Learning To Change My Oil

So, I’ve always wanted to learn how to change my own oil. I know that might not seem like something exciting to most people, especially women, but growing up with a dad who loves cars and did all of his own maintenance, I inherited his love of them as well. I just never had anyone to show me how and I wasn’t about to teach myself.

My van was in serious need of an oil change and he sent me out to get the oil and oil filter. Thankfully the day we chose to change it was beautiful! lol It would’ve seriously stunk if it had been miserable winter weather. =)

We headed out on Saturday and got underneath my van.

Ok, the worst part was riding it up onto the ramps. Thankfully dad was there to tell me when to stop. lol I probably would’ve rolled right over the front! Even still, the thought of my van falling was always in the back of my mind!

Now, I’ve always known how to check my oil, where it’s located so I could fill as necessary, etc. I’d just never had the opportunity to actually change it. In fact, I was about 1000+ miles overdue!

I’ve heard about people having issues with getting their oil changed at certain places and their plug not being put on tight enough or losing their plug. At least now I know where to find mine!

My dad was so great teaching me how to do all of this. He would either get something started, like undoing the oil plug and letting me finish or he’d point out what I needed to do and then let me have at it!

I can’t even begin to tell you how black my oil was! It was horrible. My van has 240K+ miles on it and leaks oil. It was nasty! What I didn’t realize was, the oil filter has a lot of oil in it as well even when the vehicle isn’t running so after we emptied the oil from the van, we had to loosen the filter so it could empty and then it came all the way off.

I had asked my boys to come out and take photos of me and my dad working together, but they were too busy watching cartoons and playing pool. I was really bummed because this was the first time since I was a kid learning to drive a stick shift that my dad’s taught me anything and done something like this with me. It was extremely meaningful. I know it’s just changing oil, but I won’t forget the time we spent together doing it.

Thanks dad!

Transformers: Beast Hunters Give Away

To say that my boys love Transformers would be an understatement. I can’t even tell you how many times we’ve watched those movies! When I saw that Hasbro was starting a new line, I knew that the boys would be interested.

Of course, as soon as my 9yo got his Predaking out of the box, the first thing he figured out to do was shoot the hydrafire blasters. lol Boys will be boys, right?

Something I found very interesting with the directions was there are only pictures! Each step is detailed and highlighted as to what should move next to transform your Transformer.

Interestingly enough, we had to call in my older son because there were a few steps that my younger son just didn’t understand. Well, he just wasn’t sure how to move part of the Transformer. I love getting my older son to help his little brother out!

I had to run out for the day and asked them to keep plugging along at it! They help me out with so many reviews, they even took a picture of the end result for me! My boys rock! And I didn’t even know it until I started putting my review together! lol

I actually liked that it challenged my younger son. So many toys are so easy for him to figure out, he gets bored rather easily. With this Predaking, he can undo it and redo it getting better each time!

Here’s you chance to win a Transformers: Beast Hunter!

*I received this product for review. The opinions expressed are our own.

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Spring Into Play Toy Give Away

What better way to kick spring into gear that with an awesome toy giveaway? We've brought together a diverse set of toys great for all ages, which means no one is left out if you win! You're going to love what we have for you! Check it out:

A Fabtastic Blast to celebrate Toys and Games!

Hosted by Fabtastic Bloggers

Spring Into Play Toy Blast >> giveaway package

One lucky reader will win this #fabtastic #toyblast $425 prize package of 13 newest toys and games, including:

