UPB09 Follow Up

I hope you all had a wonderful time at the party. (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you obviously didn't attend 5 Minutes for Moms' Ultimate Blog Party 09.) This note will be on-going as I finish reviewing the comments.

1. How did put numbers on your comments?
I found some instructions on the web, but I found someone who speaks our language (a mom!) Check out this post on The Mom Nerd. She even includes pictures! :) Note: You can only see the numbers on the page for the post (i.e. perma link). I didn't realize I had comment numbers until people started asking!

2. How do you make a scrolling button list? (Okay...I'm going to have to come back and figure out how to post the html so that you can paste it. Check back. Gotta get to work.)

I got this advice from Erin on a message board, but here is her blog: Mrs. Cox's Slice o' Heaven

In a new HTML widget on your sidebar start with:
<div class="textwidget"><marquee direction="up" onmouseover="this.stop()" width="135" scrollamount="10" onmouseout="this.start()" height="350" align="left"><br />then add your button coding below it, however many you want ending with this<br /></marquee></div>


That should do it. You can adjust the speed where it says scrollamount="#" the higher the number the quicker it scrolls. And of course adjust your width and height to whatever you need for your sidebar. To be continued......

B-Day Bash Contest

Happy Birthday Chris! Maybe your birthday be blessed.



Want to join the fun? Have a chance to win some great prizes?

Here are the Prizes:

First Prize: 22,500
* 5000 EC - The Joy Of Life Forever
* 4000 EC - My Life's Adventure
* 4000 EC - Life's Journey
* 4000 EC - My Online Adventures
* 2000 EC - The Designers Blog
* 1000 EC - The Fountain Of Happiness
* 500 EC plus 125x125 ad space for 1 month - Thoughts & Beyond
* 500 EC plus 125x125 ad space for 1 month - Tere's World
* 500 EC plus 125x125 ad space for 1 month - New life on Our Own
* 500 EC plus 125x125 ad space for 1 month - Songs Lyrics Collection
* 500 EC plus 125x125 ad space for 1 month - Free Text Messages SMS & Quotes
* 125x125 ad space for 2 months - Love Is A Perfect Gift
* Blog review - Paulubiadas.com
* Domain plus Blog Hosting - Pinay Mommy Online
* $25 Gift Card - Rockerchic Online Store

Second Prize: 17,000
* 3500 EC - Guilty Pleasure
* 3000 EC - Chuchies's Hideaway
* 2000 EC - Simplement Belles
* 2000 EC - Cookings' Fun
* 2000 EC - WhereAbouts
* 2000 EC - Seek No More
* 1500 EC - Twinkletoe Writing Space
* 1000 EC - Blessings and Beyond
* 125 x 125 widget ad - Dancing in Midlife Tune
* 125x125 Ads space for 1month - Pinkista.info
* 125x125 Ads space for 1month - MyCandypastel
* website review - Health Is Wealth
* 1yr. domain - Joyoz Photography
* $10 coupon - Mea Culpa Body and bath's page

Third Prize: 14,000
* 1500 EC - Nesting Buddy
* 1500 EC - Mommy's Little Corner
* 1500 EC - Things About Computer
* 1000 EC - Life and Scraps
* 1000 EC - Lourdes' Mia
* 1000 Ec - Mommy Emotes
* 1000 EC - Moolah Musings
* 1000 EC - ILUV Contests
* 1000 EC - The Ruby Posts
* 1000 EC - Budget Blogging
* 1000 EC - Micah Izabel
* 1000 EC - Beyond Feron dot Com
* 500 Ec - SUPERNOVA and SWEETPAIN
* 125X125 ad space for 2 months - Hot in Singapore
* 125x125 ad space for 1 month - Survivor: The Reality Of My Life
* 125x125 ad space for 2 weeks - Walkingnewspaper
* 125x125 ad space for 2 weeks - of being a Medical Student
* Blog makeover - Femikey's Design
* Fused glass pendant of your choice - Luckygirltrading Etsy Shop(pic is here)

Fourth Prize: 10,000
* 1000 EC - Eastcoastlife
* 1000 EC - I Thought So
* 1000 EC - My Piece of Paradise
* 1000 EC - Family Health and Home
* 1000 EC - Simple Happy Life
* 1000 EC - My kitchen
* 1000 EC - My Whole New World
* 1000 EC - My life and family Journey
* 1000 EC - Palabuzz
* 1000 EC - Healthy Lifestyle
* 125x125 ad block 1 month - Indian Automobiles
* 125x125 ad block 2 months - Web Reviews
* Blog makeover - The Designers Blog
* $5 - Life Marriage And Kids

Fifth Prize: 9,000
* 1000 EC - Johann David
* 1000 EC - Mama's Sanity
* 1000 EC - The Certified Fashionable Chic
* 1000 EC - Babette's Definitely MAYBE!
* 1000 EC - Everything PLUS the Kitchen Sink
* 1000 EC - One at a Time
* 1000 EC - Kusinera sa Amerika
* 1000 EC - Words of Love
* 1000 EC - My Library
* 125X125 ad space - Kuerdas
* 1 brooch - My @Ventures pic here.

Sixth Prize: 8,000
* 1000 EC - The Journey Of My life
* 1000 EC - Barbie Doll
* 1000 EC - MB Designs
* 1000 EC - Ask Ms Recipe
* 1000 EC - DarlingRose Designs
* 1000 EC - Rosa Love's
* 1000 EC - PinayMamaBlog
* 1000 EC - Journey
* 125x125 banner ads for 1 month - Joyouz Journal and Designs
* 1 set bracelet & earrings - DarlingRose Designs pic here.

