This week I'd like to thank the inventors of.....

Krispy Kreme glazed donuts.....

...hot off the belt....

Oh. My. Goodness.  I just can't even describe how good they are in words.

Chick-fil-A chocolate milkshake...

Can someone please tell me if these have some addictive drug in them or something because once I have one, it's like I have to go back for more every day that week!  So addictive!  If you haven't tried one, you're seriously missing out!

Blue Moon Wheat Beer

Mmmmmm.  With an orange, it's so good.

Aleve & Midol

Which brings me to my last one

.

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{did I really just post a picture of tampons on my blog?}

Seriously.  Think about it.  You know you would like to thank the inventors, too.  Because think about how it was before these were invented.

I'll sign off on that note.  But, you now see what kind of week I had with my husband out of town.

:)

**Sponsors**

I was in the middle of writing this great, deep, long post.  I've been working on it for 2 days now.  I was so excited to sit down and finish it now that the kids are napping.  The weirdest thing happened when I was finishing up my great, deep, long post.  I was just typing along, minding my own business, when BAM!  Half of my post deletes itself and is gone!  Ironically, the post was titled "God works in mysterious ways".

Hmmmmm.......

So, I decided to put that deep, long, probably not so great post (at least some higher power didn't think so great) on hold for now and come back to it later.  Let's talk about something more fun.....

**Sponsors**

If you haven't already, look to your right.  Right now.  -------->

Those are iBlog's sponsors.  I wanted to introduce you to them all today because they are all really great companies that I support.

29:11 Creations

A precious stationery & invitation business owned by a friend of mine --- Emily.  But, she is not limited to stationery, invitations....she designs and prints (at a very affordable price I might add) baby showers invites, save the date cards, wedding invites, business cards.  Just to name a few.  She also hand paints nursery art.  She is very talented.  If you click over to her site, you can see tons of examples and she is really good about updating with new designs/products.  She designed our Christmas card this past year and I can not tell you how many compliments we got on it because it was way too many!  Emily is so creative and talented. Be sure to click on over to her site to check her out!

Magnolia Honey Company

I wrote a whole post recently on Magnolia Honey Company's delish spreads and jams sweetened entirely with honey.  Oh my goodness, they will make you slap your mama.  Please read my post here if you haven't already and check out their site.  They make award winning products and I've tasted them.  Award winning is an understatement!

Little House Tees

Oh my goodness!  This little business is one of my faves!  Jennifer designs and makes THE cutest tees for babies and children.  They are very affordable.  She ships anywhere.  And, they are super de dooper cute!  They come in so many colors that you can pretty much match them with anything.  And, my favorite thing about her is that she offers a few different designs for every holiday.  They are so fun!  I order from her every season.  Please check out her shop and tell her I sent you!  Precious, precious stuff.

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Thank you, Advertisers!  Thanks for your support and I'm so glad I can support your buiness, too. :)

housekeeping on the comment system

Hello my name is Cat and I'm addicted to Krispy Kreme glazed donuts......


.....and Chick-fil-A chocolate milkshakes.  Since it's "not me" Monday, and since I'm confessing, I'll just go ahead and tell you I did NOT by any means have all of the above today!


Moving on. 

I've gotten two emails in the past few weeks saying my commenting system is deleting their comments or not allowing them to comment.  I'm so sorry.  At first I thought it was because I had the word verification turned on.  So, I turned it off.  I guess it didn't help because I got an email today from hi.lar.ri.ous. beautiful *i.r.l. friend, Shauna, that she has not been able to comment lately! 

(i.r.l. = in real life)

Sorry if you've had that problem.  Has anyone else out there had that problem?  If so, pelase email me (iblogmoore@gmail.com) and let me know.

Thanks a bunch! 

PS.....someone once told me that it takes 45 minutes of straight aerobic activity to burn off ONE donut.  Do you know what I'm about to go do?  I would love to say I'm about to go work out, but that would be a lie.  And I don't lie.  ;-)

"not my child" Monday

WARNING!  This post contains slightly disgusting details that actually did "not" happen.

