Hey You….Slow Down!

Posted on by Mandy


As I sit here stressed beyond stressed over Christmas and struggling to slow myself down to remember what really matters this season, I wanted to take a moment and share the following with all of you who may be reading and feeling the same way.

A Christmas Version of 1 Corinthians 13

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing goourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not share the true meaning of Christmas, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not demonstrate kindness to strangers, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordianted Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure. “And now these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

-Author Uknown

Munchkin Math DVD

Posted on by Mandy


My son is becoming obsessed with numbers lately. He can recognize numbers and tries his best to tell me how much things cost when we are grocery shopping. He’s eager to learn math, something I was never very excited about, and that makes me happy!

We recently had the opportunity to review a Munchkin Math DVD called Telling Time. Let’s face it, when learning is made fun, children will retain that information quicker and easier. My son really enjoyed the cute songs on the DVD that help viewers remember math facts and I’ve even caught him singing them around the house. It obviously held his attention, and that can be very hard to do sometimes.

If your child is trying to master telling time, this DVD may be helpful and is certainly worth a look. This DVD is $19.99 and can be purchased in the Munchkin Math Store online. It is also available at Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Bj’s Wholesale Clubs, and Amazon.com

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Munchkin Math and received a sample DVD to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Here Comes The Judge!

Posted on by Mandy


I spent the better part of my morning sitting in our county court house for jury duty. Thankfully, I was excused. I would never try to weasel out of my civic duty, but we are having some health issues with my mom and a few other things all at once. However, while waiting almost 2 1/2 hours to be excused, I had plenty to observe.

Official Looking Lady #1 Behind The Table- You look great in that business outfit. You are so put together. However, your Barbie pink laptop with sparkly stickers all. over. it. just made me lose all 10 minutes of the respect I had for you. Seriously? Seriously?

Official Looking Lady #2 Behind The Table- Those blingin’, long flashy earrings do nothing for your business suit. Unless, you know, you moonlight somewhere else after work. Ahem.

Sherrif’s Deputy Dude- Dude! Chill! Just because a potential juror walked to the wrong side of the room does not warrant an “attempt at looking offical spaz attack”. It really is O.K.

Potential Juror Sitting Behind Me- We get it. Really. You take the best vacations ever and enjoy the best of everything. I got the best workout ever rolling my eyes everytime you opened your mouth. I swear I lost 10 pounds in my face alone this morning!

And finally, to one of the potential jurors sitting beside me, a Tic Tac wouldn’t kill you. Just sayin’.