The Smif's

Zoe Organics giveaway

2010-11-23T13:01:00.000-08:00

About Zoe Organics-Zoe means “life,” and our mission is to celebrate and protect the lives of our children, family, community and planet. Zoe Organics uses only the most pure, organic ingredients because we believe in the necessity of eliminating toxins from our bodies and the environment. We also believe that green living doesn’t require that we compromise quality or aesthetics. We practice fair trade and social responsibility, with the goal of enhancing lives in every community we touch.

Zoe Organics is giving away a 4 oz. jar of Extreme Cream ($28 retail value) and the Baby Balm ($10 retail value)

Click here

A great room for an amazing rug!!

2010-11-22T07:55:00.001-08:00

Our living room:

Sad...pathetic, really

2010-01-16T08:48:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I am not a dedicated blogger. I am a random, once every three or four months blogger..deal with it.

I finally uploaded some video from our little camera that I "bought" with reward points from a bank account that is now closed. It's a crappy little camera, but it's a camera and it records...and technically I paid nothing, but in the long run, I could have just bought a nice one for less money....lesson learned.

Hank is always in the kitchen and always helping me cooking. Sometimes he is a big help, sometimes he is just in the way. He helped me make LOTS of Christmas cookies and banana bread over the holidays. He is super careful and patient and always wants to add the baking soda. Everything must have baking soda and if it doesn't, he gets PISSED! I'm on a mission to make a cookbook that contains recipes that contain baking soda.....not really, but wouldn't it be great to have that little to do?

Here are a couple of videos from the early days of cooking. He has now graduated to a real step stool and I don't have to squat anymore. Squatting=butt crack showing, as my kind husband will point out for you!

*Warning* Contains nudity! No body parts were injured, nor did urine end up in the banana bread. Thnx-Management

Another Great Giveaway!!

2009-11-10T20:18:00.000-08:00

Mother-Ease One Size Introductory Kit

Check out this link! http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/2009/11/fluff-friday-54-two-giveaways.html

What to do? Simply leave a comment telling us: How many cloth diapers are in your stash? If you haven't cloth diapered let us know how many diapers you think you will have. You should leave your comment before Thursday, November 12th at 8pm EDT.

Kit includes:
1 One Size Diaper (8-35 lbs)1 Snap In Liner (for additional absorbency)1 Air Flow™ Snap Cover of your indicated size What to do? Simply leave a comment telling us: How many cloth diapers are in your stash? If you haven't cloth diapered let us know how many diapers you think you will have. You should leave your comment before Thursday, November 12th at 8pm EDT.

Motherhood: My Only Gems

2009-10-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

I read this today and thought I would share. It made me smile and I got a little chocked up...maybe it's because I'm exhausted or maybe because it's true.

Motherhood: My Only Gems

"Hear Ye, Hear Ye, I pooped my pants!"

2009-10-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks have been punkins, punkins, punkins. Hank wants to be a punkin for Halloween, or maybe a firefighter....yesterday I took Hank and Ben, the little guy I babysit, to Hank's school. They were having a Pumpkin Festival. I have previously typed punkin because that is what they are to Hank. The festival was slightly chaotic, or at least that is how I felt. Hank played little games like fishing and bobbing for apples, punkin in the straw, ect. There were HUGE buckets of candy everywhere, so Hank grabbed handfuls every time he saw a bucket. Occasionally we would run into his teacher, Miss Terry, who he is obsessed with. He would run and hug her screaming, "Miss Terry ober here!" After the fried punkin on a stick (ewww), fried corn dog, fried corn dog mini poppers and more cookies and candy, it was time to jet. They offered us a free punkin, so Hank tried to collect and take as many as humanly possible. After loading up two punkins, a diaper bag filled with crap, a bag of candy, drinks and Ben, were said our goodbyes to the nice parents. I looked over to locate my son, and he put his hands up in the air and announced, "I pooped in my pants!" Awesome! Thanks for the great timing and the formal and very loud announcement. A good time was had by all!

