Something to make you smile:)

Real Life, Real Moms

One of the things I love about blogging is the exchange of ideas that takes place; after all, what mom can't use a new idea every now and then!

If you are interested in a blog that brings a group of mommy bloggers all to one place, stop by and visit the Hearts at Home blog.

Hearts at Home's contributing bloggers write about motherhood, each with a unique perspective, reflecting on the spiritual, emotional and downright funny aspects of motherhood. Their group of bloggers range from professional speakers to authors to stay-at-home moms, all who share a passion for the profession of motherhood.

The Hearts at Home blog covers a variety of topics, such as practical mom tips, recipes, book reviews, and advice for tackling tough mommy issues.

Take a peek at this great resource and connect with real moms sharing real stories today!

Crock Pot Pork Chops on Rice

I've never really been a fan of Martha Stewart. I was never sure why, either. I mean, I love crafts, creating things to make people smile, and reworking things to be more my style, but I could never get into Martha's style. Kelly's blog today shows me why. I guess I may have a little more Southern style in me than I thought! I've always thought being a southern belle was so romantic, but I've always thought of myself of more the farm girl type. I'll let you check out Kelly's blog yourself, but I had to laugh when I read of Martha not ever having heard of Cream of Chicken soup or tasting Cream of Mushroom soup! Almost every casserole I make has cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup. Both are a staple in our home.

Here's one of the favorites at our house:

Crock pot Pork Chops

10 oz can fat free cream of chicken soup

1 pkg golden onion soup mix

1/2 cp fat free sour cream

(6) 4 oz lean pork chops

3 cups cooked white rice

Mix soups and sour cream together. Coat each pork chop with soup mixture and place in crock pot. Pour any remaining soup mixture over shops and cook on low for 7-8 hours. Serve over cooked rice.

Disney pictures

I've tried. I'm frustrated. I can't figure it out! I was trying to post a slide show of our Disney pictures, but I couldn't cut and paste it. So I did a direct post from Shutterfly, but it posted on my other blog. So here is the link to it. There are more, but these are the best ones. I think I totaled 130 or so pictures that day! Yes, 24 hours. Isabella had a blast! She was in awe the entire day. One statement summed it up. She looked at me with the biggest smile she could form, and said, "Mommy, I didn't know there was a real Cinderella!" She can't wait to take little sister when she gets bigger! Enjoy!

Finally!

I've been talking about it for a while. Starting a home cleaning blog. Although I severely dislike the process of getting a clean home, I LOVE having a clean home. So I have figured out a strategy that works for me, where I don't feel like I am cleaning all of the time. I hope to share this and other resources on this new blog. I hope to share ways to create a peaceful, restful, loving environment for your family. For me, its a way that I love my family. I'll still be posting on this one also. Because when I stick to my routines, I CAN keep up with two blogs! ;) Check it out! Home Full of Life Let me know what you want to hear about.

Become a Bone Marrow Donor

Patients and Families - BMT resources and information

Shared via Add This


The National Marrow Donor Program is running a Marrowthon. They are offering free kits to add yourself to the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. Usually they are $50, but until tomorrow, there is no cost! You could be the one who saves someones life through your donation.

I signed up today in honor of a mother I know who is awaiting a donor match. Melissa has non-responsive, non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She has undergone multiple treatments, none of which have been completely successful. Melissa is 32 year old loving, joyful wife of 9 years (almost!)to Doug, a surgeon, and mother to Caleb (5), Lauren (3), and Audrey (1 1/2). We are praying daily for God to perform a miracle in their lives. A bone marrow donor match may just be that miracle!
Here is an excerpt from the blog Melissa's sisters are keeping for her:

Out of the 7 million people in our country on the registry, only ONE appears right now to be a possible match for her. And that's not even definite yet. Her nurse just told me that yesterday. THAT is why it's so important that I get tons more people to join for her sake right now.
Most people hesitate to become a donor because they think either--
a) it's painful (No pain involved--it's a simple cheek swab.)
b) it's complicated (It's 30 seconds on the Internet. We easily spend 30 minutes just here on blogs or email.)
Here is the SIMPLE process:
1) Go to www.marrow.org
2) Click on "Join Registry"
3) It will ask you to agree to terms, give your name, email address, create a password, and give your mailing address.
4) They will mail you a cheek swab kit. You collect the cells and mail it back in.

Once they receive and test your sample, it AUTOMATICALLY goes into the system. Then it is immediately checked to see if it is a match. If you have any questions at all, call 1-800- Marrow2. They are very kind and helpful there. Feel free to message me too.

The registration process usually costs $50 for that initial testing, but is FREE now until June 22nd.There will never be any other cost for you. If you are a match for my sister, her insurance will cover it.

Please take a moment to do this for my sister...for her husband who is so in love with her...for her 3 small kids who need their mommy...for the rest of us, as her family and friends, who want nothing more but to have more years with her.

Take a moment to visit the sight and sign up. Maybe you've never done it because of the cost, but even that hurdle has been removed. Maybe you have some questions pertaining to your health that you are unsure as to whether you can donate. All of your questions will be answered through the registration process. Take a few minutes and register. One day, it may be you needing a donation, and you'll be eternally grateful for those who have registered.

The Italian Festival

We spent Friday night in the Fletcher Place neighborhood in downtown Indianapolis at the Italian Festival with some friends. It was a great time of enjoying some delicious food and some fun!

The Italian Festival is a fundraiser held by the local Catholic church. There are lots of food booths set up, where you could choose from Lasagna, manicotti, Italian Sausage sandwiches, meatball sandwiches, fettuccine, bread sticks, Italian Ice, Italian Lemonade, many desserts, and more! Everything was delicious!

There was also a small carnival. We spent a little bit of time there also, of course! We all got to ride the Merry-go-round. Bianca tried to get back on as we were exiting the ride. I took the girls on the Ferris wheel. It was one of the old ones, where you sit three to a chair, and can rock them (of course, we didn't! Its against the rules:). These get my stomach every time! The girls loved it! Bianca giggled the entire time, and Bella and I enjoyed the view of downtown. Finally, Daddy took Bella on the slide. She was laughing so hard going down hold Daddy's hand! Then they hit the last bump,and her laugh stopped and her eyes got really big. When she got off, Bella said, "Daddy, that last bump scared me!" We had a great time!