Sorry I’ve been away

 

I’m sorry I have neglected my blog and you the readers. Life sometimes gets in the way of my free time set aside for blogging.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago we are expecting our third child in June. After the holidays I went in for my routine OB check on January 4th and was given some very disturbing news about the baby and my own personal health.

We were told the last ultrasound showed an abnormality with the baby’s heart and we are being sent to a high risk specialist for more testing on the 22nd. As for my health issues I will be having more testing done for that issue on the 31st.This has been the most stressful 2 weeks of my life. Adding to the worry about our unborn child our children L and P came down with the flu over Christmas and are finally on the mend. Our poor little guy P lost almost 10lbs while being sick and is now eating everything in sight to make up for it.

If you’re the praying sort please pray for our family as we wait on more news, if your not positive thoughts are welcomed too!

I promise to try harder to carve out more time to blog and I hope to get a few posts up within the next week or so.

Scentsy – Just makes Scents!

I recently started selling Scentsy and if you have never heard of this great product you are missing out. I love candles but rarely burn them because I have small children and pets in my home. Then I was introduced to Scentsy!! A safe, wickless alternative to scented candles. There are 80-plus fragrances to chose from as well as a variety of warmers to fit every persons tastes!

I loved it so much I’ve chosen to make a career spreading the word about Scentsy. I promise not to overwhelm this blog with Scentsy all the time, but I will periodically share with you, my readers, about great sales and promotions.

A few great offers right now include a huge 10% off sale for the month of August. This is a great time to try that new scent, stock up on favorites or purchase that warmer you have had your eye on. Have you tried the Layers by Scentsy yet? Now is the time to try washer whiffs, lotions, and other Layers products.

The scent and warmer of the month are also 10% off and this month warmer is really cute!! Whoot is perfect for any Owl lover!The Scent of the Month for August is Neverland: Sunny geranium, glowing pink pepper, and toasty cedar in a deliciously outdoorsy fragrance. (paired perfectly with pink pepper)

 

 

The last promotion I want to share with you is a special one. Scentsy partnered with the American Heart Association and came up with Heartfelt. This warmer is not only beautiful but for a beautiful cause! This is the last month this warmer will be offered so order quickly!

 

 

 

I hope all of you take the time to look over my site and feel free to post below or contact me if you have questions about Scentsy!

and then they cut off my foot…

So yesterday was FUN. UGH, I had an appointment for noon to see an orthopedic surgeon. I have this huge lump on my right ankle (to give you a visual - think of a golf ball right behind the ball of your ankle.) Anyway I get a call at 9:30am, waking me up mind you (don’t judge, having the whole family sleep in like this is a rare treat), saying that the Dr. is coming in sooner and they want to move up my appointment. (SWEET!)

I drag my tired ass out of bed and get the kids, hubby and I ready and out the door by 10am. I get there at 10:30, the waiting room is packed... everyone else got the same call as me. We are told that the Dr. is on his way sorry he is running late. After 30 minutes the children are getting antsy so Daddy takes them to the library and leaves me behind. Why did I bring them along you ask? I don’t drive and this appointment I was told would last 15 minutes tops and then we would head to breakfast.

The doctor doesn’t show until noon, (see original appointment time) Gee thanks! I'm not seen until close to 1pm. Where my basic consultation takes a scary, silly and slightly disturbed turn –

Firstly the nurse is a creeper, but it’s ok because he is hot. He takes my medical history you know all the basic medical history questions, cancer – no, diabetes- no, etc.…. Depression - yes. Do you take anything for it? - Not really, it’s prescribed, but I’m managing without it. (Hey, I’m honest). He gives me a funny look and then moves on. I didn’t think anything of it.

Nurse Hottie then struggles to take my blood pressure. Not really his fault, but funny all the same. He first tries to use a blood pressure cup that looks like it would fit a small child. I’m at this point thinking to myself, Hey hunky nurse (seriously he has nothing on those doctors from Greys Anatomy) that is probably not going to fit properly on my rather large arm. Bless him he tries but soon gives up and tries to take my pulse on my wrist. First the left arm, then he tries my right.

