Spellbinders Celebr'ations by Richard Garay Review

In our family, we have lots of August birthdays, so I was very excited to get the opportunity to make these cute projects.  Who doesn't love an adorable homemade card and a cute bag filled with candy?!?  I know I always enjoy receiving gifts or cards that someone took the time to make.  And making cards and gifts can help save money too.  They last card I bought cost close to $4!! So making a card can be the frugal thing to do.

These two projects are form the new Spellbinders Celebra'tions Collection. They believe that every day is the perfect day to celebrate, and I totally agree!  This collection includes paper, stamps, dies, & accessories to create one-of-a-kind gifts, cards, scrapbook pages, & more!!  For more inspiring projects you can visit Spellbinders Celebrations yourself!



I am a member of Purex Insiders.  I was able to review this product through this program.  The opinions are mine.

MIDDLE SCHOOL: The Inside Story

I first heard about the author Cynthia Tobias from a MOMSnext mentor, and I was very excited to read her newest book about middle schoolers.  I have 3 boys, one in 8th grade and two in 4th grade.  So I am knee deep in middle school and will be there for a while.  We are dealing with friends, girlfriends, popularity, sports, teachers, bullying, and discipline on a daily basis.  What I love about this book is the authors talked to actual middle schoolers and they included lots of quotes from the interviews.

"My friend's parents are cool because they don't freak out over little things that she does wrong;  they save the freaking out for big stuff, like bad grades."

"I didn't tell my parents when this kid kept kicking me and stealing my stuff, because what could they do?"

"If I don't think a teacher likes me, I have a hard time in that class.  It's important for me to have my teacher know who I am and to care about me."

This would be a great book for a moms book club or to read with a fellow middle school mom!  I would also recommend this book to any middle school teacher who wants to learn more about his or her students.  It is very insightful into the minds of middle school kids.

*I received a copy of this book from Tyndale in exchange for my review.  The opinions are mine.*

COPPERTONE CLEARLYSHEER SUNSCREEN

My boys used to be big fans of spray-on sunscreen until this summer.  Now they will not let me use spray-on, only lotion.  So when I got the chance to try out the new Coppertone CLEARLYSHEER Sunscreen I was very excited (and so were my three boys!).  My favorite things about this sunscreen are:

*It absorbs very quickly and does not feel greasy!

*It does not clog pores, which means less break-outs! (a big bonus for my thirteen year old son)

*It is also a moisturizer leaving skin feel softer!

I love how easy it is to apply to our skin, and I love that it really works!  This sunscreen will definitely be in our swim bag all summer.

*I was provided a sample of COPPERTONE CLEARLYSHEER SUNSCREEN by BzzAgent.  The opinions are mine.*

U-NEEKS Review

God made you U-NEEK!

I have three boys who are very different.  To say they are unique might be a bit of an understatement!  I have one teenager and twins who are nine.  You might think the twins would be a little alike, but you would be wrong.  They are definitely unique.  When I got the chance to review DaySpring's U-NEEK Collection I was very excited to share these with my twins.

I chose a Wally - "Big Ole" Plush Pillow for each of the twins.  They were very excited to get them!  One boy took his to church camp this week, and one boy chose to leave his on his bed for the week.  They also got to jump on the trampoline with the boys and all the neighbor kids.  I don't know what it is about stuffed animals on the trampoline, but my boys love doing just that.  

So what does being U-NEEK mean?  The U-NEEK brand is based on the scripture verse Psalm 139:14 ~ "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." ~

I have tried to instill in my boys that everyone is different.  We all look different, act different, have different feelings, like different things, and each excel at different activities.  One of my boys is a very fast runner.  One of them is really good at basketball.  One of them got zero behavior marks all school year.  I could go on and on about the differences in my boys.  I am just thankful to be able to share with them that God made each of them U-NEEK.  I also remind them that everyone at school is different and our differences don't make us weird or strange, just U-NEEK!

SO...where can you check out the new line of U-NEEK products?  Walmart and Hobby Lobby will have them in stores June 15-July 14 so you can check them out for your U-NEEK kids!

*I was provided U-NEEK items by DaySpring.  The picture and opinions are mine.*

Just 18 Summers

My oldest son just turned 13 this week!  Yes, I'm now the mom of a teenage boy...yikes.  My twins turn 9 this month.  Then school gets out next month, and we will have 8 weeks of summer (due to the balanced schedule we follow).  Then we'll start a new year, and it will go just as fast (or faster) as this year.  The book Just 18 Summers is a great reminder that times goes quickly for all of us.  Our lives are constantly changing, our kids are constantly growing, and we have to embrace every moment we get with our family.

This book follow 4 families in different seasons of life: a widowed father with a school-aged girl, a young couple about to have their first child, a middle aged couple with kids, and another couple whose kids are flying the coop.  The families interact with each other in various parts of the storyline.  One thing this book really made me think about was how many summers I have left with my boys.  Which when I start thinking about this, I get a little bit sappy!  

"As with everything in life, there are no guarantees.  You do what you can while you have them.  In the blink of an eye, time has passed and you missed half the things you intended to do."  *my favorite quote from the book*

For more information, I would highly recommend going to the  Just 18 Summers  website.  One of their missions is to help make the daily journey easier for parents.  And their website is full of ideas and stories designed specifically for parents.

*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my review.  All opinions are mine.*

Whatever You Grow Up to Be *Book Review*

If you are looking for an excellent bedtime book for little boys, look no further!  I have been a Karen Kingsbury fan for years.  And this new book just adds to my admiration for her.  What I love about this book is that it starts when the little boy is a newborn and goes through all the stages of life...toddler, tween, teen, and adult.  As a mom of 3 boys, I can totally relate to the pictures and stories in these pages.  

Each page has a meaningful scripture reference designed to go with the season of life.  The entire book is based on Jeremiah 29:11 ~For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.~  This is a verse that I have shared with my boys since day one, and I loved sharing this book with them!

*I was given a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review.  All opinions are mine.*

PUREX CRYSTALS fresh mountain breeze review

TIME'S UP!  WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED!  THANKS FOR ENTERING.

I am so excited to share the new Purex Crystals Fresh Mountain Breeze with you all.  Two people will receive a coupon in the mail for a free 28oz bottle of this wonderful smelling product.

So what do I love about Purex crystals?  Well, here is my list.

1.  They really do smell good!  If you've ever smeleed fresh mountain air, you know exactly what I'm talking about.  If not, just open this bottle up, close your eyes, and pretend you're in the mountains!

2.  It's so easy.  Just pour these Purex crystals into your load of laundry.  No liquid to measure and spill!  No water to add to the liquid.  I don't even measure...I just eyeball it.

3.  The smell lasts!  Really it does!  I love it for towels and basketball uniforms especially.  There is nothing worse than a stinky towel or uniform!  And with Purex crystals you eliminate the stink.

So if you want to win a coupon, just leave a comment on this post by midnight on February 13th.  I will pick 2 winners and them mail them each a coupon for a free bottle of Purex Crystals Fresh Mountain Breeze {a $6.00 value}.  Thanks for participating and good luck!!