Giveaway - Where Jesus Slept #WhereJesusSlept #FlyBy

Can y'all believe Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK!? Then the Christmas hustle and bustle begins. Even though my kids are older, I still keep a shelf of Christmas books out for the months of November and December.  Sometimes when things get crazy, I'll sit on the couch and read one or two of them by the glow of the Christmas tree lights, just enjoying the peace and quiet for a bit. Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year and I enjoy finding new Christmas books to add to our holiday bookshelf.

I was able to review a new hardcover children's book that is for sure going to be on my holiday shelf from now on!  It's called Where Jesus Slept, and it has the most darling illustrations (look at that precious Baby Jesus on the cover!) and the sweetest rhymes that tell the story of the first Christmas.  I absolutely love it.   I think y'all will enjoy it too!

Here's a little more about the book:

"This is the bed where Jesus slept. This is the straw that lined the bed where Jesus slept.” From here, the story builds with each spread, adding a new element and explaining the relationships among the participants and witnesses to the first Christmas. From Jesus sleeping sweetly to the wise men bringing gifts, this charming book reminds readers young and not-so-young of the joyous event we celebrate at Christmastime. Children will love the delightful illustrations and the engaging repetition in this cumulative tale.

About the author:
Norma Lewis is the author of ten books. She lives in Grand Haven, MI, with a marmalade cat named Scalawag. They both love spending time with her six grandchildren, ranging in age from three to twenty.    Illustrated by Katy Hudson.

It's perfect for ages 4-7 and retails for $16.99.  It will surely become a Christmas must-read for your family too!



I have a copy of Where Jesus Slept to give away to one of my readers!  Just enter via my rafflecopter widget below.

Don't forget - you have to leave a comment below this post as your mandatory entry. Without that, no other entries will count, so you won't be eligible to win if you don't complete that mandatory entry.

Remember to share this post with your family and friends using the share buttons at the bottom of this post under my signature!  Good luck!

List of Veteran's Day Offers for tomorrow!

I've been keeping an eye out this week for the specials that are available to our Veterans this year for Veteran's Day, and compiled this list of some of my favorites.

Check out all these wonderful freebies and deals for our Vets, share with your friends, and thank a Vet for their service!  Also, feel free to add any other Veteran's Day freebies in the comments below!

Bob Evans - FREE meal on 11/11 (dine in only) for all Veterans and active duty military.  Proof of service required. 

Cracker Barrel - Veterans dining in our restaurant Friday, 11/11, will receive a FREE slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca Cola cake! 

Fatz - 11/11 from 11 am - 11 pm, Vets and active duty personnel will receive a FREE Calabash Chicken Entree. 

IHOP - FREE short stack of Red, White and Blue pancakes.  Proof of military service required.

Krispy Kreme - FREE donut and small coffee on 11/11.

Logan's Steakhouse  -  Show your military ID and choose a FREE entree from our special menu all day on Friday, 11/11. 

O'Charley's - All Vets and active duty personnel will receive a FREE $9.99er entree.

On the Border -  FREE Create Your Own Combo meal. Dine in only on 11/11, proof of military service required.

Perkins - FREE Magnificent Seven meal with proof of military service.  Dine in only, 11/11.

Publix - Show your military ID on 11/11 and save 10% on groceries.

Red Lobster - On 11/11 Active Duty, Reserves and Veterans, choose a FREE appetizer or dessert from a select list.  Must show military ID.  

Red Robin - 11/11 Active Duty and Veterans receive a FREE Red's Tavern Double Burger.  Proof of Service Required. 

Steak N Shake -  Request the Veteran's Day Special and receive a FREE homestyle breakfast! 6 am - 11 am on Friday, 11/11.  Proof of Military Service requested.

Tijuana Flats - FREE Entree for Active Military and Vets, with valid ID on  11/11.

Uncle Maddio's - FREE 9" 3-topping, pizza for all Vets and active duty military in uniform or with ID, 11/11.

Giveaway ~ PARENTING: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family #GospelParenting #FlyBy

I've got another book to share with y'all and a giveaway, as well.  This book is excellent, and I can't wait to tell you about it!

Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family is a wonderful resource for Christian parents.

