I KNOW you want a flip video! I KNOW i do!

WOO HOO! The Joe Review has kicked off the new Tech Thursday’s with a review and giveaway of A FLIP VIDEO CAMERA!

I know you want a Flip Video! So here is your chance! Head over to The Joe Review to read their review and enter to win!

I'm going now! Hurry up and enter this giveaway ends Thursday February 5, 2009 at 6:00AM MST!

♥ erin

The Search for the Pefect Diaper Bag

As far back as I can remember I carried a bag of some sort. In elementary school I had a pink Care Bear's suitcase that said "setting sail for Grandma's" that I carried back and forth to my Granny's house as well as a few childrens purses.

In middle school I can remember carrying a green LL Bean book bag as big as possible with all my junk worldly treasures and things that might never come in handy one way or another. I also started my purse obsession around that time. Of course then I started the cool trend with my friends of carrying things that weren't even made to be purses, as purses. Such as metal & plastic children's lunchboxes, the plastic bags from my favorite stores, Chinese food takeout boxes, anything possible with a handle that closed.

I continued that tradition in high school as well as continuing the back pack of plenty, but only this time carrying a messenger bag that if you didn't know better, could be mistaken for a small general store. I am not sure my logic on why it was so important I carried everything but the kitchen sink, but I did.

I started driving in high school and had parking space number 2. [Yes, I was that important.] But anyway, I realized I no longer needed to carry EVERYTHING in my bag, I could expand to my entire trunk. And thus was the birth of carrying separate bags for each category of items. Now I had the purse that carried all necessities, the back pack that carried all school related items and the lunch bag that went into school with me. Then in the trunk was the first aid bag, the art supply bag, the extra clothing bag, the extra coats bag, the extra shoes bag, the snacks bag, the drinks bag, the library bag, the period bag, the sports bag, etc.

Now in college this bag trend continued but by this time, my trunk was pretty full, and overflowed to the backseat. I drove from Baltimore, Maryland to York, Pennsylvania everyday. I had to be prepared and was now known amongst my peers as "Mary Poppins." I went to an art college and we had to carry a studio back pack. This thing was about as big as I am. I also had to carry my laptop bag which was huge in itself, and then also my art tackle box. SO MUCH STUFF!

Finally after college one day it just dawned on me... Why in the world do I need all this stuff? I emptied my car, emptied my purse, emptied every bag I owned, and started fresh. Sure I still keep a first aid kit, road side tool kit, and emergency supplies in the car. I still keep the necessities in my purse. But I don't carry anything unnecessary. The big key was deciding what to carry that I ACTUALLY NEED and what I will NEVER in a million years need to carry.

...Then I became a MOM.

Now not only did I need to carry my stuff, but I needed to carry Elijah's stuff. AND it had to be something Dave could carry as well and not look like a girly man. [No man purses for him!] UGH! What is important to carry and what isn't when you're a parent? Did your lists totally change from what you thought you would need to carry to what you realized you had to carry? During my pregnancy I made these cute little lists about all the cute little stuff we would carry in our diaper bags.

At first we started out with this cute little diaper bag the hospital gave us...

It was good at first. Fit nothing everything we THOUGHT we would need off that cute little list of mine.

• 5 diapers
• 1 pack of wipes
• a trial size desitin
• 2 bibs
• 1 onesie
• 1 sleep & play [you know those things that button or zip & have feet. idk what they're called]
• 1 pair of socks
• 1 Hat
• an extra can of formula
• a folder with important baby papers
• 2 bottles being held up by all the junk in the bag
• and a paci keeper hanging from the side
  

Then it happened. Christmas dinner at Dave's Aunt's house he decided to have the most massive poop us newbie parents had ever experienced! IT WAS EVERYWHERE! seriously... it was from his feet to his hair! How did this happen? We have no idea. Our only thought was that he hadn't gone in a few days, and when he did , he was in the midst of being passed around. Well apparently someone got quite the smelltastic gift when he let loose. Then we got him back just in time to sit down to dinner. So we put him right in his seat, without smelling him, or checking the rear cargo compartment. So THEN a few minutes later he looks at me and makes that "ordering food" sound, so I proceed to pick him up and feed him. I even burped him. I'm pretty sure at this point an announcement was made:

"HELLO THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING."

