Sunday, January 30, 2011

Healthy old-fashioned products Lavender Bath Salts (Wanna save 15%?)

Time to review another product. How awesome is that? I love free stuff, especially when it's GOOD!

I haven't been feeling well, and a bath sounds really good. I'm a shower girl, but there are those times when you just feel like taking a bath. Today is one of those times.

So, I will be trying out Lavender Bath Salts.

Be back in about 30 minutes or so..........................................











Aw how sweet, you waited for me. Well let me tell you I haven't felt that relaxed in a long time. Of course as soon as I got in the tub there were 3 knocks on the door. I let the knocker know that I needed some time to relax. I could have easily fallen asleep in there. It was very nice. I probably should have put a little more of the salts in since I filled the water so high. But still, it was a relaxing, calming experience that was well needed.

Afterwards, my skin felt slightly hydrated and I noticed the light lavender scent had stuck to me. Yay! I'm sure my husband will appreciate the fact that I don't "smell" like I'm sick.

2 thumbs up! 

I was contacted by Healthy Options of Days Gone By to review some of their products. This is actually my first review that is not for a book. Hooray for new and exciting things!


I received my goodie box January 26, 2011.




 In it was the products I had chosen as well as

Lavender Dryer SachetBath Salts w Dead Sea Minerals Longing for LavenderLavender Bath SoapAchy muscle rubVanilla Comfort Bath SoapDouble Mint Chocolate Bath Soap.

The packaging is absolutely lovely and old-fashioned. Their customer service matches that.

I look forward to trying each and every one of these. I will comment on them individually since I can't really try them all at once. 


Please stop by their Etsy shop Healthy Options of Days Gone By and their blog http://www.healthyoptionsofdaysgoneby.blogspot.com


If you do stop by their Etsy shop and see something you like, you can save 15% off your order. Use this code: (PRREVIEW15) 

Books and skates

This started out on FB, but I had so much to say, I figured it was better classified as a blog post, where it would soon after be published on FB. Win win, right?

I felt really cool yesterday as I looked around Deseret Book and recognized some of my author friends. (books) I then had to show off to my husband- I know her and her and her..... I've heard a lot about this book, etc. Remember, I won a copy of this book? I beamed and beamed.

I was not impressed that the lady that worked there didn't think they sold Richard Paul Evans' latest book. She asked if it was a Christmas book. I said I don't think so.. I'm pretty sure it came out before Christmas. She told me that it may be in the back with the Christmas books, although it was not on sale with the other Christmas merchandise. She then found it "put away" in the Christmas section. Needless to say, the only book I bought was a really cool book (on clearance) about Utah that I will be adding to our homeschool Library. (Titled Utah Featuring the Art Of Eric Dowdle Text By William Kurtis) It's a HUGE book that just LOOKS so dang awesome. The original price reads $34.95! I got it for $7.99.    :)
I found it last minute after I told my husband that I could get these books a lot cheaper somewhere else.

I really don't care for Deseret Book. Or at least not that one in particular. Not much selection unless you're strictly looking for LDS or inspirational. I was looking for books on writing and there were none. I also didn't care for their prices. (except of course for the great deal I got and they do have good clearance, just not always what I'm looking for) It did smell good in there though.

I came home and got on Amazon and can get 3 of the books I wanted for the price of 1- WITH free shipping.

Yesterday we also got to have some good old fashioned FUN! It  was a birthday party for 2 of my nieces. We went to my sisters house for pizza, cake and ice cream. Then we went rollerskating. Yes, we as in I participated. Holy crap was I rusty. (and there are no photos or video, hee hee hee) But I did get better as the day went on. Wore me out though. I've been off and on sick and today I am taking the day to recuperate.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Healthy old-fashioned products Vanilla Body Powder (Wanna save 15%?)

*I'm such a dork. Somehow I posted this to my other blog yesterday. (http://surrogacybooks.blogspot.com)

Luckily I saw it over there today and thought how the heck did that happen? So here it is....
(I will be taking it off my other blog)

I was contacted by Healthy Options of Days Gone By to review some of their products. This is actually my first review that is not for a book. Hooray for new and exciting things!