This past week, my almost 3 year old child did not do the following:

- lift his leg and make tooting sounds with his mouth
- walk past my naked self as I was putting lotion on my lower legs and attempt to stick his finger.....ahem....yes, THERE!
- make fake burping sounds and then say, "excuse me"
- insist on taking his Nemo beach towel EVERYWHERE, including the grocery store
- insist on me spreading out the Nemo beach towel at the table next to him while he ate
- throw a temper tantrum at the park in front of all our new church friends when it was time to leave
- climb up the slide the wrong way in attempt to get away from me when it was time to leave
- hit the little girl on the foot coming down the slide (which was not our pastor's daughter, by the way)
- take his diaper off during his nap and tee tee all over the place!

I guess that's what I "don't" get for having a little boy  :)

Red Letter Friday {and other randomness...}

Today's Red Letters....one of my favorite verses:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

I've been a blog slacker lately.  My hubby's been out of town (he's back now) and I have a new found respect for single moms.  It went well for us, could have been worse.  I don't think I can say the same for my house.  I did good the first few days.  I kept things organized, planned activities.  By the 3rd day, exhaustion set it and I choose sleep over cleaning up once the kids were in bed.  I missed him like crazy.  The kids missed him like crazy.  I could tell because I was asked over and over to play the video of Daddy (he left them a message on the video camera so we could watch it daily).  Of course, the little Button just tried to eat the video camera every time I played it for her.  :)  I loved seeing their smiling faces lit up when they saw Daddy for the first time when he got home.  That was priceless and I'm sure it made his heart smile.


Anyway, after I sleep for 16.5 hours straight, I will catch you all up on things around here.  Kiwi Wood Werks (and it's website....ugh.....), how business is going, etc.  I'll also update you on the Doddle-bug's nursery, show after pictures of our nursery in Birmingham before we start on his big boy room.  I'm also going to share some news with you next week, as well as post about a blogger that really inspires me.  After that (perhaps later in the week or the following week) I'm going to be sharing the first of many posts (sort-of like a series) on a subject that I've been researching and I'll have a guest writer about the subject.  I'm really excited about it!  Whew...I better get busy.  :) 


TGIF!
Have a great weekend and see ya next week!

Words to live by this Wednesday ~ John 17:14-16

John 17:14-16

I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do.

 

For as long as I can remember, I've been told and used the truth that says we are only in this world, not of it.  I came across not one, but two blogs recently that said the same thing.  It inspired me to write about that today. 

 

I really don't know what I'm going to write about, but not a day goes by that I don't think about the statement above.  There is so much going on in this world....I don't think I have to tell you or even get into it.  Why is everything so hard?  Why is it so hard to be a Christian in this world?  Why does the media make Christians out to be holy rollin maniacs with no life and no education?  No wonder it's so easy to stray from God and your faith.  (for the record, my solution: turn off tv) 

 

I am currently taking a class at the church we've been visiting.  It's a membership class.  We are joining this church.  I am learning so much about the changing of the church since breaking from the Catholic church.  Wow.  My one request to John Taylor was to simply to go a church that believed, taught and preached the BIBLE.  THE Word of God.  Isn't that what we're supposed to go by?  I mean, the truth, the way, the life.  I am simply amazed at how the church has strayed from the Word.  I'm talking about churches, people.  Not cults, not Scientology temples.....but church.  They are not teaching (or believing) the word.  I'm so excited about the church we're joining and plan to write more about it in another post.  I was so excited to learn at the class that everything was in line with how I felt and what I believed and what I believe is the Bible.  That feels so good. 

 

I did not mean to get into that, but it was necessary to make my point that the enemy is out there, real and taking over. 

