It's been a minute.

It's been some time since I've written. Most likely nearly two years or more. You know, just a hot second.

But I kind of miss this. Sometimes I look back at my past blog posts and think... "Wow, I had forgotten how that felt". It's a nice nod to the past for me. It's like a journal that someone else may be able to take something away from, and that makes my heart happy.

So, whats been going on in my world?

A lot. Kind of an actual crap load.

*ahem*

Ian is FIVE and is now in KINDERGARTEN. Vanessa-Kate is THREE and is in PRESCHOOL. When did that happen?! Ian is still a funny kid. He's a jokester, and he loves to laugh and be silly. Vanessa-Kate is silly in her own way, but she's a sweetheart. She's quiet, sweet, and kind hearted.

Toby is still working at the same company. But he now does work that he really and truly loves. He works in social media and he loves every minute of it. We are very blessed that he found his way into such an awesome company where he has been able to grow and flourish.

And me? Well, I did it. I went to Nursing school. I worked my behind off for several months after I graduated with my business degree and completed all of my Nursing prerequisite classes. Then I applied and was accepted into the program a little over a year ago. As of December 17th I will only have ONE semester left before graduation. Assuming everything goes to plan I will sit for my boards this May. I love nursing school and I love working in the clinical setting. I have had tons of wonderful experience and I cannot wait to start working.

Other random things; we bought a house (not sure if I was still blogging then), and we have two tiny fluffy white dogs named Trooper and Zeke. =)

Hopefully I'll write again soon.

A quick word about my Ian:

My Ian is a rough kid to parent.
He's sensitive, and picky, and isn't so keen on things not going according to his schedule.
He's fussy and finicky.
He's stubborn and sometimes he yells.
But...
There are so many "but's"
He's sweet, and kind, and as loving as they come
He worries about other's feelings, almost too often.
He's fun, and funny, and a joy to be around.
He makes me laugh, he makes me cry,
He makes me wonder what's going through his head often times.
He's a goofball and a nutcase
And he's my baby...
And he says that I'm his baby too.
He's my sweetpea, my sunshine, and my bubby boy.
And as rough as he is,
He is worth every second.

H&M Gift Card Giveaway and New Store GRAND OPENING!

I'm very excited to announce that I'm hosting a super awesome review and giveaway from one of my favorite stores; H&M.So why is H&M giving away gift cards to my readers? It's not just because you are all awesome (even though you are), but because they are opening a brand new store at the mall in Polaris this week!

So let me tell you a little bit about H&M:

H&M makes clothes for all ages. Their clothes are always fashionable and always affordable. You all know that I love a good deal. We often end up shopping at H&M before other stores because we know that we can get great clothes at a great price, even without having to shop only the sale rack! H&M is one of those rare stores that can give you real fashion on a budget. Moms can wear things other than Mom Jeans.

My personal favorite things to shop for at H&M are tops. They always have a huge selection of shirts that are new and interesting compared to other stores. I also buy the majority of my tank tops and basic there because basics are as low as $5.95 everyday. My husband buys a lot of his work clothes there because they sell nice slim styles for younger men. I buy my sons skinny jeans there...because there is nothing cuter than a toddler in skinny jeans.

This week I had the opportunity to take a little shopping trip at the Easton Town Center location. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and mostly shop for pants. I've recently lost some weight (yay!) and don't have a lot of bottoms for fall. I specifically was hoping to find a pair of colored skinnies that I loved. I was pleasantly surprised by not only how many colors were available, but how many textures. After trying on several pair, I fell in love with a pair of coral colored corduroys and made them mine forever and always.

I would highly suggest that anyone check out H&M if they have never been.

Lastly, here's a great deal! Right now if you buy any of the new David Beckam items that H&M has in stock you get 20% off your entire purchase. Prices for these items start at $14.99. So, if you are spending $75 or more, it is worth your while to buy the item. I was spending $75 on my trip so I got my husband a super comfy pair of boxer briefs for free! I can find a deal anywhere!

So, now down to the nitty gritty details of the giveaway. This one is big. Are you ready??

THREE winners will walk away with a $50 H&M gift card

and

ONE super lucky winner will get a $100 H&M gift card

and

ALL local winners will get the chance to shop the new Polaris location BEFORE the grand opening on August 30th!

So here is how you can earn entries:

(1) Entry for liking Momma Smells a Deal on Facbook

(1) Entry to liking H&M on Facebook

(1) Entry for following Momma Smells a Deal via Google Friend Connect (on the right hand side of this page)

(1) Entry for following 3 Starr Life via Google Friend Connect

(1) Entry for visiting H&M's website and telling me what item you'd most like to get your hands on

(1) Entry for sharing the giveaway via Facebook

Click here to enter the giveaway!

The giveaway will end August 29th at 7:00 pm. All winners will have the option to have their gift cards mailed. Local winners may also choose to pick their gifts cards up at the Polaris location so that they may shop like a VIP before the grand opening!

Good luck and Happy Shopping! =)

**Full Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. These are my honest thoughts and opinions. Honesty is always the best policy. I was however given a $50 gift card so that I could shop the store myself and tell you what I thought. Many of my personal family and friends are followers, but that in no way increases or decreases chances of winning. Winners are chosen at random by Rafflecopter, and independent site**

Lazy Day Saturday.

The kids and I have just been hanging out, playing in the living room, and watching tv on the couch all day. It's been a while since we've all taken a day to just stay home.

