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Christmas is over already?

How did that happen, anyway?

I hope you all had a wonderful day!   I think my children actually caught the spirit of giving this year......and not just monetarily.  That makes this mama VERY happy.

Tying up the loose ends now so that I can reveal my big surprise. 

I might as well throw out a hint.......and start begging.

Hint:  It's nothing as exciting as being pregnant.......or in other words......I'm not pregnant.

Begging:  scratch that.  I can't beg without telling you why.  I'll beg later.
 

The Gift of Blood

When I was little my mom used to donate blood on a regular basis.

I remember sitting in a room for what seemed like forever {and ever} and then right when I thought we'd never leave I'd get to move to a table with my mom and drink an orange juice and eat graham crackers.

I understood at the time that what she was doing was important, but I thought of it as more of a job than an act of giving.

I think differently of those times now.

Jeff and I had the opportunity to donate blood {and sign up to be a marrow donor} yesterday for a local child with a rare blood condition.  We brought the children with us because we wanted them to see all of the people who were willing to give of their time (and blood) without getting anything in return except a good feeling.

I didn't expect to see the sick little boy there as well.

I was humbled.  I was glad.  I felt grateful, and I felt sad.

I'm grateful for my health and that of my children.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to see first hand the child that may benefit from my tiny donation.  I felt sad that that little boy was sick and his family was not out celebrating the season, but sitting in a blood bank watching and waiting.

I'm thankful for this sick little boy who allowed me to do something simple, something which reminded me to take every opportunity I can to do the right thing.

I'm thankful Christmas and the reminder of the birth of my Saviour....and for the blood he shed for me.

I'm thankful to all of you for taking the time out of your day to stop by and visit me and for the examples you are to others in kindess and deed.

Merry Christmas!

Wordful Wednesday-Holiday Edition

*Wordful Wednesday is for those of us that like to showcase a photo(s) but that just can't seem keep our mouths shut about it(them). If you'd like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let the words roll. Feel free to "capture" my 7 Clown Circus button (below and on the left) or simply hyperlink to my site, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky. Thanks for playing along!

Grab My Button

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"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

Is it as crazy at your house as it is at mine?

Somehow in the hustle and bustle I managed to forget about writing a Wordful Wednesday post until someone emailed me about it.

Gasp.  How that's even possible I'll never know since I thought it was routine by now.....

So, I'd like to leave you with evidence of the activity going on {Gingerbread house decorating is a tradition we cannot miss} in my household and particularly draw your attention to my kitchen counters.

Double gasp.  Stuff everywhere.

I'm trying to breathe deeply and keep my heart palpitations under control.

Merry Christmas!

*Remember, exciting news coming soon.  Keep checking back because there will be something in it for one of you!

Happy Holidays!

Can you believe the holidays are upon us?

I would be in denial, but it's not possible.

Wishing you {all my wonderful bloggy friends} a joyful holiday season filled with laughter, yummy food, warm homes, and cheerful attitudes.

I'll be pretty scarce for the rest of 2009 as I enjoy having all my children home all day long.

And, I have a big surprise to unveil to kick off the New Year.

Stay tuned.

Shout Outs

As I was going through my inbox this morning I realized that quite a few companies have contacted me to spread the word about products or campaigns that are going on now that might be on interest to you.

So, here goes:
*You know how I'm always saying I wish I could bottle time:  Well, take a gander at this new company I found:

GrowShow allows a parent to do these 2 basic things, with both aspects being truly unique in the marketplace:

1) A Unique service on the Web: Create a free and automatic time-lapse of your child's growth, using fun and easy online tools. Simply upload photos, and GrowShow does the work for you, automatically sorting them in time order. The result is a stunning slideshow that captures your child in a whole new way. This time-lapse will amaze you (the proud parent) and the friends and family you share it with.

2) A Unique product in the Home: Frame that growth sequence with our amazing new invention - the magnetically modular GrowFrame - A photo frame that actually grows .... as your child grows!

For some ideas, visit the GrowShow gallery - http://growshow.com/info/gallery

For some info on just the GrowFrame alone, please visit - http://thegrowframe.com

*My Princess Academy has just announced the launch of its 2^nd annual Princess in the City Search!  Open to aspiring princesses ages 3-12, girls can enter for the chance to win the grand prize which includes a trip to New York City and a professional princess photo shoot with Marlene Wallach, President of Wilhelmina Kids & Teens modeling agency!

