Guess what!! I have been nominated for my first award, the Liebster Award!!!

I first want to thank Ashley over at Millennialist Mom for the nomination. I truly appreciate it. I work hard on my blog and am so glad it is finally getting off the ground.

I want to shed some light on the amazing blogger to nominated me. Her blog Millennialist Mom is an amazing blog. Ashley likes to create lists that pertain to every day things and things we all as moms can relate to and use. She writes about things that will help all of us get through this journey we call motherhood. Her blog is especially helpful to those moms who have to go back to work after having their babies. If you are a blogger starting out you can also check out the writing services that she offers on her blog. I would highly recommend this blog to any and all moms, so if you haven't yet head on over and check her out and share the love. Make sure to let her know if you like what you see on her blog. If you like what you see and find it useful make sure to share with all your friends.

10 random facts about me

1. I was born in Georgia, but I moved to Ohio when I was 2 and was raised here in Ohio, but I graduated high school in Kentucky.

2. This October 19 I will be married to my awesome husband for 8 years.

3. Me and my husband have known each other our whole lives. We grew up together because our grandparents were best friends.

4. I am a HUGE Disney fanatic. I have lost count the times I have been and hope to have many many more trips. 

5. My favorite animal is a dolphin. I was so happy when I was 16 and took a vacation to the Bahamas and got to swim with the dolphins.

6. I am a Scorpio. My birthday is November 2, 1989.

7. My household LOVES animals. We have a rat named Little Chef, 2 turtles named Crush and Squirt, 3 dogs named Chief, Copper, and Todd, and 4 cats named Baby Ashley, Simba, Stripes, and Bee.

8. My favorite types of music are country and Christian. I love Jeremy Camp, Ryan Upchurch, Garth Brooks.

9. When I was in 6th grade I got the privilege of meeting Billy Gilman!!!

10. I LOVE to travel and hope to one day live on the go.

Q&A

1. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Probably Florida because I love warm weather, hate the cold. I also have a lot of family there. I also love going to the beach and Orlando and would love to be closer to be able to do so.

    

2. What is your favorite snack?

cheddar pringles dipped in salsa.

 3. Who in the world, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with tonight?

my grandpa. I was really close to him growing up and he passed away when my oldest 2 kids were only babies and my younger 2 never got to meet him. 

 4. What are you most grateful for?

my kids and my husband. My kids are my world and they keep me going every day. They are special and bring a smile to my face every day. my husband has supported me thru everything and supported me thru getting my associate's degree. 

   5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I am hoping in 5 years to be homeschooling all 4 kids and have my blog still growing and inspiring everyone. It would be amazing to be traveling by then.

   6. Why did you decide to blog?

I originally started blogging just as a place to write about how I was feeling and to get down and out what was going on in our lives. I then realized I had a lot on my mind and things I was going thru that I could write about to help others.

  7. How did you find what inspires you?

By looking around me. My life inspires me. I am a mom to 4 kids with various special needs and I have lost a child. I have gone thru a lot in my life and have a lot of experience in things many might not have. I write about what I go thru and what I see in life. I write about real life. 

   8.Where can someone find you on any given Saturday night?

Probably sitting at home with my husband or kids or hanging out with family somewhere. 

   9. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Let kids be kids. We have to remember that kids are kids. Too many times they are being forced to grow up too fast and don't get the chance to have fun and be a real kid. We have to make sure they are safe and don't get into major trouble, but we also have to let them learn from mistakes and be able to make choices.

   10. What is your favorite movie, and why?

I really don't have a real favorite, but if I had to choose I would say Heaven is for Real. It is inspiring and it gives me hope that I will be able to see my son, my grandpa, and all my other loved ones again some day.

Now here are my nominess...

Wendy with Pigeon Pose Emotions

Beth with The Tipsy Castle

Jessica with http://jesstheflame.com/

Janet with thaojanet

Jen with the brilliant feminist

Congrats to all of you. Your blogs are great, you are doing amazing. Your next step is to follow the rules. Then look below for your questions to answer. I can't wait to see what you have to say. 

1. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

2. What is your favorite place to vacation and why? 

3. What is your favorite thing to do with your family?

4. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live and why?

