tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62209091979138544572024-02-19T15:14:32.863-08:00Old ReviewsAll of my reviews in one placeJulie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-9991632089525959112009-06-13T14:27:00.000-07:002009-06-13T15:15:52.974-07:00Start a Christian Review Blog eBook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVw3oAQV0FfiygQWKPRNumxeTVHvj0NfR1xbouAYH8xmZxhJIzNt5DSACNmenuI-eiCaoI5yrCFPWC-EvLJMnKHpqPXYSJOsDA0g_a-iXN4t3fCaJWt8aGD9EHY8lt5xXHCetHVWAIQMk/s1600-h/review+blog.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVw3oAQV0FfiygQWKPRNumxeTVHvj0NfR1xbouAYH8xmZxhJIzNt5DSACNmenuI-eiCaoI5yrCFPWC-EvLJMnKHpqPXYSJOsDA0g_a-iXN4t3fCaJWt8aGD9EHY8lt5xXHCetHVWAIQMk/s200/review+blog.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346927528881123106" /></a><a href="http://courtneychowning.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Courtney Chowning</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> from </span><a href="http://faithapproved.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">FaithApproved</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> has put together a 15 page ebook called</span><a href="http://christianreviewblog.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Start a Christian Review Blog</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. The ebook with explain:</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><table border="0" align="center"><col><tbody></tbody><tbody><tr><td><ul><li style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Basic Blog Terminology</span></li><li style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How to setup your blog</span></li><li style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tips for selecting a blog name and tag line</span></li><li style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tips for selecting a blog theme and layout</span></li><li style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tips for choosing what products you want to review</span></li><li style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How to get products to review</span></li><li style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How to write great reviews</span></li><li style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tips on how to host a product giveaway</span></li><li style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tips for promoting giveaways</span></li><li style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sites to check out for further reading and help</span></li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Courtney does a great job of laying out the basics. The </span><a href="http://christianreviewblog.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ebook</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is set up nicely and is easy to read. She explains the terms used (blog, platform, web host and domain name) and the steps necessary to start and maintain a Christian Review Blog. Courtney gives ideas of where to find the products to review (from starting with the products in our house, to joining a network, to contacting the company directly). Courtney then explains who to write a review and how to promote it. Additional resources and a check list are included.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My thoughts:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Where was this book a year ago!? It would have been so helpful when I was interested in getting started last year. The information is well formatted and easy to follow. After a couple of years of entering lots of sweepstakes (winning a few), I settled on blog sweeps about 2 years ago. After entering (and winning) quite a few, I started wondering how people got started getting free stuff to review and giveaway. I asked a few people, but nobody gave me much advice. I have learned as I've gone, and now I do quite a few reviews (sometimes too many!) But it was a slow process. I posted my first review in November after joining </span><a href="http://momselect.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">MomSelect </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(a network for Mom bloggers). That month, I got the courage to e-mail an author and ask to review her book </span><a href="http://mom2ways.blogspot.com/2009/01/kissing-and-cooking-giveaway.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Kissing and Cooking. </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I was surprised when she agreed to send me a copy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Start a </span><a href="http://christianreviewblog.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Christian Review Blo</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">g</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> would be a great resource for anyone interesting in getting started writing a review blog.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=238866&c=ib&aff=71108" target="ejejcsingle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Click here to view more details</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> The price is $9.95 and comes with 3 bonus documents (blogging ideas, tech tools, and contest listing sites.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Would you like to win a copy?</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://mom2ways.blogspot.com/2009/06/start-christian-review-blog-ebook.html">Enter here.</a></div>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-91177977509177842032009-06-13T14:07:00.000-07:002009-06-13T14:09:31.922-07:00Chicken Soup for the Soul Teen and College<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you haven't heard of </span><a href="http://www.chickensoup.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Chicken Soup for the Soul</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, where exactly have you been the last 15 years? </span><a href="http://www.chickensoup.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Chicken Soup for the Soul</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> began with a single volume in 1993. Now there are more than 200 titles that have been translated into 40 different languages. They have sold more 112 million books. </span><a href="http://www.chickensoup.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Chicken Soup for the Soul </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">continues to develop new ways to reach the public including movies, DVDs, online resources and other partnerships.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The newest offering from </span><a href="http://www.chickensoup.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Chicken Soup for the Soul</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is a series directed at teenagers and young adults. There are 4 titles: Teens Talk Middle School; Teens Talk High School; Teens Talk Getting Into College; and Campus Chronicles. Each book tells a series of stories. The stories cover topics like "Happy to be me"; "Dating, Crushes and Just Friends"; "Consequences" and "That was Embarrassing" (from the High School book). Some topics are fun; others are serious.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When my son (who goes to middle school in August) gets home from camp, we are going to start reading the stories together. I want to read the stories together in case there are things that we need to discuss. It could be things he has been dealing with or asking him how he would have dealt with the situation. </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DVdgNfkIpk-89QJeqiwrkQouvZeWfMWAKcpgAnqQBVPbplyFsj5Ywky_l-51w2HFJKbzYMw2r8pNvd-5c8aysdvr8OtfqZJvKLpmBqDAt2sQTCtLXJP4uMn3L4LFjyKt_Ed802150fpp/s1600-h/teens_talk_middle_school.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DVdgNfkIpk-89QJeqiwrkQouvZeWfMWAKcpgAnqQBVPbplyFsj5Ywky_l-51w2HFJKbzYMw2r8pNvd-5c8aysdvr8OtfqZJvKLpmBqDAt2sQTCtLXJP4uMn3L4LFjyKt_Ed802150fpp/s200/teens_talk_middle_school.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346294745944653778" /></a><p class="mainBody" style="font: normal normal normal 0.75em/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"></span></span></p><p class="mainHeadline" style=" font-weight: bold; color: rgb(170, 0, 0); font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Middle School</span></p><p class="mainBody" style="font: normal normal normal 0.75em/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; "></p><blockquote><p class="mainBody" style="font: normal normal normal 0.75em/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">101 Stories of Life, Love, and Learning for Younger Teens</span></p><p><span class="mainBody" style="font: normal normal normal 0.75em/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Almost everyone hated middle school. It’s a very tough time for adolescents. This “support group in a book” is specifically geared to younger teens -- the ones still worrying about puberty, cliques, discovering the opposite sex, and figuring out who they are. Meant for middle school students ages eleven to fourteen, stories cover regrets and lessons learned, love and “like,” popularity, friendship, tough issues such as divorce, illness, and death, failure and rising above it, embarrassing moments, bullying, and finding something you’re passionate about. The stories provide emotional support, humor, and inspiration for the young teens making their way through the tumultuous middle school years.</span></span></p></blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwGzFpa7tWtf7ZxaxbtzYn9oFXlp52jlkmVwMRZx5PCBUSd1DNWqkFjhL2KdGFpFHneYCHYTrJOCumQcuDAh-_YiZQ-KkT8jP6M9XXl4vxzyYc53kj9vJ4y1d6hHKFAXmDn69ZM6q_EB8/s1600-h/teens_talk_high_school.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwGzFpa7tWtf7ZxaxbtzYn9oFXlp52jlkmVwMRZx5PCBUSd1DNWqkFjhL2KdGFpFHneYCHYTrJOCumQcuDAh-_YiZQ-KkT8jP6M9XXl4vxzyYc53kj9vJ4y1d6hHKFAXmDn69ZM6q_EB8/s200/teens_talk_high_school.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346294734201807106" /></a><p class="mainHeadline" style=" font-weight: bold; color: rgb(170, 0, 0); font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk High School<br /></span></p><p class="mainBody" style="font: normal normal normal 0.75em/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; "></p><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">101 Stories of Life, Love, and Learning for Older Teens<br /><br />This book focuses on issues specific to high school age kids, ages fourteen to eighteen. Teens in high school have mainly moved past worrying about puberty and cliques, so stories in this book cover topics of interest to older teens such as sports and clubs, religion and faith, driving, curfews, growing up, self-image and self-acceptance, dating and sex, family relationships, friends, divorce, illness, death, pregnancy, drinking, failure, and preparing for life after high school. High school students will find comfort and inspiration in the words of this book, referring to it through all four years of their high school experience, like a portable support group.</span></blockquote><p></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kp8oR4AxTl6E4Py7QoD_5SImcwe2vrgF3Iy7cr-V5zZ4tgXhqqJjJ08uRYDSSbfac9LlI5e935r_TClBrt8i6-zp19bJrisjhYkyzTGqopu_cGRg54H81l-NwXRwVwl0V6I5Nt5UaC6g/s1600-h/teens_talk_getting_in_to_college.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kp8oR4AxTl6E4Py7QoD_5SImcwe2vrgF3Iy7cr-V5zZ4tgXhqqJjJ08uRYDSSbfac9LlI5e935r_TClBrt8i6-zp19bJrisjhYkyzTGqopu_cGRg54H81l-NwXRwVwl0V6I5Nt5UaC6g/s200/teens_talk_getting_in_to_college.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346294736313253026" /></a><p class="mainHeadline" style=" font-weight: bold; color: rgb(170, 0, 0); font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Getting In... to College</span></p><blockquote><p class="mainBody" style="font: normal normal normal 0.75em/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">101 True Stories from Kids Who Have Lived Through It</span></p><p class="mainBody" style="font: normal normal normal 0.75em/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">These days, colleges are deluged with applications, and the application process has become something traumatic that students and parents experience together. This book isn’t about how to get into college -- it’s about providing emotional, not tactical, support. The stories in this book are written by kids who have been there and want to pass on their words of support to the kids about to go through the whole ordeal. Story topics include parental and peer pressure, the stress of grades and standardized tests, applications and interviews, recruiting, disappointments, and successes. Parents and students alike will find</span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Getting In... to College</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> a great source of inspiration.</span></p></blockquote><p class="mainBody" style="font: normal normal normal 0.75em/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4fyxLWrAMuiRRDUoOaRXu5kOsIQsWdO195-NnBl9PSBoPbnhG1Sex0imkOafyWLEPIO_cAD2TGT-NcYtpSMKUfkNndcTY-YJiP2H1Nzw_D-i1EYbB1im3Z2h1TR-SIgIzkVE-q6h5Hp2/s1600-h/campus_chronicles.gif"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4fyxLWrAMuiRRDUoOaRXu5kOsIQsWdO195-NnBl9PSBoPbnhG1Sex0imkOafyWLEPIO_cAD2TGT-NcYtpSMKUfkNndcTY-YJiP2H1Nzw_D-i1EYbB1im3Z2h1TR-SIgIzkVE-q6h5Hp2/s200/campus_chronicles.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346294730733285970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 185px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><p class="mainHeadline" style=" font-weight: bold; color: rgb(170, 0, 0); font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Chicken Soup for the Soul: Campus Chronicles</span></p><blockquote><p class="mainBody" style="font: normal normal normal 0.75em/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">101 Real College Stories from Real College Students</span></p><p class="mainBody" style="font: normal normal normal 0.75em/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">College life can be fun, stressful, exciting, and educational in more ways than one. </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Campus Chronicles</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is a book for any current or prospective college student who wants to know what really goes on in the dorms and in the classroom. Story topics range from the academic, like studying abroad and picking majors, to partying and life choices. Read about other college students’ spring breaks, personal growth, relationships with family and significant others, Greek life, transferring schools, money woes, and alternative paths. </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Campus Chronicles</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is about growing up, making choices, learning lessons, and making the best of your last years as a student.</span></p></blockquote><p class="mainBody" style="font: normal normal normal 0.75em/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; "></p></span><p></p></span><p></p><p></p><p></p></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />Would you like to win a copy? I will be giving away one copy of each title. <a href="http://mom2ways.blogspot.com/2009/06/chicken-soup-for-soul-review-and.html">Enter here.