I received my goodie box today (January 26, 2011)




 In it was the products I had chosen as well as

Lavender Dryer SachetBath Salts w Dead Sea Minerals Longing for LavenderLavender Bath SoapAchy muscle rubVanilla Comfort Bath SoapDouble Mint Chocolate Bath Soap.

The packaging is absolutely lovely and old-fashioned. Their customer service matches that.

I look forward to trying each and every one of these. I will comment on them individually since I can't really try them all at once. 
For today, I'll let you know about the Vanilla Body Powder.  I was excited to use this natural product after reading this article: http://healthyoptionsofdaysgoneby.blogspot.com/2011/01/to-talc-or-not-to-talc.html.

It has a nice silky smooth feel with a pleasant light scent. I only wished it smelled more like vanilla. *Update- the more you use it, the more you can smell it and it does smell like vanilla. It just didn't at first I'm guessing because it was packed so full.
:)

Please stop by their Etsy shop Healthy Options of Days Gone By and their blog http://www.healthyoptionsofdaysgoneby.blogspot.com


If you do stop by their Etsy shop and see something you like, you can save 15% off your order. Use this code: (PRREVIEW15) 

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Flowers in the Attic

I believe my brother gave me the book Flowers in the Attic when I was around 10 or 11. I remember reading it and loving it.

YEARS later (2 weeks ago), I picked up the movie at the library. Yesterday I watched it with my children. Wow. What a crazy 80's movie. My kids didn't really like it, but they watched the whole thing with me I don't remember how true to the book it was. (I just looked it up and it was pretty close, it hinted to some things that I'm glad it didn't show in more detail. Reading about it, I'm quite surprised that I read it and liked it at such a young age. It seems like it would be for an older audience, but then again I was quite mature for my age.  It also makes me wonder why my brother gave me the book.)  The movie was quite interesting in a very weird way. I don't dare give anything away, but here's the description on Netflix:

This haunting suspense thriller is based on the acclaimed novel by V.C. Andrews. After a tragic accident leaves them fatherless, four children return to their mother's mysterious family mansion in hopes of an inheritance. Instead, they are imprisoned and abandoned by their evil grandmother, leaving them to survive a nightmare of cruelty, forbidden passion and a final shocking discovery that will shatter their innocence forever.




Update- I am such a dork!!! It was not Flowers in the Attic that I read, it was Behind the Attic Wall about dolls in the attic. Now I need to find it and read it with my kids.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Fun with Frogs

We got 2 new Fire Bellied Toads this week. We learned that we are herpers. I wanted to get some variety of food besides crickets, so I had read that you could feed Fire Bellies little guppy fish. Well we found some feeder fish and couldn't wait to see what happened. They are fast little swimmers and I figured the frogs would be all over it.

Meet our frogs and find out what happened:








Saturday, January 22, 2011

Surrogacy Journal Entry part 2 (1st journey)

Part 2 to http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-first-embryo-transfer-surrogacy.html

January 28, 2006

Time to catch up. First off- I am pregnant, 12 weeks along- 1 baby. I have been feeling nauseas and tired for awhile. I don't remember exactly when it kicked in- around the beginning of December. K_____ and S_____ were very disappointed that they weren't going to have twins. However, they are happy that the pregnancy is progressing as it should. 

John & I took the kids to Utah for Christmas. We were able to stay for 2 weeks. I was able to see MY OB/GYN for an ultrasound. (the rest of the pregnancy I was seen by Navy doctors and nurses in San Diego) We saw this tiny little bean of a baby.

I was sick for 2 days where I couldn't get out of bed. I was nauseas/tired/throwing up. I knew I was dehydrated and went to the Emergency Room. They put me on IV's to hydrate me and gave me meds for nausea. This was the day before New Year's Eve.

 My uncle Jon invited John and I to his work were they were having a nice Prime Rib dinner on New Year's Eve. After that, we went to my friend Terrill's house. She is John's friend too-basically got us together. I found out she is pregnant too- about 2 weeks behind me. After all this time we're pregnant at the same time but we're living in different states and this isn't my baby.  Sadly this means that I probably won't be able to be there when her baby is born, since I'll be in San Diego recovering from birth. We'll see though.

