CSN Stores Giveaway

As promised, here's the giveaway that is for anyone and everyone!!  CSN stores is offering a $35 gift card to use at one of their MANY, many online stores!  Trust me - there is something for everyone here!

Check out their dining sets, baby gear, cooking items...or anything else you may want to check out.  Here is a list of their online stores.

Shipping charges will apply. CSN stores only ships to the US and Canada.

How to Enter:
It's simple...Just leave a comment...any comment and you're entered to win!

Extra entries:
(1 entry) - Share this on your Facebook status
(1 entry) - Follow So Mommy by Google Connect

**Giveaway will end Wed., October 6th, 2010 at 5 p.m. CST.  Winner will be drawn by a random number generator and contacted by email.  If winner doesn't respond within 48 hours, another winner will be drawn. 

Milly Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the Milly giveaway is....

Desires of My Heart, who said, "I follow SoMommy on Google Connect"

Thanks everyone for entering! I think everyone that entered really wanted to win because I think you all did every form of entry!

Hope you all have a good weekend!

In Every Heartbeat by Kim Vogel Sawyer

I received “In Every Heartbeat” by Kim Vogel Sawyer from Bethany House Publishers to review. I haven't been reading a lot of fiction books since Sydney was born (we pretty much stick to board books haha), but lately I have started reading (and enjoying) them again. Fiction books are a nice way to escape reality for a few minutes.

“In Every Heartbeat” is a christian fiction novel about 3 kids (Libby, Pete, and Bennett) who grew up together in an orphanage and end up going to college together on scholarship. Their relationships with each other change constantly while they try to figure out how to do the things they want, make new friends, find jobs, and make time for each other. They each struggle with trying to “fit in” somewhere. Being “unwanted” orphans has caused each of them to feel completely different about their lives. When Libby finds an unexpected secret about Pete's family, it causes hurt, confusion, and even more changes for them. Will they get through it and remain close friends? Or will they finally take separate paths?

I enjoyed this book, though it did start out fairly slow. The characters are very easy to sympathize with, which is important to me when I'm reading a fiction novel. It is a romance novel, but not the typical romance story. God and his love is shown throughout the book, along with appropriate romance between some characters. The only thing I didn't really like about the book was that, at the end, one of the characters turns her life over to God, and after that the actions of some of the characters seem a little unrealistic. I'm glad that God was plainly shown in the book, but I wish it had been interwoven a little more realistically.

**I received this book in exchange for my honest review, which I believe I have given.**

Just Kid Costumes

I received the chance to review a kids Halloween costume, and I was so excited!  I love to have a cute costume for Sydney every year.  The company that sent us the costume is Just Kid Costumes, and let me warn you...they have a HUGE selection to pick from!  They even have a section of "cheap costumes" for those of you on a budget!  The ones I saw in this section were all under $30...some as low as $12-13!  The website is very easy to navigate, especially if you have a specific type of costume you are looking for.  They have sizing measurements so that you can make sure to get the right size as well.

When I opened Sydney's new costume, I had to put it on her immediately!  It is SO cute...so what did we get?  A lovely Snow White costume!

I was very impressed with the quality of the costume.  The material is soft, not scratchy like a lot of princess outfits, and Sydney LOVES to wear the headband.  The shipping was quick as well!

SOMETHING FOR MY READERS!
Just Kid Costumes is offering readers 10% off of their purchase if you purchase by Oct. 1st (which is only a few days away - sorry that's my fault)...So head on over there and pick out your child's costume!  They are also giving a special gift away with purchases now!

Here's your 10% discount code: somommy10

Ted Dekker T-shirt winner

The winner of the Ted Dekker t-shirt is...Ricky H.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone for entering!

Another Review and Giveaway from Aurora Gifts!!

You may remember the Yoohoo and Friends Review and giveaway I did back in July (check it out HERE)....if you saw that one and have a daughter, you may REALLY like this one!  Yoohoo and Friends are absolutely adorable stuffed animals for kids, and they are sold by Aurora World, Inc.  They have given me a chance to review their new addition, Milly the Pinkest Kitten.

About Aurora
Aurora World, Inc. (http://www.auroragift.com/), celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2011, is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high quality, competitively priced plush toys and gifts. Founded in 1981, the Korean company with headquarters also in the United States, United Kingdom and Hong Kong, has ascended quickly to become a respected leader in the world’s toy and gift industry. The company sells its products via a wide variety of retailers including major zoos, high-end toy stores such as Learning Express, top gift chains such as Hallmark and Claire’s as well as hospital gift shops, fine florists, candy stores and gift/stationery stores worldwide.

