CSN review and a fab Fall-Tacular giveaway!

Did you know it has been in the 70's here?! And one night this week it is due to get into the 40's?? Ummm, YES please! It is no secret I LOVE fall, and I love this weather. On cooler days, I especially love to come inside and bake for my family. I love to bake about as much as I love fall and I do admit to baking year round. However, there is something so wonderful about baking in the fall. From pound cake, to pumpkin squares, I love it all.
When I bake I always bake from scratch as I find it is great to be able to control what goes into my food. I also think it is easy! Especially when you have a great mixer. Behold:

This is my new baby. I have had my eye on a kitchenaid stand mixer for what seems to be forever, but with a price tag of over $300, I will have to wait. However, when CSN contacted me to do another review for them, I was thrilled to be able to try out the Cuisinart 7 speed mixer. Now the mixer I had before had recently broken down and I needed a new one. My old one had no power and only one speed and was impossible to mix things like butter cream icing and egg whites.
Not anymore! This mixer can do it ALL! It is so powerful and can honestly handle anything including thick dough. My only complaint is that it is so robust (for a tiny little person like myself) that my arm hurts after awhile from holding it. Ha! Not to bad of a complaint!
I had to test it out right away and I made lemon pound cake! When I made the lemon butter cream for it, I have never been more proud of an appliance. For the first time ever ( I have been perfecting my butter cream recipe for ages) my icing came out perfect and thick. I am in love y'all!

I am so happy with it that I am rethinking needing a stand mixer at all! Well okay, maybe I still want one someday...

Anyway, TODAY, you have a chance to win a KitchenAid Artisan Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer of your very own! You even get to pick the color!

How is that!? Kitchenaid is known for their quality and excellence and are the standard for today's kitchens. With a mixer to match every budget and every style, you can't go wrong!

All you have to do is follow me on google friend connect, visit CSN and KitchenAid and leave a comment telling me what color you would like! It is that easy!

Extra entries:
Follow me on Twitter
Tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link (can be done daily)
Have my blog button on your blog
Have my Fall-Tacular button on your blog
Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link

The winner will be chosen on October 8, 2010 at 12pm. Good luck!

The fine print:
Although the mixer I reviewed was supplied by CSN, the opinions of said mixer are my own. It is also important to note, that although CSN sponsored this review, they are not sponsoring the giveaway (kitchenaid mixer) as that is being supplied by a third party and will ship directly to you if you win! Good luck!

just a little break

Just taking a little break today and tomorrow since Adams birthday is tomorrow!!! Will be back on the 30th with another fabulous giveaway!!
Thank you all for making the Fall-Tacular so great!
See you soon :)

Fall-Tacular $200 Visa Gift Card

So this giveaway doesn't really need a lot of explanation! Who couldn't use an extra $200, especially with the holidays right around the corner?

This gift card is a Visa gift card that is accepted anywhere that Visa is! So you can spend it on anything you like!

All you have to do is follow this blog with google friend connect and leave me a comment telling me what you will spend the money on! That's it! I can't wait to hear all your fun ideas!

For extra entries:
1. Follow me on Twitter
2. Have my button on your blog
3. Have the Fall-Tacular button on your blog
4. Tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link (can be done daily)
5. Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link

Winner will be announced on October 8th at 12pm. Good Luck!

just because

I can't go too long without posting pictures of these two cuties





Man, I love being their mom!

Fall-Tacular Herbolution Giveaway

As fall progresses, so do the colder temperatures! Eventually, the temperatures chase us indoors to enjoy our homes and our families. One of the things many of us blogging mommies do, is spend some extra moments on the computer. (When we get those precious extra moments :) One thing that will make this time a bit more special is this beauty

Completely organic , soft, and fragrant, I know I would love to surf the Internet with this! I love the smell of lavender so much and it always make me in a calmer mood!
So for all those late night online shoppers, your wallet may hurt, but your wrists won't! :)
This wrist rest comes in two styles, both non washable and washable. You can find the washable here.

One of you lucky readers is going to win the Organic Ergonomic Computer Keyboard Wrist Rest!! (non washable)
All you have to do is follow this blog via google friend connect, visit Herbolution and leave me a comment letting me know what other product you would love to have!

