S Club Mama

I will say that this round of winners was hard to determine; I had to hand count all the entries for the second prize (t-shirt) because a few entrants entered all their info into one comment. I'm nice so just know that I love you all enough to count all your entries! :D My husband picked the winners for this round (out of 1-2 and 1-15). He chose: Word World DVD : comment #1: Kara from My Sweet Little Life (check out her blog; her kids are darling and she's an awesome scrapbooker!) MyPartyTshirt.com : comment #14: Amber (my big sister really wanted this shirt - today's her lucky day! Hopefully I'll be seeing her soon enough and we'll get pictures in our shirts together. Also, wishing her a belated birthday from Wednesday!) Friend, this is a super old picture but the cutest one we have - taken over 4 years ago before my wedding. Yes I had a tan.

Write or vlog along with Mama Kat today during her (pretty much world famous) Writer's Workshop ! I have her button somewhere...but I've lost it. So click the link. :)

I run because...I have to maintain. I run because...it clears my head. I run because...I need time alone after a day of being mommy. I run because...I like to pretend I'm fast. I run because...I like the clothes! I run because...I need a goal. I run because...I didn't think I could. I run because...I like to sweat. Most importantly... I run because...I want to be a good example. I run because....my body is a temple.

I hope everyone enjoyed a family-filled Easter weekend. More importantly, I hope everyone took the time to really remember what the Lord did for us. Not only did he leave heaven to become a small human baby or teach us valuable lessons as an adult, but he died on the cross, bleeding pure blood to cover the multitude of sins of the earth. Of your sins. Of my sins. And not only did he die such a horrific death on the cross, but he went to hell and defeated death! Rising 3 days later, securing our salvation (if you so choose to believe in these miraculous things that our Savior did for us, and choosing to follow Him and become more like Him all your life). I was reading in TIME magazine last night, and was just sickened by the article about Rob Bell (by Jon Meacham). This issue of the magazine showcases 100 of the World's Most Influential People. Unfortunately, this Mr. Bell is on this list that includes freedom fighters, movie stars, royalty - all the people who do influence the wo...

As some of you are aware (and others may not be aware), this month is Autism Awareness Month (April 2nd was National Autism Awareness Day). There are several events taking place online and offline (like the Light it Up Blue Campaign ). One great online event is being hosted through SITS. SITS (The Secret to Success is Support) has been a community I've been involved in since it started. Although I'm not nearly as involved as I once was, I still head on over to the blog (or Blog Frog or Facebook or Twitter ) to put my two cents in and contribute via comments. This is a great community for other bloggers; I've met some really wonderful women this way (Tiffany, Lula, Mama Kat, Jen, and Angie - among many others). They host great blogging conferences (that I will forever be trying to win a ticket for) and have wonderful forums on their website - spotlight , women on the move , learn , and food & lifestyle . Jen, from Buried with Children (one of my favorite ...

The winner of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That DVD (chosen by random.org) is... 5K Rae ! She sure is randomly lucky around here! Congratulations - I will send you an email. You have 48 hours to claim your prize! Also, go congratulate Rae on her own blog for her Linked by Pink race !! What an accomplished runner this girl is - very inspiring to me! Don't forget to enter my Word World DVD giveaway ending April 30th (very few entries on this one). I also have a giveaway for your very own A League of Their Own shirt from MyPartyShirt.com ending on April 30th (not many more entries on this one).

I finally got a memory card for my old phone and got some old pictures off of it.  This is my favorite.  Can you guess which baby this is?? my husband's FB caption: I got here how??? Join in the Wordful Wednesday fun with Parenting by Dummies and Seven Clown Circus .

I love unique shirts with fun sayings or logos! I also love pop culture and things that bring back nostalgia from my childhood/growing up years. When I came across MyPartyShirt.com, it fit my likings to a...well, a tee - or more fittingly, a t-shirt! I'll admit, I had a hard time deciding what shirt to get. There are so many that bring back great memories for me. I'll share my top 5 favorites with you: I would have gotten Connie Moreau's # I always wanted to work at the Max - Kelly made it seem so cool! Salute Your Shorts - the summer camp I always wanted to attend I have always had a thing for his mullet! haha and of course, the shirt, I chose: I'm a member of the All-American League... Queen of Hearts : Dottie Hinson  There were just so many shirts to choose from BUT I am glad I chose the one I did. I love "A League of Their Own;" one of my favorite movies of all time. I played softball for 14 years so it's especially dear to my hea...