At this point I’m having silly vampire thoughts – That’s right hunky, you’re not going to find it. I’m a vampire. Care to be the Bella to my Edward? After about 5 minutes he finally manages to find my pulse and gets his data, and then he tells me to just relax for a few minutes. Um ok, I was relaxed, I was busy thinking how sexy your eyes and hair are. (Hubby if you’re reading this don’t be sad. I love you and your sexy too, but how often does a girl get to be in the same room as a god?)

At this point the nurse usually leaves the room and your stuck waiting forever for the Doctor to come in, but Nurse Hottie is sticking around. Hum, and staring at me. Not the ‘sweet he likes you’ stare either, but the ‘is she going to get up and stab me’ stare. That’s when I remember the depression question. Thanks Nurse Hottie, and I was just starting to like you. By the way I’m pretty sure I could take you if I really wanted to hurt myself with the roll of paper towels on the counter. He tries not to stare at me, I try not to stare at him, and no one talks. AWKWARD! Finally he says ok and then leaves. Bye, I forgive you, but just because you’re hot.

The Dr. FINALLY comes in a few minutes later takes a five second look at my ankle and tells me I have a huge cyst due to trauma on my ankle joint. He then slices it open to drain it. Oh My Goodness -  No Warning, and more importantly no pain killers. I almost passed out! I am the biggest chicken when it comes to pain. In other words - he actually made a small incision and jabs a huge needle (no exaggerating here, it was huge) into it, draining the cyst and then I had x-rays and could leave. In Crazy Oh My God the pain, speak – He cut my foot off and I had to hobble down the hall way dripping blood to the x-ray room. (seriously I did leave a blood trail, I should have at least gotten a band- aid.) I’ll more than likely die from blood loss.

The end result the cyst will more than likely never go away and I get to repeat this torture every month. Kill me now.

Today I fight back

If you have never heard of the Bloggess. I suggest, no demand you stop reading this immediately and go read some of her posts. Like this one, or this one and lastly this one. The last one is what inspired me to write this.

My comment to her soul baring bravery -

I want to hug you, and shout at you, and most of all cry because I fight this battle everyday. I thank you for giving words to the hell I live in daily but I also want curse you because now its out there in words. Your right we hide and are ashamed of something we cant control. I don’t have a support system like you, I wish I did. I look at my toddlers and cant figure out why I’m not happy. What the hell is happy?

To quote her “When depression sufferers fight, recover and go into remission we seldom even know, simply because so many suffer in the dark…ashamed to admit something they see as a personal weakness…afraid that people will worry, and more afraid that they won’t.  We find ourselves unable to do anything but cling to the couch and force ourselves to breathe.”

So Today I vow to get of that couch. I may not get far but it’s a start. I do have something to live for not merely survive for, and I promise to remember that, even in the darkest of times.

Now I take up my badge, my silver ribbon, and go forth into the unknown. I will make it out alive, badly bruised and and slightly broken but ALIVE. Take a deep breath and go.

Happy Birthday to my Babies.

November and December are busy months for everyone but they are extra special in our home. My Little Ones Celebrated their birthdays recently. Pumpkin had her Party on Nov. 6th. She Turned 4 on Nov. 2nd. I cant believe that she is 4 already.

Pumpkin -

one day old

One year old

Two years old

Three years old

Four years old

And my baby is no longer a baby. My little Sweet pea turned 3 on Dec. 5th! We are getting ready for his party this coming Sunday.

Sweet pea -

hours old

One year old

Two years old

Three years old

Where did time go? I swear it was just yesterday I was bringing home Pumpkin then Sweet pea. Now they are Preschoolers. I never thought I would miss the days of bottles, Paci’s, and diapers. Even though Sweet pea still wears them. It wont be long before he is potty trained too.

