Family * Travel * Food

Save at Kroger with Cart Busters {Rafflecopter Giveaway}

Beginning the week of February 26th, 2012, shop the Kroger Co. Family of Stores biggest-ever promotion and find the hottest prices around on more than 35 brands, across more than 60 categories from General Mills, P&G, Pepsi, Nestle, Kraft and Kroger Banner Brands. During the Cart Buster Savings Event, you’ll find great savings in almost every department at the Kroger Family of Stores. Be sure to check your local store to confirm dates of the Cart Buster event.

This is such a good time to stock up and combine coupons for added savings. I am running low on a lot of household items so this is one of those sales that I take full advantage of!

Looking for even more ways to save time and money? Visit CartBuster.com beginning 2/26/12 to find money-savings digital coupons, shopping lists and more. And starting 2/29/12 you can participate in the “Deal of the Day”! How does the Deal of the Day work? 


* During seven days of the Cart Buster Savings Event, 2/29/12 - 3/6/12, there will be a super hot, exclusive offer good on one participating Cart Buster item. Each offer will be exclusive and available for one-day only – but the offer will be good for the duration of the entire event. 
* You’ll see savings of up to and over 50% with the Deal of the Day offers – maybe even some freebies - and that’s on top of the already-low, low prices that Cart Buster has to offer! 
* Look for seven days of “Deal of the Day offers” beginning 2/29/12. The Last Deal of the Day offer will be up on 3/6/12. But don’t fret - the Cart Buster event will continue even after the Deal of the Day ends. Check your local store for the exact end date for the Cart Buster Savings Event.

Giveaway: One Momfiles reader will win a $25 Kroger gift card, good at any of the Kroger Family stores. Enter below in the Rafflecopter widget:

This contest is open to US Residents only and will end on March 12, 2012. Please leave your email address in your comment if you do not have a Blogger profile. Failure to follow the rules will disqualify your entries. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!
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I really need to do better

Most people think I am the most organized person they know. This might be true in some areas in my life but lacks so badly in others. I have been doing a really bad job with my food/household item spending. I think from watching Extreme Couponing and seeing all of the people in the stores with monster-sized binders I have become very turned off by it all. Strange huh? Usually shows like that and seeing people save a ton of money should be motivating. It's just not the case for me. I have decided that I need to take action and maximize my dollars. I am starting with picking one day a week to do grocery shopping. I will make an organized list and use coupons accordingly. This will mean meal planning. I think I can only meal plan for up to a week. I have been noticing the popular trend of "freezer meals". I need to look into that. If I stick to that plan maybe it will keep me out the store more and save not only on impulse purchases but also fuel.

Speaking of fuel, I was startled to see that some cities have already hit the $5 and some change bracket. That scares me since I do a lot of local back and forth driving. We decided as a family that we will not be doing much dining out or even attend birthday parties of other social events that can add up. It sounds like we are being cheap but the bottom line is what the heck do you do if an emergency hits? I know that I plan on keeping my rainy day fund! I have been very free with my spending lately and I know I need to do better. I had to go on Budget Billing with our power company since the weather has been so wacky. To say that we have not had too many freezing days I still have seen so higher than normal bills. Maybe I cook too much? Wash too much? Who knows, I just figured if I publicly talk about what I need to do I might feel pressured to keep at it.

Do you have any strategies in place to keep your finances in check? Do you have any meal planning sites you can share? Thank you, I need all the help I can get!

Shelly, Mom Files
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Go AWAY Spring!

