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Tag: holidays

  • Happy Thanksgiving

    Happy Thanksgiving

    Happy Thanksgiving
    Here’s a tidbit of history for you
    May we all find reasons to be Thankful today and give Praise. 
  • Stress Free Holidays? {Think About It}

    Stress Free Holidays? {Think About It}

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    What are Your Biggest Challenges with the Holidays?

    For me, holidays aren’t really challenging. I mean, I guess they could become challenging, if we had more family nearby, and had to figure out a bunch of schedules, and make sure we didn’t accidentally offend someone, or forget something, or leave anyone out.  
    Fact of the matter here though, we keep it simple. I think our biggest challenge will be getting enough snow (which we obviously have no control over), an finding a good enough hill to take the kids sledding.

    Are you looking at me funny now?
    Let me tell you why that is my biggest challenge – because holidays, for me, are about spending time with family. It’s not about the toys, the gifts, the perfect party. It’s about spending quality time with my husband, kids and extended family – making memories that will last, and be imprinted forever in their minds. 
    Will they remember whether I got them that special doll years down the road? probably not.
    Will they remember if I was stressed, and couldn’t play with them, because I was too worried about things being perfect? Most likely yes
    Will they remember me telling them no to certain toys, because it was too expensive? probably not.
    Will they remember sledding, building a snowman, throwing snowballs at Daddy, and snuggling up with Hot Cocoa and a Christmas story?  I sure hope so!
    This year, I’m casting off the worry of finding the perfect gift and replacing it with the ultimate gift – Time Spent Together.
    I’m leaving behind the worry that things might not look perfect, or run as smoothly as planned in favor of enjoying the moments of smiles and laughter with my kids.
    Thanks for coming by Think About It Thursday! We’d love for you to GRAB THE BUTTON, and place it on your blog. Then link up below with what’s on your mind.
    Then head over to Mumfection and Tim & Angi’s Blog to see what Challenges they’re facing this season.

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  • Finding the Baby Jesus – Book Blast and $50 Paypal Giveaway

    Finding the Baby Jesus – Book Blast and $50 Paypal Giveaway

    Finding the Baby Jesus
    by Kimball Fisher

    After being forced to wear lederhosen for the annual holiday card picture, twelve-year-old Chris thinks that the least his parents can do is get him the Tony Hawk skateboard he wants for Christmas. But when he recovers the hand-carved Baby Jesus that everyone thought had been destroyed in a fire the year his Grandma died, Chris realizes that some gifts are even more important than skateboards.

    When the author had to discontinue a cherished tradition of reading Christmas stories out loud with his family and holiday guests each week in December, he wrote Finding the Baby Jesus. He had been unable to locate enough meaningful stories that could be read in a single sitting with wiggly children.

    Praise for Finding the Baby Jesus:
    “Tender and true, this warm Christmas tale brought tears to my eyes.”

    –Heather Vogel Frederick, author of the much-beloved Mother-Daughter Book Club series and Oregon Book Award winner for The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed

    “A touching story that speaks to the importance of family, giving, and the true spirit of Christmas.”

    –Matthew Kirby, author of Icefall, winner of the Edgar Allen Poe and the Pen Center USA Literary Awards for Children’s Literature

    “Deeply moving. Poignant.”

    –Deborah Halverson, former editor at Harcourt Children’s Books and author of Honk If You Hate Me, a Gayle McCandliss Literary Award Winner

    “The perfect little book to tuck away with your Christmas things and bring out year after year to read with family. As mother to three boys, I can’t imagine a better protagonist than Chris. His typical teenage attitude followed by the softening of his heart towards a friend teaches a poignant and very relatable lesson on the true meaning of Christmas.”
    –Amazon review

    “After I read this short story I felt like I had read a novel–every sentence is packed with action and imagery. I was emotionally connected to the characters, and the story is touching. I didn’t see the plot twist at the end coming! A great story to read every Christmas.”
    –Amazon review

    Purchase

    Author Kimball Fisher

    Kimball Fisher writes novels for young readers. He is also a best-selling business author, professional speaker, and management consultant. Some of his past jobs include: sailboat builder, ghost writer (not as scary as it sounds), illustrator, and factory manager (more scary than it sounds). For fun he builds furniture, stained-glass windows, and writing pens.

