Along for the Ride's Essentials Giveaway

Along for the Ride is having an amazing giveaway were you can win 5 baby carriers. You read that right 5!

Win the Essential Babywearing Stash from Along for the Ride (one Beco Butterfly, one Hotsling baby pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Zolowear Ring Sling, and one Gypsy Mama Wrap)


That is one of the greatest babywearing giveaways I've ever seen. Count me in! I would love to own all of those. They would be great to have so you can let others try them out and see which carriers work for them and which ones don't.

You have until July 31, 2008 to enter.

Get Fancy with MomReviews

MomReviews is at the end of her giveaway week. This week you can win a Fancy Nancy doll. Actually, there will be 5 winners. This doll is so cute and fancy that my niece would love her. You have until July 10 to enter to win.

Spring Reading Challenge 2008 Wrap-up

I totally forgot that the Spring Reading Challenge was ending. So I guess I better post my results. Here's my original post and my goals. Let's find out if I met them.

I had 9 books on my list (7 fiction and 2 non-fiction)

Books completed from my list:

Auralia's Colors - which I had a hard time getting into because of all the new words/names of things that aren't real in our world. But I really enjoyed this book and am getting ready to purchase the 2nd book in the series.

And that's it for my list.

Books I read that weren't on my list:

MissMatch by Erynn Mangum

ReMatch by Erynn Mangum


and currently reading:

Perfecting Kate by Tamara Leigh (also not on my origional list)


I've noticed over the last two reading challenges that I tend to read books that I haven't put on my list. Maybe I'm looking at them like I have to read them therefore they aren't as interesting to read. Kind of like homework I guess. The books on my list are all books I own so I will definitely get to them sometime or another.

The next books I will be reading are books I've read before. The City of Ember books by Jeanne DuPrau. Her fourth book comes out in August and I want to reread them before the last book.

Books I Own

I'm putting up this list of books that I own so that friends (that I lend books to) can see what the picks are.


Fiction (Christian)

Abram's Daughters Series 1-5 - Beverly Lewis

Stuck in the Middle - Virginia Smith

Perfecting Kate - Tamara Leigh

Sushi for One? - Cami Tang

Potluck Club Takes the Cake - Linda Evans Shepard & Eva Marie Everson

Homeland Heroes Series 1-4 - Donna Fleisher

Return to Me - Robin Lee Hatcher

Let Them Eat Cake - Sandra Byrd

The Dead Don't Dance - Charles Martin

Over Her Head - Shelley Bates

Georgia On Her Mind - Rachel Hauck

Auralia's Colors - Jeffrey Overstreet

My Life as a Doormat - Rene Gutteridge

Split Ends - Kristin Billerbeck

Chronicle of Narnia - C.S. Lewis

The Meeting of Anni Adams - Lonnie D. Story



Fiction

The Hiding Place - Trezza Azzopardi

The Last Convertible - Anton Myrer

The Copper Beach - Maeve Binchy

Evening Class - Maeve Binchy

The Return Journey - Maeve Binchy

Circle of Friends - Maeve Binchy

Scarlet Feather - Maeve Binchy

The Princess Bride - William Goldman

A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

Alas, Babylon - Pat Frank

Schindler's List - Thomas Keneally

She's Come Undone - Wally Lamb

Wicked - Gregory Maguire

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister - Gregory Maguire

The Red Tent - Anita Diamant

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott

My Antonia - Willa Cather

Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres

The Bright Side of Disaster - Katherine Center

Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen

The Other Mother - Gwendolen Gross

The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks

The Wedding - Nicholas Sparks



YA & JF

The Series of Unfortunate Events 1-13 - Lemony Snicket

The Beatrice Letters - Lemony Snicket

Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography

Inkheart - Cornelia Funke

Inkspell - Cornelia Funke

Inkdeath - Cornelia Funke

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares

City of Ember - Jeanne DuPrau

People of Sparks - Jeanne DuPrau

The Prophet of Yonwood - Jeanne DuPrau

Number the Stars - Lois Lowry

Island of the Blue Dolphins - Scott O'Dell

Julie of the Wolves - Jeane Craighead George

(and lots of others that are in boxes that I'm not digging out to find out what I have)



Non-Fiction

Experiencing the Ressurection - Henry Blackaby & Mel Blackaby

The Name - Franklin Graham


I also have tons of children's books and text books related to Child Development and Geography and other stuff as well.