I know everyone will think I am insane but I feel royally ripped off that winter really never happened this year. I really enjoy chilly days, sipping hot beverages,  wearing boots and sweaters and sitting by the fireplace. We burned one fire this year. One. I feel like I have to refrain from turning on the air conditioner because it is getting too warm in the house. If I open the windows we all start sneezing from all the pollen that is blowing in. I can't win.
I won these super cute boots by Crocs (who knew they made boots?) from Army Wife 101 and I don't think I will get to wear them this year. As a matter of fact I actually purchased some gorgeous black boots and have worn them maybe 3 times so far. I am truly a cold weather lover. I love open-toe shoes but it seems wrong to be wearing flip flops in February. I guess I better not complain. It beats being stuck in winter storms, right? I am so not looking forward to what the summer will be like. It scares me to think how hot it will be. Hopefully before the actual winter season is over we will be lucky enough to get a few cold days.

So what's the winter been like in your city?

Shelly, Mom Files
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Seventh Generation "Lorax Approved" Giveaway

There is a new arrival of products from Seventh Generation that are gentle on your baby or toddler, safe for the planet, convenient and most importantly, "Lorax approved"! In partnership with Universal Studios’ motion picture debut of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax* also known as the “Speaker for the Trees” who brings environmental truth and ecological hope to all, Seventh Generation will feature limited edition Lorax prints on all their diapers and training pants. These prints are intended to remind parents and caregivers of the lessons of The Lorax, and encourage family reading and environmental awareness while creating a few smiles.

The Seventh Generation family of Free & Clear baby products continues to deliver on your needs as it expands in March, with the addition of NEW Overnight Diapers. Moreover, Free & Clear diapers have been redesigned with new, improved tabs for better fit while Free & Clear training pants now have an absorbent core that is made with more renewable materials.

As a MyBlogSpark member, I received a prize pack containing a pack of  Seventh Generation Free & Clear Training pants and a copy of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax storybook. These training pants are so cute and are free of chlorine processing, free of fragrances and latex and are also very absorbent. We still use training pants for our son at night so these are great! William is completely into all things The Lorax so he is enjoying the cute designs. Starting March 2, you can register for a free The Lorax scrapbook with the purchase of any three Free & Clear diaper products, until supplies last
We are LOVING our copy of the book The Lorax as well. I read it to my son last night and he was completely drawn into the story. He has been convincing his big sisters to read it too him too. I love that the book is printed on recycled paper.  The Lorax storybook is a fun way to teach our little ones how important our planet earth is.

How would you like to win a Seventh Generation Diaper Product and a copy of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax storybook? One lucky Momfiles reader will win this cute prize pack. Just enter in the Rafflecopter widget below:
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Wordless Wednesday

One perk of being a review blogger... lots of empty boxes to play in!


Shelly, Mom Files
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Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Prize Pack Giveaway

DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX will be in theaters March 2! We are looking forward to it especially because our almost 4 year old son shows great interest in it. I just love the story behind The Lorax. Recycling, repurposing, reusing and being kind to our environment is important to my family. Hey, I want a Truffula Tree and would love a hug from a Bar-Ba-Loot! :) From the looks of the trailer, I am sure the movie will be amazing! I showed it to my teenager daughters and they want to see it as well.
If you are a Facebook user, you are encouraged to join The Lorax in speaking for the trees and to add a Truffula Tree to your Facebook profile picture. Your participation builds awareness for the reforestation efforts taking place with The Atlantic Forest in Brazil, which has been generously supported through a contribution made to The Nature Conservancy by Universal Pictures. I very proudly changed my profile picture to show my support :)
Bar-Ba-Loots are adorable bear-like creatures who live to play games and eat sweet fruits in Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, a 3D-CGI comic adventure from the creators of Despicable Me and the imagination of Dr. Seuss. Credit: Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment
Check out the trailer:
 

About the Film

Genre: 3D-CG feature 
Cast: Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Ed Helms, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle and Betty White 
Directed by: Chris Renaud 
Co-Director: Kyle Bald 
Written by: Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio 
Produced by: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy  DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX will be in theaters March 2!
Executive Producers: Audrey Geisel, Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio 


