Creation Museum {Giveaway}

On Friday I told you all (or y'all where I come from) that The Lazy Family was headed to Cincinnati for the weekend.

We had so. much. fun.

Which you may have noticed for yourself if you followed along with my tweets about our trip using the hashtag: #LMinCIN.

If you missed the fun-ness of the trip, don't worry. You can view all my tweets about our trip right here (it takes a little while to load for some reason, so read the rest of this post while it's loading, mkay?).

Or, if you don't have the time for that, just view my tweets here and read them backwards for them to make sense.

But whether you read those or not, just know that we really did have so. much. fun.  In fact, we had so. much. fun. while we were gone we threatened to never come home.  Something we do often when we leave town.  Because, who on earth really wants to go home when they are having so. much. fun. Right?

But the main reason we had so. much. fun. was because we got to go to the Creation Museum.

If you have never been, I can't say this next statement loud enough... GOOOoooOOOooo!

Seriously, this museum is SO impressive.  So, so, so, so impressive people.

I mean, where else can you...

Nearly lose a finger to a dinosaur?

See a 969 year old man's feet?

Chill with the Prophets?

Pet an alligator?

Ride a dinosaur?

Chat with Noah?

Eat chicken nuggets shaped like dinosaurs?

Only at the Creation Museum!

Now I know what some of you might be thinking, because I once thought it too.... "It's probably all Christian cheesy like."  But you'd be wrong.

DEAD wrong.  Just like I was.

Because the first time we went I was prepared for "Christian cheesy" too, and it's not. TOTALLY not.

Everything at the museum is SO well done.  Top notch.  High quality!  Right down to the little details.  I can't even explain to you how impressed I was, not only the first time we went, but I was impressed all over again this second time people!

(Uh, for the record, that's when you know you've been to a great museum, when it's just as impressive the second time you go.)

In three words, the Creation Museum is UN. BELIEVE. ABLE.

Or maybe I should so it like this... SO. BELIEVE. ABLE.

I can't recommend it enough... seriously, I might explode from how much I want to recommend this museum to you!  It's amazing.

And now, I'm super excited because someone WILL get to go!!  The Creation Museum has given me FOUR TICKETS to give away to a winner!!  How cool is that?

**This Giveaway is now closed**

To enter: Simply answer the following question in the comments area below this post....

Have you ever been to the Creation Museum before? (it's okay if you have, you can still win!)

U.S. and Canadian residents can answer that question below and be entered to win! (Need help entering? Click here)

If you'd like some EXTRA entries you can do the following, but these are totally optional and not necessary to win.  (Please leave a separate comment for each thing you do or already do. Make sure they are separate comments because each comment is your entry!)

• Subscribe to I'm a Lazy Mom in a reader OR Follow I'm a Lazy Mom on Google Friend Connect (over there on the side bar) OR Email Subscribe to I'm a Lazy Mom (you'll get our posts delivered to your email inbox)
• Follow I'm a Lazy Mom on Twitter 
• Follow I'm a Lazy Mom on Facebook 
• Follow Creation Museum on Twitter 
• Follow Creation Museum on Facebook 
• Tweet about this giveaway using the following: Win four tickets to the Creation Museum! Find out how here: http://tiny.cc/5syie @imalazymom @CreationMuseum (open to U.S. & Can!) RT!
• Post on facebook about this giveaway by using the following: Win four tickets to the Creation Museum! Find out how here: http://tiny.cc/5syie (open to U.S. & Can!)

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only and ends on March 7th at 9:00pm (EST).  The winner will be chosen using random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to contact attempts.

Thank you to the Creation Museum for sponsoring this giveaway. I was given five tickets for my family to enjoy the museum in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received and this here be my honest review.  The end.

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We're Trippin'

Despite the inches and inches of fluffy white stuff outside our window today, The Lazy Family is going on a road trip.

We'll if we can dig out that is.

Although Lazy Dad says, "We are digging out no matter what! Our hotel is non-refundable!"

So yes, we're headed to Cincinnati for the weekend.

Hmm, for some reason I want to sing this theme song all of a sudden.

But I'll refrain.

For now.

So yes, we're trippin' this weekend. Trippin' to such notable places as the Creation Museum (check back Monday for a review and giveaway!!) and we're also hitting up Jungle Jim's - a place people tell us is a grocery store on crack.  And I don't mean the crack we all were born with.

Wait. Was that appropriate for a Pastor's wife to say?

I repent.

Anyway, if you'd like to follow along with our adventures this weekend (because it IS always entertaining, isn't it?) you can follow the hashtag #LMinCIN  on my twitter stream @imalazymom.

And no, I'm not in SIN, I'll be in CIN.

I repented, remember?

If you don't know what that whole hashtag nonsense means, I'll try and explain in terms that even a lazy mom can understand.

Step one: Go to my Twitter feed.
Step two: Click on any #LMinCIN you see in my stream of tweets.
Step three: A new page will load that only has my tweets that include #LMinCIN in it.
Step four: So see? The hashtag helps you filter out all other tweets that don't include #LMinCIN and you only see the ones regarding my trip this weekend.

Capesh?

Sorry for that little bit of boring Twitter mumbo-jumbo.

I repent.

I don't want to be in sin.

But I do want to be in CIN.

So I better go pack.

So you all can follow my hashtag.

On my twitter stream.

Cause I know you all want to.

Cause that's not lame at all.

It's cool and hip.

Cause I'm cool and hip.

In my head.

Okay.

I'll stop.

For now.

Cause I've got to pack.

Remember?