In celebration of the launch of the Princess in the City Search, was hoping you might be interested in letting your readers know about the contest and giving them 20% off and $5 shipping on any order at www.MyPrincessAcademy.comusing code 20PrinFun.  

*SkinCareRx is offering a free $40 Gift Certificate with a minimum purchase of $100! The URL to share this offer is:

 http://skincarerx.com/GC.html?name=Letter+From+the+President+Viral&sendFriends=1

*NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CALLS ON KIDS TO DESIGN OCEAN FLAG
          Top Designs to be Judged by Greats in Ocean Exploration

Geographic Society invite kids to create a flag to fly on a National
Geographic research ship during the Ocean Now expedition in 2010. The Ocean
Flag Contest aims to engage children in ocean exploration and conservation.

The online contest at:  http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/contests/Ocean-flag-contest is open to kids ages 8 to 14 and will be judged by renowned ocean researchers Robert Ballard, Sylvia Earle, Enric Sala, David de Rothschild and Nancy Knowlton.

The judges will pick the top 10 designs, and kids will then vote online for the winning design. The winning flag will be hoisted above the National Geographic Ocean Now expedition ship in 2010. The winner will receive a
patch bearing his/her flag design, as well as select National Geographic books and DVDs. The contest runs until Feb. 20, 2010, and the winner will be announced online in April 2010.

*Hill Christmas Tree Company would like to help you celebrate Christmas with a free customizable holiday e-card.  You can customize the card and put it on your website or blog.  The e-card also provides you with a discount on their artificial Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands.

You can view the e-card here: http://christmastrees.balsamhill.com/ecard/widget. Just click the “send to a friend” link to customize the card.


* OTCsafety.org is doing everything they can to ensure that parents are aware of the new directions on kids’ OTC cough and cold medicines. In the December issue of Parents Magazine, there’s a brochure called Treat with Care (a copy is available on OTCsafety.org and can be ordered free of charge) – parents can tear the brochure out of the magazine and use this as a guide when determining how to treat their children who are sick with a cough or cold.

*Triaminic just launched a new idea called the National Cold & Flu Tracker campaign. "The Tracker" is an online resource that provides a weekly data feed of cold & flu symptom trends by state. For parents, being aware of the activity in their area could help them prepare for when cold and flu symptoms appear. This online tool also provides information and tips to help prevent their family from becoming sick.

The Tracker can be found here: http://youcastcorp.com/c/79/go/index.php?r=0

You might also be interested in the Sick Day Guidelines that Triaminic® partnered with the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) to create. Parents know when their kids aren’t feeling 100% - these Guidelines are aimed at helping parents decide when to keep them at home, or send them off to school.

For more information, go here.

*It looks like the PR firm for EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES (the movie with Brendan Frasier and Harrison Ford) are trying out some fun new applications help promote the movie.

"To celebrate the inspirational and positive message of the movie, CBS Films wants you to share your uplifting stories via two unique new web applications!

The INSPIRATIONAL QUILT allows you to showcast short videos of other moving stories from extraordinary people around the country. By participating, you   can win a chance to  designate a charity of your choice to receive a  $10,000  donation from CBS Films !  Official Rules can be found at http://extraordinarymeasuresthemovie.com/rules.php.  

Also, don't miss out on the TWEET ACROSS AMERICA application which allows you to view inspirational Tweets as they happen, where they happen, and see how we are all connected!"

INSPIRATIONAL QUILT: http://extraordinarymeasuresthemovie.com/#/quilt

TWEET ACROSS AMERICA: http://extraordinarymeasuresthemovie.com/#/tweetamerica

GlassesUSA.com is having a three great one-day-only sales!!


December 23: Take $25 off any order totaling over $80! Use code: almostxmas

December 24: Take $18 off any order totaling over $65! Use code: silentnight

December 25: Take 25% off any order of eyeglasses! Use code: merryxmas

Have questions? Send them an email: service@glassesusa.com or call 800-917-7083.

