When There's Too Much To Say

My blogging here has become sporadic. I've noticed (you've noticed too) that I have been posting at best two times a week. I remember once upon a time when I used to love to come here and share my thoughts with whoever happened to stay long enough to read. I could come here today and say that I have nothing to blog about but actually I have lots to blog about...

I could talk about my 6 year old son's pneumonia and the fact that he has been home from school for a week and that I really don't want to send him back next week just to get sick all over again.

I could tell you that my husband has an acute (and I don't mean a "cute") obsession with Justin Timberlake. I've lost count on how many time we've listened to this and watched this. Go ahead. Click it. It's HOT!! He's going to kill me for telling the world about this because if I remember correctly he asked me not to tell anyone. Sorry hubz.

I could talk about the fact that I'm so busy with work, life, sick kids, and the holidays that I'm possibly on the verge of a nervous breakdown as my husband so honestly stated to me today while I nearly cried over spilled milk during dinner. Yes, it's clear I'm going crazy...

I don't know what it is really...this thing that is holding me back here lately. Maybe it's in part due to me being literary challenged and partly due to my need to keep up with my other billion blogs and sites. And, more importantly, the other ones don't require a good story teller - just relevant content. Hey, and did I mention that we have giveaways going on over here with more in the upcoming weeks, new contests listed here, Christmas Themed Toys here (because we all need toys before Xmas, right?, and A Way To Make Some Extra Money For Christmas over here. Yeah, I'm THAT busy.

Thanks to my Senseo and supportive husband. They make all this possible. Well,and our 2 boys. This really wouldn't be possible without them. Because you don't have a mommy blog if your not a Mommy. Um, scratch that.I think I've come across mommy blogs not written my moms but that's another topic for another time...

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Stuck In Christmas 1994

A couple days ago the boys and I decided to put up the Christmas tree* before taking off to our holiday destination. As we were putting up the tree I asked the ever obliging husband to put on some festive music for us. He went through song after song and I just wasn't satisfied with what I was hearing until "All I Want For Christmas Is You" came on. It was then that I realized I'm still stuck in 1994 when in comes to Christmas music. Yes, all I want is Mariah Carey Christmas songs! And, I could go on about 1994 and how it was when I was young and in love for the first time with my then-boyfriend-now-husband but I won't bore you with the details.

Anyway, there are a few more songs that I can't do without during the holidays...

And, embarrassingly enough, here they are. These are the songs that get me into the holiday spirit. I've graciously included the youtube videos for you because I think it's necessary to watch them too!

Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You

Alvin & The Chipmunks Christmas Song

Baby It's Cold Outside from the movie Elf

N Sync's Happy Holidays

Adam Sandler's Hannukah Song

So, what Christmas (er, holiday) songs do it for you? Tell me if I missed some of the best ones.

*P.S. A teensy tiny electrical fire may have discouraged me from decorating the tree at that time. Once I bought some new extension cords and figured out how to wire things up without burning down the house we resumed decorating the tree. I'm happy to report that our tree is no longer naked and is actually very cute in a two-little-boys-decorated-it-sort of way!

Oh, and I've updated the Christmas TV Special list blog post from last year. It now goes to the link with this year's Christmas TV specials which have already begun! The definitive list include everyone's holiday favorites (dates & times included so you can mark your calendars) such as Rudolph, Frosty, The Grinch, It's A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, Home Alone, and many more.
Tonight's lineup include: A Christmas Story, Christmas With The Kranks, Elf, Santa Claus: The Movie and others.

And if that isn't enough to get you in the holiday spirit here is a link to CFM's Fun Santa Craft Ideas

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My Little Boy Is Growing Up

Proof that our little boy is growing up...


Future Bam lost his very first top tooth this past Saturday while we were visiting my husband's parents. Around this exact time last year, he lost his first bottom tooth. This makes the tooth fairy's fourth and most generous visit! Our son got a whopping $6! ;)

*P.S. Don't forget to visit our latest Contests & Sweepstakes for Moms. I'm making this a regular feature of every blog post so more Moms can find out about our giveaways going on throughout the week as well as giveaways from other mom blogs and websites online that are geared towards Moms.