I'm sorry.

For this madness.

I repent.

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Lazy Dad

Yesterday Lazy Dad emailed me.

Isn't that just so profound?

Anyway, he emailed me that he needed a picture for our state's Ministry Network website and ASAP.

Naturally I was happy to suggest some.

Cause I'm a caring and helpful wife.

Sometimes.

The first one I suggested was this one...

Now before you think we randomly dress up and act out scenes at our house, I should explain that this picture was a promo picture for our state Kids Camp last summer.  It was called "Keepers of the Cross" and it was a knights and princess type theme.  And it was AWESOME. (read my friend Jenilee's post about it too if you want)

Anyway, I totally thought this picture would work on a ministry website. I mean, here he is DOING ministry. As a Duke. We could even call him Pastor Duke if the mood strikes us.

But this picture didn't make the cut.

Can't imagine why he wouldn't want it on a Ministry Network website.

*shrug* Ah, oh well.

The next picture I suggested was one that is near and dear to my heart. So naturally I thought it would make a great Ministry Network picture.

Cause again, I'm a caring and helpful wife.

Sometimes.

*snicker*

Okay, this is seriously one of my favorite pictures of The Lazy Dad.  We were at a wedding and Lazy Dad (aka: The Dancing Pastor) decided to "get jiggy with it, or "get funky," or "pull several muscles." Whatever you want to call it, he did it.

And boy howdy did he do it.

I figured he probably wouldn't want this picture posted on some website somewhere *ahem* so I quickly suggested this next one...

I mean, this picture doesn't just say, "I'm a Pastor!" It also says, "I'm a number one Dad... or at least all of my children's Father's Day gifts say so."  What better way to portray yourself on a Ministry Network website, I ask you?

No?

Well okay then. My next suggestion was this one...

Now this one I thought FOR SURE he would go with. I mean, this one cries, "I may be a Pastor, but I'm a FUN Pastor!"  Right???  Wouldn't you want to go to church and listen to this guy preach?  I know I would.

Oh wait.

I do.

Never mind.

My last suggestion was this one...

Come on now! This one works! It screams, "I'm a Pastor with a fro and proud of it!"

It also screams, "Yo, yo, yo, wuz up?!"

And perhaps even, "P-Daddy in the hiz-ouse!"

But again, he didn't care for this one either.

*sigh*

Apparently we have different opinions of what should be plastered all over a ministry website somewhere.

I personally thought these pictures would ROCK.

So now they are plastered all over mine.

(And don't worry... he loves every second of it!  Right, honey? Riiight???)

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Some Confessions

I love hearing other moms confess stuff.

It not only makes me feel like I'm not alone in the world, but it reminds me that we are all just trying to do our best to keep our sanity at times.

And sometimes keeping our sanity as moms requires short cuts, or lazy techniques, or mommy brain moments. And today I have one of each.

Check out this mommy brain moment from lazy mom Mariah...

I always knew that deep, deep down, I was a gigantic dunder head. I never knew quite how bad until I realized, that after 2 1/2 years of mother hood...those thingy's that come with sippy cups are in fact no spill valves and NOT stoppers. Yes, I always threw them in a drawer, thinking the creators of sippy cups were total morons for making a stopper that goes IN the cup. Then a couple weeks ago I actually READ the package.

*Face Palm*

This next confession is a lazy technique designed by lazy mom Caitlin to catch a few more Zzzz's... (because mommyhood is exhausting, is it not?)

Every morning I wake up and bring my baby boy downstairs to start our day. Sometimes... more often then not, I force myself to set him up with the works. Cereal and a juice cup filled with milk (fast breakfast easy cleanup), cartoons on and child sitting on the chair all comfy... while mommy lies down on the couch pretending to be awake and aware but mostly sleeping but thanks to baby gates my son cannot escape from the living room and therefore I know he can't get into any trouble.

Gotta love those baby gates!

And lastly, a parenting short cut that lazy mom Jessica later regretted...

My daughter was newly potty trained over the summer and doing a great job so I let her in her kiddie pool without a diaper on. Well after playing she told me she had to go to the bathroom. This happened a few times and the last time I was done with drying her off and getting her shoes on so she doesn’t step on anything in the yard, so I told her to get out I pulled her bathing suit to the side and had her pee in the yard. Not a huge deal until we went to the town pool and of course after playing she had to pee so I took her out with all intentions of going to the bathroom where she proceeded to walk to the grassy area and start to squat. Now it was just all too fun to pee in the yard.

There. Feel better now?

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I Don't Know How to Shovel Snow

So by now you should all know that I'm from Texas.  Born and raised. Tried and true. Blessed and dressed.

(Sorry. I couldn't come up with a third one.  Blessed and dressed was the best I could do.)

Also by now you should all know that Lazy Dad is from Wisconsin.  Poor thing.

Hahaha! I'm just kidding, don't all you Wisconsin folks get your panties in a wad!  I'm KIDDING.

I think.

Anyway, the first two years of our marriage landed us in Lazy Dad's hometown in Wisconsin. Or in other words... SNOWVILLE.

Snow, snow and more snow came down my first winter "in the north."  But I kept holding on to the promise of Spring and warmth and sunshine.

But seeing that I'm from Texas and spring down there sprungs 'round middle of March, I was fully expecting spring to sprung in Wisconsin at the same time.

And nobody bothered to tell me different.

So yeah... March rolls around and I'm planning on wearing flip flops, sun screen and a bikini.

By the way, I'm totally kidding about the bikini.  I've never owned one. As in, EVER.  And it's not just because I'm a good Christian girl.  It's because I jiggle and such.