For extra entries:
1. Follow me on Twitter
2. Have my button on your blog
3. Have the Fall-Tacular button on your blog
4. Tweet about the giveaway/your favorite product from Herbolution and give me the link (can be done daily)
5. Blog about the giveaway and leave me the link
6. Follow Herbolution on Facebook and Twitter

Winner will be announced on October 8th,2010 at 12pm. Good Luck!

Fall-Tacular Bragging Bags Giveaway

Do you love weddings? Do you love decor? Do you love etsy stores that could make you swoon with their gorgeousness? Yep, me too!

Bragging Bags is one of those etsy stores that you just cant look away. It is very unique and they have the most precious decorations that are personalized! I love personalization! They make all kinds of things for weddings and for everyday use. Look at these little cuties!

Wouldn't those mini pumpkins look amazing as a vase filler or for me, I would LOVE them for my hurricanes!
And look at this

Yep, I am in love! This fall I have really been decorating with natural elements and this is perfect!

Bragging Bags has generously offered to give one lucky winner either two bags of unscented pumpkins, or two shorter birch vases with personalization!
All you have to do is follow this blog with google friend connect, visit Bragging Bags and leave a comment telling me what other item you love! That's it!

For extra entries: (make sure to leave a separate comment for each)
1. Follow me on Twitter
2. Have my button on your blog
3. Have the Fall-Tacular button on your blog
4. Tweet about the giveaway (leave me the link)Can be done daily
5. Blog about this giveaway (leave me the link)

Winner will be announced on October 8,2010 at 12pm. Good Luck!

Fall-Tacular Corinna Couture Giveaway

Do you have a little girl in your life? Maybe you are a mom of girls, or an auntie? You will LOVE this amazing etsy shop!
Corinna Couture is a boutique with the most beautiful girls dresses. They are very ornate and very distinct. I simply love them!! I only wish I could sew like this!

Isn't that gorgeous!?

I have a feeling that if my two boys were girls I would have every dress she makes!

Instead, Corinna Couture is giving away a Shania dress to one of YOU! You can choose the size from 6months-6!
All you have to do is follow this blog via google friend connect, visit Corinna Couture and then leave a comment telling me what other dress you love! That's it!

For extra entries: (make sure to leave a separate comment for each)
1. Like Corinna Couture on Facebook
2. Follow me on Twitter
3. Have my button on your blog
4. Have the Fall-Tacular button on your blog
5. blog about the giveaway and leave me the link
6. Tweet about the giveaway and leave me the link (can be done daily)

Winner will be picked on October 8, 2010 at 12pm. Good Luck!

Fall-Tacular Indigo Fragrance Giveaway

Indigo Fragrance is an amazing etsy shop! I love everything about fall and the "smell" of fall is one of my favorites! I am even known for lighting a spice scented candle year round. There is something so great about coming home to a warm smelling home everyday, especially this fall! If you look around Indigo Fragrance you will see so many different scents. I would love to try them all! But this season, pumpkin spice, winterberry, and fall festival sound delicious! The great thing about fragrance oil is that it is always present. You don't have to worry about lighting a candle or blowing one out before you leave. It is safe and very fragrant.
The very best part? YOU can win a whole pumpkin spice reed diffuser set from Indigo Fragrance! (Set includes the bottle, reed diffuser oil, reeds, funnel and instructions.)

All you have to do is follow my blog via google friend connect and visit Indigo Fragrance on etsy and leave a comment telling me what other scent you would love to try!