7th Prize: 7,000
* 500 EC - ANGELS IN MY LIFE
* 500 EC - My Online Diary
* 500 EC - Sahm Random thoughts
* 500 EC - Hit-or-Miss
* 500 EC - SimplyWP
* 500 EC - Wiehanne.com
* 500 EC - Heartnet02
* 500 EC - Heartnet
* 500 EC - Rapid Shoots
* 500 EC - Affiliatizer.com
* 500 EC - Asian Dramas
* 500 EC - Scandals Prime dot Com
* 500 EC - Life of a Filipina Blogger
* 500 EC - Pictures and Cultures
* 1 month 125x125 ad space - My Home
* 1 bracelet - My Online Adventures

8th Prize: 6,000
* 1000 EC plus 125x125 ad space for a month - Make or Break
* 1000 EC plus 125x125 widget ad- Joys in Life
* 1000 EC plus 1 month 125x125 - IndoContest.com
* 1000 EC plus 125x125 ad space for 1 month - Blessings in Life
* 500 EC plus 125x125 ad block - Blogger Templates
* 500 EC - I Heart Pink
* 500 EC - Simple Life
* 500 EC - MB Online Express
* 1 month 125x125 ad space - Blogs Contests
* 1 pair of earrings - DarlingRose Designs pic here.

9th Prize: 5,000
* 500 EC - Diva Fabulosa
* 500 EC - The Pinay Blogger
* 500 EC - Chica Chika
* 500 EC - Health and Beauty Diva
* 500 EC - Davao Life
* 500 EC - Love's Haven
* 500 EC - So Much To Tell
* 500 EC - Mother Knows Best
* 500 EC - Hairstyle Digest
* 500 EC - Movie Spoiler
* 1 month 125x125 ad space - Davao Food Trip

10th Prize: 4,000
* 1000 EC plus 125x125 ad space for 1 month - Jobs in
Davao
* 1000 EC plus 125x125 ad space for 1 month - Ivory Tasks
* 1000 EC plus 125x125 ad space for 1 month - Pink Thoughts
* 1000 EC plus 125x125 ad space for 1 month - Posh Thoughts
* 1 month 125x125 ad space - Pinoy Recipes Collection

Special Prizes: US Only

* Amigurumi Bunny - Cathy's Sweet Pea Toad Store (pic here or here to see the prize) - US only
* 1 pair of scarf & crochet hat - MB Online Express - US only
* 1 pair of earrings - Wonderful Things In Life
* 1 hanes longsleeve - My Life's Adventure
* 3 pcs. of miniture basket - Health Is Wealth

That Baby DVD and CD--Giveaway

Looking for a baby gift idea? Check out That Baby DVD and That Baby CD. I had the opportunity to review the That Baby DVD and CD. It is a fun collection of songs geared to ages 0-5, but with music that Mom and Dad will enjoy too. There are 10 songs on the DVD, and the same songs are repeated on the CD along with 3 bonus tracks. Songs include: Happiness Runs (Donovan Lietch); Circle Game (Joni Mitchell); The Garden Song: Inch by Inch (Peter, Paul, and Mary); and Songbird by Fleetwood Mac). Each song has been arranged and recorded in a fresh, fun version. The DVD includes a variety of styles: real life kids; computer generated artwork; animation; puppets; and still photos. From the company:

Enjoy kid-friendly covers of songs written by artists like Fleetwood Mac, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant, The Beatles, The Pretenders, and more.

We’re a parent-run company and know the value of making responsible purchases for our own children. Our products are made in the USA using recycled materials. We offer a “no questions asked” money-back guarantee and free replacement of scratched or damaged discs. (We have kids too. We know how it is).

You’ll be the hit of the baby shower with this fun gift idea!

Bottom Line:
What did the kids think?
Crunchy (5, girl) and Munchie (3, boy) both enjoyed the video. They didn't know any of the songs. (I only recognized a couple, but I didn't grow up listening to pop music.) But they danced anyway. They really liked the songs with the kids in it. I've listened to enough kids' music over the years to know what I don't like. The music was fun and upbeat. I could see myself listening to this over and over (and over) on a car trip and not going nuts! (We took a long weekend trip one time when my daugther was in the love with The Wiggles. 'Nuff said!)

Want to buy one?
Look here to find out where to buy it in your area. Or you can order it directly from That Baby DVD, Amazon or iTunes. Suggested retail price for the That Baby CD is $14.95, and the That Baby DVD is $19.95.

Want to win a That Baby DVD and CD combo?

Main entry (required):
Join the That Baby DVD and CD fan page on Facebook.

Bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each):
* What song do you think they should include on the next Volume?
* Add my button to your blog
* Follow me on twitter
* Twitter about this giveaway
* Follow my blog
* Subscribe to my blog

Contest ends Monday, April 6th.

Review: Step into Your Future

Rosemary Regier-Hossenlopp author of Step Into Your Future: A Businesswoman’s Path to Profits shows how to make success a process.

What inspired you to gather together this information and put together a book?

The heart of success is figuring out what gets you the best results. You hear about business planning techniques that can help you focus on getting the business results you want. But you procrastinate in implementing them. I know this because I have been there too. It is overwhelming when you need to be the plumber, the accountant, the salesman and the person who delivers the goods. It is hard to make the time to work “on” the business and not work “in” the business.

Why do you do what you do?

