Stand Up For Family Comedy Videos From American Family Insurance

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Family Insurance for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
My husband and I love to sit down and watch a comedian who makes us all laugh.  However, finding family-friendly presentations are few and far between.  That is, until now.  American Family Insurance presents Stand Up For Family.
Stand Up For Family has gathered some of the funniest comedians together to present a show about family, kids, mommas, marriage, teens, Old School grandmas, and growing up.  In the videos from AmFam, you will see hilarious comedians such as Rodney Perry, who talks about "Poppin'"; Tony Roberts who light-heartedly shares why "Family Is Everything"; Mark Viera explains why he's "Not Leaving My Wife"; and Donnell Rawlings who tells a story of bullies and growing up in,  "Let Me Ride Your Bike".
One of my favorite videos, from the AmFam's Stand Up For Family clips, was hosted by Bill Bellamy who was talking about the charm that street lights used to hold as being an unspoken reminder to get home before dark.  This reminded me of when I was little.  I lived in a small town where there was a curfew of 10:00 p.m.  I still remember hearing the announcement on the TV that alerted all parents to find their children and get them inside.  If we were outside when that announcement came on, we would race to get through that front door.  Somehow, my family had their own little alarm system for curfew and bedtime.  There was a show called "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (MTM Productions).  When the show went off, the letters, "MTM", would pop up on the screen and a little cat would meow.  To us, that meant bedtime.  Still today, when I see those letters, "MTM" and hear a cat meow, I feel like I need to hurry off to bed.
I appreciate American Family's efforts in presenting family-friendly comedy that can be enjoyed as a family without the worry of unwholesome garbage having to be explained or bleeped out.  What do you think?  Is good clean entertainment important to you?  Do you appreciate a company that makes an effort to deliver a funny show so you can spend your time kicking back and enjoying it with your kids in the room?  I know I do.

Our New History Curriculum: A Patriot's A To Z of America Things Every Good American Should Know

When I was asked to review a book about America, I agreed.  I received the book and read what it was about and started to get excited when I noticed that the author, Edward P. Moser, also wrote speeches for George H. W. Bush as well as for Jay Leno's Tonight Show.  This piqued my interest, as I cracked open the cover.  It was when I began to read the chapters that I became immersed into every word I was soaking in.  And, I wanted to know more.

As I read about Clara Barton, the Apollo Moon Mission, and the Manhattan Project; I knew this book was to become my new history curriculum for my kids.  The author took 60 historical events and filled over 250 pages, breaking each event down alphabetically and by bite-size chapters.  The small chapters give you enough information to make you want to delve deeper into a full-fledged study of each event.  It is not presented in a dry, boring manner.  The author is a master at summarizing the facts and leaving readers on the edge of their seats wanting more.  He covers important segments of history that even you, the adult, may have missed in your studies growing up and interesting facts you may not have known before.

For instance, did you know that Clara Barton was so shy as a kid that she often couldn't even eat?  Did you know where the Manhattan Project was conducted?  Did you know how computers came to be?  You will find the answers to these and so much more inside the covers of this book that could be turned into a year-long history curriculum.


The book is available at Amazon.com, Turnerpublishing.com, and Barnes & Noble!

This review is 100% my opinion, and I received nothing as payment other than a review copy of the book.

Review of Reading Eggs and Reading Eggspress Reading Program for Ages 3-13

It's happening!  My newly-turned 5 year old is learning to read.  She is not officially Kindergarten age yet, but has been asking to learn to read.  So, I began using the "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons" book.  It was going very well, and I plan to continue using it.  We are on lesson #46, and she is reading lots of words and deciphering letter sounds.  Then, I got an invitation from homeschool.com to review Reading Eggs.  I was not paid for this review other than receiving a free trial access to the Reading Eggs Program.

Reading Eggs is an online program filled with over 500 learning lessons, complete with games that teach Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Comprehension.  I asked my daughter if she wanted to test it out.  She enthusiastically agreed.

Find Out How You Can Try It for 14 Days FREE!

I was thrilled to watch her interact with these cute online characters as she sounded out letters and found words.  However, to my complete amazement, what excited me the most was when she reached the end of the lesson and rambled off the words in a storybook which was on the screen.  The program allows for the story to be read to your child, while your child reads along.  She wanted nothing to do with the help.  She turned off the sound and wanted to tackle it herself.  And, she did a great job!  I was floored.  She then, continued through several more lessons.  At the end of each set of 10, I received a progress report in my inbox.  The progress reports were complete, telling me what letters and words she had learned and how she did.


