tonight is not the night

sunglasses in the hotel phx tonight is not the nightI am sitting on a leather chair in my Aeropostale sweats, my laptop on my knees.

This morning, the four of us woke up around 8am and went running. Tim pushed the girls in the double jogger. I ran alongside. We talked about our worries in between breaths (yes, worries…we have them).

When we got back, the girls ate cheerios and I ate a banana. We colored, while Tim made phone calls on 5th wheels, t-shirts, and giving projects. I packed up the girls and we went to Sunflower Market. I bought ingredients for crock pot fajitas, a pineapple for 99 cents, strawberry licorice, and pears. I also looked at all of the ice creams. I always thought that blue bell was the natural ice cream choice…but I read the label and it has HFCS (ugh). Did you know that most ice creams do?

We ate a rotisserie chicken and parmesan bread for lunch. I put our 20-month-old down for a nap (I used to rock her, but now she just wants me to lay down beside her and sing songs until she drifts off…I don’t mind).

Tim took our 4-year-old to the craft store. I replied to e-mails in my overflowing inbox.

angelic tonight is not the nightAt 4pm, we went to a friend’s birthday party. We ate pizza and cupcakes with chocolate frosting.

Now it is 10:24pm and I have a lot of words in my head. Words about homeschooling, money, marriage, and mothering.

But tonight is not the night for them. Tonight is a night for catching up…but, more importantly, for prayer.

What brand of ice cream do you buy (and why)?

Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web

j02933381 Tuesday Tours: Whats Happening on the WebWelcome to “Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web” where I serve as your tour guide and showcase the best contests, freebies, deals, and reads for moms on the web…all in one convenient location.

Contests

Nominate a powerful woman in your life to receive a $200 American Express gift card in the Power of Moms contest over at 5 Minutes for Mom. Deadline: Dec. 30.

Good Reads

Someone recently asked us if we made a mistake in our Give Every Day pledge. Tim responds: Quality vs. Quantity.

Josh offers excellent marriage advice: Don’t Malign Your Spouse.

Miscellany

This kids bed is magical.

We’re actively searching for a 5th wheel for our upcoming Give Every Day trek across America. We’re looking for something in the 1997-2007 range, 28-36 feet…with at least one slide. Bonus points if it has bunkbeds and a washer/dryer! Let us know if you see anything that might be of interest.

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*** If you have a contest or an announcement that you think might be a good fit for Tuesday Tours, e-mail me at stephanie@metropolitanmama.net.

Christmas Gift Guide: 5 Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Here are a few final ideas for stockings (stockings are my favorite).

I’m closing comments on this post, but you can check out lots of other ideas over at my 2010 Christmas Gift Guide hub. All giveaways conclude on December 11th.

mens optimus longsleeve half zip columbia Christmas Gift Guide: 5 Stocking Stuffer IdeasFOR HIM —

Men’s Optimus Longsleeve Half Zip ($50.00) by Columbia – Roll up a lightweight, moisture-wicking shirt for any active guy…and he’s sure to appreciate it more than ten tiny trinkets. Columbia offers high-quality, well-fitting performance clothing that will get him through any race – on foot, on bike, or on skis.

liquiline eyeliner covergirl Christmas Gift Guide: 5 Stocking Stuffer IdeasFOR HER —

Liquiline Blast Eyeliner (~$7.00) by CoverGirl – A new cosmetics item is almost always a good stuffer choice, regardless if a woman wears lots of make-up or not. I’m a minimalist when it comes to make-up, but I still get excited when a new lipstick, mascara, or facial product appears in my stocking. Other possibilities? Lasting Lip Pencil or All-Day Lip Color.

dawson mary jane crocs Christmas Gift Guide: 5 Stocking Stuffer IdeasFOR KIDS —

Dawson Mary Jane shoes ($34.99) by Crocs – Shoes for little feet fit perfectly in a stocking and are sure to be used all year long! These slip-on ones offer a warm, fuzzy lining that will take her all the way through winter. Available in sizes 4-12.

ice cream scoop lever oxo Christmas Gift Guide: 5 Stocking Stuffer Ideas

FOR A COWORKER —

An Ice Cream Scoop ($8.99) by OXO – Stick it in as a stand-alone stocking stuffer or pair it with ice cream toppings (m&m’s, hot fudge, honeyroasted peanuts, etc.) and fun bowls (maybe these?) for a SWEET gift for a coworker or friend.

mobile bag by golla Christmas Gift Guide: 5 Stocking Stuffer IdeasFOR A FRIEND —

a Mobile Bag (~$13.00) by Golla – Have you noticed that your best friend’s phone is case-less and needs protection? She’ll swoon over the fashionable and functional mobile bags by this cool Finnish company.

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Do you want more specific ideas? Check out these links from last year:

Christmas Gift Guide: kids clothing by Tea Collection

After many years of trying to pretend it wasn’t true, I now admit that more expensive clothes actually fit better, look nicer, and last longer.

I’m not necessarily a brand follower, but I do take note of companies that consistently produce high-quality clothing and shoes. Tea Collection is one such company.

Kerchief geo banded dress Christmas Gift Guide: kids clothing by Tea Collection Autumn leaves yoke dress Christmas Gift Guide: kids clothing by Tea Collection Kerchief geo banded dress tea collection Christmas Gift Guide: kids clothing by Tea Collection

Tea Collection offers global-inspired boys clothing and girls clothing in sizes 0-12years. I like every single piece for girls. I used to think the boys clothes weren’t half as cool, but the newest offerings have completely changed my mind:

motorcycle layered sleeve romper Christmas Gift Guide: kids clothing by Tea Collection journeywear canvas vest Christmas Gift Guide: kids clothing by Tea Collection raven layered sleeve tee Christmas Gift Guide: kids clothing by Tea Collection

Be sure to check out the SALE section of the website too. Scoop up this Solid Banded Dress ($17.50) for your daughter for next summer or…how about this Cycling Tee ($19.50) for your little guy?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Tea Collection! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Saturday, December 11th at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Tea Collection sent me samples for review purposes and is also providing 1 gift certificate for the giveaway.

