This time of year is very confusing for me. I'm not sure how I should feel and no matter what I feel, I always feel like it is wrong. My son was born this time of year and I love seeing him grow and love celebrating him. At the same time, my nephew was also born this time of year and that makes me extremely sad. Sad because my sister doesn't get to see him grow or celebrate with him each year. He was struck by a car and killed 3 years ago when he was walking home from summer school, at just 8 years old. I never want to get a phone call like that again, to hurry to the hospital because... It wasn't good. 

Children aren't supposed to die.

I remember trying to get to the hospital as fast as I could, probably going faster than I should on the backroads. I called my Dad. I was a little frantic, not knowing what exactly happened, if he was going to be ok, what to do if he wasn't ok. Thankfully, my Dad had the piece of mind to keep a calm voice and just said to "Be there for your sister." My nephew had already passed by the time I got there. I almost regret going in to see him, but I felt like my sister needed me there. The vision of him beat up, laying lifeless is permanently ingrained in my mind. The memory of my sister holding his delicate little hand is almost unbearable to have floating around in my memory bank and even now describing it, churns my insides and instantly brings tears to my eyes. And not just a single tear, flowing tears, the kind that are relentless and just don't stop.

I honestly don't know how my sister copes. I use the word cope because you just don't "get over" or "forget" a death like that.  I don't know how she gets out of bed each day. I'm am absolutely sure there are days when it is particularly harder for her to to do so, but the fact that she does and continues to do so like a Champion ever day makes her the strongest person I have ever known in my life.

The sad reality that my nephew is not the first nor will he be the last child to die is absolutely excruciating to think about. 

Maybe one day I will write more about that day, but for today, this is all I can manage. 

Hug your loved ones extra tight each night dear followers,

 So, back to our little critters for a brief moment. After Pyrite and Patron came home I became totally obsessed with Degu and finding some blue Degus. I was on facebook one day and came across a post from an individual that had a few litters unexpectedly and several were blue in color! I contacted the owner and he had a male and a female he believed would be perfect. The catch? They were all the way in Iowa and we would have to pick them up. I wasn't sure if my husband would go for it but I asked him if he would consider taking a road trip with me to pick up the two blues. His face actually lit up, he said that we could only go to Iowa to get them if we could stop at The Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa. 

DEAL!

We decide to turn our road trip into a mini vacation, rented a van, and took Koda and the oldest 4 kids with us. Before our deal was made, I had NO idea that there was a REAL Field of Dreams, I had seen the movie several times as a child but never knew that the place still existed. I was curious to see an actual place from a movie, myself.

The Field of Dreams was our first stop, before we picked up the Degus. It was a great place to visit and I actually had tears in my eyes watching from the bleachers as my husband and his oldest son threw a baseball back and forth from the pitcher's mount to home plate. It was just perfect. The site also had a nice giftshop as well as a tour you could take through the house that was part of the movie set. My husband and the kids went through the tour while I hung out with Koda outside. Across the field you could see construction in the background, they were in the process of building more fields and planned on hosting a Major League Baseball game in the future. Since our visit, those fields were complete and they did in fact host a game between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees on August 12, 2021. 

We had to travel a bit further into Iowa to pick up the Degus. When we met with the owner we all became instant friends and it was just such a pleasure to meet him and his family. The little Degus were exactly what I was looking for and I couldn't get over how tiny they seemed. They were the youngest Degus we had bought to date, old enough to be weaned from their mother but still so tiny. We briefly lost the male in the car at one of our stops, one of the kids left the door to their travel cage loose. Thank goodness they were both friendly, he was easy to find and easy to catch eventually. 

When we finally arrived home, we decided to think of names for our new babies. We settled on Rosemary for the female and Pepper for the male, keeping up with the R names for our females and P names for our males.

Rosemary was always the more skittish of the two and still is. She isn't afraid of people, she just prefers to be seen and now touched. She isn't mean and is not a biter, she just tends to be a little more work to catch if you want to take her out of the cage. When she arrived home she and Pepper were so small that they escaped their cages a few times. We aren't sure if Rosemary was left with males too long when she was with her previous owner or if her escape here was the culprit, but a few months after her arrival, she had a litter of 3 pups. I'll get to that story at another time.

