Google+ Should We, Should You?

Okay . . . I'll admit it. I was not excited about Google+.  I don't like change and I don't like adding new things to my plate.  I already love Facebook and am starting to use Twitter more and more.  I think my plate is kinda full when it comes to social media (especially if you add this blog into the mix)!

However, I am willing to change if it is going to make my life easier and benefit me in some way.  I'm willing to give it a try.  I'm willing to look into what the fuss is all about with Google+.  Plus, I hate being left out - so if Google+ is going to take off then I want to be on-board.

I will say this . . . Google+ is not Facebook.  EVERYBODY is on Facebook and EVERYBODY uses Facebook.  I'm having a hard time really digging in to Google+ because I can't find people who I can regularly connect to on it and that means that there is very little content for me to dive into.  So . . . I found this:

The Unofficial Google+'s Recommended Users

I figured that it would be a place to start to get some people into my circles and get some content brewing.  Plus, I decided to scour the blogs I usually follow and add them on Google+, too!  If I missed you . . . let me know in the comments!  I'd love to follow you, too!

Here's a video I found pretty useful for some basic info about Google+




I also found this Squiddo Guide on Google+ pretty easy to understand and follow.  I tend to need my information laid out very visually for it to keep my attention (I think it's from too much multitasking . . . it's hard for me to read something if it isn't broken up in to nice, little, easy to read chunks), this guide was good for that.

One of the coolest features I found on Google+ is the Hangout feature -




I would love to actually give it a try (other than just my husband and I talking to each other from one room to the other).  I think it could have great possibilities!

I haven't heard a lot of positive things about Google+ in the groups I am in...however, I think that it is probably worth getting to know.  It doesn't have a newsfeed (like Facebook) but it does have a stream where you can see what your "circles" are posting.  It also doesn't have a message featured but it does have a way to post messages ONLY on the stream of the person you want to write to.  I think the biggest reason for a blogger to start using Google+ has to be that it will give you more rank to be listed on web searches.  (check out the info on the +1 button . . . )

All in all I would say that I'm going to take the time to get to know Google+ because I do like a lot of the features but I'm not going to give up Facebook or Twitter just yet.  I think it's worth the effort but am not sold on the fact that it is going to take over the Social Media Universe.

I would LOVE to hear your thoughts as I dive further into Google+ and learn the ins and outs.  Have you found it's worth it?  Do you like it more or less than other social media sites? What do you (or don't you) like about it?

Thanks so much for reading and giving me some feedback!

Don't forget - today is the LAST day to enter the Pampered Chef Giveaway!!  The winner will be drawn tomorrow morning and announced on Monday!

The BEST day EVER (this week) Week #5

Will our Linky work this week? That is the one million dollar question, ladies and gents! We are telling ourselves that the reason this carnival hasn't blown up just yet is because we had technical difficulties two weeks in a row. Thankfully, Janene is back this week! YAY--Christine can take her "tech hat" off!

If you are looking for a spot to link up your best post of the week:You found the place!  Welcome to The BEST day EVER (this week): A carnival brought to you by the gals behind More Than Mommies.  So anything is fair game for the link up--as long as it's your best of the week!

Link up with us and Tell a Friend to do the same. We can't wait see what everyone has been up to this week.  Please remember to grab our button for your post or sidebar so blog hoppers will know where you've been and where to go next. This is a low key hop, but the more links, the more fun! Janene and I will follow everyone who links up and we ask that you leave some comment love for the blog in front of you and behind. If you have time to visit more--by all means do it!  Please link to a specific post!

<a href="http://www.morethanmommies.net" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/MoreThanMommies/BestDayEVER-1.jpg" alt="More Than Mommies" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Someday J-bug (and the rest of my girls) may be embarrassed by me. They will prefer that I stay out of their business and give them their space...thankfully that day did not happen this week.  And it was by far the BEST day EVER this week...and probably the best day of the month!

I was chosen to be one of the chaperones for the 2nd grade field trip to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. And this Tuesday I headed to school to meet my daughter in her classroom and take the bus to the city. The minute I walked in the door she had the biggest smile on her face. Her eyes lit up and she ran over to hug me. She immediately asked if she could sit with me on the bus, but when another little girl came over and asked to sit with her I said "You know what? You should go ahead and sit with your friends," thinking that I didn't want to cramp her style. You know what she said to me? Not, thank goodness, mom, I was only asking you to sit with me out of obligation.  She said, "Maybe we can sit three to a seat!"

I didn't end up riding with her on the way down. She made her way towards the back of the bus with her friend and I chose a middle of the bus seat by myself until a chaperone from another class needed a seat and we made small talk during the hour long trip to the city.

The entire day was amazing. I was in charge of keeping track of six kids and they were all really well behaved kids.  J-bug held my hand as we walked through the museum and we explored and learned together.  She and her classmates "dug for dinosaur bones" in a stone quarry--that was her favorite part of the trip. And we learned about dinosaurs from a knowledgeable docent (did you know birds are direct descendants of dinosaurs? Many have a wish bone just like birds do...they also have holes in their skulls like birds do!)--Learning about the dinosaurs on the guided tour was my favorite part. We had lunch together and made multiple bathroom trips (I can't believe how often these kids had to go! How does the teacher ever get anything done?)

