It's My Blog and I'll Cry If I Want To

Cry if I want to, you would cry too if it happened to you!

This is an exciting week for me. I posted my first review with includes a giveaway. I had all sorts of exciting content floating around in my head. What to wear on Broadway? Girls Night Out with lots of booty shaking and a few drinks, plus we have done lots of fun blog worthy family events such as Hershey Park and the Renaissance Festival, but honestly I don't feel up to any of it. I am sick and I am stressed and I need to vent, thank you very much!

First off, I am sick. Not deathly ill, stay in bed sick, but congestion, coughing fits, low energy, and generally feeling like crap, sick. I don't think I have the flu. I've had it before and felt a lot worse, plus I don't have a fever and that is a pretty important flu symptom. Since everyone is rightfully paranoid about getting sick we skipped church, I skipped Cub Scouts, and tried to rest as much as possible yesterday. I can never rest as much as I need to and never can get into bed when I should.

I start my new job tomorrow. Of course this job involves watching twin infants who I bet their parents would love to get sick. I can't stay home every time I have a cold. Lots of hand sanitizer and hand washing. This is my first job outside the home full-time in a year so I am concerned how the laundry, dishes, cleaning, and errand running will all get done. I know it will come.

Hubby and I are headed to NYC this weekend for 3 days. I am beyond excited for the alone time with my hubby and to see NYC. As an added bonus I even won tickets to see Rock of Ages from Babies Gotta Have It! Score! This is not stressful but trying to get well before we leave is.

On a much more serious note Hubby and I have been considering adopting each other kids for awhile now. Their other biological parents are uninvolved and all three of them live with us full-time. It has been almost 2 years or more since their other biological parents have visited them. Until recently the girls mom didn't call for the past 8 months. At this point a monthly or bi-monthly 10 minute call is too little, too late. Nate has had the girls full-time since they were 3 months and 2 1/2. She has only even seen FiFi 4 separate times in her life. This is VERY stressful for me. I was hoping to file the paperwork pro se (without an attorney) but after speaking to the clerk of the court the State of Maryland makes it nearly impossible for anyone to file an adoption pro se. I found an attorney near by who does stepparent adoptions and spoke with his paralegal who seemed experienced in the matter. I made an appointment for a week from Monday. The problem is this opens up a whole new can of worms. Am I doing the right thing? I think I am. Is this really what is best for the kids? I know in my heart it is. Is this what they want? I spoke with them in depth this evening and they all are in agreement. Will their other biological parents ever be able to truly parent them? No, I know they won't. How dramatic and drawn out is this going to be? God only knows! How much is it going to cost? And arm and a leg knowing my luck. Can we really afford it now or should we wait 6 months until we are more financially stable? We can't really afford it. We are drowning in debt but what the heck is another few thousand dollars.What if something goes wrong? I logically know it won't but hubby thinks in worse case scenarios. What if they don't find in our favor? We won't be any worse off than we are now.

So, that is my vent. I hate to be a downer but this blog is truly for me and if I can't use it to vent then what is the point?

*Giveaway has ended* Kaskey Kids Sports Action Figures Review and Giveaway

I was contacted by Kaskey Kids inquiring about whether I would be interested in reviewing their Sports Action Figures product. This is my first product review so I was very excited. Kaskey Kids is also offering a discount to anyone who purchases this toy during my giveaway as well as giving away any of their sports action figures of the winners choice to one of my lucky winners (value $24.99)

Review:

The product says it is for ages 3-9 but to be honest with you I was not sure my 9 year old son would be interested in this product. I had him look at the website with me and asked if he was interested or if he thought we should get the Soccer Girls product for FiFi to try since it seemed more age appropriate for her (she is 6 years old). He said get the soccer girls so we sent off our request.

Neither of my girls has been very into action figures per se but they do like Polly Pockets and Littlest Pet Shop which are similar to action figures. B was very into action figures from the ages of 4-6 and would've loved this product at that time.