Pepper is another of our very friendly males. He doesn't mind being out of his cage and held at all, he is just weird about trying to figure our how to climb into our hands. You kind of just have to grab him and then he is content with being in your hand. He is very chill and I believe our most "Go with the Flow" Degus. He and Patron currently share a cage together and get along famously.

I hope you have a fabulous day dear followers!

My sweet Lil Man is FIVE months old today! How did that happen? I don't know if it is because he is my last baby and I am trying to savor every moment of him being a baby or what but is seems like time is just FLYING. It seems like EVERYDAY he does something new, it is wild! With the girls I just don't remember them growing SO fast. Lil Man is Five months old and has mastered rolling. WHAT? Yes, rolling, which means I am in SO much trouble soon. After rolling comes crawling and after crawling comes WALKING! What am I going to do? I imagine he is going to be a lot like Little Sister and walk at an early age, he adores his Sisters and I just know he is itching to follow them around and join in on all their fun. I'm not going to lie though, I would be more than happy if he decides to wait as long as Big Sis did to walk. She was 13 months old before she took her first steps.

Oh the joys of being a MOM!

What are your little ones up to these days? Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear your stories!

Have a blessed day dear followers,

Yes! My Cize and Shakeology Challenge Pack showed up just in time for me to start my fitness journey on January 1st! The Pack came on Dec. 31st and I was headed over to visit my Mom when I noticed the box on the porch. I decided to take it with me and check it out when I got there. When I arrived, I decided to pop in the first Cize dvd to see just what I got myself into. The first workout wasn't too bad, really easy pace, moves were demonstrated and explained well, and they gave you plenty of time to get the hang of it before moving on to the next move. My mom even liked it, she wants to schedule a day or two to dance.... I mean Cize, with me ;) So, to me, this is a winner!

I'm also so excited my mom got us a blender for Christmas because it made making the Shakeology shakes a piece of cake and yummy! I've been playing with it for the past three days.

Jan 1
I started out making a Strawberry Lemonade shake... Added Lemon Juice, a bit of Honey, Water, and Ice to my Strawberry Shakeology mix. To be completely honest, it wasn't great. I think I added too much water and ice, it watered it down and didn't taste that great, however it wasn't horrible and I drank the whole thing. To my surprise, I felt awesome. I had more energy than I've had in a long time. I took down our Christmas tree amd Christmas decorations, cleaned, reorganized, and vaccumed the living room with tons of energy to spare.

Jan 2
I decided to skip the ice and cut up and froze a banana and some blueberries instead. I added those to my water and Strawberry Shakeology mix and it turned out rather tasty. The shake was thick and creamy and delicious! I also had even more energy than the first day. I decided I wanted to move the girls' bedroom into the playroom, move our room into the girls' room, and move the playroom into our old room. I got everything done except vaccuming our old room and moving the girls' toys into it done.

Jan 3 TODAY
Since I mastered the Strawberry shake combo I changed it up and went with Vanilla Shakeology mix, water, and a cut up and frozen banana. Amazing! I think I'm going to like having shakes for breakfast now! This new found energy is great, I woke up refreshed this AM and got out of bed easily. After church I was able to finish the remaining movement and cleaning to transistion  our old room into the playroom.

I probably could have done more, with all the extra energy I had but decided to hang out and spend time with the girls before Big Sister has to go to school tomorrow.

Have a blessed Sunday dear followers!

This past week was rough, not for me but for Big Sister. I got word Wednesday that their grandmother, my late husband's mother, had passed away. She is in school now, 1st grade, and I was unsure how she would take the news so I waited to tell her until Friday after school. I knew she would be upset, but I don't think I was ready for questions and her fears.

Let's rewind for some back story... When Little Sister was born, my mother-in-law had moved in to help with Big Sister while I adjusted to the new baby. She actually was there a couple months earlier because I had been put on bed rest. Even though it wasn't the plan to begin with, she ended up staying for a year. Big Sister got very attached to her and even after she moved back to her apartment, almost 3 hours away, the girls loved to visit and were always sad to leave when we had to return home. After my husband passed, she was diagnosed with cancer. She went through Chemo and beat it, however she during that time she also suffered from a busted ear drum. I can't even begin to imagine have to live in a state of constant dizziness. She went through Physical Therapy and did very well, at one point she was even back to driving again. She had a scare where they thought her cancer was back, but it wasn't, however she busted the other ear drum and was back to square one with the dizziness and Physical Therapy again. She was placed in a Nursing Home to go through through Physical Therapy again. This brings us up to recently. The girls went to visit her while she was in the nursing home, unfortunately while there she had difficulty breathing and was taken to the hospital. The girls were traumatized and Big Sister even asked her if she was going to die. They were able to visit her in the hospital when she was stable and doing much better. It reassured them a bit, but they were still upset to leave her.