    He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities (with minors in English, Asian Studies, and Japanese), and a Master of Organizational Behavior degree from Brigham Young University. He and his amazing wife Reenie live in Portland, Oregon, where they have seen pheasants, coyotes, and a bobcat in their own backyard.

    Links
    Blog Tour
    November 23rd to December 21st
    Tour Schedule

    Come Back to Home Maid Simple on the 24th to see Mr Fisher’s Top 10 Christmas Books!
     
    Blast Giveaway:
    $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
    Ends 12/21/12

    Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent’s permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  • Holiday Gifts for Neighbors #MompactLNO

    It’s snowing here. I was worried that we had moved too far south for snow, but we didn’t!  Once the snow starts, I really start getting into the Holiday Spirit.

    And that means Holiday Gifts for my Neighbors!  There are so many cute things out there. Thanks to pinterest I’ve got them at my fingertips.  Some of my favorite Holiday Gifts from neighbors are the ones with cute sayings.

    Like these Elf Kisses

    Or the classic Reindeer Poop
    
     
    As fun as these gifts are though, I also like the home baked goods. Something made with love, that’s healthy to boot.  My mother in law likes to make mini loaves of bread to share. I remember the first Christmas we were married and we went over to her house, there were just dozens of mini loaves on her table. Oh the smell itself was intoxicating! 
     
    If you don’t want to make anything, mixes are also a great gift! It allows the receiver to make it whenever they want. You can add wooden spoons, pot holders, or even an apron to go along with it. Just tie it together with a bow.
     
     
    Now as good as brownies are, I also enjoy the healthy treats.  I’ve just come across Miffy’s Marvelous Muffin Mix, and they are oh so yummy!  These would look really cute with a spoon added and tied with ribbon.  You could even add a cute note “Holidays are fun, but often make us stressed. Sit back and relax, enjoy these muffins with your kids”  (A good example on why I’ll never get a job with greeting cards)
     
     
    To get you started on your Holiday Gift Giving, Miffy is running a special sale during the month of November
    • 4 packs/$20
    • 6 packs/$30
    • 8 packs/$40 

    What do you give your neighbors? Do you have a favorite gift to receive?
     
    
    Don’t forget you can also win 2 packs of Miffy’s Marvelous Muffins along with some other great products from MomPact
  • It’s a Holiday Giveaway with #MompactLNO

    It’s a Holiday Giveaway with #MompactLNO

    I love mom invented products. Not only are they usually useful, but some are even yummy!  Enter this months MomPact Giveaway below!

     
    • 2 Packs Miffy’s Muffins
    • 2 sets Everyday Elegance Chair Covers
    • 1 gift pack Deo Perfume Candy
    • EasyDaysies Starte Kit
  • Holiday Cards with Modern Greetings {Review + Free Photo Book}

    Holiday Cards with Modern Greetings {Review + Free Photo Book}

    Is it too early to send out Christmas Cards?  Not if I call them Holiday Cards!!!

    In the past Mark and I are usually late getting our Christmas cards/letter out, or we just all together skip it. There is so much that seems to go on between Thanksgiving and Christmas, that the cards usually get put on the backburner here.

    Not this year!

    We took our family photo in early October (like the 1st weekend of October!). Let me tell you, getting a good picture of all of us was extremely difficult…..

    Thanks to Modern Greetings, I now have holiday cards in hand, with envelopes ready to send out!  I really enjoyed making our cards this year.  Modern Greetings had hundreds of designs to choose from.
    What I loved the most though, was that after choosing a design, we could then edit, add to, take away, change fonts and colors to really make it our own.

    A few Pluses for Modern Greetings

    • Nice web design. Easy to navigate to create the perfect card
    • Many options to choose from.
    • Reasonably priced
    • Will address and mail your cards for you!!!

    What I didn’t like

    • I couldn’t use some of our pictures in certain designs because of low resolution. Not exactly their fault, but I’m no techy. Having a tutorial to teach someone like me how to make it work, would be great! Having an FAQ or some tutorials for other issues people may encounter would add great value!

