Jody's Popcorn Review

 

We recently had the opportunity to try out some spectacular popcorn from Jody's Gourmet Popcorn!  Jody's sent us a bag of Recipe 53 Caramel Corn, a bag of Chocolate Drizzle, and a bag of Funfetti Caramel Corn.  We are huge popcorn fanatics in our house, so we especially enjoyed the various popcorns that we got to try out. Little Boy Blue calls popcorn, "poppies" and was asking for special "poppies"!  One of the things that I really like about the popcorn is that because it was such a special treat to Little Boy Blue, he would be happy for us to give him 3 pieces of popcorn.  He did not have to sit down with a bowl full of popcorn to get the excitement of having popcorn!  

Our first few bites of the popcorn were very kernely, but that quickly passed.  We think that the bags of popcorn must have simply settled during shipping and then we must have opened the "bottom" of the bag where all of the kernels settled.  Hubs suggested that if you want to avoid this problem, that you should pour the popcorn into a bowl and give it a gentle shake so that the kernels settle into the bottom of the bowl instead of ending up in your mouth.  Hubs also said, "we will being buying more of this popcorn for sure"!

Another factor that we love about Jody's Popcorn is that you can buy custom popcorn!  We also love that if you are like us and cannot decide on what popcorn to try out, then there is a sampler package!  Also... LOVE the fact that Jody's offers wedding products.  Hubs and I would have SO ENJOYED having a popcorn bar at our wedding reception.  I think it would be so much fun to have various popcorns set up and even popcorn in your wedding colors.  Not to mention, Jody's popcorns with custom wedding labels would be so cool to give out as favors.

So, are you ready to get your hands on some of the most delicious "poppies" that we have ever tasted?  Head on over to Jody's Gourmet Popcorn and use the promo code MOM15 to get 15% off your entire order.

The Life Ready Women Blog Tour & Giveaway

There are two giveaways in this blog tour and review, so keep on reading.

Are you a ‘Doing it all’ or ‘Do what matters’ woman?

Whether a stay at home; or working mom, an airplane-hopping executive, an empty-nester caring for multiple generations or a single juggling high demands of career and personal life, today's fast-paced modern world leaves women gasping for balance. We as modern Christian women want to look to the Bible for guidance on how to manage our lives -- but because the world of women looks so different today than it did when the Bible was written, it is hard to find chapter and verse that seems to apply to our situation today.

Thankfully, God has given us exactly that timeless, unchanging guidance for how to find peace, clarity, and God's best for our lives once we know where to look! The Life Ready Woman: Thriving in a Do-It-All World, reveals a profound biblical roadmap for how each of us can find the abundant life we are longing for, rather than the stressful, torn, how-do-I-balance-it-all life we often feel like we are trying to keep up with today. Actually being a LifeReady Woman means that you are clear about your life, bold in your faith, and able to find God’s best for you, and the end result will be that you not only survive but thrive in our do-it-all world.

God has given every wonderfully unique woman different skills and abilities, different desires, and different temperaments -- and every woman around the planet and through the ages is certainly living in different circumstances. But no matter what a woman’s life looks like, the Bible says that God has an individual mission and plan that He’s carefully designed for each of us. And He wants us to find it. Starting January 2011, The Life Ready Woman and the Life Ready Woman Video Series will help every wonderfully unique woman to thrive as she identifies and courageously pursues God's unique design and callings for her. LifeReady Woman puts you on a roadmap to make decisions that will lead to relief, delight, and fulfillment instead of regret.

Link:http://mediasuite.multicastmedia.com/player.php?p=s3k79xhw

About Shaunti Feldhahn:

Shaunti Feldhahn is a former Wall Street analyst, best-selling author of the book For Women Only, national speaker, and regular commentator in the media. She has been featured on The Today Show, PBS, TNT and Fox News- to name a few. You can learn more about her many activities by visiting her website Shaunti.com or get some great mom advice from her at MomLifeToday.com. She and her husband live with their two young children in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoy every minute of living at warp speed.

About MomLife Today:

At MomLife Today you will enjoy community with real moms experiencing every age and every stage of MomLife—right alongside you.

Moms need friends we can walk through life with, but more importantly we need friends who will encourage us and equip us in our role as moms in an honest and transparent way … and that’s just what you’ll find by becoming part of our MomLife Today community! We believe that every MOMent counts!

