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Say It Forward – Week 52

Kelli — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:00:03 +0000

Say It Forward – Carnival of Loyal Commenters is a weekly carnival at 5 Minutes for Mom.com where bloggers feature their loyal commenters!

To read more about how to participate in Say It Forward and to get the button codes, click here.

And make sure you visit the links in the Mr. Linky here every Friday. These are the FUN blogging folk YOU want to be friends with. Go to THEIR sites. Read THEIR blogs. And of course, leave COMMENTS.

Oh, we can see the friendships forming already. It’s a beautiful thing!

Say It Forward – Week 52

52 Weeks. For one solid year we have spent time reading your comments and, in turn, reading your sites. What a blessing it is to know that we are loved and supported by so many of you in the blogosphere!

The Say It Forward column began with the sole intent of giving back to our faithful commenters. We are grateful to have so many faithful readers and we wanted to show our appreciation by, in turn, reading your sites and giving you the boost in confidence that comes with a thoughtful comment.

I took over this column shortly after it began and I have so enjoyed the process of scouring the commenting section each week, looking for repeat commenters and exploring the beautiful, funny, poignant, yummy and all around clever sites of so many of our readers. Of course in 52 weeks I didn’t see everyone. But I saw a lot of you and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – you guys are funny.

As was stated in the opening post, comments are a breath of fresh air to the dedicated blogger. A comment means that someone took the time to read the words that make up a piece of ourselves. And through comments friendships are forged and alliances are built. It really is a beautiful thing.

So to close out this year of appreciation, we want to thank you again, dear readers, for contributing your wisdom, wit and words to 5 Minutes for Mom. And we hope that you were all able to “Say It Forward” in appreciation to your own fabulous and faithful commentors. May we always remember that a kind word shared is the balm to our souls.

Yeesh…that was like a bad Hallmark card wasn’t it? Maybe I should keep it simple and just say thank you.

And, of course, thank you ALL for being such loyal commenters here at 5 Minutes for Mom! Please display this Loyal Commenter badge with pride.

If you are selected as a Loyal Commenter either by our site or another blog, you can display this Loyal Commenter badge with pride. Also feel free to give the badge to the commenters that you select each week.

Thank one of your loyal commenters on your blog and then add the link to your post below.

Say It Forward – Week 51

Kelli — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:27:40 +0000

Say It Forward – Carnival of Loyal Commenters is a weekly carnival at 5 Minutes for Mom.com where bloggers feature their loyal commenters!

To read more about how to participate in Say It Forward and to get the button codes, click here.

And make sure you visit the links in the Mr. Linky here every Friday. These are the FUN blogging folk YOU want to be friends with. Go to THEIR sites. Read THEIR blogs. And of course, leave COMMENTS.

Oh, we can see the friendships forming already. It’s a beautiful thing!

Say It Forward – Week 51: Today’s loyal commentor award goes to Liz of Hoosier Homemade.

First of all, just the name of Liz’s blog makes me smile. But then I headed over to her site and, oh my, it was a treat. Literally…

For example, Liz has an entire page that’s appriately titled and devoted to…cupcakes! And the cupcakes are delightfully fun to look at and my mouth is watering just thinking about how they must taste. But, if you’re looking for more than just cupcakes, don’t worry – Liz has you covered with her Mixing Spoons page, which is essentially a cookbook of her tried and true recipes. Really, if any of you are like me, then your families are probably sick of pasta, chicken and baked beans rotated out nightly like mine. Hoosier Homemade may have just become my new favorite site!

If you’re trying to feed your family on a budget, you can also check out Liz’s What’s for Dinner page, where she shares recipes of dishes she’s made for her family of five using groceries that she bought at Aldi’s.

Liz describes herself this way: Welcome to Hoosier Homemade! I am Liz Latham, the Hoosier Momma. I am wife to Doug for 20+ years and Mom to Andrew-18, Nick-16 and Casey-12. During your visit you will find information on how to make your house a home. Here are just a few of my passions that I will share with you: Cooking, Baking, Decorating, Frugal Living, Organizing, Sewing, Crafting and life in Northwest Indiana. I was born, raised and still live in LaPorte. Our town is surrounded by beautiful lakes and we are only about 15 minutes from Lake Michigan. I am a Christian and our family attends Agape Christian Church.

