Diamond Candles review and a GIVEAWAY!

A few weeks ago Diamond Candles contacted me and asked if I would like to review one of their candles. I had never heard of their company before so I popped on over to check out their website. If you, like me, have never heard the name Diamond Candles then you are missing out! Here is a little information straight from their site.

We are so glad you are here! If you don't know much about us yet we have real rings worth $10, $100, $1,000, or $5,000 in every single earth friendly, all natural soy candle that we make.

The combination of highly fragrant premium quality soy candles, an exciting and fun 'ring reveal' experience (what ring will you find?), and a ring to wear for months and years to come means making something as boring as burning candles in your home something to look forward to.

Once you burn your candle down and find your ring, head over to facebook and upload a photo or video of you and your ring for everyone else to see! You can watch some 'ring reveal' videos, or go ahead and take the plunge and get your first soy candle!

I had the hardest time trying to decide which candle to pick. I wanted them ALL! Finally I decided I wanted something that smelled clean and fresh. I chose the Sunwashed Candle. I couldn't wait to open the box and smell the candle when it arrived. I was really surprised by how large the candle was. I popped the top and inhaled deeply. It smelled great! The candle smelled just like crisp clean laundry. 

You know I lit it right away! 

It actually took me 3 days to get to my ring because we had a lot going on and we were in and out of the house constantly. Then finally I could see the foil packet! I grabbed my tweezers and fished it out.

I opened up the foil packet and the plastic baggie. My ring was revealed! I can tell my ring isn't an expensive ring but that didn't ruin the fun of the surprise. Now I have a great smelling candle and a cute piece of jewelry to wear. 

I've lit my candle every day since it arrived. It fills the house with a clean scent very quickly. I like that it's not overpowering, just very light and airy. I can tell this is a good quality product and that the candle is going to last quite a while. These candles would make really great gifts! They have so many different choices. 

If you want to know more you can check out their website, Facebook, or Twitter.

The Diamond Candles Story

So now I know you want a candle and a fun ring reveal of your own! Lucky you, just enter the giveaway below and you could be opening your very own candle soon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received a free candle from Diamond Candles for my review and giveaway. All opinions are my own

Just the three of us

Three. That has been our number for a very long time. Almost 8 years. Technically we are already a family of four. Until Emily is born though it's hard to imagine what it will be like when we REALLY go from three to four. I don't worry that I'll have enough love to spread around but I do worry about time. It already feels like some days I'm always telling Noah, "In a minute, We can do it later, or I'm busy." I heard him tell the dog the other day, "Don't worry if mommy can't play with you all the time after Emily comes home. She still loves you just as much. Babies just need a lot of help." While I was glad that he remembered that information from his sibling class and felt it was important enough to share it with Bella it made me a little sad.

I keep thinking back to when we brought Noah home. Those first few days are a giant blur of coffee, crying (me & him), and quick cat naps. I was lucky if I had time to eat and shower. How will I find time to help with homework? Will there be time to just sit and read on the couch together? Will we even make it to soccer practice?!? I know all of these things will work themselves out but still I worry.

Noah has been the center of our world for so long. He's going to have to share a lot of us with her. He understands that we will have to do a lot for her. I don't really know how he will adjust to the change. So far he likes the idea of having a baby sister...I'm unsure of how the reality of it will play out. I don't want him to feel jealous, sad, or left out. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure its an easy transition for him.

Our days as three are numbered. As excited as I am to meet Emily and find out what kind of person she is, I'm going to hold onto these last few weeks as three. I'm going to enjoy each one... even the ones when he drives me absolutely insane.

School Assigned Reading - The Book Chat

I think the first time I was given a book by a teacher and told, "You will read this. You will be tested on it. You will write a paper." was in seventh grade. From that day I ENJOYED school reading. I was given books that I had never heard of before. New worlds were opened up to me. I loved reading at home before then but didn't really realize how many different genres of books were out there.

I have always been the student that actually reads the book. When asked if I was prepared for the test my reply was, "Of course! I read the cliff notes!" My reply should have been, "Yes I am! I read every word in that book. My highlighters mark the pages. My study guide is complete with detailed answers. My note cards are many." No one actually READ the books. I couldn't be a READER... And so while many of my classmates were home probably watching tv I was snuggled up with those lovely books.

Some of my favorites were:

So did you enjoy school reading? What were your favorites?

Lately...

So here's what has been happening around our house lately....

THIS happened!

Joey sent me a text one morning saying that someone ran into the back of the car. Poor car =(
It's been at the auto shop for a while now. They say we should have it back be September.It looks pretty bad so I'm sure it wasn't easy to fix. Joey started having back and neck pain so he had to go see a doctor. NOW he has to go twice a week to a chiropractor. I'm just glad the other guy had insurance because I'm sure fixing the damage is going to be costly. I'm also glad the Noah wasn't in the car AND that I wasn't in the car. That would have been an immediate trip to the ER for me and the baby. Hopefully we'll have it back soon...maybe they'll wash it too? =)

This mess...

Became THIS...

It took a lot of time, sweat, frustration, complaining, and work to get it done. It was a nightmare. I worked on it a little bit everyday and now finally it's all cleaned up. Maintaining the yard here has been a pain in my you know what. There are just SO MANY plants and flowers...and weeds. I think it's a little comical that I've ALMOST got everything finished and soon it will be fall and all of it will need trimming. Oh well.... =)

Noah had a big moment!