</a></span>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-69500040511659964062009-06-09T09:44:00.001-07:002009-06-09T09:44:42.997-07:00Mabel's LabelsMore than a year ago, I won a package of label's from a blog. (Right now I couldn't even tell you which blog!) I chose to only use our last name because I didn't know which child would need them first. (And I was too cheap to buy the extra 2 sets.) When the labels arrived from Mabel's Labels I glanced at them and put them on the stack on my desk. Eventually John gathered stuff up and put them in a box. I've run across them a time or two but had no reason to get them out. <br /><br />Until yesterday. Chewie is headed to camp today. I was not looking forward to writing all 7 letters of our last name 100 times. So I dug out the http://www.mabel.ca/ What a great time saver! Not to mention they look a whole lot better than than scribbles. <br /><br />In my pack (which I believe was called the Camp Pack) I had 50 TagMates. These are small labels that attach to clothing tags. There were 8 round Shoe Labels (with clear plastic overlays) for the insole. There about 15 of the larger Sticky Labels for things that will be going through the dishwasher. And Chewie's favorite: a pair of Bag Tags. The looked like wide dog tags with a short chain. <br /><br />I had everything labeled in about 15 minutes. Wow! I need to order a couple more sets!Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-11787751912522914012009-06-09T09:37:00.000-07:002009-06-09T09:41:09.790-07:00Don't Give In...God Wants You to Win!When I picked up <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0736926143?tag=mom2-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0736926143&adid=0CF6D4KFBVJ0KQPGPPPK&">Don't Give In...God Wants You to Win!</a> I expected a light, fun read. Boy was I surprised! The book is actually a deep look at spiritual warfare and learning how to fight the battle. Don't worry! Thelma includes humor to keep things from becoming too heavy. Thelma gives a lot of great information. One thing I really liked is that she included whole Scripture passages (sometimes in more than one translation) in the text of the book. I know that when I read I book, I usually don't take the time open my Bible and read the passage at the time. I always plan to get back to it, but rarely do. Having the text in the book, made it certain that I would read it. I am going to be going back through this book again---much more slowly this time!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xY7M89QwIuB_8TXlDp3krgOQKDCeNcFjCoUQpoRMVgWYIqdM_ssSCqD3AG_Rgjuz0-z4aE2XVT-zUdctjusj7cKPKyMcMlZXP0oL_117XQfzRJVelU_UuB1ha0htqNO-73xk4wOhjXLx/s1600-h/dontgivein_cover.jpg"></a> <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xY7M89QwIuB_8TXlDp3krgOQKDCeNcFjCoUQpoRMVgWYIqdM_ssSCqD3AG_Rgjuz0-z4aE2XVT-zUdctjusj7cKPKyMcMlZXP0oL_117XQfzRJVelU_UuB1ha0htqNO-73xk4wOhjXLx/s1600-h/dontgivein_cover.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345183573437650162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 131px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xY7M89QwIuB_8TXlDp3krgOQKDCeNcFjCoUQpoRMVgWYIqdM_ssSCqD3AG_Rgjuz0-z4aE2XVT-zUdctjusj7cKPKyMcMlZXP0oL_117XQfzRJVelU_UuB1ha0htqNO-73xk4wOhjXLx/s200/dontgivein_cover.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoBodyText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">This book is about spiritual warfare, demons, the Holy Spirit, and some pretty heavy-duty areas. Why write on this topic?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote>In this day and age when all around us seems to failing like our economic system, the government, relationships, health, self-worth, business and workplace situations, the church, wayward children, divorce and so much more, it is imperative that people have something sturdy and reliable to hold on to. Everyday we are fighting some kind of battle small, great or tremendous. When we don’t know how to fight against the disappoint, heartache, confusion, depression, and all the emotional and spiritual fall out from these issues, we become desperate, violent, vicious and vile. John 10:10 tells us that the thief comes to kill, steal and destroy us. But, Jesus has come to give us life and that life more abundantly than the feelings of no hope. This book teaches about the only hope we have and how to use that hope physically, emotionally and spiritually with a guarantee that we are winners when we do.</blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><b>You’ve been known as the BEE lady, but it seems you’re evolving into more than that? Where do you see your ministry heading in the future?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal">God has so many surprises for me that my heart is overflowing. I have a teaching and preaching anointing that has made my ministry one of integrity and worth. God is doing great things in my life and reinventing some vital things that will be seen by everybody in a few weeks. He has guaranteed me that the international travel I’ve done over the past thirty years, the seeds I’ve sown over my lifetime, the barriers and tough times I’ve overcome are about to pay off in many different ways. He has put Christian people in my life that have and are changing the course of my life in great and wonderful ways. I will be taking a group to Israel next November, on other Ready to Win tours throughout the world, working with World Vision in their child sponsorship program, presenting mini Ready To Win Conferences throughout the world, and whatever else the Lord assigns me to do.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoBodyText"></p></blockquote><p></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><b>Thelma, this book was released at a perfect time. So many people are struggling just to survive. They’ve lost jobs, money, health, marriages, and more. Many just want to give up! What can we do if we are in those situations to prepare for victory in the battle of life?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote><div><p class="MsoNormal">When you’re in a battle these are the things that must be done in order to win:</p><ul style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal">Put on the helmet of salvation to cover your thought life.</li><li class="MsoNormal">Put on the breastplate of righteousness to guard your heart against devil and sin.</li><li class="MsoNormal">Put on the girdle of Truth so that you will be able to understand what real truth is and be able to use the Sword of the Spirit (The Word of God – the Bible) in every situation as Jesus did when He was tempted by the devil in the mountain.</li><li class="MsoNormal">Put on the shoes that have prepared you with the preparation of peace so you can march and stay fit as you tell other people about the goodness and the gospel of Jesus Christ.</li><li class="MsoNormal">Hold up the shield of faith believing that God will keep every Promise He made for our good.</li><li class="MsoNormal">Pray for each other and for ourselves by asking God for what we need, seeking His perfect will in all we do and knocking continually until we know God has answered our prayers. We must realize that God does not answer all our prayers the way we want Him to but whatever way He answers them, they are for our good and for His glory.</li><li class="MsoNormal">Praise God with thanksgiving for all He has done and will do for us. The worship of God brings us into an atmosphere of being able to fight the good fight of faith and WIN.</li></ul></div></blockquote><p></p></div><div><!--StartFragment--><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" >Most of us are familiar with the list of spiritual weapons available for us to use as listed in Ephesians 6. You have a way to remember these that might be more relevant to today’s woman – as a mom, wife, business woman, etc. Will you share these five things with us that you do daily when you’re getting “dressed” in the morning? </span></b><!--EndFragment--></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIHwKiQkY9Cj_SDs2WFHQ0q4fHqjkF5iGCx79sFdl0nEXY85QiFnL459FaRSAV-jtogJPCYz0gDS8xOsa0y2lOhenC9O9Z9kSKZj5dQWW7WcnY6_gY7ADQQwVZ7r_Xq2O5JoJ_ThyaArN/s1600-h/TWells_armorthelmastyle.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345183570432353730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIHwKiQkY9Cj_SDs2WFHQ0q4fHqjkF5iGCx79sFdl0nEXY85QiFnL459FaRSAV-jtogJPCYz0gDS8xOsa0y2lOhenC9O9Z9kSKZj5dQWW7WcnY6_gY7ADQQwVZ7r_Xq2O5JoJ_ThyaArN/s200/TWells_armorthelmastyle.gif" border="0" /></a> <!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoBodyText"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type="disc"></ul><!--EndFragment--><p></p><!--EndFragment--><!--EndFragment--><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtQ6RqUlTxdvcSxn1X8cmI8K1nQCzjpMOcSA1yjyIlbG8bHCvWCH7kDj3CvAL3BxC2JyPKQAibBpGQm3fdYsSxM1vSQygE1kD4xFrxqpCSDzc5LRThP3mAsmuM-IO2Yt2z7MGqOZTt8GU/s1600-h/mamat-whiteshirt.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345183568455000866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtQ6RqUlTxdvcSxn1X8cmI8K1nQCzjpMOcSA1yjyIlbG8bHCvWCH7kDj3CvAL3BxC2JyPKQAibBpGQm3fdYsSxM1vSQygE1kD4xFrxqpCSDzc5LRThP3mAsmuM-IO2Yt2z7MGqOZTt8GU/s200/mamat-whiteshirt.gif" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:13;"> <p></p><blockquote><p>In 1980 Thelma became the first black woman in the South to organize her own international speaking and consulting corporation. Her natural talent for public speaking and storytelling attracted the attention of the Women of Faith Tour, and in 1996 she became the first black core speaker for the organization. She has authored several books, including <strong><em>God Is Not Through With Me Yet</em></strong>, an inspiring examination of her own life experiences in which she encourages readers to “sing in the closets of their lives.” She serves as the president of The Daughters of Zion Leadership Mentoring Program, an organization she founded in 2000 (another first for a black woman). Through this ministry, “Mama T,” as she is affectionately called, has mentored over 100 spiritual daughters, received an honorary doctorate degree and was ordained into the Christian Ministry on December 16, 2008, from St. Thomas Christian College and Theological Seminary and the Association of Christian Churches in Jacksonville, Florida. She was also was named Extraordinary Woman of the Year 2008 by Mrs. Julie Clinton, Host of the Extraordinary Women Conferences an affiliate of the American Association of Christian Counselors.</p><p>Thelma has been married to George Wells, her best friend, supporter, and encourager, for over 45 years. The couple lives in Dallas, Texas, and has three children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.</p></blockquote><p></p><p></p></span><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xNRUrUvvV5g&hl=" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" fs="1" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></div></div>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-59515668179720537602009-06-07T21:28:00.001-07:002009-06-11T09:55:00.981-07:00RUVAcards<strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#9b9913;"></span></strong>If you have budding artists like I do, you have got to check out <a href="http://www.ruvacards.com/">RUVAcards</a>! You send them a digital scan or send the artwork through the mail, and RUVAcards will match the colored dots to create personalized stationary. My kids all love to draw and color. This would be such a fun Christmas present for the grandparents!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ruvacards.com/">RUVAcards</a> also does party invitations, birth announcements, and greeting cards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciKC9aXXax8JRdwJaK6LR3acmW53T0qxCQrpT_ETNUBVGR9UOEYQaSyaELbiBOVKHRYEB0sY0opYc1d7-RA9Pnyqi9x-3wqbqks1q5-W8bK444-No_93NPJAzj_l6JStV3i_DLCKwmFw/s1600-h/ruvacards+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345194950525074322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 100px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciKC9aXXax8JRdwJaK6LR3acmW53T0qxCQrpT_ETNUBVGR9UOEYQaSyaELbiBOVKHRYEB0sY0opYc1d7-RA9Pnyqi9x-3wqbqks1q5-W8bK444-No_93NPJAzj_l6JStV3i_DLCKwmFw/s200/ruvacards+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN46_V2-MMI08U_ag4bFCQrp-km8MbiAaRXhgwn28XEW7SVt-_LBrqnOBMZd2FUjtT8X8o9VzEFgbufjZnl_kuudXx8GufYrVsywKt-HUYTWp1MAZ05_klSk-sZasOT8rHSM2TkuuJuA/s1600-h/ruvacards.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345194949172373026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN46_V2-MMI08U_ag4bFCQrp-km8MbiAaRXhgwn28XEW7SVt-_LBrqnOBMZd2FUjtT8X8o9VzEFgbufjZnl_kuudXx8GufYrVsywKt-HUYTWp1MAZ05_klSk-sZasOT8rHSM2TkuuJuA/s200/ruvacards.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNE1UTwcSbAJYMIGKE6IA-mSAiPmcApkA24gfUimtnUu6QEuEk4__CwOnSTBqlRPTswYGslCQEAUQXMQBGJmUEC9VJhJ-UAaasYjbdDWHkkFV2mW1eDTfaD198PdEhl1nARihkFIzcco8/s1600-h/ruvacard+sample.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345194943706381746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 155px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNE1UTwcSbAJYMIGKE6IA-mSAiPmcApkA24gfUimtnUu6QEuEk4__CwOnSTBqlRPTswYGslCQEAUQXMQBGJmUEC9VJhJ-UAaasYjbdDWHkkFV2mW1eDTfaD198PdEhl1nARihkFIzcco8/s200/ruvacard+sample.jpg" border="0" /></a> <blockquote><p class="MsoNormal">We pride ourselves on truly unique stationery, innovative custom notecards and personalized thank you cards and stationery cards. From blank cards and blank notecards to personalized notecards and personalized stationery and more, Ruvacards is your one stop shop for custom stationery and notecards that they won't soon forget. Looking for a special way to keep in touch with the child in your life? Our kid's stationery provides a personalized and exciting way to help make correspondence the joy it ought to be. Personal correspondence and letter writing are excellent ways to improve literacy, reading comprehension skills and creativity. Our personalized notecards and personalized stationery can help your young ones find pleasant recreation in reading and writing. Using our stationery cards and custom stationery you can introduce kids to the amazing world of writing and correspondence. We can even customize our <a style="COLOR: black; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.ruvacards.com/store.cfm/PCatID/3">unique greeting cards</a>, personalized to fit the vibrant personality of the child in your life. From thank you cards to journal keeping, make our visually stunning stationery a part<br />of your life today. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Even if <a style="COLOR: black; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.ruvacards.com/store.cfm/SubCatID/1">unique birth announcements</a>, customized <a style="COLOR: black; TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://www.ruvacards.com/store.cfm/SubCatID/24">baby shower invitations</a> and kid's stationery are not on your list today we know you'll find something you need in our eclectic collection of stationery and stationery cards. Leave a lasting impression that speaks to your individual style with our custom stationery, individually personalized notecards and artistic notecards. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br />Ruvacards' personalized stationery gives you an unforgettable way to send meaningful thank you cards that reflect your gratitude. Stop searching for blank notecards and custom stationery. Make Ruvacards' unique blank cards and custom<br />notecards part of your communication repertoire today. </p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><p class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></p><p></p>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-20852452350153052442009-06-07T21:21:00.000-07:002009-06-11T09:34:39.077-07:00Transform your purseI want to show you a couple of great products for accessorizing your purse. I know! Who knew you could accessorize your purse?!? Both come from <a href="http://www.pursehook.net/">Je'Marie PurseHook and Accessories</a>.