IBN Jeans Giveaway! (closed)

I tell you, I have SO MANY ideas for posts on here, but life happens and it's hard to sit down for 30 minutes of uninterrupted time. Right now it's nap time. One is asleep and the other two are talking themselves to sleep hopefully.

I've had this giveaway for awhile now so I'm glad I FINALLY get to do it!! So Aqil (cool name huh?) from IBN Jeans contacted me and wanted to send some shirts my way. Free shirts to try, heck yeah! Send them on up!!!

This clothing line has reflective logos and material on the shirts and pants. This is great, especially up here in Alaska. Sigh. Fall is basically here and winter will be right behind it! The dark is a comin!

(15 minutes later) Why don't kids want to take a nap! I just changed a poopy diaper and started the "Quiet Time" timer over because my son keeps on talking to me....where were we??

Oh yes, the giveaway!So I asked Aqil to talk about the product some so here he is!

" IBN JEANS (Illuminated By Night) consists of two owners. Saiyd and myself (Aqil). We are both based out of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Saiyd has been sewing and creating clothing since 1974 for everyone including celebrities and the like. I have been designing clothing for myself since the 90's and creating graphic designs since the year 2000 for other clothing lines and local companies. In early 2009 I teamed up with Saiyd and we both thought it would be a good idea to start producing boys clothing because we noticed most startup clothing lines were concentrating on adult and girls clothing. We thought boys would be a good starting point.

The initial idea for the clothing line came to me around the summer 2007, after a family trip to the New Jersey shore. While walking along the boardwalk after sunset with my wife and kids, I noticed how hard it was to keep up with my 8 year old son. He was constantly walking ahead of us and getting lost within the large crowd of people. That evening, I brainstormed on several different ideas to make it easier on me, to keep up with him. Finally, the idea came to me, that he needed something that would allow him to easily be recognized in situations like this. Therefore the high visibility / retro reflective material was a must. When a source of light is shined directly onto the material it creates an illuminating or glowing effect. Reflective materials are also used on stop signs, ambulances, fire fighting uniforms etc.

Our jeans are currently being manufactured but as of now our clothing is not yet online for ordering. However, by submitting your e-mail address to info@IBNJEANS.com you will be notified of any updates. We also produce one of a kind items by request.

Currently IBN JEANS is a boys clothing line. The main focus behind our line is to keep all children safe from everything including moving vehicles to predators. It's important to us that we offer this option to girls clothing as well, so you can expect to see a girls line in the future.

Our company logo and mascot is a picture of a Billy Goat. The logo was chosen after searching for animals that weren't already being used. We hope it wasn't a b-a-a-a-d choice."

Visit IBN Jean's blog to see all the different types of clothing they are going to have! There is a ski coat and pants that would be awesome for kids up here in AK to have on. "Like" their facebook page as well so you will be up to date when the clothes are out for purchase!
Aqil sent me a couple of shirts to give away! I'm keeping the medium for my son and giving away a size LARGE and XLARGE. These sizes are in boys, Kaden is wearing a size medium in the picture and he wears size 4t.

Wanna win a cool shirt for your son?! Just leave a comment and which size you want to be entered to win. You gotta live in Alaska! Please leave an email address to contact you with! I'll pick a winner Sunday night! You will win shirt like my son has on.

If you were curious I have 2 kids asleep and my son is STILL awake whining cause he doesn't want to take a nap. But the whining and bags under hus eyes tell me different!!

Okay go enter to win!

Potter's Marsh

Yesterday was a beautiful day, just like today! I was trying so hard to get the house cleaned and things put away. I think the kids knew it was so nice outside cause they were driving me crazy!

After nap time we headed to Potter's Marsh.

To get to Potter's Marsh take the New Seward HWY south. You will pass Rabbit Creek exit, then lookout for the little brown sign that says "Potter's Marsh parking" then turn left. It is right across the street from the rifle range. Which I think is funny. A bird sancutary that is right across the street from a rifle range.

