Merry Christmas From Our Nest to Yours...

Here is our our Christmas Card this year...

I just placed the order from Shutterfly and can't wait to get them in the mail to all of our friends and family! Thank you Jen at 6 Happy Hearts for hosting such a great giveaway so I could get 25 of them FREE!!

Ah, yes you also get a sneak peek of our family pictures, taken by my friend Sherri at

Sherri Scarpa Photography!

She did an amazing job and I will soon display some of my favorites in another post so you can see them better!

So, have you ordered your Christmas Card yet? 

Show me by leaving a link in the comments! I want to see!

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Perfect Pairings: Faith, Family, Friends & Freedom-Thanksgiving 2011

Our Thanksgiving theme this year became Faith, Family, Friends and Freedom!

We originally had planned on a small Thanksgiving of just the four of us and my MIL at her house.

My MIL insisted that she cook, with my assistance at her house.

Five weeks ago she broke her foot and found out last week that it is STILL broke. She wheels around on this little scooter like a pro all over her house, foot propped up in that confining boot contraption! Bless her heart!

Her kitchen is very functional and she did allow me to set the table, carry items to the table, make the deviled eggs, my Crow Bars, and of course help her during the preparations of some of the other foods.

Thanksgiving dinner turned out wonderful.

We even ended up extending an invitation of dinner to special friends, and they accepted.

Kaybrie's ballet teacher and my friend Pam and her two youngest girls, Chloe and Sophia ate Thanksgiving dinner with us.

Pam's husband Charlie has been in Iraq. He found out last week that he would be home before Thanksgiving. When I found out on Wednesday that he had been delayed and still had not left Iraq and that Pam and the girls were going to be alone, I extended the invitation. However, it took the phone call from my mother in law to convince her to sit at the dinner table! What a blessing it was for our family to do something for someone else during Thanksgiving. 

 “Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever”.

 Psalm 106:1

The blessings around our Thanksgiving table were immense.

1. Faith- thank you Jesus for dying for us and we can only try to be like you each day!

2. Family- so thankful for each member of our family and our health!

3. Friends- thankful that we got to share our Thanksgiving with friends!

4. Freedom- thankful for our country and that a soldier and other soldiers are coming home!

Oh, and here are the posters we made for Charlie's homecoming...which BTW, he should be seeing about now!!! (Sunday night November 27th 7-8pm)

If you have a pairing to share, please go visit my fellow RHOK Star, Baloney and link up!

Tune in: Family Movie Night, December 2, 2011 at 8/7c

Who doesn't love a great night in with the family, curled up in front of the television, eating your favorite snacks and actually being able to watch a show together without worrying about innuendos and language?

 I must say, I love the NBC Family Night Movies presented by Wal-Mart and P&G. 

I am very excited to tell you that I have already pre-screened the one for next Friday night and it's a winner!!!

I can't wait to see it again with my family!

Be sure to tune in to your local NBC network at 8/7c on December 2, 2011.

By tuning in we make a statement that we want more family oriented shows/movies to be presented into our homes.

Game of Your Life - Talks with Nathan from Moms4FamilyTV.com on Vimeo.

'Game of Your Life' Synopsis

When industrious high school gamer Zach Taylor lands a prized scholarship to the prestigious Digital Institute of Game Design (DIGD), his future breaks wide open. The opportunity to study under gaming legend Marcus Bentton and alongside the country’s most creative minds will certainly propel him into a successful career as a video game designer. That is, if he can pass the infamous freshman project that eliminates more than half of the class within the first three months.

Paired with brilliant yet socially awkward teammates Phillip and Donald, the trio persuades Sara Ramirez – a determined and striking team leader with whom Zach has a history (and possibly a future) – to join their team. Working off-campus in the teched-out Lincoln Alley loft, the four set out to involve the entire campus in a quirky new social interactive game. But as the group becomes entrenched in the project, Zach learns that his father Billy, a widower, is facing growing financial woes at home. To help out, Zach accepts an opportunity to work directly with Marcus Bentton on a secretive side project that seems too good to be true. The effort requires nearly all of Zach’s time and energy, which he should be devoting to the project. Struggling to keep it together, Zach is torn between his responsibility to his team, his admiration for Bentton and a chance to help his father.

Everything comes to a breaking point when Zach’s team threatens to remove him from the group and the deceptive truth behind Bentton’s project comes to light. With the guidance of Professor Abbie Lambert, Zach must make a decision that not only affects his future, but the lives and livelihoods of the people around him as well. It’s a revealing story that recognizes the magnitude behind the choices we make and the importance loyalty plays in making good decisions.

To find out more information and see what others are saying, be sure to check out the sites below.

Website: http://www.familymovienight.com/game-of-your-life/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/familymovienight

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/fmnib

FFH~ One Silent Night CD Review & Giveaway (Downloadable Version)

It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. Everywhere you shop, you hear the sounds of Christmas cheer being played through the sound systems to get everyone into the buying spirit. I personally do not start playing my Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving. No not a scrooge, but Fall is my favorite time of the year and I like for it to last until my Turkey induced coma is over.

