Intentionally or not, I’ve been wronged. False things have been said about me. I haven’t been treated fairly. Injustice abounds. But likewise, I have wronged. I have said false things about others. I have treated others unfairly. I have had my own hand in injustices. So, who on earth am I to judge?
Lansinoh hardly retracted their untrue statements about me today, as I was told they would be doing. In fact, via their Twitter, Lansinoh shared this article (link to the original article right here) about my giveaway with them, which seems to still imply that I lied about the breast pumps:
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Clarifying Lansinoh’s involvement in the My Charming Kids breast pump promotion
A number of people have been discussing the giveaway of Lansinoh® Affinity® Double Electric Breast Pumps on a blog called My Charming Kids, understood to be authored by Jennifer McKinney. This giveaway was first announced on Feb. 1, 2011 and brought to the attention of Lansinoh on Feb. 4, 2011.
The Lansinoh team typically responsible for interfacing with bloggers and other media contacts, and approving requests for product reviews and giveaways, has not been in contact with Ms. McKinney nor knowingly supplied her with product. On Feb. 4 and 7 we addressed consumers’ questions about our involvement and stated through e-mail and on Twitter that we had not provided the product or approved the promotional giveaway.
Late in the day on Feb. 7, Lansinoh was informed that Ms. McKinney was in fact part of a sampling effort carried out by a third-party service provider. Due to an unfortunate breakdown in communication, Lansinoh was not informed that four Affinity® Double Electric Breast Pumps were indeed provided to Ms. McKinney. Lansinoh is taking steps to address the breakdown in the approval process that contributed to this misinformation.
Lansinoh does not support or endorse the blog My Charming Kids or @MckMama. We appreciate the Lansinoh moms who raised questions about our involvement and the thoughtful messages we’ve received surrounding this matter. Lansinoh takes the needs of breastfeeding moms seriously and always encourages feedback.
We apologize for this miscommunication. As always, we remain dedicated to breastfeeding moms. If you have further questions, please direct them to Lansinoh’s customer service team at CustomerService@Lansinoh.com.
To me, it reads as far from the apology I was expecting. The pumps did come from them, or so it was made very clear to me that they did. Someone at the very company that Lansinoh uses for their PR, marketing and sales informed Lansinoh about my blog and the giveaway I already did, and I was told that Lansinoh agreed to happily give four more pumps for me to give away. There were even references of discussions between the PR group and the folks at Lansinoh included in the thread of older emails that was still at the bottom of emails I was sent, Lansinoh in one instance having asked that SKU numbers be verified. Verbiage about what the pumps were to be used for was there, too: A giveaway on my blog.
It frustrates me that the person who wrote Lansinoh’s above article did not either admit or realize that these discussions went on. But I will not judge. I accept responsibility for the fact that because I have been caught doing wrong before, naturally people are going to continue to question my truthfulness. While it was less than heartening to see Lansinoh’s statement today, which basically states that they are without blame and leaves the assumption that I lied very much still on the table, I will choose to give them the benefit of the doubt…and admit that some of this is my own doing in the first place. They didn’t apologize for, knowingly or not, calling me out as a liar on their Twitter without so much as even asking me about the confusion first. But I do not know why, and I won’t cast stones. Besides, I have made my bed by being snarky and far less than honest in the past, now I must lie down in it. If my every move is questioned from here until forever, that is okay with me. It is something I can handle, something I brought in many respects upon myself, something that proves we still live on earth and not yet in Heaven. Lansinoh’s PR company, who very clearly made sure I understood that I was under no obligation to link to Lansinoh or review anything, told me that Lansinoh wanted to do a giveaway with me per a conversation between folks there and at Lansinoh, and I had no reason not to believe that. I still don’t.
So why does the statement from Lansinoh read as it does? I have no idea. I will withhold judgement, making no assumptions. I haven’t the foggiest where the core of this breast pump “scandal” really is, but I know I did nothing wrong in all this. I was sent pumps that I was told Lansinoh wanted me to use for a giveaway. I shared, per FTC regulations, very clearly on my blog that they came from Lansinoh, a statement that was confirmed by the PR department via email that I should say. I am required to be very upfront about where product comes from and if I am compensated in any way, so I did just that. I shoulder no blame here, even if others think I should. Oh but I understand why I am being questioned, having it demanded of me that I be held accountable. I want to rise to that, to be above reproach, to let my past be just that, my past. I understand that it will take time and that, even if the assumptions that I lie about every little (and big) thing continue, I have to understand that it might be a little like the wife who cheats on her husband. Even if she repents and her husband forgives her, he still may have those nagging suspicions. He may question her every move, especially for a while. And if she chooses to betray him in that area again, there may be little chance for further reconciliation.
I still have questions about the way this all went down to be sure. Why would Lansinoh say they don’t support or endorse me or my blog when, not so long ago, I was offered a very concrete offer from a higher up at Lansinoh via someone in their marketing department? The offer never got carried to completion, but I loved their pumps, and chose to give one away on my own recently anyway. Only then did a reader inform them of my personal giveaway, getting Lansinoh back in the game via their PR company. Lansinoh agreed to four pumps to be sent to my house, a number I was told was due to the fact that new packaging is coming out soon. Why the expected “apology” today from Lansinoh would imply some remote third party connection and not just say that it was their own PR firm that they gave the go ahead to to do the giveaway is beyond me. Why I was told by the PR firm that Lansinoh gave the go ahead for the giveaway if they truly didn’t is beyond me.
However, the last thing I am going to do is rally you guys to try to help me boycott Lansinoh or flood their Twitter or Facebook page with messages on my behalf. Whether it was an honest mistake, a deliberate oversight or something much worse, it simply is not my call to make. Our energies are better spent elsewhere anyway, right? Whether the PR firm in question owns their actions publicly, if indeed things were mishandled on their end, or not, is not up to me. The only person I can control is myself. The only intentions I can fully know are my own. I will not assume to know the intentions of others. I will only keep moving forward, distancing myself from my past mistakes, moving forward into the light of a God who can redeem and heal all people of their own self involved nature. Speaking from current experience, that is. See, I’m not like the author of Created to be his Help Meet, a book I am (re)reading, who has years of Godly behavior towards her husband to speak from. She admits that for a time, she was awful to her husband in their early years, even throwing rocks at him in her anger. But she is years and years removed from that, having tasted the Lord’s sweet gifts in her marriage when she was ready to do things the right way. I am not her. I don’t have years of beautiful history to look back upon and share with you about. I’m still in the trenches. And I imagine it’s pretty ugly sometimes, watching me flounder around, admitting plagiarism on my blog, revealing that my husband was arrested for domestic violence, acknowledging that my tendencies to be snarky have just made things worse, having the financial trouble that we were, and are, in exposed. It’s ugly from this end sometimes, too. But for whatever reason, I feel that sharing my journey as I am in the middle of it, is what I’m supposed to do. So that’s what I do. I’m far (so very far) from a polished grandmother who can look back in love and wisdom and sum up for others what she feels God would have them do in their lives. I am a stumbling, fumbling woman, trying to be a good mom and wife, seeking to shed my selfish, icky layers, who is determined to never, never give up.
Oh, let me be clear that as it regards the breast pumps, I would love to prove things further to you guys. To really “clear my name.” Sure, I could take screen shots of the emails, go to court and jump through any number of hoops to prove that I was blameless in this case. But I do not want my goal in life to be having me proved right. Sure, my human side would love that. My sinful side is full of temptation to point out the error in others’ ways, saying “If only so and so had done such and such, we’d never be in this predicament!” It would be great, for my flesh, to have a “MckMama didn’t actually lie! Our own PR company gave her the pumps on our behalf and we didn’t even know about it! But it’s not her fault!” blinking banner on Lansinoh’s home page. But really, my true spirit self, the side of me that longs to do right and honor God, knows that there is little point in doing that. After all, God already has cleared my name by sending Jesus to die for my, yes my, sins. How would that glorify God if I were to carry on as if I had to reprove myself to the world?
I have been forced to ask myself, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galations 1:10
I long to be that, a servant of Christ. So often I have failed, miserably, at being one. And that is precisely the reason I need Jesus in the first place! Because I fail, when left to my own devices, to be good enough. But I won’t give up. Doing the right thing is a week by week, day by day, moment by moment decision. Tonight, I surrender my desire to have your approval, to have people not think I lied about the breast pumps, to spend my energy digging out the proof, posting it so that you will all know. I know the truth: That, in this situation, I did nothing wrong. And God knows. But oh, the things I do wrong are plenty. So who am I to cast stones? If I expect to not be judged harshly by others, I must not judge harshly. Should I like to be forgiven when I sin? Then, according to the Bible, I also must forgive.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37
To anyone who has wronged me, intentionally or otherwise, as it regards this breast pump fiasco: I forgive you. Whether you want my forgiveness or not, I forgive you. Besides, my forgiveness is not for you, anyway. I forgive for myself. Lansinoh, PR firm, people who seek to malign me: I will not focus one ounce of energy on negativity aimed at you. Instead, I will rest in the pure, positive love of Jesus who loves us all. Harboring bitterness, ill will or condemnation for people, a PR firm or a breastfeeding company who may possibly have wronged me is not a choice I will make. My heart in its ugly, human state is sinful and hard enough as it is, I sure don’t need to deliberately make it any worse by focusing on negativity.
