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2013 Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Posted by html404 on November 8, 2013
in Gift Ideas, Handmade Items, Holidays, Personal Care Products, Products for Dad, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

Christmas Stockings were one of my favorite things to open on Christmas day. We did them for several years with the children and just got out of the habit because stocking stuffers were costly having 8-10 Christmas stockings to fill. My mom use to fill them with batteries, makeup, hand lotion, lip balm, maybe a nightie or something rolled up, socks, ribbon candy, shelled nuts that we had to crack ourselves, a huge apple and orange that our hometown’s grocery store only stocked at Christmas time.

Here are my 2013 Christmas Stocking Ideas, most of them personal care products:

1.800Razors.com, especially for mom and dad. They shave really well. My husband thinks for a disposable razor it shaves the closest he’s ever experienced. I really like mine too. I like that we get to keep the razor and only buy replacement razor blade heads. The razors have lasted quite awhile too. I think we are both still on our first head and it’s been over a month since we received them.

2. Shaving cream to go with those razors!

3. Burt’s Bees lotion. Our oldest daughter has been using this for her dry skin and it helps a lot. When we use goat milk soap we do not even need any moisturizing lotion.

4. Bumble and Bee Organic lip balm. This lip balm has become one of our favorites! Not only do they have lots of flavors but it works!

5. Flash Drive. On my wish list is this Ningxia Red USB thumb drive. I think it’s cool!

6. Toothbrush and toothpaste. I know our children would be very excited to each have their own tube of toothpaste and not share with a sibling! It’s the little stuff, right? Same goes for lip balm too.

7. Our daughter’s handmade goat milk or cow milk soap! It comes scented or unscented and in several different molds. Not all are showing on our sales page.

8. A kitten! An 8 week old kitten would fit perfectly in a stocking and make your child’s day! And no our kittens are not for sale.

What are your top 2013 stocking stuffer ideas?

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The Cat in the Window

Posted by html404 on November 2, 2013
in Books, Ebooks, Gift Ideas, Reviews, Uncategorized

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

Again, I called on one of my daughters to write this review because they are the cat lovers of our family and I knew they’d enjoy The Cat in the Window a compilation of cat stories edited by Callie Smith Grant. But this time instead of my 13 year old, it is my 14 year old daughter sharing her review.

The Cat in the Window Review by “B”

This book was really good. Short, 191 page paperback, and funny.

I loved the short poems, haikus (Japanese short poem), facts and especially the stories.

I learned some new things too. Like:

Cats can be right or left pawed
It took 1000 years to tame the first cat
Not many cats are taken to the vet
Cats like water warm and when they want it

I though the stories in The Cat in the Window were very well told and with amazing stories.

One of my favorite stories was the “twin” kittens. Another was the cat named, “Monk” who would “sing” and go to home church with her owner. I also liked the mother cat and her six kittens, she reminded me of our mama cat, Princess.

All in all I would say cat lovers will really like this book! Actually, I think even those who don’t like cats would like it too.

Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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One Thousand Gifts Review and Giveaway #1000gifts

Posted by html404 on October 26, 2013
in Books, Encouragement for Moms, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Reviews

I am not sure what I was expecting when I agreed to read Ann Voskamp‘s book, One Thousand Gifts, but it wasn’t what I thought it would be. All I know is I was interested in Ann’s book because she lives on a farm, has six children and homeschools. I thought she and I had a lot in common and I’d be interested in what she had to say. It turns out we had more in common than I thought.

Ann lost her two year old little sister when she was four years old. A delivery truck driver didn’t see her and backed over her. Talk about tragic. Talk about the family being grief stricken. Ann did not get over it easily, even though she was four years old, as a matter of fact, it seemed to take her years. Her journey is at the root of One Thousand Gifts. It is Ann’s story of going from a less than joyful existence to living more fully in the joy of the Lord.

One Thousand Gifts is not “candy” reading. Remember when I said I like to read “candy” books to relax and just get away from every day work and life. It’s my rest so to speak. This book requires deep thinking and even personal examination, if you are willing to delve into your soul on a new level. I know I couldn’t just zip through reading the book at high speed. I took it slow so I could digest its words.