From the creators of Despicable Me and the imagination of Dr. Seuss comes the 3D-CG feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, an adaptation of the classic tale of a forest creature who shares the enduring power of hope. The animated adventure follows the journey of a 12-year-old as he searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world. Danny DeVito will lend his vocal talents to the iconic title character of the Lorax, while Ed Helms will voice the enigmatic Once-ler. Also bringing their talents to the film are global superstars Zac Efron as Ted, the idealistic youth who searches for the Lorax, and Taylor Swift as Audrey, the girl of Ted’s dreams. Rob Riggle will play financial king O’Hare, and beloved actress Betty White will portray Ted’s wise Grammy Norma. 
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is the third feature created by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me, Hop). 
www.theloraxmovie.com

Stay connected with Dr. Seuss' The Lorax on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

For the giveaway:
One (1) winner will receive:
• Lorax T-shirt
• Lorax Tote Bag
• Truffula Tree Pencils
• Lorax Mustache
• Lorax Activity Card
 Prize Pack valued at $30, courtesy of Universal Pictures

Enter in the widget below and be sure to complete the mandatory entry to qualify for extra entries.
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Old Orchard Cranberry Naturals Juice Review + Giveaway


I received a couple bottles of Old Orchard Cranberry Naturals juice to try out in the Cranberry-Grape and Cranberry-Raspberry varieties. I was a bit hesitant to taste the juices because it is a "reduced calorie" drink. It is naturally sweetened with Truvia and I just wasn't sure what I would think. Truvia is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener that is made from the stevia plant. Since it is natural there is no effect on blood sugar or glycemic index. This is good news since I have found that "diet" drinks make me put on weight!

I tasted the Cranberry-Raspberry and to my surprise it was very crisp and refreshing with the right amount of tart/sweet balance. I served some to some guests that visited my house over the weekend and I asked them if they liked it. Everyone said that it was good and had a nice flavor. When I told them it was sweetened with Truvia they thought I was lying! Even my hard to fool husband was impressed with the taste and did not notice the difference from the regular blends.

You might already know that cranberry juice is a great source of natural vitamins and minerals that are very effective in the treatment of urinary tract, bladder and kidney infections. Cranberries are also packed with antioxidants that help protect against heart disease and cancer. I think with all the benefits cranberry juice beverages provide and the fact it is naturally sweetened and lower in calories is a winner for me and my family. You can check out this link to find a store near you that carries the Old Orchard brand.

Would you like to try out the bold and delicious taste of Old Orchard Cranberry Naturals juices for yourself? I have coupons for FREE 64 oz size bottles for 2 (two) Momfiles readers to win. The prize is 2 coupons for a FREE bottle as well as 2 money saving coupons for 50 cents off. You can enter in the widget below. Be sure to complete the mandatory entry so your extra entries count.

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Publix Italian Days Giveaway


Hey guys! Publix is having their 'Italian Days' beginning today, February 16th-29th. During this time you can save big on items to make all your favorite Italian themed dishes. Participating brands include: Progresso, Green Giant, Muir Glen and others. There will also be coupons in-store to maximize your savings. We are planning an Italian night on Saturday and we will have the Meatballs and Twisters pictured below. I already know my family will love it!


While visiting Italian Days at Publix from February 16th through February 29th, you can also enter the Taste the Tradition Italian Days Sweepstakes for a chance to be 1 of 500 shoppers that will win a $100 Publix® gift card, sponsored by General Mills.


To enter to win the Taste the Tradition Italian Days Sweepstakes and download great coupon savings and delicious recipes, look in-store or follow the instructions below:


Click – Stay up to date with the latest General Mills promotions happening at Publix, by visiting ClickCallMail.com. Once you’re registered and logged in, you can participate in any the current promotions.
Call – If you’d prefer to enter the sweepstakes and participate in other promotions via telephone, feel free to call the General Mills hotline, at 1.800.627.6059, and be sure to say that you want to enter the 2012 Italian Days Sweepstakes. Please be sure to provide your complete contact information (Full name/address/zip code/phone #).
Mail – If you prefer to participate via mail-in entry, print and mail your complete contact information (Full Name/address/zip code/phone #) to 2012 Italian Days Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 44257, Atlanta, Georgia 30336.

