I was thumbing through a tattered photo album my mom gave me years ago and came across some old Polaroid and Kodachrome pictures.   Remember dropping film off at the local store and then picking up prints a week later?   OMG!  We've come a long way when it comes to pictures people.   Nowadays when it's time to capture that magic moment, everyone whips out a cell phone. Many of us have mastered cell phone photography to the point where our cell pics are better than some of the pics we take with our high-priced DSLR cameras.   I am a master when it comes to bringing my cell phone pics to life.  Whether it's our yearly family Christmas card, personalized birthday invites for the kiddos. Oh, don't get me started on the personalized Mother's Day and Father's Day cards I've designed featuring cell phone pics of my kids' artwork.  There are so many ways to create once in a lifetime cards for those once in a lifetime events so when a friend  mailed a S

It's nice to see so many of our favorite SpongeBob SquarePants episodes coming to DVD in the all new SpongeBob SquarePants Triple Feature DVD. Take a trip back in time to some of SpongeBob’s most exciting adventures with SpongeBob SquarePants Triple Feature: SpongeBob Goes Prehistoric, Home Sweet Pineapple, Where’s Gary? This three-disc DVD set, filled with over a whopping 4.5 hours of SpongeBob adventures and swims onto DVD on June 2, 2015. Plus, Dora the Explorer also has a brand new DVD being released on June 2 as well.  The Little Old Lady is excited for Dora the Explorer: Whirl and Twirl Collection. Keep reading after the jump for details on these  fab DVDs and an easy entry giveaway...

Milli, Geo and Bot are back with all-new friends and adventures are back in a brand-new DVD, Team Umizoomi: Meet Shark Car.  The Little Old Lady and the Littlest One are so excited.  They love all their Team UmiZoomi pals and I love watching our kids enjoy  learning.    Preschoolers are invited to join Team Umizoomi as they use their mighty math powers to find Shark Car and return him to their friend Jose. Created by Nickelodeon and distributed by Paramount Home Media Distribution, Team Umizoomi: Meet Shark Car will be available on DVD on May 19, 2015 for the suggested retail price of $14.99. Team Umizoomi: Meet Shark Car includes the following 4 episodes: Shark Car – Team Umizoomi jump into action to find Shark Car and get him back to their friend Jose before the ferry leaves. Umi Toy Store – Team Umizoomi travel through a giant store to find their friend Colin’s coins so he can purchase his favorite toy, Sparkle Pup. Stompasaurus – Team Umizoomi must travel to the aquariu

Devotions from the Garden Finding Peace and Rest in Your Busy Life By Miriam Drennan Published by Thomas Nelson Book Description Come to the garden alone, and fill your soul with His presence. There's nothing on earth like the peace and loveliness of a magnificent garden. It's the place where Adam and Eve first fellowshipped with God, and where you, too, can escape from this chaotic world into His loving arms of beauty and serenity. Devotions from the Garden takes you to that place where senses are restored as dewdrops settle and butterflies gather to witness the miracles of God's creation bloom and grow. These ninety devotions explore the parallels of life with the elements of the garden to help you see God, to sense His presence, to soothe your soul, and to rest in knowing He is with you throughout each day. Included are striking photographs with a fresh, contemporary design for timeless appeal. About the Author:   Miriam Drennan is the author of Devotio

Card  ✔ Flowers  ✔ Now that we've found the perfect Mother's Day card  and flowers , it's time to shop for the perfect gift. Here are a few thoughtful gift ideas sure to make mom's day extra special and won't break your budget. Be sure to enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a pair of earrings from Cost Plus World Market, a $5 Starbucks gift card and a travel size item from Bath and Body Works. 9 Thoughtful Gift Ideas that Won't Cost a Dime 1. Create a coupon book              Create a coupon book just for mom.  This is a great idea for little ones.  Be sure to include coupons for free hugs because sometimes Mom just needs a hug.   2. Relaxing Bath              Run a nice, warm bath for mom.  Bubbles to the max, if she likes.  A couple drops of her vanilla to scent her bath and a drop or two of baby oil to leave her skin feeling silky smooth.   3. Breakfast in Bed            I am pretty lucky as hubby serves me breakfas

Los Tres Amigos are in the school band.  It's a joy for me because I have absolutely no musical talent whatsoever beyond an occasional butchered version of "Chopsticks".  The youngest play the clarinet and the eldest plays the baritone.  This school year has been full of competitions and performances which have kept the kids quite busy.   Prepping for performances requires reading, listening and studying the pieces to be performed.  It amazes me how their young minds are able to play such complicated pieces.  Los Tres Amigos have mastered the classics by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi and others and even managed to learn a few popular pieces by Brittany Spears, Madonna, Drake and more.  This year's final performance will be like none other.  This year, they're learning Ray Charles. *screams OMG*  The kids were headphones while practicing or listening to pieces.  The over the head headphones are heavy and not practical for wearing for long periods of times.

This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Dignity Health blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. When asked to share my thoughts of my experience with Dignity Health, I was thrilled.  Finally an opportunity to thank all the nurses I met during my struggles with fertility.  I remember my first appointment.  I was a nervous wreck.  Hubby and I had been trying for months to conceive and nothing was happening.  My doctor referred me to St. Mary's Medical Center for to meet with an endocrinologist.  It was there I heard the words Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.  Finally, an explanation for our infertility. An explanation helps but when you're nearing 30 and everyone you know who wants kids, has kids, who wants an explanation.  The explanation gave us some hope. Hubby never seemed to lose hope.  I on the other hand, well hope faded at times.  He wasn't the one being subject to bi-monthly blood draws, prodding with vaginal speculums and cold ul