#EclosBeauty Review & Giveaway

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of éclos Skin Care for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As a young mother of three I am always looking for ways to help myself feel younger, more my own age, by keeping my skin clear. As I am pregnant and on hormone treatments sometimes this can be a challenge. Recently I was given the opportunity to try éclos Skin Care line and I have been very please with the results.

I was sent a kit that included Facial Cleanser Skin Prep, Cellular Activator Face Serum, Moisture therapy Regenerative Cream, Restorative Eye Cream, Instant Radiance Facial Scrub, Skin Renewal Clay Mask and a complimentary head band. These products are special because they contain Apple Stem Cells that have been shown to stimulate skin stem cells. Along with the new stem cell technology, the line includes plant extracts, vitamins and anti-oxidants to help your skin feel its best.

I have to say that I was super impressed! The only piece of this kit I didn't love was the Restorative Eye Cream due to a minor allergic reaction (this is super common with eye anything on my face). Other than that I have enjoyed using each piece. Completing the full routine does take a little longer than I would normally spend on my face but the finished result is worth it. I would have to say that my favorite piece is the Facial Cleanser Skin Prep. It tends to leave my face a little dry, only before using the Face Serum and egenerative Cream however. After using each of these my face is super smooth which I love!

As a side note, the scent of these face products is wonderful! They smell natural but beautiful and for me it is perfect.

Today you have your chance to win your very own beauty kit! Make sure you use the Rafflecopter below to enter and even if you don't win make sure you get your own kit because this stuff is awesome!

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Birthday Fun - Wordless Wednesday

Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler Review

As a family working on being as green as possible one of the things we try to do is recycle. Of course our city makes this as difficult as possible with their lack friendliness to recyclers. For us to recycle we have to save, sort, and then deliver our items to the appropriate facility (that means three different places). Sometimes this can be a struggle but we have worked out a system that works fairly well.

Recently Rubbermaid sent us their new 2-in-1 Recycler to review. I really like this product and think it is has functionality, just not in my kitchen. If you were to visit my kitchen you would understand our dilemma. Our kitchen is shaped like a T and is very narrow. Our trash fits between the stove and the cupboard under the counter and it's a tight squeeze at that. Since we moved in we have kept our recycling boxes just outside the garage door on a shelf (so you don't have to go down the stairs) and it has been working fairly well.

On the up side, we have been using the 2-in-1 Recycler to hold chicken feed in our garage and it is awesome! We have 2 types of feed that we need almost every day and this makes a simple way to access both. I love that I can simply take off the top container to carry outside with me when I feed scratch grain. I also love that both containers are removable for easy refills.

As I said, this would work as a great recycler in your kitchen if you have a spot to put it. It also works great for other things however when you don't have the space. Either way you should check it out and thank Rubbermaid for another great product!

Potty Time Review

Due to our children's developmental delays we have done quite a bit of signing at our house. This came at a recommendation from the older boys speech therapist when we first found out about C's tongue tie and began looking at what it would take to fix the problem. Throughout this process we have been teaching the boys to use sign language which has been interesting as neither E or I are knowledgeable about signing.

Through this learning time we have tried many different books and videos to learn new signs. Signing Times is a series we have loved from the very beginning because of their unique songs and simple way of teaching. Recently, Signing Times has sent us a Potty Time DVD to review. The boys have really enjoyed watching this movie and although I can't say it's helped our potty training any we do now know all the signs we need to potty train our boys.

If you haven't seen any Signing Time videos yet you should check them out. They are great for kids who talk and those who don't. They have wonderfully fun songs that you will find your kids, and yourself, singing because they are so applicable to everyday life. Make sure you check out these awesome DVDs today!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Plane Trips

Remember last week when I told you how I like to plan vacations when I'm having one of those days. Well this week as I was planning my vacation I decided it should include a Charter plane service. Doesn't that sound like fun! I've always loved flying, in fact when I was little my dream job was to be a stewardess so I could see the world.

I think my love of flying stems from the fact that I've lived most of my life on the opposite side of the country as my grandparents and my parents liked to make sure we went to visit as often as possible. That meant about every other summer we'd get to take that long, but fun, flight to see grandma.

It's been a while since I was on an airplane but I can't wait to take the kids to visit their grandma, who also lives cross country. There is so much to see and do and since I get car sick, flying with my family is the obvious answer to helping us get to all the fun places I want to share with them! Hopefully in the not too distant future we'll be able to take our first plane trip and start our summer adventures as a family!

