12/13 12 Pearls of Christmas : God With Us

December 13 (extra post):
12 Pearls of Christmas: God With Us

LISTENING FOR CHRISTMAS
by Deb Kalmbach

I used to be the queen of over-commitment, and December brought out the worst in this malady. It was as if I were poised at an imaginary starting line, and when I flipped the calendar page, I was off and running--the December dash!

You could hardly see any white space on my daily planner it was so jammed with events. Kids' Christmas programs, church programs, and endless lists of things-to-do obscured my calendar and my vision to see what really mattered. Each day when we hung another ornament on our Advent tree, I felt my chest tighten, and my breathing get shallower. Only single-digit shopping days left...Panic mode was about to set in.

Of course I was singing in the Christmas choir. I love music, and the heavenly Christmas anthems we sang. The neighborhood cookie exchange was an annual tradition. Forget about the old standards, chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies. Let's talk about jam-filled tea cookies, chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls, or iced sugar cookies with colored sprinkles. My kitchen looked like a Martha Stewart test kitchen gone awry.

My head spins just thinking about it. I usually felt so frustrated and exhausted by Christmas Day, I barely enjoyed the celebration. I repeated this drill for many Christmas seasons, before I finally decided to step back and think about why I was trying to accomplish the impossible. I learned to take a deep breath and accept the fact that I can't do it all-and I'm much better off if I don't try.

That's probably why I'm writing this. The tendency to revert to this frenzied pace by mid-December is still a challenge. I need to be reminded of the quiet simplicity of this season, so I can hear the age-old message once again.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

Immanuel! Our God is with us. If we can stop long enough to listen-we will hear the invitation that beckons us to come, to wait, to get ready for our coming King.

No doubt, December will be as busy as ever with gifts to purchase, trees to decorate and carols to sing. But this Advent season, I pray that in the midst of everything contending for our time and attention, our hearts will be moved and our senses sharpened to rejoice in God's greatest gift.

________________________________________

Deb Kalmbach is the co-author of Because I Said Forever: Embracing Hope in a Not-So-Perfect Marriage and the author of a book for children, Corey's Dad Drinks Too Much. Deb and her husband, Randy, make their home in a tiny town in Eastern Washington. Visit Deb at her website or blog.

__________________________________

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is leave a comment here. Come back on New Year's Day to see if you won!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

Would you like to subscribe to my E-mail newsletter?

Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Oxfam America Unwrapped - Give a Gift with Purpose

Oxfam America UnWrapped - Donate for a Good Cause

About the program:

With the holidays right around the corner, thoughts inevitably turn toward the challenging task of buying gifts for friends, family, and colleagues. With an ever-growing list of people to buy for, each year I find myself searching for unique, meaningful gifts that fit my budget.

This year, Oxfam America Unwrapped introduces gifts that help those who need it most. From $20 for a pair of school uniforms donated to a poor community to a $50 goat sent to a struggling farmer to help provide fertilizer and food for his family, Oxfam America Unwrapped offers a convenient, easy way to find something for every one on your list while helping those less fortunate and avoiding the excess of the holiday season. When you buy a gift from OxfamGifts.com, your recipient gets a card with the image of your specific gift and the money goes toward providing lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice in over 100 countries.

To see how your donation affects the lives of people around the world, log on to the Oxfam America Unwrapped website and click on the "How your donation helps" section. Visitors can learn about Oxfam America's amazing work on projects such as restoring Mangrove trees to Vietnam's coastline and the creation of savings and loan programs in Mali, Senegal, and Cambodia.

My views:

Interest, occasion, recipient, and price range, this narrows it down at Oxfam's website, its extremely simple, choose from those listed or check out the featured, there is a wide range of gifting options! From extremely thoughtful gifts to ones that are downright funny, for example , for $12 you can gift Manure. This isn't seriously a load of crap either, manure is turned into power, agricultural power. You didn't know that, did you? A Farmers Flock (one cow and a pair of sheep) is one of my favorites, for $150 you can make a difference in someone's family with gifting them this  very economical purchase. Another one I like is helping to Rebuild a Primary School with your donation of $1500 , this goes to repair and rebuild a safe haven for the children's educational benefit.