I thoroughly enjoyed Ann’s word studies, especially on eucharisteo (you’ll have to read the book to find out what that is! ) It really helped me see some areas in my life where I’ve been lacking. I will say one thing about living a joyful life, it is first necessary to be a thankful person. Discontentment is a sure fire joy robber.

I’d encourage all women who are looking for more meaning to life to read this book. It is definitely inspiring, soul searching and taught me enough to make me want to change my outlook from one of discontentment to joy and to choose to make gratefulness an every day habit. It’s definitely a must read.

Could you make a list thanking God for 1000 things in your life? If you could, how do you think that exercise would change you? Or would it?

One Thousand Gifts may be purchased at any major book retailer.

One Thousand Gifts Review and Giveaway

If you are looking for a great gift for mom, just because gift, encouraging gift, birthday gift, Christmas gift……enter to win a copy of One Thousand Gifts below!

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Cool City Threads and Giveaway!

Posted by html404 on October 21, 2013
in Children's Clothing, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Reviews, Shopping, Uncategorized

It’s getting colder and packing away the summer clothes is on my to-do list, as well as doing inventory of our children’s clothing to see what they need, what they have grown out of and what needs to be replaced. We just bought socks this week! I detest socks so we do not replace or wear them in the summer. Socks are so hard to keep paired in this family. Imagine 20 socks each time we all wear a pair!

Clothing makes for nice Christmas gifts too. Our five year old received a gift set recently from City Threads, which has a wide selection of cool weather clothing just for kids!

Here’s some quick info on their line of clothing:

– girls and boys everyday collection
– spans sizes 0 to 14
– known for twists on American style favorites
– includes tees, hoodies, cords, leggings, twill pants, underwear, pjs and hats

City Threads is a made in the USA children’s clothing company, making it a real American apparel company. It is family owned by a husband and wife team, Shayna Samuels and Joe Willis. Prices reflect quality. It is more expensive to produce clothing here in the U.S. than it is to outsource it to China, the Philippines or Mexico, but being made here creates jobs for Americans. City Threads clothing is well-made. They have children’s clothing for baby, girls and boys, as well as a big sister, big brother line for kids ages 0 through 14.

Unfortunately, I have not washed his shirt or boxers yet, but I am inclined to think it will wash up quite nicely from the feel of the material. I’ll update this post when I get them in the wash. I asked “Nook” to save his shirt for “nice” a.k.a. going out because he already has far too many “farm” shirts!

Below you will see “Nook” modeling up a storm in his City Threads 2Fer Football in Air Denim Blue w/Football Scoreboard Sleeves 100% cotton (retail $40.50) and Boxer Briefs in Elf Green 100% Cotton Baby Rib (retail $10.50) – we thought they were short shorts at first!

I told “Nook” to pose in his City Threads and this is what he did:

Quite the ham, eh?

We really like these two items from City Threads. It’s a great line of children’s clothing. You can find City Threads on Twitter and on Facebook. For your information, City Threads offers FREE shipping on all orders over $40.

City Threads Giveaway

Enter to win a City Threads prize valued at at least $40!

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3 Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids from Mega Bloks

Posted by html404 on October 20, 2013
in Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Gift Ideas, Girl Stuff, Holidays, Kids Stuff, Kids Toys, Uncategorized

I don’t know about you but I have been thinking about Christmas lately and the fact that I have nothing bought. Edit: Now I do as I was able to find a few items this week!. We usually keep gift giving simple. It’s cheaper that way. We like to get the children something fun, practical or something they need.

Mega Bloks has some neat toys and we received three for review. I thought they’d make great Christmas gift ideas for kids!

3 Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids from Mega Bloks

1. Mega Bloks Skylanders Giants

The Mega Bloks Skylanders Giants is for 5 and up but our five year old found it difficult and needed help. He loves it. I just do not think he has the perseverance to sit there and do it. There’s 294 pieces! Every time someone built it for him, our three year old would knock it over or destroy it. Yes, he’s a little booger and no we did not do a very good job of staying on top of teaching him NOT to do that to his brother. Parent fail. I can admit it.