We also made it out to the Waxahachie Homecoming Parade, which was a blast. We walked down the street to the square to get a great spot. When this town has a parade, it's a big stinkin' deal. Every organization, every club, every team, everybody is in it. That equals a lot of candy, and Hank was into it. He would pick up every piece that came near and hoarded it for future eating. Notice the intensity on his face in the parade picture! It's been a busy, fun couple of weeks. I'm thankful for the fall weather and the many blessings in my life! Love to all!

Beef up your vocabulary

2009-10-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

Geez, I didn't realize that I knew the definition of some many odd words...I'm a dang genius. Where is my spelling bee and my award? Anywho, check out FreeRice for some fun and a good cause. Be careful, you might just waste some precious time, but it's totally justified.

66,205,840 grains of rice donated yesterday.
Over 69 billion grains donated to date

About FreeRice

FreeRice is a non-profit website run by the United Nations World Food Program. Our partner is the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University.

FreeRice has two goals:

1. Provide education to everyone for free.
2. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.

This is made possible by the generosity of the sponsors who advertise on this site.

Whether you are CEO of a large corporation or a street child in a poor country, improving your education can improve your life. It is a great investment in yourself.

Perhaps even greater is the investment your donated rice makes in hungry human beings, enabling them to function and be productive. Somewhere in the world, a person is eating rice that you helped provide. Thank you.

Enter to win a $100 KellysCloset.com Gift Certificate!

2009-10-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

Click on this link to find out how to win money to spend on diapers!

Another great giveaway!!

2009-10-19T09:41:00.000-07:00

The Cloth Diaper Whisperer is running a contest that ends this Thursday, Oct. 22. You can access their blog through their button on the left side of my blog. You can also access the contest here. Here is some info on the product they are giving away.

Bummis Certified Organic Cotton Diaper Kit

The infant size contains:
24 infant size (8-15 lbs) prefold diapers
(4 x 8 x 4 layers thick)
4 Super Whisper Wraps - small
2 Super Brites - small
3 rolls Bio-soft liners - small
5 reusable stay dry liners
1 Fabulous Wet Bag - large
User Guide

The baby size contains:
18 baby size (15+ lbs) prefold diapers
(4 x 8 x 4 layers thick)
2 Super Whisper Wraps - medium
2 Super Brites - medium
1 roll Bio-soft liners - large
5 reusable stay dry liners
Fabulous wet bag - large
User Guide

Check out these great offer! There are a ton of ways to submit entries! Good luck!

Gro Baby Gro!!

2009-10-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not pregnant...just writing to tell everyone in the baby/toddler world about a new product on the market called Gro Baby. This is a great way to start in the world of cloth/hybrid diapering. If you have never tried an alternative to disposables, this is the way to start. Check out the cuteness factor of these diapers!

Here is a close up of the Gro Baby One-Size Cloth Diaper and some of it's great features.

Gro Baby's Intro Package is the perfect introduction to our best selling diapering system! Each Intro Package gives you 50 of our biodegradable, disposable soaker pads and 1 Gro Baby Shell. This is quite possibly the most innovative, eco friendly, and leak proof system on the market today.

* Soft Cloth Outer Shell, fits 8-35lbs
* Biodegradable & Compostable
* Breathable & Hypo-Allergenic
* Fragrance & Dye Free
* Plastic Free
* Chlorine Free

The biodegradable soaker pad is inserted into the diaper, used, and then can be disposed of three ways:

Compost
Remove any solid matter and compost in your garden. Compostable to EU and USA composting standards.

Dispose
Biodegradable soaker pads are plastic-free, they will break down in a landfill in 50-150 days (Disposables take up to 500 years).

Flush
You can flush your soaker pads. Simply tear open your pad and empty the core contents into the toilet. Throw outer away.
Check them out!!

Okay, here's the best part, the moment I've been waiting to tell you about! Hunter's cousin Jill informed me of this great offer. They are giving away the bio soaker intro package for FREE, yes FREE! This item is priced at $34.95, and they are giving it away for FREE! Did I mention that it is free? All they are asking is for a blog entry with a few necessaries in the post. If you have a blog & would like a chance to participate in this giveaway visit GroBaby's Facebook page.

