Tell Us Something Good: Trip Mama

It's no secret that I want to travel.  Can you believe that my husband and I haven't been on a vacation together since we've been together.  That's almost 7 years!  And now that Moo is getting older and JJ has gotten used to his car seat and being on the go, I would like to start working more on marking off some of dream travel locations off my list.  Not to mention, we're hoping to take a nice family vacation this summer.

Now, we all the price of gas has made traveling more expensive.  It's can cost one person well over $300 to   travel and that's not even including lodging. I mean have you seen the cost of airplane tickets.  And let's not get started on hotels, rental cars, etc.  So, for a nice week long getaway for my family four, we're talking well over $1,000.  I've done the math and it's not pretty.  I could make a small down payment on a car or foreclosed home with the amount it would cost us to travel.

That's why I'm glad that I was introduced to Travel Mama.  They have a one click search feature that will search and compare more than 100 discount travel sites to make sure that I can get the lowest prices for my family.  How wonderful is that?!  No hopping from site to site because they compare with the leading five discount sites.

Also, Trip Mama offers exclusive discounts, deals and coupons.  You can register your email and get alerts on $39 flights and $29 per night hotel stays.  Talk about a steal.  And you all know how much I love a steal. In this economy, you have to be smart with your money.

There's no need to give up family vacations and going places.  So, check out Travel Mama if you plan on traveling for the holidays.  And don't forget to sign up to get their deal alerts.  It's really worth it.  Don't let yourself become a prisoner of the four walls of your workplace and home.  Get out and explore the world, search for adventure and make new memories.

Be on the look out for future posts about more amazing deals I get from Trip Mama.  We're catching the travel bug this upcoming year.

Tell Us Something Good: Anniversary Recap

So, my husband and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary last Friday.  And we made the choice to celebrate it with our beautiful children, Moo and JJ.  We just really want to demonstrate the importance of celebrating the sacred union that marriage is and is suppose to be.  Anyways, my first gift of the day was that both of the kiddies slept in. 

Can you say score!!  I didn't have to roll out of bed until after 10 AM.  I was supposed to go grocery shopping because our frig was like borderline empty.  To my surprise my husband had already gone.  Another score because when I go I usually have to take Moo because she will whine until I give in.  Thus, it takes me a little bit more time to shop with her in tow because she's picking up stuff off the shelves and I'm busy putting it back.

We did have a little car trouble but that didn't put a damper on our day.  We still got lunch from the Chicken Box.  It's third place my husband took me to eat when we first met.  Well, I should say that we ordered something to eat from because the Chicken Box is a  hole in the wall with an order window and a kitchen.  There is no space to eat inside.  And it's in the hood and you have to get there before the lunch rush.

It's like a hidden treasure and oh so addictive.  My favorite is their Philly Cheese Steak.  I don't have a clue what they season their meat with but it tastes fantastic and it's so juicy and cheesy and the onions....  I could go on and on about this sandwich.  They have some bangin homemade cole slaw too.

We exchanged gifts.  My husband got me some new clothes because let's face it my body is never going to be the same as it was before my kids.  My booty is bigger and boobs are bigger.  Both of which my husband is like yeah baby. LOL.  Me not so much.  I miss the days when I could shop at the Limited Too for cute tops and shorts.

I got him a cool poster for his future man cave.  He had these old beat up slippers that had a holes in the bottom and he walked the back part down.  So, I him a new pair.  These have memory foam in the soles and are nice and thick.  He said they feel like clouds and he's been living in them every waking moment since  I gave them to him. 

I got him some gourmet chocolates too.  We both have a bit of a sweet tooth.  And to round out the gift giving, I got him a magazine subscription.  I can't remember the magazine title but it was Men's something another.  He had complained before that our mailbox is always filled with magazines for me and I wanted to get him something that he could read and enjoy.

He cooked dinner that night and we enjoyed Thor.  I think it was a pretty good movie and can't wait for part 2.  All in all, it was a great day.  Thank you to everyone who sent Happy Anniversary wishes.

Tell Us Something Good: New Addition

I'm going to be an auntie again!!  Isn't that good news?  My younger sister took a pregnancy test last Friday and it came back positive!   She and her husband are thrilled.  They go to the OB on next Tuesday to take an official pregnancy test and get her prenatal care started.

At this point, I'm not sure if they have a preference over a girl or boy.  But when they stopped by to tell me the good news, they kept referred to the baby as a she.  After all, my mom had almost all girls.   Our brother is the token male.  So, I guess it only makes sense that they would expect their first child to be a girl right?