I feel so good when I work with other business owners to help them understand how to tame the things that steal your time. The great thing is that when you focus and produce results, you get to share your story of your products and services with everybody. You meet people who help you connect with others. You play a bigger game. People will recognize your name. You enjoy life. Your sphere of influence grows. You get more opportunities to create alliances with people that you now only dream about.

The format:
Step into Your Future is divided into 5 "steps"--each two chapters long.

• Create your business vision


• Clarify your business mission


• Construct business success factors


• Compose business results


• Complete business success plans

My thoughts:
Step into Your Future is a great hands-on book to lead you from just starting (or surviving) to thriving. Rosemary provides information about business and how to make it succeed. But she takes it from general to specific with short check lists and quizzes to answer about your specific business plan. Mixed in the book are bullets called "Powerful Planning Ah-hah" (Women want to make a difference); "Powerful Planning Tips" (Powerful women know the purpose of each activity on their schedules.) "Fast Track Planning Tip" (Determine what you need to outsource. Hire someone to to it this week.); and even Left and Right brain planning tips. Each chapter has a number of "Powerful Planning Exercises"(Write down to profit or growth goal. Do not judge it. Do not rewrite it yet.) to help narrow the focus more.

I found this to be a easy read. There are charts and graphs included through the book. There are activities to encourage the reader to stop and think (and sometimes write) about their goals and dreams.

This book would be a great benefit to any woman who is just starting out in business or who wants to take her business to the next level.

Coyote County Loser

Tonight we went to see John's big screen debut. He was an extra in Coyote County Loser which was filmed here in Roswell. We tried to see it last Friday but it was sold out. The pictures aren't the best but one is of John in front of the (lighted) movie poster. The other two are of the (scrolling) credits where his name appeared. I will add links and such.

If you get a chance to see the movie John is wearing a white shirt with burgundy diamonds. He is in the scene (near the end of the movie) where the winner of the contest is announced. There are a few face shots in the crowd. He has a full gray beard.

Can losers find love? Southwest desert radio station K-RAP is struggling to pay the bills when radio jock Jack Proctor (Beau Clark) zooms through Coyote County on his way to LA to take the gig of a lifetime. But the deal stalls, so Jack temps on-air work for K-RAP. Dr. Lauren Hartford (Nikki Boyer), local on-air relationship expert, gets under Jack’s skin by questioning his love advice — so Jack initiates a high stakes contest to find Coyote County’s biggest loser and help him woo the county’s most unattainable woman. Before this battle-of-the-sexes is over, Jack and Lauren will learn love is for losers after all.

Here's the trailer:

John standing in front of the lighted movie poster. You can't see anything except the lights. (Oops!)

Two shots of the credits where his name appears.  Of course, the credits were scrolling :)

The Potty Train

The Potty Train has arrived at our house for, I believe, the last time. Munchie has resisted our efforts up to now, but on Saturday he began to get it. He is still not perfect, but he knows when he needs to and lets me know if he doesn't need to go. So tonight I bought him a Potty Train balloon.

I believe God invented potty training to humble parents. I know it did me! When Chewie was little I was horrified when he made it to three and was still in diapers. (3 weeks later he literally taught himself.)

With Crunchy and Munchie it became an offence to my professional pride. You see, I have a certificate on my wall at work that not only identifies me as a "Developmental Specialist", there is a II (2) behind it. I ama so-called expert, but my kids were 3 years, 1 month; 4 years 2 months; and now 3 years 10 months when they mastered the potty.

I remind myself (as well as the parents I work with) that kids develop at different rates. Just like some of us. We all develop (and continue developing) at different rates.

Yoplait Kids: Giveaway!

gave me the opportunity to try out a Yoplait Kids gift package. My kids love yogurt, but they are thrilled when I bring home Yoplait Kids, Go-Gurt, or Trix. (I picked their favorite: Trix!) The kids enjoy the bright colors and the strong flavor. The box never lasts long!

Did you know research has shown that fewer than half of all kids ages two to 12 get the calcium they need each day? Calcium and Vitamin D are both essential nutrients for building strong bones. Though it can be challenging for growing kids to get Vitamin D, since it is found naturally in very few foods, Yoplait for Kids makes it a little easier to incorporate a delicious source of Vitamin D and Calcium in your child's diet.

To encourage families to get up and get moving, Yoplait is giving away 3 Get Active kits. These kits include: a travel cooler (to take your yogurt with you); a jump rope; a water bottle; and an outdoor game set that includes a Frisbee, a beach ball, paddle ball, and Jai-Ali.



To win a Get Active set:

Leave a comment with your favorite way to get active with your kids (or somebody else's kids!).

Extra Entries: (Leave a comment for each entry)
* Add my button to your blog
* Follow me on twitter
* Twitter about this giveaway
* Follow my blog
* Subscribe to my blog
Contest ends Friday, April 3rd

UBP: 2009 Party Time!

It's time, again, for 5 Minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party. Please, come in and pull up a chair. My name is Julie, and I'm your hostess today.

You can find out more about me here. But in a nutshell: I'm a full time working mom of 3 kids. My husband and I have been married for 22 years. We serve as marriage mentors, and I'm heading our our church's women's ministry. I love to read, and lately I've had the opportunity to write reviews on some of the books. I have quite a few in a pile to read and review over the next few months. I've done a few other product reviews, but mostly I blog for fun. You can read my blogging journey here.

