You might never guess that I love fashion … especially if you know me in real life, but I do. Don’t get me wrong, I REALLY love comfort and tend to lean that way … but there is a special place in my heart for a designer dress and a good pair of heels.

One of the things I love so much about television is seeing the actresses and what they are wearing. Shows like Desperate Housewives, The Deep End, Regis and Kelly, and The View, as well as all the soap operas, are a wonderful place to see great outfits, shoes and accessories. It’s very inspiring.

Being an average person, I know that I’d never be able to afford the clothes that I see online. Target, J.C. Penney’s and Kohl’s have similar looks at more affordable prices. But, the inspiration, for me, is definitely television. It seems more “in reach” for me as opposed to magazine fashion.

One of the things I love best about The View is the online piece called “What I’m Wearing”. Taped with Elisabeth and Sherri, they go through piece by piece and tell you what they’re wearing. It’s awesome, especially when some of the pieces are from stores/designer’s that I know. I’ve put a couple of things on my Wish List and will watch for them to go on sale.

Here’s a link to “What I’m Wearing“.  Don’t you wish all television shows did this?

* I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.

As a working parent and a mom of two, I crave girl-talk … conversations between women about regular things that are not daycare pricing, the latest virus, or fundraising forms. Because of my schedule, I rarely have time to talk to anyone that isn’t in my office or over the age of 6.

Enter The View.

Many weeks ago, I filled out a form to become a Brand Ambassador for The View. I immediately filled it out. I love the show and appreciate so many things about it. After forgetting that I’d applied, I found out that I was accepted!

Let me introduce you to The View if you haven’t seen the show before. It is an ABC daytime talk show featuring four female anchors:  Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselback, Sherri Shepherd, Whoopi Goldberg, and a part-time Barbara Walters. I love something different about each of these ladies. Joy is hysterical and says what you really want to say, but wouldn’t dare. Elisabeth has the conservative values that I hold (although she’s a little more fanatical than me). Sherri is a great mix of all the ladies. She really brings a balance to the table. Whoopi speaks her mind and really plays the devil’s advocate on the cast. She, many times, makes me consider the other side of the coin. Barbara Walters, a great of the industry, has such a wealth of pure wisdom and knowledge. She is an amazing woman.

The show opens up with a segment called “Hot Topics”. This portion covers topics that you’ve most likely heard about on the news. Sometimes it’s political, but often it’s just an interesting news story. The women discuss their views on the subject in a no-holds-barred manner. Following that, there are interviews with celebrities, musical artists, or other noted people.

In today’s episode, the interview section was with Chandra Wilson from Grey’s Anatomy. I have just started watching Grey’s (not sure what took me so long!), so I really enjoyed getting to know a member of the cast. The segment following that was about “sexting”. They brought two sides to the conversation: one was a girl who had sent pictures to a boyfriend that then spread them throughout their town; the other was a boy who had forwarded pictures of a girlfriend. It was so incredibly sad to hear the stories of how lives have been torn apart by this new teen fad. But, in true The View fashion, it brought a topic to light that we all, as adults, need to understand and try to put to a stop.

I’ve had a sick child, so I’ve gotten to watch the show in the comfort of my home the past two days. That’s a welcomed, but not a typical treat for me. If you visit the ABC website, you can watch full episodes online. (They are approximately 38 minutes long.) Since I bring my lunch to work each day, it’s the perfect amount of time for me to stream the show while eating.

Right now, there is an exciting sweepstakes going on. One lucky winner will be randomly selected to receive a trip from Mom Central to head out to NYC and watch a taping of The View. The sweepstakes is open until February 28. Fill out an application here!

During the next four weeks, I’ll be able to give you some cool information about The View. I hope you’ll enjoy the posts and check out the show. I think you’ll really like it.

Disclosure: I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.

Saturday night was a huge event in our house – Miss America 2010 pageant. I’ve loved pageants my whole life. And, now, I’m so pleased to announce that I have a pageant-loving daughter. It began last year (remember this post) and I’m happy to announce that it’s been confirmed this year.