After you choose your gift, you get a card with the image of your gift with the option to personalize the card online or actually write in the card yourself, and your gift helps someone in need (also these are tax deductible). Check out how simple it is by clicking here.

Give a gift with purpose this holiday season:

Oxfam America Unwrapped

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of OxfamAmerica Unwrapped and received a credit for a gift on the Oxfam site.”

Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Let's Say Thanks - To our Troops!

Let's Say Thanks to our Troops this year! Send a "free" postcard, shine a little light in one of our serving soldier's lives today! 

Thanks to Let's Say Thanks & Give2TheTroops 

Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Your Friend shops easy and thinks you should too!

CSN Stores offers the largest selection of items for your home and office, at the lowest prices! As a rewards member you get $15 toward your first order and 3% back on every purchase. Plus, earn $15 for every friend you refer who makes a purchase!

View >>

Holiday Gift Guide Day 1 - Children's Music

Remember, the Holiday Gift Guide & Giveaways! You can find more prizes at Janet & Erin's blogs. If you register to win ANY prize on their blogs, you get extra entries. Come back and tell me what you signed up to win.

Big Truck Music

So are you ready to dance, sing, and have fun? Rockin', Rollin' And Ridin' with Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck is a must have this holiday season for your lil' star in the making.  This fun filled cd releases on November 10th!

You may remember Rebecca Frezza from Noggin's "Move to the Music", they show her videos throughout the day and also on "Jack's Big Music Show". She's been featured in 8 music videos on PBS too.  Her songs are catchy and fun not just for the kids either, I've found myself singing her tunes! Winner of 14 National Awards its a wonder why we love her music soo much!

My son Gabriel (2 yrs) loves music, all kinds of music, especially music he can dance and sing to! When I popped in Rockin', Rollin' & Ridin he was instantly movin' and a groovin'. His favorite songs are calming and melody filled "Smiling Moon", just read these lyrics, they are amazing and all of the songs are written by Rebecca Frezza herself.

Take a step and I will follow you
Share a smile and I’ll share one with you
Shining down I will follow you
Watching over all that you do
Seasons pass so quickly, running through the sky
I will always be here shining up so high
Reach up high I will reach for you
Moon beams stretching down to you
Seasons pass so quickly, running through the sky
I will always be here shining up so high
Shining down
Reach up high
Share a smile with me…

His favorite to dance to was Rocketship, its really catchy and this song will have your lil' one definately wanting to go to the moon and back! It goes Rocketship Rocketship to the Moon, Rocketship Rocketship Fly..... Its really catchy and fun!

Pre-Order Now for only $8.99

WANT TO WIN YOUR VERY OWN COPY OF "ROCKIN', ROLLIN', AND RIDIN'?"

*I'm also giving a copy away at Loving Heart Mommy ends 11/30, CLICK HERE!*

How to Enter:

I'd like you to check out Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck and let me know of another song off of
Rockin' , Rollin' and Ridin' that you love.


Extras:

1. Add me to your blogroll or add my button.
2. Blog it, link back to this post. (2 extra)
3. Add Rebecca Frezza to your FB or Myspace (1 entry for both)
4. Sign up for their Newsletter, click here
   
5. Friend/Fan @ Facebook (Networked Blogs is to the left of this posting)
6. Subscribe by email/RSS. (2 extra)
7. Sign up to win giveaways from Janet & Erin in the Holiday Gift Guide.
   ( let me know which ones) (1 extra for each giveaway you enter)
   
8. Follow on Twitter @erinlowmaster & Tweet (daily entries available)

Non, bloggers & bloggers alike…
Email a friend about this giveaway. (Leave name of friend)

Tweet: (copy/paste)
RT: @kristinialeanna (add url)


This Giveaway is only open to U.S and Canada
Giveaway running till 11/30/09 . Winners will be notified shortly afterward by email. Please respond within 48 hours or you forfeit your prize to another participant.