I will focus on the positive. Lord, may I use my mouth not to condemn others, for I know I have been graciously forgiven by You and not condemned for plenty of my own much worse acts. Instead, tonight I joyfully thank Jesus for fresh starts, for peeling my ugly layers, for loving me in spite of who I often am and for another chance to practice loving others and behaving the way I know He would want me to, and not in the way my human side sometimes very much wants to.
just wanna’ say.. I’ve been following your blog for a long time and I really, really enjoy it.. i like your writing style, your photos, your kids, your honesty, your plans… that’s it. have a great day.
Me too, I copy and forward a lot of your stuff to share with my friends.
Jennifer, as a casual reader I never would have known about any of this Lasinoh stuff until you wrote this post. I know in your world this seems like a huge deal (Lasinoh says they didn’t support your giveaway, you say they did, Lasinoh comes back and says they kind of did support it after all), but to the majority of your readers, most of whom are generally silent, like myself, it doesn’t make a hill of beans of difference. This blog is supposed to be about your children and your life as a mother. Stop focusing on this stupid “blogging world” drama. Silence (or at least blog silence – I don’t blame you for contacting Lasinoh behind the scenes to have them make a statement straightening things out) on your part would come across as a lot more classy than “I’m not judging…but help me boycott this company”.
This blog is called “my charming kids”. Make it about your charming kids. I would read a blog about your charming kids. I don’t have any interest in reading a blog about random, weird blog-world, Twitter drama.
I second S-dubs comment!
I third it – I thought the drama was stopping as per a blog awhile back.
I didn’t think she said the drama would stop. How could she control that? She said she would stop being snarky and doing stuff to bring it on. She clearly did NOT do that in this case, so as I see it, she’s standing exactly by what she said she’d do.
I third!
I agree. I usually enjoy her blog but it bothers me how she says she is not going to waste her time on this issue in a blog post that took me longer to read than almost any of her previous posts. I definitely take Jennifer’s side on this as it is clearly somebody from Lanisoh who just can’t admit they are wrong, but I think she is having trouble actually doing what she says she’s doing-not wasting her time on this when clearly, she is.
A personal blog that someone writes is for that person to choose what she wants to write about…a blog that you CHOOSE to read is just that…a blog you are reading. I don’t think anyone was holding a Lasinoh Breast-pump to your head making you read the post. If MckMama wants to write about something and get it off her chest, or make sense of the thoughts in her mind…it is her MckCharming life to do so.
I don’t agree with MckMama’s politics…so I scan over her posts about that. I choose to read what I want, and I don’t worry about her choice of blogging topics.
My blog is about being a hockey wife, does that mean I am only allowed to write about hockey!
I have to say that I agree as well. 2 wrongs don’t make a right.
Sara, I think Jennifer is probably just human like the rest of us. There are MANY times in life where something happens in my life that upsets me and I tell myself it’s “not worth my time” and though I truly feel that way, it’s easier said than done. I may find myself thinking about it over and over and constantly having to remind myself I’m moving on. Hopefully, after this post, she has it off her chest and will be done with it, I’d hate to think of her (or anyone else) upset or loosing sleep over something such as the kind gifting of breast pumps…I think it’s sad that it turned into anything BUT that.
I agree. I admire you for writing this post, especially using the theme of forgiveness, but I do think most of the heated “fans” who’ve argued tirelessly about this aren’t fans at all…and this post may fuel their fire. I somewhat hoped you wouldn’t comment further on this, so it was refreshing to see your squash post yesterday. (YUM!)
In a way it would have been satisfying to see the untruths, drama, and passive-agressive internet fighting go IGNORED. There’s something to be said about clearing your name and separating what responsibility you have in this matter, but “vengeance is Mine…” Truth speaks for itself. While I believe you’ve been shortchanged in ways, your supporters (and the only Supporter who truly counts at the end of the day) see through the drama–to your heart. I’m one of them.
My dear, just ignore them. I, like many others, had no idea this was an issue until you acknowledged it.
Tis the plight of a casual reader. It’s much like a casual friendship or relationship actually. I’m sure if your mother/sister/best friend told you that a company lied/made a mistake that was potentially damaging to her reputation and it made her upset, you wouldn’t tell her to shut up and only talk about the things you like hearing about.
Just wade through until you find the stuff you like and ignore the rest, that’s the great thing about a blog, you have a choice. Silence is often mistaken for guilt and MM wanted to clear the air, what’s wrong with that?
Jennifer, I’ll tell you something that my husband said to me about 4 years ago when we made the decision to follow Christ no matter where it lead – You are now on Satan’s radar screen. By allowing your success and failures to bring Glory to God publically, by being obedient in traveling to Africia, and by being bold in your faith statements, you are a threat to him. BUT, you are a joy to our King. Isn’t it worth the trouble?? For me in my life, it is. As the Apostle Paul tells us in James 1:2-3, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance.” Blessings to you and your family.
I’m coming back just to say that I did email Lansinoh just about my disappointment with them and let them know that they are showing their support of haters and people who seek to ruin your life. Even though you didn’t ask us to, I really think everyone who is “on your side” should just drop them a line and mention that. Nothing hateful, just stating disappointment in how they chose to handle this. I’m sure all the haters are busy emailing their approval this morning.
I honestly hope that Jennifer would not want her supporters to boycott Lansinoh. If she didn’t want to share the excellent products with people, she should have given the pumps back to the person who gave them to her – before mailing them out. The real show of forgiveness would be to let all hard feelings go and move on like adults.
Blessings.
Yes, not necessarily boycot their products but to let them know they should have looked into the situation fully before writing up a report about it. Jennifer speaks very highly of their products on her blog which is seen by thousands, and to not give her a fair chance to explain the situation before writing what they did is unfair. Lansinoh just tweeted that they are retracting their original, inaccurate tweets! So something was wrong with what they originally said and are trying to get to the bottom of it. That’s all I’m glad for.
I support your decision to e-mail Lansinoh. The people who started this controversy are a small but very vocal group who are conducting an unrelenting campaign against McKinney. They constantly stalk her blog looking for anything they can find to fuel a controversy, then bombard companies and organizations with e-mails and tweets. They claim the high moral ground but don’t be deceived – their sole purpose is to bring McKinney down. Do you really think these people care that passionately about breast pump giveaways?
Apparently these people present their complaints in a “cleaned up” manner without the usual venom and profanities shown at MWOP. These companies, in an attempt at appease these people, react exactly the way these women want them to…by distancing themselves from McKinney. These companies never get to hear the other side of the story. This string of “successes” pleases the people at MWOP enormously so they continue to do it. This won’t stop until people speak out against it. Ignoring it has not and will not make it go away. It’s fine to talk about forgiveness and moving on but how can you move on when the people harassing you keep escalating their behavior? And when is defending yourself being vengeful? Is practicing “forgiveness” just an excuse for taking the easy way out by ignoring what’s happening here?
It frustrates me to see people turning a blind eye to cyberstalking and bullying, where ever it’s happening. The fact that this is happening among adults makes it even worse. The real irony is that I’m not even a big McKinney supporter- I’ve publicly aired my questions and complaints about her (without the venom and lies). It doesn’t matter how I’ve felt in the past – wrong is wrong!!
Agree. Agree. Agree. Agree. You stated this so clearly. Thank you for putting it together so perfectly.
Awesome post. I completely agree.
Great idea… I too am going to email them and just say how disappointed I am in the way they have handled this situation!
i am a long time reader and appreciate your honesty, and i am so sad that people continue to try and ruin your reputation for whatever reason they seem fit. anyway, my comment has NOTHING to do with pumps rather with the reference to the book you are reading. i’ve read that book, and after years of marriage have realized how that book lead me into deep levels of bondage and fear. i pray that as you read that the holy spirit would show you were the author takes many liberties with her “scripture based” thoughts on marriage that are FAR from truth. while many things are not wrong, her thinking leads one to believe that we are acceptable b/c of our actions towards our husbands. we are acceptable b/c of this and b/c of that. remember that we are all flawed and NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING, but the every day grace from our sweet, merciful, savior can save our marriages. don’t get discouraged when your marriage looks nothing like “the help meet!” 3 of my favorite books on marriage that have brought tons of healing and freedom in my own marriage are “marriage matters” by winston smith, “relationships, a mess worth making” by tim lane and paul david tripp, and “what did you expect?” by paul david tripp i believe these books are much more gospel based instead of, “pull your boots straps up and do better!” based. regardless, i pray that you may experience the abundant marriage God has for you and your hubby! happy journeying!
