Spook-o-rama Halloween Photo Contest

I received a CEIVA digital photo frame earlier in the year and absolutely love it. I have it on my desk and love seeing the photos flip throughout the day!

If you love entering photo contests and would like the chance to win a CEIVA frame and one-year picture plan, head to the CEIVA site to enter. Ends November 8, 2010 so enter soon.

Sneak Peek Into Christmas Gathering Partners

The beginning of next week will mark the count down to my Christmas Gathering & Gift Guide.

Still wondering if you should grab my button and add it to your site? Well, maybe checking out some of the products I’ll be reviewing and giving away are listed below will encourage you put it on your site.

Hasbro

Oneida

Wilton

Misikko

TamaTown

Corel

Bridgewater Gifts

Aurora Gifts

Crest Pro Health For Me

Grilling 4 All

Legacy Family Tree Cradle Rock 

Doesn’t that make you want to go grab my button for an extra 5 entries? Go do it because you’ll want to have it done by tomorrow October 31st. Do NOT leave a comment here for grabbing my button as it WON’T count.

Are you a company interested in getting in on the action? Email me at mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com.

How Do You Ragú®? Sweepstakes

I grew up eating Ragú® and love it even still. I am super sad that my favorite is no longer offered. The Chunky Super Primavera was my all time favorite with huge zucchini chunks and other veggies. Now I eat the Garden Veggie sauce with my spaghetti.

By visiting the “Sweeps” tab on Facebook.com/Ragusauce, parents can apply by sharing a photo of a favorite Ragú® dish for a chance to win a Ragú® Meal Makeover Kit which includes Ragú®, cookware, pasta, kitchenware and other items needed to make a delicious meal for the family at home.

I was in no way compensated for this post. I just really love Ragú® and who knows, maybe some big wig at the company will read it and bring back my Super Primavera Sauce! *wink*

Hip Hip Hurray Giveaway Linky

To add your giveaway linky you must link to your giveaway not to your homepage! It will be deleted if it doesn’t. Spam will go as well. If you believe I’ve deleted your linky by accident, please let me know.

Marvelous Mom Reviews Giveaways:

PowerCapes Superhero Cape 10/30

2 Chuck Black Youth Novels 11/6

Green Ostrich LunchSkins 11/8

Don’t FORGET to grab my Christmas button and leave a comment here to earn 5 extra entries to my holiday giveaways!

Green Ostrich LunchSkins Giveaway

I love green products and if you check out Green Ostrich that’s exactly what you’ll find!

Caroline Villella, President says this about her site:

“…we decided to create an online store dedicated to Earth-friendly, green gifts and green toys to spark a consumer movement that requires environmentally-sound solutions for our lives. We help people make changes, not sacrifices. We help them live well and refresh the Earth.”

You can’t go wrong with that! So what might you find at Green Ostrich? Check it out:

• Green Gifts for everyone in the family



• Green Home Which is where my review product came from



• Green Kids for baby’s and kids



• Green School for school supplies

I received a great

I received a

LunchSkins Reusable Sandwich Bag – Navy Blue Sharks

I loved this bag for multiple reasons. First it has a great design that’s good for boys. It seems hard to find designs that aren’t girly. Secondly it’s dishwasher safe! Third it’s big enough for any sandwich my son might want, even his bagels. Lastly, it’s Lead-free, BPA-free, and phthalate-free.

You can win a LunchsSkins Reusable Bag for your family! If you’d like to make a purchase, Caroline is offering a coupon code for 5% off any order between now and January 31, 2011 for all Marvelous Mom Review readers! The code is “MMR” and you simply enter it during the checkout process.

No, you aren't seeing things. I have 2 winners because of a mistake I made. I missed the last 6 comments when I drew AND contacted the name the first time. Just a few minutes later I was going thru the emails and saw the one with the 6 entries. I drew again, and of course they were a winner! Both winners have been notified!

Required: Head to Green Ostrich and tell me what item you’d love to have.

Giveaway open to US Residents 18 yrs or older. Please leave your email in the required entry or have it available in your profile. No email/contact = No entry. Giveaway ends 11/8 midnight PDT. Winner has 48 hours to respond.