Thank you, Liz, for passing on your fabulous recipes to us, your readers.
And, of course, thank you for being such a loyal commenter here at 5 Minutes for Mom! Please display this Loyal Commenter badge with pride.

Thank one of your loyal commenters on your blog and then add the link to your post below.

Say It Forward – Week 50

Kelli — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:00:02 +0000

Say It Forward – Carnival of Loyal Commenters is a weekly carnival at 5 Minutes for Mom.com where bloggers feature their loyal commenters!

To read more about how to participate in Say It Forward and to get the button codes, click here.

And make sure you visit the links in the Mr. Linky here every Friday. These are the FUN blogging folk YOU want to be friends with. Go to THEIR sites. Read THEIR blogs. And of course, leave COMMENTS.

Oh, we can see the friendships forming already. It’s a beautiful thing!

Say It Forward – Week 50: Today’s loyal commentor award goes to Tesa of 2 Wired 2 Tired.

A stay-at-home mother to two young children spaced a mere 14 months apart, Tesa’s tag line encompasses perhaps what all of us moms feel on a daily basis – “They’re wired. We’re tired.” I love it!

Posting everything from daily life to fabulous giveaways and finds that are perfect for a young family, Tesa’s blog is a good resource for all moms. Not only are the stories she shares funny and sweet, but they are also fun and informative.

She shares recipes for young ones, helpful interviews with child experts like Dr. Charlotte Reznik, and pictures of the sweet moments worth recording. And through all of these posts, you get the feeling that Tesa really cares about you, her readers and hopes to make you smile, make you think and encourage you in your own walk as mother.

Tesa describes herself this way: My name is Tesa and I’m an exhausted stay-at-home mom to two preschoolers who keep me on my toes. My daughter, Kora, is 4 and my son, Logan, is 3. Something adorable, hysterical, and even exasperating happens in our house every day. This blog chronicles our daily lives as well as my parenting observations of raising two children 14 months apart. I also enjoy sharing product reviews and giveaways, as I’m always on the hunt to find items that make our lives easier and/or more fun.

My hubby, Dave, will appear to guest blog from time to time as long as the Browns or Cavs aren’t playing. He will offer insight from the tired dad’s point of view. He’ll reveal his thoughts about what it’s like working a full-time plus job and coming home to two preschoolers who turn him into a jungle gym the minute he walks through the door as well as life with a wife who’s a blog addict. He’ll also review products that he considers great finds and thinks other dads would enjoy or benefit from too.

Thank you, Tesa, for opening up your home and your life to us, your readers. And thank you for working hard to pass on helpful and useful information to mothers.

And, of course, thank you for being such a loyal commenter here at 5 Minutes for Mom! Please display this Loyal Commenter badge with pride.

Thank one of your loyal commenters on your blog and then add the link to your post below.

Say It Forward – Week 49

Kelli — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:00:21 +0000

Say It Forward – Carnival of Loyal Commenters is a weekly carnival at 5 Minutes for Mom.com where bloggers feature their loyal commenters!

To read more about how to participate in Say It Forward and to get the button codes, click here.

And make sure you visit the links in the Mr. Linky here every Friday. These are the FUN blogging folk YOU want to be friends with. Go to THEIR sites. Read THEIR blogs. And of course, leave COMMENTS.

Oh, we can see the friendships forming already. It’s a beautiful thing!

Say It Forward – Week 49: Today’s loyal commentor award goes to Wendy of Barefoot Mom Lady

Wendy is mother to five – four girls and one lone, yet adorable, little boy. Ranging in age from 15 to 6 months, Wendy definately has her hands full. But, if she were to describe it herself, I would venture she would say they’re full of blessings.