The Job Hunt

When E and I first got married we faced two major tasks, find a place to live and find a job. The first one was fairly simple as we moved into a family rental property but the second one took more work. We considered a lot of different job options including some Local Driving Jobs.  We searched everywhere, online, the newspaper, and finally began looking through the phone book to see where we might go apply.

The last idea finally paid off and we found jobs for both E and I with comparable hours and decent pay. E's job especially was a huge blessing as he is still working this same job today and they have allowed him the flexibility to go to school, help me when I need it at home, and take an occasional vacation.

We know the job search can be hard and that there are lots of people looking but we also know there are lots of great jobs out there. E's boss is still looking for people to hire this year because no one, with a clean driving record, as applied. For me this is very sad because I know there are people who need these jobs. If you are one of these people please keep looking! The job for you is out there and I know you can find it!

Masters of the Veil Author Guest Post

Masters of the Veil  tells the story of Sam Lock. Popular, good-looking, and with a future as a pro football player, every guy at Stanton High School wishes he were Sam. That is, until the championship football game, when Sam accidentally links with an ancient source of energy known as the Veil and reveals his potential to become a powerful sorcerer. Sam is whisked off to Atlas Crown, a community of sorcerers who utilize the Veil as a part of everyday life. Once there, he trains beside a mute boy who speaks through music, an eternal sage who's the eyes and ears of the Veil, and a beautiful girl who's pretty sure Sam's an idiot. As it becomes clear Sam's meant for power magic-the most feared and misunderstood form of sorcery-people beyond Atlas Crown learn of his dangerous potential. An exiled group of power sorcerers are eager to recruit Sam, believing that he is destined to help them achieve their long-held goal. If they succeed, they could bring about the downfall of not only Atlas Crown. but all humankind.

"A funny, imaginative, and delightful read!"
~Author Kate Kaynak

Author Daniel Cohen is offering one lucky person a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card.
Last day to enter is May 31st

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Ewww, She's Stinky! Wordless Wednesday

Mountain Mama Review

Over my past three pregnancies I have been on quite the adventure with maternity clothes. With my first pregnancy I was working so I had a uniform that kinda fit and then was on bed rest so pjs worked just fine most days. With pregnancy two I was still trying to adjust to having a new baby and couldn't have cared less what I looked like. By pregnancy three I was doing better and was in need of some clothes that I could see the public in. The biggest problem I faced at this point was that we live in a small town and there wasn't a huge selection to begin with let alone a selection in my small size.

With baby four I have been super excited to try ordering maternity clothes online and one place that I have really loved is Mountain Mama. They sent me an Olema Tee to review and I have to say that I love it! The color is beautiful and the style is very flattering. I will make a note here that this shirt is very long and if you have a short torso or don't like long shirts this may not be the shirt for you. I will continue to try to get a picture of me in it, E seems to come home late every time I wear this shirt, so you can see what it looks like. My very favorite thing is the neckline! It is low enough to show off some of that pregnancy bust but it is still high enough that I feel super comfortable playing with the kids and being the mom I need to be. Thanks so much for letting me share Mountain Mama!

A Story of the West By Susan Spence Book Review

I know I probably don't look like it but I'm all about a good western and that's just what I found in A Story of the West. I want to start by telling you my one complaint. I felt sometimes Susan wasted words by telling me details I already new about. This wouldn't be a problem if you had never saddled a horse or made bread but since I have I felt sometimes there were too many details.

Other than that I simply loved this book! It was a fairly simple read because there was not a huge amount of characters to keep track of. The story told of Matt, a Montana rancher/cowboy, and his struggle to maintain a ranch in a time when the west was new and lawmen weren't common.

The story tells of Matt's struggles as a land owner, a son, a husband and a father in a time and a land where anything is possible. You can't help but fall in love with Matt, Lavina, Big John and all the other inhabitants of D Rocking D. It is a well written book with an ending you won't want to miss. Thank you Susan for sharing a wonderful book with me!

Speakers for Father's Day

This post brought to you by Lenovo. All opinions are 100% mine.