Well, she got pneumonia and went down hill in the hospital. Next thing I hear is she wasn't going to make it through the day and then the call came in she had passed. I decided to tell the girls separately so that I could be able to comfort them completely without having to divide my attention between the two. Big Sister was the first to be told the news.  I began by telling her that her grandmother had done worse in the hospital and before I could even get the words out Big Sister asked if she was dead. I desperately wanted to say no but I couldn't lie, but I had to pause for a minute before I said yes. She cried and cried. Once I calmed her, it was time to tell Little Sister. I was surprised when I got absolutely no reaction from her. I don't know if she just doesn't know how to process death, her sister was 4 years old when their father passed and had emotions toward that but here she was 4 years old and nothing.

We went to the viewing and again Big Sister was just completely in tears. She didn't want to leave the casket. She kept saying "I didn't want this to happen" and "I will miss her." I was also very shocked at how curious she was about it, asking why she was cold and hard. Its like she was trying to figure out the difference between someone being alive and someone being dead. And then she asked me if I was going to die. I try really really hard not to lie or even tell a half truth when they ask the tough questions. I told her yes, one day I will, hopefully when I am very very old. She asked if she was going to die, again I gave her a similar response and explained that eventually everyone dies when God decides it is their time to go home to him. She has asked me several times more after the viewing if I am going to die, each time I hate to tell her yes but I give her the same answer. Little Sister, on the other hand, had no response to her grandmother. Not one tear, reaction, or questions. She seemed to just accept it or maybe she just hasn't processed it yet.

This morning going to school I sent a letter with her for her teacher. I don't really know how well she has processed everything and I don't know how it will affect her while she is away from me. I have heard about children having behavior issues, or bowel issues when going through a loss so I wanted her teacher to be prepared for anything. I do expect her to be emotional sometimes, she has such a big heart and just LOVES everyone. I always tell people she is so special and how I wish I was more like her. I am pretty sure that God gave her to me more so I could learn from her and not so much for her to learn from me.

Well, it is about that time. Time for Big Sis to get off the bus. This is where I must leave you for now. Hopefully, I can continue to write on a more regular basis. Until then, please stick with me dear followers!

December is supposed to be a month of celebration, celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus and being Thankful for His Love and Salvation through Him. My birthday is also in December as well, which is always exciting. Instead of a month of celebration, I was thrown a huge curve ball. Nothing could have prepared me for this tragedy.

My husband had a heart attack and he died.

Yes, you read that correctly, he died. I am still in disbelief and each day I still expect for him to walk through the door, like he is coming home from work. Each night I realize my new reality, the reality that he is gone and won't be coming back.

Our daughters are 4 years old and 2 years old. The 2 year old has absolutely no concept of death and the fact that her Daddy died, she still looks for him and asks when he is coming home. I am sure this will last for a long while. My 4 year old doesn't really understand death but she does understand that Daddy can't come back. It is so hard to watch her each time she forgets and I have to remind her he is gone. Her eyes sadden, a frown covers her sweet smile, and then she cries. I tell her she is okay and that its okay to be sad because we miss him. She calms easily and then goes on playing.

At first I wondered how I could live without him. He was my best friend and my whole world. Then I wondered why. Why did this have to happen to him, to us, to our girls?

It's just not fair.

Who is a widow at 28 (well 29 now)?

I didn't eat for several days after he died. I didn't feel hungry and when I did eat, food tasted horrible. I am guessing it was some sort of side effect from shock. I immediately went into survival mode, trying to get a handle on accounting, when bills were due, ect. Since my husband took care of all this, it has been a new experience for me but not impossible to handle. My husband had told me time and time again that "even though bad things happen you have to continue taking care of your responsibilities." I guess he had learned this the hard way when his father passed years ago, so he always made sure this was ingrained in my head.