The winner of my Cherry Walls giveaway (chosen by random.org) is: Rion Congratulations - now you have to choose between the two designs! I will email Rion to let her know she won. She'll have 48 hours to reply to my email (with her address) or a new winner will be chosen. Thank you to all who entered my giveaway. Please feel free to enter my Cat in the Hat and Word World DVD giveaways!!

Word World is a show we used to watch on PBS when we had cable. Fast forward about a year and it's been a long time since we've seen this show. Moose had not forgotten it though!  If you've never seen Word World , it's a very energetic cartoon where the animals and items are all made out of letters (dog is made out of DOG, pillow is made out of PILLOW). They "build a word" by spelling out the word (and the letters appear or are scattered and come together) and pushing them together to bind it into a thing or creature. The theme song is very catchy so beware that it will get stuck in your head (but it's much better than other kid songs that can be stuck there). On this DVD there are 4 episodes that equal about 60 minutes (less if you flip through the previews): -You Can Never Have Too Many "OO"s -Duck's Hiccups -Achoo! -Get Well Soon Soup My kids were just glued to the tv. I try to share with you some of their responses, but there...

"We Be Big: The Mostly True Story of How Two Kids from Calhoun County, Alabama, Became Rick and Bubba" is about morning radio talk hosts. These two guys crossed paths in their teen years and again at college. It wasn't until after college when they both began working at different radio stations that their life paths really started to correlate. Through job losses and gains, they ended up working together during the morning talk radio time. Here is a blip about the book: The story of two unlikely radio hosts and what happened when they followed their faith and instincts. Rick & Bubba are the most unlikely broadcast stars imaginable, yet hundreds of thousands of loyal listeners start their day with them every morning. Beyond that, they break the biggest no-no rule for secular radio as they openly share their faith in Christ and their common-sense way of looking at the world. Now, in We Be Big: The Mostly True Story of How We Became Rick & Bubba, readers lea...

The winner of my Turbo Tax one day giveaway was Bobbie! She also happened to be the only entrant so I hope that means everyone else got their taxes done! I emailed the code to Bobbie and wished her good luck with her taxes! The winners of The Cross Makers crosses are: #12 - Randi - who will be donating her cross to her Youth Group's fundraiser! #1 - Lil Momma @ 5 in Training for Him #15 - Softball Mom - who follows me on Facebook and happens to be my own mom I will email each winner to let them know of their good luck! Winners have until April 17 11:59pm to email me back with their address, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.  Winners were all chosen by random.org (except the Turbo Tax winner because even I can pick a winner from one entrant).

I won a prize off of another blog, one I can't use. My husband filed our taxes about a month ago but that means that one of you has a chance to win! What's up for grabs? One free federal and state preparation and e-file with TurboTax Premier Online 2010. How can you win? Leave me a comment (with a valid email address)- please be sure this is something you can use!  I will choose a winner at midnight and email the code to that person. So if you don't usually leave me an email address, you should probably leave one in your comment. Disclaimer: I received this code from another blogger's contest. I couldn't use it so I thought I'd share. I have no opinion on this product one way or another, and others may or may not have a good experience with this company and/or product.

This is your last chance to win one of The Cross Makers handmade crosses ! There are 3 crosses up for grabs - perfect timing for Easter, but also you have Mother's Day, graduations, and confirmations coming up, too.

*My apologies, this post was to have been up sooner, but I've lost my camera. So bear with me through these pictures!* I was flipping through (scrolling through?) Etsy one fine day, looking for unique rings. I came across Voodoo StarZ and their yellow mandala guitar pick ring. I don't play guitar myself but I can appreciate a cool accessory when I see one! see? video camera pictures...ugh Anyway, this is a cool ring. My friend's daughter asked me if there was a sticker on it (the yellow/red design), but I've also gotten some other compliments on it. I like wearing it - it's just the right amount of accessory for some outfits. I first wore it with this canary yellow long-sleeved shirt that was a loud color for me to wear, but I wanted an accessory. This ring was a perfect fit!! Subtle enough but still kind of blingy. It takes me a little bit to get used to wearing it when I do put it on; guitar picks aren't your every day ring-wear. But after a few min...

