Impressive Cutting Board!

My cutting board had seen better days, much better. To be honest, it was probably harboring all sorts of nasty bacteria.

This cutting board by La Mia Cucina is much nicer than I could have expected! 

It is extra large, 17.5 x 12 to be exact! That is pretty darn big! 

The other day we made tacos. Everyone likes to make their own and no one wants their food to "mingle" with other foods. I was able to chop the lettuce and tomato and have it completely separated on the board.

It is made of organic bamboo which is eco friendly and harder and more durable than wood.  Since its been specially treated it discourages the growth of bacteria!

Overall, this is a great cutting board and an excellent value. Check it out on Amazon.

I received this product at a discount in exchange for my HONEST review.

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The High Pressure Nozzle that wasn't...

I was really excited about this nozzle, I mean, come on just look at it! That is one sexy looking nozzle, don't you think? This thing is gorgeous! Its super heavy duty with a durable metal body and trigger. Its covered with a high-quality PVC to protect it against rust and corrosion. 

The trigger fits comfortably in your hand.

Beyond the look and feel of the nozzle, I know nothing.

Know why? Because I can't use it!

Know why? Because it didn't come with the quick release connector for the hose. Its shown on the box and it is suppose to be included, but it wasn't.

I e-mailed the company 2 weeks ago when i received the nozzle but I haven't gotten a response.

If I do get the connector, I will be sure to update my review. I'm sure its a great nozzle. Check out the dog in the picture! He's having a great time!

Check it out on Amazon.

I received this product at a discount in exchange for my HONEST review.

Continue reading The High Pressure Nozzle that wasn't...

Exercise rollers are AWESOME!

As someone who doesn't workout regularly, I struggle with sore muscles after even the shortest workout.
I use this roller to help extend my stretches in a gentle way. 
It is really well made and I have noticed that it doesn't give under pressure.
They have three colors available, black, a sea foam blue and pink.
I typically keep it under my desk. Sounds odd, right? But I spend a lot of time at the computer and I am able to roll it under my feet. I use it with my feet flat and with my feet on the sides. It feels really good. Its like having a tiny masseuse under my desk.
Lucky for me that my kids like to see momma happy. They ask me to lay down so that they can roll it over my back. They will be amazing husbands one day!
I haven't even tapped on all of the uses for this roller.

Check it out on Amazon.
I received this product at a discount in exchange for my HONEST review. 

Continue reading Exercise rollers are AWESOME!

Pest Repellent that really works!

I love my chickens and ducks,  but they don't respect boundaries!

I have an area in the backyard where I planted a couple of bushes. My critters think its a buffet put there for them to enjoy.
I considered putting up a small fence, but dang, that would take away from the landscaping!
When I found this, I hoped that it would do the trick... I had my doubts, those ducks are pretty stubborn.
Believe it or not, after 2 weeks, they don't go in that area at all! I am completely shocked! My dog doesn't even go in there anymore.
I completely recommend this pest repellent!

It was easy to set up. Just pop the support pieces together and insert it into the unit. Put it where you need to keep the critters out. Sit back and enjoy!
Check it out on Amazon.
I received this product at a discount in exchange for my HONEST review.

Continue reading Pest Repellent that really works!

Perfect beer mug!!

This big 'ole dimpled glass mug is so cool looking. Its really thick and heavy. It easily holds a bottle of beer.
Somehow everything tastes better in this mug. Throw it in the freezer for a bit prior to filling and its even better!
I like having unusual mugs and glasses to serve guests to make them feel special.

This mug dishwasher, fridge and microwave safe.
Check it out on Amazon.
I received this mug at a discount in exchange for my HONEST review.

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Environment Friendly - Stainless Steel Straws - No Seriously!

Reusable stainless steel straws? I thought it was weird too. 
Apparently, they don't harbor bacteria the same way that typical plastic straws do.
They are dishwasher safe, but since they come with a brush, I just run that through them. I don't think the dishwasher would do a sufficient job getting them clean. 

I love the look of them. 

