A Winner and Some Random Thoughts

It’s that time of year again.

The hours are long. The time to write almost non-existent.

As such, I’ve failed to post my winner for the My Memories Suite!

Without further ado, and with thanks to Random.org, let’s pick a winner, shall we?

 

Congratulations, Elizabeth! I’ll be in touch!

In other news, the kids are back in school. My Christmas tree is still up. (Probably should be dealing with that instead of writing a post with no real point to it, huh? Professional procrastination.

Those of you who have prayed for us, for our challenges with our son,  thank you. Please don’t stop. It’s still very up and down. These next few months, always a challenging time anyway, could be even more so. We’re still working on it all, and it provides me a great deal of peace to know you all are out there thinking of us.

It’s late, and I’m struggling to stay awake at this point, so I’m going to call it a night! Have a wonderful week.

My Memories

I have really great intentions. I have boxes of paper, special scissors, cute little corner things. Dozens of prints, waiting to be trimmed, framed, embellished.
In my mind, I create beautiful scrapbook pages. My kids’ pictures are perfectly cropped with detailed edges and immaculately aligned mats. Journaling is color-coordinated in flawless handwriting, with nary a scribble in sight.
In real life? I have a couple different scrapbooks that I MIGHT have finished two or three pages in. The edges are crooked. The mats don’t match up quite right. Journaling? Yeah, I’m not sure my kids didn’t write those simple paragraphs.
I’m full of brilliant ideas, but not so good with execution. Add into the mix that my life is a digital one – I blog, I tweet, I Facebook. I use a digital camera or my cell phone to take pictures. I rarely print any of them. As such, the idea of a digital solution appeals to me!
I was given the opportunity to use MyMemories Digital Scrapbooking Software. People? I can do this. See!?

I did this as a 5x7 page, and could have totally used it as a Christmas Card!  (Except, I took to long. But now I’m ON it for next year!)
And now I’m envisioning birthday invitations… fun post-vacation postcards… And oh.my.word, first day of school postcards to the grandparents? The kids could share their own little stories of the first day, and that photo we always take? The happy grandparent gushing of it all…
There are great premade templates to get you started, and literally hundreds of pieces to build your own layouts within the MyMemories Suite, plus tons of great additional packages. The scrapbook software itself is very user-friendly, with several export options, allowing for sharing in print or online. You can even make video montages of your favorite pages. (What a great idea for a wedding or baby’s first birthday!)
I might even get around to doing something like a baby book for each of my kids, since pretty much every picture of them ever is digital. That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!
I’ve had a blast playing with frames, photos and embellishments, and I want YOU to get to play along! The great folks at MyMemories are going to let me give one of YOU a copy of their MyMemories  Suite v3 - a $40 value!
So, here’s how to enter:
1. Leave me a comment telling me what your FIRST project would be – a montage of the kiddies? A beautiful image from your wedding? A photo of grandpa with that trophy fish? Share that memory!
2. Head over to the My Memories site and poke around, then tell me what scrap pack you’re in love with – I’m eyeing this Winter Fantasy 3 pack! Be sure to leave it in a separate comment!

3. Tweet about it! You can say what you’d like, but be sure to include @MyMemoriesSuite , @TaxMegan, and a link to this giveaway! Here’s an easy copy-paste for you, if that will help! 

I want to win @MyMemoriesSuite scrapbook software from @TaxMegan at http://bit.ly/sZH56J

Once you’ve tweeted, shoot me a link to your tweet as a separate comment here!
You’ve got three possible entries for an endless collection of memories – what a great way to start the New Year! Entries will close at 11:59pm Eastern on Thursday, January 5, 2012.
Don’t want to wait? Ask me how to save $10 on your purchase of the My Memories Suite!

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of the My Memories Suite at no cost to review, as well as a copy to give to one of you. All opinions here are my own. At the close of the entry period, the winner will be selected using random.org to identify the “winning” comment. Any questions regarding this giveaway should be submitted by email to me at allabunchofmomsense (at) gmail (dot) com.

