And the Winner Is....

I am so excited! The winner of the HEAV Convention Family Pass is Heather V.! Congratulations, Heather!! 

Even better (in my books, anyway), is that her winning entry was for doing my "Just do it, you know your kids want you to" option of singing a silly song to your kids while jumping around and she actually admitted that she sang, "Ha-ha-ha-halellujia!" to them. Hahaha! That's great! I am sure your kids loved it, Heather, and I am even more sure you are going to have a fantastic time at the convention. 

I will be contacting her today about getting signed up for her prize, and maybe we will even be able to meet at the convention. Thank you to all of you who supported this giveaway by entering...a whopping 269 entries. That's amazing!

I can tell you all must think a lot of the HEAV Convention, too. It is certainly the best thing I do all year to invigorate and revitalize my homeschooling. Hopefully, I will see some of you there. Look for me and don't be afraid to say "Hi, my name is_____ and I follow your blog." I can't tell you how much it would thrill me to think someone is reading what I post here, besides my faithful mother, sister-in-law, and daughter-in-law...LOL.

Again, congratulations to our our blessed winner, Heather V.. May the convention bless your family in ways you could never even imagine.

Blessings,

We Are In! The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, That Is...

(this is not the issue we are in...I couldn't find an image for the May issue...sorry)

Hello Friends,

I wanted to share the exciting news...this month you can check out the May digital edition of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and read my article, "The Blessings of Home Education." As the Show & Tell family of the month, we get to explain our home education philosophy here at Blessing Farm, tell about what has been going on with us lately, and we even "star" in a video in which I give you a brief tour of our home.

While you are at the TOS website, you might want to  check out the rest of this month's magazine, read back monthly issues, and even find back quarterly issues. I hope you enjoy your "visit." We had fun doing the article and video, even though I was a bit nervous about being filmed. Tex did an outstanding job as the cameraman, though, and the kids are naturals on film, whether photos or videos...absolutely adorable (Yes, I am their mom and must naturally think they are the cutiest, but they really are! I know, your kids are, too).

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for one free Family Pass to the HEAV Convention in Richmond, VA on June 6, 7, & 8 if you live within 8-10 hours of the area. It really is the best thing you can do for your homeschooling all year and will refresh and revive you. This weekend is your last chance to enter...the winner will be announced on Monday, May 6th. If you plan to attend, email me, and perhaps we can meet up for coffee or at least to chat. I hope to see you there!

Blessings,

HEAV Registration is OPEN...Enter My Convention Family Pass Giveaway!

Fun facts about the upcoming Home Educator's Association of Virginia Convention in Richmond:

Preregistration – $69/member; $79/non-members

• Thursday's sessions are FREE! for new homeschoolers
• HEAV Members receive a discounted rate (and support home education in Virginia)...Join NOW!
• parents of preschoolers who have never attended before may register for FREE!
• the Used Curriculum Sale is BACK! (of course...we couldn't do without it, could we??)
• young entrepenuers may rent tables in the vendor hall for $35...nice!
• experience the largest Exhibit Hall EVER...
• there are more than 140 workshops (how will you ever choose?)
• LEGO is coming with hands-on tables for all your architects and builders
• the Marine Science Consortium is bringing touch tanks for your biologists
• the Robotics Expo will be there to excite your inventors
• the Instrument Petting Zoo will be returning to intrigue you
• there will be hands-on science demonstrations in the Exhibit Hall
• the BIGGER than ever before chess tournament will challenge and amaze you
• Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar will be doing a Keynote session (twice, so more folks can attend!)
• the Duggars will be doing a book signing
• Michelle and her daughters will be doing a talk with Q and A on Friday
• Cedric Saunders will do reenactments of George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington
• Joel Salatin will be conducting four talks this year
• Miracle Mountain Ranch will be conducting a teen discipleship camp
• the Children's Program is called Heroes of the Faith
• there will be a cartooning camp for your budding artists
• there will be talks for your emerging entrepenuers and filmmakers
• scholarships are available if you have sincere and severe financial hardship
• you can register just to SHOP for a lot less (and then buy the MP3 set)
• and so much more...