In the midst of folding laundry, coordinating carpool schedules, and breaking up fights, many parents get lost. Feeling pressure to do everything “right” and raise up “good” children, it’s easy to lose sight of our ultimate purpose as parents in the quest for practical tips and guaranteed formulas.

In this life-giving book, Paul Tripp offers parents much more than a to-do list. Instead, he presents us with a big-picture view of God’s plan for us as parents. Outlining fourteen foundational principles centered on the gospel, he shows that we need more than the latest parenting strategy or list of techniques. Rather, we need the rescuing grace of God—grace that has the power to shape how we view everything we do as parents.  Freed from the burden of trying to manufacture life-change in our children’s hearts, we can embrace a grand perspective of parenting overflowing with vision, purpose, and joy.

I'm only a few chapters in so far, but this book is just what I needed to read right now.  We all have days where we feel like we're not doing a great job as a parent.

This one passage made such an impact on me: "I am more like my children than unlike them - and so are you.  The reality is that there are few struggles in the lives of my children that aren't in my life as well....This admission transformed my parenting.  Instead of approaching them with self-righteous outrage,  I moved toward them as a sinner in need of grace, needing to confront a sinner in need of grace."  WOW, right?!

Oh, this book is making me examine how I parent, and how I want/need to change things.  It came at a great time and I'm so thankful for it!

I really recommend this for all parents who are doing their best, yet wondering if that is enough.  The author has some great words of wisdom, and they can transform how we all do this job of parenting. It's a tough job, but remember, God wants to help you every step of the way!

As I mentioned above, I have a copy to give away to one reader.

Simply complete the mandatory entry in my Rafflecopter widget, and then any additional entries you'd like.  Easy peasy!  Good luck!

GIVEAWAY ~ VeggieTales Every Day with God devotional #EveryDaywithGod #FlyBy

Every Day with God is the latest 365-day devotional (one for boys and another for girls) from VeggieTales. The updated content and art offer the perfect opportunity for parent and child to share time together each day. Each entry includes a Bible verse, short devotion, Thought of the Day, and prayer. The content will help children learn more about God and develop a daily practice to keep Him close in their lives. The book is perfect for bedtime reading, family devotion time, or as a fresh way to start each day!

Format: Trade paperback

Page Count: 384

Trim Size: 5 X 7.25

Retail Price: $9.99

Reading Age: 4-7

This little book is absolutely perfect for bedtime! The color illustrations are adorable. I love that they have one for boys and one for girls.  So sweet! Wouldn't this make a great Christmas gift for the sweet littles in your life? 

You can find both books on Amazon:

Boys Devotional

Girls Devotional

One lucky reader will win their choice of either the Boy or Girl devotional book, thanks to my sponsor.  You can enter via the rafflecopter giveaway below.  This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents.  Good luck! 

Save $100 on family-friendly Hawaii vacations with Pleasant Holidays - USFG's new travel partner!

I am so excited! I just learned that US Family Guide has partnered with Pleasant Holidays, a leading provider of package vacations. They're based in the U.S. and have great deals on family vacations worldwide - Hawaii, contiguous United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Europe, Tahiti, Fiji and more. They can also book complete cruise vacations with airfare, onboard accommodations, and pre- and post-cruise hotel stays for vacations where everyone can relax and enjoy.

Pleasant Holidays is new to US Family Guide, but has been partnering with hotels and resorts for more than 55 years to get great offers you cannot book anywhere else. When you're planning to explore close to home or farther afield, make them your one-stop-shop for everything you need: flights, accommodations, car rentals, ground transfers, exciting activities and tours, and travel protection coverage to protect your travel investment (because if parenthood has taught us one thing, it's to expect the unexpected). And unlike some other online travel providers, they have in-destination customer assistance should you need it.

They've currently got a great deal on Hawaii vacations that saves you $100 per booking. Select from 26 hotels and resorts on the four most popular islands: Oahu, Maui, Kauai and island of Hawaii. Explore the exciting sights of Oahu, including world-famous Waikiki Beach and historic Pearl Harbor. Watch the sun rise from the slopes of a dormant volcano on Maui. Snorkel, hike, kayak, surf, experience Polynesian culture and more. This deal is valid on new vacations booked by 10/30/16 for select travel through 6/30/17 that include roundtrip airfare from the continental United States and a stay of five nights or longer at a participating hotel or resort. The $100 savings is per booking and taken at time of booking - no waiting! For more information or reservations visit www.PleasantHolidays.com, call 1-800-837-5154 or contact your travel agent.