Extra Entries:

Follow Marvelous Mom Reviews (2 entries, comment 2x)

Subscribe to MMR (3 entries, comment 3x)

Follow my Networked Blogs (1 entry)

Add MMR to your blogroll (2 entries, comment 2x)

Like Green Ostrich on Facebook & let them know “I’m going green with Marvelous Mom Reviews” (2 entries, comment 2x)

Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)

Tweet the giveaway (1 entry daily) “#Win a Green Ostrich Reusable LunchSkins. #giveaway @bigguysmama http://bit.ly/cBc1IW“

Make a purchase at Green Ostrich (10 entries, comment 10x) Purchase will be verified

Enter any of my other current giveaways (1 entry each)

Comment on any NON-giveaway post (1 entry each)

I’d like to thank Pitch It To Me for connecting me with Green Ostrich. The opinions expressed are mine. I was provided a LunchSkins Bag for review.

Here’s My Shutterfly Christmas Card Choice

It’s that time of the year everyone! Time to start choosing your cards for the holidays. Shutterfly is the place to turn for more than just cards.

We’re just like every other family and love sending Christmas cards that include family photos. It’s never easy choosing just one photo so that’s why the one I’m going with is:

Why this card? Every year I write a really long letter detailing what each of us has done. Having it all in one card, short & sweet is THE way to go!

Each of those gray spots is where I can put a photo of each of us. Still trying to figure out what to put in the last box. Maybe a photo of the animals?

I have to be honest with you. I actually chose 3 other designs from the religious Christmas cards selection that I had posted about and then went back and found a different one, then another different one. Of course, I would love to have a card that points to Jesus' birth, but the colors of this card and the ability to give all our friends an update had me choosing Joy Sky Story.

Shutterfly isn’t just about cards for holidays, as we all know! Are you having a party in November or December. They have some great Christmas party invitations.

If you want to keep up on Shutterfly in the social media world check them out at:

Twitter

Facebook

Now head on over to Shutterfly and put some holiday cheer into your life!

I’d like to thank Shutterfly for the opportunity to receive 50 Christmas cards in exchange for this post. I’ve already been working on my card! =)

$100 PowerCapes Giveaway: HURRY!

I get the PowerCapes Newsletter and thought I’d pass on a great giveaway they have going on:

$100 Gift Card Giveaway!

In celebration of our new website we are giving away a $100 gift card!  Once we reach 1000 LIKE's on Facebook we will do a random drawing for the gift card.  So be sure to LIKE us and Share with your friends!
And be sure to check out the new site:
www.PowerCapes.com

Chuck Black 2 Young Adult Novel Giveaway

Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor
&
Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest

by Chuck Black
Price: $9.99.
Published by: Waterbrook Multnomah

When looking at books for the young adult in your life, I’d love for you to check out Chuck Black’s Knights of Arrethae Series.

I read Book 2 (and reviewed) and 4 and really enjoyed them. I missed 1 & 3 somehow and need to remedy that as soon as possible. Now come books 5 Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor and 6 Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest.

Here’s what each title is about:

Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor

Sir Quinlan leaves his boyhood friend to serve the Prince, fighting a battle darker and more intense than any he's ever known. The mysterious Sir Baylor recruits him into the ranks of an elite unit of knights known as the Swords of Valor, but when tragedy strikes and everyone blames Quinlan, the Swords of Valor disband, ending a legacy of heroic deeds.

Alone and despairing, Quinlan wanders the kingdom, fleeing his past. His providential encounter with Taras, a mysterious Silent Warrior and former trainer of Valor Knights, offers Quinlan a chance to redeem himself and learn the ways of the secret warriors.

The training is grueling, and just when Quinlan seems to have left his failures behind, he receives an impossible challenge from the Prince-one that will force him to face his past.and the mighty men who blame him for the tragedy that ruined them. Can Quinlan reunite the Valor Knights in time to save the people from the Dark Knight's evil plot to rule the Kingdom of Arrethtrae, or will the Valor Knights lose the most important battle of all?

Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest

Sir Rowan is the most decorated tournament knight in Cameria, but when he is attacked and left for dead, his world collapses. Betrayed and lingering at death's door, only a bizarre vision of his Prince and the help of a woman dedicated to the King keeps him alive. As Rowan heals, he finds new purpose in life through service to his King. But his beloved land of Cameria has fallen victim to the tyranny of the Dark Knight.

Rowan's countrymen need his help taking their cities back from the enemy, but all is not as it appears. The mysterious Sir Lijah insists Rowan's purpose lies elsewhere-far away from Cameria, in an ancient city and for an ancient cause. Rowan's destiny is greater than he ever imagined. The final battle with the Dark Knight approaches, and he must choose where he will fight. Will he discover his true identity and purpose as a Knight of the Prince, or will the Dark Knight claim victory for eternity?

Really, how exciting do those books sound? Our kids have vivid imaginations and author Chuck Black takes them to a time and place they could only imagine.

I think if you have a child, especially a boy who struggles with reading, this might be a great series to try out on him. There’s sword fighting, good guys vs bad, etc. All the elements to draw a boy in! My oldest son is 11 and I think I’ll be introducing him to these books in the next couple of years.

Yes, there is a bit of romance, but not overly so. I also want to let you know that these are Christian Fiction novels. And let me just say for the record that if you haven’t read Christian Fiction before or it’s been a while, you might want to start with Young Adult (YA) novels.

Many of the book reviewers I know online have absolutely loved the genre!

About Chuck Black:

Chuck is a former F-16 fighter pilot and currently works as an engineer for a firm designing plastic consumer products. He has a degree in electrical and electronic engineering and served eight years in the United States Air Force. Chuck and his wife have six children.

It is Chuck’s desire to serve the Lord through his work and to inspire people of all ages to study the scriptures in order to discover the hope and love of a truly majestic King and His Son.

If you are interested in purchasing either of these books head to the WaterBrook Multnomah site and have a look.

Now’s your chance to win both of these books!

Required: Visit WaterBrook Multnomah and tell me what other book you’d like to read.

Giveaway open to US Residents 18 yrs or older. Please leave your email in the required entry or have it available in your profile. No email/contact = No entry. Giveaway ends 11/6 midnight PDT. Winner has 48 hours to respond.

Extra Entries:

Follow Marvelous Mom Reviews (2 entries, comment 2x)

Subscribe to MMR (3 entries, comment 3x)

Follow my Networked Blogs (1 entry)

Add MMR to your blogroll (2 entries, comment 2x)

Like Chuck Black on Facebook (2 entries, comment 2x)

Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)

Follow WaterBrook Multnomah on Twitter (1 entry)

Tweet the giveaway (1 entry daily) “RT #Win 2 Chuck Black Young Adult novels in the Knights of Arrethtrae series @WaterBrookPress @bigguysmama #giveaways http://bit.ly/byXWLM“

Enter any of my other current giveaways (1 entry each)

Comment on any NON-giveaway post (1 entry each)

This is a Mama Buzz review. The product was provided by: WaterBrook Multnomah for this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Seven Minute Difference & Daily Planner

I know that if you are anything like me you are constantly looking for ways to organize your life, figure out what your goals are, question how you are going to get everything done!

 

I would love to tell you about The Seven Minute Difference and The 7 Minute Life™ Daily Planner. These two items: a book and a planner, are here to help you find success in your daily life and ease much of the stress.

Author, Allyson Lewis, creator of The Seven Minute Life System, shares the methods she has used to make small changes in her life that have made a huge difference in reaching her goals.

Allyson takes a practical approach to scaling back the craziness of our lives. She knows our attention will only last for “so long” and that taking just a few minutes a day out of our lives to DO something will make our lives more full for ourselves and those around us.

Here’s what Allyson says in her video on her site:

“When I was 43, my life radically changed. I traded in an existence of day-to-day living – working hard and being busy … for a life of fulfillment and purpose where I’m consistently accomplishing more of what I really want and becoming more of who I always knew I could be then I ever have before!

In this brief video, I’ll share with you what made the difference in my life and I’ll tell you about the proven path I’ve found that leads from where you are to where you truly want to be.

I invite you to take a moment to check it out. You’ll be glad you did.”

I believe the important aspect of using these books is your desire to change. If it isn’t there, I think there is very little that will cause it to happen otherwise.

