I was driving in the car with my husband and out of my mouth came nothing but gripes regarding all the bad pitches and emails I get in my inbox.

It crowds up my inbox.
I don't work for free.
She wants me to do what?
Like I'm going to sell an AD for that much.
If that rep "checks in for this review" one more time I'm going to lose it.
Seriously lose it.

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I, by no means, consider myself an Attachment Parent. I didn't wear my baby in a sling or carrier. I didn't breastfeed. In fact, I formula fed all three of my children proudly and without guilt, but there is one thing I share in common with Attachment Parents and that's the decision to raise my children to be joyful and empathetic.

So, in comes the factor one would consider as Attachment Parenting. Co-Sleeping. My almost 4-yr-old sleeps with my husband and I in our bed. Every night we try to get him to sleep in his room (and at this point anywhere but our bed), but we are unsuccessful. The sad part? I think it's ME that can't sleep without him. I think it's ME that created the Co-Sleeping Monster inside him.

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So, here's the deal. I'm an iPhone4 junkie, probably due to the continued problem of my addiction to Social Media, but that's a whole different post for a WHOLE different time. My life lives in my phone including all my contacts, my ever evolving editorial calendar, my RunKeeper, music, movies, photos, and maps. If I'm out and about without my phone or the battery dies, I really just feel well... naked. In public. No bueno.

In other words? I like to keep my phone charged and I like for it to be an easy process. Walking in the house with groceries, kids, and backpacks I, often, forget to take my phone out of my purse to charge it and this can be a problem since we've opted to use my iPhone as our primary number. No landline folks. Just recently, however, I've got in the habit of placing it on my new Energizer iPhone 4 Charger. Yes. I said PLACING it ON, not PLUGGING it IN.

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I've done some PURDY crazy things for love. Let's see move 900 miles away from the only home I've ever known. That's kinda crazy. Wash loads of laundry, stay home with three young children and cook and clean till my hands fall off. That's REALLY crazy, right?

All kidding aside, people will do CRAZY things for love, especially a love that everyone tells them they can't have. Romeo and Juliet is the classic story of this kind of forbidden love and now Disney has re-created this story in the new animated film Gnomeo & Juliet, which hits theaters February 11th 2011 in 3D. We've got a press screening next weekend, so you KNOW we'll be letting you in on our take of the movie, but in the mean time? I've got a little sneak peek of Gnomeo & Juliet  along with a fun giveaway.. because we ALL know I love giving you guys free stuff!

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Oh, how I love me some Valentine's Day. I mean, you DID see my Wordless Wednesday this week, right? The candy aisle at Walgreens made me swoon just by the display of the heart shaped chocolate candy boxes. Each year, as this Holiday comes closer, I usually indulge in purchasing my favorite candies, cookies, and even flowers. "I" buy them myself because, in all honesty, I love the WHOLE Valentine's Season, not just the day. I don't think it's fair to make my husband by me sweets the whole month of February, right?

That being said, if you're looking for a sweet Valentine's gift for that special someone, look no further than Donsuemor Heart-Shaped Madeline cookies...err.. cakes.. uh.. brownies? Oh my goodness, these things are so good, they are in a class all their own.

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The other night, I was hard at work in front of my laptop. The kids were screaming as if they were at a real LIVE boxing match. The Hubster was not due home from work for another hour and then I realized. Dang it. I forgot to thaw out something for dinner. I was so entrenched in my work and my "to-do" list of the day, that dinner just didn't cross my mind.

So, I've got an hour to make dinner before Daddy comes home. I've got children who you'd think have just gone through the worst famine possible and I'm left twiddling my thumbs thinking... fast food? I know. I think I'm a great Mom, except for these rare occasions when, well.... I think I'm not. Then I remembered, over the Holidays I found Michael Angelo's Gourmet Meals at H-E-B and they were just sitting there in my freezer, screaming for me to try 'em out. Seriously. It happened just like that (minus the actual screaming from a frozen Italian meal, because that would just be creepy).

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Tell me this isn't pure bliss? No? Just me?


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Last week, I shared the beginning stages of our token system for chores. As a sheer reminder, we give our kids tokens for each chore they have on their list. They, then, redeem these tokens for either 10 or 30 minutes of "electronic zoning out" also known as, Wii Games, iPod play, Nintendo DS, Computer time, and even TV. My husband and I felt like this digital era was warping our children into gadget junkies and we had to get a hold on it.... fast.