Be sure to keep an eye on my blog! I'll be sharing more great deals for memorable family vacations from Pleasant Holidays soon!

Review & Giveaway ~ The Biggest Story DVD & CD #FlyBy #TheBiggestStory

Once upon a time there lived a man and a woman. They were the happiest people on the planet.

True, they were the only people on the planet, but they were still terrifically happy.

Unfortunately, things didn’t stay happy and wonderful for long . . .

The Bible is full of exciting stories that fill children with awe and wonder. But kids need to know how all those classic stories connect to Scripture’s overarching message about God’s glorious plan to redeem his rebellious people.  In The Biggest Story, Kevin DeYoung—a best-selling author and father of six—leads kids and parents alike on an exciting journey through the Bible.

With powerful illustrations by award-winning artist Don Clark, this imaginative retelling of the Bible’s core message—how the Snake Crusher brings us back to the garden—will draw children into the biblical story, teaching them that God's promises are even bigger and better than we think.

This set includes:

The Animated Short Film: Featuring beautifully animated illustrations adapted from the book, The Biggest Story: The Animated Short Film will captivate children and parents alike as they see how all the classic stories in the Bible connect to Scripture’s overarching message about God’s glorious plan to redeem his rebellious people.

The Audio Book: This audio book of The Biggest Story—written and narrated also by the best-selling author Kevin DeYoung—takes kids and adults through the Bible, connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ's death on the cross to the new heaven and new earth.

Kevin DeYoung is senior pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI, husband to Trisha, and father to seven children.

I've watched this with my 12 year old, and also with my 5 year old and 7 year old niece and nephew.

My son liked how fast-paced the short film is - each chapter is only a few minutes long.  I loved the bold, bright illustrations, too.  We also enjoy listening to the CD in the car while running errands.

My niece and nephew liked the bright colors and the story.  But being younger, even these short chapters seemed a little long for them.  They both watched the entire film though!

(Affiliate Link)

Awesome news: I have the short film DVD and the audio CD to give away to one of you!

Just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.  Make sure to complete the mandatory entry so that your bonus entries will count.

Check out the Yellow Daisy Festival this weekend! #YellowDaisy16 #StoneMountainPark

Some of the treasures we found at the Yellow Daisy Festival!

David and I spent two mornings at the 48th annual Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park this week and wow - the vendors this year are amazing!!  There are still two more days for you to attend, so make plans to go while I tell you a little more about it.

First of all - plan on lots of walking - we managed almost 5 miles between our two mornings there. Good walking shoes are a must. And take a frozen water bottle because you will need it!

We went at 10 am yesterday, and it was already hot and pretty crowded.  Today we got there at 8 am, paid $5 for early bird admission and that made a huge difference.  So much cooler and the crowd level was 1 out of 10! (Yesterday was more like an 8/10!)  After experiencing both early and regular admission at this year's Festival, I think it is worth the fee to get in early.

With over 400 artists and vendors there, you can find almost anything! We saw stained glass, windchimes, birdhouses, maple cutting boards, hot sauces, clothes for kids and women, leather goods, kitchen decor, musicians selling their music, plants, body and facial care products, yard decor, Christmas ornaments and decor, quilted goods, purses, artwork, bow and arrow sets, musical instruments, and so much more! I was able to knock out quite a few of my Christmas gifts there.

There are food trucks and vendors galore, and lots of places to sit and rest for a bit out of the sun. You'll even find a Man Cave-type place for the men to wait on their wives, and a Children's Corner with fun kids activities!

We got delicious popsicles from King of Pops both days.  Yesterday David got their Sweet Tea & Lemonade Pop.  Today he got that one again, and I tried the Salted Watermelon Pop.  Highly recommend them both!

The Festival is open
Saturday, September 10: (Early Bird admission is 8 - 10 am for $5 fee)
10 am - 7:30 pm
       and
Sunday, September 11: (NO Early Bird admission today)
10 am - 5 pm.