• The sophisticated RoboSapien (WowWee): Loaded with attitude and intelligence, it's the first robot based on the science of applied biomorphic robotics. With a full range of dynamic motion, interactive sensors and a unique personality, RoboSapien is more than a mechanical companion -- he's a multi-functional, thinking, feeling robot with attitude!
• The fun and funky YGlider (Yvolution): this kid-powered mini scooter allows younger children to comfortably enjoy scooting at their developmental stage and helps develop their critical balance and coordination skills.
• An Xbox LIVE 12 month Gold membership (Xbox): connect and play with friends around the world and watch thousands of HD movies instantly from Netflix.
• The iDollhouse and iFirehouse iPad play cases (AppVentures): a brand new line of interactive playhouse fun for the next generation of digital savvy kids that you can take everywhere you go and bring to life with the touch of a button.
• The Weird & Wacky Contraption Lab (SmartLab Toys): Standing over two feet tall, the Contraption Lab has 60 mix-and-match pieces to build an unlimited amount of contraptions. Kids can dream up crazy courses, then build and test them using the easy-to-construct Velcro®-like system.
• The Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Clash Alley strategy board game (Wonder Forge): Beat the bad guys in this action-packed 3D strategy board game. Run, climb, and leap as you race through the 3D warehouse on important missions to rescue April, recover objects – and even pick up a pizza!
• The Disney Easter Matching game (Wonder Forge): The classic game of picture matching gets all dressed up for Easter with Mickey, Donald, Tinker Bell, and all your favorite Disney characters
• favorite Disney characters show their Easter spirit in colorful matching tiles.
• A Fashion Angels Disney Princess Velvet Posters and a Sketch Portfolio (Fashion Angels): Combining two things that every little girl wants -- drawing/coloring and princesses. Sit back and watch them create all kinds of cute princess fashions.
• The Crappy Birthday game (North Star Games): the hysterical party game about pranking your friends with gifts they don’t want. It’s the perfect gift to give a party host instead of the traditional bottle of wine.
• The Clubs board game (North Star Games): Clubs combines trick-taking fun with a hint of risk. It’s simple enough for kids, strategic enough for adults.
• AppGear Foam Fighters (WowWee): Take to the skies with WWII fighter planes for immersive aerial combat. Strap in for fast-paced action and wing your way to victory over the Pacific, Britain or Europe. Compatible with iPhone and Android smartphones.

Thank you to all our wonderful sponsors for their generous contribution to our blast!  

Spring Into Play Toy Blast >> giveaway rules

• Must be 18 years or older to enter.
• Open to US residents only.
• Must use a valid email address or entry will be considered invalid.
• We appreciate your following our gracious sponsors; all follow entries are optional and increase your odds of winning this fabtastic prize package.
• No substitutions allowed on any of the giveaway items. Cannot be traded for cash value.
• Winner will be announced on this blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Be sure to follow so you don't miss the notification. Better yet, sign up to our email updates and never miss a thing!
• Winner will be notified via email and must respond to notification within 48 hours or an alternate winner will be selected.

  Disclaimer/Disclosure We have been provided the toys for this giveaway. The prize items will be sent to the winner individually, from their respective sponsors. Fabtastic Bloggers is not responsible for prize fulfillment or any issues arising from the shipment of the prize, the quality of the products, or anything else related to the prize items. Any and all taxes due on the prizes are the winners’ responsibility. Not affiliated with Facebook or Twitter. No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law.

Ends on 4/8/13. Please enter via the form below. Good luck!

 

Entry-Form

Tabletops Unlimited Dutch Oven Give Away

I love dutch ovens! I’ve always wanted one. And then I had the opportunity to partner with Tabletops Unlimited! I was so excited you have no idea. We were actually supposed to work together for the Holiday giveaway back at Christmas. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get the 4-quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch oven by Denmark until the week before we moved. As soon as it arrived I almost cried. I literally had no room in my van for it. I t was stuffed.

The week I was leaving one of my best friends came over to hang out for a little bit and that’s when it dawned on me. SHE could help me with the review! Yes, I was extremely sad that I wasn’t going to get to keep or use it, but I knew it would be going ot a good home and it would be well taken care of. She also told me she’d take lots of pictures and help me with telling you all about it!

And that’s exactly what she did. Check out how great this baby is and what her experience was like with it!

“It was an enchilada bake....and was really nummy.

It says that you can brown the hamburger right in the dutch oven on top of
the stove....but I was too nervous to use it on top of the glass....seems
like the bottom is a bit rough.  So I just browned the hamburger in a
regular pan.....because it would have to be removed from the dutch oven
anyway to complete the recipe.

Clean up was pretty easy....comparable to a crock pot....soak a bit and
wash by hand.

Can't wait to try a yummy stew in here :)”

Seeing her pictures only makes me want one even more! lol I’ll have to make her cook me something when we go home at the end of the month!

And I absolutely love the color of it. The reddish-orange with the stark white inside. The size of it is also what sold me on this particular one! So big you could cook a meal in it like L.K. did or take it to a brunch/potluck!

One day this sweet dutch oven will be mine! Ok, not this one specifically, but one exactly like it!
So, with that, we have an awesome giveaway for you, too!

*I received this product in exchange for a review. The opinions shared are from L.K. and they are her honest opinions.

Training Up Your Children: What They Wear

Sometimes starting a blog post is the hardest part. How to start, what to say. I know what I want to talk about, but how do I begin?

