Sick Computer

My hard drive on my computer crashed.

Yep.

Crashed.

Completely.

The situation has been remedied.

I'm now back bloggy world. I'm back!

We Are The Champions!

Ducks made it to the Rose Bowl!

photo courtesy of www.goducks.com

I Am Thankful

I am thankful.

Husband

Family

Food

Clothing

Shelter

Husband who's job pays for the shelter, clothing & food :)

Mostly . . . for these little characters that make every day an adventure.

They stole my heart, and gave me theirs.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. (Psalm 136)

Good Flick Alert

Baker and I saw this movie on Sunday night. Very clean, great story and it touched our hearts. If you want a good movie to see over the Thanksgiving holiday I highly recommend! Are there any movies you're looking forward to seeing?

Halloween in Review

So here's a sneak peak of what the kids were going to dress up for halloween. This was earlier in October when they went to their cousin's birthday/costume party. It ended up being one of the best pictures of both of them in their costumes. Go figure!

Spidey & Ladybug

Can you tell how excited she is to wear her hood?

(ooh . . . and notice I got the green sweatshirt for my b'day instead of the white - my choice. I ♥ it)!

Spidey and Ladybug with Papa

We went trick-or-treating with my nephews - Robin and Sir Peter (from the Chronicles of Narnia). Sir Peter was sure to tell each person at every house who he was. It was very cute. And Spiderman was a little confused about the terminology at the beginning of the evening. While everyone else was saying, "trick-or-treat, " he was saying, "Chuck E. Cheese!"

SO. FUNNY.

Halloween 2009

Birthday Bash Giveaway Winners!

I used Random.org to pull the winners for last weeks Birthday Bash Giveaways. Here are the winners!


Day One - Nordstrom Reusable Tote: CouponClippinMommy

Day Two - Close To My Heart Celebrate Everyday Cards: Shanna

Day Three - Mary Kay Eye Set: Erik and Mary

Day Four - Lilsprout Votive 3 pack Holiday Set: April

Congrats and thanks to everyone who reads, follows and participated in the Birthday Giveaways!

Final Birthday Giveaway!

~GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED~

Today is the final day of the birthday giveaways! It is my husbands birthday today and I have a couple of full, fun-filled days ahead of me. Thank you for joining me in a week of my celebration and I know today's giveaway will NOT dis-appoint!

Wouldn't these candles make great hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, a great addition to your bathroom or bubble bath spa experience???

Lilsprout is offering a votive candle three pack in holiday scents of: cinnamon spice banana nutbread, fresh out of the oven cinnamon apple pie and candy cane lane.

Can you smell them now? Yum!

Lilsprout Organics candles are made with 100% all natural soybeans.
Mixed with pure botanical oils (soy oil ,coconut oil and palm oil) on top of a soybean base.
A sustainable Pure organic resource from mother nature.
Superior quality, less soot, clean burning, petroleum free and 100% biodegradable.
Combined with all natural cotton wicks and pure therapeutic grade essential oils brings all the touches of nature to life.

To enter this giveaway visit Lilsprout's Etsy shop and have a look around! You won't be disappointed. The prices are competitive, the scents delicious and the choices are numerous.


Then leave me a comment with your favorite scent. Additional enteries for reposting my birthday giveaway button on your blog, following this blog, blogging about Lilsprout's giveaway, or linking to this giveaway on facebook or twitter. If you tweet or link on facebook, be sure to leave your link in the comment. Also, be sure to leave your email contact in your comment!

Birthday Giveaway Day 3

~GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED~

Pamper your eyes with this great set of eye products from Mary Kay Cosmetics. I have been using Mary Kay products since I was about 16 years old. I think they have some wonderful products and are very competitively priced, so I'm pleased to offer you this adorable giveaway!

This giveaway set includes:

A sample of the Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover.
This product gently removes eye makeup, including waterproof mascara, without tugging or pulling the delicate skin in the eye area. Formula does not leave skin feeling dry.