It seems like every guy I know is all about electronics and with Father's Day approaching that means it's time for me to catch up on the latest technology news. One thing I have been investigating is the Lenovo speaker M0520. This speaker has built in amplifiers and a sub speaker but my favorite feature is that these speakers are small and that they use a USB connection so they are easy to use with your computer, laptop, smartphone or other music device.
I think these speakers will be the perfect size to take to school, work, or wherever else we may need them and having a set around the house is going to be awesome! I can't wait to show E what I found and I'm sure even the kids will enjoy them as we take them on trips with our laptops so they can watch movies in the car, something they haven't been able to do in the past.
I think these would make a great gift for father's day, or graduation, or just about any other holiday. I simply can't tell you enough about the great features of these speakers. I personally also love the style. The bright red is super cool and I love the sleek design. The best news is that these speakers are on sale through May 21^st for just $11.99 (plus tax and shipping). What a great deal on the perfect Father's Day gift! Make sure you head over right now before this sale is over.

One of those Days

Today has been one of those days where the kids are extra stubborn, E is working overtime, and I am needing a break. There are two things I love to do on days like today, one is read and the other is to look for places I'd love to go visit, preferably relaxing places where I could enjoy myself once the kids are grown.

There are lots of fun travel websites to browse, in fact almost every city has one. On really bad days I like to plan a whole trip. I begin by picking where I want to visit and how long I would want to stay. Then I go find all the things I would like to see and/or do while I'm there. While I'm in the area, I like to find a good hotel nearby and maybe even search for some fun places to eat too. Once I've got all that done I like to check out over to a site like www.mega.co.uk and see if my trip is something that I will be able to afford and look forward to taking in a few years.

Try it, It may be just what you need to brighten your day!

Some Holiday Shopping

This week I shopped Target and Walgreens. I had some good coupons and found some fun clearance items that will be going for Christmas/Birthdays including sweats for E, beach towels for the kids, and lunch box organizers for the older boys. Overall it was a great week!

Spent: $27.72

Saved: $169.70 (86%)

Rewards Received: $22.00

Work, Work and more Work

If there is one thing my boys love it is a big truck. They will often ask to go to see dad at work so they can see the big trucks they transport trees and dirt with. Some of the trucks at his work are getting pretty old and it seems like they are always in and out of the shop. We keep telling the boss he needs to start looking for commercial trucks for sale so he can be ready when one of his trucks is finally beyond repair. They loss one plow truck last winter but thankfully there wasn't much plowing to do after that. We sincerely hope they find a new truck before the snow starts this winter or they will have more drivers than plows. I think the biggest problem is that we live in a small town where commercial trucks are not overly prevalent and the boss rarely takes time away to travel elsewhere, especially this time of year, for things that don't seem overly pressing like searching for a new truck. Oh well, everything will work out in it's own time. In the meantime I'll be grateful I have all of you to listen to my brief rants about work.

Adoptable: Maggie

There are many families who desire a small dog and thankfully there are many small dogs who need a forever home. If you're looking for a small dog there are many rescues dedicated to small breeds. One of these is DRCO (Dachshund Rescue Colorado) where Maggie is available for adoption. Maggie is a 14 month old Dachshund that is smart and is house trained. She really likes having a consistent routine that helps to give her confidence. Maggie is spayed so she will make a great companion for someone who has time to work with her and give here the love and care she needs. To learn make sure to visit DRCO and see Maggie and all their other great dogs for adoption.

Are You Loosing Sleep

So for those of you who have been wondering where I've been for the last little bit the answer is that I've been trying to keep enough energy to get the basics done. I wish I had a more exciting answer for you but it seems like I can barely get the housework done and keep the kids fed without feeling physically and emotionally drained. Thankfully I recently began my shot treatments and they are slowly helping me feel better however I still have a long way to go. Slowly but surely I am beginning to feel a little more like myself and my house is beginning to look a little less like a war zone.

Exhaustion is a common problem during pregnancy and there are many different things you can try. Some, like lavender treatments and baths, are simple and inexpensive, while others, like a new Tempurpedic Mattress, are a bit more pricy but will also have more lasting effects. There is tons of research out there to help individuals who are having problems sleeping if you take a little time to find it. Whatever you decide please go check out your options. There is really no good reason to be loosing sleep.

Searching the Internet

Finding information on the internet can be difficult. For the person searching it means you have to find exactly the right words to tell the search engine what you want to know. This may involve trying many sets of keywords, specific punctuation, or even multiple search engines. That can mean taking some time to find even a simple answer.

