Mommy's Gone Shopping Again

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Kick June off in Harrisonburg Virginia

Kick June off in Harrisonburg Virginia #travel #virginiaisforlovers

Ready to kick June off in Harrisonburg Virginia?

  Photo courtesy of Visit Harrisonburg

  Virginia is in full bloom in June and a trip to Harrisonburg is the perfect place to kick off Summer!  Is someone in your family into the Arts Scene? Culture Scene? celebrating the 4th of July in style? or an avid outdoorsmen? If so, then a trip to the area is in order!

    The Arts:

  Starting in  June, you…

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Talking, Money and Family

6 Ways To Talk About Money With Your Family Finance Cuts To Our Emotional Roots, Money Professional Says

*This is a guest post by Less Stoerzinger

When we think about money, let’s be honest – we’re not talking about just money, but also a host of related consequences and deeply felt emotions, says retirement specialist Lee Stoerzinger.

“Money cuts to the emotional roots of every human issue,”…

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Pop-Arty! a B. creative toy by B. toys

Pop-Arty! a B. creative toy by B. toys #ad #toyreviews

We recently received the Pop-Arty from B. toys for our review.  All opinions are our own and not influenced in any way.

      We are always looking for ways to help our youngest improve her fine gross motor skills and to use both hands.  Ever since she was a baby, she prefers using just her right hand.  She has strength in her left hand and will use it, but would rather just have a dominant…

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The Fifth Sister - From Victim to Victor

  We received a complimentary copy of the book, The Fifth Sister – From Victim to Victor – Overcoming Child Abuse by Laura Landgraf for our review.  All opinions are our own.  This post may contain affiliate links.

    When I was in my college, my thesis during one of my English Lit classes was on Child Abuse.  The stories, the facts, the stats and the research, at times became overwhelming. …

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National Park Service 100th Anniversary!

How are you celebrating the National Park Service 100th Anniversary?     On August 25, 2016, the National Park Service will be celebrating their 100th Anniversary and during the week of April 16 – 24, 2016 is National Park Week.   Our family will be celebrating by visiting as many parks as we can this year as well as start recording each visit.  Last week, we were in the Great Smoky Mountains…

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Natural Tunnel State Park

Natural Tunnel State Park

During our Spring Break trip, instead of hitting our normal route to Tennessee, we discovered a totally new way to go.  Sometimes you have to take a new direction so you can discover places you have never seen.  One new discovery on this family trip was the Natural Tunnel State Park .

    Our family always tries to make time to stop and explore our State Parks!  Our country is such a beautiful…

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Summer Travel Life Hacks!

Summer Travel Life Hacks! #traveltuesday

I am always on the lookout for Summer Travel Life Hacks!  There is never a time to not discover a new travel hack!  I love finding ingenious ideas!  Inventors always amazing me at what they come up with!!  Their ideas never fail to surprise me!

  I recently came across some really neat Summer Travel Life Hacks that I wanted to share with you!

        The active summer traveler will appreciate…

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“Don’t Bother,” Challenges of the Invisible Caregivers

“Don’t Bother,” Challenges of the Invisible Caregivers  By Pamela D. Wilson, CSA, MS, BS/BA, CG

*This is a guest post

      “Don’t bother working with her, you got what you got.” Distressing words—some might call advice—from a physician informing a couple, who were my friends, that their daughter was diagnosed with autism.

Fortunately they ignored the physician’s advice and made every effort to…

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The Mountains are calling me home

The Mountains are calling me home

The Mountains are calling me home and it’s time I go.

    Is there somewhere, besides where you normally reside, that is your “other” home?   I have another home.  It’s the mountains.

  My family is from the South and even though I grew up in the North,  my heart is in the South.  There is just something about the mountains.   It’s as if the rat race disappears, the clean mountain air feels your…

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A Great Ape in Pigeon Forge?

A Great Ape in Pigeon Forge? #travel @pigeonforgewax @usfg #ad

Did I just put the words, “A Great Ape in Pigeon Forge? together in a sentence?  Yes, why yes I did!

      Enormous fan awaits your family below the Great Ape of Pigeon Forge! But the 40,000-pound primate isn’t the only star you’ll see at the world-famous Hollywood Wax Museum.

    In fact, you can pose with the biggest stars, while learning about their pets, pet peeves, and accomplishments.

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5 Reasons to Visit the EOD Memorial Wall

5 Reasons to Visit the EOD Memorial Wall #travel #EODmemorialwall

  As a parent and as an American, I believe that it is always important for our children to know about our military, our veterans and to learn that one of the most important things we can do is honor them.  Without our veterans, we wouldn’t have the freedoms that we have now and that is something we must never ever forget.

When I heard about this memorial, I knew I had to share about it.  I know…

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2016 Spring Hot Tub Trends

2016 Spring Hot Tub Trends #spring #relaxation

2016 Spring Hot Tub Trends….isn’t that a lovely thought!  SPRING!  or should I say thoughts! HOT TUB!!  We spend a lot of our time in our hot tub!  It’s great for relaxing and spending time with your family!

  hp photosmart 720 – photo courtesy of Arctic Spas

  I have to admit we usually don’t let anyone besides family in our hot tub, but I know many people who let their friends and family…

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National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day

National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day #nationalpeanutbutterjellyday

How do you celebrate National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day?

      I do love a good PB & J!  Even as an adult there are days when I am craving one.  Maybe it’s the childhood memories.  Maybe it’s the desire for something sweet and salty.  I’m not sure what it is, however, I do enjoy them!

  We were not compensated for mentioning Nairn’s in this post.  I heard about their oat cookies and thought I…

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Genius: The Game

Genius: The Game #bookreview #YAbookreview

We received a complimentary copy of Genius: The Game for review.  All opinions are our own and not influenced in any way.

  GENIUS: THE GAME. This book takes you on a wild ride with three teens that are gifted with individual talents and are from all around the world.

    About the Book:

Available May 3rd from Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan, GENIUS: THE GAME is an inspiring and…

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KoalaSafe - Monitoring Kids' Internet Activity

KoalaSafe - Monitoring Kids' Internet Activity #ad

We received a complimentary sample of the KoalaSafe to try in our home.  All opinions are our own and not influenced in anyway.

  Are your kids on the internet?  Mine are.  We have pretty strict rules for our teen and internet usage.  She’s always asking us why she can’t be on Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, etc.  Some of her school mates give her grief because she’s not.  We’ve told her…

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Shopping While Traveling

Shopping while traveling?  Do you plan shopping trips around your travels?  I sure do!

        I am always looking for outlet malls or mall ahead signs!  Sad I know, but I happen to love shopping and will try to shop whenever I can! It’s in my blood as they say (even though I must add that my Mom absolutely despises shopping! She will shop for only what she needs and that’s it.  I got it from my…

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Losing A Loved One

Losing A Loved One #family #dealingwithloss

Losing A Loved One

  Do we ever accept a loved one’s death?

  Losing A Loved One………I’ve been sitting here thinking about my Dad after hearing, “Wish You Could Be Here” by Cole Swindell.  My Dad passed away several years ago and there are days when the pain is just as real as it was that morning getting the call.

  We never had time to prepare.  Which, I totally get it; even if he had developed…

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