No... actually I missed that announcement from Captain Obvious, STILL didn't smell him and put him back in his chair to continue my Christmas feast. Then suddenly Dave & I got a whiff of something. We look at each other of course first. [No, honey, it wasn't me this time.] Then look at Elijah who is grinning from ear to ear. We scooped him up, grabbed our diaper bag and went off to the bathroom. What we discovered in there could make a homicide detective faint. Yes, it was that gruesome. I won't go into the details about how it even soaked completely through the back of his BRAND NEW Christmas outfit. I won't even go into the details of how we got it off or how we got him cleaned up. BUT what I will say is that we learned our lesson and learned that little cute bag you saw before is not enough.

We then have moved on to this bag:

Now, to the naked eye, this bag may not look like much. But, let me tell you, this is some nice luggage right here. [Really, its part of Dave's luggage set.] It's got the nice sturdy roomy middle pocket, a nice width, a big delightful sipper pocket on the front, a wide, padded, shoulder strap and yes even a place for that cute little monkey pacifier holder. Not to mention how many baby in-case-of supplies it comfortably holds.This bag contains:

• 15 diapers [5 in the front zipper part, 10 inside]
• 2 wipe cases [1 in the front zipper part, 1 inside]
• extra pack of wipes
• 2 changing pads
  
• a small zippered pack with trials of desitin, baby shampoo, baby soap, baby lotion, 3 baby wash cloths, and other miscellaneous items.
• A full sized towel
  
• Pack of disposable wash clothes
• small first aid kit
• 2 cans of formula
• 2-4 bottles
• 4 bibs
• 2 Onsies
• 2 Sleep & Plays
• 2 pairs of socks
• 1 hat
• 2 blankies
  
• wallet with Insurance cards & ID
• immunization folio
• toys
• and I could go on about 10 more things I'm sure.

I even have started putting a few pads and tampons in there for me! Why not? I already carry the thing, might as well be FULLY FUNCTIONAL.

Now as much as I like this beautiful peice of luggage. I still have a dream to own a beautiful AND functional diaper bag. Actually TWO of them. One for me, and one for Dave. I want them to both suit our styles and carry everything Elijah needs daily and just-in-case.

And here begins my SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT DIAPER BAG!

Stay Tuned to find out what happens next in the diaper bag saga!

Have a recommendation of a bag you love?
Have a bag you would like to see me review?
Let me know!
Comment below or email ejsmomej[at]gmail[dot]com
♥ Erin

Wordless Wednesday 1/28/09

HTML Basics -Tutorial 1-27-09

HTML Basics for Bloggers -
Inserting Links & Photos

Since I've had a great demand this week for inserting links and photos I decided to skip ahead and share this information with you now.

To link text or pictures is the same code. Only pictures use an extra piece of code.

<a href="http://www.whateverlink.com">
is the piece of code you want to place where you want the link to go to.
then type what you want it to say and close the code like:
<a href="http://www.whateverlink.com"> Click here </a>
Anything you put between the <a href=""> & </a> will show as the linked text.

So say your writing a review on Touch'd Bath & Body products,
it would look like this in your html tab:

I could not believe that my skin felt so soft and sexy after I used <a href="http://www.touchd.net">Touch'd!</a> I never felt so smooth, sexy, and desirable. I can't explain it, but I just wanted to be <a href="http://www.touchd.net">Touch'd</a> all over!

And will look like this in your post:
I could not believe that my skin felt so soft and sexy after I used Touch'd I never felt so smooth, sexy, and desirable. I can't explain it, but I just wanted to be Touch'd all over!