I agree with you. Another great book that I have read about marriage is John and Staci Eldredge’s book “Love and War”. A fantastic read about how your marriage is a love story set in a time of war and that God gave us marriage to help us facilitate change in ourselves…to bring us closer to Him. It has absolutely changed my outlook on marriage and my relationship with my husband. This book with the love of God has saved my marriage! Love your blog MckMama! Loyal reader everyday here!
I like Harville Hendrix’s book “Getting the Love You Want.” It’s great for a married couple and single persons.
I have a background in PR and this wasn’t handled properly, but the nature of our news media is so quick nowadays that mistakes happen all the time and then are retracted. The problem is people remember what they hear first, not the retracted statement and news knows it. Whatever the reason, I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. I enjoy your blog, the pictures and the ideas. Stay strong for your husband and family. I’m sorry for the “other” blog that invests so much energy for malice. I hope the pumps come in handy to the women who won them because at the end of the day, there are four babes that will benefit from this giveaway.
The thing that stuck out to me the most in this post, is when you said something that my mother has often times told me. And I LOVE and BELIEVE it more and more…
Forgiveness is not for the person you are forgiving, it is FOR YOU!
To be able to move on, to let things go, etc. I am SO glad we share this belief as I feel it has made me a stronger person many times. Good luck to you in all you do! There will always be trouble, but TAKE HEART!!! HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD:)
For what it’s worth, I believe you. Why is everything you do taken so seriously and with such scrutiny….this a blog for crying out loud not a matter of national security! Have a happy Wednesday:)
I know it’s been said, but for what it is worth, I believe you. At one point I got curious and looked at that other website and I found it to be so disgustingly full of hatred, picking at every fault they could find like they had no faults of their own when they participated in that site. I get the feeling from Lansinoh’s statement that someone from there got to them, and I do not find that to be an attractive quality in a business to believe gossip and then to publicly deny something before confirming it and to not even appologize when fault is found. I had been looking for a new pump and this has honestly convinced me to not go with this company for that purchase. I have loved their breastmilk bags and breastpads for 3 kids, but I’ll be on the lookout for comparable products from other companies. I know you have not asked this of us, but I just can’t stomach buying from a company that supports that kind of behavior. I’m really hoping they prove me wrong before this baby is born.
MckMama, thanks so much for this post and putting this mess to bed. Thanks for choosing to stay away from the drama that so easily entangles us. I’ll admit I got wrapped up in it yesterday. Reading the other site, checking twitter for a retraction and looking at facebook far more often than necessary. My heart was heavy after I bit back to a facebook commenter who snarked about the so-called apology. It really made me contemplate how the easy choice for so many of us is to sarcastically respond back to others comments, which isn’t showing people the loving person I want to be. I wonder why it’s so easy to get wrapped up in that. In this instance, I think I felt like I was personally being judged – my own intellect and reason for agreeing with you was being attacked and I got defensive. I’m a pretty bright and well adjusted person (as I assume many who read this site are) and I think I took it personally that some who don’t agree with you accuse those who do agree with you of being mindless followers. It’s easy to feel questioned and judged and feel like we need to defend ourselves. Love is the much harder choice sometimes, but oh it is the good one. Like you said – we can only control what we do ourselves. When we don’t act in love, even if we feel like we are defending the truth, we are adding to the drama. I would much rather chose to think the best of people and be proven wrong than to let bitterness grow. Thanks for choosing the harder path of love and forgiveness and letting go and for being an example. Sorry to blabber on and on, but I wanted to get that out! I am encouraged by you and by other readers who I see choosing love.
MckMama, Remember as we grow in Christ and try to be more like Him, the harder satan tries to get to us. Satan can’t have us because we belong to God; however, satan uses others to try and bring us down. You’ve got a trip coming up that needs your attention, so don’t let the drama take up your time. In the days coming you will be reminded how small of an issue this really is with Lansinoh. Enjoy your time at home before you leave, and keep your focus on the tasks God has put before you, not on the issues others cause for you with Lansinoh.
I will be adding you and your family to my prayer list while you are in Africa. Being away is hard on us moms, and our children, not to mention our husbands. : ) I’ll pray for your safety as you travel and for your children as they adjust to mom not meeting their every need. I’ll also pray for your husband as he tries to meet the children’s needs and as he holds down the fort without you.
Oh.my.word. Really? Even though you don’t want to make assumptions, don’t you think this all came out of a hater contacting Lansinoh and saying all types of horrible things about you so that the company would be forced to feel they shouldn’t support you or have their products mentioned on your blog? I feel horribly for you, but I love your attitude. Don’t let it get you down, it is so not worth it.
I guess I am of the mind….who the heck cares. In the large scheme of life this seems like such an insignificant issue. I could care less where they came from. Bottom line is you were kind enough to give them away. I think that is what is wrong with this world. People spend so much time trying to cut others down they forget to take a good hard look at themselves. We all have our own issues and maybe if we spent all this energy working on ourselves and not concentrating on discrediting others, wed all be better off and the world would be a better place. Sad, really sad.
COMPLETELY AGREE!!!!!
I’m so sorry that you are persecuted they way you are, on the other hand, I’m sure you know you are BLESSED!
God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. -Matthew 5:11 NLT
That’s really sad. I am so sorry. Just so you know…I believe you.
Beautifully written! How amazingly short-sighted on their part! Do they not realize that by not admitting their wrong-doing honestly, they make themselves look bad? Talk about self-inflicted negative publicity!
Once again, you stand firm in your convictions and remind us of our inner turmoil between what is Biblical and our humant tendencies! Personally, I hope I could only be so forgiving (but I doubt it!).
Thanks for your example. (On a personal side note to the Lansinoh Company…given your lack of integrity, I personally will never buy one of your pumps!)
I feel for you Jennifer. This is just a crazy situation…I mean, seriously, what would you have had to gain by buying to pumps to giveaway and not stating so? Just a tiny bit of thought tells me that you have nothing to gain from that so why would you? I’d say Lansinoh has some communication issues to clean up in their PR department. Now…I hope you can get back to the important things and hug those babies tight before you head off to Africa!
For what it’s worth, I believe you Jennifer. I’m a Medela junkie anyway. ; ) I’m very disappointed in the way that Lansinoh handled this.
Don’t waste your precious energy justifying or explaining … to those who know you will truly believe you and to those that don’t believe you truly don’t know you! Don’t waste another breath on this and enjoy the love you are surrounded by and the friends/family/followers who BELIEVE IN YOU!
Your comment reminds me of something my mom always reminds me that my grandpa (her dad) used to say (he was a pastor and underwent MUCH scrutiny): Don’t explain yourself. Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it.
I think this speaks very true of situations like this. I understand you wanting to get on and say what’s on your mind and you have every right to. Just know that your real friends don’t need explanations over stuff like this because they know your true intentions and your enemies won’t believe you and will pick apart anything you say anyway so what’s the point? Hopefully this can all blow over and you can stop having to hear about it and the 4 moms with the pumps can happily enjoy their generous gifts…from you, since Lansinoh doesn’t want to take credit for this kind give-away! sheesh…
I wish they had like buttons on blogs
It is beyond me why people care where the pumps came from anyway. (Maybe there is a serious issue about their origin that I am overlooking?) At any rate, I am truly sorry that you were put in this situation. Not being believed, when you know the truth, is the worst feeling … makes me think, could this be how God feels too?
May He give you peace and strength to endure.
I agree. Who cares who bought/donated the items? Was it not an awesome giveaway that was ‘free’ to the people who wanted to enter for a chance to win ‘free’ prizes? I mean if no one was stolen from or hurt in the process, why the arguments???
I really appreciate this blog! I never really cared either way, and believed you from the get go, because it is ridiculous. But I really appreciate it because if I were you my flesh would totally win! I would be blogging my email! LOL. And i think that is totally comendable that your goal isn’t to clear your name, because you are totally right our focus should be on God and not worry about what others think but to know that God knows your heart is the main thing!
I’m a rare commenter, but very regular reader. In fact, I try not to comment because I prefer anonymity, but I can’t not comment now.
I absolutely love reading your blog. In fact, when my husband and I talk about feeing, discipling, teaching or anything regarding our child, without a doubt, at some point, we’ll say, “Well, MckMama does this.” Thank you for all your ideas, sharing your story and sharing your life.