Giveaway: One lucky Momfiles reader will win a $25 Publix gift card! Enter below in the Rafflecopter widget. Please complete the mandatory entry to make the extra entries count.
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Bringing Sexy back to laundry | Review & Giveaway

Okay, okay well maybe laundry is not all that sexy. I tell you what though, it can be with some help! I received the latest Gain products to test out. Of course I am a cleaning supply freak so I was quite excited to say the least. I got the Gain Dreamy Desire fabric softener, Gain Fireworks In-wash scent booster in Sweet Sizzle and Gain Forget Me Not dryer bar in Flirty Fresh. Do you see where I am going with the whole sexy thing?

These scents are insanely wonderful! I won't lie... although I had already done laundry the day before, I created loads of towels, sheets and miscellaneous things around the house to get to test out these new items. I know, I need to seek counseling or something for my strange addiction :-)

My thoughts are as I expected them to be...LOVED them ALL! The Dreamy Desire liquid fabric softener has such a smooth and seductive scent. It left my sheets static-free and quite soft and fresh. I might or might not have also added a shake or two of the Fireworks In-wash booster... I won't tell! It might or might not have me still sniffing my sheets and pillowcases. Last but not least, the Forget me not dryer bar. What can I say? Gain products are addictive. I can't get enough of it! I wonder if the family would notice if I used them around the house for other things rather than laundry? Actually, the teenagers might not mind because they are just as obsessed as I am! hehehe

Guess what? My friends at Gain want one lucky Momfiles reader to experience the freshness, softness and lusciousness for themselves. You can win the same products I received (pictured above). Enter in the Rafflecopter widget below. Be sure to complete the mandatory entry method so that your extra entries will count.
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#MyBlogSpark Big G Retro cereal Rafflecopter Giveaway

A few days ago I received a fun prize pack from MyBlogSpark that really took me back to being a kid. I got 2 boxes of General Mills cereal, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Cheerios in very funky retro boxes. I also received a $10 gift card to Target to purchase the other participating Big G cereals in the "throwback" boxes as well (participating items include: Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.), Lucky Charms® (16 oz.), Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Cheerios® (18 oz.) and Cocoa Puffs® (16.5 oz.)) as a code to download "Atari 80 Classic Games in 1". Remember Asteroids, Centipede and Gravitar? Oh man, those are the true classic games right there! The 80's were amazing and this prize pack will surely take you there!

It is Atari’s 40th Anniversary this year. Be sure to check out GrocerySavvy.com and test your online Atari gaming skills at Asteroids while also entering in a sweepstakes for chance to win Target gift cards and Atari merchandise.


How would you like to win one of these Big G Retro prize packs? One lucky Momfiles reader can win one. Enter at the widget below and please be sure to complete the mandatory entry in order for the extra entries to count. 
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Celebrate family night with Coca-Cola & American Idol {Giveaway}

Although it may not feel like winter, there is still enough of a chill in the air that most folks are staying indoors, especially for family time. At our house we have been enjoying more comforting meals with plenty of Coca-Cola and watching a lot of football, basketball  and some of our favorite shows or movies together. Some days we just hang out and talk for hours. 
This winter, as a sponsor of American Idol, Coca-Cola is looking to spice up the colder months with the Coca-Cola Family Night initiative on MCR.com. At MCR.com/family, you can find exciting contests, instant wins, rewards, recipes and games—with many fun American Idol based activities for your family! 
My daughters are big American Idol fans and have been watching for years now. I checked out the site and found some neat game ideas that our family would love like, "The Silent Game". Hey, it can get rowdy and loud with 5 people in the house so something quiet would be nice for a change :)