So, this week, I don't want to talk about how to set a system or even what system works for you, but I, merely, want to discuss how to make chores fun for kids. My 3-yr-old is left out and quite frankly, that sucks. He needs incentive to help too, but tokens just aren't for him. How can I make it fun to clean?

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This morning, it's rainy. It's dark. It's one hell of a day to snuggle with my husband in bed, but that's not what happened. In fact, today is my ultimate day to screw up. I didn't wake up in time. Kids missed the bus. Not to say that the day can't be saved, but when a day starts off like this, it puts me in a I can't do anything right kinda mood. And to be frank? It sucks.

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As my children mature and grasp the message of God, there are instances where all they want is a simple story to reiterate how loved they are by, not only God, but us, as Parents. When we tuck them into bed, more often than not, they want a short story to be read to them, something that brings them comfort as they lay their head down for the night. To help them feel secure in the dark hours of the night, I like to read Bible stories to them, but have found it difficult to read straight from, say, my own Bible. I needed a version of the Bible that speaks to my young children through simple stories, vivid pictures, and easy-to-understand lessons.

Although my 7 and 8-yr-old children are able to read their Bible on their own, my 3-yr-old is not. So, when a Tommy Nelson representative reached out to me to see if I wanted to check out the Read and Share Bible, I thought it would be a great way to include my youngest son in our nightly Bible reading.

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I used to work at a Salon as a receptionist. After a long day at work, I'd arrive home, take off my shoes, rub my feet and thank God for the gel mat they provided us on the floor behind the desk. No. We did not have chairs to sit in. I, often, wondered where they get these mats, however, never thought I'd actually need or want one for my house. I mean, if I'm tired I'll just sit down, right? It's my house. I can do that.

That kind of thinking changed when I realized you can't ACTUALLY sit down when you have three children 8 years and younger. While I'm washing dishes or doing the laundry I need comfort under my feet and GelPro is there to help with an array of mat choices ranging in patterns, colors, and sizes to fit any decor.

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Just this week, Nintendo announced all the juicy details regarding the much anticipated gaming console Nintendo 3DS. Yes. It's here. It's 3D. I hear it's wickedly sweet.

I feel like a late comer to this Nintendo announcement, just learning of the console yesterday morning on a short conference call. No. I don't have it. No I haven't seen it first hand, BUT I'm here to let all of you guys what I DO know about. As I hear more details regarding the system, I'll hopefully bring you guys my take on the console come Spring and if you know me, I work exceptionally hard to bring you exclusive giveaways with all things related to family friendly gaming. So, the Nintendo 3DS. What is it? What is it all about? What games can you play? Most importantly, how much does this sucker cost?

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So, I'm a little late on this, as this Wii Game debuted in October, but I had to get the full effect of it, before I could write about it. That or I couldn't pull myself from the actual game to write the review. I'll leave you guys to wonder.

In all seriousness, Just Dance 2 hit store shelves late in 2010, just before the Holiday Season. Thanks to the amazing folks at Ubisoft, we had the chance to try it. Having been a fan of the original Just Dance Wii game, I just had to see what the differences would be. More songs? More dances? What was all the excitement about? Not only that, but my kids were talking about it day in and day out, I needed to tame their anxiety over it. So, we have the game. We've danced the jig. What are our thoughts on American's favorite dancing game for the Wii?

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Thank you to TurboTax for sponsoring my writing about household finances. Learn more about how TurboTax can help you find every tax deduction you deserve. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

When it comes to finance management in our home, I'm relieved to see that my husband is finally taking part. I mean, for years I was the only one who checked the account. The only one who paid the bills. Heck. I was the only one who knew the password to our online account. It was a responsibility I didn't take lightly, but secretly wished he'd come on board for.

Today, things have changed thanks to a little thing called the iPhone App.

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Last week, I let you guys in on the American Girl of the Year for 2011. Since my daughter has shown such kindness and responsibility the last few months, I surprised her with the doll and a new bed set. It looked a little something like this:


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On the 31st of this month, my husband weighs in for the "Biggest Loser" contest as his job. This contest is set every year, but since this is his first year with the company, it's his first chance to participate. Spouses are encouraged to play along too for cash and prizes. How awesome is that?!

