Monthly Archives: February 2011

Atlanta Blog: Surrogacy and Egg Donation: The Benefits of Working with an Agency

Atlanta Moms Edition, , ,


Recently, many people have started turning to the internet for a wide variety of do-it-yourself projects. An endless amount of advice exists for everything from growing your own vegetable garden to home-schooling your children. However, when it comes to infertility, the DIY route may result in undue amounts of stress and frustration. Going through a reputable agency will ensure that all parties involved are protected from scams and unreliable donors or surrogates.

If you are interested in becoming an egg donor or surrogate, going through an agency has many benefits with no adverse side effects. Not only will you be treated with courtesy and respect, but you will be provided with important information that you may not get from a website. You will also receive guidance, counseling, and answers to all of your questions throughout the entire process, as well as professional legal assistance, should it become necessary.

When you work with Family Acuity, both you and the prospective parents will sign a binding contract to ensure that all parties are protected, legally and financially. It takes a dedicated, generous individual to commit to donate eggs or become a surrogate mother. The process is incredibly rewarding, but is not without its challenges; a reputable agency will ensure that you understand these challenges before you begin.

If you are not a trained financial advisor, would you be comfortable fixing a complicated tax situation by yourself? The same concept applies to infertility. You will benefit greatly from going through a trustworthy agency when it comes to finding or being an egg donor or surrogate, and you can rest easy knowing that your case will be handled professionally and responsibly.

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Our Pop Secret Family Movie Night plus enter to win a $50 Visa Gift Card, Pop Secret Popcorn, and Flip mino!

Contests, Food and Drink, New posts, , , ,

As you may have seen in my recent Whrrl Photo Story, a few days ago I went on a shopping trip to prepare for my family’s Pop! Camera! Action! Movie Night.  If you aren’t familiar with Whrrl, check it out and watch my very first Whrrl Story.

I know what your thinking.. “a Family Movie Night!?  Do you really think we have time for that Alicia”?
That’s what I thought too but after talking to my husband and kids about it and getting them in on the decision making process, everyone became excited about the idea and we had a very successful Family Movie Night last night complete with lots of Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter popcorn and 100 Calorie Pop popcorn.. for me.

Pop Secret - Family Movie Night

I don’t like for my kids to watch a lot of TV and I can’t sit through an entire 30 minute episode of anything so I mostly watch movies and TV episodes on my iPad so I can pause and restart at my will.  Besides having the time, that’s my #1 reason for not having a Family Movie Night.  I simply can’t imagine the thought of sitting through an entire 1.5 – 2 hour movie without stopping it a few times.  But.. I did it last night, thanks to some amazing belly laughs and delicious Pop Secret popcorn!

We had so much fun just sitting on the couch, watching a movie, eating popcorn, and laughing.  I’d recommend you have a Family Movie Night very soon if you haven’t lately.  Family Movie Night is a great way to just sit and chill with your kids. My favorite part of Family Movie Night was hearing the kids laugh.. like real belly laughs.. in unison.  I can’t help but crack up when the kids belly laugh.. you know?

Thanks to Mom Spark Media and Pop Secret for providing with such a great idea and a very fun Family Movie Night!

Here’s a little skit the kids did, thanks to Pop Secret and Mom Spark Media for the great props (boa, trophy, and clapper board).

Win a $50 Visa Gift Card, Pop Secret Popcorn, and a Flip mino!

Pop Secret Moms giveaway

This contest has ended.  Congratulations Tabathia!

To enter:

  • Visit Pop Secret and enter their sweepstakes (opens a new browser window so you don’t loose this page) before midnight, Feb 18th.
  • Then come back and mention in comments below, that you entered.
  • A random winner will be selected and notified via email.  If the winner doesn’t respond within 24 hours an alternate winner will be chosen.

To earn extra entries, you may do as many of the following as you’d like. Each action counts as an extra entry but you must leave a separate comment letting us know each action that you took.

  • Follow The Mommy Insider on Twitter.
  • Subscribe to our RSS feed and/or email newsletter.
  • Tweet this giveaway (once daily). Enter to win Pop Secret Popcorn, a $50 VISA card, and a Flip mino courtesy of @mommyinsider & Pop Secret! #PopCameraAction
  • “Like” The Mommy Insider page on Facebook.
  • Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here and to Pop Secret.

