THE BEST Mother's Day Gift Idea, EVER!

Mother's Day is quickly approaching. It was also brought to my attention earlier today that May 1-7th is "RECOGNIZING A MOTHER'S STRENGTH AFTER LOSING A CHILD" WEEK. If you or someone you love is affected by losing a child, maybe we can do a little something to help get them through this? Losing a child is the hardest thing a Mother will ever have to go through in her life. I've got a few great friends who are mothers and some who are still struggling to get pregnant and have, in some way, lost a child. I'm planning on getting a few of my closest friends some of the products from THIS amazing site for Mother's Day!!! It's also a great idea for your very own Mom, Grandmother or another friend or family member that you want to recognize. And as my own grandmother would say, "These are cheap enough to consider them as little 'stocking stuffers'! You can even get away with buying yourself a few items (dare I say it??) FOR YOURSELF!!!!!

It's not that I think that a little bit of AMAZING smelling shampoo, conditioners, body wash and shame cream (ect) isn't enough to make her feel totally pampered and loved, but it's a start. And we ALL deserve that. My heart goes out to those women who are struggling to get pregnant this Mother's Day and it's my prayers that everyone who already has a child will realize what a special and unique gift they've been given...and enjoy some time with their own child(ren). You only get this ONE life to live. It's a good idea to live each day to the fullest. :o)

I've personally tried MANY products from Gudonya as well as many different scents and I can honestly say that I've never been let down.

Here what the website says about the different products of theirs I've tried...

Products:

Salty DAWG Shampoo
"Due to its HIGH salt content, when you dip your fingers into this jar the cream has the "gritty" feel of the salt in your hand, and when you put it on your already wet hair and mix EXTRA water to lather (this is important)...POOF!! all the gritty salt disappears and a Ton (NOT KIDDING HERE!) of lather envelopes your hair with its "loving" embrace!!! A little "Dawg" goes a LONG way!!! (I put a dollop the size of a nickle or dime) It is packaged up in a full 8 ounces (in weight) tub that will last a good long time...Unless it is stolen by other family members!!!! Grab a "Dawg" today...You won't regret it!!!"

Intense Hair Conditioner:
"To use, simply shampoo your hair (preferably with a little Salty Dawg Shampoo, which you can find in our shop!) rinse well, apply enough INTENSE Conditioner to cover your hair, and then rinse out....If you need a little EXTRA kick, let it sit on your hair for a few minutes before the rinse...it us up to you!!! We have had reports (especially folks with normal to oily hair) that you might only need to use this conditioner a few times a week to keep it all "in style"!"

VEGAN Whipped Clean Body Wash:
"It looks like whipped cream but that phrase was already taken. It's a pretty solid mixture that lathers easily in the hardest of waters and is kind to your skin."

VEGAN Shave Cream:
"I am sure you know how to shave, but with this formula, you can do it a couple of different ways...You can just suds up and use the slippery foam just like a traditional shave bar...OR you can wipe it directly on the area, hit it with a little water, shave up a storm and then lather it up on the rinse...it is UP TO YOU!!! One last thing, Whipped Shave reportedly works fantastically well on every area in need of a shave, even intimate shaving."

Solid Perfume: $3.50 and 75 cents to ship this product!
"These cute little .33 ounce vials are filled to the brim with wonderfully fragrant and long-lasting solid perfume. Carry them anywhere - in your pocket or purse - for anytime touch-ups. The easy-open screw top containers are perfect for anywhere and anytime!"

And the Scents I've personally tried are and how the website describes the scent...

