It's Officially SUMMER for Us!

So after making up days for snow and bad weather, school is finally out and it is OFFICIALLY summer in our house - woohoo! I'm looking forward to spending it with one handsome six year old and a whole-lotta sweetness better known as my 6 month old. It's going to be a fun first summer for my Little Miss and for my Little Mister as a big brother now. We have lots of fun plans and adventures ahead...it all started this morning with a little friendly balloon battle. Nothing like a good balloon fight in the living room! I would love to hear your summer plans, know what you're doing and hear about any adventures you have planned. We're also going to start our Summer Library Program this afternoon - a great way to have some free fun and keep up with those reading skills over the summer. Happy Summer Everyone!!

Vintage Couture - Cute Clothes for Little Angels! Future Giveaway!!

Okay...so I am LOVING Vintage Couture!! Vintage Couture is a line of PRECIOUS clothing and accessories for children and moms. Most of their clothing is for the little ones, but they do offer some GREAT clothes for mom occasionally as well. They have hair bows, blankets, diaper bags, etc. It's SUPER fun, SUPER fashionable and SUPER unique! This is a fairly new line, so you won't see many people wearing it - dress your little one in it and you're sure to be a hit!!

I LOVE that they have super stylish clothing for boys AS WELL as for girls. It's easy to find fun things for my daughter, but not so easy when it comes to my son.

Go to Vintage Couture, scroll to the bottom left-hand corner and click to browse the catalog. For every $100 spent (not necessarily from one person, just any sales that add up to $100), I will be hosting a Vintage Couture giveaway!! This offer will go through the end of May, so pass along to your friends and at the end of May be sure to follow along and look for the giveaway postings. Have fun shopping!!

Where I've Been...

I so love blogging, but I was MIA for awhile...I actually had to cancel a giveaway event and I just kind of went away without warning...Now I'm back and while I won't be blogging AS often as before, I still plan to venture to my blog often to offer up some great deals, fun giveaways and little "mom" tidbits as I live and learn...but I thought I would post a picture to let you know "where I've been" and what has been consuming my time... :)



Since I so often post about my son, "The Short One", who happens to be madly in love with his new sister, I guess I'll have to refer to her as "The Wee One". Hehehe. Looking forward to all the laughter and joy she has to add to our family...

Photo Fave!

I absolutely HAVE to find a contest to enter this picture in...it's just priceless!! Check out how happy my son and his cousins were to participate in two hours of pictures before the wedding in which they were flower girls/ring bearer. Too cute...

Merry Christmas from Game Stop and Today's Mama!

Okay...so I haven't been here in a looong while, but I've had SO much going on, my son started Kindergarten, I took on extra responsibilities at work and I had a new baby!! Ms. Pootie Pants, as her daddy calls her...lol, was born on November 5th. Welcome to the family Pootie Pants!!

I'll admit, while I'm not going to be able to blog to the extent I was blogging before, I am going to try my best to add some posts here and there - after all, I LOVE BLOGGING! And it plays a role in keeping me sane... :)

Today, what better way to get started back than to tell you about an AMAZING giveaway from Gamestop and Today's Mama... you're DEFINITELY going to want to check this out!! Look at my wish list below and create your own wish list on YOUR blog...who knows...one of us might be the lucky winner!!

Here's wishing you and yours and VERY happy Thanksgiving...

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme:

TodaysMama (link to: http://bit.ly/tmwishlist) and GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?
I wish for a happy, healthy and joyous Christmas as we celebrate our first Christmas as a family of four. I wish that we would forever be grateful for what we have, where we have been and what we have become while remembering those less fortunate who could benefit from our prayers and good deeds. Ultimately, I wish that as we celebrate, we would remember and instill in our children the TRUE meaning of Christmas...our Savior, Jesus Christ.

2. What is your Christmas morning tradition?
We always get up and see what Santa has brought, then cook a big breakfast for my parents, brother and grandparents...they come over to eat and see Santa's stash! It's always fun to get together early in the morning before the festivities of the day really begin!