There had been a lot of work done since the last time I visited. I can't beleive I hadn't taken the kids sooner!!! There is a long boardwalk where the kids can run up and down. It is very stroller friendly.

All along the boardwalk there were really cool signs talking about all there is to see at Potter's Marsh. Kids old and young can actually learn while enjoying the outdoors! This is a cool sign showing the life cycle of salmon.

Speaking of salmon! We got to see lots!! We saw lots of fry (baby salmon) swimming around as well. This is a great place to see them with little ones and out of state guests.

One of the cool thing's about Potter's Marsh is seeing the wildlife. We only saw seagulls, ducks, and Canadian geese this visit, but there are many more birds that frequent this sanctuary. Like the Arctic Tern, did you know it takes the longest journey of any bird! It migrates to Antartica every winter and then comes up here to breed! Crazy! Visit this Fish and Game page to learn about the other birds that visit.

Kaden loved using his binoculars to look at the birds. We did see an eagle while there. We also heard it screeching, which I think sounds so cool. Then it landed in a nearby tree in a nest.

If you are lucky, you'll see moose and muskrat that visit the area. If you haven't been, plan a day to go! Just the surrounding is enough to visit. Turnigan Arm, mountains, fresh air, wildlife....that's what Alaska's about right? Take the kiddos, they will love it!

Then after the kids ran out their energy we went to FireTap for dinner! I would recommend getting there a little early cause it gets crowded fast. But it was VERY kid friendly and we would go back again with the kiddos!

Hunger

A friend posted a convicting story of world hunger here. Please read the post so you'll know what I'm talking about. The photos alone can drop your jaw. Ugh I don't even know where to start? I'm speechless....

 I think of my 3 kids. How cute all the rolls are on them. This baby has no fat, how I wish he did. See I had a hard time reading Jenny's post. Part of me wanted to cry out for these kids who are living day to day asking where their food will come from. I'll be honest, the other part of me wanted to look away and not read any farther. To say that's so sad and move on. I didn't want my true emotions to be involved, wanted to be distant. That isn't here, it's not my problem.

 Really? It's not my problem? How can I think that! I hate even being honest with you, people I don't know, sharing about some of my dark thoughts. Fear of how you will judge me! Wow, how low am I! Why do I CARE about being judged when there are people NOT EATING! This is serious! What kind of bubble am I living in?

 I know world hunger exists with my head, I hear about it all the time. But time and time again, I have not allowed the power of it to affect me. I think it has to do with me being ashamed that I'm not doing anything about it. Or feeling inadequate that I CAN'T do anything about it. So I continue to sit in self pity of how horrible of a person I am for not doing anything and thinking the way I think. Never truly letting it hit my heart.

 But I CAN do something about it! First off I just need to acknowledge that I messed up and ask God for forgiveness. Now I can invest in hurting people and help them. Whether that is send money or resources, or even lending a hand. I can do it even here in Alaska.

 First off, I just want to say that I'm not on here to argue anything about God, religion, whatever. I'm here to talk about hurting people, period. I don't want to argue what religion or non religion you are, there are people, there are KIDS that need our help. Everyone can agree on that statement right?

 So what are we going to do about it? What are you going to do about it? What am I going to do about it? Here are just a couple of places you can help out with. Jenny, from where my post came from, has another post about her visit to Korah. She visits a couple who have opened up Embracing Hope Ethiopia. You can help their ministry helping the poor. World Vision is really credible, I used to sponsor 2 kids when I was in college.

 I also have a friend, Lianne, who is a missionary in Nicaragua at Children of Destiny. Visit their page and you can see how you can sponsor a child or just help them run their facility.

 We have hungry kids right here in Alaska. Just ask teachers who see this everyday at school, sitting next to your well fed child. I only thought it existed over seas, sadly it's here as well. The Children's Lunchbox helps feed local kids. Grandpa from Kids' Kitchen has been feeding kids since 1996. Dare to Care is another non profit that helps give school children food.

