Giveaway Winner!!!

The winner of the DaySpring recordable storybook is Lisa (Field's mommy)!  She plans on recording the story for her son, Field.  (Read her story and Field's journey as a heart baby at www.journeywiththejohnsons.blogspot.com)

Lisa - email me at baseballsbutterfliesblessings@gmail.com & I'll email you the code for your free storybook!  (winner pays shipping!)
Congrats!!

(Winner chosen via random.org)

Recording a Story- a review & giveaway!

Who needs to hear your voice today, reminding them that they are loved and they are special?

Whose voice do you or your child need to hear?

Recently I received a new book in the mail.

I love books and I especially love children's books.

But this wasn't your typical, run of the mill children's book.

It's a beautiful recordable storybook from DaySpring.

It sat on my kitchen counter for a few days while I brainstormed whose voice it should hold.

Then, I remembered that we are in the process of getting a couple of Compassion children.  Specifically, we're making Compassion work really hard as I wanted children with limb differences.  

I thought that it would be really special to have Will record the book and we'll send it in our first package to our new Compassion kids (hopefully soon!)

He had a lot of fun "reading" with Mommy's help.

 I was thrilled that the recorder was so easy to operate- 

my four year old can do it... all by himself.

 The illustrations are beautiful - and showcase all kinds of children.

 And the words?

They are words every child needs to hear - that they are loved and they are special and they are never alone - Jesus is with them all day long.

They're perfect for grandparents to record their voices (we have several books which hold grandparent's recordings.)  We have one with Will & Ellie's cousins' voices.  They are great for far away relatives or special friends.  Maybe you could record one and drop it at your local hospital for the pediatric wing or at a women's shelter for displaced families.  Maybe you know of some children that aren't read to daily - could your voice minister to them?   

 Who needs to hear your voice today?  

Who needs to hear that they are loved and special?  

Do you know a child who needs to learn the power of their words and their own voice - who can learn to use their voice to spread love?

I'm giving away a FREE recordable storybook from DaySpring!  

(The book is valued at $29.95!  The winner will receive a coupon for a free book - winner pays shipping.)

2 ways to enter:

1.  Become a follower of this blog  & leave a comment that you did so on this post.

2.  Leave a comment on this post and tell me who you would record a book for if you won.

Comments will be closed sometime next week & a winner will be chosen then.

(Disclosure:  DaySpring did provide this product for my review.  However, all opinions are my own.)

WINNERS!

And the Music Winners of Caroline Cobb Smith's cds are:
Britney at www.thepoefam.blogspot.com (Quinn & Nash's Mommy)
&
Cheryl (Heartsong - Isabella's Mommy!)

Would you please contact me with your address & I will get your cds to you?
(baseballsbutterfliesblessings@gmail.com)

Thanks & Congrats!

Missed out this time?  I've got another cool giveaway coming soon!
And you can always go to itunes & download your fav Caroline song (search under Caroline Cobb.)

(Winners chosen randomly by true random generator.)

A Music Giveaway!

It's time for a fun giveaway!!!

Within a few days of our big move across Texas, we were invited to dinner with several other young families.   We felt so welcomed to our new city and really enjoyed getting to know other families.

That night, I learned that one of the other women at the table, Caroline, is a musician.  She has recorded 2 cds!  She is even on itunes!  (Search for Caroline Cobb.)  

Naturally, I went home and found her on itunes... and then I absolutely loved her music!

I checked out her website & blog (www.carolinecobb.com) that weekend and continued to listen to her music.  

Caroline writes all her own songs.  Her current project is to write a song for every book of the Bible by 11/11/11.  She also plays the guitar and sings.  She is very talented.

Her music is clearly scripture inspired and God glorifying.  I love that as I listen to her music, I am hearing scripture.  

Will likes it too - he says he is listening to "Mrs. Smith" which sounds funny to me when he is talking about someone on itunes - I guess I don't usually think of my singers by the appropriate name for my child to call them.

  We've continued to get to know Caroline & her husband Nick & their daughter, Eleanor (also called "Ellie!") over diners on the patio.   

These pictures are horrible quality.  I took them with my phone at night.  I promise Caroline's music is one million times better in quality than my photography skills.

Here she is playing dress up with Will's hats one evening - she would be the "Buzz Lightyear."  Our friend, Carolyn, is a pirate while Will is a cowboy.

 Will & Caroline's Ellie

 Ellie "Squared"

Ellie S kissing Ellie B

After hearing her live with some friends at one of her local shows, I knew I wanted to share her music with you!