Ultimate Mascara
Turns up the wow with up to five times the volume. Take your lashes from simple to simply sensational with Mary Kay® Ultimate Mascara™, the most superthickening, superstar mascara from Mary Kay ever! This exclusive, all-in-one formula delivers the benefits you love most – long, thick, voluminous-looking lashes that last all day. You get the exact amount of mascara you need for maximum plumping – without the clumping.

Indulge Soothing Eye Gel
Revive a tired-looking appearance with this cool, soothing gel. Contains botanicals reported to tone, firm and reduce the appearance of puffiness in the eye area.
(All product information taken directly from the MaryKay.com website).

The eyelash curler and cute purple pouch finish off this great giveaway.

For entries:

Leave me a comment telling about one of your favorite eye products & which brand you prefer. Additional entries for reposting my birthday giveaway button on your blog, following this blog, blogging about this Eye set giveaway, or linking to this giveaway on facebook or twitter. Be sure to leave your link if you tweet or post on facebook. Also! Be sure to leave your email contact in your comment!

Birthday Giveaway Day 2

~GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED~

It seems I am always in the market for cute note cards, thank you cards or birthday cards. And I'm very excited for today's giveaway partially because it's so practical and also because it's from a dear friend! Do you remember when I had a friend help me with Miss Nat's Minnie Mouse Birthday invitations? Remember those cute thangs? Well, today I'm excited to present to you 16 hand crafted greeting cards with envelopes to celebrate everyday occasions. My friend has generously done all the work for you and pre-assembled all the cards for you! There are 8 designs and you will receive 2 of each card design.

Check out April's blog ascrap-a-holicsworld.blogspot.com and her website where you can shop 24 hours a day scrapinmama.myctmh.com.

All products are by Close To My Heart.

To enter this giveaway:
Leave me a comment telling about what you do to be creative or your favorite hobby. Additional entries for re-posting my birthday giveaway button on your blog, following this blog, blogging about this note card giveaway, or linking to this giveaway on facebook or twitter. Be sure to leave your link if you tweet or post on facebook. Also! Be sure to leave your email contact in your comment!

Birthday Giveaway Day 1

~GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED~

Happy Monday ladies! My weekend was full and filled with lots of fun memories and a very wonderful birthday. I was spoiled rotten and had a great day. Now, let's start your week off on a good note.

Today's giveaway is a great reusable tote from none other than NORDSTROMS!

This super cute bag measures 12" wide by 13.5" high by 4" deep. And for good measure, I'll include a surprise with this tote, but you won't know what it is until you win it and receive it in the mail!

To enter this giveaway:

Leave me a comment telling about your most memorable birthday gift you've ever received. Additional entries for reposting my birthday giveaway button on your blog, following this blog, blogging about this reusable tote giveaway, or linking to this giveaway on facebook or twitter. Be sure to leave your link if you tweet or post on facebook. Also! Be sure to leave your email contact in your comment!

Birthday Bash GiveawayS!

I'm preparing some birthday fun to share with you! What better way to celebrate my 31st birthday than by giving something or thingS away! So get ready! Spread the word and grab a birthday button. And starting Monday, October 26 . . . come check out the giveaways.

You don't wanna be Tardy for this Party!!!

Babies...Belly Laughs
& Bare Feet
Birthday Giveaway!

<a href="http://babiesbellylaughsbarefeet.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx301/yankeewife/th_birthday-cake-happy.gif" border="0" alt="babiesbellylaughsbarefeet" /></a>

Back To Basics

Since I've been focused on losing weight and getting in shape, I've accumulated quite the pile of clothes on my closet floor. It's the TOO BIG pile. Which is good. Very good. However, that means the clothes left on the shelves is dwindling and needs some replenishing shall we say?! So I've been looking for some basics. Jeans, sweatshirts, basic long sleeved tees and shoes. I think these are kinda cute! Do you have any suggestions? I need some ideas for clothes that can be dressed up or down. For dates, baby showers, church etc.

