Check out my blog

I don't know if any of you are aware, but I have another blog out there that I do some great reviews and giveaways on for products that relate to families and children. I've been focusing on growing my reader base there and am happy to say that over the past few months it's really taken off. If you have never checked it out and are interested, head over to A Mom's Balancing Act. I hope that you'll find my posts on life and fun products and sites as fun to read as they were for me to write. Leave a comment if you like too...I love hearing from those who visit.

It's a BOY!

On November 23 our second baby arrived...we now have a beautiful, healthy little boy!

Kaden Scott
7 lbs 14 oz
21 inches long

He is truly a joy and his sister absolutely adores him! We are settling into becoming a family of four and loving it. He has been such a good little guy. He loves to eat and loves to sleep. Lately he's been awake more and is even letting us hear some cooing and see some of those adorable smiles of his. I feel amazingly blessed and cannot wait to see what the next year has in store.

Monex Deposit Company

I've always been interested in Monex Deposit Company and doing some investing through them. Scott and I have talked about it some and from we hear, they are a very well known and dependable company. They've been around for over 30 years and are America's leader in silver, gold and precious metals investment. Through them, we can purchase silver, gold and other precious metals and they will immediately deliver it to us or arrange for it to be delivered to a safe storage place. I think we're going to go ahead with it. So far they are the option we're most impressed with.

Lots to do

Thinking ahead to the weekends between now and the baby's arrival...it seems that it will go by quickly because we are busy almost every one of them. It's crazy how we only have 7 weeks left. I cant' believe how fast the time is going. With birthdays and other things going on I know the 23rd will be here before we know it. Although I'm excited, I'm also feeling a little overwhelmed because I know there's a lot to do between now and then.

I can't wait!

I can't believe that we have just over two months til' we meet our little one. The time is just flying by with this pregnancy. It's been fun not know what we're having too. We chose to be surprised with Kaelyn and it was the greatest thing in the world. We decided that with all of our kids we'd like to keep it a surprise. I can't wait for Nov 23 so we can meet our little one and introduce him/her to Kaelyn. She's going to be such a wonderful big sister!

Karisma Hotels

It's been such a long time since Scott and I were able to go on a vacation together.
We would love to go on one sometime in the near future if at all possible. When looking into possible destination options, we came across Karisma. The Karisma Hotels are a collection of properties on the beaches of the beautiful Mexican Riviera Maya. This resort looks so great and the things they offers sound amazing as well. They offer a new gourmet-inclusive concept, particularly great for those who love food like we do! I think this is my favorite part of the whole place. They also have elite service and a truly relaxing environment with many classy accommodations. When the time comes for us to look more seriously into a vacation spot...Karisma will definitely be on the top of our list. I think with a place as beautiful as this, people could definitely look into destination weddings here. It's beautiful, relaxing...what more could you ask for?!!

Scott's Birthday

Today is my hubby's birthday!! He's such a great husband and Daddy...we love him very much!! I feel bad that he has to work on his birthday, and it's going to be a longer day than usual for him besides. Hopefully he'll still have a great day and hear from all the family members wishing him a happy birthday. Maybe we can do something fun this weekend as a family to celebrate?! I know on Saturday we're seeing hi dad to celebrate and we already celebrated with my family and his mom....so maybe he and I, and Kaelyn can go do something.

Garage Sale

This weekend we had our garage sale. I was a little nervous how it would turn out and if it would actually be worth the amount of time put into it. Thankfully it went great and much better than expected. We had an entire garage and driveway full of stuff, and ended up ended up with only two tubs left of things that we'll take to the Salvation Army. It is nice to be able to sell our things to other people who can use them, while giving us some much needed space in our spare room at the same time. I'm so glad it went well.

Monex Deposit Company

The Monex Deposit Company has been around for over 30 years and is known as America's leader when it comes to gold, silver and precious metals investment. They are dedicated to helping their customers purchase silver, gold and other precious metals and will arrange for either immediate personal deliver or arrange for convenient and safe storage at a bank or depository of your choice. If you're interested in learning more about them and what they can do for you when it comes to precious metals investments...take a look at their very user friendly website where you'll find all the information you need to make an informed decision. You won't be sorry you did!

New Toy

We had such a nice weekend spending time as a family here at home. We went out and got Kaelyn a climber for the yard on Friday and she played with that all weekend long!! She just loves it! We've been wanting to get one for a while now...so it's nice that she finally has something to play with in the backyard besides rocks and dirt!! I hope she continues to like it...as we won't be getting her a swing set or anything until we move to a different house. So far it seems like a big hit...and is great because it's something kids of all ages can use.

Potty Trained!

Well..we're officially saying Kaelyn is potty trained now!! She hasn't had any accidents for about two weeks and wakes up dry 9 times out of 10! She's done so great...I couldn't be happier. We were hoping she'd catch on by the time the baby gets here in November, so to have her potty trained already is just great! Next comes the weaning of the pacifier...we'll see how that goes. She's quite attached, but only gets it at nap time and bed time...so hopefully it will be easier than I think to get rid of. I hope....

PowerOptions

If you're looking for the best returns then you may want to check out PowerOptions today and their patented SmartSearchXL technology which makes it easy to find, compare, analyze and make money on stock option trading! They offer a complete suite of educational materials and premium toll-free customer support. It's a service which can't be found anywhere else! They are the only internet-based provider that gives investors the SmartSearchXL technology. I would encourage anyone who is interested to check out their site today. It's extremely user friendly and something you may definitely find helpful when it comes to covered calls.

Big Girl

Kaelyn is officially in a big girl bed now. I was a little nervous about how the transition from a crib to a bed would go...but our little girl has transitioned wonderfully! She loves her bed and is so proud of it. She wants to show everyone who comes to our house! She sleeps very well in too. We've had very few times when she gets out of bed for any reason. It's nice to have her transitioned...that way the baby will be ready for his/her crib when they arrive in November.