On to MILLY!
Milly was made for all of those little girls out there who just LOVE pink.  Milly is definitely the pinkest kitten, and is VERY girly.  There are many different styles of Milly to choose from, such as, a larger 13", or the smaller 8" wannabe fairy, wannabe princess, and they even have the 8" Milly that comes in a cupcake carrier!  I'm sure the little girl in your life could find the perfect Milly from their selection HERE.

My Thoughts
Do we really need more stuffed animals??  Probably not, but Milly is SO stinking adorable that I wouldn't mind adding her to any collection!  We received the Birthday Milly and the Milly in a Strawberry Cupcake Purse.  Sydney is 20 months old and loves to carry around the cupcake purse!  The Milly inside is the perfect size for her to hold, and is also small enough to fit in the diaper bag as a take-along toy.  She is super soft.  When my 3 year old neice saw Sydney's Milly, she really wanted to carry it around and play with it, too.  I love that Aurora makes Yoohoo and Friends and Milly the Pinkest Kitten in smaller sizes!  It makes them super easy to take along, and also easy to put away in your child's room.

GIVEAWAY
Aurora World, Inc. is offering one reader their very own plush Milly similar to the ones I received. 

How to Enter
Mandatory Entry - MUST do this for other entries to count!
Visit Milly HERE and tell me which Milly is your favorite

(1 entry) - "Like" Yoohoo and Friends on Facebook HERE - they do giveaways for Yoohoo & Friends!
(1 entry) - Follow So Mommy by Google Friend Connect
(1 entry) - "Like" So Mommy on Facebook HERE

Giveaway will end September 21, 2010 at 5 pm CST.  Winner will be drawn by a random number generator and contacted via email.  If winner doesn't respond within 48 hours, another winner will be drawn.  I was provided Milly the Pinkest kitten products in exchange for my honest review which I have given.  See full disclaimer for details.

Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker **Special Gveaway**

What is sacrificial love? Have you thought about that lately? It is one of those questions that you can answer simply, or you can sit and think about it for awhile. When I think of sacrificial love I automatically think of Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross. He loved us enough to sacrifice himself, knowing we weren't going to be perfect, knowing we weren't always going to do the right thing. Now that I have a child, I feel the same way toward her. I would jump in front of a train to save her. I try to teach her right and wrong, but I don't know that she will always do what is right. I do know that I will always love her and be ready to give my life for her no matter what, though.

In Ted Dekker's new book, “Immanuel's Veins,” sacrificial love is shown in an amazing way. I'm not going to go into detail because I don't want to give any spoilers. It is hard to write this review because I was to tell all about it, but I can't!! When I saw that Booksneeze was offering this book to review, I requested it quickly. I had never read any of Ted Dekker's books, but my mom and sister have read several and really liked them. After reading the first page, I was hooked – literally. I think it only took me a few days to read it because I couldn't put it down!

“Immanuel's Veins” starts out from the view of Toma, a warrior who is sent to protect 2 beautiful sisters and their mother. He and his companion expect this to be a boring job, but it ends up much more exciting that that. On the way they encounter a strange man with important advice, but they don't quite understand it. Russians from a nearby home start visiting and trying to seduce the family and even the warriors. They must learn to fight their passionate feelings if they want to save themselves. In the end, one of them will have to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to save a love. This is a story of danger and seduction, love and evil.

I can't really say much more without giving away important parts. I really enjoyed this book and got a lot out of it. If you enjoy mystery and suspense type books, then I think you will enjoy “Immanuel's Veins” by Ted Dekker.

I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.

SPECIAL GIVEAWAY!!!
I received a t-shirt as a gift for reviewing this book from the Ted Dekker team and they are allowing me to give on away to a lucky reader!  The t-shirt is dark gray with a special "Spread the Love" design.  Winner picks size.

How to win:
All you have to do to enter this giveaway is tell me your favorite book or author.  That's it. Simple :)

Giveaway will end Friday, September 17th, 2010 at 5 p.m. CST.  Winner will be picked by a random number generator and contacted by email.  If winner doesn't respond in 48 hours, another winner will be drawn.