Those beautiful kiddos on the header, yep. They are mine! One was adopted, two were by birth, and all are really mine! That is where the Mom 2 ways comes in. (from right to left):

• Munchie (3, pre-K, all boy!) Short for munchkin. Loves Pomas (Thomas) the Tank Engine
• Crunchy (5, K, princess/wrestler)Love to sing, dance and tell stories
• Chewie (11, 5th grade, explorer) Loves science, Mythbusters, and video games

In case you are wondering, those are not their real names! :) I decided a couple of years ago that if I'm going to talk about my kids, I should probably at least partially hide their identity! :)

My husband, John (and that is his real name---his and half the country's!) is a stay at home Daddy who occasionally works as a computer network technician. He has two blogs: Every Daddy's Princess and Macs4Missions.
If you look closely at the picture, you will see evidence of his techno-geekness (is that a word?) His Mac Mini with 2 flat panel monitors (one is out of the picture); the Wii; the assortment of audio and visual components, the Star Trek: The Experience pictures, and the 50 inch plasma TV that replaces the 47 inch LCD TV I broke with the Wii-mote. Oh...you didn't hear that story? I wrote about that in He Loves Me More and Restoration.

Right now (hurry before you forget!) add me to your favorites or follow my blog! You don't want to miss all the exciting stuff I've got in store! (Plus, I need to feel the love! :) )

There are all kinds of cool prizes! Here are some of my choices! (These are all from the US list.)

58 – Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer (from Moms Who Think)
42 — 5 kajeet phones (from kajeet)

53 – Signing Time Parent (from Two Little Hands Productions)

1 — $100 gift certificate to either Pedal Cars and Retro or A Rocking Horse To Love
Provided by: 5 Minutes for Mom

Any of these gift certificates would be great!
19, 21, 22, 26, 91, 113, 68

Here are some other favorites!
5, 40 , 49 , 60 , 95 , 103, 106 , 114 , 72, 134

Okay, so I went back and looked at the US and Canada List and found more!
1, 8, 27, 32, 76

Head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom and join the fun!

Friends Forever Review and Giveaway

Crunchy and I had the distinct privilege of reviewing the Friends Forever Girl Dolls! I have to tell you, these dolls are beautiful! We received Marlee, who was a perfect match. Her bio, reads:

Hi, I'm Marlee! Natalie and I have been friends since we were really little. I like to take charge of things, and usually get along with everybody. I have an older brother named Pete and a younger brother named Jake. They're normally great, but sometimes they drive me crazy! I love riding my horse, Picasso. I also like to write in my journal and do art projects. One of my favorite things is to create my own look with funky outfits.

Like Marlee, my Crunchy has a big brother and a little brother who are "normally great, but sometimes they drive (her) crazy". Crunchy loves to draw and is known for putting together some pretty interesting outfits!

I didn't tell Crunchy what we had, I just told her I had something for her. First we opened the box, and found a beautiful, sturdy blue box with a ribbon design on it. She pulled off the lid, and we pulled back the wrappings. And...

Crunchy's first look at the doll.

After my post about toy packaging, I had to show you how these dolls are attached to the box. No plastic ties to untwist or tags to cut off. At each hand, the feet, the torso, and the neck, there was a ribbon tied in a pretty bow. It was so easy (and pretty!) to get it out of the box!

"Let me check you out!"

New Best Friends Forever!

Here is Crunchy's review:

I love my doll! It is pretty. I love it. I love it so much. I wish every little girl in the world had one. Marlee means so much to me. It's like a dream come true. I like the Butterfly Promises too. If I could meet her (Kristi, founder) I would probably faint!

The craftsmanship of these dolls is incredible. The dolls are 18 inches tall, have a vinyl body, moveable arms and legs, and are able to stand on their own. Friends Forever Girls started when founder, Kristi Necochea, looked for a high quality doll for her daughter that was fun to play with, that was dressed in hip but age-appropriate clothes, and that could be used as a tool to help build self-respect and foster responsibility. When she didn't find one, she decided to create her own line of dolls.

I'd like to thank MomBlog Marketing for this opportunity!

Buy one!
Visit Friends Forever Girls to learn more. You can meet the Girls here.
When you shop use with the code: "Spring" and you will receive a free t-shirt with any doll purchase (while supplies last) This is a $14.99 value!

Or win one!
That's right! I get to give one away! (Sorry, I can't do like Crunchy suggested and give one to every little girl!) The winner will be able to choose any doll from the site! ($59 value!). Sorry, limited to the Continental US.

To enter: Just leave a comment. (Any comment will do, but please try to avoid, "Enter me!")

Extra Entries: (Leave a comment for each entry)
* Add my button to your blog
* Follow me on twitter
* Twitter about this giveaway
* Follow my blog
* Subscribe to my blog
Contest ends Wednesday, April 1st (No fooling!)

Blog to the world; Blog for you and me

Lainey at Lainy's Musings has issued a challenge to share our bloggy story. I started my first blog in October 2005. I made a grand total of 5 posts in 2005. All on the same day. All pictures. In 2006, I posted 17 times. Then I took almost a year off. Since October of 2007, I have been blogging consistently. Now, the definition of "consistent" varies. My goal is to post at least twice a week. Most weeks, I make it. I did have one month (June 2008) where I only posted one time. Over the past 18 months, when I got serious about blogging, my style has changed and grown. My blog began as a place to post pictures and occasional updates on my life. But the more I wrote, the more my blog began to take on a life of its own.

