The Bun Run

Are you a list person?  You know, the type of person who has a list and gets a thrill when you get to put a line through an accomplishment on the list.  I am.  And guess what?  Here is part of my list of goals for the year.

Goals

Run a 5K without stopping

 Me right before the race

That's right, this morning I participated in The Schlotzsky's Bun Run 5K.  I am not going to win any awards for my time (just under 33 minutes) but I had a lot of fun and I did not stop. 

 Me right after the race

Relaxing with the kiddos!

Now that I have a race completed maybe I can work on my time :)

As One Devil to Another Review, Giveaway & Blog Tour

*** Giveaway Now Closed ***

Congratulations to Laurie!

I have another book to tell you about, As One Devil to Another by Richard Platt.

My thoughts: As One Devil to Another is an insightful book written in the same style as C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters.  I read The Screwtape Letters for the first time only several months ago and was amazed; I also very much enjoyed this book.  Platt even includes a few references to Lewis' work, but he certainly does not depend on the reader being already familiar with the topic or characters.  Not to spoil anything but I really chuckled at the end with the reference to four troublesome human children and their pet lion!

Through reading the correspondence between two devils (Slashreap's letters to Scardagger), Platt gives a super eye-opening perspective on eternity, society, and even daily life.  It is easy to see "the client" and those around her in some of the predicaments they find themselves in.  The picture portrayed of devils assigned to every person to win their soul to Hell is not a hard one to grasp.  As a Christian this book really makes me think about how I am living my life.  Are their times and situations when I am not listening to the right voice?  I hope not and desire not.  The core spiritual environment depicted in Platt's novel basically agrees with the Bible's teaching, although the specific interactions of the demons and their hierarchy is fiction.

This book was not a super quick read for me - I think because it has such depth.  While I do think some could read it quickly, I found myself stopping to ponder more than usual.  I am sure on additional readings I will pick up things I missed the first go around.  In short, I would recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of The Screwtape Letters.

Curious for more?  Read the following summary from the publisher ... or even better, read the book!  And don't forget to enter the giveaway below.

About the book:
As One Devil to Another is an astonishing debut work that C.S. Lewis's biographer and foremost Lewis authority Walter Hooper calls "a stunning achievement, the finest example of the genre of diabolical correspondence to appear since this genre was popularized by C.S. Lewis."  Enter into this chilling and diabolical tale, one that reveals the very tricks and strategies of Hell.  Through a series of letters between devils created by Platt, senior devil Slashreap trains his young protege, Scardagger, to win individual's souls away from Heaven and into their clutches.  As the devils plot their way to triumph, they reveal the spiritual dangers and risks we face in today's society.  Their frighteningly accurate perspective on issues such as contemporary technology and sexual mores is interwoven with timeless matters such as the power of prayer, the purpose of suffering, and the promises held out by Heaven ... and Hell.  Destined to become a modern classic, As One Devil to Another is a brilliantly written, deeply unsettling perspective on twenty-first-century society...a glimpse of ourselves through the eyes of those who have embraced their underworldly existence.

Now, onto the giveaway!  You can win your very own copy of As One Devil to Another!  I will mail the winner a certificate that can be redeemed for a free book.

Mandatory Entry:  Follow me on google friend and let me know, that's it!  Please be sure and leave your email so I can contact you if you win! 

Extra Entries, leave a separate comment for each extra entry.  As you can see, there are lots of extra entry opportunities so don't be shy!

1.  Follow my google+ page (2 extra entries)

2.  Follow my facebook page (2 extra entries)
3.  Follow me on Pinterest (2 extra entries)

4.  Follow me on twitter here (2 extra entries)
5.  Let me know who this book would be for (2 extra entries)

Giveaway will end on May 15th at Midnight.  Winner will be selected using a random number generator and will have 48 hours to respond.  If there is no response, I will randomly select another winner.  Open to US residents only.

Disclosure:  I was blessed to receive my own copy of the book As One Devil to Another for review and a certificate for the giveaway.  All opinions expressed are 100% mine.

New Year's Eve Resolution Reset Blog App & DVD Giveaway

 *** Giveaway Now Closed ***

Congratulations to Amanda!

Did you make any resolutions this year?  If so, how are you doing?  Now is a great time to think about all the resolutions you made that may have been placed on the back burner.  With the New Year's Eve Resolution Reset Blog App, you can double check and make sure that you are on the right path to making your resolutions a reality.



