Ripley's Believe or Not : St. Augustine, Florida: Your Visit : Contact Us

Ripley's Believe or Not : St. Augustine, Florida: Your Visit : Contact Us

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Thinking of going here tommorrow :) just kinda winging it we shall see where the day takes us

Buy By Mom Blog: Tastefully Simple (Giveaway - 8/12)

Buy By Mom Blog: Tastefully Simple (Giveaway - 8/12)

Another giveaway....and this is a YUMMY one!!!!!
I LOVE food!!! I think probably too much, Tastefully Simple, has some really great products. Know I have heard of them before but never had the oppertunity to check out a catalog or see any of their items.....and I have to say I deffinetly think I will be ordering some of my own regarless of If I win or not.
One of my "Big" daily treats for the day is making a smoothie of somesort, they have a White Chocolate Mousee Chiller that just looks delicious....and for under $10 its a great "Me"gift.
Check out the link or go to www.buybymom.com for all the other Great giveaways .... :)

Buy By Mom Blog: Angela Vinez Designs (Giveaway - 8/10)

Buy By Mom Blog: Angela Vinez Designs (Giveaway - 8/10)

Alright so all these links I have been posting here and on Facebook they all begin with this wonderful lady and owner of www.buybymom.com ....ANGIE, she is an amazing mom of 5 ( yes there are other crazy ladies like me out there) and she is SUPER talented. I dont know how she does it all, but she is truley amazing. She herself is offering a great giveaway this week, but before you enter be sure you check her other site
Angela Vinez Designs.....I cant even begin to tell you the adorable items she has.....my personal favorite is the "Drew Bag" that you can personalize with your childs picture....and all that know me know how much I LOVE personalized items ....especially when it comes to my kids. So check out her site and tell her that Julie sent you over ;)

Buy By Mom Blog: K.J. Designs & Boutique (Giveaway - 8/8)

Buy By Mom Blog: K.J. Designs & Boutique (Giveaway - 8/8)

So I'am a huge fan of jewelry especially handmade, Angie on www.buybymom.com has another great give away. Click the link above to see these beautiful one of a kind pieces, also wickless candles and more :)

July 28th

Well another few weeks have passed and its time for me to jot my thoughts down.

Alans Parents came out for a visit this past weekend, I have to say it was a very nice visit other than being totally pooped out....Alan was away to Orlando for the entire week, so I was running the show solo....now you would think I do this all the time I would be used to it, but just starting work again, and back to having trouble sleeping, I was exhausted when Friday came and that was the day both Alan and his parents arrived.

It was nice that the kids got some attention from someone other than Mommy & Daddy. They took both Melissa & Jordan out golfing, His mom let Mallory make a Banana Cream pie with her ( a tradition everytime we see his parents) and took the little boys out to get some Thomas Trains. Sunday we all went to the Tallahassee Mall and they got each of the kids new clothes for school. This was a HUGE treat as we dont have granparents, aunts, or uncles who do things like that for the kids.....they ONLY get gifts for Birthdays and Christmas....so this was a really big deal for them.....and for us too.

I'am on my last few weeks of the Paxil....this is my lowest dose and although it is wreaking havock on my sleep patterns....I'am so HAPPY to be almost done. The headaches & nausea are getting much better, but I'am back to being up all night....such a pain, but maybe once the kids are in school I can at least take a nap during the day.

I have also been trying to look online about acupuncture and natural remedies....

My back is also having major issues but that is purely from carrying and giving birth to 7 babies......which really has done some damage. Jordan ( love him to death) but swear he is the one who did me in, and then Mallory being a big baby 8lbs 9oz shortly after him and so on and so on.....I just need to get it back to where it was.

Alan is on vacation the remainder of the week, we are heading out to Amelia Island on Thursday , I'am looking forward to watching the kids find shells and relax on the beach, before Monday when they all go back to school.....so hard to believe!!!

Meghan also starts school this week back at Paul Mitchell and also tries for her license tommorrow.....She really needs this so I hope it goes well. She is SO incredibly artistic, she has been making things to sell on Etsy...and recently made me a shirt for someone as a birthday gift.....It came out AMAZING!!! It was for a little boy and it was Power Rangers with the little boys name , all hand painted and truley one of a kind.,.....I will post pictures when I can.

For now here is a picture of Marley.....she is getting so big!!!! Thank goodness for the internet becuase we miss them so much .