For those with information to be found life isn't much easier. Search engine optimization is something that takes time and practice. You have to learn what keywords to use, how to use links, and how much to write on each page. While some writers seem to be naturals at creating pages that are found by search engines, for most of us it is a process that we must keep working at with the ultimate goal of helping people find what they want to know.

The internet is a great resource with a wide variety of information and when used correctly it can be a great asset to most individuals. This however does take time and practice both from those creating content and those searching to find the keys to the system of internet search engines, ever changing and each slightly different from the next.

And They Call the Thing Rodeo

News with the Harlem Globetrotters

A visit from the Harlem Globetrotters was a highlight assembly during my elementary school years. Just me remembering they came is saying a lot because I don't remember very much from elementary school, that was a long time ago. I remember having such a fun and memorable experience! Today I am excited to telly you that this summer you can share the Harlem Globetrotters with your children in a whole new way.

This summer for the very first time the Harlem Globetrotters are hosting summer skills clinics for kids ages 6-14. Those participating in the clinics will receive a behind the scenes glimpse of the Globetrotters skills and tricks. Along with their time at the clinic, participants will receive a free ticket voucher (up to $40) to see the Globetrotters during their 2013 tour, autographs and photos with the stars, and a 3-day pass to 24 Hour Fitness. These clinics are being held in eleven major cities including Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

Doesn't this sound like fun? Head on over to the Harlem Globetrotter's website or call 1-800-641-HOOP to register for a clinic near you today. Don't forget to use/mention code USFAMILY to save $10 on your registration!

Little Looster Review

Little Looster in action.
note: please excuse tape on toilet I gotta fix that

It seems like potty training parents have two basic options to help their children reach the toilet. You can get a stool and have them use the big potty, requiring you to move the stool each time a bigger person uses that toilet, or you can get a child's size potty for them to use, requiring you to look at and clean another toilet. For me neither of these options is ideal. I don't like to clean toilets, ask E, and a stool is just something else to trip on when I can't see my feet. Recently we have been introduced to another option.

Little Looster provides potty trainees with a comfortable boost to get to the adult toilet and potty trainers with the ability to leave the step in place while using the toilet themselves. Over the last month this has been a great solution at the Kerr house!

I have so many favorite things about the Little Looster! I love that I don't have to bend over to move it. I love that the kids don't carry it around the house, then causing accidents while we look for the stool. I love that I don't trip on it in the middle of the night. And I love that it doesn't look tacky in my bathroom. Thank you Little Looster for solving a problem we didn't even realize we had!

Summer Fashion Giveaway

Kerrific is thrilled to be part of the Summer Fashion Giveaway! There are more than $2,000 in fashion items up for grabs during this event. Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Good luck!

Hosted by Tammilee Tips, Fabnab and Planet Lulu 

Summer Fashion Giveaway Prizes

Prize #1: 7 pieces of Nelia Adiato Jewelry $575

Prize #2: Summer Fashion Clothing Set $575 

Prizes #3 & 4: 2 pieces of Nelia Adiato Jewelry $150 each

Prizes #5 &6: Summer Fashion Clothing Set $150 each

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Clearance at Target

I took two shopping trips this week simply because we all went on the first trip and the kids were crazy so it was hard to focus. The second trip went much more smoothly and I enjoyed my time away from the children. We shopped Target and Walgreens.

Total Spent: $89.84

Total Saved: $199.74 (69%)

Rewards: $52.50

Big News!

I'm so excited I just had to share! I just got news that I only have 4, YES FOUR, credits left until I can graduate! I've been so worried because the new baby is due just weeks after school starts and I didn't know how I was going to balance a full load at school, plus housework, plus a new baby. And how was I going to find a nanny I trusted with my brand new baby? Now I don't have to worry. I have to take two classes, both of which I can do online, and I will officially be a college graduate!

As you can tell, I'm thrilled! I love learning and school but the longer I studied, and the more kids we had, the harder it was to really feel like I was doing my best. It is super nice to know that all my hard work is paying off and that I can have something to show for the years of study I have put in. Although I don't plan on using my degree anytime soon the things I have learned have changed my life and I'm so glad I took the time to go back to school. It has blessed my family in so many ways and I look forward to being able to teach my kids what I have learned.

If you have ever considered going back to school as part of one of many full time mba programs or any other program here is my vote of confidence that YOU CAN do it and it will be worth every moment you spend!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

A New Friend and Mr. Chewy

One big piece of news at the Kerr house is that we have adopted again....

