Happy First Birthday Baby
Last week was baby Emaan’s first birthday.
And, of course, I can’t believe it’s been a year.
Here’s a pic of the boys with Baby – - – and Sofia peeking in the background. She is always less than a heartbeat away.
Emaan brings me such pure joy everyday. Her laugh is infectious; her smile radiates. She is a happy, loving baby. And I can’t help but think she was especially chosen just for us.
2012 was the year I had a new baby, a 13 year old, and a 16 year old! So many blessings.
Misleading $25 Credit at Vault Marketplace – Vau.lt
Every single one of us works hard to earn a living and pay our bills, so when I come across a good deal, I’m usually interested. (And I love to share the deals with my friends.)
And typically it happens just as it should – I get the discount and save a few bucks.
And then there are the times it doesn’t. And I’m left feeling fooled.
Let me tell you about VAULT MARKETPLACE - http://www.vau.lt - a shopping site with free membership.
I signed up because of the $25 credit and free shipping they prominently advertise… And once I created an account and logged in, I saw the page below and promptly shared my personal invite link with my sister.
So, let me ask you, from this page, what should happen when she makes a purchase?
Well, it tells you very clearly – - “…You’ll get a $25 credit applied to your account once their first order ships…“
{Note that there’s no little asterisk directing you to further info on the offer. And the $25 credit that it shows I have for when *I* first signed up.}
Her $40 order was shipped to her; I didn’t see the $25 referral credit in my account.
Long-story short: Vault told me that I should have read terms & conditions under section 19 that states that your friend’s order needs to be $50 or more in order for me to get the $25 credit.
{Read my email correspondence with them at supportdesk@vau.lt}
What am I missing here? I think Vault’s referral offer is misleading and deceptive.
Do you think I’m wrong? I have been a few times before.
{And, really, the $25 is not the point. I just feel like I’ve been fooled.}
The Weight of Grief
Some days the weight of grief is heavier than other days, and on those days, you just want to roll up in a tight ball in a dark corner, can’t speak, and let the tears flow and pour. And you don’t wake up from sleep thinking that it’s going to be one of those days, it just comes and hits usually from nowhere expected. The painful and tragic what-ifs and the should-haves consume your thoughts and for a while you live in the past when you were naïve and foolishly believed bad things happen to other people never to you. Those are the easy days you long for because today you know all too well that your entire world can crash around you in one mere moment and nothing ever, ever will be the same. And on these days, when the grief is a physical presence standing and stomping on your chest, blocking your vision with its weight, you take deep breaths, over and over, and try with everything you have to remember the blessings… They are there, surrounding you. You must force your eyes to look.
In not a small way
There’s a place in the house where several pictures of Sofia are beautifully displayed.
At times I strategically place other photo frames in front. And at other times I sit and stare and it’s a knife through my heart.
Tonight I am caught off guard and it hits me, nearly a physical feeling of panic and pain. And, of course, the tears flow.
And in this moment I glance at Baby who just moments before is sleeping peacefully and she now stares at me intently with a big smile and begins to coo.
It’s almost as if she tells me Momma, you’re OK. I am here to make you feel better.
Her big eyes envelope me in pure love and are an unceasing reminder of the faith I hold.
In not a small way, she has saved me.
Chicago Party Venues
A great thing about Chicago is all of the places to host an event. In my research for Emaan’s “Happy Baby” welcome party in March, I came across a few stunningly beautiful places I want to share. In case you’re planning your nuptials or a baby shower or just need any excuse to throw a party (who doesn’t?!), I want to show you some unique spots I found that you should check out. Read more…
Crockpot + Chicken = Lots o’ Dinners
It is no secret that the kitchen is my least favorite room in the house – I even like the laundry room better. The only kitchen-exception is the fridge because that’s where I keep my chocolate, but other than that, it really could just all go away. So, needless to say, because I must feed my family, I like to make it in and out of there fairly quickly.
I also know that if I don’t prepare, I’ll be reaching for take-out which isn’t good on the diet nor the wallet!
Enter crockpot. And chicken breasts (or thighs). Combine the two and you have several quick meals. Read more…
10 No-Rhyme-Lines
Contractions, few not many, due date approaching
Morning time January 12, water broke, and broke and broke. On O’s side of bed.
Finish breakfast, find sparkly earrings and glittery eye shadow
Rush to hospital in 8 a.m. Chicago traffic, boys happy to school-skip
Hospital on lockdown, does security guard want a baby delivered on the sidewalk
Door opens, thank you!, kind nurses, epidural, yes please
11:43 a.m., three burning pushes, she’s here!
Hearts overflowing with love, our little Emaan a symbol of our faith
Daddy in love, big brothers speechless, Mom relieved, beautiful snow falling
New journey begins with eyes wide, love flowing, and mashallah on our lips