This Skylanders Giant is called Arkeyan Robot King.

2. Mega Bloks Barbie Build ‘n Style Pet Shop

Mega Bloks Barbie Build ‘n Style Pet Shop is loved by all our children ages 13 and down! It’s recommended for ages 4 and up. Our children all love animals and people figures to play with. Thankfully our seven year old is quite good at sharing!

The Barbie Build ‘n Style Pet Shop comes in a box that has a convenient handle (not shown in my photos), so its 94 pieces can easily be stored back inside the box. Our box is a little beat up and I don’t think my daughter stores her pet shop in it. I think she kept the box for the sake of keeping it and keeps her Barbie Build ‘n Style Pet Shop set up on her kiddie table in her room.

Barbie is missing an arm and her head. Again our three year old was blamed for that mishap. I’m seeing a trend here, aren’t you?

3. Hot Wheels Cars

Our two older boys got the Hot Wheels Cars. They come with a little zip cord that enables the cars to zoom around on the floor or table and the boys to have races with their Hot Wheels Cars. This is our ten year old playing with his car. Our oldest son claims our three year old toddled off with his car and can’t find it. I’m sure as soon as I post this, it’ll turn up.

These Mega Bloks toys are definitely great Christmas gift ideas for kids!

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Under a Blackberry Moon by Serena B Miller

Posted by html404 on October 12, 2013
in Books, Gift Ideas, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

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Under a Blackberry Moon by Serena B Miller is a historical fiction novel about a Chippewa woman, Moon Song, and a white lumber man’s, Skypilot, journey back to the Chippewa reservation.

I really liked this book. Unlike other historical romances, I did not find this one predictable. I was eager to see where the storyline took me and what obstacle or adventure was about to happen. This wasn’t a cheesy romance but an enduring one.

Both Moon Song and Skypilot’s determination was admirable.

I loved the respect and devotion Moon Song had for her elderly grandmother, an elder in her village, as well as how she displayed that love and devotion towards her tribe.

Moon Song gave Skypilot quite the chase, which I thoroughly enjoyed. To be honest, I have advised our girls to give any future suitors a run for their money and not be so easily caught. Bad, aren’t I? I just figure if guys stick around and think our girls are worth the chase, then they are serious and worth the girls’ time and whatever else it may lead to. Skypilot was up for it and proved how much he loved Moon Song through his desire to learn the ways of the Chippewa.

Having grown up in Nova Scotia, Canada, I lived within 20-30 minutes of a couple MicMac Indian reservations. I even had a couple of friends in college who had grown up on the reservations in Canada. However, I was pretty oblivious as a child to the problems the reservations faced, not to mention what the people had to endure. It was not until I was older that I would feel a keen sense of sadness and loss for native Americans, their culture and heritage. I believe much has been lost due to them being forced to live on reservations.

In light of the above, I appreciated Serena B. Miller’s fictional spin on the Chippewa’s plight and how she ended this story with a special twist and positive outcome for one segment of the Chippewa. If only the ending of Under a Blackberry Moon could be or have been the fate of all native American people.

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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InnoTab® 3S Learning Tablet Review and Giveaway

Posted by html404 on October 11, 2013
in Downloads, Ebooks, Education, Fun Stuff, Gift Ideas, Kids Stuff, Kids Toys, Reviews, School, Techie Stuff, Technology/Electronics, Uncategorized

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product from Vtech in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

It is pretty safe to admit our family has embraced the age of technology. While we don’t have every techie gadget on the market we have our share. More and more of our children’s education is relying on technology. That’s why we embraced the opportunity to review a Vtech InnoTab® 3S Learning Tablet

Features of the InnoTab® 3S Learning Tablet:

