Happy Mothers Day!! How Do You Celebrate?

What better way to celebrate Mothers, then with an AMAZING Spa Package Giveaway!!

With this set, you will be able to pamper yourself at home, and trust me, as much as I like to get out for pampering, the realities of our lives don't always allow that to happen...

Today, I received cards, plants, fruit, pizza and lots of hugs and love from my kiddos.  We were able to spend some time at my parents to bring over a fruit bouquet that we bought from church for my mom.

It has been a nice day, and to be honest, I have enjoyed being home to spend the time with them.  Tomorrow though, I will have a quiet house...wait a minute...Tuesday I will have a quiet house, while they are all in school, and I think that it will be my time to pamper myself:-)

My family has fallen in love with the Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner products through this program, and I am always keeping my eyes and ears open for sales and coupons so I can stock up! With 6 heads to to be washed, we go through a LOT of hair products!!

I was also really excited to receive the candle.  With a dog, and 5 kids, it definitely is helpful to keep my house smelling like a relaxing place:-)

P&G is providing a Mother’s Day Spa giveaway valued at $95*. The bundle includes:

Febreze Vanilla & Moonlight Candle 

Pantene Repair & Protect Conditioner

Pantene Repair & Protect Shampoo

Pantene Overnight Miracle Repair Serum

Pantene Stylers Hairspray Flexible Hold

COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss Grapevine

COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara

Olay Massaging Bar Soap

One Free Clairol Hair Colour Coupon

COVERGIRL LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm

Open to Canada only.

Ends on May 25, at 11:59pm EST.

Leave a comment with your email address for each entry.

Include any links you have to earn the entry.

Mandatory Entry:

• How do you find time to Pamper yourself regularly?

Extra Entries:

• Like Pantene on Facebook
• Like Olay on Facebook
• Lke Clairol on Facebook
• Like Covergirl on Facebook
• Like Febreze on Facebook
• Like Mom's Musings on Facebook
• Like Mom's Musings on Twitter
• Tweet the giveaway (up to once a day): '#WIN a #MothersDaySpa prize pack  @momsmusings http://bit.ly/10svT0Y ends: 5/25/13 #giveaway #PGmom'
• Blog about this contest (5 entries)
• Post on Sharing Sites (Digg, Stumbleupon etc...)

Disclosure: All opinions expressed in this post are my own. By entering the following contest, you are accepting that if you win, your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom program, however, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more then once, another winner will be selected

Month of Mom 30 Day Photo Challenge - Will You Join Me?

As part of the P&GMom program that I am involved in, I am going to attempt this 30 day challenge...I have tried these before and failed completely...

BUT I AM GOING TO DO IT THIS TIME!!

I would love to see some (make that ALL) of my readers join along...

It is pretty easy, I think...

Every day from May 1-May 30, take a picture that describes the word for the day and post it to twitter with the #MonthOfMom

I will watch for your pictures, and you can watch for mine!!

And, if anyone is doing this with me, feel free to nudge me if you haven't seen my post;-) I will try to do the same!!

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group, I have been offered compensation to participate in the #MonthOfMom 30-day photo challenge. The views, opinions and photographs expressed on this blog and in my social networks are my own. 

Chronic Grief - Learning How To Cope Through It...

I have been thinking about this blog post for a while, and well, I think it is time now.

When you hear "There Are 5 Stages of Grief" it sounds so cut and dry.

I have been to bereavement counselling, after Angel was born to Heaven, I went through the stages, I learned how to cope through them, and then life moves on.  Grieving should be over.

I have learned something new.  For the past 5.5 years, I have been in this constant state of what I call Chronic Grief.

