Razzleberry Tutu and Ticky Tavy GIVEAWAY!!!

I am pleased and honored to announce a giveaway with an amazing company that I KNOW you will love!

Would you like the perfect gift for that pretty little princess in your life? If so your in luck!

Razzleberry Tutus is giving one lucky reader the chance to win this super cute Lovely Snowflake onesie (size 18-24 months), adorable headband in turquoise with a zebra gerber daisy AND a $10 Gift Certificate!

Razzleberry Tutus Story

Razzleberry was started in 2008 as the brain-child of my daughter, Hannah. Together we make decisions to bring the highest quality tutus to you and your special Princess. Everything from tulle color, flower styles, confetti themes, to the length of the bows,  Hannah and I have built a business that her and I can both be proud of......did I mention that Hannah is only 8!

Razzleberry isn't only selling you a tutu, we are feeding your daughter's imagantion. We are making her fairy tales and butterfly dreams come true. Thanks for letting us be a part of her world.

I am a proud military wife and a very busy mother of 3. Razzleberry has allowed me to have a creative outlet during the long deployments and sleepless nights. Thanks for letting me have my dreams and fairy tales too!
Love and Fairy Tales,
Susannah

Mandatory Entry - Which Razzleberry or Ticky Tavy item is your favorite?  Leave me a comment and tell me!!

1. Follow me on Google Friend Connect - 2 extra entries
2. "Like" Just Me Plus 3 on Facebook- 1 extra entry
3. Blog about this giveaway or add to a linky and leave a link- 3 extra entries
4. "Like" Razzleberry Tutus on Facebook - 1 extra entry
5. Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post- 1 extra entry

This giveaway will end on December 5th! 

I will choose the winner through random.org and will email and post the name.

If I do not hear back from the winner by 48 hours I will choose another winner!

This giveaway is open to US only.  

I did not receive financial compensation for this review and giveaway. I received the above mentioned products to facilitate my own opinion of the products. Others opinions may differ from my own.Razzleberry Tutus

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

This will be the first year I've not spent going house to house for Thanksgiving Dinner(s).  I'm not sure how I feel about that statement.  I'm a little bummed that there won't be that buzz of family excitement - with all the kids running around and checking out the papers for Fridays sales; on the other hand - It's gonna be Just Me...Plus 3!
Just me and my boys (and of course Maddison).  I went shopping and bought a small turkey breast, a box of instant potatoes, some stovetop stuffing, a meijer pumpkin pie and a can of corn!  Our Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Up North - in the middle of the woods.  It will be one with some of the best memories I'm sure!

Boyisms

Cute things the boys said in the last week:

1. Gregory - Mom, you got some age on you!

2. Eric: I ask "What are you thankful for?" Eric, " I am thankful for deer, fish and turkey to eat."  

3. Gregory - (who has been watching Beauty and the Beast everyday and is obsessed with Gaston) asks me, "Mom, do you think that I have biceps to spare?"

4. Eric: having to do homework  he has to write two things that he can do.  He writes  *catch fish and *give good hugs.

5. Gregory - we're at the Parade on Saturday and Gregory gets a huge handful of candy for a cute little girl about his age and he says, "That's the girl I've got my eye on, that's the one I'm gonna Marry!"  

They so crack me up!

Anyone wanna win a FREE SuperHero Cape?!!

I am so excited!!  I get to do my very first giveaway!!  PowerCapes (thanks Justin - my one awesome boss) is sponsoring my first Giveaway - as soon as I reach 25 followers!!  As the winner, you will get to chose a custom superhero cape of your own choice *sidekick size*.  Most of you know that after 8 years of mostly being a stay at home mom, I've started a new adventure and the the next chapter of my life working for PowerCapes - a team of Moms, Dads and me (a customer service superhero), Web Ninjas and Passionate People who have dedicated their live to helping kids be real Superheroes!  Holly Bartman (my other awesome boss) started this business as a way to provide children with personalized superhero capes, and has become the #1 destination for authentic superhero wear for kids (and adults too!)  One of the other things that I absolutely love about working for the amazing company is their dedication to giving back to the community.  They are a huge supporter of Heart Heroes - an organization that provides capes for children with heart defects.  We also have some pretty awesome things in the works for Autism Awareness Month in April!!  All in all - I think that I've found a fantastic fit for me and my family!  :-)

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment here with your name and email address so I can contact you if you win!

