And the Winner is....

The winner of the UPrinting Rolled Canvas is Angela Hartness.  Check your email for confirmation, so I can forward your info.

Again thank you to all that entered and remember I have a book The Forgiven Duke giveaway up on the blog that ends 4/28/12 at Midnight.  It is a great book and I recommend it for everyone!

The winner of the Forgiven Duke book is

momma8385Apr 28, 2012 07:07 PM

Liked and told author (Jamie Carie) on facebook that you sent me. Here is the url to the post - https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=387901871254391&id=142160575828523.
Facebook name - Jeanne Bates Tennant,
jeannebates_t@yahoo.com

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Mothers Day Gift ideas

     It will soon be Mothers Day before you know it.  Have you got your Mother that special gift yet or maybe you are just looking a special Mothers Day gift for yourself.  I have found the perfect gift for any lady to receive for Mothers day, birthday, anniversary, or just because!  Edenfantasys has anything from naughty gifts for your lover to sweet and innocent gifts you can even give your mother, as I have some here for you!

     This is a Naughty bubble bath mil and a purring massage mitt from Edenfantasys.  It retails for $41.99 but right now it is currently 50% off so you can get it for $20.99 (you save $21.00).  Batteries are included and the mitt is waterproof.  The fragrance of the bubble bath is Chocolate / Honey, and the mitt is made of terry cloth with detailed black embroidery.  This is a must have for any mother, or working lady that has a stressful day and just needs a moment to herself for relaxation.

     Here is another great item from EdenFantasys, this is the Venus Body Wash and comes in may different scents.  The scents include Pomegranate, Peach, Man, Milk, Juniper, Cucmbermelon, and many others.  It is on sale right now for $14.99 and another great item for that lovely lady in your life to make her feel even for special on Mothers Day.  With the Venus Bath Was she can get her spa feeling at home every time she takes a shower and feel much more relaxed!

    Here is the everybody has to have when in the shower.  There is nothing like a Shower pouf to exfoliate your entire body and rid of all the dead skin.  In combination with a great bubble bath and massage mitt  and a wonderful body wash, this is just the final piece to a home made spa and relaxation anytime.  This pouf is only $4.99 and can be used with any kind of body wash.

     If you have a Wife, Mother, or just a really good friend that you are looking for the perfect Mothers Day gift check out EdenFantasys.  They carry the best selection of sex toys, lubes, and lotions around and have very discreet processing.







Disclaimer:  I received a $50.00 gift code for writing this review of Edenfantasys.  The opinions here are mine and only mine, in now way has anyone or anything persuaded my opinion in this post!

~The Forgiven Duke Book Review & Giveaway~

About the Book:

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 he 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.

About the Author:

When she was six, Jamie’s parents met Jesus and soon after started a church. It changed everything.

Road trips with her dad—to and from Bible studies across Indiana—were filled with talks of things beyond earth’s bounds – creation and the fall, God and Jesus and the rapture, the earthly walk compared to the spiritual walk, and how we are born for more than what we can see or touch.

The highlight of those nights was stopping at a truck stop in the middle of the night where her dad would spend a little of the offering basket on two slices of pie and a couple of Cokes. Nothing ever felt so special as a middle of the night slice of pie with her dad. And nothing could stop the writing pouring out of her.

As Jamie’s relationship with God grew, she discovered her heart was filled with songs and poetry. During high school she wrote lyrics for her brother’s band. (And she sang them too!) After college, Jamie married, had two sons and decided to stay home with them. While she home schooled she wrote skits, poems, plays and short stories for school and church.

When her eldest son turned five she dove into the world of novels. She’d read romance novels for years, but couldn’t relate to the flawless, saintly heroines in Christian romance novels. So she decided to write her own.

Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Jamie loves to write late at night when the house is quiet and the darkness seems alive. Elizabeth and Noah had been playacting in her head for a long time, so the story went fast.
Ten years later Snow Angel was published and won the ForeWord magazine Romance Book of the Year winner, was a National “Best Books 2007” Awards winner, and a 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. It was the beginning of her dream career.