If you are new to the cloth diaper world, have never try them at all, this is your opportunity. I'm super stoaked (excited, elated, joyous) about receiving mine in the mail.

Make this

2009-08-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

Hey you! Yes, you! I don't care if you are busy solving the energy crisis or working on the health care issue. You have to immediately go out and find some ripe bananas. Okay, got them? Now, you must follow this recipe. Please DO reduce the amount of sugar to 3/4 cup, or even less. It is the easiest, yummiest banana bread recipe ever known to man/womankind. Trust me.....

Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients

* 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
* 1/3 cup melted butter
* 1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
* 1 egg, beaten
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* Pinch of salt
* 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Method

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

gDiapers contest-CODE g669Smith

2009-07-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

Available now, the everyday g's six-pack.

Available now at gDiapers.com, the everyday g's six-pack is a delicious bundle of three great orange and three genuine vanilla bean little gPants available in small, medium and large. They're ideal for romping around on the floor and playing in the sandbox. And they will be available online for $70

Here’s the sweet part. Your gMum/Dad code discounts the price to $40!

Sweet!

2009-07-13T08:21:00.000-07:00

That's right folks, The Smif's are on the move, again. We are living the good life in Waxahachie...yes, that's a real place in Texas.

Multiple pronunciations
-Wax-uh-Hatch-ee (on the money)
-Wax-aha-tchie (um, no)
-wax a haw chie(close)

While attempting to search for the correct pronunciation of Waxahachie, I ran across a website that actually will say a word correctly for you....amazing what nerdy/helpful things are out there..check it out!

So here we are, loving it and setting up our new place. We live in a sweet old apartment that is actually bigger than our previous house in Denton. It was built in the 20's and has a huge claw foot tub and some many other aspects that I adore. We can walk to the two parks, two art galleries, a farmers market on Sat., and the sweetest library I've ever been to. That's right, I said that a library was "sweet". Hank and I have been going on Wed and Thur for different presentations on the lawn of the library...let's see, bike safety and a bike course presented by your friendly Waxahachie police dept. This week is a backyard animals, creature teacher.....that sounds "sweet". I will attempt to use the word "sweet" appropriately as many times as possible in this posting.

People, this town is "sweet". My husband grew up here, and I've been hanging around his friends, who grew up here as well, going on seven years. They don't really talk much about Waxahachie or the sweetness of this town. I guess it's because they spent every waking hour of their childhood here, and that can get old. I completely understand that....hint, hint...Conroe, Texas(my hometown).

But Conroe doesn't have a sweet courthouse or cool old restaurants and pubs that serve local favorites, i.e. the French burger...is that supposed to be capitalized since it's a burger? Are they referring to the country or a person...not sure. More about the French burger in later postings....I know, the anticipation of not knowing is killing you.

Here's the deal......I'm going to feature a unique place in Waxahachie often. I'll put up some info and a link so you can check out the sweetnessish of our new location. Please come and visit and see for yourself....enjoy the first featured local!

OMA'S JIFFY BURGER

And for good measure, here are some recent pics of the cutest resident of Waxahachie.

God Bless America

2008-12-16T14:13:00.000-08:00

Had to share because I died when I read this.......

Busy Bees

2008-12-16T10:05:00.001-08:00

We've been busy making some changes in our life. We've decided to move to the country, rent our house, I'm going back to work, Hunter is going to work with his dad, and Hank is going to stay with his Nana full-time. So the house is for rent and I have an interview with Ennis ISD tomorrow for a long term sub position, weather permitting.....thanks to the help and support of our friends and family, we will be debt free soon! I'm counting down the days until we get to leave for Conroe to see my family. There will be more children this holiday than ever before at Granny and Granddad's. Last year, just Paxton and little Hank. This year, Mia Kate, bigger Hank, Paxton, and my cousin Jennifer's step-daughters. I'm so looking forward to the craziness of it all. I wish each and every one of you a Happy Holiday season...is that generic enough?

