**For those of you that are not familiar with what BlogHer is, check it out. I wish I could have gone to the Conference in NYC, but this just wasn’t the year for it. So, I’m doing the next best thing and that’s linking up with other women bloggers who also couldn’t make it.  While a tad sad, we are the ones who get to network in our jammies and with no makeup on if we so choose! **

I’m so excited for the next couple of days.  I’m ecstatic that we get to connect through the No Go BlogHer Blog Hop! Woot! Woot! So a big thanks to @ToBeThode and @MarfMom for this great opportunity! So here it goes….

1. When did you start blogging?

I started blogging almost a year and a half ago. It has taken me this long (mostly my kids fault!) to get my blog to a point that I am super proud of and I finally feel like I have a direction and a goal with it. While I think it will be ever changing in order to reach my goals, i think I’m on my way.

2. Why did you start blogging?

Well, Let’s be honest here and just state the obvious. I’m a stay at home mom to 3 kids, 3 years of age and under. (enough said, right?! I’m crazy!) I don’t get out much. It’s my way of staying connected to the outside world and I’ve fallen in love with the power of words. The power of stories. The power of  laughter and the power of community. Thanks to whomever is responsible for the Internet! : )

3. What is one thing you are going to do this week that is WAY cooler than going to BlogHer?

Cooler than being in NYC with no kids and mingling?! Wow, tough question.

We are celebrating my kids birthdays with my family this week. While it may just seem sweet and not cool, I have to say, I think its awesome! It is in some ways a celebration for me! (I know, seems selfish) I get to celebrate surviving, learning and loving two of the biggest blessings in my life! Eating cake and watching them open gifts from our family is FUN too, of course!

4. Share a post that you think says a lot about you or is your favorite.

http://momwithaminivan.com/2010/08/who-i-am/

It’s time to discuss one of my favorite iPhone apps. It’s truely been helpful in organizing my life and I think some of you might find it helpful as well. It’s called, Intuition.

Intuition's Flower Navigation

Intuition was created to help busy women and moms simplify their lives.  You enter your task, Intuition keeps track of it for you.  So far, myself and other busy women have used Intuition to keep track of over 2,000,000 tasks, grocery items, appointments, to-dos, gift ideas, shopping lists, anniversaries, doctor’s appointments and more! So check her out. Let’s face it, we all need new ways to start simplifying our lives!

So what are some of your favorite Apps that make you say, “Me Likey” ?

I recently ran across this blog post by Christopher Gabriel and I have to say….Its my view of a minivan to a T! I swore that I would never drive one! I grew up in a big family and thus, before the era of mondo-SUV’s driven by tiny women occured, the family vehicle of choice was the mini-van or a woody station wagon. I have to say, I’m glad my parents chose the minivan! Don’t see too many woody wagons around these days. Just a short 3 months after my son was born in 2006, we found out we were expecting my daughter. They were going to be 11.5 months apart! Yes, folks, we had a few months of panic, but then shortly realized we needed whatever vehicle, item, toy, product that was going to make our lives a little easier in anyway.

Our minivan may not be the coolest ride to crank up the music with the windows rolled down, but it sure is the most comfortable and most convenient car I’ve ever been in. Oh, and if you ever get the chance to ride in a minivan, count the cupholders in that one vehicle! My husband proudly announces to whomever will listen that our minivan has 15! Sure, I long for a car someday that doesn’t scream “Soccer Mom!” But for now, I believe that with my current most important job in life, being a mom, there’s a little less stress because I drive a minivan!

My daughter loves our van! She thinks its a jungle gym.

This post was written by many, many moms… please add you’re contributions in the comments section.

You know you’re a mom when:

1. … you can no longer wear black, for fear of massive spit up marks
2. …you sing “Dora Dora Dora the Explorer” in the shower.
3. … you believe that macaroni and cheese should become it’s own food group.
4. … play dates have taken over your life!
5. …you sing to the Elmo CD that is playing on your radio long after you’ve dropped your children off at daycare.
6. …you can’t wait to hug your own kids after you see something troubling on the news.
7. …you lick your finger to wipe the face of a child AND suddenly stop when you realize that child ISN’T YOURS!
8. …your baby is sick down your front. It misses your t-shirt and trickles down your chest and you are actually happy – because now it saves you having to rake around trying to find anything remotely keen to wear.
9. …you reach into your pocket and pull out a crayon, a matchbox car and a dirty sock.
10. …you have no issues sniffing another person’s butt for a poopie diaper.
11. …you think yourself lucky to get out of the house without visible a spit-up
stain.
12. …a night on the town means taking the kids out past 6 pm.
13. …a packet of crisps (chips), and a chocolate bar is considered a hearty breakfast.
14. …you count the days until your next girl’s night.
15. …your purse contains packages of Pepperage farm goldfish, a juice box, assorted wrappers and a binky.
16. …you give up your cool car for a minivan, and within a few weeks, you really start to like the van, and use phrases like “It’s just so convenient.” And you really mean it.
17. …you memorize and juggle more schedules and activities than American Airlines, and when people ask you where you live, you say, “In a tan minivan on I-95″
18. …you end up tying your husband’s shoes, or cutting your in-laws meat, before you realize your doing it.
19. …you ask where “the potty” is.
20. …you look through family pictures, and realize there aren’t very many of you, because you are always behind the camera yourself.
21. …you begin to wonder whether fed-exing the kids to grandma’s is an idea who’s time has come.
22. “whine” is no longer simply red or white.
23. …when people ask you what you do, you tell them you are a “pediatric logistics specialist”!
24. …sleeping in means… sleeping IN the middle of three little bodies!!!
25. …you just gave your kids two kittens even though you’re allergic to cats!
26. …you’d rather listen to your 6 year old’s music than your own.
27. …when you walk into another room in your house to get something and by the time
you get there you forget what you were going to get.

Your turn…

Promo: “Losing Your Religion” from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Feel free to share this with friends, family, coworkers, etc!

Aug 16th  @ 6pm! This is the day that the church pew gets moved from the church building into homes, dorm rooms, community centers and around the entire world all at the same time! What an amazing opportunity for those that are unsure of testing the waters of “church” or for whatever reason, haven’t made church a priority in their lives. Andy Stanley, my all time favorite speaker and leader, will be kicking off with this new series “Losing Your Religion.” Buckle Up and get ready for God to be doing some awesome stuff through this service and YOU!