With this going on, I don’t know what to say except I’m sorry you have to go through this. You are an amazing mother and woman. I sincerely hope Lansinoh apologizes, even if I doubt they will.
Very nicely said Nancy…thank you for putting into words what I was struggling to find.
I have enjoyed your blog very much. you have put everthing you have into your children. You have let us into your life through Stellan’s illness. You are only human, but have had so many trials for a young mother and wife. The thing I wonder most is when mothers show this kind of nasty behavior, what kind of role model are they, and how will their children treat others. As far as the give away it seems to me they were getting a lot of free advertising. GO ON YOUR TRIP TO AFRICA, I’M SURE THIS BREAST PUMP THING SHOULD SEEM VERY MINOR COMPARED TO THE NEEDS THERE. The people that are not happy with your BLOG or YOU, should find another blog, there are plenty of them. i will be praying for all of you, this trip is truly a gift of love. GOD BLESS
Wow. I must say this whole thing is wackadoo. Mind you, I know nothing about any “scandal” other than what I have read in your blog posts, but my first thought on the subject is, “HUH? People actually CARE where she got breast pumps from???” Why on earth would you have any reason to lie about that?
I will add that there have been many things I have disagreed with you on in the past, but for this particular subject, I strongly feel that people who have the time to question you on where you got breast pumps should find a more constructive way to spend their time. And I bet these very same people were entering your giveaway.
Wow..good grief. You just can’t catch a break can you?
I think the whole breast pump thing is just crazy. This all makes the company look very bad in my opinion.
WOW!! I’m a bit shocked at their response. What is the harm of having people think you, as a company, gave 4 ANYTHINGS away, on another blog. I mean, seriously, what’s the big deal. Why go through all this?? And it being something of value to the health of your child, why make a stink about it?? SOmeone dropped the ball, big time, over there. Sorry, you have to deal with this right before you leave. Not like you don’t have anything else going on.
God bless.
Jennifer… I have been guilty of leaving snarky comments in the past and certainly guilty of thinking them when I didnt post them. I was a formula feeding mom 20+ years ago who gets frustrated when comments seem anti formula. I am a mom who didnt ( and still does not) think drawing on furniture is cute . I could go on, but my point is that I am just as wrong to judge you for your beliefs as it is for someone to judge me for mine. When I pray I have started to ask God to show me where I am sinning. In my Bible study we have been learning about the things in our life that are keeping us from getting close to God. I have come to realize that reading the other website about you is that thing for me. It has gone from amusing me to making me have an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. To take so much pleasure and to put so much time into proving someone else has sinned is just not right. To feel proud when they are caught in a lie is even more wrong. I dont know the whole story behind the breast pump issue but I will be honest and say that I spent more time reading about it this week than I did spending time in the Word and God has shown me that and I am going to change that in my life. I wish you only the best. I hope that you too will ask God to show you what in your life is keeping you from getting closer to Him. Are you like me and have spent more time on this blog this week than you have in His Word? Have a safe trip.
Nancy, this was such an encouragement to me!
I second Valgal80! I was just reading this verse too, which sums it up for me:
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2.
I’ve been a reader for awhile now – and never once thought you were lying about anything. This whole thing will come back and bite them in the butt. I’m a firm believer in what goes around comes around.
Long time follower and always a supporter, on this one, I was wondering where the thir party part came in. It was odd that that’s what they wrote. If I read it correctly – they weremaking it like you had tried pumps through a third party and now had them available. Just odd.
Anyway – I am glad that you explained – even though you don’t owe anyone an explanation. It’ nice to hear the other side. I am sorry you are going through this nonsense. Again. It’s not easy being popular, clearly.
Stay strong!
This is the first I am hearing/reading of all this and I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry you have to deal with this. It’s all quite ridiculous and I think you are a terrific woman (and mom, and wife).
I truly don’t understand how something like an innocent giveaway, can be made into something this big. Now what’s the problem???
Beautifully written!
For whatever it’s worth, I believe you. The people at Lansinoh are being ignorant. I’m glad to see you take the high road on this, and I appreciate your candid approach to this post. Hey, no one’s perfect! I’ve been dishonest, snarky, disrespectful to my marriage, and many other things. That makes me a human. Last I checked, we all were made of flesh and bone, from Adam and Eve. We are given the chance to be forgiven by Jesus Christ, and we should afford the same to others. The bible says that a just man falls seven times, but rises up again. Don’t beat yourself up for not being perfect.
On a side note, I love your blog and I am glad that you are going to Africa. I think that it would do us all some good to get out and make a difference in other people’s lives. Sure we can’t all go to a foreign country, but there is plenty to do in our own backyards as well. So, go and do great things in Africa and have a wonderful and safe trip.
Over time I have seen a lot people just claw away at what you blog and piece together things to throw back in your face. Like they enjoy bringing you down! Why? Seems to me like they just like being bullies to me. Yeah when you put your business out you will get haters. Does that make it okay NO but it still happens. I hope they find better things to do with they’re lifes then to pick on others.
I agree —It is amazing the amount of time that people put into tearing others down. They really need to put their effort into other things like not reading the blog and working on their own hearts.
My question is….who gets twitter updates from a company that makes breast pumps and nipple salve anyway???? I always tell my children the truth stays in your heart, a lie stays in the pit of your stomach. If your heart knows the truth, then that is all that matters. They should be pumped someone is promoting their products! For those who don’t believe that Lansinoh sent you the breast pumps…then let them think you went out and spent $600.00 of your own money to pretend to have a breast pump give-away!
Cheers!
Perfectly said. My dad used to always say “if you can live with it, we can live without out it”. whether that is an apology or you let them borrow something and don’t get it back. Point is as long as you know you told the truth that is what counts. I think the people who truly know you, know the truth. BYW I agree how crazy is it that people think you would spend $600 to fabricate a story. Seriously
haha! i love this. “they should be pumped”…. ahaha!
No pun intended (wink)
As a long time reader of your blog I rarely comment. Maybe only 3 or 4 times in the last two years. I think what I hate most is the lengths the trolls on this site will go to in hopes to bring you down. As someone with my own skeletons in the closet the trolls on this site have give me 2nd thoughts on where I wanted to take my own blog.
Just as every other blogger on the Internet who makes a some money from their blog or does a giveaway in hopes of adding a bit (or a lot) of money to their family income. I have yet to understand why it is so wrong for you to do that. Each time I see someone make a big deal over how “awful” you are I just don’t understand if their goal is to deprive you from adding additional income or just trying to destroy your life completely.
Either way it is a sad display of humanity. I’m personally tired of petty women and cliques in the blog community. If a person doesn’t like a blog there is an “x” in the upper right corner they can click on. It’s easy, I do it often when I read something I don’t agree with. Doesn’t that sound easier than playing out a hateful vendetta. In the last month I have witnessed more childish Junior High behavior from women in blogging than I can stand. I think I just get so frustrated that people must be so sad in their own life that they get joy from bringing others down.
I am proud and pleased to see you won’t give up. You are a strong amazing woman (whom I might not always agree with) and I hope to be reading your blog for years to come.
I wish there was a way to “like” your comment
I also want a like button
I’m a non breastfeeding mother of four grown children and two breastfed precious little grandchildren. This whole situation is ridiculous in my opinion, and I am feelling a bit vengeful. So, I will say what I want to say, no matter what. Both of my daughter in laws have relied heavily upon their breast pumps. And, guess what???? They are NOT Lansinoh pumps. They are the ole’ “M” brand pumps which appear to be VERY popular these days. I think this obnoxious behavior, probably more on the part of blogreading humans than the Lansinoh company and whatever company they directly employ to market THEIR very own product, just promotes other brands of breast pumps. And, to think, you were trying to be helpful and nice. And you get all this dumped on you. I’m proud for you that you are getting to go do something meaningful by going to Africa. I don’t know what some of these people are going to find to do without having your and your blog to bash for a whole week.
I don’t care where the breast pumps came from…I’m still bitter I didn’t win…lol. MUST.GIVE.ME.TIME.TO.PROCESS my horrible guessing ability…tee hee.
I’m with Kathie!
I LOVE YOU & AM SO PROUD TO BE YOUR FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!! beautiful (long haha) post. Jesus written all over it.
I agree with Sami. I love you, I have forgiven you (even though I don’t feel the least bit wronged). You are a beautiful woman inside and out. I love that I had the chance to meet you and have you photograph my family. I love that you stand firm in your beliefs and that this post DOES have Jesus written all over it. To God be the glory. You are doing the right thing! Don’t give up, I know that lives are being changed through your story. I am glad I can call you my “friend”
I will continue to pray.
MckMama, I would really like to thank you for this post. I will be upfront and honest and say that I have regularly read the “naysayer” site (mainly for entertainment value), and have doubted your honesty in the past. I suppose you could call me a naysayer, though I have never posted on that sight, and I disagree with a lot of what they do.
