Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
An Open Addiction
I have an addiction. A rather strong one too. It's so strong that even though I've been feeling for weeks now that I need to blog about it, and even listened to a Bible study about it, I have avoided doing so. Finally tonight, I blog about it in hope that once it is public, I can be held accountable for my addiction.
It all started back in June, only a month after Meridian was born. I took the girls to our local parade which is always a highlight of my year. Typically they throw candy out at parades and this year was no different. Now I am NOT a candy person. Sure I will have a candy bar here or there, but sweets do not generally appeal to me.
That is why my addiction would almost be comical, were it not just that, an addiction. I sat on the side of the road as all the cars, firetrucks, etc. drove by throwing candy and then someone threw out this:
It all started back in June, only a month after Meridian was born. I took the girls to our local parade which is always a highlight of my year. Typically they throw candy out at parades and this year was no different. Now I am NOT a candy person. Sure I will have a candy bar here or there, but sweets do not generally appeal to me.
That is why my addiction would almost be comical, were it not just that, an addiction. I sat on the side of the road as all the cars, firetrucks, etc. drove by throwing candy and then someone threw out this:
Yes my dear blog readers, I am addicted to Tootsie Rolls! Laugh all you want because at first I did too. That is until I realized that I was buying (or having Chris) buy big bags of them once a week. 400 Tootsie Rolls in one bag and I would take only about a week or two to go through it. Of course Chris would have some here or there, and ultimately Zoelle got some as well, but I did *gulp* eat the majority of them. At $5 a bag, it hasn't been a wise use of our money either! I have a pit in my stomach just reading that. Yuck!
Seriously, it grosses me out thinking of all the things in Tootsie Rolls that aren't good for me, yet somehow, over time, it has become an addiction. At first it was only a handful here or there, but then it evoloved to me eating them every time I was stressed or upset.
In my mind, I've tried to justify and rationalize my addiction and I've been known to say thing like, "Well, at least it's not as bad as eating a candy bar everyday!". Yet it is! It's not healthy, it's fake, and I am well...addicted! Or I have found myself saying, "I can go for weeks without any, so I'm not addicted." And while that is true, as many weeks (or sometimes a month), I'll go without any, I always come back to them when I am stressed.
As silly as it is, somehow I don't think that is where God wants me to go when I'm stressed. I know each of us struggle with our own private addictions and the best way to break them is to get them out in the open. To be held accountable for our actions. Even just writing this out has made me seriously think about the amount of nasty corn syrupy filled Tootsie Rolls I have eaten and money I have wasted!
So, I'll start...I'm Vanessa and I'm addicted to all things Tootsie Rolls!
Your Turn: Do you have an addiction that is hidden? Silly or serious? I'd love to hear about it and how you've gotten over it if you are willing to share.
As for me, I am slowly going to rid myself of my addiction. I know from past experiences, that getting rid of them cold turkey will not help. So I will slowly limit myself (with Chris' help) and get rid of them. Already, I think just writing this and reading this has made me not want to touch another Tootsie Roll ever!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Bebe Au Lait Double Reversible Bib Review & Giveaway
When I first heard of Bebe Au Lait's Double Reversible Bib that is four bibs in one, I thought it was absolutely too good to be true. However I am a huge fan of Bebe Au Lait and knew that it would definitely be worth a try. Our current bibs are old and the velcro on them had gone bad so they didn't even stick anymore.
One of my absolute favorite parts of this bib are the magnets. They are perfect in that they are easy to use and work wonderfully using either side of the bib. They aren't too weak that a child can pull it off, yet the bib wasn't too tight on my girls either. Plus being able to use this bib four times before having to wash it is wonderful! Who wouldn't love less laundry?!?
On top of that, the bibs are absolutely beautifully made and are pure quality. Plus, they are incredibly cute. See
Buy It!
Want one of these incredible reversible bibs? If so, go to Bebe Au Lait and buy one for $16 today. Definitely worth the money invested!!
Win It!
Bebe Au Lait has been so generous to offer one of my readers a Double Reversible Bib of their choice.
Mandatory Entry:
Visit Bebe Au Lait and take a look around at all of the different patterns and come back and tell me which one you would choose if you win. Please do me the favor of making sure you leave your e-mail address in the comment if it is not visible on your profile. (1 entry)
Extra Entries:
1. Follow me on google friend connect and leave a comment telling me you are. (1 entry)
2. Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment telling me you are along with your Twitter ID. (1 entry)
3. Follow Bebe Au Lait on Twitter and leave a comment telling me you are along with your Twitter ID. (1 entry)
4. Tweet about this contest making sure you include @jewelsntreasure and @bebeaulait and link to this contest somewhere in your Tweet (1 tweet/entry per day)
5. Become a fan of Jewels & Treasures on facebook and leave me a comment telling me you are a fan. (1 entry)
6. Become a fan of Bebe Au Lait on facebook and leave me a comment telling me you are a fan. (1 entry)
That's It!
Winner will be chosen at random from random.org Winner has 24 hours from being contacted to respond, or else a new winner will be chosen.
Contest ends Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. CST!
*Congrats to #58-Esther-Hope you enjoy the bib just as much as we have!
*Congrats to #58-Esther-Hope you enjoy the bib just as much as we have!