Garage Sale

With getting ready to move, we've decided we have to get rid of some things we no longer need. That means it's Garage Sale time!! My mom also has some things she wants to sell...so we've decided to do a Garage Sale together here at our house in the middle of August. I'm looking forward to it. Not only will we be able to clear a lot of things out of our storage room, but we'll also make a little money too! Who doesn't like money, right?! Hopefully it will be quite successful and we'll be able to get rid of a lot!

Karisma Hotels

Aww...to have a relaxing family vacation....it's a dream of mine. I've heard a lot of great things about the Karisma Hotels which are a collection of properties located right there on the beaches of the Mexican Riviera Maya. Beautiful is all I can say!! They offer a gourmet inclusive concept which is perfect for anyone who loves food like myself! They also offer amazing service and great accommodations like bars swings, beach butlers, and so much more! It's the relaxing vacation I know I've been looking for...how about you? If so, you may want to take a moment and head over to their website. There you'll find more information about their services, prices and everything else that can help you make a decision.

House For Sale

Our house is for sale, but so far still no offers that we can accept. We're waiting for the perfect buyer and know he/she is out there somewhere. We're trying to be patient, but it's sure hard when we want so badly to live closer to Scott's job. I guess it will all happen in the Lord's timing. For the time being we're just looking around trying to find the right house for us. It's not an easy thing to find a house with all that ours offers. I'm sure the perfect house is out there somewhere though.

Time to Clean

How does our house get so messy?? It seems like we clean it one minute, and the next it's a mess again. I think it has something to do with Kaelyn. :) Toddlers are very busy and into a lot of things. It's fun though....I wouldn't have it any other way! It just makes it hard sometimes to have clutter since our house is on the market and we're having showings every now and then. Oh well...what can you do?!

Holsted Jewelers

I love all sorts of jewelry...whether it be designer jewelry like jewelry cubic zirconia or the real thing...it's all beautiful in my opinion. I especially like Holsted Jewelers who provides designer jewelry, gifts and accessories to millions of satisfied customers. They believe in great customer service and high quality products....two very important things when running a business of any kind...especially when it deals with jewelry. What I like best is that their products are so fashionable and one of a kind...it's not something you're going to see on everyone walking around which is nice too. Learn more about Holsted Jewelers and all that they have to offer by visiting their website today!

Frosty The Snowman

This may sound a bit odd for the month of July...but Kaelyn's new favorite movie is Frosty the Snowman. She saw it sitting in the DVD drawer and wanted to watch it one day. I put it in and now that's all she talks about. She seems to go in stages with the movies she likes. One day it's Nemo and the next it's Frosty. She loves dancing to the music and watching the snowman. I think she'll Christmas this year and all the fun Christmas/winter movies we have. I can't wait!

20 Week Ultrasound

We recently had our 20 week ultrasound. It was so much fun seeing our little baby moving around. I've sure been feeling him/her moving around a lot. Quite the busy little bee. Everything looked great on the ultrasound and heart was beating strong. I look forward to November so we can actually hold our baby in our arms and see his/her face. I'm not sure if the time will go quickly or not, but so far the first 21 weeks have just flown by. Hopefully the last half will as well!

Capella University

Are you ready to start furthering your education, but still want to keep your job at the same time? If so, online college courses like those offered at Capella University may be just what you're looking for. They make it possible to get an education online...a master's degree or even an undergraduate degree....all from the comfort of your own home. If you're interested in learning more about this fully accredited online college and all that they have to offer you...you can check out their very user friendly and informative website. Here you'll even find their latest Inside Online Education podcast which currently features a discussion of state approved reading and literacy program. Check it out and see what you think....you won't be sorry you did.

This blog post was based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com

Mom Blog

I have mentioned my Mom Blog before, but wanted to again for anyone interested in checking it out. I have many great giveaways and helpful information for parents located there. I have a new design too...which I think really gives it a more professional and organized feel. If you check it out, let me know what you think! I'd love to hear your impressions and thoughts. Don't forget to enter any giveaways you are interested in as well!! Check it out here.

Being a Mom

Kaelyn is sure growing up. She's going to be 21 months in just a week or so. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital...now we're preparing for our second baby already. Life is great. I hope it slows down a bit though. These are such fun years with our kids...I want to be sure and treasure each and every precious moment with them. Kaelyn has reached so many milestones that I will remember always, and I want to do the same with our other children. Being a mom is the greatest.

Allegro Medical

Allegro Medical is a company which serves over 1 million customers and offers life enhancing products that many can use! They are the largest and most technologically advanced independently owned online retailers of this type of products and a site everyone should check out. Whether it's Exercise & Fitness Equipment, Nutritional Dietary Supplements, ensure, Maternity/Baby Supplies or Outdoor Gear....they have it all! If you visit their site you'll find that they offer over 55,000 products. They make it very easy to navigate and find what you're looking for though as everything is listed under 50 categories and hundreds of sub categories. Check it out today and see what you think!

Fast Summer

Wow...where has July gone? I swear this summer is flying by faster than I can even enjoy it. It's been so cold here and rainy for much of the summer...it's felt more like fall than anything. I sure hope the last couple of months of summer warm up so we can enjoy it more. Kaelyn loves being outdoors and going to the pool!! She begs to go out in fact, but many times the temps are just too cold or it's too wet out. I just can't believe how fast it's going. Where does the time go?

Moving

I am really looking forward to heading to Cedar Falls soon to help my brother and his family move in to their new place. They've been living in Texas for the last 4 years and we haven't been able to see them much. Having them closer will be very nice...I'm excited! I think the move should go pretty smoothly. It will be fun to see everyone and get the family together.