Jamie and her husband Tony have been married for twenty-one years and live in Indianapolis with their three sons and a giant of a dog named Leo.

If she could only say one thing to her readers it would be, “Live the dreams God has destined you for!”

My Thoughts:

     First let me say that I am not a Romance novel reader, so at first I did not think I would enjoy this book.  Once I started reading the book I couldn't seem to put it down.  I caught myself waking up with the book still opened to the page I was on and obviously fell asleep reading.  

     This is a story of Lady Alexandria Featherstone, whom parents have gone missing and presumed dead for a year now.   She decides instead of going to London to be with her Guardian Duke Gabriel Ravenwood she is going to go and find her parents because she doesn't believe them to be dead.  Lord Lemon is there to assist her as she has promised herself to him even though the Duke is very much in Love with her and has promised to marry and take care of her.  Her travels take her to Iceland to find her parents, while she is there she discovers that she too has a detective spirit about her.  However, She comes to a dead end and is not sure where to go from here.

      I have to ask Do you think Gabriel will continue on this journey to find his love?  Will Alexandria and Lord Lemon marry?  Does she find her parents?  You must read this book to find out, and I have 1 copy to give one of my lucky readers to give away.  

Mandatory Entry: Follow me via GFC, and leave your GFC name! Like The author Jamie Carie on Facebook and tell her Southern Mom of 4 sent you!  This is worth 1 entry each)  This entry must be done first or all other entries will be deleted.  Leave your email address so that you may be contacted.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn.

Optional Entries: Each entry is worth 1 unless otherwise noted!

• Follow me on Twitter 

• Tweet this giveaway This can be done 2 times a day, with a 2 hour delay between the two!  You can use the tweet button at the top right and leave the link to your post.

• Follow southern mom of 4 on Facebook

• Follow me on Google+

• Follow Jamie Carie via Twitter
• Post about this giveaway on Facebook and leave a link to your post saying you did this. 
• Join Smiley360 through this link!  With this link you can register and get free items to try out.  This is a try and tell rewards program and I love it!
• Follow Southern Mom of 4 by email

 This giveaway is open to the US, and will be ending on April 29,2012 at midnight EST.  I will draw the winners name via Random.org and email them.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond and then another winner will be drawn.

 “Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or

services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it 

on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally 

and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance 

with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the 

Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

     In the Month of April we are spreading the word of Child Abuse Prevention.  This is a personal and hard subject for me to deal with, not because I was abused but I can't understand how a parent would or could do this to their own child.  In this post I will share with some statistics, common types of abuse, and prevention methods for these children.

Here are 4 types of common child abuse

• Physical abuse occurs when a caregiver (parent, babysitter, coach, teacher, etc) hits a child.  Some people will tell you that spanking your child is a type of physical abuse but I disagree.  My parents spanked me out of love and I too have spanked my own children but again out of love!  I have never hit one of my children with a closed fist nor have I ever caused any bruising.  You can spank your child in a manner that the child knows why you are doing it, and without any physical harm to the child.
• Sexual abuse is just that!  When someone of any age is sexually abused they are being deceived into having sex generally with someone they know and love dearly.  They are told that it is a secret between the child and the abuser, and that they should not tell anyone because they wouldn't understand.
• emotional abuse occurs from a parent or anyone for that matter that is in the position of caring for a child, yells and screams at them and tells them they are worthless, no good, and will never be anything.  In some ways I myself have been guilty of the emotional abuse in the past but I strive everyday to give my children positive notes, love and hugs rather than the negative.  No one young or old want to constantly hear bad things about themselves or anyone else for that matter.
• neglect is when you have $50.00 in your pocket and you go buy beer, a lottery tickets knowing you have no food in your house and the kids are hungry.  If you ask a lot of kids today they will tell you that they are neglected because they can't have chocolate, or sodas all the time. My children don't know what it is like to be hungry and not be able to get some food.  They don't wear name brand jeans but they have nice and clean clothes to wear everyday.  We have a cool house in the summer months and a warm home in the winter months. 

