Freebies and a Win!

I get a lot of free samples in the mail, that I have requested.  I have three reasons for doing this:
1. The free samples save us money.
2. We get to try products  we haven't tried before.
3.*The most important reason-there are often coupons along with the samples! Sometimes they are high value coupons!

The picture above shows what came in the mail one day last week.  A coupon for Free Jif peanut butter at Target, a free Glad trash bag and a bunch of high value coupons, a sample of an industrial strength wipe, Miracle Whip samples, and my win-a years worth of Secret clinical strength deodorant!!  Not too bad for very little effort on my part.  I even get samples I wouldn't use such as diapers or pull-ups, to pass along to friends or keep at my house if a friend has an emergency while visiting. 

How do I get all my samples?  My *favorite* site is Free Stuff Times-you can find all sorts of great stuff on this site, not just freebies!  I also subscribe to several money-saving blogs.  Here are a few of my favorites (but there are many more that are great-let me know if you want a more extensive list):
Money Saving Mom-this site is incredible.  She has everything from recipes to financial advice on here!
Thrifty and Thriving
My SLC Mommy
Cuckoo for Coupon Deals
Utah Deal Diva
Now, at these sites you will have a wealth of information-notification of freebies to get, great coupon deals, coupon education, and giveaways, to name just a portion of what these incredible ladies do!  Speaking of giveaways, the Secret Clinical Deodorant pictured above was a giveaway I won at another of my favorite sites, Free stuff, Fun sites, Contests & More!  Thanks to Angie for the opportunity!

New Friend Friday!

Today I'm participating in New Friend Friday Link-up, sponsored by Molding Minds Homeschool!

Here are the directions from her post:
This is just a fun way to meet new bloggers and to get your blog out there a bit more. So if you are a FAMILY FRIENDLY blogger and want to participate here are the directions:

1. Add your blog using the Mr Linky at the bottom of this post: New Friend Friday Link Up for June 22nd.

2. Post a small blurb linking back to the above post.


3. Follow at least 3 of the blogs already linked (the first few will have to come back later in the day to get 3).

4. Comment on their blog letting them know that you are following from Follow Me Friday at Molding Minds.

5. Follow anyone that comments on your blog.

The last is very important as that is what makes this work! Any type of blog is welcome to participate as long as it is FAMILY FRIENDLY. Have fun and I look forward to meeting some new friends! Be sure to give the linky a few minutes to refresh before putting your info in a second time. It can take up to 5 minutes sometimes.

The Winner Is...........

The winner of 'When Sparrows Fall' by Meg Moseley, drawn at random by randompicker.com, is................
#22 vwestermeyer!!!  Congratulations!  Please contact me with your address so I can ship off this great book to you! 

Thanks to everyone who entered!!

Big Savings on Parents Magazine!

Purex has partnered with Parents magazine to offer a one year subscription (12 issues) for only $4!!  That is a huge savings off of the newsstand price.  To get this great deal, just click on this link: https://www.purex.com/parents-promo
Once you get there, there will be a place to enter a promo code to get this great price.  The promo code you need to enter is:  PX1653.
Happy Reading!

Book Review and Giveaway! 'When Sparrows Fall' by Meg Moseley

The Review: Miranda Hanford is a widowed mother of six children, living a secluded life controlled by her pastor.  She wants out of the cult-like church that has been her life since she married at age 19.  When she faints and has a bad fall after fasting, her brother-in-law Jack comes to take care of Miranda and the children.  He is shocked by their reclusive lifestyle and wants to help them.  Miranda tries to hide her secrets from Jack while figuring out a way to escape the church. 

When I read the description of 'When Sparrows Fall' by Meg Moseley, I was eager to read a fictional book about a homeschooling family.  I soon learned there were many more reasons why I would enjoy this book!  I started out having a hard time getting into the story, but that changed quickly, and I soon couldn't put it down.  It is well-written-the author does an outstanding job of drawing you into the characters' lives.  A discussion guide is also included, so I think this would be an excellent choice for a book club!  Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.



The Giveaway:  I have two copies of 'When Sparrows Fall', the one that I read and another brand-new copy!!  I will mail this copy to a winner drawn at random.  You have two chances to win:
1.  For the first entry, leave a comment with your name, email address, and the name of a book you've enjoyed recently.
2.  For the second entry, leave a comment with your name and email address, letting me know that you are following me on Google friend connect. You must be a new or current follower to have this second entry. 

The giveaway will end on July 20th, 2011 at 11:00pm MST.  I will announce and email the winner the next day, July 21st.  GOOD LUCK!!!

Book Review: 'The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance' by John Trent and Gary Smalley

                                                                       
In this revised and updated edition of 'The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance',  the authors present the gift of providing the "blessing" for our children.  This concept is built upon Genesis 27 from the Bible.  The principles in this book could also be used to strengthen other relationships, such as marriages and friendships. 

In this book, Gary Smalley and John Trent suggest the gift of the blessing containing five elements:
*Meaning of touch
*A spoken message
*Attaching high value
*Picturing a special future
*An active commitment
The authors believe that, when given the gift of these five elements, children will become stronger, more well-balanced adults.  Each of the five elements is broken down for better understanding , with examples of the anticipated positive outcome, as well as examples of homes that withheld the blessing.  Everything is explained thoroughly, including steps for a written blessing, with frequent scripture references.

John Trent and Gary Smalley have created a website, www.TheBlessing.com, with more resources.  Throughout the book and on the website, they ask parents to pledge the Blessing Challenge, which is 1 million adults pledging to bless others. 

'The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance' was a very well-written book that could many lives.  For me personally, the five elements of blessing were not new information.  It was a great reminder though, of making sure to impart the blessing daily to our loved ones, and of the scriptures that support the blessing.  I would recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their relationships, especially with their children.  Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.