Praises of a Wife and Mommy

This was a very exciting week on the fundraising aspects of my soon approaching  Light the Night  walk.  I had two anonymous donations- one was $100 and the other $25!!  I did a little happy dance- so thank you whom ever you are.  We also ended another auction where I received $75 in donations from selling 2 gift cards.  :)  More happy dancing! Light the Night is a fundraiser to help end leukemia and lymphoma!  Please consider donating any amount large or small.  I even do happy dances for $1!   I have also done a cone-ing and will consider any other fun and crazy fundraising ideas.  Do you want to see me do anything else crazy and would pay to see it?  Check out my cone-ing video  HERE .  Let's all work together one donation at a time to end cancer!  :)     

This was a very exciting week on the fundraising aspects of my soon approaching Light the Night walk.  I had two anonymous donations- one was $100 and the other $25!!  I did a little happy dance- so thank you whom ever you are.  We also ended another auction where I received $75 in donations from selling 2 gift cards.  :)  More happy dancing! Light the Night is a fundraiser to help end leukemia and lymphoma!  Please consider donating any amount large or small.  I even do happy dances for $1!   I have also done a cone-ing and will consider any other fun and crazy fundraising ideas.  Do you want to see me do anything else crazy and would pay to see it?  Check out my cone-ing video HERE .  Let's all work together one donation at a time to end cancer!  :)     

Sand and Water equates to endless fun for my two kids.  We just happen to get some free sand and Wal-mart had this sand box on clearance so it was a win win for the kids.  :) It has two sides so you can keep the sand in one and water in the other but when done dump the water and cover the sand to keep animals out!  :)  YEAH! 

Have you heard of Heartfelt Books ?  Today is my husbands birthday and one of his presents was a book I created using Heartfelt Books.  About: The process is fast and easy.  You select questions to answer that best fit your relationship or style. Then,  we take your answers and create a book, by you, for someone special ! Many questions require simple answers, while some are more thought provoking and require more input. We print the questions, along with your answers in a beautiful, hardbound book that will be treasured for years to come. There is no better way to express how you feel! Don't worry about spelling or grammar, we've got you covered! You have the option of having one of our editors review your book for $10 for spelling and basic grammatical errors. Get started today -  it's FREE to start your Heartfelt Book ! You don't pay anything until you're finished. You can start and then come back at anytime to continue, so you can create your...

Synopsis:  The Pirates Next Door, written by Denette Jenkins Fretz and illustrated by Gene Barretta, tells the tale of five brazen pirates who swap high seas adventures for life on a farm. Description : “No one ever imagined that five swashbuckling pirates would settle in our proper little southern community. But they did.”   When pirates move in next door, life on the farm is bound to get interesting. But will the unadventurous Sanders family be able to handle the pirates’ bad manners, ghastly grub, and outrageous antics? Or will they learn the importance of loving one’s neighbor and help the graceless pirates find their “land legs”? My Review: I am not sure but I think I liked this story more then my kids.  Might be because I know how hard it can be to try to love the unlovable.  I think the author did a fantastic job showing the importance of love and forgiveness but I also loved seeing the Pirates change.  It is a great story that...

I never knew how much fun running a 5k could be until today!!!  I had so much fun running in " The Color Me Rad " race.  It was in Illinois and I am already looking forward to doing it again.   Yes, it was a party at the end with lots of color bombs.  Next one I do my daughter is coming with.  She is going to love it.  :) 

It's Back to School time so get ready with these great tips from Summer Nanny Jobs .  My daughter has sat down with me labeling what days she wants a cold/hot lunch and there are more cold lunch days then hot so this mom has to make sure to read all these great tips.   Packing your child’s lunch allows you to save money, control what your child eats and help influence his dietary habits, all while avoiding the notoriously bad fare in school cafeterias. The traditional brown bags of days gone by are not only out of style in a modern lunch room, they are also a wasteful use of paper and are not the most efficient choice. Finding a green solution to the school lunch is easier than ever, and because eco-friendly choices are all the rage, these options are sure to make your child a school lunch trendsetter. Bento Boxes The Japanese tradition of ornate lunches comes with a regimented ratio of veggies to rice and protein, but you don’t have to stick with a Japanese lunch to t...

Welcome to the Brew Over Ice Prize Pack GIVEAWAY Hosted by Sparkle Me Pink Sponsored by Brew Over Ice   From Sweet and Creamy Regular Iced Coffee to Peach Iced Tea AND even Fruit Brewed Vitamin Bursts like the Strawberry Pomegranate, Brew Over Ice has you covered no matter what beverage you're craving.  Simply pop in one of these babies into your Keurig, brew into a cup of ice and bam you have our own fresh drink ready to be slowly savored.  Praises of a Wife and Mommy is thrilled to bring you this giveaway.  I have not reviewed or tried these products but the strawberry pomegranate sounds so tasty, I hope to try it soon.  Good luck to my readers, I hope one of you will walk away a winner!  Check out Sparkle Me Pink 's review of this Prize Pack for more info Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win a  Prize Pack containing:   3 Brew Over Ice K-Cup® samples,  a Brew Over Ice tumbler,  ...

