Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!!

It was time to pick the winners for my simply Simply Charmed and Godiva giveaways!!

I was super excited to have been a part of Friends You Love, even if I didn't get my BFF writing entry in, stay tuned though, it will post next week anyway.

A huge Thank you to everyone who participated in any and all of the Friends You Love events, and all the sponsors, especially Wines with Charm and Godiva Coffee.

Now without further Adieu I will share with you the winners.

*Drum Roll Please*

Using Random.org to select the winners

My Wines with Charm winner is #4 who is Susan

And my Godiva Coffee winner is Elena!

Congrats Ladies, enjoy!

I want my kids to have everything I didn't.

You know how people always say "I want my kids to have everything that I didn't have", no matter what it was....food, toys, phones, you know, the usual.

I remember when I was a kid we never got the "good" cereal, we got the "good for you" cereal. You know, Cheerios, Wheaties, Oat Bran....those "good for you" cereals. I was thrilled and jumped for joy when Honey Nut Cheerios came out....FINALLY something with at least a LITTLE flavor.

We would beg my mom for the cereal, the Fruit Loops, the Apple Jacks....anything that would give us that rush of sugar in the morning. Come on, if parents can have coffee to wake up, shouldn't us kids have Corn Pops, or jeeze at least some frosted flakes? My best friend got Fruity Pebbles, I loved spending the night at her house, and when it came to breakfast she hated spending the night at my house!

We used to save up our money along with the neighbor kids and buy our own good cereal and meet for breakfast on Saturday mornings on the driveway and enjoy ourselves a nice huge bowl of good cereal. And it didn't matter if that cereal sat for weeks and was stale we still ate it.

Now I buy my children a mix of the good and good for you cereals. And I always say "I'm not going to buy any more cereal until you finish the boxes you have". And I went to the store tonight to get a mini pumpkin for Thomas for school and what did I come home with? 2 boxes of cereal. Why? Because Christopher told me this morning that the cereal I gave him was "chewy" and he didn't want it. What he really meant was it was stale.

So while I want my kids to have things I did not, and I want them to not have to eat tuna surprise souffle casserole, actually anything with tuna in it, and I want them to have to good cereals, dang those suckers are expensive!

And yet Sucker mommy bought two more boxes. BUT, in my defense I got them on sale, 2 for $5. And with that sale the good cereal is way cheaper than the good for you cereal.

They better appreciate it or I'm gonna be forced to feed them something with Tuna in it!

Paralyzed in fear

Growing up in a small canyon we encountered a lot of wildlife. From the creepy crawlies to the deer on the hillside.

I can remember sleeping peacefully in my bed, hearing that shrill scream in the distance, bringing me around, my head telling me it was just my imagination. Another scream, my eyes wide open, my heart pounding so fast, moving slowly into my throat, paralyzing me. Several different volumes of yoot, yoot, yoot, one right after another. Another scream, followed by the short burst of yelps.

My palms would begin to sweat, my thoughts would run to "how fast can I get out of my bed into my mom and dad's room". There I would be safe, there they couldn't touch me. I would be able to go back to sleep.

Running as fast as I could, down the hall around the corner, leaping over the formica type tiles in the entryway to their bedroom. Hearing my father softly snoring made me feel better already. I would curl up at the foot of their bed so as not to disturb my mom and have to go back to my own room, where the screaming was.

I could cover my ears and try to go back to sleep. My mom always told me they were more afraid of me than I was of them. Be loud, stomp your feet, they would run away.

I even came face to face with the maker of the screaming noise when I heard my kittie fighting with something one night and I ran out to get him, and out of the bush came a coyote, and I chased that coyote right up the street until he ran fast and far. I saved my 1st born furry from certain death.

Today they are over abundant as we have pushed further and further into the hills and they run the streets like stray dogs, even in mid day.

And still to this day, the scream and yelps and yips and yoots of a pack of coyotes will still paralyze me in fear, it's such a creepy sound.

Don't forget I'm running a Godiva Coffee Giveaway and a Simply Charmed giveaway, go Enter both!

Godiva, it's not just for Chocolate.

Who doesn't love chocolate? And who makes the best chocolate? Why Godiva of course, and now they make the best.....coffee?.....who knew?

I am not a coffee fan, but Godiva sent me 2 bags of their best fall tasting coffee, Pumpkin Spice and Carmel Pecan Bark. Who doesn't love them some pumpkin this time of year? And in a coffee? It was perfect. Smooth, pumpkiney and all things fall. My mom was a fan of this one!

The Carmel Pecan Bark? You couldn't pair two better flavors together. I farmed this out to my besties who are coffee addicts and they couldn't get enough. Before I knew it they were tackling me trying to steal not only my coffee but my Coupons as well. I told them to get their own $2 off coupon, it's super easy to do!

