Dang Gina

The Gym

2012-01-30T19:59:00.001-06:00

I never in my life would have imagined that I would "crave" my gym time. But I do! I love going-I usually hate it while I'm there feeling weak and sweating-but I also love when the work outs over I feel rejuvenated. I also love my gym buddy Denise. She's a rockstar & is always pushing me.
Do you love the gym? What are your favorite work outs? Least favorite? do you go solo or with a buddy? Do you work out in the morning or at night?
I HATE running. More then even push ups or jumping. I hate it. I actually love ab workouts, and SOME cardio, but running....oh no.
I also HAVE to work out at night. It's what works for us right now. Put the kids to bed, the hubby study's and I go to the gym. And I love it!!!!

P.s Monday has become museum day for us now that winter has shown its ugly head. So I thought I'd honor you all with a pic of today's fun! I seriously love being a mom! Even after 4 hours at the museum and then stoping by to say hi to daddy at school only to be told in the parking lot on the way home that I am not liked or loved and that daddy's better....even when I tried to remind said child about the last four hours...nope... Still love it!

Making a difference

2012-01-30T09:21:00.001-06:00

Do you ever have those days where you think to yourself, "I want to make a difference, a REAL difference"
I do.
All the time.
I want to be everything to everyone.
Maybe its some narsastic thought of me wanting to be a hero or something.
Anyway, I just had a thought, I may not be making a difference that anyone else can see, or that is a REAL difference in the eyes of the world, but I can & am making a difference in the walls of my own home EVERY day. With my children, my husband and myself. That's 4 lives that are bettered by me doing my very best. And guess what?! That's good enough.

AND. . . .

2012-01-29T15:30:00.000-06:00

So I need to begin this post with an apology to Miss Stephanie from Sweet Monkey Tots!

This post should have been made over a week ago-but as luck would have it, life has happened at my house and my head has seemed to be on backwards.

So without further ado. . .

the winner to the Sweet Monkey Tots giveaway is. . . .

Comment #7: Robinbird

I hope you'll email me! You didn't leave an email me for me to get back to you!

In other news there is some FREE digital scrapbook sofware being given away below! Scroll down to enter!!!

Also the flu has left our house, every sheet, blanket, toy, rug and surface has been washed, disinfected and scrubbed. If I can help it we will NEVER go through that again-yes I do realize that it will happen again, I just wish it wouldn't.

Besides sickness and cleaning this week I have been trying to keep my cool while my kids have had cabin fever. . .there have been movies, and activities, and concerts (this is when we turn up either Taylor Swift or Wynonna Judd really loud and we all sing at the top of our longs and dance around using our thumbs as microphones)

I also have still been working with my Dr on finding the perfect concoction for my anxiety meds. . . .I think we are finally getting somewhere!

Noooo

2012-01-24T23:51:00.001-06:00

So my bug has the flu for the first time, it's not pretty. I have this thing-when I hear someone puking, I dry heave-when I smell it, I lose it. But I am so proud of me-I have been doing laundry non-stop since the puking began & I haven't just thrown everything away like I want to. I also have done the motherly duty by rubbing back, camping on the sofa, watching lameo Disney cartoons, washing barf bowl-lots, and reassuring my baby that it's not the end of the world during each puke session. I am feeling like a rockstar mom....minus that I'm so tired, and hungry-but who can eat with the smell.....otherwise I kinda feel like I have earned my "mommy wings" or whatever. So, now I'm in....someone make it stop!!!!

My Memories Giveaway

2012-01-24T06:00:00.027-06:00

I was recently contaced by MyMemories.com and asked if I would want to host a giveaway of their digital scrapbooking software. Since digi-scraping is the only way I do it I said OF COURSE!!!

My Memories let me enjoy the software as well and I got to play around and make some pages. . .

The software was super user friendly and I enjoyed an evening of playing around on it and finding all the fun things available. Its very self explanatory. It came with a great selection of paper, embellishments, text options-I LOVED that it accessed my font library and I had all of my fonts right at my fingertips! They also have a place where you can do your videos, recording or music to facilitate keepsaking all of your memories! You can build your pages from scrap or they have layouts pre-made that you only have to put your pictures and words into! They also have a store available where you can buy kits and get sets that have matching paper & embellishments, they also have a section of FREE pages that you can download too!

I personally am wanting these two kits!!! SO CUTE!

Also for those of you who already have digital scrapbooking software, you can get their kits and download them both to My Memories software and to your collections and use them in other software as well. So YAY for everyone!

AND its compatibale for both Windows and Mac!

So who wants to win a My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software of their own?!

MANDATORY -seriously its MANDATORY if you don't do it NONE of your entries count! Go to My Memories and look around, then let me know some of your favorite kits!

Go Shopping over at My Memories this week and gain an EXTRA Entry!

To get a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the My Memories store - $20 value - Use coupon code STMMMS77569

This giveaway will be open until February 5th at midnight!!

GOOD LUCK!

Fun Activities

2012-01-23T16:08:00.001-06:00

So I'm feeding some of the hubby's class mates tonight, so how do I prepare?! We drive down and spend 3 1/2 hours playing at the children's museum!

DEALS!!!!

2012-01-19T12:26:00.001-06:00

Remember how I made a years worth of FHE lessons and I have them available on my etsy site for $25?! Well . . . for the next 24 hours ONLY. . .that means until Friday at 12:00 I am offering them at 70% OFF! Thats only $7.50 for an entire years worth of FHE lessons! PLUS if you share this deal and your friends leave me your name in the comments as telling me you sent them when they buy their copy, you'll get something extra in your order!!!!! Go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/LifeisaTreasureHunt to get yours!
Use coupon code JUSTCUZ!

Also, for those of you wanting to start digi-scrapping guess what?!

USE coupon code STMMMS77569 to get $10 off at mymemories.com! You can put it toward the digital scrapbooking software as well as at their store getting digi scrappbooking paper and kits! Thats $20 off! spread the word and get scrapbooking while its to cold outside to play! SERIOUSLY awesome deal if you are a digi scrapper-who doesn't want FREE kits?!

So you could get digi scrapping software for only $30 plus another $10 in FREE paper and kits!!!

Its totally possible that there is going to be a giveaway coming up from mymemories.com. . . .hmmmm

Love. . .

2012-01-19T12:24:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking about the things that make me so happy-the big and small things each day.

Of course my family is at the top of the list, but I'm talking about the other things. . .

Like my heated blanket. . . .

My automatic car start. . . .

My yummy purple comfy cozy blanket I got for Christmas. . . .

My Iphone. . . .

My AMAZING sheets that make you feel like you sleeping in shaving cream. . .

Market Pantry cherry fruit roll ups. . . .

Water. . .I LOVE water. . . .

Pandora. . . .

Words with Friends. . . .

Naps. . . .

What do you LOVE each day?!

-13

2012-01-19T08:30:00.001-06:00

That's right...I said -13 as in -13 degrees outside...that's what it feels like here....I am NOT a happy girl. When you have to wear leggings under your jeans, and you burgers freeze with your first breath out doors...well it's just against everything I love, everything beautiful and lovely, its just wrong. It makes me want to cry.

It had to be done

2012-01-17T11:26:00.001-06:00

Why was I out in this dreadful weather?! I had to get a few things for a special surprise.... I'll post all about it later!
(not to worry I was NOT driving while I took the picture)

French Vanilla

2012-01-14T10:55:00.001-06:00

So against my protests the snow keeps coming....
So my boys went out and played today, I stayed home with the babe-hence no pictures. 😔
But when they got home I whipped out my cocoa latte maker -find yours at bed bath and beyond- and made them each the first hot cocoas of the season.
Our favorite brands of cocoa are land o lakes and Stephens....what are yours?

Snow

2012-01-13T08:55:00.001-06:00

I realize it's January and I should embrace the snow, but I don't.....I'm not.....if I could find an efficient way to fight way to fight it I would....

Well I spent 2 hours last night shoveling all the sidewalks in our complex. It was a good work out! But I could live without it and just go to the gym!

This is the sad view out my window.

No!!!

2012-01-12T12:00:00.001-06:00

I realize that it's January & I live in Wisconsin....but this is what it looked like on Tuesday......today it's snowing & my heart broke a little.....

P.S. have you entered for the Sweet Tots giveaway yet?! If not scroll down and do it!!!!

Responsible

2012-01-07T21:30:00.000-06:00

Okay so seriously. . .some times I HATE being a responsible adult.

I do.

Like for instance. . .we were going to use our tax return this year to go to my in-laws. . .you know the ones who live in HAWAII. . .but no we are paying off our car instead. . .

stupid responsibility

AND

I want to get my boys these beds

I know they are nothing special to look at, but they are DURABLE, & they can turn into 2 regular beds that can be adjusted height wise, & I could save space cause we have NONE by having them up and having dressers UNDER them, & they are extra long twins, so when my boys are teenagers and 6'5" like their dad, their feet wouldn't hang over the edge, & they are easy to take apart and put together without everything getting tweeked and warped and striped and what not so as we move every few years this would be a GREAT thing. . .but alas the set with dressers. . .$2200

So my poor boys-who really wont know the difference, but I will, are getting twin frames with box springs and mattresses. . .the end.

stupid responsibility

grrrr. . . .

What do you hate being responsible about?!