The kids were very excited when we got the package in the mail.

Here is what the box looks like:

Funny part was B was most excited and was intent on setting up the toys and reading the rules.

Here is a shot of the soccer match ready to start:

Wyn and B in the midst of their tough competition:

The good:

-The toys are sturdy and look like they would last many years.

-The game has no set rules and encourages imaginative play. Big plus!

-The toy is unique. I haven't seen anything similar in stores.

-They offer several different choices of sports depending upon your child's interest, football, college football, baseball, hockey, soccer girls, and soccer guys.

-The soccer girls is a great toy for girls interested in sports. It gets away from the typical gender roles and the girl action figures are even a variety of races.

The Drawbacks:

-The company markets the toys for ages 3-9. I think these toys are better suited to children ages 3-6. In my opinion those are the ages are most interested in imaginative play.

-While my kids really enjoyed playing with these toys I have to be honest they haven't came out of the toy box since. I think this mainly has to do with my kids being in the upper part of the age range. My kids are at the age that they rarely play with anything in their toy boxes. They are more interested in reading, playing outside with their friends, playing DS, and watching TV.

The Discount:

Anyone who purchases any of the Sports Action Figures from the Kaskey Kids website
http://www.kaskeykids.com/ will receive 10% with the code "GoGuys".

The Giveaway:

Kaskey Kids is giving one of my lucky readers a Sports Action Figure set of their choice.

Here are the details:

Visit their website http://www.kaskeykids.com/ and let me know which set you would choose if you win. This entry is mandatory and other entries will not count unless this entry is completed first.

Please leave your email in all your entries.

Additional entries (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

-Follow my blog. Current followers also count.

-Blog about this contest linking to both my blog and Kaskey Kids.

-Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can tweet once a day for an additional entry each day just don't forget to leave a separate comment for each tweet. Just copy and paste into Twitter: Win Kaskey Kids Sport Action Figures Set @brennbug http://brennbug.blogspot.com/2009/09/kaskey-kids-sports-action-figures.html.

Contest ends at 8:00pm EST Friday, October 2, 2009. Contest is open to U.S. residents. Winner will be drawn using Random.org. Winner will be contacted via email and have 48 hours to claim their prize.

Good luck!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated to provide this review and giveaway besides being provided one Sports Action Figures Set (value $24.99). All statements in this review are my personal opinion and not the statements or opinions of the Kaskey Kids.

Family Photos

A couple weeks ago we had the privilege of having professional photographs taken outdoors at Federal Hill near the harbor in downtown Baltimore. Our photographer was Kenneth Clapp and he and his wife Mia did a great job with my wild children. I am not sure if it because the pictures were outdoors or what but my kids were uncharacteristically hyper. Sure they are normal kids but they aren't usually THAT hyper. They still managed to capture some great shots despite the wild children and the wild wind that was blowing that afternoon.

Here is the link to view our photos: http://www.pictage.com/711121

Not Me! Monday

MckMama is back with Not Me! Monday so I thought I would join her in admitting to some of the ridiculous stuff I did NOT do this week.

1. I did NOT let my kids play outside for hours with minimal supervision. Of course NOT that would be dangerous. When I ceased to hear the giggles and squeals of the 10 or so neighbor kids outside it took me 30 minutes or so to finally confirm my three were inside the neighbors house. NOT me! I am never a laid back parent.

2. Later that day, all 10 neighbor kids ended up in my house and mysteriously no one knew where B was. I figured he was not really lost since he was the oldest of the bunch. I was NOT surprised that he was still upstairs at said neighbors house watching TV even though all the other kids were now at our house. B is completely NOT into TV and would never zone out enough to not even realize he was the only kid left at a house that was not his. No! Never!

3. I did NOT thank the Lord that soccer was cancelled this week. Playing in the soaking wet fields would have been tons of fun.

