Return to Nim's Island #Giveaway

Do you remember the box office movie Nim's Island starring Bindi Irwin- daughter of the late Steve Irwin- The Crocodile Hunter? 

Return to Nim’s Island premiers on Hallmark Channel 

March 15th 2013 at 7/8C!!

PLUS! You can pick up your copy of Return to Nim’s Island on Blu-ray & DVD exclusively at Walmart Stores just 4 days after the premiere.

I might even be nice and give one of my readers their very own copy of Return to Nim's Island Blu-ray Combo Pack!

Okay, okay, I WILL!! 

Just visit the below widget, then answer the following question on the easy Rafflecopter form! Extra entries are available.

Which Nim's adventurer you are!
I'm a valiant voyager. Um yeah, right!

About the Movie:

Return to Nim’s Island, the sequel to Walden Media’s 2008 box office hit Nim’'s Island, picks up the story a few years later with 14-year-old Nim (Bindi Irwin) more determined than ever to protect her island and the animals that call it home. With ruthless resort developers and greedy wildlife poachers threatening the existence she loves, Nim realizes she and her animal pals can’t defend their home alone. To save her island, she is forced to combine forces with an outsider: Edmund, a runaway from the mainland. Only with his help does she stand a chance of stopping the villains from dismantling her world.

Disclosure: The 4-Crow's did not receive compensation for this particular giveaway. This post is sponsored by PartnersHub, Walden Media & Hallmark Channel. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally or 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." Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment.

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"Save the Chocolate Bunny" Easter Toy Basket Giveaway by Mattel- Closed

Give Toys NOT Chocolate Easter Bunnies!!! Say what?
The 4-Crow's was asked to participate in Mattel's "Save the Chocolate Bunny" Easter Toy Basket Giveaway. Mattel's "Save the Chocolate Bunny" campaign is promoting "toys instead of chocolate" to encourage creative, healthy, sugar-free play for kids! To find out more about this campaign, daily giveaways, coupons for some of your favorite Mattel toys, and more click HERE. In my research for this post I found out an interesting fact about Mattel. Mattel has contributed more than $5 million to support Save the Children programs, currently including Early Childhood Learning and Development programs in the U.S., China and Malawi. Malawi is where my brother and his wife will be going on a mission trip in June. You can read more about it in this post.  I love working with companies that give back.

Use the easy Rafflecopter form below to enter for ONE grand prize Easter gift basket full of toys, plus 10 second prizes consisting of either Hot Wheels multi-packs or Barbie Madison.

Disclosure: The 4-Crow's was not compensated for this post. Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping. 

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Mission Trip to Malawi

I am in tears once again as I sit to share this letter from my brother. God is so good. My brother, not only has answered the call as a pastor, but now he and his wife will be stepping into the foreign mission field. They have answered a call to go to Malawi this Summer. As most of us know these calls do not come without expenses. As you read his letter, I ask you to PRAY for my little brother and my sister in law! If you feel led to contribute the links are also below. God Bless and thank you for all your prayers and support my friends and family!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

God has called Liz and I to do something this summer that we know will transform our lives. We will be participating in a short-term mission trip to Lilongwe, Malawi with a Mission Team from Trinity Baptist Church, Ardmore, OK. The dates include June 12 through June 25, 2013. We will be planting and working through existing Churches that have been recently started. We will be working in conjunction with national pastors affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

While on this journey, our time and energy will be spent sharing the gospel house to house in schools, prisons, orphanages, and anywhere we will be allowed to speak. In Malawi there are opportunities to share the gospel freely in almost all public places. As a team, we plan to take advantage of all of this time possible while in Malawi. We will also be assisting in church planting activities and other outreach opportunities.

Liz and I want to invite you to be a part of this experience in our life by becoming one of our partners. We need friends who will commit to pray for us as we prepare for this trip and while we are in Malawi. We will also need those who will commit to support us in this trip financially. The total cost of the trip is $7340 and includes all expenses such as airfare, accommodations, food and training. We will be making some personal sacrifices for the next couple of months as We try to raise the money for this trip, but we cannot do this alone. We need your assistance to help cover part of the cost for the trip. Would you consider investing in our lives and in the lives of those to whom we will be ministering by giving financially toward this trip?