Sweet Monkey Tots Giveaway-CLOSED

2012-01-06T08:00:00.003-06:00

Sweet Monkey Tots is NOT new to Dang Gina.

Sweet Stephanie has done a handful of giveaways over here and she is back for another one!

I myself have a large selection of things from this adorable shop.

A few of my FAVORITES are

Diaper & Wipe Case with Changing Pad

Washcloth Candies

Blankets

Bibs

I have at least one of each of these items from Sweet Monkey Tots and I LOVE them!

I am constantly getting compliments on them and no one can believe that they aren't store bought.

So. . .I just got 3 of these babies in the mail last week.

They are the best binkie clips! And guess what?! Stephanie is giving away a set of 3 to one of you!

She has TONS of fabrics that you can choose from for yours!

Go HERE to see them all!

You can do all 3 in the same or different fabrics! There are SO many choices!

So what will YOU decide?

Just in case you don't win OR you can't take the chance OR you need some AMAZING gifts you can order them from Sweet Monkey Tots for only $5.50 each or a set of 5 for $25!

MANDATORY -seriously its MANDATORY if you don't do it NONE of your entries count! Go to Sweet Monkey Tots and look around, then let me know which 3 fabrics your going to choose if you win!

Go Shopping over at Sweet Monkey Tots this week and gain an EXTRA Entry!

Become follower of Sweet Monkey Tots an EXTRA Entry HERE!

This giveaway will be open until JANUARY 20th at midnight!!

GOOD LUCK!

Where were YOU?!

2012-01-05T08:00:00.001-06:00

Where were you 10 years ago?!

Think back . . . . January 2002

I was in my senior year of high school.

(image from Madion High website)

Preparing for college.

(good ol' LDS Business College-this was when it was in the old mansion-BEAUITUFL)

September 11th still fresh on my mind.

(image from google images)

I thought I was invincible.

I thought I could change the world.

For Heaven sake I thought I WAS the world.

What 17 year old kid doesn't?!

So tell me . . .what were YOU doing 10 years ago?!

Blessed

2012-01-04T11:26:00.000-06:00

I can't believe how quickly the last few weeks have gone by.

Especially when I think of all that has transpired in that time!

First of all I hope you all had a VERY wonderful Holiday season.

My family sure did!

We did everything from gingerbread houses, to indoor theme parks, to vegging on the couch watching Christmas movies, working on puzzles, shopping, wrapping, games, laughing, a date night, cooking, eating, whining, driving, doctor visits, coughing, sneezing, crying, cleaning.

I had to share this one picture. . .Santa did good this year!

(LUCKY for us Santa is an early shopper cause I hear these little #'s got pretty expensive and hard to find)

So now that its all over I am now trying to wrap my head around the fact that it is 2012. . . .

I have many new updates and stories and posts to make, but for today I just want to end with an overall feeling I got from this holiday season.

I AM BLESSED.

This was one of the best Christmas's my family has had in a long time and there were some unexpected trials and heartaches, but through it all I very much felt my Saviors love for me and for my family. My eyes were open to the many blessings the Lord has given me.

So once again I say,

I AM BLESSED.

I hope that you were able to see and feel the blessings and love of our Savior this season as well.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

2011-12-13T09:32:00.000-06:00

From our family and home to ours,

I wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays!

May the spirit of Christ fill your homes and lives.

Blessings and Joy to all!

I will be taking a break from now until after the new year and spending much needed time with my family, I will see you all soon!

Lovesac Slippers. . .

2011-12-13T09:19:00.000-06:00

I was recently contacted by Lovesac and asked to review these. . .

they are as amazing as you would think. . .soft and cozy and warm. . .oh heaven.

They have some traction grip on the bottom to so you can wear them all over the house and maybe even out to get the mail. . .but I love mine and will be keeping them as INSIDE slippers only. . .

And guess what. . .this pair and a few others are $20 off right now!

If you still need to get that perfect Christmas gift-for you anyone on your list-go check these out!

I also want to try their blankets. . .

Just in case any of you are wondering what you could get me. . .

And if you don't have a Lovesac yourself. . .you should get one. . .we LOVE ours!

I seriously can't think of a better family gift. . .

This & That

2011-12-08T10:24:00.000-06:00

So first of all, I need to start this post off with a THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

I had such an outpouring of love and concern when posting about my anxiety & I am so grateful to have such loving and caring readers!

Secondly sorry about the lack of posting and especially since we haves 2 giveaway winners!

I have been busy doing this. . .

Between the baking for the prep and the "manning" the bake sale I have been exhausted.

So what are YOU baking this Holiday season?!

I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and home made oreos-300 of them. . . .2 days later and I still can't think about eating one myself. . .the sugar smell did me in!

Good News! I have today off and a half hour to spare so I am letting you know who won. . .

The Jerry's Artarama winner is . . .

Comment #5 Miss Hillary!

Contact me so I can get you your spray paint Hillary!

The Red Eden Design winner is . . .

Comment #13 Vandi!

Contact me so I can get you in touch with Red Eden Miss Vandi!

Its very real. . .for me

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

I have debated writing this post for a long time. I was completely open about my miscarriages and found that it has lead me to be able to help a lot of friends when they too were facing the same trial. .so I have decided to be open once again. Please know and understand this is hard for me.

I struggle with Anxiety. It doesn't completely consume my life like I know it does some people. But it is a very real part of my life. I realize that it isn't rational-there is nothing rational about it. I fear things that "could" happen in the future and that fear is a massive anxiety for me. I realize it does not make sense or help the situation at all but I really can't help it.

So to give you some examples. . .

Brecken spending the night with my parents-I KNOW he is going to be taken care of watched and played with-like CONSTANTLY. But as we pull out of the drive way, my heart goes into my throat and I have to start praying. Visions of him falling out the living room window down 2 floors to cement fill my mind. I can't breathe, tears come more often then not. Seeing him with scissors stuck in throat or a knife in his stomach from running with things he shouldn't. I have to hold my hands tightly together to keep them from shaking. Picturing him laying in bed the next morning with a cord to the ipod he went to sleep palying with wrapped around his neck and his face blue. I pray. I pray some more. I let the Lords spirit comfort and remind me of His love. THEN I am able to make the fears take a back seat-always still on my mind, but not consuming me.

Wyatt & Papa are going to take the boys to the pool-I KNOW they will hold Oliver and keep him away from the water. I KNOW they will swim with Brecken and keep his head above water and not let him run and crack his skull open, but I can't stop the images from coming to my mind. The blood, the lifeless look on his face. Graphic? Tell me about it.

The list goes on and on and on and on.

It USUALLY only happens if the boys are not going to be with ME. Like if I am not there they will be taken from me. To be honest it really started in earnest when Brecken had his febrile seizure a little after his first birthday. Then my miscarriages made it worse. I'm still waiting for Oliver to be taken from me the way my 2 babies that never made it to full gestation were.

Is it logical? NO!

Do I HATE it! OF COURSE!

Besides the terror of what this anxiety does to me, there is something else I have struggled with. . .I have felt that my faith has been insufficient. I have felt that if I had enough faith that I wouldn't be even thinking these things. That they wouldn't be consuming me. But they are. What am I doing wrong?! I go to church each Sunday, I do my visiting teaching, I magnify my calling, I go to the temple every chance I get, I sing primary songs to my children before they go to bed, we pray daily together and I have my personal prayers, we are having consistent family home evenings, we are always working on our scripture study, I am constantly praying for the Lords help when trying to teach my boys. So what am I doing wrong. I am learning that I am not doing anything wrong. That my faith is sufficient, that the Lord LOVES me and is proud of me and my efforts. & I am NOT the only person who struggles with this, there are other moms out there hurting too. This does not in anyway bring me joy, on the contrary, I wish no one would ever have to feel this way. But it does help me not to feel crazy, because sometimes that is exactly how I feel.

So what do I need to do now?! That is the journey I am on. I saw my dr this week and I have started a small dose of medication for anxiety. I have a HUGE fear of becoming numb. I don't want to be numb. I would rather be afraid then be numb. BUT I want to be a better mom and wife. I want to say "go have a good time!" and mean it. I want enjoy family outings without my heart being squeezed until it nearly bursts, and biting my tongue so that I don't put my fears into my children's hearts as well. So we will try this medication out and up the dosage if needed and see how things go from there.

So to anyone out there feeling "crazy" or "afraid", your not alone. God loves you, and so do I.

And so it begins

2011-12-01T11:44:00.000-06:00

The Count Down

I have some AMAZING friends over at Sister Secrets who helped me make this last year and I'm LOVIN' it!

Red Eden Design Review & Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-11-30T06:00:00.003-06:00

Red Eden Design is back! You will be able to contine finding her logo linking to her FABULOUS shop in my sidebar through Christmas! I seriously couldn't be more excited about having this ADORABLE gal & her shop being featured here at Dang Gina! Eden is a DOLL and a girl after my own heart!

Her adorable models-and roommates- can pull off wearing her ADORABLE headbands this way. . .

(isn't this the cutest headband?!)

I totally wish I could wear the headbands this way! LUCKILY they are cute enough that I can wear them this way and still get away with it!

I LOVE it! I wear it all the time and got SO many compliments!

So she takes cute fabrics and braids them for "around the head" part. They are stretchy too-not the fabric but the braid-so that they have wiggle room for head size and it helps so they aren't cutting off circulation to your brain like so many head bands do! The bows on them range in size from my small one to the large one on the yellow one that is pictured first.