 

Thankfully, we can teach our children that we are only in this world and not of it.  That this life time is our life time on earth, but it's not the most important.  And, that during this life time we need to focus on the our Lord and Savior and have a God centered life.  That is my goal.  Not to parent on "fear based parenting" or "perfection based parenting", but demonstrate God's love for my children.  I want them to know they can come to Christ, fully, and accept complete unconditional love and acceptance.  Not for what clothes they wear, or what songs they listen to, or where they go to school.  Isnt' that the world's way? 

 

Dissecting the verse.....

 

....but to keep them safe from the evil one......

 

Isn't that our duty as a parent?  I believe if the Bible says so, then yes, it is. 

Insecure Enough to Matter (Chapter 2)

To read highlights from Chapter 1, click HERE.

*All line in italics in this post, quoting Beth Moore: So Long Insecurity

We all have insecurities.  They piggyback on the vulnerability inherent in our humanity.  The question is whether or not our insecurities are substantial enough to hurt, limit, or even distract us from profound effectiveness or fulfillment of purpose.  Are they cheating us of the powerful and abundant life Jesus flagrantly promised?  Do they nip at our heels all the way from the driveway to the workplace?  Scripture claims that believers in Christ are enormously gifted people.  Are our insecurities snuffing the Spirit until our gifts, for all practical purposes, are largely unproductive or, at the very least, tentative?  Maybe you can answer each of those questions with an honest no.  The only reason I'm bothering to write a book instead of leading a small group, however, is because I believe if you can, you'd be in the vast minority.

I am well enough acquainted with the issue to know that as we start defining and describing this malady, those of you with fairly chronic cases are going to begin to feel insecure even about your insecurities. (It take one to know one.)  Try not to go there.  There was a time when I would have been tempted to put away a book that magnified my vulnerabilities, but these days I'd rather press through the discomfort of starring at my weaknesses than live in denial and bondage....

Me too.

...let's start by looking at one specialist's definition of insecurity:
     --- Insecurity refers to a profound sense of self-doubt --- a deep feeling of uncertainty about our basic worth and out place in the world.  Insecurity is associated with chronic self-consciousness, along with a chronic lack of confidence in ourselves and anxiety about our relationships.  The insecure man or woman lives in constant fear of rejection and a deep uncertainty about whether his or her own feelings and desires are legitimate.

Have I had self-doubt?  Yes.
Have I been uncertain about my worth and place in the world?  Absolutely.
Have I been self-conscious about something?  We all have.
Have I had anxiety about my relationships?  Ummmm, yes.

So, am I insecure?  I guess I am!  Thankfully, it doesn't have to be this way.  :)

If you know Jesus Christ personally, He has chosen you, too, and has appointed you to accomplish something good.  Something that matters.  Something prepared for you before time began (Ephesians 2:10).  Something meant to have a serious impact within your sphere of influence.

{This next line probably hit closer to home than any I've read, so far.  I had a *star* by it in my book, so I'm going to put it in BIG BOLD letters.}

Insecurity's best cover is perfectionism.

Wow.  I am too much of a perfectionist.  I wasn't always that way though.  One thing I've struggled with for years is wanting to get back to the confident person I was before insecurity reared it's head.  There are perfectionists all around me.  They used to inspire me.  I wanted to be more like them....you know, more perfect.  Not anymore.  I was looking at them from the wrong angle.  Now, I'm trying not to focus on making everything perfect (my house, kids, etc.) because I refuse to get my self worth from those things.  Back when I was secure in myself --- I never thought about those things.  Everything just seem to fall into place more without me having to try that hard.  Why?  Because I was secure and confident.  :)  Can any of you relate?

I love Beth's "insecurity inventory".  She found that a lot did not apply to her, but a lot did.  I did too.......

Do I cry easily?
Do I avoid the spotlight in social situations?
Do I have a strong desire to make amends whenever I think I've done something wrong? I cannot count the times God has had to tell me to cease trying to fix something that insists on staying broken.
If someone gets angry at me, do I have a hard time not thinking about it?
Do I sometimes feel anxious for no apparent reason?
Does it hurt my feelings when I learn that someone doesn't like me?