We are confident that this experience will be a marker in our spiritual life, and we thank you for considering being a part of it. We know that God will build our faith by providing the money for this trip and that He will stretch my faith as I make Him known to those who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ.

If you would like to help us financially, We have set up an account with our church in Coleman, Coleman Baptist Church. You can make your check payable to CBC. All contributions are tax deductible. $800 was due January 29th, $4440.00 is due on April 10th for the airplane tickets, the remaining $2100.00 will be do before we leave for Africa. Should a miracle happen and I receive more money then the cost of the trip, it will be applied to Bibles.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please feel free to contact Liz or I via email or phone if you have any questions regarding my trip to Africa. Thank you for your prayers and concerns for me and my ministry.

His Servants,
Jason and Liz Williams

pastor@colemanbaptist.com

You can make contributions by clicking this link. Thank you once again for keeping my brother and his family in your prayers. He and Liz have five children. He is pastor at Coleman Baptist Church in Coleman, OK.

I Detest School Pictures

This is not a paid post. 

Rather a mother's observation from experience. School pictures are not nice. My friend Tracy talked about this very subject at a recent Women's Lunch Club meeting, there are so many kids and so little time what can you expect. I guess the memory of the quirkiness. You could be really silly and get voted Class Clown.

Now I will admit. My son takes pretty good school pictures.

2012-2013 Yearbook Picture and the bus collage picture.

Picture I took in December 2012

Obviously, I am NOT a professional photographer. I have a Sony DSC-H50 and use PicMonkey to edit. One of these days I will figure out how to not have a glare on his glasses.

Now here is the reason for this post. 

THIS is Kaybrie's first school picture. I bought the $20 packet, it's the prepay one.

Her first yearbook picture and the picture that goes in the bus collage. 

This is what I took when the kids were having fun, being natural and themselves at the park in December. See the difference? 

And this is what she just brought home from school yesterday. Needless to say I did not send a $46 check back to school and keep the pictures. Nope, the entire portrait packet went back to school today. 

Let me make myself clear. I don't think they are necessarily terrible pictures. They just don't capture her personality. She is not natural. Very fake and posed. She is going to be one of those girls that has to be in her own element.

My friend Sherri at Sherri Scarpa Photography takes my family pictures- you know the ones where the parentals actually get in the shots, not the random ones I take for fun. She does the best job capturing my family in it's FUN! She shows us living, laughing, learning and loving. 

All the things that WE are about. 

She is actually running a fun contest right now. 

Tomorrow is the LAST DAY to enter in the Luckiest Photo contest. Email Sherri a picture of what makes you feel like the luckiest person in the world. She will open an album for voting on March 10 and post rules for voting. Email pictures to photographyXss@gmail.com

What do you think about school pictures vs professional? Do you have a favorite photog? Let me know if you enter Sherri's contest. I will vote for you. And you might just find an entry from me. And I promise this post does not get me brownie points. 

Read Across America Week

I've been posting pics throughout the past three days of Kaybrie on my FB pages, Instagram and Twitter of all of the activities going on at her school this week.

The National Education Association’s Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on 

March 2—Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

 

We have had so much fun participating in these activities and reading books through the school week. 

 One thing I did do this week that my kids do not know about is purchased these books at Target (hardback) for $10 each. Their on sale through today, savings of $8 each!! I am going to have each teacher every year sign the books and give them to the kids for high school graduation. I am very blessed that I still have contact with ALL of Braden's teachers since he is now in 6th grade. 

Now I will share all of Kaybrie's pics from the week. If you have already seen them. Sorry.

Wacky Wednesday: We turned her shirt backward, threw on rainbow leg warmers and rolled her hair in socks. Fun and Wacky!

Crazy Sock Day: She loves those Princess & The Frog toe socks. 

We made Green Eggs & Ham again this year. Instead of using pretzel sticks, which I thought looked like bacon, I used pretzel snaps. They kind of look like waffles, but oh well. They are  were YUMMO!

Friday was Favorite Book Character Day. She chose Pinkalicious of course!!!

