SmallTalkReview & Giveaway

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

About the book: Softcover / 230 pages

Every day, one of Amy Julie Becker’s children says something that prompts her to think about life in a new way. “Mom, does Santa love me?” William asks, after his mother explains the meaning of Christmas…In a chat with her dad about the children who died in the Sandy Hook shootings, Penny asks, “Did they go to heaven?” …”You was a jerk, Mommy?” asks Marilee one morning in the car.

These conversations deepen Amy Julia’s relationships with her children, but they also refine her understanding of what she believes and what God is doing in her own life.

In Small Talk, Amy Julia draws from the wisdom and curiosity of those young voices to reflect on beauty and kindness, tragedy and disability, prayer and miracles. As she moves through the basic questions her kids posed when they were very young to the more intellectual questions of later childhood, she invites us to learn from our own day-to-day conversations with the children in our lives.

This eloquent parenting memoir is about the big questions little hearts ask, the thoughts their words provoke, and the laughter and soul-searching their honesty brings—to adult and child alike.

About the author:

Amy Julia Becker writes about faith, family, and disability for Parents.com, the New York Times Motherlode blog, TheAtlantic.com, The Huffington Post parents page, Christianity Today, The Christian century, and numerous other publications. Her first book, A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny, was named one of the Top Ten Religion Books of 2011 by Publishers Weekly. Amy Julia lives in western Connecticut with her husband and three children.

Official Website: http://www.zondervan.com/small-talk

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFiRKM19JZY (<— please share!)

Amy’s Website: http://amyjuliabecker.com

Follow her on Twitter here!

Check out her Facebook page here!

My Thoughts:

This was a great book , and when you read it you can learn a lot.  It kind of made me realize what my kids are saying to me.  They pick up on so much from you as a parent, society, the TV, and the school system.  From the birth of our Children to when they finally just stop believing we tell them about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, but at what age and why do really really tell them about Jesus Christ's birth and  being crucified on the cross for our sins to only rise from the dead 3 days later?
These are things that Amy's children ask her about and get her thinking about the true meanings in life and she breaks things down to how she explained it to them.   This was a really great guide on helping me explain things to my girls that are 6 and 10 and my son that is 16.  Not just Santa Claus but also everyday life and happenings. 

How do you explain to your child about ISIS and the Ferguson protests?  I asked my niece what she thought of these things and I was astounded by her response, to say the least.  She repeated what she heard on the TV even though I know she was raised differently.  Now don't get me wrong, I believe that we have to have our opinion on things and that we MUST stand for what we believe in.  Otherwise we too will do just as she has done and just repeat verbatim what we have heard rather it is right or wrong. 

In this book these are things that Amy's kids have said to her to make her think on a much deeper level and how to explain it to them not only so that they understand but I think so that me, you, and herself also understand better.   It is a really great book and I have one to share with one of my readers.  If you would like to win all you have to do is leave a comment telling me one thing one of your Children, nieces, nephews, Grandchildren, etc has said to you to make you think on a deeper level? 
This contest will end on 12/ 9 at 12 midnight EST.  Share with your friends, the more we have involved the more interesting it will be!

A LifeLong LOVE Book ~Review & Giveaway~

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

About the book:

Hardcover / 316 Pages 

Discover how to live out a sacred marriage. You believe your marriage has eternal purposes. you long for it to reach beyond your home and encourage others. But what does it look like to have a spiritually intentional relationship in the midst of dirty dishes, work deadlines, and car pools? In Sacred Marriage, Gary Thomas showed us that God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy. Now, in A Lifelong Love, Thomas gives us the practical tools to craft our marriages into inspiring relationships that breathe spiritual life to others. Whatever season of marriage you are in, A Lifelong Love gives your the practical help you need to infuse your marriage with a spiritual passion that will not only change you but will change the world around you.

