Feeling Festive

Starting Thanksgiving day, some type of Christmas music is playing in our house and in the car most of the day.  It is one of my favorite times of the year and I am one of those weird ladies that listens to the Christmas channels on Dish and the radio all day {much to my children’s chagrin}.

This year Sweet Pea is old enough to recognize Christmas music and we dance around in the morning to Jingle Bell Rock and I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.  When I am cleaning the house, baking or cooking, holiday music sets the mood.  I enjoy hearing it in the mall when I am shopping as well.

I absolutely love Christmas carols.  Singing with the choir at church for our Christmas Eve service is a highlight of the year for me.  Music is such an important part of the holiday season.

I have added a new Christmas CD to our rotation this year.  A Christmas Fantasy by Raul Rendon features an eclectic mix of holiday music that will make you smile.  Raul is a talented musician who plays the saxophone and more in this CD that is destined to be a classic in our home for years to come.  

Music sets the mood for many occasions, including Christmas.  Let this new CD become a part of your traditions.

You can find more information about this CD by clicking on the links above, “liking” Raul’s Facebook page or following him on Twitter.

What is your favorite type of Christmas music?

2nd.MD, A very positive health care experience!

Thank you to 2nd.MD for providing me with a $200 stipend to test-drive this revolutionary online medical service.

Most of my readers know that I live with invisible illness.  You can read more about my health journey, including systemic lupus, on my personal blog.  When I heard about the opportunity to try out this new online medical service, I was excited. The timing could not have been more perfect.  I was having some kidney issues related to lupus and wanted a second opinion.

Utilizing 2nd.MD I was able to locate a top-notch nephrologist that specializes in chronic kidney conditions!  Dr. Alan Perlman was the physician I chose for my appointment.  I literally could not have been more pleased with his “bedside” manner.  He was attentive, answered all my questions in layman’s terms and provided sound advice and the reassurance that I was looking for.  He was also personable yet professional at the same time.  I read him recent lab and other test results and he interpreted the findings for me and made recommendations based on his experience.

Choosing a doctor was simple.  I typed in the name of my problem, in this case I simply typed in “kidney issues” and a list of doctors came up. I was able to peruse their profiles and bios and then chose Dr. Perlman.

I scheduled the appointment by a simple click of the mouse.  At first there wasn’t an appointment available in the time frame I requested.  The staff at 2nd.MD contact the doctor to see if they will open up more appointment slots.  Dr. Perlman did (at 6:20 in the morning and I was able to get in with the specialist I requested.  I appreciated that special and prompt attention.

I received an email reminder for my appointment as well as a phone call reminder.  The website also takes you through a test call to make sure that your computer is ready to support the webcam and audio component of the appointment.

The quality of the audio and visual process was good.  We never had a time where the picture or audio cut out when either of us was speaking.  My 20 minute appointment included a clock at the top of the screen that let me know how much time I had left.  I really found this helpful in prioritizing my questions and making the most of my time with the specialist.

After the appointment, I received notes from Dr. Perlman including the name of the test he recommended I have done so that I can take that information back to my rheumatologist {the doctor that manages my lupus}.

Except for the crazy early hour of my appointment, I was very pleased with the ease, efficacy and expertise that I received through my experience with 2nd.MD.  I plan to have another appointment with Dr. Perlman when the test results come back.  The best thing about this service is the accessibility of renowned specialists.  If I had to wait for an appointment with a nephrologist in my area, I might not have gotten an appointment until February.  With 2nd.MD, I had an appointment with a kidney specialist in less than a week.  That is of value beyond words!

Here is a brief video that explains more about the 2nd.MD site.  It certainly provided me with peace of mind!

2ndMD – Peace of Mind from 2ndMD on Vimeo.

I encourage you to check out the site.  I could not be more pleased.

You can find 2nd.MD on Facebook and Twitter as well.

Thank you again to 2nd.MD for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about 2nd.MD. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own. #Clever2ndMD #spon

Easy Holiday Shopping

I just had one of the easiest Christmas shopping experiences….ever!

Red Envelope is a website that condenses several brands into one site, ships your gifts directly to the recipient and even lets you choose the delivery date for shipping.

I found the site easy to navigate and full of products I would purchase.  There were these stackable rings, this car trunk organizer (with cooler) and this holiday door mat that I purchased for my grandparents {and chose the date it will arrive on their doorstep}. 

