Category: Mommy Joy
What a Crazy Week!
| April 23, 2013 | Filled under Chicago Joy, Crafts, Creative Joy, Kids & Babies, Mommy Joy |
Last week has to have been the craziest week America has seen in a very long time, if ever! Here’s what we were up to…
Last Sunday, we took a FREE tile backsplash workshop at Home Depot:
Last Monday, we prayed for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and their families:
Then, we stayed up almost all night putting up our back splash:
Last Wednesday, we prayed some more for the victims of the West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion and their families:
That night, we braced ourselves for the storm that was heading towards the Chicago area. We checked on our basement and sump pump, which were fine, before going to bed, but we ended up having to deal with this since Thursday morning:
We stayed up again Thursday and Friday nights cleaning up the basement and prayed for all those who were affected by the flood much worse than we are. We then prayed some more for the residents of Cambridge, Watertown, and other areas surrounding Boston:
Saturday was very busy with my daughter’s gymnastics and dance classes, my husband being called into work, and a wedding we attended over an hour away:
Sunday was another busy day with my Goddaughter’s first communion. I spent the morning making these chocolate covered pretzel rods for party favors:
What I didn’t do last week…
Sleep and study!
What was your week like last week or what happened during your craziest week? Leave me a comment below 
And make sure to watch for more posts about installing our mosaic tile backsplash, dealing with flood damage, and making chocolate covered pretzel party favors!
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Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for additional information.
My Thoughts!: Taking the Plunge to Graduate School
| April 10, 2013 | Filled under Mommy Joy |
I finally did it! I registered to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) to try to get into graduate school and have a date set to take the test. This is a big deal considering I have a collection of GRE study guides from almost every year since 2007 but have never made the commitment to actually take the test. I’ve always known I wanted to get an advanced degree, but it has taken me forever to decide what program to get into.
I have my Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences and have been a health insurance underwriter since I graduated from college in 2005. I have always been interested in medicine, but financial issues prevented me from going straight into medical school or any other type of grad school right away. Unfortunately, the programs I have been most interested in would require me to go to school full-time and I don’t think we can afford to live off of one income right now. But with Health Care Reform looming over us, I have a new-found interest in a different part of medicine and health care that I never thought I would care for. So, with the help of my husband, I have FINALLY decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Health with a focus in Epidemiology. In the new health care and health insurance environments that we all will face in 2014 and beyond, I think prevention and management of diseases will be more important than ever to try to keep health care costs down for everyone and try to “save” the health care system. I foresee plenty of opportunities in public health and epidemiology, so I’m excited to take on this new challenge.
I really wish I would have thought of this sooner because if I want to start grad school this fall, I really need to get my GRE scores and applications in ASAP. So I have given myself a little over a month to study for the GRE, yikes! In case you’re unfamiliar, the GRE is a 4 and a half hour exam consisting of 2 essays, lots of vocabulary, and lots of math. I’m not so worried about the math part, but I am terrified of the vocabulary. And even though I write all the time, I am also a bit worried about the timed essays.
So, what do you think? Do you think I can study for the GRE in a month and do well while working a full-time job and taking care of a toddler? If you’ve taken the GRE or any other exam (GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, etc.), what studying or test-taking tips do you have? How long did you give yourself to study? ANY HELP WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED! Leave me a comment below
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Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for additional information.
Easter!: iCaughtTheEasterBunny Photo – Try it for FREE & 50% Off Code
| March 28, 2013 | Filled under Deals/Discounts, Mommy Joy, Savings Joy |
For less than $10 anyone can be a hero to children by catching the Easter Bunny “in the act”. Catch him here – Catch him there – Catch him ANYWHERE! In three simple steps, iCaughtTheEasterBunny can turn a typical Easter into something spectacular by adding the Easter Bunny to any of your photos. Catch The Easter Bunny TODAY! CLICK HERE to try it FREE! and SAVE 50% on your purchase with this code – 50% off code: BUNNY2013
iCaughtTheEasterBunny is part of CatchACharacter. Make sure to follow them on Twitter and Facebook! I wrote a review of iCaughtSanta over a year ago. Click here to see my review.
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Disclosure: I was offered an iCaughtTheEasterBunny photo in exchange for sharing this information. This post may include affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for additional information.