We admit it, being a mom 24/7 is not easy. Rather than lament the role of motherhood, however, we choose to embrace that role and learn from each other how to make it through each day with the right attitude. Come share the joys, sorrows, insanity, and special moments of motherhood with us as we live it and candidly write about it…we’ll have lots of fun along the way! Join us, and do tell… What’s happening in your MomLife Today? www.momlifetoday.com

About The Weekend To Remember Get-Away Giveaway:

In celebration of Shaunti Feldhahn’s Life Ready Woman, MomLife Today is giving away 2 Weekend To Remember Gift Packs and much more!

Not only, is MomLife Today helping promote LifeReady Woman, but they are thrilled to announce that Shaunti will be joining MomLife Today as a regular contributor!!!

Weekend To Remember Get-Aways offer marriage-changing principles that you can take home and apply to your daily lives to strengthen your marriage. Whether you are newly engaged or have been married for 50 years, you will find value in the tools provided at the getaway.

Don’t miss this opportunity to receive a conference registration for you and your spouse … and more! MomLife Today will be randomly selecting NINE lucky recipients to receive one of these great gifts:

1. 2 Weekend To Remember Get Away conference registrations for two. $259 value each pair (Two couples will receive this.)
2. 2 Life Ready Woman DVD packs. $149 value each (Two different people will receive this gift.)
3. 5 The Life Ready Woman books. (Book will go to 5 people.)

To enter click one of the icons below then tell your friends. Winner will be announced on March 2nd on the MomLife Today website.

MomLife Today provides encouragement, advice and resources to help YOU with your daily Momlife! Because…every MOMent counts!

Blog Tour Schedule:  http://litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/life-ready-woman-by-shaunti-feldhahn.html

My Review: 

I honestly had a very hard time getting into this book.  So much so that I have yet to be able to finish it completely.  Although I enjoy the Biblical and Christian perspective, it is was geared more towards Protestant Christians, of which I am not.  What I did enjoy about this book was that it fits not only my current point of life, but I am comfortable saying that it will fit my life should I go from being a stay-at-home mom to a work outside of home mom.  I like that this book recognizes that although we, as women, as humans, cannot do it all, but that we don't have to.  I appreciate the Biblical perspective of how to figure out what is most important for me and my family.

Would you like a copy of The Life Ready Women!?

I have one copy of The Life Ready Women to giveaway!  To enter for a chance to win leave a comment on the blog.  I will draw a winner via random.org on March 7, 2011.


Disclaimer / Disclosure: While I was supplied with the item(s) reviewed, I was not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own!. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Donate to Locks of Love

Lauren of the Felt Commisary recently contacted me and let me know of a great cause that she has put together.  Lauren is wanting to get 30 people to donate their hair to Locks of Love on (or before) March 1.  Check out this link below for more information.


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

I recently chopped off my hair and have my ponytail waiting to be sent of to Locks of Love.  I did not know about this event when I decided to donate my hair, but I am so happy to be able to take part of this wonderful event.  I hope that those of you who are able to participate will do so!  It could mean so much to a child in need.

MOAS is Giving Away a $250 Cloth Diaper Set

Want to WIN a $250 Cloth Diaper Start Up Set!?!?!?  I know I sure as heck do!

Mother Of A Sale is giving away 3 new lines of cloth diapers to one lucky MOAS fan worth $250.00 

How to Enter

*Share the facebook event on your wall to all your friends
*Blog about Mother Of A Diaper Sales event starting Feb 22nd
*Post on MOAS FB page “MOAS I want to win the $250 cloth diaper set”

Best of luck to you all!

Help With the Fight Against Childhood Obesity…and Just Dance!

Submitted by Emily Patterson on behalf of Primrose Preschools

Dance can be a fun, easy way to introduce physical activity into your family's daily routine.  Primrose Schools, which has child care locations nationwide, has recognized and is actively fighting against the childhood obesity epidemic. Your family can join in the fight- all you have to do is dance!

The Family Dance-off supports Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals, which collectively treat 17 million children annually for every illness and injury imaginable.

Families are encouraged to record and submit a 30 second video of themselves dancing to promote fitness and strengthen family ties.

Participating in the Family Dance-off is easy:

1.       Record a 30-second video of your family's best dance moves. Don't be afraid to really let loose and boogey on down!