Last place for New Year's Eve was John's parents where we played games all night. We really had a great New Years.

We came back to San Diego January2nd. Our older kids, Jeremy and Tristan stayed behind with John's mom. She brought them down 2 weeks later in our van. We had been trying to sell it. We had a nice time with John's mom visiting.  Our youngest daughter, Jessica had just turned 2 on January 6th. The other kids weren't here to celebrate with us, so when they got here we all went to Knott's Berry Farm. It was fun to see Jessica go on the rides for the first time.

I have been feeling yucky off and on. I'm having a hard time keeping up with the kids and housework. Wendy helped out a lot when she was here. We hope to have more visitors. We may go to Utah for Easter.

I think I have a great couple to do this surrogacy for. However, it hasn't been a completely smooth ride. I'm sure that is to be expected.  I think the culture difference can be hard. Sometimes I feel like I'm being bossed around or like I don't have much privacy. I don't want to bring up anything specific or point fingers.  I'm sure they don't mean to be that way. I am happy to do this, but I think if I were to do it again I'd pick a couple with the same culture as John and I. Maybe this will explain a little- I feel appreciated and all that, but it's like I'm good friends with the wife and it's more of a business transaction with the husband. They have treated me well for the most part, it's just different than what I expected. 

*I want to add that they've stayed in touch and I treasure our friendship. I don't regret a thing! They provided me with a wonderful first experience of being a surrogate and I'm so happy that they chose me.

Friday, January 21, 2011

My first celebrity tweet

I had just tweeted about wanting eggs and toast, but not having bread.

I noticed I had a response on Twitter. I expected it to be about that.. however it wasn't. I had to read it a few times to realize who it was and what it was in regards to.

Here's the tweet:
@ Your hubby was so sweet and your story was awesome. We thought that was fun.


It was from Robyn from Sister Wives. She was replying to this story that I tweeted about last week: http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2011/01/meet-browns-well-mainly-kody-from.html

Anyway, it made my day. She's such a beautiful person inside and out. It radiates! I wish them the best!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Surrogacy and Embryo, Sperm and Egg Donation: What Were You Thinking? (review and giveaway)

Surrogacy and Embryo, Sperm, & Egg Donation: What Were You Thinking?: Considering IVF & Third-Party ReproductionSurrogacy and Embryo, Sperm, & Egg Donation: What Were You Thinking?: Considering IVF & Third-Party Reproduction by Theresa M. Erickson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can't imagine that there is a more thorough guide out there in regards to IVF, surrogacy, etc. This book has it all covered.

Theresa steps you through it all and offers up great advice along the way. This book is well researched and well written.

I especially liked the top 10 myths with third-party family building. There are so many links and resources. The only thing missing is the mention of my book as a resource. However, my book hadn't been written yet, so I forgive her for not adding it.   :)

You can keep referring to this book at any stage in your journey.

Even as an experienced surrogate, I learned a lot from this book. Whether you are just starting out or experienced in any way, this is a must read! On my blog, people have come to me for advice and I'm pointing them towards this book.

I agree with Theresa that it is so important to educate yourself when considering surrogacy, egg donation, etc. This is an excellent resource in doing so.
View all my reviews

Learn more about the book: http://www.ericksonlaw.net/surrogacy-and-embryo-sperm-and-egg-donation-what-were-you-thinking



You now have the opportunity to win your own copy. 1 winner, 1 copy.

How to earn entries:
1 each-
Leave a comment on this post
Become a fan of Theresa's on FB http://www.facebook.com/surrogacylawyer
Like her book on FB http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theresa-Ericksons-Surrogacy-and-Embryo-Sperm-Egg-Donation-Book/136278766412434
Follow her on Twitter http://twitter.com/TheSurrogacyLaw
Follow her blog http://www.surrogacyissuesblog.com/
Follow my blog http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com Please follow through Google Friend Connect if possible
Follow my surrogacy books blog http://surrogacybooks.blogspot.com
Become a fan of Mormon Surrogate on FB http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mormon-Surrogate/129139433785474
Become a fan of Surrogacy Books on FB http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surrogacy-Books/164401093599033
Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/surropepperbird

Then please e-mail me and let me know how many entries you've earned and how- pepperbird@gmail.com
PLEASE put in the subject line Surrogacy Lawyer Book Giveway.


