Home Grown Families

Friday Blog Hop & Google Plus

2012-01-26T20:56:00.000-05:00

Thank you for joining the Friday Blog AND Google + Hop hosted by myself (Melissa) at and Home Grown Families and Nicole at Mama to 4 Blessings . We invite you to join us every Friday to make more blog friends!

It's very easy to join in on the fun!

Add your main blog (PLEASE DO NOT LINK UP GIVEAWAYS) link (we ask that you please follow the hostesses in the first 2 spots ( Home Grown Families & Mama to 4 Blessings) Then leave us a quick comment letting us know you are following.

Then start blog hopping!

Please feel free to grab our Friday Blog Hop button and add it to your blog and spread the word!

We have added to our Friday Blog Hop for readers to link up their Google + pages too!

Please type in (blog after your blog name or Google + if it's a Google + link)

EX: Home Grown Families (Google+)

Home Grown Families(Blog)

Please only enter your MAIN blog link and please G rated links ONLY - NO CURSING please. Home Grown Families and Mama to 4 Blessings are family friendly blogs.

__________________________________________________

OTHER GREAT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU LINK UP.....

Do you host giveaways? Feel free to come back every Tuesday and link them up here at Mommy Loves Tuesday Giveaways! You can also find a great giveaway directory here.

Mama to 4 Blessings and Home Grown Families have created a new Facebook Group for bloggers (Bloggin' Social - Media Chat Blog Events) This group is about everything from social media topics to great upcoming blog events! We would love for you to JOIN.

Help the hungry children with an #AbbottCFK Snack Pack! #CBias

2012-01-24T09:31:00.001-05:00

A common misunderstanding about hunger is that it only happens in foreign countries; that here in the amazing U.S there are no hungry children begging for food. While you may not see pictures of severely emaciated U.S children on your TV, there are millions of hungry children in this country.

Did you know that there are 16 million children in the U.S who are "food insecure", and do not know where there next meal will come from? 3 million of those children are under 5 years of age. They are hungry, and need healthy nutritious foods for their growing bodies. It is sad to walk through the grocery store and see all the junk food at affordable prices. The healthy foods are not obtainable for these families because of the ever growing price on foods that offer vitamins and nutrients. These children are at risk for obesity, malnutrition, and a lowered immune system. As a mother of 4 children, this breaks my heart.

Champions for Kids is an amazing organization that are mobilizing millions of people to IMPROVE the lives of children in our communities through simple service projects. This month they have teamed up with Abbott Nutrition Foods to deliver healthy snack packs!

I am so excited to take part in this simple service project with my children. This is a good lesson on compassion and the real world. May they not take our healthy meals for granted. I know many people make excuses for why they can not do community outreaches, but this one is sooo incredibly easy that there is absolutely no excuse to not help in some way!

The Abbott snack packs should include some nutritious foods like Pediasure, Zone bars, or Pediasure Sidekicks. Gather your friends, co workers, or church family to help pick up healthy snacks and then give them to a local shelter, or perhaps you know a family that could use them. Get others involved so you can make the biggest impact!

I will be working with my family and friends on this great project! We are putting together 6 snack packs for a local women's and children shelter. Choosing the foods was fun, but choosing the place was not. In such a large metro area, the need is so great. I want to help everyone, but I can't. That's where you come in. The more people that commit to this simple service project, the more children we can reach. Get involved and make a change!

You can help this service project by tweeting for us:

Pack a healthy snack for a child in need with #AbbottCFK. Be a #Championsforkids! @momtosprouts #CBias http://bit.ly/waw8pk

Disclaimer:

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mommy Loves Tuesdays Giveaways~ LINK UP!!

2012-01-23T23:33:00.000-05:00

Do you love to win stuff?

Do you have a great giveaway going on?

Come over and win some free stuff or show the Linky love and link up your giveaway. Make sure you come back EVERY Tuesday!

Follow us for updated giveaways! You can find other places to link up with our new and improved GIVEAWAY LINKY LIST!! Comment if you would like to be added! * You can also find the list under Bloggin in our header menu!

*Please keep everything family friendly!*

Make sure you check out the right sidebar and ENTER!!!

ABE3~ Boogie Board RIP Tablet 1/28 ARV $130

KokoPax Eco Baby Sun Hat 2/5

Funkoos $50 GC 2/3

$30 Frecklebox GC 2/1

The Modest Mom Nursing Cover 1/24

Link them up- enter mine :) and hop around!