But, that doesn't mean that I haven't taken the opportunity to listen at least once, okay three times to this fantastic new CD by FFH.

FFH.

FFH stands for Far From Home. 

It consists of original founding member Jeromy Diebler and his wife Jennifer. The original band was founded in 1991 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. FFH took a break in 2006 and didn't reappear until 2008. 

Jeromy and Jennifer chose God's direction at that point for their family. 

In 2007, Jeromy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and their daughter was born.

I think this quote from Jeromy is tremendous, “FFH is a part of our lives again, but it is just a part,” Jeromy insists. “We are determined to live the kingdom lifestyle of putting our relationships first. Selling albums doesn’t fulfill you. It doesn’t comfort you when you are lying in bed at night after being diagnosed with MS, while your wife is seven months pregnant. The fact that you’ve sold a million albums means nothing. It is weightless. What does mean something is that your family is with you, being Jesus to you.” 

Wow, just wow. If that isn't a strong statement about how the way order is supposed to be, I don't know what is. God, Family & Job!

Now you want to know about this fantastic new CD that FFH has right? The one that one of you is going to get a free downloadable version of. Okay, okay. 

One Silent Night has been four years in the making. 
You will recognize favorites like “Winter Wonderland,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” and “Jingle Bell Rock,” among others, while being introduced to new tracks including “The Birthday of a King,” “Glorious Impossible,” and “One Silent Night.”

Did I mention that I adore this CD and that I can't wait to play it ALL the time on Friday?

I think I'm gonna make this giveaway a short lived one so that one of you can enjoy it pretty quick as well!

This giveaway ends on November 25th at 12:01 AM!

More stats that you might find interesting about FFH:

"Pop vocal group FFH has released thirteen projects, sold more than two million albums, and garnered 24 radio hits, including seven No. 1 singles and ten Top 5 radio singles. In addition to multiple Dove Award nominations, FFH has been recognized at the Inspirational Life Awards as well as the Billboard Music Video Awards. The group has performed more than 1000 dates since 2000 and continues to be a favorite on the tour circuit. FFH is also known for its work with the “Make-A-Wish Foundation,” Kurt Warner’s “First Things First Foundation,” and for its contributions to national ad campaigns for Coca Cola and IBM."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services
mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I
only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:
"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

What is Going on at Our Nest? Not Busy! Really.

I can't use the word BUSY anymore. 

Nope, someone can always one up me on that one. As if. LOL!

No really. 

Did you happen to catch the guest post at The RHOK on Tuesday?

Let's me just brief you on the past week and current happenings around The Nest!

Braden made the Principal's Honor Roll the1st Nine Weeks of his 5th Grade Year!

That means Straight A's my friends! 

So proud of my little man!

Kaybrie, oh Kaybrie. She really is taking these Bible verses to heart.

Last week's verse was "Thou Shall Not Steal!"

Needless to say, she should have had more than one day of introduction to that  particular verse.

She stole a teeny tiny mouse from Michael's. Oh yes she did. 

And yes, I marched her right back into the store and made her tell the manager what she did and apologize for it. I don't think she will be breaking that commandment again.

Braden has turned into a Country Music fanatic. Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean are his favorites.

Needless to say, the music craze has rubbed off on little sis as well!

Braden gets his iPod going and both of them get to dancing and singing. Last week of course was a great week for that because the CMA's were on! WTG Blake & Miranda! And of course, Taylor!

Anyway, there is something not quite right when your 10 and 4 year old start singing the lyrics

"Ice cold beer sitting on the console..."

What? 

I had to ask them what they knew about beer. Of course they both replied its the stuff  Nana drinks.

So now they both must replace beer with rootbeer in that lyric. KIDS!!!

Oh and believe me Braden might have the rap words down in that song, but that boy cannot rap!

Football is over and our party is this weekend. I have been working hard on the boy's gifts. I want to show you but...can't. Sorry! Next week maybe.

Tonight and tomorrow night is The Church at BattleCreek's annual Christmas Gathering! So excited. I have three tables decorated and 25 friends will be sitting with me to eat. Several more will be there as well!

This is such a wonderful event. Of course I tell my readers about it every year. It can't be described better as when HGTV & Oprah collide in church! Make sure you go with me next year!

And finally tonight at 10PM, The RHOK is being featured on KTUL Channel 8!

Please watch us!

Here is the promotional clip.

Nope not busy, just over my head!!!

Chick-Fil-A Calendar Giveaway

The Cow Watches are coming to Chick-fil-A Kid’s Meals! 

What?

During the holidays Chick-fil-A Kid’s Meals are featuring the never before seen Cow Watches to reach families with a simple and fun message: In your busy holiday season make sure to stop and take a few moments together as a family to spend quality “time” with one another. The Chick-fil-A Cow Watch widget is available now with fun and enriching activities, worksheets and quizzes so that your family (and readers!) can share in the holiday fun!

