Mar
05

And the winner is…..

@dlhomeschool, who said… I follow/subscribe! =) You won the Zeezok Presidential Penmanship Curriculum!

And Jessica, who said  “We usually sleep in and then run errands together,” you won the Pillsbury Sweet Sunday Morning Gift Pack!

Congratulations, I hope y’all enjoy them!

Thanks to everyone who entered:)

And thank you to Zeezok and MyBlogSpark for providing the giveaway products!

Mar
03
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Life Changing

GIVEAWAY ~ SET

Do you long for stronger, healthier relationships? As you go about your daily life, do you feel like you have lost the sense of joy and hope that you had as a young woman? If so, this set of books may be just what you need. I do have a set to giveaway!

The first book is Dancing With My Father, by Sally Clarkson. I have loved Sally Clarkson’s work since I first became a homeschool mom and someone gave me a copy of Educating The WholeHearted Child. That particular book absolutely changed the way I viewed my children and how I viewed myself as a mom—yes, it actually did change my life!

And now, as I read her new book, Dancing With My Father, Clarkson speaks directly to my heart yet again as she discusses an almost “taboo” subject, why a Christian woman may not be feeling the joy that a relationship with Christ should and can bring.

Her writing is honest and warm. Within the book, she does not just bring up questions…but follows them up with actual ways for her readers to find answers—with her own stories as well as study portions at the end of chapters and quotes and bible verses. I expect that this book will soon be used in many bible study circles.

The Official Word:

The reality of living in a broken, fallen world can leave women feeling overcome by fear, guilt, and weariness. Many develop “sawdust souls,” numb to any sense of joy.

Through rich biblical insights woven with real-life stories, women will be inspired to recapture a spirit of joy as they follow God’s lead on the dance floor of life.

Sally Clarkson is a popular speaker, known across the nation and internationally for her work with women. She is the author of several books, including The Mission of Motherhood, The Ministry of Motherhood, and Seasons of a Mother’s Heart. She has worked in various ministries, including Campus Crusade for Christ. With her husband, Clay, she is cofounder of Whole Heart Ministries, which encourages and equips Christian parents. The Clarksons, parents of four, live near Colorado Springs, Colorado.

image001Mother Daughter Duet, by Cheri Fuller is another must read book for a Mom. Personally, I have daughters and sons. I honestly believe girls are much harder to raise and get along with than boys! I mean, come on—I’d rather have dirt and frogs any day over bad moods and drama.

In Mother Daughter Duet, Fuller explores our complicated Mother Daughter relationships and offers help in creating that great relationship you want with your daughter.

The Official Word:

When a daughter is born, her mother has a thousand hopes and dreams for her, especially that they will be best friends one day.

Unfortunately, even the best of intentions can go awry. There are so many challenges on the journey to adult friendship that the reality is fraught with friction and frustration. But a harmonious relationship is possible.

Award-winning author Cheri Fuller and her daughter, Ali Plum, have been there and have discovered the keys to a healthy relationship. In Mother-Daughter Duet they share their story—each from her own perspective—in which they have experienced distance and tension, growth and challenge, and, ultimately, acceptance and harmony. Filled with personal anecdotes and based on several basic principles (letting go; listening; respect; setting boundaries; and more), Mother-Daughter Duet helps moms repair the breach so that daughters want to draw close.

Cheri Fuller is a best-selling, award-winning author whose books have sold more than one million copies. She speaks to a wide range of women at women’s conferences and is a frequent guest on national radio and television programs.

Ali Plum is Cheri’s daughter, a writer and songwriter, a wife, and a mother to Noah and Luke. She and her mom have weathered the ups and downs of their relationship to find one of the most treasured, honest relationships of their lives. Ali has recorded background vocals for popular musicians, and Mother-Daughter Duet marks her debut into book publishing.

To purchase your copy of these books, you can go to the Random House website:

Dancing With My Father

Mother – Daughter Duet

As I mentioned, I do have a set to giveaway. I will draw a winner on 3/17.

To enter, leave a comment on what interests you about the book (s). For additional entries, you can:

  • Follow my blog via RSS or google friend connect
  • Follow me on twitter
  • RETWEET this giveaway (Just use little button at bottom:)
  • Blog about the giveaway

Please leave a separate comment for each method of entry and a way for me to reach you if you win!

These books were provided for my review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Mar
03

monopolycard

This is a fun thing for a mom–check out House Party. You can sign up to “do” parties you are interested in hosting.

They will send emails and if you are chosen (and you must respond quickly, I have found) you get free stuff to help host your party. I just found out I am doing a Digiorno’s Champions House Party! This will be great for all the boys in my life! And, I will receive a House Party Box, sponsored by Digiorno, soon. Supposedly, here is what will be in the box:

Host FREEBIES will fill your party kit for slam-dunk fun!
* Party Planner Booklet — with 6 host coupons for free pizza and 15 guest coupons for $4.00 off pizza
* 1 Supreme Pizza Cutter
* 15 Party Rally Beads
* 1 Referee Apron
* 1 Refrigerator Magnet
* 16 Drink Coasters
* 2 Trivia Table Tent Cards
* 1 Basketball “Hoop” Beverage Can Game

Now, this party is already set up, so it is closed for new entries–but I have gotten to do a couple and it is so fun to get the packs. You can sign up for the RSS to find out what parties are coming up & then apply. The ones I wanted that I did not get, I did not get because I wasn’t fast enough logging in! (But, since most of us blogging moms are on the computer, you should be able to get one!)

Well, really just an FYI. I actually love an excuse to do a party–the house gets clean and we all have fun:)

http://www.houseparty.com/

I was not paid or asked to do this post (Bummer). I just think the house party packs are fun.

Mar
03

I’m afraid Winter finally got to me and I am sick:) No genius posts from me today–But I do have two giveaways ending tomorrow, so put your name in the hat if you’d like!

pillsbury1

Pillsbury Sweet Mornings Gift Pack, http://faithfamilyandfun.com/?p=2558

And, Zeezok Presidential Penmanship Handwriting Curriculum (ages k-12 included)

http://faithfamilyandfun.com/?p=2472

Oh! Also, if you are gluten free, or need to learn how to cook this way for your family, check out Marine Corps Nomads. This month, Marine Corps Nomads will be featuring a month of gluten free product reviews, giveaways, recipes, and more. Some great giveaways!

Gluten Free Month

Mar
02

Great Software Tools

boxSummary & Rating 2: Graphics Toolbox from Great Software Tools is a graphics and editing software. I have used Photoshop in the past and do appreciate having tools to improve presentations and invitations and items like that. I know Photoshop can be pricy and labor intensive to learn, and Graphics Toolbox is less expensive. However, I heard several negative things about fellow crew members having trouble with their computers when they first loaded this software.  Having had 2 hard drives fail this year, I just could not attempt it. While I realize the kinks were worked out, I honestly cannot recommend this particular product.

If you are looking for a program to help you visually enhance your documents, you can take a look at Graphics Toolbox on their site, here. The price for the program is $149. They do offer a lot of training, as well as one on one paid training options.

To see what my TOS crewmates have to say, click here!

The Great Software Tools program was provided to me for the purpose of my review. I have expressed my unbiased opinion on this product.