A few months ago, we had just gotten family pictures done and by chance we were offered the opportunity to try out Easy Canvas Prints around the same time. I couldn’t wait to get a canvas for our bare walls! We’ve lived in our house for over a year and half now and still don’t have much hanging up. Leaning on the wall just waiting for nails? Yes. Frames tucked in the closet begging for pictures to be displayed? Yes. So often, I get professional pictures done and then they just sit on Facebook or on a CD. I have literally hundreds of photos that need to be printed and that I’d love to hang up to enjoy daily, but I just haven’t done it. I’m glad this opportunity forced me to pull out a nail and fill up some wall space with one of my favorite pictures of our little family!

Easy Canvas Prints are just that…easy. 4 steps and you are done! You pick the size canvas you want, upload your image, select your border, then pick if you want any color finishing (such as making it black and white) or image retouching. Then its time to order! I think the hardest part is deciding which photo you want to display. I love that they have a whole idea gallery to get inspired! Or, maybe you don’t want a family photo, but more of an art piece? They have many prints that you can choose from with a wide variety of styles from nature to abstract. There truly is something for everyone here and the best part? It doesn’t cost that much compared to other canvas companies since they are constantly running discounts and contests, like on their Facebook page, that make it even more affordable.

I chose this picture of us in a 11 x 14 with a basic 3/4 inch thickness and a Mirror Image wrap so that it didn’t crop off too much around our heads and feet.

And this is the final product:

I’ll be honest, I’m disappointed at the quality of the print (its hard to tell at this size, click the image to make it larger). The image I submitted was a very high quality, high resolution photo taken with a professional photographer’s camera and yet the print came out very pixilated. It also washed out some of the coloring, especially in our skin tones and Jaxson’s light blond hair since the brightness/contrast/saturation seems to off and unflattering. My hubby and son are already white enough as it is!  This actually is the second print we got, the first one I really thought the pixaltion was a mistake, plus there were issues with the canvas itself because it wasn’t wrapped properly when shipped so it had creases on the print.  Thankfully, their customer service was excellent and they quickly sent a new one that was better wrapped for shipping!

Overall, would I recommend Easy Canvas Prints? Maybe. I really, really wanted to love this company but they clearly have some kind of printer or canvas fabric itself issue going on. Maybe other people have better luck with their prints, since thousands of people “like” them, it seems they do!  It appears that perhaps black and white photos come out looking better if you see their fan photos on facebook so maybe that would be a better choice. I’m glad Easy Canvas Prints as a website itself is easy to use, but the product is lacking in my personal experience.

I think the lesson here is you get what you pay for? This is a discount website, so expect quality that matches it.

I woke up Sunday, mentally planning my day in my head and I had a nagging feeling I had homework to do like I normally do on Sundays. Not anymore! Ever! Today is my first day “free,” a day I should be in class but instead am home like I will be for who knows how long.  Savannah got up super early this morning and so a I sipped a cup of coffee and started my day with the a reminder from the Bible about God’s stability. I sat outside at 7 am, taking turns between watching her jump in puddles and dance with a zebra umbrella while I read from a devotional and related scriptures.  Normally rainy gray days and 5:30 wake up calls would make for a grumpy mommy, but today my heart is full with gratitude and couldn’t help but see the beauty in the rain today. I saw it in the joy on her face as she stomped in puddles and squished her toes in mud. The joy in being wake to see the sky slowly light up behind the clouds. The joy in being outside before most of the neighborhood was even awake and hearing the pitter-patter rain up close and personal. I saw it in the verses I read, the reminder of God being there, a stability in life, even when I haven’ t been tuned in to Him.

Mark left for work this morning and told me, “Have a great first day of the rest of your life!” And that is exactly what today feels like. It feels like a brand new page turned, a new chapter in this life of mine.  It feels like a new beginning where I can focus on a new part of me, to be a hands-on Mom I didn’t have time to be before, the wife who can actually keep up with the dishes and laundry, a writer who can write again, a child who can actually hear the voice of God once more. I don’t know what lies ahead, I don’t know exactly what this chapter holds. I know that I have my own visions and plans, but I know also that God will “establish my steps” (Proverbs 16:9) and things will happen in His way and His time. That’s comforting.

