Earlier this summer I won a bib from a giveaway that our lovely host from “Things I Love Thursday” offered.  My youngest doesn’t use a bib anymore but I had several baby showers I needed to attend and so I entered knowing I would certainly be able to use it.  And?  I won!

I got to drool over the super cute designs & fabrics from eveBDesigns.  They were all really very cute!  So I picked out one for a new little second cousin that was being born.  Evelyn was so great to work with!!  She helped me with my fabric choice and shipped it out in almost no time.  And it was adorable when it arrived!  The quality was perfect.  It was packaged so cute.  And it was loved by the baby’s mama!!

But even better?

Evelyn donates 50% of every sale to child abuse organizations – currently Kent County Children’s Assessment Center.  Fifty percent!  Of every sale!  She originally planed to donate 10%, but she felt strongly & even convicted to donate more – isn’t that awesome!!  So not only will you end up with a beautiful bib but you’ll be helping Evelyn help an awesome cause!!

And there’s more …

Evelyn has graciously offered to give one of you a free bib with appliqued name!!

How can you win?

There are FOUR ways to enter: (just leave a separate comment for each):

• Visit eveBDesigns on Etsy and leave a comment as to which print is your favorite!
• Like eveBDesigns on Facebook or tell me you already do.
• Like it’s come 2 this … on Facebook or tell me you already do.
• Tweet or FB about this giveaway – just be sure to link back to this contest page.

That’s FOUR WAYS TO WIN!!

Contest will only run through midnight, Wednesday September 15th!

• Post linked to Things I Love Thursday at The Diaper Diaries.

Please visit my current sponsors: Wired Whimsy - Handmade Jewelry with Vintage Flair and a Dash of Whimsy Mimi's Babies - Special Gifts for Special Babies

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I love a hot meal.

My husband loves a hot meal.

My kids?  Not so much.

I hate going to a restaurant and having a super hot plate with super piping hot food being sat down in front of my five year old.  Much less my two year old!!  You know the scene – they’ve been complaining the last fifteen minutes about how hungry they are.  Then the food is served and you have to wait another fifteen minutes until it’s cool enough for them to eat!!  I don’t understand why restaurants feel the need to set Kid’s Plates under the hot lights, but that’s a whole other post!

At home, at least I do have some control over it.

My trick? I always dish out the kids’ plates first.  Then I immediately stick them in the freezer.  That way, they have a chance to start cooling off while I dish out plates for my husband & I, get silverware out on the table, kids’ hands washed and drinks poured.

Then by the time we all sit down, my husband and I have a hot plate.  And my children have a warm plate that they can actually start eating from!

Do you have any meal time tricks?

• Post linked to Works for Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family (because this works for me!)

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Yesterday was Labor Day.  You know, the day we recognize our Labor and take a day off from it!  So, it had me thinking.  What type of “Labor” have I done over the years.  And thus I present:

The Top Ten Labors of Mandi

1.  Clown – my first paying gig.  I wore a clown outfit every Saturday with Amanda and Staci.  To do what you might ask?  To stand on the side of the street and attract customers.  For what store you might ask?  A FINE CLOTHING store!  Actually it was so “fine” they used “Clothiers” instead of “Clothing”.  Why in this world they thought clowns would be a good match, I have no idea, but they did.  And so we were clowns.  And got paid for it – PLUS lunch!  I’m giggling as I write this because the whole thing was so funny.  But totally true story!

2.  Shoe Dyer- Throughout most of high school and into college I worked at a little boutique called The Glass Slipper.  It was a wedding store that specialized in only shoes & accessories.  And what did I do?  I color matched and hand dyed bridal & bridesmaids shoes.  Like hundreds and hundreds of them.  Again, true story!  The most fun though was when Amanda joined me and came to work there too!

3.  Children’s Ministry Assistant – A “little bit of everything” pretty much sums up that job!  But, ironically I worked for Amanda’s mother!  Ha – are you seeing a connection?

4.  Carpool Girl - While I worked for Children’s Ministry at our church, they had a Weekday Preschool Ministry.  I helped the Director with a variety of things, but one of my main duties was running Carpool.  And I actually pride myself on being able to run a very efficient carpool line.  I can’t be responsible for all the crazy drivers, but the line itself – I can run well!!