Either way, I'm really happy for them.

Tell Us Something Good: Free Smoothies

It's no secret that I love smoothies.  My smoothie obsession started when I got my first job the mall.  We had a small cafe in my department.  It was their that I had my first smoothie.  No kidding.  My parents were milkshake people and I can't ever remember having had a smoothie before then.

It was made with real peaches.  And not the can kind either.  Well, over the years I've tried a lot of different fruit smoothies.  I was really excited when McDonald's announced that they were coming out with their own assortment of fruit smoothies and I think they've done a good job so far with the flavors:

Strawberry Banana

Wild Berry

Mango Pineapple

Anyways, @McD_CLTArea contacted via Twitter to tell me about their Free Smoothies for a Month Contest.  All I had to do was tweet out my fave McDonald's drink to get entered for a chance to win.  Of course, my favorite drink is the Strawberry Fruitopia.  I purchased a bottle from the grocery store but it just didn't taste the same.  I don't know what syrup to carbonated ratio they use but if I could bottle it up I would.

I entered the contest not thinking that I would win.  I've never had a lucky streak when it comes to contests. Sure, I've won a few but that's about it.  Well,  guess what?  I won!!!!  I'm super excited because as a smoothie junkie, I can finally quench my smoothie thirst.  Plus, it'll give Moo and I something to look forward to everyday.  

I can build mommy-daughter memories with her at our favorite fast food restaurant.  McDonald's has been a part of her childhood since she was a baby.  She had her first taste of french fries from McDonald's.  She had her first serving of chicken nuggets from McDonald's.  And she had her first spoon of ice cream with Grandma there.

I'm looking forward have this quality time with her minus her brother.  For about twenty minutes everyday it'll be me and her sharing yummy smoothies and enjoying each other's company.  And that is something good.  Something great!

Tell Us Something Good: Sisterly Bonding

As many of you know, my baby sister graduated high school this past June.  Well, it's almost August and time for her to head off to college.  It amazes still how fast time flew by.  It seemed like it took forever for me to get out of high school but I blinked and she was already a senior.

Anyways, since she'll be going to school 4 whole hours away from me, I'm down at my mom's yet again to spend as much time with her as possible.  You could say that I kind of took her time here at home for granted.  Yea, I always knew she would go to college but I never imagined it would be so far away.  I know that she's going to succeed and have a blast.

And I'm glad that I took this week to enjoy her company.  I think that our sisterly bond has certainly gotten closer.  I wouldn't trade the overwhelming feelings of love, pride and joy that I have for her ever!

Tell Us Something Good: The Kids

Yes, I'm back with my weekly Tell Us Something Good posts.  I recently took an almost three week vacay visiting with my mom and family back home.  While it was great to be home, I did miss my internet and my computer.  My mom was getting some work down and had to dismantle her desktop. Anyways, back to what I want to tell you.

I'm sure that I have don't have tell many of you about the trials and tribulations of parenting.  In fact, most of often times focus more on the negatives than the positives.  However, I am here to tell you that parenting does has it's great moments.  These past few weeks, I've found myself smiling more and more at my kids. They have truly been lighting up my world.

A few highlights from my last two weeks include celebrating my niece's 6th birthday before I left my mom's.  Just seeing how appreciative she was of having a small party with gifts, cake, pizza and ice cream gave me hope.  It proved that you can still raise kids who will be satisfied with the simple things in life.  Sure they'll still want a party to rival those seen on MTV's Sweet 16, but will be thankfully in the end that you just threw them a party.

I decorated the cake!!

When we got back home, I realized that JJ didn't get to wear his 'My First 4th of July' shirt.  I had forgotten to back it for a trip to my mom's.  However, that didn't stop me from putting it on him three days later.  And boy did he look handsome.  I think red is going to be his power color too.

I know that some of you might have seen my post on Twitter about Moo covering herself, me, JJ and the bed in a whole entire jar of vaseline the other day.  I usually  try to wake up when I hear her moving about.  However, she's become a silent ninja lately and moving around ever so quietly.  Well, she was in her room the other day playing and she got quiet.  And this is why....

She had discovered a tube of diaper rash creme that my husband left on top of her tv.  She thought it was lotion but once she felt the texture and saw it wasn't rubbing in, she came and asked me to clean it off. LOL.  I couldn't be mad her because it wasn't her fault that her dad left it somewhere she could reach it.  Also, she looked so cute. This is one of the those embarrassing moments that I will have printed on her Senior Page in her high school. LOL

Tell me something good that happened in your life?