Now say you want to link an image instead of the text. Like posting someone's button.
Using the above as an example all we are going to do is replace the words we linked with the image's code.
So first let me explain image code. In any html image's are always
<img src="http://www.yourimagelink.com">
thats all you need. If you picture is too big then specify the size you want within the code, like this:
<img src="http://www.yourimagelink.com" width="125">
OR
<img src="http://www.yourimagelink.com" height="125">

which makes it really easy to resize instead of having to edit the picture itself in photoshop or another program you can edit it right there.
Just to give you an example the width & height sizes are in pixels. And if you only do one it will automatically keep scale on the other. So you change a 300 width and 150 length picture to width="200" it will change the height to "75" so you dont have to worry about your images getting all bent out of shape.

ok back to the picture code. As long as the url inside the "" is to the exact photo location you should be fine.

so for linking the image just type your original code with where the photo should link to
<a href="http://www.touchd.net">
then your picture code <img src="http://www.touchd.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/sugar-scrub-group2_edit_11_30.jpg" >
then close it </a>

so like in my example
<a href="http://www.touchd.net"><img src="http://www.touchd.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/sugar-scrub-group2_edit_11_30.jpg" ></a>
links a photo of Touch'd Sugar Scrubs to Touch'd Bath & Body Products main page
and looks like this:



<a href="http://www.touchd.net"><img src="http://www.touchd.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/sugar-scrub-group2_edit_11_30.jpg" width="125"></a>
that was the same thing but made the image 125 pixels wide, the size of a normal button, small enough to fit in most sidebars with some room to spare.
That code looks like this:


Say you don't know the size you want, basically to give you a round about guide, look at an inch on your screen, that's essentially 100 pixels.

That's it! As long as you remember to always put the text in "s you will be fine.
Copy & Paste
<a href=""><img src=""></a>
Just fill in your htpp:// in the blanks in between the ""

Good Luck! Comment or Email with questions! Thanks!


PS~ Make sure to check out Touch'd! Feel Sexy, Feel Beautiful, Get Touch'd!

WINNER: Wooden Pen Works Review & Giveaway

Sorry I am late picking a winner. Things have been crazy around here!

The Winner is #5! CONGRATS!

Tiny Tag Designs Valentines Review

When I was pregnant with Elijah there was a part of me that wanted a boy and a part of me that wanted a girl. A boy first is always good because then if you have a girl as your second, he can protect her. Boys are easier according to everybody I talked to. Boys carry on the family name. and so on and so forth. Girls are something totally different and have special bonds with their mothers. You get to teach them about makeup and girlie things. Girls are fun to dress up pretty and share your jewelry.

Well, I didn't have a girl this time. But I did find a lot of really cute stuff for little girls! (And Myself!!!) Tiny Tag Designs was one of these awesome finds!

Tiny Tag Designs was started by a stay at home mom, Melissa, as a hobby to do in her spare time. Her family and friends saw how beautiful her designs were and urged her to start her own business! Well trust me, it was a great decision!

I loved the idea of her original disk necklace with two disks. One with Elijah's name and one with his birth date. She's making one for me now and I can't wait to share it with you when it comes! Each sterling silver disc is hand stamped one letter at a time, oxidized (which turns the letters black), buffed, and polished. Each piece is made to order and truly one of a kind. How cute will this be to wear everyday and show off my Mommy pride? This is a great Valentines Day present for myself!

All you Moms looking for something great for yourself and for your princess, this is it! Melissa has the cutest designs for girls of all ages! This cute heart pendant would make a wonderful present for you little girl! The little girl in your life will adore her own personalized initial necklace. The sterling silver heart pendant is SO cute and you could even add a charm to make the gift extra special! She has ballerina charms, tap shoes, I love you hearts, tiara's and more!

You know what would be a really special Valentines gift? Not only get yourself a disk necklace with your little one's name and birthday like I did, but get them their own disk necklace! You could either get their name, or you could even get a saying like "Dream", "Angel", "Princess", "Big Sis" or "Lil Sis." How cute would the princess one be with a tiara charm?

She also sells the stamped disks and hearts on really pretty charm bracelets!

Do you want a little help getting your little angel her Valentines Day Present? Or Maybe a gift for yourself? Melissa wants to help you say "Be Mine" with one of her Tiny Tag Designs!

Enter to win either the Little Girl's Initial or Little Girl's Disk Necklace!
Don't want to wait to win? Use Promo Code TTD03 to get 20% your entire order!

To Enter:

• Visit Tiny Tag Designs & look around!