ABE~ Boogie Board RIP Tablet~ Review & Giveaway

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

It's time!! We love giveaway hops and this one is one of our favorite! We are so excited that Jess from My Silly Monkeys has hosted another ABE!

We are so excited to be working with Improv Electronics again! Our last review did so well that we jumped at the chance to feature them one more time.

This time, we received the Boogie Board RIP Tablet~ and, of course, we LOVE it!! It is the upgrade to our last review and it was worth the wait!

The RIP has all of the features that you love on the Original Tablet and some new ones that make it even better:

Reduces paper consumption
Simplifies organization or notes – easily search and find saved files by date/name on your PC

The new feature that I love the best is the new "save" button. By pushing save, you can later pull your work up on the computer.

My favorite feature is the ability to use it as a Virtual Desktop Companion Tool.

Software compatible with Windows OS.
View your written/drawn images on your computer in real time. {This software is not required for Boogie Board Rip tablet functionality.}

How awesome is that? What could you use it for?

Homeschooling
homework
drawing

Write notes, draw images, or sketch designs and see them appear on your computer screen in real time.

Press the Boogie Board Rip Tablet's Save button after your image is complete. Your computer will prompt you to save or email your file(s) anywhere you'd like!
There are several other Boogie Boards available too!

There are several models from which to choose! The Boogie Board 8.5 {The Original} is 8.5 in big, weighs 4 oz, and is only 1/8' thick and comes in 9 colors.

The Boogie Board 8.5 for binders will slip into just about any 2, 3, 4 or 5 ring binder!

The Boogie Board 10.5 tablet has almost 50% more writing surface than the 8.5! Perfect for more complex drawings and Math problems.

The uses are endless! Just about anything you use a pen and paper for you can use a Boogie Board!

Erase your image with the touch of a button – and a friendly flash from the liquid crystal display – COOL!
Sealed 3V watch battery never needs replacing.
The Boogie Board tablet is an ultra 1/8″ thin and is easy to take with you in a purse, scheduler, briefcase or backpack.
The case and LCD are made from durable plastic materials. Safe for school use and all around the house, office and car.
The Boogie Board tablet’s pressure-sensitive LCD writing surface creates lines of different thickness based on how hard you push – just like paper and pen!
Write or draw with the included stainless steel stylus or any other suitable instrument – even your finger! You’ll never need to search for a pen or pencil again!

As you can see, Boogie Board has something for all your paper "less" needs!

BUY IT: You can buy the Boogie Board RIP tablet for $130.00 from their site and these retailers.

WIN IT: One lucky HGF follower will win their vary own Boogie Board RIP tablet!

Click READ MORE to enter via Rafflecopter

Be sure to hop around the other blogs and enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
U.S only except where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. Giveaway starts at the moment of the posting of this article and will run until January 23 at 11:59PM! The prize is one Boogie Board RIP tablet as listed above with a total retail value of approx One Hundred Thirty Dollars {$130} All prizes will be awarded. A list of winners will be available after 2/10/2011 by writing MomToSprouts {at} yahoo {dot} com. All prizes are awarded and forwarded to the winner by the sponsor; in this case, Improv Electronics. Please see Official Rules for more details.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Pray For Me Mondays~ Encouragement

2012-01-22T17:58:00.001-05:00

JAMES 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (NIV)

PSALMS 116:2 "Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live" (NKJV)

Welcome to this weeks Pray For Me Mondays with Home Grown Families and Pamela from Troop Petrie. We are so excited to be working together on this journey!

Basically, PFMM will work like this:

Pamela and I will write posts on relevant topics and post
You can link up your own post, comment or e-mail us your prayer requests
We'll pray for you and hopefully others will, too

Tiffany {the single one} says:

I am so glad that Pamela wrote about encouragement this week. {I usually let Pam decide what we talk about and just follow her lead.}

Encouragement is something with which I struggle. In this valley of my life, I could really use it. From women that really mean it.

I always wished I was someone that had that group of gf's that really stick with you. The ones that go out to dinner periodically and are there for each other. The one's that hug you when you're down and catch you when you're falling.

However, at this point in my life, my kids consume me. I've said before that I don't go anywhere or do anything~ and it's true.

I do have gf's though, that are there for me; I don't want to discount them. It's just that we're all so bust struggling with our own lives. We have small kids, husbands that are transferred, live states apart, etc.

Just remember to encourage each other as much as you can. You never know who really needs to hear it.