Win A Weekend Away!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.

I do a fair amount of traveling – sometimes for work, sometimes for fun, but I almost always enjoy it.

One of my favorite parts of going somewhere is the hotel room. As a mom, I love being able to relax somewhere, knowing that:

• I don’t have to take out the trash
• I don’t have to wash all those towels
• I don’t have to make that bed

That bed. You know the one. The one with the fabulous sheets, and pile of pillows. The one that is perfectly aligned so that you can see that big, flat-panel television that is mounted properly so that your husband’s feet aren’t in the way. The one with the mattress that doesn’t have that sagging spot in the middle. Ahhh.. Yep, that bed.

Another thing I love? Value. When I am selecting my hotel, I’m looking for certain things. Free WiFi? Yes, please! Oh- hot breakfast, too? Why, thank you!

So when I learned that Hampton Hotels was giving away 100 weekend stays (one every day!), or a grand prize package of 100 rooms for a weekend, my mind got to churning – where would we go? That’s when it hit me  - I’ve been to Chicago several times for work-related conferences, but never once for fun. In fact, my husband and I were just discussing finding a few days when we could take the kids and experience some of Chicago’s fabulous culture, adventure, and of course PIZZA!

So then, I start poking around. Hampton Hotels, with their free internet, and free breakfasts, and beds so fabulous you can buy them, also has fabulously located hotels. Like the one in the Theatre District in Chicago. It’s perfect. The Loop, Grant Park, The Art Institute, all nearby. And hello, architecture!  

So, when I win the Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes, (because I’m going to win – I’ll be entering every day, you can, too!) that’s where we’re headed. I’m going to load up my favorite people – the husband and the children, and we’re going to take a nice road trip to Chicago!

Where would YOU go with your weekend getaway with Hampton Hotels? Be sure to enter for your chance at a weekend getaway for you and a couple hundred of your closest friends!

A Tidbit Romance : Book Review

Erin Coss has shared sweet, understandable bites of God’s Word in her devotional A Tidbit Romance: Falling in Love with God’s Word One Devotion at a Time. Bit by bit, page by page, Coss takes scriptures and carries them straight into the heart. She makes them real, and relevant to our lives.
She writes with a voice that’s real, touching on struggles we all face from time to time – feelings of inadequacy, guilt, lack of motivation. Then the beauty and truth of the Word is revealed, like the petals of a flower opening to the morning sun. She validates us, and then guides us to be stronger in faith, better wives, mothers, and children of God.
The peace and healing I found in the pages of A Tidbit Romance surprised me, and in a very positive way. I want you to have that, too. I have a copy of A Tidbit Romance, signed by the author, to give away to one of you! To enter, just leave a comment, any old comment will do. With the help of Random.org, I’ll select a winner in one week. You have until 11:59pm Eastern on Wednesday, July 28 to enter. Please make sure I have a way to contact you in that comment!  This giveaway is now closed. If you would like to order a copy of A Tidbit Romance, visit Erin's site, www.TidbitRomance.com!

For more on Erin Coss - “The Chicken Dance Mama” – visit her site , www.tidbitromance.com. While you’re there, you can download a PDF sample of her book, and a free 10-part bible study. Check out the Blog Tour link to see what others have to say about A Tidbit Romance.




**I was provided a copy of A Tidbit Romance at no cost by the author, in exchange for my review. The author provided an additional, autographed copy of A Tidbit Romance to be given away to a reader of All A Bunch of Momsense.  All opinions stated here, unless otherwise indicated, are my own. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

SmartShield Winner!

 

Congratulations go out to Heidi – the winner of the SmartShield Sunscreen giveaway! Heidi, please email me your mailing information.

If you would like to try SmartShield too, they have offered a discount of $2 to my readers. Please use SUN2 at checkout for your savings. (I know I will be!)

I promise to be back soon – I had to show up at work and such this week so as to remain employed. In the meantime, visit my friends at www.MarioMarathon.com – so far they have raised over $48,000 for charity, and are still going strong!