• Come back and leave 1 comment below telling me which necklace you would choose if you win and who you are getting it for! Remember to leave your email so I can contact you if you win! You MUST do this or you will be disqualified!
• Non bloggers - Either leave me a comment OR Email me at Ejsmomej(at)gmail(dot)com with the above information.
  

For Extra Entries: (Maximum of 6 extra entries)

• Add my button to your blog and leave me 1 extra comment with your link. Current linked, just leave me your blog link. (1 entry)
• Follow me on Twitter @Erinjeany & tweet about this giveaway. Leave me 1 extra comment with your twitter name and the tweet link. Current followers just tweet! (1 entry)
• Follow or Subscribe to my blog and leave me 1 extra comment letting me know you did so. Current Subscribers just comment. (1 entry)
• Blog about this giveaway on your blog and leave me 2 extra comments leaving the link to your blog post on the first one, and the link to your blog on the second. (2 entries)
• Leave me a comment with your favorite Valentines gift you ever received. (1 entry)
  
• Non Bloggers - Email 5 people about this giveaway and CC me at ejsmomej (at) gmail (dot) com. Extra points for each additional 5 people. (1 entry per 5 - maximum of 5 times)
  

All email entries I receive will be noted here with a comment thank you by me for more accurate entry counting. ALL Full Names and Email Addresses WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTLY!

This giveaway will end Friday January 30th, 2009 at Midnight EST so you can get your necklace before Valentines Day. Winner will be announced Saturday January 31st, 2009 and will be sent an email. Winner will then have 72 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn! Open to US only, Sorry!

Good Luck & Thanks For Reading!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED

Wordless Wednesday 1/21/09

5 Generations

HTML Basics

HTML Basics for Bloggers - Text Editing 1

HTML, an initialism of HyperText Markup Language, is the predominant markup languageWeb pages. It provides a means to describe the structure of text-based information in a document — by denoting certain text as links, headings, paragraphs, lists, and so on — and to supplement that text with interactive forms, embedded images, and other objects. HTML is written in the form of tags, surrounded by angle brackets. HTML can also describe, to some degree, the appearance and semantics of a document, and can include embedded scripting language code (such as JavaScript) which can affect the behavior of Web browsers and other HTML processors. - WIKIPEDIA

___________________________

So, now that you read Wikipedia's definition of HTML, what does that mean to you? Well basically HTML is a code you are going to tell your blog so that things look pretty and organized the way you want! Yup thats all it is!

First of all, when you start your new post, if you are using Blogger you can flip back and forth between a "Compose" and an "Edit HTML" mode. This will be really great for most of you noobies, as you will be able to add your code in the Edit Html tab and then just flip to the Compose tab to check it out.

As for WordPress folks no offense, but I'm not really fond of WordPress, BUT I will try my hardest to accommodate your blog editor too. IF at any time something doesn't work for you, PLEASE comment me and we will figure it out. I do now have a WordPress test blog, just for this purpose! Okay, back to the HTML. Word Press users your tabs should look like this.

So now that you know what your tabs look like, you want to always remember to post your HTML in the HTML tab. In blogger it will automatically convert it for you when you post, but I don't believe that WP does. Which would just leave you with stuff like this: <img src="http://www.yoursitehere.com/subdirectoryoffun" width="125"> and ovbiously thats not what we want.

---

Basic Text Editing

Even though I am sure of you have those fancy b and i buttons, I am going to teach you the actual code so that you can take your text editing to the next level. As a blogger it is our written word that people take their first impression from, so lets give the best impression possible!

Make sure you are in the HTML tab of your editor and try these out as you go.

This is Bold = <b>Bold </b>
This is Italic = <i>Italic </i>
This is Strikethru = <del>Strikethru </del>
This is Big = <big>Big </big>
This is Emphasized = <em>Emphasized </em>
This is Small = <small>Small </small>
This is Strong = <strong>Strong </strong>
This is _{Subscript =} _Subscript
This is ^{Superscript =} ^Superscript

Want to format some quotations?:

This is a quotation about how much I love quotations. They are very useful for quoting. You could also use them as a design element to make your posts more appealing to the eyes when wanting certain parts of your text to stand out!