Head over to the HEAV website to find out more

OR

Check out the list of speakers and their topics

OR

Go ahead and register for the convention!

You can also enter my giveaway for one free family registration pass to the 2013 HEAV Convention. 

This pass covers mom, dad, kids, and even grandparents! Optional children's and teen programs are not included. 

My giveaway runs from April 29th to midnight on May 5th. 

Click below to enter...the Rafflecopter giveaway.

The blessed winner will be announced Monday, May 6th, 2013.

I hope to see you at the convention!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Announcing the Winners of Three Great Christian Family Movies...

Crystal from Logistically Large won The Woodcarver...congratulations!!












Dawn from Guiding Light Homeschool won the movie Three Hearts...congratulations!!










Brenda from My Blessed Homeschool Life won The Mighty Macs...congratulations!!











As soon as you ladies get your mailing addresses to me, I will send off the information and your movies will be in the mail. Maybe they could even arrive in time for a Family Movie Night this weekend...


Blessings,

THREE DVD Giveaways---Ending Soon!

GIVEAWAY for Three Hearts and The Mighty Macs

Ends 3/15 at midnight

GIVEAWAY for The Woodcarver movie 

ends 3/22 at midnight

Click on the links above for more details on the movies and about how to enter.

Blessings,

Grow Your Media Library With The Woodcarver---Giveaway and Review

The Woodcarver is available for $10.92 from Christian Cinema

My hubby and I were discussing movies just the other day. Not plots of our favorites, or even reviewing the titles of recently released films, but one of those pretty weighty discussions about which movies we were choosing to allow our family to watch. We discussed the idea of there being acceptable, good, better, and best, in our choices (not to mention unacceptable and waaaaay not going to happen ever!!), and we determined that we should strive for not just acceptable and good, but choose to go for those that are better...eventually leaving only room for the best. It will be a process for us as we sort through years of collecting cute and fun videos and dvds (at bargain prices, of course!), and learn to discern which ones are the truly better ones, and ultimately, the best.

Well, I am here to make it easy for you...at least with one video. The Woodcarver is definitely one of the best. There was not one thing I did not like about it, and many I loved. John Ratzenberger plays a widower named Ernest who is a reclusive woodcarver. A young man named Matthew, who is torn up by his parents' dissolving marriage, takes out his ire on the beautiful carved woodwork in the church he feels betrayed him by promising something he does not see in his own home (love, grace, and forgiveness). In order to avoid criminal charges for vandalism, Matthew must help Ernest repair the church. In doing so, he learns an art (really, this woodcarving is definitely art), learns more about Jesus, and discovers how to forgive his family and move ahead towards healing. The theme of WWJD ("What Would Jesus Do") is emphasized throughout the film, and in the end, Matthew is not the only one who learns to live out that challenge...nearly everyone experiences the power of having faith, experiencing God's grace, and the healing of forgiveness.

Tex (age 14), Ladybug (age 8), Cowboy (age 6), and Firefly (age 4) watched this movie with me. We had a fun pizza picnic in the living room and enjoyed the show. Cowboy and Firefly faded before the movie ended, but Ladybug was entranced...she asked thoughtful questions throughout the movie, and since I was there to explain certain things (like when the bad guys were bad and about divorce), she was not disturbed by anything in the movie. Cowboy made the comment, "When we work together we will have a good life" after viewing much of the movie. That's some good wisdom coming from a six-year-old!

I do not recall any poor language. There was no improper dress. The movie is, in my opinion, appropriate for most ages, though parents may wish to preview it and see if it suits their youngest viewers (there is vandalism and someone deliberately starts a fire). The character of Ernest was very wise and someone you would probably love to have as a neighbor. Even the parents, who started out sort of in the "bad guy" arena at the beginning of the movie, were pretty neat by the end. The young man is completely transformed from a sullen miscreant to a dedicated and determined friend. 

Tex got a lot out of the movie, too, and we had an enlightening conversation about it afterwards. He said he'd sure love to learn to carve like Ernest and wishes there was someone like that that he could apprentice under...what those folks did with wood was amazing, and the way they worked together to make something incredible was inspiring.

I hope you will be intrigued by what I have shared about this movie and make the effort to watch it with your own family. If you'd like to win a copy of it, please enter my giveaway this week and maybe you will win one to be delivered to your very own front door! You can also enter with the idea of donating the DVD to your church library once you have viewed it. I highly encourage folks to buy two of the quality, family-friendly movies that they watch and to give one to their church so that more families will be made aware that there are films being made that promote family values and good morals instead of tearing them down.

In order to enter, please follow me and leave a comment saying you have done so (or leave me a comment saying that you are a follower already. In your comment, I'd love to hear what your favorite family-friendly movie is, but this is not a requirement to win. Leaving me a reliable way to reach you easily, however, is. 

I pray you have a blessed week. This giveaway ends on March 22, my dad's birthday. I will notify the winner the next day. If you'd like an extra entry (just for fun), "like" my facebook page and wish Poppy a happy birthday. Make sure you come back here and leave me a comment telling me you did so.

Blessings,

Movie Double Feature Giveaway!

A while back, I mentioned a fantastic movie I was blessed to pre-screen at the movie theater, The Mighty Macs. The story of the first women's college basketball championship season in 1971, it is a faith-based movie that is not only family-friendly, but family-fun. With something for everyone, from sports, to friendship, to underdogs to cheer for...all with a good dose of clean humor... The Mighty Macs, starring Carla Gugino (Spy Kids), David Boreanaz (Bones), and Ellen Burstyn, is an exciting movie all members of your family will appreciate.

The Mighty Macs chronicles the struggles of Cathy Rush, a first-time basketball coach (and wife to NBA ref Ed Rush), who attempts to take the almost non-existent and underfunded basketball program at a dying women's Catholic college (Immaculata) from practicing without benefit of a gym or proper equipment, to playing in the finals...with the help of a few unexpected enthusiastic supporters, the nuns. This movie is Dove approved and rated "G" and does not contain anything I considered particularly objectionable (no violence or inappropiate scenes), though it did show a nun having a beer in a bar, and a man making a fairly rude comment, but most kids will either not notice this, or if old enough, you can discuss the implications of the scene. You can download a free discussion guide for use with your family at The Mighty Macs website. This movie was in all ways an uplifting story of never giving up, dreaming big, and having faith. I highly recommend it.

If you never got a chance to see The Mighty Macs on the big screen (it was a limited release film), you can have a second chance to see it by watching it on its newly-released DVD format, available from online vendors such as Christian Book Distributors. Take a few minutes now to watch the trailer, then  enter my giveaway, and win a copy for your family. Just leave a comment saying that you'd like to win a copy of The Mighty Macs and follow Blessings Pour Out (or let me know you are already a follower). The giveaway runs from February 29th until March 15th. My mom's birthday is on March 9th, so if you "Like" Blessings Pour Out on Facebook and leave a comment on the page wishing Nanny a "Happy Birthday," I will give you a second entry for getting into the party spirit! Let me know via a second comment here that you have sent her birthday wishes. Thanks.


I am so grateful to have the opportunity to review some of the new generation of family-friendly films that have been released in the past few years. It seemed for a while there that the only sorts of movies being made were the kind I wouldn't go see...horror films, violent dramas, and edgy movies filled with cursing, rude characters, and/or inappropriate scenes. Thankfully, there are film groups out there now representing the more traditional families and making films that people of all ages can go see together...moms and dads can attend these movies with their kids by their sides, and have no need to cover the little ones' eyes and ears every five minutes, or to blush when they look over at grandma who is sitting a few seats over. How refreshing!