I was thrilled to receive this fantastic American Idol themed prize pack that came with (1) Handheld Camcorder (1) American Idol – The Hits Volume 1 CD (1) Coca-Cola and Pringles coupon. This prize is valued at over $100 and we LOVE it! The mini camcorder has some great features including a ruggedized exterior, 2.3" screen, full HD 30p (1920x1080), waterproof, shockproof and dustproof. It is VERY nice! The girls love the CD especially since they know and love all of the songs. We also will gladly enjoy getting $1 off Coca-Cola and Pringles. We are big snackers at our house!
I am so excited that Coca-Cola is providing the same prize pack for one lucky Momfiles reader to win! Don't you want this prize?! Entering is easy, just follow the directions below and make sure you complete the mandatory entry method first.
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Running out? Run in. | Publix Rafflecopter $25 gift card giveaway

Contest Closed- Winner is #440 Omeisha Jones. Congratulations!

Do you ever go to grab something and realize you have run out? It always seems to happen to me all at the same time. Well Publix is running a great deal with the "Running Out? Run In." event at your local Publix store taking place, February 9th through February 14th. The deal is that you receive a $5 Publix® gift card to use on your next shopping trip when you purchase $30 or more in participating items during the event (2/8 – 2/25); simply mail in the rebate form found in-store or online at runningoutrunin.com along with your original receipt(s).

From Feb. 9th through Feb. 14th, look for the “Running Out? Run In.”event at your local Publix store and “run in,” to take advantage of the great savings available on some of your favorite brands from General Mills and Procter & Gamble, including Yoplait yogurt, Cheerios, Charmin, and Crest. Also, don’t forget to look in-stores for over $14 in coupon savings – coupons are valid Feb. 6 through Feb. 25. I am going there tomorrow after school to get some much needed laundry detergent, toilet paper and toothpaste.

To help you take advantage of these great savings, Publix and MyBlogSpark is providing 1 lucky Momfiles reader with a $25 Publix gift card. Enter below:
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And it hit me...

I was just blow-drying my hair when I glanced over at the burgundy velvet box that was sitting on the dresser. Inside the box are the most gorgeous gold hoop earrings my husband bought for me as an anniversary gift. I love them so much that I decided I would only wear them for special occasions and if I am not wearing them, they would be tucked safely away in the box. Then I thought to myself...wait... why am I not wearing them right now? Last time I checked, EVERY day is a special occasion! I decided that I will wear the earrings as often as I want and enjoy them fully! What good do they do me if they are sitting in the jewelry box? I challenge everyone to eat your weekday dinner on that fine china that sits up on a high shelf. Grab those crystal goblets and drink Kool-aid out of them! Forget the holidays, silverware can be everyday ware! Why keep the special stuff locked up when we can be enjoying them NOW!

Shelly, Mom Files
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Undoing the damage I have caused

This post has been sitting tucked away in my brain for some time now. Perhaps you can call it out of sight, out of mind. You might even call it denial. I have been slowly suffering inside from guilt. I do the best job I can at being a great mother. So far, I have succeeded and my kids are happy, well-rounded individuals. I do have one secret though. I have over-mothered little William. What does that mean? Well I have ruined this child by doing WAY too much for him. I do EVERYTHING for him. It's such a shame. He is a very well-mannered and sweet child but there is one problem... He can't do a lot for himself because I have him conditioned to me doing it for him.


I am feeling so much anxiety as I type this post. I am so embarrassed by how much the average 2 year old can do for themselves and how pampered my boy is. I don't even make him pull his own underwear up. It has finally hit me that I need to get William in a more independent mode if he is going to start kindergarten in Fall 2013. I never thought I would spoil a child like I have with this last one. I am too ashamed to tell you the extent of how bad it is.


Thankfully I have been able to recognize what I am doing wrong and have made a vow to make it right.

Have you ever encountered this type of situation raising your children? 