Buy By Mom Blog: Contempo Jewelry Designs (Giveaway - 8/1)

Buy By Mom Blog: Contempo Jewelry Designs (Giveaway - 8/1)

Here is a link for another give away on www.buybymom.com
I'am such a fan of homemade jewelry, and Contemp Jewlry Designs have such unique and beautfil items I had to share them.
for the past year or so I have become such a fan of ETSY and have been purchasing many items for all sorts of differnt sellers, all of them are
handmade and one of a kind. I'am so happy to have found another place to shop for myself and gifts as well :)

July 18th

Another Saturday....another day of yard work.....Jordans new chore is to take care of the yard, with the size yard we now have he has been really looking forward to using the tractor and having this be "his" thing. Today he not only finished mowing the yard, but also used the edger and did the edging too, even took the blower and blew all the trimmings off the walkways and weeded the beds. He did such a good job and it was so cute as he let Jarrett steer while he held the gas down.

Both Jordan and Melissa finished golf camp this week and had a great time. I was really impressed in all that our local YMCA does for the kids. The camp provided breakfast , lunch, hats, a picture with certificate and busing back and forth to the local golf course...not bad for $80 which is what I paid in Massachusettes for 3 days.....totally did not even compare.

Mallory did the Camp Piney Woods through the YMCA where it ran from 7:30-5:30 all week. She got so much out of it as well..... horseback riding, archery,canoeing,B.B guns, arts & crafts....again cant believe how much they do for the kids there....really impressive. Mallory went with Diana the girl across the street as well as one of the girls that live down the street.

Long days here.....Alans entire week was long working 70+ hours and then top it off he is away all of next week for a convention in Orlando.

I'am pooped cant seem to get caught up on sleep with Jonathan NOT sleeping, I feel bad when he wakes up crying that it will wake Alan that I always go in and get him.....next week that will not be happening, this baby needs to get back on his sleep schedule, which has been the hardest part of our move......I miss my good sleeper :(

I dislocated my knee last Sunday, Alan was pretty horrified .....and I think even more so as I popped it back into place.....it has been feeling pretty sore and gave out the next day when I was trying to get the kids in the "Bus" not only did I give myself a giant bruise from the length of my knee cap to my ankle, but I looked like such a fool falling FLAT on my butt!!!

As of this week I officially started work for Alan, doing the customer complaints, cash audits and making gift baskets.....right now my bedroom is a disaster full of baskets and candy.....my kids and myself are finding it WAY to tempting not to sneak into all the goodies.

Well off to bed here.....new week soon.

Keeping my fingers crossed this baby sleeps for his momma tonight.

I WON!!!!!

So a few weeks ago I was entering one of the great giveaways at 5minutes4mom for a super cool experiance to be trainer for a day at SeaWorld or Busch Gardens. I NEVER win anything but said to Alan " I REALLY would love to win this" My Children are such hands on outdoor kids so this would be just perfect......and now that we live less than 4hrs away from Orlando its a "do-able" trip not having to pay for 8+ peoples airfair plus we have our time share that we could use to stay in.

Well I logged on this morning to see that I WON!!!!!! I seriously thought at first that I must be reading it wrong.....but when I logged on to thier site sure enough #67 was me :)

So we have a year to use it.....Thinking it might be a really cool gift for Melissa .
Its such an oppertunity of a lifetime I still cant believe I won.

Guess it pays off to be a super thrifty, bargin hunting, coupon clipping, contest entering Mom of Seven :)

A Day at the Coast

So this weekend we took a drive down to Panama City to see the Gulf Coast......It was simply breathtaking. The beach looked just like you see in pictures with that blue/green water that you could see the sand at the bottom, and it was WARM!!!! probably a good 80' so we all enjoyed riding waves in.....although not being very experianced, I lost my balance a few times....was a pretty comical sight.

I can even describe how much the kids loved it.....from searching for shells , to just sitting and letting the water hit their toes, and going what looked so far out from the shore....We had such a good time just sitting back watching them.......and watching them enjoy one another....not one fight!!!!!

We went to dinner at a place called Reggae J's it got the kids attention with all the bright colors, we beat the rush and had almost the entire resturaunt by ourselfs, which we always love when all the kids are with us....but really everyone was well behaved and I got our dinner in ALL under my budget....gotta love that.

Today the older kids started camp.....everyone out of the house by 7:15 so its me and my little ones until 5:30 tonight.....Makenna already has a "plan" of what we are all doing.....so she is going to make sure I stay busy :)

Off to catch up on all the giveaways I have missed signing up for this weekend.

http://www.5minutesforgiveaways.com/388/bra-barrette

THIS is a MUST have for all you ladies......check out the link and enter to win!!!!

Its FRIDAY!!!!!!!

Jonathan swimming underwater to daddy

M
Mallory's First fish this year

Jarrett riding his bike.

Yay, yay, yay......Friday is finally here.

Its been a long week, but it turned out to be a nice one. I'am getting back into the swing of things here as well as the kids. We have been having daily "Tea Parties" with Makenna.....its her new favorite thing to do.....we found an old tea set while I was unpacking and she could not wait to use it, today she dressed up in this thick heavy dance custume....mind you she looked adorable, but the neighbors must of thought she was insane wearing it in 90' weather playing outside, she really is such a character.

