{Feautured Lovely+GIVEAWAY!}MeetAmy of Up Mommy Creek

I am a 30 year old mom.

I was a goody-two-shoes growing up. 

I loved school (yes...I was one of THOSE kids), 

I went straight from highschool to university and started a pretty decent job right after graduation. 

However, 

2 years in I felt like I was missing something in my life, 

and decided to leave it all behind

and travel to Thailand. 

A couple of years, 

a few countries and many miles later, 

I finally found myself, 

and also found the love of my life. 

We decided to head on back to the Great White North (I am a Canadian) and settle down. 

Now, 

I pretty much spend my days chasing after my little man, 

trying to keep Kitty from destroying the house, 

and when I get a spare second I try to squeeze in some yoga or 

cuddle up on the couch with a good book.

Our little family consists of me, my husband, 

my 9 month old son Finnley 

and our dumb (but very pretty!) cat Kitty. 

My husband and I met while travelling in Thailand, and

we knew pretty quick we were soul-mates 

(as cliche as that is!). 

It took us a couple of years to figure out we couldn't fight fate, and so we married, got a cat and eventually were lucky enough to be able to add to our family with a bouncing baby boy! 

My family is silly, funny, loving 

and I think we're perfect 

(but I may be a bit biased...)

Once I found out I was pregnant, 

and after the excitement wore off, 

I started to realize that I really had no idea what I was doing. 

So, I started 

Up Mommy Creek 

as a way to express my sheer and utter bafflement with the whole experience of pregnancy. 

Since we've progressed now into the land of parenting,

it's really no different. 

I am still clueless and just fly by the seat of my pants usually. 

Parenting is hard work and it's been quite an adventure to figure it all out. 

So on my blog you will usually find a story about something strange 

or ridiculous that recently happened, 

or a recipe that I love, 

or some of my attempts at photographing my son. 

It's pretty much an eclectic mix of all things me (and some things Finnley…)!

Courtney here:

Amy won my featured ad space giveaway last month!  

I've enjoyed getting to know her family and son through her blog.

You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook & Pinterest!

Make sure you give her a visit and say hey!  

But wait…

before you go, 

Amy has generously offered up 

a $15 Starbucks Giftcard 

to one of you lovelies!

Enter via Rafflecopter below (click here if you don't see the widget):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Feature: Laura {Our Reflection}

My name is Laura and I'm the one behind Our Reflection. I'm a full-time working mother of two beautiful daughters: Rachel who is 14 and Charlie who's 6. I've been married to Chaz for over 10 years and he's the most amazing encouraging man in the world. When I'm not at my 8-5 or being "mommy", I'm a lifestyle photographer based in Monterey, California. I have a weakness for Starbucks and love the color yellow.

For a few months now I feel God has put something in my heart to somehow giveback to the community, but I was never sure just what. I prayed about it a lot. A few weeks ago I was sitting in church reading the bulletin and something just jumped out to me. A Heart for the Hungry. Our church's food pantry was empty. The pantry that used to feed hundreds of families, now, there’s a sign on the door that says “Sorry, there are no food bags available at this time.”

That was it! That’s what my heart wanted to do. Fill those pantry shelves until they’re overflowing! Could I do this alone? No. I needed help. I had this idea of having a table set up in front of a local grocery stores collecting non-perishable food donations, a Food Drive. But I wanted to do more . My idea grew to wanting a table set up in front of every single grocery store in the area, all at the same time. Crazy? I thought so at first. Man, did I pray about it again and again. Slowly, things started to fall into place. Once I started looking for volunteers, they started pouring out of the wood work. Even random strangers that heard of the event asked if they could help out. We ended up with over 25 people helping this little BIG dream come to reality.

My vision came to life. This was my weekend.

{and this isn't everyone!}

We decorated the food donation barrels {10 of them which were donated with a value of $50 each!}, rented the U-Haul truck, gathered our amazing volunteers and headed out!

The day called for rain. We didn't get sprinkled on, it was an all out downpour. As soon as each table was set up, the sky's flood gates opened and I hadn't seen rain like that in ages. Everyone was soaked. But was that going to stop us? No way. We were determined! And it didn't stop people from giving. We had a few people even wheel out a cart full of groceries and just leave it next to our bins. The entire cart fulls were for the Food Drive! I didn't know what to say. Thank you just didn't seem like enough but was all I could say. It made me really emotional. People have such good hearts. The world has put such a dark cloud over humanity, but it's not true. Most people want to give out of the goodness of their hearts. They want to help others. And it showed this very day.