Oh So Delicious *top three favorites*
"(Before I describe this, I have to tell you something. Although I'm not a huge apple nut, this literally made my jaw drop when a friend of mine wore it one day. This fragrance really is SO DELICIOUS! (Our rendition of Donna K.'s tribute to the Big Apple, this fragrance is aptly named. The fresh, sweet, crisp apple dominates the whole surprisingly wholesome, yet provocatively tempting, composition. Fresh and flirty top notes of Florida grapefruit, fresh cucumber and deep magnolia first abound. Sexy innocence takes the show with a voluptuously pleasing trio of white muguet, rose and violet entwined with delightful apple and tuberose. Warm woods and white amber wrap it all into such a tidy arrangement, even the mafia couldn't refuse!)"
Spa Fusion *my all time favorite scent!*
(Seriously, this is the best scent we have tested when it comes to a fresh, green, revitalizing spa scent! This exceptional fragrance sports cooling greens, invigorating ginger and thirst-quenching melons. Close your eyes and let the aroma whisk you away ....is that a waterfall I hear?)
Spiced Lime *top three favorites*
This Manly sent is a tart, yet spiced scent that is very invigorating and masculine, yet not too spicy like an older mans wardrobe...It is just right...Your man will smell great, clean and fresh, with not too much perfume or SUPER SPICED!!!!
Kiwi Cherry Blossom
"A fresh, clean and fun scent with a fruit twist. It has a very soft musky hints with fruity fun from kiwi, strawberries, peaches, raspberries, nectarines, pineapple, cherries and watermelon. Add the freshness of green tea, sweet pea and muguet. An incredible experience!"
Tahitian Vanilla
"Vanilla is so sexy, and our Tahitian Vanilla Whipped Clean is at the top of the list. This vanilla is so incredible I couldn't keep my hands off this one! A bit citrusy and super fresh. This whipped clean is a snowy white and is better than a morning coffee. I had to almost chain this one to me or it would have been stolen by my husband for sure. No vanilla extract has ever smelled so good."
Mayan Gold
"Exotic, sweet, warm and spicy can all be used to describe this incredible fragrance. The most well-balanced bond of sandalwood, patchouli, musk and amber. With them, merge tangerine, mango and clary sage. Lastly, it's all joined by a trace of vanilla, nutmeg and Mexican chocolate... sound like an odd blend? It's truly a "must sniff" to believe - and believe, you WILL!--VERY UNISEX!!!"
Lavender
"REAL Lavender Essential oil gives this whipped clean its TRUE scent! Nothing synthetic, just real honest to goodness lavender...If you like it REAL for lavender, Come and get it!!!!"
Sandalwood and Amber
"This is an exotic sent with a mixing harmony of woodsy, warm sandalwood and sensual soft amber. A wonderful blend of two old time incense favorites, earthy and wondrous! "
Island Coconut
"A true sweet Coconut, not sugary or candy smelling, just true unadulterated Coconut fragrance!Rich, Musky and Refreshing...Get out the hammock, the COOL drink and RELAX (at least in the tub or shower!!)"

I can't begin to explain how luxurious I feel after using my shampoo, conditioner and body wash. The perfume is another favorite of mine. Once you find YOUR favorite scent, get some perfume to go w/ it to give yourself a little "boost" during the day. ALL of the scents I've tried have been DIVINE! There has not been once scent that I didn't like and I'm pretty picky when it comes to things like that.

I highly suggest you at least try the vegan foaming body wash. You'll be addicted, like me, in NO time. They even have a $5 flat rate shipping selection where ANY items you purchase from there will be shipped for $5.

Try something! You know you want to!

Whoa! Where does the time GO?

I do NOT know where the times goes but as Kenny Chesney says, "I don't know where the time goes...but it sure goes fast." Isn't that the truth? It feels like just YESTERDAY I was big and pregnant and we were putting together two brand new cribs for the arrival of our twin sons...but in truth? It's been about 3 years!

We've going through some major changes around our house. MAJOR! GONE are my twin babies. Now?? What's left behind?? Two very boisterious, loud, crazy, fun loving, sweet, tender, tempermential, and at times, testy toddlers!

First, we have officially transitioned from cribs to BIG BOY BEDS!!! I don't want to toot my own horn JUST YET but it seems like we had a GREAT day as far as napping AND sleeping was concerned yesterday.


