My Liebster Nominations (Part Three)

So Part Three of my little Liebster series is my 11 nominations for the Liebster Award.  It was really hard for me to find some blogs that haven't already been nominated.  I do apologize if I nominated someone who has already been nominated or if nominee has more than 200 followers.  I did my best to make sure I followed all guidelines.

I hereby nominate the following blogs in no particular order:

Growing as a Mommy

Espresso in  a Latte World

Meltdowns, Breakdowns, and Timeouts

Random Blog Drama

The Fruitful Home

The Proverbs 31 Sanctuary

The Kristen Project

Get Busy Living

Crayon Marks and Tiger Stripes

Confessions of a Busy Mama

Jolie Kirsten

My eleven questions are as follows:

1.  If you could have a super power, what would it be and why?

2.  Whom do you consider your hero?

3. What would you eat as a last meal?

4.  What is the hardest decision you have every made?

5.  Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

6.  What is your favorite book and why?

7. What literary character do you see yourself identifying with the most?

8.  Do you have any phobias? If yes, what?

9.  What  would be your ideal vacation?

10. What do you consider you biggest accomplishmnet?

11.  Why do you blog?

Don't forget to tag me back with the answers.

Congratulations!


Missed the first two parts?

Check out PART ONE here

Check out PART TWO here.

My Liebster Questions Answered

As I mentioned in a previous post, I was nominated for a Liebster Award, a sweet little award given by new bloggers to other new bloggers.  I was actually nominated twice, but never got around to fulfilling the duties of the first nomination. So I am trying to fulfill them now.  One rule is to answer the questions posed to you by your nominator.  Since I was nominated twice, I will actually answer both set of questions.

Sara's questions:

1. Did any blogs inspire you to start blogging? I can't think of any particular blog that sparked an interest in blogging, but I found more and more that encourage me to be a better blogger.

2. If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?  I would love to go to Ireland.

3. Imagine you have 1 million dollars that has to be given away to one person. Who would that be? That's tough. Can I say God?  

4. What is your favorite movie?  The Princess Bride

5. What is your dream job? My dream job is to be a published author.

6. What is your favorite holiday song?  "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by BareNaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan- this version

7. Have you ever had a celebrity crush? Yes, Jerry O'Connell.  He is such cutie.

8. Salty or Sweet? Sweet-hands down.

9. What is your favorite band/artist? MercyMe

10. What are you currently reading? Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst

11. How has writing a blog helped you personally?  It helps me vent, get my ideas out, express myself.

Vinma's questions:

1. How do you define yourself as a person? Emotional, a great listener, indecisive, a gal-you-love-to-be-around

2. Why do you blog? It is my outlet.  Sometimes as a mom I feel secluded, and this is a great way to express myself.

3. What is your greatest pet peeve? Oh, it pick only one... I guess it would be thoughtlessness.  Just not thinking about how your actions affect others.  That selfishness is just beyond my comprehension.

4. What do you treasure most in your life? Do you mean "thing" or that which I hold dear to my heart.  First thoughts are my faith, my children, my husband, my wedding ring. Does that work?

5. What is your short term and long term goal? In what aspect?  I have a weight loss goal of 5 pounds a months until I reach my long term weight loss goal of 70 pounds.

6. Who is your role model? I don't know.  Is that horrible to say? I like different qualities of different people, but no one role model comes to mind.

7. What is your favorite movie of all times and why? I have to say The Princess Bride.  It is funny, clever, romantic, and just a great movie all around. Not to mention that I LOVE the song during the end credits

8. With which color in the rainbow, you identify yourself with and why? Green,  It is natural, the color of life around me.  I think I am vibrant like the color green, and I am definitely all-natural.

9. Do you like to socialize a lot and be in a wider world or are you comfortable with few friends/ no friends and a small world? I have a lot of acquaintances, and I have my close friends.  I takes me a while to open up to people and I often envy others' ease of making friendships.  I am most comfortable in my small world though.

10. What is your religion?  I am a Christian.

11. Define ‘Love."  When I think of Love, I think of God.  His love for us includes sacrifice and forgiveness. I think that we cannot truly love others without those two things. 