They are offered in a variety of fun fabrics and are all fabulous! So I got a white one-pictured above-and this purple one sent to me. . .

I totally LOVE them! I have been wearing them a ton-like this and to dress up pony tail days!

The wonderful thing about these headbands though-is that no matter how you wear them, you don't look ordinary! I seriously get compliments on them EVERYWHERE! They are so fun and a great way to add some "pizzaz" & "posh" to your outfit!

Guess what else you can find at Red Eden Design . . . .

STINKIN' CUTE Ruffle earrings! I also got a pair of these babies and I LOVE them! Just another way to add some "wow" to your ordinary everyday outfit! These are available in multiple fabric choices too!

She also has a few of these ADORABLE scarves available. . .

How cute?!

And these oversized scarves were shown on a fashion show runway!

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G

Miss Eden is so talented, her stuff is so cute, and she was a dream to work with!

She is my etsy-bestie! Who doesn't LOVE making new besties through the wonderful world of shopping and blogging?!

So now on to the giveaway!

Eden is giving on lucky winner a $50 Store Credit!

LUCKY!

MANDATORY -seriously its MANDATORY if you don't do it NONE of your entries count!- entry of going to Red Eden Design & browsing through the etsy shop and coming back and telling me what some of your favorites are and what your going to use your gift card on!!!

Go Shopping over at Red Eden Design on Etsy this week and gain an EXTRA Entry!
And guess what?! For your shopping pleasures 10% OFF with code DANGGINAGIVES at checkout!

Become a Facebook fan of Red Eden Design HERE and gain an EXTRA Entry!

Follow Red Eden Design on Twitter HERE and gain an EXTRA Entry!

You have until December 7th at Midnight!

GOOD LUCK!

OH. . .and share the Holiday Extravaganza button on my sidebar this week and you'll get an EXTRA Entry too. . .

Firsts. . .

2011-11-28T12:10:00.000-06:00

So this Thanksgiving was full of firsts for me. . .

I hosted Thanksgiving . . . & I made the turkey (with my daddy's help)

It was GOOD!

Then on Friday I found this

at Marshals and now I want it . . . You know to put the turkey on next year . . . BEAUTY. . .

I also found this just down the aisle. . .and my potatoes belong in it. . .

Yes?!

Jerry's Artarama Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-11-28T06:00:00.003-06:00

So a while ago I decided to order some spray paint & my gal Sheena told me to try out Montana Gold and to order it through Jerry's Artarama website.

Because I completely trust her judgement, especially on something so important as spray paint, I said okay.

And so began my love affair.

So. . .I got a HANDFUL in the mail and the first project I did was a kitchen chair.

Found it for $6 at a rummage sale and it doesn't wobble!

1 Coat-seriously, 1 coat on the bottom and then again flip and did the top.

I LOVE it! I have NEVER worked with a spray paint where I could do one coat and there was NO running.

BEST SPRAY PAINT EVER!

Then I found these beauties at Hobby Lobby. . .well my Christmas colors are BRIGHT & COLORFUL. . .so I waited for the 40% off week. . .and I bought 5.

And I brought them home and took Montana Gold to them.

(along with some glitter crafting spray paint too)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE them.

I have painted a handful of other things too-you know because when you only have to do 1 or 2 coats the can lasts FOREVER. . .

So. . .I have painted pinecones. . .

oh and do you see that coffee filter ball I made-I sprayed that (and 2 others too) as well. . .

I also sprayed some acorns and pumpkins for Halloween. . .

& I am currently finishing a TABLE . . . yes I am painting a TABLE with spray paint-that reveal will have to wait though. . .cause its in my garage still and doesn't make for a pretty picture. . .

SO. . .I am thinking we should give some of this amazing spray paint away!

So from Jerry's Artarama here are the following colors that 1 LUCKY winner is going to get!

Aubergine

Cyan

Lawn Green

Outline Silver

Yellow

YAY! So to win a can of each of these colors (that is 5 cans of spray paint!)

MANDATORY -seriously its MANDATORY if you don't do it NONE of your entries count!- All you have to do is go visit Jerry's Artarama and then come back and tell me what you love from their site & I want to know what project your going to use the Montana Gold Spray Paint on!

Go Shopping over at Jerry's Artarama this week & gain an EXTRA Entry!

This giveaway will be open until Dec 5th at midnight!!

GOOD LUCK!

OH. . .and share the Holiday Extravaganza button on my sidebar this week and you'll get an EXTRA Entry too. . .

Discounts in my Inbox

2011-11-27T01:00:00.000-06:00

These are discounts that I find in my inbox this week-I'll be adding all week as I get them!

mybabyclothes.com

Guest Blogger Emily Patterson

2011-11-26T09:31:00.002-06:00

Emily Patterson with Primrose Schools contacted me not to long ago wanting to do a post about kids, I said OF COURSE! So the following is about celebrating diversity with our children!
Very young children, such as preschooler’s, have a small and firm grasp of the world; in these early years, the world is fixated on their family, school and immediate surroundings. By using things your child finds interesting, such as sports, music or wildlife documentaries, you can help expand their worldview. By giving your child something entertaining, you help him or her understand the vast richness the world as a whole has to offer.

By teaching your child about new cultures, both near and far and your own family culture, you do more than just give your child a new view on life. Learning about diversity helps create accepting and compassionate adults who truly value personal differences. This also helps build your child’s character.

These are a few simple tips to help you teach your child about diversity:

Share the family history. Since children are so fixated on the family, starting with the family is an obvious way to broaden your child’s understanding. Tell your child stories about your past and the past of other family members, and show your child pictures of those people. Children remember stories, and this will help break your child into understanding that people are different and diverse. You can then tell your child about other cultures.

Listen to cultural music. As with sharing the family history, start with the family and move outward. Play music that comes from your family’s cultural origin. If you have lived in the United States your whole life, then play music from your region of the United States. Share your favorite songs with your child; chances are your child will like it. After that, play music from other cultures and heritages. Help your child identify the differences and similarities.

Read a book with your child. Reading is one of the best ways to introduce diversity into your child’s life, from your family’s diversity to people all over the world. The storylines and characters function well at starting discussions about diversity, because it makes these differences come alive for your child. It is best to find books with characters your child can relatewith, even though your child and the character have different customs. Here are a few suggestions:
• The Crayon Box That Talked by Shane Derolf
• It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
• Children from Australia to Zimbabwe: A Photographic Journey Around the World by Maya Ajmera and Anna Rhesa Versola

Go outside the box. Find places and opportunities for your child to speak with children with different cultures. Not only does this help your child, but this helps you integrate with other cultures. Aside from finding other people, going to festivals, museums and ethnic restaurants will help in teaching your child about different cultures.
http://www.primroseschools.com

Are YOU CraZy?!

2011-11-25T05:04:00.000-06:00

Are you going to be doing this?!

(image from google images)

I am.

As a matter of fact I am probably in a crowd much like this RIGHT now.

Hope you have fun no matter how you are spending this day!

What are you doing today?!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T08:00:00.001-06:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hope your day is full of Family & Love!

Winna Winna

2011-11-22T09:38:00.000-06:00

The winner of the Christmas Card Giveaway is

Comment #10 Barb

YAY! CONGRATS Barb!

email me and we'll get er' done!

Thankfuls

2011-11-18T08:46:00.000-06:00

All week month long I have been posting on my personal fb page the things I am thankful for each day. . .

I thought I'd share a few (in no particular order)

a mindful Heavenly Father

my boys

technology

parents, siblings, & in-laws (yes i love my in-laws)

beautiful colors

the kindness of strangers, you know the non-creepy kind

there is a few. . .

what are you thankful for day to day?!

From Pinterest to HOME

2011-11-16T11:51:00.000-06:00

So I am hoping to start doing small

"From Pinterest to My HOME" posts.

So here is my first. . .

I saw these "smore" cookies posted

(If you want the recipe go HERE)

so I made them

DELISH!

I would add a few things

1~she says to take them off the pan quickly-she means it-like right when you get them out of the oven put them on a cooling rack-the oozzzzzing from the marshmallow will crustify on anything else

2~put SMALL scoops on the gram-otherwise when you have to take them out so the gram and marshmallow don't burn the middle won't cook the whole way through

3~eat while warm-while I did eat some the next day they were 10 times better warm

4~have friends over they make to many to eat alone especially when they are an "eat while warm" treat

ENJOY-I did!

Its gonna be GREAT. . .I hope. . .

2011-11-14T17:37:00.000-06:00

So ever since I found out that baby #2 was a boy I have been trying to find matching twin blankets for their beds.

I have still not found something I LOVE.

There room is beach shack decorated and I wanted something with lots of fabrics, lots of color, and something that they could use at least until they are in jr. high.

I have "thinking" about making matching ones-but to be honest I haven't wanted to do all the work.

So I recently found Raspberry Creek Fabric over on Etsy.

She has LOTS to choose from and was having a 15% off your entire order sale

(hurry over it may still be going on!)

So I figured I should just take the plunge.

I sent her a convo telling her what I was thinking, giving her some ideas on what I liked, showing her a pic of the boys room, and then asked what she thought.

She sent me a link to a tutorial on how to make the blankets-how fab is she?!

She sent me links to all the fabrics she had that she thought I'd like.