*The featured product(s) in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Sick Girls
I have been noticibly quiet this week. So quiet that the many blog reviews and giveaways I have to do, haven't gotten done. I apologize for that. If you are a company waiting on me to do a review, please accept my apologies. My girls have gotten sick this week and I haven't gotten anything done. Tonight alone, both girls have been awake more than Chris and I could probably count. We are running back and forth to each of them constantly. We have been so blessed this year in that over the winter neither of our girls got sick. However, this cold has really hit them hard. I am praying it is over with quickly and we can get back to normal around here. I hate seeing them sick and knowing there is not much I can do about it. Pray for peaceful sleep tonight and a quick recovery for them. I want to see these smiling faces again!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
I'm no longer "that" Christian
Sometimes I don't feel very Christian. As much as I want to be the "perfect" Christian, I know I'm not. Not only do I not feel Christian, I often don't act Christian.
For instance, today is Easter and while I would love to say I spent the whole day focused on Christ and what He did for me, because of me, I know that realistically I did not. Don't all gasp now, come on and admit that many times, we all fake it . I know I have and I'm not proud of it, yet I still often do.
We "Christians" go around with smiles on our faces and declare that we are doing great, praise God. Yet, all the while many of us are broken inside, hiding in our sin, living one life at home and another at church. How many of us have been screaming at our kids only for the phone to ring and we quickly change our voices to a happy hello? How many of us get in that fight with our husbands right on the way to church and then somehow when we walk through those church doors, we grab for our husbands hand and we act like we have the perfect marriage. All in the name of Christianity.
I've been guilty of it and I'm sick of it. I don't want to be that Christian. That Christianty is the one in which non-Christians are turned off. Oh how sad I am to know that those around me have looked into my life from afar (or possibly even close-up) and decided not to follow Him because of me. Because I chose to fake it rather than be real. Because ultimately my pride, my shame of exposing me was too great of a price.
I don't want to be that Christian anymore. The one who goes around pretending things are perfect. Who says, "bless you" and "hallelujah" just for the sake of looking Christian. Instead I want to be real. For God sees me, He knows what goes on in my home, He knows every thought my mind has and knows the direction of my heart.
To admit that I've failed, I've faked it, I've sinned is not wrong. It's why He died for me. It's going to take guts at times to not fake it, to be real at home and in public, but I'm broken and I want to no longer be that Christian.
How about you? Would you like to quit faking it and show others around you the real you?
For instance, today is Easter and while I would love to say I spent the whole day focused on Christ and what He did for me, because of me, I know that realistically I did not. Don't all gasp now, come on and admit that many times, we all fake it . I know I have and I'm not proud of it, yet I still often do.
We "Christians" go around with smiles on our faces and declare that we are doing great, praise God. Yet, all the while many of us are broken inside, hiding in our sin, living one life at home and another at church. How many of us have been screaming at our kids only for the phone to ring and we quickly change our voices to a happy hello? How many of us get in that fight with our husbands right on the way to church and then somehow when we walk through those church doors, we grab for our husbands hand and we act like we have the perfect marriage. All in the name of Christianity.
I've been guilty of it and I'm sick of it. I don't want to be that Christian. That Christianty is the one in which non-Christians are turned off. Oh how sad I am to know that those around me have looked into my life from afar (or possibly even close-up) and decided not to follow Him because of me. Because I chose to fake it rather than be real. Because ultimately my pride, my shame of exposing me was too great of a price.
I don't want to be that Christian anymore. The one who goes around pretending things are perfect. Who says, "bless you" and "hallelujah" just for the sake of looking Christian. Instead I want to be real. For God sees me, He knows what goes on in my home, He knows every thought my mind has and knows the direction of my heart. To admit that I've failed, I've faked it, I've sinned is not wrong. It's why He died for me. It's going to take guts at times to not fake it, to be real at home and in public, but I'm broken and I want to no longer be that Christian.
How about you? Would you like to quit faking it and show others around you the real you?
Friday, April 2, 2010
Label Daddy Review
We are quickly approaching Zoelle's 3rd birthday. It's an exciting time in our life, but being three also brings about big changes. One thing Chris & I have been talking about a lot is whether or not we will put Zoelle into preschool one day a week for school this year. We haven't made an official decision yet, but if we do send her to school I have found some awesome labels to label all of Zoelle's things with.
Label Daddy is a company that sells labels for clothing, camp, and school, along with many other uses. They are microwave safe, dishwasher safe, and washer/dryer safe. I did a bit of a test with the dishwasher and my label came out looking exactly as how I put it in. Pretty amazing as our sippy cups go with us everywhere and I want to make sure her name isn't falling off of it, or we aren't losing her sippy. Another great thing about the labels is that they are laminated. This comes in extremely handy when you are using lotions, sunscreens, etc. Thus the label is smudge free and very easy to read.
Zoelle loves cupcakes, so when choosing from the available icons we knew she would love the cupcake. The cherry on top is an added bonus that has provided many fun conversations with us about how cupcakes have a cherry on top just like her label on her sippy does! :)
Buy It!
Looking to get some labels for your child who is going to school in the fall? Or how about some fantastic labels to label all the camp items your child will bring to camp? If so, head on over to Label Daddy and make sure you use the code SUMMERFUN to save 20% off your order. Shipping is only $5.95 to anywhere in the US or Canada, so it is a fantastic deal!
*The featured product(s) in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.