My Little Paleontologist

My Charges and a Dino Friend

Finally it was time to head home, and again my daughter asked if I would sit with her. This time I said yes and we sat three to a seat--She and I and her friend.  I thought it was going to be a rough trip home. The kids were wound up and the teacher had to break up some "trouble makers" who tried to squeeze three to a seat right next to us. Everyone was rowdy. I had to confiscate a sock (?!) from the boy in front of us because he was tossing it around and playing tug-o-war with it across the aisle.  Finally, I'm not sure how it started, but we settled in for a game of "I'm Thinking of an Animal." At first it was just me and the girls and one little boy sitting diagonal to us and eventually more and more kids who were sitting near by began to join in. We played and laughed through the last half of the trip and I genuinely had a great time with them! I felt young and fun and carefree. It was one of those living-in-the-present-moment moments.

As soon as J-bug got home from school she gave me a huge hug and told me I was a fun mom. I felt really close to her and I am so happy that she and I got to spend a little one-on-one time like that. I feel really lucky that I was able to experience her first field trip at the new school and without a doubt it was my BEST day this week!

________________________________________________________________________

It's tough for me to pick a best day this week because the whole week was overshadowed by the death of my grandfather, viewings at the funeral home and his funeral.   Oddly enough, I would have to say that the day of his funeral was the best day this week because I felt a little bit of closure and relief that I would be able to mourn on my own now instead of in front of so many others who came to support us.  I'm too private to really let myself get too emotional unless it is only very close family.  The day of his funeral, though, I also found myself enjoying my children more that day after it was all said and done.

Nate and Aunt Anita (my Aunt) showing a #2 for the second tooth he lost!

Danika on the day of the funeral playing outside

David on the day of the funeral playing outside

Dean on the day of the funeral . . . this was snapped right after he pressed the button on the bubble gun aimed at his face.  It was precious.

I know that one of the reasons I paid a little more attention to my children that day was because I was thinking about how many people are here on earth because my grandfather was here on earth.  Let's face it . . . without him my dad wouldn't be here and without my dad, no me!  If I weren't here, then my children wouldn't be here either!!!  It was one of those moments when you really realize the meaning of life and how we are put on earth to create things that will last.  My grandfather's bloodline will go on.  My children will have children and their children will have children and it will all be because my grandfather (and my lovely, beautiful, caring, wonderful grandmother) decided to have children.

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Link up below!  We would LOVE to hear about your BEST Day EVER
(. . . this week)!

We promise to visit (and follow) every one who links up - so keep us busy!  We can't wait to meet you!

Letters To My Younger Self: The Gift of The Present Moment

 It is time once again for the bi-monthly feature: Letters to My Younger Self. If you'd like to catch up on this series you may read more Letters to My Younger Self HERE , HERE, and HERE. What would you tell your younger self? Let us know in the comments section!

Dear Young Christine,

If there is one lesson in this lifetime that I really wish you would have learned sooner it is to live in the present moment as much as possible. Learning to reside in the present moment will bring you the greatest peace in your life.

Some of your earliest childhood memories involve a longing to grow up. I remember you at eight years old when you would sit in the station wagon with your sisters and brother and say When I am sixteen, you will be 14 and you will be 12 and you will be 10 and you will be 8! and When I am 30, you will 28...and so on.  And you would think wow, I can't wait! When you are a kid you wanted to be teen and as a teen you wanted to be an adult and as you moved into young adult hood you couldn't wait to get married and then you couldn't wait to have kids and so on. Always a focus on the future and what comes next.  And because you are an optimist you have always looked forward with hopefulness.

You've also spent a lot of time living in the past. Not looking back with many regrets, but rather reliving old memories in your head. Sometimes reminiscing with your family about "the good old days." Laughing until you cry over silly stories: Like the time your dad was on night shift and a bat got into the house and terrorized the family at bedtime and mom and five kids all squeezed into your teeny tiny bathroom planning your next move. Or the time your sister convinced everyone that she had caught a baby bunny under a garbage can lid and you all ran to the backyard with such anticipation that God had  finally delivered on your endless prayers for a pet, only to find that it was all a big ruse. Or countless other funny memories. And because you are an optimist you have always looked back with a tender heart, thankfulness, and a smile.

But it is in the present moments that you have found the greatest joy, lived the fullest life, experienced the most calm and peace of your life. It is in the present moment where you are now, breathing and being that you feel closest to God. It becomes difficult to live in the present moment when you are constantly thinking about what you must do next, what we will have for dinner, what everyone will wear, what bills need to be paid, when you might be sitting on the beach next.  And it is hard to live in the present when you are focused on what you could have done or should have said or how you may have been wronged. There is a time for planning and dreaming and looking back, but there is a time for being and living as well.

The most substantial block of time spent in the present for you will be the births of your children.  Those are times when you will be laser focused on your breath, on the way your body feels, on the task of laboring.  All five senses will be engaged in the present: The cool taste of ice on your tongue, The feel of your hand on your contracting stomach, the sight of your baby being placed upon your chest, The smell of blood and sweat and tears of joy, The sound of her cries.  There are no distractions in those very first seconds of motherhood. It is just you and the most perfect thing you have done in your life to date.  You will have moments of presence in every day from here on out.  When you aren't thinking (which is hard for a thinker to do) but rather you are being. And because you are an optimist you will find contentment and feel alive in the present moment.

My advice to you this week, young girl, is don't wish your life away. Don't let your past keep you from moving forward. The Great I Am is here in the present moment--take time to meet God there.

Love,

What is one thing you would tell your younger self today if you could?

This post is linked at: Live and Love Outloud

Funerals with Children

So ~ I know that Christine mentioned that I was taking a little time off from blogging.  The reason was because my grandfather passed away on Friday.  I appreciate all of the prayers and thoughts that everyone sent my way.  Even knowing that people would take the minute or so out of their day to type a quick "Thinking of You" helped a lot.  I smiled every time I saw one and got a little choked up a few times, too.