Then when I picked the ones I liked she put them all together and took a picture so that I could see what they would look like next to each other. . .

She's pretty much A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
Want to meet her?!

THIS is Diana-what a doll huh?!
She has 2 kiddos of her own & she started sewing and gained her LOVE affair with fabric at the age of 6! SERIOUSLY! She grew up in "nowhere" Wyoming & is the only girl with 4 brothers. She is like me and has to be in bed "early" or she turns into as she says "a pumkin" only her early is 10:30 and mine is 9:30. . . & She could eat breakfast food all day long and never get tired of it! Super cute gal oozzzing with talent and beautiful fabric!

Want a sneak peek at the fabrics I'm using....I actually just placed the order on Friday and they got here TODAY!

So any who. . .I've got myself A LOT of sewing to do. . .I am wanting to make them for Christmas. . . .it may not happen. . . .but I'll try!
Its gonna be GREAT. . .I hope. . .

Wish me luck-and then head on over and order your fabric for all your Holiday "To Do's"! Raspberry Creek Fabrics is one of our new sponsor so you can click on over from my sidebar any time!

If I had. . .

2011-11-12T08:00:00.000-06:00

If I had all the time & money in the world. . .I'd do all of this crafting

(pictures brought to you by pinterest)

Aren't they just wonderful?!

I Did It!

2011-11-11T08:30:00.000-06:00

I finally got it done!

57 Lessons for a years worth of FHE Lessons!

I have just listed them on Etsy if your interested!

Because they took me FOREVER & were each like preparing a primary lesson, I am selling the whole set for $20.

This is a collection of lessons to go with both FHE activity books-
Gospel Games-Fun Activities for Family Home Evening and Primary
(This book you cut out the pictures and you can laminate and put together the activities)
Home Spun Fun-Family Home Evenings
(This book you will need to make copies-I suggest on cardstock- and then color and cut out and then I suggest laminating and putting together)
(These books also have a "memorize scripture" picture that goes with each section. I suggest cutting out and coloring one and putting it at the beginning of each topic in your FHE folder and reading and going over it each time you do a lesson from that section.)
You will need to buy these activity books SEPERATELY. I suggest going to amazon or ebay to find them. I found them for around $10 each.

There are lessons from MOST of the activies in each book-but NOT all.

Each lesson has a recommended song that correlates with the lesson-all are from the Childrens Primary Song Book UNLESS it is marked -hymns-. A page # is listed for each song.
A scripture chapter and verse(s) is suggest to go along with each lesson and topic, and they are from all of the standard works.
There is then a brief lesson. At the end is the name of the activity from the activity books that goes with that lesson. Most are only 1 page long.
I encourage you to expound on the lessons. I have taken each one from correlating Primary lessons, but make sure to add your testimony to each lesson and help to cater them to YOUR family.

These lessons will come on a CD shipped to your home. They have been done in Microsoft Word. You will just need to open them up and I suggest printing them on Card Stock

Click HERE to get yours!

Christmas Card GIVEAWAY-CLOSED-

2011-11-10T09:04:00.003-06:00

Remember how I made up some Christmas cards?!

Let me refresh your memory. . .

if you want your Christmas Card CUSTOM with your family photo(s) for only $5 I'm your gal!

You pick your card from the following-Pay for it & send me your picture(s) and I put them and YOUR name and wording in and send it back to you as a picture!

Then you go to your favorite print shop and print! RIGHT now you can go HERE and at Shutterfly you get 75 FREE 4x6 prints. Then when you order you get 50 more FREE 4x6 prints! So you only pay shipping!

Don't love any of these? There are more in my Etsy shop!

Send me your picture and color preferences and I'll make you a CUSTOM one!

(the price will go up to $10 for those)

WELL. . . . I have decided to give one design away!

and IF we can get over 75 entries I'll do 2 winners!

and IF we can get up to 475 followers (thats 22 more) then I'll do 3 winners!

So lets DO THIS!

MANDATORY -seriously its MANDATORY if you don't do it NONE of your entries count!- Tell me which design YOUR going to get?!

Go Shopping over at any of the shops in my sidebar & gain an EXTRA Entry per shop!

Become fans/followers of each site and gain an EXTRA Entry for each site!

This giveaway will be open until November 20th at midnight!!

GOOD LUCK!

Extra Entries:

1Entry ~ Post about this giveaway on YOUR blog!

1 Entry~ Follow Dang Gina on Twitter HERE and Tweet about the giveaway!

1Entry ~ Put Dang Gina's Button on your blog & Our Link in your Updated Column!

1 Entry ~ Sign up for Dang Gina's Newsletter! (From the subscriptions page)

1 Entry ~ Become a Follower of Dang Gina!

1 Entry ~ Become a Dang Gina Friend On Facebook HERE & post about the giveaway!

Please leave a SEPARATE comment for EACH of your entries & an EMAIL address for winners notification!

YOU CAN USE THESE AS ENTRIES EVEN IF YOU HAVE DONE SO ON OTHER GIVE AWAYS!

I am not compensated for my reviews and opinons. I do receive product(s) for free so I can provide my honest opinion. Your experience may vary from mine, but I doubt it!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

2011-11-10T08:56:00.000-06:00

WINNER of the Celebrating Giveaway worth over $100!

is. . .

Comment #40 LAUREN

Who LOVES the Cream Yak Scarf from Red Eden & the Bella Belara perfume from Mary Kay!

Congrats Girl!

Winner selected through random.org.

P.S. If your needing Custom Christmas Cards for as little as $10 (that INCLUDES shipping & printing!) Go HERE to check out a great deal!

Needing Christmas Cards?!

2011-11-08T18:10:00.000-06:00

So for Christmas every year I take our family photo(s) and make a card to send out.

So this year I couldn't decide how I wanted it to look-so I made a few.

Then I decided that I would offer them to YOU for CHEAP!

So if you want your Christmas Card CUSTOM with your family photo(s) for only $5 I'm your gal!

You pick your card from the following-Pay for it & send me your picture(s) and I put them and YOUR name and wording in and send it back to you as a picture!

Don't love any of these? Send me your picture and color preferences and I'll make you a CUSTOM one!

(the price will go up to $10 for those)

~Smile~

2011-11-08T10:34:00.001-06:00

We went to my mommas a few weekends ago and got some family pictures done by

Miss Tara in the Twin Cities of MN area

(she is willing to come to Milwaukee if any of y'all would like!)

We LOVE the way they turned out!

Don't forget! You have until tomorrow night at midnight to enter the FAB giveaway! Click HERE!

My Downfall

2011-11-04T11:09:00.000-05:00

Remember this?!

Well its contents have contributed to me not losing a lb this week!

GRRRR!

November

2011-11-03T08:41:00.000-05:00

So November is Thanksgiving month, obviously.

But I always have a hard time after Halloween not wanting to just put up my Christmas Decorations.

This is because I LOVE my Halloween Decor & I LOVE my Christmas Decor.

My thanks giving Decor is cute-but lets face it-I can't incorporate purple or turquoise.

But in spite of wanting to skip decorating for the holiday I still LOVE Thanksgiving.

I love the food, and the feeling.

I love the shopping and the deals.

I REALLY LOVE looking for and expressing the things for which I am grateful.

SO despite the fact that by next weekend my Christmas decor will be up, I want to announce that I have NOT forgotten Thanksgiving.

I WILL still be honoring it by thinking of and expressing things I am grateful for each and every day this month.

At the end of the month I'll post the list I have compiled as I think of something new each day.

NOW

On to our WINNER of the Creative Start Design Giveaway!

the winner is. . .

Comment #8 Evie & Lizzie

Who LOVES the Thank You cards!

Congrats Girl!

Winner selected through random.org.

Charming U.S.A.

2011-11-02T08:00:00.023-05:00

So have I mentioned that we live in Charming U.S.A.?!

Cause . . . We do.

And Protecting our cute town. . .

So the weekend started with the vintage car trunk or treat on Friday.

okay so not all the cars were vintage-but they made up for it in decorations!

Ollie was just hangin out

Then there was Trick or Treating Door 2 Door Saturday.

We loaded up and went to a friends house so Brecken could Trick or Treat with his bestie Darcy.

(we didn't tell them to hold hands, that's just how they roll)

Then on Halloween our town-a.k.a. Charming U.S.A. does a Pumpkin Walk where they invite the town to bring down their jack-o-lanterns light them up and then go trick or treating to the business's. Most of the business's on the main little strip or boutiques, coffee shops, goodie shops, and eateries. So they hand out candy-p.s. our town is so cute they do this again in November and hand out ginger bread cookies and such. . .I know, you want to visit, COME ON OVER!

this is one of our favorite shops-usually LOTS of little saying boards are all over this fence

We thought the white pumpkin collection was pretty cool

this is my FAVORITE shop (all that pizzazz)

the spa went all out-but the line to get a pic with your kid in front of the house-ridiculous!

I had to throw this in . . . this is the BEST popcorn! And he has his little wagon up downtown ALL year round! SO CUTE!

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!

CeLebRaTinG

2011-11-01T08:00:00.003-05:00

So I wanted to celebrate-Dang Gina style-

So of course that means GIVEAWAYS!!!!

So the winner to this giveaway will win ALL of the below prizes! YAY!

Remember Red Eden?!

I LOVE her earrings. . .I have a pair in cream!

Her scarfs are on my wishlist!

and I LOVE my headbands!