Extra entries: (make sure to leave a separate comment for each)
1. Follow me on Twitter
2. Have my button on your blog
3. Have my Fall-Tacular button on your blog
4. Tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link (can be done daily)
5. Blog about this giveaway

Good luck!! (Winner will be announced on October 8th,2010 and 12pm)

Fall-Tacular Schwinn Joyride Trailer/Stroller Giveaway ($399)

You know what my favorite thing about fall is? Cooler weather! Here in the south it is in the 100s almost everyday in the summer and you just can't do much outdoors. But at the first sign of cooler days, it seems everyone is outdoors enjoying it. I mean warm apple pies and hearty chili wouldn't be the same if it was hot out!
Anyways, getting out and enjoying every moment is what fall is all about for me. And as of now for you too :)
Meet the Schwinn Joyride Trailer/Stroller


Ummm....Gorgeous!!!
Now I will be the first to admit I am not an exercise, bike riding person. But, if I had this to take the kiddos with us I might be. I would be. It is so important to get outside and get some fresh air. It is equally important to spend quality time with our families. With this you can do both. This trailer easily turns into a double jogging stroller with an attachment you can purchase from Schwinn. Otherwise it is an incredible bike trailer generously seating two. It has a weather shield to protect your little ones from bugs and the elements and also a sun shade. Schwinn has incredible customer service but you wont need it. Their products are amazingly well built. You can't go wrong with one of their products!

The best part of all of this is that YOU can win one!
All you have to do is follow my blog via google friend connect and then visit Schwinn online and leave a comment telling me what other product you would love to have! For me, I would LOVE to have one of their urban bikes!

Extra entries: (Make sure to leave a separate comment for each)
Follow me on Twitter
Tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link (can be done daily)
Have my button on your blog (in my side bar)
Have the Fall-Tacular button on your blog (in my side bar)
Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link

Good Luck!!!! (winner will be posted on October 8, 2010 12pm)

The Fall-Tacular is here!!!!!!!!

Today is the day!!! Happy Fall Yall!!!!!
I am so excited to be kicking off this years Fall-Tacular with you! There are some great giveaways and some of my favorite recipes I am going to share. There will even be some fall decor tips! It all starts today!

I will be posting the giveaways at noon everyday so make sure to check back then! Today's giveaway is going to be great, you don't want to miss it!!

soccer saturday-take two

This last Saturday we had Austin's second soccer game. It went so much better! Austin kicked the ball a ton and even helped score a goal! The weather was better as well and that made it A LOT more enjoyable for everyone.
These pictures crack me up and I just had to share them!







I am so so proud of my sweet soccer player :)

oh and don't forget!!! Tomorrow is the first day of FALL!!!!!!! Yeah! It also is the first day of the Fall-Tacular event! Big giveaway tomorrow to kick it off :)

Psalm 30:5

Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. ~Psalm 30:5

This day is always a rough one for me. September as a whole is very bittersweet. September 16, 2004 is when I found out I was pregnant with Austin. September 29th is Adam's birthday. September 19, 1999 is the day my father took his life 11 years ago. September 19, 2007 is the day I found out one of our sweet babies was ectopic and wouldn't make it.

September.

I know for a lot of people loss is not something easily discussed. It is hard for us to accept and to process. Our earthly bodies and minds can't always see the grace and glory on the other side.
On this day, I too fall victim to the sadness that loss is so willing to lend us. I felt it all week as this day has approached. Silently and cunningly weaving itself into my heart with its lies. And I will admit, the sadness has brought me to my knees. And it would keep me there if I didn't know the TRUTH.

The truth is that I, alone, can not face and bear the weight of this sinful world. However, I am not alone.

...the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

And indeed, sweet friends, His burden is light.

This world offers so much pain, but in Him comes peace, true peace. He never promised an easy journey but He also promised that He would never leave us to face it alone.

So it is in His word, that I can see the lies for what they are.

This year, I find myself missing my dad more than ever. I watch Austin and EJ grow and I know he would have made a fantastic grandfather. I can just see the smile he would have had while taking them fishing. Oh how I wish he could take them fishing.

And oh how grateful I am that my heavenly Father knows my heart and is ever present. My boys may never know my dad, but they will know our Father.

And I know there is no void, no wound, no pain, to large for Jesus. There is no day in which He can not bring joy and glory. Even on this day. Especially on this day.

And I yearn for the day that all this will disappear and I can see my Savior face to face. Until that day, I will cling to the truth and I will rest in Him.

Though the night may bring mourning friends, there will be joy come the new day.