5. What is a quote you find inspiring and why?

6. Besides blogging, what other hobbies do you have?

7. What is your favorite memory you jave from growing up?

8. What are your best and worst moments of being a parent?

9. Do you have any experiences with special needs that has impacted you at all?

10. If you could give someone $1,000,000 who would you give it to and why?

The Day My World Stopped Turning-Warning may be a trigger or graphic for some

    

My story starts on Saturday's date a few years ago. September 28, 2013 started like any other day. I had 3 young kids at home and I was 16 weeks pregnant with #4. Bella was 3, Kaya was 2, and Louie was almost 11 months. My other 3 pregnancies had been relatively easy and drama free until later in the pregnancy, so when I felt a little crampy that night I didn't think much of it at first. I thought maybe I had overdone it or ate something wrong as I was feeling sick. I tried taking a bath to relax and I started to think maybe I had food poisoning or something. I kept feeling the urge to go to the bathroom so I tried and all of a sudden I felt something weird. I felt down and I could feel something that didn't feel right. Luckily my uncle lived upstairs and we asked him to watch the kids who were all sleeping so Lou could rush me to the hospital. 

Once at the hospital they got me in quickly. After looking and using ultrasound and running some tests, they realized I was dilated about 4cm, I had a leak in my waters, and my bags of waters were hanging out. They told us at this point we were beyond being able to be helped and all we could do was wait. We were too far passed to be able to do a cerclage or anything but because I was only 16 weeks they couldn't do anything to speed it up either. I was admitted into the hospital around 2am September 29. I had visitors throughout the day, but I was also given medicine to pretty much knock me out so I didn't have to be in any pain or be aware of what was going on. Lou had to be home with the kids most of the day, but my parents came to visit, my grandmas came to visit, and the pastor came to visit. I was getting ultrasounds every few hours to check on dilation and to make sure the baby was still alive. 

Around midnight September 30, the doctor said I could go ahead and push. At 12:08am on September 30, 2013 Oscar William Owens came into this world weighing 5oz and 7.5 inches long. They called his birth and time of death at the same time. That day my world came crashing down. We got to hold him and take lots of pictures. The hospital pastor came and baptized him for us. We got to spend as much time with him as we wanted. 

The day I left the hospital was terrible. I went in pregnant, yet I was walking out without my baby. I would never get to hear him cry, I would never get to see his eyes. I would miss out on so much. We still really don't have any answers as to why this happened. I really don't know if answers would even help. 

Today marks 4 years since Oscar came and left us. The pain is still there. We have our rainbow now, but it doesn't take away the what could have beens. We should be attending preschool activities and watching him grow, instead on this day we blow out some candles and release a balloon to the heavens and wait for the day when we will get to hold our baby boy again. Where we should have an active toddler, instead we have a box that holds our beautiful boys ashes. 

I am 1 in 4. Are you? Join us October 15 for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Raise awareness and light a candle for the babies lost too soon.

last time i seen him alive right before delivery as you can see there was like no fluid left around him

Dress up time!!

How many of you have kids who like to dress up or pretend play? I know my kids definitely do. We often end up using costumes from Halloween as dress up clothes or get deals on end of the season costumes to use as dress-up.
Besides old Halloween costumes we are always on the lookout to get other dress-up items.Little Adventures Dress Ups is a great place to start.  Not only do they have awesome products they also have Free U.S. Shipping!

                                         
Little Adventures was started by moms just like us with young girls that loved to dress up. They got tired, like many of us, of dress up clothes that we cheaply made, not designed to be worn a lot, and that basically couldn't be washed. They wanted dress up clothes designed for every day use. 

They have dress up items for boys and girls, as well as adults too!


For your princesses they have traditional as well as deluxe dresses. They even have doll dresses so your little princess and her doll can match. Your boys can play as super heroes, knights, and dragons. You can even find adult items and seasonal items. Besides clothes you can find accessories to go along with their costumes. Best of all these items are designed to be washed in the laundry. They are made for every day use.

If your kids are anything like mine this is a great company to check out. What do your kids like to dress up as?

Jeremy Camp The Answer CD giveaway

Who would like to receive a copy of Jeremy Camp's newest CD- The Answer. The CD will be released October 6. The music from this album is just as amazing as the rest of his music. Jeremy Camp is an amazing Christian artist and his music is just beautiful. The songs on this CD just reach right to my heart and bring out everything i believe in. I definitely recommend the CD. Enter below to try to win your own copy.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.


Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

If you didn't win and still would like a copy you can go here: http://capcmg.me/TheAnswer?IQid=flyby

Social Corner:

Word Of Life Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrX2tGgADu0

Word Of Life Song Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGuxZC7Ncn4

The Answer Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQHXJi1EhDM

Thank you to everyone who entered. I hope you all will check out this amazing CD. Congrats to out winner.

Homeschooling update

So far so good on the home school front. For those who don't know my 2 oldest attend Ohio Virtual Academy through K12, but we also supplement with our own ideas.  Bella is doing so much better than last year. This is her second year of 1st grade and she is finally catching on to reading!! I am so happy. She is still a little behind in reading but is an expert at math. Kaya is really advanced, can out-read Bella and is also advanced in math. I am very proud of both of my girls.
Here are some pictures of what Bella has been doing from the first few weeks:

and Kaya: 

Before school started we got some family pictures done and when we did we decided to get school pictures done for the girls. I think they turned out great. 

Bella has had her share of tests in all subjects so far this year and I think she has been doing pretty well.

Ms. Kaya has also been doing really great on her tests.

We have been trying to take weekly field trips to different places where we can both learn and have fun. We have been to local parks in the area so far where we have learned about tree life cycles and nature as well as learned about fossils and gone rock hunting. We have the zoo coming up, as well as museums and farms. I will keep you guys updated on whats coming up and what happens.

Let's play with Wallbarz USA

Since 1999, it has been the mission of Wallbarz USA to design and manufacture children's play and sports equipment. 

• Wallbarz Family - Indoor Playground Kids Climbing Gym with Gymnastic Swing Rings, Climber, Pull Up Bar, and Climbing Rope
• 
• Price: $486.00

• Wallbarz Jungle Dome - Huge Kids Playground Indoor Jungle Gym for Kids, with Monkey Bars, Climbers, Rope Ladder, Swing, and Climbing Rope
• 
• Price: $899.00

• Kids Wood Playground Play Set for Floor & Ceiling / Indoor Wooden Training Gym Sports Set / Wooden Claiming Wallbars For Fitness and Exercise
• 
• Price: $469.00

Wallbarz home wall units and monkey bars are designed for children of all ages and skill levels to increase activity, health, creativity, improve early development, and lay the groundwork for future success. 

There are different collections to choose from including family, jungle dome, little jungle, and woodsy. Visit their site now and check out sales and the awesome products.

Buskins Leggings

Have you tried Buskins leggings yet? If not check them out here. They are a relatively new company, launched in December 2014.  Buskins leggings are SOFT, Durable and great quality and are made from Polyester and Spandex. They have  one size leggings, plus size, and kids sizes. 
I ,being a bigger woman,  am not a big leggings fan for myself , but I LOVE them for my daughters. I had the privilege of trying a pair of Buskins leggings for my girls and let me say I loved them. For both adults and kids there are so many cute patters and designs to choose from, even some for holidays. They even have mommy and me designs which I might have to consider. We have the Alpine Lodge design.

You can go here and check out specials as well as whats available to buy. If you decide to order, orders placed on business days by 1pm PST will ship same day and are shipped FREE  in USA and CANADA. 

Check out all the amazing items at Luxury Fashions Boutique...do some holiday shopping

Want a place online where you can buy a little of everything for amazing prices? Check out Luxury Fashions Boutique.

Looking for some womens fashions? Check out some of the cute options:

 $15.50

   $15.00

   $8.75

Some of you may be thinking "I wear plus size, what about me?" Don't worry we have you covered.

   $14.00

   $17.50

   $18.29

Are you looking for things for the house? Or maybe you want a special gift for someone. Check these out. 

   

Shopping for a baby or kid in your life?

Maybe you are interested in health and beauty. We have stuff for you too.

Are you pregnant? Need some clothes or baby items?

Like to decorate for holidays? We can help.

We even have something for the men in your life!!

Don't let your pets feel left out. You can shop for them too.

Jewelry lover around? We got your back.

Have a football fan you have to shop for?

What about matching outfits?

All of this plus so much more!!! We ship worldwide for flat rates. Only $3.50 within the USA! You have to see it all to believe it. Just check it out here.