A few things I noticed about Wendy right off the bat: She loves LOST (which, in my oh so humble opinion, makes her one amazing gal), she loves to cook, and she is working hard to live a holistic, healthy lifestyle for and with her family.

Wendy has a sweet-natured writing style and her posts are easy to read and include fun facts about cooking, her family and life in general. Her site is fun, bright and a great place to visit for encouragement and maybe a few laughs.

Wendy describes herself this way: I always thought I’d grow up to be a super-chic, single, urbanite businesswoman. I ended up being a homeschooling, homebirthing housewife on a homestead in the country. Funny how God changes your plans, isn’t it?

Thank you, Wendy, for sharing your heart and your family with us, your readers.

And, of course, thank you for being such a loyal commenter here at 5 Minutes for Mom! Please display this Loyal Commenter badge with pride.

Thank one of your loyal commenters on your blog and then add the link to your post below.

Say It Forward – Week 48

Kelli — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:42:37 +0000

Say It Forward – Carnival of Loyal Commenters is a weekly carnival at 5 Minutes for Mom.com where bloggers feature their loyal commenters!

To read more about how to participate in Say It Forward and to get the button codes, click here.

And make sure you visit the links in the Mr. Linky here every Friday. These are the FUN blogging folk YOU want to be friends with. Go to THEIR sites. Read THEIR blogs. And of course, leave COMMENTS.

Oh, we can see the friendships forming already. It’s a beautiful thing!

Say It Forward – Week 47: Today’s loyal commentor award goes to Tisha of Crazy Working Mom.

Tisha, a working mother of three young children, maintains a very fun, very informative blog. Writing about everything from family life to work, Tisha’s blog has something for everyone. Who can’t identify with a gal who is spread too thin but knows and understands that ’tis the season of life and you might as well enjoy it?Whether she is being awakened at the crack of dawn by her son who has an…unusal request, or using her Wii to lose that last little bit of baby weight, Tisha will keep you smiling and help you to remember that life is a balance and that balance, though challenging at times, can be fun.

Tisha describes herself this way: Mother of 3 from central Arkansas, USA. Married to my high school sweetheart for 10 years. I blog about my family, work, and everything in between. If you don’t like the first post you see, scroll a bit and you’re sure to find something that tickles your fancy!

Thank you, Tisha, for your great attitude and for sharing your life and your family with us, your readers.

And, of course, thank you for being such a loyal commenter here at 5 Minutes for Mom! Please display this Loyal Commenter badge with pride.

Thank one of your loyal commenters on your blog and then add the link to your post below.

Say It Forward – Week 47

Kelli — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:50:42 +0000

Say It Forward – Carnival of Loyal Commenters is a weekly carnival at 5 Minutes for Mom.com where bloggers feature their loyal commenters!

To read more about how to participate in Say It Forward and to get the button codes, click here.

And make sure you visit the links in the Mr. Linky here every Friday. These are the FUN blogging folk YOU want to be friends with. Go to THEIR sites. Read THEIR blogs. And of course, leave COMMENTS.

Oh, we can see the friendships forming already. It’s a beautiful thing!

Say It Forward – Week 47: Today’s loyal commentor award goes to Shelly of The Attic Girl.

Shelly, a work at home mom, is a self-described avid reader with a particular love for the classics. Her family has experienced heartache in the last few weeks, and through it all, they’ve found peace and grace at the foot of the cross.

Whether they’re weaving through pedestrian traffic at the local zoo, or visiting local attractions like Great Falls Park, Shelly and her husband, along with their son, enjoy being together as a family. Shelly even manages their online business from home.

Shelly describes herself this way: I am an avid reader who enjoys reading authors like Karen Kingsbury, Kristin Billerbeck, Laura Jensen Walker, Camy Tang, and Judy Baer. I also love anything Jane Austen related. I enjoy watching movies, cuddling on the couch with my hubby, playing in the park with my son, and working from home on our Ebay store.

Thank you, Shelly, for your love of the written word and your willingness you share your life with us, your readers.

And, of course, thank you for being such a loyal commenter here at 5 Minutes for Mom! Please display this Loyal Commenter badge with pride.

