Am I Blessed or What?!

Not even two weeks ago I was given the Lemonade Award and now I have been given TWO more blog awards! How great is that? The Wii Fit Mommies have passed on these two awards to me. I feel so honored to get so much recognition lately.



Rules state that I must link back to who gave me the award and pass on to ten others.

Amazing women who have shown me support that I believe deserve these awards! I am linking to their twitter address and their blog address because lately I have used twitter to interact with people more then just their blog. I hope you get a chance to enjoy these women as much as I have!

@JessicaKnows Jessica from Jessica Knows
@ToThink Arianne from To Think Is To Create
@princesstimetoy Connie at Princess Time Toys
@cynchrys Cindy from Streamside Farm
@tpompa Terri from QHealth Beauty
@rbuscemi Rebecca from Creative Virtual Office
@chatterboxcgc Christie from My Life a Work in Progress
@brandyellen Brandy from Writings of a WAHM

Some blogs I just adore!

@wiseyoungmommy Petra at The Wise Young Mommy
@tenakim Tena from My Therapy

I know there are many more and wish I could add them all...

I Heart Faces - Kids Contest

There is a cool new website called I Heart Faces and I have decided to join their weekly contest. The way you enter is pick a category and display a photo with a face from that category. I selected the Kids category and here is my photo.



This is the first face photo I received of my son. I know at times these sonogram photos can be hard to see. It is his side profile and looks as if his thumb is in his mouth. So adorable! I feel in love with my son before I even gave birth and being able to see a 3D photo of him was priceless.

Enjoy!

Tuesday Toot

Last night I took my oldest to the Open House at the 6th grade school. T will be attending 6th grade in the fall and here the school is separate, one building for only 6th graders. We got to tour the school and listen to the PTA talk, Principal tell all about their programs, electives and introduce the teachers. Yes, it was brutally boring! We did enjoy our tour though... T was really excited to see the two-story school and how big it is. They also teach foreign language there which is very exciting for her as well since she wants to learn French. I took French in school but can hardly say two words now, LOL. Maybe I'll re-learn with her.

So going to this school last night and sitting next to my daughter with her friends, who I might add are all the same size as me, was enlightening {if that's the right word}. It just dawned on me, I was sitting next to a 'little me'. I was in awe. I mean I know I had her young but it was like it just hit me that I am a mother of a pre-teen. She is going to be 12 years old this year! Have you ever had that moment, where you just sit back and say... WOW, this is my life! Well I have had those moments a few times lately when it comes to T. Even though I am the one who has raised her for 11.5 years it is almost like I am in shock that I have a child this age. I know, I know... I'm not old enough to have a kid who is going to turn 12, I know I was too young. Trust me, I've heard it all. But this leads to today's toot.

So for today's Tuesday Toot I want to toot my own horn that I am proud of myself. Although I was way too young, I did it! T does well in school, a great helper with her younger siblings and full of love! I don't think I could have done a better job. She is a good friend, good student and wonderful sister/daughter!

Toot Toot for me at making it as a mom!

Monday Momisms

Carla from Mama Hearts Baby came up with a great idea of writing Monday Momisms. This is where you write some form of Mommy Wisdom for your child/children that you would like to pass along to them one day. Maybe a little bit of life advice that you would like your children to know even if you can't tell them right now. Sort of like a short version of that Michael Keaton movie, My Life.

So for today's Monday Momisms:

Dear T,
I am sorry you were not an only child. I am sorry that you have to share things with your younger siblings and that both your sister and brother go into your room without permission. I know my time has been stretched thin and taken away from you to care for my other children. I am truly sorry that you seem to be upset a lot and believe life is not fair to not only have mom all to yourself like in the first 5 years of your life.
Love,
Mom

Dear T,
I feel so blessed to be able to give you a younger sister and brother. I know the treasures a family shares will be cherished by you all throughout your life. I hope you realize how blessed you truly are to be able to share life with siblings and have such a close family. I am also very excited to be able to share you with my other children. You are such a wonderful big sister and will continue to grow into a good role model for Gab and Noah.
Love,
Mom

Life Lesson: "What may seem to be the worse right now, could end up being the best blessing in life"

Amy Adele

FREE shipping until Monday, January 12th at 11:59 PM EST on all items with no minimum at Amy Adele. I love the fact that all Amy Adele paper items are 100% post consumer recycled paper. What better way to send stationery or use business cards while staying on the track of being green.

Not only is Amy Adele offering free shipping but right now through the end of January all the boys t-shirts are 50% off. How great is that? I just love the adorable monkey t-shirt which you can customize with your own little one's name.


When you check out Amy Adele's products the sales are automatic, no need for codes.
Happy Shopping!

16 Random Facts

I was tagged by Erin from Son Up to Son Down when she gave me the Lemonade Award to write 16 random facts about myself. This took some thinking.

1. When I was a kid I took dance class for five years. Although I did jazz, tap and ballet my main dance was clogging. {now hold back the giggles please} I also can not believe I am adding this photo!