The 4-Crow's L-O-V-E Chick-fil-A!

We love its corporate values. How it values its employees, customers, promotions and of course we love the food.

True story. My boss went in one day and placed an order, found that she had left her debit card at home. They simply told her no worries, gave her the purchase and told her to pay for it the next time.

I am in love with the unsweet tea.

My daughter is scared of the cow, no worries she is scared of Chuck E Cheese also.

This of course is my favorite "time" of the year because I love celebrating my Savior's birth and seeing my kid's faces light up at the recognition of the meaning of the season. It makes me smile when companies encourage families to come together to spend quality "time" together such as this.

Now I have something for one of my lucky readers...

A Chick-fil-A Calendar ($30 Value)

Who wants it?

Easy Rafflecopter Entry Form Below!

Note: Cow Watches are coming to Chick-fil-A Kids Meals in mid-December! Check with your local Chick-fil-A restaurant for availability: http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Locations

Disclosure: All opinions stated are my own and based upon my own personal experience. This giveaway is sponsored by Partners Hub. I will receive no compensation for this post. The giveaway ends at 12:01 AM on November 30, 2011. The winner will be selected through Rafflecopter and will be contacted via email.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Widget

I am told that the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling is a must read.

I finally let me son watch the movies this summer and he loves them. Now that he is in 5th grade I have decided to let him start reading the books, he should be able to comprehend the fantasy aspect of the writings well. 

(I won't tell him that I read Stephen King's Christine when I was in sixth grade)

The final face-off between good and evil is finally upon us as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is released on DVD November 11, 2011, just in time for the holidays! Join Harry, Ron and Hermione as they do battle against Voldemort in the epic conclusion to the film series everyone is talking about!

Are you an expert in all things Harry Potter? Hungry for all the buzz on Potter?

Then you must try out the widget below. Tell me what you think.
Are you an expert or a novice on Harry Potter?

Also, if you have any words of advice for me as my son begins reading these book please pass it on.

DISCLOSURE: By posting this widget on my blog I am getting a free Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on DVD for review. All opinions stated are my own and based upon my own personal experience. This widget is sponsored by Partners Hub. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this post.

The Grace Effect: Book Review & Giveaway

Grace. What is Grace? For some, it may be the name of the girl next door, a daughter or girlfriend. For Christians, believers in Christ, you always hear of God's grace but sometimes it may take a while to fully grasp the full meaning of what true "grace" is.

I am currently reading a book and get to give away a copy of this book to one of my readers called "The Grace Effect" by Larry Taunton.

Watch this video as Larry, himself talks about his story.

Here is an excerpt from the publishers on the book:

"Simply defined, the ‘grace effect’ is an observable phenomenon—that life is demonstrably better where authentic Christianity flourishes.”

What does Christianity give us beyond televangelists, potlucks, and bad basketball leagues? Not much, according to the secular Left. The world, they say, would be a better place without it.

Historian and Christian apologist Larry Taunton has spent much of his career refuting just this sort of thinking, but when he encounters Sasha, a golden-haired orphan girl whose life has been shaped by atheistic theorists, he discovers an unlikely champion for the transforming power of grace.

Through the narrative of Sasha’s redemption, we see the false promises of socialism; the soul-destroying influence of unbelief; and how a society cultivates its own demise when it rejects the ultimate source of grace. We see, in short, the kind of world the atheists would give us: a world without Christianity—cold, pitiless, and graceless.

And yet, as Sasha shows us, it is a world that is not beyond the healing power of “the grace effect.” Occasionally infuriating, often amusing, but always inspiring, The Grace Effect will have you cheering for the courageous little girl who shamed the academic elitists of our day."
I am not an expert on grace. I know that I do not deserve the grace of God, but because I believe in Jesus Christ I am given grace unconditionally. I look forward to finishing this book and learning more from little Sasha. I have such a huge heart for this little girl who I already love so much. Her adoption story is so powerful, as with any adoption story, but hers is extra special because of the grace of God. I can't wait to see the transformation that is promised. I also look forward to being able to give one of my readers a copy of this book to read and reflect on. Please be sure to enter the easy Rafflecopter entry form below!

The Grace Effect is now available at Amazon. You can also visit Fixed Point Foundation for more information on upcoming events and messages.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Halloween at Our Nest

At our nest this year, I think we totally rocked the neighborhood with originality...

We had our "Bubble Gum Dispenser" Boy

 

 Our "Pumpkin Fairy" who had magic powers with a shake of her hair!

A totally "Rocking the 80's" Moma with a "Very Supportive" Daddy!

We had a super duper fun Halloween at Our Nest this year! 

The costumes were easy, cheap and fun!

My favorite of course was seeing my kid's ring the doorbells and the expressions on the neighbors faces.

Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Halloween 2011!!!