<br /><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuhyjk9JU18DD0pFOkQf386__qinMGjhWvDladrelwlU1VyHAKJ8bPmRoy1mDbg-AD66XiWwBXyco72f8GXxUmueLpsThZqAlDoFJHWPp_DBFqzmPgTmmalUui-lwEvWw3t0x7sFkkSs/s1600-h/Scarlett.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345194105984691346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 99px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuhyjk9JU18DD0pFOkQf386__qinMGjhWvDladrelwlU1VyHAKJ8bPmRoy1mDbg-AD66XiWwBXyco72f8GXxUmueLpsThZqAlDoFJHWPp_DBFqzmPgTmmalUui-lwEvWw3t0x7sFkkSs/s200/Scarlett.jpg" border="0" /></a> The <a href="https://www.pursehook.net/shop/index.php?cPath=35&os">Scarlett </a>is a clip on accessory that transforms your purse from blah to brilliant. It is amazing what a difference a little decoration can make. It kind of reminds me of the kerchief square men where in their suit pocket to make the suit look new and different each time!</p><blockquote><p>Are you looking for a new method to convert your bag from a day to day convenience to a trendy piece for a night downtown? Never fear that your bag will get lost in a sea of purses when you’re out to eat with the girls. Shrug away any worry about not being at the forefront of friendly fashion competition. The Scarlett is the perfect addition to the FUMI now elegantly trimming your purse, or will be a classy first time purchase from <a href="http://www.pursehook.net/">Je’Marie PurseHook & Accessories</a>. At this great price- you can't go wrong! $19.95<br /></p></blockquote><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvxozqe0l4H5ZAXBG0yWhpHKfRhfkK7wt7QgcTR6nR8mmicAxlU1U-vJSbRmJywLB5NHlicQ8YqfiKAo6EOOUv8uP1UB-MIm7uy5RwqfaPynlUZOTPTVZtoMT7MfX2AdWQ_Zzs-8qFIc/s1600-h/FUMI3Ways.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345194101890016754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 83px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvxozqe0l4H5ZAXBG0yWhpHKfRhfkK7wt7QgcTR6nR8mmicAxlU1U-vJSbRmJywLB5NHlicQ8YqfiKAo6EOOUv8uP1UB-MIm7uy5RwqfaPynlUZOTPTVZtoMT7MfX2AdWQ_Zzs-8qFIc/s200/FUMI3Ways.gif" border="0" /></a> The <a href="https://www.pursehook.net/shop/index.php?cPath=32">FUMI </a>(or fashionable, unique, multi-purpose innovation) is a lot of fun! It is a beautiful bracelet (that even fits on my large wrists!) It is a purse accessory (so you don't have to go looking for it!) And it is a purse hook (so you don't have to put your purse on the floor!) There are some great purse hooks out there, but most would get lost before I could use them. </p><p>The FUMI comes in a variety of patterns and sales for about $25.<br /></p>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-35673467860821730242009-06-07T20:47:00.000-07:002009-06-07T21:02:26.829-07:00Bra BarrettThe<a href="http://www.brabarrette.com/"> Bra Barrette</a> is a great way to add some drama to your outfits. I was not able to use the <a href="http://www.brabarrette.com/">Bra Barrette</a> myself because, as the website explains, the <a href="http://www.brabarrette.com/">Bra Barrette</a> is NOT one size fits all. Soon, in addition to the average size one, they are planning to release a "petite" and "large" version. But I love the idea of the <a href="http://www.brabarrette.com/">Bra Barette</a>. It is beautiful and functional.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54wS6Oy_ckSwemvJVgOOBsbjIk59syaMsDtbxTuVr95VTdi3PM0vTBu3t2H3FNSe75t07ThXEHPiQykBuq-pZ9TG1YIPqeBF71zLdwifLUnKvQXKbbthM8OxQy7HDwlHpTlEsrN18XCY/s1600-h/bra+barrett+crystal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54wS6Oy_ckSwemvJVgOOBsbjIk59syaMsDtbxTuVr95VTdi3PM0vTBu3t2H3FNSe75t07ThXEHPiQykBuq-pZ9TG1YIPqeBF71zLdwifLUnKvQXKbbthM8OxQy7HDwlHpTlEsrN18XCY/s200/bra+barrett+crystal.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344800138830362802" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Geneva;mso-bidi- font-family:Geneva;color:#3E2A1C;"></span></p><span style="font-family:Geneva;mso-bidi- font-family:Geneva;color:#3E2A1C;"><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The <a href="http://www.brabarrette.com/">Bra Barrette</a> is the essential tool every woman needs in her wardrobe. Made for a flexible and durable plastic, the Bra Barrette adds fashionable jewelry to the back while holding tank top, swimsuit or bra straps in place. Plain Bra Barrettes are ideal for keeping your straps hidden under clothing and staying professional at work. <a href="http://www.brabarrette.com/">Charmed Bra Barrettes</a> add personal style to the back with interchangeable charms and jewels. Genuine SWAROVSKI Crystallized Elements will add grace and elegance to any formal wear.</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7jLHYpCmVaFbHz6vfdGBXl320jSzUeJ-g1xn5vdiYHF7UlStwDZw8I4GVTPqVxynJyWNpsthUUiNysBNGfhpHqZsRmAJJlL2IVyOqkGsK67F8fBoBFY26vzJ3jYvnzyyp4ML3NdGv3Q/s1600-h/bra+barrett+plain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7jLHYpCmVaFbHz6vfdGBXl320jSzUeJ-g1xn5vdiYHF7UlStwDZw8I4GVTPqVxynJyWNpsthUUiNysBNGfhpHqZsRmAJJlL2IVyOqkGsK67F8fBoBFY26vzJ3jYvnzyyp4ML3NdGv3Q/s200/bra+barrett+plain.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344800143661329826" /></a></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; font-family:'Trebuchet MS';">Q & A</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-Trebuchet MS"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How difficult is the Bra Barrette to put on?</span></span></b><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-Trebuchet MS"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-Trebuchet MS"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-Trebuchet MS"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><blockquote><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-Trebuchet MS"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's not difficult at all. If you put your hands behind your head, you put on the Bra Barrette. You can also put the Bra Barrette on before you put on your attire and simply slide it over your head and then adjust the straps once you've fastened your top. </span></span><a href="http://www.brabarrette.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=1&chapter=0"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-bidi-Trebuchet MS"; font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Click Here</span></span></a><span style=" font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-bidi-Trebuchet MS"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> to watch the video clip to see how to put it on.</span></span></blockquote></span></span><span style=" font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-bidi-Trebuchet MS"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-Trebuchet MS"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How durable is the Bra Barrette?</span></span></b><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-bidi-Trebuchet MS"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-Trebuchet MS"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-Trebuchet MS"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><blockquote>It is extremely durable! It’s made from a food-grade plastic so it is flexible and comfortable to wear. It has been tested repeatedly for durability under normal wearing conditions. The product is guaranteed!</blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><b><br /></b></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-16262641801616446362009-06-07T20:39:00.000-07:002009-06-07T20:51:08.930-07:00Classy Nail Files<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-zCkjq_wZIrhmLzLQbs6__XzCfOwCcQfHRHCY9kBAm03RC2sb46nYGMh1cjpc65Lj12xdhAg6ICQk0XE557yKlImE0hn9kDFzU7m30_xOQWIz4uQ8pZTEg7R_WqP4a9wyDNsgnYQ9Gk/s1600-h/Classy+files.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 89px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-zCkjq_wZIrhmLzLQbs6__XzCfOwCcQfHRHCY9kBAm03RC2sb46nYGMh1cjpc65Lj12xdhAg6ICQk0XE557yKlImE0hn9kDFzU7m30_xOQWIz4uQ8pZTEg7R_WqP4a9wyDNsgnYQ9Gk/s200/Classy+files.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344798773833634930" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Geneva; color: rgb(62, 42, 28); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I got a chance to try out a crystal glass nail file from </span><a href="http://www.classynailfiles.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Classy Nail Files</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They come in 3 sizes: Small (3.5 inches)—small enough to carry and use for emergencies; Medium (5.5 inches)—for full manicures; and Large (7.5 inches) for pedicures and removing calluses. I received the smallest size, and it has been great! For Mother's Day, I got a set of acrylic nails. I've had several opportunities to try it out. Most nail files hurt my ears when I use them. (You know the noise I'm talking about!) The </span><a href="http://www.classynailfiles.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Classy Nail File</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> was almost silent. It was strong and easy to use. I would love to try the big one on my dry cracked feet!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:Geneva;mso-bidi- font-family:Geneva;color:#3E2A1C;"></span></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Geneva;mso-bidi- font-family:Geneva;color:#3E2A1C;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The crystal files feature a filing surface etched permanently in the glass for superior longevity and performance. The crystal is tempered and hardened, making it 74% stronger than ordinary glass. Files are double-sided, easily sterilized and give a superior finish on natural and artificial nails. We carry a full line of vibrant colors and hand-painted original designs hand done by artists in Grand Rapids Michigan. Our artists constantly seek new exciting designs. The files are guaranteed never to wear out and will last a lifetime! They're a lot safer for your nails. 3 sizes to choose . The choice is crystal clear! For quality, durability and design, choose </span><a href="http://www.classynailfiles.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Classy Nail Files</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">!</span></span></p></blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGeds4DAZfmL4-_Xm9J40fcoy_3DpZGlbn_MgpnXT724W0wOJJWKECbXRNrruur43VBcRiqgjkcOLOENht4UuvYq9Dgj0Tl93O7U4DrOSzMEyqlCT8x8tVvOVTaEsTkTBqrRnZZR0z8Y/s1600-h/ladybug.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 66px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGeds4DAZfmL4-_Xm9J40fcoy_3DpZGlbn_MgpnXT724W0wOJJWKECbXRNrruur43VBcRiqgjkcOLOENht4UuvYq9Dgj0Tl93O7U4DrOSzMEyqlCT8x8tVvOVTaEsTkTBqrRnZZR0z8Y/s200/ladybug.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344798777085019250" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></a><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGeds4DAZfmL4-_Xm9J40fcoy_3DpZGlbn_MgpnXT724W0wOJJWKECbXRNrruur43VBcRiqgjkcOLOENht4UuvYq9Dgj0Tl93O7U4DrOSzMEyqlCT8x8tVvOVTaEsTkTBqrRnZZR0z8Y/s1600-h/ladybug.png"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Here are some Q & As from</span></span></a><a href="http://www.classynailfiles.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Classy Nails</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:11.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Q - What's the actual difference between crystal glass nail files and regular types of files?</span></span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi- font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:11.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi- font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A - The difference is all in the finish. Immediately after you use our crystal glass nail files you will notice that the tips of your nails have become very smooth.</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:11.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Q - What's the best way to remove calloused skin from my feet? </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style=" font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:11.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style=" font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> A - Our large size pedicure file is designed especially to remove hardened and calloused skin from your feet. First, soften the skin by soaking your feet in water or using your foot file directly in your bath or shower. Use regularly to maintain soft, supple skin.</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:11.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Q. I have artificial gel nails. Are Classy files right for me?</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:11.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A - Indeed, our crystal glass nail files are perfect for use on artificial nails of every type. Simply dip the file repeatedly while filing for best results.</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:11.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Q - Are Classy crystal glass files gentle enough to use on babies and small children?</span></span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi- font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:11.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi- font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A - Yes. The extremely gentle filing surface is deal for use on fragile nails or very soft nails like those on an infant, and will help reduce the nail peeling and tearing that rougher surfaces cause. We do recommend adult supervision if used by children.</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:11.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Q - Can crystal files break?</span></span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi- font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:11.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi- font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A - Like any crystal glass product, your file can break if it falls on a very hard surface or if exposed to excessive pressure. However, because the body is made from tempered glass, which is 74% stronger than regular glass, this possibility is minimized during normal use. Protect your Classy crystal glass nail files in their protective sheaths.</span></blockquote><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:11.0pt;color:#333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-25186128905123368452009-06-06T19:14:00.000-07:002009-06-06T19:32:17.657-07:0020 Easy Ways to Help Save the Earth<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=mom2-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1434393925&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /></div><br /><blockquote>Youth soccer coach and eco-conscious citizen Coach Pedro Rita, believes teaching children to make simple changes in their daily lives may be the answer to saving the Earth from the destruction of past generations. In his new children's book, "20 Easy Ways to Help Save the Earth" (Author House, September 2008), Coach Pedro shows kids how their actions can affect their homes and communities and offers them easy-to-use, Earth-saving tips to inspire and empower our youth to protect the environment. <br /><br />"20 Easy Ways to Help Save the Earth" is full of situations kids encounter on a daily basis and takes a proactive approach to modeling new behaviors and attitudes that eco-conscious children can adopt. From tried-and-true suggestions such as recycling bottles and cans to innovative ideas like using rainwater for watering household plants, kids are encouraged to do their part and share their enthusiasm for conservation with others. </blockquote><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">20 Easy Ways..... </span>is written in both Spanish and English. My kids are always wanting to learn Spanish, and this is a great way to introduce some new words while re-enforcing the need to care for our planet. I do not consider myself "green", but I do see the need to take care of the planet. The tips shared in this book are practical and do-able. The pictures are bright and creative. My family really enjoyed it.