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?
A new wardrobe!!! Ha! Since I'm two weeks out from having a baby, NOTHING fits...and going back to work full time in January just can't be done naked...hehehe. :)

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?
Homemade decorations with my five year old son, reading books together and Bible stories, singing carols, going to look at Christmas lights, making Christmas lists, visiting local Christmas celebrations - so much to do as a family!

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?
I had the very first, basic Nintendo - haha! We were also fans of childhood games such as Sorry, Candy Land, Operation, Life and Go Fish.

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?
Our Christmas morning breakfast, which used to be at my mom's, now is at my house.

7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip?
Would LOVE to go to New York to see the lights - I've never been to New York!!

8. Check out GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?
Definitely an XBox 360 console for my son - and the Kinect is a must! He wants one SO bad!! Second on the list would be the game Kinectimals...he thinks that's the coolest thing ever when he sees it advertise, and third would be some games for my brother, brother in law and cousins for their gaming consoles for Christmas...would love to be able to get them some games, which we usually can't afford as Christmas gifts. Here's crossing my fingers for that lucky gift card!! :)

Public or Private School - THAT is the Question!

Let's debate for a moment...public or private school? My son will begin kindergarten next year and I'm having a VERY difficult time deciding where to send him. You would think it would be an easy decision since I work for a public school, but alas...that makes my decision more difficult! If I take him to school with me, he would have to leave between 6:15 and 6:30 each morning...and not get home until 4:30. It would make for a long day and he wouldn't even be with me - I work in a 3rd-5th grade school. He would be at the K-2 school which is on campus, but still not the same building. It would enable me to be close for school events, parties and field trips...but make it difficult to return at night and on weekends for special school events, programs, sports and birthday parties. If I send him to the public school directly across the street from my home, he would get to "sleep in", but I don't know much about the teachers there and he would still have to be in an after school program until I could pick him up in the afternoon. Not to mention our school calendars are different - he would have spring break during a different week, different weather days and start/finish days.

We HAVE looked into several private schools, one we "like" another we LOVE. However, the one we love is rather pricey. I'm not even sure we could do it. Their schooling is phenomenal and their ratio is between 5:1 and 5:8 - AMAZING! Their graduate rate and scholarship rate is out of this world and the extra curriculars are great. It's down town from where we live and my husband could drop him off there in the mornings, but he would still be in after school. The private school we could afford has a better Bible program, but not a great ratio (better than public school) and their Math program STINKS. I can say this because I taught it for years and I'm not sure I could actually PAY someone to teach it to my child. It will remain nameless so as not to step on any toes. ;)

After talking to LOTS of friends and family members, I get mixed feedback. From someone who taught in private schools for years, sent her child and now teaches in a public school...she says "don't waste your money". From another who sent one child to public and one child to private - two schools I'm actually looking at - she says the difference between her two children and their experiences is AMAZING and she wishes she had sent them both to private school. From yet another, I was told she removed her child from private school because it was no better than the public school down the road. From yet another, his children graduated from the "better" of the private schools and one is now an attorney, another is at a Fine Dance Academy in New York. What to do, what to do?? The stories and advice go on...

And so my husband says, and I believe, if it is God's will, he will make a way and provide - which I believe. The problem I am having is differentiating between what I want and what GOD wants...I need Him to write it across my forehead! AND to make things more difficult, schools begin registering next month...and private schools will fill up quickly... HELP!!

I would love to hear your stories and advice...at this point, I keep wavering and honestly...I don't know what I'm going to do. I just want what's best for my son...and...I would LOVE to hear your opinions.

So the question is...public...or private?

Picture Perfect

So we're under ANOTHER Winter Storm Warning tonight - and I'm LOVING it!! 2-4 inches of snow?? That NEVER happens twice in a week in Alabama...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. From our house to yours, Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm in Love...

