No Air Conditioning Makes this Pregnant Blogger Brain Dead + Some Cute Chickens

My house has lost it's AC. It's over 85 degrees and even with fans on me in every direction I am hot. There really isn't anything worse than being hot but being hot and pregnant might be the worse thing ever. It has made my brain complete mush and absolutely not an effective blogger. 

So the AC should be back on tomorrow and so should my brain. :)

In the mean time, enjoy this cute picture of my daughter with our friends pet chickens. Well, they are not really pets but they do let you pet them which makes them super cute. 

And makes me really want my own chickens.

Oh and a baby chick!

They are kind of like kittens but these definitely get cuter when they get bigger.

Praise: Ride Along Dolly - Dolly Bicycle Seat & Accessories

It wasn't but a year ago that Lu and I had to ride in the bike trailer because she was too small to peddle anything more than her tricycle. However, this past Christmas Lu was given her first big girl bike and she has been on that bike in 30 degree temperatures ever since. 

Lu has a little basket in the front of her bike that is perfect for a small stuffed animal or baby but is definitely not the right size for her Gracie doll. Trust me, Gracie is a very important part of the family and Lu has tried to stuff her in the little basket on the front of her bike many times without much successes.

Needless to say, when the Ride Along Dolly Bike Seat arrived in our mailbox, Lu wanted it installed immediately. Lucky for her, it is a super easy accessory to add to your bike plus it comes with easy to follow photograph assembly pictures. Just a couple of screws and your favorite doll is ready to ride along with your your little girl.

Now, I will say that Lu's bike is 16 inches and the cross bow does not sit as far back as it would on a larger bike. Because of this, the doll seat is positioned just slightly under her seat and makes the doll seat sit very close. It isn't a big deal at all but Lu does need a bit of help to take Gracie in and out of of the seat. 

Aren't these two just the cutest?

The Ride Along Dolly Bike Seat is comes in pink or purple and includes a whole sheet of decorative stickers so you can decorate it any way you want. You can also purchase additional accessories like handlebar streamers, pin wheels, bike wheel spokes or a bike basket with motion sensor lights. Buy it today on Amazon for $16.95. 

Such a perfect gift for the doll loving little girl in your life.

Find out more about the Ride Along Dolly Bike Seat and Accessories by visiting their Facebook and Pinterest pages. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

 

The Sun Still Shines - Remembering Jenny

May always brings about a variety of difficult emotions for me. Two years ago I wrote a series about the loss of my beautiful Jenny. Last year I wrote this piece and just couldn't bring myself to hit publish. I am hoping that a year of distance from the bitter sweet and unexpected turn in our "story" has allowed for more time and healing.

Nine times out of ten when we speak of "the crash," we talk about Jenny. The loss of her life that fateful night has always (and rightfully) overshadowed the other "minor" losses that occurred. Rarely do we speak of the stolen innocence of the other ones who were in the cars, the other young lives that were forever changed that night.

First, the loss of innocence that a young man experienced by holding his sweetheart while she died helplessly in his arms. The taste of her blood on lips that he had just earlier kissed, slightly sweetened with ice cream and now without breath. The begging, pleading, and desperate cries that were not answered. The memories of being unable to protect her that still spin like a carnival ride of blue and red flashing lights in his head. Stealing the innocence that was rightfully his at age 20.

Thanks Bobby for the picture &
 allowing me to share this little bit about your night

The loss of security that two beautiful young girls, both only 4 years old, experienced as their caregiver's car smashed into the darkness like a run away train. Their bodies thrown around like rag dolls in a washer until they came tumbling out the doors. Broken and damaged in ways that are still unimaginable to this mother's heart. Their childhoods forever altered and impacted by losses they probably still don't know.

Why this? Why Now?

Recently, an article from our college newsletter surfaced. The letter was written by the daughter of the woman who killed our Jenny. It was painful to read about her loss, not only from the crash but also the loss of having her mother in jail. I have always wondered what came of this young girl who's life had oddly intertwined with mine.

She would never remember it, but I had once been the daycare worker in her classroom. Giving her hugs, laying down her nap mat, pushing her swing. I remember when we were told her name, I knew exactly how her blond hair fell against her face. I remember feeling so brokenhearted for her. Now, all these years later, to read her words, her sorrows, her loss has been quite healing.