Anyway, I'm dreaming of sunshine.  Pulling out spring like clothes.  Making plans to get ice cream in the blazing sunshine.

And it just kept snowing.

All through March.

AND THEN INTO APRIL.

It finally decided to "warm up" to a sweltering 55 degrees around late April/early May.

To which all the Wisconsin people started parading around in shorts and tank tops.

DO WHA?

I'm still wearing long sleeves and jeans (which I quickly learned is spring attire "in the north").  Although I did shed my jacket.  But only because I was tired of wearing it!

Anyway, I didn't really mean to head down the whole spring thing in this post.  I mainly wanted to tell you all about how I don't know how to shovel.

Snow, that is.

Or at least that's what I would say anytime Lazy Dad asked me to help him shovel the white stuff.

"I just don't know how to shovel snow!" I would say in my best helpless Southern Belle voice.

And he'd chuckle a bit and tromp out to his snowy sweat shop shaking his head.

After two years of living in the frozen tundra called Wisconsin, we moved to another Midwestern state... Ohio.

The snow wasn't so bad there.  At least there it would snow and then melt a few days later.  That was nice.  But when a snow storm would dump a load on us, I'd pull out my trusty, "I just don't know how to shovel snow," line and off he'd tromp.  But this time rolling his eyes. No chuckles.

So for good measure I'd throw out there, "Now, if this were good ol' East Texas red dirt, I'd know how to shovel that! But this snow, nonsense, I just don't know how to shovel it!"

I'm happy to report that this helpless bit I acted out every winter got me to year 9 of our marriage. YEAR NINE!

This either means one of two things....

I'm a great actress.

Or Lazy Dad's a patient man.

I'll just let you pick whichever one you think is more true.

Yes, nine years of getting out of shoveling snow.  I think it helped that I was pregnant or caring for young children most of those years.

It may have also helped that I was a gorgeous helpless Southern Belle.

But again, I'll let you figure out which of those is more true.

Anyway, when it was year nine of our marriage and yet another snowstorm had hit, I felt sorry for Lazy Dad out there shoveling in the dark snow storm alone, so I decided I'd go out and help the poor man.

That and he said something to the affect of "You need to get out here and help me shovel, woman!"

Again, you decide which is more true.

Oh, and he didn't say "woman" at the end of that.  I just added that for emphasis.

So out I went. To shovel. Snow. Not good ol' East Texas red dirt.

It was hard, back breaking, sweaty work.

I hated every minute, no, no, every second, no, no, every millisecond of it.

So this year... year 10 of marriage (going on 11) I'm back to my "I just don't know how to shovel snow," line.

That, and I throw the 9 year old out there and say, "Here! Take the oldest child! He needs to learn how to shovel snow! Besides, he likes it!"

And he does.  He's always wanting to shovel snow.  Even in the summer he says, "I can't wait till winter so I can shovel snow."  And I'm not even lying about that. He loves shoveling the white fluffy stuff.  Maybe because he was born in Wisconsin.  I don't know.

I do know he definitely wasn't born in Texas. Or in the winter he'd be saying, "I can't wait till summer so I can shovel red dirt!"

That's all I know.

That, and I don't know how to shovel snow.

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A Birthday

I'm PRETTY sure there's a birthday in our house today.

There are clues everywhere I look.  

I'll show you.

Clue #1: Yesterday there were ingredients for our family's famous chocolate birthday cake littering our counter tops...

Clue #2: The Birthday Block is lit up in the kitchen...

Clue #3: There are streamers up everywhere...

Clue #4: The Birthday Banner is hanging with pride...

Clue #5: There was a little boy who couldn't sleep a wink last night from sheer excitement...

Clue #6: Said boy got cards with cash in them...

Clue #7: There was a scavenger hunt to find the last present...

Clue #8:  Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, there were presents...

Clue #9: There are birthday pancakes being eaten...

Clue #10: I think there's a birthday cake in there...

Yup. I'm pretty sure there's a birthday in our house today.

I'm real bright like that.

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Lazy Cake Cookies

How about a new Lazy Mom Recipe to put in your Lazy Mom cooking repertoire?

How about a new Lazy Mom DESSERT Recipe to put in your Lazy Mom cooking repertoire?

How about we all sit around over a pan of these and talk about how jiggly our thighs are and sing kumbaya together?

No?

Well okay, I thought maybe if I threw that one in there you'd all want to do that with me, but whatever.

Anyway, Lazy Mom Beth who has sent in past Lazy Mom Recipes for us to enjoy has done it again!  Her latest submission makes me want to kiss her and then smack her all at the same time.

A kiss for the easy dessert recipe.

A smack for the damage it will do to my thighs.

But I'm sure you all knew that already.


Lazy Cake Cookies:

1 box yellow or white cake mix
2 eggs beaten
5 T melted butter
2 C M&M's or mini chocolate chips

Mix together, put in a greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 20 min!

After looking at that picture I just have two words for you....

Glory.

Hallelujah.

I think I'll be making these soon.  BUT only if the family is here to help me eat them or I may eat the whole thing by myself. And that would just be terrible for that jiggly thigh disease I have.

What? It's a real disease. It's just never been labeled till now.  As in right now this minute.

I'm sure the medical community will be contacting me soon to learn more about this atrocious disease and how it affects millions every day.

I'm sure they will give me awards and accolades over it.

I'm sure they will make me the case study once they see these bad boys I sport around.

Aren't you so glad you read this blog?  I mean where else would you hear so much talk about jiggly thighs?