The InnoTab® 3S features VTech Kid Connect– an exclusive communication app that allows kids to be connected with their parents and friends through both tablet-to-mobileand tablet-to-tablet communication
The new 3S comes with a rechargeable battery pack with AC adapter and a kid-safe web browser
The new InnoTab 3S continues to provide access to VTech’s Learning Lodge™ app store, plus it comes packed with 20 free apps
Ages 3-9
All for under $100

InnoTab 3S Learning Tablet Review

Our children love their new InnoTab® 3S Learning Tablet. We are still learning to use all the features. They haven’t text me yet and they really haven’t used the web browser much because it requires me to put in our network password. I think it would be nice if we could save that password just because it would be easier than logging in every time, but I understand that this is one of the safe browsing features. I like that we can add new websites under the parental controls.

I know the camera and video camera gets used a fair amount. The children have fun taking goofy photos or videos or practicing their photography.

The children’s favorite activities is to play the beanstalk game. They have to check their bean plants every day to care for them or else they die. Kind of helps teach responsibility. The children love to see how much their beans have grown day by day.

InnoTab 3S Learning Tablet Downloads

Though there were free downloads with the InnoTab 3S Learning Tablet, I did purchase a few more for the children just so I could understand the selection, purchasing and download process. It was pretty painless and easy. Similar to downloading apps to a cell phone. Edited 12/27/13: But in comparison, there are more free apps available for other tablets, which I did not realize until much later. It is costly to buy more apps, something I cannot seem myself doing much of now that we have a Kindle Fire.

The Learning Lodge is where parents and children can access “hundreds of engaging, age-appropriate games, videos, e-books and music, endorsed by VTech’s team of educational experts”. Word has it the Learning Lodge will expand its current library of 350 titles to over 600 titles by the end of the year.

I did find the InnoTab 3S Learning Tablet a little slow when changing screens, but overall I really like its features and having this as an addition to our children’s educational program, even our big kids (ages 10-14) like to use it!

Vtech InnoTab® 3S Learning Tablet Giveaway

One of you has the chance to win a Vtech InnoTab 3S Learning Tablet by entering below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Long Awakening

Posted by html404 on October 5, 2013
in Books, Encouragement for Moms, Family Stuff, Gift Ideas, Pregnancy and Birth, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

The Long Awakening by Lindsey O’Connor is a memoir dedicated to Lindsey’s youngest daughter, Caroline Aileen. This book is a story of Lindsey’s 47-day coma just after giving birth to Caroline, her journey of her recovery, and that of her family’s.

I have 2-3 pages of little bits from the book that touched my heart. After three pages I stopped because I would have an incredibly long review if I wrote about all of my notes. For the sake of this review, I will just touch on a few more important ones.

Let me start by saying I really enjoyed The Long Awakening and found myself reading faster to see what how Lindsey’s story ended.

First, I am always impressed when a family rallies around one another and does what needs to be done through difficult circumstances, such as the O’Connor’s 47+ day tragedy. For example, Lindsey’s oldest daughter postponed college in order to stay at home to take care of her baby sister. This is something no parent wants to force on their oldest child, but the fact that Jacquelyn decided on her own her baby sister needed to be in their family home and not “farmed” out to another home to be cared for showed her love, devotion and sacrifice to do what was in the best interest of not only Caroline, but the whole family.

Jacquelyn’s intuition about her sister Allison was amazing too. I loved reading about how she got her little sister to open up and showed her it was ok to cry, to grieve over what had happened to their mom. The O’Connor’s must have been so proud of her.

Secondly, Lindsey’s family had so much support, love and help that it was a sweet testimony to one nurse in particular, who said, “she’d never seen people come around a family like that.” They had a church that put love into action – for the long haul.

I’ve been taken to emergency surgery during a couple of my miscarriages, but I never uttered the words Lindsey did when she was being wheeled away:

“Please take care of me. I have five children now.”

Weird, but I felt guilty. Granted her situation was completely different but still. It’s amazing what another woman’s story can illicit from my own soul.