That being said, I really appreciate this post and respect you for what you have said within it. It is true that you have been less than truthful in the past, overly snarky, and maybe even intentionally misleading. I am glad that you recognize the reason that some people doubt you. I really and truly do believe you when you say that you want to improve and be better. So thank you for that.
Best Wishes to you and your family.
While I have never had anything so public go wrong, I do understand the frustration of being refined. I’m a mom of soon to be six and I’ve screwed up lots too. It’s painful but in a good way. There are deffinately times like this when things are directed at us for no reason and we want to be justified and vindicated, thankfully we can leave it in God’s hands. He is our defender. Still the refining process is painful. I loved the Helpmeet book and it completely revolutionized my life and marriage. My husbands always says that he sure does like that Debbie Pearl lady
You’re not in the trenches alone. It’s really tough work, we blow it a lot of the times but that is how God works out the dross, if we don’t know it’s there we won’t see the need for it to be removed 
Blessings to you and you seek to obey the Lord in all things!
I hope “husbands” was just a typo…
Sad to think if they use this as their marketing strategy to get publicity. They should put on their website “Lansinoh, GOOD PRODUCTS | BAD PR”
Gregory FCA needs to fix their social media marketing strategy.
The unfortunate thing is that bad PR is still PR!
Crazy. Why do you never get a break from all the crazies!!!!!!!!!!!! Sick of them all. Your a better woman than me with your kind words.
Oye! Why are there people so bent on tearing you down? I will never understand it. I’m hoping “Boob-Gate” will be over soon so you can move on and do all of the wonderful things you should be doing, instead of wasting time and energy on the haters. Lots of hugs J!
Thanks, Kelly! ANd I couldn’t figure out/wasn’t able to comment on the new (?) black and white baby photos on Facebook taken by beautiful YOU, but if I had, I would have said, “Breathtaking!!!”
Bahahahaha! Boob-gate! I love it, Kelly!
Love the “Boob-Gate” reference!!!
They never would admit wrong doing because of the potential for lawsuit. Once our bank deposited the check from the proceeds from the sale of our home into some one elses account. A huge error! They never admited that they or their teller screwed up. Whatever… I was just glad they took care of the mistake and we weren’t charged overdraft fees.
I should reread “Created” too. Hmm. I wonder where my copy is…
I wonder!!!! Shall I make sure it reappears after my second read?
Ha, ha! No, acutally I have bought (and given away) several copies so I’m good! Debi had a hilarious article about her hubby’s obsession with rabbit hunting when they were first married in their last magazine. It was a very poiniant example that her husband was not perfect and she knows how hard it can be to love (and put up with) a man.
On the days when I have felt like a total failure, I’m reminded that clearly the Proverbs 31 woman is not a young mother nor a newly-wed.
Blessings on your journey!
I’m torn on this one. Lansinoh’s PR firm is not Lansinoh; someone at the PR firm acted independently and when they were informed of the giveaway, Lansinoh had no idea what was going on. The PR firm is a third party, as they said. Had I been in their shoes, the first thing that would have come to mind would have been theft, counterfeiting, or at the least, brand dilution, all of which would be real problems for Lansinoh – hence the immediate and adamant denial. (Obviously theft/counterfeiting/brand dilution would not have been on your part, but on the part of the person who offered them to you.) In a sense they are right – they have no affiliation (their PR firm does) and they did not supply the pumps. Lansinoh has the right to decide with whom they are affiliated, and as you acknowledge in this post, you’re a pretty controversial lady.
All the same, they should have looked into all of that BEFORE posting anything to either their twitter account or their site. No offense to you, but in the grand scheme of Lansinoh’s marketing, you just aren’t that big of a deal! They had absolutely nothing to gain by replying to tweets.
I totally get all of that! Completely. But: they have offered me a big deal related to my blog in the not so distant past, so to act like they didn’t know who I was (I did not seek them out initially, or ever) was not appropriate. Whether it be that they did know but denied it or didn’t make sure the correct people were asked, I have no idea. But they did and I have emails to prove it. They have the right to affiliate with who they want to, and they chose to ask if we could work together. Also: there were email discussions with Lansinoh requesting info about the specific packages that were being sent out (the SKU numbers) in the threads attached to the bottom of emails I was sent. I cannot figure out where those fit into the puzzle, although I am no longer trying. And I get having immediate and adamant denial, but wouldn’t at least trying to get ahold of me first have been prudent? I get what you’re saying here, but am not sure it all flies given the instances of Lansinoh knowing about me and the giveaway prior to when they claim they did.
I don’t read the statement as saying they don’t know who you are, though it’s entirely likely that the person who WROTE it has no idea who you are. To me, it just reads as legalese. It’s also possible that the persons you worked with before are no longer at the company. Most likely, in my opinion, is that internally they are overemphasizing the fact that whatever affiliation they have previously discussed with you did not come to fruition, and for them it is completely and utterly separate from this instance. I may be giving far too much benefit of the doubt, but for me it’s a Hanlon’s razor situation: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.”
Agreed! I hope it didn’t come across as if I attributed malice anywhere. I have no idea why thing were handled the way they were and I don’t pretend to know. But I do know that one of the outcomes was that it appeared that I was in the wrong/lying/being deceitful. Since I wasn’t, I would have appreciated it being handled differently/less dramatically/something. But I didn’t get my say in how it was handled. I just get my say in what I do from here, which is to be positive and not condemn or judge anyone. Hope my intent came across! Thanks for your comments.
I don’t think you were accusing anyone of malice!
Just that the assumption of incompetence or mistake is usually a sound one.
That and I like that little epigram, in all of it’s sarcastic glory.
… its. When I start mixing up its/it’s, it’s time to go to bed!
Honestly, don’t let this stuff bother you. Haters gonna hate, as they say!
Good grief. Aren’t you glad you are headed to Africa soon? Where things will once again be put into perspective. Honestly, maybe this will actually bring more people to your blog before you go, spreading the word even more- or at least that’s my hope. Enjoy your last few days with your family- this would drive me crazy and keep me up if I were you, but hopefully it doesn’t you!
Sadly, there will always be a group of people obsessed with you and it is quite sick. I would bet money that most of the people who wrote to Lansinoh do not even use their product. They are obsessed with finding fault in everything you do. I hope your heart and mind are at ease tonight. Love ya!
Hmm Well I can’t say more than all that has so well been stated but I will add a giant…”Good Grief”. Sigh……
Wonderful post.
Now, spend your last day before Africa loving on your babies; and don’t give another thought to these miss communications!!
Praying for a safe trip!
Nicely said!
I really enjoy your blog, the realness of it, and the way you are striving to be more like our Savior…it encourages me as each day brings new struggles, but also new joys in following Him!
God bless you and your family!
Can we talk about baby food for a sec? I love using avacados for baby food, but only have used them fresh. When you freeze and then thaw avacados do they turn brown?
I froze fresh, pureed avocado, and only the very edges browned. I did stick them in the freezer right away though.
Avocado stays green if the pip is stored with the flesh when refrigerating…am not sure if that is the case when freezing but it’s worth a try.
You could also add a little bit of lemon juice, which also keeps it from turning brown.
Citrus isn’t recommended for infants under 12 months (who would be past the stage of eating pureed avocado) due to rashes because of the acidity.
I have a completely non-related comment. (I thought I should preface it with that, just in case someone tries to read between the lines to see if there is a hidden meaning.) Have you read Mary Beth Chapman’s book – “Choosing to See”? I read it last week and it really touched my heart. I typically read to relax and read relaxing, brainless fiction, but I saw it at the library and picked it up. I thought about you and thought you might be interested in reading it, especially if you need something to read on the plane. Just make sure to have your tissues handy!
Wish they would have actually made a statement. That was a real lot of words saying very little when they are in the wrong! But you are correct, we must focus on our own actions and not direct any ill will toward anyone else even if we were wronged. Clearly no one is perfect, but we can work to make ourselves better people through our beliefs. You handled this very well!
true grace girl~ way to go! i had no idea that anything was going on! prayers for you as you prepare to leave for africa! love you still~ much love and blessings~ erin
Wow.
I’ve never understood why exactly some people seem to hate you so much.
Their freaks.
Shake it off.
You didn’t do anything wrong.
I bet these “people” would be shocked to find out that there are people out there that are “worse” than you. Like me, because I don’t think I could ever respond w/ as much grace and dignity as you have right here. Your strength–His strength in you is amazing.
Love your heart! So sorry you had to waste even one second on this! I pray it will not discourage you, and God will give you His peace.
Amen!