Monaco Rare Coin

Monaco Rare Coin is part of the Monex family of companies. If you've heard of them before, you know they are a trusted leader in precious metals investments and have been for almost 40 years. They have helped thousands and thousands of people invest, including rare coins like rare gold coins, silver and platinum bullion and bullion coins. Monaco Rare Coin has a unique and variety of resources that investors can utilize. Collectors also appreciate their services. If you'd like an experienced and knowledgeable company to work with, you definitely should look into Monaco Rare Coin! You won't be sorry you did.

Father's Day

It's Father's Day and we have a busy day ahead of us. Today we are going to see my Grandpa for lunch while the guys go golfing. Scott, Dad and Jake all love to golf, so they're going to have a great time! It was my gift to Scott because he never gets to go golf any more. Then we're going to go and see Scott's dad this afternoon. It will be a great day...I'm looking forward to it a lot! Hope it doesn't go by too quickly.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Rain, Rain, Go Away! I can't believe that it's still raining out. I feel like it's been raining for weeks straight! That's not exactly true...we did have one day that was nice enough to spend outdoors. For the most part though, all we've had is rain. In fact, it's not just rain, but some pretty nasty weather. It sure doesn't feel like summer is here yet. What a bummer. Here in the midwest we wait for summer...and once it comes we cherish every day because it's not long at all. Unfortunately this year, summer doesn't even feel like it has begun yet and it's probably half over already.

Planning a Wedding

Planning a wedding can be very stressful and time consuming. I had a lot of fun planning mine, but at the same time it was a bit overwhelming too. I wish I had knowing about the Knot Wedding Ship and all they have to offer back then. It's a great resource for grooms and brides. Here you'll find top-quality wedding supplies and other items ranging from cameras, ring pillows, gifts and cake toppers. You can even find personalized things and unique wedding favors as well. I was very impressed with the user-friendliness of their site and the variety of things they offered. Any bride-to-be should check it out. A MUST-SEE for sure!

Growing Up

Our little girl is 19 months old already! Can you believe it?!? It hardly seems possible. The time has gone so quickly. She continues to learn new things every day. She amazes us with her vocabulary and verbal skills. She is putting together sentences and making sense of the world around her. It's a lot of fun to listen to her and to be able to talk with her in a way she understands. Her comprehension skills are unbelievable. Our little girl is growing up....

House Stuff

Tomorrow morning we have a plumber coming. Our laundry room drain has been acting up and we want to get it fixed since our house is on the market and someone could be buying it. For some reason when we run the washer, the drain bubbles and water comes out...it's like it's backing up or something. Hopefully they can figure out what the problem is and it won't cost us very much. We've had to reschedule this appointment twice, so hopefully it won't fall through again.

Holsted Jewelers

I love jewelry...what girl doesn't?! A while back I had heard of jewelers and tonight Scott was asking me about them. Our anniversary is coming up...maybe that's why?! Hmmm. Anyways...they're a company that has been around since 1971 and offer some really great designer jewelry, gifts and accessories. They already have millions of satisfied customers and I can see why. Between the high quality of items they sell as well as their fantastic customer service...all I have to say is "I'm there"! Find great deals to fit any budget and wonderful products to fit any style and taste. Find truly fashionable merchandise with a price tag you can afford. I really enjoyed looking their site over with my hubby and I'm sure you will too!

My Mom Blog

Have I ever mentioned that I have a Mom Blog. I enjoy blogging on there quite frequently and sharing money saving tips with parents. Not only that, but I like to conduct reviews and giveaways for different mommy and baby products as well. If you ever want to check it out, just head over to A Mom's Balancing Act which can be found in my list of blogs in the side column. You can even subscribe if you like so you can keep updated on all that is going on there. Stop back and let me know what you think if you want...I always enjoy feedback.

Dogsitting

We've been dogsitting my parents dog while they're away for a few days. Zoe is so good. I always enjoy having her around. Kaelyn LOVES it too! She follows Zoe around all over saying "hi zoe" or "come on Zoe"...its' really cute. Zoe would rather lay and sleep...but with Kaelyn following her all over I think she moves around a lot more than she'd like to. That must be why she's so tired at night and sleeps without making a peep these days. She'll probably be exhausted by the time she goes back home with mom and dad....she'll sleep for days I"m sure after all the toddler excitedment here. :)

PowerOptions

Along with a complete suite of educational maters and permium toll-free support, PowerOptions is your answer to the essential data you need to invest with stock options. I was really impressed when I learned more about their patented SmartSearchXL technology. It's not available anywhere else which is kind of cool too. What's best is you can use it to find, compare, analyze and make money on stock option trading. If you'd like to learn more about Power options express and what it can do for you, head over to their site today and see what you think! You won't be sorry you did! I know I'm not!!

Dr Appointment

I had my 4 month dr appointment today! It was a routine checkup...just listening to the babies heart rate and answering any questions I had. I always enjoy hearing the baby. Next time we go will be in 4 weeks and that will be very exciting! We'll get to see the baby on the ultrasound again! YEAH! That's my favorite appointment during pregnancy is getting to see the baby. I can't wait. I know Scott is really excited too. It should be great! I will have to post pics once we get some.

Selling Our House

Today we had a showing on our house. We've had quite a few, but it has slowed down a bit. We know it will sell in God's timing, but it's tough not to get anxious. Our Realtor tells us each time that people always really like it but they're just not in a hurry to buy because most don't have their house sold yet. It's a little frustrating. Oh well...what can you do. We're just taking it a day at a time and house hunting for the next home we'll buy once ours sells. Finding a home is a lot easier than selling one.

Paintball Gear For Father's Day

Paintball is something I've never gotten into, but I know my husband would absolutely love it! He's done it before and had a blast. I thought that this father's day I could maybe find him some paintball gear so he can do it more often. I happened to come across ZephyrPaintball.com and was impressed with the paintball gear they offer. They have all kind of things at very low prices and what's best is that they offer free shipping on paintball guns, goggles, hoppers and a paintball marker package. I don't know what I would get him yet...but seeing the large variety of products they carry, i don't think it would be hard. I like knowing that they carry brands like Dye, Invert, Kingman Spyder, and Tippmann, too! Give it a look if you're looking to buy paintball gear for that special dad in your life this father's day!

