & less stressful with less toys & sippies thrown around

So make sure you head back before May and check out the giveaway

And don't forget to spread the news to all your friends!!!!

5 Question Friday

Hello fellow 5QF'ers :)
This is brought you by, My Little Life's Mama M!! Thanks for the fun on this Fabulous Friday

1. Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
Since I've been told I look like Cameron Diaz & Kirsten Dunst...I'd go with one of the two :) Like Mama M said though, they both would have to pack on some pounds and maybe lose an inch or three! I love Miss Diaz, she's so perky and outgoing....that I'm not, so she could exaggerate me perfectly HA! Then there's Mrs. Spiderman, she'd be almost perfect. Now if only they would present an offer. Hello Hollywood!!!

2. Did you ever go to summer camp?
I've seen a couple camps in my summer past-life. I mostly went to 5-7 day camps, with my youth group at Church. Centrifuge was super fun. It was nice to reflect on your relationship with God and learn more about missionaries and the Bible. Then there was Camp Bonnie Doone, too..pretty much the same as Centrifuge. I also went to one summer camp 2 years in a row...but it was one of those 9-5 things, to where I got to go home YAY! That one was Space Camp...no, not the astronaut training camp, but a camp for Special kids.....like, talented :) I forget what it stood for. The first year I went for singing, and minored in African Drumming. The second year I went for Pottery. It was super fun!

3. What sends you running and screaming in the other direction?
Snakes send me running, not necessarily screaming. Nothing really sends me off screaming unless it's carrying a weapon. Mostly, snakes and other venomous creatures send me running!! I'm not one of those crazy people to run screaming, at least I'd like to think I'm not...LOL

4. What is something you do that drives your spouse nuts?
Everything!! What doesn't drive him nuts...lol. No, seriously. I've really got to get him to narrow it down. However, it goes both ways...he drives me nuts, too!! But to me, I love that we drive each other nuts...it's a good thing :) Without the nuts, there wouldn't be the bolts to keep our marriage together hahahaha!
5. What is currently your favorite song?
Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now". It's being super overplayed at the moment on the Radio...and I even have the CD. But, I still love to hear it and sing along every time it plays. I don't think it'll ever get old for me :)

5 Question Friday

**Brought to you by My Little Life**

1. Do you sing out loud in the car when you're driving?
I totally agree with Mama M. I only sing when I have the music blaring and when no one is looking ;) People may think I've lost it, however, I'm not one who gets all into it complete with random dancing and crazy movements (shaking the car) kinda moves! So, no need to worry. Plus, it's super fun to get K to sing along...he knows the most random songs that play on the radio, some he shouldn't even repeat! LOL

2. What would you never be caught doing?
HHHmmmmm, this is a tough one...other than the obvious, singing in the car (as Mama M put it) I really can't think of just one thing. As far as getting caught, this could refer to something wrong, something right, or *dare I say it* something naughty ;)! The possibilities could be endless! So, I'll leave it at that...

3. Will you go #2 in a public restroom?
HAHAHA, Mama M said "fecal urgency" :) You make me laugh! But once again, I agree with you. It will rarely happen...it has to be an emergency, can't wait..gotta go kinda feeling. And I make the most amount of sound as possible, too. Coughing, fake puking, waiting for someone else to flush...Gosh, this is getting a bit TMI. I'm done talking about "fecal urgency"

4. Have you ever broken a bone?
**gently knocking on wood side table** Never. I've sprained and twisted a few things, but never actually broke a bone.

5. Do you prefer cooking or baking?
Well, define cooking...and better yet, define baking. *Huge chuckle* I define my cooking as throwing an easy meal in the microwave or stove and just punching in the time it needs to cook :) And pretty much, my baking is the same. Boxed cakes and brownies are my specialties...sometimes! However, I did make Cake balls...which took a little bit more effort; I was super proud of how they turned out...and so were a couple other people who devoured them ;) So, I guess you could say I prefer baking....must be the inner fat girl in me! If I had to cook to eat, I'd be out of luck....gimme a Crock Pot or Voila meal from the frozen section and I'm all in though :)