Hey y’all!
It’s true…I’ve been MIA from Tales of the Toot for a bit, but not to worry!! I’m back on track here and always busy blogging on other fabulous sites around the WWW.
You can find me writing about being the Christian Mom of a Boy over at The M.O.B. Society where I recently wrote about a lot of things I don’t know…and a few things I do.
I’m reviewing tons of fun beauty products and writing about all things southern and sassy in my column “Lone Star State of Mind” at Southern Beauty Magazine.
I’m speaking from the heart about being a special needs mom at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.
And, as always, I’m writing about traveling with your special needs kiddo over at Traveling Mom.
I’ve recently joined the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge with my friends the SITS Girls and BlogFrog and am determined to get back to blogging regularly. Thanks for hangin’ in there with us.
See! Told ya, I’d been busy!! Stay tuned cuz I have great news about my little Toot to tell y’all about and will have all the details from my trip to Lilith Fair in Cleveland, Ohio next week! Wooooot!!
Guess what? Rayovac just started a fun summer promotion full of fun and prizes and you could win too! From gift cards to battery gift packs, Rayovac has you covered for summer fun! I personally love Rayovac and recently started buying them in place of more expensive brands because I realized they lasted just as long and were much more affordable!
Visit the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion and get in on the fun by clicking here. Head on over and answer today’s Summer Fun Inspiration question to enter and win!
The first 99 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion won a prize package from Rayovac, what a great way to kick off this promotion!
Have a fun and safe summer!
-Christy
I never thought I would hear myself say that (or see my self type it). But yes, I am a proud member of the MOB…the MOB Society, that is.
And you can be too!
The M.O.B. Society (Moms of Boys) is for Moms of boys and by Moms of boys. I am proud to be a member and contributor of this great community of Christian mothers committed to training our boys up in the way they should go. We want to bring up boys who flourish into fearless Christian men and we could all use a little advice or support from time to time!
The site launches tomorrow: June 1st @ www.themobsociety.com and you can follow the MOB Society on Twitter @themobsociety
Hope to see you there!
Happy Memorial Day to all of our veterans and a very special thank you to all of the military and military families who serve so that we can remain free.
Just a short post to ask you all to say a little prayer for the Toot, if you will. He is doing great on most accounts, but has a few quirkly lab values that we are struggling to get under control.
His phosphorus levels are entirely too high, but little man refuses the last 2 medications for binding phosphorus that Dr. Q has prescribed. He hates them, won’t take them or will gag if you try to make him. As you mommies know, you can’t force a toddler to eat anything he doesn’t want to eat. Not to mention the price of these meds. They are both very expensive with the most recent costing $600/month — and that’s AFTER our insurance pays their part!
The only medication that is affordable and Aiden actually likes the taste of is liquid Tums but it was causing his calcium levels to be too high–which can be dangerous for his heart. Please pray that we will find a solution that is tolerable for Aiden and our bank account, as well!
Another thing that is weighing on my mind is an upcoming referral to the Orthopedic specialists at Scottish Rite in Dallas. As most of you know, my little cutie is bow-legged as can be. We took Toot in for Xrays last week and I will be forwarding those on to Dr. Q so that he can schedule our referral. While talking about Toot’s legs, Dr. Q mentioned that they may “want to do surgery to correct them. ” My immediate response was a firm, “NO!” I am not signing my precious little man up for yet another surgery especially with a kidney transplant on the horizon. As long as the problems are only cosmetic in nature we are putting our foot down with this one. Please pray that there are no bone problems and that this little problem will correct itself as he grows.
Please continue to pray for Aiden’s blood pressures to remain at a normal level, his cholesterol to go down and for him to grow to an optimal weight and height for transplant.
Wow, sorry for all of the requests. These are just a few things that are on my mind tonight as I think about my precious little man and how grateful I am to have him and my wonderful hubby in my life. I am truly blessed and wouldn’t trade either of them for the world.
Thanks for your prayers.
-Christy
CONTEST CLOSED! SCROLL DOWN FOR WINNER!!!
There are few things that make me happier than finding a product that I love and sharing it with my Tales of the Toot readers! That’s why I am beyond excited to write this review and GIVEAWAY from Scentsy and my awesome friend Beverly AND it’s just in time for Mother’s Day! Talk about timing!
Scentsy is everywhere and if you haven’t given it a try…well, you should-’Cuz if you like candles, you will LOVE Scentsy. Combining the benefits of making your home warm and inviting with delicious scents and a beautiful addition to your home decor, Scentsy has a scent for every nose and a design for every decorator. 
Scentsy began in 2003 with founders, Colette Gunnell and Kara Egan, who had an idea for aromatic, decorative warmers that melted candle wax with the heat from a lightbulb instead of the traditional wick and flame. It didn’t take long for their creation to be discovered at a local home show and purchased by husband-and-wife-team Orville and Heidi Thompson. The Thompsons’ made the decision to market and sell Scentsy products through home parties and signed their very first consultant in July of 2004. To date, Scentsy has over 40, 000 Independent Scentsy Consultants and was awarded the Rising Star award in 2009 for its growth and commitment to ethical business practices.