Thank one of your loyal commenters on your blog and then add the link to your post below.

Say It Forward – Week 46

Kelli — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:00:22 +0000

Say It Forward – Carnival of Loyal Commenters is a weekly carnival at 5 Minutes for Mom.com where bloggers feature their loyal commenters!

To read more about how to participate in Say It Forward and to get the button codes, click here.

And make sure you visit the links in the Mr. Linky here every Friday. These are the FUN blogging folk YOU want to be friends with. Go to THEIR sites. Read THEIR blogs. And of course, leave COMMENTS.

Oh, we can see the friendships forming already. It’s a beautiful thing!

Say It Forward – Week 46: Today’s loyal commentor award goes to Michelle from Flying Giggles and Lollipops.

Michelle, a stay at home mom to two young girls, has nail polish on her couch (that I do hope she was ultimately able to remove!), she hates Happy Meal toys (who doesn’t?!), and she gets slightly concerned when her husband offers to help her clean without any prompting at all (break out the thermometer!).

Michelle’s site is cheerful, clean and fun to read. She offers great giveaways, fun stories of motherhood and plenty of advice for those of us who join her in the trenches of childrearing.

Michelle describes herself this way: My name is Michelle. I am a wife and stay at home mom to two beautiful little girls. I am living and loving life one day at a time! Thanks for stopping by my blog! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me.

She also adds a few other tidbits of information into who she is: I live in Southern California, I met my husband in high school, I have my BA in psychology, I love to sing, I think I am tone deaf, and so much more…

Thank you, Michelle, for maintaining a site that is fun, informative and a great read for all of us.

And, of course, thank you for being such a loyal commenter here at 5 Minutes for Mom! Please display this Loyal Commenter badge with pride.

Thank one of your loyal commenters on your blog and then add the link to your post below.

Say It Forward – Week 45

Kelli — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:05:23 +0000

Say It Forward – Carnival of Loyal Commenters is a weekly carnival at 5 Minutes for Mom.com where bloggers feature their loyal commenters!

To read more about how to participate in Say It Forward and to get the button codes, click here.

And make sure you visit the links in the Mr. Linky here every Friday. These are the FUN blogging folk YOU want to be friends with. Go to THEIR sites. Read THEIR blogs. And of course, leave COMMENTS.

Oh, we can see the friendships forming already. It’s a beautiful thing!

Say It Forward – Week 45: Today’s loyal commentor award goes to It Feels Like Chaos.

A stay at home mom to three children ages 6, 4 and 2, the blogger behind It Feels Like Chaos holds down her fort with grace, humor and a lot of love. She has a sweet, tender heart as evidenced by this post. On top of the chaos already permeating her home, she and her husband have decided to adopt from Ethiopia and their reasons for doing so brought tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart.

When you’re running a household that’s filled with small people, life can be chaotic…but it’s also funny. The funny this this chaotic household is documented here, here and here.

It Feels Like Chaos describes herself this way: See, that’s just the thing, it’s not about me, or at least I don’t want it to be. I want to share what I have learned in the chaos of life, especially my current life as a stay at home mom of 3 kids ages 6, 4, and 2, but I pray that it will really be God’s words and not mine reflected in this blog. I definitely don’t have it all together or have all the answers but I love to learn from other moms, so in return I’m sharing what I have learned along the way. I’d love to hear from you!

Thank you, It Feels Like Chaos, for sharing your sweet, tender heart with us, your readers.

And, of course, thank you for being such a loyal commenter here at 5 Minutes for Mom! Please display this Loyal Commenter badge with pride.

Thank one of your loyal commenters on your blog and then add the link to your post below.

Say It Forward – Week 44

Kelli — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:00:53 +0000

Say It Forward – Carnival of Loyal Commenters is a weekly carnival at 5 Minutes for Mom.com where bloggers feature their loyal commenters!

To read more about how to participate in Say It Forward and to get the button codes, click here.