The program is quite impressive as it combines all the essential elements to learning to read and write with fun animated characters and games that a child can understand and conquer.  The lessons progress.  You can choose to start at age/grade level, or have your child take a placement test.  I started my learning-to-read 5 year old at the beginning, which she found very easy.  I imagine it was easy because these lessons are geared toward the pre-schooler.  After she had finished 30 lessons, they began to become more challenging.

Even more excited is that the Reading Eggs program now has launched their "Reading Eggspress" program for older kids.  So, my 4th grader got to get in on the review as well.  The Reading Eggspress takes reading to a higher skill level with challenging vocabulary words and more, still presented in a fun manner.  My 4th grader took the placement test to begin, and placed at a 4.2 level.  So, she is right on par with where she should be and will most likely improve as she learns more.

I would definitely recommend Reading Eggs and Reading Eggspress to anyone who has a child learning to read, struggling with vocabulary, or just wanting to keep learning.

Vote Now: Puppies vs. Babies Contest

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puppies vs. Babies for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Two of the cutest things in the world are puppies and babies.  Look at a picture of a cute little baby, or an adorable snuggly puppy and your heart melts.  However, which one is the cutest?  You decide in the Puppies vs. Babies online contest!  Vote now.  The contest ends on November 23 when one lucky winner will receive a grand prize of $5,000.
Proud parents plaster the internet with pictures of their newborn baby wonders.  Equally, those who are dog lovers pretend to be doggy parents of their adorable little "man's best friend".  Be honest, how many times have you looked at a picture of a dog with a face only a mother could love and thought to yourself, "That's one ugly hound?"  One look at a cold puppy nose for me, and I can feel the allergy attack taking hold.
Meanwhile, there are baby photos like this one that could have won this contest, had I only known to enter on time.  OK, maybe she's not the cutest, but she's certainly the most beautiful.  It's too late for my baby's mug to be a winner, but someone will walk away in happy triumph.  Will it be a baby or a pup?
Are you a dog lover, or a baby lover?  In day to day life, it's ok to choose both.  However, for the sake of the contest, you'll have to choose just one.  Take a look at the contest entries.  Who is the cutest?  Puppies vs. Babies - Do the babies win?  Or, is it going to the dogs?  Leave a comment at the bottom of this blog saying which one (baby or pup) you think is the cutest.

Real Moms Love To Eat Book Review

I'm ready to love food again.  I'm ready to have a love affair with my food like I've never encountered before, and Beth Aldrich's new book, Real Moms Love To Eat, is going to take me there.  It's not just another diet book.  I was sold when I read the description of the book.  However, when I read that the author studied under well-known experts (such as Dr. Oz), I couldn't wait to read more.

Let me start by saying that I have always loved food, and it wasn't until I hit my 30's that I started hating what food was doing to me.  I remember standing, swimsuit clad, in a line of sophomores and junior high school girls waiting to be weighed for the swim team.  Oh, this wasn't any swim team - It was a synchronized swimming team.  So, it adds to the beauty of the routines if we all are somewhat in sync with our weight.  As the instructor went down the line, I kept hearing her tell girls to lose weight.  She came to me, stopped, and shooed me away telling me that I needed to gain a few pounds.  Fast forward to college years.  When many were gaining their famous "Freshman 15" (the extra 15 pounds of weight that is thought to be gained the first year away at college, I was monitoring my weight by crashing for a week with only veggies when I would go up a few pounds.  This worked great!

Fast forward once more...Three  full-term pregnancies and years of living has turned my tiny waistline that fit into a gorgeous wedding dress years ago, into one I'm not so pleased with.  However, now my week of only veggies eating doesn't do the trick.  And, I cringe at the thought of ever having to stand in a line to be weighed ever again.  I want to do something about this, but I don't do well on starvation diets anymore.  And, I don't think they are healthy.  So, I've decided to enjoy my food again and follow the advice found in  Real Moms Love To Eat.

Real Moms Love To Eat is a new book, by Beth Aldrich, that is set for release in January.  January!  How perfect is that!  This is the time when everyone is re-evaluating their lives and making new resolutions for change.  Well, I got a sneak peek at something that I hope will change the way I look at food.  I got to review a pre-release digital copy of this book.  In exchange for the digital copy.  I agreed to tell you my 100% honest opinion of what is between the covers of this book.