Thank you Savior for the new day and joy you bring. Thank you for your peace which truly does surpass all understanding. Thank you for bringing Glory into the darkest of hours. Thank you for your comfort when we need it most. Thank you for all your promises which you have never abandoned. Thank You Jesus, for carrying us all.

what we do during nap time and an announcement!

funny face!


"big eyes" LOL (his idea)


mr. serious


and my favorite


I love this big 5 year old and it breaks my heart to know how big he is but so proud at the same time. Sorry for the flash pics, poor lighting, and the fact that I didnt edit these at all. You can't always wait for perfect lighting, or editing out spots in you carpet. Sometimes you just need to record the moment! :)



In other news, I have a bit of an announcement!
Because FALL is my absolute favorite season of the year, I have decided to launch the first annual Fall-Tacular event! What does this mean for you, you may ask? Well I am glad you asked! I am going to be doing some HUGE giveaways including a KitchenAid mixer (in your choice of color)! There will be fall recipes, fall decor tips and tutorials, and all kid of fall fantastic-ness! I'm so excited! So if you love fall come join me September 22, 2010 when we start all the fun!

I know you all know about CSN from the past review/giveaway I have done for them! Well they have offered to let me do another review! I just LOVE CSN, not only do they have over 200 stores to choose from (and sell just about anything you could need) like dining tables and modern baby decor, but they are amazing people too. Everyone I have worked with has been nothing short of wonderful and kind. Truly a great company!
So look forward to that review as well, I will have something special for you then ;)

FIVE days people! Bring on the Fall!!!!

soccer

Well this last sunday was Austin's very first soccer game. I can't believe he is old enough for soccer. I can't believe I am officially a soccer mom. How am I so blessed? How is my first born baby growing so fast.
Well with out further ramblings, here are the pictures of my sweet boy!













Austin kicked the ball once during the game and I was so proud! This next picture was the second after he kicked it.


It was a blazing hot day with no shade and not enough water. I loved it but I am going to be prepared next game! At the end they handed out snacks to the boys and exchanged "good games". They don't keep score and there was no "winner". I think we did great seeing as we only had ONE practice before this game. I cant wait to see us next week. I do have a video but it is too long for vimeo so I will try to take a shorter one next game.
Soccer. Mom.
yep I love it!

Happy 19 months EJ

I just can't believe it! Another month has passed are you are changing just as quickly!
You are 29 inches long and 24 pounds now. You run all of the time now and love to go go go. You love to play with balls (kicking, throwing) as they are your favorite toy. You also love bugs and music. You are very attached to your blanket which you have named "minky" and your lovey that you call "me" short for "lamby". You are well over 20 words with your newest being "lights" and "wuv eww". It seems like you learn new words daily now. You are also signing more words now. You can now sign I love you in addition to saying it and of course you sign "milk" "eat" and "more". You are taking a nap every day again now but still go to bed between 8-9. You still wake up about 5 times a night but only for a few minutes and then are up for the day at about 7:30. You are still a very picky eater but you are getting better. Your only vegetable right now is broccoli dipped in ranch and you love stuffing. You tolerate chicken but wont touch pork or beef. You love anything sour and pickles are your favorite. You recently have been liking cheese as well. We add things slowly and right now it is hit or miss. I know it will get better though. You still nurse as well about 3-5 times. You are fiercely independent but still such a baby in some ways. You love to snuggle but then you love to run free. The twos will be interesting :)
All I know is that I love you like crazy and am so blessed to have had these 19 months with you. I look forward to many many many more little one.



These pictures are from Austin's first soccer practice yesterday. He LOVED it and so did I. I can't believe I am an official soccer mom! His first game is saturday and I'm sure it will be a blast. His team is called Thunder and Austin is number 20!

the post that doesnt need a title

I been busy watching two little ones grow and learn and explore lately. And is has been wonderful. From bugs (EJ loves bugs!) to leaves and fish (Austin is quite the fishermen), we are soaking in this thing called life. Every moment...


















Reach for those stars (or leaves) sweet boy!!






We only catch and release :)


Leading the way!




Caught another one!




My loves



Nothing I would rather be doing, and no where else I would rather be....