Mallory and Melissa have been playing with the two girls across the street Dara & Diana, both of similar ages to them, they have been spending alot of time swimming in the pool or riding bikes in the neighborhood, but it still is not the same as having their best buddies here with them. Melissa & Kaylee have been chatting on Facebook together and Mallory and Lizzie have also talked on the phone....they are equally driving me crazy thinking that we can just up and fly down on a seconds notice, I feel bad but also excited for the day that the can see each other either here or there. Both of them start camp next week and are REALLY excited. Mallory is doing Horseback riding camp and I know she is just going to have so much fun. Melissa & Jordan are doing golf camp and I'am hoping that they both meet some new friends that they will be going to school with.

Jarrett is still his "Momma's" boy he loves being at my side at all time which I dont mind, Its funny though I can see in just the past month how much he has changed. He is a SUPER swimmer and can keep right up with the older children, and he has completely mastered riding a bike with no training wheels....He is SOOOO proud of himself, however thats all he wants us to do is "watch" him riding .

My little Jonathan is still being catered to by all his brothers & sisters....the kids fight over him daily on who is going to put him to bed....I for one dont care as long as he is sleeping. He also learned to swim.....no floaties, just jumps right in and swims under water to you, he is truley our youngest swimmer yet.

We got to see Marley on the webcam the other day .....she looked so sweet standing and walking....I just wanted to reach in and grab her.

Alan is off now for the next two days...I think we might head to the Gulf Coast this weekend...we were told you can see the dolphins right from the shore and their are lots of shells.....I dont know who will enjoy it more me or the kids :)

Smelly Washer (Review & Giveaway - 7/21) | 5 Vinez Monkeys

Smelly Washer (Review & Giveaway - 7/21) 5 Vinez Monkeys

O.k so a fellow mom of many and owner of www.buybymom.com
is having a great giveaway on a really cool new product called Smelly Washer it eliminates oders that your washing machine may get for numerous reasons, over usage, liquid detergents, ect....take a look . I'am not exagerating when I say I do an average of 5 loads of laundry a day......at least 2 of them being for towels from the pool and the bathrooms.
When we moved into the new house we went out and purchased ALL white towels for the 3 bathrooms just so that I could pour straight bleach in them to get them clean and smell FRESH!!! ( I also did the same thing with our sheets) . Regardless of if I win this super giveaway this is a product I will deffinetly purchase and try.

Decisions....decisions...

The picture with the scrolled iron crosses & frame is from a catalog....that is what I'am "thinking" of doing over that open space above the couch.

This is our bedroom which has a large sitting room that has french doors onto the deck. This is what we came up with this weekend that Alan hung up....I think it came out really nice.....sorry about the glare....but they are all photos of my children....I love it!!

O.k So moving into the new house we are finding that NOTHING fits or looks they way it did in the other house, for the most part we have just had to move things around and get creative.

My biggest challenge is the wall in the Living room.....Its a big open space and I just dont know what to put there. I 'am posting a picture of what I'am "thinking" of doing. but would love any feedback or suggestions??

Buy By Mom Blog: On A Whimsy (Review & Giveaway - 7/20)

Buy By Mom Blog: On A Whimsy (Review & Giveaway - 7/20)

Yet another Terrific giveway from www.Buybymom.com . This one is for a darling inital bottlecap necklace from On a Whimsy. As a mom of four girls I love all things cute & unique for them as sisters to match.....and what is cuter than being able to display thier intials ( all my girls names start with an "M") She has many different designs and even Bows & decorations to "Girly" up the Cr@cs my kids adore!! So if you have a chance check out these two great sites.....and the best part.....ALL products are made or sold by Moms!!!

Buy By Mom Blog: Sandra with Tupperware (Review & Giveaway - 7/15)

Buy By Mom Blog: Sandra with Tupperware (Review & Giveaway - 7/15)

I'am a huge fan of Tupperware. I love that they are super durable and last forever, I have some pieces that were actually my moms. I was so excited to see this giveaway that Sandra from Tupperware is having on Buy by mom I just had to mention it here. With a new house and lots of new cabinet space I would love to fill it up with some Tupperware :)

The Audience watching the show

Let the fireworks begin!!!!!