As some of you may know, April is Autism Awareness Month. This, of course, is very near and dear to my heart because of my sweet son, Moose. I thought it would be fun to review something in honor of this special month. So I bring you BAM Crafty Mommas and their Autism Awareness Chalk Board Mat. I love this mat! It has come in so handy these past few weeks as we've been in and out of the doctor's office with bronchitis and viruses and other junk. The boys get a little unruly - 'hey, do you want to color?' and this just gives them something to do. It's so nice that I can roll it up (with that little white elastic piece) and have it in my purse or diaper bag! How handy! You can't see it in my picture, but there is another piece of elastic that would hold a small piece of chalk - unfortunately, we only have sidewalk chalk but I just roll it up in it and that works for us. Moose is not much of a colorer. He honestly doesn't color much but if you give him ...

Kara Goucher wrote a great post on her blog about her experience with Tina Steinberg (whose necklaces I'm forever trying to win and they have alluded me so far). Included in Kara's post was a contest offer - write about what you were born to do (and email it to Tina) to try to win a bracelet (and possibly necklace) from Tina. Unfortunately, at least 25 people seemed to have beat me to the punch but I wrote an email (without that foreknowledge). I wanted to share it with you, my friends. Growing up, my mom worked. Her mom worked, my dad's mom worked, my aunts all worked. I only knew what an at-home mom was because a few classmates' moms didn't work. I grew up wanting to be a teacher. In high school, I narrowed that view to English teacher. I started college and dove into the English and teacher's programs. I met a great man and he was crazy enough to marry me. 3 months later, we saw those little pink lines that mean "oh boy! (or girl!)." Nothi...

If you didn't catch my last review over Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That: Wings and Things, check it out here . Or if you want to hear what I (and my kids) thought of the new Cat in the Hat: Tales About Tails , read on! I will be honest, my kids haven't watched this DVD yet. It's not that they won't like it or it's inappropriate - no! Moose is just a little Big A when it comes to movies/shows - he likes what he knows. He keeps asking for Wings and Things when I put this new DVD in - and he cries, so I am not pushing it. He'll love it when he watches it, I know he will. Both boys love The Cat in the Hat (Squirt says "ca" when we get it out and is forever bringing me the DVD). So much so that I'm thinking about that as a birthday theme (along with 50 other ideas). Anyway, so Tales About Tails was up to me to watch myself. I tried watching it from their perspective, but that's hard. I will say I enjoyed the freshness of new episodes! I ...

Cherry Walls is an Etsy shop that specializes in custom and premade vinyl decals for your walls. They use matte removable vinyl made in USA that comes off easily, leaves surface clean, and will not damage your walls! Veronica owns Cherry Walls and has graciously offered one of two very lovely decals for one of you! Winner gets to choose between these decals : this sweet fairy with the butterfly! or these flying birds Here is how you enter! Mandatory entry: leave me a comment of which decal you would choose (and include a valid email address where you can be reached if you win). *Edit: there seems to be confusion. Winner gets to choose between the two decals pictured here , not any decal on Cherry Walls* Other entries (only valid after mandatory entry): - Follow The S Club on blog, Facebook , and/or Twitter (one comment per following) - Add Cherry Walls to your favorite stores on Etsy - Tweet this: Do your rooms need some loving after this winter? Enter the @ sclubmama ...

  Happy babies apparently have happy snot/drool marks, too. Happy Wednesday!

My mom actually tipped me off to the Cross Makers and their terrific work of spreading God's message of love. I cannot find words to tell you about them better than their own words so this is from their Etsy site: The Cross Makers of Seward, Nebraska are a group of men and women who give of their time to create these hand crafted wood palm crosses to extend God's richest blessings to you. Each cross is handmade to fit the hand. No two are alike. Each cross measures approximately 3.5" by 4.5" by .75" high (exact sizes in cm are listed for each individual cross). The Cross of Life brings comfort as it is held in the hand helping one to acknowledge the blessings and love of Christ. These crosses have brought comfort to those in the hospital, nursing homes, and in the military. They make a heartfelt gift to those suffering from cancer, heart disease or other affliction. Pregnant mothers hold them during childbirth and later give them to their childre...