It kind of goes like this:

Wow, I am so excited!  We are having a baby and the pregnancy has gone so well. (Expectation)

After the birth - Oh My God.  Is she going to live. (Crushed Expectation) 

1 week later - She is still alive!  She is fighting! (Expectation)

2 months later - She is home! She is not what we expected, but she is ours.  (Denying the Crushed Expectation)

7 months later - They said she would be tube fed for the rest of her life...she pulled out the tube!! Let's celebrate! (New Normal)

1 year - We learn what a seizure is.  We learn about medications. We have to make health choices that will affect the rest of her life. (Crushed New Normal/Anger)

18 months - She Is WALKING!!!  (Expectation, New Normal)

I could go on, but I will stop there.  

I realized about 2.5 years ago, that I am living in a constant state of Chronic Grief.  

DENIAL: "Yes, she is delayed, but she can be so typical too!"

ANGER: "Why can't they just see that she needs another year of SK?"

BARGAINING: "If I could find some extra resources, maybe things will work out better?"

DEPRESSION: "Forget it, I don't know what to do, if I just curl up on the couch, I will feel better, right?"

ACCEPTANCE: "Ah, new perspective.  What if the fact that she was accepted so easily to this program is really the blessing?  It will be a good thing for her."

Every one of these phrases I have felt/said over the last month.  It is just the next stage of grief that I am currently going through.

I am trying to figure out how to go through this grief, while still being able to function in society.  This is going to be the rest of my life.

Every time I see our family take those 2 steps forward, I am almost afraid of how big the step back will be.  I am afraid to celebrate somethings, because I am scared that I might jinx it.  

Sometimes I feel like I am constantly watching and I have actually found myself waiting for the next blow to come.  Because ultimately, I know it is.  

It SUCKS!!  It just sucks big time.  I feel like I can't live my life in a way that sees the positive anymore...

I plan on trying to break down the 5 stages according to my situation and try to figure out how, if possible, to skip some of these steps...or at the very least, cope through them.

I also know that I am not the only one out here who feels this way.  I would love anyones input about this, have you figured out ways to cope that work for you?

I just want to find my "normal" and stick with it.  Anyone else with me?

Celebrate Oral Health Month with Oral-B Giveaway!

With 5 kids at home, we certainly have a lot of teeth..

We have experienced a wide range of dental issues with them, from not having enough enamel with my son, who ended up having 8 teeth pulled by the age of 6 to my 11 year old who cannot handle the thought of needles, so would rather have a tooth pulled with no freezing!!

This year has seen lots of dental visits, and also lots of teaching on how to brush and floss properly.  My kids have been using these great toothbrush products and they actually get excited to brush their teeth now!!

I am hoping that between the teaching and the new products, this next year of dental visits will be better, and in turn help my kids to learn the value of doing things the right way.

A mom can hope, can't she?  LOL!

*  Seven Oral Care benefits for a clean, healthy mouth.Brush your mouth-not just your teeth-with new Oral-B CrossAction Pro-Health. By combining CrissCross® and Power Tip® bristles with soft gum stimulators and a new textured tongue cleaner, CrossAction Pro-Health provides Seven Oral Care benefits to help you achieve a clean, healthy mouth.

1. Removes up to 90% of plaque in hard-to-reach places*

1. Helps improve gum health in four weeks by reducing gingivitis

1. Provides up to 55% better cleaning along the gum line**

1. Removes surface stains and polishes teeth

1. Removes odour-causing bacteria from the tongue

1. Stimulates gums

1. Works gently on enamel and gums

*  The Oral-B Pro-Health for Me Vitality toothbrush is the perfect electric toothbrush for kids. It is designed to cater to the oral health needs of tweens without cramping their style. This electric toothbrush has a waterproof handle with fun designs and is compatible with multiple toothbrush heads. It also features a brushing timer that ensures their brushing style goes the extra mile for the dentist-recommended 2 minutes.

• Two Oral-B Sensitive Clean Brush Head Refills included. This brush head provides a gentle brushing experience.

• Rechargeable Battery that is impossible to overcharge.

• 2 Minute Timer - Signals to let you know when you have completed 2 minutes of brushing.