Our lucky winner is going to get a $25 gift certificate to spend at Red Eden YAY!

How fun is that?!

Ashley From Heart 2 Heart, sells Mary Kay!

She recently sent me this selection of perfumes.

I have been wearing a new one each day to try them out. Sunday at church I was wearing the the one with the orange lid, and my girl friend came to sit by me and she said (and I quote) "Dang, you smell you GOOD!"

So I am LOVING this sampling of Mary Kay perfumes! Who doesn't love to be told that they smell GOOD?!

A few other products I LOVE from Mary Kay. . .

BEST face wash cloths EVER!

I am LOVING this set! So perfect for fall!

And guess what?! Ashley is giving away a set of perfumes and a 10 pack of homemade cards to the winner of this giveaway too!

And do you remember how I have been talking about the giveaway I am going to do?! Well the winner is going to get THIS from me!

Included are 6 harvest candy cones, 3 boxes of scrapbooking embellishments, a container of colored paper clips, a happy birthday & the secret of happiness is to count your blessings not your birthdays stamp, an Eiffel tower vinyl and a poison vinyl-for next years Halloween of course...

So the winner gets ALL of this! That is over $100 in FUN FREE STUFF!

AND. . .those who commented on my post about my new Look will get an EXTRA entry!

MANDATORY -seriously its MANDATORY if you don't do it NONE of your entries count!- entry of going to Red Eden & Heart 2 Heart & browsing through their shops and coming back and telling me what some of your favorites are from each shop!!!

Go Shopping over at any of the shops this week and gain an EXTRA Entry per shop!

Become fans/followers of each site and gain an EXTRA Entry for each site!

This giveaway will be open until November 9th at midnight!!

GOOD LUCK!

Extra Entries:

1Entry ~ Post about this giveaway on YOUR blog!

1 Entry~ Follow Dang Gina on Twitter HERE and Tweet about the giveaway!

1Entry ~ Put Dang Gina's Button on your blog & Our Link in your Updated Column!
1 Entry ~ Sign up for Dang Gina's Newsletter! (From the subscriptions page)

1 Entry ~ Become a Follower of Dang Gina!

1 Entry ~ Become a Dang Gina Friend On Facebook HERE & post about the giveaway!

Please leave a SEPARATE comment for EACH of your entries & an EMAIL address for winners notification!

YOU CAN USE THESE AS ENTRIES EVEN IF YOU HAVE DONE SO ON OTHER GIVE AWAYS!

I am not compensated for my reviews and opinons. I do receive product(s) for free so I can provide my honest opinion. Your experience may vary from mine, but I doubt it!

Facebook

2011-10-31T13:06:00.001-05:00

So it used to bug me when I'd check facebook and there would be "On the way to the gym" or "Just ran 5 miles" posts. Mostly because I have NEVER in my life done a steady work out routine. And seeing that other people were actively doing what I SHOULD be, bugged me I guess. I'd see those posts, roll my eyes, and think "good for you!" "yay" (insert sarcasm)

This was BEFORE I recently started working out. (You can check out my personal fitness journey HERE) So recently I got a gym membership-and on such a limited student budget I knew that if we were spending $ on it I WOULD make it worth every penny. So I have been working out, and going strong, and I cannot tell you how many times I have wanted to post on fb "Just got home from a hard core work out at the gym" because I am so pumped that I am doing it. I have NOT done this though, because of my pride. Which is silly because until now, no one even knew that posts like that bugged me.

Now when I see those posts, I think to myself "you go girl!" (no sarcasm) And then I secretly wish that I had the guts to post it too. . .

So what posts on facebook drive you crazy?!

Erika's Graphic Design

2011-10-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

So I wanted a new look for the blog. . .and I am LOVING what Erika from Erika Graphic Design did!

The poor girl. . .I am so persnickety and really didn't know what I wanted until we started going. I LOVE how it turned out!

Once she got the layout I was able to give her pictures that I had taken of MY stuff and MY life. . .I LOVE that pieces of ME are incorporated and its not just images from some site.

She was so good at changing things and letting me pick out exactly what I wanted.

Once I knew the direction we were headed I was able to be very specific and she totally did what I wanted.

Notice my emphasis on ME?!

Well it's cause Erika focused on what I wanted!

So lets focus on ERIKA for a minute. . .

Hi, my name is Erika. It's nice to 'meet you'. I've been designing graphics for several years now and I have to say that I'll never get bored with this profession. Graphic design started out as a hobby for me and has evolved over the years into 'Erika Graphic Design '.

If I had to label what my design style is, I guess I'd say it's simplistic with a touch of fun mingled together!
I LOVE working with color--any color!!! I enjoy custom orders because it gives me the opportunity to make a client's desire become reality for their project. It really makes my day when I hear a client say, "WOW! That's just what I was looking for!!!"

If you should hire me for a project, you'll find that I listen to what YOU, the client desires.

Off the computer, I'm a wife and a mom. I have two daughters ages 13 and 8, a wonderful husband of 14 years. One silly and loveable Chihuaua and a playful kitty. Our house is a busy one and full of energy and activity between school, sports, band, church activities, and well...the family life! I enjoy interior design as well, as you will see that I follow some awesome home design blogs.

To get your own new look go visit Erika at Erika Graphic Design

Trick or Treat?!

2011-10-27T16:00:00.000-05:00

Trick or Treat?!

I'll ALWAYS pick Treat!

So I wanted a cute candy dish for Halloween, so I cut this vinyl and added it to a $2 galvanized tub from Target.

I LOVE IT!

I bought a few more and am thinking of cute Teacher Christmas gift ideas. . .

Treasure Hunt

2011-10-25T09:12:00.002-05:00

So my Dang Gina make over is nearly done! I am LOVING it!
How about you?! What do you think?!
I have added the line "life is a treasure hunt" to Dang Gina because I believe there is always a treasure to be found! Whether it is in the situations of life, or at a rummage sale, the trials that come, or your daily routine; there is always a treasure. Sometimes they are hiding, sometimes they are in plain site, but I believe these treasures are Tender Mercies left for us by a Loving Heavenly Father. So live each day in "treasure hunt" mode, and find the diamonds awaiting you!
Make sure to watch all the new tabs as there are lots of treasures and they will be constantly changing!
(remember that personal giveaway I was hinting at?! Well giving your opinions on the new look would be a GOOD way for you to possibly get in on that surprise!)

Creative Start Design Review and Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-10-19T09:23:00.004-05:00

Courtney who is the wonder behind Creative Start Design provides brides with beautiful stationary-but brides aren't the only ones she can help. . .she does custom work! All orders are made on high quality paper stock that is printed in an eco-friendly environment using wind powered machines. Courtney sent me a handful of samples of her work so that I could check out the quality-its AMAZING! The colors are vibrant, the paper quality is GREAT, and working with her was awesome!

Here are a few samples of the amazing work she does.

I LOVE how different they all are! Courtney is so talented! My mind tends to get in a rut when I'm trying to create and everything looks the same, at everything is different that there is something for everyone! PLUS if you have that certain something already in you mind, Courtney can make it come to life!

If you are wanting wedding, she can do your stationary and make a wedding site for you! For an example go HERE. . .I SO wish I had one of these! It's SO awesome!

So. . .this was my favorite. . .

So I asked her if she could make me a "Thinking of You" post card that I could send out to friends-she said yes and this is the proof I got -and then I ordered a TON!

Don't you LOVE it?! What a stinkin cute idea huh?!

I can't wait to start sending them out!
PLUS she has added some Holiday cards too. . .

So. . .one of you LUCKY ducks is going to get a $40 store credit to order whatever you would like-this would totally include having her do something custom up for you too!

(Also Creative Start Design is one of our new sponsors and you will be able to find her site in the sidebar through Christmas!)

MANDATORY -seriously its MANDATORY if you don't do it NONE of your entries count!- entry of going to Creative Start Design & browsing through the etsy shop and coming back and telling me what some of your favorites are and what your spending your $40 store credit on if you win!!!

Go Shopping over at Creative Start Design on Etsy this week and gain an EXTRA Entry!

Become a Facebook fan of Creative Start Design HERE and gain an EXTRA Entry!

Check out Creative Start Designs website HERE.

This giveaway will be open until October 31st at midnight!!

GOOD LUCK!

Extra Entries:

1Entry ~ Post about this giveaway on YOUR blog!

1 Entry~ Follow Dang Gina on Twitter HERE and Tweet about the giveaway!

1Entry ~ Put Dang Gina's Button on your blog & Our Link in your Updated Column!
1 Entry ~ Sign up for Dang Gina's Newsletter! (From the subscriptions page)

1 Entry ~ Become a Follower of Dang Gina!

1 Entry ~ Become a Dang Gina Friend On Facebook HERE & post about the giveaway!

Please leave a SEPARATE comment for EACH of your entries & an EMAIL address for winners notification!

YOU CAN USE THESE AS ENTRIES EVEN IF YOU HAVE DONE SO ON OTHER GIVE AWAYS!

(you can also always find a direct link to them in my right sidebar!)

I am not compensated for my reviews and opinons. I do receive product(s) for free so I can provide my honest opinion. Your experience may vary from mine, but I doubt it!

Patience Please

2011-10-18T07:43:00.000-05:00

So Dang Gina is currently under construction-I will still be posting and the current giveaway will remain open until the construction is over. ALSO After the construction is over. . .I have some AMAZING giveaways. . .YAY!

