Let's Play!

Growing up my brother and I always played outside.  We had a few other kids our age in the neighborhood and you couldn't make us come inside.

I'm so glad my kids also love to play outside.  Ting would gladly give up her TV and most of her toys if it meant she could play outside all day, every day.  So a couple of days ago we took advantage of the pretty weather and headed out.

Bug is getting old enough to want to do everything his sister does, and I am so thankful that she is willing to help him and teach him.

And totally unrelated, but I am LOVING my new phone.  The camera might be the best feature on it. Aren't these pictures awesome for a phone?

Karen W

eMeals for Father's Day

Disclaimer: I am a member of the eMeals Blogger Network.  I received no compensation for this post.

Have you tried eMeals yet? No? What are you waiting for?

I've got a little incentive for you.  You can sign up now and get a 15% discount code.  Just use DAD when you checkout.

And then go reward yourself with this amazing milkshake.

Caramel-Brownie Chunk Milkshake

1 cup milk
4 cups vanilla ice cream
3 brownies, chopped
caramel topping

Place milk and ice cream in blender and blend until smooth.  Add half of brownies and pulse until smooth.  Pour into glass or bowl.  Top with caramel topping and remainder of brownies.

Karen W

LockStars Soy Candles

As you know, I attended the Bean2Blog 2013 event at the home of P. Allen Smith a few weeks ago.  It was sponsored by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, and we got to learn all about "the miracle bean".

One of the products we learned about was soy candles.  LockStars Soy Candles was there with the intention of doing a candle making demonstration for us.  But the weather man had different plans so we just got to hear about their candles.

Lockstars has about a million different fragrances and they are all amazing.  Made with 100% soybean oil, these candles have a clean burn - meaning there is no soot.

I've burned on of my candles down completely and it truly is clean.  Once that last bit of wax was burned down the jar looked completely clean.

Of course LockStars Soy Candles is an Arkansas based company and is family owned and operated.  You can buy online through their website, or learn more on Facebook or Twitter.

And to read more about my Bean2Blog experience, be sure to check out my Bean2Blog tab at the top of this page.

Karen W

Beep Beep

Ting has one of those power-wheel jeeps that she's had for a couple of years.  She has gotten increasingly better with her driving skills and has been asking to take her brother for a ride.

Of course mommy wasn't sure this was a great idea and have been telling her no for quite sometime now.  But daddy (aka, the fun one) finally gave in to those big brown eyes of hers and decided that Bug could go for a ride with his big sister.

Hubby rigged a seat belt to keep Bug all secure and off they went.  Ting was extra careful with her brother in the jeep with her, and Bug was all smiles the entire time.

I had really hoped I had another 13 or 14 years before they took off in a car together!

Karen W

Family Outing

Now that summer is here and the kids are getting a little older, we are constantly looking for Saturday activities we can do as a family.

This past Saturday, Hubby thought it would be fun to go to the lake for a bit.  We have a lake in our town.  It's not a huge lake and it's not a recreation lake.  It's main purpose is for the city's water source, but it also has great fishing and a perfect campsite/picnic area.

Ting and Hubby headed out first and picked up the fishing boat and headed out for some fishing. Bug and I made the Walmart run and then we headed out with the food.

Ting and Hubby had fished for about two hours when we arrived and were ready to eat.  We cooked hamburgers on the grill, and had a picnic.

After lunch we went for a swim in the lake.  Well, Ting, Bug and Hubby played in the water.  I was so busy getting everyone else ready to go I forgot to pack my swimsuit!

The lake is only a 15 minute drive from our house and both kids were snoring about half way home.  I'm going to call it a successful day!

Karen W

Heaven is for Real for Little Ones

Disclaimer: I'm a Tommy Mommy Blogger with Thomas Nelson Publishers.  I receive products for my family to use and review.  I receive not further compensation.  All opinions are my own.

I think most people are familiar with the widely popular Heaven is for Real book.  It came out several years and quickly became a best-seller.  It chronicles the story of Colton, a young boy who relays a story to his parents of his experience with Heaven.

Right after Bug was born, a friend bought Ting a copy of Heaven is for Real for Kids.  It was a simplified version of the original book written for the kid age population.  Because Ting has an obsession with Heaven, it was a wonderful gift.

Now Thomas Nelson has published a third, and equally wonderful, board book, Heaven is for Real for Little Ones.

This version is perfect for much younger children, such as Bug.  The illustrations are wonderful for capturing the attention of the younger kids.  And the story has been simplified into a very quick read.  Perfect for those short attention spans.

And I love that this book is a board book.  I can put it on the shelf in Bug's room and not have to worry about him destroying it.  Ting loves to sit in the floor and read to her brother so this is definitely a hit at our house.

Heaven is for Real for Little Kids can be purchased online here, or from your favorite Christian book store.  Learn more about Tommy Nelson on Facebook and Twitter.

Karen W

Minted Wedding Invitations

Disclaimer: This post is written on behalf of Minted through a partnership with Arkansas Women Bloggers.  In exchange for this post, I'm getting some awesome new business cards.  All opinions are my own.

I got married in 2005.  It was only eight years ago, but things are so different with weddings now.

When I got married, weddings were still a very formal and traditional affair.  The guy proposed to the girl.  The invitations were at the top end of formal.  Certain colors were appropriate.  Certain attire was appropriate.  And certain photos were appropriate.

I think one of the reasons wedding formalities have changed in recent years is the introduction of amazing websites and online stores.  Brides are no longer limited by what they can see and find in their home town.  The possibilities are truly endless.

One huge change is the wedding invitation.  My invitation was on white paper with single color print in a fancy script.  The folks at Minted are making sure that brides no longer have to settle for boring invites.

Check out some of these amazing invitations.  If I were getting married today, these would definitely be on my short-list.

Over at minted, you an also create an inspiration board for your entire wedding.  This one has the colors from my wedding!

Vintage Car - Teal board by Lori Wemple. See more wedding invitations

Planning a wedding soon.  You should definitely check out Minted for your invitations and some inspiration.

Let me hear from you.  Was your wedding traditional or more modern day?

Karen W