This blogging thing....

     ...this blogging thing for the most part has been so far a lot of great learning adventures and I've had the pleasure of seeing some amazingly fantastic blogs and ladies/mommies out there but for the most part I have been miserable and felt like it was controlling me instead of me controlling me and ultimately my blogs!!! I am a superbly creative and gifted person but between trying to sill content to design and going through the worst two years of my life, I have nothing to give or better yet, it all pours out playing in my mind but I never seem to be able to put it to blog! I have gotten so caught up in trying to be fun and fabulous and just plain neat with such good manners and parenting habits to set examples by that it just wasn't where I was at and therefore I couldn't fake it especially because living real life and blogging is hard enough but to actually try to make this blog and blogger character that I feel I am somewhere inside up and then record it or stage it---- well, just forget it!!! So now I am going to just blog for myself and let the Universe sort it out!!! I just need a friend, a really good friend, right now I'm going to make this blog in particular my friend.
     Considering I never even really wrote in a diary or journal regularly if at all at times (a lot of times) this ought to be great fun but I do love to write long letters (and either give them to the recipient or tear them up and throw them away once I've gotten things off my chest) so writing these blogging entries to my new best friend should be a piece of cake!
     About this last two years, well it will come as it needs to but right now drowning my new best friend in tears would be just plain rude and wrong!!! So I will close this entry for now and just try as I might to maintain my composure as I'm at work in my husband's divorce and family law firm and I don't want him to mistake me for one of his weeping clients although me weeping right along with some of his clients might help business--- we would just be really well known for our compassion through difficult times!!! Until next time.....
 (finally just blogging for me and my family feels right!!!O:) )

TODAY IS MY PRECIOUS BABY GIRL'S 8TH BIRTHDAY!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BABY GIRL!!!

......I will add more photos later on capturing the last eight years and also add her pictures from her special day to commemorate her very special and big birthday but for now I just wanted to throw in a little message to her! To my biggest birthday girl, wowie!!! 8 years old!!! Is that ever big or what!!! Mommy and daddy love you so very much and are so very proud of you!!! You are such a wonderful girl and you bring sunshine with you wherever you go!!! You are the first of our baby bunch and you have been such a big helper and such a great big sister! You are definitely our little hen and have never had any trouble even to this day raising your little sister and baby brother and even us grown-ups!!! I love you deeper each and every day and I have so many hopes and dreams for you and whole future to share them with you!!! Just you wait kiddo, the best is yet to come!!! Happy Birthday my sweet 8 year old!!! May your day be full of love, laughter, sunshine, hearts, balloons, stars, rainbows, cupcakes, candy, and cake and everything else out there happy in the world!!! May this coming year be a blessed, safe, healthy, happy, and bright one where you are always happy and have more hugs and loves than you know what to do with!!! Love, mommy & daddy

MOMMY'S LITTLE SAILORS

We had the best summer last year into fall boating and swimming and we are looking forward to another great summer on the lake so I posted these pictures now so I can capture all the changes that the kids will go through this summer and how much they've grown and changed since last year! We hope you too have a great and safe summer especially around the water!!!

Raising Girls: Discovering the Virtual World of American Girl

Raising Girls: Discovering the Virtual World of American Girl: "

Earlier in the Summer, I was honored to be a Parent Partner with Shine On Now, a charitable initiative by American Girl. Girls across the globe united online to contribute and help give clothes, books, dolls, and money to charitable organizations all by simply giving stars on ShineOnNow.com.



Through my partnership, I was able to bless both my daughter and a deserving girl with a My American Girl Doll. A few weeks ago she got it. Can I just say this very important point? We've NEVER had an American Girl Doll. Ever. When she opened the box her eyes were big, her smile shining, as she hugged that doll to pieces. As a Momma, I was over the moon at seeing her delight. The really cool thing about the My American Girl Dolls, is that each comes with a unique code, where you unlock a virtual online world called Innerstar University.





About Innerstar U:

Innerstar University™, girls can learn as they laugh, and expand theirs minds as they experience a new world! It’s a virtual campus filled with games, awards, and activities designed to develop confidence, loyalty, pride, and more. When you purchase a new My American Girl™ doll, you'll have full access to this new online world where you can create a doll, then enroll yourdaughter right away to explore the entire campus. InnerstarU.com is recommended for girls 8 and up.

Momma Findings Family Thoughts:

Right away, my daughter and I created our account on InnerstarU.com. The first thing that came to mind was that the site clearly talks to girls with bright colors and graphics. It also reminds me a lot of Webkinz. With each My American Girl product you purchase it will come with a code to enter into the InnerStar Virtual World where you unlock all kinds of fun stuff.



How Do I Join InnerStar University?



It's really quite easy, however, parents should stick around for the enrollment process. There are a lot of little steps before the fun begins. To enroll in this virtual world, you must first already own or create a real-life My American Girl doll. You receive a code that will allow you to access Innerstar University and begin the enrollment process. Once there, you choose a name for your Doll and create an avatar. Our name ended up being Zelda4. Yes, if your name is already taken you'll have the option to keep it, but it will have a number on the end. The fun starts afterwards where you and your daughter can create a personality for your virtual girl. Everything is in your hands including eye color, hair, accessories, etc.



Once you are enrolled, and before your start exploring, you must take the InnerStar U Pledge. It goes a little something like this:







What's Next?



Well, now you explore! There are lots of locations, with an InnerStar Guide, to choose from like:

• Brightstar House: Have fun, try on outfits, and decorate your very own room.


• Starlight Library: Borrow books full of American Girl Activities, visit the Help Desk, and find ways to get your homework done.


• Star Student Center: Shop for gear, design cupcakes, and check overall game high score.


• Sparkle Studios: Create unique masterpieces in this Art Studio.


• Good Sports Center: Develop teamwork and leadership skills in athletic-inspired games.


• Blue Sky Nature Center: Learn about the outdoors.


• Real Spirit Center: This virtual center helps girls build their body and spirit.


• Rising Star Stables: Horse jumping games learning about overcoming real life obstacles.


• U-Shine Hall: Where all the dancing and music happen.


• Starfire Boathouse: Socialites unite to visit.


• Morningstar Meadow and The Market: Learn how to achieve great things and play a kite-flying game.


• The Shopping Square: Shop with the stars you've collected. Buys outfits, visit a salon, or get accessories for your room.


• Five-Points Plaza: Another place where girls can meet to visit.

More Information:



InnerStar U is not the sole selling point for me when looking at the My American Girl Dolls. It's an amazing and fun site that my daughter and I love, however, the Doll is the star in my daughter's eyes. She's made a best friend, who comes to life online. She reads to her at night. They chat over breakfast. She brushes her hair, tucks her in, and even brings her along in the car. In my opinion, pairing both the doll and the virtual world together makes for an amazing and cherished gift to any deserving girl.



If you'd like more information about InnerStar U, please visit the official site at www.americangirl.com/innerstaru.







This post made possible through my partnership with American Girl, who provided me with a My American Girl Doll as a thank you for participating in the Shine On Now initiative. Opinions stated are, solely, my own and not wavered or compensated in any other way.

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