Imagine... The rushing sound of waves. Warm white sand beneath your feet. The light mist of sea water kissing your face. The sweet taste of an exotic fruit drink and a luscious chocolate face mask! You deserve an escape—every month! Escape Monthly  is a destination-inspired monthly delivery of luxury products to help you relax, renew and escape!  Join today  and indulge in experiences inspired by luxurious spas, tropical getaways, cultures of the world and more! Paradise awaits.  Use code:  YOURESCAPE  and get  20% OFF for life!  How does it work: Escape Monthly is a monthly subscription service, just like a magazine! When you join Escape Monthly, you’re opting into the most luxurious subscription box available—we’re the only destination-inspired subscription that’s dedicated purely to pampering you! Each month, you’ll receive the following: Full-Size Luxury Products Travel Guides & Secret Tips Special Offers for Resor...

You all know I have started a new job and with a new job one can become a little stressed out.  I am pretty thankful that my stress level is not that high.  I may be doing a teaching job that I am not too familiar with being with the BD/LD students but I am not that stressed out.  :)  I will praise God for giving me peace and patience to learn all the new things that a new teacher has to do.  I know when I was younger my face would breakout from any and all stress.  Since I'm not a teenager any longer and getting close to entering my 30's my skin is not affected much by stress or hormonal changes... WHOO HOO!   If you are one who struggles with skin issues I would like to introduce you to  SkinMedica skin care .  This line of products will help you with any area of skin care!  Go take a look at all they have to offer!  

We went bowling last Friday night and my son... my sweet little 2 year old son beat us all!  Yes, the bumpers were used by all of us and he came out with the victory.   It was a joy watching him jumping up and down with each ball down the lane.   He was full of excitement and thrill.   If you have not taken your kids bowling in awhile I suggest a trip this weekend.  

Welcome to the Ultimate Back to School Bash #bts2013! 3BoysandaDog has teamed up with A+ Interactive Math and some fabulous other brands to bring you this giveaway. Praises of a Wife and Mommy is helping promote this Back to School Bash- I hope one of my readers wins these great prizes.  :)  Some kids are already back in school and some are waiting till after Labor Day.  My daughter started this week as well as myself!  It is a strange feeling getting back into teaching but I know God has placed me where I am for His purpose!  Make sure you read all about the items below that are included in the giveaway.   Prizes: A+ Interactive Math - 1 year FREE Online Full Curriculum - A+ Interactive Math - 1 winner (choice of: grades K - Algebra I) Value $124.99 . A+ Interactive Math is dedicated to making math enjoyable and learnable for all ages. A+ Interactive is perfect for homeschooling parents or parents that just want to give the child som...

Welcome to the Maggie Bags GIVEAWAY Hosted by Sparkle Me Pink Sponsored by Maggie Bags  Maggie Bags  truly gives the saying, 'One person's trash is another one's treasure'  a whole new meaning! How? B y creating fashionable yet functional handbags and purses made out of rejected automotive seat belt webbing ! Check out  Sparkle Me Pink 's review of The Campus Tote in Autumn   Don't want to wait for the giveaway to end to score one of these fabulous and unique bags ?  Use Promo Code : PINK15 for 15% off site wide through Sept 1 Praises of a Wife and Mommy is helping promote this giveaway.  I hope one of my fans will win an adorable Maggie Bag.  I have not reviewed one myself but I love all the adorable designs and features of the Maggie Bag.  Make sure to check out other great giveaways on Praises of a Wife and Mommy!   Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win a  Campus Tote from Maggie Bags...

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! Dear Selah, I love love love you!!  Thank you for being such a big kid today and not being angry that mommy was not around to help you get on the bus.  I am so proud of you just like you told me you were proud of me for getting a job!  I am so thankful that your first day went well and you made some new friends.  When I came home you had so many fun stories to tell me about school and it reminded me to just Praise Daddy God for you!  I was so thankful daddy drove you and Titus up to see me at my job so we could go out and eat ice cream! :)  I love watching you grow up!  You are going to learn a lot this year and make some great friends!      Hugs n Kisses, Mom It was a bigger challenge for me to walk out the door this morning to go to work and not be home to help and watch my baby get on the bus for Kindergarten.  I got to work and was glued to my phone waiting for my husband to send me pi...

Last night we went to my daughters new school to meet her teacher and drop her supplies off.  This mommy is having some emotional thoughts as I type this.  I am so thrilled and excited for her but kids grow up so quickly and I am trying to hold on to her and keep her little as long as I can.  My daughter seemed a bit scared when we approached the school.  After we got out of the car she had a death grip on my hand.  It was not what I expected because she has been asking to start school and has been so excited thinking about it.   Tonight she asked God to help her not be shy or nervous for her first day tomorrow... it melted my heart but I know God will be right there with her guiding and directing her steps.    Tomorrow morning is the first day and sadly I have to be at work before her bus even comes.  :(  The adjustment of working full time is going slowly but it truly is a blessing for me to have this job.  I...