We are giving away 2 of Caroline Cobb Smith's cds!  One each of her recordings (Sing & Far Beyond Me!) for 2 people!

You will love her music!

Two ways to win:

1.  Leave a comment below under the "thoughts" tag.  Leave your first name & your favorite food to eat out with friends.

(We met Caroline & Nick over Mexican food.)

2.  Go to itunes & listen to Caroline's music.  (Search "Caroline Cobb.") Or listen on her website.  Sample a few songs & then leave a comment with your first name & your favorite song.

(So, you can leave up to 2 comments which will increase your chances of winning.)

Winners will be chosen randomly.  There are two cds to give away & there will be two winners chosen.

(I should call this the Big 2 Giveaway!)

Her music is beautifully written & sung - I know you will be encouraged & blessed by listening.

Giveaway open until I remember to come up for air from moving into a house at last.

***This is not a paid endorsement.  I am not being compensated in any way.  I bought some of Caroline's music (okay, a lot of Caroline's music) on itunes all by myself without any pressure to do so - because I really liked it.  You will too.  I'm not being paid or anything.  I just like her music & want to share it with you.  Because I appreciate you reading & encouraging me.  Thanks! I'm outta here - more boxes to open!


CONTEST NOW CLOSED!

Dance Off!

Recently, I received a request to allow a guest post on my blog.  I had never before considered this but when I reviewed the post and learned that the post related to the Children's Miracle Network, I was intrigued.  The Children's Miracle Network does so much for families and children with medical needs in communities across the USA.  

Plus, it meant I could post a video of my kiddos dancing.   Will recently began doing this on his own with Ellie, grabbing her hands & "dancing" with her.  She may be immobilized in a body cast but that doesn't mean she can't dance with her big brother!

(Thanks to Mimi for tech support.)

(This was filmed with a flip camera I received for Christmas.  Don't judge the flip though by my poor skills.  Also, I had to convert it from hd to a lower res video in order to post it here.  Normally, the picture quality is amazing! I love my flip.)

Early Child Care and Dance

Submitted by Emily Patterson on behalf of Primrose Schools

Dance can be a fun, easy way to introduce physical activity into your family's daily routine.  As a provider of educational child care, Primrose Schools has recognized and is actively fighting against the childhood obesity epidemic.

Primrose preschools understand the importance or physical activity, eating healthy and the joy and healthy benefits that indoor and outdoor play can provide.  By incorporating dance into your families routine, your family can show support against the epidemic and help promote fitness and strengthen family ties.

The Family Dance-off supports Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals, which collectively treat 17 million children annually for every illness and injury imaginable.

Families are encouraged to record and submit a 30 second video of themselves dancing to promote fitness and strengthen family ties.

Participating in the Family Dance-off is easy:

1.       Record a 30-second video of your family's best dance moves. Don't be afraid to let loose and be silly!

2.       Visit The Family Dance-off site and upload your best take by March 19.

3.       Share your video with your friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

4.       View and vote daily (you can place five votes per day) for your favorite family dance video!

Win prizes that aren't only great for your family but for your whole community, with $65,000 in donations to local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals:

·         Grand Prize: $5,000 and Primrose will make a $30,000 donation to a local Children's Miracle Network Hospital

·         2nd Prize: $3,000 and Primrose will make a $20,000 donation to a local Children's Miracle Network Hospital

·         3rd Prize: $1,500 and Primrose will make a $15,000 donation to a local Children's Miracle Network Hospital

·         All 14 Finalists will also receive a FLIP camcorder

Visit The Family Dance-off site  for details on how to take part in the fight against childhood obesity, participate in the competition, and view past competitors

Blessings Book - a Giveaway!

In each of my pregnancies, people have given me little booklets of scriptures they had found for me.  I have loved each of these little books as I know the care someone went to to find the perfect verse and write it down just for us.  I have carried many of them (sometimes all of them) in diaper bags to doctor's, therapists, surgeries, etc.  Sometimes, it helps me to just have the scripture right in front of my face and these are more portable than my Bible.  On days when I don't have the emotional energy to search for the verses I am thinking of or needing to read, it's nice to have books that are easy to use and I can quickly find what I want.

I just love my little books of scriptures.

While I was pregnant with Ellie, someone sent me this

It contains personalized scriptures for Ellie and I just loved it.

