School's Out For Summer Winner!!!

Thank you to all that entered! 


The Winner is: 

(There where 34 comments but 1 was a mess up, 1 was my daughter, the other was me replying to my daughter :) and the last one was me closing the contest) 

#15 Brandon


Check out his blog.  He does Reviews, Giveaways, and Coupons for Dads!! F.Y.I. He has a giveaway up on his site for some pretty neat crib sheets.  


"Brandon commented on School\'s Out For Summer Giveaway!!! - Our New Life:

I am a GFC follower!

I would love a Target GC!

Thank you!"

Congrats Brandon!!! 

The winner has been emailed and has  48 hrs to contact me or your GC will be forfeited and awarded to a new person.  

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Wanna join in a flip flop swap??

April wrote"I am loving the Girly Summer theme ... flip flops, accessories, books, martini/wine glasses, lotions and more! Anything cute and fabulous to enjoy in the sunshine!

The gift limit is $25 (not including shipping).

Packages are to be mailed no later than June 14th.

<center><a href="http://aprilbaker23.blogspot.com/2010/05/girly-summer-swap-dotdotdot.html"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/abaker23/summerswap_Page_0.jpg" /></a></center>

Please grab my button above to post on your blog. Write up a quick little post to send your friends and followers over here to sign up!

~

To participate in the Girly Summer Swap @ dot...dot...dot... please leave a comment on this post with your email address and flip flop size (just in case your partner needs it). You do not need to have a blog to participate, just an email address to exchange information with the person you are paired up with.

Deadline to sign up will be Wednesday, June 2nd. I will match up partners and post the pairs here on Thursday, June 3rd." 

So head on over to Aprils and sign up for some fun flip flop swaps!!! 

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Post it Note Tuesday

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Book Review: God's Promises for Girls

I received "God's Promises...for girls..." by Jack Countryman and Amy Parker to review.  I thought that this was a really cute book.  My daughter instantly started reading it as soon as it came in.  She really enjoyed it.  I asked her what it was about and she said "Mom, its a book of bible verses and stuff."  Do you like it I asked.  "Yes, it is cute.  I like the pictures." Would you recommend the book to your friends? "Yes, I would especially my friends that need to know about God."  

I would have to say she gave it a good review.  

Book Description from Book Sneeze: "An easy way to help young girls see God’s promises and how they can rely on His love in their daily lives.

The promise verses in this book are selected from the best-selling International Children’s Bible® to offer comfort and encouragement when a girl is feeling afraid, lonely, worried, angry, dissatisfied, discouraged, sad, rebellious, impatient, or sick . . . and when they need reassurance of God’s protection, love, forgiveness, help . . . and that He listens when they pray. It’s a great way for children to hide God’s Word in their hearts.

Sample text: Monsters. Spiders. Being alone. Do any of these things make you feel afraid? When you start to feel fear, hold on tight to these words: God promises to take your fear away!

"So don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you. I will support you with my right hand that saves you." Isaiah 41:10

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Happy Homemaker Monday #3

From: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

(if you would like to join in hop on over and visit Sandra!)

The weather in my neck of the woods:

Things that make me happy: 
Knowing that my child is out of school for the summer and doesn't have to go back to public school next school year.

Book I'm reading:
"I Will Carry You" By Angie Smith  

What I'm enjoying on TV:
US of Tara and Nurse Jackie on Showtime

 Grey's Anatomy Finale which was sad and had me on the edge of my seat and my heart racing and saying oh my oh my no no. 

 On the menu for dinner:
Tonight we are having Turkey Kabob Packets, Brown Rice and some kind of veggie either green beans or Normandy blend frozen veggies 

On my To Do List:
Laundry which I have started.

Sweep and Mop the Kitchen

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
Turkey Kabob Packets 

I substituted the Chicken for Turkey Cutlets.  You have to cook them longer or they will be a little tough.  

They are so good and Sephy loves them!! 

I took the recipe from here

In the craft basket:

It is considered a craft? We are going to make Strawberry Jelly today or tomorrow. 

Looking forward to this week:

PayDay Thursday LOL.. I am taking Sephy to the movies either Thursday or Friday  

Tips and Tricks:

Microwave a carton of ice cream for 10 to 15 seconds to make scooping a breeze. No more bent spoons with this kitchen tip!