He FINALLY lost a tooth. He'll be 8 in December and all of his friends have been going toothless for a while now. He's been pretty sad about it. At his lats dentist visit the dentist told us that his adult teeth just hadn't come down far enough yet to let those baby teeth know it's time to move on out. We just had to wait. Then he came downstairs one day and proudly showed me his wiggly tooth as I tried my hardest not to be grossed out. Wiggly teeth creep me out! I did a good job though and kept a smile on my face. I asked him if he wanted me to pull it while secretly hoping he would say no lol. He did say no. Thank you Noah! About two days later he pulled it himself.
Now the tough part comes. Noah's mouth is very small. His bottom teeth are already crowded. At his next dental appointment they'll look at the teeth he has lost and determine which ones to pull to make space for his adult teeth. Then once to adult teeth are coming in some of those will have to come out as well because they just won't all fit. THEN braces. I feel awful because I went through all of that. =(

This doggy...

is driving my insane. She's been shedding a lot more than usual. I clean the floors at least three times a day. I thought that maybe it was just because it's hot out so she's shedding her extra fur. Then she started scratching like crazy. My first thought was, "Oh no she has fleas!" but we give her flea medicine every month and I've checked her several times. No fleas. She's also only scratching her face, legs, and paws. I remembered that last year around this time she started doing the same thing. Did you know dogs can have seasonal allergies? Well they can. I really think it might just be that. I'm taking her to the vet though because her itching is getting out of control and I can tell she's not happy. Hopefully they can give her something that will help =(

Do you do "chick lit"? - The Book Chat

I used to read a lot of what is defined as "chick lit". In the last few years the types of books I read have changed. Well maybe not changed. I still read chick lit books but now I also read several other kinds of books. I can't read a ton of chick lit books back to back because they get a little repetitive, I think.  Girl has problem...Girl goes through finding ways to solve problem...Girl solves problem.

My favorite CL author is Jennifer Weiner. I really do love her. I've rarely been disappointed with one of her books. My favorite book of hers is Goodnight Nobody. It's a CL story with some mystery mixed in.

 From Goodreads:

For Kate Klein, a semi-accidental mother of three, suburbia has been full of unpleasant surprises. Her once-loving husband is hardly ever home. The supermommies on the playground routinely snub her. Her days are spent carpooling and enduring endless games of Candy Land, and at night, most of her orgasms are of the do-it-yourself variety.

When a fellow mother is murdered, Kate finds that the unsolved mystery is the most exciting thing to happen in Upchurch, Connecticut, since her neighbors broke ground for a guesthouse and cracked their septic tank. Even though the local police chief warns her that crime-fighting's a job best left to the professionals, Kate launches an unofficial investigation -- from 8:45 to 11:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, when her kids are in nursery school.

As Kate is drawn deeper into the murdered woman's past, she begins to uncover the secrets and lies behind Upchurch's picket-fence facade -- and considers the choices and compromises all modern women make as they navigate between marriage and independence, small towns and big cities, being a mother and having a life of one's own.

Do you have a favorite chick lit author? A favorite book? Do you like chick lit? Hate it?
Link up with the book chat!

Another Year

Noah is now officially a second grader. He woke up early this morning. An hour early. I was happily sleeping when he woke me up and asked, "When are you going to get up?" He stood dressed and ready for school. He was obviously very excited about his first day. All morning he kept asking me how much longer before we had to leave.

I was, as usual, a little sad. He just keeps growing up and I can't stop it. I wish I could freeze time for just a little bit. I was so ready for him to go back to school. He was getting bored during the day and that ended in him getting in more trouble than usual. The last few weeks have been tough. Now the house is quiet. It's just me and the dog. She sleeps most of the day so she isn't much company. It's too quiet! This will be a nice break though because in about five weeks Emily will be here and I know it won't be so quiet anymore.

I hope Noah has a great first day!

Where do babies come from?

I'm actually surprised it's taken this long for Noah to question how a baby managed to get inside me. He hasn't asked any questions other than, "So does the baby eat the food that falls into your stomach with it?" I told him then that she isn't in my stomach but in my uterus. After that he had no further questions.

Until last night.

I was tucking him in and he said, "So how did Emily get in there?"

Cue the crickets chirping.....

I just told him it was bedtime and we would talk about it in the morning. Although I thought I was prepared to answer this question when the moment actually arrived I had nothing to say. He's seven so he doesn't need all the specific details. I decided I would give him a tiny bit of information and if he asked for more then I would tell him more....

So this morning I first asked him how he thought she got in there. His answer: A doctor cut me open and put a teeny tiny baby in there. Then the doctor stapled me up.

That's a little scary lol....

 I told him that God takes a little part from the mommy and a little part from the daddy and when they're together in the mommy's uterus they make a baby. The baby grows and grows in there until it is big enough to be born.

I was waiting for him to ask, "What parts?" but he never did. He just started talking about how babies have wobbly necks. He also mentioned that since I'll be busy watching Emily he can probably do whatever he wants since I won't be able to ground him.... I don't think so.

I know there will be more questions to come. Hopefully I won't have a panic moment like I did this time!