Real Moms Love To Eat is a new book set to be released in January, but you can pre-order your copy and be entered for a chance to win amazing prizes here.

Let me start with, "I loved it!"  And, I can't wait to get started.  I'm ready to go out and buy my dark chocolate, which is a requirement of week 1, and get going on a new attitude with food.  The book walks you through a 10-part plan, offers a 21-day menu, and discusses food in a way that will make you feel like you're talking with a friend.  It is an easy read, packed with over 300 pages of valuable (life-saving) information.  You'll even learn helpful trivia, such as how to eat a pomegranate.

If you're still not convinced, explore Beth Aldrich's website, and join her and Social Moms in a Twitter party on Thursday, November 17 for a chance to win more prizes.  I plan on being there, and I can't wait to discover how this book will change my life, my health, my attitude toward my newly-formed enemy of food, and my waistline.

I was gifted from Restoring Essence Nutrition, LLC-owner of Real Moms Love to Eat, a free digital copy of the book, “Real Moms Love to Eat” and an entry into the prize drawing on January 3,2012,  for participating in this virtual tour and writing about this book pre-order contest.

Heaven Is For Real For Kids Book Review

I first heard about the book, Heaven Is For Real, from my husband's aunt.  She called to heartily recommend it.  She had recently lost her son (my husband's cousin) and was searching for hope.  She found it in between the covers of the paperback, full version, of Heaven Is For Real.  However, it wasn't until I had the opportunity to review it that I got a glimpse inside. I discovered there was also a release of this book for children.  This piqued my interest.  And, it only got better as I began to read.

The story is an account of a real boy who went into the hospital and didn't leave until he had died, experienced amazing sights and sounds, and then (much to the delight of his awaiting, praying parents) was returned to his body lying on his hospital bed - Fully alive with insights into a spiritual world his parents had not yet encountered.

Colton, at the age of 4, began to tell of all he had seen and heard while in heaven.  Instead of dismissing his account, his dad (who is a minister) began to search scripture to align what Colton what describing.  He discovered that there were Biblical scriptures to back up every claim his young child was insisting he had encountered.

From this, the book was born - The full version.  After the full version was released, Colton (now much older) agreed to a version for kids.  He was careful to oversee all of the illustrations in the book to ensure they were true to what he had seen.

It offers a glimpse into a world that very few come back to tell about.  I found the book to be an inspirational read, and a helpful book in helping children understand that there's more to this life than what we currently see.  For those who believe in heaven, the book brings encouragement and hope.  For those who do not believe in this form of afterlife, the book creates an amazing discussion tool.  Whether you are a believer or not, this book is written to relieve fear, and express the main point that "Jesus really, really loves children."

The book is an easy read for an elementary student or above, and a nicely illustrated book for a parent to read to a preschooler.

I had the chance to review the hardcover version of Heaven Is For Real for Kids from Todd & Sonja Burpo, as told by their son Colton.  I received the book from the Booksneeze program in exchange for an honest review.  I received nothing additional.  The above review is 100% my opinion.

Women in History: Picture of Women Welders

If you're like me, you've seen those pictures of the construction men sitting on the high beam atop a city. I get dizzy just looking at it, and am thankful someone else was willing to do that job. However, I didn't realize there were also women doing this work. I assume this happened during the war when women took on tough jobs to keep the country going while the men were off fighting in the war.

Here's the picture and brief description of something that took me by surprise. I'm still getting used to seeing women mow their lawns where I live....A job I always considered man's work, even though I do know how. Here's the link to the cool picture from way back in time:

Who knew? - Cool Like Pie

Why Steve Jobs Didn't Put an On/Off Switch in iPods

I heard an interview recently about Steve Jobs.  He was nearing the end of his life, and the interviewer asked him if he believed in God, in an afterlife, or in Christ.  He responded by saying that he had given it a lot of thought.  He said that in his early years, he didn't believe.  But, now that he was getting closer to it being a reality, he had given it more thought and thought that some days he did believe.  But, then he wondered if maybe at the end, it was just like an on/off switch that someone flicks and it's over.  Then, he added:  "And, that's why I didn't put an on/off switch in the iPod."