My favorite blog post this week: 

I don't have a favorite one but don't these cookies here at Bake at 350 just look so good?? 

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):

No new blogs I discovered this week.  I haven't done any blog hops lately.  

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

My baby girl dressed for her 80's AR dance at school.

Lesson learned the past few days:

Prayers are answered even if it means you are upset about something.

On my mind:

How I am going to raise $1400 so that I can go to Relevant. 

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 

Matthew 5:6

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School's Out For Summer Giveaway!!! ~Closed!!

This giveaway is now closed! 


School is officially out for us on Monday after a Awards program! 

Why not start the summer off right with a GIVEAWAY!!

I will be giving one lucky reader a $20 Gift Card/e-Card of their choice from either:

Target

Starbucks

or

Amazon

Here is the catch, because you know there is always a catch.

 You have to follow me through Google Friend Connect. 

and Tell me what which gift card you would like. 

 All in one comment.  

Only one comment per person.

 You must leave your email address so that I can contact you. 
Giveaway ends on May 28th at 11:59pm CST.

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Cyber Bully say what??

Recently some things have come to light with perspective.  Where to one person they might think that they are just sharing their opinion but they are actually hurting people around them. Even if they don't use your name you know they are talking about you because they are one of the few people that might know what is going on.  All though my incident is not cyber harassment it was still hurtful and hurtful to others around me.  I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinions but when you are in a support group, you need to be supportive and not try to play the devil's advocate.  It goes back to that saying when you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all.  More and more people just seem to say what is on their minds and they don't care who's feelings they hurt.  It is like to heck with you, I don't care because you know what, I don't need you in my life.  Well if that is the case then by golly get on your way with out saying something mean and degrading. 

I feel that Adults need a lesson in this just as much as children do.   In the Adult world it is not called bullying although it is the same.  It is called harassment.  It is a punishable crime for both adults and children.  Most of what I found when researching this was more for children and youth. But it does apply for adults too.  Adults can feel the same way children and youth do.  

Did you know that "Traditional bullying victims were 1.7 times more likely and traditional bullying offenders were 2.1 times more likely to have attempted suicide than those who were not traditional victims or offenders. Similarly, cyberbullying victims were 1.9 times more likely and cyberbullying offenders were 1.5 times more likely to have attempted suicide than those who were not cyberbullying victims or offenders."(quoted from here)

What is cyberbullying, exactly?

"'Cyberbullying' is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor. Once adults become involved, it is plain and simple cyber-harassment or cyberstalking. Adult cyber-harassment or cyberstalking is NEVER called cyberbullying."(quoted from here)

How can we prevent it??

There are lots of approaches to this.  My opinion is that it starts at home. 

As a Christian it is my duty to train/raise my child to be in Christ’s image. By doing this we teach them right from wrong.  If you don’t teach your children to be kind to others, then how do you expect them to be kind as adults?  If you show your children that it is okay to degrade people by name calling or by gripping about something, then in return they will do the same as you do when they are an adult because that is what they have seen growing up. 

Teach them to love themselves.  If a child has good self esteem they will be able to know what that person is saying about them is not true.

Teach your children what it is to be a bully and why it is wrong. This site has a good teaching lesson what is a bully and what to do from a Christian perspective.

Set up a Google Alert so that you are notified if your name or your child’s name is published on any website.  (This works.  I have it set up for my blog, my name, my child’s name, my husband’s name and my email addresses)

“God has shown you, O man, what is good.

And what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly, and to love mercy, and to

Walk humbly with your God.”

                                       Micah 6:8

What to do if it is happening to you:

STOP, BLOCK, and TELL

"STOP!
Don't do anything. Take 5! to calm down. Get up away from the computer.

Block!
Block the cyberbully or limit all communications to those on your buddy list.

And Tell!
Tell a trusted adult, you don't have to face this alone."(quoted from here) (If you are the adult, talk to a trusted friend, spouse, and your boss if it is happening at work.)

If the bullying is happening on a social media networking site:

You can block the user from your site. Report them to the site for harassment. If it continues, contact the local law enforcement where you live. 

If it is happening at work.  Save all emails or communications.  Contact your HR Rep. or your boss.  Alert them to what is going on.  Lots of companies have procedures to follow when this is happening.  