Didn't we have those "convertible" beds/cribs?"
Yes! We did. And we actually picked them out from BabiesRus and they were EACH over $600.
Why didn't you just convert the cribs to toddler beds?
That was the plan...until we realized that one of our toddlers BROKE his crib to the point where it's not even POSSIBLE to turn it into a toddler bed OR the full size bed it's supposed to turn into one day.
Why didn't you just order one online?
Oh. Easy! I don't play around when it comes to sleep times in my house. My kids will be three in June and they VERY RARELY go a day w/out letting them get a nap in. We also make sure that they go to bed on time, when it's bedtime (usually between 7:30 and 8pm). I don't like screwing up everything I've worked for all of these 3 years to just be thrown out the window by trying to confuse my kids, tell them that they were going to get a BIG BOY BED and then make them sleep in our room (we'd already taken the cribs apart) for the next week or so while we wait for some store to ship our toddler beds. We needed a QUICK FIX solution and we needed it RIGHT THEN.

So we had to find a place that had at least TWO of each of these themed beds, in the event that one kid wanted BOTH the SAME bed. Didn't happen like that, as it turned out...BUT I didn't want to chance having TWO toddlers have a full on FIT in the toy store...thus why I was so particular w/ where we were going to pick it out.

We went to ToysRus, the boys both picked out their OWN beds. Jackson wanted Toy Story and Aiden wanted the Cars themed toddler bed so that's what they got.

They LOVE their Big Boy Room! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Hopefully today's napping and sleeping will go the same as it did yesterday. Wish us luck! We're going to need it!

We are ALSO going to be throwing ALL of our diapers away VERY SOON! We'll be going STRAIGHT into being Potty Trained VERY SOON! No more baby beds, no more baby diapers.

They already like to try to dress themselves. THAT is the funniest thing EVER! And shockingly enough, they are usually pretty good at doing it, too.

There has just been SO VERY MUCH that's been going on, raising these two boys that I haven't had a chance to get on here. But I'M BACK! at least for right now! Until the next toddler incident happens...which I'm sure will happen in a few short minutes.

Bruschetta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

I've never blogged about dinner but this recipe found on sparkrecipes.com has had me talking about it for DAYS. If you follow the directions, it's just over 6 grams of fat per serving!



Ingredients:

8 - small boneless skinless chicken breast halves [2lb]

1 - can [14oz] Italian style diced tomatoes undrained

11/4 cups low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese divided

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1 pkg [6oz] stove top stuffing for chicken

1/3 cup Ken's Steak House Lite Northern Italian with Basil & Romano dressing

Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder

Directions:

Marinate chicken breasts in a large storage bag with 1/3 cup of Italian dressing, at least 4 hrs.
-Preheat oven to 350F combine tomatoes, 1/2 cup of the cheese, the basil and dry stuffing mix, stir until moist.
-Place 2 chicken breast in large freezer bag. Pound chicken until 1/4 inch thick. Repeat with remaining breasts. Place chicken , top sides down on cutting board; sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on each breast to taste; Spread evenly with stuffing mixture. Starting at one of the narrow ends, tightly roll up chicken. Place, seam side down in 13x9 inch baking dish.
-Bake 40 min. sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Bake an additional 5 min. or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.

Number of Servings: 8

I'm a very picky eater and this was just flat out delicious. Even my two year old sons asked for more!! Try it out and let me know what you think!

Here is a link to the recipe on sparkrecipes.com. Bruschetta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Vegan Foaming Body Wash

After an exceptionally stressful week, I got a small little package in the mail from a place called Gudonya. I didn't remember buying anything from this place? And what would I have bought that came in such a small little box?

My husband found it first and said, "What's this??"

"Uhhh," I stammered, "I don't really know." All the while I was thinking to myself, "Teela, this is BAD. If you don't even REMEMBER buying something on the internet, maybe you should get your paypal account deactivated."

As I opened the box, I STILL had no clue what it was and I didn't remember buying anything like this.