<div><br /></div><div>See the trailer (below) for more information.<br /><pre style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hBKWawA5WeQ&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hBKWawA5WeQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></pre></div>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-51401907580558171532009-06-06T16:36:00.000-07:002009-06-06T17:28:11.303-07:00When Love Blooms Review<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=mom2-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0310259282&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310259282?ie=UTF8&tag=mom2-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0310259282"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When Love Blooms</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> by Robin Lee Hatcher was released by Zondervan in February.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana; line-height: 17px; "><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When Emily Harris takes a job in the rugged high country of Idaho, she’s about to discover that changing the heart of one man may be the destiny she’s been in search of all her life. A heartwarming historical romance by bestselling author Robin Lee Hatcher.<br /><br /></span><span class="productDetailLabel" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Description: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />From the moment Gavin Blake set eyes on Emily Harris he knew she would never make it in the rugged high country where backbreaking work and constant hardship were commonplace. She would wilt there like a rose without water. He'd be sending her back to Boise before the first snows. He'd be willing to bet on it.<br /> <br />She could say what she wanted. Emily Harris didn't belong in the hard life of the Blakes.<br /> <br />Beautiful and refined, she was accustomed to the best life had to offer. Heaven only knew why she wanted to leave Boise to teach two young girls on a ranch miles from nowhere. He'd wager it had to do with a man. It always did when a beautiful woman was involved.<br /> <br />Emily wanted to make some sort of mark on the world before marriage. She wanted to be more than just a society wife. Though she had plenty of opportunities back East, she had come to the Idaho high country looking to make a difference. Gavin’s resistance to her presence made her even more determined to prove herself. Perhaps changing the heart of one man might make the greatest difference of all.</span></blockquote></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana; line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have always enjoyed historical novels. My mom got me started on Janette Oke and Gilbert Morris. While I enjoy contemporary romances, my heart remains with the historical fiction. When Love Blooms reminded me a lot of Janette Oke's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581650337?ie=UTF8&tag=mom2-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=1581650337"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Love Comes Softly</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> series. The story line is clear, the Gospel message is presented in a natural way, and the characters are realistic. The plot is believable and inspiring. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The descriptions of the countryside are so vivid, it felt like I was there!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-11558515758909307932009-06-06T16:01:00.000-07:002009-06-06T17:14:31.481-07:00Exposure: Book Review<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=mom2-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0310276438&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310276438?ie=UTF8&tag=mom2-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0310276438"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Exposure</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> by Brandilyn Collins is a new psychological thriller from Zondervan. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 17px; font-family:Verdana;"><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? In Kaycee’s newspaper column she’s known for writing of her paranoia and fears. Is the new danger real—or is she going crazy? In this story of terror, twists, and desperate faith, the startling questions pile high. But Kaycee’s descent to answers proves even more frightening.<br /><br /></span><span class="productDetailLabel" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Description: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />When your worst fear comes true. Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? Everyone knows she’s a little crazy. Kaycee’s popular syndicated newspaper column pokes fun at her own paranoia and multiple fears. The police in her small town are well aware she makes money writing of her experiences. Worse yet, she has no proof of the threats. Pictures of a dead man mysteriously appear in her home—then vanish before police arrive. Multisensory images flood Kaycee’s mind. Where is all this coming from? Maybe she is going over the edge. High action and psychological suspense collide in this story of terror, twists, and desperate faith. The startling questions surrounding Kaycee pile high. Her descent to answers may prove more than she can survive.</span></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I love a good novel, and I kind of like mysteries. The term "psychological thriller" usually sends me running the other direction. But I decided to go ahead and read </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310276438?ie=UTF8&tag=mom2-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0310276438">Exposure</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. It was a great story! At first, I was a little lost because each chapter seemed to introduce a new major player in the story. But eventually the pieces came together. And, I did not see the ending coming! Brandilyn wove a great story with twists and turns that surprised me.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The main theme of the book was overcoming fears. But the story went deeper than just fear: the consequences of choices; the long lasting effects of sin; and the way the mind works.</div><div><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed reading this book. This may have been my first Brandilyn Collins book, but it definitely won't be my last!</div>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-69378111242665509152009-06-04T20:41:00.000-07:002009-06-04T20:42:12.888-07:00Along Came You<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvd2CxbIpKFnfG_U8NUbEBPWAF53FoUEFLvzZwoRNM53sDyBBZVYMVHvkkAntEecvvt8kgsrmidR9DECgzS3dJaR6q4igyhpuq1eQYZHPXcY3zA3aWMx2MQyhmkheRa3r_o6S08wqO8FXD/s1600-h/img453-704060.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvd2CxbIpKFnfG_U8NUbEBPWAF53FoUEFLvzZwoRNM53sDyBBZVYMVHvkkAntEecvvt8kgsrmidR9DECgzS3dJaR6q4igyhpuq1eQYZHPXcY3zA3aWMx2MQyhmkheRa3r_o6S08wqO8FXD/s320/img453-704060.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343678498488964130" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Along Came You</span>, the delightful debut children's book written by Karona Drummond and dramatically illustrated by Estelle Corke, tells of the transformation moms make from before kids to after kids. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Along Came You</span> was released by Zonderkids in April 2009.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Along Came You</span> is a hardback picture book that contrasts the full and exciting life before kids with the full and exciting life after kids. Both lives are good, but different.<br /><br />I absolutely love this book! I think my favorite line is<div></div><blockquote><div>Before you,</div><div> my world was quiet.</div><div>After you, </div><div> There is joyful noise.</div></blockquote><div>The picture looks like my princess, Crunchy. She usually has some sort of costume or jewelry on, and she loves to sing.<br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ID4P2k0Y2i-J3_XQG5Ez2hmvSqzIQ0lAVVJvZJ_LVCaeytxcG_BHjF2rRDUoGOarYdwCAqJf9YjoQ1g-uj2FRKL4X-VdjGxnP8tTNWFq3a-943xJcxgH2MOcZT9_E6fxpCMR4UJP_g_H/s1600-h/img454-702716.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ID4P2k0Y2i-J3_XQG5Ez2hmvSqzIQ0lAVVJvZJ_LVCaeytxcG_BHjF2rRDUoGOarYdwCAqJf9YjoQ1g-uj2FRKL4X-VdjGxnP8tTNWFq3a-943xJcxgH2MOcZT9_E6fxpCMR4UJP_g_H/s320/img454-702716.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343678492343375922" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Karona captures some wonderful examples of the life changes that come with motherhood. I like that she doesn't make either picture out to be negative. Life before kids was great. Life after kids is great. The after is more colorful. She even says "I am still me".</p><p class="mobile-photo">One final word....when I write my children's book/s, I want Estelle Corke to illustrate them. She did such an awesome job of capturing the fun details (such as the swinging necklaces in the dance scene!)</p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvwFXcsvdfafCgRQcbnu4fFhM21DXkXKJAXSiF9_FgWilCmwHkyjQqOQZO-q_xhB8kFyCWhr8pNwKKM_Cqp03fpWdo2vqcsrSU20QfsoUUYrNNkuqKld_TKx93NuoZaIN9tT98BjjUgfY/s1600-h/img455-703436.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvwFXcsvdfafCgRQcbnu4fFhM21DXkXKJAXSiF9_FgWilCmwHkyjQqOQZO-q_xhB8kFyCWhr8pNwKKM_Cqp03fpWdo2vqcsrSU20QfsoUUYrNNkuqKld_TKx93NuoZaIN9tT98BjjUgfY/s320/img455-703436.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343678496561768402" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /><br /></p></div>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-31110720745594177172009-06-03T12:11:00.000-07:002009-06-03T12:22:34.948-07:00Time 4 FeltThanks to <a href="http://faithapproved.com/">FaithApproved</a> I had the opportunity to review a story set from <a href="http://www.time4felt.com/">Time 4 Felt</a>. Awnya from <a href="http://www.time4felt.com/">Time 4 Felt</a> is an independent consultant with <a href="http://www.storytimefelts.com/index.php">Story Time Felts</a>. They have an extensive <a href="http://www.time4felt.com/catalog-2009.pdf">catalog</a> with an assortment of "paper" dolls; stories; and other play sets.<br /><br /><br /><br />I had the chance to review a Bible story set: Job. I have to admit, even though I know my Bible well, I had to dig a little to figure out which story it was. But once I realized it was Job, it made sense. But when you order, you won't have to worry about knowing the story. This Bible Story of Job Set includes: coloring pages; sequencing page; scripture refrences; story summary and the 15 felt figures.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy6RCWLrVD_T00SWmMlPvyjZZZeFeh8uN0GStmTq30O249VPwoWVsTs1oIuUlCt2xIGfNoE5UT5-x3keZs-j_oEi4OPuQOYjtz-gsuFJCFEuJlk_IRI4rDPIxtY3RBREerz_uzPJtJIM/s1600-h/job-small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343182673290687282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy6RCWLrVD_T00SWmMlPvyjZZZeFeh8uN0GStmTq30O249VPwoWVsTs1oIuUlCt2xIGfNoE5UT5-x3keZs-j_oEi4OPuQOYjtz-gsuFJCFEuJlk_IRI4rDPIxtY3RBREerz_uzPJtJIM/s200/job-small.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The colors are vibrant and the pictures are detailed. You have the option of purchasing either pre-cut or saving some money and cutting them yourself. (Mine were precut.) My kids loved the story. In our technology driven world, we often don't take time to slow down and tell stories. Time 4 Felt is a great tool to help us do that. And to let our kids begin to grow their own imaginations.<br /><p>Some of the pictures:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmimnLNWJgdj4AOxqDTNNvKDpGutod8OpZbZiFupvkWOuxbUGTzoKWst7tkU1j35p3trxu4iDtT_0reSXRC7hrpTfxaaCBJCXyREY83VY8rIps9tC-oa1qVd6jm_JS9Ekr4EHZmfjNm_Q/s1600-h/img361-728692.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342195552257480786" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmimnLNWJgdj4AOxqDTNNvKDpGutod8OpZbZiFupvkWOuxbUGTzoKWst7tkU1j35p3trxu4iDtT_0reSXRC7hrpTfxaaCBJCXyREY83VY8rIps9tC-oa1qVd6jm_JS9Ekr4EHZmfjNm_Q/s320/img361-728692.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p>All of the pictures together:<br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXpqmMrLv6a7a4uj3L_UT17eAHkqPV6fVmKoIgf7UYsO0Et6RT2kOGxlKOd1vOYeae1y09ZePtBlvE9LHfHq_0xXyLviZI1amkEvl7vqTYOF08dq43oNsQpWw3Bc6IjA9ekh9EiLA6nhw/s1600-h/img358-729629.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342195555426350418" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXpqmMrLv6a7a4uj3L_UT17eAHkqPV6fVmKoIgf7UYsO0Et6RT2kOGxlKOd1vOYeae1y09ZePtBlvE9LHfHq_0xXyLviZI1amkEvl7vqTYOF08dq43oNsQpWw3Bc6IjA9ekh9EiLA6nhw/s320/img358-729629.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><br />Close up detail of one picture.<br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFOg1mJ9Ngxb6kM_ZJ_RrZf99gMgtQ198pqm0UXiMjGsIjuxMhnQnYQQIGQ9WU_7e61yN3aw5Jm1Gya4eUppk5pyEZuzhLwpIkDVHSRwXsH-wMHIo01bpI6LovVPM60Ksc88EkzCU0NMl/s1600-h/img359-730330.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342195557245637986" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFOg1mJ9Ngxb6kM_ZJ_RrZf99gMgtQ198pqm0UXiMjGsIjuxMhnQnYQQIGQ9WU_7e61yN3aw5Jm1Gya4eUppk5pyEZuzhLwpIkDVHSRwXsH-wMHIo01bpI6LovVPM60Ksc88EkzCU0NMl/s320/img359-730330.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ></span>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-63486903081094652272009-05-31T17:14:00.000-07:002009-05-31T18:11:37.447-07:00FaithLeaps<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><a href="http://wahmcart.com/x.php?adminid=179&id=6527&pid=4032"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" src="http://wahmcart.com/headers/179/logo.png" alt="Faith Leaps" width="250" height="250" /></span></a></span></div><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A couple of months ago---about the time I did my life plan--I won a 3 month membership to <a href="http://faithleaps.com">FaithLeaps</a>. Fortunately, <a href="http://faithleaps.com">FaithLeaps</a> is a self-paced study because I have not had time to complete all of the lessons yet. But I am excited about the lessons I've completed already.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://faithleaps.com">FaithLeaps</a> has already helped me define my passion, and then look at my personality and spiritual gifts (pastor/shepherd; mercy and prophecy). For a long time, I have felt like God has placed a call on my life to teach--specifically to be a conference speaker some day. I don't know what exactly that is going to look like, but <a href="http://faithleaps.com">FaithLeaps</a> will be a great way for me to sharpen my vision and make decisions about how to proceed.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://faithleaps.com">FaithLeaps</a> was created by author, speaker and blogger, </span><a href="http://alyssaavant.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Alyssa Avant</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to help Christian women decide if they are called to take a Leap of Faith into speaking, writing, or other ministry. Alyssa defines a leap of faith as: </span></p><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">stepping out of your comfort zone into the hands of God.