You're welcome.

--
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Kernel Seasons

My fellow Lazy Moms... did you know that there is something running around your house naked and you may not even know it?!

No it's not your husband...
or your kids...
or even your gold fish (although that may count)...
it's your...

*dun, dun, dUUUUUUUn!*

POPCORN.

Scary, I know.

If you haven't heard, naked popcorn should be covered immediately.  It's like a law or something.

Okay, not really.  But it IS a law for the proud peeps that work at nomorenakedpopcorn.com. AKA: Kernel Season's.

Kernel Season's basically makes clothes for your popcorn.  So it won't go around all naked like and embarrass you the next time you have company over.

There's over 15 flavors!

In fact, Kernel Season's is so passionate about taking the "risque" popcorn off the streets that they have started a contest.  A contest asking people everywhere, "How do you dress your naked popcorn?"

Be sure and go enter for a chance to win a one year supply of your favorite Kernel Season's seasonings for your popcorn!  And then come back here for a chance to win a Kernel Season's prize pack! Wahoooo!

We received one of these prize packs and we have had so much fun with it all (we like popcorn at my house)!

I've even been doing what Kernel Season's suggests and using the seasonings on things other than popcorn... like veggies!  LOVE that.  I also really like the fact that the seasonings have no MSG and are Gluten-Free.  Cha-ching!

So last night my kids and I had a popcorn and movie night together.  And we just COULDN'T let our popcorn go naked, so here's what we did...

After we tried all the seasonings, my oldest child had a rockin' idea and decided to... well, just go watch what he decided to do on my totally new Lazy Mom YouTube channel!  It was pretty fun.

So. Who'd like to win a Kernel Season's prize pack for your own little lazy family?

**This giveaway is now closed**

To enter: Simply answer the following question in the comments area below this post....

Did you know that your popcorn has been parading around your house naked?! *gasp!*

U.S. residents can answer that question below and be entered to win! (Need help entering? Click here)

Now for some EXTRA entries you can do the following, but these are totally optional and not necessary to win.  (Please leave a separate comment for each thing you do or already do. Make sure they are separate comments because each comment is your entry!)

• Subscribe to I'm a Lazy Mom in a reader OR Follow I'm a Lazy Mom on Google Friend Connect (over there on the side bar) OR Email Subscribe to I'm a Lazy Mom (you'll get our posts delivered to your email inbox)
• Follow I'm a Lazy Mom on Twitter 
• Follow I'm a Lazy Mom on Facebook 
• Follow Kernel Season's on Twitter 
• Follow Kernel Season's on Facebook 
• Tweet about this giveaway using the following: Stop eating naked popcorn! Win a Kernel Season's Prize pack from The Lazy Mom! http://tiny.cc/gurnb @imalazymom @kernelseasons
• Post on facebook about this giveaway by using the following: Stop eating naked popcorn! Win a Kernel Season's Prize pack from The Lazy Mom! http://tiny.cc/gurnb

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends on February 27th at 9:00pm (EST).  The winner will be chosen using random.org and will have 48 hours to respond.

Thank you to Kernel Season's for sponsoring this giveaway. I was given the box of goodies pictured above in exchange for my honest review. I'm honestly loving the stuff. Honest.

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What Really Matters

Things I'm not good at:

• keeping my house clean
• keeping up on the laundry
• shaving my legs regularly
• making an awesome dinner
• counting my calories
• folding bottom fitted sheets
• basic addition and subtraction
• oh, and multiplication

You know... the things that don't really matter.

Things I am good at:

• telling my kids I love them
• hugging and kissing them
• praying for my kids (and husband)
• explaining God stuff to them
• being at their events to cheer them on (like a crazy idiot)
• stopping what I'm doing and looking them in the eye when they are talking
• apologizing when I do things wrong
• giving my kids boundaries so they feel safe and secure

You know... the stuff that really matters.

For some reason I needed to remind myself of this today.  So I made my lists (and checked them twice). And even though I'm not good at a lot of things that I wish I was good at, I'm happy with the things that I am good at.

What does your list look like today? Do you like the way it looks?

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Valentine's Day

In case you've been held up in some monastery for a while, yesterday was Valentine's Day.

I realize that MOST of you have not been held up in a monastery, so the likelihood that you didn't know yesterday was Valentine's Day is slim to none.

Still.  I felt the need to inform those who may or may not be held up in a monastery.  Because who knows? Maybe a monk reads my stuff?

Anyway, I have to tell you all that I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day.  Just not a fan.

Usually Lazy Dad and I don't even celebrate it.  Although I think that he thinks that I'm playing a trick on him or something, so to be on the safe side he usually does get me some tulips. You know, just to cover the bases. In case I'm tricking him or something.

But I'm not.

I just don't feel the need to celebrate our love along with everyone else in the country that day.  I'd rather us celebrate it on a day when it's not expected.  It means more then.

Plus, Valentine's Day gives me weird flash backs to High School days and the insane amount of awkwardness this day brings to a bunch of teens trying to impress girlfriends/boyfriends... or the lack there of. *shudder*

Despite all of that though, this year we did the most Valentine's Day celebrating we've ever done in the history of our 10 years of marriage.

It started Friday afternoon.  I was just minding my own little business when I saw this tweet on my screen.

I was in shock!  I was surprised!  I was wondering if he knew he accidentally typed that and hit send.

But it was true!  He did surprise me with a 24 hour getaway!  And even though I wasn't so thrilled with the idea of "heading north," I packed my electric blanket and off we went.  But not before there was a delivery to the front door.