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Stopping Time

A couple nights ago while laying with my son in bed, he turned to me and said, "Mommy! I wish I could be 6 forever. Six is so fun!" As I choked back tears and combed my fingers through his hair I said, "Me too baby, me too..."

And, you know what, if there was any way I could make time stop I would. Wouldn't we all?

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You May Have Noticed...Look, A Survey!

that I haven't been blogging here with as much frequency as of late.

However, I'm still online much of the day blogging and creating content...just not here. This blog is the first to go when I'm short on time. I'm even selling 2 of my websites to focus more on what is most profitable for me overall. My main goal is to create more passive income so that I don't have to be online all the time.

Lately I've been doing a lot of work that I hope will pay off in the long run and will only require me to devote no more than 3-4 hours every week day to work instead of the crazy overloaded schedule that I am on right now. I could stop at this very moment and only work a few hours a month and stay at my current income level but I don't want that. I really want to get where I can actually save some money at the end of the month. And I know this will be very easy once my husband, whom is currently in a Phd program, starts teaching full time after he finishes up his research & classes but that may not be for another year or longer. So, for now I'm making myself focus and work harder even if it means less "personal" time here. I know good things will come of it in the end.

I've also noticed lately that I'm getting a much better response to contests hosted on this blog but I'm not sure if I want to take this blog in that direction. If you have a few moments to leave a comment regarding the few questions below I'll be very grateful. Anonymous comments are fine too. The answers or lack thereof will affect you, my dear readers and you are the best readers anyone could ask for. ;)

Here goes...

1.) Why do you visit this blog?

2.) Do you prefer the personal side of the blog or the contests? What do you want to read more of, me or the contests? Don't worry it won't hurt my feelings if you choose contests. And if you didn't already know, we list contests on the main page too, ContestForMoms.com as well as the listings blog.

That's all!

Oh, and before I forget I do have another great contest for you but this time it's over at amomsreview.com You could win your favorite Rock 'N Learn DVD!

And winners! Yay, we are all so excited aren't we?

The winners of the TrendyTadpole.com T-shirt is Stephanie of My Two Loves, Karen from Mommy of 3 and Sarah from SassyFrazz


The winner of the Toddler Comfy PC is Diane from The Mommy Spot

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47 Days Till What?

Did you know that there are only 47 days left until Christmas?

Here at the mom blog household Santa was on our minds in August so we've taken care of a few things but the real holiday shopping frenzy doesn't start until after Thanksgiving.

This year I'm planning on buying a lot of things online and it looks like I'm definitely not alone. According to bizreport.com, over 33 billion dollars will be spent online during this year's holiday shopping season. That is 20% more than last year. Will you be joining in?

If you are an online holiday shopper then I've got the perfect guide for you. I've put together a Christmas Gifts Under $20 Shopping Guide. We've got some of the top gift ideas under $20 for moms, dads, toddlers, pre-k kids, and much more to come in the next week so don't forget to check it out to help you with your holiday shopping. And if you have some great ideas for gifts under $20 or you are or know a mom owned business who has a product they want to promote send me an email.

Don't forget to enter our current contests going on right here on the mom blog and over at amomsreview.com

You could win a Trendy Tadpole T-shirt for your little one here (deadline is Mon. 11/12/07).
You could win some Oopsie Dazie hair accessories here (deadline is tonight!)
You could win a stylish Dabib here (deadline is tonight!)

And if you are wanting to make some extra cash this holiday season, why not check out HomeJobForMoms.biz 's real list of work at home jobs or think about starting your own online business?

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Going Corn-Free

Most of you reading this blog right now probably eat corn, or at least eat something that contains corn or is derived from corn on a daily basis. It's hard not to. Our 3 year old son is allergic to many foods and one of the foods he is allergic to the most is, unfortunately, corn.

Corn is in almost everything. According to some research that I have come across, it is almost impossible for a food manufacturer to claim that it is 100% corn free. Isn't that scary?

