I know I haven’t been posting much lately, but, if you still love this blogger, take BlogHer’s Survey! Actually, it doesn’t have much to do with me specially, BlogHer is collecting data about how bloggers/readers spend their time and what they are looking for to better improve their ads campaigns (don’t quote me on that, that’s just how I understood it to be). BlogHer gives women the chance not only to engage in a community of bloggers, but gives bloggers the chance to make a tiny profit from their hard work!

And I’m one of them! That means that every time you view this blog, it helps pay for diapers or the many hair cuts it takes to keep up the mommy bob look. So, thanks :-)

The survey doesn’t take long, 5 minutes max (edit: Apparently it’s longer than that, sorry!). I’ve already completed mine. And really, wouldn’t it be nice to win a free trip to a BlogHer event? If you win and don’t want to go, I’ll go in your place ;-) Deal? Just take the survey! Thanks again for your support of this blog!

The very first O Momma give away to here! Remember that natural skin lotion I raved about? Well, I was sent more samples and I loved it so much I’d like to pass it along to you. As I said in the review post, it’s a natural shielding lotion that keeps the moisture in and the bad environment gunk out. Who doesn’t want soft hands (or face, feet, legs, elbows)? And, to get soft hands with 93% natural ingredients? Bonus. It’s also great for sensitive skin and heals those extreme dry spots.

It’s priced at $25 dollars for a 4 ounce bottle so don’t let this opportunity pass you by! A little goes a long way, it’ll last for months. All you have to do is comment on this post by next Friday, February 22nd (in honor of Savannah’s Birthday!). Winner will be announced by Monday the 25th.

Now, Go!

Alright, I got things more under control over here in the blog world. (But still a strange black back ground to my Visual Editor, hm.)

I’ve got a new theme going on, a little less color than I’d like, but I added what I could.  I still think it looks pretty good, no?  And the best part?  My posts/pictures/pages will format right!

Also, I’ve added a new page of my testimony (Forewarning: it’s kind of long).  For those new to this blog and my story, this explains more of our adoption story and digs more into “feelings” (and updated to the present) compared to the one I wrote 3 years ago at Birth Mom Buds that is more detailed.

Some one commented asking if Kaylee knows who I am. Well, yes she does. Not only am I just a familiar face, she knows that I’m her birth mom. She is still too young to grasp that concept, the puzzle pieces are still being put together. But, with the help of her big brother (also adopted and knows his birth mom), she’s starting to get it more. It’s neat to see pieces filled each visit.

Anyways, things are better in this technical world.   Now if only my daughter would take her nap!

Technology just hates me right now. I can’t find a theme that 1) looks decent 2) is my style 3) easy enough that if it’s not my style, that I can change it 3) doesn’t have formating issues like I’m having right now (it won’t respond to <br> or aligning pictures where I want them). So, I’m back to the one I’ve been using and 4) is free (because our tiny budget can’t afford a custom one *sigh).

But now? I’m currently typing on the wordpress screen…with the black flowery black ground that on my site. Why in the world has it taken over my wordpress screen that’s supposed to be white?!

Oh, technology. I guess this is what I signed up for when I asked for a domain.

Help, anyone?

Note to add: Apparently I’m not the only one that has this formating issue.  But the black back ground in this WordPress Editor? I have no clue.

Please ignore the website mess right now, I’m in the mist of changing the look. I got sick of dealing with formating issues day after day. A new theme is in order.
So, bare with me!

It’s the Big Bloggy Moving Day! Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. Obviously, I’ve already moved my blog. But others are just debuting today!

Go check out Christy and Megan as they launch their new blogs. And, the best part, comment to win some prizes!

The rules to comment/win:

a) You started your blog no earlier than December 2007
b) You moved to a new blogging platform or started self-hosting no earlier than December 2007
c) You completely redesigned your blog no earlier than December 2007

If you meet one of these criteria (I know a few!), head on over.