• Ortho Brush Head refill available designed to clean away gunk around braces.

*  Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Clinical Protection Floss — Clinically proven to help reverse gingivitis in 2 weeks.*Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Clinical Protection Floss is our most advanced floss ever. It’s clinically proven to help reverse gingivitis in 2 weeks when used as part of a complete dental routine.

• Slides up to 50% more easily in tight spaces versus the leading floss

• Helps effectively remove plaque and food particles in between teeth to help prevent cavities

• Invigorates gums and provides a minty cool feeling every time you floss

• Light coating of natural wax for superior grip

• Gently stimulates gums Helps remove plaque to reverse gingivitis in 2 weeks*

*When used as part of a complete dental routine.

I have one of these prize packs (worth app. $50) to giveaway here on my blog

Open to Canada only.

Ends on April 25, at 11:59pm EST.

Leave a comment with your email address for each entry.

Include any links you have to earn the entry.

Mandatory Entry:

• What part of oral health do your children struggle with the most?  And what is your best tip?

Extra Entries:

• Like the Oral-B Facebook page
• Like Mom's Musings on Facebook
• Like Mom's Musings on Twitter
• Tweet the giveaway (up to once a day): '#WIN an #OralB prize pack http://tinyurl.com/cqow33b @momsmusings ends: 4/25/13 #giveaway #PGmom'
• Blog about this contest (5 entries)
• Post on Sharing Sites (Digg, Stumbleupon etc...)

Disclosure: All opinions expressed in this post are my own. By entering the following contest, you are accepting that if you win, your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom program, however, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more then once, another winner will be selected

Ding Dong Diaper Ditch #pgmom

I have had a secret for a few months.  A secret that is finally making its way out there, but man was it hard to keep this special news to myself!

I have a friend who found out she was expecting her fourth child (her other 3 are 11, 9 and 7) and I was just as surprised as she was.

Starting over again, after 7 years, is a big deal.  She says she feels like a first time parent again!

Yesterday I was able to attend her ultrasound appointment, and I LOVED seeing the little hands and the dancing legs, the oh so strong heartbeat and the perfectness of this little miracle:-)

This person is....

Are you ready for it?

My BFF Cheryl!!

So, really, Cheryl having a baby is like me having another one:-)  Cause we are practically family, and while I was worried about her at first, I realized that I am so excited to help her out with her newest family member, and add another "honorary" member to our family!!

Last month, I had the opportunity deliver a special package to a friend who was expecting and she was my choice.  It is going to be so interesting to feel like you are starting over again, and I wanted to give her a little bit of a head start!

P & G sent me a package of:  Pampers Swaddlers Diapers (size 1) and Pampers Sensitive Wipes, Ivory Snow Liquid detergent, a copy of “Caring for Kids: The Complete Guide to Children’s Health” and a
Canada onesie

I thought it would be fun to have Faith deliver the package, since she is so smitten with babies... Here is the video!

Cheryl was so excited to receive this package and begin collecting some of the many needed items she needs to start over with...I was glad to be able to help her out a bit:-)

She is due in August and I absolutely cannot wait to hold and love and snuggle her bundle of joy....

The miracle of life is AWESOME!!

Well.ca wants to help new parents too by ensuring mom and dad don’t have to go past their doorstop for a refill on Pampers. Subscribe to Pampers on well.ca before April 15th and get a 15 per cent discount and up to 500 Gifts to Grow points on select Pampers purchases! Plus – get 50 bonus Welcome points when you sign up!

 Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Veggietales - The Little House That Stood Review and Giveaway!

One of my BFF's sons:-)

I was contacted to receive and review the Veggietales movie "The Little House That Stood", (see The Little House That Stood trailer on YouTube) and I jumped on it as fast as I could!

This year marks the 20th year of Veggietales and I think we have seen (and our family owns) every episode!

