Wordless Wednesday -- A Little Help From A Big Sister

Olivia is almost five months old. We have just, in the last few days, started her on baby cereal. This child eats! With the other two it took a few exposures before they were really willing to eat a decent amount of baby cereal, not Olivia.

Well Natalie was very intrigued to see "her baby" sitting in the high chair and eating cereal. She wanted to help - so, I got her a baby doll, a bowl and a spoon. She seemed content feeding her baby as I was feeding Olivia. Content until I had to get up and turn my back for a second that is....

Don't worry -- Olivia didn't REALLY mind! =)

Do you have a Wordless/Wordfull Wednesday that you would like to share? Please feel free to comment and/or link up below!

The Federal Government has mandates regarding what...with our savings accounts??

Seriously?? I am not sure if I am more angry, surprised, or a combination of the two right now.
This morning I went to make an online transfer of funds out of MY savings account, when to my surprise I was greeted with this message from Wells Fargo:

Excess Activity Fees may apply to your savings account if you exceed the federally-mandated, combined total limit of six (6) per month of the following types of transfers and/or withdrawals:

•Transfers via Online Banking (including Bill Pay)
•Transfers made by telephone
•Automatic transfers for Overdraft coverage to your checking account
•Pre-authorized transfers and withdrawals (including automatic and wire transfers)
•Checks, drafts, or other similar withdrawals payable to third parties
•Check Card or ATM Card purchases that post to your savings account
There are no limits on the number of ATM or in-branch withdrawals or transfers. For more information, please refer to your Account Agreement

Okay, the highlight is mine, it is what is really bothering me. Savings accounts are not free, when they are free they come with stipulations - a minimum transfer amount from a checking account each month, a minimum balance, etc. As if that was not enough, now there are federal mandates saying what we can and cannot do with our own money, unless of course we want to incur a fee -- nice way for Obama to get back a little of the billions he wasted?!?
In most months, I do not transfer or withdraw from my savings six times. This month I guess I did, or I would have never known about this. I am seriously upset that the government feels like it is their responsibility to mandate how many times I want to transfer money out of a savings account...
What do you think??

Wordless Wednesday -- Yummy!!

This November when we went to Montana, the girls and I went to church with Oma and Sierra. Papa was going to go hunting while we were at church. When we got home from church this is what we saw. I was kind of surprised because my girls had never really seen a dead animal, but the reacted well!

I am thankful that we were there when Papa got his buck, and that the girls were able to experience this. Not to mention, we are also thankful for the back strap, the roast, and the burger!!!

If you have a WW, link up!

Tassimo Hot Beverage System

There is a new Tassimo machine out -- the T20!
If you don't know what the Tassimo is, check out the review I did of a previous model last year. It is single cup beverage maker - cappuccino, latte, espresso, cocoa, it does it all!
The new one is awesome, it has all the power and capabilities as the tassimo I reviewed last year, but is a sleeker, smaller, more "counter space friendly" model!! I received one on Friday to review and will have that up in the next few days. And guess what --- I will be giving one away on here too!! So keep your eye out for that in the next week or so.

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Birthday, FOUR Year Old!!

Happy Birthday Emily!!

We had a little family dinner Monday for Emily's birthday and she is having a small birthday party Saturday.I can't believe that she is 4 already, it all goes by so fast!

If you have a Wordless Wednesday post that you would like to share, leave a link below! I'll check yours out and leave a comment telling you what I think! :)

A New Winner

The winner of the Nacho Mama T-Shirt contest is not eligible to win, so I drew another winner, the new winning comment is:

Michelle said...

Oh these are so cool! I love the shirts - and with the Star Wars fascination in our house, I think I need my own shirt: http://www.nachomamatees.com/servlet/the-1255/star-wars-vintage-shirt%2C/Detail
November 6, 2010 9:35 PM

Congratulations Michelle! I am emailing you now for shipping information!

We've got winners!