 As a mother, I want to teach my kids to care about others. The only way they can learn is seeing it with their own eyes, right? What can we do to give back? To give to those less fortunate. I know at times I struggle looking around my house at some of the crap that I WANTED, not NEEDED. How it's not being used, the money that was wasted. I'm such a consumer. Not all of it is bad. When I buy, especially local, I'm helping pay someone. But what am I doing other then buying for me and my family?

 I want to give back, no I NEED to give back. Not only would I be blessing others but what blessings that would be for my heart. That is what fulfills me, love.

 If you only get one thing out of this post, I hope it's this; we live in a fallen, hurting world and you can help. Start local, in your backyard and make a difference. Do it with your friends and family and it will catch! I always think of the Starfish story when I don't think I can make a difference in this HUGE world. I'll leave you with it.

 "One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?" The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die." "Son," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!" After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then smiling at the man, he said "I made a difference for that one."

 How are you going to make a difference?

Our rainy days have consisted of....

FORTS!

I know here in Alaska it rains a lot during the summer. Sometimes you have to go outside and just play in the rain. But some days I really do not like going out in the rain. Maybe my parents didn't let me play in the rain enough as a kid? Hmmm.

 Anyways, my kids LOVES forts. My son is always building his home behind the curtain. Then he just sits in the window and invites his sisters to come play. What kid doesn't like hiding in a fort! I remember sitting in the closet when I was younger with all My Little Pony's.

  I found some really cool table forts all over blog land. I DID NOT want to pay $200 or it so I made one myself! My kids love it! It covers the kitchen table and it packs away really wasily. Don't mind my lack of ironing. They pretend they are in a rocket ship or a cougar cave. When I go under there with them it brings me back to my childhood.

  My little one loves going in and out of it. They eat their snacks and play for hours under there! I did not come up with this cool idea. I first found it on Homemade By Jill. You can just google play tent in etsy and see some amazing tents!

Here is a tutorial for this cool tent below made from sheets and a hula hoop!

   You don't have to sew to make some forts, just grab some bed sheets!

 Just add some lights, how cool is that! I know I could spend all day in here with a great book. Especially on rainy days like these. My kids would love to read as well!

 So grab what you have on hand and make a fort! Blankets, sheets, pillows, cardboard boxes, cushions, tables, or chairs. You can build a fort city!!! Maybe a fort will give you some free time! Good luck and tell me how it goes!

Indoor Places in Anchorage

 The weather forecast is rain all week, oh yea! (Can you hear the sarcasm?) Summer is coming to an end and rainy season is arriving. Hopefully we will have a couple more pretty days before fall hits us. I have to admit fall is my favorite season! I just wish it lasted longer here.

 There are a couple of cool places you can take the kiddos here in Anchorage on rainy or snowy days. I hope this gives you some ideas when you need to get out of the house!

Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum -- I have not visited here, but if your kiddo loves planes this is the place to go! I hear it's not too kid friendly but lots of planes to look at!

Alaska Museum of Natural History --Toddle Time is GREAT! I love this museum! Very hands on for the kiddos and it's inexpensive. You can dig for dinos, touch lots of animals, play with playdoh and more!

Arctic Gymnastics --This is a HUGE gym for the kiddos to run around in. They have several trampolines, a cheese pit, balls, and lots of stuff to work on motor development. They have open gym Mon-Fri from 9-11a.

Bouncin Bears --Kids can literally bounce off the walls! Prices are a little steep though!

H2Oasis --When school starts, you can bring your toddlers to play! Very cool ship and slides!

Imaginarium --Lots of hands on things. Make huge bubbles, touch starfish, play in a fort and more! You have to pay for entrance to the WHOLE museum which is spendy. Wish you could just pay for the Imaginarium because I don't get to enjoy the rest of the museum with the kiddos. And we don't stay there all day due to nap time....I digress.

Pump It Up --Our favorite bounce place to visit! The price is right as well as the size. The owner is fabulous, area is clean, and you can climb on a moving wall!

If you are going stir crazy, get out of the house and visit one of these places!