</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://faithleaps.com"> FaithLeaps</a> provides tools to help you confidently start a local church ministry, a speaking ministry, or writing outreach. FaithLeaps will help you prepare to take the leap into ministry. </span></div><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">During the 3 month training program, you will receive 6 lessons (every other week for 12 weeks) via e-mail. Each lesson includes a written lesson, a 45-60 minute audio seminar (including transcript), and a worksheet. The 6 lesson topics are:</span></div><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 60.0px; text-align: center; font: 16.0px Verdana"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lesson #1 :</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Find Your Passion</span></span></div><b><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lesson #2 : </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Locate Your Audience</span></span></div></b><b><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lesson #3 :</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Create Your Content</span></span></div></b><b><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lesson #4 :</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Establish Your Position</span></span></div></b><b><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lesson #5 :</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Promote Your Mission</span></span></div></b><b><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lesson #6 : </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Just Do It, Do It Again</span></span></div></b></blockquote></b></div></div><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; ">There are a couple of options for membership:<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Lucida Grande"></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://wahmcart.com/x.php?adminid=179&id=6527&pid=4032"></a></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://wahmcart.com/x.php?adminid=179&id=6527&pid=4032"></a></span></div><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 24px; "><blockquote><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 24px; ">Membership in<span class="style15" style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 153); height: 35px; width: 168px; ">Faith Leaps</span> Training is for <strong>3 months</strong>. You will be billed once per month at the rate of<span class="style29" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); "><strong>$9.97</strong></span> per month for <strong>3 months.</strong> You <strong>CAN</strong> cancel at any time. </span></div><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times;font-size:6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 24px;">Want personal coaching? Add a <strong>45 minute consult call with Alyssa </strong>every month pay <span class="style29" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); "><strong>$49.97 </strong></span>per month for <strong>3 months</strong>.</span></span></div></blockquote></span></div><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times;font-size:6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 24px;"></span></span></div></span>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-71897662934885078802009-05-25T14:15:00.000-07:002009-05-25T14:25:48.688-07:00The Face of Faith Blog Tour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.christianspeakerservices.com/Images/faceoffaith.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 157px; height: 239px;" src="http://www.christianspeakerservices.com/Images/faceoffaith.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div>I have privilege of sharing a new new book with you: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Face of Faith</span> by Candy Wood Lindley. Candy shares openly and honestly of the struggles and triumphs she faced after being diagnosed with cancer. To save her life, the doctor had to remove most of her face. But in the process, she found a deeper relationship with God who made her over from the inside out. Candy candidly shares candidly her journey. Below is an interview with Candy.</div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Candy, you have written <u>Face of Faith</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What is it about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">When I was thirty years old, I was hospitalized for the removal of a pea-sized cyst in the nasal cavity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instead, I was diagnosed with an inoperable malignant tumor the size of a baseball situated underneath the brain in the center of the head in an inoperable area of the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Grade-three bone cancer is not receptive to chemotherapy or radiation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They told me that I could lose the right side of my face.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">I had always thought that I was a Christian, but I had never really surrendered my life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the hospital room that night I was finally at the end of Candy - emotionally, mentally, and physically. I ask God to totally take over my life.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">My circumstances didn’t change, but God began to change my heart to one seeking His will only for my life whatever that might be.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Two weeks later I met with a craniofacial surgeon at the Mayo Clinic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was very upfront about my surgery and my prognosis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No sugar coating.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">He explained that he would cut across the top of the head and down the middle of the face enabling him to peel back both sides of the face and remove the greater portion of my face including the forehead bone, the right cheekbone, and the nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He could hopefully remove the bulk of the tumor, buying me some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He would not replace the bones to the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I would wake up severely deformed and blind in the right eye, probably the left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Miraculously, he instead attempted to remove the tumor in its entirety, and it worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even more miraculously, he took the bones to the face that had been thrown in the trash and reconstructed my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had a new face. And was cancer free.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">What goes through someone’s mind when they are told they have an inoperable tumor in the center of the head and could lose the right side of their face?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You were thirty years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s pretty overwhelming.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><blockquote>For me, the will to live took over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That stubborn will to fight no matter what the odds.</blockquote></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">There were complications after that first surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What did that involve?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><blockquote>Seven months after the first surgery, infection spread throughout the forehead bone and forehead skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was put in isolation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Five weeks later and four more surgeries, I returned home weighing 79 pounds with a shaved head, sunken in forehead, and two skin graphs on the front and back of the head.</blockquote></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><blockquote>Two years later on a routine check up trip to the Mayo Clinic, the tumor recurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Same place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This time the size of a raspberry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So they did the whole first surgery again</blockquote></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">During those three years of nine surgeries and frequent trips to the Mayo Clinic, did you ever ask God “Why me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Were you ever angry with God?</p><blockquote><p class="MsoBodyText"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">I never asked God “Why me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I did ask what was going on?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I didn’t understand. I asked why He was allowing so much in my life, but not so much why it was happening to ME.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes, I was angry with God often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thankfully someone informed me that God could handle my anger.</span></p></blockquote> <p class="MsoBodyText">How do you address the importance that society has put on beauty?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">There is nothing wrong with wanting to look the best that you can look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I personally have always enjoyed experimenting with makeup and getting professional makeovers, especially now that I am facially disfigured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I want to make the most of what I have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But at the end of the day for me, the make up comes off and the hairpieces come off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If my confidence depended on beauty, I could be devastated. And many facially disfigured people are.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">In a world obsessed with perfection of the outer appearance and makeovers of every kind, God is more interested in a different kind of makeover – one that lasts – a makeover of the heart.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">That’s what happened with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He began a makeover of my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And He’s still working on me!!</span></p></blockquote> <p class="MsoBodyText">How did your husband handle the stress of your illness and the new Candy?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><blockquote>Unfortunately ours was not a happy marriage before I was ever sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was an emotionally abusive household.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After twenty-four years of marriage, Lee filed for divorce.</blockquote></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Candy, you have experienced emotional pain and physical pain. Which is more difficult?</span></b><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Physical pain is difficult– especially chronic pain. It is wearing and can affect a person emotionally as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But there are medications for pain.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">But the emotional pain of abuse is sometimes more difficult, I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You can’t take a pill for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It requires a lot of time and counseling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Only the Lord can heal the broken heart and enable us to forgive.</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Where can we find out more about you and this book?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><blockquote>Please visit my web site at <a href="http://www.faceoffaithbook.com/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">faceoffaithbook.com</span></a>. Thank you for letting me visit with your readers today! </blockquote><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-3388582174662327302009-05-25T12:14:00.000-07:002009-05-25T13:15:01.027-07:00Tilty Cup<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXucPO4HWlOCErvDBtABe8Y4i2Y4xxy9AsUyH7t_JIcWpCXsTgHdD2VRQh7OT1fbcT83sQGLhiLUfzA82cRWPN0QW4DHg4teIFqCq6_zbwFyV3SErzLJ1rAcZBFQm8mskDchasLjEIZJX/s1600-h/My+blog+spark+logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 48px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXucPO4HWlOCErvDBtABe8Y4i2Y4xxy9AsUyH7t_JIcWpCXsTgHdD2VRQh7OT1fbcT83sQGLhiLUfzA82cRWPN0QW4DHg4teIFqCq6_zbwFyV3SErzLJ1rAcZBFQm8mskDchasLjEIZJX/s200/My+blog+spark+logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339809598321150194" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />Thanks to </span><a href="http://momselect.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">MomSelect</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, I had the opportunity to try out the </span><a href="http://www.tiltycup.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tilty Cup</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. </span><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_75TnZ6U4MQp_R0N3Eixzlc3DZwuTBT2GjFEkS9ms5BZQ1fTxIP8YoVDBWFnBHRjyTQwQ2CmdkOHIYIvX0GayOTviF79v2AsQF_1THvQQ3606wN-HD1uwCEc2g9C1l0tB3gWMhNfE9Ym/s1600-h/tilty+cup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_75TnZ6U4MQp_R0N3Eixzlc3DZwuTBT2GjFEkS9ms5BZQ1fTxIP8YoVDBWFnBHRjyTQwQ2CmdkOHIYIvX0GayOTviF79v2AsQF_1THvQQ3606wN-HD1uwCEc2g9C1l0tB3gWMhNfE9Ym/s200/tilty+cup.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339809609942892690" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Even though my youngest, Munchie, will be 4 next week, he wanted to try one out. He liked it. But I needed to test it out with some kids who haven't learned to drink out of cups yet. So I borrowed some kids! I work in early intervention, and we have a daycare on site. So I took the cups to our 1-year old teachers. They were quite interested in the design. I gave them a couple of weeks to try them out and then came back to check on them. They loved them! The cups were great! The kids were learning how to drink from them. And they want more! (One of the teachers has a 9-month old son.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22no41Eh7aRT8pH0hKKL5Hvq39zxFZwXJAyzr-sfFJgeCTG8ag4c_GBptRWYZmaX2Rjx8ZM_Fr_4HHK2v814Nsq56xq0cmx29wGqTLFeKB9RvtBPJFLpMSQgwrcXJtc9TBDQiJPZkBzYW/s1600-h/tilty+cup+3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22no41Eh7aRT8pH0hKKL5Hvq39zxFZwXJAyzr-sfFJgeCTG8ag4c_GBptRWYZmaX2Rjx8ZM_Fr_4HHK2v814Nsq56xq0cmx29wGqTLFeKB9RvtBPJFLpMSQgwrcXJtc9TBDQiJPZkBzYW/s200/tilty+cup+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339809605141848962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 200px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzetW5si6Cui-bEAQIfolkBIBol4UuXI1Dn7WOZDHg5Wnnst6Iqsmb_coqnK03zW0hlQl9EGLp-HarcSLVuRZQk0krtVzU5Of_3ocmy4rivSGJdM0RwWNIO23dxeIAWQx9Tz2rbPNYoBJ/s1600-h/tilty+cup+2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzetW5si6Cui-bEAQIfolkBIBol4UuXI1Dn7WOZDHg5Wnnst6Iqsmb_coqnK03zW0hlQl9EGLp-HarcSLVuRZQk0krtVzU5Of_3ocmy4rivSGJdM0RwWNIO23dxeIAWQx9Tz2rbPNYoBJ/s200/tilty+cup+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339809601458391170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 158px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(100, 100, 100); line-height: 18px; "><ul style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-left: 30px; "><li class="star" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ergonomic design makes drinking easier and more comfortable.</span></li><li class="star" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Requires less head tilt than any other sippy cup.</span></li><li class="star" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Teaches better mechanics to help babies graduate from a sippy to a regular cup.