So stay tuned. . .I am going to give a little hint-the more comments I get from YOU the better your chances to a PERSONAL giveaway from yours truly! (thats me)

Also I have started a Personal Fitness Journey Blog-this is something I have struggled with for a long time and I am now taking action. To follow along go HERE.

Fun Day!

2011-10-17T15:29:00.000-05:00

So today has been a FUN day!

First we went to Walmart-not the fun part. . .but our closest Walmart is about a half hour away and when I am going to Hobby Lobby-FUN PART-then I stop by for Walmart only items.

So then we went to Good Will!

I made a HAUL!

Brecken got 6 new dvds for $2.50 each

3 new books for $50 each

and I got . . .

A HUGE beautiful glass punch bowl-12 matching cups-a matching bowl and a pouring ladle-$6

(yes it came with the hooks too!)

A serving platter-$.99

Another serving platter-$4 -I am going to organize my jewelry in this

one!

$3-for my night stand for chapstick and pony tails!

LOVE IT ALL!

Then to Hobby Lobby where I got our Stocking Holders-I'll show later when I finish making them the way I want them. . . .

And Oh Yeah. . .I sold all of my Scentsy supplies-the testers and catalogs and such. . .and I got this beauty!

So far I have made bread and cookies. . .I LOVE it!

Don't forget to enter the current giveaway HERE!

Oh. . .AND

Link Up to our Linky Party HERE!

Trick or Treat Sign & our FIRST Linky Party!

2011-10-12T10:09:00.003-05:00

I wanted a cute sign to hang on my door for Halloween so I got busy. . .

I painted a board purple and then went over it with glitter spray paint. . .LOVE

Then I made a design on my computer and cut some vinyl. . .

Stapled some ribbon the back. . .just a half circle so I could attach a bow at the top. . .

Then I hot glued and attached the ribbon up the top and stapled over the glue. . .don't want the ribbon ripping or sitting/hanging funny.

I attached so ribbon to make a bow on top, and wanted the edges not to fray so using a lighter I went over the edges

It gave it a fun look-maybe not for Christmas ribbon, but it was the perfect affect for a Halloween decor item.

I then modge podged over it. . .BAD idea on Glitter spray paint. . .do you see those yucky spots?!

So I had to take off the vinyl sand it, paint it again and do another vinyl-ANNOYING. . .BUT I then added a witch to the sign and like it better. . .

I'm LOVING it!

What do you think?! What have you been making?!
Link up YOUR creation!
My FAVORITES will be featured NEXT WEEK!
PLEASE only link up your OWN work and your OWN pictures.
Link up to the post of the project-not your blog homepage please.

We are linked up here too

Asking for help!

2011-10-10T06:38:00.000-05:00

HELP! I have been getting emails from followers of my blog (blogspot) and they are saying that their comments aren't showing up when they try to leave them! WHATS HAPPENING?! I looked in the new "spam" section and they aren't there-what do I need to do?! If you can't leave a comment to help me out please email me at dang.gina.gives@gmail.com!

Shabby Apple Discount!

2011-10-07T08:16:00.003-05:00

Go check out Shabby Apples new dress line!

Sibu Beauty Review

2011-10-06T09:49:00.000-05:00

Sibu Beauty company is a natural skin care company, all of their products contain the powerful and nutrient-rich sea buckthorn berry - harvested exclusively from the Himalayas - and are paraben-free, cruelty-free and preservative-free and promote improved skin tone, texture and overall healthy aging.

I was just sent their softgel supplement to nourish and protect the body. It promotes healthy hair, skin and nails-from the inside out. While taking it for the last month I felt like it worked better then the 'perks' of prenatal pills! My hair-which had been falling out in clumps from "postpartum hormone changes" has gained back its luster and its growing again! My nails are growing like only they do when I'm pregnant, and my skin is looking fab! I TOTALLY recommend it! Go to Sibu Beauty company to check out all of their products! (Remember they sent me a GREAT face cleaner no to long ago!)

Hello Misty

2011-10-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

Miss Misty is a DEAR friend of mine.

Isn't she ADORABLE?!

Well we met through Scentsy-you know the BEST wickless candles EVER-well she was my Scentsy sponsor when I started selling. Now that I have decided to stop selling so that I can spend more time with my boys she is my consultant. So if/when you need to order you can find her through the link in my side bar. No one will take better care of you then she will. She is the BEST! (She also sells Pampered Chef if you need any of that too!) She offers book shows for both business's so if you want to have a party and earn FREE product but don't live in the Provo/Salt Lake area let her know!

I am clear in Wisconsin and I know I'll be doing my ordering from this wonderful Utah gal! And guess what?! She'll take care of your Scentsy shipping as long as you email her your orders. Otherwise she always has an open "online orders here" option-but you'll end up paying your own shipping.

Just a few of my favorite warmers. . .

And these are Brecken and Ollies favoite Scentsy items

General Conference Weekend

2011-09-30T15:34:00.000-05:00

I am looking forward to a quiet family filled weekend watching General Conference.

General Conference is a conference held twice a year by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is a time when the Prophet-did you know we have a living prophet on the earth today-just like Noah and Moses of old?! So it is a time to hear from our Prophet and the Apostles. It is something I look forward too every six months and something that enriches, enlightens, uplifts and brings hope to my soul.

We will be watching online HERE.

It is shown on

Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am - 12 & then from 2:00 pm - 4:00 Mountain Standard Time

(So here in WI I'll be watching from 11-1 & 3-5 both days)

I encourage you to check it out if you have never done so before. I PROMISE if you give it just a moment of your time you too will walk away uplifted and edified.

Hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend-and I'll see ya on Monday!

To Do List

2011-09-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

So I have been overwhelmed since I left for California. . .

I have this "To Do List" and as I mark 1 thing off I add 2 more.

So I have been cutting vinyl like crazy for clients and since I'm cutting I decide that I should cut me some too and do some projects. . .Here is a sneek peek at 2 of the 9 projects I started this week. . .

Yes I said 9. . . who does that?!

(ignore my nasty apartment counters)

I plan on doing some tutorials and getting some linky parties up and going within the next few weeks.

So starting thinking up some fun ideas for things like:

Teacher Gifts

Friend/Neighbor Gifts

Holiday Home Decor

Just Keepin it Real

2011-09-28T13:28:00.001-05:00

Do you ever get dressed in the morning and look in the mirror and think "YUCK! That muffin top has GOT to GO!" and then without a second thought you go in the kitchen and make some Nutella toast?

I did. This morning in fact. Just keepin it real.

Do you ever read someone elses blog and think "Why in the heck can't I be so witty?" or "How in the world does she have time to do it ALL?!"

I do. All the time. I wonder if she/they have time cause they aren't spending all the time reading everyone else's blogs like I am. . .just a thought.

Do you ever have a mommy moment you LOVE and then within seconds have one you don't like so much?!

I do-daily.

Example: Today

Brecken: mom can I have a WHOLE graham cracker?

Me: yes
B: thank you so much mom!
Me: your welcome. Thank you for asking and for saying thank you.
B: your welcome....mom...I'm so proud of you for saying yes I could have a WHOLE graham cracker.

Then he ate his graham cracker and then went and SAT on his little brother making him SCREAM. . .

Then I yelled "WHAT are you doing?! GET OFF OF HIM!"

I wish I had said NICELY "Brecken, honey we don't sit on him. Look how it makes him cry, thats not nice." But I didn't, sometimes I do react that way-not this time. Shame on me-and shame on him too-darn it he knows better. Just keepin it real.

At the end of the day do you ever lay in bed, tears rolling down your cheeks because you FAILED miserably at everything you attempted that day?!

I do. And then I pray.

I pray for forgiveness for not doing so well today.

I pray for help to do better tomorrow.

I pray that I may remember the GOOD things I accomplished that day.

Cause lets face it, its easier to remember our failures. Its easier to see others strengths and to compare ourselves. Its easier to eat the nutella then to go for a run. Its easier to yell then to stay calm and remember to make teaching moments.

BUT every day is a new day. Every moment a new moment, and we can try to be better-I do it through prayer. Just keepin it real.

How do you cope?! What it is that makes YOU real?!

Fresh Produce Review

2011-09-28T08:34:00.000-05:00

Fresh Produce clothing to me means cute, stylish, versatile, & COMFORTABLE.

I was recently sent this lightweight skirt-in black, and this Monterey top in the white shown.

This skirt is probably my favorite of the items sent to me. First of all it is LONG-I LOVE that! Second of all it is light and airy and yet super heavy duty and durable. It can be dressed up or down and I will be wearing it YEAR Round! I cannot express how much I love this skirt! The top is super comfy and is a great spring through fall shirt. It is great for the beach-or on an overcast day with jeans-I totally wore it on Monday!

I also received this layering tank in periwinkle. Super cute and great for what?! LAYERING of course!

So I also got this cardigan-LOVE it! & this Morocco Soleil Dress in Oyster color-SUPER cute, SUPER comfy! I can't say enough good things about this store! They have a HUGE selection and so many of their items (like my favorite skirt and this cardi) are TIMELESS, CLASSIC pieces!

They have great party dresses & adorable womens cardigans.

This line is made for EVERYDAY wear and I LOVE it!