My husband was a brilliant man, I'm not saying it because he was my husband, he really was brilliant. As each day passes I remember things he taught me and I feel comforted, but at the same time, as each day passes I also realize just how much I tuned him out on certain things, things I wish I had paid more attention to while he was still here. I always thought we would have many many many years together, I never grasped the concept that time is short and every word spoken is SO important.

Daddy and Big Sister

I've been looking to God for a lot of guidance lately and sadly I have been in my Bible more than ever, since my husband passed. I regret this greatly because I think our marriage and our life would have been enriched so much more had I sought God's guidance more often. I do realize that I can not change the past, but I have committed myself to improving in the future. My daughter's deserve a mother who is actively and wholeheartedly seeking God.

My home was busy all of December. Until this tragedy hit, I never really had a grasp for how much love and support I really have in life. Our families and friends are awesome and have been here every step of the way to fill in the gaps when needed or just to be here for the girls and I. I am still in awe of the outpouring help, its just been amazing.

Daddy and Little Sister

Everyone keeps telling me to take one day at a time, and I am trying, but I can't help looking at the big picture and trying to prepare for the future. Every day is a challenge, it is hard, and I'm not going to lie, it has been a pain, especially around the farm. Since the funeral, it seems like something breaks or goes wrong EVERY single day. But every day there is SOMETHING that goes oh so right, and I just bask in the good moments and soak them up.

 So, please be patient with me dear followers while I figure out this new life, a life without my love, but a life that I am driven to do so much more with.



Have a wonderful night dear followers,

WHAT: MAX & RUBY in the Nutcracker Suite

Max & Ruby bring to life a wonderful tradition this holiday season as
they take to the stage their most magical performance yet! Inspired by
one of the greatest musical scores ever composed - Tchaikovsky’s
Nutcracker Suite - the beloved bunny siblings star in Koba
Entertainment’s brand new musical production Max & Ruby in the
Nutcracker Suite.

WHEN: Sunday, December 8, 2013 @ 12:00PM & 3:30PM

WHERE: Murat Theatre @ Old National Centre, Indianapolis

TICKETS: $25.00 to $50.00
Available at www.oldnationalcentre.com

You can enter to win a pair of Tickets to see Max & Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite by filling out the rafflecopter form below:

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Have a wonderful day dear followers!

Hello followers!

I hope you all go the 441 about the Big Time Rush and Victoria Justice "Summer Break Tour" Coming to Indiana August 2nd. IF NOT, you can read the press release here.

If you are well informed and would like to win tickets, then you are in the RIGHT PLACE! Fill out the rafflecopter form below for a chance to WIN a Family 4 Pack of Tickets to see Big Time Rush & Victoria Justice at the Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana on August 2, 2013!


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Have a wonderful summer break dear followers!

I am not going to lie... being a Mom is not exactly what I thought it was going to be. I guess I should have listened when I was younger. It really is harder than everyone thinks it is, except Moms, they already know. I struggle a lot with lack of independence. I was fairly independent growing up, I had a small group of friends that I hung out with every so often, but for the most part I was content doing things I liked to do, when I wanted, whether someone was there doing it with me or not.

The transition from that to Motherhood had been challenging. I have days where I seriously consider locking myself in my room and letting the girls have their way with the house so I can just be me. But, I am more responsible than that. There are days where I just don't want to be touched anymore, and when I get jumped on for the thousandth time that day or another elbow to my boob, I want to scream! But, I don't.

Then there are times like now. The girls are happy and content, playing together with a hose in the backyard. The smiles on their faces and the sweetness of their laughter just takes me away to someplace I never knew before I became a Mom. They don't have a care in the world, and it makes me feel good.

I know God doesn't give you more than you can handle, but sometimes I seriously doubt my abilities at this whole "Mom" thing. I am guessing I am not alone. All I can do is pray that God leads me in  the way He wants me to go, for my daughters, and hope I don't screw them up too bad  if I take a wrong turn now and again.

There is a wonderful verse in the Bible, that helps me get through just about anything that gets tossed my way. I may have posted this before, but I will do it again, and again because it is just that awesome. It is from Philippians 4:13 "For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

I have to believe that being a Mom is what God wanted for me and that because He wanted it, I can do anything and get through anything that challenges me as a Mom.

So there you have it. My revelation of the day! Aren't you glad you stopped by?

What are your biggest challenges as a Mom or a parent?

Have a wonderful day dear followers,

Return to Nim’'s Island is premiering on Hallmark Channel March 15th 2013 at 7/8C!