Shelly, Mom Files
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Purex Triple Action detergent {Rafflecopter Giveaway}

Hey guys! I received my latest Purex Insider package that included the new Purex Triple Action detergent in the Mountain Breeze scent. This detergent is made to whiten and brighten your clothing at a great, low price. I put it to the test on some old towels we use for mishaps around the house. We had some water come in through our back door and it made a mess in our mud room. I went through 4 towels and they were disgusting! I threw them in the washer with a capful of Purex Triple Action and they came out great--No stains! I didn't even use bleach! If you want to prove it to yourself about how well this new formula works, you can request a FREE sample right here.

Giveaway: Three Momfiles readers will win a coupon good for one FREE bottle of new Purex Triple Action detergent. Enter below:
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Momfiles in NYC for COOL WHIP

Hey guys! I wanted to share some exciting news with you about a fun campaign I was chosen to be a part of representing the COOL WHIP brand. They were looking for busy moms who do the extra special things for their families and they thought I fit the description well. So during the first week of January, I flew into New York City along with 3 lovely ladies to participate in a photo shoot for an upcoming ad that will debut in April in some major magazines for COOL WHIP.  How cool is that?! To say I was excited about getting to go to New York City would be an understatement. Although my trip was short, I enjoyed every minute of my time there. I won't lie; I was a bit afraid of flying by myself. I had not been on a commercial plane since I was a child and I flew on a small plane 18 years ago to go on my honeymoon. I felt like a newbie. The great part is it was not as bad as I was expecting and I am really glad that both flights went smoothly and on time. I was more afraid of the airport than the actual flying, but now I feel like a pro!
I knew I was getting ready to land in New York when I stopped seeing trees! 

The first evening I was there, a few of us went to a nice restaurant called Artisanal. I loved the atmosphere and the food and drinks were amazing! We even got to taste lavender and coffee rubbed cheddar and a few other fancy varieties. It was a great experience.

The next morning we all met up in the hotel lobby. I had already met Emily from @busymomblog. I finally got to meet Jenny from @PickyPalate and Ana from @spanglishbaby. What SWEET ladies! I could not have asked for a better group of moms to participate in this experience with. We hopped into the car that was waiting for us and headed over to the studio. We all enjoyed the sights and sounds of the busy city.

We all were so excited when we walked into the studio and were greeted by a very friendly bunch of beautiful people...producers, project managers, hair and make-up team, fashion stylist, photographer, assistants, food stylists and everyone else that made this project come to life. What a warm welcome we received! From there it was straight to either hair and make-up or wardrobe. To say this was my first time in this type of setting, I felt extremely calm and comfortable. I truly think the wonderful people I worked with had everything to do with it. Oh and the view of the city might have helped a bit too!
Gorgeous view!
The girly girl in me really loved the hair and make-up part. I enjoyed chatting with Anthony and Jane while they did what they do best. I tell you what, I was feeling quite offended at the thought of coming back to South Carolina and having to do my own hair and make-up! What a treat it was to get made up, especially by such talented people who have worked on many celebs! All of the ladies looked absolutely gorgeous! I was second to go get my photos taken by the amazing Martin Schoeller. To be in a photo shoot with an awarding winning photographer who has traveled the world and shot many famous faces was incredible. He was awesome and quite entertaining. He really made any nervous feelings I had disappear immediately. I had so much fun! I am still in awe of everything and it still seems unreal!
Anthony and Jane were amazing! 

Me and Jenny From @PickyPalate

Would you believe that this was our view from the studio? This photograph was so perfect that I did not even have to edit it!
Well I certainly could go on for days about my photo shoot for COOL WHIP but I will stop for now. I'll keep you updated on this campaign as well as share some fun desserts you can make for your family with COOL WHIP.

Be sure to "like" COOL WHIP on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

I am working in partnership with the COOL WHIP brand and I am receiving compensation for my participation in this campaign. All thoughts/opinions are 100% my own.
Shelly, Mom Files
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Wordless Wednesday



Shelly, Mom Files
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