I am fairly certain I could buy for every person on our holiday list using this website {if the budget allowed}.  They have toys, jewelry, home items, apparel and much, much more.  There are also a lot of items that can be personalized, which I personally love.

Check out Red Envelope and let me know what you think!

*This is a compensated post.  All opinions are mine.

Mabel’s Labels for an organized school year

A new school year brings many challenges.  Kids that need to get up earlier, learn their schedule, make new friends and stay organized in the process.

I was excited to receive a personalized {for my son} set of Mabel’s labels to try out for the school year.  The Ultimate back-to-school pack came with skinny mini labels {perfect for folders, notebooks, etc}, shoe labels {which go in the bottom of your child’s shoe, just love this concept!} and tag mates {which apply right to clothing labels.  We used this for gym clothes and jackets}.

Mabel’s Labels is a company owned and operated by mom’s just like us.  Their product makes sense and with prices that range from $12-$21 they are affordable as well.  I love the durability of the labels- if they can make it through what my boys can put something through, then you know they are made to last.

I am looking forward to purchasing some for my Sweet Pea as she heads to daycare a few days a week.  Mabel’s Labels are perfect for sippy cups and survive the dishwasher and microwave!

How do you help your kids stay organized for the school year?

I was provided an Ultimate School Combo. Opinions are mine and not influenced in any way.

Teaching Kids about Money

Money and finances is a serious issue, one that we need to teach our children about.  I think about how to instill financial values a lot, especially as my kids are getting to the age where they will be managing their own money soon.  I recently wrote an eBook, Cutting Through Money Clutter: A Guide to Managing your God-given Resources and I included my thoughts on teaching our kids about money.  Here is an excerpt:

1. Be respectful. Two years ago our boys were scared that they were not going to get any
large electronic presents at Christmas. That is because they had not been doing a good job
of showing respect for the things they do own. It came to a head when my hubby found
the plugs to the DVD system in our van soaking in a cup of soda in the backseat. We
reminded them of how much money the DVD system cost by explaining how many hours
their dad had to work to buy it – lessons like this make sense to children who are still
thinking in the concrete phase. We do not automatically replace items when they are
broken because of misuse or lack of respect for the item. We feel they need to learn that
money is valuable and therefore the things you spend your money on have value and
need to be respected.
2. Be thankful. Another thing that it is important for kids to grasp is that the money does
not belong to us in the first place. Everything we have is a gift from our Heavenly Father
and needs to be treated as such. Therefore, tithing has been a concept they have
understood from a young age, as well as giving to those less fortunate. Having an attitude
of gratitude is a must in this house, or the purchases {for wants, versus needs} will cease
until thankfulness reappears!
3. Be content. We are blessed financially. However, recently the influx of medical bills
from my condition has affected our discretionary income. Our boys are old enough to
understand the relationship between increased expenditures and decreased extras. This
teaches them the value of being content with what they have and prioritizing whether
they want the name brand pair of shoes or a less expensive pair and extra money to go to
the movies. Even from a young age, children can be taught that contentment should not
be dependent on what you can afford but what you have that you cannot put a price on –
family, time, health, etc.

I recently found out about a prepaid card from American Express.  I immediately thought of what a great tool a card like this can be in teaching the concepts of budgeting to my teens.  Two years ago we began giving our boys a certain amount of money and letting them do their back to school shopping on their own.

We start by going through their clothes and donating what doesn’t fit anymore.  Then I assist them in making a list of what they will need for the upcoming school year.  My husband and I decide on a figure, based on what each kid needs and then they get that amount of cash in an envelope.  It is amazing how well they prioritize needs versus wants when they are holding the money in their own hands.

This prepaid card from American Express would be a great tool for this type of budgeting exercise.  I could load the amount of money allotted for their shopping and they could use the card.  This would help them keep track of transactions, handle receipts and much more.  Because the card is prepaid with a certain amount of money, my kids can learn how to use a card without fear of overdraft charges or their credit being negatively impacted.

This card offers benefits as well, including fraud protection.  The card can also be used more than once, you can load the card from your computer or your phone.  There is also an online feature where you can view transactions, etc.  This can help your kids learn about online banking.

All in all, I think this card is a great tool for teaching kids about handling money.  My son that is headed to basic training in October will be leaving with one of these cards so that my husband and I can load it as needed while he is gone.

How do you teach your kids about money?