Return to Nim’'s Island, the sequel to Walden Media’s 2008 box office hit Nim’'s Island, picks up the story a few years later with 14-year-old Nim (Bindi Irwin) more determined than ever to protect her island and the animals that call it home. With ruthless resort developers and greedy wildlife poachers threatening the existence she loves, Nim realizes she and her animal pals can’t defend their home alone. To save her island, she is forced to combine forces with an outsider: Edmund, a runaway from the mainland. Only with his help does she stand a chance of stopping the villains from dismantling her world.

Return to Nim'’s Island marks the debut of Walden Family Theater, presented by Walmart and P&G.  The new destination for family entertainment, exclusively on Hallmark Channel.


ALSO... Return to Nim'’s Island star Bindi Irwin will be doing a Live Twitter Q&A on Saturday March 9th at 6pm EST/3pm PST! Let your audience know that this is their chance to connect with Bindi! Bindi will be collecting questions to answer on Saturday so start asking away, just remember to tag your question to Bindi with #nimsislandchat!


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Have a wonderful evening dear followers!






Disclosure: Please note that I am working with working with Walden Media & Hallmark Channel in promotion of Walden Media & Hallmark Channel release of the Return to Nim'’s Island Family Adventures Blog App. All materials and giveaways were provided for me and I was not compensated in any way.

 Well, I've got it. I've come down with the bug. The Gardening Bug has started to infect my home again this year. Without even realizing it, I've been online researching flowers, shrubs, and trees to plant up at the new house! New house? Yes, we are in the process of remodeling a Repossessed Modular. The idea of a new house was hatched while I was pregnant with Little Sister and we wanted to have something to move into by the time she was rolling over. Well, plans don't exactly go as planned and here we are in January 2013 and still not moved in. The modular was so low priced that we couldn't resist and building a new house from scratch was way too expensive. The "New house" has been a work in progress since September 2011. We had to wipe out a bunch of nice trees to get the thing up on the hill and now it is disgustingly bare around the house. It needs some color, it needs some landscaping, it needs SOMETHING! So, while infected with the bug, I will be searching for plants to beautify my new space!

If you have any suggestions for plants that will weather well on a sandy hill, please feel free to comment! I need all the help I can get!


Have a wonderful day dear followers!

Both of my daughters have a love for horses, however they both have an infatuation with donkeys. Whenever I take them to the barn, they casually look around, check out the horses, play with the barn cats and then ask me to go see the donkeys. We currently have two donkeys that live at the farm, Samuel and Solomon. Both came from not so great pasts but both have made great improvements. This summer we learned that Samuel would accept a young rider, which is saying a lot since when he arrived he would just assume kick you as look at you. He just LOVES kids and after several months of coaxing from our friend's 10 year old grandson, Samuel decided life was okay here and that he could trust us (okay the kids at least). Big Sister was the first to "ride" Samuel, that first day, he acted like he was carrying precious glass that could be broken with the wrong move. I was amazed! I think that that day was the day Big Sister REALLY developed her infatuation with donkeys.
  About a month ago I was contacted by Cheryl Pollak, the producer of a children's animated series, "Jasper the Mule." I was excited and honored at the opportunity for us to review "Jasper the Mule" , espeically since the girls love horses and donkeys so much.

 "Jasper the Mule" is a series of holiday-based 22 minute specials following a young mule named Jasper and his best friend, a Jack Russell Terrier named Moxie, on their adventures.

Screen shot from JasperTheMule.com

I knew that my girls would love these specials and boy was that an understatement. There isn't a day that goes by that my girls don't ask me to watch "Donkeys" as they call it. They don't quiet get the concept that a mule is a cross between a donkey and a horse, yet. To them, are the same thing. Anyways, "Jasper the Mule" was a HUGE hit in my home! My girls are 3 and 1 1/2 now and just get a kick out of Jasper and his adventures. I have to admit that they are addiciting to watch for adults as well, my favorite is the Valentine special. Althought, after the girls fighting over and pulling out the "Jasper the Mule" DVD out of the drawer constantly for me to play, it has scratches now that affect our Valentines special a little bit.

 As a parent, I found it very neat and educational that during each special the animals discuss the "meaning of" or the "reason" people celebrate that particular event/holiday. The language and conversations between characters are poliet and not contriversial. The subjects are relevent, up to date, and enjoyable for the whole family. The colors are also vibrant and attractive for children.


