tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15508519192116795472024-03-14T03:03:59.949-07:00Full Hands = Full HeartTatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-61265745163409302462012-02-08T13:58:00.000-08:002012-02-08T13:58:33.488-08:00Hurry Hurry!Head over to <a href="http://soeasybeinggreen-blog.com/2012/01/new-baby-grand-prize-giveaway-abbys-lane/">So Easy Being Green</a> or <a href="http://www.mommyfergblog.com/2012/01/abbys-lanekissaluvs-fitted-diaper.html">The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a Second Time Mom</a> and enter to win an awesome Cloth Diaper Giveaway package from <a href="http://www.abbyslane.com/">Abby's Lane</a>.<br />
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I cannot say how much I love Abby's Lane! I started buying from her years ago, and everything is always smooth and quick. Plus I love the free shipping! <br />
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<a href="http://soeasybeinggreen-blog.com" target=”_blank”><img src="http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x400/lindseyg9/Blog/grandprizeverticalabbyslane.jpg" border="0"></a>Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-8406559414167327212012-02-01T11:35:00.000-08:002012-02-01T11:36:09.735-08:00Life With My Littles Birthday Bash giveaway!!There are some awesome giveaways going on over at <a href="http://lifewithmylittles.blogspot.com">Life With My Littles</a>. She's is currently giving away the follow: <br />
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<a href="http://lifewithmylittles.blogspot.com/2012/01/birthday-blessings-bash-thirsties-duo.html"><b>Thirsties Duo Diaper in snaps</b></a> -Ends Feb 2(hurry!)<br />
<a href="http://lifewithmylittles.blogspot.com/2012/01/birthday-blessings-bash-bambino.html"><b>Mambino Organics Little Bottoms Diaper Balm and 15% off coupon code</b></a> -Ends Feb 3<br />
<a href="http://lifewithmylittles.blogspot.com/2012/01/birthday-blessings-bash-grovia-ai2_24.html"><b>Grovia AI2 cloth diaper with soaker</b></a> -Ends Feb 3<br />
<a href="http://lifewithmylittles.blogspot.com/2012/01/birthday-blessings-bash-sew-is-your_25.html"><b>Cloth diaper of choice from Sew is Your Baby</b></a> -Ends Feb 4th<br />
<a href="http://lifewithmylittles.blogspot.com/2012/01/birthday-blessings-bash-amp-one-size_29.html"><b>AMP One Size Duo Diaper with hemp insert</b></a>- Ends Feb 8<br />
<a href="http://lifewithmylittles.blogspot.com/2012/01/birthday-blessings-bash-abes-market-25.html"><b>$25 GC to Abe's Market and 15% off coupon code</b></a>- Ends Feb 10<br />
<a href="http://lifewithmylittles.blogspot.com/2012/01/birthday-blessings-bash-sloomb.html"><b>$50 GC to Sloomb / Sustainablebabyish</b></a>- Ends Feb 11<br />
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Thank you for having such wonderful giveaways! Good Luck to everyone who enters!Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-35288789807914337982011-09-10T21:09:00.000-07:002011-09-10T21:09:30.357-07:00Turkey & Cheese Sliders<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I saw <a href="http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2010/04/ham-and-cheese-sliders.html">THIS</a><b> </b>recipe posted on Pinterest and thought they looked delicious. But I didn't have all the ingredients and I'm not a fan of Miracle Whip or Ham. So what did I do? Made my own recipe. Sorry, I'm not big on measuring things. Though I'm pretty sure this recipe could not be messed up.<b><br />
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<b>Turkey & Cheese Sliders - By Tatiana</b><br />
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12 Costco rolls<br />
Pepper Jack(or any kind of cheese)<br />
Turkey breast slices(lunch meat)<br />
Mayo<br />
Chopped dried onion <br />
1/3 C(approx)Ken's Steak House Lite Sweet Vidalia Onion Dressing<br />
2 T melted unsalted butter <br />
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Split the rolls in half and spread mayo on both slices. Layer 1 slice cheese and 1 slice turkey. Close the rolls and place in a glass dish(I used 7.5 x 11.75). In a bowl mix butter, Ken's, and dried onion. Brush mixture on top and in between the rolls. Bake at 350 for approx 10-15 minutes, when the top of the rolls are golden brown. Let them sit for a few minutes. Voila, so yummy!<br />
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These pictures are from my phone. After dinner was made because I didn't realize they would be so good.<br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