ENDS Friday January 28, 2011

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Hooray for book reviews

If you'll remember back a bit, I won a chance to review Rusty My Playful Cat by Jennifer McFadden. My review and details here: http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/11/book-review-rusty-my-playful-cat-by.html

In a funny turn of events, Jennifer became interested in my book and recently won a copy.

Her review: http://jenniferemcfadden.wordpress.com/2011/01/19/childrens-book-review/
and here as well: http://mcfaddendigest.blogspot.com/

Coming soon, you will have another chance to win a copy of my book. 3 copies will be given away on Goodreads. Keep your eyes open. I'll post as soon as the giveaway has been cleared.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Goodnight Already!

I told them to go to bed and I told them to be quiet. What don't they understand? It's ridiculous that I have to go out there every 5 minutes and tell them to be quiet or tell them to turn off the tv or get off the computer. It makes me want to scream. What's worse is when John and I are in bed and they come in. Door's shut, door's locked. They unlock it, open it and walk in. OR they knock. If they know we've gone to bed they shouldn't be knocking. Once that door is closed, they should stay out. During the day, yes please knock. They should  never unlock the door and come in unless it's an emergency.

If I were trying to sleep right now it would be giving me a headache. Poor hubby IS asleep, but hasn't been sleeping very good lately.

I tell them goodnight. I go to my room. They gather in the hall and bug each other. They're fighting over who gets to sleep with the dog. Well her kennel has been in the girls' room for a few days, so I'd imagine it's Jeremy's turn. They already asked me and I already told them. But Jessica claims it's her turn. I simply state that it is Jeremy's turn. Once again I say "goodnight, time to be quiet, etc."

Less than 2 minutes and more noise. "I'm starting to think that your ears don't work, that you can't hear me, that I'm some invisible person that isn't talking", I say. They just look at me for a minute. Jeremy's got the kennel and the dog and apparently they're still fighting over the issue. UGH, the dog gets to sleep with Jeremy. GOODNIGHT! Little Jessica gives me a 10 minute hug. I walk the girls to their room. Goodnight, the end, end of story I tell them dramatically.

Monday, January 17, 2011

How do you sleep?

According to my husband I toss and turn, steal the covers and snore. Not all the time or all at once though. Occasionally I'll talk in my sleep.

He told me this morning that last night I snored a few times.  He even said at one point he nudged me and I told him there was something on the ceiling. He looked, but saw nothing. I repeated that there was something there, but when he looked at me, he noticed I was asleep. Creepy!


My husband has been a snorer long before I ever was and he is famous for talking in his sleep. Earlier in our relationship it would creep me out. I remember one time he was talking in his sleep to his grandma and I think he was asking if I could borrow her shoes. He sometimes sleeps with his eyes open. Total creepy factor.

When he was a recruiter, he would talk in his sleep to people on the phone. He was only a recruiter for about 9 months, but he talks on the phone in his sleep at least twice a month. Sometimes I play around with him and ask him weird questions, but sometimes it freaks me out too much and I just leave him alone.

Sleep fascinates me and even more so, DREAMS! I've had crazy dreams that totally came true. I've had dreams about someone I haven't seen in years and then somehow they'll contact me.

I dream a lot about trying to lock and close a door, but it doesn't match up. (the door frame is wider than the door and so the lock can't latch)

I hate interrupted sleep. I mean it's worse than no sleep at all. If I'm interrupted, then I feel I need to catch up. Plus I can get mean if I'm woken up.

So, how do you sleep? Do you have any fascinating sleep habits or dreams?

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Product Reviews

I haven't done many product reviews. I wish to do more though.

I think they're a great way to get the word out. So far I've only done book reviews. As an author, I've offered up my book for review with great response.

How do you feel about product reviews?