Have a wonderful day dear followers!

My cousin has a pretty cute canvas of her daughter in their living room, and every time I go to her house I just sit and admire it. I don't know where she got it from, but it always draws me in. I've been waiting and waiting to find a way to try out a canvas print myself but didn't want to have to go through a photographer or photo studio to do it. We tend to be very busy and scheduling a time to get photos done seems to be one of the last things on my list of "To Dos."

A great solution for me was Easy Canvas Prints, a site where you can transform your digital photos to photos on canvas! They even have a nice selection of stock photos, if you are looking for art to place around your home!

Their website is SUPER user friendly. You get to choose your canvas size, wrap thickness, color effects, border and display options! They also give you the option of uploading your own photo, accessing a photo from your facebook or instagram!

I chose to use a photo of Big Sister riding one of our horses as my photo on canvas!
The process to go from photo to canvas was super easy, here is a sneak peek:

I have to say, I was super anxious for my canvas to arrive and to my surprise the shipping was fast, even for their standard shipping option.

When the package arrived the box was a little dented on the edge. I was a little worried the mail carriers had been too rough but when I opened the package the canvas was safe and sound and had not been damaged one bit!


The quality was excellent and I just love my photo on canvas. The ONLY thing I wish I would have done differently was use a photo with a closer shot of Big Sister's face. Because her face is so tiny in this photo, the texture of the canvas kind of makes it hard to see all her features.

Big Sister LOVES her photo on canvas!

Click here to see what My Rating means! 
Cost: $39.00-$146.42 (varies for different canvas sizes) For full price list click here.
Where to Buy: Online at EasyCanvasPrints.com
Easy Canvas Prints has several sister sites that produce products like, car magnets, banners, cheap signs, that work in the same manner as EasyCanvasPrints.com, if you are looking for other custom products!

EasyCanvasPrints.com would like to give one of my readers a 8" X 10" canvas! All you have to do to enter to win is fill out the rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Thanks for reading dear followers!






Disclaimer: I was provided a free 8" X 10" custom canvas from EasyCanvasPrints.com in order to review their site and products. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions in this post are mine. I nor EasyCanvasPrints.com make any guarantees based on the information in this post.

Normally, I post a Freebie Friday on Friday mornings. It is a craft posted by MyMemories. I decided last week and this week as well that I would NOT be posting the craft as it was a coffin box and was focused on Halloween. In our home we do not celebrate Halloween.

In General when people think of October the first thing that comes to mind is Halloween, "Trick-or-Treating", and Costumes. I had not really thought about why we (Americans) celebrate Halloween until after my children were born. Big Sister was about 4 months old for her first Halloween and I thought it would be "So Cute" to dress her up and walk around with my Sister and her girls as her oldest went door to door. After that day, I began to really think about what was behind Halloween and if I really wanted my family celebrating this "holiday". The more my husband and I read about Halloween (which literally sent chills down my spine) and the more we read the Bible, the clearer that answer has become to us. In our home we will not celebrate Halloween.

To get an idea of the History of Halloween, I would encourage you to visit the article written on History.com (http://www.history.com/topics/halloween).

There is also a very good article written on CBN.com answering the question "Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?" (http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/OnlineDiscipleship/Halloween/halloween_Watt05.aspx)

Even though Halloween is highly commercialized in this day in age and no one "really" understands where it came from, I still feel like it is wrong for our family to celebrate the "holiday." I stand for the truth and want my girls to always stand for the the truth, and the truth is in our Lord Jesus Christ.

What are your thoughts about Christianity and Halloween?

Have a blessed day dear followers!
 Kelsey

(For some reason our internet is being, weird, so my normal signature is not available for this post! Hopefully, I can fix it later!)

My girls are attracted to animals like magnets! There is something about fur and feathers that sends their kiddie radar threw the roof. Little Sister always feels the need to try to chase my birds when she is out and Big Sister "needs" to grab a hold of and carry around any barn cat she can catch. Their father and I both have a love for animals as well and encourage their interested in them (minus the chasing).

