I have a book giveaway on my blog. Follow the link…

http://sincerelystacie.blogspot.com/2010/08/review-and-giveaway-boy-who-came-back.html

The book is titled “The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven” by Kevin and Alex Malarkey. Alex and his dad were in a terrible car accident and Alex traveled to heaven and came back to tell his story. It is a moving story. For more, read my review.  The giveaway is available through September 12 and I will draw a winner on Sept 13, 2010.

Like thousands of other moms out there, sometimes the thought of going grocery shopping to stock the pantry shelves is just down right depressing. The cost of so many of our favorite things just seems to be skyrocketing and I’m finding I have to skimp on a lot of the “fun stuff” we used to buy, so that I can afford the necessities. I would read blog after blog about people saving hundreds by clipping coupons and coming home with bags of items for just a few dollars.

How hard could THAT be?

Not very, I concluded, and thought I’d give it a whirl. 

So I began to make it a Sunday morning ritual to head out to the local Casey’s General Store to pick up a newspaper full of coupon inserts. For the first couple of weeks the savings were great. And then the laziness set in. Seriously people, it’s a lot of work to clip coupons, search for sales, and find special deals … all while trying to compile a list that must include everything my family of six will need over the next seven days.

Sure enough, because I didn’t have enough time or energy, I quit doing it.  Sometimes I would not even make my list before I went to the store … which we all know is the biggest no-no in the ‘how to save money manual’.

Hello?  But I just couldn’t do it all.

That is … until my “angel” paid me a visit.

Really.  I am so not kidding.

A month or so ago, I was asked to check out an awesome website called, Savings Angel. When I logged onto their website I was shocked. All the things I didn’t have time to do before … was right in front of me.  ALL THE WORK.  DONE!  And I got excited. 

They compile all the sales, coupons, links to coupons online and my grocery list FOR ME. All I have to do is print. And shop. And, of course, save.

For example, when I notice that Molly has used up all the ketchup AGAIN, and I need to purchase more … I log into my SavingsAngel.comaccount and type in ketchup.  Then I simply select the stores in which I’m willing to shop. Savings Angel then pops up with a list of each store, their price for the ketchup and links to any coupons that are available for ketchup.  After deciding which deal I’ll take, I check the “Add To Shopping List” box next to the store I want to buy from.  And bam … when I print my list before heading out to do the shopping, not only do I know that I won’t forget the ketchup … I know that I’m getting the best deal in town. Simple as that!

It is truly awesome. So I really wanted to share it with you. I will tell you upfront, the service that SavingsAngel.com offers is not free. It will cost you a little over $2 per week to try it. But come on, we all know that you’ll save that two bucks on your first shopping trip … and then some.

Check it out.  And then come back here and let me know if you love it as much as I do!

If you are anything like me, you’ve totally slacked on blogging over the summer. I mean, the kiddos are home from school, the sun is shining, the pool is calling to you … the last place you want to be is in front of a computer screen tapping away at a keyboard.

Never mind the fact that the majority of all wonderful memories are made during the months your children are not in school. All these special moments you don’t want to forget and would like to capture in your own words, possibly accompanied by a photo or two, ON YOUR BLOG, so that you can go back and live them over and over again.  However, the blog post is only written in your mind … because you are too busy enjoying your next adventure. The next soon to be memory.

Am I right?

Of course I am.

But now summer is coming to a close. And the promise to pick up blogging again is in the forefront of your mind. You’re left wondering how to make your blog better. How to write and capture the never to be forgotten memories in the best way possible. To snap the pictures of the kids that are growing way too fast without blur and fuzziness. Yes?

Well you can learn how do just that! And lots more.

If you haven’t checked out I_Blog Conference, I strongly suggest you do. They are offering a “Back To School” savings code that will allow you to save $50 on your Full Event Ticket when you register.  It is:  Back2School and is good through August 31.  So don’t delay!

See? Back to school doesn’t have to be just for the kids! Who knew?