I used Monterey Jack for the kids.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56102727@N04/6134660691/" title="IMAG0015 by TFoxPhotography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6134660691_befb0df269_m.jpg" width="240" height="135" alt="IMAG0015"></a></div></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56102727@N04/6135206808/" title="IMAG0010 by TFoxPhotography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6135206808_d17ae13fe8_m.jpg" width="240" height="135" alt="IMAG0010"></a><br />
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This picture is crummy...but the meal was tasty!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56102727@N04/6134669097/" title="IMAG0011 by TFoxPhotography, on Flickr"><img alt="IMAG0011" height="135" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6134669097_8980c21412_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-71668289075939501832011-05-25T16:43:00.000-07:002011-05-25T16:43:13.691-07:00Cheap Sunscreen!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I was tempted to call this post Wishing and Hoping and Thinking and Praying....about SUN! Enough with my daydreaming...<br />
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I know many family members and friends have asked me to help them learn the ins and outs of coupons. I know (and remember exactly) how overwhelming it can be. Here is a SUPER easy couponing deal you can do...heck anyone can do it!<br />
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OOP= Out of Pocket<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fred Meyers </b></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">May 22-28 Hurry!!</span><br />
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<u>(3)Banana Boat sunscreen $8.99</u><br />
Total before coupons $26.97(+tax)<br />
<u>(3)In-store Mfr. coupon - $4.00</u> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Found hanging by the bottles on the shelf</span>.<br />
Total OOP $14.97(+tax)<br />
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Here is where it gets exciting!! Banana Boat has a Catalina deal going on(until June 4th). Catalinas are those coupons that print out after you make a purchase. Most people just throw them away...DON'T! I've gotten so many free items and awesome coupons, PLUS some give you $$ for your next purchase! Back to Banana Boat... If you spend $25 on certain products you get a Catalina back for $10 off your next purchase...of ANYTHING!<br />
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Total OOP $14.97(+tax)<br />
<u>Catalina $10.00</u><br />
Like paying $4.97(+ tax) for 3 bottles of Sunblock!!!<br />
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<a href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e293/Thatfox/IMG_9206-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e293/Thatfox/th_IMG_9206-1.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2011/05/new-fred-meyer-catalina-offer.html">fabulessly frugal </a>has a similar post about this Catalina deal but with last weeks Fred Meyer coupon...so a MUCH better deal this week!!<br />
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** Also, I found a display full of the sunscreen over by the diapers and feminine hygiene but the coupons were where you would find it on the actual shelf** <br />
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</div>Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-6642438620892234042011-02-24T10:01:00.000-08:002011-02-24T10:01:54.627-08:00Another fun giveaway to check out!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I know I've mentioned it before, but I love giveaways! So here is an awesome one to check out. Plus who doesn't love Target...and Tanga?! Check out <a href="http://www.thanksmailcarrier.com/">Thanks, Mail Carrier</a> for all the details! Or you can click the cute little button on the side of my blog!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thanksmailcarrier.com/2011/02/tanga-daily-deals-100-target-gift-card.html">Tanga $100 Target giftcard giveaway! </a><br />
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</div>Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-66060433271731634272011-02-17T17:16:00.000-08:002011-02-17T17:18:42.901-08:00Big Plans!So I have truly been neglecting this blog. I guess having a 3rd child was much harder than I thought! But I do have BIG PLANS to bring it on back! Lots more ideas, tips, tutorials, and maybe a few coupon deals and giveaways. So be on the lookout!Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-91541065778386690962010-12-04T20:23:00.000-08:002010-12-04T20:27:39.256-08:00I love love love giveaways!Especially when there are super cute things to try and win! I know several of the business owners who donated items for this giveaway. And I just want to say they rock and a big thanks!! And an even bigger thanks to Sarah at Confessions of a Sailor's Wife . So head on ever to enter the <a href="http://confessionsofasailorswife.blogspot.com/2010/12/awesome-amazing-totally-christmas.html">Awesome Amazing Totally Christmas Giveaway</a>!! And be sure to tell her I sent you!Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-18164259540802558882010-02-03T13:24:00.001-08:002010-02-03T13:51:27.020-08:00A couple "keeping little fingers busy" ideasNow that my baby is over a year old, he just wants to go and go(thus the nickname he's earned of Jo-Jo ma go-go). On sundays we have a 3 hour block of church that includes sacrament service, sunday school, and classes specified for men/women/kids. The 3 hours can definitely be a struggle with my Jojo. I find myself only able to go for about 1.5 hours of meetings, the rest is spent wandering the halls with my little man. But I have found a couple of wonderful things to buy some more time. First up<b> stickers! </b> People in the halls are often pointing out a sticker I have on myself or stuck to Jojo's face. I tend to stick them all over him, the floor, chairs. He loves to sit and pick them off. I usually save it as my last resort, and it'll usually get me another 15-20 minutes at least. One of my all time favorite "toys" for my kids are <b>pipe cleaners</b>! They're super cheap and can be used over and over. Plus it gets their creativity and imaginations working. Well I was so excited to find <a href="http://www.brainnoodle.net/shop/products/BN1.html?productnum=1">these</a> my kids absolutely love them! They're called <b>Brain Noodles</b> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PJnXxDl3qMdaejDKKgPTgWv8ah-e36sKUru-B-VQktDNc_YDb2en8gYSAH-n1wUao3kFY_vP_zQOFRxQh0UTaVUvpwlmxzUTX-PdKQ2pR6_0UfccJoHni7H9NYV5JF6WHxrVdzlP4Jid/s1600-h/BN1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PJnXxDl3qMdaejDKKgPTgWv8ah-e36sKUru-B-VQktDNc_YDb2en8gYSAH-n1wUao3kFY_vP_zQOFRxQh0UTaVUvpwlmxzUTX-PdKQ2pR6_0UfccJoHni7H9NYV5JF6WHxrVdzlP4Jid/s320/BN1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434135689359611474" /></a> and they are giant pipe cleaners. We got them for just over $1 a piece, so worth it in my opinion. Here are my kiddos enjoying them<div><br /></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsMymDo7iNCcdmoBLxScsBsRhE1sSPT_GO3DcgibmGcjSvmjW3Kg-B245PeqQ9JZ0Jd-kEiETaBS12A7nhdVeDg7dGJG0QSAKITZj2v11taN0Gy42Jm3RB6iNbhdTE1ddWejHE2JvhsAF/s1600-h/IMG_8060.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsMymDo7iNCcdmoBLxScsBsRhE1sSPT_GO3DcgibmGcjSvmjW3Kg-B245PeqQ9JZ0Jd-kEiETaBS12A7nhdVeDg7dGJG0QSAKITZj2v11taN0Gy42Jm3RB6iNbhdTE1ddWejHE2JvhsAF/s320/IMG_8060.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434135699741158658" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuddsRR3YGevQqJyzkBSK2wrILPzzUqXdX_fELN3EZblkjB9oR_x2_FoP5NuxRzTuv7fW9mtjvTkO6GC0NrUBOcTRoERtAqX0TvXz6h64x_Cjwq6-gPa79caaS86G4KPEZSv5f8ErlzXZ/s1600-h/IMG_8057.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuddsRR3YGevQqJyzkBSK2wrILPzzUqXdX_fELN3EZblkjB9oR_x2_FoP5NuxRzTuv7fW9mtjvTkO6GC0NrUBOcTRoERtAqX0TvXz6h64x_Cjwq6-gPa79caaS86G4KPEZSv5f8ErlzXZ/s320/IMG_8057.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434137517804422290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXQ4Moif_X9wpHNwqFBg7_CvZXnaUgQagIq31CG_X4fMlvfdUadEYIdFhClix0UgGYAuxV_lCgyCFp5y3oALk66amuIqjJ9aE6lx49Jd1ZHP8Zmmq0KmpcQGNLCTbeojG5f2rDfYJfLFE/s1600-h/IMG_8067.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXQ4Moif_X9wpHNwqFBg7_CvZXnaUgQagIq31CG_X4fMlvfdUadEYIdFhClix0UgGYAuxV_lCgyCFp5y3oALk66amuIqjJ9aE6lx49Jd1ZHP8Zmmq0KmpcQGNLCTbeojG5f2rDfYJfLFE/s320/IMG_8067.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434137502990316946" /></a>Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-30251187378104870492010-01-17T20:15:00.001-08:002010-01-17T20:15:52.364-08:00Cool contest I found to win free groceries for a year<div style='width: 300px; max-height: 234px; padding: 8px; margin: 0 auto auto 2px; overflow-y: auto;'><div style='float: right; width: 113px; height: 100px; padding: 0; margin: 0;'><a href='http://cozi.popularmedia.net/click/share/16d45840-e616-012c-66bd-fba590e85313'><img src='http://www.popularmedia.net/cache/5e3c787b9bfe74ea38cdbcbd5328e435/15a246622394fdbb38f3657a172eaf64/invite_image.jpeg?d=20100114191159'/></a></div><div style='font: bold 12px Tahoma; color: #2f2f2f; padding: 0; margin: 0 123px 8px 0;'>"-Sorry if you missed an email from me about this(or are rereading the same info).- We totally love Cozi.com!! We use it all the time. We even sync up with K's work calendar to it. It makes it so easy to know when we have appointments, and who needs to be where and at what time. It's pretty much my brain sometimes. And they are doing an awesome contest! You can win a free year of groceries! Who doesn't love food? And they're also having daily prizes too, so definelty check it out! I love getting free stuff(they've even given me a code for a free Shutterfly photobook before)!"