Pop Secret Moms - Family Movie NightDisclosure: I am a Pop Secret Mom sponsored blogger, courtesy of Mom Spark Media.  Thoughts expressed in this post are my own.  This post was written for Mom Spark Media & Pop Secret who provided select items used in our Family Movie Night and Awards Ceremony Event and is providing the winner with the giveaway prize.

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor

P.S. Enter to win a HeartWings Valentine’s Pillow from TheMommyInsider here!

Upgrade your Electronics with Target’s Trade-in Program – beginning February 6th

Electronics, Sales & Events, , , ,

Target is offering some great deals this coming week including electronics trade-in’s, free gift cards with a purchase, and gaming savings.

Target deals

This week, Target® guests who trade in a working iPhone 3G or 3GS at any Target Mobile location between February 6th and February 12th can receive up to $200 credit toward the purchase of an iPhone 4.* The Electronics Trade-In service is exclusively offered at 846 Target stores that offer Target Mobile centers. Guests can bring their new or used iPhones, iPods, cell phones and video games and receive credit good for any Target purchase, including great deals on video games and the latest tech gear beginning February 6, 2011.

Great Deals on the Latest Tech Gear

  • Free $20 GiftCard with purchase of a 32GB iPod Touch – $295
  • Free $10 GiftCard with purchase of any iPod nano – $145
  • Save $30 on a Flip Video MinoHD – on sale for $149.99 (regularly $179.99)
  • Save over $100 on a Garmin nüvi 255W Portable GPS – on sale $94 (regularly $199.99)

Target electronics deals

Gaming Savings for the Entire Family

  • Free $50 Gift Card with purchase a PS3 160GB game system – includes built-in Wi-Fi, Blu-ray and one wireless controller – $299.99
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops (PS3, Xbox 360) on sale for $49.99 (regularly $59.99)
  • Receive Just Dance for Wii for free with purchase of Just Dance 2 for Wii
  • Free $5 GiftCard with purchase of Mario Sports Mix for Wii – $49.99

Target game deals

* iPhone 3G or 3GS trade-in – In order to take advantage of this in-store only offer, guests must trade in a working iPhone 3G or 3GS and sign a two-year contract with AT&T. Guests may receive up to $100 credit for an iPhone 3G 16GB and up to $200 credit for an iPhone 3GS 32GB, offering great cost savings on a new iPhone 4 16GB priced at $199 or an iPhone 4 32GB priced at $299.

Enjoy these Target savings and let me know what you buy and/or trade in in the comments below.  I love to hear how people save money and get new, fun stuff!

Disclosure: I was not compensated for sharing these special Target savings with you.  All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor

Review: The Mommy Hook Stroller Hanger

Mom Gear, New posts, ,

The Mommy Hook is a mommy must-have that is essentially an oversized carabiner which hooks on to a stroller bar or grocery cart bar.  After you have the Mommy Hook hooked onto the handlebar you can snap on a few shopping bags, your purse, grocery bags, a camera bag, and even more onto the Mommy Hook for easy access and extra storage.

The Mommy Hook stroller hanger

Watch my brief demonstration of The Mommy Hook

The Mommy Hook stroller hanger reviewHere are five more uses for the Mommy Hook:

  • Hang the Mommy Hook on your closet hanger rod and put purses on it
  • In the car on the coat hanger.. hang snacks in a bag for easy access for your children while on road trips
  • Hang the Mommy Hook from the top of a tent (my son’s a Boy Scout) and hang important items you don’t want to lose in the bag
  • Attach your child’s stroller to a bike rack or pole at the Zoo while you are on the Zoo train (can you tell I’m paranoid?)
  • Hang lots of little carabiners with your keys on it, on the Mommy Hook

The Mommy Hook retails for about $8.99 so buy a few.  One for you, your spouse, and don’t forget your friends and family.  The Mommy Hook is a really cool product that everyone can find a use for!

Disclosure: I received a sample product in order to provide a fair and honest review.  All opinions expressed are strictly my own and were not influenced in any way.

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor