So last week I had mentioned my induction into the Tropicana Juicy Rewards Brand Ambassador program, and I thought I'd let you know that I have actually done something with the program! One of the disadvantages of living in a less populated location is that there are fewer opportunities to be had.  When perusing the Juicy Rewards, I didn't find anything local to use my points for, but that's what's so great about the internet, if you have a shipping address, well you can pretty much get anything!

Click to read more ...

Diarmaid MacCulloch, one of the world’s leading historians and Professor of History of the Church and Fellow at St. Cross College, Oxford, reveals the true history of Christianity, as he explores the question, “What does it really mean to be a Christian?”

How did Christianity become the biggest religion in the world?

Click to read more ...

If you have not heard of The 39 Clues book series, let me give it to you in a nutshell...wealthy matriarch scatters cryptic clues to a mysterious fortune around the globe.  Siblings Amy and Dan Cahill are in a competition with the rest of their family to get the fortune by discovering all 39 clues. 

It's targeted audience is ages 9 - 12, but I'm sure there are older and younger that will enjoy the series alike.  Spanning 10 volumes, #8 The Emperor's Code is set for release on April 6th, 2010.

Click to read more ...

Handy Manny is a hot show among the pre-school crowd.  Probably because Handy Manny is just the kind of guy you'd like to be pals with.  He's friendly, his neighborhood is great, and he can fix anything (hence his name).  Do your little ones like to pretend they are repairing things right along with Manny when they watch?

Guess what?  Handy Manny has an all new show coming up: "Handy Manny Big Race" this Saturday, March 20th, at 7PM/6C on The Disney Channel.

Click to read more ...

Math has Amber's favorite subject in school.  It's the highlight of here school day (really!).  She has always excelled at math, and I am so glad, because I struggled with that subject in school.

Media can be a great learning tool and Leap Frog is always introducing new toys and products on the market to help make your child's learning fun.  Their newest DVD Math Adventure to the Moon is one such product.

Click to read more ...

Between homeschooling, house cleaning, errand running, extra-curricular activities, the church nursery and blogging, I don't have much free time on my hands.  But I feel oh so much better when I do take some time out for myself.  I try and set aside an afternoon a week to do whatever I want, whether that's going for lunch with a friend, shopping by myself, or just curled up on the couch reading.  Just that little bit of time without "Mom can I...or Mom how do you.. or Mom, Mom, Mom", gets me ready for all the busy-ness again.

I am so excited to get that time away next month, when I board the Disney Magic for 14 nights of relaxation.  I know I am blessed to take as many vacations as we do, but it seems so long for me since our last one (it really hasn't been, it just feels that way lol!).  Being pampered Disney style is something I wish everyone could experience, it really is a treat!  I promise to share lots of pictures and stories when I come back though.  Year round, you can visit Disney Family.com for parenting advice, travel ideas, recipes and more.

Click to read more ...

Engage Family's aim is twofold:

• To help make families purposeful
• To help make families be purposeful with principle

How do they do that?

By turning your Family Mission Statement into a stylish laminated magnet to hang on your fridge.

Engage Family believes a  family mission statement posted in a prominent location of the home is crucial.  that is why they designed the service to create a magnet form of your family mission statement to put in the place your family gathers most, in the kitchen, specifically on the fridge.

Click to read more ...

I love to keep my papers and notes organized and in a place easily accessible. That can be a lot tougher than it sounds though. In our office we have a 9 foot by 9 foot (true!) L shaped desk, that is home to four computers, a printer, phone, modem and a ton of other things. So you can imagine that it gets cluttered more often than not. Because our desk space is already used real estate, I have to think of another way to keep my papers organized but still in reach. Mayfair Lane is helping me out there!

Click to read more ...

When I shop I want to walk into a store find the clothes I like in the styles I want and have them fit. Perfectly. Yeah, that's kind of a problem for me though because I'm 4'9". Shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, are all too long. I mean sure I could go shop in the kids department, but I don't want to take the chance of picking up my daughter's friends and be seen wearing matching outfits with them.