I have worn all of these items in the last week-and I meant to take pictures of me in each item, but the chaos of this week & my sisters sealing has gotten away with me! I may just have to do a post next week with pics. . .cause I will be wearing this stuff ALL the time!

I totally recommend checking out Fresh Produce I know it will be a shop that is now on my "favorites" list.

And guess what?! Fresh Produce now ships to over 200 countries! YAY for the women in the world!

Shabby Apple Discount!

2011-09-27T16:20:00.000-05:00

Did you read that?! 15% OFF with code "Ivy"

PLUS they are doing FREE shipping on domestic orders!

EEEKKKKK!

YAY!

A-Shopping we will go. . .

un-plugged

2011-09-26T14:13:00.000-05:00

So I went to Cali this weekend to be with my sis while she entered the Temple.

It was a GREAT experience. . .most of it. . .

You see, we got up EARLY and I had to say goodbye to Little B-NOT fun.

Then Oliver and I flew-1 layover-to California-Okay, UNTIL the descent into O.C. and then Oliver started screaming and didn't stop for 5 hours! This is a baby that never cries-I did A LOT of crying too. Lucky for me-my mom and dad were there and they took and held him until his ears popped and he was back to normal.

Next morning we went to San Diego-2 hour drive-I get VERY car sick. It was a LONG ride sitting in the back of the rental car. . .

The Temple was BEAUTIFUL and GREAT!

It was one of the most beautiful Temples I have ever been in!

(I have been in 7 now-and they are ALL beautiful, but this one-WOW!)

So afterwards we ate. . .and ate. . .and ate. . .at

I HEART P.F. Changs

We had

Yummy lettuce wraps followed by

Candied walnut CHICKEN-this pic is of shrimp, but as I DO NOT do sea food, I have them sub chicken and it is AMAZING and one of my most FAVORITE meals EVER!

(Like I ate my left overs for breakfast)

Then my sis had this for dessert. . .and I had 2 bites and wanted it ALL

they are banana spring rolls. . . YUMMO!

Then I got to meet up with a girlfriend from junior college. . .oh it was WONDERFUL to see her! Then to bed at 2 a.m.

Next morning off to the temple again for the sealing.

BEAUTIFUL-and I don't have pics because I didn't take a camera and everyone hasn't tagged me in them on facebook yet. . .

(the above pics are taken from google-its not like I took pics of my food and not of my sis's big day)

then we had a luncheon and back to Huntington Beach-that equals 2 more hours in the back of the car wanting to puke and almost dying because my mom and dad were fighting over what they claimed to be the BEST peanut butter cookie ever made. . .

then into a stinky hotel room and having to switch rooms. . .

then off to a LATE dinner-it was good-but nothing touches P.F. Changs

and finally to bed-and then another EARLY morning flight.

Oliver did MUCH better on the way home and I could NOT wait to see my hubs and Little B.

I came home to a clean house and lots of love from my sweet boys, and then a hot bath.

This is the life!

Oh, p.s. are you wanting to know what the title to the blog post is all about?!

Well I was running so much, and SO tired, and the only time I could get on my phone to check anything online I was in the car trying to keep down the bile, that I was nearly "un-plugged" all weekend.

SO, I am catching up on emails and such today-oh and cutting LOTS of vinyl this afternoon-so if you need something HOLLA!

p.p.s. My next vacation is going to be a VACATION. . . no running, no living on little to no sleep,

no next time I am going to RELAX.

I am going to do something I want to do.

I am going to breathe and see and enjoy, and I am going to sit in the front seat of the car!

So tell me, how was your weekend?

Did you like the blogs I recommended?

Guest Blogger Eden

2011-09-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Remember our most recent giveaway from Red Eden Design?!
Well Eden is here to tell us a little bit about herself. . .cause you will be seeing LOTS more of her stuff around here over the next few months!
My name is Eden Kietponglert. I love to create. I feel alive when I do it. Although I never would have considered myself creative up until the last 2 year of my life. I hail from a family of artists. My parents met in a pottery class. My older sister Autumn is a couture fashion designer http://autumnlin.squarespace.com/. She is the one who helped me with much of a runway show that we pulled of in my small town of Walla Walla, WA that all of the guest were shocked and said that they felt as if they were in New York City.
I hail from the lovely shore of New Jersey. Not to be confused with all the Jersey Shore you see on the TV. I'm from Ocean City. I moved to Walla Walla for school. I love it in Walla Walla. It's my favorite city I've ever been too. The town so nice they named it twice.

I love my church, I work there as the Children's Ministry Director. http://lifechurchww.com/

I live with 8 other young ladies ages 19-28...we are all crazy but oh so fun! We call ourselves the Red Roof House. We all go to the same church and live in discipleship and community. They make life fun. There is never a dull moment in our house. They are a huge help to me with all my designs and modeling. They inspire me on a regular basis. I have expereinced community at it's finest. They put up with all my fabric all over the place and help me organize it. Friday's and Saturday's we hit all the yard sales where I get crazy about fabric!!

I love to laugh. I am extremely outgoing. I am not afraid anymore. I love the Lord. I love life. I dream big.

I've been so blessed to have Gina helping me in my etsy adventures. It's been so fun! She truly is an etsy bestie! This lady is going big places in life. She has great values and I admire who she is and all that she does in life.

California. . .

2011-09-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

I am a busy girl!

I have been "pretending" to get ready for my little weekend trip-have I mentioned it?!

Remember last year when my sis got married?!

(remember I did this)

Anywho. . .so this weekend she is going to enter God's Temple-See more HERE - to be sealed for Time and all Eternity to her wonderful husband. So I am going to go out there so th

at I can be in attendance.

5 years ago this last August me & my wonderful hubs got married in this Temple

that day is rivaled only by the birth of my sons.

Okay I am getting sidetracked. . .where was I?!

Oh yes I am leaving first thing this morning. . .she is getting married in this temple

aren't they HEAVENLY castles?!

I continue to get sidetracked. Sorry. They are just so wonderful.

So Oliver and I are flying to California this morning and I am leaving little B int he care of the hubs and a good friend.

I am sad to leave him-little B and the hubs, but honestly it makes me anxious to leave little B. . .I don't like it, not one bit.

So after a long winded explanation I am officially offline -well minus my iphone- until Tuesday- but don't worry I have an etsy bestie subbing in for me tomorrow and I'll be back with some KILLER giveaway/reviews soon!

Until then have a SUPER weekend!

OH and we have a winner to the Red Eden Giveaway. . .

the winner is. . .

Comment #3 Kacey

who LOVES the ruffle earrings and wants the white krimped headband!!

CONGRATS GIRLIE!

Winner selected through random.org.

Blog Love

2011-09-20T15:19:00.000-05:00

So do you have blogs that you religiously follow?!

I do. . .and they probably have no idea because I hardly ever leave comments. . .

I know its horrible I LOVE comments so I should leave them, but I feel like the people who write these blogs are too cool for a girl like me so they won't want to follow me back so why embarrass myself. . .

I know silly-I resolve to do better!

Anywho. . .I thought I'd share a few of my favs with you!

Practically Perfect in Every Way

NieNie

Jones Design Company

Sugar and Dots

Joy is at Home

The Sullengers

So go check them out-you'll become addicted too!

Love/Hate relationshihp

2011-09-19T09:57:00.000-05:00

How can somethings so pretty, that I love so much . . .

bring so much resentment into my life

You see, I actually enjoy puttin clothes into my pretty washer & dryer.

I love seeing the dirty clothes bins EMPTY.

I even love taking the clean, warm clothes out of the dryer.

Its after they are out that my love QUICKLY turns to hate,

I hate folding it all, especially because I am persnickety & it has to be done JUST SO.

I hate when it gets wrinkly, so the folding must be done soon.

I hate putting it all away-especially anyones clothes that are not my own. . .

but since I'm so persnickety that needs to be done JUST SO as well.

Once they are all put away I am loving it again, I love full dressers with clean fresh clothing.

I love clean sheets, and towels and rugs.

So tell me . . . whats your Love/Hate chore?!

INSANE

2011-09-16T09:47:00.002-05:00

I got an INSANELY wild hair the other night and let my mother talk me into signing up to do a WARRIOR DASH with her. . .

The answer is NO I am not a warrior. . .

But I want to be. . .

I think. . .

You see these are the things that I will have to do while running 3.02 miles. . .

Yes, seriously, there is FIRE. . .

WHY am I doing this?!

I still don't know the answer.

I have started running each evening. . .remember THIS post. . .how I DON'T run. . .yeah its kicking my trash!

I am SO sore!

My lungs are KILLING me!

I really am to out of shape to be considered a warrior. . . but I am changing that. . .1 mile at a time. . . literally that's all I can run right now. . .baby steps. . .

I have 9 1/2 months to get there. . .feel the burn. . .embrace the burn. . .love the burn. . .

(p.s. right now all I want to say is screw the burn. . .BUT I'm doing it!)

I registered for June 30th Saturday morning at the Hastings MN location and would LOVE to meet you there! Let me know if your going to join me in this insanity!

Until then have a SUPER weekend!

OH and we have a winner to the Decorative Box Giveaway. . .

the winner is. . .

Comment #7 Stacie

who LOVES "black and white box with camo on front"!

CONGRATS GIRLIE!

Winner selected through random.org.