From my front porch…

A little Five Question Friday – I’m SO sorry that the video is so washed out! I wasn’t doing it again! (Kind of a one take girl.)

 

 

 

Play along with us here!                                           And enter the giveaway here!

 

 

 

 

 

SmartShield Sunscreen: A Review & GIVEAWAY!

I burn. Easily. Badly. Blisters, peeling, the whole nine yards.  This comes from the very Irish side of my lineage, courtesy of my father and his ancestors.

My oldest has inherited this particular trait from me, especially in a couple of under-pigmented areas on the back of his neck. Our kicker there? His skin is super-sensitive, and he’s allergic to a number of different sunscreens, most recently the one we were able to use successfully all summer last year.

When I received an opportunity to review a sunscreen, I was pretty interested. When I explored their website, I got flat excited. I emailed the company back to let them know I was willing to give it a shot, and got a bit antsy when just a few days later, I had to take J to the pediatrician after he broke out in a horrid, itchy rash after using our “regular” sunscreen.

Allow me to introduce SmartShield. Oil-free. PABA-free. Hypoallergenic. And frankly, awesome.

After my review bottle arrived, I threw it in my purse and took it to the ballpark with me. Some on the back of my neck, some on my arms, some funny looks from other parents as I sniffed myself and ran my fingers along my skin a few times. One of the first things I noticed was that this didn’t have that overpowering sunscreen smell. While I love the smell of coconut, sometimes I need sun protection that doesn’t smell like the beach. As a working professional, I attend a number of conventions in warm, sunny climates. I need sunscreen, and want to smell like my chosen fragrance!

The next thing I noticed was that I wasn’t greasy. I have oily skin, and suffer from breakouts, so I’m pretty careful about what I put on my skin, especially my face. After this first application, I noticed my arms weren’t greasy. The product was completely absorbed, it wasn’t sitting in some film on top of my skin.

Finally, when I got home, I wasn’t burnt. That scored points for me as well, since I usually have to reapply after an hour or so, and didn’t this time.

But, that was only one trial. Next up- water use! After a busy day of errand running, another baseball game, and some housekeeping, I decided I had earned an hour floating in the pool with a book. I applied my SmartShield sunscreen, grabbed my sunglasses, some water, and a book, and I was off. As I lay in my float, I realized I wasn’t creating that oil slick that I usually see – you know the one. That rainbow sheen on the surface of the water, right next to your arm or leg.  Yeah, it wasn’t there. I spent a full hour in the water, and stayed protected.

So protected that when the kids and I went to a local festival a little bit later, and I threw on a tank top, but not more SmartShield, I swiftly found the part of my back that was not protected. So, even after that hour in the water, a wardrobe change, and another hour or so of just life, the SmartShield held up and kept me sunburn free.

My final test was my face. I almost never put straight sunscreen on my face, relying instead on face products with sun protection in them. Even at that, many of them cause increased breakouts for me. Most moisturizers with sun protection feel heavy and greasy on my already oily face. I was willing to give this a try, though. I’m not sorry. My skin was not irritated by the product at all!

My final thoughts – SmartShield provided me noticeable sun protection that lasted through extended water exposure and a toweling off. The feel of the product on my skin was great, even better than several of my moisturizing lotions. I was not overpowered by fragrance, and it did not irritate my breakout prone skin or my son’s sensitive skin. I am officially a fan.

SmartShield wants one of YOU to get to try out their sunscreen as well! From now until 11:59 pm (EST)  on Sunday, June 27th, you may enter to win one (1) 4.5oz bottle of SmartShield spf 30 sunscreen. Here’s how to enter:

1. Visit SmartShield’s website and leave me a comment with the name of the product you think would best fit your lifestyle! (The product line includes bug-repellent/sun protection combos, self tanner, and after sun care.) This comment counts as one entry.

2. Become a follower of All A Bunch of Momsense and leave me a comment letting me know! Already a follower? That comment counts too!

