Give Health

What have you done for yourself today?

Me? I am about to take a shower. Probably a five to ten minute shower in nice hot, CLEAN water. I have had 3 glasses of deliciously ice cold water today, and guess what? That was clean too. I also had breakfast and lunch, and I have so many extra pounds on my body I can't stand it. I am lucky.

What have you done for someone else today?

Me? Right now I am hoping to change the life of someone if even for a day, with your help.

I just got home from BlogHer '10 in New York. While there I had the AMAZING opportunity to meet with P&G to learn more about their Give Health Clean Water Blogivation. I was astounded and teary eyed learning about what this company is doing to provide clean water to those around the world who need it.



We are all SO blessed. Especially those of us who wake up each day without thinking one second about our water supply. I chose to write this blog to you so that we can help change the lives of so many in need.

As a mother, my heart aches at the thought of not being able to provide essential necessities for your child. One like clean water at the top of the list is excruciating for me to think of. I want to do everything in my power to help another mother provide this simple thing for their child.

This information is astounding as well.

I am asking you to vote! For every vote I get from this post, P&G will donate a day of clean water for someone who probably has never had it! How amazing is that?

So...lookie over there ---------------------------------------------------------------------->

With a simple click, that is all we need to helps someone in need! (Let's do this thing and rock it out of the park! Come and vote every day until next Friday!

You may also click here as well, vote EVERY day until next Friday! Thank you!

Bye!

photo by moosh in indy on my 35mm

I am leaving today, to attend BlogHer. Remember how I won that ticket? I feel so lucky! The fun thing? I will be gone for more than just the conference. I just wanted you to know that I may not be able to post much while I am away. I have some sweet posts lined up in the form of what I like to call, "Love letters to J-Man." Mostly because the next two posts are about him, and his ginormous heart. He truly is the best.

So, as I leave on a jet plane, I just want to say thank you! Thank you to all of those who come here and read, and share their thoughts and feelings. This is why I blog. To be me, to meet you, to get to know me better through you. May you all have a wonderful few weeks!

xo

My batteries need recharging.

I feel like the stars aligned tonight as I sit at my kitchen table working, in my bare feet. It is late, and the day has been filled with screaming kids, noisy toys, and shutter releases of happy faces, dirty faces, crying faces, and sleepy faces.

Let us specifically talk about the noisy toys and the shutter releases. When I was little we did not have many toys that required batteries. I am so old I guess that it wasn't until I was almost out of the house that we started having things like hand held video games like the ancient versions of Nintendo DS and whatnot. None of which I ever had.

My mind goes to my little sisters and their Leap Pads. I am 12 and 15 years older than my sisters, so after I was married I was virtually their daycare provider for years. They would come to my house in the mornings and lug with them their Leap Pads, DS's and other various battery-operated toys. You would think it was a wise way for them to pass the time right? Well, yes and no. 99% of the time these toys were non-functioning. The batteries were dead. The reason they brought them to their big sister? They knew I would change the batteries. Even though I didn't grow up with them, I knew that Mom and Dad never changed the batteries in their toys. I mean, c'mon I understand why...batteries can be spendy, and toys can be extremely annoying, but for a kid, a toy with dead batteries is simply worthless.

So, I would change the batteries. I vowed from that day forth to always change the batteries in my children's toys.

Then I became a photographer. If I have a wedding I can go through 15+ batteries in each of my flash units in ONE DAY. Batteries are expensive, and the best brand on the market I found to run my flash units and my pocket wizards is hands down Energizer. More specifically the Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries. Once I tried these babies I could never go back. I could now go through a wedding day and not have to change the batteries from my flash, and for a photographer, not having to miss a moment is priceless! So, I stocked up so that I would always have some on hand. Then, one day after my six month leave of absence after having Millz, I went to my battery stash, and it was GONE!

In six months Hubbs, J-Man, Memms, and Millz had used up all of my batteries. They were strewn all over the house. Inside of Spiderman's bumm, the baby monitor's side (because really, we can't miss that Spanish radio or the Baptist preacher that streams through it, forget about the baby screaming her guts out). Some were in the Leapster, and the various Fisher Price friends. I screamed and wanted to run all around the house, screwdriver in hand to rescue my precious batteries. Of course, in the end I sucked it up and went to the store before my wedding, all the time cursing myself for my 'always replace the batteries oath'.

So, you may ask, what do bare feet and batteries have to do with stars aligning? I came across this super cute blog...and kept nodding my head when I read this post. I need me some of these Energizer Recharge Smart Charger. I need a million of them. That way I will have enough to share.