I've written some posts that, I believe, were pretty profound. I've covered topics like: transformation; taking medicine; and even lessons from the garden (even though I'm not a gardener!) One thing that has changed is my attitude. I often think, "How can I blog about this?" I don't always make a post when I consider it. But often I do. With the addition of a Smart Phone my blogging has reached a new level. I have blogged from a parade, Target, the movie theater, a hotel in Santa Fe, and (don't tell my pastor!) church.

Through my blog, I've shared good times (like my trip to California for my Mom's birthday) and pushing myself to do more than I thought I could do. I've celebrated my Daddy who died 10 years ago. I've chronicled my successes and struggles with my weight. I poured out my heart when I learned that my husband loves me more than his new TV (that I broke with the Wii-mote about a month after we bought it!)

My blog has been, and will remain, a personal--not business--blog. I recently began adding product reviews. I enjoy this, but I don't want it to be my focus. I want it to remain fun.



Blog and Win at Lainy's Blogoversary Celebration

KUERDAS | Our Journey to Forever | The Certified Fashionable Chic | Lainy's Musings

A Closet for Limitless Adventure | A Freelance Designer's Blog | A Life to Remember | A Moment to Exhale | A Mommy in Manila | A Simple Life | A Taste of Both Worlds | Adventures of a Fitness Diva | All Blog Contest | Also Mommy | AnGeLs In My Life | Another Contest | Arts and Entertainment Center | Ask Ms Recipe | Babette's Definitely MAYBE! | Blazing Minds | Briggs Time for Escapades | Chronic Chic Talk | Computer Technology Gadgets | Confessions of a Fitness Diva | Daily Stop | Dancing in Midlife Tune | Dark Angel | eastcoastlife | elai's haven | e-Pamilya | Erikson's Home | Erlinda's Wandering Thought | Everything Has a Reason | Everything PLUS the Kitchen Sink | Everything Under the Sun | Filipino Online Community | Fragments of Thoughts... A Piece of Life | Girls are Made of Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice | God's Best Gift | Happy Family | Healthy Living and Lifestyle | Heart Random | History of Supernova and Sweet Pain | Homemade Beads Jewelry and More | I Thought So | iLUVcontest | I'm Walking on Sunshine | In My Kitchen | In the Eyes of the Beholder | Iowahippiechick | JoyOz Photography | Joys in Life | Juliana's Lair | Juliana's World | KiSsMi | Kokey Gadgets | Kusinera sa Amerika | Kutsara at Tinidor | La vida es hermosa | Life's Journey | Life's Sweets and Spices | Lifetime Mom | Make or Break | Mama ASID's E N T R E P O D | Mariuca's Perfume Gallery | Medan Daily | Moments of My Life | Mommy's Little Corner | moms... check nyo | My Online Adventures | My Barefoot Journey | My Blog Says | My Country Home | My Crossroads | My Kitchen | My Library | My Life and Family Journey | My Life's Collections | My Online Diary | My Piece of Paradise | My So Called Life | My So-Called World | My Whole New World | My Written xPressions | nameSherry | NetSource | News2Buzz | Night Clicks | Nita's Corner | Nita's Random Thoughts | Novice Master | Pinoy Medical Doctor | Praning's Shoutout | Random Ramblings | Random Thoughts | Rare Ordinary Thoughts | Serendipity | Serradinho | Sherry Contest | Sherry Rambling | Shopping | Show Me Your Interest | Simply Shinade | SimplyWP | Sir Robbie Rob | Sushi Freak | Symphony of Love | Take a Coffee Break... | Taste Buds | Technology Talks | THE DESIGNERS BLOG | The Designer's Chic | The Lady Programmer | The Maiden's Testimony | The Modern Mom | The Painted Veil | The Reporter | There is Happiness | Things About Computer | This is So Me | Thomas Travel Tales | Thomas Web Links | Through the Rain | Towts 4U | Twerlermz Blog | Twinkletoe Writing Space | Twins Happiness | walkingnewspaper | Web Blog of Greg Mathews | Web Blog of Sapimoto | What Have You | Windmill on the Hill | Wishing on a Falling Star | Wonderful Things in Life | Words of Love

Winners and a Sneak Peak!

First, I have some winners to announce!

In the PowderArt giveaway, I have 5 (Yes 5!) to announce!

mommyhoodisthankless

janetfaye

AmandaSue

Jen from Creative and Curious Kids

Annie at Annies Home

Please contact me within 3 days so I can connect you with the sponsor.

Next, I have a redraw to announce. My winner from the Mom2Be Pampering never contacted me. :( So, my new winner is:

Erin from Mrs. Cox's Slice o' Heaven

Lastly, I'd like to give you a sneak peak of some of the products I'll be reviewing and some of the giveaways to look forward to. Some dates (like blog tours) are set in stone. Others are approximate.

I told you a couple of weeks ago how allergies have been working overtime in our area. My daughter is 5, and we've been looking for something to offer relief. I just heard about Sinupret For Kids, which was developed by Bionorica, as a safe, natural remedy that supports healthy sinus, respiratory and immune function. I'm going to be trying it and I'll let you know what I think. I'll be giving away 5 gift backs!

Friends Forever Girls Dolls---Watch this week! Awesome giveaway!