Warner Bros. Pictures is proud to announce the release of the romantic comedy New Year's Eve on DVD May 1st!  This comedy stars Ashton Kutcher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Katherine Heigl, Sofia Vergara, Hilary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zac Efron, Jon Bon Jovi, and Josh Duhamel!

Now, onto the giveaway!  You can win your very own copy of this DVD!

Mandatory Entry:  Take the quiz and let me know how you are doing on your resolutions, that's it!  Please be sure and leave your email so I can contact you if you win! 

Extra Entries, leave a separate comment for each extra entry.  As you can see, there are lots of extra entry opportunities so don't be shy!

1.  Follow me on google friend (2 extra entries)

2.  Follow my google+ page (2 extra entries)

3.  Follow my facebook page (2 extras)
4.  Follow me on Pinterest (2 extras)

5.  Follow me on twitter here (2 extras)

Giveaway will end on May 6th at Midnight.  Winner will be selected using a random number generator and will have 48 hours to respond.  If there is no response, I will randomly select another winner.  Open to US residents only.

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to the sponsor for providing this giveaway.

Purex Let's Be Honest

On April 30th Purex will launch a new Let’s Be Honest promotional campaign featuring Second City Comedian Molly Erdman. The campaign will consist of a funny series of short video vignettes sharing honest moments that reflect the ironic truths of everyday Life, Laundry, and Whatever!

There will also be a sweepstakes. Every day one lucky entrant will win a year’s supply of Purex detergent!  The daily sweepstakes will run through July 24th.  How awesome is that??

Stay tuned for this upcoming campaign, you don't want to miss it!

Mud Soup

 

A and B made soup for dinner tonight!  We checked out the book Mud Soup from the library and it has a recipe in the back.  The girls were so excited to make it.  It turned out really yummy, Delicioso!  And it was a great way to use Sylvia this week, love my crock pot :)

 Cooking the black beans

The recipe

Bumbo Baby

E is growing so fast.  I am starting to have mornings when I look at her and say, "Wow she has grown!".  She loves her Bumbo chair.  Enjoy these recent photos of her!

 Relaxing

 Happy Baby!

My artistic view

I'm a Saline Ambassador

You may have seen this image on the side of my blog recently.  What does it mean?  I am now a Saline Ambassador for Little Busy Bodies, Inc. - the makers of Saline Soothers and Boogie Wipes.  I get to use their amazing products and pass out samples to my family, friends, and generally anyone!  How awesome is that?  I will be having an upcoming party, look for a future post. Thank you Little Busy Bodies, Inc. for trusting me with your products and believing in me to be an Ambassador!

Operation Smile

I am on a new mission from Smiley 360, Operation Smile.  What is Operation Smile?

About Operation Smile:
Operation Smile is an international children's medical charity that heals children's smiles, forever changing their lives.

Every three minutes a child is born with a cleft — often unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile. In some places these children are shunned and rejected. And in too many cases, their parents can't afford to give them the surgeries they need to live a normal life.

Since 1982, Operation Smile — through the help of dedicated medical volunteers — has provided more than 2 million patient evaluations and over 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

With your help, how many lives can we change tomorrow?

In seconds you can help create new smiles for children around the world.

The Challenge: 25,000 new Facebook ‘Likes’ in the month of April to raise $50,000 and help create 208 new smiles.

Here’s How it Works:

• Click here and ‘Like’ Operation Smile on Facebook
• Every new Facebook ‘Like’ = $2.00 donation, from SwimWays, towards a lifesaving surgery for a child
• You will receive an exclusive 20% off coupon toward any SwimWays pool and sports product as a special thanks for joining us on Facebook.

You can click here to see more about it!  Thanks so much for reading :)  Want to join me on smiley360, just click here!

The Forgiven Duke Review & Giveaway

Remember my review of The Guardian Duke?  Well, I am excited to tell you about the next book in the series, The Forgiven Duke.

About The Book:  The Forgiven Duke
Tethered by her impulsive promise to marry Lord John Lemon - the path of least resistance - Alexandria Featherstone sets off toward Iceland in search of her parents with a leaden heart.  A glimpse of her guardian, the Duke of St. Easton - the path less traveled by - on Dublin's shore still haunts her.  Will he come after her?  Will her drag her back to London, quelling her mission to rescue her treasure-seeking parents, or might he decide to throw caution to the wind and choose Foy Pour Devoir: "Faith for Duty," the St. Easton motto.  The Featherstone motto Valens et Volens "Willing and Able," beats in her heart and thrums through her veins.  She will find her parents and find their love, no matter the cost.  The powerful yet wing-clipped Duke of St. Easton has never known the challenge that has become his life since hearing his ward's name.  Alexandria Featherstone will be the life or the death of him.  Only time and God's plan will reveal just how much this man can endure for the prize of love.