Vegan Foaming Body Wash??

Then there was a card in the bottom of the box. I opened the card thinking maybe there was an explanation for this? The card read, "I hope this helps ease the stress of Diaper Granny! Love, Angela"

This soap is simply AMAZING. Angela shipped me the Tahitian Vanilla scent and it smelled so good I caught my HUSBAND using it once! This soap feels sooo good on your body, it smells just AMAZING and a little dabble goes a long way. The 4 oz jar lasted me months! I just recently needed to buy more and I tried out the Lavender this time. Yet again, I was blown away by the scent. (And had some sent to one of my best friends for her birthday)

I decided since their vegan whipped foaming body wash was so wonderful I thought I'd try out their Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo and Intense Conditioner.

Here is how they explain the Salty Dawg shampoo:
HIGH levels of sea salt mixed up with a creme soap give you SQUEEKY clean hair. Then we put in the HAIR LOVING ADDITIVES of Panthenol (also called Provitamin B5) and Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein!!! Reports have shown that Panthenol draws moisture from the air, and is an excellent moisturizer. It binds to hair follicles readily, and coats the hair and seals its surface; lubricating follicles and making strands appear shiny, and aids overall cell metabolism in the hair. Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein is a naturally derived wheat protein that contains the carbohydrates and makes a unique hydrating complex that gives a combination of moisture-balancing and film-forming properties that works to give hair better body control and a smoother, softer feel. Salty Dawg give your hair a great clean that is great FOR your hair too!!!

Due to its HIGH salt content, the cream has the "gritty" feel of the salt in your hand, and when you put it on your already wet hair and mix with a LITTLE EXTRA water to lather (this is important)...POOF!! all the gritty salt disappears and a Ton (NOT KIDDING HERE!) of lather envelopes your hair with its "loving" embrace!!! A little "Dawg" goes a LONG way!!!

I can tell the shampoo is going to take some getting used to and I wasn't sure how it would do w/ my hair at first, but then after using the conditioner....it's just like described, my hair felt squeaky clean and the scent (which I selected Spa Fusion for these) was AH-MAZE-ZING!!!! And hours later, it still smells great!

And the best thing about their products? ALL VEGAN! All natural!

To buy stuff from them, go to: Gudonyatoo.etsy.com

WONDERFUL Family Photo's!

We had our photo's done by a great friend of mine, Jennifer Zehr. She currently resides in Florida but lucky for ME, she also comes back to San Antonio, TX to visit her family which is how we had pleasure of getting our family photo's done by her.

She will be in Texas until after the new year so she is available to do your Halloween photos in a pumpkin patch or even your Christmas photos. If I'm not mistaken, she will be able to do an indoor session if that is something you'd prefer. She's doing a holiday special so getting your photos done w/ her will cost you even less than getting them done at JC Penny.

I wasn't sure how well the boys would do because I've been sorely disappointed w/ our last few photo sessions at JC Penny. The people there are so rushed. They only have a few ideas and the kids are honestly scared of these people, if I'm being frank. We've had issues w/ one of the photographers not ever combing hia hair and the kids were literally terrified to look at him!

When Jennifer met us, the boys warmed up to her right away. She made them feel comfortable. We've never been able to get a professional photo of Jackson smiling before yet he was ALL smiles this time! Jennifer has an eye for posing and she's QUICK. She asks you what you want and works with your ideas as well as knows exactly how to pose you and your crazy children.

Just take a look at some more of her work here. And if you want to contact her, here is her email: jzehrphotography@hotmail.com jzehrphotography@hotmail.com.

It's been FAR too long

BUT I've got some AWESOME news!!!