I am headed to New York in two weeks to attend BlogHer '10. To meet other sweet, funny, kind, adorable ladies like myself, and mostly to get away from the screaming kids and noisy toys. All the while hoping to recharge ME. I want to be an Energizer Smart ChargHER!

The main reason I NEED to be the Energizer Smart ChargHER more than anything is not for the money to buy more batteries, but for the simple reason that I have no wardrobe for BlogHer '10. I have been stressing for weeks about what to wear, and the Energizer shirt sounds like the perfect option, I just hope to be chosen in time to create my matching earrings and necklace ensemble, made from recycled batteries of course.

So...uhm...

...I just won a ticket to THIS.

I think I might faint.

NYC here I come!

"Bound" and Determined.

To do what? Get my life story into books and not just online.

I just finished this AH-mazing little book from:

Cherish Bound

It is in the mail as I speak, so as soon as it arrives
I am totally going to take pictures and post them.

I have been wanting to make books from my blog labels for awhile now, and decided to start out with this label:

From the Mouths of Babes
Teary just thinking about it.

Squee! I get such delight out of these posts, it will be so great to have a book that we can look at and read
anytime
we want.
My kids LOVE having books just about them, with THEIR pictures, their story.

How did I hear about Cherish Bound? I had THE most awesome time a few weeks back learning more about them when the put on a fun little evening along with the

Timpanogos Story Telling Festival.

(Looking SUPER forward to attending this with my kidlets...if you have never gone YOU MUST. It made me feel like a kid again, just sitting in awe at the talent of these storytellers.)

The books are so fun, they have so many ideas to get you started on making your own book, and it was super fast.
I made and finished my book in two hours! If you have been contemplating making any type of book for yourself...go and DO IT!

My friend Cass was over here holding Millz while I made my book, she loved my book so much she wants to make one of her own. Thanks for holding babes for me Cass!

Some funny shee...

...laughter is the best medicine, and heaven knows I need a good dose every day.

Almost two weeks ago, I had THE most smashing time at a blogger lunch hosted by
THIS
woman.

If you aren't reading her/following her, let's do lunch and discuss why you aren't. Because seriously?
I pee myself every time I visit her blog.

Let's not even discuss the ugliness that was me this day. Yard. Sale. Need I say more?

Kristina is the bomb, plain and simple.
She has changed my life.
Sounds silly, but truly, her funny ways and stark truths have me in stitches.
Good medicine.

Anywho, got to have lunch with one of my oldies from Jr. High.
Evonne is a sweetheart, we reconnected last year through blogging and it has been SO fun to hang out with her at blogging events and the like...and lunch this time was no exception.

I introduced her to Kristina...and she is ever grateful.


If you aren't reading her blog, let me give you one reason to...remember this?

It was so great to meet so many new and amazing people and to see some of my new blogging friends again.

And the food?

Delish, it fed me for three days.

Go forth...read.

Goldsmith Co. Jewelers

120 N. University Ave.
Provo, UT 84601
Tel: (801) 375-5220

Store Hours
Mon to Fri: 10-6
Saturday: 10-6
Sunday: Closed

Last night I had THE most amazing opportunity to get my first piece of REAL jewelry, which I LOVE, and I want to give you, my lovely readers the same opportunity for Mother's Day.

This is what I got, and I am IN LOVE:



A Pandora Bracelet

This is not just ANY bracelet.
It is the Pandora charm bracelet exclusive to Goldsmith Co. Jewelers in Provo.

Now, if you are ANYTHING like me, you have always wanted a charm bracelet, but didn't want the cheap kind...but still want something affordable.

Well, ladies, THIS is affordable, with charms starting at only $20 it will be easy for your husbands to add one to your bracelet for your birthday, Mother's Day (hopefully they add a couple for this day) or any other special occasion, holiday or event.

The possibilities (and charms) are endless.

Here are a few of my faves:

I must admit I am partial to the ones that dangle...

SWOON.
This is the first bead I got to go on my new love. Ahhh, can't wait to go back and get more!

Really can't wait for my bracelet to resemble something like this!

D-vine!

Also, the super fine people at Goldsmith, Will, Trevor, and Matthew, (to name a few)
gave me one of the most beautiful necklaces EVER...

Want one of these?



Goldsmith Co. Jewelers
are so bomb that they want to gave each of my readers (or my reader's spouse...hear that men?! RUN don't walk!) the opportunity to have their own strand of
Freshwater Pearls!