3. Tweet the following: Serious Sun Protection #giveaway  from @TaxMegan & @SmartShield at http://tinyurl.com/282mj3s You can tweet this for an additional entry each day, but each tweet does require a separate comment here!

4. Follow All A Bunch of Momsense on Facebook! Either click the link in my left sidebar, or here. Again, be sure to leave me a comment!

And now, the fine print: I was not monetarily compensated by SmartShield for this review. I was provided, at no cost to me, a bottle of SmartShield sunscreen to review. Additionally, SmartShield has offered a bottle of sunscreen to the winner of this giveaway. All opinions in this review are my own. If you have any additional questions in regards to this, or any other reviews or giveaways hosted here, please feel free to email me at allabunchofmomsense@gmail.com

Good luck!

Imaginative Play, Giveaway Style

Entries are now closed- Thanks for playing!

I love love love it when I hear my daughter up in her room, singing, chatting, and playing. She carries on those fabulous conversations with goodness only knows who, and entertains herself for hours on end. I can sit outside her door and just listen, and I love it.

Did I mention that I loved it?

My children pretend to work at the office with me, preparing tax returns and reviewing paperwork. E pretends he's a chef, whipping up fabulous dishes in anticipation of his future career. (He wants to be a "Cooker at the Olive Garden" - mmmMMMMmm!) I pretend to be working so as to avoid cleaning. I'm pretty sure Big Daddy pretends to still be asleep so I will get up and make the coffee. These days, J is pretty into pretending he doesn't care what we think, but for pretend play, I'm seeing a fair amount of playing soldier.

We do a lot of pretending around our house! So, when I was contacted by the folks from CSN Stores about hosting a little giveaway, I was SO excited by THIS:

(Image Credit/Product Info)

One of the over 200 stores from CSN is www.AllChildrensFurniture.com. I won't lie, I'm kind of drooly over a number of things I found when I went to look around. I mentioned on Saturday the fabulous piece I'd like to have for my entryway, but I'm afraid that may just be the beginning. I could spend hours looking at adorable kids furniture, toys, and um... hello, shoes! 

Anyway, the nice folks over at CSN have offered up to one of you, my dear sweet lucky readers,  the above super-sweet Let's Play Veterinarian play set. Neatly tucked inside it's own little storage tote is a complete vet's office, including patients! Non-latex gloves, a "prescription" pad, Doctor's coat and mask, you name it, it's all there for your little veterinarian. Even a resource CD and guide for moms and dads. Go here to learn more about what all is included!

I am completely in love with this play set, and I want you to win. So, here's how you go about doing that! 

• Visit www.AllChildrensFurniture.com and pick out an item that you love. Leave a comment with a link to your favorite item. 
• Become a follower of www.AllABunchOfMomsense.com. Already a follower? Fabulous! Either way, please leave me a separate comment letting me know!
• Go check out my NEW 'hood, and then tell me what post you've loved the most so far. You got it- needs to be a separate comment, too. 
• Tweet or Facebook this giveaway, and post the link here in the comments. You are allowed one entry per day this way, and must leave a comment for each separate post.
• Grab my button and add it to your sidebar. Separate comment!
• Grab the Our Mommyhood button and add it! (Uh-huh, separate comment again!)

I'm celebrating today, since it's my first post with Our Mommyhood. I am SO glad you're here to celebrate with me! I'll be closing entries at 11:59pm (EDT) on Saturday, March 20th, and announce the winner on Sunday.Entries will be numbered in order received, and with a little help from random.org, I'll pick one of YOU to get to share this fabulous fun pack with the little ones in your life.

Good luck!

This giveaway is sponsored by CSN Stores. I have received no monetary compensation from CSN Stores or any of their affiliates. They have provided, at no cost to me, the above item to give to a winner of my choosing. 

More cool stuff coming! (And going on!)

I told you, I've been a busy little bee. I'm working on a new background, and should have it finished up this weekend, and MAYBE even an updated header. Setting goals, setting goals. (But NOT making promises!)