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of American Express and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Crystal Light Challenge

I am a recovering soda addict.  So, I was instantly intrigued by the new Crystal Light challenge.

Now through September 9, Crystal Light is encouraging women to replace their diet soda with the refreshing flavor of Crystal Light. And what better way to do it than with these delicious recipes? To take the Challenge, connect with Crystal Light on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/CrystalLight).  You’ll have a flavorful summer and even have the chance to win instant prizes daily while doing it.

The Crystal Light fizz flavors are really good.  I tried the following recipe and my kids barely let me enjoy a glass before it was gone!

It was yummy and refreshing!  I am keeping the recipe for the next time I have company or host Bible study in my home.

Don’t forget to visit the Crystal Light Facebook page and enter the challenge before it ends on September 9th.

Disclosure: Kraft Foods sent me a sample of Crystal Light.

Back to School Bash

It seems like the summer has flown by!  My boys return to school {Berkeley County} in less than a month!  We will be having a back to school bash here at Eastern Panhandle Moms August 1-5th with special deals, ideas and giveaways!  So mark your calendars and subscribe to our Facebook page and blog updates to make sure you don’t miss out!

Good Enough is the New Perfect~ A book review

I quit.

You know when that is the title of the first chapter in a book, things are going to be interesting.

Good Enough is the New Perfect- Finding Happiness and Success in Modern Motherhood is interesting and intriguing and authentic and…

Written by two moms who are also successful career women, this book is all about finding the balance that works for you and your family.  What works for your unique situation.

When asked what made them realize they needed to look at their careers differently, co-author Becky Beaupre Gillespie had this to say:

“I realized that I’d prioritized the wrong things when I went back to work…At that time I thought the only thing that mattered was cutting back my hours; I’d have more time at home, and that would make everything better, right?  But it also meant giving up the aspects of my job that had filled me with passion and pride.  And without that sense of purpose and accomplishment, it was hard to justify being away from my daughter”

and co-author, Hollee Schwartz Temple answered the question this way:

“I looked around my law firm and could not find a female role model with children.  I couldn’t find anyone whose life even remotely resembled what I had been planning–there seemed to be a complete devotion to the job, and no time for much else.  That wasn’t what I had in mind”

So, these two ladies set out to make their own way and then documented the journey in this book.  This book addresses our culture’s desire for everything to be accomplishment driven and success oriented.  Many women exhaust themselves trying to be “perfect” in all the roles they juggle–at home, at work, at play.  Becky and Hollee offer a more relaxed approach, the “good enough” approach that allows women to cut themselves some slack and pursue all the things that bring them fulfillment without the pressure of perfection.  And the book is filled with interviews with other women that have found their “good enough”, as well.

Hollee and Becky postulate that “you can have it all.  The secret is creating an “all” that you love”.

And, I wholeheartedly agree.

You can purchase Good Enough Is the New Perfect: Finding Happiness and Success in Modern Motherhood on Amazon and follow Hollee and Becky’s blog at www.thenewperfect.com.

**in full disclosure, I am proud to call Hollee my friend {she teaches law at West Virginia University} and if you purchase the book via the link on this page, I will make a miniscule commission**

Father’s Day Shopping Tips

Online Shopping Tips

1) Check for Promotional Codes: Always check for a coupon or promotional code online before checking out. Finding a discount code Web site through your favorite search engine only takes a few seconds and could save your family anything from free shipping to 50 percent off or more.

2) Compare Prices: If you know the exact product you want to purchase, it pays to visit several online retailers to compare prices. Some Web sites can help shoppers find the best price by providing a list of online stores in a particular category.

3) Pay with Credit Card:  Security of  credit card information is a top concern when shopping online. In general, it is far safer to use a credit card than a debit card.  Most debit cards do not offer the same level of protection as a credit card does when making an online purchase.

4) Review Carefully: Always take time to review the final checkout screen. Be sure to confirm that your order reflects the correct items, quantities and pricing before you click “submit.”

5) Protect Your Privacy: One of the most important steps of online shopping is how to find Web sites that are safe and secure. It is important to keep your personal information out of the hands of identity theft predators. Be sure to read the site’s privacy policy on information sharing, and don’t unintentionally opt-in to having your information shared with third parties.

6) Sideline Sales Tax: Some merchants are required to collect sales taxes in your state, while others may not.  It can save you money to check several online retailers if the merchant you are about to purchase from wants to charge sales tax.