Haircut

2008-11-17T07:55:00.000-08:00

There comes a time in every man's life when he must get his haircut. For Hank, that time was yesterday. His hair was in his eyes, and he had the Bozo the Clown thing going on....it was time. His Nana, Hunter's mom, put him in a highchair, gave him an entire bag of Cheerios, and then went to town. About thirty minutes and a huge Cheerio disaster later, Hank was a different kid. Thank you Nana for your skill and patience. Enjoy the new look....

Wuv, true wuv...

2008-11-06T13:24:00.000-08:00

Four years ago, about this time, 3pm, Hunter and I were married on a cool, beautiful fall day. The setting was my grandparents back yard, and it was GORGEOUS. It looked perfect, smelled perfect, and all the right folks were there. I want to go back and experience it all again, but then I wouldn't be here, in this moment. This moment has a loving husband who never fails to surprise me and make me smile. This moment I am a mother to a sweet little guy who means everything. This moment has all my family and friends, new and old, healthy and sick,in good times and bad. That day will always be with me, but today is the gift that I received four years old.

The future is bright!

2008-11-06T12:04:00.000-08:00

This is the feeling I still carry every since that pivotal moment Tuesday night....to be a part of history, to be able to remember where you were, who you were with, and what it meant. How awesome the positive vibe we got from that large, mostly young, crowd that gathered in Chicago..I was there in spirit, don't you wish you could have been there too? How exciting that my son will grow up in a country that has changed, is changing. For him to know the first president he can remember will be a man of color...such a bright future.

Yes, Obama is not the Mr. Fix It so many want him to be...snap his fingers and a few months later, we are all better. That's unrealistic and ignorant. He is thoughtful and intelligent and his own person, who chooses to use his own judgment and experiences. He did not come from wealth, he WORKED hard, failed and succeeded. He is a uniter, he will bring us and our government together for our common goods. Hell, maybe my family will be able to afford to go to the doctor...crazy wild dreams! But this change, this spirit that is in the air, that's what it is all about. Whether you supported McCain or Obama, you have to feel that, you have to.

The new me

2008-09-24T08:50:00.000-07:00

I trying to decide on a new do for this housewife. Help me decide my voting to the left of this posting. Be honest!
A

B

C

You too can make yourself look like a goober by clicking here.

Turner Falls

2008-09-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

Hunter and I went camping this weekend at Turner Falls in Davis, OK. Hunter's mom Dixie came and watched Hank, thank you very much Dixie! We had a great time, hiked, climbed and enjoyed being together and talking about whatever. We had a cool camp site secluded from other campers that only allowed foot traffic. We were right next to a creek with moving water, so that was relaxing. About 5:00am we heard raccoons making off with our Fritos, marshmallows, chocolate and our graham crackers. These were experience raccoons because they took the entire bag, and ate it at their convenience. We came home tired, happy to see our little guy, and relaxed. We've got to do that kind of stuff more often!

Hank's Birthday Bash Extravaganza 2008

2008-09-18T08:41:00.001-07:00

Hunter's folks, Skip and Dixie, were gracious enough to host Hank's 1st Birthday Bash Extravaganza 2008...that's what I'm going to call it. We invited family and some friends that are like family. We had a great turn out and everyone seemed to be happy and relaxed and enjoy each others company...what more could you wish for? The party had a monkey theme, which was inspired by this Martha Stewart birthday cake.

Here are some pictures from the birthday bash extravaganza 2008...

Don't worry, they are fine, even though they look challenged...mentally

See, they're fine.

Ah, the classic destroy the cake in just your diaper shot. Come on kid, perform! Well, Hank just poked some holes in the spot where the candle had been. No big mess, no frosting in the hair. Have we failed as parents?

Okay, that's a little better, but just not as much birthday bash extravaganza messy drama as we were going for. That will do pig, that will do.