Next week is spring break, which has me thinking about spring cleaning. I've been looking around for some pieces to help me get my home a little LOT more organized, especially the kids' rooms. I was recently introduced to a site with some great kids furniture, and have found at least a couple of pieces that I'll probably get ordered soon. In particular, I found a piece that I'm drooling over for my entryway, with places for shoes underneath, shelves, a bench... I love it.

Anyway, I'd never perused the site before, but I have a good reason to - and you will too, because also in my little to-do list is a giveaway! There will be more on that on Monday, because, well, Monday is kind of a big deal for me. This last week, we rolled out the new site I'm writing for, OurMommyhood, and Monday will be MY first post. Don't wait until then to check it out, though, because I am teamed up with some really fantastic ladies, and they have some great stuff to talk about. Won't you stop by our house, pull up a chair, and check it out?

I'm also taking part in a Beth Moore study with some fantastic blog-buddies. We have really just gotten started, but I'm so excited about what I'm reading, and the discussions we're having. We all face so many different types of insecurities, and Beth's newest book is about kickin' 'em to the curb. I'm ready to send mine packing, and I am blessed to have some great people helping me through that process.

Ok, so that's some of the stuff I've been up to. Around packing lunches, helping with homework, & doing tax returns, of course! What's new in your world?

Wowza - the Holiday Giveaways!

Seriously.
There are like 1,001 people giving away UBER COOL STUFF! So, this post is all about the goodies that you WANNA win.
Only, you can't, see, 'cause I'm gonna.
Yep. All of 'em.
Check 'em out! Presented in order of Ending Soonest:

You are mere hours away from winning either

THESE:

Or THIS:

By visiting Keely at www.MannLand5.com! She has up to SIX different ways to enter! BUT - her giveaway ends at midnight TONIGHT (Dec. 9th). So, hustle up!

Also ending tonight at midnight is Mama M.'s Lucy the Lamb Giveaway! Now, this is no ordinary stuffed animal! There is a cute little hot/cold pack tucked inside the snuggly, cuddly lamb, perfect for what ails you your little one!

Next up:

Bloggy Blog Designz wants you to win a Blog Makeover! Check out their deets, then click the button to link to 'em!

Bloggy Blog Designz is having ANOTHER Holiday Giveaway!!! Last week every entrant won something, so they decided to do it all over again! They are giving away blog designs and all kinds of goodies. Plus ALL entrants will receive 20%off their purchase through the end of the year! Be sure to check out their website for more information, or to enter yourself. Take a look at their portfolio and packages to see what you want for Christmas ;) With 6 giveaways this week, who knows whats in store for next?
The first 5 entrants will receive a $10 giftcard. The giveaway will close on Dec. 13th, so be sure to have your posts done and comments left by midnight! Good Luck to everyone! We are so excited. Merry (early) Christmas!

Finally, Jen from 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven has hooked up with Hotslings and is giving away a lovely baby carrier! I so wish that I had had one of these when I was toting around my little people! So, don't miss out on YOUR chance!

To enter click HERE. This one ends at midnight on the 19th, so you've got plenty of time to check out the ways to enter!

Holy smokes, I almost didn't want to tell you about forgot this one!
MckMama & HP want me someone to have a fabulous-o TouchSmart 600 touchscreen desktop computer. Oh, my heart would stop if it were mine.
So, seriously, pop over to her giveaway and check it out- you have until Santa comes! (Ends 12/24!)

Whew! There are some great giveaways going on out there right now! Don't miss your chance to win one or all of these fab prizes - be sure to visit these ladies and show 'em a little love! (But keep your paws off my prizes!)

Treat Your Tootsies Giveaway Winner!

A big thanks to all of you who entered and left me comments! We had a total of 21 qualifying entries, and I used Random.Org to pick a winner!

Our winner is Jackiedlc from A Step At A Time!

Congrats, Jackie! Please email me at allabunchofmomsense (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll get your prize on its way!

As for the rest of you, don't give up hope! There will be more great giveaways soon!