I want to take a moment to wish each and everyone of you a VERY Happy Valentine's Day! As I was laying down my sweet son for his nap, he laid his head on me, grinned with his eyes closed and said, "I'm in love"...then he giggled and said, really I am momma, really I am...with you. And, I too, am in love with him...because on Valentine's Day and always...it's not always the love between a husband and wife or significant other that is celebrated...but the love we have for our family, our friends and all mankind...because God first loved us. Here are a few of my favorite scriptures on love...may God bless you with a happy, healthy Heart Day...

Song of Solomon 8:6
Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death...

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life...

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply...

1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Thank you to each of you who have asked about my sweet four year old son and his recent doctor's appointment. I ask that each of you please keep him, who I often refer to on Champagne Wisdom as The Short One, in your prayers. After an appointment with his pediatrician, then blood work and an ultrasound, they are sending him to Children's Hospital for more tests on February 22nd. Because I love him, deeper than I ever knew I could love, I ask that you pray for God's ultimate healing in his precious little body. May God bless you for each prayer you speak in His name...

Check out Simply Stacie's Feature of Champagne Wisdom!

A HUGE thank you goes out to Stacie Vaughan, the owner of the FABULOUS review site, Simply Stacie. Stacie was so kind to feature Champagne Wisdom on her blog - yay! You can find the feature article here - check it out and let me know what you think! You'll definitely want to follow Stacie's Blog - she hosts reviews and giveaways for readers in both the US and Canada. Thanks again, Stacie!

Healthy Child, Healthy World

I recently received the following video in my inbox from Healthy Child, Healthy World...asking me to share it. Wow. Gladly. Simple, yet powerful. And, I thought...what better video to share with a giveaway from EcoStore USA coming up within the week. You'll definitely want to watch for that one.

A wake up call...Change the world...one child at a time...

I Need YOU to Help My School Win...Bribery with a Giveaway!

So I have a HUGE favor to ask...pretty please, pretty please, pretty please?? It will only take you a MINUTE, seriously, and you will have done your good deed for the day! I am trying to win a grant for OIS, the school where I teach, for $200 and a Flip Camera. The goal is to use the money to purchase books and then use the Flip Camera to record teachers and community members reading, then upload those videos to our library's website, along the lines of Storyline Online. BUT, in order to win, I need to be one of the top five participants with the most votes - will you help by voting for my grant proposal??

All you have to do is:

1. Go to the We Are Teachers website.

2. In the middle of the page it will say "Search Microgrant Projects". The first search box will say "search all projects" ... in the second box, type my name - Jamie Champagne. Click search.

3. This will pull up my microgrant and from there, you'll just click on "Vote For Me" and fill in your information.

I would LOVE for you to spread the word via twitter, blogging, Facebook, etc. I am giving away one coupon for a FREE DiGiorno Pizza to one lucky voter. The coupon expires February 28th, so we'll close voting on February 14th so I can get the coupon to you in time to use it. Once you vote, please leave a comment below. If you spread the word, have anyone who votes because of your "word of mouth" leave a comment with their name AND your name - and you'll both be entered (You can gain multiple entries this way). Be sure to leave a comment for each thing you do - twitter, facebook, blog, send an email, etc. Thanks so much for helping the students of OIS!!

Getting to Know You

This is a fun idea from a fellow blogger. Answer the questions and click on the button below to link up YOUR blog to the original post. I would also love you to leave a comment here with a link to your answers. I would love to see them! :) Here's a bit more about me (questions via Mann Land 5). Thanks for the fun!

1. Waffles, pancakes or french toast?
That's a hard one. I typically don't like sweet stuff for breakfast, I'm a biscuits, eggs and grits kind of gal. But, if I had to pick...waffles - Kashi with blueberries!

2. Dream home..What would it look like?
I don't even know! I'm perfectly happy where I am! If I had a bigger house, would I have to clean it?? I would LOVE to have a home with a veranda and porch swing...ah...relaxation.