How intensely do you feel those things?
Intensity is a key factor in insecurity.

Right now we're picking on ourselves, but later in our journey, we're going to pick on the people in our lives who prefers us to be insecure and have a sick need to keep us that way.  They are what the same specialist I quoted earlier calls "emotional predators."  No, you are not the only one to blame, but girlfriend, you are the only one you can change.  God is willing.  God is able.  Let Him get to that terrified part of you that devalues the rest of you.

There are no words.  All I can say is WOW!  I can't wait.

Gardens

I had never been to the Botanical Gardens here and always wanted to check it out for a possible photo session spot. I was smaller than I expected, but very beautiful. I took some photos of a long time friend of mine, Jennifer. They turned out great and was excited to find a new spot to shoot at. Enjoy! She is such a beautiful woman, inside and out.

If I could cook......(Father's Day edition)

If I could cook, I would make dinner so that my husband could have a break.  If I could cook, I would probably want to cook something with shrimp in it all the time.....cause shrimp is my fave.  If I could cook, I would probably bake something chocolate every night and I'd be as big as a house.  I heart chocolate.  If I could cook, I would want to cook a big, gourmet breakfast every morning.  Again, big as a house.  If I could cook, maybe my husband would let me touch his super special knives that I'm not allowed to touch. :) 

And if I could bake, which I can bake and love to....I would make these for Father's Day.  But, mine would probably not look like that.  :)

What are your Father's Day gift ideas?  I am needing some help.  I hate giving the usual --- neck tie, dress shirt and (in my case) photographs of our children.

Red Letter Friday

With the words of the Lord in red.

"I am Alpha and Omega", says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty."

Revelation 1:8

Happy Weekend!

Words to live by this Wednesday ~ "Worry is spiritual short sight. It's cure is intelligent faith."

"Worry is spiritual short sight.  It's cure is intelligent faith."
~Paul Brunton

I come from a long line of worriers.  My grandmother was terrified of bad weather.  Actually, she was terrified of any weather.  If it wasn't sunny and beautiful, her radar stayed on.  If it was cloudy, she took every precaution.  If it rained, oh my.  She wouldn't let anyone use the phone during a storm.  You know, because lighting might strike them down.  If there was ever a tornado watch (or if a severe thunder storm sounded bad enough to her), she would get in the closet in the hallway.  She is deceased now and doesn't have to worry about the weather anymore.  But, she sure thought she had something to worry about.....When my grandfather (her husband) died, she wanted to bury him next to their son who died of alcoholism.  There was only one plot, but it was one that would hold him and her, just one on top of the other.  Meaning, my grandfather would be deeper and my grandmother on top of him.  At my grandfather's service, she made my aunt promise to make the home take him up and put her on the bottom.  When asked why, she replied so matter of factly --- "Well, so the lighting won't hit me when it strikes during a storm!".  I guess she thought it was ok to strike my grandfather. :)  Anyway, my dad must have gotten some of it from her because he worried about EVERYTHING!  I'm serious when I say that I called my dad every night up until my honeymoon.  Otherwise I knew he'd lay there awake wondering if I was ok.  His worry wasn't all his fault though.  He had a rare liver disease (he got a liver transplant and now he is completely healed).  His medicine made him have bad anxiety and he worried as a result of it.  He used to walk right by the neighborhood swimming pool while we were swimming.  And yes, we all knew how to swim!  He never could just sit down and relax. 

So, naturally I'm doomed.  I didn't think so.  I used to swear I wasn't going to worry.  Well, guess what....I'm terrified of bad weather.  I think that is due to the fact that JT and I were caught in a tornado and all we had to protect us was the little country road side store we stopped at.  Scariest time of my life!  Once I had babies, I started to see a little of my grandmother and dad come out in me.  I know I'm slowing turning into them when I start to think about things that could happen in every situation.  It's really sad when a person does this because it steals the joy and fun you could be having in life.  You can't spend every day worrying.  It isn't going to change anything, so why bother. 