Savannah is slowly getting better. Yesterday had it’s horrible, driving me insane moments. Sick baby = whiny baby. And that? Isn’t so much fun to listen to all day. And not to be able do simple tasks like eat, pee, and sit because she was glued to me the whole day and I had to be standing.

Thankfully, the fever seems to be gone today. But, as soon as pain medication wears off she gets whiny again, so I’m guessing she still feels achy and miserable on the inside. Poor girl. She did wake up a few times last night but get this…we all slept in until 8 am! Non-parents will not understand the true luxury of this. But for us? With a child who some times gets up at 4:00 am? 8 am is amazing.

And then. When Savannah went down for a 2 hour nap, Mark and I slept to! We’re all well rested today. It’s wonderful! And it feels so nice outside, like spring. See, I knew better days would come!

Also, if you’ve noticed I now have (tasteful) ads on the left from BlogherAds. I’m so, so excited about this! Part of the main reason I wanted to switch to my own website was to take advantage of their opportunity of putting up ads to make some kind of profit with this blog I love. Plus, I just love BlogHer and it’s a good way to promote it and other great bloggers! It’s an honor to be apart of such a great company, with other awesome bloggers and a great staff. Go check them out.

It’s been quite an interesting 24 hours!  I’m still getting comments by the hour from the old “Leah’s” blog readers.  I’ve never had this many comments or viewers before.  The web page hits have well over doubled or tripled since all the drama began last night.

People keep saying that they would be so mad if this happened to them. And what’s strange?  I’m not.  I mean, yes I am upset (and worried) that some one has spent the last 9 months stealing pictures and posing as me…but I’m calm about it.  There isn’t a point to get into a furious rage. Yelling at the computer screen and storming around my house with a big pouty lip won’t solve a thing.  Instead, I honestly have been laughing at the absurdity of the stories she had made up about us. And, the fact that I’ve gained a whole bunch of new readers!  I’ve gotten some the of nicest comments and emails from all this, thanks!

It’s a strange, but wonderful peace that I can only point to God to be giving me right now. Because being possessive and easily frustrated is totally me, and this calmness is definitely not of me.  I just know that justice will be done in it’s time and it out of my hands. My prayers are definitely being sent out to whoever the person in, because obviously something isn’t quite “right” to do something like this.

Anyways, just wanted to say another thanks for all the support, nice comments and emails!

Her blog has been deleted, it seems.  I’ve saved what I could for proof (print screen, thanks to whoever it was who suggested that!) and we are looking into copyright laws.  Not sure what can be done but it’s worth a shot. And, at least this person will know we’re serious. And therefore, anyone else who thinks this is a “cool” idea can some how see that they can get caught and will pay the price. Whether socially, or legally.

Just wanted to say a BIG huge thank you to all the “fake blog” readers for solving the mystery and letting me know about it!  You girls all seem so sweet and I’m so happy you’ve found your way here to the “real” me, you are more than welcome here. I promise, we have an even better story to tell over here…and it’s all true!

A big problem. I’ve got a picture stealing, name using, story maker-uper person to deal with. Apparently my life is so interesting that some one felt compelled to take my life and pictures and create their own life with it on line!

This “Leah” and blog is a fake. I repeat: a fake. I’m not 17 years old, not still in HS. Savannah is already born and almost 1 now. Mark and I are already married. I do not have problems with Mark’s parents or my Mom. My Mom was not an alcoholic, etc. This is disgusting, immature, and just plain rude. I will see to it that the site is taken down.

Thank God, she did not touch the pictures of Savannah yet, because then there certainly would be hell. You just don’t mess with other people’s kids.

Seriously, immature. And scary.

Now, with that said. My flickr photos will now be moved to private, so if you still want to view them make an account and add me as a friend. And as far as this blog goes? I’m going to have to re-think about some serious privacy issues. Any suggestions?

Lord, help this world.