So, here’s to the first day of the rest of my life. May it hold many beautiful things like this rainy morning.

P.S. Pregnant or know some one that is? There is a new review up (see, I have time for things again!) on “The Hot Mom to Be Handbook” by Jessica Denay.

In my battle with acne, I’ve been forced to change many things in my life, from food to make up.  Like I said, I’m sure I have Candida which causes my acne internally, but it’s also made me sensitive to certain products from laundry detergent to make up. I have used Bare Minerals since right after Savannah was born. I had clear skin then, fresh from pregnancy and still breastfeeding so my hormones kept my skin beautiful.  I bought Bare Minerals because I wanted a fancy make up that would last on my wedding day, and for 2 years I stuck with it.  However, I realized this summer that even though many mineral make ups claim to all natural and “safe to even sleep in!” it’s not true.  Particularly there is a filler ingredient called Bismuth Oxychloride that actually reacts with some people’s skin to either itch like crazy or break out. Yeah, they don’t tell you that in the commercials!

I realized that my make up was actually harming my skin rather than just covering up the issues I already had.  And so, I seriously spent all summer trying to find make up that 1) Didn’t break me out and 2) Covered up the scars and acne I did have.  It was quite a search because every one I tried either covered wonderfully but broke me out, or didn’t break me out but had no coverage. Frustrating, no? I also really wanted a makeup that was natural and didn’t contain things like parabens (which is rumored to cause cancer) but it was impossible to find a make up that suited everything I needed. And very costly to keep trying things out!  Finally, I discovered Sterling Minerals on an online forum.  They have samples to try before commiting and I’ve fallen in love with the two samples I’ve had (trying to find the right color for me, but more on that later).

Why do I love Sterling  Minerals? Well, it meets all of the above reasons: its natural ingredients, great coverage, and doesn’t break me out. But, I also love that these products can be made to suit anyone of any age or skin type. For example, the foundations come in three different types of bases that help with certain types of skin (dry, normal, oily). I use the Velvet Rose base and it really does help combat my super oily skin! I love that it’s a smaller company that you can really tell values their customers. The founder, Katherine Corkill, just oozes out passion for what she does in her newsletter/blog that talks about issues with skin care and in her videos. And?  Her wet method application technique has been a wonderful new way to get the coverge I need on my acne scars.  I’ve been using mineral make up for 2.5 years but thought water would be a big no-no! It actually helps my makeup stay on longer and cover much better.  She now has a whole collection of short videos that show how to apply mineral makeup for the best application.

Plus? They ship super quick! And it’s not ridiculously expensive! Sure, it’s more than a drug store find, but for the same price as Bare Minerals it’s better quality.

The only thing that makes it difficult is that it is an internet based company, so it is hard to find the shade of foundation that matches perfectly from only the picture online. Like I said, I had to buy two different samples, but the beauty of mineral makeup is that it can be combined with other shades to make your perfect color!  Other than that, I’m absolutely thrilled with this company all around.

The O Momma Recommends series is based on products that I find helpful in daily life, that I’ve discovered my self, and have not been paid or supplied the products to review.

Remember last year before one of our summer road trips I was desperately looking for kids music that didn’t hurt my ears? I discovered Laurie Berkner, Sesame Street Songs, and Lisa Loeb.  Good stuff.  Now we’ve added some Choo Choo Soul to our collection and even some classical music because Savannah loves to dance to it (she is loving dance class, by the way!).