Red Eden Design Review & Giveaway-CLOSED

2011-09-14T08:10:00.003-05:00

Red Eden Design is our newest sponsor! You will be able to find this logo linking to her FABULOUS shop in my sidebar through Christmas! I seriously couldn't be more excited about having this ADORABLE gal & her shop being featured here at Dang Gina! Eden is a DOLL and a girl after my own heart!

Her adorable models-and roommates- can pull off wearing her ADORABLE headbands this way. . .

(isn't this the cutest headband?!)

I totally wish I could wear the headbands this way! LUCKILY they are cute enough that I can wear them this way and still get away with it!

I LOVE it! I wore it the other day and got SO many compliments!

They are offered in a variety of fun fabrics and are all fabulous! So I got a white one-pictured above-and this purple one sent to me. . .

I totally LOVE them! I have been wearing them a ton-like this and to dress up pony tail days! So I tried to pull of wearing it like Eden does, and this is how it went down:

Me: (in the bathroom, getting ready-just put it on the way she wears it) "I wish I could pull off wearing headbands this way. . ." (wanting my hubby to say to me "you totally can, what are you talking about?)
Hubs: (looks at the ground and walks out of the room. . .)

Me: "IS THAT YOUR WAY OF TELLING ME THAT IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD?!"

Hubs: "um. . . Kind of . . . why don't you wear it the way you wore the white one? It looked really good!"

Me: (Defeated and pouting taking it off my head and putting it on this way) "FINE! I guess I'll just be ordinary!"

Guess what else you can find at Red Eden Design . . . .

She also has a few of these ADORABLE scarves available. . .

How cute?!

And these oversized scarves were shown on a fashion show runway!

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G

Miss Eden is so talented, her stuff is so cute, and she was a dream to work with!

She has become my new etsy-bestie! Who doesn't LOVE making new besties through the wonderful world of shopping and blogging?!

So now on to the giveaway!

Eden is giving on lucky winner their choice of one of her headbands!

Your totally going to LOVE them!

Go Shopping over at Red Eden Design on Etsy this week and gain an EXTRA Entry!
And guess what?! For your shopping pleasures 10% OFF with code DANGGINAGIVES at checkout!

Become a Facebook fan of Red Eden Design HERE and gain an EXTRA Entry!

Follow Red Eden Design on Twitter HERE and gain an EXTRA Entry!

You have until September 20th at Midnight!

GOOD LUCK!

Extra Entries:

1Entry ~ Post about this giveaway on YOUR blog!

1 Entry~ Follow Dang Gina on Twitter HERE and Tweet about the giveaway!

1Entry ~ Put Dang Gina's Button on your blog & Our Link in your Updated Column!
1 Entry ~ Sign up for Dang Gina's Newsletter!

1 Entry ~ Become a Follower of Dang Gina!

1 Entry ~ Become a Dang Gina Friend On Facebook HERE & post about the giveaway!

Please leave a SEPARATE comment for EACH of your entries & an EMAIL address for winners notification!

YOU CAN USE THESE AS ENTRIES EVEN IF YOU HAVE DONE SO ON OTHER GIVE AWAYS!

(you can also always find a direct link to them in my right sidebar!)

I am not compensated for my reviews and opinons. I do receive product(s) for free so I can provide my honest opinion. Your experience may vary from mine, but I doubt it!

Tell Me I'm NOT alone!

2011-09-12T16:15:00.003-05:00

I can't figure out where all of my time is going. . .

My head is CONSTANTLY spinning!

Even when I am "sort of" taking a break I am still caught in this time continuum warp thing.

Some one please stop this merry go round I find myself on and let me have a nap!

I need a MINI vacation from my life so that I can wrap my head around things again and breathe. . .tell me I'm not the only one who need a "time out" every once in a while!
Tell me that it doesn't make me a bad mom to want to be able to think straight, to have alone time-real alone time-not the kind where I'm in a hot bath with a 3 year old coming in every 5 minutes to ask for something daddy said no to-I know I should invest on a lock for that door!

You Know

2011-09-09T11:30:00.000-05:00

You know you were born in the 80's IF any of this makes you smile or means something to you!
Old Shows that I miss so much!

and one that I don't but that SCREAMS early 90's!

I don't know if it was because I had a young hip mom or what-but I STILL Love Cher's music!

I still want to be Rainbow Brite. . .

Hair. . .SERIOUSLY?!

I don't think these even need comment. . .

Do any of you remember these?! I SO wish they would come back with them!

NOTHING even touches Berry Kix!

and who doesn't want gummie bears in their oatmeal?!

PLUS. . .

Do you remember when penny candy was really a penny?!

What do you miss. . .or NOT miss about the 80's?!

The Decorative Box Review and Giveaway-CLOSED-

2011-09-07T21:32:00.001-05:00

Have you noticed we have a new sponsor?!

The Decorative Box-a cute little etsy shop is our newest addition!

I just received this box in the mail yesterday

It is now sitting on my dresser with my favorite necklaces in it! SO cute! I'm loving it! It came all wrapped up in bubble wrap and then in pretty cellophane and ribbon to keep it safe and it looked like a present when I opened it! Who doesn't love it when something comes wrapped like a present?!

The Decorative Box has a ton of little boxes, for every woman or girl you know!

A perfect wedding gift for the bride to keep her special day jewelry in.

EVERY little girl should have one of these for all her little pretty treasures!

I think this one should hold love letters. . .what do you think?!

or maybe this one should hold the love letters?!

Whatever the need these boxes will do the trick! They are spacious, a gracious 5.5x3.5x3.5, you'll be able to fit more in then you thought!

The Decorative Box is giving away a $25 gift card to one of you lucky ladies!

MANDATORY -seriously its MANDATORY if you don't do it NONE of your entries count!- entry of going to The Decorative Box & browsing through the site and coming back and telling me what some of your favorites are and what your spending your $25 on!!!

Go Shopping over at The Decorative Box on Etsy this week and gain an EXTRA Entry!

Become a Facebook fan of The Decorative Box HERE and gain an EXTRA Entry!

Become a follower on The Decorative Box's blog HERE and gain an EXTRA Entry!

Follow The Decorative Box on Twitter HERE and gain an EXTRA Entry!

You have until September 15th at Midnight!

GOOD LUCK!

Extra Entries:

1Entry ~ Post about this giveaway on YOUR blog!

1 Entry~ Follow Dang Gina on Twitter HERE and Tweet about the giveaway!

1Entry ~ Put Dang Gina's Button on your blog & Our Link in your Updated Column!
1 Entry ~ Sign up for Dang Gina's Newsletter!

1 Entry ~ Become a Follower of Dang Gina!

1 Entry ~ Become a Dang Gina Friend On Facebook HERE & post about the giveaway!

Please leave a SEPARATE comment for EACH of your entries & an EMAIL address for winners notification!

YOU CAN USE THESE AS ENTRIES EVEN IF YOU HAVE DONE SO ON OTHER GIVE AWAYS!

(you can also always find a direct link to them in my right sidebar!)

I am not compensated for my reviews and opinons. I do receive product(s) for free so I can provide my honest opinion. Your experience may vary from mine, but I doubt it!

Goodbyes

2011-09-05T08:00:00.001-05:00

So, now that we are moved and settled and LOVING everything about this new change in our lives-minus missing family and friends of course-I have had to make some decisions. Wyatt is very busy with his new school schedule, I guess they think getting "Dr" put in-front of your name means that you have to study and be in class A LOT! (imagine that!) With the transition on the boys and everything else I have decided that I need to spend and give more time to all of my boys-every minute that I can. So sadly I am saying goodbye to Scentsy-at least the business part-I will be a FOREVER shopper!

I am putting in a few more orders this month for all of you though! I will be putting in an order on Monday and then one mid-month and at the end of the month! If you want or need anything I would LOVE to help you before I say goodbye to Scentsy for good!

So email me your orders ASAP so I can help ya out (I pay your shipping on orders over $25!)!

The new fall catalog has some AMAZING stuff! I myself will be stocking up for holiday gifts and my own personal stash as well!

You can go HERE to order online or check out the current catalog!

Ya Think?!

2011-09-02T10:51:00.000-05:00

We went to the car show that they do up the street every Thursday night last week,

and I found THIS beauty. . .

I SERIOUSLY want this car. . .it BELONGS in my garage . . . or even my living room!

Ya Think it'll fit?!

Chaos!

2011-09-01T06:43:00.002-05:00

This week has been CHAOS!

I am sure you have all felt the same with school starting in so many places around the country this week/month!

So the hubs had his "white coat ceremony" this weekend.

This is a ceremony where they receive they white "DR." coat, to honor and recognize the hard road to get into school and to remind them of all of their obligations and responsibilities to their patients and themselves as they become dr.'s .

I have to say-I am SO proud of him!

Do you see that?! It says "Dr". . .we DO realize he won't be a Dr for another 4 years, but we are on our way!

After the ceremony Wyatt showed us where he will be spending the next year-this is his "sim-lab" where he will be learning! Honestly it makes me sick to think of the things he will see in people mouths. . .I am so squimish that thinking of my kids teeth falling out makes me want to puke!

I am SO proud of my man! It has been a long hard road, but we are here! And we couldn't be more excited or happy about everything that the Lord has put here for us!

Now. . .today is the day that Little B starts pre-school. . .I will not cry. . .I will not cry. . .

I will let you all know how it goes! Wish me luck!

Do you have anything you do to help the week of school starting go smoother at your house?!