   
     Here is a poem I would like to share with all of my readers, I have read this numerous of times and it tears me apart every time I read it:

My name is Sarah
I am but three,
my eyes are swollen
I cannot see.


I must be stupid,
I must be bad,
what else could have made
my daddy so mad?

I wish I were better,
I wish I weren't ugly,
then maybe my Mommy
would still want to hug me.

I can't speak at all,
I can't do a wrong
or else I'm locked up
all the day long.

When I awake I'm all alone
the house is dark
my folks aren't home.

When my Mommy does come
I'll try and be nice,
so maybe I'll get just
one whipping tonight.

Don't make a sound!
I just heard a car
my daddy is back
from Charlie's Bar.

I hear him curse
my name he calls
I press myself
against the wall.


I try and hide
from his evil eyes
I'm so afraid now
I'm starting to cry.

He finds me weeping
he shouts ugly words,
he says its my fault
that he suffers at work.

He slaps me and hits me
and yells at me more,
I finally get free
and I run for the door.

He's already locked it
and I start to bawl,
he takes me and throws me
against the hard wall.


I fall to the floor
with my bones nearly broken,
and my daddy continues
with more bad words spoken.

'I'm sorry!' I scream
but its now much too late
his face has been twisted
into unimaginable hate.

The hurt and the pain
again and again
oh please God, have mercy!
oh please let it end!

And he finally stops
and heads for the door,
while I lay there motionless
sprawled on the floor.


My name is Sarah
and I am but three,
tonight my daddy
murdered me.

There are millions of children in the world - just like Sarah. And you can help!

It sickens me to read this and view these images. It's a violation of everything that we as human beings stand for. This will disturb even the toughest of the tough! And because you are affected, you can do something about it!! This is real, it happens, it is happening everywhere in the world today. People like Sarah's father do live in our society. If every concerned person makes an effort to contribute either by time, resources or donations, we can make a difference in the lives of those little people who cannot speak for themselves. You can help to change a child's life!












































 




Listed below are things you can do to help prevent child abuse (from Darkness to Light website - http://www.d2l.org/site/):

1. Learn the facts about child abuse and understand the risks.
1. Read a book, attend a class, or look online to see how many children are affected by the different types of child maltreatment.
2. Abusers are often people the family trusts; they look and act just like everyone else.
2. Minimize the opportunities for abuse to occur.
1. Avoid situations where a child is alone with an adult – and avoid one-adult/one-child situations with children other than your own.
2. Monitor the Internet use of children so that they aren’t lured into inappropriate activities.
3. Talk about abuse
1. Talk openly to your child and understand why children may be scared to tell someone about abuse.
2. Talk to other adults about child abuse. This helps raise the consciousness of your community and influences their choices about child safety, while also putting potential abusers on notice that you are paying attention.
4. Stay alert to the signs of abuse.
1. Read a book, attend a class, or look online to determine the signs (physical and emotional/behavioral) of the different types of child maltreatment, while also understanding that some children may not display any signs
5. Know what to do if you suspect the abuse or neglect of a child.
1. Your reaction to suspected child maltreatment can determine how the child responds so it’s important not to overreact.
2. Provide support to the child.
3. Report suspected child maltreatment to appropriate authorities, either by calling the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.4.A.CHILD or by calling local child protective services or law enforcement agencies in your community.
6. Act on suspicions.
1. Even if you don’t have proof but you suspect abuse has occurred/is occurring, you should report it. If you want to talk to staff about whether or not to report, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.4.A.CHILD.
7. Get involved in your communities.
1. Meet and greet your neighbors and organize/participate in activities in your neighborhood
2. Go to a parents’ meeting or volunteer at your child’s school or run for an office in the parent organization at your child’s school
3. Participate in an activity at your local library or community center
4. Attend local government meetings (city council or school board meetings) and let them know how important resources are in your community. Let them know how parks, strong schools, and accessible services help to strengthen your family and other families
5. Support legislation that protects children.
6. Call and write your members of Congress.
7. Write letters to your newspaper.