But, the focus of today is this little gem of a CD: Music with Mommie.  I was given this CD last year and I seriously think it’s one of my top favorite kids music ever (it may be tied for first with Laurie Berkner of course…).  The CD is based off one of those classes you can take with your child to encourage interaction between mommies and babies, learn about music, and just to have fun.  This group in particular is based out of Tennessee and their voices are beautiful, with a little Tennessee twang and country style music twist to these popular songs (but not overly twangy, that would annoy me).  It’s very easy listening if you have to listen to it over and over like Savannah requests. And plus? Since it’s songs that encourage interaction, it adds a little entertainment with the hand motions that are easy to guess what they are (like I’m a Little Tea Pot, Shoe a Little Horse, etc).  And for sleepy time during car rides? Savannah loves the ABC and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star songs. Her top favorite song is Six Little Ducks though :-) What kid doesn’t like quacking like a duck?

Even when we aren’t on a car ride, we play this CD some times just to dance around and play. I doubt many people have heard of this CD because, ya know, they aren’t on Noggin, you probably can’t fine this CD in a local store, or even iTunes. In fact, I wouldn’t have heard of them unless some one given it to me (not for a review, just because they thought Savannah would like). So, I wanted to spread the word in hopes of supporting an awesome growing company.

Just so you know, since the 16 and Pregnant adoption episode aired last night, the full episode is now available online at MTV.  If you haven’t watched it yet, go check it out (it’s about 40 minutes) before you read my post, my blog will still be here when you’re done! And as a warning, you will need tissues.

Ok so, I watched it during Savannah’s nap time today and I have to say, I’m impressed. This has to be the first time in a while that I’ve seen adoption pretty darn realistic in that it shows the good and bad, the joys and pains, and expresses the truth of what adoption is about…love.  Of course, there are “bad” people out there that can create bad experiences and I can’t deny that it doesn’t happen in adoption, but in general this story reveals what it’s like for a birthmother who obviously cares for her child beyond words, has peace with her decision, with an adoptive couple completely open and loving in return.

Honestly, watching this episode was a lot like watching my own story on screen (they even all have heart pendents like we do to display how they are “linked for life”!).  It brought back so many memories of just 5 years ago, the closeness I felt with Kaylee and getting to know her family, the anguish of making that decision and not knowing what to expect emotionally with her delivery and afterward.  However unlike Catelynn, I had oodles of support for my decision and my heart breaks for her and Tyler in that even their own parents couldn’t see how mature they are for making the choice to give their daughter a better life than what they have.

And oh my goodness, how refreshing to see a birth father so involved! Tyler showed so much strength and maturity and clearly loves both Catelynn and their daughter.  Many times the dad’s disappear, even with parenting teens, and it was awesome to see that birth fathers (can) feel that same connection and love as well (Did you hear that sweet letter he wrote his daughter?! What a treasure that will be to her one day). It wasn’t the typical situation of “well give the baby up and let me live my life!” that I and so many other pregnant teens experienced.

If you remember, I had high expectations for this show. I wanted it to fight the stereotypes and it did. While it is sad that their family wasn’t supportive, it displayed the typical negative attitude and comments that people approach adoption with.  Sadly, Tyler’s own father told him that he wasn’t “manning it up” to the responsibility of being a dad by placing his daughter with another family for a better life but Tyler fought back though saying that his kid does deserve better than this life that they have. It’s impressive the passion and caring that he has, obviously it was worth fighting to give his daughter better.

I can’t even count how many times I’ve heard “I couldn’t ever do that” or “How can you carry a baby nine months and then just give it away?” when talking about adoption and once again it came up on this show.  Catelynn battled those comments as well and helped provide a true look at why people chose adoption, especially when she met with the adoptive parents and she explained why she made her choice.  Point blank: She wanted better for her daughter’s life. I love, love, love when she says, “I want her to know that I’m still there, that I didn’t just not care about her…I want her to have better than what I had and I’m doing what I think is the best” Bam. Proof right there that birthmothers do love and care about their children. The choice is out of love, not one that is selfish or not “manning up.”

I think for once, MTV did an awesome job portraying an adoption story and I pray that this show helps all who watch it to see the love inside this couple and every birth parent out there. That adoption is far from the easy way out. I have so much respect for Catelynn and Tyler and how they approached this. But then, I remembered that that was me a few years ago…and I’m proud.

