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  • Faces of the Future

    As parents or soon-to-be parents, I’m sure that most of us are aware of the hidden dangers that await our children in the digital world.  In fact, my mom was so worried that we weren’t allowed on the computer without her supervision.  However, there are a lot of positive programs for our children to get into in the digital world.

    The Boys & Girls Clubs of America is working in partnership with Microsoft and Comcast to help enlighten parents about the importance of digital literacy with the Faces of the Future campaign.  This campaign highlights several  young people from all over the United States and how they used the Club Tech program to transform their lives.  The Club Tech program teaches children “how to use basic business software, be safe online and learn advanced hardware and networking skills.”  Over a million children each year are taking part in this program around the globe.

    So, why is this program important?  Well, for many children this program will help them to discover a hidden talent or further develop their skills into a future career.  Not to mention, teaching children the proper usage of digital technology will help to reduce their chances of getting sucked into negative things on the computer.

    How can you help?  Glad you asked.  The Boys & Girls Clubs of America is trying to reach 35,000 fans (likes) on Facebook.  With every 10 likes or fans they receive, a Boys & Girls Club member (age 6-18) will get Microsoft Office 2010.  So head on over to their Facebook page and help a child better their future today!  Be the change you want to see in our children by doing this one special deed!!

    Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place

  • Fashion Find: Preparing for Summer

    Summer is right around the corner and besides my giving birth, I’m looking forward to hitting up a pool and/or the beach!!  And what better way to get motivated to get back into bathing suit worthy shape than by bathing suit shopping for the entire family.  I was glad when I heard that Hanna Anderson was having a sale on their swim wear.

    Cute for JJ
    Something floral for Moo
    Me floral in red!
    Be sure to over and check it out.
    200 x 200

  • Wordless Wednesday: Dyson

    Totally obsessed with all things Dyson!

  • Making It Happen

    I have to admit that as a stay at home mom, I have been overwhelmed by guilt.  Guilt of what you ask?  Well, of not being able to pull my weight financially in my household.  I’ve never really had to be financially dependent upon anyone before and so this is all new to me.  To be honest, I hate it and am not adjusting to it at all.

    So, I’ve been wallowing in self pity these last few months and stressing over the looming arrival of my second when I learned that my blogger friend Tara from The Young Mommy Life had finally released her ebook, Make It Happen: The Young Mommy Guide To Creating A Career You Crave.   I was beyond excited to see someone that I’ve become good friends with creating success for themselves.  I decided to show my support and purchase the book.  After all, I was hoping that I would stumble across something-anything-that would help to get me motivated.  Not to mention, I have been totally obsessed with my Kindle app on my Droid.

    Let me tell you all that from the introduction to the end this book was FANTASTIC!!!  And no I’m not just saying that because she’s my friend.  If you’ve been reading my blog, then you know that I don’t over crowd with meaningless reviews of products and services I don’t feel passionate about.  I believe in keeping it real.

    Speaking of which, Tara keeps it 100 too in her book.  If you’re looking for a hold your hand, sugarcoated, bubble gum type guide then you might not want to read this.  However, I suggest that you do because since finishing Make It Happen, I have been refocusing on how to make success happen in my own career.  I’ve realized that I have completely slacked off on my side hustle and put my pursuit of being a successful writer on hold.

    And for what?  Well, of course I use the excuse that motherhood takes up all my time.  Thankfully, Tara breaks it down that motherhood is not an excuse for not going after the career you desire but it really should be your main motivation. And you know what she’s right!!

    I’ve been in a single mom position before and it wasn’t fun.  I need to start chasing after my dreams and investing as much time in my side hustles to turn them into a brand as I do just wasting time doing other stuff.  I have all these ideas floating around in my head, but what good are they serving me if I’m not putting them into practice?

    What really amazed me reading Tara’s book was when she said that she and her husband were able to save up $12,000!!!  I mean I’ve been able to save a few thousand but nothing anywhere near that amount and we’re both the same age and are about to have the same number of children.  I mean the similarities between the two of us is just crazy.

    I can promise you that if you purchase this book you will learn something.  If you’ve been in a funk as a stay at home mom or working mom who hates her job then this is the book for you.  It’s full of great resources and great advice that you can actually use and apply to your day to day life.  This is just book one of her Make It Happen series and I’m already looking forward to book 2!!

    And for those of you who are still a little hesitant about getting the book, stay tuned to my blog and watch as I actually use the tips, suggestions and advice from Tara’s book.  I want to prove to you that this is not just a get rich quick scheme of writing a self help guide but that she is truly compassionate about sharing the tricks of the trade that helped her get where she is.  She overcame a lot of obstacles and stereotypes that we young moms face and I thank her for sharing her story.