As with the first book in the series, The Guardian Duke, I really enjoyed this book!  The Forgiven Duke picks up right where we left Alex and Gabriel.  I was excited to get back to the story and see how unfolds.  Alexandria and her "Duke" have only glimpsed each other, yet their feelings run strong from the letters they have communicated back and forth.  I love the idea of falling in love over letters.  I remember when David and I were in college and one summer we were in different cities.  I cannot tell you how much I treasured his letters to me.  I truly love the way that Carrie creates and sustains their romance.

Alexandria's first goal is to find her parents at whatever the cost may be, she just cannot bring herself to think that they are dead.  And that is how Alex finds herself engaged to Lord John Lemon.  I love the twists and turns that Carrie weaves into this book.  I hesitate to say too much because I am not one for "spoiling" books.  Carrie's character development continues to amaze me as I care for many of them and not so much for a few!  I cannot wait to finish the series out...

Would you like to read this book?

Now, onto the giveaway!  You can win your very own copy of The Forgiven Duke!

Mandatory Entry:  Follow me on google friend and let me know, that's it!  Please be sure and leave your email so I can contact you if you win! 

Extra Entries, leave a separate comment for each extra entry.  As you can see, there are lots of extra entry opportunities so don't be shy!

1.  Follow my google+ page (2 extra entries)

2.  Follow my facebook page (2 extra entries)
3.  Follow me on Pinterest (2 extras)
4.  Follow me on twitter here (2 extras)

5.  Like The Forgotten Castle Series on facebook (2 extra entries)

Giveaway will end on May 5th at Midnight.  Winner will be selected using a random number generator and will have 48 hours to respond.  If there is no response, I will randomly select another winner.  Open to US residents only.

Disclosure:  I was blessed to receive my own copy of The Forgiven Duke for review.  All opinions expressed are 100% mine.  Thanks so much to the sponsor for providing me with this book and for sponsoring this giveaway.

Orb Factory Binglets: Review & Giveaway

Have you heard of The Orb Factory?  The Orb Factory is a provider of many craft and activity products.  They have been around for 21 years!  Their products are sold in over 50 countries and they have become a recognized and trusted name in the toy market. 

Check out the Binglet box I received.

There are 48 Binglets (fancy bracelets)!  4 different Binglets for 12 girls

 Each kind of Binglet
Some are thinner and some are thicker

Making their Binglets

The girls loved making patterns

A few completed ones

So happy!

More happiness

 Peeling off the jewels

Finished jewelry

My Thoughts:  The girls had so much fun making these bracelets with their friends.  It is an easy and fun activity.  You simply unpeel the jewel stickers and place them on the bracelets in the pattern you desire.  Sometimes the sticky part remains on the plastic and the jewel will not stick to the bracelet so you need to make sure that the adhesive comes off with the jewel.  I love that the sticker sheets contain plenty of jewels for the bracelets with extras!!  This allows for multiple patterns, and helps if some of them come off incorrectly!  Also, you want to apply some pressure when you put the jewels on the bracelets as well.  One of our bracelets was dropped right after assembly and many of the jewels popped off so I do not think enough pressure was used.  No worries though, we simply put it back together - pressed hard, and it stayed put. 

All in all this was a really fun activity and the girls and I would recommend it.  It would be a fun craft to have at a birthday party, craft party, or just to do with friends like we did!  They can encompass a large age range as well.  C and his buddy had fun making a few Binglets together for their mommies, so don't rule boys out completely.

 C making Binglets for me

 C's buddy making Binglets for his mommy

I thought that this was such a super sweet idea - boys can make them for their mommies or sisters if applicable.  We still have a few more Binglets to share with more of our friends!  We just weren't able to get together will all of them at the same time.  Would you like to try out Binglets for yourself?  Then, keep reading...

Now, onto the giveaway!  You can win your very own box on Binglets!

Mandatory Entry:  Follow me on google friend and let me know, that's it!  Please be sure and leave your email so I can contact you if you win! 

Extra Entries, leave a separate comment for each extra entry.  As you can see, there are lots of extra entry opportunities so don't be shy!