Easter!: Melissa & Doug Easter Shop and Giveaway
| March 12, 2013 | Filled under Kids & Babies, Mommy Joy |
Melissa & Doug has some great toys and surprises to put in Easter baskets in their Easter Shop! Plus, to celebrate Easter, they are giving one lucky winner $200 to spend in their Easter Shop during their Easter Basket Giveaway! Just fill out this form by Wednesday, March 20th. And don’t forget to sign up for their newsletter to receive 10% off your next purchase at Melissa & Doug.
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Disclosure: I was provided with a discount from Melissa & Doug for sharing this information. This post may include affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for additional information.
Review/Giveaway!: Premama Prenatal Vitamin – Ends 3/19 at 12:01 am EST
| March 11, 2013 | Filled under Kids & Babies, Mommy Joy, Reviews/Giveaways |
Premama is a doctor-recommended prenatal vitamin drink mix with key prenatal vitamins and minerals that help reduce the risk of some birth defects and promote healthy fetal development. It also includes ingredients that help relieve nausea and digestive symptoms such as constipation, which are 2 common side effects of other prenatal vitamins. Premama contains:
- Folic acid and choline to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
- Chelated iron for healthy blood cell formation.
- Biotin to help support embryo growth.
- Vitamin D3 for healthy bone health and immune function.
- DHA Omega-3 fatty acid, which is suggested to support fetal cognitive development and protect against postpartum depression.
- B Vitamins to help provide energy.
- Coenzyme Q10 to help reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia.
- Ginger root to help with nausea relief.
Premama is most effective if taken while trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding and can be mixed with any juice, fruit-flavored beverage, iced tea, or milk.
MY REVIEW:
Premama comes in packets that are very easy to open. They are meant to be taken as 2 packets per day (either twice a day or 2 at once) so I like how they come with 2 packets attached to each other. When I was pregnant, it was difficult for me to remember whether or not I took my prenatal vitamin each day, so I think this would help with remembering.
I was curious to see if the drink mix had any taste or smell so I mixed one packet with water and another with orange juice. I definitely do not recommend that it be mixed with only water. It tasted and smelled like fish, BUT I was barely able to taste it when it was mixed with orange juice. In fact, the orange juice hid the taste of the drink mix pretty well, so I think it will work well with any drink as long as the taste of the drink is strong enough. It did take a couple of minutes for the powder to dissolve in the juice, but I think this is a great alternative to the traditional prenatal vitamin, especially if you have a hard time swallowing large pills or have any side effects from the other vitamins.
GIVEAWAY!:
I’m happy to give one (1) My Joy My World reader a 30-day supply of Premama Prenatal Vitamin Powdered Supplement Mix ($25 value) provided by Premama! Entries will be accepted through Tuesday, March 19th at 12:01 am EST. Enter below (it is mandatory to leave a blog post comment…all other entries are optional but will give you more chances to win):
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for visiting! Keep up with My Joys by subscribing to my email newsletter, “liking” me on Facebook, & following me on Twitter! Disclosure: Premama provided me with the product to review and giveaway. All opinions expressed are my own and true. Although I reviewed the prenatal vitamin, I am not pregnant This post may include affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for additional information.
Save!: 5 Dr. Seuss Books & Backpack for $5.95 Shipped
| March 6, 2013 | Filled under Deals/Discounts, Kids & Babies, Mommy Joy, Savings Joy |
One reason I absolutely love Dr. Seuss’s books is they are great for everyone of all ages! In fact, one of my favorite books, Oh, the Places You’ll Go, is a gift I like to give to high school and college graduates and it is always well-appreciated. March is unofficially Dr. Seuss’s month since his birthday is March 2nd, and right now, you can get 5 books by Dr. Seuss plus a FREE backpack for only $5.95 shipped when you join the Dr. Seuss & His Friends book club! The 5 hardcover books you’ll receive are:
- The Cat in the Hat
- Mr. Brown Can Moo
- Ten Apples On Top
- Go Dog Go!
- The Tooth Book
By joining the Dr. Seuss & His Friends book club, you’ll receive 3 hardcover books by Dr. Seuss per month for less than $5 per book. You can control your membership online and cancel anytime. They also guarantee 100% satisfaction, so if you are unhappy with your purchase, you can return the books (but keep the backpack) for a full refund.