And make sure you visit the links in the Mr. Linky here every Friday. These are the FUN blogging folk YOU want to be friends with. Go to THEIR sites. Read THEIR blogs. And of course, leave COMMENTS.

Oh, we can see the friendships forming already. It’s a beautiful thing!

Say It Forward – Week 44: Today’s loyal commentor award goes to Christine of From Dates to Diapers.

First of all, I have to say that each week as I scour the sites of all our frequent commentors, I’m constantly amazed and humored by the blog titles and content that you all put out. You are a talented, funny group of people and Christine is no exception!

From Dates to Diapers is a great site that I’m so excited to have found. Christine is a homeschooling mother to six young children and her site is chock full of wisdom, humor, photography and fun. Not only does Christine keep her house rockin’ and rollin’ on a daily basis, but she does it while managing an online business empire. In fact, she was recently named one of Neilson’s Top 50 Power Moms.

As a mom of six, Christine is never without a story to tell. Like the day the a representative from CPS came knocking on her door due to the complaints of a disgruntled neighbor, the stares she gets when she’s out in public with her large brood, or the hilarity of finding her children asleep in odd places.

Christine describes herself this way: Christine is married to her best friend, Ray, and together they have six very active children, all ages 9 and under. She’s a busy mama, spending most of her days homeschooling her crew in the Sacramento area. She is the proud owner and author of the Mommy Blog, From Dates to Diapers, where she shares about life with little ones, offers advice and encouragement, and writes her thoughts and opinions on some of the greatest products on the market – those that make family life FUN.

In addition to being a mom, wife, laundry-hater, dish-washer, and boogie-wiper, Christine loves to connect with other moms in various social media spaces. She also enjoys building relationships with companies and brands on a daily basis. Christine was recently tapped as one of Nielsen’s Top 50 Power Moms, is a Lifetime Mom, one of Wal-Mart’s “ElevenMoms” and a spokesmom/host for Johnson’s Baby. (There’s more… Check out In the Limelight.)

Thank you, Christine, for your wisdom, your wit and your inspiration as a mother and working mom.

And, of course, thank you for being such a loyal commenter here at 5 Minutes for Mom! Please display this Loyal Commenter badge with pride.

Thank one of your loyal commenters on your blog and then add the link to your post below.

Say It Forward – Week 43

Kelli — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:42:46 +0000

Say It Forward – Carnival of Loyal Commenters is a weekly carnival at 5 Minutes for Mom.com where bloggers feature their loyal commenters!

To read more about how to participate in Say It Forward and to get the button codes, click here.

And make sure you visit the links in the Mr. Linky here every Friday. These are the FUN blogging folk YOU want to be friends with. Go to THEIR sites. Read THEIR blogs. And of course, leave COMMENTS.

Oh, we can see the friendships forming already. It’s a beautiful thing!

Say It Forward – Week 42: Today’s loyal commentor award goes to Heather of Cool Zebras.

My first impression of Heather’s site was that it was cute, clean and I loved the name of her blog. I didn’t get it, but I thought it was cute and spunky. Then I read the reason why she named her blog Cool Zebras and I laughed out loud – I may have even guffawed – and I immediately loved her blog even more.

A mother to three sweet children, Heather is a multifacted, talented stay at home mom, wife and blogger. She’s extremely gifted and creative, as evidenced by her etsy site, Sentimental Journey, she doesn’t like feeling old, and she has no problem bringing her children to church.

Heather describes herself this way: Hi, I’m Heather. I am a stay-at-home-mom of 3 children, 6-year-old “Turkey” (M), her 4-year-old brother “Destructo-boy” or “Accident-prone Man Jr” (K) and their baby sister Ms. D. My husband, Craig, (aka the Incredible Master Fisherman) has been putting up with my quirks for 12 years now. We’ve been married for 9 years.

Thank you, Heather, for sharing your insights and humor into this thing called motherhood. Your blog is a great read.

And, of course, thank you for being such a loyal commenter here at 5 Minutes for Mom! Please display this Loyal Commenter badge with pride.

Thank one of your loyal commenters on your blog and then add the link to your post below.