I’m a GetGlue junkie

I joined almost 2 months ago and here is my activity -
My check-ins

View Krystal Russell's check-ins on GetGlue

My Stickers

View Krystal Russell's stickers on GetGlue

The only thin I dont like about it. You can only get 20 of your stickers a month so for someone like me who has over 400, its going to be more than a year before I see them all :(

5 years?

Wow, I cant believe its five years, already!! Happy Anniversary to Us. Love you baby -

Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives Giveaway - CLOSED

It's time for the Pink Yoplait Lids Again!!!!
One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer within her lifetime – our friends, wives, mothers, sisters, neighbors – and this year, the fight against breast cancer starts right next door.
That´s because, through Save Lids to Save Lives, Yoplait will donate ten cents to Susan G. Komen for the Cure^® for each pink lid redeemed both online at Yoplait.com and via mail by December 31, 2011, up to $2 million. Plus, Yoplait is tracking pink lids redeemed by zip code to make sure funds generated from your lid collection go back to local breast cancer programs in your community. Here´s how you can support your local community´s fight:

• Look for special pink lids on pink Yoplait yogurt cups, in grocery stores in September and October

• Save your pink lids and redeem them via mail, or – for the first time – redeem them online at Yoplait.com. Make sure you enter your zip code when redeeming lids online!

In addition, you can visit http://bit.ly/slslcoupon to download a printable coupon* for $0.30 off any (1) variety Yoplait Yogurt cup (Includes Original, Light, Thick & Creamy, OR Whips!) today!
On Yoplait.com you can dedicate your lid to a woman who means something to you, read inspirational stories about those making a difference in the fight against breast cancer and find out how to support your local Susan G. Komen Affiliate.
During the past 13 years, Yoplait has donated more than $30 million to the breast cancer cause through all of its breast cancer initiatives.

Through My Blog Spark I was offered the opportunity to work with Yoplait to share about the Save Lids to Save Lives Campaign.  I was sent the prize pack above and some coupons for Yoplait Yogurt.  Well, that is great news because my children LOVE yogurt. Especially Yoplait Yogurt!   We cant stock enough in our home to keep up with the demand.  I am also happy to share about this campaign because our family has been affected by breast cancer and we all walked with my MIL through her battle with breast cancer.  One she has thankfully survived! So, when I get a chance to share about ways to raise money for breast cancer research, I am all over it!
Look for pink lids on your favorite Yoplait products this fall and redeem your lids online, by mail or both! Yoplait reserves the right to discount any codes entered fraudulently.
HOW IT WORKS:
1)Enjoy a Yoplait Yogurt that has the pink lid.
2)Collect your lids and those from other family and friends.
3)Redeem your lids either online or by mail.

To get the word out about this program Yoplait has partnered with My Blog Spark to giveaway and awesome prize pack just like mine that includes the following:

• Two VIP coupons, each valid for one free Yoplait yogurt core cup product
• A Yoplait pink lid collection kit
• Tote bag
• Heart-shaped key holder
• Hope Journal
• Pen

Are you ready to enter the Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives Giveaway??  This giveaway will end on September 15, 2011.

1. Follow Family Treasures via Google Friend Connect.
2. Subscribe to Family Treasures & confirm it – on the sidebar on the left.
3. Tell me your favorite Yoplait Yogurt flavor!
4. Share with us – Who are you saving lids for?
5. Tweet this giveaway and post a link back here.
6. Blog this giveaway, link back here, & remember to share a link to your post here.

As always the winner will be sent an email (so make sure I can find it) and I will announce the winner here on my blog.  Said winner will have 48 hours to contact me and send me their name and shipping information or I will have to choose another winner.
The Yoplait prize pack, information and coupon have been provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark. Facebook is in no way affiliated with this giveaway and is not liable for anything pertaining to this giveaway.

What I do when I’m not here

What?!? you mean I have a life outside of the computer? Yes, its true there is life outside this little box we spend too much time in front of. Lately I have been spending a lot of time trying out cute hairstyles on my 3yr old. Her hair is incredibly long (down to her bottom) and curly. What to see what I’ve been doing? ------

		Adventures in Hair land VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

As any mom of a toddler knows getting them to sit still for a min is hard imagine trying to get them still for 5min or more. FUN, FUN! Now I cant take credit for all these style ideas. I get inspiration from Hair sites like Princesshairstyles.com. I even got to try a new and cute hair decoration. Look for the Sidewinder review soon!