Want your own bags? Well you are in luck, Godiva is happy to send 2 of my readers their very own bags of Pumpkin Spice and Carmel Pecan Bark.

Just tell me which flavor you can't wait to try and Godiva will send you your very own 2 bags!!

Godiva, it's not just for chocolate anymore!

I'll pick a winner on October 31st!!

Giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and up. No purchase necessary to enter. This giveaway ends 10/31/2011. I was given product to facilitate my review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don't want to grow up!

Before we jet-setted off to Maui we took a little trip to see the Mouse....Mickey Mouse that is. Right smack in the middle of a heat wave not to mention, but we still had an awesome time.

I love the carousel, Thomas is a huge fan, he would spend all day on that sucker if he could!


Of course what's a trip to the Mouse's house without seeing the actual Mouse!
And because it was in the middle of their Halloween extravaganza, Thomas decided to get a nice little skeleton painted right on his cheek, he was sure proud of that!

Simply Charmed Giveaway

Have you seen these fantastic magnetic wine charms? Everyone loves a little sass with their wine...or iced tea, whichever you are a fan of, heck you can even put them on a beer mug!

Simply Charmed is sponsoring a give away for Friends You Love for these great charms.

These are magnetic wine charms that go ON the glass. No more fumbling around with the charms around the stem.
The packaging for the charms is unique in that once you secure the charms to their backing, and slide them back in the package you can just stick them to your fridge, never losing them in your kitchen drawers again.

These make GREAT gifts. There is a charm for just about every season, reason, and occasion.
I have already made my list of who I am buying Christmas presents for, have you?!?

Mandatory Entry:
Visit Simply Charmed and tell me what your favorite Set is.

For Additonal Entries:
Like Simply Charmed on Facebook
Follow Simply Charmed on Twitter
Like My Little Miracles on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me thru GFC

Leave a seperate comment for each one you did, and I will chose a winner on Oct 30th!

Open to US Residents only, must be 18 or older to enter.

I can't wait to go back!

We just got home this morning after a horrible start to a beautiful vacation!! I still need to write my post about just how horrible we were treated by Priceline. So stayed tuned for that so that you will know to NEVER book ANYTHING with Priceline.

But once we got started, there was no stopping us....
So while we were in Maui we did a little bit of everything....

We swam in the clear blue ocean.....


We chased and ran from waves, and tried to catch little fish racing on the shore line in a bucket.


We captained pirate ships and shot cannons to show our authority....


We visited the Maui Ocean Center and we pet underwater sea life with our friends!


We put flowers behind our ears so we looked like the locals....


We looked for sea turtles that are as big as the sun in some parts!


We hung out on the beach making sand castles until well into the afternoon....


We hulaed onstage at a Laua at sunset......

We saw beautiful waterfalls and ponds filled with Koi...

We hung out with our best friends and ate amazing foods....

We went to the highest point on Maui, the Haleakala Volcanic Crater which is 9,740 feet above sea level.

And at the end of the day we relaxed as a family and witnessed the most amazing sunsets....

And when all is said and done we passed out with our favorite lovey's to start another adventure tomorrow!

And we are now planning next year's trip!

It's My SITS Day!

It's my SITS Day! I couldn't be more excited!
Welcome! Come in and stay a while. There is all kinds of fun to be had and found at My Little Miracles.
My name is Erin, and there are so many things that define who I am, but most important I am a mom to two beautiful miracle boys, children they said I'd never have.

These are my boys, Thomas, a frollicking 4 year old. And Christopher is my tireless 3 year old, and they are the light of my life!

My motto, Life Happens, so Live it, no regrets. I've lived a lot of life in a short amount of time.

From cancer survivor to loss, abuse survivor to divorce, addiction to happiness, you can find it all here, I'm kind of a been there done that, though I hate to admit it sometimes!

My friends and family know me best, but my life is an open book, and I'm willing to share any of my experiences, if it helps someone else, then it was all worth it.

I am a simply complex person, but so easy to know!

So thanks for visiting, and I hope you stick around a while, see what transpires in the life and times of My Little Miracles!

I'm also on Twitter and Facebook, come visit me there too!

I'm Not Blond

I went to BlogHer this past August, and I was so excited to meet everyone that I have been tweeting with and reading their blogs and texting and those old friends I'd met and previous conferences. I walked around and would see familiar faces from twitter pics or blog pics and I would walk up and say "Hi so and so, I'm so glad I finally get to meet you" and they all looked at me strange....literally.