    I’m looking forward to being able to be like Chris Brown and say ” Look at me now!!”  Go get the book if you haven’t already and let it inspire and motivate you. Also, don’t forget to check out her blog for even more tips and keep it real conversation on motherhood, relationships, finances, etc.

  • Happy Mother’s Day

    Today, I celebrate my fourth Mother’s Day and all I think about is how blessed I am to be a mom.  I have been reading several blogs of ladies who are trying to have kids and haven’t had any success or found out that they couldn’t.  It makes me appreciative of motherhood that much more.  Also, knowing my husband’s story and his foster care situation makes me appreciate my mom so much more as well.

    So, Mother’s Day is certainly about more than the gifts and the cards for me.  And hopefully this Mother’s Day has served as a reminder of what we have to be thankful for.

    Happy Mother’s Day! 

  • Wordless Wednesday: Grilling Season

    I want this!!

  • Tell Us Something Good: Joy of Family

    The Life of Rylie...and Bryce too!
    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!

  • SOUTHPARK MALL CELEBRATES MOMS AT NATIONAL MOM’S NITE OUT ON MAY 5

    Free event celebrates mothers with an evening of food, fun,
    entertainment, shopping, prize giveaways and more
    CHARLOTTE, NC (April 27, 2011) – SouthPark invites moms to let their hair down at the 3rd Annual National Mom’s Nite Out onThursday, May 5 at from 5 to 7 p.m. in Center Court. This free event is a guilt-free excuse for moms to take the night off to relax and enjoy a celebration of motherhood. 


    Moms will join together for a well-deserved break to socialize and relax at this event featuring networking, pampering stations, food and beverage sampling, shopping incentives, sampling of products and giveaways from a variety of SouthPark stores including Aveda, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Elements Theurapeutics Massage, Coldwater Creek, Aerosoles and many more. The first 200 guests will also receive swag bags filled with products, samples, and coupons from vendors such as Vera Bradley, L’Occitiane, Francescas Collections, Michael Kors, Origins, The Body Shop, Bare Escentuals and more! This free event is sponsored by StriVectin.
    “We’re thrilled to be participating in National Mom’s Nite Out with Simon Malls and look forward to rewarding moms with free StriVectin samples, a giveaway and a special gift with purchase just for attendees,” said Jill Scalamandre, Chief Marketing Officer for StriVectin.
    Fifteen million moms are expected to take part in this national event. Moms across the United States will unite in celebrating motherhood with each other via local and national events as well as cyber celebrations. Organized by Maria Bailey, CEO of BSM Media, author and Mom Talk Radio host, National Mom’s Nite Out unites social media groups, companies, local playgroups, mom bloggers and networks in giving moms a well-deserved night off. Bailey organized the first National Mom’s Nite Out after watching moms take care of everyone else on Mother’s Day, but never themselves.
    SouthPark moms in need of some fashion advice can attend a Style Recipes session led by Charlotte’s resident style-expert, Missus Smarty Pants. Many women have no idea what it takes to create an amazing wardrobe. Impulse purchase after impulse purchase they still have nothing to wear, yet closets are packed full of clothes! Sound familiar? Wardrobe planning is a lot like meal planning. Bring together the correct ingredients in the proper order and a stylish outfit is a no brainer! Wardrobe success is about having flexible “go-to” pieces that create a variety of outfits – and Missus Smarty Pants will show you how!
                                                    
    “We created National Mom’s Nite Out because so many of today’s mothers spend Mother’s Day focused on catering to the needs of others” said Maria Bailey, National Mom’s Nite Out organizer and mother of four. “We decided that moms deserve one night off from cooking, cleaning and responsibility and need time to celebrate motherhood with each other.” Simon Property Group is hosting National Mom’s Nite Out at 115 of its malls across the country. All activities are free and open to moms of all ages.
    About SouthPark
    Located in the heart of the SouthPark area, SouthPark, a Simon mall, is a Charlotte landmark. Originally developed in 1970, it is also one of the largest shopping malls in the region. Anchored by Nordstrom, Belk, Dillard’s, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, SouthPark offers stores ranging from luxury fashion such as Burberry and Louis Vuitton to casual staples such as J. Crew and Tommy Bahama. Seven full-service restaurants, a Food Court, Symphony Park and a beautiful outdoor amphitheater make the area a popular dining and entertainment destination. Symphony Park at SouthPark is the summer home for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra with a free concert series every Sunday during June. It is also home to the Holiday Tree Lighting, the official kick-off to the holiday season in south Charlotte. In addition, shoppers are offered even more choices at SouthPark’s newest addition, The Village, which comprises 48,000 square feet of specialty retail. This new concept of retail, dining and residential represents a unique lifestyle in the area, further enhancing the mall and village as one of the Southeast’s premier destinations. For a map and store listings, directions, events and job listings, visit www.simon.com. Visit SouthPark on Facebook and Twitter for updated mall information and events.