I am so proud of the way that you have handled all of this. I cant imagine how painful this must have been. I too am disappointed for how Lansinoh has handled this, I had expexcted more from them. I just wanted to give you my support and say that I am proud of how you have handled yourself and thus situation. Praying for you and your upcoming trip.
Definitely making moutains out of molehills!
Prayers for you! I can’t imagine. So sorry.
I just want to offer my support, I am not involved at all. I just appreciate you.
I appreciate your heart to give….
God Bless you, Kristi O
I have watched the drama unfold over the breast pumps with a mix of astonishment and horror.
REALLY , is all of this necessary – why do people care so much about what you do or say or give away for that matter? I read your blog because I enjoy it and I am sorry you are going through this right before you leave. I personally believe that Lansinoh still has a break down in their communication because that letter is rude and terse. Wouldn’t it have been easier to say there was a miss communication They could take some lessons on compassion and politeness from your post.
I think it would have been harder for Lansinoh to say there was a miscommunication. They took the easy way out, in my opinion, by shirking their own responsibility in a very unprofessional manner. I am not impressed. And I totally agree that they could take lessons on compassion and politeness from Jennifer’s post.
May you have a few days of less stress before you leave on your trip. If I could, I would give you a big motherly hug. May God watch over you, your family and the others of the group who are leaving their families to help those on the other side of the world.
This whole breastpump thing was certainly a bit messy and brought back the drama to the MckMama blog but THIS TOO SHALL PASS. Tonight four people are awaiting new breastpumps, the company got lots of hits on their website (which increases education on breastfeeding) and you have five healthy and beautiful children sleeping at your house. The drama of it all really does not matter. That said, I know that in your human experience, it is hard to settle down emotionally after such a difficult situation so tonight, I am praying especially for you, that tonight you receive God’s gift of “the peace that passes all understanding”. Receive and sleep in heavenly peace tonight.
I echo everything you say here except for one thing: I think Lansinoh got BAD publicity out of this, in the end, because of how they chose to handle it. Glad breastfeeding got awareness but I think the specific Lansinoh brand ends up looking BAD and not good.
I totally agree. I have a bad taste in my mouth now with Lansinoh because of all this and just took all of their stuff off my baby registry! Now every time I hear the word “lansinoh”, I’m going to think of how ridiculous this whole thing was!
exactly! every time i see that brand, THIS is what i’m going to think of! it stinks! their nursing pads are the only thing that keeps my shirts from being soaked every time i nurse! the other brands don’t hold water to theirs. i think i’ll just start using bath towels! sad.
My thoughts completely! This company did itself so much harm by failing to turn this into a positive. Jennifer, the high road is the one that takes the most effort to climb. Keep your eyes on the goal and press onward to the mark. If Jesus never felt the need to defend Himself, then we can follow His lead in that area as well. All of us are so very human, and I admire your choice to move on in forgiveness and grace.
I have only commented on your bog one time before this..(i think?) But honestly, when I read this post I just really felt an overwhelming desire to give you a big hug!! I’m sorry for the way people are treating you… Keep loving, keep giving, keep blogging!
*blog..
This is one of THE most bizarre things I’ve seen on the Internet, and that’s saying a lot.
I wonder why on earth Lansinoh posted such vehemently adament Tweets about not being involved with you and then to release this “statement” that they aren’t endorsing you or affiliated with you? You’re a blogger – you’d think they’d love you! Every company I’ve met as a blogger has been thrilled with my mention of their company – it’s free publicity!
The way they’ve handled themselves throughout this whole “scandal” is very shady. For a company to take such a stand AGAINST somebody is very, very odd in and of itself. Not to mention somebody who is using their blog to showcase their product and give them away in a promotional contest.
It makes me wonder what “thoughtful messages” were received from people?
I’m not a mom, but will be in the future. The name Lansinoh will forever have a bad taste in myself for how they’ve conducted themselves with this. What should have been a harmless misunderstanding was turned into a ridiculous amount of drama because their Twitterer and statement writer seem like really snappy, rude, judgemental people. Horrible, horrible voices for a company. It reads obnoxiously.
Wow, Lansinoh is sure getting extra publicity out of this one!!! The Lansinoh company should be glad for people like you that promote their product(s) with give-aways! Silly, really, quite silly if you ask me!!!
Take it easy and have a safe journey!
I, too, have stayed on the sidelines through all of this.
I’ve delved in some, to some of your past “wrongdoings” today, just out of curiosity. I’ve followed your blog since you were pregnant with Stellan, like many people here.
The whole thing seemed fishy to me. Not your actions, but the fact that people were making SUCH a big deal out the fact that you didn’t link back to Lansinoh. I did follow them (LansinohUSA) on twitter to keep up with the latest. At first I was discouraged when they tweeted that you had no affiliation with them, but, Laninsoh is a rather large company.
I don’t think it matters who wronged whom in this situation. I think that the response that Lansinoh posted was very, very unprofessional. I think whoever wrote that “Press Release” should have done so with a LOT more tact.
I’ll be honest. I don’t follow your blog anymore “formally”. I still check in from time to time, and I direct people to your blog for various reasons (potty-training, etc). I lost some (SOME) respect for you with the sleep post, only because I’m so very anti-Babywise. But everyone does what is best for their families! I simply don’t have time to read your sometimes rather wordy posts with a 15 month old running around
I’m still somewhat active in your community, and do check in when a link you tweet piques my interest.
I think that you have faced a lot of adversity with naysayers and “trolls”. You handle it a lot better than I would. I still support you and your family, and am praying for all!
MckMama, Today as the Lord prompted me to pray for you and for those who delight in anything negative coming your way, the song “Thou, O Lord” by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir came to mind. You probably have heard it before, but if not, I know that it would be an arm around your shoulders during this crazyness.
Praying…
Forgot to include the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y284YvkYrZo
(I have no affliliation with BTC. I just like their music!)
Love. Love. LOVE THAT SONG.
It’s kind of a bummer….it was 4 free breast pumps, being given away as gifts….created to help mothers give the gift of breast milk to sweet babies…resulting in such mudslinging and back biting. It never ceases to amaze me how icky the world can be. I am so very sorry this happened. But God knows your heart and your intentions. You don’t have to answer to any of us about your actions….only to Him.
On a lighter note…how’s that packing going for Africa? How in the world do you pack for a trip like that? I wouldn’t know where to start!
Lansinoh got great publicity out of this. Whoever thought to give you the pumps should be commended for their savvy. I said as much on twitter and got 3 nasty tweets from people right away, being told I “drank the koolaid” and other very snotty things (because I had the nerve to say I won a giveaway from you and got the items just as promised). I’m sorry people have their issues that they feel the need to project on to you. I’m not sure why they are so angry, but hey, it drove people to your blog and to Lansinoh’s website, all in all, a win, huh? Many prayers for you as you head to Africa.
Levity: No good deed will go unpunished!
LOL!
I never got a chance to comment on your last post that I am SOOO happy to hear that you have friends now helping you to moderate comments and keep out the negative and bad ones! I was always so discouraged (and maddened!) to read the nasty comments and it actually made me not want to read any of the comments anymore because I always dreaded how “down” i would feel after I got through reading a handful of people be exceptionally rude. I’m SO THANKFUL to your friends for helping keep the negative out. Those of us who love you and support you don’t want to hear them tear you down – it doesn’t do anyone good.
I’m only so sorry that you are still having to deal with it through Lansinoh. Hoping that you are proved right in the end (here on earth), but even if not — you have a righteous Judge – who knows what truly happened.
Will be praying for your trip to Africa – I’m sure it will be a breath of fresh air to get away from all of this pettiness!
~annie
This might sound totally weird coming from a stranger, but I am proud of you and the changes you’ve made in your attitude!!! You’re awesome and I am sorry that all of this is happening.
Thank you. It makes me thankful to hear that from you. And now I realized I forgot to check your Facebook to see my long lost “son”!
I just wanted to mention it (at the risk of sounding like a total wackadoo) because I hear a lot of people saying that it doesn’t matter and you don’t need to explain, they trust you, etc etc etc. Well, that is true, but for those who have been irritated by a lot of the drama (*coughcough* me *cough*), to be able to see the changes you’ve made is awesome and the effort you are putting in to become a better person is noticed and does matter!
I’ll post that picture to your FB as it’s been pushed down a lot on my page. He doesn’t really look that much of any of your current (lol) kids… but I think he could belong to you. :p
and DUDE, you should work on getting and EDIT button for the comments. Hey Zeus!!!
And edit. Oh my goodness. *rolls eyes at self*
Never mind. i forgot you aren’t a real person on facebook and I can’t show you. You’ll just have to take my word for it. Or look at my wall photos because I know you have tons of extra time.
whoop der it is: http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/166832_10150098585937866_517522865_6134565_7932849_n.jpg
Let go and focus on your trip and your family until you travel. I think the only reason people were concerned is the cost of the 4 pumps and your money problems. It is only natural someone would check with the company about 4 pumps being given away. The company should have checked with their PR company before they responded. I agree they need to aploize to you.