Tulips! What a guy.

By the way, sometime y'all remind me to tell you how much I love tulips and how every spring I make plans to plant tulips in the fall so I can have some grow up in my own yard.  And how every fall I never plant any.

It's a great story that you simply must hear.

Oh wait. I guess you just did hear it.  Never mind.

So yesterday rolls around.  It's the big V-day.  The kids have been sent to school armed and ready with gobs of Valentine Day cards. And I have to pull off some sort of Valentine's Day party for my 6 year old's 1st grade class.

Cause I'm the room mom.

Which cracks me up to no end.

Now at the Christmas party Lazy Dad came and helped me.  Because he's the "game guy."  Years of being a Children's Pastor before you become a Lead Pastor will do that to you.

But this time he couldn't make it.  Which I anticipated might be a downer for some of the kids.  So to "jazz" it up a little I decided to make some games of my own.  Like "Name Bingo."  But as I started making it I realized that if they all had the same sheet they would all win at the same time.  And since making more sheets involved too much effort and thinking I just completely scratched that idea.

No, instead we played a rousing game of Hang Man and Tic-Tac-Toe.

It was pitiful.

But at least I got to use the teacher's overhead! I acted like a blubbering fool over being able to use it too.

Again, it was pitiful.

But the true highlight of the party, and I mean it, it made my day, was when a little girl raised her hand and asked me in her best little Northern non-accent voice, "Why do you talk like a cowgirl?"

I replied, "Because I'm from Texas."

So the boy next to her asked, "So is your daughter from Texas?"

"No."

"But how can YOU be from Texas and your daughter NOT be from Texas?"

"Because I was born in Texas and she was born up here."

"Oh."

In hindsight I should have said to him, "Because I was born in God's country and she, well, you know..."

Okay, this post has gone on long enough.  Especially considering I'm not even a fan of the holiday this whole post involves.

But before I go, I just have to show you the e-cards I sent to Lazy Dad yesterday.

They make me tee-hee.  And you all know how I like to tee-hee. So here's to some tee-heeing.

(I have no idea what I'm saying.)

The first one I sent him was one where he stars as my righteous babe.

Then I was feeling a little Shakespearean so he became, Romeo, Oh, Romeo!

And then I don't know what happened, but I just couldn't help myself.  So I made this one too... A little FROmance.

I promise the rest of the week to write short posts. Promise!

So, how was your Valentine's Day?

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You Moved Me

Well apparently my love story on Friday really struck a cord with many of you.  It even reached as far as warmer states like Florida, Arizona, and Texas.

I just have three words for you...

God. Bless. America.

Oh wait. I have three more words for you...

Save. The. Blankets.

When I told you all that I was going to give one blanket away I received comments that were truly moving.  Things like...
"I'd love to give her a good home."
"I would absolutely love and cherish that blanket."
"I'd love to have a little blanket of my very own."

It was lovely.

One of you who already knows the joy of having a sweet little electric blanket said...
"I kiss Mr. Heated Blanket good night. I pet him and ask how his day was before I tuck myself in. I carefully smooth him flat when I get out of bed. I think of him fondly when I feel a cool breeze, and long for him at the end of a hard day.  I understand. Oh, how I understand." 

And yes, yes I think she does understand. Completely.

One lady from my church said...
"I am they COLDEST person you know. I am the COLDEST person in our church.... I may be found one day a frozen blob if you don't pick me." 

I don't know if I'd want to be known as the "coldest person in our church," but if she's down with that... then okay!

I think the comment that cracked me up the most though, was this one...
"Definitely could use something to warm me up that doesn't get 'frisky'"

Ahahahaha!

Hahahaha!

Ohohoho!

Ha!

At any rate, your comments moved me.  And made me laugh.

Let's just say I was laughingly moved.

So anyway, I used random.org to pick a winning comment for me.  And the winner is???

Here.

For the record... yes, I do take my electric blanket with me when we go camping.

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A Love Story {And a Surprise at the End}

Today. A love story.

One so deep and heart felt you may cry.
One so emotional and amazing you may gasp.
One so hokey and corny you may laugh like a silly middle school boy does at potty humor.

Yes, today... is the story of my one true love.

My electric blanket.

This story will come as no surprise to most of you.  I've declared my undying love for my electric blanket for a long time on Twitter - @imalazymom - and on facebook.

It all started well over a year ago.  Christmas 2009 to be exact.  I had asked and asked and asked for an electric blanket for Christmas.  Silly, I know.  But this Texas girl was tired of being cold in the frigid northern air.

I needed warmth.
I needed security.
I needed a remote controlled heating blanket with 10 settings and auto-off after 10 hours.

And Lazy Dad heard me.  It was a true Christmas miracle.

For tucked under the bright shiny Christmas tree, a new electric blanket was just waiting for me.  I could hardly wait.

Christmas day my deep love for my electric blanket began.  I've been wrapped in it's warm embrace ever since. I love it so much I even take it with me when I travel.

Well, except that one time I didn't pack it when we went to Wisconsin.  It was a MAJOR tragedy.  One my electric blanket and I had to really heal from, but don't worry, we're okay now.

This last Christmas I mentioned to Lazy Dad that I'd like to get another electric blanket.  A cute little baby throw blanket to hold in my lap when we're in the family room.  He thought the idea was preposterous.

I told him it would be a joy to have another little electric blanket in the house.  Someone to snuggle with. Someone to warm our old frigid hearts. But he just laughed at the idea.

The big meanie.

Then yesterday.  An amazing thing happened.