But, there is a big difference between worry and being concerned.  Where is the line that divides the two?

I have to say in my defense, there is only one thing I truly worry about.  And something I feel justified in worrying about.  It's my children around swimming pools.  There I said it.  I got it out in the open and it hasn't made me feel better yet.  I usually worry about this the most when we go to the farm.  Don't get me wrong, I love going, I love the fact they have a swimming pool for the kids (and adults), and I don't want them to change a thing.  But, I can't shake this fear.  The week they put the pool in, I started having nightmares about one of the kids falling in while we weren't watching.  This usually only happens right before a trip there.  I can't help what I dream!  But I really wish I wouldn't.  It only makes it worse. 

If you read my last post, you know that we just got back from the farm.  Jack knows how to open doors now and I actually saw him try to crawl out of the doggy door, which is on the sun porch, right by the pool.  He is so curious about the pool and he LOVES fountains....so it's enticing to him.  I don't want him to be sacred, but I also want him to learn it's not ok to go in without us.  You just can't trust a curious 2 year old though.  I find myself constantly checking on the kids when we're there, but I try to put it out of my head and relax.  I just can't help it. 

When I got home this past Sunday and started catching up on my favorite blogs, I read this post.  It really spoke to me.  It was about a fellow blogger and the story of her little girl breaking her arm doing a cartwheel.  I would like to quote some of her post here:

"I am a worrier by nature, and the first to admit that my thoughts can run away from me if I don't get a handle on them. I believe the enemy preys on me in this way, and has for most of my life. I know I'm not the only one who can get caught up in all the horrible things that could happen to my family. I also know that the Lord I have given them to does not want me to fear the way I do......

.....What a mother feels when her child is in danger is a powerful, awful thing. And it doesn't help when the worst thing that could happen actually has happened to you. I don't want to live my life in this place of worry, but like I said, I am struggling......

.....I talked to the Lord about my fears and He gently urged me to remember that her life was not determined by any of my precautions, and that while I need to be a mindful parent, any sense of complete control is a sham......

.....it occurred to me that this really should be my ultimate goal in parenting. I need to love them well enough, true enough, and deep enough that they will let me hold them while they call out to Him. What a beautiful image; we as mothers get to be the holders while our children commune with the great One.....

I'm sustained by that truth right now."

~Angie Smith, Bring The Rain

The sentence I have in bold gave me chill bumps when I read it.  I had already decided on the ride home that I was going to pray about it.....ask the Lord to lift my fears.  I was also reminded that no matter what precautions I make, any and every thing is out of my control.  Wow!  Just proof that He is there listening and answering prayers.  I need to try and remember that worry looks down and faith looks up....to Him, who is in complete control.  Put my trust in Him.  Now that is intelligent faith.

The Farm

This past weekend we went to "the farm".  It's really John Taylor's parents house.  No, it's really John Taylor's parent's beautiful, big, cozy, comfortable, wonderfully decorated, home with a swimming pool, garden, swing set, old barn, sun porch (complete with lots of toys), deck with adult swing, fountain, water fall in the pool, mule to ride, big trees, bridge to walk over, long gravel driveway, 3 dogs, a Nana & a Grandaddy.  What more could grandchildren (and children + spouses) ask for?  We always have such a wonderful time when we go.  The food is out of this world and this time we tried a new Summer Beer recipe that goes down waaaaay too easy.  It's part Vodka, part water, part lemonade and part beer.  And oh so refreshing.  Saturday, we loaded all the kids up and ate at the Cotton District Grill at Mississippi State University.  Only (for you State fans) it's not the in the Cotton District anymore.  I was very upset when I heard they moved.  It's kind-of a legendary place.  But I have to say that I really liked it.  It's much bigger now and  much nicer.  Plus, they kept the menu the same so no one was upset.  :)  Here are a few pictures just to make you green with envy........

