Give Thanks At The Table (A Day Spring Giveaway)

The table.  Surely it’s the easiest most natural place for giving thanks.  When we gather to partake in the Lord’s provision together.  Whether it’s a celebration or a simple family dinner.  Whether the table is filled with abundance or the meal is meager.  Saying grace is the first step in teaching and learning the attitude of thanksgiving.

So as the holiday of thanksgiving approaches and we prepare our hearts and homes for the celebration, may we remember to give thanks for more than just the food.  

This year my personal thanksgiving focuses more on the people who gather at the table than what is on it.  After all what would an apron be without sweet little hands to tug on it.

Let there be thankfulness to God.

Ephesians 5:4

Thank you Day Spring for my beautiful Ever Grateful Apron.  It’s beautiful fits well and will remind me year round to weave thanks into my days.  Thanks to Grande, my 4 year old photographer for the great picture of Chico and I with the apron.  

You can get your own Ever Grateful Apron here.  It’s currently on sale at a great price!

Day Spring is also generously offering one Devotion Mama reader a $35 gift code to use at dayspring.com and I know you want to win!

How To Enter: 

Complete as many entries as you like.  Each is worth 1 entry.  Make sure to include a valid email address in your comment if you do not have one available in your profile.  Please write a separate comment for each entry.  The contest will close on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Open to Continental US residents only.  Winners will be chosen by an online random number generator.  Winners must respond within one week.

Entries:

1. What will you use your coupon code for if you win?
2. Follow @DaySpringCards on Twitter
3. Follow @devotionmama on Twitter
4. Subscribe to Devotion Mama by email
5.  Tweet this:  @devotionmama is giving away a $35 gift code to @DaySpringCards! #indeals #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/7rrpd4p 
6. Share this post on Facebook

Disclaimer:  Day Spring generously provided me the Ever Grateful Apron for review and a coupon code worth $35 for the winner of this giveaway.  Thanks Day Spring!  All opinions are my own.

Paper Coterie Review and GIVEAWAY!

I LOVE photo books!  I have for a while.  Our wedding album is a photo book.  I have Christmas photo books, and church photo books.  I have a photo book with pictures from Grande’s first six months.  

So when I got the chance to review a product from Paper Coterie of course I choose a photo book!  I had been wanting to make a book of Chico’s first year.  While it took longer than I thought it would to make (we were in the middle of a move), I love the results.  

I was impressed right away with how easy the website was to manipulate and the beautiful modern layout options.  The hundreds of photos from Chico’s first year uploaded quickly.  And because everything on the Paper Coterie templates are 100% customizable I even uploaded pictures of the patterns on his baby blankets and clothes to use as backgrounds making it extra special.  

When Finished the book was over 100 pages.  I placed the order in the evening and got an email the next day saying it was completed and had already been shipped!  Talk about FAST.  It arrived a few days later with a cute little necklace as a welcome gift to the Paper Coterie community.

To say I am happy with the book and service is an understatement.  I’ve already ordered another book from them of one month worth of Project 365 pictures and I plan to order the rest of our 2011 books from them as I get them finished.

So here’s the exciting news for you!  You  can win one of TEN $40 gift certificates to Paper Coterie I’m giving away AND each one includes FREE shipping!  I can’t wait for you to experience Paper Coterie for yourself.

How To Enter: 

Complete as many entries as you like.  Each is worth 1 entry.  Make sure to include a valid email address in your comment if you do not have one available in your profile.  Please write a separate comment for each entry.  The contest will close on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Open to Continental US residents only.  Winners will be chosen by an online random number generator.  Winners must respond within one week.

Entries:

1. What will you use your coupon code for if you win?  Check out the Paper Coterie Website to see all they offer.
2. Follow @papercoterie on Twitter
3. Follow @devotionmama on Twitter
4. Subscribe to Devotion Mama by email
5.  Tweet this:  @devotionmama is giving away 10 $40 gift codes to @papercoterie! #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/3crp5wn 
6. Share this post on Facebook

Disclaimer:  Paper Coterie generously provided me with an item of my choice for review and 10 coupon codes for worth $40 to use on their site and free shipping for the winners of this giveaway.  Thanks Paper Coterie!  All opinions are my own.

Apologia Live Vlog

Here's a short vlog about Apologia Live so far.  FYI I am sleepy and not eloquent in this video.  ;-)

The Big Book Of History Review

Are you ready for this month’s #teachthetruth twitter party?  There will be more opportunities to win great books from Master Books including The Big Book Of History.