If this is happening at Church.  Save all emails and communications.  Take it to your pastor.  It should be dealt within the church and then if that doesn't work go to your local law enforcement. 

NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TREAT YOU POORLY!!!

YOU ARE A GIFT FROM GOD AND YOU ARE LOVED NO MATTER WHAT!

For more information on Cyber Bullying and Bullying Visit these sites:

http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/index2.html

http://www.christianaction.org.za/articles/bullying_biblical_perspective.htm

http://www.cyberbullying.us/

http://www.crosswalk.com/parenting/11595601/#Close

http://www.openbible.info/topics/bullying

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We are just Home Schoolers.

Persephone came home from school yesterday and decided she doesn't want to go back next year.  She was really upset.  This isn't the first time.  She doesn't have friends. She is always telling me that everyone makes fun of her. My heart breaks when she tells me these things.

We had a deal and if she wanted to try out school here then she had to stick it out until the end of the year (which is now Monday instead of Today). She liked the school's art based programs, which I did too. Their lack of communication between home and school are really bad.  Persephone wanted to try out for cheer leading. Instead of them sending the note home with everyone they gave it to a few people in her class and she wasn't in her class at the time. I tried for 4 days to get the information sent home. I sent a note and called and they said they would send it home. Finally Wednesday comes which is one of the try-out days and guess what she is now to late.  That is what made her so mad. (This was just the straw that broke the camels back. We have had more issues through out the school year just I have kept them to myself.)  She knew she couldn't do anything this year because she started school here late and knew there was next year.  Now she just doesn't want to have anything to do with school.  She told me I just like homeschooling because at least I don't have to worry about my feelings getting hurt.

Her Daddy asked her what she didn't like about school.  This is what she told me she told him:
The food is horrible, The kids always fight,  They make fun of me, It is boring, They don't follow through with what they say they will do.

My husband is very demanding about her education.  He knows she will get a better education at home because we will cater to what she needs.  He told me that she can go back to homeschooling but she will have to work harder.  I kind of laughed because the whole reason she is bored at public school is because she has to repeat everything she has already learned at home from home schooling and not to mention I think Mississippi schools might be a little further behind in when they should be teaching the students what.  I told him that it probably wont be to hard to get her in the 6th grade for this year and on track where she should be for her age since public schools and their assessments have held her back a year.

We are just meant to be home schoolers. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

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My 1st Blog Award

Mary over at The Englar Fam gave me an award!  This is my first Award so I was pretty excited! 

Thank you Mary. 

I am to write 10 things that I love.  These are in no particular order. 

1. My Lord and Savior.  With him I can accomplish anything. 

2. My hubby.  He is the roots in my tree and helps keep me going. He supports me no matter what and always has my back. 

3. My baby girl.  The love she shows to others makes me so happy. 

4. Ice Cream.  Oh my only down fall of weight loss is because there is that sugary cold creamy treat. I could eat it for every meal.  I have a weakness for it. 

5. Music.  I have to have it playing almost all the time.  I love playing my flute.  It relieves so much stress too. When things are going bad and I just need to relax. Picking up my flute helps.

6. My family.  I love all of them. (even those crazy ones that drive me nuts) I miss having my family close by. 

7. Life long Friends.  I love that the when you think that you have lost touch and might never get to talk to them, some how they find a way back into your life when you need to hear from them the most.  (This is an upcoming blog post) 

8.  My computer.  I know its just an electronic device, BUT without my computer I would probably be depressed all the time.  It is my #1 way to communicate with my Family and my Friends.  Being 8 to 12 hrs from them it does get lonely here in Mississippi. 

9.  Meeting New People.  I tend to stay to myself but secretly I do love meeting new people.  I just wish I knew how to build a relationship with people I do meet. 

10.  Photography.  I love being able to make art from my photos. My daughter is my favorite model. :) 

Now I get to pass on this award to 10 lovely people and their blogs that I love. These are in no particular order…

Christy: Just Thinkin ~ She Clicks 

Amy: Artistically Amy

Lucy: Lucy's Reality 

Krystal: The Clever Mommy

Mary: The Englar Farm

Sandra: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Tree: Mother of Pearl It Is

Jody and Lena: Mommy Moment

Pamela: A Renaissance Woman

Robyn: Our Homeschool Home

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