I finally got something super cool for my kids! I'm not always the best gift giver when it comes to my children. For Moose's first Christmas and birthday we got him toys that he never played with. I don't know why, but we just aren't that great at picking out toys...at least we weren't. We have gotten better, but I believe I topped us with this Fun Time Driving Time Road Rug from CSN. If you haven't been a follower long, you should know that Cars is a huge movie around here. One of Moose's autism signs was that he lined up cars. He doesn't share cars (or rarely shares cars). Squirt has also picked up on this fascination with these shiny little automobiles. He drives them on his body saying, "beep beep." So I thought getting them this rug would be so fun. However, rugs aren't cheap! You know that cute rug at your local library or preschool - I bet you didn't realize that it was probably more than $20, right? Rugs range from $20 (for a...

I just signed up for this new site called Planet Gear (tag line: the world's best outdoor gear, apparel, and travel destinations at exclusive pricing for members only). I heard about it through Outside PR's Account Director and I decided to check it out. I really don't buy many things online but would if I could find better prices for things. Planet Gear has different sales going on seemingly every day - today it's a Utah Ski Adventure Tour and Mountain Hardware gear; tomorrow it's SIGG reusable bottles. The prices are still a bit out of my price range for some things (like the Utah tour) but there were some apparel that were more in the lower price ranges. Kind of neat site and I thought some of you may want to check it out. If you want to sign up, awesome, if not, that's ok too. If you sign up through me, you get a $10 credit. That's kind of neat. And then if you refer someone who signs up, they get a $10 credit. You can get credits for those people, ...

Gray Matter by David Levy, MD is about a neurosurgeon who decides to pray with his patients. Seems simple enough - prayer, not a big deal, right? Well, not in the medical world. We must remember that doctors are scientists and (often, not always) scientists have a hard time wrapping their heads around the idea of God (let alone putting their trust in Him). We have been blessed with Christian doctors for our sons and myself. Dr. B delivered both of my boys and gave me all of my prenatal, postpartum care, and did all well-baby check-ups, etc for my kids. My most memorable moments in the delivery rooms (after meeting my children) were the prayers said. When Moose was born, things weren't going so smoothly so Dr. B had us stop everything and had Big A pray. We started Squirt's delivery with a prayer. That's exactly what should happen in a delivery room - God is giving you a gift and we should ask for His help and thank Him for the blessing. And even our new doctor, Dr. T, is ...

Alright friends, I was reminded that I needed to post a winner for my foodies contest. The contest was...delicious. I was only unable to make one dish - Sarah's Curried Chicken Divan (because my husband dislikes curry apparently and curry powder is not cheap, especially for one dish). BUT I did get to try all the others and here are the winners! In the side dish category is - Cori 's Corn Casserole - so yummy. I love the corn muffin mix with it. Unfortunately Squirt didn't like it but that kid can sense corn 2 miles away. The winner for the main dish is - Stacey with her salsa chicken. Not only was it yummy but it was SO easy! I also did enjoy her Mexican Tortilla skillet! Stacey and Cori, email me with your choice of cookbook: Starving Student, Casual Entertaining, Just Like Grandma Used to Make, and Taste of Italy (although I will warn you that my children got ahold of that last one and colored in it). randi_lynn137 (at) hotmail.com Thanks so much ladies for play...

Good morning and welcome to the S Club!! I'm Randi (aka the S Club Mama). I had such a hard time choosing a category to link up with for UBP11! The only ones I knew for sure I didn't line up with is a business blog and dad blog. So I sure hope that all of you find some piece of my life that you can connect with and stick around to follow our S Club antics! I wanted to share some random information with you about myself so we can get to know one another. - I just turned 25; many times I'm the youngest of whatever group I'm hanging out with - I have two sons: Moose (3 1/2) and Squirt (1 1/2) - I really enjoy staying home with them; even on hard days, I can't imagine being elsewhere - I've been married to my college sweetheart, Big A , for 4 1/2 years - My favorite Disney movie is The Little Mermaid (love that red hair) - I have 5 hanging calendars in my house - and I still feel unorganized! - I am not a chocoholic BUT will eat it if it's around :S - I...