Great Weekend!!

What a great weekend! It was so nice to have Scott home for three days with us. We didn't start out with any plans...but turns out it was a fun-filled and busy weekend!! Friday we decided to get the house cleaned so that we could enjoy the rest of the weekend without having to worry about doing chores. Scott surprised me and brought home the movie Marley & Me...so after Kaelyn went to bed we had a movie date night. I had seen the movie before...but it was just as good the second time.

Saturday we woke up to a somewhat dreary day...the rain was falling and the sky was gray. We decided that since we probably wouldn't be able to spend much time outdoors...we'd take a trip to the cities to the Mall of America and visit the Underwater Adventures Aquarium. Kaelyn LOVES fish...especially Nemo lately :), so we knew she'd absolutely love it. We headed up there after lunch and spent the rest of the day there. It was great! Kaelyn loved all the fish...especially the tank with all the fish like the ones from Finding Nemo...that was her favorite! I enjoyed a fun day away with Scott and Kaelyn...we don't do those types of things very often.


Sunday we went to church, then had a wedding reception for Scott's cousing to go to that evening. It was fun to visit with his family and let Kaelyn run around the huge yard at the church! Before the reception Scott painted Kaelyn's nails. :) We had never painted her nails before and it turned out very cute! :) She really liked it too. She walks around look at her toes all day long!

As of Sunday morning we still didn't have much planned for Memorial Day except for hanging out at home and relaxing. Each of our parents ended up inviting us over though...so we got to go spend the afternoon with Scott's Dad and step mom and then the evening with my parents! It was wonderful! Scott's Dad lives on a farm and Kaelyn had never had the chance to run around their huge yard until Monday. She LOVED it! So much in fact that she didn't want to come inside. We had a great time with my parents as well. My Grandparents were there too which was fun. We ate so much yummy food throughout the day and came home full and tired from a very fun day!

I am glad our weekend turned from a relaxing one at home to a busy one with family. Although time at home is nice...I always enjoy getting to spend time with family too! :)

Ultrasound

Today we got to visit the doctor and see our little baby on the ultrasound for the first time. It was so great! I'm almost 12 weeks along so it was neat to actually see this little baby that I'm carrying inside of me. He/she seemed to be doing well. Heart rate was great and measuring right on target. It's good to hear all that stuff. I have another appointment in June where they'll let me listen to the heart rate again. I can't wait. This pregnancy already feels like it's going by quite quickly. Hopefully it continues that way!

Monex Deposit Company

The Monex Deposit Company is probably one you've heard of before. I know I have many times. They make it easy for you to purchase silver, gold and other precious metals and coins for immediate personal delivery or to a safe storage facility of your place, like a bank or depository for instance. For over 30 years the Monex companies have been a leader in America for gold, silver coins and precious metals investment. If you're looking for a quality company and one you can trust....definitely look into Monex first for your investment needs. You won't be sorry you did!

Beautiful Day

What a nice day today. It's so beautiful out. We probably would have spent more time outside today working on the yard and andscaping if it weren't for a bridal shower that we had to go to. We had fun though...I'm glad I went. We're going to have supper with my parents and then go visit Scott's mom. Maybe this evening we'll go out for a while...it's too nice not to.

Great Hubby

I have the best husband! I haven't been feeling the greatest lately....so my hubby has been busy keeping the house clean and getting meals ready. I try to help when I can....but when you're not feeling good it can be difficult. He's good just to take over whatever needs to be done. He's great! I couldn't ask for a better guy. I'm truly blessed! Kaelyn is lucky to have such a great daddy.

All Inclusive Vacation

I could sure use a vacation. It's been a long winter, and although the weather is getting warmer...it can't get warmer fast enough! I was looking into the Karisma Hotels....located on the beaches of the Mexican Riviera Maya and was very impressed! I not only could appreciate their unique Gourmet-Inclusive concept....but also their elite level of service and luxurious accommodations. I mean who wouldn't like snap to service, beach beds, bar swings, and swim up rooms, right?! If you're looking for an all inclusive vacation packages vacation where everything is included in one price and you can just relax....this might be just the place for you!

Cluttered House

How does our house get so messy?? It seems like we clean it one minute, and the next it's a mess again. I think it has something to do with Kaelyn. :) Toddlers are very busy and into a lot of things. It's fun though....I wouldn't have it any other way! It just makes it hard sometimes to have clutter since our house is on the market and we're having showings every now and then. Oh well...what can you do?!

Great Giveaway

Don't miss out on my great giveaway going on over at my A Mom's Balancing Act blog. For anyone looking for some great personalized childrens books, posters, coloring books and more....this giveaway is for you. Frecklebox.com was kind enough to team up with me to offer one reader any product of their choice. It ends on the 12th though...so be sure to check it out soon. You can find the link over in my blog roll.

Allegro Medical

Isn't the Internet a great thing!? I love how I can pretty much find anything that I need just by browsing the web! It's wonderful. Recently I was looking for some baby items and came across Allegro Medical! This is a fantastic site that I couldn't help but pass along. Not only is it great for those looking to find baby products, but also Exercise & Fitness Equipment, Nutritional Dietary Supplements, and Outdoor Gear. So, whether it's something like electrodes or even a shower chair...they have it all. I appreciate the user friendliness of this site as well. I don't have a lot of time to search the web, so when a site like this makes it so easy...I definitely will come back!

Our Baby is 1 1/2!