Extra Entries:

Be a Just Me...Plus 3 blog follower (1 entry)

Like PowerCapes us on Facebook (1 entry)

Subscribe to Powercapes Newsletter (1 entry)

Follow Powercapes on Twitter (1 entry)

Grab our button (1 entry)

Post this giveaway on your blog, Facebook OR Twitter (2 entries)

Thanks for entering and good luck!

Giveaway winner will be chosen as soon as my blog has 25 followers - so it could end tomorrow if I get some followers!!  Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

It's a Stimmy Day Pooh!

It's Sunday night - Already?!  Seems like it was just Friday afternoon!!  Some much drama this weekend - need to go back to work just to get away from my "home stress".  So glad that Jeff is home - but already starting to prepare for another week away.  Friday will be Gregory's 3rd Annual Opening Weekend trip up to deer camp.  He is SUPER excited and is way into "stimmy mode".  All he can talk about is hunting, trapping, and taxidermy!  *Dear Wish Fairy - please oh please, let Jeff get a deer while Gregory is there*  The pacing and "mmming" is in overdrive this week.  The boy actually tried eggs today because he wants to be an excellent hunter like Gaston (he's been watching Beauty and the Beast everyday).  He asked Jeff if he'd like to use "antlers in all of his decorating" and asked me if he "has biceps to spare".  I swear - I can't make things like that up!!

 

Always be my baby...

A little funny to make you giggle!!

In bed this afternoon, snuggling with Gregory.  Just a nice, sweet moment with me and him cuddling. 

Me:  *with arms open* C'mere Baby...

Gregory: *sad puppy dog look* I'm NOT a Baby!!

Me: You will ALWAYS be my Baby; even when you are 40 years old - you'll still be my Baby!

Gregory: *serious as a heart attack* But Mom, when I'm 40, you'll be DEAD.

Me: Gregory - I'll only be 63 when you are 40...

Gregory: But that's so OLD!!

Ugg...Reality Bites!!  

50 Days and Counting...

50 Days til Christmas... Thats right - 50 DAYS UNTIL Christmas!!  Scary isn't it!!

So tonight - or rather this afternoon it started.  At lunch I bought Eric's first Christmas present of 2010... shhhh...it's a secret, but I got him an acoustic guitar.  He pesters Hanna EVERY Friday (she brings it to school for Music).  I am super excited - I can't wait to see his face!!  Then, this evening, it was Gregory's turn.  I've stimulated the economy enough for one night!  I got a couple of things off his list from his favorite store - you know the one - CABELA'S!   I've already got a present for Gav - just need a cool toy to finish him up.  All in all I think I am doing pretty good this year.  My plan is to be finished before Dec 1st - I so can't stand shopping with crazy people who wait til the last minute.  I am so excited for Christmas this year - it's going to be the first year our boys will have a "Real" Christmas tree.  We donated our fake one to the cub scouts for the parade float.  Should be interesting - the last time we had a real tree, Jeff got irritated at how I wove the lights around every limb and threw the whole thing out - lights and all!

Dear Gregory

I have posted this on FB before - just feeling a little nostalgic and wanted to share it again...

Some of you might ask why I walk; this is my explanation to Gregory...

You asked me earlier why I walk, and why so many kids have Autism and a bunch of your famous "Why?" questions. You asked me why a lot of people don't understand autism and why they are mean and stare. I told you I do it for you, but I want to explain more of why I do it for you.

I walk for you, Gregory Michael. I walk for the good times and the accomplishments that you have made, and I walk for the sad times and the hard times. I walk for the day we found out you had Autism, and the tears I shed, thinking who'd watch over you when you were grown and I was gone, and of course, the why me? why you? why our family? questions that filled my head. I walk and remember the Teachers and Speech therapists that have helped you be the young man that you are. I walk for all the joy of the milestones you have made (your first steps, your first words, your first everything). Your favorites and your love of certain things (your love for the outdoors, watching hunting and fishing shows with Daddy and Papaw especially Rob Trot, Babe Winkelman, Jimmy Gretzinger and Kelly Gotch, your love of staying at Garage Door Gramma's and Granny and Pap's, your love for your little brother, Eric), your need for the "whys" of the world to be answered. I walk for those big hazel eyes of yours that sparkle with joy every time you figure something out, and your mind and that heart of gold you have beating within you. I walk for the boy that I have always wanted and got the day you were born. I walk because I love you. I walk because I'm proud of you. I walk for you.