Yay for quotations and fun! = The center part, the actual block quote is done like this =
<blockquote>
This is a quotation about how much I love quotations. They are very useful for quoting. You could also use them as a design element to make your posts more appealing to the eyes when wanting certain parts of your text to stand out!
</blockquote>

You could even decide to be all sorts of crazy have your text go from right-to-left!
It would look like: You could even decide to be all sorts of crazy have your text go from right-to-left! = <bdo dir="rtl">You could even decide to be all sorts of crazy have your text go from right-to-left!</bdo>

---

So as you can see so far, HTML is fairly easy. As long as you can remember the codes and the correct format for them, this should be something that will become second nature for you. Always remember to close anything you open! if you <b> on one side you have to </b> on the other or whatever command you gave it will continue onto the remaining text.
Now that you know text formatting, let's use that and do paragraph formatting.
Paragraphs are defined with the <p> tag. So anytime you type a <p> it will start a new paragraph. For example:

I love to break my text up into different paragraphs.

I love to break my text up into different paragraphs.

See the spaces it made? I didn't hit my enter or return key. I simply typed =
For example:<p>
I love to break my text up into different paragraphs. <p>
I love to break my text up into different paragraphs.<p>

You can also put line breaks in with the <br> code.
Line breaks are essentially a hard return so it starts a new line.
Want a horizontal line between your new paragraphs like I've done throughout this post?

---

Looks fun, Huh?

---

Then all you need to type is <hr /> Yup, thats it. No closing, just <hr > =

---

So far so good? Have you learned anything yet? Just remember that you cannot always be sure how HTML will be displayed. Depending on screen and window size it may look completely different to you compared to one of your readers! With HTML, you cannot change the output by adding extra spaces or extra lines in your HTML code. The browser will remove extra spaces and lines when the page is displayed. Any number of lines count as one space, and any number of spaces count as one space. That's why it is good to use your <br> and <p> in any circumstance where you want a new paragraph or line.

---

Headings: Use the HTML heading tags for headings only. Do not use headings to make something BIG or bold. Search engines use your headings to index the structure and content of your blog pages. Since users may skim your posts by its headings, it is important to use headings to show the document structure. H1 headings should be used as main headings, followed by H2 headings, and less important H3 headings, and so on.

This is heading 1

This is heading 2

This is heading 3

This is heading 4

This is heading 5

This is heading 6

Like those? It's as easy as:

<h1>This is heading 1</h1>
<h2>This is heading 2</h2>
<h3>This is heading 3</h3>
<h4>This is heading 4</h4>
<h5>This is heading 5</h5>
<h6>This is heading 6</h6>

---

That concludes lesson one. Did you learn anything? Yes? Wonderful! Then you will be ready for lesson 2!

If not and you already knew all this, I apologize and promise these are going to get more and more involved as we go. I want to start everyone at the same point so we're all on the same page!

Thank you for following along! ♥ Erin

2008: A Snapshot

I have had this post drafted for some time now and forgot about it. Figured maybe it's time to post. :) hehe
WOW! 2008 was a very strange & unexpected surprises year.

1. Where did you begin 2008? A very unhappy place
   
2. What was your status by Valentine's Day? Pregnant! LOLz
   
3. Were you in school (anytime this year)? I was working on my Forensic degree but when I was put on bed rest I put it on hold.
4. Did you have to go to the hospital? I had a baby, with complications, so yes! I was there MANY times!
   
5. Did you have any encounters with the police?
   Yes. But not what you think, Well considering my husband is law enforcement and one of our best friends is a 21 year officer, I had hourly run in's with "the law" hehe :)
6. Where did you go on vacation? No vacation for me last year :(
   
7. What did you purchase that was over $500? A house
   
8. Did you know anybody who got married? Yes
   
9. Did you know anybody who passed away? Yes
   
10. Did you move anywhere? Yes, D & I bought our first house, my childhood home that belonged to my grandmother
    
11. What sporting events did you attend? Hershey Bear's Hockey Games - Had season tickets
    
12. What concerts/shows did you go to? Quite a few metal shows, it would take too long to type them all
    
13. Where do you live now? In Harford County, in the house I was talking about 2 questions ago.
    
14. Describe your birthday- It was interesting. Granny brought me flowers & a cake :) Elijah gave me a poopy diaper.
    
15. What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2008? have a child
    
16. What has/have been your favorite moment(s)? having my son Elijah
17. What's something you learned about yourself? I'm a SuperMom!
    