    About Simon Property Group
    Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest real estate company in the U.S. The Company currently owns or has an interest in 382 properties comprising 261 million square feet of gross leasable area in North America, Europe and Asia. Simon Property Group is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol SPG. For further information, visit the Simon Property Group website at www.simon.com.



    About StriVectin®
    StriVectin® is the largest independent prestige skin care company, focusing on clinical anti-aging skin care solutions. Backed by science and rigorous clinical validation, StriVectin is at the forefront of skin care technology and product innovation.  Its unique dual-use repair cream StriVectin-SD® Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks and Wrinkles™ is a best-seller around the world, and is often credited with starting the clinical cosmeceutical skin care category. StriVectin products are sold through department stores and specialty retailers in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The company maintains corporate offices in New York, NY, and Raleigh, NC, and research facilities in Tucson, AZ.
    National Mom's Nite Out 2011

  • Thankful Thursday

    Well, a lot has gone down since my last Thankful Thursday post.  It’s really made take stock of my life.  And I have to say that I am thankful that I am heading towards a more positive, productive and abundant place!!  It’s taken me a while to get my life together but the pieces are finally aligning.

    More than anything, I’m just thankful for my life, the life of my family and the good health of my unborn son.  Our car accident could have been really bad and the hospital staff could have not been able to stop me from delivering.  There are so many things that could have went much worse but didn’t.

    And I know that it was because of God and his saving grace.  I’m just so grateful that my little man is still cooking and moving around good.  Although, I’m sore and stiff and simple things like standing in the shower are a little bit more difficult now, I won’t complain.  With all the death and misfortune I’ve been seeing on the TV and reading about Twitter and in the blogs, I am way blessed.  To complain about something like back pain when families are mourning the loss of loved ones in the wake of all these tornadoes seems childish.

    Speaking of tornadoes, I am thankful that again we were spared any serious damage.  For a while when the winds got up to almost 15 mph last night, I was worried that a tornado was coming thru.  We had already had one storm and so I thought it had passed on.  But again God was watching over us.  I’m thankful that none of my friends or family were hurt or affected either.

    Also, I just want to thank everyone again who has been so supportive of YUMMommy and shown concern for me and my family.  I’m telling you that some of the friendships I’ve formed through my blog and Twitter and Facebook are stronger than some of the bonds I have with friends I inactive with in real life. It’s crazy but true. And I greatly appreciate it. I don’t take any of my friendships for granted.

    As you go throughout your day, I hope the you will find yourself reflecting on your many blessings.

    After all, what do you have to be thankful for this Thursday?

  • Lessons of Motherhood

    I’m sure that when many of us think of Mother’s Day thoughts of personalized gifts for mom and Mother’s Day cards fill our heads.  And some of us are even thinking of all the party invitations to Mother’s Day related events and dinners that we’ve received. Yes, believe it or not Mother’s Day is a huge deal!!

    Honestly, I never knew how truly big Mother’s Day was until I became a mom myself.  And no it wasn’t because of the gifts, the cards or all the kind words I received from husband, family and friends.  I tell anyone who’ll listen that motherhood has really changed and impacted my life in a way that nothing else has or could have.  As this Mother’s Day 2011 approaches I’m taking the time to reflect on some of the valuable lessons that I’ve learned thus far like:

    ~Any woman can be a mother but it takes truly responsible, capable, loving and willing individual to be a mom
    ~Creating life is the greatest magic trick God has enable us to have
    ~Patience, happiness and sanity go hand in hand
    ~The journey to a strong spiritual foundation and personal relationship with God is learned by the example we set
    ~Save every Mother’s Day card because children grow so fast and this way we’ll have reminders of how much they love us once they fly the nest
    ~Even children like know they appreciated no matter how small, big, young or old they are
    ~Teaching children about their roots is the key to establishing self acceptance, self love and appreciation for where they are now
    ~Listen to what your children are saying instead of telling them what you think they’re saying
    ~Encourage them to dream
    ~Saying ‘I love you’ is a big deal
    ~Allow children to make mistakes because life is about learning lessons
    ~Starting your own family traditions helps to make great memories
    ~Be yourself and your children will love you more for it
    I’m sure that as I continue on this motherhood journey, I will learn new lessons.  How has being a mom impacted your life?  What lessons have you learned?

    *This post was sponsored by Shutterfly.com.  However, all opinions expressed are original and solely my own.  Are you a blogger? Click here to sign up for a chance to receive 50 FREE cards from Shutterfly.*