3. Favorite sport to watch during the Winter Olympics?
Ice Skating, most definitely

4. The first word that comes to mind when describing yourself?
Energetic

5. Dresses, pants (jeans, leggings, etc.) or skirts?
Pants in the winter, skirts in the summer

6. What is your favorite time of day?
When I come home from work each afternoon and get to spend time with my family...5:00ish

7. Beach or Mountains..which do you prefer?
Mountains

8.Will you watch the Super Bowl?
In years past, I would have said no...but this year, we're having a party!! Uh - YES!! I'm a Saints fan, so...Geaux Saints!! WHO DAT!

Go here to link up and answer the questions!

Dear Lincoln Logs:

Dear Lincoln Logs,

I love you. My son has been playing with you for hours. I was worried. He's quiet. He is still. He isn't jumping off the couch, spinning like a top on the floor, jumping on the bed, going through the pantry, climbing in a chair, riding on the dog or "creating" with spoons, underwear, crayons, jewelry or other things he's found in mommy and daddy's drawers. He's. Just. Sitting. And...building. He's built a house. He's built a fort. He's now building a fence. He's not asking for help. He's not talking at all. He's not about to fall off something. He's sitting. On BOTH butt cheeks. What do you put in your blocks? Is it magic dust? I hope it's not harmful. It must be awfully powerful to have such control over my usually "active" son. Movies can't do it. Activity or coloring books can't do it. Cooking with mommy can't do it. Playing GI Joe with daddy can't do it. How do YOU do it? He's been in his playroom for over an hour. I keep peeking in on him because it is SO quiet in there. I mean scary quiet. Spiderman can't do this. Batman can't do this. The Green Lantern can't do this. The Leapster can't do this. I. need. more. blocks. I promise to buy every new set you come out with if you will please make more. I need a set for every room, the cars and preschool. Will you send me the recipe?

Sincerely...

The Short One's Mom

Hurting for Haiti

My prayer is for peace, comforting, renewal and miracles for the people of and in Haiti during yesterday's disaster. While not all of us are in places to offer financial support, we are all able to offer up prayer for those touched by this devastating event. The most powerful gift we can give is that of prayer. I hope you'll join me in lifting up Haiti this week and in the weeks to come. If you're able to offer financial assistance, here is a wonderful list of organizations to go through via Karen Kingsbury. Karen's three sons are adopted from Haiti. Josh's (one of Karen's sons) birth mother is currently unaccounted for...please remember them in your prayers. Thanks, Karen, for this call to action:

World Vision:
A Christian version of Red Cross - another great humanitarian organization. World Vision is set up and working to help people in the numerous locations in Haiti where their people are stationed. Even now World Vision is rallying food, water, blankets, tents, and emergency medical help. Your donation will be immediately felt with World Vision.

Hands and Feet Project
A grassroots organization that does an amazing job of caring for orphans and abandoned children and teaching the next generation about Jesus. Karen is personally connected to this group and believes deeply in their efforts.

Heart of God Ministries
A ministry that once included the orphanage where Karen adopted her three boys. Today they work exclusively in the revival, restoration and recovery of Haiti.

Lifeline Christian Mission
A ministry that works year-round in the support and spiritual growth of people in Haiti. This group is smaller, but very effective in their place in the city.

This is What Happens When It Snows in Alabama

There's something magical about snow falling - especially when you live in a state that rarely sees it. So the weather was calling for snow - and the state went berserk! That's what happens when you live in Alabama and the weather says "SNOW"! The prediction went from 7" to 1-2" to less than 1/2"...and it ended up, the ground wasn't even covered. However, it caused problems with the roads - icy patches - so, schools closed early yesterday and remained closed today. You see, we don't have all the high-tech snow equipment in Alabama to take care of that...so, things shut down temporarily. IT IS FREEZING! Literally. And...I LOVE it! The Short One has seen one snow in his life, when he was 2, almost 3...and it was a pretty one - about 1". I would LOVE for him to see a better snow - but we may have to go somewhere else to see it. When it snows here it means no travel, closed roads, downed power lines...the works. But - while it was snowing yesterday, it was like a Winter Wonderland. You see children bundled up outside trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues, spinning around with their arms out and doing their best to scoop up enough for a snowball, because...it's a rarity. I am loving sitting inside our warm home, in front of the fire with a cup of coffee. I'm also praying for all of those who do not have the luxury, that they will find warmth and shelter.