This 15 foot timeline tracks 6,000 years of history.  All the way from the first day of creation to the presidency of Barack Obama.  This could easily be used alone or with the study guide as a history textbook, but would also be a great tool to use alongside any history curriculum year after year.  

While my children are still a bit young for this level of study, they love the format and colorful pictures of the book.  This is one I’ll store well for later and pull out as we discuss different events.  

What I found very interesting was a bit of United States church history at the end of the timeline.  Did you know that in 1947 President Harry Truman declared the U.S. as a Christian Nation and in 2010 President Barack Obama declares that the U.S. is no longer a Christian nation.  It grieves me to see the mark our generation is making on history and leads me to my knees.

The book ends with a great question.  How will you make history?

You can watch the book trailer here:

For a chance to win awesome prizes including this book, join us for a Twitter party on Tuesday, October 25 at 8pm Central.  

Use the Hashtags -  #TeachtheTruth  and   #tttrollcall 

Follow @masterbooks4u and the Moms of Masterbooks Reviewers – @mamahall, @apichea, @bowmania, @momkaboodle, @getalonghome, @devotionmama, @momsmustardseeds @thejohnsfamily 

Other non-authorized, not recommended uses for this book include using it as a racetrack for cars and a path to crawl on.

Mabel’s Labels Review and Giveaway

I LOVE Mabel’s Labels.  Seriously.  I’m not one who would have ever even thought to buy labels for my children’s things, but these are no ordinary labels.  I mean really, the labels you print yourself can’t compare.  They’ve held up so well through microwaving, dishwashing, hand washing, clothes washing.  

So where do I use them?  In the closet, because I have 3 boys clothing in one closet.  On bottles, sippy cups, clothing, diaper bags, and backpacks.  

I’m constantly finding new uses for my labels.  Recently all three of my boys were sick and I had to drop them off for the day at my mother-in-law’s.  So I labeled their medicine and even the droppers which made things so much easier.

Would you like to win some Mabel’s Labels?  I have 10 sets of Colourful Sticky Labels to giveaway!  One set per winner!  You can see them here.  And there’s only 72 hours to enter!

How To Enter: 

Complete as many entries as you like.  Each is worth 1 entry.  Make sure to include a valid email address in your comment if you do not have one available in your profile.  Please write a separate comment for each entry.  The contest will close on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Open to Continental US residents only.  Winner will be chosen by an online random number generator.  Winner must respond within two days.

Entries:

1. What would you label with Mabel’s Labels?
2. Follow @mabelhood on Twitter
3. Follow @devotionmama on Twitter
4. Subscribe to Devotion Mama by email
5.  Tweet this:  @devotionmama is giving away @mabelhood labels! 72 hour giveaway 10 Winners! LOW entries http://tinyurl.com/3n82on8 

Disclaimer:  Mabel’s Labels generously provided me with labels for my boys and for the giveaway winners.  Thanks Mabel’s Labels!  All opinions are my own.


Hop on over to my new homeschool blog “The Sanchez School” and enter to win a copy of “The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling” and make sure to come back here next Saturday because I’ll be giving away a ticket to the Apologia Live Conference of your choice!!!

Absotively Posilutely Review

Our Moms of Masterbooks book this month is Absotively Posilutely Best Evidence For Creation by Carl Kerby.  It’s a book that teaches children to interpret the evidence of creation for themselves, but to value the truth of God’s Word over anything else.  

This book is designed for children ages 8 to 14.  In my opinion it will be best understood by children who have a basic understanding of biology.  There’s quite a bit of terminology and cool facts that may not be understood by a child who has not studied the most basic biology.  I would actually suggest this book be used as supplementary reading for elementary or middle school level biology.  I’ll hold on to my copy to use when my boys are older for sure.

I love how it clearly explains the differences between a Christian worldview and a non-Christian worldview.  It’s such and understandable way to explain to children why they may see things differently than others.  It’s a great resource.

You can buy it here:

For a chance to win awesome prizes including this book and the D is for Dinosaur book, join us for a Twitter party on Tuesday, September 20 at 8pm Central.  

Use the Hashtags -  #TeachtheTruth  and   #tttrollcall 

Follow @masterbooks4u and the Moms of Masterbooks Reviewers – @mamahall, @apichea, @bowmania, @momkaboodle, @getalonghome, @devotionmama, @momsmustardseeds @thejohnsfamily 

A Dream Come True And A Prize For You

Thanks to all who entered!