All day Piper asked “how long until the pageant?”, “how many more hours?”, “is it on yet?”

All.Day.Long.

Piper loves to dress up for these things, so I started getting her ready. She got a new dress … I helped her pick her jewelry … she picked a crown. (Note that I had to pin a blanket on the bottom/back of her dress. She made sure that I knew that “every pageant girl at Miss America has a dress that drags the ground.”)

At 6:00 PM, “Behind the Crown” came on. We watched the tips and tricks of the pageant contestants. We watched as the girls prepared for the pageant, competed in the preliminaries, and shared their experiences of the week. It was a one-hour program …

Somewhere around the 6:54 mark, Piper fell asleep. Out. Done. Could not wake up.

We didn’t hear from her until 7:05 AM the next morning. Thank goodness for DVRs.

It was worth every penny.

So, on Sunday after church, we all watched the pageant again. Piper was adorable. All dressed up again. She wanted to be Miss Texas and “whoever wins”. (Congratulations Miss Virginia!)

Here is a picture of a sweet brother crowning his sister.

Because she really is our Miss America.

I’m going to leave you wondering what our families take on the Obama speech was. But, I will say, that our school district chose to air the speech one day later than the “live” version. We did not opt Avery out.

I remember hearing when all the hoopla started that the speech was somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 minutes long. I  know my son. Unless you are delivering this speech on the Disney Channel, NickToons, or Discovery Kids, the chances of him staying “tuned in” for more than 90 seconds is slim to none.

After all was said and done this was Avery, the first grader’s, take on things: “Yes, Mom I saw it. Ms. Chandler said I had to pay attention. It was really long and boring.” When asked what the President said, his reply was “I can’t really remember. I think he was talking to the bigger kids.”

Perhaps next time, they’ll animate the President for a greater response from the lower grades.

My life has been consumed by Reality TV. I am completely fascinated by how other people live their lives and what happens behind (what used to be) closed doors. And, since it is all you can find on the tube these days, I’m guessing that you are consumed with it too. Remember when there used to be a such thing as a “sitcom”? I dare you to find one that hasn’t been cancelled!

I found a list of Reality TV shows online. I decided that I watch WAY too much TV. I’ve seen at least one episode of every show listed here! I bet you have too!!! (For a complete list of all reality shows, click here!)
• 16 & Pregnant
• 17 Kids & Counting
• The Amazing Race
• America’s Got Talent
• America’s Next Top Model
• American Chopper
• American Gladiators
• American Idol
• The Anna Nicole Show
• The Apprentice
• The Celebrity Apprentice
• Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?
• The Bachelor
• The Bachelorette
• Beauty And The Geek
• Big Brother
• The Biggest Loser
• Bridezillas
• Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches
• Britain’s Got Talent
• Britney And Kevin: Chaotic
• Cake Boss
• Celebrity Cooking Showdown
• Clash of the Choirs
• Cops
• The Crocodile Hunter
• Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants
• Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team
• Dancing with the Stars
• Dating in the Dark
• Deadliest Catch
• Deal Or No Deal
• Denise Richards: It’s Complicated
• Dirty Jobs
• Dog The Bounty Hunter
• Don’t Forget the Lyrics!
• Engaged and Underage
• Extreme Makeover
• Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
• Fear Factor
• The First 48
• Flip This House
• Flipping Out
• Gene Simmons Family Jewels
• Ghost Hunters
• The Girls Next Door
• Grease: You’re the One That I Want
• Growing Up Gotti
• Hell’s Kitchen
• Here Come the Newlyweds
• Hey Paula
• HGTV Design Star
• High School Reunion
• The Hills
• Hit Me Baby One More Time
• Hogan Knows Best
• Holmes on Homes
• I Survived a Japanese Game Show
• Ice Road Truckers
• Intervention
• Iron Chef America
• Jackass
• Joe Millionaire
• Jon & Kate Plus 8
• Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
• Keeping Up with the Kardashians
• Kendra
• Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane
• LA Ink
• Laguna Beach
• The Little Couple
• Little People, Big World
• Living Lohan
• The Locator
• Million Dollar Listing
• The Millionaire Matchmaker
• Miss America: Reality Check
• The Mole
• My Big Redneck Wedding
• My Super Sweet 16
• My Fair Brady
• Mythbusters
• Nanny 911
• Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica
• The Next Food Network Star
• Oprah’s Big Give
• The Osbournes
• Pageant Place
• Pimp My Ride
• Project Runway
• Property Ladder
• Punk’d
• Queer Eye For The Straight Guy
• The Real Housewives of Atlanta
• The Real Housewives of New Jersey
• The Real Housewives of New York City
• The Real Housewives of Orange County
• The Restaurant
• Road Rules
• Run’s House
• The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom
• Sell This House
• Shear Genius
• The Singing Bee
• Skating With Celebrities
• So You Think You Can Dance
• The Stagers
• Star Search
• Starting Over
• Storm Chasers
• Sunday Best
• Sunset Tan
• Supernanny
• Superstars of Dance
• Survivor: Borneo
• The Swan
• Taxicab Confessions
• Temptation Island
• Toddlers and Tiaras
• Top Chef
• Trading Spaces
• Trading Spouses
• Trista & Ryan’s Wedding
• Victoria Beckham: Coming to America
• The Weakest Link
• What Not To Wear
• While You Were Out
• Wife Swap
• Wipeout
• Work Out