Blog tours:
Step into your future by Rosemary Hossenlopp 3/27
If Mamma Don't Laugh, it Ain't Funny (Hat giveaway) 4/8
The Calling: A Voice in the Dark Woods by Jacob Isreal 4/18
The Secret Holocaust Diaries by Bannister, George and Tomlin 4/21
I am Says You Are by CJ Rapp 4/30
Face of Faith by Candy Wood Lindley 5/23
Ready to Win by Thelma Wells 6/09

Other reviews:
Wild Things
Questions from Little Hearts
How to Mess Up Your Kids (Giveaway: 5 copies!)
Chicken Soup: Teen Talk (Giveaway: 3 books!)
What are you Weighting For?
The Ministry of Motherhood
ChicBuds (giveaway)
Temporal ScannerYoplait Kids (Giveaway)
Oral B Stages

I made the paper!

My picture was in yesterday's paper. Two people at church mentioned it today. I knew the paper had sent a reporter to Leadership Roswell on Friday, but I didn't know I was in the picture. It's not the most flattering. But it's me. I'm the first one on the left.

Mommy Grace: Review and Giveaway

I have found my kindred spirit (to borrow from Anne of Green Gables). Her name is Dr. Sheila Shuller Coleman. Sheila (I hope she doesn't mind if I use first names, as I feel like I know her well!) wrote the book Mommy Grace: Erasing Your Mommy Guilt

What the publisher says:

MOMMY GRACE

By Sheila Schuller Coleman

Universally, mothers tend to feel they are not good enough at parenting and fear they are harming their children by not being perfect. In Mommy Grace: Erasing Mommy Guilt, Sheila Schuller Coleman offers overwhelmed moms short but emotive stories of authentic motherhood from her own and others' experiences-foibles and all-and offers comfort by showing how God makes up for human weakness with His own strength.

Because Sheila shares lessons learned the hard way by real moms rather than giving difficult instructions for better mothering, readers will leave the book feeling encouraged rather than lectured.

For every mom who feels she's not quite up to the colossal job of parenting, MOMMY GRACE is full of hope and compassion.

The facts:
Mommy Grace is a 160 page book broken into about 30 chapters. If you do the math, you see that each chapter is short. The chapters start with a 2-5 page story about a situation in which a Mom (usually Sheila) has good reason to feel guilty. Chapters include: forgetting a child at home alone; sick babies; gum-encrusted toddlers; and really listening to kids. Following the story and lesson learned is summary statement such as:

Responsibility is response-ability
And leaving the results to God!

Next is a Scripture passage, and the chapter ends with a prayer. The prayer is written out like a (non-rhyming)poem.

My reaction:
From my introduction, you probably guessed that I enjoyed the book. You are right! When I first received the book to review, I hesitated because I wasn't sure when I'd have time to read it. But I was delighted to find the short chapters that were easy to read when the kids gave me a few minutes of peace. Many books about Moms are written by stay at home moms. I have nothing against SAHMs. (My husband is a stay at home at Daddy.) But often advice given a SAHM just doesn't work for a working mom. So, Sheila got my attention when I learned she was not only a working mom, but an educator like me. And, she's not a mom of only 1 child, but 4. (One more than me!)

But, none of this is why I felt a kinship with Sheila. No. It was her stories. Some of them felt like she's been reading my mail (or at least my blog!) Stories like: being too absorbed my project to pay attention to the kids; learning to release my child into God's hands (where she was all along); and the need to (repeated) say, "I'm sorry" to my kids.

I think the statement that hit home was in the chapter, "Love Covers a Multitude of Sins". She said, "Not a nurturing woman, even in the best of circumstances..." She goes on to talk about a particularly bad night when her husband had been sick for a long time, and the kids were stepping on her last nerve. What followed was a total Mommy snap. (I've had my share of those!) Long before we had kids (even before infertility) we decided that John would be the one to stay home--because he was more of the nurturer. This always bothered me. Here I was the teacher, but not a "nurturer". But when Sheila admitted this, I felt great relief. I'm not alone.

During the introduction, Sheila talks about the Mommy guilt of being an educator and wondering what credibility she would have as an "expert" when he kids were less than perfect. I faced this with my daughter. My title is "Developmental Specialist II" working in the birth to three population. But I had a 4 year old daughter who was not potty trained.

Mommy Grace has helped me realize that as long as I do my best, God will take care of the results. And some days my best, is far from perfect. But I am going to continue loving my kids, and I pray that Mommy Guilt will drive me to the foot of the cross where I will find Mommy Grace.

Want a copy?
Pre-order now:

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Contest ends Friday, March 27th.
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Fitness Friday: Blog Swing Guest

As part of the Wii Fit Mommies Blog Swing I am happy to introduce my guest blogger. Today you'll find me at a CT girl in KS. Check out the other imposters, er guests, at Wii Fit Mommies.

Hi everyone! My name is Devon and I blog over at MamaCheaps.com! First, I’d like to thank Julie for letting me have the guest spotlight on today’s Fitness Friday!
I’d like to tell you a story about my experience with fitness through pictures! Before the arrival of my daughter, Lilyana, I succumbed to ALL SORTS of torturous, long, grueling workout DVDs and programs. Sadly, I probably own more than this- these are just the ones in my living room!

But let’s face it—once the baby arrived, I just did not have the time devote 60 minutes to a full workout video. In fact, after I came home with Lily AND a painful c-section incision, I all but banished the word EXERCISE in my house! Then as the weeks went on, I came to realize that even though the videos might be out for now, Lily and I certainly could work together on this working out thing. You all probably know that there is NO shortage of fitness products for BABIES!

From the floor gyms…

To the Exersaucers…

To the Jumparoos…

Babies seem to find exercise everywhere! But for mommies, it might not be so easy. Sure, there’s always going for walks (weather permitting outside or indoors like the mall), but sometimes that just isn’t feasible.