Make a goal to reach out to one person this week. Really reach out~ go out of your way to encourage someone else.

Let me know how it goes.

Pamela {the married one} says:

This morning our chaplain spoke on encouraging one another. It touched me. I have to admit that I sometimes forget to encourage others. I make comments without thinking about it. But I am not intentional about lifting up and encouraging those I know need it.

As I type this I can think of someone who I know could use encouragement and yet every time I see her I do not give it.

In the NIV of the Bible it says Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

This week I want to encourage you, encourage you to not give up. Even when you are tired, even when you feel alone, even when your marriage is struggling or your children are struggling. I want to remind you that we serve a strong God who knows what is going on even when you think no one knows.

I want to encourage you to keep showing your children God’s word. When you think you can do no more, then take it to God and ask him to show you how to do more.

I would love to hear how you found time to encourage someone this week. Maybe we can hold each other accountable.

This week I have a prayer request that I do not know how to explain. On 10-31-11 our dog of 10 years passed away suddenly. Just 2 days later my hero brought home a 5 week old puppy. I asked him not to get a puppy but he thought it was for the best. Over the last 2.5 months I have dealt with her biting on everything and tearing things up, I have been the one to potty train. Those first few nights when I was so angry she was around she decided that she would only sleep if she was in my hair. Honestly, I have grown to love her.

Over the last few days she has nipped 2 of my children. I cannot decide what this means. Is she just being a puppy or is this signs of aggression? I do not know how to handle this. I am calling the Vet first thing in the morning to ask for help. She has not been old enough for puppy training classes.

Please pray that we will know what to do and how to do it. She weighed 3.4 pounds when we got her and she now weighs 22 pounds. She is a Deutsch Sheppard and we are told she will be about 60-70 pounds. My hero is away at training right now so communication is almost non-existent. She plays constantly with my kids and normally the baby can steal her food right out of her bowl. She is very smart and has learned to lay and sit and stay.

Thank you for your prayers.

The Peanut Shell Boutique Infant Car Seat Cover Review and #Giveaway! $60 RV

2012-01-20T09:45:00.000-05:00

One great thing about having 4 children so close together is the ability to pass everything down. Sorry baby #4, everything you have is second hand and may be kind of boyish since you came after 2 boys. When I found out I was having a girl, and sadly knowing she would be my last I wanted everything girly. Her sister had hand me downs as well and I didn't really mind it was boyish. This time I cared!

First thing on my list to "girlify" was her car seat. I knew I didn't want new- not only because of the heavy price tag- but also because why get new when you can easily make something old(not expired- car seats do expire) new again?? That wouldn't be very green of me. The Peanut Shell has adorable infant car seat covers to make your car seat go from drab to FAB!!

See our before and after pictures:

DRAB

FAB

As many of you know from my neurotic car seat posts, I am super protective about car seat safety. Car seat safety officers reccomend being leary of car seat covers that replace the original padding as they not only void your warranty but are not safe! The Peanut Shell cover does not ALTER the original padding or cover, and therefore does not interfere with safety. The Peanut Shell car seat cover is simply a slip cover for the seat- the original padding stays put! The hood cover does replace the old but no need to worry there.

Available in several adorable prints, the Peanut Shell car seat cover is made from breathable cotton/spandex sateen and fits most standard model car seats. The hood is where the pattern is and the actual seat cover is a solid cover. I love how great the headrest looks with the hood accent pattern.

I love how soft it is and how non toxic it is- as it does not have flame retardants on it like the original cover does(This was recently on the news for it's carcinogenoic properties). The Peanut Shell infant car seat cover was incredibly easy to install too. Each cover comes with an installation manual although I doubt you will need it. I had to break out my car seat manual though to figure out how to disassemble the hood.

I was so proud of my new much girlier but very trendy new car seat! I get compliments on it all the time! Even if the car seat was new I would pick up a Peanut Shell cover to protect baby from harmful chemicals in the seat. Doesn't she look adorable in her new car seat leaving the hospital?

The Peanut Shell also has many other great products such as adjustable baby slings, shopping cart covers, and nursing covers! Be sure to check them out!

BUY IT: The Peanut Shell infant car seat cover is available in 8 different prints each for $59.99! That is an amazing price compared to similar covers!

WIN IT: We are giving away a car seat cover! $60 RV!

ENTER BELOW USING RAFFLECOPTER

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer:

HGF was not paid for this post. We were provided with a product to review, and we have provided our honest opinion as mothers. Thank you to the sponsoring company for working with HGF. You can view our complete PR policies here.