Even My little guy got into the Hair action! He got a haircut this weekend.

What do I do with my hair do you ask? Well, I rock the messy mom ponytail. What? After wrangling the little ones to get them ready I just don’t have the time or energy to do anything nice with my own hair. So there you go, the Glamorous life of a mom!

Goals revisited

Ok so for 2010 I had a list of goals remember them? LOL I didn’t. But here it goes. My goals and if I achieved them or not.

• 1. Make 2 photo books (2/2) (completed 5/10/2010: Lorelai's, Peyton's)
• 2. Finish Peyton’s First Birthday slide show (completed 2/21/2010)
• 3. Host 4 giveaways on my blog (Blew this one out of the water!)
• 4. frame and hang family pictures (completed 2/10/2010
• 5. Eye spy bags for the kids (0/2) (FAILED)
• 6. Fill out the baby books (0/2) (FAILED)
• 7. Host a naughty party (completed 2/28/2010)
• 8. Develop old film (0/4) (FAILED)
• 9. Clean and organize the Kitchen (completed 2/12/2010)
• 10. Clean and organize the Dining Room/Laundry (completed 1/29/2010)
• 11. Clean and organize the Living Room (completed 2/11/2010)
• 12. learn to knit (FAILED)
• 13. Clean and organize the kids rooms (0/2) Done, moved
• 14. Potty Train Lorelai!! (FAILED) She is not ready
• 15. make a family recipe book(s) (completed 2/2/2010)
• 16. Hang a print over the couch completed Done, but moved, not done in new home
• 17. make a clock (FAILED)
• 18. make a doll clothes for Lorelai (completed 3/28/2010)
• 19. drink at least 3 bottles of water each day (FAILED)
• 20. lose 50lbs (15/50) (FAILED)
• 21. go back to college (FAILED)
• 22. Clean out the garage DONE we moved
• 23. Teach Lorelai colors Somewhat done
• 24. Teach Lorelai ABC’s (FAILED)
• 25. Teach Lorelai to count to 20 (10/20) (completed)
• 26. Wean Peyton from the bottle (Completed!)
• 27. Visit the children’s museum at least 4 times (0/4) (FAILED)
• 28. Make mail box, mail bags and letters for the kids (FAILED)
• 29. Visit the library at least 5 times (0/5) (FAILED)
• 30. Make a shirt or pants for Peyton (FAILED)
• 31. Make shirt or dress for Lila (FAILED)
• 32. Visit the zoo at least 5 times (2/5) (FAILED)
• 33. Read at least 12 books and post a review of each(2/12) (FAILED)
• 34. Update photo site monthly (5/12) (FAILED)
• 35. Take more pictures (FAILED)
• 36. Call in-laws at least once a week (we now live near them and talk to them daily, Now I have to change this to My parents)
• 37. make a pillow (FAILED)
• 38. make a no-sew fleece blankets for each person (1/4) (FAILED) only Peyton got one but I do have fabric for Lila’s maybe this year
• 39. make yoga pants from an old t-shirt (FAILED)
• 40. Make a bag for Lorelai’s Pony's (completed - i bought one instead)
• 41. Save $200 by using coupons ($65.00/$200) Too hard, (FAILED)
• 42. Sell at least 5 items from Longaberger. (6/5) (completed 2/14/2010)
• 43. make a rice sock (completed 2/5/2010)
• 44. buy Lorelai a tutu (completed 2/12/2010)
• 45. make a fun toy for Peyton, any ideas???? Completed
• 46. learn to sew by hand and machine. Completed!!
• 47. buy a sewing machine Completed 2/08/2010
• 48. lean to decorate my blog (completed)
• 49. Learn to drive (FAILED)
• 50. make matching outfits for the kids (0/2) (FAILED)
• 51. Write a least 15 toy reviews (I think I made this one)

Not many failed ones but a few will be on the next list.

