Family Stuff

Rocked All A’s This Semester

May 27, 2013 By Stefani 25 Comments

Earlier this year I mentioned that I was taking some classes at my local college. I wanted to take a few classes that could improve my skills for designing websites. I figured if I took classes I was interested in, I would actually go and maybe get good grades too!

It has been a LONG time since I had taken any classes, I am guessing about 10 years but I rocked the three classes I took this semester. Below is a screenshot of my unofficial transcript for the Spring 2013 semester.

It was fun going back to school and I am enrolled full time for the Fall 2013 semester! I will be taking more computer classes, a photography class and even a cooking class so I can learn how to make some fancy desserts.

When was the last time you took a class?

Filed Under: Family Stuff, Misc Stuff

My Video Assignment For My Class

May 21, 2013 By Stefani 5 Comments

I just finished up my Photoshop class I was taking and one of our last assignments this month was to create a 1 minute video. I could have made a video of my kids or made a video of my pets, but I decided I would make a video featuring some of my recipes on This Mom Can Cook. In our assignment we had to include video as well as photos. I don’t like taking videos of myself, but thought I would be brave and make an intro for my video.

Care to take a peek?

Do you like taking videos of yourself talking?

Filed Under: Family Stuff, Misc Stuff

Oxygen Network’s I’m Having Their Baby – Season Two + $50 Gift Card Giveaway – #ImHavingTheirBaby

May 14, 2013 By Stefani 126 Comments

The post is sponsored by Oxygen Media, but all thoughts and opinions stated herein are 100% my own.

Last year I watched the reality series on the Oxygen channel, I’m Having Their Baby that not only touched my heart, but had me a little emotional and in tears in some of the episodes. This was a 6 part series that followed different women who were pregnant and were choosing to give up their babies for adoption. Each of the ladies had a different story on why they were choosing adoption and in the end, not everyone chose to give up their child.

Here is a recap of Season One’s stories along with links to view the full episodes:

Episode 101: Mary and Claudia – Mary is a young married woman that cheated on her husband and wants to give up her child to save her relationship. Claudia is a young woman who became pregnant accidentally with her boyfriend of one month and when they broke up, she wanted to give up the baby for adoption.
Episode 102: Amanda and Mariah – Amanda and her boyfriend decided to put their baby up for adoption because they can’t afford another baby, their prospective adoptive parents were a gay couple. Mariah is a teen mom who is pregnant with her second child and knows that she can’t afford to take care of another.
Episode 103: Jamie and Sydney – Jamie is a young single mom that already has three children. Sydney has recently graduated college with plans to move to CA to become a social worker who unexpectedly got pregnant.
Episode 104: Brandalynn and Mercedes -Brandalynn is a mom who is struggling to already support her first child. Mercedes is a young woman that became pregnant after unprotected sex with boyfriend and both of the parents think adoption is the best but will be hard.
Episode 105: Nicole and Sara - Nicole is a single mother of three that has already put one child up for adoption. Sara is a 16 year old in high school that knows she cannot afford to support a child.
Episode 106: Megan and Lindsay - Megan is a college student that wants to join the Navy and thinks she can only get to the life she wants by giving up her child but he father is against it. Lindsay is already a single mom and is pregnant with twins, she knows she cannot support three children on her own.

Being a mother of four, I know the fears of being pregnant. I can remember having worries with each of my pregnancies, trying to read everything I could about being a parent. Having a child definitely changes your life forever, for the parent and the child. Now that I am a parent of two teenagers, the thought of my daughters getting pregnant at an early age is something that worries me. I want my children to graduate and go off to college, but sometimes you can’t make all their decisions for them and only hope for the best. Although I can’t say that adoption ever came across my mind in terms of my own children, I have had thoughts in the past of adopting a little boy before I was blessed with a son of my own.

Being a fan of reality TV shows, I really enjoyed watching the I’m Having Their Baby docu-series last year on the Oxygen channel. It was very interesting being able to watch all twelve of these ladies go through the adoption process and also see the feelings of the fathers, the other family members and especially the adoptive parents.

This month Oxygen.com has rolled out a follow-up web series on their website that features five of the birth mothers from season one. This web series includes short-form videos that will focus on these these women’s lives after the adoption. You will get to find out how they are handling the decision they made as well as their current relationships with the adoptive parents. Take a peek of the episode, “I’m Having Their Baby: Raising Nayamah” below:

I’m Having Their Baby Season Two premieres on Wednesday June 12 @ 10/9c! Get a sneak peek of the new season at: oxygen.com/baby.

I’m Having Their Baby $50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

One of my LUCKY readers is going to receive a $50 Visa Gift Card just for watching the web series episode featured above and letting me know your thoughts. To enter this giveaway for your chance to WIN, use the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

Filed Under: Entertainment, Family Stuff, Giveaways

This Mom Is An Almay Spokesperson

May 12, 2013 By Stefani 22 Comments

This year has been pretty amazing so far. I have had some great opportunities come my way and I am almost finishing up my Spring Semester at my local college. I think I might get straight A’s. I also was recently asked to be a spokesperson for Almay, which has me tickled pink. Ever since I was little I can remember my mom and her makeup. She used to say that she had to “do her face”, but what she really meant was she was going to get even more beautiful by using some of her favorite makeup products.