Our little girl will be 18 months old in just a few days! I can't believe it. That means that she is nearly 1 1/2! I know I have said it probably a thousand times, but it seems like just yesterday that she was born. 1 1/2 sounds so old! I had her outside today playing in the yard and as I watched her run around I just couldn't believe how big she is getting. Last year at this time she was just crawling around....now she is running all over the place and talking up a storm. Wow...where does the time go.

More Organized

So I have had this new cell phone for a while and am really liking it! I've never been one to be too picky about the cell phone I carry, but now that I am a mom it seems I have more appointments and things to manage. I wanted a phone that would help me keep everything organized, one that made it easy to enter things into a calender and gives me reminders when I need them. I found all of that and more in the new phone that I have. I will post a pic soon! I'm liking how easy it is to use and the small size. The great part is, that it wasn't too spendy at all!

Capella University

Have you ever heard of Capella University before? If so, you probably know that they are a well known, fully accredited online university that is known for their quality education and the online degree programs they offer for those seeking an undergraduate and/or graduate degree. Jeannie McGuire knows about this, as she was a student there pursuing her master's degree in human services. She is also the founder of project unity and former chair of the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners which has now earned her the Sunny Andrews Award. Very impressive. You can learn more about her and about Capella on their site today.
This blog post was based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com.

Yum!

I know chocolate probably isn't the best for you, but every once in a while I like to have a little bit. I've always had a liking for chocolate, especially the Hershey's almonds bars! Scott always surprises me with one of the big ones whenever he goes to the store and sometimes just for fun! It's so sweet of him. The reason this comes to mind is because he just did this yesterday, so I'm enjoying a chocolate bar while I work on the computer. It doesn't get much better than that! :)

So Fun!

For a while there we couldn't find Kaelyn's, Baby Signing Time video. When she was just a little baby, she loved it, so when we found it again I was curious to see how she'd like it still. After one time watching it again, she was doing many of the signs that she hadn't done before yet. She absolutely loved it, and enjoys any time we let her watch it. Now she walks around signing baby (as well as saying it of course). It's neat to see her learning new things.

Holsted Jewelers

You've probably heard of Holsted Jewelers before, right?! They have been around since 1971 providing designer fashion jewelry, gifts and accessories to millions of very satisfied customers! In the last five years they have actually shipped over 15 million products which is just amazing! They focus on quality products and outstanding service! They know how important it is to provide affordable options to those who want to be fashionable. I don't know about you, but I'm definitely impressed and plan on looking into all they have to offer even further! Check them out if interested....you won't be sorry you did!!

Sometimes...

...things don't go as planned. This weekend didn't go quite as we planned. My brother was supposed to be moving into his first place, but the sale fell through. He i snow looking at other options and will hopefully know soon what he'll be doing. I think we'll still go down this weekend to see him though. His birthday is coming up, and now with him possibly moving we may not get to see him over Easter as planned.

Changing Baby

Our little girl is getting so big. Over the past month she has been talking so much...even trying to put together sentences. We often wonder where she learns all of the words and things she does and says....it's so cute!! Each day there's something new that she does or says....I love it!! Seeing this little person make sense of the world around them is truly amazing! I love that we have a hand in shaping who she is becoming. It's a huge responsbility, but such a wonderful one!

Allegro Medical

The Internet is an amazing thing. It gives us access to so many wonderful opportunities, especially that of shopping online. Now you not only can find clothing and other items, but also medical necessities. Allegro Medical is a website founded 13 years ago who serves 1 million customers currently! They are the largest and most technologically advanced independent online retailer of life enhancing products in the US. They offer everything from Exercise & Fitness Equipment and Nutritional Dietary Supplements to Maternity/Baby Supplies and Outdoor Gear. That's a pretty wide range, and one I appreciate them having. Whether it's eye charts you're looking for or shower chairs...they have it all. Check out their site for more info today.

Baby Signing

For a while there we couldn't find Kaelyn's, Baby Signing Time video. When she was just a little baby, she loved it, so when we found it again I was curious to see how she'd like it still. After one time watching it again, she was doing many of the signs that she hadn't done before yet. She absolutely loved it, and enjoys any time we let her watch it. Now she walks around signing baby (as well as saying it of course). It's neat to see her learning new things.

Uncle Jake Visiting

My brother is here visiting this weekend and we couldn't be happier. It's always fun to have him here. Kaelyn loves it too! She enjoys seeing her Uncle Jake. All she's done since he got here is hang around him, and when he's not in the room she asks "where's Jakey?". :) He took a couple days off from work, so he will be here til' Monday which will be nice. It gives us a chance to spend time with him, and him a chance to relax on his vacation a bit.

Winter Vacation

Ah, to have a winter vacation...how nice would that be?! I know my first choice would probably be somewhere like the Karisma hotels. I recently read a press release about them and was very impressed with all they had to offer. They are located on the Mexican Riviera Maya and are extremely nice. Not only do they offer a gourmet inclusive concept, great for all you foodies out there, but also an elite service and many wonderful accomodations. You'll love knowing that they have bar swings, snap-to-service, beach beds, swim up rooms and so much more! I for one would love to plan a vacation here one day...it sounds absolutely incredible and so relaxing. You should check them out. It would also make a great honeymoon vacation.

Purchasing Real Estate

My brother is in the process of buying a condo. It's been quite the process for him...after a week, he still doesn't know if the place will be his or not. The sellers are uneducated about the process of selling, and don't have a very experienced Realtor guiding them. This has caused for a very stressful counter-offering time and has my brother just wanting to know if the place is his or not. Buying a home is never an easy process, but I wish that it would have gone smoother for him the first time. I'm sure everything will work out in the end though, and all this will be well worth it!

Is it Spring yet?

I'm definitely thinking it's time for Spring! How about you?! We have family who lives in Texas, and they were saying that it's already been 80 there! They're outdoors wearing shorts and tank tops, while we're inside bundled under blankets to keep warm. And when we do go outdoors, we're slipping and sliding on ice! Winter has been quite long this year...not to mention bitter and bringing us way too much snow! I'm ready for some warmer weather that I can take Kaelyn out in. Hopefully within the next month we'll start to see the temps rise a bit.