We ended the day with each of our barrels filled to the brim and food bags all around each table. The church's food pantry was so packed the door wouldn't close. This was all God's doing. It started as a thought God had placed on my heart, ended up feeding dozens {even hundreds maybe} of low-income families.

This was such a eye opening experience I just can't wait to do it again. I encourage each and everyone of you to find a way to give back to the community. There's so much out there that needs help and it takes so little to made a huge impact on someones life.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

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Groupstance / Mom Central Station: {Moms You Trust + Experts = Best Recommendations}

Hey Mamas!  I am so enthused to share with you today!!  Mom Central Station is a unique project I've had the awesome privilege of contributing to over the last several weeks as a part of their NYC Advisory Board!  Watch this quick video, and see if you relate:



Starting April 29th, for ten weeks, 1000 New York City Mamas are going to have the awesome opportunity to contribute and collect recommendations specific to ten themes:

Have you ever searched reviews on Yelp, asked a question via Google, or sought help finding something via Facebook or Twitter?

While these sources are full of information, it can take hours to sort through them to find what you are actually looking for, and then, how do you know that you've found a reliable source or information?

Mom Central Station changes everything!  You connect with other Moms and experts that you trust, to ask for specific recommendations or information that you are seeking.  Likewise, you can help other moms in your network by providing your own recommendations and suggestions to their specific requests!

Imagine having a couple of friends from your weekly play group, a couple of mom bloggers you are fond of, a few church friends and then a couple well known experts all connected to you and able to give you specific information when you ask a question! 

And even better, the information is kept private and secure…only exchanged between you and those you chose to include in your request. 

Perhaps best of all, the information and recommendations you gather are stored for you, so you can access them any time you want or need to, in a very modern, streamlined database.

Did I mention that Mom Central Station is completely free to use?

Sounds amazing doesn't it!!!  If you are a NYC Mom, I highly encourage you get involved with this event!  Sign-up now to reserve your spot!!  The event is exclusively by referral, so make sure you tell them I sent you!

The Weekly Wrap {3.3.12}

Our first week back in NYC, and I needed a break from my camera (for the most part).  Here are a couple fun things from the week:

 Zion got used to going outside often in Texas, so we will be getting to the park as often as we can.

 One of my besties, Alexis, celebrated her birthday at a fantastic sushi restaurant.

Zion got to paint with watercolors for the first time.  

She decided it was a good idea to taste the paint too.

Springing Forward!

March is here.  :)  I couldn't be happier.  I am not a cold weather person.  I prefer mild warm weather, doesn't matter if it is sunny or cloudy (although I love blue sky).  I love that the days are getting longer and Spring will arrive in a few weeks.  I think what I am most looking forward to is planting a few seeds again (2nd attempt at gardening, ha!)  And the overall brighter days that come with Spring.  I can't wait to see the trees budding again!

I'm not the only one looking forward to Springing forward…this month I asked my favorite lovelies what Spring holds for them (click on the picture to visit their blog!):

I heart Spring, and these ladies!  What are YOU looking forward to this Spring, lovely?

Restless Blog Hop & Some Randomness...

Hey Lovelies!  I just got back from a crazy wonderful three week adventure that was equal parts fun and exhausting!  We were in Texas visiting my sister & her family as she welcomed her newest baby girl into the fold.  I couldn't wait to get back and see my husband…and he was a quite a site for my sore eyes last night at our little reunion.  :)  Looking forward to catching up with you all and finding my groove again! 

I also want to take a minute to thank each of my awesome guests that contributed during my time away.  I couldn't have mentally survived and enjoyed myself without each of you!!  Thank you all so much!! 

I have many pictures to share over the next couple of days, but for now I just want to share my new haircut, and a few random facts, as well as welcome my new lovelies (that's you!)!

11 Random Questions (& Answers):

Favorite Food:  Seafood, and I am a total snob about it, it has to be from the Pacific Ocean to be good.

Favorite Nail Polish:  Ballet Slippers by Essie

Hidden Talent:  Intuition…if we lock eyes I can read a lot about what is going on in a person.

Hot Cocoa or Apple cider?  Hot Chocolate for sure, with a mountain of whipped cream on top!

Favorite Childhood Memory:  Snowmobiling or Camping with my family.

Who are the gifts from (Christmas)?  In our family the gifts are from each other via God's blessing.

If I could live anywhere:  San Diego, California

Favorite TV Show:  I am hooked on the Bachelor/Bachelorette.  In my defense that is the ONLY trashy show I watch.
How many books do I read a year:  I start probably 5-10 but only finish a handful!