This big beautiful boy is A2 and came to our house as a foster between the time he was pulled from the shelter with his 2 brothers and mother and the time they had a transport to take them to a nearby rescue. Needless to say those two weeks were plenty of time for us to fall in love.

The amazing thing about A2 is that he is still a puppy. He is a six month old, approximately, Great Pyrenees which means although his is big now he still has some growing to do. As much as we love him, A2 has just about doubled our pet food needs over the last month that we have had him. Between this and pregnancy complications restricting my lifting our pet food shopping tips have become interesting and I am super thankful that I was recently introduced to Mr. Chewy.

For me, Mr. Chewy represents a pet lover's dream. They are a pet company that specializes in quality dog and cat food, treats and litter. Their site is super easy to navigate and they offer free shipping on orders $49 and up. This sounds great doesn't it! Let me tell you how it gets even better.

Mr. Chewy is not only less expensive (about $5 less a bag in our area) and gives free shipping but they also have an automatic reorder system that is wonderful! All you have to do is place your first order and then tell Mr. Chewy how often, in weeks, you would like that order delivered. No more trips to the store and no more running out of food for your pets! Mr. Chewy is a great way to save time, energy, and money while still giving your pets the high quality foods they deserve! Thanks Mr. Chewy!

Bingo

For many families the perfect dog is a mid size dog that loves to play but also loves to cuddle. That is exactly what Bingo has to offer. According to the Humane Society of the Upper Valley, his current providers, Bingo is about 7 months old and weighs about 22 lbs. This is a great age to get a dog because at this point it is almost full grown and they have some manners. At this point Bingo is house and crate trained and knows some basic commands. Bingo's foster mom says he loves hike, fetch, and have just about any adventure with his family.

Bingo's preferred forever family would enjoy exercising with him during the day. I have also been told that Bingo prefers older kids and loves to have dog and/or cat friends to play with. He will bark at strangers unless he is told they are ok and then loves to have a good belly scratch. But Bingo's very favorite thing is to cuddle with his family on the couch or in bed at night.

Bingo is just one of many wonderful dogs and cats available for adoption through the Humane Society of the Upper Valley. They are a wonderful group that provides great care for each of their animals including having them spayed or neutered and making sure they are up to date on their basic shots. And the great news is that if Bingo is not the right pet for you, or if he's too far away to adopt, they are sure to be able to help you find the perfect pet for you!

Wordless Wednesday: Stairs

Stonewall Kitchen Set Review

At the Kerr house we are a big fan of eating breakfast for dinner. Mostly this happens because I am anything but a morning person so we suffice with muffins or cold cereal for breakfast. The boys were super excited when we got this Blueberry Syrup and Blueberry Jam to review that they insisted we have breakfast for dinner that night.

I must say that even though blueberry is not my first choice in syrups it was delicious! Wild Maine gave everything you would expect in a homemade syrup. It was super rich and it just took a little bit to make our pancakes delightfully fruity!

The next day we added some of the Wild Maine Blueberry Jam to our peanut butter sandwiches and it was also a big hit! I loved that the jam had whole berries in it still as it made for great texture in the jam. The jam also goes a long ways and I have to remind E and the boys to not use too much when they make their sandwiches but so far our jar is lasting really well.

Maggies Direct has put together an awesome set that includes both the Wild Maine Blueberry jam and Syrup, a pancake mix, a bowl, and a spatula. This gift is perfect for gift giving for Mother's Day or just about any other special occasion. The best part is that when you purchase this set you will get 50% back in Social Bucks that you can use on any item in Maggies Direct just like cash. What more could you ask for?

Cover Me Strap Review

I long ago figured out many of my favorite products were developed my moms like myself out of pure necessity. The Cover Me Strap is no exception. It is a relativity simple idea but it sure does come in handy in a variety of situations.

Since I am currently not nursing the most common way we use our strap is to keep the kids toys attached to the stroller, or my favorite, the car seat. I can't tell you how frustrating it is when I take the boys on trips and we're not even five minutes down the road and someone has dropped their dog dog, our version of a favorite teddy bear, and I have to stop and get it so I can have peace the rest of the trip.

Although B is fairly good at hanging on to his dog dog the littler boys often need help and the Cover Me Strap has helped tremendously in this aspect. I simply clip one end to the dog and one end to their car seat and away we go. If they drop their dog all they have to do is pull the strap.