Hey Kohl’s, Discrimination is not OK!

The following post is the odyssey my family has had recently with the Kohl’s corporation. As far as shopping goes, Kohl’s has left us with a bad taste in our mouths. After contacting the BBB we were left with a generic ‘copy and paste’ apology. And that’s not any more ok than the way my family was treated.
Here’s what happened (these are my husband’s Better Business Bureau complaints and responses):
11/29/2010
My Complaint

On three different occasions in two different states, my wife and I shopped at Kohl's department store. On all three occasions, we were treated badly by store employees. We were treated as though we weren't classy enough to shop at Kohl's. On one occasion, a store employee yelled at my daughter for being on one of the display beds after my wife and I had already taken her off and fixed the bed in question.
In a second store, my wife and I went shopping with gift cards. When we tried to use them, the employees and the manager again treated us like low class people. We liked shopping at Kohl's before and were willing to overlook the first transgression. But after being treated like low class people at three separate stores in two separate states, it has become apparent that this is a Kohl's policy to treat certain people like this and that only the elite are allowed to shop at Kohl's. Consequently, my wife and I will not be purchasing any more items at either a Kohl's store or online. Also, my wife runs a blog where she will be relaying her experience for all of her 400 followers to read about.
For the record, these are the locations where we were treated this way:
3115 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Buffalo, NY 14228
909 S. 72nd St.
Omaha, NE 68114
13550 West Maple Rd.
Omaha, NE 68164
I will give Kohl's a chance to respond before I bring this matter to the attention of local newspaper and media outlets in both states. Thank you for your time.  
Desired Outcome: 
I would like to be compensated for the way we were treated by Kohl's and would like a formal apology issued by Kohl's for their treatment of my family.  

12/2/2010
Kohl's Response

We regret the service Mr. Russell and his family received did not meet our mutual expectations. Customer service is a priority at Kohl’s, and we expect our associates to accommodate our customers in a courteous and professional manner. Mr. Russell's feedback is important to us and we appreciate the time he took to share his concerns. We are sorry that Mr. Russell did not receive the service he deserved. While we empathize with Mr. Russell’s frustration regarding his recent shopping experiences, we politely decline his request for compensation.

My Response

The response received from the business in this case is not accepted. This is a canned, copy-and-paste apology that means nothing to this corporation. If anything, it further shows the kind of attitude prevalent throughout Kohl's and reinforces our belief that the way we were treated is a company policy. Further measures against this corporation will be taken. We will be contacting media outlets in both states with our story and will be publishing all information on my wife's blog for her followers to read about. Thank you for your time.

Better Business Bureau Response

The BBB, in reviewing the complaint that you submitted to us about Kohl's Corporation, has closed the case. The outcome of this complaint will be included in the business's Reliability Report for 3 years.
If you wish to further pursue the issue, you might contact a legal advisor or the Attorney General's office. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us - we are happy to assist you.

In other words, the BBB is washing their hands of it, and Kohl’s thinks a copy-and-paste apology is all they need to give. We need to stand up for our rights, and I personally am SICK of being treated poorly at stores like Kohl's. Last time I checked my money looks the same as every other Americans. It isn't stamped with the word poor, or fat. There isn't a list of places its not accepted  because of my race or suture, etc.... So why does kohl's think its right to have their employees treat me and my family like trash??

Edited to add specifics: In both Nebraska stores I was followed around by store employees, spoken rudely to and was given dirty looks by store employees. In the second Nebraska store I was told I could not use my Kohl’s gift card even though it was not expired nor did I violate the terms of the card. I would have overlooked these issues because frankly being fat is the only thing that is still PC to discriminate against. Sadly I’m used to it, but when a Kohl’s employee verbally abused my child it was the last straw. All I asked for was a sincere apology and yet they couldn’t even do that. In the North Amherst, NY location, the store employee grossly overstepped her rights when she attacked my then 2 ½ year old child.
I’m am appalled mostly by the treatment my child and I received at the North Amheart, NY Kohl's! It is never ok for an employee of a store to take it upon themselves to approach my then 2 1/2 year old child and yell at them! As a mother I wanted to slap that woman, and she for one is lucky that at least I have the tact that Kohl's obviously lacks.