Death sucks.  There really isn't any nice way to put it if you are being real.  Of course, when people are suffering and are sick for an extended period of time we hear people say, "It is a blessing that they aren't suffering anymore".  I guess . . . but it still sucks.  When people pass away unexpectedly, we hear people say, "At least they didn't suffer" or "At least they weren't sick for a long time".  Okay . . . but it still sucks.  When there is an accident or something terrible happens that makes no sense at all then we hear people say, "It doesn't make sense but God must have needed another angel" or something along those lines.  Of course, in those circumstances we also hear people utter the truth now and then, too . . . "I'm so sorry . . . there is nothing else to say.  It sucks."

Okay - I typed the word suck entirely too much for my liking in that last paragraph but it is true that death is very difficult on the living.  It brings about a lot of emotions.  At my grandfather's funeral today, I couldn't help but think about my father passing someday.  It isn't going to happen any time soon (he promised) but it is going to happen eventually.  I also thought about things I did with my grandfather when I was younger.  I thought about his laugh and how I would never hear it again.  I thought about his smile, how he always smelled like cigar smoke and how much he loved my children.  I thought about holidays without his stories and what his signature looked like on every birthday card I've ever received.

A lot of times, though, these thoughts were interrupted by a little hand grabbing mine or a little girl winding herself up in my sweater, refusing to be ignored.  You see, we decided that our 6 and 5 year old children were old enough to go to the viewing last night and the funeral today...I'd like to share with you a little bit about why I would (and wouldn't) make the same choice again.

Why I would leave them at home:

- My daughter, Danika, thought the funeral was more like a party.  Innocent, I know, but she didn't understand that it wasn't appropriate to run around and laugh or be excited.  She actually had FUN at the funeral...I was kind of embarrassed about it but also knew it wasn't her fault and that it came from her not fully grasping what was going on.

-My son, Nate, was the opposite.  He was afraid of my grandfather's body because it wasn't moving but he recognized him.  He didn't go anywhere near the casket until most of the other mourners had left and it was just me, my parents and close relatives (aunts and uncles).  Then, he went up with my dad and did a great job.

- They were both a distraction.  Nate was a lot calmer but I was worried about him.  He didn't look like himself most of the time because he was being so shy and reserved.  He looked scared and it distracted me because I wanted him to talk to me if he needed to talk...I wanted to know that he was okay.  Danika was a distraction because she never stopped asking questions.  That's not 100% true . . . when she wasn't asking questions she was getting glasses of water from the water fountain, running to the potty, grabbing some Kleenex, complaining that she was hungry, trying to run across the room to her grandparents or making some kind of unidentifiable noise that just annoyed the crap out of me.  She was the biggest distraction in the room.

Why I would take them again:

- They had already lost 2 great grandparents since they were born and ask about them every once in a while.  I think taking them today helped them to understand a little better where their great grandmothers have gone and what it means when we say someone has died.

- They got to see a lot of people that they normally don't see.  There are cousins, distant relatives, etc. that you really do only see at weddings and funerals.  I was glad that my kids got to meet some of them over the last 2 days.  Although, I do wish it would have been a wedding instead!  It was nice for them to see how many people loved their Dadone and how he touched a lot of different people's lives.

- They didn't mind being squeezed a little.  This is a totally selfish reason...as much as I complained about them being a distraction, they didn't mind one bit when I needed a hug or a hand to hold.  They were there for me, snuggled up close, to make me smile and remember that life does go on.

- They helped others in the grieving process, too.  In all honesty, I know that seeing my children there helped a few of the people who were closest to my grandfather remember the things that he loved (like my kids) and they remembered good times with him because they remembered how happy he was when he was around them.  His widow even remarked, "He really loved those kids" to everyone who saw them.  It was good for us all to have them there.

So - if I had it to do over again, I would probably take my children to the funeral of my grandfather.  I think the positive outweighs the negative and I am happy that they are now part of my memories of the day I said goodbye to a man who has loved me my whole life.

Sorry for the "deep" post today . . . it's out of my system now and it will be business as usual from here on out!  (Whatever "usual" is!  hehehe)

Take a break from the gloom and head on over to THIS POST - to enter our Pampered Chef Giveaway . . . come on, I know I could use a brownie about now!!!

This post is linked at: Pour Your Heart Out with Things I Can't Say

March Book Club: The Front Porch Prophet

I'm not sure why, but I'm a little nervous to get started with this book club series.  Most likely, because it is the first one and I have a little nagging confession to make: I didn't get to finish the book! Gasp! How can we have a book club here at More Than Mommies when the facilitator hasn't even read the book!?  This is real life though. Things come up--like putting away the technology to spend time with hubs and children, planning and writing blog posts, catching up with the DVR, figuring out how to grow this blog, and trying to fit in a workout between changing out the season's clothes for four kids and grocery shopping and laundry--this list is not exhaustive. I know I'm preaching to the choir; We all have busy lives. So kudos to you if you managed to finish our book this month. I promise I won't leave you hanging as I did attend my real book club last and was able to join in the discussion with 12 other wonderful ladies and the majority did finish the book! (3 or 4 did not--so I was in good company)

Here is what we thought about The Front Porch Prophet, by Raymond L Atkins:

The majority of our 13 'real life' book clubbers gave the book a thumbs up, calling it an enjoyable book to pass time with. A few of the ladies commented on some laugh out loud moments in the book. At least one person commented on the fact that the novel was very character driven as opposed to plot driven--which is a nice change of pace from some of the books that we have read recently.