Not long ago I was contacted by a company called eShakti. I had read about them on other blogs, but kind of filed them to the back drawers of my mind. I'm very glad they contacted me though. eShakti is a women's clothing store, where the customer can decide how they want a garment to look and fit. Do you like that short sleeve top, but wished it had long sleeves, or are you like me and need about 3 (okay in my case more like 8) inches taken off the length of the pants? eShakti can do that for you. With stylish designs and fabrics, you can get the garment you wished you could find at the mall, and have it tailored specifically to your measurements.

Click to read more ...

It is no secret by this point that I love Tropical Traditions products. A few weeks ago, I got to try yet another product from their line up, the Coconut Peanut Butter. I LOVE it! And by love it I mean, LOVE LOVE LOVE. I have tried different types of peanut butter before ranging from all-natural to exotically flavored, and Tropical Traditions Coconut Peanut Butter is definitely one of the best.

I have been putting this stuff on and in everything. Toast, brownies, apples, oatmeal, rice krispie treats. You name it, we've probably put the Coconut Peanut Butter in or on it, (did I mention I LOVE it?!!)

Click to read more ...

Shawneda Marks

and the book:

It's in my Blood
SC Creations (December 1, 2009)
***Special thanks to Shawneda Marks for sending me a review copy.***

Shawneda Marks is known as the activist author. She loves to sound the trumpet about important issues. In addition to being a tree hugger and running her charitable organization she loves to weave stories. Her heart and passion surround helping people be wellness walkers. Marks novels address issues in the faith based community while bringing laughter, conversation, revelation and hope. The nonfiction books are written at this time explicitly for women to be encouraged, empowered, beautiful from the inside out and most important whole!

Click to read more ...

If you aren't a sports fan, have no fears, there are plenty of things to pick up at Dick's Sporting Goods and you don't have to be an athlete to use them!  As a matter of fact, the best deal that I have ever gotten on a pair of Crocs was at Dick's Sporting Goods.  The variety and amount of athletic apparel, shoes and equipment will have you perusing their store or website for hours. 

Dick's Sporting Goods has a really neat opportunity going on right now, their Starting Lineup contest.  You can compete to be a member of their "Starting Lineup", what's that you ask?  You will be one of a select group that gets to:

Click to read more ...

Episencial  is actively healthy skincare that focuses on providing products with green values in mind, free from all the bad stuff, meaning  no synthetic chemicals. They have seven products in their line, ranging from foaming wash to sunscreen.

When it comes to skin, many are wanting to keep the chemicals to a minimum, so it is reassuring to know that Kim Walls the CEO of Episencial is also a skin care clinician.  Plus, she's a mom who is "proud to be able to offer honestly effective and green products at a reasonable price that can be found at stores she shops in all the time".  

Click to read more ...

The Rose Legacy - by Kristen Heitzmann

Carina DiGratia always thought she would marry long time family friend Flavio, until he breaches her trust with none other than her sister. 

She decides to punish him by picking up her roots in Sonoma, and moving to Crystal, Colorado which the advertisements state is the "Diamond of the Rockies".  Carina was leaving a life of privilege behind, and without realizing, moving to a mining town where women only worked in one profession. 

Click to read more ...

We love orange juice, and Hubby is very concerned about his health so he only drinks Tropicana Healthy Heart Orange Juice.  Me, I'm not a milk drinker so to get my calcium in, I drink Tropicana's Pure Premium Calcium + Vitamin D, and we buy the Healthy Kids variety for Amber.

Mom Central, has paired up with Tropicana and has some bloggers being Brand Ambassadors for Tropicana and their newly launched Tropicana Juicy Rewards and you guessed since I'm blogging about it, I was chosen to be a one of the Juicy Insider Ambassador.

Click to read more ...