What's the must have for this fall and winter?

(Amazon) (Victoria's Secret)

(Old Navy.com)


(Buckle)




(Buckle)



(Nordstroms)

Pumpkin Patch

This weekend we had our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Saturday was stormy and rainy all day, but Sunday was sunny and warm the entire time we were at the pumpkin patch. We had a wonderful time with Baker's family and even managed to get a couple pumpkins in the process!

Just the Bare Necessities

I've compiled a short list of ideas that I would love to have for my birthday make me feel a little more sanitary at the gym. First off, I could use a yoga mat that resembles something like this. Because dripping sweat and sharing mats with everyone else at the gym is just plain gross. Trust me.

(Barnes and Noble)

And then, I could use one of these suckers. Because losing your screw top lid rolling across the gym floor during the middle of class is just a little annoying. And embarressing. I'm just sayin'.

(Camelback)

This look would help me work out harder at the gym. HA HA. Okay, at least I'll look good when I'm running errands with my toddlers. With or without the shower. Hey! We've all been there.

(Nordstroms)

And then the price has dropped on these fun things. And I think it would be a blast to play games with a certain little boy on rainy afternoons in the winter. Or while he's sleeping. Either way works for me.

(Amazon, Toy's R Us, Walmart etc.)

But, that game system is nothing without this fun game.

My favorite ride at California Adventure Park. Ahhh. Sigh.

A girl can always dream.

(Toys 'R Us, Walmart etc.)

What I'm Doing

• Writing thank you notes for Natalie's birthday party.
• Researching strollers for our trip for Disneyland. (Because ya'll, the Sit and Stand just isn't cuttin' it anymore. When both children cry EVERY single time you use it . . . it's time to move on)!
• Cleaning out the kids closets and dressers.
• Starting to pack for Disneyland.
• Trying to pull together clothing for a family wedding on Saturday. (Realizing I need shoes at least).
• Recruiting for the next Biggest Loser competition at the gym.
• Trying to figure out how to squeeze in a trip to the Fruit Loop which would also involve making applesauce and canning pears and possibly peaches (if they're still around).
• And I may be slightly addicted to Farmville and Farm Town. Maybe. Slightly.

Tonight's the Premiere!!!

I know I've said this about a gazillion times, but I luv watching The Biggest Loser TV Show. And, tonight is the season premiere folks! (Channel 8 from 8-10pm on the West Coast). There's something about watching people go from feeling helpless, ordinary, even apethetic and seeing them change.

Watching people gain a new perspective.

Hope restored.

Persevering towards a goal.

Seeing a dream that is attainable.

Seeing lives transformed!

Starting out one way and ending up . . . different. Mentally, spiritually and of course physically.

Ladies, change is always happening or is just around the corner.

What is it you need to change? Perhaps its a relationship that needs some tender loving care. Maybe you need to pull out your running shoes and breathe the crisp fall air. Maybe your Bible needs dusting off and your schedule needs to be cleared for some much needed time with the God who loves you and created you.

Now is a great time to be purposeful and do something that makes you feel alive! And if you want to see a little inspiration, you could always tune in to watch the Biggest Loser!

I ♥ Fall

Fall is in the air around here. This last weekend I picked up a few things to decorate for fall. I ♥ fall. Baker and I both have fall birthdays, I love the cool crisp air, the leaves changing, football and of course the anticipation of Thanksgiving followed by Luke's birthday and Christmas!
My SIL April and my friend Emily came over Saturday night while the guys were at the Duck vs. Purdue game and helped give me some fresh ideas on how to decorate my front room. It turned out wonderful and makes me even more excited for the upcoming months. Thanks ladies!
BTW - I found an ad for this decor company called realdeals.net Check them out - there are multiple locations in states across the U.S. I would luv to be able to check one out in the near future!

PS - Thank you ladies for entering the Shop 'Til You Drop Giveaway! Because only a few of you entered, you all won - and I sent extras! You should be receiving your gift checks in today or hopefully tomorrow at the latest.