Corn also has many many different names on labels such as dextrose, fructose, gluten, HFCS, etc. Just go pick up a product out of your pantry and read the ingredients list. Chances are that it will contain corn in some form. There are also man things derived from corn such as citric acid and sodium citrate. To get a better idea just follow this link to see all the things with corn (Unfortunately that list is not exhaustive).

We found out that our son was allergic to corn almost a year ago. He's been avoiding everything he is allergic to as well as corn since that time. With the help of steroids most of his symptoms cleared up or so we thought. What was really happening was that the steroids were just masking his symptoms. During the time that our son was taking steroids we faltered some and allowed him to have some foods that contained corn syrup such as snacks and cereals simply because the steroids kept him from puking. However, yesterday at our son's regular allergist appointment we collectively decided to take him off of steroids because it is not meant for long term use to control EE. This decision meant that we had to go "mostly" organic and completely remove all traces of corn out of our house. In addition to our son's corn allergy, he is also allergic to many other foods that in my opinion are much easier to remove from one's diet.

Going down this road is not going to be easy but it's best for our son's overall health.

Did I mention that we (hubs and I) are going organic and corn-free too? This means no more popcorn, no more tacos, no more fast food, no more frozen dinners, no more cereal, no more cookies, candies, and all those yummy bad-f0r-you things that I love!

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A Funny T-shirt?

So, yes, I'm finally bringing you one of the two contests I promised you last Thursday. Being a work at home mom means that sometimes you are forced to reschedule deadlines. :)

Anyway let's get to the good part, shall we?

I have a fabulous giveaway for you. TrendyTadpole.com is a funny baby clothes boutique online and I have to agree, the t-shirts are adorable! TrendyTadpole.com wants to give 3 of our readers a free t-shirt! If you want to win one all you have to do is visit TrendyTadpole.com then come back here and tell me in the comments section which one is your favorite. For an extra entry, blog about this contest on your site and include a link back to ContestForMoms.com

Now for the rules: US Residents, 18+, void where prohibited. Deadline to enter is November 12th, 2007. Good luck! The Comfy PC winner will be announced soon! Oh, and don't forget to enter our Dabib (the trendiest lead-free baby bib) & Oopsie Dazie contests going on over at AMomsReview.com The deadline for both contests is this Thursday November 8th, 2007

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Go Straight To Christmas!

Does anyone feel like they are thrown right into the Christmas Holiday season the day after Halloween? Don't pass Go, Don't collect $200 - Go straight to Christmas!!!

This Is Why I feel Like Christmas Has Already Begun And My Halloween Memories Have Been Shoved Into The Outer Limits Of My Long Term Memory.

Huh? What's Halloween?

1. I was in Wal-mart the night of trick-or-treat to pick up a few last minute items and they were stocking the shelves with tons of Christmas items. Wal-mart, couldn't you wait one more day?

2. I already have a nutcracker up on my fireplace. Yes, I'm aware this one is all my fault. I'm guilty of buying it early and having no place else to put it.

3. I got an email yesterday (on Halloween) saying

Hi Amanda,

Tomorrow is the official start of the holiday season!

And the rest could have very well been blah, blah, blah because I was stuck on the above text. What? Holy Heck, slow down...

So, we don't get a cooling off period after Halloween or anything?

** Oh yeah, I also wanted to let everyone know the winners of the Amy Grant book contest. BTW, I turned 31 on October 19th. Many of you guessed it correctly! :) The winners are Arika, Renee and Leslie. Ladies please contact me so I can mail your prize!

You still have time to enter our Toddler Comfy PC contest. The deadline to comment and enter is Saturday November 3rd, 2007. Later today I will be bringing you 2 new contests right here on the blog with more coming along so make sure you fit a visit to this blog everyday! We're gonna be busy this holiday season!

We also have 2 contests going on over at AMomsReview.com right now! Check them out! You could win some Adorable Oopsie Dazie hair clips and Dabib! These products would make great holiday gifts. Hey, if everyone else is already promoting the upcoming holiday season so can I! ;)

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