</span></li><li class="star" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Has a snap on lid without a valve for better dental development, as recommended by the ADA, American Dental Association .</span></li><li class="star" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">safe for 9+ months</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The </span><a href="http://tiltycup.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tilty Cup</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is:</span></div></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(100, 100, 100); line-height: 18px; "><ul style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-left: 30px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dishwasher Safe (Top Rack)</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Polypropylene</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">BPA, Dye and PVC free</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Easy to use in a car seat or stroller</span></li></ul></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />Would you like to win a pair of <a href="http://tiltycup.com/">Tilty Cups</a>?</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 5px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To enter:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Leave a comment.<br /><br />Bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each):<br /><br />* Add my button to your blog<br />* Follow me on </span><a href="http://twitter.com/Mom2Ways" style="color: rgb(186, 36, 63); text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Twitter</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />* Twitter about this giveaway<br />* Follow my blog<br />* Subscribe to my blog<br /><br />Contest ends June 8th.<br />Please make sure your profile is public or include your e-mail address in your comment. If I can't easily find my winner, I'll have to pick another one.<br />Limited to US addresses only.</span></span></span><br /></div>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-36194503751186164212009-05-25T10:24:00.000-07:002009-05-25T13:15:30.387-07:00Macaroni Grill Dinner Kits<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family:'century gothic';font-size:13px;"><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 5px; "><a href="http://www.macaronigrill.com/" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(70, 95, 123); background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Romano’s Macaroni Grill</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> is is a casual restaurant that specializes in creating fresh, delicious Italian food with locations across the USA. They have a full menu for lunch and dinner and even family style dishes for catering and “to-go.” Well now, some of the great pasta meals inspired by the Mac Grill chefs are available at your local grocery store for nights when you want a delicious Italian meal without the hassle.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 5px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The </span><a href="http://www.restaurantfavoritesathome.com/" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(70, 95, 123); background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Restaurant Favorites Dinner Kits</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> from Romano’s Macaroni Grill come in 4 classic flavors that you can make in as little as 20 minutes at home.</span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 5px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><img class="size-full wp-image-11386 aligncenter" title="mg2" src="http://accidentalmommies.com/wp-content/uploads/mg2.png" alt="mg2" width="600" height="94" style="border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); background-position: initial initial; " /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 5px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Thanks to </span><a href="http://www.myblogspark.com/" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(70, 95, 123); background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">MyBlogSpark</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">, I was sent a “What’s For Dinner” Gift Basket to try out for myself. Each kit comes with almost everything you need to make. You add the meat and, depending on the kit, the butter, milk, and oil. This delicious kit makes a great dinner.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 5px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></p><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 5px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Make sure you check out the </span><a href="http://www.restaurantfavoritesathome.com/" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(70, 95, 123); background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Restaurant Favorites website</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> for a coupon for $1 off a Macaroni Grill dinner kit!</span></p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; text-align: left; font: normal normal normal 20px/normal 'century gothic', Arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0); "><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">ENTER TO WIN A “WHAT’S FOR DINNER” GIFT SET FROM MACARONI GRILL RESTAURANT FAVORITES</span></strong></span></h2><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 5px; "><span style="color: rgb(90, 67, 52); "><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">THREE winners will each get a “What’s for Dinner” Gift set that includes the following:</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 5px; "><span style="color: rgb(90, 67, 52); "><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">One </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken Pasta variety dinner kit</span></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">A colander</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">A serving spoon</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">A cheese grater</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Three coupons that you can redeem each for a free dinner kit so you can try the other 3 varieties as well</span></li></ul><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 5px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><img class="size-full wp-image-11395 aligncenter" title="macaroni-grill-gift-image" src="http://accidentalmommies.com/wp-content/uploads/macaroni-grill-gift-image.jpg" alt="macaroni-grill-gift-image" width="500" height="322" style="border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); background-position: initial initial; " /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 5px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">To enter:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Leave a comment with your favorite pasta or short cut meal. Bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each): * Add my button to your blog * Follow me on </span><a href="http://twitter.com/Mom2Ways" style="color: rgb(186, 36, 63); text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">twitter</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> * Twitter about this giveaway * Follow my blog * Subscribe to my blog Contest ends June 8th. Please make sure your profile is public or include your e-mail address in your comment. If I can't easily find my winner, I'll have to pick another one. Limited to US addresses only.</span> </span></span></span>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-35792845693778792952009-05-23T12:19:00.000-07:002009-05-25T13:19:32.552-07:00Ministry of Motherhood<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 14.15pt; margin-left: 0in; line-height: 14.4pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ministry-Motherhood-Peace-Publishing-Presents/dp/0979022231/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240583965&sr=1-1">Ministry of Motherhood</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 14.15pt; margin-left: 0in; line-height: 14.4pt; "></p><blockquote></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"></span></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What would you like your readers to know about you?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : Cheryl Lacey Donovan is a walking, talking, testimony of what God can do.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What is your latest book about?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : The Ministry of Motherhood is about my journey from being a teenage mother who suffered abuse at the hands of her husband, to the self assured woman that I am now and the role motherhood played in that journey.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What were the happiest moments you have experienced while writing your latest book?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : My happiest moments while writing this book occurred as I realized how truly blessed I really was. When you’re living in the situation, sometimes you can’t appreciate how good God really is.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: Describe your writing style?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : I’d like to think my writing style is down to earth and conversational. Like talking to your best girlfriend.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: How did you develop your writing style?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : My writing style was developed through reading other works of literature. I wanted to make sure that what I wrote was easy to digest and understand.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: Where do you see yourself as a writer ten years from now?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : Ten years from now I hope to be spreading the message all over the world. Telling women that they don’t have to settle.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What marketing tips can you provide to new authors?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : Develop a marketing plan, follow it, and visit it regularly to find out what does and doesn’t work.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What other projects are you working on?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : I am working on my next book with my husband. The title is Do you Still Do? What Happens Happily Ever After? It is a book about marriage and what it takes to keep it together.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: When do you write and for how long?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : I write whenever it hits me. I can be riding along in the car and something will come to mind. In that case I record it on my cell phone and write it down as soon as I can.</span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: Do you have a favorite location for writing?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : I usually like to write outside, near my pond and waterfall in the swing. It’s very peaceful there.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q:What three words best describe your writing style?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : Transparent, honest, conversational<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What other hobbies do you pursue when you aren't writing ?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : Of course, I love to read, I like to travel, and I love entertaining.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: Are there any hidden jewels or talents that you possess that many of your readers may not know?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : Well, if I hadn’t become an author, I may never have known how good I was at being a talk show host and public speaker. It’s been a blast.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: Where can folks buy your latest book?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : My latest book can be purchased wherever books are sold including </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.amazon.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.barnesandnoble.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, and</span><a href="http://www.peaceinthestormpublishing.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.peaceinthestormpublishing.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: Where can folks meet you?<br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : Wow! I will be on the road quite a bit in the near future. It’s best to visit my website </span></strong></span><a href="http://www.cheryllaceydonovan.com/"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.cheryllaceydonovan.com</span></span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> for updates.</span></span></strong><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What have been some of your toughest obstacles as a writer?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : My toughest obstacle as a writer has been me. Getting on paper what was in my heart was difficult at times due to the nature of the situation, but I am glad that I was able to get it out. It was cathartic.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What time do you awake normally every morning?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : Normally I get up around 5 or 6pm. I tell my husband all the time I think we’re getting old because I can remember when we talked about our parents getting up so early all the time, even when they didn’t have to go to work.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: How do you find time to connect with God?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : I pray, read the word, and meditate to hear a word from God. The latter is something many people neglect to do. They feel all they need do is pray, but they don’t wait for an answer. A solid prayer life is the key to emotional and spiritual growth. Only when you have learned how to pray to God and listen for His answer can you find true peace.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: Do you watch television or listen to the radio when you're writing, and if so, what do you watch or listen too mostly?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : The television is usually on when I write, but there is no one program that I watch regularly. I just seem to write better when it’s noisy. Crazy Huh!<br /></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: Do you have an exercise regimen to suggest for busy writers?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : In order to get better at your craft it’s important to read, read, read. Read everything. It will help to expand your mind.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What is your pet peeve?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : My pet peeve would have to be people who say what they can’t do even though they haven’t tried. I happen to believe in Philippians 4:13 which says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What is your passion in life?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : God has given me a heart for women who are struggling with life’s twists and turns. My message to them is even when we can’t diagnose the problem, God’s word can bring us healing and wholeness. I want to bring this message to all women. I want them to understand that until they fall in love with Jesus, the chains of sin and bondage will never be broken.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What is your favorite motto?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What do you particularly like about the literary world today?