Wordful Wednesday-Family Portrait

*Wordful Wednesday is for those of us that like to showcase a photo(s) but that just can't seem keep our mouths shut about it(them). If you'd like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let the words roll. Feel free to "capture" my 7 Clown Circus button (below and on the left) or simply hyperlink to my site, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky. Thanks for playing along!

Grab My Button

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Remember how I told you that we had family pictures taken last month? 

I did something this year that I've never done before.

Wanna see?

Yes, that is what you think it is.  A Canvas Wrapped Print.   Isn't it fantastic? I'm SO excited.  And the best news?  Color Incorporated, the company where I got the print has offered to give you a 16X20 canvas wrapped print, too.  For more information, go here.

Color Inc. Review and Giveaway

Let me just start off by telling you how much I love this company.  Color Incorporated is a full service photo finishing lab with a commitment to the best digital product at the best possible price.  I ordered a canvas wrapped print and the product surpassed my expectations. I was satisfied with the quality, speed with which my order was processed and shipped and customer service on-line.

Color Incorporated has generously offered to give one of you a 16X20 gallery wrapped canvas picture like the one I ordered.  But different.  They won't be sending you a picture of my family.  The winner provides them with the picture they want enlarged and wrapped. 

The Rules are simple (seperate comments please):

1.  Go to Color Incorporated's website and browse around.  Come back and tell me what professional photo service they provide that most interests you.

2.  Tweet this giveaway using the message provided:
16x20 Gallery wrapped photo worth approx. $100 up for grabs: http://bit.ly/7bpKWd @angiescircus

For Extra Entries:

*Subscribe to my blog through my RSS feed
*Blog about this giveaway, linking back here.

Contest is only open to US residents and ends Wednesday the 23rd of December at 11:59 PM PDT.

Twisted Silver Glacier Earrings

Twisted Silver designers liked these earrings so much they redesigned them for the 2009 Winter Season.  Retailing for $40.00, they are a wonderful finishing touch for your outfit whether it's fancy or casual.  I personally love how the earrings look paired with jeans, boots and a solid colored sweater.

The Glacier earrings feature Swarovski crystals dangling from antiqued silver Victorian patterns.  Feminine, delicate and elegant, these capture the feel of vintage winter holiday.  They are a bit on the heavy side though, so if you have ripped lobes like mine, they might not be the best fit for you and might be better worn on your sister or friend.  :) 

If you'd like to win a pair just in time for the NEW YEAR, you must do TWO things (seperate comments please):
1.  Go to Twisted Silver's site and come back and tell me which original item you like the best.
OR
Tweet this message: 
Enter to win Twisted Silver Glacier Earrings (valued at $40) http://bit.ly/7CU87W @twistedrocks @angiescircus 


2.  Get creative and leave me a fun comment.  Not racy.  Just fun.  As in, will make me laugh.

That's it!

Don't forget to use the Twisted Silver coupon code found in my right side bar should you decide to make a purchase.

Contest Ends on Christmas Eve.  Only open to US residents.

That Universal Law

What’s that law called that exists in the Universe that makes us what what we don’t have?

You know, that law that makes people with curly hair want straight hair? People with brown eyes want blue or green and vice versa? Or, I know………people who wear glasses want perfect vision and those that don’t need glasses want them? Wait. I’m not sure that’s one of those laws. But it should be.

Can you believe that after all I went through to get perfect vision {remember this?} I miss eyeglasses? Let me clarify. I don’t miss the poor vision or the reliance on glasses or contacts to be able to function. What I miss is having a cute pair of frames I can throw on and feel a bit…….studious when I want to.

I sort of got my eye glasses fix last year when my Emma needed prescription glasses for a lack of depth perception. I had so much fun helping her pick out a few pair of frames. I LOVED her glasses. I loved her in them. I was actually sad when her eye sight corrected itself and she didn’t need them anymore.

This may be why I’m craving a pair of eyeglass frames for myself now. It’s been long enough since my Lasik surgery that I’m pretty sure Jeff just might be amiable to me getting a pair of “prop” glasses. No one needs to know that I just want them for looks.

