Gift Ideas That Feed the Soul & Family Christian Giveaway

*Thanks to Family Christian for sponsoring this post.  All opinions are my own.*

Christmas doesn't come from a store.  There are a lot of creative ways to communicate love through gift giving, but often it is helpful to be able to pick out a gift from the store shelf or online.

With Christmas quickly approaching you may be wondering what gifts to get for family and friends.  A few years ago I heard a great idea of what to buy for your kids.  You may be familiar with it: give them something they want, something they'll wear, something they need and something to read.  I actually really like this idea!  But I wanted to add something.  Give them something that feeds the soul!  So I put together a list of ideas that help feed the soul.  I had so much fun browsing and shopping at Family Christian and it wasn't hard to find ideas and inspiration.  You can always find great deals and you never forget the true reason for the season.

1. Bible (anyone)

Once our children really start reading, we invest in a high quality Bible for them.  We want them to have access to God's word and encourage them to read about God first hand.  A, B and C already have Bibles.  D's reading has really improved this year and we feel that she is ready for her first official Bible so she will be receiving this on Christmas!  For adults - If your loved ones enjoy drawing, doodling and learning scriptures I would also highly recommend a Journaling Bible.  I have really enjoyed Bible journaling this year.  Stocking Stuffer idea to match:  bookmark or journaling pens.

 The Bible we are giving D this year - engraved!

2.  Adult Coloring Books (this work for youth too)

These books have intricate detail and much more complex patterns than you will find in a classic preschool coloring book!  You have probably seen adult coloring books in many stores (they seem to be everywhere), but you may not know that Family Christian has a nice collection that include scripture.  As you use your crayons or colored pencils you can refresh and renew your mind while focusing on the presence of God, how awesome is that?  I picked up a few of these for A and B this Christmas.  Stocking Stuffer idea to match:  colors, colored pencils, or watercolors.

 Coloring Books

 I picked these up for the older girls.

A peek inside...

3.  Journals (anyone)

Journals are a great way to jot down notes, ideas, drawings, prayers, praises, etc.  I want to encourage my kids to lead a lifestyle of thanksgiving and praise.  I also want them to be prayer warriors.  Journals are a great tool to have to help cultivate those skills.  Family Christian has a plethora of journals to choose from, something for everyone.  I thought about saying these only work for those who have learned to write but I really think they work for much younger as well.  Even before they can write our kids love to draw.  Giving them their own book or place to do that can be truly special.  Stocking Stuffer idea to match:  a fun pen.

 Wall of journals

 Sadie Robertson Journals

Do everything in love journal

Fun Holiday Journal

4.  War Room (adults, older kids)

Right now you can pre-buy War Room (available December 22nd) at Family Christian.  You will also receive a free prayer journal with the current pre-buy deal.  This is the latest movie from the Kendrick brothers (the makers of Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous).  I was able to see this movie and it was so good.  Not only was it extremely well made, it is thought provoking and it will change how you view prayer and how you pray.  I now have a prayer wall inspired from this movie.  Stocking Stuffer idea to match:  prayer journal, sticky prayers.

 The prayer journal I received when I pre-bought War Room.

A look inside the prayer journal.

5.  Wall Scripture/Wall Art (enjoyed by all)

David and I love the Word.  We recently had a conversation about how we would like to see more scriptures on the walls of our homes.  Scripture is powerful and Family Christian has so many wonderful options for scripture decor.  You can also find lots of inspiring phrases and artwork as well.  Stocking Stuffer idea to match:  scripture magnet or encouragement note cards.

 I fell in love with this wall art at my Family Christian store.

6.  Buck Denver Asks...Why Do We Call It Christmas? (everyone)

If you are familiar with the What's In The Bible series then you will already know about Buck Denver.  This video is such a fun and informative way to explain Christmas to both kids and adults.  I reviewed this movie last year so you can read more about What's In The Bible Why Do We Call It Christmas?.  We watch this family favorite every December.  Stocking Stuffer idea to match:  What's In The Bible Coloring Book or Christmas ornament.

 WITB Why Do We Call It Christmas?

I hope you find these ideas helpful and inspirational as you finish up your seasonal shopping this year.  I also want to add that most of these suggestions really work year round so keep them in mind for birthdays and other gift giving opportunities as well.

Ready for a giveaway?  One of you will win a $25 certificate to Family Christian!  Just enter the giveaway below and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy 6th Birthday D!

 

Love you to the moon!

Austin's Park N Pizza - New Bar and Grill and Bowling Available

The kids and I had a great time last week at Austin's Park N Pizza!  We were able to do so much - games, rockwall, bumper boats, go-karts, mini-golf, rides and more!  Many priceless memories were made indeed.

 A, B and C on the bumper boats - you will get wet!

The train coaster - E rode this ride over and over and over.

 My coaster selfie with E.

 The kids after we played a round of mini-golf.

 A, B, C and D all had loads of fun on the indoor rockwall.

 We had a few winners at the games.

Bowling is now available at Austin's Park N Pizza!

Did you know that Austin's Park N Pizza now has bowling?  I watched them as they finished up installing bowling lanes and putting on some of the final touches, looks awesome!  I am really looking forward to going back and trying out the bowling lanes first hand.

 Austin's Park N Pizza Bar and Grill

 Friendly Staff

And if you have been to Austin's Park N Pizza before you know about their buffet, but did you know that they have opened up a new Bar and Grill.  Their chef-inspired grill menu and full-service bar provides an upscale atmosphere for everyone - family, friends, colleagues, you name it. 