Last weekend Goodies in Princeton, Indiana, a small town near by, invited a Traveling Petting Zoo to visit the public. We were able to stop by both Saturday night and Sunday after church to visit with the animals. The first animal we saw when we walked up as a beautiful Camel named Adar. He was a gentle giant. Big Sister and I were able to take a ride on the poky old guy Sunday! Saturday the first thing we did was get our pictures taken with a Lion Cub! I could not believe now much Little Sister's face lit up when the worker brought the cub over to sit in Big Sister's lap! They were both VERY excited! We continued on after our picture was taken with the cub, we looked at the White Tiger, Black Leopard, Ponies & Mule, Monkeys, Lemurs, Kangaroo, Siberian Tiger, Llamas, Miniature Cow, and Goats. Oh the GOATS! They had several pigmy goats that my girls just adored. They had grain available to feed the goats, so of course we HAD to feed to goats. The girls were just mesmerized by the little goats, I would almost bet that we spent 85% of our visit in front of those goats! I guess this means that we will be looking for pet pigmy goats in the near future, hehe.

We all had a great time and it was a fun little family outing. In the back of my mind I was using this as a "test run' to see if the girls were ready to go to the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville. From our experience last weekend, I would say that they are definitely ready and I can't wait to take them!

Here are a couple scrapbook page that I put together of our visit to the Traveling Petting Zoo using My Memories Suite v3, enjoy!


Have a wonderful weekend dear followers!

I've got a great opportunity for you to do something fun with your little one AND win a $100 gift card! Keep reading for more details!

In the summer months, rural-American families spend more time making memories outdoors and, in many cases, on a farm or ranch. Did you know that according to the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, each year an estimated 15,000 children who visit, live or work on farms or ranches are injured and more than 100 children die of agriculture-related injuries in the U.S. alone?

These statistics are simply too high, and Kubota is dedicated to helping families make sure summer memories are as safe and happy as possible. To help spread the word about the importance of farm safety, Kubota has launched a Family Safety Coloring Contest for a chance to win fun prizes!

 Here’s how families can get involved:

·         Now through October 1, 2012, visit the Safety tab on Kubota.com to download Kubota’s “Ten Commandments of Tractor Safety” coloring book.

·         Each child, 12 an under, can select one page to color as his or her contest entry.

·         Next, scan and email the child’s entry, along with the parent’s name, child’s name, address and phone number to KubotaSafety@fleishman.com. Or mail the entry with the same information on a 3x5 card to 500 Capitol Mall, Suite 1850, Sacramento, CA 95814.

·         Entries will be judged on coloring skill in each of three age groups: 5 and under, ages 6 to 8, and ages 9 to 12.

·         In each category, one grand prize winner will be selected to win a $100 gift card and Kubota merchandise gift pack. Additionally, one first prize winner in each category will receive a Kubota merchandise gift pack.

·         The first 100 entries will receive a Kubota “Safety First Sheriff” badge.

·         For more information, download the Official Contest Rules here.

For more information and safety resources please visit http://kubota.com/safety/TractorSafety.aspx

Have a great summer and happy coloring!

Followers, I'd like to inform you of another Family Friendly Event in Indiana!

On August 9th, Chipotle Mexican Grill is hosting their first ever Indianapolis Kids Film Series with a salsa demonstration and a screening of the new documentary film about kids and food politics, "What's on Your Plate." The film carries a message very much in line with Chipotle's vision for 'Food With Integrity,' which it works to share with children all over the country through a variety of educational programs. The August screening promises to be a fun and educational summer activity for families with children of all ages.

The event will take place at the Studio Theater in Carmel, Indiana on Aug. 9 with the salsa demonstration beginning at 6:30pm followed by the movie screening at 7pm. The event is FREE and is brought to you by Chipotle and the Carmel Farmers Market (another Indy first!). Free kids meal gift certificates and grow kits will be given away to attendees. Chipotle and Carmel Farmers Market representatives will be available for comment.

Have a wonderful day dear followers and have fun at the Chipotle Event!

I was surfing the net a couple days a go and came across a wonderful blog, The Peaceful Mom. In the parenting section of her blog, I found a link to FREE Child Safe Kits. Naturally, I was curious so I  clicked on the link. The Statistics on their main page just floored me:

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Have a wonderful day dear followers!







Disclosure: In order to provide this review, I was given a gift certificate to sample the food at First Watch. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions in this review are mine based on my experience with the First Watch Restaurant in Indianapolis. I, nor First Watch make any guarantees about their restaurant, services,  or food items.