I remember the first time my family was introduced to Veggietales, my son was 3 and we signed him up for a VBS in the summer.  It was all based on Veggietales and we have been hooked ever since:-)

We live in an area where a local bookstore rents out a local theater and they sell tickets to see the new episodes as they come out, and our family goes every time.  It is a great morning out and the theater is filled to capacity everytime!!

Last weekend we got to preview The Little House That Stood at the theater and it lived up to every other episode we have seen. 

I love that they make the stories applicable to the kids and even throw in some fun for us adults. 

It is also nice, when in the theater, to notice that my family isn't the only ones who love the theme song and laugh uncontrollable when Larry the Cucumber (he's NOT a pickle;-) falls over at the end.  The whole theater erupted in laughter, including myself.

I really enjoyed how they made this story a fairytale type, using the 3 Little Pigs, a story that we all know and love.  The kids were able to follow along, and get the lesson out of it at the end. 

My favourite part of this movie though, was the Good Egg of Gooseville.  I really loved how they tied in all the various nursery rhyme, and that it was riveting to watch even when it wasn't "animated" the same as the other episode.  Here is a teaser video I found:-)

Open to Canada and the US only.

Ends on March 20th, at 11:59pm EST.

Leave a comment with your email address for each entry.

Include any links you have to earn the entry.

Mandatory Entry:

What is your favourite Veggietales Movie?

Extra Entries:

Like Veggietales on Facebook

Like Veggietales on Twitter

Like Mom's Musings on Facebook

Like Mom's Musings on Twitter

Tweet the giveaway (up to once a day): '#WIN a #Veggietales #TheLittleHouseThatStood movie http://bit.ly/ZAqYMz @momsmusings ends: 3/9/20 #giveaway'

Blog about this contest (5 entries)

Post on Sharing Sites (Digg, Stumbleupon etc...)

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."  All opinions expressed in this post are my own...we do REALLY LOVE VEGGIETALES!!

Mega Bloks Barbie Party!!

On February 9th, we had a gaggle (how big is that?) of girls over to the house to check out the Mega Bloks Barbie sets that we were sent to review.  We received the Build 'n Style Luxury Mansion and the Build 'n Style Pool Party My camera wasn't working so well, so I don't have a huge amount of "great" pictures, but I did manage to get some ok ones to share.

My girls were so excited, and could hardly contain their anticipation for this party.  It was geared towards the 5-8 year olds, but to be honest, my pre-teen, teenager and myself had a great time getting involved in this! 

Before everyone arrived, we spent some time preparing a slew of party snacks.  We had Chicken Croissant rolls, sundaes, and this creation (that didn't turn out so well, but we made it work:)

This was supposed to be pudding and "dirt", however, the pudding didn't quite set, so we ended up with "islands and teddy bear crackers"!

  

The younger ones had fun making the people and adding different decor items:-)

The "Make your own sundaes" were a BIG hit!!

Even us adults had fun assembling different parts!

The Barbie house took on many different looks during the party!

Creating their Pool Area

Working together.  The older kids helped out with the creating and there were NO arguments about what they were doing!!

The girls were all sugared up to go home:-) 

There were lots of giggles and lots of helping between each other.  This was a great party and the girls all had a blast working together.

Some of the parts were a little difficult for the younger ones, but the pre-teens were great at including the girls in the action. 

Each girl got to take home a Mega Bloks Barbie kit of their own, and I have heard that some of them were assembling them right away, when they got home. 

The kits were great with the instructions and most of the girls were able to follow along, with some assistance from the older ones in the room. 

It has been a few weeks since we first opened the kits, and my girls are still spending hours building and redesigning and recreating different scenarios.  I am so glad that I was able to be a part of this review, and I know my girls will be asking for more of these toys!!

Check out Mega Bloks on Facebook

Disclosure:  I received products above to share with my friends and my kids friends in a party setting.  All the opinions and experiences posted above are my own.