Paypal FINALLY forced Bonnie Odenthal to refund ALL of our money. Her blackmailing me, telling me she would refund PARTIAL payment if I took down my blogs about her didn't work out in her favor. I TOLD her that I would spend every waking minute I had aside from caring for my kids ensuring that her life was a living hell....and I meant it. She's no longer allowed to sell on Ebay. BUT the sneaky old bat IS selling her terrible diapers on Etsy!! So buyers beware!!! She's also tried to change her name on there. She's VERY sneaky, I tell you. Too bad I can pick out her disgusting blue stained carpet from a mile away! Here's a link to her Etsy shop. PLEASE pass this on to ANY cloth diaper Mama who shops Etsy. Bonnie Odenthal aka Make It Uniquely Yours is now selling on Etsy under the name JJ040!!!!

Now that I've got all of her drama behind me, I can finally start focusing on blogging about GOOD products I've bought online. More blogs to come SHORTLY!

Diaper Drama

So the drama surrounding the Diaper Granny still continues. She's now blackmailing me, telling me that the only way she'll refund my money is if I take down all the negative stuff I've said about her. Sorry, Bonnie but that's just not the way I work. Bonnie is always trying to give out little life's lessons like, "We don't always get what we want..." (it took you 60 years to figure that one out?) but my new favorite of hers is "Sometimes when you throw a rock, you can't stop the ripple effect." So very true, Bonnie. The second you told me that you were refusing to refund my money (and AFTER you told me you had already SOLD my diapers to SOMEONE ELSE) you threw the proverbial rock and that has caused me, the water, to come back and splash you in the face. My ripples will hurt a lot more than the $53 you owe me.

We are currently in the middle of having our bank help us get the money back and they told us that after everything been proven that she defrauded us, we will be entitled joining forces with all the other people she's stolen money from and we can all file a joint civil case against her. And while I'm on the subject of other people she's pissed off......let's just take a look at her reviews on ebay.
(by the way, NONE of these negative reviews were done by me or ANYONE that I know)

Click HERE to see one years worth of reviews of Bonnie.

I'll just leave you with some quoted feedback she's received lately.

"BEWARE, DO NOT DO BUINESS W/ THIS SELLER. BAD COMMUNTCATION, EXCUSES & NO REFUND"

"Sent wrong diaper, never fixed as promised. Can't get response or refund."

"Have waited, and recieved multiple excuses, still have not recieved BOTH lots."

"WORST DIAPERS EVER!! Very bulky-6 weeks to get-Messed up order terribly! Awful"

Happy Birthday, Jackson and Aiden.

Two years ago today I woke up in the hospital room not knowing that life was about to change drastically. Two years ago today I became a mother.

Dearest Jackson and Aiden,
On your birthday there are a few things I'd like to share with you.

First, you both must always remember how very much your Mommy and Daddy love you. The two of you have done nothing but transform our lives for the better and you quite simply cannot find a more proud Mama or Daddy bear out there. It just isn't possible.

Jackson, my lil Mama's boy. My NICU grad. My Baby A. You never cease to amaze me with your intelligence and attitude. You, my sweet son, get your attitude from me and your anti-socialness from your father. What a combination to have. You have always been such a good big brother to Aiden even though it seems we are forgetting how to share lately. I've been told not to worry, that it's "just the age." I can't even begin to express how good it makes me feel when you want to spend your mornings snuggled up on my lap. It makes all the struggle we've been through to conceive you totally worth it. You are SUCH the lil snuggle bug. You make me laugh hysterically when you call all of your stuffed animals "be-be" (baby).
One thing I feel I MUST tell you is what I joy it's been being your Mommy and Daddy. We wouldn't change it for an instant. When your father and I were talking about having children, at first Daddy was very hesitant because he was afraid he'd pass on his "bad heart" to you. He was afraid because he's been in your shoes, Jack. This is important, so please read it over a few times to let it sink in: NEVER let that stop you from having children and enjoying your life. You can't live your life always worried about the "what if's". You simply have to have faith that everything will work out the way it's supposed to work out. Don't ever not reach for your dreams because you are afraid of the unknown.