And then, I finally found something that not only gives me a workout, but believe it or not, it’s fun too. That’s right- the Wii Fit from Nintendo! I had so much fun the very first time I stepped on my balance board, and even broke a sweat! It’s fast paced, entertaining, and it documents your training, which gives me one less thing to worry about! Oh yeah- and the best thing about the Wii Fit? Lily likes to play too. So, even when she won’t go down for a nap, I can still get some workout time! (Thanks to my husband for posing!)


So, the lesson here is simple. Do you have to run out and buy a Wii Fit? Definitely not! What you do have to do, though, is find SOME way to get some exercise that you (and your baby/children) can enjoy together! I hope to show Lily that exercise is not only important, but can be fun and not a chore. That’s a lesson that I wish my parents had stressed to me, and a legacy that I would be proud to pass on.

Happy Fitness Friday, everyone!!

Classic Bible Storybook (Review)

Recently I was invited to review the Classic Bible Storybook.

Classic Bible Storybook is a collection of more than 120 stories written by Kenneth N. Taylor, translator of The Living Bible and best-selling children’s book author. Inside you’ll find:
Each story presents the accuracy of God’s Word in language children can understand.
The illustrations are realistic and will capture the imaginations of both young and old.
Comprehension questions after each story reinforce the themes and help readers engage with the text.
It’s the perfect book to help children learn to love and reverence the Word of God.

My first experience with The Living Bible was a hardback green pocket edition of "Living Letters". This was Kenneth Taylor's paraphrase of the Epistles. Honestly, I didn't give it much thought. I was raised in a King James Version household. The New International Version (NIV) came out when I was in college, and my mom was not thrilled when I switched. But, I recently learned that Kenneth Taylor didn't originally intend to paraphrase the Bible. He started out writing out books (Epistles) in his own words for his children. Eventually, this led to a paraphrase (and more recently, a translation) of the entire Bible.

The Classic Bible Storybook is a hardcover edition with 121 stories on 270 pages. The pages have an aged look. (Similar to tea dying). The stories are fairly short (1-3 pages) with great pictures. If you had a children's Bible 30 years ago (at least that's when I got mine) you will recognize the artwork of Richard and Frances Hook. The pictures vary in size (from small inset to full page) and color (full color and grays). My favorite feature is 3-4 relevant questions at the end of each story. (i.e. Why did Jonah try to get away from God?" and "Why was Jonah angry that the people of Nivevah were sorry for their sins?) Each story includes Scripture references.

Okay, enough of the facts. What did the kids think?
I started reading from the beginning of the book (usually a good place to start!). My kids (3, 5 and 11) sat and listened well. Okay...the 5 and 11 year olds sat well. The 3 year old rarely sits still! I was impressed with how much detail the stories included. The information was presented in a way that was clear to understand, but it didn't "water down" the Gospel. (This was important to me, as I mentioned, with my lack of positive exposure to The Living Bible.

After a few nights of reading, I decided to go head-to-head with the Jesus Storybook Bible (JSB). I started with the story of Daniel, and then Jonah. Each night, I read the Jesus Story Bible version, followed by the Classic Bible Storybook (CBS). The JSB had full color pictures on each page, and the author took some liberties with the story. The liberties did not, in my opinion, "dumb down" the material, but it did make it more like a story book. When I read the same story in the CBS, I was surprised that my kids didn't mind fewer pictures (1-2 on most stories). The CBS gave more details. For example, in the Jonah story, the JSB ends with the people of Ninevah confessing. But the CBS went on to tell of the vine that grew and died, and ultimately, Jonah's choice to see God's heart for the lost. The questions (see above) took us to a discussion about praying for terrorists to come to know Jesus. My 5 year old said, "So, bad people can become good people if they love Jesus?" Yes. She gets it!

Bottom Line:
The Classic Bible Storybook is a great way to share the stories of our faith in a way our children will understand. I'm looking forward to many more nights reading these stories to my kids.

Achoo

Tonight we stopped by Wal-Mart to try to find something to relieve John's allergy symptoms. We live in a dry area (New Mexico) but we usually have quite a bit of rain, and even a few snow days. But this season has been so dry. I can't remember the last time we've had any rain. We had snow flurries for, literally, about 5 minutes. Even though we have had a number of cold days (20 degrees) I only had to scrape ice from the window twice.

So what does this weather report have to do with allergies? It is so dry and dusty, but very windy that everyone is sneezing My family has gone through 3 six packs of big boxes of Puffs Plus in less than a month.

The picture shows the allergy section of our Wal-Mart pharmacy. Notice all the empty spots. Just wait till things start blooming!

Last times

We all know children grow up so fast. It seems like one minute they’re crying for your attention and the next they’re teenagers wanting to take the car out for the night. Author Karen Kingsbury knows this feeling all too well. Karen is the mother of six children and it is those children that prompted her to write Let Me Hold You Longer.

Okay...kleenex alert! My contact over at Tyndale House sent me a link to this video. In in, Karen explains the reason she wrote her new book Let Me Hold You Longer And then she reads the text. Wow!



Now, can you share a "last time" with one of your kids?

My older two kids had a hard time giving up their "meme" (aka pacifier). But with Munchy, he just asked for it less and less. One day, I realized he hadn't asked for one (or found one and put it in his mouth) in 2 weeks. I didn't realize it was his last time.