5.  Runt - This was the job where you’ve actually tried to block it out so much that you actually have.  I hate it.  Every minute of it.  That’s about all I remember.  That and the day I turned in my notice!

6.  Vendor Specialist – Fancy title with not much else.  I had a cubicle.  I had a phone.  I had accounts.  I basically did the same thing every day.  Boring. Boring. Boring.

7.  Office Manager - I ran the office (heck, I ran the company – ha!) for a User Research Firm in Atlanta.  I loved that work.  It was a small office but we were always working with big companies.  And it was an office full of men.  Plenty of drama still, but not catty girl drama.  I loved it!

8.  Researcher – I loved it (number seven above), so much that I finally got to use my Marketing experience and started researching for the company.  Stressful and hard – yes.  But I loved that job.  I loved the studies we did – testing new products before they came to market to see how user friendly they were or were not.  I got to run focus group and one-on-one studies, interviewing people – seriously I loved it!

9. Mom – But I loved my son more.  So I made the tough decision to come home full-time and leave that world behind.  At least leave it behind in a 60hr+ work week kind of way.  I still do a little here and there.

10.  Sister-in-Law - So, yeah that’s not really a work title, but it kind of goes along with the work.  My sister-in-law owns a Skincare Clinic in the Atlanta area and I get to help her out with some marketing efforts and in the office every now and then.  It’s fun work so definitely not “really” work!

So, the hardest of them all with the least amount of pay?  Mom, of course!  Case in point – I didn’t get Labor Day off … did you?

• Post linked to Top Ten Tuesday at ohAmanda.

Please visit my current sponsors: Wired Whimsy - Handmade Jewelry with Vintage Flair and a Dash of Whimsy Mimi's Babies - Special Gifts for Special Babies

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Saturday Stumbles

Do you have a post of must reads?  A post linking up all the best posts you’ve read this week?

If so, be sure to link up at the end!  It’s super easy to join in, so give it a try!

I was looking through my StumbleUpon account and realized I had several “Marshmallow Posts” in my Favorites Account.  That strikes me as slightly funny, but hey, if I’ve got a few there’s a good chance someone else is looking for some too.  Maybe you perhaps?

Some fun Marshmallow Posts ~

The Gold Medal Marshmallow from How Does She?: A tutorial for a perfect Marshmallow!  And possibly the largest that I’ve ever seen!

Eight Ways to Dress Up a Marshmallow from Living Locurto: Even the title of the post is cute, so you know the post itself will be!!  I love these ideas – so cute & fairly easy looking!

Homemade Marshmallows from Baking Bites: I don’t even know if I like marshmallows enough to try this, but I just think it would be fun either way!!  They look so cute and handmade!!

DIY Smores Kit by Twig & Thistle: These are on my “Christmas To-Make List”.  I think it would be fun to receive, don’t you?

Do you have a stumble post?  Or a post of your favorite posts?  We all call them different things, but let’s link up! I’ll bribe you with tweets of your post and comment love too! Just leave your blog name in the link up below.  Please be sure to link to your actual post – not your blog.  And remember, the point is that we’re highlighting other people’s posts, so please make sure your post highlights other blogs (and I’ll highlight yours!).  Here are some guidelines if you like to read things like that!  Feel free to grab the button if you’d like.  And if you tweet, be sure to use the hashtag #SatStumbles so we can find each other & others can find us!

Please visit my current sponsors: Wired Whimsy - Handmade Jewelry with Vintage Flair and a Dash of Whimsy Mimi's Babies - Special Gifts for Special Babies

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I’ve talked about my love for Kidorable before.  And if you haven’t heard about this deal yet, it’s a good one!  What little boy or girl doesn’t need a super cute “Kidorable” Umbrella??

Free Umbrella with a $20 purchase

Just CLICK THE BELOW IMAGE & Enter Coupon Code: modfreeumb08

Coupon Code: modfreeumb08

Expires: September 15 2010

So, here’s my suggestion … purchase a pair of super cute rain boots & then get the super cute umbrella to match – for free!!