Disclosure:  I am so blessed to be a part of the Austin Blogger community.  Austin's Park N Pizza graciously offered our family a day of fun at their business.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Bring Holiday Cheer with ScentSicles

I love holidays!  And Christmas just happens to be my favorite one.  I cannot believe that it is right around the corner.  The stores are decorated with trees, lights and holiday splendor.  We haven't fully decorated our house yet but I am really looking forward to it.  I love looking at lights, wreaths, trees and crosses.

This year marks the 40th anniversary for Tree Classics, a maker of realistic looking artificial Christmas trees, wreaths, and other Christmas ornaments.  In honor of this year's celebration, I was recently sent cinnamon scentsicles from Tree Classics for review.  Scentsicles are amazing scented ornaments that can be used on trees, wreaths and garland.  They are available in a set of three, each set contains six scentsicles.

 Putting the hooks on the scentsicles is a breeze.

one set of scentsicles

They come with their own hooks for hanging.  Scentsicles are available in pine, fur, spruce, snowberry wreath and cinnamon.  I love the cinnamon scent from my scentsicles.  They smell fantastic and it really does help put you in the Christmas mood.  The scentsicles scent will remain for 30 days, which is really ideal for the Christmas season.  I really wish I had smellography so that you could smell the cinnamon through the photograph.  You will just have to trust me.
 

Here you can see a cinnamon scentsicle on our wreath.

Thanks to Tree Classics generosity one of you will be the recipient of a Tree Classics gift.  The winner will not pick their gift but will instead have a surprise sent to them directly from Tree Classics.  Fun, right?  Just leave a comment on this post about anything and I will randomly select a winner on November 30th.  Please remember to leave your contact email along with your comment.  Good luck!

Congrats to Laurie - the winner of this giveaway

Be sure to visit Tree Classics on facebook, twitter, and pinterest.  Check out Tree Classics website to view their range of holiday offerings as well.

Disclosure: Thanks so much to Tree Classics for providing me with my own set of cinnamon scentsicles for review.  As part of Tree Classics 40th anniversary Christmas campaign I am eligible to win prizes.  All opinions are my own.

Dissecting Owl Pellets

 A, C and D ready to go

 B was ready as well

Yesterday we dissected owl pellets!  I know it sounds gross but it was actually quite fascinating.  Owl pellets are not owl poop but the hairballs of undigested owl food.  They contain hair, fur, bones, teeth, etc.  After dissecting the pellet you can determine what your owl ate.  The older four kids each dissected an owl pellet and E and I worked on one together.

E digging through our pellet

 B digging through her pellet.

C with his pellet.

D finding the bones.

If you can't tell by the pictures, we really had a great time seeing what our pellets contained.  We had charts to identify the bones and what animals they came from.

Here are some of the bones that E and I found.

 Here you can see a clear rodent jaw with the teeth next to it.

Here you can see a clear rodent hip bone.

 A and B looking at some of the bones and identifying them.

 B had all rodents bones.

D and E and I had all rodent bones as well.  A and C had rodent and shrew bones.  I was really impressed that all of our pellets had so many bones.  One of our pellets had 5 different skulls.  I ordered my owl pellets off Amazon from Mountain Home Biological and I would highly recommend them.  If you are looking for a fun and exciting science activity, dissecting owl pellets will not disappoint.

Allergy Woes

C playing Fall ball, he was on the Storm

The last few years have been hard for our children as far as allergies go, mostly C (and recently E).  We have been taking C to the allergist for a few years now.  And after trying several medications he will begin desensitization shots in the next few weeks.  He has a lot of environmental allergens like mold and cedar.  I really hope these shots work!  I hate the thought of him getting shots but I don't like the alternative either - having trouble breathing, constant nose sniffling, throat irritations, etc.  Anyone else have to go through desensitization shots for you or someone you know?  I would love to hear about your experience.

 Princess E at the Fall Fest October 2015

We discovered a few weeks ago that E is allergic to fire ants.  She had a scary episode when I was in New York.  She was bit by ~ 10 fire ants.  Her foot swelled up, she had hives on her tummy, blotches started forming all over her face and her voice became raspy - really scary I know.  I thought it was a quantity thing but her pediatrician told us that she definitely has an allergic reaction to fire ant bites.  I now carry Benadryl and an Epi-Pen wherever she goes.  Hopefully, we will never need to use it.  I have an even greater appreciation for those who have allergies, especially multiple ones that include food.

My Entrepreneurs

Kids Creative Paintings at Acton Children's Business Fair 2015

I'm so proud of A, B, and C.  They put together a business, Kids Creative Paintings, created product, and sold their goods yesterday at the Acton Children's Business Fair.  They came up with the idea, the name, and their paintings completely on their own. 

 

 Inside their tent

They figured out the cost of each product and how much they needed to sell their paintings for in order to make profit.  I attended the fair with them; however, I was not allowed to talk or sell their paintings for them. 

 

 Making a sale

Talking to potential customers

I spent most of the fair walking around and checking out all the booths (there were 115 booths). 

 Other booths at the fair...

I am glad to say that they did indeed make money and the learning experience and opportunity to create the business itself was so fantastic.  They sold 20 of their 27 paintings.  A huge shout out and thank you to everyone that supported them!  This was our first year to participate and the kids had such a good time they are hoping to participate again next year.  I cannot wait to see what they come up with!