All photos in this post were taken by Texan Mama Photography

A few weeks ago we hosted our first ever Mamas Write Mini-Conference.  I haven’t written about it yet for several reasons.  First because it was exhausting and I’ve been recovering from it all.  (It was a good kind of exhausting though, the kind that lets you know you’re walking the path He’s chosen and not sitting on the sidelines.)  Also because my boys were sick for about 2 weeks.  And because we started homeschooling for the first time.  

But mostly it’s because I don’t know where to find the right words to describe what the Mamas Write Mini-Conference meant to me.  As I listened to the speakers, observed the bloggers, absorbed the Holy Spirit filled atmosphere, and saw the sweet smiles on the women’s faces I realized that I was watching the dream that God planted in my heart being played out in front of me.  

The speakers (Crystal Sparks, Rachel Miller, Rachel Holland, and Stefanie Brown) were awesome.  They gave us so much useful information in such a Christ honoring way.  The fellowship and being able to meet online friends face to face was like a fresh breeze that refreshed and reminded me why I wanted a group like Mamas Write in the first place.  

                        

It was just so obvious that God’s hand was on that time.  All the details that worried me were solved in ways that exceeded my expectations.  Our wonderful caterer (Sweet Georgia’s Cupcakes) had something family related come up and couldn’t make it.  (We continue to pray for them and look forward to yummy cupcakes and food at the next MWMC.)  But Firehouse Subs generously discounted their sandwiches and chips for us and we were able to stay within our budget.  The room we used did not have internet so the talented technician at Integra Home Systems was going to run a wire to give just one computer internet access.  But He was able to create wi-fi for the entire room.  Which makes us bloggers very happy.

The Lord was so faithful to us and I can’t wait to see what He does at the next Mamas Write Mini-Conference!  If you’d like to be added to our email list for the details of all our upcoming events let us know by emailing us at mamaswrite@gmail.com.  You can also find out more about Mamas Write at mamaswrite.com.  You can see all the photos taken by Texan Mama Photography on our Facebook page.

   

If you’d like to win a swag bag from the conference here’s your chance!

How To Enter: 

Complete as many entries as you like.  Each is worth 1 entry.  Make sure to include a valid email address in your comment if you do not have one available in your profile.  Please write a separate comment for each entry.  The contest will close on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Open to Continental US residents only.  Winner will be chosen by an online random number generator.  Winner must respond within one week.

Entries:

1. What state do you live in?  Would you like to attend a Mamas Write Mini-Conference?
2. Follow @mamaswrite on Twitter
3. Subscribe to the Mamas Write Blog via email.
4. Follow @devotionmama on Twitter
5. Subscribe to Devotion Mama by email
6.  Tweet this:  { @devotionmama is giving away a @mamaswrite Mini-Conference swag bag!  http://tinyurl.com/3tqecov }                 

    

Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post for Mamas Write.  The swag bag provided includes products and promotional materials generously provided by our sponsors.  All opinions are my own.

A Special Thank You To Our Mamas Write Mini-Conference Sponsors!

Fruit Of The Spirit
The Pregnancy Companion

Master Books

Mochalux
Mary Kay

Mabel's Labels
Happy Baby
Texan Mama Photography
Dayspring         

Anti-Venom         

Integra Home Systems     
High Point Church

Firehouse Subs         
Sweet Georgia’s Cupcakes

D Is For Dinosaur Review

It’s no secret that my boys LOVE dinosaurs.  That’s one of the reasons I’m such a fan of Master Books.  They have one of the best collection of Christian dinosaur books I’ve seen!  Eventually I’ll tell you about all of them, I’m sure.

Having sons who are dino fanatics can be tough when you don’t buy into the scientific theories of evolution, the big bang, and the earth being millions of years old.  Nearly every book, documentary, etc on dinosaurs have these theories deeply engrained in them.  I honestly even avoid the library because all my boys want to check out are dinosaur books and they are full of information that is contrary to Bible.

That’s where our home library comes in and “D Is For Dinosaur” has made a great addition to it.  It’s a cleaver way to teach the truth to our children about creation, dinosaurs, and the Bible in a fun ABC rhyming format.  The illustrations are cute and capture your attention.

In addition to the ABC rhyme book, there is a black and white section made for coloring.  We will also be using “D Is For Dinosaur” in our homeschooling this year.  I’m doing preschool with Grande and Mediano.  We’re learning the alphabet in English and Spanish focusing on one letter per week and “D Is For Dinosaur” has a special section with teacher instructions and student activities that go along with each letter!