*UPDATE* The winner is #76 Laura Brown. Congratulations!

Christmas Gift Guide: Gerber knives

tim sunglasses green eyes Christmas Gift Guide: Gerber knivesTim is almost never knife-less (or gun-less…now that I think about). He always carries a knife in his back pocket and he uses it almost daily for this or that.

He’s partly the reason I support the right to bear arms and things like that. Tim is the kind of guy that you WANT to have a weapon in a scary situation. He’s smart. He thinks quickly. He cares about people with a depth that astonishes. He loves children and values the elderly. He is brave and would fight to protect the good. If you were in a bank and a robber came in, he would totally be the guy who would save the day.

Does he sound like a super hero? He is in my mind…and the girls think so too. In fact, we pretty much think he’s invincible.

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If you have a super hero kind of guy in your life, I know he’d love a high-quality knife by Gerber in his stocking. I hereby present you two excellent gift options:

06 fast serrated edge Christmas Gift Guide: Gerber knivesThe 06-F.A.S.T. heavy-duty knife ($100) with a serrated edge is sturdy, dependable, and showy. It opens quick as a wit and is sure to impress.

stockman cls knife Christmas Gift Guide: Gerber knivesThe Stockman CLS ($47.52) is a 2-blade pocket-sized stag that will especially be appreciated by hunters and outdoorsman. It also comes ready to go with a velveteen gift bag inscribed with the Gerber logo.

Does your husband carry a knife/gun? Do you?

gerber small Christmas Gift Guide: Gerber knivesWIN IT! One winner will receive a Stockman CLS knife ($47.52) by Gerber! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Saturday, December 11th at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Gerber sent me a sample for review purposes and is also providing 1 knife for the giveaway.

*UPDATE* The winner is #90 Corrie. Congratulations!

Christmas Gift Guide: Justin Boots

justin gypsy boots with fancy dress Christmas Gift Guide: Justin BootsFour-year-olds are awesome. (If you don’t have one yet, you have SO MUCH to look forward to).

Yesterday, Tim said, “dude” in a conversation. She immediately said, “That’s a bad word!” We explained that it actually is an expression and literally means “a guy.” Today, he said something to me that started with “dude.” She said indignantly, “Dude is a MAN…and mommy is a GIRL!

Also? She often SINGS her prayers – opera style – with full vibrato. I smile behind my clasped hands at the dinner table.

Another thing? She tells us when she’s tired at bedtime now…and then sleeps in her bed all night. If she goes to bed late, she actually WANTS to sleep in.

What else? Whenever we wear our matching Justin Gypsy boots, she pulls up my pant leg to ensure that everyone can see the pink. I don’t blame her. They’re pretty, fashionable, fun, feminine, and comfortable…all at the same time. I wear mine at least every few days – with either skirts or jeans. She does the same.

justin gypsy bay apache Christmas Gift Guide: Justin BootsThe Women’s Justin Gypsy Cowgirl Boot [pictured: right] retails for $69.99 at Drysdales. The girls’ version sells for $55.99 and is available in sizes 8.5-13.5.

If you’re looking for a unique gift idea for a mother-daughter duo OR a fashionable friend, Justin Boots has you covered for Christmas 2010 and beyond.

P.S. If you want to stay updated on contests and new product launches, you can follow Justin Boots on Twitter.

justin boots logo Christmas Gift Guide: Justin BootsWIN IT! One winner will receive a gift certificate for a pair of boots from Justin Boots! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Saturday, December 11th at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Justin Boots sent me a sample for review purposes and is also providing 1 pair of boots for the giveaway.

*UPDATE* The winner is #34 Kristen. Congratulations!

Christmas Gift Guide: jeans by Miraclebody

skinnie minnie jeans by miraclebody Christmas Gift Guide: jeans by MiraclebodyAs you know, I’ve been resisting the skinny jean trend with all my might.

The ONLY way I can see myself wearing skinny jeans is in the fall/winter with tall boots over them. This look is trendy and terrific. I’ve seen many of my most stylish friends pull it off with flair and ease.

Miraclebody (“look 10 lbs. lighter in 10 seconds!”) recently sent me a pair of Skinny Minnie Jeans and I thought, “Hey! I’m going to go for it!

All in all? I felt hip in them and I adored the dark wash, but I also felt sort of…well…conspicuous. Like I was walking in places with this flashing “look at me!” sign.

Miraclebody jeans come in 4 styles – bootcut, straight, skinny, and leggings. They feature a patent-pending material that “slims, flattens, and controls.”

Back to the skinny jeans – I’m still trying to decide. Tim says they look like riding pants (ha!). Oprah says they’re one of her favorite things.

What do YOU say…?

Do you love the skinny jean trend or do you wish it would go away? Have you ever tried Miraclebody jeans?

miraclebody logo Christmas Gift Guide: jeans by MiraclebodyWIN IT! One winner will receive a pair of jeans ($110) from Miraclebody – winner’s choice! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Saturday, December 11th at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Miraclebody sent me a sample for review purposes and is also providing 1 pair of jeans for the giveaway.

*UPDATE* The winner is #62 Amy M. Congratulations!