Before the news of this contest spread, my husband and I talked about transforming our family's health. Operating with three small children, this would be a challenge, especially with the food allergies my youngest battles every day. Since I shop at H-E-B for all my groceries, I found it fit to take a look at their Healthy Recipes listed on the H-E-B website to inspire meal ideas. Without realizing it, I was saving recipes to my recipe box and making notes to my grocery list on my iPhone to try new recipes for a healthier life. The best part? H-E-B wants to reward you for doing it with their Eat Better Sweepstakes!

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Meet Kanani. American Girl kicked off a year-long 25th Birthday celebration by introducing it's 2011 Girl of the Year, Kanani Akina. Girls, just like my daughter, can embrace the desire to welcome and care for others with an open heart, otherwise known as the Aloha Spirit. We're taken to the lush tropical paradise of Hawaii, as we're introduced to Kanani, her cousin Rachel, and their their adventures together on the island. Available for only one year, Kanani will launch with two books that tell her story, a beautiful 18-inch Kanani doll, and an array of fun accessories.

To further engage girls, American Girl is introducing a national campaign in support of Kanani and her story's inspirational message, including interactive Kanani retail events, Kanani and Me E-cards, and a partnership with the National Wildlife Federation® (NWF), a national nonprofit that has more than 70 years of experience fostering a connection to wildlife and nature in Americans of all ages.

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Today, I start a series of posts, inspired by none other than... my children. We're highlighting ways kids can help around the house and be happy about it. *gasp* I know. I know. When are kids EVER happy about cleaning?

Although, it's a tough subject among the Moms I've talked to, we all agree kids, these days, don't have the chores we did as children. They're much too involved digitally, that it's hard to unplug. Throughout the year, I'll be highlighting chores for kids, how we, as parents, can encourage and teach them responsibility in cleanliness, and instill a work ethic to help them later in life. Oh. And how Moms can save their sanity through it all. First up? The set up. You've GOT to have a plan. What chores will they be doing? How do you track their progress? The reward system, how do you get them to do chores and stick with it?

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There are two things I love... Margaritas and Popcorn, not necessarily paired together, but nonetheless, they are some of my faves. I mean, how can you go to the movies and not have popcorn? How can you enjoy your friends at a Mexican restaurant without a good frozen Margarita?

Now that I'm older, I have a hard time eating any kind of popcorn or drinking any kind of tequila. I'm only 29-yrs-old, but my body has changed and can't take the wear and tear. Heartburn sets in. Bad. On a trip to Oklahoma, a family member gave me Prilosec OTC, prior to leaving to the movies. I ate my popcorn. I enjoyed the movie. I came home. Heartburn was nowhere to be found. So, today, I'm bringing you a great deal on my favorite heartburn relief solution AND a really AWESOME giveaway. When I say awesome. I mean awesome.

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We were invited to a Royal Tea Party last month. The hostess was as graceful as ever.


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Last week, I let you guys in on some exciting happenings here at Momma Findings. I have been chosen as 1 of 9 women to become an H-E-B Beauty Blogger for 2011. I'm thrilled to be working with one of my favorite companies and gaining the ability to, not only highlight Beauty Picks of the Month, but to tell the real story of what beauty means to me within my Texas family.

Every month, I'll bring you the H-E-B Beauty Pick by way of review, giveaway, and insight to how I'm learning to be beautiful both inside and out. This month, our beauty pick is L'Oreal Youth Code, a new line of products aimed to reduce the signs of stress and fatigue. Two factors I battle on a day to day basis, as a young Mom to three children.

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Have you ever dreamed of going to the White House? I sometimes think about what it would be like to walk into the most well known homes in the world... 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. Now imagine you're headed to the White House with all of your friends for a party... not just ANY party, but a sleepover! I'm not so sure Secret Service Agents would enjoy me giggling with bloggin' friends Toni and Miranda at all hours of the night. "Dude. You TOTALLY gotta check-in on Foursquare!"

Did you picture yourself there, just now? I was brought to that same little daydream as I read Madeline at the White House with my 3-yr-old son. It's the newest Madeline book in the series and it takes you from an old house in Paris,  covered in vines to an old house in Washington, D.C.

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I was 19. He was 21.

No seriously. That's how old we were when he asked me to marry him. It was a whirlwind of emotions, not because I was making the HUGE decision to commit my life to another human being, but because I could sense a feeling of the unknown and that's scary.