About the author:

Gary Thomas is writer-in-residence at Second Baptist Church in Houston, a frequent guest on Focus on the Family and FamilyLife Today radio, and a popular speaker. His award-winning books, including The Sacred Search, have been translated into over a dozen languages and together have sold more than a million copies worldwide. Thomas and his wife have been married thirty years and have three children.

My Thoughts:

What is Marriage to you?  Is it just a union by the State, extra benefits at tax time, a spouse that helps you manage a house, or is your marriage your best friend that you get to spend the rest of your life together?  I was engaged 3 times and on my second Marriage, not because I didn't love the others but because they were not meant to be.  This time I married my high school sweetheart, my best friend, and my soul mate! Marriage is so much more than just two people saying I Do.
As Gary Thomas states in his book in the beginning you spend the first part of your relationship talking about the past, then you get engaged, and before you know it you are saying I do. After you say I do it doesn't stop there, in fact that is where it all starts.

There are many aspects to a great Marriage and to me it starts with you.  You have to love yourself before you can love someone else, and if you are putting God first in your life then you will see that your love life will fall into place.  You will find a man that loves you for your brain, your soul, your relationship with God, and he will understand that he is second in this relationship.  So many times we jump into relationships based on looks, and they do fade,but it the marriage is built around God then your spouse will always see that beautiful husband or wife they married.

I see so many marriages now that aren't working and too many people getting married with the idea that if it don't work out then we can get a divorce.  I don't condone this attitude and think that a marriage is a lifetime commitment.  My first husband was very abusive and the second guy I was engaged to was abusive to my son from my first marriage.  I researched and study the Bible, I talked with my pastor and other elders in the church seeking answers and at no point could anyone so me where it says that when I said Til Death Doth Us Part, did it mean that my spouse would be the death of me.  I had others to think about and I left to save not only me but my son.  Then I reconnected with what is now my FINAL Husband.  Yes, he is my second husband , third engagement but this time I feel more and more everyday like it is the right one.  Do we fight? If I said no I would be telling you a lie, our marriage isn't perfect and yes we have issues.  But we try to work things out by talking and and understanding.  I can't leave out the most important component to a good marriage and that is God and also Prayer.  Trust me when I say that as a Mother of 3 children, a husband, a pit/rockweiler mix dog that I pray a lot. I also babysit a three year old and have an infant on the way in January so Prayer and God is my plan of action.

Would you like to win a copy of !A Lifelong Love~?  Maybe you know someone going through a hard time with their marriage and you would like to give this as a gift?  Well, here is your chance to win a copy of the book and you can keep it for yourself or you can give as a gift. It is easy peasy, just follow the reafflecopter below and you are entered!

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Their Name is Today Book ~Review and Giveaway~

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.” 

This was one of my better reads in a really long time.  Not sure if it is because I have a little one in kindergarten and some of the arguments I have had is mentioned in this book or what! I have recently had to visit my little ones school and class several times and we have just ended our first nine weeks of school, to give you some idea of how long we have been in school.  It is crazy that one parent has to go to the school so much but when they are in Kindergarten you feel you need to do everything in your power to help them get settled, especially when your child was never away from Mama prior to this big change.

When I found out that my child was going to have to know not only her alphabet, her colors, her name, address, phone number, which is what I would expect a Kindergartner to know by the time they finish, she also has to know how to read what I feel is a third grade level, identify the parts of a book, know how to write, and get those much needed social skills.

This book talks about our babies and what they need not only from us as parents but from Society, our schools, and our teachers.  One of the things he talks about that really struck home was that when a child starts Kindergarten they should be learning through play and not so much structure.   I remember, believe it or not, being in Kindergarten myself and it was always fun.  We played, we took naps, and we learned the structures of school,but without having so much pressures of what we had to know.  My little one so far has come home and taught me Spanish, showed me the sign language she has learned, and taught me songs that she has learned.  That being said, she is nothing like her Mama has she has it made.  She remembers what she hears and sees and so even this program will not be a problem for her, though I may have never gotten out of Kindergarten if they had required that from me.