The characters in Atkins novel are quirky, yet believable. Despite the fact that we flash back in this book to see many of the characters at different times in their lives, our book clubbers noted that the characters that Atkins gives us are constant. We can predict how one or the other will behave in varying circumstances. For example,  A.J., a salt-of-the-earth-level-headed-sort-of- man behaves as such throughout the book even under some fairly extreme circumstances and we see him as a boy, teen, young adult and adult. The same can be said of Eugene--he is a bit of a loose cannon throughout.  It was actually refreshing to see such constant characters when we are used to our protagonists going through some type of cathartic experience and changing themselves in some way.  The  author portrayed the characters as they are and shows us that people don't really change who they are fundamentally (I always say I'm the same person I was when I was in kindergarten--I still think and feel in the same ways that I did back then. Sure I've matured and have experiences that have shaped me...but my personality traits and quirks are still the same as they were.)

After reading a little about the author we all agreed that this is a case of a writer writing what he knows. We all felt that he nailed the small town, everyone knows everyone, southern setting.  It was easy to envision Eugene's "mountain" and the "Jesus Died for The Southern Fried Chicken Plate Drive In" restaurant. The novel has a bit of a timeless quality, there is no reference to technology, historical events, or pop culture that allow us to get a bead on the timing besides one small reference to one of the characters being a "hippie" at one point in his life.  We set the novel in the 80's and/or 90's -- but I don't think we all were in agreement on that.

Many of us felt that the author spun a good yarn and when we spoke of themes in the book we briefly discussed: Family, Small Towns, Friendships and the relationships among them.

I posed a question with regard to the novel's title:  I am curious to know who our book clubbers think is "The Front Porch Prophet"? Some of our book clubbers say Eugene and others made a case for A.J. What do you think?  What makes it a fitting title for the book? 

Did you enjoy the novel? Didn't finish? Didn't start? Would you consider picking up the book? Recommending it to a friend?  Are you ready to dive into next month's selection?

Our book club is for anyone and everyone--just jump in with us if you like to read, talk about books, and enjoy the friendship we have come to find from a good book club!

Join us in April as we read: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson.

The first link will take you  to the e-book for your e-reader. The second link will direct you to the physical copy. You may purchase the book directly through our associate link if you want to get started with us today!

And as always we welcome your thoughts and ideas--on the book we just read, on book club in general, on reading--Get the conversation started in the comments!

Happy Reading!

{Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for considering a purchase through our Amazon Associates}

Pampered Chef Giveaway

I'm sure that you have all heard of Pampered Chef before and most of you have probably tried one or more of their more popular products, like their Stoneware or the Apple - Peeler/Corer/Slicer. Well, we have treat for you!  Our friend, Erin, has agreed to sponsor a giveaway here at More Than Mommies and we've picked out the perfect duo to get you ready for a sweet spring!

 The first item is the Brownie Pan.  It retails for $19.00.  Here's the description found in The Pampered Chef catalog:

Perfect for “corner-piece” lovers! Make individual brownies, cornbread, mini appetizer pizzas and more. Aluminized steel ensures excellent heat distribution. You can keep a secure grip on the extended edges, then count on easy release and quick cleanup thanks to the nonstick coating. 12 individual ¼-cup wells, 2 ½" x 2½" x 1" each.

 The second item to go along with the Brownie Pan is the Ice Cream Scoop!  Serisoulsy, what is a Brownie without a scoop of Ice Cream?

This scoop is dishwasher safe and retails for $9.00.  Here's the description found in the catalog for it:

Get every bit of the good stuff! The pointed head cuts through hard ice cream and scoops down to the bottom of the carton. Scalloped edges scrape the sides and top. Handle protects your hand from the cold metal. 7½". Dishwasher-safe. 

We are also adding this cookbook:

It has 24 great recipes for Spring and Summer!

Interested?  Want to win?  I know I would!

Contest will run from Monday, March 26th - Saturday, March 31st - winner will be announced on the blog Monday, April 2nd.  We will also contact the winnier via email.  Make sure we are able to find your email address in your entries.  

Here's what you need to do to enter:

 - Comment on this post (that's mandatory) you can tell us your favorite Pampered Chef product or you favorite summer treat!

- Visit Erin's Pampered Blogger site and leave her a comment letting her know we sent you!  

Additional entries can be earned by:

- Following More Than Mommies RSS or GFC
- Liking More Than Mommies Facebook Page
- Following More Than Mommies on Twitter
- Following More Than Mommies on Google+

-Tweeting about our Giveaway
-Writing a Blog Post about our Giveaway
-Sharing our Giveaway on Facebook

-Following The Pampered Blogger
-Following Erin's Craft Ideas
-Ordering from Erin's Pampered Chef Page
-Booking a party through Erin (she can do online parties for anyone, anywhere!)

Here are some incentives for hosting a party of your own!

~FREE PRODUCTS when you host, upwards of $300.  Your very own kitchen shopping spree!
~Receive half priced and discounted items of your choice
~Free shipping for all hosts
~10% off for an entire year on every order that's placed
~Take advantage of Host Specials (change monthly), not only at your show, but the first person's show that books from you!

That's it!  Here's the Rafflecopter linky to make it easy as pie for you!

The Sunday Sip: Fill Your Cup with Delilah at Confessions of a Semi-Domesticated Mama

Welcome back to The Sunday Sip -- This is the second edition of our new Sunday series designed to allow you  (and us) a chance to take a break from the busy-ness of our daily routines and fill up our cup so we are ready to give our all in the coming week. Christine and I are so happy that you could join us!  

As mothers, Sunday really isn't a day of rest.  If we are lucky, it is as crazy as any other day . . . but a lot of the time we find that it is a little busier and the lack of a schedule or routine for Sunday can cause added stress.  We love having our hubby home but hate that we can't just relax with him.  We love that we are all together but hate that what we WANT to do on a Sunday isn't what we NEED to do on a Sunday (which is be responsible adults - when did this happen???).