It is a painfully beautiful thought that this child who was tossed and tumbled in that car, is now walking the same hallowed grounds as we all once did. Lounging on the same grass, smiling and waving to her friends. Maybe she even sits by the same fountains making plans for her future. I hope that she is making life long friends that accept her for who she is and not what her mother did. As a child of an alcoholic, I admire her for standing by her mom, despite my own anger (and hatred) towards the woman who killed our Jenny and permanently stole the parts (and hearts) of so many others lives. 

It can't be easy to forgive and still love because she was in that car too. She was injured and broken. She was just a toddler. She was the same age as my Little Lu is today. She experienced a loss that we will never understand. I believe there is a lesson to be learned in her healing and her pain. So, just as she prays for us, I will pray for her. 

I pray that she would be so fortunate, so unbelievably lucky, to make a friend as amazing and wonderful as Jenny. A friend that shows unconditional love and kindness. A friend that is loved by many and whose smile has the ability to make any moment better. A friend, that even after she has been gone for 17 years, can still makes her heart dance. Only the luckiest people have friend a like Jenny and I was so very very lucky. I pray that she will be just as lucky as us. 

Stole this from my friend Missy today.
It was just the perfect fit.
The Hallowed Grounds of Flagler College

In Memory of Jenny

Never Drink & Drive

Praise: JumpStart's Newest Mobile Game - Pet Rescue

It's no secret that my kids are huge JumpStart fans. Not only do we have an online membership, we also own almost all of their mobile apps. Eph will spend endless hours playing Math Blaster and Jet Pack and Lu loves JumpStart Preschool that helps her practice a variety of skills. All their games have high quality graphics and an easy user interface, perfect for the youngest gamer.

For this review, the kids and I were asked to review JumpStart's newest mobile app, Pet Rescue. Pet Rescue is an educational based game for the 3-6 year old age group. It encompasses over 50 interactive skills including vocabulary and number recognition. 

Eph pretty much does all his "playing" without supervision and even though this game is made for a younger age group, I knew he would have fun "rescuing" the animals.  It didn't take him very long to have a few pets saved and he clearly enjoyed playing the games. He did say that the games were a bit too easy but just like in the online game, he liked being able to choose a character and run around the familiar land of JumpStart. After playing Pet Rescue, he immediately wanted to get online and play the full game. 

When it came time for Lu to "review" the app, we curled up in the lazy boy and "played" together. At 4, she still has a hard time getting started on her own.  The first thing we did was create her "Jumper."  This is her online persona. She had a great time creating her pink haired little mini-me before heading off to one of the 5 lands to rescue animals. We played several of the games and she never seemed to grow bored. She did need some help getting started on most of them but after I showed her what to do, she caught on quiet quickly.  She and I were not as quick to find pet's to rescue. Instead we did a lot more wandering around and checking out all the different features. She has played the game multiple times now and does so with very little assistance.

JumpStart Pet Rescue Mobile App is available for $7.99 on Itunes, Google Play Store and Amazon Kindle.

About the App:

Developed from child education experts: Learning curriculum developed and reviewed by early childhood and preschool education experts!Learn key skills: Over 50 activities teach your child 75 essential skills -- including memory, listening, critical thinking and many others!Adopt a pet: Choose from more than 10 different pets to you play with, care for and feed!Hours of fun: Digital coloring pages, lively music videos and customizable game features provide your child hours of fun!Fun with your Jumpstart friends: Over 10 storybooks featuring the JumpStart friends like Frankie, Hops-a-Lot, and many others!Easy to play: Intuitive controls and audio will help your child succeed at learning and in this adorable adventure.

Safety and security features:

• Does NOT include ads
• Does NOT link to social networks
• Does include links and information relative to other Knowledge Adventure/Jumpstart games

For More information about JumpStart's Pet Rescue or any of their other fantastic games, connect with them on Facebook, Google+, Twitter and YouTube! 

Book Praise & Giveaway: Can't Wait Willow by Christy Ziglar

I know this will be sound a little odd but I grew up listening to Zig Ziglar tapes. My Dad was a huge fan and I can even remember seeing him at the local conference center when I was in my early teens. Although I couldn't begin to tell you the topic I remember being completely enthralled with his motivational speaking. 

When I got the email offering the chance to review a new book from his daughter, I was thrilled. Then when I saw the title "Can't Wait Willow," I couldn't believe my luck because I have two precious children that could easily be the title of this book. My guess is that most of you reading this review probably have your own names that you can insert. 