To add to all this Scentsy goodness, the Scentsy Warmers are smoke-free and safe. That means that they are hospital, office and school approved. I literally leave mine on at all times. The warm glow from the heating bulb is just enough for the perfect nightlight! Scentsy also offers room sprays, travel tins and hanging fresheners, so there’s a Scentsy for every part of your life!
I purchased the full-sized Milano Scentsy Warmer, Seaside Waves Plug-In Warmer and Scentsy Bars in multiple scents including: Vanilla Suede (my FAVORITE!), Oxford(from the Man Collection) and Perfectly Pomegranate. They all smell wonderful and I was so impressed with Scentsy and Beverly’s customer service that I offered to review Scentsy here at Tales of the Toot.
If you haven’t figured it out…I’m a Scentsy Fan and highly recommend their products to you all. My full sized warmer is a beautiful addition to my living room decor and keeps the whole living/dining area smelling great. My plug-in is an awesome decoration for the bathroom and acts as the perfect night light.
Now for the REALLY awesome part! Beverly has agreed to give one lucky Tales of the Toot reader a free Scentsy Plug-In System! That’s a Scentsy Plug-In and 3 Scentsy Bars of your choice. A $25 value!
But, that’s not all!
To help all you awesome Mamas celebrate Mother’s Day, Beverly is offering an ADDITIONAL giveaway! When you visit the Tales of the Toot Blog Scentsy party on Beverly’s site and purchase your Scentsy Full-Sized System (which includes a full-sized warmer and 3 Scentsy Bars of your choice) for $40 you will be entered to win the Bonus Mother’s Day Scentsy Basket, which is worth $80!! Included in this awesome basket are: a Full-Sized Scentsy Warmer, Scentsy Plug-In, Scentsy Room Spray, Scentsy Bars and more)
So buy a Scentsy system for your Mom, Grandma, Mother-in-Law and have a chance to win an awesome basket for yourself! For each $40 Scentsy Full-Sized System you order your name goes into the “hat” for another chance at the Bonus Mother’s Day Basket!
Remember: The Bonus Mother’s Day Basket is separate from the Plug-In Giveaway and you must visit the Tales of the Toot Blog Party to order your full-sized system and be entered to win the Bonus Mother’s Day Basket!!
Scentsy Plug-In System Giveaway Rules:
MANDATORY Entry: Visit Beverly’s Scentsy Site and comment here telling me one warmer or scent (not already mentioned here) that you would like to try.
Additional Entries: (1 entry each)
*Become a Fan (Like) Tales of the Toot on Facebook by clicking here and leave me a comment telling me you’re a fan!
*Follow me on Twitter @aidenscross and leave me a comment letting me know you’re a follower.
*Subscribe to Tales of the Toot by email and leave me a comment letting me know.
*Follow Tales of the Toot on Facebook Networked Blogs and leave me a comment letting me know.
*Follow Tales of the Toot on Google Friend connect(right sidebar) and leave me a comment letting me know.
* Tweet about this giveaway and let me know you did. Limit 1 per day: RT @aidenscross Enter to #Win! Awesome #Scentsy Giveaway + BONUS #giveaway Tales of the Toot http://bit.ly/beQvEI Act fast-ends 4/30
*Post about this giveaway on your Facebook page and let me know! Limit 1 per day!
BONUS ENTRY – FIVE ENTRIES into Plug-In Giveaway
Each person who purchases the Scentsy Full-Sized System and enters the Bonus Mother’s Day Basket Giveaway will receive 5 additional entries into the Plug-In Giveaway!! (leave 5 comments telling me you did so!)
This contest/giveaway is now CLOSED: Our winner is Emmi (@mommysfreetime) with comment #8! Congrats Emmi and thanks to all who entered!! Stay tuned for more giveaways from Tales of the Toot soon!
*The opinions expressed in this post are my own. I was not paid for this review and received no compensation. The products reviewed were my own.*
I’m counting my blessings today and reminding myself to count them often.
We all have the tendency to take the blessings in our lives for granted. We get used to them. They no longer stand out in our minds, in our hearts. We think they are just part of our everyday life. Maybe we even feel entitled to them.
But then…something grabs your attention. And you realize.
I am blessed. Truly. Wonderfully.
And I’m grateful.
Today, I am grateful for a man. I don’t use the term lightly. It seems many don’t understand what it means to truly be a man today. To take great joy and pride in providing for his family. To work hard day in and out and still have time to play too. To hold his wife and his child with love, to lift them up, to support them, to pray for them. To show daily that he loves and respects his wife. He hates to tell her no. He loves to see her smile. He is strong, but vulnerable. He makes us feel safe, protected and above all–loved.
So today, I want to take a minute to thank God for sending him my way. And to say “thank you” to my wonderful husband for having the courage to be a man, a father and a husband.