Saturday, January 15, 2011

My first embryo transfer (surrogacy journal entry) A peek inside..part 1

I wrote the following before my 1st embryo transfer as a surrogate. I wish I had written more about my first experiences.
This is part 1 in what could be a 3-4 part series of journal entries.. if you think I should go on.


11/18/05

I feel a bit anxious as we get ready to depart. I'm with my husband and we are flying on Southwest Airlines to San Jose California. From there we will be driving a rental car to San Fransisco. (area) Tomorrow morning at 10:00 am I have an appointment at Zouves Fertility Center. 

This is all part of my journey as a surrogate. This is something I've felt destined to do. I was matched with a couple in July 2005, shortly after moving to San Diego. I've been taking a series of pills and shots to prepare for tomorrow.

Two days ago 31 eggs were retrieved from S______ who is the mom I am helping. From those eggs, 16 embryos were created. They will probably transfer 3 in the hopes that 1-2 will implant and survive. 

I am very excited about this journey; however as reality hits, butterflies begin to flutter. 

We have arrived and picked up our rental car which we upgraded to a Gold PT Cruiser.  (seemed fun and cool at the time lol, not that Gold would have been my first choice for any car)

We will be meeting K_______ and S________ for dinner tonight. This will be the first meeting between John and them. I have met them twice.

We went to Red Robin for dinner- yummy. John and I love that place, especially the clam chowder. It was K______ and S______'s first time. They said they liked it. They are vegetarian and both found something good they could eat.

We laughed and chatted like we were all old friends. It was nice.

It is now 9:30 am November 19, 2005- Saturday. We will be leaving soon to go to the fertility clinic. We will discuss how many embryos to transfer and then the transfer will be at 11:00.

My hip/butt is sore from shots, but other than that I'm feeling good and excited for today's events.

It is now Sunday November 20, 2005. Yesterday Dr. Zouves transferred 2 high quality embryos. When we first found out how high quality the embryos were K_____ and S_____ were both overcome with joy and emotion. It was an awesome sight. S______ hugged me and K______ shook my hand as usual.


We all walked down to surgery and I changed into my patient gown and was given a Valium. We were all in gowns and surgical hats. 







We were told we would be able to take pictures and video tape the procedure. (Yay!)

Transfer took place at about 11:20 am. We were able to leave at about 12:00 pm. I felt fine- no pain or discomfort. I wasn't sure what to expect. I just felt normal, but awe struck that I was basically just impregnated. 

Luckily no morning sickness yet. Hee hee.

I did my strict bed rest yesterday. Today I am taking it easy and doing a little bit of sightseeing (while resting in the car) before we head back to San Diego. John is taking very good care of me and I'm happy to have his company. I am also grateful for his love and support.

We ended up going for a nice drive into San Francisco and eventually found Chinatown. We would have stopped to explore, but I can't be out walking all over the place. We were able to go see the movie Walk the Line about Johnny Cash. Afterwards we ate at Red Lobster, another of John and mine's favorite restaurants. 

It is a bit of an odd feeling of responsibility to be carrying someone else's child(ren). I will do my best.

I have more restrictions early on than in a regular pregnancy. 

We are on the plane to go back to San Diego. I had to change seats because I was sitting in an exit row and would have been required to lift the door (in an emergency) which is about 50 pounds. One of my orders is not to do any heavy lifting. I wonder about my daughter Jessica who is almost 2 and weighs about 35 pounds.

I hope that both of these embryos continue to be healthy and end up in live twins. That would add to this experience. 

If the pregnancy was indeed successful, I wonder how long until the morning sickness kicks in.

Next week I will be taking beta tests to confirm pregnancy and to check levels. I will still have to continue my shots which I'm not looking forward to. I am quite used to them however. 

My mom flew in to watch the kids while John and I were at the embryo transfer. I get to spend four more days with her and one will include Thanksgiving. There's a lot to be thankful for at this time.