What is your best quality?  I am an honest person.  I'm the friend you call when you want to be heard, understood and then receive truthful feedback.  Not the friend you want to call to join a pity party.

What is your biggest fear?  That I won't fulfill my purpose in the time I have left in my life.

P.S. I have to tell you, these ten questions were from a tag post that I received in DECEMBER, but life got busy and it got lost in the shuffle, but hey, better late than never.  (Thanks Amanda for tagging me!)

And now, moving onward, I want to give a big shout out to Christa at Young & Restless, for choosing me to co-host this week's Restless Blog Hop!!

WELCOME to the Restless BLOG HOP!

A blog hop is, its where you link up your blog, FB, twitter, etc and hop around to the other links, say hi, and find blogs you might like! (As well as be found).

Kind of like one big blogger meet and greet :)

RULES:
Follow your Host & Co-Host (Me!)
Grab this button and place it on your blog for the weekend!
Its smart to make a special post about the hop and talk about yourself or post something fun to draw people in :)

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Thank you so much for visiting, linking, following, etc!  Can't wait to meet you!  And let's get hopping!

The Life of A Mommy Blogger {Featuring Kirby Amour}

I recently read a NY Times Article on a study conducted about mommy blogging and how they've proven it "makes new mothers happier". This got me thinking a ton about the role blogging plays in my life, my friends lives, and my families day to day. It's big for me, it's big for my family, we put ourselves out there almost daily for the world to see including the small handful of people who we don't want to know anything about us. 

I don't know if I'm alone in seeing this but there seems to be a stigma about bloggers. I've noticed most tumblrs keep their blogs away from 90% of their "real life" fiends and families. It's almost like it's OK to be 100% yourself with the community you have grown of complete strangers yet we hide from those who are closest. I've been wondering about this for sometime and the reasoning. I guess sometimes it just depends on why you blog and how personal you get.

Blogging for me has been about many things. The community aspect is HUGE. The record keeping, the opportunity to experience and work on my craft of writing almost everyday. Tumblr has brought so many amazing things into my life: online friends have become real life friends, I've connected with other Brooklyn moms which has given G some pretty cool kids to grow up with, it has brought support when I've needed it most, and so much positive energy around who I am helping my personal growth. This isn't to say bad things haven't come out of the internet for us, it isn't always all good and sometimes the pressure to keep things up to date when I have writers block sucks. Yet, it's all worth it. 

I guess the biggest reason I blog is because it feels good and makes my life more fulfilling at the end of the day. And I particularly Baby Blog because my daughter is the coolest thing in my life.

You can find Kirby at Baby G, Parents for Occupy Wall Street & Kirby Amour!  Kirby also runs Awesome Baby Blogs a fantastic non-competitive directory of parenting/baby blogs.  

Yes. Yes. Yes. {Featuring Melissa from MaMe Musings}

“Did you know you were having twins?” “Were you surprised to find out you were having twins?” “Do twins run in your family?”
Yes. Yes. Yes.

People ask me all the time if we knew we were having twins. Yes, we actually knew we were having twins almost from the day we found out we were pregnant. After two solid blood tests, I wasn’t scheduled to go in for an initial ultrasound until I was 6 weeks. Even then, it would be extremely early. Until then, I just had to have faith that there really was something going on inside my body. It would have been a little easier to believe if I had some symptoms to prove it. As it was, I felt nothing. I felt great. Maybe a little tired, but nonetheless, great. Just when I thought I was having a symptom, it would fade away. 

In a twisted way, I wished I would feel bad just so I would know I was pregnant. I emailed my doctor and asked if he could run another blood test just to make sure things were still progressing since I had no symptoms to put my mind at ease. Surprisingly, he suggested we do a quick ultrasound instead. If all was well, at 5 weeks and 2 days, we should at least see a gestational sac. I was already in tears before the first circle appeared. Through the tears of joy and amazement, I saw a blurry circle—my baby! The doctor continued moving across, stopping briefly, before saying nonchalantly, “There’s one, and there’s another one.” I saw the second blurry circle—also my baby! He pointed out the specks inside each circles. We were seeing the gestational sacs and the yolk sacs. Both were right on track for 5 weeks and 2 days. Were we surprised? Yes. In that moment, I was speechless. We knew there was a possibility of twins. We knew our beta numbers were on the high side, but for it to actually happen to us? Amazing. My husband claims he saw the doctor scan by both sacs before he even pointed out the first one. What was odd is that neither of us mentioned the word twins until we left the office. Honestly, to this day, I find myself saying, “Twins. Really??” 