You can check out Master Books entire collection of books here.  And you can buy “D Is For Dinosaur” by clicking on the link below.

The Pregnancy Companion Review and Giveaway

Congrats!

It’s here!  They wrote it!  The only bad part is it was published after my last son was already born.  

I had several favorite books during my pregnancies.  One that gave me the medical and developmental information I craved, one that inspired me spiritually, and another that guided me in how to cover each step of my pregnancy in prayer.

But now there’s “The Pregnancy Companion.”  And it covers all three of those areas in one book!  Written by Jessica Wolstenholm and Dr. Heather Rupe this book is one I really would have loved to have had during my pregnancies.  It’s written to be read month by month with the perfect mix of medicine and faith.  It puts common fears in perspective like what the real chances of having a baby with Down syndrome is.  Did you know that even at the age of 45 your chances of having a baby that does not have Down syndrome is 94.8 percent!  And of course if your younger your chances of having a baby without  Down syndrome are even better.  Looking at the facts in black and white really helps put our irrational fears aside.

I love this book and can’t wait to give it to the first friend who gives me good news of a new little blessing entering their family!  Who will it be?

You can find out more about “The Pregnancy Companion” at thepregnancycompanion.com.  And you can buy it by clicking on the image of the book below!

You can win a copy to!

How To Enter: 

Complete as many entries as you like.  Each is worth 1 entry.  Make sure to include a valid email address in your comment if you do not have one available in your profile.  Please write a separate comment for each entry.  The contest will close on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Open to Continental US residents only.  Winner will be chosen by an online random number generator.  Winner must respond within one week.

Entries:

1. Let me know who the book will be for.  You?  A friend?  A family member?
2. Follow The Pregnancy Companion on Twitter
3. Follow Devotion Mama through GFC (Google Friend Connect)
4. Subscribe to Devotion Mama by email
5. Follow @DevotionMama on Twitter
6.  Tweet this:  " @devotionmama is giving away a @pregnancypal book!  http://tinyurl.com/3w9keon "

Disclaimer:  This is a paid post for Mamas Write.  In addition to financial compensation I was given a book for review as well as one to give away.  All opinions are my own.

The Family Illustrated Bible Review

We received yet another great family resource from Master Books this month.  I really like this book and will surely be using it with my boys throughout the years to come.  It's in essence a Bible story book for children.  It's a bit more wordy than the typical children's Bible story book.  I like that.  It helps focus on and teach one story at a time which should help them learn and apply the Biblical principles easier.

The Family Illustrated Bible also contains background information pages that will be especially helpful in our homeschooling Biblical studies.  It's full of great illustration and offers plenty to teach and learn.

For example, among the stories taken from the book of Acts there is a page with a timeline, and explanations of the early church and the key people involved in it's foundation.  Among the stories taken from Genesis, there is information about ancient Egypt, the Pharaohs, and the Nile River.  You'll learn facts like that the Nile River flooded every year just in time to plant crops in the well watered land and that the Israelites spent 430 years in Egypt before being led out to the Promised Land by Moses.  It's the perfect way to tie Biblical study to the study of history.


My husband was especially taken with this book.  He remembers having a similar book when he was younger and reading it as a young child and continuing to read and learn from it over the years.

Join the next Twitter Party to win your copy of The Family Illustrated Bible and more:

Tuesday, August 23 at 8pm central
follow @masterbooks4u and @mamahall
use the #TeachtheTruth hashtag
and #tttrollcall – to let us know you’ve joined the party

Important Note: Our #teachthetruth events have attracted skeptics and people in need of Jesus. We are turning their involvement into an opportunity to pray for them. You will see us use “1:18 crowd” as a reminder to pray. 1:18 refers to 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” It will help us remember that they are in darkness and need a Savior.

Party Prizes include: 
The Family Illustrated Bible
My Take Along Bible
How Do We Know the Bible is True
The Answers Book for Kids Vol 3: Questions on God and the Bible
Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers

The Moms of Master Books will review the Family Illustrated Bible and provide great questions from those reviews for the party. Read their reviews and you will be super-prepared to win. Meet the Moms of Master Books reviewers below:

Eryn – MamaHall

Rebecca – Moms Mustardseeds.com

Ashley – LIFE by Ashley Pichea

Stephanie – Bowmania

Cindy – Get Along Home

Christy – DevotionMama

Stephanie – MomKaboodle.com

Gretta Johns – The Johns Family

Karen – FaithFamilyFibro

Save the date, read the blogs, and invite your friends to the #TeachtheTruth Twitter Party!