My sweet 2 year old son just saw the picture of Stellan in the hospital on your sidebar and said “UT OH!”. So precious that he recognized Stellan wasn’t well. We continue to lift Stellan up in prayer and thank God for his miraculous healing upon him.
It’s really hard to do the right thing, isn’t it. It’s so hard to let people talk about you, to let them believe things that aren’t true, to let them spread that to their friends. All because that’s what Jesus says to do.
Oh, I would love to hear what our old churches, yes, it’s “church” people who are talking about me, in the midwest have to say about me and my family.
Maybe I’m glad I don’t know.
For what it’s worth, I have a Medela breast pump!
Dear MckMama,
This has been difficult – for you and for others. I hope you find peace in what you have written and I’m sorry that these things happened. I hope the breast pumps make it to mothers who will get LOTS of use from them.
God bless you and that He may grant you peace,
Bevy!
Uck! I’m a bit confused on everything that happened, didn’t really read the whole giveaway post… but I gather that this has become a big mess and for that I’m sorry. More stress for what sounds like an already stressful time in your life.
keep smiling and loving those precious kiddos!
brittany
This was all blown SO out of proportion. It was a wonderful thing you did giving away these pumps and I am SURE those lovely ladies appreciate them very much! Keep up the great blog Mckmama! Much love here still!
You SHOULDN’T have to explain yourself every minute of everyday. You have a LIFE along with 5 children to take care of and if some morons can’t see that, than that’s there fault and there’s alone. Continue to blog and type about what’s in your heart and your’s alone. PLEASE don’t let anyone stop you. No need to please anyone else, just yourself, family and GOD!!!!!
I’m SO glad to see Stellan thriving.
Truthfully, I’m not worried about who actually sent you the pumps. I do feel that Lansinoh owe you an apology if for nothing more than the tweets they sent out without checking into things first. I actually expressed that on Twitter after reading their letter of clarification. It seems that I read it the same way you did. Of course, a few people had to confront me as though it really had anything to do with them. I chose to only let them know that I was not interested. Left it at that. Aaaall that said, I am happy that you are able to look for the positive and shed away the negative. God bless and be safe on your upcoming trip! How excited you must be!!!
Honey, I don’t honestly understand why anyone made an issue of where they came from to begin with. Sorry you had to commit so much time to such a trivial issue. Your blog keeps me entertained and I hate that so many drama addicts are out there and insist on bringing it to others lives. Praying for you and your family. We all have made mistakes, let the first without sin cast the first stone… Love you girl.
Well written. Someone once told me that there are only two things we need to remember. One for each thumb. God is good. God loves me.
Blessings to you tonight.
Sweet dreams!
I have read your blog for a long time but have never before commented. I just wanted to say that I am praying for your trip to Africa and am sorry that this emotional stress has been dumped on you. I know that you’ve done wrong in the past and admitted it. So have we all. As 2 Timothy 3:12 says: ” In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” Again I am praying for you and your family as you strive for God’s best in your life.
Nothing much to say except to second what Tara had to say….Does it REALLY matter where the pumps came from?? My goodness, if these people have nothing better to do that try to “catch” you at something, then they need to get out more. “An idle mind is the Devil’s workshop.”
Some people have WAY too much time on their hands!
It is to bad that people are like this! I can not believe that is how they treated you or anyone! Have a safe and happy wonderful trip!
This is the most honest, open and heartfelt post I’ve read of yours in a very long time. It is so hard to own up to our own mistakes and I applaud you for that. Thank you for returning to the blog that I remember; when your MSC had cute Irish names, lovely photos of delicious food were shown and sincerity was felt in each post.
You are a much stronger (tight lipped) person than I am! This whole thing bugs the heck outta me! When I see peolpe on Twitter barking about and condeming you, I simply unfollow. I will not be able to reaosn with them and change their minds, just as they will not be able to change mine!;) I choose not to spend my time talking to brick walls! Much love, hugs and prayers!!;)
Well said, and you are handling it better than *I* would
That was an awful attempt at an apology/admitting wrong doing from them.
oh my gosh, girl… you talk a lot!!! hehe. ok, i read most of it. and appreciate your honesty in even addressing the situation. let people talk and blah blah blah. like you said, are you pleasing God or man?? you’ve been in a fight for years that you can’t seem to win. so no matter what you say will clear things up. crazy letter from them that they weren’t clearer… but what can you do?
praying that, like every situation, it passes. can’t wait to hear about africa!!
Jennifer
I have stood on the side watching all of this drama unfold. I am sorry for the nasty attitudes and pain that this mess has caused. It seems there are people following you who have only one goal..to make you look bad. I am praying that this will end. Bless you MckMama
And the world keeps spinning…amen…and let’s move on…
I am so so sorry that you are having to deal with all this crap, cause that is what it is, CRAP!
It doesn’t matter to me where the pumps came from, personally I believe you, but that doesn’t matter, It’s not my place to place judgement on you anyway.
I very rarely comment. I did check in all the time to see if there are new post, but for some reason heard about all this. I know I have heard you talk about all these horrible things people say and all these posters that try to start trouble all the time, I’d never seen it, but never looked for it either. Yesterday I clicked on the blog frog thing where everyone was “talking” about the give away and I was blown away!! People, grow up!! If this is the way some people act as grown ups, I sure would’ve hated to have seen you in high school. GEEZ!
*I meant to say “I do not check in all the time”
well written, well said. The Lord sees… that’s really all that matters… It’ll all work out in the end anyway. So glad you are at peace no matter the outcome. <3
This reason irks me the disputes that arise by you trying to do good things.
Maybe I’m naive but can someone tell me what the big deal is?
When I read about your giveaway I never thought how you got the pumps to give away or why you were doing it.
It seems really sad to me that people have nothing better to than to try to find fault with you,
Also shame on the company for acting the way they are and treating a customer like that.
praying that this is dropped. this is crazy, you do something nice and they turn it around on you. Praying for your trip to Africa. Do not worry those who love you and trust you will continue to read your blog without fear of you saying something wrong because we are all human and have all made mistakes. thanks again
Right. I got that twitter from someone, whom I have blocked since, and thought immediately that Lansinoh needed to be clearer, BUT that it was a very clever ploy by the person who put it on Twitter to drive people to their website.
Ok, I won’t lie or pretend, I did not read this whole post. I did, however, want to come here and tell you to stay strong. I truly believe Satan is using this. You are about to head out on a trip to Africa. Planing to do the Lord’s work. While that is something you do on a daily basis (the Lord’s work that is) by being a mom to your kids, this is a big task ahead of you. Satan wants to discourage you. He wants to drag you down and go on the trip with a bad attitude. He wants nothing more than to see this trip as a failure. But you know what? We already know who wins in the end!
Praying the Lord will sustain you, give you grace, place a shield of protection around you, and allow you to feel His love and strength.
Thank you, friend! I love these reminders from friends about who the real enemy is. And we know Who wins! Praise Him for that!! Thanks, Liz!
Anytime, friend! I truly believe what I said. So proud of you for not letting satan devour you. Just proof that the Lord is our strength. He fights for us. He show us the way to go. We just have to make the right decision to walk in His way.
Thanking God tonight for you! Love you!
Awesome post:)
I agree with Liz, Satan is at work everywhere. He will not win. To much that is given, much is asked. The closer your walk with God becomes, the harder Satan tries to interfere. You know the truth and that is all that really matters.
Yep this is all Satan. Satan’s only purpose of existence is to bring mckmama down, in every thing she does, every time. she is his main focus. Sure she has some responsibility in the past, wait no, that was Satan too….
Wow, this one mommy blogger sure has quite a few spirtual forces always controlling her life. The devil always making her have misunderstandings, God always providing just enough breast milk, telling her to go on vacations, wait not in rv though, allowing debt after debt but still large expensive houses available to live in
Amazing Satan has time for murderers, child molesters, abusers. the starving, the destitute, the impoverished, apparently God doesn’t have enough time for helping them while making sure mckmama has enough breast milk so she can go save them with skype!
Sorry, I am so over this Satan and god control every thing that happens to mckmama. Its never her choice, her decisions even when she says it is. Cuz there’s always that disclaimer, I know I’ve done this 6 times before but Satan is persistent and Jesus forgives me each time, and I’ll never be perfect so don’t judge when I do it again. Take some fricken responsibility for yourself and allow mckmama to take it too! Good grief!
Ps fully aware this will never make the light of day. This copout annoys me as much as seeing escalades and land rovers at the welfare office while people talk on their iPhones waiting in line. Take responsibility!