Take a minute or two and check out all the details.  The sessions and speakers who will attend the conference.   The hotel where the conference will be held, Hotel Pattee.  And then go register to attend.

I’ll see you there!!

Did you know that seventy percent of smokers in America want to quit, but only about five percent of smokers are successful in quitting long-term?  Most people just don’t know how to quit.

That’s where EX comes in. The free EX Plan, available at BecomeAnEX.org, teaches smokers how to “re-learn” life without cigarettes. Developed in partnership with Mayo Clinic, as well as input from ex-smokers, EX is a new way to think about quitting that can help smokers become an EX for good.

Do you want to become An EX?

BecomeAnEx.org  is an online community dedicated to smokers who are looking to kick their “butts” for good, through a FREE online quit-plan.   The EX plan is all about HOW, and works by helping you do the following:

•        Learn the truth vs. myths about nicotine, smoking and addiction
•        Identify personal “smoking triggers”- habits that make you want to smoke.
•        EX helps smokers “practice” and deal with their ‘smoking triggers” without reaching for a light.

Most importantly, EX wants you to know that you are not alone. EX offers online support groups and various communities that will serve as your own personal therapist, your quit buddy, and your friend.

For the next two weeks, IowaMoms.com is hosting what we’ll call TRIGGER TUESDAY!  

What exactly is Trigger Tuesday, you ask?  Well, it is where we’ll be dedicating one day, when the readers of IowaMoms.com can “confess” their one bad habit they would like to quit.  Sometimes just saying it (or typing it, in this case) can make all the difference in success.   

After our two Trigger Tuesday’s … we’ll select two winners from all the comments received.  These lucky ducks will receive the EX – ‘Quit Pack’ complete with a ex-backpack, air freshener, trigger cards and stickers, cup holder, re-learn booklet and EX instructions.

How about that?

What would you like to become an “EX” of? 

Tell us!

Ellen says:  I am a wife, and a mom of 3 girs. Ages 2, 4 and almost 5! Life is busy. My youngest 2 have special needs. CP and Ds and we are loving it. Our middle daughter just came to our family through adoption.

The Stumbo Story

Featured Blogger Participants: Head on over to The Stumbo Story … and leave Ellen a comment letting her know that you found her on IowaMoms.com!

My Boys is back for Season 4!!!  This TBS hit comedy about a group of close friends who always make time to get together, drink beer, play their weekly poker and support each other through the ups and downs of dating, break-ups and career highs and lows.

Season 3 ended with the gang in Arizona for the Cubs spring training game. Brendan is threatened by a professional baseball player meanwhile sparks fly between Kenny and Stephanie, Mike tries his best to get a base hit off a professional pitcher and Bobby helps P.J. write her best article yet. As the group returns to Chicago, Bobby and P.J. stumble upon Kenny and Stephanie kissing…

As a new season blossoms, the friends continue to joke around, bond over beer and poker and have fun, but this time around, they also have to face the realities of life, financial issues, career decisions, and getting into serious relationships.

Season 4 premiered on July 25th at 10/9 central on TBS. Grab a beer and tune in or set your DVR to watch their latest trials and tribulations. Although the season already started, you can easily catch up by viewing full episodes at Hulu.com.

If you haven’t caught the previous episodes of My Boys, no fear, we are giving away a complete disk set of Season Two and Season Three to one lucky winner.  Just leave a comment below … and you’ll be entered to win.   Doesn’t get any easier than that!  On Friday, September 3rd the winner will be randomly chosen from all of the comments received. 

Banana Bread

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 cups flour
• 2 mashed bananas
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (optional)

Mix sugar, butter and eggs.  Add bananas.  Stir in flour and baking soda.  Add chocolate chips.  Bake 350 degrees.

Loaf: Approx. 50 minutes
Mini Loaves: Approx. 35 minutes
Muffins: Approx. 25 minutes
Mini Muffines: Approx. 15 minutes

As an ‘Iowa Blogger’, as well as an attendee and planning partner for this conference … I wanted to share this information with everyone.  I hope you will seriously consider registering for this event, as it will surely be very beneficial to any blogger!  Please feel free to pass along this information to anyone you think would be interested!