    Modern Greetings offers more than just Holiday Cards too!  There’s announcements, stationary, invitations, and photo books!  As a special to my readers, Modern Greetings is offering you a Free Photo Book!

    How to get your Free Photo Book
    Go to This Page, and enter your email.
    Modern Greetings will email you instructions to redeem your photo book
     
    *I received products at a discount to assist in this review. All opinions are 100% my own honest feelings.
    
  • ‘Tis the Season #GivingTuesday

    ‘Tis the Season #GivingTuesday

    I know I know, today is Halloween. And trust me, we’re celebrating over here. I’ve got a Strawberry Shortcake, a friendly witch, and a ballerina running around my house, as well as a Dinosaur roaring for my constant attention today.

    But I’d like to talk to you about something else today.

    Giving

    My family has been blessed numerous times from others generosity.  From anonymous generosity to family and friends being there through tough times. I have truly been blessed to know such giving people.

    Growing up my mom taught me this

    When you are down, and having a bad day. Feeling selfish or depressed. Do something for someone else. Do it without looking for returns. Do it to help them. And when you do, you’ll start to feel better. You’ll soon forget what was troubling you.

    This piece of advice has stuck with me forever. This simple piece of advice, to GIVE, is my mom summed up. Always looking for service to give, whether to friends, neighbors or her own family.

    There was one winter we were sturggling. Getting by month to month on student loans and family help.  We came home early from our Christmas trip to see Mark’s parents to find many anonymous gifts.  Presents had been dropped on our doorstep for the girls. Warm coats that we wouldn’t otherwise have been able to buy them and a few toys.  In the mail, with no return address, were gift cards to our local grocery store. I think I sat down and cried when I opened those up. Someone was looking out for us. Someone GAVE without need for recognition or return.

    Presents for Your Porch
    source

    Because of this experience, I  have tried to always remember my moms advice, but not just on my bad days. I try every day to see who might need my help. I want to GIVE because I now know the immense relief and joy it might bring to someone. Knowing that feeling, is enough for me.

    A couple years ago I joined Cafemom. Throughout the years one group has become very close to me and each other. These are women/moms all over the world I have connected with. Most of us have not and will probably never meet in person.

    So there I was one day, trying to find more ways to Give back. I had an idea and decided to run it past the owner of my cafemom group. She loved the idea, and helped me get it going. We now have a private group on cafemom dedicated to giving back. We call ourselves angels.  I can’t even begin to tell you all that this group has done. I may have started the group, but it’s the ladies who joined who are truly amazing. Every year about this time, we start looking for our fellow cafemom members in need. I do the leg work and contact the members for addresses, kids ages and clothing sizes. But then my angels do the important stuff. They dig into their pockets, their own kids clothes, and they Give Back! They bless these moms who are struggling. Moms who are crying because they don’t have a single present under the tree for their kids. We help. We give back. Because that is what it’s all about.

    That is why we celebrate Christmas.
    The joy of giving to others; seeing their faces light up because someone thought of them.
    The joy of knowing a child won’t be cold, because you could provide a coat.
    Or that a family won’t go hungry because gift cards were sent anonymously.
    I’d like to invite you all to a new day. Giving Tuesday!
    We have Black Friday
    We have Cyber Monday

    Help us continue our ThanksGIVING celebrations through Nov 27 with Giving Tuesday. A day to give back. Find someone to help. Give of your time. Give smiles. Give presents. and Give Thanks.

    Tomorrow I will be joining The Motherhood in a twitter party to get the ball rolling. We would love for you to join us!

    What: Join a Twitter party to spread the word about celebrating the first-ever #GivingTuesday, a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season to celebrate and encourage charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations. This year’s #GivingTuesday will take place on November 27, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Our Twitter party will address how you can spread the word, why this movement matters and ways to get involved!
    When: The party will be on Thursday, Nov. 1, at noon ET.
    Where: Use the #GivingTuesday hashtag on Twitter to find us!
    Hosts: Follow @theMotherhood, @GivingTues, @CooperMunroe and @EmilyMcKhann
    Prizes: We’ll be giving away five $25 VISA gift cards, which you are welcome to use toward your charitable efforts this holiday giving season!
  • Photobook Sale

    Photobook Sale

    Blurb is offering 15% Off photobooks the whole month of October.
     
