Start Summer Early and Win Sweepstakes!!

Doesn't a summer trip to the beach sound wonderful right about now?  Here in Northern Utah, we've had some nice Spring weather lately, making me dream about Summer right around the corner. 

Win a trip for your family to Myrtle Beach, SC & Crown Reef Resort from Purex. Enter for your chance to send a family of four to Myrtle Beach, SC for a vacation full of sun & adventure at one of the top beach destinations in the country, and receive a year’s supply of your favorite Purex detergent!

Click here to enter.  The contest ends on April 30, 2014.  Good luck!

Product Review~Carol's Daughter Hair Milk

I'm part of the Influenster program, and recently they sent me a free bottle of Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Cleansing Conditioner as part of their #FindItAtTarget campaign.  Before this, I had never heard of this brand or product. 

Carol's Daughter Hair Milk is a nourishing and conditioning product with Agave, Shea, and Provitamin B5.  It deeply moisturizes, improves softness, and prevents frizz.  Even better, there are no sulfates, no parabens, no petroleum, no mineral oil, and no artificial colors. 

I love the fragrance of Carol's Daughter Hair Milk!  It also leaves my hair incredibly soft and does help with frizz.  If you'd like to find out more about this product, click here. 

*Disclosure: I received this product free from Influenster in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Wordless Wednesday~Hungry Hippos!

Book Review~Navigating the Explosion-You are Not Alone

When I was born, I went from the hospital to a foster home, and then was placed with my parents at two months old.  My older brother was also adopted, and I had several cousins who had been adopted.  So, adoption was a very normal thing in my life.  When I married, both my husband and I had hearts for helping children in need.  Over the years, we worked in a group home for troubled teens, I did home daycare, and my husband is now a social worker working with at-risk kids.

 We began doing foster care about ten years ago, with the only intention of helping kids and giving them a safe, loving temporary home-NOT adopting.  Well, that went right out the window with our very first placement!  We adopted Chad when he was three years old.  Since then we've had other foster children, but no more adoptions.  Chad is no different to me than my other children-he's all mine, just as I always felt I was with my Mom.  He was meant to be with our family, as I was meant to be with my adoptive family.  God has his plans for our lives. 

Was fostering and adopting easy?  No. There have been times of frustration, and times when you feel alone, that you feel nobody understands what you are going through.   Adoptive mother Allison Schumm has written a book that helps mothers through this incredible, but complicated, journey. 

This is a picture of Allison's amazing, beautiful family. Wow!  In Navigating the Explosion-You are not Alone, Allison shares her story and thoughts, and shares several letters written by adoptive mothers.  The chapters in the book are:

*The Call
*The Wait
*The Honeymoon
*The Groove
*The Future
*The Others

The book is full of relevant information that will also touch your heart.  I felt so understood after I read it. Even if you aren't a foster or adoptive parent, this book would be a valuable read so that you can understand and support others. 

To learn more about Navigating the Explosion-You are not Alone, including where to purchase, visit the author's website.  Here is Allison Schumm's contact information:

www.schummexplosion.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/schummexplosion

www.twitter.com/schummexplosion

www.pinterest.com/adoptedtwice

https://plus.google.com/+AllisonSchumm/posts

 

Thank you to Allison for writing such an important book. 

 

 

Children's Book Review~When I Grow Up I Want To Be...A Firefighter!

When I Grow Up I Want To Be..a Firefighter! was created and published by Wigu Publishing.  It is the latest book in the When I Grow Up Series, which now has twelve titles in the works.  It is a 53-page softcover, with bright, colorful illustrations on every page. 

Will loves field trips.  But then he finds out where his class is going for their next field trip-a firehouse.  Suddenly, Will does not want to go.  He is scared of fires and firefighters.  Firefighters are like monsters to Will-big and scary.  Will tries to figure out how to get out of going on the field trip, but ends up having to go.  When his class arrives, he finds out the firefighters aren't scary.  They teach the kids all about firefighting, and Will learns so much.  He isn't scared anymore!  In fact, he wants to be a firefighter when he grows up. 

When I Grow Up I Want To Be..a Firefighter! is a great book for children.  It is full of information, even a map of a firehouse.  At the back of the book is a Home Fire Safety Checklist and information on  how to make a Home Fire Escape Plan.  For more information, visit www.WhenIGrowUpBooks.com .

*Disclosure: I received this book free in exchange for my review.  All opinions are my own.

Book review & Author Giveaway~Dancing with Fireflies

  Jade McKinley grew up in Chapel Springs, and has recently returned to her home town after years away.  She is keeping a secret-she is pregnant due to a date rape.  Back home, she has a lot of emotions from the past to deal with.  God seems far away.

Daniel Dawson is an honorary member of the McKinley family, and he has been in love with Jade for years. As Daniel and Jade begin spending more time together, Jade realizes she has feelings for Daniel as well.  The problem is, neither of them will let the other know how they feel. 

Dancing with Fireflies is the latest in the Chapel Springs Romance series by author Denise Hunter. I really enjoyed this sweet romance.  My heart hurt for Jade, pregnant and feeling lost and alone.  The story was hard to put down, and I enjoyed Denise Hunter's style of writing.  There was a general theme throughout the book of being lost and finding your way home, and letting God be in control.

To learn more about author Denise Hunter and to purchase Dancing with Fireflies, visit her website at  www.denisehunterbooks.com. 



Don't miss Denise Hunter's latest Chapel Springs Romance, Dancing with Fireflies. Reviewers have already labeled Dancing with Fireflies "swoon-worthy" and "the perfect love story." 

Join Denise in celebrating the release of her new book by entering her Kindle HDX giveaway and RSVPing for her April 10th Facebook party.

One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire HDX
• Dancing with Fireflies and Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 10th. Winner will be announced at the Dancing with Fireflies Facebook Party on April 10th. Connect with Denise for an evening of prizes, book chat, and an exclusive look at the next book in the series.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN on the event page. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 10th!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."