By entering this contest, you certify that you are 18 years old or older and that you have read and agree with the rules, our giveaway policyand disclosure:

U.S only except where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. Giveaway starts at the moment of the posting of this article and will run until Feb 15, 2012 at 11:59PM! The prize is a CAR SEAT COVER as listed above with a total retail value of Sixty dollars{$60} All prizes will be awarded. A list of winners will be available after 7 days by writing MomToSprouts {at} yahoo {dot} com. All prizes are awarded and forwarded to the winner by the sponsor; in this case, The Peanut Shell. Please see Official Rules for more details.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Kokopax Diaper Tote Review and Baby Sun Hat Giveaway

2012-01-19T10:29:00.001-05:00

As the proud mother to 4 children all 2 years apart, I have been carrying around a diaper bag for about 7 years! In attempts to not look like a total moomoo wearing mama, I am always on the hunt for cool prints and trendy styles. I don't want it to scream baby on the outside- I mean I am the way who has to carry it ~not the kids! Well, the new Kokopax diaper tote prints deliver!

What mom wouldn't want to carry around a cute boho style diaper tote in one of those prints? The Kokopax diaper tote has a stylish print on the outside and an adorable muted monkey print on the inside and on the changing pad! Perfect mix! I had the opportunity to review the Samantha diaper tote in the Sprout(fitting for my little sprouts) print and the funky pattern matches my personality 100%. It brightens me up!

The Kokopax diaper tote rocks 100% durable canvas on the outside, a nylon water resistant lining on the inside, and thick handles accented with leather. I LOVE the little metal studs on the bottom, helps keep it a little cleaner! The inside has 3 large convenient pockets, a beverage compartment and also a zippered pocket! Perfect for keys and phones! The magnetic leather closure is surprisingly strong, and great for when your hands are full! See how it holds all my stuff in!!

The quality clearly stands out with the materials, and it is by far my favorite diaper bag to date. I didn't expect anything less though from Kokopax as we are huge fans of their framed baby carrier! We reviewed their carrier a while back, and loved it! Must have addition to your carrier collection!

Check out Kokopax- and look through their high quality baby carriers, totes, sun hats, and organic accessories. You won't be disappointed! We are giving one HGF reader an adorable baby sun hat! These large brimmed hats are perfect to keep sun off baby's face!

You can "LIKE" Kokopax on Facebook to find out about all their new prints and products, and of course be first to know about promotions!

BUY IT: Kokopax Samantha Diaper tote is $99.99.

WIN IT: A Kokopax baby sun hat! RV $20.

Twitter: Enter to #win an ECO BABY SUN HAT from @Kokopax and @Momtosprouts #giveaway http://bit.ly/w4AB3d

ENTER BELOW USING RAFFLECOPTER

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer:

U.S only except where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. Giveaway starts at the moment of the posting of this article and will run until Feb 5, 2012 at 11:59PM! The prize is a baby sun hat as listed above with a total retail value of Twenty dollars{$58} All prizes will be awarded. A list of winners will be available after 7 days by writing MomToSprouts {at} yahoo {dot} com. All prizes are awarded and forwarded to the winner by the sponsor; in this case, kOKOPAX. Please see Official Rules for more details.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Funkoos Moms Activity Finder AND $50 giveaway for Organic clothing!

2012-01-18T16:00:00.000-05:00

Besides having great organic clothes for babies and toddlers(you can read our product review ), Funkoos has a great new feature for moms! It is an activity finder where moms around the country go locate age appropriate activities in their area.

It is as easy as 1-2-3.

1- Enter zip code.

2- Pick a category such as winter, outdoor or indoor.
3- Find an awesome activity to do with your kids!

The best part? By uploading and sharing about events in your area on Funkoos, you can earn points towards Funkoos gift cards. Cool right?

Use your gift cards to buy cute organic baby clothes like this:

Let me know what you think about this new activity finder! Great way to earn free organic clothing!

WIN IT: We are giving away a $50 GC to Funkoos!