    Use code FALL15OFFBOOK
     
    One of my favorite things to give as gifts are photobooks. At Blurb you can fully customize your book with photos, artwork and text. We love making these photobooks to keep our kids memories alive, and to share with Grandparents.
     
     
  • Halloween is Coming – Wholesale Costumes {Review}

    Halloween is Coming – Wholesale Costumes {Review}

    I love Halloween time. It means fall has come and the holiday season has begun. It means pumpkins and apple cider and dressing up.

    When I was a kid, I tended to go for most creative costume. Often times I was a witch, but when I branched out, it was really crazy!  One year I went as a shower. Yes you read that right, a shower. Man I wish I had pictures of that.  Another year my best friend and I went as Mom’s – apron, duster, and head bandanna were our costumes.  There were also the years I was a crow and pack of pea seeds.

    I kind of miss dressing up. I know I know, I still can, but I rarely do.  I do get to dress up the kids though. And that is so much fun!  I have let them decide their costumes, though, so the crazy creations I came up with won’t embarrass them. 

    With all three Princesses crowding around me, we went browsing for Halloween Costumes for the girls.  Princess V picked the last costume we got, so I really let Princess C take charge this time.  We decided to go with one of our favorite cartoon characters – Strawberry Shortcake. 

     

     
    Our first impression was great! It comes packaged like any other Halloween Costume you buy at the store. Once opened though, I was a little concerned about the size. We ordered a small, after checking out the handy sizing chart offered on their site. I wanted to make sure it fit Princess C, and could then be passed to Princess R. After Princess C tried it on, we realized quickly, it was not going to fit her. She is on the upper size for her age, but I was still hoping. The leggings and hat, were actually perfect for her, but the dress itself was closer to the smallest size. 
    So after I let her wear it for awhile, we handed it over to Princess R. Oh my heavens! I didn’t think I’d ever get that dress off her. I think she wore it for a straight 48 hours, only taking it off to sleep.  This dress will last her a couple years!
     
    We experienced a couple snags in the silky fabric, but I’m sure it’s from Princess C stretching it out.  It has held up extremely well to the abuse Princess R puts it through pulling it on and off, and running all over the place.
     
    You can check out more Wholesale Halloween Costumes, and find something fun before the holidays hit.
     
    *As a Costume Reviewer affiliate I received a free product to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% my own and honest feelings.
  • 100 Days to Christmas ebook

    100 Days to Christmas ebook

    Christmas is right around the corner! Are you excited? I am. I just love the Christmas season. It can be so stressful though! Always so much to do, and not enough time. Sometimes all we really need is a bit of organization.

    100 Days to Christmas eBook 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.com I had the opportunity to read the 2012 edition of 100 Days to Christmas ebook from ListPlanIt.

    I loved this book! It helped get me even more excited for Christmas because I think this year, I’ll actually be ready, and less stressed. I always try to keep the holidays from being stressful, but it always sneaks in a little anyways.

    ListPlantIt is known for their many lists helping people of all walks keep their life and business organized. From Back to School lists to Social Media Tracking sheets, ListPlanIt keeps you organized!

    100 Days to Christmas starts Septemeber 16 and goes right up to Christmas Day. Each page has a simple task to do to get ready for the holiday. From chores, to family fun, this book will  help you balance your holiday season. I especially liked when it suggested going to an Apple Orchard as a family. It gets you out spending the holidays where it’s most important – with family! But you are also getting stuff ready for holiday baking.

    Besides the daily task, many of the pages come with suggestions for lists and downloads you can get from ListPlanIt. There is a special code with each book to get to the downloads, so you’re all covered for the holidays. Yay for awesome resources!!!

    I suggest getting this soon, so you can start going through it, and be ready for each task.  Some, like the apple orchard visit, may take some beforehand prep – like finding an apple orchard. The ebook is only $5, a great deal for such a comprehensive and useful book. However, you can also get it for FREE if you purchase a ListPlanIt membership. You can view all the details on ListPlanIt.com

    *This post does contain affiliate links. I was also compensated with a copy of the book for my honest reviews. However, all opinions are 100% my own true feelings. By purchasing through the links here, you’ll be helping this blog grow!