I love you.
Hey y’all! I am so excited to be joining Susan and Janice from 5 Minutes for Mom for their 2010 Ultimate Blog Party! This is my first year to join UBP but I plan to party like it’s 1999….or 2010. For those of you who are readers, but not bloggers, the UBP is a chance for all of us Bloggin’ Mamas to connect, visit each other’s blogs and even win some stuff! Yay, I love stuff!
So, a warm, friendly welcome from Tales of the Toot. I hope you like what you see. I hope you come back tomorrow, and the next day. Here’s a little about me and Tales of the Toot:
Photo by: Angelia Sims
I am a sassy, southern wife, nurse and mama from Texas bloggin’ about raising my rambunctious little “Toot” — who just so happens to have a few special needs. When our Toot was 4 months old he became very ill and was eventually diagnosed with a rare, incurable disease called AHUS (Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome). We manage to have a lot of fun in between our 10-12 hours of daily dialysis (that we administer from home) while waiting on the little man to grow to the optimal weight and height for a kidney transplant. He’s currently 2 1/2 years old and has spent his fair share of time in the hospital and the OR. But, still…we are blessed. I’m a believer, and I truly believe that even though I don’t understand it…God has a bigger plan. His ways are bigger than the picture I can see. I remind myself of that when times are tough & questions are many and most days, it helps.
"Aiden's Cross" by: Sterling Grace Jewelry
At Tales of the Toot you’ll find stories about my little man, my big man and our life; reflections, a few book and product reviews, and even some giveaways…on and one recipe to date. Hey, I’m a work in progress!
Here are a few of my favorite posts:
1. When Your Nightmare Becomes Your Reality
3. The Special in Our Special Needs
4. A Different Kind of Mother’s Guilt
Please feel free to subscribe, leave comment love, become my twitter friend or join our Facebook Fan Page. I’m so glad you stopped by!
If I should be so lucky and win any bloggy prizes, I’m crossing my fingers that they will be one of my top 3:
#69 – The Itty Bitty Bookworm Preschool Curriculum (age 3-5)
#72- Your Shape fitness game for Nintendo Wii (provided by Kristie’s List)
#76 – Silver Sweethearts Necklace (provided by Sentimental Silver Jewelry)
Or any of the rest of my top picks! (#6, #18, #19, #23, #26, #35, #66, #75, #94, #97)
That’s right! Your favorite little, East-Texas blog (and yours truly) is co-hosting the 2nd Annual National Mom’s Nite Out with the Broadway Square Mall in Tyler!
I would love to see all our local Mamas come out and join us for “the Ultimate Celebration of Motherhood.” Scheduled activities include swag bags, wine, food, mock-tinis, giveaways, makeovers, music and more! This is a great time to grab a friend and get out of the house for a couple hours of “me time.”
Here’s the info:
Thursday – May 6, 2010
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Broadway Square Mall –Tyler, Texas
Mom owned-business, home business and businesses that Mom’s love are encouraged to participate. I already have a Scentsy rep in place for our celebration! If you, or someone you know, has their own Mom-owned business and would like to have a table to show of your goodies- leave me a comment here, Facebook or Twitter.
Can’t wait to see you there!!
Christy
Let’s start off with a really cute Toot pic to put everyone in a good mood….You smiling yet?
Okay, all you Tales of the Toot fans I have a request! I have entered Little Remedies Mom Blogger Contest in hopes of winning $1000 cash and/or the other awesome prizes listed below. The really great part? When you vote for me, you are registered to win too! All it takes is a click on the Little Remedies Vote Button that’s proudly displayed on my side bar on the right ———–>>>>>>
In order to win, I need to get enough votes to put me at the top! I may be a little blogger from Smalltown, East Texas but I have faith in my readers and fans of Tales of the Toot. Help a country mama out, will ya?
You are allowed to vote for me once per day and feel free to let your Twitter and Facebook friends know too! I’ll take all the votes I can get.
I love Little Remedies and use their products for the little Toot man all the time. Remember, each time you vote for me…you are also voting for yourself! Let’s win something!!!
Here are the list of prizes we could win:
- $1000 cash
- A Flowerbud.com bouquet
- A Dancing Deer Baking Co. brownie sampler
All Grand and First Prize Winners will receive a gift kit containing:
- One (1) Little Remedies® Baby Travel Kit
- One (1) package of Little Allergies™ Allergen Block
- Three (3) books from Workman Publishing Company
- One (1) Brainy Baby® DVD
- Two (2) tubes of Baby Aquaphor® Healing Ointment
- A three (3) month subscription to LoobaLee™
- A coupon (value up to $17.29) for a free container of Seventh Generation® laundry detergent
- A 10% discount from Dancing Deer Baking Co.
- A 10% discount from BlueAvocado™
Good stuff, huh? Let’s click, click, click our way to some prizes! Thanks so much for your support and love!
Hugs,
Christy
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