Monex Deposit Company

Anyone who has never heard of Monex Deposit Company before, really should check them out. Through them, you can purchase silver, gold bullion and other precious metals for investment purposes. Who better to do this through than Monex, as they are America's gold, silver and precious metals investment leader and have been for over 30 years! I know that this is a company I'd like to do business with...one who's trusted and experienced. They make it simple for you to purchase, and allow for immediate delivery to you or a safe storage place of your choosing. If you'd like to learn more about them and all they can offer you, head over to their site today for more information.

Meeting Our Realtor

Yesterday we had a visit from our Realtor who will be listing our house once we're ready to sell. She did a walk through, just to let us know what she thinks we could change before listing it, as well as the price she thinks we can sell for. Overall it was a very informative meeting and has me feeling a little less stressed about the selling process. The whole buying and selling at the same time has me feeling a little overwhelmed, but all in all I think it's a good decision and process which will go smoothly.

Fun at Grammy and Grampa's!

Kaelyn and I have sure had a good time staying here with my parents over the past couple of days. Scott is gone for work, so we'll be here a few more. It's sure nice to have company and spend time with them while he's gone. They're such a big help with Kaelyn too, which is great!! Kaelyn enjoys spending time at Grammy and Grampa's house. There's so many fun toys and things for her to do. One of her favorites so far has been the bubble blower Grammy got out the other day. She'd never played with bubbles, so this was quite the experience for her! Pretty exciting!

TheKnot.com

Planning a wedding can be a very stressful time. Would you agree??! I remember having the help of my mom with mine...but it was still overwhelming at times to hash out all the little details. It's the little things that you can't do until the wedding is really close...that's what is so stressful! At the time I used TheKnot.com for some resources, and am glad I did. However, I wish that I would have utilized their services even more! Having a place to go that can give local wedding resources like Local Wedding Vendors, venues, photographers, florists and more is amazing. Any bride to be should look into this. You won't be sorry you did! I know I'm not.

Selling on Ebay

Scott and I have been doing a little business on eBay lately. It's allowed us to make some extra money, but isn't all it's cracked up to be...that's for sure. We're going to keep doing it, because some money is better than none...however, we're very disappointed with the amount of fees they take. Between them and Paypal...we end up getting about 50 percent of what we should have gotten. I understand they need to run a business, but some of their fees almost feel like robbery. Oh well...like I said, at least we're making something.

Get Low Rates and High Loans Fast

With the economy struggling, it's time for us all to find people we trust when making personal finance decisions. It's important to be smart with our money, as things are tough right now for most of us. MoneyNowUSA.com is a site I came across and they offer a free consumer loan website that helps to assist people like you and me with finding the best credit products. I like having a company that I can trust to give me the best advice and products to use, especially in this difficult time in our economy. If you're looking for the lowest rates and the highest loan amounts and getting them faster than ever, you definitely should check out their site today.

Kaelyn is 15 months!

Well....I can't believe it, but our little girl is 15 months old. She turned 15 months on the first of February, but it didn't actually sink in until we went to her 15 month appointment yesterday. I had actually been looking forward to this appointment, as it's always fun to see how much she's grown from the last time. Since November, Kaelyn had grown nearly 2 inches and gained 1 1/2 pounds. After every appointment I always enjoy looking in my own baby book to see how big I was. Turns out she's very close in size to what I was at that age. I was about a 1/4 pound less than her, and a 1/2 inch taller. Her next appointment is in May, so it will be fun to see the changes between now and then too.

Perfume Talk

As Scott and I walked through the store yesterday, I couldn't help but stop and smell the different ones they had sitting out. I'm always looking for a new scent or brand that I could try. I have to admit that I am a little picky though, and often think that the scents are too "floral" smelling. Some people really like this, but for me it's my least favorite scent. I prefer something more subtle and unique.

Over the years I've tried many different perfumes, but always seem to comes back to the same one. Beautiful by Estee Lauder is my ABSOLUTE favorite. It smells great and lasts all day. It's a bit expensive, but the quality and quantity that you get is well worth the money! If you've never tried it, you really should. One great option to learn more about perfumes is to read reviews online. Isn't technology wonderful?!? I recently came across a very informative perfume blog that offers reviews and information that can help to make buying decisions easier for those searching. Check it out if you have time, it's a great site!

The Bachelor

I don't know about anyone else...but I am hooked on the bachelor this season. I kind of took a break from the show for a while, but now am hooked for some reason. I just am so interested in what's going to happen each show. I'm looking forward to the show tonight, as there are fewer girls left and it's getting more intense. It's nice that Scott will watch it with me even though it's not his favorite thing to do....it's great to have that time to spend with one another.

Find New and Unlocked Cell Phones

When Scott started his new job...he found that although he would have his cell phone plan paid for, he would have to provide the cell phone. That was ok with him, as he's always had a love for cell phones and knows exactly which one he wants. Unfortunately the one he wants is a little bit more expensive than we would like, so he's been saving over the past few months. He's been looking around and found some of the best deals over at the Gadget Circle website. Have you ever checked it out before??

Gadget Circle is a site which offers new and unlocked cell phones for great prices. I checked it out and really like the user friendliness of the site as well as the ease of navigation. The categories are listed along the left column, so finding what you're looking for really takes no time at all. For instance, Scott knew that he was interesting in looking through the brand new and unlocked blackberry phones offered, so he simply clicked on the Blackberry category and found everything he needed. He's quite the cell phone savvy guy....and he will attest that this is a site worth checking out!