So much fun. I love the learning and reading. Especially the excitement that such activities bring on! She has picked up a huge chapter book and is "reading" it!! Yay!

Little Angels Prayers For Every Day Giveaway

Dear God,

I like to start each morning by sitting down to pray. It's such a happy feeling to start each day this way!

Amen!

Remember Roma Downey on  the show Touched by an Angel? Not only is she helping produce the new series on the History Channel- The Bible that begins 3/3/13 (see my post and giveaway), but she is also the author The Little Angels books, CD's, App and a DVD series. You have to watch this YouTube clip of the series. C-U-T-E! Want to know more?  Watch this clip of Roma actually telling about the founding of   "The Little Angels". This clip was actually filmed before she came out with the 4th book, Prayers For Every Day. The book is beautiful, inspiring and an absolute must for any household with small children. Sometimes my own prayers are very childlike. I think God likes that. I am honored to be allowed to bless one of my readers their very own copy of this book. Who wants it? All you have to do is answer one question. Other entries are available on the easy Rafflecopter form below.
Who will you share these prayers with?

About the Book:
Little Angels Prayers for Every Day features more than 50 simple rhyming prayers that cover a typical day and the typical worries of a young child. From waking in the morning to going to sleep at night, from thanking God for a meal to praying for His comfort when afraid, the prayers here will help little ones to see that any moment is a good moment to talk to God. Relevant Bible verses are scattered throughout the book as well!


Website: http://www.idealsbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealRomaDowney
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0k6mqA8jAo

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in 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."

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VeggieTales: The Little House That Stood DVD Giveaway

Making good choices.
That is something for the young and old. A daily decision faced by everyone. It seems that my own children are facing obstacles daily in school and with peers. As a parent I believe it is essential that good choice making begins at home while they are young. My kids are well aware that I am involved in ALL they do and communication WILL be made with me regarding bad choices. Not a threat, just a parenting promise that they will learn from the choices they make and either reap what they sow or suffer the consequences. Just like in the "Three Little Pigs", I want to help shape them having a solid foundation while they are young, so they can stand strong when a storm comes their way when they are adults.

Twelve years of parenting has resulted in LOTS of VeggieTales videos, lessons, and songs in my home. We've even attended a live performance of the Veggies.

I have partnered up to offer one of my readers the not even released yet, VeggieTales movie "The Little House that Stood".

The movie will be released on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.

Who wants a copy for their home? All you are required to do is answer this question.

Who will you watch this video with?

Enter on the easy Rafflecopter form. Bonus entries are available.

About The Little House That Stood:

When the Three Little Pigs roll into Cabbageville looking to build some new houses, they meet one builder with a plan and two without a clue! Larry builds with hay, Mr. Lunt with bricks, but only Bob builds his houses on a firm foundation - following the wise plans from the Master Builder's Handbook! Will the Little Piggies make the right choices when it comes to building their houses - and their lives - on solid ground? Find out in this parable that shows kids when they follow God's blueprints, then can stand strong when the storms come!

Website: http://veggietales.com/littlehouse/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veggietales
Twitter: https://twitter.com/veggietales
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K65sINFgro&list=UUhddokv0fxIN3BS-KZpxFfA&index=2


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in 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."

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The Bible: A History Channel Series w/ #Giveaway

Where will YOU be 3-3-13?

From Executive Producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett comes The Bible — an epic 10-part miniseries retelling stories from the Scriptures for a whole new generation. Breathtaking in scope and scale, The Bible features powerful performances, exotic locales and dazzling visual effects that breathe spectacular life into the dramatic tales of faith and courage from Genesis through Revelation. This historic television event is sure to entertain and inspire the whole family!

I have teamed up with History Channel and Partners Hub to offer one of my readers ONE of the following books. 

(book will be chosen at random by the company for the winner)

• A Story of God and All of Us (HARDCOVER)

• A Story of God and All of Us (REFLECTIONS)

• A Story of God and All of Us (YOUNG READERS)

To be entered, just visit the below series widget. Take the Bible-Scene Quiz, tell me your results in a comment, then put your entries on the easy Rafflecopter form. 