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

I have been so excited about the Max Lucado books on Booksneeze lately!  I just love Max Lucado and his kids books, DVDs, and the adult books I've read so far.  This time I had a chance to read and review his new book "Outlive Your Life: You were made to make a difference." 

From the very first chapter of this book, I definitely felt a conviction.  We live in a world where we don't DO enough for each other, and that needs to change.  Here is one of my favorite parts of the book:

"Before Jesus came along, the disciples were loading trucks, coaching soccer,

and selling Slurpee drinks at the convenience store.  Their collars were blue,

and their hands were callousesd, and there is no evidence

 that Jesus chose them because they were smarter or nicer than

the guy next door.  The one thing they had going for them was a

willingness to take a step when Jesus said, "Follow me.""

I just loved this part.  We don't have to be qualified to go out and help others.  God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the ones he calls.  So we have to be willing to step out, qualified or not, and trust Him to do the rest.  Max Lucado has a wonderful way of writing that I just love.  He writes as if he's just telling you all of these things at lunch or dinner.  Very easy to read and understand, and before you know it, God starts convicting you.  I don't know how Max Lucado keeps turning out such wonderful books other than with God's help, but he does it again and again.

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.  It tells how God can use anyone to make a difference, no matter how small, how little schooling, where you live, or where you work.  Everyone can make a difference.  If you've never read a Max Lucado book, this is a great one to start with!  If you're looking for a good quality kids DVD, be sure to check out Hermie and Friends by Max Lucado as well!

**I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.**

Another Sneak Peek...on an upcoming giveaway!

Anyone need any new dining sets, room decor, or maybe even something fun like new shoes?  If so, this giveaway is for you!

If you like to shop online, you have to check out CSNstores!  They have 200+ stores with pretty much anything you could possibly need (seriously!)  I received a giftcard from them awhile back to do a review, and they had so many items to choose from that I was amazed.  Don't worry- it's all very organized so that you can easily search for specific items. 

This time they are offering one of my readers a giftcard to use in one of their stores!  So start looking through their stores to find what you want - you just might win!

Keep an eye out for the giveaway coming up later this month!

"One Hand, Two Hands" by Max Lucado - Book Review

How many of you have heard of Max Lucado?  I'm sure many of you have...he has written kids books, such as "Just in Case You Ever Wonder" (a book I personally love), several books for adults, bible studies, and many of you may know him from the kids "Hermie and Friends" DVD series.  Anytime I pick up a book or movie by Max Lucado, I expect great things. 

When I received a hardback copy of his new children's book "One Hand, Two Hands" from Booksneeze I was excited.  I immediately grabbed Sydney and told her we were going to read a new book (she loves to read just like her mommy).  It starts with a letter to parents on how to use this book to teach your child.  I love it when authors do this!  It gives a little insight as to why they wrote the book the way they did.  This book is all about the things hands can do.  It is written in rhymes, with short sentences and large print.  Sydney loved the colorful pictures and animals throughout the book.  She loved clapping and snapping and waving her hands with the words in the book.  They story ends with a short prayer to God about using their hands again.

The last page in the book is a great way to take this book to the next level for older toddlers.  It helps them learn what helping hands, kind hands, and loving hands can do and gives them a chance to say ways their hands can be helping hands to others. 

As usual, I love this book by Max Lucado!  The pictures and the message are both great!  The short story can be enjoyed by young toddlers, and as they get older you can let them help tell how hands can be helping.  



*I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.**

Cable Turtle Winners List

The 3 winners of the Cable Turtles are...

Tonya, who said, "I already "like" So Mommy on fb. tt4....@gmail.com"

Amanda, who said, "I "like" So Mommy on Facebook :) abos.....@gmail.com"

Tess, who said, "i like you on fb tcog....@live.com"

Congratulations! I will email you all and should be shipping these out to you early next week!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's a sneak peek at a review I will be posting soon from a great company.

This is my sweet Sydney next to a suprise message for Daddy last month.  If you can't read it, it says "We are pregnant."  This is why I've been MIA a lot lately.  I am 8 weeks and 3 days pregnant, and morning sickness has been horrible with this pregnancy (and the doctor's office keeps calling in the wrong medicine...long story)!  I have been eating as many cheerios as I can lately since that has been the only thing that was ok with my stomach....guess I'll have good cholesterol? 

Anyways, I'm hoping to be feeling (much) better soon so that I can get back on track with my reviews and giveaways!  Speaking of giveaways....I have 2 great ones coming up soon so be on the look out for those!