Disclosure:  Affiliate links included above.  With which, I am hoping to total up all my sales and purchase a pack of gum – my fresh breath thanks you!

Please visit my current sponsors: Wired Whimsy - Handmade Jewelry with Vintage Flair and a Dash of Whimsy Mimi's Babies - Special Gifts for Special Babies

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I try not to drink a lot of coke (I’m from Atlanta so now you know that doesn’t specifically mean “coke”), but I always like to keep something around.  It’s actually on my Top Ten List.

There are some mornings, afternoons, or evenings that I just need a coke.

But, since I don’t want to drink them regularly, I keep them in the pantry – nice and hot.

One day last week I had a major craving for a Sprite. It was probably right after Megan decided a sixty-minute nap would qualify as a nap.

So I pulled out a hot can and stuck it in the freezer (you know where this is going, right?).  I kind of like it better from the can, especially when it gets slightly frozen or slushi like.  Plus our ice machine is broken and I’m too lazy to continuously fill the stupid ice trays!

So, the Sprite Can is in the freezer.  And I forget about it (you know where this is going, right?).  Apparently the craving wore off and I was ok without it.

The day went on.  Dinner came and went.  The kids were put down for the night.

I started cleaning up toys and dishes when I heard a loud pop. Freaked me out!  But for the life of me I couldn’t figure out what it was!

(You know where this is going, right?)

The night went on.  I went to bed. As I laid in bed I thought to myself “I think I forgot to drink my Sprite”.

And then I sat straight up and it dawned on me what that big pop was!!  Uh-oh.

Well, all I have to say is my freezer got a good clean the next day.

And I’m glad it was a Sprite and not a “Coke”.

So, be honest – has your freezer ever been cleaned because of this too?

• Post linked to Friday Fails at My Blessed Life.

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Today we’re going to meet both Evan & Megan’s new pre-school teachers.  To say I am excited is an understatement.  I am ubberly excited!!  I’ve learned that my children and I both do a little better with occasional & scheduled breaks from one another.  Please don’t hate me for saying that – but it’s totally true!!

This will be Megan’s first year of “pre-school”.  Since Evan’s been at the school for several years, the administrators asked me if I had a teacher request for Megan.  I laughed – and said just the teacher with the most patience!!  She (meaning the teacher) will need it.  Trust me!

But along with days at school come lots of other things - structured schedules, organization, book bags, and lunch boxes.  Recently, I was sent an Annabel Karmel Double Decker Mealbox for review.  Perfect timing!

I love how cute & efficient this thing is!

First of all the colors are adorable!  I love the teal & lime combo.

My second favorite feature – the plasticware compartments – seriously!  I love when everything has a home!

And my third favorite feature – it can be used in so many different ways.  Either as a single layer or double decker.  You can remove the small compartments and have just one larger one.  It’s perfect for sandwiches or sides.

Not too mention it’s BPA Free, Dishwasher, Microwave AND Freezer Safe!  All pluses in my book!

So if you’re looking for a practical lunch container, this one might be worth you trying out!

Where to buy: Babies ‘R’ Us or online at Amazon.com, $8.50

• Post linked to Things I Love Thursday at The Diaper Diaries.

Disclosure:  I was sent a Double Decker Mealbox to facilitate this review; however, as always the opinions are totally and completely mine.

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Wow – that just sounds funny.  Certainly never though I’d be talking about blanket weaning!

Evan did not have attachments.

He used a pacifier but at one year, he decided he was done with it and he threw out.

He did not carry animals around.

And he was not interested in blankets.

Megan on the other, is a different child.  She’s attached to everything.

She wants to go to sleep with a dozen animals.

She wants a pacifier in her mouth and another in her hand just in case (I’m kidding, but you get the picture).

And she wants her blanket.  She wants HER blanket.  Not A blanket.  Not ANY blanket.  She wants HER blanket – a blue, yellow & white stripped blanket.

I, on the other hand, am SO sick of that blanket!!  I’m tired of carrying it around.  I’m tired of having to know where it is at every second of the day.  I am so sick of that blanket!  So for the past couple of months we’ve been on a blanket wean.

What’s a blanket wean you might ask?