1.  Follow my google+ page (2 extra entries)

2.  Follow my facebook page (2 extras)
3.  Follow me on Pinterest (2 extras)

4.  Follow me on twitter here (2 extras)
5.  Follow Orb Factory on twitter here (2 extras)
6.  Follow Orb Factory on facebook (2 extras)

Giveaway will end on May 2nd at Midnight.  Winner will be selected using a random number generator and will have 48 hours to respond.  If there is no response, I will randomly select another winner.  Open to US residents only.

Disclosure:  I was blessed to receive my own box of Binglets for review.  All opinions expressed are 100% mine.  Thanks so much to The Orb Factory for providing me with this box and for sponsoring this giveaway.

Happy Monday

So happy with bubbles!

Mentos and Diet Soda

So, what happens when you mix mentos and diet soda?  A small geyser!  The kids loved this one.  What is happening?  The small pores all over the mentos catalyze the release of the carbon dioxide within the soda creating the geyser - resulting in a fun experiment.

 Tools we used

 Setting up

 Our geyser

Quincy

Quincy (our van) hit a huge milestone this month!

250,000

Live Below The Line Campaign

In today's world, extreme poverty and inequality are unjustifiable and unfair. Live Below the Line demonstrates the problem in a concrete way, while raising money to address the problem. Support me as I live below the line by donating now – your generous support will go towards fighting extreme poverty.  Here is my page link if you would like to donate!

From May 7th-11th my family will attempt to live below the line by not spending more than $1.50 per person on food and drink.  I will update you on our progress when the time comes.

Reserves

This picture of E cracks me up.

Just in case...she has reserves!

The 5 Love Languages of Children Review & Giveaway

*** Giveaway Now Closed ***

Congratulations to Michelle J!

I have another great book to tell you about, The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell.

About the Book:
To be their best, children need to feel loved.  But if you and your child speak different love languages, your affection might get lost in translation, affecting the child's attitude, behavior, and development.  Dr. Gary Chapman's groundbreaking Five Love Languages series has helped millions of couples communicate love more clearly, and Dr. Ross Campbell M.D. has applied the innovative system to children as well.  The 5 Love Languages of Children gives practical suggestions for learning how your children interpret love and creating a sense of security in which they can thrive.

My thoughts:
I learned about these five love languages over 10 years ago, and I remember how eye-opening it was then.  This book has had the same effect now applied to my children.  The five love languages are Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Physical Touch and Acts of Service.  Let me warn you that there is more to each category than just its title, but the authors do a good job explaining and giving practical examples.

I really enjoyed this book!  I feel like I have been really seeing my children in a different light so to speak.  I know that children need all 5 of the languages (just as we do) but it can be super insightful to realize what your children's top love languages are.  For example, it didn't take long when I started thinking/observing to realize that D has quality time and physical touch in her top two.  Literally, just spending a few minutes when she needs it most can change her outlook and attitude for the rest of the day - so helpful.

Even among my five kids, raised in the same environment, their primary love languages differ. I think C's top two are acts of service and quality time.  I think B's top two are physical touch and quality time while A's top two are words of affirmation and gifts.  I have noticed that words are very powerful to her (and likewise, can be super destructive).  Our mouths have the power to encourage and build others up or quite frankly, to tear them down.  May I be one who builds and not destroys.

Most of my children have quality time high on their lists. I think one of the most helpful ways to look at it is that I want to make sure that I have intentional time with each of my children when possible.  Do you have children in your life?  I think this book is a great tool for all parents (grandparents, uncles, aunts, teachers, the list goes on...) to have and I highly recommend it.

Now, onto the giveaway!  You can win your very own copy of The Five Love Languages of Children!

Mandatory Entry:  Follow me on google friend and let me know, that's it!  Please be sure and leave your email so I can contact you if you win! 

Extra Entries, leave a separate comment for each extra entry.  As you can see, there are lots of extra entry opportunities so don't be shy!

1.  Follow my google+ page (2 extra entries)

2.  Follow my facebook page (2 extras)
3.  Follow me on Pinterest (2 extras)

4.  Follow me on twitter here (2 extras)
5.  Follow 5 Love Languages on twitter here (2 extras)
6.  Follow 5 Love Languages on facebook (2 extras)

Giveaway will end on April 21th at Midnight.  Winner will be selected using a random number generator and will have 48 hours to respond.  If there is no response, I will randomly select another winner.  Open to US residents only.

Disclosure:  I was blessed to receive my own copy of the book The Five Love Languages of Children for review.  All opinions expressed are 100% mine.