As conservative Christian families, we need to do our best to support these movies by attending them when they are in the theaters, spreading the word about how good they are (how many people have you told to go see Courageous? Every man/family needs to see that one!), and purchasing them when they are released on DVD for ourselves, as gifts, and for our churches.  I hope you will consider entering one of these two movie giveaways and passing on the movie to your church library once you have viewed it, so it will be available for your church family to see and share with others.

On to the second excellent movie that I had the opportunity to view online. Three Hearts is the true story Cissie Graham Lynch (wife of NFL player Corey Lynch of the Buccaneers, and granddaughter of Billy Graham, as she serves as an intern with the Children's Heart Project. This ministry provides vital medical services (operations) for medically at-risk children around the world. The movie follows the stories of three Mongolian children who desperately need heart surgery before it is too late. It chronicles Cissie's efforts to bring the children and their families to the US, their interactions with their host families, and takes you through their surgeries and the aftermath. For mission-minded families, this movie is an excellent example of how important every person is in a chain of events leading from one thing to another. Everyone plays a vital role in God's plans, no matter how small the part or how young the participant. One way the movie does this is to show how a young American heart patient who decides to "give back" is able to rally his community to raise money to bring over just one more needy child.

I liked Three Hearts a lot. My husband enjoyed it, too. Tex and Ladybug found it very interesting. The other little ones did not stay up late enough to see it, but I think they would like many parts of it. However, in the spirit of full disclosure, I will say that younger children might be disturbed by the openness of the situations, the talk of death, and the operating room scenes. I did not notice that they were particularly disturbing, but that sort of thing does not bother me...we just talked about the reality of the situation and had a good discussion about it. My SIL thought those things would bother her children (they bothered her a bit), and she did not have them watch it (they are considerably younger than most of my kids, though). This movie is Dove approved and recommended for ages 12 and up.

This movie showed many incredible things, from the simple and heartfelt prayers of the families, to the complexities of arranging such missions efforts, and also it makes clear that there is a lasting effect knowing these brave children had on the lives of those they who worked with them. I was particularly moved by this film, and am all ready to start saving for the surgery of a child. You will be, too.

If you'd like to win a copy of this film for your family or your church, instead of purchasing at Christian Book Distributors, watch the trailer first, then simply comment on this post saying you'd like the Three Hearts DVD and either follow me and tell me you did so, or tell me you are already a follower. The giveaway runs from February 29th until March 15th. If you "Like" Blessings Pour Out on Facebook and leave a comment on the page wishing Poppy (my dad) a "Happy Birthday," since his birthday is on the 22nd of March and I don't want him to feel left out, I will give you a second entry for getting into the party spirit! Let me know via a second comment here that you have sent him birthday wishes. Thanks.


Please make sure to only enter for the two movies separately. If the same person wins twice, I will give them their movie of preference and draw a second winner for the other movie. Please make sure you leave me with an easy way to contact you. Thank you!

Blessings,

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of The Mighty Macs DVD so I could review it on my blog. I was given access to the movie Three Hearts online for the purposes of completing this review. I am sharing our experiences and my opinions about these movies honestly. If you have questions regarding anything said here, please feel free to contact me or comment.

And the Winners Are...

The Apologia Live Retreat Ticket goes to...Shell! 

I have contacted you via email and sent your info on to Apologia. 

You should hear from them soon.

I hope you have a fantastic time at the retreat!!

The A Mile in His Shoes movie goes to...Cheryl B.!

I have contacted you and will get your info to the 

appropriate folksas soon as I hear back from you. 

I hope you enjoy the movie!

Congratulations to both of you. 

I hope you are both blessed by your prizes!

Thank you to all who participated.

Blessings,

Apologia Live Retreat Ticket Giveaway!

Celebrate the Journey of homeschooling, wifehood, and being a mom during the good times, the bad times and yes, even the ugly times.  

Join us as we look at the scriptures and seek encouragement from veteran homeschool moms on how to Celebrate the Journey!

Apologia Live invites you to a retreat designed to encourage and support homeschool moms.

Learn more about the convention by clicking HERE.

Speakers

Rachael Carman

Pam Tebow (Atlanta)

Heidi St. John (Baltimore)

Zan Tyler

Debra Bell

Jeannie Fulbright

Sherrie Seligson

Elizabeth Smith

You can see the more about the speakers and their published works HERE.

You are welcome to listen to these audio clips from the 

2009 Walking in the Light conference to see what  you think.

Dates

March 9-10, 2012        Baltimore, MD

March 23-24, 2012      Atlanta, GA

Cost

Registration costs of $115 include the six general sessions and two prayer sessions on Friday and Saturday, as well as lunch on Saturday.

There is also a Nuts and Bolts pre-live event with four sessions that focus on the basic why's and how-to's of homeschooling. There will be three tracks: Preschool, Elementary, and High School. The pre-school track will focus on the basics such as "Should I homeschool?" and "How do I get started?". The elementary track will focus on Charlotte Mason style teaching methods and notebooking, and the high school sessions will focus on homeschooling all the way through, as well as growing independent learners, and internships. This event costs an additional $25. 

If you'd like to read more about the costs involved, click HERE.

If you are interested in registering for Apologia Live! in either Baltimore or Atlanta, click HERE.

Session Descriptions

Each session will cover topics important to every home educating family. Here is what you will hear about: 

• Undertaking your homeschooling journey with a Biblical vision 
• incorporating scripture into all you do, building your house on a firm foundation
• never losing sight of your child's potential
• identifying and developing your child's gifts and strengths
• enriching your marriage
• parenting heart to heart, and more.

You can read more about the sessions at Celebrate the Journey using this link.

You can read what to expect from a typical day at the conference using  this link.

You can contact Apologia with further questions using this link.

BUT WAIT!! THERE'S MORE!!!

I have ONE ticket to give away to a blessed reader. 

If you live near enough Baltimore or Atlanta that you truly believe you will be able to attend the Apologia Live conference (or know someone who will attend that you can bless with by giving them a ticket), sign up to win ONE free ticket to the conference TODAY.

This ticket does not include the cost of lodging or transportation, and will only be valid for a location that has not sold out. I am receiving my ticket in exchange for promoting the Retreat (and telling about my experiences there) here on my blog.

Here is what you need to do

(if you want a chance to win a ticket, that is):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Santa is REAL...Here's How I Know

Santa IS real. And "he" works for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Review Crew. I know this because this is what is on its way to our house right now.

Does that look cool, or what? We are so blessed to have been picked for this review. I know my Three, no, make that Four, no, make that Five (for this one we will definitely be including Tex...he will love helping build it) Amigos are going to be so EXCITED!!!!! I wish I knew how to do something nifty and make the word "excited" jump around on the page to convey how happy and grateful they are going to be, but all I can manage is to make the letters different colors...sorry. But you get the idea, right?

Toydle is a company that was started by an American dad who was convinced that toys could and should be better made than the ones he was finding at the stores. He knew he could do better, so he did! Not only did he come up with a sturdy and FUN toy, it is made in America, so by buying from Toydle, you are supporting American workers. I like that! You can read more about his story HERE. Not only will you get a quality product that supports our own economy, but you will get an unconditional warranty on all parts for any reason (it says they will replace parts even if your kid "tries to do pull ups with a tube." WOW. You can read about that impressive warranty HERE.

All Toydle forts are constructed with 3" handmade wooden blocks, high quality 1/2" PVC tubes 29" long, and include a sturdy storage bag and clips to hold a sheet over your unique structure. This is definitely a toy that will stir your child's imagination.

Watch this video on how to assemble a Toydle fort and see what you think. I think you will want to go to their website and order one for your family for Christmas!