Parking is $15 per day, or an annual parking pass is $40. Festival Admission is free during regular hours with your parking fee.   If you go early, it's $5 for per person, over age 12.

Stone Moutain Park is located at 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Visit Stone Mountain's website for more information!

If you go, I'd love to hear what you think of this year's festival - leave a comment below!

Giveaway & Review: We The People Fight Tyranny Game

Hey y'all!

Hope everyone enjoyed the long holiday weekend.  We had my daughter and son-in-law over for a cookout.  After we ate lunch, my daughter, son and I played a super-fun new game that I received to review last week!

We opened the box and set up the board - it's BIG!  There are several different types of cards and several decks of trivia cards as well. (more about these cards below) We started by reading the instructions and picking our colored pawns for playing.  Then David (he was the Game Czar!) chose identity cards for each of us. These cards determine each player's occupation, salary, family members and vehicle for the game.  I was not too happy with my card - he got me good!

We love a good board game and this one didn't disappoint! We laughed a lot during the game, and had a great time playing.  I was surprised that I knew a good number of the trivia questions (but not always the ones I got on my turn, ha ha!)  I think our game took about an hour to play before Katie was declared the winner. David came in second place and Mom came in last - wahh!

We can't wait to play again - it was so much fun and the trivia questions are great! We all learned things while playing this game.  Some of the questions we encountered were about religion, historical events and figures, Supreme Court cases, and the Constitution.

Oh, and the "Social Justice" cards are hilarious! They show you how ridiculous an intrusive government is to our society, and teach players about modern day tyranny.  The "Disappoint Big Brother" cards represent ways "We the People" can restore America.  This game WILL spark conversations about our government and changes that are needed!  My kids and I already talk about that often, but the game really encourages discussion!

If you homeschool, this makes a great history resource.  Heck, even if you DON'T homeschool, it's great!  It's meant for 3 - 8 players, and ages 15 and up.  David is 12 and he surprised me with how many trivia questions he could answer.  So I think some younger kids would do just fine playing this game!  Oh, and another great thing - this game is MADE IN THE USA!

Visit the website to learn more about the game, or to purchase your own copy!

I am so excited that the game designers are sponsoring a giveaway of We The People Fight Tyranny. This giveaway has a retail value of $56.99 but they are going to send one of my readers a FREE game!  Isn't that awesome? 

All you have to do is enter through my rafflecopter widget below.  Make sure you complete the mandatory entries (one of which includes leaving a comment below this post) so your bonus entries will count!  Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

Giveaway: The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today DVD

**Sony Home Video provided me with some of the materials I used in this Blog Post/Giveaway. The opinions I share are my own.**



Calling all Pirates and Princesses!! You will love this fun new DVD from Sony Home Entertainment! The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow Pirate Today will be out on DVD September 6.   Here's a bit more about the movie:

In this brand new original animated film, Princess Alise is training to be the perfect royal but in her heart all she wants to do is sail the seven seas as a swashbuckling pirate! After setting sail, Princess Alise is shipwrecked and washes ashore on an island where she meets Lucas, a young boy who has been living there by himself. They have to work together to survive and get back to civilization!


Check out this cool Blog App for more about the movie!







Want to win a copy for your family?  Enter to win on my Rafflecopter Widget below:

There is always one mandatory entry that involves leaving a comment below this post - scroll down til you see the box that says leave a comment.  Once you do that, you just need to finish the mandatory entry in the widget and leave the name you commented under!  This must be done in order for any other entries to be counted.  :) 

I'd love for you to share this giveaway with your friends using the share buttons below this post for Google +, Twitter, etc.  Thanks for entering, and good luck!

Giveaway ~ Atlanta JapanFest "Cooler Japan" 2016 tickets!

Want to learn about Japanese culture?  This year’s JapanFest “Cooler Japan,” offers an electric combination of cool tech-advanced modern Japan with a traditional twist.  It promises to be a fun weekend for the whole family!

JapanFest Weekend will be held on September 17-18, 2016, from 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday) and 10am to 5pm (Sunday) at the Infinite Energy Center (located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097).