Never to be let down, I have found another reality show that I just can’t get enough of. This show – 16 and Pregnant – is hosted by Dr. Drew and is on MTV.

Somehow Don and I have ended up catching every episode although I have no idea what time it airs in it’s real time slot. We are glued the entire 30 minutes. It’s one of those shows that during every commerical break we completely try to imagine if we were in the same situation.

My heart goes out to every family represented on this show. These girls (and their boyfriends) truly have the weight of the world on their shoulders. I can not imagine the fear and the emotional burden that is on each of these couples.

Every episode I find myself just wanting to move these girls into our house. They all seem to be looking for love and just completely lost. I just want to hug them and encourage them.

It’s been so interesting to see which girls have kept their children and which girls have given their babies up for adoption.

An episode that comes to my mind is the one that followed Catelynn and Tyler, who gave their baby up for adoption. Catelynn’s parents were so horrible to her. The name-calling that her mother exuded toward this poor girl was shocking to me. As if what she’s going through isn’t hard enough. And, I too, realize that this mother was also under an enormous amount of stress. But it was sad to see the teenager handling herself better than her adult mother.

There is no way that, as a parent, you can watch this show and not think “what if this was my child”. There’s just no way.

It’s been so heart-wrenching to watch the teens in “Life After Labor” which revisits the parents after the baby is born. These kids grow up quickly! The looks on the mothers faces after they’ve faced the reality of childbirth, coupled with bringing a baby home and the care they require, is just remarkable. I had my first child at the age of 29, felt totally prepared for the baby, had a ton of support, and STILL was overwhelmed. I can’t even imagine what these poor girls have faced.

I can’t end this post without saying that each of the parents interviewed in the “after” segment seemed to really have the best interest of their children at heart. I was so glad to see that. These girls had matured 10-fold since their episodes began several months ago.

Food for Thought: Who can you support through a situation like this? Are you talking to your kids about sex? What organizations in your community support teens who are pregnant? How can you get involved?

One year ago today, many of us stayed glued to our computers as we heard of the tragedy surrounding Steven Curtis Chapman’s family. In the blink of an eye and in a horrible accident, their precious little Maria was gone. I know that I, for one, will never forget that day.

During that time, I pondered why God would let a tragedy strike such a remarkable family? I wondered what I would do if such a horrendous thing were to happen to me? I hoped that my faith would be as strong as theirs and that I would rest in the assurance that my child was back with her Father.