Stay tuned for PART THREE: My Liebster Nominations 

Missed PART ONE: Check it out here.

And the Award Goes to ... ME (Part One)

That's right, readers. I was nominated for a Liebster Award.  Actually I have been nominated twice, but I guess I felt I didn't deserve it the first time. I was first nominated by Sara from Fake It Till You Make It and now by Vinma  at For the Love of Kids.

So the Liebster Award is an award given out to new bloggers by other new bloggers.  Basically, it is a way to showcase other up-and-coming bloggers and give them that virtual pat on the back.

Now, this isn't some willy-nilly random award that has no rules.  In fact, there are a lot of rules. First, you have to be a new blogger with less than 200 followers (not a problem there). Next you have to adhere to the following:

1. Each blogger must post 11 random facts about herself (yikes, can I think up another 11. I already posted 13 random facts earlier)

2. Answer the 11 questions the tagger has sent. (Love answering questions!!)

3. Pick 11 other bloggers (with less than 200 followers), link to them from the post, and ask them a new set of 11 questions. (No tag backs)

4. Be sure to let the new bloggers know of your nomination

Now, I have to admit I did not follow through with my first nomination.  I didn't know enough bloggers to nominate, so I felt the nominations wouldn't be sincere if I just randomly pick some Now, that I have been following a few, I think that I am able to fully give my nominations

First Things First:  11 NEW Random Things about me.

1.  I bite my nails.  I have forever and don't think I will ever break this habit.

2. I am a sucker for infomercials.  I don't actually but anything, but I will totally stop and watch them.  It is a good thing I don't have any money.\

3.  I coupon.  I am not an extreme couponer, and think the show is totally rigged, but I am proud of the fact that I save at least 40% or more per grocery bill.

4. I taught school for eight years before staying home with my kids.  Although my posts are often riddled with mistakes, I taught English. I absolutely LOVED it and hope to return to teaching one day.

5. If money were no object, I would love to open my own gift shop.  I would feature the arts and crafts and the life of local artists and crafts.

6. I was pulled over at least four times my senior year in high school.  Once for speeding, once for not using my turn signal, once for having a busted tail-light, and once for not signaling when changing lanes.  I didn't get a ticket for any of them, but I sure had to talk my way out of them.

7. I want to learn sign-language.

8. For some reason, the idea of other people not taking responsibility for their own actions just gripes me to the bone. Even for my kids, I don't care that you broke my (insert random item) just tell me you did it, so I can replace it, fix it, or throw it away.

9. My computer has crash 3 times since I started this post (GGRRR)

10. My favorite song in the whole wide world is "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce.  I first heard it on Muppet Treasures (a compilation of Muppet Show segments)...

11.  Speaking of Muppets,  I cry EVERYTIME I watch the end of Muppets Take Manhattan when Kermit and Piggy sing this song at their "wedding"  (yep I even cried while viewing the video)

Since this could turn into a rather lengthy post, I think I will separate it into three posts.

PART TWO:  My Liebster Questions Answered

PART THREE: My Liebster Nominees

3. 13 Things I MUST tell my daughter

When I found out I was pregnant for the first time, I quietly prayed for a boy. They just seemed "easier" (little did I know). The truth of the matter is having a girl scared the mess
out of me. The irony does not escape me- a woman scared of facing the daunting task of raising a girl.  But I am sure that this plagues most mothers. I just know I am not alone in this.

Since the day my daughter was born eight years ago, I have mentally rehearsed all kinds of conversations simply in preparation of "that day" when she asks about this, that, or the other.
There I was holding my newborn baby and all I could think about is how am I going to help her through so many things: crying over a boy, her first kiss, her first period, puberty, and so much more.

As much as I want to keep her locked away like Rapunzel (who ended up very well adjusted considering), I know none of these things can be avoided. She will continue to grow up, and while I cannot stop it, I can instill in her those values and beliefs that will allow her to grow in God. While there are so many things I want to tell my sweet baby girl, I think these are pretty high up there in term of importance.