Our 4th of July

We had a wonderful 4th of July here in our new home, as a matter of fact Alan, the kids and I all agree it was probably the best one we have ever had. We started the day out kinda just doing little things around the house, Alan invited 2 of the people that work for him over as both of them are alone with no families. I cooked up a storm in the kitchen with the help of Mallory & Melissa....Mallory has always been the little "chef" of the family and has always enjoyed helping me cook and will often take it upon herself to make brownies, smoothies, pasta or whatever else she can get her hands on, recently Melissa has been showing alot of intrest and helping out with the meals and I'am really enjoying the time we do that together.....so anyways we had cooked up a bunch of things to have for the cookout before Andy and Sergio arrived. Well they arrive with not only a CAR LOAD full of fireworks to do for the kids, but a huge fruit platter, a cold cut platter, and a cheesecake ( which is a weekness of mine ) .
Now back in Massachusettes fireworks are illegal, so when we first went to a Publix grocery store Jordan thought he hit the lottery looking at all the displays, so seeing what Andy and Sergio had brought over I swear he could not have been happier. We initially planned on setting them off by the lake, but because of the "creatures" that live down there ( poisonous snakes, snapping turtles and other bugs) we decided to light them off by the pool. The kids pulled up all the chairs and made a little audience while Andy and Jordan set them off and with each one the kids would give them a round of applause.......We did this for 2 hours and I have cranky kids today to show for it....but it really was a blast, I think this could possibly be a new 4th of July tradition for us :)

Buy By Mom Blog: Karin with Mary Kay (Review & Giveaway- 7/16)

Buy By Mom Blog: Karin with Mary Kay (Review & Giveaway- 7/16)

I have always been a Huge fan of Mary Kay. I loved it so much I became a consultant, but with 7 children at home I just did not have the energy to commit the time. I Saw Karin was featured on Buy by Mom and got all excited again.
So many great products that I loved using and looking forward to using again. While caring for my family I forgot how much I Loved to use GREAT products and often settle for cheap cosmetics or cleansers ( actually had to call a 1-800 # from the back of a product I purchased 2 weeks ago becuase my skin broke out in a HUGE rash) I NEVER had that problem when I used Mary Kay. So excited for such a wonderful giveaway!!!

Buy By Mom Blog: Suzi Homemaker's Market Tote (Review & Giveaway)

Buy By Mom Blog: Suzi Homemaker's Market Tote (Review & Giveaway)

O.K so I saw this give away a few months back and I thought I have to have this. I have gone through so many of the cheap/thin recycle bags they gave out at the local grocery store and although I love using them they just dont hold up. But this here looks so durable and not to mention its super cute. So I'am once again trying to win this through Buy by mom....Wish me luck ;)

Partial view of the lake....so relaxing to sit out there and take in all the surroundings......feels nice just to "slow" down and enjoy all that life has to offer.

Our front porch.....I LOVE having a porch with the rockers. We sit there everynight watching the children ride their bikes, and play in the front yard. Its even so peacefull watching the thunderstorms. I have to say this is my dream home.

Pictures of our new home

Typos............

Please forgive the typos and miss spelled words in the previous post. I was trying to type with Jonathan on my lap who currently has a fever of 102' and will not let me put him down :(

We made it to Georgia!!!!!!!!!!

Well its been 2 months since my last post, and gosh so much has gone on. We sold our house in Massachusettes in just 4 DAYS!!! with 3 people placing offers. I'am so glad that its done , its over with and now wer are here in our new home in Southern Georgia.

Thus far its everything I dreamed it would be. I have to say other than leaving my family behind I dont miss Mass at all not one bit. I truley feel this is where we were meant to be. I'am so Happy that we are all re-united again as a family as those 3 months of mananging all 7 children, a granbaby, a house, schools,activities, trying to pack and get a house ready ect ect was really more than one person can do.

The last 2 years as a family have had its share of Challenges, from our oldest daughters pregnancy , the birth our our Precious grandaughter, my husbands health, depression on my part, we have just had our share of trials thats for sure. But its also brought some Amazing and wonderful changes. My faith is stronger than it has ever been, I'am so happy about this.

Alan and I both agree this is a new start for us and we are so excited about it.

Our home is perfect for our Children......It has a beautiful Southern Georgia "flair" to it with my rockers on the front porch.....which we spend every night there watching the kids ride their bikes. We have a STUNNING view of the lake.....which is somthing we both always wanted was to have a home on a lake.....lots of property for the kids to roam, and a super quiet street. The kids will be going to the County Schools which are some of the best schools around. The cost of living down here is SOOOOOO much cheaper than back in Mass it truley amazing!!!

The best part is we are very happy, I have not felt this content in my life in a long time . My kids have found friends already, I have met a few nice people myself. I'am no longer under the "magnifine" glass of always being told or criticized for my life choices my my family ( yes at 35 they still believe they need to tell me what I do wrong.......our decision to have as many children as we have been blessed with is "NOT" their style")

So once again I'am hoping to make this blogging thing a daily routine, now that I actually do have some time on my hands . Even if I'am the only one who reads it to see the progress and changes in our new life down South thats good enough for me.