In my search for some super affordable glasses, I found Glasses USA. I can’t believe their excellent, and by excellent I mean super affordable prices {we're talking $18 starting price for a pair of prescription single vision glasses}, and I found out that the company has a “heart”. No pair of returned glasses are restocked. Glasses USA donates all returned eyeglasses to organizations around the US who sanitize and then redistribute the glasses with the correct prescription lenses to people throughout the world who cannot afford vision care.  How great is that?

Now, no laughing when you see my in my no-prescription-lenses frames in the near future.

Disclosure: Glasses USA is helping to make my fancy for a new pair of glasses a reality!

Sleep Talking

Wanna know my thoughts on sleep talking? Go {here} to find out.

And, don't forget about the auction going on here now.

Blog, Bid, Hope

Welcome to Blog • Bid • Hope, an auction benefitting The Liz Logelin Foundation and Anissa Mayhew.

Our seven host sites will each be offering a different selection of items, so be sure to visit everyone: Adventures in Babywearing, Buried with Children, Mayhem & Moxie, Scary Mommy, 7 Clown Circus, The Extraordinary Ordinary, & Mama’s Losin’ It.

Items up for auction are:
Carolyn's Kitchen Apron
$75 Party Package
Purse And Photo Pendant
Baby Love
Sassy Apron And Soothing Suds
Personalized For your Pup

Pair of "Ohhhhhh" Earrings
Customized Canvas From Complete Silhouette
A Trio Of Girly Fun
Superhero Cape And Telescope
For The Fairy Ballerina
Sock Monkey Fun
Pocket Video Camera

Buckle Toy, Blanket, And Burp Cloths
Celtic Mist Bracelet And Reminisce Heirlooms Hair Clips
Blue Hat Radio Controlled Robot Car
$75 Gift Card To McKenna Designs
Mommy And Me Aprons And Monkey Measuring Spoons
Punkin Wear And Little Alouette

Custom Blog Header
Flipping For Phonics
Michael Buble, Wine Glasses, and Personalized Portraits
Metal Detector For Kids
Countdown To A Crafty Christmas
Little Girl Tutu and Rockin' Boy Onsies
Imaginative Play


Kids ATM
His And Hers
Princess Package
Holiday Bakers Delight
Tween Package
Little Boys Package

Poppy Clips And Room Decor
Dippin' And Dancin' With Baby
Inspire A Writer
Recycled T-Shirt Dresses
Nintendo DS Light

RC Cyclone Speed Racern
Blog Design Package Valued at $225
Space Monkey Print
Gift Set for the Baby (and Parent) On the Go
Toddler Apron and Crayon Roll
Designer Earrings

Bidding will begin at $10 and bids will increase at $2 increments. Scroll down to the connected posts, and if you see an item you'd like to bid on, simply leave a comment on that item's post stating your price. Shipping only in the US and Canada. Winners will be notified by Monday, December 14th and can send payment via Paypal.

Thank you for your participation, and happy bidding!

------------------------

Don't see anything you want to bid on? There are many other ways to help:

• Aiming Low, a community site started by Anissa, is hosting a "Shop for Anissa Day" on December 10. Visit their site for vendors who will be donating the days proceeds to Anissa and family.

• You can also donate directly by clicking below.

Kids ATM

Aimee at Ain't Yo Mama's Blog knows the value of educational toys and thoughtfully secured this toy for one lucky child.  Perfect for teaching your child the value of money management, the toy is ideal for children eight and up.  It even calculates savings as coins are deposited!

Opening bid: $10. Please place your bids in $2 increments.

His and Hers

Nothing makes you feel more special and loved than wearing this 18 inch LOVE charm necklace from Momstar, around your neck. The hearts on the necklace add a little extra love. The charms are connected with jump rings and the letter "O" and "V" are connected with a special heart connector.



And now that you look good how about something for your little guy? Some little boys were born to rock! And your choice of either one of these rockin onsies are for just that little boy. These items were donated by the Swanky Chics.

Bidding starts at $10 and increase in $2 increments.

Princess Package

Computers are a part of life and everyone wants to have one, even the little kids. Now they can with the Blue Hat Tech & Talk Activity Lap Top. This is an educational toy computer that offers a wide variety of activities like arithmetic, word spelling, music composition, time telling and more.



To go along with the adult's computer how about a My Princess Academy mouse pad and mouse? And for the little girl that wants to journal the old fashioned way -- with a paper and pen, a My Princess Academy Diary.