Basically I cut the blanket!  First, I cut it in half.  Then, a few weeks later, I cut the halves in half.  And now?  I’m cutting those in half too!

It’s getting smaller & smaller and she hasn’t seemed to notice or care.

The Pros:

• Since it’s smaller, it doesn’t drag on the floor – yay!
• I can also wash them more often because there’s more to go around – double yay!!

The Cons:

• I guess there’s a chance that the sentimental side of me will be sad one day that I’ve totally butchered my daughter’s favorite blanket.  But the practical side of me says “you’re not that sentimental anyways” – ha!

Now to just work on that pacifier – any tricks for that?

• Post linked to Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family.

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(especially all at once!)

You know those weeks when you really need to get to the grocery store & for whatever reason you just don’t?  For like multiple days in a row?   For me, it’s usually because I absolutely dread going to the store with two young children in tow, but that’s a whole other post!!

Anyhow, I recently had one of those weeks.

We were down to passing squares of toilet paper back & forth.  You know it’s bad when it comes down to that!

But not only we were out of toilet paper, we were also out of five of the …

Top Ten Things to Never Run Out Of (especially all at once):

1.  Toilet Paper – self explanatory

2.  Dish Detergent – oh I hate having dishes in the sick overnight!

3.  Laundry Detergent – I don’t mind the laundry piling up for a few days, but don’t you know you always run out of it right when you need to wash the perfect pair of jeans or top or whatever!

4.  Coke - I’m from Atlanta, so everything is “coke”.  But really I just want a can of chemicals with some caffeine.  I don’t drink it regularly, but when I want one and I’m out … well that just stinks!

5.  Diapers – We use them at night still (and Megan’s still not 100% during the day) so if we’re out, that’s just not good!!

6.  Hairspray/Gel/Stuff – I went over a week without any of my hair “stuff”.  I don’t use that much, but trust me – my hair needs something!

7.  Make Up – I was using eye shadow as under eye concealer and foundation as eye shadow.  Oh I was in desperate need of some refills!

8.  Deodorant - Stinky.  Stinky.  And in my case with these temperatures – sweaty, sweaty!

9.  Feminine Products – Well it’s true!

10.  Chocolate – Because life is just so much better with chocolate!  Which also means that it stinks without any (in my little opinion)!

So, what did  I miss?  What’s on your “I can not run out of” list?

• Post linked to Top Ten Tuesday at ohAmanda.

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My Jordan

We’ve been on an awesome series at church the last several weeks called “Fractured Fairy Tales – It’s Not Always Happily Ever After”.

I’ve been reminded of so many important truths.  One is that often times we fracture our own stories. Sure there are instances that are simply out of our hands, but it’s those times when we want to point fingers at others that very often we should probably be looking inward.  The good news; however, is that even if our fairytale has fractures, God is still writing His!!

This week Pastor Shawn raised one very important question.  “What if God cares more about us not doing what He has commanded of us TO DO as opposed to what He has commanded us NOT TO DO?”

For most of us, it’s easy not to kill, not to steal, or not to cheat on our spouse.

But what about all the things he’s commanded us to do?

Give tithes?  Forgive those that have hurt us?  What about those things we know we’ve heard God speak directly to our hearts about – go on that mission trip?  Help the ungrateful neighbors down the street?  Volunteer in Children’s Church?  Do something big for God?

It’s a lot easier to start making excuses when money is tight, when someone has hurt us so badly or when we don’t think God has picked a very convenient time for us to go on that mission trip, help that neighbor, or volunteer.  It’s so much harder then.  Or at least it is for me!

And then we were reminded of James 2:17:

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Our faith is totally and completely dead and useless if we have no action.

“Most of us don’t need more faith.  We need more action.”

I know I do. Do you?

God told Joshua to cross the Jordan River when it was at flood stage.  When the waters were raging.  And when it wasn’t very convenient.

I know what my Jordan is.  I acknowledged it to myself and to God yesterday.  Actually, I realize that I have several “Jordans” in my life.

Now comes the hard part – giving action to my faith!  Trusting God enough to step into the river.

• Post linked to Motivation Monday at Inspired to Action.

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