People want to know if twins run in my family. Yes. They do now. Actually, both of us have twins in our families, and there may be some genetic connection. But, I have come to be more open about the fact that we also used fertility medicine. I think many people who ask if twins run in our family are really wanting to ask that question anyway. 

 Some want to know if the twins are “natural.” I would argue that all babies are natural. Asking if my babies are natural sort of implies that they might be unnatural, supernatural, or preternatural. Touch them. Hold them. Feed them. Play with them. They are 100% natural babies. They are a gift from God regardless of whether I took meds to juice up my ovaries or not. I have also learned that by being open about my struggles I have allowed others to be open about their struggles. Infertility can be such a lonely road, and if one woman can find understanding through me then why would I hide my story? What’s the fourth most asked question? I’ll let you guess, but the answer to that question is also—yes.

You can connect with Melissa over at MaMe Musings, where she shares life with her beautiful twins and her husband!  


Twins run in my husband's family and my family, so I secretly hope that I'll have a set of my own!  Thank you Melissa, for sharing what it was like to discover you were expecting two babies…and for your daily sharing of how to live life fully with those two adorable tots.

Who of You by Worrying…{Featuring Carly from TexasLoveBirds}!

Hello, Baxtron{Life} readers! I'm Carly and  I blog regularly over here at a little place called Texas Lovebirds. My blog started as a series of "Dear Peanut" letters to our unborn son, but it quickly became a way for me to document this beautiful life and everything that comes along with it.  

With our son's due date just a few days away, our life is about to change in a big way and I hope you all will join us as we take our first steps into parenthood. 

Today I'll be sharing a post that I wrote several months ago; at the time I was about 26 weeks pregnant. Even though this experience seems like ages ago, I constantly go back to it and the lesson that I learned.  I hope you enjoy my thoughts and can learn something from it as well. Because let's be honest, momma or not, we all find ourselves caught in the trap of worry at one time or another.

 

Growing up I remember hearing adults (specifically my parents) talk about the worry that comes with being a parent. You know, followed by that very typical line.."you'll understand when you have kids someday." Okay Mom & Dad, you were right.  Last night while I was outside with the dogs, I took a little spill. My sweet Molly girl (you know, all 170 lbs. of her) got a little rowdy when I had her on her leash and pulled me a little too hard; thus, I fell. I caught myself on my hands and knees and got up unharmed. No belly hitting, or even remotely touching, the ground. Molly was distraught and quickly came to my aide, crouched beside me till I was on my feet. Once I was on my feet, my hand was covered in big, slobbery, Great Dane kisses.  I felt fine, I didn't ache, and I had no pains. 

But, of course, a little bit of me started to worry.

I promptly came inside, drank a big glass of juice, sat down, prayed, and waited for Gunner to move. I called Cody at work, and he assured me that I was fine as long as I wasn't hurting (in times like these, his medical knowledge really helps calm me). Shortly after getting some sugary juice in my tummy, Gunner began to kick up a storm. Each little movement, even the kicks to the ribs, made me smile. My boy was just fine.

"Thank you, Lord," I said. 

Followed by a thank you to Gunner as well.

Anxiety and worry are things I've always struggled with, and I'll probably write more about that later, but so many events have taught me that God is always in control. I think this will be a hard pill to swallow as Gunner comes into this world, but I know in my heart that it is true.

Gunner will always be most precious to me, but it comforts me to know that he is even more precious to God. He was knit in my womb for a reason, for a purpose. I don't even know what he will look like, but God knows the entire life that is ahead of him. God is so cool like that.

And do you know what's even cooler? 

That God allows little worriers like me to raise his children.

And when we worry, He grants us a flurry of movement and kicks.

Update!  Today Carly will meet her baby boy Gunner! :)  She is scheduled for a c-section based on his position.  Stop by her blog and give her a word of encouragement!! :)

An Attitude of Gratitude {Featuring Ronni from Anywhere Is}

Hey friends!  My friend Ronni from Anywhere-Is has a powerful message on gratitude to share with you while I'm away {hopefully surviving three toddlers!} in Texas.  Enjoy!