Opening bid: $10. Please place your bids in $2 increments.

Holiday Bakers Delight

This lovely holiday half apron, made by Vixen at ApronFrenzy is fashioned in a snowflake print against a deep, rich blue. The snowflakes are metallic silver, lighter blue and lighter purple. The pocket and apron are finished with a light blue edging and a dark blue waistband and ties. The giant pocket could do double duty; either carrying supplies or hiding goodies! It is perfect to wear while doing all that Christmas baking.



And when you do all that baking, you need to make sure you have the proper tools. Scary Mommy's vintage kitchen store Bread and Butter is here to help with that with some measuring cups, spoons and to make the kitchen full of holiday cheer, Christmas towels.

Opening bid: $10. Please place your bids in $2 increments.

Tween Package

For the tween or teen girl in your life there are a couple items she might really like. What teen doesn't want to make a personal statement in their bedroom? Well, with this from Flair4all removal wall decor, Poppy Pow, they can. Place these poppies all by themselves on a wall or group them together for a different look the best part is that you can move them around and each time create a different look.



For all those girls who love to look posh, the perfect iPurse for you. Each iPurse kit from dekoposh, inc can be customized just for you. It is the perfect way to be stylin' and carry all the things that you need.

Opening bid: $10. Please place your bids in $2 increments.

Little Boys Package

In this basket you will find something for a little boy in your life. I am sure he would love to find these items under the tree. First he can rock out to the CD 'Rockin' Rollin' and Ridin'.



Once he has danced all his energy out, its time to play with this Blue Hat Remote Control Monster Spinning Car donated by Ain't Yo Mama's Blog.

Opening bid: $10. Please place your bids in $2 increments.

Wordful Wednesday-Favorite Vacation Destination

*Wordful Wednesday is for those of us that like to showcase a photo(s) but that just can't seem keep our mouths shut about it(them). If you'd like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let the words roll. Feel free to "capture" my 7 Clown Circus button (below and on the left) or simply hyperlink to my site, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky. Thanks for playing along!

Grab My Button



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I love to travel.  If I could travel abroad with my children, or without them without feeling guilty, I would.  To be honest though, trying to plan trips with a large family is difficult logistically and financially, which is why going to Utah is one of my favorite vacation destinations.

I don't know that it would be a favorite destination if I didn't have tons of family there, and a feeling that my "heritage" is there as well.

My ancestors were pioneers and helped settle the areas they lived in.  I feel pride in that accomplishment and love to hear the stories of their tremendous feats of strength and faith.  In a weird way, when I visit I feel like I'm a part of the heritage of the state, even though I haven't lived there in many years, and certainly never did anything to "leave a mark".

Perhaps part of the pull for me to Utah is my mom.  She lived and died there, and did leave a mark.  My mom is buried in a beautiful cemetery set below on of my favorite religious edifies.  I want to be buried there too.  When I visit the Manti temple I see real artifacts that someone I'm related to lovingly created.  Even though Sanpete County hasn't ever really been my home, I feel like coming home when I visit.

Salt Lake City is also a favorite of mine.  There are so many interesting houses and buildings to be toured.  Beautiful, clean streets with old houses with character and streets set in a perfect grid.  One of my all time favorite museums is the Pioneer Museum right by the capitol.  Housed in the museum are oodles of pioneer implements and handcrafts and they sell the best honey taffy there I've ever had.

And when I say best honey taffy, I mean the best honey taffy.

What is your favorite vacation desination?

Merry Christmas....

I mean, {SITSmas}...from my family to yours!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook {Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the commencement of the Blog, Bid, Hope auction.  All this week a group of bloggers, including Buried with Children, Mayhem & Moxie, Scary Mommy, Adventures in Babywearing, The Extraordinary Ordinary, & Mama’s Losin’ It, will be working together to promote an event entitled, Blog • Bid • Hope. By hosting a three day auction, their goal is to raise money on behalf of the Liz Logelin Foundation, as well as Anissa Mayhew, a 35 year old blogger who recently suffered a stroke. The auction will offer a variety of items, including blog designs, accessories, electronics, baby gear and art. Do some good over the holiday season and donate to the members of the on-line community who need our support. More details here.}