My mom didn’t need makeup but as ladies, we love to use makeup to make ourselves feel even prettier. I have always thought of Almay as the makeup that always cost a little more, but could make you look glamorous. I LOVE all the Almay makeup I have in my beauty collection and wish I had more.

From stealing your mother’s mascara to teaching your daughter how to apply eyeshadow, you share a lifetime of makeup moments with the most important women in your life.

Right now on the Almay Facebook page you can enter the Makeup Moments with Mom Contest for a chance to WIN a trip for 2 to NYC for a makeover. All that you need to do is upload a photo and share a memorable mother/daughter makeup moment for your chance to win.

What secrets did you learn about makeup from your mom?

Filed Under: Family Stuff, Misc Stuff

Wet Ones To The Rescue

May 6, 2013 By Stefani 21 Comments

“I participated in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Wet Ones. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating”

Now that Spring is here and the weather is getting warmer, my kids have been spending more time outside. Before we know it Summer will be here and it will be time for more outdoor activities like swimming and trips to the park for picnics and definitely time to see the animals at the zoo!

This past month with the weather being warm, we have also been taking advantage of using the grill. I prefer grilling outside when we can instead of heating up the house with the oven. Grilling also is fun when you have friends and family over. When it comes time to eat lunch and dinner outside after BBQ’ing, my supply of Wet Ones has been really coming in handy with the kids. I LOVE the Wet Ones products because they are portable and handy when soap and water isn’t available and help to kill 99.9% of germs. These wipes also come in handy when mom or dad happens to have BBQ sauce on their face.

I have been using the Wet Ones products since I was a kid so its only natural for me to want my kids to use the products too! To this day you will find a container of Wet Ones at my grandparents house in case any of the grandchildren come over and need a quick cleanup. The Wet Ones brand has a variety of products including the Antibacterial Hand Wipes, Sensitive Skin Hand Wipes, Singles, Big Ones Hand Wipes and the Fresh ‘N Flush wipes. I always keep the singles in my purse, car at at home and they always seem to come in handy.

For more information on Wet Ones, special offers, promotions and tips, visit: www.wetones.com.

Filed Under: Family Stuff, Reviews

Words DO Hurt – Help To Put an End to Bullying Now

April 23, 2013 By Stefani 21 Comments

When I was young and someone called me a name, I remember yelling out that phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me“. Although I remember saying that phrase, I don’t think I ever really meant it. When you are young and you have someone calling you a name that makes you feel bad, sometimes the only way to protect yourself is to act like whatever the person said doesn’t bother you.

During my school years I remember that I always wanted to fit in. I didn’t necessarily want to be the popular crowd, but I didn’t ever want to give kids a reason to pick on me. In school you tend to get judged by what you wear, so even though my mom wasn’t rich, she always tried to buy me some name brand clothes and shoes for school so I felt good going to school. My mom spent a lot of time rummaging through the sales and clearance racks trying to find me deals that wouldn’t break her pocket that would put a smile on my face. I never made fun of the kids that were less fortunate, but I can’t say that I didn’t see it happen.

Childhood bullying can have a lifelong impact, leading to depression, anxiety, substance abuse and even suicide. But we have the power to prevent it, if we take action.

Now that I am a mom, I have a tendency to worry about my children and the bullies that they might come across at school. When my kid’s come home and tell me about rude or cruel things that other kids have said, it makes me sad and even mad. I teach my kids to be nice to others and treat others how they would like to be treated and am hoping that more and more parents will encourage their children to praise other kids instead of put them down.

Now it is your turn! Take a pledge today to help to END bullying now!

Your pledge is important! I would love for you to leave me a comment letting me know you have took the pledge!

This is a sponsored post through Linqia and the opinions stated herein are 100% my own.

Filed Under: Family Stuff, Misc Stuff

National Boys & Girls Club Week – Open The Door

April 12, 2013 By Stefani 23 Comments

Did you know that this week is National Boys & Girls Club Week? This special week was created to celebrate the invaluable service that clubs can bring to our communities and to highlight why great futures start at the Boys & Girls Club. More than 4,000 Boys & Girls opened their doors to serve millions of kids across our nation as well as military bases overseas where they can grow and have a great future. At the Boys & Girls Club, you will find that they provide both guidance and lots of fun. The children in these clubs are able to participate in programs that can help them excel in school, give back to their own communities an choose a healthy lifestyle.

During this celebration, different clubs across the country have been participating in fun activities for the club members, their parents as well as the neighborhood too! Some of these fun events that have been happening include carnivals, heath fairs, teen forums, service and leadership groups and a ton more! You will also find these boys & girls giving back to their community by volunteering at homeless shelters and assisted living facilities in our communities.

Are you interested in getting your child involved in the National Boys and Girls Club Week? Take the virtual tour. If you are interested, but can’t get out to do a physical tour, you can take a virtual Club tour this week at greatfutures.org. Even if you can’t get to your local Club, you can still celebrate the spirit of our Movement by spending time with an important kid in your life.

Do you have a child that has participated in this program for kids? Feel free to share your story by leaving me a comment below!

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. I received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Filed Under: Entertainment, Family Stuff, Misc Stuff