When I was a little girl, I was pretty happy. You know how they say ignorance is bliss? Yeah. It was like that. My parents spoiled my sister and me (seriously, every Christmas was insane!), and I loved school. If I lacked anything, I didn't know it (well, except for the Merry-Go-Round stroller and the Sit-N-Spin, but never mind those!), and I had everything I needed. We had a house in the city, and this house had a huge yard. Strawberry patches, plum trees, and a grape vine was something to take for granted. Giant pine trees with benches to cool off under. Gardens. Grass to play in forever. I didn't know that stuff was special, or a luxury. We lived upstairs from my grandfather, who I called Puddin'. Life was good, but in the typical unaware fashion of children (as it should be), I didn't know just how great it was.

It was after Puddin' passed away that things began to change. Suddenly, my family was struggling. A lot. Sometimes the lights or water would get cut off. Trips to Sears for large new school wardrobes no longer happened. When I was 16, I got a job working in an affluent suburb and began noticing just how different my life was from these kids who didn't work because they had to, but worked because they had nothing better to do on any given day. These kids lived in big houses, rode horses, and drove their own cars. They went to really nice schools with all the bells and whistles I'd only read about in novels or saw on TV. I was in an inner city school (which I hated) with a bunch of cynical and bitter classmates who, except for a few, just didn't get me. I was a nerd and a misfit.

I hated me. I hated life. I hated everything. And I escaped into fantasy worlds all the time.

One thing I've noticed is that a lot of people I know from Cleveland tend to have this downer type of attitude. There is always something to complain about. Always something to be depressed about. And I can't blame them, really. Cleveland's just now starting to get back on its feet after many years of decline. But it's challenging to rebuild what's been allowed to crumble. That attitude is deeply ingrained in my being, and I really have to work hard at being thankful for everything I have. When there is an abundance of love, friends, food, money, fortune, and blessings, it's so easy to find things to be thankful for. But when things are not going so well? Ah, that's where the challenge begins. And even when I am happy? It's still too easy for me to find something to mutter about!

It was when I began taking yoga that I started to learn about the Attitude of Gratitude. You see, a lot of people think yoga is just stretching and relaxing. I am here to assure you it is not. Depending on the type you practice, you will sweat! But that's beside the point. The point is that yoga is more than just a physical thing. It's also a challenge to look inside yourself, to find that inner light, polish it, and let it shine. But if you're not thankful, then you're only shining up gunk. I've learned that when I face my day with a list of things to be thankful for, more blessings rain down on me. It's a silly thing really. I am not a hard core believer in the Law of Attraction, but it just seems that happiness begets more happiness. Being genuinely glad at the abundance that I have just gives me more things to be glad about.

Still, it's all too easy for me to fall into complaining. I really have to be intentional with being grateful for all the blessings I have. I need to go out of my way to focus on all the good things and stop whining about stupid things, especially things I have no control over (like traffic lights and sales tax). I mean, I definitely have no problem with venting and clearing the air, but there has to be a point where I move past that so I can experience grace. It's a much nicer feeling than negativity. I think I need to be even more intentional with feeling thankful. I know someone who tries to post five positive things about each day on her blog. She's been doing it for many years. I could keep a gratitude journal. I could write a list. Many possibilities. It can't be anything but good for me.

"When we practice an attitude of gratitude, we are practicing feeling loved." 

{source}

Thank you so much Ronni, for sharing your personal journey and insight on gratitude.  I love that you keep a journal of things you are grateful for…what a powerful way to constantly be reminded of all that you have!

To visit Ronni & connect with her more, visit Anywhere-Is.

A few of my favorite things posts! Featuring Beth from Dot in the City!

Greetings Baxtron Life readers! I'm Beth and I blog at dot...in the city. I'm excited to join you all day, thanks to Courtney!

I usually share tutorials, projects, recipes and home renovation stories, so I thought I'd give you a glimpse by sharing my five favorite posts of 2011 (in no particular order):

(1) Trends on a Budget -ideas for how to keep up with some fashion trends by adding a few accessories to your wardrobe. I outlined my plan to "update" my wardrobe for $50 for fall/winter.

(2) Alternative break trip to Guatemala City and experience working with at-risk youth for a week last March.

(3) Sweet potato "pasta" + alfredo recipe made by my husband, it's one of my favorite recipes!

(4) How to make a cupcake wrapper name tag. These were a hit for a bridal shower and I decided to put together a tutorial. I had seen a photo on Pinterest.

(5) In December I shared our love story in a 5 part series, which was fun!

Thanks for letting me join you today, I hope you'll stop by and visit sometime!

I love all of these posts, Beth! Thank you so much for sharing them with us today.  :)  Your love story is an especially sweet read!  :)  One day, I'll have to share my own eHarmony experience.  Ha!