We make Japanese culture COOL in our Children’s Area! Children will be able to make paper puppets and enjoy Kamishibai, a form of Japanese theatrical storytelling that uses paper puppets. They can also learn Japanese calligraphy, try on traditional Japanese clothes, make kites, color in Japanese coloring books, fold origami figures, and play with traditional Japanese tops and paper sumo wrestlers! For our modern counterpart, children will get to play with Samurai Borgs (Japanese fighting robots), Beyblade (modern Japanese tops), Hyper yoyos, and Kendama (modern cup and ball game).

Kids will also be given the opportunity to let their creativity shine. This year we will be featuring a 3D pen that will make their art literally stand off the page! And with our 3D aquarium, they can bring their art to life! Children will draw their fish, and after scanning it, they will be able to see their fish swim around our 3D fish tank. Everyone in your family will find something to enjoy at JapanFest!

If you need a pick-me-up from all the fun, JapanFest Konbini store and Japanese grocery store, Tomato, are providing tasty and unique Japanese snacks!  My son is looking forward to this!

Love music? JapanFest will feature a variety of musical performances sure to suit all ages and interests, including taiko drumming, J-Rock and J-Pop, and classical music. The festival will also feature Japanese dance performances, a kimono fashion show, and kabuki theater.

Want a selfie taken in Tokyo without the jet lag? Take a virtual trip to Japan with our Magical Photo booth. Take a picture in famous Japanese locations such as Mt. Fuji, Harajuku, or even a photo with a sumo wrestler! Other photo ops include the cute Japanese mascot Domo-Kun, who will be at the festival.

This will be our second year collaborating with anime convention, MomoCon. The Anime village is a section of the festival completely dedicated to anime products, anime viewings, and gaming. Keep Momocon is also sponsoring a Pokémon Go! Meetup. Capture and boost a gym, claim resources from Poke Stops and build your team, all factions welcome!

For fans of more traditional fighting methods, rather than Pokémon battles, there will be demonstrations of virtually every Japanese martial art in existence, including aikido, karate, kendo, kyudo, and sumo.

Shoppers will love the amazing array of Japanese goods available. Ginza-dori, organized by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and named after Tokyo's famous shopping district, will feature Japanese ceramics, traditional Japanese clothing and accessories, and fun items such as masks and toys. For those who want to try on a kimono, the Konnichiwa Club will dress them in the latest kimonos from Japan.

Attendees are encouraged to purchase  tickets online to minimize waiting at the event entrance, as additional entrances are provided for pre-purchased ticket holders.  Individual tickets are available for sale until the day before the event (Though Infinite Energy Center ticketing system, AXS).  http://www.infiniteenergycenter.com/events/detail/japanfest-2016 .  The deadline for our corporate ticket package is August 10th for e-tickets https://japanfest.formstack.com/forms/ticket_package  (60 tickets and above)

Tickets are $10. Children age 6 or younger free. Teachers can bring students to JapanFest for free by applying online at www.japanfest.org. Larger organizations can purchase ticket packages online.

No pets other than guide dogs are allowed inside the convention center. For more information,  call 404-842-0736 or visit www.japanfest.org.

Sponsors:
Platinum-Delta, Gold-Aflcac, Coca Cola, Silver-Fisher-Broyles, Kumon North America,  TV Japan/NHK Cosmomedia America Inc., WSBTV-Channel 2, Bronze-American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Power Equipment Division; LeafFilter; Miura America Company; PriceWaterhouse Coopers; Sapporo USA, Inc; Temple University, Japan Campus; TOTO USA Inc; Fuji-Dexerials America Corporation, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,  Inside Gwinnett Magazine, Panasonic Automotive Systems, Yamaha Motor Corp.U.S.A, Sakura-Atlanta Parent Magazine; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC; Ernst & Young LLP; Global Atlanta; Gwinnett Daily Post; Holiday Inn Gwinnett Center; Creative Loafing; Honda Precision Parts of Georgia; KPMG; Nidec Elesys Americas Corporation; Toppan Printing; Ume-Atlanta Braves, Kuraoka Clinic, Machida Family of Duluth

Doesn't JapanFest look awesome?  I can't wait to take my son! This will be a fun, educational experience for us both.  

Local friends, I'm giving away a four pack of tickets to JapanFest! Enter via Rafflecopter below! (Must live in metro-Atlanta area to be eligible to win)