7) Beware of Shipping & Handling Fees: Pay close attention to shipping charges. Some retailers make up for their “low” prices by padding the shipping fees, so be sure you are getting the lowest possible overall price.

Barry Boone is owner and founder of CurrentCodes.com, a Web site clearinghouse for promotional codes that directs shoppers to timely bargains and discount codes.

Here are some codes good for Father’s Day shopping:

MyGolfer.com- Receive 5 % off tool purchases with code TOOLSFORDAD

Neckties.com- Receive 10% off with code DADGRAD

Ties.com- Receive 10% off with code DADGRAD

Wrangler.com- Receive Free shipping on order with codes DADFS1

Original Penguin- Receive 30% off order with code OPGDAD30

Perry Ellis- Recieve 30% off slecetd items with code FATHERSDAY30AF

Cabelas.com- Receive $5 Shipping on $150+ order with code WDADSDAY

Kiehls- Free shipping on any $30 order with code FATHERS

Carol Wright Gifts- Save $4 off $40+ order with code CWLDAD

Vosges Haut-Chocolat- Save 15% off with code DAD15

Wildties.com- Save 10% off with code DADGRAD

ShopCatepillar.com- Free shipping on $75 or more with code CATDAD1

Wine.com- Save 10% on all wine club memberships with code CLUBDAD

Sears.com- Receive free shipping on all orders over $99 with code SHIP4DAD

Should your kids be “gleeks”?

I don’t know about you, but I get bored with the same old shows on TV. And it doesn’t seem like writers have the creativity to develop something new that is worth watching. I’m actually thankful for my DVR so I can fast forward through commercials and parts of the show that bore me and get to the end. I know, I’m weird and a terrible person.

But I remember hearing about a new show coming out that would use music and singing as its platform; and I was excited. So when the debut of “Glee” aired I was optimistic. However, that optimism soon faded to disappointment. A show that I thought had such promise turned into nothing more than an assault on the moral conscience of our teens and families.

It has become more than obvious that Glee is nothing more than an hour long advertisement for behavior that is both objectionable and dangerous to students. Everything from teen sexual activity, homosexuality and abortion are dealt with in the most liberal of terms. These behaviors are promoted with the most careless of attitudes and without any regard for the millions of Americans that object, and teach their children otherwise.

It’s as if they use the shows catchy tunes and musical platform to spread a message of casual sex, abortion on demand, and homosexuality to an audience that doesn’t need more voices in their heads. With media, politicians, Hollywood and schools all clamoring for the ears of students, parents are in the fight of their life to reach and connect with their teens.

A recent article further highlighted the disappointing messages of Glee from a recent episode about “sex education.” You can read the article here, but the basic message of the show – featuring Gwyneth Paltrow as the sex-ed teacher – is that students should engage in all sorts of sexual experimentation as casually and freely as they like and not worry about consequences. Oh, and by the way, those that choose to remain abstinent are “naïve” and “frigid.” It’s a pathetic slander against millions of teens that are choosing to remain abstinent until marriage.

Incidentally, Paltrow is an outspoken advocate for Planned Parenthood and uses Mother’s Day (oh the irony) to fundraise for the largest abortion business in the world. Such hypocrisy is beyond words.

Please don’t be so foolish as to think that a show like Glee does not have an agenda. The aggressive immorality and affirmation of casual sex, abortion and homosexuality make it obvious that this show seeks to teach students a specific message: morals are outdated!

Some will try to paint me as an out-of-touch, over-the-hill square that just doesn’t know what is “hip” and “in.” Nothing could be further from the truth. I just turned 32, my favorite jeans have holes in the knees, I know more about Facebook and Twitter than the average user can use a smart phone better than most, am highly educated in everything from technology to music, and play guitar in a band.

However, I am also of the opinion that morals are vital to success, health, and happiness in life. Casual sex leads to unplanned pregnancy in teens. Planned Parenthood knows this and the abortion industry thrives on teaching explicit, graphic sex education to our kids with a message of “experiment, explore, and have fun without consequences.” But the real world does have consequences and PP and the abortion industry knows this. They also know that by teaching sex-ed they are marketing abortion to every student in school and securing future clients.

Bottom line is that parents need to be involved in their kids’ lives. That includes knowing what they watch on TV. Parents also need to set the example by not watching shows like Glee that seek to undermine the values and morals we want to instill in our kids. (Click here for the original article)

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community

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