So I would respond with "I'm Erin, from My Little Miracles" and they would look at me and then look at my badge as to confirm it and then back at me and say "I thought you were a blond?"

Well yes, techinically I am. But as of late I was bored with that, I wanted something darker and a little more "mysterious" so to speak, and apparently it worked because no one recognized me.

So I needed to have some new potraits taken, so I now have a new profile/twitter/facebook pic. And I'm sure by next year at BlogHer in New York, it might change again, but I promise to update at least my twitter pic so everyone will know it's me!

Island Time is the Only time

I know I've been very neglectful to my blog. But when you have a view like this? How can you not be just a tad neglectful?


And eating dinner seeing this? Makes me want to retire and move here!
Our first family vacation to Maui, and you won't believe the story that got us here! I have the WORST luck traveling, I'm a bad luck charm I am sure.

But now we are here and I'm sure you'll hear a ton about it in the coming week!

I'm a feature!

Have you been to the One2One website? You should go and join!

They are a network of influential, socially connected women who ignite conversation and spread awareness about the brands they love.

And they wanted to feature me! How exciting is that?

So they asked the questions, I answered and now I'm featured.....

So go, check it out!

I'm a Feature!

Memories of the Photo Kind

Some of my best memories have been captured on film, digital or otherwise.
A lot of my memories are with some of my besties,

the people I am closest with!

@TheBlueZoo, me and @QuesoBonito

Don't forget to join us this week Oct 9 -15 for the Besties photo contest!

Contestants can submit a a photo of themselves with their best friend to
kristin at onlyparentchronicles dot com
Submissions will be accepted 10/9 - 10/15.
Voting will occur 10/16 - 10/20 here

Best of all, Bare Escentuals has put together a fantastic prize pack for the winner!

So send your photos, you can't win if you don't enter!

Life is Good

When you start a day as king of the highest hay bale

Or Top Dog on the Cool Bus
And end it with smashing open a giant dino pinata

Collecting AND eating a ton of candy

at your best friend's birthday party......

Life is Good!

Sock Hop Awesomeness

Ok this I just had to repost, I love it.....But I am not going to write on it, just repost it.

"The sock hop is coming up! You think anyone is going to ask you?" Kristen said

"I don't know, do they even do that anymore? I mean or do we just all go and hang out?" I responded before I added "I mean in the school gym after school? And it's over by 6? How lame is that?"

"Well you never know, the guys might want to like make it a date or something" Kristen said

"hee hee I doubt it, but could you imagine me telling my mom, 'Hey mom, I'm going on a date'" I snickered

We went, as a group, after school to the lamest dance ever. Music was played, we started dancing after a few people were on the dance floor. They played upbeat, happenin' music that didn't require a "partner" to dance with. And then.....

Que Journey's "Open Arms"

Oh great....as we all exited the dance floor to stand on the sidelines and chat about who's cute and who's looking and who's wearing what.

Huddling together, we talked in hushed tones, that with no music would be like yelling. We cupped out hands to each other's ears as we whispered into each others ears.

I could see the look on their faces....."Oh please, not me" I thought

But I could see it in their faces.

"Hey Erin" Eric said

"Oh umm Hi, umm Eric" I said

"You want to dance?" He said

Oh great, what do I say? No? I mean that would make me look like a bitch or like I didn't think he was cute or like him even the slightest. But then if I say yes then I am so going to be made fun of by my friends.

"Sure, I, uh, I guess" I said

He grabbed my hand and walked me out onto the dance floor and my hand immediately started sweating, I hope he didn't realize that, even though his hand was warm to the touch.

I Leaned in and yelled in his ear "You know I have never really danced like this before"

He smiled

"Don't worry, we can fake it" he said.

A couple others on the dance floor so at least we weren't the complete center of attention

but he put his hand in mine and his arm akwardly around my waist and we just kind of swayed to the music while looking around nervously.

So now I come to you, with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am with open arms
Hoping you'll see what your love means to me
Open arms

And before I could get to uncomfortable the song ended and we parted and I went squeeing back to my friends and figured I would be made fun of and all I heard was "You are so lucky, he's so cute"

I felt like the belle of the ball because Eric asked me to dance and none of my other friends were asked. All that at a "lame sock hop"

Bye Summer, see you next year!

The fall weather has definitely desended upon us today! But can you believe Summer lasted until October??
This past Sunday it was 84 degrees, and the perfect day for our last swim!! Now we wait a couple of weeks before heading off to Hawaii to swim.

The boys sure do love to swim, this year has been the best yet, with Thomas just up and swimming across the pool.

And Christopher practicing really hard to be just like his brother.

Even this little guy came out for the nice weather and a little nibble and watched the antics of the boys while swimming! Can you believe I got this pic from my cell phone, he was a brave little bunny!