Happy Easter

He is Risen!!  Happy Easter everyone!  We have had a few days of fun celebrations.  The kids went on a local Easter egg hunt yesterday (complete with face painting and pizza) and then woke up to an Easter egg hunt around the house this morning.

 

 You might notice a few eggs in our living room

David and I had a lot of fun hiding eggs (over 150!).  We made Resurrection Rolls for breakfast.  We made them last year and has so much fun it is now a family tradition.

 Going in the oven

 Cut them open and you have an empty tomb

 Seriously, my Amaryllis is amazing!  I have beautiful Easter flowers.

My family has managed to dye 6 dozen hard boiled eggs.  Of course several of them were eaten in the process ...

 Here is D so proud of herself for putting the egg into the purple dye without cracking it.  Love that smile!

 E showing off her flexibility

A and B dying eggs.

Their faces are painted as bunnies from the egg hunt.

Hope you are having a restful and very blessed Easter.

1/2 Year

You knew it was coming!  E is 6 months old today :)

 I still have yet to figure out what color her eyes will be

 On the couch!  And yes, she still loves soothies.

 E with big sister D

My children think I am the official "Butterfly Hunter" now.  They had so much fun last night they begged me this morning to go and catch butterflies on our morning walk.  I wasn't sure if we would catch any but we took the gear - just in case.  Well, we caught four!  Don't worry, we will release them soon.

Our new friends.  

I'm a Versatile Blogger

I received an award on another blog, thanks Neha! 

The rules for this award are:

1. Add a picture of the award in your post.

2. Thank the award giver.

3. Share 7 random facts about you.

4. Choose 15 other bloggers to pass the award to and let them know that they’ve been nominated.  (I am going to do this one a bit different)

Seven random facts huh?  Okay, here we go.

#1 I have never broken a bone.

#2 My favorite color is green.

#3 I am an introvert (this surprises some people).

#4 I love to shop (even for groceries).

#5 I am the baby of my family (I have an older sister and brother).

#6 I do not watch television (I love watching movies though).

#7 Entomology was my favorite class in college (crazy I know).

There you have it!  Randomness about me. 

Now for the 15 bloggers I'd like to give this award to, well I would like to do things a bit different.  If you are a blogger and you are reading this and you would like to participate - I choose you!  If you are a blogger and you do not want to participate, then you do not have to.  So everyone who wants to be included is and everyone who does not want to has freedom not to - I hope that makes sense.  If you do participate be sure and let me know so I can learn seven random facts about you!

Book Review: Charlie No Face

Charlie No Face by David Seaburn is a very engaging story.  I was surprised at how quickly I read this book, two days to be exact.  Seaburn writes extremely well and his ability for character development is amazing and very natural.  This book gives inspiration to a wide range of minor difficulties and major life tragedies.

I was surprised when I found out that this story is loosely based on the story of a man who was a lot like Charlie No Face.  It really made me think about the prejudiced responses I may have towards others as well as how I personally deal with adversity.

Seaburn presents a menagerie of difficult life events through a pre-teen boy's experiences, and what he learns and observes through his relationships.  It is not always pretty, and there were a few scenes that I wanted to really hurry along past the uncomfortable details; but I love the overarching messages within the story.  The boy, Jackie, learns to accept the absence of his mother, deal with his athletic victories and disappointments, matures in his relationships with his father and his friends, begins to experience puberty, and of course has a key encounter with Charlie - and there's a lot more packed into this page-turner.

And Seaburn gives Jackie some great twists - learning to appreciate the positives in challenging situations, possibly just from a different perspective.  This story reminds me of the many blessings I have in my own life.

Disclosure:  I received an autographed copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Lemon, Coconut & Updates

B got her cast off today!!  She does still have to wear her sling for 3 more weeks but it is still exciting (and a lot easier to take showers).

And in case you are wondering how they remove the cast, well here you go.

We were all hanging outside this evening and the kids and I caught two butterflies.  The girls named them Lemon and Coconut.

 B in her sling with the butterflies

 Coconut - not a great picture

Lemon

And back to the Amaryllis.  See below how much it grew in another week.

 A after 3 weeks

The next day we potted it.  Doesn't it look amazing?
I am so impressed with this lesson.

And for those who maybe didn't figure it out, there is no Cookie Scented Purex laundry detergent - it was an April Fool's joke :)  I surely hope no one was offended.  It would be an interesting idea indeed!