Interesting.... This and other recent encounters have made me think about death.  I have always been a believer in an afterlife.  I have had enough encounters with, what I know to be my God and Savior, that no one can convince me there is not something beyond these years of life.  So, why does the thought of death freak me out?  After all, even newborn babies are one breath closer to their last day with every breath.  Everyone will die, if they're not alive when Christ returns (another belief I hold strongly).

What makes one person die and another recover from an illness?

Why do some say words of life on their death beds, while others curse God till they die?  When my mom was on, what we thought may be her death bed, she looked at me and told me how proud she was of me.  She told me how thankful and happy she was with who I chose to marry, and how proud she was of who I had become.  Her words took my breath away as I realized that I would have been terrified in her shoes.  I would have been begging for prayer and crying tears on my own behalf.  But, not my mom.  ...  She survived by the way, and that was 11 years ago.  And, her words still spark curious life into me.  She could have said anything - We would have understood her having a selfish moment.  She chose to bless me.

It's frightening, I guess, because it will happen before I want it to.  I enjoy my life.  Though, there were days when I was younger, that I wished my life would end.  Circumstances and bad relationships led me into depression and suicidal thoughts.  So strange that when you finally encounter Life Himself the way I have, you want to live it to the fullest all the more.  (like I said, you cannot convince me God doesn't exist.  I have experienced moments than cannot be explained away by any other reason).  I guess my fear is that I will actually leave a gap - That someone will actually miss me, and be sad and scared that I departed.

Most of all, I'm afraid that I will not have finished what I was set out to do - That I will leave something undone or unsaid.  I would hope that my children know my love for them.  I would hope that my husband does as well.  Oh, I say "I love you" all the time.  But, do they really know what that means?  Do I even know what that means?  Does my son know how amazing I think he is?  Does he know that he is the one who made me a mom?  Does my oldest daughter know what a jewel she is growing into?  Does she know how delighted I am that she aims to please me, but that I would love her even if she didn't.  Does my youngest know what a miracle she was to me after losing 3 babies during pregnancy?  Does she really understand that when I look into her eyes, I sometimes wonder if I'm catching a glimpse of heaven?

But most of all, have I done enough?  Have I given enough?  Have I believed enough?  Have I shared Christ's love enough?  My initial answer to this is, sadly, No!  I don't believe I have done all I could have done.  So, it is my hope that perhaps that means I have more time to do these things.  It is my prayer that God will grant me a long-healthy life.  So, in the time God has granted me, I only hope that during the time I'm given, I say words of encouragement and kindness, and not irritation and judgment that so easily comes flowing forth.

I've often laughingly commented to my husband that I could be a grand Christian if only it weren't for people.  I get along so well until there is conflict or rudeness that slams into my life.  I so quickly cling to pain another has thrown my way.  And, then I read the Holy words that say love is the highest commandment - above all other laws.  I hope that is what you experience when you read my words and encounter a moment of my life.

In the meantime, I think I'll leave the on/off switch to my creator because I know him to be merciful and the giver of life!

Beth Aldrich's New Book: Real Moms Love to Eat

It's just a tiny bite!  But, the wrapper said it was a "fun" size.  My son didn't finish it, and I don't want it to go to waste.  These are all things I tell myself when I've overindulged and wonder why I have an extra tub around my belly.  Candy hanging around the house with a hint of winter on the way (complete with pumpkin pies, and all sorts of fat-laden options) does not help if you're trying to lose weight, or eat healthy. 

Author, Beth Aldrich, has introduced a new book called "Real Moms Love to Eat" with the "real mom" in mind.  Through this exciting book, you will free your stifled eating soul and open up your mind about food.

The book is written in a manner that will leave you feeling as though you are across the table from a friend.  She hopes that the book will be on your shelf as your source for delicious whole food meals, facts about food, and recipes you'll turn to again and again.  Better yet, she wants to inspire your "love affair" with food, leaving you looking fabulous, full of new energy, and not beating yourself up about food choices.  You will discover:

• 10-part gradual food plan for moms
• 21 days of meal suggestions
• tips
• recipes
• lifestyle exercises

Food Affairiate Tool Kit
Real Moms Love to Eat Website 
Pre-Order Beth's Book

Find Real Moms Love to Eat on Facebook 
Or
Follow @realmomsluv2eat on Twitter

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Beth Aldrich - Real Moms Love to Eat blogging program, for a chance to get 3,000 My SocialMoms Rewards points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.