</div><div style='font: 12px Tahoma; color: #2f2f2f; padding: 0; margin: 0 123px 0 0;'>Hey, I just entered this contest on Cozi.com to win free groceries for a year. All you have to do is put in your email address.<br /><br />Even if you don’t enter, please click the link to help me win. (I get an extra entry for telling you.) Thanks!</div><div style='font: 11px Tahoma;padding: 0; margin: 8px 0;'><a style='color: #005cff;' href='http://cozi.popularmedia.net/click/share/16d45840-e616-012c-66bd-fba590e85313'>View >></a></div></div>Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-52861811425952502952009-08-21T11:44:00.000-07:002009-08-21T11:47:58.931-07:00Who doesn't like to win things?I've just recently started to get into entering giveaways. And let me tell you I was thrilled to find out I had won a little outfit for my little girl!! Thanks to SugarBob.<div><br /></div><div>My newest giveaway entry is with A View From The Couch! I am so stoke about trying to get one of Old Navy Weekly's $50 off $100 coupon! Check her out on the blogs I follow list on the side --></div><div>And good luck if you enter(but maybe just a little less luck than I, lol).</div>Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-66396635007588102532009-05-13T15:55:00.000-07:002009-05-13T16:27:13.310-07:00Shopping TripsI am not too fond of shopping trips now. Maybe it's because we've had to go 5 times a week since we moved. I guess that's what happens when you become a homeowner. I never thought about having to buy things like...a ladder?! But on the other hand, stores mail you some great coupons when you move.<br /><br />It seems like when I have to use a "regular" cart at the store, and not the limo, I feel like I'm working a jigsaw puzzle. How do I stick 2 children and a car seat in that? Usually it's fairly easy to have WayWay walk though. Luckily I've learned how to master carts a little easier now.<br /><br /><ul><li>Park next to a cart return. Usually people will have already returned theirs and you can just grab, load, unload and return fairly quickly. Plus parking a little further away you get the added perk of burning off some of those extra pregnancy lbs that came from craving biscuits and gravy at 11 o'clock at night.</li><li>I absolutely love how most stores have free sanitizing wipes you can use on the carts now. Before I could only find them at Fred Meyers. I actually got in to the habit of carrying around Wet Ones. I think you can get them for .95-$1.50 a package?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDOJta7yXoxImn-_djk1iekjENwCWbu_a_ZPH0y2Uos68qXNSU29nU5Y2eKBZ4WXrIADiw9dbVA-esbnNnfoxBkLwA21wHU1IVXKQC8DrHHY7qIB4Lcdtd_TUTixOGRnTUbY4B3bC-ebV/s1600-h/freshfam.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDOJta7yXoxImn-_djk1iekjENwCWbu_a_ZPH0y2Uos68qXNSU29nU5Y2eKBZ4WXrIADiw9dbVA-esbnNnfoxBkLwA21wHU1IVXKQC8DrHHY7qIB4Lcdtd_TUTixOGRnTUbY4B3bC-ebV/s320/freshfam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335449226840059858" border="0" /></a> My other must have for my germ freak tendencies is hand sanitizer, but man that stuff can burn!! We found a great alcohol free kind, unfortunately we can only find it for sale at Walmart so we usually have to stock up on it. Now if only I could <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeCTFUy38lMxx5DY70LKKXU5KvH0JprDdHX1o1Rq6Q41tapNY6sa-fKTP9twu8S_-0xb2jwn04eGdoUsv3VyOYl9_fOfSiCxl8EyvlN09sfzHPWGYsgBsh-fkIDFAFjXSDG_vnoEJoMTD/s1600-h/GermX_AdvProtect.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeCTFUy38lMxx5DY70LKKXU5KvH0JprDdHX1o1Rq6Q41tapNY6sa-fKTP9twu8S_-0xb2jwn04eGdoUsv3VyOYl9_fOfSiCxl8EyvlN09sfzHPWGYsgBsh-fkIDFAFjXSDG_vnoEJoMTD/s320/GermX_AdvProtect.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335450919996711842" border="0" /></a>find a way to keep my daughter from putting her mouth on the cart...</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"> Have any of you used those cart covers? How do you like/dislike it?<br />PLUS here is a link to a pattern to make your own:<br /><a href="http://crafts.sleepingbaby.net/cart_cover.html"><b>http://crafts.sleepingbaby.net/cart_cover.html</b></a></div>Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-31004081993000511392009-05-06T13:14:00.000-07:002009-05-06T15:13:19.946-07:00Kitchen Sanity SaversI adore cooking! More so, I adore <span style="font-weight: bold;">eating</span>! But sometimes I feel like I can't enjoy it because I'm running around like a mad woman trying to get everything to finish up at the same time. If only I could wiggle my nose and have the whole dinner appear out of thin air.