Important: This is a monthly book club that will automatically charge your account and send you books each month unless you cancel your membership (if you only want the 5 books and backpack for $5.95, make sure to cancel your membership when you receive your products). To manage your account, call 1-800-353-3140 or login to your account online: https://www.earlymoments.com/Login/
What’s your favorite book by or quote by Dr. Seuss? Leave me a comment below Here is one of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes:
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Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for additional information.
Lessons to My Daughter: Positivity
| February 20, 2013 | Filled under Mommy Joy |
Dear Lia,
At almost 2 and 1/2 years old, you already make Mommy and Daddy so proud. You are compassionate, polite, encouraging, optimistic, and honest. When you see someone in pain, you ask, “Are you okay?” You are very skilled at saying, “Please”, “Thank you”, “You’re welcome”, and even, “I’m sorry” at the right times. When I am having trouble with something like fixing a toy, you yell, “You can do it Mommy! You can do it! Keep trying!” You say, “Great job!” to those who deserve it, and even when you lose a game, you say, “Woo hoo! You won! High five!” You do say, “I don’t like it” quite a bit, but when you are asked to do something you don’t want to do, you simply make a suggestion to do something else like, “How ’bout watch TV?” or “How ’bout I take a picture?” You are also great at compromising. A few weeks ago, Daddy pointed out it was snowing outside, but you insisted it was raining. When Daddy said to look at the snowflakes, you said, “It’s snowflake raining!” I hope the positivity you exude now as a 2-year old carries on throughout your life, so you can live happily, and shine your brightness to everyone you meet like you do to us today.
As you grow up, surround yourself with positive people: those who, although they may not always agree with you, will always support you; those who tell you the hard-telling truth not to bring you down or to make themselves look or feel better, but for the sole purpose of making you better; those who see the good in you and do not assume the worst of your intentions without taking the facts into account; those who are there to pick you up when you fall and who would never push you down even further. Also, become that type of person for other people. You will cross paths with those who will try to bring you down and make you feel like you and your feelings don’t matter. You will be a friend to someone only to find they are not there for you when you need them. Do not waste your time and your beautiful spirit on these people, and do not let them take away from your positivity.
I know that life will not always be easy and it is impossible to be happy all the time. But no matter how bad things seem, there will always be something to be thankful for. During these times, try to focus on that and move forward. Recognize what you can and cannot control and what you can and cannot change…you cannot control or change other people. Always strive to be better, and make necessary changes to do so. It may not be easy, but you can do anything you set your mind to.
I love you with all of my heart, and I will always be here for you. Thank you for shining your positive light into my world, and KEEP SHINING!
Love always,
Mommy
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Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for additional information.
Hockey!: Rockford IceHogs Games – Fun Family Experience
| February 6, 2013 | Filled under Chicago Joy, Kids & Babies, Mommy Joy |
The Rockford IceHogs is the proud American Hockey League Affiliate to the Chicago Blackhawks. Their games are a great family experience with Top Shot, an interactive hockey inspired shooting game located on the main concourse where you can test your hockey skills, and the IceHogs Runts Club, which by joining you’ll have the opportunity to take your little one down to the tunnel to high-five all the players as they walk off the ice and help pick up Chuck-A-Pucks with them on the ice. If you prefer to stay off the ice, you can purchase Chuck-A-Pucks and take part in an exciting intermission activity where you have the opportunity to win $500 Oink Outfitters bucks and other prizes. Every IceHogs game offers tons of contest, raffles, and enter to wins for the whole family!
Rockford IceHogs games are held at the BMO Harris Bank Center located at 300 Elm Street in Rockford, IL. Tickets start as low as $8.
Here are some promotions going on this month:
- Saturday, February 9th: IceHogs vs Houston Aeros @ 7:05 pm. GIVEAWAY: Colin Fraser Bobblehands (like a bobblehead but the hands bobble) for the first 2,500.
- Saturday, February 16th: IceHogs vs Abbotsford Heat @ 7:05 pm. GIVEAWAY: Floppy Hats for the first 1,500.