2.       Visit The Family Dance-off site and upload your best take by March 19.

3.       Share your video with your friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

4.       View and vote daily (you can place five votes per day) for your favorite video!

There's no competition like one with great prizes!  Primrose Schools is providing prizes that aren't only great for your family but for your whole community, with $65,000 in donations to local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals:

·         Grand Prize: $5,000 and Primrose will make a $30,000 donation to a local Children's Miracle Network Hospital

·         2nd Prize: $3,000 and Primrose will make a $20,000 donation to a local Children's Miracle Network Hospital

·         3rd Prize: $1,500 and Primrose will make a $15,000 donation to a local Children's Miracle Network Hospital

·         All 14 Finalists will also receive a FLIP camcorder

Visit the competition site for more details on how to enter and view past competitors while your there!

Happy Valentine's Day

 

I hope that each and everyone of you took the time to remember those you love and those that love you today.  Hubs and I did not do anything "special" today because we celebrated Valentine's Day on Saturday.  Saturday was an insanely busy day for us, but was absolutely wonderful. 

Saturday we had the diaper party with Christy from Smart Bottoms.  We had such a blast!  If you are interested in making a purchase still, you have till next Saturday to do so with my party info!  The code to the store is CM1001 and the party code is lifesemicrunchy. 

Immediately after the diaper party we went to my brother in law's rugby game.  I have never gone to a rugby game before, so that was a lot of fun.  I am not sure that I "get" the point of rugby, it looks awfully painful to me.  Then again, what is the point of any sport :)  My brother in law is an incredibly talented athlete and it is always fun to watch him do what he enjoys!

We had to leave the rugby game a little early in order to make the drive back to Raleigh to Durham to make it to the baptism that we were going to.  The baptism was incredible.  For those of you who do not already know, we are LDS.  Baptism is so very special to us and it was such a wonderful experience to see and support someone I have grown to love dearly.  The sister who was being baptised is such an amazing women and I truly love being around her.  I can feel the Spirit when I am with her and she is just a true pleasure to be with.  Talk about a perfect way to start off a date!

Then hubs and I headed off to dinner.  We went to one of my favorite local restaurants.  There was a two hour wait, since they do not take reservations, so we walked around the mall and enjoyed talking to each other and having adult conversation without the kidlets around.  I bought some Bare Minerals foundation... $63... but it is worth it (I hope).  We finally got seated for our meal.  We went to a local Japanese Hibachi grill.  We got calamari and half of a Vegas Roll (sushi).  The calamari was to die for.  It was PERFECT.  We are not huge sushi eaters, in fact this is the first time in the 4 years that we have been together that we have eaten sushi together.  The Vegas roll was super yummy.  Then we had our salads and soup :)  Hubs ordered the steak Kanki and I got the shrimp Kanki.  Our meals were great.  We set next to a couple that had driven up 1 hour to come to this restaurant.  They were a very nice couple and we enjoyed talking with them.

It is so rare that we get to go out as a couple and enjoy time together, so it was a real treat to be able to do so.  I love love love my hubby and am so very thankful to have him in my life.  He is such an amazing man.  I feel incredibly blessed and privileged to be his wife!

Book Review/Blog Tour - The Rhythm of Secrets by Patti Lacy

 My Review:  I have to admit that I was slightly reluctant to sign up for this blog tour.  I thought the book sounded like it was going to be a mystery with a mixture of blackmail and betrayal.  I was very pleased to find out that this way not the case.  The deeper I delved into the story the more I found myself having a difficult time putting this book down.  When I was not reading it, I was thinking about Sheila;  wondering what was going to happen in the next step of Sheila's life journey.  I found myself looking forward to the next quiet moment that I would have to step out of my reality and into the beautiful, poetic writing of Patti Lacy.  I can honestly said that I have never read a book that had such stunning, descriptive, melodious writing.  Her words dance in my mind as if I am dancing to the grand music that she describes in moving detail in "The Rhythm of Secrets".  Patti Lacy is an amazingly talented writer and I look forward to going out and buying her other books.

 About the book: Since 1955, Sheila Franklin, a talented musician, has perfectly performed the role of devout pastor’s wife, locking away her past as Sheba Alexander and Sylvia Allen. Her carefully constructed façade crumbles with a single phone call from a young Marine named Samuel, the illegitimate son she secretly put up for adoption. Samuel begs Sheila to use her government contacts to get his fiancé, Mali, a Thai prostitute, into America. A dangerous mixture of love and guilt spurs her to help her only child even though it devastates her husband Edward and exposes her questionable past. After a quarrel with Edward, Sheila and Samuel board a C-130 for Thailand and then search Bangkok’s steamy streets for a Madonna-faced prostitute. The two whisk Mali from a brothel but are seized by a warlord who considers Mali his “number one girl.” In a teak “ghost house,” Sheila discovers God’s grace and gains the freedom she needs to find her own identity—Sheila, Sylvia, and Sheba. A framed story, this novel has roots in the bohemian 1940s New Orleans French Quarter and spans three decades, including the turbulent Vietnam era. 