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : The internet has leveled the playing field between traditional vs. small press and self published authors. It’s great! Many authors who might not have gotten a chance to be heard are now being recognized like never before. It’s a renaissance of sorts.<br /></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: If you could leave one word of advice to people in general, what would it be?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : </span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To love God, love yourself, and love others.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: What is next for you?<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : </span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Currently I spend a lot of time working on my internet radio show which airs on blog talk radio Tuesdays, 7:30pm CST and Saturdays, 3:00pm CST</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am also traveling quite a bit with the Ministry of Motherhood Tour. Anyone interested in having me come to their town to talk to single/teen mothers can contact us at </span><a href="mailto:cherylspeaks@gmail.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">cherylspeaks@gmail.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Q: Where can visitors find you online<br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan : Everywhere. </span><a href="http://www.cheryllaceydonovan.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.cheryllaceydonovan.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><a href="http://www.virtuouswoman-31.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.virtuouswoman-31.blogspot.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">,</span><a href="http://www.ministryofmotherhood.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.ministryofmotherhood.blogspot.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">,</span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/donovancheryl"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.twitter.com/donovancheryl</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">,</span><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worthmorethanrubies"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worthmorethanrubies</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/donovancheryl">http://www.myspace.com/donovancheryl</a></span></span></b></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Meet Cheryl Lacey Donovan</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b></b></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Cheryl Donovan</b> is a native Houstonian who is walking in her destiny as she ministers the word of God all over the country. Her captivating messages are delivered in a no nonsense transparent dialogue with her audiences.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl </span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">believes in the Psalms 11:25 which says, She who refreshes others will herself be refreshed; therefore, she tries to be transparent as she speaks and writes about her valley to mountain experiences.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> resides in Houston with her husband of 16 years. She has two grown sons and a step-daughter who has a son of her own.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To learn more about Cheryl or to have her speak at your next event visit http://www.cheryllaceydonovan.com<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">About the Book</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In a time when teen pregnancy is on the rise once more and single mothers are being blamed for all of societies problems, Cheryl Lacey Donovan presents a view of single motherhood that tears down all the excuses for why single mother's can't succeed.<br /><br />Cheryl Donovan shares her valuable insight into the spiritual and biblical principles associated with being a good mother.<br /><br />A former single mother herself, Cheryl shows readers that through the abundance of God's grace and love along with determination and perseverance, children don't have to become statistics.<br /><br />Cheryl identifies key biblical principles and displays practical life lessons that can help to establish solid foundations upon which to rear happy, well rounded, productive children.<br /><br />Cheryl provides insight the will assist the reader to look inside themselves for change. It will help them identify the strongholds of poverty, lack of education, and abusive relationships and help them tear them down with the help of the creator.<br /><br />Cheryl's powerful testimony about her journey from teen pregnancy, domestic violence, and single parenting, to award winning author, educator, and inspirational speaker is sure to empower, enlighten, and inspire mothers everywhere.</span></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This week's winner will receive </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">An autographed copy of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">the Mother is a Verb CD</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and a </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Mother is a Verb Devotional/Journal</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> courtesy of </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Worth More Than Rubies Ministries.</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Check</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><a href="http://www.cheryllaceydonovan.com/page/page/6853278.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cheryl Lacey Donovan’s Website</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">for the winners.</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 14.15pt; margin-left: 0in; line-height: 14.4pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p></div></span>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-9422903699624172602009-05-10T12:20:00.000-07:002009-05-25T13:09:49.470-07:00Florastor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9Tt_zTQR7SY4dK3bZXDbR1Fv_ajpqke3GBVdujy31YeChCTu9bdDZGLQm3oim0t7u3VKAF-sgTuSm4_WnGEU3REp_ifNbEtQdkICjPfdiAwjCrYEDrXjzDRQC9K55f2vQiniXzhfWFnf/s1600-h/Florastor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9Tt_zTQR7SY4dK3bZXDbR1Fv_ajpqke3GBVdujy31YeChCTu9bdDZGLQm3oim0t7u3VKAF-sgTuSm4_WnGEU3REp_ifNbEtQdkICjPfdiAwjCrYEDrXjzDRQC9K55f2vQiniXzhfWFnf/s200/Florastor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334308239877652274" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to <a href="http://momselect.com/">MomSelect</a>, I had the chance to review <a href="http://www.florastor.com/">Florastor for Kids</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>There are billions of microbiota inside the intestines that keep the digestive system working properly. An upset in the balance of these microbiota, or flora, can cause intestinal problems, including diarrhea and abdominal discomfort, which can range from moderate to severe. Florastor® Kids is a clinically-tested, natural, yeast-based probiotic that aids in the growth of good microbiota in the intestines, while destroying and removing pathogenic (bad or disease-causing) microbiota to help maintain or restore optimal intestinal health.<br /><br />Unique because it can be safely given to babies and children from the age of two months, Florastor® Kids is a great-tasting powder that can be dissolved in beverages, including infant formula, or soft foods, such as applesauce. </blockquote><br />Florastor is said to* strengthen intestines and strengthens the digestive tract’s ability to help fight infection by releasing polyamines (organic compounds that stimulate cell growth) to help repair the mucous membranes of the intestinal walls; stimulating the production of immunoglobulins (proteins that function as antibodies; and increasing short-chain fatty acids to help nutrient absorption.<br /><br />Florastor is pleasant tasting, so the kids didn't even notice it. Each packet is individually sealed for ease. The powder dissolves quickly and completely.<br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" name="disclaimer"></a><span style="font-style: italic;"> *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. </span><br /><br />Want to try it?<br />Thanks to <a href="http://momselect.com/">MomSelect</a> and <a href="http://florastor.com/">Florastor Kids</a> you have the chance to win a box of 20 packets.<br /><br />To enter:<br />Leave a comment about what you do for your kids when they are sick. Or what did your mom do for you?<br /><br />Bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each):<br /><br />* Tell me where you found me (follower? Entrecard? a sweepstakes site? etc)<br />* Add my button to your blog<br />* Follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/Mom2Ways">twitter</a><br />* Twitter about this giveaway<br />* Follow my blog<br />* Subscribe to my blog<br /><br />Contest ends Thursday, May 21st.<br />Please make sure your profile is public or include your e-mail address in your comment. If I can't easily find my winner, I'll have to pick another one.<br />Limited to US addresses only.<br /><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><br /></span>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-78013037273590012262009-05-09T12:26:00.000-07:002009-05-25T12:26:40.796-07:00Purex Insider<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">I was selected as one of 200 <a href="http://www.purex.com/">Purex</a> Insiders. <p class="mobile-photo"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30oc2-TGMq8oy6E3eajM9-xXhtWb4d7Gz6i6kfFmMYr2ViykxhkYdhSMvPhpPlCo7jkPm5Psk7dkiLnm7MUiYCwoaGEcCDZ80NJ8hTSBqzYZsm4WAf_rREQJ5rwKiZxNHjsknvisTe6kq/s1600-h/purex-+badge.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30oc2-TGMq8oy6E3eajM9-xXhtWb4d7Gz6i6kfFmMYr2ViykxhkYdhSMvPhpPlCo7jkPm5Psk7dkiLnm7MUiYCwoaGEcCDZ80NJ8hTSBqzYZsm4WAf_rREQJ5rwKiZxNHjsknvisTe6kq/s200/purex-+badge.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334015452995860418" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">I got to try out the new Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry sheets. What a great new product. Each sheet (roughly the size of a dryer sheet, but thicker) had detergent, fabric softener, and anti-static "pre-loaded". </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWubyJ9jgKxT4refQjnvflFnGaoFpSbYMw5a-ic-OoV8IZgp3uXhqPOg8F1n7AriWA85D5vvbpR1a9Nl4rT7rsXeIAAwsGTAHgchPj4L_euKS5ZUrfPP6ojsvQ67hTgXueNy2Gd2ujdFw/s1600-h/purex-equation"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 93px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWubyJ9jgKxT4refQjnvflFnGaoFpSbYMw5a-ic-OoV8IZgp3uXhqPOg8F1n7AriWA85D5vvbpR1a9Nl4rT7rsXeIAAwsGTAHgchPj4L_euKS5ZUrfPP6ojsvQ67hTgXueNy2Gd2ujdFw/s200/purex-equation" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334015456636005058" border="0" /></a> There is no measuring, no mess, and no fuss! You just place one sheet in the washing machine and move it to the dryer with the clothes. There is a stripe that reacts to the heat of the dryer. Simple and clean! And it works great too! These will be available in stores soon!</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdQc2o3VVKGEbnPmjdo5-_NB3XIL5oa_wvGKXqGS4yvyQR-ui39jfApETMkgbG_9Sk5WLgYdllsGvtyNFXo-ZSiZ6-h3rLlg8iOFTKZwvh1sTNmzIjo4skGY_EsdwCJrVzPj2lrvd7MH_/s1600-h/purex-package"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdQc2o3VVKGEbnPmjdo5-_NB3XIL5oa_wvGKXqGS4yvyQR-ui39jfApETMkgbG_9Sk5WLgYdllsGvtyNFXo-ZSiZ6-h3rLlg8iOFTKZwvh1sTNmzIjo4skGY_EsdwCJrVzPj2lrvd7MH_/s200/purex-package" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334015466084833730" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Here is a view of the Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheet. I included my hand for perpective.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwqo2sgX5g5HS0YVgZugf5EtMsrwRuZtjMUipj-09gT4oFNxp5_w-1hlmyTQaLyTfFeh0YiPMaMgj2FkluBSw0rXDdaavwQbGU9F9JMNypRHmImk787SkP4-0MigTgevC1gXiDiSozc3c/s1600-h/img373-719450.jpg"> </a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg230cQOd6Q3u25UrcPiIshEiVl8LF0JBx0dlm8e1mA9zAkfxUgIYrl44JTt7ULY33g9Z6y4R75e7j9Ym7CpKnDNnA6jnEC2b5ctq6r3AWlnClsld5psSjMBVUN2-SFRoTdFJ0a8n1Wk_ER/s1600-h/img356-719942.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg230cQOd6Q3u25UrcPiIshEiVl8LF0JBx0dlm8e1mA9zAkfxUgIYrl44JTt7ULY33g9Z6y4R75e7j9Ym7CpKnDNnA6jnEC2b5ctq6r3AWlnClsld5psSjMBVUN2-SFRoTdFJ0a8n1Wk_ER/s320/img356-719942.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333902359371873570" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Just toss one in the washing machine... </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5JOEXPOXzfrG2ktMDtqOv-DCS8NoBMNhceBb_aGjEtjMPn-Jd3Y86NSGC_aDxv2l1Y8NT87yW2NvOGW25_RNsl6BjC4VcQnXQdLFFKAnp1B6b83Ul-1vJHzUYAPUixZE8TlfPTqFAi3x/s1600-h/img357-720709.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5JOEXPOXzfrG2ktMDtqOv-DCS8NoBMNhceBb_aGjEtjMPn-Jd3Y86NSGC_aDxv2l1Y8NT87yW2NvOGW25_RNsl6BjC4VcQnXQdLFFKAnp1B6b83Ul-1vJHzUYAPUixZE8TlfPTqFAi3x/s320/img357-720709.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333902362292701250" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Move it to the dryer..... </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwqo2sgX5g5HS0YVgZugf5EtMsrwRuZtjMUipj-09gT4oFNxp5_w-1hlmyTQaLyTfFeh0YiPMaMgj2FkluBSw0rXDdaavwQbGU9F9JMNypRHmImk787SkP4-0MigTgevC1gXiDiSozc3c/s1600-h/img373-719450.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwqo2sgX5g5HS0YVgZugf5EtMsrwRuZtjMUipj-09gT4oFNxp5_w-1hlmyTQaLyTfFeh0YiPMaMgj2FkluBSw0rXDdaavwQbGU9F9JMNypRHmImk787SkP4-0MigTgevC1gXiDiSozc3c/s320/img373-719450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333902360769022210" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">When it's done, all the color is gone. I just looks like a used dryer sheet. </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZ_qGfmmZLK5oy0mQftWgIEPVP9OTJvQyheao3g4AesSlmB_yeapdtEX7rZSsiX9PaH3tDSy3UcWx6zOtW3SFqwh9xyWqdYe_wpbONE1yR1xOgzZ9f_nRM4tzClLMEpHP6YGPs_A5LZ_r/s1600-h/img374-721117.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZ_qGfmmZLK5oy0mQftWgIEPVP9OTJvQyheao3g4AesSlmB_yeapdtEX7rZSsiX9PaH3tDSy3UcWx6zOtW3SFqwh9xyWqdYe_wpbONE1yR1xOgzZ9f_nRM4tzClLMEpHP6YGPs_A5LZ_r/s320/img374-721117.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333902367150299602" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://www.purex.com/promotions/purex-3in1-sweepstakes">Enter</a> for a chance to win $1000 or a year's supply of Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets. Just tell them about a small change you've made that has made a difference in your life. (Don't worry, it's only 50 words) </p><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10;"> </span></span>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-45462968010866540422009-05-09T12:25:00.000-07:002009-06-03T12:33:24.125-07:00PakNaksI first saw <a href="http://www.paknak.com/">PakNaks</a> last summer, and my kids loved them. I was glad to have the opportunity to review some. Paknaks are knickknacks for backpacks. Paknaks retail for about $4 each.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3QLA0qMWxXLbuB824WI54S8bmCBXxy7_M7Sb136FSya8_8-GSDrL2djQlZc65SDXgT-8I5S4fraygio3zwZfoKpo54DdBC-LK9PL5nxY_k6sIFBvQPA26lPSNB9ObGK8ty1hVlfXKFUK/s1600-h/Frog+Paknak"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334026351893904322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3QLA0qMWxXLbuB824WI54S8bmCBXxy7_M7Sb136FSya8_8-GSDrL2djQlZc65SDXgT-8I5S4fraygio3zwZfoKpo54DdBC-LK9PL5nxY_k6sIFBvQPA26lPSNB9ObGK8ty1hVlfXKFUK/s200/Frog+Paknak" border="0" /></a> <p class="parParagraph"></p><blockquote>PakNaks are <span style="COLOR: rgb(151,8,0)"><strong>fun</strong></span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(54,72,135)"><strong>soft</strong></span> <strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(230,228,198)">rubbery</span></strong> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,0)"><strong>3-D</strong></span> decorations for kids (and adults too!) to personalize all of their stuff. Backpacks, lunchbags, headbands, computer bags, household items, the list is only limited by <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,51,0)"><em><strong>your</strong></em></span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,51,0)"><strong>imagination</strong></span>.