Aiden, Aiden, Aiden. My Baby B, the fighter. My lil mischievous man. You had such a rough start in life. I vividly remember walking into the NICU and seeing this IV running out of your itty bitty little head. The nurses had to stop me before I got to you so that they could "warn" me. EVERYONE in the family was soooo worried about you because after all, you were the little one. We should have known that you were one tough cookie and there isn't anything you can't overcome. You've always kept everyone guessing.
I can't begin to tell you how many you touch every single day with your precious heart melting smile and wave. You are THE flirt of the family, HANDS DOWN. And Aiden...once you start "talking," you don't stop! I'm just waiting for the day you can put your words together. You are going to be a never ending line of questions. At this point in your life, you are still a Mama's Boy but you have NO problems going up to a stranger (generally an attractive woman), grab her hand and just walk off with her. You drive me BATTY!! And I mean that in the most loving way possible, of course.

Since coming into this world on June 9, 2007 you have no only changed our lives, you've touched and changed the lives of so many other people out there, too. Some people you know and some people you'll never know or meet. You've given so many infertile women hope that they too can have children of their own one day. You give parents to preemies hope that one day the haunting NICU experience will be just a distant memory. And because of you two, each time a friend gets pregnant, they are going to wish/hope/think that they too might be blessed x 2 with a set of twins and in some sick and twisted way, I kind of hope they get this wonderful experience too. Haha.

Just please always know, Jackson and Aiden, that there is not a soul on earth that your father and I love more than the two of you. Happy Birthday, my sons.

Bonnie Odenthal (yourbabyessentials.com)

As of today we STILL don't have our money back. She made promise after promise, excuse after excuse. It's OBVIOUS this woman's intent was never to make sure I got these diapers. It was never to make sure she has a good product or happy customers. No. This woman's whole intent is to rip off honest hard working American's. She has STOLEN my money. This woman, Bonnie Odenthal is a FRAUD.

NEVER buy ANYTHING from Bonnie Rae Odenthal.
#1. The products REEK of old lady perfume. You'll have to wash them at least 4 times before using them if you don't want to walk around smelling as if you live in a nursing home.
#2. If you do have to contact her, you won't be able to understand her incomplete sentences and broken English.
#3. You'll be lucky to even GET the products.

FORGET wanting your money back. She'll tell you that she's waiting on a disability/stimulus check.

That's right. She's running a "business" with less than $40 in her account. That's gotta make you feel REAL good about the product. She can't afford to refund your money!!!

Bonnie Odenthal
bonnierae4@connections-etc.net (her email)
http://www.yourbabyessentials.com/ (her website)
IS A FRAUD THAT WILL STEAL YOUR MONEY!

BEWARE! She's ALL OVER Ebay!!!!!!!!!!!

UPDATE!

I've given Bonnie (the diaper maker from my last post) one more day to decide if she's going to refund my money or if I'm going to vow to make her life a living hell from here on out. And I'm not joking.

We've PAID FOR a total of 12 diapers from her and we have only received three of them.

We have a paypal transaction for $12 something for three diapers bought off ebay, another transaction of $10 something for three more diapers bought off ebay and then the last transaction of $31 something for 6 diapers bought through paypal.

I'm reasonable. I'm actually NICE. So let's say that the three I already have cost the most. Let's say those are the $12 ones. Cool. Fine. And I'll even round down for Bonnie.

$10 for the three ebay missing diapers and
$30 for the SIX paypal diapers.

I will accept $40 as a refund and forever drop this issue. She can keep all of the NINE missing diapers as I do not want them.

So.....is $40 really worth having me make your life a living hell?

Oh, by the way, she says the only way she'll send me the diapers (which I DO NOT WANT) or refund my money is by me taking down these blogs. WRONG, Bonnie. I'm protecting all the hard working Mom's out there who don't want to waste money on diapers of poor quality that never even show up.

Refund my $40 and keep your diapers and I will forever drop this issue. Don't refund my money and we'll see if you are able to keep your diaper business afloat. I'll make it my JOB to ruin you.