About the Author, Patti: Baylor graduate, taught community college humanities until God called her to span seas and secrets in her novels, An Irishwoman's Tale and What the Bayou Saw. She has two grown children and a dog named Laura. She and her husband can be seen jog-walking the streets of Normal, Illinois, an amazing place to live for a woman born in a car. For more information, visit Patti's website at www.pattilacy.com, her blog at www.pattilacy.com/blog, and her Facebook daily Artbites. Patti's longer bio here.

About the Rhythm of Secrets NOOK Giveaway & Facebook Party

Patti and her publisher, Kregel, are giving away a NOOK prize package worth over $150 to one lucky winner!!!!

Enter the Nook eReader Giveaway and you could win:

* A brand new Nook eReader with Wi-Fi

* $25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble

To enter, simply click here (http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/91774 ) to enter, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest. Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on February 16th at Patti's Rhythm of Secrets Facebook Party.

But, wait there’s more! Come to the Rhythm of Secrets Facebook Party on December 16th!

Patti will be announcing the winner of The Rhythm of Secrets NOOK giveaway at her Party on FB February 16th! She’ll be hosting a book club discussion of The Rhythm of Secrets and giving away other fun prizes! (signed copies of her books and gift certificates to Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, & iTunes!). Don’t miss the fun at Patti’s FB Author Page on February 16th at 5pm PST ( 6 pm MST, 7 pm CST, & 8 pm EST)!

Blog Tour Schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/the-rhythm-of-secrets-by-patti-lacy.html)

Dancing in Her Smart Bottoms :)

My sweet Ren Pen dancing away to our Yo Gabba Gabba CD while wearing a Smart Bottoms the "Smart One" AIO cloth diaper :)  You can see Little Boy Blue running in circles around me during the video.  

Poor girly girl is sick and decided to lay down on the floor and go to sleep.

Finding Happiness: Part 1

Over the past couple of years I have had friends, family, people who I feel like I hardly know, people that I really don't know but knew of in passing, ask me what has changed.  You see...  for most of my life (at least since I was 13) I have suffered from depression.  I am not talking about feeling a little depressed or sad from time to time.  I am talking can not get out of bed, can't function to go to school, to hold a job, to life kind of depression.  When I was in high school I was diagnosed with an eating disorder, which got much much worse before it got better.  I was a tiny 94 lbs the day that I got married and I would have told you that was too much.  

Our Wedding Day - March 2007

(The Bishop that married us, me, and Hubs)

On our "honeymoon"

Several years later, I was misdiagnosed Bipolar.  Finally we were able to get my diagnosis "correct" and start treating my depression properly.  Therapy, meds, lots of therapy.  I was in and out of hospitals for much of my early adult life.  I was sad, miserable, hated myself, hated life.  I wanted to get better but did not know how that was ever going to happen.  I wanted to feel happy, wanted to fill the emptiness inside of me, but I could not see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Hell, I could not even believe that there was an end of the tunnel.  Life felt like an abyss and there was no way I was ever going to escape it.  I was not living, I was surviving, and I was not even doing that well.  I rarely smiled, truly laughed or found enjoyment in being alive.  Sadly, I found that the only way I could feel anything was to hurt myself.  Which of courses was only a temporary means to be able to feel.

I am thankful to say that I do not always feel that way now,  most days I can live... really live, not just survive.  At some point, something changed for me...

to be continued

Virtual Diaper Party with Smart Bottoms

I am super excited about this upcoming Saturday, February 12!  

We will be hosting a virtual diaper party!!!

Please join us for our Virtual Diaper Party this Saturday, February 12 at 12:30 pm EST!

You will be able to attend by going to Smart Bottoms and clicking on the "live party" tab!

You will get the great opportunity to meet the owner and founder of Smart Bottoms, Christy!  You, along with my in house guest, will get the chance to ask any questions that you may have.  This is a great chance for you to dive into the world of cloth diapering if you are not currently cloth diapering!  This is also a great opportunity for all of us that are already CDing.  There will be live giveaways, you will get to see these great diapers in action, and make any purchases that you wish to make!

I look forward to seeing you all there!!!

Workin' with her momma

That is a cookie in Ren Pen's right hand while she types on her computer :)  Too cute :)