Beginning and experienced bloggers will find useful classes at I_Blog Conference, November 5-7 at the historic Hotel Pattee in Perry Iowa, announced event organizer and blogger Jody Halsted.  Ticket orders can be made here.

Registration is $199 for a full conference ticket.  The following “a la carte” tickets are also available:  Saturday only, $100; Friday evening social, $50; and Destination Midwest Saturday evening event, $50.

This year the conference will feature two tracks of classes: one for the beginning blogger and one for individuals who have more experience in social media.

Some of the scheduled classes and speakers include:

• Blogging Basics – Melanie Nelson, co-author Typepad for Dummies
• SEO and Why It Matters – Angela England, editor Blissfully Domestic
• How to Utilize LinkedIn – representative from LinkedIn
• How to Use Social Media to Build Your Online Presence – Claire Celsi, the PR Princess
• Pitch from Your Passion: Get Paid for Writing About What You Love – Beth Blair, freelance writer and member of The Vacation Gals
• Intellectual Content vs. Owned Content – Brett Trout, P.C.
• How To Make Money from Your Blog – Melanie Nelson and Angela England
• How to Use Your Camera to Add Great Content to Your Site – Darcy and Randy Milder from His N Hers Photography

Specially priced rooms are available at the Hotel Pattee for conference attendees.  To make a reservation, attendees should call the hotel at (515)465-3511 and use the code “iblogconference” for that weekend.  Reservations must be made by October 23 to receive the reduced rates.

Halsted said that unlike other social media conferences, the focus of I_Blog is on the sessions, “not the swag.”  She said, “Our goal is to build a community of Midwestern bloggers; to give them the knowledge to create a social media presence that will help achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams!”

Melanie Nelson, owner of Blogging Basics 101 and co-author of Typepad for Dummies, highly recommends attending I_Blog.  “I especially loved that everyone who attended last year (whether a new or seasoned blogger) learned something new, ” she said.  “All of the presentations were relevant to what people are doing regardless of their level of blogging.”

Conference sponsors are currently being accepted.  If your company is interested in being involved in I_Blog please contact Jody Halsted at jody@iblogconference.com. 

More information about, and registration for, Destination Midwest at I_Blog Conference can be found on the website at www.iblogconference.com and tickets can be purchased through Evenbrite.

Are your kids crazy for Zhu Zhu pets?

Then they are likely to love the new line of pets called KUNG ZHU made just for the boy of yours.

Check out my post and sign up to win by July 11, 2010! 

You’ll find the link here!

My baby turned one, and I knew it was time.  It is time to Start Something.

I am married, and we have three children.  I work outside the home, and a part of my title is a coordinator.  At home, I have also been told that I am the coordinator.  Or as Bryan usually puts it, I am the management and he is the labor.  He thinks that’s hilarious.  I’m undecided.  There is an awful lot to coordinate.

There is a woman I know named Katy, and I believe that we are becoming good friends.  Katy sent me a link to IowaMoms.com and in about 11 seconds, I had written to my husband to tell him I wanted to try something new.  My husband is a very patient man.

“What do you know something about?”  Katy had asked.  And I thought, well, I know how to coordinate things?  But there is more to it than that.  I’m a woman with a career, a husband, and children ages 6, 3, and 1.  Anyone with a similar schedule knows that simply means busy, and anyone who doesn’t live with small children won’t quite get it no matter how I describe the mundane duties that go along with it, all day, every day.  My best friend says “it is what it is” and I think I’ve got the routine down.

What I’m most proud of is that I make time for fitness every single day.  This is what I’d like to write about.  Recently, for reasons I may decide to discuss at another time, I have heard a lot of comments like “I don’t know how you do it.”  And I try to smile and say “oh, it just takes some organization.”  But in my head, I automatically think, “How I do it?  Sometimes, I’d just like to know why I do it.”  So here I am, and I hope to answer both of those questions and more.