Can't Wait Willow is an absolutely adorable book about a little girl who just has to have what she wants when she wants it. Unfortunately, she just couldn't wait long enough to get the one thing she wanted most. Fortunately for Willow, everyone deserves a second chance and when given opportunity she finally makes her way to the circus.

I have read this with both of my kids separately. Eph read it himself and then later to me. It was interesting because he was able connect a situation last January when he had the opportunity to return a birthday present to get what he really wanted or open the box. He just couldn't wait and he chose to open the toy even though in the end he was disappointed. After reading the book, he brought that story up to me. Something clicked and he realized that sometimes it is better to say no and be patient.

At four, Lu is always having a hard time making good choices. In an age when everything happens immediately, teaching delayed gratification can be so difficult. One of the really great things about this book is that it has these little stars that are "happy" or "sad" depending on the choice Willow was making. This little "marker" really helped me to point out how buying an ice cream (which is definitely inherently good) can actually turn out to be a bad thing. Lu really liked the book and we have been able to talk about our "happy" and "sad" stars when making decisions the past couple of weeks. 

About the book:

The first book in the series:  Can't-Wait Willow!Willow is so excited that the Over-the-Top Circus has finally come to town! The only problem is, that when left to her own devices, she can’t say “no” to some good things. On the way to the show, she is distracted by enticing treats and fun that she just can’t turn down. Willow arrives late and is sad to find that, not only has she has run out of time, but money, and she won’t be able to enjoy the pink cotton candy she’s been dreaming of. Willow is given valuable advice and a second chance and is ultimately taught the lesson that sometimes in life you have to say “no” to good things to end up with something great!

About the Author:

Christy Ziglar, financial planner, mother of twins and niece of legendary motivator and the world’s original optimist, Zig Ziglar, is bringing the same timeless wisdom and ageless advice to an entirely new, younger audience through her new Shine Bright Kids picture book series.

About the Illustrator:

Thanks to her first grade teacher, who recognized her superior skills in drawing a robin, Luanne Marten has been drawing, painting and sketching ever since.  She is a great experimenter and has a fresh, whimsical approach to bring her characters to life.

You can find out more about Shine Bright Kids and Christy Ziglar's new book, Can't Wait Willow on their website. Lots of great resources for parents, teachers and kids. Plus you can find out when the next book is coming out by following them on Facebook.

Win It Here!

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Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month - Never Heard of NF?

Today I am bringing you a guest post from our dear friends. She will tell you a bit about her son and about their fight with NF. This little guy has had an important part in our lives over the past 8 years. I think his story deserves being told. Share away and pray for a cure!

May is Neurofibromatosis (NF) Awareness Month. NF encompasses a set of distinct genetic disorders that cause tumors to grow along various types of nerves and, in addition, can affect the development of non-nervous tissues such as bones and skin. NF causes tumors to grow anywhere on or in the body. (Click here for some general NF facts & Statistics)

Our son Kohta (age 8) was diagnosed literally on his second birthday when a plexiform tumor came out on his butt cheek. That is when his pediatrician started putting it all together. His abnormally large head, his large café a lait marks, a fibroma on his chest, and the list went on.

We were given this diagnosis, written on a prescription pad and told we needed to see a Geneticist. Who? What? When? Where? WHY? We had never heard of this Neurofibromatosis thing. They must be wrong. It can’t be happening to our child. It was the true denial of any unknown diagnosis.

We struggled in the beginning. We went to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for two years until we found out that an NF Clinic was started at Cincinnati Children’s.  We knew immediately our journey needed to be there for answers to all of these questions that remained unclear. Our questions were answered and a fabulous group of NF Specialized doctors gave us reassurance when we wondered what is next for our son.

Kohta has multiple medical issues. He has tumors all over his body, at this point they are all internal tumors. The external tumors usually start showing their head at puberty, of which NF kids start early. He had optic gliomas (eye tumors) which after 6 years are now resolved! This is rarely heard of in the NF world we are told so we will count our blessings! His latest diagnosis is Mild Scoliosis which means more visits to the Geneticist and scoliosis xrays at least every six months. Kohta also has Celiac disease and follows a Gluten Free diet (another genetic condition that shares awareness month in May)

Public school was a challenge at first.  I am my son’s best advocate so I made sure everyone knew I was involved. Kindergarten was a disaster where I finally asked the district special needs department what is our next step.  They placed Kohta in a different school which has been the most uplifting experience we could have asked for with his schooling. He has an IEP with multiple areas of needs (which is common for kids with NF who typically have learning disabilities) but he has been fortunate with a staff who wants to make sure he succeeds. He was even named Student of the Month for the second time!