We had a great time with my mom. She was a huge help and made a lovely Thanksgiving dinner.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Meet the Browns, well mainly Kody from Sister Wives

A few months ago my husband was working on the freeway. Well, that's pretty much his job. That's where you'll usually find him. Anyway in the particular area he was in... he saw this white Lexus drive by and he's got a good eye for detail and thought, "huh, that looks like Kody's car" (from Sister Wives on TLC) He then happens to notice the long blonde hair. He stuttered to the guy he works with " That's the guy on tv.... the the guy with all the wives..."So he yells "KODY!" Kody threw his hand in the air and waved. He drove by again a little later and then again the next day. Each time he seemed to have a grin as my husband called out his name. I believe he honked as well. Hubby came home all star-struck and in the best mood. It was so sweet.

So today my husband calls me on his way home from work. He says, "Hey, I know where Kody lives". I'm thinking.. Cody, an old friend of his. But then I hear the excitement in his voice and realize this is on another level.
He notices this guy shoveling snow, notices the hair, etc, realizes who it is.

My husband's all pumped up and we're talking about how it's probably Robyn's house.. the most recent wife. Well we knew they lived in a city near us, so this wasn't a huge surprise. We always wondered if we'd ever past it. And I'm always hearing other people about how they've seen him around town.

Next thing I know hubby's calling back... "You'll never guess what I just did." I said, "What, did you get his autograph?" He says, "Yes. He's so awesome. He's such a cool guy. He's so nice." Then he tells me he'll fill me in when he gets home.

He comes home with a big grin on his face. Hands me a photo. It's a Christmas photo card of the whole family and it's signed by Kody and 3 of the wives, Meri, Christine and Robyn. He then fills me in about how he got up the nerve to go over to the house and get out and talk to him. He wants me to let you all know, that's he's usually not so easy to approach people like that. He walked up to Kody, told him he knew who he was and that we were big fans.

He said that Meri had pulled in shortly after. My husband didn't have a camera with him, so he asked for an autograph to show his wife. Kody said he'd do better than that. He started to invite him in and mentioned something about a book, then said wait here. He had asked my name and signed the photo/card to us with the wives signing it as well.




Hubby said while Kody was inside, he (dh) continued to shovel the driveway for him. He also said that they were unloading tables and chairs from Meri's car. It looked as though they were filming, and he did see a camera filming out the door. Who knows, maybe hubby's in the shot. He asked Kody if the show was still going to be on and Kody mentioned March. Hubby tells him again we are big fans and thanks him.

He kept telling me how nice the guy was, just like you see him on the show.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Year in Review 2010, welcoming 2011

Sorry for my absence. The holidays got crazy. (in a great way!) Thrown in there, I had one daughters birthday December 14 and the other January 6th.

So what was 2010 like for me? I've decided to share the year through my favorite posts from each month. (all links should be working now)

January-
http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/01/awesome-friday-new-office-intro.html

February-
http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/02/happy-valentines-day-2010.html

March-
http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/03/4-eyes.html


April-
http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/04/one-year-ago-today-my-surrotwins-are.html

May-
http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/05/surrogacy-update-life-and-health.html

June-
http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/06/garbage-bags-getting-your-child-to.html

July-
You get 2 for the price of 1 for July. Lucky duck! I couldn't choose just one.

http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/07/twas-night-before-hubbys-birthday-funny.html

http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/07/paul-mccartney-concert-1st-time-in-utah.html

August-
http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-100th-post-4-years-ago-today-august.html

September-
http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/09/its-done-been-sent-to-printers-now-what.html

October-
http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/10/happy-birthday-john-lennon-staying-in.html

November-
http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/11/really-my-husbands-not-military-veteran.html

December-
http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2010/12/surrogates-gone-wild.html

I don't expect you to thoroughly read them all. Please feel free to skim through and pick a few. (LOL)

I look forward to the new year. I like starting over, starting fresh. I'm going to try to make it a good one!

Friday, January 7, 2011

I slack, therefore I suck... (but here's something cool)

Sorry, I've been a slacker. UGH! The holidays took me for a ride. LOL.

Will be back on track soon with a review of 2010.

Here's a little treat for you... a review of my book in French! http://meresporteuses.net/media/livre-once-upon-a-surrogate-the-stork%E2%80%99s-helper/

Slideshow