What did you think?

Even though Mark and I didn’t buy much for Christmas, we still ended up with oodles amounts of toys from our other family members.  In fact, we couldn’t even fit everything in our car on the way home. That is how much we received, and further reason why I knew we shouldn’t buy much “stuff” for Savannah ourselves.

Of course, out of the huge mound of toys there are a few that stand out above the rest and that get played with more often. Anything to do with coloring is one example, the girl LOVES to color. A little too much, as our tables have crayon markings too. Oops.  But one gift (from one of her many Grandmas) that both Savannah and I love is this cookie set by Melissa and Doug.

She loves to help us cook, but if we made cookies as many times as she asks to, we’d all be fat and have cookies coming out our windows. So, this little set was the perfect solution to that issue and it’s just so darn cute! And safe! No eggs, real knifes, or ovens involved so she can cook whenever she wishes. And toy safety wise, it says it’s meant for 3 and up but there are no small parts and Savannah does just fine. Melissa and Doug also assure that they’re products have been tested frequently for safety and lead levels, good to know.

The cookies come velcroed on the wooden baking pan (every thing is wood except the cookie tube and the pot holder). You can take them and the velcroed icing off, stick just the “cookies” together and it looks like a stick of cookie dough like the slice and bake cookies we lazy cooks use.  Savannah’s favorite part is “cutting”  the cookies (which just breaks the velcro between them) and putting them on the pan.  We then decorate them with the icing and hand them out to family members (and some times to cookie monster, we know how he loves those cookies).

I love that it takes pretend food to the next level, not just to feel more “real” but also helps me to teach her things like colors and counting. She loves pointing out the colors of the sprinkles! This is the first Melissa and Doug item we’ve owned and I definitely look forward to getting more in the future (perhaps once we weed through all our other “stuff” first).

The review network that I work with, The Family Review Network, is looking for new members! It is because of them you all get such awesome giveaways :-) Plus, they are just wonderful people to work with.  Visit this post for more information and how to sign up!

Speaking of giveaways…remember the Refreshn’ Dryer Towel review?  The company has offered to sponsor a giveaway! Comment on the post on my Review Blog to enter.  If you comment to this post, it will not count.

So that makes 3 giveaways right now:

1. Kiss My Face Kid’s Line
2. Pillsbury
3. Refresh’n Dryer Towel

Now, I’m off to bed. I’m beyond exhausted…and it will only get worse until school ends. Oy.

1. Stuck On You (Ends Sunday November 23rd) Done!
2. Weiman and Libman Cleaning Pack (Ends Sunday November 30th)
3. Land’s End (Ends Sunday November 30th)
4. Kiss My Face Kid’s Line (Ends Thursday December 4th)
5. Another coming soon!
6. Hey…it’s another one!

1) Estee Lauder’s new look

2) BeFit-Mom Excercise DVD

3) Libman’s Wonder Mop (with giveaway!)

And…Stuck On You winner has been announced!  Is it you?

Good news:

1) My MIL took care of the sick Savannah Banana all night so I got some much needed sleep.  Thank goodness for coffee and in-laws.

2) Which means, I got up at 6am today and read my Bible again. It reminded me to “put on” kindness, gentleness, patience, humility, etc. Good stuff.

3) Juice has kept my little girl hydrated these past few days as she has wanted nothing to do with food. Which, is perfect timing since we just received juice boxes for a review. Check it out.

4) I also think she’s on the mend now and feeling better. This is always good news.

5) The school semester is almost OVER!  5 classes left, to be exact :-D And then, I will offically be a senior. Praise God!

Bad news:

1) I think I’m getting what Savannah has. Or, something of that sick variety. I can’t afford to be sick right now amongst the crazy end of semester stuff.

2) My weight is the lowest it’s been in years, thanks in part to this possible sickness thing that makes me not want to eat. The other part is my super high metabolism. I need to see a nutrionist or something, I hate being this skinny.

How is your week?

P.S. There are TON of giveaways coming up soon! Keep a look out.