Ways to Love the moment in Virgina Beach!

     It is that time of year again where we are all having cabin fever and want to get outdoors!  I know this is the time of year for me and my family that I start thinking about summer vacations, and start looking for places to go via friends, family, and online.  Have you and your family made any summer vacation plans yet for this year?  If not I have a place for every family with or without children.

     Virgina Beach has everything to offer from the obvious of the beach that every family loves to great restaurants, and fun entertainment.  For the parents who just want to enjoy the wonderful sunshine but wants to enjoy family time, you can;t go wrong on Virgina Beach.  They have the largest sandbox ever and think of all the sand castles and different things you can build in the sand.  As a child I used to build sand circuses and zoos.  You too can let your creativity run wild and be a kid all over again.

     There are other great activities that can be enjoyed by our seniors looking to have a great time right on down to the smallest traveler you have.  You don't want to miss out on Virgina Beaches Aquarium.  See the animals from all over the state and enjoy learning things you never knew about them.  I have personally visited the Aquarium and really enjoyed it myself.  It not only had animals from the ocean but has animals from the rivers and lakes.  This is a great activity to do if you are looking for something fun, inexpensive, and cool.

     VA Beach also has the First Landing State Park, and just the name makes you wanna go for a picnic with your family.  Here they have trails that you can get some great exercise, a beautiful scenery, and if your are the outdoors-man type they even have campgrounds to stay in.  If you don't like to camp in tents but still want to have the same experience, they have cabins that you and your family can stay in.  Also here at the park there are Indian artifacts along the way to learn about the past and present life of Indians!  the park has so much to offer and learn about the area.

     If you haven't already decided on where to take your family, check out Virgina Beach.   There is nothing like waking up early in the Am and smelling the fresh salt air, and watching the dolphins swimming in the ocean.  Water for as far as the eye can see and the relaxation of the sound of waves brushing up on the beach.  And don't forget about all the great places to take your family for some great seafood.  I don't know of many people that don't like to enjoy great food.




“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Virginia Beach blogging program. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

~UPrinting Review & Giveaway~ Ended

     UPrinting rolled canvas prints are a great gift idea for family, yourself or even a close friend.  Once you upload your image that you want to have printed you can add a border or no border, and you can add text to your work.  Uprinting uses Premium Artist canvas material to give your artwork a classier and sophisticated look.  Canvas prints don't have to just go in your home, you can also have them in your office or put away into storage for a later use!
     UPrinting offers 1 day printing and the canvases come in a standard or a custom size, ranging from 8x10 to 40x60.  You can make your artwork custom to fit where you are putting it. 

     I have been given the opportunity to give one of my lucky readers a rolled canvas print from UPrinting.

Prize Information:

1 pc. rolled canvas print for one (1) winner

16” x 20”

With 2-inch border or No border

1 Business Day Turnaround

*Free shipping

Restrictions:

1. This giveaway is open to US residents only, 18 years old and above.

2. No prize substitutions allowed.

3. Winners are allowed to win once over a six-month period.

4. Only email addresses used for the giveaway will be eligible to claim the prize.

5.  Giveaway ends midnight 4/25/2012

Here is how to enter:

MANDATORY:  This must be done before any other entry can be counted and ALL entries will be deleted if this is not done! Make sure you leave your email address so you can be contacted as the winner.  Once the winner is contacted they will have 48 hours to contact me or another winner will be drawn, Good Luck to all my readers!

• Like UPrinting on Facebook 
• Follow UPrinting on Twitter
• Follow my blog via GFC
• Add UPrinting to Google + Circle  

Optional Entries:

• Follow SMO4 by email
•  Leave a comment telling me what you will be doing with your print (Your home decor, office, gift, etc)
• Like Southern Mom of 4 on Facebook

The winner is Angela Hartness, congratulations!

"You should assume that I will receive free print products in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions. Interested to hold a giveaway like this? Please sign up here.”