Writing a will is not something we think about in our 20s or 30s as we are still young, and have our whole lives ahead of us. However as times change, we undertake some activities or jobs that put our lives in significant risk, and therefore brings writing a will to the forefront of our responsibilities – especially if you own property. Here are some reasons why you should write a will now!   Do you work in a life-threatening job? Although it seems quite extreme, there are some occupations that can put your life at higher risk of death than some other jobs. Occupations like firefighter, police officer, armed forces officer, are just a few examples of jobs that put the risk of death higher than your average desk job. However well you have been trained for your job, something can go wrong and writing a will can ensure your family is provided for if it does.   Do you participate in any extreme sports? Okay, you might not go parachuting or bungee-jumping everyday bu...

So my husband mentioned that there was no player on one of the last messages I posted.  I can see it on my computer but he could not see it.  So if there is no player above to push play and here the message then click HERE to play it.   So here is the question do you live a missional life? Are you sharing about our loving Papa God?   Listen to the message and see how you can do a better job of living missionally.   

KinderGlo  Review and Giveaway What is KinderGlo?  The KinderGlo is a fully rechargeable, fully portable LED night light designed for kids to cuddle and carry to get them peacefully through the night. Bright enough to see by but soft enough the sleep by, the KinderGlo is a favorite for parents and kids alike. Our small, soothing pals will ease even the most fretful kids into  a good night’s sleep and will soon become a part of the daily bedtime routine. Families fall in love with the KinderGlo because it’s: Fully portable.  Lamps last for 8-10 hours of continuous light, so kids can keep their friends in bed with them all night. They are also perfect for nighttime trips to the bathroom or for parents to peek in on little sleepers. Fun and easy to use!  Choose from our selection of 8 playful characters, and watch your little one’s face light up as bright as the KinderGlo when they realize that this is a lamp they can use...

Hi everyone!!  Some of you know that I have been searching for a teaching job all summer long.  I had a total of 8 interviews and I can proudly say that at the very last minute I was hired!  I am very excited!   Since we knew our situation was going to be a bit different once we moved my family decided it was time for me to pursue going back to teaching.  I had mixed feelings about going back to full time teaching.  So what does one do when they have no idea what they should do... well prayer and trusting God was the answer.   All summer long I met with a lady 2 mornings a week at 6 am to pray.  We prayed for many things but one thing we always prayed about was a job and direction for myself.   I had told God that he had till August 1st to line a job up or I would call the state to get my kids on the state health care because we had no insurance since moving.   August 1st came and on that day I got a call from a principle at a s...

Are you a car buff?  I don't know much about cars but I have always liked old Jaguars.  After going to this British car show I have come to the realization that I love old British cars.  They might not be practical for a mother of two children since most back seats are tiny but they are fun and maybe one day I will enjoy an older car for fun.  

Have your kids go back to school with Wexy Bags !  These bags are adorable with monsters but are safe and biodegradable and BPA Free!   My kids love these ziplock bags and snacks on the go usually get put in these bags.  I love that they are made in the USA! Pick some up before your school year starts.  

Synopsis: The people of the world are not being good, so God asks his friend Noah to help him. In Noah and the Big Boat young readers follow Noah as he builds an ark according to God’s direction and then works to do God’s will. This Bible story favorite uses art from The Beginner’s Bible, the bestselling storybook Bible of all time. Description: The people of the world are not living the way God wants them to. But God has a friend named Noah and he wants to save Noah and his family from a big flood that he is sending. God tells Noah to build an ark and gather two of all the animals of the world. So Noah gets to work! This retelling of the story of Noah and the Ark is sure to be a young reader favorite. Featuring art from the beloved The Beginner’s Bible, parents will love sharing this with their children. Join the conversation on Facebook and visit  www.TheBeginnersBible.com  for games, teaching resources and more! My Review: Noah's Ark has always been o...

Your kids will be asking to do this again and again!   Here is what you need: Vinegar Corn Starch Food Coloring paper towel Baking Soda Zip Lock Bags I added vinegar and corn starch to the bag and dropped the food coloring in to get the desired color. I did not do any measuring just estimated.  Then I took a piece of paper towel and tore it to a smaller piece and added Baking Soda to the paper towel and wrapped it up.  The paper towel with Baking Soda is sort of like your ammo- it causes the reaction.   Once outside I put the paper towel in the bag and zipped it closed and we watched the reaction take place.  Some of the bags took some time since I did not measure the baking soda.   The pink bag took the longest to pop but it was quite a show to watch how huge the bag expanded.  We did this activity a few weeks ago but my daughter has been asking to do it again.  I also had it on old lumber and grass since...