A $99 necklace FOR FREE!

All you have to do is print off the coupon below, take it to Goldsmith Co. Jewelers by
Saturday, May 9, 2009
and the pearls are yours!

Believe me, they are gorgeous and will make you feel like a princess!

If you aren't in the Northern Utah area...call someone to get yours for you, don't miss out!

***Click to enlarge and print off!***

Make sure to check out the Pandora bracelets when you go and get one for yourself.
Zumm. Zumm.

The people at Goldsmith are so nice, and sweet and promise to take the best care of you, let them know I sent you...

****Come back tomorrow for another special treat from Goldsmith Co. Jewelers!****

Remembering Them

Love you and thinking of you today my sweet friends.

Read their story in the LA Times.

Tomorrow is Maddie's service. Please wear purple and send positive thoughts and prayers to her family. Much love.

BFF's and Blogging

Moosh in Indy, Hedder, Simply Me. A store window in San Francisco. July 2008

Just finished reading this post at Moosh in Indy.

And now I am bawling.

Been doing that a lot the past two days.

Firstly, thank you to Casey for posting these beautiful words about Heather.

Thank you for actually editing your photos from one of the funnest weekends of my life...photos I have yet to even edit from my own eye.

Thank you for the opportunity to go to BlogHer last year, which allowed me to meet "Hedder" (although I still don't understand a thing you ladies say when speaking lol.) in real life.

I remember when I first started following Heather's blog.

It was when Maddie was about four months old. Back when Heather was still posting at her blogspot. I laugh, I STILL have a blogspot. Go Heather for upgrading!

I remember being so impressed by her wit, her charm, her love, her stamina to face such difficult things and hard trials like that of having a sick bebe.

She did it and she did it with laughter and a smile on her face.
To actually get to meet her in real life was a blessing to me.
Her husband is one of the funniest people I have ever met. They went with Casey and I while we tried on coats, and he had a way of making me feel smokin'. Thanks Mike!
It came at a very dark time in my own life, which is my reasoning for this post.

I am amazed by the outpouring of LOVE that this wonderous blogging community provides. From dealing with my own heartache and trial this past year, to watching the story of Nie Nie unfold, to Tuesday evening when bloggers all over the world united in love to Heather, Mike and Maddie.

Tears overflow. As they should.
This is a Sisterhood of gigantic proportions.
(Okay, brotherhood too.)
What did we do before we had such a strong tie to one another? To people many of us haven't ever met, and probably will never in this life?

I am amazed. See over there <----- just since TUESDAY night, people have given so selflessly in honor of sweet Maddie. Over $20,000. Tears.

I wish with all of my heart that I could have worked life out so that I could be there to support Mike and Heather on Tuesday. To happily wear my purple and show my love to them. I can't. Many, many people cannot. But let's show our love to them in any way that we can blogging friends. Send them a card, a thought, a kind word, anything...show them how much we love them!

Heather & Mike Spohr
11870 Santa Monica Blvd #106-514
Los Angeles, CA 90025


Oh how we need eachother in this realm more than we realize. What a comfort to know that in times such as these that we are no longer alone.

Heartbroken.

My dear friends Heather and Mike lost their sweet baby girl today.

The tears are over-flowing and my heart is wrenching for them.

Please pray for them.

Please donate to The March of Dimes in Maddie's name.

I am in shock. I can't believe she is gone. Oh Mike and Heather, how I love you and am thinking of you and praying for you.

I know there is life eternal.
You will see precious Madds again.

I love you!

If you feel so inclined to send your love and or words of encouragement, or packages,
please do so:

Heather, Mike, & Maddie
11870 Santa Monica Blvd
#106-514
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Also, a PayPal account has been set up to help pay for immediate expenses:

formaddie@hotmomreviews.com

Blue Lemon = Deliciousness

Last week I had the AWESOME opportunity to go to dinner at the FABULOUS

Blue Lemon Bistro

nestled in the foothills of gorgeous Alpine, Utah.






Just the logo makes my mouth water.



I was SO lucky to have been invited to this grand opening of the Blue Lemon with one of my gorgeous BFF's...and also a TON of really neat blogging ladies. I canNOT wait to get them all on my sidebar for my reading pleasure. It was so much fun getting to know them over such delicious food.



Look at the details on these dishes. This was a salmon dish. It looked SO good.



This is what I ordered. I love me a good BLT and this one was a
Lemon-Lime Grilled Chicken BLT.
It did not disappoint.