18. Any new additions to your family? Duh!
    
19. What was your best month? October
    
20. What music will you remember 2008 by? Reel Big Fish & Pink Floyd
    
21. Who has been your best drinking buddy? It was a sober year.
    
22. Made new friends? Yes, a few!
    
23. Favorite Night[s] out? Dave & I went to dinner the night before I had Elijah. Great date & time for us.
    
24. What do you want to change in 2009? Post blogs on time... lol
25. Overall, how would you rate this year? before my son 3 after my son 10+
    
26. What would you change about 2008? most of the stuff before my son
    
27. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time? I was on bed rest, so home was about my only option. unless you count the doctors office.
    
28. Have any life changes 2008? My son was born. Some of these questions are redundant.
    
29. Change your hairstyle No it just got longer.
    
30. Get a new job? Mommy, blogger, product reviewer
    
31. How old did you turn this year? 24
    
32. Do you have a New Years Resolution? To try to do more on time
    
33. Did anything embarrassing? not really that sticks out, so it must have not been too bad
    
34. Buy anything new from eBay? Yes a Washington Capital's Jersey for Elijah and A Colorado Avalanche onesie/track pants set for Elijah
    
35. What was/were your favorite purchase[s]? these tiny cute halloween fleece blankets from the dollar section of target. They have ended up being Elijah's favorite blankets!
    
36. Get married or divorced? married
    
37. Get arrested? never
    
38. Did you get sick this year? once. when I was 4 months pregnant. it was HORRIBLE
    
39. Start a new hobby? blogging
    
40. Are you happy to see 2008 go? yes
    

How did everyone else's 2008 sum up?

This post idea borrowed from Annette. Thanks!

My Blog is FABULOUSLY COOL! Is yours?

Kim at Crafty Mama of 4 thinks my blog is Fabulous! And to prove it she so generously gave me this award! And You know what? Brandy Ellen at Writings of A WAHM gave me the same one a few days later and the Butterfly Award! WOW! I must really be fabulous AND cool! Hhhmmm... Fabulously cool maybe?

Thank you so much Kim & Brandy Ellen! I think your blogs are Fabulously Cool as well! Anybody that missed it I gave Kim an award last week! You can check out my post here. And Her follow up post here. They are both definitely worth the read! We both listed 6 things that make us happy, both with really great photos!

Okay back to these Fabulous Awards!

First the Fabulous award comes with a few rules: Put the logo on your blog or post. Nominate at least 10 blogs which you think are fabulous. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Second the Butterfly Award... well it didn't come with any instructions so I am just going to give that to 10 blogs as well!

The following first set of people received BOTH awards.My new & reinvented "FABULOUSLY COOL DOUBLE AWARD!"

1.) As always my VERY FAVORITE and MOST FABULOUS, COOLEST blog isI can't read enough of Tonya's fabulously cool posts! AND I look forward to her photos!

2.) Shannan at definitely has some cool posts like this one or this one about the CPSIA issue. She also must be Fabulous! She was featured on Alltop under the Mom's category!

3.) Cindy at Ooh La La Mama not only has cool & fabulous posts, but also has 2 cool and fabulous childrens clothing lines. You HAVE to check her out!

4.) Beth at has lots of fabulous posts & cool reviews!

5.) Sara at Has tons of fabulous and cool posts on her blog FULL of deals, freebies, and fun!

6.) Alicia at Our Little Guy is definitely fabulously cool! Her first baby, a boy is due March 4th! Stay tuned for announcements about her cyber baby shower! YAY!

7.) Brea at Breanius recently posted about goals this year, then she set up a separate blog to track her progress! What a fabulously cool idea!

8.) Corine at Notes of Complicated Simplicity recently came up with the MOST fabulously cool idea EVER, Letters to Dysfunctional Nowhere. PLEASE check it out! She's still looking for guest bloggers!

9.) Cindy at Mom Maven has lots of cool reviews and fabulous posts!