<br /><br />Let me take you back for a moment--*insert Wayne's World dream sound effects here..deedillydoot..deedillydoot*-- We're newlyweds, and it was the first meal I was going to make. Not the Hamburger Helper we would eat most nights because we could get a box for $1 each. But an actual meal with fresh mashed potatoes, chicken and asparagus. My husband parents were visiting and I had no clue how to keep all the dishes warm and set out at the same time. How did my mother do it I wondered? --Flash forward--Needless to say I'm sure half of that meal was cold. But I have gotten 100 times better! Not to say we haven't had our fair share of half cold or half burnt meals since then.<br /><br />This is one of my all time favorite life(and meal) savers!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Vidalia Chop Wizard</span><br />I love this thing! It's especially great on saving time.<br />And perfect for making bite sized pieces for<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> little fingers.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6H0hp4G_Fr3FntcGcQcJiAVOVGiLFEdvNpjvNgNGFOQeoLjPCuczMLXZPCQjbvfZWLgQRS4a-LshC6sQD9gxeI9iKFbojSfO-v6JZ4FHiGiNG_I2QJBcROtFDqUoXONVu1k0FhuzqZD8/s1600-h/chop_wizard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6H0hp4G_Fr3FntcGcQcJiAVOVGiLFEdvNpjvNgNGFOQeoLjPCuczMLXZPCQjbvfZWLgQRS4a-LshC6sQD9gxeI9iKFbojSfO-v6JZ4FHiGiNG_I2QJBcROtFDqUoXONVu1k0FhuzqZD8/s320/chop_wizard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332832585252416306" border="0" /></a><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4y1pLYjc72ijFg812u-5mMjIGAOhtEKLG4drx-K38zpNzAemLK7KAhmEoO9Jx11GlJSHvpJMkE07iDzHk4rn8r-698jxEoaEz0jIQBsl0pXYjIBQ3Fo3_cDVfE_8IxX-ffsi-CrZJXQh/s1600-h/267T03181_Apple_Corer.jpg"><br /></a>Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-23290070713501073792009-05-04T08:43:00.000-07:002009-05-06T15:14:45.916-07:00MovingWith this being our 3rd move in 15 months, I felt a bit like a pro. Okay, maybe not pro, I did still end up with a few "random" boxes. You know the ones, they have the junk drawer items, things found after the furniture was moved, your husband's high school football helmet that only the kids play with. I was promised though that this will be the last move for several years. And frankly I don't mind losing a bit of my expertise in this field. However I have learned some awesome tips of moving with small children along the way.<br /><br />At one of my first doctor's appointments while pregnant with JoJo(#3) I was flipping through a parenting magazine. Usually I prefer the home decorating ones, but the cover caught my eye. And having my husband already living and working in the city that we were moving to I would take any help I could get. It was an article on moving and helping kids adjust. The best tip I found in there was to help the kids know their things will be there at the end of the move, even though everything is getting packed into the endless sea of boxes. It's hard enough to find out where you packed the toilet paper at toothbrushes that first day, let alone the doll that they haven't played with in months but now have to have in order to go to sleep.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">- When packing up the the children's things grab crayons, markers, and stickers. Let them decorate their boxes so they can know exactly where that favorite stuffed kitty is. From being loaded in to the moving truck to part of the box fort at the new place they will always have it in their sight. This is also a great chance to take a break and spend some time with them. I can definitely tell when my kids need their mommy to stop being a crazy packing machine and give them some attention.</span><br /><br />The unpacking of this move went great(minus a few scratches in my paint). We had help from the congregation of the local chapter of our church, and it was done in 45 minutes! Everyone was great but I did notice things could have gone smoother while putting boxes in rooms. One of the guys unloading let me in on a little secret:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">- When they had moved they used color coded tape with the names of the rooms already printed on it! <span style="font-weight: bold;">~Now is the moment I've had several times in my close-children mommyhood, "why didn't someone tell me about that sooner?!".~</span> Sheer genius! So instead of having to make sure my kids didn't get ran over by furniture AND telling people where boxes went, I could have just hung out with the kids. <a href="http://store.uhaul.com/Tape/Moving/Smart_Move_Tape_Kits"></a> </span><br /><br />My Tip: If you are blessed enough to have help loading and unloading then baby gate up a room and play a movie on the laptop, color, or play with some empty boxes(outside is great for forts). This way you don't have to worry about the kids getting hurt.Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-70717667453844071132009-05-04T08:39:00.000-07:002009-05-04T08:43:56.482-07:00Postponed...Life got crazy there for a bit, and I had to postpone this blog. But luckily we've moved in to our house, and those family members that had medical issues are doing much better. So on with the show this is it.....Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-87635096287339116892009-02-20T12:36:00.000-08:002009-05-06T15:13:42.762-07:00IntroMy name is Tatiana and I am a MaMa to close-aged children. My kids are "WayWay - 3.5yrs, "Tizzy" 2yrs(in one week), and JoJo my 8.5 week old. And YES, they were all planned, very much so!<br /><br />My close parenting journey began after I had fought the erge for several months that it was time for our second. A million and one thoughts went through my head during that time. I thought I must have been crazy! That we wanted to have our kids be 2-2.5 years apart. That I wouldn't be able to handle it. That my son wouldn't have me to himself. All these thoughts were laid to rest after I broke down crying to my husband, and the wonderful discussions that followed. We had made our decision, but I still needed a little reassurance.<br /><br />So I did what anyone in this day-and-age would do...I google it! The search "Close pregnancies" brought up a site forum that truely helped me. I knew if these women could do it, planned or unplanned, that I could too! The forum was the Close Pregnancies discussion board on JustMommies.com. I believe they have now changed it, something to the affect of "Close-aged children", I think? Though I'm no longer a regular on the site, it helped me so much to get advice from those been-there-done-that mothers. And to not feel so crazy thinking it was time to have another. I hope that I can pass forward some of the knowledge I have recieved from not only those mommies, but all the close-aged parents I've come in contact with.<br /><br />*To those who know me personally, please use my children's nicknames(at the top) when commenting. Message me about our family blog. This is an open blog*Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550851919211679547.post-64971499206661516932009-02-01T21:16:00.000-08:002009-05-06T15:14:19.425-07:00"You've got your hands full!"<div>As a mother of close-aged children, I've probably heard this phrase almost as many times as I've changed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">poopy</span> diapers. Well, that may be an exaggeration but it sure feels like it. Sometimes I wish I would hear things like "wow, you must be super mom", or " you're one tough cookie". But alas, I get the generic "you've got your hands full". Thank you, thank you for noticing.<br /></div><div> </div><br /><div>But while one ponders the phrase, you must admit it sounds rather silly. Why of course my hands are full, wouldn't anyone with more than 2 children have their hands full? Or sillier yet is hearing it while you have one in the world and one in the womb. As was a constant in stores from the sweet old grandma types. All the while trying to holding your 16 month old and trying to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">maneuver</span> his body around the orb that was soon to be his little sister. But with each and every encounter with the silly remark I became more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">accustom</span> to just throwing out a quick "yes" in response. As time has gone on, and one more child has entered my arms, I feel inclined to now smile with my biggest cheesy(slightly sarcastic) grin I say "YES they are!" .<br /></div><div> </div><br /><div>I'm no longer aggravated when I hear the repetitive verbiage. In fact, I'm proud to hear it! Yes, my hands may be full, but my children clothes are all matching(minus the sock that occasionally ditches their mate), and they aren't running around the store screaming " I want those mocho-cocoa -gummy-yummy-tutu-swirls". Though an occasional "I want to hold what ever ___(insert opposing sibling's name here) is holding" is a common store occurrence. So with my "full hands" comes my oh so Full, and sometimes overflowing, heart.</div><div> </div><br /><div> </div>In writing this blog I wish to enlighten those who don't understand, put a smile on the face of those who do, and give hope to and encourage those who feel like they may not survive it!Tatianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478310915301007962noreply@blogger.com1