**Mandatory entry to upload a new activity**

Tweet: Enter to #win a $50 GC FOR ORGANIC BABY CLOTHING from @Funkoos and @Momtosprouts #giveaway http://bit.ly/wVwKg5

ENTER BELOW USING RAFFLECOPTER

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLAIMER:

By entering this contest, you certify that you are 18 years old or older and that you have read and agree with the rules, our giveaway policy and disclosure:

U.S only except where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. Giveaway starts at the moment of the posting of this article and will run until Feb 3, 2011 at 11:59PM! The prize is a $50 GC valued at fifty dollars {$50} All prizes will be awarded. A list of winners will be available after 7 days by writing MomToSprouts {at} yahoo {dot} com. All prizes are awarded and forwarded to the winner by the sponsor; in this case, Funkoos. Please see Official Rules for more details.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Ringling Bros. DRAGONS Circus Family ticket 4 pack #Giveaway

2012-01-18T12:00:00.000-05:00

The GREATEST show on Earth has a new show "hatching" soon!!

DRAGONS!!

Watch this sneak peek video and get ready!

The Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey circus is coming to the Bilo Center in Greenville, SC on February 1-5th! Tickets are on sale now!

The Ringling Bros and Barnum Bailey support local families and education by their Reading with Ringling program! In many libraries around the country, the children can earn free tickets to see the circus by reading books! Check to see if your library is participating! The Greenville libraries are!

Okay on to the really good part.......FREE TICKETS!! We are giving away a family 4 pack to the circus at the Bilo Center!

WIN IT: Family 4 pack!!

Thank you to the following blogs for your help in promoting this event: The Three Under, Acting Balanced, I'd Rather be Changing Diapers, JDaniel4's Mom, Coupon Savings in the South,and The Mommy Times.

Tweet: Enter to win 4 TICKETS TO SEE RINGLING BROS. CIRCUS IN SC! @Ringlingtweets #giveaway http://bit.ly/yy4hFh

ENTER BELOW USING RAFFLECOPTER

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLAIMER: HGF was not paid for this post. we were provided with complimentary tickets. You can view our complete PR policies here.

Wordless Wednesday with Linky! Instagram addiction.

2012-01-17T21:13:00.000-05:00

I have to admit to something. I have an addiction, and it has taken over my life. I must have it wherever I go, and use it at least 20 times a day.

I am addicted to Instagram. please don't be mad at me. There must be others out there. Support groups?

List your Wordless Wednesday pictures up below!!

Frecklebox Personalized Children's Gifts Review and #Giveaway ($30 GC)

2012-01-17T14:00:00.000-05:00

Frecklebox offers truly unique personalized gifts for children! They have made it easy to quickly personalize items like journals, lunch boxes, books, growth charts, placemats, stickers, puzzles and more! Each gift has the honorable child's name proudly displayed on the gift in a prominent location! Frecklebox products are the perfect gift for birthdays, holidays, back to school and more! They have tons of great gifts for Valentine's Day, so you can show your kids just how much you love them!

Celebrate the national day of love with personalized books and puzzles! We had the opportunity to review several of the Frecklebox products and can attest to the high quality of the products. I gave a personalized notebook to my 6 yr old- complete with a cover that matched his interests and unique personality!

The notebooks are great for journaling or school work! The personalized cover protects 50 blank sheets, all held together with a spiral bind. My son loves to doodle in his book and write secret spy missions in his book. I think it is great for him to have a place to freely write, and with it being personalized it encourages him to practice writing more.

Frecklebox personalized puzzles make great party favors and good behavior rewards! For my 4 yr old son, we reviewed the Aliens personalized puzzle and it made the best end of the month good behavior reward!

It was easy enough for him to do on his own, and when he put it together and realized HIS name was on it he squealed with delight! He must have built and destroyed over and over about 50 times!

My favorite product from Frecklebox is their personalized storybooks! My kids love to read, and we try to read to them everyday as part of our homeschool curriculum. All children love seeing themselves in pictures or hearing their voices, so I knew my 2 yr old would have a hoot to see her picture and name in a book!

Each page has their name integrated into the story, and our Big Sister book had her picture on the last page! She giggled and giggled. I really appreciated the high gloss thick pages on the soft cover storybook- easy to wipe off those sticky fingerprints. Hard back books are available as well.

So surprise your little one this Valentine's Day or perhaps a good behavior reward! Shop Frecklebox!

Win it: We are giving away a $30 Gift certificate for Frecklebox personalized gifts!