1. God loves you.  Don't EVER forget this.

2. I love you.  Don't EVER forget this, either.

3. You are beautiful. No, I don't have to say this just because you are my daughter. You truly are a beauty.
4. I am so proud of you.  Little things you do each day just makes my heart beam with joy.
5. You will mistakes. Do not let them define you. Oh, the lessons you will learn. Tomorrow is always new and without mistake.
6. There is nothing you can or cannot do that will change the way I love you.  NOTHING! I may not always "like" what you do, but never will lessen my love for you.
7. You are enough.  Basically, this is about confidence.  You do not need another person do make you a better person.
8. Don't be in such a hurry to grow up. Enjoy your childhood. Miss it now and you will long for it later.
9. Don't ever be ashamed of your intelligence. Nothing is prettier than a girl with a smart mind.  No really.  I promise.
10. Never lose your love of reading. It can take you to worlds unknown.  Besides it is just fun.
11. If it ever comes down to following God's plan or making people happy, follow God. He will not steer you wrong.  You cannot fathom the wonders of God's blessings on your life.
12. Be yourself. Even though it may take you a while to truly understand what that means. Once you do learn, embrace it.  There is only one you; why try to be someone you are not.
13. Taking care of yourself is important. Being physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy is vital. Once you know how to take care of yourself, you will be able to take care of others.

What would you add to the list?

Copy-Kids DVD Review and Giveaway

My first review and giveaway.  WooHoo!

I am excited about telling you about a great way to get your kids to eat more fruits and veggies.  I think I have the most finicky kids ever.  I have just about given up trying to get them to eat more veggies.  I have since found Copy-Kids - a DVD with young children modelling good eating habits.  The idea is simple but the concept speaks to kids' natural ability to mimic those around them.  To make it even better, the models looks just like them.

I watched this with my youngest child who is 2.  It is a good idea to have the foods you want to encourage in front of the kids.  We started with carrots and strawberries.  I have to admit that Tuck will occasionally eat a strawberry, but lately he won't touch them.  I was hoping to get him to eat more strawberries. 

The first thing I did was put out the bowls on the floor in front of the TV then I turned on the DVD and picked strawberries. There are 12 fruits and vegetables from which to choose, so the variety is great. Tucker grabbed the strawberries right away and began to munch along as soon as he saw the kids eat. 

The kids were cute, and even I began to be mesmerized at how easily these kids ate those foods. It was easy to tell the kids enjoyed the fruit that they were eating. After the strawberries, we tried the carrots.

I was a little nervous about the carrots, because Tucker does not eat them at all. Here was the true test. 

The first little girl was a little funny, and Tucker just watched the kids, but he didn't grab a carrot. He just laughed at the kids.  He liked watching the kids, but was not interested in the carrots. In fact, he took the bowl of carrots and dumped them onto the carpet. So I picked up the carrots and pointed to the tv screen to show him that it was something that he was supposed to eat. He took one and I thought yes! However, instead of eating them himself, he tried feeding them to me which showed me he at least understood the concept. 

When the DVD segment was finished (each one only lasts about five minutes) he wanted to watch it again so  we watched the carrot segment again hoping this time he would eat them. When the segment started,  I could hardly believe it Tucker actually picked up one of the carrots that he had been feeding me and begin to nibble on it!! It worked.  I got so excited! It wasn't because of my prodding, he simply wanted to join in on the fun the kids were having.

I wanted documentation, so I decided that I would take a picture. That was the wrong thing to do because he became more interested in looking at my camera phone at this point and stopped eating a carrot. After that he kinda lost interest and did not care to eat any more carrots. However, when the segment was over again he got really upset that we did not watch another. So I do think it is interesting how he wanted to keep watch the kids. 

I do think that I will continue to encourage these eating habits by watching Copy-Kids.  I may even try it with my older children. It is such a laid-back, stress-free approach to handling a situation that often causes parents much angst.

Copy-Kids is gracious enough to offer one lucky reader her (or his) very own copy of this DVD. If you need more convincing of how great this DVD is, be sure to check out these other reviews or check out the awards  Copy Kids has won.

Be sure to enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

*I am required to let you know that I received a copy of Copy-Kids DVD to review.  I was not required to provide a positive review. It just worked out that way. All opinions are my own, and I wrote what I wanted to write.*