Where else can you find Allyson:

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Are you interested in checking it out?

Try several of her “7 Minute” ideas for FREE!

What I like about Allyson’s series is that it’s applicable for each of us in our personal AND professional lives. She’s been in our shoes and because of that, knows how to help us on a daily basis.

That’s where I think we need to start. Each day, taking it step by step to make the changes. In just a few minutes each day we can empty a load of dishes, call a family member, make a to-do list for the next day, or make our lunch the night before.

If we put our minds to it, these few minutes are where the real changes will come!

I was provided a copy of the book and planner for my review from BuzzBlogger. The opinions shared are my own.

Hip Hip Hurray Giveaway Linky

To add your giveaway linky you must link to your giveaway not to your homepage! It will be deleted if it doesn’t. Spam will go as well. If you believe I’ve deleted your linky by accident, please let me know.

Marvelous Mom Reviews Giveaways:

Leslie Tyler Lip Gloss 10/23

PowerCapes Superhero Cape 10/30

Don’t FORGET to grab my Christmas button and leave a comment here to earn 5 extra entries to my holiday giveaways!

I’ve Received Another MOM Magazine Package

I’m part of a panel that receives some awesome items from MOM Magazine. Man I wish I had a baby to use these fantastic products. Because I don’t that means I get to pass them on to you!

So, what came in this package?

• MOM Magazine
• Reusable MOM Magazine Bag
• Halo Sleep Sack
• MAM Bottle
• Bella B Cooling Leg & Foot Cream
• Baby K’Tan Hat
• Sprout Organic Baby Food
• Paperspring Gift Card
• Laundry Dropps (sorry no photo cause I’ve been using them *grin*)
• Puddle Jumper Life Vest

I can’t wait to share some of these with you! Thanks MOM Magazine! I will do an actual post with the giveaway so don’t try to win now. =)

Elmer’s and X-ACTO Review & Sweepstakes Info

We received an awesome package in the mail from BzzAgent in participation with Elmer’s and X-ACTO. As soon as I saw the supplies, I knew what we’d be making.

I had received a sweet hand designed notebook for my BSF class from a friend. I decided to take her idea and let the boys design notebooks for their teachers for Christmas.

For each part that was attached to the notebook, front and back, I had them use a different Elmer’s adhesive. It was a really good way to determine which one was easier for a kid to use.

View Full Album

I would have to say for my boys, the permanent tape runner was the hardest to use because they couldn’t see where it started and had a hard time keeping it in a straight line (which wasn’t a big deal).

The glue pen was good to use, but seemed a bit hard for them to keep enough pressure on the tube for it to continue to come out. As I type this post I realize it’s dual tipped and probably would’ve been easier to use the thicker end.

The glue stick and the glue spots were the easiest to use.

The corner rounder punch helped round the paper to match the notebook. The scissors were fun to use, but one of them had a hard time opening each time we cut the paper.

This turned out to be a fantastic craft and I’m so happy we were able to get the teacher Christmas gifts done and out of the way! Usually it’s a last minute $5 gift card, but this will be something they can actually use!

We’ll be making more for the boys grandmas and probably their AWANA teachers!

Here’s the 411 on the Elmers & X-ACTO “Crafting Memories Sweepstakes” which everyone can take part in.  All you have to do to enter is join the totally amazing Elmers CraftIt! Club. It’s as easy as that!

And even if you don’t win, when you join you’ll be among the first to receive special offers, exclusive newsletters, updates on the latest designer sponsorships and new product news. It’s like you win even if you don’t win!

So what could you win?

     •    Grand Prize – One lucky winner will receive and Elmers/X-ACTO Prize Pack that includes one of each item in the Elmers CraftBond and X-ACTO Designer Series line ($219 retail value), PLUS two (2) $500 gift cards – one to spend, and one to shop with a friend!
     •    Runners Up – Ten lucky winners will each receive a $25 Walmart gift card. Can you imagine the amount of scrapbooking you could do with all that? I mean the possibilities are endless.

I’d like to thank BzzAgent for the products for this Elmer’s Crafters BzzCampaign. The opinions expressed are my own. Check them out because they have an amazing line of products!