I want to talk about my kids and how I raised them. This post will be about the modesty I tried instilling in them from a young age. I’ll mostly be talking about my girls in this post. I may talk about my boys down the road.

Right away, when my girls were young, it was important for me as a mom that my girls growing up having a positive image of who they were in Christ. I wanted their value to come from the Lord and what He thought of them, not what the world said was important. I never talked about weight or our appearances. I wanted them to be secure in the beauty they had naturally.

When we were living with a dear friend in Washington I remember the day she told me that you can’t really control what your kids wear. Now, she had older girls and mine were about 4 and 6. It really struck me when she said that because I thought, “what does she mean? How can you as a parent not control that?” I just couldn’t accept that! lol She told me to just wait and see.

Obviously when your kids are really little you don’t have to worry about what they’re wearing. As they grow older and start to develop their own tastes and want to “fit in”, it can definitely become more of an issue.

Now, I had several factors in my favor. I didn’t have money for my girls to be fashionable. I couldn’t afford to shop at American Eagle, The Gap, or Holister. Well, maybe more like Justice and a few tween shops like that, too. I was also close to other families who were training their kids up the same way as me. Their friends dressed the same.

As they were growing up, they didn’t wear bikinis. I knew that it would be so much harder to tell them as tweens and teens they couldn’t wear them anymore because they were developing and showing more skin just wasn’t ok. It was easier to start out with a standard than trying to reverse course down the road. Besides, when they did any youth group events, girls had to wear t-shirts over their bathing suits.

My girls grew up in the Britney Spears era, “Hit Me Baby One More Time” was the song of the day. If I’d see her occasionally, I’d tell my girls, “Why is she wearing so little? She’d be just as beautiful wearing clothing that covered her.” In check out lines, I’d be the mom turning the half naked magazines around in the rack or asking the store manager to cover up the risqué ones. Seriously, the world just pushes and pushes sexuality onto us and our kids. We have to draw a line somewhere.

Baby, my oldest, chose a more “feminine” route of apparel and appearance. I never told them HOW they had to dress, I just guided them. If you’re wearing a skin tight tank top, then you have a sweater or something over it. C’mon people, let’s get real, boys are looking at our girls starting at a very young age and the last thing I wanted my girls to become were sexual objects to boys in their schools.

And yes, I did talk to my girls about their part in how they dressed and what it did to boys around them. Ok, not “my” girls, but other girls. If your daughter is wearing a bikini that is barely covering her chest or her behind, every dude on the beach will be oogling her. It’s just the way it is. You have on a spaghetti strap tank top that molds to your body, where are a guys eyes drawn to? mmmhmmm And my oldest looked adorable in them, but she chose, on her own, to wear tops over them.

My 2nd daughter went the more sporty route. She played basketball and tennis. She was in sweatshirts, t-shirts, sports pants, etc. Worked for me. I mean, there’s very little when it comes to revealing apparel in the sporting arena.

Let me state for the record, I’m not talking at all about personal style. You could be goth or punk, rock or western. No matter what style you choose, you have the option of being modest or immodest. I didn’t want my girls to dress in their own personal style, in a way that made them feel like they had to promote their sexuality to get attention.

Their beauty was on the inside. How many girls do we have in this world who are utterly insecure about their looks because they’ve bought into the lie that the only way they’re beautiful is by revealing themselves? Who have listened to what society has determined to be “beautiful”? Who don’t feel like they measure up because the world tells them something different than what really is important? I didn’t want that for my girls.

I did talk to my daughter over the weekend too see if she felt (in this area) that I was too strict or she felt stifled because of my rules. She made sure to let me know that she wasn’t phased by it at all. It was our life. It was a standard set in the beginning, in a loving, guiding way and they knew it wasn’t meant to control or harm them, but out of a love I had for them. I was so thankful for that!

And lest you think I’m some stick in the mud, check out what I allowed my daughter to do when she was 17! We have to pick our battles and my girls growing up with inner beauty was extremely important to me!

My girls are beautiful young ladies and the physical beautiful is only a reflection of the godly beauty that each posses on the inside. I’m so thankful for the gifts my girls are to me and how I’m constantly blessed by them!

The moral of my story, is that yes, you definitely have a say in what your kids wear. You purchase their clothing. You’re the one who sets the standard. You are the parent!

How are you raising your kids in the area of their appearance and their style?