4. I did NOT sleep in until 10am Saturday morning due to the blessing described above in #3. Hubby was NOT trying so hard to keep the kids quiet that he actually was the one who woke me up. That would be ridiculous! Love you hubby!

5. Even though this is my last week before I start my new job I am NOT very excited to start. I get to play with 10 week old twins 9 hours per day 4 days per week with all school holidays and vacations paid. Can you say best of both worlds? Time with my kids and making money!

6. I am NOT excited to paint our bedroom this week. We have been in this house for 6 months now and there is not a single thing on my bedroom walls due to our desire to paint but not following through.

7. I was NOT surprised when I choose paint colors that the main color I wanted on the walls was only a shade lighter than they already are. Since I am cheap I decided only to re-paint the trim that is currently forest green. I will post before and after pictures on my blog so you can all be amazed at my decorating talent.

8. I have NOT put off correcting my kids summer workbooks until the absolute last moment. That would be silly. They are only summer workbooks AKA a mother of three's torture device. The PTA mom collecting completed workbooks for prizes did NOT tell me she doesn't care if they are correct just done. Doesn't that defeat the purpose?

9. I did NOT set a goal of making it to the gym 3 times last week only to make it twice. I am NOT happy that I made it at all. Today I am going to start week two and set another goal of 3 gym trips. Wish me luck.

So what have you NOT been doing this week?

Broadway Tickets Giveaway at Babies Gotta Have It

I don't usually post about other blogger's giveaways on my blog but I am very excited about this giveaway.

Babies Gotta Have It is hosting a giveaway for two tickets to the Broadway musical Rock of Ages on Sunday, September 27th.

Want to know the best part? After entering the contest a few days ago I got a call from my dad saying he is coming to visit from North Carolina that weekend and hubby and I should use that time to have a weekend away. So we will be in NYC the weekend of the musical. It must be meant to be! With the price of hotels in NYC hubby and I could sure use some free Broadway tickets instead of buying them. Did I mention I am excited?

So go check out Babies Gotta Have It and if you are going to be in NYC enter to win but don't enter to win too many times since that will decrease my odds of winning :-)

Dear Old Man Fall

I haven't been much of a fan of yours in years past. Don't get me wrong I enjoy watching the leaves change, dressing up for Halloween, and the approaching holiday season, but in the lovely state of Colorado fall also means one thing for sure, SNOW!



The first snow in Colorado can fall anywhere from mid September to mid October but you can almost be certain that it will snow on Halloween and not on Christmas.

This is our first winter in Maryland and I hear things around here are different. Sure it "snows" if you call a dusting or an inch "snow". This alleged "snow" can make an appearance in late December but sometimes not until January and then magically the threat of snow has passed by March.



Really? Is this too good to be true? Serious chance of snow for only two months of the year and even then an inch or two? This sounds like a dream. Now I can just hope for not too many days of below freezing temperatures this winter.



So Old Man Fall keep coming my way. Keep sending your cool breezes blowing through my house, start the leaves a changing, and keep the temperatures moderate. I am not so concerned about the impending winter that follows you, so keep coming my way.

Our Colorado Adventure: Part 3

I know, more pictures of my beautiful children frolicking around the state of Colorado. Sorry blog readers but I had to share the last of the pictures. At least the kids are cute :-) Plus all our family members who read but don't follow or comment will be extra happy today!

We loved staying with my sister in her posh accommodations, extra bedroom and private bath for me, air mattress and couch downstairs for the kids, but people without kids get sick of kids staying with them and I was thankful (as I bet my sister and her fiance were) that my BFF Michelle offered for us to stay with her a few days.

My friend's daughter M and Wyn

The kids got along really, really well and didn't fight much at all. Both the moms were shocked but happy. I guess when you have known each other your entire lives you don't have any choice but to get along.

B and J

Breakfast for 8

Wyn and Mak at the swimming pool

B going down the fast slide.

Michelle and I went down that slide every time it was adult swim and there wasn't a huge line of kids. What can I say, we are both big kids at heart (and closet thrill seekers)!

