Oh The Cleaning

So far today I have done 3 loads of laundry, pounded nails in that were sticking out, cleaned the bathroom (including the toilet -yuck), hung the hook up in the bathroom for our clothes, hung up a shelf in the bathroom, organized everything in the bathroom (yes things are revolving around the bathroom), and got half the living room cleaned.

Still to do...

Finish the living room, clean the back room, move the dryer from the garage into the house (we've been line drying - so laundry was dependent upon the weather), clean the bathtub, and have the girls clean the kitchen.

A Small Break

I think I'm taking an Internet break until baby comes. I'll let you all know when baby is coming/here.

I'm just getting so stressed out. Hubby held me last night as I cried, me saying I'm going to be pregnant forever. I'm tired. I'm no longer enjoying it like I should. I'm not happy when I see birth announcements (which makes me feel worse), but am resentful. I'm starting to have my fears pop into my head again... All the what ifs. I'm day dreaming about having DH break my water. It's always on my mind. I can't stop thinking about trying to get labor started. It's holding my body back.

I need a break from birth. I'm doing laundry today. I'm going to clean. Then I might just sleep the rest of the day. I just need to shut down. I can't go on feeling like this much longer. I'm trying to be strong, but I'm not anymore. I'm falling apart.

((HUGS))

42 Weeks and 1 Day

Why yes, I am still pregnant! What an amazing journey this pregnancy has been.

I have had so much fun, and am more than ready to hold my babe. However, since everything is still going wonderfully, I am just waiting. I feel no need to rush the little one. A normal pregnancy is 38-42 weeks. Baby's doing great, and so am I.

Here's a couple pictures. The first (purple shirt) is at 41 weeks.

The second (green shirt) is today. 42+1

Butter Crunch

This is something we would eat every Christmas. My husband's grandmother made it every year. This is the first Christmas without her, so we made it in her memory.

Here's the recipe.

Butter Crunch

In large pan, cook:

1 cup sugar
1 cup white Karo syrup
1 lb butter

Bring to rolling boil for 10 min
- Add 2 tsp vanilla at end

In large bowl, mix:

1 box (17.5 oz) Rice Chex
1 cup coconut
2 cups pecans (halved)
1 cup sliced almonds

Mix sugar mixture with dry.
Spread out on way paper to set up.
Store in plastic zip bag.

Happy Holidays

I'm still pregnant! LOL! 40 weeks and 5 days today. My body seemed to be getting prepared last week. Unfortunately, on Brigham's 6th birthday, as well as my guess date, the entire family came down with a stomach bug. All of us except our birthday boy. What a great gift for him. That seemed to put my body on hold.

We are now down at my in laws and parents for the holidays. We had Christmas at Brent's parents house yesterday. Today we are going to my parents house.

Hope you are all having a great week.

32 Weeks 4 Days

I'm really feeling pregnant now.  I've only gained 16 pounds, but feel so much bigger.  I've made it to the stage where I'm sad that my birth journey is almost over. However, I'm to the stage where I also hurt all over. My abdomen, back, legs, crotch, constant acid reflux, can't sleep b/c my arms and legs cramp and fall asleep, my left leg went numb today when taking my son to the bathroom today at the gas station, etc... I don't want it to end, but then I can't wait.   LOL!

Xlear SparX Review

I was chosen by Moms Meet (greenmomsmeet.com) to review Xlear SparX candy and tooth gel. I received the Fruit, Berry, and Citrus flavored candies, as well as the Natural Bubble Gum and Strawberry Banana flavored tooth gels.

This was the first time I had ever heard of the Xlear SparX products. What I like about them is that they are sweetened with xylitol (a plant-based sweetener) instead of sugar or other sugar free products. All the Xlear SparX candies are also free of artificial colors and flavors.

I want to write a little about xylitol, because it is a sweetener I had no knowledge about until the last year. Xylitol is a naturally occurring plant-based sweetener. It does not interfere with the body's blood sugar levels or insulin production, which makes it a great choice for children and adults on a sugar-controlled diet. Xylitol is also dentist recommended, and has been proven to improve dental health and strengthen tooth enamel.

When I opened the box and saw the samples I was excited. I love trying new, healthy products. The tooth gel was a special treat since it is not just sweetened with xylitol, but is fluoride free. We only use fluoride free products in our home, including filtering it from our drinking water.

I opened each candy container first. Who wouldn't get excited over trying candy? I was a little apprehensive at first. I have tried several "sugar free" candies and products. In my opinion, they always leave a bad aftertaste in your mouth. I've never been a fan of natural sweeteners sugar alternatives due to that, as well as the health risks associated with many of those.

I was fortunate enough to only have my 10 year old daughter in the room with me as I was able to sample the candies and taste the tooth gel (which is also safe to swallow) without fighting off all the other kids. We both tried 4 of each candy flavor, and a small drop of each tooth gel. I was very surprised at how good they tasted! The candies are small, but the flavor spreads through you mouth. They are not chewy, but do not explode into powder when bitten. The tooth gel was easily squeezed out of the tube. A great texture. We both wanted more, but I decided to get more "reviewers" opinions. As a mother of 7, I have plenty of people to help try the products out.

For the candies:

My 14 and 10 old daughters, 4 year old son, and I all liked Citrus best.

My 8 year old daughter liked the Berry flavor over the others.

My 5 year old son and 2 year old daughter liked the candies all equally.


For the tooth gels:

My 14, 10, 8, and 5 year olds liked the Strawberry Banana flavors best.

My 4 and 2 year olds preferred the Bubble Gum flavor.

My 1 year old had no preference. He just wanted to eat them all.


The biggest issue I had with the candies and tooth gels were that my kids wanted them all the time. LOL! They wanted candy because it was so yummy (I agree). My 8, 5, 4, and 2 year olds came running with their toothbrushes. Then wouldn't stop brushing their teeth. I would say that is a good problem.


I feel these are great products. My kids love them. They taste great. I would definitely tell my family and friends about Xlear SparX products. I would even be more likely to buy these over other products due to the taste and health factors. Especially the tooth gels. It is hard to find a good tasting, natural, fluoride free toothpaste for kids. This is the first we have found that all of my children enjoyed and said they would happily use.

I give Xlear SparX candy and tooth gel my parent and child stamp of approval. It passed in our family with flying colors. This will be a product found in my house from now on.


For more information about Xlear SparX products, go to Xlear.com or find them on Facebook at Facebook.com/xylitol.experts



Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.