This week we are sharing our first cup of the morning and a little "ME" time with Delilah at Confessions of a Semi-Domesticated Mom

Read what we're talking about this morning and then head over to read some of her posts . . . she is freakin' HYSTERICAL!

Alright, Delilah, what's in that cup?

I'm drinking some yummy Dunkin' Donuts coffee with a generous splash of International Delight's Cold Stone Sweet Cream Coffee Creamer. Yummm!

We've been lucky enough to explore your blog a bit and learn a little about you.  Tell our readers a little about yourself.

I'm Delilah, better known as The Semi-Domesticated Mama. I hold the position of Domestic Engineer and CEO of the Semi-Domesticated Household. It's a full time job plus some and the benefits are questionable at times. Fortunately I get a lot of hugs, kisses and snuggles to make up for the late hours, the deplorable work conditions and the excess of bodily fluids that I have to deal with daily. I blog daily at Confessions of a Semi-Domesticated Mama about my life as a stay home mom to 5 kids and a psychotic dog. I'm part Supermom, part Warden and all kinds of Snarky.

Semi-Domesticated?  What's that all about? 

I seem to be surrounded by the "perfect" moms, the ones who make organic meals from scratch and always know the whereabout of all their offspring. They look down their long, pointy noses at the rest of us just because we happen to have a half naked toddler running loose in the front yard, or we accidentally flash the mailman or heaven forbid, we buy our bake sale cookies at the grocery store. I started my blog for the other moms, the ones who do the best we can every single day and count down the hours until we can crack open that bottle of wine without feeling like a total lush. Hey, it's always 5 o'clock somewhere right?

 

We haven't been reading your blog long but totally love everything we are reading!  What is one post you don't want us to miss?

 

Revealing the Girl Behind the PPD Mask because it's probably the most raw and real post I have ever written on my blog. I took a huge risk, almost deleted it several times and finally hit publish while holding my breath. I published it because there is a stigma attached to PPD and it's not fair. I can't even count the number of times someone I know only in passing has made a comment about PPD when they find out what I went through. I've heard everything from "so did you try to kill your baby?" to "you should just be grateful that you have a baby and quit being so dramatic." I wrote the post for every other mother out there who went through something similar and was made to feel ashamed or ungrateful.

We love that your blog is a place where real mothers can go to feel less alone - it seems like the perfect place for us to read what it is like for REAL people.  We also love that  it is a place where you are share things you encounter on a daily basis and things that you just like (we LOVE Pinterest and love seeing that you do, too!) Was it your goal to be viewed that way at the start of your blog and where do you see your blog going and growing to in the future?

In the very beginning I blogged about my experiences in social work and foster care. Eventually the blog morphed into more of a mommy blog where I shared snippets of our lives. I think I have finally found my niche (if you can call it that) in the blogosphere. My niche is not having a true niche. I blog about everything from the hilarity of motherhood to repairing my marriage after infidelity. I share about my PPD journey as well as recipes from my weekly menu. I'm kind of all over the place but that's me and I like that the true essence of who I am is reflected in everything I write.

Final question and then we will let you get on with your Sunday morning, what makes you "More than a Mommy" ? Something that is totally you!

I am addicted to tv- the trashier the better. 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom, Teen Mom 2....oh how I love these shows. It's a guilty pleasure- everytime I watch one, another brain cell dies. I also love to read- everything from chick lit to suspense to mainstream fiction. I can read a whole book in one evening if it captures my attention.

You should totally check out our Book Club!!!

Thanks so much, Delilah, it was great getting to know you a little better and you definitely have some life long readers here!  I love that your sense of humor shines through in each post and you aren't afraid to be yourself.  You are an inspiration and a blessing to those of us who feel like you and need to know we aren't alone!

Head on over to Confessions of a Semi-Domesticated Mom and tell Delilah that More Than Mommies sent you!  I guarentee that you will love her and her blog - follower her, subscribe and leave her a comment!  She really is awesome.  

We know you won't want to miss any of the great bloggers that we plan to introduce you to in the coming Sundays so subscribe to our RSS Feed, follow us on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest and tell a few friends who are More Than Mommies!

If you have a blog and would like to be featured on an upcoming post in The Sunday Sip just send us an e-mail and so we don't loose it in our inbox please use "The Sunday Sip" in your subject line! No blog is too big or too small and we would love to meet you! 

And finally: Let us know what you think of The Sunday Sip in the comments: Do you have a question you'd like to ask? A suggestion for us? Or if you just want to say "HI"! We get a little high every time a new comment pops up!  

A Rainy Saturday--Not What We Had Planned

It's raining around here. I am not unhappy with that so long as it doesn't rival the streak of sunshine we just had these last couple of weeks around here. I am actually welcoming the rain today. Now I won't feel bad spending hours upon hours changing out winter clothes for spring and summer--one of my most hated jobs that I couldn't bring myself to do when the sun was shining brightly.

So bring on the rain and bring on five Rubbermaid containers filled with clothes that may or may not fit someone in this house!  Maybe I'll even be motivated to do some other spring cleaning too.