This is just about school and what they need to be doing or what they should know.  The title is "Their Name is Today", what does that say to you?  To me that tells me that they are our Future Presidents, Congress, House Reps., and Future work force and leaders. We need to give them not only the actually food to survive but we need to be teaching them the life skills that need to be the best Parents, friends, and leaders that can be but to not overwhelm them with the stresses that will come.  It should be fun and stress free for now. 

Do you know someone that would enjoy reading this book?  Maybe you or a friend?  Here is your chance to win a copy of this book.  I have only gave you an insight to a very small part of this book in hopes that you get the idea of how great it is without giving away all the details it contains.   This will be a easy entry to win, all you have to do is follow the instructions below. If you don' t have a twitter account you can skip any you don't want to do.  All are not required but the more you do the more chances you have at winning!  Good Luck and I hope you enjoy the bookas much as I have!

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Orkin Summer Bug Explorers kit Giveaway

Disclaimer: I worked with Orkin to bring my readers a great bug exploerer bug kit for summer.  This does not in any way affect my posts or beliefs.

About Orkin Bug Wisdom

When life hands you dung, just roll with it. At Orkin, we never stop learning. Our new “Bug Wisdom” video series is a reminder that some of life’s biggest lessons come from small places. Bugs are smart, curious creatures – we humans can learn a lot from their ways. Take the quiz to discover your “Spirit Bug,” and check out all the GIFs to soak in every nugget of wisdom that these bugs have to offer! The Orkin Man always knows what to look for when he shows up at your home. If you want to get exploration down to a science, be sure and enter to win Orkin’s Backyard Explorers Kit! Orkin Backyard Explorers Kit: - The Orkin 9-Page Activity Bug Book - Orkin Bugview Bug Catching Tool and Magnifier - Red/Black Summer Wayfarer Sunglasses @AskTheOrkinMan https://www.facebook.com/OrkinPestControl https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOGjPywXEjUitvXi22CXJTZNd4VVcP9LQ http://www.orkin.com/

MY THOUGHTS

     I have 2 little girls, one is 5 and the other is 10.  You wouldn't think of little girls when you think bug explorer, however that is the case in the country life.  My girls like most little girls I guess enjoy catching lighting bugs (aka fireflies) and butterflies.  They have a net and a bag that they put them in to watch and play with.  This would be a great addition to their bug exploration tools. I also have a son that is 15 that, yes is still into playing with bugs, turtles, and frogs.  I'm not really sure but I think the Country Life is just what you make it and for some reason you learn to play with what is around you, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

     If you have a little boy or a little girl that loves to explore the different bugs and small critters outside this would be a perfect addition.  All y'all have to do is follow the Rafflecopter and you will be entered to win one.  Good Luck to each of you and share this with your friends via social media so they too have a chance to win!


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Purex Crystals ~Review & Giveaway~

Disclaimer: I received a free bottle of Purex Crystals limited edition Fabulously Fresh to try for myself and share my thoughts.  The opinions expressed are solely my opinions and are not biased in anyway.

     As a Mother and Wife of 4, I am NEVER caught up on doing laundry.  It seems to be one of those tasks that you almost dread doing simply because you never seem to get caught up.  It is also a daunting task when you have a bed wetter because you have added bed clothes on top of the already mountain of dirty clothes. I have tried many different things from washing the bed clothes in baking soda to remove the bad smell and just couldn't find anything that really worked.  I was washing her bed clothes twice just  to help get the smell removed.

     Until now, I haven't been able to find the perfect laundry detergent, but I have found that Purex laundry detergent gets your clothes clean, smells fresh and they are all bright.  When you add the Purex Crystals into the laundry you now have great smelling clothes that last for weeks NOT days! I have been using Purex Crystals now for many months and the detergent and the crystals are both a great price.