What are Real Friends

Welcome to the 1st Monday in October, you know what that means? Yep, you guessed it. My first guest poster on the Friends You Love Monday Blog Hop.

Thank you so much Carolyn for guest posting for me today!

I have talked to Carolyn through twitter, and email, we had several things in common. When I was at my lowest point of some issues with my oldest son's schooling problems. We connected through email and she did give me some hope that I'm not the only one who has gone through this. I got to meet Carolyn at several blog conferences and we connected there as well. She writes over at This Talk Ain't Cheap.
I asked her what her thoughts were on friendship, blog friends, and what "real friends" means to her.
So please welcome Carolyn, and head on over to her place for more!


I cringe when I hear people say that online friends aren’t “real” friends. As bloggers we hear that all the time. We hear it even more so when we tell people we are on twitter. The looks I have gotten from real life friends and family is priceless. I cringe inside because I know they just don’t understand. How can I possibly be “friends” with someone I have never met?

I admit, I wondered the same thing before I started attending blogging conferences and started meeting my “friends” in real life. I was blown away.

I met my husband online. This was way before the days of facebook and twitter and putting digital photos online. If you didn’t have a scanner (I didn’t) then you were pretty much out of luck. We emailed. A lot. We got to know each other through our words long before we met in person. We already liked the people we were without ever meeting or seeing a photograph.

It’s the same with blogging… and twitter… and facebook. Although these day we are exposed to pictures of the entire family, we get to know each other through our words. The power of a word, a sentence, a paragraph speaks more than a “nice to meet you” does in real life. Online we take the time to really get to know people. We know their likes, their dislikes and we read about them in their own words, not through a filter. So, it doesn’t really come as a surprise when we meet them in real life and they are just as wonderful as we thought they were.

Some of my best friends I’ve met through blogging. Yes, they are real friends. They are some of the best women I know. I know them so much more intimately than I do many of my non-blogging friends. We’ve shared family problems, weight loss struggles, parenting hits and misses, and we developed a bond. We are mothers and writers and strong, supportive women.

Yes, my online friends are real. And they are amazing.

<center><a href="http://www.friendsyoulove.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Friends You Love"<BR><br>src=""/></a></center>

Today is the day.....

Today is the 1st day of the Annual Friends You Love Blogging Event.

I am fortunate and honored to have been asked to participate. We have so many really exciting events going on all month long with some really fantastic sponsors!

one2onenetwork strives to be a well-respected resource to help educate and empower women and moms in business and in life utilizing the social web. We were so excited when they agreed to join us and sponsor the Kick-Off Twitter Party! We encourage you to visit them and maybe become a member yourself!

Earth to Alice is a fun and trendy company that creates custom-made. hand-crafted bags, totes, and jewlery boards from high quality and often recycled materials! Earth to Alice has also created their own Alice to Earth program that gives back to the community. Earth to Alice is excited to sponsor the World's Greatest BFF contest by offering a matching gift set of a tote and jewelry board to the winner and her BFF!

Our Scavenger Hunt partner is a family-owned business out of Columbus, Ohio. Trading Phrases creates beautiful designs using words, phrases, sayings, and memorable quotations from vinyl lettering. They even offer a custom design service to assist you in making a one of a kind statement on your walls. Our next partner seems to be a natural fit for and event celebrating women. Bare Escentuals is all about love, understanding, and community! They also encourage women to embrace who they are and to be a force of beauty. Our friends at Bare Escentuals have partnered with us to sponsor the Bestie Photo Contest and the Twitter Gala Twitter party at the end of the month!

We were first introduced to Eyedews by our very dear friend Surferwife. She waxed poetic about Eyedews seemingly magical ability to refresh and rejuvenate our undereyes. Our brilliant friends at Eyedews have generously provided 4 packages of 6 Eyedews to be given away randomly to Monday Friendship Blog Hop participants!

Cook-N-Shoupe, another great company introduced to us by SurferWife, has also offered to pitch in some 4-packs of their delicious, altitude-infused BBQ sauces to random Friends You Love participants! All you have to do is comment, tweet about, or participate in any of the Friends You Love events!
We all know Godiva makes AMAZING chocolate, but did you know they make coffee to die for, too? Our friends at Godiva have partnered up with all of the fabulous ladies of Friends You Love for 16 giveaway opportunities!

Our friends at Simply Charmed; Wines with Charm have also teamed up with the Friends You Love team! They will be offering 16 sample pack giveaways of their hand-made, magnetic wine charms throughout the month!

There are so many great ways to win with Friends You Love!

So head on over to Friends You Love and get started on all the fun!