Yes, yesterday I saw the most amazing sight at Walmart.  A whole display of electric blankets just sitting there.  Staring at me.  On clearance.

All those sweet little electric blankets needing a good home.  Needing someone to love them and plug them in and hold them.

That's when I knew I had to do it.  I had to rescue them.  But even though they were marked down to only $19 I could only rescue one.  My heart was torn!  How do I choose only one?!  They ALL needed a home.

So I let out a scream that reverberated across the aisles of Walmart, "Noooooooooo!"

Okay, not really.

I get carried away sometimes.

Anywho, I chose one.  And it hurt.  It hurt not to take them all.

So here's my plea... my plea to your fellow mom-hearts... help these electric blankets find a home.  They need you as much as you need them.  AND they are only $19 at my Walmart.  AND these electric blankets all come from a good home -- Sunbeam (aka: they are the good working electric blankets).

So go do it.  Do it for humanity's sake...

...or something like that.

What?  You aren't sold yet?

Then it's time for the big guns.

Pictures.

Look... isn't she so cute?

Plus, according to her box, she's now (up to) 19% warmer.  How can you NOT be sold on that feature alone?!

And to encourage your adoptive hearts I thought I'd share a few pictures of my newest little electric blanket at home...

Here I am showing her some love...

Here I am holding her hand for the first time...

Here I am telling her who's boss.... (gotta lay those boundaries soon in life)

And here I am playing a game of peek-a-boo with her....

Now I ask you, after seeing that adorable display of adorableness *ahem* how can you not want one of your own?

I'll trust you all to go and do the right thing.

Oh, and to sweeten the deal a little, I thought I'd let you know that after Lazy Dad saw how cute and cuddly she is, he suggested I rescue another one... just for one of you!

So who'd like to WIN a sweet, new, adorably warm electric blanket to love and cherish in your very own home? Hmmm?

**This Giveaway is now closed!**

Just leave a comment below and I'll pick a winner in a few days.

We won't do this giveaway like I usually do.  Besides, Sunbeam, Walmart and I have no relationship whatsoever.  Nobody sponsored this adoptive post, I just did it out of the goodness of my heart.  Because I love my electric blanket and want you to know the joy of loving one too.  It's just so fulfilling.

So leave a comment for a chance to win!

Oh, and in case you are wondering, I'm not on any medications.

I'm completely normal.

Most of the time.

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5 Lazy Mom Quick Tips!

Today I thought I'd hit you with five more Lazy Mom quick tips submitted by Lazy Moms just like you!

Well, I don't really want to you hit you.  I just want to give you a little "love pat."

There.  That sounds much nicer now.

Tip #1:

I keep lysol wipes under the sink in the bathroom - espically the bathroom the kids take a bath in. Now when I'm waiting for them to finish their bath and have nothing to do and notice that there is toothpaste on the sink I can clean the kids and the bathroom at the same time!

Another good tip... Use the old baby bottle sanitizer to zap toothbrushes in the microwave when everyone is sick. ~Veronica

Tip #2:

We usually do spring cleaning or fall cleaning, de-junking and trading out our summer clothes for the winter ones. BUT we also do this with our cars. Because we're in a state that has four seasons, in their extremes too, we make sure there are spare blankets, gloves, hats, coats, etc. for the winter and extra shirts, shorts and even a blanket for the summer. This way, if we ever have an emergency away from the home, we still have some clothes on hand. It comes in handy for the little ones diaper blowout or a toddler spill. We also have heat packs, allergy medicines, sunscreen that we make sure to switch out when the seasons change. ~Shiloam

Tip #3:

When I was a kid, each chore had a "pay" amount. My parent's didn't specify who did the chore, just had us list what we did... $.25 for putting laundry in the washer, or the dryer, or loading the dishwasher, etc. To get a pay raise, we just had to up our work level. My sisters got so mad when I would vacuum the whole house and beat them to the paycheck. ~Found on Facebook by Carrie

Tip #4:

My 2 year old loves applesauce and also loves to feed herself. Can you say big mess?
So now I poke a small hole in the top of the applesauce cup, cut a straw in half, put it in the hole and she can drink her applesauce. No mess and great for traveling too. ~Carrie

Tip #5:

I train my kids young [to do things around the house]. They love to unload the dryer - they don't fold yet but they do hand me everything from the dryer. They also carry all the non-heavy non-breakable things in from the car from grocery shopping trips. ~Kelly

And there you have it. 5 Lazy Mom Quick Tips!

 Which one will you implement or do already?

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Why I'm from Texas but Drink Diet Pepsi

Sometime last week I posted a status update on my twitter and facebook page that went a little something like this.

And it involved this picture...

...me pouring Diet Pepsi into a Coca-Cola glass.

Because that's how I roll these days.

Living on the edge.
Going against the grain.
A rebel without a cause.
A force to be reckoned with.

Basically, I'm scary, so watch out!

I may just go pouring Diet Pepsi in your Coca-Cola glass.  Cause I'm b-b-b-bad to the bone like that.

(excuse me a second while I go giggle over that)

(okay, I'm back)

So I wanted to explain my reckless behavior to you all.  Because how can a Texas girl like moi' even drink Diet Pepsi in the first place?  Coke is a SOUTHERN thing. (And I've already told you... us Texans are Southerners, not Westerners, so get it right!)

So, how did this happen?  Where did this start?  Why do my thighs jiggle?  Who turned me away from my beloved Coke?

These are all questions that beg to be asked.  (Especially the jiggly thigh one, but I think you can all figure out how that happened.)

So here's my story.