I could not have been as calm as Lindsey was when she found out she had an emergency hysterectomy. Listen to what her response was:

“Why does this matter? Uterus in, uterus out. A little rain. Get out the umbrella. I had no use for that body part anymore.”

Not having been in her situation, I can only imagine how I would have responded. I guess this was the least of her concerns at the time. More important matters had her attention, such as, communicating, moving, holding and bonding with her baby, getting her life back.

I could go on for another 500 words, but the last thing I wanted to share had a profound affect on me was when Lindsey spent two hours tapping a spoon against her bedside table only to be ignored. The reason they found out later was because this was a physical quality brain damaged people exhibited. Lindsey’s words were:

“I lay brain damaged and didn’t warrant a response.”

That made me so very sad. The hospital staff heard her but ignored her. Thank God she had her husband advocating for her!

I highly recommend this book. It will make you cry, but Lindsey’s story is a must read. Talk about triumphing over huge hurdles!

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Trapped by Irene Hannon

Posted by html404 on September 5, 2013
in Books, Gift Ideas, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

Trapped by Irene Hannon is the second book in the Private Justice series. It is a romantic suspense novel about a woman named Laura Griffith and her half sister, Darcy, who runs away because her sister’s rules are too much for her to live with. When Darcy goes missing Laura not only contacted the police but also hired a PI (Private Investigator) named Devlin, to find her and bring her home.

I always enjoy Irene Hannon’s books. I like how she keeps me hanging and wanting to read more to find out what happens. I like that there are usually a few elements of surprise and suspense in her storylines.

However, the romantic interest always seems way too predictable. In Trapped and Vanished it seems that the main characters fall in love at first sight as much as they try to fight their attraction. I’m not one for love at first sight, neither is my husband, who says he believes in infatuation at first sight, I tend to agree with him. It must start out as attraction and infatuation, not love. How can you fall in love with someone you don’t even know anything about?

I do like that Dev maintains his professional relationship and does not pursue romance until his work on the case is complete. That is an example of professional integrity, something the real world is lacking.

Nevertheless, because Trapped kept me on my toes I give it two thumbs up.

For more information visit http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/trapped/338190

Irene Hannon’s website, twitter and facebook:

http://www.irenehannon.com/

https://twitter.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Irene-Hannon/426433004084567

“Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Early Holiday Gift Ideas

Posted by html404 on September 4, 2013
in Gift Ideas, Holidays, Seasonal Stuff, Shopping

This is a featured post.

It’s never too early to think about Christmas shopping, right? There has been many a year that I started my holiday shopping right after Christmas during all the end of season sales. Then I’d continue throughout the year to buy gifts so we would never have a huge Christmas bill to pay for after the holidays. It would all be paid for up front. Free and clear. Makes for a stress-free holiday season.

Holiday Gift Ideas

I just wanted to share a few little holiday gift ideas to get you started on your Christmas gift list.

There are always Christmas gatherings and holiday celebrations to attend. What better way to say thank you than a nice little festive hostess gift. These little holiday gift towel sets are so cute!

Holiday Gift Towel Sets

We have always made Christmas ornaments and decorations a part of our gift giving, especially for our children. When we got married we barely had any Christmas decorations or tree ornaments. We had to buy it all. Good thing I worked at a craft store and had a discount, plus I’d use coupons to reduce what we spent even more.

I’ve always purchased my husband ornaments of his favorite sports teams. He is such a goofball that he made it a family tradition that besides our little manager ornament that lights up, his Chicago Bulls ornaments go on the tree first! You should see him get after the children if they dare put one of their ornaments on first! All in fun though. We have been given a couple holiday houses – a lighthouse to remember my native land of Nova Scotia and a church – but we do not have any like these NFL collectible holiday houses.

NFL Collectible Holiday Houses

My husband and I have carried over some of the traditions we had growing up to but we have also made it a point to create new ones just for our family. The Legend of the Christmas Nest made me think of how we have implemented new holiday traditions.

Legend Of The Christmas Nest

So what are your holiday gift ideas this year? Feel free to share them with us as we might need a little inspiration this early on in the “holiday” season!