Here is mrs. r sampling the delicious "acai" berry smoothie. (Like all good things, the acai berry is from Brasil just like Hubbs. Need I say more?) If you haven't sampled acai (pronounced a-sai) it tastes (to me) a lot like fig. It is really good for you. Try it sometime.



So as we wound up the evening we took a photo of the aftermath. I HAVE to tell you about the MOST delicious soup I have ever had. So delicious in fact that YESTERDAY I took J-dawg on a date to the Blue Lemon JUST so I could have another bowl...mmmmmmm

Tomato Bisque. Go, if not for anything else but this, it is D-vine.

J-Man ordered the spaghetti and gave it two thumbs up. He ate it all gone!

Loving the mac and cheese. I got some take-out for Memms and ate almost all of it myself. (Shh, don't tell she didn't notice.)



Here is a pic of me (and a 21 week old Millz) as we toured the lovely restaurant. I had no idea I would match the decor so beautifully.

And beautiful and modern it is! The table tops are a scruptious sparkly blue. They SPARKLE...could be the best thing ever. Intermixed are some gorgeous chocolate brown tables as well.



mrs. r in front of the dessert. The thing I love about Blue Lemon is that they support other local businesses and bakers in the area, from their bread to their yummy cupcakes.



I NEED one of these RIGHT NOW.



There is a lovely little coffee and smoothie shop open early for breakfast.



Oh, and HOW cool is THIS? They offer cooking classes! For adults AND kids. You better believe my kids will be enrolling this summer.



The ice...it is divinity...it is that "pebble-like" ice that they have at hospitals. Mmmm. And these Blue Sky drinks are au-naturale. Loved the Wild Raspberry.

Blue Lemon is extremely green. Their soda cups and take out are all COMPOSTABLE. YES you heard me...the plastic is made out of: Get this: CORN.

BOMB.

So, needless to say I am addicted. I can't wait for Lychelle (the beautiful owner who is not only a birth mother, BUT also a NEW adoptive mother...perfection right?) to open up one near our house. Hear that Chelle? I will even take one at The District if you are wondering.

I am stealing this creative goodness from Kami (also, guess what? She is an adoptive mom, so cool right?) over at no biggie. (Thank Kami!)

The Awesome (and gorg) Blogging Ladies:


Jyl of Mom It Forward
Rachael of Today's Mama
Emily of Georgia Tees
Kelsey of Vanilla Joy
Lindsey of Cafe Johnsonia
Kim of Simply Me
Courtney from Your Heart Out
Vanessa of I Never Grew Up
Carina of The Jet Set
Liz of Say Yes To Hoboken
Stephanie of stephmodo
Marie of Make and Takes
Kami of No Biggie

mrs. r of The R House

Allison of Petit Elefant

Utah Man

Uhm.

For serious.


Best day of my life thus far.


My big brother started a blog.


He is a talented and gifted writer, and funnier than I will get out.


Read him...you'll be glad you did...and to make it better? He is a dood. Blogging Doods are SO so cool.

Utah Man

Guess who I met today?

AND...





We even got to make our own special DVD with Mr. Grover! Ahhh, can't wait to watch it! He even called me Kimmie. I heart Grover. WOW. It was kind of emotional. Abby Cadabby's 'friend' and I had a nice long teary conversation about how much the Muppets have done for our society, how much joy they bring to people, of all ages. To see something like this up close was amazing...and something I will always cherish.

In San Francisco

This city is AMAZING. I wish I had access to uploading photos from my camera. Alas, I didn't come as a true "BlogHer" prepared with all that jazz. I am excited to meet new people tomorrow and learn some good things.

It has been SUPER fun to see Casey again. I missed her personality, and I am amazed at her whit and charm, and how many people love her. She is truly in her element. It makes my heart smile.

Coming to San Francisco is a dream come true. Places I have only dreamed about going to in my life are coming to fruition. It is truly breathtaking to travel somewhere you have only seen on postcards or on television and movies. To be here, to feel the breeze, smell the smells, taste the food. Today I saw The Golden Gate Bridge. I rode the Subway. I got stuck on public transit with Moosh in Indy. It was a fun day, and I am happy.

I heart Moosh in Indy

I got a phone call from Moosh in Indy last week. She called to ask me if I would go to BlogHer with her. She won this AMAZING contest where she made quite a nice sum of money.

So, she called to invite ME to hang out with her for four days. ME. I am REALLY excited. I have never been to San Fran. I know I already heart San Fran.

19 days.




Thanks again Casey.