There are two sizes of Toydle forts. One is over 45 square feet and the other is double that size. The smaller fort retails for $149, while the larger one is only $229, even though it is double the size. If I was going to buy one, you can guess which one I'd go for...

BUT WAIT!!! If you head on over to the TOS Homeschool Crew blog NOW, you can enter to win one of THREE Toydle forts. Really!!! Then you too will know that Santa is for real, just like I do. I hope you win!


Please note: This contest is open to residents of the US ONLY. TOS Staff and TOS Crew Members (and their families) are not eligible to enter this contest.


PSSSSST!!! Hey!! By the way, don't tell my kids about the Toydle fort coming in the mail if you see them...the little ones don't know and they are going to be in for a wonderful surprise on Christmas day. They all agreed (and are genuinely happy with the decision, since they keep talking about it) that instead of doing the usual Christmas gifts this year (they are each still getting one small one), we should use the money to help build a fence around part of the back yard to keep Boo safe. Isn't that awesome? They are going to be so surprised. ;-)

Thank you, Santa. You are the best.

Blessings,

Heather

I Will Praise You

I am always impressed by Rebecca St. James. Not only is she an excellent singer who shares her gift with obvious passion for the Lord, but she is a talented songwriter who writes many of her own songs. Really, singing is one thing...but being able to write the songs you sing is pretty amazing. Especially when you are talking about songs that are so filled with honor and praise for our God, the Most High, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. Put that way, I am doubly impressed that her songs convey the reverence that is due to our Lord so effectively. I know they deepen my praise and worship experiences. They have for years.

When I was given the opportuntiy to review Rebecca's new release, I Will Praise You, I was thrilled. I have been a fan since the release of her album (my absolute and all time favorite), Worship God. I remember going to a concert of hers, VERY pregnant with Ladybug...this was a treat Hubby sent me to that I sorely needed as we had just made a tough move away from family, twenty-six hours south of "home," to Florida. I walked into the concert hoping to be refreshed and refocused on God because sometimes amidst the rush, rush, rush to move, unpack, make connections, find a church, find a homeschool group...all before the baby was due...I felt like I had lost sight of His plan and the peace He offers.

Anyway, the concert was everything I hoped for and needed. Since hearing about Rebecca's stance on purity, I have been impressed by this young woman, and hope my daughters will see her example, and her heart for the Lord, and be inspired by it. Her music stirred my own heart, and the hearts of those around me, and apparently, Ladybug's (in utero, no less!), because she spent the next hour or so turning somersaults and jumping all over the place. It was a tad bit uncomfortable, to be sure, but I told Hubby when I got home that this one was sure to love Rebecca St. James' music when she came out.

And she has. We have worn our Worship God CD out. It has so many scratches on it, some of the songs skip a bit. We have played it loudly in the car and sung in praise to God at the top of our lungs as we drove down the interstate to move once again, this time back towards family. We have learned the signs to our favorite song, Song of Love, and jump up and start signing them anytime we hear it play.(You really ought to try learning the basic signs to some of your favorite songs. It really deepens your worship experience). We have given a copy to a few friends to strengthen them and cheer them up. It's a good one. It's a keeper.

Well, I Will Praise You is another good one. Another keeper. I doubt it will replace Worship God as my favorite (how could it with memories like that?), but it is one my kids and I will request again and again. The day I received it in the mail, we listened to it three times in the car while driving around town, never tiring of the inspiring tunes, carefully listening to the words, gleaning the eternal truths from them. It is obvious that Rebecca poured her heart and soul into this album. It has been said that it is "her most personal recording to date." Every song is based on scriptures (such as Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, Ephesians, Titus, Hebrews, and Revelation), and you are probably aware of how hearing the words of God put to music cements the message in our hearts...certainly, David knew it...and things have not changed. Our music may be a bit different now, but in my opinion, this music of Rebecca's is no less worshipful. She both writes and sings with sincerity and I can highly recommend this CD to anyone, especially Rebecca St. James fans who have been waiting since 2005 for her to release another album. You will not be disappointed. It is a good one. It really is a keeper.