A story of betrayal.
A story of dissension.
A story *pause* of hope.

(I'm not dramatic at all folks, really.)

It started, *pause for effect* on a cold winter day about 3 years ago.

I was at a party.  A party with our church people.  A party to watch some *waves hand dismissively* football game.

So it should go without saying I was in the kitchen hanging out with the food.

Hey. I didn't get jiggly thighs from watching football people. I don't watch football, I hang out with the food. Got that?

Anyway, I was thirsty.  The crackers and chips and dips and cheese had parched me to my very core.

But alas! There was nothing to drink but water, Diet Pepsi, and Ginger Ale.

So I rolled the dice.  I took a chance.  I went for the Diet Pepsi, even though I was a die-hard coke fan for most of my life.

I don't know what came over me.

Maybe it was due to the fact that I lived in "the North" and hadn't drank an ice cold Coke in a long, long time.

Maybe it was due to the fact that I never could get the hang of Diet Coke because it tastes NOTHING like real Coke (can I get a witness?).

Maybe it was because I was at some football game party and nothing made sense in the world at that moment.

Who knows.

At any rate, I poured myself a cup of Diet Pepsi.  And I drank.  I drank and I drank.  Then I drank some more. (Uh, I said I was thirsty people).

And I was surprisingly refreshed.  And I surprisingly felt like I had just drank a Coke instead of a Diet Pepsi.

And that's when it hit me!

Diet Pepsi tastes more like Coke than Diet Coke does!

Suddenly the noise of the football game on the television was drowned out by a heavenly host of Diet Pepsi angels singing.  I had seen the light!  I had drank deep of the goodness of what is known as Diet Pepsi!  And I had found a diet drink that tasted like Coke without the calories!

It was a life-altering moment.

One that I knew my proud Coca-Cola loyal family would never understand.  Especially my brother who tells his students every new school year, "I like to drink Coke.  Not Pepsi, not Sam's Choice, not RC Cola, not Diet Rite... COKE."

Yes, I knew they would think this was a "phase" I was going through.  Kind of like the time when this little Baptist Texas girl went off to an Assembly of God Bible college and found herself engaged to a Yankee aspiring Assembly of God Pastor.

Yes, it would be that all over again.

So I kept my secret love of Diet Pepsi hidden. Until now.

*records scratching*

Okay, not really.  It just sounded better that way.

But I did hear things like... traitor!  blasphemer!  dissenter!  shame on you!

I felt like the girl with the scarlet letter.  Except not.

And before you leave me a bunch of comments about how there's Coke Zero and other such things out there now, it's too late for that....

Hello.  My name is Stacey.  And I'm a Diet Pepsi convert.  It pains me to say it, but it's true. And I'm afraid I. could. never go back.

*sigh*

All you Southerners be warned!

This is what living in the North will do to you!

So SAVE YOURSELVES!!  It's too late for me!  I've crossed over to the other side.  The dark side.  The Diet Pepsi side.

Goodbye my dear Coca-Cola, goodbye!


P.S. Diet Pepsi in no way sponsored this absurd, but true story. I wrote this on my own accord. Yes, my own little sad accord. Which I'm sure they'll be thrilled to read about. But not as much as Coke will.

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The Funny Stuff

Yesterday I wrote a review about Great Wolf Lodge.  But what I didn't have time to tell you in that post was the FUNNY stuff that happened there.

And you know me... I like funny.

If you follow my tweets (@imalazymom) you may already be hip to the funny stuff that happened because I tried my best to keep you afloat on any funny developments.

But of the funny developments I tweeted about, there were three minor mishaps on Friday night which I feel I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about them in a little more detail.

None of which involved Great Wolf Lodge, by the way.

They strictly were related to me in some way.

Imagine that.

So, for your reading pleasure... here's my tweet about mishap #1.

This was really NO BIG DEAL.  The 7 year old thought he could run around like a crazy person without us when we first got into the park, but don't worry....  I gave him a good "talking to" that I'm sure the whole water park enjoyed hearing as well.  *Ahem*

Next up?  Mishap #2.

Again.  No big deal.  I apparently can't read signs is all.

And don't worry, I didn't see or scare any men.  I just took the time to look in the mirror a little bit (because of mishap #3 I'm about to tell you about) and went to go potty when I spotted the urinals.

At first I thought to myself, "Why do they have urinals in the women's bathrooms?"
Followed by, "How nice of them! They must put urinals in the women's bathrooms for the little boys."
Followed by, "Oh crap! I'm in the Men's bathroom!!"

It takes me a while, that's all.

And finally, mishap #3.

This one actually did embarrass me.

Because even even though walking around in a swimsuit in front of gobs of people is embarrassing.

And even though walking around in a swimsuit in front of gobs of people with jiggly thighs is embarrassing.

Walking around in a swimsuit in front of gobs of people with jiggly thighs AND your bra liner showing, is even  more embarrassing.

I don't care what other people say, it just is.

Apparently I like to make a grand entrance into places.

An embarrassingly grand entrance.

And I'm very good at it.

At any rate, the next morning I ran over to Walmart to get myself a new swimsuit.

It was a super good deal if'n I do say so myself.  And the suit is actually pretty cute.

Although my one friend, after I told her my swimsuit story, said to me, "Um, how cute can a suit be that was on clearance for 5 bucks because no one wanted it last season... or so far THIS season."

To which I replied through gobs of laughing tears, "You're right! It's not cute at all!"

Followed by, "It's even animal print!"

I'm so glad she pointed out to me how NON-cute my new suit was.  Because you know what that means?