TWEET: Enter to #win a $30 GC for personalized gifts for kids from @Frecklebox and @momtosprouts #giveaway http://lb.vg/vNS1t

ENTER BELOW USING RAFFLECOPTER

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer:

U.S only except where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. Giveaway starts at the moment of the posting of this article and will run until February 1, 2012 at 11:59PM! The prize is a $30 GC as listed above with a total retail value of Thirty dollars{$30} All prizes will be awarded. A list of winners will be available after 7 days by writing MomToSprouts {at} yahoo {dot} com. All prizes are awarded and forwarded to the winner by the sponsor; in this case,Frecklebox. Please see Official Rules for more details.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Know a mom on a mission? Nominate her! #socialgoodmoms

2012-01-17T12:30:00.000-05:00

Nominations are now open at http://www.healthychild.org/mission to find

eight extraordinary parents—one of whom will become our 2012 “Mom on a

Mission.” From January through August, Healthy Child will select and honor

one finalist each month; in September and October, the general public will

vote to choose the winner, who will honored with a grand prize at a gala

event in New York City in November.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary year, Healthy Child Healthy World began in

1992 after five-year-old Colette Chuda died of a rare form of

non-hereditary cancer linked to environmental factors. Playing a leadership

role in one of the most important public health and environmental movements

of the 21st century, today Healthy Child Healthy World ignites the movement

that empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals. More

information can be found at www.healthychild.org.

Spread the word by tweeting to all your readers!

Know a mom making a difference? Nominate her for

@healthy_child’s 2012 “Mom on a Mission” campaign at

http://bit.ly/aF3LL4 #socialgoodmoms

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post. Shared as part of my membership for Social Good Moms!

Social Media Spotlight~ Facebook! WIN $125 #Socialspotlight

2012-01-16T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hostessed by Mama to 4 Blessings and Home Grown Families with the help of several other fantastic group of bloggers we bring you Social Media Spotlight "Facebook"! This giveaway runs from 12:01 AM on Monday 1/16 and will run until Monday, 1/22 at 11:59 PM (all Eastern times). One winner will receive $125.00 Cash into their paypal!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tangled Ever After~ a new Disney short in theaters NOW!

2012-01-16T15:00:00.000-05:00

Are you going to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D? The twins want to go sooooo bad and I know I am going to end up taking them.

Honestly, I'm most excited about seeing Tangled Ever After~ a Disney short that plays with B&B!

Don't forget to like Beauty and the Beast on FB!

CHoP is denying life for a little girl

2012-01-16T12:00:00.000-05:00

Do you remember reading about my trip to The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia just over a year ago? Needless to say, I am not a big fan of theirs.

And now, I'm even less of a fan.

Did you see this yet? CHOP is refusing to do a kidney transplant on a child because she is developmentally delayed.

She doesn't meet their "quality of life standards."

You heard me right. Her QUALITY OF LIFE is LOWER because she is DEVELOPMENTALLY DELAYED!!!

I have 2 kids of my own that are developmentally delayed that would beg to differ with these idiots. I am SO mad writing this that I want to hit someone!!

CHOP is the hospital that told me that Knuckles was 'just a low IQ child.' Turns out she's Autistic. Big difference idiots... Big difference.

You can read the whole story from her parents at their blog wolfhirschhorn.org.

I am not going to get into it here. All you need to know is that this little girl is going to be given a kidney from a family member and CHOP refuses to do it because she is developmentally delayed. No other reason.

When she goes into kidney failure {which is inevitable} they are supposed to let her die. Because she is developmentally delayed. No other reason.

Would they deny Knuckles or The Princess life saving surgery because they are developmentally delayed?

Who should make these decisions? Not these idiots, that's for sure!

DO SOMETHING!!

Comment on CHOP's FB Wall
Sign the petition at Change.org
Like Help Amelia on FB
Copy and paste this post
Tweet: Denied life for development delays. No other reason. http://bit.ly/yevTgm #TeamAmelia

Buzz Blast January! Win $10

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Buzz Blast January!

Buzz Blast is hosted by ShePromotes and the goal is to bring you a great little prize while building a little buzz!

If you love to enter giveaways and discover new blogs, Buzz Blast is a great opportunity for you!

Buzz Blast January runs from Monday, January 16th through Sunday, January 22nd.

This month you will have the opportunity to check out some great Facebook pages! You will also have 3 chances to win $10 cash (paid via Paypal) or a $10 Amazon gift card because we have 3 Buzz Blast giveaways going on now!

What could be better than the chance to win a prize? The chance to win 3 prizes!

How to enter

It's easy to enter the Buzz Blast giveaways!

Enter the Buzz Blast Giveaway here by using the Rafflecopter form below.
At the end of the Rafflecopter form, you will find links to the other two Buzz Blast giveaways.
Enter each of those and you also earn extra entries in this giveaway!