A few months ago, when I realized I had several people in my life (some I don't even know in real life but have somehow been connected with)  going through various crises (loss of a parent, a child fighting cancer,    high risk pregnancies), I knew that I wanted to send them some of the scriptures that have meant so much to me and that might be appropriate for their situations.  I have been so blessed by the books of verses my friends have made for me and I wanted to create something similar. But, in case you have followed this blog very long, my life is rather hectic and I don't have a lot of free time.  I wasn't sure I could create the booklets the way I wanted for each individual during my short break at home.

So, I contacted Sally, the creator of one of Ellie's scripture books, via her Etsy store.  I explained the unique situations my friends were facing and my desire to send them personalized scripture books but my lack of time to make them myself.  She agreed to work with me and I just loved what she made.  I sent her the scriptures I wanted for each individual person and she got to work creating beautiful books.

I love that they can fit in a purse or diaper bag or the console of your car or your desk drawer at work.  I love that they are colorful and appealing to look at.  I love that they are durable - they are laminated - which is nice if you happen to be around children or coffee or perhaps rain very often.

I loved them so much that I asked Sally if I could do a giveaway on the blog-

and one of you can win your very own personalized Blessings Book!  You can order one for yourself or for one of your children or maybe as a gift to someone  - no matter who it is for, they will be blessed.

To enter the giveaway:

1.  Leave a comment with your current favorite Bible verse & your name

2.  Become a follower of this blog & then leave a comment with your name & telling me you did so

(already a follower?  Just let me know in the comment section.)

That's right - two ways to win! Giveaway open from now til.... I close it (Sunday?  Monday?)

(& head over to Sally's shop to take a look at her creations!)

A Unique Sort of GIVEAWAY!

Will has been training this week.

Why?

It's time for 

"WHERE THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A WAY!!!

We're headed to the Dallas White Rock Marathon which benefits Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.  Our children are each patients at various pediatric hospitals.  Most of them are NOT free - far from it, in fact.  I spend a great deal of time dealing with our insurance company (thank God for insurance) and hospital billing departments.  I spend an insane amount of time filing paperwork from hospitals and insurance companies.

But, not from TX Scottish Rite.  It provides excellent care to any Texas child - at no cost.  It was ranked #2 this year (behind Boston Children's - which we are also patients at) in pediatric orthopedics.  They provide Will's prosthetics for free (about $12,000 a leg) & Ellie's hours and hours of therapy and castings.  Surgeries are free there.  They also provide camps in the summer where our children can be around other kids with limb differences or AMC.  Someday, Will will be able to go on their amputee ski trip to CO.   We are so thankful for the incredible care they provide our family.  Mostly, they have given us hope.

Which is why we run to give back.

If you're in the Dallas area this weekend, we'd love to have you at our pre-party at Scottish Rite on Saturday evening (wear blue.)  I think we are going to let Will do the 1 mile Mayor's race on Saturday morning.  We'd also enjoy seeing you at the race Sunday morning.  For details - check out our website:  www.wheretheresawillrace.blogspot.com

Over the last 3 years, we have raised around $100,000 for TSRHC.  Our team includes people from 2 countries and lots of states across the USA - over 300 people!

Today, we're doing a special sort of "giveaway." 

 Someone has agreed to anonymously match what we raise in the next 48 hours (with a secret cap.)  So, we are asking you to consider "giving away."  Can you spare a dollar or two or ten this holiday season?  If you are looking for a deserving place to give to this Christmas, please consider Scottish Rite.  They have served so many Texas families for so long (& children from other countries as well.)  We are forever indebted to them (& you.)

To donate, click on: http://www.active.com/donate/tsrh10/wheretheresawill

(This is a secure website for donations to the hospital.)

Do you have a digital camera or PSP or other item you would like to donate to a children's hospital (or clean out of your kid's closet?)  There's a wishlist on our website as well for those specific items:  www.wheretheresawillrace.blogspot.com

This "giveaway" will be active for 48 hours only - it shuts down on Thursday at noon.

Thank you!

Meanwhile, I've got to get running to keep up with these 2!

Hope to see you at the ROCK!

Giveaway Coming Soon!!!

Stay tuned this week for a very unique kind of giveaway!

Giveaway!

It's a giveaway!!!

 Want a happy baby too???  Dress him or her in one of these precious applique onesies or t-shirts from Kelly at Alacrity Designs.
There's also fun shirts for older kids, wreaths, bunting, and more!