Let me ask you my readers as parents would you stand by and let some stranger discipline your child?? I’m not even going to get into the fact that my husband and I both already had the situation under control and fixed any disorder my child may have made, but that this woman had the nerve to yell at my TODDLER and reduce her to tears.

Stand up and ask yourselves this holiday season do you want to shop at a store who discriminates against people?? Maybe tomorrow they wont like the way you look, or your siblings, children, or parents!
Where does it stop Kohl's Corporation? Do you have to be a size 2 and/or have a 6 figure income to shop in your stores? Let us know!

Happy Birthday to Me!

 

As much as I don’t want to admit that another year has passed and I’m just a little bit older than yesterday. Today is my 28th birthday! Its also the fist one I have ever spent away from my parents. (I miss ya, mom and dad.)

It’s a birthday week at our house. Today is my birthday and tomorrow is my girl Lorelai’s 3rd birthday!! I cant believe that three years ago today I was in Labor waiting for my precious angel to join her mommy and daddy. Little did I know the stinker had her own plan and didn’t want to share mommy’s day instead she waited until ONE minute after midnight to be born.

 

And to honor the birthday celebrations in our house I will leave you with some birthday humor -

 

Few women admit their age. Few men act theirs.
- Unknown

The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.
- H. V. Prochnow

The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.
- Lucille ball

“It takes a long time to grow young.” - Pablo Picasso

Hope everyone has a great day - I plan to!

What a crazy fun weekend!

The children and I have been going non stop this weekend! First there was a Monster mash parade and breakfast yesterday, then we went to another Halloween bash at the power authority museum. We ended our night at the aquarium where we found Peyton’s favorite animal -The Sea Lion. He was in heaven. There was jumping up and down, clapping and squealing – and that was just from him! It was great.

Today we started our Trick-or-treating off at 3pm and we were done at 5 with bags full of goodies! We went to the outlet mall and then to a few family members homes.

What do you think? I might be biased but I think I have the cutest Tinker Bell and sock monkey around!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember when trick-or-treating meant hitting every house you could and staying out until you dropped? Now the city has put a time limit on how late you can go out, and most parents (me included) don’t trust people enough to let their child(ren) go door to door. I don’t even think we started trick-or-treating when I was a kid until after 5ish, I couldn’t believe that we were actually done by that time. Sigh, how things have changed.

I've returned!!

Well we are all moved. The cross country move went as well as expected. Peyton screamed for 500miles at the end. The 15 hour trip took 24 hours and he didnt sleep at all!
We ended up selling our living room funiture becasue we couldnt fit it on the truck. So I sit here in my bare living room waiting for the new funiture to be devlivered in the next 6 to 8 weeks.



The house is actually pretty great. We have a pool and a fantastic yard for the kids. Besides needing new paint (sorry to the previous owner but I'm not digging the pink living and dining rooms or the 'hulk' green bedroom) the house is in great shape.
We have unpacked about 1/2 way and there is still alot to do. We got our internet, phone and Tv setup today so look forward to my usual post and tons of reviews/giveaways.

Update and winners!

Thank you for bearing with me as I take a break while packing up our home. Its a bittersweet task. I am looking forward to moving into a real house and closer to my husbands family, but at the same time I am preparing to leave my own family and hometown for the first time.

I just wanted to let you all know I haven't forgotten my blog and I will have tons to share with you once we get settled! (Including more awesome giveaways!)

And while I have some spare time I'd like to announce the winners of the current giveaways.

The winner of the Boy's Store giveaway is Kate.

The herbal Hugs winner is Tina.

And the 5 winners of the Bubble chocolate are Kate, Melissa, Laura, Cheryl, and Barbra!

Congrats to all the winners! please E-mail me soon with your contact info!