Read some of the lyrics from one of my favorite songs from this album:

I Will Praise You

Joy comes in the morning, the sun is rising, and I wait for You.

Streams flow in the desert, as an oasis, and I wait for You.

Chorus: Whatever the storm, Whatever is lost,

Whatever it takes, Whatever the cost,

I will praise you, I will praise you.

Repeat

Faith, Faith is the substance, of things we hope for, so I wait for You.

Hope, Hope and a future, are your plans for me, so I wait for You.

Chorus

• If you would like a chance to win this CD, visit my HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY TO ME AND PRESENTS FOR YOU! blog post and follow the rules for commenting and enter to win. You may earn 12 (or more!) chances towards winning this CD, so it is worth a trip over there, if you are interested in getting a FREE! copy of the CD mailed out to you.
• If you would like to preview three wonderful songs from this album, including my two favorites, I Will Praise You and You Never Let Go, click HERE.
• If you would like to see Rebecca on sharing her thoughts about the writing of Shine Your Glory Down, click HERE.
• If you would like to check out Rebecca's website, click HERE.
• If you would like to LIKE Rebecca on Facebook and get updates from her, click HERE.
• You can purchase this album on Amazon for $10.97 HERE as well as see the titles and hear previews of every song on the album.

**By the way, in case you didn't know, the Veggie Tales movie, The Easter Carol, features Rebecca as the voice of Hope, the Music Box Angel. It is a charming film for kids with a timeless message, and if you haven't gotten your children something special for Easter yet (and they are young enough to appreciate singing vegetables), it is worth considering getting this one. We sure do like it (it's my favorite Veggie Tales movie).

Happy Blogoversary to Me and Presents for YOU---A Blogoversary Giveaway!

*imagine the tune to Happy Birthday to You playing*    

Happy Blogoversary to Me, Happy Blogoversary to Me, Happy Blogoversary to Meeeeeeeeeeeeee, Happy Blogoaversary to ME...and many more!

I can't believe it has only been a year since I started this blog. It feels like a lot longer! LOL. If you are a blogger, do you ever get that feeling with your blog? Like it's a part of your history and you can't remember when it wasn't there?

Anyway, in celebration of my Blogoversary, I am going to give away presents to you! I have a copy of Rebecca St. James' new album, "I Will Praise You" on cd to send to one of my winners. Awesome!

I remember going to a Rebecca St. James concert when I was pregnant with Ladybug and she jumped around the whole time I was standing up and praising Jesus. To this day, we LOVE Rebecca's Worship cd, and have even learned some of the signs to go along with the songs on it. I just received my copy of the new cd in the mail today, and have already listened to it twice! It's another keeper.

I also have a copy of one of my favorite homeschooling books (see my right sidebar to see all of them), Diana Waring's Beyond Survival: A Guide to Abundant Life Homeschooling, to give away to a second winner. Somehow, I wound up with two copies, and I want to bless some lucky person with one of them. You will love it. You can read an excerpt of it HERE.

I will randomly pick a two winners on April 15th. I will give the first winner first pick of which prize they would like. The second pick winner recieves whichever item is left.

All you have to do to enter is to leave me a comment to tell me which gift you would like. It's that easy. This is a required entry. If you fail to leave this initial comment, you are not entered. Okay? With this first required entry you MUST specify whether you prefer to receive the book or the cd. And please, make sure I have a clear way to contact you if you win (somewhere you must leave info that will link me to you).

IF you want to give me a present for my blogoversary, you can refer your friends and/or family members who are not already followers of mine to follow my blog, and if they mention your full name in their comment (and you have already entered with the required entry), then I will give you THREE extra entries...but they have to be a new follower for me, or it doesn't count. You can do this as many times as you have friends who don't already follow me and are willing to.