You'd think that as a "stay at home Mom" (that term almost seems hilarious to use to describe me) I'd be home most of the time. The truth is, I'm never home. I'm at school, I'm at the park, I'm taking the kids to their grandparents, I'm at the store, I'm at the Doctor's office, I'm anywhere but home. Most of the time I really enjoy being on the run. But I have to admit that I need to spend a little more time at home because...I don't remember the last time that I cooked anything. I literally never cook. We eat out or at one of our parents homes. It's sad and a kind of humiliating. Haha...kind of.

But today, we're all just cuddled up on the couch. I've spent most of the day exposing my poor children to Teen Mom 2 and old episodes of NCIS. Tis a good day. =)

Meant to be.

A crazy thing happened today. The kind of thing that gives you that "holy crap that was totally just meant to be" chills.

A couple of months ago we adopted an italian greyhound named Peanut. I've always wanted an italian greyhound. At first things were good. We had been told that she was an easy going, family friendly dog when we adopted her. The reality is that she was nervous, which is common among her breed. But this was over the top. Even after quite some time in our home she still cowered to the floor whenever Toby was around, though he had always been gentle with her. She was so nervous that she was afraid to tell us when she had to go out, even though she was previously house trained. This led to me spending a lot of time scrubbing the floor.

So, with a heavy heart I posted an ad on craigslist explaining the whole situation. I was hoping to find some help from an Italian greyhound rescue. I was hoping that maybe someone more experienced could help me work through her behavior. But if not I was going to rehome her to a quieter home, possibly with a single older person.

Then the universe set things in motion.

I got an email from a woman nearby who was Peanuts original owner. I recognized her name from her paperwork. She explained that she had been posting ads for several months, desperately searching for her dog. Another woman remembered her ad when she saw mine, and connected the dots. Apparently the person who rehomed Peanut to me did not have permission to do so. Her real owner was on vacation. When she returned, the woman said that she couldn't remember any of my information. Her owner was heartbroken.

So, today I met the woman in a parking lot in front of Buy Buy Baby. She cried like a baby when she saw her. I may have teared up a little too. I was sad to let my dog go...but was she really ever even mine? I'm glad to have reunited two old friends. Maybe there was a reason that she didn't fit into my home.

Tonight we are dogless. But I actually feel good about it. =)

That's the way it is.

Well, I finished up Summer Quarter.

I can honestly say that if nothing else, I actually learned a lot. I feel like I've actually retained a lot of the knowledge that I gained. I worked my butt off. I studied like crazy. I got the highest grade in the class.

...and I still got a B+.

I guess it's time to look at the positive; I learned a lot. I'm trying hard not focus on the negative. But, I'm moving on to Organic Chemistry now, and it seems as if my new professor has a stupidly easy grading scale, so I'll walk away with an A. Easy.

I've really been enjoying school these past couple of months. I really look forward to it. It's nice to have a sense of personal accomplishment. And I'm really looking forward to entering the work world again in the next few years. But I'm so glad that things worked out the way that they did. Do I suggest having kids so young and then going to school? No. Way. It's hard. But I've really been blessed. I've got to take the time to raise my children without having to work. I have the joy of spending every day with them. I've also been blessed to have an amazing supportive family that has allowed me to continue my education to work towards my dreams. I've got a hardworking husband who is out chasing his too (full time work, full time school!) and we're buying our own home next month. For me, things are just right.

So, I'll shrug off that B+, and move on to some more good stuff.

A letter for my daughter:

Vanessa-Kate,

It has occurred to me that I have never written you a letter as I did for your brother. It's not that I haven't wished to, simply that I often do not have the time. I spent the majority of my free time (time not devoted to school or chores) with you and your Bubbie. 

But you should know that you mean the world to me. You fill my heart with a special kind of love that I've never felt before. Maybe it's a special Mother-Daughter kind of love. Or maybe it just feels different because my heart is expanding, so that I can love you and your brother both to the greatest extent. Who knows. All I know is that you bring a certain level of sweetness and joy into my life that I cannot imagine living without.

Your smile is so shy and sweet. I love the way your jaw goes crooked and you push your teeth out when you laugh. I love the little curls that are forming on the back of your head. I love the way you cuddle up and relax when I'm nursing you. I love your soft little belly, and the way you lift up your shirt to show it off. I love the way you toddle when you walk. I love the way you kick your feet to show off when you have your shoes on. I love the way you hug so tight, even though you are so tiny. I love your sweet smell, and your sloppy kisses. I love your weird little noises. I love everything that is you. 

Things have gone by so quickly with you. It seems as if you should still be in my stomach, but instead you are already a year old. But I can honestly say that it has been a wonderful year. Being that you are my second child, I knew just how precious time was, and just how quickly it would fly by. Because of this knowledge I remembered to take the time to take things slow and the savor the moments and the details. I have done all that I can to enjoy each and every minute of your life thus far.

You are a super special girl, and I just know that you are going to do great things. You will be a kind person. You already radiate kindness. I want you to know that I will love you deeply, no matter who you are or what you become. I am, and always will be, proud of you. It pains me to know the struggles you will go through as a young woman. It kills me to know that someday you will look in the mirror and pick yourself apart; naming off things that you wish you could change about yourself. (Don't change a thing! You're beautiful!) It kills me to know that someday some boy will make you feel like you're not good enough. (You are more than good enough. You're too good.) These things are inevitable but, I never want you to doubt yourself. In the grand scheme of things, these things will not matter. I will do my best to teach you to be a good, strong, smart, and caring person. If you can do that, you will be just fine.

The point is...I don't know what the point is. I just love you. And I always will. And I thank God everyday for bringing you into my life. You were the thing that I never knew was missing until you arrived. Now, I cannot imagine a world without you in it. 

Mommy loves you monster-girly. <3 p="p">