{the garden}

{it must have really been a farm back in the day....it's one of those things that hold cattle...what are they called?}

{and what farm...or grandmother's house for that matter...is complete without one of these metal gliders}

{Oh how I want one of these one day....and hers is actually modern day --- only made to look old.  You can find it HERE for a pretty penny.  Hers shown is in my absolute favorite color they offer --- Silver Sage}

Bet you wish you were there now sippin on a Summer Beer......I do.

iBlog Featured!

Today I'm being featured on Just Another Mom of 2!  I'm so excited that Ashley is featuring iBlog on her Saturday Spotlight.  Hope on over to her blog and check it out!

Red Letter Friday ~ A Little Devotion

To Keep God's Gifts

Suggested Bible Reading

These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

-1 Timothy 4:11-16 (NRSV)

Today's Scripture

Do not neglect your gift.-1 Timothy 4:14 (NIV)

MY wife and I are both in our 80s and have begun to lose our hearing. Our hearing loss has led to some amusing conversations -- and to some that were not so amusing, especially when we were in a group of people. So we both decided to have our hearing tested.

We were not surprised to learn that we had both lost a lot of ability to hear. We asked what would happen if we were to muddle along the way we were. The technician explained that hearing is not simply a matter of the ear's capacity to pick up sound waves. Hearing involves the mind learning to interpret different sounds. If poor hearing is ignored, the mind can forget how to interpret particular sounds.

As I thought about the technician's words, I remembered the words of warning from 1 Timothy 4:14: "Do not neglect your gift." The gifts of the Spirit are like the gift of hearing. If neglected, they soon drop out of our awareness. We dare not neglect the gifts of the Spirit and the habits of the heart that keep them fresh in our lives: prayer, studying the Bible, worshiping with the community of faith. These help us to appreciate the wonder of our daily walk in faith and to pay attention to God.

David Knecht (North Dakota, USA)

Prayer

Gracious God, keep our hearts tuned to the gifts you have given. Amen.

Thought for the Day

Take a spiritual inventory.

Prayer Focus

Those who cannot hear

Mississippi Market

The Mississippi Market went really good!  I'm excited to announce that Kiwi Wood Werks now has 4 or 5 new vendors that carry our line of frames!  As soon as I get things organized and in the computer, I will blog about the stores that are carrying our frames.  I know, it's terrible I can't remember them by heart.  Hopefully we will build such relationships with these businesses and they are such repeat customers that I will know them very well real soon!  We met so many people, other exhibitors and buyers.  That is one thing I like about doing shows like this --- meeting all the people.  We met so many cool businesses, including one man that makes beautiful crosses out of old barn wood.  They are wonderful!  I decided to pick 3 exhibitors we met and blog about them.  I'm so excited to introduce you to them and hope it helps their businesses!  I will start the first tomorrow and then the other two after that.  There is just so much I could say about these companies and their owners that I could not possibly fit it all in one post.  I hope to do this after every show we are a part of.  Here are a few pictures.  The lighting was really bad, so here are the only ones that turned out.

{click on photos to enlarge}

The "Kiwi" frame which we designed.  Our best seller that day!

{our color samples}

{details are not listed on frames shown.  please contact us if you are interested in any of the above frames ~ kiwiwoodwerks@gmail.com}

Don't eat this stuff near your Mama!

Today I wanted to introduce you to two ladies we met at the Mississippi Market.  Raven & Gena.  Raven says they are from "nowhere", but they are really from Woodville, Mississippi.  I can assure you that Woodville has never been the same since these two ladies (and one other partner) started making jams and spreads sweetened ENTIRELY with sugar?  Nope!  Molasses?  Nope!  Their products are better for you because they are sweetened entirely with HONEY!  And OH. MY. GOSH.  They are so good, they will make you slap your Mama.

My favorite (and I did taste all of them....all day long) is the Raspberry William jam. 