2. Starting in middle school I became an Algebra Honors student and maintained A's. I love math as geeky as that might sound. I always disliked science and history, although I now wish I would have paid more attention. I am also a straight A college student now. Go me!

3. When I was very young I tried climbing on a dog b/c my cousin told me I could ride him like a horse. I was young enough to believe her and although she might have been right, this particular dog was eating at the time. Unfortunately he threw me off pretty quick and bit me pretty bad. I still have the scar across my nose as you can see in this picture.

4. When I was 16yo I got a job at Claire's piercing ears at a local mall. The requirements for being able to pierce live human ears including babies... well let's just say the requirements weren't very high! :)

5. I have not always lived in the state of Texas. I once lived in Tennessee for 6 months and lived in Oklahoma for 2 months. Short resident trips yet long stories.

6. Although this random fact has been posted before I can't get more random then being able to move my ears. Yes that's right and there is a video to see this happening here.

7. I love to travel! Long distance, short distance, it doesn't matter. I have visited 12 states more then once each and would love to visit all 50. Want to take a quick road trip? I'm game. I fly places although I hate flying.

8. When I was little I also used to model for Dillard's. Another embarrassing photo of me walking the runway setup outside of Dillard's Department store within the mall.

9. I got married after only knowing the man for four weeks! Although it lasted three years I am guessing that is one reason he is my ex-husband now. The things we do when we're 18yo!

10. The pets/animals I've owned: {not at the same time} two snakes, two bunnies, Chinchilla, cats, dogs, fish, hamster, guinea pig, hermit crabs, turtles and mice to feed the snakes. I also used to spend a lot of time with my sister's wolf and sugar gliders, years back.

11. For a couple of years {before Gabby started having problems} I was a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters and was a Big Sister to a teenage mom. I love being a mentor and have a very strong passion for it.

12. Throughout all of school years I used to love drawing cartoon characters. This one I haven't done in a while but my parents still have some framed in their house, unfortunately I don't have one to scan to display a photo. My daughter has recently asked me to draw her some Looney Toon characters so once that is complete I will post a photo.

13. I am a huge One Tree Hill fan. I love that show and don't miss it. I own all the previous seasons on DVD. I also am really bad about searching out spoilers online b/c I can't wait to know what's going to happen next. Such a cheater, I know...

14. I collect magnets. The front of my refrigerator is covered in them and I make sure to pick one up from every new location. I also enjoy receiving them from friends and family who travel to new places. {hint, hint}

15. I used to be on the YMCA swim team. I tried finding a photo to attach but apparently they are all at my parent's house. Again this was before high school days.

16. Now this is the final random fact. I love to bite and some {jokingly} believe I must have cannibal ancestors. Now before you go start thinking all dirty, this isn't just a sexual thing. I see my baby's fat cheeks and not only want to squeeze them like most people but I want to nibble them off. LOL {put down the phone and don't call CPS} I don't really hurt my children or bring blood or even bruise them. But haven't you ever had the desire to just nibble on your kids? Like the old saying "so cute I could just eat 'em up." Now if I am dating you, on the other hand, watch out. You could just be standing there and I will walk across the room to bite the shit out of you because it feels good. I do want to note I have never brought blood or felt the desire to taste blood on my victims. I am very affectionate, love to cuddle, squeeze and well... bite.

Fitness Friday

Week One of the Wii Fit Mommies Challenge is complete. I must say I believe I did fairly good for the first week. To go from not working out at all to almost working out daily is a success for me. My last update was on the 1st with me creating my Mii and I worked out for over 30 minutes. On January 2nd I took my daughter to Six Flags and we walked around for four hours, therefore I did not make it on the Wii that night. Needless to say I was exhausted by the time I got home. I did find the option to log time for exercise outside of the Wii system. It even gives you the options of different types of exercises. I logged only two hours of walking for that day since I figured we stood in lines for rides and ate lunch during the four hours we were there. The only other day I missed any workout time was on Wednesday after spending the day at doctor appointments with my daughter, we had a total of three appts. that lasted until 7 PM. So, yes I decided to be lazy on Wednesday.

In my vlog you will see my weekly Wii Fit log, showing all my credits to activity. I also show my weight at this current time which if you would like you can go back and compare from my first update.

{MommaDJane's vlog}



Now you all know I absolutely LOVE the Wii Fit for myself! But did you know that I also love using it for my daughter? Gab had a stroke in utero and was born with Cerebral Palsy because of it. She has right-sided weakness in her body and goes through physical and occupational therapy twice a week. I think the Wii Fit is a great way to help her build strength and learn balance. It also gives her a FUN way to do her exercise and therapy at home instead of boring stretches like with her therapists. {No offense therapists} The Wii Fit gives options to really help all ages and be able to use the program to meet your own needs in an exciting environment where you don't even realize you are working out.

{Gab's vlog}