J, FiFi, Wyn, M, and B

9 year olds are great photographers. Michelle and I at the pool.

Great shot of FiFi

The next day we were able to go to my friend Melissa's daughter's 10th birthday party. Glad we could be part of her celebration. When I met Melissa her daughter was 6 months old and she has known B his entire life.

B, FiFi, M, Wyn, and J

All good things must come to an end. Our last day in Colorado we met Michelle and her kids at McDonald's to let the kids play. It is hard to say goodbye to everyone we love so much but it has been a great adventure living here in Baltimore and I am looking forward to exploring the East Coast more.

Stay tuned, later this week I will be posting my first review which includes a giveaway of a great toy.

Each Relationship Between Two Persons is Absolutely Unique. That is Why You Cannot Love Two People the Same.

I just finished reading "The Shack" by WM. Paul Young. It was very thought provoking to say the least. As a Christian is throws all your ideas about who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are out the window. Not in a I don't believe in God way, but a why does God have to be depicted as a white male sort of way? God doesn't let evil happen but instead wishes to preserve free will, sort of way. Very thought provoking and a great read that I would highly recommend.



As a parent and more specifically as a step-parent a certain part of the book hit home with me. I don't often refer to myself as a step-parent. All three of our kids live with my husband and myself full-time with almost no contact from their other biological parent. I may not have given birth to these two girls but they are my kids.



On page 215 is the following part:

"Each relationship between two persons is absolutely unique. That is why you cannot love two people the same. It is simply is not possible. You love each person differently because of who they are and the uniqueness that they draw out of you. And the more you know another, the richer...that relationship."



This hit home with me. When I was pregnant with B I fell madly in love with this baby growing inside me. I loved him more than anything in this world and my love for him has only grown. My job as his mommy was not only to love him but to nurture and protect him.



Then I met my husband. I love him differently and I got that. I not only had a deep love for him that has grown over time but a romantic love for him. I don't love him because I have known him my whole life but I am in love with hubby and he is my best friend. A very different kind of love than what I feel for B but equally strong and I understand why. B was my child but hubby was both my partner in life and best friend.



Now here come the complicated part. I have always felt like it was wrong for me to have a different love for FiFi, and a different love for Wyn. I don't love the two of them the same, of course not, they are very different people, and I don't love them the same as B or the same as hubby. I don't love them more or less but differently. I always thought there was something wrong with this, something wrong with me, but now I am beginning to realize this is what all parents feel. "You cannot love two people the same."



So mamas of more than one please tell me I am not crazy. Please tell me you love each of your children not more or less but differently, because of their unique personality, and this is the God given way it is supposed to be. While reading this book I seriously had an "aha" moment.

Jazz Up Your Tuna Sandwich

In all my brilliance I forgot to take a picture of our yummy tuna sandwiches last night. This is one of my own recipes that adds a little more flavor to the traditional tuna sandwich.

Michelle's Tuna Sandwich Recipe
1-2 cans of tuna
1 juicy, crisp apple (I used a gala apple yesterday)
thick, big slices of bread (not just cheap sandwich bread)
mayonnaise
mustard
ranch dressing

1. Drain tuna and empty cans into medium mixing bowl.
2. Add generous serving of mayonnaise to taste (I probably use 4-5 tablespoons per 2 small cans of tuna. I don't like the tuna dry).
3. Add drizzle of mustard (approximately 1 tsp but just estimate).
4. Add drizzle of ranch dressing (approximately 1 tsp, estimate but don't go overboard with the ranch this can effect the taste).
5. Slice apple in half, dice about one half of apple into small chunks. Use other half of apple to make slices to serve with sandwiches. Stir apple chunks into tuna mixture.
6. Toast bread before applying generous serving of tuna onto bread to make sandwich.

Serve with apple slices. Two cans makes 4 1/2 sandwiches on large bread. Enjoy!