My Mother kept me safe as a child. Look both ways before crossing the street. Wear a jacket before leaving the house. No drinking and driving. Don't get in the car if your friends are drinking. You know. That kind of stuff, but she never told me that I would willfully run into a ground covered in minefields the day he asked me to marry him. Never.

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Before my daughter walked out the door for school this morning, she turned to me and said, "Momma, we don't have school tomorrow. Can we have family movie night tonight?" My children love picking a movie and relaxing with the family. As they get older, they've started choosing non-animated movies. Can I just say how relieved I am? I mean, I love Disney as much as the next Mom, but when I have movie night, I'd like to watch a movie with real people.

That being said, we'll probably have movie night tonight, letting 3-yr-old brother choose. We'll have Movie Night again tomorrow with the World Premiere of Change of Plans. Airing on FOX at 8/7c, it's the 4th Family Movie presented by Walmart and P&G.

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With the start of the New Year off to a quick start, so is my fitness routine. I know. I know. Everyone and their Momma resolves to losing that weight they complained about in 2010, but for me, it's different. I mean, I DO want to lose that weight I complained about in 2010, but I've set a resolution to lose my negative feelings about my looks along with it. It's a resolution to build myself up to the woman I know I can be.

So, how am I doing it? Well, I've started changing eating habits, slowly. I've found I don't do well with strict diets, but just changing the way I eat usually helps me shed the pounds. I'm also drinking at least a gallon of water a day. It's been pretty easy. Also, I've started my running routine again. 2.25 miles yesterday baby! When the kids are in bed and my dinner is settled, I resort to fitness games for the Wii.

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It's been kind of quiet here at Momma Findings. Tuesday was my first day back to a full time blogging schedule, after the craziness of the Holiday. Wow. It went by fast this year. Did you enjoy every minute of it? There were a few breakdowns with the kids being cooped up inside, but, overall, I had a great Holiday and feel downright encouraged for the New Year.

So, where have I been? What's been up? Although, I went days without posting, I was, indeed, writing daily. This year started off pretty exciting, if I don't say so myself. First of all, I've somehow morphed into my childhood self.... and I kinda like it.

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Over Winter Break, the kids and I had a lot of time together. A. LOT. I'll give myself a little credit and say I only had two breakdowns over the span of two weeks. That's an average of one a week with them out of school. What? Too many?

All kidding aside, we had plenty of time to play video games on those cold days. One particular game we could all play together was Family Party: 90 Great Games Party Pack for our Nintendo Wii System. You've got 90 games to play all in one Wii Game! In Family Party: 90 Great Games Party Pack, a compilation of three previous titles in the Family Party series (Family Party 30 Great Games, Family Party 30 Great Games: Outdoor Fun and Family Party 30 Great Games: Winter Fun), players choose from over a dozen cute characters, compete in over 90 games and challenges to achieve high scores and win medals, and participate in a variety of 4-player multiplayer games. Having played Family Party: Fitness Fun before, I thought we'd give it a try.

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With the New Year in full swing, I've made the decision to cut myself in half. Not literally. Well almost.

No, seriously, I've made this year MY year to lose, find, and keep. My challenge is to lose 50lbs this year. Can I do it? Well, I've drawn out a plan to kick-start my journey with running, gym classes, Wii workouts, calorie counting, and overall happiness. I feel you can't lose the weight unless you have a happy spirit about it. So, before 2010 was over, I took my happy family to a happy dinner at IHOP. They have debuted their NEW Simple & Fit Menu and the options are abundant for people, like me, who are looking to drop some pounds for the New Year.

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It took him a whole 2 minutes to get the hang of his new boxing gloves. We went from this.... 

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We had just moved to a new city, yet again. I didn't know anyone. I didn't know my way around town and it became my downfall during one of the scariest nights in my life. My, then 6-yr-old, came to me in the middle of the night complaining of a headache. I gave him some Tylenol then sent him back to bed. He came to me again, this time it was a painful cry stating, "Mom. It won't go away and it hurts really, really bad."

It was after 3 hours of him crying, that I looked at my husband, in tears, and said, "I have to take him to the ER. I have to." My husband stayed with the other two children as I drove around aimlessly looking for my nearest Emergency Room. It's 3:00am. I'm lost. I'm crying. I didn't have a cell phone. My son needs help. It was in that moment, that I could have used iTriage. It was in THAT moment iTriage could have saved us an agonizing night of fear and sense of helplessness.

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