- Sunday, February 17th: IceHogs vs Lake Erie Monsters @ 5:05 pm. GIVEAWAY: Tooth Brush Holder for the first 1,000. This is also the last Skate With The Hogs Night so bring your skates and meet the players after the game!
- Friday, February 22nd: IceHogs vs Grand Rapids @7:05 pm. GIVEAWAY: Water Bottles for the first 2,500.
Find more dates and purchase your tickets from Ticketmaster here.
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Disclosure: I will be receiving tickets for my family and I to attend a Rockford IceHogs game for sharing this information. This post may include affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for additional information.
Review!: Disney On Ice Presents Rockin’ Ever After
| January 31, 2013 | Filled under Kids & Babies, Mommy Joy, Reviews/Giveaways |
Disney On Ice has a new show called Rockin’ Ever After that my family and I had the privilege of attending last week at Allstate Arena. I loved the show, but the most enjoyable part for me, was watching my 2-year old’s reactions throughout the show! Lia has been to other shows before, including Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! just 2 days before, but they were always in a theater so it was a little crowded and loud so it always took at least half-way through the show before she would warm up and really start reacting to the characters. But as soon as we walked into the arena, and she saw the Mickey Mouse silhouette in front of her, she was super excited for the show! Ever since we went to Disney World last June, Lia has loved everything Minnie Mouse and the Disney Jr. show, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse has become one of her favorites. I loved seeing her face light up when she saw Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy hit the ice! She kept yelling, “Look Mommy! It’s Mickey Mouse!” She even sang and danced throughout almost the entire show.
Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After is set up like a variety show produced by Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy and features “mini-acts” of The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Brave, and Beauty and the Beast. The skating, including the jumps and lifts, formations of the skaters, costumes, sets, lighting, special effects, and music were all amazing! And in true magical Disney fashion, there were parts of the show when I found myself looking up in the rafters thinking “How did they do that?” I also loved that the characters interacted with the audience and had so much fun watching Lia wave to each character with so much excitement, especially since she’s typically pretty reserved and shy in public. My favorite act was “Under the Sea” where they used black lights to show some of the vibrant colors of the sea creatures in the dark as they “swam” by. My husband thought the show might have been one act too long, but I thought it was the perfect length, lasting a little over 2 hours, including intermission. My only complaint is that there is so much cool and fun merchandise to purchase that is so expensive, but I guess that is to be expected 
Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After is in Chicago at the United Center through Sunday, February 10th. Check out my previous post for more information about the show, including how to find out if Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After is coming to a city near you, and to find out how to get up to 40% off your tickets!
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Disclosure: I received tickets to Disney on Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After in exchange for sharing this information. All of the opinions expressed are my own and true. This post may include affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for additional information.
Review!: Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out!
| January 22, 2013 | Filled under Kids & Babies, Mommy Joy, Reviews/Giveaways |
My family and I were so lucky to get to watch Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out! in Milwaukee yesterday! It was full of so much energy and fun, packed with singing, dancing, confetti, and bubbles. They sang most of my daughter’s favorite Yo Gabba Gabba! songs, and the show even included the Super Music Friends Show and Dancey Dance Time. It was so much fun seeing my 2-year old sing and dance along!
My one disappointment was that Biz Markie was not part of the show we attended, so there was no Biz’s Beat of the Day as advertised, which is one of my daughter’s favorite parts of Yo Gabba Gabba!. I have some friends who attended the Chicago show who said that was the best part of the show. Apparently, he even played some “old school” music for the parents. I am not sure if it was because Biz Markie was missing from the show, but from start to finish, including intermission, it was only about an hour and 15 minutes long. Despite that, it was still a great time, and my daughter didn’t even realize Biz wasn’t there.
If your child is really into Yo Gabba Gabba!, I would really recommend taking them to see Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out!. The show was a lot of fun for both the kids and parents! It truly was AWWESSSOOMMMEEE!!! But I will give you a warning: my daughter has been asking to watch Yo Gabba Gabba! non-stop since the show!
Make sure to read my previous post about Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE: Get the Sillies Out! for more information about the show and to find out if they are stopping by a city near you.
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Disclosure: I was provided with tickets to Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out! for my family and me in exchange for sharing this information. All of the opinions expressed are my own and true. This post may include affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for additional information.