Fitness Friday: getting real

A picture's worth a thousand words? Let's just say it's time for me to get real, stop making excuses, and start getting fit. Sure, the shorts were old and kind of worn. But if I hadn't tried to stuff so much of me into them, they would not have done this:

Not only have a gained back all of the weight I lost last year (about 40 pounds), I am about 15 pounds heavier than I was when I started. And, I've surpassed my highest weight--ever. I have to make a change. It's time to get real and get moving.

There is usually a Mr. Linky for Fitness Friday, but I can't find it. Here is the Wii Mommies link.

Powder Art Review and Giveaway

Crescent, a leader in the art and framing industry, is providing a solution for parents looking for a hands-on alternative that encourages both creativity and educational development. Crescent’s new arts and crafts product, Powder Art,™is a mess-free twist on paint by numbers and a great activity for kids to explore their artistic abilities and build their reasoning and motor skills.

The innovative peel and paint art activity uses revolutionary dry paint powder made of recycled paper, instead of paint. With easy-to-use paint-by-number designs, Powder Art allows kids to choose to follow the color guide or they can explore their creativity by either designating different colors for their design or mixing colors together for a customized picture.

Powder Art is available in six designs appealing to both boys and girls. The suggested retail price per kit is approximately $8.99, making Powder Art a great value at around two dollars per art activity. Powder Art is available at select specialty retail locations and PowderArt.com.

This week I had the opportunity to try the Powder Art Peel and Paint sets. The suggested age was 5 and up. I chose to start with my 11 year old (Chewie). I chose not to try it with Crunchy (5) first. I think she will enjoy it, and she's been begging to do her own . We'll probably try it this weekend.

The cardboard package came with everything we needed to get started:

• 8 PowderArt colors (in small zipper bags);
• 4 5"x7" Peel and Paint designs
• 1 paint brush
• Plastic "Palette tray"
• Full color instruction sheet

Chewie was excited to get started. He chose the giraffe from the Jungle Animals. I chose the Fairy from the Magical Moments set. Chewie started with dark colors (black, blue, green). I started with the light colors (yellow, white). I quickly realized I should have read the directions (or at least realized there was a reason that black was #1 and white was #8). Some of my colors "bled". (Specifically, the black dots on my yellow moon.) Chew did not have any of that problem because he started with black. (I know...it makes sense. I just didn't think!) I thought about not telling you about my goof up, but I didn't you all to make the same mistake!

As you can see, Chewie's picture turned out very well! He really enjoyed it. He's anxious to try some more, and he wants me to get some for his next birthday party.

I only had two complaints, but they were minor. Some of the peel and stick pieces were a bit difficult to get off. Chewie quickly figured it out. I think the younger ones would have more trouble. (The instruction sheet did give a helpful tip to bend the design slightly to help release it.) The other thing was the paint baggies. I'm not sure how it could have been done differently, but I had a hard time getting it out of the baggie and into the tray.

The Powder Art kits get kudos from my family! Scroll down past the pictures to find out you can win a set to try!

First color: Black

4th color: Purple

All done!

Mom's finished piece

Win one of five (5!) packages of Powder Art.

To enter: Visit Powder Art and leave a comment with which pack you'd like if you win. (You can change your mind later.)

For extra entries (leave an extra comment):

• Suggest a theme for a future pack of Powder Art
• Add my button to your blog
• Follow me on twitter
• Twitter about this giveaway
• Follow my blog
• Subscribe to my blog

Contest ends Monday, March 16th.

Limited to US addresses.

Wordless Wednesday: A boy and a box

Waiting for the other shoe to drop

I took this picture last week intending to write a blog post. I didn't get around to it. Until now. Ever since the gas prices fell it sems like every has been holding their breath waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. Our gas prices got as high as just under $5 a gallon. (And our gas starts at 86 octane instead of 87.) We didn't get as low as other areas, but we got down to about $1.69. But it settled at around $1.90. For more than a month it stayed at this range. Until yesterday. Yesterday it jumped 20¢ to $2.09. And I'm assuming it will only go up from here.

Mac Rak Craft Kit

Thanks to Faith Approved I had the opportunity to try out "His Kids Crafts" from The Mac Rak. These kits are all-inclusive.

Everything you need to create quality family time and memories with your kids, in one bag!

Glue, scissors, play dough, sequins, googly eyes....if the craft calls for it, you will find it in the kit. The kits are hand-assembled by a mom. (And, I would guess, with some help from her children!)

I sat down with my daughter, Crunchy, this afternoon to try out the kit. Our kit was the April Bible Craft: a fun foam cross magnet with hearts spelling "God" and "Love" . Out kit included: clear instructions (with a picture of the completed project); 3 cross in different sizes; 7 letter hearts (the O is shared); a small glue bottle, and a strip of magnet.

I read each of the directions to Crunchy, and she was able to do the project by herself. (She probably could have done it with just the picture, but I wanted to see how easy there were to follow. They were well written.) I really liked the final two instructions. The first was to get a Bible and read John 3:16. (Instead, Crunchy quoted it for me a couple of times. Thanks AWANAs!) The last instruction was to discuss why God loves us so much and why Jesus chose to live, die and be resurrected for us. It was an easy way to bring the activity from just a craft to a teaching time.

The kit was well put together, and included encouraging notes on the packaging. My daughter enjoyed the time we spent together, and it was great to have a finished project in a very short time. Individual kits start at $3.75. Ours was $4.25. There is an option for a monthly subscription for $4.00 a month.  In addition to the Bible crafts, there are featured crafts and surprise crafts.

My model Crunchy introducing the kit.

The kit comes with everything you need.

Gluing on the letters

Quoting John 3:16

All done!