Disclaimer: This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Holiday Gift Guide & Giveaways w/ LHD, C2C & LHM!

Designed by FCreations.

You can copy/paste it on your blogs to help support our blog. If you would like your product reviewed for our HGG and/or offer a giveaway, contact GAhome2mom pr myself kristinia(AT)lovingheartmommy(DOT)com.

Also, If anyone would like to be a guest reviewer for this venture, please leave a comment on this post. :)

This will be their very first Holiday Gift Guide & Giveaway!!!

Loving Heart Mommy (LHM),

GAhome2mom(LHD), Erin (Connected2Christ) and Fawn(Fcreations)

Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Giveaways of Interest - Add Yours

An Island Life
Alpha Sherpa Baby Diaper Backpack
Sept 27th/US
http://islandlife808.com/giveaways/alpha-sherpa-diaper-backpack-giveaway/

An Island Life
Shabby Apple Women's Dress
Sept 29th/US
http://islandlife808.com/giveaways/shabby-apple-dress-giveaway/

An Island Life
Jewelry by Artwark
Oct 1/US
http://islandlife808.com/giveaways/jewelry-by-artwalk-giveaway/

An Island Life
$100 to Costumes Inc.
Oct 2/US
http://islandlife808.com/giveaways/100-to-costumes-inc-giveaway/






* Anytime Costume Ends 10/04
* Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms Ends 9/30
* Bittersweet Memories by Cecelia Dowdy Ends 10/30
* Holy Bible: Mosaic NLT Blog Tour - Win a copy! 11/24 




Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Holiday Party Invitations

Holiday Party Invitation

It's the most wonderful time of the year, isn't it? Well, its not quite Christmas yet but its never too soon to think about holiday party invitations. Holiday Invitations made easily from the convenience of your own home and with just a click of your mouse, no waiting in line at your local photo lab.

Halloween is just around the corner, wouldn't it look nice with some holiday invites for that special party your planning? Have a costume party, make up the invitations, and send them out to all your friends and family. Its not too late either, they will Print and Ship Your Order the SAME DAY it is Approved. 

Have a favorite photo from last years party? Want your guests to remember how much fun you all had? You Can Add a Photo, Picture or Logo to Any Card on Their Site, what a great surprise it would be to have your lil' monster on the invitations for this years costume party?

Like to party? Oktoberfest is on-going, get the guys and gals together with a few customizable invitations to celebrate the holiday in good cheer!

 If your like me you need to plan ahead and what better way than with http://www.holiday-invitations.com for all invitations holiday!




Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Up & Coming at LHM Holiday

AllChildren'sFurniture.Com
Have you come across this wonderful site?

Be sure to check back for a review and giveaway from All Children's Furniture! I definately know where I am going to look first when it comes to furniture and toys of quality for my children!

For a limited Time Sale! Any Order Over $69 Ships Free! Best Selection, No Tax, and Everyday Low Prices!*

"ACF sells everything from kids furniture to toys.”

Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

2009 Bloggy Bashes!

On the blogosphere you can't start 2009 without some great giveaways! Get in on the fun, some of the super cool sponsors for The Mom Buzz New Years Party are:

Hip-T

2. Mia Belle Baby

3. Persnicketea

4. Boon
5. Zoobies

6. Jack and Lily

7. Psychobaby

8. Childish Clothing

9. Heelarious

10. Photo Greetings

11. Silver Dolphin Books




From The Mom Buzz:
What makes this contest even cooler is you have double the opportunities to win! Since items will be featured on BOTH sites, you can enter on BOTH sites! Simply watch out for different ways to enter. Children's clothing, items for mom, toys and drinks, we'll give you a great start into the New Year!

What's ongoing as of today?!?!, New Years Day!

Jack & Lily Toddler Shoes

New Years Party : Zoobie Pets

Ongoing Giveaways Now from Busy Mommy:

Flying Colors Baby - Bamboo Polo Tee

Win a PEEK!

HooHobbers Review and Giveaway

Win a Pair of Baby Banz!