There are 3 Buzz Blast giveaways and entrants are eligible to win more than one prize. (Yes, you could get lucky and win $30!) Sponsoring blogs are not eligible to win. All blogs are using the same Rafflecopter forms. For example, if you enter Buzz Blast #1 here, you do not need to enter Buzz Blast #1 on another blog. You can enter Buzz Blast #2 and Buzz Blast #2 on other participating blogs! Duplicate entries will be deleted.

Check out some new blogs and build some buzz this month with Buzz Blast! Oh, and best of all, win some money! What are you waiting for! Enter now for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rubbermaid $5,000 Organization Makeover

2012-01-15T19:30:00.000-05:00

Oh, organization... The bane of my existence...

In my defense, I come from a long line of unorganized people. My grandmother saved every. single. plastic butter container she has ever had. My mother had to get a dumpster when she cleaned out the house. A product of living through The Great Depression I think.

My mother and father are no better. You should see the paper in this house. Plus, my Dad is a hobby guy so he has stuff everywhere! Whatever hobby he is currently involved in is everywhere. Add in 3 kids and a blogger...

Yes, we need help organizing~ but who doesn't?!?!

Thankfully, Rubbermaid is coming to the rescue with the Give the Gift of Organization $5,000 organizational makeover!

From now until 2/25, you can nominate someone you think deserves a $5,000 organization makeover. You can nominate them via photo, essay or video!

After the submission deadline, Rubbermaid will pick 10 finalists and you have until 2/29 to vote for the winner!

Get your cameras, video recorders and keyboard fired up and nominate someone you know for the Rubbermaid Give the Gift of Organization $5,000 makeover!

Giving a moment of Mommy Bliss with #IcedCoffee #CBias

2012-01-15T14:44:00.000-05:00

Last week I shared about my love with the new International Delight iced coffee( post on Yummy Mommy coffee) that is hitting the shelves on January 15th at your local Walmart and Sam's Club dairy section! Saves you money, time, and sanity- which for a mother is priceless!!! When you add blogging to motherhood the mix gets even crazier. It includes late nights to catch up which in turn means COFFEE and lots of it!!

I was given the great opportunity to gift some International Delight Iced Coffee to someone. Whoelse then a mom blogger deserves such wonderful iced coffee? My mom blogger is a very successful blogger with 2 small little girls, so I know she logs a lot of early morning and late night computer sessions. I think she deserves a pick me up!

That is Xenia- everyone say Hi Xenia~~

A little about Xenia and her blog Thanks Mail Carrier!

"I’m a stay-at-home mom to two gorgeous little girls and the wife to a sweet (and usually exhausted) workaholic here in Wisconsin. After realizing just how much the girls and I enjoy the ‘vroooom’ sound of the mail truck coming down the block, Thanks, Mail Carrier was born in 2009. Focusing on family-friendly reviews and giveaways of the best products, companies, and services that can be delivered right to your front door, this is the place where I can share them along with why you, your family, your friends, your grandkids or your neighbor will love them."

I figured since she loves the sound of the mail truck and the fun anticipation of not knowing exactly whats in the box- I would surprise her with some delicious cartons of iced coffee! I hope she loves the smooth rich taste of the new International Delight Iced Coffee as much as I did. It is my best friend when I am blogging at 5 am- so I am sure Xenia will need it then too :)

Go buy yourself some mommy bliss and enjoy some vanilla iced coffee from International Delight. We mom bloggers sure do!

For more information on International Delight, feel free to check them out on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter using #IcedCoffee and #CBias

“This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias All thoughts and opinions are my own. "

Winners!!

2012-01-15T12:07:00.000-05:00

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And the rest of the winners are:

The winner of the Natural Sleep Store $100 GC giveaway is:

#3590 Kathy P

The winner of the Chuchi Plush Night Light is:

#1651 Jessica B

The winner of the Cricket Magazine subscription giveaway is:
#1800 Sean M

The winner of the My Beating Heart giveaway is:
#739 Connie G

The winner of the Shaun White giveaway is:
#2362 Marcie W

The winner of the Slowcolor giveaway is:
#2208 Deb S

The winner of the Funkoos Organic giveaway is:

#1645 Rosanne M

The winner of the Silikids giveaway is:
#975 Viva

Congratulations ladies and thanks to everyone who entered for supporting HGF! Remember, you have 48 hours to respond before we pick another winner!