     Do you enjoy the fresh smell of clean laundry?  Even after you have folded them and put them away?  I do and now with the new Purex Crystals Fabulously Fresh you can enjoy the smell of Spring flowers right in your own clothes.  It not only makes your clothes smell fresh and clean but when I use it, it also makes my entire house smell fresh without any sprays or candles burning. I love anything that freshens my clothes and makes my house smell like Spring WITHOUT the pollen. Purex  Limited Edition Fabulously Fresh Crystals work great on all types of laundry from bed wetter bed clothes, to athletes uniforms.  It doesn't reduce the absorbency of your towels, and its safe enough to use on your little ones bed clothes.  Nothing is any better than crawling into your bed at night after a long day of work and inhaling that wonderful clean sheet smell, and it works all week long!

     How do you manage to maintain your laundry pile ups?  Do you do all of the laundry or do you share the chore with someone else in your house?  Since my bed wetter is 10, I have been teaching her to do laundry so she can assist me with cleaning her bed clothes.  Prior to this experience I have been the sole laundry

     Would you like to win a FREE bottle of the new Purex Limited Edition Fabulously Fresh Crystals?  All you have to do is follow the Rafflecopter instructions and I will draw a winner on 4/21/2014.  Share the post on facebook, pinterest, twitter, and any other social media group you have. One lucky winner will get a free bottle and can enjoy the same great freshness that I have!



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Tiffany Art DVD Giveaway

                                                  Welcome to the Tiffany Art DVD Giveaway. 

                                                            Hosted by Southern Belle

                                                           Sponsored by See The Light

About the DVD :

Step by Step Lessons "Tiffany Window"

Step One: Planning Your Composition  

21 minutes long

Sketch flower, leaves and stems

Step Two: Rule of Thirds

24 minutes long

Complete Sketch

Step Three: Color Theory

29 minutes long

Marker techniques on flower, stem and background shapes

Step Four: Completed Masterpiece

28 minutes long

The Stained Glass Window Effect

Great learning experience

Fun and enjoyable

Teaches Art History - Louis Comfort Tiffany

Art Elements - Shape, line and color

Art Principles - Balance, composition and contrast

Bible lessons

Read full review HERE

Because we at Southern Mom of 4 loves art, this would be a great deal.  This also looks great for a home schooler or for a children's program at church!

 

Giveaway will run April 25th - May 5th

Giveaway is Open To U.S. Only. Winner will be notified via email and has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. No exceptions. Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment.

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Disclaimer: Southern Mom of 4 was not compensated for this post and is not responsible for prize.

~Valentines Day Ideas and Giveaway~ OVER

     Have you been married so long now that may you are not sure what to get the special person in your life or maybe you are a newlywed and looking for ideas?  I don't have a lot of money to spend on Valentine's day gifts for my husband and I always have to get the little ones a little something, so here is what we do for V day and a few ideas to help you!

1.  I cook my husband a steak, baked potato, and salad for dinner
2.  Of course it is V-day so I try to have that special outfit he likes for dessert
3.  Manicure and pedicure
4.  Full body massage
5.  Small box of chocolates
6.  A card made by me from the heart
7.  Relaxing evening with no worries
8.  I also enjoy getting things my hubby can use maybe a homemade gift basket with things he likes and enjoys
9.  The ULTIMATE gift for any man is tools of any kind, even if he already owns 5 of the same thing!
10.  Then there is the kids and for them I usually just get them a box of chocolates and a small stuffed animal or take them out just me and them one on one

Then there is last but not least for him and that is to make yourself pretty fro him.  That is where the giveaway comes in mind!  I have a 32 warm eyeshadow set that I am giving away.  It is made by e.l.f. (eyes lips face)

Winner will be drawn using random.org and emailed.  You have 48 hours to contact me or another one will be drawn.  Please make sure you leave me your email address that you use most often and check your spam folder to assure you don't miss out.  Good Luck and enjoy!  I will also post the winners name on prizey.net...