The winner of the NachoMama T-shirt is comment #7:

throuthehaze said...
#1 Follow in Networked blogs-Rae Pavey
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
November 6, 2010 3:43 PM

And the winner of the Mend Mark Bracelet is comment #3:

Marie said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am happily following you now!
I *think* and I could be wrong but, I believe that at first the nails were hammered into his hands. But for some reason, (possibly he wasn't staying very well?) and so they also did His wrists. It is such a gruesome thing to talk about :( but I know it is something like that. OK that probably wasn't very helpful!(:
November 8, 2010 2:38 PM

I will be emailing you shortly for your addresses, please be sure to respond within 48 hours!!

Tiny Prints Christmas Cards {{{Review}}}

Absolutely Amazing.

I love photos, so it is no surprise that I love photo cards.
But, I have never seen any like some of the ones TinyPrints.com offers. There is a huge selection of holiday photo cards that vary from simple to unique and elegant. I had a hard time selecting one, as there are so many designs that I loved! I ended up ordering the Floral Twist card in Black.

This is the front of the card! - A family picture from the Monterey Bay Aquarium in October.

This is back of the card - the girls!

This is what the card looks like when it is folded into the square!

I think that they came out pretty nice. The only complaint that I have with this design is that I wish I would have known that the picture that would be framed when folded is the inside picture - it would have changed the order I put the pictures in.

Creating your photo cards is very pleasant and easy. You are given the option of uploading pictures from your computer or even importing photos from your facebook, flickr, picasa and other photo sharing accounts -- awesome!! Once your photos are uploaded you can zoom, change them from color to sepia to black and white, you get to see a wide variety of options so that you are sure you are creating the most pleasing photo card.

Once you submit your order you can get proofs emailed to you - for free. The designer that is working on your card will also let you know if there are any issues such as having grainy photos or anything like that. You are given the option to change anything on your card or go ahead and place the order. I love that there is someone who is working with you to make sure you are getting the best quality possible! Great customer service!!

Another plus is that the cards ship pretty fast. I had my cards in under a week of ordering them, with standard shipping.

Aside from what I already said about the order of the photos, the only other complaint I have is that the cards have a noticeable "ad" on them with tiny prints, their logo, and website. The cards are not cheap, they are good quality and therefore are a little more expensive - not too expensive, but they cost enough that I don't think they should be "branded."

Disclosure: I was given 75 free holiday cards to furnish this review. The opinions stated are my own and are honest!

Please Pray For Us

I am leaving in a few minutes to go to Montana. I am taking all three of the girls with me, but Zack is not able to go (work.) It is going to be a long drive there and even longer back!
Please pray for travel mercies for us and that the kids do good with the drive...and don't drive me crazy!!!
~Thanks~

More Reasons to be Thankful

I am thankful that I have been totally transformed. The things that I used to do, like, think, and say are not what define me today. I am made new through Christ. <<== If that isn't a reason to give thanks, I don't know what is!!!

I am thankful for the wonderful people that God has placed in my life to encourage me and to hold me accountable. There is really nothing that can compare with knowing there are people who care, truly care, about each other - with no ulterior motives.

I love cooking and baking, and I am thankful that it is starting to get cold so I can bake to my heart's content and not have to run the cooler!!! BTW, if you live close and want some of what I am baking, call me - I'll hook you up!!!

I am thankful for that God does not answer all of my prayers when I want and how I want. I have not always been thankful for that, but have learned that His answers are always, ALWAYS going to be what is better for me.

It was just my husbands birthday Sunday, and when I was baking his cake I was thinking about how long we have been together. It really doesn't seem like that long. I am thankful for the years we have had so far and the many more that we have to come. I got lucky when he fell into my lap...that's not really what happened. I'll save that story for another time! :)

I am thankful for those of you who read my blog and comment, sharing your thoughts with me. Tell me, what are you giving thanks for in this season of Thanksgiving?