I already have my DVR ready and set to record this series. What about you?

 

Disclosure: The 4-Crow's did not receive compensation for this particular giveaway. This post is sponsored by PartnersHub and the History Channel. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally or 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." Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment.

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Today's Post...

...is at The RHOK.
Today I am writing as ♥Mrs. Hart♥ and telling you about...

If you would like to join me or make a donation, click here.

*Cody's Run
Cody’s Run is a non-profit, fund raising event to assist with cancer treatment expenses for 1996 Lone Grove Schools alum, Cody Dean Ponder.

Valentine's Day 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

What are your plans for the day?

Mine? 

Get to Wal-Mart by 11:00 to pick up FIVE cookie cakes, yes one for each table in my daughter's classroom. Those Kindergartners are going to have so much fun decorating a cookie cake with icing and sprinkles. Then at 11:30 I am meeting a new girlfriend for lunch. So excited to finally be meeting some of my daughter's friends parents. Then at 2:30 the big V-Day party at school. The Homeroom Mother job is so much fun! I love it. Of course, I will have the "Bundle of Blue" with me. "Blue" is so much fun and such a good baby. Believe me though, I really am glad that my two kids are big enough to walk around, feed themselves, and partially wipe themselves now. I don't have quite the mommy muscles that I used too. This will only be our second outing together. I kind of like staying at home and not spending money. So does my husband. 

And what exactly did I do that was crafty this Valentine's Day?

This of course was Pinterest inspired. The templates included lips and moustaches, but since we are soooo girly we just went with pink and red lips. It also included labels that you could personalize and print off on stickers, but we just used a glue stick.

Pretty cute, huh?

I think the thing that got me the most while making these is seeing her growing up. The time and care she takes with each project as she gets older. Sigh. Oh, and the teacher's Valentine gift. So much fun. I actually put together one for my MIL's birthday also. Have you seen these plates at Dollar General? Five Bucks.

Just made some cake balls and decorated them and hello, what a fun gift that keeps giving!

Now on to what I hope to get... Peace and lots of LOVE. That's it.  Have a wonderful ♥ day everyone!

Welcome Home Soldier

I think it is so important to instill a sense of loyalty, respect and of course love to our soldiers in my children. 

I want them to understand what these men and women do for our country and the sacrifices made not only by them, but their families as well. After a 9 month deployment, our family is now officially all stateside. The kid's cousin Ashley, Jason's niece, married last March and her husband Anthony left for Afghanistan in April. He arrived back at Fort Riley, Kansas last night in what I have been told was the most amazing ceremony ever. We made and sent a few small signs to let him know how excited we were that he was home and how thankful we are for his continued service.

Welcome Home Hero!!!

How do you do to instill a sense of loyalty and respect in your children for our armed forces?

100th Day of Kindergarten Fun

Today is my baby girl's 100th day of Kindergarten.

I couldn't post her pictures without first pulling out the scrapbook and taking a trip down memory lane to just six short years ago when my son was also celebrating his 100th day at the same school. 

 Remember scrapbooks? 

Hard to believe six years have gone by. Time is so precious. 

One way or another, I will get images scanned into this blog of mine.

Note: I did manage to repair the scrapbook page and keep his memories archived in it forever.

He brought home a hat that we had to decorate. Being that Kaybrie was just 8 days old, Jason and Braden put the hat together. Quite an imagination. Oklahoma was turning 100 years old in 2007. 100 stars for Liberty Stars, a $100 bill, and 4 quarters!

Kaybrie had to dress up like a 100 year old lady. This proved to be a little tough. We don't know any "old" ladies to borrow anything from. We hit the local Goodwill store. 

Skirt + Brown Sweater + Had to have matching purse = $15

Baby powder for gray hair= necessity at our house.

Pearls= must have accessory.

Makeup=must have cosmetic.

Suntan knee hi's= oh geez, couldn't believe I still had those. I decided they were over 12 years old!!! That's what happens when a former bank manger/officer is such a hoarder. Their not even sandal toed knee hi's!!!

I love the 100 days of school activities. Did your children celebrate? Did you post? .

If so leave me a link or picture in the comments and I'll come visit!