10.) AND LAST, but certainly not least, is Cindi at... Well this lady is just fabulous and cool all over the place! She has Fabulous Moomette's Mama Mentor Blog, cool MoomettesGram's Musings Blog, Fabulous Moomette's Magnificents Olde Towne Shoppes and I just found out tonight she has Moomette's Magnificent Reviews! She's also the Editor of the Timeless Bliss channel for Mature & Baby Boomer women at Blissfully Domestic. AND the owner of CAM Virtual Assistant Services!I'm not even going to list the rest of the fabulously cool stuff shes involved in. We would be here forever! Wow! I get tired after updating one blog!

Thank you ladies! Keep it fabulous, keep it cool, keep it real! lol Hope you have fun passing these awards as well!

Patriotism

Whether you are against or for Presidential Elect Barack Obama, he is our next president. If you know me, you know which way I go on this issue. If not, don't worry about it. All that is important is that I love my country, I always stand with my hand on my heart for the Pledge of Allegiance and our National Anthem. I support our troops. I support President Bush and the war. I not only understand and comprehend politics and I am very knowledgeable about it first hand. My husband was an officer of the United States Army and he fought along side our, close to a million soldiers, in all branches of the Military, to keep our liberties, they fight to keep our freedoms and they fight to keep us alive. They fight to keep our rights. Such as the right to not only choose and elect our next president, we can actually decide and vocalize our opinion of him.

Wow. That's pretty amazing when you think about it. As long as you do it with a bit of refinement, tact and decorum most people don't even care. As long as your opinions are thoroughly researched and your conclusions are based on facts, we pride ourselves on having the right to debate. It's when we don't care enough about the subject to fact find and make ignorant comments and assumptions on issues that we fall apart as a country.

Do you know the number of people who voted in this election? Do you know the number of people who voted for each candidate in this election? Did you vote? Did you vote because you strongly support your candidate and understood their Presidential platform and strategies? What was that person's economic plan, their plan for the war, their background? What did you really know about that person? Did you understand ONE political commercial you saw on television? Do you understand what the super delegates are? How the election process works? I could go on and on, but if you did not understand ONE THING about the election, don't you think you owe it to yourself, your country, and your children to find out?

My point to this post is that no matter where you stand in politics right this second, put it aside. No matter who you support, what side you are on, and any political opinion you may have, forget it. We have children that are growing up in our great country, The United States of America. Our children are FREE! Free to form their OWN opinions. Their own opinions based on the facts that WE teach them. So don't you think they deserve to know the FACTS, to form their own opinion? Teach them to love their country. Teach them their rights! And then whether you agree with them or not, support their opinions. Let them know, your views may be different from theirs, but that's okay. That is part of being an American. Teach them to find the facts so they can make educated decisions and not to listen to only the media to reach their conclusions.

Start here with this election. This is a monumental event already in our childrens lives. The first black president. To help educate your children about this event put together a small collection of memorabilia that you can share with them now and then hold on to for when they are older.

Ideas that are free or relatively cheap:

• Collect news articles from around the web. Print them out and make a book or folder.
  
• Buy newspapers the next week, especially the inauguration issue and through his presidency whenever a big even occurs.
• The New Yorker is offering a reprint of their inauguration cover for FREE! Just fill out this form.
• FreeObamaCards.com is offering Free trading cards, just pay shipping and handling.
  
• Video Tape or Burn a DVD of the inauguration on television.
• Go to the library and get out books about presidents, elections, and the government. Then ask your child to write a short letter to his older self about how he feels about this president and politics and then have him write another one (without showing him the old one) after a year or after Obama's Presidency is over, or any intervals you choose really. Compare the letters and see how they differ and discuss why. Did his opinion change? Is he more politically educated now? Did his expectations change?

Politically Educating Our Children is The First Step To Teaching Them About Patriotism.
Our children are the hope for the future and our country.
We're teaching our son, are you?

Here's a fact to start you off: Did you know that this is the most expensive inauguration, with the biggest security detail, ever in history? Research the numbers, research the reasons, research the details and share them with your children!



Update:Thank you for your feedback! Please continue to leave me your thoughts and pass this post on to other people! Here are a few comments I received so far on twitter.

Read other posts about the inauguration at 5 Minutes for Mom!

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