</blockquote><p></p><p class="parParagraph">There are more than 40 designs. Some of my favorites are <a href="http://www.paknak.com/paknak-shop/naks/s1b/robot.html">Robert (the robot)</a>, <a href="http://www.paknak.com/paknak-shop/naks/s1/bee.html">Bella the Bee</a>, <a href="http://www.paknak.com/paknak-shop/naks/s1/butterfly.html">Kyla Jane the butterfly</a>, and <a href="http://www.paknak.com/paknak-shop/naks/s1c/damsel.html">Damsel the dragonfly.</a></p><p class="parParagraph"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqUNdVt1PYezZAfobcJSP_oWkEGu6LSNqi0ma5C2P0P9GPO3GZ5Qh5claSgpbHEMesmGcNFYQxPDEgBEiQ5FLBeEvshIQTvtxQEI5wwxxwqY7HQFy7_MhSmQ19HcZzIe_eGAmwmriT8qa/s1600-h/Robot+Paknak"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334026352397907186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqUNdVt1PYezZAfobcJSP_oWkEGu6LSNqi0ma5C2P0P9GPO3GZ5Qh5claSgpbHEMesmGcNFYQxPDEgBEiQ5FLBeEvshIQTvtxQEI5wwxxwqY7HQFy7_MhSmQ19HcZzIe_eGAmwmriT8qa/s200/Robot+Paknak" border="0" /></a></p><p class="parParagraph">Paknaks come with a <strong><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,62)">customized velcro® that sticks and holds very well to whatever you want it to hold to. My kids each have one on their backpacks. They change out the design when they want.<br /></span></strong></p><br />Here are some of Munchie's choices.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Empty (see the velcro by the final S).</span><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbqPm-BsjOshsHoyt7Gg8_jl44tlF0ztcW2HZAecF0OegjkxerzZeSVbt_LdQTVE21XLRg-hvdulj-epOFSDiI9-1sx7KcWZshB4Np4rM1LPN7ub3kYc29AjjdVi7krZOvcNyQR1RkZ6L/s1600-h/img362-758717.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333904243058898690" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbqPm-BsjOshsHoyt7Gg8_jl44tlF0ztcW2HZAecF0OegjkxerzZeSVbt_LdQTVE21XLRg-hvdulj-epOFSDiI9-1sx7KcWZshB4Np4rM1LPN7ub3kYc29AjjdVi7krZOvcNyQR1RkZ6L/s320/img362-758717.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The Squishes (dolphins)</span><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidVrn4PHlEO4vPzxBlHqi7toGqXwEVdNxb4BemVbyzxixe2Pa7SXJATUYDGt2iGVtGbiaXUDPJDANu-nfpN97NGazvjBB_VhyphenhyphenBCr-cDJTyxZpwuyjmbSX7td3ZDWjHEB-hnJ-LWSqT-O7/s1600-h/img364-759372.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333904249713418498" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidVrn4PHlEO4vPzxBlHqi7toGqXwEVdNxb4BemVbyzxixe2Pa7SXJATUYDGt2iGVtGbiaXUDPJDANu-nfpN97NGazvjBB_VhyphenhyphenBCr-cDJTyxZpwuyjmbSX7td3ZDWjHEB-hnJ-LWSqT-O7/s320/img364-759372.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Grant (Soccer Ball)</span><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03ndw1v3Oj49bW_h5ApeqFtgtHtTDlV9d6Y8ZJV-k0HuPlg62FL6eOARabBUA-P5l0oUHgnNCYzV0MR3ZNSEYzGchei07tXIZE5vWgf7a-A7sMJ1DEW2wzQAvbDt2EAtMHae5Oo-_U2tz/s1600-h/img365-759859.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333904248540323138" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03ndw1v3Oj49bW_h5ApeqFtgtHtTDlV9d6Y8ZJV-k0HuPlg62FL6eOARabBUA-P5l0oUHgnNCYzV0MR3ZNSEYzGchei07tXIZE5vWgf7a-A7sMJ1DEW2wzQAvbDt2EAtMHae5Oo-_U2tz/s320/img365-759859.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Mike (Monster?)</span><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnrHX2mLrzQpU8qGWjyEubM0-PZ7WA5MVGme9mHQhfTAYtImbkoLdWArzGFaTBu6-sV6Mcd_8hsSif1mmzFhUsc5dKCKNFfxfsGpiIYpstP91EKmHnzh-7e1NHesfmFcRnYpM7E3SW376/s1600-h/img363-761384.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333904258735147794" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnrHX2mLrzQpU8qGWjyEubM0-PZ7WA5MVGme9mHQhfTAYtImbkoLdWArzGFaTBu6-sV6Mcd_8hsSif1mmzFhUsc5dKCKNFfxfsGpiIYpstP91EKmHnzh-7e1NHesfmFcRnYpM7E3SW376/s320/img363-761384.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /><br /></p><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ></span>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-48828317329883605562009-05-09T12:24:00.000-07:002009-06-03T12:35:18.492-07:00Dudley's Solo<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Dudley's Solo</span> by Tiffany Alexander is a fun, colorful and entertaining children's book. But it also contains some good lessons. Dudley is part of a group called the Children's Band that is preparing for a concert. Dudley is deaf, but he wants to participate. With some encouragement from his family and friends, he joins the concert by signing a verse of "He's got the whole world in His hands". Since I have a hearing loss (not complete) I could relate to Dudley and his struggle to fit in. I love the way Dudley's friends include him.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Dudley's Solo</span> encourages kids to believe in themselves, embrace differences, and never give up on something they really want.<br /><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9GrDA4Ogz0TDi_XeI7uhUPGPzTMfFmkoaePLmAIio2aztAHWVN28j4igXBp-aHxSloUBe7NRDjdRhBAsjRUZjGLAfbdeCyicnBEfconM243zZTBGKsYX9jOWiVcsQHu8diAk0pmnZNEz/s1600-h/img371-745829.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334031747921253986" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9GrDA4Ogz0TDi_XeI7uhUPGPzTMfFmkoaePLmAIio2aztAHWVN28j4igXBp-aHxSloUBe7NRDjdRhBAsjRUZjGLAfbdeCyicnBEfconM243zZTBGKsYX9jOWiVcsQHu8diAk0pmnZNEz/s320/img371-745829.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvaJjB9yDdTEA9DjeoQZhrIszXtsToekOKSPYZE-BRUWzg9gK_cGjcmyd4oUkARR-mDaMzg2JIT4gd6Zi_oil6x82rPEVqVnKBFObnzfMzO2C7Uni02yI_qBmy1Sxlf98BcCeiTinmneK/s1600-h/img370-746296.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334031751887584066" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvaJjB9yDdTEA9DjeoQZhrIszXtsToekOKSPYZE-BRUWzg9gK_cGjcmyd4oUkARR-mDaMzg2JIT4gd6Zi_oil6x82rPEVqVnKBFObnzfMzO2C7Uni02yI_qBmy1Sxlf98BcCeiTinmneK/s320/img370-746296.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">As soon as my kids saw <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Dudley's Solo</span>, they insisted on reading it. The colors are vibrant and full. Most of the page is covered with pictures. It is a fun read with a deeper meaning.<br /></p><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><br /><br /></span>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-29061692375512023372009-05-09T12:23:00.000-07:002009-05-25T13:10:14.759-07:00Amies Chris'topher Tote and wallet review<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"><a href="http://amiescircle.com/">Amies Circle</a> is a fun new line of products created by a graphics designer who wanted hip age-appropriate toys for young girls. Rather than try to make our kids into mini teenagers, Jubily Boy created a line of stationary, fashion and gift accessories for girls of all ages. <p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVhMXyESMfJbmCBHkPmHyrAvm_i4o0FkCFw0KMpOVpw0Mg7UVJ5OntROAvO4vQqX5Re7km-aeH89hCULrSn8dY3VFEqs1ltuieEP4bERkMYf4sutneHgQHH_Bx2Guj5mfn5_uwbOzAxVB/s1600-h/img367-725357.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVhMXyESMfJbmCBHkPmHyrAvm_i4o0FkCFw0KMpOVpw0Mg7UVJ5OntROAvO4vQqX5Re7km-aeH89hCULrSn8dY3VFEqs1ltuieEP4bERkMYf4sutneHgQHH_Bx2Guj5mfn5_uwbOzAxVB/s320/img367-725357.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334035530574888082" border="0" /></a></p><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10;"></span> I received the Chris'topher tote and wallet (pictured above). They are cute enough for me to carry! In fact, when Crunchy (5) and Chewie (11) went out to sell candy bars for school, the tote was the perfect place to store the money. There is an inside zipper pocket where I put big bills and all the ones and change I just threw in the bag. It was quite roomy! It's small enough that Crunchy can carry it as a purse. (If I ever decide to give it up!) The tote sells for $18 and the walled for $12. There are a dozen Amies (French for friends) <a href="http://amiescircle.com/characters2.html">characters</a>--each with a picture and description. The website even offers fun <a href="http://amiescircle.com/fun_downloads.html">downloads</a> of greeting cards, posters and coloring sheets.</span>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-38464232810263272682009-05-09T12:22:00.000-07:002009-06-03T12:38:02.540-07:00Nico and Zoe Baby Hippo<a href="http://www.nicoandzoe.com/">Nico & Zoe</a> carry uncommon and artisan made toys that are made from materials that have been tested to be safe. Right now they are offering free shipping (lower 48) on orders over $100. I had the opportunity to review one of the organic plush: Fairy Tale Baby Andi the Hippo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjbqiE1MYi5vTeuU-6YrwQja4MRgYNRDQcFVw0CNFBUkFI3ZQOsj7zic_PXtBwu4zH0dH0I0Q62p862F1WLpQA0sTJF3_4AFegLZq8nZHgM2Ot9d0JglexjpPoIw0m4Y-UTZTMiVngEGY/s1600-h/hippo2"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjbqiE1MYi5vTeuU-6YrwQja4MRgYNRDQcFVw0CNFBUkFI3ZQOsj7zic_PXtBwu4zH0dH0I0Q62p862F1WLpQA0sTJF3_4AFegLZq8nZHgM2Ot9d0JglexjpPoIw0m4Y-UTZTMiVngEGY/s200/hippo2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334036705427119474" border="0" /></a>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6220909197913854457.post-6609231685964506952009-04-29T12:27:00.000-07:002009-05-25T12:28:11.191-07:00I AM says, "You are"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Note: This will not be my typical book review!</span></div><div> </div>Have you ever read a book that was exactly what you needed? Have you ever had God hit you over the head with an idea? A bunch of times? It kind of makes you stop and say, "I think I'm supposed to be learning something here". I've had that experience over the past couple of months. Before I tell you about <span style="font-style:italic;">I AM says, "You are..."</span>, I have to tell you about events leading up to today. Near the end of February, I accepted a chance to be part of the blog tour for <span style="font-style:italic;">I am says, "You are..."</span> by some unknown (to me) author CJ Rapp. I agreed and didn't think much about it. I am the women's ministry coordinator at church, and a couple of days later, we selected the theme for our women's retreat: Daughters of the King. I downloaded a theme pack from <a href="http://www.eventplannersfriend.com/">Event Planner's Friend</a>. The sample invitation had the speaker: CJ Rapp. Hmmm....funny I should see her name again! <div> </div><div>Flash forward a month. After 9 months of trying to schedule it, my life purpose coach and I met to do my l<a href="http://focusunleashed.com/4.html">ife plan</a>. One of the biggest revelations that I had was that I had been listening to negative self talk and projecting it on to other people. (Basically, I was putting words in their mouths based on my insecurities and fears.) My husband had tried to point this out over the years, I was kind of seeing it with him. But I had never realized how much it effected all of my life. This opened the door for me to clean out a lot of stuff from my life that was keeping me back. Over the past 5 weeks, my husband has been speaking Truth into my life and reminding me of my true identity. During this time we narrowed the theme of the retreat from <span style="font-style:italic;">Daughters of the King</span> to <span style="font-style:italic;">Finding your true identity in Christ.</span> Each of the four speakers were going to be focusing on an area related to this. One on finding your identity, another on really realizing your identity. I knew my talk needed to be listening to what God says about my true identity. But God wasn't done getting my attention. (Sometimes, us thick-headed people need more reminders!) I was looking at my calendar to see what book was next on my "must read" list to review. I pulled out <span style="font-style:italic;">I AM says, "You are..."</span> and just about fell out of my chair when I read the subtitle: <span style="font-style:italic;">Understanding your Identity in Christ</span>. Speechless, I just walked in and showed the cover to my husband. Then I began chapter titles. John's comment was, "That sounds like what I was just telling you." (And it was!) Now that you have the back story, I am thrilled to introduced you to <span style="font-style:italic;">I AM says, "You are..." Understanding your Identity in Christ. </span><span style="">This is a 30 day study. Each day begins with a "I AM says, "You are..." statement. (Such as "You are forgiven" and "You are loved".) Next is a teaching point that describes how me struggle to believe this statement. This is followed by a "What do you think?" question. Next is "Taking out the trash" where the reader has the opportunity to identify the thoughts that are contrary to Scripture in our lives. Then we have learn how to Replace the Trash with the Scripture. Here CJ shares Scripture to remind us of who we are. This is followed by more discussion questions. Some days have a challenge activity.</span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hXPNnKVHwa0DWdyAj1g8xK5QH9x_Rb9MrmOuccXKl2KnlDYK76WBrlnakMaGliB9HVWPmWYjEOVbkXTiCYIuogZjjgwIPTGnpGXxI5o950ysY83yXviFDFsnjDAsbkOgVKYPcYZK5Tcz/s1600-h/IAM-cover_195.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hXPNnKVHwa0DWdyAj1g8xK5QH9x_Rb9MrmOuccXKl2KnlDYK76WBrlnakMaGliB9HVWPmWYjEOVbkXTiCYIuogZjjgwIPTGnpGXxI5o950ysY83yXviFDFsnjDAsbkOgVKYPcYZK5Tcz/s200/IAM-cover_195.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330307225791249394" /></a><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"></i></b></p><blockquote><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">I AM says, “You Are…” Understanding Your Identity in Christ</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> </i>is the first book by Bible teacher and speaker CJ Rapp. Not only does this book explore your rock solid identity in Christ, it also helps the reader identity patterns of thinking that threaten healthy self-esteem. For each daily devotional, questions have been included. These questions provide an opportunity for personal study or for sharing the journey with a small group. It’s perfect for women’s ministry groups to use as a six week study. For more information about CJ Rapp visit her website at <a href="http://www.cjrapp.com/">www.cjrapp.com</a></blockquote><p></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoRD28Vgwo676ew-yn4GtebwoxRtzdWqj9CtW-Gk40yEG3KiCJjz4R0FPYMrt8t0CEoLsSBY2ru8OTWGRHzcOdmkTzG9m-TSC-fJNfieNezKrkQ6YQSTI-eSqAjM0dyfjK-K2K9CQDqWq/s1600-h/cjrapp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoRD28Vgwo676ew-yn4GtebwoxRtzdWqj9CtW-Gk40yEG3KiCJjz4R0FPYMrt8t0CEoLsSBY2ru8OTWGRHzcOdmkTzG9m-TSC-fJNfieNezKrkQ6YQSTI-eSqAjM0dyfjK-K2K9CQDqWq/s200/cjrapp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330307225419605234" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">CJ shares some awesome insight and gives practical advice for incorporating the truths of God's Word into your everyday life. I would highly recommend this book to any woman (or man!) who is struggling to find out who she is in Christ.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Oh...I forgot one final "coincidence". I'm participating in the blog tour on April 30th, and the retreat starts May 1st. I will be sharing on Saturday.</p> <!--EndFragment--> </div></span>Julie Donahuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12736101986516101017noreply@blogger.com0