Huggalugs Giveaway

Win a Snuggle Blanket from Candy Jam Boutique

Win Products from Kiss My Face Kid's Collection! (5 winners)

Win a Reusable Grocery Bag from Green Goody Bags

Win a t-shirt from TwilightMoms.com

First day of the New Year and at The Soothie Ranch you have a chance to win a fab apron from Carolyn's Kitchen - ends January 18th!


Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Win a Years Supply of Breakfast

Fast Fixin’ and Walmart want to serve you and your family a Holiday Break-Feast. In the interest of saving time and money here are the 7 ways to save!

Sign up for Fanatics to print $5 in Savings coupons

Purchase the January “All You” magazine for $1.50 Savings (Magazine contains $50 in manufacturer’s coupons)

Purchase the Fast Fixin’ Breakfast items and send in the Try Me Free for up to $5 in savings.

Cut out the UPC’s from the products and collect 10 to earn a free product coupon. = $7.99 Savings

Use the coupon inside the box of Fast Fixin’ Breakfast items for a $1 savings.

Use the Coupon in the Breakfast Burrito box for a Savings of $1.50

Use the Coupon in the Fast Classics Country Fried Steak for $2 off any 2 Fast Fixin’ Breakfast Items= $2 Savings.

Total Savings: Up to $24.00

Print the flyer below to take the “7 Ways to Save” with you to the store for your convenience.

**Print Here **

Fast Fixin’ Breakfast products are only available at certain Walmart Locations.
Coupons listed are on a limited availability basis.

**AND THAT’S NOT ALL**

You have the chance to win 1 of 15 Years Supply of Breakfast from Fast Fixin’ and Fast Classics.

Prizes will be awarded as: 24 Free Product Coupons good on any Fast Fixin’ or Fast Classics item up to $7.99 for each family.

15 Family’s Will Win!

To Enter you must go to the Consumer Queen, we are just spreading the word!

Contest ends on 1/15/09

Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Just Wanted to Say Thanks Giveaway from Metropolitan Gifts!

Metropolitan Gifts, purveyors of ingeniously designed custom gifts that combine distinctive products with reusable packages. Based in NY and LA. Custom and bulk orders available. Visit www.metropolitangiftsnyc.com

If you still have last minute gifts to buy for teachers, babysitters,
dance instructors, piano teachers, housekeepers, next-door neighbor, and all
those other wonderful folks that help enrich the lives of our families (and make
it through the day with sanity), please consider the following gifts
(P.S. call for bulk and custom orders, (866) 643- 7364 )

The Last Minute Gift Collection I-V. You've done most of your
holiday shopping and have no brain power left to make a good decision. The

Last Minute Gift Collection suits most purposes perfectly! Prices started
at $25 and feature sweet treats including biscotti, milk chocolates,
shortbread cookies and more.

Metropolitan Gifts Signature Chocolates. These handmade, exotic
chocolates by acclaimed pastry chef Jean-Francois Bonnet make a marvelous
business gift. What's more, the box can be customized with the recipient's
name or a company logo. Available in flavors including: Thai Basil, Green
Tea and Fresh Lime. Prices start at $9.50 - 3 piece; 11.50 - 6 piece;
$25.00 - 9 piece; $69.00 - 24 piece.

From the site: "If you’re looking for a fabulous gift for the holidays, a birthday, graduation, or just to say thanks, we’ve got dozens of unique arrangements to “wow” the recipient. OR if you want to us to design a custom gift, we’re happy to work with you to create seomthing really special. Every gift we create has a personality and a purpose."

GIVEAWAY:

"Just Wanted to Say Thanks"

This collection of stylish suede stackable boxes are stuffed with
mouthwatering treats including a classic NY cheesecake. Yum! Contents
include:

. Mixed Fruit Candy
. Truffles
. Cheese
. Crackers
. NY Cheesecake
. Lindt Chocolate
. 3 Suede Boxes

Retails for $39.