The reason that I wrote in the the title "Not What We Had Planned" is that the rain did kind of catch me off guard--I rarely have time to tune into the news or weather AND we had something else on the agenda for the blog today. Originally, we were going to kick off another great giveaway--and we still are going to have a great giveaway coming up, but I wanted to wait until Janene could be back to announce it. You may have seen that Janene took a break from The BEST day EVER (this week) to be with her family. You may have also noticed when trying to link up that our linky wasn't working. Sigh. I'm the less techy member of this blogging duo.  I apologize for that,  and I hope you will join with me in sending lots of love and support to Janene and her family, who suffered the loss of her Grandfather yesterday. :(

Rest assured we have something wonderful planned for tomorrow's The Sunday Sip. We have another wonderful blogger to introduce you to. Stop by tomorrow to see who it is! :) If you would like to be featured on The Sunday Sip send us an e-mail. We are looking for bloggers who are "More Than Mommies" who want to share their blog with our readers! We've had a good response so far but there is still some room for a few more bloggers--so get in touch with us if you'd like to introduce yourself via this great new feature!

Well, I'm off to get lost in a pile of clothing--Lead FREE, I hope (I will be checking those tags today!)

The BEST day EVER (this week) #4: Join Us!

Looking for a spot to link up your best post of the week? You found the place!  Welcome to The BEST day EVER (this week): A carnival brought to you by the gals behind More Than Mommies.  So what will you link? The best dinner recipe you made this week? The best thing you pinned to Pinterest this week? The best picture you took? The best poem you wrote? Your craftiest project? The funniest story you told?

If it's the best of the week,  then link up with us and Tell a Friend.  Please remember to grab our button for your post or sidebar so blog hoppers will know where you've been and where to go next. This is a low key hop, but the more links, the more fun! Janene and I will follow everyone who links up and we ask that you leave some comment love for the blog in front of you and behind. If you have time to visit more--by all means do it!  Please link to a specific post!

<a href="http://www.morethanmommies.net" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/MoreThanMommies/BestDayEVER-1.jpg" alt="More Than Mommies" width="125" height="125" /></a>

My yard is in full bloom right now. I can hardly believe how it went from drab to fab in what seemed like a day's time.  Yesterday when I went to bed the trees out front had green buds getting ready to burst and this morning through the fog as if by magic the trees had flowered! A huge thank you to the previous owners of our home who planted daffodils in the beds around our house and mailbox.  They are bursting forth--I've already cut 5 bouquets this week!

I wanted to remind you of another day this week: Although it probably wasn't the BEST day of my week, I would count it as one of the most important. You didn't miss this post did you? Please take a minute to check it out and share the information!

 

Warning Label on Children's Clothing!

Finally, I invite you to please join me in sending positive thoughts and prayers to Janene and her family. Janene's grandfather is in the hospital and she has taken some time away from the blog to be with him. Thank you!

Happy Friday!





We can't wait to read your posts! Link up HERE:

Date Night Dreams To Date Night Reality

Who loves date night? Me me meeee! Who has been on a date in the last week? Month? Six months? Year? Just because you are married does not mean you can't go on a date--with your own spouse, of course. I'm telling you right now, if it has been longer than a month since your last date night you need to finish reading this blog post and make something happen gals (and guys)! You've got to reconnect with the person you fell in love with.

I love being a stay at home mom. I am well suited to the work of a mom and--dare I say it--"housewife." I enjoy being by myself (you know, with one or more kids hanging on me); I am more of a homebody. I love being able to see and be part of every milestone. I like that my days are my own (except for when they are not). I make my own schedule for the most part. I have my routines and I am in charge (except when the kids stage a coup--it happens on occasion). There are things that I need to work on and goals that I set for myself (much like if I were out in the workforce getting paid).

If I complain about anything at all--my number one complaint would be that I don't get to see my husband as often as I would like.  I feel kind of crappy complaining about it because the reason I don't see him as much as I would like is because he is busting his butt so we can pay our bills and so that I can stay home with the kids! With every choice there is a little give and a little take. There is a perfect balance in every household and if one thing gets off kilter the entire Jenga tower collapses.  That's why a couple times a month when I feel like I just can't wiggle another piece free without crumbling, I schedule a date night.

But how, Christine? He works. I work. The kids have us running from sun up to sun down. I don't have a babysitter. What would we do with ourselves?

Get it on the calendar immediately. Write it down. Add it to your Google Calender or your Cozi calender.  Write it on a post it note. Jot it in your planner. Put it somewhere you look every day. Text the date to your spouse. Get it down in black and white. Writing it down gives it a weight, allows it to be a priority. Not something to fit in, rather something to schedule around. It also gives you something to look forward to and I'm sure you know that many times the anticipation of a thing is just as much fun as the actual thing!

 Find a babysitter or two or three.  This is beyond worth it, but may involve moving out of your comfort zone to find them.  When you are a new mom and all of your friends are new moms, you all just sit around asking each other--do have any babysitters? And you all just answer back that you don't but you do know a lot of preschoolers...you are all at the same loss and so what do you do?

• Start a trade off. If you do have a few girlfriends who are all sitting in the same boat, throw your pal a paddle. Offer to sit for her one weekend, if she will sit for you the next. No money need exchange hands as you barter your services. Your kids get a play date (and probably stay out of your hair for most of the night anyway) and your friend gets a night out with the promise that she will do the same for you. It's a win-win.
• Ask around the neighborhood. We only moved into our neighborhood two Octobers ago and still feel like the newbies around here. A majority of the owners here built their homes. We are the second generation, so it's been a little rough trying to break into what seems like a pretty established network of neighbors. During the first month of school, I stood at the bus stop in a small circle of moms who seem to go WAY back (not only am I new to the neighborhood but also new to the area). Part conversation starter, part absolute need to know, I asked if any of them knew of any responsible high schoolers in the neighborhood or babysitters that they used.   Cue crickets. Cue blank stares. Cue one mom turning her back to me. Cue other mom snickering and saying "yeah right." Cue me trying to figure out if I had asked a dumb question, was now seen as dumb, had falsely assumed that responsible teenagers exist, had falsely assumed that any of these women would actually like to get out of the house for a date with their husbands and have a need for said babysitter, had falsely assumed that any of these women would allow me into their innermost circle where they share things like favorite recipes, favorite way to stab a friend in the back, favorite place to hide from the kids, favorite babysitter. Sigh.  It didn't work out so well for me, but I hold out hope that you will have better luck parting the red sea that stands between you and the promised land of after dinner drinks and free flowing kid free conversation. (P.S. I do have some very nice neighbors--and also a few that I just can't get a read on.)
• Ask a trusted friend. I hope you are lucky enough to have a Type A friend in your contacts list. A women who is motivated, organized, and well connected (think teacher/former teacher). I have a friend like that and she is a blessing to me. All I had to do was shoot her an e-mail, ask the question, and within three days I had a list of 12 names to work with and she had CC'ed every mom in her address book. I call this friend the Great Connector. Now we all have babysitters for any evening of our choosing and there is no longer an excuse to not get together with each other once a month (Well, at least the excuse of not being able to find a sitter is out!)