I have followed the Chapman’s on their journey. I read the People magazine article and watched the Larry King interview. I prayed for the family to experience nothing but joy as their oldest daughter, Emily, was married, and hoped for a spirit of thanksgiving as they married off their son, Caleb, a few weeks back.

I know that this family will never forget sweet little Maria. What family could. From the videos that the Chapman’s have shared, she looks like a spunky little girl full of laughter and smiles. But, I will tell you, my heart hurt this morning as I read Mary Beth Chapman’s post “A Mother’s Heart”. This woman has endured what no mother should have too, and anyone with a child of their own can not read her words and fail to feel her pain.

I urge you to read her post. I can’t help but believe that her truth is a help to many other women dealing with this same loss.

I also urge you to commit to pray for this family. Mary Beth gives several points in her post of specifics that we can pray for.

The Chapman family has helped bring thousands to Christ. Let’s help make sure that they are lifted up to complete the work that lays ahead for them!

I know it’s on your mind … let’s just fess up. Are you following/wondering about Jon and Kate Gosselin? What’s the truth? What’s not?

Here’s what I think …

I think it stinks.
I think that no matter what the truth is, people are hurting.
I think that their marriage will suffer – regardless.
I think that children are sensing tension which is not healthy for them.

I hate that this is happening. I have opinions on what I think of Kate and what I think of Jon, but those have to be thrown aside. They are a married couple. And, in my opinion, once you make your vows “before God and these witnesses” – you are married regardless of personality conflicts, how you grow apart, or whatever else life throws your way.

I would hate to think:
(1) that Jon would even fathom being with another woman OTHER THAN the mother of his 8 children,
(2) that this is truly a misunderstanding and this family has gone through this pain for nothing.

We all have to agree that the Gosselin kids are the cutest children ever. I could just scoop them all up and kiss their little cheeks!

We need to pray for this family. How they handle this crisis could be an example for many people in a similar position. I hope they handle it honestly (with themselves, not “the general public”) and I hope that they can keep their family intact.

I think they’re going to have a rough road either way.

I think I can finally talk about the Bachelor and not get in a tizwad.

I was so mad on Monday night that I could have chewed through the couch cushion. I cried, I cussed (yes, I said it), I almost threw something.

I really liked both girls, but let’s face it – we all knew Melissa was the girl for him. I was crying right along with her when he got down on one knee.

I wonder what the heck Molly is thinking. I wonder what her family is thinking. You know that they must have some reservations. I’d love to be a fly on their wall.

I think the main problem is that Jason doesn’t have a faith foundation to base his commitment on. I’m not saying that everyone that’s NOT a Christian is going to get divorced, I just think that perhaps it gives MOST PEOPLE a better grasp of forgiveness, grace and mercy. He seemed very quick to move on to the next flavor.

I hope that they work out. I certainly wish them no ill will, and how horrible for Molly if he drops her in 6 weeks too.

And, I can’t even talk about the example he is for his son. Good grief. I bet his first wife is beyond frustrated. How do you explain what’s happening to a child of his age. Yes, I know he’s tried to shield him, but kids are smart. They know way more than we give them credit for.

And, now I can watch the Bachelorette and hope for less drama and try not to get as personally invested. Jillian is a smart smart girl. I can’t wait to see how she does.

Was anyone else surprised that Stephanie wasn’t chosen as the Bachelorette? I really felt like they would use her. Who knows? Maybe there’s a reality show that they are casting her for this minute.

Yesterday was not my best day to say the least.

(1) My hair was a wreck. More than it is on an average day. I’m over it. I want to get in cut completely off and start all over.

(2) Couldn’t get ahead at work. Seemed to take two steps forward and one back all day.

(3) Came time to go home and my keys were gone. I mean G-O-N-E. Don had to pack up the kids and come to get me. He was thrilled.

(4) The Bachelor … I could have choked him. I’m still mad when I think about it today. What a jerk.

I needed to go to sleep and start a new day.

Thankfully, I did … and today has been much better.

Praise to the LORD for making today lighter and helping the things from yesterday fall in line. I certainly needed a break, and He came through!