Now you may be thinking that you've seen these before but what I really love about the Cover Me Strap is that it is so versatile. Because of the clips that are on the ends and the adjustable length it also works great for holding blankets over strollers, creating a nursing cover, and other such things. It super small and easy to keep in the diaper bag and I love having it handy for all those times I need an extra hand.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Gadget Screen Cleaner Review

I've learned to deal with fingerprints fairly well. The worst part about little fingers is that it doesn't seem to matter what I do, they are always sticky! I don't mind them on the fridge or the microwave most of the time and I've completely given up on the back door's window that is solid mud thanks to the dogs (outside) and kids (inside). One place I do not like fingerprints however is on my computer screen. With so many little fingers around our house sometimes our computer screens look a little more like a fingerprint lab. B has gotten pretty good at not touching but we're still working with the younger two.

I no longer have to deal with fingerprints on my computer screen too much thanks to Clean Screen. I have been amazed at how well this simple product works! I also likes that it comes in two sizes, one that is big enough to take care of all the household computer screens and one that fits nicely in my backpack. If you ever have problems with fingerprints I highly suggest you check them out and follow Clean Screen on Facebook and Twitter to see special discounts as they are made available.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

A Pet food Week

It was a pet food week so our totals aren't the best but I still feel pretty good considering 

we got about 60 lbs of pet food. 

Total Spent: $63.28

Total Saved: $108.53 (63%)

Rewards remaining: $7

Dentist Time

It's almost time to take the boys to the dentist again and this time I'm debating weather to make an appointment for D too. Our dental insurance sent a card for him when he turned six months and now he's almost a year, Yikes! I know many dentists, including ours, like to begin seeing kids at about one year but I have to wonder if it will be worth it to take him. He's still little, just starting to eat solids, and still has a toothless grin.

I know a big part of the reason dentists like to begin seeing kids when they are little is to get them used to being there. I love our dentist because he is super good at helping the kids feel comfortable and not pressuring them when there is no need to. He also has an awesome movie themed office and even has a mini movie theater where the kids can wait. I love this and wish my dentist had been more like that when I started visiting. I'd probably be a lot less nervous now.

I am so thankful for a good dentist and the ability to get the dental work my kids need. There are so many good dentists I'm sure you can find one in your area. If you're around you should check out these Dentists in Nashville TN to see what they have to offer.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Adoptable: Danica

At the Kerr house we are firm believers that each child should have a four legged friend. This week I want to tell you about Danica who would make a perfect friend for most any family. Danica is a beautiful young cat who is available for adoption through Pets in Need. I can't get over her beautiful markings and adorable expression. If you think Danica might be the cat for you you can learn more by contacting Pets in Need. Make sure to check out all the other available animals while you're there.

I Want to Play with the Backpack Too!

Time to Plan for Summer Vacation

There is nothing more fun than a family summer vacation. When I was growing up one of our very favorite family vacations was visiting our East Coast cousins. One year I remember meeting my aunt, uncle and their kids at Virginia Beach where we had a blast!

My aunt and uncle didn't live too far away so Virginia Beach was a trip their kids were used to and they had so much fun showing me and my five siblings around. My parents rented a small house just two blocks from the beach which meant we were never to far to run home for food or a quick nap.

The week was so much fun. I remember spending the mornings out in the sand. We'd build castles, make each other into mermaids, and play in the water. We had some amazing castles and lots of cousin fun.

In the afternoons as it got warmer we'd head inside. The babies would take naps while the dads and big brothers played games in the rental home. The big girls (we were all of 12) got to go shopping. Their were lots of fun stores with interesting items made out of shells, sand and driftwood. We also found some awesome clothing. In fact, I still wear one of the shirts I got there, it's C's favorite because it has “fishies” on it.

In the evenings it was always fun to find someplace for dinner. A few nights we cooked right there at the house and ate watching the sun set. Other nights we would visit one of the many fun restaurants. Seafood was always my favorite choice of food, it still is most days, but there was something available for everyone and we were able to feed all the hungry children without too many complaints.

E and I look forward to being able to take our boys to see the sights around Virginia Beach someday too. We'll probably wait until their a little older but it will be a fun opportunity since their Grandma doesn't live too far a way and my cousins are still around too. It will make an awesome family vacation! I want to share with them not only the fun things I did as a child but also visit some of the local historical sites and do more activities off the beach. It will be so much fun! I can't wait to start planning!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Virginia Beach blogging program. For more information on how you can participate, click here.