Date night at home. IF you can have the kids ready and in bed at a reasonable hour..it will take some motivation and planning, but it is possible to have a date at home. However, date night does have to be something out of the ordinary to count. I didn't say extravagant-- what I said was it has to be something beyond you frittering time away on Pinterest while your husband falls asleep to the sound of the hockey game. Here are some ideas that could work for us--and you can tweak them to your liking, of course:

• Save your dinner for after the kids are in bed. Light a candle. Turn off technology and eat in peace. I could stop there it sounds so heavenly.
• Break out the board games. Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Yahtzee. We played a lot of board games while we were dating and newly married so pulling these games out takes us back to before we had kids. If you are competitive--and we are--I highly recommend placing friendly wagers on these games--free passes on household chores, massages, use your imagination...
• Put in a movie--home movies are fun (how often do you actually get to watch them?) or an old favorite, or something you picked up from Red Box. Sit next to eachother. Pop popcorn. Turn down the lights. 
• Write and exchange letters together. Sometimes it's just easier to write it down. Take some time--10 minutes--to write eachother a love letter....seal it and exchange, but don't open it just yet. Enjoy the evening together, share a bottle of wine or dessert. Have a conversation that doesn't involve the kids or logistics and just enjoy each other. Leave the letters for the next morning when you get up. Hopefully it will be a wonderful way to start your day and help you remember the awesome time you had the night before.

I hope I've made the case for date night for you.  Just writing this post has motivated me to take my own advice and get some date nights on the calendar. I know we've got some creative readers--so please share your ideas for an at home date night, advice on finding a babysitter, and tips for making it a priority! I can't wait to see what you have to say! And if you are looking for more ways to strengthen your relationship, or add a little spice, check out Janene's post 5 Things to Do For Your Hubby ASAP!

P.S. Don't forget to link up with us tomorrow when we talk about The BEST day EVER (this week).

Like what you are reading? Are you "More than a Mommy"? Want to stay connected?  Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter or Pinterest, Subscribe to our RSS Feed, Join our circle on Google+ and tell a few friends to check us out!

Welcome Spring - Let's Clean

"It's spring fever...You don't quite know what it is you so want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"

Author: Mark Twain

Mark Twain was a smart man.  (Yes, I said smart MAN - they exist...really!)

There is something about Spring that makes us edgy.  We start looking forward to summer.  We start planning vacations.  We start thinking about being outside, opening the windows and wearing shorter pants and less layers. We come out of hibernation and start stretching out into the sun and warmth.

Spring is a time for cleaning and ridding ourselves of clutter and complications.  It's a time to shed the heaviness of winter an lighten our load so we can get on the move.

Spring cleaning has gotten a lot more difficult in the last 4 years. Instead of going through one (or two) sets of winter clothes and putting some away, donating others and then pulling out the summer stuff, I have 6 sets of winter clothes to organize and summer stuff to put away.  Instead of just going through boxes of books and junk I've collected over the years, I have to go through no less than 4 toy boxes and countless little boxes and bags filled with odds and ends to find all the pieces for toys that my children "NEEDED" when we were in the store but are now all over the place.

I have no motivation to do these things because the weather has been BEAUTIFUL!!!  However, this weekend is IT - I'm tackling the closets and I'm not coming up for air until they are DONE!

I thought I'd share my game plan with you in case you are finding yourself in the same position I'm in:

Janene's Game Plan for Spring Clean Weekend

Start in the bedrooms

Strip beds

Take all clothes out of drawers and put them on the bed

Separate into 4 boxes/categories

     -Give Away
     -Store for Next Year
     -Keep Out for Chilly Days
     -Throw Away

Take out summer clothes and put them away

Tackle the Bathroom Next

Take out all of the bottles and throw away ones that are almost empty or not being used

Wipe everything down

Wash the shower curtain and throw rugs

Kitchen is last for this weekend

TUPPERWARE - if it doesn't have a lid THROW IT AWAY

Fridge - clean it out an throw expired things in trash

Clean out under the sink - make sure that you have all the cleaning supplies you need

Organize the corner cupboard and make sure that there is nothing hiding in the back that needs thrown away

Put cups where the cups go...plates where the plates go, etc.

If I make it through that this weekend (with 2 year old twins, a 5 year old princess and a 6 year old sweet but totally not going to help son) I will be THRILLED.  

Do you have a game plan?  Do you spring clean?  Any tips for what to do with the kids when you are trying to do a weekend of cleaning?

I also have a feeling I will be looking a little closer at the tags on the kids clothes thanks to Christine's post yesterday.  

Wish me luck!  