In April, we attended the NF Forum in Nashville, TN. This was a grand adventure as it allowed us to meet families face to face, dealing with our same issues. It also allowed me to meet many moms who I “talk” to on Facebook and give them a hug like no one could imagine.

This brings us to May and NF Awareness Month. Kohta is the Featured NF Hero on the Children’s Tumor Foundation website. He has wanted this for a long time then to be chosen during May was his wildest dream! 

I have always said “God doesn’t give me more than I can handle”. I am a true believer of that statement. Kohta was chosen as our gift from God and we will fight for him until the end. We always count our blessings, there are so many other families that have greater needs than our own at this point.

Thanks to Melanie for allowing me to be her guest blogger.  The Somnitz family has been with us through most of this journey as our families connected many years ago at the YMCA.  Kohta and Eph have been friends since the beginning.  She knows that this is a true passion of mine and my goal to help find a cure!

Find out more about the Children's Tumor Foundation and how you can help by visiting their website or Facebook page! 

Cloth for a Cause: Build Your Stash Bash Giveaway

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I really wanted to reduce our impact on the enviroment and the amount of toxins that she was exposed to. I spent hours researching cloth diaper options and realized that this really was the best choice for our family. However, cloth diapering can be very expensive and many people feel that they cannot afford to start. However, diapers, cloth or disposable are very expensive and not usually covered by government programs.

One in three families in the United States and Canada who have to choose between buying disposable diapers and buying food or paying rent. Regardless of why these families choose cloth, the start up costs can often be intimidating. For that 33%, the start up costs can be crippling and seemingly insurmountable. That's where Cloth for a Cause, Cloth Diaper Addicts, Viva Veltoro, and Leettle Baby... and the Build Your Stash Bash comes into play.

Cloth for a Cause is a brand new Canadian charity. We've been operating since 2011 with a simple mission: to help those 33% get their babies in diapers. In the year and a half that we've been open, Cloth for a Cause has expanded from one little chapter here in Prince George to fourteen stretching across Canada. We've helped nearly 150 families get their babies in cloth. Last month, Cloth for a Cause became a legal charity. Not only does that mean that our ability to help struggling families has grown, it also means that our need for assistance has grown! You can help by donating to Cloth for a Cause through our PayPal account or by sending a cloth diaper donation to one of our chapters. (If you live in Canada and are making a donation of $20 or greater, we can issue a tax receipt!) If you're near one of our local chapters, you can donate material goods and cash directly to the chapter. If you're not and you'd like to donate some diapers, our Nova Scotia chapter has a large need for services! Now for the Grow Your Stash part of the Grow Your Stash Bash!



Several wonderful companies have teamed up to put together to help us put together two awesome packages to Grow Your Stash!

Package #1 is open to Canada and the US:
One Best Bottom Shell and two medium inserts from Nicki's Diapers
One Glow Bug Spectrum Package (six diapers, eight inserts, and a wetbag)
One newborn diaper by Diapers by Chris
One pocket diaper and insert from Hunny Bunny Baby Wear
One fabulous bag of Rockin Green detergent!
One AppleCheeks swim diaper!

Package #2 is open to Canada only:
A Thirsties Package (Thirstiest Prefold, a Thirsties Stay Dry insert, a Thirsties Duo Cover, and a Snappi pack) and a Rockin Green sample pack, all nicely bundled in a Cozy Bums shopping bag.
A fifty dollar gift certificate to Lagoon Baby
One Glow Bug Spectrum Package (six diapers, eight inserts, and a wetbag)
One pocket diaper and insert from Hunny Bunny Baby Wear
One fabulous bag of Rockin Green detergent!
One AppleCheeks swim diaper!
One diaper and wetbag from EcoWays!

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Disclaimer: I am a paid participant in this event. I am not responsible for any prize fullfillment on behalf of the sponsors or hosts. This blog is not affiliated with Facebook, Twitter or any other social media group.