I was walking around in a swimsuit in front of gobs of people with jiggly thighs in an animal print swimsuit that wasn't even cute.

That makes me feel so. much. better.

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Great Wolf Lodge {A Review}

On Friday night my family and I traipsed off to Great Wolf Lodge.

Well okay, we didn't walk there (since that is apparently what traipsed means - I looked it up) but we did drive there.

Wasn't that totally worth your time for me to clarify that?

I thought so too.

You're so welcome.

Anyway, the reason we traipsed drove to Great Wolf Lodge is because the great people at Great Wolf Lodge invited my family to spend the night, play in their water park and generally have a good time so that after my experience there I would be compelled to tell you...

Go immediately to the closest Great Wolf Lodge near you!!!  Do not walk, do not hesitate, do not pass go and collect $200 (although you may want to hit the ATM on the way) just GO!!!!!!

And I seriously do mean every single word of that.  They didn't tell me to tell you that, they were probably just hoping I would say something remotely like that to you all, so that worked out well.

Seriously this place is so. much. fun. You must go as early as yesterday.  In fact, you may have even wanted to go as early as last week, it's that much fun.

The whole Great Wolf Lodge experience is amazing.  As soon as you walk in the doors you feel like you've walked into a North Woods Cabin.  You truly feel you are "away from it all."

Many of you may have recently seen Great Wolf Lodge on the TV show Undercover Boss (great episode by the way) and one of the "hitches" the under cover boss had was with the lengthy check-in process.

Well I'm happy to report to you that the boss must have made some serious changes because the check-in was not lengthy at all.  It was speedy, informative, and no longer than any other check-in process at a regular hotel.

But what I can't wait to tell you about is the room!  Great Wolf Lodge hooked us up with one of their KidCabin Suites.  (That's how great Great Wolf Lodge is folks.)

Here's what the KidCabin Suites look like.  When you walk in you see this to the left...

Well, you don't see the children.  They don't come with the room, you have to provide your own.

But inside this Kids Cabin is a bunk bed...

(again, child not included)

And a single bed...

(Hopefully by now you know... children aren't included.)

And a video game/TV area...

At this point I would just like to say two things...

1. Children aren't included.
2. The room ROCKED.

Then, as if the hook up with this KidsCabin Suite wasn't enough, the incredibly great people at Great Wolf Lodge went the extra mile and left this on our bed....

Whatever could it be?...

Well, hello my little pretties... come to mama.... I won't hurt you a bit.....

Cookies!

Great Wolf Lodge left us a very nice note saying that since we were special guests they wanted us to enjoy some milk (in the fridge) and cookies!

Milk and cookies?!  Uh, sign me up for that one.

Oh, wait.  I did.

SCORE!

Now, I've been told that milk and cookies are not a standard thing that happens for all guests, so please don't go all crazy on your Great Wolf Lodge front desk people if you don't have any in your room when you go (because I've already told you you should go).  It was just a nice little bonus.  And besides... it WAS my birthday weekend.

At this point I don't even have time to tell you about the other fun amenities at Great Wolf Lodge.  There are truly so many I'm sure I would forget half of them and not even do them justice, so it's probably better that way... but just to name a few...

• major arcade
• a show (complete with snow fall) in the main lobby
• amazing food (seriously, the breakfast at Lumber Jack's Cook Shanty is AMAZING)
• crafts at Cub Club

It's all fun stuff, but not as fun as the MAIN attraction... the water park!

While the snow was falling outside, we were warm and toasty in the 84 degree water park.  The water must have been heated too, because it was just right.  And besides, if you do get a little on the cold side you can warm up in their hot tubs.  They even have an "adults only" one!

The thing I liked about the water park the most? There wasn't a single pool over 4 feet deep.  And most weren't over 3 feet.

I felt completely comfortable letting my 7 & 9 year old "have at it."  Plus there were literally lifeguards everywhere. 

Instead of me being a "crazy mom" and worrying and following them around constantly, I got to be a true "lazy mom" and ENJOY myself too.  For those of you who truly know me (and know that I am as paranoid as any mother can be with my children around water) you know how huge that was for me to be able to do that.

And if you have younger kids than I do, or even babies, they have water play areas and slides just for them!  There truly is something for every age here, folks. 

So... what's my conclusion here?  I mean this post DOES have to end eventually doesn't it?  It's like the longest blog post I've ever written already.

Okay, here's my conclusion....

I would HIGHLY recommend Great Wolf Lodge to any family with young children.  Children 10 and under will LOVE it and even older kids would enjoy themselves, but I feel that this particular Great Wolf Lodge property we visited (the Sandusky one) is perfect for kids 10 and under.

I also wanted to let you know that while you can go "all out" money-wise at Great Wolf Lodge, it can also be done on a tight budget.  

Seriously.  If you have the money to splurge, then go!  If you don't have the money to splurge, you can STILL go.  

And I mean that.  Great Wolf Lodge has lots of freebies, you can pack a cooler for your own meals (because even though the food is SUPER yummy, it is a bit pricey - our family of five spent around $50 per meal), and you can also find great deals on the rooms (especially during winter).

To learn more about Great Wolf Lodge or to view prices at the one nearest you, visit their website!

As for me? I'm going to go rest my fingers. 

A BIG thank you to Great Wolf Lodge for providing my family this great opportunity to stay in their KidsCabin Suite, eat milk and cookies, and play in their water park in exchange for my honest review of their Sandusky property! No other compensation was received.

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Hey! This giveaway ends tonight! Get your entries in!

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