Lead Exposure From Children's Clothing

Yes. You read that correctly. I did say Lead Exposure from Children's Clothing.  And if you are like me and have a child with an unconscious habit of chewing on the sleeves of her clothes then you may be freaking out right now. How could this be possible? How does something as dangerous as potentially lead laden children's clothing get on the racks? And why would a buyer for a store purchase an item like this to be marketed?

To my dear friend, Melissa, I say "THANK YOU!" She called me immediately after she made a shocking discovery in the aisles of a local discount store. She knew she had to tell someone and she is spreading the word to everyone she meets. She called me, knowing that, one, I would be shocked and, two, I have a platform to reach moms who are looking for deals and may be ready to purchase these inexpensive items unaware of the possible threat to their child's health!

First, a question: When purchasing clothing how often do you look at the inside tags? I have to admit that when I am searching tags it is usually the cardboard tags on the outside of clothing. The only time I would check a tag on the inside of a garment would be if I wanted to double check the size or check the washing instructions.  I would say that that is only ten percent (or less!) of the time though. The majority of the time all the information I care about is printed on the outer cardboard tag (that's size and price). Am I the only one? I don't think so. Everyone I've talked to has said that they rarely check the inner tags of the clothing that their kids wear. That's one of the reasons Melissa's find is that much more incredible and a MUST share for anyone who is purchasing children's clothing.

So that you know:

Here is what the CDC has to say about lead exposure.  According the Mayo Clinic the following are symptoms of increased exposure to lead:

Symptoms in children:
Irritability, Loss of appetite, Weight loss, Sluggishness and fatigue, Abdominal pain, Vomiting, Constipation, Learning difficulties

Symptoms in newborns:
Babies who are exposed to lead before birth may experience: Learning difficulties, Slowed growth

Symptoms in adults:
Although children are primarily at risk, lead poisoning is also dangerous for adults. Signs and symptoms in adults may include: High blood pressure, Declines in mental functioning, Pain or numbness and/or tingling of extremities, Muscular weakness, Headache, Abdominal Pain, Memory loss, Mood disorders, Reduced sperm count, abnormal sperm, Miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women

from Lead Poisoning Symptoms by Mayo Clinic Staff

I spent about 20 minutes this morning perusing the racks at Rose's Department Store a chain discount store in our area that began in North Carolina and has expanded to many of the Eastern United States. What I found there was disturbing. With Melissa's help I combed through clothing inspecting each tag. We found that  clothing bearing the "2B Real" label was suspect, particularly,  the items with that label that were manufactured in China. A quick search of the Internet showed that 2B Real clothing can also be purchased online.  (Some of the 2B Real clothes were made in other far off lands like the Philippines and Malaysia--those clothes did not have a warning tag).

Here is exactly what I mean:

double check tags on 2B REAL clothing made in China!

click photo to enlarge

In the following photo I am showing two dresses side by side: Both made in China. Both have the 2B REAL tag. Both have a very similar style. One is a size 5/6. The other is a size 4T. One of them has a Lead Warning Tag. One of them does not. Can you tell which one does and which doesn't?

The dress on the left is "safe". The dress on the right "may contain lead".

Would you feel safe buying either?

A Call to Action!

Please share this information with your friends and family. The more people that can see and hear this message the better.  Post our link on your Facebook page. Share the link on Twitter. View and share the video on YouTube.

I am including a link to the web page at Variety Wholesaler's Inc, the parent company of Rose's and other discount stores. You can find contact information on that website. Please consider voicing your concerns about this highly questionable merchandise. I will be joining you!

I decided to include a video (please excuse my overuse of the word "um" and my mediocre video making skills). My intent was to give you as many different options for sharing that I could.

I can't un-see those tags and un-know what I know now and that is why I had to share with all of you!

Thanks for passing it on!

This post is linked at: Teach Me Tuesday

My Finds Monday: What's on Your List?

Are you a list maker?  

     How do you make your lists?  

          When do you make your lists?  

               What kind of lists do you make?

I LOVE lists.  I get so excited when I have a reason to make a list.  I love feeling organized.  

I am always looking for new ways to make my lists, though.  I still haven't found a list that I feel I am able to really use the way I want to every day.  I do want to share with you, though, some of the ones that I found that have been working out ok.  (I think they are really cute and fun, too!  Plus, they are FREE!)

This is the first one - it's a Honey Dew list - and it's free to print: HERE!

There's also this one:

I have this one stapled and in my purse with me.  I use it to make notes of things I need to remember to do while I am out because I almost always forget to get something or do something if I don't have a reminder these days.

Download the Latte List: HERE!  

You should also check out the Freakin Never Ending To Do List and The Dreamy Blog Topics To Post List.  Both also free and both also awesome!  

While I enjoy a written list much better than an electronic one (I think they are easier, faster and more inspiring). I have to admit that I am also a tech girl - not too much, though, so don't start asking me questions that you don't know the answers too . . . if it isn't basic I probably don't know either.  I do, however, know a good app/place to make electronic lists!

I downloaded the Catch app for my iPhone about 3 weeks ago and have found it super helpful for those times I don't have a pen and paper list with me.  I've been using it to jot down things I find inspiring, blog post ideas, website addys I want to go to if I'm not on a computer and all kinds of other little tidbits.  I also like that you can share notes - it comes in handy when I want Jerry to know about something - and you can make notes public.  

Hope you found something on our blog today that you could use and stay tuned for more finds in the future!

Got any finds you want to share?  Let us know and we would be glad to check them out and pass them on to our readers!  

Speaking of finds . . . did you meet our featured blogger, Sarah, yesterday?  Check out her Sunday Sip interview and then head on over to her blog!  Make sure you tell her that More Than Mommies sent you!