I'd love to go over 100 GFC followers for my Blogoversary, so tell everyone! Oh, and please remind them not to forget to tell me which gift they prefer, in addition to your name in their comment. Thanks.

There are a few more fun ways to gain entries. Do one of each and you will have TWELVE entries...one for each month I have been typing away at this blog! That would make your chances for winning pretty good, eh?

Thank you to all of you for reading and for commenting. Your involvement over this past year has kept me on my toes and raised my spirits often.

-------------------------------------------------------------

So, to recap...ways to enter my giveaway...one entry method per comment, please:
(and please, make sure I have a CLEAR way to contact you to notify you, or I will have to chose someone else to win)

1. REQUIRED ENTRY: Leave me a comment to tell me which gift you prefer to receive, the Rebecca St. James CD or the Diana Waring book. Don't forget to specify, please!
2. Check out Diana Waring's website HERE and sign up for her Highly Irregular Newsletter (you can view a sample of her December Issue by clicking on her right sidebar.) Leave me a message telling me you signed up (be honest!) and I will (honestly!) give you TWO entries.
3. Leave me a separate comment to tell me you are a Google Friend Connect Follower (if you are!) and I will give you an entry.
4. Leave me another separate comment and tell me you are a Networked Blogs follower, if you are.
5. Once you have left a comment at least once, refer a friend (who has never followed me or commented on this giveaway already) to my giveaway, get them to follow me, then have them leave a comment containing YOUR name. I will not only give them their entry for following me (by whichever method they choose), but I will also give you THREE entries for telling them about my blog!
6. Go to Facebook and click LIKE for Rebecca St. James HERE. Then leave me a separate comment saying you did this for another entry.
7. Go to Rebecca's Listening Party HERE and listen to the first three songs of the album. Leave a comment telling me which one was your favorite and I will give you another entry.
8. Last, but not least, mention my giveaway on your blog (with a link, of course), then leave a comment telling me you did it (and please leave me a link to the post) and I will give you TWO more entries. All those entries together makes TWELVE total...wow! You can get even more if you have more friends willing to mention your name. The entries are endless...It's like a fun party game, uh, sort of. ;-)

I hope to get TONS of entries for this giveaway...please, join in on the fun and let me make you happy with a gift for my Blogoversary. I love giving people presents, don't you? You give me presents with your presence each time you comment, and that makes me very happy.
Thank you.

Blessings,

Heather

BTW: If you are visiting from the Ultimate Blog Party, feel free to look around and to follow me...I do try to follow my followers back. Thanks for leaving me a comment letting me know you were here. :)

Want to Try Time4Learning FREE for 30 Days?

I recently completed a review of Time4Learning. We liked it.

You can read exactly why we liked it HERE.

HERE is a link to their sitemap if you want to explore a bit.

The folks at Time4Learning have offered that the first twenty-five responders to this offer can try theprogram for FREE for thirty days. Yipee! I LOVE free stuff, don't you?

If you, or anyone you know, is interested in also trying Time4Learning for FREE! for thirty days, here are the rules:

1. You must have an active blog or website.
2. You must post a review of Time4Learning on your blog or website following your 30 day free trial.
3. You must go HERE and fill out the form, then do what the form says to do at the bottom of the page.

It is a very simple process. The first 25 readers to sign up, get to enjoy Time4Learning FREE for an entire month (and this applies for multiple students, not just one).


Let me tell you, with the rainy season (early days of spring) coming up, NOW is the time to jump in and do this. I think you (and your kids) will be glad you did. (I can tell you that the art program is really interesting...it's worth it just for that. Have you wanted to add art as an elective this year, but not had the time or the money? Go sign up for Time4Learning's FREE trial NOW!)

I hope you give this a try. Please leave me a comment if you go ahead and sign up. I'd love to know who else decides to do a review and how you liked it!

Blessings,

Heather