Check out her online store at  http://www.etsy.com/shop/alacritydesigns

She is giving away a $25 gift certificate to her online store.  (Her products are sold in stores too but the gift certificate only works online.)

And know what makes this giveaway even better???

Kelly has a philosophy called "give and get."

For every onesie or shirt purchased, she gives one to a child in need.

Pretty great, huh?

Ellie is thrilled.

How can you enter???

1.  Leave a comment.  Tell me your favorite fall activity.

2.  Link up with your blog or website to Mr. Linky McLinkerton below.

That's right - 2 ways to win!  (You don't have to do both - it just increases your odds to do both.)

Good luck!

Giveaway closes at midnight on the 25th.

Drumroll, Please...

The Giveaway is now closed! That was super fun!!! I loved seeing where many of you are from! Is it weird for me to admit that this journey I am on is often very lonely and seeing your comments makes it a little less lonely? Not a whole lot of moms out there raising children in our circumstances.

But enough about me.

Let's talk about YOU!

The winners are:

1. #100,000 hit - CARRIE B!!! Email me your address & I'll get a little something in the mail to you!

2. Random comment selection - chosen by our oh so very highly technological method...

"the old pick a number out of a cornucopia" method

because we're advanced like that

#19 -SUSAN at 7:48pm on 10/5

Email me your address & I'll get a little something to you too!

By the way, when I told my husband late last night that I was doing a giveaway, he asked what the prize was. I told him my thoughts & I admit it is not too creative - just Starbucks gift cards - but easy & who doesn't like an excuse to get Starbucks and NOT pay for it? I don't even like coffee (I know - I'm not a real grown up) but love to go there for the yummy caramel apple cider or decaf frap.

So, he made fun of me for my lack of creativity. Sorry - I'm running low on creativity & brain waves currently.

But then, I got an email in the middle of the night! And next week, I'll be giving away a really fun gift certificate to a great online store for a custom made product for children. Get excited - this is fun! I was so excited but resisted the urge to call my husband at 1 am and share the good news.

Stay tuned for another fun (even more fun) giveaway coming up!

TOY GIVEAWAY!

I am an educational consultant for Discovery Toys- quality, award winning educational toys. I'd like to offer you a toy giveaway! Just leave a comment with your name, your email address (if I don't already have it), your kid's age... & the best toy you ever got as a child. One comment per entry please! I will randomly choose one person (assuming more than one person actually reads this blog & enters my giveaway) to receive a free toy - just in time for Christmas!

If you would like a catalog, let me know that too in your comment & I'll get one in the mail to you asap!

Giveaway begins now! (And it's over when I say it's over!)

My FIRST Blog Giveaway & Fun with Caroline & Stubbies

Last week, Will & I travelled to Dallas for some prosthetics appointments at Scottish Rite. One of my former college roommates, Laura, let us stay with her. It was so much fun having time to relax with her & watch our kids play together. Her daughter, Caroline, just turned 1.
Will & Caroline enjoyed some playtime outside

Will & Caroline did not enjoy the playtime in the baby pool. "COLD" was Will's word for the morning!
(Eventually, Caroline "warmed up" to the idea & enjoyed herself... Will refused to get in again!)


Before getting in - how could I resist a picture of this!?!



R surprised Will after his appointment by flying into Dallas too! He had work the next day so it was great to have him in town with us overnight & to hang out with the Krausses together!
We took Will to one of our favorite restaurants in Highland Park Village- Patrizio's - where we actually ate the night before Will was born. Then we walked to Pachigio for yummy gelato.

Will received "stubbies" at Scottish Rite last week. It's his first pair & they are designed to be cooler & allow more ventilation than his zancos (prosthetics) do. They don't go all the way up his leg & don't require as many layers. Honestly, I'm not crazy about the look & had a breakdown at Laura's but maybe I'll come around. (To clarify - it wasn't a mental breakdown... just a crying kind.) They are also working on new zancos for Will as he has definitely grown out of his first pair - which kind of makes me sad but happy too. Those zancos have seen us through a lot of hard work & a lot of airport security machines.

We'll be going back several times over the next month to do alignments & other procedures to get his new zancos just right.

The stubbies, however, need a new name. I'm just not super crazy about the word, "stubbies." Any ideas!?!? Last summer, you all helped me name his prosthetics & zancos has stuck. So - for the winner of the new name for stubbies... a surprise prize (because I will even surprise myself as I don't know yet what it will be!) Leave a comment for me with your ideas!!!
wow- it's my first blog giveaway! Yahoo!