We will never be able to comprehend the Lord’s decisions this side of heaven. We will also never be able to fully comprehend the evil that surrounds us. I believe we are surrounded by spiritual warfare all the time. It is by God’s grace that we do not have to see every bit of it.
When we start to worry about the wrong others are doing, and not our own, we are only furthering satan’s work. We have that control.
I take full responsibility for everything I write and publish here.
Thank younfornyour kind response to my snarky post, this subject just defies logic to me, so maybe you can explain? And if you can, but prefer to do so in an email to not overtake mckmamas comments, I will give you my email address…
Anyway, one ofnthe stories I hear all the time regarding Jesus is, give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime. In fact this storie is one of the main reasons mckmama states she wanted ton partner with ghni. But…
In the next breath it is said everything bad that happens is satan’s fault and everything good that happens is the of God.
So which is it? God wants people to take personal responsibility for their life, wellbeing and actions, or we’re just puppets in a constant tug of war between god and Satan?
If you are comfortable with it, I am happy to continue discussing here. I think it’s ok.
I will try to explain…I believe we are given free will. We make the decision whether or not to accept the gift of salvation Christ has given us. We decide to do right or wrong. I also believe we are, at our core, bad. I know many will disagree and tell me they believe we are good deep down. I can’t wrap my mind around that idea if we are all sinners, only saved by grace.
Scripture tell us Satan prowls around looking to devour people: evil. We have the ability to make the right or the wrong choice: good or evil. God has saved us by grace: good. You see, we are constantly being thrown back and forth between good and evil.
Now, here is when it gets even more tricky…we are responsible for our own actions. We are not, however, responsible for the actions of others. So while we may make the right choice, others can make the wrong choice, impacting the same situation.
So even when we do the right thing, Satan will still try to knock us down. We are responsible for every moment and decision of our lives. We have to constantly decide to follow the Lord and deny Satan, and Satan will try his hardest to make us recant our right decisions.
We hold the responsibility for our lives, and God has given Himself the responsibility to not give us more than we can handle with His strength which will allow us to stand up from under Satan if we choose.
I don’t have all the right answers, but I believe what I have said here. I hope it makes some sense to you.
This has turned into a much better discussion! Nice to see people talking and questioning respectively. I just wanted to clarify that Jesus was not the one who taught about teaching a man to fish to feed himself. Actually Jesus never teaches us to help ourselves at all but to give ourselves and our own desires away to help others. I hope that is helpful as you keep thinking through this. If you have access to a Bible and can read the book called John you can get a good idea of what Jesus taught as it’s about him. So are Matthew Mark and Luke (all 3 other books in the Bible too). Even if you aren’t sure where you stand on it all-reading his very life story will at least give you information as you keep processing.
Thank you liz and Carolyn. I appreciate you sharing your beliefs and explanations with me. I respectfully still don’t understand how personal responsibity and Satan’s influence can co-exist just as I’m sure there are thing about my point of view you may not understand.
Out of curiosity, where did the fishing story come from and why do many people associate it with Jesus if he teaches the opposite?
The “Give a man a fish…” quote is typically credited to Confucius, not Jesus. I think there is a valid message in that quote. It simply implies that you should help people help themselves. I don’t know that that applies to your question of whether or not people are taking personal responsibility for their actions if they can “see” God’s help when there is good in their life or feel thwarted by Satan when there is bad.
I think you are wanting the concept of God’s (or Satan’s) involvement in our lives to be separate from our own choices. But it’s not as straight forward as that. It is possible to exercise freewill and also be influenced by God or Satan. A good example of this idea is in the book of Job in the Old Testament. You will read how Satan directly and negatively affects his life (with permission from God), Job’s reaction to this, and how God doubles his blessings in the end based on Job’s faithfulness.
God bless and I hope you find the answers you need.
Melissa I just wanted to try to answer this
“So which is it? God wants people to take personal responsibility for their life, wellbeing and actions, or we’re just puppets in a constant tug of war between god and Satan?”
Yes God we make our own decisions and yes.. in a way we are caught in the middle of a war.. they are both fighting for us actually… God wants to save us, Satan wants to kill us.
What I think Liz is saying is that whenever we as Christians try to do something that glorifies God, satan will pull out all of the stops to make sure it doesn’t happen. I’ll use an example of when I try to fast. Fasting and praying is a way to bring you closer to God and it can also be used as a time to pray and receive God’s direction about a specific situation. I find that whenever I decide to fast, food looks 100 times more delicious. You might say that I’m just hungry but other things happen.. like the lunch delivery menu at work might have my favorite meal, or my workmates might decide to go to my favorite restaurant for lunch. In other words, circumstances that weren’t occurring before start to happen all of a sudden, to tempt me (and they sometimes work) and to stop me from getting the answers from God that I need.
What I think Liz is trying to say with regard to Mckmama is that because she has decided to take this trip to Africa and do something for Jesus, satan is orchestrating certain circumstances in order to discourage her and thwart the plans of God. It’s now her (Mckmama’s) decision on whether she will allow it to discourage her or cause her to act in a way that is not Christ-like or keep her eyes focused on Jesus (as she said she will do in her post) Its not that we use satan as an excuse, but we recognise when he is trying to tempt us and we try not to fall for his schemes.
When you see a Christian fall or make a mistake it is usually because we have made the wrong decision when tempted. Its usually because we’ve fallen for satan’s scheme instead on keeping our eyes on Jesus and trying to handle the situation as He would have done. I hope this helps you understand.
Hey Melissa, (I had to respond up here because there was no reply button on your last reply)
Sorry it has taken me a while to respond. I have been away from my computer all day. Looks like someone already answered your question about the fishing saying. In terms of personal responsibility and Satan’s influence, I think that we can make the right decision but Satan will always try to make us change our decision or doubt it. I believe we are always responsible for our own actions. We can’t blame Satan for our actions. We can, however, realize when he is at work. In this case, Jennifer is coming forth and giving an explanation for what happened. It was her decision to discuss to situation. So she made the decision to be honest. Satan, in my opinion, does not like the fact that she made the right decision. So he influences others to make poor decisions in relation to her right one. So, we have the responsibility over our actions and thoughts- 100%. Then Satan can take those decisions and run with them. And just because we made one right decision doesn’t mean we are going to make the same right decision again. We can choose on our own to change, and Satan knows and wants that. We have a sinful nature, so we have to fight against his desire of us to fail in order to make the right decision. Unfortunately, we fall daily, giving into what Satan wants.
Anyway, I’m just trying to clarify my thoughts according to your questions. Hopefully it has helped. I enjoy the chance to think about it and be challenged in my own beliefs. It helps us to grow.
You have issues!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me clarify….
Melissa, you have issues!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree. I will always have issues regarding using Satan (inserty any other outside force one feels is keeping one down) as an excuse to lessen personal responsibility.
I wish more people did too. Imagine how much different the entire country, economy, family situations, would be.
If Satan exists, it’s because people continue to give ‘him’ power over every poor choice or bad thing that happens o them.if they actually had to blame themselves (or the company they keep) and take a closer look at their actions, values, etc… Well there just may be consequences and change requested, and that’s hard and makes people feel bad about themselves.
Yea, I’ll wait forbthis to be posted.
Melissa…and all others that have such a HUGE problem with this blog,
Stop reading it! I am amazed at the number of people that leave nasty comments and yet, still read MckMama’s blog. I hope that one day we adults can really behave like adults and grow up.
I second that Krissi!! I think all of us and McMama would appreciate it!
So true! Well said. And McMamma, honey….youre OK…no worries!
My thoughts exactly, Liz.
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, the Bible says. Hard words to hear but so true. I am encouraged to see that you have friends and readers who will uplift and reiterate the truth. Satan is alive and well in this world though he will not always be. That makes no sense to those who do not believe. How amazing is the everlasting forgiveness that Jesus offers over and over again. How real the enemy is, prowling around in this world. How blind are the eyes that will not see that. And how amazing it will be to see Him in Heaven. Thank you Liz for blessing Jennifer and for blessing me.
You are right, Steph. It makes no sense to those who do not believe. In my heart, I just hope that there will always be a seed planted. From there, we have to trust the Lord. I, like you, so look forward to that day we are united with Him.
Encouraged by people who answer in kindness and grace! This indeed was a much more interesting conversation to read. Bless you on your trip MckMama! And thanks for encouraging and supporting moms like me who didn’t have the first clue how to breastfeed and who might have otherwise given up when the going got tough!
Well said, Liz! I agree 100%.:) Love you Jennifer!
Well said. The harder he fights the more it shows his desperation.
Don’t let him or anybody he pulls into his scheme discourage u in any way.
I’m a new reader of ur blog and love what I’m reading here.
Stay safe on ur trip!