Weekends

We sure had a nice weekend. It's always great to see our families and to have time to spend together at home. We had a relaxing day on Saturday, and Sunday my parents watched Kaelyn for us while Scott and I went to the movie Taken. It was a great movie, and was fun to have a date again! I'm thankful that our parents live so close and can do this every once in a while. They sure enjoy it too! They took Kaelyn around the mall...which she absolutely loved. She kept them busy, but they had a blast! I'm sad that the weekend is already over, but am happy that there's only 5 more days until another one. :)

Capella University

I have always considered going back to school. If I did however, it would have to be from home...as I would not give up being home with my daughter. That is my first priority. Furthering my education is something I think would be good though, and in looking through different online college, Capella University caught my attention. They offer many degree programs for those seeking both undergraduate and graduate degrees. They are becoming more and more well known and are said to have very high quality education offered there. In fact, many of their students go on to do great things from there, like Jeannie McGuire for instance. She is the founder of Project Unity and also a former master's student. She was awarded the Sunny Andrews Award for commitment to social work by the ASWB. Quite impressive if you ask me. It really makes me want to look into Capella even more and see all that they could have to offer me when it comes to online college courses.

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American Idol

Is there anyone who gets into American Idol like I do?? I just love it. I used to like the beginning of the season the most...when everyone is trying out to make it to Hollywood. However...as each year passes, I've also enjoyed watching further into the season and seeing who makes it in the top 12 and so on. By the end I always have a favorite and am cheering them on all the way. I'm curious to see how this year is going to go...as I can tell there are many terrific singers. I guess we'll see....

Little Trip

Tonight we've decided that we'll go stay with my parents. Scott leaves tomorrow morning really early for a couple of days...So Kaelyn and I thought it would be nice to see my parents and have some company while he's gone. It's also a closer drive for Scott from where they live, so that's nice too. I'm looking forward to it too. All day long, Kaelyn has been saying "papa" and "mayme" for Grampa and Grammy...so I know she's excited!! :)

Make Money Scanning Products

I recently looked into doing this thing where a company sends you a barcode scanner and you scan the groceries you buy. It's a way to monitor what people are buying and use to gather data. They pay you too...which is neat. Unfortunately I don't think I meet the criteria at this time to join, but I do think it would be fun. My Grandma does it and really likes it. It's not a way to get rich quick, but is a great way to make some extra cash I guess.

Allegro Medical

Since 1996, Allegro Medical has been one of the largest independently owned online retailers of life enhancing products like medical equipment and home health care supplies. They now serve over 1 million customers and continue to grow. I can see why as they have a great deal to offer. Their products range from Exercise & Fitness Equipment, Nutritional Dietary Supplements, Maternity/Baby Supplies and Outdoor Gear. That's a lot of products to choose from. If you check out their website, you'll see that they actually offer 55,000 products and you can search through 50 categories which makes finding what you need even easier. Check it out when you have a moment....it's such a great site and you'll be happy you did, especially if you're looking for electrodes.

Tax Time

It's the middle of January and before yesterday we still hadn't received any tax documents in the mail. I was beginning to wonder if they were ever going to come, but then yesterday we got quite a few. It's kind of a stressful time of year. I really don't enjoy the whole taxes thing and always stress out about making sure we have all the documents we need and all the paperwork. Oh well...it always comes and goes and turns out fine.

Obama Inaguration Signs

I don't know about you, but I decided to watch the Obama Inauguration today. Whether you voted for him or not, it's still a big day in history which is very special. I saw many people there with Inauguration rally signs and thought it would be fun to see if they have commemorative ones online. I found obamainagurationsigns. They have 2009 Obama Inauguration Rally Signs. What's great is, if you don't want the Obama signs, you can also get the John McCain/Sarah Palin Campaign Rally Signs. I thought it was neat that they offer a variety. You can get them for 9.99 each with free shipping. You can with paypal or Google checkout. Check out their site for more information.

What a joy!

I'm so glad we have a daughter who naps so well!! She's always laid down pretty well whenit's tha time of day. I lay her down at noon and she typically sleeps til' two. It's a great couple of hours for me to get things done around the house and online. She's such a good little girl...we're truly blessed!! What a joy she is!!

Karisma

Anyone who enjoys traveling has probably heard of Karisma before. They are a selection of hotels along the beaches of the Mexican Riviera Maya and have a great deal to offer anyone who is looking to take a fun and relaxing family vacation. Their gourmet inclusive concept is something that really caught my attention, but they also have many wonderful luxurious accommodations like beach butlers, swim up rooms, hot tubs and so much more! I don't know about you, but with the bitter cold weather we've been having, this kind of relaxing vacation with snap to service sounds great! You can learn more about their desitnation if you're interested in going there yourself.

Walking a lot

Kaelyn sure has been walking well these days. She's really getting the hang of it and is keeping us quite busy. She's even learned to get up from a sitting position on her own which is fairly impressive as well. It's really assisted her in the process and we haven't seen her crawling at all anymore. It's very cute. It hardly seems like such a little person should be walking around, but I guess seeing as how she is 14 months it's a typical time to start. Soon I have a feeling she'll be running all over the place.

Soon...

Scott will be home tomorrow from his week long training for work. Kaelyn and I are really looking forward to having him home again and getting to see him. A week is sure a long time to be away from each other. It sounds like he's enjoying it and is learning a lot of things, but would like to get home as well. Hopefully we can just have a relaxing weekend at home out of the cold and winter weather. We'll see if that's possible...usually something comes up though.

Monaco Rare Coin

Monaco rare coin is a part of Monex, which is a company I'm sure many have heard of before. They are a leader in the investments of precious metals and have been for almost 40 years. They have helped many people and are trusted for the services and products they provide. I was quite impressed as I learned more about them. Monaco Rare Coin is trusted as well. They offer unique resources for investors and collectors who are interested in rare coins. They actually have quite the website if you'd like to check it out for more information. It's very user friendly and easy to navigate. If you'd like to learn more about them head over there today.

Kaelyn's Schedule

I'm so glad Kaelyn takes naps so well. If she didn't, I don't know how I would ever get anything done during the day. She lays down so well...no matter where we're at and sleep for quite some time. At night she sleeps great too. We got her on a schedule when she was fairly young and it was the best thing we could have done. To have a routine has been a lifesaver and not only makes for a happier baby, but more organized parents as well.

Pets in the Family

Scott and I do not have any pets, however my parents and siblings do. Mom and Dad have had Zoe for about 7 years now and she's a wonderful dog!! She's a sweet Bichon whose cuddly and very well trained. We enjoy dogsitting her when my parents are away. Kaelyn likes it too...as she and Zoe get along so well. Zoe is her "Pukitty" as Kaelyn would say. :)

Zoe

Then, a few months ago my little brother got a kitty. He lives on his own and Mylie has been a great addition to his household. She is very sweet and is wonderful company. I had never had much experience with cats before, but from the little time that we've gotten to see her and psend time with her she seems well behaved and quiet. She loves Jake and loves to cuddle him whenever she gets the chance! :) Kaelyn really likes Mylie too! She her "kitty, kitty, kitty".

Mylie

My twin brother and his wife have been wanting a dog for quite some time. They live in an apartment though, and had to get approval before getting one. Once they got the "ok" they did some searching and found the perfect match to their family....Wall.e! He is an adorable cocker spaniel and sounds like a sweetheart. (we haven't met him yet, but hopefully sometime soon we'll be able to!) Our little nephew, Emry, loves to play with him and give him lots of hugs and kisses.

Wall.e

It's fun to have new "additions" to our family. I don't think Scott and I will be getting a pet anytime soon, but it's fun to see the pets our family members have from time to time. :)

Beauty Jobs

Beauty Jobs are those which seem to be more and more popular these days. I can see why. They offer stability and excitement. The nice thing is the schedule that one can have in a job like this. Are you someone who is interested in finding a job in this career? If so, you may want to check out beautyjobs.com. They are a website that help people fine the salon and spa jobs they are looking for. This service is free and a perfect way to help both job seekers and employers. If you'd like to learn more about BeautyJobs.com, you check out their site today. It's very user friendly and easy to navigate. You won't be sorry you did.

Schedule

It's so nice to have Kaelyn on a good schedule. She knows when it's time to eat and when it's time to sleep. She lays down so well for bed and is just the best little girl. We got her on a schedule when she was quite young and in no time she got used to it and has adjusted well. It's so nice having her on a predictable schedule and one we can work around. Waking up at 8 and going to bed at 8 really makes it nice for Scott and I too. We get our work done around the house in the mornings and after she goes to bed and have time to spend together as well.

Perpetual Diamonds

I don't know about you, but I love jewelry...especially diamonds...what girl doesn't, right?? I even shop online every once in a while for it and recently happened to come across PerpetualDiamonds.com. Have you ever been to this site? I hadn't, and am very imrpessed with all they have to offer after browsing for a while. What's so great about them you ask? Well, first of all they offer a risk-free shopping experience where people can purchase with a transaction that is 100% insured by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. When shopping online this is so important...I always want to know that I'm getting exactly what I ordered. Knowing that authenticity is guaranteed is so comforting, don't you think?! THey also allow you to return anything that you're not completely satisfied with within 7 days for a full refund or 30 for an exchange.

If you would like to learn more about Perpetual Diamonds and see all that they have to offer, head over to their site today. You'll appreciate their very user friendly site.

Fun Day!

Wow...it's amazing how quickly the time goes by when you have things to do outside of the house. I had a dentist appointment so Kaelyn and I got up early, went to FC and spent the afternoon. My mom was kind enough to keep an eye on Kaelyn while I got my teeth cleaned and they had a great time!! We then ate lunch and hung out for a while. It was nice to get out and have a fun day outside of the home. With the cold weather we don't get that opportunity as often as we would like. The day went by quickly, but it was a lot of fun!

Designer Jewelry

I'm sure anyone who enjoys Designer Jewelry has heard of Holsted Jewelers?!! I know I have. They provide designer jewelery, gifts and accessories for many who have been completely satisfied with their services and their craft. They actually shipped 15 million products in the last 5 years. Now that's what I call success!! Their products must meet very high standards which is one of the reasons they have such a wide customer base. If you're looking for quality, affordable jewelry, either for yourself or someone else...this is the place to look. Check out their site today for more information. You won't be sorry you did.

Blah...

Who would have thought that the common cold could make someone feel so miserable?!! Kaelyn and I both have been fighting this cold...runny nose, achey muscles, sore throat....for a while and it's really starting to get old. I am very anxious for it to be done with. This is no way to start out the new year. Thankfully it's nothing compared to the stomach flu we had last week though...that was bad!!

Entertainment Center

Scott and I recently bought a Wii. We really like it and it has us thankful for the tv furniture we bought a while back. Our entertainment center is large enough to hold it, our TV, VCR and sound system. It helps to eliminate clutter and keep things more organized. With a baby around the house and a lot of toys...it's nice to keep organization where we can. That's for sure!! Thankfully there are people out there who create furniture with parents like us in mind.

Shopping Online

Nowadays guys have it pretty easy when it comes to researching engagement rings. When Scott bought my engagement ring years ago...he and my mom went from jewelry store to jewelry store looking for the perfect ring. I still think it's necessary to go to the store and make the final purchase...but the internet is such a nice resource for those wanting to research and browse. It's nice that people have this option and luxury these days.

Family Time

What a great holiday we had with family. We started out celebrating with Scott's side of the family, and then headed to mine. It was fun seeing everyone...however, unfortunately many of us got the stomach flu...including poor Kaelyn. She is still struggling with that and her poor teeth. I feel bad for her. It's been a lot of fun seeing everyone, but I wish we had all felt a bit better. Oh well. There's nothing we could do and we made the best of it.