Organic Nursing Covers and a Sale at Bebe Au Lait

Back in April, Bebe Au Lait launched a line of organic nursing covers. They are simply called Simple Organics by Bebe Au Lait . They use 100% cotton or 100% linen and have beautiful colors.


Right now, Bebe Au Lait is having a Sale. Lots of their Bug & Pickle body products are on clearance. Get those while they still have them. There are also burp cloth grab bags available for 50% off. But make sure you stop by soon or there won't be anything left. While you are there check out some of their new nursing cover patterns and especially their new organic line.

Luvs, Anita Renfroe and a $5 off coupon

Anita Renfroe is a very funny Comedienne and Mom. You might have seen the YouTube video of her William Tell Overture with everything a Mom says. It is funny and very true. She has a brand new DVD out called, "It's Probably Just My Thyroid." Her unique style is a blend of musical comedy with sass and edge that focuses on things in her life. Anita says, "All my stuff is about my life – it's real and it connects people - and that's a wonderful thing."

She is also the new spokesperson for Luvs. Luvs diapers are less expensive than other brands but offers the same premium leak protection. With prices of groceries and other items rising this is a real concern for many families. Diapers are things you have to have and use everyday for at least 2 years (at the minimum). That's a lot of diapers. I like that Luvs are readily available at my local grocery store and at larger big box stores.


Did you know they have elastic, stretchy sides? I love those type of sides. It allows you to get a nice tight fit and still be comfortable on babies. It's called the Bear Hug Stretch™.




I have a treat for you. Well actually, I have two treats for you. One is a sneak peek of a new video by Anita Renfroe and the other is a coupon for $5 off. First lets see that video.



Now on to the coupon. On June 25, 2008, Luvs is offering a $5 off coupon at their website. Quantities are Limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. So if you would like a great deal, head on over there and get a coupon and take a stand against pricier diapers by pledging to choose products that offer premium features for no extra cost.

Get Fancy at This Full House

There is a cute new doll on the scene. Her name is Fancy Nancy and she is my nieces favorite right now. The books are wonderful and fun and sparkly and girly. Right now, This Full House is giving away a Fancy Nancy doll, popcorn, and a gift card to blockbuster. Great right! You have until June 17 to enter.

Things I'm Waiting For

A few things I'm looking forward to.

• The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau - the fourth book in the City of Ember books. It's being released in August 2008.

• The City of Ember - the movie. It's being released this October. I can't wait. I saw a preview last night at the movies and was so excited.
  

• Inkdeath - The last book in the Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke. This book comes out in October.

• Inkheart - the movie. I know I've posted about this before. It was supposed to be released around Easter of this year but they postponed it till Jan of 2009. Ack! To long to wait.

Sail Away with Metropolitan Mama

Would you like to sail away? Metropolitan Mama and Protect-A-Bed is having a great giveaway. They are offering up an all expenses paid cruise for 2 to the Caribbean. There will also be weekly giveaways of Protect-A-Bed products. If you have a mattress, you need to protect it. You have until September 1, 2008 to enter.

Melinda's Girlie Giveaway

Melinda Zook is giving away a flip & tumble bag. These are so great. I love to use reusable bags at the store but they often get forgotten in the car. These can roll up into their own pouch and be put in my purse.

I would love to have one of these. If you want to enter visit Melinda Zook and enter before June 12.

Ribbon Rockstar has a KitchenAid Mixer for you

Need a KitchenAid mixer? Ribbon Rockstar is giving away an Almond colored one on her blog right now. You have until June 13 to enter.

Get a Zune at An Island Life

An Island Life and Best Buy have teamed together for an amazing giveaway for Father's Day. You can win a Zune for your husband/father (or you, I won't tell). Head on over and enter before June 13.

This is one I would love to win.

Father's Day Gift Guide at From Dates to Diapers

Make sure to stop by From Dates to Diapers to see what great gifts you could get for you father or husband. There is also going to be some great giveaways.

I'm a Finalist! Please Vote

Yay! I'm a finalist in the 5 Minutes for Mom "Kid in You" contest. I would appreciate your vote!

Vote for Keeping My Fingers Crossed. Feel free to let your friends know to vote as well.

Here is the link for voting. Right here