Tag Archives: “Joy”

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hope & Miracles Review & Giveaway! 3 Winners!

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Do you ever feel like you need some reassurance, especially in your faith?  I think most of us can relate to that. Sometimes we need to be reminded and shown that just because we cannot see something, does not mean it does not exist.  When you are feeling down or having trouble accepting things that may be occurring in your life, it can have you doubting your faith.

Perhaps you have lost someone you love and want desperately to know they are still around. Maybe you are praying for a sign.  The Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hope & Miracles book is full of 101 miraculous stories of hope, faith, divine intervention and answered prayers that will amaze you.  These encouraging stories will lift your spirits and restore your faith.

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Read about the mother of a Sandy Hook shooting victim who prayed for a sign that here son Jesse was okay and minutes later saw “Jesse & Jesus” written in the sky.  You will be amazed when you read how a grieving daughter remembering her mom’s appearance on the show, Let’s Make A Deal, went there herself.  She was picked from the audience and won a new car!  A woman sitting on a bench, suddenly hears her mother’s voice and it forces her off the bench. A few moments later a tree falls on the bench.  If that does not have you believing, it was also the anniversary of her mom’s death.  In another story a brother and sister who were separated at British orphanage during World War II were reunited 75 years later in Australia.  Read  about a businessman turned paster who did not believe in miracles until he laid his hands on a paralyzed man who then walked into his office a few weeks later.  There are 96 other stories that are powerful examples of our connection to a higher power that will fill you with awe and give your strength when you are weak.

Enter Our Giveaway:

Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Three lucky blog readers will win their own copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hope & Miracles! Thank you to Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing for the review book and for sponsoring this inspiring giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hope & Miracles Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Cherish Life!!!

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I am sitting here on my porch swing, doing a little work and resting from just doing a photo shoot for some bathing suits, sunglasses and sunscreen we are reviewing.  My photo shoot went something like this, “Come on kids, the sun keeps going in and out and I am afraid it might rain.  Hurry, get these trunks on.  Luke, let me help you.  Oh my, how could these 4Ts be so big on you? They are never going to stay on.”

After trying safety pins and a multitude of other things it was just not going to work so we decided to just wing it and get this done in case it does rain.  Then the other part when we got down to the dock went something like this, “Okay, we have to make this quick, I still need to review the chainsaw.  Yes, you can put your feet in but you can’t go swimming.  Don’t throw the rocks, did you hear me?  Stop with the rocks, look over here, okay you can put your feet in and splash, don’t lean over that far! Okay take the sunglasses off, okay put them back on. Luke stop with the rocks!  Okay, I think I have enough, let’s go.  No, we have to go back to the house now, right now!”

So I am sitting here taking a stress break because frankly I have so much on my plate.  I mean I have articles to write for my editor, people to train,  customer service issues, plus all the reviews I need to finish and get up for this blog and of course being a mom and a wife and trying not to have a nervous breakdown and did I mention we are doing a dual birthday party for both little ones and we invited his entire pre-school and my other son’s kindergarten class.  No idea what we will do if the weather turns bad and due to what happened last year when I planned and planned for the party and had everything arranged and we had to change locations at the last-minute because it decided to rain, I am not really planning and that is now stressing me big time.

So back to the present, I am sitting here and on this very warm day, can still feel a cool breeze blowing in from the lake and my little guys are racing around and around the house on a race track (yes, we are the only people who probably have a race track that runs the entire perimeter of their house and garage.  So about every 1.5 minutes because it is pretty large my little guys pass in front of me.  and I smile and then I get sad.  I get sad because I think of all the petty things like I just mentioned above and more. How I could feel there is a lot on my plate when others have the weight of the world on their shoulders? How  could I worry about some rocks being thrown in the lake or a birthday party that should only be about kids having fun and in the end won’t notice if a certain decoration is up or if there was something missing. Then I feel guilt because I think of one of the women I work with who has a grandson fighting for his life and I think how much he would love to be riding around on a race track and I think of those friends that are dealing with kids with real challenges who may never walk or live independently and the struggles they have and well…it just makes all those little things feel incredibly small.

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So if you know anyone going through some tough stuff, let them know you are thinking of them, if you pray say a prayer for them, if you live close offer some help, maybe a meal, a shoulder, a friend.  Also try to look at what is worrying you and put it in perspective so more time can be spent just cherishing the moments as they come.  Not building everything up so it has to be some Pinterest worthy event but relishing even in the small, messy, loud, moments that define our lives.  We never know what the future holds so don’t take one thing for granted ever!!!

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Compendium Inc, Live-Inspired, “Joy” and “I am Her” Books Review & Give-Away!!! {Give-Away Ended}

Compendium Incorporated

Compendium is a Seattle-based company that creates and distributes a fresh, design-rich line of inspiring gift products. Their ever-growing line of gift books, journals, stationery, desk accessories and home décor are now sold in thousands of specialty retail gift stores worldwide.

When was the last time your heart was lifted by a wave of pure happiness? When you couldn’t stop yourself from smiling? When you found time in a busy day to give joy to someone else? I was recently sent “Joy” to review from Compendium, Inc.  This vibrant gift book is a reminder to share joy, receive joy, and experience joy every day. This book is a great reminder of all the joy that is around us, and if you are feeling a bit down, then this book can lift your spirits.  This book makes a great gift and is a wonderful way to spread joy this holiday season.

Her spirit is the first thing people notice. Her mind always has a mind of its own. Who is she? She’s a daughter, best friend, wife, sister or mother. She is me. She is you. I am her. This beautiful book is a collage of quotations, vignettes, and thought-provoking questions that will remind all the women in your life of their strengths, spirit and heart. I was also sent this gorgeous book to review from Live Inspired. If you are looking for inspiration in your own life or to share a meaningful gift with another woman this Holiday season, then take a look at, “I am Her.”


Mommy Ramblings thinks these two books would make great gifts this Holiday season and so you can find them on our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.  Compendium, Inc. has so many great gift ideas that are unique and inspiring, it really is a wonderful place to shop.

Compendium, Inc. is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.   One lucky blog reader will win both of these books.  Thank you Compendium, Inc. for the review books and for sponsoring this inspiring give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  Open to US residents.

Joy and I am Her Book Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Visit Compendium, Inc., and let me know another item that you like.  Leave your answer in a comment on this post. (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

2. Like Live Inspired on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about Mommy Ramblings and this give-away. Leave me a comment here that you did.

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Compendium Inc. on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

5. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

6. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

7. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did. (Can only be used as one entry per give-away.)

8. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

9. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

10. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 3rd at 12am EST.  Winner will be selected by Random.org.


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