Tell Us Something Good: Happy 5 Weeks

I haven't done one of these in a while.  But let's just get right back into.  This week I am glad to announce that JJ turned 5 weeks old!!!  Yes, my little man is no longer a newborn.  He is well on his way through infanthood and I am beyond excited to see how changes.

So, he's doubled his weight.  I have my lovely boobs to thank for that.  They've done great at producing some really yummy milk for him.  I was a little bit afraid that after having nursed Moo for almost two years, that I would have trouble building my supply back up.  Not so though.

He's gotten used to his bassinet.  Although, he picks and chooses the nights he wants to sleep in it.  Regardless, he some how always ends up in bed snuggled next to me at some point.  And I kind of love it because I get to wake up looking into his beautiful brown eyes.  Plus, I have my own personal alarm clock.

He prefers to sleep slightly on his side instead of flat on his back.  We've tried several times laying him down on his back and somehow he always ends up on his side.  It's a little bit scary because I wonder if he's strong enough to just keep rolling over on to his face.  Thankfully, his chubby little body won't allow him to do that.

JJ has a bad habit of pulling his own hair.  He even does it in his sleep.  So, I've started to put socks on his hands.  I tried mitts but they were snug enough around the wrist to stay on.  Thankfully, the socks don't seem to bother him.

In fact, he's not a fussy baby at all unless he's hungry, tired or has gas.  He's pretty low maintenance which is more than I can say for Moo.

Another good piece of news is that I got my first freelance piece published on Yahoo!  It was very exciting.  I applied thinking I was going to write one piece and actually got approached to write something totally different.  I was nervous because I was sure it was going to come back with lots of edits but to my surprise it got published in less than a few days.

So, now I'm working on some more freelance opts that are in my assignment box from Yahoo. Be sure to comment, retweet, share on Facebook this article.  I'm proud of it and look forward to growing as a write.

What good news do you have to share? Link up here.

Tell Us Something Good: Motherhood Joys

As many of you know, I recently delivered a beautiful baby boy.   And I have to admit that my joys as a mom has doubled.  I thought that I'd be beyond stressed out about having two small kids under the age of 3.  However, the truth is I'm not.  It's an adjustment for sure but not a stressful event like some people tried to make it seem.

I feel a little bit foolish almost listening to those nay sayers who were telling me that I'd regret having two kids back to back.  Motherhood is beautiful and I knew full well the responsibilities I was undertaking doing the do  with my hubby.  We are more blessed than we could have thought possible.

I get to experience the joys of waking up to two beautiful little faces in the morning.

I have the opportunity to raise two wonderful individuals and teach them how to make a positive impact on our society.

I get to experience the excitement of first steps, first words, first foods, etc all over again.

I have another little person that I can play fashion stylist with. LOL

I can look forward to being in the stands and cheering on my kids at sports and academic events.

Motherhood has given me some many little things to look forward to.  And those little things are proving to be the greatest joys of my life!!

Have something good to tell us?  Link up your post at The Life of Rylie...and Bryce too! 

Tell Us Something Good: Joy of Family

Today I'm linking up with The Life of Rylie...& Bryce too! and Angelica's Awesome Adventures to tell you something good.  Hopefully, you will decide to link up as well and spread a little joy and positivity.

Anyways, I'm sure many of you heard about my accident almost two weeks ago. Well, since then my family has been very supportive and helpful. Despite almost delivering my little man a whole month early, the accident has really shown me the joy of having a wonderful and close knit family.  

It has made me appreciate all that they do and have done 1,000 times more than I already did.  For starters, my mom drove us back to my hospital (2 hours away) and stayed the entire day and a half I was in the hospital. She took Moo home and made sure that she was still in her normal routine while my husband and baby sister spend the night at the hospital with me.

Once, I was discharged and the hubby had to go back to work, I stayed down at her house and she made sure I got plenty of rest.  When it was time for me to go home on Monday because the hubby was off that  week, she volunteered to keep Moo so that I could continue to rest.  The accident really has my back out of wack and she knows that Moo is quite the busy body.

And, my aunts knowing that our car was totaled stepped up and got tons of clothes for JJ since our nest egg is currently going to purchase a new vehicle now.  This past weekend my brother and I came home to house sit/ baby sit while my mom was away on business.  He could since that Friday night I wasn't feeling well and got Moo settled down and even put her to sleep!!

I am so thankful to God for blessing me with these wonderful people.  I truly don't know where I would be without them in my life!

Tell me something good that has happened in your life this past week!