WANT TO WIN?:

Check out Metropolitan Gifts, and let us know your favorite gift collection and who you have in mind to give it to.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
Place my button in your sidebar.
Subscribe to my feed or Follow this Blog.
Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here and to Metropolitan Gifts.
Non-Bloggers (Email two friends and include my email in BCC/CC kristinia AT lovingheartmommy DOT com)

Giveaway ends Dec 30th, you have 3 days to claim your prize, be sure to check your email for this!!

Special Offer:
Metropolitan Gifts would like to offer you 10% off on all holiday gift arrangements. Simply visit www.metropolitangiftsnyc.com, click on the Holiday Gift Guide, make your purchases and enter code HOL2008. You can also call (866) 643- 7364 and mention this offer.


Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Face your Manga -Create your own for FREE!

Have you heard about Face your Manga? create your own cool avatar, I like how mine turned out above!



Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Celine Dion - Taking Chances World Tour! Contest too!

If you're a fan of Celine Dion or just love great live entertainment, check out Celine’s Taking Chances World Tour. Her North American tour dates have been extended into February ’09 so take a look and see if she’s coming to your town. Celine’s concert tickets may just be the perfect gift for a friend, family member or yourself. See what the show is like here.

Help spread the word about Celine Dion's Taking Chances World Tour by posting this widget and you can enter to win one of the following incredible prizes:

Flip Video Camera *** Nintendo DS Lite*** iPod Nano*** $100 SpaFinder.com


Want to join the One2One Network for more great opportunities like this? Click Here to sign up: and put my name Kristinia-Loving Heart Mommy as your referral!

Contest runs Dec. 17 - 31, 2008. Winners will be chosen via Random.org from all verified entries received by 11:59 pm EST on Dec. 31, 2008 and winner will be notified the week of January 5, 2009.

Thanks to:




Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

My Little Black Dress For Less!

This holiday season I figured I couldn't go wrong with a black dress.. Black seems to be the new Red and Green this Holiday Season.


The dress from Wet Seal, I bought this a few months back for only $10!

The shoes I got from our local Navy Exchange on the clearance rack for $12

Then of course I needed to add a little glam, so I got my nails done at our local
Wal-Mart's nail salon for $20.00

$10 dress from Wet Seal
$12 shoes from the Exchange
$20 Nails done at Wal-Mart
____
$42 total spent on my holiday dress!
Not bad huh? Its easy to do just look for items before the holiday and you too can be in style for that special Holiday party or get together!

As for jewelry I haven't decided.. I know I have my diamond earrings from Mother's Day but I need to find earrings and a nice necklace!

I'll show a picture of my nails tonight, cause that's when I'm getting them done!

Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

VOTE NOW FOR OUR LIL' CHRISTMAS TREE!

Please go vote for Loving Heart Mommy, #25 at an Island Life's Christmas Tree Contest!!!

It's time to VOTE!! Please VOTE for ME!!!

Starting NOW until Tuesday the 16th you can vote for Gabriel and Helana's lil' tree. Oh, and please spread the word to others you know. I wish they had specific categories for articial and live... but you never know who the winner will be, there are a lot of beautifully decorated trees.

YOU CAN VOTE FOR US ONCE EACH DAY UNTIL TUESDAY THE 16tH!!


How to Vote:

1) Go to this link: http://islandlife808.com/uncategorized/voting-is-now-open/

2)Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page until you see the COMMENT FORM.

3) Fill out the form with your name (it can be a nickname if you don't want to give your real name), your email (don't worry, nobody else can see your email once you put it in) and then in the box write: I vote for #25 Loving Heart Mommy!


Happy Holidays and Thanks soo much!


Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Support Military Families this Holiday!

Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~

Oh Christmas Tree- Our Trees of 2008!

(Our two trees, the tall green one is from last year and we added the mini white tree for both Gabriel and Helana!)



(Gabriel's custom ornament, he's being goofy!)



(Helana's custom ornament, isn't she a doll?)


(We added shatterproof ornaments, with Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Sesame Street figurines, Snowbabies and bright lights!)



(The tree collage!)










Join in on the fun at you have until the 12th to submit your Tree!
Also please come back and vote for me once the trees go live!




Smiles,

~Kristinia/Loving Heart Mommy~