I walk in the hopes that the people that stare at you will be educated about Autism, and stop staring when you have a meltdown or are talking to yourself. I walk in the hopes that you will be allowed to grow up and be yourself without the ignorance and prejudice that surrounds people with not just Autism, but any disability. I'm sorry that there are people in the world that make you sad and make you feel bad because you are "different" (you are? really? I don't think so! I think you're AMAZING!!! And 1000% completely normal). I'm sorry there are people out there that are cruel with words and actions. I wish I could stop their words, actions and stares, and protect you from it, but I will be there every time you cry, with a hug and a kiss, and your little brother offering to have a word with them on why his brother is a great guy and why they are mean and why they shouldn't be messing with his big brother!

I walk because 1 in 94 boys are on the autism spectrum. I walk because 1 in 150 are affected by this disorder. I walk because a new case of autism is diagnosed every 20 minutes. I walk because there is no medical detection or cure for autism. I walk because autism costs the nation over $90 billion per year, a figure expected to double in the next 10 years. I walk because I NEED people to understand that this is not just going to go away.

I walk in the hopes that someday, no family will have to hear the words "Your Child Has Autism." And if they do, there will be so many options and answers that they will not feel alone. I walk for a cure. I walk for education. I walk for tolerance. I walk for understanding of Autism. But mainly, I walk for you. My Bubba. My light. My joy. My Son!

I love you for always! - MOM

Rough Morning

Today was probably the worst morning I've had so far with Eric.  I know that he is fine once he gets into his classroom, but the clinging and crying is really wearing me down.  Just feeling disorganized, forgetful and discombobulated with Jeff not home to help with the kids homework and make things run more smoothly.  Planning on going to see Megamind this weekend at the Canton Cinema with Staci Bockmann - if you have kids with ASD or other sensory issues, bring them!!  They are having a special showing on Saturday!!  :)

Halloween Photo Phrenzy

Group shot of all the kids - Gregory, Eric, Blakely and Gavin

Super Hunter in Action!!  Lookout all cute n' cuddley woodland creatures!

Batman and Robin aka Eric and Gav - fighting crime as long as it's not too scary!

                                                    Blakely - the cutest Daisy Duck...EVER!!
Just had to post of few of my favorite pics from Halloween!

Blogger Newbie

So - I think I'll start off as this sort of being an online diary; throwing in some comedy along the way.  Wait, this is my life, so there's apt to be quite a bit of comedy!

Today started out ordinary enough - Gregory up at 6AM with NO alarm clock (it kills me that he is so scheduled).  The alarm goes off and I hear grunting - little "uh's" and "oh's".  What the heck is that?!  I come around the corner to see Gregory laying on the living room floor watching "Priscilla's Yoga Stretches" on PBS and doing (or attempting to do) yoga.  SeRiOuSlY?   He is such a goof!  Then here comes Eric - not to be out done - lyes on the floor and throw his legs up and over his head and says "MOM - look at me too!"  Ay yi yi!!

Eric was a cling - on again this morning.  He is my velcro kid.  I know that he is fine once he gets into class, but it kills me when he does that.  It's like he's feeding on my guilt of going back to work.  Sneaky little booger.

Work was crazy busy.  I am a mad ironing fool trying to get the last of the Zulily order done.  Yes - we will be on Zulily.com this Friday, so if you ever wanted a cape - now's your chance for a great deal.  The problem is that we are making over 2000 cuffs and you can get about 100 (maybe) done in a hour.  Anyone want to come over tonight and help me iron?  Bring your iron and board!!

Sitting here and frustrated as all get out.  I can literally feel my hair turning GRAY!  And on a mini rant - I actually looked up how to spell gray... Seriously!!  Jeff is gone hunting for the week and I feel like I am drowning.  I can't seem to keep up with everything and it's making me feel like a failure.  And having to find a different place to stay until I get home is getting annoying to say the least!  By the time I got home it was after 6pm... and I've been fighting with the boys to finish their homework ever since.  FOCUS - What does that mean?!  Be careful - when you come into this house, all of a sudden you have the attention span of a gnat!!  AAHHHHRRRRGGGGGGAAAA!!!  <------  = really REALLY frustrated!  Mama needs a MARGARITA!!  I keep repeating my self and I swear if the neighbors can hear me, I'm really not this mean!  I think it just must be apart of the male gender to block out what a member of the opposite sex says.  ***Just FYI - "Grey is used primarily in areas that use UK English. Gray is used primarily in areas that use US English."