True Stories of a #BraveWoman

2012-01-13T12:24:00.001-05:00

If you haven't had a chance to take the 2012 pledge to be BRAVE for women of domestic violence, or perhaps you have made the decision yet- Take a second to read some of these inspiring stories of woman affected by domestic violence. Read their stories of bravery, as the tears roll down your face you will see why this is such as important cause.

"Suffering in Silence " - From Insanity is NOT an Option.

Personal story of Bravery from Closer to Lucy

Loss of a family member at It's Gravy Baby

A story of a hero from A little Bit of Life.

Kids are victims too from The Kids are Grown Now what?

Personal story from Sunshine and Sippy Cups

Take the pledge and make a difference for these women and others around you.

Friday Blog Hop & Google +

2012-01-12T21:36:00.000-05:00

It's very easy to join in on the fun!

Then start blog hopping!

Please feel free to grab our Friday Blog Hop button and add it to your blog and spread the word!

We have added to our Friday Blog Hop for readers to link up their Google + pages too!

Please type in (blog after your blog name or Google + if it's a Google + link)

EX: Home Grown Families (Google+)

Home Grown Families(Blog)

OTHER GREAT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU LINK UP.....

Pledge to make a change! #BraveWoman #CBias

2012-01-12T09:42:00.000-05:00

"I pledge to honor and respect brave women and children who tackle the difficult journey of change from domestic violence to a new life. I acknowledge my own moment-by-moment bravery, will remain aware of what is happening to others around me, and speak up against violence in any form. I will stand up for human dignity and safety for women and children."

Do you? Will you? Have you?

Question yourself this year- Will you be BRAVE in the moment if confronted with violence? Will you be BRAVE everyday for women around the world that are affected my Domestic Violence? I wrote a post a few weeks ago about the startling statistic- 1 in 4 women will be affected by domestic violence. Together we can change that statistic, there is no doubt in my mind.

The Brave Woman Organization is there to help you educate yourself and others around you. It is there for that 1 in 4 woman, that needs a way out. It is there to help her be BRAVE, no longer a victim.

The Brave Woman Organization has an amazing pledge that you can sign if you are ready to stand up against domestic violence. I am signing the pledge and sharing with everyone I know.

I am signing to help break the cycle of children affected by domestic violence becoming abusers themselves. Children are very impressionable, and statistics show that little boys that have witnessed domestic violence in their homes are more likely to abuse themselves. 75% of battered women state that their children were also physically or sexually abused. The woman is not the only victim.

I encourage you to sign the pledge- it takes mere seconds- but if taken to heart can give happy years to another life. It may even save a life. Did you know more than 3 women are killed every day in this country according to the Bureau of Justice statistics. There is not time to spare, we need to support and educate now.

If you are ready to be BRAVE, sign the pledge now and take it to heart.

For more information on The Brave Woman organization, please check out their site for resources/shelters for those in need.

Brave Woman is connecting with women daily on Twitter andFacebook. #CBias & #BraveWoman - Stand up for women rights!

Disclaimer:

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Stumble Upon Hop!!

2012-01-12T08:05:00.003-05:00

Home Grown Families and Mama to 4 Blessings are teaming up to share some StumbleUpon love!

Link up the post you would like stumbled on StumbleUpon below. The only requirement we ask is that you stumble for at least 4 other participants.

Come back next Thursday 1/12 and link up you and share some Stumble love! Let's boost our StumbleUpon!

Mothers That Care- #Socialgoodmoms

2012-01-11T10:16:00.002-05:00

I am proud to announce that Home Grown Families is a founding member of the new blogger program Mom Bloggers For Social Good! We will be working for many different organizations helping out to make a change by putting our social media forces together! We are mothers that care about global issues, and together we can make a difference for these organizations and for the lives they work so hard to help!

Social Good moms are focusing on issues that weight heavy on my heart like clean water, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Fair trade, and maternal health. I care not only as a mother but also as a nurse. Public health is something I feel called to be part of, and this year I have vowed to do what I am called to do. There is a great Christian song on the radio that says not to let others to do the things you are called to do. That's what I am doing. Listening.

Stay tuned for upcoming projects- and promise to help Home Grown Families in this new journey to be part of something bigger that our daily lives.

Wordless Wednesday- Breastpads?

2012-01-10T21:13:00.000-05:00

Really?

"Mom, Do you think I need these?"

I found this picture in my photobucket! It was from 2 years ago :)