This is Hank and his cousin, Paxton. He was very helpful in the gift opening part of the day. He made us all laugh when we was told that was Hank's remote control car, not his, which he replied, "But I really picked it out for me!" You've got to appreciate the honesty behind that statement. Hank just stole it back and spent the afternoon dragging it across the house by the antenna.

Price and Hank

Margaret looking slightly uncomfortable

Uncle Garry and Cousin Jill

Josh and Grandpa

Super Dad Hunter

Katy Lee

The audience eagerly awaiting the next present opening

Aunt Susan and Granny

Testing out Hank's shark poncho....fits great!

We ended the night with friends and family around a big bonfire, and a bath for the Hankster. I certainly didn't want the day to end, even though we were all exhausted. Thanks to everyone for making the trip for our little guys special day. And a BIG THANK YOU to Skip and Dixie for opening your home and making everyone feel so welcome.

Here's my version of Martha's cake....in your face Martha!

that guy....

2008-08-11T21:11:00.000-07:00

Hank always makes his way onto the blog, well, because he's cute and funny and makes me laugh. There is another guy I know that I have the privilege of seeing every day. He takes good care of us and works hard so I can stay at home and take care of our boy. He's my best friend, he can really piss me off, and he can make everything better. Thank you for being you and for taking care of your family.

If you want to check out what Hunter does all day, click here...

What didn't we do this week?

2008-08-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

First thing, I GOT A JOB! No, I'm not sticking the Hankster in daycare, I have become a daycare. It's a pretty sweet gig, considering I would be at home anyways taking care of business and watching my kiddo. We met Audrey and her professor folks at story time, and now Audrey will be with us Mon, Tues, Wed half a day. Check out this cutie.

Hunter spent some time teaching Hank the fine art of couch potato. Oh, I remember those days well, where have they gone?

We made a summer trip to the square to hit up our favorite ice cream parlor, Beth Marie's.

To finish the week out, we took a trip to Nana and Pappy's, saw Grandpa, stood up on our own, and bam, where back home to start the week again....What did you do this week?

Metamorphosis

2008-07-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

How does someone change so much in such a short amount of time? Hank has literally change right before our eyes. It's strange because I am around him 24/7, but I've never gotten up in the morning and said, "Wow, you look completely different today!" Hunter has come home before from being away on business and said that he looks bigger, but that's about it. It has been a privilege to watch you grow, just don't grow up to fast!

September 2007

July 2008

Deep in the heart of Tejas

2008-07-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

Funny

This intrigues me

2008-07-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

Western Spaghetti Stop Motion

Ewwwwwww

2008-06-21T08:49:00.001-07:00

Good thing I got my shot in elementary school!

Hippie Chick

2008-06-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

So I've started to make my own baby food, bring home only organic fruits, veggies, ect. I'm going to the library and getting books on organic gardening and living. Life sure has changed around here. Hunter and I are composting and using cloth, well...they are a hybrid cloth diaper. You should check them out, they are pretty sweet. You toss out the biodegradable liner, or flush, or compost the pee ones. I'm trying to change things around here, with the help and constant support of my patient and understanding husband:) He's actually doing research on products and letting me know things I hadn't known out before. Only thing is he calls me a hippie.

MEMORIAL DAY

2008-05-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

We spent Memorial Day weekend visiting my college friends Renee and Will. They have lived in New York for at least six years. Renee is a costumer/dresser for Guiding Light, and just finished working on Broadway for The Color Purple. She is a beautiful, funny, genuine friend, and I am always sad to say goodbye! Will is crazy and a great actor. Thanks for a great party!

Make a Smilebox postcard

2008-05-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I'm new at this...be patient with me

2008-05-14T09:36:00.001-07:00

Well, here I am trying this again, for the third time. Hank is sleeping and Hunter is out job hunting. I think this is the coolest way to keep family and friends up to date with things they may or may not be interested in....:) Here is a funny little thing our friends here in Denton have started to say about Hank. They think he looks similar to the baby dinosaur in that old show Dinosaurs. Remember? He always said, "Not the mama." Here's a visual reminder!