Now...onto the above picture...can you BELIEVE that these ducks are frozen?!?! As I said, we don't have much experience with snow and cold weather, so when my dad saw these ducks, he asked me to drive by and see what I thought. He told me they had NOT moved in three days...and he thought they were frozen...hmmm....so, I drove by with my camera, and sure enough, those things didn't budge. I pulled the car up RIGHT next to the little pond, The Short One screaming all the while, "Don't get too close, mom, the ice will crack and we'll sink!"...lol. Then he proceeded to ask me all kinds of questions like...will the ducks fly away when they thaw out? Ummm... My husband seems to think they're still alive. He said their feet are probably still churning under the water and they'll be just fine. I think not. They're FROZEN. Not moving. Seriously...HOW did that happen?? Overnight as they were sleeping?? Wow. Cold weather in Alabama throws EVERYTHING off track...even the animals...

Roll Tide!

Okay, so I can't NOT post a little blog shout out to my Alabama Football Team...it's been a long time coming and I am so proud to say, they've earned their way to a National Championship. You see, football is a huge tradition in the state of Alabama. We live it. Breathe it. Dream about it. Football season is a season for family, food, fun...and of course...football! My husband is from Louisiana and a MAJOR LSU fan, so...Nick Saban coaching there before he came to Alabama is a big deal...and... you could say we have fun around football season...a house divided. But, we root for our SEC teams as long as...they're not playing one another. Whether it's Geaux Tigers or Roll Tide, you'll find us watching our teams as they take the field all throughout football season. We had the good fortune of attending the Alabama vs. LSU game this year and let's just say, while we had a blast, it was a bit more fun for ME than it was for him...hehehe. Regardless, it was the perfect date day...I mean, it ended with an evening at The Cheesecake Factory, so we sat, he in his purple and gold, me in my crimson and white, we shared a piece of cheesecake and...we made up. ;)

The Short One remains confused...he owns an Alabama t-shirt, LSU rocking chair, Alabama jersey, LSU jersey, Alabama shaker, LSU hat...and so goes the list...but I think eventually I'll be able to sway him to go with "the good guys". Football here is serious business. And while I might be able to find it in my heart to fund a future college degree from LSU, I just don't think I could bring myself to send him to Auburn...*cringe*. So, all in fun, here are a few Alabama Football Statistics for you...

The University of Alabama was founded in Tuscaloosa in 1831, but it wasn’t until 1892 that the football team took the field for the first time. There has probably been no program that has meant as much to the identity of its home state as Alabama. Alabama can claim at least a share of 12 National Championships and make a good argument that it was unfairly denied a few others. The Tide have also claimed 21 SEC Championships. Alabama has had 30 ten win seasons, played in 53 bowl games and won 30 bowl games, which are all NCAA records. Ninety-one Alabama players have been All-Americans, but they have not had one Heisman trophy winner - until this year when Ingram was named Alabama's first Heisman recipient.

There is a long list of players that could be considered as Alabama’s best: Joe Namath, Johnny Mack Brown, Lee Roy Jordan, Ozzie Newsome, John Hannah, Cornelius Bennett, Derrick Thomas and Shaun Alexander. But if forced to choose most people would say wide receiver Don Hutson, not just for his accomplishments at Alabama but also his contribution to the NFL afterwards.

Alabama’s biggest rival is easily the Auburn Tigers and it is perhaps the number one rivalry in all of sports. When the two teams first started playing each other the rivalry got so heated and ugly that arguments and fights arose. After 41 years of refusing to play each other the two sides finally agreed to face off once again, but only if they played at a neutral site in Birmingham. Just about every single living soul in the state of Alabama is either an Alabama or Auburn fan.

I say it's great, to be, from Ala-bama. Roll Tide Roll! Way to go boys, way to go...