I always drink iced tea and I would swear that these straws keep the drink cold longer. I don't know that its true but it seems like they do to me.
Obviously they are better for the environment than plastic straws. Last week my 5 year old animal lover and I watched a show with rescuers pulled an entire plastic straw from the nostril of a sea turtle. He refuses to use plastic straws now. I love that kid!
Check them out on Amazon, right now for the set of 5 and the cleaning brush they are only $10!
I received this product at a discount in exchange for my HONEST review.

Continue reading Environment Friendly - Stainless Steel Straws - No Seriously!

A Great Set of Heavy Duty Magnets

This is such a great set of magnets!

They are great for the obvious things, the fridge, dishwasher white board. But since they are CRAZY strong they are way more fun than the average refrigerator magnet!
We have had fun testing them out to see how much each one will hold. Lets just say a lot more than a regular magnet. 
They are super strong and a bit hard for the kids to remove (hee hee hee), but with the lip all the way around, your finger fits right under to pop it up.
They are great looking, its nice to have a set of magnets that match. 
Check it out on Amazon, because right now this 10 pack of magnets is only $9.99.
I received this product at a discount in exchange for my HONEST review.

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Welcome...

This was us at Christmas of 2014...

This is me and the four boys that fill my heart, my days and tolerate my craziness.

Fast forward to today...

Our life has been filled trying to find a new normal.

How to accept our new normal. 

How to put on a happy face. 

How to be happy for our boys, Logan and Liam.

How to teach them acceptance,

when we can't accept things ourselves.

For 8 years it was just Jon, Connor and I.

Our world, our ENTIRE world was Connor. 

Connor lost a tooth that day & Logan moved
to the step down unit of the NICU

When Connor was 8, in 2007 I got pregnant with Logan and Riley. They were identical twins. They developed Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome. I helped to co-author a book called Forever Linked A Mother's Journey Through Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. We had emergency laser surgery when I was 18 weeks pregnant in the hopes to save them. I was on bed rest until 28 weeks when they were born. Riley died when they were 4 days old. Logan had heart surgery when he was 6 days old. He was the smallest baby to have had the procedure. The hospital included a story about how he overcame the odds called A Tiny Heart in their quarterly magazine. Logan spent 11 weeks in the NICU. 

We learned to lean on each other, to appreciate each other.

In 2011 our rainbow baby, Liam was born

Connor's first question -
What color is his hair?!
He couldn't believe it wasn't red!

He brought us such hope and happiness.

Most of all he brought us a great deal of healing. 

He reminded us how much we had, how lucky we were.

His birth without intention bought the sunshine back into our lives. 

In 2013 we moved to North Carolina 

     

Connor on the way home
with his new pup. 

Our move was primarily to raise the boys in a slower world. We had everything we had hoped. 
We had chickens and ducks. 
We even had 13 baby ducks the first summer. 

4th of July 2014. We all made tie-dye shirts and played games.

Our kids were thrilled. 

We were elated. 

Connor had wanted a dog. 
We had gotten a giant lap dog, a Pyrenees named Finley.

Life was great. 

In 2015, Connor was homeschooling. He was preparing for the rest of his life. He wanted to go into the entertainment industry. We wanted him to be realistic. We were looking into college courses that he could take during high school. Everything was falling into place.

In August of 2015 Connor had surgery to correct his broken nose. He came home very much out of it. Less than 48 hours later he was in cardiac arrest in our living room. 

This was not how things should have gone.

We spent 12 hours in the hospital. He was gone. We were forced to remove life support. That day we became more broken than I could have ever imagined possible.

Now 6 months later, I can't say we have been able to pick up the pieces. We have swept them into a pile. We are dealing. Some days are better than others, but few are great. I can't remember a genuinely great day in the last 6 months.

We will get better, we have to. We will never forget what we lost. We have to focus on what we had. Connor was amazing, I was often told that he was an old soul. My heart hurts everyday.

We put on our happy face and get through it. We have to...

I will be updating often. I'm a bit of an oversharer.....If you enjoy wierdos, your in the right place. Stick around and you'll soon agree!

Continue reading Welcome...