It must have been someone else's favorite too because it won an award!  The Sofi 2009 Gold award.  To you food people out there, you already know, but those who aren't  --- that's a BIG deal! 

And just to keep it real....the real award:

And it doesn't stop there.  There is the Rouge Plum and the Chocolate Lace.  Oh my goodness, the Chocolate Lace.  You can drizzle it over ice cream or....ok, I've gotta stop!  I just might have ice cream for breakfast.  Oooo, I wonder how the Chocolate Lace would taste on a biscuit?  Hmmm......

Gena and Raven were nice enough to let me blog about them and their spectacular jams and spreads, but they were even nicer and gave us some jars to take home.  I'm not kidding when I sent JT right to the store to get some biscuits for the next morning and I've look forward to eating it every morning.  We're going to "the farm" this weekend (a.k.a. JT's parents house) and are bringing some to share with the whole fam!  JT's mom loves to make Jezebel sauce, and we're bring some from Magnolia Honey.  Everyone's going to love it!  If you're reading, Raven and Gena, I'll be sure to update you on how much they loved it and it was so nice to meet you! 

Be sure to check out their website HERE and order you a few jars.  It's good for you and oh my! It's so good it will make you slap your Mama.  Tell them I sent you!

This week, I'd like to thank the inventors of....

Before I send my thanks to the many hard working people out there creating wonderful things to make our lives better, I would like to comment on my last post's title  It reads: "please excuse us while we work to make this blog better".  When I say us, I mean me.  And when I say we, I really mean I.  I'm only one person and the last few days have been crazy.  Please continue to bear with me. 

Anyhoo.....on to my thank yous!

I would like to thank the inventors of:

Suave Aloe Vera Volumnizing Shampoo

Also, thanks for my blog world friend, Erin, for introducing me to the Suave version's of Aveda shampoos and conditioners!  They are only $1.82 a bottle here in the south and name brand salon products just don't cut it at our house when my husband has no formal job. 

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Splenda Mocha Flavoring for coffee

Ok, so I'm usually not a coffee drinker, but pulling these all nighters working on the KWW website and then trying to wake up at the booty crack of dawn and be a good, patient mother just isn't working out.  I was desperate.  So, I searched for good flavoring and boy did I find it!  Well, what I didn't spend on salon shampoo, I made up for it on mocha flavoring.....it's $3.99.  It was well worth it.  And man does coffee make me wake up fast! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beth Moore's latest book, So Long Insecurity

I'll be the first to admit I'm insecure about things that I shouldn't be.  But man!  It wasn't until I started reading this book that I realized just how silly and insecure I am about little things that I SO shouldn't be!  I'm loving this book and would recommend it to any woman or girl friend of mine.  I'm really learning a lot about myself and growing as a woman.  Thanks, Beth Moore!  You rock!

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Tylenol Suppositories for infants

Ok, I know this is a little weird to be posting about, but it just might help someone out.  I didn't know about these until my *i.r.l. friend, Angela, told me about them.  They were a life saver because our little princess refuses to take her medicine.  When she had a 104 fever and won't take anything to bring it down, I was so worried.  She didn't fight me one bit with these and it actually got in her system and started working faster than liquid Tylenol. 

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This blog:

Kevin & Amanda

Oh my word, this couple is cool!  I'm not a big scrapbooker, but for those of you that are....you NEED to check her blog out.  You would die over her scrap booking room.  Yeah, she has one of those that you only dream about!  I found their website while searching Google for help on HTML code and ways to personalize your blog.  If you are wanting help with that (including free font downloads on really cute fonts), their blog is the place.  Ok, just to give you a sneak peak:

Hopefully with the help of Kevin & Amanda's blog, I will have iBlog looking just the way I want it in no time.  Amanda is an amazing photographer too.  You should check out some of her photos of waterfalls. 

*i.r.l. = in real life

*all images from Google Images except for scrap booking room, which is via here